Republic city
Minato has always been a morning person, as he was already up and helping with the kitchen and serving everyone breakfast.
Korra sat at the breakfast table with a newspaper in her hands. "And, in the final round, the Buzzard Wasps won by a decisive knockout! What do you say? We go to the arena tonight and catch a few pro-bending matches?" she asked Tenzin.
Of course, Tenzin disliked the idea. "That sport is a mockery of the noble tradition of bending," he declared, taking a sip from his cup. They were having breakfast, and they weren't alone in the room.
"Come on, Tenzin! I've dreamed about seeing a pro-bending match since I was a kid, and now I'm just a ferry ride away from the arena," she begged.
"Korra, you are not here to watch that drivel," he told her sharply. "You're here to complete your avatar training. So, for the time being, I want you to remain on the island."
"Is that why you're keeping the White Lotus sentries around to watch my every move?". She cast a look at the White Lotus guards standing against the walls of the room, watching her like a hawk.
"As much as I like seeing you learn about Air Bend, I'm going to the city for my own tour," said her childhood friend, explaining what he was going to do today.
"Wait, are you going to the city? Without me."
"Yes, I always wanted to see what's like in Republic City as it is the center of the world."
"That's not fair!" Korra didn't like it.
"Technically, it's fair, Korra, as Minato is a non-bender, and he already told me that he would be away so that you won't have any distractions to learn airbending. I believe you need a calm, quiet environment, free from any desire." Tenzin smiled calmly.
Korra, as much as she hated to be left out, his teacher was right. "Alright, you're the master," she said, acknowledging the fact.
"Well see you tonight, Korra, and hope you can learn how to bend the air under Tenzin's tutelage."
"Bring me something ok".
"Of course."
"Let's begin with your first lesson," Tenzin said.
Having no other choice, she followed the temple to the training ground, where Jinora and her siblings were already waiting. As given in her first lesson, "The goal is to weave your way through the gates and make it through the other side without touching them," Jinora explained to Korra.
"Seems easy enough," Kora said.
And of course the catch was to make it through while the gates were spinning," Ikki added.
Tenzin stepped forward, explained, "Flow with the movements of the gates, and Jinora will demonstrate." Jinora made her way to the other side of the contraption and started the gates spinning again with a blast of air. Korra realized that it was now her turn. "Let's do this!"
Let's just say the first try was like watching a human pinball, as Korra couldn't even get past the first gate; she kept being hit at every turn.
"It's going to be a long day," Tenzin sighed..
Minato was walking around the metropolis for the first time, as it felt familiar; he could see everyone on the move and the Sato mobile moving around the roads like it was something common.
Then he saw some kid pickpocketing a man wearing glasses, unaware as Minatro quickly grabbed the kid's shirt and pulled up. "All right, kid, give back what you stole."
"Hey, let go of me!"
"What's wrong, young man?" The victim heard the commotion.
"This kid stole your wallet, sir."
As the man checks and finds out it's empty, Minato gives it back to him.
"Thank you," he said.
"Hey, what's wrong with the guy packing in dough? It won't be a problem if he loses a few Yuan's." The pick pocket said.
"Because it's wrong, kid, and dangerous, you might anger dangerous people that would prefer you disseaper or, at worst, make an example of others like you."
'…..' The boy didn't say anything, knowing it was the truth. He heard how kids like him end up in the wrong crowd and never saw or heard it again.
Minato pulls out 200 yuan. "Here, use this to buy something to eat and a shoe shine kit. Do honest work, kid; it's much safer. Trust me, you live longer.".
The pick pocket took the money, thought, and ran pondering what Minato said.
The victim saw the whole thing. "Excuse me, young man, I was wandering; why did you give him money to help the perpetrators that stole something from me? He was confused.
Minato sighs, "It's not his fault, sir; it's the only way street rats like them can survive. This city may be beautiful from the outside but corrupted from the inside."
The words were awe-inspiring and captivated him. "Young man, would you tell me your name?" he asked.
"Minato Arisato, sir."
