Hey guys, back with a new chapter.
Apologies for any grammar mistake I've missed.
Regarding the chapter's title, I recommend listening to the soundtrack with the same name from 'Naruto Shippuden' when reading the first half of this chapter.
Funny thing guys. My sister just told me that she watched TLOK, and she loves Asami as a character. And I'm guessing she loves Korrasami too.
Well…I suppose she can never know that I'm writing this lol.
Please enjoy.
Chapter 10: Kokuten
Thick clouds were billowing in the dark of night, a storm was on its way. Jun Jr and Jiandao were speeding through the north of the Fire Nation, into a dense forest. Jun Jr rode on Nyla Jr the Shirshu while Jiandao drove a sleek black Blue Spirit Motorcycle. It was not long until Nyla Jr was slowing in her sprint.
The street assailant that Jiandao and Jun Jr interrogated in the police station wasted no time in spilling all of his secrets, including who he was working for, and where his superior was. After all, getting amputated would get anyone into hysterical fear and compliance. After getting a whiff of the removed hand, Nyla Jr picked up the scent and followed the trail.
"We're getting closer, Captain." Jun Jr announced.
"Alright," Jiandao said, taking his foot off the pedal of his bike and applying the brakes. "Take it slow now. We go on foot. We have to assume we're in enemy territory up north."
Jiandao parked his bike by a fallen tree, covering it with thick branches. With little to no moonlight, the forests in the north were an eerie test of wits and will. But the Blue Spirits were trained to battle in the shadows, and the darkness is their suit of armor. They were the apex predators of the night.
Jiandao, Jun Jr, and Nyla Jr stalked through the vegetation with the Shirshu leading the way.
"Sir?" Jun Jr suddenly broke the silence with a whisper.
"Yes?" Jiandao responded.
"If the crook back at the police station is telling the truth about his boss, shouldn't we alert Fire Lord Izumi about him?"
"Not yet," Jiandao instructed. "We need visual confirmation. We can't waste time and let this wanted criminal slip away. Chances are this guy is already on alert now that his goons are locked up. The Republic City Police lost him when he fled to the spirit world, but we'll finish the job."
"Why him of all people? And why come back now? What could have drawn this guy out of hiding? From the spirit world and into the Fire Nation?" Jun Jr added. "I guess we'll find out when we detain him."
"No." Jiandao denied.
"No?"
"Keeping him prisoner is too risky. We will incapacitate the small-timers, but I'll deal with him." Jiandao's voice then turned firm.
"Not to doubt your abilities, but are you sure we can take this guy down, Captain? He beat Mako last time, right?" Jun asked.
"He beat Mako when Mako was handicapped. From our intel about this so-called triad boss, he is just a rabid mutt that needs to be put down." Jiandao scoffed.
"He is also half-spirit." Jun Jr pointed out.
"So are we, in a way," Jiandao said. Up ahead in the forest, they could see structures hidden behind the trees. A brick wall surrounded a surveillance tower. An orange glow right behind the wall indicated a campfire.
"A military outpost?" Jun Jr whispered to her captain.
"One of the checkpoint outposts Ozai had placed during his rule." Jiandao said, "They were abandoned when Lord Zuko took over the throne. My guess is that the triads are taking refuge here."
The Blue Spirits laid low behind a brush. Jun Jr got close to Nyla Jr, running her hand over the Shirshu's mane. "Nyla," Jun whispered to her. The Shirshu sniffed around the ground before pointing her snout at the compound up ahead with a muffled snarl.
"You take left," Jiandao instructed. "I take right. Five minutes, on your mark, send Nyla in. Hit them fast and hard."
"Got it."
"We are go."
Jun Jr crept forward with Nyla Jr behind her. She stalked onwards around to the entrance of the brick fencing, pulling out a kunai from her holster. Jun held the kunai over her shoulder, Nyla stuck her long and nimble tongue, coating the blade with her paralytic saliva. Inching to the outpost's entrance, the lady Blue Spirit could hear indistinct voices within the outpost. Her back pressed against the wall, she leaned over to take a peek. At the corner of her eye, she saw him.
Tokuga. The former head of the Triple Threat Triad was dressed in dark brown pants, a beige top, and a khaki trench coat. He had one hook sword strapped to his back. The right side of his face was filled with grey scales and his eye had a red iris and a black slit for a pupil. What should have been a right arm was instead a long and red tendril.
