It Had to Be You - Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra and its characters. All rights belong to their respectable owners Michael Dante DiMartino and Byran Konietzko.
This is my very very first fic so please be nice. Heavily inspired by other undercover cop fanfics from multiple fandoms (love these AU's). This is a Modern AU. Set in the Avatar world minus the bending and avatar stuff. May contain some coarse language and some depiction of violence. I'm not sure how in detail I'm going to go on the violent stuff so I just rated this M for now, just in case. Again please be nice since this is my first attempt at multi-chapter fanfiction but constructive criticism, comments, follows, favorites, etc. are greatly greatly appreciated. Hope you enjoy!
On a Saturday morning at the Republic City Police Department, Korra walked into the front doors and proceeded into the elevator. She sipped some coffee from her mug and muttered 'good morning' to her co-workers as she got onto her designated floor and went over to her desk. She sat down and began to sort out some files ready to start her day.
"KORRA, MAKO, IN MY OFFICE." the chief barked from her door startling everyone in the floor.
Terrified, Korra looked over at Mako at the other side of the room. 'What the fuck did you do?' Mako mouthed.
The young woman just shrugged her shoulders in reply. After taking a nervous breath and she made her way to the chief's office with her partner right behind her. After walking in they sat down on the chairs in front of Chief Lin Beifong's desk, while the Beifong herself was flipping through various files before talking.
"Firsts things first, you didn't screw up on anything so relax." Lin clarified.
Korra and Mako sighed in relief, "Then why are we here chief?"
"It's because I have a new case for you two," she said as she plopped down files in front of them on the desk.
The two detectives each picked up one of the files on the table and flipped through them. "Wait, wait holy shit isn't this that dude that blew up that Air Temple a few years ago?" Korra asked as she pointed out a mugshot of the man in the file.
"Yeah thats Zaheer, Leader of that robbery and assassination group Red Lotus. And this," Mako said pointing to a woman's mugshot in the file in his hand,"is his wife, P'li."
"Yes yes, I'm sure you're both familiar with the Red Lotus. Wether it be from the newspapers, the internet, or rumours." Lin said, "But their lethality is no rumour. As of last night at approximately 3:52am they appeared at the Earth Kingdom. And stealthily and effectively infiltrated the Palace."
"Weren't there guards, I don't know, guarding the palace at that time? Surely the most elite guards in such vast numbers would've seen something." Korra questioned in disbelief. The Red Lotus were an efficient and stealthy group, but getting into the Earth Palace was crazy. Not even a mouse or anything with a living soul could get in with the tight security of the Royal Guards and the Dai Li combined.
"Don't interrupt." the chief barked, successfully making Korra sit up in attention. "As I was saying, they infiltrated the Palace by hacking the security system. They disengaged multiple alarms and also altered the surveillance systems allowing them to become invisible. With those out of the way, they made their way to the Queen's quarters killing everyone in their path." Lin took out another file and handed it to Mako. Inside were photo evidences of the crime. Korra took some and saw multiple dead guards. Some soaked in blood, others had their bodies bent in irregular angles and some with multiple slashes across their body and gunshot wounds to the head.
"According to the evidence presented at the scene and an autopsy, they entered the Queen's bedroom and they suffocated her to death with a plastic bag over her head." Lin continued.
Glancing over to the photo in Mako's hand, Korra saw a photo of the dead Queen's head inside a plastic bag. The late majesty's eyes still wide open, staring and empty. Damn, Korra thought, may she rest in peace.
"Now detectives, I know this city, heck this entire world is fucked up as it is and crimes like these aren't as shocking anymore due to the continuous rise and severity of crime rate. But this shit cannot be handled or dealt with lightly," Beifong asserted, "we need to put a stop to this group right now before their plans get more and more ruthless and dangerous."
"Well uh, chief?"
"What Mako?"
"Haven't we tried that before? Like capturing them?" Mako asked implying that previous efforts weren't successful.
Lin sighed. "Yes I know our previous missions throughout the department weren't successful. Since those sons of bitches know how to escape and vanish from the radar before we even set foot out of this building. But hopefully we can finally arrest them if you two do this right."
The chief straightened up and folded her arms and spoke with an authoritative tone, "Detective Mako, Detective Korra, your mission is to go undercover and successfully infiltrate and acquire information about the plans and activities of the Red Lotus. Which, in turn, will help us capture them efficiently in the right time and place. Korra you will be the one infiltrating while Mako assists you from the outside."
Mako nearly stood up abruptly in response but was stopped as Lin shot him down with a glare, "But wait, why does she get to go undercover? I know more about these kinds of things than her! I know more strategies about infiltration than her."
"Y-yeah what he said." Korra said agreeing with her partner even though she was slightly offended at his comment.
