Flashing lights and loud sirens sounded. Riding on his motorcycle and kicking up dust in the tires, Mako was pursuing an individual on the run. The man was draped in a blue shirt with a collar that reached up to his cheek on either side. His slacks were a shade of deep gray and it was clear in Mako's line of vision that the man carried a weapon on his back. A weapon he was not using just yet.

Being a firebender had its advantages and with the heat waves rolling in from the outskirts of town it seemed to help intensify his flames as he shot full bursts at the fleeing man to prevent him from getting any farther. A man who could outrun a motorcycle was a sight to behold. Mako would be lying if he said he wasn't shocked that an average man could outrun him, even with the help of water bending and using the ice to slide across the dirt path. Even still, there was only so much water available that he used. If he didn't use it, then he was just averagely quick on his feet to avoid stands or anything getting in his path. At one point he took to the rooftops but the firebender was still doing a good job of keeping an eye on him. If there were any chances of cornering he would go for it but even still the man was tricky and weaseled his way out.

This mess was going on for about a half hour. Mako was growing tired of playing cat and mouse with this man and was quick to end it. With another burst of fire to propel his bike further, he steadily moved closer but was still tailgating the man.

Within seconds he'd be able to catch him, just a little closer –

BAM.

Hurled off of his bike from an attack from the side, Mako rolled to the ground and skid to a stop while his bike continued to keep skidding until it hit the wall of a building. Too caught off guard, a hand gripped him and hoisted him up until he blinked enough to fathom what just happened.

Head still tilted slightly, in the corner of his eye Mako could see the waterbender looking at him with crossed arms and a sneering smirk of confidence.

'Wait…if he's right there…then who…?'

Mako drew his eye contact up to who held him in place with clenched firm fingers. What he got was not what he expected in the least.

"Finally we caught this guy." Kama stated and strolled up to Mako, gripping the bender by his thin black hair and yanking his hair back. "We've come a long way kid, so don't waste our time."

Mako wasn't quite sure what it is these two wanted but he wasn't going down without a fight, that's for sure. So what if he was younger? He's busted bad guys before and he'd sure as hell do it again. Or at least stall them long enough for back up to arrive.

"We're looking for someone…" The cloaked figure still holding him asked. The grip only tightened until Mako could feel the finger nails pinching into his flesh and making him wince.

"He's an older man. Dark hair, almost black. Blue eyes, he acts full of himself and confident in his abilities. Waterbender?" Kama turned to his companion just to clarify only to receive a nod. "Yeah, waterbender. He's been hiding for awhile now, plotting who knows what. He needs to be eradicated from existence."

Why did those characteristics sound familiar? Did he know anyone like that? Well, there wasn't many waterbenders that he knew of considering he lived in Republic City regardless of his current occupation in the Earth Kingdom. There were a few faces that came to mind when he went on that trip with Korra to the South but other than that, he didn't have much of any answers to give.
"I don't know. It's too vague. A name might help."

"His name is classified. We don't need word getting out that we're looking for him. That'll only stir things up." Answered the cloaked figure. "We have already checked the database of Republic City and they have no records of him."

Mako's eyes widened. The waterbender must have been the man who massacred all those men at the Police Headquarters in Republic City, the one he heard reports on and in the news. It was the reason Chief Beifong had left to go investigate the situation personally. Mako was still more or less a rookie and was ordered to remain here until said otherwise or to notify her of the Avatars return. This man was capable of such a feat? He should have suspected as much since he was able to outrun him even on his motorcycle. But bending that strong and to be able to take on an entire task force of metalbenders? It was almost unreal. He began to doubt his abilities of making it through this alive. If they couldn't take him on then how could he? If only Korra was here or if he had some type of back up. He was resenting being too in over his head now.

Kama sensed the uneasiness in Mako's face and chuckled lightly, his grip never wavering. "Oh, I think he's seen a ghost. Have we met?"

"No," Mako spat out with what he could. At this angle it was hard to talk with his neck stretched back preventing that much air to circulate. "But I've read about you. You're the one who killed all those people in Republic City, didn't you?"

"Oh." Kama released him and stepped back. He was not shocked but rather pleased to have been made a speculation of and recognized even without a picture. This firebender was smart, even if he was just an amateur cop. "Quick wit." Waving his hands in a form of 'oopsie' he just shrugged. "Hey it's not like I really wanted to kill them. It was their arrogance that was their downfall. Besides, don't sign yourself up for a job if you can't handle it. That being said," Kama grabbed the boy from the cloaked figure and used his boot to kick Mako's chest sending him backwards. Once he hit the ground, Kama was on him as quick as the kick, his foot holding him down. "I expected some kind of fight out of you but it's nice to you aren't as stupid as the rest of them. Well, unless you prove me wrong in the next few seconds, so let's not try it."

"We can't give you a name but we can assume he was living in the North, being a waterbender. But he likes to travel, so he could be anywhere. This guy is very cautious, especially around my partner here, which is far more threatening than I am which should tell you a lot. I want access to your files of Ba Sing Sei, criminals, anyone suspicious or ever had anything against them. I'd prefer if you can narrow it down by the information I've given you."

Mako tried to wriggle out of the weight of the boot crushing weight but was only rewarded with even more pressure. "I don't have access to those kinds of files!" He blurted. He was running out of options and this was getting him nowhere in terms of progress. Where was the backup? Sure this was more of a deserted side of town but you'd think someone would report on two suspicious figures ruffling up a cop. "Look, I can try to help you as best as I can but you'll need to listen."

