Skeletons in the Closet
I don't own Digimon or Legend of Korra
"It is a glorious day my Equalist brothers and sisters. Amon has torn down the tyrannical bending government, he has declared bending illegal. And he has the Avatar on the run, our great leader has a vision for the future. One day soon, bending will no longer exist, and we will live in a world where everyone is finally equal. The United Forces are on the way to try and stop that dream, but we will prevail." Hiroshi Sato said as he stood on a podium looking at a crowd of non-benders who all began cheering while three Chi-Blockers shared a look and walked off, they went behind some bushes where one Chi-Blocker Earthbent a boulder out of the way revealing an underground tunnel which they jumped down before the boulder was moved back in place.
"I can't believe how they all bought that crap." One of the three said removing their mask to reveal Sora while the other two removed their masks to show Korra and Mako.
"The Avatar on the run, I'm not running from anything." Korra said walking off with her friends following. "I say we go back up there and knock some heads, they'll never know what hit them."
"Calm down Korra, my brother should be here soon with his fleet of battleships. Then it'll be Amon who will be running." Sora said. Korra nodded and they walked off down the tunnel until they arrived at an underground makeshift hideout for benders and non-benders who opposed Amon's rule.
"You guys made it back, how are things up there?" Asami asked walking over with Bolin kissing Korra on the cheek who returned the kiss.
"I'm resisting the urge to head back up to kick your father's butt, I hate being patient." The Avatar muttered earning a sympathetic smile from her girlfriend as they walked off with the others.
"I know, hopefully when General Iroh gets here it'll be all over." Asami said.
"Dinner is served." The hobo who Korra had met in the park her first day in Republic City said and the team sat around him as he poured gruel into small bowls.
"Thanks for letting us stay here for the past few days," Sora said with a smile.
"You are most welcome princess; this place may not look like much. It's also home to many benders and non-benders, we've all managed to co-exist harmoniously without fighting." He replied.
"You are a wise and noble hobo. And this is the best street gruel I've ever had." Bolin said before going back to his meal.
"Thank you, I created it from the finest dumpsters around," the hobo said as Asami's face turned green and she spat the gruel back into her bowl while Korra rubbed soothing circles on her back.
Later Sora was leaning against Mushu and smiled over at Korra and Asami who were asleep curled up against Naga while Bolin and Pabu slept nearby. "Couldn't sleep?" Mako asked walking over before he sat beside her.
"Yeah." She answered before chuckling. "It's funny, just a few months ago me and Korra were in the South Pole getting her ready for her firebending test. And now she and I are in the middle of an all-out war."
"We didn't even know each other then, but now…I can't imagine my life without you in it," Mako said gently making Sora blush before leaning into his chest and he wrapped his arm around her.
"I feel the same way Mako." She whispered before closing her eyes to try and get some sleep with Mako kissing her forehead gently before doing the same.
The next morning the team were outside the sewer trying to see through the fog of the early morning. "I can't see anything," Bolin whispered looking through a telescope before slowly out of the mist came the United Forces Fleet. "There's the fleet." he said making Sora smile at the sight before Korra looked at the sky and frowned.
"Wait, where are the Equalist Airships?" she asked making the others look up to see the skies were clear concerning them, Mako took the telescope from his brother and looked around the waterfront of the city to find it deserted.
"I'm not seeing any Mecha-Tanks either." He said.
"Oh no." Sora whispered. Meanwhile on the lead battleship, General Iroh the Second, Sora's older brother was having similar worrying thoughts.
"Amon had to know we were coming. So why aren't we meeting any resistance? Something's not right." He said to the soldier beside him before one of the battleships were rocked by an explosion from underwater and soon the other ships were being struck by explosions as well.
"No." Sora whispered looking through the telescope to see mines had been placed in the water. "It's a trap, they're all sitting ducks."
"Not if I can help it." Korra said jumping into the water and she swam off to help the battleships.
"Korra!" Asami shouted in worry as more mines continued to be detonated as the ships struck them, some of the Waterbenders and Earthbenders aboard began detonating some of the mines but the damage had been done to some of the ships. Just when everyone thought the trouble was over they heard a strange new noise.
