Chapter 32 is here at long last! Thanks for patient, and thank you even more for the comments and reviews. As usual I own nothing but my own ideas, so lets get this chapter started shall we?
32: Fallen Sisters
"Damn. And they called me crazy." Jinora heard Azula mutter sarcastically as they watched Koh disappear back into his subterranean lair. "I mean I've seen a lot of people do a lot of stupid things, but you; you just looked the face stealer himself in the eye and smiled. If that's not crazy then I was a water bender."
Jinora said nothing as she waited several seconds to make sure the face stealer was gone before she looked up to find the former princess of the fire nation leering down at her with an arrogant smirk that reminded her very much of the one Vaatu wore when he was in control of Mako's body.
"I hope you weren't lying, because I'd hate for my first rescue to land me on the face stealer's bad side. He's a spirit of his word you know." She warned tauntingly.
Jinora could only nod dumbly as she tried to process everything that had just happened within a very eventful span of three minutes. Between Koh's promise, and the fact that she was actually meeting lord Zuko's sister; it was a lot to take in.
Mistaking her silence for awe; Azula laughed. "I take it by your stunned silence that my reputation precedes me?" she asked smugly.
"You really are her. You're the mad princess Azula." Jinora said as she stood up, and looked Azula over. Taking in every detail of the former princess she found that her Gran Gran Katara's stories were more accurate than she'd thought.
Everything about the young fire nation woman standing before her screamed royalty, from the way she carried herself which gave her an air of nobility, to her imperious black and gold armor worn exclusively by the fire nation royal family. What really gave her away though was the girl's self confidant smirk, and the lethal cunning in her golden eyes just as Katara had described.
Azula's right eye twitched comically in irritation at the air bender's response.
"Mad Princess? That's how I'm remembered?" She asked incredulously. "Honestly I conquered Ba Sing Se in less than a week, and yet the only thing people remember me for is my unfortunate sojourn to that damn asylum. Fate truly is cruel."
Ignoring the former princess's indignation Jinora shook her head in disbelief. "I don't understand. Why are you here? How are you even here and why are you helping me? If you call that helping." She asked muttering the last part.
"Watch yourself peasant!" Azula snapped, her indignation shifting to anger as swiftly as one of Koh's faces. "The only reason I'm here is because my uncle asked me to help. Our relationship may be better now than it was in life, but make no mistake; I will leave your tattooed carcass here for the Yokai to chew on if you don't show me due respect. Do I make myself perfectly clear peasant?"
"Crystal clear." Jinora answered with a glare. "How did you even find me anyway?"
Azula just rolled her golden eyes. "Please; compared to the Avatar you were as easier to find than a shedding sky bison. Even without Bosco pointing me in the right direction; I would have found you soon enough."
Startled Jinora desperately grabbed Azula by the shoulders. "You saw Bosco? Is he alright?" She asked anxiously.
While they had only just met, she couldn't help fearing for the bear spirit's safety. He had been a friend of her grandfather, and even though they'd had a rocky start Bosco had still agreed to help her find Ikki, and what's more he'd saved her life not just once, but twice now.
Azula's golden eyes narrowed at the sudden physical contact.
"Calm down peasant; the hair ball is fine." She said shrugging the air bender off. "He's a little scratched up and his hat's seen better days, but it's nothing that a few days of rest and some overly sweetened tea won't fix. Now enough questions; we need get moving. The sooner we get out of Tartarus the less likely we are to get eaten or worse."
Jinora glared at the former princess as she brushed passed her.
She wanted to say something, but after a moment she decided that Azula was right. This was neither the time, nor the place, and for now it would be better to follow her rather than waste time arguing.
Iroh had said he knew someone who could help her find Ikki, but his psychotic niece was definitely the last person she had expected. Suffice to say she didn't trust Azula, but if Iroh believed the former fire nation princess could help her then she would follow along.
Although between her fraying nerves, and the mounting weariness from remaining outside her body for so long; tolerating Azula's attitude was probably going to wind up being more difficult than keeping a straight face in front of Koh.
"I can already tell we're going to be BFFs." She muttered to herself in resignation.
