A/N: I don't have anything to say other than;

a) thank you so so so much for the kind reviews,

b) sorry for keeping you waiting, I'm trying to work on ALL my stories and I had some issues ;~;

c) sorry the quality of this chapter is so poor! even I don't like it (honestly I just want to jump into the amorra love/angst but...)

so enjoy! and please review!

The Promise

Chapter Three

.

.

.

It was in the city of hopes and secrets when the the Avatar's and the Equalist's paths finally intertwined once more.

"Hey, you've got a lot to learn, newcomer," Gommu, a homeless man she had shared her fish with moments ago had explained to her good-naturedly, the young Avatar conflicted as to whether she should feel repulsed or warmed by his goofy, toothy grin, "welcome to Republic City."

Republic City. Korra could not help but feel a surge of wonder sweep through her body as she allowed her eyes to roam across the industrialised landscape, perception of reality totally askew. When she had first set foot into the beautiful City, Korra's hearts had hammered so powerfully, and her eyes had widened so greatly as her throat was caught, certain that she had been displaced into a completely new universe. Of course, what had struck Korra instantly as soon as she had stepped foot in the city was the stark differences it had to her own home back in the South, with its fascinating Satomobiles and its towering, modern architecture, but what had gotten to her most was that this, this city of dreams and technology, was the creation of Avatar Aang himself.

It was amazing.

Of course, Korra had dreamed of venturing out into the world her whole life, having been confined to the White Lotus compound back in the snow for an agonising seventeen years, but never had she anticipated the world beyond the land of snow to be like this. This, with its intriguing technology and its strange, eclectic group of both Benders and non-Benders, seemingly living in utter harmony.

This, the city she as the Avatar, was bound to serve and protect.

But now, with the appearance of this homeless, obviously impoverished man squatting right next to her, a bush serving as his home no less, Korra was not so sure the proud and noble city was what she had made it out to be after all.

She wasn't sure how she felt about it all. After all those years of vivid fantasies, detailed daydreams about Republic City being the place to be, where everyone pretty much "lived it up", coming to a city where people were doing it rough on the streets, without adequate homes or shelter... Korra couldn't help but feel her spirits slightly dampened as she clutched her charred fish pensively.

And the culture shock between her own and the city's vibrant, foreign one... all her life, Korra had lived sheltered and pampered, her every need catered to right at her beck and call. But now... Korra felt her stomach rumble as Naga's own appetite resonated with an eager whimper. For food, she needed yuans, currency she had no clue on what it was or how to obtain being the Avatar just wasn't going to cut it for some people. If Korra wanted to ever fit into the city, she needed to learn, and fast. Otherwise...

Korra felt her face pull into an even deeper frown as she reflected on her first day in Republic City, feelings astir. The big, bright, scary world, the countless people living it up and the countless others barely making it through the day...

For the city being renowned as Avatar Aang's city, having people in such a state didn't seem...

right.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle burst through Korra's ears, the young Avatar's thoughts promptly disrupted as her eyes turned to the source of the offending sound.

"Hey you!" a guard's voice boomed, as Korra regarded his furious features with a strange mix of both curiosity and dread, "you can't fish here!"

"You best skedaddle!" the young girl heard whispered over her shoulder, before her homeless acquaintance quickly dispersed into his bush, leaving her both alone and duly bewildered at the strange turn of events that had just occurred.

Spirits, Korra grumbled inwardly as she rose to her feet, swivelling around to give a sharp whistle for Naga, you just can't catch a break in this city.

"Naga!" Korra commanded hoarsely, hoisting herself up onto the animal's back swiftly before giving the charge to bound away. Feeling the wind rush through her hair and the sun beat down on her, as the guard's angry protests followed her until it faded away into nothing but the twittering of idle birds, Korra couldn't help but feel slightly exhilarated amidst all her exasperation and panic. If there was one thing the young Avatar enjoyed, no matter how tense it got, it was action: the thrill of the chase, the pure power that surged through her whenever she had the elements at her complete and total control.

For Korra, action came before thought.

For Korra, strength was everything.

She supposed that was why she failed so horribly at the spiritual side of Bending. Truthfully, Korra had to admit she had been rather neglectful in attending to the spiritual aspect of her Avatar training, but really, why was it so important? Of course she had always been eager to come into contact with her predecessors, namely Avatar Aang, but why did it have to be so boring? Meditating, sitting in the same position for hours at end without really doing anything... Korra didn't see any point to it. It was nothing at all like Bending.

