The world is not black and white but different shades of gray.

Chapter 13 Threats before the Storm.

Previously one Legend of 10

Heatblast flew high in the sky, having said what he needed to get off his chest he was ready to take on the world. Heatblast could see his regular abandoned building where he goes to train. He flew downward and landed on the ceiling.

He landed the fiery rock on the ceiling, which had a ginormous hole in it. Heatblast thankfully had the DNA lock on the entire time so he was going to enjoy this form for a while. He glanced across the horizon, only holding, hoping in his heart that he would be able to make this dream come true. Heatblast looks down at his hand, admiring the fire within, finally feeling worthy of it.

"I'm going to do things right Mom," Heatblast said with a determined voice.

"I am honored to meet such a noble spirit like you," A voice called out behind him. Heatblast spins around, raising his open par, ready to set up a blaze of who is going to try to attack him. Someone walked out of the shadows, an individual wearing a white mask with a red dot on the forehead. Une knew who this was for the leader of the equalist, standing right in front of him.

"So The rumors were true, spirits do appear in the non-bending ghettos. It is quite fortunate for my cause," Amon said calmly and collected.

"What do you want?" Heatblast asked.

"I want to talk," Amon said.

The Councilman Hall was in total disarray as the reporters took pictures of almost every inch of the place. The council members were all arguing amongst themselves. Opal and Mr. Shi watched as Tarrlok was scolded by his fellow council member. After having a grand banquet, Opal could see many people begin to leave with cheerful faces.

"Ube gave them a lot to think about," Opal said, seeing the disarray among the leaders.

"You're telling me, look at Tarrlok the guy in hot water, I've never seen the Firelord mad like that," Mr. Shi said.

"You two better get out here,"

Both of them turned to see Lin approach them. Opal quickly straightened herself up. She was not wanting to be seen as a slob in front of her aunt.

"Opal get back to the house, Shi I trust you know what to do and make sure my son gets home as well," Lin said sternly. Mr. Shi nodded and guided Opal away from the councilman's grounds.

"I'm sure things are only going to get crazy from here!" Mr. Shi called out. Lin silently agreed with that. This was an age in which spirits would lend a hand to people. However, something was quite off with the spirit of her. It's just that they seem so human compared to our worldly.

"Cheir we need you!" one of our officers called out. Lin was snapped out of her thought and ran over to the guard who called her. Yet was that night very special? The night where she found her son. Was she being watched that day by them?

"Ube we're going to need a serious talk when we get home," Lin thought. yet if her son had anything to do with this to break the law. She quickly shook off those slots. Her son was not causing any trouble. He was a good person who didn't lie. Even though a sense of doubt entered her mind. Maybe her son was becoming like her sister Sue.

Heatblast stood on top of his abandoned building. Staring at the leader of the equalist. He glared at the man seeing that ominous white mask he wore. It was strange to constantly see that face on posters but seeing it now, it was jarring to be described the best.

The masked man approached the spirit in disguise and gave a humble bow. He did not bend his knee, only meekly did it. Ube did take note of somebody who was trying to be so humble. Did carried his head high.

"Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Amon," He said in a modest tone, and yet to Ube he could hear that snake hiss in his voice.

"I was truly inspired by the speech you gave. I understand your pain as well to see that defenseless dying in the cold is a tragedy," He said. Heatblast was a bit surprised by the man's answer.

"Well uh thank you, I'm glad you could take something from it," Heatblast said then glanced at him with a weary glare. "I'm guessing you came here with more than just words,"

"You are just as Noble as you are smart, I came here with an offer to you, my hopeful new comrade in arms," Amon said. The masked man began to walk toward the edge of the building. Looking at the slums below.

"Look down there, you see everyday oppression, of the powerful over the week. The people who go hungry in the streets while the people who wield the elements are living in the towers up high," Amon said. Ube did agree that there was a gap between the poor and the rich, yet he felt that had nothing to do with bending. People could do anything if they put their minds to it.

"Bending is the true source of evil in this world, it is the single reason for every war that happens in this world," Amon said. Heatblast had to interrupt, for that was an incorrect, historical fact.

