Tinted Green: Part Two

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His head hurt.

He opened his eyes; the world before him spun in circles and he got nauseated in trying to separate all the shades of brown and grey. His mouth tasted like something spoiled and the smell of stale air offered him no comfort. He ran his tongue over dry and chapped lips. Flakes of dead, white skin crumbled and stuck to his tongue.

"Mako."

The voice was familiar. He heard it bark orders for years. He lifted his head and his neck cracked in pain, vibrations of discomfort radiating down his spine. Finally the colors stopped running together. A blood red dot, bright and perfect, glared him straight in the eye, like scar tissue never healed or wounds that crusted over.

"…Sir."

Amon stood still, legs slightly apart and hands folded neatly behind his back. "You let the Avatar get away."

Year of practice kept Mako's eyes steady, his breath calm. He refused to waver, refused to show any change in emotion. "She escaped," he finally said.

"How."

Mako wiggled a bit and noticed how he was tied to a chair, his arms twisted uncomfortably and wrapped in the same rope they used to bind Korra. The words "Avatar Intuition," crawled up his throat like unwanted bile, and he swallowed them and said, "It seems I underestimated her."

Amon took a step forward. "I see." He leaned down, his mask inches away, but his eyes were shadows, buried beneath his ideals. "What did she say to you, I wonder?"

Mako's heart skipped a beat.

Amon placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll get another chance."

The word exploded from his mouth like a puff of smoke. "Huh?" He bit his tongue so hard it bled as retribution. stupid stupid stupid he thought.

Amon stood back up, turning his back, half his body lost in the shadows. "Soon enough—she'll be ours."

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Korra studied her hand carefully. The wrappings around her fingers were thin but rough, and she wondered what good they would do in practice. She held both hands up, the backs of her palms floating in Tahno's vision. "Tahno, how exactly are these supposed to help?" she asked slowly. Her face contorted into an incredulous expression as she played with some of the limp strands that hung loose and tickled her forearms.

Tahno sighed. He reached over and with a quick tug, the excess wrappings were gone. "Because after an entire week of tiring healing sessions," he flipped his hair out of his eye, "which by the way, you're welcome." he ignored the little sneer on her face and continued, "it's probably a good idea to make sure you don't re-break those delicate fingers of yours."

Korra sputtered, taking a jump back. She puffed out her chest and jutted out her lip out in a pout. "I am not delicate!" She wiggled her arm around in Tahno's face. "And I don't need these!" Her eyes challenged his words and she reached for the tape before Tahno grabbed her by the elbow, rolling his eyes.

"Relax will you?" He gave her just the slightest push as he let go, but she didn't budge. "Geez, you're so melodramatic."

"Now listen here, chump, I—"

"Ooh. Chump. I'm shaking over here."

"If you think you're shaking now, just wait until I shove my foot up your—"

"KORRRRRRRAAAA!"

The two benders were nose to nose, Korra's eyes bright with frustration, Tahno's cool with amusement. "What!" they both cried.

Bolin shrugged off his warm up bag, ignoring his bickering teammates—it was nothing new. He finished the last bite of his apple before he tossed it in the air. From his shoulders, Pabu scurried into the air and caught it, landing on the floor after a well executed flip. Bolin flashed the ferret a thumbs up before he reached into his bag and retrieved his helmet. "You guys can finish killing each other later—right now we have to practice."

Tahno smirked as he watched Korra huff, a small trail of fire spurting from her nostrils. But his face melted into shock as the flames rose and licked the edges of his hair, singing the longest strand. Korra laughed at his outrage, before dashing away, throwing a long whip of fire in his direction.

The two started sparring, flames clashing into waves until they disintegrated. Bolin adjusted the straps of his helmet, ignoring the argument. He turned to his head to the fire ferret. "Feels a little crooked. What do you think, Pabu?" Behind him, the fight escalated, the two throwing around more than just elements.

"That all you got, pretty boy?"

"Bring it on, little girl."

Swoosh!

"KORRA! "

Bolin turned around at Tahno's cry. He watched with mild amusement as Korra had fallen to the ground, her hands wrapped around her stomach as she drowned in a fit of laughs. Tahno repeatedly bent water from the nearby trough and splashed it on his hair, patting it to let the flickers of embers fade away.

Bolin grinned. This was the fifth time she'd set Tahno's hair on fire.

