Responses
AVP5: There sure was. Sorry for the delay.
AZTEC 13: You can say it was inspired idea, I mean, who doesn't get ideas or influence from previous works? It's all basic literature making.
HockyfistDJGOD: I must thank you for being one loyal fan to my story. As your anticipated wait is finally over.
Ashbringer36: I told you about the broomstick, because the waiting period on a power ring is ridiculous. I am still waiting for it. Don't worry, he'll get himself on the ball.
Dimensional Wanderer: thank you. You are too kind.
Dracomancer1: yeah, you can say my grammar was a little miss back then. And thank you for staying with this story despite the grammar.
Superiornite: Supreme Dalek, establish publishing of this story.
Supreme Dalek: I obey!
"It is a glorious day my Equalist brothers and sisters. Amon has torn down the oppressing bending government. He has declared bending illegal and for only our ally, Intergang, to be allowed to keep their impurity for security reasons. And he has the Avatar, the Superman and the United Forces on the run. Our great leader has a vision of the future. One day, bending will no longer exist and we will live in a world where everyone is finally equal. It is only a matter of time until the United Forces will attempt to strike back and stop that dream, but we will prevail," Hiroshi Sato spoke out.
As the industrial inventor gave his speech, two regularly dressed Equalist chi-blockers were listening in the back of the amassed crowd of Equalist supporters. One of them gestured that they leave, and they made their way behind a cluster of trees and bushes, so that the other one could Earthbend a boulder out of the way to reveal a hole on the ground. The two masked would-be Equalists jumped inside, and placed the boulder over the hole again to conceal their secret entrance.
Once underground, the two of the masked individuals removed their Equalist masks, to reveal themselves as Korra and Clar.
"Can you believe what Hiroshi is saying? We are not running from anyone. Let's go out there and knock some heads, Clar. They'll never know what hit them," Korra said, as she was barely about turn around back outside.
"Calm down, Korra. We need to wait for the right time to strike. At least when there is opening with Amon," Clar said.
"It wouldn't be too hard if Amon and Manhiem were not afraid of showing their faces," Korra commented, as she and Clar were walking back to the secret passage back to the Batman's hideout.
It had been a few days after the massive takeover by the Equalist/Intergang alliance. The United Forces had already set up a perimeter, preparing to take back Republic City, but being cautious for any civilian casualties that would be hurt in the crossfire. Now it was all up to Republic City's current masked wonders to save them.
Clar and Korra on the other hand, have been working alongside each other, among the Batman and the rest of their companions. However, the two friends had been silent around issues concerning the nearly revealed confession from one to the other. After everything that had been happening, the two of them really could not find the right time to talk about it, or maybe perhaps, one or both of them were just too afraid to bring it up.
Clar and Korra opened up another secret passageway by unlocking a security mechanism that would have neutralized any possible trespassers through a chemical agent that knocks out a person, and that was only the first protocol.
As they made their way into the passageway, they finally arrived in front of the camouflaged door that looked more like a rock wall.
"How do we open it again," Clar asked.
"We could always knock, or you could have just listened to Batman give the steps," Korra remarked to Clar, as she pressed her hand into a rock.
"Okay… this is Avatar Korra along with Superman," Korra said out loud.
"Voice identity verified," a static voice from an intercom stated, as the wall opened for Clar and Korra to enter.
The two entered the cave, where Batman and Black Lightning were working on something with the Batman's car. Actually, it was more than a car, it was practically a tank instead.
"Alright, wide electrical conductor set. Lightning, step over there, and fire at the Batmobile," Batman said to the lightning-bender.
Black Lightning acknowledged the request and stepped back, and readied himself and fired a lightning bolt at the Batman's armored vehicle. The car looked to have absorbed the bolt, and Batman inside, observed the dial meter of the electricity the car absorbed and it reached half way capacity.
"Initiating electric shock cannon," Batman said out loud, as he pulled a trigger.
A small turret appeared from the top part of the vehicle, and Batman moved to another compartment where he had control over the turret. Batman triggered and fired a bolt of lightning from the cannon at a set up target, leaving a scorched mark from the impact of the lightning.
"This will come in handy against any hostiles who have intent on using lightning against us. Especially for Equalist chiblockers using the electric gloves," Batman said out loud to his companions, as he dismounted his vehicle. "However, I am going to require a copilot if I want to have the cannon to be able to operate."
"Maybe ask the Archer, when he gets back," Black Lightning suggested.
