Sa Show Time Da!
While music played from the radio on the table, the three Fire Ferrets were practicing their bending skills in anticipation of tonight. It was the finals, and they were going up against the champions. They needed to be at the top of their game.
The Fire Ferrets are using the Tahno picture as target practice.
"You are listening to the 'Music Hour, brought to you by Cabbage Corp., Republic City's trusted name in technology for over fifty years," the radio host announced.
"Man, I got a good feeling about tonight; I don't care if we are the underdogs. We can take those pompous wolfbats."
"It's going to be our toughest match ever, but I think you're right." Mako agreed
"Introducing your new champions, the fantastic Fire Ferrets!" declared Bolin, imitating the ringside announcer they all knew as he gave Mako a hug.
"All right, you three, save the celebration after you win first," Minato said.
All of a sudden, the music turned off and a familiar voice began to speak. "Good morning, citizens of Republic City. This is Amon".
The four of them stopped what they were doing and turned to look at the radio.
"I hope you all enjoyed last night's pro-bending match, because it will be the last. It's time for this city to stop worshipping bending athletes as if they were heroes. I am calling on the Council to shut down the Bending Arena and cancel the finals, or else there will be severe consequences." Then everything was silent, knowing the entire city heard the threats.
"That guy's got some nerves," Bolin said.
"You think the Council will give in?" Mako asked Korra.
"I'm not waiting to find out. We need to get to City Hall."
City Hall
Korra led the charge into the council room, pushing the doors open loudly. "Korra, you shouldn't be here," Tenzin said, standing up from his seat as he was surprised. She barged in unannounced. "This is a closed meeting."
"As the Avatar and a Pro-bender, I have a right to be heard," as she and the rest of the Fire Ferrets came forward. "You can't cancel the finals."
"I know winning the memorial tournament means a lot to you, but as far as I'm concerned, we need to shut the arena down."
"What about the rest of you?" She asked, looking at the rest of the council, specifically the Northern Water Tribe representative. "Tarrlok, there's no way you're backing down from Amon, right?"
"Actually, Tenzin and I agree for once."
"The Council is unanimous. We're closing the arena." Tenzin declared.
"No!" Mako said.
"You can't!" Bolin protested.
Korra was surprised by Tarrlok's answer. "I don't understand. I thought you, of all people, would take a stand against Amon."
"While I am still committed to bringing that lunatic to justice, I will not put innocent lives at stake just so you and your friends can play a game."
Mako stepped forward. "Pro-bending might only be a game to you, but think of what it means to the city! Right now the arena is the one place where benders and non-benders gather together... in peace! To watch benders-!"
"Beat each other up! In peace! It's an inspiration to everyone!" Bolin spoke up.
"I appreciate your naive idealism, but you're ignoring the reality of the situation," Tarrlok explained.
"The reality is that if you close the arena, you let Amon win!" Korra protested.
"Yes, exactly what she said!" Bolin agreed, "Yes!"
"I'm sorry, but our decision has been made." He picked up his gavel. "This meeting is adjourned."
But before he could swing the gavel down, a metal cable flew out of the doorway and struck it, breaking the gavel. All heads turned to see Lin Beifong standing at the door. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with the Avatar."
"You do?" Tarrlok asked her.
"Yeah, you do?" Korra was surprised.
Lin said, pointing to the only Airbender. "I expected this kind of cut-and-run from Tenzin, but the rest of you?" She snorted, "Come on, show a little backbone. It's time that the Benders of this city displayed some strength and unity against these Equalists."
"We must prevent the conflict between benders and non-benders from escalating into an all-out war! The Council is not changing its position, Lin." Tenzin protested.
"Now just for a moment, Tenzin, let us hear what our esteemed Chief of Police has in mind."
"If you keep the arena open, my metalbenders and I will provide extra security during the championship match. There's no better way to deal with the chi-blockers. Our armor is impervious to their attacks." Lin told them all from where she stood beside the Fire Ferrets
"Are you saying that you will personally take responsibility for the safety of the spectators in the arena?" he asked in such a way that Tenzin looked at him with a suspicious look.