After Korra had defeated Kuvira and went off on a spirit world vacation with Asami, Republic City had a power vacuum and fell victim to a turf war between local gangs. Tokuga was the new leader of the Triple Threat Triad then, determined to unite all the triads under his rule. One evening, he was hired by Keum Enterprises' CEO, Wonyong Keum, to attack the air benders defending the Republic City spirit portal. He also beat down an already injured Mako in the process. However, a run-in with a dragon-eel spirit caused his deformed state. After his altercation, Tokuga overthrew Wonyong, took over his company, and gathered stolen Earth Empire weaponry in an attempt to take over Republic City. His plan was thwarted by Korra and Team Avatar, but the triad members scattered amidst the chaos, and Tokuga escaped into the spirit world.
Now they all managed to flee Republic City and snuck into the Fire Nation. Jun Jr peered over, she could see Tokuga and five other thugs, the kind she had seen all too often as a bounty hunter. Tokuga started yelling at his subordinates.
"Listen up!" The Triad head exclaimed, "Ting Wen and her men haven't checked back in yet, which means they are blown. We're relocating, moving further up north."
"We're retreating?" One goon, clad in blue garbs, asked.
"We're relocating, you idiot." Tokuga snapped at him, "We're going to a different spot before Ting Wen could give up our position. When the police are here to investigate, we'll spring a surprise attack."
"I still don't get why we are working for that guy who approached us." The same goon was talking back at Tokuga. "We should have synced up with Shady Shin and Lightning Bolt Zolt down south."
His remark earned a red tendril coiling up his neck, dragging him towards an enraged Tokuga. "That has-been Zolt got too close to the streets too early! Shady Shin, the dumb waste he is, sought to join up with the old boss and they all got caught by the police! Now shut up and start packing! You dumb sack of filth!" Tokuga threw him into the ground. The deformed criminal head turned to three other goons, "You three! Watch the perimeter!" he then pointed at the remaining thugs including the one he had just throttled, "You two! Start packing!"
Jun Jr, watched three crooks fanning towards the fences. Each of them wore blue, green, and red getups. Their skin tones easily gave away their ethnicities, which meant that Jun had to assume the three guards were water, earth, and fire benders. Jun Jr was thankful; some criminals are just too stupid to change their ways.
The other two, water benders judging from their blue garbs, were hauling crates and sacks, piling them into stolen jeep satomobiles.
The patrolling water bender was heading to the front entrance, towards Jun Jr. The Blue Spirit took her head away from the corner to avoid being spotted. Gazing up into the sky, she could tell the rains were coming in soon. She had to take out the water benders fast before then.
*Whoo* *Whooo*
The water bender guard heard a bird's whistle from the entrance at the turn, suspiciously close to the outpost. Away from the campfire, he could hardly see anything in the darkness. He whipped out his bottle and pulled the water from it, ready to attack anything. His footsteps were noisy across the gravel ground. As he turned around the corner, his water bending hand was gripped tight and hard. A kunai plunged into the bottom of his chin. He could not even scream in pain, the Shirshu venom from the blade took effect immediately and his body started to slack. He was yanked into the shadows. A knee was pressed onto his neck, silencing him and cutting off the air supply in him. The only thing he saw before blacking out was a Blue Spirit staring into him.
Jiandao, at the other side of the outpost, watched the earth bender guard approaching the back exit of the outpost. He hid in the darkness by the exit's corner, just like Jun Jr. He could hear his footsteps through the gravel, crooks like him were simply untrained idiots to Jiandao.
The guard crossed the exit, and a blow to the back of his neck struck his brain stem. The guard's senses were stunned before an arm constricted his neck and a hand gripped his mouth and nose. Within seconds, the guard's lights faded, his body went limp, and he was dragged into the shrubs with no noise.
In nearly five minutes, two guards are down. It was time to go loud. Jun Jr raised a hand, grabbing Nyla Jr's attention.
"Nyla," Jun whispered to her, "Go and tear."
The Shirshu sniffed the air before sprinting through the outpost's entrance. The sight of the giant quadrupedal creature charging into the outpost took everyone by surprise.
