Shiro Shinobi: "Asami is even closer to the Avatar than she originally thought! After a trip to the Great Wan Shi Tong's Library, a little research showed that she is a descendant of Avatar Yangchen. While this may be an explanation as to why she can airbend, Asami felt it necessary to dig a little deeper. She and Korra have paused their vacation and returned to the mortal world. Asami wants to use her research and resources there to study her connection to airbending scientifically. However, our couple had just barely arrived at her workshop when trouble struck again! It seems that Republic City's criminal organization, the Triads, are more-organized than ever and have done some recruiting, and now possess criminals bending all four elements! Korra and Asami rush to assemble team Avatar and put a stop to them!
Korra looked up at the expansive pro-bending arena from its entrance. Even in the midmorning sun it seemed to be glowing, as though it were lit for an important game night. The brass and copper accents that adorned the walls caught the sunlight in a way that caused the light to dance among metallic golds and silvers. Korra just stood there for a moment, recalling her first trip here and the wonder it had caused. She was pleased to find that this place hadn't lost its wonder over time.
As she headed through the lobby and towards the training areas, she was greeted by several gaming officials and sponsors. She bid them each a quick and wave and a nod, not desiring to have any approach and delay her. Passing the administration office and press room, she saw a number of reporters led by Shiro Shinobi sitting around a table at which the head sat the Wolfbats. Korra was aware that tonight marked the second qualifying tournament for the start of the new pro-bending season, though two months early, because President Raiko wanted to initiate it early in order to lift spirits and stimulate the economy.
When she finally arrived at the training halls, she found a familiar room to be occupied by a pair of familiar faces. One was of Mako, who was busy tossing balls of flame across the hall, and the other was Bolin, who was on the other side, using a small earthen disc to block each in turn. Occasionally Bolin would return fire, lifting a disc from behind him to send arcing at his brother. Any disc that Mako didn't have enough time to avoid was easily obliterated by a short burst of fire. After a few exchanges, Korra noticed Bolin lifting a disc behind him and bending it into a magma shuriken. After another parry he spun, sending the disc behind him straight for Mako. Mako moved to block it but realized almost too late that it wasn't simply earth and dove away. "Bolin, that's not funny!"
"Sorry, Mako," Bolin replied with a grin, "but how am I supposed to keep from getting rusty with my lavabending if I don't practice?"
"Look, we already approached the officials about this, you know that. They deemed the use of lavabending, despite it still being earthbending, illegal in pro-bending. You've never seen me lightningbend, right?"
"I know, I know, it's just… I finally have something special, and I want to show everybody what I can do. I just want to give our family a name, a place in history. Sorry I got carried away."
"It's alright, you already have, Bolin. You're a moverstar and you helped save Republic City several times. I think your fame is secured in our books."
"Am I… interrupting?" Korra ventured finally, walking close enough now for them to notice.
"Korra!" shouted Bolin, running over to hug Korra tightly. Pabu seemed to materialize from nowhere to join the hug, snaking around their necks. "It's so good to see you! I haven't seen you for-"
"It's been five days, Bolin. You saw her when we had dinner at Tenzin's last weekend," replied Mako calmly.
"I know, but it feels like forever. Doesn't that count?" replied Bolin. Releasing Korra, he continued. "What brings you over here? Are you here to rejoin the Ferrets? We were going to ask Hasook later this evening, but you're clearly our number one pick! Oh man, it'd be so cool to have the old team back together again! We could go all the way again! This is going to be great!"
"Calm down, Bolin!" replied Mako, lifting his hands up between them. "Let Korra speak. She was supposed to be spending some time off in the Spirit World. There has to be a reason she's back so early."
"No, I'm sorry, but I'm not here to join you guys," Korra said, slightly disappointed. "I actually came to see if you'd join me. We have a problem."
"What kind of a problem?" asked Mako, his face turning slightly grim.
"Last night Asami and I just returned a bit early for reasons not related to this, but we happened to be at her workshop when we discovered that a robbery had occurred. The guards told us that they had been ambushed by a group of Triads. They stole several of Asami's prototypes along with some confiscated Earth Republic mechs. But the worst part is that they've started calling themselves the Tetrads. They're recruited new airbenders and supposedly are very organized. Apparently they're under new management."
