Tahno blinked up at the white monster towering above him. He'd been on his way to Air Temple Island when he'd been tackled to the ground by some unknown force. The beast had managed to knock the wind right out of him, but now it stood above him, staring at him with its large brown eyes.
"Just the beastie I was looking for," Tahno muttered, trying to push the oversized canine off of him. Naga slowly backed up, allowing him to stand. "Korra told me that you're an amazing tracker. Do you think you could track her down?" Tahno wasn't overly fond of the idea of asking the mutt for help, considering their history. But he needed to find Korra.
Naga tilted her head to the side, but upon hearing her master's name stood at attention and barked. She grabbed Tahno's sleeve between her teeth and pulled urgently, telling him to come.
Tahno wondered what he was getting himself into as he hoped onto the beast's saddle and allowed the dog like creature to lead the way…into the mountains.
***Korra pounded against the four walls that held her prisoner, looking for any weaknesses in the metal. There were none. Even with all her abilities she couldn't make the metal bend to her will. It was a skill she hadn't learned.
Hot tears ran down her cheeks as she banged her fist against the smooth metal in frustration. How could she have let this happen to her? She was the Avatar. She was supposed to be able to handle situations like this.
"You are not, in fact, the Avatar. You are merely a half-baked Avatar in training."
Tarrlok's words came rushing back to the forefront of her memory, making her teeth clench and her body slump tiredly against the wall as she shut her eyes. Why couldn't she have just waited till morning? If she'd just been patient like Tenzin had said she wouldn't be in this mess. But when had she ever listened to Tenzin?
She was too impulsive and brash for her own good. She was the failure among the Avatars. She was the disappointment. Tarrlok had been right. She wasn't a real Avatar.
"If you're willing to believe him, you aren't the person I thought you were, Korra."
Her eyes opened as she remembered Tahno telling her this, sincerity and anger at the fact that she had believed the politician clear as day in his voice. Korra felt something stir inside her. She would not sit here feeling sorry for herself. She had a promise to keep; to the city and to him.
She wasn't going to go out like this.
She crossed her legs and connected her fists above her stomach. If she was going to be stuck in that infernal box than she was going to at least do something productive.
*** "Are you sure you know where you're going, Fleabag?" The four legged beast huffed at him but didn't stall in her movements. They were heading deeper into the mountains, the terrain getting rougher and the temperature was dropping. The ex-Bender was grateful he'd grabbed a jacket but he knew that wouldn't protect him for much longer if they continued.
The mutt sniffed the air before taking off running. Tahno scrambled to grab onto the reigns to prevent being knocked off at the sudden change of speed. "A little warning next time, Fido, would be appreciated!" he hissed over the rush of wind.
Just as quickly as she took off, Naga slowed back to her normal pace. She sniffed the air and looked around before hanging her fluffy head and whimpering pathetically. Tahno patted the beast's fur and sighed.
"I'm worried too," he said absently. Snow was starting to fall around them, hitting his cheek and making him shiver involuntarily. He pulled the collar of his jacket up, trying in vain to shield himself from the elements.
If I were still a Waterbender, he thought solemnly, I wouldn't have to worry about the snow. He shook his head. No need to think like that. He didn't need Bending to help Korra. But it sure wouldn't hurt.
*** Korra waited till the electricity around her faded before she allowed herself to drop to the floor. She lay there motionless as the door opened. Then, without any warning, she sent a powerful fire kick at the Chi Blockers, knocking them back and clearing the way for her to escape. She ran up the stairs and busted through the door, catching Amon's gaze, noticing Tarrlok laying motionless in the back of the satomobile. She took a step back before sending shards of ice at the masked man before taking off in the opposite direction.
She didn't bother to check and see if the man was following her because she didn't doubt it. She snowboarded down the embankment, picking up speed before tripping over a root and skidding into a tree. She made a move to get up but fell back down when her body protested against the movement.
*** The sun would be rising soon and there was still no sign of the Avatar. Though, he had to admit, that the mutt was being of some use.
