Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing a lot of changes to canon, along with even more surprises. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
"UGH! I can't believe we lost to those stupid, showboating, annoying-UGH!" Korra said, ripping her helmet off as she, Mako, and Bolin stepped off the platform after pulling themselves out of the water pit and going back to the changing area.
After she and Naruto had arrived at the arena, she had gotten ready with her teammates, while they went over their strategies one last time before the match started. With them going out onto the ring, with Bolin and Pabu doing a little performance, only for the Wolfbats to arrive in costumes, along with fireworks. Then the match started, and the Fire Ferrets immediately knew something was wrong, when the Wolfbats began performing illegal moves and the referee wasn't doing anything to stop them.
With Mako realizing that someone must have paid off the refs to make sure they'd lose, with Korra suggesting that if the Wolfbats were playing dirty, they should too. Only for her suggestion to get shot down, since while the Wolfbats could cheat, they couldn't or else they would get penalized, meaning they had to win fairly.
Though Korra did get some satisfaction in knocking Tahno down, during the tiebreaker.
Unfortunately, they still ended up losing after they mixed some broken earth discs in the water and launching it at them, sending the three falling into the water and losing them the match. With the three returning to the changing room, where Naruto had arrived and put a hand on Korra's shoulder.
"Starting to think we should have just cheated." Mako muttered, wishing he agreed with Korra to play dirty, figuring that if they were going to lose, they could at least knock the Wolfbats down a little.
"And we trained so hard." Said Bolin, saddened at losing, after all the work and training they did to win the finals.
"I say you guys did great out there, with it being even better that you didn't sink to their levels and use dirty tricks. And yeah you lost, but think about it like this, they had to cheat in order to beat you three. Showing that even they knew they would have lost if it had been a fair fight. So, no matter what anyone says, you three are winners by relying on your own skills, rather than cheap tricks. And look at it this way, next time you go against them, you'll be ready for any tricks they have." Naruto said, making the three look at him in surprise, before they smiled and nodded.
"You know what, you're right Naruto. Yeah, it sucks we lost the tournament, but we got this far by working for it. And next time we do face the Wolfbats, we'll be ready." Said Mako, feeling better at the fact they had gotten this far with their own hard work and training.
"Yeah! And Pabu and I will work on even better performance, that'll blow theirs away!" Bolin said, with Pabu squeaking in agreement.
"And besides, it was also really funny watching you knock that idiot, Tahno, down." Said Naruto, smirking at Korra, who smirked and nodded.
"It felt even better." Korra replied, before Naruto leaned in close.
"Believe me, I also wanted to make them mess up for doing that to you. But I wasn't going to ruin it for you like that and knew that you're a much better bender than those third-rate losers." Naruto whispered, having been tempted to Bloodbend the Wolfbats, but didn't since he knew Korra was more than capable of handling someone like Tahno.
With Korra smiling at her boyfriend, happy to hear he would have helped in such a way, despite the risk of being caught, but was also glad that he didn't.
"Thank you." Replied Korra, before kissing him on the cheek.
"Uh guys, what's that?" Bolin asked, getting everyone's attention as the Earthbender pointed into the audience, where they saw discharges of electricity happening all over the stands.
"What?" Muttered Korra, stunned at the sight, while Naruto narrowed his eyes, only for them to widen when he saw there were people wearing masks with the Neo-Equalists symbol and wearing gloves that were shocking people.
"It's the Equalists!" Naruto said, making the threes eyes widen in shock.
"Asami and Hiroshi are here!" Exclaimed Mako, before immediately running out of the room to get to his girlfriend and her father, to get them out of the arena.
"Bolin, go with Mako! Naruto and I will take care of the ones in the stands!" Korra said, with Bolin nodding, before rushing out to follow his brother.
"I won't be able to do anything, but Waterbending, since I can't put on my suit in front of this many people." Said Naruto, with Korra nodding before smirking.
"That's alright, I can still use my bending." Korra replied, before stomping on the ground and raising her hands to the ceiling, opening up a hole up to the stands, which she jumped through before launching a blast of fire at a nearby Equalist, throwing them back.
Naruto jumped through the hole after her, landing on the ground, before he bent a large amount of water up from the pit into the stands. Launching multiple tendrils at five Equalists, knocking them over the railings into the water below, with their gloves electrocuting them after making contact with the water.
"Looks like Tarrlok's task force isn't doing so good." Naruto commented, while seeing that most of the task force and Metalbending police were already taken out by the Neo-Equalists, given their armor was useless against those gloves.
"Have I ever thanked you for helping to convince me to not join that vanity project? Because I'm really thankful that you did." Said Korra, while smiling at him, glad that his advice stopped her from joining the task force.
Naruto returned the smile, before bending some water onto the ground beneath some Equalists, before immediately freezing it, causing them to slip and fall to the ground. With Korra then bending the earth beneath them, launching them into the air, where they fell into the pit below.
