Chapter IX: Shadows, Politics, & Unexpected Alliances?
Unexpected Alliances
The heavy doors of police headquarters swung open as Lin Beifong emerged, her expression a carefully controlled mask of professional composure. But Korra could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her jaw was set against whatever had transpired inside.
"Chief Beifong," Korra called out, rising from her seat. "How did it go?"
Lin's laugh was bitter. "About as well as expected. The Council's demanding my resignation, Tarrlok's positioning himself as the city's savior, and half my force is questioning whether I'm still capable of doing my job."
"That's ridiculous," Korra said firmly. "What happened at the arena wasn't your fault. No one could have predicted—"
"Politics isn't about fault, kid," Lin interrupted, but her tone wasn't unkind. "It's about perception. And right now, the perception is that I failed to protect this city from its biggest threat."
They walked together through the afternoon streets, the sounds of Republic City's ongoing recovery echoing around them. Construction crews worked to repair damage from the night of the arena attack, while vendors hawked newspapers with headlines that grew more sensational by the day.
"So what happens now?" Korra asked.
"Now I prove them wrong," Lin replied, her voice carrying the steel that had made her legendary among metalbenders. "The investigation into Cabbage Corp is just the beginning. The Equalists have been planning this for months, maybe years. Someone's been funding them, supplying them, giving them inside information. I'm going to find out who."
There was something in Lin's tone that made Korra look at her more closely. "You already have suspicions, don't you?"
Lin was quiet for a long moment. "Let's just say that when electrical gloves designed specifically to counter metalbending start showing up in bulk quantities, someone with serious resources is involved. Someone who understands both the technology and the tactical applications."
A chill ran down Korra's spine. "You think there's a traitor in the government."
"I think," Lin said carefully, "that Amon's revolution is bigger and more connected than any of us realized. And I think we're going to need all the help we can get to stop it."
They paused at the intersection where their paths would diverge—Lin heading back to headquarters to continue her investigation, Korra returning to Air Temple Island to prepare for the next day's visit to the Sato estate.
"Korra," Lin said, her voice uncharacteristically gentle. "That night at the arena... I saw what your friend did. The way he moved, the energy around him. Whatever he is, wherever he's from, you might want to prepare him for the fact that he's going to draw attention. The kind of attention none of us want right now."
The warning sent ice through Korra's veins. In all the chaos following the arena attack, she'd been so focused on her own trauma and the political fallout that she hadn't fully considered the implications of Tohra's display of power.
"What do you mean?" she asked, though part of her already knew.
"I mean that power like that doesn't stay secret for long. And in a city where people are already afraid of anything that seems beyond normal human capability..." Lin shrugged grimly. "Let's just say it might complicate things."
Return to Air Temple Island
The ferry ride back to Air Temple Island gave Korra time to process Lin's warning, but it also filled her with a growing anxiety she hadn't felt in days. By the time the temple's distinctive architecture came into view, she was practically vibrating with the need to find Tohra and discuss what Lin had implied.
She found him in the courtyard where they'd shared their morning conversation, but he wasn't alone. Tenzin was with him, and both men looked up as she approached with expressions that suggested they'd been having a serious discussion of their own.
"Korra," Tenzin said, his tone carefully neutral. "How was your visit to the city?"
"Educational," she replied, her eyes moving between her mentor and her... boyfriend? The word still felt strange in her mind, too small to encompass what Tohra had become to her. "What were you two talking about?"
"The same thing you're probably here to discuss," Tohra said gently. "The arena."
"More specifically," Tenzin added, "what happened at the arena that night. What people saw."
Korra settled down beside them, suddenly feeling very young and very much in need of guidance. "Lin thinks you're going to draw unwanted attention. That people are going to start asking questions about... what you can do."
"People are already asking questions," Tenzin said quietly. "I've had three separate reporters contact me today wanting to know about the 'mysterious guardian' who displayed 'unprecedented abilities' during the Equalist attack. They're calling you everything from 'Avatar's Secret Weapon' to 'Republic City's Unknown Protector.'"
Tohra's expression remained calm, but Korra could see the tension in the set of his shoulders. "I knew this was a possibility when I chose to act. But seeing you in danger, seeing all of you in danger... I couldn't maintain my cover and protect the people I care about at the same time."
"I'm not criticizing your choices," Tenzin said firmly. "You saved lives that night, including my children's. But we need to discuss what comes next."
"What do you mean?" Korra asked, though the growing knot in her stomach suggested she might not want to hear the answer.
"I mean that in times of crisis, people look for someone to blame—or someone to follow," Tenzin replied. "Right now, the city is terrified of Amon and his ability to take away bending. The appearance of someone with abilities that seem to exist outside the normal rules of bending... that's going to generate a lot of interest. And not all of it friendly."
