The day of the pro-bending finals had arrived! The Ferrets had been in the gym every day, training harder than ever to be ready for the biggest match of their lives. They were currently using pictures of the Wolfbats waterbender, Tahno as targets while Elira sat in the corner listening to the radio and writing something in a notebook. Pabu lay beside the radio asleep, while Pichi was next to him grooming herself.
"You're listening to "The Music Hour"!" Brought to you by Cabbage Corp, Republic City's trusted name in technology for over fifty years"
"Man, I got a good feeling about tonight. I don't care if we are the underdogs. We can take those pompous Wolfbats" Korra declared in an upbeat tone while picking up a towel.
" It's going to be our toughest match ever, but I think you're right," Mako replied, taking off his helmet
" Introducing your new champs, the fantastic Fire Ferrets!" Bolin hugged his brother, imitating an announcer
Elira giggled and whooped from her seat but then turned to the radio confused when it started to broadcast static.
"What the..." She began to mess with the dial, trying to bring back the music station, but stopped and stared frightened when a haunting voice echoed out of the machine.
"Good morning, citizens of Republic City. This is Amon" Pabu squeaked, waking up, and Pichi screeched, both running away from the radio. Elira stood and backed away from the machine as Amon continued talking.
"I hope you all enjoyed last night's pro-bending match because it will be the last" Mako and Bolin came to Elira's side and Bolin took her hand comfortingly, seeing the nervous expression on his friend sends face.
"It's time for this city to stop worshipping bending athletes as if they were heroes. I am calling on the council to shut down the bending arena and cancel the finals, or else there will be severe consequences" The teens glanced at each other as the radio went static again before falling silent.
"That guy's got some nerve." Bolin frowned
"You think the council will give in?" Mako asked
"I don't know" Elira muttered
"I'm not waiting to find out. We need to get to City Hall." Korra declared
*
The Fire Ferrets rode up to City Hall on Naga while Elira was flying above them with her glider. They stormed inside the building and Korra pushed the doors open to the meeting room, seeing all the representatives sat at their usual table.
Tenzin stood up when they entered " Korra, you shouldn't be here. This is a closed meeting"
"As the Avatar and a pro-bending player, I have a right to be heard. You can't cancel the finals." She declared as she and the others walked forward.
"I know winning the championship means a lot to you. But as far as I'm concerned, we need to shut the arena down" Tenzin replied
"What about the rest of you? Tarrlok, there's no way you're backing down from Amon, right?" Korra questioned
"Actually, Tenzin and I agree for once" Tarrlok stood from his seat.
"That's a first" Elira muttered, crossing her arms
"The council is unanimous. We're closing the arena." Tenzin announced
"No!/You can't!/ Dad, please!" Elira and the boys yelled
" I-I don't understand. I thought you, of all people, would take a stand against Amon" Korra said, looking at Tarrlok
"While I am still committed to bringing that lunatic to justice, I will not put innocent lives at stake just so you and your friends can play a game." The councilman sneered
"Pro-bending might only be a game to you, but think of what it means to the city!" Mako stepped forward "Right now the arena is the one place where benders and nonbenders gather together ... in-in peace! To watch benders ..."
"Beat each other up! In peace! It's an inspiration to everyone!" Bolin held his arms out, grinning
"I appreciate your naïve idealism, but you're ignoring the reality of the situation."
"The reality is if you close the arena, you let Amon win!" Elira snapped
"Yes, exactly what she said! Yes!" Bolin pointed at his best friend
"I'm sorry, but our decision has been made. This meeting is adjourned." Tarrlok picked up the gavel but before he could slam it down a metal cable knocked off the gavel head and Tarrlok gasped!
Everyone turned to look toward the entrance of the courtroom, seeing Lin enter the scene coiling her cable back, looking at the council.
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with the Elira and Avatar" She declared
"You do?" Elira questioned
"Yeah, you do?" Korra added
"I expected this kind of cut-and-run response from Tenzin. But the rest of you? Come on, show a little more backbone. It's time that the benders of this city displayed some strength and unity against these Equalists" Lin stated
"We must prevent the conflict between benders and nonbenders from escalating into all-out war! The council is not changing its position, Lin" Tenzin argued
"Now just a moment, Tenzin. Let us hear what our esteemed Chief of Police has in mind" Tarrlok cut in making Tenzin grunt and cross his arms.
