Chapter 3 (Rewritten)

Korra, Mako, and Bolin were training as hard as they could. This time they had to train 3 times harder due to the Stalworth Sky-bisons' performances. Mainly with Kuo and his amazing acrobatic prowess and quick-witted thinking.

"Man, Kuo has skill," Mako said, "but that doesn't mean we're going to quit."

"We got this," Bolin said.

"Really?" Korra said, "Can you do the same move that Kuo did against the Wolf-bats?" Bolin stayed silent as Korra smirked, "My thoughts exactly, it's going to take a lot to get the Sky-bisons out of the tournament to get the win."

"It sure will," Mako said.

———

Kuo, Moe, and Yuji were training for the tournament also in a gym in Republic City. Moe and Yuji were sparring while Kuo was polishing his acrobatic maneuvers. His acrobatics were always his greatest feat as he was trained to be swift and quick by his father. He took the Airbending philosophy being like the wind used that philosophy in a way that improved his acrobatics and flexibility.

The radio that was playing in their training room interrupted as Amon spoke. "Good morning, citizens of Republic City. This is Amon, I hope you all enjoyed last night's Pro-bending match because it will be the last."

Kuo narrowed his eyes as Amon continued to speak, "It's time for this city to stop worshipping bending athletes as if they were heroes. I am calling on the council to shut down the bending arena and cancel the finals or else there will be severe consequences."

Kuo sneered as he put on his shirt. Moe looked to Kuo, "What do we do?"

"We have to go to the council," Kuo said, "if my Father and the others shut down the match, our entire plan will be for nothing." He, Moe, and Yuji left the training room they were in to head to City Hall where the council would meet.

———

As they drove their motorcycles to City Hall, they saw that Naga was sitting by the door which was opened. The three boys got off their motorcycles as they ran into the councilroom. They went in and saw Korra, Mako, and Bolin who were trying to talk to Tenzin, Tarrlok, and the other council members.

"Kuo?" Tenzin asked, he was shocked to see his son come over, "what are you doing here?"

"Stopping you all from making a mistake, Father." Kuo said. He would call Tenzin Dad, but he had to show some formality in front of the councilmen.

"If you're here, Korra then that means you and I are here for the same reason," Kuo said, to Korra.

She nodded as they shifted their attention to the councilmen. Tenzin saw the pleading look from his student and son.

"I know that winning the tournament is important to you two," Tenzin said, "but as far as I am concerned we need to shut the arena down."

"What?" Moe asked in shock.

"Surely you all are reconsidering," Yuji said.

"Tarrlok, there is no way you're backing down from Amon," Korra said. Kuo looked to Tarrlok, he knew that the councilman had been very adamant about taking Amon down.

"Actually… Tenzin and I agree for once," Tarrlok said. Kuo started narrowing his eyes as his father was speaking.

"The council is unanimous, we're closing the arena," Tenzin said. Mako was the first to speak up, "No!" "You can't!" Bolin said, agreeing with his older brother.

"I don't understand," Korra said to Tarrlok, "I thought you of all people would take a stand against Amon."

Tarrlok took a deep breath as he had to explain himself to Korra and the teens one last time. "While I am still committed to bringing that lunatic to justice," Tarrlok said, "I will not put innocent lives at stake just so you and your huge group of friends can play a game."

Mako was about to talk, but Kuo stopped him and spoke up.

"With all due respect, although it may be a game to you," Kuo said, "Pro-bending was what made Republic City very popular. The arena is a place where both benders and non-benders can unite for a common interest; watching athletes compete. So if you close the arena Amon wins. By closing the arena it's not going to alleviate the tension between benders and non-benders but worsen the divide that made Republic City what it is. It is also the city my grandfather and Fire Lord Zuko found to close the divide between benders and non benders."

When Kuo finished his rant Tarrlok shook his head as if he was taunting the son of Tenzin and the Police Chief. "And I thought you had your Father's wisdom," Tarrlok said, "but instead I have been hearing a naive boy who just wants to ignore the reality of the situation."

Kuo started to sneer as he was being compared to his Father and his friends were there to intervene and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't," Moe whispered, "the weasel isn't worth the trouble."

Kuo sighed as he nodded and Tarrlok had a smug look on his face as he said, "This meeting is adjourned."

Kuo heard a wire shooting out and moved his head as it broke the wooden gavel. Kuo looked back and saw his Mother who was coiling her wire standing behind them.

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with the Avatar and Kuo," Lin said.

"You do?" Tarrlok asked.

"Yeah, you do?" Korra asked.

