Maelstrom

The door exploded into splinter. What ensued could only be described as chaos. What had been a Triple Threat Triad card game became a nightmare. One that would haunt those attending for years, spoken in hushed whispers.

The rock pillar that had shattered the door crumbled to dust as Bolin flew in, propelled by the earth itself. He landed in a kneeling position and dug his fingers into the very rock beneath him and ripped upward, creating a rippling through the ground in the room. Everyone, stunned and cowering already was thrown to the ground.

The first attack came from behind. The guards who had been watching the door actually managed to be the most protected, standing beside the door against the wall they had avoided injury. A fire bender, he summoned daggers of flame into his fist and jumped at Bolin. A fire bender? Mako and me have been sparing since we could walk, Bolin thought to himself with a grin. He stood quickly and slid his left foot along the ground as he spun around. A great wave of earth smashed the man into the wall, unconscious. The second, an earth bender, stomped his foot and summoned a boulder half the size of Bolin. He punched forward sending it with great speed at Bolin. Open palmed, he batted it to his left, a look of boredom on his face. He knelt forward and delivered a punch which raised a pillar directly towards the other bender. Unprepared, the man was sent through the wall.

Without warning he felt cold pain slash across his back. Great. A water bender. Spinning back around he looked up to see a thin water tribe woman with a water whip. She swung it forward again as Bolin quickly brought his fists and forearms up next to each other in front of his face, a wall of rock jumping from the ground, blocking him. The water bender was undeterred and decided the water pipes running above them looked inviting. She pulled the water from the pipes, splitting the metal. She pulled it around her and then pushed forward with it in a forceful wave. This shattered Bolin's wall. Precious seconds before the wall gave way Bolin twisted his feet and rooted himself in the rock beneath him. The water streamed around him. The rock carried toward him was turned to mud before it could impact him.

The muddy water was ankle deep in the room now. Bolin gritted his teeth and thrust his hands upward, crushing the pipe with artificial stalagmites and cutting off the flow of water. The water bender looked startled. While she stared at the ceiling Bolin strained and forced the mud up to the woman's neck. She started to bend the mud off of her, but Bolin's will was iron. He clamped down and solidified the earth, pushing the water out to puddle ineffectually on the ground around the water bender, taunting her. It was then a second fire bender and earth bender came from the sides.

Bolin turned to his left and dusted a boulder with is left arm as it flew at him while simultaneously twisting his right foot and raising a rock wall now behind him, blocking the fire blast. Following the twist of his body Bolin brought his right hand around and grabbed a second boulder from midair and threw it back at the earth bender. It caught the man in the stomach and sent him against the wall, rendering him unconscious as well. Now reversing his movement he made a slicing motion with his right hand behind him. This took the top off the wall and sent it at the fire bender, pinning him to the wall. The last card player, looked like a fire bender, made for the door. Before he could reach it Bolin again raised a small wall. The man impacted it and fell to the ground.

Bolin walked up to the captive fire bender, pinned to the wall. He slammed his hand into the wall next to his head, the wall giving, just a bit. "Where. Is. Mako." Bolin ground out lowly.

"What are you talking about?" the conscious but trapped fire bender wheezed out as dust fell around him.

"My brother. Where is he? I know you worked with the Equalists now where is he?"

"Look, Bolin, I don't know what you're talking about," the fire bender said.

"How do you know who I am?" Bolin asked

"Uh, I mean, who doesn't know you. You and your friend's just stopped the Equalists. And you were a Triad. It's…uh…like family, you know?" the man said nervously.

"No. I don't. I wouldn't. Now what's going on here?" Bolin said evenly.

"Nothing, kid, I already-WAAAAA!" the man yelled as Bolin ripped the rock pinning him away and stomping his foot, sending the man into the ceiling.

"My brother! Now!" Bolin yelled. "I'm not a cop. I don't play games. You tell me what I want to know." Bolin said lowly.

"Okay! Okay! We had some of those Equalist guys come in last week. They wanted help. We lent them some guys to keep an eye on your place. To get a feel for you and Mako's movements. See what hours you kept. That's it, that's all I know!" the man yelled. "That guy over there! He was on watch! He talked to the Equalists! He knows more than I do! Just don't hit me anymore!"

Bolin grabbed him by the collar and hauled him to his feet. He half dragged him to the wall and slammed him into it. Quite literally into the wall. He was stuck in it.

"Stay put. Chief Beifong will be along shortly. You can tell her everything you know." Bolin walked over be the unconscious earth bender and stomped his foot, dropping him into the ground up to his neck, immobilizing him. The he did the same to the other fire bender. "They took my brother. You're going in for kidnapping. Accessories at least," he said nonchalantly. He looked around the room as he casually laid the wall that felled the last player on top of the man. The floor was destroyed, the door disintegrated, a smashed card table was in the center of the room, the cards strewn about. "So, who was winning?" Bolin asked conversationally.

