"The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown."

― H. P. Lovecraft

Chapter 7 - Into the Unknown

"We've scoured all the areas where all victims were supposedly reported to be taken from, we've searched the streets with barely anything to nibble at, and we've checked on the Triads hangouts and underground tunnels more times than I can count. I bet some of those damn triad members know something, but are keeping their lips sealed. We're missing something. Something important," Beifong growled, slamming her hand onto the table with a map of Republic City in front of her.

"We're looking for a needle in a haystack, but I'm afraid the worst is to come," Su noted, also looking at the annotated Republic City map.

Su and a quarter of the guards from Zaofu arrived in Republic City two weeks ago. It had been a month since the attack on the station and Republic City's top businesses. The police had relocated to a temporary location, deeming what remained of the station as unsafe.

What threw everyone for a loop was the decline in kidnappings. One adult and two children had been reported missing the last month in Republic City. Other provinces that had kidnappings had reported none. There were still some small-scale robberies, but nothing of significant magnitude like the station or missing citizens.

Something wasn't right. Something was coming. But no one knew what or when.

A grand total of ten adults and eighteen children were missing from Republic City, the most from any United Republic province. Twenty-eight citizens were miniscule considering Republic City's total population, but with the media's daily coverage of that and the robberies, the social unrest was intensifying into a raging inferno.

"You know, you didn't have to come here. Sending the guards was all I asked for," Lin snapped, not necessarily angry with Su, but more that she was pointing out the obvious.

"I'm not leaving my sister short-handed. You need me even if you're too stubborn to admit it. Zaofu is perfectly safe with the guards and security I left behind."

"But are those guards safe without you there? Kuvira may take your absence as the opportunity to escape or overthrow Zaofu."

"Lin, stop being the pessimist for once in your life. Kuvira's a changed woman. You witnessed the trial and her actions to take down Guan and Sheng. On the miniscule chance that she does have malevolent intentions, I have my boys and Bataar keeping an eye on her, and if worse comes to worse, as a last resort of defense to protect Zaofu."

Lin growled lowly, still wary about Kuvira. She shook her head, there was no time to focus on that.

"Why? What's their motive?" the chief debated quietly. That very question had been haunting her ever since this all began. "What do they want?"

As much as her sister didn't want to discuss Kuvira, Su was beginning to think she may be a beneficial resource. "Lin, you don't have a husband and kids, but I know Tenzin's kids and Korra and her friends have slithered their way into your heart even if you don't want to admit it. If it were one of my children or Bataar, I'd be filled with rage, but in this situation where the police have no sense of direction, I'd be a rampaging badgermole."

Lin narrowed her eyes. "What's the point of this story? To tell me I'm doing a shitty job?"

"Maybe," Su teased with a flick of her wrist. "Humans have a difficult time understanding the abstract, and that's what this is. By not showing their face, their message, we are overwhelmed with our emotions. They're breaking down the public and pitting the public against you. As much as I know you don't want to hear it, Kuvira may be a good resource for you."

Lin glared at her sister for making such a preposterous suggestion. Furious, she scratched her chair against the floor and stormed out of the room, leaving Su alone, sighing.


On Air Temple Island, the friends and Varrick were discussing their next plan of action.

"Varrick, that is a ridiculous plan!" Korra argued. Varrick was standing front and center while the other four were sitting.

"Well, nobody else has made any suggestions," he hollered, pointing an accusing finger at them. "I want the HSV plans back! What is so ridiculous about one of them posing as a homeless person in the streets and hoping to get snatched up by these people or even recruited?"

"No, absolutely not! None of you are doing that!" Korra ordered, looking at her friends then back at Varrick. "You've planned some sneaky operations before, how did your hired men sneak in and out undetected?"

"Running!" he exclaimed, slamming his palms down on the table. "Vehicles are much too noisy. In the beginning, these people may have used vehicles to blend in with the crowd, but now that the streets are sparser than usual, they'd be too vulnerable. They run, can turn invisible, or those victims are long gone by boat and off to the coal mines."

It sounded cruel, but Varrick made a good point. Most of the victims had been gone at least a month. It was very possible they had all been shipped somewhere else around the world.

