I decided to sit in on the Fire Ferret's training one day, sitting on the bench next to the radio with Saria and Pabu sleeping on my lap. The group were throwing their table elements at pictures of Tahno that were hanging up. I clapped as they destroyed the black and white portraits. "You are listening to the music hour." The radio said. "Brought to you by Cabbage Corp, Republic City's trusted name in technology for over fifty years."
"Man, I got a good feeling about tonight." Korra declared. "I don't care if we are the underdogs, we can take those pompous wolf-bats."
"It's going to be our toughest match ever." Mako reminded her, taking off his helmet. "But I think you're right."
"Introducing your new champs, the Fantastic Fire Ferrets!" Bolin exclaimed in an announcers voice. I laughed alongside Korra, but was cut off by the static of the raido. I turned to it.
"How old is this radio?" I commented, gently rapping the top of it with my knuckles.
"Good morning, citizens of Republic City." A gravely voice sounded from the device, and I froze, it was Amon. "This is Amon." Pabu and Saria woke up and let out matching terrified squeaked, jumping off my lap and scurrying away. "I hope you enjoyed last night's Pro Bending match, because it will be the last. It's time for the City to stop worshipping Bending athletes as if they were heroes. I am calling on the Council to shut down the Bending Arena and cancel the finals, or else...there will be severe consequences."
"That guy's got some nerve!" Bolin stated.
"You think the council will give in?" Mako asked.
"I'm not waiting to find out." Korra said. "We need to get to City Hall."
"They may have already made a decision." I told them. "We could be too late, plus the meeting may not even be open to the public."
"We have to try though." Korra implored.
"We will try." I assured her. "But I just want to make sure you understand." Korra nodded. After exiting the Pro Bending Arena, Kora and Mako mounted Naga while Bolin and I hopped on Nuki and we were off. We let them rest out the front of City Hall and Korra burst through the doors, me trailing behind with the brothers after me.
"Korra, Yunoh, you shouldn't be here." Tenzin said, standing from his seat. "This is a closed meeting."
"As-" Korra started. I stared at the side of her head. She glanced back to me and looked sheepish. "Sorry." I gave her a half-smile as I turned to the Council Members, walking ahead of the group.
"Look, all we want to do is understand your decision." I explained as we stopped at the bottom of the stairs that led to the table where the Council Members were seated. "I would like the match to go forward, if possible, and I know that the Fire Ferrets and the Wolf Bats do too."
"I know winning the Championship means a lot to you, Korra, but as far as I'm concerned, we need to shut the Arena down." Tenzin explained.
"And Councilmen? Councilwoman?" I questioned. "What are your positions on the matter?"
"Tarrlok, there's no way you're backing down from Amon, right?" Korra interrupted. My elbow snapped out and caught Korra in the stomach, causing her to wheeze and clutch her midsection, folding in on herself. "You didn't need to do that." Korra groaned.
"Actually, Tenzin and I agree for once." Tarrlok admitted as he stood.
"The Council is unanimous, we're closing the Arena." Tenzin stated.
"No!" Mako protested.
"You can't!" Bolin added.
"Forgive me, Tarrlok, but you have been the most vocal about taking a stance against Amon." I reminded them. "Wouldn't you be against this?"
"While I am still committed to bringing that lunatic to justice, I will not put innocent lives at stake so your sister and her friends can play a game." Tarrlok stated.
"Pro Bending might only be a game to you, but think of what it means to the City." Mako spoke up. "Right now, the Arena is the only place where Benders and Non-Benders gather together i-in peace to watch Benders…"
"Beat each up, in peace!" Bolin interjected. "It's an inspiration to everyone!"
"I appreciate your naive idealism, but you're ignoring the reality of the situation." Tarrlok said.
"The reality is, if you close the Arena, you let Amon win!" Korra argued.
"Yes, exactly what she said." Bolin cheered. "Yes."
