The ride to the airfield was a long and tiring one, especially for pups barely a week old. Several times they had to stop and rest because Naga refused to go on without her babies. Pabu would do his best to keep the pups moving and not wander away from the group.
"Hurry up little ones we don't have much time left. If those biplanes take off and find the Second Division missing they're going to keep searching until they find the fleet so they can sink it," Asami gently urged.
"How much further until we reach the airfield? I'm getting sores from riding Naga to long," Bolin whimpered.
"If I'm reading this device right, the airfield should be right over that hill," General Iroh informed the group. They reached the top of the hill and looked down below. Exactly where Red Arrow's tracer said it would be was an air strip. The entire facility was protected by a large electrified fence and patrolling the perimeter were Equalists with electrogloves and several in mechas. The planes were getting fueled up as more weapons were loaded onto them. "Looks like they're getting ready to do an air strike. We need to get in there and take out those air crafts. Any suggestions about how we get inside?"
"Give me those binoculars. As far as I can tell there's no gap in the fence that we can exploit. The power seems to be coming from that generator near the hanger, but there's no way to take it out. Bolin, maybe you could tunnel us under?" Asami questioned.
"Not without them noticing the seismic activity going on under the feet. The earth here isn't packed as tightly so anytime I move it they'll see it. The planes will take off before I have a chance to ground them. Hmm, I wonder, hey Pabu you think you could help us out?"
Pabu let out a little chit and gave his friend a confused look. Bolin gestured to the generator and made hand signals about what he wanted the little fire ferret to do. Pabu quickly scampered off racing down the hill and climbing a tree near the fence. Pabu hurried down a limb dangling over the fence, before jumping and doing a midair somersault over the fence, and landing in a handstand on the other side. He quickly darted among the planes and their weapons and found the generator where he quickly chewed through the wires. Within seconds the fence was down and people were shouting trying to figure out what the problem was.
"Okay Naga hurry up. We need to sneak around back and dig under the fence before they get it working again. Let's go girl!" Asami urged. The Polar Bear Dog needed no urging as she raced around back with her pups nipping at her heels. Using the forest for cover the female slipped around back and started urgently digging. The little pups helped clearing the dirt as fast they could. Soon they had a hole large enough and the trio plus animals slipped through. They covered their tracks and hid behind some crates just as the fence activated again.
"Good job. Now the hard part begins. We need to take out those planes as well as any Equalists weaponry we come across. No matter what happens we can't let them leave incase Commander Bumi didn't figure out the message to hide in the opposite direction. Asami, you and Bolin go into the hanger and sabotage the mechas and tanks. Naga, her pups, and I will handle the planes. For Agni's sake be careful," General Iroh warned.
"Don't worry about us, just get the job done. Come on Bolin, time to use those pro bending skills to the max," Asami whispered as they made their way towards the hanger joined by Pabu.
General Iroh stealthily made his way towards the biplanes. He kept low to the ground and ducked behind crates to keep from being spotted. He put a finger to his lips and whispered "shush, we don't want to be spotted," to the little ones. Naga growled softly at her pups to stop their yipping and stay quite. The little ones quieted down as they started to belly crawl towards the planes.
Just as they were about to reach the first one the alarms went off startling the group. "Intruders! We've got intruders in the hanger! Secure the biplanes! We can't let anything happen to them!"
"There! I see someone by the biplanes! Get them!" an Equalist shouted. General Iroh broke cover and took off running towards the biplanes sending several spinning fire kicks at the storming Equalists. Naga took off loping after making sure her pups were hidden. Her teeth flashed as she sank them into the nearest Equalist. Ignoring the electric discharges she slammed her paws down knocking several over. Using her bulk she shoved three more to the ground. She kicked her back legs and wagged her tail so hard it knocked several bombs over causing explosions. With a loud howl she charged forward heading towards the hanger intent on helping Asami and Bolin.
General Iroh did a high jump kick followed up by close combat strikes before low kicking more Equalists off him. He formed two fire whips whirling them about as four smart Equalists attacked him with Hiroshi's new high pressured foam guns trying to smoother his flame. Ducking under the foam, he let loose a roar of fire from his mouth pushing them back.
"We can't let him get close to the planes! Have them take off now! If the Second Fleet manages to get into the bay the Revolution will fail!" yelled one Equalist. The pilots rushed past their comrades' intent on getting to their planes as quickly as possible. General Iroh attempted to side step his attackers to get at the pilots only to be hit in the side by a high pressured water house that sent him slamming into the hanger wall. He heard at least two ribs cracking as he got to his feet once more to fight.
In the hanger pandemonium had broken loose. Pabu was darting among the rafters trying to avoid being chard broiled by the new mega tanks mini missiles. The little ferret made a flying leap barely snagging a hanging light with his teeth. As he dangled above the battle below he started swinging back and forth before releasing himself at the tank. Pabu avoided being shot and squeezed through the window on the tank. Once inside he started darting about the cockpit trying to make the Equalists damage it themselves.
Bolin was also busy trying to help anyway he could. He created fissures trying to bury the mecha and mecha tanks, but despite being bulky and heavy they were speedy. With a powerful kick he created two pillars of rock to protect him from being caught by the mechas capture cables. Breaking off small chunks and compressing them he rapid fired them clogging up two mechas and causing them to blow. More Equalists popped out of the offices and started firing the new tesla guns. "I'll say it again, where does Hiroshi have time to come up with this stuff?"