Korra felt her world tilting slightly off its axis. "You think they'll see him as a threat."
"Some will," Tenzin acknowledged. "Others might see him as a potential solution to the Equalist problem. Either way, anonymity is no longer an option."
"So what do we do?" she asked, looking between the two men who had become her anchors in this complicated world.
"We get ahead of the story," Tohra said with quiet determination. "Instead of letting others define what I am and why I'm here, we control the narrative."
"How?" Korra asked.
Tohra's hand found hers, warm and steady. "By telling the truth. About who I am, where I come from, and why I'm here."
The words sent a thrill of anticipation through her, mixed with no small amount of anxiety. She'd been wondering about Tohra's origins since the day they met, but she'd also grown comfortable with the mystery. The idea that all her questions might finally be answered was both exciting and terrifying.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "Once we do that, there's no going back."
"There was no going back the moment I let my power show to protect you," he replied simply. "I've been living borrowed time ever since."
Tenzin leaned forward, his expression serious. "Before we move forward with any revelations, there are some practical considerations we need to discuss. The political situation in the city is extremely volatile right now. Councilman Tarrlok is consolidating power, Lin's position as Chief is precarious, and there are rumors of more Equalist cells throughout the city."
"Which is exactly why we can't wait," Tohra said. "If we let someone else reveal my abilities first, they'll frame the narrative in whatever way serves their purposes. I'd rather trust you and Korra with the truth than leave it to politicians and reporters."
Revelations and Decisions
That evening, after dinner with Tenzin's family, the three of them gathered in Tenzin's study. The room felt appropriate for momentous conversations—lined with ancient texts, illuminated by soft lamplight, filled with the weight of history and wisdom.
"Before you begin," Tenzin said, settling into his chair with the gravity the moment deserved, "I want you to know that whatever you're about to tell us won't change our opinion of you. You've proven your character through your actions, and that matters more than your origins."
Korra curled up in the large armchair she'd claimed as her own during her months at the temple, pulling her knees up to her chest in a gesture that made her look younger than her years. "I've been wondering about this since we met," she admitted. "But I was also afraid to push because... I didn't want you to feel like you had to explain yourself to earn my trust."
"And you didn't," Tohra said, his voice warm with affection. "You accepted me as I was, asked for nothing more than I was ready to give. Do you have any idea how rare that is?"
He stood and moved to the window, looking out over the harbor lights. When he spoke again, his voice carried a quality Korra had never heard before—ancient, weighty, touched with something that might have been sadness.
"I am not from your world," he began simply. "Not from this reality, this dimension of existence. I come from a planet called Vegeta, in a distant galaxy. My people were warriors, a proud race known as the Saiyans."
Korra felt her breath catch. She'd suspected he was more than human, but this was beyond anything she'd imagined.
"Saiyans are born warriors," Tohra continued, his voice carrying a weight of ancient pain. "We grow stronger through battle, can transform our power to incredible levels, and live for combat. Our planet was destroyed when I was just a child, along with nearly all of my people. The few survivors scattered across the universe."
"Amon," Tenzin said quietly.
"Winter, Eleryc, Jinjer and I—we're some of the last pure-blooded Saiyans in existence," Tohra continued. "We've spent years searching for a place where we could live in peace, away from the endless cycle of violence that defined our race. We found that here, in your world."
He turned back to face them, and in the lamplight, Korra could see something she'd never noticed before—his hair seemed to shift slightly in color, as if barely containing some inner energy.
"But I'm not just any Saiyan," Tohra said quietly. "I am what my people called the Legendary Super Saiyan—a transformation that appears only once every thousand years. The power that manifested at the arena... that was just a fraction of what I'm capable of when fully awakened."
"Until you met me," Korra said, understanding beginning to dawn.
"Until I met you," he confirmed, his expression softening. "The Avatar is supposed to be the bridge between your physical and spirit worlds, the embodiment of balance itself. Meeting you, getting to know you, falling in love with you... it changed my entire understanding of my mission."
"How?" Tenzin asked.
"But something changed that night at the arena," Tohra continued. "When I saw you in danger, when I felt that rage building inside me... instead of losing control, I found focus. The power that emerged wasn't driven by destructive fury—it was driven by the need to protect someone I love."
Korra felt simultaneously honored and concerned by his words. "So what does this mean? Are you... are you dangerous?"
"To those who would harm you or innocent people? Yes," Tohra said honestly. "But the power itself... I think loving you, being loved by you, has changed its very nature. Where previous Legendary Super Saiyans were consumed by rage, I've found something to channel that power through—love, protection, the desire to preserve rather than destroy."
"And your family?" Tenzin asked. "Winter, Eleryc, and Jinjer—are they also...?"
