"Bolin! Wake up!"
"Ahhh! What! Ughh..."
Said younger brother was startled out of his slumber by the pillow being thrown at him, "C'mon," Mako scolded, "You're gonna be late for practice! You're the captain, and you live here, so you don't have an excuse! What would your teammates think?"
"That they have better things to do than humiliate themselves..." Bolin muttered into his pillow, the feathers squashing his words.
"What?" Mako asked, "You know I can't hear you when you mumble. Come on, up!"
Bolin groaned, "Alright!" he exclaimed, turning upright in an annoyed huff, "Spirits, not everyone rises with the sun like you!"
"The sun's not even up yet."
"Then why in the world am I?!" he threw his pillow back.
"Because you're determined to achieve what you want. Hurry up; I made breakfast, and it'll get cold if you aren't fast."
"Yeah..." he sighed, rubbing his eyes, "Thanks, Mako."
Mako kissed Bolin's head quickly, "No problem. Eat it all, and I'll see you after work. Have a good day!" he called as he went down stairs, "Love you!"
"Love you, too!"
Bolin glanced around wearily at their empty bedroom as Pabu chirped. "Hey, buddy..." he scratched the ferret behind the ears, "Let's see how long it takes to break something in the training room today, huh? Hopefully the net won't catch fire like last week." Bolin blew a breath of air our of his lips with a pop.
"This should be reeeeaaaalllll fun."
.
One week later, his humiliation is slapped on the front cover of the 'Republic City Times' in bold print for the world see: 'Fire Ferrets' fastest knockout in Pro-bending history. They sure don't make Ferrets like they used to. "Fresh and Juicy" is now all washed out.'
Down a few inches, is Mako's triumphant face, donned in sparking Police badge, and off to the side, Zolt's vengeful scowl behind metal bars, is printed in glossy 15 by 22in ink.
It's the same day Mako gets his raise, a note taped to the kitchen sink says he's going out to dinner with the guys at the station in celebration.
Coincidentally the same day- or questionably so- the Waterbender and Firebender drop thier gear at the door to the apartment, deeming to have quit 'this sports thing.'
He bids them goodbye before slamming the door with a forced smile on his face. Good riddance, the bitter part of him says.
He looks at the night sky, declaring Mako not due to be back from 'dinner with the guys' until about seven, and goes out into the streets, high on shame and anger, and his inferiority complex.
He destroys every newspaper he finds.
Bolin loved his brother more than life itself, that much was certain.
His love and gratitude for Mako could not be put into words.
But things kept adding up, what with his now nonexistent team, and Mako's steadily increasing success as a cop- Bolin felt like more of a failure than he ever did in his life.
It wasn't that he didn't know Mako loved him, because he did. And it wasn't like he wasn't happy for his brother, because he was. With his whole heart in soul, Bolin was proud for his brother. So proud in fact, because for the first time in thier lives, Mako was happy. So happy and actually living life, instead of just breathing.
With all the hell they've been through, Boin knew Mako deserved this. Mako deserved this job and success, and he deserved Korra, and all this promise that these things brought for his future when life use to mean nothing but trying to see the next morning.
Mako and Korra and Asami were so happy, and life seemed to be showing all of them great opportunity.
So Bolin didn't know what he was doing wrong.
He wished someone would come along and give him a sign. Point in a direction and say, 'There, there, it's alright. Just start here, and going in 'this' direction. You'll figure it out soon enough.'
But that's what parents were for. What brothers were for.
And lately he wasn't sure if he ever had the latter anymore.
He just wished someone could tell him what he was supposed to be feeling.
He didn't understand why he felt so sad and alone, when all his friends were so happy.
Shouldn't he be happy, too?
He felt selfish. He felt selfish and dirty and useless and alone and sad.
But he was supposed to be happy.
Then why wasn't he?
.
He got home that night, his hands stained with ink, and fingers stinging with cuts from mauling newspapers, to find Mako back from his dinner, sitting on the couch.
Mako shown question in his gaze when his amber eyes met Bolin's messy hands, and the older boy's smile dripped regret and pity when he turned away from the bending helmets that lay upside-down by the table.
Mako didn't verbally ask, so Bolin gave no answer.
The silence between them was unusually stiff, and Bolin slowly moved to wash his hands in the sink, wincing slighting when the water hit the paper cuts.
