The Spirit of Competition
I don't own Digimon or Legend of Korra
After the encounter with Amon on Aang's Memorial Island, Korra and Sora had left Tarrlok's Task-Force and had resumed their training with Mako and Bolin at the Pro-Bending Arena. Currently the four were in a training session as music played from the radio. Korra sent jets of water at Sora, Mako and Bolin who blocked with their bending before Sora sent three fireballs at Bolin, Korra and Mako the fireball hit Bolin knocking him on his back and an earth disc he threw hit Korra who sent a jet of water at Mako and Sora knocking them both down and the four broke out in laughter.
"It's so great to have you at so many back to back practices Korra. Same for you Sora, it's not been the same without you or Korra around." Mako said with a smile removing his helmet as did Bolin and Korra.
"It feels good to be back. Although Tarrlok isn't too happy about Sora and I leaving his Task Force." Korra said.
"Hey, you joined the Fire Ferrets long before he forced you and Sora into joining his Task Force," Bolin said.
"Bolin's right. I'm sure Tarrlok and his Task Force will be fine without either of us for a while," Sora said as the four got into a team huddle and the four friends smiled though Mako had a small blush when he looked at Sora who smiled back.
"Alright, it's the first tournament match for the Fire Ferrets, I know we've not been a team for long, but I feel like we're ready." Mako said.
"Not without these you're not." The four broke the huddle to see Asami nearby holding up a new uniform which had the Future Industries logo on the chest and shoulders.
"Hey Asami, thanks for coming." Korra said walking over.
"No problem sweetie. It was my pleasure." Asami replied as Korra pecked her on the cheek before taking one of the new uniforms. "You're going to look great in your new uniform." Mako meanwhile glanced at Sora before he blushed and looked back at Korra and Asami missing Sora doing the same thing seconds later and Bolin was the only one to notice and he grinned as a plan began to form in his mind.
"Well guys, I'm late for a lunch date. I'm going to change, later." Korra said to her friends walking off with Asami. Once they were gone Bolin looked at Sora in shock.
"She has a date? With who? Who is this guy?" Sora laughed at his question.
"She's going on a date with Asami, Bolin." She said causing Bolin's jaw to drop as a dumbstruck look appeared on his face making Sora and Mako laugh.
"You didn't notice at the Gala the way Korra kept glancing at Asami?" Mako asked his brother who shook his head making him and Sora laugh even more.
"Well I better head back to the Air Temple, I promised Tenzin to babysit the kids." Sora said running out of the gym leaving the brothers alone. Soon the siblings were in their apartment with Mako cooking something to eat while Bolin tried in vain to put Pabu into a tub of water.
"Come on Pabu, you want to look nice in your new uniform, don't you?" he asked finally forcing Pabu into the water which the Fire Ferret did not like. "So, what do you think of Sora, Mako?" he asked the Firebender who stopped cooking briefly as he gained a small smile.
"I think she's an amazing woman. She's smart, loyal, caring, strong, fun, encouraging, confident, she's a role model to Tenzin's kids and she's beautiful. She's a powerful Firebender, and it's amazing to spar with her cause I know I won't get the same sparring match with her in a row. She'll switch it up on me, and makes me a better Firebender and a better man." He answered before he blushed beet red when he realized what he just said.
"Oh really? Cause I think you two would make a great couple." Bolin said with a smirk.
"I know." Mako replied with a sigh going back to his cooking. "Maybe I should ask Korra for some advice on how to ask her out, those two pretty much are like sisters." He looked out at Air Temple Island where Sora was currently helping Ikki and Jinora fill the lemur food baskets as it continued to snow as all three girls wore their winter clothing.
"So how are things going between you and that dreamy Firebender boy, you two have been spending a lot of time together lately," Jinora said with a coy smile.
"Yeah, tell us all about the beautiful romance." Ikki chirped making Sora blush before she sighed and put the empty basket on the snowy ground.
"I don't know really, I mean I like him. I know he likes me, but he hasn't asked me out on a proper date yet." She told the two Airbenders.
"Maybe he's just nervous to ask you out," Jinora told her.
"Jinora's right, you're an amazing big sister. Your fun and funny. You're a great cook, you make the most delicious foods. You're a kick butt fire and lightning bender. Also, you're like the most beautifulest woman ever and a princess." Ikki said happily spinning around making Sora smile and ruffle her hair.
"Thanks Ikki. Maybe I should ask him out instead, any ideas girls?" she asked.
"Oh I just finished reading a historical sage, where the heroine fell in love with the enemy general's son who was meant to marry a princess. You should do what she did," Jinora answered.
"Tell me," Sora said with a smile.
