Many hundreds of miles away in the Southern Water Tribe, two figures stood by the cliff, watching the sun set below the horizon. Below the cliff, two white masses were moving around - an air bison and a polar bear dog. Looking at the two beasts watching each other intently, one of the two figures spoke.
"I can see the tiredness in your eyes, Tenzin. Being in the council hasn't been easy on you," an elderly woman with white hair loopies said slowly, turning to her son on her left.
"It hasn't, mother. There are so many problems within the city that is ever growing. How I wish I could go to the old days when Republic City was still young," the air bending master sighed, stroking his beard.
"You would never the problems Republic City faced when we were still young. Your father faced many challenges when setting up the city you now know," Katara laughed.
"Last time, we didn't faced triads, but Earth Kingdom warlords with armies numbering thousands who demanded we leave Earth Kingdom soil. There were homeless people everywhere, we didn't have a strong police force, and I'm sure I have told you the story of Yakone. And your father did all this while rebuilding the air benders," Katara continued, while Tenzin just nodded. "I will never be as good as dad. He did all those while I couldn't even manage the city he built."
"Tenzin," Katara turned, looking up at her son, "Your father always told me how you would be better than him. Republic City's problems in the past was for my generation to solve, just as how the problems now is for your generation to solve. Your father did not do it all alone. He had a group of trusted friends he could turn to - Uncle Zuko, Aunt Toph and even Uncle Sokka was helpful at times when he was not eating." Tenzin and Katara shared a small laugh, remembering the times in the Southern Water Tribe when Sokka would appear at the door dragging a polar bear twice his size for dinner.
"You can't do this alone, Tenzin. Your father also had a small team of the brightest people in Republic City, and while they didn't share the same level of friendship as the gaang, he knew he could always count on them."
"Dinner's ready!" Pema called out from the building behind Tenzin and Katara.
"Let's go and eat dinner, mother. It is getting cold too," Tenzin said as he ushered Katara back into the building. Just before they entered, Katara stopped Tenzin and turned to him, saying, "Remember, your father doesn't want you to be the next him, but the first you."
With that, she stepped into the warm building, leaving Tenzin standing outside the door thinking about her last statement.
"Absolutely not!" the white lotus leader banged hard on the table, shaking the contents. This was the fourth time in a row that Korra had proposed the idea of her heading to Republic City to finish her training. "The city is far too dangerous. Avatar Aang tasked us with keeping you safe while you mastered the four elements. Don't forget the attack when you were a child!"
"I get it. But I don't think having the avatar locked up in a prison like me is what Aang had in mind!" Korra defiantly retorted, staring at the white lotus leader straight in his eye. Under her intense stare, the white lotus leader felt a small chill ran up his spine, no doubt fueled by the fact that Korra was an extremely powerful bender in three of the four elements. Nonetheless, he quickly regained his composure.
The dinner ended up with Korra storming out of the room, slamming the door. Tenzin would soon return to Republic City to sort out the mess there, while Korra would stay put in the compound until further notice, when either she would head to Republic City or, more likely, Tenzin would head down to the south.
Of course, Korra and her pet, Naga, would soon be discovered missing in the dead of the night, and a steamship headed towards Republic City would have 2 more passengers for the journey.
Jay
"Mr Jay, so glad you could join us today," the squad leader called out to me from the front. Beside me, the other officers were adjusting their uniforms and equipment, while I stood to the side taking down notes in a file.
I had been assigned to shadow a police airship unit for a few patrols, mainly to evaluate the new equipment that were being introduced. The interior of the airship was sparse and very utilitarian. It was cramped too, being fitted out with a full squad of officers along with their gear.
"I kinda like this harness, it's much easier to use than the old models. Are these going to be standard issue?" an officer asked me.
I shrugged and replied, "Well, it's still in trials now, but your feedback would certainly determine whether the higher ups make it standard issue." The officer was about to say something when the intercom suddenly crackled to life.
