Just Like the Good Old Days

Hey, sorry this took so long; I got distracted by Amorra Week. And about the previous chapter, I just really needed to do an Amorra allusion to Phantom of the Opera, it's not meant to be taken seriously, just in case the use of a real-world thing was confusing for you. Anyway, I do not own Legend of Korra.

What to do?

Noatak's POV:

I was pacing the floor, trying to figure out how I could possibly do something to stop what would happen at the arena tonight. Of course, it's difficult when you're trying to outsmart yourself. Tarrlok was watching me, probably hoping that, at any moment, I would get an idea. When we heard my older self announce on the radio that the Pro-Bending arena must be closed down, I wasn't surprised that Korra marched us all over to City Hall to protest the closing of the arena. I was torn on this matter; on the one hand I knew it was all a trap and that my older self was hoping the arena would stay open so that he could Equalize those cheating Wofbats, but on the other hand I couldn't support the closing of the arena as Korra would see it as a betrayal of friendship. I decided that it was best to remain silent but do everything in my power to try and make sure that nothing would happen. I remembered all the details of my older self's plan, and I knew how the Equalists were going to smuggle their weapons into the arena tonight; I just wish there was a way to inform Chief Bei Fong without causing suspicion. As I waited for Korra and her teammates to enter the arena for the match that they had been training so hard to win, my heart sank when I realized how unfair this whole thing was. Korra and her team actually play by the rules, yet they're going to lose to those cheating Wolfbats. For the first time in ages, I felt a little of the Amon in me resurface, I was actually looking forward to seeing those jerks get their comeuppance; I only felt bad for Korra and her teammates. I actually did feel bad for Mako and Bolin as well; they needed the Championship winnings more than most. Life really isn't fair, but of course I already knew that.

"Good luck tonight, Korra." I said, acting as though everything was fine. "I know you'll do great." Truth is, she would do great, but that wasn't enough to stop what would happen.

"Thanks, Noak, that means a lot." I tensed when she pulled me into a hug. I just wish that things could change, but some things just can't be helped.

I could feel every beat of my heart as I watched, Korra really was magnificent. I was seething with rage when those arrogant Wolfbats started up their underhanded tactics. They'll get theirs soon enough A voice in my head told me. Tarrlok and I both knew that we should be ready to help Korra and the others when the Wolfbats used the water with rocks in it to force the Fire Ferrets off the platform. What I hadn't been expecting, however, was someone trying to attack us. We had been heading down to the platform at the pool around the arena where Korra and her teammates were about to be knocked into, when I suddenly sensed someone attempting to strike me while my back was turned. I whipped around and caught the hand of an Equalist, who stared in shock from behind his mask, and instantly had him pinned and unconscious within moments. Tarrlok was not so fortunate when the Lieutenant suddenly entered and electrocuted him before he even realized what happened. That got me angry, very angry, and I began to fight with him. I clearly outmatched him, I may have been returned to my younger form but that doesn't mean I've lost my old fighting abilities. I was confused when he suddenly retreated; I remember that the Lieutenant would never retreat unless ordered to. Then it hit me when I heard Shiro Shinobi announce the knockout. Tarrlok was starting to wake up from being electrocuted, so I quickly grabbed him by the front of the shirt and ran as fast as I could. I was not going to let this happen. We got there and the Lieutenant was nowhere in sight. Odd. Tarrlok and I then moved to help Korra and the Fire Ferrets out of the pool, when the sound of screaming rang out from the crowds. Then I sensed him, and managed to duck out of the way before one of the kali-sticks struck me. Korra tried to Waterbend at the Lieutenant but he managed to zap her and the other two Fire Ferrets unconscious. I was in attack mode, and was lashing out with all I had. However, I was so focused on fighting my opponent that I wasn't paying attention to where I was moving, and I ended up slipping into the pool. Soon, I too felt the electric shock rendering me unconscious.

Tarrlok's POV:

I couldn't believe it when I saw Noatak go down like that, I had expected him to be move observant. I suppose his anger got the better of him this time. I was still a little shaky from being electrocuted earlier, but I got into a battle-stance and was prepared to fight nonetheless. I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, that some other Equalists were pulling my brother and my friends out of the water and tying them to one of the support beams for the arena platform. I managed to duck and run, I knew I might be able to help if I distracted this Lieutenant guy long enough for the others to wake up. I darted into the corridor and naturally he began to chase me. I swore I would never use Bloodbending again, but once I ducked into a side-room, I closed my eyes and used the ability to detect whether or not he was close by. I could easily have just bumped him off, or subdued him, but using Bloodbending was still as abhorrent a notion to me as it had ever been. Once I was certain that he had left, I raced back to help the others. I got there, just as they were coming to, and also just as Amon was starting his speech.

