Chapter 7: And the Winner Is
Korra took a deep breath and tried to ease her anxiety as she faced an ever-growing crowd of non-bender protesters in front of a massive factory.
Luckily, the Avatar didn't stand alone. Also, defending the factory was a mixture of police, security guards, and soldiers from Diago's platoon. The Lieutenant, Lin, and Kya stood directly beside Korra in front of Liao Incorporated, carefully allowing bender employees to enter the complex despite furious jeers from the protesters.
"Filthy traitor! Filthy bender!"
"Ohh, will they give it a rest?" Korra, Diago, Kya, and Lin almost glared back at Liao, who stood behind the barricade with a few bodyguards, all benders.
"This is my business, and if I want to incorporate more eco-friendly bender-operated machinery and employ benders only, that's my right! These filthy non-benders just can't appreciate the gift bending is." Liao emphasized his point by fire bending into the air, a child-like excitement on his face as he did so.
"Liao, most of these protestors are former employees of yours. Just over a month ago, you talked about how benders were obsolete and dangerous!" Korra struggled to contain her anger at the businessman's hypocrisy.
However, he crossed his arms and looked back at the factory.
"That was before Tarrlock gave me the greatest gift someone could ask for. I never could've imagined how incredible bending was! Who needs machines when you can do this!" He fire bent again, much to the amusement of his guards.
"Well, it looks like Tarrlock succeeded that night." Kya sighed. Korra nodded with similar fatigue. She almost couldn't believe how quickly Liao changed his entire world-view just by becoming a bender.
Of course, he wasn't the only one. According to Lin, the Red Lotus's numbers grew steadily as non-benders who desired bending, and bender's who'd lost theirs to Amon flocked to Tarrlock.
"What do we want!?"
"Our jobs back!"
"When do we want them?!"
"Now!"
"Funny, the benders outside Cabbage Corp last week said the exact same thing." Lin growled. Many of the soldiers and police wanted to chuckle, but the brutal reality kept them from doing so.
A few of the protestors began throwing smoke bombs, rotten food, or other foul objects, only to be stopped by rock barriers from Lin's metal benders and a few earth benders among the soldiers and security guards.
Korra, Diago, Lin, and Kya got into a defensive stance upon seeing the protestors' aggression reach a breaking point.
"Do something! Or I'll have to set a few on fire!"
"No, you won't!" Diago growled, his fierce glare silencing Liao.
"This is escalating. Are you ready, Korra?" Lin asked.
The Avatar felt Diago's hand on one shoulder and Kya's on the other, both giving her looks of reassurance. With another deep breath, Korra nodded. She mounted Naga, who growled at the protestors.
Korra bent up a rock platform beneath her and Naga, ensuring all of the crowd saw her.
"Non-benders, people of Republic City, I am-"
"We know who you are, Avatar! You're just another filthy bender!" Someone sneered. Naga roared back, making the woman yelp and jump backward. However, the crowd as a whole remained firm. Despite this, Korra maintained calm and collected.
"I understand how upsetting this situation is, losing your jobs and livelihoods. I can only imagine how the benders here must've felt when Liao eliminated their jobs initially." Korra gave them a stern look, hoping to call them out on their hypocrisy, just like Liao.
"Benders have other options! We need these jobs! Non-benders first!"
"Give us our jobs back!"
Korra grit her teeth. Apparently, they weren't in a listening mood, and bringing that kind of logic into the equation wasn't going to help.
"Benders need jobs too. We're people just like you, with lives, families. Some of them probably have non-bender family members, just like many of you likely have bender relatives." Much to Korra's relief, this time, she seemed to penetrate their armor.
A significant portion of the crowd settled down with growing conflict in their expressions.
"I don't have any filthy benders in my family!"
"I do." A woman beside the man said in a hushed tone.
"Hmp, too bad for you."
"Hey, don't talk about my brother like that!"
"If he's a bender-"
"My brother's wife is an earth bender, and so are two of their kids!" Another man interjected.
The crowd now began to turn on each other as those with bender relatives argued with the others.
"Well done, Avatar, they're fighting each other now!" Liao shouted in glee.
"Be quiet." Lin growled.
Korra steadied herself and unleashed a very controlled typhoon of air into the protestors, separating them from each other.
"Listen to me! All of you want Liao to fire the benders and make things like they were before, but that's not going to happen. Instead, you could make a compromise with Liao, work with him to get some of your jobs back, work with benders just like before."
"No!" A portion of the crowd sneered.
"That doesn't sound so bad."
"Filthy traitors!" The crowd nearly broke up into civil war again, but Korra prevented this with more air bending. Naga leaped down while metal bending police and a few soldiers kept the crowd broke up.
"Liao, at least part of the crowd, is willing to compromise. You could run things more similar to Future Industries or Varrick Global with a mixture of benders and non-benders."
"Why should I!? This is my company! Tarrlock gave me bending, and I-"
"Tarrlock is an extremist! Do you want to be like him!? If you have a once of integrity, you'll stand by your beliefs one way or another, not change them when it's convenient for you!" Korra scolded the new fire bender. Even a few of his employees looked slightly guilty, remembering they too once protested just like those outside.
"Certainly, there are some jobs they can do." One said.
Liao glanced back at the mix of bender and non-bender soldiers protecting his factory and sighed.
"Fine! But I'm not dealing with the crazies outside! If they want to negotiate, they'll do it civilly with representatives!" Korra, Diago, Lin, and Kya exhaled in relief. This being Liao's most reasonable request, they'd heard from him.
Korra and Naga returned to the protestors with Liao at their side. The businessman looked anxiously at the crowd before noticing a stern expression from the Avatar and polar bear dog.
"Right, I'm willing to negotiate for a reasonable distribution of jobs for non-benders. Pick a few negotiators, and we'll talk."
Those with bender family members and a few other more reasonable protestors lost all aggression and began to nod while speaking calmly in appreciation.
The rest, however, looked ready to riot.
"No! We'll have all our jobs back!" However, when three of the calmer non-benders approached Liao and then followed him inside. Satisfied, much of the crowd dispersed, leaving only a fraction of the rioters.
With their diminished numbers, these protestors no longer had the confidence to challenge Liago's security and fled. Naga barked happily and began licking Korra's face as the Avatar exhaled in relief.
For the last month, she'd worked to break up half-a-dozen protests and fought alongside Diago's platoon in another three street-battles. When she came down, he, Kya, and Lin gave her very proud looks.
"Another conflict brought to an end by Avatar Korra." Kya patted Korra on the back, though the Avatar remained cautiously optimistic.
"For now. I still feel like I'm only putting bandages on the real problem." However, Korra quickly felt herself lifted up into Diago's arms with a warm expression.
"You're making more progress than most of the Republic Council. Give yourself some credit, Korra. You're making a real difference for a lot of people." Returning his smile, Korra grabbed Diago and gave him a long kiss.
The Lieutenant's platoon sergeant and a few other soldiers smirked upon seeing this while Lin shook her head, arms crossed.
"Come on. We're in public and on duty."
"I don't know, Lin, we had a big win here today. Why not celebrate a little." Kya said, wrapping her arms around the police chief's shoulders with a playful expression.
Lin's demeanor grew softer.
"Well, maybe this once." The police chief took her wife by the shoulders and followed Korra's example. The next day, Korra, Mako, and Bolin stood together on one of Air Temple island's courtyards while facing Kya, Opal, Asami, and two White Lotus guards, a fire and earth bender.
Kya and the White Lotus guards each bent at the Fire Ferrets with their respective element, acting as an opposing team for them.
