Hiccup was sleeping in bed, with Toothless on the large rock nearby that he preferred, when he heard a loud scream from across the hall. He jolted awake with a start, recognizing it as Korra's voice. Toothless immediately perked up as well, eyes wide.
"Korra!" Hiccup exclaimed, rushing out of bed and down the hall to Korra's room. He slams the door open to reveal Korra leaning on Naga's head, and she lets out a startled scream at his abrupt entrance. He looks around the room quickly for any nearby attackers, before stopping when he realized no one was there but her and Naga.
"Are you... are you ok?" he asked softly, a small hint of confusion.
"Don't burst into my room like that!" she exclaimed with a small hint of anger.
"I'm sorry it's just, I heard a scream and thought you were in trouble..." Hiccup says gently, raising his hands. Korra sighs as she manages to calm down, a sullen expression on her face.
"I'm fine, it was just a bad dream," she said, exhausted.
"You... want to talk about it?" he asked hesitantly.
She gave him a small, forced smile. "No, it's alright. Nothing to worry about," she says.
Hiccup eyes her with a concerned expression but reluctantly nods his head. "Ok. Well, let me- let anyone know if you need anything. I'm here for you," he promised her. She nods as he exits the room, closing the door as he did so. He was worried about her, able to tell it wasn't just a simple bad dream.
The next day, Korra was practicing her airbending movements with Hiccup supervising, helping to adjust or improve her form as she moved around in a circle.
"That's good, just a little bit more fluid. Not as jerky," he observed, and she eased up a little bit, making her movements a bit more fluid like he asked. The radio nearby was playing some simple music, when it suddenly turned made a lot of buzzing static as someone took over the radio station. Hiccup and Korra stopped what they were doing and turned to look at it
"My fellow Equalists, this is your leader, Amon. As you have heard, the Republic council has voted to make me public enemy number one, proving once again that the bending oppressors of this city will stop at nothing to quash our revolution. But we can not be stopped. Our numbers grow stronger by the day. You no longer have to live in fear. The time has come for benders to experience fear." Amon said, his chilling voice floating off the radio.
"Such a swell guy," Hiccup deadpanned. Korra didn't answer, and he looked over at her to see beads of sweat running down her head, her eyes wide in terror.
"Korra? Korra?!" he said worriedly, putting a hand on her shoulder.
"AHH!" she screamed in response, shoving him away with eyes wide in terror. Hiccup tumbled to the ground with a shocked look on his face as she realized what she did.
"Oh my gosh, Hiccup! I'm so sorry I... I didn't mean to do that!" she stammered nervously, helping him to his feet. She was still shaking slightly, and Hiccup put his hands on her shoulders to keep her still.
"Korra, what is wrong?" he asks in deep concern. "This isn't just a simple bad dream. Something's bothering you!"
"Nothing is bothering me! I'm just.. jumpy, that's all!" she says defensively.
Hiccup raises an eyebrow at her disbelievingly. "But-"
"I said I'm fine!" she exclaims, pulling away and rushing off.
Hiccup sighs and watches her leave with a worried look on his face. She was clearly terrified, but wasn't telling anyone about it because of her pride. And he had a feeling it had to do with Amon.
A few minutes later the Airbending family, along with Korra was about to eat dinner in the dining room, with the sun setting in an orange glow. Tenzin sat at the head of the table, Pema and Meelo on one side, Jinora and Ikki on the other. Korra was sitting down at the opposite end from Tenzin, Hiccup sitting on her left as they were in the middle of a prayer.
"We are grateful for this delicious food, for happiness, for compassion, for-" Tenzin is in the middle of saying when someone interrupts.
"I'm not interrupting am I?" Tarrlok's voice says rather boldly, and Hiccup opens his eyes in surprise before frowning at him in annoyance. Tenzin and the rest of the group are just as surprised.
"This is my home Tarrlok. We are about to eat dinner." Tenzin says in annoyance.
"Good, because I am absolutely famished. Airbenders never turn away a hungry guest, am I right?" Tarrlok asks with a smirk, his voice oozing with smugness. Hiccup scowls while Tenzin lets out a sigh.
"I suppose," he replies in defeat. Pema glares at him and he shrugs in a 'what-can-I-do' fashion.
Tarrlok approaches the end of the table where Korra and Hiccup are sitting, and Hiccup secretly rolls his eyes, taking a sip from his cup. It was no secret that Hiccup did not like Tarrlock, and he had no qualms about admitting it. The guy was a jerk, and very obviously felt the same way of Hiccup as well.
