Title: Rising from the Ashes – Chapter 3
Rating: T
Word Count: ~2700
Summary: After Mako is grievously injured by an organization hoping to land a significant blow on the Avatar, Korra feels compelled act. When a blow hits so close to home, first impulse isn't always the best decision. Part of being strong is realizing when you've been knocked down. Part of being smart is realizing when the wrong decision has been made.
Author Note: Hopefully everyone isn't too distracted by Book 4 to keep with me here! I'm really not too happy with how this fic is turning out, but it's almost done so I'll complete and forget I ever wrote this. (This is for you JEN I think you're the only one reading this!)
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"The Avatar released a statement today apologizing for the unnecessary damage caused to the Republic City downtown area during a clash in which police attempted to combat a dangerous gang," Korra read aloud from the evening edition of the Republic City Times. "What a joke."
Mako rested on his bed in what she hoped was a peaceful state. A week later and he still showed no sign of stirring from his comatose state. Kya still insisted that there might be a chance that he was able to hear her despite his inability to respond. As the days dragged on, Korra couldn't help but feel her hope for a full recovery wane.
She was at a loss. She was so absorbed in the now she hadn't even thought of what she would do if his condition never improved. Since marrying a year ago, the idea that their loving partnership was forever had been firmly panted in her mind. Korra shoved the warring notions down before they could upset her, and rested her hand on Mako's unmarred right arm.
"Funny thing…I don't think I released any statement at all," she let loose a sardonic laugh, crumpling the paper up and tossing it into the trashcan into the corner of the room. "Thank Tenzin and Lin for that."
She understood their plight. They had a responsibility to maintain stability in Republic City. But in her opinion, the two had far overstepped their bounds as her mentors and friends.
"This is all just so ridiculous…I mean, you might not even be able to hear me," her voice grew quiet. "But I'm not willing to take that chance. You're tough…tougher than anyone knows…" she felt her throat choke up while tears threated to fall from her eyes. "You've got to wake up I—"
"Korra?" Kya poked her head in through the door. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I can come back later—"
"No," she wiped her eyes and steeled her resolve not to break down. "Please come in. Does Mako need something?"
"I was going to bathe him but—"
"Can I help?"
A look of pity crossed Kya's face. "Of course. Having another waterbender around will make it a lot easier. Because of his injuries I haven't felt comfortable moving him."
His shattered leg was set in a way that it shouldn't be disturbed. The issue of his broken ribs and broken left arm of course compounded this issue. Kya mentioned it was almost better that he was still unconscious so he couldn't move. It almost hurt just to look at him. Seeing him in this condition was so painful it made her freeze in her tracks. Kya was one of the best healers in the world. With Katara on her way from the South Pole, Mako was getting the best attention he possibly could.
"Korra?"
But no healer was perfect. Katara could only do so much for her when she was injured after her confrontation with Zaheer. While water aided the body to recuperate, ultimately the body needed time. It needed to mend itself. While Mako's bones pulled themselves back together, and his bruises in soft tissue faded and broke away, she could only guess what was going on with the healing that needed to happen in his head before he would wake.
He never would.
Panic gripped Korra's chest; it felt as if two great slabs of stone were intent on crushing her from and back.
"Korra?"
Kya's hand on her arm brought her back to reality.
"Why don't you let me and the other healers handle this?"
"I can do it," Korra nodded, a bit unsteady on her feet as nausea welled up inside her.
"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should," Kya guided her to the door. "Remember what I said about taking care of yourself?"
She nodded.
"Do something that makes you feel better. Do something."
"Thank you," Korra muttered, embarrassed that she couldn't stomach the implications of Mako's injuries.
"Of course."
Korra wandered outside. Do something. She needed to take the next step. It was time to resume her action plan.
She walked across to the men's dormitories and knocked on the door to Bolin's room. "You still want to help?"
Bolin put the scroll aside that he had in his lap. "I'll do just about anything that you need me to do."
The steely seriousness in his green eyes caught her off guard. It was more so the type of glance that she was accustomed to seeing from Mako; no wonder they were brothers. Sometimes with how different Mako and Bolin were she could forget that they were brothers to begin with. But there were moments like this that made their blood connection undeniable.
"I need to see someone in the city. Will you watch my back?" Korra asked.
