Investigation

Several Weeks Earlier- Kosu

It had only been the third night since the Paladin and Korra had arrived in Republic city. The moon was full, and the skies cloudless. The wind was still and the grounds quiet. Only White Lotus sentries with a night shift like her were pacing around to keep the Avatar safe.

In the cool air, though, she noticed one thing out of place. It was the Paladin off by the shoreline, skimming stones into the bay one at a time. He seemed almost lonely, so she decided to walk towards him.

"Aren't you tired?" she asked kindly to the spirit, offering him her cup of tea.

"Tired? Sleep doesn't exactly work the same way for freaks like me," he said, turning towards her. A gentle smile on his face, pushing the proposed tea back.

"Then how does it work?" she asked.

"It's a choice, like fun is for humans. A freak won't simply drop asleep, but it sure does help," he said, a sense of strain in his voice.

"How long was it since you slept?" she asked, ignoring the use of the word 'freak'.

"Four thousand years," he replied, there was almost a sense of pride in the voice. But she remained silent. She knew exactly what that meant. He hadn't slept since the Diyu, and to be fair, who could possibly want to sleep and enduring the nightmares that had formed in that conflict?

That brought another question, one she knew she probably shouldn't ask, but her curiosity got the better of her, "What was it like? To fight in the Diyu I mean."

The Paladin's arms shot a quick flash of purple, but it quickly rescinded, "That's not a safe topic to discuss."

She backed away but the Paladin smiled, "There was actually a matter I wished to ask your opinion on."

"Okay?" she asked tentatively.

"Those floating, airships I believe they're called, who invented those?" he asked, a bright scientific curiosity plastered on his face.

"I believe that's a Sato model. They're designed by future industries. I imagine it was the CEO, Hiroshi, who invented them," she explained, "I think if you squint you can even see their mansion over there," she said, pointing towards the outskirts of Republic city.

"He might be awake," the Paladin said, and suddenly there was a dim flash of silver-grey light and the Paladin disappeared.

Present Day- Korra

She had snuck out of the Sato's house, telling the butler some nonsense about babysitting for Tenzin, and had rushed to the nearest phone box. She had immediately contacted Tenzin, and he had contacted Lin. They now were talking about Hiroshi, in the nearby district.

"I heard him, he was annoyed that Chokin-" she started, only for Lin to start grumbling. She had not appreciated that Chokin had undermined her, "-had defended Cabbage corp, but he still intends to continue as planned."

"So that freak was right after all," grumbled Lin.

"Korra are you absolutely sure that's what you heard?" asked Tenzin.

"I'm sure… if I recall he seemed somewhat disturbed that Asami had had Bolin and Mako stay at the house as well. I didn't think of it then but-" she continued.

"You think he's been harbouring some anti-bending sentiment all this time. It's possible, after all he has a motive," said Lin, scratching her cheek in thought.

"That's right," said Tenzin.

"He does?" Korra asked.

"Several years ago firebenders broke into the Sato mansion. Hiroshi's wife was inside and was fatally injured. Three weeks later she died of her injuries," explained Tenzin.

"I… I never knew" replied Korra. A lump developed in her throat at her own misinformation, and Asami's apparent low self-esteem. Now that her father could be an Equalist, she suddenly was getting cold feet. In her head she whispered, "I'm sorry Asami, but I have to do this."

"It's possible he's been hiding anti-bending sentiment all this time," pondered Lin, "maybe we should investigate Mr Sato."

Asami

Asami had found Chokin, Bolin and Mako but had now lost track of Korra. It had been an hour since they separated. Chokin had insisted, though, that it was okay, and instead challenged Asami to a game of elemental battle. The game was like rock, paper, scissors but instead used the four elements. Unfortunately, Chokin had skewered the game somewhat.

"Fire."

"Energy."

"I win."

"Earth."

"Energy."

"I win."

"Water."

"Energy."

"I win."

"Air."

"Energy."

"Let me guess you win?" predicted Asami, to which Chokin just nodded, having won several consecutive games.

"Shouldn't energy be defeated by at least one other element?" asked Bolin, seeing the obvious unfair disadvantage of the game.

"Can any other element destroy an entire city, with a single thought?" said Chokin.

"Okay how about we remove energy from the game?" Asami suggested, Chokin pouted but nodded. They started to shake their fists when suddenly the door burst open. The chief of police, Korra, Tenzin and a dozen police officers surged into the room causing Bolin to put his hands up.

"I imagine you have a reason for this search," groaned Chokin, "Hiroshi's in his office."

