Ambush

Chapter 3: Awakening

Barely conscious, Korra felt herself being drug down what seemed like a long hallway. Her eyes fluttered open slightly and she could make out the light coming from the masked eyes of chi blockers. Glancing past them, she saw metal walls and doors lit by closed electric lamps. Before she slipped out of consciousness, she thought she could hear the faint call of seagulls.

Korra jerked awake as something solid collided with her face. She let out a gasp of pain as her sight adjusted to the darkened room.

"Oh, you're awake?"

Korra looked around to see who spoke. She was in a small room that was little more than a metal box with a lamp in the back. The chi blocker that struck her was standing off at her side. Right in front of her was a metal door. Leaning against the metal door was a man dressed all in black. Seeing her focus on him, he sauntered over to her to get a better look.

"Have a nice nap?"

His tone was cruel and mocking. Korra realized that she was kneeling. She tried to stand, but her hands were chained to the floor. She struggled helplessly and the man laughed. His laugh was high and cold. She looked back at him and froze. She felt scared of him. He was pale with thin cheekbones and lips. His eyes are what frightened her. They were black as darkest night, two black voids in which all light was lost. His face showed an expression of mock concern.

"Ooo…You look a bit uncomfortable. Let me help."

He stood, made a complicated hand gesture that Korra didn't recognize, and pressed his index and middle finger against her temple. Instantly, a pain that Korra had never felt before coursed through her. She felt as if her head would explode. Her vision blurred and her stomach churned. She screamed in agony and the man smiled.

"That better?"

He pulled his hand away and the pain stopped. Korra collapsed against her bonds, panting. She almost sobbed in relief.

"What…..what did he do to me?"

"Too much?"

His hand, which was surprisingly gentle, cupped her face and brought it up to face his. He was muttering things while examining her. Apparently satisfied, he let her go and stood up to leave.

"That was fun. We must do it again sometime."

Korra managed to find her voice before the man left.

"Who…Who are you?…" She said weakly.

The man turned and his eyes held no mocking gaze. When he spoke, no cruel humor remained, just malice.

"They call me Kayne."

His smile made her blood run cold.

"And I'm the one who's going to find out what…Makes…You…Tick…"

Korra didn't know how much time had past since Kayne left. What felt like hours could have easily been minutes. There was no way to tell. At one point, a chi blocker came in to feed her. She spat in his masked faced. The only thing that gained her was a blow to the head. More time past. Korra wondered how long it would be until someone, anyone, realized that no one from the task force had come back. She wondered what became of Tarrlok. In her mind, she saw Tarrlok collapse on the ground, his face held a look of surprise. She hoped he was alright. Faces of those she cared about flashed through her mind:

Her mother and father standing outside their home in the South Pole, waving goodbye to their daughter. Master Katara telling her to pursue her own destiny. Tenzin nodding in approval as she finally made it through the wind gates. Ikki bounding around the walls and always talking. Jinora's face buried in a book. Meelo biting everything he could get his mouth on. Pema's smiling face as she served Korra dinner. Bolin first teaching her pro-bending tactics for the first time. Mako's surprised face after she kissed him.

The sound of the door opening jerked her back to reality. Two chi blockers entered, followed closely by Amon. He stood in a casual stance, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Greetings, Avatar. Kayne tells me you have already met."

As if on cue, Kayne appeared behind Amon. Korra felt herself withdraw from him instinctively. Kayne chuckled.

"Oh, I think she likes me."

His dark eyes shined.

"I know we're going to be the best of friends."

Korra didn't know what to do. She was being held prisoner by the man who plagued her dreams. Causing her to wake up screaming, covered in cold sweat. And standing behind him was a man who could cause intense pain at just a touch.

Trying to hold back tears, Korra spoke.

"What do you want from me?"

Amon bent down to look her in the eye, face to masked face.

"What I want from you is very simple."

His yellow eyes bore into hers.

"You are to be the spark that ignites the final stage of my plan. You will tell the council to surrender the city to me if they ever want to see Tarrlok alive again. You will also convince Chief Beifong to disband her little bending army and give her bending to me."

Korra laughed mirthlessly. She knew Amon was crazy, but this…

"What makes you even think that I would do ANYTHING for you?" She spat.

Amon stood and motioned to one of the chi blockers. He exited the room. Amon stepped aside as a bloody and battered form was thrown to the floor in front of Korra.

"No…..It can't be…"

Her eyes widened and filled with tears as she whispered his name.

"Mako…"

He was conscious, but barely. He was moaning something. Amon stepped foreword and picked him up by his collar. Rage filled Korra as she strained against her bonds, desperately trying to reach him.

"I swear Amon, if you hurt him, I'll-!"

She was cut off by Kayne's laughter.

"You'll do what, little Avatar? Spit at us?"

He turned his attention towards Mako.

"Time to wake the sleeping prince."

Korra felt fear grip her as she saw Kayne make a familiar hand sign and reach his middle and index finger towards Mako's chest.

"NO! I'll do it! I'll do anything! Just please…don't hurt him…"

Amon raised a hand and stopped Kayne from touching Mako. She hated herself for being forced to beg at the feet of her worst enemy. Amon signaled Kayne to stand down. Kayne did so reluctantly. Amon turned to leave.

"Good girl."

They left the room, taking Mako with them. Korra lowered her head and cried bitter tears, wishing that she could have been stronger.

End Chapter 3.

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Next: Chapter 4-All In The Pursuit of Love