I don't know if there are actually still people reading/following this – or even remembering it – but I've been wanting to give you some sort of resolution these past three years.
If I could turn back time, I would have finished this story properly. I am eternally grateful for all my readers, and you deserve an end to this long ass ride.
I've spent the last few days writing a chronological summary of the final few chapters + the first half of the planned sequel. I've added a few scenes that I had begun writing in advance. The rest is plain summary.
Please read the recap below first.
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As seen on the show, Korra challenges Amon to a fight on Aang Memorial Island - but loses, is captured and brought to the Equalists' main base, whose whereabouts are unknown to everyone but the Equalists.
The squad finds out what has happened and tries to locate the base and thus Korra, but to no immediate avail. Asami decides to use her relation to her father as a cover to go undercover as an Equalist trainee, pretending to fight for their cause. She is transported to the base where Korra is located and tries to find a way to blend in and free her friend.
Meanwhile, Amon puts Korra through hell and seems to find pleasure in torturing her in various ways, which almost costs Korra her life when a severe fever hits her. Feeling a sense of ownership of her, Amon relocates her to his private chambers. The power struggle escalates and turns sexual.
Korra tries to escape when a shimmer of her bending returns by mistake, but it fails. Asami, now having established some relations to the other trainees, sees Korra and is reminded of her goal.
As time passes, Amon's obsession with Korra grows, and he fears that it might be something more than just lust. At the same time, he is conflicted about his plan to kill her in a final big ceremony, but decides that his plan is more important than whatever it is he is feeling for her.
Mako, Bolin and Tenzin continue their search for Korra. Mako finds a letter addressed to Amon during an invasion of one of the Equalist ceremonies, but forgets about it. He meets Amon in fight and realizes that the man is a blood-bender, but is knocked unconscious, and his life is spared.
Asami decides to play a dangerous game and manipulate Talan, an Equalist instructor who is crushing hard on her, to help her attend the final ceremony where Korra is supposed to be sacrificed (which Korra still doesn't know). At the same time, Mako, Bolin and Tenzin have progressed in their own plans and, too, plan on invading the ceremony to rescue Korra.
Feeling weak, Korra spends her time in confinement trying to reach her past lives and Aang to unlock her air-bending, but to no avail. Instead, she finds the strenght for one last escape attempt. She manages to break out of the base in the middle of the night, Amon at her heels. She throws herself off a cliff and into the ocean, accidentally knocking herself unconscious in the process. Amon uses his bending to save her life – his little secret – and he realizes that he might indeed be feeling something terrifyingly close to love for the Avatar. Thus he decides to relocate her to another base, away from him, until the big day arrives and she will be removed from his life forever.
At the forest base, Korra is thrown into a room and held there alone. When Amon is offered a surveillance device by Asami's father, he orders it installed in Korra's room at the forest base so that he can still watch her from afar. While Amon and Hiroshi are busy, Asami takes the opportunity to sneak upstairs and find Korra, but she soon realizes that Korra is gone. Asami breaks down and is discovered by Amon on his way back. As it's obvious to him who she was looking for, Amon has Asami arrested for treason.
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Chapter 28: Commotion
Tuesday
Asami, thrown in a cell the day before, is sought out by Talan, who just heard the news of her arrest. She begs him for help, wanting him to release her and bring her along for the upcoming ceremony, but he denies. She betrayed their trust, after all. He tells her they're done.
Korra slowly starts figuring out the strange device. She tests it by covering it up, and when a Equalist sentinel arrives to uncover the camera (on direct order from Amon, delivered by morse), she realizes that someone is using it to spy on her. She still doesn't know who is watching her, but as the local sentinels wouldn't need a long-distance surveillance system to keep an eye on her, she guesses Amon himself is her secret admirer. She tests her new theory by mild sexual taunting, revealing a bit of skin here and there, pretending to still not understand the function of the device. However, every now and then she hints that she actually does know what is going on; that she wants him to see her.
On the other end, Amon, having watched her on and off, realizes that she is flirting with him.
