Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing the viewers getting plenty of shocking reveals, along with seeing Jinora getting closer to Naruto. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
The viewers soon started the next viewing, eager to see what else the future had in store for their counterparts, and for anything they might expect in their own world.
After the Equalist rally several weeks ago, things had begun changing within Republic City. As even without a leader, the Equalists were still at large and fighting against the benders. Though now, they had begun calling themselves the Neo-Equalists, as a means to separate themselves from the original group and the lies told to them by Amon. With the Neo-Equalists also being more open about their distaste for benders, now even openly attacking them in the streets rather than from the shadows.
"Neo-Equalists?" Mako said while frowning, along with several others at learning the Equalists were still around in the other world, figuring they would have disbanded, only it seems like they got worse.
"Great, bad enough when they were hiding in the shadows, now they're attacking in broad daylight." Said Lin while pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Even with Amon gone, they're still causing trouble and attacking. Why, what's the point if they know Amon was deceiving them?" Pema asked, not liking that the other Republic City was still in danger from the Neo-Equalists.
"Don't forget, the Equalists have been around for years already, that's plenty of time to get them riled up and wanting to fight against their "bending oppressor". That even if Amon was revealed as a bender, they wouldn't just give up and quit, they'd simply see it as "proof" that bending is evil. Which also make them more dangerous, as rather than having a leader that can take bending away, you have a large group of people that hate bending and anything to do with it." Explained Kya to her sister-in-law.
"Which is why we'd need to play things safely, when we return and try to expose Amon, starting with showing the non-benders that they're just as important as benders. But seeing how things are going so far, it may be best if we also prepared for the worst as well." Tenzin added gravely, the other adults and de-aged benders nodding in agreement.
With this having led to many fights breaking out, with benders fighting back against their attackers, which only encouraged non-benders to join in and fight against their "bending oppressors". With the fights only ending when the Metalbending Police arrived and broke them up, along with having to chase down the Neo-Equalists throughout the city.
Now this definitely shocked the viewers, not believing that non-benders would actually join in fights between the Neo-Equalists and benders, even when benders were just defending themselves.
"Do…do non-benders really hate benders that much?" Korra asked while looking at the adults, knowing that there was tension between benders and non-benders, but didn't think it could escalate to the point where ordinary citizens would jump at the chance to attack benders.
"There's always been tension between benders and non-benders, even back when Aang was alive, with the growing bending gangs extorting and harassing of non-benders not helping in the matter. I guess it's only gotten worse over time." Said Zuko, frowning and letting out a sigh, not expecting things to get that bad.
"But the Neo-Equalists were the ones starting the fights, the benders were just defending themselves." Asami argued, since while she could understand non-benders wanting to stand up for themselves, this was just them getting an excuse to openly attack benders.
"Sometimes, people only see what they want to see and believe what they're told, rather than looking at the facts. As far as these people are concerned, they're only seeing benders "unjustly" attacking non-benders and responding in kind." Said Bumi, shaking his head, since he can just feel that things are only going to further escalate.
"Yeah, like one time when me, Twinkle Toes, and Sokka had to deal with this loudmouth Fire Nation soldier, spewing all this crap about Airbending being "demon powers" and the Air Nomads having an army of winged humans, and that the Avatar was an evil menace. It was all just a bunch of propaganda the Fire Nation made up, to make everyone believe they were the good guys." Toph added, surprising Korra, Tenzin, and the Airbending kids at hearing this.
While Zuko groaned, remembering the headache he experienced at having to deal with that propaganda, and setting things straight.
"I don't remember that happening." Said Katara raising a brow, not remembering encountering any soldier like that.
"That guy you froze in ice, while you were hanging out with pirates." Toph replied nonchalantly, while several viewers looked at Katara in shock, not believing she of all people spent time with pirates, especially her family and Korra.
"You hung out with pirates?!" Korra said in shock and disbelief that Katara of all people got involved with pirates.
"M-mom?!" Said Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi, just as shocked that their sweet, kind, and caring mother was involved with pirates.
"That's so awesome! Gran-Gran was a pirate!" Meelo cheered, excited at learning his grandmother was a pirate.
"Gran-Gran?! Did you find buried treasure?! Do you have a ship?! Did you have your own crew?! Oh, can I be a pirate to?!" Asked Ikki, jumping up and down, while the de-aged Waterbender blushed in embarrassment at the attention on her.
"NO!" Tenzin and Pema shouted, terrified at the idea of Ikki as a pirate, even worse if she had command of a ship.
"I-I'll tell you all later, but they weren't those kind of pirates!" Katara said quickly, since Jiang and her crew, while they did steal, they also had their own sense of honor and loyalty.
"I believe we should plan to take a trip to Republic City, when we return." Eska said to her brother, who nodded in agreement.
"Agreed, it seems less boring than we originally believe." Replied Desna, the twins starting to become interested in visiting the city more and more.
Currently, one such chase was happening right now, as several Metalbenders swung across the buildings with their cables or ran through the streets, chasing after several Neo-Equalists. Though this was different, was rather than showing up to break up a fight in the streets, they arrived at the sight of them kidnapping benders. Thankfully, they arrived before anyone could be captured, with the Neo-Equalists making a run for it, leading to the current chase.
Though suddenly, several rock barricades rose up around the Neo-Equalists, boxing them in. Before water was launched into the encased area, that quickly was frozen, leaving them being trapped in ice. With the Metalbenders stopping their pursuit and frowned, when they saw Tarrlok's task force coming out and revealing themselves, along with the councilman himself. With Tarrlok smirking, as his team apprehended the Neo-Equalists, before approaching the Metalbenders.
Lin scowled at the sight of Tarrlok's task force interfering in her officers' work, annoyance that Toph shared, given how she helped create the Metalbending Police Force. While the benders were all worried that the Neo-Equalists were now kidnapping benders.
"Why would they kidnap benders?" Bolin asked in worry, remembering when he had been kidnapped and nearly lost his bending, even more worried since this time they don't know what reason the Neo-Equalists have.
"I'm not sure, but whatever the reason, it definitely isn't good." Replied Tenzin while wrapping an arm around his wife and children, given how they're the last Airbenders in the world, it wouldn't be surprising if they were high profile targets for the Neo-Equalists to grab.
"Thank you for the assistance officers, we've been tracking this particular group of Equalists for a few days now, but they've always managed to slip away. You all can go now; my team can take it from here. Also, give Chief Beifong my regards and thanks for her help, in sending you all." Tarrlok said.
"Of course Councilman Tarrlok, we'll let the chief know." Said the leading officer, annoyed at the task force interfering with their jobs, but knew they couldn't do anything against Tarrlok.
Knowing there was nothing they could do, the Metalbenders left to return to the station and inform Chief Beifong of what happened. While one of Tarrlok's task force members walked up to the councilman, saluting, and handing him something.
