Ambush

Chapter 6: Call to Battle

Korra sat next to Tenzin in a City Hall conference room, trying to follow along as Chief Beifong was debriefing the council on the progress they had made that week. It has been almost a month since Tenzin had informed the public on what the Equalists have done. They didn't take it well. Tensions, which were already high due to the previous Equalist actions, snapped. Neighbor turned against neighbor, friend against friend. Even some families had turned on each other. In one short month, the city had divided itself into three factions. The non benders, who were infuriated by Skoochy's murder, forged the Yi Alliance. They believed that, if not for the tyranny of benders, the boy would have lived. The benders of the city, who were sick and tired of living in fear of Amon and the Equalists, decided to fight back and formed a militia who called themselves the Freedom Fighters in honor of a historical group of the same name. Then there was the police, who just wanted to maintain order. So far, only threats and a few small skirmishes have occurred, but it was obvious that it wouldn't be long until the factions became more violent and the city turned into a battlefield. Chief Beifong was trying desperately to keep that from happening. Korra shook her head and tried to focus on the last of Chief Beifong's report.

"…And we heard rumors about the Y.A. stockpiling weapons at a warehouse near Future Industries' main factory. We sent in a recon team and they turned up nothing. We aren't ruling anything out at the moment, but we've decided to postpone the investigation for now and follow up more promising leads."

She sighed and put her hands on the table.

"I'm doing the best I can, but we can't hold this peace much longer."

She looked at Tenzin.

"How are the peace talks coming?"

Tenzin stood and addressed the room.

"I've finally been able to get into contact with the leader of the Freedom Fighters. He calls himself San. He was rather reluctant to engage in peace talks, but I convinced him to consider it. As for the Yi Alliance…They refuse to talk to me. I don't blame them. It will be difficult, if not impossible to contact them."

The councilwoman representing the Fire Nation stood.

"Have we heard anything from the Equalists themselves?"

Tenzin shook his head and looked at Chief Beifong.

"No one has heard anything from the Equalists for weeks."

Tenzin glanced at Korra before speaking.

"There haven't been any leads as to where they've gone either. However-"

Tenzin was interrupted by a council page bursting through the door. He skidded to a halt, panting.

"Council man Tenzin, sir! There's a fight going on between the Alliance and the Freedom Fighters near central station. A patrol got caught in the crossfire and they're requesting backup."

Chief Beifong nodded quickly and motioned to her second in command.

"Get me two squads, and four large transport vehicles. I want them there twenty minutes ago."

Her second in command bowed.

"Right away ma'am."

He left and, as Chief Beifong moved to follow, Korra made a decision. She stood.

"I'm coming too."

Tenzin began to object immediately.

"Korra, I don't think-"

To everyone's surprise, Chief Beifong came to Korra's defense.

"She's not a child, Tenzin. If she wants to make herself useful, then let her. I need all the manpower I can get, and that girl's worth at least 3 of my best men. And if that's a problem for you, feel free to write me a very angry letter and I'll get to it as soon as I'm done saving the city."

A shocked silence followed her outburst. Tenzin looked like he wanted to say something, but couldn't. Chief Beifong glanced briefly at Korra before she left.

"We leave in thirty seconds. Your not with us, you get left behind."

Korra sat alongside Chief Beifong and ten other Meltalbender cops in the back of a police truck. Korra glanced at Chief Beifong as the truck raced down the street. Korra thought back to what she said to Tenzin. That was the first time she's ever heard Chief Beifong speak highly of her. She seemed very tense, so Korra hesitated before speaking to her.

"Umm….Chief Beifong?"

She responded without looking at Korra.

"What is it?"

"Thanks for, you know….Standing up for me…Back there…To Tenzin…"

Chief Beifong was silent for a while. Korra was afraid that she overstepped the line.

"Don't mention it."

Korra thought she misheard. Chief Beifong's voice was never that gentle. She surprised Korra even more by turning toward her and giving her a consoling look.

"Korra, I'm not even going to begin to say that I know what you've been through. I've had a few attempts on my life and some close calls, but…"

She shook her head.

"This Kayne character….I've heard of him a few times before. Stories. None of them pleasant. And for you to have gone toe-to-toe with him and live…You've got guts. And for that, you've earned my respect."

Korra realized, a few seconds too late, that her mouth was hanging open. She shut it quickly. Chief Beifong let out a short laugh and gave Korra a small smile.

"Don't get overexcited. I only allowed you on this mission because I want to see what you can do. Disappoint me and this is the last time you ever go near my city while it's in crisis. Got me?"

Korra returned the smile, the promise of battle starting a fire in her heart.