"I guarantee it," she answered.
"Minato, what is your opinion about the situation?" Tenzin questioned him. Minato, more than anybody else in this room, possesses both insight and expertise that could assist them in resolving their dilemma.
Everyone was startled that Tenzin, of all people, would seek guidance from a stranger, particularly the Avatar's unofficial bodyguard. Korra was shocked by Tenzin's growing faith in her childhood friend.
Minato stated to consider and gave him his opinion: "It's the worst situation, as we all know, a lot of funding and investment is invested with the championship, especially sponsors from other businesses, like Cabbage Corp. and future industries."
"This is also the final championship for Pro-Bending. Everyone in Republic City wanted to see the underdog face off against the defending champion; they had already purchased tickets, and the anticipation was tremendous."
"If we cancel, the public would be outraged and lose trust towards the council, and it's government knowing they couldn't deal with a bunch of terrorists, and Amon would proclaim that the council are cowards to even act, thus gaining more followers."
"But if we open the arena and play the championship normally, everyone will be happy, but we will be playing in Amon's hands." He wants to show the world that he has both support and power for his revolution.
"He is also not stupid enough to harm civilians; if NB and benders are among the crowd, he will lose public trust and may as well be called a tyrant." Amon must have some sort of game strategy that will give him an advantage, and the tournament is his stage."
"Either war is a no-win situation," Minato concluded his statement.
Everyone was quiet and pondered carefully what the stranger said; everything had logical answers. Some accepted the solution, but Mako and Bolin did not, fearing all they had worked so hard for would be worthless due to Minato's knowledge and Amon's threats.
"His right, if we cancel the pro-bending tournament, we would lose public trust, and Amon would use it to his advantage." The chief of police could see the problem of losing people's support and trust.
"We are at the edge of a knife. Lin Amon wanted this; he wanted us to play his game." Tenzin agreed that Amon wanted the arena open.
"Unless there's a third option, I want to hear," Lin asked anyone.
Nobody said anything until Tarlok decided to speak. What Mr. Arisato said is true; it's a no-win scenario, but if Chief Beifong's is confident her elite officers can protect the arena, then she has my support. I am changing my vote. Who else is with me?" he asked the council. Tenzin was the only one who kept his hand down. "The Arena stays open. Good luck in the finals."
"All right!" cheered Bolin as he jumped up and down.
"Yeah!" said Mako as he fist-pumped the air.
Korra was quiet hearing her childhood friend's logic deduction; she couldn't help but agree; even though she was new to pro-bending, the lives of innocent people took priority; plus, she couldn't avoid it; something was going to happen.
But seeing her team happy, she brushed aside those negative feelings.
"And good luck to you, Chief Beifong," Tarrlok remarked. But everyone knows it was sarcasm.
"A word, please." . Tenzin called her once they were a good ways apart. "Tarrlok's playing you, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
XXX
"I know what I'm doing and the risks that come with it."
"In that case, I'm going to be by your side during the match."
"You don't need to babysit me," she was annoyed.
"It's for Korra; I want to make sure that she stays safe," was Tenzin's excuse.
She threw up her hands in anger. "Do what you want! It's not like I've ever been able to stop you before."
Minato came to meet Tenzin. "I'm sorry, I can't be of any help." Minato apologized that he couldn't think of ways to stop Amon.
Tenzin put his hand on Minato's shoulder. "No, you did enough; whatever path we took, Amon would still win." Even Tenzin had to agree that whatever they did, Amon would still win.
Minato looks at the police chief and says, "I also would like to apologize the other day for being reckless, Chief Beifong."
Lin was surprised that someone would apologize; usually they are too proud to say anything. "I like this kid, both smart and polite."
Even Tenzin was surprised that Lin accepted someone's apology.
Then Korra appeared, approaching the group. The mood turned sour. "Excuse me, Chief Beifong," she tried to greet the metalbender. "I wanted to thank you for your help. It means a lot."
