AUTHOR'S NOTES: cue the endgame. The next three chapters cover most of the events from the final episode of the show, although there are a few loose ends that take a couple extra chapters to finally tie early as the 1st chapter I promised there would be no dues ex machina if/when Korra lost her bending, and without spoiling it, I'll just promise that this is still the case now, especially given that Korra already knows airbending, which means if she lost her bending, it too would get blocked.
Happy Reading!
BOOK TWO: CHANGE
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR: ENDGAME, PART 1
While Tarrlok and Asami had spoken about Korra, the Avatar herself had gone to be alone so she could meditate. She was nervous about facing Amon, and it had been a while since she had tried to contact any of her past lives.
Today she took a particularly formidable risk, deciding to try and contact one or more of her Interregnum past lives directly. She wasn't sure how to contact a particular one, but it was almost like the Interregnums were in a different part of her mind and spirit; almost as if the separation they faced was tangible.
This ended up arranging a meeting between her and Avatar Delun, the 2nd member of the Interregnum Cycle, who looked curious about being summoned by Korra.
"Still think you're not one of us, little one?" He cooed. Kuruk's description of the man matched both Korra's brief glimpse into his life as well as his tone now—he was a suave fellow, and even as a spirit he had a nice voice. Korra was impressed at the length of his hair more than anything, however. Tarrlok's hair may have gone to his mid-back, but Delun's hair was sleek, long and flowing. It hung down past his hips, although was combed back to reveal a fairly angular albeit masculine face. He was definitely not like any Air Nomad Korra had ever read about or heard about. Clearly it was a very different time.
"I want to know how you think I am 'one of you'," Korra demanded. "I'm not afraid of you."
"Why should you be?" Delun shrugged, "we are all just you in different lives, dear Korra. Some were more venerated than others, but with the 20 of us who were condemned, know this: none of us ever pled guilty for our actions. We accepted responsibility for them, but like you, we did not try and seek approval for them."
"Yeah, but didn't you guys basically either let the world go to ruin or try and manipulate and dominate it with an iron fist?" Korra pouted.
"Tell me this," Delun crossed his arms as he sat in front of Korra, "when a natural disaster hits; such as a whirlwind, a tsunami, an earthquake, or a wildfire… is it evil?"
"Well no," Korra shrugged, "It's just nature. I wouldn't call it a good thing either though; it's called a disaster for a reason."
"And so are we," Delun remarked, "all things considering, the Interregnum Avatar Cycle is a destructive series of natural disasters. The world will throw itself out of balance with or without your help, and so there comes a time when you simply need to choose your battles. Already you have left an impact on the world, and with Harmonic Convergence approaching, you will have a change to leave your mark on the world in a way it will never so forget."
"And what if I don't do anything?" Korra pouted again, "what if I don't want to leave a mark on the world like that?"
"Then you don't do anything," Delun simply shrugged, "But methinks that is not who you are. You want to make a change, and you want to make a change for good."
"That's what separates me from the rest of you," Korra's expression furrowed.
"Ah, but does it?" Delun disappeared with a wisp of smoke, only to be replaced by Lu-Xing, the Fire Nation Avatar before the devious Imalek.
"Realize this, Korra," he continued as if he were Delun, "while the world may have called us morally questionable, and even morally reprehensible at times… it was an age where the Avatar got things done. You are still a small child, and yet your list of accomplishments grows. Many of us, even among the Interregnums, look to your power and ability with admiration, and it is because of that power that you can and will shape the world."
"And what happens if I lose my bending?" Korra frowned, "WIth how much you all are watching over me or whatever, you better at least know what I'm facing."
"Oh ho," Lu-Xing laughed, "know this, Avatar Korra—Even if you were to lose your bending, there is always a way to get it back. A young Fire Nation Avatar named Sanaki was once stripped of her bending at an age not much older than you, and was forced to go through the cycle again, which she did in reverse order no less. It was thought that her bending was gone forever, but the Avatar Spirit was having none of that. She regained the ability to bend from tapping into her spiritual energy as well as that of her past lives, and mastered the elements anew. The best part about that Fire Nation tale… is that this little Avatar was completely blind."
"So… if I lose my bending, I should just come crying to my past lives to help get it back?" Korra pouted. She really didn't know what to make of these guys half the time, and as someone who liked to deal in straightforward facts and approaches, it drove her crazy. "I mean, I don't exactly have very much spiritual power all things considering."
"No crying necessary," Lu-Xing assured her, "You have far more power and even spiritual energy than you give yourself credit for, however, and that will come back to reward you in the future. After all, the Avatar Spirit will go to great lengths to preserve you, even if you are stripped of your bending. So short of doing something blatantly stupid, you will emerge from your fight victorious."
