"Okay, let me try it again"

Mako had to admit, watching the Avatar practice Pro-Bending was absolutely an enthralling experience. Usually by this time after an intense match he would be so exhausted that sleep would have already found him. But not tonight. He had been leaning against the stairwell in the gym for nearly half an hour watching Korra try over and over to correct the move Bolin was teaching her. She had a fiery personality and was probably the craziest girl he'd met. But at the same time Mako had never met anyone like her.

Korra looked down at her feet and hopped lightly trying to take Bolin's last bit of advice. She easily punched two earth discs towards the practice net finally getting them to intercross at the last moment just like Bolin's had.

Huh, well how about that, Mako thought. If that'd been a real match, an opponent would have been almost helpless to defend themselves. It had taken Bolin a very long time to master that move. The girl put her hands on her hips and looked to see Bolin's reaction.

"Wow, nice adjustment," Bolin exclaimed in excitement while pointing back at her, "you're a natural at this!"

Mako then broke the silence he had held since entering the gym. "Not bad," he said in a dry tone.

Korra and Bolin turned around to look at him. Korra's expression of excitement dropped and she looked almost disappointed. Mako couldn't understand why.

"What's it take to impress this guy?"

Hadn't he just complimented her? Avatar or not, she was a stranger to him. What did she expect? A round of applause or utter admiration like Bolin had given her?

"What? I said not bad," Mako said with his eyes glaring at Korra.

Her lips pouted causing Mako to sigh. The girl was crazy and he was not about to waste his time giving in to argument with someone he barely knew the in the first place. She irritated him. He wondered what he been thinking when he left the locker room. The Avatar showing up did nothing for their situation. It had been a waste to even come to the gym to watch her. She was a distraction that had even distracted him. He looked down, shaking his head.

"You know what, it's getting late. I think I'm gonna turn in. You kids have fun," Mako said while leaning off the stairwell.

He began walking towards the door to leave and then something struck him. He did just meet the Avatar and he didn't want to be entirely rude. He didn't know if he'd ever meet her again. But knowing Bolin, Mako probably would.

Mako paused momentarily to look back at her and then spoke in the nicest voice he could manage at the moment, "Nice to meet you, 'Avatar Korra'."

Her face looked sour and waved, speaking sarcastically, "Yeah, been a real pleasure."

Mako then knew the Avatar hated him. He had been rude and he should've showed a little more respect. Deep down, it did bother him. Perhaps if the tournament wasn't just one match away he would've turned around to tell her sorry. Perhaps if the tournament wasn't just one match away Korra, Bolin, and him could all be friends. Perhaps that life would be enjoyable for him. But this was real life and it couldn't be that simple. He needed to focus on taking care of his brother, just like he had promised his father. Mako needed rest and so did Bolin.

"See you upstairs, bro," Mako said hoping to hint to Bolin to leave the gym soon.

Instead of Bolin responding, it was the girl. "Upstairs? You guys live here?"

Mako knew what she was thinking. She was probably laughing at how pathetic that was. Perhaps she had expected the brothers to live in a glamorous mansion since they were pro-benders. She had no idea about their life.

Bolin responded, "Yup. In the attic. It's nothing fancy, but we have some great views!"

For a moment Mako did wonder what the girl- No, Korra- thought about that. After all, she was the avatar.

From the hallway Mako heard Bolin then say, "So, back to bending, why don't you throw that combo one more time?"

Mako rolled his eyes. It would be a while before his brother came upstairs.

Mako awoke the next morning with a fierce attitude. The memory of last night never crossed his mind. Tonight was it for him, the match that decided everything. He rolled off the couch he slept on each night and made the short walk into the small kitchen. He sent a blast of fire to the stove to let it heat up for breakfast while he went to wake up Bolin.

He had nearly climbed the top step on the ladder to the loft where Bolin slept when he heard the groggy mumbling, "No, Pabu, no more melon smoothies. The Melon Lord is too expensive for your circus tricks."

