Disclaimer: I do not own Legend of Korra, nor do I financially profit from this fanfiction.

Chapter 3: Taskforce

Michi winced as the water flowed across and around his battered arm. When the pain subsided he opened his eyes. Asuka sat on a high-backed chair beside him, her hands moving back and forth, manipulating the flow of water in the bubble which encased his arm. He sighed in relief as the bruises shrunk and the skin around the cuts began to knit together.

"Do you mind telling me what happened, Minori?"

Michi turned from Asuka to see Alden. The old man leant against an empty desk, his brow furrowed and his eyes bloodshot. The move to the new newsroom was to blame for his recent lack of sleep. Not that the chief ever slept that much.

Michi swallowed. "I was following a lead on the Equalists. They were gathering in one of the warehouse districts for what they called a 'revelation'. Their leader, Amon, came onto a stage and spouted the usual anti-bending rhetoric. Then, he had some captured gang members brought on stage. He said he was going to demonstrate permanent removal of bending on them."

Alden's eyes widened. "Nonsense, only the Avatar can-"

Michi interrupted. "I saw him do it. He fought Lightning-Bolt Zolt and removed his bending in front of everybody."

Alden pushed his glasses from the bridge of his nose. "This is troubling, especially since the Avatar just arrived in the city." He sighed. "Did anything else happen?"

"One of the pipes burst and the room was flooded with steam. People were stampeding out the exits and I got caught up in the rush." He paused, his meeting with the mysterious Su replaying in his mind. "I managed to get out of there and come here though- Ow!

He jerked his head towards Asuka, who smiled in response. She drew the water away from his arm and directed its flow into a bottle on the table beside her. "Your arm should be fine. However, I wouldn't strain it too much over the next couple of days. So, no push-ups."

Michi smiled weakly. "Thanks." A grunt drew his attention back to Alden.

"I'm removing you from this story, Minori. It's too dangerous."

Michi shot up from the chair. "But, Chief!"

"No buts, Minori. When I allowed you to take up this assignment, I just thought it would involve some bar whispering and interviewing. However, it has become clear that this far above your ability to handle."

Michi scowled at the editor. "I can handle this just fine."

Alden pointedly glanced down at Michi's arm, the purple from the bruising still evident despite Asuka's treatment. "Of course you can." He snorted. "You're not ready, Minori."

"I can-"

"No!" Alden folded his arms and stood up straight. "You are off this case. You will follow any leads. Your only duty for this paper is to attend press conferences. Do you understand?"

"I-"

"Do you understand!"

Michi tightened his fists and bowed his head. "Yes, sir."

"Good." Alden turned to Asuka. "Go home, you've been up all night. We'll finish arranging the newsroom in the morning." He yawned and headed towards the door to his new office. "Wake me when you get back."

###

Michi watched as the droplets slid down the interior of the glass, forming a small puddle at its base. He sighed, looking up from the counter. "Another, Shen."

"You sure, Minori? Don't you have to work later?"

Michi waved a hand, ignoring the dull pain that shot through his arm. "I'll be fine. Don't you worry about me."

The bartender shrugged and picked up the glass from the counter before disappearing into the recesses of the tavern.

Michi sighed once more and lay his head on the counter atop folded arms. He had almost broke through the wall the old man had put between him and real reporting. He'd be lucky if he was allowed cover a fire ferret pageant.

He heard the clunk of a glass on wood and looked up to see that Shen had brought him a new eased himself off the counter and was about the take up the glass when another hand grasped it. "Hey!" He whirled around to see Nao standing beside him, taking a swig of the drink.

The journalist licked his lips and sat down on a stool beside Michi. "Thanks for the drink, kid."

Michi glared at the newcomer. "Don't call me kid. You're only a few years older than me."

Nao chuckled. "And here I thought you'd be more concerned with me stealing your drink."

"Whatever. I have a tab here."

Nao nodded. "I know. Your uncle used to come here often when he was younger. He said it was a great place for information fishing."

"Yeah. He told me too."

"He's only trying to protect you. You're the only family he's got left."

"I know... But I've got to move forward, Nao."

