The Voice in the Night
I don't own Digimon or Legend of Korra
Sora was in her bedroom trying to sleep but instead began tossing and turning and mumbling to herself, she gasped and sat up panting as she looked around the room. "Just a nightmare…thank goodness." She whispered wiping some sweat off her forehead, as she lied back down to sleep she heard another scream and jumped out of bed and ran out her room. "Korra!" she shouted slamming open the door to her friend's bedroom and she saw the Avatar curled up in her bed with Naga licking her hand gently. "Are you ok? I heard you scream."
"Yeah…just a nightmare." Korra whispered looking up at her friend slightly.
"About Amon?" Sora asked sitting on the foot of the bed as Korra nodded. "It's okay. I've been having them as well; would you like to tell me about it?"
After some hesitation, Korra took a deep breath and nodded. "I was asleep, then I heard something, but I thought at first it was just Naga, but the door was kicked open by Chi-Blockers. I tried to fight them off, but they cut off my bending again and when I was on my knees Amon walked into the room and said it was time to be equalised and that's when I woke up." She said as Sora pulled her into a hug.
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you. That's what friends are for," Sora said with a smile and Korra nodded slightly. "Get some sleep. I'll tell Bolin and Mako you're taking the day off…no excuses." She added when Korra was about to protest making her pout before she yawned and went back to sleep with Naga leaning her head on her stomach making Sora smile at the scene.
Soon the sun rose, and Sora headed towards the arena via the ferry and walked into the gym to see Bolin and Mako getting ready for training. "Hey Sora." Bolin greeted with a big grin before he noticed something. "Where's Korra?"
"Sleeping in, she's not been getting sleep lately…after ya know," Sora explained, and the brothers understood.
"It's cool. Though we may not be training for much longer if we can't come up with the money for the championship pot soon." Mako said with a frown.
"You said your grandparents set up an account for you, right?" Bolin asked Sora curiously as Mako punched his arm.
"We can't ask her to pay the entry fee, it wouldn't be right." He scolded his brother who rubbed his arm making Sora giggle.
"No sweat. I'd be happy to help; you guys are my friends after all. Though I don't know how much is in the account." She said sheepishly making the brothers smile.
"We'll go check the bank tomorrow," Mako told her and Sora nodded before both heard Bolin giggle and look at him.
"Oh no, don't mind me. You guys go have fun," he said with a sly smirk before he ran off.
"What do you suppose that was about?" Sora asked with a raised eyebrow as she also noticed Mako blushing. "Are you feeling ok Mako? Your face is red." She said placing her hand on his forehead.
"Uh…it's nothing," Mako said awkwardly, Sora shrugged and walked off and the Firebender sighed in relief.
Meanwhile at City Hall a meeting between the council of Republic City was in session with Tenzin and the representatives of the Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom and both Water Tribes all in a heated discussion about the recent events with Amon and the Equalists.
"There is a madman running around our beloved city threatening to tear it apart. We need to create a task force whose sole purpose is to find Amon and bring him to justice." Said the chairman of the council Tarrlok of the Northern Water Tribe.
"Absolutely not. A move that aggressive would only further divide benders and non-benders." Tenzin said sternly.
"Tarrlok, I'm inclined to agree with your proposal but who would run such a task force?" the Fire Nation councilwoman asked Tarrlok who stood from his chair with a smile.
"It would be my honour, and privilege to accept such a duty." He said as Tenzin slammed his fist on the table.
"This is just another one of your ploys to gain more power. This council was created so that no single nation or person would have such power over the city." The Airbender said.
"All I'm trying to do is help. Think back, forty-two years ago Republic City was threatened by another dangerous man, Yakone. Your father wasn't afraid to deal with him head on." Tarrlok told Tenzin who stood up calmly.
"This is a completely different matter and how dare you compare yourself to Avatar Aang." He said.
"Amon is not going to stop with the bending triads, once he has finished with them he'll come after all the other benders in this city and our families. And with the Princess of the Fire Nation who is a bender no less in the city, Amon may try to hurt Lady Sora as well." Tarrlok said looking at the council. "Vote for this task force and I promise you I will not stop until Amon has been brought to justice. All in favour?" he asked raising his hand slowly followed by the other three representatives besides Tenzin and Tarrlok slammed the gavel down and smirked at Tenzin who frowned slightly.