"Die bender! Glory to the Equalists!"
"Long live Amon!"
"I'm getting tired of your blinding loyalty!" Bolin shouted creating an earth wall to keep himself safe. "Asami, please tell me you have a plan?!" he shouted into the walkie talkie.
"I'm kinda busy right now Bolin, fighting for my life. See if you can hold out a little longer until I get to you!" Asami shouted as she made her mecha dodge to the left then spin around and fire an electric line at her father's mecha. His new mecha was smaller, but had more firepower as a flamethrower popped out of its shoulder blasting a deadly stream of conflagration at her. Asami pressed a few buttons bringing up her platinum armor to help shield her from her dad's attack. Flicking a switch she turned on the radio. "Enough Dad, you need to stop this obsession with destroying benders! Can't you see how much it's changed you?"
"I'm just trying to make the world a better place for us, for all non benders. The benders have always ruled the world keeping us under their feet. They are responsible for every war, every crime, and every death that ever happened in this supposed utopia of nations! The Avatar is no force of balance only destruction! I'm doing this to avenge the death of your mother, how is equalizing everyone wrong?"
"How is blaming everyone for the actions of one fair? How is creating machines of violence and destruction supposed to bring about peace? You're kidnapping children, woman and men who are trying live decent lives and stealing parts of their souls leaving them damaged! Don't you see Dad that it takes a world of benders and non to create a better world? To commutate with the Guardian Spirits who watch and protect us? I agree that there is room for change, but the way you're going about it is wrong! I refuse to hurt people whose only crime is to be born with a power they didn't ask for! You say you're doing this for mom, but the mother I remember never would have condoned this violence. She would have forgiven them and tried to find another way to bring about change through peaceful ways not violence. In the name of her memory I'll fight you to the end!"
"I see there is no reasoning with your poisoned mind! You are no longer my daughter and I will enjoy crushing your traitorous hide underneath my power!" Hiroshi shouted. His obsession had completely taken over his mind and there was nothing left of the man who was once a love father. He activated all his weapons and targeted Asami ready to kill her in a single strike. He was about to press the button when Naga slammed into his side sending the mecha toppling and the shots went wild. It was the opening Asami was looking for as she activated her mechas motors and went in for close combat.
She activated her clawed arm and swung it down as hard as she could. Her mecha fingers tore apart the suit. Asami started twisting knobs as she brought back her mecha's leg and kicked his as hard as she could. Hiroshi fell out the suit as it shattered. She launched two electro bolos capturing him. He was glaring at her hatefully, but she ignored it. The man before her wasn't her father, just a body full of hatred. "Bolin, start demolishing those strips now!"
"Will do Asami, by the have you seen the pups? Naga's going crazy over here looking for them."
That's when the high pitched whine of the pups could be heard over the sound of the biplanes taking off. General Iroh had just finished dispatching the final Equalist and gasped. The pups had somehow managed to get aboard three of the biplanes that were taking off! "Bolin, give me some height!" he shouted as he started running down the strip. Bolin ripped apart the strips and created a staircase of floating rock. General Iroh ascended to the highest one and then took off with his firebending aiming for the nearest biplane.
General Iroh was flying as fast as he could and managed to snag the tail of the plane. He started crawling towards the cockpit and took the pilot by surprise tossing him out. "How does one fly this crazy contraption?" he asked. He pushed the stick forward and found himself losing control as he went in a steep climb. He pushed the biplane forward only to go into a nose dive. He struggled trying to gain control as he looped crazily around the cityscape. After several minutes of struggling he finally gained control.
With firm determination he flew the plane towards the closet biplane that was starting to fly erratically. He caught a flash of white and silver as Taqqiq was being flung around and struck against the wing braces by the pilot. General Iroh took careful aim and fired a bolt of lightning at the plane causing it to take a nose dive. The Equalist bailed out leaving the helpless pup crying in the cockpit. General Iroh pushed the stick forward flying underneath the doomed plane. "Jump in! I'll catch you!"
"Woof! Howlllllllllllllllllll!" Taqqiq free-fell through the air, his little paws scurrying all over. He landed with a thud on top of General Iroh's head. The firebender yanked the pup to the floor and went after the rest of the planes. He shot several fireballs at one plane and twisted high into the air above the dropping of bombs. He fired his gun at another one. Two planes were getting close to Aang statue. The pilots were losing control as Kallik and Silaluk nipped and pawed at the Equalists. They were thrown out of the biplane towards the bay, but that wasn't enough to save the biplanes that crashed into Amon's mask breaking it off the statue.
General Iroh's heart almost popped out of his chest as he watched the helpless pups fall. "Hold on, I'm going to save your sisters!" He pushed the plane to its limits as he skimmed the bay waters. With a hard twist to the left he reached out snagging the pups in his arms as he flew up and around Aang's statue as he headed back towards the landing strip. The rambunctious pups were yipping and licking him enthusiastically. "Okay, that's enough settle down. Your mom will be really happy to see you. I hope that Korra's team is doing okay."
While General Iroh's team had been handling the biplanes the trio had been sneaking into the arena. They were now hiding out in the upper hallways leading to the balcony seats. "So, any ideas on how to expose Amon for whom he really is? The recording isn't going to help much if we can't back it up with proof."