"I'm inclined to agree." I added, turning to the Council. "Amon's threat forces our hand. We'd be playing his game by shutting the Arena down and cancelling the match."
"I'm sorry, but our decision has been made." Tarrlok stated. He lifted a gavel. "This meeting is adjourned." Just as he was about to strike it, a metal cable shot out from behind us and snapped the gavel in half. I turned around and saw Cheif Beifong retracting her cable back into her suit.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with the Avatar." Lin said.
"You do?"
"This is new." I agreed, my eyebrows pinched together. "You agree with me?"
"I expected this kind of cut and run response from Tenzin, but the rest of you?" Lin asked. "Come on, show a little more backbone. It's time that the Bender's of this city displayed some strength and unity against these Equalists."
"We must prevent the conflict between Benders and Non-Benders from escalating into all-out war!" Tenzin argued. "The Council is not changing it's position, Lin."
"Now, just a moment Tenzin." Tarrlok soothed. "Let us hear what our esteemed Cheif of Police has in mind." Tenzin huffed and crossed his arms angrily as Lin approached us, standing beside us as she addressed the council.
"If you keep the Arena open, my Metalbenders and I will provide extra security during the Championship Match." Lin said, her arms folded behind her back. There's no better force to deal with the Chi Blockers. Our armour is impervious to their attacks."
"Are you saying that you will personally take responsibility for the safety of the spectators in the arena?" I eyed Tarrlok out the corner of my eye. I felt as if he was playing another angle, but I couldn't be sure."
"I guarantee it."
"It is hard to argue with Cheif Beifong's track record. If she is confident her elite officers can protect the Arena, then she has my support. I am changing my vote, who else is with me?" Tarrlok raised his hand, the representatives from the Southern Water Tribe, Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation followed suit, leaving Tenzin standing alone. Tenzin shook his head sadly. "The Arena stays open. Good luck in the finals." Tarrlok said to the cheering Fire Ferrets. "And good luck to you, Chief Beifong."
"A word please, Lin." Tenzin said, passing by the Cheif.
"Before you go, can I quickly speak to you Cheif." I called. Lin looked between Tenzin and I. "It won't take long."
"Fine." Lin sighed. I stepped up to her and lead her away from the Council table. "What do you want?"
"I…" I glanced back at Tarrlok who was conversing with the other Council members before looking up at Lin. "I don't know why, but what Tarrlok is giving me weird vibes." Lin raised an eyebrow. "His tone of voice when he said you'd take full responsibility for the people at the Arena. I feel that if you fail, he will use it against you." Lin was silent. "Just...be careful please." I rested my hand on Lin's bicep. "I don't want to see you get hurt."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. You care about the City so much, I admire your dedication. Losing you would put the entire city at a risk. Plus...I was wondering if...you would teach me Metalbending?" I scratched my cheek as I turned away, pink dusting my cheekbones. "You and your officers make it look so cool."
"You want me to teach you Metalnending?" Lin demanded. "Why me?"
"Well, you were taught by your mother, and she invented Metalbending, that makes you like, the second best at it." Lin paused for a moment.
"Fine. I will teach you if I have spare time." I turned back to her.
"Really? Thank you so much, Cheif." I bowed to her.
"I have a little bit of time after I talk with Tenzin. Meet me in Republic City Park in an hour."
"I'll be there." I grinned up at her. "I'll let you go talk to Tenzin, I hope he doesn't grate you as much as usual." I started to walk off. "See you soon Cheif!" I jogged away to tell my friends the good news.
TIMESKIP
I found myself at Republic City Park a little earlier than what Lin had asked me to be, sitting under a tree and watching the citizens go about their day. I was excited to learn a new Bending sub-form. As I waited, I saw a couple of kids running around. They seemed to recognise me and asked me to show them something. I stood and un-corked my water pouch and I showed them something that I had developed by myself. I Bent the water into different animals, letting them float around them. The kids were enthralled but were soon called back by their parents. I waved at them and letting my water animals wave as well before letting the water back into my pouch. "You're good with kids." A voice said from beside me. I flinched away, looking up to see Lin. "That's gonna have to change." She told me. "The first step of learning Metalbending is to learn Seismic Sense."
