Mako thought he would never forget Zaheer's face. The cold calculated look he always used to wear, the stoic glare that revealed the inner workings of his mind going a mile a minute. But when he stared at him now, he couldn't have looked any different.
It had nothing to do with the beard he now sported, nor with his cool demeanour. But the way he slowly tilted his head forwards at his visitors was a change yet it felt oddly familiar. A small smile graced his lips as he recognised his would be interrogators as Mako took a seat opposite the airbender.
The Chief had accompanied him, yet the criminal barely acknowledged her as she took a seat beside the young detective. He just continued to stare unnervingly at the young man in his sight. Mako glanced at the woman alongside him. They weren't expecting him to be so silent.
After a few seconds of this, Lin decided to take action. "We want answers, Zaheer. You're going to give them to us. Understood?" She leant forward to emphasise her point.
The subject of her ire barely broke eye contact with the firebender to look at her. Even with just the flicker of his gaze he managed to mock her. A small chuckle could be heard from the back of his throat. It was the first sound he'd made since they had entered. He stared at her before he resumed his vigil towards Mako.
Lin lost her patience. "Understood?" she said as she came off her seat to stare him right in the eye, giving him something else to look at.
"The good cop, bad cop charade. That method is still in use? It is old. Archaic. Like me. And like you, Chief. In reality, it matters not what you practise. You will get no answers from me, old woman," Zaheer said softly. Even as he spoke he never broke eye contact with the young detective, calmly gazing into his amber eyes. It made Mako's skin crawl. "Mako, my boy. Where did you pick up that awful injury? You should be more careful. Fighting Kuvira, no doubt. Then again, it's not as bad as what I did to you, is it?"
Mako gathered himself before responding. An interrogation was all about control. Make the accused think he was powerless and he'd talk. Show any signs of weakness and you give the prisoner ammunition against you. Especially the ones that would try to manipulate you.
"This doesn't have to get any worse," Mako chided, starting his role in proceedings. "All you need to do is tell us why you did it." The Chief and himself had talked about it beforehand. She would try to rough him up, get out of the seat and appear threatening, while he would calmly stay seated, take note of what he said and offer a more positive solution. That plan, in essence, usually worked.
They should have known Zaheer would flip the script.
"You know why I did it, Mako. You're a smart young lad. No, I think the real question should be this. Why are you asking me these things? Why drag me and the poor shaken family all the way into the heart of the world? Actions such as these can have... negative consequences."
"Because the nature of your crime, along with your past deeds, warrants the death penalty," Lin stated bluntly. "That is why you've been dragged here. We want to know if you're crazy or just a murderer. If you are deemed insane, then you will be transferred to psychiatric asylum. If you are deemed sane, you will be put to death."
Most people would start at that, be taken aback by the very real possibility of death. It was a penalty that was very rarely used, and for good reason. But Zaheer barely flinched.
"An extreme measure. A desperate measure. You will kill me, in the hope that I will remain dead. So that you might be safe. From now on, no one is safe from me."
Mako and Lin glanced at each other. This interrogation was meant to just be a formality, a part of the process. The new doctors of the mind that called themselves 'psychiatrists' would really look into his mind and decipher whether he was crazy or not. But the way he spoke now... it was as if none of it mattered. Either he didn't care or he was hiding something.
"We have questions," Mako said, waving his pen. "You co-operate, this goes by pretty quickly."
"Anything for you, my dear lad. After all we are like old friends now aren't we? Although the last time we were in this position, well, I wasn't holding a pen, was I Mako?" Zaheer said. The grin never left his lips.
His words were poison, bringing back painful memories, igniting the venom in the scars. "They say the pen is mightier than the sword. I beg to differ," Zaheer added, and this time he laughed, head rolled back as it billowed off his lips.
Lin looked back at him in confusion. Mako had only been roughed up by Zaheer, but still he'd never told anyone. It seemed that Zaheer had an active memory.