"My name is Hiroshi Sato."
It was a strange day, as Minato was having tea with one of the five richest men in Republic City. How does Minato express his opinion that the world is changing but corruption is spreading? People could easily blame the fire nation, but with peace, they are those searching for opportunities to gain power and influence, especially in the underworld.
Sure, they have advanced technology that the fire nation had after the war, like tanks and flying aircraft, but it's covering the corruption within the city.
"What you said is true. My wife truly loves this city. She believes that we non-benders could accomplish great things." Hiroshi remembers the love of his life showing him a schematic of the tallest building she wanted to build.
"What happened to her?" Minato could tell something was happening.
Hirosahi took a deep breath to calm himself down. "She was killed when a triad of benders tried to rob my estate; my wife was at the wrong place at the wrong time." His hands were shaken in anger.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Hiroshi smiled. "Don't worry, it was a long time ago. I still have my daughter, she's my hope."
Someone came knocking and entered the room. "Father, are you in there?"
I'm here. Come in. "A girl with long black hair came. "Asami, good, you're here. How's the new Sato mobile?"
"It's doing great; the speed was tremendous." Then she noticed her father wasn't alone. "Oh, excuse me, I didn't see you there."
"It's All Right, Minato Arisato," as he introduced himself
"Asami Sato, you probably figured that Hiroshi was my father. Still, are you noble?" It's common that those with the last name are nobles or have the money to gain a noble title. An example was Bei Fong. They were just normal merchants, but in time they obtained so much wealth that they could become nobles.
"No, that's how my name is," Minato stoically replied.
"Great, easy for me; I hate honorifics."
"Asami, please, Minato here, help today, and I believe we are going to make the city even better than before," Hiroshi sighs at her daughter's rebellious phase.
"I have a question. Why is it on your mind? Asami enquired.
Hiroshi, Minato, and Asami are both putting forth their ideas to start something small, and that is an orphanage for those who lost their parents to benders and other misfortunes. The idea is to provide shelter for the unfortunate and teach the children both knowledge and skills to be independent when they are near adults.
But they still need permission from City Hall and funding.
Minato came up with the idea that Hiroshi and the council should help fund it first, and after a year, they can get donations from the community to help.
And Hiroshi likes the idea of how the city empathizes with and helps those in need.
"It's a great idea. Why not come work with me as my partner, Minato? Your ideas are beneficial for Republic City." Hiroshi found a kindred spirit.
"Yes, please. I would love to hear more, especially about that new Sato vehicle name you gave," Asami smiled.
"It's called a Cadillac, and why not I could use the income? I don't want to freeload where I'm staying." Minato decided to take the job.
"This is the type of guy I like," Hiroshi smacks Minato's back. He was already thinking about how he wanted to make Minato get together with her daughter, as the boy was smart and not a bender was on the plus side.
"Where do you live, I might ask?" Hiroshi wanted to know.
"I live on Air Temple Island."
"Are you an air acolyte?" Asami asked
'No, let's just say I have friends with the head monk, even though he doesn't like me at all. Besides, I like my hair. I hate my head turning into a chrome dome." It was the first thing Tenzin tried to do, and Minato fought to preserve his dignity.
"That means you saw the avatar." Asami was giddy knowing how famous Avatar was.
"Yes, Avatar Korra, she lives on the island, and no, we have different dorms separate from male and female."
Asami chuckles as Minato jokes
"I accept the job, Hiroshi, but as a part-timer." As Minato shakes his hands, something happens.
Thou Art I… And I am Thou…
Thou Has Establish a New Bond
It Brings Thee Towards a Future
Thou Shalt Be Blessed When Creating
Personas of The Magician Arcana…
Minato didn't know why he was hearing voices.
"Is something the matter?" Hiroshi expressed concern
"Sorry, it's been a long day. I'm a bit hungry, that's all."
"I get it, so why don't you join me for dinner?" Hiroshi invited Minato along with Asami, giving him puppy eyes.
"It would be my pleasure."