"Peasant?" Azula asked snapping Jinora out of her thoughts.
Jinora scowled. "Would you stop calling me peasant? My name is Jinora." She replied curtly.
Azula scoffed. "Look 'Jinora' even if I could care less about you, and believe me I can't. The fact is that remembering your name is hardly vital to keeping you alive. Now uncle said there was a Yokai hunting you right?"
"His name is Jaeger, and he's been hunting me for days as part of his sick game. Why?"
"Because these cliffs are a good fifty foot drop into or onto Agni knows what, and I seriously doubt that Koh is going to let us use the back door."
Brown eyes widening, Jinora whirled around and froze.
There standing before them was a faceless Jaeger with claws out and his entire body trembling with what could only have been fury. To make matters worse; the only way out of the face stealer's territory except through him.
"It's a little hard to tell, but I think he's pissed off." Azula said sardonically as she glanced between the hostile Yokai and the fearful air nomad. "Has your luck always been this bad?"
"No; just since Vaatu returned." Jinora answered warily as Jaeger began to stalk towards them, taking slow and cautious steps. "What should we do?"
Azula shrugged casually. "Koh's already done most of the work already. All that's left is to finish him off. Would you like the honors?"
"What? No; of course not!" Jinora exclaimed, balking at the very notion of vengeance. Being raised in the teachings of the air nomads from birth; she firmly believed in forgiveness and mercy.
She wasn't able to dwell on the question for very long however, as the sound of her voice drew Jaeger's attention instantly to her.
Ears flicking forward the faceless Yokai immediately lunged in the direction of her voice.
Startled Jinora covered her mouth and leapt to the side, just narrowly avoiding Jaeger's razor sharp claws as he landed right where she'd been standing a moment ago.
Seeing this Azula smirked. "Alright then suit yourself; more fun for me. Jaeger isn't the only one who likes to play games." She said casually crouching down.
Not wanting to draw further attention Jinora could only watch silently as Azula picked up several small stones, and began to circle back behind Jaeger. She moved silently, her boots not making a sound so as not to alert Jaeger.
Once she stood directly behind the faceless Yokai she stopped and looked over Jaeger's shoulder. Seeing the fear in Jinora's eyes; Azula flashed her predatory grin that reminded her so much of Vaatu that she half expected the former princess's golden eyes to flare crimson.
"Don't worry Jinora." She cooed. "While there are many things in Tartarus to be afraid of; this pathetic hairball hardly counts as one of them."
Jaeger froze. His ears which were previously flicking back and forth listening for Jinora stopped and turned back to face behind him.
Seeing that she had his attention Azula grinned and continued. "Hell from what I've heard he barely even qualified as a Yokai. Even with his face I doubt he was much of a threat to begin with. After all what kind of Yokai gets his tail handed to him at his own game, and by a little girl no less."
Deliberately dragging his claws; Jaeger slowly turned to face the voice that was mocking him, unknowingly turning away from the very human who cost him his face. With his tail flicking back and forth in agitation he began to stalk towards Azula.
"Uh oh Jinora, I think I struck a nerve." Azula said, her smile widening as she began to back away, making sure to drag her boots noisily across the ground as she matched him step for step. "So how long did your little game go on for anyway; one, two days?"
Hearing her move Jaeger started following faster, his tail lashing back and forth in anticipation of the seemingly eminent mauling.
Glancing over her shoulder Azula stopped. "Bet you I can beat her score. I know it's not exactly a fair contest now that you're blind, but I tell you what. I wager I can beat you in five seconds flat. What do you think Jinora?"
The air nomad in question didn't answer her. She didn't even dare move lest it would draw Jaeger's attention back to her. However fear wasn't the only thing keeping her silent. Aside from the fact that Azula's question was obviously rhetorical, it was equally obvious that despite how utterly insane Azula appeared to be; she actually seemed to know what she was doing.
Seeing how intently Jinora was watching them Azula gave a conspiratorial wink and continued. "Since you can't see anything Jaeger let me lay the situation out for you. You are standing five feet away from me with no face and no idea how badly this is about to end, Jinora the air nomad who kicked your ass at your own game is giving me an encouraging thumbs' up, and you now have five seconds to leave us in peace or face my wrath. One," She began counting.
