Skeletons in the Closet

It was the middle of the night. The city was silent while Equalist airships flew overhead. Oblivious to the orange glider flying across the ocean heading straight for Aang's memorial island. The glider flew around to the back, out of sight of the few chi blockers who were patrolling around the entrance, and headed up towards Aang's statue, which now had Amon's mask covering his face and Equalists banners hanging from his staff.

Elira landed on the statue's head and pulled the hood of her cloak to cover her face more. She glared down at the mask covering Aang's face. Amon could take the city, take her home and he could separate her from her family. But he was not going to disrespect her grandfather's memory like this.

Kneeling beside where the mask was connected to the rest of the statue, Elira grabbed onto the edge and pushed with all her might. It was unbelievably heavy. Groaning in effort, Elira felt the mask shift just slightly. 

"Hey!"

Elira's head snapped up, letting go of the giant mask that returned to its original place with a loud clunk.

"What are you doing up there?!" One of the chi blockers yelled, pointing at Elira

The second chi blocker spun a bola before flinging it at the teen on top of the statue. Elira stood and twirled around, successfully dodging the weapon before sending a gust of wind at the chi-blockers sending them to the ground with a thud. She stuck her tongue out at them childishly, before picking up her glider at her feet.

"Hey! Stop!" The Equalists yelled as she jumped off Aang's statue and took off towards the city again.

"Send word to Amon" One of the chi blockers ordered "There's an airbender still in the city"

*

The next morning, Elira was sat on a crate with Bolin and Asami, smiling as she watched the earthbender playing with Pabu and Pichi. They looked up when they heard footsteps, seeing Mako and Korra coming back from the surface dressed as chi-blockers, and got up to greet them.

" You two were gone a while." Asami scowled suspiciously

"We were doing reconnaissance." Mako resorted, looking annoyed

"Whatever." Asami scoffed, irritably

Suddenly, a new friend of the team's, a hobo called Gommu, popped up between them grinning "Welcome back! Hope you worked up an appetite, 'cause dinner is served."

The team sat down around a makeshift table as Gommu stirred some sort of stew in a pot.

"Thanks so much for letting us hide out with you the past few days," Korra said as Gommu gave her a bowl of food.

"Honoured to oblige" Gommu then handed Bolin and Elira two more bowls and filled them with 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'? No siree; we've figured out how to harmoniously co-exist"

Gommu wrapped his arms around himself with a goofy grin.

"You are a wise and noble hobo" Bolin smiled before eating some of his stew while Elira just looked down at her bowl, hesitantly picking up a spoonful.

"Mmmm. This is the best-tasting street gruel I've ever had. Seriously!" Bolin grinned

"I culled it from the finest dumpsters the city has to offer!"

Elira's hand froze halfway to her mouth as beside her Asami, who already had the spoon in her mouth, turned green. She spat the food back into the bowl and coughed in disgust. Sharing a glance, the two teens surreptitiously put their food on the floor behind them. Pabu crawled up behind them and began eating from one of the bowls. Pichi hopped down from Elira's shoulder with a chitter, sniffing at the remaining bowl of food.

*

Elira grunted as she was pushed onto the stage at the abandoned Equalist factory. Her eyes widened when she saw Amon waiting for her. Unlike last time, she was the only one on the stage. And the crowd of Equalist supporters were all wearing chi-blocker masks, staring at the teen menacingly.

Amon charged at her causing El to gasp and quickly airbent over him out of his reach. But as she landed, she found herself in the pro-bending arena standing in the centre of the ring. The people in the stands were all wearing Equalists masks.

Feeling a shiver go down her spine, Elira whirled around to find the cold sinister eyes of Amon staring back at her again. He was flanked by his chi-blockers who immediately took out their bola's and charged at the airbender.

Elira turned and ran for it, sidestepping in order to dodge the bola's thrown at her. When she got to the edge of the ring, she jumped, giving herself a boost with airbending as she attempted to reach the locker room.

But something wrapped around her ankle, pulling her downward. Her hand just barely graze the railing before she was tugged screaming in terror toward the water below. Elira shut her eyes and prepared for impact. But instead of water, the teen groaned as she landed on her back in ice-cold freezing snow!

The wind whipped at her face harshly, air and snow mixed making it near impossible to see. Standing up, Elira found herself up by the mountain cabin. The one Tarrlok had taken her and Korra. Squinting her eyes, she could just make out a figure standing just a few feet away from her.