"I expected this cut-and-run response from Tenzin, but the rest of you? Come on, show a little backbone. It's time that the benders of this city displayed some strength and unity against the Equalists." Lin said.

"We must prevent the conflict between benders and non-benders from escalating into an all-out war! The council is not changing its position, Lin." Tenzin said.

"Now, just a moment, Tenzin. Let's hear what our esteemed Chief of Police has in mind." Tarrlok said, making Tenzin grunt in annoyance.

"If you keep the arena open, my Metalbenders and I will provide extra security during the championship match. There's no better force to deal with the chi blockers. Our armor is impervious to their attacks." Lin said.

"Are you saying you will PERSONALLY take responsibility for the safety of the spectators in the arena?" Tarrlok asked.

"I guarantee it." Lin answered.

"It is hard to argue with Chief Beifong's track record. If she is confident her elite officers can protect the arena, then she has my support. I am changing my vote." Tarrlok said, raising his hand. "Who else is with me?" Tarrlok asked as three other council members raised their hands while Tenzin turned away in disappointment. "The arena stays open. Good luck in the finals." Tarrlok said and the Fire Ferrets cheered.

"Alright!" Bolin cheered.

"Yeah!" Mako cheered, punching his fist in the air.

"Thank you!" Korra said.

"And good luck to you, Chief Beifong." Tarrlok said.

Moe and Yuji nodded to Lin while Kuo looked away and stood nearby his father. Tenzin noticed his son's tense expression while he was near his Mother and approached him.

"Look I know you and your Mother are not on the best of terms," Tenzin said, "but you two need to reconcile, the resentment you're holding for her isn't helping you."

Kuo said nothing as he just kept looking forward, making Tenzin sigh and put a hand to pat his son's shoulder before going to Lin.

"A word please?" Tenzin asked.

Tenzin and Lin are outside of the courtroom.

"Tarrlok's playing you and I don't want to see you get hurt." Tenzin said.

"I know what I am doing and the risks that come with it." Lin said.

"In that case, I'm going to be by your side during the match." Tenzin said.

"You don't need to babysit me." Lin said annoyed.

"It's for Korra and Kuo. I want to make them stay safe while Korra is playing against our son," Tenzin said. After hearing this, Lin threw her arms in the air annoyed.

"Do what you want! It's not like I've ever been able to stop you before." Lin said.

Korra walks over to Lin.

"Um, excuse me, Chief Beifong. I wanted to thank you for your help." Korra said but Lin ignores the Avatar and walks off. "It… really… means a lot…" Korra said but Lin is gone and she groans. "What's her deal? Even when she's on my side, she's against me!" Korra said.

"I've known Lin since we were children, she's always been… challenging." Tenzin said, "She was like this with our son as well when he was a small boy."

"What did your father do to make her hate the Avatar so much?" Korra asked.

"My father and Lin got along famously. I'm afraid her issues… are with me." Tenzin said.

"Wait a second… It all makes sense now! You left Beifong for Pema!" Korra said, putting her hands together and smiling devilishly.

"What?! How…? Where did you get that idea?" Tenzin asked, looking around nervously.

"Ha! Your wife and your son!" Korra answered.

"Criminy! I'll have to have a word with those two." Tenzin said.

"So...Pema stole you from Beifong. I'm surprised our 'esteemed Chief of Police' didn't throw her in jail." Korra said.

"Oh, she tried. Anyway, Pema didn't STEAL me, Lin and I had been growing apart for some time as Kuo grew older. We both had different goals in life and different ways of raising our..." Tenzin stops talking. "Why am I even telling you this? It all happened a long time ago and we've moved past it." Tenzin said.

"Well apparently, Beifong hasn't." Korra said, "Also what's the bad blood between her and Kuo?"

"I don't know if Kuo would be comfortable enough to answer the question," Tenzin said, "Something happened when he was a small boy and we were not there for him when he needed us the most, I was too busy with my own job when instead I should have been there for my own son. And I don't want to put words into Lin's mouth, but she was just as guilty."

Tenzin started to walk away as Korra started to look at Kuo who started to walk out the other way.

———

Korra was outside looking for Kuo who was sitting at the minipark across the City Hall building. She saw him sitting on a bench and went towards him.

"Hey," Korra said.

Kuo looked at Korra who was approaching him. He scooted over and patted the seat next to her to sit down which she accepted. As the two sat down, they looked out towards the city.

"You know when I was a kid," Kuo said, "I would always sit here, it helps take my mind off of things."

Korra looked at Kuo, "What kind of things?"