"Lin, what's the exact purpose of that task force?" Toph asked suddenly, while sitting up straighter, getting worried looks from Katara and Zuko, since if the de-aged Earthbender was acting like this, then it's something serious.
"Their main purpose is to fight the Equalists and apprehend Amon, along with ensuring public security. Aside from that, they'd operate the same as my officers, only under Tarrlok's control." Replied Lin, only for Toph to groan and cover her face, while slumping forward, worrying more than a few people while Zuko and Katara soon realized the problem.
"I'm guessing that's not good." Mako stated.
"Very not good. The Metalbending Police Force was created to keep peace and order in Republic City, while ensuring all of its citizens were protected. But Tarrlok's task force, it's not restricted by any laws and can do as it pleases. If Tarrlok says so, like interfering in police business. Or apprehend anyone that's "suspected" of being part of, helping, or supporting the Equalists. He could basically lock up every non-bender in the city under suspicions of them being involved with the Equalists, or being threats to public security." Zuko explained, much to everyone's shock and worry, knowing with that kind of power, both on the council and with his task force, Tarrlok could basically control the entire city and no one could touch him.
With Korra wincing at hearing this, along with what they just saw the task force do, knowing it would look if she was still part of it. It'd make them believe the Avatar was supporting Tarrlok's decisions and actions against non-benders.
"I am really glad that I decided leave the task force." Korra stated, having planned to resign after her confrontation with Amon and before they were brought here, now being more glad than ever that she won't be part of it anymore.
"Sir, we found this on one of the Equalists." The task force member said, with Tarrlok nodding as he took the item and saw it was a rolled up piece of paper.
Unrolling it, Tarrlok narrowed his eyes, when he saw that it looked to be blueprints or plans of a building, one he recognized as the Pro-Bending Arena.
"Well, it looks we know what the Equalists next move is." Stated Tarrlok, smirking, as he realized that the Neo-Equalists likely were planning an attack on the Pro-Bending Tournament Finals.
Giving him the perfect chance to take them down for good and be recognized as the savior of the city, for putting a stop to the Equalist threat.
'And once they're out of the way, Carnage is next.' Tarrlok thought, while pocketing the plans, before helping his team subdue the Neo-Equalists.
The viewers were only further shocked to know the Neo-Equalists were planning to attack the Pro-Bending Arena, likely during the finals.
"Do you think that the Equalists have such a plan in store in our world?" Tenzin asked while looking at Lin, who frowned, not liking the idea of such an attack.
"Amon would do it." Stated Korra, getting everyone's attention.
"You sure?" Questioned Lin, willing to hear the Avatar out, given her own encounters with the Equalists Leader, with Korra nodding.
"Yes. When Mako and I went to save Bolin, Amon put on a big show about his "Spirit-given abilities" and even let Lightning Bolt Zolt fight him, rather than just take his bending away. He doesn't just want to erase bending; he wants to make a show of it, for all to see. He could have taken my bending on Avatar Aang Memorial Island, but he didn't. He wants to do it with an audience and after he wins." Korra said while looking down, since she was still terrified that her own pride could have costed her, her bending.
Lin's frown deepened at hearing this, before mentally cursing, since that only made Amon more dangerous as opposed to him simply wanting to erase bending. That he wants to make a show of it, as if it's already decided that he's going to win in the end.
"If Amon is planning something like that in our world, just to let you three know, I will be shutting down the arena." Said Lin, looking at the Fire Ferrets, refusing to take the risk of such an attack happening.
"No arguments here." Mako replied, knowing that while he wanted his team to win the tournament, he wasn't going to risk everyone who'd be there over something like that.
"Ditto." Added Bolin nodding in agreement.
"Well if that happens, I'm sure I can convince dad to let you guys stay at our place, since we have plenty of room." Asami offered, knowing they lived at the arena and would need a place to stay, if it was shutdown.
"You'll also have a place on Air Temple Island as well." Said Tenzin, with Pema nodding in agreement, since the brothers are Korra's friends, then they'd be welcomed in their home.
The offers surprised the brothers, before they smiled and nodded in thanks.
*With the Krew*
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Naruto, Korra, Mako, Bolin, and Asami were hanging out together, with Naruto wanting to get to know his girlfriend's friends better. With the group now being at a nice a restaurant, after taking a walk around the city.
"So, Naruto, what made you come to Republic City?" Asami asked, curious of why Naruto came to Republic City.
"Nothing really. I mostly just travel around, going wherever the road took me, until I ended up in Republic City. Where I heard about the Equalists, and how their leader, Amon, wanted equality between benders and non-benders. I was curious enough about it, to see how they'd go about creating equality and attended the rally, with it being the worse decision I ever made. But it did lead me to meet Korra." Said Naruto, smiling at the Avatar.
"Well, I'm glad that you all made it out of there safely, and that you were able to get something good out of it." Asami said as she always tried to see the good in situations.
This got the Krew to smile at seeing their counterparts hanging out with Naruto, glad to see them starting to become friends. With some of the others also smiling at the scene, glad to see that even with how crazy things seem to be getting in the other world, they still had time to relax and spend it together.
"You know, crazy Spirit aside, Naruto's actually pretty cool." Mako said, seeing that Naruto was an alright guy that looked out for the people he cared for.
"Yeah, and that suit he can make is so awesome! I really wish I had one!" Said Bolin, still excited at Naruto's suit and wanting his own.
"He is pretty great, and I'm sure Korra agrees." Asami said while smirking at the Avatar, who was looking at Naruto, only to quickly look away while blushing at the heiresses words.
"What about your family? Are they okay with you traveling around the Earth Kingdom? Along with what happened at the rally?" Questioned Mako, doubting any parent would want their child in Republic City, after experiencing something like that.
Only to get his answer when he saw a familiar look in Naruto's eyes.
"I never knew my father and my mother…she died a long time ago, after bandits attacked our village. I've been on my own ever since, doing what I can to survive." Naruto revealed, while hiding the fact it was actually Dark Spirits that attacked his village and killed his mother, since he didn't want to risk any connection being made between him and Xiě.
The Firebender winced at his counterpart's question, knowing it'd be a topic he's familiar with, along with the reminder of how Naruto lost his mother. With the others mood was also brought down at the reminder as well, with the Airbending kids huddling up to their own mother. Along with them understanding his reasoning for hiding the truth of how she died.
"He lost his mother, having to watch her die, I can't even imagine what that's like." Said Korra while frowning sadly, not able to imagine what she'd do if she lost either of her parents.
"It feels like you lose part of yourself, and to know who or what took them from you, it leaves something inside you, something dark and wishing for revenge. All you can feel is a hate that never goes away." Katara said, remembering how she lost her own mother.
Before the de-aged Waterbender smiled at her children, when put their hands on her shoulders, thankful to have them.
"It's a scar on you that never fully heals." Added Zuko, also knowing the pain of losing a mother, even if his own hadn't been dead, it was not knowing what happened to her or where she was that really cut deeply into him.
