A Legend of Korra Fanfic
By Sakura Martinez (aka SMTsukishiro)
Summary:
A promising engineering student. A mysterious woman capable of controlling the four elements. When their paths crossed, the resulting collision not only changes their lives and themselves, but the fate of the entire world as well. [Korrasami AU]
Author's Note:
Thanks to everyone who reviewed the previous chapters. And...apologies for the delay.
Anyways, this chapter is, perhaps, the longest of the bunch (that is currently published), which should (hopefully) satisfy you all.
Allons-y~!
The Legend of Korra
The Schism
Chapter 13. A Risky Situation, Part Two
"Chief! The headquarters! Someone just bombed the headquarters!"
The man's voice was so loud even those in the living room were able to hear him. Though his words were clear amidst the heavy panting that accompanied it, everyone found it hard to comprehend them. So shocked were they of the news that not a word was uttered, their minds drawing a blank.
It felt like minutes before they managed to gather their wits about, though in reality mere seconds had only passed. When they did, a whirlwind of activity ensued.
The two men—Lu and Gommu—shot to their feet. As did Asami. While Lu and Gommu rushed to Chief Bei Fong's side, starting a heated discussion with her and the man who had delivered the news, the Prodigy turned her attention to the Avatar who, unlike the others, had remained calm and seated.
"Korra," Asami's voice shook, her face pale.
It was only upon seeing the duress on the other girl's face did Avatar Korra stand, her stoic expression changing.
"What is it? What's wrong, Asami?" she asked, concerned for the human who suddenly did not look well.
"Opal. Opal could have been in the police headquarters! It was the other place she could have gone to to speak with Chief Bei Fong." the Prodigy whispered, her eyes wide with fear and worry as the possibility of her friend being caught in the blast pervaded her thoughts. It was all Asami could do not to fall on her haunches. "She could be hurt! What if Councilman Tarrlok was behind it? What if he's the one who caused the explosion? I mean, if he sent those men to our dorm..."
Korra frowned. Up until that point, Korra didn't know what a bomb was, but now she understood. Suddenly, it dawned on the Avatar why her companion had been distraught. An explosion was something that mercenary would be unable to protect Opal from.
Before she could say anything to calm the raven-haired young woman, Chief Bei Fong had rushed back to the living room, Gommu, Lu, and the horseshoe-mustached man who brought the news trailing after her.
"I don't have time to entertain your conspiracy theories, Miss Sato," the Chief of Police said as she fished her keys from the bowl atop the island counter. "I'm sure you've heard the news. I need to go to the headquarters now. We'll continue our discussion some other time."
"We'll come with you!" Asami blurted out. Before Chief Bei Fong could argue and dissuade the Prodigy, she added, "We won't get in the way. We promise."
"There ain't no harm in bringin' them along, Chief," Gommu said. Neither Asami nor Korra expected the homeless man to agree with them. "'sides, it's better ta keep 'em where we can see 'em. It's like what they say: keep yer friends close and yer enemies closer, right?"
"What's that suppose to mean?" Korra glared at the raggedy man. She did not like what he was insinuating.
"It means we're a flight risk for them. We did just admitted to being responsible for the break-ins, not to mention the destruction of property." Asami said, annoyed at how things turned out and how the adults were not taking her testimony against Councilman Tarrlok and his men seriously.
"Just saying 'em da way I see 'em, Miss Sato." Gommu said.
"While completely disregarding what I said about the Councilman," the Prodigy scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest to keep her hands from shaking. She knew arguing about it was eating away their precious time—time which was better spent heading to the RCPD headquarters and learning if Opal was alright or not.
"Like we've been saying, you have no proof that Councilman Tarrlok did order those men to attack you and your friend, Miss Sato. Unless you have some sort of recording with the Councilman himself speaking out the order, then we can't do anything." Lu argued back.
Asami was ready with her retort when Chief Bei Fong told them all to shut up. The glare she directed at every one in the room was enough to melt the polar icecaps. Massaging her temples, she ordered the three men to get on her cruiser, tossing the man with a horseshoe mustache—whom she called 'Gang'—her keys.
With the three gone, the Chief of Police turned to the two young women and said, "I am having doubts about what you told us, Miss Sato. But I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm keeping you close just in case Tarrlok's men try to attack you and your friend."
"Thank you, Chief Bei Fong." Asami was grateful, though she wondered how much longer Opal's aunt would give them such leeway, especially if there was a possibility her niece had been injured because she had helped her and Korra.
Please be safe, Opal...
