'...whooooooaoooh
whooooooooooah
I'm waking up to ash and dust
I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust
I'm breathing in the chemicals
ohyeaaaaah! ahhh...'
The smell of anaesthetic was submissive in the air, poignant in a way that stung the nose. The plain atmosphere, the solitude compellingly relieving and utterly confined to the point where one could kill ones self.
She had been told to stay put. That her body apparently needed 'rest', why did she need to rest? There was time for 'rest' later. She tried to bribe her way out but that didn't help. It had been three days, three. And she was yet to be released. The enslavement was killing her, not the few wounds that she had received.
She had even turned on the radio to at least lighten her mood. For these past days that she's been confined in this hospital room, she's found time to reminisce on the past and the present. She remembered a time where she and Jung had rarely even spoken a mouth full.
The corner of her lip started to twitch. She remembered those days.
Jung had the ability to confuse her to the point where she wouldn't even bother trying to figure out his intentions. Nor did he towards her. Snarky comment after comment to the point where they just didn't even comment about anything. She closed her eyes. Those were their younger years. Now it was still confusing and less snarky comments from both.
She kept her eyes closed, when a sudden burst of static came from the radio causing her to turn her head towards it.
"We interrupt your regularly scheduled broadcast to bring you this special report. Late last night, Equalists attacked City Hall," she sat upright startled and began to tune the radio," subduing Councilman Tarrlok and capturing Avatar Korra. Details are still coming in, b-"
She turned it off. Staying in her upright position for a minute thinking.
'Well, looks like I can leave now.'
'...I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse
oohwhoa...'
She had every right to barge into her former work place just to get these kids out of prison.
'What the hell did they do to get themselves imprisoned?' She asked herself.
She metal bended the door open and said, "Hope you got enough beauty rest. Come on, I'm busting you out."
"Thanks. I owe you." Asami said smiling.
'I'd rather you not... One down, two more to go...'
...
"Are you done yet?"
"Cover your ears! I can't go with you listening,"
Mako sighs and covers his ears. He glances up, as the cell door is metal bent off its hinges.
"Asami!"
Lin watched as how the two embraced and gave each other a light peck.
"Ahhh!" Bolin blushes, "A little privacy, please!"
"Are you all right?" Mako asked Asami.
"I'm fine! It's so good to see you." Asami replied.
'Oh boy...' Lin told herself.
"Hate to break up your lovers' reunion, but Korra's in trouble. Amon captured her," she said seriously.
"No. No, she can't be gone!" Mako exclaimed.
"Come on, we have an Avatar to rescue." She said.
The three teens run from inside the cell. She does a gesture with her hand upward. She hears Bolin squeal out of embarrassment.
"Your fly was down," she told him.
"Thanks for catching that," Bolin replied embarrassed.
'...I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoooohwhoa, whoooa, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoooohwhoa, whoooa, I'm radioactive, radioactive...'
She and the 'new' team avatar made their way to Tenzin's office. They stood there waiting for him to end his conversation.
"I have to go. Call me back the minute you hear anything," Hangs up and stood up very surprised, "Lin? Wh-wh-what are y- What are y- You should be in the hospital! And you three!" Tenzin points, "You should be in prison!"
She pursed her lips and responded, "I figured you could use our help finding Korra."
Mako steps forward anxiously; "Do you have any leads?"
"I've been on the phone all morning, but nothing yet," Tenzin said.
"We need Naga! She can track Korra," Mako suggested excitedly.
"I'm afraid her polar bear dog is missing as well." Tenzin said disappointed.
"Then where do we start?" Asked Bolin.
"My guess is the Equalists are hiding underground, in the maze of tunnels beneath the city." She said.
"Underground... just like my father's secret factory. Figures." Asami said bitterly.
"Yeah! Yeah, that makes sense! When those chi-blockers had me in their truck, it sounded like we drove into a tunnel!" Bolin recalled.
"I know where to start looking! Come on!" Mako exclaimed as he, Asami and Bolin rushed out of Tenzin's office. Leaving Tenzin and Lin alone.
