Korra was standing outside, stretching. She had three cups of tea already; the Avatar was still sleepy. "Why does Tenzin like to schedule his training this early? Mornings are evil," thought Korra, stretching again. She yawned.
"Korra!" said Ikki, as three Air babies ran to her. Meelo was doing fart noises, while Jinora and Ikki stared at her.
"Don't mind me, I am just practicing, and failing. Hmm, watch this," said Korra. She put a newspaper picture with Lin on a rope. "Air bend,"
Korra tried Air bending, but failed. She did manage to produce fire, and incinerate the photograph. "It's okay Korra, every Avatar struggled with an element, for you its air. We can meditate as a group," said Jinora.
"Yeah, be the leaf," said Meelo. Ikki made a silly gesture towards her younger brother. The group saw that Asami arrived on the island, and was walking towards them.
"Korra, is that the girl you like – like," Jinora asked.
"You should dress as Ty Lee and ask her to dress as Princess Azula, and then the two of you should scare dad!" Ikki exclaimed.
"I want her hair," said Meelo.
Korra shook her head. She noticed that Asami approached them, and was now in speaking distance. "Hey Asami, do you know that Korra –"
Ikki was unable to finish her sentence, as Korra threw her foot forward, creating air platforms that threw the Air Babies in the air. Jinora and Ikki glided gracefully, while Meelo farted, and propelled himself back on the solid ground. Korra face a silly gesture towards the three kids, and then smiled at Asami.
"Hey Korra, I know it's early, but I wanted to spar with you," said Asami, waving her hair. "Besides, it's relaxing."
"Why does Asami wave her stupid beautiful hair like that?" Korra thought. "I guess mornings are evil, but mornings spent with Asami are nice. They feel nice."
Korra took a bending stance and sent a fire ball at Asami, who easily dodged it. "Korra, no bending. You need to learn how to fight like a non bender," said Asami.
Korra grinned and ran towards Asami, but Asami easily evaded. Asami threw her right foot forward, tripping Korra. She lost balance and fell.
"No fair," said Korra.
"Life is not fair. Common, try to land a single hit on me," said Asami.
Korra stood up and jumped at her friend; Asami dodged yet again. She then caught Korra's hand, and put it behind Korra's back. "I will land a hit on you, I promise," said Korra.
"You wish," grinned Asami. They continued sparring, although Korra wouldn't consider it sparring. Their mock fight was definitely one sided. After a half an hour of trying to land a single hit on Asami, Korra sat on the pavement; sweat was running down her body.
"She is so good at this," thought Korra. "I feel like a failure. I cannot Air Bend, I cannot even fight like a non bender. At least practice sessions with Asami are pleasant. Yes, her company makes me feel happy."
"How about this, Korra. Use your bending, and try to land a hit on me," said Asami. Korra grinned, but then realized that she probably wouldn't want to use fire on Asami.
Korra moved rocks; they began rising, surrounding Asami, who jumped over the rocks. Korra then sent a few fire balls to see how Asami would handle this; she sent fire at Asami's chest. But, like before, Asami dodged the attack.
Korra formed a water whip and tried to grab Asami. While Asami managed to dodge the attack, Korra moved water once more; this time, the water whip landed a hit. "Ouch," said Asami, touching her butt.
"I won, I won," said Korra.
"You did manage to hit me. How about we change the game, and I go on an offensive? Yes, let's do this. I try to hit you, and you defend. Don't use bending, just avoid all my attacks," said Asami. She ran towards Korra, and threw her right arm forward.
"Wait," said Korra, as Asami landed a hit on her. "Lucky,"
Asami grinned. She took a few steps back. "Let me know when you are ready," said Asami.
"Okay, go," said Korra. Asami jumped towards her, and with two moves landed a hit on Korra. "No way."
"Korra, I have been practicing for years. Remember our dancing lesson, move gracefully. Avoiding in combat can be similar to dancing," said Asami.
"Dancing. Yeah, I liked dancing with you," said Korra, blushing.