Korra put a hand over Naruto's, only really knowing the basics of what happened, but could see he didn't like talking about it. While Mako, Bolin, and Asami all flinched, given how they lost their own parents as well, or her own mother in Asami's case.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up." Said Mako, knowing the pain of losing his parents, while doing what he has to, to survive and protecting his brother.
"Our parents…they were mugged by a Firebender, Mako was eight and he saw the whole thing happen. We've been on our own ever since." Bolin said as he and Mako looked down, with the latter grabbing his scarf, the last thing he had from his father, as Asami put a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder.
"I lost my own mother when I was six. The Agni Kai Triad broke in into our home and she was killed during the robbery, leaving just me and my father." Said Asami as she revealed her own backstory.
This made Mako, Bolin, and Asami lower their heads as they all remembered how they lost their parents and own mother, respectively.
"Asami I'm so sorry…" Korra said, not knowing Asami had also lost her mother, only how Mako and Bolin lost their parents, before the ravenette shook her head.
"You don't have to apologize Korra, it was years ago, and I'll always miss her, but I've accepted what's happened. Besides, she's never really gone, as long as I remember her." Said Asami, with Mako and Bolin nodding in agreement as they never forgot their parents.
Hearing this, Naruto couldn't help, but feel the corners of his mouth twitch up. Seeing how they all seemed to have had terrible hands dealt to them, in regards to losing their parents. Before picking up his drink and holding it out.
"To our parents, we may have lost them too young, but we'll never forget them." Said Naruto, with the three nodding in agreement, before clinking their glasses together, knowing they won't ever forget their deceased parents.
It wasn't long until their food arrived, with them beginning to eat with Naruto getting to know Mako, Bolin and Asami better. With Korra also talking to Asami, since they're the only two girls in the group, and still didn't know each other very well.
The viewers moods were raised at this, with the brothers and Asami smiling at this, agreeing that they'll never forget their parents.
"He certainly has a way with words." Tenzin stated.
"Kind of reminds me of dad." Said Bumi, knowing that'd be something their father would say, Kya and Tenzin nodding in agreement.
Zuko was also reminded of his uncle, knowing he always had the right words to say to help people with their problems, feeling that he and Naruto would get along.
Desna and Eska traded an uneasy look, knowing that with each reminder of what happened to Naruto's mother, it made them consider more and more their father's counterpart was somehow involved. Given him using Dark Spirits and his plan to free Vaatu after opening the Spirit Portals. It made them uneasy if that plan would be revealed, even more so if their father's counterpart was involved in the death of Naruto's mother.
And if the whiskered teen were to find out.
"There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man." Desna muttered to his sister, who gulped and nodded in agreement.
"Unfortunately, our father isn't as wise as he likes to believe." Stated Eska, both of them feeling if their suspicions were true and Naruto learned this.
Then they would potentially be seeing the personification of wrath and vengeance be unleashed.
*Later*
After the group had finished eating, they had all gone their separate ways. With Korra going with Mako and Bolin to the arena for some practice since all of them wanted to be at their best against the Wolfbats. With Naruto and Asami returning to their respective homes.
With Naruto now back on the island and heading towards the training area, to work on the stances Korra has been showing him to improve his bending. Though when he arrived, he stopped when he saw the Airbending kids were there as well, working on their own bending forms. Along with using the spinning gates, he's sometimes seen Korra practicing with as well.
With the whiskered blonde walking up to them, just as Ikki made it through the gates, without getting hit once.
"That was pretty good." Naruto said, getting the three's attention, with Jinora smiling at him, while Ikki and Meelo looked at him in curiosity and amazement, wanting to ask him about being the host of a Spirit, but remembered their father's words.
"Naruto, what're you doing here? Weren't you out with Korra?" Jinora asked, with Naruto nodding.
"I just got back, she's off at practice with Mako and Bolin. I came here to work on some Waterbending forms, she's been showing me. But then I saw you guys going through those gates, and after seeing them, I would like to give it a try." Naruto said, intrigued at the idea of also learning some Airbending forms.
"He wants to learn Airbending forms?" Korra said, surprised Naruto would want to learn Airbending forms, while others were intrigued.
"Perhaps he's simply expanding his knowledge on all the bending arts, along with the possibility of even trying to incorporate into the styles your other is teaching him." Said Tenzin, knowing it was possible to use bending forms for other types of bending, to get different results.
"It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale." Zuko stated, using the same words his uncle told him when teaching him to redirect lightning, having taken those words to heart.
"And it'll give Jinora a chance to spend time with her crush~." Ikki teased, making her sister blush and glare at her, while Tenzin and Katara both tensed at this, wary at Jinora's counterpart having a crush on Naruto.
Tenzin since his sweet, innocent, and far too young to date daughter having a crush on anyone, and Katara's wariness of Naruto. As while she does realize she's being unfair in judging him so quickly, especially with her late husband's appearance, she's still hated and distrusted Bloodbending for decades.
Though she is trying to be more openminded with Naruto and give him a chance to earn her trust.
"Shut up Ikki! And besides, I'm sure dad or Korra's others would be better at teaching Naruto than me!" Said Jinora, though mentally liked the idea of her other training Naruto.
"Now, now sweetheart, you are just as skilled as your father. Even if you don't have your tattoos, you're more than qualified to show Naruto Airbending forms, and I'm sure he'll be very grateful for your help." Pema said while smiling at her daughter, who's blush intensified, while Tenzin looked at his wife with wide eyes.
"Yeah Jinora, you're a really great Airbender, just be careful you don't end up giving Naruto any private lessons." Added Korra, despite her annoyance at Jinora's crush on Naruto, was glad to have someone else be teased besides her.
"M-mom, K-Ko-Korra, se-seriously, I-I don't h-have a-a cr-crush o-on N-Naruto!" Jinora stuttered, embarrassed at their words, only for Toph to laugh loudly.
"You can say that all you want Twinkle Girl, but I know you're lying~! And there's nothing wrong with liking an older guy, it just means he'll have experience when you're ready to-" Said Toph, only for Katara to cover her mouth.
"I will freeze you in an iceberg!" Katara hissed, with the no longer blind Earthbender merely smiling wickedly behind her hand.
"What? Ready for what?" Jinora asked, looking at her parents, while Ikki and Meelo also looked confused, with Tenzin letting out a sound similar to a strangled cat.
"Uh…um, n-nothing! W-we'll tell you wh-when y-you're older!" Pema said quickly, making the children pout, though Ikki still smirked at Jinora who glared at her sister.
As while he doubts, he'll ever become an Airbender. Naruto could see that learning the forms and movements could be useful, since they could be implemented into his Waterbending, Earthbending and Firebending.
"Only if you can become a leaf!" Meelo shouted with his hands on his waist, with Naruto raising a brow at the sudden and odd statement.
"Yeah! If you wanna learn Airbending, you better become the leaf!" Said Meelo in agreement with his counterpart, getting several confused looks.
