A.N. Hope you all enjoy this chapter, I am swamped this week so getting this chapter out was a damn miracle.

Guest: Ah the fade to black lol glad you're liking the story! Thank you so much for your review means a lot!

Part II Revelations

Chapter Seven

Reli walked down the pristine halls of Piandao Industries, his dress shoes clicking against the tiles sharply. He smiled his way down the hall nodding to the few people who loomed around the corners their heads usually in their paperwork but he still made the point to grab as much attention as he could. He propped open the door of the office to find Kili on the phone, her two assistants shuffled around the room while she nodded occasionally at the designs of the new ships.

"Kili, beautiful, brought you something." He said wagging a steaming mug of coffee, Kili hung put the radio back on its perch and took the mug from him, flashing an appreciative smile. "Two sugars a splash of cream the way you like it." He said with a wink, Kili took a sip a small smile gracing her face.

"What do you want Reli?" She asked without missing a beat, she looked through a few more files before passing one to Yara. Reli liked that one, Yara was the only administrative assistant that didn't swoon at his charm; she had a sharp wit and tongue to match, and Reli liked that... Her blue eyes narrowed at Reli when he looked towards her and he flashed another smile.

"Yara, looking lovely." She soured at that taking the file from Kili.

"Reli, I'd rather jump in a lake." With that, she turned out of the room shutting the large doors behind her.

"This better not be another sad attempt of your dads to be a partner, because if it is I will throw this mug at you." Reli laughed taking a seat in one of her chairs, "No not my intention, I come on strictly business within our company."

Reli smiled to himself, "After all, I am Chief Engineer." Reli slid a folder over to Kili her eyebrows quirked in surprise. "That's my new idea and before you say no, I just want to develop a prototype."

Kili smirked but nodded, "Fine, in the meantime oversee the production on the ships for me." Reli smiled taking the plans from her with a smile, "Done." He walked out of the room a smile widening on his face.

Everything was going exactly as they planned.

Two Months Later…

Akira

A lot has changed since Akira's return to Republic City, for one it is slowly returning to the metropolis is once was. The financial support from the Ito family was just what the project needed, what once was the heart of Republic City was fully refurbished, and business resumed as normal. The new spirit portal had been transformed into a conservation area, and the spirit wilds are all nationally protected landmarks and are not to be harmed. Civilians are allowed to visit with permission from the Air Nation as they now are solely in charge of these spiritual landmarks.

In terms of personal matters life has continued, Bolin and Opal have made strides in their relationship and decided to move in together. Bolin truly has found his calling as an administrative assistant for President Moon (although he does deter from his responsibilities to film the occasional mover with Varrick). Asami and Korra have been living together for the better half of a year and things couldn't be any better, most around them are making bets when the two will get engaged; but it's hard to tell when that will occur.

As for Akira and Mako, things have been progressing between the two of them. They are seldom seen without the other unless Mako is working as he has been promoted to the Assistant Chief of Police. It wasn't much of a shock to those around him, but he still was pleasantly surprised and took his new duties as seriously as he did everything else.

While Akira was doing well, she had been meditating daily with Korra to quell her anger since her mother's death. The sessions truly have helped her stay centered during all of the changes happening around her; with her business doing well and Kili keeping everything safe back home Akira was thriving. With her and Asami's new partnership they were busier than ever, creating new models and upgrading their companies with the aid of the other.

It was truly a beautiful marriage between the two companies, both of the young women were seeing the benefits of their partnership. By introducing Asami to other world leaders they were able to get shipments of Sato Mobiles to places like Ember Island, where the paved roads were fairly new.

Because of this influx of money, Akira decided she was ready to splurge and got an apartment in the refurbished district right at the center of the new heart of Republic City. There wasn't much there yet besides the new police station, train station, and a couple of markets, but there was more to come. In fact, today was the last day of the renovations and Akira was ready to see her new dwelling. It also didn't hurt that it was close to the new Police Headquarters, giving her plenty of excuses to stop by and visit Mako in his office.

It also encouraged visits overnight as well…

Currently, Akira sat on the train into what they now called "Inner Republic City" the system was similar to Ba Sing Se but, there weren't walls that divided the sections. They all merged the old and new beautifully together, the only signifier was the different colored street signs to let you know you were in the "Inner Republic". Akira would never get used to it; the tracks cut through the entire city like a gleaming silver serpent in the sky. She watched as the city passed and the older buildings began to merge with the new.

It warmed her heart to see it, and as the train rounded the corner closer to the inner city, she felt excitement bubble in her chest. Her apartment was finished a week ago but now it was finally time to move in. Akon had insisted on furnishing it for her, and although he did decide to retire it was impossible to slow the man down. Akon had remained in Shu Jing and kept an eye on Akira's properties at her request, he even hired new butlers to keep the mainland property functioning. He also hired her own personal staff for her apartment making the poor man undergo several background checks before allowing him to work for her.

