Chapter Four: Back to Reality
Mako was starting to panic; looking from one triad to the next, his hope of winning this fight dwindled by the second.
"Ha hah! Hah!" The aspiring firebender alternated targets with three shots, two going towards the earthbender and the other one being diffused by the firebending adversary. The wall of rock that shielded the earthbender broke in half at the top, speeding towards Mako. The weary fighter was hit onto his back, and when he tried to get up a blast of fire knocked the wind out of him.
Shady Shin and his two companions walked up along side Mako's defeated body. But the former pro-bender thought to himself that odds had been worse before. Rolling over, Mako tried to prop himself up.
"Give up Mako, you don't want to make this worse for yourself than it already is," Shin said.
"It's not over..." Mako uttered between grunts of pain, "until it's over!"
Pushing himself into a forward roll, Mako kicked up fire to make Shin back off, but a strong strike from the firebending criminal sent the once all-star cop sliding down the street. Lying on his side, Mako watched as the gangsters approached again.
"Hyaaaah!" A powerful gust of wind sent the gangsters flying down the street, the benders hitting walls while Shin landed on his feet on the stone street.
"Korra," Mako weakly acknowledged. Asami ran over to her wounded ex-boyfriend, who was on his back, helpless on the ground. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah... I'm fine," Mako answered, pushing himself up to his feet. Asami put her hands on him to help him up, but the fighter shook her arms off him and walked to see how Korra was doing.
The Avatar shattered a boulder flung at her with a powerful front kick. Putting her foot down, she ripped several rapid shots of fire at the firebending triad, who was knocked back again, and with a stomp, Shin, who approached her from behind, found his lower body captured in a stone prison. The earthbender closed in to attack again, but he too was stopped dead in his tracks when his wrists were caught in short stone pillars at the simple wave of Korra's arms and hands. Not forgetting about her third opponent, she trapped the downed torso of the firebender in stone too, rendering him immobile.
"What do you triads think you're doing, picking on the people of this city as if it hasn't been through enough?" Korra questioned in an accusatory manner.
"Heh," Shin smirked to himself. "You just go barging into situations you know nothing about all the time, Avatar, isn't that right?"
"I'll barge you!" Korra retorted; pushing the palm of her hand out towards Shin, his rock encasement pushed him backwards into a chunk of debris.
"Korra, let them go," Mako said weakly; he was rather ashamed of what he was telling her to do.
"What?"
"Let them go," he commanded more firmly this time. He stared at her face as she showed a prominent disdain for what Mako might have to say about all of this. With her back to the criminals, Korra raised her hands and then lowered them, mimicking the lowering of rock around all three of the triads. Without hesitation, the three foes sprung to their feet and slipped away through the alleys and backstreets of Republic City.
The former pro-bender closed his eyes and sighed heavily; he'd rather not have a confrontation over what had just unfolded. Turning his back on the Avatar, he began walking the other way deserted street.
"Mako?" Korra called; confused, annoyed, and angry at Mako's mixed message, she wasn't sure what to say.
"Mako, what are you doing?" Asami interrogated. "You're out here getting your butt kicked, and after not seeing us in so long and after we save you not even a 'how are you?' or a 'thanks for stepping in?'"
The retired law enforcer stopped for a moment. He turned his body half way around so his eyes could look at Asami. Looking down for a moment, he came up with an answer to her question.
"Nope, not really," he said bluntly. As he went to walk away once more, Korra spoke up.
"Mako, what was that about?" Korra finally asked. She took a couple steps forward, more concerned at this point than angry. "The fight. Why'd you tell me to let them go?"
Mako looked at the ground, carefully considering the situation. He wasn't going to lie to Korra, and he was tired of holding his thoughts in.
"They did nothing wrong," Mako started with. He looked up at Asami and the Avatar. "I went looking for this fight," he finally explained. "I'm going back to the temple."