"Imagine us dancing. Only for us to actually fighting, well I will be the one fighting, while you avoiding," said Asami. Korra nodded.
Asami launched herself at Korra, who managed to avoid one attack. Asami continued throwing punches and kicks, while Korra mostly avoided those attacks.
"Look Jinora, Korra and Asami are dancing," said Ikki very quickly.
"Korrasami dancing, aww Ikki. That is so adorable. I now need to write a story about Korra and Asami dancing," said Jinora.
"And add a drill sergeant mighty Meelo there somewhere. Korra cannot be dancing without permission. She has to go through an Air Bender boot camp."
Korra and Asami were still practicing. Korra noticed that Asami briefly paused; Korra took the opportunity and threw her right foot forward. Asami lost balance and fell. "I got distracted. Nice, Korra, this was nice. When you notice an opportunity, and your opponent isn't expecting it, strike. You did good," said Asami. Korra and Asami sat on the ground.
"I am hungry, let's get some food," said Korra. "While Mister Serious here is making my life miserable, actually living here on the Air Temple Island is nice. The rooms are small yet cozy, its usually quiet, the temperature is fair."
"I could use a snack as well. I just … I am not sure they have meat in here," said Asami.
"Yeah, no meat. But hey, Air Nomad food is good. We can have a light snack, and get some meat in the city. Tea is good," said Korra.
Korra and Asami entered the dining room, where they saw Tenzin and Pema eating talking about something. "Hey Korra, I am afraid we have to cancel this morning's exercises, I have to attend a council meeting. Councilman Tarrlok had a few ideas I need to argue against," said Tenzin. Korra smiled.
Korra and Asami grabbed some tea, and sat by the table. "This tea is great, Councilman Tenzin," said Asami.
"Thank you, Miss Sato," said Tenzin.
Korra looked first at Asami, and then at Tenzin and Pema. She formed a fist; a small tear escaped her eye. Korra took a deep breath. "I can do this. They have to know," thought Korra, recollecting about her first meeting with Amon.
"It feels nice spending time in a place where no one is trying to take advantage of me," said Asami, sitting a bit closer to Korra. "Thank you for your hospitality."
"Of course dear. You are a nice young lady, you are always welcome here. And you are also Korra's best friend. I know she talked a lot about you," said Pema. Korra blushed.
"Asami is a great friend," said Korra. She then paused, and remembered what she waited to talk about. "Actually, Tenzin, I need to –"
"Meelo, no, that's not the toilet," said Tenzin, standing up. Apparently he noticed his son's being naughty, which prompted Tenzin to leave.
"I am going to check what my daughters are doing. See you later, girls," said Pema, also leaving the dining table.
"Wait, argh, I –"
"Is something wrong, Korra?" Asami asked. She put her hand on Korra's shoulder. "I am your friend. I trust you. You can tell me anything,"
Korra opened her mouth and then closed it. "Asami. I … I met Amon a few days ago," said Korra.
"You did? Was he scary? Did he hurt you?" Asami asked. She sat even closer, and put her left hand around Korra's back.
"He … Amon scared me. He didn't actually do anything," said Korra.
"Okay, good, good," said Asami, making a weak smile.
"But he scared me. He showed me what he can do. Amon, he can, he can –"
"Korra, it's okay, you can tell me. I won't judge you for being afraid," said Asami.
"Asami, Amon … there was another prisoner, a fire bender, and Amon … he took his bending away," said Korra. Asami opened her mouth widely.
"That's impossible," said Asami. "I thought only the Avatar could –"
"Yes, that's what I thought as well. But Amon, he can take bending away. I don't know how. It doesn't matter. What matters is that he can. And that is scary. I … I thought I will lose my bending, my bending! I am the Avatar, I cannot lose my bending," Korra said, tears escaping her eyes.
"Hey, hey, it's okay. You have your bending, and you won't be losing it," said Asami. "And if Amon ever decided he were to take It –"
Asami didn't finish. Korra looked at her friend, who was no longer smiling or showing any concern. This time, Korra saw another emotion on her friend's face. Asami was furious for a brief second. Hurt appeared on Asami's face. She put her other arm around Korra and hugged her.
