The Fire Ferrets had the gym for the whole day before the finals, and they had told me beforehand that they were using it to the fullest, starting early in the morning and practicing until right before their match. I couldn't make it for the whole stretch of time, what with my morning shift, but I was there by two.

I burst through the door, a huge smile plastered on my face, snacks in hand. I opened my mouth, ready to greet my friends, but the gym was strangely empty. I frowned, then caught sight of Korra in the corner, taking a swig from her water bottle, and my smile returned.

"Korra, hey! Where's Mako and Bolin? I brought snacks," I shook the bag, and Korra shot me a smile of her own as I took a seat beside her.

"Oh, they're taking a break. I think Bolin said something about giving Pabu a bath?" Korra shrugged, tugging at the bag of snacks. I slid it over, and she snagged some fire flakes, crunching happily.

"I thought you guys were gonna be practicing all day! I came totally prepared to kick all of your asses," I joked, and Korra rolled her eyes, slumping against the wall.

"We were, until Amon came on the radio, demanding for the tournament to be cancelled," Korra blew a stray hair out of her face and I gasped.

"What? So you guys aren't playing?"

"Oh no, we're playing," Korra frowned, shaking her head. "But Mako, Bolin and I had to ride over to City Hall and argue with the council members until they finally agreed to let us play! Some of the people here have no backbone." She grumbled, crunching on a fire flake. I exhaled a breath I didn't know I had been holding. "So we haven't been nose to the grindstone like we wanted to be."

I shook my head, grabbing a fistful of flakes to down myself.

"That's horrible. Is that why there were so many cops outside?"

Korra nodded. "Yeah, Chief Beifong was actually the one who convinced the council to let us play. She's gonna have metalbenders everywhere. We're not letting Amon intimidate us anymore," Korra punched her palm with her fist, trying to convince herself more than anyone else. I was worried, knowing how hard it must have been for her to face Amon at Avatar Aang's statue.

"That's good. I'm glad you guys get to play. Maybe redeem yourselves from the last match," I chuckled, and Korra tried to smile back, but instead it soon fell, replaced with a hard line as she leveled me with a serious look.

"I feel like I didn't apologize to you enough for that whole mess," she admitted, but I waved her off.

"It's OK, I was a little aggressive when I confronted you that day," I crossed my legs, remembering how Korra had immediately agreed to go on a date with Bolin, despite her showing exactly zero interest in him before that very second. Even if I had been right, I could have gone about it a different way.

"No, you weren't! You were right. And then I went and yelled at you and accused you of being jealous…" Korra snorted at that, and I raised an eyebrow. "What was I thinking? You, jealous of me? Because of Bolin? Oh, that was so mean…"

I blushed, looking away and shoving a fistful of fire flakes in my mouth to avoid Korra's gaze. Well, a lot had happened since we had that argument – one of those things being a stupid crush on perhaps the dumbest man I had ever met. I was sure it was just a passing thing, just because I wanted a partner. It didn't have to be a big deal! I would be over it in a couple days, tops.

"Ha, yeah, really mean," I chuckled, trying to shoot Korra a smile, but I'm sure it looked forced. Korra raised an eyebrow.

"'Really mean?'" she quoted, and I winced.

"So, anyway, about tonight's match-"

"Taro! Don't change the subject!" Korra shoved me, giggling, and I practically tipped over. That girl didn't know her own strength, and I joined in her laughter as I righted myself.

"It's nothing! Don't worry about it!" I tried to brush it off, but now Korra was looking at me with wonder.

"No, no, I said something, and now you're embarrassed. What happened?" Korra leaned forward, and I snorted. I had forgotten how much of a gossip she could be sometimes.

"OK, OK. But you have to promise not to tell anyone, alright? Not even Ikki and Jinora – actually, especially not them, the little blabbermouths…"

"I won't I won't!" Korra promised, shaking her head as she looked at me with wonder. "Now spit it out already!"

I swallowed thickly, cracking my knuckles to have something to do with my hands. Did I really want to tell her? I shouldn't, it's probably a passing thing… and what if she likes Bolin? I know she said she didn't, but what if she was just being nice! Or what if she tells Mako… My face went white at that prospect.

"Taro! Come on!" Korra whined, this time shaking me back and forth, my head lolling on my shoulders.

"Alright, alright! I think I have a crush on Bolin!" I cried, then immediately covered my mouth with my hands. Korra was so shocked she stopped shaking me but kept her hands where they were, her eyebrows disappearing into her bangs.

"You do?" she asked, still clutching at my clothes. I nodded, and she finally released me, looking down and away, blinking like she had no idea what to do with the information. Then she shook her head, apparently coming to her senses and blurting, "that's great, Taro!"

I winced. "Is it? You didn't seem too sure about that."

Korra shook her head, waving him arms, "no, no! I was just – you surprised me! I had no idea- oh man, now that makes me feel even worse about that comment…" Korra bonked herself with the heel of her palm and I shook my head.