Finally, Mako finds the letter to Amon that he picked up during the last ceremony. A base located in a forest somewhere North-East of Republic City is carelessly mentioned. Mako has no way of knowing which base it is, or if Korra is even held at that particular base, but he won't miss the opportunity to find out. He sets off alone to find it.
Chapter 29: Surveillance
Friday
Throughout the day, Korra keeps taunting Amon sexually via the surveillance camera. All hot and bothered, Amon finally thinks "fuck it" and decides to drive to the other base in the dead of the night to get it out of his system once and for all. It is, after all, their last chance to bang before she is to be killed at the Ceremony. (Excerpts below).
What Amon doesn't know is that his Lieutenant accidently sees them together on the still-running surveillance screen in Amon's office. The Lieutenant was just looking for Amon, who had left without a word. But what the Lieutenant sees is not just sex; it's deep and tender, and the Lieutenant grows worried about Amon's true priorities.
Mako is desperately searching the forests North-East of Republic City for the hidden base. Only a few hours until sunrise on the long-dreaded day. Time is running out.
Excerpt: Amon gives in
She was leaving the bathroom after a shower, a towel wrapped around her body and a comb in her hand – soon standing to look outside the window as she did her hair, her back to the camera. Suddenly, in a moment of absentmindedness, she dropped the comb, and slowly bent down to retrieve it. Amon watched as hypnotized as her movement brought the edge of the towel further and further up her legs, gradually revealing more of her moist tanned skin; her mid-thighs, upper thighs, inner thighs-
That was it.
That. Was. It.
He had to see her face-to-face – or rather, body-to-body. It would haunt him forever if he did not say properly goodbye.
And thus, he left his office in a hazed hurry, everything else be damned.
Excerpt: Final hook-up
Barely had her fingertips grazed the surface of the painted porcelain before his hand had locked itself around her wrist.
"No," was all he said, his voice low and calm, merely a hum.
But he did not understand. The mask was a barrier. Not that she really cared about his appearance or identity anymore – she was in too deep to turn around and leave – but the fact that he still kept himself from her signalized lack of trust or perhaps even regret, and she would not accept it. She was giving herself fully to him, and with said barrier he was not able to accommodate her need for affection. As long he was wearing his mask, he was also blocking her out.
Slowly leaning in over him, she reached for the pillow, holding his gaze intensely during the process. Beneath her, his golden eyes showed alertness, as if he expected her to try and rip off the mask anytime; but as she shifted to pull off the plain white pillowcase, he seemed to frown slightly, thoughtfully, his eyes now glinting with wonder.
The intensity of his stare made her stomach burn. Not like acid, as it once had felt like, but like cotton-soft flames licking her insides, warming her, unsettling her.
Without a word, she folded the cloth to a long strip and then tied it around her head, carefully blindfolding herself. Beneath her, she heard Amon huff in realization, partly humoured, partly surprised. This was the ultimate test of trust – a test going both ways; she was vulnerable without the ability to see – a mere second could be fatal if he desired to hurt her – and as for him, she could yank off the cloth in a second if she, too, wished to break said trust. Normally, she would have contemplated for some time to decide whether or not this was a smart move, but at this very moment, tactical thinking was far beyond her reach.
She was not surprised to immediately find him testing the tightness of the knot, and she patiently waited for his approval. His fingers were not rough, however – quite the contrary; he tugged slowly, but firmly, and that was all he needed for assurance.
"Do not take it off," the man added.
"I won't".
Holding her breath, excitement rushing through her for what was hopefully to come any moment now, Korra listened closely as Amon began undoing the very thing that had once shot ice through her system by the mere sight of it, but now meant a mixture of emotions, most of all a strange burning sensation in her belly. It gave a warning clack as it was – perhaps a bit too carelessly – pushed aside and met the wall somewhere next to the pillow.
Then, a moment of silence between them; the heaviness of the situation, of their wordless agreement, their choice, dawning upon both of them. They were really doing this...
