: This chapter is going to be massive, so be ready.
After a very search going through a very complex system, the team had made it to the hobo camp. Mako had talked to the locals to see if they could stay, and they didn't have a problem with the arrangement. They sat around a fire, Korra glared at Naruto she felt if he had came forward sooner they would have avoided all this.
"Naruto?" She asked sternly
"Hmm?"
"Why don't you fight? At the island you took out that guy like nothing, so why don't you fight?" She asked frustrated
He stared into the fire he was not comfortable with telling her, but he did need to explain himself.
"Back home there was this war, It was with same people you're facing...The Akatsuki" he began
Everyone was silent as he began his short tale, but most were surprised to know that Naruto was a war vet.
"A lot of people died, just as many were injured I lost some important people" he answered
Korra instantly regretted her question as she felt guilt.
"I guess that's why I'm hesitant to fight it's hard I begin to fight...but I'm going to try harder to help you I promise you that" he said with determination in his voice
"How are you so sure?" Mako asked skeptical
"Cause one of the few things I'm proud of is never going back on my word" he answered with a smile
Lin had been tortured for hours now as it felt like it. Her arm was broken she felt her insides screaming.
"I see you're more resilient than you let on" Kakuzo said
Lin glared as he turned his back on her.
"We'll let you rest for now" He said as they left
"And don't die! You're helping me feel that pain I crave" Hidan suggested to her with his sadistic smile
Lin really didn't know how long she could take this, hoping that she wouldn't die just yet.
General Iroh and his fleet were slowly making their way into the rivers of Republic City.
"General were just about to enter Republic City waters"
"Good, tell our men to be ready to counter any surprise attacks" he ordered
His fire benders got into their positions slowly entering. As they came into a small bottle neck opening.
"Sir! Look!"
General Iroh did and saw a flock of white birds coming his way, they didn't look like any normal birds.
"Start firing" he ordered
"Sir?"
"Just do it!"
They began to throw shots at the flock watching them explode as each landed.
"Keep them from reaching us!!" Iroh shouted
Though what he saw in the sky he didn't in the water, small clay snakes began to slither their way to the warships. As they got close enough they exploded, the warships began to sink setting the river on fire. Iroh was trying to stay on balance as his ship began to sink.
"Everyone!! Evacuate!!" He ordered though there were few alive
The flock soon landed and set off another layer of explosions. Iroh made it to the upper deck stumbling, as the screams of his subordinates was the only thing he could hear. Trying to get to the emergency life boats, as one of the engines gave out blowing what was left. General Iroh was tossed overboard as well, the rest of the fleet didn't last long.
Naruto had heard the explosions from the hobo camp, Korra followed as she wanted to see what it was. They made it to the bank of the river and saw the blazing destruction of the United Forces fleet.
"That's the fleet" Korra said as she the wreckage
"We got someone over here!" Naruto said as he found the general
Korra saw him and knew who he was looking around for anyone suspicious.
"We gotta get him outta here" she suggested
Naruto picked him up and carried him to the hobo camp, he was light and not all that difficult to carry. As soon as they got there he placed Iroh on a bunk. Korra used her water bending to heal him, slight movement showed he was still alive.
"He's waking up" Asami said as he began to open his eyes slowly
Iroh's vision was blurry, but cleared up as he saw them.
"Take it easy" Naruto advised
Iroh began to sit up rubbing his head as he remembered what happened.
"Did any others survive?" He asked
"No, just you" Naruto answered again
The general was at a lost for words, his entire fleet destroyed in a matter of minutes.
"Who attacked us?"
"A guy named Deidara, an explosives expert a member of the Akatsuki" he answered
"Akatsuki? I thought this was an Equalists situation?"
