Chapter 4: The Escape
Tarlokk had just placed the last stack of files into his suitcase. Just as he had everything he needed the doors immediately flew open, catching Tarlokk by surprise. Korra had marched herself inside his office, her eyes burning with anger "We need to talk" she said in a very serious and demanding voice. Mai-Ling, who had been there the whole time, backed away slowly from the rather aggressive young Avatar. Tarlokk placed his suitcase back on his desk, dusted his coat and smiled "Korra, what a surprise. I missed you during the meeting but I can't blame you for-"
"Cut the garbage Tarlokk!" Korra's voice was practically a roar "I want to know what you've done with my friends" Tarlokk raised an eyebrow "You're friends?" he asked. Korra poked his chest with her finger "Yes, the two boys you had arrested earlier today. On your orders!" Tarlokk chuckled "Korra, as councilmen it is my responsibility to help keep peace in the city. Those boys were criminals" Korra folded her arms "Oh really? What was their crime?" Tarlokk placed his hands on Korra's shoulder "Why kidnaping our beloved Avatar of course, not to mention lying to the police about you're whereabouts. I mean isn't that the reason why you missed the meeting?" Korra scuffed and removed Tarlokk's hands "They didn't kidnap me, I snuck out and lost track of time. Those boys are innocent and I want them out NOW!" Tarlokk didn't like how passionate Korra was about having the boys released. He raised and eyebrow "Tell me Korra, is there any specific reason for your desire to want to have these boys out of jail?" Korra's face became a bright red, if there was one thing Tarlokk knew about Korra it was that her emotions can be very transparent sometimes "That is none of your concern!" she regained her serious composure and spoke with much power and confidence "I'm not asking this time, let…them…go!" Tarlokk walked away from Korra towards his window.
This was exactly what Tarlokk was worried about. It was obvious that Korra hand some deep feelings for one of the boys he had arrested; which was something he could not allow. He let out a sigh "I'm sorry Korra but I can't, even if I wanted to. If only you had asked me sooner" Korra looked at Tarlokk confused "What do you mean?" the young man turned to face Korra with a sad expression "Korra, keeping the Avatar hidden from the law is a serious offense on you're behalf, so I already had their sentence carried out." Korra didn't like the sound of that "What sentence" she asked. Tarlokk paused for a brief moment before speaking "They were taken to the Execution chamber, along with the Triple Threats" Korra let out a gasp. The poor girl was at a lost for words "W-When did this happen?"
"Earlier this afternoon. I'm very sorry Korra." said Tarlokk as sympathetic as he could "If I knew that they were your friends I never would have done it" Korra couldn't stop the tears from coming out. She was completely heartbroken, she had just made new friends and now they were gone. Tarlokk attempted to hug Korra as comfort "There, there Korra. I know it hurts but it will pass" Korra aggressively pushed Tarlokk away "How could you!?" she yelled before she ran out of the room still crying. Mai-Ling walked up to him "Um, sir you…didn't execute the boys, their still in jail back at headquarters" the water tribe man smiled "I am well aware of that, but if I am going to have Korra accept my proposal willingly, I can't have any competition."
"I demand my rights, do you hear me people?" Bolin had been yelling through his cell for the past three hours, it was giving Mako a serious headache. "Plus you guys can't even do you're job right, when you arrest someone you're suppose to say 'You have the right to remain silent'. Nobody said I had the right to remain silent!"
"Bolin you have the right to remain silent." said Mako, finally fed up with his brother's constant yelling "What you lack is the capacity".
Bolin gave up and slumped to the floor "Well this is kind of ironic isn't it?" he asked. Mako raised his head "What do you mean?"
"Usually I'm the one who gets us into these crazy situations and usually you're the one who bails us out. Only this time…this is all you're fault"
Mako could not believe what his brother had just said "My fault, how is it my fault?"
Bolin stood up and pointed at his brother "Hey, you're the one who found the Avatar and brought her home, if you hadn't done that we wouldn't be in this mess! Wow, is this how it's like talking to me?" Bolin asked.