It was already dark, and Minato was home, only to be tackled by Naga, followed by Korra, who greeted her childhood friend.
"Let me guess the air-bending training was an epic failure." I wasn't surprised.
Korra snorted, "Yeah, it is. I tried air bending, but still nothing worked. Then I was enjoying a radio show live from Republic City's Pro-bending Arena, but Tenzin had turned it off."
"Tenzin doesn't like pro-bending; he believes that bending should be used for other things, not entertainment," but it was hypocrisy. He wanted to say to him, "He's just someone who believes in too much tradition. I got a souvenir "as he gifted Korra some sweets." Also, I got a part-time job at Future Industries".
"Really"
"You probably know him, Hiroshi Sato."
" Who?"
Next morning, Minato had a discussion with Tenzin about his idea of an orphanage, and the city helped fund it. Tenzin approved of the idea, but the problem was getting other councilors on board first, and he also followed Tenzin to city hall. Korra was still training under Jinora's supervision.
President Raiko approved of the idea, knowing it would get him more votes and give one of the richest men in Republic City his good graces. For Tenzin, an orphanage is an opportunity to help the city, and the air acolytes can contribute to the city.
Hiroshi was happy and excited to know he was contributing to the city that his wife loved, using one of his old abandoned buildings as an orphanage for orphans to live in until they learn how to survive during adolescence.
The next night, after Minato returned, Kora was all grumpy.
That day's exercise didn't go any better. Instead of making her go through the gate contraption again, Tenzin had her try to sit and meditate under Jinora tutelage. She had gotten bored and told Tenzin that, only to be told to relax and be free. She found that funny considering the fact that she couldn't leave the damn island.
By the time night had fallen, she had gotten no further in learning airbending. It didn't help that she couldn't even bend a simple gust of air. "Airbend!" she cried, moving her arms and hands to a newspaper hanging on a line in front of her.
"What is wrong with me?" she tried again. "Airbend!" she said, thrusting her hands at the newspaper. When she still got nothing, her frustration broke loose, and she burned the paper to ashes. "Maybe I'm just not cut out to be an Airbender, huh, Naga?" she asked the polar bear dog.
"Having a bad day again." Minato called Korra as he was just finishing his part-time.
"Yeah, I need some fresh air. I can keep cooping up on the island, getting stuffy. You wouldn't understand".
"Korra, we've known each other since we were kids, and I know you can; you just need the right push, that's all." Minato is trying to help.
Korra's eyes caught the familiar dome and lights of the far-from-air temple island as she looked at her childhood friend and grinned.
"You're going to the pro-bending tournament, aren't you."
"You know me so well?" She asked shyly.
Minato sighs, knowing no amount of earth benders could stop Korra. When she made up her mind, he already got used to saying, "If you can't make them, just join them as they say."
So when everything was quiet and no guards were around, Minato and Korra escaped as both of them jumped into the water below. She began swimming towards the arena, with Minato following from behind, as he needed to learn to swim like a water tribe.
And the distance between the island and the arena wasn't that far. It had only taken her fifteen minutes to reach the arena and see an open window.
"Lucky me," Korra said, bending the water around her into a cyclone that lifted her up to the window. She leapt through the inside and then used her bending to pull Minato up once to get rid of the excess water. Both were inside; the only problem was that she had no idea where she was.
"So any bright ideas? Where is the area, Oh Great Avatar?" Minato spoke with sarcasm.
"Just shut up," and she started walking down the hall to find out what was where. She saw a large room to her left that looked like a gym. "Now this is interesting.
"It's probably a training room. There seemed to be plenty of nets, stone discs, and barbells lying around".
"Hey!" a voice snapped at them.
Bulky-looking kind of guy with a towel over his shoulders coming towards her. "What are you doing in my gym?"
Realizing that they were in trouble. "Uh, I was just looking for a bathroom, and I got lost."
"Ah, the old 'I had to pee' excuse, not buying it for one moment. You know, I am sick and tired of you kids sneaking' in without paying'. I'm taking you to security!"
"No, wait!"