"I'd heard that the new portal opening was causing another surge in airbenders, but I never thought any would turn up in the Triads," said Mako. "I think it'd be a good idea to put our training on hold, Bolin. We don't play until tomorrow evening, anyway,"
Bolin looked positively excited. "Yes! I was getting so cramped having to bend using professional rules and regulations. It's about time I got to stretch the old bending muscles again! Look out, Tetrads, cuz' Bolin's got your number!"
"Calm down, little bro." Mako turned to Korra. "The first thing we should do is notify the Chief. Any help or information she could give us would make this go a lot more smoothly."
"Asami is already on that," replied Korra. "I'm here for you two. We planned to meet back at her workshop in about an hour. Are you in?" Mako nodded curtly, while Bolin furiously bobbed his head up and down with an excited smile. The three of them left the area and headed toward the workshop.
By the time the three had returned to Asami's workshop, they had found her speaking with Lin Beifong near the gaping hole left in the wall by last night's robbery. When she saw the three, Asami broke off her conversation with Lin and moved toward them. Lin followed closely behind and nodded solemnly at Korra when they were within talking distance. "Thanks so much for coming along, guys," Asami said. "It's so great to know I have so many people I can count on." as Korra her she absentmindedly took the Avatar's hand in hers as she began to speak. "I've just finished explaining to the chief what had happened last night. As far as we can tell, the group consisted of roughly two dozen thieves, at least half of which are benders. The numbers were pretty even among the triad, but there were two airbenders among them as well. I'm told that they're responsible for their stealthy entry, as they knocked out the guards closest to the entry point."
Bolin seemed to be concentrating less on Asami's explanation and more on the location of her left hand. Pabu had crawled out from his jacket, and he whispered something to the little ferret. Then, after another moment, he softly elbowed Mako and pointed at Korra and Asami's hands. Mako rolled his eyes and continued trying to listen to Asami, who had noticed Bolin's actions.
"What the matter, Bolin?" Asami asked, which proved that Bolin apparently was not paying attention, as he suddenly snapped to attention on Asami's face, startled.
"Huh? Oh, nothing!" exclaimed Bolin. "Right. Thieves. Organized. Airbenders. Nothing is wrong. I was just wondering… I saw you holding Korra's hand… and I just wondered if you were…"
Asami giggled and Korra gave an exasperated sigh. "Yes, Bolin. Asami and I are dating. This doesn't bother you, does it?"
"N-N-No, of course not!" Bolin stammered. "I'm super happy for you both! I'm just a little surprised, is all. Who could have seen this coming?" Lin and Mako, both of whom were standing with their arms folded, rose their right arms casually. Bolin's jaw dropped. "You mean you both knew?"
"I had a feeling," said Lin cooly, "but then again, I've been studying people for decades. It's kind of my job. I might have even realized it before they did, though it was just a hunch."
"I spent some time with them when Korra finally returned to Republic City and at Varrick's wedding," explained Mako. "I saw something, myself. I'm not gonna lie, it wasn't the greatest boost to my ego, but it wasn't difficult to see that those two are perfect for each other."
Bolin calmed his surprise and said, "Well, Mako's right. You two really are perfect for each other!" His mouth widened again as he split a grin and dashed over with arms outstretched to catch both ladies in a big bear hug. "I'm so happy for you two! You can double-date with me and Opal, and I can get advice from Asami about how to keep an angry airbender from knocking me flat!"
Korra and Asami exchanged a nervous chuckle at that irony, and through the corner of her mouth Korra whispered, "You didn't say anything to anyone about your airbending, did you?"
Asami replied similarly, "No, did you?" Korra shook her head to signify that she hadn't. The laugh continued for a moment longer, and Bolin released them and returned to Mako's side. Asami continued, "So, given what we know so far, the gang has retreated from the city proper into the hills to the northwest."
Lin took the explanation from there. "Given what we know and what we can assume, they are most-likely currently holed up in an old mining facility half a day's travel from here by satomobile. That's the only real place for days that is large enough to store half a dozen large machines. I'll have some of my men help keep watch on this facility while I send others out to look for them. I'm needed here, so I can't regrettably cannot accompany them, or you, on this mission. I'd say to be careful, but knowing you four are who's going out there, I kind of wish I was able to give that warning to these 'Tetrads' instead." Lin gave her trademark half-smile. "At any rate, if you guys encounter anything you can't handle, please come back for us before you get in too deep." With that she turned back to one of her officers to direct the investigation.
