Chapter Sixteen: The Pain
Alessia found herself out on the meditation porch. Meelo, Ikki, and Jinora were with her. They sat in a perfect circle together. Alessia was in the lotus flower position. Her hand went to touch her necklace before inhaling deeply. Exhaling. Some reason she could never get connected with the spirit world. Frowning a little as Jinora spoke.
"Alright. Finished here. Wanna practice movements?" The young airbender asked as they all nodded. Alessia even stood up to join. She enjoyed learning about the other element movements. Maybe someday she could put them into use. Airbending movements were a lot like waterbending. She smiled as she was able to pick it up so quickly. Breathing deeply as she followed Jinora through the movements. She then stopped as it felt like she was dancing.
"I'm going to go and take a break." Alessia wrote in her book, she smiled and bowed to Jinora who nodded. She left to the kitchen to find Pema. The woman was leaning against the counter and breathing deeply. Alessia felt concerned and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm alright dear. Just some pain at the moment." Pema spoke as Alessia nodded. She helped the poor woman take a seat on the cushion. Alessia left to put the kettle on the stove and made some tea. Not long after, she brought the kettle and a couple cups.
"Thank you dear. Just the baby is being extra fussy today." Pema groaned as Alessia gently rubbed her back. Pema looked like she was having extra today. She wondered if it was the baby. He was due anytime now.
"I got it from here now. Thank you." Pema spoke as Alessia nodded. She finished her tea and took it to the sink before walking back outside. Making sure her cables were on her belt.
There were sirens blaring everywhere. She ran over to the ferry and saw several police cruisers speeding everywhere. Why wasn't she called in? Korra skidded next to her and was just as confused.
"What's going on?" Korra asked as Alessia shrugged. Tenzin was nowhere to be found. Suddenly a bison landed next to them.
"I went to city hall and the other council members didn't show up. They were abducted." Tenzin explained.
"My men are all over the city. We are spread too thin." Lin's voice came as they all turned to see the chief of police jogging up to them. Alessia felt her heart drop as they were now hearing screaming from the citizens.
"Lin. Please stay and watch my family. I trust only you for this." Tenzin spoke.
"Where are you going?" Korra asked.
"I need to get to the police station and contact someone." He spoke as he mounted Oogie before taking off. Alessia sighed and looked at everyone.
"Okay, we need a game plan." Mako spoke. Alessia shook her head. There was too much going on right now to be planning anything straight out. Then the air went silent. Alessia gasped as all eyes were on her. She turned in time to see a bomb get dropped from an airship. Watching the building explode as it crumbled down. That was the first of many.
"Oh no." Asami spoke softly.
"We have to go after Tenzin!" Korra shouted.
"Didn't he want us to stay put? It's too dangerous!" Bolin spoke. Several more airships had made their way into the sky. Alessia's blue and green eyes met Lin's green eyes before taking a deep breath. Everything started to blur around her as Alessia took off running. Not caring how much trouble she would get into.
"Alessia!" Korra's and Lin's voices both shouted at her. She wasn't going to sit back and watch. She jumped over the edge and started ice bending a bridge across the water. Now was the time for being stupid or not being useless. Grunting as she waved her arms as the ice was weak. She had to move quickly. Flicking her hand forward as she shot a cable up to grab the rail and flung herself up and away from the water. Looking around as she was now on the street. Several sato-mobiles have crashed into each other. There was a loud explosion not far from her as she turned to see the bridge get blown up.
"Alessia!" Korra's voice spoke through the chaos. She saw her sister landing next to her.
They ran towards the police station just in time for a bomb to get dropped on top. Feeling the building crumble above her. Alessia was quick. She managed to get the building pieces moved to the side. Coughing as the smoke was filling up their lungs. Alessia pulled Korra to follow her. They made their way to the war room in time to see Tenzin speaking on the radio. She found her uniform and metal bent it on.
"Who are you contacting?" Korra asked as Tenzin was shocked to see them there.
"The United Forces." Tenzin replied as there was a hissing coming from the vents. There was some kind of green smoke coming through the vents.
"Poison!" Someone shouted. Tenzin was quick to use his bending to prevent them from inhaling the said poison. With an air bubble protecting them, Tenzin had led them out of the building. Once outside, Alessia looked around. A lot of the city was now up in flames or smoke. Frowning at the sight as more bombs caused the ground to shake.