"Well, in that case," Lin interjected. "Why did you-"
"I said I would talk to the boy," the airbender deadpanned, all mirth disappearing from his expression in the blink of an eye. "I said nothing of the sort to you, Chief. Why don't you go outside for a bit? Take a break, if you will. Mako and I can have a little chat."
Zaheer's voice sounded deeper than usual. One of the many things that had seemed to change.
Lin glanced at him, and even through her stern view Mako could see the uneasy look in her eyes. This wasn't part of the plan.
"It's okay," Mako replied, waving her off. "I've got this."
"It's okay, Chief," Zaheer echoed, the beaming visage back on his face. "He's got this."
It took one more concerned glance, and one more positive nod from the young detective, but Lin stood up to leave. Against her better judgement, she left the young man inside the room with the anarchistic airbender.
No sooner had the door closed had Zaheer said: "Now, my boy. Let us begin."
Korra had forgotten what it felt like to hug her mother without dark thoughts swirling in her head. But for now, she was glad to have that luxury.
Herself and Asami had gotten out of the Spirit World as quick as they could as soon as Jinora had told them of the news. The journey back had been agonising. She had felt a quick stab of guilt as it disrupted their holiday, but any thoughts of that nature were overwhelmed by the crushing worry in her chest. They had to stop for rest for at least one night. Asami later told her that she'd tossed and turned all night, murmuring words that couldn't be made out.
Tenzin had been kind enough to let them stay with him while they waited for the boat to arrive. It had been agonising at first, but thanks to Jinora the news that they were okay eased her concern. It did nothing to quell the nightmares though.
But she was here now, and so were they. It only struck her now how much she'd missed them, expecially considering that she hadn't seen them in a while.
"I'm so glad you're okay," she muttered into her mother's hair as she clutched her tightly. "When Jinora told me what happened I thought, well, I thought..." she trailed off, before grasping her in a tighter grip. "I thought the worst."
"We're here now," Senna reassured her. "That's all that matters."
Tonraq joined the two woman in the hug, his big overbearing presence shadowing them both. It could not hide the bandages and stitching on the back of his head though.
And all of a sudden Korra felt more furious than she had in a long time.
"Where is he?" Whereas before she would rage and her voice would rise, now it lowered to an ice cold degree. "I'm going to talk to him."
"Korra, no," Tonraq interjected, as his daughter made to leave. "The police have him now. It would be better if-"
"Better if what?" The Avatar interrupted, arms spread out to emphasise her point. "He almost killed you once. And then he nearly killed me. And now, he's back and he immediately targets my family. What did you think I would do? He's obsessed with me, Dad. He's never going to stop."
"Perhaps it would be best if you let the police do their job," Tenzin said, coming out of house to greet them, Pema and the family in tow. "At least for the moment. We've talked about this before, Korra. You have to be patient."
Korra looked around at the ensemble before her. Everyone around seemed to disagree with her. It brought back memories of when she was younger, more naive. But she wasn't the same girl she was back then. "Fine," Korra sighed, and she had the feeling the rest of them were glad she decided not to fight it. "But I am going down to the police station. Just because I don't have to talk to him doesn't mean I'm not going to glare at the son of a bitch."
"Fair enough," Tenzin said, knowing that would be the best offer they'd get. "Also, I think your parents have something to tell you first, before you go rushing off. They sent news of it beforehand."
Korra turned to her parents in confusion. "Is something wrong? Did Zaheer do something else?" Again her voice rose in panic.
"No, no, nothing like that," Senna said, and for the first time a sunny smile was on her face. "Very, very good news, actually."
"Well, what is it?"
"I'm pregnant, Korra. You're going to be a sister."
After the announcement, after the congratulations, Korra had rushed off. Asami didn't blame her. At some point it must have occurred to Korra that Zaheer had not only attempted to murder her family, but also an unborn child. Knowing that her family wouldn't approve, she left before they could notice.
