Chapter Seventeen: non-bender
"Wake up! Hurry!" Tenzin's voice shouted across the hall. Alessia had jumped up as did Korra. Opening the door to see people running down the hall. They looked at each other before running out as well. Alessia made sure her cables fit snug on her waist before following Korra outside with the others. Her eyes spotted her friend. Kuvira saw her and they hugged.
"What's going on?" Alessia asked while seeing Su and Lin there as well. Her eyes met the green before Tenzin spoke. Then all of sudden the air went silent. Alessia felt the hairs on her neck stand. The ground started to rumble. Bombs were dropping. She pushed past everyone to see the city across the water in time to see the Kyoshi bridge get destroyed. They were now under attack. She turned her attention back to Tenzin. Everyone's eyes were widened as the events unfolded in front of their eyes.
"The other council members were abducted. I barely escaped with my life. We need to get to the police headquarters." Tenzin explained.
"We need to come up with a plan." Mako spoke.
"We don't have time!" Alessia spoke.
"She's right. We have to leave now." Korra spoke while the air nomads were running around and panicking. Everyone was already walking towards Oogie. Alessia felt her heartbeat going faster each minute that was passing. Her vision began to blur. She could hear the screaming. She couldn't hear what the others were talking about. It all went silent in her ears. She felt a hand slip into hers and held it tightly. Fingers intertwined. Her focus came back as she recognized the rough hand against her own. Somehow and some way, it had calmed her.
"Lin, I need you to stay and protect my family please. I don't trust anyone better than you." Tenzin spoke as Lin agreed.
"Everyone else take point." Korra spoke. Kuvira pulled Alessia away to the south side of the island. Hands behind her back, Alessia kept her eyes opened for anything. They were watching the skies as well. More bombs had fallen.
"I can't believe this." Kuvira spoke as Alessia nodded in agreement.
"Tarrlok helped. He helped divide the city and now innocent lives are paying for it!" Alessia felt her hands turn into fists. The city was now under a full-scale attack. Then it went silent.
"Guys." Mako's voice carried over the wind. Alessia and Kuvira both ran towards Mako. He was pointing towards the police station. An airship had stopped right above the station and dropped a bomb.
"Tenzin!" Korra shouted. Without thinking, Korra, Kuvira, and Alessia all jumped over the edge as Korra made an ice bridge. Sprinting across the water. Flicking her wrists as cables shot out. Kuvira and Alessia both launched themselves into the air and moved across the streets as Korra not far behind. Mako and Bolin had followed. Asami had her glove out and ready for a fight. Lin and Su had stayed behind. Pema had gone into labor. Feeling the ground quake with each step they had taken. Alessia and Kuvira were earth bending the rumble away as they made it into the station. Coughing and gagging from the smoke as gas was released into the air in the tight building. Running through the hallways and stopped as they found the war room. 'Wait, why was there a war room?' Alessia asked herself before shaking her head.
"How did you guys find me?" Tenzin spoke as Korra explained. They were losing air. Tenzin created a bubble around them as they made their way through the building. The ground was still shaking as airships made their way around the city. Alessia was frowning. There was going to be a lot of damage control.
"We need to regroup and head back." Tenzin spoke as they made it outside. She did not know how Oogie was able to carry them all back to the island.
"They just keep coming!" Kuvira shouted while they finally knocked an airship down. Hearing loud sirens to indicate more ships coming in.
"I hope Bumi got the message." Tenzin spoke. 'Bumi? She heard that name before.' Alessia thought as they all landed back onto the island.
"What happened?" Tenzin asked. "Children you should be inside!" He snapped.
"If it weren't for them, I'd be toast." Lin spoke while shrugging as Su nodded in agreement. They had dust covering parts of their bodies. Another siren was heard not far from them.
"Daddy! Mommy had the baby!" Ikki shouted. Watching Tenzin run into the building where his wife was.
"We have to leave. We need to leave the city and come back another day." Korra shouted over the sirens.