Korra watched as she disappeared from sight. "What is her deal? Even when she's on my side, she's against me!"
"I've known Lin since we were children," Tenzin said, trying to smooth talk. "She's always been challenging."
"What did your father do to make her hate the Avatar so much?" Korra wondered
"My father and Lin got along famously; I'm afraid her issues... are with me."
Korra then realized something. "Wait a second, it all makes sense now!" pointing in different ways. "You and Beifong, Beifong and you!"
"So that explains the cold shoulder treatment and familiarity between the two of them," Minato realized.
"You two were a couple!"
"What?! How—" Tenzin began, looking around to see if they were alone. "Where did you get that idea?"
"Your wife," Korra pointed at Tenzin like a cat caught a canary.
"Criminy I'll have to have a word with her."
She folded her arms and looked right at him. "So… Pema stole you from Beifong. I'm surprised our 'esteemed Chief of Police' didn't throw her in jail."
"That does sound like something she would do," Minato acknowledged. Hell no wrath like a woman scorned.
"Oh, she tried," Tenzin told them both.
Tenzin reminisced "Anyway, Pema didn't steal me; Lin and I had been growing apart for some time. We both had different goals in li-. Why am I even telling you two this?!" He suddenly stopped as he realized that he was about to share his life story. "It all happened a long time ago, and we have moved past it."
"Hm, apparently, Beifong hasn't," Korra said, feeling smug.
"What do you..." he tried to deny. "Of course she has! Anyway, this is none of your business!" He turned around and started walking away from the two kids.
"See you at home, Mr. Heartbreaker!" Korra just chuckled that she had just got dirt on Tenzin.
Minato just sighs, "Do you have to tease Tenzin? Might I remind you about the other day?" The bluenette reminded Korra about how both of them were similar.
Korra pouted, "All right, I get you don't need to rub it beside, think of it as payback for all the grueling and boring lessons I had to endure."
"You're such a child," Minato pinches his nose at her immature.
"Thank you. I take that as a compliment."
Pro-bending Arena
An hour later, the lights in the stadium were on and the stands surrounding the ring were full of people ready to watch the finals.
The commentator announced for all those who couldn't be in the stadium and were listening to a radio. Knowing this is must to be seen and heard.
"The anticipation is palpable as we are just moments away from the championship match, Will the Wolfbats' ferocity help them repeat as champs? Or will the underdog Fire Ferrets serve up a surprising bowl of smackdown soup?"
XXX
"Now, I know there's a large crowd, but don't be nervous. You're going to be great. I believe in you," the earthbender told the ferret, who was just confused.
But let's get to the match! Introducing the challengers, the Future Industries Fire Ferrets!" he announced for all to hear and applause.
Asami, who was sitting in a private booth alongside her father, caught Mako's eye and blew him a kiss. He winked at her and sent her one in return, which made Korra want to gag again.
As they entered the ring, Bolin whispered at Pabu, "You're on, Pabu.". The ferret hopped down to the ring, landing on his front paws, and then did some backflips, twice through a disc Bolin had bent up, and then landed on one paw.
"Yes! Nailed it!" as they got polite clapping from the audience.
The lights suddenly went out. "And their opponents, the three-time defending champions, the White Falls Wolfbats!" pointing to the other side of the ring.
Tahno and the other Wolfbats appeared in full-on costumes, wearing Wolfbat heads and capes designed like wings. Throwing the capes back to show the wings, they howled to the crowd amidst fanfare and fireworks.
"They got nothing on us, buddy. Anyone can howl." He howled a little, but it sounded rather pathetic. "Whatever,"
Tahno took his mask and cape off dramatically, making Korra scowl at him. "I'm going to knock Tahno's stupid hair off his stupid face!" pounding her fist into the other hand. Also, she wants to payback that guy who made her skin crawl.
"The champs and the challengers face off at the center line, and here we go!"