"Ahh, you must be the famous Avatar Korra. It is truly an honor. I am Councilman Tarrlok, representative from the Northern Water Tribe," he introduces happily. Korra stands up briefly and gives him a smal bow before sitting back down. "It's nice to meet you," she says politely. Tarrlok sits next to her when Ikki scoots closer with a frown on her face.
"Why do you have three pony-tails? And why do you smell like a lady? You're weird!" she says.
"Aren't you... precocious," he replies hesitantly, and Hiccup snorts into his drink, covering it up with a fake cough as he put the drink down. Tarrlok glares at him and he returns the look with an innocent smile.
"My apologies councilman. Please, continue," he says with a mock wave of his arms. Hiccup's younger siblings can't help but giggle, with Korra letting off a small smile. Even Tenzin is amused, although he and Pema don't show it. Tarrlok's frown deepens before he turns to Korra, a pleasant smile back on his face.
"So, I've been reading all about your adventures in the papers. Infiltrating Amon's rally, now that took some real initiative," he praises, and Korra raises an eyebrow with a small smile in his direction.
"Oh, thanks. I think you're the first authority figure in the city who's happy I'm here," she responds. Hiccup internally sighs, resting his head on his fist.
"Republic City is much better off now that you've arrived." Tarrlok says, flattering as ever.
"I think it needs new management." Hiccup mutters quietly into his hand.
"Enough with the flattering Tarrlok. What do you want from Korra?" Tenzin demands, already knowing his game.
"Patience, Tenzin. I'm getting to that," he replies with a smirk. "As you may have heard, I am assembling a task force that will strike at the heart of the revolution and I want you to join me." Tarrlok tells Korra.
"Really?" Korra asks in surprise.
"What?" Tenzin says in angry surprise.
"Are you kidding me?" Hiccup says in irritation.
"I need someone who will help me attack Amon directly, someone who is fearless in the face of danger, and that someone is you." Tarrlok says with a smirk on his face in an attempt at flattery.
"Join your task force? I can't," she replies, much to the shock of Hiccup, Tenzin and Tarrlok.
"I must admit, I'm rather surprised." Tarrlok says hesitantly, and hiccup can;t help but smirk at his tone. "I thought you'd jump at the chance to help me lead the charge against Amon. "
"Me too." Tenzin says quietly, stunned.
"I think this is a brilliant refusal!" Hiccup remarks happily.
"I came to Republic City to finish my Avatar training with Tenzin. Right now I just need to focus on that." Korra calmly replies, drinking from her cup.
"Which is why this opportunity is perfect. You would get on the job experience while performing your Avatar duty for the city." Tarrlok says in an attempt to persuade her.
"Well my dear councilman, it was lovely chatting with you, but your answer has been given so I think you should get out." Hiccup says, not bothering to hide the distain in his voice by the end. Tarrlok glares at him but concedes, getting up from the table.
"Very well. But, I'm not giving up on you just yet. You'll be hearing from me soon. It has been a pleasure, Avatar Korra," he says, leaving the room.
"Bye bye ponytail man!" Ikki calls out, waving her arm happily. Hiccup holds out a hand to her, and she gladly returns a high five of success.
The next morning, Korra and Hiccup are sitting beside each other on the steps of the house, Toothless and Naga on their backs on either side of them, just begging for attention. Korra was absentmindedly rubbing Naga's fur while Hiccup gave Toothless a few scratches around his neck, much to the dragons delight as his tongue lolled out of his mouth.
"I think we need to talk Korra." Hiccup finally says.
"Talk? About what?" she asks in confusion.
"About why you really refused to join the task force last night," he responded.
"I thought I already explained why. That I need to complete my Avatar training with Tenzin," she says hesitantly.
Hiccup sighs in exasperation, looking directly into her face. "Korra, I can see it in your eyes. You're afraid," he deduces.
She flinches, looking away quickly before returning his gaze with a small glare. "So what if you think I am? I can take care of myself just fine," she says defensively.
"There's no shame in admitting that you're afraid Korra." Hiccup says gently. "Everybody is afraid of something."
"Well I"m not one of those people." Korra says sternly, daring him to challenge her. Before he could respond, Bolin comes up the two of them with his hands behind his back, Pabu on his shoulders.
"Da, da da, cha, cha cha. Hello fellow teammate and friends!"
Hey, Bolin." Korra replies, rubbing Naga's belly.
Missed you at practice this week." Bolin commented.
Korra winces a little. "Yeah, sorry about that.
Aww, that's alright. We're probably out of the tournament anyway unless some money miraculously drops out of the sky by tomorrow. Anyway, the reason I came by was to give you this. Ta-da!" Bloom said happily, presenting Korra with a rose and cupcake with cherries on top.