"Korra, take the others and get out of here. I'll take the airbenders and escape with them." Lin ordered. Alessia was about to protest as everyone was scattered.
"Lin!" Alessia shouted in time to see the older woman turn to look at her. "I..I lo…please be safe!" Alessia frowned as her eyes locked with the green ones. Lin had cupped Alessia's cheek gently.
"Be safe. Go!" Lin had ordered. She felt her arm grabbed and was pulled away. Alessia turned her heels and ran to the other bison. Stomping the ground to catapult herself into the air and gracefully landed on the saddle. She turned in time to see Lin watching her before getting onto Oogie.
"Yip yip!" Tenzin shouted. Alessia watched as they rose in the air and flew away to the opposite side. Feeling the bison she was on take off in the air and out of the city. She turned and sat down on the saddle. Hugging her knees. She should have told her! 'What if you never see her again?' The voice in her head made her heart hurt at the thought. She felt an arm wrap around her shoulder. She looked up and saw her best friend pulling her into a hug. Feeling her eyes sting as she closed them to fight back the tears. Once they landed right outside the city, Korra took the lead as they made their way into a tunnel entrance that led underground of the city. 'How many tunnels were there?' Alessia thought. Her arms were tightly linked with Kuvira as Su was right behind them. They came into a clearing with many other people already there. These weren't citizens that she normally saw. It was the homeless citizens. Benders and non-benders. They were getting along like nothing happened. There was hope after all.
"Welcome!" A voice spoke. It was the homeless guy that Korra and her had met one time at the park during a break from classes.
"We need to get word out to the United Forces." Korra spoke. The man nodded and led the way to another room. It was smaller and more secure. There was a single desk and a chair. A radio on the desk. Alessia raised a brow. She wondered if they were able to keep up to date on what was currently going on in the city.
"How long until they arrive?" Korra asked.
"Three days." He spoke. Alessia felt her heart sink. Three days? That was a long time! Amon could have taken many people's bending by then!
Everyone had gathered around a firepit as the man gave a bowl of soup to everyone. Bolin was devouring it down. Su was sitting next to Alessia with Kuvira on her other side.
"This is really good." Asami spoke.
"Thank you! Got it from the city's finest trash bins!" He beamed with pride. Alessia had spit out the soup and coughed. Feeling disgusted. Bolin however kept eating. Asami had spit hers out as well. Korra however continued eating. Feeling gross, Alessia got up and left the room. She sat outside the tunnel entrance of the sewers. Hearing footsteps. She looked up and saw Kuvira taking a seat next to her.
"You okay?" She asked as Alessia shook her head.
"No. I didn't tell her. I tried but I couldn't and now I may never see her again." Alessia leaned against her friend and rubbed her face.
"You will. She's a Beifong. They are strong. It will take so much to take her out." Kuvira reassured Alessia as she nodded.
"You're right. I'm sorry. I'm just worried." She added with a sigh.
"Hey, that's what happens when you love someone. You worry about them. It's natural. You'll be able to see her again and tell her." Kuvira added. 'How was her friend so good at this?' She smiled at her before hugging her tightly again.
"Hey you two. Come in. We have a plan." Korra spoke. Alessia and Kuvira both got up to follow the avatar back into the sewers.
Alessia, Korra, and Mako had been in and out of the city. They were disguised as chi-blockers. Going in and out of buildings and meetings. They kept running into dead ends. Amon didn't want to be found. Sighing with frustration, Korra punched the side of the building. Creating a hole in the side. They pulled off their masks for the time being. Alessia placed a hand upon her sister's shoulder and squeezed it.
"We'll find him. He will face justice." She spoke softly as Mako agreed.
"We need to keep looking." He added. They put their masks back on before walking back into the crowd that went into another building. It was a meeting. There was also a long line of hostages. Alessia frowned as each one was put to their knees as Amon took their bending away. Seeing them fall one by one. Picked up by the chi-blockers and taken away to a nearby camp. Korra made a sudden move and Alessia grabbed her sister's shoulder to stop her. It seemed it took hours for Amon to finish the line and disperse the crowd.