"Uh…Korra?" Bolin asked, looking at the Avatar questioningly.
"What he means is that you have to move like a leaf in the wind, not thinking and simply reacting. Along with something about spinning and circular motions." Said Korra, with a shrug since she's still getting the hang of it herself.
"That…that is correct Korra. Though there's certainly more to it than that, which we'll get to once you've advanced further in your training, that is the basics of it." Tenzin stated, recovering from his near heart attack at the idea of Jinora doing…what Toph had implied.
"What Meelo means, is that you have to get through the gates by using spinning and spiraling motions, like a leaf in the wind." Said Jinora, with Naruto nodding in understanding.
"Seems easy enough." Naruto stated, making Ikki giggle excitedly.
"Jinora forgot to mention that you have to do it, while the gates are spinning!" Said Ikki, with Jinora releasing a blast of air, making all the gates start spinning, with Naruto not batting an eye.
"Gimme a minute." Said Naruto, while getting ready to go through the gates, before running towards them.
Korra couldn't help the small smirk on her face, feeling eager to see someone else get smacked around by the gates, even if it's the guy she's slowly developing feelings for.
"Uh, maybe you shouldn't just-" Jinora said, remembering how Korra did the same thing, when she first tried the gates, knowing that just running at them won't work.
Only to be surprised, when Naruto leapt through of the gates, rolling on the ground through more, before standing up and rotating around one. With the three children being amazed as Naruto made his way through the gates, without getting hit once, before soon coming out on the other side.
"Now that was a leaf." Meelo stated.
"Wow! That was so cool! You didn't get hit once, while doing way better than Korra did!" Said Ikki amazed at seeing Naruto get through the gates so easily.
"How'd you do that?" Jinora questioned, not expecting Naruto to get through the gates with such ease, without being an Airbender, almost like he could predict when and where the gates would have struck him.
"I have enhanced reflexes, to the point where I can sense danger to me from every direction. Which helps me to avoid it, no matter how quickly it comes." Answered Naruto, before Ikki suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Woah, wasn't expecting that." Kya said in amazement at seeing Naruto got through the gates without getting hit, with everyone else sharing her amazement, though Korra felt a little jealous at seeing Naruto get through the gates without getting hit.
"That was awesome! Naruto did even better than you Korra, and he got through on his first try!" Ikki said, grinning in amazement at how the whiskered blonde got through the gates.
"Y-yeah well, h-he cheated! H-he has en-enhanced abilities, s-so it doesn't count! I-I g-got through after training and practice!" Retorted Korra, crossing her arms, while trying to salvage some of her pride as the Avatar.
"Actually Korra, it's not cheating. The purpose of the exercise is to rely on your instincts and keep moving, like the wind. That means not having time to think on what move you'll make and where you'll step, as otherwise you'll only get hit. Naruto did just that, relying on his instincts and letting them guide him, and while his movements weren't typical of an Airbender's, he still succeeded in moving like the wind." Tenzin stated, debunking Korra's claim, causing the Avatar to sulk but knew he was right.
'Stupid, annoying, hot, blonde, jerk.' Thought Korra.
"Is that a power you get from the Spirit in you?! What other powers do you have?! Can you fly?! What about turn into an animal?! What's the Spirit like anyway?! Is it like the ones Grandpas Aang met on his journeys?! How did you meet the Spirit?!" Ikki asked rapidly, being unable to resist the urge to question Naruto about the Spirit in him, without her parents around.
"Show me your power Spirit!" Demanded Meelo, while moving around Naruto, as if trying to find the Spirit.
Though everyone became nervous at Ikki's questions to Naruto, which soon turned into horror when Meelo actually challenged Xiě! Knowing if it wasn't for the talisman keeping the Spirit of Blood suppressed…they didn't want to think of what Carnage would do.
"Meelo, when we get back, under no circumstances are you to ever say something like that to someone you don't know, whether they're human or a Spirit." Tenzin said sternly, not wanting his son to do something so reckless, with the boy surprisingly nodding in understanding.
"Yeah, the other me went too far." Said Meelo, knowing his counterpart went a little too far in challenging Xiě.
"The same goes for you Ikki, while it's alright to be curious and ask questions, you also need to be considerate of others' space and see if some questions make them uncomfortable." Said Pema to her younger daughter.
"Yes mommy." Ikki replied while nodding.
"Ikki, Meelo! Come on, don't crowd him like that, remember what dad said." Jinora said, while pulling her siblings back, with Naruto waving it off.
"It's fine, really. And yes, it is a power the Spirit has given me, along with making me stronger and faster than normal people, along with enhancing my bending as well. Though no, I can't fly or turn into an animal." Replied Naruto, figuring it wouldn't hurt to give them a few details, nothing dangerous, just some basic details to satisfy their curiosity.
"And tell you what, if you both promise to behave for the next couple of days, after the Pro-Bending Finals. I'll show you both something really cool, alright." Naruto said, after seeing they were about to ask more questions, seeing a way to make them behave for a while, along with giving Tenzin and Pema some time to relax without worrying about them acting up.
"He's probably going to show them his suit, maybe taking them swinging around." Guessed Bumi, much to Ikki and Meelo's renewed excitement.
"Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes! I wanna go swinging!" Ikki said eagerly.
"I shall rule over all from in the sky!" Declared Meelo, with Tenzin and Pema looking torn.
On one hand, they were thankful for Naruto getting their two rambunctious children to behave for a few days, they weren't sure about them being swung around the city.
"Okay!" Replied Ikki, her excitement at seeing something cool overpowering her curiosity to know about the Spirit.
"Hmm, alright! But it better be something amazing buddy, or you'll have to deal with Meelo!" Said Meelo, warningly, before the two children took off to play as their training was done for the day.
"What exactly are you going to show them?" Jinora asked, wondering what it was that Naruto would show her siblings.
"Well why don't I show you first. After all, you did help me with finishing the design." Replied Naruto, before his suit formed around him, making Jinora gasp in amazement with her eyes widening at the sight.
"Wow, that's…how did you do that? Is this another of the powers the Spirit gives you?" Jinora asked, looking the suit over and seeing it looked exactly the same as the drawing, with the new addition of the spider emblem on the front and back.
"Yeah, it's another power the Spirit gives me. And that's not all, climb on." Naruto said, while kneeling down to let Jinora climb on his back, with the young Airbender being confused and intrigued at what he was doing, but did so anyways, wanting to see what he'll do.
Once Naruto was sure Jinora had a tight grip and wouldn't fall off, he placed a hand on the ground and tensed up. Then to Jinora's shock and amazement, Naruto jumped high up into the air, before shooting a web out that connected to the temple's tower, as they began swinging through the air around the island.
"Wow." Jinora said, smiling in awe as they swung through air, all across the island and down by the sky bison caves.
While she could fly through the air with her glider, this felt so much better and much more free, since she didn't have to worry about falling from a glider. Like she was really weightless, with nothing holding her down anymore.
