The plan is to finish this one up in the next chapter. If not, then two more for this one. Thanks for reading.
He looked up from his cell as he saw the two guards get flattened by the opposing wall. Ice blanketed them before two hooded faces appeared to peer in. He had never seen them before and while he fought the urge to show it, he was worried.
"Amon, right?" the taller one, he now knew was a man, spoke, "You don't look as menacing without your mask."
"You are neither triad members nor my old followers. Who are you both and why are you paying me a visit?"
"You should pay your rescuers some more respect!" the other one, a woman with a hoarse voice, snarled.
The man rolled his eyes, "Excuse her. What she means is that we need your help defeating the Avatar's bloodbending."
Noatak looked down at where his hand should be. He looked at them in the eyes as he mulled over the possibilities. He then laughed, "No."
The two hooded figured looked at each other with surprise. They were not expecting him to decline from their offer of freedom. The man then voiced their surprise in which the former Equalist leader continued.
"Do you really think you can defeat the Avatar? I took away her bending and she managed to get it back to defeat me. Avatar Aang fought against Yakone, the most dangerous gangster and bloodbender known to Republic City, yet he still managed to defeat my father. Even if she dies, the Avatar will return and you will be, once again, enemy number one once the new Avatar figures you out. Then you better hope that the new Avatar is more like Aang than Korra."
The hooded man managed to growl a bit, "We have a plan to deal with her; we just need your knowledge on bloodbending and chi blocking. We need to be able to fight through her preferred style of bending."
The former revolutionary let off another soft laugh. He watched them, taking note that they were truly serious about this, "Fine. Get me out of here."
For reasons unknown to her, Korra was asked to attend a meeting between the Chief, Unalaq and Tonraq. As the older brother was trying to defend himself as to why he attacked a spiritual forest outside of the city, the young Avatar assumed it was for politics. For the first time in her fourteen years, she was surprised. The Chief had banished his eldest son, stripping all honor from his name. She had later joked about it in her training with Unalaq's friends, her elemental teachers, which resulted in a more painful session. Apparently she was the only one that thought it was funny or that she voiced it.
"Come on Unalaq," she had elbowed him in the ribs after the training, "You had to know that Tonraq was being sent away."
"I will speak no further on the subject. Now, if you will allow me, I have a lesson to go to. Since my brother is now gone, I have to learn how to be Chief."
Korra stopped in the hall to give him one last wave, "Fine, go enjoy that. I will just find something to do on my own. Or maybe I'll bother Tarrlok."
She blew hot air onto her hands again as the ship was docking. The Avatar had muttered something about forgetting how cold the poles were. Unalaq ignored her as she complained. He had far better things to worry about than the Avatar being cold like why she wanted to open the portals. Unless she was speaking with Vaatu like he was.
"There it is." He interrupted, "Come. I expect that my brother is in the crowd waiting for us."
"How is he? I haven't spoken with him since your father kicked him out." She responded as she adjusted her jacket and fedora.
"He is married and has a daughter. I expect that you won't do anything to them, or should I warn them about your tastes?"
"I can control myself." She snorted.
"Hardly." He hummed as he walked towards the wharf. Korra snorted again as she pulled her gloves on.
Unalaq stopped in front of his brother, greeting him and his family. Senna and her daughter, Sinaaq who had her arms crossed in defiance at first, returned the greeting. Korra could feel the hatred between them and held back her laughter. Tonraq eventually turned his focus on her and hesitantly bowed.
"Avatar Korra," he said, almost with a growl, "We were not expecting you to be joining us."
She waved him off, "Avatar stuff. Don't look so surprised. I haven't forgotten that duty, completely. Now, before we head off, Unalaq, I have someone to visit. It's one long due."
The brim of her hat was close to her nose and the collar of her jacketed popped up as the Avatar walked around the marketplace of the southern city. Korra sought to remain incognito while she searched. She bought some food items, knowing that at least she could offer food in place of time to speak.
With directions from some of the locals, she eventually found what she was looking for. Before she knocked on the door, she pulled a flask from inside her jacket and took a gulp from it. Then she knocked. A woman about her age opened the door before slamming it back onto the Avatar's face. Korra cursed and shouted at Pema for slamming the door.
The other woman cracked the door slightly before forcing out her words, "What do you want?"
"Is Master Katara there?"
"Are you going to take her away too?"
The Avatar let out a sigh, "I'm not killing anyone here. That was only business back in Republic City and I know that you know that I can easily force this door open."