It was quiet until Asami spoke. "How's Zhu Li doing? Is the press letting up at all on her?"

Varrick huffed and sat back down. "That guy had some nerve saying what he did last month and sending the media into a frenzy! Word on the street is that he's enjoying his 'retirement' and travelling around the United Republic. He pops into Republic City just to bash my wife. If I had one of those mecha suits and knew how to operate it, I'd gladly slam him into the ground and listen to all the bones in his body snap!"

"Raiko actually visited her last week." All eyes went to Bolin in disbelief he didn't mention it earlier, but he quickly began waving his hands. "I wasn't there when he came! Kaida was, and she told me Zhu Li didn't look pleased after he left. Whatever was said behind those doors was only heard between them. Kaida usually has a knack for knowing all the gossip, but she didn't hear a thing."

"I didn't like Raiko before, and I don't like him now. He's purposely trying to turn the public against her. If he truly cared about the city, he'd be trying to help us instead of galivanting around the United Republic," Korra criticized and began cracking her knuckles. "I think we should go have a little talk with him."

"No, Korra," Mako stressed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Being a detective and sworn in officer of the law, he had to be the voice of reason. "We can't go barging into the former president's house without any leads, cause, or a warrant."

"On the contrary, that's exactly what these two ladies and Beifong did to Zhu Li and me on massage night. And the police the night before that!"

"I was looking for you, Varrick, not Zhu Li."

Since their plans had been stolen, it seemed he and Asami were spending more time together than before. They'd had their previous business relationship since he was her shipping partner, but now whenever he was free, he seemed to slither his way into their team meetings. Because Asami was singled out, neither made a move to create a new set of diagrams for the HSV. It didn't stop him from complaining though.

In all honesty, Varrick's complaints were the least of Asami's worries.


Team Avatar decided to investigate the city again, hoping to discover something hidden in the dark. But the handful of times they'd conducted an investigation at night, they came up empty handed.

In preparation. they were all taking naps. Korra and Asami were sleeping peacefully in her old room. They were facing each other, but not in each other's arms. Korra was seemingly dead to the world, but Asami seemed more restless the longer she slept.

Asami shot up, breathing heavily in a cold sweat until she realized it was all a dream again, seeing she was safe on Air Temple Island. Tired, exhausted from her ill-ridden fantasies, her face fell into her hands in an attempt to rid herself of the nightmares.

"Baby?" Korra sat up and wrapped an around her waist much like she'd done the last month.

"I'm sorry," she groaned, still trying to catch her breath.

"Which dream was it this time?"

Asami blinked into her hands, thinking about all the dreams. Dreams about her plans falling into the wrong hands and being used against her, her friends, and the city. There'd been no reports of her specialty gloves or hybrid vehicles anywhere in the world, but the mind was a powerful place for one's most petrifying fears.

"This one…it was different. We won against Kuvira, but my dad wasn't involved. He escaped prison. He was still hell-bent on bringing equality to non-benders and was the mastermind behind everything. We were fighting in mecha suits then he ripped my suit open and delivered the final blow."

"Despite everything, you know he loved you, Asami. His letters and actions proved that. He saved everyone and sacrificed his life."

"I know." Her voice cracked saying that, trying to her keep tears at bay. She read more of her his letters after the nightmares started coming, hoping they would pacify her mind, but if anything, his regretful words and fond memories made them worse. To retain the little sanity she had, she had to stop reading them for now. "Korra, if these people are manufacturing those gloves again and somehow create a working HSV from half-finished plans, I'm afraid it's going to be my father again. Future Industries will be ruined. I'll be ruined."

"It's going to be alright." Korra pulled her in closer, letting Asami's face rest in the crook of her neck. No tears were shed from her, but she was trembling, reminding Korra of Asami's mindset after her brainwashing under Sheng. "I won't let that happen. Not on my watch. Nothing is going to happen to Future Industries. Nothing is going to happen you. I promise," she whispered, kissing the top of her head.

Neither woman saw the point in returning to sleep and prepared for the night. They gathered some food for a snack in the dining room while waiting for the boys and Opal.

