The Equalists are on the attack! The Lieutenant and his chi blockers along with Shinnok’s demon legion have invaded Air Temple Island and forced Tenzin and his family to flee! In the daring escape, Lin Beifong sacrificed herself and saved the airbenders, but she was captured and Amon took her bending away. Now, Team Avatar and the Earthrealm Defenders are in hiding as they await help from General Iroh and the United Forces.

Republic City

It’s been two days since Tenzin escaped, and Republic City is filled with several Equalist airships. At the foot of City Hall, with Equalist airships, foot soldiers, monsters, demons and mecha tanks around it. Hiroshi Sato is standing on the front steps, addressing a large crowd. “It is a glorious day, my Equalist brothers and sisters! Amon has torn down the tyrannical bending government!” He announced as the Equalists cheered while others were guarding the Pro-bending Arena with mecha tanks, and others were at Aang Memorial Island and the statue of Aang wearing a large Amon mask; Equalist banners are from Aang's staff. “He has declared bending illegal, and he has the Avatar on the run. Our great leader has a vision for the future. One day soon, bending will no longer exist and we will live in a world where everyone is finally equal! The United Forces are on their way right now to try and stop that dream. But we will prevail!“ He declared as his fellow Equalists cheered, Starlight was amongst him and the other followers with, looking down in shame of what she signed up for.

Meanwhile in the crowd near the back, two chi blockers look at each other, two males, two females, before they turn and walk away. They push aside a clump of bushes in Republic City Park and enter a small clearing with a large rock in the center. One earthbends the rock aside, revealing a hole, and both jump inside as the rock slides back over. Once they were hidden, one removed her mask revealing herself to be Korra while walking down a dim hallway. “Can you believe Hiroshi?! "The Avatar's on the run". I'm not running from anyone! Let's go back up there and knock some heads; they'll never know what hit 'em.” She was about to head back up, but Mako stopped her before she could.

“Relax. General Iroh's coming with an entire fleet of battleships. Then Amon will be the one who's running.” He told her.

“He’s right Korra.“ Kitana removed her mask and looked to her. “Remember, patience is a virtue for those who wait.” She told her.

But the young Avatar let out a small groan from hearing it. “I hate this "being patient" stuff.” She muttered and walked off with them.

Mako walked beside her and glanced to her. “You know, now that you mentioned it, I’m sure Jax and Rainbow Dash would agree with you on knocking some heads.” He told her trying to lighten the mood.

“Mako, now is not the time.” She told him as she walked ahead.

Mako watched her go and let out a sigh in defeat, but Liu placed a hand on his shoulder to cheer him up. “Don’t worry, she’ll come around… you’re trying your hardest. Just don’t push too hard, because it will only make things more difficult.” He told him as they walked after Korra.

Slums

Once returning to their hideaway until they were ready to resurface, Bolin and Asami were sitting on crates as Asami is watching in amusement as Bolin plays with Pabu. She glares as she hears Korra and Mako approaching, before she and Bolin stand up and walk over to greet them. “You guys were gone a while.” She said to them mostly jabbing it towards Mako.

Who showed a mildly annoyed look on his face. “We were doing reconnaissance.” He told her.

“Dude! That’s disgusting!” Spike exclaimed.

Earning light smack on his head from Twilight. “What he means Spike, is they were spying on the Equalists to get some info on what’s happening.” She told him.

“Well why didn’t he say that to begin with…?” He asked her.

“What did you think he meant by reconnaissance?” Sonya asked him, he wanted to reply to her, but he’d get the answer wrong the minute he even spoke, so he shut his mouth to avoid answering. Sonya nodded with a smirk on her face. “Thought so.” She said.

“Whatever.” Asami said as she walked away from them.

Mako watched her go and sighed knowing he really messed up and walked with Korra. Meanwhile the other defenders were helping some of the homeless that were ran out of the city, or sick or ill. While some of the children were being entertained by stories being told by Mimir. “And have I ever told ye wee ones of the tale of giant Bergelmir…?” He asked them as they shook their heads. “Well, be prepared… for it begins, in an ocean of blood.” He told them.

Kotal was also amongst them as he stood behind them, leaning against a wall. “Finally, a story worth hearing.” He said.

“I thought the same thing.” Kratos said to him as the Osh-Tekk emperor chuckled.

“Ymir, the First Giant, was fatally stabbed by Odin, the King of Asgard. It’s in his blood, our story starts.” He told the children as they were curious. “Ymir’s magical guts, poured out in a torrent so violent it threatened to flood all creation. The Jotnar were unprepared, as the very last of them were washed away in the endless tide. Not just Ymir, but all of Giant-kind faced extinction. And so would Orin’s victory have been completed.” He told them as the children complained at the ending. “Now, now, wee ones, that’s not the end, I assure you, Ymir’s kind did not all perish that day. Staying afloat in the hollowed husk of a tree, the Frost Giant, Bergelmir endured… as did his lady wife.” He told them as the children gasped in surprise. “For weeks they sailed, until they finally come upon a new land. They called it, Jotunheim… and there they would start anew. As father and mother, they would multiply exceedingly, and as King and Queen… they worked to make Jotunheim a land where Giants would know no master but themselves. Bergelmir never sought revenge for Odin’s slaughter, his vengeance… was to live and prosper. He died at peace, a legion of his kin to mourn him. He would ever be known… as Bergelmir the Beloved.” He ended his tale.

Korra heard the entire story, and was amazed by it. “Bergelmir the Beloved, I never imagined I’d hear a story end that way. Not a true one, anyway.” She told him.

“Few do, little sister… few do.” He told her.

The Avatar smiled a bit, but walked to the others, just as Gommu, the homeless man she met before shows up to greet them. “Welcome back! Hope you worked up an appetite, 'cause dinner is served.” He told them as he headed for the food he was cooking and stirred a pot of stew and pouring some into a dish.

“Thanks so much for letting us hide out with you the past few days.” Korra said to him.

“Yes, it was quite kind of you sir.” Rarity said to him.

“Honored to oblige.” He said to her as he served them their bowls of stew. “My associates and I heartily oppose Amon's so-called "Equalist" policies. We got benders and nonbenders living together down here, but do you see us fightin'?“ He gestured to them as the defenders looked to them. “No siree; we've figured out how to harmoniously co-exist.”

“You are a wise and noble hobo.” Bolin said to him.

“Now that’s a nice and decent society… y’all get along so well, it’s a shame it can’t be the same for everyone. Amons got them all in his pocket.” Applejack said to them as she sipped her stew.

Just as Bolin tried his stew, his tastebuds popped from the taste, recognizing it from his past. “Mmmm. This is the best-tasting street gruel I've ever had. Seriously!” he told him.

“Yes, I must say, it is quite delicious.” Rarity said to him as she took another sip.

“I culled it from the finest dumpsters the city has to offer!” Gommu told them as both Rarity and Asami gagged from hearing it. Their eyes close and open with small beady eyes as the top half of their face turns green. They spit the food back into the bowl and cough. They surreptitiously put their food on the floor behind them. Pabu crawls up behind Asami and eats from the bowl.

Meanwhile Pinkie didn’t mind, and neither did Spike. “Well, like I always say, eat what you can, while you can.” He said to them.

“Yeah, Spike, since when have you ever said that?” Johnny asked him with a smirk as everyone laughed, and Spike gave him a scowl for it.

“Hey, he’s got a point though, we need to eat to keep up our strength.” Rainbow said to them.