Tohra's expression grew more complex. "Winter is my sister—my actual blood sister, despite her different appearance. Our family lineage carries Kai blood alongside Saiyan heritage, which is why her hair is silver instead of the traditional black. She inherited more of the divine bloodline than I did."
He paused, his voice becoming heavier. "Eleryc and Jinjer are my cousins, but their situation is... complicated. They're the reincarnations of Goku Black—or rather, Zamasu—from two separate timelines. A villainous Kai who believed mortals were tainted and expendable."
Korra felt a chill run down her spine. "Villainous? But they've been nothing but kind and protective..."
"They've overcome their past incarnations through the power of family bonds and redemption," Tohra explained quickly. "But the fact that they're here, that we're all here together... it's not coincidence. I believe their evil half—Zamasu—merged with a being called Demigra to become something called Zamigra. This entity is likely orchestrating events from the shadows, testing us."
"Testing you how?" Tenzin asked, his airbending master instincts immediately focusing on the threat assessment.
"By placing us in a world in crisis, seeing how we respond to moral complexity," Tohra said grimly. "But that's not our only concern. If Zamigra is here, then others may have followed. Cooler—Frieza's older brother and arguably more dangerous—is almost certainly somewhere in this world as well. He has a personal vendetta against Saiyans, especially legendary ones."
The room fell silent as the true scope of what they were facing became clear. Not only were they dealing with Amon's Equalist revolution and Tarrlok's political machinations, but there were cosmic-level threats lurking in the shadows.
Korra's mind reeled as she tried to process everything. "So we're not just dealing with Amon and Tarrlok. There are cosmic villains using Republic City as some kind of... testing ground?"
"It appears so," Tohra said gravely. "Which means our immediate priority has to be dealing with the threats we can see—Amon's revolution and Tarrlok's authoritarianism—while staying alert for signs of the greater dangers lurking in the shadows."
"But why here?" Tenzin asked. "Why this world, this city?"
"Because," Tohra said, looking directly at Korra, "the Avatar represents something unique in the universe—a being capable of bridging different realms of existence. If Zamigra wants to test whether mortals are worthy of existence, what better laboratory than a world where the ultimate bridge between mortal and divine is learning to embrace her power?"
The room fell silent as they all processed the implications of what he'd revealed. Finally, Korra spoke, her voice small but determined.
"What does this mean for us? For... for what we have together?"
Tohra crossed the room and knelt beside her chair, taking her hands in his. "It means that loving you has made me stronger in ways I never imagined possible. It means that the legendary power that was supposed to make me a monster has instead made me a protector. And it means that whatever challenges come next, we face them together—the Avatar and the Legendary Super Saiyan, united by something more powerful than any transformation."
"And the immediate political situation?" Tenzin asked practically. "How much of this do we reveal, and to whom? The idea of alien warriors with planet-destroying power is one thing, but cosmic entities testing humanity's worth..."
"We reveal nothing about the cosmic threats for now," Tohra said firmly. "As far as anyone needs to know, I'm a warrior from another world who's chosen to help protect Republic City. The full truth about Zamigra, Cooler, and the testing—that stays between us until we have proof and a plan."
"But we need to be prepared," he continued. "Neither Amon nor Tarrlok are truly benevolent, and dealing with them is going to require all our focus. But we also need to watch for signs that these conflicts are being manipulated from the outside."
Korra squeezed his hands, feeling the warmth and strength that had become her anchor in this increasingly complex world. "So we start small," Korra said, her voice steadier than she felt. "We let people know you're here as my ally, my protector, my boyfriend who happens to have extraordinary abilities. We deal with Amon and Tarrlok first."
"Can you handle knowing there might be cosmic threats watching our every move?" Tenzin asked gently.
"I've been learning that being the Avatar means dealing with threats I never imagined," Korra replied. "At least now I won't be facing them alone."
"What's our first step?" she asked.
"Tomorrow, we go to the Sato estate as planned," Tohra said. "We spend time with your friends, we let them get to know me better, and we start building the foundation of trust that's going to be essential. But we also stay alert—if Cooler or other threats are here, they might make their move when we least expect it."
"And Winter, Eleryc, and Jinjer?" Korra asked. "Do they know about the cosmic situation?"
"They suspect," Tohra said grimly. "Winter's Kai heritage gives her certain... intuitions about divine manipulation. And Eleryc and Jinjer can sense when their former incarnation's influence is nearby. We're all on high alert."
"Then we'd better make sure Republic City is worth saving," Korra said with determined resolve. "Because apparently, the entire universe might be watching."
As they talked through the practical implications of his revelation—how much to tell whom, when, and under what circumstances—Korra found herself marveling at how much her life had changed in just a few short months. She'd come to Republic City as a headstrong, impulsive teenager convinced she could solve the world's problems through force and determination alone.