"Just problems I had back then," Kuo said. Korra didn't like the answer Kuo was giving him so she decided to go a bit forward with her question.

"What happened between you and your parents?" Korra asked, "I know you and your Dad made up, but what about you and your Mom?"

Kuo looked at her, "Well if you really wanted to know, I did something really terrible as a kid and I wanted my parents to comfort me as any kid would want from their parents, but they were too busy. The reason why I forgave Dad was because of how well Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo are turning out right now. I was his big wake up call to not abandon your children at all times. But Mother…"

Kuo sighed as he started to get up from the bench, "She never learns and she always had this thing of holding on to the past. I have developed that habit no thanks to her, but I can't get out of it. It's easier said than done to change your way of thinking and the way you act."

———

It's nighttime and the pro-bending arena is surrounded by ships of Metalbenders and inside the officers are scouring looking for undefined objects.

"All clear, Chief!" An officer said.

Lin nodded, she was standing at the entrance and Tenzin approached the chief. "How is the security sweep going?" Tenzin asked.

"Fine." Lin said bluntly.

"The other officers have checked underneath the stands?" Tenzin asked.

"Yes." Lin answered bluntly again.

"And you have enough officers to cover all points of entry?" Tenzin asked.

"I have the skies, the bay, and every nook and cranny of this place covered. Now, leave me alone and let me do my job." Lin said.

"Lin, with so much on the line, it would be nice if we could help each other out, at least for one night." Tenzin said.

"Like old times?" Lin asked with a soft expression.

"Like old times." Tenzin said.

"Okay, I'll try to be less abrasive than usual." Lin said.

"I would appreciate that." Tenzin said.

———

"Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to the final match of the pro bending tournament!" The announcer shouted in the mike as the crowd was roaring with excitement at seeing the final match.

"Give a hand for the team who's managed to make it into the finals, the Future Industries, Fire Ferrets!" The crowd gave a loud cheer as Korra, Mako and Bolin were brought to the ring by the extending bridge as they waved to the crowd.

Mako saw Asami and she blew him a kiss and wink, wishing him luck which he happily returned, Korra saw this and just groaned.

After reaching the arena Bolin signals Pabu.

"You're on, Pabu." Bolin said and Pabu jumps down and does his trick by moving around on his front paws before doing backflips while Bolin uses an earth disc to remove the center for Pabu who does a backflip through and back and ends the performance with one paw standing. "Yes! Nailed it! He's so talented." Bolin said.

"And their opponents, the returning champions. They have returned after their long hiatus, the Stalworth Sky-bisons!" The ring announcer introduced Kuo and his friends waved at the people who cheered for them. Kuo looked to Asami who gave him a wave as he smirked and waved her back.

"We got this… right?" Bolin said with uncertainty.

"I don't know," Mako said, "but I think we should take out Kuo first."

Korra nodded in agreement as he and his teammates were approaching them.

Kuo looked to Moe and leaned in to whisper, "Go for the move."

Moe nodded as they approached the Fire Ferrets.

"The champs and challengers face off at the center-line and here we go!" Shiro announced as the bell rings.

The Sky-bisons instantly move toward the Fire Ferrets and Moe tries to deliver a water uppercut at Korra who moves back to barely dodge it but gets hit by Moe's water blast.

"Moe tries to clean the Avatar's clock with some signature water boxing." Shiro said and Mako delivers a Firebending attack but misses and Kuo throws two earth discs and kicks them at Mako followed by two more and Mako is forced back into zone two. "The grandson of Avatar Aang shakes off Mako's attack and returns the favor." Shiro said and Kuo tries to flip at Bolin who kicks some earth discs and one of the discs bounces off the side ropes, but before it could hit him, Kuo caught it and threw it back at Bolin who rolled out of the way.

"Beifong gets fancy, but Bolin ricochets a disc off the ropes, but then Beifong catches it and throws it back only for Bolin to roll out of the way.

"Kuo isn't playing around," Korra said.

"Tell me about it," Mako said.

Kuo looks at Yuji and Moe who nodded as Kuo moved in the middle, switching places with Moe. Bolin tried to throw a disk, but Kuo managed to catch it. Moe and Yuji then sent a volley of fire and water that led to the Ferrets to form a column and as the volley of attacks were finished Kuo threw three disks including the one Bolin 'gave' him and it led to the Fire Ferrets falling into the water. "Beifong and Moe switched places and Bolin saw this opportunity so he threw a disk only for it to be caught by Beifong," Shiro said, "he stepped back and let his teammates create a distraction as it led them to be in a column formation. As the volley of attacks dissipated, Beifong threw three disks, one of them being Bolins, leading them to fall into the water."