The bell rang, and the wolfbats charged forward. "Tahno tries to clean the Avatar's clock with some dirty water boxing," Korra backed and dodged to avoid a fist to the face. Tahno struck again with a blast and sent her backwards into Zone Two.
Mako tried to go after Earthbender, but with no success. "Ming shakes off Mako's attack and returns the favor." The wolfbat threw three discs at Mako. The Firebender tried to block them and hold his ground, but the third one sent him over the line as well, leaving his brother the only one in Zone One. "Shaozu gets fancy, But Bolin ricochets a disk off the ropes and says, 'No thank you, sir!'
The aforementioned disc slammed into Shaozu's back as he landed and sent him crashing into the other side of the ring and falling to the ground.
"Nice shot!" Mako told his brother as their fans cheered.
Tahno saw his teammate go down and decided to retaliate.
"The Waterbenders slug it out, looking evenly matched," Tahno and Korra dueled. But then the Wolfbat of the two Benders suddenly changed targets. "Tahno gets a little too worked up and unleashes a deluge on Bolin that would certainly elicit a foul."
"The ref didn't whistle or call foul. But instead, the Wolfbats got the green light to advance. "Or apparently not," the commentator remarked as the Ferret fans booed.
Mako shouted up at the referee, "What's the big idea, ref? That was a hosing foul!" But the referee just waved it off.
"And the Wolfbats advance despite Tahno exceeding the Waterbending time limit. A questionable call by the officials."
"Ming trips up Mako with another dirty trick." The Wolfbat Earthbender bends a disc upward from the Ferrets' side, right under Mako's foot. It offset the Firebender's balance, and he pounced on that, sending him flying back to Zone Three with another disc.
"Oh, come on, refs! There was some funny business in that last play!" Tenzin shouted of the foul play.
"Wouldn't have guessed you knew the rules of pro-bending." Lin was amused that Tenzin of all people knew the rules.
"I've been brushing up on the rules. That Wolfbat blatantly bent a disc outside of his zone."
Minato, who was watching not far from Tenzin, and Lin agreed with what Tenzin said. He couldn't do anything but watch the unfairness playing. He had done some research, and it seems the Wolfbats bribed the officials and cheated to win.
"The Ferret brothers are back up into Zone Three, and the Wolfbats smell blood," the commentator remarked as the Wolfbats pressed to their advantage.
Tahno went in low with Shaozu right behind him, throwing water onto the ring floor at Bolin, who did a little hop to avoid it. But when he landed, he found that the water had turned into ice, and he had slipped. That was when Shaozu struck and hit him with a blast of fire that sent him over the edge.
"Looks like Tahno snuck in an illegal icing move, but once again there's no call. I don't know what match the refs are watching, but it's obviously not this one."
Both Korra and Mako tried to hold onto Zone Two. But as Korra tried to block a disc from Ming, Tahno struck with a blast of water. "Ooh, a splash-and-clash sends the Avatar to Zone Three as well."
They all threw their bending at Korra, and. Mako forced them to the edge and finally. "It's a knockout!" the commentator announced as the bell rang and the Wolfbats won.
"The Wolfbats won the championship for a fourth year in a row." He came to an abrupt halt when he realized something. "Hold on for a second, folks! Scratch that! The Ferrets are still alive, but just barely."
Korra was still holding onto the ring with her other hand and her team with the other. Knowing full well that her grip was about to go, she began swinging him back and forth to get some momentum. Once she had it, she threw Mako upwards while falling to the water below.
Mako landed on top and, taking advantage of a blast of fire right at Tahno back, sent him back into Zone One. "What an unbelievable move! These Ferrets aren't just bending the elements; they're bending my mind!" the commentator declared while Mako winked at Tahno, who was twitching . "The underdogs survive to see Round Two."
XXX
The Fire Ferrets called a timeout for a last minute huddle. "What's wrong with these refs?" Korra demanded.
"They've been paid off. It's the only explanation. Someone wants us to lose." Mako said.
"If the Wolfbats are going to fight dirty, then so should we."
