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Chapter Five
"I really don't appreciate being on the end," I grumble bitterly, gripping the sides of the saddle frantically when we make another sharp turn down an ally.
We are just beginning our search for Bolin. Mako isn't very thrilled about traveling around on a polar bear dog, but he hardly complained, his mind too focused on bringing his brother back to safety. Korra, her envious side coming out, stuck me on the back so Mako wouldn't have to wrap his arms around me to keep balance—of course, she didn't tell me this in front of him. However, no matter how much this position makes her feel more at peace, I still wish I could be the one who didn't have the highest risk to tumble off.
No trace of Bolin has been discovered so far and it's already partially dark out. I can tell this fact concerns Mako even more and seeing him begin to lose his calmness makes my worry increase, too. But, I keep my attitude and expression positive enough to brighten up the mood for the sake of his sanity. On the inside, though, I'm awfully nervous that I might never see Bolin's jolly grin again.
"Get over it, Tori," Korra snaps from where she's steering Naga. "You're comfort isn't our main priority right now."
"Well, it should be," I joke before snorting. "Nah, I'm just kidding. But, I was wondering, can I maybe take over for ya?"
She sends me a dry look over her shoulder. "You don't even know how to drive Naga."
"It can't be that hard."
"Just stick it out, alright? I'm sure our bickering is getting on Mako's nerves, anyway," she says, staring forward again.
I raise my eyebrows at Mako when he chuckles softly. "Actually, it's sorta amusing," he admits, his lips curved into a smirk.
"Yeah, but you wanna know what amuses me?" I ask him.
"What?"
"Your face."
He gapes at me, obviously appalled, and Korra and I snort at his gullible reaction. "I'm just kidding, Mako," I reassure, patting his shoulder briefly. "You're handsome and you know it."
"Yeah," he agrees arrogantly, his once unnerved expression twisting into his usual confident one.
I roll my eyes and then notice how Korra blushes lightly before quickly facing forward and trying to focus only on the search. Although, I know damn well who and what is on her mind right now. She may try to hide her obvious feelings, and I'm sure she has Mako fooled, but I know her too well to not know what's on her mind.
We travel a little longer and, disappointingly, still have no clue where Bolin could be. I'm starting get antsy with nerves so thankfully Mako speaks up with an idea of where he might be. He gives Korra directions to where Bolin usually spends his free time and we hurriedly race toward there. Once we arrive, Mako hops off and strides over to a group of raggedy children messing around the Fire Lord Zuko monument. Korra and I exchange similar, curious glances before getting off, too, and jogging after him.
"You guys seen my brother around here today?" Mako asks, his voice booming compared to the little snickers of the misbehaved children.
"Perhaps," a boy, most likely around the age of ten, replies. He ditches his friends to stagger over to us, a mischievous grin permanent on his thin face. "My memory is a little foggy. Maybe you can help clear it up?" He then sticks his hand out to Mako expectantly. Catching on to what he wants, I glare at the little boy in disgust.
Mako obviously is used to be scammed by this kid, but he still glowers in agitation. "You're good, Skoochy. A real pro," he says bitterly. He fishes around in his pockets and slaps a yuan onto Skoochy's hand.
"Yeah, I've seen him," Skoochy admits, shoving the money in one of his many pockets.
"When?"
"'Bout noon."
"What was he doing?"
"He was performing some kind of monkey-rat circus," he explains, rolling his eyes before, once again, holding out his hand. "And then..."
Mako clenches his jaw, but still fesses up more yuans. "And then what? Why did he leave?" he urges.
He places a hand on the side of his mouth so no one but us can hear what he's saying. "Shady Shin showed up and flashed some serious cash. Bo took off with him in his hot rod. The Triple Threats, the Red Monsoons, the Agni Kai's,—all the triads are muscling up for something real big." He then sprints away and yells, "That's all you're getting out of me!"
I don't believe it. Bolin left with the triads? He knows how nasty they are, so why on earth would he assist them? Getting the money for the tournament is not nearly as important as his safety – clearly though, Bolin thinks otherwise. When all the possible situations that the ruthless Triads could be putting Bolin up to race through my mind, my heart sinks.
Korra questions, "What's he talking about?"
"Sounds like there's a turf war brewing up... and Bolin's about to get stuck right in the middle of it."