"Well, that just leaves us," said Korra. "We should head toward the mine." So, the four piled into the one of Asami's new satomobiles, this one with a slightly raised suspension and larger tires.
"The altered design on the tires allows us to drive on rockier surfaces without losing traction or being damaged," explained Asami when she noticed Mako and Bolin inspecting the new machine. "The engine is a little more-powerful, as well. After driving Korra and myself through the desert looking for Zaheer, I'd thought up the idea, but I never got around to commissioning it until a few months ago."
"You never cease to amaze me," admired Korra from the seat beside Asami. Mako saw the look Korra gave Asami and reddened a bit. Was he jealous? Did he still have feelings for them? After thinking about this for a moment, he realized that his feelings for either one of his friends were indeed still there, and he still cared for both of them. However, he realized that neither of them had the type of personality that he could mesh with. Korra's strong will and determination was much like his own, but even more-powerful. This is what always fueled their arguments, and Mako knew they'd never go away. Asami on the other hand was very forgiving and open to ideas, but she required a level of empathy that he just couldn't provide. He'd watched them grow closer over the years, and Mako knew that what these two had was a long time in the making.
"So, how was your trip together in the Spirit World?" Mako asked, deciding it was best not to dwell on his past.
"For what a short time we had there, it was great," replied Korra. I introduced Asami to my friend, the spirit of the great General Iroh, and we took a trip to Wan Shi Tong's library. Other than that, we were just able to enjoy each other's company." Asami appreciated the fact that Korra had left out her bending, as she wasn't ready to tell the guys yet. She really wanted more time alone with her for studying airbending and figuring out what was happening to her, but right now her first priority was stopping the thieves and retrieving her machines.
They'd passed the city limits a few minutes ago, and the roads were starting to narrow. Bolin, who had been uncharacteristically quiet so far this ride, asked, "So, from what we know, there could be as many as a dozen benders working in the Triads, huh? Even a few airbenders?"
Asami nodded without turning, busy concentrating on the dwindling road. "My guess is that when Korra opened the new spirit portal, it allowed an influx of spirit energy greater than the world has ever seen to enter, kickstarting a new influx of benders. Normally someone has to be born to bending parents to even have a chance at bending, but I remember from one of Korra's stories that this wasn't always the case, and that the great Lion-turtles would spirit bend the ability onto individuals. Over time the bending became a hereditary trait, but it has always been linked to one's connection to spiritual energy." Asami stopped and thought for a moment on how she'd always been more-scientific than spiritual. Perhaps that was why she was having difficulty… "At any rate, there's no real control over whom inherits bending, and they could very well be someone who would use it for evil rather than good."
Korra added, "Just think about Zaheer. He acquired airbending and almost killed me," and her face changed to a look of determination as she continued, "but that isn't going to happen again. Things are different now. Also, new airbenders or not, I'm not going to go easy on them for stealing from Asami and disrupting our first chance to finally spend some time together."
Asami was positively beaming at her girlfriend's protectiveness, and turned to smile warmly at her. So busy was she admiring Korra that she almost failed to notice a sudden end to their road. She noticed Bolin frantically point forward and as he shouted, "Wall. WALL!" Where the path was supposed to lead through a pass between two sheer hills stood a four meter barrier from one rocky outcropping to the other. Asami jerked the wheel braked hard, bringing the satomobile to a screeching halt merely half a length from the wall.
"Someone obviously didn't want any traffic beyond this point," said Mako calmly. "Well, they obviously didn't expect to be followed by the world's only known lavabender and the Avatar. He hopped out and inspected the wall, then turned to Bolin. "Do you mind?"
Grinning widely, Bolin hopped out and planted both feet firmly, bringing his fist to the ground. A moment later the rock at the base of the wall began to glow. The light and heat travelled up the wall and out towards the sides as Bolin brought his other hand down and wrong both hands into fists and opened them as his arms spread apart. The stone quickly melted into lava and began running toward the hillside. Bolin shifted his weight and stance and motioned his hands in an almost waterbending-like manner to move the waves of lava safely away from the group. Korra considered helping but stopped herself when she noticed how much he was actually enjoying himself.
With the wall out of the way, they continued on, moving through the pass created between the hills, that were now starting to become mountainous. Looking at a map, Korra pointed out that they were not very far from their destination, and to stay alert. Eventually, the pass opened into a wide, rocky area that snaked to the left further down the trail. They parked and continued on foot. As they rounded the bend, they saw the top of the mines peeking from the various outcroppings of rocks that dotted the path. Seeing no sign of anyone standing guard, Korra motioned silently for them to split up and circle around each edge of the canyon. The ladies split right, while Mako and Bolin took the left side.
