Chapter 2

"Guys I found some information on your opponents," Asami said as she walked into the gym. The Fire Ferrets were busy training, each one attacking the other with their respective element.

"How'd you get it?" Mako asked as he walked over, toweling himself off.

"I just checked their official records and what I found wasn't very encouraging. They joined late, nearly halfway through the season. How they got in isn't very clear, but rumors have it that they forced a sponsor to let them join."

"Rumors?" Bolin interjected, "I thought this was all official?"

"It is, but the bookkeepers told me what rumors they've heard about them. Apparently, they're pretty infamous in their sector for being controversial." Asami said. "For one, they have a lot of records, and none of them are good. Individually, the firebender has the record for most red fans given. Most of them were at the beginning of his career, and all of them were claimed to be unintentional."

"I can believe that," Korra said, thinking back to all the mistakes she made when she first started.

"What about the earthbender?" Bolin asked, "What's with him?"

"Rumor has it he's not even an earthbender. But for some unknown reason, they've avoided an official inquiry. It's because of him that they always go for the earthbender first. So you better be careful Bolin."

"I'll be fine," he said dismissively. "I'd love some attention."

"Besides having the player with the most red fans, the team also has the record for most red fans, they damaged their stage twice, hit the ceiling, hit the referee stands, and they even hit the audience."

"They sound insane! Why are they allowed to compete!" Korra cried.

"Most of these were in the beginning, they must've learned the rules and some self-control because they stopped doing that a few matches in, and they never made the same mistake twice. But there was a call for them to be banned, but the officials decided not to go through with it. But remember, just because they aren't disciplined like you guys, you shouldn't underestimate them. They may have had a rough start, but they made it to the finals just like you. Whenever they win, it's by knockout. The firebender and the waterbender never lost a tiebreaker. Fortunately, the earthbender on the other hand has never won. So if you get a tiebreaker I'd recommend Bolin takes it. They also seem to be …" Just then the radio switched from cheerful music to something far less cheerful.

"Good morning, citizens of Republic City. This is Amon. 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 worshiping bending athletes as if they were heroes. I am calling on the council to shut down the bending arena and cancel the finals." The three benders look at each other nervously. "Or else, there will be severe consequences." The radio turns to static, and the transmission goes out.

"That guy's got some nerve," Bolin said with a huff.

"You think the council will give in?" Mako asked.

"I'm not waiting to find out," Korra responded. "We need to get to City Hall."

"Korra, you shouldn't be here," Tenzin said standing up from his seat as Korra, Mako, Bolin, and Asami walked into the council room. "This is a closed meeting."

"As the Avatar and a pro-bending player, I have a right to be heard." She replied walking up to them, Mako and Bolin behind her. "You can't cancel the finals."

"I know winning the championship means a lot to you," Tenzin assured her. "But as far as I'm concerned, we need to shut the arena down."

"What about the rest of you?" Korra asked, worry growing in her voice. "Tarrlok, there's no way you're backing down from Amon, right?

"Actually," Tarrlok stood up, "Tenzin and I agree for once."

"The council is unanimous," Tenzin said with a relieved expression on his face. "We're closing the arena."

"No! You can't!" Mako and Bolin protested.

Korra was shocked "I... I don't understand. I thought you of all people," she said looking at Tarrlok, "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."

"Pro-bending might only be a game to you," Mako passionately declared. "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... in peace. To watch benders-"

"Beat each other up! In peace!" Bolin added. "It's an inspiration to everyone!"

"I appreciate your naive idealism, but you're ignoring the reality of the situation," Tarrlok said, his patience wearing thin.

"The reality is," Korra declared, "If you close the arena, you let Amon win.

"Yes!" Shouted Bolin. "Exactly what she said. Yes."

"I'm sorry but our decision has been made. This meeting is adjourned." Tarrlok picked up his gavel to finalize the decision, but just as Tarrlok swings it down a metal cable broke it in half. Everyone watched the cable retract to reveal the offender, Chief of Police Lin Beifong walking up to them.

"I can't believe I'm saying this," Lin said. "But I agree with the Avatar."

"You do?" Tarrlok said as he tossed aside his broken gavel.

Korra was even more confused, "Yeah... you do?"

"I expected this kind of cut and run response from Tenzin," Lin said at Tenzin, who rolled his eyes. "But the rest of you? Come on, show a little more 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!" Tenzin shouted. "The council is not changing its position."

"Now, just a moment, Tenzin. Let us hear what our esteemed Chief of Police has in mind." Tarrlok said to Tenzin's displeasure.

"If you keep the arena open, my metalbenders and I will provide extra security during the championship match. There's no better force to deal with the chi blockers. Our armor is impervious to their attacks."

"Are you saying that you will personally take responsibility for the safety of the spectators in the arena?" Tarrlok replied, a slight smirk growing on his face.