Not needing anymore explanation, the three of us rush over to Naga and hop on. I subconsciously grip the saddle so I don't slide off when we bolt forward.
"So, where are we headed?"
"The Triple Treat Triad's Headquarters," Mako answers. "Hopefully Bolin's there and nothing's gone down yet."
Korra glances back at us in displeased surprise. "The Triple Threat Triad? Aren't those the guys who cornered you, Tori?"
"Yeah, pretty sure," I say solemnly.
"Why would Bolin get tangled up with—whoa, Naga!" Her question is interjected when Naga suddenly takes a sharp turn. I come close to tipping over, but fortunately Mako grasps one of my arms to keep me up right. I send him a grateful look and he just nods.
Naga doesn't stall, instead she continues to chase after something until skidding to a stop when we reach a streetlamp. Our gazes fixate up to see Bolin's fire ferret, Pabu, curled around the pole while he shakes in terror.
"Pabu!" Mako cries.
"No, Naga," Korra orders, yanking on her reins so she quits going after the fire ferret. "Pabu's a friend – not a snack."
Pabu scurries off the lamppost and over to Mako, wrapping himself around his shoulders. Mako scratches him affectionately, but turns grim as he states crucially, "Come on. We gotta hurry."
It doesn't take us very long to arrive at the headquarters. Almost instantly the place sent chills up my spine because of it's ominous setting and aura. It's just a usual, word down house, but something about it makes me feel uneasy. Although, I ignore my eery feelings as we approach it. Once I glance inside the open windows and listen for sounds, I, strangely, don't note anything suspicious.
"It doesn't seem like a turf war is occurring," I express, my fingers twiddling nervously. "Everything's so silent."
"That's because something's not right. There's usually thugs posted out front. We got to be cautious," Mako tells. He discreetly saunters up the porch, his eyes studying every detail that's around him. Noiselessly pressing himself against the door, he peeks inside for a few seconds before gesturing us over.
Korra, proceeding to do the exact opposite of cautious, confidently stalks up to the doors and obnoxiously kicks them in. While she unhesitatingly enters, Mako and I – still wanting to be careful – stay alert as we walk in. When we see no sigh of anyone inside, the three of us share puzzled looks.
"Bolin? You in here?" Mako calls loudly.
The dead silence is interrupted by many roars of engines. Startled, we dash toward toward the ruckus and bust through the emergency door. At the end of the alley are multiple motorcycles with people decked in full body suits perched on them and a large truck with the rear doors wide open. A gasp flies past my lips when I spot Bolin, along with a couple triads, tied up in the back. As I meet his horror stricken gaze, I become extremely outraged.
"Bolin!" cries Mako.
We all make a dead bolt after them when both the truck and motorcycles start to zoom away. Two of the suited people chuck smoke bombs at us and some sort of green gas blinds us so they can escape. My lungs feel like they're about to explode when I accidentally inhale a gulp of the foul smoke. As Korra jumps onto Naga, Mako grabs my wrist, probably harder than he indented to, and hauls me on with them. Still slightly coughing, they ask, "You alright, Satori?"
"Yep," I reply in between my harsh wheezing. "J-just get going!"
They oblige and we're quickly on their trails. While Mako sends blasts of fire at them, Korra tries to halt them with earth bending; but neither stop the truck that holds Bolin. Catching us off guard, when we're all in a spacious area, two of the motorcycles abruptly turn around and chuck wires that loops around Naga's feet. Naga collapses onto the ground, bucking us off in the process. I land with a thud as Korra and Mako fall about four feet away from me. The two masked people dismount their bikes before advancing toward them. Hurriedly, I get to my feet, but when I am about to run over to them, Korra shoots me a "stay where you are" glance.
"But-" I begin to mouth, but I decide to shut my mouth, figuring I would most likely just get in the way.
Tormentingly, I am forced to stand off to the side and watch them battle. I observe as they keep on getting punched in jabbed by the men and soon they're both skidding on the ground and cornered. Unable to just do nothing, I race over and hop on one of the guys back. As the surprised men tries to throw me off, I tear of his helmet and bang my head against his. I land on my feet as he topples to the ground, unconscious. The other man gapes at me, but when he starts to come at me I kick him straight in the chest. Staggering backwards, he glances between me and his passed out partner before taking him and – quite skillfully might I add – hops on his motorcycle. With his friend tossed over his shoulder, he rides off.
