As the years went on Haru's earth-bending training went by fairly fast. He mastered the basics in a matter of days and within a year he was almost as good as Toph, almost.
Speaking of Toph she decided to finally retire as Chief of Police to go on a journey of enlightenment, but before she retired Haru finally unlocked his metal-bending at 14. Lin and Toph were overjoyed and they began to train him constantly. He absorbed as much as he could and he proved to be just as skilled as anyone in his family.
On his 15th birthday Lin had finally decided to tell Haru about Stoick. At first he was angry, that this maniac had took his father away, but he was also proud of his father's sacrifice to protect him and the world. He hoped one day he could avenge his father, that is before his mother got to do it first first.
At 16 Haru enrolled in the police academy. Lin was fairly hesitant at first, yes Haru's skill in bending was astounding and being a quick learner he was sure to go far, but at the same time it was her only son. He did make some slip ups on the first day but some he learned and now it was second nature to him.
A now 19 year old Haru Beifong stood in front of a mirror, his training had helped him develop some muscle, not so much that his figure had changed, but enough so that he could now hold his own in a unfair fistfight.
"So bud, what do ya think?" he asked Toothless who stood by his side.
When they were issued metal bending armor he was ecstatic, but he did tweak his a bit so that he could make further adjustments. He had gotten rid of the helmet, he could take a boulder to the head, the kilt had been removed and used the metal to put a extra layer under his chest plate.
He also got rid of the metal on the thighs since they slowed him down, plus he figured he could raise his knees in defense, he wore brown pants in the armor's place.
The gauntlets where his personal favorite, they had leather on the inside so they wouldn't slip off or chafe, he also made them thinner, so his arms would be able to move faster.
( Think of Hiccup's 'armor' from the httyd2 trailer but replace the leather with metal. And THAT flying suit will appear later in the story so please bear with this for now. But if you want you can just picture him in you!)
Toothless himself was full grown and now was about the length of a Satomobile from head to tail, he looked over his rider and gave a supportive nod.
Months ago Haru had developed a artificial tail fin for him, along with a control pedal fitted for his foot so no one would take Toothless for a joy ride. If he didn't set them on fire already.
To say Haru had been in his workshop of late would be a understatement.
As he admired his work a knock came from his door.
"Haru? Are you done?" Lin asked from the hall, the modifications had been his little secret.
"Come in!" Lin entered the room, after looking him over she couldn't help but smile.
"Only you would think of comfort hon." she stated she gave the young man a hug, Haru graciously returned it.
"Actually I was thinking lighter is faster, and the faster I am the less I can get hit." he said pulling away, "And even if I get hit, worse case I get a bad bruise."
"Always thinking of everything." Lin smiled. She pulled out a small box from her pocket and handed it to Haru.
"Here." she said. Haru looked at it skeptically, but he still took it.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Open it up." Lin smiled. Haru unwrapped it and saw his family seal on the wooden box. He looked at Lin with wide yes and quickly opened it. There was a black rock inside of it.
"Your grandmother would've wanted to to have it." Lin said with a tear in her eye.
Haru held the rock and gave Lin a big hug.
"Thanks mom." Haru said as they ended their embrace.
"No problem sweetie. You best be heading out, I'll see you at the station." she said.
"Alright." With that Haru and Toothless headed out and took off into the air.
Flying over the city was a feeling the Haru absolutely loved, it was also his idea of patrolling the city alongside the airships. When he first flew his mother nearly had a heart-attack but when he showed her all the safeguards she permitted him to fly in the city's airspace.
He suddenly landed in the alley of a restaurant and knocked on the door. An elderly man opened the door.
"Ayyye Haru! It's good to see you my boy." the man smiled.
"Always a pleasure Mr. Shiro. Do you have anything for me and Toothless?" Haru asked.
"Sure of course anything for my favorite customers. Hold on I'll be right back."
Mr. Shiro closed the door, ans Haru listened in he could hear the sound of rapid chopping of meat or vegetables coming from the kitchen.
"Can't wait to see what he cooks up this time bud." Haru said. Toothless nodded with a grumble.
Suddenly the door opened. Haru fell but quickly got up and composed himself, laughing nervously.
"One pork-chicken noodles with bacon and two big red Fire Nation Pyke fish." Mr. Shiro announced.
Toothless began to drool in anticipation. Haru grabbed the fish and the bag of food, resting it on the ground.
"How much do I owe you Mr. Shiro?"
"It's on the house." Mr. Shiro waved him off.
"Oh come on Mr. Shiro let me pay for it please?" Haru begged.
"Oh alright, 20 yuans."
Haru reached into his pocket and pulled out the money.
"Here's 25. Keep the change."
"May the Spirits bless you Haru and you too Toothless." Mr. Shiro said. Toothless quickly gave the man a huge lick before he began to eat the fish.
"Thanks Mr, Shiro, Have a great day."
"You do the same Haru."
Mr. Shiro closed the door, leaving Haru and Toothless.
"Alright bud I'm gonna eat this at the precinct so hurry up and finish your breakfast."
Toothless happily gnashed away at the fish. After a few moments the dragon was finished and Haru hopped on his back and they were off.
Toothless and Haru reached the police station quickly. Toothless stayed on-top the roof of the station while his rider went in.
After passing by a few of his graduate friends he stopped when he looked into interrogation, inside was a girl, no, young woman.
At a first glance she looked like she was from the water tribe, but Lin being in the same room with her either meant she was a high ranked criminal, or a vigilante. He decided to go and make his entrance.
Interrogation Room
"Fine then, I want to talk to whoever is in charge." The water tribe girl said.
