Hands of Fate

by RGM-96S Stark Jegan

Spider-man has to make and live with his choices in a new world. The curse of power consumes all.

12. Pieces

A/N: I do not own Spider-Man or Legend of Korra

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XXXxxx Sato Estate xxxXXX

The winter air engulfed the city and the wind chill could be felt to the bone. Trees swayed to the harsh winds will. None of these factors discouraged Hiroshi Sato's trek through is immaculate courtyard. He didn't bother putting on a coat. Sato wouldn't dare keep his guest waiting for a second. The industrialist moved with purpose to his prized workshop. The Prowler's declaration still echoed through his mind. The situation needed his full attention. A plan of action was needed more than anything at the moment. Sato made sure to tell his staff not to disturb him for any reason. Nothing short of a hostile takeover from Varrick would tear him away from this important meeting. The trip felt larger then it should've. He'd run if he was in better shape.

Hiroshi swung the doors opened and made sure they were shut. The lights were switched on but his guest was nowhere to be found. Perhaps he was faster than he thought.

"Hello…" Sato whispered to the empty workshop. He darted his eyes left and right, no sign of a presence. "Is anyone there…"

The humble work shop stayed quiet for a moment before someone finally answered. "Were you followed?"

"No! Now show yourself. My time isn't cheap you know." Sato was on edge, so much so that he skipped the pleasantries.

His guest complied and stepped into the light. Amon appeared before him, in the flesh. "Apologies my friend, I had to be sure."

"Do you have any idea how risky this is? If anyone saw us together…The entire movement would be derailed overnight." Hiroshi pointed out.

The stakes didn't bother Amon on bit. "I'm aware of the risks Hiroshi and I appreciate you agreeing to meet on such short notice."

The masked man mood rubbed off on Sato and he set his anxiety aside. "Alright I'll be blunt. What are we going to do about this Prowler character? And please tell me this scenario isn't one of your compartmentalized plans."

Amon shook his head. "I'm just now hearing about him myself. I have nothing to do with him. The only sensible thing to do under these circumstances is to stay out of it and see how it plays out. In the mean time we'll adjust our strategy based on its outcome of Spider-Man's little duel with Prowler."

Amon's plan was sound but Hiroshi still had some reservations. "We should be more proactive. Spider-Man is a threat to the revolution and we know nothing about Prowler."

"What do you propose?" Amon inquired.

"We send some of our people in and effectively neutralize the both of them after they tear each other apart. It's a golden opportunity to whip out two variables I'm not at all comfortable still being in play." Hiroshi presented his proposed strategy.

Amon liked his thinking. He was a kind hearted man but when it came to obstacles he was a vicious pragmatist. No wonder he got so fare in the business world. He liked the plan but there were some glaring flaws in Sato proposal. "No, we know too little to make such an aggressive move. I won't commit any of our assets on a flimsy hunch."

Hiroshi didn't agree with his stance but he knew he had final say on these matters. "So we just stay out of this then?"

"Yes, for the most part. I'll put some feelers in the usual spots for good measure. We'll know the whole story by day break."

It wasn't his preferred method but he could live with it. "Fine with me, you know I have full confidence in your leadership Amon. Now I know you didn't just come in person to talk strategy."

Amon chuckled at his co-conspirator. "Can't get anything past you can I?"

"Not much, no." Hiroshi replied.

Humor was a good sign. The movement's financial and scientific backer hasn't lost his nerve. "The upgraded shock gloves, I want to see them."

"Of course." Hiroshi walked over to the framed schematic of the first Satomobile and tapped the glass in a particular fashion. The sequence opened a secret compartment on the wall. It held the prototype electric kali stick used by Amon's Lieutenant. Next to it was the initial shock glove that was going to be the equalits main weapon. The sleek, streamlined glove was in stark contrast to its bulkier counterpart. It was gun metal grey and gold. Its fingertips were sharpened to points, which expanded on its offensive capabilities. The generator was an isosceles triangle located on the back of its palm and it covered a larger area than its predecessor. Its improved voltage gave way for small capacitors that covered four knuckles. They were heavily reinforced so the user could use it as improvised brass knuckles if they deemed it necessary. A spool could be found on the wrist, it function was unknown.

"This looks promising Hiroshi. Concealment won't be an issue now. Concealment won't be a problem now." Amon complimented.

Hiroshi couldn't help but laugh at Amon's sentiment. "Oh it does a lot more then concealment my friend." Sato slipped the glove on and started his demonstration. "See these nodes here have boosted the voltage by thirty-eight percent. The improved insulation means that less power is lost upon activation." Sato activated the glove. There was a low hum as power swam through the main generator and capacitors. The glove lacked the loud crack that characterized Sato's earlier energy based weapons. Instead the sleek power unit glowed blue and shined proudly.

Amon made a mental note not to field these in low light environment, though if he had to guess, Hiroshi had a workaround for the bright light.

Hiroshi continued. "As you might have guessed, the weight has been reduced significantly. As for this spool…well it's easier to show then tell. Could you step back a bit."

Amon took a few paces back. His intrigue was at a fever pitch. It was difficult to preserve his stoic demeanor.

Sato got into a sloppy stance, in Amon's eyes anyway, smiling with anticipation. "See that stool?" he pointed.

Amon found it without fuss and nodded.

"Throw it at me."

Amon didn't mind that Hiroshi was issuing orders to him. He simply kicked the piece of furniture towards Hiroshi.

Hiroshi pulled his hand back and swung hard. The spool sprung to life. The cable was coated in current and cracked like a whip. The steel whip smacked the condemned stool and it landed in smoking pieces. Sato flicked his wrist, forcing the cable to recoil back to its point of origin. Hiroshi couldn't read Amon mask, obviously, but his eyes were wide with surprise. He had received the desired effect from his leader. It was time for an explanation. "I call it the cobra node. It increases the shook gloves effective rage to five feet. Beats point blank am I right?"

"You've out done yourself Hiroshi! This is an incredible break through." Amon couldn't contain himself anymore. There was a human being behind the mask after all.

"I appreciate the praise Amon but I can't take full credit for this." Hiroshi told him as he removed the glove and returned it to its hiding place. "The only thing I did was bring these things into fruition is all. And between you and me, they could use more refinement. There's a lag after the cobra node is activated. I clocked it in at around fifteen second before the generator can recharge the capacitors."

"I assume you're referring to your apprentice. So these improvements are his handy work then." Amon surmised. "What did you say his name was again."

"Takuya." Hiroshi answered. "Found him working in my factory of all places. He slammed into me trying to beat the clock before my foreman ripped his head off. Anyway the kid drops this notebook, I think it was a journal, and the ideas on those pages…they were leaps and bounds above the norm. He had machine workups, full schematics, formulas for some kind of polymer or adhesive, odd telecommunication devices…" Hiroshi found a comfortable chair and sat.

"Fascinating, you weren't calling him a prodigy for nothing." Amon agreed.

"I know but there's more to it." Hiroshi made a double take around the shop. He had to be absolutely sure no one around when he divulged more of the story. "As you know, I've been working on the new aerial vehicles. It's something the world's ever seen and Takuya had sketched a similar design of my own. Years of work and thought and this kid whipped one up. Bleeding edge science and he draws it up in his spare time no less."

Amon knew Hiroshi's underling could be a valuable asset if circumstances permitted. But this boy just turned invaluable in his eyes. "You made the right call brining him under your wing Sato."

"Thanks. You know a part of me wanted to snatch him up before Gong-Long or Varrick got their muddy little paws on him. I could only imagine what that lunatic would do with his talents. Probably have him working on some mustache machine." Hiroshi gripped.

"Is that a hint of resentment towards Varrick I detect? You don't have any hard feelings because his company is bigger than yours do you?" Amon teased.

"Please. He's only bigger because he chases money. I'm in it to innovate. That and his life's work is going to pale in comparison to the new world we're creating." Hiroshi shot back.

Takuya was more than a prodigy. His ideas could change the world. His prowess mirrored Hiroshi's at a young age no less. If Amon was as dramatic as he lead his followers to believe, he could call this meeting of the minds a gift from the spirits, but he as fare more practical then spiritual.

"I think it's time to being him into the fold." Amon declared.

Sato had a varied degree of emotions. In his most idealized world, his daughter and Takuya would welcome his world view with opened arms. They would help him fight the benders, but he wanted to be genuine and forced.

"I want that Amon, but we can't move on it too fast. Revealing my alliance with you and the revolution will come as quite a shock. If we drop this on his lap we run the risk of him lashing out or going to the authorities. The risk is too great." Hiroshi pleaded his case.

"My friend, our end game is fast approaching. We can't afford to hesitate, not now." Amon's resolve was unyielding. He meant every word.

Sato felt a blend of inspiration and shame. Amon was right. When he first approached from the shadows, Hiroshi's first impulse was to call the authorities. But as Amon spoke of the benders crimes against non-benders the industrialist was moved to his cause. He was the first person to pin Sato agony with words. He was ushering in a new world and Hiroshi was getting weak kneed.

"Your right, I can't falter now. I…we have too much riding on this." Hiroshi admitted.

"Glad to see we're on the same page."

"But if I'm going to try and sway Takuya I have to do it my way. I'll push harder, get a feel for him, then I'll make my move." Hiroshi asserted himself.

Hiroshi held a deep respect for Amon and his leadership, but he was far from a blind follower.

Hiroshi gave more details to his method. "We'll have some quality time in the company suits. After the assault in the final round he will see how the council treats the nonbenders. Then I'll drop the façade and offer him a place in the revolution."

"Good, I'll let you handle Takuya yourself. I'm confident you will succeed." Amon concluded.

"I appreciate the vote of confidence, but the plan isn't fool proof. He could still reject my offer and try to go to the police." Sato voiced his concerns.

"Simple, we hold him until the revolution is complete. He might be enlightened once he sees what we can accomplish."

Hiroshi wasn't comfortable with the masked man's raw pragmatism. "Don't you think that a bit extreme Amon?"

"Not at all Hiroshi, you said it yourself. Takuya is an asset we can't afford to lose. If it comes to that you have my word that he won't be harmed. If you feel so strongly against my contingency I suggest you double your efforts in the persuasion department." Amon laid out his ultimatum. "Do we have an understanding?"

The conditions weren't easy to swallow. He doesn't think of Takuya as an asset but the boy was an untapped potential that could pay off in dividends if the right circumstances were meat. Hiroshi sighed, nothing ventured nothing gained. "Understood…"

Two matters were dealt but there was still one more. It's was the one Amon dreaded the most. "I need to discuss my last engagement with Spider-Man."

Hiroshi raised a brow at Amon. "What for, you defeated him twice. He's nothing do you."

"Our fist battle was nothing; he was just a flailing child with a tantrum. But our second bout was…something unexpected happened. I'm not even sure Spider-Man planned for it to happen." Amon's rock solid demeanor shifted ever so slighty. He wasn't comfortable with the subject. Despite popular belief, he is a human being.

"What kind of 'complications'. If I remember correctly, you went there to intimidate the Avatar. Spider-Man was there and you defeated him. What's complicated about that?" Hiroshi recited the night events, at least what he read on the secret report.

Amon expected this. He told his inner circle a half truth. None of the Equalist cells would ever know what really happened that night for obvious reasons. "There's something within him that nearly overwhelmed me. I thought I wouldn't get off that…"

"Dad you out here!?" A famine voice cut Amon's confession off. "You in your work shop!?"

Hiroshi flinched hard at the sudden intrusion. His face went white. "Oh no it's Asami, you need to get out of here." He whispered to no response. Hiroshi turned to investigate but his host was nowhere to be found.

The meek workshop, by Sato standards anyway, swung open. Asami stepped in wearing standard Future Industries industrial coveralls. Grease stains and soot peapered the tan service wear. Her trade mark make up was gone and her hair was tied back. All tell tail signs that she was knee deep in one of her projects. "There you are."

Hiroshi tried to look like he didn't just have the life scared out of him. He wasn't entirely successful. "Asami, you scared me honey. You need something?"

"Didn't mean to dad, what are you doing here anyway?" Asami asked her father. It was strange. Whenever he was in his workshop he was usually fiddling with a new contraption.

"I just needed a quiet place to think is all. You need something Asami?"

Asami was suspect, that didn't sound like something her father would do. "I'm having trouble with my timing belt and the engine mounts are giving me a hard time."

Hiroshi welcomed the distraction with opened arms. "You're trying to pull the engine out. The bays big enough, you could just work around it."

"I know. I had a few ideas I wanted to play around with." Asami explained.

"I see, there should be have something for that. Hold on." Hiroshi went for his tool drawer, third one to the left. "That socket should be around here somewhere. Did you remember to disconnect the powertrain and the exhaust manifold?"

Asami smirked. "Come on dad, who do you think you're talking to?" She teased.

Hiroshi chuckled at his daughter's mettle. "Cut your old man some slack, I still remember you begging me for piggy back rides. And this is what, your forth engine rebuild now. You went and grew up too fast for me. It's hard to keep up." He found the necessary tools and pulled them out.

Asami grabbed them. "Don't worry dad, the next eighteen years won't go by so fast. I promise."

"I'll hold you to that." Hiroshi loved his daughter. She was the only family he had left, which made lying to her like this excruciating.

Asami smiled and started to leave. "You won't be disappointed."

An idea popped Hiroshi's head. "Asami hold on."

"Huh, what's up?" She stopped in her tracks.

"Do you have something planned for our Fire Ferrets, besides the uniforms of course."

"Yeah actually, we're going to have a night on the town. Nothing fancy, we'll probably just crash and get some dinner. You know, just a little something to celebrate them getting into the championships." Asami went over the night's itinerary.

"I see. Tell me, have you heard anything from Takuya lately?"

"Nope, haven't seen him in a while actually."

Hiroshi saw a golden opportunity to keep track of him. "Maybe you should take him along."

"I don't see why not, the more the merrier right." She surmised.

"Splined. Oh by the way, I would appreciate if you would tell me how he's doing. He's been acting strange of late. I tried to touch bases with him but he's surprisingly illusive."