"What the?! What is that?!" The fire bending patrolling guard had no chance to recover from his shock. Before he could ignite his hands, Nyla whipped her tongue out, striking him in the face. The fire bender was knocked off his feet, his cheek was bruised purple, and his body got paralyzed.
"What are you waiting for?! Kill that thing!" Tokuga bellowed to his remaining goons.
The last two water benders got into their stances, but they were too slow when Nyla clamped her jaws onto the fallen fire bender. With a flick of her head, the shirshu threw him into one water bender, knocking them both out as they crashed into the floor.
The second water bender shot of blast of water towards Nyla Jr. The shirshu was able to sense this and lunged forward avoiding the attack. The distraction from Nyla Jr got the last crook gusts of winds brewing around him. Jun Jr swirled her hands around, she conjured a whirlwind to lift the final thug off the ground before slamming into the ground. Tokuga finally saw the Blue Spirit lady, she turned around and stared at the triad head.
"What is this?! What the hell are you?!" Tokuga yelled.
"You're a long way from Republic City. Mako sends his regards." Jun Jr sneered.
"Mako?!" the triad head remembered the name.
"Tokuga." A grizzly voice from behind called to him. "Your time is over."
The deformed man spun around, and the Alpha Blue Spirit was there, with his ninjato swords in each hand.
Tokuga snarled at Jiandao. "You freaks have any idea who I am!? I am the man who had Republic City and the Avatar by the throat! And I will show you how now!"
A rumble of thunder roared above them, raindrops were swiftly pattering around the outpost.
"Ok, boy." Jiandao said, his Blue Spirit mask revealing no emotion. He twirled his left ninjato sword and held it in a reverse grip. "Show me."
Tokuga's face scrunched in anger from that insult. He leaped back while hurling three knives at Jiandao. The Blue Spirit raised his swords, knocking the knives away with ease. Tokuga dashed in and lashed out his tendril limb. Jiandao shifted forward and to his left, narrowly dodging the tentacle. The Blue Spirit's right sword was at the Tokuga's torso. Before Jiandao could gut Tokuga, he blocked the ninjato sword with his hook sword's guard. With their blades locked, Jiandao swung his reverse-gripped left ninjato sword, making a gash in Tokuga's thigh.
"Ahh!" Tokuga cried out, his heart was racing now. He pulled himself back from the blade lock, blood seeping into his pants. He shot out his tendril to strike Jiandao in a chi-blocking manner. Jiandao simply brought his left sword up to block, and the tentacle contacted the sharp side of his blade. Tokuga hissed in pain, the end of his tentacle limb had a slice in it, and blood kept on dripping with the rain. Tokuga's breathing was erratic, and his eyes landed on the Alpha Blue Spirit, and the mask stared into his soul.
"How?! What is happening?!" Tokuga stumbled in his stance.
Jiandao stalked towards him, his left blade had a trail of blood on it. In a panic, Tokuga rushed in once again, springing out his tendril arm. Jiandao swerved to the side and returned a slash at Tokuga, which the criminal blocked with his hook sword. This exchange went on at a blurring speed, sparks flew in every clash of blades. In a frantic, Tokuga swept his tendril at Jiandao's legs. The Blue Spirit leaped away in a backflip. Before Tokuga could advance in, dark grey pellets rolled toward his feet. Flash and smoke erupted around him, causing him to flinch. He clenched his eyes shut and he covered his ringing ears with the flash explosives.
The moment of disorientation proved to be his downfall. Jiandao lunged forward and with his reverse-gripped ninjato sword, he cleaved through. A searing hot pain surged in Tokuga's tentacle limb before his right side felt a lot lighter.
"Ahhh! Ahhhh!" Tokuga screamed, he dropped his hook sword and clutched his right that was pouring sludge blood all over the floor. His legs completely lost their strength and he fell, screeching his lungs out in hysteria.
"This is the difference between you and me. You're small-time, boy." A bolt of lightning illuminated the night, revealing the Alpha Blue Spirit standing tall, his swords were slick in red. Another thunder clapped in the night, and Jiandao took slow strides towards him. Tokuga crawled away with his remaining hand, pulling himself through the dirt and away from Jiandao. As his hand was just inches away from his hook sword, a black boot pressed down on his knuckles.