"There you two are." A teen boy with brown hair and green eyes wearing red or white padded clothes with a green sash, holding a red helmet with an orange visor.
"It's OK. They're with me." He said this as Korra nodded quickly.
"Yeah, that's right." She said this as the boy stopped beside her. "So you see, we're together."
"Well. Not 'together' together." Korra said
"No, of course not."
"We're friends."
"Right, I didn't mean for it to sound like..."
The man waved his hands at them before turning around. "I don't care what you are; I've got work to do." And he was gone.
"Thanks," Korra said.
"No problem. I'm Bolin." He greeted them as he took them to the locker room. "What do you think? Best rooms in the house?" Bolin pointed to the balcony, showing a platform above the water with grates that have water flowing through them, disks inside the floor, and ropes on the side.
"Wow. Oh, I'm Korra, and this is Minato Arisato." Korra introduced them as two more teen boys came in, both with brown hair, one wearing a red sash and the other blue.
"Bolin. You have got to stop bringing your crazy fans here." One with short hair said he was fixing his armor.
"It's fine. I kind of promised them they could stay. Besides, I've got a good feeling about the girl. Korra. This is my brother Mako." She smiled and held out her hand. "Hi, nice to me!" She stopped as Mako passed her.
"Is he the silent type?" Minato asked.
"Yeah. He just got real. Focused before a match." Bolin said as he and the other teens walked out on the balcony, and a walkway rolled over to the platform. They are going to watch a real pro-bending tournament.
Korra shouted. "Good luck! Knock them out!"
The match started with the Fire Ferret vs. Tigerdillos, which can be described as an intense match, unlike the use of bending that Minato used to watch. As there were limited earth benders using the disc for defense and attack, water benders used only limited water as per the rules, and fire benders held back, not trying to burn their opponents.
The match was over as the Fire ferrets win barely when one their members Hasook he tumbles right into his teammate!"
"Whoohoo! Yes!" Bolin cheered as he came back into the locker room. "One more win, and we're in the memorial championship tournament!" snapping his fingers. "So, what did you think, Korra?" he asked, taking off his helmet. "Bolin's got some moves, huh?"
"What did I think?" she repeated with a big grin on her face, grabbing him by his uniform. "What did I think? That was amazing!" she let go . "Whoops, sorry," she apologized with a sheepish grin.
"You did more harm than good out there!" Mako chastised Hasook as they came back into the locker room. "You almost cost us the match!"
"We won, didn't we?" Hasook took offense with Mako chesting him.
"Barely!" he snapped.
"Get off my case, pal!" He threw his helmet down.
Mako just glowered at the door. "Useless."
Minato sigh the lack of teamwork in the group " You could try being nice for once"
"Shut up! and don't butt in my business." Mako snap
" Hey he was trying to be nice" Korra said to Mako, turning to face him. "Especially you, Mr. Hat Trick!"
"Oh, you're still here?" giving her the cold shoulder, heading for the locker.
"Oh, you're still a jerk?" she asked back with an irritated tone.
Bolin chuckle. "Anyway," Korra, looking at the Earthbender amongst them. "I've been immersed in Bending my entire life, but I've never learned how to move like that! It's like there's whole new style here! Think you can show me a few tricks?"
"Absolutely!" said Bolin instantly, trying to impress a girl.
"Right now? Come on, Bolin." Mako said.
"Just ignore him," his brother said to Korra, leaning in like it was a secret. Then he started talking a little louder. "Yeah, I can show you the basics. I'm just not sure how my Earthbending would translate to your Waterbending, but we'll figure it out."
"Won't be a problem," she told him, leaning back slightly and crossing her arms. "I'm actually an Earthbender."
"And here we go," Minato thought to himself as Korra like too mess people.
Bolin was confused. "I'm sorry, no, no! I didn't mean to assume! 'Cause I, you know, I was figuring…with your Water Tribe getup…that you are a…Water Tribe…gal." It was unlikely that he could've made that sound any more awkward.
"Nope, you're right, I'm a Waterbender. And a Firebender." Korra declared proudly.