"Alright dad, I'll do that." She made her way out of his workshop. Asami couldn't put her finger on it but there was something off about her father. Takuya was his apprentice but he was a little two interested in him. The whole exchange was odd. "Don't stay in here too long, you might catch a cold."

"Don't worry I'm almost done here."

Asami left, her father's secret was safe. Hiroshi sighed in relief. It felt like he was walking a tight rope through the whole thing. This was a man who pulled business deals out of thin air. He had promised hungry investors products that were well over budget with a straight face but facing his daughter left him feeling exhausted. He leaned against a shop table and reached for an old frame. It was a photo he took from the early days of the company. His younger self was standing with Asami's pregnant mother. Future Industries first production plant stood in the foreground. The thing was a shack compared to what he had now but back then it was a castle. The photo captured one of his fondest memories. It took him hours to convince his wife to take the picture. Yasuko was as big as a house and she was feeling self-conscious about her looks. His eyes started to water.

"That was quite the performance Hiroshi." Amon returned to the physical plane. His stealthy nature was grating at times.

"Now tell me about this exchange at Memorial Island. And try to be quick about it, my time is very valuable." Hiroshi didn't try to hide his frustrations. He was never cut out for the cloak and dagger shenanigans.

Amon liked this side of Hiroshi. He could run his name through the ground and destroy his life's work in an afternoon. An anonymous tip and a shred of evidence would see to that. Sato is a smart man, he knew this too and he still talks to him like that.

"This won't take long. To be blunt, we need a new strategy when dealing with Spider-Man. Should he survive this Prowler character that is. There's more to him than I anticipated. I need you to develop countermeasures tailored for him."

---

XXXxxx Police Headquarters: Chief Beifong's Office. xxxXXX

The station was a blur of activity. All available hands were tasked with finding Baifong's wayward quarry. Beifong wasn't one to let personal affects interfere with everyday police work. Most of the force stayed on the beat.

It didn't matter what she ordered however. Ward travels fast and everyone what the wall-crawler did to their fellow officers. Everyone from the hardboiled detectives to the humble traffic officers kept an eye out for any sign of Spider-Man. No stone would go unturned. Cops didn't take kindly to anyone hurting their own. Anyone of them would draw blood if the chance presented itself.

The chief could feel the malice in the building. She wasn't a stranger to these feelings. Beifong knew how to reel it in. Her master plan backfired in the worst possible way. Shame and anger left an unbearable bit in her stomach but vitriol and duty kept her in the game. She only got in a few hours of bunk time and time was catching up to her.

Lin took a deep breath and looked intently at a map of the city, scanning for potential hot spot. It was a miracle that he could move after such a high dosage of shirishu toxin but putting his security detail was something else entirely. The sleep deprivation didn't dull her critical thinking. Spider-Man was heavily injured and he would need to get patched up somewhere. In turn, she ordered plain clothed cops watching all the major hospitals and clinics. If she was lucky, especially during fiasco, she would find out who was behind the mask. She didn't take any chances though. Lin ordered her men not to engage the web-head. He would stick out like a sore thumb. Normal patients didn't walk around with lacerations, massive blunt force trauma, and burns. All the disguised officers had to do was see some poor soul limping to a healer and report in. If Spider-Man was discovered she would nail him to the wall. No more dancing around and hiding. She would take him in herself.

All she could do now wait for Spider-Man to trip one of her feelers. If he was smart, he would close shop on the vigilante gig.

She buried her face in hands. Beifong took a break from the maps and rested her eyes for a moment.

"How in the world did that Spider-Man move with that toxin in him?" She said with a heavy breath.

Teo was fiddling with one of the ruined Spider-Slayer helmets. The armor did its job well enough but there were several areas that required his attention. Tinkerer could have done this in his private lodgings but he felt that Lin needed emotional support. There was a long pause before he answered.

"We call those an unforeseeable variable Lin. Every plan has one or two hidden in the details. Shoot sometimes there not even there. So don't beat yourself over this. All we can do now is record our data and learn from this incident." Teo didn't pull his gaze from the damaged equipment. This particular one was ripped off by the operation's prime target. He was in the middle of disassembling panels to see how the shock absorbers held up.

"Gather data huh. O.K, I endangered the lives of several officers, operated behind the council's back, spent a good chunk of the family fortune for equipment and resources, played every political chip I had, and Spider-Man is still at large. I can't just lick my wounds and move on Mr. Teo."

Tinkerer was half finished with his observations. He shook his head in disgust. "Shouldn't have cheeped out harness…" He thought aloud before turning his attention back to Beifong. "Lin if I learned anything in my life it's this, it's full of wild results that none of us plan for. Do you think I wanted to lose my legs and my mother on the same day? You should've seen the look on my father's face when the Fire Nation Invasion was a bust." He sat the helmet on the desk and gave gazed at Beifong. "So I'll say it again, don't beat yourself up over this. Pay attention to what you've gained in all this not what you lost. You know what it takes to bring Spider-Man down now. Honestly, now I see why you wanted him off the streets in the first place."

Lin's head emerged and she glared at Teo. "So you're telling me you didn't take him seriously before?"

Teo caught himself and denied her claim. He had a bad habit of picking the wrong words at the wrong time. "Not at all, forgive me Lin I tend to word things oddly at times. Let me elaborate. You see everything Spider-Man did that night didn't surprise me in the least. When you contacted me I had the impression that he was simply an elusive nuisance that needed to be dealt with, but seeing that mangled police truck changed my perceptions." Tinkerer demeanor changed. His mind wasn't painting a pretty picture.

Beifong was interested but annoyed. The old man had a bad habit to of dancing around the subject. "Does this confession have a point Mr. Teo?"

"I don't think he did that on his own accord. I'm not entirely sure he was even aware he could go into some kind of berserker state. Why wait for that particular moment to burn through the toxin? It would have made more sense to spring it when Quan hit him with his darts." Teo shared his inquiries about Spider-Man's shocking escape.

Lin reclined her desk chair and stared at the ceiling. "I'd like to know where he pulled that ability from myself."

"And that's why he needs to be taken off the streets immediately. If my hypothesis is correct, the wall-crawler doesn't have a handle on his actions. That boy's a time bomb waiting to go off." He concluded.

Lin's brows knitted. "So was snagged a few answers and sprouted more questions. That's just my luck."

"If it's any consolation, this ability isn't doing Spider-Man any favors." Teo attempted to counter her sulking.

"I appreciate the sentiment, but it really doesn't." Beifong admitted.

A knock on the door grabbed both parties attention.

"Come in." Beifong barked.

A communications officer stepped into the office to present his message. "Chief, urgent telegram came in for you. The council is having an emergency session. They'd like a word ma'am."

The news didn't come as a shock. If anything it was behind schedule. Chief Beifong knew from the beginning that Spider-Slayer wouldn't be popular. She would have to defend her actions and convince the five council members that it was the right course of action. Of course this process entailed taking an excessive amount of flack. She suspected Tarrlok would be the main offender.

Biefong still sighed. "Time to get hung by the council." She rose from her desk. "Any word from the hospitals?"

"No ma'am."

"Wonderful." She went to the door but Tinkerer stopped her."

"Wait Lin, let me come with you. I can help you through this hearing." Tinkerer pleaded. " I can show them a scientific angle and it may…"

Biefong simply waved the suggestion aside. The gesture was sweet but this was something she had to do alone. "You've done enough Teo, I'll take it from here."

She stepped out of her office and straight into the records room. Beifong wanted to make sure her inquisitors had as much details as possible.

Teo sat in his wheelchair alone with his thoughts echoing through his mind. "Good luck Lin" He mumbled and turned his attention back to his damaged equipment.

---

XXXxxx White Falls: Make Shift Barracks xxxXXX

The town might have been a quadrant of a substation but White Falls was large enough to have a postal code. It was filled with natural streams that flowed into the ocean. The locals say if you listen carefully, the rapids could be heard through every corner and alleyways. Of course that was an old wives tale. If any part of the falls were audible it was drowned out by satomobile traffic. Even with the noise pollution, it was one of the quieter parts of Republic City. It was that town's trait that attracted the Captain Quan to place his temporary home. Chief Beifong had arranged better accommodations but Quan changed the venue later on. He didn't want his team getting too comfortable and lose their edge.

Smooth jazz played through the once immaculate loft. The hostel's was well past its glory days. At the moment the team, sans Quan and Hanzo, were gathered at the ground level. The combat specialists were quiet. They all had their distractions to stave off the fact that all their hard work was for nothing.

Their C.O left a few hours ago. He went to go check up on Hanzo and find clues to Spider-Man's whereabouts. Quaon had a feeling that the police missed something.

Chicko looked like a moody pre-teen sitting against a wall throwing and catching his ball. He was much more vocal when he got the news of Spider-Man's escape. His outburst was biblical. He wanted to re-up and hunt Spidey himself and quote, 'Get it right'. The archer almost disobeyed a direct order. Lou and Yumi had to physically restrain him until he came to his senses. Quon was surprisingly lenient, that was a tough pill to swallow. His foul mood didn't dampen his accuracy skills however. No matter how trajectory the ball traveled it always returned to his hand.

Lou simply sat in a recliner reading one of his favorite novels. The bouncing ball didn't bother him. He always read better with a little noise in the back ground. Plus the ball didn't interfere with the music. The novel was a scholarly insight of Chin the Conquer psyche during his rise and fall. The book pinned his demise on everything from short man syndrome to a got complex. Lou thought the latter a more riveting read. He always wondered how a flesh and blood individual could get so delusional that they could fancy themselves a god. Of course gravity whipped away Chin's god hood.

Yumi turned to tradition to take her mind off that night. She sat crossed legged in her own corner of the hostel. Incense sticks were set up in her immediate area. The tricky part of the Sun Warrior meditation was to maintain a rhythmic breathing pattern while simultaneously keeping the flame steady. Breathe too hard and they'll burn out in a second. Breathe too little, the flame dies out. The desired results consisted of a steady flame and proper breathing. She was doing well in spite of bathing in a decades old smoke stack. Thankfully the worst of it was behind her now.

"This Stinks!" Chicko yelled and chucked the ball as hard as he could. The balls velocity matched his fury. It danced through the air and bounced off all the walls. But even through its long journey, it returned to its master's hand. The silence became unbearable. He wouldn't bottle up his misgivings anymore. Chicko needed to voice his grievances and he felt that his squad mates should do the same. "I should've been in that wagon. If I was there the bug would've stayed in custody dang it!"

Lou and Yumi didn't flinch at his outburst. Chicko was a passionate guy. They were used to his brand of coping. They actually shared his frustration in all honestly. His compatriots would've done anything to get a better outcome then the one they got, within reason that is.

"Chi', we get it. None of us are happy how things turned out but don't kid yourself. You bein' there would've made a lick of difference. I don't think any of us could change things if we were there. Or come out in one piece…" Lou attempted to chide and console his comrade.

"You don't know that. You've seen how Beifong's people act. We're on a whole nother level than they are." Chicko challenged.

"Watch your mouth boy. Better or not they stepped up knowing full well who they were up against." Lou defended the operation's police element. He had his complaints towards their aptitude though. Lou blamed that on years of peace and business as usual for their lackadaisical work ethic. He recalled reading how Team Avatar steamrolled through Ba-sing-se's 'elite' royal guard in an afternoon.

Yumi frowned and voluntarily extinguished her incense. "Was tired of meditating anyway." She told herself. "Lou's right Chi' and we all know you don't do to well in tight spaces." Yumi got to her feet and got a towel to whip the sweat from her brow.

"I'm better than you think Yumi." Chicko shot back.

Yumi made her way to the couch, stretched, and intentionally collapsed into the furniture. "It doesn't matter. What anyone would or should have done is completely and utterly irrelevant. We all did are part but it didn't work. Not just you, all of us. So stop stewing over what could have been and focus on the here and now will you. I don't want to hear you sulking all day."

Chicko's frustrations simmered down with that. "Alright Yu' you're the expert all of the sudden. What should I be worrying about here and now then?"

Yumi shifted to a more comfortable position, her head looking at the ceiling. "Still working on that one chicko…"

Another round of silence followed the sun warrior admission. No one could answer her question.

The door opened and interrupted the self-imposed silence. All eyes turned to the entrance, Quan had returned. He looked uncomfortable as he brushed the loose snow off his coat. Winter weather never did agree with him. Worst yet, his search was mostly inconclusive.

"Hate this bipolar weather." He complained under his breath.

"Welcome back boss. Got any clues on our but?" Lou asked.

"Nothing useful Lou." Quan responded as he hung up his coat. "A few scraps here and there."

"Like what? Something's better than nothing right?" Chicko was eager for anything that could point him to Spider-Man's location.

The captain went into the kitchen area and poured himself a cup of tea. It was stone cold though. "A few broken windows, some damaged street signs, and a satomobile with a crushed roof. His trail gets cold when he got into Republic City proper."

"Guess it wasn't a clean getaway after all." Yumi pointed out.

Quon made his way to his team's mutual area, cold cup of tea in hand. "Or that my toxin was still in his system." He deduced. He walked over the resident firebender and held up his beverage. "You mind?"

Yumi obliged the captain's wish and took hold of his cup and brought it to a good simmer.

"Thanks." Quon found an opened chair and took a seat.

"So that's it then? We sit on our hands and wait for him to resurface?" Chicko asked. He didn't like the idea and his demeanor showed it. "If it's all the same to you guys, I'd prefer a more proactive game plan."

Yumi had a good gibe for Chicko, something about using three syllable words for once, but she didn't want to derail the discussion with a petty argument. "That's if he shows up again Chicko. He probably threw that get up in the trash after that whopping."

Quon finished his tea and gave his two cents. "Not a chance. Trust me this is far from over people."

"Care to elaborate sir?" Lou asked the officer what the others were thinking. He closed his book; current events were much more interesting at the moment.

Quon sat on his words for a moment. "How's that old saying go? 'You don't know someone unless you fight them.'"

Lou was familiar with the saying but the younger members weren't. Yumi waited for an explanation while Chicko took it the wrong way. He thought it was an inadvertent jab that he didn't directly battle the wall crawler. The archer wasn't vocal about it. He only frowned and listened in.