“She’s right, might as well finish.” Pinkie licked her bowl up and looked to Rarity. “Hey Rarity, if you’re not gonna have yours, can I have it?” She asked her as Rarity groaned and gave her bowl to her as a way of saying knock yourself out. She took the bowl and started scarfing it down.

“Do you think General Iroh and the United Forces will be able to beat Amon and Hiroshi?” Jax asked them.

“Have a little faith Jax.” Kung Lao told him.

“I’m just saying, we may need to provide support should thing go to hell.” Jax told him.

“I’m with Jax on this.” Sunset admitted and looked to Kung Lao. “The Equalists are somehow always a step ahead, should things get crazy.”

“She’s right.” Chi said.

“Until then… we wait and see what happens.” Raiden told them, knowing this will be a difficult mission, for all of them, specially with Celestia currently pregnant, not knowing when the child will be born.

Later that evening…

As night had fallen, Korra was still wide awake next to Naga hike Twilight and her friends slept comfortably against the polar bear dog. She was lost in her train of thought, till she heard footsteps and saw Mako approaching her. “Can't sleep either?” He asked her.

“No, I have this awful pit in my stomach.” Korra admitted as Mako sat next to her.

“Me too.” He said to her.

She simply shrugs with a smile, feeling somewhat happy. “It's so crazy. A few months ago I was in the South Pole practicing for my firebending test, and now I'm in the middle of an all-out war.” She admitted feeling sad about the whole thing.

“I know, we didn't even know each other then, or the Earthrealm and Equestrian Defenders way back when. And now, I can't imagine my life without you in it.” Mako told her earning a surprised look from Korra, while Twilight’s ear perked from hearing it and she peaked through one eye watching them. “You're the most loyal, brave, and selfless person I've ever known. You wouldn’t give up on anyone, or anything in your life… not even your friends.” He told her with a smile.

Korra smiled with a blush looking away trying to hide it. “I think you're pretty incredible too, but ... you already knew that.” She told him.

“I know… but, I’m not as incredible as you. I mean, you’re the Avatar… and me…? I’m just a simple street rat from the slums of Republic City.” Mako admitted, much to even his surprise that it was hard to admit.

Korra looked at him as the Jinsei Stone in her pocket, as well as Mako’s began to shine. She reached and touched his hand, getting his attention as sane looked to her. “Mako, you’re more than than… back then, what happened to you and Bolin was horrible, and nothing… not even vengeance will bring your parents back. I know, because I know two people who have been down that road.” She told him.

“Scorpion and Kratos?” He asked.

“Yep… both of them got what they wanted, but at a terrible price.” Korra explained and looked to him. “And I would hate to see it happen to you.” She told him and lowered her gaze as Mako looked at her and gently grasped her hand, she felt it as she looked to him. The two stared into each other’s eyes feeling almost lost in them, they began to lean towards one another, but Korra couldn’t thinking he was still with Asami as she turned away. “I should probably try to get some sleep.” She told him.

Mako felt hurt from seeing it, but he understood the message and frowned. “Me too. Good night.” He said to her.

“Good night.” Korra said as he left the area, and leans back against Naga's side, looking sad only to see Twilight giving her a look. “What?” She asked her.

“Girl, do you have any idea how crazy he is about you?” The Alicorn Princess asked her.

But Korra felt mostly confused about it. “Crazy about me? But he’s with Asami, if I get in the way, it will only make things complicated.” She told her.

“Ummm… about that darling.” Rarity caught her attention. “Back when we were searching for you and Liu Kang, Asami noticed how eager he was in finding you most of all.” She told her.

“That, and she had Bolin cornered, and she made him spill his guts. Figuratively, not literally.” Rainbow told her.

“Wait, you mean he…?” Korra’s eyes widened.

“Yep… she knows about you kissing him.” Pinkie said to her.

Groaning from hearing it as she buried her face in her legs, Korra knew that her love life and her friendships were doomed. “What am I gonna do…? Now Asami will never forgive me after finding out.” She said to them.

“Hey, come on now, don’t go thinking like that.” Applejack got her to look to her. “Look, what’s done is done, there ain’t nothing you can do to change that… but what you feel towards Mako shouldn’t change anything sugarcube. It will be a hard path, but you will always have your friends beside you.” She said to her.

“Always there to make sure you make it through every battle.” Fluttershy said.

“And always with you when you’re down.” Spike said to her.

Looking at her friends, Korra felt so lucky to have such a wonderful group of friends looking out for her as she smiled and tears filled her eyes. “Ooh… come here you guys!” She pulled them into a group hug as the giggled, unaware that Liu and Kitana were listening from around the corner. They smiled proudly and headed off to their sleeping quarters, to await for tomorrow.

Air Temple Island

Meanwhile on Air Temple Island, Amon was is waiting on a platform as the Lieutenant and one of the Netherrealm Demons drags a blindfolded man up to him. The man is forced to his knees and has his blindfold removed as Amon approaches, the bender looked up towards him filled with fear. “You will now be cleansed of your impurity.” He said to him as he got behind him and placed his thumb on his forehead, using his power to remove his bending from him. The policeman collapses and falls over from exhaustion, as Amon looked towards the Lieutenant. “Next.” He said to him.

Starlight watched it happen, growing sick of what she was watching as Amon stripped away their bending, one by one. Rain approached her from behind. “You seem troubled Starlight, is this not all you dreamed of…?” He asked her.

“This isn’t at all what I wanted.” She told him.

But Rain chuckled a ps he circled around her. “There’s no turning back Starlight, if not for your black, broken heart… and if your villagers hadn’t cast you out, your dream of equality would have been realized.” He told her.

“But the way I envisioned it was different… and the fact we’re doing this in honor of the Mad God Shinnok…? This isn’t equality, it’s genocide.” She told him and looked out. “Even back then I wanted to believe that either cutie marks, or bending were horrible things to have, ever since my best friend got his, I was alone… that fate wanted to be cruel to me. But now I see what my actions caused.” She told him.

But Rain glanced to her as he quietly formed a weapon from water. “You better choose wisely on who your enemies will be.” He warned her.

But Starlight glared in response as she formed a magic sphere in her hand. “I’m not the only one.” She told him as she quickly blasted him away with her magic. Tanya snuck up from behind and went to stab her, but Starlight blocked it and whirled her arm around and pinned it behind her as she kneed her in the jaw causing it to fracture. Just as Rain got back up, he charged at her going for a fast slash against her. Starlight vanished through teleportation magic and appeared behind him as she landed a solid uppercut against his jaw, knocking him down towards Amon as he landed in front of him.

Seeing it happen, Amon looked to Starlight seeing her land in front of him, glaring as magic swirled around her hands. “Please… don’t do this.” He said to her.

“Because of you, I must.” She told him as she allowed her magic to engulf her body. “I had special plans for the people of Equestria, but thanks to you… my eyes are open to who the true evil is, Shinnok.” She said to him as she vanished from his sight.

The Equalists looked around for her as the Lieutenant approached Amon. “I will have her found, and punished for her betrayal sir.” He said to him.

“Do it… and get this half god up off the ground before I kick it.” Amon told him as the Lieutenant helped Rain up and walked away with him.

Nightmare sighed as she approached. “It’s a shame really, she had such promise.” She told him.

“You don’t plan on betraying me also, are you…?” He asked her while glancing to her.