Then she felt his fingers glide across her cheekbones ever so slowly and entangle themselves somewhere in her hair – before pulling her face to his. Finally, their lips met, and the ferocity he had channeled though the movement sent chills over her skin.
This was not their first kiss, she knew, but somehow it still felt like it. It was... pure. Not driven by sole sexual desire, but something more that she could not quite define. The feeling of his soft lips against hers, his eager motions, the way he tilted his head slightly to accommodate her even more, his slowly exploring tongue, even the light nibbles on her bottom lip... She was drowning in him, in his sea of warmth that sent jolts of joy through her entire being.
Finding that she was forgetting to breathe properly, Korra pulled herself back, calming herself a bit and yet again taking in the situation despite her lack of sight; feeling his heaving chest beneath her, his excitement pressing against her inner thigh. But she was in no rush. Not this time.
Carefully, she allowed her fingertips to find his uncovered face. His warm skin, his marked cheekbones, the angular jaw, a stubbled chin, his slightly parted lips now moist and swollen from their adventure with hers...
Before her fingers ventured too far away, Amon caught one of them between his teeth, firmly holding it in place as he teasingly ran the tip of his tongue over the pad. Surprised, Korra shuddered from the unexpected intensity. So mesmerizingly soft and flexible even for just the tip. She wondered how his tongue would feel against other parts of her skin, other parts of her body, and the thought nearly drove her insane.
She felt his hold around her finger tighten as he smirked thoughtfully, well aware that his actions had initiated ideas in her.
There. She forgot to breathe again, she realized. A detail that he did not miss, either.
In fact, he caught every detail of her. Her body was so expressive, surpassed only by the way her lips parted breathlessly every now and then as she was gripped by another sensation, another thought.
(He has not brought any protection this time, but it doesn't matter anymore. In less than twenty-four hours, she'll no longer exist anyway).
Chapter 30: Confrontation
Saturday morning and afternoon
The Lieutenant, who decided to follow Amon to the forest base, arrives early morning. He confronts Amon (as Amon is sneaking out of Korra's room), asking him if he can go through with the sacrifice of the Avatar when he clearly has feelings for her.
Amon, who (upon his arrival) had threatened the local sentinels into complete silence about his visit, freaks out when he realizes that his Lieutenant knows. They argue about it, but what has been done has been done. He promises him that yes, he will in fact still end the Avatar as planned.
Meanwhile, Korra overhears their argument. She finds out that Amon is planning on killing her later today. She feels utterly betrayed. How could he make love to her like that under false pretenses? The pain of his betrayal hits her hard.
Mako finally stumbles upon the base. As he hides, planning his next move, a furious and thrashing Korra is dragged out of the base by the Lieutenant and thrown into a car. Mako acts fast and without much thought, but the second he attacks, Amon shows up. Before Mako can say anything to incriminate Amon (about him actually being a bender in disguise), he is knocked out cold and chi-blocked. Amon orders his men to bring Mako along to the Ceremony to be equalized on stage.
Back at the main base, Talan is having a change of heart. He frees Asami and smuggles her with him to the Ceremony so that she can say farewell to her friend.
Chapter 31: Showdown
Saturday Night: Ceremony
The Ceremony has begun.
Korra and Mako are being held captive behind the stage, bound and gagged. Once Amon is done preaching his Equalist propaganda, they are both brought to the stage, still tied and chi-blocked. As advertised, Amon begins with Mako, who is equalized on stage, right in front of Korra. (Hiding in the crowd, Asami is horrified to see that the Equalists got Mako as well). Mako, defeated and broken-spirited, is thrown aside to make room for the final act.
Amon can't even look Korra in the eye – the only sign that he has a whisper of geniune feelings for her. But while he may feel some regret for betraying her and his own feelings for her, she regrets ever falling for him. She regrets all of it: the challenge, the sex, the trust. She has never hated anyone as fiercely as she hates him.
