The city lights of Republic City shimmered below like rivers of fire and stardust. On a rooftop high above the noise, wind howled between glass towers, tugging at Kaiqok's cloak as he stared across the gap at his challenger.
Tarrlok.
City councilman. Waterbender. Power-hungry politician.
And currently, a very pissed-off brother.
"You stay away from Korra," Tarrlok snarled, water coiling in sharp, icy strands around his arms.
Kaiqok's eyes narrowed. "That's funny. I don't remember asking for your permission."
Tarrlok raised both hands. "You're dangerous. You waltz into this city with impossible powers, whisper secrets in the Avatar's ear, and now you've seduced half of Team Avatar. Forgive me for being skeptical."
Kaiqok's lips twitched. "You're not mad at me. You're mad because Korra listens to me more than she ever did you."
Tarrlok's eyes blazed.
Without warning, he struck.
A wave of freezing water lashed out from his side, whipping toward Kaiqok with blinding speed. Kaiqok barely dodged, golden chakra erupting around his body just in time to deflect the blow.
"You want a fight?" Kaiqok growled, the ground cracking beneath him as his power flared. "Fine."
---
The duel began.
Tarrlok twisted water into cruel, jagged shapes, sending shards of ice slicing through the air. Kaiqok dodged and parried, golden energy sparking from his fingertips as he formed a barrier of raw chakra to block each strike.
Their feet skimmed the rooftop tiles, the entire space becoming a dance floor of power.
Tarrlok leapt high, a sphere of water forming above him like a moon. He slammed it downward, a tidal burst crashing toward Kaiqok.
Kaiqok smirked—and vanished.
In a flash of golden light, he reappeared behind Tarrlok, his palm glowing with pure chakra. He didn't strike—he just let the heat pulse through the air like a warning.
"Still think I'm the threat?" Kaiqok asked coldly.
Tarrlok gritted his teeth. "You hide behind charm and smiles. But you're hiding something."
Kaiqok's face darkened. "We're all hiding something."
Their fists met next, chakra and water exploding in a violent burst of steam.
---
Far below, Korra skidded to a halt on the street as the blast echoed through the air. She looked up, eyes widening as flames of chakra and tendrils of water flared across the rooftop.
"What the—Tarrlok?!" she shouted, before leaping into the air on a blast of wind.
By the time she reached the roof, the two were locked in a deadlock—Tarrlok's blade of ice clashing against Kaiqok's burning arm.
"STOP!" Korra shouted.
Both men hesitated. Tarrlok was breathing hard, his jaw clenched. Kaiqok looked calm—too calm.
Korra marched between them. "Are you both out of your minds?!"
"He attacked me," Kaiqok said evenly.
"You provoked me," Tarrlok spat.
"You challenged me."
"Enough!" Korra's voice cut through the night like a whip. "Tarrlok, this isn't the way to protect me. And Kaiqok… you didn't have to escalate."
Kaiqok stepped back, his golden chakra fading. "Noted."
Tarrlok lowered his arms, but not his glare. "You're lucky the Avatar loves you."
"I'm lucky she tolerates me," Kaiqok replied, eyes never leaving Tarrlok's.
Korra sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Great. Now I have a rooftop-sized hole in my week and a councilman with bruised pride."
"Better than a funeral," Kaiqok said.
She didn't disagree.
---
Later, after Tarrlok stormed off with wounded pride and ice-burned hands, Korra and Kaiqok sat at the edge of the rooftop, overlooking the cityscape.
"I should be furious with you," she muttered.
"I know."
"I should definitely yell at you."
"Also true."
She glanced sideways at him. "But part of me wanted to fight him too."
Kaiqok chuckled. "You're terrible at staying mad."
She leaned her head on his shoulder. "That's because you keep doing dumb things that make sense."
"I do aim to please."
They sat in silence for a while, the city glowing like embers below.
"I meant what I said," Kaiqok said quietly. "I'm not here to control you. Or replace anyone. I'm here to help."
Korra looked up at him. "Even if it means taking punches from politicians?"
He grinned. "Especially that."
---
Elsewhere in the city, in a dark warehouse filled with glowing blue tubes and spirit circuitry, a figure in a fox mask watched the rooftop through a surveillance feed.
"Kaiqok," they whispered. "Your power isn't just dangerous. It's divine."
Their eyes glinted.
"And I'm going to tear it out of you… piece by piece."