But the Dark Moon Goddess chuckled as she looked to him. “Now Amon, I’m the only reason you’re not groveling at Shinnok’s feet, in chains like the rest of these people. Shinnok may be a mad god, but he has the power to give you what you want. So don’t get on his bad side, or you shall meet his children.” She warned him as she stroked a finger under his chin against his mask and walked away, leaving Amon to finish his job to equalizing the officers they have.

Republic City, Sewers

Meanwhile at Team Avatar and Team Earth Defenders hideout, a certain Black Dragon Leader was in a desperate situation. “Hey! Someone open up! I need to take a piss here! I ain’t pissin’ in this box you call a cage, so cut me some slack, will ya?” Kano tried to get them to let him out, but Flash and Soarin are far from convinced.

“Dude, that’s like the third bathroom break you had, maybe you should lay off the liquor and beer.” Soarin said to him.

“Yeah, because you’re starting to get bit of gut their.” Flash chuckled pointing it out as Kano sneered at him for it.

“Now look here shit brick, you don’t know who yer messing with. I don’t even care of the fact you’re Liu Kang’s or Kung Pao’s students.” He told them.

“First off…” Soarin reached in grabbing him by his beard and pulled slamming his face against the cage. “It’s Kung Lao, second of all… we know you’re trying to plan an escape, so do yourself a favor, give it up.” He told him as he walked only to see Starlight standing in front of him. “Starlight?!” He backed away standing in his fight stance along with Flash.

“How did you even find us?” Flash asked her.

“Please, I saw Korra and her boyfriend sneaking away during the rally, it wasn’t that hard to notice.” She told him.

“Yeah, figures you’d rat us out.” Flash said to her and looked around. “So where are the rest of your Equalist buddies?” He asked her.

“I’m alone… feel free to check.” She told him.

Flash didn’t know what to think of her, but he closed his eyes in a meditative state to channel his spirit. He sensed the entire area was clear of Equalists, letting him open his eyes and look to her. “She’s telling the truth… but we’re not taking any chances with you.” He told her as he approached her and placed a set of cuffs on her wrists to restrain her. “And don’t even bother trying to use magic on these… they’re specially made to contain ones magic.” He said to her as he grabbed her arm. “Now move.” He pushed her as he and Soarin went to show her to the others.

“Hey! What about me?” Kano asked them only to see a bucket get kicked in front of him, he gave them an unamused look knowing this was their idea of a joke. “I hate you guys so much.” He told them.

(~)

Upon showing Starlight to them, they were immediately surprised to see her after all she put them through. “You got some nerve showing your face around here, first you try to make us equal in your village, then you tried equalize this realm, and now you expect us to believe you’re turning over a new leaf?!” Twilight asked her as magic swirled around her hands. “I outta break every bone in your body!”

But Flash stopped her from doing so. “Easy Twilight, let her explain.” He said to her.

“Look, I know I did some wrong in the past… I was even going to use time travel to make you guys pay, but-“ Before Starlight could continue, she saw Twilight and Kitana holding out their war fans as flames surrounded them and eyes were legit red, causing her to panic. “But! I didn’t! Because when I found out that Amon was working with Shinnok the Mad God, I had to escape and warn you!” She told them.

“Oh, we’re well aware of it sister.” Korra told her.

“What?! You guys knew?!” She asked them surprised.

“Yeah, and if you think we’re gonna trust you after all the shit you and your buddies put us through, you better be ready for a big reality check.” Johnny said to her only to receive a kick to his crown jewels by Sonya. He groaned and hit the ground holding his private area. “Come on, she did!” She told him.

“There are still children present you idiot.” She told him as she looked to Starlight. “Now tell us, why turn against Amon now?” She asked her.

Starlight lowered her gaze knowing it will be hard for them to believe her after all she put them through, but she looked to them to give them her answer. “I had no idea he was working with Shinnok… ever since I found out two days ago, I just couldn’t believe it. I wanted equality for all people, but I didn’t think we were also going to have everyone killed in the process. Through the next two days, I tried to process all of it… but then I realized… this…? This isn’t equality, this is genocide.” She told them.

“There are reasons Shinnok is called the Mad God.” Shang told her as he approached. “Revenge and chaos are what drive him, and the destruction of the realms are what his goal is. Why do you think the Elder Gods exiled him to the Netherrealm to begin with?” He asked her.

Starlight lowered her gaze from hearing his question, believing a different reason than what she believed. She then pulled out the scroll she had hidden in her pocket showing that is was one for time travel. “Maybe I should use this scroll, to make sure Shinnok was never born, prevent the suffering of everyone… once and for all.” She said to herself.

“That won’t do you any good.” Liu Kang approached her. “Tampering with time will have unforeseen consequences… you use that scroll, it will not only affect our lives, but the realms as well, as well as everyone else.” He explained to her.

“Liu’s right, we may not have gone through the same pain you have, but we just might if you use that scroll. So ask yourself, do you think your best friend would want this?” She asked her.

When she heard the question, her thoughts returned to Sunburst as she looked to the scroll and clenched it tightly in her hands while closing her eyes tightly as Korra looked at her and looked towards Raiden. “Lord Raiden, what do you think we should do with her?” She asked him.

Upon hearing her question, Raiden approached Starlight and looked at her and she looked to him in return. “If we release these bonds, will you help us stop Amon?” He asked her.

“You think I would be hear if I didn’t?” She asked him, Raiden knew she was deeply disturbed of what she had gone through. But he saw that she couldn’t go through with what Amon was doing. He used lightning to remove the cuffs around her wrists, letting her rub them as she practiced summoning her magic a bit and looked to him. “Thank you, Lord Raiden.” She said to him.

“Lord? Seriously, I was used to her being a bad guy, girl! Looks like he turned another one… seriously, what’s he got that I don’t?” Johnny asked.

“Godlike power?” Liu asked with a smirk.

“A personality that isn’t at all like sanding paper?” Kung Lao asked him with an equal smirk.

Johnny totally walked into that one as he scowled at them. “Jerks.” He said to them.

Raiden turned to Celestia and walked over to her. “A moment please, my love.” He walked with her to have a private conversation. Once alone, Raiden looked to Celestia. “Starlight and Artemis are but two of Amons followers to abandon him, Kano of course we captured, but without backup, we might not win this war.” He told her.

“What should we do?” She asked him.

“There is a realm that has a protector that might be able to help us. She may be young, but she is skilled enough to help us turn the tide.” She told her.

“You certain she will be able to help us? She may not be convinced easily.” Celestia said to him.

“Not unless she is properly motivated.” Raiden said to her with a smirk.

Seeing it, Celestia let out an amused chuckle and looked to him. “For a thunder god, you’re still quite devious.” She said to him.

Which made him smile as he looked to her. “One happy to have married you.” Raiden said to her as he kissed her lovingly and let go as he vanished.

Republic City Yue Bay

Yue Bay was covered in a thick blanket of fog the next morning, Team Avatar, the Earth Defenders and the Outworld Guardians are hiding in the drainage pipe overlooking the harbor. Mako stepped out to assess the situation, and look around the area seeing nothing. “Coast is clear.” he told them as the others stepped out.

Shang Tsung looked throughout the bay, feeling something wrong with the situation. “It’s quiet… it would be perfect for an ambush.” He said to them.

“Like you would when you and Quan Chi murdered me?” Liu asked him.

Shang knew for certain he wasn’t going to live that one down as the large group ran ahead and climbed an access stairway to an observation deck above. They crouch by the railing as Bolin scans the bay with a telescope along with Applejack who helped scan the area. “Once the United Forces arrive, we need to be ready to help in any way we can.” Korra said to them.

