I do not own Avatar The Last Airbender or Legend of Korra. They belong to their respective owners.
Enjoy!
Zuko woke up feeling a little sore and groggy. He could also feel the sun directly on his face. That was when he realized that he had slept outside.
"Ugh..."
Zuko tried to get back up, but his limbs were just not agreeing with him on that idea. No matter how much effort he put into it, he just couldn't make himself stand up.
"Hmph!"
Looking behind himself, Zuko saw that he was laying on a massive pile of red scales. Which explained why he was very warm.
"How long have I been out Druk?"
The dragon responded by bringing his face closer and letting his whiskers connect to Zuko's forehead. Once he did that, Zuko saw himself. Jumping over the fence, throwing the mask off of his face, dropping his sword sheath on the ground, and laying down on the already sleeping Druk. That had been several hours ago.
"And I already know what I was doing the rest of the night."
Zuko had experience wearing a mask and going out at night. But back then it had been for... less than noble purposes. It wasn't anything personal or malicious, Zuko had just needed to do something that required not being figured out.
But things were different now. Not just because of the jump in time, but because of the world he was inhabiting. Republic City really did feel like its own world when compared to the war he was born to. People of different nations getting along. Bending is being used as a sport instead of just a sacred art. His uncle had said that bending was a way of life, so he wasn't bothered by it. And that was before the changes in technology were even considered. Zuko still didn't know how people could be comfortable riding in those metal moving trap machines.
Still, it wasn't a world without conflict. Such a world would probably never come to be. Except that this time, the two opposing sides were two factions that Zuko had never considered. Benders and non-benders. Having been surrounded by both powerful benders and powerful non-benders his whole life, Zuko had never truly considered the conflict before. But when he thought about it, it made sense.
The world used to hate the Fire Nation for boasting about superiority based on their element. He could imagine non-benders hating benders for being naturally more powerful for similar reasons.
Zuko still remembered the equalist rally he had seen in the park the other day.
He wondered how people would react to what he had done last night. He hadn't used his bending, just like before, and he wondered how that would be taken. Because of the animosity that currently existed, people might either like or hate the idea of a non-bending warrior in black fighting criminals. And some might be disappointed if he did use his bending.
Realistically, he was going to have to use it eventually. If he kept going up against criminals every night, and he had a feeling he would, eventually he would face who would force him to use his bending.
The question Zuko was pondering was whether he should use all of them at once. Using all four elements, or even just two at once, would be a clue to the fact that he was an avatar. And with that would come a high level of notoriety. Something Zuko did not want.
Being an icon and a symbol for the world was something that Raava's avatar had historically done. Zuko wasn't sure if that was something he should do.
"Do you have any opinions on this Druk?"
All the dragon did was puff smoke out of his nostrils.
"Yeah. I think sleeping in will be fine. Butahka doesn't need me until he can set up a match. And I don't have to do anything important until Xīngqíwǔ."
Saying that helped Zuko remember the date he had accidentally acquired for that day. He still wasn't entirely sure how it had happened, but he did agree to go.
Suddenly, Zuko realized that he didn't have anything ready.
"Kwon's. Do I have to dress up to go there?"
Asami was following her morning routine, brushing her hair while listening to her radio. Usually, it was just background noise she kept one before she was ready. But today's story was interesting to her.
"Last night, a masked man saved a woman from being assaulted by a member of the Agni Kai Triad. Officials are still looking for more details."
Surprised, Asami turned her chair to listen to the report more closely. This was certainly more interesting than some singer's affair or stock predictions.
Hearing about someone being attacked or saved always took her mind back to that night. The last time she saw her mother. She was glad that she was able to recognize that it was just one bad bender as opposed to all of them being bad, but it wasn't the sort of thing that one forgot.
Still, she wasn't sure if the city's current state warranted a vigilante though. Republic City wasn't the safest place in the world, especially at night, but she didn't know if things were that bad. Although, with all that Equalist stuff going on and the conflict with benders going on, anything was possible right now.
Shaking her head, Asami decided to focus on finishing up. She still needed to show her father something. And she had to decide what she was going to wear on her date.
She also wondered if she could buy tickets to see a match in person.
Mako was busy drilling himself in basic jabs when Bolin started to bother him.
"Mako, you need to hear this."