"It was, but somehow they struck a deal with them and as you experienced first hand they're strong" Asami answered
"So what do we do? General Bumi is supposed to get here with the relief fleet and if we can't him past we don't have a chance to defeat the Equalists" Iroh explained
"Then we have to go on the offensive" Naruto suggested
"What? How are we supposed to do that?" Bolin asked
"They needed Hiroshi Sato for some reason and we need to find out where they're hiding and after that we go after Amon" Naruto answered
"So we find them, and we take their base so they won't be able to fight!" Asami said
"So what we waiting for let's go" Korra said cracking her knuckles
"Okay, but first off" Naruto said as he bit his thumb
Pressing it on the floor a poof of smoke as a tracking frog appeared.
"Naruto what do you need!" The toad asked as everyone was at a lost for words
"I need you track someone" he answered as he grabbed Asami's hand
"Can you find someone who matches her scent" He asked
The toad took in her scent breathing it in deeply.
"What do you think I? A dog? Nice perfume though" the old toad growled
"Can you track them?" Naruto asked
"Yes, everyone's Chakra no matter how similar are unique and tracking him will be easy" he answered
He meditated for a short moment and finally caught the link, everyone nodded as the toad began to track it. They followed as the small creature hopped at an amazing speed, doing their best to keep up accept for Naruto. They seemed to be heading up the mountain once more, snow began to cover the ground. The toad stopped as he took out a pipe and began to smoke, the others had caught up.
"We're here" the toad said
Coming upon a base here they saw fighters and mechs, and other Equalists wandering around. As they were about to enter, Naruto stopped them.
"Wait"
Confused by his sudden stop, he pulled a kunai and threw it at the poles that were placed. The touched shocked it fell to with some smoke coming of it. Korra then made an arch of Ice so that they could get over the fence. They snuck in taking cover behind a tent.
"We need get rid of the mechs and fighters or Bumi won't be able to get the fleet through" Iroh said
"Here" Naruto said handing out a few paper bombs
"What're these?" Bolin asked
"Paper Bombs, I'll detonate them once you place them" Naruto answered
Nodding they began to split up and began to place, as Bolin was about to tag the radio tower.
"So you found us" Hiroshi said
He stood again in his mech suit with Equalists by his side, before running he threw up an Earth wall to delay them.
"If he's here then the others are two go find! And alert the fighters to start up their engines!" He ordered
The siren went off echoing through the mountainous terrain, the others were about start placing the bombs on the fighters. Though they were quickly ascending into the air, Iroh without thinking got into a unmanned fighter.
"I'll stop them! You guys deal with the rest!!" Iroh shouted as he too ascended
As soon as he could stabilize the plane he stood up, channeling his chi and striking it at those airborne. Two crash as the other began to turn to deal with him, one decided to take him head on. As it got closer the other from behind made sure he didn't escape, as the two closed in Iroh jumped last minute causing a collision with one. As he did he shot a fire ball at the one that was behind him causing it to make a crash landing. Seeing the debris fall just before he landed into the water, swimming while also making sure to get hit was difficult. Making it to land safely.
Hiroshi and his men were in a stuggled with the team.
"Lava Style: Lava Monster Jutsu"
The lava hit one of the mech burning and melting the mech also killing the man inside. Korra used a water tentacle causing one to fall, freezing the joints as well. Hiroshi's modified mech was proofing more of a hassle than the others.
"Just give up! Once Amon's done with Republic City there won't be a single bender left!" He announced shooting off his turret gun
Asami was running throughout the camp hoping to find a way to help, til she came up an empty mech.
"You're wasting your time" Hiroshi mocked as he had the Avatar cornered
Just as he was about to fire his last round, a massive force hit him rocking him back and forth. Getting his bearings he saw something that broke his heart. Asami stood in her mech with a determined face ready to fight.
"Asami! How could you!?" He shouted
"What you're doing is wrong!! And I can't stand around wait for you stop!!" She answered
He gritted his teeth and got ready for the fight he would later regret.
"You guys go!! Stop Amon!" Asami shouted
As three began to leave they notice Naruto wasn't with them.
