AUTHOR'S NOTES: Korra is in an interesting situation at this point in the story. On one hand, she's much stronger and more mature than she gives herself credit for, but on the other hand, her PTSD still grips her rather relentlessly, which causes her to stumble here and there. On a funnier note, Korra also channels her inner Nick Fury, and it's becoming clearer and clearer that Tarrlok really dislikes Korra despite the way he hides it.
Happy Reading!
BOOK TWO: CHANGE
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT: ULTIMATUM DENIED
Asami had barely pulled up to the City Hall before Korra flung herself out the passenger door and raced up the steps and into the building. The Council's meeting was thus disrupted less than a minute later as the doors all but flew off their hinges. Everyone turned, and there was Korra with her foot still in the air from the impact.
"Korra," Tenzin exclaimed, "you shouldn't be here! This is a closed meeting."
"Was one," Korra thumbed back at the doors, "but as the Avatar and as Public Enemy #1 of the Equalists, I think I have the right to be heard. You can't cancel the finals!"
"I know that your friends have been anticipating them for weeks now," Tenzin reasoned, "but as far as I'm concerned, we need to shut the arena down for the safety of the players and the people of Republic City. It isn't even your championship, Korra."
"Well yeah," Korra shrugged, "if it was my Avatar Gauntlet they were closing down I'd be making threats right around now. But Tarrlok," Korra paused as she turned to face the Northern Water Tribe councilman, "surely with all that talk about relentlessly pursuing Amon, you're not about to concede to Amon's unreasonable demands, are you?"
"Believe it or not, I actually stand with Councilman Tenzin on this one." Tarrlok frowned as Asami poked her head into the door and quietly stood behind Korra.
"So all of that shit about your task force being bent on bringing Amon to justice was an elaborate lie?" Korra growled, "So much for you taking a stand against him."
"While I am still committed to bringing that lunatic to justice," Tarrlok sneered, "I will not put innocent lives at stake just so you and your friends can play a little game."
"Listen here you fifth-rate sleaze!" Korra stepped forward, pointing a finger accusingly at Tarrlok, "Probending is more than just a game—it's one of the few venues that brings benders and nonbenders together, which is increasingly important in these divisive times. In a way, it's also a big 'screw you' to Amon and his movement—it's proof that benders can be beneficial to nonbenders, even if it just a cheap form of thrilling entertainment."
"I appreciate your naive idealism, Avatar Korra," Tarrlok sighed, "but you are missing the point and ignoring the reality of this situation."
"The reality of the situation is that if you close the arena, you let the Equalists win," Korra snapped right back, "then he'll know that you fear him. Do you want to know how Amon tries to keep his enemies in line? Fear. He did it to the Triads, and most importantly, he did it to ME." Korra put a thumb to her chest, "And if you think I'm about to let him get the best of me a 3rd time, so help me I'll open the arena myself and run it personally!"
"Avatar Korra, the council has made a decision." Tarrlok asserted.
"I recognize that the council has made a decision," Korra barked, pointing her finger at the councilman, "but given that it's a stupidass decision, I've elected to ignore it!"
"I'm sorry, little girl, but this meeting is adjourned," Tarrlok picked up the gavel, but before he could bring it down a metal cable appeared from nowhere and snapped it cleanly in half. Everyone in the room turned to the doorway, where Lin BeiFong had strode in.
"I can't believe I'm saying this," She pointed out, "but I agree with the Avatar."
"You do?" Asami, Tenzin and Tarrlok spoke simultaneously.
"Wait... you do?" Korra gawked. Of all the people Korra thought would agree with her, Lin was the last one she would have expected.
"I expected this kind of cut-and-run response from Tenzin," Lin quipped, ignoring Korra completely, "But the rest of you, especially you, Tarrlok? Come on; show a little more backbone. If this kid is standing up for benders while the rest of you shrink away from Amon's threats, what does that say about the leadership of this city? It's time that the benders of this city displayed some strength and unity against these Equalists, rather than cower in fear while a 17-year-old girl stands up to face them—Avatar or not."
"We must prevent the conflict between benders and nonbenders from escalating into all-out war!" Tenzin reasoned, "The council is not changing its position, Lin."
"Now hold up a second," Asami felt the need to make her voice heard, "as the only actual nonbender in the room, I feel like my voice has the right to be heard as well, considering that it's people like me that are getting villainized thanks to Amon's divisive movement. I don't think even Korra is suggesting that we continue as usual, but with the Chief of Police here, I'd be confident in betting she's willing to offer extra security, among other things, for the match."
"Seems you picked a much smarter other half, kid," Lin muttered, directing it at Korra before turning back to the council. "Miss Sato has the gist of things though."
"So it would seem," Tarrlok hummed, "Do elaborate, Chief?"