Now she was beginning to understand that true strength came not from fighting alone, but from building connections, fostering trust, and accepting the support of others who shared her vision of balance and justice.
The pendant against her chest grew warm as these thoughts filled her mind, and she smiled. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new complications, and new opportunities to prove herself worthy of the trust being placed in her.
But tonight, surrounded by the people who believed in her most deeply, she felt ready for whatever the future might hold.
The Investigation Deepens
The next morning brought an urgent knock on the door of Tenzin's study. Winter, Eleryc, and Jinjer stood in the doorway, their expressions grim with the weight of disturbing news.
"We need to talk," Winter said without preamble, her silver hair catching the morning light as she entered with her characteristic directness. "What we've discovered changes everything."
Korra looked up from her breakfast, immediately alert. The three Saiyans had spent the previous day conducting their own investigation into the Equalist attacks, using methods and resources that went far beyond what Republic City's police force could access.
"What did you find?" Tohra asked, rising from his seat beside Korra.
Eleryc stepped forward, his usually calm demeanor showing cracks of anger. "Someone has been feeding detailed information about Saiyan capabilities to Amon and his followers. The electrical weapons, the tactical coordination during the arena attack—it wasn't just lucky planning."
"The chi-blockers knew exactly how to counter enhanced reflexes and strength," Jinjer added, his voice tight with controlled fury. "Their timing, their formations, even the way they targeted civilians to divide our attention—it all points to someone with intimate knowledge of how we fight."
Winter's pale eyes were hard as ice. "We traced the information flow through several intermediaries, following energy signatures that most beings couldn't detect. The trail leads to one individual."
She paused, and Korra could feel the tension radiating from all three Saiyans.
"Cooler," Tohra said quietly, and his family nodded in unison.
"The elder brother of Frieza," Winter confirmed. "The strongest member of the Cold family outside of Frieza himself and their father, King Cold. He leads what was once called the Galactic Trade Federation—now known as the Frieza Force."
Tenzin, who had been listening with growing alarm, leaned forward. "You're saying this Cooler is here, in our world? Working with the Equalists?"
"Not working with them," Eleryc corrected. "Using them. Cooler has always been methodical, calculating. He's letting Amon create chaos while he studies us, learns our patterns, identifies our weaknesses."
"But why?" Korra asked, though part of her dreaded the answer.
"Because," Tohra said grimly, "Cooler has a particular hatred for Saiyans, especially legendary ones. He views us as a threat to his family's supremacy. If he's here, it's to eliminate me specifically—and anyone I care about."
The room fell silent as the implications sank in. The political crisis engulfing Republic City wasn't just a local conflict anymore. It was being manipulated by an intergalactic tyrant with a personal vendetta against the people Korra had come to see as family.
"How long do we have?" she asked.
"Not long," Winter replied. "Our investigation disturbed several of his monitoring systems. He knows we're aware of him now. The careful observation phase is over—he'll move to direct action soon."
"Which means," Jinjer said, "we need to be ready for a war on multiple fronts. Amon's revolution, Tarrlok's authoritarianism, and now Cooler's vendetta. All at the same time."
Korra felt the familiar weight of responsibility settle over her shoulders, but this time it was accompanied by something new—a cold, hard determination that surprised her with its intensity.
"Then we'd better make sure we're ready," she said, standing with a resolve that made her pendant grow warm against her skin. "Because I'm not letting any of them destroy the world I'm sworn to protect."
As they talked through the practical implications of his revelation—how much to tell whom, when, and under what circumstances—Korra found herself marveling at how much her life had changed in just a few short months. She'd come to Republic City as a headstrong, impulsive teenager convinced she could solve the world's problems through force and determination alone.
Unexpected Reinforcements
The confrontation with Cooler came sooner than anyone expected. Three days after Winter's grim revelation, energy readings that only the Saiyans could detect began spiking across Republic City. Cooler was no longer hiding his presence.
"He's making his move," Tohra said grimly as they gathered on Air Temple Island's highest terrace, watching strange lights flicker in the sky above the city. "We need to—"
His words were cut off by the sudden appearance of four figures descending from the clouds, moving with the controlled flight that marked them as ki users. Tohra immediately shifted into a defensive stance, emerald energy crackling around his form, but Winter raised a hand to stop him.
"Wait," she said, her Kai heritage allowing her to sense something he couldn't. "They're not enemies."
The four figures landed on the terrace with practiced ease, and Korra found herself face to face with beings that were clearly not from her world, yet felt strangely familiar.
The first two were unmistakably Saiyan—black hair, characteristic facial structure, and the proud bearing that seemed universal to their race. The taller one stepped forward with a confident grin.
"Tarro," he introduced himself, then gestured to his companion. "And this is my cousin Daikon. We're Time Patrollers, sent to assist you in dealing with the Cooler situation."