"Argh! Aiii!" Tokuga shrieked at the sight of the Blue Spirit above him, blood kept pouring from his deformed stump.
"Who's your contact here, Tokuga?" Jiandao asked with clenched teeth. "What drew you out of Republic City to come here?"
"I-I…I-I…help me please!" Tokuga was bawling.
Jiandao pressed his foot down harder, "Focus, Tokuga. You want to keep your only hand? I want names."
"Gargh! Ahhh! We got here through Future Industries, we snuck aboard the ships and we were going to start our venture here!"
Jun Jr, riding on Nyla Jr, approached the two. "Your so-called business venture is through. You're not going to threaten the Fire Nation anymore." The knocked-out goons had been tied and gathered by the side.
Jiandao growled at Tokuga. "Who is your insider?"
"Son of ahh!" Tokuga yelled in pain, "I…I…I don't know who he is! He would not tell me anything about him. Wouldn't even show me his face. All I know is that he got into the spirit world and found me, gave me a proposition. He would help me and my crew get into the Fire Nation. In exchange, he wanted me to attack the Avatar when she gets here."
"Why?"
"I don't know why he wanted me to attack the Avatar, I didn't care! I wanted to take out the Avatar myself either way! As far as I was concerned, that insider was just my ticket into the Fire Nation!"
"You're not very smart, are you?" Jun Jr scoffed with a shake of her head.
"I. Want. A name." Jiandao leaned in, bringing his Blue Spirit mask closer to Tokuga's face.
"I don't know anything else! Argh! I swear! Please!" Tokuga cried out. After a moment of dreaded silence, he felt the boot lifting off his hand.
"You get to keep your hand," Jiandao said, his swords making a glint in the night. But before Tokuga could get up, Jiandao stomped on his chest. "Your head, however..."
His ninjato sword ran through.
In the early morning, just when the sun was creeping up by the horizon. Mako and Noren stood opposite each other on the training mat by the back courtyard of the Blue Spirit Castle.
"Go!" Hui Lee, standing by the side, started the stopwatch. Mako went in low and scooped Noren's leg. Both wrestled into the ground, and Mako quickly went for an arm bar on Noren.
"One!" Noren called out. Mako heard him and proceeded to wrap an arm around Noren's neck in a chokehold.
"Two!" Mako heard his comrade and he got to the ankle, holding it in a lock.
"Three!" Noren called it. Mako rolled away from Noren, grabbing a ninjato sword on the floor, just in time to block the katana swinging his way.
Hui Lee smirked, glancing at the stopwatch before taking her sword away from Mako. "Nine-point-four seconds, under ten seconds and new personal best."
"Great." Mako said under his breath and got up to his feet.
A static noise got everyone's attention, they turned to the mobile transceiver at the corner of the mat.
"Blue-One and Five to all points." They heard Jiandao's voice on the radio.
"Blue-Two and Six here." Mei's voice followed.
Noren picked up the transceiver, "Blue-Three, Four, and Seven here."
"Update." Jiandao said, "We tracked down where Ting Wen's crooks were holed up. In an abandoned Ozai outpost. They're under Tokuga's command."
That got Mako to recoil in surprise, "Tokuga?"
"Yeah," Jun Jr took over the comms, "He claimed he got into the Fire Nation from Republic City through Future Industries. There's an insider running a pipeline for the triads to come here."
"Who is this insider?" Noren asked
"No one knows. Tokuga had no knowledge of who he is." Jun Jr said.
"Where is Tokuga now?" Hui Lee asked.
"Eliminated." Jiandao answered. "We'll be taking this up to Fire Lord Izumi. Stick to the current mission, but be prepared to pay a visit to the Future Industries branch here."
"Oh goodie." Kuzon commented through the radio.
"After we've made contact with Fire Lord Izumi at Future Industries. Blue-One and Five will have duty rest. Blue-Two will take command."
"Right." Mei answered.
"And my cover story for yesterday?" Mako asked.
"You tell them that you had to go through intel regarding Kuvira." Jiandao said. "Blue Spirits, disperse."
"Right." Everyone said in unison.
"Can we talk about Mako?" Korra raised her voice to get everyone's attention. She paced around the dining table in the luxury house Team Avatar was in. "I mean, just what is up with him, huh?"