"Airship 14-A, head over to Bamboo Avenue. Reported Code 14 and Code 21. Prepare for arrest." The airship slowly leaned as we made a tight turn. I just managed to grab onto a handrail to prevent myself from being thrown off balance.
"What's going on?" I asked one of the officers as he was adjusting his harness.
"Headquarters wants us to arrest some criminals, nothing much really," the officer replied, adjusting his trial Future Industries armour. Within the airship, the officers were getting ready, although they seemed quite relaxed rather than alert. I stowed away my checklist into my bag, and prepared to be part of my very first police arrest.
The siren began wailing as the airship slowed to a hover. "Police. Freeze where you are!" came blaring out of a loudspeaker uncomfortable close to my ear. The floor below me opened, and between the officers who were jumping down using the harness, I could make out some damage to the street, a flipped car and some figures.
"Would you like to go down too?" the captain asked me, handing me a harness. I accepted it and after securing it on my waist, I was travelling down the airship. I had done bungee jumps before in my life, but being lowered from an airship, that was new.
Upon reaching the ground, I unhooked my harness, tugging on the rope a few times to let the operator know to winch it back up. On the ground, the group of dazzled, finely dressed men stumbled out of a smashed shop front, and the officers promptly arrested them, shooting metal cables out of their gauntlets. If I wasn't wrong, those were made by Cabbage Corp. Beside them stood a girl, not too much younger than me, looking smug and standing next to a huge white beast. It was the size and color of a polar bear, but had the head of a dog. "Probably the one who called the police," I reasoned.
I took a step closer to observe the cables that now wrapped the arrested men. Suddenly, one of the officers stepped forward, pointing to the girl, saying, "You are under arrest too!"
"What do you mean I'm under arrest! Those are the bad guys! They were smashing up a shop!" the girl retorted.
"From the looks of it, you smashed a lot more than just a shop!" as soon as the officer finished his sentence, he extended his arms and shot out two metal cables. However, the Cabbage Corp gauntlet jammed, sending the cables headed to my direction instead. I had been standing in front of and to the side of the girl. Thankfully, due to the jam, it fell short, getting stuck in the ground.
While the officer was trying to clear the jam, I suddenly felt myself whisked off my feet, and before I knew it, the girl had pulled me onto the saddle of the huge white beast. I landed on the saddle behind her, and almost lost my balance when the white creature started running with a lurch.
"Hold on to my waist! I'll get us out of here!" the girl said as she tugged the reins of her mount, cornering through the streets with the police in hot pursuit. Turning back, I could see the officers chasing us, swinging from building to building on their metal cables.
As we crossed a bridge, an officer managed to grab onto the girl's ponytail. I thought my nightmare was over, but she suddenly brought up a huge wave of water and froze it, sending the officer flying into it and losing the grasp on her. Before I knew it, we were atop a moving train.
"What are you doing?" I shouted as I noticed the train turning away, while the animal continued running forward.
"Trust me, I'm the Avatar!" the girl yelled as the beast leapt off the train, heading towards the nearest building roof.
I felt the creature jumped into the air, but never felt it land. The police airship had caught up with us, and fired multiple cables ensnaring the creature and its rider mid air. I, on the other hand, had fallen off when the creature was ensnared, and was now lying between the creature and the cables.
The ride was a short, uneventful one. The girl tried struggling against the metal cables at first, but eventually gave up, realising they were too strong and too many. A normal criminal would be arrested with one cable. A strong fighter that resisted arrest would be hit with two or three. She had seven.
When we landed in the police headquarters, everyone turned to look at us. The officers quickly pulled me out, apologising and checked for any wounds - mainly scraps and scratches. The girl, on the other hand, was thoroughly restrained and brought into the station under the guard of four officers, each keeping a firm grip with their metal cables on her.
"Mr Jay are you alright? This was really unexpected…" Chief Lin rushed out of the doors, followed by aides and my team from Future Industries.
"Don't worry Chief Lin, I myself didn't expect to get abducted by some girl and brought along on a police chase within the city. She did mention she was the avatar though if I'm not wrong," I interrupted Chief Lin. The Chief frowned a little, before saying, "That's what I heard too, from the one who called the police. Not to worry, I will see to it that justice is meted out fairly. Would you be pressing any charges?"
