Gaining Allies

Kang was sitting outside as he saw the Air Temple Island that contained the Equalist banner there. He was torn apart to say the least to see his home being taken over by people who turned out to be an Anti-Bending Terrorist group. He has been thinking about how and why nonbenders decided to join the Equalists and was able to feel a bit of empathy. He was able to come to an understanding of why people decided to join.

As a nonbender himself, he was bullied by benders as he was a nonbender. As he soon learnt chi-blocking, he used it to retaliate against children who used their bending to bully him. He had harbored hatred for the people, not the benders who wronged him and it led to him beating up the children who bullied him.

That's why he's been quick to violence as a child, he fought all the young benders who bullied, extorted, and/or wrong him. In some way he figured that he would've been a part of the Equalists, but he knew it wasn't right. Change doesn't come with violence and terroism, it comes with talking to representatives. It may be slow, but it's a way for things to get done without the involvement of oppression or bloodshed at the very most.

Kang simply sighed as he looked back to see Asami walking to him.

"Didn't expect you to come to me," Kang said.

"Well…" Asami said, "you've been gone for most of the day, sulking."

"Hey now…" Kang started to argue back, "I wasn't sulking."

"Then why the long face?" Asami asked as she stood by his side.

Kang sighed again as he looked at the island.

"I could've been one of them," Kang said.

Asami looked at Kang with confusion, "What do you mean?"

"I could've been an Equalist," Kang said his voice sounded like he was guilty of something, "and with my skill set not only would I be a valuable asset, I would've been high in command."

Asami knew what Kang meant, the Equalists would've loved to welcome someone like Kang into their ranks. His lethality, chi-blocking abilities, and his Eagle Sense would've made the Equalists unstoppable.

"Well," Asami said, "what made you not want to join?"

"It was simple," Kang said, "change can't happen if you create a terrorist group bent on extreme ideals. I'm telling you, the reason why Tarrlok created such deranged policies was due to the fact a terrorist group was growing."

"My goodness~" Asami said as she put a hand on his shoulder, "since when did you get so insightful?"

"It comes with my line of work," Kang said, "once you kill more people than you can count, then you'll start to have an insight on a lot of things."

He soon felt himself facing Asami as the two were very close to each other. It was as if she was trying to kiss him as he saw that she was leaning up closer to him. He realized what she was about to do and stopped her by holding her by the shoulders.

"Stop," Kang said, "now isn't the time."

Asami stopped getting on her tippy toes as she stood up properly, but started to slouch in sadness. Kang felt bad so he simply rubbed her back reassuringly.

"You're still hurting," Kang said, "and I don't want to take advantage of you. I also want to stop you from making a mistake like last time."

[Flashback]

A 16 year-old Asami was on the island as she was trying to find Kang. Pema was holding onto the three year-old Meelo at the time as she saw Asami walking up the dock.

"Hey there, sweetie," Pema said, "what's going on?"

"Where's Kang?" Asami said, being very straight forward. Pema was dumbfounded on this as Asami would normally say hello to her and the family. And ever since the death of her mother, Pema and Tenzin allowed Asami to come to the island as she pleased just to see Kang.

"He's in his room," Pema said, "he should be napping—"

She was cut off as Asami simply walked towards Kang's bedroom.

…

Kang was sleeping, but woke up as he heard a knock on his door. He opened the door as he saw Asami suddenly walking in. She soon closed the door behind her and just took Kang's lips in for a deep kiss. His mind was starting to go into the gutter as the two were on his bed. Asami was straddling his hips as her fingers dug into his hair. His hands instinctively landed on her waist as they soon drifted down to her butt, groping it.

The two separated from their kiss while leaving a line of saliva. The two looked at each other and were both red. Kang was the most excited he has ever been, he was going to go down with Asami even though they've been at it a few times, but Kang saw Asami's eyes and didn't like what he saw. They were filled with pain, as if she wanted to get rid of it in some way.

Asami had already taken off her shirt and was about to take off her bra, but Kang stopped her. Asami looked at Kang as he gave her a worried look.

"Are you okay?" Kang asked.

"Of course I am—" Asami was cut off as Kang covered her mouth.

"You don't have to lie to me," Kang said, "I see that look in your eyes. I know you want to forget the pain that your mother is gone, but doing this won't make you forget."

Asami listened to Kang and soon started to break down. She looked down in shame as she hugged herself. "I don't know what to do," Asami said, "after losing my Mom, I just can't stop feeling the pain. I want to forget the pain, but I can't."

"You can't just forget the pain," Kang said, "all you can do is live with it and try to move on from it. Losing someone special can always make you feel broken, but if I were you I would just try to keep living."