"We need to head back." Mako whispered while nodding at the other chi-blockers to keep their detection down.
"You're right." Korra spoke. Alessia followed them from behind. They headed back to the sewers. Seeing Kuvira there waiting for any news. Alessia shook her head and looked down.
Hearing aircraft not far from their location. They turned on the spot and ran back outside. Seeing ships in the distance as explosions started happening. The ships were being blown up!
"There must be mines in the water!" Kuvira shouted. Korra sprinted and dived into the water. Seeing the plans drop bombs into the water next to the ships.
"Think we can knock them out?" Alessia asked as she kicked up earth and shot at a plane.
"Not from this distance! What if we add more force from our cables?" Kuvira suggested. Alessia shot another earth up. Kuvira moved gracefully and catapulted the boulder and it crashed into a wing.
"Yes!" They shouted and high fived each other. Hearing another explosion had caught their attention. Looking over and saw Korra high in the air with her water spout. Water bending the bombs back onto the planes.
"Wow." Was all Alessia could say as Kuvira nodded.
"Wait! That's Iroh! That's where he went!" Kuvira pointed at the man in red uniforms. Alessia watches Korra swim back to the shore. Iroh was coughing up water and looked at them. It sounded like the explosions had died down.
"You okay?" Alessia asked as she knelt down by his side. He leaned up and groaned.
"Yeah, thank you. I owe you my life avatar." Iroh spoke as they helped him back into the tunnel. "I need to contact commander Bumi and let him know they need to stay." Iroh added as Gommu nodded. Leading Iroh into the smaller room.
"Su, Asami, Bolin, Kuvira." We need you guys to find out where the airships are coming from." Korra spoke as they nodded. "Mako, Alessia, and myself are going to head out and find Amon." Korra spoke. She was done waiting. It was time to take the city back.
Be careful sweetie." Su spoke while giving Alessia a hug.
"You too. Please stay safe." She frowned as Su cupped her face and nodded.
"Come back to Kuvira and I, alive." Su added as Alessia nodded before taking her leave with Korra.
"This way!" Mako whispered as they followed him across the street to a broken down building. Half of the city was in ruins already. Hearing whispers, they stopped in their tracks. Alessia placed her hand on the ground and waited.
"He is at the temple. Thinking that the avatar will show up." A voice said as their footsteps disappeared.
"Clear." Alessia whispered. They dashed out of the shadows and into another one on the other side of the street. Zigzagging to keep out of the light.
"We need to get to the temple." Korra spoke. Mako nodded and Alessia sighed. "What?"
"It's just. Too easy." Alessia spoke. It made them think. It was better to face Amon head on. "Well, come on!" She added in a harsh whisper as she took the lead. Seeing the temple not guarded. She raised a brow. It was too easy. They arrived at the temple in no time. Hearing voices again inside, they climbed up to the attic and decided to hide there. Amon wasn't here!
"If it isn't the avatar and her sister." Tarrlok's voice came from behind them. Alessia immediately went into her stance as she turned around. "Relax, I got my bending taken away." His voice sounded broken. Raising a brow at her sister, she nodded as Alessia stood down.
"What happened?" Korra asked. Alessia sat down on the trapdoor on the floor to keep anyone from coming in.
"I see you've met my brother. He didn't always go by Amon. You see, our father was banished from Republic City by Aang. He met our mother and had us." Tarrlok spoke. Alessia hung onto every word the man spoke. He was behind bars. He was no threat to them now. It seemed he was trained in bloodbending. Only waterbenders could bloodbend. Amon was a cheat. A liar. Apparently Amon had taken it too far and went on a power trip like Tarrlok did. Except Tarrlok was going for political power unlike Amon who created an anti-bending movement to get people to fear benders.
"I've heard enough. Where is Amon?" Alessia snapped.
"He is making a public appearance soon. At the old factory." Tarrlok spoke. Mako, Korra, and Alessia looked at each other before making their way down the ladder.