"Hiroshi Sato only informed everybody to stay alert for the United Forces. Nothing so far if the military will be making an attack anytime soon," Clar said to the two men.
"Nothing on the military line. They have a secured net. It would take me sometime to be able to pin point the line," Batman said, as he approached his telegraph system, checking the readings.
"Any news on any of the Council members," Korra asked.
"I got word about Councilman Tarrlock had just been captured in his safe house. That makes four confirmed Council members that have been captured," Black Lightning said, as he looked at the notes of info he had gathered.
"What about Tenzin and his family," Korra asked.
Black Lighting answered by shaking his head with a no.
"Sorry. No news about them," the lightning-bender answered.
Right at that time, Green Arrow had entered the cave, bringing in a large case, followed by his trusted associate aid, Dekkan, carrying another case.
"Got the stuff from my hideout," Green Arrow said, as he led Dikkan to a table to lay the cases out.
"Some news around the police resistance groups around the city; the Equalists and Intergang have just neutralized a station," Batman said out loud, as he was listening to the telegraph interceptor.
"Lin isn't going to take that well," Korra commented, as she and Clar made their way toward the map of Republic City, and she placed a tally on the amount of resistance cells that had been taken out.
"We just need hold up until we can find Amon and Manhiem," Clar said, as he also examined the map of Republic City, trying to figure out where the leaders of Equalists and Intergang could be taking their residence in.
Korra looked at the map of Republic City, as she came to stop and think for a second; that the capital of the great land that her past self-had founded so every person from all around the world may live together in peace and harmony, but now it had been torn apart by a revolution started by racist fanatics and criminal scum. Korra could only sigh in grief as she was now having doubts about what she has been doing as an Avatar.
Meanwhile…
In a rather dim lighted room, the Chief of Police, Lin Befong, was resting in her cot. However, Lin would be disturbed from her required slumber, through her seismic senses, she could feel someone approach.
Considering the situation at hand, Lin concluded that her probable awakener would have to be the deliverer of bad news. Lin rose up and turned to see Jun standing by the doorway.
"Lin, Equalists and Intergang have taken down one of our remaining bases," Jun provided the bad news.
"Spirits damned!" Lin rubbed her head in anger.
"That leaves only four remaining, including this one," Jun hated to provide the news, but he knew how Lin would want to hear any vital information.
"And still have no communication to send out of the city, without the Equalists intercepting our communications and pin pointing our location," Lin said out loud, as she got up to change into her usual police armor.
Lin could hardly believe that it had been only two days since the Equalists and Intergang took control over Republic City, and he and Lin could only manage such a small resistance front in such a small amount of time. However, one thing that really bothered Lin was how they managed to get out away from the clutches of the Equalists on Air Temple Island.
The green humanoid creature held the unconscious metal-bender close to it with its elongated arms. What was once that looked like Lieutenant Jun Jo-ons, was only a green creature that looked nothing of this world. The only beings that could compare to such an appearance would be the spirits, but even the spirits would recognize that this shape shifting organism was far from this physical world.
The green humanoid had finally made it to the mainland, and entered a tunnel of the city's catacombs for shelter. After walking a few meters deep into the tunnel, the humanoid finally stopped and laid Lin to corner as carefully as it could. Lin may still have some injuries from the electrical shot she took from attempting to strike Amon.
It would only be a matter of time until Lin would awaken from her unconsciousness, and the creature took the moment to realize what form it was currently in. The creature took a step back and concentrated.
Slowly, the creature started to change physical shape back to what it previously was; the form of Detective Jun Jo-ons. All that was missing was his hat, but Jun had other matters to worry about besides the absence of some necessities.
Jun looked to where Lin was laying, and he looked around to see if there was any other place that would be useful for a hideout. During that time, he also thought up a persuasive scenario to Lin once she will awaken. Perhaps breaking out of the Equalist trucks during transportation of prisoners, would be a good story to follow.
Jun made his way towards Lin, but before he could pick her up, he couldn't help but stop to observe her. The police detective usually hung around with police chief mainly out of professional working reasons, but none of those times had Jun taken the time to actually look at Lin.
Lin was obviously not young, but she sure wasn't old either. Jun could tell, in human standards, that Lin could be considered fairly attractive for men her age, if they were not so intimidated by her presence as the police chief with extreme professional authority. However, Jun wasn't at all intimidated, and only showed equal companion respect towards Lin, or at least that was what anyone and Lin could see from their relationship.