"If you keep the arena open, my metalbenders and I will provide extra security during the championship match. There's no better force to deal with the chi blockers. Our armour is impervious to their attacks." Lin explained
"Are you saying that you will personally take responsibility for the safety of the spectators in the arena?" Tarrlok questioned and Elira eyed him suspiciously.
"I guarantee it." Lin declared determinedly
"It is hard to argue with Chief Beifong's track record" Tarrlok stated somewhat scornfully and sarcastically making Elira glare at his tone.
He turned to the council " If she is confident her elite officers can protect the arena, then she has my support. I am changing my vote. Who else is with me?"
The other three council members raised their hands as Tenzin turned away in disappointment.
" The arena stays open. Good luck in the finals." Tarrlok proclaimed making the group of teens cheer
"All right!/ Woohoo!" Elira laughed as Bolin spun her around in excitement.
"And good luck to you, Chief Beifong," Tarrlok smirked
Tenzin approached the metalbender "A word please, Lin"
*
"Tarrlok's playing you and I don't want to see you get hurt," Tenzin argued as he and Lin stood in the hallway
"I know what I am doing and the risks that come with it." Lin snapped
"In that case, I'm going to be by your side during the match." Tenzin decided
"You don't need to babysit me." Lin scowled annoyed
"It's for Korra and Elira. I want to make sure they're safe"
"Do what you want! It's not like I've ever been able to stop you before" Lin huffed, throwing her hands up in the air in annoyance as she stormed off.
" Excuse me, Chief Beifong" Korra called out as she and El walked up to them " I wanted to thank you for your help, it ... really ... means a lot ..."
Korra trailed off as Lin ignored her completely, walking away.
" What is her deal? Even when she's on my side, she's against me!" She huffed
"I've known Lin since we were children, she's always been ...challenging" Tenzin replied
"What did Grandpa Aang do to make her hate the Avatar so much?" Elira questioned, glancing down the hallway over her shoulder
"He and Lin got along famously. I'm afraid her issues ... are with me" Tenzin turned his head away as the two girls gasped in realisation.
"Wait a second ...it all makes sense now!" Elira laughed
" You and Beifong, Beifong and you. You two were a couple!" Korra added, emphasizing her words with hand gestures.
"What! How-? Where'd you get that idea?" Tenzin questioned, nervously glancing around to see if anyone else had heard.
"Mom" Elira smirked teasingly
" Criminy! I'll have to have a word with her." Tenzin muttered, angrily
" So ... Pema stole you from Beifong. I'm surprised our "esteemed Chief of Police" didn't throw her in jail." Korra folded her arms, smugly.
"Oh, she tried. Anyway, Pema didn't steal me, Lin and I had been growing apart for some time. We both had different goals in li- Why am I even telling you this? It all happened a long time ago and we've moved passed it" Tenzin huffed
"Hm, apparently Lin hasn't" Elira smirked
"What do you ... Of course she has! Anyway, this is none of your business!" Tenzin quickly walked away in annoyance and anger as the two teens laughed
"See you at home, Mr Heartbreaker!" Elira waved teasingly to her father, who hung his head in embarrassment.
*
Later that day, Elira was sat on the steps leading into temple gardens writing in her notebook again and watching as siblings ran around laughing and playing with Pichi. She glanced up from her notebook when she heard footsteps approaching.
"I thought I'd find you out here. May I join you?" Tenzin asked walking over.
"Sure" The teen smiled, scooting over slightly to make room for her father
Tenzin sat beside her silently as Elira went back to whatever she was working on. There was a comfortable silence between them, the only sound being the kids laughing in the garden and Pichi chittering. Tenzin glanced at his eldest child, seeing her staring at her notebook, chewing on her pencil slightly in concentration.
"What are you writing?" He asked
Elira glanced at him "Just some random ideas. Figured I'd write them down so I didn't forget"
Tenzin hummed in reply as Elira erased something she had written. After a few moments, Tenzin turned to her again.
