Legend of Korra: Forces of Nature
                                    Chapter Two: The Reunion




Korra walked outside of the Science Center with the many other people.
the crowds were so dense, that she couldn't even find Tenzin anymore.

though, HE wasn't who she was looking for.


"YOU INCOMPETENT MORON!!" shouted a voice at high volume


Korra looked over and saw someone yelling at Takka. "How many times must we Suffer your bumbling?!, HOW!?"


Takka groaned. "Look, I'M. SOR-RY. it's not like I KNEW my Wind Gauntlets would malfunction!"


"your infernal machines ALWAYS malfunction!" snapped the man, poking at Takka's chest


"HEY!, that isn't true! I've made..'SOME' inventions that work!"


"name ONE."


"THAT'S ENOUGH!!" the man and Takka looked and saw Lin Bei Fong approach.


"Commander, THANK THE SPIRITS you're here! I demand you Arrest this man for being such a Menace to our cit-"


"I'll make the decisions here, NOT YOU. now, begone before "I" arrest you for disturbing the peace."


the man grumbled, then marched off. Korra TRIED to reach Takka..but couldn't, due to the thick crowd of people.


Lin faced Takka.


"Miss Bei Fong, i am SO SORRY abou-"

"forget it, Takka..no harm's been done. but, people do bring up a valid point: you DO cause alot of havoc with your devices."


Takka exhaled sharply. "i know-I KNOW!!..I don't mean to cause any trouble."


"i believe you." said Lin, in a rare calm, and gentle tone "but, many people are getting anxious (especially with the Anti-Bender problem.)

so, unless you can fully fix these "glitches" in your inventions..ALL your inventions.
then..I'm afraid I'll have no other choice but to Ban you from the Science Center."


Takka gasped in shock. "but..But, Science is my Life!, Building things is all I know how to do!!"


"I am sorry, Takka. I truly am. but, I am bound by law..and, NO ONE is above the law.
 So, FIX this problem of yours..because I can't keep having your "Presentations" ending with a Disaster."


Takka looked at Lin. then exhaled deeply, hanging his head low.


"yeah..okay."


Lin frowned. she then lean down to Takka's level, and gently touched his chin.


"just between us..I don't think you are a menace. I think you are VERY talented.
 and, I don't want to lock you up in jail..so, PLEASE. get this right, so I won't have to."


Takka smiled weakly. "I'll try, Commander Bei Fong."


"Good." with that, Lin stood up and marched off.


Takka exhaled stressfully. he then packed his stuff into his truck
got inside, and drove off into the city streets.


"TAKKA!!"


Korra finally got out of the crowd..but, was too late. Takka's truck was LOST in the sea of satomobiles.


"Takka?!"


"Korra!" Korra looked back, and saw Tenzin approach. "There you are..I've been looking for you."


Korra stared off. her mind on something else.

Tenzin noticed this. "Korra..is something wrong?"


Korra looked at her airbending teacher. "i'm..i'm not sure."



[Later, Elsewhere]


Takka soon drove up to a metallic looking house.
he sighed as he parked his truck in the garage, and got out.

Takka paused for a moment. then, he exhaled again.


"another day, another disaster..(deep sigh) things can't possibly get any worse."


suddenly, the garage door shut down. before Takka knew what was going on, a door opened..and, in walked a man.

a man that Takka knew all to well.


"Y-YOU!?" gasped Takka, frozen in terror.

he began to step back as a dark skinned man with a brown goatee walked in.
he was wearing raggy looking clothes..and smirked at Takka as he crossed his arms.


"hello..SON."


Takka gulped hard, feeling nervous.


"uhhh..h-hi, dad. i-I didn't know you were..in town."


Takka's father approached him, casting a smug look at him.
he then reached over, and touched Takka's face (to which the boy flinched fearfully.)


"you have No Idea how hard it was finding you, boy." began Karnac. "you could say this reunion has been my "obsession."


Takka gulped hard. still feeling uneasy his the touch of his father's hand. "you...d-don't say."


Karnak grinned sinisterly as he began to circle his son slowly.
it was clear that Takka was Terrified..and, Karnak was enjoying every minute of it.


"Do you know what day it is, Takka?" asked Karnak, calmly


Takka remained still, frozen like a statue. he swallowed hard, then replied in a shaky voice.


"n-no, dad..I don't."