Korra watched as Mako turned away. It was the first time she had seen his arm out of his sling; his forearm was scarred from Kuvira's spirit vine generator in her massive mecha suit. It was a light red, the color most scars were from firebending attacks, with a jagged border up at his elbow. She and Asami stood still while watching the once all-star fighter disappear into the rest of the city.
"Mako, wait!" Korra called out; she ran a few steps towards him, but Mako's unwavering stride away form her made her stop. Her brow furrowed as she watched her ex move out of site. Asami came to Korra's side, looking to study the Avatar's expression.
"Korra, he's alright now. He obviously wants some space," Asami told to try and comfort her girlfriend, holding gently onto Korra's arm. Instead, Korra shook Asami's grip from her arm and turned in the opposite direction that Mako went, letting out a sigh of disgust.
"On one hand I hate to see him with that scar on his arm, on the other he comes out here and picks a fight when he's still recovering. It's like he want's to be injured," Korra spouted bitterly.
"I don't know, maybe he's just getting antsy with no one to fight and being unable to fight," Asami threw out.
"Maybe. Enough with that; let's find President Raiko and see what we can do to help."
The two made their way to the capitol building of the United Republic. The pair navigated through the halls to Raiko's office.
"That's a hefty order, sir. Getting all the train rails operational again is going to take at least eight months. All the rail lines were cut where we put them down, and they're in even worse shape since the battle," a contractor told the president.
"Then it will take eight months. Get to work as soon as you can, we can worry about billing another time," Raiko said.
Korra and Asami walked in on the leader of the United Republic with a construction contractor with maps sprawled out all over the chief executive's desk. Raiko lifted his head immediately from the work he was buried in and shifted his focus to two of the most influential young women in the world, the Avatar, and the owner of Future Industries.
"Could you give me the room, Mr. Lou? I need to speak with these ladies here," Raiko said. From the sound of the president's voice, neither Korra or Asami were looking forward to the lecture they anticipated, having been gone for two weeks without a word.
"Sure thing, Mr. President," the contractor acknowledged. On that note, the builder began gathering the plans and maps that were spread out and stuffing them away in a briefcase. "We'll finish the formalities later. I'll get to work at the central train station."
"Thank you Mr. Lou." Lou finished collecting his papers and took his exit. When the door shut behind the builder, Raiko shot daggers at the couple with his eyes, preparing for a rant.
"Where have you two been!? The city's fallen apart and you two disappear like spirits into wherever, while the rest of the world is dealing with this- this mess," the United Republic's president spat in frustration.
"It was something that had to be done," Korra replied with.
"Well, we're here now Mr. Presidet, what can we do to help?" Asami asked, trying to divert Raiko's attention away from his frustration.
"To start, the Avatar should be in Ba Sing Se, since you promised to help King Wu plan for the decentralization of his nation. And I'd prefer you get on it sooner rather than later. The Dai Li have always been an untrustworthy lot, and we don't need Wu being misled by any opportunistic scoundrels," Raiko began, "and Ms. Sato, I need whatever assets Future Industries can spare to help rebuild this city. And I need them not yesterday, but two weeks ago."
"Right, sir," Asami begrudgingly accepted.
"Good, we can work out the details tonight," Raiko said. "Oh, and Avatar Korra; I sent Wu to his throne with a handful of advisers from the United Republic and a unit of guards, but even so, the Dai Li are uncanny and cunning. So please, get there as soon as you can."
"I got it, sir," Korra acknowledged. She didn't want to be around Raiko anymore than she had to be; they already had a troubled history and there were plenty of things to be doing besides chatting with a man who is more often than not a thorn in her side. "Are we done here?"
"Yes. I suspect it will be a long time before we run into each other again, Avatar. Good luck," Raiko concluded.
"I'll see you back at the air temple, Korra. I'll be here with President Raiko getting a plan for the coming months up," Asami told Korra.
"Alright then," Korra said, hugging the businesswoman. "See you at the air temple."