Bending. Now that Korra excelled in. Whilst her Spiritual skills were as developed as great as a tiny drop of water, her Bending skills, the physical side of being the Avatar, were superb, as vast as the seas surrounding her home itself. Refined, not to mention extremely experienced in the arts of Bending the elements (with the exception of Air) to her will, Korra found it as natural to her as breathing itself, her prowess at it being instilled since birth. When she Bended, it felt amazing, power at her very fingertips. Bending was her life.

After all, without Bending, what else was there for her, for her very existence?

An Avatar without her Bending was nothing.

Noting the eventual slowing down of the pursuing guard until he came to an exhausted stop, Korra couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief as she gestured for Naga to slow down, the two of them resuming a leisurely pace as they took a moment to catch their breaths. Slowly, the young girl could not help but feel a smug smile stretch itself across her face, triumph and pride stirring within her as her animal guide's fur ruffled softly beneath her fingertips. This, was what she had been missing out on her whole life. The action, the adventure, the freedom... all of it, she had been deprived of, bound to her life of duty and responsibility.

Korra had never felt more alive.

Slowly, the young Avatar drifted out of her temporal state of reckless euphoria, this time lifting her head to survey her surroundings. Naga had run so fast, so it was little wonder that they were now a fairly good distance away from the City Park's pond, the guard long gone. Giving her animal companion another pat of praise, Korra prompted the polar bear dog to continue walking, this time her eyes drinking in their unfamiliar surroundings. The trees, the stretches of green, green grass so different to the barren white of her home... Korra breathed it all in, basking in the beauty of the sunny afternoon. Republic City may have not been the picture perfect paradise she thought it was, but that didn't make it any less breathtaking.

Suddenly, Korra felt the gentle ambience of the park shatter as a distant yet loud shouting echoed from down the path. Korra squinted her eyes as she tried to figure out what it was, Naga's reigns gripped tight in her hold. Was it another guard, having been alerted of her crimes? Or was someone in trouble? Urging Naga onwards, Korra kept her eyes focused on the source of the noise, becoming more and more aware of the bustling congestion of people gathered around the noise's centre.

What was going on?

Korra was finally within proximity of the noise, only to be further vexed in her curiosity.

There, before her, stood a man, a protester of some sorts, his face furious and vaguely reminiscent of an apish hog-monkey, much to Korra's childish amusement. Though feeble looking and in all honesty stringy compared to Korra's well muscled form, the man's expression and proud posture conveyed a forceful, almost defiant sort of air around him, his mouth set in a stern line whilst his eyes remained sharp. Korra remained unimpressed as she noted the megaphone in his hands, her eyes sweeping across the gathered crowd surrounding him. What makes him so special?

It was only when Korra noticed the big, salient poster of a figure with a peculiar mask behind him that the odd protester finally began to speak once more.

"Are you tired of living under the tyranny of benders?" the man addressed his audience, voice loud and angry, as Korra simply stared at him, wondering what on earth he was going on about, "Then join the Equalists! For too long the bending elite of this city have forced non-benders to live as lower class citizens. It goes without saying that we have had enough. "

Now that made her angry. Curiosity subsided, Korra felt a surge of outrage sear through her as she flexed her muscles, hands planted firmly on hips whist a stormy scowl settled itself onto her face. "Tyranny of Benders"? What the hell was that? Benders were awesome, not evil and oppressive! And who were the 'Equalists'? Were they responsible for spitting out such ludicrous lies about Benders too? Feeling indignantly insulted, Korra felt her blood boil as all self-restraint flew out of the window, temper taking charge as her voice raised to a shout.

"What are you talking about?" Korra cried incredulously, clearly offended by the man's choice of words, as all the crowd turned to stare at her, "Bending is the coolest thing in the world!" she declared proudly, whilst the crowd burst into a murmur of whispers and glances aimed at her, their expressions caught between hatred and wariness.

Take that, you hog-monkey, Korra could not help but think as she leaned back to watch the man respond.

Nonetheless, the protester remained unperturbed, only further invoking the ire of the young Watertribe girl before him. "Oh yeah?" he responded, unflinching, as Korra outright scowled at him, "Let me guess," he continued sarcastically, scoffing as he rolled his eyes at the very much fierce-tempered girl, "you're a Bender."

Hearing his bitter assumption, Korra felt a swell of pride, crossing her arms confidently as her very being radiated unknowing arrogance and reckless abandonment."Yeah, I am," she confirmed coolly, giving a sharp smirk to the man she was currently considering Firebending to a pile of ash. However, once again she was met with indifferent resistance, as the protester only further incensed her into an angrier state of being.