Asami was so focused on shifting the food on her plate, lost in her thoughts, that she hadn't noticed Korra leave the room until a bowl of water was placed beside her plate. Korra positioned herself behind her and bent the water out and placed them against her temples. The cool water mixed with Korra's healing abilities eased the tension in Asami's head once more which became a regular occurrence the last month.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Korra returned the water to the bowl and hugged Asami from behind, burying her face into her neck. "We can take them if they try to make your gloves and HSV, and if they've been shipped around the world, I'll track every one down and destroy it. Remember when we were being shipped off to the Earth Queen in Cabbage Corp's airship? They can steal your plans, but they're not Asami Sato, the greatest engineer in the world. They'll be absolute shit."

A smile broke out on Asami's face. "Yeah, Cabbage Corp is pretty bad. It's hard to believe they put an effort into stealing from there. Maybe I need to look into making all of our personal vehicles Avatar proof in case we're ever hijacked and you're over aggressive with the bending again."

"With your brilliant, beautiful mind, I bet they already are."

They had a year of dating under their belts, but every time Korra complimented her, it still brought butterflies to her stomach as if it was the first time. Tipping Korra's face to hers, Asami captured her lips in hers, thanking her for the compliment and her full support.

"I think I need to test that hypothesis. You know me, I have to be thorough and make sure my products are top of the line, but even more so if they're carrying our team." She removed her lips from Korra's and moved them to her right ear, lowly asking, "Would you be interested in helping me with that, Avatar?"

Korra gulped at the innuendo. Asami pulled back to reveal the mischievous look in her eyes and a smirk on her tantalizing red lips that Korra wanted to nibble on right that instant. "I'd be very interested."

Before anything else could be said or done, three sets of footsteps barged into the dining room and practically tackled the two women to the floor. Rohan found a comfortable spot in Asami's arms.

"Korra!"

"We wanna help on your top-secret mission! You need our help! You need Meelo the Man!"

"You never let us help you on your missions! I can be quiet and sneak into small spaces for you!"

"Kids, you're too young to be wandering the streets this late at night." Not only that, but secretly, Korra worried about any of them being one of the next victims. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if that happened or be able to look Tenzin in the eyes ever again. Especially after the Jinora incident several years ago, the fear in his voice and appearance was ingrained in her mind forever. "Your job is to stay here on the island and stay on high alert. We've got this."

"You and your friends get to have all the fun! We're strong, we can fight!"

"Meelo," Asami started, smiling sweetly at him with a head tilt, "you, Ikki, and Jinora have the most important mission. You have to watch your parents back and protect Rohan since he's still very new to airbending." Rohan was silent, but snuggled into her chest.

"Alright," he reluctantly agreed. "Can we at least help you guys with your strategies?"

Ikki and Meelo went over routes and strategies with them. Rohan ended up falling asleep, but she didn't mind. Meelo took charge and Ikki had all the information about every road and location like she built the roads instead of Asami.

When Mako, Bolin, and Opal joined them, the kids quickly summarized the plan they devised for them. Asami made a quick detour to Rohan's bed and tucked him in, kissing him on the forehead then joining her friends.

They already had a plan for the night, but they were going to merge part of the kids' plan into theirs as well. They had nothing to lose. Fresh eyes and fresh ideas may lead to something to work with.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Korra and Opal watched from the skies, but nothing unusual was spotted. Midnight approaching, the full moon hung high in the sky, showing everyone its beauty and light whether they wanted to see it or not, illuminating the city's architecture and the team as they tirelessly roamed the streets.

A creak reverberated against the buildings surrounding them. All of them offensively braced themselves, but as quickly as it came, no more creaks came. Korra and Asami knew better though, both having faced unknown forces hidden in the shadows before that were targeting them.

In the distance, the spirit portal shined like a beacon. A lightbulb went off in Korra's head, her eyes widening at the realization and her own stupidity.

"The portal. That's it!" Korra exclaimed, pulling Asami in the direction of the car unexpectedly.

"Hold up, what about the portal?" Mako called out as they chased after her.