Behind them stood two figures who were clearly more than just Saiyan. The first had striking red hair and eyes to match, with a red Saiyan tail that marked her as something unusual among her people.
"Scarlett," she said simply, her voice carrying an authority that suggested significant experience.
But it was the fourth figure who caught everyone's attention, particularly Meelo, who had been practicing his airbending nearby. She appeared to be a hybrid—clearly part Saiyan based on her build and energy signature, but with distinctly wolf-like features. Furry ears twitched atop her head, and a bushy tail swished behind her.
"Aiko," she said with an amused smile as she noticed Meelo's wide-eyed stare. "I'm Scarlett's sister. Half Saiyan, half wolfman, if you're curious."
Meelo's cheeks turned red, but he managed to stammer out, "You're... you're really beautiful."
Aiko's laugh was warm and genuinely delighted. "Well, aren't you sweet. Thank you."
Tenzin stepped forward, his airbending master instincts immediately assessing these new arrivals. "Time Patrollers? What exactly does that mean?"
Tarro's expression grew serious. "We work for an organization that monitors temporal disruptions across multiple universes. When Cooler started manipulating events in this timeline, it created ripples that caught our attention."
"There are others who were sent to help," Daikon added, scanning the horizon with practiced eyes. "But we got separated during the dimensional transfer. They're somewhere in this world, but we haven't been able to locate them yet."
Scarlett moved closer to the group, her red tail lashing with controlled energy. "What we do know is that Cooler isn't working alone. He's brought a significant force with him—mechanical soldiers, energy weapons that can disrupt ki flow, and worst of all, he's been studying this world's unique energy patterns."
"What do you mean?" Korra asked, though she suspected she already knew the answer would be troubling.
"Bending," Aiko said, her wolf ears flicking as she picked up sounds beyond normal human range. "He's been analyzing how your world's elemental manipulation works, trying to find ways to counter it or potentially steal it for his forces."
The implications hit everyone simultaneously. Bad enough that they were facing an intergalactic tyrant with advanced technology and overwhelming power. But if Cooler had found ways to neutralize or co-opt bending itself...
"We need to move fast," Winter said, her divine heritage allowing her to sense the growing disturbance in the cosmic balance. "Every moment we delay gives him more time to complete whatever he's planning."
"Agreed," Tohra said, then looked at their unexpected allies. "What kind of support can you provide?"
Tarro grinned, energy beginning to crackle around his form. "The kind that turns impossible odds into merely terrible ones. We've been dealing with universe-level threats for years."
"Plus," Aiko added with another amused glance at the still-blushing Meelo, "it looks like we might have some local support too. Though I think your friend there might need a moment to compose himself."
Despite the gravity of the situation, several people couldn't help but smile at Meelo's obvious infatuation. In times of crisis, even small moments of lightness felt precious.
"So what's the plan?" Korra asked, her Avatar training helping her focus on the immediate tactical situation despite the overwhelming scope of what they were facing.
"First, we locate the rest of our team," Scarlett said. "Then we identify Cooler's base of operations and find out exactly what he's been doing with his research into bending. After that..."
"After that, we end this before it can spread beyond Republic City," Tohra finished grimly. "Because if Cooler succeeds here, no world will be safe from his ambitions."
As they talked through the practical implications of his revelation—how much to tell whom, when, and under what circumstances—Korra found herself marveling at how much her life had changed in just a few short months. She'd come to Republic City as a headstrong, impulsive teenager convinced she could solve the world's problems through force and determination alone.
Now she was beginning to understand that true strength came not from fighting alone, but from building connections, fostering trust, and accepting the support of others who shared her vision of balance and justice.
The pendant against her chest grew warm as these thoughts filled her mind, but now that warmth carried an edge of steel. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new complications, and new opportunities to prove herself worthy of the trust being placed in her.
Scarlett moved closer to the group, her red tail lashing with controlled energy. "What we do know is that Cooler isn't working alone. He's brought a significant force with him—mechanical soldiers, energy weapons that can disrupt ki flow, and worst of all, he's been studying this world's unique energy patterns."
"What do you mean?" Korra asked, though she suspected she already knew the answer would be troubling.
"Bending," Aiko said, her wolf ears flicking as she picked up sounds beyond normal human range. "He's been analyzing how your world's elemental manipulation works, trying to find ways to counter it or potentially steal it for his forces."
The implications hit everyone simultaneously. Bad enough that they were facing an intergalactic tyrant with advanced technology and overwhelming power. But if Cooler had found ways to neutralize or co-opt bending itself...
"We need to move fast," Winter said, her divine heritage allowing her to sense the growing disturbance in the cosmic balance. "Every moment we delay gives him more time to complete whatever he's planning."