Professor Noatak was already in the Future Industries waiting lounge, anticipating Hiroshi's secretary to call for him when a loud explosion rocketed the downtown business district. It rattled a number of window panes and jostled the chandelier that hung in the middle of the room, a telltale sign that the blast happened not too far from where the Future Industries' building stood.
The secretary, who had been busy preparing some document or another, immediately bolted to the windows to see where the explosion had occurred. Those in the same room as the Professor—who were, likewise, waiting for their appointment—also rushed to the windows, their curiosity getting the best of them.
Soon, the once-quiet waiting area buzzed with murmurs filled with disbelief.
"Is it me or is the smoke coming from the direction of the police headquarters?" One man asked.
"No, that's definitely where the police headquarters is," another assured the onlookers near the window. "See that grayish-tiled roof? That's the coffee house, The Daily Grind."
"Yeah, and you can see the tip of the Bei Fong statue just over there, a little bit to the left." A woman added, though she quickly stated that she was unsure if it was part of the metal statue or not.
It didn't take long before everyone started pointing various structures that further ascertained and cemented the fact that the Republic City Police Department's headquarters was attacked.
Noatak frowned, wondering what could have caused such an explosion and why the police headquarters was targeted. He mused if it had anything to do with the war his benefactor had told him about, or perhaps some dangerous criminal—a member of one of the Triads, perhaps—bombed the building in hopes of freeing one of their own. He wouldn't put it past the Agni Kais to do something as destructive as that.
The Professor was unable to go further down that line of thought, however, for the door to Hiroshi's office opened, the man himself emerging from the room.
Seeing the head of Future Industries, Professor Noatak immediately rose. Hurriedly, he walked over to his friend, gripping the bundle of documents firmly under his arms, taking the opportunity that all other visitors were engrossed on the goings-on at the police headquarters.
"Hiroshi," the Professor called the industrialist's attention as he walked towards him.
Hiroshi was surprises to see Noatak again, so soon. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, yet he turned to the man to give him a polite greeting.
"Noatak," he nodded his head once. He then glanced at his secretary and guests congregating over the large windows. Seeing as he had no choice but to entertain the Professor, he motioned for the other man to follow him inside his office.
Professor Noatak didn't need to be told twice. Quickly he entered after Hiroshi, closing the door behind him. The head of Future Industries waited for the Professor's attention to return to him before speaking.
"I did not expect to see you, Noatak." he said. "I thought I had made it clear where I stood with your offer. Or was I not clear enough?"
"No, you were perfectly clear with that, my friend." Noatak took a step forward, standing within arm's length from Hiroshi. Taking the thick envelope from his arms, he handed it to the CEO saying, "I merely came here with a peace offering, just to show you that I harbor no ill will for your decision."
The Sato patriarch arched an eyebrow. Nonetheless, he accepted the bundled offering. The envelope showed no hints of what it contained, apart from the obvious fact that it held within large amounts of documents. What those documents were, Hiroshi didn't know. He guessed it had something to do with the Spirit Bastille project. Noatak, after all, was a man who didn't give up easily. He took the man's so-called peace offering and acceptance of his decision with a grain of salt.
"What is this?" Hiroshi asked, unable to curb his curiosity.
"Like I have said, a peace offering," Professor Noatak smiled as he shrugged. "Though I suggest you view its contents in private."
"Noatak..."
The Professor raised a hand to cut off whatever the other man was going to say. The mirth that danced in his eyes moments before disappeared, replaced by the a resoluteness that momentarily stumped Hiroshi.
"You are my dearest and oldest friend, Hiroshi." Professor Noatak said. "We have known each other for the longest of time, so believe me when I say that there is nothing I would not do for you." He nodded at the envelope that now sat atop Hiroshi's desk. "That contains very sensitive information. It is something my people very recently uncovered. Something I believe you will find very...interesting. Perhaps even enlightening."
Not waiting for the bespectacled man's reply, the esteemed professor turned on his heels and left. He had said his piece, gave his gift, and spurred on Hiroshi's curiosity. What happens next solely depends on the head of Future Industries. All Professor Noatak needed to do now was wait.
The proverbial ball was now in Hiroshi Sato's hands.
Avatar Korra's arm around Asami slackened, even when she noted that the young woman in front of her—responsible for maneuvering the vehicle they were riding on—was no longer looking at the road but instead at the large plume of black smoke that rose several blocks away.
Sirens wailed ahead of them, both from Chief Bei Fong's satomobile and the multitude of other response vehicles that had made their way to the site of the blast before them. There was a large gathering of onlookers threatening to clog the road from ongoing traffic.