"What do you mean?"

"Just live a life in a way that would make your mother happy," Kang said, "I don't think your Mom would be happy if you just lived a life full of pain."

Kang put Asami's thrown away top around her shoulders. After that, he put one hand on her shoulder while the other hand caressed her cheek, wiping the tear off her face.

"Don't throw away your life like this," Kang said, "it will just bring you more pain."

After a moment of listening to Kang, she soon nodded as she smiled, thanking him for stopping her from making a mistake.

[Flashback Ends]

"Remember what I said?" Kang asked.

She nodded as she gave him a smile. Kang smiled back and wrapped an arm around her shoulder as she leaned into his chest and had a hand on his torso.

———

Kang, Asami, and Bolin were sitting together, the whole gang was sheltered at a vagabond's community. The three saw Korra and Mako in Equalist disguises.

"You two took a while," Asami said bitterly.

"We were doing reconnaissance," Mako said with the same tone. Kang knew that their relationship was going downhill, but they were in the middle of a civil war and a relationship was the least of their worries.

Kang looked around and soon saw a series of shadows walking towards them. Kang, Asami, Mako, Bolin, and Korra saw the shadows and raised their guard.

As the figures were able to be seen, Kang knew who they were and sheathed his katana and retracted his hidden blade. He saw Grandmaster Sakai with an army of Hidden Ones walking behind him.

The other members were helping some of the vagabonds by giving them food, medicine, and other necessities. Kang and the rest of the crew behind him followed as he approached Jin Sakai.

"Grandmaster Sakai," Kang said as he bowed, "I'm really glad you came."

"Of course," Jin said, he looked behind and saw Korra.

"Avatar Korra, it's an honor to meet you," Jin said, bowing to her, "my name is Jin Sakai, the Grandmaster of the Hidden Ones."

"It's nice to meet you as well, Grandmaster," Korra said, bowing back.

…

It was night and everyone got acquainted with each other. Asami was sleeping inside the vagabond community while half of the Hidden Ones were sleeping and the other half were on watch.

Kang was outside as he couldn't stop looking at the conquered island of Father's. He felt compelled to retake the island for his father, but he knew that more backup was going to surround him and kill him. Not to mention the Hidden One's current agenda was to protect the people in the vagabond community whether or not they were benders.

"Is anyone else coming?" Jin asked, approaching Kang.

Kang didn't look back as he said, "The United Forces. With this situation, we need the help we can get."

Jin nodded as the two looked at Air Temple Island. The grandmaster knew that Kang wanted to retake the island, but knew that it wouldn't be smart.

"I see that look in your eyes," Jin said.

Kang snapped out of his trance and looked at his mentor, "What do you mean?"

"You're compelled to take back something that belonged to someone special to you," Jin said.

Kang couldn't lie as he knew it was true. Air Temple Island was special as it was the Island that his Grandpa Aang used for the Air Nation. Tenzin would always tell Kang the origins of how this temple was built and how it now houses many Air Acolytes. The population of Airbending may be scarce, but it's tradition and values will never be forgotten. And now it's being used by people who have nefarious purposes. He simply sighed as he didn't know what to say to Grandmaster Sakai who simply gave him a pat on the back and went back into the sewers.

…

Meanwhile in Air Temple Island with many Equalist airships around the sky Amon is standing on a platform as the lieutenant drags a blindfolded man who is forced to his knees and the blindfold is removed.

"You will now be cleansed of your impurity." Amon said standing behind the man and then removed his bending. "Next." Amon says as the lieutenant nods and goes for the next victim showing a line of benders who are blindfolded including White Lotus sentries and later Amon takes another bender's bending. "How goes the search for the Avatar and the boy?" Amon asked.

"We're still working on finding them, sir. They can't hide from us forever." The lieutenant said.

"No, they can't. Make sure searching for them is the big priority." Amon said and the lieutenant saluted. "Now, bring me the next one." Amon orders as the next blindfolded bender is dragged to him.

———

The next morning, Kang, Korra, Mako, Bolin, Asami, and other Hidden One members were on standby as they were waiting for the United Forces to arrive. So far it's been really quiet, which is kind of concerning.

"Mentor," a Hidden One called out for Kang as he looked at them, "I see a ship arriving."

"Alright folks," Kang said to everyone around, "we need to help out in any way possible."

Everyone nodded as they looked ahead.

…

General Iroh was looking around as they arrived and saw that the coast was clear. This made him suspicious.

"Amon had to know we were coming," Iroh said, "so why aren't we meeting any resistance."

…

Kang was looking around and saw there were no airships, which made him look around in suspicion.

