The Legend of Korra - Book One: Air

by pavop

During her travel to the Republic City, Korra saves a mysterious man with dark past from drowning. Unknowingly for her it will lead to the events on Multiversal scales. They will be refencered and mentioned other characters, places and events outside ATLA/LOK Universe and even they will appear into the story.

2. A Leaf in the Wind

Lights in the room started flickering as the room itself swing side from side. The sound of bell make know to everyone present in the room that something goes horribly bad.

Patrick was trying to hold a console in the middle of the room despite its constantly swinging. He takes a several levers at console down and up but the sound of bell did not stop. She was fighting with him but he did not want give up. He wanted to control her.

His gaze then turns to the man with grey curly hair, standing at white door with word EXIT above them. He was trying hold the rail as the room swing once more time.

"It is not going to work, Patrick!" he screamed at him. "This is not what she would want!"

Patrick did not listen to him and continued to try take control of the machine they were both inside.

The room swing one more time. "She won't listen to you, Patrick!" screamed the man once more. "Listen to me! TAR-"

Patrick woke up from this nightmare, completely in sweat. After a few minutes of heavy breathing, he noticed that is already a morning.

What the fuck was that?! He put his bare feet on wooden floor just make sure that he still did not dreaming. Luckily feel of the wood proves it.

He then tries collect his thoughts about what happened. It was a memory a few years back. But why did he dream about it now?

He finally managed to calm himself up after that horrible nightmare. "Why did I not met him when he was wearing that stupid scarf?" he rubs his eyes.

"WARNING!" reported a female voice of AI. "An unauthorized person at door! Active a high-level security measurement?"

"Stand down!" Patrick ordered as he gets out of the bed. "Activate silent mode!"

Patrick went to the sliding door, as he opens it, he saw one of Airbender Acolytes, holding a bunch of clothes. "Yes?" Patrick asked him.

"Master Tenzin sends some clothes if you need a change," Acolyte answered him as he hands over him clothes. "And breakfast is ready."

"Thanks for the information," Patrick said.

"And if I can ask, is there someone with you there?"

"Why did you think?" Patrick asked with little bit curiosity, but he knew what the Acolyte was talking about was voice of AI.

"Because when I came close to your room, some female voice warned me not to came any closer or I will be punished."

"There is no one here." Patrick steps out the door so the Acolyte could see an empty room. "Just your imagination." He let the Acolyte look into his room, to prove it.

Acolyte bow down as a form of apologize. "Then I am very sorry."

"It is fine."

"Do you need some directions to the Dining Hall?"

"No, I think I can get there without problem."

Acolyte bow down once more and leaves. Patrick closed the sliding door and puts the clothes on the bed. Thank god that I activated a Level 1 or he would be a pile of dust. But now I have to lower even the radius of sensor. Patrick activated his bracelet and look at settings of his security. Radius when the AI will take security measurements was 15 meters. He lowered it up to minimum. So, when somebody will get really close to the room, it will activate itself.

Patrick then looks at given clothes he put on the bed. It was the same clothes Tenzin and Airbender Acolytes wears. No, I will not wear that, he shakes his head.

Korra sat down at the table in a Dining Hall. Opposite to her was Tenzin, currently eating the breakfast. Front of her was plate of vegetables, but she was not paying attention to it. She was currently eating the words of newspapers she was reading, currently news about sport.

"And, in the final round, the Buzzard Wasps won with decisive knockout!" Korra read the newspapers aloud. Then she put the newspaper on the table. "What about we go to the arena tonight? To see some Pro-Bending matches?" she asked with thrill. She always wanted to visit the famous Pro-Bending Arena of the Republic City.

"This Pro-Bending sport is nothing an insult to the noble tradition of the Bending itself," said Tenzin as he takes a sip of tea.

"Come on, Tenzin! When I was kid, I always dreamed about seeing Pro-Bending match." She pointed out at opened window behind her, where was a great view on great building with golden rooftop. "And I am so close to the Arena."

"Korra, you did not come here to do silly things like watching a Pro-Bending, but finishing your Avatar training."

Then they both noticed that Patrick come to the Dining Hall.

"Good morning," he said as he sits to the table beside Korra.

"Good morning," she replied. "Oh... I almost forget to thank you for that I can stay at Republic City"

"Yeah, yeah, you welcome," Patrick said tired. He was in no mood for getting a thanks from her.

Tenzin noticed he was still wearing those strange clothes from yesterday. "I see you do not take those clothes I sent to you," he remarked.

"No offense but I like my own style."

"None taken." Tenzin then saw that Patrick was seems off. "Are you well?"

"I just had a rough waking up," Patrick answered. "Nothing more." He yawned. "And what you two was arguing about?"

"About Pro-Bending," Korra answered, then a big smile appears on her face as she gets an idea. If Tenzin do not want to go with her to the Arena, maybe Patrick could. "Want to go with me, to see some matches?" she asked.

"Korra, I think you should stay on the Island, until you finish your training," Tenzin cooled her down her enthusiasm.

She looks at her Airbender Master with slight disappointed. "That is why there is so many Sentries of White Lotus?"

Patrick takes a look at the group of armored men, standing in Dining Hall. They wore a blue uniform with insignia of lotus on their helmets. Patrick remembers how they search him before he could enter the Dining Hall. He remembered that on his Earth was also organization called White Lotus but they go into secrecy because of Mongols.

"They are here because for training you need a calm, quite environment, free from any distraction," Tenzin explained.

Or you can just say that they are here for her protection, Patrick thought about Tenzin's answer. He once more takes look at the Sentries, and he could already tell that some of his old "friends" could easily mop the floor with them. They at least could send some good one, he judged them how they were spread out across the Dining Hall and it was quite amateurish approach.

"All right, you are the master," Korra said smiling softly. She needed keep good relationship with Tenzin, or he could change his mind and sent her back. And who knows, maybe Tenzin in time will let her to see Pro-Bending.

"So, what we have for breakfast?" Patrick asked, looking at an empty bowl before Tenzin. Probably it would be some vegetables, based on what he sees in Korra's bowl, which from she started finally eating.

"Today is a specialty," Tenzin answered. "You have to go to the kitchen at the end of the Hall."

Patrick noticed woman holding a bowl coming from the kitchen and she was approaching to them.

She had dark brown hair and green eyes. She wore same clothes as the other Acolytes but there was something more. She was pregnant. According to size to her belly, Patrick could tell she was very close to give a birth. Patrick also noticed she shared some similarities with Jinora and Ikki. She had to be their mother.

Korra immediately started smiling when she saw her. "Pema!" She wanted greet her yesterday but she did not have an opportunity.

"Good morning, Korra," she replied back with greater smile.

"You did not have to come here," Tenzin said to her.

"I think I can still do some things, even in my state," Pema replied to her husband. She then turns to Patrick as she sits down beside Tenzin. "And I wanted to see the young man, about which was such fuss about yesterday from Jinora." She smiled and extend her hand to Patrick and gives the bowl full of vegetables before him. "My name is Pema. Mother of Jinora, Ikki and Meelo. And wife of this nice looking, bald Airbender beside me."

"Patrick," he shakes her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Patrick." Pema closely look at his sweatshirt. "You must be very far away, because I never saw this kind of clothes before." She started slowly read the word Addidas on his chest.

"Yes, I am," he said and start eating the breakfast. He really needed make a better excuse.

"Well… I have to go back into the kitchen. It cannot manage itself alone." Pema gets up. "It is been nice to finally see you, Patrick. I hope we can talk more soon. Enjoy your breakfast."

"Thank you." Patrick continued in eating. Today breakfast was made out of Carrots, Kohlrabi and other vegetables. It gives Patrick hint that Airbenders is a Vegan Nation. But he didn't mind. It tasted great.

Suddenly Jinora comes to the table in hurry. "Dad, everything is ready!" She turns to Patrick and started smiling and blush a little. "Hi, Patrick."

"Hi, Jinora," Patrick nodded.

"Thank you, Jinora," Tenzin said and gets up. "Come, Korra. Before we commence your training, you should wear a tradional clothes of Air Nomad."

"Good." Korra gets up and follow him out of the Dining room.

"So…I should go too. See you later," Jinora said and she was about to get up.

"Jinora, before you go," Patrick stopped her, "do you have some books?"

In the moment when she heard that question, her smile grows even bigger. "Which one? I have many in my room!"