"No, but it will put the Equalists on edge and unbalance them. I suggest we play Tarrlok's confession and then you confront him," Red Arrow suggested.
"She shouldn't do that alone. I'll go with her for protection."
"No, the Lieutenant was talking about something big happening at the rally tonight. I don't know what it is, but we need to be close to the stage to act. Mako, sneak into the crowd and get as close to the stage as possible. When Amon make his move be ready to act. How long do you think it will take you to start playing the recording?"
"Not long, I'll sneak into the broadcaster's booth and start it up when he starts his speech. Keep his attention on you so I can get into the perfect sniper shot. You sure you're up to this?"
"Public persuasive speaking to convince hundreds of people who hate me, that their leader is lying about who he really is, and that they shouldn't follow him? How hard can that be after fighting the Light? I'll be fine I promise. You two be careful," Korra told them. The others nodded as she took a deep breath and slunk onto the balcony.
The rally was in full swing. People were down below cheering as posters with Amon's face rose up from the ground. Fireworks sparkled as the chi blockers and the Lieutenant took the stage. Korra spotted Mako slipping as close a possible to the stage. She saw the outline of Red Arrow hooking up his recorder to the mike. She stood up and waited for Amon to arrive. "Spirits if you can hear me, please give me strength to end this the right way."
Amon rose up from the stage to a room of cheers. He raised his fist to the air in triumph. "Citizens of Republic City, our time is now! We have taken control of Republic City and within weeks the entire United Republic of Nations will be the only equalized nation! With our growing numbers we will take the three Water Tribes, the Air Acolytes rebuilding the Nomads temples and both the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation. By the end of the year our world will be equalized!"
"Equalized! Equalized! Equalized!"
"This has been a dream of mine since the destruction of my family and my unfortunate scarring by a firebender. The Avatar believes that we can learn to work together and that we can strive to a better future by helping one another. She is a fool and blinded by her bending! Only when she is equalized and under my control can we truly bring about my dream," Amon preached. He was about to continue on about how useless she was. That's when an annoyed Red Arrow had enough.
"As much as I enjoy listening to your boastings I believe that you need a dose of reality. Everyone, open you ears and minds to the truth," Red Arrow said into his mike. He played his recording and hurried out the booth to find a vantage point to strike from.
The Equalists were muttering under their breaths and looking at Amon in confusion. His faithful Lieutenant stood next to him wondering why he wasn't reacting. "You need to address this. Even if it's a fabrication you need to do something."
"Is this your final naïve attempt to attack a helpless non bender Avatar? You're spewing lies and attacking my character. How noble of you. I have to wonder why the Spirits chose such a foolish, bratty girl to be our supposed champion of peace. What a bunch of nonsense. Show yourself Avatar or are you afraid?"
"Here I am Amon and your right I am afraid, but not of you!" Korra shouted. All eyes were on her taking into account her strange probending uniform. Korra took a step closer to the railing and pressed a button on her helmet. All at once her voice filled the arena. "I'm not afraid of you or the Equalists Amon. I'm afraid that your actions will doom bender and non benders alike. Don't you realize that your actions are harming the Spirits and their World? The Spirit World is linked to ours; damage to one could irrevocably damage both. You said that your powers were given to you by the Spirits, but that's not the truth! They would never do anything that might harm themselves!"
"As if you really know anything about the Spirits or their world, everyone here knows that you're spiritually blocked. Any interaction with the Spirits you've had has obviously been corrupted by your impurity. You pride yourself on your powerful bending, but care nothing about the faith of the people or the concerns of those who can't protect themselves. You said that violence solves nothing and that if we work together we can build a better world, but you're the reason for this imbalance! You're the most biased, foolish, uncaring Avatar! You abandoned your people and returned. You claimed that you discovered new ways to help the Equalists with their plight, but its only lies. You care only for your kind; we don't need an Avatar anymore to protect us, especially temperamental teenage girl who's more interest in love then helping others. You're a failure," Amon taunted. Other Equalists looked at her agreeing with him, but the Lieutenant was starting to doubt his leader. The Spirits had come to him warning him to hold off his attack or risk a dark secret being revealed. Was the secret that he didn't have spiritual powers? That he was in fact a bender?
"I didn't abandon my people! I was kidnapped by Tarlok and nearly died escaping the two of you! If it wasn't for the Spirits intervention I would have. The world they sent to me was unlike anything I have ever seen before to help me overcome my weakness. I left to become a better Avatar for all my people."
"A likely story, you're just trying to earn sympathy for your cause by portraying yourself a victim. Where is your proof of you claims?" Amon challenged her. It was unlikely she had any proof, but he was ready to counter it any chance he got.
Korra was blinking back tears and gripping the railing for support. She was losing this rhetoric battle. She needed something special to help her cause. "Computer, can you project a picture of me and the team on a mission for all to see?"
"Analyzing request, image selected. Displaying now!" Her water tribe symbol glowed as photo of her and the team was projected over Amon's poster. There were gasps as they took in the strange looking members and their costumes. "This is my proof. My friends, Young Justice, are all very different. Some have special powers while others are great warriors. They all work together to try to help people. Their world is so much bigger and it's not balanced at all. I learned that balancing good or evil is much more complex, in reality there are several shades of gray. I learned with the help of them the true meaning of justice. As an Avatar I must control my emotions and open my mind to all the different people and the world's problems. I have learned to defend myself without bending and being a team player. I wish to help both our groups to a brighter future. Will you let me?"