The two standing back-to-back, while looking at the remaining Neo-Equalists that were focusing on them, with both of them ready for a fight.
*With Mako and Bolin*
Meanwhile, Mako and Bolin ran through the hallways, making their way to the booth where Asami and Hiroshi were seated, with the Firebender hoping that his girlfriend and her father was alright. Only for them to suddenly stop, when Asami walked around a corner.
"Asami!" Mako shouted, while rushing up to her, with the heiress looking at him in surprise.
"Hey Mako, Bolin. Sorry I wasn't there when you left the ring, I had to use the little girl's room and heard you guys lost. I was just on my way to see how you were doing, is everything alright?" Asami asked when she noticed their expressions.
"The Equalist are attacking, Naruto and Korra are fighting, we need to go!" Said Bolin quickly, as Asami's eyes widened at hearing this.
"The Equalists?! My dad's still here!" Said Asami, worried about her father.
"We'll get you and him out of here, don't worry." Mako assured, with the girl nodding, before all three ran towards where Hiroshi was, only to stop when they rounded a corner and saw Hiroshi himself standing there, flanked by two Neo-Equalists.
But what made them freeze, when they saw him wearing two gloves on his hands, just like the Neo-Equalists are using to electrocute people.
"Not so fast, boys." Hiroshi said as his gloves sparked to life.
"Oh, Mr. Sato, what a surprise to see you here, with the Equalists…that are holding you captive…right?" Bolin asked nervously, as Asami looked shocked and hurt at seeing her father like this, while Mako began putting the pieces together and slowly glared at the inventor.
"This entire time, you've been working with the Equalists, making them weapons. Sponsoring our team, supporting the Avatar. It was all just a big cover." Mako said.
"Yes, and the most difficult part was watching my daughter traipse around with a Firebending street rat, like you!" Shouted Hiroshi, glaring at Mako with his gloves glowing with electricity, hating seeing his daughter date a bender, and was about to advance on them, before Asami snapped out of her shock.
"Dad, stop!" Asami said, standing in front of the brothers, with Hiroshi stopping at remembering his daughter was also present.
"Why?" Asked Asami, hurt and saddened at seeing her father was actually working with people like the Equalists, after everything they've done, with Hiroshi looking a way in shame at his daughter having to find out like this.
"Sweetie, I wanted to keep you out of this as long as I could. But now you know the truth, please, forgive me. These people, these benders. They took away your mother, the love of my life. They've ruined the world, manipulate people just like Amon did, kill them like that monster, Carnage! But together we can fix it, to show benders that they don't have power over us anymore and build a perfect world together. We can help people like us, everywhere! Join me, Asami." Hiroshi said, taking off one of his gloves and holding it out for his daughter, urging her to take it and join them to make the world a better place.
Asami looked at her father with uncertainty, before she hesitantly stepped toward him. The girl looked at the glove with fear, trembling as she reached for it, hesitating as she did so. As the brothers looked at her in sadness and disbelief as Asami grabbed the glove from her father, before slipping it onto her right hand.
"No…" Mako said, not believing Asami would really join them, while Hiroshi smiled at her before Asami looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
"I guess I lost both my parents that night." Said Asami, before electrocuting her father, with Hiroshi screaming in pain before falling unconscious.
The two Neo-Equalists went to attack her, only for Asami to dodge their strikes, knocking their legs out from under them, before electrocuting one with her glove. While slamming her fist into the second's head, knocking them unconscious as well.
"Let's get out of here." Asami said to Mako and Bolin, while grabbing her father's other glove and slipping it on, snapping them out of their shock as they nodded before they continued running.
"Asami, I'm so sorry that you had to do that." Said Mako, looking at her sadly, knowing it probably wasn't easy to do that to her own father.
"You don't have to apologize; he made his choice. Let's just go help Korra and Naruto take out the other Equalists." Asami said, burying her sadness for the moment, instead choosing to take the chance to take down the Neo-Equalists here.
Mako and Bolin nodded in agreement, as they ran to help their friends and get people out of here.
*With Naruto and Korra*
Back with Naruto and Korra, they had taken care of most of the Neo-Equalists, but each time they took one down, five more seemed to appear to take their place. They still kept fighting, but they were starting to get tired as well.
"I believe that's enough." Someone said, which seemed to make everyone suddenly stop fighting or try to escape, as they looked towards the ring finding a group of Neo-Equalists standing over the beaten and broken Wolfbats.
With Neji standing in front of them holding the microphone in one hand and a modified, technological pike in the other. The Chi-Blocker looking around and seeing he had everyone's attention.