Finally, Korra is brought to the center of the stage. She awaits the promised death blow, however he intends to do it. But instead, Amon tells the crowd that he is no monster; that he is not going to sacrifice the Avatar while she is bound and helpless, making her a martyr. He wants to win over her fair and square – wants to show the world that true devotion is strength enough to do what must be done for the sake of true equality. While he knows that it is risky letting the Avatar lose in the crowd, he has now ensured that she has no desire to hurt anyone else than him. He can see the burning hatred in her eyes when he finally allows himself to look at her.
Korra is then chi-released and freed, and the fight begins. She practically throws herself at him with everything she's got. But her feelings are making her sloppy and careless, and the fight quickly turns in Amon's favor despite him still hiding his bending.
While the fight is going on, Asami manages to sneak away from Talan and to the stage. She pulls Mako behind the stage and unties him, explaining her mission to work undercover for the Equalists. He tells her that Tenzin and Bolin are most likely on their way with a small task force granted by Lin Beifong, and that Asami should help them get inside the building and update them on what has happened so far.
Asami finds a way outside the building and does in fact spot Tenzin and Bolin looking for a way in. She helps them inside, and the task force infiltrates the crowd while Asami shows Tenzin and Bolin backstage to aid Korra in her fight. Tenzin decides to get Mako to safety first and leaves Asami and Bolin to fight.
Before her friends manage to get in position, however, Korra realizes that she is losing the fight. Amon gets her on her knees and prepares to equalize her before he kills her. In her final moment, desperation fills her, and she finally unleashes her Air Bending.
The invading task force hidden in the crowd reacts to Amon almost winning the fight and initiates combat. Distracted by the sudden commotion, Amon takes a severe air blow to the face that sends a shard from his mask into his cheek, scarring him deeply. He retaliates and sends Korra flying into the wall, knocking her out momentarily. He then retreats for a moment to touch his mask and ensure that it's still mostly intact and covering his face, which it is. Before he can throw himself at the still scrambling Korra, Asami and Bolin attack from behind.
Bolin helps Korra on her feet, and Asami takes on Amon one-on-one for a moment. Amon tries to mess with Asami's head by saying stuff about loyalty and the people she came to care for among the Equalists, but she, unlike Korra earlier, controls her feelings and sharpens her hatred into focus, keeping her posture against him. She uses some of the knowledge she gained about the Equalists' fighting techniques and manages to spot a weakness in his stance. She attacks and sends him on his ass. He has no time to get up before Korra and Bolin are back at it.
Realizing that he is outnumbered and definitely losing, Amon drops his cover and uses Blood-Bending to hold the gang off while he escapes through a secret tunnel beneath the building. Once free, the trio follows and splits to seach for him. Korra manages to find him on the roof of a building by the waterfront on the docks. When she tries to attack, he holds her still with his bending while proposing that they run away together. "No secrets, no Equalists, no grand schemes - just you and me." He seems sincere, and Korra is taken aback by his offer, feeling a hopeful flutter in her stomach. But before she can make up her mind and give him an answer, Amon releases her and throws himself off the building and straight into the water below. He disappears, and Korra gives up and returns to the others.
Chapter 32: Epilogue
Sunday
Korra wakes up the morning after, a strange feeling inside. Amon never gave her time to figure out what she was actually going to say to his offer. She decides that she was going to reject him. Besides, she doesn't even know if he was being serious or just trying to distract her. Not that it matters now, anyway.
Overnight, rumors about Amon being a fraud have spread like wildfire through the Equalists, and the organization is dissolving. With the help of Lin Beifong and several Equalist desserters, Korra and the gang orchestrate a raid on the Equalists' headquarters, hoping to find Amon there and arrest him.
When they arrive, the base is empty. People have either fled or desserted. Korra hurries to Amon's bedchamber, but it's empty as well – except for a small box on the floor. Korra opens it and finds her missing hair piece – the one Amon took from her – and a small note. "We will meet again," it says. She doesn't know if it's a threat or a promise.
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BOOK 2: SANCTUARY
Because yes, I was planning a big surprise for you – a sequelllll~!
