Korra dove in right after the waterbenders of Tarrlok’s task force sent the water surging down into the training hall and quickly froze it to encase several Equalists before they could even react. While the rest of the veiled men and women were still in shock, she stomped her foot to tear up a long slab of the compacted ground. The ribbon of earth slammed into a quartet of Equalists before wrapping around to binding them against the wall. The other benders of the task force sent water and earth flying as well, each strike bringing down a terrorist or two.
For their part, once they recovered the remaining Equalists turned to flee. Most didn’t manage to reach the door, though Korra had to send blobs of water to catch what looked to be a couple of gas grenades. In the back of her mind, the Avatar noted how carelessly they were thrown; the moves were exaggerated and telegraphed. Almost theatrically acrobatic.
Xing would’ve been far less predictable with that.
Crushing that thought with a scowl, Korra froze the projectiles and then hurled the now-icy chunks at the man who threw them, easily knocking him off his feet. The fool didn’t even think to keep an eye over his shoulder to see the hit coming.
Behind the falling man, Korra noted several figures fleeing through the sole exit. “I’m going after them,” she curtly declared as she dashed into the tunnel. Despite the high speed pursuit, Korra’s awareness caught sight of the thin tripwire laid up ahead of her.
Xing would’ve concealed it a lot better, came a bubble of thought. His stupid ambush prep training was fun at first, but Korra had quickly dropped it after it was clear that the purpose of the whole thing was for Xing to engineer new ways for Korra to make a fool of herself.
She popped that bubble just as she skipped over the wire. Korra’s instincts told her to look up, and she punched out a bolt of fire up into the leather-clad figure who had just begun his descent. There was an audible groan as her flames struck the wannabe ambusher in the gut to elicit a pained groan, and he tumbled clumsily in the air before dropping in a messy heap. The ball weights of his bolas bounced off the ground with a soft thud. Korra regarded the weapon rolling away for a second before she bended the earth to envelop her foiled attacker.
The fading sounds of footsteps quickly reminded her of her quarry, and Korra used the earth to push her forwards, adding momentum to each footfall. If only this was all ice, she lamented inwardly, it’d all be so much faster.
Korra knew her quarry had escaped the moment she reached an intersection. The passageway split into three directions, and a quick glance showed no overt signs of which tunnels the escapees took, though one dimly lit tunnel ended with a ladder going up to the surface. Brighter light spilling down the ladder told her that it wasn’t covered. They probably escaped up there…
Then she remembered that the Equalists all had their faces masked by scarves. Even if she followed them up, it’d be impossible to identify them if they simply dropped the scarves from their faces. Unless they fled down the other tunnels, which was…unlikely?
Korra glanced back, hearing through the fading rush of blood in her head the heavy boots of the task force’s benders catching up to her. Tarrlok himself was at the lead, his determined expression turning into one of surprise as he saw her and slowed to a stop.
The councilman studied Korra for barely a second, and then noted the intersection with some irritation.
“Sorry, I lost them,” she admitted.
“It’s not your fault,” Tarrlok answered reassuringly, while the benders with him began splitting up in pairs to tackle each tunnel. “That you reached this far so quickly is quite a feat in itself.”
The Avatar accepted the blatant praise with a smile that wasn’t too smug. “Thanks. I guess it’s a good thing we caught most of them?”
“Indeed. Don’t worry, my people will be looking for clues.” Tarrlok suddenly broke into a smirk. “Maybe it’s a good thing some people escaped; they can tell their little friends that their days are numbered.”
Korra couldn’t help but nod at that sentiment. “Yeah.”
As she followed Tarrlok back to the training hall, Korra found herself smirking at a fact: these Equalists weren’t that tough without their numbers and their secrets.
Buoyed by the easy success, and with Tarrlok’s notion of sending a message still in her head, Korra found herself facing the reporters with a lot less nervousness when they started pouring into the hall with their notepads and cameras.
“Question for the Avatar: Amon remains at large, why have you failed to locate him?”
She replied instantly. “You wanna know why? Because Amon is hiding in the shadows like a coward!” Korra felt the rush from earlier in the evening rising again as she picked up the microphone. “Amon, I challenge you to a duel! No task force, no chi blockers, just the two of us, tonight at midnight at Avatar Aang Memorial Island. Let’s cut to the chase and settle this thing…if you’re man enough to face me.”