Mako cleared his throat awkwardly, "I brought you back some dinner. It's in the fridge. Some spicy roast duck."
Bolin kept washing his hands. "Thanks."
Silence, Mako cautious with watching the stiffness of his brother's back and the grim tone of his voice.
"Want me to warm it up for you?"
"No thanks." Water off, "Not hungry. Just gonna turn in early."
Mako sighed and gazed over at the helmets again, the ripped up paper in the garbage gaining his own share of feelings from the newly infamous headline.
"Bo...Wanna talk about it?" he asked, concern palpable.
"You should shower now before the water gets turned off for the night. Toza said there's been a problem with the plumbing."
Pabu gives a sad little squeak and runs up Mako's arm.
Another sigh and pitying face, "It wasn't your fault, you know. You tried your best. Talk to me, Bo. Ignoring it isn't gonna make it go away."
"That's not what you thought or told me when Mom and Dad died."
The words are hot and merciless, but leave his mouth like a Spirit.
He can hear Mako's sharp intake of breath, practically feel Mako's heart fall a bit.
He smiles slightly, from where his back is turned. And somehow, he doesn't regret his words.
"Bolin..."
"I'm tired. I'll see you in the morning. Or maybe not, considering justice never sleeps."
Bolin turn on his heels, heading up stairs to his bedroom before he has time to see or hear Mako's reaction.
Mako's smiling face stains his mind like ink in his dreams, and the light from his badge blinds him like fire.
He falls into a laughing, booing crowed of people that chew him up, thier eyes shining like spotlights, and he tries to crawl into the Pro-bending field, but its turned to water and he's 'all washed up'!
He wakes up in a cold sweat, the night sky black against the back of his salty eyelids.
He springs from the bed, and goes into the gym.
In anger, he chucks earth disks at the wall until his knuckles start to bleed, and a concerning sized dent makes him control himself.
It's the first night he feels the envy-fueled monster rise up inside him, and it wouldn't be the last.
For the first time ever, he hates the color green.
"If war comes upon us, it will come as a thief in the night."
-Eamon de Valera
Ten Years ago: Republic City, Central City Station. Midnight
Shu looked up with a twist of his lips as the huge clock's bell echoed around the station, signaling the darkest hour of the night. He gazed ahead as a figure slowly dipped out of the shadows, amber eyes piercing through the darkness.
"On Ji."
The shadowed man stepped closer, pushing back his hood, reveling razer-sharp amber orbs, and raven-hair. He stretched out his hand, creating a crackle of red-orange pulsing flames, illuminating his body with an eerie light. A red tattoo in the shape of a dragon inked his right shoulder, seen from where the wind tussled his cloak, and a faint scar nicked the edge of his left eyebrow.
The said man smiled a charismatic grin that dripped evil pleasure. "That is what they call me." he cracked his neck, "Did you bring the yuans?"
"No." Shu said simply, and On Ji's smile twitched.
"I pegged you as an honest man, Shu." The Firebender taunted,"Never one to go back on a his word, especially with a request such as this. Perhaps I underestimated you."
"Oh, make no mistake, On Ji, you will get your reward." Shu stated, the wind around them silencing, "But not until you complete your task, and I see to it that is was done properly." Shu flicked his wrist, and the Firebenders's flame fizzled out, the bones in his fingers and wrist flinching painfully. "Take me for foolish again, and I make your yuans having to invest in a prosthetic limb, understand?" his threatening voice sliced though the darkness.
On Ji winced, and nodded, stretching out his hand once the evil hold was lifted, "Yes, sir." he replied with a slight tremor of fear.
"Good." Shu flicked a piece of ash off his suit absentmindedly. "Now, we must make sure the attack is tomorrow night. Rumor in the Police Station is that Ning has been bragging all week about his raise tomorrow, since he is just so good at everything he does." Shu remarked sarcastically, "But I wouldn't know, since they fired me and put that little mud-pie in my spot!" the ground shook slightly in Shu's outburst, but he quietly collected himself. "A little birdy told me that he and his family have reservations at Haru's Earth Kingdom Tavern tomorrow night at seven in celebration of his earning..."
On Ji raised an eyebrows, "Psh, someone's getting mighty fancy."
"Indeed. Even a tad over priced for me." Shu's voice was smooth and sadistic, "So how about we let the lovely family have one last super before they die? It's the least we can do." The fake sympathy in Shu was rich even to himself, and he laughed at how horrible he was.
