*Pro-Bending Arena*
It was a very early morning that saw the Fire Ferrets working out in the arena gym, tossing a medicine ball around.
"What's the big idea with making me train this early in the morning?" an irritated Korra asked. "The morning is evil."
"I have a better question. Why did you drag me out of bed," Akira irritably demanded of Korra, who just smiled sheepishly in return. Turns out he wasn't a morning person
"We're the rookies, so we get the worst time slot in the gym," said Bolin answering the Avatar's question.
"And you're the rookiest of us all. So we have to get you up to speed if we want to survive in the tournament. Deal with it." Mako added, throwing the ball roughly at Korra.
"You deal with it!" she countered, throwing it back at the firebender with enough force to knock him back a few feet.
"Korra" Akira warned, watching as Korra smirked when Mako hit the floor.
"There's my little hard working street urchins" said a well-dressed man in a top hat, walking into the gym. He walked up to the group and placed a hand on Korra's shoulder. "It's an honor to finally meet you Avatar."
"And you are?" Korra asked, feeling uncomfortable with the stranger being in her personal space.
"Butakha" the man introduced himself with a bow. "I run this whole pro-bending shebang. Here's your winning from the last match" he said handing a stack of money to a grinning Mako. But that grin soon fell as Butakha took out fees for Korra's pro-bending gear, gym equipment, apartment rent, and finally Bolin secretly borrowed money for groceries; leaving them with very little pay. Then to make matters worse they needed to somehow pay the tournament's thirty-thousand yuan entrance fee.
"You wouldn't happen to have a secret Avatar bank account overflowing with gold, would you?" Bolin asked Korra, once the tournament manger left.
"I've got nothing" she said, pulling out her pockets for emphasis. "I've never really needed money. I've always had people taking care of me" Korra said a little too happily.
"Then I wouldn't say you have nothing" Mako said bitterly, putting the medicine ball in his gym bag.
"Sorry, I didn't mean..."
"No, it's alright" said Bolin, cutting off Korra's apology. "It's just...ever since we lost our parents we've been on our own."
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know." Korra said sympathetically.
"My condolences," Akira said somberly adding his own apology.
"So anyway...how are we going to come up with the money?" Mako asked the group, wanting to move past painful memories.
"Oh, oh, I got it! I got it!" Bolin said excitedly, holding up his fire ferret. "I've been training Pabu to do circus tricks. Now people would pay good money to see that!"
"What kind of tricks?" Akira asked, he didn't think it'd make them enough money but he was curious. Though his question went unanswered as Mako currently didn't have the patience for this.
"Come on, Bolin. We need serious ideas" the firebender said irritably.
"I was serious" the earthbender muttered sadly.
"Don't worry about it. I'll figure something out. I always do" said Mako as he left the gym.
*Air Temple Island*
Later that night Korra skillfully weaved through the airbending gates, as Jinora and Ikki watched from the sidelines.
"Good, light on your feet" Jinora instructed, watching as the Avatar finished the exercise. As Korra took a breather, Jinora and Ikki spotted Mako walking up to the girls. "Oh, he's cute. Korra, is that the handsome firebender boy that drives you crazy?"
"Does he drive you crazy in a bad way, or does he drive you crazy like you like him?" Ikki asked teasingly.
"What? I don't like him like that" Korra denied before catching the rest of what Ikki said.
Growing tired of the airbender sisters teasing, Korra sends them away with an earth column. Landing some distance away, Jinora and Ikki giggled at the obliviousness of their friends.
"Oh, hey Mako" Korra greeted awkwardly, choosing to forget about her conversation with Ikki and Jinora.
"You seen Bolin?" Mako asked bluntly.
"Nice to see you, too. And no, I haven't seen him since practice. Think something's wrong?"
"I don't know. Bolin has a knack for getting into stupid situations" the firebender sighed, turning to walk away. "See you later."
"Wait" said Korra, walking up to him. "I could help you look for him."
"Nah. I got it."