With no desire to loiter around the capitol building, Korra headed for the door and proceeded on her way back to Air Temple Island.
The sun set deeper and deeper into the horizon, the sky turning vivid shades of orange, yellow and purple. Korra sat in the gazebo on Air Temple Island overlooking the ocean, her eyes closed and her legs crossed. She was meditating.
"So how was your trip with Asami to the spirit world?" Tenzin asked, approaching from the stone path behind the Avatar.
"Tenzin!" Korra called with surprise, getting up from the floor. She came to her airbending master and gave him a hug. "I didn't think I was going to see you until dinner, if I was going to see you at all today. I'm sure you've been busy the past couple weeks," she went on, standing independently again.
"Yes, the air nomads have been hard at work trying to assist in the recovery effort, like we did in the Earth Kingdom," Tenzin explained.
"Yeah. Sorry I was out for so long, but that time in the spirit world with Asami helped to really clear my head after all the craziness Kuvira kicked up," the Avatar apologized.
"There is no need to apologize; rushing to fix everything in the aftermath of Vaatu caused more frustration than it did resolutions. There is no problem with you taking the time you need to stay collected," Tenzin responded wisely. "Care to share why you were meditating?"
"Oh, sure," Korra started, "I was thinking that after I visited Zaheer and he led me to the spirit world, that Raava had always been there; she never left. I was thinking that since she was always there, maybe the connection with the past Avatars were too, but I'm struggling to find anything." Korra looked down in defeat, troubled by this issue.
"Korra, we went over this before when the new airbenders began popping up. There's been a change, and we have all done our best to adapt to it, especially you," Tenzin counseled.
"Yes, but I can't help but think that there's a way to do it. Raava's always been there, the Avatar state's still there, and that was said to be the power of all the past Avatars combined," Korra wistfully said. "I just feel like there has to be a way to restore that knowledge. Besides, what is the next Avatar going to do without a connection to the past Avatars? If I didn't have it, I would've lost my bending forever after Amon took it."
"Don't get ahead of yourself," Tenzin replied, "you still have the rest of your life to live out."
"But how many times has my life come so close to ending?" Korra questioned pessimistically.
"Well, if that's something you want to do, that is a task for you to bare. But, I wouldn't lose sleep over the matter. It's just another change like one of so many you have made that we will have to adapt to," Tenzin answered with finality. "You should join us for dinner, I know everyone would love to see you."
"Yeah. I'm a bit hungry; I haven't eaten anything all day," Korra said to shake herself from her search for the past Avatars. "It'll be good to see everyone again."
The airbending master and the Avatar walked together to the dining room they had once come so accustomed to eating at. Tenzin's children, Opal and Bolin were sitting at the table, waiting for food to be served by Pema.
"Korra!" Jinora, Ikki and Meelo shouted with joy. They rushed over to Korra and surrounded her in a large embrace.
"Korra!" Bolin also called, rushing the group and taking all four in his arms, the lavabender lifted the group up into the air.
"Hi, Bolin," Korra struggled to say, "you're crushing, all of us."
"Oh, sorry," Bolin apologized in his goofy, sometimes sheepish manner. "It's just that I missed you, and it might be the last time in awhile that I get to see you."
"Bolin, put them down," Opal commanded. Bolin did, but the reunion still made everyone smile; Opal came to her boyfriend's side and playfully shoved the earthbender. "You're such a silly hog monkey," she commented.
"How was your trip to the spirit world?" Opal asked.
"It was relaxing. I think it's what I needed before I pick up where we left off with everything else," Korra answered. "You should go some time; airbending is very spiritual and it may teach you a thing or two," the Avatar advised.
"I know it's only been two weeks Korra, but there's so much to talk about already-" Bolin started to say, but the main event was about to begin.
"Food's ready!" Pema called. Tenzin's wife came in with platter in each hand, and two air acolytes followed with still more servings of food - all from a vegetarian diet of course.