"Well… I would like to borrow them all, if you don't mind."

Jinora's smile quickly changed into completely shock. "You… want borrow all 137 books?"

137? Somebody's here is quite book lover. That number did not surprised Patrick. In his Universe he had a much more books at home. "Yes," he answered. "I hope you do not mind."

"Not at all. Just wait here for a minute." Jinora gets up and leave. Still, she was completely shocked about his request but eventually she could be close to him.

Korra struggled with Air Nomad clothes she had on her. She was so used on her clothes from the Water Tribe, mostly made from fur. These clothes were too much loose and soft for her liking. But she was intended to learn Airbending.

She was going with Tenzin outside of the temple underneath a wooden shed. "My mother informed me that you were never able to Airbender before," Tenzin begun their conversation after while of silence. "Not even close."

Korra stopped and started to think what she might doing wrong in matters of mastering Airbending. She cannot find one, so she gave a frustrated sighs and placing her right hand on the head. "Yes, but I do not know why," she tried to explain that. "The other elements come so easily to me. But every single time I was tried Airbending," she sticked out tongue and blows a raspberry, "completely nothing."

Tenzin come to her and place hand on her shoulder to make her feel better. "It is alright. You just need to be a little patience." He rolls down her sleeves, which she rolls up right after she takes the clothes. Now you look like a proper Air Nomad. "Every Avatar has problem to master the element, which was complete opposite to the Avatar's personality. For my father it was a Earthbending."

Korra gave him a sad look after hearing this fact. "In that case, I am completely opposite an Airbender."

Tenzin turn around and resume walking. "Well, let's begin our training."

Tenzin led her to the Training Area of the Temple. As they both climb up to the stone stairs Korra saw the three young Air Nomads at the top and behind them some kind of training mechanism made out by wooden rotating gates.

"Korra is going to be a Airbender!" screamed Ikki as she was jumping full of excitement.

"What is that contraption?" Korra asked as she was pointing out on the mechanism. During her training at South Water Tribe, she saw some strange exercise tools, brought by White Lotus. But she never seen anything like this.

"It is an ancient tool that will teach you the most fundamental aspects of Airbendin," Tenzin explained and looked at his eldest daughter. "Jinora, would you like explain this exercise?"

Jinora comes forward to the mechanism. "The goal is to weave your way through the gates and make to the other side without even touching them."

Korra smiles at this "challenge". "Seems easy enough."

"But you have to make it through when those gates are spinning," added Ikki.

Tenzin make a Airbending stance, he elevates his hands and then thrust them forward, releasing a burst of air. The air then makes all gates spinning around.

Tenzin then picked up one the leaf on the ground and released it towards to gates with Airbending. "The key is become the leaf. Flow with the movement of the gates." He then turns to Jinora. "Jinora, could you please?"

Jinora goes to the gates and started weave among them, truly like that leaf. "Airbending is all about spiral movements. When you meet resistance, you must be able to switch at a moment's notice," Tenzin continued in explanation.

As Tenzin was finished with explaining, Jinora was almost on the other side of the training mechanism. For her was so easy to get it right because since the moment when her Airbending powers shows up, she was constantly training with mechanism.

Patrick was taking a walk around outside the Temple. He needed some fresh air after reading some of the Jinora's book and he needed to stretch a little. Eventually he found Tenzin, Korra, Jinora, Ikki and Meelo standing at some wooden device made by spinning gates.

Well, let's take a look at Korra's training, he thought as he decided to join them. In the end it won't hurt to see how Airbenders is training. He could use that in possible scenario where he would fight against Airbender. Who knows what this his exile hideout will bring? He had to be prepared for everything.

"Hello, Patrick!" Meelo greeted him. "You came a just right time. It's Korra's turn."

"Really?" he asked, looking at little bald boy.

Meelo wanted to explain to him how the training with mechanism would go. "Yes! Do you k-"

"She had to make through and not touch those spinning gates," Patrick interrupted him. "Am I right?"

"Yes, you are right!" Meelo said with amusement.

Only idiot would not find out what that thing is for. Patrick then turns his gaze on Korra, which she was going forward to the mechanism. This could be fun to watch.

Korra started looking at the spinning gates. You can do it! she motivated herself in spirit. "Let's do this!" she said and with determination run towards the gates.

But how she quickly gains confidence, she quickly loses it as she hit one of the gates. Then she slams right into next one and next one. And with each encounter come pain. Tenzin could feel that pain just watching it. Korra continued to hit more gates and then the mechanism itself tossed her out.

You. Can. Do. This! Korra quickly scrambles back on the feet and goes back. But again, she was hit with another gate.

"Do not force your way through!" Jinora calls on her. Her younger siblings decided also help.

"Dance! Dance like the wind!" Ikki called.

"Be the leaf!" Meelo yelled.

Patrick also decided to encourage her, but in different way. "You missed one on the left!" Patrick said aloud. The all present Airbenders turned to him with puzzled faces. "What? At least she could fail with full grace," he said to them with innocent look on his face.

Tenzin turns back to Korra, and continue witnessing how she constantly slams into every gate of the mechanism. He sighs with frustration and shakes head. Well at least she failed with full grace. This is going take a time.

Rest of the day quickly passed. It was a deep night and Korra stood in the courtyard. Front of her was a newspaper hung up on the string. The image of Beifong was looking at her. She thought this could be a great motivation for her since she was very upset that today she was not capable weave through the mechanism.

She constantly thrusting her hands forward, imagining that she was sending an Air Blast at Beifong, but still nothing.

"Come on!" she ordered.

Patrick sat down at nearby stairs a few meters from her and watching all this "practicing" of Airbending. Naga was beside him and watching these attempts too.

"I think it moved!" Patrick mockingly commented that. "Wait… it was just a breeze."

Korra had it enough. "Can you please stop that! I am trying!" She was so frustrated right now. She thrust her hands again. Nothing happened. "Aaargh!" Now, full anger she sent small fire on the newspaper, burning it alongside the string.

"That is a solution too," Patrick said sarcastically.

"Maybe I am not cut out to be an Airbender," she said to herself out laud. Right now, she needed to think on something else. Luckily that something else make itself know soon.

"Ladies and gentleman!" said the male voice from the radio. Its source was coming from one of the buildings, where guards was stationed. "I am coming to you live from Republic City's Pro-Bending Arena. Tonight, will bring us matches between the best in the world for spot in upcoming Championship Tournament."

That might be good, Korra thought. She turns to Patrick. Even though he was constantly made her angry at last hours of training, she was still trying to break the ices between them. "Do you want also listen?"

"No, I am good," he declined. "I am just going to enjoy the view."

"Very well, suit yourself. Could you at least keep an eye on Naga, please?"

Patrick nodded as accepting her request. He then watched as she was climbing at the top of the building, minimalize the chance to someone spotted hearing the Pro-Bending from the radio.

He sighs and turns his gaze to the view on the Republic City. Except from that radio, it was completely quiet and peaceful night at the Island. Lights from street lamps, buildings and etc. outlines the city. It was like watching Las Vegas from the desert but in this case the Republic City was more innocent.

Naga lied down her head to his legs and he instinctively started stroke it. She was still probably was smelling his own dog. "Back home, I have someone like you girl," he said quietly. He wanted to enjoy this peaceful moment so much, in the end this could be one of the last one.

He then noticed a sound of coming steps. When he turns, he saw Tenzin coming to him.

"Patrick, do you know where Korra is?" he asked and looks around. "She is about to go to the bed very soon, for continue of her training."

Patrick did not answer his question. Then Tenzin heard a radio, describing a currently running Pro-Bending match, and he put it together. He grunts. "She is not really making it easy." He turns around wanted to go to the building to confront her.

"Give her at least five minutes," Patrick said and that make him stop. "After today, she deserved it."

Tenzin turned to him back. "I do not think you understand this, but she as Avatar has important duties that does not concludes listening this Pro-Bending nonsense."

"Oh, I understand," Patrick replied. What he learned from Jinora's books that Avatar was some kind of natural protector in this World in this Universe, where thanks to some kind of "reincarnation" appears in each nation once a lifetime. They called it an Avatar Cycle. And despite her manners, Korra was in fact a higher being. But for Patrick it was nothing extraordinary, because he met several similar beings during his travels. Even those more powerful than the Avatar.