"What do you mean?" Jinora, seated opposite her, asked.
"First off, he up and left us in Republic City to stay here in the Fire Nation. Without telling us." Korra said.
"He then came back to Republic City and wasn't exactly the most pleasant company," Asami added.
"Hey come on now." Bolin tried to defend his brother.
"He then left, hauling Kuvira away to the Fire Nation, without telling us again." Korra went on. Opal and Asami grimaced after hearing her name.
"And when we're finally here, looking for air benders, he mutilated one!" Korra threw her hands up.
"Korra, that Ting Wen lady was an assassin." Kai countered.
She folded her arms and let out a sigh, calming herself. "Yeah…yeah ok. But now Mako had just up and left us, again."
Asami said. "And then you said there're those guys in the blue masks. Who are they?"
"I don't know." Korra shook her head, "But I want to find out."
"Korra," Tenzin stepped in, "Most likely they're military personnel. They would definitely not like it if you poke into their business."
"Then maybe Fire Lord Izumi could shed some light on them." Korra sat back down.
Later, Mako was nearing the luxury house where Team Avatar and the air nomads were staying. He was dressed in his old regular grey outfit he had been wearing for years. After training in blue fire, swordsmanship, and hand-to-hand combat overnight, he was ready to continue his mission to watch over Korra, Bolin, Asami, and the Air Nomads. Hearing from Jiandao and Jun Jr that they're still alive over the radio helped to settle his nerves. What did not settle his nerves, however, was their news regarding the fate of Tokuga. On top of that, he was not authorized to disclose any information about it.
Mako knocked on the door, ready for Korra's tantrum should she try to prompt him about his leave from them the previous day. Judging from the footsteps approaching, he could it was his brother. Bolin opened the door, and his face lit up in delight.
"Bro! Good to see you again." Bolin embraced him
"Hey, Bolin." Mako kept a gentle tone. "Sleep well?"
"Yeah, got to hand it to the Fire Nation. They sure know luxury."
"Hey Mako," Opal got to the door as well, giving Mako a smile. "Welcome back."
Mako nodded at her in greeting, "Good to see you, Opal."
Bolin's eyes lit up again, "Oh right! Come on inside." He led Mako in.
"So," Opal made a little bounce in her legs, "Do you mind telling us where you-"
"Mako?" In the living room, Korra spotted Mako by the door. She propelled herself with air bending right to his face. Invading his personal space, in her usual loud volume, she said, "Where did you go last night?"
Even Asami was heading towards him, all their eyes fixed on him. Korra then added, "You just up and left us? Again? Where've you been?"
Mako cleared his throat, "I was summoned to the police for a meeting regarding Kuvira."
"Kuvira?" Korra reeled her head back. Opal and Asami's expressions immediately soured at her name. Asami turned away, taking a seat at the dining table.
"Yeah uh," Mako continued, "She's been transferred to the Capital City Prison. They wanted any kind of intel she could give, about the Red Lotus or the Equalists, anything. Unfortunately, she could not give any real solid leads."
"Could not? Or would not?" Opal folded her arms.
"All she knows is that during her time as the Great Uniter-"
"Ugh." Opal groaned, hearing that name was revolting to her. Bolin quickly put a hand on her shoulder for comfort.
"All she knows is that when Korra was recovering over the years, she encountered some Red Lotus Insurgents in Ba Sing Se. But they fled north from there, and she doesn't know anything else." Mako explained.
An awkward silence came after he gave his alibi. "So uh…yeah. That's where I was last night."
"You seem to be having more and more secrets by the day," Asami pointed out, "There's a pattern emerging here." It was too late for her to catch herself, but she realized she was no different.
Mako could have countered her jab at him, but he decided to play the oblivious act. Truth be told, Korra and Asami's mannerisms were getting under his skin, but he was not going to let himself slip because of it, he was better than that. The mission was the important thing, not this.
"So where are you all going this time to find air benders?" Mako ignored Asami's comment and asked the group. Everyone was by the dining table. Mako could clearly see the couples there, even a blind man could them. Jinora and Kai, Bolin and Opal, and then there was Korra and Asami. Mako stood by the side next to Tenzin.
Bolin said to him, "Jinora and Kai made a plan, get to the school district and put on an air bending show."