Quon continued. "I don't know what you got from your engagements with Spider-Man. Call it a hunch, but I don't think he's the type of guy to cut and run at the first sign of trouble, among other things. His whole world could implode and he'd still try to brawl with the inevitable."

"You think Beifong's wrong about the thrill junkie M.O don't you." Yumi guessed.

"I think she's dead wrong Yumi." Quon bluntly stated. "Spider-Man doesn't do this for the thrill of it, that I assure you." He admitted to his team. "Now this is all conjecture, but I believe he's been under the boot of some bad people for a very long time. Then he gains these abilities and starts getting payback left and right."

"So its revenge then, makes sense." Lou said.

The captains arm chair psycho analyzing peaked Chicko's curiosity. "Hold up, something doesn't add up. The investigators said that Spidey's an out of towner. So why would he target triads like he did. He hasn't been here long enough to have a grudge with them."

Quan resisted the urge to smile. He was impressed the hot head was the first one to catch the discrepancy. "You make a good point kid. He doesn't have a preference towards your run of the mill hood. They aren't too unique you see. Criminals take or do what they want and steam rolls through anyone that gets in their way. These traits aren't exclusive to any particular nation. An earthkingdome thug is still a thug at the end of the day. The only variation they have is their point of origin, ability, and whatever they're plundering."

"Wow captain that was deep." Yumi admitted.

"Not really. I'm just rambling at this point." Quon yawned and rose to his feet. "If you need me I'll be in my bunk. Lou, get on the radio and inform General Iroh on the night events. We need to know how we'll proceed after this. The rest of you can carry on." He ordered his squad.

"Aye sir." Lou acknowledged Quan's wishes.

It was amazing. The captain had to be going on 34 hours without sleep and no one was the wiser. The Dai Le kept strange hours and old habits die hard.

"Sweet dreams cap." Chicko gave his regards.

Quon was half way out of the area before he turned around. "You know I almost forgot, your punishment has been postponed for the time being." His harsh tone drove the point home. "I don't know what it is yet. I'm thinking a lot of P.T in your future." He finished and went to his room.

As soon as Quon's door closed, both Yumi and Lou openly scowled at the outspoken archer.

"Oh come on you can't pin that one on me!" He proclaimed his innocence.

The accusing duo didn't argue with him. Lou simply got up to carry out the captains orders. Yumi just shut her eyes and lay back down.

"Whatever…" She breathed.

Chicko didn't respond either and goes back to his game of catch. He had a lot more to ponder at the moment.

---

XXXxxx Air Temple Island xxxXXX

Korra was making her way back to her temporary home after a rigorous practice session. Mako and Toza whipped up some harsh drills for the day. The 'bob and weave' bending hurtles would leave her sore in the morning. That Toza guy took a little too much pleasure throwing those rocks at the team. She swore she saw the old fart smiling. She had her gear slung over her shoulder in a duffle bag. The smell was a clear indicator of how hard she worked in the gym. Practice wasn't too good for her. She had her mind on the day Prowler challenged Spider-Man. The ordeal wasn't the thing that bothered her though; it was Tenzin adamantly trying to keep her on the island. Korra knew she's a handful for the bending master and she acted against his wishes on several occasions. She still felt bad about wrecking those two thousand year old airbending wind panels. That night she decided to be a good student for once and stayed on the island.

The whole thing was weird. There wasn't a news story on the radio or the papers, nothing official anyway. Any reporter worth their salt would've jumped at the chance to know the outcome of that showdown. She might have to look into it herself. It was her duty to maintain peace and order in the world. She always considered Republic City as a training ground of sorts. It was a going to help prepare her for the world stage. In the back of her mind, weather she wanted to admit it or not, she was concerned about the cocky web head.

The only sliver of information she could scavenge came from her teammates. Bolin's tale was just that, an outlandish rumor passed down so many times that it was hopelessly diluted. According to the rumor, Prowler was just jealous chump who picked a fight with the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. So Spidey shows up, saves the hostages, and beat Prowler without breaking a sweat. Of course Prowler doesn't fight fare and shoots the wall crawler with alpha beams, whatever the heck that is, that transports him to the moon. In any other instance should would've laughed at such a ludicrous story but she found herself annoyed.

Thankfully, Mako was more helpful than his brother. His testimony wasn't that fruitful though. He only got bits and pieces of information. Apparently there was some serious action that night. There was a particularly loud bang that could be heard on the edge of the city. Then a large debris cloud blanketed the old part of town. Some say that it was just the city's public works department doing some late night demolition. Other think the Prowler had something to do with it. Korra felt that the story had some weight behind it but no way to tell how much.

A knot appeared in Korra's stomach. Her conscious tugged at her the more she thought about it. She should have acted on her instincts and aid the wall crawler. In anything, she felt that her participation would have ended the hostage situation more smoothly than did. She told herself that fact of the matter is Spidey would've done the same for her. He stepped up and tried to stop her from making a huge mistake. But when he needed a hand she just tucked tail and stayed home.

Korra's pity party was cut short when someone came appeared in her peripherals. It was odd seeing Tenzin out and about at this time of day. He was usually tending to Air Temple affairs or meditating. His gaze met hers and he moved to greet his bending pupil. His glider was in hand so he was going to the main land for something.

"Hello Korra, home from practice already?" Tenzin asked.

He sounded off, rushed even. It looked like he needed to be somewhere ten minutes ago.

"Yeah, Mako cranked up the intensity so we could finish earlier. Well that and the fact that we got less gym time this week." Korra explained.

"Hmm, I see. Now if you'll excuse me I must be going." He tried to dismiss himself from a drawn out conversation.

"So where're you heading Tenzin? Getting your beard trimmed." Korra joked.

Tenzin didn't find it funny. "City Hall actually, the council's having a meeting." He chose his words wisely. He wanted Korra as far away from this as humanly possible. This was his burden to bear not hers.

Korra wasn't content with Tenzin's vague answer. "Uh huh, this wouldn't have anything to do with Prowler and Spider-Man does it?"

Tenzin sighed. Korra's tenacity was in full effect at the worst time. "It does and I'm running late." He walked past her and deployed his glider to show his urgency.

Korra quietly fumed for a moment as Tenzin blew her off. Her old self would have yelled at him. It was an enticing feeling but she instead opted for a better method. She would be upfront and bold with reason.

Korra dropped her gym bag and turned to face her master. "TENZIN!...Master Tenzin."

He turned around, she got his attention.

Korra continued. She was just going to come out and say it. "Look I respected your wishes and stayed on the island that night. I know I can be difficult sometimes but that doesn't give you the right to keep me in the dark like this. I'm the Avatar and like it or not these matters are my concerns too. It's my responsibility, kind of comes with the title. Keeping things from me isn't going to change that."

Tenzin took the time to regard Korra a little more closely. Her explanation was surprisingly mature. He would've worded it better but her point got across regardless. Korra time in the city was changing her. She grew and Tenzin didn't even notice.

"You're right." He folded his glider shut and walked over to Korra.

"So what happened?"

The truth wouldn't be taken well but it had to be done. Nothing else would suffice. "A police task force was deployed to arrest Spider-Man."

Korra eyes went wide with shock. Her concerns were validated but the truth was worse than she thought. "…what…"

Tenzin went on, no turning back now. "The entire Prowler scenario was a ruse used to lure him to a sting operation. Chief Beifong thought you would have compromised the entire the plan."

Korra's shock gave way to a bubbling anger. Hearing Beifong's name set her off. "Darn right I would've! Spidey isn't a criminal!"

Tenzin took the tong lashing in strides. It was a sample of things to come. "Korra I know you're frustrated and I promise you I will discuss this in full when I get back. But I have to get going now. I'm going to get to the bottom of this along with the other council members. For what it's worth Korra, I think you might have handled this better than us." His tone was strained. It didn't feel good using Korra trust like that but he felt that it was the right thing to do. He was ashamed at himself. His father could have found a better way than this.

Korra shock her head in disgust and snatched her bag up and stormed off to the island. She couldn't stand looking at Tenzin. "Guess we'll never know." Her decent was scathing and corrosive. Tenzin would have to work overtime to mend the damaged bridge between student and master.

Tenzin instinctually reached out to stop Korra. He wanted to apologize and in depth on why he did what he did. He pulled his hand back. She didn't need an explanation. Korra needed time and space now.

Tenzin would make this right and that journey started at the hearing. He turned away and started to glide to city hall.

Korra was washed with varied emotions as she stomped to the island. She was undermined and the worst part was she let it happen. Worse still, she felt like she let the wolves eat Spider-Man alive. Her face was flush and her nose started to run. The anger held the tears at bay.

---

XXXxxx ?xxxXXX

It was the dead of night. The humidity and lively jungle pointed to a location near the equator. A lack of light pollution let the stars shine without obstruction. There was a low synchronized a cappella could be heard in the foreground. It was the chant of the faithful. The chant was impossible to decipher. It was sung in a language long lost to history.

The world became clearer. There was a village, a bon fire, and villagers. It was a primitive community. They were garbed in animal skins and hand woven garments. Their skin was covered in different markings. It showed their mutual allegiances to their tribe. Their pigment and long black hair would lead onlookers to assume they hailed from a Centeral American continent. The villagers were gathered in a modest stone temple. Any Mayan or Aztec counterparts would put it to shame. Their empire was small, out of the way. No historian could find their location on the map. There was no ceiling. The forgotten dominion wanted proper ventilation for the broad fire pit and for the followers to be closer to their gods.

The chanting stopped as a young man was carried to the ceremonial court. His arms and legs were bound to posts. Large stylized spiders were drawn in his face and chest. Burley men escorted him into the temple. They were given strict orders that became their life's mission. There was no chance of insubordination. The men would carry out the tribal chief's will no matter what.

To a casual witness is seemed the young man was condemned to death. The fire pit would burn him alive. The apparent executioners laid the man in an adjacent fire pit and retreated to their assigned positions. There was no fire, not yet. There were only tender and other accelerants present for now. The enforcers stood next to elongated torches that surrounded the dormant flame pit. If a single ember found its way to him his fate would be sealed. There was no means to snuff the proposed flame.

As time continued to pass, things became clearer. The raging bon fire illuminated the temple walls. Religious symbols were painted on the walls. They chronicle past glories and fallen warriors.

The escorts ready to drop the torches in the tender stack. The planks were loosely secured; all they had to do was push them forward to start the fire. It was an impressive display of ingenuity for such a primitive society. Their distance wasn't a precaution for the flame however. They had to keep their distance for what came next.

The young man didn't struggle for a second. He didn't beg for his life or try to get free. Why would he, this was his peoples highest honor. It was a chance to be one with the gods. The king even went so far as to assign his royal guard to carry him to the holy grounds. They were even charged to extinguish his life should the gods reject him. Death from their hands was a merciful compared to rejection. It was better to be burned alive then by a scorned god.

The people's elders came into view carrying a hollowed out statue. It had an evil look about it. The fangs were pronounced and on full display. Its gaze was foreboding. They say the statue was made that way to show that virtuous things can come from the darkest of places. He thought it was to ward off evil spirits or rival tribes.

A particularly ornate woman stepped behind the statue and graced the ceremony with prayer. The priestess commended the human tributes courage and hopped the gods would find him worthy of their blessing.

Everything was done. All the physical and metaphysical terms were met. It was time for the ceremony to begin. No one dared make a sound as the elders set the statue in place. The wild life sensed the encroaching power and fled. The mass exodus could be heard for miles. The priestess opened the statue and a swarm of spiders flowed from the statues mouth. They paid the villagers and royal guards no heed. It was a rare instance of theology and biology having a mutual understanding. Both parties knew their role.

The spiders weren't of this world, of any world. They were pitch-black. Their legs were unnaturally pointed. The swarm's eyes glowed blood red. Their traits matched no known arachnid species in the animal kingdom. The only thing they had in common was the number of legs.

The swarm surrounded their offering. Their red eyes were more pronounced at night. Anyone would be horrified by such a sight.

The young man was told what to expect from the elders. He was told outlandish spiders would come for him. He knew what was in store for him but he still fought the urge to scram. Nothing could've prepared him for this. He wanted to struggle against his restraints but he knew better. The gods hated cowardice more than anything. Fear was expected but weakness would not be tolerated. The offering took a deep breath and made peace with his fate. He took solace that death would come quickly upon rejection. There would be little pain.

Upon that revelation, a single spider strayed from the mob and towards its offering. It crawled slowly along his shin.

His chances weren't good. He was the seventh offering this season. The tribe was losing precious territory to rival kingdoms and they were in desperate need of a champion to lead them to victory. The living tribute loved his land and its people. He was more than willing to give his life for the opportunity to save his kingdom, but then so where the other tributes.

The spider rested on his chest. It regarded its tribute one last time. Deliberations didn't take long. The obsidian spider sank it's fangs in the young man's flesh. Its venom moved through his veins with the speed of lightning. It burned like a raging inferno that could consume the entire world. The bite wound fault like it would melt all the way through to the jungle floor. The pain dulled all of his other senses. He couldn't even hear himself screaming to the stars. His pain echoed throughout the tropical forest.

The honor guards stood ready to do their duty and end the young man's suffering. The first bite was expected. They waited for the other spiders to converge on the offering. That was the sign of rejection. The offering's fate would never be known

Peter awoke in a silent scream. He gasped for air and clinched his chest, trying to sooth a fire that never existed. It only took a moment to relies he was experiencing a nightmare. The vigilante was sweating profusely. His bed spread was drenched. He gritted his teeth when he became aware of his real world injuries.

The dream was so vivid. Peter could still smell the burning blanks mixed with the sweet tropical air. It took him a while to catch his breath and get to his feet. He was stripped down to his boxers and under shirt. The costume was thrown in a heap in the corner of the small apartment. He didn't recall doing any of this. He must've been half asleep when he did the deed. Peter was still on the hard wood floor and he wasn't far from where he collapsed.

The world slowly came into focus. His window was still ajar from his toxin induced entry. A small layer of snow lined his window sill. Republic City sky was inked in grey and the light made him squint.

