A/N: Welcome to The Aftermath. This is where the differences from canon start getting fun.
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"I can't believe it's being shut down."
"I find it hard to believe that it took the arena being blown up for people to realize it was going to be shut down at all."
"Shut up, you."
Korra and Mako looked up at the broken building. Neither of them had any interest in Tarrlok's press conference and even less interest in Asami and Bolin's spa day ("You can be a badass and have baby-soft skin, you know."), and had somehow found themselves together at the sight of their failure. Of her failure. What kind of Avatar couldn't even take down someone right in front of her?
"Have you already spoken to the police?"
"Yeah, a few hours ago. You?"
"We must have just missed each other." Korra and Mako didn't really look at each other as they spoke. She had decided to try and put her animosity aside until things weren't so completely wolfbatshit crazy, but without their sniping at each other, she weren't sure how to act around him.
"I ran in to Tahno," Korra said. "He's been to the best healers in the city. They can't do anything."
"The King will be flying any who agree out to the healers in Ba Sing Se. Perhaps they can do something."
"That's nice of him."
"Zir Majesty is very gracious."
Korra wanted to ask about him, this glorious monarch she hadn't been allowed to see. Was he a war king? Could he make the tough decisions in the final seconds? Was his spirit as strong as the ores his kingdom mined? Had he earned the loyalty Korra had witnessed? Korra wanted to ask. She didn't.
"You have made quite the impression on Miss Sato."
"Have I?" For the first time in their conversation, Korra sounded happy. "Sweet. Hey, is it true you guys arm wrestle to decide who has to pick up the check?"
"As true as it is that Agent Bolin cannot keep from saying the most inopportune things," Mako answered, frowning deeply.
"Why do you do that?"
"Excuse me?"
Korra finally looked and Mako, waiting patiently for him to face her. "Why do you keep using titles for people you're close with? Bolin's your brother, Asami's your friend, but you never just call them by their names."
"I am in this city under an official capacity. I am to remain professional."
"And all that fancy talk! It's just me. I don't care. You can just say you're here for your job and want to act like it. I. Don't. Care." Korra stared him hard in the face, willing him talk like a normal person. This wasn't animosity – it wasn't – she just wanted him to be a little more casual. Slump his shoulders. Call her Korra. Use. Contractions.
"Then why do you speak as though it bothers you?" Mako asked, ignoring Korra's silent demand.
"Because you're not 'here under an official capacity' anymore! I have been escorted. The decision has been made. Your job is done. Relax." Korra wanted to grab him and shake him. Things were going to be stressful enough already without some tightly wound bureaucrat wandering around, a second away from snapping.
"I will relax when my brother and I are out of this Koh-forsaken city and back in Ba Sing Se where we belong." Mako turned abruptly and began marching toward his satomobile, muttering under his breath. As he stepped into the vehicle, he called back spitefully, "You have been cordially invited to Sato Manor at the request of Heiress Sato. Tea will be served at ten. We hope to see you there."
His tone was as close to a fuck you as Korra had ever heard from him, but she barely registered the message, too caught up in the words he had muttered as he'd stormed away – words not meant for her ears, words she felt guilty for knowing;
This city has taken enough from me.
Korra climbed on top of Naga and rode off to Air Temple Island, her thoughts racing. Who are you, Lord Mako?
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"If the Avatar doesn't show it's 'cause I pissed her off. Sorry not sorry."
If this was how Asami felt when she randomly called him up and announced they were doing something, Mako could see why she got so much joy out of harrassing him. Wanting to make a good impression on her new friend, Asami had planned the day around things she thought Avatar Korra might enjoy. Mako knew she had planned the meal and the satomobile race and the hot rock massage ("Everyone can enjoy a nice hot rock treatment, Mako.") all with Avatar Korra in mind. If the Avatar didn't show up… well, ok, it'd still be a nice time together, but all that planning would have been for nothing and then Asami would try to kill him.
Fortunately for Mako (and Asami, he supposed, though she really really deserved to sweat for making him spend any time with the Avatar after their… incident), Avatar Korra's arrival was announced while the three friends were taking their tea.
"Korra!" Asami exclaimed, setting her cup down delicately and rising to greet her guest. "I'm so glad you made it! I have a full day planned, so I hope you're well-rested."
