First, I apologize for taking so long to publish, the truth is that there were only a few touches left before publishing it, but there were several problems that left me without wanting to write. Obviously I didn't forget my story, the whole time I was thinking about plots and characters that I could add, as well as other stories that I plan to create. But for now I'll focus on this one.
And a thank you to those who sent me a message with their support to be a Beta, I found a friend who can help me for the moment, but I still appreciate it.
Enjoy!
I do not own Avatar Legend of Korra, nor do I get rich doing this.
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Chapter 3: Revelation (in more ways than one)
"EXTRA! EXTRA! TEAM AVATAR WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE PRO-BENDER TOURNAMENT! "
The boy, a few meters from where I am, is announcing a series of words that catch my attention. "Team Avatar" and "Pro-Bender Tournament" are those words. That is why I decide to get closer.
I had just left my hotel room for a bit of daytime sightseeing. The hotel wasn't too bad but it wasn't great either, at least they weren't dealing organs or something like that and it was pretty cheap so it was good to follow that recommendation.
It is after a few blocks from my hotel that I meet this newspaper announcer boy, when I approach I see that he only has a newspaper in his hand. A little behind the boy, I see a newsstand with a middle-aged man sitting with a face of wanting to be elsewhere. I guess he just uses the kid as a loudspeaker.
Anyway, in the newspaper on display there is a photo of a woman, perhaps the same age as mine, with brown skin and what I assume will be blue eyes (the photo is not in color) waving from a podium in City Hall. The headline read: "Can the Avatar take on Republic City?"
It seems that this young woman is the current Avatar. According to the news, she is from the Southern Water Tribe and her name is Korra. The article is little biased towards the young avatar, claiming that she is too distracted from Republic City's problems by spending her time in Pro-Control, which she recently joined and has only participated in one official match. Along with that there is also a photo of a team of 3 people. With a small ferret in the men of a stocky type. Bolín?!
The guy was very wide, even more so with all the protective equipment on him. I could also easily recognize him from Pabu… besides that he was without a helmet. He very cheeky forgot to mention to me that he was on a team with the Avatar, which, by the way, he admired a bit. Even more so after the stories I know of the first Avatar.
You will pay for it later. I thought sinisterly what punishment I should give Bolín for not giving me that information. Although I don't know if I should congratulate him for not bragging that the Avatar was on his team, it did show that he is a good boy at least. Meh, I'll let it go this time.
Although the newspaper does not mention that Bolín's team has yet to raise the money to enter the tournament, I assume that a newspaper is not fully informed of the situation or only assumed that it would be a minor setback in the worst case. I could not know.
There is also talk of Bolín's brother, Mako, a firebender. Apparently they are blood brothers. It seems that the story of Bolin's parents was more interesting than I thought. Maybe a kind of Romeo and Juliet that doesn't end in a bad ending? I'll have to ask Bolín later.
A firebender and an earthbender being blood brothers, who would have thought! Ozai must be turning in his grave. He would definitely pay to see that.
According to the news, Korra would have joined the Fire Ferrets after her previous waterbender failed to show up. He was allowed to participate if he only uses waterbending, which is logical. The rest of the news was that she was distracted from her Avatar duties of hers, blaming her for the increase in triad crimes and various things that I'm more than sure they say to get attention than to report. A sensationalist tabloid, huh.
"Hey, this is a business, not a library! Pay or go!" I seem to have killed the newsboy's patience. I don't blame him, even less when I hid in his blind spot for a long time because I didn't want to spend the last few coins I had left.
"Give me one, please." Still, I have to be at least somewhat informed of the current situation in Republic City. Maybe a more serious newspaper than "The Gossip" would be better ... but I never really respect the media industry, so at least in this tabloid I can more easily recognize lies and half-truths than in a newspaper where people with diplomas they write lies and sell them as very credible truths… plus it was much cheaper than Republic Times.
After paying (and buying a comic strip), I go to meet Bolín, in what I now know is the Central Station of Ciudad Republic. I spent a good part of the night reading everything I could to important places of the city. I also discovered the locations of the Gaang monuments. Turns out there is no statue of Sokka, which strikes me as criminal. The guy should be the role model for all men, for heaven's sake!
I imagine he made a promise not to have his own statue in exchange for naming most of the places in Republic City, if Suki Avenue and Kyoshi Bridge are something to think about. Suki must have given him a big thank you for that.
My thinking turned sour when I remembered that Sokka is dead. The circumstances of his death are a mystery and full of speculation, so only his close family would know the truth. Unfortunately I have no way of knowing about the rest of the Gaag other than stories I was able to glean from the magazines in the hotel room, which are vague at best. Maybe I should go to a library to research a bit, going to know what happened to them after the war.
Not for the first time, I'm sorry I didn't read the Avatar comics when I got the chance. I hope at least they had a good happy ending like a whole Disney blockbuster.
The streets I walk on are full of people who got up early to work. They were all in formal business suits of the time. Luckily I no longer attract so much attention since I was not seen as a wandering monk from ancient feudal Japan.
I had completely changed from my dark monk clothes to the clothes I bought from little Ba Sing Se. I liked my dark jedi (or sith) clothes, but if I wanted to go unnoticed for a while, I need to blend in. This is why I bought black hair dye even though it will only last a day, or maybe less, who knows. I have never tasted more than the natural dyes from Master Feng's garden.