“Easier said than done sugar, this fog is thicker than Granny’s fresh apple pie.” Applejack told her.

“They’re here!” Mako pointed to where the fleet is.

Bolin let’s out a gasp and places the telescope to his eye again, only to realize he was holding it the wrong way. “Whoops.” He flipped it back around holding it right.

Pinkie chuckled and patted his head. “Silly Boly.” She said to him and looked out as she catches sight of a dim shape through the mist.

(~)

Meanwhile on the lead ship, Iroh cautiously looked around the bay trying to spot any of Amons forces. But it was quiet, too quiet… something just didn’t settle right with him as he looked around. “Hmm ... Amon had to know we were coming. So why aren't we meeting any resistance?” He asked.

(~)

Back with the heroes, Korra began to feel what Iroh was feeling as she looked around. “Wait a second ... where are the Equalist airships?” She asked.

Mako looked around as he snatches the telescope from his brother and runs to the end of the deck, scanning the city. “I don't see any mecha tanks, demons, or any of Shinnok’s, either.” He told them.

“Maybe they’re on a lunch break?” Johnny asked only to get an elbow to his ribs.

Twilight’s eyes widened as she used her magic to teleport her and Kitana to Iroh’s ship.

Iroh looked around carefully as he felt more tense. “Something's not right.” He told his men as Twilight and Kitana appeared on deck, causing the soldiers to tense up.

“General Iroh, my name is Princess Twilight of Equestria, and this is Princess Kitana of Edenia, my mentor, you have to turn your fleet away quickly!” She said to him.

“You’re walking right into-“ Before Kitana could finish, the ship was hit by an explosion from an underwater mine.

They felt the ship rock from the explosion as Iroh looked to his men. “It's a trick!” He exclaimed as he ran to the deck with Kitana and Twilight. Meanwhile Korra watched it happen as she leaps off the edge and uses waterbending to pull herself into the bay, and she begins to swim toward the conflict. Iroh quickly grabbed the mic to a loud speaker. “Water and earthbenders, detonate those mines!” He ordered them.

“That may not be enough general.” Kitana told him.

“I have to try, or our cause is lost.” Iroh told her as he headed out of the control room and on deck to aid his fellow soldiers. But as they proceeded to the deck, a strange buzzing sound can be heard in the sky. Korra surfaces and looks up, Twilight and Kitana looked up as well along with Iroh.

(~)

The rest of Team Avatar and Earth Defenders look out on the deck as Mako points the telescope toward Republic City. “What now?” He asked as he looked spotting something new. Behind the skyscrapers, a group of flying objects can be seen in the mist, which resolve themselves into two fleets of biplanes.

Liu saw them and was shocked to see them, as were the rest of the group. “Okay, whaaaat… the hell?!” Johnny shouted in anger.

“Right? Where does Hiroshi find the time to keep inventing new evil machines?!“ Bolin asked as he was both angry and confused.

“How he does so is beyond us.” Chrysalis stated.

While Shang Tsung looked towards Starlight. “Did you happen to know about this?” He asked her.

“A little bit regarding the mines, but nothing on those planes, I swear!” She swore to him while the planes flying across the bay, Hiroshi was among the pilots as he He pulls a lever and bombs were drop from the underside. Ships are bombarded, causing major damage on board. One plane drops down two torpedoes and Korra dodges them only for them to hit the side of a ship. The explosion forces Korra back but she swims to the ship again. More planes drop down torpedoes to hit their targets.

“Incoming!” Shouted one of the sailors as the explosion forces the sailors up in the air. A plane dives in to attack, but firebenders firebend into the cannons and shoot the planes. Korra emerges from the underwater and she looks at the planes, while they destroy the remaining ships. An earthbender tries to bring them down but he is forced back by the bombing. Planes fly around until one gets hit with firebending, forcing the pilot to eject. Iroh and two other firebenders use their bending to take down the planes, successfully hitting one. Kitana uses her war fans and throws them at one of the planes, clipping its wing as it started falling down to the bay, as Twilight used her magic to catch a torpedo and throw it back to the plain it came from.

Korra dives into the water, waterbends a massive waterspout, and bends out a large ice spike to take a plane down. However, the damaged plane hits the waterspout and Korra falls into the water where she bends a torpedo around into the air and hits another plane. She emerges once more and swims to the closest ship. Iroh comes up from the hatch to firebend the remaining planes, taking them down one by one but the last plane drops a bomb in front of him. He uses firebending to shield himself while Twilight and Kitana teleported off the ship, but the explosion causes him to fall into the water, unconscious. Korra grabs and brings him to the surface. “It's all right, I've got you.” She told him.

Coughing from the water, he saw her for the first time, Iroh knew who she was. “Avatar Korra? You saved my life. Thank you.” He told her but saw a plane coming towards them. “On second thought, we’re not safe yet!” He shouted as Korra looked towards the plane and eyes widen as the plane was about to launch a torpedo at them. But before the torpedo could be launched, a giant paw swatted against the plane, making the pilot scream as he crashed into the water with it. Korra was surprised from seeing it and looked to the source of cause. Her eyes widened seeing a giant Jaguar standing before her, fur and spots being hues of pink, eyes were purple, and it’s mane was dark, and had a white patch of fur on its torso. “Please tell me I’m seeing things.” Iroh said to her.

“If it saved our lives, then that’s pretty much a yes!” She responded as the massive Jaguar turned towards the other planes and roared at them. Hiroshi glared from his plane and headed back to where he lead them from. Korra watched them go and waterbends them away from the wreckage, reaching the shore as she set Iroh down.

Sonya rushed over with Jax and helped him up. “You gonna be okay soldier?” He asked him.

“I think so, but my arm hurts pretty badly.” He shows a pretty bad burn on his arm.

Twilight approached with Kitana seeing it. “Jeez, that is a really bad burn.” She muttered.

“Yeah, but Raiden might fix it if he were here.” Rainbow told her.

Sonya checked the arm seeing how bad it is. “You’re gonna need some serious medical attention, help me get him up.” She told Jax as he lifted him up and looked to where the Jaguar was, only to see it was no longer there. “What the- how does something THAT big, just disappear?!” She asked.

“I can answer that.” Said an unfamiliar voice as she and Raiden approached them, they saw a woman, dark skin, pink hair, but her eyes were a violet hue, answered their questions. “It was me.” She told them.

Liu saw her surprised and looked towards Raiden. “Lord Raiden, where have you been?” He asked him.

“I’ll explain later, we must get Iroh back to the hideout.” He told him as he used his power to transport them back to the hideout.

Hideout

Korra and Raiden were using both their abilities of healing to restore Iroh’s arm from the wound he receives. “I was prepared to deal with Sato's mecha tanks, but not these new high-speed aircraft.” He told them.

“I know, every time we think we have an advantage, Amon outsmarts us.” She said to him as she healed his arm.

“No matter what our plan is, he always has a better one” Bolin said to them.

“And we are running out of ideas.” Pinkie said to them.

“Amon is winning so far, but we're not out of the fight yet.” He told them.

Bolin was happy to hear about it. “I like this man's confidence! So, how are we not out of the fight? Also, who are you?” He pointed out to the pink haired girl.

“Finally, I was standing here for like a whole half hour, and no one even bothered to ask me. My name is Kipo Oak, I’m from another Parallel Earth, like your Panther friend here.” She gestured to T’Challa.