Bolin was dragging the gym's radio closer, which made a loud screeching sound that drew mako out of his training mindset. With no way to get back into it any time soon, he decided to just listen and see what his little brother wanted.
"While the victim herself is being protected by police, the city is now on the lookout for the masked man who defeated a triad enforcer. Citizens are advised to report any sightings and avoid interaction."
Mako was intrigued by the report for a variety of reasons. The main one being that whoever the guy that they were talking about was, he was still alive after taking on a member of the triad. Not a lot of people could make such a claim. And while he didn't know much about the Agni Kai triad, if they were anything like Triple Threat, then they would want revenge on him soon.
There was also the whole mask thing. It made sense to Mako. Going after triads was something that could cost you your head. So doing it without letting them know what you look like was a good way to keep your head for a little while longer.
"What do you think? It's crazy, right Mako?"
The older firebender just shrugged.
"Real newsworthy. Now, why don't you just help me so we can get ready Bolin? If we do well, we'll be on the radio too."
"Oh! That's a good point."
His brother now convinced, both Mako and Bolin trained to make sure they were in shape. They hoped that Hasook would show up, but that seemed less likely every second.
They might need a new waterbender if this keeps up. But where were they going to get one?
Tenzin was often worried that his father did not take certain situations as seriously as he should. This radio report being one of them.
"Father, shouldn't we tell Lin what you know?"
Aang waved off his son's concerns.
"There's is no need for that son. He means no harm to anyone. There's no need to worry about that."
"That's not what worries me, father. I'm more concerned about the current social unrest," Tenzin explained. "You know that the situation with the equalists is becoming more... complicated. A masked man fighting people in the streets isn't exactly going to make things better."
"Maybe. But I don't think it will make things worse," Aang said calmly as he took a sip of tea. "I've told you, son. My time is nearing its end. Soon, I will need to pass the torch to the next generation. My next life included."
The way his father said that so casually and easily had Tenzin worried. He knew that his father was well into his golden years, but he wasn't used to seeing him that way. He didn't think he would ever be able to accept it easily.
"Father, you are still the avatar. Even if you cannot fight the way you used to, that doesn't mean you don't have influence," Tenzin argued. He didn't like the idea of having to hope for anyone else to fix his problems. "Go to the press and speak to the people. You are a renowned peacemaker. I'm certain you can find the right things to say. You always have."
"Not always. You know this Tenzin," Aang pointed out sadly. The same case came to mind. "And besides, times have changed since my last speech. The world is different. The things I say might not resonate as strongly with the people of this city."
Tenzin was becoming a little impatient. He loved and revered his father, but he sometimes wondered if he did not take his responsibilities as Avatar as seriously as he should. He knew it wasn't his place to criticize, but Tenzin did inherit that trait from his mother. And possibly his uncle.
"Father, if you don't intend to involve yourself with the city's current crisis, what do you plan to do?"
Aang finished his tea before answering. "I think I should go back to the South Pole. I feel bad for leaving your mother there. And I am certain that her company would be a great comfort to my old spirit."
"Father..."
"Tenzin, I know my days are numbered. And I want to spend the end with my wife."
Surprisingly, Aang warmly clasped Tenzin's shoulder.
"When you reach my age, you will see just how important family is. But maybe you can learn it now. Why don't you go with your children?"
"Dad, I..."
"Sometimes I wonder if you ever did learn the true airbenders spirit," Aang joked. "Tenzin, times change as quickly as an air current can change direction. I've known for a long time now that my story would never be eternal. These problems the world is facing are new ones. New ideas are needed to solve them. And I am just an old man."
"An old man who controls all four elements and has immense spiritual power," Tenzin pointed out.
Aang chuckled. "Son, you may realize one day that those traits do not exactly make me all that special."
"Dad..."
"Tenzin, I meant it when I said that you should be with your family. These are times you should cherish. And that is what I intend to do."
As Aang walked away to prepare for his trip, Tenzin was left to consider.
Tenzin wished he could take his father's advice. He wished that he could simply take his advice and spend more time with Penman and his kids. He wished he could just let Aang go and be with Katara at the South Pole. Even Kya and Bumi would appreciate that.
But they both had responsibilities. Even if Aang was certain that his time was up, Tenzin still had time. And he would do what he could to try and maintain peace in Republic City. The city was Aang's legacy, and Tenzin would not see it tarnished. Not in this lifetime.