Lin and Tenzin were standing next to each other in the audience stands and Tenzin looked tense. "What's wrong? You look tense." Lin said.

"Thanks for that Lin," Tenzin said with sarcasm, "I don't know who to root for right now! I want to root for Korra, but our son is competing against her. Not to mention the fact that he and his friends were undefeated during the peak of their career."

"Wouldn't have guessed YOU were invested in Pro-bending," Lin said amused, "you never went to our son's matches."

"Someone helped change my perspective. Besides, I've been brushing up." Tenzin said.

As the next round started, Korra was huddling up with her teammates. "This isn't going to go our way is it?" Korra asked.

Mako shook his head, "Only if we don't try, I can see why they were known for being the defending champions."

Bolin looked to Korra, "What kind of training did Tenzin have him do?"

"I don't know," Korra said, "But he's good, too good if I add."

Meanwhile, Kuo and his teammates were huddled up.

"Do you still think Equalists are still here?" Moe asked, "I mean your Mother's police force is guarding the whole place."

"We have to stay safe rather than be sorry," Kuo said, "We need to stall this match as much as we can so we can drop out and get changed. Not to mention the new masks that we made ourselves."

The other two nodded as they started to get in the second round.

As the bell rang, Kuo went on the offensive and shot two disks at Korra who dodged them and shot water towards Kuo. The grandson of Avatar Aang was quick to react and used an Earth Disk to block the water attack, but fell back. This led to the Fire Ferrets moving a zone forward.

As Lin and Tenzin were watching this match they knew something was up. Lin knew that Kuo was able to dog on any team due to her and Tenzin's training, but this match was suspicious. Tenzin was also able to tell that his son didn't use what he and Lin had taught him. What was he stalling time for?

Asami was looking from the box and saw that her ex-boyfriend and still best-friend was holding back for some reason. She had a realistic thought that this tournament would be a breeze for the Stalworth Sky-Bisons.

The match led to the second round being decided with a tiebreaker.

The referee flipped the coin that had a red face and blue face and it landed on the blue face.

"The Stalworth Sky-Bisons win the coin toss," the ref said, "Which element do you choose?"

Kuo stepped up and said, "Let's spice things up. I want the Avatar."

Everyone started to gasp in shock.

"Looks like Beifong made a controversial call to challenge his grandfather's successor," Shiro said, "we've seen him make crazy calls and decisions, but this takes the cake!"

Korra, Mako, and Bolin were shocked. Kuo was trying to challenge the Avatar who was the waterbender of the team. Korra looked to the ref who motioned for her to approach the circular platform of the ring. As the platform was rising up, Kuo got in a fighting stance and Korra did the same.

Korra was sweating beads as she was seeing how focused Kuo was. Kuo was calm and collected, yet had a hard and stern face that resembled Tenzin's. As the bell rang, Korra was first to strike as she gave Kuo a watershot that he simply tilted his head for. Korra tried to bring the water back to strike the back of his head, but he bobbed his head on the other head which led to Korra hitting herself in the head. She had enough force to push someone off, but unfortunately the victim was herself. But she didn't fall off as she managed to stay in place.

"You're good," Korra said. The two were moving in their zones.

"I can say the same with you," Kuo said with a smirk.

"Coming from the guy who was able to dodge my attack, twice," Korra said.

"A word of advice, attack when I'm at my most vulnerable," Kuo said, "if you study my movements, you would be able to find a hole in the split moment."

Korra took his advice and nodded as she started to attack him with more water, this time with two water balls one on top and the other on the bottom. This led to Kuo to do a corkscrew flip and Korra knew that was the best time to strike so she wasted no time to create a hose-like stream of water which led to Kuo getting knocked down.

"Round two goes to the Fire Ferrets!"

As the platform lowered Kuo was helped up by his teammates.

"You could've attacked when you began the flip," Moe said.

"I know," Kuo said, "But let's just humor them this once. It's not like they know of our history in the past with how many teams bailed out when we were fully participating."

"I can't believe that our son's sweet-tempered grandfather was reincarnated into that girl," Lin said, "she's tough as nails."

"Reminds me of someone else I knew at that age," Tenzin said, "You two might get along if you give her a chance." Lin just looked off to the side as she heard Tenzin say that.

"One round a piece," Shiro said, "who wants it more?!"