While the White Lotus members proved skilled benders, Mako felt their pro-bending techniques weren't providing them with a good enough challenge for the upcoming championship. However, the same couldn't be said for Kya.
Korra's master hadn't lost her potency in the sport even after so many years and kept all three Fire Ferrets on guard. Similarly, Opal and Asami's assistance made up for any poor tactics by the White Lotus guards.
Very precise blunted arrows flew at all three alongside gusts of wind.
"I don't see how this is going to help us?! I mean, the Wolf Bats can't use air benders or archers!" Bolin grunted as he bent up rock disks and unleashed them at the other three.
"It's called resistance training, Bolin. We train in harsher conditions, and the real thing will be that much easier!" Mako declared, striking a barrage of fire at them.
Korra understood Mako's logic to an extent, though she thought Opal and Asami enjoyed the opportunity to attack them without recourse a bit too much. Holding back water bending from her master proved hard enough, but also avoiding Asami's arrows, and enduring Opal's wind made things nearly impossible.
"Come on, you three, your match is in two days!" Asami chuckled while bouncing arrows off a few rocks, which then flew at their flanks. Bolin grunted after taking a hit by one and then a fire blast from the first White Lotus guard.
Mako blasted the other two apart while Korra tried to protect all three from the incoming bending attacks. For a brief moment, Korra longed to go into the Avatar state again like she did to save them all from Tarrlock's blood bending, but soon mentally shook her head, realizing how stupid of an idea that was.
"Hold on! I'm going to try something!" Bolin almost sounded giddish as he began earth bending but in a different form. The ground beneath Kya and the White Lotus members shifted slightly, yet no rocks came up. Instead, all three yelped in pain, jumping backward and trying desperately to get off their burned feet.
"Yes! It's working!" Bolin cried full of enthusiasm, his arms raised. Opal smiled warmly while shaking her head, standing beside Naga and Pabu, who rested on the polar bear dog's forehead.
Mako face palmed, though Korra showed more intrigue. Since she told Bolin about Ghazan's ability to lava bend, Bolin had worked tirelessly to try and master the technique himself. Though he hadn't bent any lava, he'd managed to get some progress heating up the earth beneath him for the last month.
"Great Bolin, if only you were allowed to do that in the actual match." Mako scolded his brother.
"Hey, you won't be so mad when I start lava bending! Think of all the good I could do with it!"
"Like?" Asami asked, though with a chuckle. Bolin stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"Hmmm, I'm not quite sure yet. But I'll worry about that after I master lava bending."
"Don't let them discourage you, Bolin. I think it's great you're trying to learn such a rare form of bending." Opal kissed Bolin's cheek, making him blush.
After another hour or so of training, the group stopped to have some lunch with the air bending trainees, including Jinora and Kai.
"If the newspapers are right, the odds are really against you guys, so much so that if someone put a hundred-yuan bet on you, they'd make a hundred-thousand yuan if you won." Kai said as he slowly ate some rice and curried vegetables.
"Of course, gambling like that would go against air nomad traditions." Tenzin quickly corrected his student.
"Right." Kai said, winking subtly at Korra, Mako, and Bolin, who smiled back in appreciation for his confidence in them.
"Give me a list of the most expensive books you want. I'm going to come into some money soon." Kai whispered to Jinora, who blushed almost as much as Bolin had earlier and barely prevented herself from giggling in front of her father.
Korra smirked at the two, who'd grown incredibly close over the last month, strangely enough almost immediately after her own first date with Diago.
"Well, I wish you three luck in the finals. You've certainly put in a lot of hard work. Still, I'm more impressed with your other work, Korra. Breaking up that protest at Liao incorporated yesterday. Riako was furious." Tenzin said.
"I'll bet, he's mad because Korra's making it harder for him to press that a president is needed." Kya said with a smirk.
"More or less. I'd be careful, Korra. Riako may soon have it out for you." The young Avatar gave a firm look while Bolin, Mako, Opal, and Asami backed her up with supportive expressions.
"I'm not afraid of him. I just hope he doesn't try to hurt Diago's career." A hint of fear in her voice.
"Don't worry about Lieutenant Diago. I won't let that happen." Iroh said. The General sat beside his wife Kido and son Lu Ten as they ate together.
"Is it true Grandpa and aunt Koyasu have found more air benders in the Fire Nation? Lu Ten asked his father and great uncle.
"Yes, and they're both overseeing their training, just like great uncle Tenzin is with you." Kido said, patting her son's head.
"I wouldn't say just like me." Tenzin almost grumbled.
"Still enjoying the TV industry, Opal?" Iroh asked. The young air bender gave a slightly bashful look while Bolin put his hand on her shoulder. Since her first appearance on Yuan Wen, Varrick kept Opal on as an actress, her character becoming permanent and Yuan Wen's love interest. Much to Opal's approval.
"Speaking of which, look who's here!" Korra almost shouted. A luxurious yacht parked near the island with Varrick and Zhu Li disembarking.
"Greetings all, so good to see our illustrious audience for tonight! Zhu Li, do the thing!" Zhu Li took out a stack of tickets and began handing them out to everyone at the table.
Tenzin, Pema, and most of the others looked back at Varrick with confused expressions.
"Varrick, you're hosting your premier here on Air Temple Island. Why do we need tickets?" Tenzin asked.
"You can't have a premier without tickets, silly Tenzin. Tonight, all of you will get special access to the start of Yuan Wen, season three! The biggest season yet! I actually got tears in my eyes while writing it!"
Those at the table sweatdropped a bit while Varrick took out a handkerchief and wiped away a tear.
"Anyway, I'm beaming to see what the air benders think of it. I imagine you lot don't get to see a lot of TV out here."
"Nor should we." Tenzin said, Pema easing him a but with her hand on his shoulder.
"Well, it'll be a great treat and an early celebration for the Fire Ferrets victory."
"We appreciate your confidence in us." Mako said.
"You bet, speaking of which. For the fun of it, I put a small wager on you three winning."
"How much?" Korra asked.
"Just a hundred-thousand Yuan. Like I said, something small for the fun of it."
"What?!" Kai almost yelped when he realized how much Varrick would get on that return if they won. Strangely enough, Korra didn't feel any anxiety about her upcoming championship match. If anything, it served as a nice distraction from the crisis tearing Republic City apart.
Later that evening, Varrick's employees set up a massive movie screen projector and a few dozen chairs. Tenzin, his family, and students rested with Korra's friends. However, by then, more guests arrived. Hiroshi Sato and Deng Jing sat beside Asami and Mako.
Korra looked over at the family with a bit of amusement, for Asami rested her head on Mako's shoulder just beside her father, who didn't seem to mind. However, Deng Jing glared at Mako, appearing ready to maul him. Tenzin likewise kept a watchful eye on Kai, who sat beside Jinora a few rows up.
The Avatar herself followed Asami's example and cuddled up against Diago, who'd arrived alongside a dozen or so soldiers from his platoon, including Sergeant Xinyue and her husband, Kato.
Nearby Bolin and Opal shared a seat similarly as Korra and Diago, while Kya did the same with Lin.
"Alright, we're ready to get started! Zhu Li, do the thing!" His assistant started the film while Varrick himself sat in an oversized furnished chair in the back.
"Zhu Li, sorry, but we're out of chairs." One of Varrick's employees said as she stood beside the businessman.
"She's fine, Zhu Li, do the thing." Korra, Diago, Asami, Mako, and Asami watched in confusion as Zhu Li's usual cold demeanor warmed up. Then to their disbelief, she sat down in Varrick's lap just as Korra, Asami, and Kya did with their significant others.