"Woo!" I holler out, waving my arms in the air victoriously. "Never understatement the underdog! Oh yeah!"
"Wow." Whirling around, I find them getting up from the ground. As Mako grins at me, impressed, Korra just smirks. "Who knew my little sister would be the one defeating the bad guys and not me," she says, ruffling my hair playfully.
I glare at her. "Well, I've always told you that I'm stronger than you think!"
Suddenly, once I go to walk forward, a rush of dizziness hits me and if it weren't for them catching me, I would have tumbled to the ground. Placing my hand on my forehead, I squeeze my eyes shut and moan painfully.
"You okay?" both Mako and Korra worriedly ask me.
"Yeah," I answer, opening my eyes and grinning sheepishly at them. "Maybe using my head to knock that guy out wasn't such a smart idea."
After Korra frees Naga from the ropes, she tests her bending by punching her fist forward and nothing blasts out. "I-I can't bend!" she cries in panic.
"Calm down – it'll wear off," Mako reassures. "Those guys were chi-blockers. They're Amon's henchmen."
I cock my eyebrows and say, "Amon? That anti-bending guy with the mask?"
"Yeah. He's the leader of the Equalists."
"What do they want with the Triple Threats?"
"Whatever it is, it can't be good." He then pinches his temple, his eyebrows scrunched together in distress. "I can't believe Bolin got himself into this mess!"
Korra rests her hand on his shoulder. "Mako, we're going to save your brother – I promise you that," she tells him genuinely, her voice making it obvious that she's completely sure.
"We want him safe, too. It's not just you," I add, lending him a soft smile.
He glances at both of our sincere facial expressions and after a few moments of silence, he nods.
"Alright then. We better get going."
xxxxxx
The whole night, from sunset to sunrise, we searched.
Still no Bolin.
We've basically scavenged around every location in the city – every corner – and yet we still have no idea where the Equalists are keeping him. We're all utterly exhausted and I've caught myself drifting off quite a lot, though the three of us refuse to stop looking. Normally, I would have gave up and fallen asleep on Naga, but the intense angst that's permanently rushing through my mind keeps me awake.
"We've been out all night," Korra sighs as Naga comes to a halt. "No sign of him..."
Mako, rubbing the fatigue from his eyes, determinately, along with a hint of desperation, states, "We gotta keep looking."
"But, where?" I ask, suppressing yet another yawn.
Mako and I hang our heads, stumped, but we look up hopefully when Korra gasps. "I have an idea!" she announces and directs Naga to the left.
I'm practically unconscious by the time we approach at a familiar area. Confusion courses through me once I notice we're at the fountain Korra and I passed through when we first arrived at the city. As Korra and Mako descend Naga, I just flop down on her saddle, my face pressed against her suddenly comfortable neck. Naga glances back at me and I mumble, "Make yourself cozy, Naga, because I don't plan on moving." A sloppy smile spreads across my face when she plops down on her stomach and curls up against a tree.
Nonchalantly, I listen to what Korra and Mako are saying. "When Satori and I first got into town, we ran into an Equalist protestor over there," Korra informs him.
"And, you think they'll know where Bolin is?" Mako questions.
"It's our only lead right now."
Disinterested about the rest of their conversation, my eyes flutter closed as I finally let my body gain the rest it very much deserves. Depressingly though, what feels like only ten minutes later – but in reality it's probably been hours – I'm bitterly awaken by raucous hollering. "Equality now! Equality now! We want equality now!"
With a groan, I rise from the saddle, stretch my sore limps, and look over to where the noise is coming from. I find the obnoxious, annoying man Korra and I came in contact with our first day here in the a same exact set up, yelling out aggravatingly.
"Dear gosh," I grumble to myself, rolling my eyes.
I jump down off of Naga and step over to where Korra and Mako are. My hand flies up to my mouth, muffling the laughter that escapes when I take in their position. They're both sound asleep and leaning against each other, their faces painted peacefully.
How cute, I think amusingly.
Eager to watch their reactions, I kick both of their legs roughly so they wake up. Their eyes open at the same time and once they realize they're using one another as pillows, they frantically crawl away from each other.
"I, uh... um," babbles Korra nervously.