"I believe I have your attention, benders of Republic City. So once again, the Wolfbats are your pro-bending champions. It seems fitting that you celebrate three bullies, who cheated their way to victory because every day, you threaten and abuse your fellow non-bending citizens. Just like the Wolfbats did to their opponents, tonight. Those men were supposedly the best in the bending world, and yet it only took a few moments for me to show them just how weak they truly are, and how useless their bending is. This is the truth that you benders will all soon accept, the world no longer needs you and soon, you will see that for yourselves. Unlike that traitor, Amon, I will not claim to have the power to take away bending. All I require is my own power to render you helpless with just a few strikes, and technology for those that refuse to stay down. It's time you learned, who the superior beings really are." Neji said, before dropping the mike and kicking the Wolfbats into the pit below, with this once again triggering the fighting again.
"Guess that's their new leader." Naruto stated, trapping three more Neo-Equalists in ice, while Korra nodded.
"Looks like it. How about we go show him he shouldn't count benders out, just yet." Said Korra, with Naruto smirking and nodding.
"Gladly." Naruto replied.
Korra moved her arms, before thrusting them forward, bending the ground beneath them, launching her and Naruto towards the ring. With the Avatar spinning in the air releasing an arc of flames at the Neo-Equalists, forcing them to jump back away from the flames.
"You handle the grunts; I'll take care of ponytail there." Said Naruto.
"You just wanna have all the fun for yourself." Korra stated.
"No, I'd just prefer risking myself, rather than risking you." Naruto replied, feeling that Neji was more dangerous than a regular Equalist and didn't want Korra to get hurt, especially since while she didn't show it, he could tell that she's getting tired.
"I really hate it when you're like that." Said Korra, though still smiled, before nodding as she turned serious and bent several earth discs at the Equalists, knocking them back, while Naruto bent a stream of water at Neji, which he jumped over, while his pike sparked with electricity.
"Okay Mr. "Superior Being", let's see how superior you are." Naruto said, getting into a stance, while Neji shook his head.
"Such arrogance. I'll enjoy showing you how powerless you are, bender." Said Neji, getting into his own stance.
Not a moment later, Naruto bent the water up from the grates, towards Neji, who ducked and dodged the water or sliced them with his pike, while making his way towards Naruto. With Naruto bending the water in the grate in front of Neji, who had once again sliced it with his pike. Only to grunt, when he was hit from behind with a blast of water that Naruto bent towards him.
Neji nearly flew off the ring, before stabbing his pike into the ground, before spinning around to launch himself back towards Naruto, slamming his feet into his jaw. With the whiskered blonde grunting in pain this time and was raised his arm lifting the water up, before freezing them into icicles. But before he could launch them at Neji, the Neo-Equalist was on him striking several chi points on his arm, causing the icicles to fall out of the air and shatter on the ground.
He then saw Neji hold out his hand, with Naruto now seeing the technological glove on it before his pike flew into his waiting hand. The Chi-Blocker rolling around Naruto when he used his other arm to bend the water towards him. With Neji then slicing Naruto's leg with pike, making him cry out and fall to his knees at the electricity surging through his body. Before grunting, when Neji slammed the butt of his pike into his back, knocking him to the ground before kicking him onto his back.
"This is the difference between me and you bender, when I'm chi blocked, I get right back up. But when you get chi blocked, you lose all your precious power and are helpless. Now fall like so many more of you will." Said Neji about to stab his pike into Naruto's chest, with the blonde grabbing it, grunting as the blade cut into his hands.
He wasn't afraid of it actually killing him, but if he didn't stop it, then it would destroy the talisman keeping Xiě suppressed. And he wasn't going to let him come out now, of all times.
"Naruto!" Korra said, looking at him in worry at seeing him held down, before grunting when she was left open and chi blocked by one of the Equalists, before managing to kick him away.
But the strike still weakened her, as Korra saw she was now surrounded by Neo-Equalists and couldn't bend. With this getting Naruto's attention as his eyes widened at seeing Korra about to be overwhelmed, not hesitating to hold out his one good arm and Bloodbent the Neo-Equalists lifting them into the air.
"Get away from her!" Shouted Naruto, not caring if he just exposed himself as a Bloodbender, he wasn't going to let them hurt Korra, while Neji's eyes widened at this before they narrowed.
"A Bloodbender, the worst kind." Neji said, before activating his pike, electrocuting Naruto, who cried out before gritting his teeth and managed to launch the Neo-Equalists off the ring, away from Korra.
The Avatar looking at her boyfriend with wide eyes at seeing him expose himself, before seeing Neji's pike getting closer to stabbing him, right where the talisman was.
"NO!" Korra screamed, before rushing forward and throwing her arm out, despite knowing she couldn't bend, but didn't want to just do nothing while Naruto was in danger.
Only to be shocked when a blast of air was released, with it launching Neji back to the edge of the ring.
"I…I can Airbend? I can Airbend!" Said Korra, not believing what she just did, but also incredibly thankful that it's finally come to her, only to turn her attention to Naruto when he gasped and clutched his chest.