Now I wear loose black pants with a white short-sleeved T-shirt, which has a cartoon Aang's face printed on it, and simple black shoes. With my black hair, white clothes don't look too bad on me.
I pass by a showcase where I can see how I look. I'll be the first to say that the body I started with 10 years ago has changed so much that it seems like another (inside joke here). I do not know if it's puberty or genes, or perhaps substantial amounts of spiritual water sacred in which I bathed every time I was close to death, but seeing me directly, I can say with all honesty, I look damn good.
The hard and sharp gaze with sapphire blue eyes. Well defined features with a square chin and no facial hair (which I don't know why the hell doesn't grow). If this was my natural hair color, it would be perfect. But with the damn white hair I look like Vergil from Devil May Cry, which I think is cool, but I still want my black hair back.
I ran a hand through my hair and pulled it back, reaching up to my shoulders. I need to cut my hair.
My blue eyes stare back at me, making me wonder since when I looked like this. Not that I had much time to appreciate myself with my dear teachers wanting to "train" me. That was not training! They really wanted to kill me!
I stop inspecting myself before people think I'm too narcissistic and continue my journey to Central Station. It's not far from where I am, so it shouldn't take too long. I also check store windows for employment signs.
The money I took from the pirates was running out and I need work to replace it. I could also find a cache of some of these mafias and beat them up for some reward. Whichever comes first.
I see more and more satomobiles and the streets little by little come to life. There wasn't much wind, but since it was summer, I wouldn't expect it too long.
It is also curious how the seasons are the same, as well as the names of the months and days of the week even though this world did not have a Gregory XIII. Not to mention the language or script. I listen to everyone as my native language, even their lips are in sync with their words, but the writing is by no means the same as my original language. It was a bizarre combination of Mandarin and Japanese, but it's strangely easy to understand. Sure, I know Japanese and Mandarin, but just the basics, so at first I thought it was my knowledge that allowed me to read advertisements and signs. Kanji are still used, but I was never good with them. I guess the memories from the original Ryu helped me quickly grasp and understand the language, or it was the one who sent me to the Avatar world in the first place that allows me to understand the language. But that is something I am not interested in investigating. I'll just think a wizard did it.
"Hey? Where is he? "
When I get to where Bolín set up his mini-circus yesterday, I can't find him doing his stunts with Pabu. Which is strange. Bolin does not seem the type to let someone planted. Will there be anything happened?
Be that as it may, I leaned back against the base of the Zuko statue and put my guitar aside. I didn't want to start without Bolín, so I'll wait a bit. Maybe he fell asleep, that happens even to the best. It seems like he really wanted the money to get into that tournament, so he stayed up very late and has to replenish more energy.
I give the comic I bought earlier a read, but put it aside not long after. It's full of modern day jokes, and not very funny. Has the DC Comics equivalent of my previous world already appeared? We will have to find out sooner or later.
Since I didn't waste enough time with the comic, I decide to meditate a bit.
I sit in a lotus position with my fingertips bumping and pointing towards the ground, Shikamaru style. It didn't take long for me to enter a state of deep contemplation about my job opportunities in Republic City.
How will I take advantage of my divine appearance for the sake of material gain? Should I become a model? Or maybe become the equivalent of a companion man in this world? Should he be a playboy and be with several women or be faithful to just one? Maybe the first for a while and the second when I get bored, it's been a long time since… I went through the tunnel of love. Wait! Why am I censoring my thoughts ?!
I am beginning to believe that my mind, in a contemplative state, is not a good influence on me. Especially for the first ideas I had.
When I open my eyes again, I squint to see the sun. I reckon I was waiting an hour and a half. I guess it's not coming.
Time does fly by when you enter a meditative state.
Tomorrow I will give another visit to the statue of Zuko to see if Bolín is found. I wanted to wait for him longer or maybe come back later, but I have other things to do and I don't know how long it will take.
I thought about playing my guitar to earn some money and not have to beg if I can't find a decent job, but I remember how I was affected by the people who thanked me on Shenyi's ship, and I decide not to. Maybe after getting used to the crowds I can do it, I don't think it will take too long but I don't want to hurt someone because I thought they were attacking me from behind. Yesterday I kept calm because people were paying more attention to Bolin with his show and they just gave me a look.
Damn survival instincts.
I get up from my lotus position and head to the City Park. According to the guide, it's the greenest place in all of Republic City, and right now I miss nature a bit. It usually happens after living among meadows and forests for more than 10 years.
My longing for a tree must have been greater than I thought since it didn't take long to get to the park.
The park is huge, occupying several hectares of green land and a small river of crystal clear water that runs through the entire area, along with small bridges that help to cross one side of the park to the other. I can see some fish swimming peacefully and not a few couples having a romantic picnic. I also see families with children walking the classic hybrid pets that this world has. I mean, ¡gone are the problems of whether you want a dog or a cat! Just buy yourself a cat-dog! I wish my old world had those creatures.
I think of all the animals that I encountered throughout my stay in this world. Most wanted to kill me, many almost succeeded, and if a hybrid between two ferocious creatures is danger, ¡the combination of 3 creatures is even worse! Damn Dark Continent with its dark beasts!
I had seen too many hybrid creatures, most of them were very strange, but simple at the same time. Several hybrids shared the same animal in common, and that was interesting. It is basically a geneticist's wet dream. Too bad that branch of science is not yet very advanced in this world.