"Thought I might break up your little love session since the equality guy's here," I remark with a smirk, pointing toward the direction of the man.
Mako's eyes shoot away from Korra and to the guy. "That's him?" he asks.
"Uh huh."
"Let's go talk to him." He jumps to his feet and begins making his way over, blatantly forgotten about his embarrassing awakening; unlike Korra.
The glare she's currently giving would be terrifying if I didn't know her as well as I do. So, as a response, I just grin smugly at her. "I hate you," she hisses, standing up from the ground so we can follow Mako.
"Hey, I wasn't the one who put you guys in that position," I defend. "That was all you two."
She's about to respond but shuts her mouth when we approach the equality stand. When the man notices us, he gasps and jabs a finger at Korra in antipathy. "It's you again! You cannot silence me Avatar!" he shouts through his megaphone.
Korra smacks the megaphone out of his hand, causing it to crash on the ground and break into many, little pieces. "Shut your yapper and listen up. My friend got kidnapped by some chi-blockers. Where did they take him?" she demands.
"I have no idea what you're talking about!" he replies, his attempt at lying failing horribly.
"Oh, I think you do." She then proceeds to bend the ground under the table he's standing on. It shoots unbelievably far up into the air and the multiple fliers that were piled on it slowly float down and around us. After tumbling to the ground, the man begins to gather up as many fliers as he can hold.
Mako catches one of the fliers and reads, "Witness the Revelation tonight at nine o'clock."
"What's this Revelation?" I ask the man pointedly.
"Nothing that concerns that lights of you three," he snaps, still on his hands and knees.
Korra snatches him by his collar and holds him up. "You better believe it concerns us. Spill it," she orders, her voice dangerously threatening.
"No one knows what the Revelation is and I have no idea what happened to your friend. But, if he's a bender,
then my bet is that he's getting what's coming to him!"
"Where's it happening?" Mako asks.
Suddenly, a whistle is blown and we all look over to see a police man hurrying toward us. "Hey! What's going on over there?" the police man yells.
"The Avatar is oppressing us! Help!" the man in Korra's grip cries.
Chucking him to the side, Korra says, "Let's scram." We quickly agree and while Korra and and I leap onto Naga, Mako snags a handful of fliers from the ground before hoping on after us.
xxxxxx
It's now that night and the three of us are headed to the Revelation.
Since there wasn't a location on the fliers, we had to figure out where this Equalist rally is being to held on our own. Fortunately, we're smart enough to discover the map drawn on the back when you connect four of the fliers together. We stopped to buy disguises, simple, civilian outfits, before venturing to the area where the building is located.
I have to admit, I'm sorta nervous. The whole Equalist situation frightens me, especially Amon, because they seem so maliciously sadistic; I could tell when they were battling Korra and Mako. Also, the fact that they captured Bolin terrifies me even more. They're so merciless – they wouldn't hesitate to hurt anyone, pacifically a bender. What if Bolin gets seriously injured? Physically or mentally? I don't think I can stand that.
After Korra directs Naga and Pabu to stay hidden, we stroll toward the Revelation entrance. I'm unsurprised to find a buff, intimidating guard standing by the door. "This is a private event," he says in a powerfully deep voice. "No one gets in without an invitation."
"Uh, invitation?" Korra repeats, trying to hide her confusion with an innocent smile.
The guards eyes narrow skeptically, but thankfully Mako saves us by withdrawing a flier from his pocket and showing it to him. "You mean this?" he asks nicely.
I contain a sigh of relief when the guard accepts the flier and an accepting grin inches on his stiff face. "The Revelation is upon us, my brother and sisters," he welcomes, motioning us inside.
Making our way through a few halls, we discover an enormous room with an abundant amount of people grouped in the center of it. "Wow. I knew a lot of people hated benders, but I've never seen so many in one place," Mako expresses. "Keep your eyes out for Bolin."
We nod and follow him down a staircase. As we shove our way through the people, florescent lights flash on, lighting up the stage which has a huge Equalist banner hung behind it.
An announcer suddenly hollers out, "Please welcome your leader, your savior, Amon!" The middle of the stage opens up and Amon, along with a few chi-blockers, emerge from below. Boisterous cheers erupt from the crowd at the sight of him. He lifts his head and when I see is masked face, chills ride up my spine. I notice Korra tense up at my side, so I reassuringly take her hand and squeeze it.