"Let's head back!" Tenzin shouted. They mounted Oogie and quickly made it back to the temple. Seeing Chi-Blockers had already made their way. Alessia quickly jumped off and helped finish them off while catapulting the last few into the air and watched them go into the water.
"Children! Why aren't you inside?" Tenzin shouted.
"If it wasn't for them, I would be toast." Lin spoke.
"Daddy! Mommy had the baby!" Ikki shouted. Watching everyone run inside. Alessia stayed outside with Lin. Soon as everyone was gone, Lin rounded onto Alessia as soon as she saw her.
"That was reckless!" Lin shouted. Alessia gulped. She had never seen the chief this angry before. At least not to her. She frowned as Lin was now in her face.
"You could have been hurt! I can't lose you again!" Lin spoke as she had Alessia's face in both of her hands. 'Wait. What did she mean by that?' Alessia raised a brow and opened her mouth.
"W..?" Was all she could say.
"Let's go! We need to leave!" Korra shouted as they came back outside. Lin's hands had dropped from Alessia's face before anyone saw. Alessia looked up to the sky. They kept coming. The airships were now coming towards them.
"I'll go with Tenzin and the other airbenders and make an escape. Rest of you with Korra and get out of the city until the United Forces come!" Lin barked at the order. Everyone had scattered to reach their bison. Alessia was planted where she was. Staring at Lin.
"Lin!" She managed to shout. The older woman froze in her tracks before facing Alessia.
"Did you just?" Lin started to ask before Alessia was running up to the chief.
"Please! Please, will you be safe?" Alessia spoke loud and clearly. Begging Lin to be safe. She had done it! She had spoken! Her throat hurt from the words and it was a bad time for getting happy or excited over something.
"Your voice. It's beautiful." Lin spoke softly.
"Alessia! Come on!" Korra's voice shouted. Lin placed her hand upon Alessia's cheek again and sighed.
"Go! Be safe!" Lin shouted. Alessia frowned and turned her heels and ran towards the other bison. She jumped up with ease and landed on the saddle. Looking back in time to see Lin catch her eyes before the bison took off flying. Alessia frowned as the temple was now out of sight. So many thoughts and emotions were running through Alessia and she felt like she was about to lose it. If she never saw Lin again, 'No! You can't think that! She's strong!' Alessia took a few deep breaths before sighing.
They had made it out of the city and found a tunnel entrance to the sewers. There it was the homeless community. She was in awe of how they were living. Benders and non-benders living together in peace. If only it was like that in the city.
"We need to contact the United Forces. Any idea how?" Korra asked. They all shook their heads.
"There is one guy. He is good with the radio." One man spoke as he pointed at another guy. Alessia recognized him! It was that guy who asked for a fish when she and Korra first came. She waved at him who waved back.
"Hey there fish gals!" He laughed as did Alessia. They shook hands as he led them away to a smaller room. There was a single desk, chair, and radio. The man sat in the chair.
"What's the word?" He asked as Korra told him about the city. Now they had to wait. Alessia left the room and pondered about the area. She saw so many faces she had never seen before. Some she has seen before. It felt odd. This community was large and so well organized. She vowed to herself as an officer. Once this was over, she would look into what was going on with the homeless shelters. It seemed like Mako and Asami were arguing again. 'I swear these two are gonna alert the Equalists.' Alessia thought to herself and sighed. She was humming softly while taking a seat by a small campfire. Fumbling through her book and wondering how much it would have been easier if she was able to talk the whole time. Frowning at the thought when she did finally speak, it was to Lin and not under good circumstances. Alessia winced as her wrist was searing with pain now. Groaning as she held it to her chest. The mark on her wrist was burning. Like fire. She needed to figure out what this mark is and what this meant.
It had been a few days since they contacted the United Nations. Alessia's wrist was still hurting her. Not as bad as it started but it was still bothering her. She was pacing back and forth at the entrance of the sewers as Korra came up to you. Alessia stopped and put her hand behind her back.
"What's wrong?" Korra asked. Alessia shrugged her shoulders. "Come on, you can tell me. You're my sister." Korra spoke. She sighed and nodded.
"It hurts to talk." Alessia whispered. Korra's eyes went wide and gasped. Hugging Alessia tightly. She squirmed a little in Korra's tight embrace.