"Just you try to keep up."

There was a knock on the wall dividing the cab from the back and a small panel opened up.

"Ma'am, ETA is two minutes."

The panel closed and Chief Beifong addressed her men.

"Alright, listen up. What we got here is no ordinary standard rescue op. Securing the patrol team and creating a perimeter is our first objective. Second, we must prevent, or contain any and all violent encounters. Arrest anyone who has violated this objective. I want no or minimum casualties on this mission. Am I understood?"

The entire unit responded in unison.

"YES MA'AM."

Chief Beifong nodded. The panel slid open again.

"Twenty seconds."

Twenty seconds later, the doors swung open.

"Move!"

Everyone immediately jumped out. Korra jumped out followed closely by Chief Beifong. Korra placed herself in a ready stance, surveying the area. It was deserted and deathly quiet. Something was wrong. Chief Beifong's eyes narrowed. She looked around and muttered to herself.

"Was our intel correct…? Something's not right."

She gestured to the other group of Metalbenders.

"Canvas the area then report back to me."

"Ma'am!"

They departed. Chief Beifong returned to the truck and grabbed a handheld radio.

"Squad Seven, can you hear me?"

The radio crackled then a man's voice came over.

"Yes Ma'am. Loud and clear."

"Good, let me know what you see."

"So far, it just seems like abandoned apartments. No signs of life anywhere. Not even lizardcrows seem to want to-Wait…"

Korra tensed. She had a really bad feeling, but she couldn't seem to place it. She looked at Chief Beifong, who's attention was on the radio.

"Ming, report."

"I don't know. We caught movement. It could have been just an animal, or-What was that? Jin? Where is Jin?"

A faint scream of pain and terror came over the radio. Chief Beifong looked slightly worried.

"Ming, what is going on?"

The radio crackled some more.

"…Don't know where he is! Jin, Lee, Xia, and Mao are all missing!"

More static.

"…Are they? I can't see them!…"

More static cut him off. Chief Beifong slammed her hand down on the truck's front, denting it.

"Damn it Ming, tell me what the hell is going on?"

Static. Then what sounded like panting came through.

"Chief…If you can hear me, get out now! It's an amfbush! It was a set up! Equalist chi blockers and Yi Alliance are everywhere! Get out while….By the Spirits…What is that thing? GYAAAAH-!"

The radio went dead.

"Ming? Come in, Ming!"

Chief Beifong threw the radio on the ground in frustration. Just then, an inhuman scream echoed around the area. Korra looked around frantically, fear creeping into her every thought. She felt a sense of paranoia grip her. Every time she looked into a shadow, she thought she saw movement. Every dark corner, she thought she saw a pair of gleaming eyes stare back at her before disappearing. She felt like she was being watched…Hunted. The other Metalbender cops looked the same. Only Chief Beifong showed no signs of fear.

"Stay strong. Keep this perimeter secure."

There was a loud crash behind Korra and she whipped around. A window had fallen out of the second floor of a nearby apartment and broke on the ground. There was a shuffling noise coming from a nearby alley. All of the cops turned their attention towards that alley, metal wires at the ready. Out of the alleyway, came a Metalbender cop. Korra started to feel relieved, then she got a good look at him. Her stomach churned. She looked away just to keep her head from spinning. The Metalbender cop's leg was mangled and it left a trail of blood as he dragged it behind him. He was cut all over, his armor shredded. He was missing an arm just above the elbow. As he entered the clearing, he collapsed. Metalbenders rushed to his aid, along with Chief Beifong.

"Ming! What happened? Who did this to you?"

Ming's voice sounded like gravel scraping against each other.

"Ch…Chi blockers…Distraction…G-g-got…surrounded…Thing…Huge…Claws of…Platinum…Unstoppable…"

Ming coughed and blood tricked out of the side of his mouth.

"I…I'm s-s-s-orry…Chief…I…Failed you…"

His eyes dimmed and he let out a final ragged breath. Chief Beifong closed her eyes.

"You didn't fail me Ming…You were one of the best I had…"

She opened her eyes and examined his body.

"Whatever did this, It was strong. Mere platinum blades can't penetrate this armor. It would take the strength of a tigerdillo to put a scratch on it."

She suddenly became very alert. She stood up looked over at another alleyway. Her eyes went wide.