"He was," the fire bender nodded to the earth bender. "You saved me a ton, kid. He almost had my shoes!"

"Well, you know…I'm sorry, I didn't get your name," Bolin said.

"I go by Hot Head Li or Hot Head to my friends," Li smiled and nodded to Bolin.

"Ohhh, nice to meet you, Li," Bolin said.

"You saved me some trouble, please, call me Hot Head."

"That's really nice of you!" Bolin said with a smile.

. . .

"Bolin did what!?" Korra yelled.

"He did, he broke up that game, beat up six dangerous, criminal benders, got the information we needed, and then made friends with one of them." Lin said again.

Korra smiled despite herself. "Only Bolin," she laughed. Lin stifled a laugh of her own.

"Well unfortunately I'd be laughing a lot more if I felt it was a little more legal. This wasn't even a stake out or anything. He went somewhere on a hunch, kicked in the door, and demanded information." Lin said more seriously.

"Is it really all that bad?" Korra asked.

"That doesn't include the assault, Korra." Lin deadpanned. "But, Mako has been working with me. Studying to pass the entrance exam for the police force. I consider him one of our own… one of my own. Even family has accused me of being too rigid on principle of law… but I'm older now. I fear I've gotten soft. I feel bad for Bolin, all things considered. He told me how everything happened. I told him to keep it to himself. But I can't keep covering for him. He has to stop this crusade right now. Let us handle it. Am I clear, Avatar Korra?" Lin finished not with a question but with a statement.

"Yes, Chief. I'll make sure he knows. And thank you, so much. I don't think I could handle losing Bolin right now too." Korra said.

"Don't thank me. With everything going on…with Equalist sentiments still among the people and Mako's kidnapping…I think Bolin's place is with the Avatar. He was vital to your success before and you may need him again. Republic City may need him again." Lin said seriously.

Korra nodded, then did a half bow. Lin returned the gesture and Korra was out the door. On the way out she stopped before Bolin who sat in a chair waiting, his head down, his hands bandaged.

"I don't know what happened, Korra. I've never hurt myself bending before," Bolin said in confusion, his eyes locked on his knuckles.

"Earth can be pretty abrasive," Korra smiled knowingly. "When you get worked up, when emotions are high, it can happen. I've seen fire benders with 'sun burns.' Water benders have been known to get abrasions from the ice. Tenzin even told me stories of air benders who lost their composure and earned some 'wind burns.' It happens. But you must be more upset than I thought." Korra said, concern edging into her voice. "You know the police are working on this, and if you wanted to go hunt for information you could have told me and Asami. We'd be right there with you."

Bolin looked up at her when she began to talk. He listened to what she had to say, then replied, "You don't understand, Korra. This is different. This isn't Amon. This is Shady Shin. This is family. Mako is all I have." Bolin said quietly with tears in his eyes, tears refusing to fall.

"That's not true!" Korra said getting upset, "and you're not the only one worried about Mako," she finished with a huff.

"I know you're worried about Mako." Bolin said. "I'm not just trying to find him for me. I'm trying to find him for you, for Team Avatar. The whole world relies on you and you rely on Mako. I get it. Trust me. Mako is important to all of us. That's why I'm going to find him."

"I know you're upset, and Asami told me you're going through this thing, that you don't feel like you belong-"

"Look-"

"-and I get that, I do. But you can't go off on your own. You need back up for these things. You could have gotten in real deep."

"You think I need back up?"

"Of course you need back up!" Korra yelled, exasperated, drawing the attention of cops and criminals alike. Bolin looked back down to his bandaged knuckles, cowed. I must really be a screw up, Bolin thought to himself. Korra looked around her, a bit embarrassed. "Sorry! Go on about your day, don't mind me!" She said blushing while she rubbed the back of her neck. Bolin looked up at her.

"I'm sorry, Korra. I should probably be getting home." Bolin said.

"Hold on, Chief Beifong wants me to take you home. To make sure you get there alright, you know?" Bolin's shoulders sagged but he nodded. Now I have to be babysat, he thought. They left the station and began walking towards Bolin's empty apartment. They walked in silence for a few blocks.

"Are you okay, Bolin?" Korra asked quietly.

"Of course, I'm just ready to get home and see Pabu." Bolin said, nonchalantly.

"You've been acting really funny, and what Asami said, and Mako-"

"Things are tough for everyone right now. I know. Asami's dad is in jail and she's trying to keep Future Industries afloat, you're still mastering air bending and I'm sure being away from your parents is wearing on you," Bolin said sympathetically.