He cracked a small smile, "You mean you feel like you have to ask?"
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The black car Asami left on the mainland for her was perfect for her uses. It was easy to drive (Asami knew she still wasn't super adept at the steering wheel) and otherwise unremarkable. The keys were left in the glove box, along with a short note in Asami's beautiful handwriting that implored her to be careful and to let her know if she needed anything else.
Korra drove slowly through the traffic-laden Republic City streets. She hated having to weave in and out of traffic. She felt clumsy and bulky while driving, unlike Asami who moved vehicles around as if they were just an extension of her body. The bumper-to-bumper nature of rush hour forced her to be patient and wait for her opening to slip into the lanes that she needed; quite frankly this wasn't all too different from her current situation.
"So, where exactly are we going?" Bolin drummed his fingers on the dashboard and pulled his attention away from the Satomobiles and pedestrians passing by.
"I have a connection in the Shenzin Cooperative. He might be willing to give me some more information."
"A connection with them? That's huge! How did you manage that?"
"It's a long story…"
And one she wasn't keen on telling Bolin about right now.
She didn't know the contact's name, but it didn't matter because she knew how and where to find him. He was a member of the Shenzin Cooperative who wanted out. Members of the gang were members for life, the only out was death. So Korra cut a deal. Her contact would help feed information to her and the White Lotus, and they in turn would shelter him and help him start a new life once he got out.
"Where are we even going?" Bolin paid attention to each and every twisting turn Korra took through back alleys. "I've lived in Republic City for my whole life, and I'm turned around."
"That's the point," Korra whirled them around another corner. "I need to make sure we aren't being followed."
Even after barging into the Shenzin Cooperative bar, it was clear that the organization thought she was completely incapacitated by Mako's injury. They were wrong. While of course she was deeply affected, they had sorely misjudged her drive.
Suddenly, Korra pulled the Satomobile to the side of the small side street. "Alright. Bolin, don't say anything to this guy just let me handle it."
"I'm just your muscle backup," he flexed, obviously trying to lighten the mood.
"Come on."
She pressed a key into a dilapidated lock that opened after a bit of jiggling. The door gave way to a darkened hallway, lit only by a few light bulbs flickering with their last light casting shadows into dusty corners. Rough brick lined the corridor that cut down in a gentle slope down into the earth beneath the city. A small flame blazed to light in her hand, lighting the way just enough to dispel the irrational fear of the dark that rose up within her.
Korra remembered the first time she had stalked through these halls. She was alone then, convinced she was walking into a trap but driven by a need to find out the truth about the Shenzin Cooperative. And here she was again, grasping for more information.
Finally, the corridor ended at a sturdy metal door.
"The reason I had to wait was he's only here at certain times on certain days," she explained before knocking on the door.
A few moments later the door cracked open abruptly. "Avatar? It's been quite a long time."
"Yeah, it's me. We need to talk."
Bolin and Korra followed the man inside. The basement was a small apartment, windowless, dark, and dank. Yet, it was tidy and comfortable for a safe house, one that he used to keep his side affairs away from the Shenzin Cooperative.
"I heard what happened," he sat down at a small table and motioned for Korra and Bolin to sit across from him. "I wasn't there."
The man was just another face in Republic City. None of his features were remarkable in the slightest. His neatly trimmed, black hair was slicked back. While strongly built, he wasn't muscular enough that one would notice at first glance. He struck Korra as so utterly average.
"Good," Korra leaned back in her chair. "You might have died."
"And you need me," his voice was gentle and understanding.
"Yes," she cracked a small smile, "I do. I'm looking for someone."
"The man who hurt your husband," his expression turned grave. "Do you know who he is?"
"His name is Zhong, I know that," Korra pressed.
"But do you know who he is."
"I guess not…"
He took a deep breath, "He's quite high in the organization."
Because of how the Cooperative was structured, members generally knew who was above them, but not exactly how the power hierarchy was built. Unlike the Triple Threats or the Red Monsoons, the Shenzin Cooperative members had to be content with their position and work towards whatever the mission was, or risk elimination of the permanent nature.
"Can you help me find him or not?" Korra clenched her fist in her lap. "I don't care who he is; I care what he's done."