I never got around to plotting more than about halfway through book 2, but I hope you'll give it a read anyway despite not getting the full story this time.
Summary:
"Two months have passed since the fall of the Equalists and the disappearance of their leader. With Mako and Bolin in tow, Korra sets sail for home to find a cure for Mako. But unbeknown to her, more han three souls arrive with them. Soon it becomes clear to Korra that she can't escape Amon and their shared past – and that he's a man who keeps his promises."
Chapter 1:
Korra, Mako and Bolin travel by ship to Wolf Cove, the capital city of the Southern Water Tribe. Mako is still without his bending, and Korra has decided to ask senior healer Katara for help. Besides, she hasn't seen her family for a long time. After everything she's been through, and after the tumultuous aftermath of the dissolution of the Equalists, she needs a mental escape. Anything to put a permanent stop to her waking up every night from the memory of a certain painted porcelain mask.
The group arrives safely at the South Pole, and the ship prepares to leave for its next destination. Korra is greeted by her family and, together with Mako and Bolin, invited to a wedding the next day. On her way to her childhood home, she spots one of workers from the ship they took from Republic City. She recognizes him as the one that Bolin spotted staring intensely at her several times during the trip – uncomfortable, but not unheard of – she's the Avatar, after all. She informs him that the ship is to set sail soon and that he should hurry back because it might take months before the next ship to/from Republic City sails by. The man nods his thanks and leaves.
Chapter 2:
The wedding ceremony is held, and a great celebration follows it. Korra, Mako and Bolin are having a great time, mingling and eating and generally just enjoying the break from serious matters. Korra spots Katara in the crowd and engages in conversation. She mentions that she and her friends need her help, and Katara promises her that they'll look at it tomorrow – "today is a time for celebration." Katara then nods toward the two brothers and asks Korra which one is the lucky one. Korra laughs it off and takes the food Katara brings her from the buffet. Surprised that she doesn't like that particular dish anymore, Korra puts it down and asks Katara if she's added something new to the dish. Katara comments that it's normal for women in Korra's condition to experience changes in their sense of taste. Korra supposes that it's not that weird to grow apart from food you haven't eaten for years. Spices from Republic City are quite different from those used here at home, after all.
Later in the evening, Korra feels faint and nauseous and decides to call it a day early. She withdraws to her room to rest. Sickness suddenly overwhelms her and she runs to the bathroom to throw up. Slowly, the pieces fall into place, and she realizes that she must be with child. She'll need to talk to Katara as soon as possible, but right now there's nothing else to do but go back to bed.
When she returns to her bedroom, a man is standing there. It's the sailor again. He creeps Korra out, but she still feels faint and confused, so instead of whipping his ass she just tells him that he seemingly missed his ship and that if he needs a place to stay he should try the hostel down at the harbor. When he doesn't immediately leave, Korra awkwardly tells him to go. "I'll go. I just wanted to see you first," the man says. And Korra recognizes his voice. Amon.
Chapter 3:
Korra is mad at herself for not realizing earlier. Mask or no mask, how could she not recognize him? Nothing about him has changed, really. And the scar gracing his cheek is even of her own making.
"You need to go," she tells him again.
"We need to talk."
"No, we don't," she persists. "But you need to get the fuck out of my house, or I'll call for help."
"Nobody will come to your rescue. The entire village is currently occupied at the Town Hall. But you already know that."
"Fine. Then I'll go."
Amon grabs her wrist as she passes him and whispers her name almost pleadingly, and she stops.
"For weeks I debated with myself whether or not I should just disappear forever. Move to another country and start over. Find some wife and settle down. Pretend none of it ever happened. But, spirits damn me, I just can't get your face out of my mind. You haunt me in my sleep and every waking moment I'm not keeping myself busy. You drive me insane, Korra! ... And then, one day, you were right there on that ship. Not some trick of my mind, but actual flesh and blood. I couldn't let you go again."
