Summary: She was so fragile, so deliciously fragile. He would watch her break under him; under his word, his touch. He would drive her out where she did not even know herself anymore, out where she would drown in self-disgust and insecurity. And he would enjoy every bit of it.

Pairing: Amon X Korra.

Disclaimer: I do not own "Avatar: Legend of Korra", nor do I own any of the characters from the series. However, I do own this fan fiction, seeing as I have written it. Please, do not re-post this story anywhere without my written consent. Thank you!

Warning: This fan fiction will contain adult themes later on (rape, sex, violence, bad language, etc.). Please do only read it if you are mature enough to handle these things.

Comments, feedback, and fan art is highly appreciated! :3

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Chapter 1: Darkness

She had been so sure of herself, of her choice. She had asked Tenzin, Mako, and Bolin not to follow her; this was her fight, and her fight alone. She would win it, fair and square. And she would teach Amon who she really was, and what she stood for.

But as she slipped into the shadows of the temple on Aang Memorial Island, Korra was not so sure anymore. The air around her was still, leaving her only with her own breath and a distant buzz from the city outside to keep her company.

Her footsteps echoed down along the hallways of the temple as she went. The cold made her shutter for an instant, and she embraced herself to warm her bare arms as she looked around. The silence, the darkness, the cold, the concrete bricks around her – it all reminded her of a graveyard. How ironic. A bitter smile graced her lips shortly.

A sudden sound in the darkness before her made her forget everything about the concrete and the cold.

"Amon?" she called, unaware of the sudden hard pounding in her chest. "I know you are there. Show yourself!" A moment of silence. Then she heard footsteps. Hundreds of footsteps. Korra had already started to back away before the army of Equalists came into sight, slipping out of the shadows, revealing one darkly clad warrior after the other. But no Amon, Korra noticed, her face betraying her disappointment.

"Whe-" she began, but was cut off by a well-known voice from behind her.

"Good evening, Avatar," Amon's dark voice sounded, sending goose bumps all over Korra's tanned skin as she turned around to face him. "I am surprised to find you here after all. I was sure you had regretted your challenge and fled the scene in the last moment. I see you did not. Which was very foolish of you."

"Amon," Korra hissed, backing away from her nearing opponent, oblivious to the fact that she was getting closer to his army instead. Before she realized her mistake, Amon had already snapped his fingers. Three men stepped forward and grabbed her; two grabbed her upper arms while the third grabbed her hair and forced her head forward, until she was pushed down onto her knees. Only her head was then released, allowing her to scowl up at the man stopping right before her. The white porcelain mask smirked provocatively at her, and the golden eyes behind it watched her intensely.

"You broke the deal," the girl hissed again. "You were to come alone. But I guess you were too afraid to take any risks. You are afraid of me." The last sentence was said with a sly smile on her lips, noticed immediately by the tall figure before her. A brief silence incited her to continue her harsh words, but she was cut off again, this time by him chuckling.

Chuckling? Her eyes widened as she realized that she had never heard him laugh before. Was he amused by her words? Did he not believe her? She felt her temper start to boil.

As Amon's laughter faded, he knelt down to her level and grabbed her chin with his gloved hand, squeezing tightly and forcing her face just an inch closer to his own. She stared right through the eye slits and into his eyes. Golden met teal.

"I never agreed to come alone," he then said, his voice deep and serious. "I am not playing by your rules, Avatar. I am playing by my own." Korra's eyes narrowed. Her temper was now close to boiling over. How dare he!?

Trying to yank her arms free from their capture, she realized she was in no position to attack. If her arms were released, she would gain over-balance and fall upon her face right on Amon's shoes. Nothing would be more humiliating. Instead, she spat in the man's face, ignoring the fact that she would only hit his mask. But it was the message behind her action that mattered.

And the message he got for sure. Without any audible order, Korra was released. The girl fell to the ground before she had even managed to prepare herself for her sudden release. Her nose brushed the shoes of the Equalist Leader briefly, causing a flash of humiliation and anger to cross her features. A shade of red rose to her cheeks. Korra knew of several cultures where people bent down and kissed the feet of great persons, whom they respected and would obey. It was a gesture of showing submissiveness, and she herself had just been forced to do it.