"She rode a dragon into battle and burned down the entire country, then she jumped into a volcano, it was so romantic." Jinora replied making Sora sweatdrop.
"No, no, no!" Ikki shouted waving her arms around. "The best way to win a boy's heart is to brew a potion of rainbows and sunsets that makes true lovers sprout wings and fly to a magical castle in the sky, where they get married and eat clouds with spoons and use stars in their moonlight punch for ever and ever and ever." She said happily flying into the air with a spin as Sora blinked.
"The volcano is starting to sound like a good idea." She muttered before hearing a chuckle and she turned to see Korra had returned from her date with Asami.
"Just be yourself Sora. That's who he fell for in the first place. Be the confident woman you are and take charge and just go up to him and ask him out. It's easy, that's what Asami did when she asked me out." Korra told her friend with a smile having overheard the conversation.
"Speaking of Asami, how's that going Korra? Did you enjoy your lunch date?" Sora asked with a grin as Ikki and Jinora began bugging Korra about her and Asami making the Avatar glare at her friend as Sora poked her tongue out in reply. Another laugh was heard, and Sora turned to see Pema behind her and she blushed. "How long have you been standing there Aunt Pema?"
"Long enough to hear what you're going through. I was in a kinda similar situation. I was in love with Tenzin who was in love with someone else." She explained.
"Daddy was in love with someone else before you?" Ikki asked and her mother nodded.
"What did you do?" Korra asked.
"Well, at first I was shy and nervous. I was afraid of rejection but seeing my soulmate spending his time with the wrong woman became too much to me. I stuck my chin out and poured my heart and soul out to him and the rest is history." Pema answered with a smile.
"Wow," the four girls all said in awe, Korra looked at her feet before she smiled with new found confidence. Soon it was time for the first tournament match of the Pro-Bending Championship and the Fire Ferrets and Sora were in the locker room.
"Good luck," Sora said hugging Korra and Bolin before she hugged Mako and kissed his cheek. "Good luck Mako, you'll do great out there." She whispered making Mako blush slightly.
"Thanks," he whispered back making his way to the platform with Bolin and Korra.
"Introducing our first team, the Future Industries Fire Ferrets!" the announcer shouted as the crowd cheered loudly and Sora cheered as well. "And their opponents, the Red Sands Rabbaroos!" the announcer shouted as the opposing team walked onto the platform.
"Go Fire Ferrets!" Sora shouted as the bell rang and the match began with an explosive start sending all six Pro-Benders back from the initial volley.
"What an explosive opening volley. Both teams quickly recover and unleash a barrage of bending." The radio broadcaster Shiro Shinobi said as Korra cartwheeled out of the way of two discs of earth and a fire ball thrown at her, Mako hit an earth disc coming towards her and she sent a stream of water at the opposing teams Waterbender who blocked only to be hit in the stomach by an earth disc fired by Bolin sending her back into the second zone. "I am astonished by the progress of the Fire Ferrets, no wonder the Avatar's not been in the papers lately, she's clearly had her nose to the grindstone preparing for this tournament." The broadcaster continued as the other two Rabbaroos were sent into the second zone allowing the Fire Ferrets to advance and they kept up the pressure holding nothing back as they knocked all three Rabbaroos down. "All three Rabbaroos are down, the Fire Ferrets take round one."
"Round Two!" the announcer said and the second round began.
"The Rabbaroos are looking for revenge and they go straight after Bolin." Shiro Shinobi said as Bolin blocked a blast of water with an earth disc as Korra jumped in front of him. "Korra, comes to his aid and she wallow whacks Umi back into zone two." He said as Korra send a stream of water at one of the Rabbaroos sending them rolling across the ground. "The Fire Ferrets are on fire tonight as they take round two."
"Alright!" Sora cheered with Pabu sitting on her head squeaking along with her.
"Round Three!" the announcer shouted. The third round began with the Rabbaroos on the defense again as the Fire Ferrets attacked relentlessly.
"I feel sorry for the Rabbaroos, the Fire Ferrets are a well-oiled machine here tonight." Shiro Shinobi said as the three Rabbaroos were hit sending them back into zone three. "Down goes Ulag, Adi and Umi!" he cried as the bell rang.
"All three rounds go to the Future Industries Fire Ferrets who win their opening match of the tournament!" the announcer said as the crowd and Sora cheered wildly.
"They won, they won, they won!" Sora shouted hugging Pabu before kissing his cheek before coughing out some fur. "Blech, hairball." Pabu cooed and licked her cheek making her giggle as Korra, Mako and Bolin walked back into the locker room.
"Wahoo, we won!" Bolin cheered giving the crowd one last wave before hugging his friends tightly.
