Chapter 10, this is not my property.
Chapter Ten
The next morning, Tenzin and Korra had sent off several of the Air Temple Acolytes to assist Mako, Bolin, and Asami in the move to the island. Shortly before lunch time, Ikki started shouting loudly that she saw a sail heading towards the island. She had been watching from the cliffs and Pema nearly fainted as Ikki sprinted headlong down the rocky surface.
"Honey, what have I told you about the cliffs?" Pema shouted. Roland was standing next to Pema and just smiled as he watched the girl racing towards them.
"Neverrundownthem!" Ikki giggled as she raced passed her mother and Roland.
Roland and Pema followed Ikki towards the docks. They arrived just after Korra and the other children did and just as the Air Temple craft pulled alongside the pier.
Ikki was nearly jumping up and down when she saw the two brothers and Asami. "You're finally here! Welcome to Air Temple Island." She spread her hand out to reveal the island above her. "Your new home."
"Yes, welcome to my domain." Meelo said calmly. "I shall direct you to where you will remain."
Bolin was the first out of the craft and he stood looking down at Meelo. "Well, aren't you sweet, little monk child." He said as he patted Meelo on the head. Pabu had been wrapped around Bolins shoulder, but chose this time to jump off and run between Meelo's legs.
"What is that fuzzy creature?" Meelo asked as he started towards it, a huge smile forming on his lips.
"That is a Fire Ferret. An arboreal mammal common to the bamboo forest of the central Earth Kingdom." Jinorra stated matter of a factly.
Before he knew what had happened, Pabu had been scooped up by Ikki who declared, "He's cute!" as she started to tug and his ears and twirl him around.
By this point, Mako and Asami had also disembarked the ship. Mako approached Pema and Korra to thank them. "Thank you again for allowing us to live her, and thanks for sending the Air Acolytes to help us with the move."
Asami quickly agreed with Mako. "Yes, they've been amazing. Such tireless workers." She praised the men.
Korra looked as the Acolytes attempted to carry a stack of suitcases piled six high. "Oh, I thought you were only bringing a" The Acolytes stumbled slightly but managed to catch themselves. "few things."
Mako rolled his eyes. "Trust me, it could have been much worse." Asami playfully swatted him on the shoulder.
"No problem, everyone here wants you guys to feel welcome. I would have come and helped myself, but I am still not feeling one hundred percent." Mako nodded his understanding. Korra still had a few faded bruises and her burn, while it had been healed, still left a painful scar.
"You've done quite enough so far." Roland said as he slid his arm through hers. "Come on, I'm sure it won't take long to get all of you settled."
Korra was still moving slightly slower than usual, but they quickly made their way up the stairs to the level of the temple. The children were already up there waiting. Meelo stood there looking up at Asami. "You're pretty, can I have some of your hair?" He asked while holding his hand out.
"Looks like I have some competition." Mako whispered loudly.
"And now for the grand tour." Ikki declared loudly. "The flying bison sleep in those caves down there." She was speaking a mile a minute and her hands were pointing everywhere out. "And that's the temple grandpa Aang built. And that's the greenhouse where we grow the vegetables we eat." She inhaled loudly upon finishing.
Bolin stood there looking down at her. "I have a couple of questions." He said. Is that where you train airbending? Do we have to wear Air Acolyte clothes? Do we get our own sky bison? Is this an all vegetarian island? And final question, how many trees are on this island?" Bolin had mimicked Ikki's quick speech.
"Yes. No. No. Sort of. Ten thousand five hundred and fifty two." Everyone paused and looked at her for a moment.
Finally Mako spoke up. "So, where are we going to be staying?"
"You're a boy." Meelo stated simply. "You have to stay on the boy's side." He glanced at Roland. "Unless you are Master Roland, then you sleep in Korra's room." Korra redden as she glared at Meelo. "Follow me!" He shouted as he took off running towards the male dormitory.
Mako, Bolin, and Asami looked at Roland and Korra for a moment. "What?" Roland asked.