"Honestly you're right, Bolin," Korra said, sagging just a bit. "I mean, yeah I was kind of sheltered back home, but it was still home. I don't talk to mom or dad that much. I'm just used to having them around all the time, you know? They're always been there." Korra vented.

"I'm sure that's tough," Bolin said sadly, because he didn't know.

"It is!" Korra exclaimed. "I mean, I love Tenzin and Pema so much. Don't get me wrong. And the kids are great! And Kya and Bumi being around has been crazy and wonderful, but it's not the same."

"Oh I know. Aang and Katara raised a great family though." Bolin said as they paused at a cross walk.

"Boy did they! Ugh, and I miss Katara! She's like family too, you know?"

"I'm sure I can relate," Bolin said with a smile, looking at Korra. She smiled back genuinely. Even for feeling like he didn't belong, even if they didn't feel the same way, Bolin thought of his friends as family.

"You know I haven't seen much of you recently, Bolin. I miss this. Just talking, you know? You've got the biggest heart of anyone I know," she said, the smile reaching her eyes.

"You really think so?" Bolin asked. "I mean, all I've ever wanted to do was be in a position to help people. No matter if it was like the original Team Avatar, or just lending an ear," he said looking ahead and crossing at the green light. "Oh! And to fly! How cool would that be? Zooming in and out of clouds!" Bolin exclaimed. Korra giggled a bit.

"Well, it can be pretty fun. They've just started me on glider training and I'm not going to lie, it's pretty awesome." Bolin collapsed on himself.

"Aw! You get to fly already!?" Bolin exclaimed. Korra chuckled.

"Glide. Air benders can't fly. They just ride the currents." She explained.

"It's practically the same thing!" he yelled. Korra laughed.

"Maybe." She looked up and noticed they'd arrived. "Wow, we're already here. Want me to come up?" Korra asked.

"No, that's alright. I'm going to change my bandages and get some sleep. I'm pretty tired."

"Well taking out six Triple Threats will do that! That's incredible. That takes a lot of power and skill. I always knew there was more to you, Bolin." Korra said with a smile. Bolin smiled awkwardly back.
"You always knew it, huh?" Bolin said uncertainly, Korra's earlier words still fresh in his mind.

"Yup! I have a feeling there's way more to you than we've seen so far." Korra said smiling. "Get some rest, take care of your hands. I'll come by tomorrow to visit, if you'd like."

"Really? You think you'll have time? I know Tenzin has you practicing a lot." Bolin asked.

"We're taking a break at the moment. Can't get burned out, you know? Though the meditating would actually probably do me good right now. Tenzin knows I'm worried about Mako. He understands." Bolin nodded. "And no more going out on your own. We need to be together on this. Me, you, and Asami. If Beifong's going to be angry I want in on it." Korra smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow. Bye, Bolin."

"Bye, Korra," Bolin said with a small smile. And then she was gone. He trudged up the stairs to his apartment. It wasn't the one he shared with Mako. It was one Asami put him up in. Either until their place was repaired or Mako was found. Preferably the latter would be what happened first. Bolin walked into the bathroom and removed the bandages from his hands. He looked down at the scuffs and scrapes on his knuckles. They were purpling now, and swelling just a bit. He didn't think they were that bad. But Beifong had insisted they wrap them at the station. He was pretty sure she was furious with him, but he got vital information for her, so he thought after she cooled down she'd be okay.

He removed his shirt and washed his hands with soap and water. He was ready to relax and didn't want to get his shirt wet. He deemed new bandages unnecessary. He thought it better to let them air out. Air was good for a wound, wasn't it? He wasn't sure but that's what he was going with. He moved to the kitchen to start some dinner. He put a pot of water on the stove and turned it on. She'd generously provided food for him as well. In fact the whole act was extremely generous he felt. She hadn't set him up in a small apartment either. It was actually quite large and nice. He'd have to find a way to pay her back. He heard a noise coming from the front door and he tensed as the turned, expecting an attack. Would it be Equalists? Would it be Triad looking for reprisal?

"Bolin! It's me, Asami! I hope you don't mind I let myself in! I have a key to the place so I didn't think you'd-" the words caught in her throat as she caught sight of Bolin without his shirt on, his body taunt, ready for attack. It wasn't that she'd never seen him without his shirt before, although Bolin was a very attractive guy, and right now he didn't look bad. However she already knew he was muscular and powerfully built, much more so than his tall and lean brother. No it was the bruising that was starting to pop up and some of the scrapes from his encounter earlier in the evening. She'd nearly dropped the bags in her left hand.