"But she is also a young girl with emotions," Patrick continued. "And not some kind of tool you sharp, Tenzin."

Tenzin felt now a little bit insulted. "Excuse me but I think you are a mistaken." He makes step closer to him. "I care for her. But like I said before she is an Avatar and like every Avatar before her, including my father, she has the responsibility to keep the balance of this world. And as the one of the last remaining Airbenders, it is my duty to prepare her for that."

Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Patrick thought. He heard this excuse so many times. Especially when he was growing up.

"And if you excuse me, I go to make sure she is early in bed," Tenzin turns around and head straight into building. "Have a good night, Patrick."

I tried to slow him down, so hopefully you had enough fun, Patrick thought as he turns his gaze at Korra, who was sitting down on rooftop of the building. He then starts feeling that his bracelet was vibrating. He takes a look at display and it said that he receives a hologram massage.

He gets up from the ground. "Sorry girl, but I have some important massage to listen to," he said to Naga and head back into the Temple, leaving the Polar Bear-Dog to continue watching the city.

Korra was sitting down on the edge of the roof. A few meters below her was a group of White Lotus Sentries, gathered to listen a live description of today match. Tonight, was match of The Fire Ferrets.

"Mako advanced, fires two quick shots," the Announcer in radio said. "Yomo is now at zone three! Can he hold on when is almost over? He's teetering on the edge if the ring now." Korra was so excited hearing how the match was progressing. She almost felt like she was there. "The Fire Ferrets is prepa-"

Suddenly it was completely silenced. What? she asked herself when a shock come through her. Electricity was still working then why the radio was shut down. She could not look at it, otherwise the Sentries will spot her. Then familiar voice gave her answer on what happened.

"Korra, could you please come down?" Tenzin requested.

She peeked down and saw three scared White Lotus members and front of them was standing Tenzin. They were scared, because they were supposed to be on duty, but she knew she was the only one in trouble now.

Sentries step back when they saw her descending to them. "You shut it off at the best part!" she said frustrated.

"I thought I made myself clear about this nonsense," he said.

"But you did not say nothing about listening," Korra said as counter-argument. "And it is their radio."

Tenzin grunts. "You know what I meant. And I think you should head straight into bed. Your training continues tomorrow and we have a lot of work ahead."

"Fine," Korra accepted completely frustrated. She still needed to be on his good side, otherwise Tenzin could send her back.

After she leaves Tenzin turns to the Sentinels. "I will have word about this with your superiors." And without more word he follows Korra outside.

When Patrick entered into his room, he immediately closes door behind him and activated a security system. He did not want anyone see that he was about to read his Inter-Multiverse message. He takes a look on display of his bracelet, to see who was a sender. It was Irving.

Irving was from Universe 112 in Multiverse 43. In this Universe humans never came to exist so the only dominant specie on Earth was apes. In the present Irving's people are very close to become an interstellar civilization, but the only problem is that most planets in their Universe is not habitable, at least in their known galaxy, so they have no colonies whatsoever. And they still did not find or contact any other intelligent lifeform in their Universe.

Irving as astrophysicist was one their top scientists and head of their Terraforming program, in their endless attempts to finally conquer the stars. Even though they still did not have a success at all, Irving was not about to give up.

Patrick took a deep breath, preparing himself for Irving's "speaking into the soul", which he sometimes does to Patrick or some other members of their group – The Pact, when he does not agree with their decision.

Patrick hit a play button and light from bracelet manifest an Irving's message. Before Patrick stood a huge orangutan, wearing a tweed jacket and pants with glasses on. He was completely blue due to color of the light of the hologram.

"Hello, Patrick," Irving greeted. "Since you activated a silence mode, I can only send you message. According what I see, you are…" He checked if he still has his glasses on while he was looking at computer screen. "In Black Zone? How the hell did you managed to get there?" he asked a little bit shocked but he quickly continued in topic. "But that does not matter now. X told me about your condition. About your tumor."

Ah that fucking mutated geneticist! Cannot keep a fucking secret. Patrick made himself a mental note that next he encounters an X, he will break his jaw for this.

"I know that point of our group is to be cold and ruthless if that is necessary to achieve our goals," Irving continued. "And we all have blood on our hands, because we did those things, not just you. But this…" Irving paused for moment.

"Great, here we go," Patrick said to himself.

"But I believe you still can try to do some good. Just like me doing for my people," Irving said. "Just give a life another chance. Not like that stupid, drunk, idiot Rick."

This gave a Patrick a chuckle when he heard Irving mention Rick. Ever since these knew each other, there was a little war between them two. It's started when Rick loudly doubted one of the Irving's theories. Then there was argument between them, where Rick added some impropriate jokes with theme of Planet of the Apes. Irving counter attacked with it if Rick would care about his daughter at all he would never abandon her and then using her home as hideout. And from that moment they were constantly sabotaging each other. It is even escalated into fist fight, which Irving won, thanks to his natural strength. Rick after that tried to get into his Irving's vault, even using his own grandson as bait for the Irving's security system, but he was not successful at all, which pissing him off.

Patrick paused the hologram message; he did not need listen the rest. He activated recording of his own message.

"Irving, I appreciate your concern, but how I will going live my own end is my own decision. Not yours. And if you will talk to X again, say to him that I will kick his ass or better I will tip off the Tribunal about his recent activity. So long, friend." He ends recording and sent the message.

He headed straight into bed, with hope for better night then last time. How he was wrong.

Patrick came into dark room with table in middle of it. On it was a young woman tied up. Patrick came to the table closer with suitcase in his hand.

"You think, you will get away from this?!" she screamed. "They will find you!"

"Maybe, but not in the time," Patrick said in a cold voice. "Because the only one from them, who can decrypt my coding, is currently off the planet. So…" He opened a suitcase and pull from it several torture devices to the table. "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." He looks directly into her blue eyes. "I just need those codes."

"Go to hell!" She looked him like the cornered animal with nothing to lose. Ready to tear him apart if she was not tied up. "She and others will send you there soon and he will not be there this time to save you!"

Patrick did not react on her threat at all. He kept his cold stone face. "So, the hard way." He pickup one of the torture devices. "You know, many would call this inhumane, but you are not human at all. You are just a magical construct wrapped in flesh and with false memories of being her little sister." He paused for moment. "Then let's begin."

He activated device and stab it into her body. The young woman screamed in pain.

"FFFUUUUCKKKK!" Patrick yelled as he waked up. He was breathing heavily. He looks on his hands, they were shaking. In fact, his entire body was shaking from that shock. "What the fuck was that?"

It was another memory of his. But never before he dreamed about it. Maybe it was side effect of his tumor? Maybe. But now he needed to calm up.

After breakfast, Korra followed Tenzin into the pavilion, where she, him and the kids will meditate as part of the process being the Airbender.

Minutes passed and Korra was still not in state of meditation. She takes a look at the kids beside her and Tenzin front of them, and they all have a closed eyes and looked so peaceful.

You can do this. Just have a calm mind. She closes her eyes and tried it again. After minute she scratches her back after all that siting. And still nothing happened.

She looked again on the rest of the group, if she doing something wrong. Maybe if I straighten my back, it will go easy then. So, she does it but still nothing.

"I think I'm doing it wrong," she said in defeated voice of tone.

"You do not to have doing nothing. Just let your mind and spirit be free. Air is a free element." Tenzin tried to instruct her, but Korra gave him a little laugh. "Did I say something funny?" he asked confused.

"Yes. I have to embrace the freedom but I cannot listen the radio and leave the Island."

"Please, Korra." He pointed at his son. "Look at the Meelo. Did you not see how he is able meditate peacefully?"

She looked at young Airbender at her left. A big green bubble was coming out his nose and he was snoring.

"I think he is sleeping."

Tenzin looked at his son surprised. "What? Well… at least he is relaxing."

This was not helping Korra at all. "Whatever. Still, I cannot get any of this Airbending stuff." She was very frustrated and angry that she was not capable of any progress. She honestly thought that training with Tenzin will finally solve the problem. But it looks like it will not.

"I know you are very frustrated but believe in a process. One day you will control the Air," he tried to comfort her and closed the eyes.

Korra takes a deep breath and closes her eyes again. But after few seconds, she gave up. "Well, nothing is happening." She needed take a break, so she gets up and walks away. "I am going to get glass of lychee juice."