Jun was looking at Lin's face, as her eyes were closed, and despite how she got into that state, she looked to be sleeping peacefully. The detective noticed Lin's scar coming from the lower side of her face, and he stopped to stare at it and wonder; what could of possibly have injured her face like that? Some women would have placed make up or something to cover up such a revealing scar, but Lin didn't bother, as if it were more a reminder to her.
The detective placed his fingers to Lin's chin, as his thumb rubbed the scar. Thoughts came to him into ways of finding out what scarred Lin. Jun could use the same mind scan he did to Clar, but that would be an invasion of privacy for his boss, and surprisingly, close friend. Jun decided to drop it for later, because as of now, he needed to get Lin somewhere safe so she may recover.
Following the events after saving themselves, Lin and Jun managed to find other stragglers in the police force. Gaining word that all United Forces were ordered to pull out, leaving only the police that had lost contact with them. Lin and Jun both brought it upon themselves to organize their own underground organization to take back Republic City.
"What's the news on Amon's newly acquired victims," Lin asked, as she was finished getting ready.
"They have just found Tarrlock's bunker," Jun answered, as he walked with his chief, out to the command and communications room.
"My respects to him. At least he provided us information on the location of other police and soldiers that were still remaining," Lin said out loud.
Meanwhile…
On Air Temple Island, the Equalist commander, Amon, had entered the temple, after going through another cleansing mass of captured benders. So far, Amon has been staying mobile, moving from one base to another so that no possible strike forces could catch him. Now, Amon was meeting with the barely acquired prisoner, Tarrlock.
"Sir, we can easily transport Councilman Tarrlock to a safe area where there is no probable ways of attack," an Equalist officer said.
"This is a rather symbolic motive of meeting with him. The recently voted Chairman of the Republic Council, losing his bending to the founding leader of the Equalists," Amon said, as he walked to what used to be the Air Temple's main hall.
The main hall was shifted into a huge privileged cell block, with a heated furnace that was installed under the floor to make the air too dry for any water-bender to try and bend water in the air. Tarrlock was strapped to a strait jacket, and locked onto a chair stiffed. The Councilman of the United Republic could not move an inch of limbs.
However, that didn't stop Tarrlock from locking his visual contact on Amon, who had entered the room with his Equalist henchmen that were beside him.
"Councilman Tarrlock, I presume," Amon said.
Tarrlock kept his eyes on Amon, not muttering a single sound from his mouth.
"You know why I am here," Amon asked.
"You think you can get away with this? You cannot win. You are trying to fight the natural factor of the human evolution to survive. And… a hypocrite you are. Allying yourself with actual criminals," Tarrlock gave his words to Amon.
"It all pays off in the end," Amon said, as he approached closer to Tarrlock.
"I wasn't truly finished. Criminals. Easily capable of being persuaded. Paid off. Or can even be, replaced," Tarrlock said.
Amon caught on to the tone when Tarrlock started to bring up, replacement. Suddenly, the doors busted open with an explosion, knocking out three of the Equalist henchmen that were by the door. Breaking out from the doorway, a squad number of men, dressed in the recently issued, Intergang uniforms, moved in and launched the elements that either of them could bend upon the Equalists.
The Equalists and their leader took evasive action and moved into positions where they may avoid the benders. Either they drew out their electrical gloves or piercer guns, and exchanged fire against the attacking benders.
"Remember my little Task Force, Amon? Did you actually think your men just stumbled upon my bunker by accident," Tarrlock gloated, as one of his undercover agents released him from his strapped chair.
Amon was given an electrical glove to combat in such a closed off quarters in a firefight.
Then, a fire-bending Task Force agent, entered the hall, and he was prepped with the exoskeleton to amp up his bending. The fire-bender unleashed his raging fire upon the Equalists that were on the other side of the room.
Equalists that were not in cover were burned by the flames, while Equalists, including Amon, were still standing in cover.
"Sir, the Task Force have just forced the roof to collapse in front of the door to our side," an Equalist said to Amon, as he reloaded his piercer.
"Keep fighting," Amon said, as he grabbed a piercer gun that was being wielded by one of his followers, but was now dead.
The Task Force then managed to neutralize, or better yet, kill all the Equalists in the room. Only Amon was all that was left.
"Stand down," Tarrlock shouted to his Task Force agents, and he kept his aim on the cover where Amon was.
"Sir, Amon is still there. It's only a matter of time until enemy reinforcements arrive," an agent pointed out.
"Can you hear me, Amon," Tarrlock shouted out.