And although Akon would never admit it, she found that he was enjoying his retirement. He even was having Kili teach him how to make swords when he'd visit the mainland. She knew he must have been lonely without Yara for company, but he was making the most of his days. Relaxing, painting, and writing; an awful lot of writing (Akon is against radios, he claims letters are the only true form of communication; and still insists on using messenger hawks. Even though they went out of fashion twenty years ago).

The train finally pulled into the station and Akira watched at the wide-eyed citizens, it was only the third week since the railways opened for the public and Akira couldn't get enough of their grins and surprise. The station was a pristine silver with booths inside for vendors to rent space and sell their wares. Akira wandered the station for a while her eyes wandering at the lively colors and the smells of spiced foods and warm sweets.

After wasting a good amount of time Akira walked out the station to find Mako leaning against the entrance wall, his eyes sparkling in the afternoon sunlight. Long gone was the blue detective uniform and in its place was a black and grey ensemble not unlike Chief Beifong's. It suited him well, it made his skin gleam and his eyes stand out from the monochrome.

"Trains run late? Or did you get distracted by that man selling fire flakes?" Akira hit his arm playfully before kissing his cheek, causing a faint blush to bloom on Mako's cheeks.

"No, I was just admiring the infrastructure…The fire flakes were an added bonus." Akira laughed taking his hand and leading him down the steps and to his waiting Satocycle

Mako laughed grasping her hand firmly in his as they walked down the street, and it was moments like these that Akira wanted to freeze in time forever. Walking hand in hand with Mako as the sun shined down on them making the day feel sharper. Like someone had fine-tuned an instrument and perfected its pitch, life felt beautiful.

But even the strings can snap…

Akira stopped at the front of her new building shielding her eyes from the sun, as she squinted at the pristine white building in front of them. Mako let out a low whistle, "Swanky." Akira laughed and led him inside once inside the cool lobby Mako let out another whistle. A fountain gleamed in the center of the building, along with sleek white chairs decorated handsomely around the fountain. Akira knew it was one of the most expensive lodgings in the city, but it wasn't out of her budget.

"Ms. Piandao! We've been expecting you." The kind woman at the front desk said, walking forward and handing her two sets of keys. Mako's eyebrows were raised in shock as the woman motioned for them to follow her to the elevator. She pressed the button at the top Akira fought the embarrassment on her face as Mako teased her.

"Have a great day Ms. Piandao and Mr. Mako." She left as the doors closed and Mako turned to Akira his mouth set in a wide grin.

"No." Akira snapped playfully a smile threatening to break out on her face at Mako's goofiness. "You live in a building with a receptionist! And you're literally living on the…Penthouse." Akira rolled her eyes, the duration of the elevator ride Mako continued making jokes.

"I'm just saying it must be nice to rich, I mean you're one of the richest people in the world." Akira crossed her arms, "Go on keep making fun, but I actually am excited Mako. I was kind of tired of commuting." Mako snorted at the comment.

"Oh no commuting how horrible." He teased, Akira stuck out her tongue as the bell dinged and led them to a small hallway. She walked to the two large double doors and turned in one of the keys, the doors opened and Mako's smirk was wiped off his face.

The dark mahogany doors revealed an expansive room, beautiful floor to ceiling windows lined the back wall of the room giving a beautiful view of Moon Park. There was an expansive kitchen to the left along with a beautiful sitting room to the right with plush white couches and a brick fireplace freshly lit.

Right of the kitchen was an iron spiral staircase leading to the two bedrooms upstairs, and a small door just off the sitting room leading to her butler quarters. It was a culmination of the modern style that Akira loved and touches of her grandfather's traditional Fire Nation decorations. She noticed the glimpses of red in the thick carpet in the sitting room and the red island chairs. But what really caught her attention was the small planter in the corner, a beautiful tiger lily. She touched the red petals her eyes filling with tears, she knew it'd die in a few days it was a miracle it survived the voyage.

Her butler smiled at her warmly, he was a part of the staff from their mainland home. "Akon made sure I brought that from the gardens. Welcome home, ma'am." Akira was speechless and hugged the man, he was surprised by that but returned the hug (albeit awkwardly) before giving a Kurt nod to Mako and heading upstairs.

Mako gave her a moment wandering around the apartment his eyes wide at everything, and Akira was sure now. She walked towards Mako and reached for his hands her eyes shining he smiled back at her wrapping his arms around her and kissing her forehead. "I can get used to spending nights here." He murmured into her hair before kissing her quickly on the lips, Akira flushed but looked at up Mako suddenly serious.