Nao brought the glass to his lips and took a sip of the brown liquid. "I understand... Have you heard about the Avatar showing up at the pro-bending arena?"

Michi looked up, confused by this change of topic. "Yeah, but what's that got to do with anything?"

"You're investigating an anti-bending group. What effect do you think the appearance of the Avatar would have on the actions of a group like the Equalists?"

Michi's expression grew thoughtful. "I think it would cause them to step up their actions now that they have a symbol to focus against. But, it doesn't matter. I'm off the case."

"Says who?"

"The chief," said Michi drily.

Nao raised an eyebrow. "And you've always done what the old man said?"

"Well..."

"Tell you what, I'll use my contacts within the police to gather some information about the Equalists' movements and pass it on to you."

Michi's eyes widened. "Really? Thank you, Nao!"

The journalist grinned. "Better get moving, kid. There's a press conference in a little while. The new photographer is waiting for you outside."

Michi stood from the stool, a smile crossing his face. "Thanks again, Nao."

###

Michi stretched his arms out. The pain in his injured arm was almost gone. He glanced around at the assembled press pool. The atmosphere was relaxed. Nothing interesting usually happened at these conferences.

"Next time, I'm driving."

Michi turned to see the Bulletin's new photographer, Shima. She was tinkering with the back of her camera, a look of concentration on her face. "Why?"

She didn't look up. "You drive as if the back of the car was on fire."

"We got here on time, didn't we?"

"I'd prefer it if we arrived both in time and in one piece."

"Your just jealous of my driving skills. I don't blame you. I've been around cars since I was a kid."

Shima held the camera up to examine it in the light. "That explains why you drive like one."

"Whatever, newbie. Nothing much usually happens at these, so I wouldn't worry so much." Michi turned around to see Councilman Tarrlok enter the room. Beside him was the Avatar. Bulbs flashed and questions flew as the two descended the stairs to the waiting press.

"Avatar Korra, you witnessed Amon take away people's bending first hand. How serious a threat does he pose to the innocent citizens of Republic City?"

The Avatar looked hesitant. She cleared her throat. "I think he presents a real problem."

"Then why have you refused to join Tarrlok's task force. As the Avatar, shouldn't you being going after Amon?"

"Well-"

"Why are you backing away from this fight?"

"What? I've never backed away from anything in my life?"

The questions continued to fly. "Are you afraid of Amon?"

"I'm not afraid of anybody! If the city needs me, I'll join Tarrlok's task force and help fight Amon."

Tarrlok stepped in front of the Avatar. "There's your headline, folks."

Shima stepped forward to stand beside Michi, taking a photo as she did. "What's that you were saying about not much happening?"

###

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Selected Extract from the 110th edition of the 'Republic City Bulletin'

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

#

PRO-BENDING AVATAR INDICATIVE OF CORRUPT SYSTEM

To the Editor,

As you most likely know, the new Avatar has come to Republic City. Korra recently arrived in this city to fulfill her Avatar duties by learning airbending under the watchful eye of Councilman Tenzin, who promptly mislaid his young pupil as she turned up in the middle of a pro-bending match. While I congratulate the Fire Ferrets on winning their match, the addition of the young Avatar to their team raises once again the issue of fairness.

The question must be asked, why have the governors of our city's native sport allowed such a balance breaking factor into the equation? Although they have limited Korra's in-ring abilities to just waterbending, the Avatar's enhanced natural affinity with the elements and familiarity with other forms of bending give her a significant advantage over her opponents. If young Korra wished to make a career out of pro-bending, her team would be unbeatable and pro-bending would be rendered stale and lifeless husk.

It is clear to me that Avatar Korra was allowed to continue as a member of the Fire Ferrets because of the increased interest her presence has engendered towards pro-bending, which in turn leads to more tickets sales and licensing agreements. Have the governors placed their own short-term profit over our sport's long-term interests?

Yours sincerely,

Rhiannon

Sorry for the delay. Thank you for reading and if you have any ideas about what I should include in my newspaper extracts, please feel free to share them either through the reviewing system or the messaging system.