"The spirits may have seen something that we haven't or the portal itself may be the missing part to connect all the dots."

"But Korra, we've been watching the portal," Opal countered as everyone hopped in the car and Asami drove in the direction of the spirit portal.

"Not all day though. Ever since the Keum incident, we have kept eyes on the portal, yes, but there's always a weak point."

At the portal, Korra ran in without waiting for her friends. They trailed behind her as they too ran into the portal and to the spirit world. The Avatar stood a few paces ahead of them, looking up. The flower field that was once destroyed by the spirits had return to all its glory, the flowers blowing slightly with the breeze.

"Dragon eel spirit, I need to speak with you," Korra called out through cupped hands, but nothing came. The spirits continued to live their lives as if no humans had entered their home.

"What about the dragon bird spirit? It always knew where you were when we visited," Asami suggested, coming to stand next to Korra.

"You mean that enormous spirit that's nose bombing us right now," Bolin shrieked, pointing above them.

The dragon bird spirit gracefully landed on the ground in front of them despite its fast entrance.

"I need the dragon eel spirit," Korra informed the dragon bird, rubbing its offered head. It nodded its head in understanding and took off. Seconds later, the dragon eel appeared before her.

"To what does the Avatar believe we owe her world now?"

"Please, we need your help. Have any of the spirits witnessed any suspicious individuals entering and exiting the spirit world using two different portals? Or even witnessed suspicious activity in the spirit wilds or Republic City? Citizens have been kidnapped, Citizens have been robbed, and corporations have been infiltrated," Korra explained calmly, knowing her relationship with the dragon eel was strenuous.

"Hmm…I have heard of your human crisis, but the answer is no," he responded, floating around the group, examining each of them. "A handful of humans have trickled in and out of the spirit world, but ones who respect the spirits and our land. Since the police station was blown up, the spirits have retreated back to the spirit wilds and the spirit world, much too afraid of the conflicts you've posed."

"There has to be something that someone has seen. Are there any distraught spirits that would resort to kidnapping humans for revenge?"

"You dare accuse the spirits of harboring humans!" the spirit screeched within inches of Korra's face, making her cringe. "May I remind you that you were the one who left the original portals open then created this new one in the heart of Republic City. The spirits have committed no such crime, but would be justified if they so choose to, Avatar." On that ending note, the spirit vanished.

"I don't think you should've accused the spirit right to its face," Bolin commented and received a dirty look from Korra.

"Damn it, I really thought this was the answer," Korra mumbled and bit her bottom lip in frustration. "Let's check on the spirit wilds anyway."

But the spirit wilds held no answers either. It was close to two in the morning at that point, and with nothing to show for their night, exited the spirit wilds, disappointed and disheartened. Right before they got into the car, a chill ran through Korra's spine.

"Guys, stop. Be quiet for a minute." She closed her eyes, enhancing her hearing. Silence, but she knew something or someone was nearby. She could feel it in her bones. She looked to the rooftops, spinning around and watching above, expecting an aerial attack, but the skies were dark, smattered with sparkling stars and the full moon.

A piercing scream and heavy footsteps cracked the silence. It was so unexpected that Bolin jumped and let out a little yelp of his own. Korra took the lead, pointing at Asami and Opal to follow her and indicating to Mako and Bolin to follow closely behind in case it was a trap.

The women stealthily walked in the direction of the scream. The screaming had ceased, but was replaced with crying. It reminded Korra of a wolf getting separated from its pack back home, wounded and alone.

About halfway down the street there was a destroyed kiosk, making it the perfect set up for someone attempting a surprise attack. Korra took a stance and blasted the remains of the kiosk. The debris blew away as well as a little boy with fresh tears running down his face. Once he settled on the pavement, he and the others engaged in a stare off until he scrambled to his feet, running in the opposite direction. Korra quickly remedied that by bending a wall of earth at the end of the street.

The boy ran to where the earth met the building in an attempt to scale it to escape, but Korra clutched the back of his tattered shirt. That sent him into fight mode, and he unleashed a water whip that nearly struck Korra in the cheek.