Later that night on Air Temple Island, Sora and Korra were listening to music play on the radio while training together, both smiled at one another before the radio crackled as the music stopped. "Good evening my fellow Equalists, this is Amon." Both gasped and looked at the radio with fear in their eyes. "As you've heard, the Republic Council has voted to make me public enemy number one, proving once again that the bending oppressors of this city will stop at nothing to quash our revolution. But we cannot be stopped, our numbers grow stronger by the day. You no longer have to live in fear, the time has come for benders to live in fear." He finished before the radio turned to static.
The next morning after another restless night Sora climbed onto Mushu who growled lowly. "I'm fine boy, no need to worry." Sora whispered rubbing his head as Korra walked over. "I'm going to pick Mako up, so we can check the bank account my grandparents set up to see how much is in it."
"Let's hope there's enough." Korra said and her friend nodded.
"Hopefully, also you should take Naga out for a walk today. Try to get your mind off Amon, the less you fear him the less power he'll have over you." Sora advised Korra who chuckled.
"You sound like Tenzin." She said making Sora giggle. "I'll do just that, thanks."
"Anytime, let's go boy," Sora said and Mushu nodded and flew off towards where Mako was working. Mushu soon landed outside the power plant and Sora saw Mako walking towards her.
"Hey, ready to check the account?" he asked climbing onto Mushu.
"Yep." She replied as Mushu flew off again and headed for the bank of Republic City. "So how was work?"
"Exhausting. But I'm making some money at least, but it won't be enough." Mako answered as he held onto Sora's waist.
"Then let's hope my account has enough." Sora replied and Mako nodded. Soon they saw the bank down below and Mushu landed. "Stay right here boy we'll be back in a sec," Sora told her dragon jumping off with Mako and both headed into the bank while Mushu waited. Sora and Mako walked through the bank looking around at the hustle and bustle of the busy building with people making deposits or withdrawals or any other business they may have.
"Welcome to the bank of Republic City, how may I help you?" a teller asked the duo as they walked towards him.
"Um, I'd like to check my account please." Sora said politely.
"Certainly, name?" the teller asked her.
"Sora…Princess Sora of the Fire Nation." Sora answered. The teller's eyes grew wide and looked at her before he bowed.
"Of course, your highness, one moment." He said quickly walking off.
"Nice work, your highness," Mako said with a grin and Sora blushed and elbowed him in the side.
"Don't you start. You're my friend so you don't need to address me like that." She whispered and Mako nodded with a smile as the teller returned with a ledger and placed it on the counter.
"Here we are your highness, your grandparents opened it during their last visit. It has 15,000 yuans and if you make a withdrawal today it will be refilled in two weeks' time." the teller explained.
"It won't refill in time, but at least we would only have 15,000 yuans left." Sora mumbled and Mako nodded. "I'll withdraw the money now please." She told the teller who nodded and walked off before returning with a small chest which Sora opened and saw it was full of Yuan notes. "Thank you." She said bowing to the teller who bowed back.
"You honour us with your presence Princess Sora, feel free to return anytime." He said and Sora nodded as she and Mako left the bank and saw Mushu waiting for them only they stopped and laughed at the sight of several young children all climbing on the dragon chattering happily while Mushu laid on the ground with a disinterested expression.
"Seems Mushu is great with kids," Mako said with a smile as Sora giggled as she handed the chest to Mako. "Thank you for this Sora, it means a lot to me. Me and Bolin, I mean me and Bolin." He said blushing as Sora laughed before walking over to Mushu and she began helping the kids climb off the dragon while Mako watched with a smile.
Meanwhile in another part of the city, Korra was riding on Naga as she looked around trying to find ways to help pay for the Fire Ferrets Entry fee as Naga stopped walking allowing Korra to look at a poster. "An eating contest, first prize wins five hundred yuans, what do you think girl?" Korra asked her pet who grumbled. "Yeah, the food probably wouldn't be that good anyway. But there has to be some way to get some money." She muttered as Naga walked across the street before both heard a horn beeping as a moped nearly crashed into them and Naga reared back causing Korra to fall from the saddle and land on her butt hard and she groaned as the rider of the moped ran over removing their helmet as they did so.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there." They apologised to Korra who glared up at them.
"How could you not see me…I was…" she began before she saw the face of the driver under the helmet and she blushed as she looked at the driver who was a woman around her age.
