"It's a lack of clarity that creates chaos and frustration. Those emotions are poison to any living goal."
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free
Chapter 15 - Boiling Point
"Get me a damn phone!" Asami seized the collar of the poor healer, acting a lot more like Korra than she realized. Rest was needed, but the businesswoman in her clawed her way to the surface and was prepared to fight. "I promised my girlfriend I wouldn't get too stressed, but you're making it extremely difficult. If you get me a phone, I will pay you very handsomely."
"Ms. Sato, we are under very strict instructions to not allow you out of your bed. If you do not calm down, I will be forced to retrieve a sedative," the healer warned and tried to induce Asami to release the death grip she had on her clothing. "Please, I would prefer to not inform Avatar Korra of a sedation. Your body has been under significant stress the last twenty-four hours and you need time to recuperate." Asami huffed, shoving the healer away and crossing her arms.
"Am I interrupting a healing session?"
"Please, come in, Gin." Asami waved in her hesitant assistant. "First matter of business, get me a phone or a radio so I can rip all the papers a new one."
Everyone refused her orders for a phone or radio. Asami's frustration and rage bellowed like thunder against all the walls on the floor. The same healer from before peeked in several times to warn her about a sedative again, earning her a growl and a partial middle finger.
"I need that statement published today. Future Industries can't afford a scandal. Especially one that's not true," Asami mumbled and fiddled with a loose string. The adrenaline rush of rage wore off and despair began to move in. Somber memories began to move in.
The shift in Asami's tone was clear, prompting Gin to halt her note taking. "Don't worry about a single thing, Ms. Sato. I will make sure the public relations department gets all the real facts. I will guarantee that the lawyers fight tooth and nail to get retractions of all the publications and formal apologies. You need not worry about a thing with Future Industries. You need to worry about your health."
Asami looked up at Gin and gave her a tiny smile. "Gin, how many times have I asked you to call me by my first name?"
"Too many to count," she chuckled and returned a smile. "I've worked for you for three years so probably at least a hundred times, but that's not important right now. I best be going now to schedule all these arrangements. I will return tomorrow or send an update if I cannot be present, Ms. Sato."
There was so much to do yet she wasn't allowed to do anything. She was injured, but she felt pretty good at the moment. She wasn't helpless.
Shift change had to be imminent. Maybe she'd be able to get a phone or radio then. But knowing Korra – who she knew was likely the reason she was on bed arrest, ahem, bed rest, – probably posted posters all over the floor to not let her out of bed or near any communication device.
Asami wasn't very good at doing nothing like Korra, but she was a little better. Sleep was an option, but she'd only just woken up a few hours ago after being asleep for over half a day. In such a distraught emotional state, nightmares about Future Industries going bankrupt again were probable.
Then again, when she was losing too much blood and pulled under, she was transported into a false reality where everything was perfect.
Would the spirits bless her again? Was it even a blessing or a curse? What did they mean?
She was drifting off into the unconscious when a soft knock jerked her awake from limbo. Curious eyes and warm smiles of her favorite airbending family greeted her from the doorway.
"Korra asked Tenzin and I to keep you company, but some tiny ears overheard and begged us to come along." Pema took a step into the room, but kept her eager children out. "If you're not up for it, we're gone."
Seeing all of them brought a wide smile to her face. "You're all welcome in."
The kids asked dozens of questions. They were answered in as in much detail as possible, but Asami was sure she was forgetting some information. The important thing was that she was going to be fine. Tokuga and the Dai Li were in police custody and not a threat to the public or her anymore.
"What about your neck? How's that feeling?" Meelo asked, poking the red area on her neck. Tenzin reprimanded him, pulling him away and apologizing for him. "What? We're all wondering about it."
Asami had felt okay until Meelo poked her in the neck. She hadn't seen the damage to her neck or shoulder. She'd used the bathroom earlier with Korra glued to her side. A mirror hung above the sink, but Korra fogged it up. Asami didn't say anything, but gave her a look.
"I don't want you to see how he used your weapon against you."
She could've easily wiped it away, but listened to her wishes. She could at least wait until after a few more healing sessions or the next time she went to the bathroom.