"I'm listening." Kama grit his teeth, patience almost wearing thin. If this kid was just going to try to stall then it was a waste of time to even interrogate him.

"You may have better luck if you check out the watertribes if you say he's a waterbender. Besides, the Avatar is up North right now, I bet you she could help. She's a good friend of mine, if you tell her I sent you-"

"We will not be having any affairs with the Avatar. That incompetent child cannot even begin to fathom what we are dealing with here."

"You can give her a chance-"

"No." The figure shook their head, pose still straight and never wavering. Their patience was unnerving to say the least. Resolute and full of fearsome aptitude. It sent chills down Mako's spine. "The Avatar may be a grand spectacle, but this is a matter not to be solved by the likes of her. I don't need unwanted meddling either. A war is coming and blood will be spilled, innocent and guilty. If you know what's good for you, you will not involve yourself nor will you involve your stupendous companions. Is that clear?"

Mako gulped, only able to nod from lack of oxygen while Kama's foot sunk into his lungs deeper. "Y-Yes."

"Good." The figure shot their companion a glance and the waterbender let up, removing his foot. "Take care of him. We have places to be and we're running out of time. Each day he grows stronger." The figure turned on their heel and made for the opposite direction – towards the oasis that covered the landscape in dust and sand.

The wind kicked up beneath their feet. Just out of the corner of his eye, Mako sat up. He could see the wisp of brown hair escaping the inside of the hood from the cloaked mystery that was claimed to be more powerful than the waterbender in front of him. How could such a fearsome figure exist? Perhaps they were far more of a threat than the Equalist army. But there were only two of these guys, right? No, the person mentioned a war. There must be an army on their half, right?

"If what you say is true," he chimed in before they made their exit, "then how do you two expect to take on an army? Do you have your own? Who all is involved? Other criminals?" Maybe with more information he could give this to Beifong and they could start an investigation on these two in secrecy. Using an anonymous name might work. If they killed many people, they must have left survivors at some point too. He could be any person out of that percent, even if it was low.

"We don't need anyone else on our side." Kama smirked triumphantly, adjusting the weapon on his back to fit more comfortably for their departure. "The two of us is all we need, so don't underestimate our strength." He looked towards his comrade. "Right, Vinioz?"

"Yes." They spoke with ceremonious challenge. "And anyone who thinks otherwise will burn to ash. For when you cage the demon, sometimes it gets angry and wants revenge."

Vinioz faced Mako, face flushed with killing intent. Mako could only stare them both down, never once doubting the words even for a second. An aura like this, it was overwhelming. It was like facing two wild beasts zoning in on their prey to make dinner out of him. What he least expected was to see the figure remove their hood, and underneath it was not in the least bit what he expected regardless of the sharp overbearing ghastly presence and the impoverish impulse that edged him to flee while he still can. Underneath that dark hood held pure terror in the face of beauty. A woman, perhaps the same age if not older than the waterbender. Wavy dark brown hair that fell just below her chest, a mixture of reddish brown in her eyes, causing it to look more maroon than anything. Her smile revealed what looked to be sharp canine teeth almost reminding him of that creepy smile that that watertribe councilman used to use when he kept trying to persuade Korra to join his taskforce a year ago. Then it clicked in his mind. They couldn't possibly be referring to him before, could they?

Just as Vinioz grabbed him up off the ground and lifted him in the air up off his feet, Mako was quick to save himself. "Wait! I think I may know who you were talking about. You said he was an older watertribe man with dark hair, right? Was he suppose to be presumed dead by chance?"

Kama stepped forward with interest. So the little brat did have knowledge he was holding back, did he? "Yes, he was suppose to be. He made a run for it though. We've been trying to track down the jackass for awhile now but he's still in hiding. He's a very deadly man and he needs to be exterminated."

Now it all made sense to him. Tarlokk fit the criteria perfectly. The only thing that became an issue now is if what they said was true and he was getting stronger by the day, what did this mean for Korra? They were going to the North to go find Tarlokk's brother. Which meant...he could restore Tarlokk's bending! Or if he somehow convinced Korra to do it for him. This was bad news all in the making. "Please, let me come with you. I can take you to him. Remember how I told you Avatar Korra was in the North? She was accompanying him there. She could be in danger if he's really as fearsome as you say." There he goes again doubting her abilities. He should know better that Korra can handle herself but it was inevitable, he was just a protective person over her and wished for her safety. As reckless as a person as she was, could she manage against two highly skilled waterbenders? Bloodbenders no less.

"The Avatar is with him?" Kama was taken a bit back by that information. This was not something he expected in the least. Perhaps the man was plotting to bring her down without her knowledge of it. He was always a tricky man, just as he was in the past. "Does she know of what he's capable of?"

Mako nodded. "She does, but it was a risk she was willing to take on their travel." His gaze went solemn within seconds. He should have known better. He should have...

His self doubt was cut off when Vinioz set the teenager down onto his feet. She debated on whether this was a good idea or not. Perhaps if he betrayed them she could always just kill him.

"I will take you with as a guide. But we're leaving now. Time is of the essence and I don't have the patience for you to dilly dally with goodbyes. Send a postcard once we get there."

And with that, Mako joined the likes of two of the Nations most dangerous individuals.


AN:

So the cloaked figure is finally revealed at last! I have huge plans for our little duo here. The plot is rolling as I want it to but there will also be a bunch of surprises along the way. Ones you won't even see coming. ;D Also thank you to new followers.

Song is Hey Mister by Miss May I. Yes, the violence will be kicking up more and more soon.