With Korra's eyes widening when she saw that while she got Neji away from him, his chest had a shallow cut in it. One that went right through the talisman.
"K-Ko-Korra…r-run…" Naruto grunted, struggling to stand up to get away from Korra, while also trying to keep Xiě suppressed.
"No, I'm not going anywhere! Just, just fight it, you can fight him!" Said Korra, shaking her head, refusing to leave him, with Naruto grunted as he threw himself around while trying to stay in control.
"No…I…can't! Pl-please…g-ge-ge-get…a-a-awa-away…pl-please! I…don't…want to…hurt…you." Said Naruto, while feeling the suit beginning form around him.
"No! I told you I'd always be here for you, and I will be no matter what!" Korra said, kneeling down beside Naruto and placing a hand on his shoulder, while his head snapped towards her, showing his now blood red eyes.
"I'm sorry." Naruto said, his voice becoming distorted as Xiě gained more control.
Before Korra could react, Naruto threw his arm out towards her, before she suddenly found herself thrown through the air, landing in the stands.
"I don't know what's going on, but I'm ending this now!" Said Neji, after shaking off his dizziness and rushed towards Naruto with his pike, thrusting it forward to stab through his head.
Only for Naruto's hand to shoot up and grab it, stopping Neji and his weapon in place before he slowly stood up as his body was soon completely covered in the suit. With Naruto grunting, as soon his head was covered as well before the flame-like eyes formed and the malevolent grinned appeared.
"I'M FREE!" Carnage roared, making everyone freeze and look in fear at the sight of the Spirit of Blood, along with seeing just who it was.
"No…" Muttered Korra in sorrow at seeing Naruto once again being controlled by the Dark Spirit.
Carnage then pulled Neji close and wrapped his hand around his neck, lifting the Neo-Equalist into the air.
"You have my thanks for breaking that annoying talisman. For that, you get the chance to live another day. That is, if you survive this!" Said Carnage, before he threw Neji straight through the glass ceiling of the arena, before throwing his head back and roaring.
Before holding his arms out and pulling several Neo-Equalists towards him, holding them in the air, before turning his hand into an axe.
"Oooooh, how I missed this!" Carnage said, laughing as he swung his axe hand, bisecting the Neo-Equalists at their waists, reveling in their screams of pain and agony, while bending the blood towards his mouth and devouring it.
"Aaaaah, nothing better than fresh blood, much better than that shit in bags." Stated Carnage as he licked his lips, preferring fresh fear-filled blood than the blood bags Naruto's been having.
"Naruto! Please, I know you're still in there!" Korra called out, hating seeing Naruto like this, as Carnage looked at her with a malicious grin.
"Naruto's gone, there is only Carnage!" Carnage shouted, before leaping towards Korra with his claws extending, intent to rip her apart as a message to Naruto of what happens when he does something, like seal him away.
Only to grab hold of a metal cable launched at him by a Metalbending officer, with Carnage roaring at the human for interfering. Before swinging towards the officer, burying his axe in his skull.
"Who's next?!" Demanded Carnage as he was surrounded by several Metalbenders, Neo-Equalists and task force members, the sight making the Dark Spirit laugh cruelly before launching himself at them.
*With Neji*
Meanwhile, Neji groaned as he landed on the bridge connecting the Pro-Bending Arena to the mainland. Sitting up, the Chi-Blocker scowled at having learned Naruto was in fact Carnage.
'Should have killed him when I had the chance.' Neji thought, swearing not to make the same mistake again, before his scowl only intensified when he spotted Mako, Bolin, and Asami, the latter now wearing electric gloves, as they took out several Neo-Equalists.
Summoning his pike back to him, Neji held it like a spear and threw it straight towards Asami, seeing that she had no intention of joining the Equalists. He might as well use her as a means to solidify Hiroshi's loyalty. After all, accidents do happen and with Carnage now unleashed, it wouldn't be that strange for the body count to be very high.
"Watch out!" Mako shouted, while tackling Asami to the ground, just in time to save her from being hit by the pike, with Bolin raising a wall in front of the pike to stop it from hitting anyone else.
"Guess you paid me back for knocking you down, huh?" Said Asami, smiling weakly as she hid her fear at nearly dying, with Mako managing a small chuckle before they stood up and faced Neji.
"Forgive the intrusions Ms. Sato, but if you have no intentions of joining the Equalists. Then the only purpose you'll serve, is to ensure your father's loyalty. Nothing personal, merely business. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for you benders." Said Neji, narrowing his eyes at the brothers.
"You're crazier than Amon was, if you think I'll let you get anywhere near her!" Mako retorted, angry at this guy for trying to kill his girlfriend.
"I'd like to see you sto-" Said Neji, only to freeze at a sudden voice.
"Neji!"
Neji's eyes widened at the familiar voice, before turning with his eyes widening in shock when he saw not only his grandmother, but also his father as well.