As the bell rang for the third round, Moe attacked with Kuo and Yuji following. The Fire Ferrets dodged and moved away from their attacks. It was part of the Sky-bisons' plans, they wanted to dodge and move so they could have them get behind each other for them to strike all at once. And when the Fire Ferrets fell for their trap, Yuji started by attacking them with fire, Moe with water, and then Kuo who landed the finishing blows by sending a volley of Earth Disks that led to a knockout and a win for the Stalworth Sky-bisons.

Kuo looked around and started to see flashes of blue in the area. He looked to areas where he could have a better look and saw his mother and father unconscious. Kuo looked to Yuji and Moe who nodded and they ran off into their changing room and took out their duffle bag which had their outfits. This was the perfect time to strike.

———

Korra woke up from her unconscious state and heard Mako ask, "How are we gonna get outta here?"

"With us."

Korra, Mako, and Bolin looked to see three figures with black clothing on the ceiling of the bottom platform. The one in the middle had a dark golden colored mask with thin orange eye sections between dark ones with the mask tapered at the bottom. He carried on tonfa on each side of his hip. The one to his right wore a teal colored mask with a purple shaded section on the top right. The one to the stranger's left wore a yellow motif mask which resembled a sideways reptile head with a black top and orange markings surrounding the eye section.

The one who had the dark golden mask dropped first and took out a tonfa. He pressed the button on the grip head of the tonfa that popped out a blade. The dark golden masked man cut down the rope Korra and her friends were tied in.

"Thanks," Korra said.

"Don't mention it," the one in the dark golden mask said. He looked at Korra and her gang.

"Get innocents out of here!" he said.

"No, I have to face Amon," Korra said.

"No, your job is to be the Avatar and save people first," the figure said, "if you fight Amon, innocent people will get hurt."

The one with the dark golden mask had a spool on his back. He used metal bending to throw out a wire that led to him swinging out to the ring. The one in the teal mask made a water whirlpool to the ring and the one with the yellow mask used firebending to fly up.

Amon looked to see three dark clothed figures in front of him. The one who was in the middle front, had the dark golden mask and tonfas. The one in the yellow mask had fists engulfed in flames, and the teal masked man had water encasing his arms.

"It's over!" The tonfa-wielding man said, "You have to fight us!"

Amon looked towards him and the other two men. He then waved his hand for the men to fight the three masked men who fought them off with ease. The metalbending vigilante used his metalbending to create wire whips and tripped all of Amon's henchmen. The firebending masked man used his firebending to create the ring of fire around them and Amon.

"You are fighting us now," the dark golden masked man said, taking out his tonfas. He pressed the grip head on the tonfas that popped out blades. He was first to go at Amon with a thrust with the blade which Amon dodged. The yellow masked man tried to throw fire punches and kicks that Amon dodged as well. Lastly, the teal masked man used his waterbending to try to attack Amon, but he countered by dodging and kicking the masked waterbender in the face which led to the unmasking of him. Moe was now unmasked and the other two masked figures looked to Amon with a deep glare.

"Since I have unmasked your friend you might as well unmask," Amon said, "as will I."

The man in the Golden mask and the other one in yellow unmasked themselves and it was revealed to be Kuo and Yuji. Kuo was in the golden mask and Yuji was in the yellow mask.

"So the grandson of Avatar Aang has decided to dole out vigilante justice in Republic City," Amon said while unmasking. As when he took off his mask, Kuo, Yuji, and Moe were shocked to see what was behind the mask. They saw a man who had a horrific scar across his face.

"Who are you?" Kuo asked.

"Wouldn't you like to know," Amon said.

A cable came down for Amon to grab and he picked up his mask to put it on before leaving with quick succession. He was going up so fast that Kuo, Yuji, or Moe couldn't do anything.

The fire died down and Kuo looked around to see that the whole arena was cleared of all innocent people, but in exchange, there were metalbending police surrounding them. Lin and Tenzin were shocked to see their son and friends in dark clothing. Korra ran to see what's going on and saw that they were in dark clothing that has been regarded to be known for three vigilantes in Republic City.

Tenzin was about to approach them, but Lin approached them first.

"You three are surrounded," Lin said, "you are under arrest for Vigilantism."

Kuo narrowed his eyes towards his mother and dropped the tonfas as he put his hands up. That's when the police started to arrest him and his friends.

———

A/N: That's all folks. If you guys didn't catch Kuo's abilities, he is a master acrobat. Due to his training with Tenzin, he was able to be more acrobatic and incorporated it into his combat, primarily in his maneuvers. He's like the Avatar version of Dick Grayson in terms of acrobatics.