"Agreed," Tohra said, then looked at their unexpected allies. "What kind of support can you provide?"
Tarro grinned, energy beginning to crackle around his form. "The kind that turns impossible odds into merely terrible ones. We've been dealing with universe-level threats for years."
"Plus," Aiko added with another amused glance at the still-blushing Meelo, "it looks like we might have some local support too. Though I think your friend there might need a moment to compose himself."
Despite the gravity of the situation, several people couldn't help but smile at Meelo's obvious infatuation. In times of crisis, even small moments of lightness felt precious.
"So what's the plan?" Korra asked, her Avatar training helping her focus on the immediate tactical situation despite the overwhelming scope of what they were facing.
Tarro shook his head grimly. "Actually, we need to reconsider our priorities. Our temporal monitors are showing that the immediate threats to this timeline's stability aren't cosmic—they're political."
"What do you mean?" Tenzin asked.
"Tarrlok and Amon," Scarlett explained, her red tail lashing with agitation. "Whatever Cooler is planning, he's counting on the chaos they're creating to provide cover for his operations. If we don't deal with the political crisis first, we'll be fighting a war on too many fronts."
Daikon nodded in agreement. "The timeline fractures we're detecting all center around a critical decision point involving the Avatar and these two local leaders. If that plays out wrong..."
"Then Cooler won't need to destroy this world," Aiko finished, her wolf ears flattening against her head. "It'll tear itself apart, and he can simply claim the pieces."
Korra felt a chill of recognition. "The visions I've been having... they're connected to this, aren't they?"
"Most likely," Winter said, her Kai heritage allowing her to sense the spiritual disturbances. "The Avatar's connection to past lives often manifests strongest during times of critical choice."
"Then we deal with Amon and Tarrlok first," Korra said with newfound determination. "Once Republic City is stable, we can focus on the cosmic threats without worrying about the city destroying itself from within."
"Agreed," Tohra said, though his expression remained troubled. "But we need to be careful. If Cooler realizes we're prioritizing the local conflicts, he might accelerate his own timeline."
"Let him try," Tarro said with typical Saiyan confidence. "We'll be ready."
As they talked through the practical implications of his revelation—how much to tell whom, when, and under what circumstances—Korra found herself marveling at how much her life had changed in just a few short months. She'd come to Republic City as a headstrong, impulsive teenager convinced she could solve the world's problems through force and determination alone.
The Confrontation at City Hall
That night, despite the warnings from the Time Patrollers about acting cautiously, Korra's frustration with Tarrlok's increasingly authoritarian actions reached its breaking point. The image of her friends being arrested, of innocent nonbenders being dragged from their homes, burned in her mind as she rode Naga through the darkened streets toward City Hall.
The pendant Tohra had given her grew warm against her skin, but tonight its comfort felt distant. She was the Avatar, and she couldn't let fear of cosmic threats paralyze her when people were suffering right in front of her.
City Hall loomed against the night sky, most of its windows dark except for Tarrlok's office on the upper floor. Korra dismounted Naga and strode through the building's grand entrance, her footsteps echoing in the marble corridors as she made her way to the councilman's office.
She found him at his desk, reviewing documents by lamplight as if he were simply conducting routine business rather than systematically dismantling Republic City's civil liberties.
"Your actions tonight are exactly what Amon claims is wrong with benders," Korra said without preamble, her voice carrying the authority she'd been learning to wield. "You're using your power to oppress and intimidate people."
Tarrlok looked up from his papers, his expression maddeningly calm. "And what are you doing right now, Avatar? Standing in my office, trying to intimidate me into releasing your friends? We're more similar than you'd like to admit—both determined to get what we want, regardless of the obstacles."
"I'm nothing like you," Korra shot back instantly.
"Aren't you?" Tarrlok stood, moving around his desk with predatory grace. "I'll make you a deal. I'll release your friends if you agree to follow my leadership in the future. Accept that I know what's best for this city."
"Never," Korra replied, her hands clenching into fists. "You're just as bad as Amon."
The comparison hit its mark. Tarrlok's carefully maintained composure cracked, and rage flashed across his features. With a sharp motion, he sent a blast of water that slammed Korra back against the wall, razor-sharp icicles forming in the air around him.
But months of training with Tenzin, combined with her natural fighting instincts, served her well. Korra raised an earthen wall to shield herself from the ice projectiles, then countered by earthbending the decorative fountain against Tarrlok, the stone structure smashing into him and sending him tumbling down into City Hall's main rotunda.
Korra pursued him, flames beginning to dance around her fists as she prepared to end this confrontation. But when she reached the main floor, she found Tarrlok standing calmly in the center of the space, no water in sight for him to bend.
"There are many things you don't know about me, Avatar," he said with chilling quiet.