His body echoed pain from Spider-Slayer. Peter managed to make it through the meat grinder in one piece. Unfortunately he had several mementoes from that night. His arms had spiral shaped bruises. Multiple cuts covered his body. Both eye sockets were dyed black. Most of his wounds should have healed by now. Most of his wounds should have healed by now. Even after the triad ambush, he was in better shape and on the way to a full recovery.

He turned his attention to his ajar window. Cold air flowed into his humble living space. The trek was slow and deliberate. His wounds reminded him of the run in with an empowered Goblin and exceeded anything Lighting Bolt Zolt could dish out. Fighting a bunch of goons is one thing while battling seasoned professionals was another. They knew how to break down the human body that's for sure. He made it to the window and closed it with haste. His damaged ribs made him wince. He had Lou to thank for that. His war wounds weren't important now. The only thing that mattered was the voice. It's pitch, speech patterns, words. He remembered every detail about it.

For the first time in a long time, Peter didn't have a plan. How would anyone keep going after such a trauma? He would just stare out to the cloudy city state. Peter looked at his hand, recalling the officers sealed windpipe. If he squeezed a little harder, the copper would've met his maker that night. He could literally feel the life leaving the poor guy. If he hadn't regained control when he did he'd be a cop killer.

Peter's recollection was interrupted by a harsh knock on the door. He turned quickly. The cut on his back burned. The bleeding had stopped but it didn't close yet. He feared he would need stitches. There was another pounding on his door. Had the police found him? No, after what he did to her men, Beifong would kick a door down before knocking on it.

Being presentable wasn't a priority at the moment. He would be on full alert if he was in his normal state. The mental and physical damage he incurred left him numb to his worldly problems. He didn't bother trying to look O.K. Peter simply unhinged the bold lock and opened the door. He was graced with the sight of a no nonsense land lord at the first door.

Fu came to Peter's door ready to unleash a verbal assault on behalf of the other tenants. They came in droves to complain about the racked coming from Peter's room. The sight of Peter's state left him speechless. He's been around the block a few times but he never guessed Takuya would get into this much trouble.

"What the heck happened to you Takuyo!" Fu yelled. Ironically, he couldn't keep his voice down.

Peter didn't look him in the eye. He didn't know if they were their natural color. He tried to string a convincing excuse. "I umm… what happened was…" Peter held his head. A migraine was on the horizon. "I got mugged last night."

Fu got over the shock and challenged his claim. "Last night huh? Well I got a bunch of noise complaints a few days ago. Around the time that Prowler nut was on the radio. Now you're either yanking my chain or those muggers hit you real hard kid."

Peter tried to bury his shock. He must have been out for twenty hours, maybe longer. "Yeah that was around the time it happened. I practically dragged myself back home and made a lot of noise doing it."

Fu's been doing the landlord bit for years. He knew when he was being lied to and he's dealt with plenty of deadbeat tenants. They usually came in two flavors. They were either trying to pull something or were simply coming on hard times and couldn't come out and say it. The battered soul in front of him came off as the latter. It left him in an odd place.

"It's clear you've been through a lot Takuya so I'll let it slide this time. Just take it easy and keep the noise down alright." Fu told him.

Peter didn't look him in the eye. He looked defeated. "Sure thing Fu, it won't happen again."

"Good. Now you've got a few guests waiting in the lobby." Fu announced.

"Guest? I thought you just let anyone come through the building." Peter questioned the landlord's sudden policy change. His escape wasn't at all inconspicuous. Beifong's men might be down stairs trying to finish what they started.

"Normally I would, but when some nut jobs out there snatching people up I tighten security. So every unfamiliar face gets checked at the door until further notice. Preferably when this Equalist, Prowler, nonsense blows over."

"Didn't think you cared Fu." Peter glib mouth was fully calibrated.

"Very funny."

"By the way Fu, what do these guest look like. I wasn't expecting anyone."

"It's that real pretty girl that came by back then. She's got two other guys tagging along with her." Fu answered.

Peter sighed in relief. It wasn't the cops. "Oh thank god it's just Asami. Wait why is she here?"

Fu just shrugged. "Beats me, but if I was you I wouldn't keep a beautiful girl waiting. Then again I would've been in a hospital first." He started to walk off. The deed was done. "Rents due in a week by the way, don't miss that deadline. You'd look real dumb picking your stuff up off the curb."

Peter never missed a payment. He couldn't afford the extra attention. Fu must've been trying to sound tough to any eavesdroppers. He shut the door and walked to the small washroom. The trivial process was shadowed by aching bones, damaged ligaments, and pounded flesh. He slowly looked into the mirror. His reflection wasn't pretty. The swelling was down but the scraps and cuts were still prominent. The only relief he got from the wrecked visage was the fact that his eyes were their ocean hue. Peter could whip up an excuse in a heartbeat but blood red pupils were beyond even him. One problem was behind him but another reared its head. Peter was far from presentable. It would be impossible to avoid his injuries.

Peter had a decision to make. He could take a rain check on whatever Asami had in store. It must be something probending related. He guessed the other two Fu was referring to was Mako and Bolin. But then he runs the risk of heightened scrutiny from Sato. This was a real risk to Peter's double life.

He turned the faucet and rinsed his face. The cold water felt good against his bruised face. The dried blood from his hands went down the drain.

His second option was to go for broke and go along with whatever Asami wanted. He could talk his way around his rough appearance. Play it off like he cut himself shaving or something. That was a tall order to fill. He was feeling horrible. The only thing he felt like doing to crawling in his bed for a month.

Peter emerged from the washroom with as much vigor he could muster. He had reached a verdict. The clothes he pulled off his rack would cover most of his form. Thankfully the winter climate meant heavy coats were required. It would make it easier to conceal his wounds. Especially the spiral patterns and damaged hands. After his outfit was picked out, he reached for his first aid kit. He built one up after surviving Zolt's attempt on his life. The foresight came in handy. It was a no frills medical stash, mostly antiseptics and bandages for wound dressing. There were also a variety of ointments. He took his time covering any wound he could. The laceration on his back was particularly difficult to cover. He had better luck wrapping his arms and hands. There wasn't much he could do for the face. He simply used small bandages to cover the deeper scraps. There was a large one that covered his nose and bridge. The medical kit was all but expended.

The voice didn't bother him now. Or rather he didn't let it at the moment. He would find answers in due time. The investigation would be his top priority after the dog and pony show. Hopefully Asami just wanted a hand picking out team uniforms or something.

---

XXXxxx Apartment Building Lobby xxxXXX

The air was stale and stuffy in the lobby. Asami was the only one who was remotely bothered with the air quality. The bending brothers were used to such conditions. They waited patiently for their fourth wheel. It was a night to celebrate the Fire Ferrets entry to the championships. It was a long arduous journey but they did it. Mako resisted the idea at first. It felt like there was nothing worth celebrating. But with time, and a little charm, Asami convinced him otherwise. Bolin was much easier to sway. He got to pick the venue.

Asami had recalled Takuya showing interest in Pro-Bending and this was the perfect opportunity to introduce him to it. Who better to do this than her favorite team. She was glad she followed her father's suggestion.

Bolin sat by himself while Asami was cozy with his brother. The lobby was a purgatory he could barely tolerate. The only sound in the room was a ticking clock and the occasional growls form his stomach.

"Asami, can we go now. Seriously I'm running on empty here." Bolin rubbed his stomach.

"Be patient Bolin, I'm sure Takuya will be down any minute now. I spoke to the land lord and Peter should know we're here by now." Asami reassured.

Bolin wasn't pleased with the increased wait time. "Aw come on. I only had a light breakfast." He slumped over in his chair.

"Bo we both know you're not too far from a meal. So quit complaining bro." Mako chided his younger brother.

His stomach growled again. Asami chuckled while Mako sighed.

Mako leaned into Asami's ear. "Sweetie should I be worried about all this attention you're devoting to another guy. I mean were still a thing right?"

The accusation didn't faze Asami in the slightest. She just smiled coyly and whispered back. "That depends Mako. Is my big strong athlete boyfriend getting defensive to a casual friend, that so adorable."

Mako laughed at Asami's reasoning but played along. "Don't be mean Asami. You know I'm sensitive with stuff like that." This was a good way to pass the time.

"So that focused, determined, 'cool under fire' team captain thing just an act you put on for the fans?"

"No, but between you and me, I got a soft spot or two on me." Mako grinned.

"Oh you." She pointed her fast at his.

"Oh me." Mako did the same.

The couples 'eskimo kiss' didn't sit well with Bolin. It was a bit unnerving seeing his usually stoic brother. This was the same man who lead the team to the finals? "Uh! Less romance more dinning please."

The brewing sibling argument was disrupted when the stair well door swung open. The trio didn't recognize the Peter at first, he looked like a fighter that went ten rounds and lose every one. Bandages were apparent on his hands and face. The rest of the gauze was hidden under his clothing. The mugging excuses worked on Fu and hopefully it would convince the acquaintances before him.

Peter broke the ice. "Sorry for the wait guys. Hade to put my face on, so what brings you to my neck of the woods?"

The other teens didn't say anything at first; their matching incredulous looks told Peter everything. He'd need to down play things further. "Please tell me their nothing on my face."

Asami was the first to speak up. "What happened Takuya?"

"Would you believe I cut myself shaving?" Peter joked.

"Stopping kidding around, what happened?" Asami didn't appreciate his whimsical answer. "Is this why you've been a no show at the last couple of days?"

Peter should have known better. He was closer to Asami than Fu. She would need to be convinced. "It's related yes." His tone was more sincere but caviler.

"This isn't a joke Takuya!" She asserted.

Peter surrenders to Asami pressure. He held up his hands in defeat. "Alright calm down. I got mugged a few nights ago so I took a few personal days to get better that's all."

"You got that banged up from some muggers?" Mako chimed in. "They usually take off when they take your stuff."

Peter grimaced for a split second. The pro-bender was more astute then he would've liked. Mako was well versed in the mugging rules of engagement. Guess they were both products of the hard streets.

He put on a sad face to explain the fictitious robbery. It would be the perfect counter to Mako's attention to detail. "Usually they would but you see I left my wallet in my room and they weren't too happy with that so they threw me a few more shots for their trouble."

"Aw man that stinks Takuya. Too bad Spider-Man wasn't there. He would've sent those crooks packing." Bolin tried to console a fellow fan.

Peter shrugged and rolled with the irony. "I bet, but hey the guy can't be everywhere at once right."

Asami started to buy the tall tale but she still had some reservations. Something just didn't add up. "What made you think taking a stroll in the worst part of the city, In the dead of night of all times? You didn't have any money so you weren't looking for a midnight snack."

Peter was impressed and horrified by how sharp Asami Sato is. An heiress of such a vast fortune didn't need to rack their brains so much. Their chief concerns usually pertained to their next expensive toy or social outings. Asami wasn't like that at all. "I don't really have an excuse Asami. I just like to go out and get some fresh air. You know, collect my thoughts, figure out my place in the universe…"

Asami took a closer look at Peter. The bandages distracted her earlier. Her father's apprentice looked sickly and pale. She let him continue.

" …stretch my legs. My apartment can get claustrophobic some times." Peter was running low on ammunition. His well of excuses was running dry.

Asami's visual analysis continued. Peter's looks wasn't the only abnormality. His demeanor was different, less assured, more on edge. There was something very wrong with him and she had a feeling that it didn't have a thing to do with a simple mugging.

Peter took the pause as an invitation to change the subject. "But enough about me, what brought you three here?"

"Asami's going to treating the team to dinner and she wanted you to tag along." Mako informed.

"Wow really! Aint that just the cat's meow, I'd love to go." Peter mocked his enthusiasm. He had to keep appearances.

"Great, let's go!" Bolin cheered.

"Are you sure you're alright Takuya? You look pale." Asami asked. "We can take a rain check if you want."

"What!? But I'm hungry!" Bolin shouted.

"When aren't you hungry?" Mako grumbled. His brother needs to learn to keep things to himself sometimes.

"Seriously, I didn't notice. Guess I caught something that night too." Peter chuckled. "Just my luck." It was the most truthful statement he uttered the whole night.

Without warning Asami got closer and put her hand against Peter forehead.

"Um sugarplum, I know you're worried about Takuya and all but you really should respect his personal space." Mako got defensive.

Peter blushed. Color had returned to his face. "I second that."

Asami ignored both of them. "You're burning up…" She spoke to Peter directly.

"Humph, I don't feel warm." Peter lied. He felt like balled up garbage the whole time. His other injuries dulled his fever. "Asami don't worry about it. Let's go."

Peter was beyond sore. He's taken a lot of hits that would have landed a normal person in the hospital. His accelerated healing wasn't great but it allowed him to take as much as he dishes out. Burses and cuts would start to heal in minutes and dissipate in a day or two. But the wounds he suffered from Spider-Slayer were still present. Even when arrow boy got that lucky shot in the bleeding stopped in a few minutes. It never took this long to heal and he couldn't remember the last time he got sick after acquiring his powers. A hospital visit was out of the question. Beifong would have eyes their and Peter couldn't risk it. He was a marked man, especially after coming so close to killing those cops. Peter was in terrible shape after the chief's deceitful bid for his arrest. Even if he could slip through Beifong's surveillance it would be impossible to hide his injuries from a medical professional. They would know he was in a vicious fight and likely report their diagnosis to the authorities. The NYPD had a similar policy but that was only for gunshot wounds.

"O.K Takuya, let's go." Asami finely caved. She knew something was wrong with him but she wouldn't pry. She walked past him and next to Mako. The two shared a quiet conversation.

"Alright Takuya comes in for the save!" Bolin gave Peter a congratulatory slap on the back.

Peter almost screamed bloody murder. He wanted to flinch and squirm from the apparent dagger jabbed in his spine. But he swallowed the pain pill and soldiered on. "You…ah…you know it pal." There was a hint of water in his eyes. If anyone asked, he'd blame it on allergies.

The small entourage walked to Asami's car. She had traded her usual coupe for a four door saloon. They opened the suicide doors and hopped in.

"Is Korra going to show?" Peter asked.

"She went back to Air Temple Island to get cleaned up. She'll meet up with us later." Bolin told him. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason; just got this question that's been bugging me that's all." He shivered and swung his scarf to its proper position. His forehead was pounding.