Before Korra can answer him, someone knocks on her door and enters. Amon instinctively lets go of Korra's wrist. Mako and Bolin stand in the doorway, confused. They ask Korra who the stranger is, and Korra lies and tells them that one of the sailors missed the ship and is looking for somewhere to stay – and that he's leaving now. Amon takes the hint and leaves. Mako seems suspicious of him, but doesn't say anything. Once the three of them are alone, the brothers explain to Korra that they were worried and wanted to check up on her. She tells them that she is fine, probably just queasy from having eaten too much at the party, and that she'll be going to bed now. The boys bid her goodnight and tells her that if she needs anything, they'll be staying in the guest room across the hallway.
Chapter 4:
The day after the wedding, Korra takes the brothers to see Katara. They tell her about Mako's condition and asks if she can do anything to get his bending back. Katara reveals that she used to dabble a bit in Blood-Bending back in the day, but she never really learned to use it for this kind of stuff. She says that restoring Mako's bending might take weeks of careful inspection and experimenting, but she'll give it a try – but she can't promise anything.
The brothers leave and Korra stays behind with Katara. She tells the healer that she only just realized that she might be with child, and Katara confirms that Korra's spirit indeed is glowing differently. Korra asks her about abortion, and Katara asks if the father of the child knows about her decision. Korra admits that she isn't together with the father and that the child was a mistake. Katara reminds Korra that abortion is a practice frown upon in the tribe, but if she truly wishes to have one, Katara will help her – but it'll have to be kept a secret. The only condition is that Korra, to whom the news of the pregnancy is still new, considers it carefully before making the final decision. She is to return in a few days to give her final answer.
Chapter 5:
Late evening, and people are heading to bed. Korra returns to her bedroom and finds Amon waiting for her again. She tells him that she can't give him what he wants – whatever it is. They are all here to heal one way or another after their meeting with him, after all. He only brings pain and sorrow, and she wants none of it in her life. He has broken her enough already and shouldn't fool himself with the idea that what they had for each other was real. She wants every single trace of him removed from her life. He senses that there's something she isn't telling him and tries to make her admit it, but she refuses to tell him. He then asks her if she believes that he can change – that she has already changed something in him. Frankly, she doesn't care – she just wants him out of her life.
Nausea hits Korra in the middle of the argument, and she flees to the bathroom. Amon, apparently smarter than Korra, quickly realizes what is going on. He follows her out to the toilet, and when she's finally done throwing up, he asks her if the child is his. Korra starts crying; angry, frustrated, defeated. Amon crouches beside her and brushes her hair behind her ear, softly promising her that he won't run from this; that he'll stay with her and their child as long as she needs him to, and if she wants him, he's all hers, and if she doesn't, he'll just be her protector. He won't ever lay hands on her again if she doesn't want him to. He has finally found a new meaning, a new cause. Korra yells that she doesn't even want this goddamn child, mostly because it's his. The door behind them is then pushed open, and Mako is staring at them, horrified. "It's you, isn't it? The sick bastard who did this to us?" Amon barely gets time to reply before Mako attacks.
Chapter 6:
Bolin arrives when he hears the commotion in the bathroom. Before he can join the fight, however, Korra demands them all to shut up and sit the fuck down. Confused, the brothers comply, and Korra explains that she's carrying Amon's child. Bolin gets ready to attack Amon again, accusing him of raping Korra and using her as a sex slave during her imprisonment. Korra reluctantly admits that the child is actually the result of something she very much consented to. Mako, taken by anger, leaves the room. Bolin, utterly disappointed with Korra, leaves shortly after. Korra asks Amon to go as well, and this time he obeys. Before he slips out of the window, he tells her that she can find him in the hostel by the harbor where he is staying for the time being.