"Are you okay?" she exclaimed.

"Yeah, of course, why do you ask?" he seemed genuinely perplexed.

"Your chest, your arms, you look pretty beat up." She said sadly.

"Oh, no that's nothing. I've had worse. Pro bending." He said matter of factly.

"I know Chief Beifong said you'd roughed some Triads up for information, but how many did you go after?"

"Six." He said simply.

"You had six fights today?" she asked surprised.

"Well," he rubbed his neck, "It was really more like one big one."

"You fought six triads?" she asked, again surprise. "All at once?"

"Yeah, a couple of earth bender, three fire benders, and a water bender. Well, the last guy I think was a fire bender. He didn't really get a chance to do anything. Oh! One of the fire benders, Hot Head, he told me to call him that, I think we're friends now, he was really actually very nice-"

"The friend you made that the Chief told me about," Asami said with a smile. A great wide grin split Bolin's face.

"Yeah! He was really nice. He said I saved him a lot of money by stepping in when I did. Then he told me about his mom and dad and how he was from right here in Republic City. You know what? His parents were an earth bender and a fire bender too! Small world, huh?" Bolin finished with a smile, his fists on his hips. Asami covered her mouth as she giggled a bit.

"What did Hot Head say?" Asami asked him with a small smile.

"Oh," Bolin got serious again. "He said that they had done some work for some Equalists. They did a stake out on me and Mako. They knew he'd be alone. That's how they managed to grab him without me being there. That's how I just missed them." He said a little sadly.

"Oh, well good job, Bolin. Now we have a lead. A direction to go." Asami said reassuringly. Not only to make Bolin feel better, not to make him feel as though he belonged, but because it was true. Bolin did a very good thing for them and Mako.

"Yeah, well kind of. Y'see one of the earth benders? He was the one on stake out. He was the one who talked to the Equalists. Unfortunately I hit him just a little too hard. He's not up yet. But he will be. And when he is Beifong is going to get what I need to find Mako." Bolin said seriously.

"We." Asami said assertively.

"Huh?" Bolin looked at her confused.

"She's going to get what we need to find Mako." Asami said again softly.

"Oh, right. You and Korra are very concerned, I know." Bolin said quietly.

"Not just for Mako, but for you too." Asami said, the softness still in her voice, calming.

"I'm fine. I'm here. I'm not gone, held captive by spirts knows who, or worse." Bolin's voice cracked at the end.

"Bolin, I've been very worried about you," Asami said, stepping up to Bolin, gently touching the side of his face with her right hand. It was stubbly. He'd not shaved today. Along with some purpling spots on his face there was more than a little dust covering him. "Korra came to my gym the other day. To talk about you and Mako. How you both mean a lot to us. I want to make sure you know that. You're important to us. To Team Avatar but more than that. You're both like family." She said sweetly, smiling while she grabbed his hand and inspected his knuckles.

"Well, I'm glad you both feel that way," Bolin said. "I consider you both family too. But I don't know what I'm worth to Team Avatar," he said matter of factly.

"Bolin, you've saved all our lives at least once, and you just leveled four Triad's in as many minutes, or less. Trust me, you have combat value," Asami said straight faced as she met his eyes again.

"We'll see…" Bolin trailed off.

"Hey, I'm serious," Asami said as she gently released his hand, "and don't run off and do anything else alone. You need to go talk to Chief Beifong if you want to be involved with this at all. I mean, honestly, so far you've done nothing but make her police force look a little foolish, you know."

"Really?" Bolin said a little astonished.

"Uh, yeah," Asami said with a chuckle, "you picked apart and dissected the crime scene before her or any of her detectives could surmise anything and then you followed your gut and got more information within a day. I'd say she'd be interested to hear what you have to say. Or at least open to your participation."

"Maybe I will go talk to her," Mako said almost to himself.

"Please do." Asami said.

"That's a matter for tomorrow!" Bolin said waving his hand in front of himself. "Please, sit down. I was just making a late dinner. Join me?" Bolin asked smiling.

"Actually," Asami held up some bags in her left hand, "I brought dinner. Although I'd be very interested to see how well you can co-"

"Cook!? When you brought Aunt Wu's famous take out?! I'll cook for you another time, Asami, I promise! Right now? We need to eat that!" Bolin pointed excitedly at the bags. Asami laughed and started unpacking on Bolin's table.

"Is it okay if I turn on the heater? It's cold in here." Asami asked.

"Yeah, go ahead." Bolin replied. Asami turned on the gas and ignited the small heater. They enjoyed a warm dinner, in a warm room with good company. Aunt Wu was famous for a reason, after all.