Karnak snickered softly. "of course you don't..I don't expect you to "remember."


the Water Tribe man then stopped behind Takka. he edged himself closer, whispering in Takka's ear.


"today..is the day of my eighteenth wedding anniversary."


Takka's eyes widened, his breath becoming shallow. "R-Really?" said Takka, his voice weak


"yeeees.." replied Karnak, his tone of voice getting "creepier." "and, like every year..i wished to celebrate it with my dear wife Inza."

Karnak then walked off away from Takka. who kept his eyes trained on his father, Fearing what was to come.


Karnak then continued to speak. "but, like Every Year..I must celebrate it ALONE, without her." Karnak turned and looked at Takka, his eyes Cold and Unfeeling. "and, do you know Why?"


Takka gulped, looking down. "i..i, uhh-"


Karnak then approached Takka, glaring at him darkly. "because SHE, INZA, was taken from me." he then faced Takka, looking right at him. "and, all because we wanted a child."


Takka gulped hard. "d-dad, i-"


SMACK!


Karnak suddenly slaps Takka HARD across the face. Takka grips his reddened cheek, tearing up at the stinging pain.


Karnak glared at Takka hatefully. "my beloved died simply to give you life. and, everyday you prove that you don't Deserve that privilege."


Takka looks at his father..only to be slapped again. this time, the boy was knocked down to the floor.


Takka held back his tears, and looked up at his "father."


"dad, Please! i-i'm sorry, i didn't mean to-"


"BUT, YOU DID!" Karnak kicks Takka in the gut. Takka grips his waist, groaning in pain as he lays on the floor.

"YOU KILLED HER! Inza bled to death shortly after your birth. for YEARS, I had to live my life without her and, suffer having her murderer living in my house!"


Takka wanted to speak, but was in too much pain to do so. Karnak the grabbed him by his neck and lifted up up.

Takka began to choke as Karnak tightened his grip on his throat.


"and, if THAT wasn't bad enough..." began Karnak "you turned out to be a NON-BENDER! despite Me and Inza being skilled benders ourselves!"

Karnak then summoned formless water from a bottle. he shot a stream at Takka, which encased his body in Solid Ice.
with only his head exposed, Karnak released Takka, who looked at his father with frightened eyes.


"Dad!, DAD PLEASE!!"


Karnak ignored his son's pleas. he then drew out a small device.

"Today..I think Inza should take some part in your punishment." began Karnak "and, while i may not be a Firebender..."

Karnak then flipped a switch with his thumb. to Takka's horror, a flame ignited from the device. "i can certainly Make Due."


Karnak then brought the flame CLOSER to Takka's face. "no...No-No, Wait!"

the flame was brought even closer. Takka could already feel it's heat. "NO!, Stop! STOPPIT, PLEASE!"


Takka was terrified, tears in his eyes. Karnak smirked evilly as he touched Takka's cheek with the flame.


the pain Takka felt was beyond comprehension.


"AAAAAAAAAAHHHH!" Takka scream LOUDLY. so loud, that it almost hurt Karnak's ears.


though, he was enjoying every moment of this.


Karnak finally removed the flame, and smiled at the burn mark on Takka's cheek.
he then gripped Takka's face, forcing the terrified and suffering boy to face him.


"open your mouth." growled Karnak "time to silence that insolent tongue of your..FOR GOOD."


Takka shook his head fearfully. to which Karnak slapped him (which hurt MORE due to his burn.)


"i said OPEN YOUR MOU-"


KA-CRASH!!!


Suddenly, the metal garage door was blow apart.
Karnak looked over..and saw a dark skinned girl in Water Tribe Clothes.


it was Korra...and, she looked ANGRY.


Korra glared hatefully at Karnak. gritting her teeth, she shot a blast of fire at the man, knocking him into a wall.


"KEEP AWAY FROM MY FRIEND, YOU MONSTER!!" shouted Korra, enraged


Karnak groaned in pain as he lay on the floor. Korra then looked to Takka, then quickly dissolved the Ice encasing him to water.

Takka fell to the ground. his body shaking, and tears flowing down his eyes.
Korra looked at her friend, her eyes wet. she then looked back at Karnak (who was trying to get up.)

Korra growled and glared at him, intense hatred burning within her.
she then summoned stone bolder from the ground, crumbled into pebbles forming "Stone Gloves."


the avatar then charged, and pinned Karnak to a wall. "you don't get off THAT easy."