Mako placed his face into his hands "You're right, what was I thinking? I hardly know her and I just invited her to lunch and then home and-"
"Wait a sec" Bolin interrupted "You took her to lunch?"
Mako blushed "Well, yeah at the Emerald Dragon it was no big deal, anyway you're right. How could I have been so stupid? It's probably best if I never met Korra. She wasn't even that great anyway I mean she was loud and impulsive and…brave...and smart…and fun" as Mako continued his angry tone of voice slowly faded into a happy blissful one. Bolin looked at his brother like he had just lost his mind "Um, Mako" but the firebender just continued his list "And confident…and selfless…passionate. With a smile that can melt even the coldest heart and eyes that dance in the sun light. And her voice was just so…pure, she's pure and original and perfect in every way." Mako had a blissful look on his face as he rested his head on the wall. Bolin just raised an eyebrow "Bro, you've only known her for one day" he said "And yet I feel as if I know everything there is to know about her" said Mako with a smile. Bolin crossed his arms "Oh really? When's her birthday?" with that Mako slapped his face in frustration and embarrassment. "It doesn't matter now, I'll never see her again anyway. She's the Avatar and I'm just some kid from the streets. She deserves better." Bolin felt sympathy for his brother. Mako had always been the one person Bolin could always count on no matter what. He had done and sacrificed so much for his little brother…now he wanted to do the same "But what if she wants you? You two really connected back there with you're love of music and feeling free stuff. You're meant for each other" Mako shook his head "I'm not so sure about that"
Just then they heard a familiar sound coming from the air vent. The two brothers looked at the ceiling and saw the air vent move. The lid came off and it landed on the police guard's head, knocking him unconscious. From the air vent came a very familiar furry face "Pabu!" the brothers exclaimed excitedly "Down here boy" said Bolin. The loyal ferret jumped from the vent and took the keys from the police guard with his mouth. He handed the keys to Bolin and in no time the two were out. Bolin exhaled dramatically "Oh, sweet mama, oxygen!" Mako covered his brother's mouth "Quiet bro, you want them to hear us?" Bolin muffled an 'I'm sorry' and Mako released him "How do we get out now?" asked Bolin and Mako looked up the ceiling "The same way he got in" he said as he petted Pabu on the head
Tenzin had been looking at the statue of his late father Avatar Aang, as Naga walked up to him and whined "Don't worry Naga, I'm sure Korra will be back soon" he said as he gently petted her head. Then Naga's ears rose and ran off to the pier. There was Korra coming out of her little boat with a sad expression on her face. Naga slowed down and simply nuzzled her best friend's face. Tenzin saw her and walked towards her "Korra are you alright?" he asked but Korra simply shook her head. The monk placed a hand on her shoulder, what's wrong?" Korra finally looked up at Tenzin and quickly buried her face on his chest and began to cry "Tarlokk he…(sob) he did something terrible!" Tenzin rubbed Korra's back in a fatherly manner to try and calm her down "There, there Korra. Let's go inside, you can tell me everything." Korra whipped her tears and nodded as the three made their way inside the temple.
"Bolin hurry up but don't make any noise" said a certain firebender, the earthbender behind him struggled to make his way through the air vents "Easy for you to say, you're ahead of me." he said with Pabu on his shoulder. Mako let out a sigh "Let's just get this over with. It really stinks in here"
"Sorry" said Bolin.
Mako then heard some cops talking in an air vent opening just below them, they were tossing out garbage down the trash compactor. When they left, Mako fire blasted the air vent opening and landed on the ground followed by his brother. Bolin immediately knew what his brother had in mind "Are you serious?" he whispered "You want to stay in jail?" Mako asked sarcastically. Bolin sighed and allowed his brother to go first. All three sledded down the trash hep and landed in the large garbage can behind Headquarters. Mako got out as he dusted off some garbage from his jacket, Bolin pooped up with a noodle bowl on his head "I have garbage in places garbage should never be." he took off the bowl and saw something on his shirt "Well, it's not all bad. I found a raisin" but once he put it in his mouth he immediately spit it out "Not a raisin" Mako rolled his eyes "Come on Bolin, let's go"