Chapter 7:
The next morning, breakfast is horribly awkward. The tension and anger in the air is thick enough to cut with a knife. Korra's parents are still unaware of what's going on and assume it must be (boy)friend drama or something. Mako starts taunting Korra with sarcastic jabs, but before another argument can take place, a messenger arrives with the news of a looming conflict. Breakfast is discontinued, and Tonraq rushes to council meeting with Korra and the brothers in tow. It turns out that a war is brewing between the Southern and Northern Water Tribe. As the Avatar, Korra is asked to aid in the process of securing peace before the war breaks out for real. Putting their disagreement aside, Korra, Mako and Bolin accept. Their first mission is to help find the group of Northern soldiers hiding somewhere in the mountains and put a stop to whatever they are plotting.
While Mako and Bolin pack their bags and prepare for the journey, Korra sneaks down to the harbor to find Amon. She tells him of her mission, and when he objects to her going she reminds him of her duty as the Avatar. He offers to help them, to protect her and their child along the way. Korra wants to decline, needing no protector, but knows that the only way to fix Mako's bending problem before departure is to persuade Amon to return his powers. They make a deal: Amon gets to travel with them on this mission, and by the end of it he'll help Mako.
Lastly, Korra swings by Katara to ask about the abortion procedure, knowing that her mission might take a while. Reluctantly, Katara gives her a tonic to bring along. It's not 100% guaranteed to work, but will most likely do the job – when Korra feels ready. She's told to be tactical about it, as the impact of the procedure might render her weak for a few days. She'll have to time it cleverly in relation to the mission, if she decides to take it.
Chapter 8:
Mako and Bolin are furious to find that Korra made a deal with Amon; that he'll be escorting them on their mission. Mako argues that Amon could simply give him his bending back right now, and Amon counters with the argument that he has no guarantee that the brothers wouldn't try and kill him at the first chance they got. Mako is desperate to get his bending back, however, and agrees in the end – on the condition that Amon will have his hands bound the entire journey, only to be released in the face of danger. That, and Blood-Bending is off limits.
The group sets off to the tundra beyond the city. The atmosphere is tense and awkwardly silent, and it's clear that both Mako and Bolin are still disappointed with Korra – but it's nothing compared to their wrath toward Amon. And the mood between Korra and Amon is hard to read for both of them. It doesn't take long for Mako to resume his taunting, Amon being his primary target this time. Amon wonders if some of it actually stems from jealousy.
They make camp for the night. Not wanting to leave Amon alone with either of the brothers, Korra remains at camp and tends to the fire and the tents with Amon while the brothers go hunting for dinner. Amon initiates conversation, but Korra, aware of his intention to bond with her, is set on ignoring him. When Amon, much to Korra's surprise, opens up about his past and his ties to the Northern Water Tribe, Korra can't help but slip into conversation anyway. The moment the brothers return, however, Korra withdraws herself as if nothing has happened. They cook the meat and begin eating in silence. Amon, hands still tied, tells Korra to either free or feed him. She chooses feed. Amon then reminisces aloud about that girl he once knew who was being handfed by some guy and suddenly decided to fling herself back over the chair and kick the spoon to the next continent, making the hallway topic for days. Korra can't help herself and smiles at the memory, then replies that if Amon tries to do the same right now, he'll have to eat with his feet for the rest of the trip – boots on. They share a laugh, and Mako shoots to his feet and leaves the campfire.
Chapter 9 and forth:
The trek across the tundra and mountains is cold as hell, and it only grows colder the farther they get from civilization. Soon they need to sleep in pairs in the tents to stay warm at night. They argue about who should sleep together, but as neither Mako nor Bolin wants to cuddle with Amon, Korra agrees to share a tent with him. "What can go wrong? I'm already pregnant, boys," Korra jokes. The joke is not well-received.
In truth, Korra is still debating whether to end the pregancy or not. The more time she spends with Amon, the more butterflies awaken in her stomach, and the less certain she becomes of her initial wish to end it. Some part of her actually starts to believe that Amon is a changed man and that they could make a great pair if she gave him the chance. She even ends up having sex with him one night, rekindling a strong fire within. But the closer she gets to Amon, the more her relationship with the brothers suffer – especially Mako, who seems to take all of this extremely personal. One day they have a rather serious quarrel where Mako openly questions Korra's priorities and sanity, especially when it comes to the child. In anger, Korra takes the abortion tonic right in front of him to prove him that she is still herself and not brainwashed by her feelings for Amon. She hadn't meant to take it, but done is done. It's probably for the best, too, if she's honest. Her drinking the tonic has an immediate effect on Mako, and the general mood in the party turns less hostile. Amon, however, is hurt by her swift decision, especially since he, too, was beginning to believe that they might actually make it; that they might actually become a small, happy family.