"Oh, I heard about that." I said, clapping my hands together. "Wasnt that something that Avatar Aang learnt? And he was the first Avatar to do so?" Lin nodded.
"Alright, the first thing to do, take off your shoes." Lin ordered, crossing her arms. I reached down, untying my boots and toeing them off. "Now, I want you to close your eyes." I did so. "Now, dodge." That is how the next hour and a half went. Lin creating earth pillars near me while I tried to sense where they were and dodge. I got hit a couple times, but managed to dodge a good portion. "That's enough for the day." Lin said. I was panting, battered and bruised. "Get back to the Island and get healed, we need you in top shape at the Arena tonight." I lifted my head.
"Wait, me? Why me?"
"You're the Avatar, right? Plus you did say you'd help me if I needed it." I pushed myself up into a sitting position.
"Of course." I said with a nod. "I'll be at the Arena with the Sato's to watch the match but I'll step in when I have to."
TIMESKIP
After Korra healing me at the Temple, we arrived at the Arena for the Championship Finals. I was up in the boxes with Asami and her father, ready to watch the match. I was almost bouncing in my seat when the announcer was raised onto the arena floor. "Introducing the Challengers, the Future Industries Fire Ferrets!" The announcer declared, prompting their podium to extend out to the stage. Asami blew Mako a kiss, and I pressed my lips together. Pabu did a little acrobatic routine before the spotlight was flicked of them. "And their opponents, the three-time defending champions, the White Fall Wolf Bats!" Tahno and his group had spotlights put on them. They were wearing dark capes and Wolf-Bat masks. Sparklers went off behind them as they opened their arms to reveal that the capes were wings and they howled. Fireworks and towers of fire went off also.
"Now that's just tacky." I commented, crossing my arms as they tossed their costumes away haphazardly. The bell rang and the fight started. Elements were tossed every which way and each the Wolf Bats managed to press forward despite a fowl being allowed. I got increasingly angry at each fowl that the referee allowed. My hands gripped the handles of my chair as Bolin was knocked off, then Korra and Mako, but my hope soared as Korra threw Mako back onto the arena stage, letting herself fall and allowing the Fire Ferrets to move onto the second round. The second round started soon after, and started with Korra being frozen to the floor and then the Firebender of the Wolf Bats sending headshots. The round ended and the winner would be decided by a tiebreaker. The referee flipped the coin and the Fire Ferrets won. Korra stepped forward. "Yeah! Get him Korra!" I cheered, leaning out of the box. She and Tahno stepped into the centre circle as it rose. They paced for a second before Korra sent a quick burst of water into Tahno's face, which he dodged but before he could send his own attack, Korra's foot snapped up and kicked a second blast into his chin that knocked his helmet off and him falling off the ring, giving the Fire Ferrets the second round win. Round three started next, and ended with a knockout...with water filled with clay and being done with illegal headshots. "Oh come on!" I complained. "The ref was clearly being bribed!" I then watched in absolute horror, as lightning sparked at each of the entrances, and the Metalbending Police dropped like bumble-flies. My eyes widened when Amon and a handful of his Equalists rose onto the platform. "Asami, you and your dad stay here!" I planted my feet and pushed my hands together, creating a rock wall in front of the door to the Sato box. "Be safe." I pushed myself onto the railing, but a hand caught mine. I turned back to see Asami staring at me in fear.
"Yunoh, you can't." She pleaded. "You'll get hurt." I reached forward and cupped Asami's cheek.
"I have to help them." I told her softly. "Just stay here, please? I'll come back for you, I promise." I pulled Asami close and pressed a kiss to her opposite cheek before leaping down into the stands. Water from the large pool at the bottom reacted to my will as I bent it up, freezing the Equalists in place as they neared me. I was too slow, however, and one of the electrified gloves caught my back. I felt the lightning course through my body as images flashed in my mind.