"No, we can't! The refs have it out for us. If we're going to win this thing, it has to be fair and square."
She was disappointed. "That's no fun, but... all right." But I knew Mako was right.
"Round two!" cried the announcer as the bell sounded and the match began again.
"The opening salvo is a brutal call as both sides give it their all."
After Korra blocked a blast of water from Tahno, she tried to move to attack. But when she found that her foot wouldn't move, she looked down to see that it was covered in ice. "But once again, Tahno sneaked in a little ice to get the upper hand." He sent her flying back to Zone Two.
Shaozu went after Mako. "Wowzers!" the commentator cried as he watched the return fire make Mako jerk his head one way and then another. "Those look like illegal headshots to me!"
Shaozu pressed his advantage and pushed Mako back into Zone Two.
"Round two will be decided with a tiebreaker!" the ringside announcer announced.
They gathered in the center circle while the referee in charge of the coin flipped it. "The Fire Ferrets win the coin toss!" he announced to the stadium before asking the Ferrets, "Which element do you choose?"
"I'm taking this one," she came forward as she wanted some payback. "Let's go! You and me, pretty boy!" She challenged Tahno.
"Thought you'd never asked." They both stood on the circle while the others backed off. As the circle rose up into the air and became its own platform, they took their stances and began pacing against each other. "Come on, little girl," "Give me your best shot," he told her cockily.
Korra had done a one-two combo with a punch and then a kick, getting him right when he wasn't expecting it. As he fell off the platform with his helmet off.
"Hmph, chump," Korra declared smugly.
"Round two goes to the Fire Ferrets!" the ringside announcer declared while she got off the platform and went back to her teammates.
"Nice one," Mako said to her as they high-fived one another.
"That's the stuff," "You're my herooo-ah!" Bolin told her.
"We might actually win this thing!"
"Then let's keep going!" Korra told the two of them.
"Let's send them to a watery grave!" he declared. This time he was tired of playing nice.
XXX
Lin just watched the tiebreaker happen from where she stood in the stands. "I can't believe your sweet-tempered father was reincarnated into that girl. She's tough as nails."
"Reminds me of someone else I knew at that age. You two might get along if you would only give her a chance." She just averted her eyes and snorted in response. Since it was just the two of them, she wanted to ask something.
"Tenzin, who is Minato Arisato."
"Who" the air nomad trying to play ignorant
"Don't act dumb in front of me. Having worked in law enforcement for decades, I checked records for that youngster and discovered that he neither existed nor was born, and the paper I came across is a forgery. Good forgery. Only someone like you could pull it off." The chief of police was anxious about the unknown, particularly the boy.
Tenzin took a deep breath, knowing his ex was about to find out as he detailed how Korra met Minato and how they were childhood friends and her unofficial protector. "At first I didn't trust him, but he gave me something even though I couldn't find a friend that she could trust and share her troubles with."
Lin learns that there was an event in which someone attempted to kidnap the Avatar, but their intentions failed, and as a result, Korra was forced to live under observation for her own safety, as they claim.
"That I can agree with, but you still need to tell her about Zahir; she needs to know." The man might be a none-bender, but that doesn't make him dangerous.
"You know she's not ready; she's still too reckless and immature."
"Even so one thing I learned about secrets: it won't remain a secret; it always comes out one way or another."
"One round apiece: who wants it more?" When the bell rang, the wolfbats attacked viciously. "The wolfbats fly out of the gate, swinging with bad intention. The challengers are showing a lot of heart, but the champs are really starting to find their rhythm now. Can the Ferrets hang in there with the best, especially when the best are frankly getting a little help from the refs? It's all down to this final round!"
Even the commenter knew the ref were brided.
After being hit by the disk, Korra is narrowly missed by another. She launches her own water blast at Tahno, who blocks it. "It's all down to this final round!" Mako sends out multiple quickfire blasts.
"Mako is leaving it all in the ring!" Ming launched a disk forward before bending up another to bring it behind his back. "But it looks like Tahno and Ming are up to more shenanigans!" Ming breaks the disc into Tahno's water, and Tahno's water bends the broken disc into three blasts, quickly knocking Bolin and Mako off the arena.
