Chapter Two: As Soon As I Can
The next few days seemed to pass without any great event. Mako took the advice of his former boss and stayed at Air Temple Island to rest, while Bolin, Opal, and other members of the Air Nation made great efforts to assist in the recovery of Republic City. Meanwhile, members of the metal clan were hard at work disassembling the fallen mech to recycle the metals for the prison they intended to keep Kuvira in.
It was later in the afternoon with Mako sitting in his room. He stared out the window to watch a few of the new airbenders train at the spinning gates with Tenzin. Many of them could almost make it through all the obstacles, only getting hit once in the rear on their way out.
"You must not rush yourself. You get all giddy when you get near the end, and start rushing yourselves out of the gates. You must be patient and in control of yourself at all times to get all the way through," Tenzin advised his students. Once again, the airbenders set the gates spinning and retried. Mako heard the door behind him slide open, turning his head to see who was coming to visit him.
"Hey bro, what are you doing all cooped up in here?" Bolin asked, his arms out to the side to make a gesture fitting his question.
"Aren't you supposed to be like, helping the city or something?" Mako answered, dodging his sibling's question.
"Yeah, I've been doing a bit of that, but man, when Chief gets cranky, it makes you wanna get out real fast."
"I know the feeling," Mako agreed.
"Anyways, I left early because Lin wanted to leave, and I had to bring her back on the sailboat I used because the bridge to the city got blown up. Y'know, super spirit weapons and all," Bolin explained. The earthbending brother walked towards the center of the room, looking at Mako who sat on a nightstand to peer out the window.
"So Chief's here? What's got her so cranky and miserable she decided to visit Air Temple Island? I thought she'd want to do her best in the city," Mako went on, confused by the stalwart metal bender's decisions.
"I don't know, I'm not the guide to everyone who visits this island. Ask her yourself at dinner. Or, better yet, ask her right now! C'mon, you shouldn't be sitting around your room all day doing nothing," Bolin prompted cheerfully, trying to lead Mako towards the door.
"Nah dude, I'm just not feeling it," Mako replied with a disheartened tone.
"C'mon! Why not? What do you mean, 'not feeling it?'" Bolin prodded. He took his older brother by the arm and raised him to his feet.
"Quit it!" Mako used his good arm to brush Bolin's grip off him. "Why don't you go annoy Opal instead of me? She likes it more," Mako spit at his sibling.
"Well if you want to stay here all by your lonely self that's your business. I, on the other hand, will have a great time with Pabu and my beautiful Opal," Bolin said, exaggerating the last phrases. With that, he turned about face and walked out of Mako's room, sliding the door shut behind him. Mako receded back to where he was before, sitting on the nightstand to watch out the octagonal hole in the wall.
He looked back to see Tenzin congratulate one of the students on making it all the way through without getting hit, then walking away to return to the temple. Seeing the airbenders celebrate the one's success in his trials. He shook his head; only four or so years ago and Korra was having the same trouble getting through the spinning gates, but it seemed like decades ago. Resting his head in his hand, Mako continued to sit silently.
Korra and Asami wandered through a plain, holding hands as they approached approached what appeared to be a forest. The sky in this part of the spirit world showed a sunset, and with its orange light reflecting off the rivers that led into this forest, the scenery was as beautiful as ever.
"How come it seems that everywhere we go, it looks absolutely stunning?" Asami asked.
"Well, things can get pretty dark and scary fast if you don't know how to handle your environment," Korra answered, shedding light to the contrary.
"Oh? How's that?" Asami pursued.
"When I came here the first time with Jinora, I ran into a lot of spirits that were these moles and things, creatures that burrowed into the ground. They were giving me a hard time and I got frustrated, and I ended up getting separated from her. I ended up in a dark forest, and she later ended up in the Fog of Lost Souls," the Avatar explained to her girlfriend.
"That sounds awful," Asami acknowledged. "What did happen afterwards?"
The two were nearing the edge of the forest, which turned out to be a grove. It was the edge of the grove where Korra met Zaheer in the spirit world.