And then the impossible happened. Without a full moon, without any visible source of water, Korra felt her body seize up as if invisible hands had grasped every muscle, every nerve. The fire around her fists guttered out as her limbs locked in place.
"Bloodbending," she gasped, horror and disbelief warring in her voice.
With a casual gesture, Tarrlok slammed her into one of the building's stone columns. Pain exploded through her body as consciousness began to slip away, but in that moment of darkness, the visions came again—stronger and clearer than ever before.
She saw Aang, younger than she'd ever seen him in her dreams, standing in what looked like a courtroom. Toph was there too, along with an older Sokka, and they were all focused on a man who radiated malevolent power. When Sokka suddenly cried out in pain, collapsing as if his body had betrayed him, Toph tried to strike with her metal cables, but she too was frozen mid-attack.
The vision shifted, showing Aang surrounded by dozens of people, all of them contorted in impossible positions, their faces twisted with pain and terror. The young Avatar reached toward the source of their suffering—a man whose eyes held the same cold intelligence she'd just seen in Tarrlok's face—but even Aang struggled against the invisible force controlling him.
The vision ended with a close-up of Aang's face, filled with determination and desperate hope, as if he were trying to tell her something across the decades.
When consciousness returned, Korra found herself bound and being loaded into the back of a truck. Tarrlok's voice drifted to her through the haze of pain.
"I'm taking you somewhere far from Republic City, where you'll never interfere with my plans again."
As the truck door began to close, Korra managed to force out a small breath of fire—not enough to escape, but perhaps enough to leave a trace for those who would come looking for her.
The Search Begins
Back at Air Temple Island, Tohra woke with a start, emerald energy crackling around his form before he was even fully conscious. The pendant he'd given Korra was growing cold against his skin, and every instinct he possessed screamed that something was terribly wrong.
Winter appeared in his doorway almost instantly, her Kai heritage having sensed the same disturbance. "She's in danger," was all she needed to say.
Within minutes, the entire group had assembled in Tenzin's study—the Time Patrollers, Tohra's family, and Team Avatar minus their missing member. The urgency in the air was palpable.
"When did you last see her?" Tarro asked, his scanner already detecting unusual energy signatures across the city.
"She left after dinner," Tenzin said, his voice tight with guilt. "I should have known she would confront Tarrlok directly. It's exactly what she would do."
"The pendant," Winter said, looking at her brother. "Can you track it?"
Tohra closed his eyes, focusing on the connection he'd forged with the crystal he'd given Korra. "She's... moving. Fast. Away from the city, toward the mountains."
"Then we go after her," Mako said immediately.
"Wait," Scarlett interrupted, her red tail lashing with agitation. "This feels like a trap. Tarrlok taking the Avatar hostage draws us away from the city just when Amon is planning his major offensive."
Aiko's wolf ears flattened against her head. "And it leaves Republic City vulnerable to whatever Cooler has been preparing."
"I don't care," Tohra said, power beginning to build around him in ways that made the air itself shimmer. "She's out there, and I'm going after her."
"We all are," Tenzin said firmly. "But we do this smart. Half of us go after Korra, half stay to protect the city."
"The Time Patrollers should handle the rescue," Daikon suggested. "We have experience with this kind of extraction mission."
"Like hell," Mako interjected. "She's our teammate, our friend. We're not sitting this out."
"Actually," Winter said quietly, her divine senses picking up something the others had missed, "I think Korra may not need rescuing in the traditional sense."
All eyes turned to her. "What do you mean?"
"The spiritual energy around her... it's not weakening. It's transforming. I think whatever's happening to her is connected to those visions she's been having. This might be exactly what needed to happen for her to unlock her full potential as the Avatar."
The pendant against Tohra's chest grew warm again, and he felt a sudden rush of understanding. "She's not just in danger. She's in the process of becoming something more."
"Then we make sure she survives long enough to complete that transformation," he said, emerald energy beginning to surround his form. "And we make Tarrlok pay for putting her through it."
As they prepared to split their forces—some heading into the mountains to find Korra, others remaining to protect Republic City from the chaos about to unfold—none of them noticed the figure watching from the shadows outside the temple.
Cooler's advance scout reported back to his master: the Saiyans had taken the bait, exactly as predicted. The Avatar was isolated, her protectors were divided, and Republic City was about to tear itself apart.
The real game was about to begin.
The Mountain Prison
The cabin in the mountains was isolated, surrounded by dense forest and accessible only by a winding dirt road that would be nearly impossible to track in the dark. Tarrlok had chosen his prison well—remote enough that even Korra's most powerful bending wouldn't attract attention, yet secure enough to hold the Avatar indefinitely.