“Interesting, but how did you make such a powerful beast disappear?” T’Challa asked her.

“Simple.” She answered as she held out her arms and fur began to appear and her hands turned into giant paws before their eyes, causing their eyes to widen. “As you can see, I’m what people call on my Earth, a Mega Jaguar. It’s difficult to explain, and I might not have the time to explain, given that Raiden here said we were on a time crunch.” She explained.

Nightwolf approached her and looked into her eyes, she felt a tad uncomfortable with the serious stare as she glanced towards Applejack who shrugged her shoulders. “He’s a shaman, best to let him do his thing.” She told her.

Kipo gulped as she looked back at Nightwolf who looked into her eyes, as a way to looking into her soul to find out more about her. He saw a noble spirit within her, but he also saw sadness… the pain she endured when separated from her people, her father… and her mother. But he also saw love, love for those she’s called a family, the lives she had changed for the better. Those who didn’t share her beliefs, met a fate crueler than death. He pulled away from her, and looked towards the others. “She has a noble heart, if Haoka chose her, then she can be trusted.” He told them.

Kipo let out a sigh of relief, and smiled looking to them. “That’s good to hear.” She said to them.

“Now hold on, how did Raiden even find you?” Twilight asked her.

“Well, it’s a long story.” Kipo said to her.

Kipo’s dimension

A few hours ago.

Kipo was resting on the ground next to Mandu, who was fully grown at the time. But her afternoon was interrupted when a spark of lightning crashed on the ground before them, making Kipo jolt as she went into semi mega Jaguar form and Mandu went feral as she got up. From the lightning appeared Raiden, who looked to Kipo as she looked to him surprised. “Whoa, now that was cool… but how are you not dead?!” She asked him.

“There is little time for that… I’ve come to you from another realm, I am here to ask for your help against a powerful force. If it succeeds in its mission-“

“Stop right there, I’m in!” Kipo interrupted him with an excited smile on her face, and Raiden expected more of a surprise look from her, but he smiled knowing he didn’t have to go to extreme measures to convince her.

Present time…

“Okay, maybe not that long.” Kipo admitted.

“Well, I think it’s nice to have a new member of this team.” Fluttershy said to her as she touched her fur. “Quite soft… you would happen to…” She wanted to ask, but it was hard to even utter the words in front of everyone.

“Lick myself? No, not a chance.” Kipo said to her.

“That aside… we need to anticipate Amons next move before we proceed.” Scorpion said to them.

“Yes, but there is something you all need to know.” Iroh approached. “A second wave of reinforcements is on the way, but I need to warn them.” He old them.

“Well, way to let us know ahead of time.” Rainbow said sarcastically.

“Easy Rainbow, it’s not worth picking a fight with a superior officer.” Sub-Zero told her.

Iroh turned towards Korra. “Do you still have a way to get a message out?” He asked her.

“I know just the man for the job.” She told him.

(~)

Gommu finished setting up a telegraph machine while Iroh and the Defenders and Team Avatar stand behind him. “And who is the recipient of this top secret message?” He asked them.

“Commander Bumi, second division of the United Forces.” Iroh told him as Gommu cracked his knuckles.

“Tenzin’s brother?” Korra asked him surprised.

“Yes, bit of a wild man, but the bravest commander you'll ever meet.” He explained.

Rarity leaned in front of him. “How wild are we talking are we talking here?” She asked him.

“Think of him as a mix between King Bumi of Omashu, and Sokka when he’s on cactus juice.” He told her.

Everyone shuddered from hearing it. “Remind me to never drink that stuff.” Johnny said to them.

“Ditto.” Sonya agreed with him.

“Ready, sir.” Gommu said to Iroh as he tapped on the telegram.

“Fleet ambushed and destroyed by Equalist aircraft. Retreat to Red Sand Island until my signal. Do not approach city until you receive the all clear.” He told his message to Commander Bumi as Gommu finished the telegram, and the young General looked to the others while looking to a map of Republic City. “Now comes the hard part. We need to ground those aircrafts. Otherwise, Bumi's fleet would never be able to retake the city.” He said to them.

“The flying machines from what I saw, they flew in from this direction.” Kotal pointed to where the mountains were.

“The airfield must be somewhere over this mountain range.” Mako said as he checked the area.

“Finding it will be the easy part, but it’s bringing down the planes that will be the difficult part.” T’Challa pointed out. “At least, not without some help from my cousin, given his stubborn streak.” He told them.

“Leave him to me.” Artemis said to him.

“This outta be interesting.” Mimir muttered to himself.

“Quiet head.” Kratos said to him.

“Everyone get ready, we leave at dawn.” Iroh told them as they began walking away.

Fluttershy soon noticed Asami’s expression as she lingered and walked to her. “You all right?” She asked her.

“I’m fine.” Asami replied a bit coldly and looked up. “It's time to take down my father.” She said as she walked to catch up with the others.

Silent for a brief moment, Korra knew what she had to do. “Wait, I'm sorry, but I'm not going with you tomorrow.” She told them.

This immediately surprised everyone. “Whoa, excuse me?” Twilight asked.

“What?” Mako asked in surprise.

“Why not?” Asami asked her.

“I'm sick and tired of hiding from Amon. It's time I face him.” Korra told them.

“No offense sugar, but I don’t think facing him is a good idea.” Applejack said to her.

“She’s right, that's not a good plan. We need to stick together.” Iroh said to her.

“I'm not waiting for him to hunt me down. My guts tell me it's time to end this, on my terms.“ She told them knowing her gut is telling her to do what is right.

“Korra, this is not a mission you should be handling alone.” Iroh told her.

“She won't be.” Mako approached her as Asami had a surprised look on her face. “I'm going with you.” He told her.

“Not just you buddy.” Twilight approached her along with Liu Kang and a Kitana. “You think I’m gonna sit this one out, while you have all the glory? Fat chance.” She told her with a smirk.

“Amon is after me as well, I’m not sure what he’s after, but he won’t be able to stand a chance against all of us.” Liu told her.

Korra was worried about them, and could bear the thought of seeing anything happening to them. “You guys don't have to do that.” She told them.

“Yes, we do.” Mako told her as he walked up. “This isn’t a fight you can win on your own, we can sense that. So can you… if anything happened to you, we’d never forgive ourselves.” He said to her.

“He’s right Korra, besides, you need backup… and a lot of it. My friends can go with the other defenders with the rest of your team. Kipo can accompany them in case something goes wrong.” She told her.

“I’m game, besides, if these guys get caught, I’ll need to stay behind and bust them out.” She told her as she pounded her Jaguar paws together with a smirk on her face.

Korra smiled at seeing it and looked to Mako. “All right.” She said to him as he smiled back at her.

Asami meanwhile watched them, seeing the way they looked at one another so lovingly without even realizing it themselves. She looked away sadly, knowing that what they are feeling towards each other was different than what she and Mako had. Meanwhile Iroh had his hand at his chin, lost in deep thought. “Hmm ... My grandfather would respect the Avatar's instinct.” He said and lowered his hand looking to Korra. “So will I.” He told her.

Raiden approached him and placed a hand to his shoulder. “It is merely a leap of faith General.” He told him as he walked ahead and looked to them. “My friends, this may in fact be a difficult challenge for all of you to face, but I trust in your skills as well as your faith, that you will succeed in your tasks. No matter the situation, or what you may face out there, you will all be hailed as champions, and heroes of the realms.” He told them.