"Naruto what're you doing!? Come on!" Bolin shouted
"It's alright, I'll catch up" he answered
"No, Asami says she can handle it you should put a little faith in her" Mako spat
"I do, but she needs someone after it's all done" he explained
Korra knew what he meant, Asami was fighting her father and this could determin who she will be in the coming future.
"Let's go!" Korra spoke
Hesitating they did as told, Naruto watched as Asami fought against the man she once knew.
Korra and the others were just about to make it into the city, but were greeted by a parade showing Equalists banners and flags.
"What the?"
"They think Amon won, but need to get to where he is" Mako said impatiently
Bolin scanned where the crowed was headed and saw it was going.
"Look! They're heading to City Hall!" Bolin said pointing at the large building
"Okay, but we need a way in" Mako said
Korra looked around and saw three Equalists standing as crowd control.
"That's how" he said nodding to them
Going into an alleyway they waited til the parade was out of earshot.
"Benders!!" Korra shouted
Hearing the word the chi blockers acted fast, as they entered where the voice came from Korra used a water tentacle to slam one into the wall and kick him unconscious. Mako threw a fire combo landing an upper cut, as Bolin threw a good size rock one of their heads.
"Good, let's get dressed"
Asami was sweating she knew her dad was good inventor, but didn't know he was just as a good pilot. Shooting off a few from his turret gun she dodged them by drifting passed, she launched her electric claw pinning his shooting arm. Disarming himself of his gun he was in free movement again, Asami gritted her teeth in frustration.
"Stop this! You can't win!" Hiroshi shouted
"That remains to be seen!" She shouted
As he drifting she noticed there was a steady line of puddles on the snowy ground. She distracted him a few movements as to call back her claw, receiving it back she aimed it Hiroshi.
"You can't hit me" he said in a more gentler voice
"I'm not aiming for you" she whispered
She then shot it adjusting it first to hit the water he was on, as soon as it landed Hiroshi's eyes widened as he and his mech began to course through with electricity. He layed unconscious as she exited the mech, taking one more glance at a once great she left. Naruto sat on small pile of Equalists who had attempted to interfere in the fight.
"Are you okay?" He asked as she approached him
"No" she answered saddened
"I know, just thought I'd ask" he reassured her
She looked at the city wondering how they would make it back in time.
"How are we going to reach Republic City in time?" She asked Naruto
"I got that covered" he answered as he picked her up
"W-what are you doing!?" She asked as he lifted her
"I'm faster than most, we'll get there in no time"
He then began to sprint as he kicked up snow, seeing they nearly almost a mile away from the base. Not before detonating the paper bombs, leaving a good fire in the mountains.
The trio had entered without a problem, as they began to run through the halls as they could his voice.
"I welcome! You brothers and sisters!" He announced as they cheered
"Today is a the day we take back our city!!" He shouted as he gestured to his gaurd
They then brought out Lin, and the other officers they had captured. Lin was presented front and center on stage.
"This is someone you might recognize! Lin Beifong!! Former Chief of Police!!" He announced as the crowd booed
"Today! I take away her bending so that she can feel the oppression she has placed upon!! Us!!"
The crowd once again cried and chanted the name Amon, Lin was bruised and beaten unable to resist. Approaching her placing his thumb on her head she watched in shock as he was about to take her bending away.
"Not so fast Amon!!" Korra shouted as she swiped at him
Dodging in time he put distance between her and the group confronting him. They sat ready as Bolin grabbed Lin and took her to safety.
"Avatar Korra! Are you here place more of your oppressive agenda on us!!" He accused
"Easy for you to talk, taking people's bending by force!" She shouted
He gripped his fists as his subordinates rushed to his aid. Korra began to throw a mixture of fire and water bending, he surprised by the attack nonetheless dodged each one. Just as he was about to get close to her, Tenzin came through the window throwing a gust of air at him.
