Alrighty. Next chapter here we go. Stat Chart:
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NinjazNeverDie (My stories usually follow the plot with my own additions. I do diverge on occasion but keep what's already made for a lot of it. And sure, people probably do read fanfiction for different views, but fanfiction has a lot of variety ha ha. And with Akira, sure. I don't want to make my OCs Gods of Power. They're just benders trained by other more skilled benders, and not every fighter will perform at peak every single fight.
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There's one thing need to address. With things being things, I know, very descriptive, I've only got up to chapter 32 written, with 33 being in-progress. I pre-write my chapters and post them weekly because that's just how my schedule works. The hope is to keep up with the chapters per week, but if I can't I'll just put this story on a temporary hiatus until I can't up. I am not planning on abandoning this story, Don't worry. I leave you all to read!
Hao and Kuvira rush into Su's office-study to deliver the information.
"What did you find?" Lin asks.
"We located the end of the tunnel, but there's no sign of him. Just some fresh tire tracks." Kuvira reports.
Lin nods her head, dismissing the guard.
"He had an escape plan all ready to go." Mako surmises.
Su speaks from the sofa, slouched over. "I trusted him with my life. I thought we were family, but it was all a lie."
"Whoever these guys are, they're more powerful than we thought. And more dangerous."
"That's why we have to find them. We're going to hold off our search for Airbenders and hunt down Aiwei. Naga can track his scent."
"And I bet if we find Aiwei, we'll find Zaheer."
"No." Lin states abruptly, standing up. "We're not hunting this group. There could be other secret agents in other parts of the world looking for you right now. I'm taking you back to Republic City where I can protect you."
"If I wasn't safe here, then I'm not safe anywhere! I have to stop them." Korra states.
"It's too dangerous. You are not going!" Lin rebuts.
"Stop trying to protect me. I'm the Avatar, this is my job!"
"Don't lecture me about jobs!"
Su then stands up and says, "Enough! Korra, listen to Lin."
"But. They-"
"Please. Lin's only looking out for you. I promise you Aiwei and everyone he's working with will be brought to justice."
Korra seems placated, saying, "Fine. If you really think it's best."
"I do."
"Thank you, Su." Lin tells her sister.
"Everyone should get some rest tonight. I'll have my people prep your airship and you can leave first thing in the morning."
Team Avatar leaves the room, leaving the Bei Fong Sisters and Hao to themselves. After the door closes, Hao falls to a knee. The sisters rush to his side, helping him up.
"Sorry. I…need to sit down."
They help Hao onto the sofa, and Su brings him a glass of water. He thanks her and downs the glass, placing it down on the table before taking a deep breath.
"I swear one of these days my heart is just going to give out on me." Both sisters sit down and take a side. "This business with the Red Lotus isn't helping."
"Right now, all you need to do is calm down." Su says. "We'll handle the situation."
"Su's right." Lin reinforces. "We have a strong fighting force of our own, so right now we just need to find them. We just need to be patient."
Hao nods in agreement.
"We should probably head to bed before I collapse on this sofa." Hao jokes getting to his feet.
"I can handle this. Good night, Su."
"Good night."
Lin then helps Hao to their room and sits him on the bed. She then helps get him out of his armor before stripping her own off. The two lay on the bed and let out content sighs, glad for the day to finally be over.
Team Avatar sit in their guest house looking gloomy when someone knocks on the door. Korra opens it to reveal Su.
"Su?"
"You really think Naga could track Aiwei?"
"Definitely."
Su steps inside, and Korra backs up a bit to give her some room.
"Then here." Su holds up a metal key, which Korra takes. "There's a jeep packed with supplies by the East gate. It's all gassed up and ready to go."
"What? Why?"
"Because I want you to hunt down Aiwei and bring him back to me."
"But you said-"
"I said what Lin wanted to hear, and I bought you guys some time. Go. I'll deal with Lin in the morning."