"Well that's fancy." Hiccup remarks.
Korra takes the gifts, surprise evident on her face. Toothless pushes his nose forward curiously to check it out, but she shoves his head away and he whines, placing his head in Hiccup's lap while he snickers at his dragon. "Wow, thanks. What's this for?" she asks.
"Uhh, I can't remember now." Bolin says sarcastically. "Oh, yeah, now I remember! You saved me from Amon."
Hiccup mock pouts. "Oh so I don't get a gift?"
Bolin's eyes widened slightly. "Oh yeah! I forgot, umm... how about later, I.. uh," he stammers.
Hiccup just laughs in amusement. "Calm down Bolin it's fine. You don't have to get me anything," he says with a smile, and Bolin sighs in relief.
"Woo," he says.
"Oh, rescuing you? It was no big deal." Korra says
Bolin gaped at her, getting excited. "No big deal, are you serious? I was totally freaking out when he was coming at me with his creepy mask all 'I will take away your bending forever!' I mean that is scary stuff! I still can't sleep well."
Hiccup eyes Korra in concern, noticing how she tenses up nervously during Bolin's exaggerated Amon impression.
"Mm-hmm," she replies.
"Maybe it's better to discuss something other than Amon?" Hiccup suggests pointedly in Bolin's direction.
Bolin shrugs. "Fine with me. I don't like that guy."
The Council Page for Tarrlok then arrives with a package, approaching the trio. Hiccup raised an eyebrow in bewilderment at all the flowers and other items he got for her. "Delivery for Avatar Korra! Tarrlok sends his compliments and urges you to reconsider his offer," the page says.
"Tell him I haven't changed my mind." Korra replies sternly, and the page bows in response.
"Mmm-hmm," she says, leaving right after. Hiccup rolls his eyes and Bolin frowns in response to this, looking a little angry.
"Who's this "Tarrlok" guy? Is he bothering you? Huh? 'Cause I can have a word with him," Bolin offers determinedly.
"Haha, I wish!" Hiccup exclaims in amusement.
"Ha! No, it's not like that. He's just some old guy who works with Tenzin on the council." Korra tells him. Bolin immediately calms down after that.
"Oh! Good. Good, that sounds better. I like that better," he says happily.
A while later, Hiccup was absolutely fed up with Tarrlok's continued gifts. He must have sent them around four satomobiles, brand new! Who would even want to own four satomobiles anyways?
"At least Ikki and Meelo are enjoying it," he muttered with a sigh. Nearby Korra is lounging against the railing, appearing upset, so he heads over to her.
"Korra, are you sure you don't need to talk?" he asks her. "My dad already told you that talking about our fears helps."
Korra sighs irritably. "I know ours worried about me, and I think that's sweet, but I'm fine Hiccup!" she stresses in exasperation. Just then the Council Page approaches again.
"Oh, wonderful," Hiccup mutters.
"Avatar Korra, I have something for you," he says.
Korra hops down from the railing with a low growl of annoyance while Ikki and Jinora look up from their Pai-Sho game, giggling at the sight.
"It doesn't matter how many gifts Tarrlok sends, I'm not joining his task force!" she yells, slamming the ground to turn the page around with earthbending before kicking him away harshly.
"It's not a gift! It's an invitation!" he helps quickly in fear.
Korra raises an eyebrow of confusion. "To what?"
He takes out a card and hands it to her. "Tarrlok is throwing a gala in your honor. All of Republic City's movers and shakers will be there. The councilman humbly requests your attendance."
Korra eyes the card suspiciously as the Council Page leaves, and Hiccup jumps down as well to join her. He reads the card over her shoulder and rolls his eyes.
"Well isn't that suspicious," he says.
"Why?" Korra asks.
"I am one hundred percent sure that he's going to do something at this gala to make you join his task force." Hiccup says in annoyance. "Please don't join it," he pleads.
"I've been very clear already about not joining it," she reminds him, eyeing the card warily.
The whole Airbender family, along with Korra were now dressed in more formal clothing for the party. Hiccup had on his air nomad robes, just like the others in his family, with a red colored sash and cowl on, similar to how Tenzin had it. His younger siblings rushed into the room excitedly, and Hiccup watch them go with an exasperated look. Just like always he was reminded of how much younger than him they all are.
Korra's dress was simple but elegant, colored a dark navy watertribe blue, with her hair let down most of the way, a bun on her head. He had to secretly admire how beautiful she looked.
"I can't believe this is all for me," she says, slightly stunned and awed by the party.
"I'm not sure what Tarrlok's plotting but keep your guard up. It's not like him just to throw a party for the fun of it." Tenzin warned her.