"After, I met Lord Zuko's uncle. He taught me that, especially as the Avatar, that emotions become your reality here. He also told me tat sometimes, you'll find a solution to your own problems by helping others, so I helped a dragonbird and I found my way to Unalaq. Tenzin and his brother and sister found Jinora in the Fog of Lost Souls. The fog infects your mind and drives you crazy, but Tenzin was able to break it." Korra led Asami deeper into the grove. She remembered this place vividly, talking to one of her most skilled adversaries while a fierce battle took place over her body.
"This is Xai Bau's Grove," Korra finally announced. She let go of Asami's hand to sit where she had when she met Zaheer.
"Xai Bau's Grove? Isn't that where you met that freak Zaheer?" Asami asked. "Why would you want to come back here?"
"Well, with the dismantling of the Earth Kingdom's monarchy ahead," the Avatar began to explain, "I've been thinking a lot about politics and all. Remember when we went to pick up the queen's tax money?"
"Yeah, what about it?" Asami sat next to Korra again, reaching to hold her girlfriend's hand.
"I've been wondering, why should anyone be able to extort someone else like the Earth queen did her people? All I can remember is that bandit saying that that money belonged to the people. And I had to agree. So, in a place like the United Republic, why should citizens pay their government, and their president, especially when Raiko may not represent their interests? When it comes to something like that, I think about the days before Harmonic Convergence when Raiko still refused to send troops to help the South, to help me get to the spirit portal. So much turmoil could have been avoided."
Asami's brow furrowed as she tried to think of something helpful to say to Korra on such a deeply philosophical question. Looking down at the ground, the lead genius behind Future Industries did not have a solution to this problem. Suddenly, a light bulb popped into the woman's mind.
"Well, had Raiko sent the troops, you may have dealt with Vaatu and sealed up the portals again. But I think we can agree now that keeping the spirit world and the physical world connected was for the best. As for governments... I don't know what's best. I don't think anyone does. But I think as the Avatar, you can set the example for what you think is right," Asami answered, trying to give the best support she could to Korra.
The last phrase, "what you think is right" seemed to strike a chord with Korra. She remembered back to picking between Unalaq and Tenzin as mentors, and all Mako could say was that she should do what she thought was right. She slapped her now ex-boyfriend with "that's real helpful."
"Korra, come on. I don't think this place is doing well for either of us," Asami suggested.
"Sure, yeah. We've been in the spirit world for a couple of days now, we should try finding our way back to the portal. It'll probably take a couple days," Korra said, getting up from the grass. Asami frowned a little at how Korra had such an unresolved question, and how it seemed inevitable to come up again when they returned from their vacation. But, for now, it was time to go.
It was dinner time again at Air Temple Island. Tonight, Tenzin sat with as many of the airbenders of the new Air Nation he could, while Kya, Lin Beifong and some Air Acolytes took seats where Tenzin and his children were not.
"So how are things going in the city, Lin?" Pema asked the police chief.
"Yeah," Mako started to add, "what's so bad in the city that you decided to spend the afternoon here and stay for dinner?"
Lin continued to eat off her plate, trying to find how she wanted to answer their questions. The truth, and her feelings over the current state of affairs, made Lin miserable in a way she wasn't comfortable with. It was like when she confronted her sister about getting over things that happened in the past and in Su's late childhood.
"The city's just depressing," Lin confessed. "I walk around the streets and everyone's got their head down the deepest dumpsters you can find. Everyone's lost their home, or a family member or something. And even with everyone's help, the task just seems endless."
"Whoah Chief, it's not like you to be so sappy about these things," Mako said, trying to be lighter about the whole situation.
"I'm not, that's why I came here," she replied bluntly.
"Oh no, it'd be a terrible sin for you to want to see your sister or family, wouldn't it?" Su jibed.
"That's right," Lin answered, playing along. "Anyways, how's your arm, Mako?"
"Um, it's alright I guess. It's just kinda there right now," he answered.
"Well, I hope you get better soon, kid," she said, "we could really use you with the new Earth King for the short while he's in office. President Raiko has been discussing him staying on the throne to help direct relief efforts in Republic City before disbanding the monarchy. And after that, there isn't anyone else I'd rather have on the force."
"Uh, right," Mako agreed for the moment; right now, all of what Lin wanted for him Mako wanted to leave in the past. But he didn't feel like making a scene in the dining hall with everyone around. Lin could see the resentment on Mako's face, but made no effort to pursue the matter. She had her fill of feelings for the night.