"You know Tak' I'm glad you decided to come along." Bolin admitted.

Peter raised a brow at the nick name. He didn't know if he liked it or not. "Whys that Bolin, five wheels better than four now?"

"Not really. You probably heard by now but the championships are right around the corner. Anyway, I think I can still get Spider-Man to open for us." Bolin said.

Peter groaned and held his head trying to sooth his symptoms. A good meal and some warm tea would to him some good. "You still holding out for the bug man huh?"

"You know it Tak'. We've bonded and I have a feeling he'll…swing by." Bolin's attempt at humor fell on deaf ears.

"Bro, your entire experience with Spider-Man lasted what, 10, 20 minutes? Not a lot of bonding time there. Me and Korra spent more time together trying to rescue you." Mako playfully chided his little brother.

"Don't listen to my stone hearted brother Takuya. He doesn't get it. That's all the time I needed." Bolin defended his view.

'I don't think I understood it myself.' Peter thought.

"Doesn't matter anyway, I got something planned even if he doesn't show. No spoilers, but our ring entrance is going to be amazing! It'll be the ultimate thanks for him saving my bending." Bolin flung his arms like a proper showman, even going so far to pause for the imaginary round of applause from an imaginary audience. In reality, the only response he got was perplexed gaze and Asami's snickering in the driver seat.

Peter had trouble finding the proper words respond to such a show. "Umm…Spidey lucky to have a friend like you."

"I know and I'm trying to let him know you know. He's out their risking his neck doing the right thing. So I'm working on this whole thing to show him my gratitude, everyone's gratitude." Bolin proclaimed.

"Everyone?" Peter wondered where Bolin was going with this declaration.

"Yeah, everyone he helped." Bolin explained.

In that moment, Peter forgot about the spider god, police sanctioned lies, crazed revolutionaries, and being stranded in an alien reality. He genially smiled. It was nice to get some appreciation after Beifong's harsh treatment. "You know what Bolin, tell me more about this entrance your cooking up."

Bolin's eyes lit up with that. "So I'm trying to put these float type thing together and then it will explode and out comes the Fire Ferrets Ready to rumble!" But that's just the tip of the ice berg Takuya…"

---

XXXxxx City Hall: Hearing Chambers xxxXXX

The air was stifling in the court. Custodial never could get quit in step with Republic City fluctuating climate. They went overboard with the heating yet again. The staff only got in the swing of things later on in the season. It was an uncomfortable setting but it couldn't be helped.

Beifong didn't let the heat get to her. She calmly stayed in her seat and while the council reviewed the files that covered Operation Spider-Slayer in detail. Their faces twisted and turned with every page. It was turning out better than she hoped judging from the council's reaction. Tarrlok was the only one she had to look out for. The Northern Water Tribe representative barley glanced at the provided reading. He made up his mind long before this emergency session was called. His distain was written all over his face. He would've hid it through his plastic smile if the hearing was opened to the public. The councilman was practically fidgeting as he waited for his colleagues to finish up. Beifong shared his impatience but carried it much better.

It was a different story with Tenzin. He did get an advance notice after all. He had a mixed bag of emotions. He didn't know how to properly process his old flame's actions.

The council closed their transcripts and laid them on the table one by one.

"Is everyone ready to proceed?" Tenzin asked.

They nodded.

"Finally." Tarrlok let out.

It was the Earth Kingdome council member that got the hearing started. He removed his readers and directed his attention towards the defendant. "Chief Beifong you have made several questionable decisions in the attempted apprehension of the 'Spider-Man'. Bribery, destruction of public property, using unauthorized equipment…" He took a moment to reassure his composure. "What were you thinking exactly? What possessed someone of your character to use such dubious means to capture a single suspect?"

"My hands were tied sir. My options were limited and conventional law enforcement techniques wouldn't have been effective against Spider-Man." Beifong stated flatly.

The Fire Nation Councilwoman cut in. "Could you explain the need to broadcast a false hostage situation using this Prowler character you've created?"

"The Prowler was created to lure the suspect to the desired location." Beifong answered.

"Could you elaborate a bit more on that Chief Beifong, we need to know as much as we can before passing final judgment." Tarrlok ordered.

Beifong took a deep breath and followed Tarrlok's command. "Of course councilmen, my team attempted to catalog Spider-Man siting but couldn't discern any definitive patterns. He's been everywhere from the boroughs and the bay areas. My taskforce was able to whittle it down to low income areas and the triad's old stomping grounds."

"Why didn't you just stake out those specific areas? You could've avoided the radio façade entirely." Tenzin surmised. His past relationship with Lin didn't sway his tact.

"I had considered it but that option wasn't feasible. Our personnel would have to set up in several places and subsequently converge on Spider-Man. It was too big and the area was heavily populated. I didn't want anyone to get caught in the crossfire. The hostage scenario allowed us to pick the venue and eliminate any chance of civilian casualties."

Tarrlok let the hearing continue without criticism. He needed more to bury the rogue chief of police. If he had his way, this idiotic hearing wouldn't have happened and Beifong would have been stripped of her title. But the councilmen didn't get where he is by acting on raw emotions. He waited for the right opportunity.

"You could've employed the airship fleet to expedite the process." The Sothern Water Tribe councilmen spoke up.

Beifong shook her head. "Wouldn't have worked, Spider-Man would have spotted them a mile away and bugged out. No pun intended. We had to keep him in the dark as long as humanly possible if this operation had a chance at success. Unfortunately we had to do the same with everyone else in the city."

Tarrlok's knuckles went white. His opportunity had just revealed itself. "But Chief Beifong you didn't succeed in capturing Spider-Man. Even after all your transgressions you still have nothing to show for it. So Chief, what I want to know is, what do you think you accomplish that night?"

Beifong held her tongue and clinched her jaw. Tarrlok wouldn't last a second in her shoes and he had the nerve to take pot shots at her competency to protect this city. 'The only danger you've faced was your tea coming late you pretensions little…' She snuffed her anger in thought and went on to address the councilman. "That statement would be correct to the layman's eyes councilmen." She had the feeling Tarrlok would take the bait. He was a shark who smelled blood.

"So you're admitting that your actions were not only wrong but fruitless to boot?" Tarrlok went for the kill.

Tenzin couldn't stand by and allow Tarrlok's theatrics to continue. "That's enough Tarrlok! This is a council hearing not some kind of smear campaign." He interjected.

"Councilmen Tenzin please, I want to hear the Chief's answer." The Fire Nation representative objected.

Beifong carried out her wishes. "No councilmen I admit to no such thing. In my line of work hard choices are made on a daily basis. I have told this council all of my methods and you're all familiar with my service record. I wanted to remove a dangerous element off the streets and I won't mask my failure. The ethics behind my actions may be debatable but it was not fruitless sir. I carried out my duty to the best of my ability. Success is never garneted. Since were on the subject councilmen, I'd like to know how your campaign against the revolutions been going. Fruitful I hope."

Beifong's counter caught Tarrlok off guard. He didn't know how but Beifong turned the tables on the vindictive councilmen. He scrambled to regain the upper hand. "My taskforce's activities is not the subject of this hearing Chief Beifong. It's none of your concern."

Beifong didn't let up. "I disagree councilman. You see it's my job to get insight on possible threats to the city. The fact that you've effectively blocked regular law enforcement leads me to believe that you are more than capable of stopping the revolution." The Chief locked eyes with Tarrlok. "I'd really like to know councilman."

"You're out of line Beifong!" Tarrlok objected.

"I'd like to know that myself Tarrlok." Tenzin admitted.

Tarrlok openly sneered at his rival. Things were falling apart. He gazed at the other council members to try to rally them with him. "I think we're getting off topic here. We're here to get an explanation on Beifong's controversial actions trying to catch some costumed side show."

The council took a second to consider Tarrlok's argument.

"Humor us Tarrlok." The Southern Water Tribe councilman spoke for the rest of the council.

Tarrlok glared at Beifong. She was unresponsive. He folded his arms in defeat. "My taskforce's progress has been slower than expected. The Equalist went dark after the training camp bust with Avatar Korra. We have received a few tips on possible points of interests but every location we've raided turned up abandoned."

"Did you find any evidence on the scene?" Beifong scrapped for any bit of information she could get. Anything would be helpful at this point.

Tarrlok didn't like being on Beifong's beck and call. He didn't have a choice; she and the council were on the same page now. "We've uncovered some smoke bombs, a few bolas, and some loose propaganda flyers. They were there but took everything out before we busted in their door."

"Was there anything out of the ordinary Tarrlok?" The Fire Nation councilwoman asked.

"If I recall, there was some copper wires and trace elements of platinum ore." Tarrlok didn't have any more patience for this and tried to stop the stream of questions once again. "Now if we're done with this distraction, I'd like to get things back on track." They've been humored enough.

"Calm yourself Tarrlok." The Earth Kingdome representative said as he turned his gaze back to Beifong. "Now chief, did any of that have a point?"

"Yes sir it does." She took a deep breath as she addressed the entire council. "I and the councilman have made fatal mistakes. You see we've both underestimated our targets. We didn't bother looking past the surface and thought they would be dealt with little time and effort but we were sorely mistaken. Were only human and mistakes will be made. But the biggest blunder we've made was not communicating with one another. If I was included in Tarrlok's taskforce in any facet then Amon would be one step closer to shutting down Amon's revolution. Who knows, if I have went to Tarrlok with Spider-Slayer then we wouldn't be having this conversation." Beifong stated.

Tarrlok frowned. The notion that he needed help stopping Amon didn't sit well with his massive ego. "And now you're accusing me of incompetence. You'll say anything to weasel your way out of this!"

Beifong tried to speak up but Tarrlok interrupted the policewoman. She wouldn't take another verbal smack tonight and she was fast approaching her limits.

Tarrlok continued to rant. "You got some nerve Beifong. Spider-Man is nothing but some big top performer with too much time on his hands and you still couldn't arrest the circus geek! I'm not taking these threats lightly…"

Beifong had enough. She slammed her palm on the desk and rose to her feet. This petty discussion needed to stop. "WE ALL DID TARRLOK! Everyone in this room thought the Equalist were a punch of picket sign tooting nobodies with a grudge against benders. I thought Spider-Man was some was just self-righteous punk but I was wrong. I was dead wrong! He's put several officers in the hospital and he's still running wild through the city. I've seen what he could do and frankly I'm at my wits end with him. Four of my officers were almost killed by that masked lunatic!" Beifong took deep breaths. She needed the air in her lungs.

The chief's outburst sliced through Tarrlok's prattling like a hot knife through butter. The city was in grave danger and Beifong seemed to be the only one in the room that headed the threat. Tenzin did deserve honorable mention however.

The police chief reinstated her equilibrium and continued. She made sure to use her inside voice this time. "I know I overstepped my boundaries by a wide margin. But please understand, every action to get this operation underway was to keep this city and its people out of harm's way. I grew up here. My mother helped build this city and spent her adult life protecting it. I thought I was doing the same though I fear I went too far." Beifong ended her heartfelt confession and returned to her seat. "I have no further explanations and surrender myself to your judgment."

The council was speechless. They've worked with Chief Beifong for years but never saw this side of her, save for Tenzin. Most of them found Beifong's testimony jarring but moving. Protocol dictated that she was in contempt of court but the violation was ignored for the extenuating circumstances. They were discussing Republic City's survival after all. Her words resonated through most of the council. Tarrlok interpreted it differently.

Tenzin spoke first. "I move that Chief Beifong maintain her post on a probationary status." He went on to explain his proposal. "We would postpone definitive judgment for a later date, preferably wen this dark chapter is behind us. The situation in the city is extremely volatile now and an abrupt dismissal of Lin Beifong would only make matter worse."

The council waited for one of them to propose a counter motion. Tarrlok didn't waste much time.

"I move that Chief Beifong's title be revoked and for the immediate declassification of Operation Spider-Slayer to the public." Tarrlok followed Tenzin's method and explained. "The people have a right to know what really happened that night. They need to see that this council will not tolerate this kind of behavior from its public officials. No matter how well intentioned their motivations are." Tarrlok tone was both soothing and loud. He practically purred his intent to his peers. Tenzin by comparison sounded like a book keeper reading off a library pull list. The man truly had a gift for public speaking.

Beifong didn't react to either motion. Even through Tarrlok scathing proposal, she was a virtual statue through it all. The chief meant what she said.

The council waited a moment for any other proposal. There was none. The two characterized the only viable options.

"All in favor for Tenzin's proposal say I." The Southern Water Tribesmen announced.

Three I's followed the councilman's orders. The representatives of the Air Nomads, Sothern Water Tribe, and the Earth Kingdom maintained Chief Beifong's title.

Tarrlok was livid. It took everything he had to keep his feelings hidden. He was only partially successful. The councilman never did handle setbacks too well.

"All in favor of Tarrlok's motion"

It was a futile vote at this point. The Fire Nation's councilwoman voted for the record while Tarrlok did it out of spite.

Tarrlok carried out is duty as speaker and stated the council's will for the records. "Tenzin's motion passes." He banged the gavel. "Any other motion's before we convene?"

"Yes actually." Tarrlok's southern counterpart spoke up. His peers were all ears. "I motion that we include Beifong and her people in hunting the Equalist. She's right; we've been taking all of this too lightly. If we're going to squash this rebellion we need to move hard and fast. That can't be accomplished in a divided house. The kid gloves come off right here, right now."

This day was not going Tarrlok's way. This hearing was supposed to be an open/shut case. He had always intended for the police in on his private war with the Equalist. But he wanted their involvement to be on his terms and that wasn't possible with Beifong leadership. It couldn't be helped now, it was time to cut his losses and reevaluate his dubious strategy. He still had a few more cards to play. "I agree, and I think everyone else does as well?"

The council acknowledged Tarrlok's assumption.

"Alright then, the motion passes." He slammed the gavel. Tarrlok didn't look discouraged by the political loss. It didn't matter really, this was far from over. "Congratulations Chief Beifong, you've gotten your wish."