"Oh my gosh, it's Ty Lee!" Bolin said in amazement and excitement.
"Ty Lee? The same Ty Lee that traveled with Princess Azula?!" Said Asami, surprised and amazed to see someone so famous.
"Father, you're…you're alright." Neji said, not believing his father was awake.
"Yes, I had awoken a few days ago. I had hoped to see you again, to see the man you grew into after learning how long I had been asleep. But then I heard you had come here, to join these Equalists, we came here to talk some sense into you." Said Hizashi, frowning at his son.
"Talk sense into me?! My minds never been clearer, I'm doing what's necessary and showing these benders that they can't push non-benders around, to show them just how weak they really are! Just like you did!" Neji retorted, pointing to his grandmother, who frowned sadly and shook her head.
"Neji, I never used my Chi-Blocking like this, only ever using it against enemies. The stories I told you were so that you could learn from them, to find your own path, not become…this." Said Ty Lee, hating how her grandson has turned out, having hoped he would find a better path.
Instead, she sees he's going down a path like the one Azula had.
"I did find my own path! One where I'll make this world better! And if you aren't with me, then you're against me." Neji said coldly, before rushing towards his father and grandmother, refusing to let them get in his way.
With Hizashi and Ty Lee seeing no other choice but to fight, though knew it'd be difficult since Ty Lee was no longer in her prime and couldn't fight as well. While Hizashi knew Neji had long since surpassed him in skill, and knowing he'd be rusty after just waking up from his coma.
Seeing this, Mako, Bolin, and Asami went to help them, with Mako and Bolin launching fire and pieces of rock at Neji, while Asami moved to fight him, along with Hizashi and Ty Lee.
"Thank you for the help, I can't exactly move like I used to." Ty Lee said, smiling at the teenagers, before dodging a strike from her grandson.
"No problem! Glad we can help take down another Equalist!" Replied Mako, kicking his leg out launching a wave of flames at Neji, who rolled under them, before being tripped up by a lower earth wall from Bolin.
"And it's such an honor to meet you!" Said Bolin, grinning at fighting alongside an ally of the original Team Avatar.
Only for him and Mako to cry out, when Neji managed to get in close and strike them repeatedly, cutting off their bending. Before flipped behind Asami, grabbing her arm, forcing her to shock herself with her own glove.
"Asami!" Mako shouted in worry for his girlfriend, thankfully Neji was forced to let her go, when Hizashi managed to strike him in the shoulder, leaving his arm numb.
"Get them out of here! I'll deal with Neji!" Hizashi said to Ty Lee, who looked at her son-in-law in worry, before nodding and helped Mako pick up the unconscious Asami.
"Come on, we need to get to Air Temple Island." Said Ty Lee, knowing that'll likely be the only safe place they can go to once the dust cleared from this attack.
"But what abou-" Bolin said, only to be cutoff as they froze when they heard a loud roar coming from the arena, one he and Mako were very familiar with.
"What was that?" Ty Lee asked, shocked at the sudden roar.
"Carnage. We need to get out of here, now!" Said Mako, knowing if Carnage was here, they definitely needed to escape.
Neji, meanwhile, scowled seeing them escaping and would have gone after them, if not for his father getting in his way.
"Neji please, I don't wish to fight you. You can end this right now." Hizashi said, hoping to get through to his son, while Neji glared at him in anger at getting in his way, before taking notice of something behind his father and relaxed.
"Your right father, I can end this." Stated Neji, making Hizashi smile, before his eyes widened and he gasped in pain, as Neji's pike stabbed him in the back.
"I can end you for interfering in my plans. Just like anyone else that dares to think they can stop me." Neji said coldly as Hizashi fell to the ground dead, with the Neo-Equalist ripping his pike out, before contacting his subordinates and calling for a retreat, knowing that the attack had failed, but the message was sent.
*With Carnage*
Carnage laughed as he was surrounded by the bodies of several Metalbenders, task force members, and Neo-Equalists. And not just them, but people who had been trying to escape the fighting, or anyone else that tried attacking him. The Dark Spirit not caring who it was, only desiring to rip apart anyone and everything around him to make up for how long he was sealed away.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh what fun, so many humans to slaughter, so much blood to devour, and so much power to gain!" Carnage said, before he was suddenly hit by a blast of water from Tarrlok.
"Well I hope you enjoyed yourself. Because before the night is over, you'll be nothing but a puddle on the ground, Carnage." Tarrlok said, smirking at the chance to take care of Carnage and the Equalists at the same time, while the Dark Spirit stood up rolling his neck and shoulders.
"You really think you stand a chance? Then go ahead, give it your best shot." Said Carnage, holding his arms, with Tarrlok frowning at the taunt before launching a massive blast of water at Carnage, which he quickly froze into hundreds of icicles intent to kill the Spirit quickly.