"Do you really expect us to believe in your tricks? We don't need you anymore. I don't know how you creating this moving picture, but I'm tired of listening to you. It's time for me to continue with my rally. You're in for a special treat liar. Once I'm done with my next phase you and your friends will be equalized. Men, take her," Amon commanded. At that exact moment an arrow landed squarely between his feet missing his balls by a few inches. The entire ground looked stun as spotlight popped on. There standing on top of the announcer booth was Red Arrow, pointing another arrow dead center at Amon. "Who are you supposed to be? Some new age citizen trying to emulate the Yu Yu Archers?"
"My name is Red Arrow and I'm Avatar Korra' living proof of what she says! I came from the other world returning here to help her find a way to bring peace and balance for all! You claim to want equality; however your methods tell me that you are nothing short of a bully. You reminded me of a group of individuals called the Light. They thought it was their right to try and force their ideals of status quo on everyone. They believed by manipulating, lying, and control all aspects of lives at the same time letting evil run amok they were helping evolve the human race. Ha, they were only creating the downfall of our planet while they gained everything they ever wanted! Nothing good could ever come from people like that and I'm positive that you don't have the best interests of anyone's heart, but your own! I won't let you hurt anymore people."
"Brave words for an outsider, truly it astounds me that a non bender with your skill level could be swayed by the Avatar, but then again boys always fall for a pretty face. Before you fire your arrow or the Avatar uses her bending, I would reconsider. Behold," Amon snapped his fingers. From below the stage rose poles with Tenzin, the kids along with Pema clutching little Rohan chained and gagged. Rohan was crying his little lungs out frightened by all that was going on. His mother tried to cradle him close to her, but the chains prevented her from giving much comfort. "My fellow Equalists today marks the end of the cursed Airbending. I know what they say that airbending in not fatal, that it was designed to dodge about and bring spiritual enlightenment, but we all know that's nonsense. Airbending can't be allowed to thrive. So I will remove it from this small family, including the newborn after we punish his mother for birthing these monsters!"
There was a mixed review from the crowd and even the Lieutenant was looking a bit ill at the thought of harming a newborn and his mother. They had no proof that Rohan was a bender yet. If Amon equalized a non bender what damage could it bring? As Amon got ready to strip Tenzin of his bending three things happened at once. First, Mako jumped onto the stage doing three flying fire kicks knocking back the guards from the family before going after the chi blockers. Amon was lifted into the air just floating, as the Avatar shakily rode a tornado down to the stage. Red Arrow shot a zipline riding it to center stage before turning his bow flat and attacking Lieutenant with who countered with his electrified kai sticks.
"You're a traitor to your own kind!" Lieutenant growled as batted at Red Arrow, The young archer deflected the sticks then shoving the Equalist back. Flipping is bow again he sliced the quiver downward, cutting a deep gash in the Lieutenant outfit. He grimaced in pain as kai stick hit him in the side. A strong punch to the chest had him kneeling at the floor. When Lieutenant came at him to kick his jaw in he grabbed it, twisting it to the left and stood up while throwing him over his shoulder. He shot two regular arrows knocking the kai sticks out of his foe's hands. Then he fired a goo arrow trapping one of the Equalist foot. "I'm not a traitor to anyone. I'm a hero. If you're too blind to open your eyes to the kind of man Amon really is then your in trouble," he whispered before hurrying to help Mako with the chi blockers and freeing Tenzin's family.
Mako ducked and dodged about meeting the chi blockers with his fiery fists. He flipped over two blockers letting them wrap his hands in their cables before sending an electric charge through the wire into them. Two Equalists attacked him from the side as he dropped to the ground on his arms. Stretching out his legs he hooked them, tripping them up as he kneed another. His training as pro bender came in as he shortened his fire balls blowing them up at close range sending the Equalist to the ground. Two foam arrows shot past him nailing two more chi benders popping out from below the stage. "Thanks, you're a real life saver."
"Don't thank me yet, we need to get these chains off them now! My buzz saw arrow isn't making much of a dent in them. Can you burn them off?"
"I'm going as fast as I can, but it would be quicker if Korra helped us out."
At the moment Korra had her own problems. She could feel Amon trying to use his blood bending to undo her gravity bending. He was twitching and thrashing so much she had no choice, but to use airbending to place him gently on the ground. The second he was on the ground he came at her grabbing her right wrist. His other hand was nearing her forehead. She reached down with her free and sliced into him with her boomerang. Remembering a technique Aqualad taught her, she twisted fully around shoving herself into Amon making him break his grip. Taking a deep breath she flung three boomerangs at Amon intending to pin him to the wall.
Amon saw her plan and side stepped two and was about to dodge the third when a gentle breeze sent it towards his mask. There was a load thrawk and then the pieces of Amon's mask fell to the ground shattering. He glared at her hatefully with rage in his eyes. "You're going to wish you hadn't done that!"
"I only wish I had exposed you sooner you jerk!" Korra shouted. She felt deep beneath her for a piece of the foundation and brought it flying through the stage floor. Compressing the rock until was dust she created a storm to cover their tracks working with Tenzin who scattered the dust all over the arena. The team hurried out the back doors. Red Arrow jammed and twisted several arrows while Korra and Mako partially melted the door. "That's not going to keep Amon out for long. We need to get out of here and draw him away from the crowds. I still have the collar if we can just get close enough I can snap it around his neck activating it."
