"Guess you and I are on guard detail."
Lin crossed her arms over her chest in indignation. "I don't know why they thought I would need your assistance," she replied sourly.
"I can't say I'm overly ecstatic about this arrangement either," Tahno replied somewhat bitterly. He didn't want to be on the island babysitting the Airbender's family. He wanted to be in the city helping the Avatar. But she had pleaded with him to stay with the ex-chief of police.
At first he had refused. Part of him believed the only reason she wanted him to stay on the island was because she thought he couldn't handle himself. He'd quickly brushed that out of his mind. She knew he could. Eventually, and a little begrudgingly, he had agreed to help the old Earthbender. But the woman wasn't thrilled with the idea either. Tahno had a couple ideas why that could be. One idea had something to do with a pole that was shoved up somewhere unpleasant. The other idea was simply that she wasn't too fond of the ex-bender. Both were probably true.
But of course, he couldn't say no to the Waterbender.
*** Once the first blimp started heading their way, Lin had ordered the family to go inside the house. And then of course the pregnant woman just had to go into labor. Tahno irritably decided that the Spirits hated them and were trying to make their lives difficult. Of all the times, he thought, that baby decided on now to enter the world. Fantastic.
The Airbenders were inside by the time the first round of Chi Blockers zip-lined down onto the island. Lin readied herself, as did Tahno. "Think we can call a truce long enough to keep them away from that family?" he asked simply.
Lin nodded curtly. And with that the battle began. Tahno easily dodged the Chi Blocker's punch and knocked him back with an uppercut before kicking him square in the chest, sending him into a pillar. He turned just in time to catch the kick that had been aimed for his head and twisted it sideways till her heard a loud snap and then pushed the man away.
He ducked and then used the man's shoulders as leverage to jump over him and roundhouse kicked his head, sending him sprawling onto the ground, out cold. Lin made three columns of earth rise before sending chunks of it at numerous Equalists, while she also used the metal chords to sling a couple of Equalists together and then send them falling back down to the ground harshly.
She looked over to see how her companion was fairing and saw that he had his hands full and didn't notice one of the masked men. She slammed her palm against the ground and a couple of pillars sent both him and some other Equalists flying off. Tahno looked over at her and nodded in thanks.
Lin then turned back to her own fight and shot a couple of chords at the Lieutenant, who allowed them to wrap around his Kali Sticks before sending a current of electricity to her. She crumpled to her knees as the shock used her metal armor as a conductor. Tahno made to go help but was quickly overpowered by numerous Blockers.
They would have been done for if the Airbending kids hadn't shown up. While Lin was freaking out about the fact that the kids shouldn't be out there, Tahno watched, somewhat impressed with how easily the kiddies took out the masked men. Plus, it didn't hurt that he got to see the great Lin Bei Fong look somewhat annoyed.
"Not bad Kiddies," Tahno said with a crooked grin. The youngest smiled a gap-toothed smile at the taller boy while his sister's smiled proudly.
It was about that time when the Avatar and her crew landed back on the island. Korra was the first one off, followed quickly by Tenzin, who embraced his kids. Korra approached the ex-Pro-Bender with a huge relieved smile on her face.
"You look happy to see me, Avatar," he stated smugly.
Korra rolled her eyes. "You wish. I just wanted to make sure the Equalists didn't kick your butt too bad."
Tahno grinned down at her, his eyes sparking with that old arrogant glint, like he knew something she didn't. "Just admit you were worried about me, Little Girl." Korra said nothing. Tahno then looked over at the Airbending children. "If it weren't for them, you would have something to worry about."
"You let them fight?" Tenzin questioned the old chief. "What were you thinking?"
Lin smirked at the Airbender. "They saved us. If they hadn't intervened we would be on our way to Amon right now." Korra noticed the way Tahno stiffened at the name and placed a hand on his shoulder. He nodded at the gesture. Lin placed a hand on the nomad's shoulder and smiled. "Go. Be with your wife."
Tenzin and his family walked into the house, followed shortly by everyone else. Tahno lingered outside, not wanting to intrude on this private moment. He'd let this unit of people, this family, have one peaceful and radiant minute to forget about the war raging in the city. He didn't belong with this group of people. He was the outsider.
"You coming?" Tahno turned to see Korra, looking over her shoulder at him. She looked curious as to why he wasn't following the rest of them inside.
"You guys go ahead. I'm not much for sentimentality." Korra frowned, looking slightly disappointed. Seeing the look, Tahno sighed. "I'll be there in a minute." Korra then smirked before walking inside, leaving Tahno to think he'd just been played. This made him grin crookedly. He was rubbing off on her.
He then turned toward the city and noticed more blimps on their way. So much for giving them a moment.
*** The Air Acolytes loaded up the sky bison while Tenzin and the Avatar said their goodbyes. The Airbender and his family, along with Lin, and the rest of the nomads took off into the sky. Korra then turned to Team Avatar and Tahno and told them to hop onto Naga so they could get off the island. Mako, Bolin and Asami got onto the white furred beast but Tahno remained where he stood, noticing a problem that the Waterbender had apparently overlooked.