And as for herself? She'd tried to integrate with everyone. She had welcomed the news obviously. Korra's head was swimming with emotion after she had been told she was going to have a sibling. Another life to nurture, another person to support her. And for some reason, that thought filled her with... dread? She honestly couldn't tell. Watching the two families laugh and play and eat together, it was just... too much. It brought back memories that threatened to crush her head and turn her brain to mush if she thought about them too much. They were overwhelming and she had to escape.
Even though there was no escape for her nowadays.
Was it naive of her to think that she'd be fine? She lost her mother long ago. And her father just had to go redeem himself before kicking the bucket too. Was it grief? Knowing that she, in essence, didn't have a family anymore? Or was it just this overbearing sadness that would take time to heal? Thinking about it gave her a headache.
She considered who she had in the world now. Korra had absolutely everyone. From her own family, to the airbenders, to Team Avatar, everyone supported her. Asami was not proud of the little pangs of jealousy as her mind wandered. Korra had everyone. She had no one.
It was hard to think that was not true. Mako and Bolin had each other. Bolin also had Opal. Even Lin Beifong had her sister, who in turn had a husband and a family. And that left her. The odd one out. Take away Korra and who did she have?
She supposed she could go to a grieving councellor, but she didn't fancy it. They would encourage her to let it go, let go of the gut wrenching anger and the lump of ever present pain in her chest. In reality they were the only things keeping her going. And the only person she could talk about these things to was heading out to confront an insane anarchist. Great.
She was caught in a cycle and she knew it. She would curse her friends subconsciously, envying their families and the support they always received. She would curse the fact that now Korra was seemingly everything to her now and that she couldn't live without her.
Then came the guilt. How could she do that, even if it was inside her own mind? They were the only people she had. Korra was her best friend, the best one she would and could ever have.
And then the anger. The fury that she should feel guilty. She had every right to feel this way. They weren't going through what she was going through. How could they understand?
And finally there was just pain. After her jealousy, her tears and her furious fits of rage had tired her she was just left with this overwhelming sensation of pain. She hid it well, hid it from almost everyone, but some days she just wanted to go to sleep and not wake up. The Spirit World had helped considerably. It was like a fantasy world where anything and everything was possible. Like a dream. But now she was back in reality and her world was a living nightmare.
She didn't know how to feel. She wanted to bury herself in work but she couldn't escape it. One night she had taken a good long look at the alcohol in her house. She took a long swig and then smashed it against the ground. She was determined to be stronger than that, even if she didn't feel like it.
And so, when everything else failed, and Korra wasn't there to give her shoulder to lean on, she just went out to the edge of the island and looked out to the sea. It was all she knew completely anymore.
Even though everyone was around her, and herself and Korra were closer than ever, she had never felt so alone.
"So, how long have they been like that?" Korra asked urgently. Her presence had not been expected. Now, Lin wondered why that had been the case.
She was in a bad enough mood after she had left the questioning. It was infuriating to look through the mirror at the convict instead of being there herself. And now, the Avatar was here to complicate matters further.
"They've only just started. And before you ask, no, it wasn't my idea to have Mako in there alone," Lin responded irritably. In truth, she was worried for him. She hadn't wanted to get him involved. She hadn't wanted any of them to get involved. Zaheer had hurt them enough already.
"I'm going in there," Korra decided. As she made her way to the door Lin just about stopped her, grabbing her hand as it was about to open it.
"No, Avatar, you can't," she said sternly. "I didn't want to put him in that situation, but he's in it now. Let him talk to Zaheer. He's the only one that he will talk to. Why do you think I'm out here?"
Korra paused to consider this. This was his area of expertise, but still...
"He told me that he'll be okay," Lin removed her hand from the Avatar's wrist, speaking more softly now. Well, her version of softer anyway. "He isn't in any danger. And he can handle himself."
The Avatar heeded her words this time, but she didn't budge from the mirror. It seemed that the questioning had another spectator now.
"Are you going to answer the question or not?" Mako asked. Despite Zaheer's claim he would talk he was getting nowhere. The former Red Lotus member was ever evasive.