Beifong took the news with cautious optimism. On one hand she could focus her efferts on Republic City's primary threat. But on the other hand, Spider-Man was still at large and extremely dangerous. She successfully defended her intentions but doubted her ability to bring in the false hero.

"I'll make sure you get a detailed report of our findings first thing in the morning. I think we all need a little time to digest." Tarrlok almost sounded peachy.

"Thank you Councilmen." Beifong's gratitude only stemmed from obligation. Her mother always told her to thank anyone who provides you with a service.

"This hearing has concluded." The crash of the gavel echoed through the spacious chamber.

Chief Beifong not only retained her position but expanded her jurisdiction. Any onlooker would view the ordeal as a resounding success from the ashes of defeat. She got everything she wanted from the jaws of defeat of all places. But she didn't feel that way. The only thing she felt was an ominous sense of doom. This was only going to get worse.

---

XXXxxx Mushu's Noodle Inferno xxxXXX

The restaurant had a certain atmosphere about it. It was deimley light and but just enough that visibility wasn't a problem. Torches and candles did most of the illumination. It was an establishment that didn't take itself too seriously but somehow maintained an air of professionalism. Who knew Bolin had such good taste. He usually had to save up to come here.

It took longer than the grope hopped to find it. Bolin's navigating skills consisted of 'turn here' and 'I think it was that other street' much to Asami's dismay. He did this all while voicing his wild schemes to get Spider-Man to show up as their mascot. Peter welcomed the earthbender's enthusiasm as first but the novelty of it all faded quickly.

The small party waited for Korra to arrive before ordering entrées. Bolin was an exception. He ordered something to help tide his appetite. It was large enough for two meals anyway. Asami and Mako were content with citric drinks. The beverage was the restaurant's signature beverage. The top of the cup was lite on fire but was still considered a cold drink. A fire and ice manga swirl. Peter opted for more tame drink. A piping hot cup of tea sufficed for him. He hopped the herbs would help sooth his poor health. Unfortunately, its effects were only marginal and Bolin was in the middle of his twelfth plan. He never thought he would get so sick of hearing about himself.

'Wonder if Beifong feels the same way'. He downed another cup of tea.

"…Alright so my next plan involves a few trampolines, a couple masks, and some pyrotechnics. Now I know its short notice but I think I can…" Bolin didn't get to finish.

"So Mako, Bolin, what's the competition looking like in the tournament!? Anyone out there you're worried about!?" Peter's outburst caused a small stir. He didn't care. He couldn't stomach another one of Bolin's plans.

Mako knew what he was trying to do and bailed him out. "The Rabaroos and Mongoose Lizards shouldn't give us too much of a fuss, the teams stronger than ever and in all honesty we're just flat out better than them."

"Someone's awfully confident." Asami joked. "If I recall the Mongoose Lizards had the most zone captures last year and the Rabaroos aren't anything to scuff at."

Mako grinned. His girlfriend wasn't some armchair fan. "If you saw the drills Touza and me whipped up then you'd know why. We weren't just sitting on our hands in the gym."

"So Korra's not a liability at all? I know she's the Avatar and all but I heard her debut was pretty rocky." Peter asked. It was nice talking about something else.

"Far from it, me and Bo' put in extra time getting her up to speed. She's a natural, took up to it in no time flat. We only spent a few days on the basics before moving on to the advance stuff." Mako smiled when he pictured her in that oversized uniform. "You should've seen it Takuya, she actually pushed a guy off the side of the ring." He chuckled.

Peter was confused. "That a bad thing."

Mako regarded Peter for a moment. "You're not familiar with the rules are you?"

"Nope." Peter admitted.

"I don't remember you being so ha ha about that bro." Bolin challenged his brother.

"Could you blame me bro. Hasook bailed on us in the freaking qualifiers. I wasn't having a good day." Mako explained.

"I wish I was there. That had to be one of the biggest upsets in pro-bending history. Dad thought I fell down and broke something from all of the yelling." Asami noted.

"Guess I missed one heck of a match." Peter said.

"Yeah it was crazy Takuya. Now yours truly never had a doubt the Fire Ferrets or our girl Korra for a second." Bolin pounded his chest proudly. "That reminds me, you ever hear back from Husook?"

Mako finished is drink before answering his little brother. "Yeah, he called the gym a week ago to apologize. He actually had a good reason for not showing up. His girlfriend went into labor that night. It's a girl by the way."

"Oh so that's why he had that bad attitude. So does he want back on the team now, because…you know… Korra's kind of better than him." Bolin voiced his concerns.

Mako waved all of his brother's fears. "Don't worry about it Bo' he's not trying to get his old spot back. The guy's way too busy anyway. He's got a kid to support now."

"Crazy season." Peter stated. All while his head started to pound again.

"Yeah, and it's not even over yet. If you had told me at the start that this team had a shot at the title, well let's just say I thought it would come later not sooner. We've only been at this for two seasons." Mako stole a glance of Asami. "And this season's has some pretty sweet fringe benefits if you know what I mean."

Asami caught wind of Mako innuendo. "Are you talking about me or the sponsorship?"

Mako smiled curtly. "I don't know which one sounds better?"

The novelty restaurant's double doors swung open, revealing the last member of the get together. It only took a single scan of the room for Korra to spot her friends and Asami. She didn't recognize the other guy. He looked like a partially wrapped mummy was sitting with her teammates. She took a closer look, he looked familiar but she couldn't place his face.

Despite the fact that she had no problem finding her group, Bolin still found it necessary to shout out her name when he saw her. "Yo Korra you made it!" He shouted over Peter's ear.

"No thanks to your directions. You need to write down more than 'that one spot around white falls, can't miss it. Look for the red lights'. I thought I'd be looking for this place all night. This is the fifth spot I walked into." Korra scolded. She didn't know this city like her teammates did.

"Sorry sorry, but hey none of that matters now. You're here and that's all that counts." Bolin tried to play down his blunder.

Korra shook it off and took a seat at the table. It was a celebration; she didn't want to ruin the mood. "Yeah I guess."

"Hey Korra, long time no see." Peter greeted.

"Hi…you…" Korra still didn't recognize him.

"You don't remember me do you." Peter said.

Korra regarded him one more time. "…Takuya?"

"I'm hurt Korra you really don't remember me?" Peter found the will to joke. He might not be indestructible but his sense of humor was.

"I bet. So what happened to you? You look like a wreck." Korra asked. He looked worn out and banged up but he didn't act like it. She just assumed his injuries weren't as bad as they looked. "Could you blame me Takuya? You looked a lot better when we met. What happened."

"Takuya was mugged a few nights ago." Asami spoke up for him. "I tried to convince him to turn in for the night but he insisted he was fine."

Korra was easier to convince. She had a lot more on her mind to delve deeper. "Sorry to hear that Takuya."

"Don't be, it's behind me now." Peter downplayed the all-out war that went down a few nights ago. "Besides, those palookas had weak hands and I've got a strong jaw."

She was impressed with the pencil pusher's fortitude. Korra didn't think he had it in him. "You're tougher than you look poindexter." She jabbed.

The night went took off without a hitch. Tournament brackets were the main topic of discussion up until their food arrived. Steaming bowls of noodles came for each of them. They were all different in flavor and ingredients. Bolin downed his bowl in minutes and the others followed suit; at a much slower rate. The earthbeder only paused to take breaths. Asami ate conservatively, like a proper lady. Peter was the second fastest eater. Who could blame him; technically he hadn't eaten anything in a few days.

The three were so enthralled in the conversation that they didn't notice that Peter and Korra where relatively quiet. The tow only spoke when spoken to. Both of their minds were on more pressing matters but Peter did a better job hiding it. He had much more practice concealing things than Korra.

Their worlds drifted into meaningless gossip to Peter's ears. He had a genuine interest in Pro-Bending but he needed some questions that needed that needed to be answered. Peter needed answers to whatever the hell that dark voice that took control. The only thing on his mind now was steering the conversation to the impossible. He took a stab in dark and just blurted out the subject.

"So Korra, tell me what you know about spirits." He struggled to get the words out. It just wasn't his style just throw questions in the air like that.

Korra was taken aback from the sudden and baseless question. "What for?" She was incredulous. "Those thugs didn't hit you too hard did they?"

Peter looked and felt like a slack jawed idiot but he had the stage. His inquiry caught the attention of the others. "I just thought the Avatar could conjure up some spirits for some extra luck." He smiled awkwardly.

Bolin got excited at the prospect of spirits descending form the heavens to bless the team. Asami's concern for Peter only heightened. Her father's apprentice might be suffering a mile concussion.

Bolin carried the farfetched question the rest of the way. "Good one Takuya, I didn't think about that." He leered at Korra much to her dismay. "Could you whip up some spirit ju-ju for us Korra?"

"You might want to have a doctor take a look at Takuya Asami. I don't think he's a one-hundred percent upstairs." Mako whispered.

"I'll look into it but I can't make him." Asami replied in kind.

"That's what the guys in white are for honey."

"Good point."

"Wow…Umm well I'm not an expert or anything but I know a thing or two. Even if I could I don't think they could help you in the luck department. They can do amazing things but nothing like that." Korra told the two.

Discussing such an abstract concept didn't quite agree with Peter. He felt like cringing the entire time. He imagined Gummo laughing at him from a comfortable gutter. Peter powered through the discomfort. "So spirits are powerful but within reason. Do they have the potential to be good or bad?"

Korra took a moment to compile her information. "I have been slacking in my spiritual studies so don't quote me on any of this. Spirits don't necessarily have a moral alignment. So you can't think in terms of good or bad spirits. I remember Tenzin telling me a story about his dad's brush with this forest spirit during the hundred year war. I think his name was Bai-Hei…look it was basically a panda bear spirit."

Peter's instincts pointed out every bit of evidence that resisted the idea of a magical panda spirit roaming around this world doing god know what. He couldn't stand by them this time. Not with the memory of the voice in his head compelling him at attempted murder. He found solace in an old piece of wisdom he picked up on his numerous library trips back home. Every legend had a modicum of truth to them. The old saying made the explanation tolerable for now.

Korra continued the story from her past life. "The panda spirit was docile for centuries until The Fire Nation burned down its home. He went berserk and changed into this monster abducting local villagers and taking them to the spirit world."

"I don't want a spirit at the tournament anymore." Bolin whimpered.

"Can't say I blame you pal." Peter agreed.

The vigilanty didn't get the definitive answer he was searching for but it wasn't a total bust. According to the spirit's absurd nature, the 'spirit' in his head was usually in a dormant state most of the time. But something about that night caused it to act through him. Korra revelation was a double edged sword however. It sprung up more questions than answers. 'To what end does his personal demon act? Why didn't it rear its head when the triads were beating me like a drum?' Peter wasn't aware of it but his face was a canvas of worry and poor health.

"Hey Takuya, you still with us?" Korra asked. "You are O.K. right?"

Peter came back to the physical world. "I'm fine, just need some more tea." Peter lied. "So what happened to the villagers, did the spirit hurt them in any way?"

"No, it just held them for some reason and let them go with Avatar Aang intervention. The panda just needed to be talked down."

"That's all it took? The forest spirit just needed some counseling and everything was honkey dory?" Mako asked. It was hard to believe such a destructive force only required some words of encouragement to end its rampage.

"More or less, I not too keen on the details though. Tenzin told me the story when we were meditating and I nodded out a few times." Korra confessed. She turned away as her mind drifted. "Meditation is really boring."

"Hey Korra, you feeling O.K. You don't seem like yourself." Bolin made the observation. "You seem distant."

Peter was so caught up with his inquiry that he neglected to notice Korra's detached demeanor. She did seem less abrasive than usual. "You are quitter than usual, pre match jitters?"

"I'm not scared of those chumps poindexter." Korra took offence at the notion. She wasn't afraid of the competition. Losing a sporting event didn't bother her. It was trivial compared to her chief concerns. Korra caught herself and retracted the barb. Peter didn't deserve the harsh treatment. "I'm just got my mind on other things at the moment that's all." Her tone was less assured, soft even.

"Like what Korra?" Asami asked much to her irritation.

"Not like it's any of your business Asami, but its real hush hush stuff. You know like, 'if I told you I'd have to kill' type of stuff." Korra started to sound like herself and got defensive.

"Come on Korra you can't just bait us like that and keep us hanging. Spill it newbie." Mako pressed the subject.

"Please Korra, I'll buy you desssseeeerrrrtttt." Bolin bribed.

"With what money, you still owe me for those extra groceries." Mako stated the facts.

"Oh yeah that right….I'll have Asami buy you desert." Bolin renegotiated. Korra had something juicy and he wanted to hear it.

"First of all, I am not a newbie anymore." Korra glared at Mako. She had a crush on Mako but no one was getting away with calling her a newbie. Not after all the training she went through preparing for the championships. "Second, I'll tell you but none of you can utter a word of this. That goes triple for you Bolin."

Her face got deadly serious. The group recognized this and took her words to heart. Even Bolin would follow the terms. Peter didn't was in the dark with the rest of them for a change. He was usually the one with something to hide. It was an odd seeing this from the other side.

Their collective looks were all the confirmation she needed. Korra motion them to come closer, she had to whisper. "You all heard that Prowler guy on the radio right. The guy who challenged Spidey."

Peter perked an ear at his mention. He wondered where she was going with this and how Korra got any word of that night events.

"I didn't catch the broadcast but I did hear Chief Beifong press conference afterward." Asami said.

"I just assumed Spider-Man just beat the snot out of him and that was that." Mako didn't take the broadcast too seriously. He's seen Spider-Man in action. It would take a lot more than some wannabe to take him down.

"There's a lot more to it than that." Korra gave shot her audience a stern look. She felt the need to reiterate their vow of silence. "Seriously guys, none of this leaves this table."

Her team mates, Asami, and Peter all acknowledged and continued.

"The whole thing was a shame set up by Beifong to arrest Spidey. I don't know much more than that but apparently they almost got him." Korra whispered. It felt good to bring the bombshell out into the open.

The group was shocked at Korra revelation. Mako had to forcefully silence his little brother. Peter tried to look surprised at the old news. He didn't expect to hear this from the Avatar.

"Almost." Peter whispered back.