Amon steps up to the microphone once the applauds subside and begins to speak in a dominate, bloodcurdling voice. "My quest for equality began many years ago. When I was a boy, I lived on a small farm. We weren't rich and none of us were benders. This made us easy targets for the fire bender who extorted my father. One day, my father confronted this man, but when he did, that fire bender took my family from me – then, he took my face." A collective amount of gasps and murmurs sound through the crowd. "I've been forced to live behind a mask ever since."
"As you know, the Avatar has recently arrived in Republic City," Amon continues and everyone boo's at the mention, causing me to clench my jaw in anger. "And if she were here, she would tell you that bending brings balance to the world. But, she is wrong; the only thing bending brings is suffering. It has been the cause of every war, in every era. But that, is about to change."
"I know you have been wondering. What is the Revelation? You are about to get your answer." The three of us exchange apprehensive glances. "Since the beginning of time, spirits have acted as guardians of our world and they have spoken to me. They say the Avatar has failed humanity. That is why the spirits have chosen me to usher in a new era of balance! They have granted me a power that will make equality a reality; the power to take a persons bending away permanently."
My eyes widen in disbelief and I breath out, "No way."
"That's impossible," Korra mutters shakily.
"This guy is insane," whispers Mako.
"Now, for a demonstration. Please welcome Lightning Bolt Zolt, leader of the triads, and one of the most notorious criminals in Republic City," Amon introduces to the already booing crowd as Zolt is brought out in ropes. I intake a gulp of breath when Bolin and three triads are also brought out onto the stage and shoved to their knees. When I study his horrified expression, I hold back the urge to sprint onto the state this second.
"There's Bolin," Korra says, immediately stepping forward.
Mako grips her shoulder and jerks her back. "Wait. We can't fight them all. We need to be smart about this," he tells her quietly.
"Then come up with a game plan, team captain," Korra retorts through gritted teeth.
I hush them, gesturing back to the stage when Amon begins speaking again. "Zolt has amassed a fortune by extorting and abusing non-benders. But, his rein of terror is about to come to an end. Now, in the interest of fairness, I will give Zolt a chance to fight to keep his bending." After this is said, Zolt is untied and positioned parallel to Amon.
"You're gonna regret doing that, pal!" Zolt shouts before sending a blast of fire his way.
Amon skillfully dodges each shot, hastily getting closer to him each time. Right when a strong, bolt of lighting ignites from Zolt's fingers, Amon twists his arm so the lighting is directed upwards and ruthlessly shoves him on his knees. Slowly, Amon presses his thumb to his forehead and, before I know it, the lightning dies as Zolt collapses onto the stage. After a few seconds, Zolt sits up and weakly throws his fist out, but no fire bends from it.
"Wh-what did you do to me?" Zolt chokes out.
"Your fire bending is gone... forever. The era of bending is over. A new era of equality has begun!"
My jaw drops and I glimpse over to see Korra practically shaking in horror. But, my gazes switches back to the stage to discover one of the chi-blockers untying a triad and forcing him forward. Bolin and the other victims just sit there, restricted to just watch and wait for their turn.
"So, any ideas yet?" Korra asks us hopefully.
Mako nods. "I think so," he replies, pointing to the wall where tubular machines are attached. "See those machines? They're powered by water and steam. If you, Korra, can create some cover, I can grab Bolin without anyone seeing. Then, we duck out of here."
"Works for me."
"What do I do?" I question, desperately wanting to help in someway.
They discuss silently with their eyes before glancing at me with pursed lips. "Go wait out by the exit. It's gonna get dangerous in here," Mako tells me sternly.
I gape incredulously. "But, guys -"
The stare they both pull on me shuts me up so I just furiously stomp through the crowd, over to a side door, and burst through it. Climbing down a latter that leads to the ground, I land on my feet and lean against a building wall with my arms draped over my chest fumingly.
Who do they think they are ordering me to wait outside? I saved their butts just last night and they tell me I can't handle a dangerous situation? I'm becoming entirely sick of Korra treated me like a child who is incapable of doing anything but sit around and be protected. Even Mako is doing it now that we're getting close! Do I really seem that helpless?