The incessant honking from Chief Bei Fong's vehicle did nothing to deter the crowds, and neither did the loud cursing that followed. It was as if the people were mesmerized by the flames of destruction wrought upon the headquarters.
Fortunately for Asami—whose nerves were already frayed with worry over Opal's well-being and whose mind had already churned countless of horrifying scenarios—the moped did not have the same trouble as Chief Bei Fong's vehicle trying to pass through the throngs of people. The aspiring, young, raven-haired engineer and inventor skillfully dodged the onlookers, maintaining the moped's speed as she did so, allowing her and Korra to arrive even before the Chief of Police and her small entourage did.
Large, bright, red trucks were parked around the burning building, pumping water through thick hoses attached to them. Dozens of uniformed men and women worked together in putting the raging inferno consuming the headquarters out. A barricade of police officers kept the curious onlookers at bay, and dissuaded reporters—the bulbs of their cameras flashing in quick succession as they took photo after photo of the scene—from getting closer and putting their lives at risk.
There were also two, smaller, white trucks parked close. Medics rushed to aid those who might have needed medical attention. The closer Asami and the Avatar got, Korra began to notice a familiar person sitting inside the medical truck.
"Asami," she gently squeezed the other girl to get her attention. The action elicited a gasp, but had the desired effect the Avatar was hoping for as she was given full attention.
"What is it?"
Korra nodded towards the second of the smaller trucks. "Over there, by that boxy...thing with wheels."
The 'boxy thing with wheels...? Really, the Prodigy was amused with the words the Avatar came up with to name the things she didn't know about. "You mean the truck?"
"Yes, truck, whatever. It doesn't matter what it's called." Korra huffed, though she was glad to at least know what it was called. "Isn't that your hired human?"
Asami craned her head around, looking for Mako. But there was just far too many people. The entire block a chaotic mess. "Where?"
Taking a chance, Korra released one arm around Asami, gripping tightly with the other, and pointed, "There."
Slowing the moped down, and balancing it with her feet, Asami followed the direction the dark-skinned arm was pointing. Sure enough, she saw a disheveled-looking Mako, marred with blood, sweat, and grime; clothes just as dirty. A blanket draped over his shoulders while he nursed an injury to the side of his head with what looked like a soggy sponge.
Seeing the state the Mercenary was in, Asami's heart pounded painfully in her chest. She tried to look beyond him for any sign of her friend. She couldn't find any.
"Asami," Korra called for the Prodigy's attention once more. "Let's get off now. We will not get very far on your moped."
"R-Right," Asami agreed.
Quickly, Asami shut the engine off and yanked her keys from the ignition. She didn't even care where they were parked, or if they were even allowed to park there. Just as hastily, she climbed off the two-wheeled vehicle—managing to do so gracefully—and ran to where the medical trucks and Mako were. Korra, who did not slide off the moped as quickly nor as gracefully as Asami, had to fight doubly hard in order to keep up with her human companion. She cursed the other girl's long legs that enabled longer strides. Likewise, the nosy humans who seemed to have taken to blocking her way as much as possible.
When Avatar Korra finally caught up to Asami, the young Sato was already blowing a gasket. All Mako could only cringe from the emerald-eyed young woman's onslaught. Her words were laced with contempt as she grilled the injured human. With every word, her voice rose making Mako slink further and further down from where he sat.
"What do you mean you don't know?!" Heads swiveled to the Prodigy's direction. Her voice was so loud it made it easier for people to eavesdrop. "How can you not know? You were supposed to look after her!"
"I've told you, I was knocked unconscious," Mako's voice was hoarse and grave from the amount of smoke he inhaled. "We came here, and despite my repeated warnings that it wasn't safe and that something was wrong, your friend decided to go against my better judgment. She insisted everything was fine even though the building was completely deserted." He took a deep breath, coughing. "I told your friend we should leave, but she didn't want to. Then she went and opened the door to the Chief of Police's office. That's where the explosion came from. The blast threw her, but I still got to her before the fire ate up the halls. I was carrying her out when someone hit me on the back of the head and I blacked out. When I came to, I was already outside the building and Miss Bei Fong was nowhere to be seen."
"Miss Bei Fong?" It was at that point that the Chief of Police arrived, and judging by the dark look on her face, had heard most of what the injured man had said. "What is he talking about, Miss Sato?"
Not having sensed the presence of the older woman and the three others with her, Asami whipped around in surprise and found herself unprepared to answer. Looking like a deer caught in the headlights, Chief Lin Bei Fong was quick to note the young Sato's avoidance to meet her gaze.