Korra reeled her arm back then, punched Karnak HARD across his face.
several bloody teeth flew from his mouth. he then collapsed to the ground, knocked completely out cold.

Korra again glared hatefully at him. trying to resist every urge to end his life.
but, Korra eventually decided that this was Good Enough. she then turned away, and ran over to Takka.

Takka's body was still shaking. he was in total shock, petrified in fear.


Korra knelt down to him. "takka."


Takka still shook. "Takka, it's ME..Korra."


Takka looked up and stared at the girl. "k-korra?"


Korra nodded, smiling the best she could.

"Yes..it's ME, Korra. you know..your "Bestest Friend?" Korra blushed upon saying such a childish word.


Takka's eyes widened. then, more tears formed in his eyes. "korra.." said Takka, his voice breaking

Takka then hugged Korra tightly, burying his face in her chest and crying.
Korra embraced him tightly. letting her own tears fall down her cheek.


"it's..it's you. It's Really You!!" exclaimed Takka, overcome with joy.


Korra nodded. "yes, takka..it's me. and, i'll NEVER let anyone hurt you..Ever Again."



[Air Temple Island, Later That Day]


Takka laid on a bed as Pema looked him over.

the pregnant woman rubbed some lotion on his burn then, placed a band-aid overtop of the red mark.


"there you go." began Pema. "that should heal up in a week or so. though, there may be some scarring."


Takka exhaled sharply. "i'm used to it."


Pema sighed sadly as she looked at the visible bruises and scars Takka's shirtless body.


"so, i see." Pema then stood up. "well..I better be going. I have children to look after."


"yeah..okay."


Pema smiled, then gets up and leaves. as she opens the door...Tenzin and Korra walk in.


"Takka!" Korra ran over and hugged Takka (rather tightly) Takka grimaces, feeling his ribs crack a bit.


"KOR-AH...your..C-Crushing me!"


"Oh!, sorry." Korra releases Takka. he promptly exhales sharply.


Tenzin looks at Takka. acting very "official." "are you doing alright, boy?"


Takka looked up at the Airbender monk...then exhaled softly. "y-yeah..I will, for now."


Takka exhales deeply then, he looks at Tenzin again. "so..what happened to my (clear throat) "father?"


Korra scowled at this.


"Lin has arrested Karnac and placed him in jail." said Tenzin. "given his "behavior", it shouldn't be hard send him to prison."


Takka huffed. "he'll escape..and, then he'll come after me."


"no, he WON'T" said Korra, her tone stern. "i won't let him."


Tenzin raised an eyebrow. "you two seemed VERY familiar."


Korra looked at Tenzin. "we ARE, Master Tenzin. he's my best friend."


"true." said Takka, quietly "we were born on the Same Day..the same hour. We first met on our third birthdays, and immediately became best friends.


Takka then exhaled sharply. "we were together..for at least a YEAR. when we turned four, Korra discovered that she was the Avatar by accident."

Takka then cracked a smile. "some older kids were picking on me..and, Korra set their hair on fire."


Korra stifled a chuckle, remembering the event quite clearly.


"Anyway..it was shortly after that the White Lotus Society were notified, and..well, you know happened."


Tenzin stroked his beard as he spoke. "Korra was taken under the White Lotus protection."


"That was the last time I ever saw her.." said Takka, frowning. "until TODAY, that is."


Korra scowled as she pondered this.

the reality that she and her friend had been separated for THIRTEEN Years sinking in.
she began to feel anger burning within her like a growing flame.

finally, she spoke. "Takka.."


Takka looked at Korra..who hesitated for a moment before asking the one question that she dreaded. "what..What happened to you? What have you been doing these past thirteen years??"


Takka darted his eyes nervously. "i-nghhh.."


"Takka, PLEASE..I have to know." repeated Korra, desperate for answers.


Takka finally exhaled sharply..and, spoke: "I haven't been entirely honest with you, Korra..there are things about me that I never told you."


"What things? Takka, you aren't making any sense!"


Takka looked at his friend, and continued.


"Do you..r-remember when we were kids, and you sometimes saw me with bruises and cuts?"


Korra grimaced as she recalled one such memory.



***FLASHBACK***


a three-year-old Korra skipped along through her village, her tiny arms spread out like wings.
she was humming a tune to herself, her mind in another world.

she then noticed a familiar face sitting near the central bonfire: a three-year-old boy.