Bolin was sleep-talking about the popular restaurant venue that one of Avatar Aang's friends opened after Republic City was built. Bolin only talked in his sleep if he was really tired. Mako then remembered the night before. Bolin had stayed up later than he should have with Avatar Korra.

"Lovebird," Mako mumbled and slid back down the ladder.

It was in his best interest to let Bolin sleep if Mako wanted extra focus from him in the match tonight.

The morning went on much like usual. Mako ate his breakfast while he listened to the radio. Unlike usual he listened extra close for anything about Avatar Korra. She had been on the radio the other day as sort of a press conference for coming to Republic City. Maybe it was destiny she showed up to Mako and Bolin. Maybe she would have a greater impact on their lives than he could imagine. Mako then laid back down on the couch, while continuing to think and listen to the radio. Either the calming thoughts or the lulling music- or a mixture of both- slowly put Mako to sleep, forgetting all his troubles.

What felt like only minutes later, Mako woke up being shaken by Bolin, "Good morning! Or should I say good afternoon? Either way, you were up for breakfast! Why didn't you wake me up? Pabu and I are growing boys, we need our morning energy!"

Mako moaned putting his hands over his eyes to block the bright light from the window, "Ugh, I fell back to sleep. You should've come to bed earlier, you were sleep talking so I didn't wake you up. What time is it?"

Bolin blinked in surprise, "Oh. Well Pabu and I have been up several hours and you were sleep talking too. Something about destiny and a girl that drives you crazy. Oh, Makoooo, do you have a, you know, special lady in your life? Either way, it's almost four and our match is at six."

Oh no! Mako thought. He rolled over fast on the couch to get up, practically falling from his drowsiness. He ran to his dresser where he kept his practice clothes.

"We have to be to be in the gym at four for practice! We told Hasook to be there! Why didn't you wake me up? I can't believe this! We're not focused at all. We're going to lose the match and it's my entire fault!" Mako yelled.

Mako looked Bolin up and down and was glad that his brother was dressed for practice already. That saved some time. Mako pulled Bolin towards the attic door and ran with him down the steps practically making both of them fall. Mako pulled open the gym door and ran inside.

"Sorry we're late Hasook. Bolin let me over sleep and- Hasook?"

Mako had run in the gym expecting Hasook to have been there but the room was completely empty. His body rang with anger. Today was not the day for Hasook to slack off.

"Maybe he's just running late, Mako. You know how he is," said Bolin trying to reassure Mako.

Mako placed his index finger and thumb on the bridge of his nose and sighed hoping Bolin was right. The two brothers sat in the gym for nearly an hour contemplating why Hasook would be late. The two even considered going to look for him although they didn't even know where he lived. Mako supposed his harsh words from the night before had caused Hasook's absence but they had been necessary.

It wasn't until the next hour that Mako got serious and said, "I swear, Bolin, after this Hasook is cut. No more. He's cost us nearly every match this season!"

"I hate to be Mr. Negative here but what about tonight? What happens if he doesn't show up at all? We have less than an hour until the match. What are we going to do?" Bolin asked.

For what felt like the first time a very long time, Mako had no idea what to tell his brother. They didn't know any other waterbenders and it was against the rule to borrow one from another team. If Hasook didn't show up the Fire Ferrets would be disqualified. The brothers would be back to living on the streets doing odd jobs here and there to get by rather than living in attic in the arena.

Mako took pride in always saving his brother. Whenever Bolin got into a stupid situation, Mako had always been there to help him. Not only did his pride depend on it, but his well-being did too. Although he never opened up to anyone about it, not even his brother, Mako missed his parents very much. He knew somewhere his parents were watching over them and he didn't want to think he was disappointing them. Taking care of Bolin had been his father's dying wish, why couldn't he manage to uphold that promise? No destiny should include their struggle. It was the end of the road.

Mako felt tears appear in his eyes and he quickly blinked them back. Bolin hadn't seen Mako cry since the night their parents were killed. He had to be strong for Bolin. That was all he had. His purpose was to save Bolin only leaving Mako to often wonder who was going to save him.