Pema, like the great mother she was, recognized the onset of pain in Asami and shooed the kids out of the room and retrieved a healer. She and Tenzin were about to give them privacy, but she requested they stay.
She made conversation with Pema and Tenzin while the healer worked tirelessly on all her afflicted areas. She made a comment that there didn't appear to be permanent nerve damage in her right hand, but would likely require the most time to strengthen and heal completely because of its underlying complexity.
Her neck was last. Tenzin and Pema were polite during the whole exchange, not lingering too long on any visible afflicted area. But even through the glowing water, the area was still seen to anyone who looked hard enough. Without the water, it was glaringly obvious.
"Is it that bad? Pema? Tenzin?" They glanced at one another. Pema cocked an eyebrow at her husband, resulting in Tenzin hanging his head and sighing.
"It doesn't look fresh. But it still looks…red, inflamed, irritated. I know Korra will stop at nothing until there is no trace of it though, Asami."
They were quiet the remainder of the time the healer focused on her neck. Once she left, Asami spoke up before Pema brought the children back in.
"Where's Hisakata? I'm surprised Meelo didn't force him here."
"We offered to bring him along, but he had a tantrum and covered his ears, mumbling about hospitals. Meelo went commander officer mode on him and nearly got hit with a water whip."
Realizing that the last time he must've been in a hospital was with his mother, Asami's heart skipped a beat. He'd said her eyes had reminded him of her. She understood the pain all too well of shifting through the trauma and memories. She requested paper and wrote a quick note for them to give him once they returned home.
Hisakata,
Thank you for giving Korra my jacket and comforting her when I couldn't.
I'm going to recover just fine. Midori and you will be reunited soon like we promised.
-Asami
"Holy shit," Korra uttered, taking in everything in Beifong's airship.
The Dai Li and Tokuga had been restrained in platinum pods and brought down to holding cells for questioning. Officers and guards escorted henchmen that had been cuffed.
Due to the sheer size of this operation, the adult hostages had been escorted to various rooms in the station while the children were being entertained by Opal and Su under the watchful eye of some officers in Su's airship. The team of doctors and healers that Mako assembled were thoroughly evaluating all of the victims.
Beifong's ship was equipped with crates of bombs, explosives, knives, swords, raw materials, tranquilizing shirshu darts, clothing and personal possessions from the robberies, their convoluted plans and maps of the United Republic and Republic City, Asami's stolen plans and the documents from Cabbage Corp and Keum Enterprises, several failed prototypes of Tokuga's gloves, and the pair equipped to kill her.
"Tokuga's refused to say anything, but clearly he was readying to level out Republic City and possibly the United Republic. I have the hunch he has a connection or supplier in the Fire Nation. A lot of the evidence is only stuff you can get from there. I have to follow up with Fire Lord Izumi."
"How can we be so sure we can trust that Dai Li agent?" Mako countered. "Tokuga shocked him and even if he believes he'll get a less severe sentencing, it seems too easy. They put everything right in front of us eyes, but we didn't recognize the patterns. What's the pattern behind this?"
"Believe me, we're cross-referencing and taking everything with a grain of salt. So far though, everything checks out. Raiko and his wife are being brought down soon. Expect masses of media to surround the premises. We're going to need to do a press release today, but first, we need more information."
Sightings of Raiko and Buttercup being led out of their home into a police vehicle in cuffs and then led into the station circulated like wildfire. Officers were stationed outside, attempting to control the growing mob of media. Questions about Raiko. Questions about the case. Questions about Asami.
All of them were background noise for the Avatar who had bigger fish to fry.
"Fucking talk or else I'll beat your fucking ass, you piece of fucking shit!" She seized Tokuga's chin in her hand. Very easily, she could've twisted his head just so to snap his neck. Her power didn't scare him though. Restrained in the platinum pod, the half-spirit, half-human man eyed her impishly through the pain in his burnt face.
"I don't have to say anything. It's my civic right to remain silent," he calmly asserted, an evil glint in his eye. "Just like the Sato girl as her life slipped through my fingers. Would've worked if I wasn't interfered with."
In the blink of an eye, Korra landed crushing ice punches on his face until Beifong and Mako intervened. Turned out the water skin came in handy for something else besides healing. The sight of him a little more bruised did little to quench her rage, but they did need him alive. For the time being at least.