"I never once doubted the police. I don't think I will press charges, but I would like more information first," I replied. The Chief nodded, before heading into the building while I was brought to the medical bay for some first aid treatment.
The two women stared at each other, both their stubborn nature making any side backing down impossible.
"Multiple counts of private and city destruction. Evading arrest. And not to mention abducting an innocent civilian bystander. Being the Avatar doesn't mean these charges do not apply to you. Maybe it works that way down South, but certainly not here in Republic City under my watch," Chief Lin slammed file down on the table.
Korra looked up defiantly, which was intimidating even though she was handcuffed to the table. As she was about to speak, three sharp knocks were heard on the interrogation cell's metal walls, before a small portion was bended open by another officer.
"Chief Lin, councilman Tenzin is here to see you," the officer said, and once he got permission, bended open a segment of the wall to let in the tall airbender.
After a few words with the Chief, Tenzin finally managed to cover for the charges that would have been pressed by the city against Korra.
"You may be able to take responsibility for most of today's events, but don't forget Korra still abducted an innocent passerby. I spoke with him earlier, but he hasn't said that he won't be pressing any charges. I suggest you speak with him," Chief Lin stopped Tenzin as he was about to leave the room with Korra in tow. The councilman stroked his beard, before nodding briefly and walking out.
"They should be here soon, please wait a little while more. Here's some tea for you," one of the officers brought a cup of tea into the room I was waiting in, setting it in front of me before walking off, bending the wall close behind her as she left.
Not long after, the wall slid open to reveal a tall, lanky gentlemen dressed in a traditional looking red and yellow robes, while another figured followed behind him. I immediately recognised the latter as the girl who had grabbed me and took me for a joy ride earlier this morning.
"Good afternoon…" the man asked, hanging as he awaited my reply.
"Just call me Jay."
"Good afternoon Mr Jay, I am councilman Tenzin," the gentleman continued. It took me a few moments to remember who this man was. A member of the council that governed Republic City, not to mention one of the few remaining airbenders and the son of the late Avatar Aang.
"I would like to apologise for the unfortunate and regrettable events that transpired earlier today. Avatar Korra here had defied my orders and left the South pole. Obviously she did not know this place well, and ended up causing this… mishap," Tenzin spoke with the smoothness of a seasoned politician.
"If you would be so kind as to not press any charges, I would be very grateful and you would have done a great favour to the Avatar," Tenzin finished. I had not intended to press any charges in the first place, possibly because the Avatar was the most powerful person in this world and also because I was just thankful I made it back in one piece.
"I had not intended to press any charges, and my stance remains unchanged," I spoke.
"That is very kind of you," Tenzin replied, before glancing over his shoulder and saying, "And I believe Korra here have something to say to you."
The girl stared at Tenzin with a look that could kill, before sheepishly saying to me, "Sorry." With that, she stormed out of the room with Tenzin chasing her after he had bowed to me.
I was left alone in the room. Somehow, it felt that my life would soon change greatly, no thanks to Korra. Shaking that feeling, I gulped down my tea and left the room.
"So, getting abducted by the Avatar who somehow came all the way from the South, then getting carried halfway across Republic City with a huge dog slung below and airship?" Asami raised her brows as I sat in her office the next day, having handed her the files.
"Uhh yes, you are free to call Chief Lin. She will back my claims," I replied, gesturing towards the telephone that sat atop her desk. She shook her head, and was about to say something when the soft jazz music coming from the radio was suddenly replaced by the radio announcer's voice.
"We now bring you a special broadcast. The Avatar, yes the next one after Avatar Aang, has just arrived in Republic City yesterday. She is now at City Hall, answering questions from the massive crowd of reporters that have showed up this morning."
Asami raised an eyebrow and looked at me, while I simply shrugged and continued listening.
"...I look forward to serving you. I'm so happy to be here. Thank you Republic City!" Avatar Korra finished her speech to a cheering crowd, just before the radio returned to the previous programme.