"You're talking to her Lady Avatar, this is Chief Beifong." Haru said
Both turned to see the boy.
"Lieutenant Haru, what are you doing here during my interrogation?" the Chief asked in a hard tone.
"Wait, Beifong? As in Lin Beifong? Your Toph's daughter!" the Avatar exclaimed in happiness.
"What of it?" Lin said in an uncaring way, "And again, Lieutenant, what are you doing here?" she asked Haru.
Haru gave her a neutral expression, "I had some paperwork that needed your signature Chief." He said
"Wait wait wait, back on topic! Why are you treating me like a criminal? Avatar Aang and your mother were friends. They saved the world together." the Avatar girl stated.
"That's ancient history and it's got dittile squat to do with the mess you're in right now. You can't just waltz in here and dole out vigilantly justice like you own the place. Lt. Haru you knew I was in the middle of interrogating someone."
The Lt. shrugged, "I admit that I knew, but I was curious to see the new Avatar."
"We'll discuss this later Lieutenant." The Chief said with finality.
Haru nodded, "Understood Ma'am."
A window opened, "Chief, councilman Tenzin is here." Said a nameless officer.
Lin sighed, "Let him in." she said in a dull tone and rose from her seat.
Haru turned to see Tenzin walk in.
"Tenzin…sorry I got a little sidetracked on my way to see you." The Avatar said.
Tenzin took a deep breath and turned to Lin and smiled, "Lin, you are looking radiant as usual and Haru, excellent to you see my boy."
Haru nodded and gave a small smile, "Tenzin, always a pleasure."
"Cut the garbage Tenzin, why is the Avatar in Republic City? I thought you were supposed to be moving down to the South Pole to train her?" Lin asked aggressively.
"My relocation has been delayed. The Avatar on the other hand will be heading back to the south pole immediately, where she will stay put." He responded.
"But!" The Avatar tried to argue but was cut off by Tenzin.
"If you would be so kind as to drop the charges against Korra, I will take full responsibility for today's regrettable events and cover all the damages." He said
Lin looked at Korra and then back to Tenzin, she sighed and released Korra's cuffs through metalbending, "Fine, but get her out of my city."
"Always a pleasure Lin, Haru. Let's go Korra."
"I'll escort you out Councilman Tenzin." Haru said.
Lin said nothing about it and gave Korra the 'I'm watching you' hand sign and Korra returned it.
Haru just gave a light chuckle to this.
As they walked through the hallway out of the station Tenzin spoke, "You don't need to escort us Haru, I know the way."
Haru placed his hand over his heart, "I'm hurt Uncle Tenzin, can't I at least spent time with my godfather?"
"Godfather?" Korra questioned the relationship between her Air-bending master and the handsome Lt.
'Wait…Handsome?' Korra thought with a small blush.
"Korra let me introduce Lieutenant Haru Beifong, Lin's son." Tenzin said.
"Wait, Haru?" she asked. "Master Katara mentioned you a few times I think."
"Auntie Katara? I haven't seen her in a while I should go visit when I'm not busy."
"I'm sure she'd loved to see you Haru, The South pole is your home just as it is mine." Tenzin stated. "Speaking of the South Pole-" Tenzin looked at Korra.
"Tenzin, please don't send me back home." Korra pleaded.
"You blatantly disobeyed my wishes and the orders of the White Lotus." He said.
"Katara agreed with me that I should come. She said my destiny is in Republic City." Korra argued.
"Don't bring my mother into this!" Tenzin said with anger as his face turned red.
Haru laughed and Tenzin turned to glare at him, but his head was turned and was whistling innocently.
"Look, I can't wait any longer to finish my training. Being cooped up and hidden away from the world isn't helping me become a better Avatar. I saw a lot of the city today and it's totally out of wack. I understand now why you needed to stay, but it needs me too." Korra said
Tenzin struggled with coming up with an argument with Korra's words, but was tongue tied.
"Is this your polar bear dog miss?" asked an officer who was being licked by said polar bear dog.
Haru and Toothless flew to the Docks and he spotted Korra and the air-bender family waiting for a boat, he decided he should drop in and say 'hi'.
"Hey guys." Haru said as he walked up to them.
"Haru!" they said in happiness.
"Are you going to try and keep Korra here? You always said how it would be awesome to meet her?" Ikki asked in hope.
"Sorry Ikki, it's not my call, but I can say it was great to meet her." He said as he flashed the water tribe girl a smile.
Korra returned it and walked to the ship ready to take her home.
"Wait." Tenzin said as he stepped forward, "I have done my best to guide Republic City towards the dream my father had for it. But you are right. It has fallen out of balance since he has passed. I thought I should put off your training in order to uphold his legacy, but you are his legacy." Tenzin said as he placed a hand on Korra's shoulder.
"You may stay and train air-bending here with me, 'Korra gasped' Republic City needs its Avatar once again." He finished
"Yes! Thank you! You're the best!" Korra cheered
The kids cheered also and she hugged them all together.
Suddenly Toothless came over to join the hug as well. When Korra looked up she she screamed for dear life and jumped away.
"Toothless I told you to stay in the bushes bud." Haru scolded, Toothless only huffed.
"That is a dragon, you called a dragon...Toothless?" she said with surprise, realizing she was clinging onto Tenzin. she slowly let him go but hid behind him away from the dragon.
"Don't worry he won't hurt you see."
Haru gestured over to Toothless who had Meelo riding on his back.
"Fly dragon, fly!" Meelo said pulling on Toothless' 'ears', much to the dragon's annoyance.