Jaeger slowed to a stop.
"Two."
Ears facing forward the Yokai crouched low to the ground.
"Three. This is your last chance to back down Jaeger." Azula said her golden eyes narrowing dangerously.
Razor sharp claws unsheathed Jaegers muscles tensed in preparation to attack.
Azula sighed. "Four."
Unlike before there was no thunderous roar to herald Jaeger as he attacked. The only sound to be heard was Jinora desperately crying out Azula's name as she watched the Yokai lunge forward to kill her only hope of getting out of Tartarus alive.
It felt like her heart skipped several beats as she watched Jaeger's fearsome form sail through the air with his claws outstretched towards the former princess.
As death drew close to claiming her a second time; Azula's golden eyes held no fear, but a cold predatory gleam that matched the triumphant grin that spread across her face.
Then at the last possible second Azula slid to the side just narrowly avoiding Jaeger as he flew past her; however instead of landing like Jinora expected he disappeared.
"Five. Game over. I win." Azula said casually looking over her shoulder while Jinora quickly rushed to her side.
"How did you? Oh." She said realizing just where Azula was standing.
Upon discovering there was no escape routes Jinora had focused all of her panicked attention on Jaeger. So much so that she had completely forgotten that they were standing on a narrow pathway with sheer cliffs on either side.
Obviously Jaeger had forgotten too considering the fact that Azula had just tricked him into jumping off the cliff to an unknown, but undoubtedly painful fate.
"Now tell me 'Jinora'; do you have any other comments to make about my help?" Azula asked smugly as she joined in staring over the edge.
Jinora shook her head. "No. No comments; just please help me find my little sister."
"Don't worry peasant I intend to." Azula said turning away from the fog filled abyss. "But before we go, could you answer me one more question?"
"I thought you didn't want to waste any more time with questions." Jinora countered as she began following Azula along the now unobstructed pathway leading away from Koh's lair.
"Here in Tartarus 'your' questions are a waste of time. Mine could mean the difference between life and death. Now are you going to keep giving me lip, or are you going to help me help you save your sister?"
Taking a deep calming breath Jinora sighed. "Alright fine; what would you like to know?"
"Yokai like Jaeger live for the hunt, and care for little besides their next kill. So I can't help but wonder why he was holding that flower."
Brown eyes widening Jinora face-palmed. "Damn it."
It'd been roughly two days since Suyin and her strike team arrived in the northern water tribe. After receiving permission to land, they touched down in a designated air field, and proceeded to wait. The ship was one of the larger models designed by Suyin's eldest son Baatar Jr for long term expeditions, which allowed them to remain on board ready to leave at a moment's notice in case they caught word of Mako or Kuvira.
Ever since his exile from the United Republic, and corresponding banishment to Zaofu the prodigal Beifong son had spent most of his time focused on his inventions and projects; the most notable being the metal clan's newest airship which he had designated 'The Nomad' in honor of Opal after they had finally reconciled.
It was smaller and more Spartan than the larger luxury models designed by Asami and her company, but considerably faster. It also possessed a sizeable cargo bay, a containment unit for prisoners, and an entire level designated for housing passengers and crew. When fully stocked with supplies it was capable of sustaining a maximum of twenty people for up to a month without needing to resupply. It was the perfect vessel for tracking fugitives.
Ironically enough It's first actual field test was to hunt down Baatar's former fiancé, and surprisingly the new Dark Avatar.
The only ones to take notice of the irony though were the crew of seven Suyin had brought with to fly and maintain the ship. Everyone else on board had been too preoccupied with other things.
The matriarch of the metal clan herself divided her time between putting her team through drills, and listening to the radio for even the slightest whisper of Mako or Kuvira's whereabouts.
Suyin's strike team spent the majority of their time training and preparing for their eventual confrontation with their predecessor. Before them Kuvira had been Suyin's greatest student, and they were eager prove themselves better than the rogue metal bender.