"That's wrong you know," Heatblast said.

Amon turned around and threw his eye holes. The young teenage hero could tell he was a bit surprised.

"I'm sorry," Amon said.

"Bending is not inherently evil, it is the people and their wrong choices that make evil," Heatblast said with great consideration. Amon cleared his throat and decided to continue his lecture.

"That is debatable," Amon said.

"It really isn't," Heatblast thought.

"Looking down at the streets, I understand that you look after these ghettos, a very kind action but with only ten spirits patrolling such large areas. The equalist can lend a hand and protect all the non-benders in this area," Amon glanced at Heatblast with his arm behind his back.

"I can help you in your goal to protect the helpless, so no one may go hungry again. you can see that this world has been corrupted by bending. That is why the week exists because of the benders who control the world and force them here," Amon said with a stream voice. "You can join me and bring equality to this world where the avatar has failed. I do know the pain of loss I have lost my father and mother to a fire bender and he scarred my face, I know I did it behind a mask, so will you join me and the glorious revolution to come,"

Amon thought that he had one over the spirits and that he had finally gained an advantage to possibly cure the world of this horrible disease, known as bending.

Heatblast had listened to every word that Amon said, and in his own words, to describe what he heard was complete utter baloney.

"Unfortunately I have to decline the offer, I just have a couple of complaints," Heatblast said.

"Complaints?" Amon asked in confusion like his words were wrong in some form. Which was impossible in his mind for he was always right.

"Well first off I do appreciate the offering hand but I feel like there's a knife in the other, not to mention, you're a whole equality stick, that kind of falls flat on its face when you realize you're trying to achieve it through persecution," Heatblast said in a thinking tone of voice. Amon was a bit stumped as the spirit wasn't falling for his words.

"Not to mention there are two reasons why you want me to join because you get more power and two you gain more followers because I'm with you," Heatblast then walked towards Amon towering over him.

"I'm not gonna support some radical terrorist group," Heatblast said in a strong tone of voice. "So with all due respect take your garbage and put it where it belongs, in the dump,"

Heatblast could see he struck a nerve, as he could see behind Amon's mask right into his eyes that they narrowed furiously.

"You are truly ignorant, I guess, seeing that woman died, never taught you anything," Amon said. Heatblast paused momentarily and glared at the masked man.

"What did you just say?" Heatblast asked.

"My cause is just and righteous, it seems that the spirits are even blinded to humanity's problems, and if you think about it. it was that mother's fault for relying so much on her bending, she died in that alleyway and irresponsibly left a child to get the police," Amon said in a cold tone of voice the air began to heat up as the fiery alien began to raise the temperature. Amon still held his head up high and unafraid.

"I know very well that spirits must remain neutral unless you're an evil spirit," Amon said smugly, then felt a swift hand grip the front of his gray uniform and pushed him off the side of the building. Where Heatblast's hand was still holding an iron grip on him.

Amon dangled like a fish on the hook over the building's edge.

"You must remain neutral!" Amon cried out. Behind his mask was fear. Heatblast narrowed his spirited eyes at the man.

"Well, I guess I'm gonna have to rewrite the rules because I'm giving you a warning, don't talk about matters that you don't even understand, got it," Heatblast said. Then from the shadows dozens upon dozens of equal soldiers wearing their green line goggles and black uniforms. All of them started to surround Heatblast twirling their bolas. Heatblast was unfazed and using his one hand, he tossed Amon back to the roof. The leader of the equalist stumbled and fell to the ground.

"I don't want to see you or any of your goons here again, these are good people, the last thing they need is some made-up power fantasy war," Heatblast said in an uncaring manner. Amon got up and furiously pointed at the alien.

"You are no spirit, you are a devil, and I am done talking to you," Amon said as he began to storm away. While he walked his guards slowly took a step back. Heatblast pointed a finger right at Amon's rear and shot a small spike of fire.

"OW!" Amon said as he jumped in pain. He glanced over his shoulder at a smirking Heatblast whose index finger.