Did Amon know of these foreign rituals? If he did, her accident was sure to please him. Looking up, she was reminded that she could not read him. Only a painted smile met her eyes. It made her even more uncomfortable not knowing his thoughts.

"How does it feel to bite the dust unwillingly, Avatar?" the man questioned, his voice dripping with poisonous triumph. Korra refused to answer him. She would not let him win this little mind game of his.

"This is how non-benders feel around you benders," Amon continued, placing his black boot onto her back, pressing, leaving marks. "Fear. Helplessness. Pain." By his last words, he stomped down onto her, forcing a sickly sound of cracking bones from her back. The air was knocked out of Korra's lungs, and she gasped, overwhelmed by the throbbing feeling of pain.

Spitting on the ground, Korra managed to climb to her feet despite the aching in her back. Amon stepped back a bit and allowed the girl upon feet, his soldiers readying themselves for a fight. Korra could feel the Equalists behind her become tense with anticipation. Amon, however, stood casual before her with his smiling porcelain mask greeting her. His eyes watched her closely.

"Benders are no different from non-benders. Yes, there are assholes among us, but do not tell me all non-benders are innocent. Cruelty is not a bender thing; it is a human thing, and it is not something to disappear just because you forbid bending," Korra said, her voice hoarse and angry in a way different from before, which amused Amon greatly. The girl was so predictable. He could manipulate her, if he wanted to.

Or he could break her. It hit him like a lightning from a clear sky, spreading terrible thoughts in his darkened mind. He could play with her and then break her. How deliciously horrible.

Had his face not been hidden by a mask, Korra would have seen an expression that would freeze her insides with fear.

"Your words do not convince me, Avatar. I have seen things more horrible than you can even imagine, done by your kind," Amon's dark voice sounded again. There was something different in his voice now, too, Korra noticed. Figuring that he had just attempted to end their conversation, she was reminded of which reason they both had shown up on the small island. Right, the girl thought to herself. If I cannot convince him to step down, I must stop him by force. I cannot let him start this war.

"The most horrible person is you, Amon. And this is why I am here to stop you," said the Avatar, taking a fighting stance. "But I am only going to fight you. Let your pawns step down. Fight me one on one."

"Alright," answered the man behind his mask. A simple hand gesture signalized for the Equalists to step back, and the hundred men slipped back into the shadows of the temple.

Amon barely had the time to take a fighting stance too, before Korra darted forward, sending stone blocks from the floor straight against her opponent, who expertly managed to dodge all of them with a surprising grace. With a frown, she let the stone floor beneath the man raise and crumble. Amon leaped away, somersaulting in mid-air as he did.

Realizing her Earth bending did not work on him, Korra drew on her powers and created a snake of water from the sea around the island, letting it dart right for the white porcelain mask that smiled provocatively at her. Also this time did the man manage to dodge her attack rather gracefully, although she could see he had been hit. His arm was soaked.

Letting the water fall down onto the floor, she raised a column of ground and stone beneath her, and before Amon jumped again, she let the water freeze into thick ice.

When Amon realized he had been trapped, he frowned. As long the Avatar held the ice solid, he could not move around. He was running out of options. He would have to reveal his true powers before her.

Korra leaped down and sent bolts of fire toward her opponent, who only had mobility enough to block and dodge most of them. A bolt graced his upper arm, searing though the cloth. She heard a grunt from Amon and felt victorious. She was so close to winning!

However, as she stood two meters from the Equalist Leader, ready to send another wave of flames, her body froze completely, crushed by an invisible force. Panic filled her mind. How in the world...!?

As Korra lost control of her bending, the ice thawed beneath them. Instead of falling, she was raised into the air. Amon's movements revealed that he was the man behind it. Korra's eyes widened in realization. He was bending.