"Always something up his sleeve," Hiccup said in agreement.
Speak of the devil... "So glad you could make it Avatar Korra!" Tarrlok says, striding over to them with a smile on his face. "If you'll excuse us, the city awaits its hero," he says, leading Korra away. Hiccup doesn't miss the smug grin Tarrlok sends him over his shoulder, and he rolls his eyes in irritation at the man. Just then Tenzin gasps in horror.
"Meelo no! That is not a toilet!" he exclaims in horror. Hiccup looks over and his jaw drops as he eyes go wide in shock. What was he thinking?! "Oh dear," Tenzin rambles nervously, quickly striding over to get Meelo out of there as fast as possible.
"Oh my gosh..." Hiccup says, half-in-shock before blinking, shaking his head and looking away. He could not believe his younger brother actually did that at a public event... come to think of it Meelo doesn't really have any respect for anyone.
After that fiasco, Hiccup decided to tour around the place, greeting people with the occasional handshake when they recognized him. A few times during this, several rich and prissy girls attempted to get his attention, and he didn't miss the slight seduction they put into their efforts, which he internally rolled his eyes at. Being a handsome guy like himself was sometimes a negative whenever he was out in public. He politely declined all of their requests, much to their chagrin.
He was genuinely surprise to spot Mako at the party, and he wasn't alone. With her arm interlocked with his was none other than Asami. Mr. Sato was standing right next to her, and Korra was across from them. He smirked to himself and sidled up to them, standing near Korra.
"Well well well, look who has a date," he remarked in amusement.
"Oh, Hiccup! Didn't know you were here!" Asami said in surprise.
"You two know each other?" Korra and Mako both asked suspiciously at the same time, glancing at each other in surprise after doing so.
"Yeah, we've been friends for a few years." Asami told them.
"It's good to see you again Hiccup," Mr. Sato greets happily.
"You too as well Mr. Sato. So how did the two of you meet?" Hiccup asks Asami and Mako.
"Asami crashed into him on her moped!" Bolin exclaims, rushing in before moving away just as quickly. Hiccup blinks in surprise after him before shrugging.
"What? Are you ok?" Korra asks Mako in concern.
"I'm fine. More than fine. Mr. Sato agreed to sponsor our team. We're back in the tournament!" Mako says eagerly.
Bolin rushes in again, throwing an arm around his brother's shoulders. "Isn't that great!?
"Yeah, terrific." Korra says meekly. Hiccup raises an eyebrow at her weird behavior before noticing a familiar face walking by. Apparently, so does Tarrlok, and he gestures at her to come over.
"Chief Beifong! I believe you and Avatar Korra have already met," he states, and the two glare at each other.
"Oh dear," Hiccup sighs.
"Just because the city's throwing you this big to-do don't think you're something special. You've done absolutely nothing to deserve this." Lin tells Korra coldly, and she glares back at the police chief. As she walks away, Lin turns to Hiccup as an afterthought.
"Good to see you Hiccup," she says briskly, walking away.
"Nice to see you as well," he replies, and Korra glares at her retreating form while Hiccup rolls his eyes.
Not much later, Tarrlok had led Korra away to a large stairway, where a bunch of reporters and journalists began to hammer her with questions and photographs. They asked question after question, and Tarrlok left her to fend for herself as Hiccup stared up at her in worry. Eventually, she gives in and answers that she will join the task force, much to Hiccup's shock and displeasure. Tarrlok smiles at the crowd, and sends a smug grin at Hiccup. His response is to glare back at the Councilman and make a slicing-throat motion, a clear threat to him about Korra's safety.
Hiccup sat down on the steps of Air Temple Island, a glum look on his face, and Toothless is lying down next to him too. In the short while Korra's been on the island things have been hectic and crazy, but he was now finding that he kind of missed it. He could only stand his younger siblings for so long, but Korra's craziness was a new kind of thing. Toothless missed her too, because she would spoil him far more than Hiccup, and the dragon really liked her. He let out a pitiful moan, while the sun began to set in the sky.
"I hear you bud," he told the dragon. Korra had been out all day with Tarrlok's dumb task force, and Hiccup didn't even think she went to Probending practice, which was a big shock.
Behind them, the radio was playing the press conference. "-Amon, I challenge you to a duel. No task force. No chi blockers. Just the two of us tonight at midnight on Avatar Aang Memorial Island. Let's cut to the chase and settle this thing. If you're man enough to face me!"
"What?!" Hiccup exclaimed in shock. She couldn't do that! She was terrified of the guy!
"Come on bud!" he said, getting onto Toothless's back. The dragon immediately took off, as they headed for Korra.