"What the hell is that…"

Korra turned and saw it shamble out of the alleyway. It stood six feet tall, although it was hunched over. It looked like it used to be human. Its face was wrapped in bloody rags. All that was showing was a gaping mouth and one bloodshot eye. It's knees had been reversed so it walked like an ostrich horse. It's feet were altered to be three-pronged. At the end were three sharp talons. It's arms seemed to be pure muscle and grafted on them were giant claws made of platinum. It let out a scream, the same inhuman noise that Korra heard before. It's eye darted round and then it found a target. It charged right at Korra. Korra felt herself begin to panic as she stumbled backwards. Primal instinct took over as she bended a wall in front of herself. The thing barely slowed as it crashed through the wall and continued it's charge. Korra tripped over something behind her and could only watch in terror as the thing bore down on her. Suddenly, four pairs of wires entangled themselves around the thing, halting it's advance. It looked around, confused and angry. Korra turned to see Chief Beifong and four other Metalbender cops standing in a formation, their wires taught. Their eyes met briefly and Korra felt a new wave of bravery wash over her. She leapt up and, with a whirling kick, blasted the thing up into the air with a pillar of earth. The thing flew high only to be slammed back down into the ground by the Metalbenders. Korra heard a Metalbender cry out and turned to see chi blockers appear out of nowhere. Chief Beifong back flipped out of the reach of one and landed by Korra.

"Ready to show me what you're made of?"

Korra nodded, a little shaken but willing to fight. The two suddenly found themselves surrounded by chi blockers. For a moment, no one moved. A chi blocker threw a bolas at Chief Beifong and the pair sprang into action. Their movements flowed, their actions completely in sync. As Chief Beifong flung one chi blocker into another with her wires, Korra had her back, slamming another two into a nearby apartment with a combination of fire and earth. They dispatched the rest of the chi blockers with ease. Panting, Korra straightened up, brushing her hair out of her eyes. Chief Beifong looked winded as well.

"Not bad…For a rookie."

Korra gave her a small smile.

"I'm just getting started."

The two were brought back to the battle as the thing roared again. They turned to see that the remainder of the chi blockers were either caught or had fled. The five remaining Metalbender cops were desperately trying to fight off the thing with little success. Korra saw it bearing down on a Metalbender and she closed her eyes, concentrating hard.

Remember your training. Remember your training.

She let out a breath and opened her eyes. She turned gracefully and struck out with her palm. A burst of air slammed the thing through the wall of an abandoned building nearby. Korra didn't have time to celebrate her victory as Chief Beifong called out to her. She immediately knew what to do. She grounded herself next to Chief Beifong and they both raised their hands. Korra concentrated as hard as she could, trying to feel the structure of the building itself. In unison, the two brought their hands down and stomped the ground. The entire building collapsed, trapping or killing the thing inside. Korra dearly hoped it was the second. It was over. The remaining Metalbender cops went around and collected their fellow officers. As they were about to leave, they heard a strange noise. It was someone clapping. They whirled around and saw Kayne emerge from the darkness, clapping slowly. The force immediately stood at the ready. Beside Kayne came two robed and hooded figures. They moved silently as though they were ghosts. Kayne stopped a good distance away, out of the Metalbender's range.

"Bravo, bravo. I must say, I thought he would have killed more of you before you eventually took him down. Most impressive."

Chief Beifong signaled an advance. Somewhat reluctantly, the Metalbenders advanced. Jayne rocked back and forth on his feet, smiling gleefully.

"Oh I wouldn't try anything if I were you. Oh boys!"

Out of the darkness came at least seven more of those things. They shambled forward, their bloodshot eyes darting around. Kayne held up a hand, and they stopped.

"My friends here get so jealous if anyone else gets my attention."

He let out his usual cackle. Korra could hear Chief Beifong swear under her breath. There were just too many. Chief Beifong signaled the retreat. They backed up until they got to the trucks. The Metalbender cops got in. Korra was about to when she saw that Chief Beifong wasn't following. Korra decided to wait for her, just in case Kayne made a rash decision…She yelled over to Kayne.

"You're just going to let us go?"

"Umm…Yeah! That's the general idea!"

Chief Beifong said something that made Korra do a double take.

"Why? Why let us go when you could just kill us now and get it over with?"

There was a pause, where Korra thought for a horrible minute that Kayne was considering commanding those things to attack. Then she realized he was laughing.

"Where's the fun in that? No! I'm going to let you live so you can tell your precious city that, very soon, it will be placed under new leadership!"

He made a wide sweeping gesture at the things that stood behind him.

"And that, to all of those who oppose me, they get to have a nice long chat with my Maulers."

Chief Beifong's jaw set, but she turned and walked towards the truck. Just before Korra got in, she heard Kayne call out to her.

"Oh Avatar! One last thing! Say 'hi' to Amon for me!"

The trucks sped out of the area, leaving Korra to wonder just what Kayne meant.