"Huh?" Asami muttered.
"Oh yeah, apparently Varrick and Zhu Li are an item. It caught me by surprise too."
"I think it's sweet." Opal giggled. Naga curled herself around Diago and Korra while Pabu climbed into Bolin's shoulder. With that, the screen showed Bolin as Yuan Wen and Opal as Lei Jiang, her character from the show.
The two fought off a group of Fire Nation raiders who attempted to burn a village down along with everyone inside. Yuan Wen utilized his earth bending while Lei Jiang used spiritual power. However, Korra and Tenzin instantly recognized this merely as air bending with some special effects added.
Though their fight was staged, Tenzin couldn't deny Opal's air had become very impressive over the last few months since Korra became her teacher. He looked over at the Avatar with a slight smile, yet doing so only made him think of Bumi again, instantly souring his mood.
Korra still didn't enjoy fake fights but found Opal and Bolin's performances enjoyable enough. Particularly seeing them together.
"Ohh, here comes General Nagasawa! The big bad guy, our historical advisor, says he's based on General Tazawa, a real Fire Nation war criminal." Bolin grew giddish in anticipation as a fire bender in extensive armor came forward, battling Yuan and Lei, the two fighting together against him.
"What do you think? I prefer real fights." Korra asked Diago with a playful smile. However, she noticed an almost disturbed look on his face as he watched the General as well as the Fire Nation raiders. Korra felt her boyfriend nearly tremble with a pale expression.
"Diago, Diago!" Korra put her hand on his cheek as Naga similarly nudged against him.
"Huh!? What?" Diago snapped out of the trance, color returning to his face.
"Diago, what happened? Are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, I just. I was thinking about something else."
"Hmp, this show just demonstrates how wicked benders are, fire benders especially." Deng Jing muttered while trying to pull Asami away from Mako.
"Careful Deng, we're surrounded by benders, including a Fire Nation prince." Hiroshi smirked while glancing towards Iroh. Finally, Yuan and Lei succeeded, driving the remaining Fire Nation raiders away as the villagers cheered them on. Without warning, Lei grabbed Yuan and passionately kissed him, clearly catching Bolin by surprise as they filmed it.
"That part was an improvision." Opal giggled before kissing Bolin's cheek. With that, the episode ended, and Varrick's audience applauded.
"Wonderful! Season three is going to be the greatest yet! Once the Pro-Bending tournament ends the day after tomorrow-" Varrick started. Yet before he finished, the radios around them went to static for a moment, then returned with a sound that sent a shiver down Korra's spine.
"Good evening, true citizens of Republic City. This is your liberator." Amon's voice drew all eyes to the radio with horror.
"I understand the city is quite eager for the Pro-Bending championship in two days, including a great many non-benders. However, it is time for us to stop worshiping bending athletes as if they're somehow heroes. Therefore, I am calling upon the United Council to stop the upcoming match or suffer the consequences." The radio went quiet, leaving a chilling silence across Air Temple Island.
Korra, Mako, and Bolin turned to Tenzin before anyone else could.
"Tenzin, you're not going to do it, right? The Council isn't going to give into his demands!" Korra pleaded.
The air bending master tried to collect himself and stood up.
"I need to talk with the other councilors. We'll have a meeting in the morning."
"And!?" Mako almost demanded. Tenzin didn't answer.
The next day, Korra, Mako, Bolin, Opal, Asami, and Kya met Lin at the city hall entrance, where several police and soldiers stood guard. Including Sergeant Xinyue, much to Korra's interest.
"There you are. Come on, we need to get in there before they make the decision." Lin spoke with her usual steel determination while Korra glanced at Xinyue.
"Is Diago here?" The platoon sergeant nodded.
"He's not alone, either." From the tone of her voice, Korra grew even more interested. City hall itself proved a hub of activity with employees and politicians raced about with papers, coffee, and other instruments necessary for governance.
"Cheif Beifong." Several policemen said to her in respect, almost blinking when they saw Korra.
"Avatar Korra!" A worker jumped in shock, dropping his paperwork.
"Hi, nice to meet you. Got to go." Korra felt her heart race slightly at the thought of missing out on the championship. She knew what it meant to Mako and Bolin, not to mention the countless people across Republic City. People who saw Pro-Bending as a way to interact with benders and non-benders in peace and harmony.
Korra wouldn't let Amon further divide Republic City. She'd ensure the match went on. However, as they reached the council chamber doors, Korra felt the entire building shake and saw a dozen pieces of metal shoot through the wall above them.
"Uhhh." Bolin said with growing fear.
"Oh boy." Lin said, though with a strangely amused expression, much to Korra and the other's confusion. Lin whispered something to Kya, who barely contained her laughter.
Despite what happened, Korra opened the door, though much to her surprise, she saw none other than Kuvira fuming in front of the council chamber with Diago, Baatar Jr., and Iroah nearby.
"This is unacceptable! I won't stand for it!" Kuvira roared like an erupting volcano, making the building tremble again when she slammed the table with both hands, causing it to crack.
"Kuvira, it's alright, calm down." Baatar Jr. tried to ease the Colonel, but she almost threw him off. Kuvira had always been in control whenever Korra saw her, yet now in an unrestrained fury, she appeared more terrifying than Amon or Tarrlock.
Diago kept his distance when he noticed Korra and the others, looking almost concerned for them.
"Wow, I didn't know Kuvira was so passionate about Pro-Bending." Korra said.
"That's not why she's mad." Opal giggled with a mischievous expression, the others turning to her in confusion, save Lin and Kya.
"With Amon directly threatening the City and Tarrlock's power growing, I'm needed here more than ever! You can't do this!" Kuvira almost snarled.
"Kuvira, please understand. It is precisely because of this crisis the Republic needs to secure our industrial means from Zaofu more than ever. You grew up in Zaofu and were practically Suyin Beifong's daughter, in fact, you are her daughter-in-law now. There is no one better to act as the Republic's military attache to Zaofu than you." One of the Council said in perhaps the most political tone Korra'd ever imagined.
He was middle-aged with tan skin, light blue eyes covered by round glasses, and had black hair, including a mustache, while dressed in a very expensive blue suit.
"I know she's responsible for this! Suyin used her influence to make this happen! Mark my words, this isn't over!" Kuvira stormed away. Baatar Jr. once again tried to ease his wife but to no avail. The two passed Korra and the others, both glancing at Opal and Lin as they did so.
"Ok, I'm confused." Bolin said while Opal continued to giggle.
Korra noticed Iroh glaring at the Council, including a very guilty Tenzin.
"This is a mistake. Colonel Kuvira is my best officer."
"Duly noted General." The same councilman said in a disinterested tone while turning to Korra's party.
"More unscheduled interruptions, I see."
"The chief of police and Avatar have a right to be here, Councilman Raiko." Lin countered. Korra's eyes widened for a moment. So this was the councilman Raiko she heard so much about.
Korra reached a wary Diago who took a deep breath.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm one of Colonel Kuvira's officers, and she wanted me here. I'm assuming you came about the Pro-Bending decision."
"Yeah, what's got Kuvira so upset?"
Diago tightened his fist in frustration.
"The Council has decided to name her military attache to Zaofu and reassign here there until further notice."
"Why?" Korra asked.
"Because she and my brother didn't waste any time." Opal continued to giggle.
"Meaning?" Bolin asked.
"Kuvira's pregnant! They found out earlier this week!" Korra and the others blinked.
"She's pregnant!"
"Yep! This time next year, I'll be an aunt. Of course, when my mom found out, she was adamant about making sure her first grandchild would be safe from what's going on here. So she pulled some strings, and now Kuvira will be safe and sound in Zaofu for the time being."