Korra is hit by the water and manages to stay grounded until the rocks reach her and knock her off the arena. "Oh, this has gone too far! That water had rocks in it!"
"Knockout!"
"Well, folks, it's a controversial call, but the Wolf Bats notched a nasty knockout to win the match! For the fourth year in a row, they'll be crowned tournament champions."
Tahno smiled as he removed his helmet. "I barely broke a sweat! Anybody else wanna scrap with the champs?"
XXX
Someone was standing right behind Lin, someone with a hood over their head, a mask covering the bottom of their face with the symbol of the Equalists, and some type of glove on his hand.
Tenzin noticed, "Look out!" He tried to warn Lin but it was too late. The equalist went up to her and struck her with his gloved hand., shocking her into unconsciousness. Tenzin blasted the attacker away with his bending but was struck in the back by another equalist.
They weren't the only ones who were being attacked. The police officers who were watching the game from the entrances were being attacked from behind, unable to react in time to avoid being struck.
Minato quickly tried to help Tenzin and Lin, but he was attacked, and the assassins almost struck him from behind. With quick reflexes, he was able to dodge, and Judo threw the assassins. 'They were well prepared', Minato, though seeing the new weapons, it was designed to fight metal benders because metal conducts electricity, and it was a bad combination.
He was surrounded as the equalists closed in on him, then one of them that was hiding among the crowds attacked him with a shock glove. He heard glass cracking.
Minato could feel his body being electrocuted; despite the pain, he bent his knee and continued to resist. "Hit him again!" one of the equalists yelled, shocking him a second time. As he was now four on the floor and still resisting.
Until he was grabbed by the two people facing them.
"We know who you are, traitor!" as he was hit in the gut.
"A bender-loving scum, you make me sick," he exclaimed in amazement and sorrow.
"You know what we do to traitors"
One of them approached Minato and shock him with the words, "For equality."
The next one struck him on the chest: "For equality." This lasted until they were satisfied.
XXX
Meanwhile, Korra and her teammates were catching their breaths after being thrown by the wolfbats. They looked up at the stadium and saw arcs of lightning dancing all around. "What?" Korra was unsure of what was going on.
Standing there, right before them, was the lieutenant holding his shock sticks. Korra realized instantly what he was going to do and tried to bend water at him. But he had electrified his clubs and stuck them in the water, making the trio scream as they were shocked into unconsciousness.
The commentator reported through the microphone seeing something happening in the stadium: "Folks, there is some kind of electrical disturbance in the stands; Metalbender cops are dropping like bumbleflies! There appear to be masked members of the audience wielding strange devices on their hands."
"One of them is in the booth with me right now, folks! He is leveling one of those glove devices at me now, and I believe he is about to electrocute me. I am correctly wetting my pants!" He was electrocuted, but you have to admit he was committed to his job.
The Wolfbats, still standing in the ring, could only look around at the stadium in confusion, not sure of what was happening. Then the sound of the center circle coming up made them turn around and see Amon standing there with the Equalists at his side. "
"What's going on here, ref?" Tahno demanded
"I don't know!" the ref shouted back.
"Alright, you want a piece of the Wolfbats? Here it comes!" He took his stance and quickly threw a wave of water at the leader of the Equalists. His teammates followed suit and attacked.
But they were outmatched, and the Equalists easily took them down. The Equalists dragged the captured pro-bending team in front of Amon.
Tahno heard about Amon being able to take someone bending away and knowing what makes him special could be taken. "Wait, please don't do this! I'll give you the championship pot. I'll-I'll give you anything; just please don't take my bending away!" he begged.
Amon raised his hand and then laid it on his forehead. He fell to the floor, unconscious, while Amon stood triumphantly over his body. His part done, the Equalists threw the wolfbats over into the water like garbage. Equalists' banners hung above the stands, showing their symbol proudly.