She had long raven black hair that flowed down her back in curls with a clip pulling some hair on the left back, she wore brown gloves, brown and black boots that stopped just below the knee, dark brown pants that flared out a bit at the thighs with dark red pockets, a light purple shirt which was covered by a black jacket with gold buckles, red patches with dark red gears in the middle, the inside of the jacket was light red and on the shoulders of the jacket were two red gears.
"Hey, I know you. You're one of the Fire Ferrets, right?" the woman asked Korra helping her stand and Korra coughed and nodded.
"Yeah, that's me. Names Korra." she answered scratching her cheek.
"You're the Avatar too?" the girl asked in awe and Korra nodded shyly. "It's so awesome to meet you. I'm Asami."
"Nice to meet you," Korra said as Naga sniffed Asami and licked her. "And this is Naga, my polar-bear dog and it seems she likes you."
"Thanks," Asami said with a smile petting Naga's snout. "Again, sorry about nearly crashing into you."
"Hey, don't worry about it, no harm done." Korra said with a smile.
"At least let me make it up to you, how about dinner. Tomorrow night, 8 o'clock sharp at Kwong's Cuisine." Asami suggested as she picked her moped off the ground.
"Kwong's? But…I don't have the right clothes for a place that fancy." Korra told Asami who smiled.
"I'll take care of it. All you need to do is show up," she told the Avatar who nodded. "So it's a date?" she asked and Korra nodded.
"Sure," she said and Asami smiled and put her helmet back on and drove off while Korra blushed and giggled like a goof as Naga rolled her eyes at her owner.
Later in the evening Korra and Naga returned to Air Temple Island and found Sora feeding Mushu some chunks of meat which the dragon ate happily. "Whoa, I thought Tenzin was against meat on the island." Korra said.
"After Mushu and I got sick from eating the wrong berries he allowed me to feed Mushu meat as long as it was kept away from the human food." Sora explained as her dragon purred happily gulping down the last bit of meat. "So how did the walk with Naga go?"
"Great, though we kind of nearly got into an accident when a woman nearly crashed her moped into us." Korra answered rubbing Naga's head.
"Ouch, what did you do?" Sora asked hoping Korra hadn't hurt someone.
"Nothing, she apologised and invited me to dinner tomorrow as an apology." Korra answered and Sora blinked.
"Cool, where?" she asked.
"At Kwong's cuisine," Korra answered kicking a pebble with her foot shyly. "She said she'd organise some clothes for me to wear." She added in a mumble making Sora smirk.
"Well now, does my best friend have a tiny crush on someone?" she asked making Korra blush bright red.
"No way!" she shouted as Sora laughed running into the temple with Korra chasing her as Mushu and Naga shared a look and shrugged.
"Girls no running in the temple!" Tenzin could be heard shouting followed by the laughing of Sora and Korra. A short while later everyone was gathered around the table for dinner and bowed their heads as Tenzin gave a small prayer. "We are grateful for this delicious food, for happiness, for compassion and…" before he could finish he was cut off by someone walking into the room.
"I'm not interrupting, am I?" everyone looked up to see it was Tarrlok who had interrupted them.
"This is my home Tarrlok, we're about to eat dinner," Tenzin told him making the councilman smile.
"Good because I am absolutely famished." He said with a smirk. "An Airbender never turns away a hungry guest am I right?" he asked making Tenzin narrow his eyes. "That's what I thought," he said walking towards the table as Tenzin sighed and sat back down and shrugged when Pema glared at him.
"Though I do think Tenzin should make an exception this time," Sora told Tarrlok. "After all isn't it rude to show up uninvited?" she asked raising an eyebrow at him.
"Surely the Princess of the Fire Nation wouldn't be so rude to the council representative of the Northern Water Tribe without getting to know me," Tarrlok replied with a charming smile which made Sora and Korra share a frown.
"Depends, are you just here for dinner or are you trying to accomplish something else?" Sora replied.
"I'd come clean if I were you Mr Ponytail, Sora gets really mean if you keep secrets from her," Ikki said with a mischievous grin, Tarrlok sighed as everyone at the table looked at him.
"I see I have no other option. I came here simply to offer Avatar Korra a place in the task force I am creating to bring Amon to justice." He explained, at the mention of Amon, Korra clenched her fist slight before Sora held her hand in comfort.