"I'll join you and…"
"No, Tenzin get your family out of here before they're in further danger. We'll be okay. Just go!"
"Tenzin, the kids we need to think about them now. I need your help to keep them safe," Pema whispered. Tenzin nodded. He took Rohan from his wife and the five of them hurried away. They had just gotten out of sight when Amon burst through the door. Korra pulled water out of the pipes into a high pressure stream striking him in the chest. The three of them raced down corridors with Mako creating a wall of fire that their foe leapt past unafraid. Even two boxing arrows failed to hit their mark as Amon snatched them mid flight breaking them in half. The team ducked into one of the storage rooms hiding hoping he would overlook them.
Korra's heart was pounding as she hid under a covered table. She tried to control her breathing through mediation as the footfalls got closer. She held her breath as he stopped near her table. Beads of sweat were trickling down her face. When he moved onward she started to relax. That's when she felt her body betray her as she was yanked out from under the table and held up in the middle of the air. Her limbs were twisted and contorted into unnatural positions as her head jerked side from side until her helmet fell off. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Finally, I have you exactly were I want you Avatar!"
"Leave her alone you jerk!" Mako shouted charging him with fire daggers only to have his body fall to the ground. His legs started spreading apart until they threatened break. His arms were pulled to the sky and his face was half buried under the dirt. "Let me go you monster!"
"Be patient you will have your turn to be equalized once I'm finished with the Avatar. Now where is the third member of your group? Come out and play archer. You can't win!"
Red Arrow grunted as he fired a normal arrow coated in a paralyzer agent at Amon. It would have connected if at the last second he hadn't brought up Mako as shield. The arrow grazed his shoulder as the firebender let out a cry of pain. His location now known, Red Arrow jumped down rapidly firing freeze arrows hoping to freeze Amon to the floor. Two arrows iced up his legs however Amon used his water bending to turn them into steam. "Did you forget I was a waterbender child?"
"Yeah I kinda did." Red Arrow braced himself as Amon's eyes focused on him. Any second now his body would betray him as he was bloodbended into attacking his friends. Except it didn't happen, the moment he felt Amon try to grip him a warm feeling grew inside his body counteracting the blood bending.
Amon was shocked and tried again as he continued to torture his two victims trying to figure out what was wrong. No matter how many times he tried to get a grip on the archer it wouldn't stick. Red Arrow, having figured out he couldn't be bloodbent strode over and hit him square in the jaw. The resulting pain caused him to drop his prey who struggled to regain control of their bodies.
"Are you okay Korra? Is anything broken or bleeding?"
"No… I…don't think so. How can he not bloodbend you? I don't understand."
"I think I do. The Spirits said they would protect me as I found my way in your world. That includes not being bloodbent by your greatest foe. We can use this to our advantage. If we can get close enough we can get the collar on him."
"Right, I'll tire him down and ahhhhhhhh!" Korra was being dragged closer to Amon against her will. She fought shooting air bullets that missed. She dug her boomerangs deep into the ground clutching them with all her might. She fought against the bending as Red Arrow and Mako tag teamed Amon hoping to take him out. Amon clenched his fist and shot his arm straight up and forward with his fingers pointed. Mako found himself unable to resist mimicking him shooting lighting at the archer. Red Arrow dodged making a grab for a foam arrow only to be struck near his heart crumbling to the ground.
"NO! Red Arrow get up!" Mako shouted fighting to regain control of his limbs. He nearly got there when Amon force him to attack himself with firebending. Mako's screams as the flames at up his legs as he struggled to smoother the flames were heard throughout the building. Korra used her plant bending to take the water from a single potted plant and drizzle it all over the fire helping him out. She started edging towards him to heal him when she was yanked up by her hair and pinned against Amon's chest. "Let me go!"
"You're not going anywhere. For so long you have been my desire, my only challenger. You have the power to take bending away and equalize the world yet you didn't. When I heard the Avatar had been reborn I sent my early scouts out to your compound trying to learn all about you. Oh the White Lotus dispatched them, but not before I learned all I needed to know about you. You're an impulsive selfish female, who needs to learn her place. Your blind faith in bending has made you complacent and unable to see the truth of how much non benders suffered, how much I suffered under Yakon's teachings. Now, you shall learn what its like to lose your soul once I remove your bending!" Amon whispered placing his hands on her forehead.
"No, you can't do this. The Spirits won't allow this! Stop!" Korra screamed, but it was no good. She felt his bloodbending reaching deep inside her and severing her connections to the elements. One by one they left her and her Avatar Spirit, her connection the Spirits World and her past lives went dark. Her eyes rolled back in head and she fell to the ground lifeless. She was no longer a bender. She wasn't even the Avatar. Amon had won.
"Amon! So she was right, they all were! You're a bloodbender! A bender, who used us to eliminate all others, and for what purpose? So you can control the person whose past life ruined your father? Some twisted lustful desire to have a teenage girl as your slave? Was this ever about equality? The Equalists trusted, believed in you and now what do we have to believe in: another evil bender using the nons for his own game. We should have been more open minded when the Avatar argued for a peaceful resolution. You're finished Amon, I'll make sure of that!" the Lieutenant shouted. He was about two steps out the door when his body froze. He let out a scream of agony as his body twisted in half. There was an audible snap as the Lieutenant's digits were pulled back so much that the bones broke. He was spun around come face to face with Amon.
