The Red Light District of Republic City was stuck between popularity and infamy, mostly leaning towards infamy. While it was known for its bars and exclusive clubs, it was almost home to many Triads as well, all known for their blackmailing and ruthlessness. The Triple Threat Triad, the Tora No Sume Triad, and the Roku Triad were just a few, and their numbers were growing. Those who lived within the Red Light District payed no attention to the illegal activities, as if nothing suspicious had ever occurred in the first place. But, no matter how much they tried, they could not avoid the questioning of the Police. Ever since the Republic City Police went through an extreme reformation in the last few years, nobody could avoid the Police.
Boss Oyama, leader of the Roku District Triad, sat impatiently in the barber chair. He watched carefully as Mr. Gensai, the owner of the Barber Shop, trimmed his hair. It was obvious that Mr. Gensai was nervous, and even Oyama could see his old, wrinkled hands beginning to shake.
"Is something wrong?" Oyama questioned, cocking an eyebrow. "I have an appointment in an hour, Mr. Gensai. Don't make me late."
"Ah, s'nothin'. I'm jus' nervous 'bout th'game t'night," said Mr. Gensai. "Did 'ya hear 'bout it? The Bai-Luo Bisons versus The Fire Ferrets. Got m'money on the Bisons."
"I pay no attention to Pro Bending, especially when they split them into multiple games," said Oyama. "Just hurry up."
"Don't worry, Boss Oyama. Gon' make sure you're five minutes early, too!" Mr. Gensai chuckled. "Want me t'add the gel?"
"No," Oyama groaned. "Just leave it as it is."
Mr. Gensai nodded, setting the razor blade on the counter-top. He handed a mirror over to Oyama, letting him see the end result of the work. The sides of Oyama's head had been shaven, and the rest of the hair had been combed back, tied into a topknot.
"Well, you've managed to impress me once again, Mr. Gensai," Oyama grinned. "And not a single cut on my head, either? Somebody remembered to use a sharpened blade."
"I may be old, but I ain't like other barbers!" said the older man, rather proud of his work. "If y'want, I can trim your mustache, too!"
"Thank you for the offer, but I'd rather keep this as well," Oyama replied, scratching at the facial hair that rested above his lip. Along with the mirror, he gave him a handful of yuans. The barber, happy to finally receive his pay, unwrapped the cloth around Oyama's neck, allowing him to leave the shop.
"Such a nice young fella," Mr. Gensai spoke to himself. "Jus' hope he doesn't get into any trouble anytime soon..."
《》
Dozens of undercover Police officers were hidden in plain sight, blending in with the citizens around them. Plainclothes, they were called, and searching for these officers was a near impossible task for those with a bad eye.
This was, indeed, a stakeout, one that would possibly turn into a major bust, or even just a simple, minor one. While the metalbending officers remained on the rooftops, those with the inability to bend any element remained on the ground, readying themselves for the signal that was to be given.
A single truck came around the corner, large crates tightly secured in the back. Turning into a darkened alleyway, it disappeared from sight. Inside the truck, Boss Oyama sat in the passenger's seat, letting his new recruit sit behind the wheel.
"Stop right here, Norbu," said Oyama. "You've done enough for today. Go home; stay out of the district for a while. Maybe you'll find the courage to find a girl to keep you company."
The green-eyed boy gulped, somewhat afraid to even speak.
"Y-Yes, Boss Oyama," he stuttered, voice lowered.
Norbu exited the car, and Oyama followed suit, watching as the young man went the opposite way, leaving the alleyway behind. Little did they, the Triad members, or the workers know about the Police that surrounded them, unaware of the impending bust.
"B-Boss Oyama?! You're here already?" Oyama's tailor, Kohaku, ran towards him, "You could have at least announced this! I would have brought you a newer tie!"
"I woke up earlier than usual, Kohaku. And when I wake up without a woman to greet me, I get back to business," Oyama groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I... I assumed you were—"
"What? Visiting with somebody? I have no children, let alone a spouse. Spirits, Kohaku, why would I visit anybody on a weekday?" the firebender questioned, staring right through the tailor. "Get out of my sight, tailor. I'd rather not hear your commentary during my meeting."
Kohaku, with his arms crossed, went past Oyama, the smaller man mumbling incoherently.
Boss Oyama continued down the hall, shoes clicking against the floor. Some days, like this day, Oyama could become a bit... grumpy. With the responsibility of being a Triad leader, came the stress, and with the stress came the frustration. Oyama sensed that the Police were suspicious of his activities, and bribing them to keep quiet was no easy task, especially when said police worked under a no-nonsense chief.