"Hey cool guy, let me help you. I'll grab Akira and Naga."
"Who's Naga?" Mako asked, surprised by the girl's insistence on helping him.
"My best friend and a great tracker" Korra grinned, running off to get them.
*Republic City streets*
"Your best friend is a...polar bear dog. Somehow that makes perfect sense" Mako commented, riding behind Akira on Naga.
"I'll take that as a compliment city boy" Korra said cheekily.
"Besides Naga is a wonderful girl" Akira added, petting the polar bear dog fondly. The group eventually reached the city square, containing a statue of Fire Lord Zuko.
"Well this is his usual hangout" said Mako, dismounting Naga, Korra and Akira not following behind him.
"You don't suppose they know anything?" Akira suggested, pointing to a group of kids. Mako apparently knew the kids as he easily walked up and asked about his brother.
"Perhaps...but my memory is a little...foggy. Maybe you could help clear it up" one kid wearing a hat said slyly, holding out his hand.
"You're good Skoochy, I'll give you that" said Mako, giving the boy a couple bills. "A real pro."
"Yeah, I seen him" said Skoochy.
"When?"
"About noon."
"What was he doing?"
"He was performing some kind of monkey rat circus and then..." Skoochy paused holding his hand out for another payment.
Mako rolled his eyes and handed his little informant his payment. "And then what? Why did he leave?"
"Shady Shin showed up and flashed some serious cash. Bo took off with him in his hotrod. The Triple Threats, the Red Monsoons, and the Agni Kais, all the triads are muscling up for something real big. Now that's all you're getting out of me" said Skoochy before collecting his friends and taking off.
"Sounds like there's a turf war's brewing and Bolin's about to get caught right in the middle of it" said Mako. Once they were back on Naga, the group hurried on their way to the Triad's headquarters when Naga started chasing after a certain fire ferret.
"Whoa Naga!" Korra cried, pulling on the reins.
"That's Pabu!" Mako exclaimed, pointing to the small animal currently finding sanctuary on top of a street sign.
"No Naga, Pabu is a friend not a snack" the Avatar scolded. Seeing that he was safe Pabu scurried down the sign post and climbed up onto Mako's shoulder.
"We've got to hurry" the fire bender said in distress. Busting into the Triad's HQ, they were surprised to find the place was completely deserted.
"Guys out back!" Korra yelled, pointing outside where a group of masked figures were loading a large truck up with captured Triad members and....
"Bolin!" Mako cried, running towards the truck. Suddenly two of the masked people threw a canister at the groups' feet, releasing gas to cover their escape.
"Naga come!" Korra called, jumping onto the polar bear dog she, Akira, and Mako rode out of the gas in pursuit of their friend. Catching up to the truck they found the vehicle now had an escort of three motor cycles, whose riders had noticed they were being followed.
Reaching an open area the riders turned and threw a bolo at Naga's feet, causing her to trip and send Korra, Akira, and Mako flying off her back, landing somewhat painfully on the ground.
"Look out!" Akira cried, alerting his friends that they weren't alone as they found themselves boxed in between the masked people. With no time to check on his friends, Akira found himself on the defensive as he weaves around the masked man's lighting quick jabs.
Blocking a kick, Akira counter attacks with a jab only for the masked man to knock it away. Jumping back to get some breathing room the blond stood his ground as the man rushed towards him using an impressive display of acrobatics in an attempt to trip him up. But Akira had a few moves of his own, surprising his opponent as a gust of wind was thrust infront of him as the masked man was sent flying. Shocked by the power the masked man was left wide open as the ravenette appeared in front of him in a burst of speed and thrust a spiraling energy sphere into his stomach, sending him flying into a lamp post.
With his opponent taken care of, Akira turned to see that both Korra and Mako had been defeated, the remaining masked pair moments away from finishing them.