"I can hear," Amon replied.
"Give yourself up," Tarrlock gave the warning.
Amon was only silent, as he thought it through in what was his possible ways of escaping from this. The Equalist leader decided that it should be time to show Tarrlock who he really was. So Amon stood up straight in the vision of Tarrlock and his Task Force.
"For the thousands you have terrorized in this beloved city, I hereby sentence you, to death," Tarrlock said, as he manipulated the water that had been provided by the canisters his agents brought in with him.
Tarrlock formed the water into a small whirlpool, and turned it all into ice. The ice was formed into ice pikes and fired at Amon.
Expecting for the founder of the Equalists to be impaled by the ice spikes, however, to the horror of every one of the Task Force members, including Tarrlock, Amon still stood, as the spikes shattered on impact, leaving only tears on the Equalist leader's cloths. One of the spikes actually hit Amon forward to his face mask, leaving a nasty cracked hole.
Amon, only shrugged off the ice spikes, and gained his posture as he looked back at the terrified Task Force. Tarrlock, however, suddenly had a realization; he knows of someone who had such remarkable ability of such density. It was as if, Tarrlock realized who Amon really was.
'He… he is Amon? After all these years… this is where ended up,' Tarrlock thought to himself, as he was staring in shock.
But the Equalist leader charged at the still shocked Task Force, as he reached for the first two by grabbing their necks, and breaking them by crushing them. The rest of the Task Force reacted by trying to fire at Amon, but Amon had already closed his distance to make their bending less effective.
Amon easily took out one by one, the Task Force agents were getting killed by either Amon throwing a punch to their ribs and puncturing their organs, or simply breaking their necks. The fire-bender that was wearing the exoskeleton, aimed and fired everything he had on Amon.
Tarrlock, still stood frozen as he was still in shock to who Amon really is. As the fire-bender was trying to burn Amon, Tarrlock thought;
'That isn't going to stop him. Not even for one bit,' Tarrlock thought to himself, as he just sat down cross legged and watched the fire-bender raining fire.
Amon was engulfed in the flames, but was not harmed one bit with only his cloths only holding due to its flame retardant material. The Equalist leader then closed his distance on the fire-bender, as he grabbed the fire-bender's wrists and cracked them with his bare hands.
"Arrgh!" the fire-bender yelled in pain, before Amon then grabbed the fire-bender's head and twisted it in a fast motion, killing the bender.
Amon, still in his burned and charred cloths, and his mask blackened burned from the fire and cracked from the ice spike. But even after all the punishment Amon had received, he stood as if he hadn't even been harmed. Amon had his eyes on Tarrlock, as he was setting on the ground and just staring blankly at the ground, with no sign of fight in him.
"You've… been alive all this time?" Tarrlock asked.
"Yes," Amon answered.
"So… I'm assuming you're doing all of this all just to gain power," Tarrlock asked, without even looking at Amon.
"Yes," Amon answered.
"With no benders in the world, who could possibly stop you," Tarrlock made his assumption of Amon's long term goals.
"Then, I bring order and peace," Amon said, as he approached Tarrlock.
"Then I really don't see why I should fight you anyway now, seeing there probably really is no way to kill you, let alone, beat you," Tarrlock said, as he still kept his eyes off of Amon.
"As an excellent leader, I recognize all possible threats," Amon said.
"The heroes. The Avatar. Superman. You believe they can stop you," Tarrlock asked.
"It is possible, but if they get the chance, which they won't, as I will destroy them too like I did to your pathetic Task Force, Tarrlock,"Amon stated coldly.
"Just get it over with," Tarrlock said, as if he already knew Amon.
"Very well," Amon said, as he moved behind Tarrlock.
Tarrlock didn't show any resistance, as Amon pulled Tarrlock's head back and placed his hand to Tarrlock's forehead. It was right there, where Tarrlock confirmed who Amon really was.
'You are not a non-bender. You are not just a bender. You are just… an outsider,' Tarrlock gave his final thoughts as a bender, who was now allowing his bending to be removed.
Meanwhile…
About a hundred miles from Republic City, the United Forces had already set up perimeter around the city. General Loin had given this order, as he wasn't going to allow these terrorists to get away with taking the crown jewel of the Four Nations away from his protection.
Loin had also given order for other ranking generals to join him on coming up with a solution with taking back Republic City. By that, he had requested for one of the commanding officer of the United Forces navy division, General Iroh.