"That's the problem Mako, you know too much strategies and you go by the book a lot," Lin explained,"in other circumstances your knowledge would be helpful but you're a natural cop for crying out loud. In this case your cover would be blown the minute the Red Lotus sees you walk in"
Mako slumped into his seat and looked away, "I guess."
"Korra on the other hand," chief continued addressing Korra,"though you may not be as natural as Mako, your adaptability, social skills and as well as other skills you have might help you get through this. You will be infiltrating through the Red Lotus' connections, not the main members themselves."
"Yes Ma'am" The water-tribe girl replied still in disbelief.
Beifong took another file from her desk and handed it to Korra,"Now as for your cover identity its all in there, your past and your present. Read it, love it, breathe it. From now on the Korra you are now is dead until this mission is over. From today you are a student from Republic City University and you will live like it."
Korra looked into her 'cover identity' file. Multiple minor offences, recently moved into the city last year, works at local café, etc. etc. Korra read.
"Now the members of the Red Lotus and it's connections are very very hard to track but we managed to locate one of them," Lin said tapping one of the files on the desk which Mako picked up and opened, "shes around your age Korra and she is also a student at RCU. Hence why we put you there Korra. And we also sneaked you in some classes with her. Be her friend, rival, even her lover if she rolls that way for all I care. Just do what you have to do and navigate your way into the Red Lotus, while Mako assists you in any way to achieve that, is that understood?"
"Yes chief!" the two detectives saluted.
With a nod of satisfaction,"Okay, read these files tonight and I'll see you two tomorrow for further briefing. Dismissed."
At a local bar Mako and Korra sat in a booth at the back corner furthest away from people. While taking a sip of his beer, Mako read each file carefully while his partner did the same.
"Wow, I'm surprised there isn't a price on their head since these records are bloody heavy. 'Heist on the Royal Fire National Bank - total amount stolen 943,908 yuans.' I have to say, great job to them." Korra said.
"Yeah," Mako nodded,"They only used to preform heist towards government banks. Supposedly they stole the money to 'return it back to the people' as they said, since the government was pretty corrupt."
"Pshh please," Korra scoffed, "President Raiko and the whole lot of them in the government are still corrupt. No one in the city can barely even survive financially right now 'cause the politicians are hogging up the money for themselves."
"Well except if you have a pretty decent job or a rich family but yeah I agree." Mako replied, "I guess thats why the crime rate and gang activity is getting higher and higher huh?"
Korra nodded, "Well if you want money you gotta fight for it, or in this case - steal it or earn it illegally unless you have a good job."
After a few moments of silence and taking sips of their own drinks, Korra grew tired of reading and ended up observing the people at the bar.
Behind the bar counter was an old man named Toza would owned the locally famous bar, serving drinks and making idle-chat. Across from him were two billiard-ball tables parallel to each other with a couple of semi-drunk customers playing. And around the rest of the room were tables and chairs and booths; some filled with people, others vacant. Looking out the window, it was getting a bit late since the sunlight from the streets were fading.
"Kinda crazy how they move from just stealing money to killing political leaders." Mako said, gaining Korra's attention.
Korra shrugged, "Well they are a revolutionist group too aren't they? Their message has been clear since the start, 'Fuck the government, power to the people'. Can't blame them to be honest for like, you know, hating the government's corruption. But murdering them is too much. They'll cause chaos to the city more than anything."
"Well once we finish this mission and capture them, they'll be the least of our worries behind bars," Mako said as he stood up, "Anyways I'm gonna go home now I'm tired, how bout you?"
"I think I'm gonna stay here for a while and finish my drink." Korra said bringing her cup to her lips.
"Okay," Mako put on his jacket, "don't get too drunk and forget to read the files, you have like one more left to read. And memorize your cover."
Korra rolled her eyes in response, yeah yeah don't worry, she replied.
"Don't forget, Lee is gonna cut your hair tomorrow for your new cover look." Mako smirked.
Korra frowned, "Don't remind me. Does the chief not know how long it took me to grow my hair this long? Fucking forever!"
"Yeah yeah, have fun while it lasts. Bye partner." he waved as he made his way to the door.
"See ya."
After her partner left Korra made her way towards the counter to buy another beer, "Hey Toza, one more please. Thanks."
"You and spiky looked serious over there. You guys have a new case?" Toza asked with his scruffy voice.
Korra shushed him and whispered covering her mouth with a hand, "Shush Toza it's an undercover mission. So you know, keep it down low. From tomorrow you don't know me or Mako or anything."
"Oh shit, okay okay. My bad." he bartender held his hands up, "Say since you're technically gonna be 'gone' for a long time, your drinks are on the house."
A big grin plastered itself on her face, "Man you're the best! By the way how is yo-"
"Ah shit wait sorry," Toza reached for his ringing phone, "I gotta take this give me a sec."