"No, I mean – I didn't even think about liking him until you mentioned that. I always thought he was just kind of goofy, and then you said that, and then he played so well in that match against the Boar-q-pines… it's probably one of those passing things, anyway, you know? Just because I'm lonely."

When I looked up, Korra was leveling me with a smile like I had no idea what I was talking about.

"What?"

"Oh nothing, nothing!" Korra held her hands up. "I just think you two would be cute together," she crossed her arms, shooting me a smug grin. I scoffed, my cheeks warm.

"It's nothing," I assured her. "It'll be over in a day or two. You wait!"

"Oh, don't worry," Korra snorted, ruffling my hair until I swatted her hand away. "I will."

X

Practice went by fast, even if Korra was shooting me stupid, annoying glances whenever I was sparring with Bolin or helping him with his form. I almost wished I hadn't told her – but at the same time, she was my best friend. I could handle some good-natured jabs and giggles. It's not like I didn't shoot her a well-timed eyebrow waggle whenever she paired off with Mako.

Soon enough, practice was over, and it was time for the game. I strode onto the platform right as the Fire Ferrets were securing the last of their padding to their uniforms. I grinned, and then I gasped when I saw Pabu, in a tiny Fire Ferrets uniform.

"Pabu!" I called, and the little guy turned to look at me, tilting his head and chittering at me. I squatted down to scratch between his ears and he squeaked happily.

"Hey, don't distract him! He's got a big night tonight," Bolin chided, and I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh he does, does he?" I turned to Pabu, scratching under his chin until he closed his eyes, making a pleased little ferret noise and leaning into my touch. "Who's got an important night? Pabu does, yes he does!"

"No! Pabu, you gotta focus!" Bolin cried, and I chuckled at him. What a dork.

"Anyway, speaking of big nights," I leveled Bolin with a stern look. "How's your shoulder."

"Oh, this old thing?" Bolin swung it in a circle, stretching it out. "Feeling great. All ready to go."

"Good." I gave Pabu one more scritch before standing up, poking Bolin in the chest. "Now don't. Hurt. Yourself. Again." I punctuated each word with a jab of my finger. Bolin scoffed at me.

"Of course I won't hurt myself, I'm Bolin! I have bones of steel!" He flexed, and Pabu chittered, scampering up Bolin's leg and onto his shoulder, completely ruining whatever manly façade Bolin was trying to present. I snorted.

"OK, bones of steel," Korra stepped forward, slapping a hand on his shoulder. "We've got a match to win."

"Yeah we do," Mako smiled, stepping up besides Korra. I beamed at all of them.

"Good luck!" I called, as they stepped onto the elevator and moved towards the ring, the crowd screaming. I smiled, watching them take in their praise. Korra was proud and respectful, offering the crowd a few waves. Mako blew a kiss to Asami, and I chuckled as Korra made a face that even I could see. And Bolin was ever his show-off self, posing for the crowd and waving frantically. He even took the time to turn around and wave at me, and I snorted, offering him a small salute back. What a complete and utter doofus. He was so cute.

The announcer introduced the Fire Ferrets, and Pabu did a few tricks. Even though the crowd wasn't all that excited, I did my best to make up for it, screaming as loud as I could from the platform to hype Pabu (and by extension, the rest of the team) up.

Then there were the Wolfbats. I scowled as they entered the ring, flinching at the fireworks as they exploded during their opening presentation.

I had heard of the Wolfbats, and although I had never played against them personally, their reputation preceded them. They were ruthless, and devious, going so far as to pay off refs and rig traps for their opponents, not caring if they hurt other players. I had seen them in action before – they were good benders, of course. Tahno was an exceptional waterbender in particular, although I would never admit it. But he was just so cocky – not even in the stupid, somewhat endearing way Bolin was. He thought he was better than everyone just because he was a halfway decent bender, and it boiled my blood. If he was so great, why did he resort to cheap cheating tactics anyway? I hoped that at least for the championship, that the Wolfbats would fight fair, and that the pro bending staff had done their best to hire an impartial ref for the match. I didn't want my friends to feel down because of an unfair match, and I certainly didn't want any of them getting hurt again. I bit the inside of my lip as I leaned against the railing, and the bell rang, signaling the start of round one.

I had told them before this match, that the first hurdle to get through was just staying in the ring for the first round. The Wolfbats were known for their swift knockouts, usually in round one, and rarely in round two, so I warned the Fire Ferrets to stay on their toes.

This game was no different. The Wolfbats started out strong, with Tahno clearly going after Korra with all he had. I frowned – he was aggressive, alright. What had Korra done to deserve that kind of treatment? But at least it was fair, even if it did mean Korra fell back to zone two. Mako was next, with a few clean, fast jabs from their earthbender. I gritted my teeth. I had warned them!

At least Bolin had heeded my warning, going after their firebender. He played well, timing a well-placed ricochet off the ropes to knock the bender back to zone two.

"Yes! Go Bolin!" I cried. But even from my vantage point, I could tell by the change in their stances and the placement of their shoulders that the Wolfbats weren't too pleased by Bolin's success. When the buzzer sounded again they returned in full force. Tahno focused his waterbending first on Korra, but once he saw how evenly matched they were, his focus shifted, hosing Bolin with a strong steam of water that sent him flying back all the way to zone three.