Lin turned around to look at Tenzin.
"Wherever Amon is keeping Korra, I bet that's where my officers are too." She told Tenzin.
"Let's bring them all home, Lin."
'...I raise my flags, dye my clothes
It's a revolution, I suppose
We're painted red to fit right in
Whoa...'
As the group flies on Oogi, They land in a deserted street and dismount off Oogi.
"The truck with Bolin took off down this alley." Mako said pointing down a street.
They all jog to the next intersection.
"Which way?" Asami asked.
"Hmm. This way kinda..." Bolin sniffs the air "smells familiar."
Lin metal bends the sole of her shoe back and uses seismic sense to see an exact location.
"There's a tunnel nearby;" She sets off as the rest of the group follows and slides down an embankment.
Mako indicates a large tunnel entrance with a metal gate, "There!"
"Motorcycle tracks." She said as she inspected the ground.
"Korra has to be in there... somewhere." Mako said.
Lin metal bends the gate open. The group walking into an intersection of tunnels. Mako uses his fire bending to light the way.
Lin tuned out the three teenagers with their bickering and their worrying.
'Hmm... I wonder...'
From behind she heard two motorcycles.
"Hide!" She instructed.
The five duck behind a pillar as the Equalist motorcycles approach. One Equalist flips a switch on his motorcycle dash that in turn opens a secret door in the opposite wall of the tunnel. The two motorcycles race inside and the door promptly closes. Lin makes a face and crosses the tunnel, followed by the others. She runs her hand across the door and uses metal bending to trigger the opening mechanism and force the door to go up. The group rushes in and the door closes behind them. They approach a large open space where Equalists are loading supplies onto tram carts on tracks that lead into various tunnels. An Equalist with a clipboard is directing the loading and traffic.
Tenzin whispering to the others, "That's where they must be keeping Korra."
"We need to get down that tunnel." Lin states, whilst they all look towards the tunnel.
Lin signals the group with her hand and they all run toward the tram and jump in. The tram starts to move down the tunnel.
Before they arrive towards the end they all jump out. Just to confuse the Equalists.
At the tunnel's exit, two Equalists are waiting for the tram. A light flashes and an alarm sounds to signal the tram's arrival. It comes to a stop with nothing inside.
"It's empty!" One of the Equalists exclaimed.
"Yeah, I can see that." The other responded sarcastically.
From inside the tunnel, Lin uses her metal bending cables to grab the two Equalists and drags them inside.
...
"You two, keep an eye on them." She tells Bolin and Asami.
Turning on her heels and climbing the steps and into the prison.
She uses her seismic sense to search the prison.
"My officers are inside." She stated.
"What about Korra?" Mako asked curiously.
"I don't see her yet." She told him honestly.
Mako, Lin, and Tenzin head off down the corridor. They turn the corner and see two Equalists, who prepare to attack them. Tenzin uses his air bending to knock them against a wall. Mako runs toward them and grabs one of them, removing his mask.
Lin continued her way peering into the prison cell where her metal bending officers are being kept. She metal bends the bars apart and walks in.
"Chief Beifong?" An officer said wearily.
"I'm too late. That monster already took your bending, didn't he?" She asked.
The officer nods his head. Lin looks down sadly.
"I'm so sorry," she said sadly, in a normal tone now, "and Come on, let's get you out of here."
All the officers get up and follow Lin out of the cell.
Mako, who was pinning an Equalist against a wall.
"I'll ask you one more time," Mako asked angrily igniting his right hand, "where is she?"
"We don't have the Avatar, and the Equalists didn't attack City Hall. Tarrlok's lying." The equalist weakly told whilst grabbing Mako's arm.
"What?" Mako said surprised.
Lin walks up.
"I scanned the entire prison. Korra's not here." She said.
"Why would Tarrlok make up a story about getting attacked?" Mako asked as he let go of the man from his grasp.
"Because he has Korra, He fooled us all!" Tenzin exclaimed.