*****
Ren jumped in surprise as she heard a loud slap right after the Avatar made her challenge through the radio. Sharing a glance with Kai, they then crept from the living room to the door of Xing’s room, and found him sitting on his bed, muttering under his breath as he massaged his temples with the fingers of the hand that was still stuck to his forehead.
“Fucking stupid…meatheaded show-nen… Fuck!”
Both interns leapt back as Xing shot up to march out of the room. He paused to regard them, making an effort to push back the fury on his face. “I’ll be heading out,” he said with some curtness. “Stay here, check on the radio for any updates. I’ll trust you two to act according to how things develop.”
The girl could only nod dumbly at the orders as she watched Xing leave the apartment.
Well, now she knew what an angry Xing looked like. Good thing it’s not directed at her.
*****
Asami found herself staring out the window to distract from her unease. Despite Xing’s soothing reassurances last night and earlier in the day, there was still the irrational dread that Asami would have to fight for his attention.
With her father having just left hours ago to entertain investors, she had no one to talk to about the rising irrationality, especially after hearing of Korra’s challenge on the radio. It was stupid, but the utterly bad timing of the Avatar’s challenge had threatened to destabilize any surety Xing had built for Asami.
Her father was unfortunately right in his offhanded observation that Xing might harbor a deeper bond with the Avatar, whether he knew it or not. It might not be…affectionate, but with duty being scarred into him, he could still…
Asami found herself chewing on her bottom lip as the thoughts ran through her head. Should she go to Xing’s apartment and check on him? What would her excuse be? What if he was actually going to see Korra? What if he already has?
A movement at the edge of her vision distracted Asami out of her spiraling thoughts. She shifted her gaze in time to catch a Satomobile driving up to the mansion’s gate. The driver exited to greet the guards, and she immediately identified him solely based on the way he moved.
“Xing?”
She ran out to the main entrance to meet him, and her irrational fear gnawed again as she found him in a clearly uneasy state.
“Asami,” he greeted in a strained voice. “I’m sorry to trespass at such a time, but…”
“Is it about Korra?” she immediately asked, realizing how their roles were mirrored just this morning, and the gnawing turned into a cold void that settled in her stomach as he nodded.
“Unfortunately so.”
But then she saw what peeked out from behind his gaze, what he was trying not to direct at her. There was sharp annoyance. There was disgust. There was a contempt that rivalled her father’s whenever one brought up the Agni Kai. There was nothing remotely close to childhood ties or affection.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
And Asami found that she didn’t mind having such disdain being all that’s left of Xing’s bond with Korra.
“Korra has done something truly stupid, I think. Something which might damage more than just the Fire Ferrets’ branding.”
She didn’t know how to reply to that, so she kept silent and let him continue, absently noting down how much more expressive an annoyed Xing was.
“I’d like to request permission to conduct an intervention.”
Asami blinked in surprise. Permission?
“What…what if I said no?” she found herself whispering.
Xing’s features did not change, but his body shifted a little. “Then I’ll begin working on damage control.”
“If it’s so bad, why haven’t you just gone off?” she heard herself asking. “Why come here?”
There was no hesitation in his answer. “Because I’m aware that this might not be fully within my obligations to Future Media or Future Industry.” The tension in his gaze melted away for a moment. “Or to you. I’m aware of our conversation this morning, and how this situation might color my words. But Korra’s actions this time could harm more than just herself.”
Asami processed his words in silence, weighing his request along with the fact that he came here first. To get permission. Granted, there were still a couple of hours more before midnight…
If her father was around, how would he answer?
*****
There was a calmness that overtook Korra as she left Tarrlok and Tenzin behind, and used the waves to push the boat onwards to Avatar Aang Memorial Island. A clarity of purpose that she’d discovered. She was the Avatar, and this was what she was here to do. Korra would either smash Amon and his Equalists and bring peace to Republic City, or she would prove to everyone that he was a coward unworthy of their fear.
She would show everyone that she was ready for this, airbending or not.
And she didn’t need anyone’s help to be the Avatar.
The only thing she wished as she got to the island and began her wait, was that time could pass faster so she could get this over with.