"That must be amazing." Said Jinora in awe, amazed, and slightly jealous, her counterpart gets to experience something like that, with Korra also being jealous for an entirely different reason.
After a while Naruto soon stopped and swung up to the top of the tower, with Jinora climbing off his back and looking down at her home.
"That was amazing! I never felt so free like that, like I was really flying without my glider!" Jinora said, while smiling at Naruto.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Consider it a thank you, for your help in completing the suit. Your idea for including an emblem really helped." Said Naruto, while tapping the spider emblem, not sure why he chose a spider specifically, but it just felt right.
Plus with his web swinging and wall crawling, he was like a spider, so he guessed it was rather fitting.
"I'm glad that I was able to help, and it looks really great. But…do you think we'd be able to do this again, sometime?" Jinora asked hopefully, wondering if they'd be able to swing around the city, since it looked like he was limited in where he could shoot webs, around the island.
"Sure, whenever you want to Jinora. Now we should probably get down, before someone comes looking for you." Naruto replied, with Jinora nodding, before wrapping her arms around his waist, surprising him slightly, before he placed an arm around her.
Just in case, she lost her grip.
Looking at the ground, Naruto saw no one was around, much to his relief, before he attached a web to the tower roof and began lowering them to the ground. With Jinora looking up at him for a moment, before gaining a light blush, as she began thinking of what they did and compared it to some of the books she's read. Of the hero taking his love interest on a magical and unique trip, showing them something incredible and unexpected. Like what Naruto just did for her.
'Wow…' Jinora thought, when they touched the ground and Naruto's suit receded, with the girl now being unable to help, but look at his features.
"Well, I still wanna get some training done today. See you Jinora." Said Naruto, while waving at the girl as he headed back to the training area.
"B-bye N-Naruto!" Jinora said with a slight stutter and a small smile on her face.
"So Jinora, do you still not have a crush on Naruto?" Pema asked, smiling teasingly at her daughter, who could only blush bright red.
"N-no." Said Jinora weakly, though knowing it was a lie, and so did everyone else.
"Ah-ha! I knew you liked him, Naruto and Jinora sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G~!" Sang Ikki while floating around her sister, who's face was practically glowing.
'AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!' Tenzin mentally screamed in horror, not believing his pure, innocent daughter could ever have a crush on a boy.
And worst of all it's…it's…it's…A BAD BOY THAT'S REALLY NICE!
'NNNNNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!' Thought Tenzin as he started feeling lightheaded.
"Aaaah, it's alright sweetheart, like your mom said, there's nothing wrong with liking an old guy. Besides, Naruto's not that much older than you, and give it a few years, you'll be knocking em dead with your looks." Said Kya, smirking at her niece, who let out an "eep" and covered her face.
"You seem surprisingly calm cousin Korra." Desna stated, smirking at Korra, who had a strained smile on her face.
"Of course I'm calm, why wouldn't I be?!" Korra said through gritted teeth, feeling annoyed and jealous that Jinora's feelings for Naruto were basically solidified.
"Oh no reason, just that the kid now desires to have your chosen mate for herself, it seems." Said Eska with her own smirk.
But before the Avatar could do anything, Asami leaned over and whispered something in her ear, causing Korra's eyes to widen while her jaw dropped, and her entire face turned bright red. With the heiress pulling back with a satisfied smirk on her face.
"Uh Asami, what did you just say to Korra?" Mako asked warily while glancing at his teammate/friend, seeing she was completely frozen and seemed to have an odd, clouded look in her eyes.
"Oh nothing much, just something to set her at ease." Replied Asami with an innocent smile, with the Firebender not looking convinced.
"Wow at this rate, Spidey's going to be more of a lady-killer than Sokka and Zuko. Given how me and Ty Lee had crushes on Sokka, the brief relationship he had with Yue, and then settling down with Suki. And then we have Zuko, who dated Mai, that Earth Kingdom girl Jin, and let's not forget the sexual tension and mutual attraction we all knew was between you and Princess here. I mean, before she settled down with Twinkle Toes and you settled down with both your girlfriends." Said a madly grinning Toph, while everyone was shocked at her statement, especially Tenzin, his kids, Bumi, and Kya.
"M-mom?!" Bumi said as they looked at Katara, not believing that if things had been slightly different, they could have very well been Zuko's children and grandchildren, rather than Aang's.
"You just…you just really enjoy embarrassing people, don't you Toph." Said Katara, not looking at anyone to hide her embarrassment.
"Of course! Someone needs to make sure you all relax, and it's damn well gonna be me! And you better be careful Zuko, at the rate Whiskers is going, he may beat you and land himself more than two girls!" Toph said cackling, as the former Fire Lord looked at her blankly, before looking back at the screen.
*Later*
Naruto had continued practicing the Waterbending forms, Korra had shown him well into the night, and was still practicing them even now. Having been greeted by Korra when she got back from practice and allowed her to take a break from her Bloodbending training, when he saw how tired she was. Along with how they needed to be more careful with Katara being here since neither of them wanted the Waterbending Master to find out that Korra is learning Bloodbending from Xiě's own host.
"I see Korra has been training you." Said Katara, pulling Naruto from his thoughts, as he saw the elder standing on the stairs, silently wondering how long she's been there.
"Yeah, she has. She offered to train me, since I don't really have a style to my bending and mostly just act." Naruto replied, with Katara nodding slowly.
"Understandable. Since with your…lifestyle, I doubt you have much of a chance to get a proper master." Katara stated, with Naruto not reacting to her words, besides his eye twitching slightly.
Katara winced at her counterpart's words, since it seemed like it was Naruto's choice to isolate himself and stay away from people, when he didn't have a choice at all.
"Why exactly do you hate Bloodbending? I only know that you were the one who made sure Bloodbending was made illegal. But why do you personally hate it?" Questioned Naruto, not knowing the reason behind Katara's hatred of Bloodbending, only that she's the one who made sure it was outlawed in the United Republic.
With Katara frowning at the question as she walked down the stairs, hating to think of the time she learned about Bloodbending, and when she used it.
"It was during the end of the Hundred Year War, not long before the Day of Black Sun. Me, my brother Sokka, our friend Toph, and Aang were camped out near a Fire Nation village, while we were in hiding after the coup in Ba Sing Se. We had been telling each other ghost stories, when we were found by an old woman named Hama, who offered us shelter at her inn. At the time, I thought Hama was just a kind old woman, but the others were suspicious of her. Leading us to discovering that she was a Waterbender from the Southern Water Tribe, the last one, besides myself. I was ecstatic at the chance to meet a fellow Southern Waterbender and learn from her the ways of our tribe's Waterbending. But while I was being trained by Hama, my friends had learned that people had been vanishing from town during the full moon, believing it was an angry Spirit, they went to investigate. While I learned the truth, Hama was the one kidnapping people, using the darkest form of bending and one that I, at the time, believed she created, Bloodbending." Katara said, while frowning as she recalled those events.