"Hello? Is someone there?" She called, holding a hand over her eyes as she moved forward slightly through the fierce blizzard.

The figure became more clear to her as she neared. They had their back to her but Elira could see the bright orange air nomad clothes contrasting against the stark white surroundings.

"Hello?" She called again, getting closer

The figure slowly turned around and it was not who Elira was expecting. A young boy, no older than 12, with a blue arrow tattooed on his forehead. Elira gasped softly when their eyes met.

Stormy grey met stormy grey

"It can't be..."As the teen went to take another step, the ground beneath her feet suddenly crumbled!

She fell screaming into the hole and landed on a hard stone floor. As she sat up, holding the back of her head, she found she was back home on the island. She was laying on the ground in the courtyard. But it was dark, empty and silent.

Strangely, eerily silent.

No background noise of lemurs chittering or groans of bison as they flew overhead. No echoes of her brother and sisters giggling as they played. Not even the soothing ambience of the waves crashing against the cliffs.

Everything was just...dead.

Her vision flashed white for a split second before the teen found herself surrounded by chi-blockers. Their masked eyes stared her down. The Equalists parted and Amon came striding forward towards the helpless airbender as she shot to her feet, glaring at him.

"There's no point in fighting" He taunted " This was inevitable"

"Do what you will to me, Amon. But you will never, ever, get your hands on my family!" Elira spat

"El!"

The teen's heart dropped. Her eyes widened in fear. That voice... No... It couldn't be. They got away. She saw them get away.

Amon gave a cruel chuckle seeing the terror in the teenager's eyes " Are you sure about that?"

Amon moved to the side to reveal Elira's family. Huddled on the ground surrounded by Equalists. She saw the complete broken look on her father's face and her blood ran cold

Amon had taken their bending!

"No..." She muttered, "...No!"

Elira tried to run to her family but she was quickly intercepted by chi blockers.

"Let them go!" She screamed, blasting them away

"El, help us!" She heard Jinora cry

"Don't worry, I'm coming! Just hang on!"

Elira fought her hardest to reach her family but it was no use. The closer she got, the further away they seemed to be.

The Equalists closed in around her. She could still hear her family yelling out to her and Rohan crying.

More and more chi blockers closed in around the airbender. She felt like she was suffocating at how close they were. She couldn't breathe!

"Get away!" She suddenly screamed, creating a bubble around herself sending the chi blockers flying.

Elira fell to her knees, panting and exhausted. She looked around her widely, searching for her family. But they'd vanished. There wasn't a single trace of them.

"Dad?! Mom?! DAD! WHERE ARE YOU?!" She screamed, tears threatening to fall.

The sound of footsteps caught her attention. She glared venomously at the masked face of Amon as he came to stand in front of her.

"Where are they? Where's my family?" She demanded, out of breath " What did you do with them?!"

Amon stared at the teenager for a moment before replying.

"They're gone. You will not be seeing them again"

Elira's face fell in shock for a second before hardening with anger. With a yell, she shot to her feet and charged at the Equalist.

Amon simply moved to the side, grabbed her arm and forced her to her knees.

" I warned you, child. Your time has come" Amon brought his hand down on Elira's face and her vision went dark...

*

Elira shot up with a gasp. Her eyes were broad and watery as she took in her surroundings. Her breath was quick and short.

She wiped the sweat from her forehead, glancing at her friends to see most of them fast asleep by the fire, while Korra was sleeping by Naga. Pichi woke up beside her and looked up at her owner, chittering.

Elira placed her head in her hands for a moment as she caught her breath. It was just a dream. A nightmare. It wasn't real. Her family were fine. They were hiding somewhere safe, probably in the Fire Nation with Grandpa Shai and Uncle Zuko. Safe, far from the city...Weren't they?

Sighing, Elira ran a hand through her hair and got to her feet. She needed some air. Being stuck underground for hours was suffocating. She silently left the underground hideout with Pichi following. Not noticing a certain red ferret watching her.

Elira walked back up to the surface and stopped at the entrance of the sewage pipe where she could see the island in the distance. She lent against the wall and stared at her childhood home as Pichi rested on her shoulder.

"Please be okay" She whispered to herself.

Tears began to form in the corner of her eyes and one even fell but she quickly wiped them away when she heard the faint pitter-patter of footsteps. Something was scuttling on the floor, coming up behind her and Pichi chittered softly, jumping off her shoulder.