She also kind of promised Asami she wouldn't end up in jail.
"Tokuga, you're done for. You might as well tell us everything. If you don't, the Chief and I may have to vacate the room to find a more persuasive way to get you to talk. Isn't that right, Chief?" Mako said nonchalantly, examining his fingers like he'd just damaged them. Beifong grunted and waved him out.
All alone in the cell, it took every ounce of strength in her to not unleash the elements on him. Hands clenched to restrain fire from leaving her fingertip, to restrain ice from forming to pick his eyes out. Breathing heavily with her nostrils flared, she glared at him and ground her teeth together. Mako and Beifong weren't foolish enough to believe that he'd come out unscathed alone with her, but she had to pick her moment. There'd only be so much they'd let her get away with.
"I wanted Sato dead, but he interfered! The Dai Li crossed me and said they'd all be under our control!" he spewed, spit flying everywhere. Panting, a malevolent smirk overcame his lips. "I suppose it wasn't a total failure. I know she's not dead or else I'd be dead right now. What's worse? The one who you love dead or watching the one you love try to return to the state she was beforehand?"
A jagged ice spear sliced across his burnt cheek, digging deeply into his cheek. Streams of blood trailed down his cheek and dripped down onto the metal. Korra was moving in to deliver another ice punch to the face, but stopped and the ice splashed to the floor as water.
Eyes wide, heart racing, and trembling with sweat threatening to break out on her skin, she was paralyzed at the sight of the flowing blood, the distinct smell of blood permeating her nose. The scene of Asami bleeding out and not responding clear as day like a mover she was being forced to replay over and over again.
Tokuga wasn't a fool. He knew what brought on the Avatar's apprehension and snickered.
"Oh my, you've cut me," he mocked, feigning hurt. "Go ahead, do it, end me. Fury runs rampant in your eyes because I hurt your little dame, Avatar. The public is going to hate you, Chief Beifong, and the President. You were too foolish to see what was right in front of you. You have broken the trust and confidence of the public. And everyone we kidnapped? They will have to live with the memories of what happened. Can you live with the guilt of your failures? You. Have. Failed."
He knew where it hit her to make it hurt, and he knew it. The pained expression on her face was enough to broaden the malicious smirk on his damaged face.
"Stay away from me, Asami, my friends, everyone or else you will spend the rest of eternity in the Fog of Lost Souls in this platinum pod," she hissed lowly, barring her teeth like a wild animal. Another ice spear formed in the room, but this time, at the front of his neck. "If any of your little henchmen have managed to escape or you have some little gang in the Fire Nation doing your bidding, I will not hesitate to ram this ice spear through your neck. I will bathe in your blood, and I will drink your blood in victory. It's only fair, isn't it? Eye for an eye."
"Hmm…instant death or survive the rest of my life in a platinum pod? I'm not sure which is the better option," he mulled over seriously, ignoring the sharp point of ice on the brink of piercing his skin. "I would like to see how you handle everything. I'm sure a new threat will rise up soon enough and take my place in terrorizing the world."
"You're right. A new threat is inevitable." The ice spear lodged at his throat, she leaned into him and forced her open hand against the burnt portion of his face with a lethal look in her eyes. "But just like you, I will take that threat down too. You'll be the example, setting the precedent. They cross me, they cross the woman I love and will do everything to protect, I promise, whatever sentencing they receive, will be worse than death."
A scorching inferno ignited against his face, burning his skin beyond repair. He shouted, but she was only getting started. Three fingers burrowed themselves into his laceration like it was the most natural thing in the world, tearing it open wider and spilling more blood. Shouts transformed into an agonizing howl that reminded her of a physically wounded wolf from the South.
But she had no sympathy for this animal. Hot, lively flesh surrounded her fingers, vibrating in tune with a steady heartbeat. For a fleeting moment, she wished she knew lightning bending to make his pain as close to Asami's as possible. She settled for digging as deep as possible, letting quick bursts of fire escape her fingertips and singeing beneath the skin. She hoped the damage would be irreparable.