He walked over to her. "Korra," he sung, his hands behind his back. "How many times are we going to have to tell you? No firebending shots to the head."

She lifted her head, her body still shaking with laughter. A poor excuse of a frown kept flickering on her face as she tried to appear upset. "I never did like that one—why does Tahno get to hit people in the head?"

Tahno wrung the water from his hair, a scowl on his face. He patted the top a few more times before he rolled his eyes. "To kill the brain cells of people like you."

She was too amused to be offended. Bolin came up and slung an arm around her, ruffling her hair up as he flashed her a bright smile. His smile faded however, when he took sight at her hand. He bumped her hip with his. "How are the hands?"

Still in their wrappings, Korra curled her fist, the pain almost nonexistent. "Almost good as new—I'll be fine for the tournament."

The smile returned. "Atta girl, that's what I like to hear!" He snuck a hand behind his back, watching carefully as she went back to sending glares Tahno's way. "Now about that penalty,"

He took a step back, discretely bending a disk from the side of the room.

"Think fast!"

The disk came hurling her way, and she managed to dive under a bench before the disk brushed past her, shattering into pieces as it hit the wall. "Bo! No head shots!" she screeched, her anger lost in the bubbling of her giggles.

Bolin shrugged. "What? We aren't in the tournament yet."

Korra stood, tugging at her bandages. "That's not good advice coming from our captain."

Another shrug. "That's the beauty of being captain." He threw another one at her head. "You have to listen to me; not the other way around."

Korra rubbed her hands together, embers and sparks flickering before flames burst to life in her palms. "Alright then," her eyes slid to Tahno, his stance ready. "Bring it."

"Good evening Republic City: This is Amon."

A pair of earth disks shattered into the floor.

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"I OBJECT."

Four out of five council members whipped their heads to the disturbance—three teenagers who had just busted down the door in order to make some kind of elaborate entrance. Tenzin, however, immediately bowed his head, rubbing his temple to sooth the all-too-rushing headache.

"Here we go," the airbender mumbled.

Tarrlok was the first to speak. "Avatar Korra. What are you doing here?"

She huffed, throwing her hands on her hips. "I'm here to save you from doing something stupid."

Tenzin buried his face in his hands. "Spirits," He hissed.

Councilman Tarrlok's eyes narrowed in offense. "And that would be?" He asked testily.

Korra threw an accusing finger Tenzin's way. "I already know what he's decided, but I'm here to tell you: you can't shut down the arena!"

Tenzin stood tall, his eyes wide with rage. "Korra, this is ridiculous! Did you hear the radio broadcast?"

Slowly, her hand went limp.

Her teammates watched as her posture slumped. It started with her shoulders and ended at her knees—slightly bent with weak stance. She stared at the ground, her mouth open, shaking, begging the right words to spill out to save their chances at the championship.

But she was struck useless with fear again, and the man with the red dotted mask haunted her mind.

"Shut down the arena"

Korra squeezed her eyes shut. No.

"It's time for benders to experience fear."

Tighter.

"I will destroy you."

"NO!"

She fell ungracefully to her knees. Hands over her eyes, she doubled over, her forehead inches away from the floor.

The whole room looked on, shocked. Bolin glanced to Tahno; his expression was of that of confusion; he felt Bolin's eyes and shrugged in response. Tenzin hopped from his seat and jogged toward her as the young earthbender leaned down and pressed a hand to the small of her back. "K-Korra?"

Korra breathed in and out; she wasn't shaking—not yet. But she felt uncomfortably warm, suffocated with avatar expectations, traps and tricks, and Amon and his equalists.

Equalists.

"Benders do more harm than good…and that made it okay."

She parted her lips, her breath hotter than she could imagine. Her voice itched and scratched, his name begging to roll of her tongue. She wanted to shout it, to scream it, to prove that the equalists were not indestructible.

"Ma—Ma,"

A worried Tenzin grabbed Korra by the shoulders and had her sit up. "Korra?" he asked softly.

"I'm sorry," she breathed. She looked up and spotted great concern on her teammates face, even Tahno's. She shook her head quickly back and forth before looking at Tenzin and offering an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry."

Tenzin scanned her briefly. "I know you've been under a lot of stress lately," he focused on her hands, which he was aware received the greatest injuries in her recent capture and escape. "But you, of all people, should understand how dangerous Amon is."