Little paws clawed at her leg climbing it and Pabu appeared on her shoulder, chirping softly. He gave a tiny lick to the girl's cheek, asking if she was okay.

"I'm fine, Pabs" She muttered, scratching Pabu's chin.

"Are you?" Elira turned her head and saw Bolin standing behind her with his arms crossed and Pichi on his shoulder.

"I'm fine, Bo. Really, go back. I just need to think" She turned to gaze at the temple again.

Bolin sighed and came to stand beside his best friend. He stared at her sadly for a second before following her gaze.

"...You had a nightmare, didn't you?" He asked gently.

"...Yeah" El nodded slightly

"You wanna talk about it?"

Elira shook her head," No...Thanks anyway, Bo"

Bolin put a reassuring hand on her shoulder." They're fine, El. We saw them escape."

Elira didn't reply and Bolin sighed, gazing at his friend sympathetically. He knew she was scared. Scared Amon had caught her family. Scared she'd never see them again.

"...Come here" Bolin pulled the worried airbender into his arms and held her close, resting his chin on her head as Pabu climbed onto his shoulder not occupied by Pichi.

Elira clung to his shirt tightly, burying her face in his chest.

"You don't have to act strong in front of me, El. You know that I'll always be here for you"

Elira just clung to him harder, tears slipping from her eyes.

"Come on. let's go back" Bolin wrapped his arm around Elira's shoulder and began leading her back down to the hideout.

She lay her head down on the old pillow she was using and smiled when Bolin lay next to her as Pabu and Pichi snuggled between them.

"Sleep, El. I'll be right, here. Promise" Bolin whispered, taking her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Elira smiled softly before shutting her eyes and snuggling into Bolin's side with a content sigh.

*

The next morning, Team Avatar was hiding in the drainage pipe looking out at Yue Bay through the thick fog. Mako was in front, peeking out of the drain pipe for any Equalists.

" Coast is clear." He stepped out and beckoned to the others

They ran out of the pipe and climbed an access stairway to an observation deck above. Crouching by the railing, Bolin scanned the bay with a telescope.

"Once the United Forces arrive, we need to be ready to help in any way we can," Korra stated

The team continued to watch the harbour, waiting anxiously for the fleet to arrive. As they waited, Asami turned to Elira with a teasing smile.

"So, El, what's going on with you and Bolin?"

Elira turned to her confused "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, come on, I saw you two cuddling this morning " She laughed and nudged the airbender who blushed

"I-I couldn't sleep last night, overthinking everything. Bolin was just being a good friend and trying to help me. It didn't mean anything" Elira crossed her arms, glancing at said earthbender who thankfully wasn't paying attention to their conversation and was fiddling with the telescope in his hands.

"Mhmm" Asami gave her a look

"It didn't" The airbender huffed insistently and Asami just chuckled

"They're here!" Mako pointed at something through the mist

They all followed his gaze. Bolin placed the telescope to his eye and Elira quickly realised it was the wrong way.

"Bo"

"Whoops" He flipped it around and looked through it again

Elira narrowed her eyes at the horizon and felt herself smile when she saw the dim shape of battleships emerge through the mist.

Iroh was here!

"Wait a second ... where are the Equalist airships?" Korra glanced up at the sky in confusion.

"Amon had to have known they were coming. So why aren't they meeting any resistance?" Elira questioned

Mako snatched the telescope from his brother and ran to the end of the deck, scanning the city" I don't see any mecha tanks, either"

He turned to look at his friends in concern

"Something's not right" Elira muttered, glancing over the railing at the murky water below. The only place they couldn't see.

She gasped "Korra, the water!"

BOOM!

A deafening explosion cut through the air, water shooting up close to one of the battleships. Many more followed unseen explosives under the water continuously crashing into the ships.

Korra leapt off the edge and used her waterbending to pull herself into the bay, quickly swimming toward the conflict.

Elira picked up her glider, ready to follow after her, but she stopped when a weird buzzing noise filled the air.

"What now?" She sighed as Mako looked through the telescope at the city.

Behind the skyscrapers, a group of flying objects could be seen in the mist, which resolved themselves into two fleets of biplanes.

"What the flameo are those?!" Elira yelled

"Where does Hiroshi find the time to keep inventing new evil machines?!" Bolin added angrily and confused

The planes flying across the bay suddenly released bombs from the underside.