"Oh that doesn't sound good." Bolin said, Mako took the telescope from Sora and looked back at Republic City to see a dozen small aircraft flying towards the fleet. "Where does Hiroshi find the time to make more evil machines?"
"Worry about that later. Mushu!" Sora shouted and her dragon growled and took a running start before flying into the air heading for the aircraft.
"Let's hope one dragon can make the difference," Asami said. Flying one the aircraft towards the fleet was Hiroshi and he smirked before pulling a small lever that opened the bottom of the aircraft and several bombs dropped hitting one of the battleships.
"Incoming!" one soldier shouted as a plane dropped torpedoes that sped towards the ship and blew up on contact tearing a hole in the hull. Korra dived deeper into the water to avoid the bombs and managed to swim out of the way of a torpedo which she caught with her Waterbending and redirected it and it flew out of the water hitting a plane destroying it, Mushu roared as he swung his claws at several aircraft ripping them to pieces before breathing flames at another destroying it.
Korra rose out of the ocean on a giant water tornado and made a sharp icicle rise out of the water just in time to cut a plane's wing off sending it cartwheeling into the ocean.
Hiroshi seeing this growled and headed for the lead battleship. "Time for the crown prince of the Fire Nation to die." He thought seeing Iroh climb to the top of his battleship and begin sending blasts of fire at passing aircraft taking out a few and he blew up bombs before they hit anymore battleships. Hiroshi dropped his last bomb which headed right for Iroh and it exploded in front of the general sending him off his ship and into the water.
"Iroh!" Sora screamed seeing her older brother get hit and tears began falling down her face, Mako seeing this pulled her into a hug and let her sob into his chest. Korra saw Iroh sinking and swam over to him and pulled him back up to the surface and he coughed and opened his eyes.
"I got you." She said with a smile.
"Avatar Korra, you saved my life. Thank you, your just as good as my sister says." He said returning the smile before wincing as his right arm had a nasty burn on it.
"Let's get you out of here. And speaking of your sister, I'm sure Sora is worried about you and is waiting for you." Korra said dragging Iroh off through the water, she helped him onto the shore and Sora ran over to her brother and lightly hit him on the head.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack Iroh!" she shouted pulling him into a hug relieved to see her brother was alright, Iroh smiled and kissed her forehead gently.
"I'm sorry I worried you sis." He said wrapping his non-injured arm around her as the others walked over to them, Sora pulled back and turned to Korra before hugging her.
"Thank you for saving my brother." She whispered as Korra returned the hug with a smile.
"Don't mention it. Now come on let's heal your brother up while we figure out what to do." She said and the group headed back to the settlement as Mushu landed and followed them. Once they had returned, Korra began to use her Waterbending to heal Iroh's injury.
"I was prepared to deal with Mecha-Tanks, we weren't equipped to handle high-speed aircraft." He said.
"Just when we think we've got an advantage, Amon finds a way to outsmart us." Korra said.
"We're not out of the fight yet. There is a second wave of United Forces Battleships heading this way, I need to warn them of what happened to us or the same fate will befall them. Do you still have a way to get a message out?" Iroh asked.
"That we do." Sora answered with a grin and soon they stood around the hobo as he wired up a makeshift telegram radio.
"Who is this top-secret message to?" he asked Iroh.
"Commander Bumi, second division of the United Forces." Iroh answered.
"Tenzin's brother?" Korra asked and Iroh nodded.
"He's a bit of a wildman but he's the bravest commander you'll ever see." He answered.
"Ready to send the message." The hobo told Iroh.
"Fleet ambushed and destroyed by Equalist aircraft. Retreat to Red Sand Island until my signal. Do not approach city until you receive the all clear." Iroh told him and the hobo began to send the message.
"Now comes the hard part," Sora said as she grabbed a map of the city and laid it out on a nearby table. "We need to disable those aircraft, otherwise Bumi's fleet won't be able to retake the city."
"They flew in from this direction, the airfield must be somewhere in this mountain range." Mako said pointing to an area on the map.
"Alright let's get ready, we leave at dawn." Iroh said and everyone began to leave the small tent.