When she withdrew her fingers, more blood spurted out. Void of any compassionate emotion, the ice spear positioned at his throat sliced along the other cheek, and she delivered the same punishment there.
He'd survive. There was not a doubt in Korra's mind. His life wasn't hanging by thread. There wasn't a river of blood like Asami, but blood was everywhere. He looked like he was crying blood. She looked like she'd just come from the butcher's shop. Thank the spirits she shed Asami's jacket before coming in here.
The sight and smell of the blood didn't faze her this time on the outside. However, a weight dropped from her heart to her stomach. Subconsciously, she knew what she was doing, but did not give a damn. She had long cross the invisible line between savagery and humanity. The line was within sights, but a marathon to return, nothing but a tiny dot.
She held her hands out in front of her, coated in fresh blood trickling down to her palms and wrists. There was no point in letting it go to waste. As if she was an innocent child with fingerpaints, she painted nonsense patterns on his forehead and neck where the blood stains were less. Once they were wiped of all his filthy, vile blood, she took a step back to examine her artwork.
Bloodied and bruised, she still wished he was dead. She wished she could use one of those gloves on him and see how he liked being shocked on the neck. Death would be too easy for him. He deserved to rot in Beifong's worse cell.
Having nothing left to say, she turned her back to him to leave. He had to have the last word, his voice all gravelly.
"Better watch your back, Avatar."
Korra slammed the door shut and nearly broke the hinges. Not caring, she shed her bloodied shirt just outside his cell. The sound of his wicked laughs reverberating through the walls sent a familiar but long forgotten chill up her spine.
"Chief, the media is getting ruthless and restless. Families and friends of the victims have begun to gather too."
Mako, Korra, and Beifong were pouring over some of the plans that depicted every move they made when the officer interrupted. Lin sent him on his way and sighed, taking in all the lines and notes. It had been hours of studying, getting into the mindset of them.
"We can't hold them off any longer. The longer we wait to talk, the worse it's going to get," Beifong groaned, righting herself and stretching out her back muscles. "Let's get this over with. Don't lose your temper, Avatar."
Dozens of flashes nearly blinded the Avatar on the warm, late afternoon. Flurries of questions were asked and meshed together with the pops of the cameras. In a way, it reminded her of her press conference when she announced on city hall's steps that she was the new Avatar. This was no cause for celebration or optimism though.
Korra and Mako stood a few paces behind Beifong, letting her take the lead at the podium.
"Is it true that the recent events have been because of a collusion between Tokuga and a pair of rogue Dai Li agents? Will this strain the United Republic's relationship with Ba Sing Se and King Wu?"
"Former President Raiko and his wife were seen in police custody earlier. Is he too involved in this collusion?"
"Why has it taken the police, the President and the Avatar so long to crack this case?"
"How long until the kidnappees are reunited with their families and friends? What have they endured in this ordeal?"
Question after question Beifong answered to the best of her ability and within reason for the time being. There were still a lot of unknowns. Unfortunately, that seemed to anger the mob even more.
The mob began directing questions at the Avatar. Beifong allowed Korra to take her spot at the podium, but it wasn't without a hard look at her, reminding her to not lose her cool.
"Has everyone been accounted for?"
"What is the status of this case? Is the United Republic safe?"
"Can the citizens of the United Republic expect you to work closely alongside President Moon to guarantee a situation like this never happens again?"
"You were sighted bringing Asami Sato into the hospital yesterday. You have healing abilities, do you not? Is she of sound mind or is she in a downward spiral of suicidal depression that exceeds even your powers?"
"If one of Republic City's most valuable citizens was almost lethally wounded during a raid, what will stop others from doing the same thing to our other valuable citizens? Why is the CEO of Future Industries even involved in police business? Does she not have a city to rebuild?"
"Enough!" she firmly shouted into the microphone, silencing everyone. "As Chief Beifong has stated, the case is still ongoing and we are still investigating all the facts. When the citizens are deemed in control of their minds and not a danger to themselves or society, I guarantee we will reunite everyone with their families. They are resting comfortably and in the hands of healers and doctors evaluating them."