"You're services were greatly appreciated and it coming days for equality you will be remembered as martyr for you're cause. I can't allow you to undermine my operation as this delicate stage. Once the world of bending has been eliminated I will rule over everyone, taking steps to ensure no more benders are born. Once I'm satisfied that the evils of bending will never take hold again I'll petition the Spirits to remove mine and ensure my spiritual reincarnation. That way I'll be the new Avatar, the new peace keeper and no one will ever have worry about equality again. I thank you for all you have done, but now its time for you to die!"
The Lieutenant felt his heart contracting and stop beating. The blood was being backed up and he felt himself slipping into death's embrace. His brain was shutting down and he only had seconds to live. As he felt the last bit of him dying the pain stopped as he was dropped to the ground. Amon's concentration had been broken by Mako who shot a bolt of lightning at him singeing his hand.
Red Arrow tackled Amon to the ground and hit him in the head with his bow. The two of them rolled around on the ground punching and kicking each other. Amon pinned Red Arrow to the ground only to have the archer roll back and toss him off. He fired several arrows piercing his clothing and drawing blood. "Go! Get Korra out of here! I'll handle Amon."
"But…"
"Just go!"
"Come on Korra, we're getting you out of here," Mako whispered as he carried her bridal style out of the storage room frantically searching for a staircase or some other way to escape. "It's going to be okay Korra. You'll be okay."
"My bending it's gone, it's really gone."
"We'll get it back somehow I promise you."
"Wait, where's Kilchii? You didn't leave him alone to fight Amon by himself did you? He'll die even with his protection against bloodbending. You have to go back ahhhhhhhh!" Both of them fell to the floor in agony as the grip of bloodbending took over. Amon was standing over them causing them pure agony as he reached for Korra.
"You're not escaping me a third time Avatar. You fate is sealed."
"Kilchii help!"
"You're precious archer is buried under a pile of rubble. He can't help you now," Amon hissed, grabbing her by the throat and was getting ready to drag her. She struggled reaching for her boomerangs to use against him, but he was too strong. A sound alerted her that she should relax and drop back. Amon had no time to puzzle over why his prey went limp as rocket powered arrow caught him in the side and carried him through a window and into the bay waters below. Red Arrow raced over to his friends and helped them both up.
"Are you two okay?"
"We will be, but the crowd thinks we murdered their leader! They're going to be rioting any second now!" Mako warned.
"Somehow I doubt that," Korra predicated her eyes on the water. A huge waterspout appeared on the water carrying a crazed Amon on it. With his mask gone any traces of a scar were dripping off his face. His eyes were wild. His supporters gasped and were muttering words of disbelief. How could it be true? The one who wished to equalize all people was a bender himself.
"So you doubt my vision now that my secret it out? Have you people no faith in me? Have I ever used this curse against you? If you no longer trust me then I have no use for any of you!"
"Watch out move!" Korra cried out, but it was too late. Amon was a master waterbender sending a huge wave of water crashing through the streets. People tried to run to safety only to be swept up in the flooding. As they were carried away their bodies became frozen in ice. Several people avoided the cryofreeze only to be bloodbent. People were hanging upside down or twisted in painful angles. Some where trying to kill each other as Amon psychically controlled them.
"AMON STOP THIS INSTANT!" Korra bellowed hurling two sharp boomerangs at his head. He deflected them back at her. She jumped out of the hole catching them in midflight and landing on the docks looking up at him with no fear in her eyes. "Leave them alone! This battle is between you and me! You may have taken my bending and you lost your support, but we can still fight! You and me, fighting in one last duel to see who the greatest peacemaker is. Are you brave enough to challenge me or are you frightened?"
"HA, Ha, ha! How could I be afraid of a pathetic girl like you? You are nothing compared to me! Let us have our final duel, but now help from your friends. This fight is between me and you!" Amon retorted landing on the docks a few feet from her.
"Then you release your grip on the crowd this second!" Amon obliged her releasing his control. Mako and Red Arrow zip lined down and began doing their best to help the traumatized people. They could only watch helplessly as the two opponents circled each other waiting for the other to make the first move. You could feel the tension building as each sized each other up. This was it the showdown to end showdowns.
Amon made the first move gathering tons of water from the bay and sending the entire current at Korra. Remembering her training sessions with the team she held her ground then leaped into the water holding her breath. As she was battered back and forth she swam against the curtain trying to get close to Amon. When she was only a foot away she threw her two boomerangs, which had been tied together to a cable so now it functioned as a grappling hook, and snagged Amon's jacket. When he jerked back she was pulled out the water and head butted him. He came after her again, but she flipped over him. He sent water whips at her, but only one connected. As he tried to twist her arm off she didn't fight it, instead she used her momentum to break free at the last moment. Whipping out her four remaining boomerangs she flung them at him.
Amon growled as he used the water in the air to freeze her weapons in midflight so they fell to the ground. Korra was charging at him so he created a cloud of hot pressured steam to zap her strength and confuse her. "Why don't you give up Korra? You can't defeat me. I hold all the power and I don't need to see you to bloodbend you. All I have to do is sense your presence and your mine!"