"Nothing… hmm… I'm a boy! Wait up!" Bolin ran after Meelo.
"So, you two have been sleeping together?" Mako asked cautiously.
"No!" Korra was very intent on shooting down any rumors. "We sleep in the same room, on separate beds."
"Gotcha, I'm gonna follow Bolin and Meelo now." Mako said as he quickly kissed Asami on the cheek and followed his brother.
"Ikki and I will take you to your room this way." Jinora said calmly to Asami.
"Alright, see you later Korra." Asami waved as the two girls led her to her room.
Roland put his arm around Korra once the others were out of sight and kissed her. "I told you there would be an issue with us sleeping together." Roland said after breaking the short kiss.
"Hmmph, I still don't care." Korra said defiantly.
"Very well, either way though, you need to rest some more." Roland said as he led her back to their room.
When they entered the room, Tenzin was sitting on the windowsill waiting for them. "Good morning Korra." Tenzin said, standing as they entered. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thanks to the healers and to Roland." Korra leaned her head against Roland's should as she spoke of him.
"Beifong's replacement, Saikhan, is going to be inducted as the new Chief of Police later. I think we should both be there." Tenzin said, cutting to the chase.
"What about Roland?" Korra asked.
Roland shrugged. "I can come if you want me to, that's Tenzin's call."
"By all means, he can join you us well. I'll be leaving around two, I'll send an acolyte to remind you shortly before."
"Thanks Tenzin." Korra said, moving aside so he could leave.
"And now, you rest." Roland said as he grabbed her hand and gently, yet forcibly laid her onto her bed.
Korra laid there, but then pulled her feet up some, implying that she wanted Roland to sit down. "I don't want to sleep yet." She said.
"Fine, we'll sit then." Roland smiled a bit as he spoke.
"Funny." Korra paused and weighed her words. "Did you ever get captured or tortured as a Spartan?" she asked.
Roland thought for a moment. "Honestly, so much of my past is finally starting to fade away. Being here, in this world, with you. I don't really have to think of war or death, but yes, I was trained to resist torture."
"What do you do?" Korra inquired.
"I was taught to just zone out and retreat into your mind. Accept that they are going to hurt your body and you can't stop it. Just think of somewhere you'd rather be and dwell on that." Korra thought about what he had said. "But it doesn't matter, because as long as I am here, nothing like that will ever happen again." He placed his hand on her knee as he spoke.
Korra just smiled at him, before rolling over to sleep. "Thanks, that's all I was wondering."
Roland nodded and sat there, quietly keeping watch as she slept.
"It was an honor serving under Chief Beifong for so many years" Chief Saikhan spoke the crowd of reports before him. "and I wish her a speedy recovery. It is with great humility that I take her place as the new Chief of Police. Republic City is facing a threat like none the world has ever seen but there is one man who's been effective against Amon's revolution. Councilman Tarrlok." A few reporters turned to photograph the councilman. "That is why for all matters involving the Equalists, I will report directly to him. The police department will lend any and all available resources to the councilman and his task force until we quell this insurgency." He closed by slamming his fist down loudly on the podium as the crowd burst into applause.
Korra looked disgusted as she stood behind Saikhan with the council. Roland had left shortly after they arrived, unknown to her; it was to set up in a likely over watch position. Korra leaned over to Tenzin and whispered angrily. "What is that weasel snake Tarrlok up to now?"
Tenzin looked at Tarrlok as he and the other council members stood to leave. He jerked his head for Korra to follow him and the two walked towards Tarrlok. "Tarrlok, I don't know what you did to get Chief Saikhan in your pocket but I highly doubt it was legal."
"Oh, Tenzin. Did you ever consider Saikhan simply recognizes my talents and wants what is best for this city?" He turned to face Korra. "Well, Avatar Korra. Long time, no see. Now that your little pro-bending distractions are over, I look forward to your return to my task force."
"Ha!" Korra folded her arm in defiance. "Forget it! There's no way I'm rejoining your vanity project."