"You want me to join your task force?" Korra asked him quietly and he nodded. "I can't." she said taking a sip of her tea shocking Tarrlok and Tenzin.
"I…I'm surprised. I thought you would have jumped at the chance to help me lead the charge against Amon," Tarrlok said.
"Me too," Tenzin whispered.
"I came to Republic City to finish my Avatar training with Tenzin, at the moment that is what I need to focus on." Korra explained.
"But this would be the perfect chance to get on the job training, surely you'll…" Tarrlok stuttered.
"She gave you her answer. Now it's time for you to leave," Sora told Tarrlok bluntly, Tarrlok simply smiled and stood up.
"Very well. But I won't be giving up so easily, I'm sure I'll be able to make you see the benefits of joining my task force." He said walking out of the dining room.
"Goodbye Mr Ponytail!" Ikki chirped waving her hand before Sora laughed and gave the young girl a high-five.
The next evening Korra stood outside Kwong's and gulped and tugged at her armband nervously. "Pull yourself together." She told herself walking into the restaurant where she was met by a gentleman in a fancy looking suit.
"Welcome to Kwong's Cuisine Lady Korra," he said with a deep bow.
"Lady?" Korra asked with a small blush, she soon found herself in a changing room in the restaurant and was handed some clothes by the waiter who then walked out allowing her the privacy to change and she put on the clothes Asami had said she'd organise for her and smiled at her reflection as she now wore a simple blue dress that showed a bit of her cleavage and left her arms exposed. "Wow." She thought before the waiter walked back into the room and nodded upon examining her clothes and he led her to the table Asami was sitting at.
"I told you I'd take care of the clothes," she said as Korra sat beside her and smiled.
"Yeah. It feels kind of nice to be wearing something different to my normal clothes." Asami smiled as the waiter arrived with some tea for both to drink while they waited for their meals.
"I am such a pro-bending fan, I caught all the matches the Fire Ferrets were in this season." She told Korra who smiled.
"All of them?" she asked and Asami nodded. "Even my first one where I sort of messed up the entire time?"
"Until the end where you started moving around as if you were dancing allowing Mako and Bolin to get back into the match and help you gain a knockout?" Asami asked and Korra blushed and nodded. "That match was my favourite, I can't wait to see you guys compete in the championship."
"Well…maybe next year. I don't think it's in the cards for us," Korra answered softly.
"Why? What's wrong?" Asami asked gently.
"We only have half the cash we need to enter the championship, Sora was able to help, but she only had half the money and her account won't refill in time." Korra answered. "So we're kind of out of the running already."
"That's not fair, I'm sure there is something you could do," Asami told her.
"Well unless you know someone who has 15,000 Yuans to spare, I got nothing." Korra replied.
"I think I know someone," Asami said with a smile as the waiter returned with two dishes.
"Pardon me Ms Sato, but your main course is ready," the waiter said placing the plates on the table.
"Sato…like the Satomobile?" Korra asked making Asami smile.
"Yep, my dad is the one who invented them." she answered.
"Get outta town!" Korra exclaimed in shock.
"I'm serious. Would you like to meet him?" Asami asked.
"Meet the man who is probably the most successful man in Republic City, yeah I'd love to meet him." Korra answered and the two of the settled down to eat their meal. The next morning Sora and Korra were up early and were sitting beside Naga and Mushu who were basking in the early morning sun.
"So how was your date?" Sora asked Korra with a grin making the Avatar smile.
"It was great. Asami's really awesome, she's also a fan of the Fire Ferrets and said she might have a way to help us get the rest of the money we need to enter the tournament, I'm gonna meet her later today." She explained making Sora smile before she noticed Bolin and Mako walking towards them.
"Hello fellow teammate and princess Sora," Bolin greeted happily as Pabu sat on his shoulder.
"Hey Bolin, Mako," Korra greeted the brothers.
"I thought I told you to just call me Sora," Sora added with a small grin.
"You know me, always respectful to the ladies." Bolin replied making Mako roll his eyes. "Anyway, we came here to give you girls these." He said handing both girls a flower and a small cupcake.
"Wow thanks…what did we do to earn such gifts?" Korra asked looking at the cake in her hand.
"Hm…what was the reason again…Oh yeah you saved me from Amon," Bolin answered with a smile.