"Then I bet you'd just love to knock me off this platform with some waterbending, huh?" he asked provokingly, smiling smugly as Korra only further fell into his trap, bullheaded and naive.

"I'm seriously considering it," she huffed, unaware of the grave she was digging herself into as her temper only further flared. What was his problem? Bending, and the people who had the ability to do so, were talented and wonderful people! Sifu Katara, her parents, Firelord Zuko, Avatar Aang... they were all great and good people, not bullies and tyrants! Korra could not help but feel the strong urge to defend not only her Bending powers but all the others who were gifted with it too. Sure, there were some awful people who had been Benders, like Firelord Ozai, and Sozin, and Azula, but...

Korra felt her eyes narrow as she forced herself to stop that train of thought, unsure of what else to think or say. What she did know, however, was that this man before her, this hog-monkey, was an utter buffoon who did nothing but spurt out total lies and aspersions, all of which Korra would have no problem in combating with her fist.

"This is what's wrong with this city," the man finally said, turning to his audience as he gestured rather pointedly at her, Korra recoiling in utter disgust and disbelief, "Benders like this girl only use their power to oppress us!" he exclaimed passionately, as the crowd burst into thunderous approval, this time their stares at her now transformed into furious glares.

Now Korra had really had enough. Oppressive or not, the young Watertribe girl had decided that he had gone too far now, had stepped well over the line. She was the Avatar! She didn't deserve this, from the very people who were supposed to support her as she protected their peace and harmony! Puffing up her chest, now mere inches away from the urge to Earthbend his entire stall into ruin, Korra was about to scream one last fiery insult before he suddenly interrupted once more, stopping her right in her tracks as the air turned cold, her fury effectively extinguished.

"Join Amon, and together we will tear down the bending establishment," the man's voice declared, as Korra felt her heart stop, her lungs squeezing painfully, as if a cold knife had been wrenched into her very chest.

Korra could literally feel the blood drain from her face as her lips parted, head suddenly swimming with both confusion and utter shock.

Amon.

How long had it been since she had heard of that name, seen that face, and those eyes, those blue, blue eyes? Memories flashed over her in dizzying speed as Korra struggled to comprehend what on earth was happening, Naga whimpering worriedly beneath her.

Him... Amon... he...?

Calm down, Korra, she told herself firmly, still reeling from the vivid memories that had just assaulted her sense, breath finally returning to her, lungs slightly in pain yet grateful, it might not be the same Amon you met all those years ago. Besides, why does it matter anyway? Amon was just some kid you happened to become friends with, Korra reassured herself, he was just some guy that you used to know, she reminded herself, heart returning back to its regular rate. Calm down...

But not even her usually confident, assured self could prevent the treacherous thoughts that now swam in her head, implanting themselves into her very being as she struggled for calm. As the thoughts grew bigger and bolder in her head, so too did doubt and inner-conflict over the identity of her old friend, now possibly the leader of a group of people who hated Benders. Amon wasn't a common name, surely she had misheard, the name a delusion conjured up from her six year-long yearning to meet him once more. Korra raised her head, and, steadying herself, gave the protester a now steely gaze right in the eye, startling him sufficiently with her suddenly sombre expression.

"Say it again," Korra told him, voice stony and face serious as the crowd regarded her with mistrustful glances, "repeat that name once more."

"...what?" the man asked incredulously, confused and baffled by her sudden change of mood and the odd question. Hadn't she left yet? "Listen, just because you're a Bender doesn't mean you can just -"

"The name!" Korra yelled, some of the figures in the crowd jumping back in fright at her sudden terrifying ferocity, her sharpness reminiscent of the very polar bear dog she was on herself, "what was the name. You. Just. Said," Korra breathed, words low and detached just like staccatos.

"Amon," he repeated firmly, the man's wavering voice growing in more confidence at Korra's stricken expression, "Amon, our leader, our saviour. He's the one that's going to deliver us from you Benders' tyrannical regime, who is going to give us our rights back. In fact," he said, smug at the young girl's considerably mortified response, "he is the one that is going to finally bring the Benders to their knees.

By taking out the Avatar itself."

Korra felt her heartbeat cease once more. If this was the Amon that she knew... who she had grown so fond of, who she had ached to cross paths with once more, who had made that foolish little promise to her, all those years ago...

for some reason Korra felt as as icy and as loveless as the winds back in the South themselves.

But then, Korra felt a small flame of determination flicker in her body as she practised her Firebending breathing exercises, taking reign of her emotions once more. She'd always figured 'Amon' as a rather odd name, both unique and peculiar, but what if it was simply because the name was not local to where she lived, not common to her Water-tribe background's context? Maybe, just maybe, the name 'Amon' was more common in places such as the Fire Nation, or Republic City itself. Korra felt herself force a weak smile to her lips, as if to reassure herself. Yes, that must be it, Korra told herself weakly, the boy I befriended all those years ago did not become the man who has promised to defeat me.