For a moment, Korra was shocked. The Equalist Leader was a bender! She could barely believe it, but she knew this event – although utter unexpected and dramatic – could not be allowed to steal her focus. She was in battle. And she could not allow a bender – a blood bender, of all things – to win this war. If he managed to get control over the entire Republic City, Korra dared not imagine what horrible things he would do and let happen to people, especially the benders.

Korra was ripped away from her horrible thoughts by something even worse. Towards her came Amon, a painted smile on his mask but narrowed eyes behind it, golden glinting with ferocity. As he neared, Korra tried to move, but it only resulted in futile spasms. The only thing she could feel was pain, and her heart which was racing behind her ribcage, almost hurting her from the inside.

Amon reached out for her. Korra was sure her life as a bender was about to end here. He would take her bending away, right then and there. Her job as the Avatar was coming to an end. She could feel how tears started welling up in her eyes. Just before Amon's hand touched her skin, she flinched away as much as she could.

"Please," she begged silently. Her plead was sweet music to his ears, and a smirk was brought to his face. Yes, indeed he could break her. And he would enjoy it.

"Do not worry, Avatar. I have plans. And I am saving you for last." The girl barely had time to take in his words before his hand caressed her neck shortly in search for one certain nerve point to press. With a gasp, Korra's world went black instantly.

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"What do you mean with 'She has disappeared'!?" Mako almost growled in exasperation, having feared this would happen. Tenzin sighed and sat down on the chair which Pema had just pulled out for him. He murmured her a thank and watched the Fire bender pace along the floor, a deep frown on the boy's face. Bolin stepped forth to his brother. Having heard the news before him and already overcome the flash of anger and anxiety it had brought, he placed a hand on Mako's firm shoulder.

"I am sure she is alright. She is Korra, remember?" Bolin said with a smile. "She has most likely just pursued Amon as he fled the island in horror. Maybe she is lost somewhere in the city and trying to find her way back here." He was trying to be optimistic, he really did. But it was as if it did not really convince himself. He did believe that Korra was alright. She was strong and clever enough to avoid putting herself in dire danger. But he truly had no idea of where she was, and he did not believe that she was on her way home. A nagging feeling in the back of his mind told him that she was still in danger and in need of their help.

Tenzin rubbed his temples for a moment.

"The temple shows signs of a fight, but there is no blood and no bodies. As Bolin said, it is more likely that they have moved their battle to somewhere else. Or..." the man said, stopping as a realization hit him.

"She has been kidnapped," Mako finished his sentence, anger burning in his eyes. "Amon took her!"

Okay, now Bolin was getting nervous, he had to admit.

"But what would he want with her?" the younger brother asked, not realizing how many terrible answers he could possibly get. "If Amon wanted to take away her bending, he could have done so in the temple. Or if he wanted to... kill.. Korra..." His voice died out as the thought really seeped into his mind. No, Amon would not kill her. He would more likely just ruin her reputation and humiliate her.

"My guess would be that he plans take away her bending in public," Mako said, having just sat down by the table as well. "Which means that we still have time to rescue her."

Pema was also getting nervous. Perhaps she could ease the tension a bit.

"Korra is a strong woman," she spoke softly, pouring tea for the three males. "I am sure she has a plan. After all, a woman's greatest strength lies in the ability to reason and plan. I am sure she is not helpless in her current situation." The two younger boys nodded, somewhat reassured, all while Tenzin frowned. Yes, his wife was right – but Korra was no ordinary woman. She rather fought her way out instead of planning an escape. At this point, she was more boy than girl. And with her temper and impatience...

"We have to rescue her no matter what. Even if she manages to get away, we still have Amon and the Equalists to think about. I doubt they would give up just like that," Tenzin added.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Bolin asked, having become restless and anxious in mere moments.

"We still have no idea of where Korra is being held captured," Mako replied.

"And if this is actually the case. She could have run after him, as you said," Tenzin added thoughtfully. "With a temper like hers, she could easily be tempted to chase her opponent if he escaped."

"We need to talk to Chief Lin Beifong. She might be able to help us," Mako said and stood just as Bolin had sat down by his side. Tenzin nodded in agreement, having just had the same thought.

"We will talk to her in the morning," Tenzin then said, sipping his tea. Mako frowned.