"Don't get ahead of yourself Bo, we've still got a long way to go in the tournament." Korra reminded him as Asami walked into the locker room and she smiled. "So impressed?" she asked walking over to Asami who hugged her.
"Extremely impressed, what do you say we have a late dinner to celebrate. I know just the place." Asami said making Korra smile.
"Why not, see ya guys late." Korra told the others who nodded.
"Try not to have too much fun," Sora said with a grin making both girls blush before they left the locker room. Soon Sora was walking out of the arena when Bolin ran over to her.
"Hey Sora, wait up." He said making Sora stop and smile.
"What's up Bo?" she asked.
"Well I was wondering if you'd like to hang out tonight, just as friends." He answered with a grin and Sora blinked before she smiled.
"Sure, sounds like fun. When and where?" she asked as Bolin handed her a piece of paper.
"Meet me here, trust me you won't regret it." He said before walking off and Sora looked at the paper and smiled. Soon she arrived at the place she was meant to meet Bolin and saw it was a Water Tribe restaurant, but she saw that Bolin was nowhere to be seen.
"Sora?" she heard someone ask her from behind and she blushed and turned to see Mako walking over. "What're you doing here?" he asked.
"Bolin asked me to meet him here, to hang out. Why are you here?" she asked noticing a piece of paper in Mako's hand.
"Same here." He answered. "I think we've been duped."
"Ya think?" Sora asked with a giggle. "I guess this is a blessing in disguise, I kind of wanted to ask you out for a while, I guess Bolin did us both a favor."
"You wanted to ask me out?" Mako asked with a blush and Sora blushed in reply and nodded. "Same here, shall we?" he asked and Sora nodded and both walked into the restaurant and saw Asami and Korra sitting at a table.
"Well this is a surprise," Asami said looking at her friends with a smile as they walked over.
"Blame Bolin, I'm going to get him back. In the meantime, you mind if we share a table?" Sora asked and both girls nodded and she and Mako sat down and ordered and soon the four were eating authentic noodles.
"So how is it?" Asami asked Korra who inhaled the noodles hungrily.
"So good, I almost forgot how good Water Tribe grub was." She answered her mouth full of food.
"Manners Korra," Sora said with a grin as she slurped down her noodles. "But these are good noodles." She added before noticing a group of people at the back of the restaurant glaring at them. "Who're the guys glaring at us?" she asked Mako who glanced back, and his eyes narrowed.
"Tahno and the Wolfbats, the reigning champions for the past three years. Don't make eye contact." He told Korra who glared over at Tahno and the Wolfbats and sure enough the group stood up and walked towards their table.
"Keep your cool Korra, if you hit those guys you'll be out of the tournament." Asami warned her as the Wolfbats and their posse of several women stopped by their table.
"Well, well, well if it isn't the Fire Ferrets, Pro-Bending's saddest excuse for the team. Tell me how a couple of amateurs like you lucked your way into the tournament, especially you Avatar." Tahno said making Korra huff as he wrapped his arm around her. "If you want to know how a real Pro bends, I can give you some private lessons." He purred making Korra roll her eyes.
"Thanks, but you're not my type." She said shrugging his arm off her.
"Then how about you and the princess come join us at our table, we'd be a lot more fun then those two." Tahno said with a smirk as Mako and Asami glared at him.
"You trying to say something pretty boy?" Sora asked standing up glaring at Tahno who was taller than her, but she wasn't scared of the pompous brat.
"I don't know, do you think I am princess?" Tahno whispered huskily making Sora lean back in disgust before she smirked and nodded to Korra who whistled, and Naga stuck her head through the window before roaring loudly at Tahno making him stumble back into his teammates as his hair was blown around by the polar-bear dog's roar, Tahno huffed and smoothed his hair over before walking off with his posse back to his table, once they were gone Sora, Asami, Korra and Mako laughed.
"That's a good girl Naga," Korra cooed petting her pet's head.
"Well we should get going," Mako told the girls. "We've got other places to go."
"Sure, have fun you two." Asami said, Sora and Mako left the restaurant, their next destination was a bar and they were drinking sodas when Mako burped and blushed, Sora giggled before she burped as well, Mako grinned before he belched loudly, Sora smirked before letting loose a massive belch which made her blush before she and Mako laughed while the people sitting next to them leaned back in disgust.
They then went to Harmony Tower and stood on the viewing platform at the top and looked at the city both pointing out sights to each other, Sora looked around with eyes filled with awe and happiness while Mako watched her with a small smile.