General Iroh had just arrived through airship, and entered the mobile base headquarters that had been set up, where his fellow military officer was waiting for him. The mobile base was active with soldiers and officers going about their own orders, but Iroh knew his way through as lower ranking soldiers stood at salute to him.
Iroh then found General Loin in a room, with a map of Republic City and the region surrounding it, as Loin and other officers were analyzing possible ways of attack.
"General Loin," Iroh said out loud to get Loin attention.
Since both of them were at the same rank, the both of them saluted each other in respect.
"General Iroh, better late than never. I assume you got the basic information on the Equalists and Intergang taking Republic City," Lin asked.
"Yes I did. These organizations are already confirmed to being armed by Hiroshi Sato, but some of these weapons don't turn up on Sato's industry line," Iroh gave a point he was concerned.
"So it is already obvious that there could be another distributor to these terrorists," Loin agreed with Iroh.
"What we may need to work on right now, is finding an opening to get us into Republic City," Iroh said.
"Recon teams confirm of the police force and remaining squads of UF soldiers working as underground resistance. None of them are able to send contact due to excessive communications interceptors. However, if we do have communications with one of our weapons distributors, Lee Luthor Sato. He is sheltered in his bunker right by the mountain to Republic City," Loin suggested a plan.
"You have communications with him," Iroh asked.
"Only with him. If he is willing to get his hands dirty for the good of the United Republic, we can take back Republic City," Loin said.
"I are you sure we should leave this to the hands of a civilian," Iroh asked in precaution.
To answer Iroh, Loin pulled out two files, and placed them on the table for Iroh to see. Iroh picked up both files and read them labeled; Major Slade Wukong, discharged. Master Sergeant Jen Korin, discharged.
"Names ring a bell," Loin asked.
"Slade's reputation on the field of combat is… acceptable. But now these men are just mercenaries," Iroh still concerned.
"General Iroh, you may be a general, but you are also young. Through all these years of combat comes wisdom. Once a soldier, always a soldier," Loin said, as he turned to the soldier by the door. "Give order to send message to Luthor Sato, United Forces command is requesting your service."
"What about the high speed aircraft that was used in the massive attack," Iroh pointed out.
"We have already gotten an estimated location on where those aircrafts came from through visual contact," Loin said, as he pointed to a circle centered with a flag. "I already sent special forces team to locate it, and destroy them."
"When was the last time they contacted," Iroh asked.
"Just right before you arrived; still haven't located that aircraft base," Loin said.
At that moment, a soldier rushed into the room facing the two generals. The soldier first saluted and then said;
"General Loin, Tango Squad has been compromised," the soldier said.
"Damn!" Loin cursed.
"Sir… we lost contact with them as well," the soldier said with a tone of compassion for his fallen comrades.
Elsewhere…
The United Force special force team, Tango Squad, were in the fight of their lives, as they were under fire making their getaway in the forest, by Intergang and Equalist forces. They had already lost one of their own in the first wave of attack. The remaining four of Tango Squad were keeping their covering each other from being killed off fast.
"The radio has been screwed up, Sergeant-Major," one of the soldiers said, as he held up a large earth plate as a mobile shield against the hostile forces.
"Forget it, we need to move," the Sergeant-Major ordered, as he threw a hose of water to freeze Intergangsters that were in front of them.
"If we can ge… ARRGH!" the soldier to the left flank screamed, as something stabbed him from behind. The soldier's killer, was Deathstroke, and the Sergeant-Major turned to face the assassin.
"I know you. Where is your honor, mercenary?!" the Sergeant-Major yelled at Deathstroke, as he wielded water around his hands as if they were blades. He rushed Deathstroke, while Deathstroke evaded every swing from the spec-ops water-bender.
Deathstroke then simply moved in and placed his sword outward, to impale the Special Forces soldier. The rest of Tango Squad were neutralized by the overwhelming Equalist and Intergangsters.
"What do we do with these soldiers," an Equalist asked Deathstroke.
One soldier still had the fire of resistance against his captors, while the other didn't seem to care anymore. These soldiers did not fear death, but one thing going through their minds was that they were not going to beg for the life, Deathstroke could see it in those Special Forces soldiers.
"Send word to get the planes to another location, then destroy the air base. As for these soldiers, they knew what they were signing up for and they know too much. I'll handle them," Deathstroke said, as he walked towards the captive soldiers, cocking his piercer gun.
Meanwhile…
Bolin and his brother, Mako, were both watching Republic City through the window opening that Lee's bunker provided. They could see the Equalist airships that were flying above the city keeping watch over any possible resistance or crime between the non-benders that were allowed in the streets with no worries about the Equalists attempting to harm them.
