Part 17: Tarloks story
"Amon has taken republic city, his strength is so strong that he has both of the avatars on the run and has made bending illegal," Hiroshi said from a podium outside city hall. A small crowd was gathered in front of it, "The united forces are on their way to put an end to this but we will be ready, soon the whole world will be made equal," Hiroshi said as the crowd cheered.
Meanwhile at the back two people in equalist outfits left the area and headed to the park. One of them earth bended a rock revealing a hatch and the second person opened it. The two of them climbed down a ladder as the first person blended the rock back into place. As the two of them walked down a tunnel they took off their masks, "Has us on the run, I'm gonna back there and show them were not running," Korra said before Jak placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Calm down, the united forces will be here tomorrow and that's when will show them were not on the run," said Jak.
Korra sighed before they headed back to the underground where they were staying. It was a home for the homeless people in Republic City. The two of them met up with Mako, Bolin and Asami. They were eating with the homeless man Jak and Korra had met on their first day in the city.
"Thanks for letting us stay down here by the way," said Korra.
"Well sure no problem, a lot of us down here don't agree with Amons so called equalists policy's," the homeless man said gesturing the housing area around them, "We got non benders and benders down here, its our own little paradise and plus there are others who don't agree with Amon since they remember there are still good benders," he said.
"Kind of like what you said to that protester the day we first got here," Korra said smiling at Jak.
"Umm this food is great, you have to be nicest hobo ive ever met," Bolin said smiling and Jak took spoonful before looking shocked by its taste.
"Yeah its great," Jak said looking down and Korra pointed at the ground behind them. They placed their plates down as the man explained he made the food form the best dumpsters in the city.
"Well we should get plenty of rest, will need to be ready to fight tomorrow morning," Mako said as they all nodded. Later on when it was dark out Jak walked over to Korra who was resting against Naga.
"You doing okay?" He asked sitting down next to her.
"Yeah, its just hard to believe that a few months ago I was preparing for my fire bending test and now we're fighting in the middle of a war," said Korra before resting her head on his shoulder.
"A lot sure has happened since we came to this city," said Jak holding Korras hand when she smiled up at him.
"Some of its been good though," she said before the two of them kissed, "Goodnight Jak," she said before resting her head back on his shoulder.
"Goodnight Korra," Jak said smiling before wrapping his arm around her and falling asleep. The next day Jak, Korra, Mako, Asami and Bolin headed outside the city through the pipe they escaped through when they left air temple island. They reached outside and stood near railing as Bolin took out a spyglass.
"They should be here soon," Jak said taking out his staff as he looked at the fog.
"Something doesn't feel right," Korra said getting his attention, "Where are the all equalist airships," she said.
"Yeah, you think they would be out here," Jak said looking confused when Mako said.
"There they are," Mako said as Bolin pointed the spy glass the right way. Jak then looked to see the united forces ships sailing into the city.
"Somethings not right," Mako said looking serious, "Bolin hand me the spyglass," he said as his brother handed it to him and looked towards the harbor, "Theres no mecha tanks either," he said making the others look confused.
"This makes no sense, they knew they were coming," Jak said looking back at the ships when something exploded against one of them, making them look surprised.
"Mako," Jak said holding out his hand. Mako put the spyglass in his hand before he looked towards the ships and saw mines getting closer to them. One of them hitting another ship as he passed the spyglass back to Mako.
"We gotta go," Korra said looking at Jak who nodded as he unfolded his glider. Korra jumped into the water and Jak took off into the air heading towards the ships. When he got close enough he jumped into the water and pushed a mine away from the closest ship.
Korra surfaced nearby when they heard a sound from above. They looked to see small flying aircraft flying towards them. One of them launched missiles and hit one of the ships causing an explosion. Making it fall to the right side.
"We gotta take out as many of those as we can," Korra said before forming a water tornado. Jak jumped onto the closest ship and started moving his hand. He looked at the closest aircraft and shot it down with lightning.
He then fired blasts of fire hitting two more aircraft before he felt the ship shake. Looking annoyed Jak took off on his glider and chased after the closest aircraft. He jumped onto the wing making the pilot look surprised before he shot fire into the wing before it began to fall. Jak took down one more aircraft as he noticed Korra take down two more before there was an explosion on one of the ships.
Jak noticed a man falling, he quickly flew over and caught him, "You alright?" He asked.
"Avatar Jak right, thanks for the save," he said.
"No problem, for now its time we leave," said Jak before landing in the water next to Korra. The two of them used water bending to quickly head back to the city. They then headed back to the underground where Korra healed the mans arm. Who is actually General Iroh.
"I was prepared to go up against mecha tanks, not this," Iroh said.
"This sucks, every time we think we have a chance Amon is always ahead of us," said Bolin looking annoyed.
"So what do we do now," said Asami as Korra put bandages on Irohs arm.
"There are reinforcements on the way but we have to warn them, there wouldn't happen to be a communicator down here?" Iroh asked.
"We might know just the person," Korra said.
The homeless man set up the communicator, "Now who is the one were sending this to?" He asked.
"Commander Boomy of the united forces, second division," Iroh said making the avatars look surprised.
"Wait isn't that Tenzins brother?" Jak asked.