I have yet to find a bear-shark. That would be a killing machine!
"Republic City non-benders! Amon calls you! They have to take the city back from him! They can't let the benders have all the power! It's time for EQUALITY! "
When I leave the park after a few hours walking and contemplating the landscape, in an open area with a pool in the center, I see a guy yelling at the top of his lungs about equality. There are large posters with the figure of a subject dressed in black masked against a background of red and white stripes. People next to him hand out flyers of that Batman with a white mask. I think I already saw his propaganda.
"EQUALITY NOW! EQUALITY NOW! EQUALITY NOW! "One of the aides gave him a megaphone and started screaming even louder. I don't see people as lively as he is, but I do see a lot of people accepting the flyers they distribute.
"Hey man, ¿what is all this Equality? ¿Why are you protesting? If you don't mind me asking," I say to the yelling subject as I approach and receive a flyer from his assistant. It never hurts to ask politely.
"I don't care in any way, young man! It is good to know that the youth are still interested in the problems of our society!", The subject lowers his megaphone and addresses me directly, "Our Equality movement aims to overthrow the tyrannical government that the benders have over the population not -bending! Forcing us to be second-rate citizens! Amon will help us fulfill our dream of a more united and equal Republic City! And with the help of our people, we will do it! "
Some listeners applaud this guy's words. It seems like it's more popular than I initially thought. "¿What about the Avatar? ¿Shouldn't she be tasked with balancing and stuff? ¿Amon doesn't support her? "I ask casually. But it looks like the funny sideburns guy swallowed a bitter pill.
"Bah! The Avatar is nothing more than a spoiled brat who loves to solve everything with violence! If she supports Amon's move, she will have to beg him on her knees and beg forgiveness for failing her mission! Otherwise Amon is the solution my people! Not the Avatar! "He spoke angrily addressing the crowd" Besides, he broke my favorite megaphone! "It seems that here is a story with the Avatar. Will this be the beginning of the new cabbage man?
It does not seem that he is dealing with someone very in his right mind, so I do not try to contradict him, nor is it that he knows the situation of the city to have an opinion.
I read the steering wheel and turn to the talkative. "¿What is this Revelation?" I ask very curious.
"Oh, nobody knows what it is! Just it is known to be something that will change the world completely!" I am now interested. It sounds like a turning point for the main character of some video game, or in this case, cartoon.
"¿How can I get to the meeting point?"
"Only the worthy can find the way! Now, if you'll excuse me… "he answers me simply, while he shouts again about equality and other crap. I just ignore it and look at my steering wheel. I turn it over and see that there is a red dot with a small portion of the city map. Heh. I expected more complicated.
I walk over to a bench a little further away, pull a complete map of Republic City out of my back pocket, and begin to review it. I had bought the map yesterday along with many other maps of other cities in the United Republic of Nations.
It didn't take too long to find similarities from the little map fragment on the back of the steering wheel to my own most complete map.
"Industrial Sector eh", with a smile I put the flyer and my map in my pocket, then I go to my hotel to get ready. I can not wait for tonight.
(X)
It is 8:30 pm, the meeting place is somewhere in the Industrial Sector near the shore. Surely there will be people who will help me better locate the place.
"Okay, all set. Go!"
I have to confess that I am a bit excited about this. It seems that I am in a spy movie that I liked so much as a child!
There I was, surrounded by enemies willing to do anything to capture me and confess Lorena's location. But they did not know that I would never speak, no matter what torture they might use on me. Because what man would deliver the mother of her future child? CHAN CHAN CHAAAAN
Okey might be a little too excited about this. In fact, I couldn't concentrate at all after discovering the meeting location, so I went back to my room and practiced my top secret techniques.
It's not my fault, in ten years all I did was train, try not to die, and train again. Although it was fun, and will surely keep me alive much of the time, it tends to get boring after the first year or two. Now I want to use those skills to kick some butt and go on adventures.
I have no doubt that this Amon guy is the villain of the season. Masked, an alarming number of followers, does not like benders, did I mention the mask?
There is also his creed, equality for all, or inequality for benders as I prefer to call it.
I mean, equality for all? really? Does he even know that 4 of the richest companies in Republic City are founded by non-benders, which provide even more work for other non-benders than for benders?
And that's not counting the few job opportunities for benders across the city. I mean, according to the newspaper I bought this morning, the highest paying jobs for benders where your bending is specifically needed are: pro-bending gamer, healer, bending metal metal cop, firefighter, builder, and as fuel in the city's power plant.
Three of those six jobs contribute directly to the safety of the people of Republic City!
There were more, but they paid a pittance. With so few jobs for benders, no wonder there is a whole criminal network of just benders. The bastards must be very idle.
And this I found out while waiting for the Great Revelation!
I hope this Amon doesn't have those cheap speeches that bending is to blame for all the misfortunes in the world or something like that. It would be too cliché.
Sure, for a job in a construction company they will choose the bender over the no-bender, due to the advantages that someone with powers would provide, for the same salary, compared to someone who does not. Just like a firefighter who has water control over a normal guy. But do secret meetings with a masked leader guy did not seem to be the beginning of a labor union pacific.
I also agree that Republic City should govern itself, which it does not. Being the Councilors, who are sent from other nations, who govern the city. Amon could attack from that angle, which I could only very vaguely inform myself of.
"I'd better hurry up."
I still had time, but it never hurts to arrive a little early.