"I was horrified at the idea of controlling someone in such a way, to turn their very blood against them. While refusing to learn such a thing, after realizing what Hama's done. But then she Bloodbent Sokka and Aang, forcing them to attack me, before then forcing them to attack each other. I saved them by Bloodbending Hama, doing exactly what she wanted and inheriting that dark art. I had only Bloodbent one other time, when Zuko and I hunted down the man who killed my mother. I Bloodbent who I thought was the man that killed her, in my anger, only caring about my revenge, only to see it wasn't him. That is why I hate Bloodbending, the power it has over people, to turn them into something dark and evil, which was only further proven when Aang told me about Xiě." Said Katara.
Everyone's eyes were wide open at hearing this, while Katara's expression hardened as she recalled those events.
"You…never told me that before." Korra said, looking at her Waterbending master, having never heard about Hama, only that Bloodbending was dangerous and she should never try to learn it.
"Me neither." Said Kya looking at her mother, having gotten the same speech about Bloodbending, but no mention of Hama.
"Because I didn't even want to remember it. With Hama, I had finally met a fellow Waterbender from the Southern Water Tribe, that I wasn't the last one, only to be betrayed and forced to carry on her twisted legacy the moment I first used Bloodbending. And the second time, I was in a dark place, one I nearly wasn't able to come back from. I didn't want either of you to know how horrible Bloodbending really is, or what it does to people. I also didn't want you to feel that same fear I felt, the same pain at knowing you now had that kind of power." Katara said while looking down, since she's tried not to think of those moments for years, while the others started understanding just why she hated Bloodbending and pushed to make it illegal.
Given both times she used it, left her traumatized and developed a distaste for it. And that's on top of her counterpart then learning about Xiě.
"And here I am, Xiě's host." Naruto stated, with Katara nodding.
"And here you are." Said Katara.
"What happened to Hama? I assume she was imprisoned again." Said Naruto, with the elder nodding once again.
"Yes, she was. But after the war ended, I heard that she had somehow escaped as well. Likely during the eclipse, when Firebenders were powerless. But I never gave it much thought, knowing that by now, she is likely already long dead, given how old she was. And we never did get any reports of people disappearing during the full moon, either." Katara said, unable to deny the relief she felt at knowing Hama was long since dead.
"Was a body ever found?" Naruto asked, raising a brow, while Katara frowned.
"Of course not. She was over eighty-years-old, even if by some miracle, she managed to survive her escape and get somewhere, she wouldn't be recognized. She would have died decades ago." Said Katara, with Naruto not looking convinced by her words, before shrugging, figuring she was right and he's just overthinking things.
This made Katara tense and look back up at the screen with wide eyes, before looking at Zuko.
"Zuko, did you learn about Hama and where she was imprisoned, after becoming Fire Lord?" Katara asked, not wanting to think it, but she had to be sure.
Only for him to frown and slowly shake his head.
"I…I don't think so, I did learn about an elderly Waterbender that had been imprisoned for kidnapping people, but nothing about where she was imprisoned." Said Zuko, the de-aged Waterbender starting to breathe heavily, before Toph placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Relax Princess, like your other said, she'd be dead by now." Toph assured, Katara taking a few breath before nodding shakily.
'Yeah, yeah she'd dead, she's dead and can't hurt anyone anymore.' Thought Katara, glancing at her shaking hands before holding them together.
"Now I've told you my story, how about you tell me yours. Why did you allow yourself to become Xiě's host?" Katara questioned, wondering why anyone would allow such a Spirit to inhabit their body.
"I let Xiě take me as a host, so I could get revenge. I was ten-years-old, when I watched my mother die as she was ripped apart by Dark Spirits. While I could do nothing but sit there and watch. After that, all I cared about was doing the same to them. That's when Xiě spoke to me, he offered me the power I needed to get my revenge, and I took it. He kept his word; I got all the power I needed and gladly ripped those Spirits apart and took their power. But also everyone else, when Xiě wanted their blood. Since then, I've been running and avoiding people, because I don't want to hurt anyone. But he always found a way to come out and kill people." Naruto replied, surprising Katara, as she originally believed he let himself become Xiě's host for power.
Now she's learning he became Xiě's host for the same reason, she Bloodbent that Southern Raider, revenge for his mother. Her mind being unable to help but wonder, what if she had killed Yon Rha that day, when she had him at her mercy. It would have been so easy for her to kill him in any number of ways. But after seeing him groveling and pleading on the ground, she couldn't bring herself to kill someone so pathetic in revenge.
But Katara couldn't deny that throughout her life, she would sometimes think of that day and what would have happened, if she didn't hesitate. What would have changed? Would her friends have been disappointed in her? Would she have grown apart from them? Would she have become controlled by her hatred? Would she have become exactly what Hama wanted her to become?
'I could have easily been his host.' Katara thought, realizing how easily she could have been in Naruto's position, if she chose revenge over mercy, she could have easily opened her mind to Xiě and let him take her as a host.
"You can condemn me, if you want, call me weak for letting myself choose revenge so easily. But despite everything that Carnage has done, I never regret getting the power to rip those Spirits apart." Said Naruto, knowing he's done a lot of terrible things, when Carnage was in control and killed who knows how many people.
But he didn't regret taking his offer, since it gave him the power to destroy those Dark Spirits.
Katara looked at him for a moment, before walking towards Naruto and moved his feet a little.
"You need to adjust your footing a little, for a more solid stance, while still being able to move at a moment's notice. And loosen up, water is the element of change, so you need to be able to relax and let your body flow like the tides." Katara instructed, with Naruto looking at her in surprise for a moment, before nodding and began doing as she said, relaxing his body as she began demonstrating the movements.
While Katara didn't exactly trust Naruto, she was also willing to give him a chance to prove himself, rather than condemn or see him as a monster. Not when she saw how easily their positions could have been switched if things were just a little different.
This made the group smile, glad to see Katara's counterpart was giving Naruto a chance, while Katara emphasized with Naruto at losing his mother, that she'd only been two years younger when she lost her own. Along with how she very well could have been Xiě's host, if she had just given into that dark desire to kill Yon Rha, to take her revenge. Rather than spare someone so pathetic that they'd beg for mercy, even offer his own mother to even the score.
While she didn't like Bloodbending, Katara also couldn't bring herself to actually hate Naruto when she could have easily been in his place.
*Republic City Prison*
Meanwhile, within the city's prison, Tarrlok walked through the hallways, before soon arriving at a cell separated from the rest. One that held a single prisoner, that despite not being able to escape, was still considered dangerous and kept away from the others.
Lin scowled at the sight of Tarrlok in her prison, and the fact he wasn't on the other side of the bars.
"Guess he's hoping for a little family reunion." Stated Toph frowning, guessing who Tarrlok was there to see.
"Noatak." Tarrlok said, as Amon looked up from his place against the far wall, before standing up and approaching the bars, when he saw who it was.