"Believe me now?" I smirked at Asami, who playfully threw the file she was reading at me.
"Fine smart guy. Let's get this report done and send to Finance. Tonight we shall go watch pro-bending. " Asami sat back down on her chair, and I soon left her office.
Evening came fast enough. Asami and I had a quick meal at Chang and Jay's, where we were warmly greeted by Chang himself. The staff had grown considerably, and Chang had once again acquired the adjacent shop. I was glad to be able to meet all my ex colleagues again, all except one. Rei had left the restaurant not too long after I left, and none of the rest managed to keep in contact with her. I wanted to find out more about how the restaurant had been since I left, especially what Rei's reason was but Asami quickly dragged me away to the pro-bending arena.
Despite being there rather frequently, the pro-bending arena still never failed to impress me. Constructed atop an island that was raised from the sea bed by earthbenders, the pro-bending arena was a dazzling architectural masterpiece. It looked gothic, at the same time modern. Spotlight shone from all corners into the night sky, especially whenever there were events going on.
Entering the pro-bending arena, I knew the drill. I would get as much fire flakes as possible, while Asami would head off to use the bathroom. Seeing me approach, the elderly gentlemen behind the fire flakes counter smiled and got ready five packs of fire flakes for me. Before long, we were back in the box seating.
"I can never get tired of this place," I said as I rubbed the leather arm rests of my seat. Beside me, Asami just chuckled and said, "Well, one day you would grow tired of this and instead want to feel the atmosphere surrounded by fans."
The lights went off one by one, save for one shining in the middle of the arena. The crowd quieted down, eagerly waiting for what was going to happen next.
The white lotus sentry felt a wind blow against the back of his neck, but he brushed it off. He had a job to do, which was to keep the Avatar safe and on the island. Little did he know, that the Avatar was already halfway across Yue bay, or rather, under Yue bay.
A small splash could be heard just off the floating arena stood. A head popped up of the water, eyeing the arena. Spotting an open window, the figure propelled itself using a water sprout into the second window. Shaking herself dry, the figure wandered around the empty hallways of the stadium, before entering a gym.
"Hey! What are you doing in my gym?" a grumpy yet muscular old man walked up to Korra.
"Uhh, I was looking for the bathroom and I think I got lost," Korra stammered.
"Ahh, the old I had to pee excuse. I'm sick and tired of you fangirls trying to sneak in to find the pro-benders. I'm taking you to security!"
"There you are! I've been looking for you!" Bolin called out as he walked towards Korra. "Don't worry Toza, she's with me.
Before long, Korra found herself in one of the best seats in the house. Second only to the one where a certain young man sat.
"What is wrong with Hansook? He doesn't seem to be on form," I asked as I sat on the edge of my seat. Beside me, Asami shrugged, probably still trying to figure out who Hansook was.
"The water bender. The one who crashed into the other guy," I helpfully added.
"I know who he is!" Asami let out an annoyed sigh, jabbing me in the arm with her elbow.
"I was just trying to hel-"
"It's a hat-trick! Mako had just made the play of the night, saving the Fire Ferrets from elimination!" Shinobi announced over the radio. I quickly looked at the arena and saw Mako walking away from the centre, the entire opposing team having been sent into the water.
"Thanks, Sami," I said as Asami turned into the avenue where my apartment stood. In the driver's seat, Asami chuckled and asked, "What's with the new nickname?"
"Figure Asami was too long and tiring to pronounce," I joked as she rolled her eyes.
"Oh, by the way, I have already gotten the green light from my father. We are going to sponsor the Fire Ferrets. That is if they are willing to accept our offer. We will meet up with them soon, once our work has lightened up. Don't be late tomorrow. Good night Jay."
I watched the tail lights of Asami's car fade into the distance. It had been a few months since I first met her fixing her car along the road, and now we are close friends. Maybe being stuck in this world wasn't so bad after all. Sighing to myself, I headed into my apartment, remembering the stack of work still left on my desk.