"What is this about Opal?" Chief Bei Fong tried again. This time, her voice took an authoritative tone. "And who is this man?"
He had met with two clients, a shareholder, and three interested investors before he felt the insistent pull of curiosity from the packaged document Professor Noatak had handed him.
Hiroshi eyed the item, fingers drumming the dark mahogany desk rhythmically. He knew that once he opened the envelope—once he uncovered and read its contents—he would be tied down to Noatak. The grim look the Professor of the Great Republic University had given him, as well as the warning, hinted him of the gravity of it all.
Eventually, his curiosity won out. Instructing his secretary to hold off any meetings and visitors he may have had, the Future Industries CEO locked the door, bolting it shut. Certain that he would no longer be interrupted and had the privacy he needed, Hiroshi slowly removed the envelope's bindings and slid out a thick, overflowing folder.
The red, faded letters that read: 'Confidential. Incident Report' made the Sato patriarch anxious. But it was only when he read the bold-faced words on the first page of the document did his hands shake, his breath hitch, and for the full weight of what he had descended upon him.
Future Industries, Electric Power Plant Explosion of 157 AG.
The silence was so thick one could hear a pin drop. It wasn't the same kind of silence that greeted Asami Sato and Avatar Korra when they explained the truth behind the Great Republic University break-in. It wasn't just a silence of disbelief. There was also anger, panic, frustration, and worry in it.
The conversation that began at the back of a medical truck was cut short when Gang suggested they take it somewhere private, especially when they realized how sensitive the information being shared was. After ensuring that Mako was not in any danger of any kind, that he didn't have a concussion, and his injuries were not as severe, the Chief of Police had taken responsibility of him and had him discharged to her care before the group—Chief Bei Fong, Lu, Gang, Gommu, Korra, Asami, and Mako—returned to the older Bei Fong's residence.
When it got to the end of the tale, the promise to look after the man was forgotten. With a strength that made Lin Bei Fong seem years younger than she actually was, the Chief of Police grabbed hold of Mako's collar, gripping some of his scarf along, and pushed him, slamming the Mercenary on a wall so hard he would have likely been bruised.
Mako yelped. Everyone else jumped to their feet, even Korra who had, thus far, only been a passive observer.
"Why," the older woman growled, eyes ablazed, fists gripping Mako's clothes firmly, pushing him further into the wall, disregarding his injuries. "did you not try harder?" She slammed him once more on the wall. "You could have carried her, dragged her screaming and yelling out of there when you felt something was off!"
"Chief, that's enough! Please, give the young man a break. We don't want you getting in to trouble for roughhousing him." Lu placed a hand on his boss' left shoulder while Gang took hold of her right arm in hopes of placating her.
Chief Bei Fong gave one, good, final shove before releasing Mako with a growl. She stomped her way back to her chair, gracelessly sitting down and crossing her arms with a huff.
Gang looked at Mako and asked, "You alright, kid?"
Mako nodded, rubbing his neck. "Yeah, I'll manage. Thanks."
"Good," Gang's tone turned venomous, making sure only Mako could hear him. "Because you are still in deep shit. And depending on the state we find the Chief's niece, you might just get into deeper shit still."
Having said his piece, Gang returned to his own seat, closely followed by Lu. Mako remained where he was. He didn't want to get too close to the group who looked just about ready to rip him apart.
"We have ta figure out who bombed da HQ," Gommu voiced out the obvious course of action they had to take. "We also have ta track down where they took da lil' missy and why."
"We already know why," Asami said, voice just a notch louder than a whisper. "And who."
"We've already went through with this. Let's try not to throw random, baseless accusations around, Miss Sato," Lu sighed.
"It is not a groundless accusation!" Asami argued. "It was Tarrlok's men who attacked us as well. He wants to keep us from revealing the dangers of his technology. And maybe he wants Korra too."
The Avatar looked quizzically at the young woman sitting beside her. It was the first she heard of such a thing.
"Why?" Korra found herself asking, puzzled. "What would he want with me? He already stole the Elemental Spirits from me."
"Because you had them to begin with," Asami replied, thinking the way she knew Opal would. "He needs the spirits—all of them—to keep the Spirit Bastille running. You are the best option he has in obtaining them and uncovering all of their secrets. Maybe he expected we would get away, maybe be didn't. Regardless, he took Opal in hopes of baiting you."
Korra frowned. She did not like this man—Tarrlok's—way of thinking and the way he operated. There was not a shred of honor in it.