Only for them to immediately stop in midair, before they could hit Carnage, much to Tarrlok's surprise as he tried forcing the icicles to hit him. But they wouldn't budge an inch as Carnage slowly gained as dark grin.
"What's the matter, scared? Well if you won't attack, then allow me." Carnage said, before with a flick of his hands, the icicles turned back into water before slamming into Tarrlok, smashing into the ground.
When the water stopped, Tarrlok then found himself lifted into the air as Carnage Bloodbent him, slamming the councilman around the stands.
"I'll never get tired of how you humans think you stand a chance against me! Especially a weak, pathetic coward like you!" Exclaimed Carnage, while slamming Tarrlok around before bringing him towards him, grabbing the man by his throat.
"You aren't even worth the effort to personally kill. You're nothing, but a worthless disgrace and an insult to my Children of Blood. The only reason you have that power, is because you were lucky to be born with it. Your brother could at least use Psychic Bloodbending. But you, I'm not even going to waste my time taking your bending. You can just lay there and die, coward." Carnage taunted, before throwing Tarrlok across the arena, where he crashed into the stands on the opposite side.
Tarrlok groaned as he hit the ground, before he began shaking in rage at what Carnage said, remembering all the time his father pushed him around. Called him weak, a coward for being unable to Bloodbend living creatures, or his brother. Then even by Noatak, when he refused to abandon their mother, like he did.
He wasn't weak or a coward! He's risen farther than his father could ever dream of, more than Noatak has, and he still has his bending!
"I'm not weak!" Tarrlok shouted, holding his hands out, Bloodbending numerous Neo-Equalists and even Metalbenders around him lifting them into the air, before throwing them across the arena.
Though after regaining his composure, Tarrlok's eyes widened at realizing what he just did, he just exposed himself as a Bloodbender! The councilman immediately made his escape, knowing he couldn't stay in Republic City anymore, not unless he wanted to end up in a cell, right next to his brother.
Carnage, meanwhile, turned his attention back to Korra, while turning his arm into a blade.
"Now then, I believe we're due for a rematch Avatar. And this time, there won't be any interruptions." Carnage said, grinning viciously, as Korra glared at him.
"I'm gonna make you give Naruto back." Said Korra, before kicking her leg up, releasing an arc of flames at Carnage, who dodged to the side and jumped towards her.
"Naruto's not coming back, until I say so! And that'll be when I show him your corpse!" Carnage roared, bringing his blade arm down to where Korra was, with the Avatar using her newly awakened Airbending to launch Carnage away.
With the Spirit catching himself on a blob of water, before launching tendrils of water of Korra, who in bent the water right back at him. With Carnage jumping into the air, kicking his feet towards the Avatar and releasing a large blast of flames at her, with Korra opening a hole beneath her, which she jumped through before closing it.
"Don't think I forgot that trick from before!" Said Carnage, slamming his fists on the ground, but rather than rip it open to reveal where Korra was like before, he sent several tendrils into the ground to attack her.
With Korra launching herself out of the ground, kicking her legs at Carnage and releasing waves of air at him. Pushing the Spirit back, before she threw her fist at him and released a blast of flames, with a shout. One that sent Carnage over the railing, towards the water pit below, only for him to clinging to the wall and jump back up.
The Dark Spirit slamming his fists onto the ground, releasing a large rock wave towards Korra, who shot fire from her hands and feet, launching herself into the air. But before she could attack again, Korra cried out when Carnage began Bloodbending her.
"No more games! You die right now! And I'm gonna make it nice and slow, to feel your blood tear you apart from the inside out." Said Carnage cruelly, as he began manipulating Korra's blood, savoring the Avatar's screams in pain.
Only for Carnage to suddenly find his body becoming unresponsive, as Korra fell to the ground groaning and panting in pain. With the Avatar weakly looking up, only to be surprised when she saw Carnage screaming as he clutched his head and threw himself around.
"What're you doing?! How?! How can you still resist me?!" Carnage demanded as he felt Naruto fighting against him, somehow still able to resist his control. With Korra's eyes widening at hearing this, along with feeling hope that Naruto was still fighting against him.
"Naruto! Fight him, you can fight him and take back control, I know you can! Please, come back!" Korra said, only for Carnage throw her back with Bloodbending.
"Shut up! AAAAAAAH!" Carnage exclaimed, before screaming as he unwilling stab his hand into his leg.
"HOW?! How are you still this strong?! It shouldn't be possible!" Carnage said, not believing Naruto was still somehow able to resist him, even after forcing him into the deepest corner of his mind.
"Because he's stronger than you think! He's not just some puppet for you to control!" Said Korra, standing up and approaching Carnage, only to be knocked back again.
"No! He belongs to me! The moment he let me in, he became mine! And I won't let anyone take what's mine!" Roared Carnage, before he was thrown to the ground before he began floating in the air, now unable to speak and only gasp and grunt.