Using his bloodbending abilities, he levitated Korra's unconscious form and locked her inside a metal box, specially designed to contain a bender of her caliber. The platinum construction would resist any earthbending attempts, while the sealed design prevented access to air or water that might aid her escape.
"This will give me time to consolidate my control over Republic City," Tarrlok murmured to himself as he secured the final locks. "Without the Avatar's interference, the Council will have no choice but to accept my methods."
He left Korra imprisoned in the cabin's main room and retired to a smaller chamber to rest, confident that his prize would remain secure until he decided what to do with her permanently.
The Morning After
The next morning at Air Temple Island, the household was just beginning to stir when the telephone's shrill ring cut through the dawn quiet. In Tenzin's bedroom, Pema groaned and pulled a pillow over her head while Meelo, who had somehow migrated into his parents' bed during the night, sat up with characteristic indignation.
"This better be important!" Meelo declared as he grabbed the phone receiver. "People are trying to sleep here! Don't you know it's really early?"
Tenzin, now fully awake, gently took the phone from his son. "Hello?"
The voice on the other end made his blood run cold. Lin Beifong, calling from what sounded like a police station, delivered news that made his worst fears seem understated.
"Tenzin, we need to talk immediately. Equalist airships hit three police stations last night, the power plant is under attack, and City Hall has been completely taken over. But that's not the worst part."
"What could be worse than that?" Tenzin asked, though he suspected he already knew.
"Councilman Tarrlok has disappeared. And based on the destruction in his office and the reports we're getting, it looks like he took the Avatar with him."
Tenzin felt his world tilt. In his study just down the hall, he could hear urgent voices—Tohra and the others had clearly sensed something was wrong and were already mobilizing. But hearing the confirmation of their worst fears made everything feel suddenly, terrifyingly real.
"How long ago?" he asked.
"We're not sure. The attacks provided perfect cover, but witnesses saw a truck leaving City Hall around midnight. Tenzin, if Amon has both Tarrlok and Korra..."
"Amon doesn't have them," came a new voice from the doorway. Tohra stood there, emerald energy crackling around his form in a way that made the air itself seem to vibrate. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by something far more dangerous.
"How can you be sure?" Tenzin asked, covering the phone's mouthpiece.
"Because Tarrlok's energy signature is moving away from the city, and Amon's forces are moving toward it. They're not working together—they're pursuing separate agendas." Tohra's expression darkened. "Which means Korra is caught between two enemies, and we're running out of time."
From the study came the sound of rapid conversation as the Time Patrollers shared their readings with Mako, Bolin, and Asami. Even from a distance, Tenzin could hear the urgency in their voices.
"Lin, I need to call you back," Tenzin said into the phone. "We have a situation here that requires immediate attention."
"Wait, Tenzin—"
"Trust me. If anyone can find Korra and stop this chaos, it's the people in this temple. But we need to move fast."
He hung up and turned to face Tohra, whose power was continuing to build in ways that made the very foundation of the temple seem to hum with energy.
"What's your plan?" Tenzin asked.
"Simple," Tohra replied, his voice carrying an edge that Tenzin had never heard before. "I'm going to find the woman I love, and I'm going to make sure that anyone who's hurt her regrets it for the rest of their very short lives."
The last pretense that their relationship was merely professional protection had been dropped. In this moment of crisis, Tohra's feelings for Korra blazed as clearly as the emerald energy surrounding him.
"And the city?" Tenzin asked. "If Amon is making his move while we're gone..."
"The Time Patrollers and my family will handle the immediate threats," Tohra said. "But I'm going after Korra. Nothing else matters until she's safe."
From down the hall, Mako's voice cut through the morning air: "We're going with you. All of us."
"Mako's right," came Asami's voice, firm with determination. "Korra's our teammate and our friend. We're not letting her face this alone."
But there was something different in Mako's tone—concern for a friend rather than romantic desperation. Whatever complicated feelings he'd harbored for Korra seemed to have settled into something cleaner, simpler. He and Asami stood together, a united front in their determination to help, but clearly as partners rather than rivals.
The real desperation, the soul-deep fear and rage that came with the possibility of losing someone irreplaceable, radiated from Tohra alone.
"Then we split up as planned," Winter said, appearing in the doorway with the other Time Patrollers behind her. "Some of us handle the city crisis, others go after Korra. But we coordinate our efforts—no one goes in alone."
"Agreed," Tenzin said, though his heart was heavy with the weight of sending people he cared about into danger. "But remember—whatever else happens, Korra's safety is the priority. Republic City can be rebuilt. She can't be replaced."
Tohra's emerald aura flared brighter, and for just a moment, everyone in the temple could feel the awesome power of the Legendary Super Saiyan awakening to protect someone he loved.
"She won't need to be," he said with absolute certainty. "Because I'm bringing her home."
To be continued in Chapter 10: Out of the Past