"Oh, let's sit and eat," Bolin interjected, side tracked by mealtime. Everyone sat at the table, and when the food was set the air acolytes took their leave.
"Where's Bumi and Kya?" Korra asked openly.
"My brother and sister are off in the city. Kya's been helping to treat wounded soldiers and Bumi is leading some of the airbenders in the recovery effort," Tenzin answered.
"Is the empty seat for Mako?" the Avatar inquired, curious about the people around her. Tenzin sighed, unsure of how to explain the former athlete's absence.
"Yes, but I'm not sure he'll be joining us," the airbending master replied.
"Why's that?"
"Mako's been off the wall lately," Bolin put in. "He's gotten all crazy dark, more than just after you two broke up and he felt kind of distant from us, but like he wants us to be away from him."
"What do you mean?" Korra questioned further. Tenzin put down the drink he was sipping to answer.
"A couple nights ago, I was walking around the temple and I found him standing outside alone. I didn't say anything, and before he realized I was behind him he let out a beastly roar and shot fire from his mouth into the air like a dragon," he explained.
"Yeah, and he's been staying in his room all day moping because of his arm. Then when he went to the city, I offered to go with him, then he lied to me that I could go, punched me in the gut and ran off to the boat without me," Bolin racily spoke, as he usually did when trying to get an idea across.
"I don't know what's bothering him to cause such a change in his behavior, but I don't think it will last forever," Tenzin added in. "He said he wanted to train in firebending arts, and I was able to arrange for him to train under Fire Lord Zuko."
Korra sat quietly for the moment as she absorbed all the information her airbending teacher and earthbending friend gave her. She had seen him this afternoon, but the scale of Mako's irregular behavior worried Korra more than anything else at the moment.
"Yeah, I ran into him this afternoon and he was acting a bit weird... he didn't really say 'hi' or anything, he just, I don't know," Korra said; she didn't want to get into the fact that Mako admitted to picking a fight. "I'm gonna talk to him after dinner."
"I mean, he hasn't really talked to anyone else, but if you want to deal with grumpy pants, go ahead," Bolin passively criticized.
"So what was it you were saying before about the spirit world?" Opal asked, changing the subject.
Mako stood alone on the far side of Air Temple Island, where the cliffs met a small beach and the ocean. He had a small fire burning in a pit he made so that he could see in the darkness of the night. His overcoat lay on the ground by the fire; he wore a sleeveless white top, as he usually did to train. The firebender looked down at his scarred arm. He rubbed the reddish flesh with his other hand.
"Hah!" Without notice, Mako spun out with a roundhouse kick towards the ocean, a horizontal arc of fire cast over the water. He grunted as he continued the motion; when he put his foot down, he jumped high into the air, letting a hook kick to roundhouse kick combo fly. Every strike, he put all of his energy into casting the most intense fire he could out from the top of the cliff. When Mako grounded himself again, he let a flurry of punches out, sidestepping every three strikes or so to stay light on his toes.
There was a momentary break in Mako's flaming whirlwind, as he let his muscles rest. It was ended abruptly when he lunged forward with one foot and struck out with his scarred arm. He sustained a stream of fire out over the ocean, which lit up the cliffside and ocean like the sun. He rechambered into a side kick, another string of punches and side steps, and ended with his uninjured arm holding an even larger stream of fire over the water.
Having spent his energy for the moment, Mako let his arms drop to his side as he panted. He turned back to his small campfire, which was the only source of illumination now. To his surprise, Korra stood right behind it, staring rather blankly at him.
"That was some light show you put on," the Avatar opened with.
"I've been stronger," he answered rather gloomily. There was a moment of silence; Mako didn't have anything he wanted to say at the moment, and Korra didn't know how to approach him. The firebender reached for his overcoat and put his arms through the sleeves.
"Uh, I was hoping we could talk," Korra finally said a bit shyly.