Ships were bombarded, causing major damage on board. One plane dropped down two torpedoes into the water and Korra dodged them only for them to hit the side of a ship.

The explosion forced Korra back but she swam to the ship again.

Elira gritted her teeth and opened her glider as more planes dropped down torpedoes to hit their targets. She ran towards the railing and jumped over it.

"Be careful, airhead!" She heard Bolin yell as she flew off towards the battle.

*

" Incoming!" A male soldier yelled as a torpedo raced towards the ship

The explosion forced the sailors up in the air.

A plane dived in to attack, but Elira swooped down in front of it, turned mid-air whilst closing her glider and blasted the plane off course with an air swipe.

As the pilot attempted to gain control over the machine, the wing of the plane got struck with firebending from one of the cannons, forcing the pilot to eject.

Elira flew around some more, intercepting bombs as they were dropped on the ships. She smiled when she saw her cousin, Iroh, and two other firebenders using their bending to take down the planes, successfully hitting one.

She waved as she passed. Iroh just chuckled and shook his head before turning back to the fight.

Down in the water, Korra dived below the surface before waterbending into the air on a massive waterspout. She bent out a large ice spike to take a plane down, however, the damaged plane hit the waterspout and Korra fell back into the water.

A torpedo headed straight for her so she used her bending to send the torpedo into the air where it hit another plane.

She emerged once more and swam to the closest ship.

Iroh came up from a hatch and firebent at the remaining planes, taking them down one by one. Elira flew overhead one of the planes, closed her glider and as she fell flipped and sent a blast of air at the plane. The force of the wind bent the plane's wing out of shape, spending it crashing into the water as the pilot jumped out.

"Haha! Take that, you dunderhead!" She laughed as she began flying again but another explosion caught her attention.

Her eyes widened when she saw the observation deck Iroh had been firing from was now destroyed!

"No!" She circled around, scanning the water for any signs of her cousin.

Finally, she spotted two figures emerge from under the surface. Korra had seen the general get blown into the water and dived under to grab him, bringing him back up where they gasped for air.

" It's all right, I've got you." She said as Iroh woke up

"Avatar Korra?" He coughed "You saved my life. Thank you."

Korra signalled up to Elira in the air, letting her know Iroh was okay before using her waterbending to send them back to shore.

*

Back in the hideout, Iroh sat on a crate while Korra healed his wounded arm and the others stood around watching.

"I was prepared to deal with Sato's mecha tanks, but not these new high-speed aircraft." The general sighed

"I know. Every time we think we have an advantage, Amon outsmarts us" Korra replied, moving the water near Iroh's wound.

"No matter what our plan is, he always has a better one" Bolin sighed

"Iroh, my dad, have you heard anything from him?" Elira then asked, looking anxious

The general looked up at her with pity "No, I haven't heard anything. I'm sorry, El"

Bolin took her hand comfortingly as El looked down in worry. Where were they?

"Amon is winning so far, but we're not out of the fight yet." Iroh declared

" I like this man's confidence!" Bolin grinned before looking puzzled "So, how are we not out of the fight?"

Iroh stood up, clutching his wound "A second wave of reinforcements is on the way, but I need to warn them. Do you still have a way to get a message out?"

"I know just the person" Elira replied before cupping her hands over her mouth and yelling "Gommu?!"

The friendly hobo quickly popped up at her side "You called?"

"We need to send a message to someone. Top secret" The airbender explained

"I'm on it! Follow me, kids!" The hobo smiled, rushing off

Gommu led them over to where a bunch of equipment was stashed and he quickly began setting up a telegraph machine while Iroh and Team Avatar stood behind him.

"And who is the recipient of this top-secret message?" He asked, attaching the cables.

"Commander Bumi. Second division of the United Forces" Iroh replied and Gommu cracked his fingers.

Elira's eyes quickly lit up and she grinned with a child's excitement "Uncle Bumi's coming?"

"Tenzin's brother?" Korra questioned

"Yes, bit of a wild man, but the bravest commander you'll ever meet," Iroh explained

"You got that right" Elira added, giggling.

"Ready, sir" Gommu announced before beginning to tap out the telegram as Iroh spoke

"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"

Gommu finished the message and the group moved inside one of the buildings for privacy. Iroh took out a map of Republic city and laid it open on the table.