Lin tried not to stress herself too much. Focus on her job, certainly. That was why she was so good at it.
But if there was one thing she learned since taking office, it was that taking too much stress would eventually hinder her ability to do the work. She also tried to avoid doing interrogations herself. The rest of the precinct agreed with her in that regard. If she got too heated during a talk, things would end up breaking. And no one wanted to risk their desks or their bones.
Which made it strange that she was the one talking to Mei-Lin right now. The same woman that called in last night's report. She normally wouldn't talk to victims, but this case sounded like it needed her attention.
"Alright, so run it by me again. You were walking home when...?"
"I stayed later at work for extra money. I was taking a shortcut when a man... approached me."
Lin had heard so many cases start like that, she could probably write a biography based on those experiences alone. It was so common. But what wasn't common was what came after the setup.
"What happened after that?"
"The man... got closer. I think he was about to assault me." Mei Lin was remarkably calm for someone who had just gone through an experience like that. Lin had to give her credit for that.
"And?"
"That's when the person in the mask showed up. I don't know who he was. But he beat the other man and let me go home safely."
And that was the source of Lin's frustration. As a rule, and as police chief, she did not approve of anyone who tried to take the law into their own hands. There were rules for a reason, and if people wanted to enforce them, then they needed training first.
"Is there anything you can tell us about this man? Anything distinguishing?"
"Everything he was wearing was black, including the mask. And he had a scabbard on his back. I think he was carrying swords. But I don't know what he would use them for."
Swords? Ok, that was out of the ordinary. With the increase in taser technology and the invention of pepper spray, most people didn't need those old-fashioned weapons. Additionally, there were a lot of self-defense classes in the city now, all of which taught unarmed combat. So this vigilante was an eccentric with a taste for the old. That might be helpful.
"And you said he was a non-bender?"
"I don't know actually. At least, not for sure. He didn't use any bending during the fight with the other man, but maybe he just hid it. I can't say for certain."
If he was a non-bender, then he was skilled enough to take on a bender alone. It would explain the swords too, needing a weapon for defense. Alternatively, if he was a bender, it meant he was skilled enough to not need it when fighting a triad member.
Lin wasn't sure which option sounded the most worrying.
"Alright. That should be all for now Miss Min. Is there anything else you need?"
"Not that I can think of. No."
"Then I'll talk to my men and see about getting you released from here. Have a nice day."
"Chief, wait." Lin turned to the woman, who seemed worried for a different reason now. "He's not going to get arrested himself, is he? The man in the mask."
Lin frowned. "Ma'am, he broke the law. And vigilantism cannot be tolerated with Republic City. I'm afraid the choice isn't mine to make."
"Chief, he saved me. I don't want to imagine what would happen if he hadn't shown up."
Lin didn't have any way to answer that. "Tell you what ma'am. When I find him, I'll offer him a job."
"And a pair of handcuffs." It was a thought she kept to herself.
Amon was silent as he allowed the radio to finish its report.
"According to witness reports, this masked man took down a member of the Agni Kai triad using only his bare hands. One can only wonder what this mysterious wanderer's motives are."
"One can only wonder indeed."
Amon was... curious. This was not the first time a non-bender had attempted to fight back against a bender. History was full of such examples. But this was the first thing he had heard of one making headlines like this throughout the city.
Of course, if this person was a non-bender, then having them join the Equalists would be a boon for him. Having someone who could reach such notoriety in one night on his side would bring more non-benders to his side. And the equalist movement would be even stronger than he could ever hope for.
"Sir? How do you wish to proceed?"
Amon turned to his enforcer.
"Find this man and... extend an invitation. If he is as tired as us by living under the bender's grip, then we should be glad to have him join."
"And if he isn't?"
Amon turned away. "You already know the answer to that. We can't have wildcards placing our plans at risk."
This is where I will be stopping for now. As you can tell, this chapter is mostly just set up for what is to come. Everyone is reacting to Zuko's alter ego in different ways, and these reactions will determine the actions taken later on through the story. I'm looking forward to it.
Also, the next chapter will see Zuko's first attempt at dating in seventy years. That ought to be interesting.
Anyway, please leave reviews, tell me what you think, and I will see you all next time.
Bye!