Fifteen minutes before the match, Mako and Bolin slowly made their way to the locker room although Mako felt it was useless. He broke the routine of going straight to his locker and went to the wall. He leaned his body against it and unlike usual he looked towards the crowd. He could hear cheers. Some were even yelling for the Fire Ferrets. Maybe he took the crowd for granted, the ones who were cheering for the team's success. Bolin sat on the bench across from Mako staring at the ground.

"You never can truly appreciate something until it's gone, can you, bro?" Mako asked Bolin rhetorically.

Just then Avatar Korra walked into the room and neither he nor Bolin reacted. Mako was sure he would've greeted her kindly if the situation had been different. Even Bolin didn't look her way. Her presence would fix nothing, Avatar or not.

"I didn't miss your match, did I? You guys look like you lost already," Korra speculated.

Bolin didn't look up at her and his usual cheerful voice was not there, "We might as well have."

Korra had a loss for words and Mako felt it was his responsibility to save his brother from talking.

"Hasook's a no-good no-show," Mako explained looking up at her.

The door creaked open and Mako and Bolin perked up, hoping it was Hasook. But it wasn't, it was the referee.

"You have two minutes to come out ready to play or you're disqualified."

The door shut and Mako looked down for what felt like the millionth time that day, "Well, there goes our shot at the tournament… and the winnings."

Korra pointed at a player in the corner from another and asked, "Can't you ask one of those guys?"

Mako knew Korra was trying to help but she simply didn't understand. Bolin and Mako had already thought of this.

Bolin answered for Mako this time, "Nah, the rules say you can only compete on one team."

The girls face dropped and then suddenly became bright with an excited smile. What? Mako thought. There was no reason to smile. No idea could ever fix this, they were out and done.

"Well, then how about me?" Korra asked, "I'm a top-notch waterbender, if I do say so myself."

No! Mako thought. That would also get them disqualified and he'd rather not be disqualified for that. Surely it would be considered cheating to have the Avatar play in pro-bending match. Either way Korra knew nothing about pro-bending except for maybe how to watch and throw earth discs, none of which would help the Fire Ferrets win.

Bolin looked at her with a puzzled expression, "But you're the Avatar. Isn't that cheating?"

The girl looked smug and smiled, "It is cheating if I only do waterbending."

Mako finally spoke up, "No way. I'd rather forfeit than look like a fool out there."

Korra glanced back at him looking angrier than he'd seen her, "wow, thanks for the vote of confidence."

Just then the referee peaked back in the door after what felt like the shortest two minutes of Mako's life. "Time's up. You in or out?"

Before Mako could breathe to respond, Korra answered for him, "We're in!"

"We are?" Mako asked.

Korra wasn't on the team, she couldn't answer for them. But Mako supposed now wasn't the time to argue. If the Fire Ferrets were going to get disqualified they might as well show up to do it.

Bolin smiled and threw his fist in the air, exclaiming, "Yes!"

Bolin smiling was one thing Mako couldn't resist, even though he desperately wanted to at the moment. Bolin and Korra ran to the lockers before Mako could interject.

"Hey, I didn't agree to this!" Mako said pointing at her.

She turned around smiling at him, "You can thank me later."

Although he wasn't so sure he'd be thanking her later he couldn't understand the feelings that rushed through him. He blamed the feelings all on a mix of being nervous, sad, excited, and frustrated but even he knew Korra had something to do with them. She was wild, energetic, and confident although she had no reason to be. And she was the Avatar. The Avatar that was about to play with the Fire Ferrets in a pro-bending match.

"This girl is crazy," he said.

But then again, maybe so was he.

Hello again everyone! :) This was a fun chapter to write so I hope you all have fun reading it! I love tying together the pieces of Mako that I know are there that we never see in the series. He's fascinating, isn't he? The next chapter is going to be a tough one with more pro-bending so sorry if it takes a little longer to post next time. I just can't wait to finish to get to all of the good stuff! Anyway, please keep reviewing. You guys are my motivation! Thanks!