"Man," Bolin abruptly began, "this vegetarian diet is cool and all, but I am still starving." The earthbender's plate was spotless as everyone was only half finished or so.
"Bolin," Opal addressed sharply, elbowing him in the side, "don't be a hog-monkey. The Air Nation's been giving out food for people who need it in the city, sorry if you're a little hungry."
The lavabender sighed. "Oh, Zaofu," Bolin reminisced with all the drama he could muster, "how I can taste your kale noodle wraps already."
Soon enough, dinner let out and everyone went about their business as usual. The former firebending cop figured he should tell one of his employers his plans for the future. Mako managed to catch up to Lin's side as she made her way down the stairs with a couple of the Air Acolytes who were going to take her back to the mainland by boat.
"Uh, Chief, got a moment?" Mako started with.
"Sure, what for?" Lin asked plainly.
"Well, having all this time to myself recently has got me thinking about what I want to do. With Kuvira gone, there's still the rest of our lives to live out," he explained.
"What of it? Spit it out."
"I'm resigning from the force, and as any other job you may have shifted me to. Lately I've really wanted to visit the Fire Nation and practice firebending arts," Mako stated.
"What am I supposed to tell Prince- King Wu?" Lin replied, correcting herself. "He was very clear that he wanted to keep you as a body guard until he's sorted out the transition of the Earth Kingdom with the Avatar, and we promised him that," she told Mako as they reached the bottom of the stone staircase leading to the docks.
"Who is we?" Mako questioned, rather angered by this fact. "You and President Raiko aren't my overlords, I didn't sign up for that!"
"You're one of the best cops we have, Mako. That, and until we know we can trust that the Dai Li is not a threat, we need someone watching over him. Who else am I going to put on the job?" Lin refused, her voice raised now.
"I don't know, Chief! But I'm sick of being the guy that bails people out when they're in a tough spot! Find somebody else for the job!" Mako shouted, storming off towards the spinning gates. Lin growled in a low voice, her hand covering her face as she chose her response.
"Fine! If you want to be a selfish idiot on this matter, then that's your business!" Lin yelled, waving her hand to dismiss the conversation that just transpired.
Mako stood alone by the spinning gates, looking out towards Republic City's bay. The skyline that was once lit had hardly any functioning lights, and two fires could be seen rising from the skyscrapers. But still, much of the city could be seen with the illuminating yellow glow of the spirit portal
The firebender closed his eyes. In the moment he kept them closed, he remembered his parents being taken from him, his helplessness when being bloodbent by Amon, losing to Unalaq and his children at the spirit portal, and breaking up with Korra. Since then, most everything that didn't involve fighting was just bland and boring. It fueled an internal fiery rage inside Mako.
"Haaaaggghhh!" In that one scream, Mako exhaled fire from his mouth out ten or so feet from his body. He turned to return to his bedroom on the island, but discovered that Tenzin was watching from behind him.
"T-Tenzin," Mako stuttered. His eyes darted away as Mako proceeded to move past the airbending master. "You weren't supposed to see that."
"Mako," Tenzin called, and the young man stopped. "I contacted a friend in the Fire Nation today. Lord Zuko said he'd train you." Mako froze for a moment, hearing Tenzin's announcement.
"That's... that's great," he replied, not sure what else to say.
"I'll have a boat ready for you by the time you're done recovering."
"No, I want to leave as soon as I can," Mako refuted. Tenzin's eyes squinted a bit as he struggled to figure out what was bothering the boy.
"If you wish," Tenzin acknowledged, watching the firebender start away. "I'm here for you, if you feel you need someone to talk to." Again, Mako stopped to think about what Tenzin had said.
"Thanks, but I'm alright."
A/N: It's that time for an author's note again.
For what feedback I have, it's good to know that I'm not insane, and that there are people out there to support this story and myself. One question that was raised in the reviews that I feel the need to answer was why I didn't ignore the Korrasami relationship if I didn't think it made sense. I feel an obligation to accept their relationship into my story because I'm writing about after the end of the series. I know it's a fanfic and I could just do away with the things I don't like, but I don't know. It just doesn't seem right to me with what I'm trying to do. There's a lot more I could say, but I feel like it'd take away from the things to come.