They returned to Air Temple Island just before dark. Tenzin was there to greet them. He looked relieved for a moment, then his face became graver than ever.

"There is something that you both need to see. Immediately."

Without waiting for an answer, he turned with a flourish of his robes and walked briskly towards his house. Chief Beifong and Korra hurried to catch up. They got to the dining room when Tenzin stopped. He turned to look at Korra and Chief Beifong.

"We found him washed up on shore a little while ago. He was starving and very weak. He only just came to not twenty minutes ago."

With that, Tenzin opened the door. Sitting at the table, looking tired and weak, was Tarrlok. Korra's mouth dropped.

"Tarrlok?"

He looked up at them and smiled weakly.

"Well, well, well. Avatar Korra. How nice to see you."

He nodded to Chief Beifong.

"And you as well, Chief Beifong."

Chief Beifong looked stunned.

"Councilman…We thought you were dead. After we rescued the Avatar and her friends we sent down an entire unit to raid the place. Everyone was gone. The trail went cold after a few days."

Tarrlok gave her a wry smile.

"I'm not as weak as I look. Well, maybe not now."

"How did you escape?"

Tarrlok's smile faded and he looked down.

"By doing things that I'm not proud of…I had never taken a life before, but I had no choice…"

As Tarrlok went on to explain his escape, Tenzin pulled Korra aside. He spoke to her in a low, hurried voice.

"Korra, when you went on that mission, did you run into Kayne?"

Korra blinked for a minute.

"How did you-?"

Tenzin gestured for her to follow him and he led her to an underground chamber. In the chamber was only a table, and on it, was a large box. Tenzin handed Korra a note.

"This came for you…It's from Kayne."

Korra's blood ran cold as she opened the letter.

To the Avatar. Love Kayne. This is only the beginning.

Korra remembered what Kayne said to her as she left during the mission.

"Say hi to Amon for me."

Korra dropped the note and looked over at the crate.

"No…"

She rushed over and jerked the lid off of the crate. Lying inside, was Amon. Korra backed up against the wall. She had no idea what to feel. There, lying in a crate, was her enemy. She thought she would feel happy. She should have felt happy. But all she felt was shock and a twinge of sadness. She looked over at Tenzin who had an understanding look on his face.

"I was afraid of this…"

At that moment, Chief Beifong burst into the room, carrying a radio. She glanced briefly at Amon's body before plugging in the radio.

"Tenzin, we have a problem. Listen."

She turned up the volume and a male voice sounded.

"Ladies and gentleman, non-benders of all ages! I give you Kayne!"

A roar of applause and cheers came over the radio. Korra felt sick.

"There are people who actually like that creep?"

Kayne's voice came over the radio.

"Hellooooooo Republic City!"

More cheers, and applause.

"You all know why we're here. Because we are all sick and tired of being bullied by the benders! They push us around, they extort us, they torture us for their own gain! One man stood and decided that 'Enough was enough. I will bring these benders to their knees and make the world a safer place for people like me. The non-benders.'"

A loud roar of applause followed this statement.

"That man's name was Amon. He rose up to fight against the tyranny of the benders. And we followed him. We thought he would lead us to greatness. We thought he would make the world safe for us. We thought wrong."

The cheers and applause was replaced by confused murmuring.

"Amon's vision was the right one, don't get me wrong. I believe in a world where I don't have to fear my neighbor. But the benders don't want to stand down. The benders want to eradicate us. They are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that they stay above us! Look!"

There was a huge gasp from the crowd and more mutterings.

"This young boy was living on the street. He had no money, no parents, no place to call home. He had to steal to survive. He needed a few coins to eat that week, so he grabbed a few coins from a nearby person. And who should that person be? The Avatar herself. She decided a fitting punishment for stealing should be his life."

The murmurs quickly turned into shouts of anger and protest.

"The person who is sworn to keep the world in balance has clearly favored the benders like herself. She has forsaken us!"

Shouts of agreement came from the crowd.

"Amon's vision still stands true, but his methods will no longer work. We've tried diplomacy and they spat in out faces. Now is the time we strike back. Now is the time we show them what real fear is. Now is the time we take back our city!"

Thunderous applause and chants came from the crowd.

"Kayne! Kayne! Kayne!"

"Please…Please….This isn't about me. I am merely a servant to the non-benders of Republic City. And as your servant, I propose a call to battle. We will build an army of the likes this world has never seen! We will march across this land and bring Equality to ALL!"

The crowd went wild. More cheers and applause followed his speech. Chief Beifong turned off the radio, and she, Korra, and Tenzin sat in silence. The war had truly begun.

End Chapter 6

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Next: Chapter 7-A New World Order