Celestia and Luna approached and looked to them. “There may be no guarantee that we will succeed, but we promise you all this. We will not let Amon win… not in this time.” She vowed to them.

(~)

Meanwhile, Artemis approached Killmonger in his cage who was calm and relaxed, unlike Kano who’s still pissing and moaning in his own cage. Killmonger glanced seeing Artemis and looked away. “I wasn’t sure I’d ever see you again beautiful… just couldn’t stay away, could ya?” He asked her.

Artemis remained silent until letting out a sigh, looking up to him with a look of disappointment. Both in him, and herself. “We made mistakes N’Jadaka… we helped a madman start a war, and now he intends to bring the Mad God Shinnok here, to this realm.” She told him.

“And this should worry me, why?” Killmonger asked her.

“When you think about it long enough, if he gets here, reaches this worlds Jinsei, the source of all life, what do you think will happen?” She asked him as Killmonger thought it through, but came up with nothing as Artemis sighed in defeat. “All your dealers, all your weapons… there will be nothing left.” She told him.

Killmonger looked to her surprised and got up holding the bars of his cage. “You can’t be serious.” He said to her.

“I’m afraid she is, cousin.” T’Challa said to him as he approached. “Everything you sought to do, will all be destroyed because of your actions.” He told him.

Killmonger looked away turning his back towards them, he knew what the world took from him on his Earth, but did he want the same thing to happen to children in this realm? He couldn’t bear to see that happen, he let out a sigh of defeat and looked towards them. “If I help you, what do I get in return?” He asked.

“If you help us, you will be given a full pardon, and be welcomed into Wakanda. As an equal, and a member of the royal family.” T’Challa told him.

Killmonger thought about it for a moment, to be welcomed in the family, even if he will get some scowls along the way… who was he to pass up the opportunity? He looked to them, to give him his answer. “All right, I’ll help… but there’s something you guys should hear before you depart.” He told them as both T’Challa and Artemis looked to each other and looked to him being all ears. “Also, we might want to bring Kano, can’t risk him escaping and alerting Amon.” He advised them.

“Good point.” Artemis agreed and walked to get Kano.

(~)

After Killmonger explained everything, the team was fully prepared for what they were about to face. Mako and Korra were wearing Equalist clothing in the hobos' hideout. Bolin walks up to Mako and they hug. “Love you, little bro.” He told his young sibling while Gommu sniffles and cries in the background.

“Love you back, big bro.” Bolin told him as he let go and looked to Korra, Liu and a Twilight. “Korra, Liu Kang, Twilight, Kitana… Amon is a nasty dude. Be careful.“ He told them.

“We will.” Korra told him as she hugged him. “Good luck. If you're going into the mountains, you should bring Naga.” She told them as Naga approached, and she hugged her loyal polar bear dog. “Take good care of Bolin for me.” She told her as Naga licked her face.

Flash Sentry walked up to Twilight and touched her shoulder. “You going to be okay?” He asked her.

“I will baby, I promise. Amon has tricks up his sleeve, but so do I.” She told him with a smirk as she touched his hand. “I promise, once this mission is over, we will celebrate together.” She vowed as Flash smiled at hearing it.

“I look forward to it.” He told her as he kissed her lovingly and she kissed him back.

Jade and Mileena approached Kitana as the trio of sisters stood together. “Wish we could go with you… but Hiroshi will be our target once we reach the airfield.” Mileena said to her as she placed a hand on her shoulder. “You sure you’re up for this?” She asked her.

“Mileena brings up a valuable point, what ever Amon is capable of, he could use any method of trying to hurt you and Liu.” Jade said to her.

“What ever he plans, we will be ready for it, if anything unexpected comes up, I will contact you two immediately.” Kitana said to them as the trio smiled together and got into a group hug. Knowing that they will see each other when the battle is over.

Kung Lao walked up with Chi towards Liu Kang. “Be careful brother.” He told him.

“I will… you and Chi look out for each other, you hear?” He asked them.

“Don’t worry, I have an eagles eye on him.” She told him as her eyes shifted into that of an eagles, making Kung Lao panic from seeing it.

Liu Kang chuckled at seeing it, but soon notices Mako walking towards Asami, knowing this might not end well… for either of them. “Asami.” He called her name as Asami looked towards him. “I'm sorry things got so messed up between us, but whatever happens today, I want you to know how much I care about you.” He told her, despite telling her how she felt for Korra.

Asami wanted to hate him, but she could. It wasn’t her nature, she looked to him and nodded her head. “I care about you, too.” She told him as she kissed his cheek, and ran towards Bolin and the others.

Rarity watched her approach and touched her shoulder. “You going to be all right darling?” She asked her.

“Yeah, I will be.” She assured her as she wiped her eyes of tears that were starting to brim.

Kotal looked seeing Killmonger approach with T’Challa and Kano who was still tied up. “The arms dealer… you certain you can keep him contained?” He asked them.

“If he tries anything, he’s going to get a nasty shock.” T’Challa told him showing that one of his beads was stuck into Kano’s back. “Should he even try to run away, even thirty feet… the bead in his neck will instantly stun him.” He explained.

“Way to take the fun outta everything ya wanker.” Kano muttered only to get an electric jolt through his body from the head. “What the hell?!” He got shocked again from what he said.

“I also programmed it to react when ever he says a swear word.” T’Challa told the Osh-Tekk emperor with a smirk on his face, forcing out a bit of laughter from it, knowing this will be quite amusing to watch. The two groups soon parted ways to handle their missions.

(~)

At the sewage pipe exit, Korra and her group looked out towards Air Temple Island. They continue walking into the sea and Korra waterbends a large bubble so they can breathe while underwater. Twilight looked around as she smiled while using her magic to stabilize the bubble. “It’s days like this that I start love bending.” She said to herself.

“Stay focused Twilight, cause when we reach the island, we need to be ready for Amons forces.” Kitana told her.

“Right, right, got it.” Twilight focused all her efforts into the bubble, to keep it stable as they made their way to Air Temple Island.

Meanwhile Liu Kang looked around carefully through the water. “If Amon was able to summon demons from the Netherrealm, and Athena, creatures from her Greek era as well as those from the Norse era, there is no telling what will show up.” He told them.

“Try not to jinx it teach, we have a long way to go before that happens.” Korra told him unaware beneath the water, was something lurking around them. It slithered around the bubble watching them, but Korra began to notice it as her eyes began to widen. “Uhh, Liu, what kind of creature is that…?” She asked as Liu looked out to the sea.

Swimming closer to the bubble, the creature rammed the barrier revealing itself as a Tatzelwurm. A creature with the head and upper body of a lion and the lower half of a snake. Liu’s eyes widened recognizing it. “Tatzelwurm…!” He stated its name as the creature rammed the barrier again.

Twilight struggled with it and looked to where the beast was. “If that thing hits us again, we’re gonna drown!” She shouted as the Tatzelwurm charged at them again with its jaws wide open, Korra quickly used her earth bending to raise the earth beneath them as the Tatzelwurm bit the rock wall, struggling to get its fangs free to no avail. Giving the group a sigh of relief to move on.

(~)

Air Temple Island

Once reaching the shores of Air Temple Island, Korra and Mako walk out of the sea with Twilight, Liu and Kitana as Korra stops waterbending the bubble. They put on their chi blocker masks and climb up the rocky shores. They look over the cliffs and see an Equalist airship, which Amon boards. “There's Amon.” She pointed to where he is.