Korra looked past Tenzin and noticed the sneer on Tarrlok's face. The councilman met Korra's gaze and gave a condescending smirk. "The Avatar was foolish in thinking Amon would fight fairly. To challenge him so brashly on the radio? Tenzin, we've made a decision—do not let the Avatar's naivety change your mind."

Korra bore her teeth in a snarl. She stood up, her muscles tense with anger. Tahno and Bolin grabbed her by the elbows as she lunged forward. "Why you little—"

Snap!

The room full of heads turned to the entranceway.

"Spirits, don't tell me this is how all your meeting go, Tenzin."

Tenzin adjusted the collar of his robes. "Lin, what are you doing here?"

The metal cable retracted back into her suit. "I've known you for years." She pointed to the assembled council. "And I had a feeling you'd wuss out." She briefly regarded the Avatar—the young girl looked pale and tired; nothing compared to the brash young girl that had been arrested for destroying and causing mayhem about town. Not to mention she kicked that new private in the face in the process.

But Lin had heard from Tenzin about the Avatar's duel and subsequent capture. She had gone to Aang Memorial Island alone—something Lin told Tenzin he shouldn't have allowed from the start—and Amon's minions were ready and there to capture her. She was only missing for a day, reappearing, busted and bruised into the streets hours later.

But as she watched the Avatar lean wearily against the stocky, green-eyed young man, she noticed the change, the drain. For a moment, a bolt of doubt flashed across her mind, questioning what she was about to do. Amon had already gotten the Avatar—he taunted her and while he could have taken her bending away—he didn't. But then she remembered her own strength, or own determination and ideas and reaffirmed her confidence.

"You should allow the arena to stay open. Have you not remembered my metal benders? I have more than enough to patrol the areas inside and out to add to the already existing security."

Tenzin opened his mouth in protest, but Tarrlok was quicker. "Why should I listen to you, Chief Beifong?"

"Because!" Bolin cried. "Think about it! Benders come together and beat the shit out of each other! Now if that isn't something everyone can enjoy, then I don't know what is."

Lin fought to roll her eyes and succeeded. She heard Tahno snort and Korra squeaked something indiscernible. "We will not let equalists into the game."

Tenzin watched as a smile bloomed on Tarrlok's face. It churned the insides of his stomach uncomfortably. "Are you insuring the safety of all attendees at the game?"

Tenzin knew that look. It was one of manipulation, one he saw thrown to Korra several times when he was trying to get her to join the task force. He hoped that for a second, Lin would see past it and realize he was baiting her—but as he watched as her eyes narrowed and her nose turned upward, he knew she was aware.

The only problem was she was Lin Beifong and she had just accepted a challenge.

"Of course."

Tarrlok returned to the remainder of the council. "Chief Beifong brings up a strong point. Her record is impeccable…I move to keep the arena open. All in favor?"

Tenzin watched as three hands slowly rose into the air.

Tarrlok clapped his hands, rubbing his palms together. "Excellent!" he moved towards the chief, his hand outstretched to welcome a handshake, but the chief tensed, taking a step back. Tarrlok's devious smile didn't falter. "Very well. You got your wish, Ms. Beifong."

"Chief," she corrected with an almost hiss as he walked past her, heading for the tall golden doors.

His words tickled her ear as he passed. "Of course."

Bolin's bright smile returned as he grabbed Korra and Tahno into a tight hug. "Isn't this great! We're back in, baby!" he dropped them unceremoniously on the floor, leaving Tahno to scowl as he adjusted his shirt. His grey eyes slid to Korra. "I don't know about you, uh-vatar, but—whoa."

Bolin stopped his cheering and whipped around, staring at the deflated firebending teammate before him. She slumped and sagged, her hand pathetically wrapped around her upper arm. "Korra?" he whispered.

Tahno scratched the back of his head, rolling the kinks out before his hand dropped to the side, a groan escaping his lips. "Come on, no more sulking—there's no reason to, not anymore."

Korra regarded him briefly. "But the equalists—"

He held up a hand. "You heard Beifong. She'll handle things. But in the meantime I think it's about time I did something—" he feigned absolute disgust. "nice for you."

Bolin and Korra simultaneously snorted in disbelief. The earthbender nudged her in the gut. "Okay, it's official—you setting Tahno's hair on fire are killing some brain cells."

