Part 8: The task force
It was now nighttime on air temple island as Jak meditated outside, with a flame in his right palm as he let the heat warm him. He extinguished the flame before looking at night sky, "I guess that's enough till morning," he thought getting up and heading back to his room. Some time had passed since he and Korra had witnessed Amon take a persons bending away when they went to rescue Bolin. For now they cocnentrated on continueing their training.
When he was walking past Korra's room he heard her scream, "Korra," he said quickly opening the door to see her gasping for air with a frightened look on her face as she sat up in bed. He walked over to her bed and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Jak," she said.
"Yeah its me you doing alright, I heard you scream?" He asked as Naga walked over to the bed and put her head on Korra's hand letting out a whine. Korra petted her head.
"Don't worry I'm okay, it was just a bad dream," said Korra managing a small smile.
Jak let out a sigh before heading towards the door, "Alright then, keep her safe for me okay Naga," he said petting the polar bear dogs head and heading towards the rooms exit.
"Hey what were you doing up this late anyway?" Korra asked.
"Meditating, its easier to do when its quiet out," said Jak before looking down, "Look if theres something wrong you know you can talk to me about it right,".
"What no I'm fine, you should probably get some sleep, we got training in the morning," she said smiling.
"Alright goodnight," Jak said closing her door and heading to his room.
The next night when they were sitting for dinner with Tenzins family one of the city's council members, Tarlok from the water tribe walked in, "I hope I'm not interrupting," he said.
"Tarlok what are you doing here, we were just about to have dinner," Tenzin asked getting up from where he was sitting.
"Oh your eating, great I'm absolutely famished and isn't an airbenders duty to feed hungry people," he said walking over to where Korra and Jak were sitting while Tenzin sat back down.
"Avatar Korra, avatar Jak Ive always wanted to meet you both ever since you came to this city, from your actions since arriving to this city I'm very impressed with what you've done and especially infiltrating an equalist rally," Tarlok said while Korra was more focused while Jak was paying attention.
"That's enough Tarlok, surely you came here to ask them for something," Tenzin said.
"Very well, as of today I'm setting up a task force to help stop Amon and the equalists and I would like the two of you to join this task force," said Tarlok.
"You what?" Tenzin asked standing up.
"I'm sorry but I'm going to have to say no," said Korra calmly surprising everyone.
"I'm surprised I thought you out of everyone would jump at the chance for this," said Tarlok looking confused by her answer.
"Same here," said Tenzin.
"I came here to Republic city so that I could learn air bending to complete my avatar training, if that's okay," Korra said looking over at Tenzin.
"Yes of course and you Jak?" He asked looking at the other avatar.
"I'm with her on this, there are some other things we need to focus on right now," Jak said looking over at Korra with a worried look on his face remembering the look on her face from the previous night.
"I understand," said Tarlok getting up, "I had really hoped the two of you out of everyone else would understand how dangerous he is," he said before Jak got up from where he was sitting.
"We gave you our answer, now please go," he said looking serious.
"I will, goodnight to you all," he said before he began to walk out of the room.
"Bye pony tail man," said Ikki waving bye making Jak laugh a little before he sat back down.
The next morning while Jak and Korra were sitting outside with Naga, Bolin appeared with his hands behind his back, "Oh there you two are, Korra I haven't seen you at practice lately," he said making Jak look confused.
"You've been skipping out on pro bending practice?" He asked as she rubbed Nagas belly.
"Yeah ive just had some other stuff going on," she answered.
"Well I came by to give Korra this as thanks," Bolin said holding out a flower and a piece of cake wrapped in plastic.
"Thanks for what?" Korra asked as he handed her the gifts.
"Well from saving me from Amon of course, you can share the cake with Jak since he helped out," said Bolin rubbing putting his right hand behind his head.
"Thanks but it was nothing," said Korra.
"It wasn't nothing I was completely scared of that guy Amon, the mask and taking people's bending away," Bolin said walking slowly forward and as Jak watched he noticed the expression on Korras face begin to change. But before he could say anything a woman wearing glasses walked forward carrying a large basket fillet with treats and other goods.
"Who's this from," Bolin said looking confused before the basket was placed in front of Korra and Jak.
"Tarlok wishes the two of you would reconsider your choice on joining his task force," she said before walking away.