I put on a cool black trench coat that I bought while returning to the hotel, my shirt was the same as the one in the morning; I checked my hair for white streaks from my last dye application (check), grabbed my cane and jumped out of my bedroom window. They were only 10 floors, and for an airbender like me, it's nothing.
With a little helicopter twist of my stick, I land quietly and head to the industrial sector.
The streets are mostly clear, the only source of sound being the few satomoviles that circulate where I pass. I realized that this sector of the city does not have as much nightlife as it is in the center. Perhaps because here you only come to work and it is no longer working time.
It didn't take too long to get there, I still have 10 minutes to spare. As it is a secluded place, the bustle of the center is conspicuous by its absence.
I see people heading to a building made of metal that probably served as storage, and which will now serve as a rally. Before entering, I have to make a short stop.
I easily climb some wagons to the roof of a building near the one at the rally. I leave my stick pointing to the building and back to the floor with another jump.
Too bad I can't make it shrink too much.
This doesn't seem like the type of gathering where weapons are allowed, so I won't risk getting caught before I get a good look. And frankly I don't seem like the type that would use a stick to walk. I'm too young for that, and I'm not good at acting. That's why I left my pumpkin in my room, I don't want them to think that I'm a waterbender. I wonder if I'm being too paranoid… maybe they don't hate benders that much.
I arrive at the entrance of the building, located in a small secluded alley. There is a couple in front of me. The woman takes the man's arm. "What are you doing?" I can hear the guy ask. "We will attract less attention like this" replies the woman. They seem young and willing not to attract attention.
Oh! Are they also coming for stupidly unplanned adventures!?
It is always good to see that the youth still do crazy things from time to time. Wait for it, I'm still young!
Once inside, after showing the gorilla guarding the door my steering wheel as well as the reckless young couple, I can better see inside the building. Very large and very crowded is the general consensus.
Really, do so many people hate benders? I hope they're just here out of curiosity.
There is a stage at the end of the building, with a giant image of Amon reaching out with an open palm and rays of sunlight streaming out of it, the same as that of his flyers. Communism!? Where!?
I dive into the sea of people and wait for the big boss to come out. I don't have to wait long.
The spotlights are turned on pointing to the center of the stage. "Please welcome your hero, your savior AMON!" the voice of the presenter could be heard as a thick mist came out of the hole that formed in the center of the stage. Amon took the stage in the elevator, his hands behind his back and his gaze bowed. I have to give it to him, the guy knows how to make an entrance.
At his back there are 6 of his followers who wore the same dark outfit, except for one. He has a bare chin and funny mustache. There are also some golden canes on his back. Will he be his second in command?
Amon walks up to the microphone as the crowd is thunderous applauding his arrival… Well, if you're in Rome "WOOHOOO AMON, I LOVE YOU!"
I think I surprised many with my fangirl scream. Even the couple from before give me a death glare. Wait, haven't I seen them somewhere?
I don't have time to remember where I saw this couple, Amon is already starting to speak.
"My quest for equality began many years ago ... When I was just a boy, my family and I lived on a small farm. We were not rich, and none of us were benders- "
Oh oh! Tragic story! Tragic story! Now he will say that his family died by an extortionist doubler, I hope he is an earthbender!
"-This made us very easy targets for the firebender-" Shit! "-who extorted my father. One day, my father confronted this man- "Here he comes! "-But when he did… That firebender took my family from me. Then… he take my face" It seems that we are going for the tragic hero marked. Zuko would be proud.
"I have been forced to hide behind a mask ever since." Yes, of course. "As you know, the Avatar recently arrived in Republic City", the boos of the people did not wait. Poor Avatar.
"And if she were here, she would tell you that bending brings balance to the world. But she is wrong. The only thing bending has brought to the world is suffering." Oh-oh. "It has been the cause of every war, in every era" Nooo. You were doing great! "But that is about to change," I think the revelation is coming.
"I know you have been wondering, what is the Revelation?" Yes, like for about twelve hours. "You are about to get your answer", finally!
"Since the beginning of time. The spirits have acted as guardians of our world. And they have spoken to me. They say that the Avatar has failed humanity." Wow, I hope the Avatar didn't hear that. She is going to be very pissed off. "That is why the spirits have chosen me, to usher in a new era of balance. They have granted me a power, that will make Equality a reality. The power to take a person's bending away... permanently "
Now, that is a revelation! A bit exaggerated but understandable, if you want the support of the ignorant masses.
"Now for a demonstration. Please welcome Lightning Zolt, leader of the Triple Threat Triad and one of the most notorious criminals Republic City." The boos are louder than when I mention the Avatar. They brought a guy tied up, he had gray hair in an expensive looking suit. He didn't seem very intimidated.
"Boo yourself!", It seems that he is not the quiet one.
Amon's henchmen bring a group of background characters that will surely serve to demonstrate Amon's power-What the hell is Bolín doing there?!
Bolín is at the end of the gangsters brought by the egalitarians; He has a nervous look, like he really wants to get out of there, and I don't blame him.
"Haah. Damn it" I can't help but sigh for the situation that I find myself in. I knew I would run into trouble sooner or later, but I hoped it would be after I acclimatized a bit.
Whatever. We are going to teach this fake Batman not to mess with my friends.
I only know him for one day, but something tells me that Bolin is a nice guy who does not deserve to pass this.
I bump my fist with my palm in preparation.