"It's time to take down my father," Asami said with a determined expression before Korra grabbed her hand gently and smiled at her and she smiled back. As everyone was walking away to get ready for the next day, Korra let Asami's hand go and took a deep breath.
"Hold on, I'm sorry. I can't go with you tomorrow." She said.
"What?" Mako asked looking at her as did the others.
"I'm sick and tired of hiding from Amon. It's time I face him," Korra answered.
"That's not a good idea, we need to stick together." Iroh told her.
"I don't care if it's a good idea or not, I'm not waiting around for him to hunt me down. My gut is telling me it's time to end this on my terms." She replied.
"This isn't a mission you should be handling along," Iroh said as Sora walked over to her friend and stood beside her.
"She won't be going alone. I'll be right beside her." She said making Mako and Iroh's eyes widen in shock.
"What!? That's too dangerous Sora!" both said at the same time before looking at each other, Sora blinked and sighed.
"I'm going with Korra, no arguments." She said as Iroh sighed and rubbed his eyes in frustration.
"Then I'll go with you," Mako said walking over to the two.
"You don't have to do that." Korra told him.
"Yes, I do." He replied before looking at Sora. "I nearly lost you one when I thought Tarrlok kidnapped you, I won't let it happen again." He said gently and Sora smiled pulling him into a hug.
"My grandparents would respect the Avatar's wishes, then so will I. But Mako, you'd better look after my sister." Iroh said and Mako nodded.
"I will." He replied. The next morning, as the sun was rising the team began to prepare for their individual missions, Sora, Mako and Korra were in their Chi-Blocker outfits. Mako and Bolin hugged briefly before Bolin walked over to Korra.
"Be careful Korra, Amon is a nasty dude." He told her.
"I will. Take care of yourself Bolin." The Avatar said hugging Bolin. "If you're going into the mountains, you'll need Naga." She said petting her polar-bear dog who purred and licked her cheek. "Take care of Bolin and Asami okay girl?" she asked and Naga nodded.
"Please be careful Sora, don't anything too reckless alright?" Iroh asked as he hugged her sister who giggled.
"I'll try big bro. Take Mushu with you ok, if those airplanes get in the air he'll be able to keep up with them." She said before looking at her dragon. "Ready to fight the bad guys boy?" she asked and Mushu growled happily and smirked making the siblings laugh, Sora hugged her dragon who purred gently. "Look after everyone ok?" she asked and Mushu nodded as Iroh and Mako shook hands while Korra and Asami shared a hug and Korra kissed Asami on the lips.
"Be careful Korra, good luck." Asami said.
"I'll try Asami, give your father my regards." Korra replied making her girlfriend laugh briefly.
"I will." She said before climbing onto Naga with Bolin while Iroh climbed onto Mushu.
"Good fortune and favor to you brave heroes." The hobo said as he and the other residents of the settlement had come to see them off as Sora, Korra and Mako headed down the tunnel while Naga and Mushu walked off another way.
"I hope they'll be ok," Sora whispered as they walked out of the tunnel and stood on the edge of the bay before Korra began bending the water around them and they headed towards Air Temple Island underwater.
"They'll be fine, they have Mushu and Naga with them." Korra reassured her friend who nodded, soon the trio reached the island and put their Chi-Blocker masks on and began walking towards the main temple.
"There's Amon," Mako whispered looking up at the airship above the temple Amon was boarding. "We need to get inside that temple."
"I know a secret way," Korra whispered as the three headed to the temple.
"Hey you three, what're you doing here?" the three tensed and turned to see the Lieutenant walking over.
"We just got transferred." Mako answered quickly.
"Well you're being transferred again, Amon wants extra security are the arena today." The Lieutenant told them.
"For what purpose sir?" Sora asked.
"For the rally, you should have been briefed on this." He answered with a frown.
"We'll be there sir." Korra said and the lieutenant nodded and walked off and once he was gone the trio headed off to the secret entrance into the temple and headed up to the attic.
"We can hide in here and wait for Amon to get back." Korra whispered as she opened the hatch and climbed into the attic where she saw someone she didn't expect to see and she gasped.