Korra saw another vision again. Visions of Aang and Toph standing together with metalbenders at their backs, visions of Aang sitting behind a confident-looking man, and visions of Aang being in the Avatar State, bending the air around him as he hovered over the same man in a street. "What…?" was all she could think about as she felt her back against the column.
Amon announced, holding the microphone. "I believe I have your attention, Benders of Republic City. So, once again, the Wolfbats would have been your pro-bending champions. It's fitting that you celebrate three bullies who cheated their way to victory because every day, you threaten and abuse your fellow nonbending citizens just like the Wolfbats did to their opponents tonight. Those men were supposedly the best in the bending world, and yet it only took a few moments for me to cleanse them of their impurity. Let this be a warning to all of you Benders out there: if any of you stand in my way, you will meet the same fate."
Amon changed his tone. "Now, to my followers: for years the Equalists have been forced to hide in the shadows, but now we have the numbers and the strength to create a new Republic City. I am happy to tell you that the time for change has finally come.
While Amon continued with his speech, the Fire Ferrets woke up and found themselves bound to the column. "How are we going to get out of here?" Mako asked the other two.
"Pabu!" the fire ferret came out of the water and hopped up onto his knee. "Listen up, buddy!" He began to chatter his teeth, telling the ferret what to do.
Both Korra and Mako gave him odd looks.
"Stop fooling around!" Mako soon became frustrated as the chatter went on.
"I'm not! I'm trying to save us!" Once he heard the chattering stop, Pabu leaned in and began chewing away at the rope. "See? Pabu isn't just a one-trick poodle pony." Korra and Mako couldn't help but smile at that.
Meanwhile, Amon was still talking to the crowd. "For centuries, benders have possessed an unnatural advantage over ordinary people. But thankfully, modern technology has provided us with a way to even the playing field. Now anyone can hold the power of a chi-blocker in their hands."
"My followers and I will not rest until the entire city achieves equality. The revolution has begun!" he declared, holding his fist in the air.
The glass dome above the ring had a hole blow open and several cables that fell to the ring. They came from an airship bearing the symbol of the Equalists. Amon and the Equalists being lifted out of the stadium.
"Tenzin!" Lin went to his side and kneeled down beside him.
But before they could do anything about it, an explosion ripped the ring apart, sending shockwaves.
"It's okay, Pabu. Just a little explosion," Bolin told the ferret. He chattered his teeth again to get it back into focus. "Keep chewing; you're almost through it!"
Pabu's finally chewed it. "Yes! Great job, buddy!"
Korra didn't waste any time once she was free. She ran to the water, freezing a short path before her so she could stand on it. Once she was actually on it, she looked up and saw that Amon and the other Equalists were leaving. "I'm going after Amon!" she told Bolin and Mako.
"Be careful!" Mako told her.
Korra jumps into the water and begins bending herself up in a massive water cyclone. Korra blasts towards the hole, but not enough for her to reach the ceiling. And begins to fall. Thankfully, Lin, using her wires, swings over and catches her.
Lin shoots Korra up and out of the arena, having her fire bend an Equalist off their rising platform and land on it. They are trying to escape. "Oh no, you don't!" Korra punches out a fireball at the airship as the fire blast knocks the Equalists back except for Amon, who simply looks on and walks away. In style.
Then she looked around at what was outside the arena and discovered how Amon was able to get an airplane over the glass dome. The boats and aircraft commanded by the police lay in the water surrounding the arena, completely destroyed.
Lin came up through the hole and saw the same level of destruction that the Avatar had seen. But she wasn't going down without a fight, even if the odds were against them.
Lin tried to swing up to one of the platforms with a cable of her own, but the Lieutenant struck her in the back with his shock sticks, making her go down. The other three Equalists there ran to his side, hoping to help him with his attack.
Korra saw what they were doing and went after them, knocking the first one down, then using him to go airborne, and taking out the other two, using her firebending on all three and also using it to knock the Lieutenant away from Lin.