"What about Hao?" Akira asks.
"He's dealing with chest pains at the moment. I'll help him as best I can."
Akira nods and looks to Korra.
"Alright. Let's get this guy." Korra then gives Su a hug, surprising the woman. "Thanks." Su returns the hug with a smile on her face.
While the others do a final check on the jeep, Akira pays Tamayo a visit.
"We're going after Aiwei." He tells her.
"Do you think you'll need my help?"
"Nah, we should be fine. Just help with calming Chief Bei Fong tomorrow."
"Will do. Stay safe."
The two share a kiss before Akira leaves.
He then meets up with the others, and Team Avatar is off, with Korra riding Naga and the others on the jeep.
After a long ride through the night, the group arrives at a small town.
"Aiwei's definitely been through here." Korra states, petting Naga's side. "Nice tracking, girl."
"Let's ask around. Maybe someone's seen him." Mako suggests.
The group enter a nearby tavern and Bolin immediately notices a poster on the wall next to him.
"Ooh, look, they have a mover poster of me! Must be big Nuktuk fans. Yeah. I should go over and say hello."
Mako quickly grabs his brother before he makes his mistake.
"No, those are wanted posters, and there's one for each of us." Mako reads the details off of Korra's wanted poster, "'Wanted by Her Majesty, the Earth Queen, for crimes against the kingdom.' I'm guessing this is because we took her Airbenders?"
"They weren't hers to keep!" Korra exclaims. "I swear, if I ever see her pinchy little queen face again, I am gonna-"
Asami interrupts her rant saying, "Uh, guys?"
The others look around to see the occupants of the tavern staring at them.
"We should get out of here."
As the group leave Korra sends the people an "I'm watching you" gesture.
Lin and Hao approach Su outside her home. Lin asks her sister, "Where is everyone? We've been waiting to leave for half an hour, and the only person to show up has been Tamayo."
"And good morning to you too, Lin. Now, don't get mad. Korra's fine. I'm just waiting to hear if she tracked down Aiwei yet."
"What? You let Korra go?! I thought we were on the same page about this, and then you go stab me in the back?"
"Oh, don't be so overdramatic. You can't control the Avatar's every move."
As Lin storms off she replies, "I can try."
"And there goes my loving girl." Hao jokingly comments, following after Lin.
As Team Avatar travel down the dirt road, they suddenly stop. "Naga found something."
Korra bends a large boulder out of the way to reveal Aiwei's vehicle.
Naga then nuzzles up to Korra, asking for a treat.
"Oh, sorry. I forgot to bring treats, but good girl." Korra apologizes, affectionately rubbing Naga's muzzle. In true dog fashion, Naga turns around and smacks Korra in the face with her tail.
"I'll remind you to bring treats next time." Akira tells Korra with a smirk, gaining a pout and glare in return.
"This must be Aiwei's jeep. He can't be far." Asami states.
"Bolin and I will investigate the Misty Palms Oasis and see if he's holed up there." Mako suggests.
"Yes, I love it when you talk like a cop!" exclaims enthusiastically.
"I'll come too." Akira offers, which Mako agrees to.
"Me, too." Korra states.
"No. You and Asami wait here in case he comes back. Besides, we don't want to call too much attention to ourselves." Mako rationalizes.
Korra is reluctant, but does relent and replies, "Alright."
"Ooh. Mako, Mako, Mako, we should wear disguises and pretend we're going undercover. That way, no one will recognize us. Police work is so exciting!" Bolin states.
Akira declines the yellow raincoat, opting to just cover the lower half of his face.
"All right, now we need our undercover identities. I'm an ex-United Forces operative named Ting-Ting. War was the only woman I ever loved, until Ivy came along and showed me what real love is! Tragically, she was taken from me by my arch enemy Dr. Razor, and he-"
Mako then interrupts his brother with an, "Enough. Let's just find Aiwei," as he begins to walk away.