"He got away but just barely." Korra confirmed.

"I heard that Beifong was harsh but that just absurd. To go that far for one guy and it's not like he's robbing banks or anything. He just goes around stopping crimes." Asami made her stance on the subject known.

"No kidding." Korra agreed. "Beifong's a stickler alright but this…I'm still having a hard time processing all this."

"What's there to process? They need to throw a stray jacket on her." Bolin had piped down but he was still upset. "A genuine hero set up shop in this city and she goes after him. Beifong's just jellies of Spider-Man. He does a better job than her so she tries to take out the competition. Figures, this is why we can't have nice things." The dimwitted earthbender gave a surprisingly articulated dissenting criticism. He was on the verge of shouting again. Luckily the ambient noise muffled it enough.

"Keep your voice down Bo'!" Mako scolded.

"I know alright, I know." Bolin folded his arms in disgust. He couldn't was done talking for the time being.

Peter found it unnerving to see Bolin show genuine anger at it all. Even when he faced Amon there were still hints of the easy going goofball earthbender he knew. Peter moved to console him. "Don't get so bent out of shape Bolin. Spider-Man got away right. No harm no foul." He tried to convince Bolin and himself. There was plenty of foul between him and the police chief. He was always viewed authority figures with some form of contempt. This ordeal only reinforced his negative connotations.

"You don't get it Takuya. Spidey stuck his neck out for all three of us at one point. He's a cocky showboat but it's like Asami said, he didn't deserve that." Korra respectfully reprimanded Peter.

This little get-together was getting odd. Peter never expected that kind of rhetoric out of Bolin or Korra. She almost sounded concerned for him. He continued to play the ill-informed bystander. "You're right, I don't get it. I didn't know it was like that between all of you."

"It's okay Takuya; there was no way you could've known. I wasn't trying to be fussy with you." Korra said.

The Avatar still seemed like she was hiding something or not mentioning. Peter picked up on this and dug deeper. "Is that all that's bothering you. Because you still look like something's still eating at you, if you don't mind me asking."

Korra didn't bother deflecting the question. She had to get this off her chest one way or another. The last time the young Avatar bottled up her emotions almost spelled disaster for her. Spider-Man helped her out of that dog pile. "I was going to head out and help Spidey the night it went down. I mean I'm the Avatar so I'm supposed to handle stuff like that, especially when it happens in my back yard. But just before I left Tenzin stopped me and ordered me to stay on the island. He went on and on telling that the police would handle it. So I did as I was told and stayed put. Tenzin didn't know this but I overheard him ordering the White Lotus guards to beef up security that night. Guess I know why now." Korra finished. Voicing her guilt didn't do much for her conscious. She still felt responsible.

Korra's quiet confessional yielded silence from the others. Befiong's questionable actions was one thing but getting a councilman to do your bidding as another. The chief must have something juicy on fake JJ.

"You were under tight security. I'm sure Spider-Man wouldn't hold it against you Korra." Peter attempted to console the Avatar. "Those White Lotus guys must be some kind of super elite guard's right. Getting past them must be darn near impossible."

Korra laid her head on her hand and stared at the generic red tablecloth and let out a heavy sigh. "That's not it. I could sneak around them blindfolded with both hands tied behind my back. I've been doing it since I was eight. No, I stayed put because I wanted to be the model student for once. Master Tenzin caught a lot of grief trying to teach me but he's been patient through it all. The whole thing just makes me feel lousy. You get it now, I wanted to help him but I choked and at the last minute. I should've just followed my gut but I didn't…" She confided to the group.

"I know you don't want to hear this but you've got nothing to be ashamed of Korra." Asami took a crack at her guilt. "You wanted to help your friend but you wanted to respect your master. That's a tough break any way you look at it."

Korra didn't respond to her council. She stayed quiet partially out of spite for their contest for Mako's heart. She wasn't convinced by Asami's words to boot.

Peter contemplated Korra's possible assistance. The thought was inconclusive. There was no way of knowing. Maybe she could've helped him through Beifong's assault. Then again she might have made the situation a hell of a lot worse.

"You don't know what would've happened Korra." Peter's tone was harsh and direct. It didn't match the studious young man they encountered before. He didn't know any other way to break through her funk. "You made a judgment call. There is not right or wrong with those decisions. It's not your fault the spider guy ran head first into a trap. If you ever ran into him again, you tell him what you've told us. I'm willing to bet he wouldn't be sore that you weren't watching his back." Peter dug deep for the energetic tirade. He didn't know where it came from. The man was running on fumes as it is. "You ask me, he'd appreciate the thought more than anything. He's lucky to have a friend like you." He turned to Mako and Bolin. "All of you."

Peter's affirmation struck a chord with the four teenagers. They never saw this side of him before and didn't know how to digest this new image.

Korra actually found comfort from his harsh but heart felt words. It was just the thing she needed to break out of her damper mood. "Never thought of it like that Takuya." Korra smiled for the first time that night. Her conscious was whipped clean by the acquaintance. "That some sage wisdom you got their poindexter. But you laid it on a little thick with the whole friend bit. Spideys just…Well it's complicated."

Peter slouched in his seat. The fatigue was starting to set in. He didn't know how but that little speech of his swamped him good. He buried his face in his hand. The lights suddenly became unbearable. "Yeah, that sounded better in my head. And would you please stop calling me that. I don't want that nickname to stick."

"Sorry it's stuck like a fly trap poindexter." Korra rubbed it in his face.

"Didn't expect that out of you Takuya." Mako confessed. "I never pegged you for a rousing speech kind of guy."

Peter took the firebenders words in strides. "Me neither. I surprise myself sometimes. Guess I say the right thing at the right time, or something like that."

"Yea Tak's a class act alright. Telling it like it is and sticking up for Korra and the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man in a single breathe. You're something alright." Bolin moved to pat him on the back again.

Peter's reflexes acted before he did. He caught athlete's wrist with lightning speed. "Thanks Bolin."

"You're welcome…can you let go of me now." Bolin was taken aback from the nerds lighting speed. He didn't even see it coming. The others didn't either.

Peter let released his biggest fan. He didn't need another pat on the back. "Sorry about that. I think I'm coming down with something. I don't want you getting sick before the tournament."

"Yeah, thanks for the save Takuya." Bolin rubbed his wrist. Takuya had an impressive grip as well as speaking skills.

"Well team we had a good night but it's about time to turn in." Mako announced, completely ignoring Takuya's quick hands. He did find it impressive. Shame he wasn't a bender. He'd certainly had the reflexes the sport called for.

'Thank God'. Peter was beyond relieved. The only thing he wanted to do now was got home and recover. Then he'd get some answers for the spider 'god'. Rest was the prime goal right now though. His body felt like hamburger and he was started to feel dizzy to boot.

Korra and Bolin groaned in unison. It wasn't that late and the team captain was already telling them to get some sleep, which meant another early morning practice session.

"I thought you said you were working on getting a later time slot. What gives?" Korra complained.

"I did, practice starts thirty minutes later now. So stop complaining, it won't kill you." Mako stood by his words and efforts.

"Not for the sole member who has to commutes to practice. Come on Mako can we start a little bit later." Korra pleaded with the team captain.

"'Fraid not, I barely got the old man to budge for that time slot. Maybe you should take it up with him Korra." Mako shrugged. It wasn't his gym after all.

Korra popped her knuckles "I got a few words for him. You know what, I just might do that."

The night was coming to a close. Asami paid the bill and the group filed out through the front door. Unbeknownst to the rest of them, Peter was fighting to stay on his feet at the moment. Asami and the bending brothers said their good buys and started to make their way to her car.

Peter stayed behind. "Hey Asami, I'll catch you guys later."

"What?" Asami had an idea what he was getting at and didn't like it one bit.

"I'm walking home. Don't worry it's not too far from here." Peter didn't want to risk having Asami and the gang catching wind of how serious his wounds were. He'd rather take his chances on his own than being discovered.

Asami wasn't having it. "No way, you're not walking around town by yourself at night. That's what got you in such bad shape in the first place." She drew a line and Peter wasn't going to cross.

"Asami I just need to get some fresh air that's all. It'll do me some good." His mind was foggy. He didn't remember if he used that excuse already.

Asami couldn't believe what was coming out of his mouth. She was about to drag him kicking and scraming to her satomobile. The rich girl didn't look it but she was entirely capable of doing so.

"I'll give him a lift." Korra interrupted the two. She was in the middle of brushing the snow flacks off Naga's coat. Both parties stopped to regard her. She went on. "You can drop off the boys and save yourself the trip and I'll take Takuya home."

Asami stopped to consider Korra proposal. "You sure Korra."

"Really it's no trouble." Korra assured.

"Shouldn't I have a say in this?" Peter sheepishly chimed in.

The two girls completely ignored Peter's protests Asami was find with Korra terms. She didn't want him walking the streets by himself. "You know where he lives?"

"No but he could tell me." Korra said.

"Seriously ladies, I'll be fine on my own." Peter tried to shake the tow off his tail. The last thing he needed was more attention.

Korra was getting annoyed by Peter's useless chattering. "Takuya you're wrapped up like a birthday present and you're coming down with something. Stop fighting this cause it going to happen."

Peter wanted to give Korra a piece of his mind but Mako cut him off. "I'd listen to her Takuya. It's impossible to change her mind. Believe me I've tried."

"Was that a compliment or a shot Mako?" Korra suspected it was the latter.

"Um…compliment?" Mako said as he sheepishly hooped into the car. He didn't want a verbal spat with the water tribe girl.

Korra ignored the team captain and turned her attention back to Peter. 'Cool under fire my foot.' She brought her hand to her mouth and whistled for her four legged friend.

The polar bear dog was nestled around the ally. Nega wasn't uncomfortable with her accommodations. It might as well have been a nice spring night compared to the sub-zero temperatures back at the south-pole. The massive chimera rushed to her master's call. Her eyes went wide when a familiar scent reached her nostrils. She rushed to great Peter but Korra stopped her in the nick of time.

"Naga NO! Takyua doesn't need that need that right now." Korra calmed the great beast down then proceeded to hop on the saddle.

Peter grimaced and accepted his fate. It wasn't ideal but it would have to do. "For the record, this wasn't my idea. Don't blame me if you catch my bug."

Korra steered her dog next to him and held out her hand. "No promises. Now hop on, I don't have all night."

The prodigy groaned and complied with Korra demand. He never did liked being bossed around.

"See you around Takuya and please try to stay out of trouble." Asami advised.

"I'll try." Peter grinned. It was his way of saying everything would be alright. The gesture didn't match his sickly face at all.

"Hey, come by the estate when you get better alright. I got to show you a few things." Asami was intentionally vague. If he was going to keep things from her she would do the same. It wasn't anything nefarious but it wasn't nice either. She tried to keep a straight face.

Peter raised a brow at Asami's invitation. "What for, is it for those driving lessons we talked about earlier?"

A sly smile crept on her face. She couldn't help herself. "No, you're just going to have to find out." She was thankful Mako and Bolin was waiting for her in the car. Her boyfriend might have taken the exchange the wrong way. She turned to Korra. Her concerns were whipped clean with the Avatar escorting him back to his apartment. "Thanks a lot Korra."

"Eh don't mention it." Asami may not be her favorite person in the world but she wasn't the worst either. She did dine on her dime.

With the goodbyes taken care of Asami got into her car and drove off into the night. The snow covered road slowed forced her reduce her speed. Asami was a spirited driver and a smart one.

Korra waived good bye. "Ha haaa…good night miss pricy fluzzy…" Her insult was barely audible.

Peter didn't question Korra contempt for her. It wasn't his business and he didn't want it to be. "You got me on the giant dog, now what. You yell mush and ol' girl gallops away." He didn't bother concealing is sarcasm. "I'm warning you, I'm feeling a bit nauseous."

"Loosen up poindexter. I'll take Nega nice and easy so you don't have to worry about your teensy weensy sensitive tummy okay." Korra countered with patronizing concern.

"That's just heartwarming Korra. The Avatar blesses a mere mortal with her unyielding kindness." Peter doubled down and matched her false sympathy with a sappy magnanimous response.

Korra turned and leered at Peter. He sneered back. She did so for a moment before breaking into laughter. Peter chuckled weakly after her. Their little game of dozens proved to be mutually entertaining. "Alright poindexter where am I going?"

The two rode in silence after Peter gave Korra her heading. The only sound between the two was the occasional sattomobile passing by and Nega's paws crunching the snow, that and Peter's haggard breathing. Korra wondered why he even bothered crawling out of bed when he was in such bad shape. She wouldn't have done it if she was in his shoes that for sure. What was the guy made off?

Peter's wounds were getting the better of him. It was getting harder to cope with them then his earlier encounters. It was clear now that he was suffering from something else. The problem was he couldn't diagnose it. His expertise didn't cover anything in the medical fields. If he had to guess, he probably wrapped the gauss the wrong way. But his critical thinking skills were dulling quickly now. At this point he was just fighting to stay conscious.

"Soooo Takuya, first time getting mugged." Korra asked and winched soon after. She regretted her choice of words. It was one of those things that sounded better in someone's head then aloud. The Water Tribe national wasn't a gifted speaker. She just couldn't take the long silence any longer and broke the ice the only way she knew how.

"I think you meant to say if this was the first time I got roughed up right?" Peter's showed that his sharp tongue was still intact in spite of his poor health.

Korra sighed. No going back now. "More or less, yeah."

"Well it's not my first scrap if you must know."

"First time loosing?" Korra wasn't a great public speaker but she wasn't one to shy away from uncomfortable subjects, most of the time anyway. Her passenger didn't seem to take offence either. She couldn't explain her motivations but she wanted to know more about the young man.

"This may come as a shock but my track record is not a great one." He answered flatly. Korra's frank way of speaking was well received. It reminded him of Urich, though his style had a certain elegance that Korra's lacked. "My big mouth rubs people the wrong way and I'm not exactly a prize fighter; you do the math."

Korra had a similar code to his. But unlike Peter she could back it up. "You ever consider keeping some words to yourself? You know, save yourself the trouble."