Asami had just lost sight of the guys behind a split in the path when a thought hit her. She whispered to Korra, "I don't like this. We've encountered no resistance, no scouts, not even a hint of anyone protecting anything. Either they're not here, or they're expecting us."
"I know, babe," whispered Korra. "That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm actually counting on that. That's why I'm going to create a distraction."
"Wait, what?" Asami's brow raised and she inadvertently raised her voice before catching herself with a gasp and returning to a whisper. "What do you mean? You're going to use yourself as bait?"
"Listen, whoever this new gang leader is, he is obviously expecting someone to come. He's also probably expecting them to sneak in. Spirits, he probably has people watching us right now. What I'm betting he's not expecting is for someone to rush in and call him out. I intend to catch them by surprise and I want us to be able to use that surprise to attack."
Asami thought for a moment. "Thats… actually not a bad idea. You know, the Avatar I met was very hotheaded and never thought or planned." She chuckled a bit. "Though, I can see the irony in you planning on acting like your old self. Since when did you get so good at thinking strategically?"
Korra chuckled back. "I picked up a few things from my girlfriend." She gave her a quick kiss. "Wish me luck."
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" worried Asami. "Mako and Bolin don't even know what you're planning. What if something goes wrong? Will they be able react fast enough?"
"I'll be fine. I've got an airbender at my back!" Korra winked and extended her glider, lifting above the cliffs and toward the mine.
Bolin just had to ask. It had been bugging him all morning, and now that they were alone he could finally approach his brother. "Mako... " he whispered. "Are you, you know… okay with Korra and Asami dating? I mean, you dated Asami, then you dated Korra, then you dated Asami and Korra, then you weren't dating either one of them, and now they're dating each other, and it hurts my brain so I figured you'd probably be even more-confused."
"It's fine, Bolin. I'm fine," Mako replied sincerely. "It's because I had a relationship with each of them that I can be so confident that not only am I not bothered by it, but that I can tell how perfect those two are for each other. Really, I'm happy for both of them." Mako actually cracked a smile with his next comment, "Still, I wouldn't mind asking, to see if they agree with me, on which one of them is the better kisser…"
He let the thought trail as the midday sun cast a shadow above them. He looked up and his smile faded. "It's Korra. She's just… flying straight in. Why would she do that? That's the old Korra."
"Maybe she got tired of waiting," offered Bolin, "or maybe she found something she couldn't wait for. At any rate, we should hustle. There could be trouble very soon." The two hurried at a light run toward the mine and saw the path open before them to the lower left entrances. There was still no sign of activity, but Bolin swore he could feel something vibrating near them. "I hope Korra knows what she's doing. I have a bad feeling about this."
Korra landed atop one of the foremost hoisting platforms at the front of the mine and shouted, "I know you're in there. I am the Avatar. I'm giving you a chance to surrender and return the property you stole. If you cooperate, I can promise that you will not be harmed, and I will speak on your behalf to the Republic City police. If you resist, I can only promise you pain."
"I know very well who you are, Avatar Korra," replied a deep and resonating voice from within the foreman's office across from her. "I think, however, that you don't know who I am. Allow me to introduce myself." The man stepped forward into the light as he continued to speak. "I am Feng, leader of the Tetrads. It is truly an honor to meet you." With this, the man took a deep bow and as he rose, Korra could see a cocky sneer on his face. Korra noted that Feng was tall and well-built, and it appeared as though he took care of himself, as his low-cut shirt couldn't quite stretch to his pants sure to his broad, muscular shoulders. The man sported a single long scar that stretched from a mop of black hair down through his neatly-trimmed mutton chop beard. The man wore a long, beige coat and a wide-brimmed hat of the same color. He looked like a man that went out of his way to enjoy the finer things in life at any expense. Korra didn't like him.
"Well, Feng, It seems that you don't like keeping your hands to yourself. Is this true? Did you steal equipment from the laboratories of Future Industries last night?"
"Oh, you mean did I take some toys from your arm candy? Or, rather, are you hers?" I haven't really decided on that yet. I'm gonna need to watch you two a little more closely."