"Oh that…that was nothing," Korra mumbled avoiding Bolin's gaze as Mako looked at Sora and nodded at Korra but the Firebender kept quiet and shrugged.
"Are you kidding me? I was totally freaking out when he was coming at me with his creepy mask and him saying I will take away your bending," Bolin said walking around and acting like Amon before Mako slapped him on the back of the head. "Ow!"
"Bo, I don't think they want to be reminded of that part." His brother hissed earning a smile from the girls.
"Avatar Korra," they heard someone greet Korra before they saw a man walking over carrying two large baskets full of gifts. "Councilman Tarrlok sends his compliments and urges you to reconsider his offer." He told Korra who sighed.
"Tell Tarrlok that I haven't changed my mind," she grumbled, and the man bowed before walking off.
"Tarrlok, who is he?" Mako asked.
"Someone on the council who wants Korra to join his task force to take down Amon," Sora answered.
"But that's crazy, he shouldn't be trying to force Korra into doing anything," Mako said with a frown.
"Thanks. Tenzin thinks the same way. Now we just wish we could get rid of all these gifts." Sora replied pointing to a large pile of baskets that obviously had been sent by Tarrlok already. "Can you boys help?" she asked the brothers with a smirk.
"Yes." They replied, Bolin stomped the ground sending the baskets into the air with his Earthbending before Mako launched fireballs at the baskets destroying them making the girls cheer and applaud the brothers who bowed.
"Well I better get going," Korra said as she climbed onto Naga. "See ya later." She said as Naga ran off heading for the ferry.
"Where's she going?" Mako asked Sora who smiled.
"She's got a meeting with someone, Avatar business ya know how mysterious it all is." She answered casually making the brothers share a look before they shrugged.
"Whoa!" Korra exclaimed in awe as she walked through a large factory full of Satomobiles that were being put together. "I thought I saw a lot of Satomobiles when I first came here."
"Korra, over here." she turned and saw Asami standing beside her father and she waved the Avatar over. "I'd like you to meet my father."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mr Sato," Korra said respectfully as she bowed to the man who chuckled.
"Please call me Hiroshi, now on to other matters. My daughter tells me you and your friends are dirt poor." Hiroshi said with a smile and Korra sweatdropped.
"At least he gets right to the point," she thought.
"Dad," Asami said disapprovingly making her father smile sheepishly.
"No need to be ashamed, why when I was your age I was nothing more than a mere shoe shiner, all I had to my name was an idea. The Satomobile, all I needed was someone to share the idea with. One day, a generous man saw the promise in my idea and helped me get it off the ground, I built the entire Future Industries empire on the back of one generous lone." Hiroshi boasted.
"Dad, stop bragging and tell Korra the good news." Asami said with a smile.
"What good news?" Korra asked looking between father and daughter.
"Well my daughter passionately told me about all your hard-earned success in the Pro-Bending arena, and about your teams current financial stumbling block." Hiroshi said placing his hand on Korra's shoulder. "Now I'd hate for you and your friends to lose your shot at the championship just because you're short a few Yuans, that's why I've decided to sponsor the Fire Ferrets in the tournament." He told Korra.
"Are you serious!?" she asked in shock before she smiled.
"He's serious, my dad's going to pay the remaining half of your entry fee." Asami told Korra with a smile.
"There is just one small catch, you all need to wear the Future Industries logo on your uniforms." Hiroshi told Korra.
"I'll tattoo it on my chest if you want sir," she said making Hiroshi and Asami laugh as Korra shook their hands. "Thank you both so much, I can't wait to tell Mako and Bolin the good news."
"You can tell them this evening," Hiroshi told her confusing the Avatar as she looked at Asami.
"Didn't you hear, apparently there is going to be a gala in yours and Princess Sora's honour." She told Korra who frowned.
"Let me guess, the one holding the gala is Councilman Tarrlok?" she asked and Asami nodded. "How come you guys heard this before me?"
"He invited us, anybody who is anybody in this city will be there," Hiroshi explained.
"I see, well I look forward to seeing you tonight," Korra replied bowing slightly before she smiled at Asami and walked off. soon Korra and Naga returned to Air Temple island and Korra frowned as she saw two Satomobiles had arrived with Ikki and Meelo pretending to drive one of them.
"Out of the way Korra, we're driving!" Ikki cheered as she made engine noises while turning the steering wheel.