Korra smacked him back. "Sshh! Don't interrupt!" Both boys were happy to see her normalcy returning. "You were saying, darling?" she mocked.

"Well. sweetheart, how about I take you all out for dinner?"

Korra clapped her hands together. "Narooks?"

Tahno stroked his chin. "I was thinking something a bit classier."

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"Boliiiiiiin."

"Aw, what's wrong?"

"Heeeeeeelp."

Bolin chuckled as he finished buttoning up his vest. He turned in the mirror, checking all angles of himself before he licked his thumb, running the finger along the single curl that rested on forehead. He flashed himself a charming smile. "Sorry, Korra, I'm a little busy right now."

"Bo!"

He laughed harder. "Alright, calm down!" He tore himself from the mirror and peeked up the stairs toward the loft. "Whatcha need?"

Her head came into view as she leaned down the railing, her hair, freshly curled, hung in her face. "Tahno's an asshole." she remarked, making squeaks and grumbles as he heard her fidget. He climbed the stairs slowly.

"Well, yeah, but what do you need?"

"Uh, I just—w-wait, one second!" Her flustered voice had him freeze. He heard her curse as she stubbed her toes and he finally made the top of the stairs just as she dove behind his bed.

Confusion mixed with amusement. "Korra, what are you doing, get up!"

She shook her head, hair swaying. "It's too small."

"Huh?"

She started to stand slowly. "And—and too low."

He padded to the bed, "Korra what are you—wow."

Her hands keep pulling at her hair, her dress. She kept turning and slouching, trying to pull her dress up. But as he watched her cower in embarrassment he was moonstruck with her appearance.

Tahno always had good taste—he noticed that when he put on his own set of clothes he had sent over. Her dress sparkled; it was a new trend Bolin noticed in the windows whenever he was downtown. He noticed why Korra thought him an asshole—the dress wasn't exactly conservative. While long in length, the back dipped terribly long, and the front wasn't much better. A small slit ran up the side and ended at her knee, and he noticed she wasn't wearing shoes yet. The blue of the dress matched the single blue hair clip in her hair and-

She was beautiful.

Bolinthrew his arms out wide in a grand gesture. "Korra, you look amazing!"

She whined.

"That pervert—have you seen my boobs in this?"

Bolin's cheeks went very, very red.

She caught her mistake. "Don't answer that." She sighed. She turned around and lifted her hair up. "Could you finish getting the zipper? I almost got it but I think it got caught…"

Bolin smoothed his sweaty palms onto his trousers before coughing awkwardly. "Uh, yeah, sure." He bunched the fabric in his hands ( she was right, there wasn't much room to bunch) and tried to tug it free. After a few tries and a curse word later, Korra sighed in relief as the zipper went up.

"Thanks!" She cheered. She turned back around, a sly smirk on her face. "You don't look so bad yourself."

He slicked his hair back. "I do what I can." She took a step forward, her breath tickling his face as she adjusted the color of his shirt. "It was nice of Tahno to buy us these clothes—but tell me again why we need them?" she asked.

He took a step back, his hands thrown in the air in excitement. "Because! This isn't some noodle shop. We're going to Kuang's!"

A slender brow rose. "So?"

Bolin sighed.

He grabbed her by the hand and sat her in a chair in the corner of the loft. He grabbed the brush she had so carelessly dropped on the floor and began carefully brushing, occasionally twisting and spinning to try and sophisticate her hairdo. "You'll like it, I promise! I've only ever been there, like…twice. And both times it was with our old team and Tahno's fangirls. But this time I've got a hot lovely Avatar as my date!"

"What if I want to go with Tahno?" She asked teasingly and she heard him suck in a breath.

"You'd never," he exaggerated.

She smacked her lips together, humming. "You're right—not after he picked this dress, of all choices."

Bolin finished twisting her hair in a half up, half down look. "Ta-da! You look even better, now that you've got the Bolin touch."

She spun herself around, leaning her forearms against the back of the chair. "Where'd you learn to do hair anyhow?"

"Tahno." Bolin answered, and Korra howled. When she stopped long enough to hear, he finished, "But really; I've seen enough pretty girls around town to know what's in style."

"Mmm," she murmured, standing up. She picked up a hand mirror and smiled. "Well, it looks wonderful, thank you."