"It's okay. We will defeat Amon," said Asami. She then stood up. "Come, we need to tell Tenzin."
Korra nodded. They ran from the dining room, and searched for Tenzin. Unfortunately for the two of them, Tenzin already left.
"Boo, Tenzin is gone. Hmm, maybe we should go and kick some butts," said Korra. "Yeah, all this Amon talk, I need to kick some ass."
"Let's go into a district controlled by one of the triads; we might be able to find some bad benders to fight. Oh, I know. Let's head to the Agni Kai area, I can fight those evil fire benders," said Asami.
Korra grinned. "Yeah. Let's kick some evil fire bender ass," said Korra. She and Asami climbed on Naga, who then jumped in the water. A few minutes later, the three of them arrived on the shore of the Republic City.
Korra and Asami soon stood in a quiet neighborhood. People were entering and exiting shops, an occasional car drove by. A few people were chatting. "Where are all the triad members?" Korra asked.
"They don't attack people all the time; we might get lucky," said Asami. The two young women walked in the neighborhood. They walked in silence for a few minutes. "Yeah, I am not sure anything is happening tonight,"
Korra heard an explosion; they looked at the source of fire, and saw several fire benders who began to torch the buildings. "Oh yes," said Korra. She moved her hands; rocks rose from the ground and flew at the fire benders. Korra then quickly scanned the area and noticed a small puddle of water. She grinned.
Korra waved her hands, sending water at several burning buildings. After making sure the buildings weren't on fire, Korra sent several fire waves at the fire benders.
Asami meanwhile jumped, and with quick series of attacks threw several fire benders on the ground. "These fire benders can barely bend," thought Korra. She remembered how skilled her teachers at the compound were; these fire benders just knew how to send some fire, not knowing how to actually use proper techniques.
After the two women defeated the Agni Kai triad members, Korra bend the rocks around her, immobilizing the fire benders; only their faces and hands were now visible, the rest of their bodies were covered in rock.
"Metal Benders can get them," said Korra.
"Yea. Let's leave, I am not sure I want to meet Chief Beifong again. She is grumpy," said Asami.
Korra and Asami journeyed to the park, where they sat on the grass by the pond. "It's nice here," said Asami. She lay on grass, stretching.
"Yeah. Watch this, I learned that you can get fish from this pond," said Korra. She looked to her right, then to her left then she smirked. Korra bent the water in the pond; she lifted a water bubble, that contained a fish.
"Here is our lunch," said Korra. She fire bent, quickly grilling the fish.
"Korra, how could you? You aren't allowed to catch fish in this public park," said Asami in a serious voice.
"Oh no, I thought you wanted some meat, and I thought you would like this grilled fish," said Korra. Asami laughed.
"Relax. I am just teasing. This fish does look appetizing," said Asami. Korra broke the fish in two, giving one half of it to Asami. "Thanks."
Korra was glad her friend wasn't one of those prissy ladies she heard about. No, Asami was her beautiful and wonderful friend, her gorgeous friend Asami who always made her feel happy and secure. She knew that Asami lived in basically a palace, yet, from all their interactions, she noticed that Asami liked to get her hands dirty. And Korra really enjoyed their sparring sessions, especially once both of them got sweaty. Korra would one day defeat Asami and hold her friend.
"Um, Korra? You spaced out?" Asami said.
"Sorry, I was thinking about baby bending and air sitting," said Korra, smiling, unwilling to say to Asami what she thought about their sparring sessions. Korra then looked around and saw the protester again.
"Asami, let's check this out. I remember this dude kept saying garbage about the benders," said Korra. Asami nodded, and the two friends went to explore.
When they arrived, the equalist protester was talking how benders are evil. "Ah, it's you again. Look around folks, this evil bender came to hurt me! She admitted before that she wanted to hurt me! Oppressor," said the equalist protester. "And worse of all, she is the Avatar! The ultimate oppressor,"
Asami took a step forward. "You are wrong. Korra, she is a good person. She doesn't oppress anyone," said Asami.