"Elira, I want to talk to you about tonight"
"What about it?" Elira replied, still focused on her writing, erasing something again
"Well, I want you to stay with Lin and me during the match"
Elira finally looked up "What? Why?"
"So I can keep an eye on you and protect you should something happen"
Elira scowled "I'm not helpless, dad. I can protect myself!"
"I know that, I didn't say you couldn't. But it would put my mind at ease having you somewhere I can keep an eye on you" Tenzin explained
Elira continued to scowl as her father placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Elira, please. I just want to keep you safe"
The teenager sighed and slumped her shoulders in defeat "...Fine"
"Thank you" Tenzin smiled and kissed his daughter's head
*
Night fell and it was almost time for the championship match. The Pro-bending Arena was surrounded by the ships of the metalbenders and officers scoured the inside, looking for any potential danger.
Elira followed her father towards the entrance where they found Lin surveying her officers as they looked around. She was already wearing her "cheerleader" top that Asami had given her
"Hey, chief" Elira greeted, waving to the woman "Dad, I'm gonna go hang out with the guys for a bit"
"Alright, but be careful and I want you back here before the match starts" Tenzin replied as Elira grinned and hurried back down the hallway
"Thanks!" She called over her shoulder as she ran off
When she disappeared around the corner, Tenzin turned to Lin "How's the security sweep going?"
"Fine" She replied, quickly and bluntly
"They've checked underneath the stands?"
"Yes"
"And you have enough officers to cover all points of entry?"
"I have the skies, the bay, and every nook and cranny of this place covered. Now leave me alone and let me do my job" Lin snapped
"Lin, with so much on the line it would be nice if we could help each other out, at least for one night."
Lin turned to look at the airbender, her expression softening " Like old times?"
"Like old times." Tenzin smiled
"Okay, I'll try to be less abrasive than usual." Lin sighed, her tone less harsh
"I would appreciate that."
*
It was soon time for the championship match, and after wishing the Ferret's luck, Elira made her way back to her father and Lin.
"The anticipation is palpable as we are just moments away from the championship match. Will the Wolfbats' ferocity help them repeat as champs? Or will the underdog Fire Ferrets serve up a surprising bowl of smackdown soup?" Shiro commentated
Elira grinned in excitement as the ring announcer came up to the stage, light beaming down on him as the spectators cheered.
"Introducing the challengers, the Future Industries Fire Ferrets!"
Elira cheered as the Fire Ferrets came into the arena. She waved at them grinning as her father smiled at her excitement.
When the team reached the ring, Bolin signalled to Pabu.
"You're on, Pabu." He whispered
Elira giggled as the ferret jumped down and moved around on his front paws before doing some backflips while Bolin used an earth disk, removing the centre for Pabu to backflip through and back, ending the performance with one paw standing.
"Good job, Pabs!" Elira cheered, laughing a little as the crowd applauded
"And their opponents, the three timed defending champions, the White Falls Wolfbats!" The announcer yelled
Bat-masked Wolfbats with purple capes came into the ring, howled and spread their wing capes while fireworks went off all around the arena.
Elira scoffed and crossed her arms "Showoffs"
"The champs and challengers face off at the centre-line and here we go!"
The bell rang and the match began!
The Wolfbats instantly move toward their opponents and Tahno attempted an uppercut on Korra with his waterbending fist. Korra moved back to barely dodge it and backflipped, only to be hit by a waterbending blast from him.
"Tahno tries to clean the Avatar's clock with some dirty water boxing."
Mako firebent and missed while the Wolfbat earthbender, Ming, took two earth disks and kicked them to Mako, followed by two more, which was enough to force him back to zone two
"Ming shakes off Mako's attack and returns the favour"
The Wolfbat firebender, Shaozu, flipped forward while Bolin kicked some earth disks toward him. One of his disks bounced off the side ropes and hit Shaozu, knocking him against the fence
"Shaozu gets fancy, but Bolin ricochets a disk off the ropes and says 'No, thank you, sir!'
"Nice shot, Bo!" Elira cheered, grinning as the two adults beside her watched her in amusement. Pichi was chittering excitedly on the railing with Pabu now beside her.