"This is serious, things are escalating, and Kuvira is one of our best commanders." Diago countered, a growing concern in his voice. Judging Iroh's earlier statement, he clearly agreed.
"I'm assuming you all came here to plead your case for the Pro-Bending championship. Let me save you all some time. We've already come to an agreement. The match is canceled." Riako said in a firm tone.
"What!?" Korra and the other cried in horror.
"You can't be serious. You lot are just going to roll over and give in to that lunatic's demands! Come on. If we do that, you may as well shout out over the radio that Amon and his Equalists are the true rulers of Republic City. Show some backbone!" Lin declared, using her chains to break Riako's gavel before he could slam it on the table.
"Please, understand we're doing this to prevent anyone from getting hurt." Tenzin countered, though his sister gave him a look of utter disappointment.
"You're all cowering before them. But what happens when Tarrlock demands the match go on?" Kya asked, her arms crossed.
"If that happens?" Riako started.
"Not if, when! This was delivered to the police station this morning!" Lin growled as she used her whip to shove a letter into a councilwoman's hands. Her eyes widened.
"Tarrlock promises to attack city hall itself if we cancel the match."
"So you're asking us to give in to another madman's demands. I highly doubt Tarrlock would be foolish enough to attack city hall. But the Arena is another story." Riako said.
"Oh, for the love of, will you grow a pair!" Lin snarled. Her choice of words almost making Kya blush and the others laugh.
"Be careful, chief-" Riako started.
"I agree with chief Beifong." Iroh said, standing firm against the Council.
"They're right. If you do this, benders will think you're favoring the Equalists! More protests will break out!" Korra added.
"Council, if we may, as a Pro-Bender athlete, it's our right to compete! Don't punish the city because of a madman." Mako said, Bolin, Asami, and Opal beside him.
"Yeah, think of what pro-bending means to this city! It's one of the few places where benders and non-benders get together, take that away, and relations will only get worse!" Bolin cried.
"He's not wrong. That arena is where people of the Republic come together as one, where people don't see each other as benders and non-benders, but fans of a sport." Diago put his hand on Korra's shoulder in support while the Avatar looked into the Councils' eyes with pure determination.
"This is our decision. This is what the Republic needs, strong leadership-" Riako started.
"It's not your decision. It's Amon's! What happens the next time he demands something from you! Firing police, withdrawing the military, making bending illegal, or handing me over to them, will you do it just because he makes a threat!?" Korra countered.
Riako narrowed his eyes.
"Don't tempt me, Avatar."
Kya, Diago, and the others looked ready to maul Riako, but Tenzin beat them to it.
"Pardon me! Councilman Riako, but I would hope that for someone who advocates for stronger executive power in our government, you'd show more strength in the face of a threat. Perhaps Korra is right. We need to stand firm against extremism and not give in to their demands. Therefore I'm changing my vote!" Tenzin's declaration shocked them, particularly Korra.
"But if the Equalists attack-" Another councilman started.
"They won't, not if the police take over for security. Amon wouldn't dare confront us directly, and if he does, he'll be in for a surprise." Lin said with utter strength and confidence.
"I don't think we need any more assurance than that." Tenzin said. The other councilmen nodded.
"Then we change our votes." The councilwoman from earlier said. Only Riako remained opposed.
"Hmp, when this blows up in your faces, Republic City will know which leader did what was right, no matter what others thought."
"Yes! Championship, here we come!" Bolin cried. Asami held Mako's hand with hers, giving him a look of utter confidence and assurance. Korra, meanwhile, shared an eager smile with Diago.
That night, the Fire-Ferrets stood in their changing room, pro-bending gear donned. Opal, Asami, and Diago each held their respective significant other in a warm embrace while giving them a passionate kiss.
"Good luck out there. I know you can do this!" Opal assured Bolin while hugging him tightly.
"Don't forget you're representing Future Industries too, babe. So make us look good." Asami said playfully while running her hands through Mako's hair.
"Well, I can't let your company's reputation suffer."
Korra and Diago hadn't ended their kiss yet, but kept their eyes shut for a moment even after doing so.
"You think I'm ready to face Tahno?"
"I think you're ten-times the water bender you were when we first met."
"Hmp, thanks, but that might not be enough." Korra chuckled, at least until she saw the confident smile on her boyfriend's face.
"As a water bender, he may be more powerful, but as a fighter." Korra understood what he meant and nodded.
"You're right. We've got this!"
A few minutes later, Asami, Opal, and Diago joined Tenzin, Ikki, Jinora, Kai, Hiroshi, Varrick, Zhu Li, Kya, and Lin in a private box.
"This is so exciting! When's Korra coming!?" Ikki squealed, jumping up and down while Tenzin sighed.
"It's too bad Meelo couldn't come." Jinora said.
"I don't know how you two talked me into letting you come." Tenzin muttered.
"Come on. They've got the chief of police and the strongest water bender in Republic City protecting them." Lin said assuredly.
"Would you mind passing that on to Deng Jing? She looked like she was going to have a stroke when we told her we were coming." Hiroshi chuckled with Asami.
Tenzin looked around at the dozens of police officers patrolling the stadium and tried to relax, Amon's threat still running through his head.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the championship Pro-Bending match! We've seen dozens of fine teams compete this year, but now it's time to see who will wear the crown! Introducing our contenders, the team who came from obscurity and proved themselves, again and again, your Fire Ferrets!"
Korra, Bolin, and Mako rose up on their platform to a jubilant crowd. Korra looked out at the vast audience. Benders and non-benders all come together for pro-bending. This warmed her heart immensely, but the icing on the cake was her loved ones in their private box.
"Zhu Li, do the thing!" Varrick shouted. His assistant took out what looked like a firework launcher and blasted something over the arena. The crowd nearly jumped when they saw a sparking display of a fire ferret over them.
"Oh, Varrick." Mako said, shaking his head with a smirk.
"That's perfect, Pabu. You're on!" Bolin's fire ferret jumped off his shoulder and onto the ring, walking around on his front legs.
"Yes, that's it, buddy, you've got them eating out of your paws!"
"And now, your defending champions! The best Pro-Benders in the world, the Wolf-Bats!" Korra, Mako, and Bolin felt their nerves tighten as Tahno and his teammates emerged, a smug and overconfident expression uniform across their faces.
The crowd lit up in applause for the Wolf Bats, who now stood directly across from the Fire Ferrets.
"Looks like Amon couldn't save you, Avatar." Tahno stroked his hair while speaking in a way that almost made Korra fire bend right at him. Mako and Bolin would've understood as they barely restrained themselves from doing the same.
Each bender got into position, anxiously waiting for the bell to ring. Korra's eyes fixated on Tahno's until finally, she heard the distinct sound.
Tahno wasted no time and almost knocked Korra's face-mask off with a bit of water boxing, coming dangerously close to crossing the line. The Avatar barely moved back in time, using some air bending techniques to avoid Tahno and his earth bender's attacks.
"Tahno and Qian go right for the Avatar, who uses her trademark agility to avoid their attacks, though barely!"
"Come on, Korra!" Ikki cried. Tenzin watching with growing interest at her use of air bending movements.
Bolin furiously kicked up a few earth disks and punched them at Tahno and Qian, but he accidentally smashed one of the disks to pieces in his enthusiasm.
"Oops."
"Come on, Bolin, get your head in the game!" Mako scolded his brother. However, he and Bolin noticed that the other disks shattered almost instantly when they made contact with Tahno and Qian, neither even attempting to dodge them.