"I'm very confused right now."
Mako figured it out almost right away. "She's the Avatar, and I'm an idiot," he said out aloud.
"Both are true," Korra said in reply.
"Korra you truly like pranking people" Minato just smiled at her mischief.
"It's one of my charms" She said proudly
. "No, way," Bolin turning to look at his brother. "The Avatar!" he whispered..
"We heard it the first time, Bolin," Minato rolling his eyes at the sight. As this wasn't the first time that everyone went Gaga when meeting Avatar Korra.
"How can you not be surprised about this, Minato?" Bolin demanded.
"That's just it, and I'm living with her." Minato acknowledges
"You're living with the Avatar?" Bolin couldn't believe it.
"He just said that, bro," Mako told him.
Bolin put on his game face on "I would be glad to show the Avatar my moves," he declared formally. "If the lady would like to follow me…?"
Korra answered, "The lady would, Let's go!"
"Oh brother," as Minato did hear those words, knowing when a guy doing something stupid was to impress some girl he liked.
Bolin and Mako to come into the gym, out of their uniforms and in casual clothes that left their arms bare . "Alright, let's see what'cha got!" Bolin declared, leading Korra over to a stack of earth discs in front of a net.
"So, what?" she said, looking at the stacks. There were three of them with the middle one being larger, separating it into two aisles. "You want me to bend these things?"
"Yep, let me see how you do."
"Alright," she replied. She took the Earthbending stance bent two discs at the net with a thrust of each arm. She watched in satisfaction.
He praised her. "That was great! Good power! But in a real match, you would be a sitting turtle-duck. Not so upright and flatfooted! Stay light on your toes, right up until you need to dig in and strike," he explained. "Then…" His stance suddenly became firm, and he bent two discs at the net. "Pop! Pop!"
She watched in silence. "Okay, let me try it again." She went like he had shown her. She moved around for a couple of seconds and then dug in and bent another two discs at the net.
"Wow! Nice adjustment!" "You're a natural at this." Bolin praised
"Not bad," Mako remarked from where he was leaning against a nearby ladder.
"What does it take to impress this guy?" Korra asked Bolin while gesturing to his brother.
"What? I said, 'not bad."
"Don't worry about it, Korra." Minato, you did good. Korra felt happy that her childhood friend had praised her.
"Yeah, been a real pleasure," she replied sarcastically. "Honestly, what's with this guy?"
"See you upstairs, bro," he told Bolin.
"Upstairs?" Korra repeated, looking at the earthbender beside her. "You guys live here?"
Bolin answered proudly. "Yup. In the attic, it's nothing fancy, but we have some great views! So, back to bending! Why don't you throw that combo one more time?"
She did just that, and the two discs flew through the air and hit the net. "This is the coolest thing ever!" While Minato just continues watching.
The next day was terrible, as Korra was forced to go to one of the Tenzin contraptions again.
"PATIENCE, Korra," Tenzin said as Korra made it to the middle. She suddenly screamed before destroying the gates with fire-bending as the others looked in shock. "That was a two-thousand-year-old historical treasure! What's wrong with you!?"
"There's nothing wrong with me. I've been practicing the moves you've taught me. But it isn't kicking in." She said this as she walked over.
"This isn't something you can force. If you'd only listen," Tenzin said, but was interrupted by Korra.
"I have been. But you know what I think? I think the problem isn't me but that you're a terrible teacher." She said this as she stormed off.
"I'll go talk to her." Minato said, following Korra. As he was on a break today, he didn't expect her to throw a tantrum or just lack sleep. As she's been all night practicing pro bending.
XXX
No one saw Korra for the rest of the day, as she wanted to be alone, even when dinner was ready. "Okay! Everyone here?" asked Pema as she brought the tray of food to the table. "Wait." She looked around and only saw her husband and children. "Where are Korra and Minato?"
"Honestly, Pema, I am at my wit's end with that girl!" Tenzin told her. "I don't know how to get through to her!"
She went to his side and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Dear, the best thing you can do for Korra right now is give Korra some space."