"Shush Korra!" Alessia hushed Korra as they made their way into the factory with the crowd. Seeing all the non-benders there cheering loudly while the masked men walked around. They had gloves just like Asami's. Looking around, she did not see any familiar faces. They were in disguise again. Not for long though.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Amon's voice boomed over the crowd. The noise died down. Amon appeared on stage. Alessia felt anger rise in her blood as the crowd began cheering again.
"As you remember. A long time ago. My family was killed by a fire bender. It is time for benders to be equalized!" Amon shouted. The crowd cheered again. Feeling the ground rumble under her feet as there was stomping from the feet of the supporters.
"Enough!" Korra's voice shouted over the crowd. Eyes turned and were now on them. Alessia could feel the hair on her neck stand. "Tell them the truth Amon! Amon here is a water bender! He lied to you! There was no firebender that killed his family!" Korra shouted. Amon pulled off his mask. The crowd gasped. There was a scar. 'Makeup' Alessia thought. She was well versed in that.
"The avatar lies!" A voice shouted!
"Get her!" Another spoke.
"Wait. She needs to see the main event!" Amon shouted as the floor of the stage came up. Alessia felt her heart stop. It was Tenzin and his family. 'Where was Lin?' She thought as Korra jumped over the rails. Alessia followed right after her sister.
"Korra! You need to leave!" Tenzin shouted. Alessia was flicking her hands with ease. Shooting metal plates from her arms. Hitting Equalists straight in the face to cover their eyes or wrists and ankles. Just as she had practiced with Kuvira. Side stepping as she felt a jab. Chi-blockers. Sighing with frustration as she went hand by hand combat with them now.
"Korra! Go after Amon!" Tenzin shouted as he blasted a large gust of air. Knocking the chi-blockers to the side. Alessia followed her sister down the hall with Mako.
"It's over Amon!" Korra shouted. Slamming opens the double doors to another part of the factory.
"There will always be another to rise up!" Amon shouted. Korra started fire bending in combat towards Amon. Hearing a man grunt behind her, Alessia turned and used her legs to bend the earth to her will. Her arm was still out of it.
"Ah!" Korra screamed. Seeing Amon had her on her knees.
"Korra no!" Alessia shouted and sprinted towards Amon. Her cables shot out towards him. Amon was too quick. He cut her cables easily with a hidden knife. Mako was now engaged with the other man that was there. Korra and Alessia were now fighting side by side for the first time. Amon was good. So good at dodging everything they threw at him. Hearing Mako shout as he fell. Then it hit her. Her blood boiled again. Her body not her own. Screaming in agony as she was brought down to her knees. Korra was also at her knees.
"It is time for the avatar and her sister to be equalized!" Amon shouted.
"No! Korra!" Alessia shouted as Amon stood over her. Feeling his thumb upon her forehead.
"It's a shame you'll never fully unlock your power." Amon spoke while looking down at her. Her chi got blocked inside her as the pain rose up her spine. Then the searing pain of her soul getting torn apart. She fell down onto the floor as Amon went to Korra.
"No…" Alessia said weakly. Trying to raise her arms but failed. Hearing Korra scream as she hit the floor.
"Korra!" Mako shouted while Alessia turned to see Amon have Mako on his knees. Korra was standing up and threw a punch at Amon. Seeing a gust of wind knock him back.
"I can airbend? I can airbend!" Korra shouted while she got back into the fight.
"Impossible!" Amon shouted. He was then blasted out of the window and across the ground into the water. Kora had finally unlocked her air bending and was strong with it.
"Was that Amon?" Voices shouted. His followers now see the fake that he was. Alessia finally stood up. Her bending was gone. It felt like half of her soul was gone. Feeling her eyes sting as Korra came back.
"He is gone. He has no power now." She spoke while looking at them.
"Alessia…I'm so sorry." Korra began. Alessia shocked her head and sighed.
"Let's go find the others." She whispered. She was no longer useful.