"Aw, come on!" I screamed, throwing my hands up. The refs didn't say a work, and I groaned. I thought that maybe, just maybe, the Wolfbats would have enough class to not use dirty tricks during the championship, but apparently I gave them far too much credit. I grit my teeth. Spirits, how I wished I was in the ring right now just so I could knock Tahno's stupid smirk off his stupid face. I couldn't see it from this far away, but I knew it was there.

The tricks continued – I knew for a fact that Bolin wouldn't have bent a disc right out from his brother's feet, and the earth disc that knocked Mako back a zone was far too well timed. I pulled at my hair in frustration. It was one thing to be annoyed that the team you were rooting for was playing poorly, but this was something else entirely. They had no way to fight against this! They couldn't give the Wolfbats what was coming to them, because the refs were watching them like eagle hawks. No matter how smart they were, and how good their bending was, it would take a whole lot of luck for the Fire Ferrets to pull off a win.

The Wolfbats were on them again in a heartbeat, and they went after Bolin once more – looks like that first hit really put a target on his back. Tahno and his firebender worked together, icing the floor under Bolin and then blasting him with fire to send him careening into the pool below.

"Ref, you might be blind so I'll spell it out for you – that was completely illegal!" I shrieked. But I didn't have time to worry about Bolin – Korra and Mako were still fighting for their lives in the ring. One glance to the clock and I could tell they would be hard pressed to make it through still standing. I winced as Korra was pushed back into the third ring, the Wolfbats fighting hard and fast, but clean. All it took was for Mako to come to Korra's defense, and-

"You idiot!" I screamed, as the Wolfbats knocked them both over the edge. I had just told them that they should never, but any means, be in the same line of fire as a teammate, and what had Mako done?

I was ready to see Korra and Mako splash hard into the drink, but-

"Korra!?" I cried. She had gripped onto the edge of the ring! I had been trying to figure out how to do that for months!

Even for someone as strong as Korra, I could see her straining as she swung her arm back and forth, until she finally flung Mako back into the ring. I screamed. They could do it – if anyone could stay standing in a one-on-three against these clowns, it was Mako.

The crowd, and the opposing team, were still under the impression that the last play had been a knockout – they didn't have the same vantage point that I did. I grinned from ear to ear as Mako slammed Tahno will a well placed kick, launching the waterbender into the zone behind him.

"Yes, Mako! Kick his ass!" I screamed. Maybe they could still win. Korra learned as she played, Mako was cool under pressure, and Bolin had incredible stamina in the ring. They could do it! They might be able to win!

The bell for round two sounded, and I bit at the meat of my thumb to keep quiet. I was so nervous for them!

Round two was a blur. The Fire Ferrets were in it now, matching the pace of their opponents, and throwing all they had at them. They were good, but the Wolfbats were still cheating – I caught the headshots mostly, but I could have sworn Tahno was using illegal icing moves as well. I grit my teeth as the bell tolled again – a tie.

Korra volunteered, and my brows shot up. She usually wasn't their pick for a tiebreaker – it was almost always Mako. But I grinned. I knew why she was set for the tiebreaker. Those three wanted to see Tahno knocked on his ass just as much as I did.

The two circled each other, neither willing to make the first move. That was, until Tahno taunted Korra. Then, the round was over with a quick one-two combo, Korra first distracting him with a jab, then finishing him off with a well placed kick-stream. Tahno's helmet flew straight off his head, and I screamed in joy.

The start of the third round had both teams evenly matched. The Fire Ferrets were stepping up hard and fast, giving it everything they had, but the Wolfbats weren't backing down either. In fact, they stepped up their game – including their cheating. I leaned over the railing, trying to catch what they were doing when their earthbender stood stock still – but then, Tahno was bending water at each of the Fire Ferrets, knocking first Mako, then Bolin, then Korra into the water below. My mouth fell open. Was there – there were rocks in that water! There had to be!

"No! What the- you can't be serious!?" I screamed, slamming my fists down against the rails. I was furious! Who could let something like that happen! It looked like it hurt too – was everyone alright?

My anger quieted into a silent sadness after a moment of glaring at the Wolfbats. This was horrible – they were only in this for the fame, for the acknowledgement and money. I wasn't going to act like the Fire Ferrets weren't also in it for the cash, but at least they had heart, and honestly loved the game. And they had been bested by those – those assholes!

I turned from the ring, shaking my head. It was ridiculous. This should have never happened.

I sighed, stepping towards the bench to sit down and calm myself. I would have to try to quell my disappointment. The team needed me, and I couldn't be negative after they just lost such a tremendous game.

As I shuffled to the bench, movement caught the corner of my eye. Weary from watching the game, I was slow to react, blinking and raising my head, as if slow motion, until realization dawned.

It was an equalist. More specifically, an equalist with an electric glove, the sparks flying off it as they sprinted towards me.