"Since when?" Korra asked as she sat down. Alessia sat down next to her sister.
"Since the day the city got attacked." She replied while rubbing her wrist.
"What's that?" Korra asked as she took Alessia's wrist and saw the mark for the first time.
"I don't know. I've had it my whole life. It's been burning for a few days now." Alessia replied. Her throat burned while taking a deep breath. Hearing a ship's horn blare. They both jumped up quickly and looked over the foggy waters. Alessia squinted and saw ships. The United Forces!
"Finally." Korra spoke with a smile that suddenly turned into horror. A ship had exploded. Alessia and Korra sprinted towards the docks and jumped into the water. Swimming under to see mines. The water was filled with them! She swam back up and gasped for air while hearing a humming sound. Planes had come into sight. Dropping bombs to destroy the other ships.
"No!" Korra shouted as one landed into the water. Korra used the water around the bomb and launched the bomb onto a plane. Korra managed to take out a few but they just kept coming. Hearing a shout, a man in red was being dragged over to the shore. Alessia followed. It was Korra pulling him out. Alessia stood up and pulled his arm as they got him out of the water. Hearing the man cough up water.
"Thank you Korra." The man spoke.
"General Iroh. Glad you are safe." Korra spoke. Alessia gasped. This was FireLord's son! Grandson of Zuko! Alessia water bent the water from his hair and clothes.
"Thank you?" He stood up and bowed.
"This is my sister Alessia." Korra spoke as the man shook her hand. Alessia nodded with a smile. It was an honor to meet someone related to Zuko.
"I need to get word to Commander Bumi about the attack. They are still out there." Iroh said as Korra took the lead back into the sewers.
"We need to figure out where they are coming from. It looks like my father's design by the way you described them." Asami spoke.
"We need to find Amon and stop him." Korra spoke.
"I'll search. I can be quicker than you with my seismic sense." Alessia spoke up for the first time in a while.
"Alessia?! Did you just speak?" Bolin gasped as he slapped his cheeks. Mako had his jaw hanging as Asami beamed at her.
"I can disguise myself as a chi-blocker and head out." She added before following Korra to the side. She was given an outfit and a pair of goggles.
"Goodluck." Korra spoke as Alessia changed into the outfit.
"You too." She spoke as she sprinted out of the sewers and towards the city. Buildings were still falling apart as she skidded to a halt. Hearing shouting as Equalists were pulling citizens into a line. It was benders. 'Amon!' Alessia stayed in the shadows. Watching the benders getting stripped of their bending abilities. She was frowning at the sight. There were too many of them for her to face alone and plus, none of the benders were putting up any fight. There had to be something neutralizing their bending. She was not going to risk it. She watched Amon leave out of sight. Grumbling as she took too long. Stomping her foot as she closed her eyes. The vibrations showed her several bodies surrounding her. She couldn't tell which one Amon was. Thinking it was time, Alessia turned around and sprinted back outside of the city. Making sure she wasn't followed, she pulled off her mask and went back into the sewer entrance.
"Anything?" The homeless man asked as Alessia looked around. Korra wasn't here. She frowned and shook her head.
"We're back! We have information!" Korra shouted while running up to them. Alessia raised her brow.
"Me too. Let me change first." She spoke as she left the smaller room and changed back into her regular clothes. Rubbing her wrist as it was still stinging.
"We found out where the planes are coming from. Iroh, Asami, and Bolin are heading there now to take care of it." Korra explained.
"Amon has stripped several benders of their abilities. There are too many of them." Alessia spoke as she explained what she saw. Korra then went on to tell her story about how her search led to the temple island.
"Wait, Amon and Tarrlok are brothers?! That explains so much!" Alessia gasped. Finding out Amon was a fake. A cheat. He was a water bender pretending to be a non-bender. It was weird hearing about the two brothers in detail. She sat down taking a drink of the water she was given while Korra explained how Amon was able to take away a person's bending by bloodbending. So, maybe it was permanent? There had to be a way to reverse it.
"Anyways, Tarrlok said that Amon is gathering a crowd at the old factory. Said something about a grand show." Mako spoke this time.
"We need to go and find out." Alessia spoke softly. Clearing her throat before standing up and brushing the dirt off of her clothes. Korra nodded and took the lead. Alessia double checked her belt with her cables before following Mako and her sister out of the tunnel entrance and making their way to the torn down city.