Every once in a while Bolin and Opal would join them for sparing, though never together. Opal spent most of her time either talking with her mother, or alone in her room, though she would sometimes allow Pabu to keep her company.
It was after his latest visit with the air nomad that the fire ferret sensed that there was something wrong with his master's mate. It was in fact Pabu's animal intuition that led to the lava bender's current predicament.
He was lost.
"Damn it." Bolin groaned as he turned away from yet another dead end, and continued making his way through the airship's metallic corridors.
Instead of learning the airship's layout like everyone else he'd spent the majority of his time brooding over what had happened in Republic City. He'd spent hours going over everything again and again in his head just looking for something, anything he could have done to change the outcome. Then there was what Vaatu had said about Korra. The very idea that she would turn her back on anyone especially Mako was something he couldn't accept, not from him.
However it wasn't thoughts of Vaatu, Korra, or even Mako that plagued him now. It was Opal.
Ever since their 'discussion' about Kuvira and monsters she'd been distant, and what's worse; he let her keep her distance for two whole days. After the way he'd stormed off and left her in the cold he couldn't really blame her for being angry. He could however blame himself, and he did; very much so. This was why he was now trying to find Opal's room to apologize.
"I know, I know, I'm working on it. You're the one who told me to go left in the first place." Bolin grumbled in annoyance as he swung a right, and continued down the hall.
At first glance it would've look like he was talking to himself, but instead of silence he was quickly answered by an agitated chittering sound as Pabu popped his fuzzy head out from beneath Bolin's red scarf.
Crawling out onto his shoulder the fire ferret cocked his furry head and squeaked.
"I did so take a left. Look if you are going to give me directions then at least face the same way I am. I don't have time to sort out your left and right from mine." Bolin said turning to the fire ferret with a scowl.
Pabu chittered again meeting Bolin's green eyes with his own beady black orbs.
"No I am not stalling." Bolin said indignantly. "If I were stalling I'd be talking to myself in a bathroom mirror like a crazy person, but no. I'm stuck wandering the halls talking to you."
Pabu squeaked several times before nuzzling his master's cheek.
Bolin sighed. "You're right I'm sorry. I know you just want to help, but I already know a healthy relationship requires honesty and communication. That's why I'm trying to find Opal, so that we can 'communicate' 'honestly'. Since when did you become a relationship expert anyway?"
Pabu merely blinked in response, and Bolin sighed again allowing more of his tiredness to show through. "I know I should have done this days ago. I guess without Mako around; I picked up his brooding habit. Thanks for bringing me to my senses Pabu; you are a good friend."
Seeming to understand Pabu affectionately licked Bolin's ear. Ironically it was the same ear he'd bitten earlier to snap him out of his brooding, and get him to talk to Opal.
After two more turns and another dead end they finally found themselves standing before Opal's cabin. The metal door was closed, but there was light shinning from underneath it, indicating the air bender was inside.
"Well wish me luck buddy." Bolin sighed as he mustered up as much courage as he could and knocked on the door. "Opal it's me. Can we talk?"
Receiving no reply he knocked again. "Opal; can we please talk? I want to apologize."
Again there was no response, and the thought that he'd upset her this much disheartened him greatly.
His broad shoulders slumping in defeat he sadly looked at the cold metal door that stood between him and the love of his life, and pretended that it wasn't there. That Opal was standing there listening. "I guess I deserve this for pushing you away like that, and you have every right to be angry at me. You were trying to comfort me and I gave you the cold shoulder in one of the coldest places in the world, and that's not right. With everything that's happened I've just been feeling so angry, lost, and more than anything scared. I mean all my life Mako has been there for me when I needed him. No matter what he was there to comfort or protect me, and even after I learned to fight my own battles; I could always count on him to have my back. With everything that's happened, is happening, and is going to happen to him; me not being there to help is just tearing me apart. My big brother is the Dark Avatar and what's worse is that everyone seems to want him dead for things he hasn't done. Right now the people he trusted most, our friends are trying to figure out a way to kill him, and all I can do is sit here and feel like a lost little kid out on the streets again. Only this time I'm alone, and the world has become so much darker."