He winked. "Of course." He made her stand up. "Now, give us a twirl."

"Bolin, it's just you."

"Twirl."

She groaned. She stood out of what she thought was harms way—clear of the chair and his bed. But the dress was too long without her shoes and she wasn't use to the slinky fabric and she tripped.

She hadn't managed to get far enough from the bedside table, apparently.

She fell harshly on her bum, her back grazing the wooden knob of the drawer. The old playbook from earlier that season was disturbed and fell into her lap, along with a very familiar pair of glasses.

Green glasses.

"Aw, shit," Bolin grumbled as he slid over to Korra's side. "I should have put those away." He tried to gently take the goggles from her hands. "Sorry, I'm sure those things are the last things you want to see right now."

She pulled them closer to her.

"No, no," she breathed, her lungs suddenly heavy. "It's fine."

Bolin watched as she gripped the goggles, the veins of her hands bulging out. "Hey, Kor?" She looked up, eyes wild. He swallowed, nervous, but continued, "How did you escape?"

Her thumbs slid against the inside of the lenses—she left fingerprints and smudges, which matched the somewhat haggard condition of the straps. She took a deep breath. "Someone…"

Korra paused.

A small smile turned the corner of her lips up, her eyes crinkled as she drifted through her memories. She handed Bolin the goggles—Mako's goggles—and shrugged her shoulders. "Someone slipped up."

He grinned. "Ah, someone wasn't careful huh?" Bolin stood up and extended his hand in help, which she took.

"Something like that. I got an opening and—and, well I took it."

Bolin laughed a hearty laugh. "Aha! I knew those equalists weren't as sly as they thought they were! Thought they could pull the wool over Team Avatar, did they! Well, someone's about to get a rude awakening at the tournament!"

Korra put on a shell of a smile as she followed Bolin down the stairs; she nodded at the appropriate times as he babbled on about how Amon was going to fail at his attack. He kept emphasizing someone: someone won't get away with it, someone won't get the best of her, someone won't surprise her again.

She swallowed, images of ember eyes pricking in the back of her mind.

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"I still don't understand why you didn't let me drive." Korra pouted, bumping Tahno lightly with her hip. Tahno dangled his set of keys in her face.

"Simple. Last time I tried to teach you to drive you put it in reverse and hit another car."

Korra threw her hands up exasperatedly. "That was one time! The first time, actually! I got the hang of that gear lever after that."

"Gear stick."

"Whatever."

Bolin pushed himself in the front, almost skipping to get to the table. He pulled Korra's chair out, and in a horrible accent said, "After you, Miss Avatar."

She rolled her eyes and punched him in the shoulder, but took his offer anyway. Bolin bit his lip to keep from yelping and he rubbed his shoulder as he took his seat beside her and across from Tahno.

Korra lifted her head back, her mouth parted in awe. She had never seen something so fancy. There were huge oil paintings on the walls, a few statues in the corners, and above each table, including their own, was an intricate chandelier. She was pretty sure her chair was lined with velvet as well. She stared at Tahno, his face partially hidden behind the long and tall menu he was looking at. "Are you sure you can afford a place like this, Tahno?"

The menu slowly slid down, a smirk on his face. His eyes quickly darted to the corner of the room and he bobbed his head in that direction. "I may not have as much money as her but I can assure you I can afford it just fine. Besides, it won't matter after we win the pot tomorrow."

Korra craned her neck for a better look. From afar he spotted a rather tall woman with pale skin and long black hair. She was pretty sure her eyes were the lightest mint green and even from all the way in her seat Korra could tell she probably had more eyelashes than everyone in Republic City combined.

"Who is that?" she asked.

Bolin waited for the waiter to set down their glasses of water. "That's Asami Sato: the drop-dead gorgeous heiress of Future Industries."

"Her dad invented the cars you fail to drive," Tahno chimed in.

Korra ignored the backhanded comment. "Do you guys know her?"

Bolin and Tahno shared knowing looks. "Kind of," they said together. They started to laugh a little and Korra continued to steal glances at Asami, curious.

"Well, what does that mean?"

Bolin leaned in toward Korra. "Back in the day…before I got into probending…Tahno and I were part of this…would you call it illegal?"

Tahno smiled. "Oh, it was most definitely illegal."

