"In the morning. That gives us no time. That's too fast." Kai stammers.
"Do you know want to come back? With me?" Jinora asked blushingly. Kai looks at Jinora. Opal looks at Kai. There is a moment.
"Well then. I guess it is time to wrap this up." Asami ends. Everyone finishes their meals. Silently everyone rises from their chairs and head out the entrance. The entrance is a green sliding door made from wood, which is designed with intricate shapely designs for artistic purposes. Surrounding the door are various temple-like architectural adornments as well as four yellow lanterns and a door-curtain. The entrance to the restaurant has door-curtains called Noren. The Noren curtains were used as a means of advertising and protecting its interior from the sun and dust. Everyone walks through the alleyway leading to the main roads. They stand on the sidewalk and attempt to reach a cab.
"Where are you headed to, Asami?" Bolin asked.
"I'm going to Dragon Flats." Asami answered.
"Dragon Flats! Isn't that a little dangerous this time at night?" Bolin warned.
"No worries. I am carrying my electric glove." Asami pointed to her knapsack.
"What's in the borough?"
"That's where my dad and I grew up."
"Oh yeah. I forgot."
"I have been hearing about something strange going on around my old home. I'm going to go check it out."
They slowed a cab down. "DO Y'ALL NEED A RIDE?!" The cab driver shouts. They nod yes. The group separates. Asami moves a few feet and whistles another cab down. She moves in her cab. Bolin guides Opal to the passenger seat. Bolin, Jinora and Kai sit in the back. The cab drives eastbound, retuning towards Yue Bay. They arrive at the pier. There is a boat there that can make trips to Air Temple Island. Its purpose is not necessarily to move back and forth from the pier to the island. For a little extra money, the captain is willing to work as a ferry. However when the captain wants to go home, the pirates offer rides. The pirates are riskier. They reach the island. Carrying Rohan, Pema greets them at the door.
"I was just about to go to bed. I was started to think you guys were not going to make it." Pema talked tensely.
"I'm sorry. We were just catching up and lost track of time." Bolin excused himself.
"It's alright. I was just worried about everyone's safety. I didn't know you were coming Bolin. And who are you?" Pema directed her question in the direction of Hong Li.
"I'm sorry ma'am. I am Hong Li. I am lady Opal's escort." Hong Li acquainted.
"Well I was only expecting three people. I mean I still have four beds. So you and Bolin are going to have share the bed or to decide who will be sleeping on the floor." Pema told the two earthbenders. They looked at one another.
"We'll figure something out." Bolin told Pema. She made an uncaring face.
"Alright then. Tenzin will be here bright and early. Everyone go to bed." Pema orders. Everyone walks to their respective rooms. Jinora rests in her bed. Opal rests in her bed. Kai rests in his bed. Bolin and Hong Li look at their one bed.
"So how are we going to this?" Bolin asks. "I am going to be honest. I really want the bed. So either we share or you can go one the floor." Hong Li spoke as he took off his Metal Clan armor. The shoulder plates and breastplates dropped heavily on the floor. He opens his chest and stretched his back. Bolin heard the knuckles and air pockets crack and pop. "Uhm. I guess you can have it. It's not a big deal." Bolin said in a slight disbelief. Hong Li was rather adamant in his request. Bolin didn't Hong Li that well. Maybe Hong Li is serious when it comes to his sleep. Hong Li took off his shirt. No tank top. Hong Li was shirtless. It is now when Bolin realizes that he didn't know Hong Li at all. Hong was fit. Hong Li had a very physical and athletic body. Bolin did not even notice that he was staring at his back. Hong Li's spine eloquently curved from narrow waist to his wide shoulders. Hong Li took off his boots demonstrating his slender and arched foot with a pink heel. Hong Li turned around to undo his pants. Bolin still did not stop staring at his front. Bolin could see the constriction of Hong Li's Oblique muscles. Bolin could see Hong Li's perfectly shaped pecs. Bolin could see Hong Li's artistically sculpted abs with the thin hair trail from the navel to the treasure. Hong Li was lean, built, and cut. Hong Li pulled down his pants and remained in his encasing boxers. Sky blue boxers with a beige button in the front. Cloth boxers. Cloth respires well but it doesn't stretch. Bolin could see Hong Li's ample apple bottom ready to tear the thread. Bolin could see the weight of Hong Li's booming banana front hang in the trunks. "I get hot when I sleep so you can have the blanket." Hong Li passes the blanket to Bolin. Bolin didn't hear him. He was too focused. Focused on his sporty, vigorous legs. "Bolin? Hong Li reiterated. "Oh. Yeah. Thanks." Bolin wavered away. Bolin couldn't believe the adult body Hong Li was hiding behind his baby face.