This is why I do not hold much regard to these humans, Korra remembered something that her being with Asami and Opal made her forget.
"He certainly is putting quite a lot of stock in believing I would rush to Opal's rescue," Korra said, mulling things over. Seeing the appalled look on Asami's face, the Avatar quickly added, "Not that I wouldn't, mind you. Bai Hu was quite fond of your friend, Asami, and she did willingly chose to aid me. I just find it...odd. The man knows nothing of me, yet he risked angering me this much."
The Prodigy was relieved to hear that Korra wasn't going to abandon Opal. Truth be told, she was worried Korra would wash her hands off the responsibility. Asami knew there was nothing tying the Avatar to them; that she could easily choose to leave.
There was silence after that, though there were occasional murmurs from Lu about jumping to conclusions. After a while, Chief Bei Fong spoke up.
"Where would Tarrlok keep her?" the Chief of Police asked.
"Chief, you can't be serious!" Lu voiced his surprise with Chief Bei Fong's change of heart for whereas before she had been a skeptical party, she now found herself a believer, regardless of the lack of proof. Asami's deduction seemed sound enough for her, if Hiroshi' daughter's retelling of events were accurate and true.
"I am," the older Bei Fong gave her subordinate a good glaring. "Someone bombed my office and took my niece. Miss Sato's story is the only thing we have now and that bastard Tarrlok is the only person I could think of who would be behind something as brazen as this."
"What about the Triads?" Lu asked. He was worried about the effect such accusations would have.
"If the Triads are involved, that still wouldn't excuse the Councilman," Mako spoke up, causing everyone to turn their attention to him.
"Whaddaya mean, kid?" Gommu asked, one bushy eyebrow raised.
"I've already mentioned it before to Miss Sato and Miss Bei Fong," he nodded at Asami's direction, though he chose not to look her in the eye. "The University has been hiring...unsavory people. Mercenaries, like me. It's a practice the upper management had been doing for the past year, Councilman Tarrlok is amongst those who have a large number of hired men working under him. It's plausible he got the Triads to work with him."
"That would explain why the Triads have been seemingly quiet as of late," Gang nodded as he thought back on his own investigations. "But why the need to hire them? Why would anyone risk allying themselves with the Triads?"
Mako shrugged, wincing as he did so. "It's a partnership. The Triads get to have connections to someone in power whom they could ask favors from. In exchange, you get a group of men and women willing to do your every bidding. You're very own personal army."
There was another round of silence as everyone mulled over Mako's words. Lin weighed her options, her mind quickly sorting through the things she had learned. Compartmentalizing them as she always did. Once done, she began to plan their next course of action.
"You, Mako," she called him to attention. "You seem to know much about how those scum operate."
"I don't—"
"Save it," Chief Bei Fong glowered. "I don't care how you know, or why. I want you to use whatever resources you have in tracking down any member of the Triads. If they are working for Tarrlok—and if he has anything to do with what happened today—then they may have the information on where they are keeping my niece." Turning to her three subordinates, she called them to attention and said, "Lu, Gang, Gommu, you're going with him."
The three saluted before Gang grabbed Mako and the four men left the house, though Lu was still very much against riling up the Triads. If they were wrong, who knows what kind of retaliation would come their way.
"What about us?" Asami asked. She wanted to be able to do something to help and hoped Chief Bei Fong wouldn't just sideline her.
"You and your friend will help me plan our assault and put stock to our inventory. We won't be having the luxury making use of the police department's equipment. We're going to have to make do with what we have."
Though Asami consented, Korra declined.
"I have something I want to do. Or try to, at least." she said, standing up. "I'm not sure if it would work, their voices are so very distant now, but it would be much more helpful than assisting with your planning and preparation." Korra looked over at the Prodigy and added, "You know how...unhelpful I am with that."
"Are you sure?" Asami wanted to know.
The Avatar nodded. She knew it would be difficult to try to reconnect with the Elemental Spirits. She knew it would be painful, regardless of whether she succeeded in her attempt or not. Korra no longer even cared if she would be able to commune with the Elemental Spirits, at least, for that moment. Any of the other spirits would do, so long as they could tell her what she wanted to know.
And so, Avatar Korra made her way to a silent corner of the house, crossed her legs, and began to meditate. Searching for a connection of any kind with the spirits.
The words assaulted him. Every line of truth he read, every revelation, was like a punch to the gut. Before long, his hands were shaking, no longer caused by anxiousness but by rage.
Fragments of an explosive device discovered...
Explosion on reactor was unlikely caused by an accident...
Signs of foul play found...