"Alright then," he continued, "Illegal underground racing ring."

Korra sputtered on her drink; she coughed and pounded on her chest and in seconds, two waiters had run over, ready to help her. She held up a hand to signal she was alright and once she was calm she hissed, "what."

Bolin shrugged. "I had to make a living somehow—I joined Tahno's team. I didn't drive or anything, just worked on the cars. That's how we met, actually," he pointed between the two of them. "Cut a few years into the future, add a little persuasion, and I eventually got him to join the Fire Ferrets!"

Korra looked back to Asami again. "Yeah, but that doesn't explain how you—"

"Girl won everything," Tahno explained. "Shouldn't be any surprise she's the best damn driver in the entire city. She was in every race, and she was by far the fastest. The Sato knows her stuff."

A teasing glint twinkled in her eye. "Oh, so she kicked your butt huh?"

"Hmmph."

As dinner was served and her teammates went back to discussing probending, Korra would occasionally look back at the Heiress. She was alone, and she thought that odd. Halfway through the courses, Korra watched as mint green caught her gaze.

Asami smiled at her.

Embarrassed for getting caught she looked away. But out of the corner of her eyes she saw Asami call a waiter over and whisper something in his ear. Seconds later the waiter appeared before the Fire Ferret table.

"Miss Avatar, Miss Sato has invited you to her table; she would like to meet you."

Wide-eyed, she looked to Bolin and Tahno—they shrugged. "You're the Avatar," Tahno said simply. "Of course she wants to meet you."

Korra took a deep breath and stood slowly, careful not to trip on the train of her dress. She followed the waiter, trying not to hobble in her shoes. Asami greeted her with a warm smile.

"Hello, Avatar Korra! I'm Asami Sato." She scooted to the edge of the circular booth to make room for her, "If you'd like, I invite you to sit."

Korra tried not to twiddle her thumbs in awkwardness. "Thanks," she said and took a seat. A waiter came by and placed two dessert plates in front of her. Korra opened her mouth in objection, "Oh, I'm sorry but—"

Asami laid a hand over Korra's. "Don't worry about it, my treat!" Korra smiled back and picked up her fork, and took a bite.

The girls sat in momentary silence before Asami said, "I'm really excited for the tournament tomorrow—I've been rooting for the Fire Ferrets all season, even before you became the firebender replacement."

"Really?" she said, her mouth full of food. She almost rolled her eyes at her blatant lack of manners and she felt her cheeks turn pink as she swallowed her food. "I mean, is that so?"

Asami giggled. She took a bite of food and. without chewing, said, "Aw yeah, I'm a huge fan."

They both laughed.

The waiter appeared once more. "My apologies Miss Sato, Miss Avatar, but your father has arrived—he's in the private room in the back, if you'd like to join him."

Asami wiped her mouth on a napkin. "Yes, thank you." She stood to leave, turning to Korra. "Actually, would you like to accompany me? I'm sure my father would love to meet you."

"Your dad's…Hiroshi Sato, right?"

She nodded. "Yeah. He even picked out that model Councilman Tarrlok gave you when he wanted you to join the task force."

Korra winced at the memories, and Asami noticed. "Oh, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"

"Nah, it's fine. I'd love to meet him, thank you, Asami."

Korra followed Asami into the back of the restaurant. The lighting got dimmer and they kept walking until they met a grand door in the back of the hall, a faint Future Industries crest hanging above the door. Asami didn't knock and walked right in.

"Hey, dad."

Korra watched as a portly man with glasses leaned hunched over, talking quietly and intensely with another man. They were sitting across from each other, giving Korra a clear view of Hiroshi, but not the other person. Hiroshi looked surprised as his head whipped up, but soon a soft smile grew on his face.

"Oh, hello, sweetie. Sorry, I was just talking about the hood design for next year's model—can't seem to get it right." Korra and Asami watched as he shoved blueprints into a folder. Hiroshi's grin grew at the sight of Korra. "I see you've made a new friend. A pleasure, Avatar Korra."

The young man considerably stiffened. Korra's eyes narrowed, skeptic, as he suddenly hunched over, not turning around. But Hiroshi patted the young man on the back and spun him around. "Avatar Korra, I'd like you to meet an associate of mine—"

Blue met gold.

"Mako."