"Korra, meditation session is not over yet!" Tenzin tried to stop her. He then looked at Ikki, which she was smiling at him.

"Can I have some juice too, Dad?"

"No," he refused. Ikki smile disappeared and Meelo, completely sleeping, falls on the ground. This session was over. At least Jinora was successful.

Korra takes a glass in the Dining Hall and fill it with lychee juice. She was starting drink it when she turns around, she almost spit it all out of the shock what she sees. Patrick sat at one of the tables and he was surrounded by at least hundreds of books.

By the spirits! She still could not believe what she sees.

Patrick, currently reading one of the books, noticed her presence. "I guess the meditation did not work out," he said, not even lift his eyes from book.

"You are going to read all this?" she asked. She still counting again and again the amount of the books, and it was truly over a hundred.

"I already did the most of it," Patrick answered. He then pointed out on two books set aside. "Only these two remains."

"What?!" Korra squeaked. She also read some books back when she grows up on South Water Tribe from White Lotus and probably Tenzin will give her some literature about Air Nomads. But she never read such amount and in such short time.

"Can I help you with something?" Patrick put down the book and looked at her.

"Well…You could perhaps take my place in my Airbending training," Korra answered jokingly.

"I think Tenzin would notice that," Patrik replied to that also jokingly.

"At least you could have some success. I can't even mediate properly," she said frustrated.

"Korra, I don't think that is the only thing on your mind, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, that you want to go out. Into the city. But Tenzin will not let you go. If ever."

Korra started thinking. Patrick was right, she wanted explore the Republic City. And except her awkward "first visit", she never had chance.

Then Jinora come to join them, breaking her thinking. "Korra, could you please return back? Dad is slowly losing patience."

Korra takes a sip from glass of juice and sighs. "Good. I will go."

Jinora turns to Patrick and starts blushing. "I see that you have read most of it already."

"Yes, I do," Patrick replied. "Do you have more books on the Island?"

"Sadly no, but the city has library. You could find more books there."

"Good. Thanks for the information."

Korra watched all time how Jinora was looking at Patrick with amorous look. She kind of feel weird being present with them in that moment. I will going try that meditation one more time. She empty rest of the glass of juice and goes back to the pavilion.

"I should go too. See you soon, Patrick," Jinora said and followed her.

"I will return those books to you today!" Patrick said aloud before she leaves.

After an hour Patrick finished the last of the Jinora's books. When he knew local fauna, flora and ancient known history, he needed something recent. He needed to go to the library Jinora mention, for some more recent information. Also, he needed to know a city little bit. Luckily, a ferry sailed to the Island and back into the Republic City very often.

Once he was in the city, he started looking for the library. It was not hard and during the journey he take coordinates, mainly of back alleys, so when he needed to teleport, nobody would see him.

In the library he takes a look at newspaper archive and final piece of puzzle came together. Apparently, this world had behind war known as "One Hundred Year War", where main bad guy was a Fire Nation. In its final years Fire Nation was led by Fire Lord Ozai. Against him was a young boy, an Avatar Aang and his group of friends. Sokka, Katara, Suki, Toph Beifong and Ozai's only son Zuko. At last Ozai was defeated by Aang in a final battle and taken into the prison. Zuko then take his position as ruler of Fire Nation.

Big mistake kids. You should kill him, Patrick thought. From his experiences, even locked up tyrant can cause a lot of problems.

He then read how after the war Aang founded the Republic City with help of his friends. So, this is why that this city has that stupid name. They were still mostly kids when they found their own city state.

After that Aang was tried to keep the peace in the city with help of Toph Beifong, whose were a Police Chief during that time, until his death.

During gathering more information, Patrick came a across article about inventor of Satomobiles – Hiroshi Sato. It was about how group of gangsters from gang know as Agni Kai broke into his home and kill his wife during failed robbery. In that article was a family photo of married couple Satos with their only daughter Asami.

He then found another article about Sato family, now more recent, where Hiroshi opened another factory in the city. In photo was beside him, his grown-up daughter. It was most beautiful woman he ever saw in his life.

It was a deep night when he was back in his room on the Island. He just returns from the dinner made by Pema. He was about to prepare to go sleep when his bracelet started vibrating. He looked on the display and it was incoming call from X.

That was quick, Patrick thought. He activated the hologram call.

Before Patrick stood cat in human size, standing on hind legs and tattered black clothes. His left side of the face had complete metallic prosthetic with red dot instead of eye, his other eye was a normal cat's eye. Instead of his right arm was a cyborg arm with claws, but X could turn it into various weapons he would need. Also, his right leg was cybernetic, which he used if he needed to fly.

X came from Universe 12 in Multiverse 112. In his Universe, X, real name Francis Xamon, was a famous geneticist, whose ultimate goal was an improve human race whatever the cost. In last several years he was attempting to transfer animal traits into humans. But in his last experiment where was working with cat's DNA ended up catastrophically. Explosion happened and he was exposed to the substance. He was completely turned into cat mutant but that was not all. Explosion gravely injured him, almost cost him his life. So, to survive he had to apply nanomachines, whose turn him into cyborg.

Until the Pact discovered him on his Earth, he was hiding from everyone, but he was still experimenting and he was still pursuing his goal to improve human race. Members of the Pact decided to recruit him, because of his expertise in genetics. He then started using the technology, they gave him, to travel through Multiverses, to continue in his experiments. And those experiments always brought up a lot of problems for everyone involved.

"So, you are going to threaten me with the Tribunal!" he said angrily and make one step closer to Patrick.

"Well, if you are going to keep spreading a medical information about my state. Then I think is kind of fair to the Tribunal know about your recent activities."

"Hey, I did not spread any information about your state!" X defended himself.

"Oh, really?" Patrick asked in sarcastic tone. "Who else did you tell?"

"Well…" X started to show a little bit nervosity. "Irving… Veidt…Eobard…Agnes."

Patrick looked him in disbelief. "So, you are basically told everyone int the Pact." He knew that is a matter of time before Rick give him call too.

"Hey, it is not my fault! I just wanted to ask them if in their Universes have this type of tumor and if they find a way to cure it. Or if they encounter the cure during their travels. Nothing more."

"Let me ask you something? Do I ask you to do such thing?" Patrick paused for second. "No, I do not remember such thing, because I did not ask you to do it!"

"As a medical doctor-"

"Don't you dare to pull that!" Patrick interrupted him. "No, medical doctor I know would create a bunch of bloodthirsty mutants and then let them roam free!" Patrick referred to incident a year back. X had in one of the alternate Universes a secret lab, where he created mutants. He left that Universes for few days and the mutants managed to escape from the laboratory and they kill the locals on the planet. When the Pact discovered what happened, they decided to send a nuke bomb to purge entire planet before the Tribunal would find out that the mutans came from the lab and find the technology the Pact gave to X.

"How should I know they were so smart back then?"

Patrick could not believe his ears. He wanted to punch him right now. "YOU CREATED THEM! You of all people should know how smart they were!" X wave hand on that front of him. "Don't wave your hand! Agnes had to send a nuke to clean up your mess and make sure the Tribunal did not know about your laboratory! We all almost pay for your mistake!"

X wanted to say something but he decided rather be silent. Same was to Patrick. Minutes passed and their both had calm up.

"I just wanted to help," X replied.

"I know, X. But I already made my choice. When I was come to you to that checkup, I just wanted to be sure." Patrick paused for moment, when they were speaking about his tumor, he could ask him now if that tumor had something to do with his nightmares. "But I would ask you about something. Did this tumor has some kind of side effects?"

X was confused by this question. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well…" Patrick sighed. "Last two days, I had nightmares. Very intensive nightmares."

"Nightmares about what?"

"About what I done in my Universe."

"You mean… you know what."

Patrick knew what he meant. "I did not dream about that yet. But those nightmares are precisely my memories. And very detailed."

"All side effects I know this tumor cause is lost of feeling in final stage but maybe you discovered some rare side effects. Or maybe…"

Great, he does not know nothing, Patrick thought has he had to listen to X's speech about all possibilities what could cause his nightmares. From various Multiverses parasites to sudden change for body when someone traveled through alternate Universes.

In meantime, Korra opened a window that gives her a view to entire courtyard of Air Temple. She could see from there a few members of White Lotus guarding the area. She only needed a moment. When she saw one of the White Lotus members to turn around, she takes her chance. She immediately jumped to the ground, nobody heard her. Then she started running away to the cliff.