Request for further investigation denied by the Republic City Police Department under orders from Captain Song...
The further along Hiroshi read, the more he came to know why the investigation and the case was quickly closed. Someone had ordered Captain Song to quickly wrap-up the investigation—to write it up as an accident—even though there were boxes on evidence to suggest otherwise.
Hiroshi Sato wondered why. What did the Republic City Police Department gain from whitewashing the investigation? That was the question the Sato patriarch wanted answered. It was the question that pushed him to slog through the voluminous document.
It was only when he finally got to the last few pages of Noatak's so-called "peace offering" did Hiroshi find what he was searching for and finally understood the big picture.
It was also then when he came to despise the people who ran Republic City, and those who allowed themselves to be bent to their will.
Before Hiroshi placed the documents back into their envelope, he had already changed his mind on Noatak's offer.
That was all Avatar Korra could grasp as she tried to commune with the spirits. The multitude of threads—colorful and vibrant—that once connected her to the realm of the spirits had completely disappeared, save for the extremely rare instances where she could see some of them, though dull in comparison and so far away she couldn't reach them.
She knew she was pushing herself, meditating deeply than she ever dared to do—even needed to. Korra could feel rivulets of sweat appearing on her skin, cascading down her body. The strain taking a toll on her as she felt a headache begin to settle just at the back of her eyelids, the kind that was accompanied by a spell of dizziness.
Yet despite knowing the futility of her efforts, the Avatar couldn't stop. It wasn't just for Opal's sake, however. Korra felt she needed to meditate—to be in touch with her spiritual side. It was like something was pulling her, calling and beckoning her, telling her to push though the foggy haze.
Korra didn't know how long she had been meditating when she heard a faint whisper, a flickering connection muddled by static. The dark-skinned, young woman concentrated harder, trying to understand the garbled message.
In the end, however, all she could manage to understand were two, short words. A plea that she already knew and intended to answer.
Find us.
Mako, Lu, Gang, and Gommu made themselves comfortable in one of the bars often frequented by members of the Triple Threat Triad. They had already met with some of Mako's Agni Kai contacts and even his connection to the Red Monsoons—which he explained to the three officers with him were people he had made dealings with before ("As is often the case when you are a mercenary for hire" he had said), hoping that either of them would provide the information they needed. Unfortunately, neither managed to do so. According to the two gang members from the aforementioned organizations, their gangs were not responsible for the bombing that occurred.
The three officers were getting restless, Lu most of all. Though each of them were seated far away from each other, he couldn't help but think their cover was going to get blown and that all hope of uncovering the location of Opal Bei Fong would be lost.
Though it was far too early for a drink, the officer felt he needed one. He signaled the bartender who quickly gave him a tokkuri of sake along with an ochoko. Lu could see the look of disdain pass through Gang's face when he began to consume the alcoholic beverage.
He was half-way through the bottle when a man, no older than Mako, swaggered inside the bar. Two things caught Lu's interest. One, the bar's patrons all pretended not to see the new arrival; and two, a look of recognition passed through his face when he saw Mako. It didn't take a genius to know that he was the acquaintance the roughed-up mercenary was waiting for.
The undercover RCPD Officer continued to nurse his drink, though he watched the Triple Threat member and Mako like a hawk as they conversed quietly at the little nook they had taken for themselves. He wondered what the topic of their discussion was all about, for—at first—it didn't look like the Mercenary was getting straight to the point of their meeting.
The conversation took longer than he would have liked. So long, in fact, that they were still talking when Lu has finished his tokkuri of sake. The temptation of asking for another bottle was strong, but he held off from it and instead munched on the free Flaming Fire Flakes that was lying for the patrons of the bar to indulge themselves with as they drink.
By the time he had emptied the bowl, Lu was pretty certain he was already red-faced and that the bartender was not at all pleased with him. Thankfully, before the sour-looking pub owner could speak with him, the Triple Threat member stood up and shook Mako's hand. There was another exchange between them before hands were released and the triad member left the bar.
Lu slowly counted to ten—as did Gang and Gommu—before they, one-by-one rose from where they sat and went to Mako.
"Well? Did ya get it, kid?" Gommu asked.
"Yeah," The Mercenary nodded. "but you're not going to like it. And I have a feeling Chief Bei Fong won't either."
"Spit it out already. We have wasted enough time as it is." Lu growled in frustration.
Mako gave the officer a withering look before taking a deep breath and saying, "The Triple Threats are working for Tarrlok. They were behind the attack on Miss Sato's dormitory and the bombing. It seems the Councilman promised them quite a lot of things."