"You guys are thinking of getting students to join the Air Nation?" Mako raised a brow, "You sure that's a good idea? I highly doubt parents would actually let their children leave the Fire Nation."
"I will talk to the parents when it comes to that. I am sure they would want somewhere safe for their children to grow and cultivate their skills in air bending." Tenzin said. Mako was not entirely convinced, but he remained silent.
"Alright, let's go." Bolin clasped his hands together.
But then Mako's ears picked up something, someone was approaching the luxury house's entrance. A knock got everyone's attention. Mako was the first to the door, peeking through the peephole of the door. It was General Iroh.
"Hey, Mako." Iroh greeted when Mako opened the door.
"General Iroh?" Mako was a little confused. Everyone else quickly gathered behind him.
"Asami Sato." Iroh set his eyes on her, "Fire Lord Izumi has called for your presence in the Future Industries branch by the pier. My orders are to escort you there and back here."
"What?" Asami narrowed her eyes, "Why? What's this regarding?"
"I'm afraid you must address this to the Fire Lord directly," Iroh said.
"Alright then," Korra spoke for her girlfriend, "Let's go."
"Apologies. But just Asami, please." Iroh said.
"No," Korra set her foot down, "Asami is not going anywhere without me. Without us."
Mako, now standing at the side, was dreading inside. He knew what was coming when they reached the pier.
After a while, Mako was looking all around him. Rows of civilian satomobiles were at the back of the warehouse. There was a flight of stairs on the left, leading to a second-story office. On the right, a number of satomobiles were stripped down for repair. What was at the center of the warehouse drew everyone's attention. Five thugs were bounded together on the floor, with Fire Lord Izumi standing behind them.
"Miss Sato." Fire Lord Izumi adjusted her glasses, "I believe I sent for you only, and not the Avatar nor the Air Nomads." Everyone was in uncomfortable silence, having no clue as to what was going on. Mako, standing behind the group, was keeping to himself in a fruitless attempt to make himself inconspicuous. "I suppose it matters not. If they wish to see this, they can."
"Fire Lord Izumi," Korra took a step forward. "What's going on?"
"Is there something that we can assist with?" Tenzin offered.
"What is going on, Avatar Korra and company, is that the criminals that made an attempt on your lives yesterday are tied to the Triple Threat Triad." Izumi explained while she paced around the room. "They gave up their associates, where they're based, and their leader."
"Their leader?" Korra asked.
"Tokuga." Fire Lord Izumi gave the news to everyone, and they all reacted accordingly.
"What?! He's back?" Korra gawked while the rest clamored.
"Yes. He was the one who sent Ting Wen and her subordinates." Fire Lord Izumi said and she stopped her pacing.
"Well then, where is he now?" the Avatar asked, taking another step forward.
Something plopped onto the floor straight from above that caught Korra and company off-guard. Red liquid was dripping from the head of Tokuga. His mouth hung down and his lifeless eyes stared into nothing.
Everyone's skin turned white. Their eyes burst wide open. The tied-up criminals wriggled frantically and exclaimed in fright.
"Ahh! Aiii!" Jinora and Opal shrieked in horror. Asami instantly brought her hand to her mouth with a gasp. Kai was frozen in shock and his eyes were shaking. Tenzin, being older in the group, kept his composure.
"Alright, I'm going to go outside to throw up. Be right back." Bolin raised a hand, before turning around and darting for the exit.
"H-He's…He's…Y-You…" Korra stammered. Mako looked up, and there he was. The Alpha Blue Spirit was perched in the rafters, hidden in the shadows. Beside him was Jun Jr, the bounty hunter. They dropped down and landed in a crouch without a sound, taking everyone by surprise again.
"Candid as always, I see." Fire Lord Izumi said to Jiandao. The Blue Spirits said nothing and stood there, their presence gave a menacing aura. Their masks were sending chills into Asami and the Air Nomads.
"Carry on," Izumi said to him.
"Tokuga is no more. And with Shin and Zolt back in Beifong's care, the Triple Threat Triad is done." Jiandao's low grizzly voice held everyone's attention. "However, Tokuga told us that he was contacted by an unknown accomplice in the spirit world via the portal in Republic City. He and his thugs got here via Future Industries' transports. There is an insider in your company, Miss Sato."