"No, he doesn't." Korra said as she stood up again and began approaching him, grunting when she felt a push at her body, but forced herself to continue forward until she was standing right in front of him.
"N-no…do-don't…st-stay back!" Carnage grunted, before finding himself silenced again, while Korra placed her hands on his shoulder and his cheek, before closing her eyes.
'Please, Aang, anyone, please help me save him.' Korra mentally, pleaded to any of her past lives to help her save Naruto.
Korra then gasped as her eyes flew open, now possessing a bright white glow, as Carnage let out a silent scream as the suit began returning to Naruto's body. Revealing the whiskered blonde, whose eyes opened when the suit was fully gone, before they widened when he saw Korra standing in front of him as the glow left her eyes.
"Di-did I…" Naruto said, with Korra smiling before kissing him.
"Nothing I couldn't handle." Said Korra, when she pulled back, with Naruto smiling at her before groaning as he collapsed in her arms, as the Avatar looked at him in fear and concern.
But felt relieved to see he was still alive and it didn't look like Carnage was taking over again, at the moment.
But knowing they needed to get out of there, Korra Earthbent another hole, before jumping in to help sneak them out and get back to Air Temple Island.
*Later-Air Temple Island*
After arriving back at Air Temple Island, Korra had found her friends and Ty Lee were already there, while placing Naruto in a bed, still worried at him being unconscious. With Korra, Katara, Tenzin, and Pema having no choice but to explain the truth of Naruto and Xiě to the others. Knowing after tonight's events, it'd soon be common knowledge to the entire city, if not the entire world.
With all of them initially being wary and scared at learning that Naruto was in fact Carnage, along with who Xiě was, and everything else Carnage has done. But after getting over the initial shock, Jinora was the first step forward and still accept Naruto for who he was. Soon followed by Bolin, Mako, Asami, Ikki, and Meelo, while Ty Lee trusted Katara, her family, and Korra's judgement on Naruto not being a threat.
Though while they were glad that they accepted Naruto, their moods soon dropped when they heard a radio broadcast declaring how the city has fallen into chaos and showing signs of a civil war starting. With Korra taking it the hardest when it announced how Naruto was now declared a criminal and fugitive with the reveal that he's Carnage. Along with people starting to lose faith in Korra, that she knew who Carnage was and protected them as well.
"Guys, I think…I think it might be best if Naruto and I left the city for a while. If we stay here, it won't be long until either the Equalists, Metalbenders, or anyone else comes knocking for Naruto and maybe even me. It'd be best if we got out of here, before that happened." Korra said, looking down while everyone looked at her in dismay, but also understood her reasons.
"That…that might be for the best. After I get my family and everyone else to safety, I will likely join you, as you'll need someone to help train your new Airbending." Said Tenzin, knowing Korra needs an Airbending master now more than ever.
"I'll go with them dad." Jinora said, much to her family's disbelief.
"Absolutely not! You are not going off on your own, Jinora!" Pema said immediately, refusing to let her daughter get hurt or worse.
"Your mother's right, Jinora. You will go with the others to one of the Air Temples, where it's safe." Tenzin said sternly.
"Mom, dad, I'm not a little girl anymore! I've learned everything you have to teach me, Ikki, and Meelo, dad! So I can train Korra just as well you could! Just because I don't have my tattoos, doesn't mean I wouldn't be able to help her master Airbending. And you'll be needed here to help the city. Please, let me do this, I know I can." Jinora said, looking at them pleadingly, making her parents and grandmother waver.
"You're so much like your grandfather, Jinora. But do you really believe you can teach Korra?" Katara asked, with the young Airbender nodding.
"I do. After all, I learned from the best one I know." Said Jinora, smiling at her father, who could only sigh.
"Tenzin, Pema, I swear I'll protect Jinora. And I'm sure that Naruto will as well once he regains consciousness." Korra said, making the two parents look at each other, before eventually relenting and nodding.
"Be safe Jinora." Said Pema, kissing her daughter's forehead and hugging her, along with the rest of her family, which she returned.
After packing their stuff, Korra and Jinora snuck off of Air Temple Island with Naga carrying the unconscious Naruto. With Korra using Earthbending to create a tunnel large for them to go through, before using Waterbending to let them walk on the ocean floor, until they got out and away from the city.
While Tenzin, Pema, Katara, the kids, the Krew, and Ty Lee rode Oogi to one of the Air Temples, where it'd be safe and to contact help.
*Republic City Prison*
"I take it you tried fighting Carnage and lost." Amon stated as Tarrlok opened his cell door.
"Are you going to get up, or just sit there?" Questioned Tarrlok in annoyance, as Amon looked at him before standing up and exiting his cell.
"So, you and me together again." Said Amon.
"Just like the old days, Noatak." Tarrlok replied, Amon letting out a short chuckle.
"Noatak. I've almost forgotten the sound of my own name." Muttered Amon, not remembering the last time he ever referred to himself by his birth name.