They were out of breath by the time they reached the old factory again. Making sure they weren't recognized as they slipped past a few guards. Her shirt was tight on her covering her uniform. She was surprised the metal didn't make any sounds as they reached a higher area. She kept her eyes open while searching the area.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Your hero and savior! Amon!" A man's voice boomed over the cheering crowd. Alessia frowned as smoke covered the stage area. Seeing Amon finally come forward.
"Thank you! With the avatar on the run, the city is ours and equalized!" Amon shouted as the crowd went wild over this. Alessia frowned as she gripped the rail. Feeling the metal inside of it. It bent under her hands from the anger she was feeling. Korra started to move as Alessia quickly grabbed her sister's arm to keep her from doing anything stupid.
"Not yet." She whispered as Korra nodded. Amon went on and spoke about the firebender killing his family.
"Amon!" Korra shouted. Several gasps from the crowd as they turned to face the voice.
"Amon has been lying to you! He is a water bender!" Korra shouted. "Lying about his story!" She added.
"How desperate of you avatar!" Amon spoke and pulled off his mask to reveal a burn. Alessia raised a brow. Maybe it was makeup or something. She had some experience from dance.
"Now avatar, you don't wanna miss the main event?" Amon spoke over the crowd. He waved his hand as a platform came up. Revealing Tenzin and his family. Alessia gasped. 'Where is Lin?! Did they not get away?' She thought.
"No! But they got away!" Korra gasped. Alessia reacts without thinking. She metal bent the rails and sent them flying towards Amon.
"Stop them!" Amon shouted. She jumped over the railing as Korra and Mako followed. They ran straight to the airbenders and set them free.
"What are you doing here? You should be with the United Forces!" Tenzin shouted as Alessia removed the bindings from the kids before she sent several metal pieces flying towards the chi-blockers. Sending them bound up against the wall.
"They are here. Iroh went to take out Hiroshi's station with planes." Korra shouted. Tenzin decided to join the fight before grabbing his kids.
"Go!" Korra shouted. Tenzin nodded and grabbed his family and left. Mako was in hand-to- hand combat. Alessia stomped her foot to send the earth under the man shot up to send him flying.
"Where's Amon?" Korra asked as Alessia shrugged. She sent another blocker bound against the wall. Her shirt was now ripped. She didn't care. Pulling it off as she now felt less restricted. She followed Korra to another area as Mako not far behind.
"Amon!" Korra shouted as the skidded to a halt. Seeing the man stand tall with his mask was back on. Mako shot electricity at Amon. Alessia's eyes went wide as Amon was able to withstand the damage. The next thing they knew, they were in for a fight. Alessia shot her cables just for Amon to dodge them with ease. Sighing with frustration while moving her arms in a fluid motion before side stepping and shooting several metal pieces at Amon. He deflected them! Feeling a sharp pain go up her spine as a chi-blocker blocking her bending abilities. Her wrist had burned like no tomorrow again. Groaning while she hit the floor. Holding herself in a fetus position. Then she felt it. Her body rising up as Amon was blood bending her.
"No!" She groaned. Mako took a chance and shot Alessia with a burst of fire. Feeling the heat against her metal armor as her skin burned but she was no longer in Amon's control. Her body thudded and rolled across the ground. She couldn't move. She was in too much pain.
"Korra." Alessia spoke. Her vision was getting blurry.
"No!" Korra shouted. She was on her knees. Hearing Korra scream.
"The avatar has been equalized!" Amon shouted as there were cheering from outside. Then, Mako was bloodbent. Seeing her friend on his knees. Korra screamed and threw a punch. So much pressure was created, it sent Mako flying against Alessia as the tumbled down the hall.
"I can air bend? I can air bend!" Korra shouted as she threw several punches. Amon could not keep up with Korra's anger. One hit and he fell out of a window. Slowly getting up, Alessia helped Mako went over to the window in time to see Amon water bending a funnel to keep himself up.
"It's Amon! He's a water bender! The avatar was right!" Several of his supporters turned their backs on Amon as he made a run for it. Alessia groaned as she leaned against the wall.
"Come on. Let's head back." Mako spoke as they grabbed a very sad looking Korra and dragged her back to the base of operations.