I just go to see one match and I will be back soon. Nobody will notice that. She jumps from the cliff to the sea and thanks to her Waterbending she started to swim faster. Since she saw how Patrick return back from the city in the ferry, she already had it enough and decided she needed to take break from Tenzin's lectures. Her next stop was Pro-Bending Arena.

Patrick opened the window in his room and started to looking out, so he could ignore the X's crap. He then noticed that something was in underwater, swimming from the Island. It could not be a fish. It was too big. He looks closely, it was a Korra, swimming to the city. He knew what was her destination, when he turns his gaze to the giant illuminated Arena.

Swim, Korra, swim. At least you will have much interesting program then I have right now.

"Wait, where are you even at?" X stopped his chattering and start looking around room where his hologram was projected into. Patrick knew that he will start looking the data through his half cyborg brain. "Oh, shit! Irving was not bullshitting; you are truly in the Black Zone. How did you get there?"

Patrick turns back to him. "Does it matter? There no maneaters or something like that. Just peaceful people." He paused for second. "Too much peaceful to my liking."

"Last time I was in "peaceful Universe", locals there worshiped an avocado! And they wanted to sacrifice me to it!"

"Yeah, you always had bad luck to newly found Universes," Patrick chuckles.

X decided to return to theme about curing Patrick's tumor. Even though he was no exemplary physician he was still a doctor of medicine with oath. And this part still wanted to save Patrick. "Patrick, there can be still a cure for your state."

Patrick sighted from frustration. "And I told you. I made my choice. So do not bother with this anymore." Patrick wanted to end the call already but he could not forgive himself a pungent comment to him. "And do me a favor, do not become a next Wesker when I will be gone."

X was now very furious when he heard that. "Do not compere me to Wesker anymore! I do not have a god complex and I did not ever in my life take my own stuff like him!"

Patrick smiled. "Ok. So long." He ended the call and goes to straight to bed. I probably overdid it with that threat with the Tribunal. Even though X is sometimes an idiot who cannot keep his creations at leash, he still acts as friend.

Threating by the Tribunal was no joke. Patrick called them a bastard child of Galactic Empire and Galactic Federation. Tribunal originated from place they called Universe 0 Multiverse 0, because they believe their Universe is a Prime Universe - the first Universe that ever existed and where the others came to exist. This and the fact that they are no other versions of themselves in existence, gave them feel of superiority over other Universes. In their Universe is only one solar system with one sun and three habitable planets – Reena, Dallan and Ao – nothing else, just pitch black. Before the Tribunal came to be, these three planets wage a war against each other through out centuries. Finally, they make a peace treaty and created a collective government – The Tribunal, led by three high officials, each controlling different parts of the Tribunal. High Admiral, who was commanding their fleets and ground forces. High Lawgiver, who was responsible for laws within the Tribunal and who supervises the courts. And Supreme Scientist, who supervises on every science project within The Tribunal and researching the taken technology from different Universes. Each of these high officials was voted by members of the founding races every ten years and in laws of the Tribunal these posts have to be occupied one from Reena, one Dallan and one from Ao. It is forbidden that two post was occupied by members of the same race.

After some time, the Tribunal created the technology for traveling through the Multiverse and it was just beginning of their expansion. The real golden age came with electing General Koll Molran from Reena into position of High Admiral. She managed to convinced the other two high officials to apply her strategy of "Vassalizing the Universes". In practice it worked so that every not advanced or not powerful Universe or Multiverse could keep their own government and the Tribunal could provide them with protection or technology, in exchange for resources, manpower, knowledge or anything valuable. But if the Universe refused their offer the Tribunal use the force and thanks to that majority of Universes, they have under control accepted vassalization, they are a very powerful. Patrick even heard a rumor they started developing a weapon against the Outer Gods.

Thanks to this strategy Koll became quite popular and she was reelected several times in the row, now it was her fifteenth reelection. Thanks to that she has quite influence over the other two younger high officials. She practically leads the Tribunal. Now the Tribunal except their expansion is focusing on playing the Big Brother for all Multiverses. They started send agents into every Universe they do not control yet. These agents mainly works as watchers to observe the situation and development of their assigned Universe if something would happen that could threaten the Tribunal or benefit it. And unlike the Order of Asan, which was protecting the Multiverses through magic and acting in shadow, they have no problem to show up with full armed fleet into public.

But even powerful the Tribunal has a problem – travelers through Multiverses. Patrick and others who created their own technology to travel or they have an ability to travel through Alternative Universes, for example speedsters, became Koll's thorn in her side. She even put a bounty on their heads. Eventually some of the travelers surrendered and start working for the Tribunal, but still there was many of them who were still independent.

That was one of the reasons why Patrick decided live his final years at Korra's Universe, it was the Black Zone. Here the Tribunal send at least a probe to map this Universe. But still there was a very small chance they already send an agent here. So, he has to keep a low profile.

In the next day he stood with Tenzin, Jinora, Ikki and Meelo right front training mechanism. Korra was again attempting get through the gates again. But yet again she was pushed back. Patrick yawned and could see that she also did not have enough sleep last night. He had another nightmare.

Be like a leaf! Be like a leaf! Korra, now fully angry, run to the gates. But again, she kept hitting them.

"Patience, Korra!" Tenzin said aloud. Even he was now frustrated with Korra's zero progress.

"I think you should find some other words," Patrick commented on that. "It looks like, these ones do not work at all."

One of the gates knocked Korra to her knees. Be like a leaf! BE LIKEA A LEAF! Her patience was over. Burst of anger quickly turn to wave of fire around, burning entire training mechanism into the ashes.

Tenzin, completely shocked, witnessed how all the gates falls victim to the fire. And as the others did.

Korra was in middle of this disaster, exhaling her anger out as she was looking what she done.

"That was a 2000-year-old historic treasure…" Tenzin frowned and his tone of voice change into completely anger. "What… What is wrong with you?!"

"There is nothing wrong me!" Korra answered angrily. "I have been doing what do you ask me! I have been practicing, just like you thought me! But nothing happened!"

"Korra, this is something you cannot force. If you would listen to me –"

"I have been!" Korra cut him off with lauder voice. "Maybe that problem is not in me, but is that you are terrible teacher!" She pointed at him. I need to go elsewhere. She goes away from them.

"Korra!" Patrick called on her.

She stopped and turns to him. "What?!"

"Well, you destroyed the ancient relic of the almost exterminated nation." He raised a thumb up. "Nice one, Avatar!"

Korra turns back and continue walk. It is heard that she murmured something, probably an insult on Patrick. She quickly disappeared among the bushes.

Meelo then comes to his father and pointed finger at him. "Yes, you are a terrible teacher, Dad!" Then he comes to the wreckage and starts kicking into it and playing being Korra destroying it the mechanism.

Somebody needs here a pill for hyperactivity, Patrick thought as he watched Meelo.

Tenzin's daughters did not join to their younger brother in his playing, instead like a good daughters they came to support their father by hugging him.

"I will go find her," Patrick said and he went after Korra.

"Be careful," Tenzin warned him. "She could hurt you."

Like a I would like see her try some shit. He continued without a word. Once he faced a Doomsday for one minute. One teenage girl with elemental powers would not be a problem for him.

It did not take him long before he found her. She was sitting on the lawn before the Woman Dormant. As he was getting close to her, she spotted him.

"Go away!" she yelled at him but he ignored it and keeps going to her. "I said go away!"

"Then make me. With the Air. That would make a great motivation for you."

Korra turns her gaze away and Patrick sit down beside her. Feeling of the grass was pleasant for him. For ordinary men it would be nothing, but for those dying it is something special because it could be a last time, they could touch it.

"What happened? You are frustrated from not enough of sleep because you spent whole night at Arena?"

Korra turns to him with surprised look. "How do you… know that?"

"Well, you can fool a White Lotus and Tenzin but not me. I saw you last night from the window how did you swim into the city."

"I did not plan to stay there whole night. I just wanted to see a just one match of Pro-Bending," Korra explained. "As little bit relax after those two days of Tenzin's teaching." But Bolin had to give me a little training about Earthbending.

Then she remembered how that training was great, much to her style. Not like the boring stuff from Tenzin. She then also remembered that Bolin and Mako has another match tonight and she promised Bolin that she will be there. Now Patrick once again has to decided about her fate in her staying in the Republic City.