The next night it was time for the quarter final matches of the Pro-Bending tournament. "So, did you enjoy yourselves last night?" Bolin asked Mako and Sora as the Fire Ferrets were preparing for their match.
"We did. And we're going to thank you for your little set up after the match." Sora promised with a sweet smile that made Bolin gulp and sweat nervously.
"Try not to hurt him too badly, we still need him for the tournament." Korra said putting her helmet on before walking to the arena with the brothers following.
"Eight teams have been eliminated and eight teams advance into the quarter finals which get underway tonight. The rookie Fire Ferrets are about to take on the former and longest raining champs the Boar-q-pines. It's youth versus experience in this clash for the ages." Shiro Shinobi said as the bell rang and the match began with both teams exchanging volleys of water, earth and fire. "Korra dodges and…right into her teammate!" he shouted as Korra cartwheeled and collided with Mako as Bolin was hit with an earth disc and all three Fire Ferrets were rolling back into another one.
"Round One goes to the Boar-q-pines!" the announcer shouted.
"Come on guys, dust yourselves off!" Sora shouted.
"Sorry, I had an opening and thought I could take it." Korra apologized to Mako who nodded.
"Doesn't matter, let's just try not to mess up again." He said as the bell ran signaling the beginning of the second round.
"The Ferrets looking to mount some sort of offence after that disaster of an opening round." Shiro Shinobi said as Bolin let loose several earth discs hitting the opposing Earthbender as Mako was hit by a water blast knocking him back. Bolin tossed more earth discs at the other team before rolling out of the water of a water blast. "Look at Bolin go, he's a one man bending battalion and thanks to him the Fire Ferrets claim round two."
"Nice work," Mako praised his brother who grinned before his expression turned serious.
"Round three!" the announcer shouted as the third round began.
"It looks like this match is coming down to the wire folks, the experience of the Boar-q-pines seems to be enough to hold back the ambition of the Fire Ferrets." Shiro Shinobi said as both teams were hit by the other team's attacks and retaliated.
"Round three is a tie, we go to a tiebreaker to decide the match!" the announcer shouted as the referee walked onto the platform and flipped a coin before catching it.
"The Fire Ferrets win the coin toss, which element do you choose?" he asked the team.
"I got this," Bolin said before Mako could speak up and his brother raised an eyebrow. "I know you usually handle these things, but I've got a good feeling tonight." He explained before stepping forward. "We choose earth." The rest of the teams stepped away from the center circle as it rose up leaving the two Earthbenders to duke it out.
"It seems the Earthbenders are going to battle this out to decide the match folks." Shiro Shinobi said, both Bolin and his opponent send earth discs at each other which exploded in clouds of dust when they hit each other before Bolin rolled under his opponent when he jumped trying to hit him with an earth disc to the face. "Bolin goes for the grapple." Shinobi said as Bolin tackled his opponent before he was flipped into the air. "Cheng reverses." Bolin bent an earth disc and sent it at Cheng hitting him in the chest sending to the edge of the platform. "Bolin strikes from mid-air knocking Cheng to the edge of the platform." Bolin sent two more earth discs at Cheng hitting him and sending him flying into the water below. "Bolin strikes again, and Cheng is in the drink, the Fire Ferrets win the match!"
"They did it!" Sora cheered in happiness. She turned and left the locker room and walked out of the arena to get some fresh air and stood at the dock just outside the arena.
"There you are, I was looking for you." Sora turned and saw Mako in his normal outfit walking over and she smiled.
"Yeah, I just needed to take a breather." She told him leaning against the post as Mako stood in front of her with a smile.
"Because the Fire Ferrets are in the semi-finals?" he asked making her smile softly.
"Well yeah but not just that. But also, how close we have gotten lately, and how much fun we had last night." She answered.
"Yeah me too, it's been great spending time with you Sora." Mako said stepping closer.
"Same here Mako," Sora said as Mako leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips and Sora blushed before returning the kiss, the moment was ruined as they heard cheering and turned to see Bolin, Asami and Korra trying to hide while watching them.
"Uh oh I think she heard us," Bolin said.
"Let's leave before Sora throws a fireball at us," Korra said.
"Too late!" Asami shouted as a fireball flew over their heads and they ran off as Sora tossed another fireball at them for good measure before she and Mako shared a look and laughed, Sora then kissed Mako once they had stopped laughing.
The next night the semi-final matches were set to begin, and the Fire Ferrets prepared in silence as Sora kissed Mako's cheek before he put his helmet on before walking off to the arena with his teammates following. "You won't find two teams more evenly matched in age size and strength then the Fire Ferrets and the Buzzard Wasps, believe me I've looked. This should be a pulse pounding semi-final folks." Shiro Shinobi said as the two teams stared each other down before the bell rang.
