Chapter 11

Collateral Damage

Korra dreamed of a blood bender in a courtroom. She dreamed of Aang, Sokka and Toph and it kind of looked like Iroh's mom was there too. The man almost got away but Aang stopped him and took his bending away. It didn't make any sense to her. She had never heard of the man before and as she sat up in Iroh's bed she couldn't help but think the dream was just a useless memory.

Korra looked around the room hoping to see some signed that Iroh was there now but he wasn't. Out side the window she could see the outline of a Kiyoshi warrior standing on a roof. Korra sighed knowing that the warrior was visible on porpoise. She was sending a message: you are being watched but you are safe. Korra wanted to be resentful about the other woman being so cocky but at the moment Korra really couldn't be.

"How long have you been watching me?" She muttered looking at the painted woman.

.o.

Mako watched the adults in the room trying not to freak out. No one had taken Sozza's calm declaration that Korra had left the police station well. He was worried about his friend and from the looks on the other people's faces he wasn't the only one.

Tarloc sneered. "Now, we've lost her too?!" He clutched his sides laughing. "Oh my what a great force of nature you two are," He looked at the Director and Chief, "No wonder you two don't work together all that often."

Lin narrowed her eyes. "I'll get every police officer on a beat looking for her. There wasn't a sign of struggle she could have just walked out herself."

"But why?" Asami asked. "Why would Korra walk off?"

Sozza looked at Asami and sighed. "It's not out of her nature to step out and take a breath when things get too stressful. The royal guards had a hell of a time tracking her down when she was over stressed. Usually could find her in a closet if I remember correctly."

Tarrloc shook his head. "Well then let's just check all the closets in the city then! Hey maybe we'll find our illustrious missing general there too! They could be making out like teenagers!" The councilman threw his hands up in exasperation.

"Please be serious!" Lin crossed her arms. "We won't achieve anything if you're not going to take this seriously!"

"You're right Chief Beifong, you're right. We need to see some progress soon or the city will fall into complete chaos." Tarloc sighed. "We've managed to kill or loose all of the first fleet's high command and possibly the avatar. Chief Beifong, we need to enact marshal law and take a very close look at the non-benders of the city. We have to find General Iroh and Avarar Korra before things get more destabilized."

"Or maybe you could trust a professional spy to do his job and get out of tight situations. Hmm?" said General Iroh walking into the room with barely a hair out of place. The man casually took out a cigarette and lit it with a lighter. "And really? Stripping the rights of a section of a populous because of one person? I thought you knew better councilman."

Mako tilted his head. Something wasn't right about the General. His face was ever so off. This man's face it was close but the other, the original, was more attractive with refined features. Not that this man wasn't good looking but his face was just off and while Mako didn't really like the man he had met before, he liked him better than who ever this was. Mako tried to keep quiet while Tarloc and Iroh seemed to replay their battle of wits from the other day all over again. This time resulting in a highly offended Tarloc leaving the room after Iroh blew a stream of smoke into the councilman's face.

Sozza looked over at Iroh. "Put that out! That's a nasty habit and you know it!"

"Sorry Aunt Sozza." Iroh incinerated the cigarette in his hand. "I'm trying to quite."

Sozza rolled her eyes. "And you're falling miserably at it, Lu Ten."

Lu Ten bowed. "Again apologies but you know that's usually the best way to show I'm not Iroh."

"Trust me we could tell it wasn't really Iroh." Sozza crossed her arms.

Lin shook her head. " What are you doing here Lu Ten and why are you dressed like Iroh?"

Lu Ten shrugged. "Thought it would be helpful since councilmen wet blanket was trying to enact marshal law and you all had no idea where our little Avatar has run off to."

"And you do?" Mako asked standing up. "You know where she is?"

Lu Ten nodded. "Yes, she's gone back to Iroh's apartment. My sister, as per orders, fallowed her there. Korra is safe under our protection."

Asami sighed in relief. "I'm glad she's safe but who the heck are you?"

"And why do you look like General Iroh?" Bolin added.

Lu Ten bowed. "Apologies, I am Duke Lu Ten III, Iroh's first cousin and often his body double. I am employed as a Kiyoshi warrior as my sister, mother, and grandmother before me."

"He's the son of Fire Lord Izumi's younger twin brother and he looks a lot like Iroh." Sozza clarified.

"Oh…Wait." Mako was silent for a moment. "General Iroh, the guy Korra's dating, is Prince Iroh? That dork with the glasses and the fish on his head? There's no way those two people are the same person! Are they?"

"Unfortunately they are." Lu Ten slumped.

"The picture I showed you was taken a long time ago." Sozza smirked. "That was before I got to him and made him cool or at least competent."

"Yeah, thanks for that." Lu Ten leaned against a wall. "You know how hard it was to keep up with him once he got to the city and you turned him into some ripped spy guy? I had to work over time to match his physique. Not fun."

Sozza pouted. "Sorry I made life so hard for you." She shook her head. "So Korra's safe?"

Lu Ten nodded. "Yeah, we saw her jump out of the window and Lafey followed her while I changed and headed in here. I hope you don't mind us stepping into your turf like this but I really fear for the day Tarloc get's anymore power."