"Are you going to tell that to Tenzin?"

"Of course not." Patrik learned from growing with his older sister and brother one very important thing: Never being a snitch.

On Korra's face appeared a smile. "Really? Thank you." For moment she thought if Tenzin would find out about that, he would send her back to South Water Tribe. Now she feels great unburden.

"Well, how about you came back with me to him?" Patrick gets up. "Or he will come here."

Korra's smile disappeared. She was not ready yet to face Tenzin. Anger was still boiled in her. "I think I am going to stay here for a while. You know just being with thoughts."

"Yes, I understand that," Patrick nodded. He remembered that were rare few occasions where he needed also to cool down.

Then Korra came across with idea. "And how about you come with me for tonight match? I think Bolin and Mako would be happy to have another fan with them." She remembered how Mako was to her very cold and hard to please last night. "Well… at least Bolin would be happy."

Patrick wanted to say no, but he was dying and see local sport could be great addition to his "bucket list". "Well…I have nothing better to do. So yes."

"Very well. See you tonight after dinner at the courtyard."

"Good. See you tonight." Patrick turns around and leaves. Who the fuck name it's child Bolin?

Korra turns to view at the ocean and smiles. Maybe this could break the ice between her and this "growler".

It was a deep night when Patrick leaved his room. He activated security system before he continued through corridor to outside. White Lotus Sentries was really terrible in their job. The way how they were spread across the Island and how they were patrolling was so amateurish, Patrick wanted to yell at them and tell them about their mistakes. He easily avoided them and with no complications arrived to the courtyard. He could see Korra waiting there. She was completely nervous and keep looking around.

"Hey," she whispered when she spotted him.

"Hey!" Patrick said louder. He wanted to play with her nervousness little bit in a grouch style.

Korra almost jumped from her skin. "Can you be please quiet!?"

Patrick chuckles. "Be calm. The guards are right now on the other side of the Island." He paused for moment when he tried summarized it all. "They are very lazy and amateurish in planning of security. Like they thought nobody would ever attack the Island. They are basically useless here."

Korra's nervousness of being catch make her ignore what Patrick just said. She wanted to be at Arena now. "Can we go already?"

Patrick sighted. "Yes. Lead the way."

Korra led them both to the cliff. She looked at calm sea and realized she will do the Waterbending for two people at once. Nothing hard but she needed to be more focused.

"Ready?" she asked him.

Patrick looked at sea and it remind him of his broken ribs from that fall few days ago. But now he has a Waterbender with him and he is prepared.

"Yes," he answered and mentally prepared for ice waters of the sea. He is going experienced it again.

They both simultaneously jumped into the water. After few seconds Patrick instead of cold and wetness felt nothing. When he looked at his clothes, they were completely dry. Then he saw it. Korra created around them an air bubble. It was not first time he saw something like this. Waterling did similar thing a back then in his Universe.

Luis Carver aka Waterling, was a half-god and bastard son of Poseidon. As other half-gods he gained power thanks for the Storm and thanks for his lineage he gained power to control water, generate it and mimicry it. Immediately when he received his powers, he continued his profession – a bank robber.

Back there he also created an air bubble for Patrick, The Runner, Gunfighter, Slicker and Blood Eye, for their attempt to attack the Big Ben from the sea. But the hero known as Vanguard stopped them.

Well, at least there will be no guy whose have a cosmic weapon this time, Patrick thought when he was about reexperienced this type of traveling in underwater.

Korra was trying to keep this construct inside the sea. Usually is not problem for her alone to do this. But now Patrick was with her now and she had kept the space in bubble constant.

After a few seconds they both started to move to the Arena. Very soon they were on the other side of the sea.

"What now?" Patrick asked. "Are we going through main entrance or what?"

"Wait," Korra smirked. She tensed muscles of her arms and prepare to release the power.

Patrick witnessed how the water around them started bubble, then he felt that some kind of power was about get him out – eject him. In less a second, he was in middle of air with Korra holding him. He saw an open window in top of some building. He quickly realized that building was Arena. Then thanks to momentum Korra get them through that opened window.

They both landed on their feets in middle of some hallway. When Patrick recovered from this jump, he turns back to the opened window, to look down. So, that's how you get inside last time.

"How high is that?" he asked.

"Well…I do not know," Korra answered unsured. She did not know why he asked her about this.

Patrick turned his head on her. "You don't know?" He paused for moment for another question. "How high you can get?"

"Hmmm…I do not know," Korra answered with nervous smile. She gets a feeling that she was about to get some kind of lecture from him, again.

Patrick turns back to the view and do a quick calculation. "That was around 100 meters. And if this "jump" of yours was at your maximum. Then noted it for next time you are about do that again."

"Good, young "Tenzin"," Korra shrugged. She was in no mood for another lecture. "Can we go now? We almost miss it."

"Yes. Lead the way."

Korra led Patrick through hallway until they arrived the gym of the Arena. It was a huge room full of sport equipment like dumbbells, medicine balls, matrasses and huge net. Patrick noticed there were some kinds of discs on the ground. He crouched to them and touch them. He felt they were made of some kind of soil.

Probably the Earthbenders train with these, he deduced.

"You again!" yelled an angry voice from the other entrance of the gym.

Oh no, not this guy again, Korra thought when she recognized the voice. She and Patrick turns to its source.

A couple of meters front of them stood an elder man with long grey hair in ponytail and with potbelly. Judging by his look Patrick thought he is probably one of the athletes because he wears sports tank top with tower around his neck and pants.

"What are you doing here again?!" The angry elder man makes several steps forward, then he spots Patrick behind Korra. "And who in the Spirits is that?! Your boyfriend or what?!"

Oh boy. Here we go again. Patrick sighted. "Mister, we –"

"Do not "Mister" me!" The elder man interrupted him and point a finger at both of them. "I have enough already of the kids who break here without paying! Yesterday it was her and now is you both!"

"Toza, right?" Korra was trying to calm him down. "We are both Bolin's friends and he said we both could come."

"And I have enough of excuse of type: My friend is Pro-Bender here, so I can go anywhere I want!" he raised his voice on her. "In my days athletes would not tolerate this!"

Korra was lost in that moment but Patrick came with idea how to get rid of him. "And who are you exactly?" he asked.

Toza's face turn red in the second. "What do you mean you don't know me?" He paused for moment just to catch the breath. "You don't know who I am at all?!"

"Yes," Patrick answered coldly with little smirk. He had him now where he wanted to.

"I am Toza, champion and former captain the Black Quarry Boar-q-pines! The greatest Pro-Bending team this Arena ever had!" he yelled with pride. "And I almost have two championships in row, but it was Yang's fault," he then added silently.

"What happened?"

"Do you want know what happened?!" Toza turns his back to them and starts telling story. "Yang was no Pro-Bender at all! He was not even capable of proper defense! Ha! I did not want him in the team but manager said otherwise…"

Patrick meantime gestured to Korra to continue in journey. They silently leaved the gym when Toza was still continuing telling his story.

"That was pretty good," Korra gave Patrick compliment.

"Thanks."

"How did you even manage that with him?" She was amazed by that trick of his.

"Let's just say… I am good in reading people," Patrick quickly explained. In that moment when Toza mention old times back there, it gave him a hint that this grumpy old man lives too much in the past.

They both continued through hallway until they saw someone in the distance. When the person spotted them, he started go them.

Korra recognized him. "That is a Bolin."

Front of Patrick stood a boy, same height as Korra. He had short black hair and green eyes. He had on some kind of sporting uniform of red and white color.

"Korra, you came!" he said with enthusiasm. He then pointed thumb at Patrick, still looking at her. "Who is that?"

"That is a Patrick," Korra answered. "He also lives on the Air Temple Island and he wanted see you guys in action so much.

Patrick turns his gaze on her and stared at her in disbelief. What? No! He could see how she was hind her evil smile front of him.

Bolin face turned into great smile on Patrick. "Awesome! Another fan!" He extends his hands to him. "Do you want a hug buddy?"

Patrick looked at Bolin with disgusts. Wow a new record. Not even five seconds and I fucking hate you already.

After a few seconds of silent between those three, Bolin put his hands down. "I guess it is for another time." He turns around and gesture them to follow him. "Come on! Match is about to begin and Mako is waiting with Hasook."