"Now comes the hard part. We need to ground those aircraft. Otherwise, Bumi's fleet would never be able to retake the city." He explained

"They flew in from this direction. The airfield must be somewhere over this mountain range." Mako pointed at a section on the map.

"Everyone get ready, we leave at dawn." Iroh declared

"Yes, sir!" El saluted jokingly

Everyone began filing out of the room but Elira stopped when she saw the scowl on Asami's face.

"You okay?" The airbender asked

"Yeah. It's time to take down my father." Asami said somewhat bitterly

Elira gave her a sympathetic look as they followed the others out.

*

Walking out of the building, Korra lingered behind her friends. She looked down in thought for a moment.

"Wait" The others turned to face her as she stood in the doorway.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going with you tomorrow."

"What?" Mako replied

"Why not?" Asami asked

"I'm sick and tired of hiding from Amon. It's time I face him." Korra declared

"That's not a good plan. We need to stick together." Iroh resorted

"I'm not waiting for him to hunt me down. My guts tell me it's time to end this, on my terms." Korra argued

"Korra, don't you remember what happened the last two times you tried facing Amon?" Elira questioned

"I wasn't ready then, I am now. And the second time I didn't have a chance to face him because you pushed me down the slope!" The Avatar pointed at the airbender.

"Korra, this is not a mission you should be handling alone," Iroh stated

"She won't be" Mako cut in, walking over to Korra while Asami watched him in surprise "I'm going with you."

"You don't have to do that." Korra looked at him worried

"Yes, I do."

Iroh put his hand on his chin in deep thought "Hmm ... My grandfather would respect the Avatar's instinct. So will I"

Elira stepped forward, looking serious "I'm going, too"

"El, no! Amon is still after you" Bolin protested

"I agree. As one of the last airbenders, it's too dangerous, Elira" Iroh added

El shut her eyes tightly as she looked down, clenching her firsts "....Amon took the most important thing in my life from me: My family. My baby brother was born into war because of him. My brother and sisters are terrified beyond belief, because of him. I have to be there when he's finally taken down"

Mako stepped towards her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Elira glanced up at the firebender, tears threatening to fall from her eyes as he stared at her sadly.

"I'm sorry, El, but I'm putting my foot down with this one. Bo and I promised your dad we'd keep you safe from Amon and that's what we're gonna do"

Elira sighed and looked at the ground in defeat, reluctantly nodding.

*

The next morning, Korra and Mako got dressed in their equalist disguises. Bolin and El walked up to Mako, who was adjusting his uniform, and Elira smiled as the two brothers hugged.

"Love you, little bro," Mako said

"Love you back, big bro" Bolin replied as Gommu sniffled in the background with tears running down his face

Pulling back, Mako held his arm out to El and she quickly ran to embrace him.

"Please be careful. I can't lose anyone else to Amon" The airbender begged

"I'll be okay, El, I promise" Pulling away, Mako looked up at his brother "Take care of her, Bo"

"Oh, I plan to" Bolin replied wrapping his arms around Elira" From now on you are not leaving my sight, airhead"

"Bo! Get off, ya goof!" She laughed

"Never!" The earthbender cried, lifting her up and waddling over to Korra and Naga.

Bolin finally placed El down once they reached her.

"Korra, Amon is a nasty dude. Be careful." He said

"I will. Good luck" Korra hugged him before turning to El and giving her a tight hug.

"Stay safe. And don't worry, Amon will pay for what he's done. I promise" Korra pledged

She then gestured to Naga beside her " If you're going into the mountains, you should bring Naga"

She hugged the animal's head goodbye "Take good care of them for me"

Naga then licked Bolin and nuzzled her nose into El's palm with a small whine. Elira smiled and scratched behind her ear.

Korra walked over to Mako and they walked away out of the hideout.

Asami jumped onto Naga's back, joining Bolin, El, Iroh, Pichi and Pabu.

"Good fortune and success to you, valiant heroes," Gommu called, watching as Team Avatar left with the other hobos.

*

Korra and Mako reached the surface, they walked out of the drainage pipe and down to the shoreline. Walking into the water, Korra waterbent a large bubble so they could breathe while underwater.

When they arrived on the shore of Air Temple Island, they climbed onto the rocks and put on their chi-blocker masks before climbing up the rocky hill.

"There's Amon." Korra pointed to the Equalist leader as he boarded an airship.

"We need to get into the temple," Mako said " Then, when he returns ..."

"We ambush him" Korra finished as the airship flew away.