"Oh look, the oppressor Avatar found a lackey. You have features of the Fire Nation, tell me, how do you like to use fire to oppress non benders such as myself?"
"I don't oppress anyone. I am a non bender," said Asami.
"What?" The protester asked in confusion.
"My name is Asami, I am a non bender. I know that some benders are evil; I lost my mother … but some non benders are evil too. You cannot judge a person based on whether they can bend or not. And look at Korra, she is a strong Avatar and a great friend," said Asami.
"The Avatar is friends with a non bender?" One person in the crowd asked.
"She must have put this lady under a spell," another person in the crowd said.
"Look, we don't want any trouble. All we are saying is that the benders and non-benders can coexist," said Asami.
"For now. Once Amon puts his plan in motion, whatever it is, the benders will get what's coming for them," said the protester.
"Enough!" Korra screamed, stomping her foot, and destroying the podium. All the leaflets that the protester had scattered. Asami just shook her head.
People scattered. Asami sat on her knees, looking at the leaflets.
"Hey, that's strange. Look, Korra, these leaflets show some map, but it's incomplete," said Asami. She looked at numerous leaflets. "I don't follow. These show different parts of the city."
Korra also sat on the ground, and looked around. "Yeah, these show different parts. Oh look, a repeat," said Korra.
Korra and Asami looked around, and saw four distinct map pieces, with others being the repeats of those four. "Nice, there are four distinct pieces," said Asami. She lifted four leaflets, stood up, and walked a few meters away, before sitting once more. Asami put the leaflets on the ground and then moved the pieces in several ways. Korra approached her, looking from above.
"How do we connect these?" Korra asked. Asami was moving the leaflets until she connected them in a certain order.
"I spent several years patrolling the city. I also started a personal project on possibly developing the public streets … I know how the city generally looks. Oh, look, the red dot," said Asami.
"That must be where the Equalists are hiding," said Korra. Asami nodded. "Let's go."
"Korra, let's not rush. We don't know how many people will be there. We should investigate. We definitely will go there, but let's do it in such a way that we won't attract too much attention," said Asami.
"This makes sense," said Korra. "Alright, let's see. There is a revelation tonight at this time."
"I have a suspicion that Amon will reveal that he can remove bending," said Asami. She saw that tears escaped Korra's eyes. Korra sat on the ground. "Hey, hey, we are investigating only. We need to check what's happening. Amon will not remove your bending, if he values his life," said Asami. Korra smiled. Asami extended her hand, Korra took it, and stood up.
In the evening, Korra and Asami were wearing brown coats. Korra had a brown hat. Asami carried a few leaflets. The young women approached the entrance to the equalist hideout. Korra knocked. A man opened the door.
"This is a private event. No one gets in here without an invitation," said the man.
"An invitation?" Korra asked in confusion. She wasn't sure if she needed some password.
"We have this flier," said Asami, showing the paper. "Now, please excuse my wife, I told her earlier some horror stories about the evil and terrible benders. Isn't it right, Korra. Come here."
Asami leaned towards Korra. "What are you doing?" Korra whispered.
"Making him lower his guard and have easier for us to get in. Do you trust me?" Asami whispered.
"With my life," whispered Korra. Asami leaned closer, first kissing Korra's neck. She then kissed Korra's neck another time, and then looked up and kissed Korra in the mouth.
"The event will be this way. Good luck. Amon will show all of us what awaits all those terrible benders," said the man, letting the women enter.
"Use some tongue. People are uncomfortable with public displays of affection," whispered Asami, as she kissed Korra on the mouth once more. Korra's heart began beating faster.
"Now, if you excuse me," said the man, walking away. Korra and Asami broke their kiss.
"Asami, you are brilliant," said Korra. She saw that Asami blushed. "That was a good pretend kiss, you should be an actress."
Asami grinned. "Come, let's see what this event is all about," said Asami. The two women walked.
As they walked, Korra recollected their kiss. "Asami has such sweet lips. She is so soft, and beautiful. Spirits, I think I am falling for her. But Asami, she is my Asami, I cannot let her know about my feelings. I cannot lose her. She is important to me," thought Korra.
