Shen stood at the podium, the cameras' flashing almost blinding.
"I do not condone violence whatsoever. People who hurt others in my name are not affiliated with me. Please do not take this as an opportunity to harm others. My job is to maintain peace and harmony. Thank you."
The crowd of reporters began to all speak at once. Shen pointed to one.
"Avatar Shen, much of the press has published opinion pieces and analysis articles about you. What do you think about the media commenting on your trial?"
"I think it's too early to be making any assumptions about anything," Shen replied. "It's still early on, and I haven't even had a hearing yet. People are jumping too quickly to conclusions. However, the White Lotus has been working diligently with attorneys to aid me with the upcoming legal battle. Next question." As the reporters fired up again, Shen pointed to another.
"Avatar Shen, it is customary for the Avatar to learn all four bending styles. Have you started training yet?"
"Yes, I have. A…" Shen paused to think as to what to call him, "a very close friend of mine has begun teaching me firebending. I think I'm doing well, but I'm sure he would say otherwise." His joke was met with a few chuckles from the crowd.
"Next question," Shen said, pointing to another reporter.
"Avatar Shen," they began, "Have you met with lawyers to begin planning your defense?"
"I will once we wrap this up. Speaking of which," he glanced to the row of trees, where Han was waving his arms and pointing to his wrist, "I must be going now. No further questions." The reporters continued to chatter as he exited to his left.
Han was waiting for him there. "You did good."
"Thanks." Shen had spent the last few days rehearsing what he had to say, repeating the lines over and over again as to avoid fumbling up like he did last time.
Han opened the car door for him.
"My good sir," he said, bowing. Shen rolled his eyes. Shen sat in the passenger seat, stretching out his arms. After much discussion, Chief Lu gave Han special clearance to be Shen's escort, as long as Han was the one driving, other officers surrounded them on motorcycles and Shen had to be in handcuffs. However, without anyone else in the car, the latter was difficult to enforce.
Shen buckled his seatbelt as Han got into the driver's seat.
"Off to the police station now?" Han asked. Shen nodded. He dreaded meeting up with his lawyers, as it made his impending trial seem all too real.
Han started up the car and began driving. He made a right turn and continued straight forward. They passed another one of President Hiro's campaign billboards. His face was crossed out in red spray paint and the word "tyrant" was emblazoned across it. Han eyes shifted towards it but quickly shifted back to the road.
"So…" he began. "How's the press been?"
"Bad," Shen replied. "Even United Daily is hesitating on defending me." He sighed. "Things aren't looking that great."
"I mean, most of the stuff is just absurd. Have you seen what the Elemental Times said about you yesterday?"
Shen smirked. "That I'm looking for world domination?" He laughed. "Give me a break, I barely even want to be Avatar, let alone ruling the entire world." Han laughed alongside him, a big grin forming on his face. Shen stared at his eyes, which seemed full of joy. As Han glanced back at him, Shen turned, looking outside at the passing buildings.
"We're here," Han said. The car began to slow at the front of the police headquarters. Two opposing crowds were facing each other, yelling. On one side, benders were throwing rocks and sparks of fire. On the other, police were trying to contain the crowd, creating makeshift barriers with metal and yelling for the crowd to stand down.
"Er, maybe we should enter through the back." Han sped up the car again, turning towards the back of the building.
As Han opened Shen's door, he held out his hand for Shen to hold.
"You don't have to treat me like a child, I can walk by myself."
Han smirked. "Of course, but escorting you reminds me how small you are." he said teasingly, ruffling Shen's hair.
"Shut up," Shen replied, blushing. With locked arms the two went inside.
Han directed Shen into a room with two tables facing each other. One was empty, whereas the other was covered in stacks of books, binders and sheets of paper. Sitting at the table was a woman dressed in blue robes, with a gray shoulder piece, a white flower emblazoned on its center. She rose from her seat.
"Hello, Avatar Shen," she said. "I'm the head of the White Lotus, Yin, I'm sure you've heard of me."
"Thank you," Shen replied. "And yes, I have. Er, where are the attorneys? I thought I was meeting with them as well."