Zaheer only smiled, like he had an audience to appeal to. "Have you ever heard of quid pro quo, Mako? Very simplistic little measure. You ask me something, I ask you. Care to play?"
"I'm not here to play games, Zaheer. You said you would talk."
"And I am talking my dear boy. Not about the things you seek, no. But I am fulfilling my end of the bargain."
A suspicion started to creep into Mako's mind. "You seem happy to be here," he noted.
"Why wouldn't I be? I've been taken to the throat of the world. The perfect place to make it retch. I can't complain can I?" he replied, his relaxed manner chilling Mako to the bone.
"You're acting as if you can leave whenever you want."
"I can."
"And how would you do that, pray tell?"
"You'll see. You will especially see."
"Did you want to get caught?"
"Quid pro quo, lad. Quid pro quo."
It was dangerous to agree to a prisoner's demands. It gave them power and encouraged them further. But he was getting nowhere at the moment. And he was confident he could play his little game and win. "Fine," he said. "Quid pro quo. Now tell me, did you want to get caught?"
"Excellent," Zaheer grinned. The smile looked artificial on his face, like his cheeks weren't used to the strain of the stretch. "As to your question, no. It wasn't part of the plan. But things could be worse. What happened to your parents?" he said, changing topics abruptly.
"I don't see how that has anything to do with this," Mako answered. He didn't like where this was going. The nature of the questioning gave Zaheer time to recover from a question and distract Mako with his own.
"It has everything to do with it. A young detective, looking to be around the age of... let's say 22? 23? When this was the other way around I found a lot of interesting things. A picture of your brother, a photograph of you and your lover. How is she by the way? Never mind. We'll get to that in a second. You don't belong in the police. Or maybe you do, the way you carry yourself. Suited to roam the streets because they are as natural as the air you breathe. All those nights of cold shuddering in the middle of the night, clutching your brother dearest in an effort to keep him warm. Working for the wrong people, committing atrocities that you wish you could forget, all in the hope that you could someday escape. What happened to your parents, Mako? Where were they all those years?"
Visibly all Mako allowed the man to see was his eyebrow twitching. Inside he was reeling like Zaheer had hit him. "Where did you get that information?" he asked, a hint of anger present in his tone.
"An estimate, Mako. But a good one. Answer the question."
He had to keep his composure. He couldn't crack under the airbender's gaze. He had to outwit him. "My parents were murdered right in front of me. I was eight. My brother was six. Ever since then, it's just been us two."
"It hasn't been though, has it? A certain water tribe girl interrupted your idyllic little fantasy didn't she?"
"Remember the rules of the game, Zaheer," Mako said, with no inclination of emotion. "How did you escape? And no expense spared, please. If you're going to hypothesise about me you can be damn sure I can do the same."
"Fair enough," Zaheer chuckled. "Let's see. Spirits are more than what you think they are. One such spirit helped me. No expense spared? My little friend took control of the first guard on the left. He killed the other one on the right. Once the drawbridge was down and the guard released, it turned out he had just killed his fiancé. Killed himself shortly after. Very messy, I must say. And the rest you know yourself. I was just about defeated by an elderly woman using a tactic I had never come across before." He spoke with such complacency that it nearly made Mako sick. Something so horrific was involved in his escape and he talked about it like it happened every day.
"I hope you enjoyed your little field trip," Mako said, venom in his voice. "You're never getting out again."
At this the room suddenly seemed to darken. "For too much of my lifespan I have been imprisoned," Zaheer snarled, barely contained rage behind his words. "I am never going back again."
Underneath his stoic visage, Mako smiled. It was the first sign of emotion Zaheer had emitted other than creepy contentment. He had to press on this.
"You are and you will Zaheer. You won't ever see the sun again."
At this Zaheer smiled, but not like his other grins. At this he smiled as if that was his one wish for the world. "You're right. You know, the last man who spoke to me like that... it didn't work out for him. I broke him. I destroyed him. Defiled him. You're walking a dangerous road."