"About what?" Mako answered rather coldly.
"I heard you were heading off to the Fire Nation, and that you'll be getting training from Fire Lord Zuko," the Avatar went on.
"Yeah," the former detective affirmed, "I am."
Korra was a bit shaken by Mako's unusually aloof attitude. She knew he wasn't the best with his emotions all the time, but he had never seen or heard him act like this until today.
"Mako, what's all this about?" Korra asked in concern.
"What do you mean, 'all this?'"
"I mean you being so cold about everything. When I found you in the city you hardly said anything, and I would've expected something along the lines of a 'hi, Korra!' But there was none of that. You didn't even show up for dinner, and I heard from the others you've been keeping in your room a lot and having a lot of strange behavior," Korra expressed with a bit of worry.
"Like what?" Mako replied with an edginess to his voice.
"Like breathing fire and shouting at the same time, for seemingly no reason, then not talking about it ever again. Or punching your brother to the ground-"
"You want to know what's got me like this right now?" Mako yelled, interrupting his ex. "There have been too many times where I've given everything and gotten pretty much nothing back! When I fought Unalaq with you, all I had after was my job. Even at my job, I spent day and night cracking down on criminals and all that got me was some cash; I became so disconnected with everyone. And the same with when we fought the Red Lotus, and now after Kuvira, I don't even have my job to keep myself occupied. Everyone's off fixing the world and I'm here twiddling my thumbs with nothing to do! I go try helping the city, chief says go home and rest. When I'm done they want me back doing some crap protection work for Wu and in fact, they promised him that without even asking!"
"Korra stood back and watched as Mako vented his rage. She waited for him to finish his monologue before she decided to say anything; it seemed he was ignoring so much.
"What about your family? That's something you didn't have before," Korra replied sincerely.
"They feel like a bunch of strangers to me. It's not like they were there when I was growing up; I know Bolin gets all excited over that, but it just doesn't do it for me. If they were around with my mom and dad, even just a little, it would've been different. But... well, you know how that went," Mako countered. "I don't think anyone really understands where I'm at."
"Maybe not," Korra acknowledged. "But wherever you're at, you have plenty of people to be there with: your brother, your family, Tenzin and the rest of the air nation, Asami, me. Right now, it seems to a lot of people, and I have to agree, that you're choosing to be alone, and it doesn't have to be that way."
"You know what else is driving me insane right now?" Mako asked rhetorically. "Our break up."
"Mako, that's ancient business, what does that have to do with any of this?" Korra replied in utter shock.
"It's not just that we broke up. It's that we broke up and then we kissed, not the other way around. That kiss has haunted me for endless nights. There are so many things I'd do for you that I wouldn't do for anyone else-"
"Mako, stop. You don't have to forget things, but you need to be able to accept them. This ended long ago," Korra interjected; this conversation took a turn that she didn't think it would, and it was going down a road she didn't intend to continue on.
"It didn't have to." Mako turned away and looked at the moonlit ocean.
"It doesn't matter now," Korra responded with, not wanting to debate his words, "I'm involved with someone else anyways."
"Yeah? So whose your boyfriend now?" Mako asked, almost in a scornful manner.
"Uh... girlfriend," she corrected. The firebender was stunned; since when was that a thing!?
"That's why you were away for two weeks," the detective concluded.
"Well..." Korra didn't know what to say at this point, "I'd rather not tell more people than I have to."
"I'd rather not talk about it either," Mako agreed. He sat down on the ground with his legs crossed and simply stared at the darkened horizon.
"Are you... gonna be okay?" Korra asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Mako answered. "I'm always fine."
A/N: DAMN! I still didn't get to Mako leaving, but the chapter was getting longer than I had ever anticipated and there was still significant progress here. Sometime in the next three chapters I plan to introduce the main antagonist.
Anyways, I'm not sure when the next chapter will be, but there will be one.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter (as uncomfortable as the ending may have been)! Until the next!