"Well, time to do some totally unplanned craziness," they are my specialty after all.
"Wait!. We can't fight them all. We need to be smart about this." Mako stopped her as she approached to rescue Bolin.
"Then come up with a game plan, team captain," Korra snapped, agreeing that she couldn't take on Amon's entire gang on her own. Also, a lot of people could get hurt in battle. That was the last thing Korra wanted.
"Zolt has amassed a fortune by extorting and abusing non-benders, but his reign of terror is about to come to an end! Now, in the interest of fairness, I will give Zolt the chance to fight to keep his bending." The double-baton henchman releases Zolt and shoves him aside.
"You're gonna regret doing that, pal," Zolt said to Amon, very confident after being released.
Korra combat observed carefully. Zolt starts off with a few basic firebending punches, to test Amon, probably. Amon on the other hand, dodges with great ease the attacks that are coming to him. Almost as if she was dancing. He is skilled. Korra thought.
Suddenly Zolt began to use the attack he was known for, his lightning quick to charge and lunged at Amon. Korra felt conflicted by wanting Zolt to win the match. Something about Amon made her feel very uncomfortable and a little fearful, it's not like she was telling anyone.
Sadly, Amon uses his incredible ability to predict the path of lightning and dodges it, taking Zolt's hand, turning him over, and bringing him to his knees. He puts his thumb on his forehead and Korra watches as the lightning, and then the fire, slowly lose their power, until they are extinct.
The battle did not last long.
With a thud, Zolt falls to the floor. Before long, he gets up and hits the air, but nothing comes out, falling back to the ground. He rises again, less impetuous than before.
"What… what did you do to me?" Asks a surprised Zolt.
"Your firebending is gone. Forever" Amon's words are calm, but at the same time charged with power.
A deathly silence fills the huge building. Or maybe it's just Korra who ignores every sound in the place in favor of understanding what she just saw. Something impossible. Korra can't believe it. Amon had really eliminated someone's bending! A power that only the Avatar should have!
"The age of bending is over," Amon's statement scared Korra more than she would like.
"A new era of Equality has begun!" The crowd roars at Amon's final words. Korra doesn't know what to think about the whole situation. The fear of losing her bending enters his heart. All that she is would be lost. Avatar can die, but lose her bending? What would that make me?
The Equalists group has proven to be more dangerous than she ever imagined. But now was not the time for that. They had to save he friend.
"Any ideas yet?" Korra asks Mako, trying to hide her concern.
"I think so. See those machines? " he tells her as he looks at some metal barrels on top of the stage. "They're powered by water and steam. If you create some cover, I can grab Bolín without anyone seeing. Then, we duck out of here," Mako finished as he watched her.
"Works for me," and it really seems like a good plan.
Before Mako pulled away to do his part, the crowd began to murmur loudly, pointing ahead. Korra turned her gaze to the stage to see what was going on. Apparently, there was a new figure standing in front of Amon. But he wasn't one of the criminals the henchmen had originally brought in, nor did he look like an Equalist, despite his dark clothing.
"Hey Amon ... What's up?" he saluted exaggeratedly, he was a boy close to his age. He was wearing a big black coat. He had shoulder-length black hair and blue eyes, and yes, he looked kind of pretty.
Why did I think of that now?! Korra berated herself in his mind.
Isn't that the guy Amon loves?" Mako's question brings her back to her senses. Korra squints a little her eyes to better see the subject.
"Yes I think so. Do you think she came up to ask for an autograph?" There was always that possibility. You never know with the fans.
"I hope he doesn't do something that endangers Bolin," Mako looked serious as his gaze hardened at the conversation taking place on stage. Korra nodded in agreement.
"Listen dude, the point is, well, you see, my buddy here really is not a criminal who deserves to have his bending sealed," said the boy pointing to Bolín. It seems that Bolín also recognizes him by how his face lights up quickly.
"Ryu, you came to rescue me! I knew you were a good guy!", Bolín seems about to cry.
"Of course, bro!", Replies the now called Ryu. "I can't let the first human friend I make in many years get into trouble. Can you imagine what the second would think ?!" Ryu exclaims.
Human? Korra thinks he might not be there to ask for an autograph, but he also doesn't think he's going to help much. It seems that he didn't think too much about what he was doing.
"Anyway. What was it going on? Oh yeah! Amon! My partner and I would be very grateful if you would let us go. And don't worry, we won't blame you for this misunderstanding", he seemed to believe that those words were really going to get him out of there. Korra wouldn't know whether to applaud his impudence or slap him for his stupidity. Even she had a bit of common sense!
"Your friend was found at a Triple Threat Triad headquarters. They were preparing to attack a rival gang on a street full of innocent civilians. " Amon replies. "Surely your friend knew well what he was getting into when he agreed to work with criminals," his calm voice did not waver when he answered Ryu. Korra really didn't like this guy.
"Eh?!" Ryu looked surprised. "Bolín! What the hell were you thinking ?!", Mako nodded in agreement with Ryu. "If you wanted money from the mafia you could have told me and we would have stolen it together!" Neither Mako nor Korra expected that reply.
"Hey? N-I'm not going to rob the mafia! " Bolin seemed scared by the idea, averting his gaze to the criminals tied up next to him. "I'm not going to rob them, really. Trust me," he pleaded with his fellow hostages. They just stood still.