"Back off!" Mako was stunned, when he heard Akira ordering the masked pair to step away from him and Korra he expected to see the ravenette rushing to the help them. He just didn't expect to be a three-pronged kunai on the ground of them as Akira flashed infront of them. Mako wasn't the only one surprised by Akira's abilities as the masked pair was soon sent flying into the side of a building due to a gust of air slamming into them.
"Are you ok?" Akira asked, helping Korra to her feet.
"Thanks" the Avatar smiled before staring curiously at her hands. Throwing her fist forward, Korra was horrified to find that she couldn't bend. "Ugh, I can't bend. I can't bend!"
"Calm down, it' wear off" said Mako. "Those guys were chi blockers. They're Amon's henchmen."
"Is he the one that eveyone is calling the revolutionist?" Akira asked.
"Yeah, he's the leader of the Equalists. So what's with you and whatever this is?" the firebender questioned, pointing to the kunai knife of on the ground as Korra was currently untying Naga's legs.
"It's a long story. And I can tell it later" said Akira. "Right now we've got to find Bolin."
In complete agreement Mako decides to save his questions for later as the group resumes the search for the kidnapped earthbender. Sadly even after searching all night they haven't found a single lead. Needless to say they were starting to lose hope when suddenly Korra has an idea.
*Republic City Park*
"When I first came to town, I ran into an Equalist protestor over there" Korra explained, pointing to a section of the park.
"And you think they'll know where Bolin is?" Mako asked skeptically.
"It's our only lead right now" Korra countered. Seeing as they were in for a long wait the teens decided to lay against Naga in the shade. It wasn't long before Korra started feeling fidgety and tried to start a conversation with Mako. "So, why is Bolin running around with the Triple Threat Triad, anyway?"
"Well we...we used to do some work for them back in the day" Mako confessed uncomfortably.
"Wait are you some kind of criminal?!"
"No!" the firebender denied heatedly.
"So what did you do?" Akira asked curiously.
"I just ran numbers for them and stuff. We were orphans out on the street; I did what I had to, to survive and protect my little brother."
"I'm sorry. It must've been really hard" Korra said sympathetically. "Can I ask what happened to your parents?"
"They were mugged by a firebender. He cut them down right in front of me. I was eight." Mako paused and pulled his red scarf over his mouth, as if to protect himself from the memory. "Bolin's the only family I have left. If anything happened to him ..."
"We'll find him" Akira reassured.
"So, how was it that you were able to teleport infront of us" questioned Mako
"It was thanks to many years of me trying to put my chi into an object that I had created this master piece known as the Hiraishin" Akira responed by pulling out a kunai.
"Wow I didn't know people could do that. You have got to teach me" Korra asked excitedly.
"Let's first complete your airbending training, then we'll see if you have an affinity for this." Akira said. "And besides, we don't have time for this. We need to go and save Bolin."
The following morning the teens lay sleeping peacefully against Naga's side. As the sun hit his face Mako turned to the sight of Korra sleeping against him, her head resting comfortably on his chest with his arm wrapped protectively around her.
"Hey do you two need a moment?" Akira asked, smirking in amusement as they started to wake up.
"What're you talking about?" they grumbled, rubbing the sleep from their eyes. It took all Akira had not to bust out laughing as Mako and Korra finally realized what position they were in. Embarrassed and red faced they quickly scrambled away from each other, mumbling their apologies all the while sharing awkward looks.
"Equality now! Equality now! We want equality now!"
"Hey there's the protestor we should talk to him" Korra said quickly, wanting to get out of this awkward situation.
"Sounds good" said Mako still a little red faced. Akira just shook his head in amusement as they marched over to the protestor.
"Non-benders of Republic City! Amon calls you to action! Take back your city! It's time for the..." the protestor gasped as he recognized Korra. "It's you again!"
"Yeah it's us. Look we just want to ask you...." Korra was cut off as the protestor started yelling at them through his megaphone.
"You cannot silence me Avatar!" not a fan of having a megaphone in her face Korra slaps it out of the protestor's hands, breaking as it hit the ground.