"Ha, ha, ha oh really? Then you're going to have to catch me! But be warned I was trained by the best ninja to be able to disappear without a trace," her voice called out. He saw her outline ahead of him and started bloodbending it, but found to his surprise no one there. His legs were swept out from under him. As he tumbled down he was caught, spun around and then shoved backwards as Korra did a downward kick to his chest. He bent the water into ice daggers shooting them at her, but she was already gone. He twisted about using his bending to dissolve partial parts of his steam cloud, but every time he thought he saw her she would speed away or dodge his attacks causing him to use up more energy.
"That's enough games girl! Why don't you fight me fairly?"
"I am fighting fair. As my combat instructor once said you must always act and never react on the battlefield. I'm keeping the terms of this fight on my side while employing different strategies to defeat you. For example, this little trick my friend Zantana taught me. Moaf ni mih revoc!" Of course it wasn't a real magic spell, but he was distracted by the words long enough for her to push a crate filled with packing foam on his head.
The steam cloud vanished as Amon busted his way out of the crate sending the pieces of wood flying. She braced her arms to avoid an impact to her head. With determination she ran at him, carefully pulling something out of her pocket. She let him bloodbend her, drag her across the dock towards him. As he held her out in front of him she tried to remain calm. "Where is all your bravado now? Without your bending you are nothing! I'm the most powerful person alive! How can you stop me?"
"Like this!" Using all her willpower she broke free of his bloodbending and grabbed him by the shoulders flipping over him. As she passed over she latched the inhibitor collar around his neck. With a snap it was activated and Amon fell to the ground in stunned disbelief. He was trying to bend, but couldn't. "That collar will prevent you from accessing you're bending. Don't bother trying to take it off, it only responds to certain people's touch and that metal is stronger then Hiroshi's platinum. You're finished."
"I will get free and when I do oom!" The reason Amon couldn't talk was Red Arrow had come up from behind and gagged him. He nodded his approval to Korra and then two of them handcuffed him to the railing before heading over to help out with the victims. Hopefully when the Second Division arrived order would be restored and progress to a better future could be made. Korra had to keep busy so she didn't think about what could happen if a trip to the South Pole Compound didn't help restore what she lost.
It was three days later and they would be arriving soon at the Southern Compound. Republic City was slowly recovering from the damage done to it. Tarlok and Amon had been taken into custody by Bumi and the rest of the police force. With the inhibitor collar preventing him from using his bloodbending Amon was helpless. He would be standing trial for his crimes; however the Lieutenant and the other Equalists on behalf of Korra's pleas for mercy wouldn't be given harsh sentences. There was even talk of letting them have a seat on the Council and legitimizing their organization to help their cause. Many Equalists had been surprised by Korra's compassion towards them and a few were suspicious of what her motives were. The Lieutenant assured them that the Avatar was genuine in her desire to help them.
Tonraq and Senna were waiting anxiously for their daughter, having received a wire about what had happened to her. They knew how much bending meant to Korra and that it was a big part of who she was.
"Oh Tonraq, do you think Master Katara can help restore Korra's bending?"
"I'm not sure Senna, but we should pray to Yue to help aid Master Katara in her healing. I'm more concerned about the first wire we received about Korra being taken to another world and her guest she brought back. I want to learn more about him and what his intentions are towards our daughter."
"Tonraq, you can be an overprotective father later. Right now we need to support Korra. Here they come. Korra! How are you doing my little snowflake?" Senna asked hugging her daughter tightly. Tonraq joined in the hug as the family reunited for the first time in awhile. Both parents let their daughter cry knowing she was scared and worried. "Shush Korra, its going to be okay. I know Master Katara will help you get your bending back somehow. Have a little faith."
"I'm trying Dad. I really am, I'm just frightened about the possibility of never bending again," Korra admitted. Drying her tears she gestured for her civilian dressed boyfriend to come closer. "Mom, Dad, I want you to meet Kilchii Harper. He's from the world the Spirits sent me to. He's a hero and fantastic archer. Oh and he's my boyfriend."
"Pleasure to meet the both of you, although I wish the circumstances were better. Korra's told me so much about you. She's very lucky to have parents who care so much for her," Kilchii told them, greeting them in the Water Tribe style Korra had taught him. His firm grip and caring eyes reminded Tonraq of himself when he was young.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. I'm sure you have some interesting stories to tell us. Why don't you tell us a bit more about yourself while Master Katara exams Korra?"
"Please everyone come inside out of the cold. It will take awhile for Master Katara to heal Korra." The others graciously accepted Senna's invitation and entered the main house while Naga stayed outside showing her pups around. It was their first time in their native environment and they loved the snow.
There was an underlying tension in the house as they anxiously waited to find out if Korra's bending would be restored. Kilchii shared a few things about himself and Korra's adventures in his world. At one point Rohan started fussing and neither parent could calm him down. It was only after Kilchii took Rohan and started singing him a lullaby that he calmed down and was content to sleep.
"Rohan feels very safe with you Kilchii. It must be because you delivered him and protected him," Tenzin remarked.
"You're going to be a wonderful father one day Kilchii. You're so great with kids and you care deeply for others well being."
"I hope so, but right now I'm not ready to be a father. I still need to find out who I am. Still if you ever need a babysitter for Rohan, I wouldn't mind," Kilchii told her giving her back the baby. Everyone was smiling, but they all stood up as Katara entered. The expression on her face told them it wasn't good news.
"I've tried everything I know about healing, but I can't undo what Amon did. Korra's connection to elements has been severed permanently. There's nothing more I can do."