"This is hard to believe. A racist organization and just some gang managed to push out the United Forces," Mako commented as he was looking out the window.
"Even after all this time. I wonder how Korra is holding up," Bolin said.
"If only we could get out there and find her," Mako said with some ambition.
"You go out there, you run the risk of getting yourself either taken prisoner of the Equalists, or just shot on sight by Intergang," the two brothers heard Asami's brother's voice, as he was passing them by.
"Well we can't stand here waiting for help," Mako replied to Lee.
Lee stopped, but did not turn to face Mako. "I don't see what my sister sees in you; a hotshot fire-bender who can't even see the obvious dangers that are ahead of a road he could take."
"Hmm." Mako could respond as that, as he walked into the opposite direction, leaving Bolin with Lee.
"I assume you can understand your brother's flaws," Lee asked Bolin.
"Not everyone is perfect. That's what makes us human and alive," Bolin said in defense of his brother, as he followed the same path his brother headed to.
Lee walked about to his own business, as he had just received some word from his other asset, Slade, about the Equalist airbases being compromised. Now he had a scheduled conversation with General Loin, so Lee entered the room that gave open communications to the United Forces, where Corin was already standing by at the doorway.
Lee looked at the telegraph recorder to what it had just received, and sure enough it was a message from General Loin, and it was requesting his aid for the use of Lee's personal guards to handle some actions that were required if the United Forces would be able to take back Republic City.
"It seems General Loin has already have his forces amassed. Even if these efforts are done without us, they will be done either way," Lee said.
"I have served under his command long enough to know that the General would not let these guys go that easily, and every attack he unleashes, he wins," Corin commented.
"Well then, it seems decisions are finalized. Corin, I want for you to call Slade, tell that he will be receiving a signal to provide aid and passage way to the new air base to the Equalists. I think my business with Amon has come to an end," Lee said.
"Yes, sir," Corin replied.
"And when you're done with that, by the order of your former officer, hunt down all vigilantes, kill them. But if you find Superman, bring him here," Lee ordered with a lusting tone to find out what Superman is really made out of.
"It will be done, sir," Corin acknowledged with a smirk on his face.
"May you also fetch me the sample of the fear toxin for me," Lee asked.
"Why, sir," Corin asked.
"Because…," Lee paused, before he moved his hand towards the right, only for the metal lined door, to wrap Mako, who was just outside the door. "We have an eavesdropper."
Mako had followed Lee's path, hoping to set things straight about what he had said to him, but he couldn't help but listen onto the door to hear what Lee was doing. But then he hears of the referenced connections to the Equalists.
"You have been helping the Equalists," Mako accused Lee.
"Oh Mako, I was hoping you would have been too dumb to be unable to connect the puzzles," Lee commented with disappointment. Corin came right beside Lee, as he handed him a gas mask containing the Fear toxin.
"What are you doing?!" Mako demanded an answer.
"Mako, calm down! Stop! Don't claw eyes out!" Lee shouted out loud, as he put the mask to Mako's mouth and nose.
"NO! HELP! BOLIN! ASAMI!" Mako cried out for the help of his brother and girlfriend, but as he yelled, he also breathed in the Fear toxin. "ARRRGGGHH! NOOOO! ARRRGGGH!"
Asami and Bolin ran into the room to find Mako screaming and wrapped in metal unable to move except for flailing around.
"MAKO! Lee what have you done?!" Asami demanded an answer, as she rushed and kneeled to Mako in hopes to comfort him.
"Why do you have him wrapped in metal!?" Bolin demanded as well, as his fists were clutched, as he approached Lee.
"We were about to experiment the Fear toxin's properties. Mako ran into us, and accidently breathing the toxin. I had to restrain him before he could hurt himself," Lee said in a concerned and worried voice.
"NOO!" Mako yelled again.
"Please help him," Asami begged to her brother.
"Don't worry Asami, I will. Corin, Bolin, I am going to need you all to help me get Mako to the medical room," Lee still put on the show, concealing the real truth to what had happened.
Meanwhile…
In the temporary Batcave, Korra and Clar were the only ones that were holding the fort, as the rest of their companions were out in Republic City in night reconnaissance. Since the two of them had been the ones keeping most of the recon work during the entire day and the previous night and day before that, Batman had ordered for them to stay behind and get some rest.