Korra was slightly taken aback by this. She'd only been out around with Asami for a couple of days at the most, and never anywhere very public yet. she realized that could only mean one thing. "You've been spying on us?"
"Not exactly, Avatar. It's more like I've been casing that site of Future Industries since before Kuvira's attack. And when my men notice things, they tell me. So I've gotten several reports of you and Ms. Sato getting pretty chummy. As interesting as that news may be, it's not what I was looking for. It's safe to say that after all of that amazing equipment was moved there that I became interested. Even better, the Avatar was nowhere to be found, so I organized my men to… liberate that equipment to, shall we say, improve our operations."
"Well, I have some bad news for you, Feng. All of that equipment is going right back to Future Industries. I have a task force of police coming soon, though I can't guarantee that they'll have any work to do when I'm through with you."
Feng started to laugh a deep, booming laugh. "Wonderful! We'll have some hostages to barter with the police, and among them the Avatar!" He clapped. and several rock faces shifted to reveal about twenty men in gang dress, accompanied by a pair of warmechs. You can call any friends you have out. You may be the Avatar, but I know you didn't come alone.
Mako saw Asami about a hundred meters away, slipping on her equalist glove as she moved into position. "Let's go," he called to Bolin and vaulted up the path to the base of the platform Korra was standing on. Bolin followed closely behind. Within moments Asami was at their side as well. As he looked around, Mako took quick stock of the situation. He assumed most of these men were benders, and maybe even the two of Kuvira's confiscated mechs. As Korra lept to the ground to stand beside them, he said "Looks like the odds are about five to one. You worried?"
Korra replied with a half smile, "No, but they'd better be." The four readied themselves as they heard Feng speak once more.
"Men! You know the plan! I want them alive, but I'll understand if you have to kill them! Water, fire, now!" Several of the men reached down and pulled streams of water from nearby mining troughs and brought them before themselves. Then, still more benders stepped forward and released streams of fire into the floating water, creating a large envelope of steam for cover. "Earth, now!" came another command, and the team felt the ground beneath their feet tremble. They were in danger of losing their footing when Bolin reacted quickly and stabilized the ground. It was just in time, too, because at that moment a pair of firebenders could be seen emerging from the mist, swinging arcs of flame at Korra. Even as this happened, Asami and Mako each barely avoided a cable that had shot out at them from the mechs. Mako began to counter the nearest firebender while Korra summoned a torrent of air, attempting to clear the nearby fog.
"We need to clear this fog and get some cover of our own!" shouted Mako. "If only Jinora or Kai were here, we could focus on fighting. We have to think of something," Mako said in between dodges and counters of attacking earth and firebenders. Asami, busy with a waterbender herself, silently agreed with a frown. If only she could do more to help…
"Asami! Behind you!" shouted Korra, and Asami turned just in time to see a new foe drop beside her from above. The short, scruffy man landed gracefully beside her, crouched,and pushed his hands upward toward Asami's chest. He came up short of contact, and Asami thought she had dodged safely, but with his hands still extended, a concussive force of air erupted from them, knocking her up and onto her back. The waterbender engaging her took this opportunity to send a blast at her right hand, enveloping her glove and encasing it in a block of ice. Asami's slipped out of the now-useless glove as she pushed off the ground in a handspring, vaulting backward.
Wasting no time, the airbender closed the distance between them and continued to press his attack. Korra could see that it was all Asami could do to avoid his blows, but she was getting pushed back to a nearby rock wall and was losing ground quickly. The mixture of danger to her girlfriend and frustration of fighting a surprisingly organized group of thugs was too much for her to bear. Her features darkened as her eyes lit with a white fury.
Asami had her back to the rocks and both benders were closing quickly. Asami knew from the silhouette nearby that Korra was close, but she didn't know if Korra was close enough to help in time. If she could just hold on a little longer, she thought to herself. Then, as she sidestepped a lash of wind, a rope of water tripped her and sent her to the ground. Slightly dazed, she could see two forms rushing toward her, and saw Korra several meters behind them, less-obscured now that she was closer. Asami saw her eyes first, those bright, burning eyes. Korra had entered the Avatar State. She was closing fast. The blows from the two benders were approaching as well. Asami knew Korra wasn't going to make it in time. This was going to hurt.