"Incredible, Tahno and Qian take those earth disks like they're made of steel!"
"Don't get discouraged, Bolin, keep at them!" Opal shouted.
"I've got these two. Knock out their fire bender!" Korra shouted, doing her best to avoid the earth and water unleashed at her, adding some water bending of her own defensively. However, Tahno and Qian proved far superior to any opponents she'd faced before. The Wolf Bat earth bender unleashing her attacks so fast if she almost resembled a fire bender.
Mako and Bolin attempted to focus on the fire bender. However, just like his teammates, he endured Bolin's earth disks with unusual ease. Asami, Kya, and Diago noticed this with growing suspicion.
"They weren't this tough in previous matches." Asami narrowed her eyes slightly. Despite this, Mako managed to land a hit on the Wolf Bat's chest, knocking him back just before the next line. Bolin furiously attempted to exploit this, when Tahno used his foot to slam the earth bender's side with water.
"Ohh, and Tahno lands a blow that looks like it hurt!"
"Bolin!" Opal screamed in horror. Mako and Korra watched with similar terror as their teammate bounced like a ragdoll across the ring, landing all the way into the back area.
"Ouch." Bolin moaned, feeling like he'd been hit by a car. Mako barely avoided the same, and Korra tried to take advantage of the situation, using water bending to sweep Tahno's legs. However, he split Korra's attack in half while one of Qian's earth disks finally struck.
Korra felt the wind knocked out of her, gasping for breath while tumbling back beside Bolin.
"Korra!" Diago nearly bent the railing with his grip after seeing her bounce across the ring.
"Ohh, we might need to see if the Avatar has a broken rib or two! The Wolf Bats might end this early!"
Mako braced himself as all three Wolf Bats closed in, giving him everything they had. Korra and Bolin desperately tried to aid him, but they could only do so much from the back corner. Luckily the bell rung with Mako only moved back to the next zone.
"And the Fire Ferrets barely hang on!"
All three panted heavily, sweat soaking every inch of their bodies.
"What's happening? I've never felt water that hard!" Bolin muttered.
"And I've never felt an earth disk that hard." Korra narrowed her eyes, noticing tears in Bolin's padding. Reaching out, the Avatar felt her mouth drop as she bent small bits of metal from Bolin's gear.
"No way!" Bolin cried.
Mako furiously picked up the earth disk that hit Korra and broke off a few pieces, revealing the inside to be made of metal.
"I don't believe it. They're cheating! Bolin, try to bend up one of our earth disks!" He did so and checked its durability, the disk breaking in half after only the slightest pressure.
"So that's it then, they've got metal in their water and earth disks. Meanwhile, ours have been sabotaged." Korra growled, her eyes practically set on fire.
"Why those dirty, no good!" Bolin started while Mako stormed over to the ref with the disk in hand. However, to Korra and Bolin's horror, Mako shouted something at the ref and angrily threw the disk into the water before returning.
"I don't believe this! He thinks I'm making it up even after I showed him the metal!"
Korra and Bolins' expressions nearly turned crestfallen upon hearing this.
"Is he blind?!" Korra almost snarled. Mako grit his teeth while glaring at Tahno and his team.
"He's been paid off. It's the only explanation. Tahno must've promised him a part of the champion's pot."
"What do we do then?" Bolin asked with an almost frantic expression. Korra wasn't sure of that herself. Bolin still couldn't metal bend, despite earlier attempts to learn, and thus he couldn't utilize the metal disks launched at him. Korra could, but the ref would simply foul her for 'earth bending' when she was only supposed to water bend. Perhaps if she tried to bend the metal out of Tahno's water, then again, the ref would probably find some reason to foul her.
"We can only try to beat them with strategy."
Mako nodded reluctantly.
"She's right. Got any ideas?"
"Well, if my disks can't do any real damage, then I'm out as an offensive player. But I can't do all that fancy air bending dodging like you." Bolin sighed.
"No, and I certainly can't out water bend Tahno, meaning Mako is the only one of us with any real power. That means, somehow, we have to keep all their focus on us."
Korra, Mako, and Bolin continued to plan out their strategy before the bell cut them short.
"You three aren't ready yet? Then again, you weren't ready to face us at all." Tahno chuckled, the Fire Ferrets barely maintaining their composure against him.
"You guys have this! Come on!" Jinora cried.
Asami, Kya, Opal, and Diago all glanced at each other with growing suspicion after what they saw in round one.
"Something's not right here." Asami glared ferociously at Tahno and then the ref.
"Yep, there's metal in those disks and water. I can feel it." Lin said in a somewhat carefree tone.
"What!?" Even Kya joined in with the shout.
"So they are cheating!" Diago and the others furiously almost got up.
"How are you so calm about this?" Kya scolded her wife, who shrugged.
"I thought it might be more interesting this way." Opal, Asami, and Diago all glared at Lin, and Kya pulled her up.
"Come on. We're putting a stop to this." Kya led the group out of their box while Tenzin, Varrick, Zhu Li, and Hiroshi glanced their way.
"We'll be back."
They walked out of the box and through the nearly deserted passageways.
"I can't believe they'd sink so low as to cheat like this!" Opal growled.
"It's all about the money, Opal." Diago grunted with his fist tightened into a ball.
"Sad but true. You kids wouldn't imagine the things people are willing to do for money. I once saw a man who-" Lin stopped them in their tracks, her face hardening into steel.
"What is it?!" Kya got into a defensive stance with the others. Lin carefully shoved her feet across the floor, listening to all the vibrations.
"Something's wrong. I can feel anxiety and restlessness in dozens of people across the stadium."
"Well, I'm sure it might have something to do with the match."
"No, this is something else. I've felt this kind of stress in people before." Lin's eyes went wide.
"Oh no!"
Korra grunted after feeling Tahno's metallic water slam across her legs, flipping her through the air and into another zone.
"Ohhh, and the Avatar takes another blow. I don't know how the Fire Ferrets are going to survive this round, folks!"
"Come on, little lady, is that all you've got?" Tahno chuckled, bending more water at her than she could hold back.
"Hold on, Korra!" Bolin dashed in front of her, struggling to hold back Qian's disks, focusing intensely on the earth surrounding them. He barely managed to do this, using them to shield her against the Wolf Bat's fire bender.
"Hold on, folks, what do we have here!?" Mako raced forward and jumped off Bolin's shoulders, unleashing an inferno of flames not at the Wolf Bats themselves but their feet.
Tahno furiously attempted to shield them. Qian and their fire bender closed in around him, desperate for protection, thus opening the door.
Bolin and Mako moved aside, allowing Korra to sweep the ground with a jet of water smaller than Tahno's but under her complete control. Mako, Bolin, and even Korra herself felt the world slow around them in disbelief, for all three Wolf Bats flew backward off the arena and into the pool below.
"Knockout! The Fire Ferrets win! The Fire Ferrets win!"
"Korra!" Jinora, Kai, and Ikki exclaimed.
"Incredible! Awww, poor Asami and the others, they missed it!" Hiroshi shouted.
"Well done." Tenzin smiled warmly while the audience lit up with applause.
"Zhu Li! Do the thing!" She unleashed another firework while Korra, Bolin, and Asami embraced each other.
"We did it! We actually did it! We!" Bolin had tears in his eyes before hearing the ref's whistle.
"Foul! No elimination!" He shouted.
"What!?" All three snarled in disbelief.
"The Fire Ferrets used an illegal move! Controlling their opponents' earth disks, they will move back one zone!"
"You've got to be kidding me!" Mako looked ready to engulf the man in fire while the audience seemed to echo them, many snarling or making threats.