Korra was laying on Naga, whom they had stumbled upon when they were out in the city and after a long conversation with Batman, allowed Naga to stay in the cave. As Korra was laying down, as she was reflecting on the time that had past. The Avatar's reflection would be interrupted, as her best friend approached her carrying a canister of beverage.
"Talk about a rough night," Clar said, as he sat by Korra.
"Hmm. It's so crazy. A few months ago, I was in the South Pole, taking my fire-bending tests. Now… now I am the middle of an all-out war," Korra sorrowfully said.
"Hey, don't let the stress consume you. In times like these, my pa told me to look at the bright side of every apple that looked bad," Clar gave an old advice given by his adopted father.
"You know what, I think your right. Those few months ago, we didn't even know each other," Korra said with heightened of happiness.
"If I didn't follow my life goal of traveling the world, I would have missed the great chance in buying the runaway Water Tribe girl and her polar-bear dog some food," Clar smiled as he looked at Korra.
"And I wouldn't have met that boy who would always get me out of trouble," Korra replied back.
"Korra, you're the most wonderful person I have ever person I have ever met. Strong. Independent. Caring. Honest. You are a great Avatar in such time of extreme change," Clar gave a warm compliment to his best friend.
"I think you're pretty super too, but considering your new title, it is obvious," Korra commented, as she slightly glanced away as she said that, but turned back looking to Clar.
It was right there, where Korra mentioned Clar's title as a superhero, where Clar decided that he wanted to let something out as well.
"I have another identity," Clar said.
"Not a superhero name," Korra asked.
"No. My true name. The name that my birth father and mother called to me: Kal-El," Clar identified himself.
"I like that name. I should be calling you by that from now on. Kal," Korra stated with a smile tugging at the side of her mouth.
"I have so many questions. As much as the same questions you have in trying to be a great Avatar, I want to know where I come from," Clar said an issue he had.
"Yet you can't be asking out loud, because you need to keep a secret, to protect the people you care and love for," Korra asked.
"I guess that's why I stayed with calling myself Clar Kenta. It's the name I was born with. Nothing else," Clar said.
"You want to know something?" Korra asked.
"Go ahead and say it," Clar accepted.
"I… I never really had any thought of who I would be on my own terms. I discovered I was the Avatar at such an early age, so that was all my potential into becoming the Avatar. Nothing else," Korra said.
"You're saying you never got the chance to choose your own destiny. It was all just a matter of fate," Clar stated in conclusion.
"Hmm. It's not like I had a problem with it. I accepted it. I wanted to test my limits and do whatever I could to help people who could not stand up for themselves," Korra said with a hint of pride.
"Power. Responsibility. Fate. Secrets." Clar, stating all themes surrounding their connections.
"We're… we're not like them. Regular people," Korra said, as she looked forward to the dark shadows of the cave.
"We're not like anyone," Clar agreed.
The both of them were looking each other's eyes. Looking straight into each other and seeing all emotions they were feeling, like a wall, that had separated one whole nation into two, and it finally being shattered after years of separation. The only difference, Korra and Clar felt as they have always been connected without any separation.
Clar observed Korra's exotic and beautiful face, with her open eyes showing their ocean blue color. He would be a fool to say that Korra was anywhere below the level of near perfect beauty. While Korra could notice the handsome structure of Clar's face, and she was in bewilderment to the fact how he looked so much human, yet still alien. A very handsome alien.
The female Avatar and the Kryptonian male moved their faces were closer to one another, as they were stuck in that one single moment of a strengthening bond. It seemed like the longest few seconds, their lips finally touched each other.
Their kiss was soft, due to both being nervous, one being that she was kissing her best friend, and the other was that he might her with immense strength. However, they soon began to calm down, as Korra decided that she wouldn't have it with any other man. Who could compare to Superman? Clar was surprised at Korra's action of placing her hands behind his head to keep him still as she kissed him, but he wasn't going to complain.
They parted from their kiss, taking in a little bit of air to breathe in. Both of them looked into each other's eyes, and Korra would receive a shock as she saw Clar's eyes had a glitter of red spark in it. Clar also felt the heated rush in his eyes, as he shut them closed and shook his head to knock some sense.
"Clar?" Korra asked in concern.
"Sorry. My heat vision… it… can get a little out of control when…" Clar unable to finished his explanation.
Korra couldn't help but smirk, hearing Clar telling her that he was turned on in a different matter, but this time, Clar pulled away to avoid the kiss.
"What's wrong," Korra asked.