"Don't let the door hit you on the way out," Heatblast said. Amon and his posse began to sneak away from his site.

"I can't believe that guy, sounds like a complete fruitcake not to mention the hate that mask is wearing," Heatblast thought. then another concerning idea had entered his mind that this area was completely compromised. People knew he was coming here and what's worse is that they could track him. He needed to find a new spot but another important matter was on his mind.

"Crap, I gotta get out of here before Mom kills me!" Heatblast thought as he flew up into the sky like a missile. flying into the night sky, admiring the stars above. Ube couldn't help but admire them but when he looked up all of his problems seemed to melt away, then in the grand scheme of things, the universe smiled upon him. While the path has been set some obstacles are destined to be met. Though the young hero felt like he was on cloud nine.

It was soon reaching midnight the sky outside began to get colder. Opal and Mr. Shi sat in Lins's living room. The two were waiting for Ube to come back.

Opal thought her cousin was off fighting crime and living the night. However, she did think it was rather tragic, as his birth mother died so tragically.

"I'm sorry for you Ube but you should be happy now, you still have a family that cares for you," Opal thought. Mr. Shi had a cup of tea in his hand and glanced at Opal.

"I say I'm quite surprised Lin let you live with her," Mr. Shi said, taking a sip of his tea. Opal held her down knowing the other major problem in her life. Why did her aunt despise her?

"Why does she hate me?" Opal asked out loud.

"It's not you she is mad at, that's probably your mother she hates, after what she did," Mr. Shi carelessly said. "Family drama all that stuff,"

"What do you mean?" Opal asked. Mr. Shi angrily shook his head towards himself.

"Me and my big mouth, look it's truly not my place to say, forget I said anything," Mr. Shi said. Opal had an expression of worry. What did her mother do to upset her sister this bad? Mr. Shi remembered the day that Lin walked into her shop with that scar across her face. Then the news of corporate getting only a slap on the wrist, made his blood pressure rise through the roof.

Mr. Shi then took a deep breath and glanced at Opal.

"If you want the truth then ask Lin, she explains everything, just be honest with her and ask from the heart, that's what matters," Mr. Shi said. Opal nodded and took his words to heart. While they waited Mr. Shi's eyes couldn't help but wonder at a collapsed hoverboard hiding away in Ube's room. The Reston owner oddly felt a sense of nostalgia from it.

"Opal, where did that come from?"

She turned to see the hoverboard sticking out like a sore thumb in her cousin's room. Opal awkwardly glanced back at Mr. Shi.

"Well if he knows about aliens, he might as well know about that little incident at the pro-bending games," Opal thought.

"Well, we were being attacked by these alien bounty hunters. I'm pretty sure you saw one of them try to attack us at your restaurant," Opal said.

Mr. Shi remembered the incident very well.

"Yeah, I remember that big metal crab," Mr. Shi said. "Still doesn't explain the hoverboard,"

"Oh sorry well you see, after a couple of scuffles, here, and there it turns out one of the bounty hunters was trying to help us, he said sometime in the future he would be coming back to help train Ube," Opal said wondering when that diamond alien would return.

"You didn't happen to get his name did you?" Mr. Shi asked.

"His name was Tetrax, he was a real nice guy," Opal said, then when she glanced at Kanto, she could see how hollow his eyes were with horror like he had heard the worst news in his life. Opal narrowed her eyes, seeing that the man was talking, but in a silent whisper.

.

.

.

"If he was here then Vilgax isn't far behind,"

.

.

.

Opal was confused at the name, it sounded alien, which could mean that the person he was talking about was from the stars, but how could Mr. Shi know something like that?

"Wait a minute, how could you know that was a hoverboard," Opal thought in surprise.

"Mr. Shi, who Vilgax?" She asked in confusion. The man was snapped out of his thousand-yard stare. Bringing her attention to Opal who quickly smiled at his employee.

"I didn't say anything, just a ramblings of an old man. Listen, I'm sure your cousin's gonna be back soon. I'll be out of your hair, also let him know that he has a shift tomorrow. It's very important," Mr. Shi said as began to head for the door. Opal was about to reach and call out to him but when she turned her head away just for a moment.