"But I haven't even told you your backstory."
"I'm a cop. I don't have a backstory."
"Ooh, you're good at this!"
Akira waves at the girls before following the two brothers.
After a short walk they enter the town and approach the ice spring. To the side they hear a tavern owner shooing some spirits away.
"Let's see if this guy knows anything." Mako suggests. The three walk over to the tavern owner and greet him. "Excuse me, sir. We're looking for a man about sixty, balding, wearing glasses, and a long green robe."
"And he's got this weird piercing that goes from his nose to his ear. Freaks me out." Bolin inputs.
"Yeah, sure. Sounds like a guy who came in last night. I told him I had the best drinks in the Earth Kingdom, and he called me a liar."
"That's him. Any idea where he is now?"
"No, afraid not. But he was right. My drinks are terrible."
Akira gives the man a pat on the shoulder before the three leave him be.
Being the Archivist of the library, Hope gets the fun job of authenticating and appraising historical documents and materials. Currently, she's in her office on the third floor of the building reading through an ancient Fire Nation scroll that had been unearthed.
"Having a fun read?" Tensho asks, stepping into the room with two glasses of water.
"A very fun one. How is my favorite library director?"
Hope takes a glass and drinks from it as Tensho answers, "He is doing well, thank you for asking. A bit tired, but we've had a long day so I'm not that surprised."
As Tensho drinks from his own glass, the phone rings. Hope answers it and asks, "Hello?"
"Hi, Mom."
"Tamayo? How are you? Last I heard, you were off on an adventure with Team Avatar."
"I'm doing ok. The others left to go after a fugitive though, leaving me in the capable hands of Hao and Lin. We also ran into Su, Lin's sister."
"Oh, yes. I forgot about her. How is she?"
"She's doing well. She's married and has wonderful children. One of them is actually an Airbender."
"That's wonderful."
"I…had another reason for calling you."
Hope picks up on her daughter's voice. She's worried.
"Are you alright dear?"
"I know our family is…less attached than our other family members. With you and Dad working at the library, and Tamako and I at the Burning Heart, we haven't gotten to form the best of relationships."
"I know, dear. As your parents, we still love you though."
"That's good to hear. I wanted to tell you that…I'm going through a rough time. Akira has been very supportive, but now that he's away…"
"You can talk to us sweetie. You can trust us."
"I…I know. After the others left I…started feeling a bit down."
"Do you want me to talk to Hao and have him look after you for a while? He's pretty fatherly."
"No, no. I'm fine right now. And I don't want him worrying right now. Also…there's another thing." There is a pregnant pause before Tamayo continues. "I'm…pregnant."
Hope leans back in her chair and steadies herself.
"How far along are you?"
"Around twenty-four weeks."
"Do you know who the father is?"
"Yes."
"Does he know about the baby?"
"No."
"What are you planning on doing?"
"I plan on having the baby, raising it, and hopefully dying at an old age."
Hope scoffs in amusement. "Good to hear."
"I need to go take care of a few things. It was…good to talk to you again Mom."
"You too sweetie. I love you."
"Love you too."
The two hang up, and Hope turns to her husband.
"Our little girl is pregnant and depressed. Why can't your family ever live a normal life?"
"'My family?' She's your family too."
"Yeah, but she gets her bad luck from your side."
"I…agree with that, actually."
The two share a short laugh.
"Is she going to be ok?" Tensho asks.
"I think so. She's got Hao and Akira looking after her, and all the others."
Hope starts to take a sip of her water before quickly swallowing and putting the glass down.
"Wait a second. She said Akira's been very supportive. I have a sinking suspicion that our daughter is having sex with her cousin."
"Well, she could do worse, given her occupation."
"That's…true."
Tensho gives Hope a hug, saying, "You knew what our family would be getting into when you accepted my proposal."
"Yeah…yeah. I hope our little girl will be ok."