"And what of Miss Opal, did your friend say anything about her?" Gang asked. That was one of the more important things at the moment.
"He did. Miss Bei Fong is currently being held captive by Councilman Tarrlok's in the Catacombs."
Lin Bei Fong had always prided herself as being observant, among other things. It was one of the things that made her good with what she did. That was why Asami Sato's mannerisms didn't escape her, nor how frequent the heiress would steal glances at the dark-skinned, young woman sitting cross-legged at the corner of her living room. Not that she was being subtle about it.
Sighing, and sensing that they would not get anything done more than they already had, Chief Bei Fong spoke.
"If you're that worried about your friend, perhaps you should go check up on her."
"W-What?" Asami almost jumped. She didn't expect the Chief of Police to speak just then. "Oh, no. I'm sure Korra's fine. She would have stopped her meditation if it became too much for her."
Chief Bei Fong nodded, contemplating on whether she would pursue the line of inquiry that had been bothering her. After a while, she did.
"You say you only met her a week ago, correct?" she instinctively took on the tone that she used during interrogations.
"Yes," came the curious reply as Asami wondered why Chief Bei Fong need to ask that again.
"And you've been helping her, looking out for her, ever since?" Asami gave another affirmative reply before the Chief added another question, "Why? If she's forcing you into this, Miss Sato, it is best to tell me now before all else turns to hell."
The Prodigy's eyes widened when she realized what the older woman was saying; what the older Bei Fong thought was going on behind the scenes.
"N-No. No, it's not like that, Chief Bei Fong," Asami quickly assured her. "It might have started that way, but I have come to believe that her fight is now my own as well. She's trying to fix a mistake that I—unknowingly as I was—was a part of. She lost her...bending because of a machine that was built from my own studies and research. I feel...responsible for her. Besides, if I leave her to her own devices, especially with how she is now, I doubt she'd be able to survive for long." A small smile appeared on Asami's face as she looked back at Korra and added, "She might be a very powerful being with the Elemental Spirits on her side, but that girl knows so little about the world. She doesn't even know how to properly take care of herself."
"Just making sure that you're doing this of your own volition, Miss Sato," Chief Bei Fong grunted.
Asami looked the Chief of Police in the eye and said, "I am."
It was the Chief of Police's turn to nod.
"Good," she said. "Then if you are dead set in accompanying this Avatar of yours back to her hometown, I would like to ask you for a favor."
"A favor?"
"Once we save Opal, I want you to bring her along. Take her to her brothers, if you could." Chief Bei Fong said. Seeing Asami ready to argue, she held out a hand to silence her and went on, "I know you're hands are already full with that girl, but I have a feeling things are only going to go downhill for Republic City. I do not want my niece to be caught up in it. I'm not sure if a request for air clearance would make it in time, however. What I can promise you is clearance from all the checkpoints in Republic City, for when you leave."
Asami really didn't know how to say no to that, but she couldn't help wondering if being with her and the Avatar would be a lot safer for Opal than being with her aunt. Se voiced that thought to the elder Bei Fong.
"I am going to be waging a fight against one of the most powerful and influential people in Republic City, Miss Sato," Chief Bei Fong gave an amused chortle. "Between the two of us, you're the one who is going to have it easy."
She was rudely awakened by a foot nudging her side—making her injuries flare up in pain—followed by a muffled, grunting voice telling her to "get up". When she didn't move—after all, how could she when she was feeling like she had just been trampled by a Lion Elephant?—the owner of the voice grabbed her arm and hoisted her up. Her protests and moans reached deaf ears as the masked man clearly did not have her best interest in mind.
Just as unceremoniously as she was yanked up and dragged into a dark room with a singular lightbulb hanging in the middle as its lone feature, was she dumped into a metallic chair. Unable to do much protest, whether in words or action, the man was able to handcuff her hands at the back of the chair before leaving, shutting the door loudly as he did so. Her position, as well as the brightness of the lightbulb and her injuries, were enough to make her nauseous once more.
She didn't know how long she was sitting there. There were no clocks, no windows, nothing that would measure the passing of time. But after a while, the door opened once more.
With her eyesight still adjusting to the light, she didn't know who it was that had entered the small room until the person spoke.
"Miss Bei Fong, I'm so glad to see you again. I hope you're enjoying your accommodations."
Opal glared at the silhouette before her, his voice grating her nerves. She bit through the pain and said, "Councilman Tarrlok, why am I not surprised?"
The Councilman shrugged before he walked to a chair opposite the one Opal was occupying. Upon sitting, he crossed his legs and placed both hands on his knee, taking in the appearance of the young woman before him.