She took a deep breath, carefully planning the words she was going to say next. Her fingers clutched the edges of the podium, turning nearly white and surprisingly not breaking the wood. "As for Asami Sato, yes, she was accompanying me and Chief Beifong yesterday. It was not an attempt on her life. Do not ever put her name and 'suicide' together again. She is a human being who deserves respect and dignity before anything else!" She was pissed, voice becoming loud and louder with an extra cutting edge to it.
"Do you realize how much she has done for the city and you try to defame her good name that she's rebuilt by herself? Asami Sato has done more than rebuild your city. She's protected your city with her brilliant inventions and her elite fighting skills. Does anyone even care who Asami is besides the CEO of Future Industries? You have no right making assumptions about events that you don't have all the facts to!"
Korra threw the podium on its side and at last, it cracked. Its microphone erupted with a shrill sound momentarily that had everyone but her reaching for their ears. She stormed off, but she wasn't met with silence.
"Why aren't you holding yourself, the police force, and President Moon accountable for these recent events?"
"Does the United Republic have to continue to fear for their families?"
"Are you certain you know who Asami Sato really is?"
"Who's to say there aren't more Dai Li agents or brainwashed citizens under our noses right now?"
Korra pressed her back up against the sturdy doors she slammed shut. She gritted her teeth together and attempted to regain her composure. If she didn't, there was a high chance the station would be up in flames and considering there many explosives in the general vicinity, that wasn't a good thing. Between reading the headlines this morning and her little talk with Tokuga, her emotions were running in every direction, tolerance running thin.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
She craved to plunge her entire body into a fishing hole in South, deep beneath the ice to hide and revitalize herself. The tension coiled in every fiber of her body, hell bent on bringing her to her knees. Water would wash all of that away. She'd settle for an ice bath, but the only water she had was the water in the water skin. Maybe an ice mask?
Muffled from the world outside, all the spectators continued asking questions, looking to suck out any information they muster. Some needing all the details for the media. Some pleading to see their family members. Some criticizing her, Beifong, and Zhu Li for how the situation was being handled.
The door opened unexpectedly causing Korra to stumble before turning around to Mako and Beifong. Beifong wasn't impressed, a hand on her cocked hip.
"All things considered, that wasn't the worse scenario I thought of. Though you could've saved me some trouble had you not stormed off and threw the podium down in a hissy fit."
"Oh, I'm sorry! Would you rather me throw fists with the all the reporters? Or better yet, why don't I blast every single out of them off this planet?" she sarcastically shouted, gesticulating wildly. "Between them portraying Asami as suicidal and still in the hospital, I'm at my wits end with fucking Tokuga, the Dai Li, and them!"
The heavy pants of the Avatar filled the room and her face burned red. Beifong allowed her a moment to calm down.
"Are you done with your little outburst?" Korra nodded and exhaled loudly. "Speaking about the Dai Li, once things stabilize around here and hopefully once the victims are reunited with their families, you and I are going to need to go to Ba Sing Se. King Wu's been alerted about the Dai Li here, but we need first hand inquiry from other agents there. I expect a departure in about a week."
"Fine, whatever," she grumbled, crossing her arms. She knew she was being difficult, but it'd been a rough day. Actually, a couple of rough days.
With the media's appetite being quenched temporarily, the three began making rounds with healers and doctors and visiting the victims. None of the professionals had experience with Dai Li brainwashing before. The only knowledge they had was from the Hundred Year War legends.
This was a very delicate situation. The only bright side of the whole situation was that it appeared the children weren't brainwashed, only the adults. Except brainwashed or not, they were all going to have memories of everything that had happened.
It was exactly what they wanted.
They were just about finished talking with some of the adults who were cooperative when Beifong pulled both of them aside.
"So, one of the things I didn't mention earlier," she began, watching a few healers in the distance talking. "That guy that tackled Tokuga off of Asami and possibly saved her from worse injuries? He was able to break out of the trance on his own. He's in this room. He's been very cooperative and even volunteered to be a test subject to help the healers understand the process better."
"How was he able to break out of the trance?" Korra asked, surprised. She just figured he turned on Tokuga.
"Go ask him yourself, but please, keep an open mind and remember he wasn't of sound mind for most of the time."