"Shut your loud mouth and listen up! Our friend got kidnapped by some chi blockers. Where'd they take him?" Korra demanded grabbing the man by his collar.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, traitor" the protestor said uncooperatively.
"Oh I think you do" the Avatar smiled sadistically. "And I think you should tell us what you know..." Korra then whistled signaling for Naga to come over. Strong arming the man, Korra then held the protestor's head over the gaping maw of the polar bear dog's mouth. "Or I'll feed you to my friend here!"
"I'd do what he says" said Akira easily falling into the good cop/bad cop routine. "She's a crazy one."
"Now you're either gonna talk to me or the inside of Naga's stomach!"
"The...the posters! They said to give out the posters!" he cried. "There's a map on the back!"
"Thank you" Korra replied, throwing the man into the nearby lake. Grabbing a few leaflets the teens hoped on Naga's back and took off though Mako couldn't help but wonder about something.
"You weren't seriously going to let Naga kill him, we're you?" Mako was surprised when his question actually caused Akira and Korra to laugh.
"Oh my, I can't believe even you fell for that" Akira giggled. "Please haven't you ever heard of good cop/bad cop?"
"Naga doesn't even like to bite people" said Korra failing to stop her own giggles. "Sure she'd probably smack someone around who was threatening us but that's it."
"That was some bluff" said Mako clearly impressed.
Following the map the teens were led to the city's factory district. Staying in the shadow of a building they could see a group of people walking into an old abandoned building.
"This is the place," said Mako, checking the map on the back of the posters.
"We're going to need to go in quietly" Akira suggests, sending a meaningful look to an affronted Avatar.
Donning disguises the teens infiltrated the building and were surprised by the overwhelming number of Equalist supporters.
"I knew a lot of people hated benders, but I've never seen so many in one place," said Mako. "Keep your eyes out for Bolin." As they moved through the crowd an announcement went off silencing the audience.
"Please welcome your hero! Your savior! Amon!" The crowd roared as Amon and his guards took their place on stage.
"So that's him," said Akira, an ominous feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. "Amon."
Walking up to the mike on stage, the leader of the Equalists cleared his throat and began to address the audience.
"My quest for equality began many years ago. When I was a boy, my family and I lived on a small farm. We weren't rich, and none of us were benders. This made us very easy targets for the firebender who extorted my father. One day, my father confronted this man, but when he did, that firebender took my family from me. Then, he took my face I've been forced to hide behind a mask ever since..." Amon paused to allow the crowd a moment to process his story and draw their attention.
"As you know, the Avatar has recently arrived in Republic City. And if she were here, she would tell you that bending brings balance to the world. But, she is wrong. The only thing bending has brought to the world is suffering. It has been the cause of every war in every era. But that is about to change. I know you have been wondering, 'What is the Revelation?' You are about to get your answer. Since the beginning of time, the spirits have acted as guardians of our world, and they have spoken to me. They say the Avatar has failed humanity."
Akira noticed that both Mako and Korra were displaying a face full of unease and worry at the task before them.
"That is why the spirits have chosen me to usher in a new era of balance. They have granted me a power that will make Equality a reality. The power to take a person's bending away.... Permanently."
"That's...impossible." Korra denied.
"This guy's insane," Mako muttered.
"Now for a demonstration," said Amon regaining control of the crowd as he signaled for his men to bring up one of their hostages. "Please welcome 'Lighting Bolt' Zolt, leader of the Triple Threat Triad and one of the most notorious criminals in Republic City."
The crowd booed as the gangster was moved to the front of the stage.
"Ah boo yourself!" the Triad leader yelled back. The back lighting on the stage turned on revealing chi blockers surrounding another four benders, one of which just so happened to be Bolin.
"There's Bolin," said Korra. She was about to rush forward until Akira grabbed her shoulder.
"Korra do not be so hasty" the raventte reprimanded, enjoying the embarrassed look on the Avatar's face as she'd forgotten her own orders.
"Alright. Got any ideas?"
