"It's final, the stadium will be closed." Kazuto looked at his watch, really bored.
"You can't close the stadium." Korra Ran into the council hall. Kazuto sighed, frustrated this would take longer.
Zaya was the first to speak, radiating an aura of power. "This is for the safety of civilians. If we show that we value their lives more than some sport, it is done." Korra turned to Tarrlok.
"I'm sorry Korra but it's final." Then a cable rushed through the room and destroyed the gavel.
"I can't believe I'm saying this but I agree with the avatar." Zaya groaned.
"You do?" Tarllok asked.
"Yeah, you do?" Korra said, perplexed.
"Come on show some backbone, expect this cowardly act from Tenzin but not you councilwoman Zaya. The benders of this city need to show Amon and his equalist that the benders of this city are United and strong."
Tenzin stood up. "We can't escalate the relationship between benders and non-benders into outright war!"
Zaya started laughing, actually bursting. "Oh yes, Tenzin is right, and about Unity between benders coming from a police chief with only one fire bender on the force, and what in that is unifying?" Lin was tongue-tied. "Before you talk about unifying benders, diversify your force and you're paying for a new gavel." Then the only person sitting in the seat stood up.
"I think this is a great opportunity!" Kazuto said. "I mean this could be the perfect chance to catch Amon and I believe this is a bluff." Kazuto turned Lin.
She smiled. "We have terminated all their training grounds and stopped any possible future bases being built; they're outnumbered and it will show that Republic City is steadfast in our fight against Amon." Zaya looked toward Tenzin and Tarrlok.
Tarrlok spoke enthusiastically "I think it's clear the chief and Kazuto are confident, I say we should allow the police force to take the reins on this. Can you guarantee the safety of the people in the stands? " Tenzin sighed as Zaya was burning the floor with her rage.
"I guarantee it."
"Only if Kazuto assists in this operation. If he thinks he knows better than this council." He gulped at the comment.
"Then I'm changing my vote, who else agrees with me?" Three hands rose. "it's agreed, where is the replacement gavel?" Zaya hit the table with her fist creating an echo. "Good luck in the finals." They nodded and ran out.
The fire ferrets cheered. "Thanks! You"
He turned to "And good luck to you Chief Beifong."
Tenzin pulled Lin to the hallway
"Tarrlok is playing you. I just don't want you to be hurt."
Lin answered with Tenzin's arms crossed. "I know the risks that come with it."
"I'm going to be by your side during the match."
"You're going to babysit me? What's next, Zaya spoon-feeding me?"
"It's for Korra. I want to make sure she is safe."
"Do what you want!" Lin left as Korra attempted to thank her.
"What's her deal?" Zaya answered. "She's a stern woman with a broken heart."
"Wait a second." Tenzin cringed. "You and Beifong." She looked into Tenzin.
"They dated and the catrasphosy that was their break up. Made the best radio drama look like it came from a preschooler."
"Soo Pema stole you from Beifong. I'm surprised she didn't try to throw Pema in prison."
"Oh she tried, put Pema didn't steal him from her it was more that we were drifting apart and—"
Zaya answered. "He lived on an Island she preferred to be close to her job. They got new responsibilities and unlike my Bumi bear Mr. Heartbreaker couldn't keep it in—"
"That's enough, this is none of your concern!" He marched away.
—
Kazuto looked around the arena. "Are you sure about this?" Lin asked after speaking with Tenzin.
"Hiding officers between the crowd? They won't come marching in, they will infiltrate and attack from our back. I have read about how freedom fighters or terrorists operate." Lin looked at the broken arm. "Don't worry I have fought in worse conditions."
The game started
Zaya sat in the VIP box with Asami and Sato. They watched the game and when the first fouls were called. "This game is rigged."
Asami "Of Course it is! The refs are taking sides."
Zaya continued. "It's not the triads, they go for the players. It's someone higher and richer." Sato nodded.
"How do you know this?" He asked inquisitively.
"My mother would rig fights when we were on the run. When you bribe players you can control how the points stand with ref it's obvious who they want to win and that they're bribed." Sato gulped.
As the last knockout was called Zaya stood up. "I hate this sport, but I bet against the rookies so it's a win isn't it Sato?"
He nodded. "Yes, it was still a good advertisement." Asami looked worried.
Zaya froze, she felt electricity. "Must be a broken wire." She thought to herself till she saw the mass flashes of electricity around the stadium.
Zaya sighed as went into mediation to prepare herself for the fight once she said. "Best in the bending world." Zaya flew out of her stand onto the platform.
She yelled to the audience. "You say benders are the problem! What about the healers, the builders, and those who don't use their bending every day?!" The Equalist tried to chi-block her but she coated the area around her in fire spreading from her feet. "You're the one who is blind! Triads are a cancer but you're an infection that rotting this city of its good by spreading this hate!" They threw bolas at her and after they flew over her the fire erupted melting the cords. "Why not speak of the issues you have, why not use your abilities to punish those who deserve it rather than everyone?"
She stepped close and screamed with fury. "Will you punish every child for being born a bender?" The audience went silent and so did many of the equalists in the crowd. The glass broke and cables came down Amon and his equalists rose before the stadium exploded and Zaya was caught in the blast.
Her body flew into the water.
Kazuto jumped into the water holding his grandmother, he saw Korra. "GO AFTER HIM!" She nodded and dived and bent a cyclone up to the airship.
Amon escaped, and Councilwoman Zaya was in the hospital.
Kazuto sat at his grandmother's side. "She's a strong woman," Tenzin said, as she watched her in much worse shape than he was.
Bumi was crying, he locked himself in his room, locking at a gas lantern even though it was full, the blue flame inside it was weak and the same was happening in the fire as Azula watched a candle. "Send word to Zorig. Burn Republic City if he has to, kill Amon." The guard nodded and left her office and Azula wiped the tears away as her body tensed with rage.