"I'm in no danger from you."
"You're a confident young man Mako. I like that," he said, his voice becoming deeper as he licked his lips. "Another question. What is the nature of your relationship with the Avatar? You look like you've been worrying."
The young detective bristled at the question. His private life was not up for discussion. "She is my friend. You know this already. This is pointless. Now-"
"No, it isn't. Didn't your mother ever teach you not to lie? Hmm, I suppose not. Can't really do that when you're in a coffin. But no, I don't know this. I know you've been dreaming about her. Or maybe it's a nightmare. Either way, it interests me greatly. Because it is going to be a defining factor in the days to come."
"Days to come? What are you talking about?" Mako asked, before he clamped his mouth shut. He'd gotten distracted by Zaheer's ramblings and used up a question. The convict saw this too and jumped at the opportunity.
"Oh there are some dark days ahead, lad. Your saviour will be your doom. You know, I'd ask if being alone depresses you, if seeing your beloved in the arms of another stings, but I already know the answer to that. So I'll give you some advice instead."
On the outside Korra demanded that Mako be taken out of the room, that Zaheer was manipulating him, but Lin stopped her. Whether they liked it or not, they needed to hear what he was about to say next.
But Mako didn't know this. All he knew was that Zaheer somehow knew about his dreams. His feelings towards Asami and Korra. And that left him feeling he'd been punched in the stomach and winded. How could he know this? They were in the Spirit World! You'd have to be there to see-
Wait...
Something in his mind clicked right as Zaheer started talking.
"My advice is this; Run. Run as fast as you can," he said, and he started to laugh. "Run away from Republic City. Run away from it all because once I'm done with it everything you knew, everything you thought you knew will be unrecognisable. Run from your feelings. Run from your job. And especially, run from the Avatar. Because anyone who spends even a minute in her presence is in terrible danger. I hope you're listening well, Avatar," he said, as he suddenly turned his head to glare at the door.
On the outside both Lin and Korra were stunned. There was no way Zaheer could have seen her arrive.
On the inside Mako was almost swept over by a moment of panic. Korra was here? But he took deep breath and gathered himself. He needed to get his last question out.
"Know that I'm only giving you this warning because I know you will not heed it. You will stand in defiance, as you always do. And when your life has been shattered, when it all comes tumbling down on top of and the grief is so strong that you can't even breathe, I will be there to say I told you so."
He could imagine Lin in the other room. Any second now she would wade in to remove him and his chance would be ruined. He had to say it now.
"Thanks for the warning. If that takes up your question, then I'll ask my last one," Mako said as he waved his hand towards the door, signalling that he had one last thing to say. He looked him right in the eye as he said; "Who is Shin La? Katara said you mentioned that name."
Immediately Zaheer stiffened. "That is not a name to throw around lightly boy," he warned.
"Who is Shin La?"
"You don't-"
"Quit stalling," Mako's voice tensed. "Who is Shin La? Your spirit friend, a Red Lotus member? Who is Shin La?!"
"I will not-"
"Who is Shin La?!" Mako snarled, and his threadbare patience finally broke. There was fire in his eyes as he leapt up from his seat to slam his arms on the table. "Who is he?!"
Zaheer studied him, before quietly answering him. "He is going to be your destruction. He is an agent of the dark. He knows all. He sees all. You cannot hide from him, and he will always find you. He is the shadow in the corner, the darkness in the light. And the more time you spend in the Avatar's company, the more dangerous he becomes. He's in Republic City. Go, search for him. It won't be hard. He's coming for all of you."
With that, Zaheer sank back into his seat, satisfied. "Go, little detective. You'll meet him soon enough."
Mako left the room soon after. He needed a good night's sleep after that draining experience.
Korra and Lin were waiting for him as soon as he closed the door. Lin didn't say much, other than that she'd have to find Zaheer an appropriate cell. Korra remained however.
"Hey, you all right?" she asked, her voice full of concern. "He didn't pull any punches in there."