"That is unfortunate to hear but I'm sure you'll come to your senses as you have in the past." Tarrlok smiled cruelly. "Where is your little super soldier friend? I thought you two were attached at the hip."
"No, we're not. He is probably watching you right now, and I bet he could even kill you if he chooses to." Korra scanned the building above before looking back at Tarrlok. "Don't hold your breath on me coming back either. You know, Tenzin's been right about you all along. You played me, you played Beifong and now you're playing the new Chief too." She took a step and stood directly in his face. "Well, I got news for you." Korra whispered as she jabbed her finger at him. "You need me, but I don't need you. I'm the Avatar."
"You're not, in fact, the Avatar. You are merely a half-baked Avatar in training," Tarrlok jeered. "which reminds me, how is your airbending going? Made any significant progress with that?" Tarrlok asked very snidely. Korra hung her head slightly in shame. "I didn't think so. If you will not be part of my task force, then you had best stay out of my way." Tarrlok turned to leave and nearly ran into Roland.
"Tarrlok." Roland greeted him coldly.
Tarrlok looked him over. Roland had a small backpack on his back, along with his pistol strapped to his hip. "Having fun with your toys?" Tarrlok asked.
Roland chose to ignore Tarrlok and simply slipped past him. "Great ceremony. Loved the enthusiasm." He looked at Tenzin and Korra. "Can we go home now?"
Tenzin smiled and led the way back to Oogi, his flying sky bison. As they flew towards the island, Korra looked terribly sad and finally she broke out almost into tears. "I don't understand what's wrong with me. I've memorized nearly all of the practice forms, but I still can't produce a single measly puff of air!" Korra sent a blast of fire over the side of the saddle. "I'm a failure."
Roland glanced at Tenzin and decided to stay out of this one. "No you're not. You just need to work through this airbending block." Tenzin said calmly without turning around.
"Amazing advice." Korra sighed sarcastically "I'll get right on that."
"I wasn't finished yet." Tenzin turned to look Korra in the eyes. "You see, Aang not only had his bending teachers, but also his past lives to call upon for guidance. Have you ever made contact with your past lives?"
At this point, Roland decided this was definitely not for him, and he started to fiddle with the small backpack he had been wearing. "No, of course I haven't." Korra broke Tenzin's gaze and settled her chin on the side of Oogi's saddle. "Didn't you get the memo from the White Lotus? I'm a spiritual failure, too."
Tenzin thought for a moment. "You may have made a connection without realizing it. Perhaps something you mistook as a dream?" Korra's head shot up and she looked at Tenzin, almost excitedly.
"Maybe. I had a few weird hallucinations, but I hardly even remember them."
"And did you see any previous Avatars in these visions?"
"I saw Aang." Korra was growing excited now. "It seemed like he was in trouble. What do you think it means?"
"I don't know. But I urge you to meditate on these visions. I believe Aang's spirit must be trying to tell you something."
Korra nodded her agreement when a small flash went off next to them. Roland was completely gone. "Roland!" Korra darted to where he had been sitting and looked over the edge. "ROLAND!" She shouted. Tenzin had already started to turn Oogi back the way they had come. "Tenzin, what happen?" Korra asked. She was prepared to fight, thinking it could be an equalist trick, but her eyes were also watering with unshed tears.
"I'm not sure… I don't think…" Tenzin stopped himself.
"You don't think what?" Korra cried.
Tenzin looked about for a moment. "If the Spirits bought him here, they just as easily could have removed him."
Korra just sat there on her knees aghast. "That can't happen." She almost whimpered. "He is the only person I am myself with!"
Tenzin scanned the water below them. "I am sorry Korra, I think he's gone."
Korra jumped to her feet and sent a blast of fire towards the sky. "WHY!" She screamed as she launched a second, and then a third blast. Finally she collapsed down and broke into tears.