"Why not? I mean, they make their money off extortion, robbery, and other criminal things. If you're going to steal from someone who deserves it, it has to be them. Unless there is a corrupt corporation stealing children for their experiments. But I haven't investigated the entire city yet, so I wouldn't know, "Ryu's ramblings seemed to be puzzling everyone present. Amon's henchmen waited for their leader's orders, but Amon alone stared in silence.
Korra didn't know what he was thinking.
"I-still, I don't think it's a good idea to steal from the Triad, Ryu," Bolin tells a Ryu who had finished his ramblings. "You know, they are very dangerous benders."
"Bah! They're just a bunch of extras in a third-rate story! I mean, look at the Avatar! He is 17 years old and beat three guys with a couple of moves. Insurance is the Avatar and all that, but it does not change the fact that he beat three adults guys who have practiced bending it much longer she "
Korra nodded wisely at that statement. Sure, he got a little upset because he said he was too young to beat them, but it was true that those Triple Threat guys were jokes when it came to bending. It seems that the newspapers really like that news.
"Also, I'm running low on money, and some good criminal loot would do me good now," Ryu suddenly looks at the silent watching crowd and gets nervous, as if remembering something. "A-Aah o-of course he would return a BIG part of the loot to its rightful owners. I would never take advantage of these good non-bender people."
"Enough," Amon said, still calm, but Korra detected a hint of annoyance.
"Oh yeah, the fake Batman ..." Ryu said quietly. But it could still be heard all over the place. "I assure you that Bolín probably accepted a job as a porter or a watchman, you saw how he freaks out with a couple of third-grade benders. Besides, he just wanted money to be able to participate in his tournament, you know. " He told Amon calmly as he gestured with his hands. It didn't seem affected being surrounded.
"So! ... will you let go of Bolín? ... please?", He asked as he clasped his hands in the form of a prayer. It seems like he really hoped his words would convince Amon.
"I cannot do that", Amon replies, "Your friend is a criminal, but I am willing to exempt him from his crimes, if he allows himself to remove his impurity", Amon term.
Korra felt his blood boil as Amon referred to bending. Impurity. Like it's something we should get rid of!
"You seem very adamant about that Amon. Are you sure you don't want to consider it?"Ryu's lively and playful tone was left behind. The transformation in his gaze and voice puzzled Korra more than a little. The atmosphere of the entire place suddenly changed, becoming more oppressive. If it was because of Amon or Ryu, she didn't know.
"No", Amon's henchmen began to surround Ryu, but the latter remained unchanged. Korra stepped forward to help him, but Mako's hand stopped him.
"What are you doing?" he asked her.
"What do you think I do? I'm going to help him!" Korra told him. She wasn't going to let Ryu, who risked himself to save Bolin (stupidly though), be the victim of Amon. Korra does not leave her friends abandoned of hers, and since he was friends with Bolín, he was friends with her by extension.
"Haah ... I guess it serves as a distraction too," Mako said resignedly, as he walked shoulder to shoulder with Korra and they approached the stage. She gives him a grateful smile.
"Listen, I will launch a lightning bolt towards the steam engines, the damage will not be much so you will have to take care of spreading the steam all over the place to escape, okay?" Mako says as they both get closer.
"Got it," Korra nodded resolutely, she's a bit surprised that Mako mastered the lightning, but not too much either. It has become a more common technique after the end of the war.
But before they start, Ryu starts talking.
"You know, I wasn't planning on fighting the final boss so soon" Ryu spoke calmly as he began to take off his black trench coat and set it aside. "I confess that I expected some excitement in this super secret meeting of yours, but I was hoping that I was not the protagonist ... okay, maybe I expected it a little" his relaxed attitude only seemed to confuse the crowd around Korra, as she approached more and more without attracting attention.
"Now, people who hate benders! You're in luck, because today you will also see another Big Reveal!" Raising his voice, Ryu turns to the crowd that was confused, showing the image of his white shirt with… Really Aang?
It was a drawing of Aang a giant head and his glider, giving a smile that showed all his teeth. Boy, have they exploited my past life with merchandise. Korra thought grimly.
"Today, I will teach you an exclusive non-bender technique! Which will allow you to kick benders butt left and right!" His statement brought a collective confusion from the crowd who were now listening more closely. "Anyone with a bit of chi could perform this technique, so it really is a true step to equality, don't you think, Amon?" This brought even more commotion to the crowd.
"STOP SAYING NONSENSE"
"ARE YOU A BLESSER?"
"GET OUT OF THERE, FOOL CHILD"
It was the screams of the people. Amon had stopped his henchmen from attacking Ryu in favor of him ending what he was saying. He seemed curious what Ryu was talking about. Like Korra.
"How to know if I am telling the truth? Well, they don't know. But I will tell you this. As I said before, anyone with chi within them can achieve this technique. Whether it's a child or an old man, it doesn't matter. Anyone can do it," he declared as he got into a standard fighting stance, arms raised and legs slightly apart.
"I honestly don't know how some chi blocker hasn't already discovered this technique, as its concept is quite simple. I am sure that, as a child who sees how a bicycle works, some of you in the crowd will understand the principle of this technique."
Korra hoped he was exaggerating, as most of the crowd, if not all, were against the bender community. If the technique is very powerful, she would not want to imagine the damage it could cause in the wrong hands. That was telling the truth.