Bolin led them the door on the side of the hallway. When they enter inside, first it looks like a locker room. There was bunch of other people, dressed in same uniforms as Bolin just in different colors. Only one had matching outfit as him. But then Patrick spotted balcony on the other side of the room with view on some kind of playing field. Patrick assumed that is where the teams started their match.

Patrick went closer to the balcony and look down. There was trench filled with water and the high was not so great. Patrick assumes it was for team member who falls out of the ring so nobody would get hurt. He then looks up and saw glass-domed ceiling with giant lighting that gave the interior of the Arena shade of gold.

Bolin came to the man who wear same uniform as him. He was much taller and skinnier than him with red eyes. He had also black hair. Patrick could tell from their resemblances that they were siblings.

"What is Mako?" Bolin asked him worried.

Mako, who was leaned on the wall with crossed arms, looked at him with anger. "Hasook. He leaved the team."

"What?" Bolin was surprised.

"Apparently he was not so much team player." Mako sighs. "Always there was problem with him. But now when we are about enter the Tournament, this is really low blow. Even from him."

Bolin sit down on bench with defeat written on his face. "Then we are done for!"

Then Mako spots Korra. "You are back?" Then he noticed Patrick behind her. "Who is that? Your boyfriend?"

Both Korra and Patrick sighs in spirit. This was getting really old. "No, just friend from the Island," she answered and came closer to Bolin and Mako. "But there must be way for you." She pointed at some other players in the room. "What about one of them? Could they take Hasook place?"

"No," Bolin answered. "Rules says that you can only compete on one team."

Doors of the room opened and man dressed in official clothes appeared. He looked straight at Bolin and Mako. "Two minutes or you are out!" He then quickly closed the door.

"Well, there is go our shot on the Tournament… and winnings." Mako commented the situation bitterly.

Then Korra gets an idea. "Then what about me?" She placed her hand on her chest. "I could be your Waterbender."

"But you are an Avatar," Bolin reacted and turns to Mako. "Isn't that cheating?"

"Not if I would use only water," Korra answered.

Smart idea, Korra, Patrick thought about her proposition. The real question is if your instincts will allow use only Waterbending.

"No way," Mako declined. "I would rather forfeit then make myself a fool out there." Even though he was still mad at Hasook, he was at least experienced Pro-Bender. Korra, who he saw using Eathbending last night, was a big amateur. And with her on board, him and Bolin could just not lose the match but also their reputation as athletes, they build.

Well, we someone who does not want help. Wannabe though guy, Patrick smirked. It was quite funny for him.

Korra was quite offended Mako's statement. "Wow. Thank you for your confidence."

The man who informed them that two minutes left enter room again. "Time's up. You are in or out?"

"We are in!" Korra answered.

Mako was confused in that moment. "We are?"

"Yes!" Bolin get up from the bench. He quickly recovered his smile and enthusiasm. They were back in the game and they have a now an Avatar as team member.

"Hey, I did not agree with this!" Mako said to Korra, who went the closet. He was still trying to gain control over the situation.

"You can thank me later!" Korra said with smile and she was about quickly change into uniform.

"This girl is crazy," Mako said to himself. Now Korra has in her hands his and Bolin future in Pro-Bending.

"You have no idea," Patrick agreed.

Mako turns to him. "And what about you? You like watching your girlfriend playing game for professionals?" He then turns away, taking his helmet from bench. Tonight, he will going play an important match in his life with a rookie. He can say no to the Tournament already.

Patrick did not say a word. He just only kept his smile on. Fuck you too, Mako. Fuck you too.

Patrick watched the trio on sliding bridge, which was slowing connecting to the Playing Field. Korra was still fighting with the uniform, mainly with the helmet, which kept falling. He then noticed that on the other side was rival team also coming to the Playing Field with sliding bridge. He leaned on the rail and prepare to watch show. In the end he had the best view in the Arena.

"It looks the Fire Ferret found some quick replacement," The Announcer reported into microphone, to those who were at radio right now. "Hopefully this will not affect the winning streak for the brothers."

"Do not try to be show off," whispered Mako to Korra on his left. "Just stay in the field."

"Roger to that," Korra responded. She was prepared to go full blast.

"Players, you can go!" Referee yelled and whistle to start the match.

Korra immediately slams the rival team member out of the ring though the ropes on sides of the Playing Field with the water. I did it! She started celebrating her first "victory" in Pro-Bending but reality was something else.

The two remaining rival team members was looking at her with disbelief. Mako make a facepalm and Bolin started finding a way how to explain her that she just did a foul.

It starts to be interesting, Patrick judged when he heard a booing audience. Looks like Korra already broke the rules of the game.

"YES!" Korra yelled and started doing a victory lapse. "Man overboard!" Her enthusiasm was interrupted by whistling from the Referee.

"The Fire Ferrets did a foul!" Referee yelled at her. "One zone back!"

"What?!" Korra asked fully surprised. She thought that she did that right.

"You have to throw out an opponent through back edge!" Mako explained. He was now very angry and he was at full right. An amateur was about to destroy his career in Pro-Bending. "Not a from side edge!"

"Ohhh…Whoops," Korra responded with embarrassment. Perhaps I should have read some rules before this. She was about to find out that she did not know nothing about her favorite sport.

So, this game is about territory, Patrick thought. This spart had some similarities from other sports from his Universe, like American football or MMA. He now started thinking what will be next Korra's foul.

Korra went into zone behind Mako and Bolin. After a few seconds the bell rings and match finally begin. "It looks likes the replacement do know nothing about game rules!" The Announcer commented as he watched Korra struggling with Earth discs.

Korra did her best with avoiding and returning the attacks when she heard another whistle, which stops the match. What I did wrong this time!?

"Overstepped!" Referee pointed at her. "Go into Zone Three!"

"You overstepped," she mumbles for herself as she was going into last zone.

Mako turn to his brother, who just looking at the ground just to avoid eye contact with him. "I am going to kill you."

After few minutes the first round of the match was over. "The Platypus Bears has the first round," the Announcer said as one of the four light bulbs, which served as scoreboard, light up with blue color.

"Players recognizes the rookie at first sight," the Announcer continued as the second round begin. "So, they fully concentrate their attacks on this young lady." As he was commenting, Korra was trying defending from the discs, fire and water.

Korra successfully defended or evade it but she quickly started losing patience being a favorite target of the rival team. When she saw how they were preparing for another attack, she had it enough. Instead of using the water to defend herself she used Earth discs to create a wall.

Second after there was an absolute silence in the Arena. Everybody except Mako, Bolin and Patrick wanted to be sure they saw what they saw.

And here we go, Patrick thought about this. In the end he knew it was a matter of time when Korra's reflexes command her to use other elements.

"Ladies and gentlemen, did I see right?" The Announcer asked surprised his microphone. "Did that young lady just use Earthbending?"

Korra gave both boys a nervous smile, after she find out what she done. She now hoped that Tenzin was sleeping in the moment.

In meantime at the Island, Tenzin take a little bit walk. He needed to think how to progress Korra's Airbender training. He then came to group of White Lotus Sentries siting around the table with radio on. He decided to tell them to turn off the radio and hide it, so it will not distract Korra furthermore. But when he came closer, he did not like what he heard.

"We still waiting how the Referees will decided in this matter. But it looks that replacement is… an AVATAR!"

When the radio said that word one of the Sentries was taking a sip and immediately spit out his drink on face one his colleagues. It looks like they failed in securing the Island.

Tenzin face went full red. "I COMING FOR HER!" He turns around. His next stop: the Arena.

Few minutes passed when the Referee finally comes back to his place with a decision. "Avatar can continue but she can only use a Waterbending." Of course, team members of The Platypus Bears protested but he did not change his mind and match could continue.

Patrick continued watching the match. Thanks to his direct point of view of the match, he spotted something. One of The Platypus Bears team members was limping. It was not so much obvious and in middle of the chaos no one could noticed that and he was of course trying to hide it but Patrick spotted it.

When Mako got ring out from Playing Field he used the moving platform to get back up.

"One of them is limping," Patrick said to him when he was about get back to the match.

"What?" Mako turns to him quickly.

"The one on the right is limping."

Mako turns back to look at it. "Sure," said with disbelief. He was no mood in some wannabe tips. Tonight, he is fighting for his career and what is left of his reputation after Korra's reveal. He needed to be focused.