The Fire Lord then stepped forward with a displeased look on her face, "I'm afraid Future Industries is compromised."
"W-What?" Asami's lips quivered.
"And from what I gathered, you should know because you have been warned about this already." Izumi narrowed her eyes. Izumi added.
Asami's abdomen felt hollow in her stress, she snapped her head to Mako. He gave Asami an unsure look, he did not know what to do in his awkward position. Asami turned away from him, unable to bear looking at the one who tried to help her, the one she mistakenly shunned away.
"That's crazy!" Korra was quick to run her mouth. "This is impossible! There's no way! President Zhu Li should know if someone entered the spirit portal. Tokuga must have been lying."
"Really?" Jiandao's monotone voice unsettled everyone, "Then let's ask the others then." He stepped towards the bounded thugs and they all flinch.
"The one who tells the truth first stays alive." Jiandao drew his sword and gave them their ultimatum. They all panicked and flopped about in their bonds.
"It's true! We snuck in here through Future Industries!" "We boarded Future Industries' ships to get here! Please!" "Someone got to our boss! He got us into a ship! I swear!" they all spilled their guts in fear. The Air Nomads and Team Avatar were completely aghast.
"T-This cannot be." Asami's eyes were darting everywhere, a swell of anger swirled in her gut. She had just managed to get her company back in order after the insurrection of the Red Lotus and during Kuvira's regime. Now it was on the brink of slinking back into the gutter. Her emotions got the better of her. "T-This is a setup! It has to be a setup! Future Industries is someone's convenient excuse while they get away with this! I need to get to the bottom of this."
"Miss Sato," Izumi's tone commanded everyone in place, "I don't think you fully appreciate the situation you are in." she slowly made her way toward Asami. "Future Industries has an insider, and ferried criminals into the Fire Nation. This means that your company cannot be trusted because it is a potential danger to my people."
Hearing that, Asami looked down at the ground ashamed. No matter the excuses, it was looking bad for her. "Forgive me, Lord Izumi. Rest assured that I will do everything I can to make this right."
"Perhaps you should have thought of that when you were told about this back in Republic City." Jun Jr said. Standing next to the cold and menacing Jiandao, Jun Jr's stance gave off an immense sass from her.
"Excuse me?" Asami asked.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Korra was quick to back her up.
"Just saying that you had your chance to investigate this earlier and avoid all of this, you know?" Jun Jr nonchalantly said while she was inspecting her fingernails.
"Can it." Jiandao snapped at Jun Jr, and she did as ordered. "Clean that up and go." He pointed at Tokuga's head.
"Right." Jun Jr nodded. She went to pick up the head by the hair and took off through the back exit.
Jiandao said to Korra, his voice growly and low. "Avatar Korra. Tokuga and the triads were sent here to attack you."
"Huh?" Korra reeled her head back.
"This insider knew you would come here with the Air Nomads, knew when you would get here, and how to get close to you. Whoever he is, he is still after you." Jiandao said. "And as long as this stays unresolved, you're a walking target on the streets."
"Hey," Korra did not like Jiandao's tone, "Are you saying that's my fault?"
Jiandao revealed no emotion through his mask, his voice was deceptively calm. "I am telling you what the situation is, as much as it is unpleasant for you. If you're feeling at fault, that's on you."
"Hey, if you got something to say, how about you say it without that mask?" Korra stormed at Jiandao, but a hand gripped her arm halting her in her tracks.
"Korra, don't." Mako urged her. Everyone from Team Avatar and the Air Nomads watched, too afraid to step in.
"Mako." Korra gave him a look.
"Korra, please."
"Avatar Korra." Izumi interjected. "I strongly recommend that you heed your friend."
When he no longer felt any resistance from Korra, Mako released his grip. Jiandao simply turned his back on them and left for the rear exit. The way he carried himself, and the way he walked away from them, gave the impression of an apex predator that could take his time.
Izumi then said. "Here is what's going to happen. Miss Sato, you will search through your branch here, every nook and cranny. And you will notify Lin Beifong to thoroughly search your main tower at Republic City."
"Call Lin to search my tower as well?" Asami blurted out.
Fire Lord Izumi raised a brow, "Do you want to make the call? Or should I do it?"