"You're the greatest healer in the entire world. Surely there is something more you could try," Lin insisted.
"What about Korra contacting the Spirits for help? If they intervened once on her behalf, why not a second time?" Asami questioned.
"Amon's bloodbending has not only taken her bending, but its blocked off Korra's connection to the Avatar Spirit just as Azula's lightning for a time blocked Aang's connection his past lives. Aang was able to restore his connection when pressure to his locked chakra opened it again, but this is different. I don't know how to reopen her chakras so she can connect. Kilchii; is there anyway to take her back to your world for treatment? Surely your advancement in medicines could help her."
"Even if I knew a way back to my world I don't think they could help her. During her stay with us we tried to figure out how her bending worked exactly. The closest we came to understanding it was that it was mix of both spirit and genetics. If I understand it right when she bended she mixed the chi from her network along with increased blood flow through her veins. If I had to take a guess on how Amon strips bending I think his bloodbending narrows and cuts of blood through out the body as well as setting up tiny clots in the chi network preventing either from working. There's nothing I know that can fix that short of magic and even then that might not work."
"So its hopeless, Korra's never going to bend again?" Bolin voiced.
"It can't end this way, it just can't," Mako said.
The door opened to reveal a saddened Korra. She looked so desolated and unhappy. She clenched her fists and wouldn't look anyone in the eye. Her parents moved to comfort her, but she pushed past them and ran outside. Kilchii started after her shaking off Tenzin who wanted to give her space, but he knew that's not what she needed at this moment. He found her outside getting ready to race away on Naga. "So that's it, you're just going to run away and give up without a fight? I knew you were many things, but a coward wasn't one of them."
"Don't mess with me Kilchii! I'm not in the mood for it! Don't you see it's over? I'm not the Avatar anymore without my bending. I'm a nothing a nobody who failed the entire world. I can't help anyone anymore."
"If you really believed that then your being a hypocrite by eating your own words Korra. You told me that it didn't matter about my origins or what the Light made me do. I was still a real person and a real hero no matter what as long as I believed in myself. You once asked me where does Korra start and the Avatar ends well to me Korra is the one who saved the day in Republic City not the Avatar. You managed to stop Amon without any bending, just your wits and weapons. It was your own belief in yourself that inspired others to fight for what was right. If you ask me being the Avatar is more then your ability to bend four elements and connect with the Spirits. It's how you help people no matter what the problem is, being merciful when it would be easier to pass judgment. The Avatar helped you win over the Equalists. You can still do your job and I promise that somehow we'll restore your bending. Until then I love you no matter what so don't run away thinking I don't care." The two of them hugged each other tightly.
Korra's eyes snapped open as she felt a rush of energy flowing from Kilchii trying to enter her body. "I wonder is it possible, Kilchii I energybent you and I think there's still traces of that inside you. If I could somehow absorb the leftover energy maybe I could regain my bending, but how?" she wondered as everyone joined her outside. Spying Asami and her electroglove she had an idea. "Asami! I want you to shock me at your highest setting!"
"What are you crazy? Why do you want me to do that? I could kill you!"
"In Health Class we learned that body after a trauma can relearn how to do things by creating new pathways in the nervous system. If you can reset me, I think I can absorb the bending inside Kilchii and then the other elements! Please, it's my only chance."
Asami hesitated, but then placed her glove on Korra's chest and shocked her at the highest setting. Korra screamed as the electricity jolted her body and threatened to overwhelm her, but she stayed focused concentrating on her goal. When Kilchii put his hand over her heart she could feel the lingering traces of energy in his body entering hers. She circulated it all around her and suddenly her eyes glowed as she was bending the energy inside her once more. With the energy circulating inside she motioned for the others to attack her with her elements.
Katara summoned the water and encased Korra in a water globe. The water glowed blue as it slowly was absorbed into her body. With swift motion she bent the water creating a dazzling snow storm. Encouraged Bolin encased her in a rock armor that glistened green before being reconstituted into a pillar. Mako's firebending danced in a red blur over her body as she breathed out flames. Tenzin's attacked her with air tinged in orange that become a whirling spout.
Korra was lifted into the air as she bent all four elements around her. Her eyes were glowing brighter and suddenly a white light emitted from her body as she activated her Avatar Spirit. As she looked all around her she found herself surrounded by the past Avatars as well as the Five Guardians Spirits.
"Well done Avatar Korra, you have learned the most valuable lesson of all. With the power of friendship and love you are never alone. The possibilities of what you can accomplish are unlimited. You've finally have learned energybending on your own and can use it to restore what Amon did. I'm proud of you," Avatar Aang told her smiling at her.
"We're all very proud of you Avatar Korra. Never before has an Avatar overcome so many obstacles. You have grown up in such a short amount of time and will continue to do great things. Be warned though your trials have only begun. There are those in the Spirit World who believe that you will abuse your powers and will challenge you. When the time comes and you confront this Dark Spirit, know that we will be by your side. All you have to do is ask. Work on controlling your Avatar State and using your powers wisely. We'll be watching." Yue told. With a final farewell Korra found herself in Kilchii's arms kissing him passionately. She was back and would help restore those who lost their bending. She knew that she had a lot to think about, but right now all she wanted was to be surrounded by her friends and family feeling their love.
Don't think this is the end! There is one more chapter to go! Hope to see you there!