Tenzin, the Chief and the police officers rushed out the room, but Asami grabbed Korra before she could do so.

"Korra what's going on here?" she asked, angry at the home invasion.

For a single second a deep look of dread flashed across her face, until she tried, relatively successfully, to appear serious, "Asami I- I heard… your Dad on the phone," then she sighed, "and I think he might be an equalist."

Asami didn't shout or get angry, but the news sunk into her like a brick. Remembering that Amon had said that her father was once an equalist, and that was why Professor Jiaoshou was killed. Had Dad cowered and returned to Amon? Or had he simply returned for the sake of their sick cause?

Bolin and Mako reacted with angered shock, and outraged outbursts, instantly attempting to defend her father. Asami couldn't join in, her voice had ceased working and her fingers gone numb.

Chokin reacted differently, his face ceased the goofy childish look, and became a lot calmer. He got up from the floor that he had been sitting on, and relaxed into the armchair, when he spoke it was with an exceptionally calm voice, that seemed to soothe everyone in the room.

"Korra can I speak to you privately? You three can either wait for me to finish outside or talk with the police. They'll explain why Mr. Sato is having his house searched. And Asami," she turned to face him in the doorway, "regardless of what the truth is, it's okay to take that however you like. I know that feel things you think that you shouldn't feel but that's alright."

With the passing silence, Asami left the room. Her hands held her arms as she felt all the warmth pass away to be replaced with doubt, fear and uncertainty.

Korra

The door shut and the room became truly private. Barring herself and Chokin, the room contained no one. The atmosphere made Korra squirm as Chokin rested his head in his hands. Soon the atmosphere became unbearable, and she was overwhelmed with an urgent desire to confess.

"Chokin I'm sorry, but I heard Hiroshi over the phone talking about some sort of strike, how, 'You had made things difficult by claiming that cabbage corp was framed.' He's also been really angry about Asami having us for a sleepover, and all of us are benders. Plus he has a motive. Did you know his wife was killed by firebenders, So he probably wants revenge and-" she tried to explain but Chokin held up a hand.

"Korra, it is very possible that Hiroshi is an Equalist. What you've found is more than enough grounds for an investigation," he said, causing her to release a breath she didn't know she held. At least one of her friends trusted her, and sided with her.

"But. The evidence is circumstantial, this could all be a misunderstanding," said Chokin, a shot of anger strained through her.

"I know what I heard," she defended indignantly.

"You heard him preparing to strike and be angry that Cabbage Corp wasn't closed. If I was a businessman, I'd be disappointed if I was led to believe my biggest competitor may close but didn't. It's also possible that the 'strike' didn't refer to any kind of attack at all-"he explained patiently.

"Oh come on," she retaliated but Chokin held up a hand.

"Different jobs have different cultures, and when different cultures interact, misunderstandings occur. Korra are you a businesswoman?" he asked.

"No but-"

"Then you cannot be sure. As for him being uncomfortable around you three. One, we turned up unannounced, and two, his wife was attacked in her home. Protectiveness is natural," he continued, making it difficult to respond with his calm tone.

"But he has a motive," she protested.

"That's not enough to convict him," continued Chokin. Before Korra could protest, he continued, "You're right to investigate him, and the police are right to search this house. But you need to consider something,"

"What?" Korra demanded.

"What will convince you he's innocent?" asked Chokin.

"He's no-" she started.

"Innocent till proven guilty. It's easy to preach but not easy to practice. You have to give him the benefit of the doubt until evidence shows otherwise, but you also have to know when to stop and accept he's innocent," he continued.

"When I see proof,"

"It's easy to find proof that someone did do something, but if something did not happen it doesn't produce proof. You may have to accept you're wrong with no conclusive proof. When digging for gold, you should always ensure you don't dig deeper than you can climb," continued Chokin, then started to scratch his chin, "Was that a good metaphor? Or is it a proverb?"

"No it was good," she said, not really focused. But something Chokin said had stuck with her, and she began reflecting. She had been so focused on the fact that Mr. Sato could be an equalist, that she hadn't really concerned herself with the alternative.

"No, it was terrible, yet I get it," she answered, deep in thought, "If I don't have any leads after we search him, I guess he's innocent."

"Good job," smiled Chokin, "now onto an arguably more positive note, regarding Asami.

"Uggh," she moaned, afraid of this topic, "I know what you're going to say."

"That what you did in regards to informing the police about her father was completely justified, noble and selfless?" said Chokin brightly.

Korra had opened her mouth to retort but Chokin's response had caught her off-guard "Huh?"