"That guy can't take a hint," Korra thought as she climbed off Naga and walked off to find Sora and found her friend in an octagon shaped courtyard with the Yin-Yang symbol in the centre practicing with her swords and she shortly was joined by Tenzin.
"I see that Tarrlok's gifts are getting more extravagant," he said, Sora stopped practicing and sheathed her swords.
"Yeah, he can't take a hint. I won't join his task force just because he keeps giving me gifts." Korra replied sitting on the steps shortly joined by Sora while Tenzin sat in between them.
"I am glad you turned Tarrlok down, but I would like to know if you did it for the right reasons." The master Airbender said gently.
"What do you want me to say?" Korra asked looking out at the ocean.
"It is alright to be frightened of what has been going on recently, the whole city is. What matters most is that we talk about our fears." Tenzin told the girls calmly.
"Would you think any different of us if we were afraid?" Sora asked her uncle softly who looked at them both shocked.
"Of course, I wouldn't. being afraid is a part of being human. If we let our emotions control our actions, they can throw us out of balance." He told them.
"Have you ever been afraid?" Sora asked Tenzin.
"I have. I am afraid right now of what will happen to Republic City if Amon is not stopped, I was afraid whenever Pema was pregnant with my children, whenever I was in the city doing my duty I was afraid she would give birth on her own and I wouldn't be there." He answered and both girls looked at him as he stood up. "I am always here to talk if you need my help." He told them with a smile before walking off.
"Wait Tenzin, do you know that Tarrlok is holding a gala in mine and Sora's honour tonight?" Korra asked Tenzin and he stopped and sighed.
"It seems Tarrlok will go to any length to get you to join his task force," Sora said with a frown. "We might as well go, it'll be fun to see his attempts blow up in his face in front of everyone." She and Korra shared a smirk.
"Just don't break anything expensive." Tenzin warned them and both girls chuckled.
"Wouldn't dream of it." they replied in sync.
"But first let us stop by the arena and invite Mako and Bolin, it wouldn't be right to leave them out of this." Sora said and Korra nodded in agreement.
Later that night they arrived at City Hall and saw two banners on the side of the building, one of Korra the other of Sora and they walked inside with Tenzin and his family who all were wearing Air Nation dress robes while Korra wore a sleeveless dark navy-blue dress that stopped just above her feet while Sora wore a crimson red dress with gold trim down the side with the sleeves flaring out at the wrists.
Behind them were Mako and Bolin who were dressed in their nicest clothes and Mako put some gel in his hair to keep it flat while Bolin had Pabu sitting on his shoulder as usual.
"Keep your guard up, it's not like Tarrlok to throw such an event for the fun of it." Tenzin warned the girls as they passed several people who began applauding the arrival of the Avatar and Princess of the Fire Nation.
"Don't worry about us, we can handle ourselves. Just watch your kids," Sora said pointing to Meelo and Tenzin looked, and his face went purple in fright.
"Meelo that is not a toilet…oh dear," he muttered walking towards his son with a deep sigh and both girls giggled.
"Seems he's got his hands full with just one of his kids," Mako said and his brother nodded.
"Wait until Pema has her fourth child, he won't get a moment's rest." Sora told him, and he nodded trying to avoid staring at her figure that her dress showed off proudly.
"Avatar Korra, Princess Sora, so glad you could come." Both turned to see Tarrlok walking towards them with a smile. "If you would follow me please, the city awaits." He told them escorting them away as Bolin and Mako followed. "Korra I'd like you to meet Republic City's most famed industrialist…" Tarrlok began as they walked over to Hiroshi but Korra cut him off and bowed.
"Nice to meet you again Mr Sato," she said with a smile and Hiroshi nodded.
"You as well," he replied.
"Mr Sato this is my best friend who is almost like a sister to me Sora, and my friends Mako and Bolin," Korra said introducing the others.
"Pleasure to meet you Mr Sato," Sora said with a bow.
"The pleasure is all mine Lady Sora," Hiroshi replied as he nodded to Mako and Bolin in greeting.
"Hey Korra," the group heard Asami as she walked over and stood beside her father and Korra smiled.
"Hey," she replied making Sora giggle behind her hand.
"Have you told them the news yet Korra?" Asami asked making Sora, Bolin and Mako share a look.
"News?" they asked.