"Before anything else, I would like to apologize for the way my men handled my request to retrieve you and your friends. I didn't expect them to go overboard." Councilman Tarrlok said. "I had only requested them to bring you and your friends to me and only use force when necessary."
"Save your apologies," Opal coughed. "You didn't seem to care when your men were shooting their guns at us back at the University."
"Not at you and Miss Sato. I would never personally harm any one of our students. They were aiming at that dark-skinned girl that was with you, the one who had the power of the spirits at her command." the Councilman paused for a second to think before saying, "In retrospect, maybe I shouldn't have been hasty in ordering them to gun her down. Of course, that was one of the reasons why, this time around, I had extended an invitation to her and Miss Sato. Though your friend chose not to accept."
"Of course, I didn't think they would escape." the Councilman continued on with his monologue. "I would like to think fortune has favored me by having you here, however. Thanks to you, my plan could still be salvaged."
He doesn't have either of them, which means he's planning to use me as bait. Opal thought to herself as she took a moment to disregard whatever 'plan' the man was prattling on about.
"The knowledge the three of you have of the Spirit Bastille cannot be left unchecked, especially with the President coming to see the machine in action. Nor can I allow someone who obviously has a connection with the spirits to roam free. With your help, I can achieve my objectives of keeping you and Miss Sato out of the way and of obtaining that girl for myself."
Even though she had already guessed her intended use, Opal decided to play along when she asked, "And what makes you think I will do anything to help you?"
At that the Councilman laughed. It added another sound to Opal's list of things that she hated about the man she had once respected. "Oh my dear, you don't have to do anything. Your presence is all that I require. You will be the flame that draws the unsuspecting moths."
"As if that is going to work," Opal scoffed. "I'm a poor choice of bait if you want to flush Korra out. Heck, I don't think she would risk her neck out for anyone or anything unless the spirits are involved."
"Korra? I am guessing that's the girl's name." Councilman Tarrlok grinned smugly. "See? I knew you were going to be perfectly helpful, Miss Bei Fong."
Opal, annoyed that she gave away the Avatar's name, spat with as much venom as she could muster, "Go to hell, Tarrlok!"
"My, my, such language. Then again, what can you expect from a Bei Fong?" the Councilman laughed as he stood. "Now, I have some things I need to prepare for—both in welcoming your friends and for the Spirit Bastille's presentation to President Raiko. I'll leave you here to cool yourself down, Miss Bei Fong. Unfortunately, I can't untie you. You have to understand, I do need to take some precaution."
And with that, he left, quite pleased at having riled the young historian.
Knowing that she could do nothing to free herself, and not wanting to expend too much energy and aggravate her injuries further, Opal didn't bother with her bindings.
She heaved another sigh. She really couldn't blame anyone for the predicament she got herself into. Mako had, after all, insisted on leaving. It was she who chose not to listen and thus got herself injured and captured.
Part of her felt confident of what she told Tarrlok: that she was a bad choice of bait and Korra wouldn't go running to her rescue. Another part, however, knew that she was wrong. Korra might not be willing to risk her neck for Opal, but she knew Asami wouldn't hesitate. And if Asami was willing to brave the danger, she had a feeling the Avatar wouldn't let her go at it alone. She didn't know what it was that made her think that way. Maybe that feeling was hope? Whatever it was, she was torn at wanting both of them not to risk their necks for her, and at wanting them to give the Councilman a good beating.
Because if they don't, and if I manage to get myself out of this mess, I'm the one who's going to beat the crap out of him.
"I knew you would come around," Noatak said, speaking with Hiroshi on the phone. "I would not be able to pull this off without you, my friend."
Hiroshi ended the conversation soon after that, promising Noatak the support he required. Hanging up the phone, Professor Noatak smiled to himself. He was pleased with how things were going.
A sudden beep alerted him of a message in his communicator. A couple of key presses later and the message was displayed.
'It is done.' the message read. 'The stage is set. The curtain falls tonight.'
His smile only widened.
And so it finally begins...
Post Chapter Notes:
dun-dun-dun-duuuuun~!
So, yes, a little bit of a different backstory to how Yasuko (Asami's mother) died as well. The question is, would you trust something Noatak handed to you? Maybe, maybe not. We'll see.
Also, Tarrlok is much harsher and more conniving in this universe compared to the original/prime's, as you all will notice in later chapters.
Once again, thoughts on/about the chapter(s) are always welcome.
Until the next update (which would be soon-ish), dream on; fly on!