"I guarantee it." The conviction in her voice was resolute.

"It is hard to argue with Chief Beifong's track record. If she is confident her elite officers can protect the arena, then she and her entire police force will have my support. I am changing my vote." He raised his hand. "Who else is with me?" The other three council members raise their hands as well after glancing at each other. Only Tenzin turned away and shook his head. "The arena stays open. Good luck in the finals!"

"Alright! Yeah!" Bolin and Mako cheered.

"Thank you!" Korra joined in with a grateful smile on her face.

"And... good luck to you, Chief Beifong," Tarlok added, still smirking.

Just as the words were out of his mouth the great chamber doors were kicked open and slammed into the wall with an expensive crack. As the dust settled, three figures entered the now captivated hall. The first intruder was a guy with pink hair and wearing a black vest with gold trimmings, a white scaled scarf, and loose tan pants bound at the ankles. Behind him was a guy who was wearing black pants and nothing else, revealing a scarred and muscular body with a strange tattoo on his chest. The third person was a lady with blue hair, she was extremely pale and had a very…curvaceous figure. Wearing a blue water nation tribe dress that clung to her well-endowed body and carrying a shirt, she stayed a step behind the shirtless guy. It took Korra a few seconds to place them, but once they started talking it was made clear to everyone who they were.

"You can't stop the match!" yelled the pink-haired guy, pointing at the council members and stomping his feet, "We need to play in the tournament!"

"Natsu, you can't just barge into rooms like this!" the shirtless one said, grabbing Natsu's shoulder. "Remember what happened when you did that with Erza's trial?"

"Yeah, but we can't let them shut it down!" he shouted. Turning to the stunned council members he pleaded, "Please don't, we really need to compete!"

"It was already decided that we wouldn't shut it down before you ruffians burst in here!" Tenzin said hotly. "I take it you are the other competitors? Magnolia's Fairy Tail was it?"

"Just Fairy Tail is fine, Juvia is sorry that we disturbed you," the girl said.

"Come on Juvia, let's get out of here. We've got to train if we want to beat the Fire Ferrets," shirtless said.

"Yes, my darling Gray!" Juvia said cheerfully as she turned and hugged his arm.

"Jeez, I told you to stop calling me that," Gray said as he walked away, coolly brushing her off.

"Yeah, you better train hard, because we're not going to show you any mercy!" Bolin said loudly as they walked off.

Simultaneously, they stopped a few feet away from the door, Natsu turned, looking straight at Bolin. "So you're the Fire Ferrets?" He looked them up and down and smiled a strangely sharp-toothed smile. "I bet I could take on all of you."

"Fine with me," Korra said, stepping up and raising her arms, "bring it." Natsu stepped forwards, a gleam in his eye. Mako stood behind Korra, eyeing the competition.

"That's enough. There'll be no fighting in this room. Just go off and prepare for the upcoming match," Tenzin said briskly. "Lin, a word."

As Tenzin and Lin walked into the hall, Korra was sizing up her opponents. Natsu was a bit taller than her, obviously strong if those muscles meant anything. Unlike Mako's 'calm under pressure' method, he was clearly a firebender who relied on emotional outbursts. 'Why or how he got his hair that shade of pink is beyond me. Gray seems like an average earthbender (if he was one): strong, steady, level-headed. Besides his missing shirt, he seemed normal…'

"Stop staring at my darling Gray!" Juvia shouted as she stepped between Korra and Gray, blocking her vision. "Only I can gaze at him so lovingly," she said fiercely, then gave her a glare that sent shivers up her spine, "Love rival," she hissed, sending another round of shivers up Korra's spine.

"Come on guys, let's go. We have other things to do, you said you caught their scent right?" Gray said as he continued walking away.

"Yeah yeah, you forgot your pants again," Natsu grinned as he turned around, hands behind his head.

"Gahh!"

'When did he take off his pants?' thought Korra as she looked away and blushed softly.

"Here Gray my dear, I have your clothes!" Juvia said, handing him the missing garments. He quickly put them on and continued on his way.

When the door closed the Fire Ferrets looked at each other. "First impressions?" Asami asked, a slight blush fading on her face.

"Natsu's easily provoked and if Gray wasn't there he would've been disqualified for fighting," Mako stated. "Gray's level-headed, but slightly absent-minded considering he does have a weird stripping habit." Korra and Asami looked away. "Juvia's obsessed with Gray, who doesn't seem to be interested. But besides that, she seems fairly normal. Did I leave anything out?"

"Juvia's gorgeous," Bolin said, "What?" he said looking at the glares from Asami and Korra. "She is! Even if she does have blue hair. How did she do that?"

"What about Natsu's hair?" Korra added, "it's pink! Why would he do that!? And how could you just brush off Gray taking off his pants!"

"That's not important," Mako said, "the important thing is how are we going to beat them. And I think I have a plan."