VISION
Toph Beifong and Avatar Aang confronting someone with some Metalbending officers behind them.
Avatar Aang behind a man with a cruel smirk.
The man standing up to declare something.
Avatar Aang, in the Avatar state, glaring down at this unknown man who cowered in fear.
Avatar Aang's furious face, as if the man had done something no one could ever dream of.
VISION END
I blinked back into consciousness, as some people in the stands tried to wake me up. Amon was making a speech, how he took the Wolf Bat's Bending, how they were bullies for cheating and this being a warning to all benders who dare stand against him. He went on about how his Equalists had the resources to take over Republic City and it was time for a change. The Equalists would take over the Bending regime and take back the city. He declared his revolution started. An airship appeared in the sky and broke the large glass dome of the Arena, prompting the Equalist lookouts to scatter. "Here, Avatar." One of the spectators said, offering me a bottle of water.
"Thank you." I breathed, taking it and gulping it down. I managed to push myself back onto my feet and watch as the Equalist rose from the stage and the arena exploded. I grit my teeth, it was now or never. I ran to the edge of the stands and lept forward, calling the water to me to push me up towards the Equalists, but it wasn't enough and I started to fall. I wasn't going to make it. That's when a metal cable wrapped around my waist and I looked up. Lin was swinging around on her cables, and she managed to toss me far enough so that I caught onto one of the Equalist lifting devices, pushing the two that were on it off with a gust of air. I lit a fire in my palm and threw it up at Amon, but I was too late, he managed to doge but I caught the inside of his ship. Something caught the corner of my eye, ad I turned to the harbour. My eyes widened when I saw all of the police ships both air and sea aline...down. Either on fire or sunk, smoke billowing from each piece. "No…" I breathed. Two Equalists flew down my rope, so I jumped off it to avoid them. I landed on my feet, leaping out of the way of an electrified attack. I jumped forward with a flaming fist, knocking one out with a punch and managing to send the other two into the hole in the dome. I looked around and saw Moustache Man advancing on Lin. I jumped, turning in mid-air and sending a compressed gust of air into him and knocking him back. He tried to slip away, but I wouldn't let him. I kept on advancing, sending all manner of attacks his way, but his electrified batons managed to dodge most of them. I didn't keep an eye on my footing through, and I fell through the glass dome. Everything went in slow motion as I rapidly approached the arena floor. However, I saw a lifeline, one of Lin's Metalbending cables appeared in front of me and I grabbed it tight. She swung us around until landing us in the stands. I landed on my back and rolled a couple times, finishing up with my chest pressed into the stone.
"You alright?" Lin asked me.
"I could be worse." I said as Lin placed a hand on my back. I hissed in pain, flinching away from her. "But I would be dead if it wasn't for you." I pushed myself onto my feet. "Thank you, Lin."
"Don't mention it kid." The two of us tilted our heads to the sky as the Equalist airship disappeared into the night. "Looks like we lost this one."
"Yunoh!" A voice called. I saw Korra, Mako and Bolin racing up to me. Korra wrapped me in a hug, but I flinched away from her. "Are you ok? What happened?"
"Equalist Glove." I explained to her. "You might wanna have a look at my back when we get back to the temple." I then remembered something. "One of us might need to go to the Sato box though."
"And why's that?" Mako asked. I pointed up to the two who were still in the arena.
"I barricaded them in their box to keep them safe." I explained. "But they can't get out."
"I'll go get them." Bolin said. I sent him a thankful smile as he hurried off.
"I can't believe Amon did this." Lin said solemnly. "I played right into his hand."
"He played us all." Tenzin told her as he approached. "Republic City is at war." My smile faded. Tenzin was right. Today was an act of War. My face hardened. This was it. No more messing around. I was going to master my Airbending training and master Metalbending if it was the last thing I did. I was going to end Amon, once and for all.