Pausing for a moment to choke down the feelings of loss, sorrow, and anger that had been building up inside of him since this nightmare began; Bolin pressed his forehead to the cold metal door closed his eyes in an effort to fight back tears, and remembered.
He remembered waking up to find Mako gone, and the spirit portal sealed behind him. He remembered screaming out his anguish at being left behind, and just sobbing as the reality of everything came crashing down on him like a landslide. He remembered everything, but more than the pain and sorrow of that day; he remembered Opal. How she had held him tight, and cried with him. How even with a storm raging around them she remained by his side through the darkest moment of his life.
"But I'm not alone." Bolin whispered softly. "I'm not alone because I have you Opal. Despite everything you've always forgiven me when I was wrong, and stood by me when I needed you the most. I could probably come up with a hundred good excuses, but none of them could ever make up for pushing you away like I did. Whatever your reasons for hating Kuvira are they don't matter to me. What does matter is that despite everything she's done; you were strong enough to put aside your grudge to help me when I really needed you. You are the kindest, smartest, most loyal woman I know, and I love you more than anything in the world. I'm so sorry Opal."
Opening his emerald eyes Bolin leaned back and looked at the metal door hoping for a response. There was none.
Feeling Pabu nuzzle his cheek comfortingly Bolin sighed, and gently stroked the fire ferret's orange and red fur. "Please say something Opal." He said quietly as tears began to fall.
"I love you too."
Surprised that the voice hadn't come from inside the room; Bolin whirled around to find Opal standing in the hallway behind him with tears in her jade eyes and a sad smile. Before he could say anything the air nomad rushed forward and pulled him into a tight embrace, which he quickly returned.
After a few blissful minutes of just holding each other close; Bolin loosened his grip, and looked his girlfriend in the eyes. "So did you hear all of that, or do I need to repeat anything?"
"Maybe that last part." Opal said with a small smile.
"I'm sorry?"
"No before that."
"You are the kindest, smartest"
"After that," Opal laughed when she saw the lava bender's playful smile.
"I love you Opal, and I'm really sorr" Bolin began only for Opal to cut him off mid sentence with a kiss.
Once she felt that his train of thought was thoroughly of track; she broke the kiss, and gently cupped the side of his face as she looked him in the eyes. "Stop apologizing. There is no reason to, and I'm not mad at you. I never was."
"Then why have you been avoiding me?" Bolin asked.
Seeing the hurt and confusion in his eyes Opal sighed. "I wasn't avoiding you, at least not intentionally. After we talked I realized that we both needed some time and space to think. Everything that went down in Republic City happened so fast to someone very dear to you, and instead of just taking a moment to let it all sink in we both dove head first into this rescue mission slash witch hunt. With Mako and Kuvira out there doing spirits knows what; we were both stressed out. I'm just glad that between the two of us; you were smart enough to walk away instead of letting it escalate into a fight we both would have regretted."
"I can't take all the credit. I'm pretty sure it was a blue moon." Bolin said making Opal laugh for the first time in days. "So we're okay?" he asked.
"We're okay." She said with a sad smile. "My problem isn't with you, and I will deal with it."
Bolin frowned. "You don't have to deal with it alone Opal. You're already helping me shoulder my burdens. Let me help you with yours."
She hesitated for a moment, but seeing the love and sincerity in his eyes Opal took his hand in hers, and lead him and Pabu into her room.
Like all the other cabins it was Spartan in design. The room was only big enough to house a single occupant with a bunk, a small desk and chair, and a narrow door that lead into a small bathroom. The only discernible difference between her room and his was the single duffle bag setting on her bed.
Living the life of a nomadic monk she and the other air nomads had very few worldly possessions, and only kept what they could carry with them.
Letting go of his hand she opened her travel bag, and after a quick search through its contents she pulled out a green draw string bag, and a small photo album with a stylized boar with wings on the cover; an emblem which served as the Beifong family crest.
"It's not an easy thing to leave your life behind." Opal began as she sat on the edge of her bed. "The night before I left Zaofu to join the new air nation, my family threw me a private farewell party. That night everyone gave me a little keep sake so that no matter where I am, or how far away I go; I can always feel close to them."