Korra disliked waiting, but wait she did on the pedestal of Aang’s massive statue, hearing the gears of the clock beneath her grinding ever towards midnight. She kept her senses alert, scanning the dark waters for any signs of movement, and occasionally patrolling around the perimeter of the statue.
No Amon in the waters, no other signs of movement that she could see or hear.
Midnight came, marked by deafening gongs that seemed to shake the whole island. Korra mentally shook herself to a heightened awareness, and braced herself for the unexpected.
As twelve gongs passed and left fading reverberations in the air and ground, Korra maintained her vigil, calmly going through the breathing motions to circulate her chi.
More time passed, and still the Avatar kept her guard up, but still no Amon, no Equalists. Nothing has docked on the island beyond her own boat, and no other signs of arrival.
Korra gave it some more minutes before she finally began to relax.
She let her patience fully run its course before she finally had enough. “Guess you’re a no show, Amon,” she said to nobody in particular. “Who’s scared now?”
Korra leapt down from the top of the pedestal, deservedly feeling rather good about herself as her feet landed on soft grass still without incident. She’d have something for the nosy reporters to put in their papers, and maybe Tarrlok and the rest of the council won’t be so afraid to make a big push to fully flush the Equalists out now that they knew they were a hollow threat.
Still hearing nothing but her own padded footsteps as she walked across the neat tiles that surrounded the base of the monument, Korra made her way back to the dock. By now, her confidence was soaring, and a smug grin was creeping up her face. But as Korra crossed the yawning entrance to the museum that was housed within the base of Aang’s statue, her instincts suddenly screamed.
She twisted in time to see a spinning bolas fly past her ankles. Korra snapped her gaze to the darkness beyond the museum’s carved columns, and leapt aside as more bolas shot out to ensnare her.
“Oh no you don’t!”
Quickly channeling her chi, Korra hurled bolts of fire into the museum, and the glow of the projectiles momentarily highlighted the silhouettes of dozens of ominously goggled figures. Apprehension slowly crept up Korra’s spine at the melting shadows, but she was still too busy fending off the ambush to be afraid.
Being too far from the sea, and with the bolas skimming the ground, she was forced to rely on firebending. As she danced away from the incessant hail of ropes and weights, Korra hastily began formulating a plan of attack. Maybe she should leap clear and jus-
A length of rope slapped against her wrist, its weighted end sending it wrapping around the limb.
Korra didn’t even have time to curse as the rope was quickly drawn back, yanking her off balance and allowing a couple of bolas to catch around her legs. Desperately, she used her free hand to launch a tongue of flame to burn away the binding on her wrist, but it was too late.
More ropes and bolas vomited out from the darkness, and Korra was toppled painfully to the ground, her legs fully wrapped by half a dozen bolas at least, her arms entangled, and worse still was the rope that managed to wrap around her neck.
Writhing helplessly even as she was slowly strangled, the fear-stricken Avatar was dragged along the floor, to be swallowed by the darkness.
Korra couldn’t see the flurry of blows that landed on her, though she felt the effects of the chi-blocking strikes as numbness spread over her body. Paralyzed and with her wits hanging by a frayed thread, Korra felt cold sweat running down her face as the ropes were tugged off her limp body. She felt rough, leather-clad hands grab at her arms to lift her up, just as an electric lamp went on to provide sinister illumination.
The light reflected off the expressionless goggles of the Equalists that surrounded her. As her heart pounded in her ears and her mind desperately cried for her body to move, if only to shrink away from the soulless stares, Korra felt a growing lump in her throat. Only her stubbornness kept her from letting that sob escape, from breaking down and pleading for to be let go.
She was the Avatar, that last shred of courage whispered. She would find a way out of this.
She had to.
The Equalists in front of her parted, and Korra froze in fear as the pale-mask of Amon stepped forth.
“I received your invitation, young Avatar.”
Korra could only stare in wide-eyed fear as he slowly extended a gloved hand towards her. As the open palm slowly engulfed her vision, Korra felt her courage fully collapse, felt utter dread course throughout her unresponding body, felt true despair.
She shouldn’t have come here.
She shouldn’t have joined the task force.
She shouldn’t have come to Republic City.