Bolin laid the blanket across the floor. He removed his shirt, and just as he was about to remove his pants, he realized his rod was metal. Bolin decides to keep his pants on to not reveal his erection. He stays with his tank top on. About an hour passes. Bolin is wide awake. Hong Li is deep asleep. Hong Li is asleep on his stomach with his right leg bent and knee pointing away. Bolin stands from the floor and gazes at the divine body. Bolin gets closer. Close enough to hear Hong Li's breathing. Subtle snoring. Bolin runs his fingers slightly, in and out and through Hong Li's back crevices. Bolin wants Hong Li's legs to eat; to consume, because they weren't hamstrings. Those strings were made of beef. Just as Bolin is about to touch more the door to the room opens. It's Opal. Bolin straightens himself out.
"Hey!" Bolin says loudly.
"Shhhh." Opal shushes.
"Sorry." Bolin whispers
"Hi." Opal assents.
"What are you doing here?"
"Well I waited for Pema to fall asleep. Do you want to catch up where we left off?"
"Where we left off?"
"Where we were. In my room."
"Oh. Okay. Lets."
"Right now."
"Now?"
"Yes. Right here. Right now."
"Uhm okay. We can't right now though. What if Pema wakes up?"
"She won't."
"But what if she does?"
"Who cares? She's not my mother."
"Oh. Okay. Well we can't do it here either."
"Ugh why not?!"
"Pema may not wake up but Hong Li surely will. Want to go to your room?"
"Can't. I am sharing my room with Jinora. It's Jinora's old room. The one she shared with Ikki."
"Where is Kai?"
"In Meelo's old room. Why?"
"Uhm. Just curious. Thought there could be an empty room."
"So now what?"
"I will check the perimeter. You go back to your room and I will come back for you if the coast is clear."
Opal agrees to the terms. Bolin walks down and out the corridor. Bolin walks out the home. He only sees Air Acolyte dormitories. Bolin walks around the building to check the sides when he hears footsteps. He tiptoes to the side of the building where he peaks the corner and see a White Lotus guard surveilling the area. Bolin is relieved. That was what Bolin was hoping for. He wanted a legitimate excuse to tell Opal. Bolin returns inside. Walks in the corridor and sees Jinora's room. Right as he is about to turn the knob of the door, he sees Meelo's room. Bolin lets go of the knob. Bolin is caught with temptation. He could go quickly visit Kai but then he would leave Opal hanging. He could just go inside and forget about Kai but he really wants to see Kai. He could go inside tell Opal the bad news that they are just going to have to wait, and then go see Kai. He could have his cake and eat it too. None of the wiser options are taken. Bolin gives in to temptation and walks over to Meelo's room. Bolin was in his tank top. He swipes off any dirt he may have collected from his shoulders and chests. Bolin runs his hands through his hair in an attempt to organize it. He does not forget to twirl his finger around his front curl. He pulls down above his forehead. Bolin flexes his pecs a few time and gives them an encouraging slap twice or thrice. He turns the knob but, to his surprise, Kai wasn't in the room. It was just Jinora.
Down at Dragon Flats Borough
"I think the old Chi Blocker training camp is here. Yeah it is around here. It's that bookstore!" Hasook aided Iroh. Iroh parks the car a few yards away from the bookstore. "It's this way." Hasook lead the way. The reach the bookstore and enter. The camp was located underneath an easily accessible bookstore in the Dragon Flats borough. The walls of the bookstore were made from brown bricks, and there were vents near the bottom that aerated the cellar. They walk down the stairs into the basement. It was dark. The three men tried to feel their way. It was dark until it wasn't anymore. The basement's walls were tan in coloration and decorated with old Equalist posters, including one of Amon, and the floor was covered in gray tiles. The interior of the facility was linked to a large tunnel, which had a dirt floor and stone walls that were supported by wooden planks. Under the stairs of the entrance there were barrels of water. The lights were turned on. The basement was spacious and filled only by the presence of Lightning Bolt Zolt. Lightning Bolt Zolt was standing in between two wooden planks, with an electric glove on left hand and he wasn't by himself. The detectives' number one suspect was standing right behind him. Xing'Shi.
"ZOLT! XING'SHI! We have you surrounded!" Mako shouts. Zolt and Xing'Shi keep a straight face. Mako continues. "You are under arrest for conspiracy, endangerment, and trafficking." Mako demonstrates his police badge and finishes. There isn't movement or words for a minute. Zolt begins to laugh.
"Eh eh heh heh ha ha Ha Ha! You have ME surrounded?! There is no one outside!" Zolt calls Mako's bluff.
"We don't need anyone outside. You are outnumbered right here right now." General Iroh sternly informs.
"I don't think it's me who's outnumber, commander." Zolt says arrogantly.
"Zolt, you were the top bookkeeper in the United Republic of Nations. Can you not count? There are two of you and three of us." Iroh warns
"I can count, commander. There are three of us and two of you guys." Zolt replies.
