Chapter XXII: Jailbreak

Saltrall groaned and pushed himself with one arm, staring at the back of the truck as it drove away. He stood on shaky legs before trying to run after it but collapsed again. He panted softly before grabbing the wall and standing.

"Don't worry, Korra, I'll get you back, I promise." He said softly and he stumbled back to the TARDIS, groaning softly as his blood started flowing normally again.

He sat down in front of the console and let his body recover from the bloodbending. He looked at his arm, the one he moved a little while he was being bended and wondered if that was normal for someone being bloodbended.

After only a few minutes he felt better and teleported back to Air Temple Island. He put on the brakes and stood in a hurry, wanting to wake up Tenzin and begin the search as soon as possible, but as soon as he stood he felt weak and collapsed again before passing out, his head hitting his chair as he fell.

He had no idea how long he had been out but his eyes opened slowly and he rubbed his head softly, throbbing a little and he stood. He opened the door and shielded his eyes from the morning sun.

He stepped out and saw Pema standing and looking out at Republic City with worry on her face.

"Pema, is Tenzin here? I need to tell him something," Saltrall asked, concerned as he walked up to her.

She looked over at him and shook her head, "No," she said, "He's already at City Hall, something terrible happened last night,"

Saltrall cursed under his breath, "Trust me, I know, that's why I need to find him," He said as he turned and ran back to the TARDIS.

He slammed the door shut and ran to the console before putting in the coordinates for City Hall and pulling the lever. He put on the brakes and stormed out as he landed, no longer caring who saw him walk out of whatever the TARDIS camouflaged as this time. He ignored the shocked faces of several passersby and stormed into the hall just as Tenzin was walking out. Saltrall looked past him and saw Tarrlok sitting on the floor inside the Hall.

"Tenzin, I don't know what Tarrlok told you, but I know what really happened to Korra." Saltrall said with intensity.

"Saltrall I know you mean well but I have to believe what Councilman Tarrlok says this time." Tenzin replied, looking at the time Lord.

"No! He's the one who kidnapped Korra!" Saltrall replied pointing at the Councilman.

Tenzin's eyes widened slightly, but not for the reasons Saltrall hoped.

"You're accusing a Councilman of kidnapping the Avatar? I know they don't get along but he has reason to, and you have no proof!" Tenzin replied.

"No proof?!" Saltrall shouted, taken aback by that accusation, "I was there! I watched it happen!"

Tenzin just sighed and kept walking, making Saltrall almost pull some of his hair out. He sighed in defeat and dropped his arms to his sides just as two police officers grabbed him.

"Hey! What's going on?" Saltrall asked, looking at both officers.

"You're under arrest for slandering Councilman Tarrlok," One of them said. Tenzin heard this and turned around.

"What? There are no slander laws in place here! You have no legal basis to hold him on those charges!"

The cops just laughed. "He just walked out of a street light, you can't honestly believe that he's sane, can you? We're doing him a favor!"

Saltrall tried to struggle but he knew it was no use. He sighed and was resigned to his fate as he heard Tenzin behind him.

"Don't worry, Saltrall, I'll get you out!" Tenzin shouted as the cops dragged Saltrall away.

Saltrall just sighed and kept walking. He was led to and shoved into a cell that held Mako and Bolin.

"Saltrall?! What are you doing here?" Bolin asked the officers shoved him in the cell and slammed the door shut behind him.

"Oh you know, just getting arrested, average Tuesday afternoon." Saltrall replied sarcastically, "No, I'm sorry, apparently I'm 'insane' and 'it's for my own good'" He said, adding air quotes for emphasis.

"What? Why would anyone think that?" Bolin replied, making Saltrall blush and look away.

"I... may have walked out of a street light in broad daylight and called a Councilman a bleeding liar." He mumbled, under his breath.

Bolin broke out laughing while Mako stared at Saltrall before putting his face in his hands in embarrassment.

Saltrall looked at them. "Look, in hindsight, really stupid move, I get that, but I was frustrated and I had to talk to Tenzin and I just didn't care about people seeing me,"

Mako had a look of confusion on his and was about to speak when Bolin spoke up.

"Um, guys, I really got to use the bathroom." He said, sheepishly.

Mako and Saltrall slowly turned and looked at him before they sighed and said in unison,"Go in the corner."

"Uh, can you guys turn around?" He asked sheepishly. They sighed did as he asked, "Thanks."

About a minute passed and Bolin hadn't finished and Mako asked him if he was done yet, as he did Saltrall went over to the door and used his Sonic on the lock just as Lin and Asami walked up.

"Oh, hey guys," He said as he opened the door and Asami ran in.

"Hey Asam- Oh for God's sake," Saltrall started, only to look away when she locked lips with Mako.

Lin walked in and stood next to Saltrall, rolling her eyes a little at the display before saying, "Hate to break up your lovers' reunion, but Korra's in trouble. Amon captured her."

Saltrall spoke up, "Heh, actually," he started with a nervous chuckle, putting his finger up "Tarrlok captured her, not Amon,"

Lin and Mako stare at him with shock, "No. No, she can't be gone!" Mako said in horror, causing Asami to look at him strangely, "And how do you know Tarrlok has her?" Lin asked Saltrall.

"Funny story about that, see, I was there," Saltrall replied, "Korra said she had to talk to him, in the middle of night, on the down low, you know the usual, I got worried and I saw him put her in the back of a truck and I tried to stop him, but he was too strong for me," He thought about mentioning the bloodbending but figured they wouldn't believe him.

Lin rubbed her chin, "This changes everything, do you know where they went? Have you told Tenzin?" She asked, turning to Saltrall.

"No and yes, but he didn't believe me, then I got thrown in here for being 'insane'" Saltrall replied.

Lin groaned, "That straight edged old git," She muttered, putting her fingers on her temple, "Do you think he could've given her to Amon?"

"It's possible," Saltrall replied, "Come on, let's go see Tenzin, he might believe you, Lin."

They all ran out of the room and headed back to find Tenzin.