A siren starts sounds and the group runs back to where Bolin and Asami are standing guard.
"Let's go people!" Bolin yelled.
Everyone gets into the tram, which takes off. Equalists in another tram start to catch up from behind. Bolin uses his earth bending to collapse the tunnel sides, causing the tram to crash in the rubble.
"Try to chi-block that, fools!" Bolin said jubilantly.
Lin, at the front of the tram, notices an army of Equalists waiting up ahead. Among them are the Lieutenant and several mecha tanks.
"We've got more company!" She said as she metal bended the rail upwards," Hang on!"
Creating an opening through the ceiling and hearing several groans upon their crash-landing. She created another opening where a stream of light shone through.
While they all climbed out and asked if they were all right it was time to discuss what they had found out before taking any course of action.
"Now that we know that it was Tarrlock, how're we going to get it out of him?" Asked Mako.
Tenzin and Lin stared at each other and then back at Korra's friends.
"By asking them to meet us at city hall." Tenzin stated plainly.
"Right then, let's get going." Bolin said already walking.
"Chief... I mean..." One of Lin's ex-officers said in hesitance.
Lin turned towards him.
"If you um, ever need help we'll he-"
"You've done enough," She told him cutting him off, quickly adding, "but I'll keep that in mind."
She didn't want to be harsh to them. 'They've already gone through hell by that...'
Lin shook her head. If only she hadn't been in that damned hospital. No, if she hadn't fallen right into Tarrlock's little game then perhaps this wouldn't have happened to her fellow comrades.
"Lin,"
She looked at Tenzin; just by the way he said her name, she already knew that there meeting to get the truth right now was set.
She gave one last look at her old comrades. They gave her tired smiles and that they already knew what was going on and that they would be fine.
'...I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus
This is it, the apocalypse
oohwhoa
I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoooohwhoa, whoooa, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoooohwhoa, whoooa, I'm radioactive, radioactive...'
"Thank you all for meeting us on such short notice" said Tenzin calmly.
"Chief," Lin greeted Saikhan coldly.
Saikhan returned the coldness, "Lin."
Right behind him was Tarrlock, who was approaching them.
"Have you news of Avatar Korra?" Tarrlock asked.
'As if you cared so much...' Lin told herself.
"We do." Tenzin points at Tarrlok; angrily, "You kidnapped her, Tarrlok!"
"I am shocked you would accuse me of such an evil act! I already explained: Equalists attacked us and took her!" Tarrlock stated all too innocently.
"But there were no chi-blockers here last night," again Tenzin pointed at Tarrlock, "You planted the evidence, didn't you?"
"That is a ridiculous accusation!" Tarrlock exclaimed angrily.
'Seems like your little facade of the innocent victim isn't working into your favour.' Lin mused.
"It's true! He took her! I was here when Avatar Korra arrived last night, but Councilman Tarrlok ordered me to leave. I was on my way out when I saw Tarrlok bring her down to the garage." Yelped the Council's Page in fear and cowering behind the balcony pillar.
"That is nonsense!" Tarrlock said enraged, the Page cowers behind the pillar as he points at him, "Everyone knows you're nothing but a squeaky-voiced liar!"
Lin folds her arms and looks at the Page, "Why did you wait until now to 'fess up?"
Council page looked down, "I was terrified to tell because..." looks up, "Because Tarrlok is a blood bender!"
Everyone looks at Tarrlok in shock.
"He blood bent Avatar Korra!"
"Don't make this worse for yourself," Tenzin said whilst taking his air bending stance, "Tell us where you have Korra."
Lin also took her stance and both prepared to attack. Tarrlok' was still, his eye twitching. Tenzin and Lin both bend at him, but he has control of their bodies before they can hit him. Everyone in the room cries out in pain as Tarrlok blood bends them to their knees. He continues to blood bend until one by one, everyone falls unconscious. Tarrlok backs away and flees.
...
Lin slightly groaned as she pushed herself up from the ground, she heard several others that groaned along with her.
