Chapter 4: The Way Back
Tahno had put this off long enough. He made his way to the newly constructed memorial site for all those who'd lost their lives in the Pro-Bending Arena. When he found his friend's graves, his heart clenched. He knew it'd be painful, but coming here and actually acknowledging it somehow made it final. Irreversible.
"I'm sorry, guys. All these years of protecting each other's backs, and in our moment of greatest victory I couldn't do a thing. I wish I was here with you. I might as well be gone."
"I thought I would find you here," spoke a voice from behind him.
Tahno startled at the silent visitor beside him, "Shiro!"
"I just came to pay my respects, Tahno."
Tahno looked into the sad eyes of the famous sports commentator, and knew his feelings were genuine. He'd suffered greatly that day, too. Wounds and scars marred his gaunt face. Shiro was the only truly genuine person in a world of facades and lies.
"You made me famous, Tahno. I owe you big time."
"No less so than you helped…umm…us, Shiro. You're the best color commentator of all time. You built us up in the public's eyes."
"Well when you got something really great to promote, it makes it easy for a guy with a microphone," Shiro smiled.
"Tahno, I know these are dark days for you. You can stay at my place for as long as you need to. Gratis."
"What am I gonna do, Shiro?" sadly asking the only real friend left he trusted for advice.
The commentator stood, and thought, and then spoke, "Have you ever thought of making a dojo? You were never gonna be able to fight forever."
"You know those are all rigged and fixed and controlled," Tahno rolled his eyes.
"Maybe Amon will shake things up enough that the whole system gets a lot better," encouraged Shiro.
"I dunno, Shiro. I'm a fighter, not a teacher," sighed Tahno.
"You think the old stories of Chief Toph and her difficulties with her first metal bending students were fake?"
He remembered the old history books and what a terrible beginnings the best earthbender of all time had first at teaching students, and said, "Maybe you are right, Shiro. We'll see."
"Free ads on my radio for a month if you do and I'll do the voice over's for nothing," he smiled.
"Sounds good to me Shiro."
It did appear things just might be looking up.
But there was business yet to be done against the man – no, the monster - that debent him and killed his friends.
He stood outside the Police Headquarters, smirked, and shook his head, never imagining for a single moment that he would ever willfully walk into this place on his own on purpose.
Things could not get any stranger. He took a deep breath, and walked into the Police Headquarters to the receptionist, "I need to talk to Chief Lin and Councilman Tenzin."
"Who may I say is calling?" inquired the receptionist.
"Tahno," he nearly whispered.
"Tahno who-oh! The bending champion!" said the receptionist excitedly.
"Former champion…" he lamented.
"Oh yeah. Sorry, man. You were great. I got to see you once."
"Great in my day."
"Maybe something will happen that will make it 'your day' again," encouraged the receptionist cheerfully.
"I doubt it but thanks anyway."
The receptionist got back to business, "Why don't you have a seat right over there, Tahno. Councilman Tenzin is meeting with Chief Lin and someone else right now. I will tell them you are here."
Tahno sat on a very hard bench, and waited. He heard footsteps and looked up. Standing at the main desk was Korra, fidgeting.
Tahno spoke, "Hey, Korra."
Korra turned and looked, shocked at his disheveled appearance of limp, greasy hair, and dark circles under his eyes, "Tahno?"
She sat next to him carefully, and spoke softly, "Listen. I know we're not exactly 'best friends,' but I'm sorry Amon took your bending."
Tahno explained, "I've been to the best healers in the city. Whatever Amon did to me, it's permanent."
Tahno hardened his tone, "You gotta get him for me."
Korra nodded her agreement, with a determined look on her face hard. She heard Lin talking, and looked over to find the Chief and Tenzin walking with Hiroshi Sato.
Lin politely said, "Mr. Sato, if you remember anything else about what you saw during Amon's attack, be sure to let us know."
Hiroshi said cheerfully, "I'm happy to help any way I can. I want these Equalists to pay for what they've done."
Tenzin looked at Tahno and said, "We're ready for you now."
Tahno stood, turned to Korra, and gave her a casual salute and smiled, "See you around, Avatar."
Tahno turned and walked away, and entered the Police Chief's office. They all took a seat, and in a nervous atmosphere, Lin asked, "Well Tahno, imagine us all three together."
"Yeah, it is hard to believe, but these are tough times, Chief. Seems we're all up against something that threatens us all no matter what side of the law we're on."
Tenzin smiled, and asked gently to smooth the situation, "Thanks for coming, Tahno. I know this is very hard for you. Can you tell us all about what happened to you that night?"
Tahno spent the next hour describing everything he could remember about Amon and his henchmen, their fighting techniques, avoidance schemes, and the horror of the actual debending procedure. He tried to help them as much as he could. He didn't say anything about his therapy, his visit home, and the events with his former girlfriend and boss.
Lin leaned in from her desk, and said, "Thank you Tahno, that was disturbing but very helpful. But that's not everything we'd like to chat about today. What can you tell us about the Bending Federation and your leader Butakha? I understand he dumped you and you're on the street now. Some great friend you have there."
Tahno remembered the final actual kind words and financial help of Butakha, and stiffened, "No, Chief, I can't help you there."
"Sometimes loyalties to those who you think are your friends are not worth the price you pay to have them, Tahno," warned Tenzin.
Tenzin's words cut like a water slice, and Tahno shuddered, "If I change my mind, Councilman, you'll be the first to know."
"Good day to you then, Tahno," Tenzin bowed.
After Tahno departed, Lin sat dejectedly back in her chair, and sighed, "I thought we had him on our side for a minute, Tenzin."
Tenzin looked at Lin with sympathy, "That boy, no matter how tough he shows everyone, is in a really bad state right now. He's lost everything, more than just the bending, and the very people he thought he loved have dumped him and the people he disdained and hated are the only ones reaching out in support. He'll come around. He's a smart boy."
"Well when we have everything we need from him, will we stand by or dump him like the others?" asked Lin.
"If we do the right thing for him in return for his help, that my old friend, is what makes us the 'good guys'."
She smiled and patted his shoulder, "That's the old Tenzin I know and…and…"
Her voice caught for a moment, and despite herself, her eyes glistened.
"I know Lin, I know."