"You aren't the only one kid. Speaking of which," Lin glanced over at Mako, Bolin, and Asami, "I think it's best if you three go back to your respective homes and get some sleep. There's nothing you can do here-"

.o.

Korra laid her head back down on the pillow trying to concentrate on Iroh's sent.

+BOOM+

Korra sat bolt up right. "Was that an explosion?" The air was still and then five more explosions rocked then night and then there was the sound of sirens and screaming. Korra ran out to the balcony and saw some of the city's most important buildings in flames. "Oh Spirits what have you done, Amon?"

.o.

Varrick coughed trying to get the dust out of his lungs. "Zu Le? Zu Le you ok?" A hand reached out from some rubble and he quickly helped his assistant out of the rubble. "Hey you ok?"

Zu Le nodded. "I will be just a little bruised. What happened?"

Varrick looked around. "UFO head quarters just got bombed." He looked at the crack in the ceiling. "I'm guessing the lobby was hit. We need to get out of here." He saw some of the plaster fall. "Now."

.o.

It was like a chain reaction Bolin couldn't follow. He heard the blasts, felt the heat but as he sat in the rubble of the Police building he still couldn't piece together. He stood in the middle of a hospital waiting room, his ears still ringing and a nasty gash in his arm. Asami sat in a chair holding an ice pack to her head she looked just as dazed as he felt. Sozza was pacing back and forth her eyes in a panic. People were being rushed into the hospital from all over the city. It was a mad house.

A man Bolin had seen a few times over at the house walked over to Sozza and whispered in her ear. Sozz bit her lip and nodded before walking over to Bolin. "Hey Bo, I know you're going to hate me baby but I've got to step outside for a moment. Tell your mother if she comes out I'm just outside dealing with some crisis at the office."

Bolin nodded. "I understand. Mom, is Mako going to be ok?"

Sozza kissed his temple. "I really hope so my little baggermole, I really hope so."

Bolin watched her walk away before sitting down next to Asami. The heiress looked over at her friend. "I should call my father tell him I'm ok."

"Yeah, that's probably a good thing." Bolin's voice was a numb as he felt.

"Mako's going to be ok, he'll make it."

Bolin nodded the memory of his mother screaming clutching his brother close was still way to fresh in his mind. "I hope you're right." He gave a small chuckle. "To think a few hours ago we were all so happy, fresh from a win."

"Amazing how much things change in an instant." Asami motioned to where Sozza had been previously pacing. "Speaking of which what happened there? How can your mom just leave like that with Mako in critical condition?"

Bolin sighed. "It's work related. Mako and I've learned not to ask too many questions about it."

"Oh, super secret stuff?"

Bolin nodded. "Yeah something like that. Mama Sozza's a very secretive person but she does it to keep us safe. I think Iroh and her work together."

"You got that vibe too?"

Bolin nodded. "I'm not as dumb as I look. I learned along time ago appearances are deceiving. But just because they deceive you doesn't mean they don't care about you."

Asami patted Bolin on the arm. "I hope you're right Bolin, but forgive me if I never want to be in the situation you and Mako were put in with your mom." She stood up. "I've got to go call my dad now, before he freaks out more."

Bolin nodded, "Yeah you do that."

.o.

Korra looked over at her unexpected house gusts. "It's been a long time since I've seen both of you. Lafey, Lu Ten." She handed Lu Ten a bag of ice. "You should be in a hospital Lu Ten."

"Maybe but can't risk people seeing me and thinking the your husband is back." He put the ice to his shoulder. "Besides, if memory serves you're a better healer than most doctors."

"I am." Korra grabbed a bowl and started to fill it with water. "So am I a bad friend for not going down to the hospital to be with the while Mako's in surgery?"

Lu Ten shook his head. "It's a mad house there. No, you're better saying here."

"Where we can protect you." Lafey added.

Korra finished filling the bowl with water. "But, what if Mako doesn't make it? I should be there."

"Princess please." Lafey looked at her pleadingly. "We've lost Iroh we can't loose you too. Not in the same night at least."

"Fine." Korra set the bowl down and turned the radio on. "I'll stay put for now."

Over the airwaves Tarloc addressed a city now partially engulfed in flames.

~ My fellow citizens of Republic City we all have been attacked by the Terrorist Amon and his people. He has murdered the high command of our first fleet and bombed the very pillars of law and order. As of now my task force is the only law-keeping agency in operation and I have been given executive power by council to stop Amon and his non-bending followers once and for all. This city will be under marshal law until further notice. Anyone weather bender, non-bender, or avatar caught in the streets between the hours of 10pm and 5 am will be arrested immediately. This is a troubled time for our city and if you're scared know that I am too but I swear I will not rest until Amon and his followers are off the streets and we can all sleep well again!~

Korra paused her healing looking at the radio in shock. "Did what just happen just happen?"

Lafey nodded sadly. "Yes, Princess Korra, Tarloc just used this tragedy to gain more power in five hours than a man could in a life time."

A/N: thanks for reading! Sorry Iroh wasn't in this chapter but I promise he'll be in the next one! Comment if you feel so compelled! Question if lost! Also Lafey and Lu Ten are Iroh's first cousins, they are twins. Sorry if this chapter threw a lot at you just that I really wanted to get the plot moving and these things needed to happen. See you all later!~ C.C.