Her body rigid from her movements.
'That damned Tarrlock, no wonder he was being a weasel.'
She spotted Tenzin sprawled out on the floor.
"Wake up!"
She slapped Tenzin across the face, waking him fully.
"Was that necessary?" Tenzin grumbled.
"It was necessary; you need a little bit of force to be used on you." She stated.
She watched him rub his cheek; a small smile made its way through her.
While across the room the others were getting up.
"Ughh! Man! I had this awful dream that Korra was taken by this evil blood bender, so weird," Bolin said to both Mako and Asami.
"Bolin, that really happened. He knocked us out." Asami said.
"Are you serious?" Bolin said shockingly and began to look around, "Where is he? Is he here right now?"
"Tarrlok is long gone. I'll alert the whole force." Saikhan Stated.
Saikhan and the council members leave.
Watching them leave, what was going to be their next move?
"We've only been out for a little while. Maybe we can still pick up Tarrlok's trail," Lin Said.
"It could lead us to Korra! Let's go," Tenzin said.
...
They had been traveling for hours. Lin had already sensed a slight tension with Korra's friends. She didn't know if it was over her disappearance or over something else and that quite frankly she was hoping it was the latter. They were young, they have the opportunity to experience things but with Amon and Equalist's about it really left such 'experiences' to be held at a halt.
Flying about on Oogi had more freedom than on an airship. All five of them keeping a sharp ear and eye to see if they could spot Korra or her pet. A howl could be heard
"That sounds like Naga!" Mako signalled towards the right, "Down there!"
Korra moans slightly as the bison lands and the group dismounts. Tenzin and Lin run up to her.
"Korra! Oh, thank goodness." Tenzin said relief shrouding his voice.
"Where's Tarrlok? How did you get away?" Asked Lin.
Before Lin or Tenzin could get anything out of Korra, Mako shoves them both aside. "Give her some space!"
Lin watched Mako intently. The sympathy and general concern over a fellow team mate also friend seemed to be more than the common boundary.
"Tenzin, if I didn't know better. This is rather all too familiar, "She said frigidly.
Tenzin blinked not understanding what she meant.
"What do you mean, Lin?"
"Nothing, let's go..."
...
Upon arriving Air Temple Island, first main priority was to make sure Korra was fine. With her 'friend' being a little too overprotective of her and the fact that it was very late at night made everyone rather slow and weary.
It also didn't help that Lin herself did not want to stay over on the island for well... She quite didn't know why. Too many memories swarming around but she needed to know everything that happened to the young avatar. It wasn't necessary of her to stay but who else could be the ever so caring and gentle?
"Tenzin, I preferably would like to leave rather than staying here,"
"Lin, this was your home too, you have every right to stay,"
"Keyword 'was', it no longer is nor will it ever be. It's not necessary for me to stay. Can I not come by in the morning?"
She watched as how he stayed silent.
"If you're so worried about me. Fine, I'll stay. I'm only staying here because I'm curious to hear the Avatar's escape. Other than that there's no other reason for me to be here,"
"That is where you're completely wrong Lin. You and I both know that!"
She listened as to how the volume in his voice rose.
"Well, you've just stepped into something that isn't supposed to be brought up. Or am I wrong, councilman?" She asked with a tint of anger peaking its way through.
"Perhaps I have stepped into it. I wouldn't be stepping into it if you weren't so... So..." Tenzin was completely out of words to try and describe what she was.
"If I weren't so what?"
Tenzin sighed. "You're free to do as you like Lin. I cannot control you, if you'd like to leave, you know how. If you'd like to stay, you're most welcome to stay. However, I believe it would be best if you stayed the night."
Before she could disperse any words. Tenzin retreated without glancing back towards her. Leaving her there in a train of thoughts.
She took note of his opinion. She gingerly stayed but it did not mean she would sleep peacefully. On a side note, she hadn't replied to Jung's telegram. Then again, it got her thinking that he wasn't in Gaoling. Perhaps he was in the Earth Kingdom but somewhere on a boat of sorts?