"He can't do this!" Kai declared, his eyes set ablaze. Ikki and Jinora joined in while Tenzin sighed.
"That's not an illegal move. He's helping the Wolf Bats." Hiroshi narrowed his eyes.
Tahno bent the water off him and his teammates as they came back up, giving very cocky smiles back at the Fire Ferrets.
"Fraid it won't be that easy, little lady."
"Now what?" Korra asked, slightly afraid.
"I don't know." Mako admitted, shaking a little with her. The next round didn't go well at all. Even without their shady advantages, the Wolf Bats proved more skilled than anyone else they'd fought. Bolin held out as long as he could, but two of Qian's metal disks struck his stomach, hurling him into the water.
"And there goes Bolin!"
Korra and Mako braced themselves against the three Wolf Bats' onslaught, but even as Korra disprised Tahno's water, Qian and her partner both landed hits. Just like that, Korra and Mako soared through the air and splashed beside Bolin.
"Did we lose?" He muttered.
"Knockout, the Wolf Bat's win!" The audience let out a series of boos and hisses as this call.
"Shameful." Tenzin sighed as Kai held his face.
"I don't believe this! Zhu Li, I think it's time to rethink my stock in the Pro-Bending league-" Varrick's eyes widened for a moment when he saw shadows moving behind them.
"Get down!" Varrick grabbed Zhu Li and Hiroshi before slamming them to the ground, barely avoiding the shocks from three electric gauntlets behind them.
"Ahhh!" Ikki shrieked in terror. Tenzin furiously put himself between the children and the intruders. All three looked like members of the audience, yet they wore mouth coverings with the Equalist sigil.
Tenzin unleashed a gust of wind that slammed all three into the wall.
"Zhu Li, do the thing!" As the Equalists tried to get up, Zhu Li revealed her own electric gauntlet and mercilessly shocked them into submission.
"Equalists?!" Tenzin muttered.
"Master!" Kai, Ikki, and Jinora held each other, and Hiroshi had to keep his glasses from falling off.
"No!" All across the stadium, dozens of Equalists revealed themselves among the crowd. All masked and armed with the same electric gauntlets used by the United Forces. Before anyone knew what happened, the police standing guard began to fall, taken completely off-guard.
"No! Our beautiful invention, used by the Equalists! How?!" Varrick held his face in distress while staring out at the chaos. People in the audience, benders and non-benders alike trying to flee in panic.
"What's going on here!?" Tahno muttered the ref, unsure before a burst of electricity knocked him into the water. By now, Korra, Mako, and Bolin got out of the water onto the platform beneath the arena.
All three watched in horror as more Equalists revealed themselves.
"Wow, maybe Raiko was right about all this." Bolin muttered before Mako almost glared at him.
"Ok, ok, not the best time." Within a few minutes, the entire Pro-Bending arena was under Equalist control. Tahno and his team backed up when they saw glass from the ceiling above fall around them.
Resting just above the stadium sat an airship, four chains lowering from its belly carrying four individuals, Amon, his Lieutenant, the Chi-Blocker, and the grapple-arms.
"No, no way!" Tahno and his teammates stumbled backward in terror. Amon stared back behind his white mask.
"So this is the best of the bending world. Show me what you can do against those of us, free of impurity."
Tahno desperately tried to water bend at Amon, who seemed to avoid the water effortlessly. Qian and the fire bender unleashed everything they had, yet just like before, Amon proved too nimble. The Lieutenant slid under Amon, who leaped up, clearing the way for him to slam both his electrified batons into Tahno, who wailed in agony.
The Chi-Blocker moved evasively, closing the distance between her and the fire bender before striking all of his pressure points. Qian tried to bend up some metal disks, but the grapple-arms easily knocked them aside and then launched her right gauntlet into Qian's stomach, ensnaring the earth bender before hurling her into the ground.
Tahno's face turned pale when he saw Amon stand over him, hand raised.
"No, please, I'll give you the champion's pot, I'll give you anything, just not my bending!" Even many non-benders in the audience watched with unimaginable discomfort when they Amon energy bend the three Wolf Bats' bending away.
With that, he tossed them into the water as if they were dead. The grapple-arms snickered and waved at Tahno as she saw him float in the pool, the Lieutenant handing Amon a microphone.
"Greetings, people of Republic City, I'm so glad we could join you tonight in celebrating three bullies who cheated their way to victory." The grapple-arms pulled an earth disk free, smashing its shell off to reveal its metal interior.
Much of the crowd gasped. Others growled, upset that the wrong team won.
"These three are the perfect example of what all Benders are. Those who use their power to oppress those beneath them in a desperate bid to maintain their status. No more! Look around you. Technology has at last given us the means to stand up and face the tyranny of benders!" Some non-benders in the audience grew more interested and even cheered, the benders scowling back with hatred.
"Now, the time has come for all non-benders to stand together, and liberate this city, then the world! The Revolution has begun!" Amon's supporters cried out in unison as a few raised the Equalist banner above the ring.
Yet, even as a few in the crowd stood to join him, all eyes turned to a pair of Equalists who flew through the air, squealing like little girls as they bounced into the water, shocking themselves with their own gauntlets.
"Look!" Jinora cried in joy as she saw Lin, Kya, Diago, Opal, and Asami reveal themselves.
"Amon! You're under arrest!" Lin roared, furiously unleashing a storm of metal across the stadium, knocking down eight more Equalists. As several tried to blast Lin with electricity, Kya and Diago quickly covered her flanks, sweeping the Equalists aside with their water bending. Opal blasted gusts of wind into three that tried to attack them from behind, allowing Asami to take two of their gauntlets. Placing one on each hand she, blasted two nearby Equalists and then fought off another with hand-to-hand combat, shocking him with both gauntlets.
All across the stadium, benders in the audience began fighting back, forcing the Equalists further and further from their positions. Amon and his three elite Equalists carefully surveyed the situation happening around them. That was until the lift beneath them rose up carrying Korra, Mako, and Bolin.
"How do you feel about facing the real Pro-Bending Champions!?" Korra asked in a half-cocky manner, though she, along with Bolin and Mako, stared at all four Equalists with steel determination.
The audience, not fleeing, cowering, or fighting, almost grew eager in anticipation.
"Take them." Amon said plainly.
Back near the private box, Tenzin masterfully slammed another three Equalists into the wall with his air bending clearing a way for the others to move.
"Stay close!"
"Mr. Sato, look out!" Jinora and Kai both leaped forward at an angle, coming to aid Hiroshi with a combined gust of wind that swept two equalists off their feet.
"Jinora, Kai! Get back here!" Tenzin almost roared in fury as he saw them try to hold off another pair of Equalists, evading their electric blasts.
"Uhhh, dad." Ikki muttered, hiding behind Tenzin as Hiroshi, Varrick, and Zhu Li all stared, mouths open as something else approaching from further down the hall. The air bending master felt tremors in the hall and turned just in time to see what appeared to be a moving humanoid metal suit, not all that different from the forklifts in Hiroshi's factories. Tenzin tried to blast the device, but his air bending did virtually nothing, and the Equalist raised their suit's arms to strike.
"Watch out!" Tenzin blasted his companions back while gliding through the air and away. He furiously attempted to strike back, avoiding each of the suit's blows, yet it proved impervious to any air bending.
Tenzin tried to remain calm, despite everything going on, but three more Equalists raced towards them from the other end of the hall.
"Run!"
However, Jinora, Kai, and even Ikki each used their air bending to avoid the Equalists' attacks before blasting them into the walls with various air bending abilities. Tenzin would've been impressed had it not put them in great danger.