"The waterbenders slug it out, looking evenly matched"
Tahno waterbent a prolonged stream of water at Bolin, forcing the earthbender into zone three,
" Tahno gets a little too worked up and unleashes a deluge on Bolin that would certainly elicit a foul"
The centre of the ring lit up and the Wolfbats were allowed to advance
"Or apparently not"
"What?!"Elira scoffed in disbelief
"What's the big idea, ref? That was a hosing foul!" Mako yelled at the referee
The referee signalled that it was not and Mako glared at him in anger.
"And the Wolfbats advance despite Tahno exceeding the waterbending time limit. A questionable call by the officials"
"I'll say" Elira scowled as the match continued.
Korra began to waterbend, only to be hit by Tahno's own attack. Bolin launched a disk at Tahno, who dodged, as Korra rolled to the side. Mako dodged a disk from Ming and began firebending back at him. Ming lifted a disk under Mako's foot, tripping him forward, before launching another disk, sending him back into zone three
" Ming trips up Mako with another dirty trick!"
"Are you kidding me?!/ Oh come on, refs!" Elira and Tenzin both yelled in anger
"There was some funny business in that last play!" Tenzin scowled
"Open your eyes, dunderheads!" His daughter shouted
"Wouldn't have guessed you knew the rules of pro-bending, Tenzin?" Lin smirked
" I've been brushing up" Tenzin cleared his throat " That Wolfbat blatantly bent a disk outside of his zone"
Ming launched another disk as Tahno ran forward in preparation to attack
"The Ferret brothers are backed up to zone three and the Wolfbats smell blood"
Tahno froze the water when Bolin jumped back, causing him to slip, get hit by a fire blast and fell out of the arena. The crowd booed and Elira gritted her teeth.
"Looks like Tahno snuck in an illegal icing move but once again there's no call"
Tahno and Shaozu both attack Korra as Mako rolled out of the way of an oncoming disk and attempted a fire blast back.
"I don't know what match the refs are watching but it's obviously not this one"
Tahno and Ming both attack Korra, who got pushed back into zone three and the Wolfbats advanced. Mako sent out a firebending blast but missed
" Oh ... a splash-and-clash sends the Avatar to zone three as well."
Mako moved in front of Korra and attempted to firebend to protect the Avatar from the triple elemental attack, but both get pushed out of the arena.
"No!" Elira cried as the bell rang and the Wolfbats gathered together.
"It's a knockout! The Wolfbats win the championship for the fourth year in a- Hold on a second, folks! Scratch that! The Ferrets are still alive, but just barely!"
"Yes!" Elira jumped, punching the air, just being able to make out Korra clinging to the edge of the stadium, holding Mako by the collar
Korra swung to throw Mako up onto the arena as she fell into the water.
As he was flung back into the ring, Mako firebent at Tahno, sending him flying and knocking him down as Ming and Shaozu look at him in surprise. Tahno stood, infuriated, as the bell rang and Mako winked at him smugly while in a fighting pose.
"What an unbelievable move! These Ferrets aren't just bending the elements, they're bending my mind! The underdogs survive to see round two!"
Elira sighed in relief, now holding Pichi close anxiously as Pabu climbed onto her shoulders. Silently praying that the Ferrets would somehow pull the win despite the odds against them.
*
The bell rang "Round two!"
Mako firebent, only for it to be blocked by Shaozu, Korra waterbent at Ming, who blocked it with fire bending and Bolin sent a disk at Tahno, who blocked it with waterbending. Tahno waterbent twice at Korra, who dodged and blocked them
" The opening salvo is a brutal call as both sides give it their all"
Korra started to waterbend, but her right foot got iced and Tahno kicked her back with waterbending
"But once again, Tahno sneaks in a little ice to get the upper hand"
Bolin sent an earth disc at Shaozu, sending him back. Ming attempted to block a firebending blast with a disk but was sent backwards. Mako dodged three firebending blasts that were aimed at his head.
"Wowzers! Those look like illegal headshots to me!"
Mako dodged another blast to the head before the bell finally rang.