“Looks like Rain and Tanya are with him, we need to get into the temple. Then, when he returns…” He looks towards Korra and the others.

“We ambush them.” Twilight said to them.

They nodded their heads and began proceeding to the temple. But before they could even reach it. “What are you four doing here?” Asked a familiar voice, that being of the Lieutenant as he approached them.

They began to panic, but Mako turned to him trying to keep calm. “Uh, we were just transferred.” He told him.

“Yes, to keep watch over the island sir.” Kitana told him.

“Well, you're getting transferred again. Amon wants extra security at the arena today.” The Lieutenant said to them.

This made Liu Kang curious as to why. “The arena? For what?” He asked him.

“The rally. You should've been briefed about this.” The Lieutenant said to them as he started getting suspicious of their behavior.

But Twilight approached and bowed to him. “We'll be there, sir.” She vowed to him.

“Yes, you can count on us sir.” Korra said to him as the Lieutenant hummed a bit, but walked away leaving them. Korra watched him go and leaned to Mako. “I know another way in.” She whispered to him and the others as the group slowly and comically shuffle sideways, leading them to a wall within the air temple and the group see a small secret wooden door built into the wall. Korra lifts the door up and they all crawl inside the hole in the wall as the door shuts behind them.

(~)

Once inside of one of the rooms in the tower as the group ascend the stairs and walk across the room, while Korra points to a ladder. “Let's hide in the attic.” She told them.

“Good idea, they won’t know what hit them.” Twilight said to her as they climb up and they go within the attic. Mako look towards the inside of the attic and notices something.

“Uhh... we're not alone up here.” He told them as they looked to who else was in here, to everyone’s surprise, it was none other than Tarrlok, sitting behind bars that were recently built in the attic.

This surprised Korra to see the man who kidnapped her locked behind bars in the Airbender families attic, and not in prison. “Tarrlok?” She called to him.

The former councilman looked to them seeing them all remove their masks showing their faces as he showed his disheveled appearance. “I don't suppose you're here to rescue me.” He said to them.

“We had no idea you were here.” Liu said to him as he approached with Korra.

“Are there other prisoners on the island?” She asked him.

“No… I’m the only one.” Tarrlok told them as he lowered his head.

Kitana scowled as she felt perplexed from hearing it. “And what makes you so special?” She asked him.

Taking a moment, Tarrlok looked to them with a serious demeanor. “I'm Amon's brother.” He told them as they all had shocked looks on their faces from the major bomb shell he dropped on them.

“Wow, did not see that coming.” Twilight admitted.

“Amon is from the Northern Water Tribe… he's a waterbender and a bloodbender, just like I was.” Tarrlok told them.

“What?” Korra asked in surprise as she and an equally shocked Mako glance at each other and back at Tarrlok. Mako takes a step forward to Tarrlok's cell.

“Did you know this all along?” He asked him.

“No, not until after he captured me.” He admitted to him.

Liu Kang and Kitana approached the cage and kneeled down. “How did your brother end up becoming Amon?” Liu asked him.

“It all began with my father, Yakone.” Tarrlok began as he looked to them.

Forty-two years ago

The scene changes to Yakone getting a facial surgery as nurses start removing the wrappings. “With the help of his former gang, he escaped prison and underwent surgery to change his appearance.” Tarrlok explained as the doctor cuts off Yakone's facial bandages to reveal his new face. All the bandages fall off and Yakone now looks younger and has darker hair. “He assumed a new identity, and settled down in the Northern Water Tribe.” He told the group as the scene faded to the snowy hills in the Northern Water Tribe, Yakone traveled to a small village and spotted someone that would change him… almost. “That's where he met my mother, a warm, caring woman.” She looked at Yakone and slightly blushes. Yakone, though a bit surprised at first, in turn smiles at her. “Before long, they started a family together.” Yakone and his wife standing out side a home, a boy running around, laughing, followed by his younger brother. “Amon was the firstborn, under the name Noatak. I was born three years later.” The young Tarrlok plays with his older brother and attempts to tackle him, but falls into the snow. Noatak helps him out of the snow a cheers him up as he tears up. They laugh at one another. “Noatak was a good-natured kid, always looking out for me. Those were the good years.” Tarrlok explained as he remembered them well, but not all good things stick around as we will soon find out. The night sky came, under which Noatak and Tarrlok practice waterbending with floating globs of water. “Before my brother and I discovered we were waterbenders. At first we were excited by our new abilities, but our training brought out a different side of my father.”

“Tarrlok, you'd better shape up or you'll be out here in the cold all night until you get it right.” Yakone warned him as the young boy flinched.

“I'm trying, but-”

“Try harder!” Yakone yelled as Tarrlok dropped the water. “Your brother was never this sloppy.” He said to him.

Noatak looked to his little brother seeing him wipe his eye, and looked towards his father. “Dad, he'll get it. He just needs time.” He told him.

“Don't talk back to me, son! Ever!“ Yakone yelled at his eldest son as the boys look dejected as they continue practicing their form.

“Even back then, my brother wanted everyone to be treated fairly and equally.” Tarrlok explained as he remembered his brother for who he was. “When I was seven, my father took me and Noatak on a hunting trip far away from our home. He told us his true identity was Yakone, Republic City's most notorious crime boss, and that he was once a bloodbender of rare skill.” He told them.

Tarrlok sat with his brother and his father around a campfire as Tarrlok looked to his father with confusion. “What's bloodbending?” He asked him.

“The most powerful and feared form of bending in the world. It was declared illegal thanks to that coward, Katara. Our family has the strongest line of bloodbenders in history. You boys have this power inside of you, and I will teach you to master it.” He told his sons of hat it was from his point of view.

Noatak looks away with a slight sigh, and asks his father a question. “What happened to your bending, Dad?” He asked him.

“The Avatar and that accursed Thunder God stole it from me.” Yakone told him as he stood up and looked to his sons. “That's why I brought you out here, to learn your destiny. You two will become bloodbenders of the highest order. When the time is right, you will claim Republic City and you will destroy the Avatar. You must avenge me. That is your purpose in life.” He told them with cold and bitterness in his heart, showing how much he loathed the Avatar, and the Thunder God who aided him in taking away what he had.

“The good days were behind us.” Tarrlok told the defenders as he remembered the day they hid from a heard of yaks. “Every full moon, our father took us on another supposed "hunting trip," where he secretly trained us in bloodbending.” He told them as Yakone nods to Noatak, who stands up. “We kept the truth from my mother.” He told the group as Noatak bloodbends the yak, making it stand up, and forces its head back. The yak groans in pain.

“Stop! You're hurting it!” Young Tarrlok cried out from seeing it.

“Toughen up, Tarrlok! You'll need a thicker skin for this.” Yakone said to him coldly as Noatak lets the yak down and it runs away along with rest of the herd. “Very good, son, very good.” He said to him, while Tarrlok felt ashamed.

Years Later…

“A few years later, my father taught us to bloodbend anytime, without the need of the full moon.” The present day Tarrlok told his audience and as Yakone looked to his younger self and nodded to him. He lets out an exhale and gets up. “We practiced constantly, and I hated every minute of it.” The young teen jumps over the small ledge and uses bloodbending to make the wolves stand in a row and move from side to side. He looked at the wolves seeing them whining before Tarrlok lets them go. “I had no stomach for manipulating helpless animals. My brother, however, seemed to revel in this newfound power.” Tarrlok looked to see his brother Noatak breathes and forces the wolves to come back. “He was a prodigy, mastering my father's psychic bloodbending technique by the time he was fourteen.” Noatak concentrates and the wolves turn around in unison. Noatak lifts his head, making the wolves rise in the air. Tarrlok gasped in shock, feeling terrified of what he was witnessing. Yakone, who briefly seems surprised at first, before smiling excitedly. Noatak lowers the wolves, making each one bow to him. Yakone grinned of what he was capable of, truly Noatak was the greatest of his sons and looked towards Tarrlok. “That's the way it's done. That's what you need to strive for.” He told him.