It was all just a crazy coincidence, Korra, she reasoned with herself stubbornly, trying to rid herself of the cold emptiness that now chilled her very body, her very bone, her very soul, who cares if this 'Amon' guy and his stupid 'Equalists' are after me. It's not as if they can take me. I'm the Avatar! Taking them down will be a piece of cake, she encouraged herself, albeit rather half-heartedly.

And so, throwing a few more choice words at the protester just to make herself feel a little better, Korra went on her way, shaken yet steady enough to keep on going, all the way to Air Temple Island, all the way to Master Tenzin, all the way to have herself revealed officially as the Avatar to the City, just enough so that she could meet two very talented Pro-bending brothers who were almost enough to distract her from Amon.

Almost.

For whether Korra could deny it or not, the seeds of intrigue and doubt had been planted around the mysterious 'Amon' of Republic City, and the promise that had been made all those winters ago had finally reached full circle.

Amon...

.

.

.

It had been roughly three days since the Avatar's arrival, and already Amon could feel their fated meeting inevitable, as if drawing closer and closer as his mask felt tighter and tighter, the days looming on in dangerous precariousness.

The promise.

It was only a matter of time for it to be fulfilled, and he knew it.

Six years... he had had six, long, hard years to prepare himself for the day his eyes would meet hers once more, where he would see those eyes once again. Her eyes... for him, they were as haunting and as breathtaking as those awful memories that haunted him when he felt at his most vulnerable, as brilliantly-beautiful and as unforgiving as the lands of snow and ice themselves. Vaguely, behind his mask, Amon felt his head pound as he eyes shut, for once in his life letting the exhaustion of his work take over him. Her treacherously blue eyes that reminded him of Arctic seas and coats of sapphire and fur and beautifully intricate pendants carved for blushing brides' necks, but most of all the good old days, back where times were simple and ignorance was bliss...

They were powerful.

And also, more than anything, above all things, dangerous.

Instantly, as if he had been hit by the Lieutenant's electrified Kali sticks, Amon ruthlessly cast away the thought of her eyes from his mind, effectively shredding it into insignificance. She was the Avatar. Even as a young boy with no love and no home he had been aware of that, hating the tiny, portly little girl with a belly as big as her ego despite all their moments of unexpected tenderness. Hating her because he was supposed to, despite his gradual fondness for her.

Hating her, because there was no other way of feeling about a person who was the very embodiment of all you were against.

As Amon's perception on Benders hardened over the years, so too did his feelings for the Avatar.

It didn't matter if they had been friends before, if they had been close enough to be considered 'comrades'. It didn't matter that her smile had been enough to keep him warm against the bitter winters of the Southern Water-tribe, that her grin was enough to melt away some of the bitterness he held for her. It didn't matter that he had journeyed dozens of stretches of hostile snow, only to give her a fearsome polar bear cub for her birthday, and had loved every minute of it, if just to see her cease her tears.

It didn't matter he had almost regretted parting from her hug, from leaving her behind forever, a foolish promise attached as a sort of farewell.

It just didn't matter any more.

All of it.

And Amon wasn't sure how he felt about that.

This is what you get, Amon scolded himself apathetically, opening his eyes as he stared into the wall once more, empty and unflinching, as unfeeling as stone itself, for allowing your foolish self to get attached, for allowing yourself to grow 'soft'.

But not any more.

For tonight was the night that it all came to an end, all into oblivion, moot point. When things once of significance became irrelevant, cut delicately to ribbons of worthlessness as all sentimental value, all treasures of the past, were destroyed respectively.

Tonight is the night our promise is fulfilled, Korra.

For one brief moment, amidst all the emptiness and stony apathetic nothingness, Amon felt a twinge of something strike him at the pit of his stomach, rendering him startled for almost a second as his fists clenched respectively.

Sorrow.

But just like that, it went away, and so too did any thoughts on blue eyes and broken dreams, figure being schooled once more into effortless emptiness, eyes as cold and as loveless as ever.

It ends tonight.

.

.

.

"Good. Light on your feet!" Jinora cheered, as Korra twirled elegantly through the spinning gates, manoeuvring herself as flexibly as a change in the wind.