"Do you see the future or something?" Korra tilted her head again.
"No," Lu-Xing replied, "I see your power…" And with this, he disappeared just as cryptically as Delun had, except no one came to replace him. Korra shook her head and stood up. Was she really protected by her past lives, or were they just trying to ruse her into accepting that they consider her an Interregnum just as they were?
It was getting closer to the time to go however; and with Iroh, Kuvira, Lin, and Kwan making arrangements to move out, it was time to decide who was going where, and what everyone was going to be doing. Naturally, when Korra heard that Amon was holding a (slightly premature) victory rally at the old Probending Arena, she knew where she would be.
"I'm going with you," Mako declared to her surprise.
"You don't have to do that," Korra shook her head, "Amon's my problem and I've gotta be the one to stop him. The last thing you need is to get your bending stripped from you."
"I'm not expecting to destroy Amon or anything," Mako explained, "but like a certain someone once said: it feels like the right thing to do."
"If nothing else, I can get 'em in there without us getting caught," Kwan quipped, "I've got an Equalist truck for the very occasion. That way you two can mix in with the crowds instead of have to crawl through some air vent or zigzag down some back hallway or something. Word on the 'vine is that there's going to be a particularly potent demonstration that 'not even the Avatar would want to miss'."
"For fuck's sake, Kwan," Korra vented a little of her frustration towards Amon at the lavabender, "How do you learn about this kind of thing?"
"I don't know if you've realized it yet or not, Avatar," Kwan laughed, "but knowing things that I'm not supposed to know is basically what I do—which reminds me. There's going to be mecha-tanks at that rally, so actually you two might want to come with me so I can get you in." She pointed at Korra and Mako.
"And instead," she continued, "either Sato or one of you others can take the truck. I dunno if BeiFong or 'Vira drive though."
"I don't know how useful I'd be in a fight at this point," Lin confessed, "But I am more than willing to help in any way I can."
"This is going to be stupidly ironic coming from me Chief," Korra pointed out, "but I think after everything you've been through, you should rest and lay low. We'll handle this."
"That's rich as all get-out," Lin gave a hollow laugh, "but as much as I hate to admit it, I think you're right. I don't like it, but the last thing any of you need is someone holding you back."
"Rest assured, Chief," Kuvira put a hand on Lin's shoulder, "I will ensure the job is done, just as I did when we rescued Korra from the Red Lotus."
"Oh, you had to bring that up," both Korra and Kwan spoke simultaneously, creating an unhealthy amount of awkward tension in a matter of seconds as the two of them exchanged looks. Kwan fidgeted uncomfortably, remembering her guilt by association, and Korra closed her eyes, breathing deep and trying to clear her mind to prevent the unwelcome memories from flooding back into her mind. It had been nearly 3 years, and yet Korra remembered them as vividly as she had the day they had happened.
"Then let's get moving," Iroh was the one to put it back on track. He, Bolin, Asami, and Kuvira went out and headed for Kwan's old truck, while Kwan took Mako and Korra with her to where she parked her mecha tank.
"And what of Tarrlok…?" Korra thought to herself, although did not voice these concerns.
"Now don't ask where I got these," Kwan spoke up a moment later after showing Mako and Korra a pair of chi-blocker uniforms, "but put 'em on. If you want walls, I'm sure our little Avatar's more than capable enough of it."
Mako was glad that he asked for a wall because apparently Korra didn't, and neither did Kwan, based on the remarks they made. Korra commented on why Kwan was putting on makeup and doing her hair, but then their remarks quickly changed as Mako heard garments hitting the floor.
"You knew I had no shame, Kwan, but I did not expect that from you." Korra commented; both she and Nakkoa had seen Korra in her skivvies back on the first boat to Republic City, and so she didn't think the lavabender would make anything of it.
"What, never seen a woman before?" Kwan struck a stupid pose for only a second before changing effortlessly into a chi-blocker outfit and putting on the headgear. "Somehow, with you living with and dating Sato, I doubt that's actually true."
"Hey, what we have and haven't done is no one else's business," Korra riposted as Mako stepped between the now fully-dressed women. "That lotus tattoo on your back though…" Kwan had a massive red Lotus-patterned tattoo covering most of her back. The colour was not lost on her, and she was certain it was a Red Lotus marking.
"It's a lotus and it's red," Kwan retorted, "take a guess—or better yet, please don't."
"If I may put this back on track…" Mako commented. Kwan and Korra exchanged looks, but the rest of the preparation was done without incident.