"Korra. You're sitting on me." Roland said calmly. She jumped up and nearly fell out of Oogi's saddle, but couldn't see Roland at all. After a moment, something flickered and then he appeared almost out of thin air. "Korra I…" She tackled him and kissed him on the lips before he could go any farther. As they kissed, Roland felt her tears falling freely down her cheeks and resting on his.
After several moments, she broke the kiss, sat back and looked at him. "What did you do?"
Roland smiled sheepishly. "I fixed my active camouflage." He held up the small backpack again.
"What?" Korra was terribly confused and her emotions were everywhere. To answer her, Roland pressed a button on the side of the backpack, and with a flicker, he turned completely invisible. Korra could barely make out a slight glimmer that the camouflage produced, but other than that he was completely out of view.
After a few moments, Roland killed the power and returned to normal view. "I probably should have told you." Korra leaned back over as if to kiss him, but instead punched him in the stomach, hard.
"Don't ever do that, again." She hissed.
"But look how much you would have missed me!" Roland smiled as he rubbed his stomach from where she had hit him.
Tenzin simply shook his head as he had Oogi prepare to land.
Later that evening, Korra was doing as Tenzin had asked. Sitting on the cliffs looking down at the Avatar Aang memorial statue, she had been meditating, but now had broken into tears from the weight of responsibility she had to carry.
"Korra? You out here?" Mako called through the semi dense brush.
"Korra!" Bolin yelled, before tripping over a root and crying out in pain.
A small smile tugged a Korra's lips before she called them over. "I'm over here guys!"
As her four friends approached, Korra wiped away the tears that were on her cheeks. "There you are." Mako said with a tone of worry. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Korra said, trying to act normal.
"Come on, what's wrong? You can tell us." Asami said kindly.
Korra looked at Roland. "You've already head this." She said.
"Don't mean I can't hear it again." Roland said kindly. "Tell us all what's wrong."
"How am I supposed to save this city when I can't even learn airbending?" She put her head on her legs and looked off across the bay. "I'm the worst Avatar ever! I just feel... alone."
"No, that's nonsense! You're amazing!" Asami tried to encourage her.
"Yeah and remember. Aang hadn't mastered all the elements when he was battling the Fire Nation. He was just a little kid." Mako helped her to her feet.
"Plus!" Bolin threw his arm around Roland. "Aang didn't have a super soldier boyfriend who is training you to kill people without bending!"
Roland smiled as Bolin hung on his shoulder. "And, from what I understand, he wasn't alone. Didn't he have like 'Team Avatar' or something?"
"Yeah!" Bolin said. "He had his friends to help him. Look, the arena might be shut down but we're still a team. The New Team Avatar!"
"We got your back Korra and we can save this city." Mako placed his hand out into the center of the circle and Asami and Bolin placed theirs on top.
Korra hesitated for a moment before Roland took her hand in his and placed them both on the top of the stack. As he did so, he looked at her and said one simple word. "Together."
"Alright," Korra smiled. "You've convinced me. Let's do it!"
As the last words escaped her mouth, Meelo fell from a tree above that he had been hiding in and farted onto their hands as he shouted "Yeah, let's do it!" He stood there looking at them as a second small fart escaped. "What are we doing?" The five of them burst into a long fit of laughter before they turned and headed towards the gate.
"Get ready, Republic City." Bolin said epically as Korra led Naga out into the courtyard. "You are about to be patrolled by Team Avatar."
Asami walked out carrying one of the Equalist electric gloves, and shortly after her, Roland came out wearing a makeshift vest of sorts. He his small backpack containing his cloaking generator as well as parts of his old arm fashioned into a method of carrying his pistol on his chest along with three quickly accessible magazines.
Roland looked at Naga and then at Korra. "Korra, somehow I doubt all of us are going to fit." Korra thought for a moment before agreeing.
"Any other ideas?" She asked.
"Hmm. I think I have the answer." Asami said as she led the way. They crossed over to the mainland by Avatar powered boat and Asami directed them to an out of the way garage. She entered from a back way and opened the door. As soon as it had cleared the four teenagers, headlights clicked on and a motor revved. Asami pulled the car out a slid it to a stop directly in front of them. "You think this will do?" She asked innocently.