"I… I may hurt you. I could have hurt you with my heat vision," Clar answered in concern.
"Then, we'll just have to be more careful," Korra suggested, but Clar, still afraid of all possibilities of hurting his friend. Or girlfriend. Or friend with benefits. His feelings were screwed up at that state, so Clar couldn't take action of such sorts.
"I'm sorry Korra. But… I need some time to think," Clar said, with his face showing fear, as he walked backward before turning to walk outside.
Korra was only silent, watching her best friend walk away, after such a moment they had with each other. She felt let down and upset at the fact he walked away, but Korra could recall the fear in his eyes. He was a lot stronger than any person on this world to the point he could hurt them with just a mere handshake. All Korra decided to do was just give him the time he requested, and she sighed as she laid back down.
Outside…
Clar regretted leaving Korra like that, but he was also afraid that he would actually harm her in such actions. He nearly burned her face when he looked at her after their kiss. Now, Clar was outside on the pier, in his superhero uniform, and he needed to clear his mind. Perhaps a little patrolling would clear his head, he thought.
As Superman, he ran up into Republic City unnoticed by the Equalist patrols, and he kept running and running to see if there was any trouble. However, when he thought he was going unnoticed, he was wrong, as someone could see him running.
"Target spotted," the figure said, as he made his way to intercept Superman.
It happened fast, as Superman made a leap to another rooftop of buildings, but then, all of sudden, something, someone, tackled him in midair. Sending them both crashing into an ally, with Superman pinned to the wall.
Superman looked at his attacker to see a man in metal with a metal mask concealing his face.
"Some new metal suit for you Intergangster," Superman asked a rhetorical question, as pushed against his attacker to the next wall so he was pinned instead.
"I am not with Intergang or the Equalists, Superman," the metal man responded, as broke out of Superman's grips, and elbowed Superman to the face.
Throwing a punch to Superman's gut, and then clutching his fists together and slamming Superman to the ground.
Superman looked up to the metal man, and got back up and tackled him to the ground. Mounting him, Superman ground and pounded the metal man, but then the metal man fired green blasts out from his fists, hitting Superman.
"ARRGH!" Superman yelled in pain, as he was thrown off of the metal man.
The metal man then realized how nothing has been able to really hurt Superman before, now he screamed in pain from just a mere blast of fire. Fire that was provided by the meteor rock that was powering his suit.
"So it looks like the man of steel has a little chink in that armor," the metal armored man said, as he decided to place his hands to his chest, opening up a compartment revealing a green rock at the center. "Here is something from the heart."
Superman tried to get up, but the sickening effect of the meteor rock was forcing him down to his knees.
"Ha! I can see the tabloids now; Former Soldier Defeats the Superman. No, I need an actual title," the man gloated.
"Who… who are you?!" Superman asked in pain.
"Aha. I guess you, Superman, may call me, Metallo. And I am the new and true, Man of Steel," Corin said with pride and arrogance, before he threw a kick to Superman's face, knocking him out cold.
'Mister Sato-Luthor will also be recognized for this as well. And tomorrow, the world will see as this age of superheroes will die, along with the Equalists as well,' Metallo thought to himself as he pulled on Superman's cape, and went about on his way.
Republic City is under occupation, and the heroes do all they can to find a way of taking it back. Jun and Lin are leading a resistance. Tarrlock makes his final strike against Amon, only to find out that there is more to Amon that is outside of the view of any person except for Tarrlock, as he shows behavior that he knows who Amon is. The United Forces are amassing, and will be taking back Republic City and exterminating all threats to the capital of the Republic, whether they be Equalists, Intergang, or even the heroes. Clar and Korra show affection towards one another, but one of them, still afraid of harming the person they care about. In hopes of clearing his mind, he is ambushed by a man with a kryptonite heart. What is to happen now?
Superiornite: now, this is going to be a little bit harder to keep up with responses this month. Why? *Grabs a sword and takes a knee* brace yourselves, exams are coming.
Dalek: AL-ERT! AL-ERT! EX-AMS within this time period!
Darth Vadar: Nnooooooo!
Zoidberg: v00v Whopwhopwhopwhopwhopwhop!
'''
*Deadpool hangs himself, stabs himself in the chest, and fires a gun to his head*
Phantom Stranger: that is the one path I cannot be of good aid to you.
Superiornite: We do not pray for easier lives gentlemen, we pray to be stronger men. And courage isn't just a matter of not being frightened. It's being afraid and doing what you have to do anyway.