"I couldn't agree more." On Ji's new flame spat and popped with delight, "But what about the boys? Should I kill the brats, too?" On Ji considered the extra cash two dead children would get him.
"Hmm. No bother." Shu mused after a minute, crushing a rock in his hand with an almost board expression,"No sense making it look too suspicious. Besides, if this upcoming storm pulls through as predicted, they won't even survive the week. The younger one's not even a bender; quite pathetic, I'd say." Shu laughed. "Serves Ning right having a weak non-bender, and not the perfect little Earthbender he hoped for."
On Ji's eyes glistened with a need to kill, "I couldn't agree more." he said, "But, Shu?"
"Yes...?"
"What if the boys do survive?"
Shu cackled, seeming to find that hilarious, "On Ji, my good fellow, you worry too much. Don't tell me you're getting soft on me."
"I'm not. Just wanting everything to go as planned. No searches from the police."
"That is why I hired you, is it not?" Shu's voice grew dark, "I guess I misunderstood when they told me you were one of the greatest killers in the Triads. But, if you think you are incapable, I assume I could give the task and hefty 10,000 yuans to someone else..."
"No, sir!" On Ji bowed instantly, showing respect, "You have not misunderstood. I will show no mercy, mark my words!"
"Perfect." Shu purred, "And if those runts even do, somehow, by the Spirits manage not to die, well," Shu shrugged, "Ning's poor little boys will just have to toughen up and live without Mommy and Daddy. Life's hard and has no mercy. They'll learn that soon enough."
On Ji felt the sadistic pleasure tickle his veins. This was going to be So. Much. Fun.
"How loud should their screams be?"
"Ohhhh...surprise me, would you? I could use some good entertainment..." The madman clucked his tongue. "Make sure to mug the couple's belongings, too. Harder to identify the bodies with." Shu licked his lips, "Do this job right, and you will get your pay, as promised."
"Of course. Any last requests, sir?" The Firebender asks, setting an old box on the ground on fire and watching the flames dance.
Shu looked On Ji dead on, the emerald in his eyes darkening.
"Let them burn."
Present Day: Republic City, Republic City Police Station.
Across the city, in a huge building marked by a statued hero whose blind eyes watched over all, Chief Lin Beifong sat in her office.
Another swipe of the ink glided atop smoothed-over parchment paper, and a slight crinkle as the sheet gets deftly placed atop the seemingly never-ending stack, deems her work nearly done for the day. A sigh escapes her and whispers through the empty office of the station; the bitter smell of oil and metal from the endless line of armor, and cables, and weapons, wafts up like the wind. The scent always used to soothe her, and now she can't help but associate that smell with loss, and wishes the statue's eyes could see how much she is missed.
Footsteps down the hall-approximately twelve feet away and fast approaching, male, size nine, and clad in metal-tipped protective boots-startle her out of her thoughts.
The door opens, and a bearded tired-eyed officer stands in the threshold.
"Siakhan? I thought you went home already. Don't you know what time it is?" Lin spins on her chair, arms crossed over chest.
The man bows in respect. "Forgive me for interrupting, Chief. I was on my way out when I came across something."
The man strides across the room, handing Lin an envelope with sheets stinking out.
"Just...look at the first page, Ma'am. It's not good." he says grimly, lips in a fine line.
Lin flicks the folder open, idly licking her thumb and begins reading the report.
After a minute, she gasps, her bones going cold.
"No..." she breathes, "He can't be back..."
Lin looks up at her officer, and both pairs of green eyes meet. The fear in both thier stomachs, threatening to chill them to the bone.
"But he is, Chief. And he won't stop until he gets what he wants." Saikhan says,"Who knows where he'll strike next. And until then, all the people of this city, are in danger."
Hey, everyone! Please tell me what you think! :) I know Bolin is a little OOC here, but that is kinda my intention, and this story is rated "T" so it will get dark later on! :)
I didn't realize until after how much Shu and Bolin's jealousy of Ning and Mako parallel...woops! But I kinda like it, I think I might go into that a little more...
I also didn't realized until now how I kinda made made Ning ( the bros' dad) a mixture of both of them...
Hmmmm...I really wanna make this a good story, and am gonna try to do this in a different style than I am used to, by trying to describe more action, as apposed to feelings. Action is something I have to work on, so any questions, comments, and concerns are welcome!
Thanks again, and please review!
Take care :D