Taking a seat next to her on the bed; Opal passed him the bag, and after a moment of hesitation he opened it. The first object he pulled out was a metal pocket watch with a winged boar on the cover, and 'to Opal from Baatar' engraved on the back.
Opal smiled fondly. "Baatar made me that from scratch. He started with a single gear, and just built it up piece by piece."
Bolin smiled. "I'm glad you two were able to reconcile. Family is too important to just let it be ruined by anger." He said as he set the watch aside, and pulled out the next item in the bag.
"Me too," Opal said with a small smile as she watched him pull out a black long toothed comb with an opal set into the handle. "Huan made me that out of a meteorite. He thought it would be funny to use an opal instead of writing my name on it."
"So there is a sense of humor underneath all that artistic brooding and hair dye." Bolin joked making Opal giggle as he set the comb down next to the watch.
"Be nice," She said lightly elbowing him playfully in the side.
"Alright then the big brothers made you a watch and a comb. Let's see what the little brothers got you." He said with a grin as he made a show of reaching into the bag, and slowly pulling out a small hand mirror.
"Wing and Wei gave me that incase I ever felt lonely during my travels. That way I could do what they do and talk to my twin." Opal explained, smiling at the thought of her younger twin brothers.
"That definitely sounds like them." Bolin said before gesturing to the photo album. "And that?"
Looking down at the album in her hands she began flipping through the pages. "Mom and dad put this together for me."
For several minutes they just sat there looking at pictures of Opal and her family. There were pictures of her with her parents Suyin and Baatar Sr, as well as photos of her older brothers Baatar Jr and Huan. When they reached the pictures of her younger brothers the twins Wing and Wei; Bolin's curiosity began to gnaw at him as he wondered what family keep sakes had to do with Kuvira?
As the air bender smiled fondly at a picture of her with Wing and Wei; Opal slowly turned the page to a picture that Bolin didn't immediately recognize. Unlike the previous photos this one was older, and slightly faded, but he could still make out that the picture was of two young girls standing close together with big smiles, and one arm wrapped around each other's shoulders.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa; hold on a second. Is that who I think it is?" he asked, pointing to the picture.
Having dreaded seeing this photo from the moment she opened the album; Opal could only nod her head. "Yes."
"I had no idea." Bolin said shaking his head in disbelief. "Why hasn't anyone in your family ever mentioned this?"
Opal cocked her head in surprise. "I thought somebody would have mentioned it a long time ago. Anyway it's not exactly something we like to talk about, especially me." She added solemnly.
Seeing the forlorn look on Opal's face as she looked at the picture Bolin placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Come on it's not that bad. A lot of kids are a little pudgy at that age." He said giving her an encouraging smile.
Eyes widening in surprise Opal's attention instantly snapped to her boyfriend. "What?" She asked in a tone that indicated he was on very thin ice.
Recognizing her tone instantly; Bolin quickly gestured to the picture. "That's you isn't it?" He asked pointing specifically at the girl on the left.
Looking back down at the photo Opal groaned.
Sure enough the picture was of her when she was seven years old. Back then her dark hair had been longer reaching to her shoulders. Her short and admittedly pudgy fame was covered in a frilly dress with a matching ribbon in her hair. To top it off she also wore a big cheesy smile that showcased her missing front teeth.
"Yes that's me, and yes I was a chubby child but that's not the reason I'm showing you this." She admitted grudgingly as she blushed in embarrassment.
"Then what is the reason?"
"She is." Opal said pointing to the girl with her in the photo. "She is the reason the bag isn't empty yet."
Surprised Bolin did as she said and took another, longer look at the photograph.
The other girl in the picture looked to be around thirteen years old, with long dark hair styled into a single braid that fell over her shoulder. She wore a long sleeved tunic with plain black pants, and instead of ribbons her only noticeable accessory was a medallion hanging around her neck.
Unlike Opal her smile was more reserved, but no less genuine. It would be obvious to anyone who saw the picture that she and Opal were very close.
The longer he looked the more he felt like he knew her to somehow. It wasn't until he noticed a small beauty mark beneath her right eye that everything clicked.