"Don't you worry about me, Miss Sato," the Avatar said in a mocking tone, sneaking a look at Mako. He didn't react. "I'm up for anything!"
"I'm glad to hear you say that."
Mako rued the say those two met.
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Mako didn't like being alone with his thoughts.
Asami and Avatar Korra were racing around the track, the heiress trying in vain to get the Avatar to understand the different pedals and gears. Bolin was in the grass, feet bare for that extra rush in the rumbling asphalt as the satomobiles made each tight turn. Mako was in the stands, trying desperately to drown his mind in the sounds of the excitement around him.
Seeing Avatar Korra again…. He wanted to strangle her. He wanted to not want to strangle her, but he wanted to strangle her. She had no sense of propriety, no sense of tact, no sense of this is the part where you stop talking. How dare she try and claim a right to dictate his actions? How dare she think her comfort more important than his?
"Relax"; why should he? What part of this situation was relaxing? He and his brother were in a war zone in a city they'd only barely escaped once already, the King was sending a squadron of their most elite fighters to tide over Republic City until they could spare some soldiers, a terrorist was threatening his family, and he was supposed to sit back and cheer as some entitled teenager learned how to drive?
I hope she crashes.
No, no he didn't. Intrusive thoughts, mom had called them, when you sparred with someone and thought what if I just stabbed them. When you flew an airship and wondered how many would be hurt if you crashed it into a building. When you wondered what it would be like to die.
Short, fleeting, obviously not anything serious, just morbid curiosity, perfectly normal.
I hope she crashes so I don't have to deal with her ever again.
The Avatar turned the wheel too sharp, going into a dangerous spin.Mako blinked and the vision faded. Avatar Korra was still in the backseat, peeking over Asami's shoulder at the satomobile's controls as they pulled ahead of a Future Industries test driver.
Bolin cheered as the duo crossed the finish line only just ahead of the other racer.
I hope I make it out of this city with what's left of my family intact.
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"Emergency! Emergency, coming through! Beep beep!" Bolin shoved his way past the others, running full sprint to the nearest toilet. Korra laughed and turned to Asami.
"I don't suppose there's another bathroom in this palace?"
"There's a ladies powder room upstairs," Asami answered. "First door on your right. You can freshen up there."
"And there is a toilet in this 'powder room'?" Korra asked jokingly. Asami chuckled.
"Yes, Korra, there is a toilet. We'll meet you in the sitting room ok?"
This has been really fun, Korra thought as she located the restroom. Even the hot rock thing. She'd never had boiled rocks placed on her back before but it was a nice experience. One she was never going to repeat without prompting, but still. Nice.
Korra did her business and looked around at all the beauty supplies as she washed her hands. She didn't even know what most of that stuff was. Apparently, looking as good as Asami came with a lot of work. Korra picked up a poufy thing and stared at it, her head cocked to the side, before closing her eyes and shoving it in her face.
Ok, I clearly didn't do that right. Airbending! I need airbending! she thought as she coughed and waved the powder away. Unfortunately, her airbending remained as blocked as ever. Fortunately, she didn't have a really embarrassing story to tell to anyone who would have wondered how her airbending manifested.
Korra decided the powder room was dangerous and best left to professionals.
The stairs were this way, right?
"No, no. I assure you, everything is going exactly as planned."
…So, go downstairs, or see what's behind door number one?
Who was she kidding?
She snuck her way to a set of double doors and crouched down to look through the keyhole.
"Luckily, the Cabbage Corp investigation has bought us enough time."
Korra's gut clenched. She knew that voice. Please please please let this be one of the servants that sounds scary similar.
"Trust me, by the end of the week, we will be ready to strike." The speaker turned and hung up the phone. No.
This couldn't be what it looked like. This couldn't be what it sounded like. It couldn't be Hiroshi Sato: her new friend's father, who she had spoken of so highly, who she loved so much, who she idolized so openly and cherished so well especially since her mother's murder.
…by the Agni Kai.
Korra had a bad bad feeling.
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Proof. Korra needed proof. She couldn't go to the police without it – they'd head straight for Tarrlok and his task force rather than investigate themselves and Korra did not need to talk to the guy to know he'd try to trade his help for her cooperation. She couldn't go to Tenzin for the same reason – he would go to the council.
Korra needed proof – solid, see-able proof – and she had only one authority figure to turn to.