"Round two will be decided with a tie-breaker!" The announcer yelled
The teams faced each other with the referee in between them
The coin was flipped and caught by the ref "The Fire Ferrets win the coin toss. Which element do you choose?"
Korra stepped forward determinedly " I'm taking this one. Let's go! You and me, pretty boy!"
"Thought you'd never ask," Tahno smirked smugly stepping forward
"Come on, Korra. Wipe that stupid smug grin off his face!" Elira yelled making her friends smile in the ring.
The other team members moved away from the centre as it elevated itself with Korra and Tahno in the middle, preparing to fight.
Korra and Tahno moved around for the first strike before Tahno stopped to mock the Avatar
"Come on, little girl. Give me your best shot"
Korra narrowed her eyes and waterbent at Tahno who dodged it but got hit under the chin by a stream of water. Korra had sent the first stream of water as a distraction and used her leg to waterbend the final blow.
Tahno had attempted to retaliate after Korra's first shot, but Korra's surprise hit to his chin caused his waterbending jet to quickly lose form. Tahno collapsed out of the ring and the bell rang.
"Hmph, chump," Korra smirked, smugly
"Round two goes to the Fire Ferrets!" The announcer yelled
"I can't believe your sweet-tempered father was reincarnated into that girl. She's tough as nails." Lin commented as Elira cheered and yelled with the crowd.
"Reminds me of someone else I knew at that age. You two might get along if you would only give her a chance" Tenzin replied
"Hmph."
"One round apiece who wants it more?"
The bell rang and the final round began! Elira held her breath. This was going to be close but they had a chance. A slim one, but a chance nonetheless.
Ming blocked a water blast with a disk before launching another. Shaozu and Tahno both launched their own attacks. Bolin dodged a water blast and launched a disk forward. He ended up getting hit by a water blast but sent another disk forward
"The Wolfbats fly out of the gates, swinging with bad intentions"
Ming launched a disk before Shaozu jumped over him, sending out a fire blast
" The challengers are showing a lot of heart but the champs are really starting to find their rhythm now."
Tahno ran and jumped off a pole to dodge an oncoming disk and launched his own water blast
" Can the Ferrets hang in there with the best"
Ming flipped forward and launched a disk at Korra
"Especially when the best are frankly getting a little help from the refs?"
After being hit by the disk, Korra narrowly missed another. She launched her own water blast at Tahno who blocked it
"It's all down to this final round!"
Mako sent out multiple quickfire blasts " Mako is leaving it all in the ring"
Ming launched a disk forward before bending up another to bring behind his back
"but it looks like Tahno and Ming are up to more shenanigans!"
Ming broke the disc into Tahno's water and Tahno waterbent the broken disc into three blasts, quickly knocking Bolin and Mako off the arena. Korra was hit by the water and managed to stay grounded until the rocks reached her and knocked her off the arena.
"No!" Elira cried as her friends hit the water
"Oh, this has gone too far! That water had rocks in it!"
"Knockout!" The referee called
"Oh, come on! Those were illegal headshots! Open your eyes, ref!" Tenzin yelled furiously while waving his hands.
Elira growled in anger as Pabu squeaked and jumped off her shoulder
"That's it! Let me at 'em!"
She went to use her bending to fly into the ring but was quickly prevented by metal cables wrapping around her.
"Easy there, kid" Lin held the teenager back
"Lin! Let go of me!" She yelled, struggling against the coil.
"Elira, calm down" Tenzin placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder "I understand you're angry, so am I, but remember your vow"
Elira huffed and stopped struggling, her glare fixed on the ring as Lin let her go.
"This is ridiculous" She scoffed, crossing her arms
"I completely agree" Tenzin replied with a scowl
He yelled out at the refs one last time before he turned his head and his eyes suddenly widened seeing a masked figure standing behind Lin!
"Look out!" The Equalist grabbed Lin by the shoulder and electrocuted her with a device on their hand, knocking her unconscious.
Tenzin airbent at the Equalist away not realising another one behind him. He was quickly electrocuted and fell next to Lin.
"Dad!" Elira cried before she too was shocked by electricity. She fell to the ground next to her father, her vision fading to black.