"Kuvira."
Opal nodded as her eyes grew tearful. "She was one of us Bolin. When she was abandoned by her parent's mom found her and took her in as her ward; she became a part of our family. Growing up she was like a big sister to me, my best friend." She said reaching into the bag and pulling out the final item.
"She was your Mako." Bolin said as he finally started to understand. She wasn't just angry; she was heartbroken.
Opal's tearful eyes narrowed in anger as she held the final item concealed in her hand. "We were like family and she turned her back on us Bolin. She fractured my family, conquered Zaofu, and tried to kill us. Mako is possessed by the freaking spirit of chaos, and he could barely raise a hand to you, let alone hurt you, so what's her excuse? I know the way of the air nomads is redemption and forgiveness, but some things are unforgivable. There is no redemption for a monster like her."
Looking at the item concealed in her fist Opal sighed. "The worst part is I still love her Bolin, or at least who she used to be."
Finally Opal opened her hand to reveal a silver amulet. The very same one Kuvira had been wearing in the photo. While the picture hadn't provided many details, seeing it now Bolin could tell it was very old, as well as of a make and design not found in Zaofu, or any other earth kingdom he visited. What really caught his attention though was the detail put into the beast depicted on the amulet.
The creature was unlike anything he had ever seen or even heard of. It resembled a lion with a mane composed of sharp quills like a porcupine. It also possessed a line of spikes trailing along the length of its spine which in turn lead to a scorpion like tail. He didn't know what the creature was, but what he did know was that it definitely wasn't the Beifong sigil.
Looking up from the medallion Opal couldn't bear the sadness in Bolin's so she made to look away, but the lava bender gently cupped her cheek and slowly turned her head to face him. Looking into his green eyes again she was again met with sadness, but looking deeper she also found understanding.
"I can't say I know how you feel, and honestly I never want to. Family is supposed to be something you can always count on, and to have your family hurt by one of your own is something I can scarcely imagine." He began as he gently wiped her tears away. "What I do understand is that you need to face Kuvira, and whatever you decide forgiveness or vengeance; I will always stand by you Opal no matter what."
With a small smile Opal hugged him tightly. "I love you Bolin Phenix." She said as he returned the embrace.
"I love you too," he said pulling her into a kiss.
For the first time in days the young couple was able to just enjoy each other's company in a moment of peace. Unfortunately it didn't last long.
"Am I interrupting?"
"Mom!" Opal yelped as she instinctively shoved a startled Bolin of her bed and onto the floor.
"It's not what it looks like!" The lava bender added quickly as he looked up to see Opal's mother standing in the doorway.
Suyin smiled and shook her head. "Don't worry Bolin. If I thought you were the type of guy who would have relations with my 'only' daughter before marriage; I would have castrated you years ago."
"Oh, well that's good to know." Bolin said instinctively crossing his legs, while Pabu crouched low and wrapped his tail around his body, indicating that Bolin's fear was one shared by all males regardless of species.
"Anyway what brings you to my room, without knocking I might add?" Opal asked leveling a glare at her mother.
The matriarch's expression shifted from one of amusement to something far more serious. "There was an attack on the World Leader's Summit in Republic City. Twenty-two casualties."
"Spirits," Opal gasped.
Suyin nodded. "Aside from a senator from the Earth Republic the world leaders made it out alive."
"Who?" Bolin asked dreading the answer.
Knowing her answer was one the young man least wanted to hear Suyin sighed. "The attack was carried out by dark spirits. Which means there is only one being who could be behind it, and the world is already blaming him for it."
"Mako," Bolin whispered solemnly.
I know, I know, there wasn't nearly enough Mako, Vaatu, or the rest of our beloved team dark avatar, but as of late I feel the direction of my story has become somewhat scattered. Between Bolin, Jinora, Republic City, etc I feel I need take a chapter or two to get all my turtle ducks in a row. But don't worry it shouldn't take me too long and questions like Mako's bloodline, and Azula's presence will be answered. Any way thanks for reading, and please leave a comment or review. until next time stay tuned.