"I was waiting until the right moment," Korra answered with a grin. "Mr. Sato is going to be sponsoring The Fire Ferrets. We now have all the money to enter the tournament." She told her friends.
"Are you serious!?" Bolin and Mako asked.
"Yes. I see very promising things for your team in the future." Hiroshi answered.
"Thank you so much sir," Mako said shaking Hiroshi's hand as Sora smiled seeing the happiness in Mako's eyes.
"The only catch is we need to wear the Future Industries logo on our uniforms during the tournament," Korra told the brothers who nodded, Korra then noticed Lin Beifong walking over and she gulped as Sora stood in front of her.
"Aunt Lin, pleasure to see you this evening," Sora told her aunt with a smile, but Lin simply glared past her at Korra.
"Just because the city if throwing you this big party doesn't make you special. You've done nothing to deserve it," she told Korra before walking off.
"Aunt Lin…" Sora whispered.
"Don't worry about her Sora, she'll come around…I hope," Korra said reassuringly. Tarrlok then led Sora and Korra off to a bunch of reporters and both were surrounded by them and they glared at Tarrlok who simply smiled.
"If you'd be so kind, they just have a few questions." He told them as cameras began flashing as Tenzin, Asami, Mako and Bolin saw what was happening.
"Is this another ploy to make us join your task force?" Korra asked him angrily. "I thought I made is clear I didn't want any part of it!"
"Why not, you and Princess Sora saw Amon take the bending of several people away firsthand, how can you not want to stop him?" one reporter asked Korra.
"Is Pro-Bending more important to you then fighting the revolution?" another reporter asked.
"Are you afraid of Amon?" another reporter asked and Korra grit her teeth.
"I'm not afraid of anybody!" she shouted.
"What would Avatar Aang do in your place then, wouldn't he do everything he could to stop Amon?" yet another reporter asked her.
"Wouldn't Zuko and Daisuke do everything in their power to stop him?" a reporter asked Sora who frowned.
"Don't bring my grandparents or Avatar Aang into this. The world is a lot different then it was back in their day." She told the reporter.
"So you're saying you and Avatar Korra aren't able to live up to their reputations?" a reporter asked.
"That's enough!" Korra shouted silencing the entire party. "If me being on this task force is that big a deal then fine I'll join, there that's your damn headline!" she added pushing her way past the reporters with Sora following while glaring at Tarrlok who smirked at her.
"They got forced into joining." Mako said shocked at what had just happened.
"That's not fair," Bolin said.
"Tarrlok is known for getting what he wants, I just hope they will be alright," Asami said as Korra and Sora left City Hall.
A few nights later, Korra and Sora were back at City Hall wearing Task Force armour with Korra twiddling her thumbs. "I can't believe we got tricked into doing this." Korra whispered to Sora.
"I was about to lose my temper with those reporters as well Korra, you handled it better then I would have done, just know that I'm here to help you," Sora replied and Korra nodded and the duo fist-bumped.
"My fellow Task Force Deputies, tonight we will commit a raid on a chi-blocking underground training school in the Dragon Flats borough, according to my sources the is a cellar underneath this bookstore where Equalists train chi-blocking in secret." Tarrlok told the task force, soon they were outside the bookstore hiding in two trucks before the Waterbenders and Korra jumped out and looked through small windows which showed the training in progress and Korra gasped when she saw a large poster of Amon on the wall and she gulped.
Tarrlok nodded to Korra before making some hand signals and one Waterbender opened up a large tank of water and bent the water down to the others who all gathered some of the water and waited for the signal.
Korra took a deep breath to calm herself before Tarrlok gave the signal and the water washed through the windows and instantly froze trapping five trainees before the wall was blown apart by Earthbenders, Sora jumped into the room and sent a whip of flame at the other chi-blockers tripping them all except two as one tossed two smoke canisters at her, but they were caught by Korra who froze them.
"I'm going after them!" she shouted running off with Sora following her. Korra kicked a door open and both ran down a long winding tunnel, Korra saw a thin wire which was ankle height and she flipped over it followed by Sora and both stepped back as two Equalists dropped from the ceiling, Sora knocked the first one down with a kick to the head while Korra tripped the second and grabbed him by the shirt.