"Is this Tarlok guy causing you guys trouble, because ill have a word," said Bolin.
"Tarlok's from the council Bolin and he wanted me and Korra to join his task force to fight Amon and the equalists," Jak said looking annoyed at the basket, "We refused but looks like he's not ready to give up yet,". Tarlok ended up sending more gifts and one day after sending a sato mobile the two of them were in the training area practicing their air bending exercises.
"Looks like Tarlok's gifts are getting more extravagant," Tenzin said.
"Seems like he just doesn't know when to take no for an answer," said Jak spinning around and blasting air forward.
"Well we don't have time for that, we have to focus on our training," said Korra looking serious.
"Why don't you take a break and sit," said Tenzin sitting down on the steps before Jak and Korra sat down next to him, "You know Korra its okay to be afraid," Tenzin said looking worried.
"What scared I'm not scared at all, I just thought it would be best to focus on my training instead," Korra said very quickly.
"Tenzin's right Korra, I mean I was surprised to learn that Amon had an ability that I only ever read about," said Jak looking towards the city, "Seeing it actually happen is completely different, so if your having trouble just talk about it,".
"I told you I'm fine so can we just get back to training," Korra said getting up from the steps before going back to the exercises while Tenzin and Jak exchanged a worried look. Later that night the woman who arrived with the gift basket came back again.
"We told you already, were not joining Tarlok's stupid task force so leave us alone," Korra said turning the woman around with earth bending.
"This isn't about the task force," the woman handing Korra and Jak a small invitation, "The two of you are invited to a gala being held by councilman Tarlok and its in your honor," she said while Korra and Jak exchanged a confused look.
They went to the gala and outside the building hung posters of Jak and Korra, "So what do you think all this is about?" Korra asked Tenzin as they walked in with his family. Jak was dressed in a dark blue jacket, blue shirt and blue pants.
"Be careful, Tarlok is not the kind of person to just throw a party for no reason," Tenzin said when the man in question walked over to them.
"Oh I'm so glad the two of you can make it, a lot of important people are here tonight who would like to meet you," said Tarlok ushering for the two of them to walk forward.
"Will be careful," Jak whispered to Tenzin who nodded back at him before he followed Tarlok where they ended up meeting Bolin, Mako who was standing next to a long black hair woman who was holding his right arm. There was also an older man wearing glasses standing next to them.
"Avatar Korra, Jak meet Hiroshi Sato the founder of future industries and inventor of the sato mobile," Tarlok said introducing them to the older man.
"Its very nice to meet you both," Hiroshi said.
"Hey guess what he's going to sponsor us for the tournament," said Bolin standing next to Jak smiling.
"Well that's great to hear, but how did that happen?" Korra asked.
"That's the funny part, Asami ran into Mako with her moped," said Bolin said pointing at them black haired woman.
"Yeah but no harm done, the important thing is we can finally play in the tournament," Mako said rubbing the back of his head while smiling nervously which Asami laughed at.
"Its very nice to meet you both, Makos told me all about you," she said smiling, "I was very sorry to hear about what about what happened to your parents Jak,".
"Its okay, after all I had great people looking after me after it happened," Jak said smiling at Korra who nodded back at him.
"Oh look, Lin Beifong the chief of police I believe you've already the avatars," said Tarlok as long walked over dressed in her uniform.
"I don't care if this party is about you two, you haven't done anything to earn it," Lin said before walking off.
While Jak was walking around he noticed Tarlok bring Korra in front of multiple reporters.
"Avatar Korra why have you refused to join Councilman Tarlok's task force?" one of the reporters asked.
"Well you see," said Korra but another reporter spoke up.
"Do you think pro bending is more important then fighting the equalists, are you afraid of Amon?" more of the reporters asked questions before Korra finally spoke up looking annoyed.
"I'm not afraid and I will show it by joining Tarlok's task force and taking Amon down," Korra said.
"You heard her everyone, with one of the avatars support," said Tarrlok before Jak walked down from the steps behind them.
"No you'll have us both," he said making the people cheer as he stood next to Korra. Their first mission in the task force was to take down a place that was being used to train chi blockers. They were dressed in armor and when they looked through the windows they saw people training and a poster of Amon on the wall.
The other team members flooded the place with water from the back of the vehicle they used as transport, freezing most of the equalists in ice. Korra and Jak then jumped down taking down two more before noticing one of them run through a door.