Korra turned toward him when the ex-Bender didn't make a move toward her fluffy friend and raised a brow. "Um, Tahno, we sorta need to get moving," she stated, jerking her thumb over her shoulder at the dog like creature.
Tahno sighed and looked over at her. "We won't all fit," he said. Korra's eyes widened as she looked from him to Naga and back. "I'll try to buy you guys some time," he added.
Korra shook her head. "I'm not leaving you."
He smirked down at her sadly. "I'm afraid we don't have time for your usual stubbornness, Sweetheart. I'll be fine. It's not like he can take my Bending, " he replied with a light chuckle, which sounded forced to both of them. He was trying so hard to remain calm, for her sake and his. "Now get going. They're coming."
As if on cue a metal chord shot down from one of the blimps, almost impaling the polar bear-dog and her passengers. Tahno practically pushed the girl toward Naga. "Go! Now!" Korra hopped on her friend and looked down at the swamp dweller.
"Don't do anything stupid, Pretty Boy," she stated between clenched teeth before telling Naga to start running.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he muttered before turning to look over at the White Lotus guards. They nodded at him and they turned to face the onslaught of Equalist henchmen.
The sentries put up a decent fight but in the end they were quickly overpowered. Tahno ducked one punch before one landed a kick to his chest and more jabbed his arms and legs, knocking him to the ground. Tahno struggled against their hold but found it to be futile.
The last thing he saw before everything went black was a Blocker's boot coming toward his head.
*** "And what have we here?"
"We captured him on Air Temple Island, Sir."
"So he is acquainted with the Avatar."
The voices sounded as if they were coming from a distance and Tahno shook his head, trying to recover his wits. When his vision finally cleared he saw several booted pairs of feet inches away from where he was kneeling. Out of his peripheral vision he could see a limp, armored body lying against the cold cobblestone. He shook his head again, not believing who it was.
Lin Bei Fong.
"So you've finally decided to join us," said a cold, emotionless voice. It was the voice that had haunted Tahno's nightmares. The voice that, at that moment, made him stiffen. He looked up, blinking against the rain and met the gaze of the masked lunatic.
"I remember you," he continued. "You were one of those cheating Wolf-Bats. The one that begged me to spare his Bending."
Tahno's jaw clenched but he forced himself not to say anything.
"Tell me where the Avatar is."
Tahno's first reaction to that was to roll his eyes. Then the meaning of it sunk in. Korra had gotten away! She'd made it to safety. He had to suppress the smile that threatened to ruin his poker face. If she was safe then his sacrifice hadn't been for nothing. "What makes you think I know her location?" Tahno countered, trying to keep the satisfaction out of his tone. "But wherever she is, I hope she comes and kicks your ass."
Amon stared down at the boy, not the least bit fazed. "When the Avatar and I do come face to face again, she will be exterminated. Of this, I have no doubt." He sounded so sure and so convincing that Tahno almost found himself believing him. He had to give credit where credit was due. This guy was good at manipulating a crowd.
"I wouldn't be too sure," Tahno replied, conviction in his voice. "She's stronger than you know. You'd have to be an ingrate to underestimate her abilities."
Amon studied the boy as if he were something under a microscope. "Only one will come out of this unscathed. You must know this. And it will be me," he stated. "But do not fear. Her demise will be quick and painless."
The ex-Waterbender jerked upward, trying to stand, but the Equalists flanking him held him in place. "You won't touch her, you sorry son of a-" He was cut off when a palm connected with his cheek. Needless to say, he didn't feel so smug anymore, especially after Amon's comment.
"It would seem I have struck a nerve," the revolutionary stated, wiping his hands together as if trying to get rid of any uncleanliness. "Tell me where she is."
Tahno spat a mixture of blood and spit onto the man's boot. "No."
Amon snapped his fingers and his followers hoisted the boy to his feet, causing a sensation of lightheadedness to the captive. He forced himself to keep his focus locked on the man in front of him. He ignored the slight pain in his head and he suppressed the urge to shiver as the cold rain hit his skin and soaked his clothes.
"How much pain are you willing to endure for her?" Tahno remained silent. Amon nodded as if that was all the answer he had needed. "Lieutenant, teach this boy what happens to those who stand in the way of our goal." The second in command nodded and unsheathed his Kali Sticks. "And despose of him when you're done," he added so only the Lieutenant could hear.
"Yes, Sir," the other man replied as Amon and most of his followers left, carrying Lin's body as if she were a rag doll. Two of the goons had stayed behind to restrain Tahno. The former Pro-Bending champ glared at Lieutenant as he approached, Kali Sticks alive with electricity.
"Dont worry kid, this is going to be fun," he said with a cruel grin. He jabbed the sticks against the pale-eyed boy's chest, causing him to stiffen as he ground his teeth together to keep from screaming. "For me, anyway."
*****Please don't hate me! I have my reasons! And rest assured that I will never kill Tahno…I don't think I'd be able to live with myself. And for all of you who think that he might have been acting a bit weird in this chapt….*shrug* "Deal with it."
I'm out! Peace!