"Just wanted to help," Patrick said sarcastically as Mako was returning into the match. Well, my career as sport tipper quickly ends. Then he heard as somebody opened door behind. His senses told him who was that. "It took you longer than I thought," he said as he turns to Tenzin.

"Is this your doing?" Tenzin asked. On his face was written anger even though in his voice said otherwise.

"Would you believe me that I am an honorary guest?" Patrick asked with smile.

"I am in no mood, Patrick."

"I know. But she was also here yesterday. In my humble opinion I must say that White Lotus is quite incompetent in matter of security. But those uniforms they have look nice."

Tenzin sighted. "I will inform White Lotus about this lack of security. But right now, let's go pick up Korra." Tenzin was no mood for further arguing. He was keeping rest of his strength to arguing battle with Korra. But he had to admit that Patrick, even though he was probably little older than Korra, was much more mature than her.

Patrick did not say anything, just nodded and they both went from room.

Korra was trying her best to keep in Playing Field but constant attacks from The Platypus Bears had finally get her out. She fell into the water in the trench. She quickly swims to the surface to quickly join Mako and Bolin, when she spotted Tenzin waiting for her. Patrick was behind him.

Quick! Make something up! "Ugh…Hi, Tenzin, I thought you don't like Pro-Bending," she said nervously.

Tenzin wait for her to get out of the water. "You already disobey my orders several time. You should stay on the Island." He turns around and goes away. "So, let's go."

"No! I am in middle of something." She knew she have to stand him up in this.

Tenzin stopped and turns back to her. "I was trying to be tolerant and patient but apparently you understand only to force. So, I am ordering you to go with us!"

Korra quickly looked on Patrick. Even though he was silent, she could see in his eyes that she has his support. Sort of. She then looks back to Tenzin to continue the discussion. "Why? So, I have to keep meditating how horrible I am at Airbending?!" She was quite scared in the moment but she needed tell that to Tenzin. "Maybe the reason why I cannot learn Airbending is that I do not need that!"

Patrick could tell that Tenzin would not appreciate this choice of words.

"Beg your pardon?!" Tenzin asked angry. "That is a ridiculous! Avatar has to master Airbending! He has no choice."

In other words: Avatar is a tool, Patrick added in spirit. He did not wanted fuel into the fire so he kept the silence.

"No! I have to learn this!" Korra points at Playing Field. "Modern Style of fighting!"

Tenzin could not believe his ears. He knew her since she was a little girl but right now a different person was standing right front of him. "Being an Avatar does mean fighting, Korra. When you will understand this?"

But Korra was determined. "I have to go finish the match!" She went to the platform that takes her up.

The bell ring went on. "The Platypus Bears wins second round!" The Referee yelled.

Patrick fallowed Tenzin out of the floor through the hallway. "She is right, you know."

Tenzin ignored him and continued to walk.

"It is nice you respect tradition," Patrick continued, "but the world outside had changed in almost every aspect. An Avatar has to adapt. There is no other way." Still Tenzin was ignoring him.

After while they both end up among the audience in upper floor. Bell just signaled start a third round. The Platypus Bears immediately cornered Mako and Bolin to the corner of the zone on the side of the Playing Field. Then they started bombard Korra with attacks.

"Looks like the Ferrets brothers are in corner in first zone and they cannot help the Avatar," the Announcer described situation in match. "And she need help a lot."

Korra from intense attacks started move back to the back edge. She was trying her best but she was quickly losing the space for maneuvers. When she evaded the earth disc she almost fell again into the trench.

Patrick noticed how Tenzin facepalm over all this.

C'mon, Korra! Think of something! Then something came up in her mind. It sounded like Tenzin voice. Be like a leaf. In the wind.

She quickly remembered how Jinora was moving in that mechanism. And with that moving she evaded coming fire attack. Then incoming disc. And others attacks.

The Announcer kept reporting what he sees to the listeners at radio. "Avatar is still in game ladies and gentleman. And what is look like she completely changed her movement. Now the Platypus Bears just hitting an air!"

Patrick quickly turns to Tenzin and saw how surprised he was by seeing this. He then returns his gaze at Korra and very interesting question comes into his mind. Does the Avatars have some sort of muscle memory from their previous lives?

Thanks for her evading, Korra completely waste all energy of the Platypus Bears. Mako and Bolin quickly turn the tables by start attacking at them, one by one. During that Mako take a look at the one, whose should limp, according to Patrick, and truly he was. Even though he tried to hide it well. Mako concentrated his attacks on him and quickly take him down.

Korra then with water finished it, by throwing out the last member of the Platypus Bears out the Playing Field.

"Knockout!" the Announcer yelled with surprise. Few minutes ago, he already sealed fate of the Fire Ferrets but right now he will perhaps believe in miracles. And he was not only one surprised.

Patrick quickly turns to the Airbender and he was surprised and little bit shocked when he saw and heard Tenzin celebrating like a little kid.

How quickly Tenzin get excited, he quickly calmed up. "Don't say this to my wife and kids, please."

"Don't worry I won't." Patrick assured him.

"Good. Let's go back to the Island and let her enjoy her win." They both then leave the Arena.

At the Island, Patrick and Tenzin watched as the Acolytes started replacing destroyed gates of the mechanism with the new ones.

"I am surprised that you have a backup," Patrick commented.

"Well…It turns out that Korra was not the first Avatar who destroyed this relic during a training," Tenzin explained. "Jinora found several others in history book."

"You don't say."

Tenzin turns to him. Since they leaved the Arena he was constantly thinking about certain request. Sadly, it is the only way how to make sure she will be safe.

Patrick knew the expression on his face. He was about to ask him a favor. And Patrick could guess it would involve Korra.

"Patrick… I want ask you something…"

"You want me to keep eye on her," Patrick finished his sentence. "Am I right?"

"Yes," Tenzin respond with embarrassment tone. The fact that Korra escaped twice from the Island that White Lotus is not capable enough. Or at least it's present members on the Island. On the other hand, Patrick proved that he is very capable and he can even manage her temperament.

Patrick started to thinking. He wanted to refuse being her babysitter but in the end what would he will do in next four years. Counting time?

In meantime Korra came to them. "I am very sorry," she said to Tenzin. "For all I said. I was angry at myself and I took out on you."

"And I have to apologized to you too," Tenzin said. "I was trying to teach you about patience and I almost lose mine."

Korra smiles at him. "Can we forget about that?"

"Of course."

She turns to Patrick. "Thanks for your little support."

Patrick did not say anything just nodded.

"I must say you were great," Tenzin said proudly. "You moved like a true Airbender."

"Wait, you stayed there?" Korra asked surprised. She expected that he leaved the Arena after their argument.

"And he was quite fanboying," Patrick added.

"What?!" Korra could not believe what she heard and started laughing.

Tenzin quickly turns to him with nervous look. "You said, you won't tell anyone about that!" he responded scared. He hoped that no one from the Acolytes heard that.

"I promised that I won't tell your family," Patrick countered. "No word about Korra or anyone."

Tenzin sighted and turns back to Korra. "Well in the end that match was best lecture lesson for you."

Korra turns back with smile and start running into the Temple. "Well see you at tomorrow's morning training! And I am member of the Fire Ferrets and in few weeks, we have the Tournament!" she yelled before she disappeared in Temple.

Patrick now knew that Tenzin was needed him more than few minutes ago. He could say that from his expression when he turns his gaze to him. "I will do it."

Tenzin sighted with relieve. "Thank you –"

"Under one condition," Patrick interrupted him. He gave a Tenzin a few seconds to prepare. "I can little bit change my room, which is now a permanent until I found something."

Tenzin was even more relieved. He kind of expect some very expensive or crazy wish from Patrick. "Of course! Want to change the color or add some more furniture?"

"Well… I was thinking about adding a basement for start," Patrick answered and watched how Tenzin was slowly being done with everything for today.

Korra was standing by the opened window in her room and looked at the Arena on the other side. She was still replying her tonight's winning but mainly how Mako congratulated and apologized to her. Mako. Even though he was quite rude to her when they first meet, she had to admit he was kind of cute. And beautiful. Her heart start pound harder when she even remembered his face.

On the tallest tower of the Arena, Mako sited on opened window of their home, the Attic, looking at the Air Temple Island. He still cannot get Korra out of his mind, especially after tonight.