"What is it?" Sora asked climbing up removing her mask as she saw Tarrlok in the attic behind bars. "Tarrlok?"
"Princess Sora, I don't suppose you've come to rescue me." The disgraced councilman muttered.
"We didn't know you'd be up here, even if we did we wouldn't rescue you after all you've done." Sora replied as Mako and Korra removed their masks.
"Why are you up here anyway? Is anyone else being held on the island?" Korra asked him.
"No. I'm only here because I'm special, I'm Amon's brother." Tarrlok informed them.
"What?" Sora whispered. "Did you know this from the beginning?"
"No. I only learned the truth recently; Amon's name is Noatak is from the Northern Water Tribe like I am. He's a Waterbender and a Bloodbender of great skill." He answered.
"How'd your brother become Amon?" Korra asked him.
"It all began with my father, Yakone. With the help of his former gang, he escaped prison and underwent surgery to change his appearance He assumed a new identity and settled down in the Northern Water Tribe. That's where he met, my mother, a warm, caring woman. Before long, they started a family together. Amon was the firstborn, under the name Noatak. I was born three years later. Noatak was a good-natured kid, always looking out for me. Those were the good years. Before my brother and I discovered we were Waterbenders. At first, we were excited by our new abilities, but our training brought out a different side of my father." He said.
"Let me guess, he made you train all the time until you mastered it?" Sora asked and Tarrlok nodded.
"He did, even back then my brother wanted everyone to be treated equally. When I was seven, my father took us on a hunting trip, far away from our home. It was then he told us of his identity, as Yakone the former crime boss of Republic City. The good days were behind us, every full moon he would take us on another hunting trip where he would teach us how to Bloodbend in secret. At first, he had us bloodbending animals, then a few years later he had us learn to Bloodbend any time, without the help of the full moon. I hated everyone second of it, I had no stomach for controlling helpless animals. My brother however, seemed to revel in his newfound power, he even mastered my father's psychic bloodbending technique when he was only fourteen." He continued.
"Well that ruins our idea of ambushing him, he'll redirect any attack we throw at him with his mind. It's probably how he's been able to beat every bender he's faced." Mako said.
"What happened after you begin learning Bloodbending from your father?" Korra asked Tarrlok.
"One day as a storm began to form, my father made us Bloodbend each other. I could never do anything like that to my brother, I was too scared. But Noatak did so without complaint, though I could tell being father's favorite put stress on him in more ways then one. Being the one to carry father's dream of revenge took a heavy toll. He had become cold and detached, when I refused to Bloodbend my brother, my father became enraged. Before he could harm me however, Noatak used his Bloodbending on him. He then asked me to run away with him, to leave our father behind and start a new life away from him. But I couldn't leave our mother behind, so Noatak ran off into the storm. We searched for days before returning home. My mother was never the same afterwards, my father stopped training and his dreams of revenge withered away, he died a few years later. I remained with my mother until she passed away before I came to Republic City." He said finishing his story.
"That's so sad, to think that Yakone used his own sons. Reminds me of my great grandfather Ozai." Sora whispered as Mako held her hand while Korra placed her hand on Sora's shoulder.
"Ozai paid for his crimes, as did Yakone." Mako told her.
"And Amon will too, we'll go to the rally and tell everyone what we heard. It's sure to destroy the support Amon has and put an end to this revolution." Korra said.
"I'd be careful if I were you Avatar, even if your plan somehow works. My brother will not be easy to defeat, he is the strongest bender I know. And the most dangerous, you had best remember that." Tarrlok told them.
"And he must take people's bending away using his Bloodbending somehow," Sora said. "We'll just have to hope we can stop him before he takes away the bending of more people. Let's get to that rally."
"But what about him?" Mako asked looking at Tarrlok.
"Leave me, nobody will know we spoke of this. Besides if someone comes back to find I'm missing they'll warn Noatak and you'll be in danger." Tarrlok told them.
"Alright. Let's get going." Sora said as she put on her mask again and left the attic with Korra and Mako behind her.
"Spirits protect you." Tarrlok whispered to himself.
The end of the chapter
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