Ryu closes his eyes, leveling his already relaxed breathing. He never lowered his stance on guard against him. Bolín, who is still tied to one side, watches him expectantly, as does Amon in the center of the stage. The Equalists seem nervous. But, like Bolín and Amon, Korra and Mako await Ryu's move. He better be good ... and difficult to learn. Korra thought.
She was also preparing herself in case it was all a sham to gain time, so she would react quickly to Ryu's move. Mako seemed to think alike because of how he looked ready to launch a bolt of lightning.
"Don't worry if you don't catch it the first time, I'll open a dojo shortly where I'll teach this technique for a small fee" Ryu spoke as he slowly opened his eyes. "All you need is a little ... Reinforcement!"
Suddenly, a green glow covered Ryu's arms and face. They looked like some kind of roads with poles in their path that lit up the area. Ryu's thin shirt revealed that those lines ran all over his body, not just the parts that were visible. His black hair slowly turned white, turning from black to completely white in a matter of seconds.
The crowd, like her, was speechless before the light demonstration that Ryu showed them, it was not that it was very bright, it was the feeling of heaviness when he said that final sentence that left her, and probably also the crowd, stunned. It was as if something heavy suddenly fell in front of her feet and she realized something she didn't know in the first place. But from the spirits, she didn't know what she had realized!
It took Korra only an instant to figure out what those lines were. Your Chi Paths!
She had studied healing with Katara, who was the best healer in the world. So she had received training on how to treat ailments in different parts of the body, as well as where the chakras were that are most susceptible to damage, so she became familiar with the chi pathways of the body.
The green lines displayed on Ryu's body are the same as all human beings have when it comes to their paths that chi flowed through. If Korra had to guess, and per Ryu's own words, he was using a technique that uses the flow of chi in the body, causing his chi paths to glow as a result. What effects could this cause? It looks like Ryu is going to prove it.
But the chi paths on his right arm are… wrong. Why? Korra couldn't follow that line of thinking because there was movement on stage.
Suddenly, in an instant, almost a blink, Ryu appeared next to the Equalist guarding Bolín. If she had been distracted, Korra would have missed it. A simple spinning kick, which looked blurry, with the right leg to the center of the chest, fast enough to look like a blur, was all it took for Amon's henchman to shoot off the stage, hitting the rear of the stage hard. The sound of the blow against the wall told Korra that at least a couple of bones were broken.
Ryu took the ropes that tied Bolín between his hands and with a simple pull he broke them as if they were made of paper.
"Get out of here while I distract them!" He yelled at a Bolin who still had his jaw on the ground. Korra couldn't blame him. That speed was insane! He moves faster than a speeding satomovil!
She didn't know how fast a car could go, but the blurring of sight must mean that it REALLY is fast.
"Eh? Nn-o, I'm not leaving you here like that, Ryu", Bolin snaps out of his daze and seems ready to fight.
"No, I'll be fine. I'm not going to fall here after all the crazy things I've been through", Ryu seemed calm as he pushed Bolin's worries away. "Also, you can pay me later by introducing me to the Avatar. I mean, she is the Avatar! I have to get an autograph from her!"
Now this will get interesting later. Korra thought, unable to help but find it amusing.
"Eh?! I didn't know you were a fan — WAH, BE CAREFUL! BEHIND YOU!"
Ryu barely turns his head a little as he ducks down and uses his elbow to punch the approaching Equalist in the chest. The guy flew out just like the previous one.
"Fast! We have to help them! " Mako snapped as she pulled her hand closer to the stage. It's lucky the crowd didn't get hysterical, but considering they didn't flinch when they saw Zolt throw lightning, Korra believed that a simple, albeit extraordinary, non-bender fight wasn't something to lose her mind about.
Ryu had entered a match with the other 4 remaining Equalists, the first two still unconscious on the ground.
He parried a blow from one by twisting his arm a little. Then, he placed him in a horizontal position and kicked him from behind, causing the Equalist to lean forward hard, but Ryu did another regression kick, causing the equalizer to hit the ground hard, falling unconscious. All of that happened in less than 1 second.
She and Mako were getting closer to the stage, watching as more of Amon's henchmen were approaching through the main entrance and the sides of the building. Their numbers were greater than Korra originally estimated.
Ryu for his part, was finishing a combo of three thumps in succession with three other Equalists. After a right leg sweep, the guy with the double poles leaped up his back.
"BEHIND YOU!" Korra yelled at him. But it was late when the Equalist's attack hit Ryu on the back of the neck, so that then an electric shock came from the batons.
The attack made Ryu's body stiffen and tremble, but he didn't give a single cry. Even with the attack going, he turned quickly and held the batons with both hands, the electricity still working. "That hurts," he didn't seem so because of how he put it so calmly.
He removed the Equalist's batons and with a leap into the air, kicked him in the side of his head. The subject raised his arms to defend himself from the blow, but he still flew off, albeit considerably slower than the first bully, toward somewhere in the crowd that was now beginning to disperse.
It was then that Amon attacked. He approached quickly, like a silent predator stalking his prey, and struck a distracted Ryu in the chest. It didn't seem like a particularly strong blow, quite the opposite in fact. But it was certainly enough to somehow hurt Ryu, who was on his knees holding his chest with a grimace of pain on his face.
"ARGH!"
He seemed to want to get up, but the pain forced him to stay down. Her right hand grabbed where her heart was, while her other hand tried to push herself to fight Amon.
"RYU!", Bolín's cry drew the attention of the Equalists who were approaching the stage.