"There is nothing noble about making exceptions in your principles simply because that person is a relation of your friend," said Chokin, "As the Avatar, you must be as blind as justice in your judgement anything less would be selfish."

"That's a funny way of putting it," she said, though a tinge of relief still spread through her heart. At least one of her friends understood.

"There are millions of friendships all over the world, Korra. People shouldn't compromise those principles out of peer pressure because no friendship can be worth that," explained Chokin, "It's a key step in energybending. Nothing but the reality that your principles were wrong should allow you to compromise them. That's is the cost of power."

"But I remember Master Katara telling me that Aang would never put anyone else above his friends," she said. Katara had said that was one of the things she most loved about Aang.

"Which is why he was a terrible Avatar," was Chokin's answer, "Now I want to help with this search, you might to talk to your future girlfriend about this."

"Why do keep saying this?" she asked, utterly confused.

"Because one day it will be true, and I have no intention of getting bogged down with you pestering me about it," he moaned while walking out. Korra was left pacing around the room for a few seconds before she heard Lin shout from outside.

"WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

Looking outside the room, she could see that Chokin had simply crossed the police line when the Chief had exploded at him. Chokin did not stop walking and simply answered, "Looking for Ms. Sato, also investigating."

"Ms. Sato is in her room, and you can't cross a police line without authorisation!" she chastised. "If you think I'll let you just go ahead and investigate willy nilly then you have another thing coming."

Chokin shrugged, his form becoming silver as he floated just a few inches off the floor.

"Go ahead and try," challenged Chokin, his voice like it was similarly being projected normally yet also echoing. The threat seemed to have intimidated Lin enough that she backed down. Korra, though, was uninterested and decided to head to find Asami

Asami

Asami was pacing in her room. Forbidden from taking part in the investigation, she had left to her room to deal with her thoughts. On the one hand, she was desperate. Desperate that this was all some sort of misunderstanding, desperate that she could love her father and not have to worry about him being an equalist. On the other hand, it would be simple, with what what Amon said, and what Korra heard… it just made too much sense.

There was a knock at the door. Asami ignored it, hoping to be alone, but then the person knocked louder and Asami couldn't ignore it.

"Come in," she said the door opened. "Korra" Asami said.

Korra flinched, Asami suddenly realised how much bite was in her tone, "Sorry."

"No it's ok," she said. A silence erupted in the air, and Asami just wanted her to leave, which was confusing since she'd wanted company before Korra entered.

"Asami, I'm sorry for this whole mess," Korra said tentatively, Asami stayed quiet, "I hope you know I don't want to do this."

Asami was simply letting the words sink in, not responding to her. She knew Korra probably thought she blamed her, and if she was truthful a small part of her did. But she knew in her head that Korra was doing what she had to. She still hated her for it though… No, hate was too strong a word. Anger would be better.

"Asami, I think… hope this is all a misunderstanding, but we have to be sure. You know?" said Korra

"But Korra I don't know if he is," confessed Asami finally.

"Huh?"

"I keep thinking about how he's been distant for a while now, and how he's also been working at his workshop all night. I didn't think of it at the time but now I… I don't know Korra," she whispered, "and…and," she hesitated wondering whether she should reveal what Amon said.

"And?" she prompted.

"Nothing," she lied.

"Asami I don't know what to say," she seemed genuinely sorry, "I... I-"

There was a knock at the door, and the Chief barged in without an invitation. "Well we've searched the house: all the factories, the gym, the attic, all the rooms. There doesn't appear to be anything linking him to the Equalists, as far as we can tell."

The news didn't bring a feeling of relief or joy, but one of greater uncertainty, "Are you sure? Did you check everywhere?"

"Yes we did," the Chief said bluntly

"Everywhere? Even the attic? The cellar? Both of the workshops? You're positive you checked them all?" she demanded anxiously, her thumbs twiddling.

"There are two workshops?" the Chief asked. So they didn't check that place, the news brought fresh anxiety to her churning stomach.

"His is on the edge of the gardens, if you didn't know I suppose you wouldn't notice it," as she explained, more and more uneasiness grew inside her. He had been spending so much more time there, and didn't want Asami inside. She had assumed he just wanted privacy, but what if he was keeping secrets from her?

"Well exactly where is this workplace?" asked Korra, Asami just gestured for them to follow her as she got up and led them to the workshop. Though she wasn't really paying attention to leading them, her thoughts again warped themselves into a ball of nerves as her mind ran through every nightmarish possibility that could happen. It therefore came as a shock when she had arrived at the place.

