Chapter 17
When the two friends climbed on the balcony, they saw that Amon was giving a speech. "And so I decided to bring equality to everyone," spoke the masked man.
"That's a lie," shouted Korra as she took of her mask, revealing her face. Asami also removed her mask. The public gasped.
"Amon was not given powers by the Spirits, he uses Blood Bending to remove people's bending. Amon, or should I say Noatak is a Water Bender," spoke Korra as the public gasped again.
"What is she talking about?" asked the Lieutenant
"Avatar, I can see you are getting desperate," spoke Amon
"But this is not all. Amon is Yakone's son. And his brother is Councilman Tarrlok," spoke Korra as the public gasped one more time.
"Don't worry, the Avatar is making things up. If you so wish, I will show you the truth," spoke Amon as he slowly removed his mask, revealing a badly burnt face, with a red scar going across his face.
"This is what a Fire Bender did to me!" spoke Amon as he put his mask back on. The Equalists began to surround Korra and Asami.
"Korra, I think we need to speak with Amon directly," spoke Asami as Korra paused.
"You may try to leave but I would rather stay, incase you wanted to witness the main event," spoke Amon as he revealed the Air Benders, who were tied to metal polls. Only Jinora was absent.
"Let's do this," spoke Korra as she ran by the wall, using Fire Bending, with Asami holding on to her friend's hand. The two soon landed on the platform.
"I can see that you brought a friend," spoke Amon as he took a few steps in Korra's direction, "Truthfully, I am puzzled why you would wish to associate with these oppressors, Miss Sato,"
"I don't associate with oppressors," spoke Asami as she approached Amon and looked directly at his masked face, "I don't associate with people like former Councilman Tarrlok, who manipulated the system and oppressed non benders. He even arrested me just for being the daughter of your supplier,"
"But you are still on theirs side," spoke Amon but Asami did not wish to back down.
"That's because it is the right thing to do," she then approached Korra and took her hand. "You might be wondering why I of all people did not join the Equalists, but it is because I believe that benders and non benders can live in harmony. Surely, there are bad benders, as well as bad non benders, but we all can live together," spoke Asami
"This girl does not know what she is saying. She does not understand how evil bending is," spoke Amon as he also addressed the crowd.
"Amon is lying. I do understand, I understand better than anyone else. A Fire Bender killed my mother; he was a member of Agni Kai. That man was evil, but not all benders are. Some, like our Councilman Tenzin truly think about the needs of people. My friends are benders. And while a Fire Bender hurt my family, I fell in love with another Fire Bender, a good Fire Bender. I love Avatar Korra, and out love shows that despite our different upbringing, and the fact that she is the ultimate bender while I am a non bender, we still work together and help each other," spoke Asami as she as she first looked at the crowd and then hugged Korra before kissing her in the lips.
The public was becoming restless. "I can see that the Avatar seduced you, Miss Sato, and thus clouded your judgment, but let me remind you of the power I possess," spoke Amon as he approached the Air Benders but Korra sent a Fire Ball at him. Asami jumped, easily took down the Equalist mooks, and freed Tenzin and his children.
"Run," spoke Asami as she jumped and joined the fight. The Lieutenant jumped at her, and the two people fought. Despite Lieutenant's agility, Asami was a superior fighter, and after a few successful hits, threw the Equalist on the ground. Before Amon could begin his pursuit for the Air Benders, Asami jumped and blocked his path. Amon was now stuck between Korra and Asami.
"I can see that you were actually successful at freeing the benders. But I will now end this once and for all," spoke Amon as he ran towards Korra. The Avatar evaded him, and propelled herself upwards, flying above the heads of the people before escaping into the street.
"You wont be able to run away from me for much longer, Avatar," spoke Amon as he dodged Asami's attack and jumped into the crowd, running after the Avatar. Asami tried to follow him, but the Lieutenant grabbed her leg.
"You are not going anywhere," spoke the man as he threw his electric stick at Asami's stomach, electrocuting her. Asami fell on the floor. "Good, after Amon is done with the Avatar, he will deal with you,"
While the Lieutenant carried Asami out of the building, Korra was running away from Amon. The public realized that the Avatar was about to fight her final battle with Amon and they all ran outside, eager to see the final battle.
"You can't run away from me forever," spoke Amon as Korra used her three elements to keep him at a distance. Amon dodged all her attacks, before finally managing to grab Korra.
"You proved to be a great fighter. It is almost a pity I will have to take your bending away. Almost," spoke Amon as he pressed his finger against Korra's face. Korra opened her mouth before dropping on the ground.
"Can you believe it, Amon defeated the Avatar!" spoke one non-bender. Korra stood up and tried to Fire Bend but could not.
"I told you that I would take away your bending. From now on, you will live like the rest of us," spoke Amon as he smiled. Korra tried to make a step before dropping on the ground. The Lieutenant approached Amon with Asami, who still tried to recover from the electric charge.