"TAKKA!!" Korra ran as fast as her tiny legs could take her towards her friend. "Hey, Takka! are you ready for some fu-


Korra then noticed some dark areas and scratches on Takka's face. "Takka, YOUR FACE!!"


"h-Huh?" said Takka, only just now noticing Korra.


"What happened to your face!?" repeated Korra, concerned


Takka looked nervous as his friend stared down at him. "uhhh..."


"Somebody beat you up, didn't they!?" said Korra sternly, her fists planted on her hips. "Who did it!?, TELL ME! I'm gonna hurt 'em Soooo much for this!!"


Takka reacted as if he was more afraid of Korra than..WHOEVER it was that beat on him.


"I, uhh..I d-don't remember." stuttered Takka


"You DON'T?!, WHADDA YOU MEAN YOU DON-!?" Korra then stopped herself when she saw the hurt look on Takka's face.


"i'm sorry..I didn't mean to yell at you." apologized Korra, who knelt down to him.


"it's..it's okay, Kor. I understand." Takka looked at Korra. "Look, Korra..can we play at your house today? I..I don't want to be outside right now."


Korra nodded. "Okay. Let's just go tell your daddy, an-"


"NO!!" exclaimed Takka..scaring Korra. "uh-I mean.."no", th-that won't be necessary. he, uhh..he said it's okay."


Korra smiled. "Great!, let's go!!"


with that, Korra took Takka's hand, and led him back to her house.



***End of Flashback***


"yeah..what about it?"


Takka looked down sadly. unable to make eye contact with Korra. "I lied to you, Korra."


Korra widened her eyes. "What?!"


"my bruises..my cuts and scraps, I only got 'SOME' of them from bullies.
 but..m-most of them came from my father, Karnac."


Korra covered her mouth, shocked. "he..then. he never-" Korra looked at Takka. "why..WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THIS!!?" exclaimed Korra, practically shouting.


tears welled up in Takka's eyes as he replied: "I was SCARED, Alright!? I was afraid of what my dad might do if he ever found out that I told on him."


"TAKKA, He was BEATING you!!" snapped Korra, angrily. "This isn't something you just "keep to yourself!", Especially not from your BEST FRIEND!!"


Takka kept his face turned away. too ashamed to look at his friend. "i'm sorry."


a long silence befell the room. Finally, Tenzin spoke. "Why did your father treat you so horribly?"


Takka breathed out sharply. "because..when I was born, my mother bled to death. she died bringing me into this world..and, my father calls me "Murderer" because of it."


Tenzin mused on this. "hmm..I see."


"I'm also not a Waterbender.." continued Takka. "Or, a Firebender like my mother, either. the fact that I am a non-bender sickens my father..and, he always made sure I knew that."


Korra frowned at remark. as it reminded her Too Much of Amon, and the Equalists.


"How did you survive?" asked Tenzin, fully interested in Takka's story.


"Well..I often stayed away from home. I only returned at night when I had to." Takka shivered. "I always hated the night."

"Things got easier when I met Korra, though. I sometimes spent the night at her house..it was the ONLY time I felt safe."


Korra felt guilt eating away at her as Takka said this.


"And, what happened when Korra was taken away? what happened after that??" asked Tenzin


Takka stared off, and shivered in fright again. "when..When Korra was taken away, I felt like the whole world was ending.

with Korra gone, I had no more refuge..no escape, no protection. I was..at his "Mercy."



Korra began to tear up at this. this was almost too much for her to bear.


"but.." began Takka, changing his tone. "my dad went overboard. I was unable to hide my scars..and, Korra's mother, Senna became suspicious."


"What happened?" asked Tenzin, feeling he knew what Takka was going to say.


"one night..my dad was giving me the usual beatings. but, then Korra's father, Tonraq burst into the house.
 Senna was concerned over my injuries, and had him follow me to find out where they came from.

 My dad fought against Korra's dad..but, Tonraq was far stronger than he was.
 he left him unconscious within ice, and took me back to Senna so she could tend to my injuries.

 the next day..Tonraq banished my father from the village FOREVER.
 Senna wanted me to stay with her and Tonraq, but Tonraq doubted banishment would keep me safe from my father."


Takka exhaled sharply, wiping some tears from his eyes.


