Beliefs.

07. Voice in the Night

Korra was starting to really make her mark in the city. She and Tarrlok had been taking down equalist rally after equalist rally. The papers had just let me know they had taken down a chi-blocking lesson in a secret cellar under a library. The news articles kept going on and on about their victories.

I had kept myself busy, doing work for Lin, but also hanging out with Bolin and Mako at the pro-bending arena. Bolin had invited me, and they were both teaching me how I could defend myself from firebenders and earthbenders respectively. I didn't tell them that I could chi-block since it could make me suspicious. 

"No Korra for practice again?" Bolin questioned one dreary day.

"Doesn't look like it," Mako replied dryly, as he was showing me a different workout move.

"Well, I heard the Avatar's talking to reporters in a bit," I said, remembering Lin had been talking about it at work today. "I could sneak in and see if I can get some inside information," I suggested. The brothers simply shrugged and I began walking toward the exit, just barely missing Asami coming towards me.

"See you," Bolin immediately said before throwing the coins towards the net in anger.

Asami waved at me before running over to Mako and giving him a hug. I rolled my eyes in response. 

✧

Surprisingly, it wasn't all that hard finding a way into the press conference. Korra was standing behind Tarrlok, who was standing in front of a podium. "Avatar Korra has bravely answered the call to action. With the two of us leading the charge, Republic City has nothing to fear from Amon and the Equalists," Tarrlok spoke with an oily grin.

I scoffed. A few reporters asked some questions, none of which was particularly interesting, but I listened carefully should anything important be mentioned.

"Question for the Avatar!" a female reporter finally rose. "Amon remains at large. Why have you failed to locate him?" she asked. Now this was intriguing.

Korra immediately drew closer to the microphone and picked it up. "You wanna know why? Because Amon is hiding in the shadows like a coward," she yelled. "Amon, I challenge you to a duel! No task force, no chi blockers, just the two of us tonight at midnight on Avatar Aang Memorial Island. Let's cut to the chase and settle this thing, if you're man enough to fight me," she ended.

I widened my eyes. Now that was something else. She didn't seriously think she could take on Amon by herself, did she?

✧ 

I almost ran into Taiyo as I raced back to the apartments to change. I wanted to tell Mako and Bolin what I had heard, but I didn't have time. I had to go find Amon. Taiyo stopped me on my way, wanting to know where I was going in such a hurry. I didn't have time to reply as I kept running through the building to my room. I got out simple grey clothes from my closet and tied my hair back to keep it out of my face. I opened my window and had a look around before I jumped over to the building across. I continued this as I made it to an abandoned warehouse. Amon's temporary lair.

"Amon?" I called out into the darkness, hoping I wasn't too late.

Chi-blockers left and right landed swiftly all around me, I got ready to attack. A chi-blocker reached out to chi-block me, but with the reflexes and new things Mako and Bolin had taught me, I reached out myself and tossed the person over my shoulder, jabbing them as they flew. I raised a brow at the others, challenging them.

Amon then came out of the shadows, grinning. "Good job," he said, clapping. 

I stood up and faced him. "Are you going to Avatar Aang Memorial Island tonight?" I asked, getting straight to my point.

Amon nodded. "Yes, I am and you're going with me," he said. 

"But the Avatar specifically said no equalists and no task force," I stated, not breaking eye contact with the mask in front of me.

"The Avatar doesn't understand the rules of the game," Amon explained. I had no clue what he was talking about, but decided not to question it, I nodded and followed Amon into the shadows he retreated back into.

✧

The other chi-blockers and I swiftly made it to Avatar Aang Memorial Island. Grandma had told me a few stories about Aang when they were kids. She was horrible at stories, but one particular had stood out for me. She had told me about a time when Aang was visiting the Spirit World, and when he had come out, told them about the relationship between the previous Avatar and Fire Lord Sozin. Grandma had asked if Aang believed friendships could last more than one lifetime, Aang had replied that he didn't see why not. I couldn't help but imagine if she meant this about me possibly being friends with the Avatar. I couldn't see that happening anytime soon, but maybe that's what they had meant. 

Korra had been sitting in the dark for hours, not moving and just waiting. I felt a little bad for her. She had no idea Amon had different plans than she had. Finally, Korra decided she had had enough and began to walk away.

Amon signaled to a chi-blocker, who threw a bola at her feet which caused her her to fall and another dragged her to the middle of the island where about 20 other chi blockers, including me, surrounded her.

Korra quickly spun around and bent fire, trying to defend herself. Though two others grabbed her from both sides using whips. She used her legs to bend some fire and earth until I jabbed her two places and she fell unconscious.

Once she woke, two chi blockers grabbed her by her arms and forced her on her knees.

"I received your invitation, young Avatar," Amon appeared from the shadows, he moved toward her and grabbed her by her chin and forced her to look into his eyes. "Our showdown, while inevitable, is premature. Although it would be the simplest thing for me to take away your bending right now, I won't. You'd only become a martyr. Benders of every nation would rally behind your untimely demise, but I assure you, I have a plan. And I'm saving you for last, then you'll get your duel, and I will destroy you," Amon spoke..

Amon proceeded to jab Korra on her shoulder renting her to unconsciousness. During which we all left the scene.

That night I couldn't sleep. I couldn't help but feel like I was disappointing everyone. I thought about my grandma's story and everything she had told me about her youth. Eventually I feel asleep, believing I really was doing the right thing for myself.

so this is kind of short, but I really hope you like it. this is reedited.