"Behind here!" From behind the stack of papers emerged a short balding man, wearing a brown corduroy suit. He held out his hand for Shen to shake. "Hello, Avatar Shen, I've been tasked with defending you. My name is Jiro. It is an honor to serve you."
"Er, thank you," Shen said, shaking his hand. He had been expecting "a team of lawyers," based on all the things he had heard from the White Lotus.
"So, when do we start?"
Yin squinted at Han, who was still locking arms with Shen. "Should he be here? He's from the police, no?"
"Well I'm on Shen's side, so—" Shen turned to Han.
"Maybe you should go. Just wait in the hall, okay?" He looked into Han's eyes. He nodded, letting go of Shen's arm.
"Alright." He hesitated for a second, but left the room.
"Very well then," Yin said. "Take a seat, young Avatar." Shen sat in one of the chairs at the table. The attorney began.
"So, as you know, your hearing will take place soon to decide if you are to go to trial in the coming months–"
"I want to plead guilty," Shen interjected.
Yin looked surprised. "I know you have good intentions, but you can't seriously be considering that."
"This can't go to trial. If I'm found guilty by trial, I'll be executed, and if I'm found innocent, people will think I cheated the system."
"So what are you considering? A plea deal?"
Shen nodded. "If I plead to a less serious crime, I might be given a lighter sentence, so those who are for me will be satisfied. And since I'm still being punished, the other side will be too."
"But the world needs its Avatar," Yin said. "If you were to be put in prison for decades—"
"This is the only option."
The lawyer sighed. "Fine, we'll try and work things out with the prosecution." Suddenly, a knock came at the door. "Speaking of which…"
A tall man entered, with short greasy hair and wearing a black suit. He took a seat at the table on the other side of the room, setting down his briefcase.
"Who's that?" Shen whispered.
"Hung Liao," Jiro whispered back. "One of the best attorneys in the world. He'll be the prosecutor at your trial." He seemed more nervous now that Liao entered. The man sitting at the opposite table cleared his throat.
"I believe we were here to discuss the trial?"
"Uh, yes."
"The Avatar's hearing will be in a week, so I was thinking—"
"First we would like to negotiate something."
"Oh?" Liao said, trying to hold back a smirk. Shen already didn't like him. He had an air of pretentiousness, as if he thought he was smarter than everyone else in the room. That's what happens when you're the best attorney in the world, he supposed. Was it possible Shen would one day get cocky like Liao, once he got stronger? He hoped not.
"Yes," Jiro continued. "My client wishes to plead guilty to manslaughter, with the pretext that his sentence will be lightened."
Liao smiled fully now, not even attempting to mask his pride. "You know I can't accept that."
"What do you mean?" Shen piped up. Liao stood up and stepped towards Shen. Yin reached her hand to her belt. "You want to see me punished. I want to be punished. Why do you have to go to trial so bad?"
Liao replied, pausing to choose his words carefully.. "Let's just say… that there are forces outside of either of our controls. As the Avatar you should know that."
"None of this has to happen. We can just work things out."
"Avatar, I don't think you understand me." The attorney stood from his seat.
"Your hearing will happen in a couple weeks." He stepped forward towards Shen.
"Your trial will happen in a few months." He took another step.
"And, if I do my job, you will be found guilty." He smiled.
"And then… well I don't need to describe that, do I?" He was standing directly over Shen now, as the latter leaned back in his chair.
"Sir," Yin said, stepping between them. "Step away from the Avatar." Liao chuckled slightly.
"Very well." He looked at the watch on his hand. "I'm afraid I must be heading out now. It was a pleasure meeting you all."
As he stepped one foot out the door, he looked back at Shen.
"Especially you, Avatar." Liao smiled again. "See you in court." He slammed the door. The entire room shook slightly, and the three who remained stayed silent.
Shen sat in his chair, twiddling his thumbs as he thought to himself. It seemed possible to him before that someone powerful wanted him to be found guilty. But he realized it ran far deeper than that. Whoever was responsible for this—whoever hired Liao—they wanted him dead.