Mr. Shi was gone and out of the door. leaving a befuddled Opal with unanswered questions. She couldn't help but feel something was wrong like a storm

was coming. Then the bathroom window opened and then a loud thud rang out through the house. While a dim green light flashed around the corner.

The bathroom door opened showing a very tired Ube, who let out a big yawn.

"So how do you think I did?" He asked. Opal smiled and could only describe it in one word.

"You were spectacular, did you see the look on that councilman Tarrlok's face? It was hilarious," Opal said. Then leaped over giving her cousin a giant hug. celebrating the speech you gave. Ube glanced around the room seeing one face was missing from the group.

"Where Mr. Shi?" He asked. Opal let go and scratched the back of her head.

"He left in a hurry, he also said you have a shift tomorrow that you gotta take soon apparently," Opal said with a disconcerting look. Ube took notice and wanted to know what was wrong.

"Is something up, was my speech too aggressive?" Ube asked.

"No nothing like that is just, did you ever find Mr. Shi to be odd?" Opal asked.

"What do you mean?" Ube asked. Opal glanced at the hoverboard that was in her cousin's room.

"He knew what the hoverboard was. I didn't even say anything about it. It feels like every time I talk to him he's made of more questions than answers. I know he's a very good friend to you and your mother, but it feels like he's hiding something," Opal said in a weary tone of voice. Ube was always by his mentor's side yet it did bring up some questions he had inside of him, like how Mr. Shi knew he was an alien.

"I'm sure he means no harm. He's only helped us so many times. look how about when I go over to the restaurant tomorrow I'll ask him," Ube said. Opal nodded and agreed with her cousin. The man didn't seem like he was a monster or anything, but he was hiding the truth.

"Thank you, so what kept you so long I thought you'd be here at the house sooner you weren't posing on a building and doing a deep monologue were you," Opal asked with a raised eyebrow. Ube scoffed at that besides he only did that on Tuesdays.

"I wasn't not posing, I was late because that equalist guy with the mask wanted to talk with me," Ube said.

"Amon, isn't that guy said to be a bit of a crazy person," Opal said.

"Dude you don't even know the half of it he went on this entire rant of how we should work together and stop benders, I don't wanna sound mean, but the guy was a fruitcake," Ube said.

"That's crazy, You didn't accept any of his offers did you?" Opal said.

"Heck no I made sure he was never gonna come back to that ghetto again. I told him to knock it off. Then he and his goons just walked away," Ube said with a smirk. Opal structure, chin, thinking that this could've possibly been a bad situation to be in. How far from the newspaper she read all the equalists were sort of protesters more than terrorists.

"Well, I think, you made the right choice. I agree there is a gap between benders and non-benders, but the tactics I've read about and ideas that these equalists have don't seem right to me," Opal said with a stern face. Ube agreed and not at his head.

"Yeah I get that deeper than you know, but hate to solve hate, only makes more hate," Ube said.

"Wise words my dork cousin," Opal jokes. Ube gave a humble bow.

"Why thank you, madam, I do know how to entice the masses," Ube said, making Opal laugh at his modest jokes and fake fancy accent. Then a crazy idea popped up in his mind, something that he had to say.

"Well if all the benders have the avatar to look up to, then all the non-benders can look up to me, maybe I can bring a happy smile to all those folks out there. Heck maybe I might be her equal with Omnitrix," Ube said in awe. Opal laughed and pointed to Ube's head.

"You kidding right I mean you're not amazing at all and you're alien forms are super cool but this is the avatar we're talking about the same person who could move mountains and split oceans, I don't want to be mean but you would need some serious firepower don't think you have that," Opal said in a thinking manner. Ube heard what her cousin said. Still, that wouldn't bring him down. The idea of fighting the avatar was exciting, the ultimate challenge, the master of all elements. Maybe he didn't stand a chance that also didn't mean he wasn't up for the challenge.