*
Pichi and Pabu were screeching in panic as Elira fell. All around the arena, more metalbending cops fell after being electrocuted by Equalists. The crowd was screaming in terror. Jumping down from the railing, the two animals nuzzled the teen trying to wake her. When that didn't work, Pichi began chattering at Pabu, jumping and waving her paws. Giving a little squeak in reply, Pabu dashed off somewhere, leaving Pichi to try and awaken her unconscious owner.
"Folks, there is some sort of electrical disturbance in the stands. Metalbender cops are dropping like bumbleflies. There appear to be masked members of the audience wielding strange devices on their hands. One of them is in the booth with me right now, folks! He is levelling one of those glove devices at me now and I believe he is about to electrocute me. I am currently wetting my pants" Shiro commented before going silent.
Pichi was still screeching at Elira to wake up when suddenly the ring's centre platform began rising. Amon and a group of Equalists standing on it!
" What's going on here, ref?" Tahno looked up at the referee, frightened
" I don't know!"
Tahno and the Wolfbats began backing away as Amon and the Equalists approached them.
"All right, you want a piece of the Wolfbats? Here it comes!" Tahno launched a water blast at Amon who evaded it and darted forward.
The Wolfbats all began to bend at the Equalists. Amon dodged Tahno's attack and turned his attention to Shaozu.
Shaozu attempted to hit him with firebending, but Amon dodged and moved behind him, grabbing his arm and swinging him around once, moving forward with him as he screamed.
Tahno attempted to save him with waterbending, but his hands were quickly restrained with a bola. Ming's hands were also soon tied with a bola and he stepped backwards before his legs were bound with a second bola.
Two Equalists held Tahno in front of Amon with Ming and Shaozu on the ground.
"Wait, please don't do this! I'll give you the championship pot, I'll-I'll give you everything just please don't take my bending!" Tahno begged as Amon raised his hand
Amon didn't listen to his pitiful cries, placing his thumb on Tahno's forehead and took his bending away!
One by one, the Wolfbats were dragged before Amon before all three of them were left without their bending.
As the Equalists dragged the Wolfbats' bodies near the edge of the ring, and kicked them off into the water, a massive banner with the Equalist symbol unrolled from the ceiling followed by more all around the arena.
*
After being electrocuted in the water, the Lieutenant dragged the unconscious Fire Ferrets out of the water to be tied up. Korra seemed to be half-conscious as the Lieutenant tied them to one of the arenas supports.
Up above, Amon stood in the centre of the ring, holding the microphone.
"I believe I have your attention, benders of Republic City. So once again, the Wolfbats are your pro-bending champions. It seems fitting that you celebrate three bullies who cheated their way to victory because every day, you threaten and abuse your fellow nonbending citizens just like the Wolfbats did to their opponents tonight. Those men were supposedly the best in the bending world and yet it only took a few moments for me to cleanse them of their impurity. Let this be a warning to all of you benders out there: if any of you stand in my way, you will meet the same fate"
The spectators all gasped in fear and shock as Pichi chittered in fear and worry on the railing. She glanced down at her owner, seeing her finally beginning to wake up. Groaning in pain. She hopped down from the railing chittering.
"Pichi?" Elira muttered, slowly sitting up, holding her head "What happened?"
She gasped upon seeing Tenzin and Lin unconscious forms beside her.
"Dad? Dad, wake up!" She shook her father
" Now, to my followers: for years the Equalists have been forced to hide in the shadows, but now we have the numbers and the strength to create a new Republic City" Elira gasped again, freezing and looking up in fear, hearing Amon continue speaking.
Down below, the Fire Ferrets had regained consciousness
" I'm happy to tell you that the time for change has finally come. Very soon, the current tyrannical bending regime will be replaced by a fair-minded Equalist government. You and your children will no longer have to walk the streets afraid! It's time to take back our city"
"How are we gonna get out of here?" Mako whispered
"Pabu!" Bolin grinned, seeing his furry friend swimming their way. He jumped onto the platform and ran to them.
"Listen up, buddy" Bolin began chattering his teeth at Pabu while Korra and Mako looked on in consternation.