"Hello, brother." Replied Amon, as the two brothers looked at each other in happiness and sadness, that they were reunited once again, but also seeing just where they were both standing after so many years.
"So, they really are brothers." Tenzin said as they had confirmation that Tarrlok and Amon, or Noatak apparently, were the sons of Yakone.
"When we catch one of them, I'm making sure they're placed somewhere, where they can't be found." Said Lin, refusing to let either of them try to break the other out, or try something else.
"If Yakone went into hiding at one of the Water Tribes, we may be able to look through their records for Amon's real identity and get proof of not only him being a bender, but also his relation to Yakone and Tarrlok. Giving us the means to take both of them down, when the time comes." Bumi said, rubbing his chin, knowing Tarrlok likely would have covered up his connection to his father, but Amon possibly never took such measures since he made sure no one knew about his bending.
"Why are you here Tarrlok? I doubt it's just to visit your big brother. So why?" Amon asked, after a few moments of silence.
"I came here to ask you how it feels to be exactly the same as our father. You're now a criminal Noatak and have lost your bending. You always preached about how you wanted everyone to be treated fairly and equally but look at what you've done to the city. Because of your deception, it's now more divided than ever. So, congratulations brother, you became exactly what father wanted, a tool for revenge." Tarrlok said, with Amon silently admitting that it was true, despite escaping Yakone, his shadow still hung over him.
"And what about you brother? You can proclaim your desire to save this city, and that you'll be its savior. But we both know it's all just a façade. You only care about controlling this city, just like our father did. The only difference, is he didn't try and hide behind a mask. He was a criminal and a monster, but at least he was an honest one." Amon retorted, having kept tabs on his brother during his time in Republic City, and knew he was no different from him or their father.
"Then I guess we're both truly nothing, but his tools. Even when he's dead, his shadow still has us trapped. But the difference is, I'm still out here and free. And once I've dealt with the rest of your little band of Equalists, or whatever they're calling themselves now, I'll deal with Carnage next." Stated Tarrlok, before turning to leave.
Hearing this, some of the viewers couldn't help but feel sympathy for Tarrlok and Amon, that they'd only been used by their father as his tools of revenge. While Tenzin, Bumi, and Kya felt empathy, realizing how they could have turned out like the brothers. Given that Katara and Aang weren't the best parents, despite their best efforts, with all the responsibilities they had. Responsibilities they also pushed onto their children, especially Tenzin, while Kya and Bumi were essentially cut out of the Air Nomad culture, as they weren't Airbenders, despite it being part of their heritage.
"I…I'm really sorry you three." Katara said, looking at her children sadly, knowing she and Aang could have done a lot of things better when raising them.
"It's alright mom." Said Kya, smiling at her mother, while brothers nodded in agreement.
"It may have taken some time, but we were finally able to understand that you both were under just as much, if not more pressure than we were." Tenzin added, now knowing how his father felt at trying to rebuild a practically extinct nation, with only one other Airbender.
"And besides, I'd say we turned out alright." Bumi stated, grinning, as while he may not be an Airbender, he's still fine with how he turned out.
The de-aged Waterbender smiled tearfully at her children, before quickly wiping her eyes.
"Don't be a fool, Tarrlok! You can't fight Carnage, you can't Bloodbend him and he can sense Bloodbenders! It's how he knew about my own! He'll sense you coming, before you can even get close, and then you'll end up here with me!" Amon warned, knowing his brother had no chance of facing Carnage.
"That's another difference Noatak, everyone already knows I'm a bender! But no one knows I can Bloodbend, and who would ever suspect me when I'm helping the city or believe anything from the Spirit!" Replied Tarrlok, confident that he has nothing to worry about from Carnage or being exposed.
*Unknown Location*
Meanwhile, in a hidden location, Hiroshi Sato sat behind his desk, fidgeting nervously with his clasped hands.
"Dad?" Asami said, surprised to see her father suddenly appear, and was confused at where he was since it didn't look like his office at home, or at Future Industries.
Though some of the viewers frowned, getting a bad feeling at why they were seeing Hiroshi.
"Are you sure we still have enough men for the attack on the finals? Tarrlok and his task force have been doubling down on any Equalist sightings." Hiroshi asked, while looking at the person standing in the shadows of the room.
"You worry too much, Hiroshi. We have more than enough men for the attack. And with your technology, we'll show the benders of Republic City that they're not untouchable and will soon be rendered obsolete." Said the person, while stepping into the light.
Everyone could only look in shock and horror, to hear that Hiroshi Sato, someone who's done so much for the city, has been supporting the Equalists and the Neo-Equalists.
"Wh-what? Th-that…that can't be true!" Said Asami, shaking her head, not wanting to believe her father would ever support people like the Equalists, but in her heart she knew it was true, especially with how he lost his wife, her mother, to a Firebender.
"All this time? He's been working for the Equalists, making them weapons. And sponsoring our team, supporting the Avatar, it was just a cover." Mako said, looking down, having really believed Hiroshi to be a good man that was helping them out of the goodness of his heart, but they were just a cover for him to use.
"Ms. Sato, Asami." Said Lin, getting the heiress's attention, seeing the normal stern police chief looking at her in sympathy.
"I believe you have nothing to do with your father's actions, but understand that when we return, I will have to take him in for questioning and search Sato Manor." Lin said, as Asami wiped her eyes and nodded.
"I…I understand Chief Beifong, I guess…I guess I didn't know my father as well as I thought I did." Replied Asami, leaning into Mako when he wrapped an arm around her.
Revealing a teenage boy, wearing a customized Neo-Equalist uniform, minus the mask, showing long dark brown hair tied into a loose ponytail, fair skin, and brown eyes.
This was Neji, a former high-ranking member of the Equalists and now one of the leaders of the Neo-Equalists. Along with being a powerful and skilled Chi-Blocker. Having learned and mastered the art from his father, Hizashi, and his grandmother, Ty Lee.
"What?!" Zuko said in shock, along with everyone else, not believing that this kid was Ty Lee's grandson and a member of the Equalists, now leading the Neo-Equalists.
"How can anyone related to the literal definition cheerfulness be leading people like that?!" Said Toph, given all the time she's met Ty Lee, if she didn't know any better, she'd swear the girl could never even hurt a fly, let alone take down fully grown benders on her own.
And now they're learning that her grandson was leading the Neo-Equalists!
"Does…does Ty Lee even have children or any grandchildren?" Korra asked, having never heard anything about Ty Lee settling down or having children.
"None that we're aware of, we tried staying in contact, but with all our respective responsibilities, we could have missed out on some things." Replied Katara, just as shocked by this revelation
Neji had grown up, listening to his grandmother's stories of her adventures during the Hundred Year War, with the boy having been amazed at hearing how easily she was able to defeat even adult benders with Chi-Blocking. Resulting in Neji soon developing the mindset that non-benders were superior to benders if they could be rendered helpless so quickly and easily. Along with desiring to become the strongest Chi-Blocker in the world, with Ty Lee gladly training him, along with her son-in-law, Hizashi. With Neji proving to be a prodigy in the art, soon mastering it by the time he was eleven, with the same skill that Ty Lee once had in her prime.