"This is weird," Kang said.

The other members of the Hidden Ones nodded in agreement while Korra and the crew were dumbfounded. Korra soon realized why they had suspicious looks on their face.

"Why aren't there any airships?" Korra asked.

"Ready your bows," Kang commanded.

The Hidden Ones kept their bows up as they were keeping their heads on a swivel. One of them gave the telescope to Mako who used it and noticed something as well.

"There aren't any mecha tanks either," Mako said.

Kang narrowed his eyes, but soon heard explosions as he looked at the ocean and saw explosions from a distance.

"Sea mines!" Kang said but he looked and heard airships coming from a distance, "We need to shoot down those airships!"

The other Hidden Ones did as Kang commanded as they shot their arrows at the airships. As they were doing this action, they saw that the airships were dropping sea torpedoes.

"This doesn't get any easier," Kang said. He looked at Korra as she nodded and dove into the ocean. He looked to another Hidden One member, "Get the Grandmaster and organize a rescue for the United Forces!"

"As you command, mentor," the member said, he soon sheathed his bow and went into the sewers while Kang stayed outside and shot multiple arrows with the other Hidden One members. But in all attempts to save the ships, it all failed as the United Forces ships were sinking into the ocean. Jin came, "Kang! Come inside we need to change course of action."

———

Everyone regrouped in the underground community as Korra was healing General Iroh's injuries. Kang and Jin approached the two and bowed to them.

"General Iroh," Kang said, "it's amazing to see you again."

"You too, Kang," Iroh said, he later looked at Jin and nodded to him, "Grandmaster Sakai."

"What happened, General," Jin asked. Asami, Mako, and Bolin came back to listen as Iroh was talking.

"I was prepared to take on Sato's Mecha Tanks," Iroh said, "but not these new high-speed aircrafts."

"We knew General," Kang said, "but everytime we think we have an advantage, Amon outsmarts us."

"No matter what our plan is," Bolin said, "he has a better one."

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

"Speaking about that," Kang said, "where's—"

"They're on the way," Iroh said, he knew what his former soldier turned Hidden One was referring to, "but I need to warn them. Do we have a way to get a message out?"

"Yes sir," Kang said, "follow me."

They all went to a control area where Kang wired in, "Who will be the main recipient of this wire?"

"Your uncle, Commander Bumi," Iroh said, "second division of the United Forces."

"Tenzin's brother?" Korra asked.

Kang gave her an "are you serious" look as she realized what Iroh just said.

"Oh right, 'uncle,'" Korra said.

"A bit of a wild man," Iroh said, "but the bravest commander you'll ever meet."

"Not a bit, a very wild man," Kang said, "Ready sir."

"Fleet ambushed and destroyed by Equalist Aircraft," Iroh said.

Kang tapped the telegraph as he was listening to his former superior officer, "retreat to Red Sand Island, until my signal. Do not approach the city, until you receive the all clear."

After Kang finished tapping, he looked at the General, "Done."

…

They went into a room as Iroh and Jin spreaded out a map of Republic City.

"Now here's the plan," Iroh said. Jin decided to listen as this was Iroh's city and he was just a guest helping out in any way he and the Hidden Ones could.

"We need to ground those aircrafts," Iroh said, "Otherwise Bumi's fleet will never be able to reach the city."

"They flew in from this direction," Mako said while pointing to said direction, "the airfield must be somewhere over this mountain range."

"Half of the Hidden Ones will stay behind to protect the refugees," Jin said, "and the rest and I will rescue any people from the clutches of Amon's men."

"That sounds like a good plan," Iroh said, "we'll leave at dawn."

As everyone was about to leave, Korra stopped, "Wait. I'm sorry, but I'm not going with you tomorrow."

"Wait what?" Kang asked.

"Why not?" Asami asked.

"I'm done hiding from Amon!" Korra said, "it's time I face him."

"That isn't a great idea," Jin said.

"Grandmaster Sakai is right," Iroh said, "we need to stick together."

"I'm not waiting for him to hunt me down," Korra said, "my gut is telling me it's time to end this, on my terms."

Kang was thinking and soon stood by her.

"Then I'll go with you," Kang said, "with your long range skills and my well-rounded combat skills, we can take down Amon together."

"That's still not a bright idea," Jin said.

"Then what's the point of utilizing what you, General Iroh, and Uncle Bumi all taught me," Kang said, "each of you taught me something important. Grandmaster, you taught me that I can fight through other means. General, you taught me that I can live on a legacy in my own way. And Uncle Bumi taught me that through trials and tribulations, you can persevere and come out on top. So please, trust me when I say I will go with her."