"Stop fooling around!" Mako snapped
"I'm not! I'm trying to save us!" Bolin argued before Pabu began chewing on the ropes
"See? Pabu's not just a one-trick poodle pony" Korra and Mako smiled at him
"For centuries, benders have possessed an unnatural advantage over ordinary people. But thankfully, modern technology has provided us with a way to even out the playing field" Elira glanced around the stadium, seeing many of the audience members being held hostage by Equalists with mechanical gloves on their hands.
"Now anyone can hold the power of a chi blocker in their hand." Amon turned and Elira felt a cold shiver go down her spine when he looked straight at her! "My followers and I will not rest until the entire city achieves equality, and once that goal is achieved, we will equalize the rest of the world"
The teen felt herself start to sweat as Amon's cold sinister eyes bore into her.
"The revolution has begun!" Amon suddenly raised his fist and an area of the glass dome smashes and ropes with platforms on the end are lowered down through the hole.
Amon and the Equalists climbed onto the platforms and are lifted out of the arena. Elira turned around, seeing Lin and her father regaining consciousness as the other Equalists leave.
"Dad!/Tenzin!" Elira and Lin squatted beside him as he sat up.
Lin turned, spotting Amon and his group of Equalists leaving.
"Elira, are you hurt?" Tenzin quickly checked over his daughter
"I'm okay, dad. I--"
BOOM!
Pichi screeched as the central ring exploded!
The lemur ran and hid in Elira's hair as Lin recoiled and lifted her arm to cover her face while Tenzin pulled his daughter closer, shielding her from the blast.
The explosion shook the arena and the crowd began to scream in fear. Down below Pabu and Bolin watched debris fall nearby and the ferret squeaked in fear.
"It's okay, Pabu. Just a little explosion" He chattered to Pabu again " Keep chewing, you're almost through it!"
Pabu moved forward to keep chewing through the ropes. He finally chewed through the last one and freed the Fire Ferrets.
" Yes! Great job, buddy!"
Korra ran immediately toward the water, jumping off the platform and freezing the water in the pool.
" I'm going after Amon!" She declared
" Be careful!" Mako called as Korra turned and jumped into the water then waterbending herself up in a massive water cyclone.
"Come on! We gotta find El!" Bolin placed a hand on Mako's shoulder before the two ran off in search of their airbending friend.
*
"El!" The boys ran up and hugged her tightly once they finally found Elira with her father.
"Are you okay?" Bolin asked
"I'm fine" Elira turned her head, catching sight of Korra being flung through the hole in the roof by Lin's metal cables.
"I'm going up to help her!" She declared, picking up her glider
"No, it's too dangerous!" Tenzin grabbed her glider, preventing her from taking off
"Dad, Korra's up there alone!"
"No, she isn't. Lin's up there too" Tenzin pointed to where the chief of police was disappearing through the hole.
"They still need help!" Elira argued
Bolin placed a hand on her shoulder "El, don't yell at me but I agree with your dad"
"What?" Elira whipped her head to face him
"Korra's the Avatar, El" Mako added "She can handle it--"
The sound of glass shattering cut him off. Looking up they saw a part of the ceiling break and Korra fall through screaming.
"Korra!" Elira yelled
She was about to take off with her glider to catch her friend when Lin shot through the hole after her.
She sent a cable into a nearby Equalist flag and fired another toward Korra who caught it. The Equalist flag stretched and tore as Lin and Korra landed safely in the stands.
" You all right?" Lin helped Korra stand
" I'm fine, thanks to you." She smiled
"Don't mention it, kid. Looks like we lost this one" They both turned to look at the fleeing airship.
"Korra!" The Avatar turned around as her friends ran up to her
"I'm so glad you're okay!" Mako hugged her as Bolin and Elira came up behind him.
"Me too!/ Don't forget me!" Bolin and Elira hugged them both in a group hug.
The teens smiled at each other, relieved that none of them were hurt, as Tenzin approached, placing a hand on Lin's shoulder.
" I can't believe Amon did this. I played right into his hand." She looked down ashamed
"He played us all" Tenzin replied
"Republic City is at war..."