"Move in with me." Mako froze in her arms, and suddenly the sureness she once felt was gone. It was like a slap in her face, Akira removed her arms from him her face getting warm from her brashness. "Just think about it." She said hurriedly, and before Mako could get a word in her butler returned to the room sensing the awkwardness he turned to Akira quickly.

"There was a telegram from Ms. Sato." Akira almost sobbed in appreciation and followed him up the stairs taking two at a time as she went. Asami quickly reminded her about their meeting with General Iroh, Akira had forgotten that today was the presentation. The ships would be arriving from the Fire Nation and she could finally give the General a tour of his new battleships.

Akira skipped down the stairs to find Mako still frozen in place, she sighed and kissed his cheek quickly before grabbing her bag and jacket. "I have a meeting with General Iroh, see you tonight?" Mako stuttered out a yes and Akira was fine with that, besides she was glad to have something to worry about now. Battleships seemed to quell her rampant thoughts, at least for a short while.

She waited patiently for Asami outside and practically jumped into the car before Asami had completely stopped. "Everything okay?" Akira turned to her friend and from the severity of her glance looked ahead and drove on.

The ride to the docks was silent, Asami kept flashing concerned glances at Akira fighting hard not to pry. But that lasted for a total of five minutes before Asami gave in, "Alright did something happen with you and Mako again?" Akira slumped deeper into the passenger seat, before burying her flushed face into her hands.

"I asked him to move in with me." She mumbled through her hands, and while Akira didn't see it Asami's head snapped away from the road. "WHAT?" She squeaked, there were a few honks and Akira snapped her head up to see Asami swiftly maneuver the car back on track. She gave Akira a sheepish smile before continuing, "I'm sorry…And I'm sorry he didn't react that way you wanted. Mako was probably shocked. I know he's crazy about you Akira, I mean since you've returned from the Fire Nation, I've never seen you two without each other."

Akira sighed avoiding Asami's glances and returning her gaze out to the road, and the city as they drove deeper into the "Outer" Republic City. Asami didn't push and left her to her thoughts and it was hard for Akira to process.

It was taking a lot for her not to retreat into herself from his rejection, she had finally gotten to a point where she could openly show him how she felt. If not with her words then her actions, because she knew what she felt for Mako. And she refused to let this ruin the strides she made to be accepting and believing that she deserved this type of love. Because it was, she knew they were in love and though they hadn't said it, yet it was clear through every caress and every sweet word.

"I know I caught him off guard, I'm just going to give him some time." But it sounded like Akira was trying to convince herself, Asami smiled at that a proud look on her face. "Good, and besides he'd be an idiot not to." Akira laughed at that, and they continued their way to the docks the conversation flowing naturally once again.

If Akira was being honest her first crush was Prince Iroh (better known as General Iroh). They had first met on Iroh's 22nd birthday, Fire Lord Zuko threw an elaborate event for his grandson and also donated a considerable portion of the money from gifts to various charities. Her grandfather was personally invited by the Fire Lord and he made a beautiful pair of dual swords for the prince.

Akira remembered her grandfather handing her the swords as she presented them to the prince. Iroh had lent down to her level and smiled kindly at her thanking her and giving her a hug, she was smitten ever since. Although things had changed, he was married to a stunning woman, and Akira was with Mako. But that didn't mean she didn't enjoy looking at the general.

Iroh was just as serene and serious as his mother (and from what she remembered Lord Zuko was as well). And just as handsome as she remembered, he had gotten more muscular in the years since she had seen him but his eyes still sparkled in that same beautiful amber. He smiled politely at the two of them and shook both her and Asami's hands. Afterward, Akira began relaying the details her hands waving in excitement like they usually did when she was passionate about something.

"There will be eight new ships in total, all newly equipped with my mother's last designs." Akira paused her throat tightening at the mention of her mother. Iroh laid a gentle hand on her shoulder his eyes sincere, "I'm sure it will be wonderful." Akira smiled before continuing.

"There are also some new designs from Piandao Industries, a few of mine but most from our engineering department. The goal is to make the ship as efficient as possible especially during the outreach missions. But our major goal was for the fleet to be fuel efficient making it easier to take longer voyages without having to stop and reload the coal deposits."

General Iroh's smile grew as she continued her explanation, and asked questions about the new defense aspects of the boat. Akira explained the new designs for there new weaponry and how it can be implemented for all types of bending. "Akira this sounds amazing, I know my men and I are looking forward to being at sea again."

Akira beamed at that and led the two of them to the docks as the ships came into view. Asami's smile widened as she clutched Akira's hand. She had been one to fine-tune some of the mechanical issues that Akira's team was struggling with. And watching them come across the horizon brightened both of their faces. This was going to kickstart a new era for Piandao Industries and bring Future Industries into a different world.

But the hope didn't last long, Akira's heart dropped as she looked out into the ocean. Ships came into view with the Piandao Industries ship leading the fleet but eight ships didn't follow.

Four did.