It had been three days since her fateful arrival in Republic City, and already Korra had experienced more in her life than she ever could have possibly learnt to in her seventeen years back in the Southern-Water tribe. Beginning her Airbending training (which, admittedly, had gotten off to a rather rocky start), meeting Lin Bei Fong (also, another rocky start), Probending, meeting both Mako and Bolin... life was exciting in Republic City, always subject to new experiences and change. Of course, the issue of Amon and the Equalists had popped up now and then in her mind, but each time she would forcefully push it down, forcing it to remain in the shadows. She didn't need to think about that stuff right now, she would tell herself fiercely. Whether that was her Amon or not orchestrating the uprising against Benders, Korra would hold nothing back in defeating them.

That was her duty as the Avatar.

Tenzin didn't mention them much, but Korra knew from the look on his face whenever he had to discuss at at his Council meeting that they were no good. Often, the Master Airbender would come home tired and fatigued, complaining over once again how the Equalists had managed to once again successfully wreak havoc in the city one way or another. Other than that, Korra knew near to nothing about the mysterious organisation and their even more mysterious leader.

So here she was now, twisting delicately through her Airbending training, as light and as weightless as a feather itself. Korra could not help but feel elated as she finally emerged from the spinning gates, her body gasping for air and muscles taut. It had taken a while, but she was finally doing it! She was finally on her way to mastering the fourth element!

"Ooh, he's cute," Jinora suddenly piped up cheekily, as Korra struggled to catch her breath, "Korra, is that the handsome Firebender boy that drives you crazy?"

Handsome... Firebender boy? Korra thought confusedly, before it all clicked. There's only one guy like that... oh no...

Korra looked behind her, only to give a slight yelp. Mako! she thought, feelings running amuck as her dark cheeks stained with blush. What was he doing here? And why now, of all times, when she was all sweaty and unprepared!

Pull it together, Korra, the young Avatar reprimanded herself forcefully as she attempted to maintain a nonchalant, casual disposition despite her flushing face and beating heart.

It was no secret Pema and the Airbending kids were aware of the Avatar's little crush on the tall, brooding Firebender. He was handsome, a hard worker, not to mention a great Bender... Korra couldn't help but feel smitten when she thought of him, her heart sent aflutter as her stupid teenage hormones went into overdrive. She knew it sounded foolish, and a little too mushy for her tough Avatar style, but...

"Does he drive you crazy in a bad way," Ikki prodded suggestively, giggling girlishly at Korra's flustered response as Jinora muffled her laughter, "or does he drive you crazy like you like him?"

"Hey, Mako!" Korra suddenly greeted, hastily shuffling out of her Earthbending stance as the two Airebenders fluttered in the air, their laughter raining down on them like little bells. Tentatively, Korra forced the casual grin on her face to remain, as her heart once again was sent aflutter at the sight of the tall boy's usual scowl. Spirits, was he always this moody...?

Right away, Mako got straight to the point, filling Korra with much disappointment. "You seen Bolin?" he asked roughly in response, hands shoved in his pockets as Korra felt her heart die away to a steady pace, cheeriness plummeting.

"Nice to see you too," Korra mumbled begrudgingly, disenchanted by his poor attitude. Really, did he dislike her that much? Korra shook her head thoughtfully as she drifted away to the matter at hand. "And no," she said, "I haven't seen him since practice. Is something wrong?" she piped up curiously, regarding the brooding Probender with concern.

Mako shook his head, as if weighed down by some heavy burden. "I don't know," Mako confessed wearily, looking off to the distance, "Bolin has a knack for getting into stupid situations. " Mako sighed, looking incredibly agitated. "See you later," he finally nodded, before beginning to turn away.

Korra felt her spirits rise once more. Wait, Korra told herself eagerly, this is your chance to get to know the brothers better! Spirits knows I need more friends around here, the young Avatar thought, determination swelling in her chest. "Wait," Korra spilled out, rushing to catch up the the older boy, "I could, uh... help you look for him," Korra offered, a small smile on her face.

Mako didn't look convinced. "Nah, I got it," he told her, brushing her off as he resumed his casual pace.

Korra remained undeterred however, hand gently landing on Mako's shoulder enough to startle him, her sudden softness catching him off guard. "Hey cool guy," Korra smiled softly, being emanating friendliness and good will, "let me help you. We can take Naga," she suddenly suggested, as Mako took a step back to look her in the eye fully.

"Who's Naga?"

.

.

.

"Amon," the Lieutenant's low voice entered, as the masked man lifted his pen from the papers stacked neatly on his desk, "The hostages are ready," his second-in-command confirmed, as his leader rose up from where he sat, back still turned to his face.

"Good," Amon replied tonelessly, "tell our brothers and sisters to be ready.

It is time for the Revelation."