The man inside the room sitting on the table looked like he'd seen better days. Heavy bags were under his eyes, but what was most prominent was the bright red, swollen skin of his right calf.
"What happened to him?" Korra gasped, rushing over for a closer look.
"Severe cellulitis due to stabbing. It's a miracle he can walk let alone bend. He's going to need to go to the hospital for more intensive care," the healer explained.
"No," he gritted through his teeth. "I have to help them. I hurt her."
"Sir, as the Avatar and a healer, you're going to need to go to the hospital." Korra bit her lip, curious about him. "Beifong said you broke out of the trance yourself, and you've been very cooperative. How'd you do it? Why'd you do it? Who are you?"
He shooed the healer away to give him a clear view of Korra, Mako, and Lin. "My name's Takeshi. I'm from Sanmyaku. I knew Asami's mother."
"Wait, we heard about you," Mako interrupted, stepping closer. "Asami's mom's friend mentioned you when we visited very briefly."
"You went to Sanmyaku and met up with…Kinu?"
"Long story for another time," Korra said, waving Mako off and trying to stay on topic. "What happened between you and Asami?"
Gold eyes closed, and he shook his head shamefully. "I caught her off guard while the dust was settling. I-I burnt her hand."
Korra bit her lip so hard that she tasted the blood. Of all her injuries, the burn on her left hand wasn't that bad, but knowing he caused pain to her infuriated her. "You burnt her?"
He grimaced, looking up at them again. "She knocked me down pretty quickly. She looked me in the eye and the situation and her eyes seemed very familiar. She shocked me, but then I woke up to unbearable screaming. Tokuga was holding her over the water, and we locked eyes again. My teens and twenties flashed before my eyes again, and the next thing I knew, I was tackling him." He paused, sighing sadly, but smiled a little at Korra. "I thought she was Yasuko until Chief Beifong clarified. She looks just like her besides the eyes. So familiar yet so different. I know I hurt Asami, and I'm trying to make things right, Avatar Korra."
"I know it wasn't you talking…Let's just put all that behind us, okay?"
"I'm sorry for my accusation earlier." She sat in the seat in front of him while going through a breathing exercise. "I've had a few rough days. It's been a few rough months for you though, huh? Several months ago, Asami was brainwashed too, but much more powerful and she couldn't remember anything that happened while she was under the influence. To this day she doesn't remember what she said or did. I never told her." Korra sighed, resting her elbows on her knees. "I can't hold you accountable for what you did while under their control, but I can thank you for taking action in our favor."
"How is she?"
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
"She was chi-blocked enough to prevent any immediate medical attention. Several dozen stitches, some temporary nerve damage, electrical burns. The burn you left on her is almost healed so don't feel bad. That's the least of our worries." Korra paused and leaned back in her chair, releasing an ill-advised laugh. Mako moved to comfort her, believing she lost her mind, but Korra waved him off. "I know Asami. By now, I'm sure she's somehow gotten a hold of a phone or she has her whole board in the hospital right now. I really should go check on her soon, and you need to go to the hospital yourself."
After arrangements for Takeshi and several others who needed more specialized attention were made, Beifong, Mako, and Korra made their way to check in with Su and Opal and the children. Many of them were scared, but thankfully, unscathed for the most part. They were still being evaluated and were asked questions about what they witnessed or may have overheard.
Korra promised that they'd all be reunited with their parents as quickly as possible. But as she made that announcement, it reminded her of an important promise she'd made.
She scanned all the children. When she couldn't find her, panic crept in. Everyone that had been reported missing had been accounted for, but she was a street child, a sick ploy in Tokuga's game. What if Tokuga had…
That off-putting thought vanished when a tiny ball in the corner with a dark brown braid thrown over her shoulder caught Korra's attention. She approached and kneeled down, resting on her haunches.
"Hello," she began, smiling and trying to coax the young child out of the ball. "I'm Avatar Korra." That usually worked with anyone, but for this child, nothing. If anything, she curled up more and muttered something incomprehensible. "You and everyone else have been through a lot, but once you can be released, I can reunite you and your brother, Hisakata."
She stiffened momentarily, but then a pair of youthful green eyes glistening with tears peered over her knees.
Posted: March 18, 2021
Tumblr: mysky27