"So, you think Hiroshi Sato is supplying weapons to the Equalists." Korra hadn't heard that bitchy tone since Ba Sing Se.
I am going to punch you in the face.
"Yes, I do."
"Do you have any evidence?" He knew she didn't. Of course she didn't. She would've gone to someone else if she had.
"I know what I heard."
"So that's a no?"
"That's why I'm telling you this," Korra explained. "You're the most capable person I know for helping me find proof."
"If there's any to find," he insisted.
"If there's any to find," Korra agreed. They would find something. She didn't want them to, but she knew they would. "Please."
"I do hope you won't be offended if I want you to be wrong about this." Korra nodded.
"I want that, too."
"Also we have to tell Mako."
"But Bolin–"
"I'm calling him right now."
"Noooooo…."
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For as long as Bolin had known Asami, three things had always been apparent:
1. She is better looking than you
2. She is a genius
3. She adores her father
As much as she complained about her dad when he got to bragging about his rags to riches story, Asami was always the first to tell anyone how he had clawed his way to the top though his engineering prowess and business know-how. Every fond recollection was a story of time spent with her father, every new mechanical wonder another way to win his pride, every big decision had the thought what would dad do lurking just behind it.
Bolin knew this. Mako knew this. Korra, who had so recently met Asami, knew this.
By Korra's information, they had until the end of the week – three days to see if Hiroshi was an Equalist. Three days to see if they would ruin a life.
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Mako didn't want to be here. He didn't want to be here. He did not want to be here. He didn't even like sailing!
The three of them didn't have the manpower to just search all the Future Industries factories, so Korra suggested searching Hiroshi's office. With all the servants wandering around the mansion, Bolin was an obvious choice to go as look out. With how unsubtle Korra was, she was an obvious choice to not distract the Satos.
Looking at Mako, one would never be able to tell he was worried about two people who were at that very moment invading the privacy of his companions.
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"Hurry up!"
"Help me look!"
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"So mom and Grammy are arguing and we're all wondering when it will come to blows and Wu, who this entire time is still trying to show off the new dance move he learned, just screams 'stop what you're doing and adore me'."
Asami laughed and Hisoshi chuckled good-naturedly.
"Oh, that sounds like Wu." Asami sighed and wiped a tear from her eye.
"How is Wu doing these days?" Hiroshi asked, rolling up the sails as Asami dropped the anchor, apparently satisfied with the spot he'd picked.
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"Put everything back exactly as you found it."
"I know how to snoop."
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"He's well," Mako answered. "He finally got mom to agree to let him get a second badgermole so Ting Ting doesn't get lonely."
"He just wants more excuses to sing."
"Kyoshi help us all."
Asami laughed again. Hiroshi grinned and pulled out some drinks.
"So why couldn't Bolin and Korra come?"
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"Anyone coming?"
"I'll check."
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Mako really didn't want to be here.
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"Oma and Shu…."
"What? What is it?"
"I… I found something."
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"See you around, Mako!" Asami waved as she and her father drove off.
Mako waved as the two disappeared around a corner and walked into the house where Bolin and Avatar Korra were waiting for him. He took one look at their crestfallen faces and hopelessly said, "Please tell me you two didn't find anything."
"Sorry."
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Of all the things Korra didn't want to deal with, Tarrlok was definitely in the top three. Alas….
"Hiroshi Sato, you are under arrest for aiding and supplying the Equalist terrorist group." Tarrlok looked unbearably smug as the metalbenders cuffed a protesting Hiroshi and led him to their paddy wagon. He didn't care about Asami's pleas for information or desperate calls for her father, only of the press conference he would no doubt be assembling to announce his successful arrest of an Equalist weapons expert.
"I'll get this straightened out, dad! I promise!" Asami called to the departing paddy wagon that took her last remaining family member away. Once it left her view, she turned to Tarrlok, full of rage. "Where is your evidence against my father?" Asami demanded. "Or is him being a nonbender enough for you? I swear, you will stop at nothing for a little attention from the press. Can't you feed your ego by dressing up, going to bars, and turning everyone down like the rest of us?"
It was no time to be laughing, but what the fuck, Asami. Korra choked down her amusement at the councilman's expression.
Tarrlok looked like he was about to say something very nasty, but cleared his face at the last minute, looking pleasantly at the heiress in his path. "Our information comes from very reliable sources who located a secret workshop on your property." He looked to the teenagers standing around Tenzin, who Asami had insistently shaken off after his attempt to comfort her. "Avatar Korra, Lord Mako, perhaps you would like to tell Miss Sato what you've found?"