"H-Here we are," she said, leading the group inside. When they entered, nothing stuck out, no Amon banners, no evil inventions, nothing, just an empty workshop. Asami let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"There doesn't appear to be anything here," remarked Korra, somewhat lamely. But Lin seemed to be cynical.

"Maybe we just can't see it," Lin suggested pulling back her leg and sliding the metal from her foot, before slamming it into the ground "There's a secret passage here,"

Immediately Asami's stomach sank, as her worst fears seemed to be confirmed. Before she could dwell on her thoughts, a familiar voice coming from under the floorboards broke her train of thought.

"OW Stupid hatch! Where's the latch gone again, I can't see anything," came the familiar voice of a certain spirit. After a few seconds of grumbling she eventually heard, "Never mind, let's do this the easy way."

Suddenly a thin stream of light burst out the grounds, like a welding torch, that roughly cut out a somewhat circle shape. After which Chokin, in his silver form floated out of before returning to normal. He then proceeded to kick the hole, only for him to hop on one leg. "What's the point of having a secret passageway to a secret warehouse if you're not going anything interesting in it?" he groaned and kicked the exact same spot, resulting in the exact same result. He hopped on one foot again, having apparently not learned his lesson.

"What?" Asami whispered meekly, not daring to hope. Chokin turned to the three of them surprised.

"Oh you lot arrived, how's the search going?" he asked innocently.

"We were just checking this workshop, it's only place left," explained Korra.

"Well I've already searched and there's nothing here," he said, "You can check if you want, but I don't think you'll find anything."

The Chief of course did not take Chokin at his word, and proceeded to jump down the hole in a combative stance. Chokin, however, merely shrugged and started to pace, muttering to himself with his head slanted upwards.

"Check. Check. Yeah we got that. Could he? No of course not. Conspiracy? No that's too far…am I? Yeah I am. No evidence," Chokin muttered abstractly to himself, apparently not paying any attention to the world around him. Then, he suddenly halted.

"I'm really sorry Asami, but I think we a horrible mistake with your father," Chokin said, bowing in a form of apology.

"Wait you mean?" Korra asked.

"I have done this for six thousand years, I know when to accept when I was wrong Korra. We've searched everywhere, and short of imagining a massive underground conspiracy that would cost millions I don't see how he could have covered this up any further," explained Chokin, "I think it was probably a misunderstanding."

Asami couldn't believe what she was hearing. After all this confusion, uncertainty and fear, Chokin was just letting go. After all that?

"But I don't, I-I I don't get it Chokin," whimpered Asami.

"It is kinda disappointing, I know. But sometimes it is as simple as a mere misunderstanding," explained Chokin, "Remember what we talked about."

Korra seemed to struggling with the idea but eventually decided to ask, "Are you sure?"

"No one can be sure. We simply must be satisfied in the knowledge that, even were there to be another criminal on the streets, it would be a greater injustice to have an innocent in jail. Any other mentality will lead to greater suffering," explained Chokin.

Korra was silent before finally turning to Asami, "I'm sorry Asami.. I- I don't know what to say."

"No Korra I understand. You just… just did what you thought was right. I probably would've done the same," she relented.

"So friends?" Korra said, holding up a hand. Asami smiled weakly as she shook it.

"Now become more than friends," suggested Chokin.

"WHAT?" she shrieked, shocked. Korra meanwhile just groaned.

"He has this dumb idea that we're going to end up together," explained Korra with a roll of eyes.

"Well for goodness sake PLEASE do NOT come crying to me when you figure it out, now if you excuse me I have apologise to Mr Sato," begged Chokin, before practically skipping out the door

Several Weeks Earlier- Hiroshi

"Amon, I assure you I can help," Hiroshi offered. It was the dead of night, and Asami was asleep while he remained seated in his office. In one hand he held a frame of his beloved Yasuko, and in the other he held a phone to Amon, a man who would destroy those who had taken everything from him and make a greater, more perfect world for him.

"I know, and know that you have nothing to fear. I have been given a sign by a spirit that our goal is a certain one," came Amon's voice, a small sense of pride in the malice.

"A spirit gave you a sign? What was it?" asked Hiroshi.

"I'm sorry Mr Sato but I have to go, this isn't the most private place. For the Revolution," said Amon.

Disappointed he repeated, "For the Revolution," as he heard the buzzing of the dead phone.

"For the Revolution," said another voice, causing his blood to freeze as he looked up to see a spirit. He was blue but with black patterns, and a certain curious look on his voice, with scared eyes masked by the twinkle of wisdom and enthusiasm.