"I believe I have your attention, benders of Republic City. So once again, the Wolfbats are your Pro-Bending champions. It seems fitting that you celebrate three bullies who cheated their way to victory, because every day, you threaten and abuse your fellow Non-Bending citizens just like the Wolfbats did to their opponents tonight. Those men were supposedly the best in the Bending world and yet it only took a few moments for me to cleanse them of their impurity. Let this be a warning to all of you Benders out there: if any of you stand in my way, you will meet the same fate. Now, to my followers: for years the Equalists have been forced to hide in the shadows, but now we have the numbers and the strength to create a new Republic City. I'm happy to tell you that the time for change has finally come. Very soon, the current tyrannical Bending regime will be replaced by a fair-minded Equalist government. You and your children will no longer have to walk the streets afraid. It's time to take back our city."

I felt chills running through me as he spoke. It's hard to believe that the man saying all those things is my older brother who is currently tied up and just barely waking up after being electrocuted by one of his followers. But, I just tried to focus my attention on getting my four associates free.

"Tarro?!" Korra exclaimed when she finally came to he senses.

"How did you get away, dude?" Bolin asked.

"Maybe now isn't the best time for questions." I replied.

The eerie voice of my brother's older self continued in his speech.

"For centuries, Benders have possessed an unnatural advantage over ordinary people. But thankfully, modern technology has provided us with a way to even out the playing field. Now anyone can hold the power of a chi-blocker in their hand. My followers and I will not rest until the entire city achieves equality, and once that goal is achieved, we will equalize the rest of the world. The revolution has begun!"

With that final exclamation, I heard the sound of glass shattering and was thankful that we had cover so that we wouldn't get injured. Those damned ropes must have some sort of alloy in them that makes them hard to cut through, and it was taking forever to get them undone. Then came the sound of the explosion and I got startled.

"It's okay, Tarro, just a little explosion." Bolin assured me. I raised an eyebrow in response, silently telling him that I knew what it was, and resumed untying them. Finally, I got them loose, and Korra immediately jumped towards the water. Bolin slapped me on the back. "Great job, buddy." He declared.

I then moved to help Noatak, who was still only semi-conscious.

"I'm going after Amon!" Korra shouted to us.

"Be careful!" I yelled after her as worry engulfed me.

I helped Noatak try to stand, but he seemed a bit shaky on his feet. He looked up and realized that Korra was going after his older self. He tried to break away from me and follow her, but I held him back.

"She'll be okay." I muttered to him. "You're in no condition to fight."

He calmed and let me lead him as we followed the other brothers to a safe location. Being electrocuted had really done a number on Noatak; I had never thought he would be down this long. By the time he was completely back to normal, the fight was over. Korra rushed over and hugged us, and we hugged her back as if we were afraid that if we let go she would disappear. During the last part of the fight, we had seen her as she was about to fall to her death, and it was only due to the fact that Chief Bei Fong had helped her that that awful notion didn't come to be. Mako and Bolin came over as well and expressed their relief that Korra was okay. We all knew what was going to happen now, and Master Tenzin voiced our thoughts.

"Republic City is at war."

On the way back to Air Temple Island, I noticed that Noatak was still holding onto Korra as she fell asleep. I felt a twinge of envy that I thought I had suppressed awhile back, but it's still hard seeing them together when I myself still have some feelings for Korra. But, whatever makes her happy is fine with me.

Korra's POV:

After this disaster of a Championship, I was exhausted. Well, you would be too if you had come that close to dying. I was so relieved when we were on the boat back over to Air Temple Island; everything just seemed safe there, like nobody would dare to hurt anyone at such a sacred place. I soon found myself drifting off, and I felt my head collide with something, I instantly realized that it was a person. I hadn't been aware of whom I had been sitting next to, and I began to wonder who it was. I knew it wasn't Tarro as he always seems to have a strange floral scent around him that kinda reminds me of Councilman Tarrlok, I began to wonder if it was Noak. The thought made me get nervous. Was I making him feel awkward? Would he try and wake me up or edge away? I was relieved when I felt the sensation of strong arms wrapping around me protectively. It made me feel safe. I didn't fully get to sleep until I was lying in my bed. The arms that had held me on the boat ride had carried me into my room as well, and I remembered back a few weeks ago when Noak had carried me to my room after my encounter with Amon on Aang Memorial Island when I was too weak to walk. As I slept tonight, I couldn't help but feel as though someone was watching over me, making sure that nothing would hurt me.

Yes, I finally got another chapter done. I would like to dedicate the rest of this story to thebloodwebondin as I heard about her condition and it broke my heart that one of my favorite Amorra/Korrlok writers was not well. When she posted about what she is going through on tumblr, it made me want to tearbend. And I just want to say that I'll be praying for her as she goes through treatment, and I encourage everyone else to do the same. Light a candle, ask for a blessing, offer condolences, anything. I have a cousin who went through the same thing she's going through, and they made a miraculous recovery, I just hope the same thing happens for her. Thank you and I'll try to update soon. God bless.