Bending is an amazing gift, yeah, but non-benders deserve some appreciation, too. If I learned some skills then I'm sure I'd be just as able to save Bolin as they are – even now I know I can help. But, for some reason, they believe because they're proficient benders and I'm not that they have to make sure I am safe. I feel so... downgraded. Just once I want to be looked upon as the hero; the one who's admired. Is that really too much to ask? Heck, maybe I'm starting to understand where the Equalists are coming from.
Now only if they weren't so demented.
I'm knocked out my trance when a figure alights exactly in front of me. My eyes bulge out of my head when I discover that it's a chi-blocker with two electric bars in his fists. Unlike the other chi-blockers I faced earlier, this man has his helmet off, giving away his identity. He seems young, only around the ages of twenty or twenty-one, and he has shaggy, brunette hair along with sparkling, hazel eyes – but inside his beautiful orbs is sheer outrage.
"Thought you could get away, huh?" he hisses at me, backing me even closer to the wall. "Thought you could just hide out while your friends could rescue one of the triads? Well, think again, sweetheart." He's about to shove the electric weapons into my sides, but I swiftly duck under his arm before he can do so.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about!" I lie nervously, glancing around to try and find a good way to escape. Even though I am sure he'd outrun me.
He throws his head back and laughs darkly. "Oh, you think I'd actually believe you? All you benders do is lie and cause destruction; it's just what you devils are born to do!"
All the fear I suddenly felt washes away into confusion. "Whoa, Buddy. I'm not a bender."
"Don't try and -"
"I'm serious!" I interrupt, shoving my fist forward in many different ways, demonstrating how no element ever shoots out. "Just because I'm the Avatar's sister doesn't mean I automatically bend!" Instantly, a gasp flies past my lips after the accidental words. I really just admitted I'm the Avatar's sister? How any more stupid could I possibly be?
He ponders what I said before grinning maliciously. "So, the Avatar has a non-bending sister? Hm, I'm sure Amon will be very intrigued by this." Then he's gone – down the alley and to most likely inform all his little Equalist allies about the secret I just idiotically spilled to the enemy?
Crud.
Unexpectedly, the doors above me are being burst open and I glance up to see Mako and Bolin bolting out of them. Directly on their trail is another chi-blocker – with those same electric rods might I add – and while Bolin and Mako are descending the latter, he impulsively electrocutes it. Their pained yells flood my ears before they collapse onto the ground.
"Bolin! Mako!" I cry, rushing to their sides.
They're already on their feet again when I experience an extremely agonizing sensation race through my back; it almost feels like a rippling of hot, steaming water is passing under my skin. I scream and fall to the ground, my body currently seeming paralyzed. I'm horrifyingly confused as to what just happened to me, but when my eyes shift up to see the chi-blocker holding his terrible weapons, I realize I was just electrocuted.
Both Mako and Bolin gaze at me despairingly and then Bolin furiously begins to attack the chi-blocker. Mako follows his lead and they start off battling pretty well, though soon they get electrocuted like me, too. Beginning to gain some feeling back, I attempt to weakly go to their aids, but the chi-blocker crudely kicks me back onto the ground and I moan in pain.
"You benders need to understand – there's no place in the world for you anymore," he snarls.
A relieved smile spreads across my face when a boulder knocks him him into the building wall and Korra, obviously the one who came to our rescue, retorts, "I wouldn't count us out just yet."
As she whistles for Naga, I struggle to my feet, groaning in the process. Naga comes bounding over and Korra helps both Mako and I on while multiple chi-blockers emerge from the building. Running out of time to assist Bolin on, Naga simply grabs him by the back of his shirt collar as we make our escape. I glimpse back and, to my absolute relief, we're not being chased.
After a little while of bolting away, Naga lets Bolin climb on behind me before we continue toward the pro-bending arena. While Mako speaks to Korra, I look over my shoulder to Bolin. He smiles feebly, still visibly shaken up, and the butterflies in my stomach flutter. Unsurprisingly, I know.
"Hey," he mutters.
"Hi," I whisper back. "Ya know, I'm really glad you're okay."
His smile widens, but just barely. "I'm glad you're okay, too."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"I don't know. I'm just happy you are."
That's all we say for the rest of the ride to the arena and when we drop them off and bid goodbyes, I can't help but notice his gaze lingers slightly on me – just like Mako's did on Korra the night before.
This simple act causes my heart to soar.