"Tell your boss that I'm not scared of him. And if he wants to show himself then meet me tomorrow night alone at the Avatar Aang memorial island, got it?" she asked the Equalist who nodded and Korra let him go and he ran off down the tunnel.
"Korra…you sure that was a good idea?" Sora asked her friend who sighed.
"I don't know…I just…I don't know what I'm supposed to do, I've never feared anyone before but now with Amon…I can't stop myself from freaking out every time I see his mask."
"If you want to go through with this, then I won't stop you. I'll be there the entire time, besides tomorrow is the full moon you'll have an advantage with your Waterbending powers enhanced by the full moon." Sora said.
"I did say alone," Korra replied.
"You think he'd show up to face you alone?" Sora asked with a raised eyebrow and Korra shook her head. "That's what I thought, come on." Both girls walked off back to the rest of the task force.
The next night both girls were at a small pier and climbed into a boat before both stopped as Tenzin flew towards them on his glider and landed on the pier. "Korra, Sora this is madness." He said.
"How'd you know what we were doing?" Korra asked as she finished untying the boat from the pier.
"Since Ikki said she saw you two sneaking off after dinner. I know you want to face your fear of Amon but losing your bending is not the way to go about it." Tenzin told them.
"We're not scared of him," Korra snapped glaring at him. "I just want to end this before anyone else loses their bending to that madman."
"Sora, surely you see reason." Tenzin said looking at her, but she shook her head.
"I'm sorry Uncle Tenzin, but this is something we need to do. We can't let fear of Amon control our actions anymore. Don't worry, we'll be fine. I promise." She told him placing her hand on her heart.
"I truly cannot talk you out of this?" Tenzin asked them softly.
"No." Korra answered as she began bending the ocean and propelling the boat towards the Avatar Aang Memorial Island while Tenzin watched on bowing his head in shame. Soon Sora and Korra arrived at the island and looked around.
"No sign of him," Sora muttered as she and Korra walked towards the inside of the memorial.
"You think he chickened out?" Korra asked slightly confident.
"Oh…I would never do that." A calm voice behind them spoke and both girls tensed and slowly turned to see Amon standing before them with his hands behind his back, before either girl could react they were struck from behind by Chi-blockers who came out of the shadows and they were knocked out.
Korra groaned as she slowly regained consciousness and saw Sora laying on the ground nearby with Amon standing over her. "Don't you dare touch her!" she shouted breathing fire at Amon who stepped away as two Chi-blockers grabbed her arms and held her on her knees as she growled at Amon.
"Do not worry, she still has her bending Avatar, removing the bending of the Princess of the Fire Nation surely would make her a martyr to her people and would invoke the wrath of her countries military might." Amon said walking towards her.
"True, and you and your Equalists wouldn't be able to win that fight." Korra told him as he grabbed her chin.
"At this moment, you would be correct young Avatar. Our showdown, while inevitable, is premature. Although it would be the simplest thing for me to take away your bending right now, I won't. You'd only become a martyr as well. Benders of every nation would rally behind your untimely demise, but I assure you, I have a plan. And I'm saving you for last, then you'll get your duel, and I will destroy you." He told her before chopping her in the neck and she was knocked out again and as she hit the ground she began having brief flashes of an old memory, one of Aang, an adult Sokka, Toph and Daisuke and another man.
"Sora, Korra!" she faintly heard and slowly opened her eyes to see Mako and Tenzin running towards them.
"Aang?" Korra whispered as Tenzin kneeled beside her while Mako kneeled beside Sora who also was waking up.
"What happened?" Tenzin asked her.
"Amon was here…he ambushed us…" she whispered.
"No. Did he take your bending?" Tenzin asked worried as Korra and Sora both made a small flame in their hands and he sighed in relief. "Oh, thank goodness." Both Korra and Sora were quiet before they both broke down and began crying into Mako and Tenzin's chests as they held the girls in comfort.
"I was so terrified, I felt so helpless." Korra sobbed looking up at Tenzin with tears streaming down her eyes.
"It's alright, the nightmare is over." He comforted her gently.
"You…you were right…I've been scared this whole time. I've never felt like this before and…and Tenzin, I don't know what to do!" Korra said sobbing into Tenzin's chest as Sora cried into Mako's chest as he gently stroked her hair.
"It's alright. I won't let anything bad happen to you again," Mako told her gently as he and Tenzin held the girls as they let all their emotions out.
The end of the chapter
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