"Let's see. Small room, small room. Let's go there," said Asami, leading Korra.
"Asami is a good kisser," thought Korra. The two friends walked through the corridor, ending up in the large hall. Korra thought she saw a thousand people there. "That's a lot of people who hate benders"
"Korra, wow, look, so many people here," said Asami. She then noticed that a few people were looking at them. Asami leaned towards Korra.
"Asami," said Korra. She saw Asami's face mere inches away from her face. Korra nodded, and Asami leaned forward, kissing her again. People looked away.
Korra wasn't sure if she wanted to cry or smile. Asami was her best friend, and she really liked spending time with her. Their kisses were wonderful. Korra's heart beat faster, her body temperature rose, and she felt happy. Yet, despite actually kissing her friend, Korra knew that they only pretended to kiss to get all these equalist sympathizers look away; Korra knew those were not the real kisses, and that Asami only saw her as a friend.
Amon appeared on the podium, and began his life story of how he grew up in a village, of how a fire bender extorted his family. Amon said that the fire bender killed his family and burnt his face. Amon then told the crowd how the Avatar has failed and how bending only brought suffering.
"Korra, he is lying. Bending gave us healing, we have pro bending, and so much more," whispered Asami into Korra's ear. Korra put her head on Asami's shoulder.
Amon continued speaking. "The spirits have spoken to me. They said that the Avatar has failed humanity. That's why they chose me to bring a new era of balance. They granted me the power so I can make the dream of equality a reality. They gave me the power to take a person's bending away. Permanently," said Amon.
Korra took a deep breath. Asami was right. Amon just revealed his power to the crowd; he was now fighting Zolt, who was the leader of a Triple Thread triad. Well, Korra had to admit, this wasn't fighting. Amon was easily dodging all the fire and lightning attacks Zolt kept sending. Amon then got in close range, and overpowered Zolt, soon putting his finger on his forehead. First lightning disappeared, then fire.
"Your bending is gone. Forever," said Amon, as Zolt was lying on the ground. Amon then fought the other members of the triad.
Korra tensed. "I, let's go," said Korra. Asami nodded, and they slowly walked away. One man looked at Korra.
"Please excuse my wife, she ate something bad, and she feels sick," said Asami. Korra puked on the ground, wanting to play along. They kept moving.
They entered the corridor. "We have to tell Tenzin about this. I planned to tell him earlier, but he left. I … I am afraid," said Korra.
"It will be okay Korra, Amon will not take your bending," said Asami, smiling. The two of them continued walking. Korra noticed a group of equalists walking in the corridor.
"This area is off limits," said a man with the moustache. "The guests leave through another means. But you would know, if you were guests,"
"This was a big misunderstanding," said Korra. "We are just lost. I needed to pee,"
"Please let us go," said Asami. Korra looked at Asami, and then looked at the corridor, where she saw a large group of equalists assuming a combat stance. "Korra, I think we need to go,"
"Agreed," said Korra. She formed an earth wall, blocking the corridor. Korra knew she blocked their escape, but at least they wouldn't need to fight through an army of equalists up ahead of them. Korra and Asami ran in the opposite direction. "Let's hide here for now."
Korra ran into a room, Asami following her. When they entered, they saw a table with several chairs. What terrified Korra was that Amon was sitting at his desk.
"Avatar, we meet again. Truly, this was unexpected. Miss Sato, I heard a lot about you," said Amon.
Korra jumped towards Amon. He easily evaded her punches, and then threw a few quick hits, chi blocking her hands. Amon then pushed Korra at the chair.
Asami jumped. She threw several punches at Amon, but was unable to land a single hit somehow. Korra was surprised and scared.
"Enough," said Amon. He landed a hit on Asami, pushing her at another chair. Amon then quickly grabbed the rope, and tied Asami. Korra didn't move. While she could move, she was afraid. Here she was, once again, facing Amon, and he nullified her bending temporarily.
"I just want to talk to the two of you tonight. And don't worry. It's not the time for me to take away your bending, Avatar," said Amon.