"Zolt has amassed a fortune by extorting and abusing nonbenders. [Close-up.] But his reign of terror is about to come to an end. Now, in the interest of fairness..." taking his cue, Amon's second in command, the Lieutenant; a man with a handlebar mustache dressed in black rubber, googles, and a power generator with Kali sticks attached to it strapped on his back; stepped up and removed the ropes binding the Triad leader. "I will give Zolt the chance to fight to keep his bending."
What happened next was an awesome display of skill as Amon effortlessly dodged Zolt's fire blasts, with no wasted movement the Equalist leader ended the 'battle', if it could even be called that, quickly as he pressed his thumb against Zolt's forehead and pushed the firebender to the ground.
Finding himself completely drained of energy, Zolt tried to get up and attempted to throw a fireball at Amon, but nothing happened.
"What...what did you do to me?"
"Your fire bending is gone...forever," Amon told the now ex-firebender. As the gangster was dragged away Amon turned to readdress the audience. "The era of bending is over. A new era of equality has begun!"
The crowd cheered wildly as one by one Triad members were stripped of their bending. Finally just as they were about to move onto Bolin a giant burst of smoke exploded from the center of the room as Akira charged the stage.
"What happened to subtlety?!" Korra yelled over the panic. One Akira stopped and looked at her with the most serious expression she'd ever seen on him.
"Subtlety is for those who have time. Now go save Bolin!" As the Equalists struggled to fight back against Akira's assault as he was throwing his kunai everywhere and teleporting to them and knocking out his opponents at astonishing speeds, Mako and Korra were able to make their way to Bolin, his guards having been taken out by their insane blond friend.
"Bolin, you all right?" Mako asked.
"Yes! Mako I love you!" the earthbender cried in relief. He moved to hug his brother but Mako was in a hurry and grabbed Bolin by the collar and dragged him towards the exit. "By the way, how is Akira teleporting everywhere"
"Tell you later Bo" the firebender replied.
"Akira we got Bolin" Korra informed the nearest clone.
"Got it!" All at once, a condensed air ball was seen until it hit the ground, providing cover for their exit. Meeting Mako and Bolin outside, Akira was about to ask about Korra when they were suddenly confronted by the Lieutenant.
"I don't know what you are. But I'm sure Amon would be very interested to find out" the Lieutenant threatened, drawing his electrified kali sticks. "As for you benders, you need to understand there's no place in the world for you anymore."
As Akira was about to prepare himself for a fight suddenly a pillar of rock shot up from under the Lieutenant, sending him crashing into the side of the building.
"I wouldn't count us out just yet," Korra smirked as the Equalist collapsed. "And that Akira was subtlety."
"Whatever you say. No, let's just go." Akira said dismissively as more Equalists came charging into the alley. "Naga!" At once the polar bear dog came to the rescue barreling past the chi blockers and providing the perfect getaway ride.
"The Avatar. That's her!" the Lieutenant announced prompting their forces to go after her.
"Let her go." Amon orders, seeing this as an opportunity. "She's the perfect messenger to tell the city of my power. As for her friend, I want to know exactly who he is."
*Air Temple Island*
That night after dropping Mako and Bolin off at home, Korra and Akira silently walk down the temple halls where they are found by Tenzin and some White Louts sentries.
"Thank goodness" the airbending master sighed in relief. "I was about to send out a search party. Are you both alright?"
"Far from it, father" Akira replied miserably.
"Did you find your friend?"
"Yes, we did. But we were at an Equalist rally. We saw Amon. He can take people's bending away, for good." Korra reported.
"That's...that's impossible. Only the Avatar has ever possessed that ability" Tenzin argued.
"Father we wouldn't make this up," said Akira begging his father for them to be believed. Tenzin could see it in their eyes, they were telling the truth.
"I believe you. I don't know how Amon has achieved this power but this means the revolution is more dangerous than ever. No bender is safe."
Hey guys. Hope you like the new chapter as I have seen many people reading this book and it could not have made me happier.
Please continue to read and please leave a review. Bye.