Mako rubbed his face in fatigue. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said. "Just tired really. Bastard had me pegged the moment I stepped one foot in the room. Used that to manipulate me too. But as I said, I'm fine. How's your family?"
"A little shaken up, nothing too major," she sighed, before a smile graced her face. "Mom is pregnant though. Guess I'm going to join the siblings club," she laughed. It was a wonderful thing to hear.
"Guess you are," he smiled back. "Congratulations on being a sister. Sorry that this dragged you and Asami back from... wherever you two were."
Both were determined not to be so awkward around each other. Both seemed to have a penchant for it though.
"Not your fault. How's the arm?" she gestured. The sling had been removed, but a thick cast still adorned his arm. It was visible even through the fabric.
"It's healing. You know, just have to take it one day at a time I suppose."
They lapsed into silence again, both unsure of what to say. Mako was about to bid her goodbye when she spoke first.
"Say, throughout this whole ordeal all of us have been spread out. Why don't you and Bolin come and have a drink? I'll invite Asami. It can be like old times," she grinned.
The old times were gone. Nothing would ever bring them back, his mind whispered. But outwards he graciously accepted. "Team Avatar, reunited," he said warmly. "Bolin will probably be free. Can invite Opal as well."
"Good," she said, before she made to leave. "Meet at the old place?"
"You know it."
"I'll see you there," she said, before she left the police station.
As he walked home, he knew the old times were indeed gone, and they would never be the same again. But when he talked with her, he could pretend they hadn't. And that brought him comfort, however fleeting it was.
The cell was small, dank and smelled of shit. Although the police had good quarters for prisoners, they had made sure to throw him in the darkest hole they could find.
A crucial, crucial mistake.
Zaheer rattled his nails against the bars, almost unwillingly. He'd served his purpose. Now all that was left was to die.
The guard eventually came over, looking annoyed by the disturbance. "What is it?" he asked irritably. He wasn't paid enough to deal with scum like this.
There was barely any word from him. The shadows concealed Zaheer's face, so that only his crumpled form was visible in the light. A small flickering fire lamp dangled above them, barely lighting up the cell.
The guard shrugged his shoulders. He made his way back to the table where he was reading his newspaper before the cell bars started rattling again. Even more frustrated, he stomped back over to the airbender. "What is it?" he yelled louder.
A slow murmur could barely be heard. It seemed like Zaheer was struggling to speak. "Well, speak up! Never stopped you before."
A slow rasp was all that could be heard. The guard leant in, only discerning a few words.
"Look... Out. Behind... You."
"What are you saying?" The guard asked, more puzzled than annoyed. "You aren't making any sense."
"Here, let me help." The guard almost jumped out of his skin as he whirled around to see the politely spoken, well dressed stranger behind him. "He said, look out," he told him politely, before his voice turned menacing. "He's behind you!"
And then black tendrils emerged from the strangers back and tore into the guards flesh. He barely had time to scream before Shin La unhinged the man's jaws like a snake. It was all the extra space he needed before he crawled down the man's throat.
Within seconds, the guard re-emerged next to Zaheer's cell. "What is it? Don't feel well, old man?" The light flickered again, this time to reveal the airbender's broken body. His skin had wrinkled. His beard grew wispy and his eyes dusty. It was like someone had sucked the life out of him.
Shin La supposed that someone had.
"It's all right, Zaheer," Shin La spoke kindly, before he reached through the bars and snapped the man's neck. "It's over for you now. You won't ever see what's in store for the rest of them."
And then Shin La nonchalantly walked out of the room, leaving the prisoner's body to be discovered in the morning. It was over for Zaheer now. But for Republic City, it was just the beginning.
After all, the night was young.
Hello there. Sorry that this took a while, but I have to admit that Christmas and Dragon Age: Inquisition took a lot of my time. But I'm back, and so is this. Thank you to everyone who has told me to keep this going, it seriously means a lot when I hear people actually like this. Thanks for reading :)