When she landed on the dome again, she went after the man, bending a column of fire at him with a kick.
Lin shoots her cables toward two Equalists that ran to help in the fight and then spun them out of their way. Lin then twirls around, breakdance-style, to push herself to her feet. While spinning around, she bends the metal slabs under the two Equalists and catapults them away in opposite directions.
She turns to look at Amon's aircraft and fires a cable toward it. The cable wraps around a rope, and Lin pulls herself into the air towards the ship.
But Korra was falling after sending the Equalist flying; the glass started cracking and she fell down. Lin heard the scream and looked back down to see the Avatar falling.
She had to make a choice between apprehending Amon and saving Korra, and she chose to save the Avatar. She disconnected her cables from the airship cable while falling through the air.
She threw one cable at a banner to give her some balance and threw the other into the smoke. "Come on, kid, don't let me down now!" To her immense relief. Korra had grabbed on. The other cable began to slacken, and Lin could hear the banner tearing behind her.
Thinking quickly, she swung herself and Korra over to the stands and released the cables. They fell down to the stands and were safe.
Lin was the first to get back on her feet. "You all right?" she asked the Avatar, helping her up.
"I'm fine, thanks to you."
"Don't mention it, kid." They both turned their heads upward to see the Equalist aircraft flying away. "Looks like we lost this one," Lin stated.
Korra found herself quickly pulled into a hug by Mako. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"Me too!" Bolin gave them both a hug.
While they were happy to see one another, Lin was still staring up at the hole in the dome. "I can't believe Amon did this. I played right into his hand," she told him.
"He played us all," Tenzin said, turning to look down at the ruined ring. "Republic City is at war."
"Minato was right. Amon planned this, and he was well prepared. Like he said, Amon got what he wanted: a show." Lin couldn't believe he was playing in Amon's hands, and her overconfidence was her downfall.
"Wait? Where's Minato?" Korra was concerned; everyone turned around trying to find the Bluenette until Pabu jumped from Bolin's shoulder and urged the group to follow it.
"What is it?" Pabu, as they followed the ferret and saw the blunette was on the floor. His clothes were burned from the electric shock-emitting smocks and a few bruises as someone was kicking and punching him.
"Oh no," Mako said, shocked to see his friend in such a condition.
"My goodness, what happened to him?" Lin was shocked to see someone do this.
Tenzin was baffled by the brutality. "By the spirits."
Korra was paralyzed with shock at seeing her childhood friend in such conditions.
Bolin called her, "Korra, help him like you did with me."
"Yeah, Korra quickly bend some water and started to heal Minato as it seemed to work. Then Tenzin saw something in his coat and pulled it out to be a piece of paper with only one word written on it.
"Traitor," Lin read it out loud for all to hear.
"Are you telling me that the equalist beat up Minato because he's a traitor?" Bolin asked why someone would do such a thing.
"Yes, I've seen this many times in triads, especially the Agni Kai, who use the fire duel as a method to both make an example and execute traitors, but none survive." Lin has seen this scene numerous times in Republic City, particularly in the gray area.
"Why's that?" Blin doubted a duel would be considered an execution.
"Three versus one, you do the math," Lin boldly explained.
"Oh"
"But this concerns me with Amon declaring war, and those who are related to benders will suffer." Tenzin's wife, Pema, was a no-bender, and he loved her despite the fact that she would be labeled a traitor, which terrified him about what the equalists would do to her and others who had relationships with benders.
Nobody said anything as things got more complicated.
While everyone was discussing the dire situation, Korra, who was busy healing her childhood friend, began to notice unusual things. One is that the mending she administered to Minato's body glows green and heals much faster, while the other is that she saw a silhouette of a tiny human with wings for a split second before disappearing. Korra dismissed the possibility of another vision; treating Minato was more vital.
For the watch yeah the idea Minato get shock was from game of thrones , the though of him being a traitor. By the equalist similar to how Mutants whom are friends and family with the no power are branded as traitors.
Some of the Equalist had bad experience with benders and use Minato like a punching bag.