The two-headed toward the temple, but as they were about to go up the steps they stopped when a voice called out behind them.

"What are you two doing here?"

They turned around finding the Lieutenant looking at them suspiciously

"Uh, we were just transferred." Mako lied

"Well, you're getting transferred again. Amon wants extra security at the arena today"

"The arena? For what?" Mako asked

"The rally. You should've been briefed about this." The Lieutenant huffed

"We'll be there, sir" Korra bowed and the Lieutenant walked away

Korra nudged Mako's side, leaning over to whisper to him.

" I know another way in"

*

At another part of Air Temple Island, the two were hidden behind some bushes next to the wall.

"How'd you find this?" Mako asked as Korra lifted a wooden panel on a wall revealing a tunnel into the temple.

"El showed me when we were both grounded" Korra replied

"Oh, so this was how she kept sneaking off without being caught" Mako muttered as they climbed in.

Thanks to the tunnel, they got inside unnoticed.

"Let's hide in the attic," Korra said, pointing to the ladder leading up.

They climbed up through the attic's trapdoor and Mako turned around.

"Uh, we're not alone up here."

Korra looked up to find none other than Tarrlok sitting on the floor, locked behind bars.

"Tarrlok?" She and Mako removed their masks, staring at the councilman in shock

"I don't suppose you're here to rescue me." He said

"We had no idea you were here. Are there other prisoners on the island?" Korra asked, approaching the cell

"No, I'm the only one."

"And what makes you so special?"

Tarrlok looked up at the teen through his dishevelled hair "I'm Amon's brother"

Korra gasped in shock.

"Amon is from the Northern Water Tribe. He's a waterbender and a bloodbender, just like I was" Tarrlok explained

"What?" Korra and an equally shocked Mako glanced at each other, then back at Tarrlok.

"Did you know this all along?" Mako demanded, taking a step forward to the cell.

"No, not until after he captured me" Tarrlok lowered his head

"How did your brother end up becoming Amon?" Korra asked

Tarrlok then began explaining his life story to the two teens "It all began with my father, Yakone. With the help of his former gang, he escaped prison and underwent surgery to change his appearance. He assumed a new identity and settled down in the Northern Water Tribe. That's where he met my mother, a warm, caring woman. Before long, they started a family together. Amon was the firstborn, under the name Noatak. I was born three years later. Noatak was a good-natured kid, always looking out for me. Those were the good years. 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.

Even back then, my brother wanted everyone to be treated fairly and equally. 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.

The good days were behind us. Every full moon, our father took us on another supposed "hunting trip," where he secretly trained us in bloodbending. We kept the truth from my mother.

A few years later, my father taught us to bloodbend anytime, without the need of the full moon. We practised constantly, and I hated every minute of it. I had no stomach for manipulating helpless animals. My brother, however, seemed to revel in this newfound power. He was a prodigy, mastering my father's psychic bloodbending technique by the time he was fourteen.

Even though Noatak was my father's favourite, it wasn't any easier for him. He carried the burden of all Yakone's expectations and demands. Something changed in Noatak over the years; the loving brother I once knew became cold and detached. Our father pushed us to extremes, and one day, he made us bloodbend each other.

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"

Korra and Mako stared at the man in front of them in a new light

"That's one of the saddest stories I've ever heard," Korra muttered

"Avatar Korra. I am truly sorry for all that I did to you. You and Elira. 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 stated

"How did you figure out Amon is your brother?" Mako asked

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

"So, he somehow uses bloodbending to take people's bending." Korra realised

"I don't know how he does it, but then again, I've never encountered a bender as strong as Noatak."

"How in the world do we beat him?" Korra then questioned

"We can't" Mako huffed " Any attack we throw at him, he'll redirect with his mind. That's how he's been able to challenge any bender."

Korra began to pace "So much for our ambush. If we stay here, we're toast. But there's another way to beat him."

"How?"

"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 ..."

"At the rally." Mako realised

"... We could take away his true power!" Korra declared

"And undermine this whole revolution!" Mako finished

Korra turned back to Tarrlok "Thank you, for your help"

Tarrlok nodded his head and Mako started to leave, but Korra stopped him "We can't just leave him here."

"Go. Amon can't know anyone spoke with me" Tarrlok stood and grabbed the cell bars" Defeat him. Put an end to this sad story"

Korra nodded at him before she and Mako ran toward the trapdoor and climbed down.