"The Avatar is no longer a threat. All her life she used her bending, that came to define who she was. And now that her bending is gone, she is no longer a threat to anyone. But, her companion on the other hand is dangerous. I regret I have to resort to such measures, but young Miss Sato is a liability for the Equalist cause," spoke Amon as he grabbed Asami and carried her to bay. He lifted Asami but before he could hold her above water, Korra weakly stood up.
"No!" screamed Korra as she suddenly sent an air current at Amon,
"Impossible," spoke Amon
"I can Air Bend?" asked Korra as she then stood more confidently on the ground, "I can Air Bend,"
Korra then punched the air that hit Amon. Asami opened her eyes, and used Korra's attack as a distraction to get away from Amon before Korra threw her opponent in the Water.
"Evil Avatar!"
"She took out our leader," spoke another non-bender.
"You," spoke the Lieutenant as he took his two sticks and prepared to charge at Korra.
Meanwhile, Amon was drowning. He briefly lost consciousness, but regained it quickly. The seawater erased his painted scar, and Amon also lost his mask in the process. Amon quickly regained his senses, and propelled himself upwards into the Air, creating a water tornado beneath him.
As Amon took a breath of fresh air, everyone in the street saw his recovery.
"He is a Water Bender! The Avatar was telling the truth," spoke one man
Asami saw this situation and shook her head. As much as she disliked Amon, she still did not want to see injustice take place.
"Amon can be a bender and a member of the Equalists, just like I can be a non bender, and a member of Team Avatar. That does not mean we betrayed our kind. That just proves my point that benders and non benders can work together to achieve their goals," spoke Asami as Amon descended onto the water's surface.
"Don't get me wrong, Amon, or really Noatak was wrong to pursue his goals the way he did, but he truly was abused by a bender. His father was Yakone, who abused his two sons, and made them blood bend each other. A Fire Bender might have not killed his family and burnt his face, but the real story is just as bad," spoke Asami as a figure approached Korra and Asami.
"It is true, our father abused us," spoke a man as everyone saw Councilman Tarrlok. The rest of team Avatar followed him, and Asami noticed that a plane stood nearby.
"Brother," spoke Noatak as he returned on the ground.
"Noatak, it's been a long time. Our father's abusive actions separated us, and we then fought against each other on two different sides of this war. I now understand that I was wrong about all this situation, and I should have listed to the Avatar and my fellow friend Councilman Tenzin," spoke Tarrlok as Tenzin and his family approached the scene.
"Daddy, you are all right," cried Jinora in happiness as she ran towards her family. The Air Benders and Pema hugged Jinora back.
"Tarrlok, while our father had caused us much grief, I cannot stay in the city," spoke Noatak.
"Noatak," spoke Asami as she approached the Equalist leader, " I know you had a difficult childhood, but you need to face justice," spoke Asami
"And who could do that? The Council is disbanded," asked Noatak, still unsure how to react to this situation.
"Amon, I think exile is a good punishment for you. Leave Republic City, and start a new life away from other people. Perhaps you could find redemption," spoke Tenzin.
"I agree. I will accompany you, brother," spoke Tarrlok as he hugged Noatak.
"We will go to the South Pole soon, where we can drop you off," suggested Tenzin as Noatak nodded.
Korra observed the situation, and tears escaped her eyes. She knew that she lost her bending, but at least she and Asami resolved this Equalist problem. "Are you alright?" asked Asami as she approached her friend.
"I am sorry, its just I could not have wished for a better resolution to this war, well, except for me not loosing my bending," spoke Korra as Asami hugged her.
Next day, Team Avatar and their allies held a press conference.
"Councilman Tenzin, will you step up as the ruler of the Republic City, now that you are the only Council member," asked a reporter. After the recent events, the three other Council members promptly resigned from their posts.
"No, I don't plan to be the sole Council member, although I am still unsure on what needs to be done. I can promise you that I will do my best to help you all," spoke Tenzin
"Avatar Korra, how do you plan to resolve the issues that Equalists addressed? What will you do to help the non benders?" asked another reporter
"I," began Korra as Asami looked at her. Korra nodded, and let Asami speak.
"My name is Asami Sato. I am the daughter of Hiroshi Sato, a man who supplied Equalists with weapons. While I am not a bender, this war affected me greatly. I also saw that some benders used their powers to abuse non-benders. I suggest that you elect a President, who will help you with your concerns. Personally, I will help Avatar Korra to do everything in my power to bring balance, peace, and equality to the Republic City," spoke Asami.
That night Team Avatar visited Narook's noodles. While Korra was happy to eat some of her favorite food, it soon became clear to Team Avatar that Korra's mood was deteorating. "Korra, we will visit Katara, she is the greatest healer in the world," spoke Asami as Korra made a weak smile before continuing her meal.
A/N: Next chapter, Team Avatar visits Katara. It will end Arc 1. I will address what will happen to Noatak and Tarrlok as well. I plan to put a few twists in the next chapter about the ending of Arc 1.