"If you keep the arena open," Lin offered, "my metalbenders and I will provide extra security during the championship match. There's no better force to deal with chi-blockers, since our armour is impervious to their attacks. Similarly, I will hold a full inspection of the facility beforehand to check for sabotage or any kind."
"Are you saying that you will personally take responsibility for the safety of the players and spectators of the Probending arena?" Tarrlok raised his eyebrows.
"I guarantee it," Lin declared.
"It is hard to argue with Chief BeiFong's track record," Tarrlok admitted, "If she is confident that her elite officers can protect the arena, then she has my support."
He paused, to raise his hand. "I am changing my vote," he continued, "who else is with me?"
True to Korra's theory about Tarrlok having the other three council members wrapped around his finger, they agreed almost immediately. It made her think back to what the Red Lotus had taught her about weak, corrupt leaders. Perhaps they were onto something there, although with them voting in Korra's favour, she was certainly not going to argue it today..
"The Arena stays open," Tarrlok declared, since his gavel had been broken by Lin earlier, "I wish your friends good luck in the finals, Avatar Korra; and may the odds be ever in their favour."
"Yes!" Korra jumped, throwing her fist triumphantly into the air.
"And good luck to you, Chief BeiFong," Tarrlok turned to the Police Chief.
"I know what I am doing and the risks that come with it," Lin replied with a hmph, "and before you ask, Tenzin… no; you don't need to babysit me."
Lin disappeared down the hall while Tenzin and Korra followed; the former following due to the latter.
"Chief!" Korra got her attention only for a moment, "Hey, I just wanted to thank you for your help. It really… means..." Lin cocked her head and continued walking as if she had never stopped.
"A lot… to me…" Korra's words fell flat and she gave a somewhat dramatized sigh accompanied by her favourite pout.
"Is this about the incident with the lemurs?!" she shouted down the hall, "because I got them all out AND even paid for the damages no less!"
"Should I even ask?" Tenzin sighed.
"No," Korra replied at once with another sigh, "but seriously what is her deal? I know I can be rough, but it's like she still hates me even when she's helping me!"
"I've known Lin since we were children," Tenzin explained, "and she's always been a bit… challenging—to say the least."
"What did your father do to make her hate the Avatar so much?" Korra pouted again.
"My father and Lin actually got along famously," Tenzin admitted, "But while I cannot say you've exactly been a model citizen, Korra… I'm afraid her issues are with me."
The gears were turning in Korra's head, and she came to a bold but accurate conclusion.
"Waaaaaait a second," Korra raised her finger, "it all makes sense now! You and BeiFong… BeiFong and you… you two were…" she paused, putting her hands together and making one of the most comical starstruck faces she could muster, "...a couple!"
"What!? How—" Tenzin stammered, "Where did you get that idea? And wipe that stupid smug grin off your face!"
"Awww, is that any way to talk to little ol' me?" she teased some more, keeping her punchably smug grin intact, "I thought you liked when I smiled. But real talk? I believe your wife's spilled a thing or two about it here or there, if you want the honest answer."
"Criminy!" Tenzin groaned, "I'll have to have a word with her!"
"So Pema stole you from BeiFong?" Korra cooed, "I'm surprised Lin didn't throw her in jail."
"Oh, she tried," Tenzin actually gave an amused smile at this, "But anyways, Pema didn't steal me; Lin and I had been growing apart for some time over—wait, why am I even telling you this? Suffice to say, I think Lin is hard on you because she sees a lot of herself in your attitude."
"What?!" Korra looked a little surprised, "I'm not THAT grumpy… and not even that stubborn!"
Tenzin simply crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows.
"Okay, stubborn, yeah." Korra conceded, "But grumpy? Come on!"
"You're a very different woman when you're upset, Korra," Tenzin softly reminded her.
"But come on," Korra waved her arms, "even I know how to laugh now and again. Lin's jaw would probably crack if she tried to even smile—or maybe it's just because she hasn't quite gotten over your guys' breakup?"
"What? Of course she has!" Tenzin argued, "Anyways this is none of your business any more than what you and Asami do would be any of my business!"
"We've done nothing THAT dramatic," Korra called out as Tenzin left in a huff, before she chuckled. "But I'll see you around, Mr. Heartbreaker!"
Korra had a particularly quirky habit of teasing people she liked, whether as friends, relatives, or even romantic interests. The oddity of this was that she also talked mad smack about people she disliked too; sass had been one of the Red Lotus' strong points, and even long after they had been imprisoned, the type of company Korra chose to keep was the type of company that encouraged such behaviour rather than discouraged it.
The match the following day went swimmingly, with Korra and Bolin subconsciously competing for whose grin was the most annoyingly smug after Tahno's royal defeat. Even Hasook, who Korra swore always had a straight face or a grimace on, seemed content.
It was only after they left to go celebrate that something went wrong. The group was suddenly jumped by Equalists, who naturally went for Korra first.