If the Police Chief wasn't so stubborn, Oyama thought, things would be easier.
At the end of the hall were two large, blood red doors. The guards that stood watch took the handles, opening the doors, allowing Oyama to enter. The main meeting room itself wasn't extravagant, but it was comfortable for most. Behind the blackened, polished table was a single chair, gloved hands resting at each side of the seat.
"I'm here, Boss Basotei," Oyama spoke up, walking towards the desk. He noticed that something was 'off' with this meeting. Oyama came to a halt, noticing the tiny pieces of metal on the floor. Everyone knew that Boss Basotei was a firebender, not a metalbender.
This was, as Oyama suspected, a trap.
"Good to see you're still breathing," said Oyama, hands placed behind his back. "I'm guessing that Norbu couldn't keep his mouth shut, am I right? You didn't want to see your favorite nephew get hurt, didn't you, Mako?"
Mako came out from behind the chair, cuts and bruises visible on his face. After almost 30 years, he, like everyone else, had aged. The graying hair was just one factor of stress, but it was his bloodshot eyes that added to the mounting evidence that he had been overworking himself.
"What's this? You're wearing an actual uniform this time?" Oyama asked, curiosity in his tone of voice. "You're no metalbender, Mako. Everyone knows that."
"I'm guessing you haven't heard the news, Boss Oyama," Mako spoke, "It's a requirement for a chief to wear a uniform."
"You? A Chief? The last time I checked, you were a mere Lieutenant," Oyama spoke, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"I got promoted," said Mako. "And I put your case at the top of my priorities."
Oyama felt the hairs on his neck become electrified, and he knew the Police Chief was stalling him.
Now was a good time to run.
Before the trap could be sprung, Oyama took a deep breath, and let out a barrage of flames from his mouth. Mako leaped back, redirecting the fire towards Oyama. Unfortunately, it was too late. The boss had disappeared through a hole in the floor.
Mako followed, jumping down into the hole. Landing on the concrete, he ran after Oyama, who had already made it outside the warehouse. Unhooking the small microphone from his back, Mako activated the portable radio, tuning it to the frequency of his undercover officers.
"Units Ten to Five, this is the Chief! Boss Oyama has exited the building on foot! I repeat, Oyama has left the building!" He shouted into the radio receiver. "All other units, raid the warehouse!"
"On it, Chief!" One of the officers responded.
Soon, the chirping of birds were soon drowned out by sirens and engines. This alarmed most of the Triad members in the warehouse, and they made every attempt to run. Their attempts were thwarted by the Republic City Police. From the plainclothes that remained on the streets, to the Metalbending Unit, almost everyone from Headquarters had arrived, eager to add a few arrests to their nearly empty files.
"You won't get away, Oyama!" Mako screamed, continuing to run after his suspect. "Face it! You're going to go to jail!"
"Not today, I'm not!" Oyama shouted back, turning into an apartment courtyard. Bewildered civilians and young children ceased their activities, running back to their secured lofts. Hiding behind a statue, Oyama hoped to avoid capture, and with each deep breath, he prepared himself for what he assumed would be a short confrontation.
Mako was cautious, unsure if this part of the area belonged to the Roku District Triad. Even though he was a veteran officer, not to mention Chief of the Police, situations such as this could become dangerous. Not just for him, but for whoever happened to be in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
He readied himself, breathing in and out through his nose. Mako could see teenagers and young toddlers watching from the upper floors, but he made no attempt to coerce them to stay inside, knowing they wouldn't listen well to him.
"I warned you, Mako..." Oyama's voice resonated throughout the courtyard, "...You should have dropped the case..!"
He jumped out from behind the statue, sending a line of lightning towards Mako. For Mako, it happened in slow motion. This was a split second choice, and he only had two options: Redirect the lightning, thus possibly killing Oyama. Or... dodge the lightning, distract Oyama, and keep him alive.
Even though Mako wanted to use the first option, the second option would have to do.
In an instant, he stepped to the side, avoiding which could have been death. Oyama blinked only once, and Mako had ran up to him, knocking the boss down to the ground.
"Keizo Oyama, you're under arrest!" Mako cuffed Oya- well, Keizo, and forced him to stand up.
"That's Boss Oyama to you, slob!" Keizo growled, only to receive a kick to the stomach.
