Chapter 10: Equalist betrayal

Three days past before she realized she couldn't stay with Mako, Bolin and Korra anymore. The first incident occurred when Flint had run into Tahno and his Wolfbats in the streets. Instead of being the conceited guy everyone pegged him to be, he seemed really nice to her. He even offered for her to join him and his crew for coffee.

"WHAT? With who? Why? Flint, you know he's our main competition! And he's a jerk. How could you betray me? Betray the Fire Ferrets?" His giant puppy eyes could have melted a glacier in Antarctica but Flint only laughed.

"Probending names are weird. You guys are called the Fire Ferrets?"

"That's not the point. You have been fraternizing with the enemy." He folded his arms pointedly.

In her best imitation of a baby voice, Flint said, "Awww, is someone jealous?"After wiggling up to him, she wrapped her arms as far around as she could and squeezed. They would have stayed like that longer if not for Korra coming in, followed by Mako and Tenzin. They pushed away from each other clearing their throats.

The second incident happened when Tenzin recognized her. There was a mutual surprise on both ends before Flint and Tenzin simultaneously pointed at each other while exclaiming, "You!"

Tenzin raised his hand silently before all the questions could be thrown their way. "Another time," he walked over to Flint and nodded. "Miss Flint, it is a pleasure to see you again."

"You too Mr. Tenzin, sir. Still got that arrow on your head I see. Well," she clasped her hands searching her mind for a quick getaway excuse, "I'm going to go out and do stuff you do when you are out. Bye." With that, she left without much more to say.

On her walk through the city, she ran into little to no trouble. Amazingly she got some much needed shopping done. A new study pack and some new trousers made her feel more secure. However her parents were stuck behind bars Spirits knows where, probably believing she has given up on them. They had to remain more important than the safety she felt with Bolin and the Ferrets. She couldn't lose her family even if it meant abandoning Bolin again.

When she returned after a decent amount of time, Mako was waiting for her. The scene would have been comical if not for her wariness of all things Mako. He sat comfortably on the bench, lights low so that he was encased in shadow, and his scarf billowed in the breeze that blew from the window. It was all so serious she took a step backwards when he made eye contact. Those reddish amber eyes made her gulp audibly. "We need to talk."

Four words can make her sweat. "Sure, we haven't really gotten to know each other." Refusing to sit, she stood off to the side.

"How did you end up back in Republic City?"

"My parents are out of town so I'm being a rebel and leaving all my chores behind for some city fun. Bolin happened to save me and here I am."

Mako smirked knowingly. "Where did your parents go?"

"Out of town. So I'm guessing to another town."

"Flint," his voice suddenly turned intimidating, "I know you are the Equalist Lin has been looking for."

A mouse's nibbling was the only sound to cut the silence.

Flint bolted for the stairs, but Mako was quicker, blocking her way before she took three steps. "You used Bolin to get to the Avatar didn't you?" His anger had finally flared to where the sparks on his fingers could have started a flame. Here they were again; Mako protecting his brother from Flint.

"I would never use Bolin."

That seemed to trigger something in Mako. His first two shots were quick, but her training with the Equalist helped her dodge them easy enough. He wasn't going to let her off for long; four more shots came after her in succession. The fourth nipped her shoulder singeing her shirt. She fired back three lame shots, but they did what they were suppose to in distracting Mako long enough for her to get close enough to strike.

But he wasn't going to be that easily overcome. He blocked her punches and kicks well. If she didn't get an advantage, she would tire out before he did. When she went down to sweep his legs from under him, he jumped and took the opportunity grab her arm and twist it behind her. It was painful, but not unbearably so. It was more of a warning to Flint in case she tried anything. "What was your plan? Why did they send you?"

That old fear was coming back and she started to panic. "No one sent me Mako. I'm not who you think I am. Please, just let me go."

"Let her go Mako!" Bolin looked like he hadn't had sleep in a while. It was odd considering he looked fine when she left.

Mako loosed him grip in surprise and that gave her just enough time to slip from his hold and release a multitude of chi blocking shots. Mako's arms went limp and the flames on the ends of his fingers died. Bolin now blocked her way, looking more hurt than anything.

From that point on, things went in slow motion. Mako was telling Bolin to stop Flint, but the words were drowned out as if it were underwater. Flint made eye contact with her Buddy before taking out his left arm with three strikes. He made no move to stop her as he grasped it with his right. She bolted past him without looking back. Looking back meant she would have to face what happened just now.

She lost her only ally in Republic city. Not only would officers be after her, but the one person she can say she truly cared about. "This sucks," Republic City gobbled up her words.

Author's Note: I might end it here. Part two might come next month. Not sure. Thanks for reading. It has been fun coming up with a character without much of a plan. Thanks!