"I got them," Korra said chasing after the one escaping.
"Korra," Jak said after trapping the two they took down in ice. He ran into the door to see two chi blockers dressed in the same uniform the other ones were wearing back when Bolin was captured. One of them jumped over Korra but Jak sent him flying down the path with a blast of air. The second dodged their fire blasts before Jak took out his water satchel and pushed him down just as they dodged a fire ball from Korra.
"Nicely done you two, we make a good team," Tarlok said walking in to the path with his own armor on.
After the mission Tarlok brought in reporters for a conference, "With the avatars help we have taken another step to stopping Amons equalists," he said as some of the reporters started asking questions.
"Avatar Korra how long do you think the equalist remain a threat with Amon still out there?" One of them asked.
Korra then grabbed the microphone on the podium, "Ill tell you what I think, Amon is a coward for hiding out in thee shadows and I hope he's listening because Amon I challenge you to a duel," she said making the reporters look surprised.
"Ill show you ill be enough on my own, just you and me on Avatar Aang memorial island at midnight," she said before walking out.
Near the docks Tarlok, the task force and Jak watched as Korra set up a boat to leave when Tenzin landed with his glider, "Korra please reconsider this," he said.
"You cant stop me," she said walking back onto the dock.
"This is all your fault," said Tenzin looking at Tarlok who held up his hands.
"I tried to stop her," he said.
"Yeah but its your fault she ended up doing this," said Jak looking annoyed remembering the night of the gala, "Korra," he said stepping towards his friend.
"No I have to do this on my own," said Korra.
"I know but just in case if you cant handle it, send out a signal and ill be over there as fast as I can," he placing a hand on her shoulder. She then hugged him and then Tenzin before getting on the board and using her water bending to push it to the island.
"She is very strong to do this," Tarlok said smiling making Jak look annoyed before Tenzin placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him down. After midnight struck they waited for a few moments before Jak looked shocked when a fireball was launched from the island. Before Tenzin could say anything Jak jumped into the water, forming ice boots and shooting himself forward. When he reached the island he boosted himself to the entrance to see Korra being restrained by Chi blockers and Amon standing in front of her before he jabbed her in the side making her fall down.
"AMON," Jak yelled blasting a fireball at the equalist leader who jumped out of the way as three chi blockers ran at the second avatar. Jak dodged each of their punches before punching one across the face and hitting the other two with water from his satchel. Jak then ran for Amon who jumped over him and tried to hit Jak with the same move he used on Korra. But he found his right armed blocked by Jaks.
"Seems you know more fighting then just your bending," Amon said calmly.
"It's important to be prepared," said Jak before trying to blast him with fire from his left fist, Amon flipped back before Jak pushed his right leg forward and sending him flying with a blast of air.
Two chi blockers helped their masked leader get up from the ground, "This isn't over yet Avatar Jak, I have a plan and when that time comes the time of two avatars will come to an end," he said before running away with the chi blockers. Jak took deep breaths from dodging the chi blockers before he heard Korra groan.
"Korra," said Jak kneeling down next to her and holding her up.
"Jak, is that you," she said as she opened her eyes.
"Yeah it's me," said Jak looking relieved before a worried look came across his face, "Wait he didn't,".
Korra ignited a fire in right hand, "No its still there," she as he helped her sit up.
"Korra, Jak, your both safe," said Tenzin running into the room.
"Her bending's still there," Jak said.
"Thank goodness," Tenzin said when Korra begin to cry before she hugged Jak and cried into his chest.
"Tenzin was right I was so sacred, I didn't know just what do I was just so afraid," said Korra as she sobbed into her friends chest. Jak held her close as Tenzin crouched next to them.
"How were you able to do it Jak, he can take our bending away but you were able to fight," she said looking up with tears still coming out of her eyes.
"Of course I'm worried Korra but what I'm scared about most of all is losing people I care about," said Jak with tears starting to come out of his own eyes before Korra hugged him again. Letting out the feelings she had been holding in since they first saw Amon.
"It's going to be okay you two, grieving is the first step to recovering and I'm sure after it you'll both become stronger," said Tenzin before Korra hugged him as well. Jak wiped his eyes when Tenzin placed a hand on his shoulder. Letting them know everything was going to be okay after what they've just been through.