"Open the door, Pema." She heard from inside, "Korra is not intending to harm anyone."
The widow opened the door, allowing the Avatar to come in before rushing away to avoid her husband's killer. The Avatar gave the old master a bow before continuing with what she wanted to say.
"I brought over some food. I did not know that Pema and her airbending children were here or I would have not brought meat."
The old master did not respond and only showed her where the kitchen was. Katara put water on the stove for tea as she let the Avatar do what she was planning on doing. Neither woman spoke to each other after Korra tried to talk about anything that came to mind. It was not an awkward atmosphere. Korra knew that the old master was holding her tongue about the visit. She was sure that if it were not for the ability to bloodbend when she pleased, Katara would have told Pema to close the door.
Her thoughts wandered for a bit as she was finishing up the meal.
It was early in the morning when she returned from partying all night. The Avatar had just enough wits to walk herself back to the ferry but often stumbled to keep herself standing. Her richly made clothes smelled of the bar, if it was even considered a bar since there was more going on than just drinking. She put a hand out to the wall as she started to head to her room when someone grabbed her by the ear.
"Young Avatars should not be out drinking all night then they have airbending practice in the morning." Master Katara said as she directed her to the kitchen. A bowl of potatoes and a knife were set in front of the teenaged Avatar as she was forced to a stool, "You will help the acolytes and myself prepare breakfast and lunch since you feel the need to be out all night."
A glass of water was then set on the table as well as some ginger tea. Katara gave the teen a bit of a smile before turning to work the stove with a snicker, "Don't hurt yourself or we will have another healing lesson too."
Korra moaned as she did what she was told. It was the first of many times that she would end up cooking when she was guilty of something. But for what she was being punished with, the old master soon began telling old tales to help pass the time. Katara was never out-right mean to her; she just had to work around the young Avatar's stubbornness with some force.
The two sat in silence when they ate. Korra knew that the old master must have trusted her enough still to partake in the meal. She did not refuse a plate. The Avatar also watched as Jinora snuck into the room to peek at her. The girl gave her a glare before running back to her family. The Avatar snorted before glancing at the old master.
"You're not going to ask what's going on?" she asked.
Katara took a sip of her tea before returning a glance, "I don't have to and frankly, I have given up on trying to guide you. I can see now and all of my son's and my time with you were for naught. You are a perfect reflection of your father and if he was ever a caring man, I suppose he would be happy for you. But we both know that he was a selfish man, unable of caring for anyone but himself. Whatever your plan is with Unalaq, I just hope that the rest of the world will be able to survive it."
"Why did you let me in then?"
The older woman answered quickly, "The full moon doesn't come for another few nights, otherwise you would be walking away in the cold this very moment. I suggest you leave soon after eating as you have overstayed your welcome."
The Avatar stood up, leaving her plate as it was and went to brush herself off before heading towards the door for her jacket. She did not say a word as she left. Korra knew now that there was no turning back from this plan of hers. She still commanded some fear over others. That was all she needed.
The Northern Water Tribe army was waiting for Zaheer and his followers just outside of the city. The commander had bowed and went on to inform him of what Chief Unalaq wanted. The man waved off the commander and asked if his two other friends arrived.
"They are waiting for you inside the palace."
"Good." The nonbender said as he waved the other four to follow.
Bolin commented the entire time they searched for the others about the ice and how cold it was. He then told his brother how lucky he was to be able to firebend.
"Bolin, they gave you a jacket. Quit complaining." The firebender muttered.
Asami only gave the younger brother a hug, "It is cold, Bolin. You're not the only one freezing."
"My nose is still on, right?"
The younger three were then shushed when they entered another room. Zaheer then grinned as he greeted the others. Ghazan and Ming Hua returned their own greeting before introducing the third man in the room.
"We managed to get him." The earthbender said, "Everyone, meet the person that is going to help us defeat bloodbending. I introduce the once masked villain, Amon."
Bolin let out a shriek as his brother's fists lit up.
"Peace everyone. He cannot do any damage to us." Zaheer interrupted before bowing, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Amon."
"Noatak works. I am hardly Amon anymore now that my secret is out." The man answered in a low volume.
Mako gave his friends a worried look. He was met with the same worry. What were they really getting into?
Zaheer's voice interrupted them once more, "Now, we have a few weeks before we have to meet at the Northern Spirit Portal. Our friend, Chief Unalaq, should have left his army instructions. By the end of the month, we shall have freed the world from the Avatar's tyranny. After that, we will free the rest of the people from their governmental bonds. Until then, we will continue training to fight."