Mako slid into the front seat as Bolin, Korra, and Roland crammed into the back. "I like the New Team Avatar's style." Mako stated as Asami shifted into gear and burned out as they started to patrol the city.
As they drove, a radio in the center console started to crackle. Police chatter was exchanged before it returned to silence. "My dad had police scanners installed in all of his cars." Asami yelled over the roar of the engine. "I guess now I know why."
They drove for nearly a block in silence before the radio cackled again. "Calling all units, Level Four Alert. Jailbreak at headquarters. Officers down, electrocuted. Chi blockers and Equalist convicts are still at large armed and dangerous." Team Avatar all looked at the radio intently as Asami slowed to a halt. "Last seen heading east. I repeat, Level Four Alert. Equalist jailbreak!"
At the intersection they had stopped at, a van and several motorcycles sped past. "Chi blockers!" Bolin shouted as Asami shoved the car into gear.
"That's them!" Mako shouted as he leaned over the side of the car.
"Let's get them!" Korra growled as they started to close the distance. Asami handled the car beautifully as she weaved in and out of traffic, but still remaining on the tail of the fleeing Equalists. Suddenly, a large truck pulled out in front of them.
"Korra, Bolin, I need a ramp!" Asami shouted as she prepared to swerve. However, Bolin and Korra earthebent a ramp just in time that they managed to clear the truck and land safely on the other side.
Mako sent a blast of lightning at one of the motorcycle riding chiblockers, destroying his vehicle and nearly killing the man. At the same moment, Roland drew his M6C and fired two shots into one of the fleeing cyclists. Both rounds struck the man in the back, causing him to lose control and likely die before help could arrive. As Bolin started to fire earth blocks at the van, the remaining equalist motorcycles started to employ a smoke screen. Unable to see, Asami slides a pair of driving goggles over her eyes, however, even this doesn't help.
"Here, try this." Roland said as he slid he helmet over Asami's head. He had activated the thermal vision and she was easily able to see the equalists turn right, attempting to evade their pursuers.
"Help me out! We gotta make this turn!" Asami shouted as Bolin and Korra earthbent a ramp that allowed them to take the turn at incredible speed. "They don't know we made the turn. Okay, get ready." Asami pushed the peddle to the metal and slammed into the rear of the fleeing van. Mako sent a blast of fire at the van, but the doors didn't open until after the fire had dispersed. An equalist bola wrapped around Mako's arm and almost allowed him to be pulled from the speeding car, except Roland saw it happen and grabbed Mako around the waist to prevent him from being pulled out. With his right hand, Roland drew a bead on the van and emptied his magazine into the rear, killing the man who was trying to get Mako and causing the van to swerve slightly. Korra saw her chance and fired her own blast of fire into the van, causing it to lose control and crash into a storefront.
Team Avatar jumped out a quickly secured the scene. Reporters arrived before the police and started taking pictures and asking for reports. Tarrlok and his task force arrived on scene and he approached them angrily. "Avatar Korra, what do you think you are doing?"
"Oh, hey Tarrlok. Nice of you to show up finally. Here, we captured the escaped convicts for you." Korra said, gesturing to the bound equalists before them.
"What you did was tear up the city and impede the real authorities in their pursuit of these criminals." Tarrlok gestured to the path of destruction in their wake.
"Hmm, that's funny. I didn't see your little task force or the cops the whole time." She folded her arms and looked away. "If it wasn't for Team Avatar, They would've gotten away for sure." She ceased paying any attention to Tarrlok and started to inspect her fingernails instead.
Tarrlok glared at her. "This is your last warning. Stay out of my way!" He shouted before climbing into his car and driving off.
"Not bad for one night, huh team?" Bolin smiled as he threw his arms around his brother and Korra.
Korra smiled at Roland. "Nope, not bad at all."
There you go, Chapter 10 has been posted. I don't have much to say, so read, review, and ask any questions ya got!