Instead of answering her, he looked at his children. "You must promise your teenage years won't be like this!"
Jinora simply lowered her book and replied in a deadpan manner, "I will make no such promises."
XXX
Minato noticed Korra seated with her legs crossed over her chest. Knowing that it was Minato, she apologized, saying, "I just kind of snapped."
"Listen, Korra Tenzin is a patient man, mostly, I mean truly a patient man, but he means well, his trying to help you."
"I know I was just frustrated that I couldn't do even one small gust, so I just vented my anger at him." She felt ashamed.
"Try me and see how much I get tangled up in your shenanigans, if you think he has the most patience." Minato recalls the number of times Korra mischievous antics had him dragged.
"I get it, so how about the trip to the arena" She wanted somewhere to blow steam.
XXX
Korra and Minato walked in to see a depressed Bolin sitting on a bench as Mako leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
"We… We didn't miss your match, did we? You guys look like you lost already." Korra said
"We might as well have." Bolin sighed. Before Mako snorted.
"Ashook's a no-good no-show."
"Wow, what a shocker. Probably because Mako got on his nerves and he decided to resign to get even with him." Minato stated.
"Get off my back."
"See"
A referee came in and looked at them. "You've got two minutes to come out."
"Well, there goes our shot at the championship," Mako sighs before Korra speaks up.
"Well, why don't I help? I'm a top-notch water bender." Bolin looked up at her in surprise.
"But you're the Avatar... Wouldn't that be cheating?"
"It's not cheating if I only use water bending." She replied, making Mako shake his head.
"No way. I'd rather forfeit than look like a fool out there."
Korra deadpanned at him. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
Bolin, then look at Minato Arisato.
Minato already knows why he's going to say, "No, before you ask, I'm not a bender. Just because I read the rules doesn't mean I can do pro bending."
"Sorry, seeing how confident you are, I thought you were a bender." Bolin tried not to make it cringe.
"That means he is useless," Mako snaps at Minato.
"Say that again!" Korra didn't like how Mako was insulting her childhood friend.
"Korra knows not the time," Minato quickly tried to calm her down.
The ref . Came back inside the room. "Time's up. Are you in or out?"
"We're in." She's doing this out of spite.
"Hey, I didn't agree to this," Mako said as she picked up some gear.
Minato spoke."Well, it's preferable to giving up. In this manner, the opposing teams won't claim that you simply gave up on the game." As Korra left for a different room to change.
"She's crazy," Mako said, face-palming.
"Yeah, she is. You get used to it, though."
XXX
Everyone was in the arena, ready for the match.
"Players!" shouted the referee. "Are you ready?" He blew his whistle, and the bell rang.
Korra acted instantly. Bending the water with her foot, she threw it at the opposing waterbender, sending him to the waters below. "Woohoo, man overboard!"
Then the referee blew his whistle: Fire Ferret Waterbender, penalty! Move back one zone!"
"What? Why?" she demanded.
"You're only allowed to knock players off the back of the ring! Not over the sides!" Mako told her in an angry whisper.
"Oh…whoops."
"Don't worry, it's just the start of the match." Minato shouted
The bell rang again, and the commentator began. "And we're back in action after that hiccup, but I don't think this replacement player knows what she's doing."
Korra was doing her best to participate in the match, but it was like the opposing team knew that she was a rookie and targeted her. She tried to flip up into the air, shooting a glob of water. But when she landed, her foot went past the zone line, and the buzzer sounded.
"Foul!" the referee called after blowing his whistle. "Over the line! Move back to Zone Three!"
Now she was getting frustrated. "I'll show you over the line!" she moved back. Her teammates watched and sighed.
The bell soon rang, and with the positioning of Korra, it was obvious who the victors were. But still, the commentator had to declare it. "The Platypus Bears take round one!"
The bell rang again, and the opposing team knew where to throw their bending. "The Platypus Bear knows a green player when they see one, and they're focusing the brunt of their bending on this poor girl!"