Iroh put a hand on his chin and hummed, "My grandfather would respect the Avatar's instinct, so will I."

Kang looked at Korra and the two shared a fistbump.

———

Bolin and Mako gave each other a hug with Gommu crying in the background.

Bolin walked up to Korra and told her to be careful and Korra told him to bring Naga.

"Asami, 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," Mako said.

"I care about you too," Asami said, hugging Mako. She later went to Kang and tackled him with a massive hug which Kang returned.

"Stay safe for me, alright Kang" Asami requested.

"Of course I will," Kang said. As the two separated from their hug, she went on her tip-toes and kissed Kang on the cheek.

Iroh, Asami, and Bolin along with Pabu, mounted Naga and rode off while Mako, half of the Hidden Ones, and the United Forces soldiers stayed to protect the refugees.

"Good fortune and success to you valiant heroes!" Gommu bid them farewell.

…

The two were walking into the sea and Korra waterbends a large bubble while underwater and they later walk out of the seas and arrive at the shores of Air Temple Island and Korra put on her chi-blocker mask as they climb up the shores and they find an Equalist airship in which Amon is on board.

"There's Amon," Korra said.

"Let's go into the temple and wait for him to come back," Kang said.

"We'll ambush him," Korra said. The two soon started to split up with Korra walking out in the open in her disguise and Kang staying hidden to who knows where. She was making her way to the temple as—

"Hey!" Korra saw the Lieutenant as he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I was just transferred," Korra said.

"Well, you're getting transferred again. Amon wants extra security at the arena today. We're also meant to have top priority in finding the Avatar and Kang Beifong," The lieutenant said.

"The arena? For what?" Korra asked.

"The rally. You should've been briefed about this," The lieutenant said.

"I'll be there," Korra said. As the lieutenant left, she looked around and saw that Kang stuck his hand out from the bush and motioned for her to come. She follows Kang and later arrives at the next part of the temple and Kang opens a wooden panel on a wall, "Follow me."

As they climbed in, they saw a ladder, "Let's hide in here."

As Kang was the first to arrive in the attic, his eyes widened with rage as he knew who that person was.

"What's wrong Kang?" Korra climbed up and was shocked to see who it was as well.

In front of them was Tarrlok, but was separated by some bars as if he was being held prisoner.

"Tarrlok?" Korra asked as she took off her mask and Kang took off his hood.

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

"No," Kang said, "this made my revenge for killing you easier."

His hidden blade extended out and he was about to kill him, but Korra stopped him, "This is not why he came here!"

"He sold me out to a fucking Triad!" Kang said in anger, "I want revenge."

"Let's just talk to him," Korra said as he looked at Tarrlok, "Look, we had no idea you were here. Are there other prisoners on the island?" Korra asked.

"No, I'm the only one," Tarrlok answered.

"And what makes you so special?" Korra asked.

"I'm Amon's brother," Tarrlok answered, shocking the two.

Kang retracted his hidden blade, "Wait what?!"

"How is that possible?" Korra asked.

"He's from the Northern Water Tribe. He's a Waterbender and a Bloodbender, like I was." Tarrlok said.

"Amon is a BENDER?" Kang asked in shock.

"Did you know this all along?" Kota asked.

"No, not until he captured me." Tarrlok said.

"How did your brother become Amon?" Korra asked.

"I don't know why, but it all began with my father, Yakone." Tarrlok said.

[Flashback]

A smiling Yakone is in a hospital and a surgeon walks to him.

(With the help of his former gang, he escaped prison and underwent surgery to change his appearance.)

The nurse and the surgeon begin the operation and later the surgeon removes the bandages revealing Yakone's new face and he now looks younger with darker hair.

(He assumed a new identity and settled down in the Northern Water Tribe. That's where he met my mother, a warm and caring woman.)

Yakone arrives at the Northern Water Tribe in the snowy hills and he finds a woman sewing a coat and they smile at first sight.

(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.)

Yakone and his wife are outside and two boys are playing together and one is Noatak while the other is a younger Tarrlok who trips while trying to tackle and starts crying but Noatak helps him up.

It's now nighttime and both Noatak and Tarrlok start training at Waterbending.

(Before my brother and I discovered Waterbenders. At first, we were excited by our new abilities, but our training brought out a different side of my father.)

Tarrlok drops a glob of water.

"Tarrlok, you better shape up or you'll be out here in the cold all night until you get it right." Yakone said in a demanding tone.

"I'm trying, but..." Young Tarrlok was cut off.

"Try harder! Your brother was never this sloppy!" Yakone yelled and Young Tarrlok started crying.