"No!" Asami shouted. This was not going to hurt. Asami pressed her hands up and a blast of air sent her above both the blows of air and water, but above the heads of her attackers. As she came down, she spun, swinging both legs in a long arc as she made a full turn. Each kick in turn erupted in a sharp current of air that landed squarely upon the chests of the bending thugs. She saw Korra regard her with a mixture of pride and relief as her features eased, returning to her normal self. Adrenaline still pumping, Asami ran over to Korra. "I have an idea. Give me a boost?"
Korra nodded and grabbed Asami by both hands and jumped, pressing up with a spring of jutting earth, then forward with a burst of air. At the crest of their lift, Asami jumped, pressing off Korra with airbending of her own, and landing squarely between the fogbenders. A barrage of kicks and punches directed at each of them was enough to disrupt their focus, and the fog started to lift. Korra was quickly in place beside Asami, and the two stood back to back, parrying fire and water and returning with bending of their own.
As the fog cleared, Mako looked up to where the benders had been causing the distraction and tried to process what was happening. Korra and Asami were… "Asami is bending!"
Bolin took his focus off the earthbender and mech opposite him long enough to chance a glance at Mako's reaction. "What are you talking about, Mako? That's how she always looks, she's just really light on her-WHAT?" Bolin's jaw dropped and he almost failed to dodge a rock coming to his face. Bolin ducked left and bent the rock as it flew past, swinging it behind and around him, then brought both hands together and made a wringing motion as the rock liquified and formed a shuriken, which he sent flying past the now-frightened earthbending Tetrad and straight at the left arm of the mech, slicing it off. "How?" he asked aloud, seemingly only half-focused on his retreating opponents.
"I don't know, but I'm pretty sure that this can only be good for us!" shouted Mako, now redoubling his efforts and pressing back the firebender that was facing him. With Bolin's enemies disposed of, he was free to come to his brother's aid. The two managed to disable the other mech in short order and had the other benders on them starting to retreat as well.
Korra could see Feng several meters above them. His greasy smile had turned to a frown of disgust. Korra lept up to land on the railing a few meters from him. :It's over, Feng. I suggest you give yourself up."
"It figures that it'd be the Avatar to come after me," Feng scoffed. Then he shouted, "fall back, men! We'll regroup later! You know the plan!" Korra leapt at him, sending a jet of fire down with her kick. He clapped his hands before her and dissipated the fire with a sudden vacuum. "This isn't over, Avatar. One day the Tetrads will rule more than just the streets of Republic City. He retreated into the foreman's office and a moment later Korra saw a hummingbird mech burst through the roof. She tried to bring it down with several rocks and fire blasts, but the craft was too agile. She suddenly regretted Asami's amazing engineering for a moment, before calming herself and looking around. The last of the Tetrads were scattering back through the paths around the mine, grabbing ostrich horses to hasten their retreat.
"Should we go after them?" asked Asami when the four had regrouped.
"No, there are too many of them, and most aren't on foot…" began Mako. "Um… Asami?" He clearly wasn't focused on the fleeing gang. "Were you just… airbending?"
"Uh, yeah," Asami said with a chuckle. "Apparently I can airband now. I discovered it a few days ago in the spirit world, but I haven't been able to control it until now."
Bolin, whose jaw and eyes were still wide with surprise, suddenly snapped and shouted, "You're an airbender! This is so cool! Do it again! "
Asami readied herself, brought her fist back, and then motioned forward, palm outstretched. Nothing happened. "What?" Asami asked herself in frustration. "Ugh! Why can't I do this! I thought that air was the calmest and most-spiritual of elements! Why can I only bend when I'm in danger?
"Hey, that's not true, you bent yourself on top of me when…" Korra offered, but then trailed off when she noticed the boys' gaze shift to her in earnest. Turning red, she continued, "look, we've already discussed this. Give it time. We'll figure it out." She put her arm around Asami and leaned her forehead to touch hers. "You did great, by the way. If it weren't for you we'd have had some real trouble there, I think."
Appreciating Korra's closeness more than her consolation, Asami smiled. "Thanks. But I saw you. You had entered the Avatar State. Things were about to happen either , I'm glad I could help." She turned to the group and put her hands on her hips. "Well, we have my equipment back, or what's left of it. While that problem is solved, we have a potentially bigger one."
"Feng," offered Mako. "I haven't heard much about this guy. Maybe the chief or some of her men will have more information. At any rate, I'm sure the advance group will be here any minute. Let's regroup back in Republic City and see what we can figre out what Feng and the 'Tetrads' are up to."