"Now cram in," Kwan gestured to the central hatch of the tank, its original purpose lost even on Kwan apart from assuming that it was for storage of some sort, "it's gonna be a wild ride."
It was cramped, although only Mako found it awkward that he was in tight quarters with Korra. Kwan cleared security and had just let Mako and Korra out when she was halted.
"ISI-444…" one of the Equalists noted the serial number of the machine. "Who are you…"
"Sherazi Anazalrok, at your service…" Kwan removed her mask, revealing that her normally wild hair had been done up rather neatly and professionally, and that the makeup on her face gave her a more professional resemblance not unlike Nakkoa. Most noticeable of all though was that Kwan's normally heavy accent had disappeared, making Korra wonder if the suave, charming tone that she was using now was her real voice or if it was her facade. "I took care of the renegade lavabender—and got her machine. She may have escaped, but it'll be awhile before she gets her bending. Sadly, no news on the Chief of Police or where she's hidden."
"Remind me to talk to the boss about you then if that's true," the man gave her a firm slap on the shoulder as she put her helmet back on, "Good work, sister."
"Good work indeed…." Kwan hummed, still sounding more alluring than Korra had ever heard her sound. She nudged Mako and Korra, prompting them to head into the rally, where she quietly followed them without a word.
"You magnificent bastard, Kwan," Korra punched the lavabender's arm. "Is there anything you can't do these days?"
"If it involves vehicles, subterfuge, or earth… then yeah, I can probably do it. Anything else, and I'm probably toast. Now shut up and let's get somewhere viable."
They did exactly that, not realizing Kwan had dissolved somewhere into the crowds without them. It was another 15 minutes or so before Amon made his grand appearance, giving Mako and Korra time to move to one of the old referee balconies at a vantage point from the stage. It was only then that Amon rose from the center of the stage that people began cheering and hollering, including chanting his name. Korra was also fairly certain that she heard at least some people say "down with bending!" or even worse, "down with the Avatar!" She steeled her resolve and prepared to make her move while the time was right.
"Thank you everyone for joining us on this historic occasion!" Amon began as the crowds cheered louder, "When I was a boy, a firebender struck down my entire family and left me scarred. That tragic event began my quest to equalize the world."
"Except that's a lie, Amon!" Korra shouted as she and Mako removed their masks, "Or should I call you… Noatak?"
Amon paused, and his lieutenant whispered something in his ear, his focus on Korra. Amon shook his head, and stepped forward.
"Everyone calm down." he told the anxious crowds, "We have nothing to fear from the Avatar. Let us hear what she has to say."
With a powerful burst of airbending, Korra launched herself cleanly over the balcony and all the way to Amon's stage where she got up dangerously close to him.
"This man is a liar and fraud," Korra pointed at Amon with contempt, "The spirits didn't give him the ability to take peoples' bending away; he uses bloodbending to do it! Amon is a waterbender with the same power as the crime lord Yakone—which makes sense, since he's Yakone's son!"
"An amusing tale," any of Amon's expressions were hidden behind his mask for the moment, "but I will show you the truth."
With this, he removed his mask and hood, revealing a rather nasty burn scar that actually made Korra put her hand to her chest.
"Still think I am lying now, Avatar?" Amon taunted, "Or were you so addled by your time with the Red Lotus Terrorists that lying is second nature to you?"
"You and me," blue flames appeared on Korra's hands, "let's dance, right here, right now. Bending allowed this time, since you've got some pretty potent bloodbending behind that mask, Noatak! So what'll it be? Your lies or your life!?"
"So the little girl wishes to dance again?" Amon hummed with amusement, "Very well, child. I'll humour you and play your little game…"
He anticipated an attack from Korra, although had expected one of the flames on her hands to go streaking towards him. Instead however, he heard a dangerous crackle and flipped out of the way just in time to avoid getting his head blown into a million bloody flecks as a combustion beam shot out from Korra's forehead and blew out a large chunk of the wall behind him.
"Now, now, Avatar," Amon looked and sounded unfazed, "you best be careful what you try to demolish… you wouldn't want to hurt the last airbenders in existence now, would you?"
"What?!" Korra paused for a moment, but put her guard up in case it was a distraction.
"Oh, but you don't know?" Amon chuckled, "well then, let me show you…"
"No..." Korra gasped as she watched what—or rather who—Amon had just raised from under the stage. "No, they got away! I watched them get away! We saw them get away!"
And yet there, gagged and bound to four different pillars, were Jinora, Ikki, Meelo, and Tenzin.