She had to try her luck. Hoping that Tenzin wouldn't mind her making a phone call and perhaps the odds of actually reaching Jung.
Why was she worrying over Tenzin? He had specifically said that this 'had' been her home.
...
One ring, two, rings, three rings, and on the fourth ring the other end shot to life.
"Kei Jung speaking,"
"Good to know you're in your own home,"
"What a privilege to be speaking to you too, Lin. You do know that it's rather late, right?"
"Yes, I am perfectly aware of that. You should know th-"
"That you aren't the chief of police anymore and you should be resting?"
"How?"
"How do I know it's my job to know; There's many things that I do. Perhaps I'll tell them to you when things are in a lighter mood,"
"Hmm, of course. Did you know that Mo Li and Jie came to visit me?"
A pregnant pause came from the other end of the line.
"I had no idea. Now, did you know; that no one is allowed to leave or enter the Earth Kingdom?"
"Don't joke around with me, Jung,"
"Oh, as much as I'd love to. I'm not. There is a way to leave and enter. Just not in a very formidable way,"
"Of course you know this because... Oh that's right. You do many things;" her tone was all too sarcastic.
A sigh was produced on the other end.
"What would you like me to do? Oh great Beifong,"
"Two things to be exact,"
"I'm listening,"
"First, make sure those two are safe and sound,"
"That can be done. Now what is number two?" Jung asked all too seriously.
"It's complex,"
Another pregnant pause and then a slight chuckle.
"Lin, everything you do is 'complex', what makes this second favour, I suppose it's a favour, more complex than number one?"
"What is that supposed to mean? I'm complex?"
"It means what it means. Are you going to tell me or not?"
It was her turn to pause.
"Again, it's complex,"
"This fellow ears are all yours then."
"Jung, I can't tell if you're joking or if you're truly being serious,"
"Can it be both? Come on lay it out for me,"
She bit the inside of her cheek.
"If... If something were to happen to me-"
"Lin..."
"Let me finish,"
Jung produced a heavy sigh.
"If something were to happen to me during this 'revolution' I want to make sure a few things are taken care of,"
Silence.
"You're second-guessing yourself here? Do you believe that something will or may occur to you?"
She noted a hint of anger in Jung's voice.
"Not at all,"
"Then why?"
"I don't... "She began but hesitated.
"Y'know what? I've a better number two,"
"And that would be?"
"Oh, curious as to what I may come up with? I'd say but it ruins the fun out of it,"
"Hmm, sounds like bullshit,"
"It is bullshit. Lin, don't second-guess yourself. You may be 'complex' but you do what it is right. So there is no need for a number two. You may leave some unfinished things but there will always be someone else who'll pick it up and finish it for you,"
"Hmmm,"
"I could always pull something out of my sleeve,"
"Charming, and how do you suppose that'll help this revolution?"
Jung chuckled. His chuckle sent vibrations in her ear.
"Now that would ruin the fun in me doing it,"
"Doing what to be exact?" She asked confused.
"Leaving you here while I go check on your beloved children,"
"Hmm,"
"Would you prefer I not?"
"Oh, no, go do as I say... I wasn't second-guessing myself. You do know that, right?"
His silence was pure gold to her.
"I suppose your second favour still has something to do with your children... You're a perfectly capable woman. Which is what I like about you..." Jung paused but continued his appraisal, "your sense of justice shines right out of you, blinding almost."
"Glad to know," she remarked cheekily.
"I should get going, take care of yourself, Lin."
"Jun-"
Click.
She stared absentmindedly.
That Jung had a way to confuse her and confuse her he did.
'...All systems go, the sun hasn't died
Deep in my bones, straight from inside
I'm waking up, I feel it in my bones
Enough to make my systems blow
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Welcome to the new age, to the new age
Whoooohwhoa, whoooa, I'm radioactive, radioactive
Whoooohwhoa, whoooa, I'm radioactive, radioactive...'