Korra stared—that's all she could do. Stare. She searched him over for what felt like a hundred times. She traced the outline of his hairstyle, counted the gold flecks in his eyes. His face was bruised by the right temple but above all, she traced the scorch marks of his scar from his cheek down his neck.

This was him.

"Avatar Korra," Mako said shortly, snippy. He stood abruptly, throwing a hand out for her to shake. She just kept staring, taking notice of how knobby his knuckles were, just like hers.

Asami bumped her ever so slightly. She forced herself out of her trance and took his hand, giving it one firm shake. She almost jumped back, the touch searing.

Korra didn't know why.

He kept looking at her, his expression unreadable. Asami and Hiroshi were talking, laughing and sharing stories, but Mako kept looking at her.

That's when it hit her: A wave of terror and fear that shook her, just like it did at City Hall. But this time was different. Before her was her captor, yet her savior. He was the enemy, but still he had saved her. Did he change? Was he working for the equalists as a spy now? Was it all a trick?

She looked into his, but all she found was fire.

She didn't know what to do.

What was going on?

Her breaths had grown quick and short, her chest heaving as she struggled for air. She was shaky and woozy and she felt dainty hands wrap around her arms. "Oh, goodness, are you alright Korra?"

She couldn't answer; she felt faint.

Asami turned to her father. "Let me just—"

Hiroshi looked on, worried. "Of course."

Asami led her back to her table, whispering soothing words. The heiress figured her condition was due to championship jitters, and she whispered how, "those no good, dirty West Lake Pig Chickens didn't stand a chance."

Bolin was the first to notice them. He jumped from his seat, disturbing a plate, but he didn't care. "What happened?" he cried alarmed. He took the distressed Avatar from Asami's arms and held her close so she wouldn't fall.

Asami shrugged, worry etched across her face. "I don't know—I introduced her to my father and before we were talking about the championships and then—she just!"

Korra started shaking, as if she had chills. Tahno noticed Bolin's struggle to calm her, as well as the growing alarm of the rest of the restaurant. Whispers and cries for the Avatar started growing louder. He rushed over and picked Korra up, bunching the train of her dress under her knees. He had Bolin stand up and he shoved her a bit roughly into his arms. "Take her to your place now."

Bolin nodded ignoring the other customers' cries as he kicked the door open and walked quickly in the direction of his apartment above the arena.

Tahno sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. Korra was always a handful. He fished into his pocket, and retrieved his wallet. He was about to set the money on the table when a manicured hand stopped him.

"No, please," she pushed her own money on the table. "I feel like somehow this was all my fault," she bit her quivering lip. "Tell Korra, I'm sorry, alright?"

Tahno nodded. "I'm sure it wasn't anything you did—but thank you." he bowed.

As the door chimed open and Tahno walked into the cool night, he heard Asami call, "Good Luck tomorrow!"

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"Please put me down. I'm dying of embarrassment over here."

Bolin regarded her with a worried stare. With a sigh, he finally gave in to her constant request and set her down—but he looped his arm with hers.

"Just to be sure," he explained, and Korra smiled softly. He head bumped against his shoulder and rested there as they walked down the streets.

"Hey, Bolin?"

"Yeah?"

"...Maybe having the championship isn't the best idea after all."

He stopped, jerking her back. "What? That's what's got you in a twist? Amon's silly little threat?"

Korra frowned. "It's not silly! In case you haven't noticed I've already been captured!"

"But you got away!" he protested.

His brother flashed through her mind, scar and all. "But that was only because he—"

She stopped herself just in time.

Bolin weaved his fingers through hers. "Only because he what?" he pressed gently.

She yanked her hand away, taking quick and long strides to get ahead. "Forget it," she grumbled.

He had to jog to catch up with her. "Whoa, whoa, hey!" he grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her towards him. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." They went back to a slow paced walk. "But I really think you should trust Lin Beifong—I know you've only met her once, and that was when you got arrested," she glared, and he ignored it, "But I've lived here my entire life! I know what she can do." He puffed out his chest. "After all, I am going to be one of her metalbenders one day."

Korra was genuinely surprised—she never pegged Bolin as one to join the Force. "Why?"

He shrugged. "After living all my life on the streets, being surrounded by all this crime and hate," he grimaced. "I mean, my parents—"

Korra pulled him into a hug. "Hey, shh, don't. It's alright."