"I'm sure she'll be alright." Tensho then looks at the clock and says, "I need to go. I'm supposed to meet up with my sisters for a family dinner at home."
"Alright. Have fun dear."
Yumi lays out a tray of octopus fritters on the dinner table. Amai grabs one and pops it into her mouth.
"Gotta say sis. Your cooking is still delicious."
"Thanks. Between you and Kushi, who's the better cook?"
"Neither of us."
The sisters share a laugh as the front door opens. Tensho steps in and greets the two.
"Hey gals. Sorry I'm late. Traffic was a pain."
Amai waves her hand dismissively and says, "It's fine. Yumi just laid out the octopus fritters."
Tensho lets out an 'ooh' sound before walking over and eating one.
"Delicious as always sis." He compliments.
"Thanks. The chicken will be ready in a few minutes, and the squid is nice and fried. Tensho, could you grab the rice pot and put it on the table, please?"
Tensho nods in head and accomplishes the task. Amai leans back in her chair and eats another fritter.
"So, anyone hear any news about Team Avatar's journey to find Airbenders?" She asks.
"Actually," Tensho starts, "Tamayo gave Hope a call before I came here. I didn't hear my daughter, but Hope told me the news. Apparently, they're after a fugitive at the moment."
"Makes sense. I'd be surprised if they weren't diverted by something like that."
"There's…also something else."
Yumi can hear the concern in Tensho's voice and turns around to pay attention, lowering the heat the food is subjected to.
"Tamayo is beginning to feel a bit depressed. And she's also pregnant."
Amai sits forward in her chair looking shocked while Yumi brings a surprised hand to her lips.
"That's…very surprising." Yumi states.
"Did Hope tell you if she sounded stable during the conversation?" Amai asks.
"She seemed fine, but I'm worried she won't stay like that for long."
Amai adopts a thinking pose and says, "Not much we can do right now. She's who knows where in the Earth Kingdom."
"There's, also something else." Tensho says, looking at Yumi. "Hope thinks that Akira is the father."
Yumi places the chicken on a tray and brings it to the table, saying, "I'm not surprised. Between Akira and the Twins, him and Tamayo have always been closer." She then brings over the squid and takes her seat.
The three siblings begin dinner while continuing to discuss the subject and other important information.
By the end of it, Amai and Tensho leave after helping clean up, and Yumi finds a book and plants herself on the couch. As she tries to read, her thoughts take hold.
My son Akira and his cousin Tamayo. Not that bad of a match. I hope things turn out well for them.
After a bit more time passes, Yumi marks her spot in the book and heads to bed. Tetsu joins her a few minutes later, exhausted from work.
"Hey honey." She greets.
"Hi dear. Sorry, did I wake you?"
"No, I was still awake. Come to bed."
Tetsu sheds his armor and crawls in bed next to his wife. The two share a loving kiss before embracing each other. A few moments later, and both are fast asleep,
Akira wakes up, sitting tied up near Asami and Korra in a cell.
"Wha…what happened?" He asks.
Asami answers, "We were ambushed by the Earth Queen. You tried your best, but Korra was in the Spirit World and I wasn't able to help."
"Are you feeling alright? Asami told me you took a nasty rock to the head." Korra asks through her muzzle.
"I'm alright, Korra. How are you two feeling?"
"I'll be fine." Asami answers.
"Same here. Although, the straight jacket and muzzle are a bit annoying."
Akira nods his head, then suddenly feels woozy. He shifts the chain around a bit and feels the back of his head, and feels a dry sticky substance attached to his hair.
Alright. I was bleeding, but at least I don't feel any fractures. Guess that's why they sat me down instead of leaving me in a standing position like Asami.
"We should try to get some rest if we can."
The girls agree, and quiet down for the night. With a deep sigh, Akira leans against the wall and closes his eyes, wondering where Mako and Bolin are.
And this is were we'll leave it off for now. Akira, Korra, and Asami captured by the Earth Kingdom