"I guess you have to see it to believe it," Ube said with a cocky grin. Opal let out a big yawn and was ready to go to bed after the day she had.

"Well, Ube you can imagine your fun little adventures in your mind. I'm going to bed. Good night Cuz," Opal said walking to the guest room. Ube sat down and let out a big yawn. He went through a lot today yet he was ready for tomorrow to come. The young hero glanced at the picture of Lin and his younger self.

"Mom, maybe you should know the truth. The last thing I wanna do is hurt you," Ube said out loud. This was the woman who took care of him, raised him, and made sure he was safe and he would do the same for her any day. Then with a heavy choice, he decided he had to let her know.

Then a hard knock was made from the front door.

"I guess she's home, well better now than ever," Ube got up and slowly opened the door. Then without warning a giant figure fell to the floor. Ube nearly was crushed by the hulking figure. His eyes gaped with shock seeing who collapsed on his living room floor.

Tetrax lay on the floor trying to stay awake holding out a hand to Ube. He could see cracks and chips on his crystal skin.

"Tetrax!" Ube cried out and held the heavy hand.

"Run Ube," Tetrax wheezed out as he fought a fight that nearly killed him.

"What?" Ube said in confusion. Tetrax grabbed him by the front of his shirt bringing his face close to the young hero.

Ube could see the fear in his friend's eye, the absolute terror and shock. He was seeing it through the crystal alien yellow eyes.

"Run Vilgax is coming to your world, Run!" Tetrax said as fell into a deep unconsciousness. He was leaving a confused Ube at what he heard. Opal came running from the other room and gasped at the bounty hunter.

"Ube what happened!" Opal said.

He turned to face his cousin holding Tetrax's hand. Opal knelt by Ube and held in a gasp.

"I don't know he just showed up and collapsed on the floor telling me that I had to run from a Vilgax!" Ube said in a panic.

Vilgax sat on his throne and tapped his armrest. It was only minutes ago that one of his drones had picked up a certain radio feed. He had heard the banquet speech that Ube gave to the public.

The conqueror only had one word to describe it.

"Pathetic, the most powerful weapon in the universe latched upon a bleeding heart," Vilgax said as he stood up from his chair and glanced at one of the monitors showing the overview of Republic City.

"It is time, I take what's mine," Vilgax said standing up as he looked at the crew members who were pushing buttons and guiding the ship.

"Began the landing process tomorrow we shall invade that city and take what's mine!" Vilgax commanded. He glanced at the blue planet ahead with disdain. "Tomorrow I shall face the being who stands between me and conquest of the universe,"

Lord Vilgax had waited long enough. He had nothing to fear from this backwater planet, for he had an army, and this world had nothing.

He walked toward the loading bay doors and as the doors opened he could see the room. Seeing medical supplies lined up in the room. One of his subordinates walked forward and bowed to his master.

"Master the new upgrades to your body are ready," The minion said as he began to set up the table for the operation. Vilgax lay down on the table as he closed his eyes. He didn't need any anesthetics the pain would be a good reminder of what would happen if he failed.

"Tomorrow I'll face my destiny," Vilgax said in a stoic evil tone of voice.

Hello, my dear readers I hope you're all having a lovely day. Yes so let's get this off for starters Vilgax is coming soon. How will Republic City handle this? Probably not good. Also sorry for the shot chapter today, Just a lot of things happening in my life. Also, some news just going to take a break from this fic for the next month. Just want to work on my others and see where in the future I want this fic to go. I am just happy about all the reviews you guys left last chapter. You guys are amazing so thank you. I hope you guys are safe and have a good time while waiting.

I understand the shipping in the story but I have the way I think is just right.

Until next time Chapter 14 Secrets will be posted on April 6, I'll see you in space, cowboys ;).

But just so you guys aren't left on a sour note, I have been working on the next alien playlist, and I think you gonna love this one, I'll just reveal one of the names.

And that alien's name is... 7, 8, 15, 19, 20. 6, 18, 5, 1, 11.

What do you think I'm going to hand it over to you, figure out the code know the name. Have fun!