"You're going to be in solitary confinement for a long time, Keizo," said Mako, dragging Keizo along like an animal. "Your days as Boss Oyama are over."
"We'll see about that, Chief," murmured Keizo. "I'll be out before you can even lay a finger on your reports."
《》
"In other news, Boss Oyama has been apprehended!" The radio boomed throughout Huojin's room, "Over 100 triad members, most from the Roku District Triad, have been jailed as well! From smuggled exotic animals, to priceless artifacts, everything has been searched and seized from the clutches of Boss Oyama and his operation! Coming up, it's the match everyone has been waiting for! The very first Pro Bending Team of the Air Nation- The Bai-Luo Bisons- are going against the #1 team in the Pro Bending League- The Fire Ferrets! Stay tuned! Whoever wins this match, will advance to the Golden Tiger Brawl! We hope you got your tickets, folks, or else you'll be missing out on the tournament of the century!"
Huojin turned the radio off, and placed it inside a burlap sack. He had packed most of his things, only leaving a few of his belongings behind. He sat on the edge of his bed, rethinking his possible fate-changing decision. He knew that his family, his teachers, and the spirits were all trying to help him, but Huojin wanted to learn more than he was actually being taught. Not only that, but the thrilling stories of Republic City fueled his curiosity.
Huojin stared at the small statue of Shouwei, which was placed underneath the window. Huojin shot small flames at the sticks of incense, watching as the smoke rose from the burning tips.
"What should I do..?" Huojin questioned both himself and the statue, hoping that the spirit would respond to him. "I'm leaving, Shouwei. I might not come back to Piao Li for months, maybe years. Just... watch over my family, will you? Mom can't get around like she used to, Dad is gone, and... well... Wu is getting old."
The stone eyes of the statue flickered, but Huojin had failed to see that the spirit was actually listening to him.
"I guess this is the last time we see each other again, Shouwei," said Huojin, getting up from the bed. "Goodbye, spirit."
Huojin grabbed his bags, slinging them over his shoulder. Looking around his room one last time, he went towards the door frame, remembering all the times he had stubbed his toes thanks to the sliding doors. He turned, and left his room, silence soon substituted with the chirping of crickets. The statue of Shouwei seemed to glow, as if his spirit was trying to reach Huojin.
Ah, but it was too late.
The Avatar had left, and there was no chance of him ever returning to Piao Li.
《》
Khenpo helped pull the boat out of the boathouse, tugging at the mooring line. Huojin pushed the small craft into the water, making sure it wouldn't drift away. Most of his things, including a small cot and a teapot, were all placed inside the hull. Closing the boathouse doors, Huojin pressed his head against the wood, urging himself not to cry. Khenpo nudged at Huojin, encouraging him to move on.
"I know, Khenpo, I know," said Huojin, turning to face the bison, "C'mon, let's go."
Huojin went over to the boat, pushing it into the water. Using an earth pillar, it launched him off the shore, and into the boat. Khenpo followed, walking into the cold ocean water. The winds pushed against the sails, and the boat slowly moved forward. Huojin, tempted to look back at his home, kept his eyes on the never ending sea ahead of him. In his head, Huojin remembered the map of the nations. His first stop would be the edge of the Hei Bai's Forest, after that, the next few stops would be Harbor Town, Yu Dao, and hopefully, just hopefully, he'd get a few lessons at the Beifong Metalbending Academy.
He sat near the front of the boat, and watched as the moon appeared from behind the clouds.
《》
Chu-hua, Huojin's grandmother, woke up with a gasp, as if she had awaken from a terrible nightmare. It was no nightmare, but a glimpse of the action her grandson had finally committed. The elder became worried, and immediately she got up from her bed. Not even bothering to slip into her sandals, Chu-hua ran out of her bedroom, into the courtyard, and straight into Wu-sheng's room.
"Huojin is gone!" She screamed, "Wake up, Wu-sheng! My grandson is gone!"
Wu-sheng's attention was taken away from his bowl of soup, and it only took him seconds to realize what was happening. He followed Chu-hua to warn the others, their fear-filled shouts echoing throughout the air. Spirits small and large fled the garden, spreading the news of the Avatar's disappearance to others of their kind. The White Lotus were also told of the news, their biggest fears becoming true.
"The Avatar has disappeared," the news began to spread like wildfire, "The lives of all spirits and humans are in his hands. Without him, the Red Lotus will grow more powerful than ever before. Nobody, not even the Heavenly Guardians, are safe."