"Korra, this is madness!" Tenzin exclaimed.
"Don't try to stop me and don't follow me. I have to face Amon alone."
Hiccup and Toothless then fly down and land nearby, and Hiccup jumps off of the dragon's back. "Korra, are you insane?!" he asks incredulously.
"Of course not! I need to do this!" she says back angrily.
"If you do this right now you will lose, just like against those chi-blockers before, remember?" he points out in exasperation.
"You saying I can't handle this?!" she demands furiously, whirling around on him.
"This is all your doing!" Tenzin accuses Tarrlok angrily while the other argument was going on.
"I tried to talk her out of it too but she's made up her mind," he replies defensively. "We'll be watching the island closely. If anything goes wrong I have a fleet of police air ships ready to swoop down."
"Korra, when you are absolutely terrified like you are right now, then yes you can't handle it." Hiccup retorts, crossing his arm.
"I'm not terrified! Do I look terrified?!" she shouts in outrage. "I'm the Avatar! I don't get terrified!"
"Everyone gets terrified!" he exclaims back to her. "You're just too stubborn and prideful to admit it, and that makes things worse!"
"Well since you obviously think I can't do this, I'll prove it to you that Amon is just a pushover, and I will deal with this, my way!" she yells, shooting off in her boat.
Hiccup growls angrily, glaring at her retreating form. "I cannot believe her," he says.
"Hiccup, please go after her and make sure she's ok," Tenzin pleads with him. Hiccup stands silently, sighing in frustration before turning around.
"Fine," he snaps, before pointing accusingly at Tarrlok. "If she loses her bending then it's your fault Tarrlok!"
"How is it my fault?!" he protests.
"You're the reason she's on your stupid task force in the first place, therefore the reason the Avatar will have lost her bending because you pressured her into doing your stupid crap!" he exclaims, and Toothless snarls at Tarrlok as emphasis. He backs up, having the decency to at least look abashed as Hiccup takes off on Toothless.
By the time Hiccup and Toothless had arrived, Korra was surrounded by chi-blockers and Amon himself, who was grasping her head by the chin. "Although it would be the simplist thing for me to take away your bending right now, I won't. You'd only become a martyr. Benders of every nation would rally behind your untimely demise. But I assure you I have a plan and I'm saving you for last. Then you'll get your duel and I will destroy you," he says darkly.
"Leave her alone Amon!" Hiccup yells out, hovering in the air on Toothless above the group. Toothless growls at them.
Amon and his chi-blockers look up at the pair, as well as Korra, who widens her eyes in relief. "Hiccup..." she whispers.
"The nonbending member of the Airbending family," Amon muses. "And his pet dragon. I'm surprised to see you here."
"Then you're not as smart as you claim to be Amon," Hiccup retorts.
"You misunderstand. But don't worry, my plan will soon come into effect, and the entire city, along with the world will be cleansed of their impurities." Amon states calmly. "Don't you hate the fact that all of your younger siblings continue to show off their power while you're left alone by yourself?"
"Maybe, but they're my family. And family sticks out for each other. So let her go!" Hiccup threatens, and Toothless snarls to back up his rider's response.
"Of course. Taking her bending now would only rally others behind the Avatar. But soon enough, I will destroy you all," he promises, turning around and jabbing Korra harshly in the shoulder, knocking her unconscious with a pressure point. Toothless roars, his mouth beginning to glow before bolas shoot out, wrapping around his mouth and tail, forcing the two to the ground.
Hiccup is thrown from Toothless's back painfully, and by the time he looks up, all of the Equalists are gone. He looks over and pulls the bola off of Toothless's mouth before noticing Korra unconscious.
"Korra!" he cries out in worry, rushing to her side.
She groans as he helps her sit up. "Hiccup?" she mutters.
"Yeah it's me. Are you ok?" he asks in concern. "Did he take your bending?"
She raises her hand and creates a small flame before extinguishing it. "No, I'm ok," she says.
Hiccup sighs in relief. "Oh, thank the spirits," he says.
Korra then begins to cry, tears falling down her face as she wraps her arms desperately around Hiccup, burying her head into his chest. He hugs her back gently, as Toothless sidles forward with a concern warble.
"I was so terrified! I felt so helpless!' she sobbed.
"It's alright, he's gone. It's over," he says quietly.
"You were right. I've been scared this whole time. I've never felt like this before and I don't know what to do!" she cries, hugging him tighter and he sighs sadly while Toothless rubs his head against her.
"You just have to admit your fears. That's the first step in overcoming them. Everyone has something their afraid of. You'll get through this," he says comfortingly, rubbing her back as she lets it all out, sobbing.