She felt him shake, but he didn't cry. He took a few breaths before he stood straight, his happy-go-lucky smile back on his face. "I'm going to make sure those things don't happen to other kids, you know?"

Korra smiled. "I think that's really great Bo." They walked in quiet, making jabs and trying to push each other in the street playfully. But one part of Bolin's story was missing and after everything that had happened, she was dying to know.

She had to know.

"Hey, Bolin? Can I ask you something?"

He laughed, nudging her shoulder. "You just did." He noticed her serious composure. "'course. What's up?"

She took a deep breath. "What happened to your brother?"

His face fell and he looked away. "Korra—"

"Bolin, please."

"I've already told you."

She shook her head. "Not really."

He looked at her, angry. Angry. Bolin would sometimes get irritated and frustrated but he never got angry. And quite frankly, it scared her the way he looked at her.; eyes bright with malice, glowing green, just like those goggles.

Just like his brother's damn goggles.

"He's dead," he spat. "Just like my parents okay? The one person I thought I could hold onto after being thrown in the streets, after my parents were killed, and he left too."

Korra flinched away. "Are…are you sure?"

His hands flew in the air. "Of course I'm sure! One day, he left to go to work. He told me what he was doing—something dangerous—and I couldn't come along." Korra watched as he dug into the collar of his shirt, ripping open the buttons of his vest and jacket, until he pulled out worn, red scarf. He shoved it under her nose. "He wrapped this around me and told me to stay safe, stay warm, and he'd be back by morning."

Tears swelled in his eyes.

"But he wasn't, and then I was alone. He would have come back, Korra. But he didn't—so, yeah, he's dead."

Korra watched as he brought the scarf to his face—he covered his mouth, and patted his eyes dry. "I'm sorry." he whispered to her, before pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry."

She buried her face into shoulder, into the scarf—it smelled like cinder mixed with pine needles. "No, Bolin—I'm sorry."

He chuckled, smoothing her hair before he placed a light kiss on the top of her head. "You've got nothing to be sorry for—you're only my best friend. I can't blame you for wanting to know."

She sighed, breathing in once more. This time, she smelled the ocean. "So, you really think Lin can handle this."

He chuckled, thankful for the distraction. "Baby, Lin's got this shit! Just you wait—we'll be holding that championship trophy in no time!"

She snuggled closer to him. "No equalists?"

He shook his head. "No equalists. Now come on back to my house—we can have a sleepover!"

Korra laughed.

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Hiroshi waited for Asami to leave. He eyed Mako curiously. "What was that all about?"

Mako shrugged, refusing eye contact. "Beats me." Hirsohi narrowed his eyes.

"Amon said you guarded the Avatar before she escaped—she didn't recognize you…right?"

Mako turned slowly, that practiced calm expression on his face. "I was in uniform, she never saw my face," he lied. His hand went up to pat his hair. "Maybe I just looked familiar to her."

Hiroshi nodded slowly, retrieving the documents from the folder—it wasn't a hood design, but rather his improvements to one of his newest inventions—the electric glove. "Ah, saw some of that Fire Ferret Captain in you, huh?"

Mako froze.

Hiroshi laughed at his reaction. "Thought no one knew, did you? But yes, I'm well aware of your little street rat brother."

Mako didn't say anything.

He watched as Hiroshi pulled a device out of his bag He briefly looked around and toward the door before he handed it to Mako under the table. It was a new electroglove, fresh out of production, free of flaws. The others were in the warehouses, ready to be distributed.

"There you go—packs a lot more power, easier to use. You're already aware of the timeline and your station, so I won't get into that. But Mako?"

Mako stared at the glove.

"Do remember which side you're on. Remember who your family is now—understand?"

Mako nodded slowly.

"Good. Tomorrow, The Revelation will begin!"

Mako put the glove on, flexing his fingers—it certainly fit better. The glove was brown and bulky, with a small green circle—the same color as Bolin's eyes.

He fired the thing to life—electricity cackled and sparked, white hot with shades of blue.

Avatar Korra.

Suddenly, his mission didn't seem so simple anymore.

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I MADE A FEW CHANGES:

Okay, like one.

I changed Korra's line from the first part from "We won the championships?" into "We're in the ruinning for the championships?" to make it work. That's it.

I'm really sorry okay?

Yeah here's part two wheeeee okay i'm done.