"There's a meeting in two, three weeks," he pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from his pocket. "This is the invitation with location and time. It's in a penthouse in Midtown. Instructions are to destroy this once the information is memorized. I trust you'll keep it close."
"Of course."
"It's time for you to hold up your end of the deal. I want out."
"Do you have a plan in mind?"
"I need a boat."
"Done," Korra knew Asami could help.
"I need it tomorrow night."
"I think I can do that," she stood, motioning for Bolin to do the same. "I'll see you then."
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"This all seems…" Bolin trailed off as he leaned over the ferry railing.
"Seems what?" Korra turned to him.
"…Sketchy?" He shrugged. "I mean, if the cops had evidence against these people, they would be in jail right? So what are you going to do when you get to these people?"
"I'll…figure it out," she breathed.
It was the truth. She knew that she wanted to make this the last meeting of the Shenzin Cooperative elite, but the tactics on exactly how to do this eluded her. As an Avatar, she walked the line between being diplomatic and confrontational. It was evident already that being diplomatic with the Cooperative was not an effective strategy.
"I just don't want to see you hurt," he pulled her into a sudden tight hug. "Mako would never forgive me. He'd probably kill me," he chuckled.
Korra relaxed into the embrace, enjoying the warmth of his arms, "Yeah, he probably would." She pulled back and gave his arms a squeeze, "Hopefully he'll be in condition to do that someday."
"He will," Bolin's confidence was unwavering. "I know it."
She caught a glimpse of an orange robe waiting for the ferry to come back in. The figure was unmistakably Tenzin. Korra readied herself for a confrontation and stepped off onto solid land with Bolin in tow.
"Korra, a word please," Tenzin's expression was serious.
"Bolin, can you go relay what we need to Asami?"
"Yeah!" Bolin slinked away quickly sensing the tension in the air.
"I think you most likely saw the paper this morning," Tenzin said stiffly.
"Yes I did," Korra crossed her arms.
"Korra…" she could see pain in his eyes, "I'm sorry that it became necessary to release a statement on your behalf. Chief Beifong and I agreed that the people of the city needed to hear from their Avatar."
"No," she shook her head. "I don't care if you're sorry! I've been the Avatar competently for years. I thought you had accepted that I know what I'm doing."
"But in that period you have never refused council from your friends."
"You know as well as I do that the city and the world is perfectly able to hold balance for a few days without me constantly shifting the scales," she spat.
"Korra please—"
"I have things I need to do. Avatar business," she stalked off to find Bolin and Asami.
She hadn't been pleasant with Tenzin. Part of her felt like she should have felt more concerned with the gruffness with which she addressed him. At this point, that was the last thing that was on his mind.
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"Get in," Korra called out.
The informant quickly jumped in the back of the vehicle. "Thank you, Avatar."
"Don't thank me yet."
The car was slow to accelerate; the trunk was full of earth discs for Bolin to launch if things were to turn sour. Despite any sign of danger, her heart pounded hard inside of her chest. Was she doing the right thing? But plans were already set in motion; the inertia was growing to the point that stopping was becoming harder and harder by the second.
Asami had acquired a boat quickly, ensuring she didn't leave a money trail in her wake. Korra used the waiting time to spend time with Mako and rest, not sure exactly what dangers might arise from the Shenzin Cooperative. She suffered through another night of restless sleep on the cot in Mako's room and waited until nightfall to ready Bolin and Asami for the task ahead of them.
"So, do you uh, have plans for your new life?" Bolin smiled, grasping for the seat in front of him as Korra careened around a corner.
"Something quiet," the man laughed. "Something solitary I think too."
The dock that they arranged to meet Asami at was only a few blocks away. Korra could see the lights of the city reflecting against the dark water of Yue Bay. When they reached the end, the informant jumped out without a word and switched places with Asami.
"The boat has a week's worth of supplies and food," Asami dropped the keys into his hand.
"Thank you. Good luck, Avatar." He revved up the small boats engine, looked back one last time, and took off into the night.
"So that's it huh?" Bolin broke the silence that blanketed the trio.
"Korra," Asami grabbed her by the arm.
"Something wrong?" Korra noticed the urgency in her voice.
"I left Air Temple Island after you and Bolin did…we need to get back there, now. Mako is awake."
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Author Note: Can't wait to tie this one up.