She shouldn’t have let Xi-
There was a soft rush of air from beside her, and the Equalists all froze for a fraction of a second to look to the source of it. Then several of them were sent flying back by a wall of air. Korra fell onto the cold floor as the Equalists holding her up let her go, though her head landed on the right side to catch what was happening.
Amon skipped out of the way as a blast of wind shot through the mob, sending another trio of Equalists tumbling over. Korra’s eyes twitched to the edge of her vision to find Tenzin, highlighted by the gentler light from outside, bending furiously, conjuring invisible walls of air to deflect thrown bolas and slap aside more of the terrorists. His robes flowed and fluttered angrily by the localized storm that swirled around him.
But he was just one bender, and there were dozens of them now charging at him. Sparks erupted from the shock sticks that some of them now unsheathed. Tenzin harnessed the air around him to sweep them back with waves of air, but they were getting closer and closer…
And then something- someone darted out from behind the airbender. There was a harsh crack as the closest Equalist to Tenzin suddenly buckled from a sudden strike. Then the shadowy bolt shot at the next closest target, and that Equalist dropped limply to the ground, their arms dangling too loosely. Whoever Tenzin’s airbending missed became prey for his companion, who moved with a ruthless familiarity. Fists and feet shot out with a speed that Korra always struggled against, aimed at the softest spots of the body with the intent to incapacitate by delivering maximal pain.
Unabashed hope flared in Korra as she saw Tenzin and Xing fight their way to her. The violent winds seemed to mirror the airbender master’s anger and contemptuously swatted the Equalists away, while Xing pounced on his victims with cold precision.
Korra’s gaze shifted in time to catch Amon melting into the darkness as some of his followers dropped smoke bombs to cover their retreat.
A gust of wind banished that attempt at obfuscation, and the darting form of Xing fell on more Equalists as they tried to flee.
In the end however, they were only two men, and Amon managed to escape, judging from Tenzin’s harsh complaints.
The sounds of fighting died down, and Korra felt gentle hands pick her up before she was leaning against someone as she faced a worried Tenzin.
“Korra, are you alright?”
“Her body’s limp,” came Xing’s voice from beside her. “They likely paralyzed her. It’ll wear out in a while.”
Tenzin nodded at him, though his concern remained as he returned his attention to Korra.
“Did he…did he take your bending away?”
She managed a strangled sob, and realized she couldn’t form the words right now.
“We should wait until she recovers from her paralysis, Master Tenzin. It’s probably affecting her ability for speech.”
That wasn’t it, Korra wanted to say, was too humiliated to say. She could feel her throat working, she knew she could speak. Korra was simply still too afraid right now. Too terrified.
Xing and Tenzin carried her out of the darkness of the museum, where Tarrlok and his task force were running towards them. Korra didn’t pay attention to the curt words both councillors exchanged, caring far more about the wash of relief she now felt at seeing recognizable faces instead of the featureless goggles of the Equalists.
A tingling sensation began to spread across her body and her breathing was slowing to something approaching calmness as she was lowered onto a bench out in the cool night air.
“I’ll leave the rest to you then, councilmen.” Xing’s voice, just out of sight.
“Thank you, Xing, for coming,” Tenzin replied with relief.
“Yes, you have my thanks for your swift aid.” Tarrlok too shared the gratitude, though the back of Korra’s mind noted it was somewhat begrudging. “I’m sorry for doubting you.”
“We could’ve stopped…this whole thing from getting this far if you didn’t hold them up for so long!” Tenzin suddenly cut in, clearly enraged at something.
“I’m aware of that.” The words sounded like they were squeezed through gritted teeth. “You have my deepest apologies, Miss Sato.”
Sato?
“Republic City will of course compensate you for the damages caused to your craft.”
“It’s no big deal,” the smooth voice of Asami came in. “I’m just glad we got here in time.”
Xing suddenly appeared before Korra, and her eyes shifted up to meet his gaze. For the first time in her lift, she truly felt like hiding away from the disapproval he directed at her. There was a roil of emotions in those amber eyes of his. Anger, disappointment…irritation…
After some seconds of silence, he finally sighed. “Take your time to rest up, Korra,” he simply said, and then walked off. Somehow, those words sounded damning to her ears.