Though it wasn't long until tragedy struck, when Hizashi was put into a coma during an attack by some benders. Something that enraged Neji, and turned his belief that benders were inferior, into hatred for benders as a whole. Leading to him to travel to Republic City and join the Equalists, desiring to live in a world where bending was completely erased, doing so against his grandmother's wishes.
With his hatred only growing at learning Amon was a bender himself, along with the appearance of Carnage. Leading to Neji rallying the remaining Equalists under him, with Hiroshi backing him and supplying them with advanced weaponry.
This made the viewers frown at also learning Neji's reasoning for joining the Equalists, and while they could understand his anger and desire to get justice, or revenge, he seems to be taking it too far.
"Wait, if he's leading the Neo-Equalists, does that mean he's also the one having them kidnap benders?" Bolin said at realizing this, with the others realizing it as well.
"And if they have Hiroshi, arguably one of the smartest men in the nations, working with them…" Tenzin said as his mind began painting a picture, one that wasn't very pretty on what exactly they would do with benders they kidnap.
"The kid's slipping." Stated Lin, seeing the signs that Neji isn't exactly all right in the head and likely doesn't even care about equality like Amon, if he wanted to show benders that they're obsolete.
Now they were ready to make their move and show all the benders in Republic City, along with the rest of the nations. That the Neo-Equalists were stronger than ever and that no bender was safe from them.
"Don't worry Hiroshi, nothing will happen. Soon the benders will realize they have become irrelevant and no longer needed in the world. Once we're done, we will be living in a world of true equality." Neji said, assuring the businessman, with Hiroshi nodding after a moment.
"Yes, of course. Forgive me, Neji, I'm just worried of Asami getting caught in the crossfire. But I know this is for the best, to make a better world." Said Hiroshi, while also mentally assuring himself that ends will justify the means.
"He's definitely not right." Kya muttered warily, since the way he was speaking it sounded more like an extermination, rather than creating equality.
*Timeskip-Three Days*
"With all due respect councilmen, is it wise to be tempting things by letting the tournament continue? If the Equalists really are planning an attack, it'd be better not to have so many innocent civilians in one area, getting caught in the crossfire." Lin said as she stood before the council, bringing up her concerns about letting the Pro-Bending Tournament continue.
But so far, it seems like only Tenzin is in agreement with her to cancel the tournament.
"Are you kidding me?! He still wants the tournament to continue, knowing it'll be attacked?!" Korra demanded, not believing Tarrlok would do something so stupid, something Mako and Bolin agree with.
While they'd be upset that their training wouldn't be used in the tournament. Given the circumstances, they understood and even supported having it cancelled, as opposed to people getting hurt.
"I swear when we get back and I get my hands on that…" Said Lin, holding her hands out, wanting nothing more than to reach through the screen and strangle Tarrlok.
"Lin, you're Chief of Police, you need to set an example." Toph said to her daughter, much to her disbelief, only for the de-aged Earthbender to continue.
"I on the other hand, am more than free to bury this idiot in the ground for such an idiotic decision!" Said Toph, having no such restraint from kicking Tarrlok's ass and then throwing him into a cell.
"Normally, I'd say don't fall to his level Toph…but save piece of him for me." Katara said, wanting to get her own hit in on Tarrlok.
"I would think you would have some faith in your officer's abilities to keep the people safe, Chief Beifong." Stated Tarrlok, with Lin narrowing her eyes at him.
"I have the utmost faith in my officers to keep the people of Republic City safe. I just believe that with things as they are, it would be better not to escalate them further, by basically allowing an attack of this size to happen. If this happens, it could potentially lead to a full scale civil war in Republic City." Lin said, making some of them gasp, while Tarrlok stood up.
"And that's exactly why the tournament needs to continue!" Said Tarrlok, before addressing his fellow councilmen.
"We know when and where the Equalists will strike next, this will give us the perfect opportunity to stop them, once and for all. But if we do as the Police Chief says, who's to say the Equalists won't just attack somewhere else, or plan something even bigger? The time for waiting is over, now is the time we strike." Tarrlok said, before Tenzin stood up.
"This is insane! You are putting hundreds of lives on the line, on the belief that you can stop the Equalists in one foul swoop?! Who's to say this isn't all just a trap, making us believe the target is the tournament. When really, they'll be targeting somewhere else? We can't take the risk of people getting hurt." Said Tenzin, only to see the other councilors voice their agreement with Tarrlok's plan, making the man smirk.
"The majority rules, the tournament continues as scheduled with my task force being ready for anything the Equalists throw at us." Tarrlok said, bringing his gavel down, much to Tenzin and Lin's disbelief, but knew there was nothing they could do about it now.
"I swear to every Spirit…Tenzin, if you get in my way when I arrest him, I'll throw you in jail too!" Lin swore, now refusing to let Tarrlok walk free if he's willing to endanger innocent people, just to satisfy his own ego.
"Just at least try to wait, until we can expose his Bloodbending." Said Tenzin, wanting to agree with Lin to lock Tarrlok away, but knew they still needed to play this safe or it'd blow up in their faces.
*Later*
"We'll see you guys, after the tournament! We'll probably be back late when we're done celebrating!" Said Korra, waving to the Airbending family and Katara as she and Naruto headed for the docks to go to the arena for the finals, with the Avatar being ready to knock the Wolfbats down a couple pegs.
With everyone waving to them, though Tenzin and Katara both frowned, before looking at Pema when she gasped.
"Is something wrong Pema?" Tenzin asked, seeing his wife had dropped a teacup that shattered in her hand, with the pieces falling on the floor.
"Must've been holding onto it, too tightly, for a moment there. But I'm fine, it's just a small cut." Replied Pema, showing a small bleeding cut on her palm, though frowned as she looked at the broken cup, with Tenzin and Katara also frowning, being unable to help but think that something was wrong.
"Dad." Jinora said, getting Tenzin's attention, only to see her looking out the window, before hearing a crow cawing as it took flight outside.
As much as they wanted to hope that everything would be fine, they also couldn't help but think that something was going to go horribly wrong today.
Everyone could only look on in worry as they saw Naruto and Korra heading to the finals, all of them getting a very bad feeling of what's going to happen next.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see none of the viewers are happy about Tarrlok's interference, along with seeing Naruto bonding with the Krew, before seeing him getting closer to Jinora, much to Tenzin's horror and Jinora's embarrassment, and Korra's jealously. Before they get plenty of reveals, such as confirmation of Tarrlok and Amon being brothers, Hiroshi working for the Neo-Equalists, and Neji has Ty Lee's grandson, before Naruto and Korra head off for the finals. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out