"This is getting really annoying!" Korra thought to herself as she tried to dodge and return fire. But she was still new to all of this, and the opposing team was targeting her.
When she saw fire, earth, and water flying right at her, she reacted on instinct and reached for the nearest bendable object, which happened to be a disc slot near her. Two discs popped out and floated in the air before, acting as shields against the triple attack.
"Wait a minute, did that Waterbender just Earthbend?" the commentator was confused
"Oh great now they know" Minato face palmed that Korra wasn't careful using her bending.
The action made everyone in the crowd draw in a gasp of surprise. The referee quickly blew his whistle. "Foul…I think."
Korra could grin sheepishly knowing the secret was out " At least it could get any worst"
Air Temple Island
"Hold on, folks; we're just waiting for the referee's official call, but... I think this replacement player could be... No, there's no way!"
Tenzin came up to the guards. "Pardon me, everyone, have you seen Korra this evening? She's not in her room?"
The commentator suddenly cried. "You've got to be kidding me! She's the Avatar, folks, playing in a pro-bending match!" The guards were stunned to hear this. "Can you believe this?"
As Tenzin listened, his eyes began to twitch, and his head turned red like steam. "I'll get her
myself!"
After what felt like a long couple of minutes, the referee came back. "The Avatar will be permitted to continue so long as she solely bends water!" he declared, making the Ferrets sigh in relief while the Platypus Bears complained.
The bell rang again as the match started. "This girl might be the Avatar, but she's no Pro-Bender, and the Platypus Bears are intent on exploiting that weakness!" Korra was being pushed back to the edge of Zone One. "They're giving her their best, and her best ain't good enough to stop it!" As she tried to block the barrage of Bending being thrown at her, Korra couldn't hold it and was sent flying over the edge of the ring. "Aaaaand she's in the drink."
Minato, who was watching this, was no surprise, as Korra was trained to use her bending in combat, and Pro Bending is different as it has rules that she needs to follow and limits the usage of her bending.
She was swimming as she reached the platform and climbed up out of the water. But she stopped when she saw a familiar face. "Oh, hey, Tenzin!" she said nervously. "I thought you didn't like coming to these matches."
"Once again, you have flagrantly disobeyed my orders. You were supposed to stay on the island! Let's go," he ordered.
"No! I'm kind of in the middle of something."
"I have tried my very best to get through to you by being gentle and patient, but clearly the only thing you've responded to is force! So I am ordering you to come back to the temple right now!"
"Why? So I can sit around and meditate on how bad I am at airbending? You know, I'm beginning to think that there's a reason I haven't been able to learn it! Because, maybe, I don't even need it!" she told him.
"What? That is a ludicrous suggestion! The Avatar needs to learn about airbending! It's not optional!"
"No! This is what I need to learn!" she exclaimed, gesturing back at the ring. "Modern styles of fighting!"
"Being the Avatar isn't all about fighting, Korra! When will you learn that?"
She had had enough of this conversation, seeing that it wasn't going to go anywhere. "I have a match to finish."
As she went upwards, the bell rang, and the announcer said, "The Platypus Bears win round two!" Tenzin walked away from the platform and went back up into the stands, looking for a way out, when the announcer cried out, "Round three!" and the bell rang.
The Platypus Bears started throwing their arrows at the Ferrets, and their plan soon became obvious. "The Platypus Bears come out of the gate and quickly go after the Ferret brothers! They're corralled, wedged on the edge of Zone One, unable to come to the Avatar's rescue! And boy does she need it!"
Tenzin looked back at the ring and watched as Korra knocked back two zones. He covered his eyes and groaned slightly at the sight. "It looks like Avatar's pro-bending debut is about to be cut short! She's been pushed back to Zone Three, and water is calling her name!"
When she saw a disc coming right at her, she spun out of its way, letting it pass and allowing her to get a more firm footing. She realized what kind of move she had used, and Tenzin's words came back to her.
"Airbending is all about spiral movements; when you meet resistance, you must be able to switch directions at a moment's notice."
She thought to herself before turning back to the ring and moving into a beginning Airbender stance. "Be the leaf."