"You'll have plenty of time to refamiliarize yourself with it, while we escape." Said Tarrlok as they left the prison, before sneaking out of the city.
*Equalist Base*
"Brothers and sisters, tonight's attack has given me a revelation. Our dream of creating a world where everyone is equal is impossible! We can never hope to achieve equality as long as there are those that stand against us, whether they're benders or non-benders! No, equality is impossible to achieve with people like that in the world. So from this moment on, the Equalists are no more! We are now, the Erasers, who shall erase all bending from this world permanently, along with all those that would dare stand in our way! Whether through subjugation or extermination, no longer will we condone any acts of resistance!" Neji declared, with the newly renamed Erasers cheering for their leader, though some of them having to force themselves to, not wanting to risk Neji's displeasure turned onto them.
'What have I done?' Hiroshi thought, lamenting the choices that have brought him here, having hoped that he would help create a world where everyone was equal, and his daughter was safe.
Instead, he's now lost her like he lost her mother, with Asami now being on the Erasers most wanted list for her actions. Hiroshi began wondering if he was really doing the right thing anymore, but couldn't risk saying or doing anything, as he could see the mentally unhinged look in Neji's eyes.
He was trapped, with no way out, now being forced to accept the mistakes he's made, that's cost him everything he held dear.
*Unknown Location*
Meanwhile, unknown to everyone in Republic City, all members of the Agni Kai Triad were being lead out of the city, by a person wearing a long black cloak and a mask, resembling the ones worn by the Kemurikage.
The reason for this, was due to the fact that the person had suddenly shown up at their base and before anyone could react, had shot blasts of lightning through the chests of their leaders. Before telling everyone, they could either follow her, as the person's voice was that of a female, or be incinerated. With the triad members not needing to be told twice and immediately followed her out of the city.
Though one member wasn't as pleased at leaving behind their territory in Republic City or following some unknown person.
"Alright, lady that's it! You show up in our base, kill our leaders, and then demand that we follow you?! Well I'm not having it! Either give us one reason why we should, or we're out of here!" Said the triad member, with some of the others nodding in agreement after regaining their courage.
Only for their fear to quickly return when the woman pointed two fingers at the triad member that spoke and unleashed a stream of blue flames at them. With the Firebender crying out in agony as he was burned alive before the screams were cut off as they were soon reduced to ash.
"How's that for a reason." Said the woman, before continuing on her way with the remaining triad members quickly following them, none of them daring to risk speaking against her, now realizing just who she was.
After all, only one Firebender was known to possess blue flames.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see the Fire Ferrets still lost the tournament, with Naruto giving them some words of encouragement and comforting Korra as well. Before they soon notice the attack has begun, with Mako and Bolin rushing to save Asami and Hiroshi, while Naruto and Korra stay to face the Neo-Equalists, taking out some of them by working together, while seeing the task force and Metalbenders aren't doing so good. Then it goes to Mako and Bolin finding Asami telling her what's going on, before encountering Hiroshi who reveals his true colors while trying to convince Asami to join him, which she rejects and shocks him as the three make their to the exit taking down any Equalists they encounter. While back with Korra and Naruto, they take down several Equalists only for more to keep showing up, until Neji himself arrives and gives his speech to all benders, leading to the two facing him and his subordinates. Unfortunately this leads to Naruto exposing himself as a Bloodbender to save Korra, who also unlocks her Airbending to save Naruto, only to see the talisman damaged as Carnage begins taking control. Leading to Naruto getting Korra away from him when she refuses to run, with Carnage emerging with everyone now knowing who he is, while throwing Neji outside the arena before he begins killing anyone around him.
While outside, Neji attempts to kill Asami, Mako, and Bolin only to stop at the surprise arrival of Hizashi and Ty Lee, but still refuses to back down leading to a fight, ending in Ty Lee getting away with the trio while Neji goes off the deep end and kills his father. Back inside Carnage has built up his body count before Tarrlok arrives and tries fighting him only to fail with Carnage not even bothering to kill or take his bending, resulting Tarrlok exposing himself as a Bloodbender before making his escape. With Carnage and Korra having their rematch, only for the Dark Spirit to get tired and begins Bloodbending her until she dies. Only for Naruto to begin fighting back against him on the inside, much to Carnage's shock that he's still that strong, with Korra encouraging Naruto to come back even while Carnage still throws her around. Eventually ending with Korra awakening the Avatar State to help suppress Carnage, while Naruto falls unconscious leading to Korra getting them back to Air Temple Island. Where we see just how bad things have become, with Korra deciding it'd be best if she and Naruto left the city, with Jinora agreeing to go with them to teach Korra Airbending, much to her family's disapproval before they relent. Finally we see Tarrlok has freed Amon with the brothers making their escape, along with seeing the Agni Kai Triad has been taken over by a new leader, one who possesses unique blue flames. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out