"Over my dead body," said Asami.
"Miss Sato, I would think, you, of all people, would be sympathetic to my cause," said Amon, sitting at the table, and looking at Korra and Asami. "Let's talk."
"Amon, you are terrible. You hate all the benders, but benders are good people. They heal, they produce electricity, maintain the roads, the list goes on," said Asami.
"Alright. Look at me. A bender did this to me after he killed my family," said Amon, taking his mask off, revealing a large scar spread across his face.
"No," said Korra. Asami didn't speak. Amon put the mask back on.
"As you can see, a fire bender did this to me. But I had it easy, that same fire bender killed my entire family," said Amon.
"That still doesn't mean that that benders are evil," said Asami.
"Asami Sato, I am not here to fight you, either of you, today at least. Look, I know what happened to your family. Tell me, has a fire bender killed Yasuko Sato? No ifs and buts, answer, yes or no?" Amon asked.
A tear escaped Asami's eye. She closed her eyes and looked away. "Yes," said Asami. Korra stood up and approached Asami, placing her hands around her.
"Tell me, miss Sato. Has a fire bender started a 100 year war? Was his name Firelord Sozin?" Amon, to which he got an affirmative response. "What about Yakone. You must know, maybe naïve Avatar doesn't. Did he try to kill many people many years ago until Avatar Aang stopped him?"
"Yes," said Asami.
"Good. Are Triads hurting people?" Amon asked.
"Of course they do. But they hurt not only non benders, but benders also," said Asami.
"Miss Sato, I have many contacts within the city. Have you spent several years fighting evil triad members? Granted, they all were criminals, but did you actively fight all those benders?" Amon asked.
"Yes," said Asami. She opened her eyes, and looked at Amon. "That still doesn't mean that all benders are evil."
"Evil? Perhaps not. Some for sure are evil. Now tell me, the stories of former Avatar Aang's travels are well documented; his oldest son Bumi together with General Iroh of the Republic Forces and Suyin Beifong wrote a detailed account of his travels. Do we both agree that Avatar Aang was a good person?" Amon asked.
"Of course he was. He was the Avatar before me," said Korra, while still hugging Asami.
"And did Avatar Aang when he met his first Fire Bending teacher accidentally hurt Katara of the Southern Water Tribe? I grant you, it was unintentional, but did it cause pain to Katara?" Amon asked.
Now Korra replied. She felt sick saying that. "Yes. Aang did hurt Katara. But common, it was a mistake! Aang didn't hurt Katara intentionally! And he did learn fire bending and stopped the Firelord," said Korra.
"True. The fact remains that Avatar Aang did hurt Katara. As I said, bending causes suffering," said Amon.
"Bending also heals," said Asami. Amon looked at her, not saying a word.
"Tell me, truthfully, are people in power in this city are great benders? I am not asking about their bending mastery, I want to know if you truly can say that Chief Lin Beifong and Councilman Tarrlok are nice people?" Amon asked.
"Lin is mean," said Korra.
"I agree with Korra, Chief Beifong is cranky but she at least tries to do good in the city. And I got to admit, Councilman Tarrlok did many questionable things," said Asami. "His policies oppress non benders."
"See? You are half way there, Miss Sato. You are a smart woman, you should join me. Hmm, perhaps I need to kidnap your father for you to cooperate," said Amon.
Asami tensed. "Leave dad out of this," said Asami.
"Our meeting is over. But remember, you did admit that many benders are evil, and that they do oppress non benders. We will meet again, young Asami Sato, and I will have you join me," said Amon. "You can go. I will see you again,"
Korra untied the ropes. Asami stood up, and the two young women walked in a corridor. They searched a way to exit the building; finally, the two of them found a passage that led directly to a window. Korra opened it, and climbed out.
"Korra, what are you –"
Korra grabbed Asami, created fire behind her feet, and propelled the two of them from the second floor of the building onto the ground. Korra called Naga, who soon arrived. That evening Korra told Tenzin about Amon and his ability to take other people's bending away.