"It's only a matter of time before..." the commentator began before seeing how Korra now moved. "Hold on to the phone! Stop the presses! She's still in the game, folks! And she's moving like an entirely different player! All of a sudden, the Platypus Bears' strikes are only striking air!"
Tenzin watched more intently now, seeing how she moved like she was supposed to in the gates. None of the opposing team's bending struck her. Whenever one got close, she would simply turn away from it. "How about that?"
"Keep it up, Korra!" Minato shouts to encourage her to notice Tenzin.
The Platypus Bears wore themselves out going after The Avatar. "The Platypus Bears have no juice left, but Mako and Bolin are still fresh and juicy!" The brothers, no longer pinned in the corner, came back at the opposing team with vengeance.
The three of them started driving the Platypus Bears back. Since they had no energy left to fight back, all the opposing team could do was try and defend themselves until the bell rang. They struck hard and fast, pushing each member of the Platypus Bears back harder and harder until the last one was sent flying out of the ring courtesy of water from Korra.
The commentator cried as the bell rang. "Knockout! The Fire Ferrets come from way behind and steal the win! What an upset, folks! The rookies, Avatar in tow, have nabbed a place in the memorial championship tournament! I cannot believe it!"
Korra just stood there, listening to the roar of the crowd as they cheered on her team. She went over to Bolin, and they exchanged high-fives. But the best part for her was when Mako came over and said, "Korra, what can I say? You really came alive in that last round. The way you dodged their attacks, you are a natural."
"Thanks, but I can't take all the credit. Someone else taught me those moves, and I'll have to apologize to Tenzin," she thought to herself.
Minato came to see the team. "So what do you think I have skills for?" Korra declared proudly.
"You do have skills naturally," Minato just smiled.
"Hey, come on guys!" Bolin said, grabbing the trio by the shoulder and pulling them into a group hug. "Let's go and celebrate!"
"That sounds like a good idea," Mako agreed with a small smile on his face. They started walking back to their locker room, leaving the cheering crowd behind them.
Air Temple Island
Tenzin was watching as the Air Acolytes rebuilt the gate contraption. Korra was walking along with Minato after their victory celebration " I leave you two alone" knowing what she had to do as she walk straight towards Tenzin.
Korra apologized "I'm really sorry, About everything I said. I was really frustrated with myself and I took it out on you."
"I think I owe you an apology, too, I was trying to teach you about patience, but I lost mine." he replied.
"No hard feelings?" she offered hopefully.
"Of course not, By the way, you were really good out there. You moved just like an Airbender!"
"Wait…you stayed and watched?"
"I did." He had even done a little victory shout when he saw the knockout, only to stop when he realized that other people had been watching. "Pro-bending turned out to be the perfect teaching tool for you."
They smiled warmly at one another, "I'll see you tomorrow, bright and early!" Korra told him as she started jogging away. "And, by the way, I kinda permanently joined the Fire Ferrets and we're playing the memorial tournament in a couple of weeks!"
Tenzin just sigh. Feeling a migraine coming
"Welcome to my world" As Minato was there.
Thou Art I… And I am Thou…
Thou Has Establish a New Bond
It Brings Thee Towards a Future
Thou Shalt Be Blessed When Creating
Personas of The Emperor Arcana…
It was again the voice in his head, he thought, and it kept happening. He remembered hearing the same voice when he was growing up with Korra and pushed it aside, thinking he was hallucinating. What does it mean.
In Tarot readings, the Magician Arcana is commonly associated with action, initiative, self-confidence, immaturity, manipulation, and power. While Emperor r symbolizes the desire to control one's surroundings, and its appearance could suggest that one is trying too hard to achieve this, possibly causing trouble for others, some elements in life are just not controllable.
Anyway, Minato met Hiroshi Sato and became fast friends with the man, learning about the corruption within the Republic City and how it was akward. And Korra joins Pro-bending Leagua. And of course, Mako, the broody one, didn't want to make friends. And Bolin friendly in the group.