Korra watched the old man walk through the door while drinking her free beer. She unlocked her phone and checked her e-mail as a cold chill shot up her body. Looking towards the source to the cold breeze, she saw a young woman entering while holding the door open with a hand pressed firmly on the wooden frame, her eyes scanning the room. The detective tried not to stare at the newly arrived customer, but holy shit she couldn't help it. She watched the raven haired beauty search for something or someone in the bar with her impossibly beautiful green eyes. She wore a slightly worn-out black leather jacket with a white top underneath and burgundy jeans that matched with the deep red colour on her lips. Korra met the woman's eyes and blushed when the woman took her time sharing the gaze before shifting her attention to another person.
Disappointment showered over Korra as the flawless woman made her way to a good-looking man seated at one of the tables. She sighed, oh well can't really expect her to be single with her looks. As Korra was about to turn around on her bar stool she heard a loud slam on a table. Gaining her attention she turned to see the same woman pinning the boyfriend-person's head against the table and twisting his right arm behind him.
"Yo dude!" the terrified man shouted in fear, "I told you I'm gonna pay you next week! I-I promise please."
"Shut the fuck up Haku, you said that last week. Now pay up!" the woman asserted.
Oh, so he isn't a boyfriend, Korra thought even though that shouldn't be her biggest issue right now. The detective was about to stand up and break up the conflict but stopped herself. She remembered that she was supposed to be keep a low profile, since she was going to start her undercover mission tomorrow. She couldn't risk an entire mission for this one fight, it wasn't worth it. So she just watched the negotiation unfold.
"Come on Red p-please you're gonna break my arm! I have a family to feed, I don't have the money right now." the man begged struggling under the restraint.
The woman, Red, chuckled with a serious glint in her eyes, "Do not give me that bullshit. If you cared or even had a family you wouldn't've bought that Mazda RX-7 Veilside from me last week. I have a business to run and a place to rent, if you can't keep up with my agreements then you're going to have a bad time. And trust me, you do not fuck with me."
"Fine fine! Here here, just take it all of it." the man Haku pleaded while taking out random amounts of scrunched up bills from his front pocket as well as his entire wallet.
Red released him and started counting up the money. With a slight nod she turned to the man who was whimpering on the floor cradling his arm. "Well look at that, you do have money you liar. You're 2 yuans off but I won't hunt your ass down again because you aren't even worth that much," she spat.
"T-that was for my rent for my apartment and money for food man. Come on c-cut me some slack."
Red stared him down, " Don't you ever fuck with me again or else it will be the last thing you'll do. We all need money Haku and we all need to survive so don't think you're anything special. Welcome to Republic fucking City."
Pleased with the results Red turned around and made her way to the door while meeting the gaze of a certain cute blue-eyed girl. With a wink and a blush in return, she exited the bar with a smirk on her face.
Korra sat at the living room of her new apartment. The apartment was for her mission since she can't really use her original one due to the risk of her cover getting blown. The one-bedroom and fully furnished but decently sized apartment was situated close to the Republic City University, perfect and convenient for her new uni-student life.
After reading and various failed attempts to correctly memorize all of the information on her cover identity file, Korra slumped further into her couch. She couldn't help but think back to that beautifully attractive, yet scary and fierce, woman she saw at the bar a few hours ago. She winked at me, Korra blushed once more. The water tribe girl shook her head, no no no no focus you're, uh, Katara now that works in a bakery sh- oh shit no, a coffee shop, right. Korra rubbed her face with her hands trying to grab every ounce of concentration she could get at 1am. Giving up she plopped the file down onto the coffee table and picked up another file. The last one she had to read.
Opening it up she read over the basic information about a young woman named Asami Yasuko Sato. The only known and solid connection of the Red Lotus, that the department knew about. A couple of offences here and there but nothing major. No parents, both murdered. Father's murder case still unsolved. Has three adoptive siblings. Student at RCU. Works at a mechanical shop near Avatar Park. After reading more information, Korra flipped the page and gasped. She aimed the file more towards the light trying to figure out if her eyes were just fucking with her. In the file were candid pictures of a flawless raven-haired, green-eyed woman. The same exact person Korra saw at the bar. Red,
The blue-eyed girl just gaped at the file for a couple of moments trying to process the information. Shit shit shit shit shit, she knows my face and my hair, and- fuck my cover's blown before I even started. Korra dropped her face into her hands with her elbows on her knees. She doesn't know me though so that's okay, it's okay, the mission is still alive I got this, she coaxed herself. Korra looked at the file again, her eyes scanning over the photos. She compared the pictures to the real thing she saw in the bar. And Korra has to say, the pictures did not do her justice.
The Detective sighed, "Out of all people in this god damn city, it had to be her. She will be the death of me." Cleaning up the files and calling it a day.
The chief's words rang through her head as she drifted into sleep, 'Be her friend, rival, even her lover if she rolls that way for all I care. Just do what you have to do and navigate your way into the Red Lotus…'.
Lover, Korra thought as her heart fluttered a bit, doesn't sound bad at all… we'll see.