“Even though Noatak was my father's favorite, it wasn't any easier for him. He carried the burden of all Yakone's expectations and demands.” Tarrlok watched as Noatak sitting next to a ledge. “Something changed in Noatak over the years; the loving brother I once knew became cold and detached.“ Tarrlok explained as he remembered hat happened afterwords, as thunder and lightning split the skies one stormy night. “Our father pushed us to extremes, and one day, he made us bloodbend each other.” He told the defenders as his young self and his brother stood face to face.

“Noatak, go!” He told him as Noatak inhales, and Tarrlok struggles against the bloodbending. Tarrlok falls to his knees, and Noatak narrows his eyes, making him lean back. Yakone was indeed please with what he was witnessing. “Excellent.” He said as Noatak bows to his father and frees Tarrlok. “Tarrlok, your turn.” He told him.

“No... I won't do it.“ Young Tarrlok refused his fathers demands.

“Bloodbend your brother, Tarrlok!” Yakone ordered him sternly.

“That felt awful. I don't want to do that to anyone. I never want to bloodbend again.” Tarrlok vowed as he could still feel the pain from Noatak’s bloodbending.

But his father, narrowed his eyes at the youngest of the brothers. “You're a disgrace, a weakling. I'll teach you a lesson, you insubordinate-” Before Yakone could do something to him, he gasped as he struggled feeling his body being bloddbended by Noatak as he stepped into his view.

He narrowed his eyes at his father for what he was going to do to him. “Stay away from him.” He told him.

“How dare you bloodbend me!” He said to him.

“What're you gonna do about it? You're the weak one.” He told his father as he forced him to kneel with his bloodbending. “You always say bloodbending is the most powerful thing in the world, but it isn't. The Avatar is… and so is the Thunder God Raiden. He took your bending away. What could be more powerful than that?” He asked him.

“I made you what you are. You're mine.” Yakone told them.

“We're your sons, not your tools of revenge.“ Noatak vowed that he will never be what Yakone wanted him to be, and looked towards Tarrlok. “Let's go. We can run away from him. Forever.” He said to his young brother.

But Tarrlok hesitated. “Run away? But what about Mom? We can't just leave her.” He told him.

Noatak soon began to see what his father saw, and narrowed his eyes. “He was right about you. You are a weakling.” He told him as he throws Yakone a distance away with bloodbending and runs off into the blizzard.

Tarrlok’s eyes widened from seeing it as he tried to run after him. “Noatak! Don't leave! Please! Noatak!” He tried to call out to him, but he never responded, as he disappeared into the blizzard.

Just then, lightning shot down from the sky, crashing between Tarrlok and Yakone, revealing Raiden standing before them as Yakone looked to him in shock, while Tarrlok saw him in awe. Raiden turned towards Yakone and glared at him with lightning flowing from his eyes. “Now do you understand, the pain and suffering that you have caused your family?!” He asked him.

Yakone flinched as lightning struck around him, he worked up the courage and looked to the thunder god, but was still scared stiff. “Yes… yes, I understand now… I… I was a fool… and now, I think I’ve created a monster.” He told the thunder god.

“And now your curse… is theirs to bear. And it will haunt you till the day you die.” Raiden told him coldly as he looked towards Tarrlok, who started to feel fear from the thunder gods stare. Raiden walked towards him with his hands behind his back. “Abandon your fathers path of vengeance… do not follow in his footsteps, be a better man than he is.” He told him as he vanishes through lightning. Tarrlok was surprised of it, his path… had been set before him.

A few days later, Tarrlok’s mom was hanging up an animal skin and looked to see Yakone and Tarrlok returning. She smiled a bit, but her smile faded seeing Noatak wasn’t with them. “My father and I searched for days, but we never found a sign of Noatak. We thought he perished in that storm. My mother was never the same after the loss of my brother. My father stopped training me. With Noatak gone, his hopes for revenge withered. And he passed away, a few years later.“ Tarrlok told them of his past.

Present day…

Tarrlok lowered his gaze in shame, giving Korra and the group a reason to actually feel sorry for him. “That's one of the saddest stories I've ever heard.” Korra told him.

“Yes… to think Yakone would go to great lengths to get what he desired.” Liu said to her.

“Avatar Korra… Liu Kang. I am truly sorry for all that I did to you both. I thought I was better than my father, but his ghost still shaped me. I became a soldier of revenge, just like he wanted me to be. And so did my brother. The revolution may be built on a lie, but I think Amon truly believes bending is the source of all evil in the world.” Tarrlok told them.

“How did you figure out Amon is your brother?” Mako asked him.

“Yeah, that’s one thing we don’t get.” Twilight told him.

“When he took my bending, the sensation was somehow familiar. I later recognized it as my brother's bloodbending grip.” Tarrlok explained.

Kitana rubbed her chin in thought. “So, he somehow uses bloodbending to take people's bending.” She theorized.

“I don't know how he does it, but then again, I've never encountered a bender as strong as Noatak.” Tarrlok said to them.

“How in the world do we beat him?” Korra asked him.

“We can't. Any attack we throw at him, he'll redirect with his mind.” Mako told her.

“He’s right Korra, that's how he's been able to challenge any bender.” Twilight said to her.

Korra paced a bit knowing they’re right. “So much for our ambush. If we stay here, we're toast. But there's another way to beat him.“ She told them.

“How?” Mako asked her.

“This whole time, Amon has been one step ahead of us. But finally we have the advantage. We know the truth about him. If we expose him as a bender in front of all his supporters ...” She told him as both Mako and Liu got where she was going with this idea.

“At the rally.” They said simultaneously.

“... We could take away his true power!” Kitana said to them and looked to Twilight.

“And undermine this whole revolution!” She said to her and looked to Korra. “Korra, you’re a genius!” She told her.

“I have my moments.” She responded as she looked towards Tarrlok. “Thank you, for your help.” She said to him as Tarrlok nodded his head and looked away. As Mako started walking away, Korra looked towards him eagerly. “We can't just leave him here.” She told him.

“Go. Amon can't know anyone spoke with me.” Tarrlok told her as he walked up and grabbed the bars. “Defeat him. Put an end to this sad story. Stop Shinnok from winning, he will destroy everything we tried to protect.” He told them as the group nodded and headed back down the trap door to make it to the rally. They didn’t know what to expect to happen, but they are gambling on a thin line, one that could determine the fate of the realm.

Author's Note

Hey guys, Knight here, man this was tough. And yes dear viewers, I added Kipo into the story, and she will be pretty much almost an adult, think of her around nineteen or twenty. It’s hard to say. But yes, I did the design myself, and I gave her bit of a Special Forces style to her. I would have gone with Shaolin, but she is part scientist, so basically that wouldn’t have worked. Anyways, I was planning to make this chapter into a single combined chapter where this chapter an the next were together, but that would have taken too long, and you guys would be like “What’s taking so long?!” Yeah, wouldn’t want that. But I hope you guys like the chapter.