Naga suddenly howled and Tahno was brought back out of his thoughts to see something lying in the snow. Against the white were shades of blue and brown. His heart sped up as he quickly jumped off the polar bear-dog and ran over to the girl.
He kneeled down next to her and shook her. Her eyes fluttered open and found his. "P-pretty Boy?" Tahno chuckled and helped her sling her arm around his neck. He stood with her and helped her walk over to her pet.
"Well who did you expect, Avatar?" He smirked at her. "But you should also thank your mutt. Without her I wouldn't have found you."
Naga licked her master's face and Korra managed a tired smile at the both of them. "Good girl, Naga."
*** "Where is she?" Mako muttered, leaning over the side of Oogie's saddle, searching for any sign of the Avatar.
"Take it easy, Bro. We'll find her."
Asami watched with sad eyes as her boyfriend panicked. Sure, Asami was worried too, but she could tell there was something else in Mako's panic.
A loud howl came from a few blocks away. "That's Naga!" Mako exclaimed. Tenzin steered the sky bison toward the sound and landed a few feet away from the smaller beast and her passengers.
Tahno sat behind the Avatar, his arms wrapped around her as he held the reigns, keeping her from falling off as she leaned back against him. Mako was the first to get off Oogie and over to Naga, followed by the others. Tahno hopped off and reached up to help the Waterbender down. She practically fell into his arms, too tired to complain. The others gathered around her till Mako pushed them back.
"Give her some space, guys!" His attention shifted to the Nonbender as he cradled the Avatar in his arms.
"She needs medical attention," Tahno said, looking the Firebender in the eyes. Mako looked down at the girl, taking in the cuts that littered her arms and face.
He nodded.
*** "How do you manage to get yourself into these situations?"
"What can I say? Being the Avatar is a blessing and a curse." Tahno rolled his eyes at this.
"I'm starting to think you're trying to get yourself killed. Your choice of friends has always been questionable."
"Well that explains why I hang out with you," Korra shot back. Tahno's expression changed to that of mock hurt.
"And here I thought we were friends because of my devilish good looks."
"In your dreams, Pretty Boy."
"You're right about that, Avatar." Korra rolled her eyes as she leaned back against her pillows, a tired sigh escaping her lips. "You okay?"
"I'm fine. Just haven't got much sleep the last couple of nights. You know, with being kidnapped and all." Tahno frowned. Korra noticed and punched his shoulder, causing him to yelp. He rubbed the offended appendage and sent a glare at her as she settled back against her pillows.
"You need to relax, Pretty Boy. I'm back here, safe and sound." Tahno huffed and leaned back against his chair, stuffing his hand into his pockets. That's when he felt something. He immediately sat straight up again and almost awkwardly pulled out the dark pink rose. It was slightly wrinkled and the edges were fading, but for the most part it was still intact.
He handed it to her and she raised a brow as she grasped it between her fingers. "What's this?"
"I just…well I…" Had he seriously just stuttered. Korra watched as he stood and walked over to the other side of the room, his back to her as he pinched the bridge of his nose. It was rather amusing seeing him so flustered. It was a rare thing. He turned back to face her and cleared his throat.
"I'm just trying to show my thanks." Korra blinked at him.
"For what?"
"I…Well you…" He sighed. "Can't you just accept the rose and leave it at that?" Korra smirked at his state.
"Fine then, you're welcome…for whatever it is," she teased, smelling the rose. Tahno ran a hand through his hair before sitting back in his seat. He closed his eyes only to open them once more when he felt her kiss his cheek. She leaned back against the bed and watched as he blinked a couple of times before turning his gaze on her.
"And what, my dear Avatar, was that?" Korra smiled innocently at him.
"I'm just trying to show my thanks," she replied.
**** This is so how this episode should have went! Where the hell was Tahno anyway! I mean, he's been missing for the last two episodes! I want my TAHNO!Please, Bryke, don't forget about Tahno!
Im out! Peace!