Peter went quite after that statement. He was reliving a moment from his past. "I actually tried that when I was a kid. I stayed out of everyone's way, kept to myself, spoke when spoken to. It got to a point that I hardly talked to anyone at one point." Peter took a moment to cough.

This conversation was getting interesting. The glorified acquaintance had more layers to him than she originally thought. "So what broke the silence?"

"Honestly, I just got this terrible feeling. It's hard to explain it. It was like this pit in my stomach that would eat away at me. It felt like I wasn't a person after a while. Everyone was going along with their lives and I didn't exist. My uncle noticed this after a while. He pulled me aside one day and told me, 'Cowards taste death a thousand times, but the valiant taste of death but once.' Then he just ruffled my hair and told me to get out, hold your ground, and live." He smiled thinking of his late uncle. "The old man always knew what to say to get me on track."

Korra pondered her words carefully. She didn't want to slander a loved one. "You two must be close."

"We were." Peter sounded chocked up. He looked off at the passing streets with a blank expression. His anger and sadness canceled each other out which left him numb.

It didn't take long for Korra to connect the dots. "I'm so sorry Takuya, I didn't know he…"

"Don't sweat it Korra…" Peter didn't let her say it.

There was another bout of silence between the two. Korra felt bad for unwittingly mentioning lost family member.

"You know this is the longest conversation I've had with you?" Korra steered the conversation away from Peter's painful memory.

"So it is. I got to tell you it's been a real eye opener. If got anything to else you want to ask now's your chance." Peter welcomed any further inquiries. He found himself more chatty than usual. His grasp on the world around him was started to swirl. Delirium was in motion.

Korra did. "Fine, why did you really confront Beifong at the gala? You didn't even know me and you just had the urge to speak out to the chief of police. She could have thrown you in jail. At least I think she could." She asked a bewildered Peter. "We had just met so why bother?"

"That wasn't the first time we met." Peter was on the verge of slurring. His inhibitions towards his secrets were melting away. If he wasn't carful, Korra would know who's behind Spider-Man's mask.

"We did? I think I would've remembered someone like you." Korra was skeptical of his claim.

"Don't blame you…it was a crazy day. I was trying to buy a radio, some thugs were starting trouble,… this crazy water tribe girl swoops in and beats the snot out of said thugs. Ringing any bells yet?" Peter spoke in between breaths.

Korra took a second to recall that day. He was accurate, and was definitely there that day. She gasped when it hit her. "You're the guy that triple threat tossed!"

Peter had enough sense left to frown. Guess the Avatar didn't have a high opinion of him. His secret was safe but it still stung. "The same."

"It's a small world. I mean it was a crazy day, been having a lot of those lately. Why didn't you say so earlier?" Korra didn't have a problem remembering Peter. He looked different back then but it was him alright.

"It didn't need mentioning, I didn't think so anyway." Peter explained. He wasn't the braggadocios type.

"So is that the reason you spoke up to Beifong. You felt like you owed me something?" Korra made a conclusion.

"No it's nothing like that. I didn't do it to be in your good graces. I did it because for better or worse your trying to make things better in this town. You might not have been as successful as everyone wants but you're doing something. That might not mean much to a lot of people but it's enough for me." His head was getting harder to support by the second. Cast iron anvils weighed his eye lids down. Korra had to be close now. At least he prayed she was.

Korra found the passenger's sentiments comforting. It was rare to get an honest and warm reception outside of her circle. She welcomed it with open arms. "There's more to you than meets the eye Takuya." She tried to sound as cool as possible.

'You don't know the half of it.' He breathing got heavier. This trip was the longest trek home in the history of man in Peter's world. "I try my best."

Korra laughed at his understatement. "Its nuts isn't it. How we keep running into each other in this giant city."

Peter's posture was no longer his own. His upper body swayed with Nega's brisk stride. His biological limits were on the horizon. The source was a mystery. It could've stemmed from anything from complications in his accelerating healing to coming into contact from a virus his body wasn't ready for. "…The hands of fate rules us all…Ben always used to say that…"

"So his name was HAY WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Korra yelped when Peter head fell on her shoulder. He was out like a bad light.

Peter didn't spend much time on Korra as he fell of the polar bear dog and landed on the snowy street.

Korra didn't waste a second. She halted her four legged friend and rushed to attend to Peter. He looked like he was in worse shape than earlier. He was pale save for his rose read cheeks and nose. His airflow was noticeably shallow but steady. She went to work with her basic first aid knowledge to the test as she tended to Peter.

"Forget the apartment; I'm taking you to the hospital!"

"NO!" Peter just returned to the world of the living, staring at the young Avatar. He had taken hold of her arm with unexpected strength. "Korra I can't go to a hospital!"

"Takuya you have to see a doctor, or a healer. I'm not going to drop you on your stoop and ride off!" She yelled back. He needed professional help immediately. She only had the vaguest idea on how to help the healing process along. Peter needed professional and the only way that was going to happen was if she stopped thinking. Now was the time to act.

The ramifications of him waltzing into a hospital meant certain doom for Peter and Spider-Man. If Beifong was half the cop she pretended to be she would be all over those places. But he couldn't do anything right now. His fate was in Korra's hands now. "Korra I'm begging you don't…don't'…" The heat of the moment was keeping his conscious vanished. He went limp in her arms.

Korra was utterly speechless. She was flustered at first but quickly rose to the occasion. It took no time picking him up and laying him on the aft part of the saddle. She jumped on and kicked Nega's sides. Korra moved the polar bear dog at full gallop off to Peter's salvation.

---

XXXxxx City Hall: Councilmen Tarrlok's Chambers xxxXXX

Tarrlok never liked Republic City's winter climate. His satomobile never agreed with the slick roads. Worse still, it reminded him of home, of his father. The councilman was putting the finishing touches for Chief Beifong. A document destined for his home nation was already prepared for Chief Unnaloq's eyes. He found it odd that the tribe chief wanted him to keep tabs on Korra but brushed aside any suspicions. He simply dismissed it as a concerned uncle worrying about his niece. He finished the report and cataloged all of his findings along with the crime scenes and contraband.

Tarrlok twisted his desk chair and gazed upon his ornament fountain. No matter how hard his day was one look into the infinite waterfall and his problems washed away, perks of the job. "I'd swear I'd lose my head without this thing."

There was a knock on his office double doors.

"Come in." Tarrlok stated.

With that his page quickly made his way to his boss's desk. "You called sir?"

"Yes." Tarrlok twisted his seat around and pulled out his transcript of Operation Spider-Slayer and handed it to the feeble man. "I need you to drop this off to the local enquirer's mail box on your way home."

The page went wide eyed as realized what Tarrlok was doing. "Councilman, you're awear that this goes against the council's wishes. This is a gross misappropriation of sensitive documents."

Tarrlok didn't let the accusation anger him in the slightest. Convincing others to follow his whims was his specialty. "Don't think of it that way." Tarrlok said with his best campaign smile. "Think of it as…giving the citizens a preview of what really happened."

The squeaky voiced page rarely apposed Tarrlok but he knew better than that. "I understand, I'll get right on it." He grabbed the folder and made his way out of the building.

Tarrlok waited a few moments before rising from his chair. He made his way to his private collection of drinks and fixed himself one. He stepped over to the offices large windows. He took a drag of his beverage as he stared off into space. This city was his birth right. He wouldn't let Tenzin or Beifong take what was rightfully his. It took years to effectively burry his lineage and claw his way to the highest position in the land. The others didn't get in his way; they were glorified yes men with second hand objectivity. Tenzin was his only true competitor. He guessed an outside observer would find it very humorous seeing Yakome and Aang's feud dragged on to the next generation. None of it mattered now. Their rivalry would soon be a thing of the past. The others couldn't touch him. They didn't have his chemistry or his keen mind. He was always a step ahead of the competition and Tenzin was no different. He wasn't motivated by his mobster father. Yakome bullied and bludgeon his way to the top. The only thing that stopped his power grab was a greater power. No, Tarlokk was different. He would win hearts and minds. He would inspire them with swift and decisive action. The councilmen was on the fast track owning this town if it wasn't for the Equalist. He was one step away until Amon reared his ugly head and started picking fights with benders. And to make matters worse Spider-Man was running around senselessly assaulting people on the streets. He found himself agreeing with Beifong's campaign to arrest the freak. But he'd take it a step further. The Spider-Man would be humiliated upon his capture. Everyone would see him for that he really is, a lunatic with an ax to grind against dime store hoods. He smiled when the thought of the wall-crawler's show trials. Unlike Beifong's , his would be very public. He was this cities protector not some loon playing dress up.

Only three people stood between him and the ultimate prize, that all. Three obstacles were nothing compared to a lifetime of struggles. He'd have a good laugh when he looked back on all this. Tarrloks regret, his sole regret, was that he couldn't share this glory with his older brother. If anyone deserved a happy ending it was Noatak. He had the courage to defy their father and escape his torment. Tarrlok could only look on as his brother ran through a harsh blizzard. He frowned thinking back on his cowardice. The scheming councilman brushed the memory aside.

There was no point milling about the past. It didn't define him nor did it hinder him. He raised his glass to toast Republic City and smiled. The past could keep his scorn; the future would have his esteem. His wraith was reserved for any foolish enough to get in his way.

---

A/N:

Good lord it's done, it's done, IT'S DONE! Oh man this was a challenge just to type out. I think the update was bigger than I anticipated and I underestimated the time tables. I thought I would knock this out in a few days not weeks after announcing. The outline was particularly difficult. I had to do it along with work and then some school. It was worth it though. I'm making decent money and I did pretty good in school. Oh yeah and I sprained my knee after announcing. Old sport injury what can you do. I got to say, I definetly felt the rust coming back to the keyboard. That's enough rambling for now. Good bad or ugly, I'm glad I could get this out to you guys. You're the best.

Well Pete in serious trouble now. I left his fate ambiguous for suspense purposes. Not sure its going to worked but hey this is the place to experiment. He's going to have to come to terms with a few things next chapter and do some serious growth if he going to beat Amon or the Spider god for that matter. (Hint::I been cooking something up for the Spider-god origin in this world. It's going to be a doozy. I think it is anyway.)

Beifong is vetted and ended up getting what she wanted. And Tarrlok got egg on his face and that's always entertaining. But he's a sneaky guy and he isn't at the top for nothing.

issic clark: It did not and I'm sorry. Life a beach.

JumpingToaster: That the name of the game. Forget speed maintain momentum. I have the same mentality when I running.

Revirwz: Oh boy I need to dust off the bullet points.

-The Spider-Gods intervention isn't necessarily a full blown possession. The way I see it, it's always been with him. He appeared in the comic and after the bite and it was horrific. Something like that doesn't just go away. It's a hands off kind of 'god'. And it's not enhancing anything in Peter. It didn't make him do anything he wasn't already capable of doing. What the Spider-God just has what Peter lacks, and that raw animal killer instincts. It had a certain degree of control of bodily functions (ie: webbing, wall crawling, all comes from him) and used that control to burn through the toxins and assault those guards.

-That's a yes and a no. I don't really have answer for that one.

-Gommu always looked happy being homeless. And he seemed like he none of the homeless in Republic City has a hard time finding food and shelter. That's just me anyway.

-That's a maybe…

-I never liked the spider signal. The other gadgets got a better chance at showing up though

-But ultimate Spider-Man told me the spider cycle is cool *shudders*

-I got a handle on the enemies angle. The rogue spirits and a bender or two are a part of it.

-I'm glad to hear that. Stay strong and keep talking.

nightmaster000: The paring ship has sailed for part 1 and sky's the limit for the other parts.

That Geeky Guy: No promises with my paring writing ability. You got your wish, All Takuya no Web Head. It might be that way for a bit longer before the probending tournament gets under way. And it picks up steam around the aftermath episode. That support system is appreciated man thanks.

EternityDragon2610: Yeah you see I went away from that ending because it was a tad predictable. You see I don't like incompetent straw man antagonist. Beifong and Peter had points. In the end Beifong represented uncheck power (sometimes you just have to cut through the red tape and get the job done mind you) while Spider-Man represented uncontrolled power. Peter thought he was the master inside and out but that just wasn't the case and he almost crossed that line before he finally realized it.

XinnLajgin: This is why I like reviews and keeping them opened to everyone. It took me a while to make the call for Beifong to aggressively pursue Spider-Man. She is the one who tried to arrest her sister after committing a crime and trashing Air Temple Island after a break. I think she would go through it. Anyway I tried to explaining things in the hearing scene. Good or bad it was a tough to write.

White Lantern Oath 009: I'm just going to come out and say it. Spider-Verse will have no part of this story. It would be a good opportunity to introduce of interesting characters from marvel but I fell Pete would get lost in a whirlwind of multiple characters. That's my 2 cents on the subject anyway. And the infinity gems are a little above noir pay grade. But they will be mentioned around part 2/3 or the story around 2028. I'm not a fast writer lol. Like the OC idea. I'll tell you this right now; I'm going to have a lot of fun with Verick and the movers.

warringtriad21: That could be arranged.

warringtriad21: I'm smiling hard right now. Trust me, heavy hitters are inbound. One of them is big, green, and ginger. Hint hint. There won't be anyone outside of Amazing at this juncture. Other may come they might not. Can't really say.

Itsy: The keeps falling into traps because one, he's is a little pig headed. And two, he always falls for traps in the video games. But your right and Peter's going to start using that brain in costume. He hasn't been doing the heroics for a while but not that long. The couple of months only covered his time the Avatar world. I can't answer any more of your questions. All I can say is we think alike.

Dudem98: I did figure out the paring I just don't want to say…okay its korra.

ww1990ww: The Living Tribunal a little too big for my humble tale. But I'm digging Shadow King. And no he wasn't going to show up and yes you might have made it happen.

Like a sir: I prefer madman

Coldblue: I actually revisited gate and It went from something I love to nationalistic cheerleading garbage to something I love to hate. So it's basically my anime Law and Order SVU. Hope you like the update man.

-ps: I don't get out of bed unless its 10,000 and up in the word count dude.

RG: Me to but I can't. Wouldn't make sense. But I assure you and anyone reading this. The twins are there for a specific reason that hasn't been revealed yet.