The effect of the tonic hits Korra within a few hours, and they are forced to make camp early and in a not-so-strategic place. Mako and Bolin decide to walk the perimeter of the area to make sure there's no enemies around to spot them and attack at night. When Korra and Amon are once again alone, they have a heart-to-heart about the abortion. They are soon interrupted, however, as a group of highwaymen, who must have followed them, pop out of nowhere and attack. Mako and Bolin are still not back, so Korra, still hurting and weakened from the tonic, frees Amon. As promised, he protects her from the attackers, using his Blood-Bending to crush their bodies in mere seconds. Eventually, Mako and Bolin return and witness the aftermath of the slaughter. Amon argues that it would be safer to just have him freed all the time, but the brothers insist on tying him up again. After all, he broke his promise to not Blood-Bend – and he even did it at the very first chance he got. Korra, tired and opting for peace right now, allows the brothers to tie Amon up again.
During the night, Korra has a fever dream. She is visited by a group of wise spirits. One of the spirits holds a bundle in their arms, handing it over to Korra, who then peeks inside. The face of a baby girl stares back at her: tanned skin, brown hair and golden eyes. The spirits tell Korra that her daughter is safe; that she's not ready to let go just yet. Korra wakes up, bathed in sweat, but the bleeding has indeed stopped. She feels at her still modest belly. There's still no sign of life this early, but Korra is convinced that the tonic didn't work. Something in her just... knows. The relief that washes over her tells her that she, too, wasn't ready to let go. With tears of gratefulness in her eyes, she nudges Amon awake and tells him the news. He shares her joy and kisses her deeply, and Korra unties his hands for the night so that she can fall asleep in his embrace.
The next day, Korra is feeling well enough to continue their trek across the land. The group soon finds the fresh remains of a camp somewhere in the mountains. Amon confirms that the tracks are Northern Water Tribe of origin. They finally found them. Now they just have to catch up to them without revealing themselves in the process.
Unfortunately, the enemy finds Korra and the gang first. Ambushed in a mountain pass, the four of them are quickly overpowered, especially when both Mako and Amon are without their bending. Some of the Northerners recognize Amon as Noatak, the son of Yakone, and don't exactly seem happy about seeing him – it almost seems personal. Korra, too, is soon recognized as the Avatar. The four of them are tied up, and the leaders of the Northerners discuss what to do with Noatak and the Avatar herself. Amon pleads with them to release Korra as she is with child. He immediately regrets telling them, as their seemingly personal beef with him is instantly taken out on Korra: One of the leaders form a spear of ice and plunges it right through Korra's abdomen.
Ending:
That was it, folks. I know, I know, horrible cliff-hanger. But I don't know how the story ends.
But I imagine that the gang finds a way to escape after several days, probably by utilizing Amon's knowledge of his people and his silver tongue – but the boys need to trust Amon completely for the plan to work. As a part of this plan, Mako finally gets his bending back.
Korra loses her child, but is saved and healed. The experience has made her realize that she wants children, just not right now.
Once they're safe and back home, Amon considers leaving Korra, seeing as he is only bringing her more trouble and pain, just as she told him in the beginning. But she wants him to stay, wants to give him a chance. So he stays. And the brothers, having gained some respect for the man during their trip, accept his new role in Korra's life. They'll never be friends, however – only civil at best.
The group doesn't immediately stop the threat of war, but they do manage to gather intel that will help the Southerners negotiate peace with the Northerners in an upcoming meeting.
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Infinite love to you all - and take care!
- MAL