"Yes, hes a wild card but hes one of the bravest commanders ive ever met," said Iroh when the homeless man started tapping on the device, "Fleet ambushed, retreat for now and wait for signal," Iroh said.
They then stood in front of a map of republic city, "We need to take out those aircraft before Boomy arrives," Iroh said.
"They flew somewhere from here up in the mountains," said Mako pointing a the map.
"Its time we put a stop to my father," Asami said looking serious. As they walked out of the tent Korra spoke up.
"Guys I'm not going with you," she said.
"What," said Bolin.
"Its time I stop running from Amon, its time I fight back," she said looking serious.
"Korra you cant go up against him alone," Mako said.
"She wont," Jak said before standing in front of Korra, "I'm going with you, were in this together," he said smiling.
"This seems like a good idea, each team will be taking care of a problem," Iroh said.
Jak and Korra changed into their equalist disguises before standing in front of their friends, "You two be safe out there alright," said Asami.
"We will, good luck," said Korra.
"Mind looking after these for me," Jak said handing Mako his staff and bottle of water.
"Don't worry, ill keep them safe," said Mako, "See you later," he said holding out his hand.
"Yeah," Jak said shaking his hand before walking over to Korra.
"Take Naga there and look after her," said Korra petting the polar dog who barked.
"You got it, take care of yourselves alright," said Bolin.
"You too Bolin," Jak said smiling before he and Korra left through one tunnel while Bolin, Mako, Asami, Iroh and Naga left through the other as the homeless people waved them goodbye.
When Jak and Korra reached outside, they formed a water bubble around them as they went underwater and headed to air temple island. When they got there they noticed an airship flying above.
"There's Amon," said Jak pointing at the ramp of the airship.
"Lets head inside and then when he gets back will ambush him," Korra said as they headed up the steps. When they reached one of the yards, "What are you two doing here," a male voice said.
The two of them looked to see the man wielding the electric batons, "Uh we were reassigned here," Jak said nervously.
"Yeah," said Korra.
"Well everyone is suppose to be at the rally, so make sure you get there," he said.
"Rally?" Korra asked looking confused.
"Everyone found out about this earlier, so get a move on," he said before walking away.
"So how do we get in now?" Jak asked.
"Don't worry I know a way in," Korra said before leading him to a wall. Korra opened a hatch revealing a tunnel which they crawled through. The tunnel lead them to the living area.
"Lets hide out in the attic until he gets back," said Korra pointing at the ladder. Jak climbed up first and opened the hatch. As he waited for Korra to climb up he looked surprised at what was in the room.
"Tarlok," Jak said taking off his mask. Tarlok with his hair a mess, sat behind what looked like a jail cell.
"Whats he doing here," said Korra taking off her own mask.
"I don't suppose the two of you are here to rescue me?" He asked.
'No, what are you doing here," Jak said, "Thought you were locked up at the station,".
"I was until Amon found out I was there and took away my bending," said Tarlok.
"But why bring you here?" Korra said.
"Because I'm Amons brother," Tarlok said looking serious making them look surprised.
"Wait how is that true," said Jak.
"First hes a water bender and blood bender just like me," Tarlok said, "But the story involves my father Yakone, he escaped prison through some of his contacts and had his appearance changed," he said.
"He left to the northern water tribe where he met my mother, a kind and caring woman, it wasn't long before they started a family, there was my older bother Noatak and I was brown three years later.
He always looked out for me, but everything changed when the two of us learned we were water benders and my father changed. He began training us and while my brother did well I would find it difficult, my father would get annoyed but Noatak always stood up for me. One day he took us on a hunting trip, but he actually revealed his true identity as Yakone, republic city's crime boss and then he told us about blood bending. The most powerful bending in the world, but was made illegal because of Katara.
He told us our destiny was to avenge him since his bending was taken away and began training us. We kept it a secret from our mother, every full moon he would train us and then after a few years we learned to do it during the day. I hated every moment of it, while my brother had mastered my father psychic technique. But my brother had changed, becoming cold and distant from the world.
One day my father asked us to blood bend each other, I refused and my father threatened me. But Notatak stopped him, telling him he was the weak one since taking away someone's bending was more powerful. My brother ran away, we searched for days but couldn't find him and returned home. My father changed after that and passed away a few years later," he said.
"That's the most saddest story I ever heard," Korra said looking down.
"Avatar Jak, Korra I'm truly sorry for what I did to the both of you," Tarlok said looking down, "I wanted to make this city better, but I let my father shape me and I came a soldier for revenge just like he wanted,".
"So Amons uses blood bending being to take away someone's bending," said Jak.
"Yes, when he took away my bending it felt familiar, it was his blood bending grip," Tarlok said, "I dont know how he does it, but thats how hes able to fight against any bender in the city,".
"This is perfect," Korra said standing up, "We now have the upper hand, if we expose Tarlok as a bender at that rally," she said.
"The people wont trust him anymore, lets go," Jak said heading to the attics ladder.
"Avatars," Tarlok said getting their attention as he stood at his cell, "Please put a stop to my brother, end this sad story,".
Jak and Korra nodded at him before going down the ladder and headed to the rally to put a stop to Amon.