Mako glared hatefully at the waterbender as Asami looked to Mako, her expression heartbroken.
"Mako?" she asked, her voice quiet from disbelief and betrayal. "What is he talking about?"
"I'm sorry, Asami."
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After Tenzin claimed he and Tarrlok would need to go to the police station to oversee Hiroshi's processing, the teens were left alone. Bolin didn't know what to do. He wanted to comfort his friend, he wanted to grab her in his arms and take her away from the nightmare she found herself in, he wanted to go back in time and stop Korra from convincing him to investigate the Satos, but he knew there was no way to fix this.
It had been a while since he'd felt so helpless. It was not a feeling he had missed.
"Show me."
"I'm sorry?"
Asami refused to look at them, as was her right, but her voice was strong when she ordered them; "Show me this workshop."
"Asami," Mako said sympathetically, which surely made the situation worse what with the part he had played in it. "You don't need–"
"Yes I do need!" Asami shouted, seeming only seconds away from attacking one of them. "I do, Mako! I have to see this for myself. I can't believe…. I won't believe until I see the proof with my own eyes."
She finally turned to face them again and oh did Bolin wish she hadn't. For once in her life, she was a mess. Her mascara was smeared, her eyes were red, her hair was in tangles from her constant gripping and pulling and Bolin didn't think he had ever seen her cry but he found himself unsurprised by the pretty way the tears delicately spilled over and rolled down her face.
Bolin walked to her and placed his hand on her arm. "It's this way."
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Amon's image looked down at them as they wandered around the workshop – Asami in shock and the others in morbid curiosity. The three spies hadn't had the time to properly dig through anything when they'd first found it, but looking now, they were torn between awe and horror at the machines Hiroshi had designed. It had always been obvious Hiroshi was a genius, one only had to be in his presence for longer than an hour to know, but seeing the things his mind and rage had built was incredible and unsettling.
Mecha-tanks, the blueprints had called them. Wearable weapons. Lightning generators, flame throwers, grappling guns, all in one convenient death machine. The concept alone…. Truly, Hiroshi was a terrifying man.
Asami hadn't known him at all.
"I can't believe this," Asami whispered brokenly, gazing around at the posters and papers and hate. She dug through the designs, desperately searching for one without her father's handwriting and finding only more weaponry.
"Asami," Korra said, cautiously approaching the crumbling woman. "Asami, I am so–"
"Get out."
"W-what?"
"Get. Out."
"I–"
"GET OUT!" Asami picked up the closest thing to her – a wrench, she noted inanely, a one-half inch extendable ratchet – and threw it. "Get out ALL OF YOU GET OUT!" She grabbed something else – a claw hammer – and something else – a tape measure – and something else and something else and something else and threw.
By the time she had run out of things and collapsed, the others had already fled back to the manor. By the time the others decided to check if she'd calmed down, she was gone.
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"I didn't find her."
"Me either."
"I did."
Korra and Bolin turned to where Mako sat, his face solemn and his posture stiff.
"Councilman Tarrlok called a few minutes before you both returned," he said. "Asami has broken her father out of jail."
Bolin clenched his hands and jaw. Korra gasped. Like some overemotional leading lady, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands and felt very very faint.
Asami is an Equalist.
And things had gotten so much worse.
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A/N: Equalist!Asami – who saw that coming? Come on, tell me! Don't be shy. For those of you who don't like villain!Asami stories, this is not so cut-and-dried, so never fear! There is a reason for all of this. (side note on Asami: you can be a pretty crier and still look like a goddamn mess and also if you are a pretty crier I am so bitter and jealous of you)
To be clear, because Korra never went to an actual authority figure to open an official investigation, Hiroshi didn't know anyone was on to him and wasn't able to set up a trap.
I meant to bring in the Earth King in this chapter, but I finally decided how to word zir entrance and it wouldn't fit with the tone of this chapter, so next chapter for sure! (there's a small hint-hint nudge-nudge bit of information about the King in this chapter, did y'all catch it?)
"stop what you're doing and adore me" is shamelessly stolen from a Tumblr post by user snapchatting.
Last call for theories! The big divergences are coming up next, so send in your thoughts!