"I'm still saving you for last, Avatar…" came a voice as Korra felt herself be forcibly restrained and disabled, "but this time I'm going to let you watch your friends be purified, and have both them and you know that you are utterly helpless to stop them…"
With wide eyes, Korra screamed, but Amon's cronies had already pushed Bolin forward as the first victim. Amon placed a thumb to his forehead, and Korra watched him fall limp.
"BOLIN, NO!" Korra screamed, suddenly sitting bolt upright and hyperventilating as she registered her surroundings. A low growl followed by a lick to the side of her face registered to Korra immediately that it had been a nightmare, and Korra responded in kind by rubbing Naga's head appreciatively.
"Thanks, girl…" Korra sighed as she laid back down, "Sorry; it was just a dream."
Naga panted and gave something of a huff before laying back down again, and silence returned as Korra's eyes darted around the room. It was still evening; the bright moon shone through the small gaps in Korra's curtains, dimly illuminating the small and cozy little room full of the Avatar's personal effects, as well as the Avatar herself and her beloved, trusty polar bear-dog. Everything was serene to the point of near-complete silence; only interrupted by the soft (albeit heavy) breathing of the two living creatures in the room. Korra reminded herself once again that it was just a dream; Bolin, Mako, Hasook and herself all still had their bending, and the Equalists were still hiding in the shadows like the cowards they were.
But was it a warning? She had had dreams and visions of her past lives in various life situations, but this one, as real as it seemed, didn't have any connection like that, and she was fairly certain that not even the Avatar could see the future.
She took a deep breath and sighed, her current debate being whether to tell Asami or not. She would want to know, even if Korra knew that she would dismiss it as a nightmare and reassure Korra that it would be okay. Asami knew all too well about Korra's frequent nightmares, and the fact that Korra had a tendency to yell and sit bolt upright after waking up in a cold sweat when she had a nightmare (coupled with her already active sleeping habits) made her a terrible roommate—especially considering how often she had them, much to her chagrin.
It could wait. No one liked being woken up this early in the morning, and if they did… they were absolute madmen that shouldn't be trusted anyways. The morning was evil after all.
She rolled over and sighed, hating herself for how easily she felt like her fears could hijack her sense of reason like this. She was the Avatar; the single most powerful person in the world, and while she hadn't mastered energybending the way Avatar Aang had done, she was still effectively a Fully-Realized Avatar no less. And yet despite that, she felt so vulnerable—like there was something wrong with her that no one, not even Tenzin, Asami, her parents, or herself—knew the full extent of. It was definitely something to consider, and probably something worth sharing for her own good—just at a more reasonable hour.
=Later that Morning…=
"Do you think it was a warning of some kind though?" Korra asked as she poured herself a second mug of coffee. In an effort to improve herself and be more open about her emotions and fears, Korra had decided to tell Asami about the nightmare once she was awake.
"I doubt it," Asami shook her head, confirming Korra's prediction from the previous night, "Your mind enjoys playing tricks on you, and that's what Amon wants it to do."
"But just…" Korra stammered, "what if something does happen? Anything could go wrong."
"Then it's time you put these arms to use," Asami squeezed one of Korra's biceps, "there's no way Amon will know your exact location like he did the night at Aang Memorial Island—unless he's tracking your every movement. Besides, do you really think he's going to attack you in broad daylight with the Police Chief's security measures on the prowl?"
"I guess I'm just being paranoid," Korra sighed, "sorry."
"I'd rather you be open about your fears to me than try to bottle them up again, Korra," Asami kissed the crown of Korra's head, "No more mean Korra—or at least let's try to minimize her presence; what do you say?"
"Trust me," Korra sighed, "I'd give it up in a heartbeat if it was that easy. Anything you can do to help me on that front would be great."
"I wouldn't dream of making you go through this alone." Asami reassured her. "I may not know exactly what's going on with you, Korra, but I'm happy to try and help you find out."
"That's all I need to hear sometimes," Korra smiled, making quick work of her coffee as she rose to her feet, "thanks Asami. Not that I don't already say I love you way too often… but I love you."
"It won't ever grow old to me," Asami returned the smile. "I love you too."
"I'm going to head on over to the arena," Korra flicked her hand in a sort of wave, "I'll see you there soon, yeah?"
"Of course," Asami's lips curled upward, "Even my father's coming—and we got you sets at our usual VIP booth no less. I mean, who are we to miss the championship playoffs of the very team we sponsored…?"
Watching the Probending championships side-by-side with Asami? Now that was something Korra could get behind in terms of how to spend her afternoon. She just hoped that her dream—as realistic as it had felt—did not turn out to be real. She could get behind the idea of the Fire Ferrets winning the championships, but she also mentally steeled herself and remained on high alert, in case Amon was in fact lurking behind some corner waiting to strike...