"Dad, he'll get it. He just needs time." Young Noatak said.

"Don't talk back to me, son! Ever!" Yakone yelled.

(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 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.)

Yakone takes Noatak and Tarrlok outside the village and they sit at a campfire and Yakone explains everything to them including Bloodbending.

"What's Bloodbending?" Young Tarrlok asked.

"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 the power inside of you and I will teach you to master it." Yakone said.

"What happened to YOUR bending, Dad?" Young Noatak asked.

"The Avatar stole it from me. 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." Yakone said.

(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.)

Yakone, Noatak, and Tarrlok are hiding from a herd of yaks and Yakone nods at Noatak who stands up and starts Bloodbending at one of the yaks making it stand up and forces its head back making the yak groan in pain.

"Stop! You're hurting it!" Tarrlok said.

"Toughen up, Tarrlok! You'll need a thicker skin for this." Yakone said and Noatak let the yak down, making it run away along with the others. "Very good, son, very good." Yakone said.

(A few years later, my father taught us to Bloodbend anytime, without the need of the full moon. We practiced 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.)

Yakone and his sons are hiding from a pack of wolves and Yakone signals Tarrlok to go making him breathe deeply and uses his Bloodbending to make the wolves stand in rows and move from side to side making the wolves whimper in pain and Tarrlok releases them making the wolves leave but Noatak uses his Bloodbending to make them come back and lifts them in unison and then lifts them into the air making Yakone smile at this and then Noatak sets them down and makes them bow to him.

"That's the way it's done. That's what you need to strike for." Yakone said.

(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. 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.)

Yakone makes his sons stand face-to-face.

"Noatak, go!" Yakone said and Noatak starts Bloodbending Tarrlok who struggles and Tarrlok falls to his knees and Noatak narrows his eyes making his brother lean back. "Excellent. Tarrlok, your turn." Yakone said.

"No. I won't do it." Tarrlok said.

"Bloodbend your brother, Tarrlok!" Yakone ordered.

"That felt awful. I don't want to do that to anyone. I never want to Bloodbend again." Tarrlok said.

"You're a disgrace, a weakling. I'll teach you a lesson you insubordinate..." Yakone was cut off as he struggles and Noatka is Bloodbending him.

"Stay away from him." Noatak said.

"How DARE you Bloodbend me!" Yakone yelled.

"What're you gonna do about it? YOU'RE the weak one. You always say Bloodbending is the most powerful thing in the world, but it isn't. The Avatar is. He took your BENDING away. What could be more powerful than that?" Noatak said, Bloodbending his father to his knees.

"I made you what you are. You're mine." Yakone said.

"We're your sons, not your tools for revenge." Noatak says and goes for Tarrlok. "Let's go. We can run away from him. Forever." Noatak said.

"Run away? But what about Mom? We can't just leave her." Tarrlok said.

"He was right about you. You ARE a weakling." Noatak said, throwing his father a distance away with his Bloodbending and starting running off.

"Noatak! Don't leave! Please! Noatak!" Tarrlok called but Noatak was gone.

(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.)

Yakone gets from the table and leaves the house.

[Flashback Ends]

"That is the saddest story I've ever heard," Korra stated.

"Avatar Korra, Kang, I am truly sorry for what I've done 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 believe Amon truly believes that bending is the source of all evil in the world," Tarrlok apologized.

Kang's lust for revenge started to die down as he retracted his hidden blade and looked down in shame.

"Did he tell you who he was?" Korra asked.

"No, when he took my bending, the sensation was somehow familiar. I later recognized it as my brother's bloodbending grip." Tarrlok answered.

"So… he somehow uses blood bending to take peoples' bending," Korra thought out loud.

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

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

Kang grinned devilishly, "We hit him where it hurts the most," He said.

"Where?" Korra asked.

"We got major dirt on him, so where can we use said dirt?" Kang questioned.

Korra thought and her eyes lit up, "At the rally!" she said in glee.

"Exactly, we expose the truth in front of all his supporters..." Kang started.

"And his entire revolution collapses!" Korra finished

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

Tarrlok just turned his head to the side.

Kang started to walk away, but Korra stopped him.

"We can't just leave him here." She said

"Go. Amon can't know if anyone spoke with me. Defeat him. Put an end to this sad story." Tarrlok said and they nod and Korra starts to leave but Kang stays.

"I'll be back for you," Kang said, "you need to pay for your crimes."

"Thank you, and I'm sorry... for selling you out. I know your grandfather would be proud of you. Now go, help the Avatar put an end to Noatak's tragedy," Tarrlok said as Kang left the attic.