The suit turned its attention to Varrick, Zhu Li, and Hiroshi. However, Mr. Sato and Tenzin both noticed something strange. The device seemed to hesitate for a moment when it looked at Hiroshi.
"Zhu Li, do the thing!" Zhu Li aimed her electric gauntlet at the device and revealed a hidden feature. With fierce eyes, she unleashed a grapple that entangled the suit's legs before pulling them together.
"Tenzin, do the thing!" Varrick added. He understood instantly and blasted the machine with everything he had until finally, it fell onto its stomach.
"Hiroshi, let's do the thing!" Varrick gave a very eager smile while tossing his friend a wrench. Hiroshi nodded, a similar expression on his face.
The two businessmen jumped onto the machine's back and went to work dismantling it piece by piece.
"Who made this? The engineering is shoddy?" Hiroshi almost chuckled as he extracted an important part.
"Probably comes from Liao incorporated. One more joint and got it!" Varrick and Hiroshi both pulled the left arm off, yet this victory proved short-lived, as the device reached down and ripped its leg bindings off. Varrick and Hiroshi stumbled backward when it came up, yet Zhu Li revealed a second gauntlet with grapple capabilities, and the Equalist inside retreated.
"We did it!" Ikki cried in glee.
"You three are in serious trouble! What were you thinking?! Fighting Equalists like that!?" Tenzin scolded the three air bending pupils, who looked more frightened of him than the attackers.
"But, dad, Mr. Sato-" Jinora started.
"No buts! You-"
"I thought what they did was very brave." Hiroshi narrowed his eyes at Tenzin.
"Would you have felt comfortable with Asami putting herself in danger for me?!"
"She's out there right now doing just that! No, I'm not comfortable with it, but it's happening."
"He's right. Those three didn't go looking for trouble. Trouble came to us, and they acted." Zhu Li added, a very firm look on her face. Tenzin sighed, noticing Varrick's arm move around Zhu Li's shoulder.
"It's always my philosophy that you never punish people for success, less you discourage it."
The air bending master took another deep breath, feeling Ikki and Jinora wrap their arms around him, somber expressions on their faces.
"Jinora, Kai, can you get out of here safely?" Tenzin asked, noticing with some relief as a few conscious police officers ran across the hall further down.
"Yes, master, we can!"
"Then get to the police and stay with them. I need to help Korra, aunt Kya, and aunt Lin."
"Don't worry about us. Come on!" Varrick and Zhu Li led the kids towards a pair of policemen and a police woman trying to set up a secure exist for the wounded.
However, Tenzin noticed Hiroshi pick up one of the Equalist's electric gauntlets.
"Hiroshi, what are you doing?"
"My daughter's still inside. I'm not leaving without her." Tenzin nodded.
"Then let's go!"
Back on the platform, Korra bent up metal disks and unleashed at the grapple-arms, who either pulled herself to the side or deflected them. The Avatar initially tried to bend her opponent's mechanical limbs but to no avail. Their material had to the same as the suit.
Simultaneously, Mako blasted continuous bursts of fire at the Equalist Lieutenant, who either evaded the attacks or tore through them with his electric batons.
"Come on, stay still!" Mako grunted with growing frustration. If he could just land one could blow, then it might be over. Or so he thought while looking closer, Mako noticed some of his fire did strike the Lieutenant, but his uniform seemed to absorb the flames, at least to an extent. Perhaps it was made of a fire-resistant material like what fire-fighters wore.
"Woah, get back!" Bolin almost yelped, the chi-blocker coming dangerously close to striking him. He just managed to bend up earth disks wherever her fingers would hit and then launched them forward. The elite Equalist grunted in pain and irritation, feeling her hands grow sore. She managed to avoid the return blows, but it became increasingly difficult.
Amon didn't join in the fighting but carefully observed it, particularly Korra. That was until he noticed three more of his Equalists fly into the pool. Emerging from a hall came Tenzin and Hiroshi, who quickly joined Asami and the others.
With their help, Lin now had her opening and grappled across the pool, coming right for Amon.
"On your knees!" Lin ferociously unleashed every chain she had at the Equalist leader. Yet to her horror, Amon effortlessly dodged these attacks, and grabbing one of the whips, he flipped Lin onto the ground.
"Off!" Lin grunted, forcing herself up and at Amon.
"Come on, fight me like a man!" Lin growled, using her whips and a few metal disks as Amon continued to avoid her metal bending. Just like last time, it wasn't the same way Korra or air benders did, but strangely unique. Every few moments, he grabbed one of Lin's chains and used her own momentum to hurl the police chief to the ground.
Further down the platform, Korra narrowly avoided one of the grapple-arms gauntlets with air bending when she shot the second at her.
"Watch your step, Avatar! You don't want to lose your foot or your head!" The elite Equalist laughed maniacally while redirecting her first gauntlet towards the back of Korra's neck.
Luckily, she was ready. Korra masterfully bent water into both gauntlets, pinning them to the ground and freezing them in place.
"You think that will stop them!?" The grapple-arms laughed, pulling her gauntlets free. Yet even as she did so, Korra smirked.
"Bolin any fire puns?"
"Hmm, what's the context?!" He asked. Korra blasted the gauntlets with blue flames before they could fully retract. The elite Equalist's eyes widened as the overwhelming heat traveled through her metal-like arms and into her body.
"Ahhhhh!"
"Ohh, I've got it! She's too hot to touch!" For a brief moment, Korra, Mako, the Chi-blocker, and Lieutenant all looked at him with disapproval.
"Wow, tough crowd." The grapple arms thrashed about as if in a seizure, giving Korra her opening. She bent water again, this time, much faster, slicing so quickly and precisely that she cut clean through the mechanical arms, making steam at the same time.
Mako barely kept the Lieutenant back, punching and kicking fire all around him as the Equalist came dangerously close to striking. Yet as the fire bender got a better look at his foe, he spotted a weak point. Mako spun himself across the ground, kicking fire all around them. The Lieutenant acrobatically jumped over Mako but left his back turned to him for a moment, a decisive moment.
Mako blasted the Lieutenant's power pack, causing it to short circuit and surge.
"Ahhhh!" The elite Equalist groaned in agony, shocked by his own weapon.
"Not so fun is it!" Mako blasted the Lieutenant with an almost too eager expression, sending him across the platform.
Meanwhile, Bolin continued his defensive tactic against the Chi-blocker, who now began to slow. As this happened, he noticed the way Korra and Mako defeated their adversaries and felt a lightbulb go off in his head.
"That's it! If you don't stop, I'll burn your hands off!" The Chi-blocker raised an eyebrow.
"What, you think you're the Avatar too?"
Bolin smirked.
"No, just a future, lava bender!" He kicked up an earth disk just in time to block her next strike, yet just before the Equalist struck, the disk turned red hot and almost looked ready to melt.
"Ahhhh!" The Chi-blocker grabbed her right hand as smoke came off the skin.
"Fire Ferrets!" Bolin slammed the Equalist across the platform with another disk.
Lin grunted after hitting the ground again but still refused to give up.
"Is that all you've got!?" She bent some metal into a blade and lunged towards Amon, only for him to kick her arm away with a swift kick. Before Lin could recover, Amon almost broke her nose with a palm strike and then seized one of the chains.
"Bend this." He said with no humor or sarcasm in his voice. Lin gasped upon feeling the chain tighten around her neck. The metal bender tried desperately to bend the chain, but with Amon's ever-increasing grip and her shortening breath, this became impossible.
"Lin!" Kya shrieked, trying desperately to strike Amon, but somehow her water kept falling short. A look of unrelenting terror and helplessness filled Kya's eyes as she watched her wife get strangled to death while being unable to do anything about it.