"They..contacted my Aunt Rose and Uncle Dante in the Fire Nation.
 they came by ship, and took me to live with them on Ember Island.

 for the next Twelve Years stayed with them..they were the closest thing to real parents that I ever had.
 but, I wanted to do something with me life. I couldn't keep hiding in the Fire Nation forever.

 so, One year ago today..I left for Republic City.
 hoping to make a difference with the one thing I am good at: building things."


Takka sighed sharply, frowning. "but, being "good" at something..isn't the same as being "the best." alot of my inventions malfunction and backfire..ALOT of them."


"ngh, YES..I know." said Tenzin, recalling Takka's prior "air gauntlet" demonstration.


"I try to do my best..but, sometimes I feel the harder I try, the more I mess up."


"they almost worked." said Korra, finally.


Takka and Tenzin looked at her. "What?"


"Your Air Gauntlets, they ALMOST worked."


Takka stared at Korra. "How do you-"


"I was in the audience with Master Tenzin..I saw everything."


Takka's face grew red, feeling embarrassed that his best friend was apparently caught in the middle of all the chaos that he caused.


"for a moment, they almost worked." repeated Korra.


"yeah..but, they didn't." said Takka. "I made a mess of that place, and made alot of people angry."


Korra paused..then, spoke sternly to her friend. "You know..even as a child, I could bend Water, Earth and Fire. but, AIR is the one element that I still have trouble mastering."


Korra then leaned closer to Takka. "It's frustrating that I can't airbend..there are times I think I'll NEVER do it."


"Korr-" Korra motions Tenzin to be silent as she continued speaking to Takka. "So, let me tell you what Master Tenzin keeps telling me: "You try, you fail, you try, and fail..But, the only true failure comes when you STOP trying."


Tenzin actually smiled at this. Proud that some of his wisdom was finally rubbing off on Korra.


"Takka..you may not be a bender, but that doesn't mean you aren't special." continued Korra. "I was AMAZED at what you did back there..and, PROUD that my best friend can do these things. Things that I can only dream of doing."


Korra the gripped Takka's arms. "PLEASE, Takka..don't give up. someday you'll create something that will Change the World. and, I hope to be there when you do."


Takka looked at Korra..then, smiled weakly. "you..really believe I can?"


Korra smiled. "I do."


Takka smiled again..then, looked down sadly. "Kor..I'm sorry for not telling you about my father. You are right: You're my Best Friend, I shouldn't have kept secrets from you."


Korra stared at Takka, then spoke. "True..but, you were scared. I shouldn't blame you for THAT. I'm sorry I yelled at you."


Korra then suddenly glared at Tenzin. "what?"


"How long were they going to keep me in the dark about Takka?"


"Korra, I don't-"


"HOW!!?" shouted Korra, her voice resonating


Tenzin scowled. "You had your training, Korra. the White Lotus couldn't risk any unnecessary distractions."


"DISTRACTIONS!!? Takka is my Best Friend, and he needed me!!"


"Korra, ENOUGH." said Tenzin, sternly. "we cannot change the past, so arguing about it is pointless."


Korra scowled, then exhaled sharply. she then looked at Takka and smiled weakly.


"well..It's good to see you again, Takka." Korra then hugged Takka once again. "i've missed you."


Takka hugged Korra back. "so have i..more than you know."

Takka then looked at Korra. "you've certainly changed ALOT since I last saw you."


Korra smiled proudly, flexing her muscular arm. "you got that right, Takka. nobody cause me "Blubber Belly" anymore..not with muscles like THESE."


Takka smiled. "yes..I can see that."


It was then that Tenzin finally stood up. "come, Korra. Takka needs his rest..and YOU need to practice your "Air Movements."


Korra looked at Tenzin..then, back at Takka. "go on ahead, Kor..i'll be FINE. i'm feeling tired anyway."


Korra sighed. "okay. if you say so."


Korra stood up, but looked back at Takka. "but, if you need me..AT ALL-"


"don't worry: I'll call. there's nothing keeping us apart anymore now."


Korra half smiled. she then leaned over, and gave Takka a quick kiss on his cheek.


"I'll see you tonight, then."


Takka blushed bright red. Korra then turned, and walked with Tenzin out the door.


Once gone, Takka exhaled sharply. he looked up at the ceiling, his mind lost in thought.


"korra.."