"Tomorrow might be too late. We have to do something now." The look in his eyes told that this was non-discussable.

"Alright," agreed the Air bender and stood as well.

Bolin emptied his cup in one mouthful before trailing after the two others, who had almost left the kitchen in a hurry.

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Korra awoke with a displeased grunt. Opening her eyes helped only very little; the room in which she resided was dark, with no windows to allow light inside. She had no idea of what time it was. All she knew was that she had to escape, and that fast.

Feeling overwhelmingly nauseous and weak, Korra doubted she could even get upon feet. Her arms had been tied behind her back with rope, bending her arms back in a way that made proper blood circulation impossible. She could barely feel her hands. But she could not just lie here, waiting for someone to come and rescue her; no, she was the Avatar. She would rescue herself.

Idiots tied me up with a rope. Must have forgotten that I can Fire bend, she thought with a sly smile, which quickly turned to an expression of horror. No matter how much she focused, she could not seem to summon even the smallest flame into her palm. Not even a slight warmth. Her stomach sank as her eyes widened. He had done it. Amon had taken her bending away.

For a long time, Korra just lay there, the words and their meaning echoing through her mind over and over. She was no longer a bender. She even doubted she was the Avatar anymore. Without her ability to bend the Four Elements, how could she save the world? The foundation of her very existence was gone. Now, she was just... Korra. Simple, boring, and weak.

Quick, warm tears rolled down her face. Sniffing, she tried to hold back the sadness. She had to be strong.

But if I am neither a bender nor the Avatar anymore, then why am I here? I propose no threat to Amon in this state. Why did he not just dump me into a dirty alley instead? The thought brought a glint of hope. Maybe, because she was the Avatar, there was a way to restore her bending. She had heard about how even Aang, the former Avatar, had once lost his ability to bend. The Spirits of the former Avatars had saved him. Maybe they could save her as well. She would never find out if she gave up now. She had to escape.

The hard surface, which provided a rather uncomfortable bed, felt cold as she pressed her shoulder against it to support her weight while she shifted her body. Without the help of her arms, and with a body as sore as nothing she had ever experienced before, getting upon feet was rather difficult, she found. But at last she managed to shift her weight upon her knees, and weakly she rose to feet. The vertigo she felt was so overwhelming that she was close to falling again, but she managed to find a wall to lean up against until she regained control over her body. The concrete surface felt ridiculously cold against her thinly dressed back.

Without warning, a door, which she did not even know was there, was opened from the outside, the lock clicking by the touch of metal. A tall, dark silhouette came into view in the door frame. The light, although not even near bright, blinded her, and she clenched her eyes almost shut.

"The Avatar has awoken," said the stranger, revealing that there were more men behind him. He stepped inside the cell and stopped close to Korra, who was busy trying to remain in balance. She could not attack him, but perhaps she could dodge his attack – if he had such in mind.

Another man slipped into the darkness of the room, carrying two buckets, one in each hand, and a thin blanket under his arm. One bucket, filled with water, was placed in the nearest corner, while the empty bucket was left in the far corner. He threw the blanket onto a plank bed that Korra had not noticed before either. Then he disappeared wordlessly.

"Do not move," said the silhouette in front of her. Korra obeyed; not because she wanted to, but because she had to stand still to avoid gaining over-balance again. She was surprised when the man moved behind her to untie her arms.

If I had had all my physical strength right now, I could have escaped with ease, she thought in annoyance, hating the fact the even with free arms she was weak. Not only her bending had been taken away; her body was weak and ached with pained muscles. She could do only very little in this state.

"There will be guards outside of the door at all time. Behave, or you will regret it," told the man and left the room, bringing the ropes along. Korra sent his back a hateful stare.

"Sleep tight, Avatar," cackled the man and slammed the door, leaving the girl in utter darkness again.

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Thank you for reading! I really hope you enjoyed this chapter.

If you have any constructive critique, or feedback of any kind, please leave a Review for me. I strive to become a better writer, and to please my fans, which I can only do if you tell me what you think!

Love, MangaAnimeLover.