"Let's make this easy for everyone and surrender." Iroh ignores Zolt's response.
"Hasook!" Zolt instructs. Hasook swings his arms down then raises them up, summoning the water from the barrels. Iroh and Mako turn around to see him bending but it is too late. Hasook rushes them with the force of a waterfall. Pushing the two firebenders to the feet of Zolt. "I told you commander, I can count." Zolt says as he turns on his electric glove and uses the water to electrify both detectives unconscious.
Mako wakes up with blurred vision and a pounding headache. Tired and exhausted. H was trying to make sense of what happened. He did not where he was. He could not see where he was. His vision was still hazy and his supporting muscles were distorted. He could not stand. He could not even try to stand. It hurt. Mako was in pain and slightly paralyzed. Everything hurt and his legs were weak like a newborn deer. A fawn. Mako tried to move his hands and fails. At first Mako thought his hands were paralyzed but he flickered his fingers and felt the rope around his wrists. Weary and fatigued, he discovers his hands were bound. Mako takes a deep breath and tries to recollect his memories. He cannot remember much. He only remembers the Chief Toph Beifong statue in front of the police station He only remembers sitting in the passenger seat of the police Satomobile. They were south through Republic City and Iroh was in the drivers' seat. Iroh. Mako remembered Iroh. Mako tried to expand his vocal cords. Mako tried to speak but it was challenge. Mako coughed and tried to speak again. It was grumbled speech.
"Where. Am. I." Mako spoke.
"Thank goodness. You're waking up. How are you feeling?" Mako hears. It sounds like Iroh. It was Iroh
"Iroh?" Mako asks tiredly
"Yeah it is me." Iroh assures
"I can't see you." Mako complains
"Yeah. The blindness is temporary. Other than that, how are you feeling?" Iroh reassures.
"I can't stop aching. What happened?" Mako asks
"We are held captive by Lightning Bolt Zolt." Iroh tells.
"Zolt. We found him! That's right."
"Yes we found him. You have been out for about an hour since I've been up. I don't know how long I was passed out."
"Ugh. But we found Zolt."
"Yeah. We found him and Xing'Shi."
"Xing'Shi? Xing'Shi"
"Yeah."
"Then what happened?"
"We found them in the old Chi Blocker training facility."
"Just as we suspected. Where are we?"
"That is also when Hasook betrayed us."
"Hasook betrayed us?"
"Yes. We were set up. We were ambushed. Hasook attacked with a wave of water from behind. Zolt used his electric glove and the water as a conductive medium and knocked us out, cold. We seem to be in Central City Station. In an unused tunnel."
"We were set up? We were ambushed? We were ambushed! I remember everything now. HASOOK! Where is he now?!"
The rage opened up Mako's pores, mobility and senses. Clarity returned to his eyes. He and Iroh were tied up against a tunnel wall. Mako turned his head left and sees just an endless tunnel. A path that runs into oblivion. Mako turned his head right. He faces Iroh. Mako sees the other end of the tunnel and sees light. Also hears sound. This tunnel must be from the old Republic City tunnel network. The one used by Amon to refuge all his Chi Blockers. A couple of barrels of exploding jelly and igniting butter. A lot of people. Chi Blockers and Agni Kai Triad members. Mako was taking in too much information too fast. Mako was heated. Angry. Mako propelled fire from his palms bursting the rope that tied him. Mako yelled angrily. Mako shot jets of flame in every direction. The Agni Kai patroller quickly stepped in defense. Mako felt he could take them all on. Mako swept his feet sending rollers of fire across the floor. The triad member jump above and kicked a ball of fire towards Mako. It gets close but Mako dodges. Mako's opponent is close to Mako. He tried to punch a ball of fire directly into his opponents face but it's blocked. Mako tries again with his other hand but it's dispatched. A Chi Blocker swiftly moves in and pokes and fists all of Mako's chakras. The firebender is temporary a nonbender and his firebending opponent knocks him back down.
Mako is set and returned right next to Iroh. Mako couldn't do much now. He sat frustrated and looked at Iroh. "Why didn't you help me? The two of us together! We could have done better." Mako scold Iroh. Iroh straightens his posture and pulls out his arms from behind him, demonstrating to Mako that he was never bound. "Everything you just did. I already tried. Let me not even mention that I did a little better than you. There is not much we can do right now. We should recover until our circumstances change." Iroh taught. Those news may have upset Mako even more. Mako let out a huff of air in disappointment. He sat silently and calmly. That is until he saw someone walking over to him and Iroh. He is wearing a Metalbending police officers' uniform. Mako looks up at his face and it is nothing more and nothing less than his old Probending teammate. The ex- fire ferret and Republic City traitor. Hasook.