Yet just as Lin's vision began to fade, water, fire, and earth all flew at Amon from three different directions. The Equalist leader leaped up and masterfully evaded all three strikes, trying to keep his grip on Lin's chain as he did so. However, Korra acted fast and, using air bending, pulled the police chief back beside their feet.
Lin violently coughed as she tried to breathe, still on her hands and feet.
"Give it up, Amon. You've got nowhere to run!" Korra declared, emphasizing his defeated forces all around the stadium and his beaten Lieutenants.
Mako, Korra, and Bolin very carefully closed in, but Amon grabbed something in front of him. Their eyes widened when they realized it was the same chain that brought him in. His Lieutenants, though wounded, managed to get up and each grab a chain, save the grapple-arms, who needed the Lieutenant's help.
"You cannot stop the Revolution, Avatar. You can try to delay the coming age, but it is inevitable. I am inevitable." Amon flew up to his airship, leaving a furious Korra directly beneath it.
"No, you aren't!" Korra thrust up her fingers and blasted a bolt of lightning through the air before exploding inside the airship. A massive cloud of smoke and fire engulfed the area above them, followed by a series of loud splashes.
"Korra, you just-" Mako almost trembled.
"Lin!" Kya finally arrived and scooped up her wife in her arms.
"Kya, you're strangling me worse than him!" Lin muttered, feeling the power in Kya's embrace.
Bolin, Mako, and Korra soon found themselves similarly ensnared by their significant others.
"Are you guys ok!?" Asami almost shouted.
"We're fine. What about you?" Mako panted.
"Us, you were the ones in the middle of all this chaos!" Opal squeezed Bolin with all her might, though he didn't mind. After everything that happened, his girlfriend's warm embrace was a welcome relief, made even better as Pabu climbed back up his shoulders.
Diago and Korra kissed for a few moments, though it did little to wipe the immense fear in their expressions.
"Are you hurt?"
"No." Korra answered, her voice still shaking.
"Korra, you, you got Amon." Diago almost stuttered. However, the Avatar grit her teeth. Korra wanted to believe she got him, but somehow that almost felt too easy.
"We have to make sure." Diago sighed warily but nodded.
"You're right. Let's go!" Korra grabbed Diago and air bent them both up to the rooftop, Tenzin following close after.
All three looked at the sinking airship. The nearby police forces tried to search it, but even as Korra prepared to join them, Tenzin let out a defeated sigh.
"Look." He pointed towards the bay, where a single speedboat fled into the darkness. Even from such a great distance, Korra almost felt Amon staring back at her before disappearing.
Korra almost trembled in frustration, her fists tightening before feeling Diago wrap his arms around her, and Tenzin place a hand on her shoulder.
"It's alright, Korra, we'll get him." Tenzin said softly.
"How many more people are going to get hurt before that happens! They had electric gauntlets! I thought only the United Forces were supposed to have those!?"
"We are." Diago said, a growing sense of anxiety in his face. However, the Lieutenant took a deep breath and, with a vehement expression, guided Korra's vision to Republic City.
"But that doesn't matter now. What matters is Republic City, and what we do to protect it." Korra stood tall with Tenzin and Diago.
"You're right. You're right! You hear me, Amon! Your days are numbered! The Avatar is coming for you, you, and Tarrlok! Korra is coming for you!" She declared, roaring louder than Naga.
Diago smiled back confidently at her.
"Personally, I'd be more afraid of you as Korra than just the Avatar."
She smirked back at her boyfriend.
"As you should be." Tenzin couldn't help but smile a little. They glided back down onto the platform, now joined by Hiroshi, who was overjoyed to see his daughter and Mako both safe.
Yet as Korra landed, the crowd began to cheer with a greater boom than they had all night.
"Fire Ferrets! Fire Ferrets! Fire Ferrets!"
Korra, Mako, and Bolin stood together. Despite everything that happened that night, hearing the applause finally made them feel like they won.
Nearby, Lin and Kya held the trembling ref, who they'd fished from the pool.
"Well?" Kya asked her, and Lin's expressions all but shattering what little strength the referee had.
"Based on circumstances unique to the situation. I find that my earlier ruling was incorrect and that the real winners are the Fire Ferrets!"
At this, the crowd roared so hard it almost broke the glass.
Tenzin smiled a little more.
"I suppose that's a hundred-thousand Yuan for Kai...Oh boy." Tenzin face palmed thinking about what his student might do with that kind of money.
Later that night, Korra tried to meditate in her room on Air Temple Island. Naga cuddled up beside her. The Avatar took a few deep breaths with her eyes closed, trying to guide herself into a deeply spiritual state.
She considered a few Avatars to call upon, yet every time Korra thought of one, her mind drifted back to the sensation which connected her to her past lives. The figure she saw within each. The one she saw in her dream so many years ago.
"I know you're there. You've always been there. I need you this time. I need your wisdom." Korra saw herself transcended from Air Temple Island onto the ocean, the same water as her nightmare years ago, only now, she had no fear. Korra floated peacefully in the water, able to breathe and control herself.
At last, she saw her, the white kite-like figure floating from inside her until it rested face to face. The spirit seemed to emanate with the life force of all previous Avatars, of Korra herself.
"I was hoping this day would come, Korra. The day you communed with me." The spirit's voice carried a deep passion and sense of wisdom to her, but also an incredible feeling of love and duty.
"Who, what are you?"
"I am light. I am peace. I am that who holds back the darkness and maintains balance in the world. I am the spirit known as Raava. Ten thousand years ago, as spirits waged war on early humans, I kept both sides in check. That was until my dark counterpart Vaatu drove the spirits to hunt humans harder and more ruthlessly. In response, humans learned the art of bending from the creatures of the earth and the moon's spirit. As the world plunged itself into the darkness of war, my strength failed, and I nearly perished until one day a young fire bender discovered me."
Korra's eyes widened.
"Wan!"
"Yes, Wan cared for me, kept me safe, even as Vaatu and his spirits hunted me. Wan wasn't like other humans. He, too, wanted to bring peace and harmony wherever he went. He mastered the dancing dragon from a young age and proved more powerful than any other fire bender, but I saw more potential in him. To save myself, I fused my spirit with his, giving him the ability to learn the other elements, making him the first Avatar. One by one, he mastered each element before finally confronting Vaatu and destroying him together. As punishment for their actions, the spirits were banished into the spirit world, where Wan and I sealed them save those who never succumbed to Vaatu's corruption."
Korra felt beyond amazed at this story, more so by the fact that she understood what being Avatar truly meant now. Yet this sweetness came with a bitter aftertaste.
"How did I end up the Avatar? Why me?"
"Because I chose you, Korra. Just like I chose Wan, and every other Avatar."
"I'm nothing like Wan, or Aang, or Roku-"
"I didn't choose you because you were like every other Avatar, Korra. Do you think Aang and Kyoshi were exactly the same?" Korra couldn't help but smirk a little.
"I suppose not."
"Precisely. I chose you and all the others because I saw in them certain attributes. The same I saw in Wan. A passion and dedication for others, a desire to use their gifts for good. It's always been inside you, Korra. What's more, you've already found it."
Korra still didn't look completely confident.
"I've managed things so far. But what if I can't handle an escalated conflict?"
"You must believe you can, Korra. You must have faith in yourself. You are one with me, but you're so much more than that. You are Korra, and you decide what that means."
Korra opened her eyes, seeing herself back on Air Temple Island. Gazing back out at Republic City, she took a deep breath and gave a dedicated look.