"Hey, watch it!" Korra hissed at the boy. She bent the water far from his reach and ripped the water skin from his back. "We just want to talk."

"Let me go!" The boy growled animalistically when he saw the blue eyes. Having no water left and dangling in the air, he spit in the Avatar's left eye and dug his teeth into her forearm.

"What the hell?" Korra shouted, wiping the spit out of her eye with her free hand. That infuriated her more so than the biting.

"Korra, put him down," Mako ordered. The Avatar's patience had increased over the years, but certainly wasn't her best strength.

Reluctantly, she listened to her friend and dropped the boy. That left the boy on the ground trapped by the building, the earth wall, and the five adults staring down at him, the full moon shining on them and providing their only light.

"Who are you? Ready to finish the job from a few weeks ago?" he spat then literally spit again at Korra who avoided it this time.

"What are you talking about?" Korra asked, genuinely confused, but calmer now.

"Pfft, don't pretend you don't know."

"Kid, let's be straight. We're the good guys." Mako loomed over him, asserting his authority and blocking some of the moon's rays. "You're obviously a street kid. My brother and I were on the streets too so we know all the tricks in the book. I'm also a cop who can make your life a living hell. Are you acting as a decoy for a surprise attack right now by whoever's kidnapping citizens?"

"Ha! Me? More like you!" he snarled, rising up. However, he was very short. He was a koala sheep trying to be a saber tooth lion.

That was when Asami realized why this situation, this child seemed so familiar. Examining the boy closer, the disheveled look, the fire in his midnight blue eyes, and despite being at their mercy, the way he held himself in his position were all familiar.

"Stay away from my sister! She's off limits!"

"You're that boy," Asami spoke, drawing the attention of the others and the boy. "You thought Korra was attacking your sister after she bound my feet with her earthbending."

He neither confirmed or denied her statement, but looked into the soft, green eyes of the tallest woman staring at him. Then he turned to the others and released a little growl.

Korra remembered the boy now. "You think that's going to intimidate us? What were you talking about earlier about finishing a job? Did you see a suspicious figure in the streets?"

"All you criminals look the same to me," he mumbled, kicking the dirt underneath his feet. "You should know. You're all pretty stupid right now being in the open like this."

"Buddy, we're the good guys." Bolin dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around the boy against his wishes and his brother's wishes. He thrashed, but didn't bite or spit. "We heard you screaming and crying and thought you were one of the bad guys. Let's start over. Have you seen anyone who has been kidnapping people or anyone robbing any houses?"

"No," he muttered, finally getting out of his grip and shutting his eyes, "No, I failed," He fell onto the payment into the feeble position with fresh tears spilling over his dark cheeks. "She never returned. She always returns! They stole her. I know they did!"

"He might be our best lead for something," Korra whispered to Mako, taking in the scene and feeling a little bad for him. "Should we bring him with us? He might have more information if we feed him and get him a bath."

As much as Mako didn't want to bring a street rat with them, he figured he wouldn't do much harm if they kept him away from water and kept an eye on him. Korra went to pick him up, but he began flailing again and bit her hand this time, drawing blood. She stepped back and shook her hand out, gritting her teeth. Asami, however, stepped forward towards the boy who was muttering and staring at the ground now.

"Do you want to find your sister?" Asami softly asked and crouched down to his level. Hearing that, he gazed up at her and nodded. "We're going to go to my home now. We can get you a hot meal, a bath, and a bed for the night. In exchange for that, you're going to tell us more about that night she was supposedly stolen. Okay?"

Like magic, he calmed down and nodded again. Something about Asami was the key to getting through to him. She held out her gloved hand, electricity off. She didn't disclose the shock he could receive if he tried anything funny. But after a moment's hesitation and appraisal, accepted the offering.

Finally, they were on their way back to Asami's home, but they had some more investigation work to do. The child sat in the back next to Opal who he didn't seem to have a problem with, but wasn't exactly exchanging pleasantries with.

Blaring police vehicles erupted in all of Republic City, and a police airship flew overhead of them. One of those vehicles happened to have Beifong, who stopped the group.

"Air Temple Island! Now!"


Posted: January 14, 2021

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