"Bolin!" Mako and Korra had finally reached the stage and were on guard in case someone approached.
"Mako?! What are you doing here?!"
"We came to get you out of here, what else do you think?!" Korra really wanted to get out of that place. More and more Equalists were appearing and she wasn't sure she could handle all of them. Not when 3 guys beat up her and Mako less than a day ago. I have to learn her fighting style better.
"Korra! Glad to see you guys! But we have to rescue Ryu! ", Amon moved closer to Ryu, the latter decided to move his hand to the side of the stage, almost as if he was calling someone.
"C-come," Korra could hear, barely audible. She was also preparing to face Amon.
"Cover me while I prepare a lightning bolt-", Mako's words were interrupted when a loud bang was heard from the side of the building. Steam engines had a rip, causing steam to escape quickly.
Another thud drew their gaze away from the group in front of them. A wooden staff had landed between Amon and Ryu, forcing the former to retreat if he did not want to be impaled, that if the force with which the staff was embedded in the metal floor was something to consider.
He called that cane with his mind!? ... I have to have one of those.
"That works," Mako said as he watched the steam cover the entire building, making it difficult to see a portion of the Equalists approaching them. Korra quickly began to use her waterbending to further spread the steam throughout the building, covering all of Amon's followers. The people in the crowd seemed to agree that now was the time to get hysterical, making it difficult for Amon's goons to get on stage.
Amon himself backed slowly into the cloud of steam, while Ryu struggled to his feet with the help of his staff.
"I have you, buddy", Bolín helps Ryu supporting him on his shoulder.
"Bolin, I think I told you to go away, he's dangerous, man", Ryu looked wrecked as he tiredly berated Bolin.
"Do not worry! I have backup!" Bolin said as he nodded at Mako and Korra. "These are-"
"We have to move," Mako cuts the introductions as he urges everyone to follow.
"Yeah, let's get out of here" Ryu said, trying to get up on his own, but failing. Mako grabs Ryu's other shoulder and helps Bolin carry it. The green glow of their chi paths seems duller than before. Korra noticed.
Together, the group walks to the side of the stage where they find a door. When they go out, there is an alley down some stairs.
Korra goes down quickly to clear the way. She whistles to call her friend when she sees that she is clear. "Naga!" Luckily her best friend appeared soon.
She waits while Mako and Bolin help a weak Ryu down. That blow from Amon seriously hurt him.
When they are coming down the stairs, with Bolín carrying Ryu, a misaligned and very angry figure appears at the top of the ladder, carrying with him two golden canes.
"BEWARE", Korra's warning does not come in time when the subject electrifies the metal stairs. But Ryu seems to have heard her, so he grabs Mako, who was on top of him, and Bolin who was carrying him, and pushed back with both of them. Managing to narrowly escape electrocution.
In midair, Ryu pushes his cane towards the guy with the electric batons. And Korra is surprised again when the baton lengthens and hits the Equalist's chest, pushing him back and knocking him unconscious, this time for a longer time, she hoped.
I definitely want one of those!
"WOOF", Naga snaps her out of her thoughts with a bark.
"That guy is tough," she heard Ryu say, as he sat on the floor.
"Everyone, up!" Korra urged the group as he climbed into the back of Naga. Mako and Bolin help Ryu stand up as they approach.
"Oh no! I am not going to trust an animal with teeth and claws bigger than me! No sir!", It seems that whatever weakness Ryu had, he was turned away by the simple idea of riding Naga.
"What do you mean? We have to get out of here! "Mako yells at him.
"Don't worry, I have my own transport," Ryu told them as he walked shakily to the side and whistled loudly into the air ... so nothing would happen.
"Oh, come on! How angry can you stay, Cloudy?!" Ryu exclaimed as he weakly walked away from them and yelled at the clouds.
"Do you think Amon's blow affected his head as well?" Bolín's question is valid.
"THEY ARE THERE! CATCH THEM!" The Equalists were emerging from the back of the building. Being their numbers greater than before.
"Go! Get up, both of you! I'll grab our crazy friend!" Korra held out her hand to Mako, who quickly settled behind her. When Bolin finished getting on, he urged Naga to run at full speed.
"Come on girl! We have a madman to catch! " Naga listens to Korra and starts speeding through the deserted streets of the industrial district.
After going around the building, she could see Ryu yelling at the sky, something about being mean and a bad friend.
"¡Ahí está!", señalo Mako.
When Korra was preparing to trap Ryu in Naga's jaws. A sound that he did not recognize could be heard. It was like the blast of pressurized air in a metal tube. It seems that Ryu knew what it was because he immediately laughed and took a huge leap, releasing blasts of air as he did so.
An airbender! Korra acknowledged.
But the next thing he saw made seeing another airbender, aside from Tenzin and his family, inconsequential. Mako and Bolin also had their gazes on him.
"... Mako"
"... Yes Korra?"
"I think there was something strange about that vapor"
"... Why do you say it?"
"IS THAT A CLOUD ?!"
"…That's why"
Ryu's transport turned out to be a flying cloud.
What day. Korra thought
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Here begins the deviations from the canon. If you wonder if the technique is a copy of Fate's magic, you are correct. MC was inspired by that technique to create it, like many others, and I have a backstory for that and for his friend Cloudy. As well as for her staff even for her pumpkin. You'll see.
If you have ideas for airbender techniques, or anything else, feel free to tell me.