Hiroshi thought about running, but a thought entered his mind: a spirit had given Amon a sign. Was it this one? "Was it you? You were the spirit that appeared to Amon?"

A flicker of surprise and offense split across the spirit's face for a second. Before he answered, "Yes."

"You are." Hiroshi sighed in relief, "You're here to aid in the revolution and fix the world of the damage caused by benders?"

The spirit rolled his eyes and looked at Hiroshi with an incredulous look before answering, "I'm certainly here to fix it."

"So why have you come here? You could be seen. And if they search the house they'll find the passage in the workshop," he whispered, paranoia overtaking him.

"Relax, it's the dead of night and I know how not to be followed," replied the Spirit.

Hiroshi relaxed and calmed, falling back into his seat, "Who are you exactly?"

"I'm a freak or a 'spirit' as you so kindly put it," he said noticeably miffed, "My name is Chokin, the… Lord of Progress."

"I see so you are here because the Equalists are the future," Hiroshi deduced.

"Sure, I just have a few questions," Chokin asked with a genuine sense of curiosity.

"Oh… okay," he shrugged, relaxing into his chair.

"So after the benders have been defeated, what will the world be like?" Chokin asked, taking a seat without permission.

"It'll be… it'll-" he stammered, uncertain on how to answer, until his eyes shifted to the picture of his darling Yasuko, "It'll be a world where non-benders don't have to fear those… those benders. Where they can walk the streets in peace and safety."

"So, in a benderless world, they'll be no crime?" asked Chokin, Hirsohi nodded in response. "So what about the three in five criminals who are non-benders? Why will they stop being criminals?"

"That- that's different," he spluttered for an excuse, "the bending establishment are corrupt and rotten to the core."

"And what measures have you planned in order to prevent that from happening again with the non-bending government?" he asked.

He couldn't answer that question so took the offensive, "This isn't about politics this is about making a world that's safe. For Asami and me," he growled, slamming the table with more force than he expected.

"By killing people and with violence?" asked Chokin shrewdly.

"WHY NOT? IT'S WHAT THEY DID TO ME!" he shouted, filled with anger. He felt he was being judged.

"Because it justifies her death," Chokin answered, in a fit of rage Hiroshi attempted to connect his fist with his jaw but his arm was caught mid swing.

"How dare you!" he spat, "It's nothing alike!"

"Isn't it? she died because they were violent, and now you respond with violence," probed the spirit.

Tears were forming at his eyes, "She was innocent."

"And you're going to take every precaution to ensure no innocent benders are harmed?" asked Chokin with a coy smile.

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHAT IT'S LIKE!" he screamed, thankful that Asami was on the other side of the house and out of earshot. "WHAT IT'S LIKE TO SEE SOMEONE YOU LOVE DIE BECAUSE OF SOME-"

"OF COURSE I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE!" screamed Chokin, a pain greater than Hiroshi had ever heard rippled in his voice. "I've lost hundreds of people I cared about over countless lifetimes. To so many terrible things. Accidents, disease, war, age and yes even murder… I know what it's like to feel that death, to see the world only in what they could've enjoyed had they lived. To want to ensure that there's nothing in this world that could endanger those left. But even if you and your daughter were only ones left in this world, they won't be safe."

The words cut deep, a truth struck to them, and the pain in his voice, so similar to that in his vain.

"Then what should I do?" he whispered.

"All you can do is what you've done. Raised your daughter the best you could," Chokin responded.

"You're not actually an Equalist are you? Are you going to tell the police?" he asked.

"No. Being confused and angry is not a crime. We may meet again, but I hope it's under better circumstances," said Chokin as he left the room, leaving Hiroshi to think and reflect.

A/N: Boy this chapter took a while, it was very long and very difficult writers block was very troublesome.

Now the theme of this chapter is the idea that misunderstandings do happen in real life, the parts of the chapter in the past were only there to explain the divulgence from the canon timeline, but the reality was I wanted to get across the message that just because the news say someone could be guilty, or someone appears to do something criminal, always be prepared for a misunderstanding. They do happen, and often because both supposed victims or those whom supported them don't want to accept they could have been wrong those suspects are hounded for the rest of their lives. Innocent till proven guilty is an easy thing to preach, but Chokin knows it's harder to be put into practice.

On another note I've decided on an idea that when I finish a book in this series I will introduce a one shot unconnected to the story (the only reason for this is because I want to do one for what Chokin was doing during the canon harmonic convergence). Seeing as Chokin is a character with a lot of possibilities, it could be a what if scenario like if he met Aang or a expansion of his background of something like that. Feel free to provide suggestions