"N-No, Lord Izumi," Asami instantly backed down, "I can do it."
"Find any other insurgents or any clues to what they're planning here, or if they have any ties to the Red Lotus or the Equalists. You have until this evening, and I better be impressed when I check back on you. General Iroh will take this lot away while two of my soldiers will be here to assist in the investigation."
Mako heard three people approaching them from behind. First was General Iroh, the other were a man and a woman that Team Avatar and the Air Nomads had never seen before. They were dressed in normal military slacks. Both looked like Fire Nation citizens.
Hui Leei and Kuzon? Mako thought. Kuzon subtly shrugged his shoulders at Mako, and they both shared a look. The irony was not lost on either of them, having an ex-employee of Future Industries investigate Future Industries.
"Master Tenzin." Fire Lord Izumi said, "I suggest you contact President Zhu Li and your Air Nomads back in Republic City. Tell them that they have a breach and get everyone accounted for."
"At once, Fire Lord Izumi." Tenzin said.
General Iroh got to the criminals on the floor. They were hauled up to their feet and escorted out of the warehouse and into a police vehicle.
"Fire Lord Izumi." Kuzon bowed, "I'll start with the docked ship and the platforms there, see if there's any anomaly."
"I will head to the office upstairs to start with the records." Hui Lee said, heading for the second floor.
Izumi turned back to the group, still standing there. "Dismissed."
Finally, Kai got his legs moving, turning to leave the warehouse. Followed by the Jinora, Opal, and Tenzin. Mako remained, he watched Asami huddling herself, he could feel the insecurity in her. No matter how much he had to put up with them, he did not want to see Asami or Korra like this.
"Asami," Mako tried to reach her, "I-"
"Please, don't." Asami looked away from him.
"Asami, I wish I was wrong about this. I really do."
"Mako," Korra interjected, wrapping her arm around her girlfriend for comfort. "Not now, alright?"
Fire Lord Izumi watched the exchange between them. Mako pulled his hand and stepped away with a sigh. He turned around to leave them be.
Outside the warehouse, he saw Bolin by the edge of the pier, still nauseous after seeing what was left of Tokuga. Opal and the other Air Nomads were joining Bolin to check on him.
"Whoa," Kai shuddered, "And I thought the Dai Li were intense. The guy with the mask gave the creeps I've never felt before."
Opal rubbed her arms to warm herself up, "I've never been to the north or south pole, but I'm betting those masks were colder."
"Dad," Jinora asked Tenzin, "What should we do now?"
Tenzin tubbed his temple, "I'm going to head back to the airship. I'll contact the air benders in Republic City to check around the spirit portal. Meanwhile, everyone should stay in our accommodation for now."
Mako, standing at the warehouse entrance and away from the group, watch them with a pensive glare. He sighed again when his mind brought the image of Asami and Korra back inside. He was torn, split in half.
One side gave him a new insight into his standing with Korra, Asami, and Team Avatar. He did not want to accept it, but he was just not as important anymore. He was just there, and new people came to replace him, like Opal and Kai. He was physically there with the group, but he was so far away in the heart. Then his warnings were brushed aside and his methods were criticized. He was aware of the disgusting muck oozing in the pit of his stomach whenever he thought back on those times. This muck called resentment. But the other side of him held onto hope. Despite telling himself that he was not their whipped dog anymore, he hoped that Korra and Asami still considered him, and by extension his friends. He was still hoping that was a way to restore his place within Team Avatar.
Another group of people, however, flashed into his mind. Jiandao, Mei, Noren, Hui Lee, Jun Jr, Nyla Jr, and Kuzon. The Blue Spirits Unit.
"Mako." Fire Lord Izumi appeared by his side.
"Lord Izumi." Shaken out of his thoughts, Mako greeted her. He kept an eye on the rest so that they don't spot him and Izumi.
"Hui Lee and Kuzon will take over in watching the Avatar. Jiandao and Jun are at the castle to recuperate. Mei and Noren will watch the Air Nomads." Izumi said, "You have a two-hour window right now if you want to see your mother's home."
Mako was not expecting this, "Are you sure, Lord Izumi?"
"Like I said. You have a two-hour window starting now. After that, check back with the Air Nomads."
"Right away, Lord Izumi."
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, please leave a review. Hope to see you in the next one.