"What!" Amon growled
"Sorry Amon, but your outmatched" he said
As all four were about to attack him, they stopped their muscles tensed up and they were immobile. Amon showed he was using blood bending by the way his posture was. Flinging them across the room, that was when the crowd saw the real Amon.
"He bended!"
"Amon! Blood Bended!!"
As he left he put his men to sleep with the same bending, as he began to make his escape.
"Not so fast!!" Korra shouted chasing after him
Going out the back he began to make for the side entrance, a fire shot from Korra shifted his focsued. Korra was using combos, but he used different techniques to remain out of range. Just as she was about to throw another layer of attack. She tensed up and was levitated off the ground, being tossed in the supply room. Crashing onto the floor he approached her, but was delayed by Mako.
"Don't you ever quite!?" He growled blood bending Mako into submission
Mako didn't give up as he channeled his chi, and shot a bolt of lightening at Amon. Being thrown off for a minute he threw Mako to the side, as he kneeled for a breath.
"Why?" Korra asked Amon glanced at her
"Why did you do it!"
"They needed me! I thought they saw my potential! But it seemed I was only a lapdog!!" He shouted in rage
"Who?" She pushed for more answers
"The Akatsuki, you think they just let anyone in? They are far stronger than you, but they still needed me!!" He growled
"So why stay?"
"They would have found me later, and imprison me for later use" he answered
He the got to his feet, and began to run. Korra got her strength again chasing after him once more.
"No, you don't Amon" she huffed out
He turned waiting for her to use her bending, but in a instant her eyes glowed. In one huge punch she threw air at the former Equalists leader, he was pushed back.
"Woah, did I do that?" She asked herself
He got up once more and in another big left hook she threw him out the window causing him to land in the water. As he sunk the bottom and his mask leaving his face, he used water bending to launch himself out. Naruto and Asami had seen the once feared man leave the building as they made it there.
Everyone not inside saw their great leader using bender, soon losing hope in his cause. Unable to face his followers he left, diving into the water.
"Coward!!" Korra shouted in anger
Tarrlok was sore and his body beyond recognition. He wanted to fulfill his father's dream of ruling Republic City, instead became something that wasn't himself. The door opened and he saw the face he was all too familiar with, glaring at it.
"Nuatauk" he said just over a whisper
"Ready to leave brother?"
Using his brother as a crutch they began to make to a boat that he had stashed just incase. Turning it on the two began to leave Republic City waters.
"Freedom...isn't nice Tarrlok?" Nuatauk asked his estranged brother
Unable to answer Tarrlok left his eyes to wander, catching a glimpse of a white spider in the corner of his eye.
"Nuatauk!" He shouted just before it exploded
In the forest nearby, Deidara and the other three had watched it explode.
"Now he'll remember my art for eternity" he grinned
"Enough! This let's go!" Hidan yelled
"Let's go, he might to hear about this too" Kakuzo agreed
They then disappeared into the darkness they came from.
Korra was sitting alone on by the river, Naruto watched her from afar. She didn't seem herself she was usually ready for anything, but now she didn't know how to see herself. It was then the young Avatar began to weep tears falling. It was then a familiar clothing caught her eye.
"Sorry, Tenzin I just want to be alone" she said
"But you called me here" an unexpected voice said
She looked and saw Aang standing with a warm smile.
"Aang" she said softly
"You are finally connected with your spiritual self" he explained
"How?" She asked
"It is at our lowest that we reach our highest point" he answered as placed his thumb on her forehead
Her eyes began to glow as she saw all her past lives, Naruto felt different as well feeling the Chakra inside pulse like a heart beat.
"What was that?" He asked clutching his gut
She then began to bend all four elements in sync displaying the Avatar's power. Tenzin and the others came out side, Naruto followed suit. As she slowly descended down she saw the small crowd of her friends and those considered family.
"Thank you...Avatar Korra" Tenzin said as bowed
Then everyone else did showing her respect as she finally reached her full potential.