The Buzzard Wasps jumped back and attacked at once knocking all three Fire Ferrets back into the second zone quickly. "The Fire Ferrets are knocked back into zone two by a quick opening combo attack by the Buzzard Wasps, and Mako is knocked into zone three!" Shiro Shinobi shouted as Mako was hit by a large blast of water and he hit the ground in zone three as Bolin was hit in the stomach by an earth disc and he went green in the face before removing his helmet and he threw up over the side making the crowd groan in disgust.
"Oh that's not good," Sora said with a grimace. Korra jumped over an earth disk thrown at her before a blast of fire hit her sending her back into the third zone allowing the other team to advance and continue their attack, Mako ducked a fireball before sidestepping a water blast before an earth disc struck him from behind sending him into the water below making Sora gasp in worry just as the bell rang signaling the end of round one. "Saved by the bell, literally."
The second round began with both teams back on the arena when Mako accidently hit Bolin from behind with a fireball knocking his brother down. "What was that for!?" he shouted before Korra pushed Bolin out the way with a blast of water saving him from being knocked into the water below before she grabbed the other team's Firebender with a whip of water and then sent them into the air several times with bursts of water causing the referee to blow his whistle.
"Unnecessary roughness, move back one zone!" he shouted at Korra who frowned and did so walking past Mako along the way.
"Don't let the pressure get to you Korra, take a deep breath." Mako told her and she nodded as the second round ended in favor of the Buzzard Wasps.
"We're gonna need a miracle to win this match," Bolin said looking at his boots.
"I know this match hasn't been our best, but we can't let the last two rounds hold us back. Let's kick some butt." Korra said cracking her knuckles and the brothers nodded.
The final round began with Bolin and Mako being knocked back into zone two quickly while Korra dodged every attack thrown her way, Mako was hit by a water burst then an earth disc sending him flying into the water below as an earth disc struck Bolin's shoulder making him cry out in pain and he was shortly knocked into the water afterwards.
"Oh no!" Sora exclaimed as she saw Mako help Bolin onto the lift heading up back to the locker room. "Are you alright?" she asked the brothers once they walked into the locker room.
"I'm fine, but Bolin's shoulders messed up." Mako told her and she nodded before leading Bolin to the bench.
"Let me see what I can do." She said removing Bolin's helmet and top of his uniform and she began rubbing his shoulder gently.
"You know medicine?" he asked and she nodded.
"When you are friends with the Avatar who keeps getting hurt every five minutes you learn a thing or two," she told them. "Korra can heal with Waterbending, let's wait until she gets back to see what she can do." The brothers nodded and the trio watched as Korra flipped and dodged her way around the other teams attacks knocking them all into a line before she sent a large blast of water at them sending them all into the water below.
"It's the big kibosh! What a knockout!" Shiro Shinobi shouted as the crowd cheered including Mako, Bolin and Sora. "It didn't seem possible folks, but the Fire Ferrets have come from way behind and are now heading to the finals!"
"She did it yeah!" Sora cheered as Mako hugged her and Bolin.
"Shoulder!" Bolin cried out in pain before Mako let him go quickly as Korra made her way back to the locker room.
"Nice work Korra, you were awesome." Sora said and her friend nodded. "Think you could do something with Bolin's shoulder?"
"Sure, let me look." She said as the Wolfbats walked into the locker room.
"Hello Princess," Tahno purred as the Fire Ferrets and Sora glared at him and his teammates. "My offer still stands ya know."
"Thanks, but like I said before you're not my type. And I hope my friends see you in the finals, if only to wipe that smug look off your face." Sora told him.
"I'm shaking in my boots over here." Tahno replied as he and his team went out to the arena.
"I hate those jerks," Korra muttered as the door opened and Asami ran into the locker room and hugged her from behind.
"Congrats you guys," she said making Korra perk up and smile.
"Thanks, Asami," she said kissing her cheek.
"Enough with the lovey dovey stuff please, I need medical attention here." Bolin said sitting on the bench and Korra chuckled before she water bent some water out of a bucket as it began glowing and she placed it on Bolin's shoulder and he sighed I relief. "Ah…much better."
"You're welcome," Korra told him as Sora giggled before she and the others heard the bell ring.
"Your winners, the defending champions the White Fall Wolfbats!" the announcer shouted.
"What!? It can't be over already," Mako said rushing over to the railing to see that indeed the Wolfbats had won with a first round knock out and the other team were not in good shape being carried out on stretchers.
"That was the fastest Pro-Bending match I've ever seen." Sora said looking at the Wolfbats with a look of concern.
The end of the chapter
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