Chapter One: Election Day

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It was a scorching hot summers day in Republic City. The sun was blinding, the air was humid, and there was not a single cloud in the sky to take refuge under. The weather added on with the heat produced by the multiple factories scattered around the concrete jungle made living in the city almost intolerable, let alone working. Many workers had been forced to go home due to unsafe conditions in the hot boiler rooms they made their living in.

It was surprising that spirits on the streets were generally high, despite the ungodly heat. But the city had just finished rebuilding after its damaging attack five months ago from the extremist group, the Equalists, and people were glad to see things go back to normal.

The council had also allowed Hiroshi Sato, a major player in Amon's revolution, to be simply placed under house arrest with his daughter, causing those who may have still held a grudge against benders to be put at ease. It seemed as if people were finally getting over the masked blood bender's assault.

All that remained was the election of a new water bender to replace Tarrlok in the United Republic Council...

"I don't see why we have to go to these things," Bolin pouted as he followed his brother into city hall, "We're just pro benders, shouldn't we leave these meetings to, you know, politicians."

Mako sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, "I've told you this a thousand times, Bo, we're here to support Korra while she helps the council choose a new member."

For the past five days, Korra had been roped into countless council meetings with Tenzin. Of course, Bolin knew she hated going to the things, but it was her responsibility as the Avatar to help oversee the proceeds. But Korra not being around was something he was used to at that point. Ever since she and his brother had started dating, much to his disappointment, the two always spent time alone with each other, leaving him and Pabu on their own.

At first, Bolin was upset with how much the two had been ditching him, but eventually he found his own hobby to keep himself pre-occupied: street performance. Bolin found that he and Pabu could make a decent amount of money doing silly acts and tricks on the side of the road. One time, he was even able to afford eating at his favorite water tribe restaurants for three days in a row! It wasn't as fun as hanging out with Korra and his brother was, but it was something.

"Now Bolin," Mako snapped sternly, de railing his brother's train of thought, "You have to remember to keep quiet during these things. The council members a pretty strict and…"

Bolin rolled his eyes and pouted, "Yeah, yeah, they already don't approve of you and Korra, and me acting out's just gonna make it worse. Geez, bro, if you want, I can just wait outside! There are a bunch of people out there, and I bet Pabu and I can make some real money!"

Mako bit his lip, considering Bolin's suggestion. After a couple of seconds, he nodded and said, "Alright, Bo, go ahead. Just remember to hide the money so you don't get mugged."

Bolin took a deep breath and puffed out his chest, striking his best strong guy pose, "Me? Get mugged? Please."

His brother chuckled lightly and patted him on the back, "Alright, have fun Bo. You to Pabu."

The fire ferret cocked its head to the side and purred happily at Mako. Bolin sighed with relief, another boring council meeting dodged. With his ferret perched on his shoulder, the earth bender ran of into the crowd excitedly.

Mako smiled as he watched his brother peel off, and then pushed open the large golden doors of City hall. He had never imagined his life would ever come to this, seeing where he and his brother had come from. The two were dirt-poor orphans, destined to die on the streets like the rest. But somehow, they had managed to become pro bending champions, important members of Republic City, and most importantly, friends with the avatar.

The red carpet leading to the high court and the silver linings of the decorative hall were almost like a dream to him. Things are finally turning around for you, Mako, he told himself as he strutted towards the courtroom.

Standing in front of the court entrance was a brown haired girl in traditional water tribe garb, her arms crossed and her foot tapping impatiently. As soon as she saw Mako, though, her smile lit up and she ran towards him. Mako smiled and threw himself into her embrace, holding the girl tightly. After they finished hugging, the girl looked around and asked, "Where's Bolin."

Mako shrugged, "He said he didn't want to watch, so he's out on the streets doing his own thing. Sorry, Korra."

Korra frowned at this, "So he's ditching us to go play with his ferret? This is the future of our nation we're talking about here!"

"You know how Bo can be," Mako told her, "He's not really one for politics. He'd much rather be out there having fun in his own goofy way."

The avatar sighed in disappointment, "I guess you're right. It's just that I haven't talked to him in a while now."

"I'm sure he'll be waiting outside for us after the meeting," Mako reassured her, giving his girlfriend a peck on the cheek. Korra still seemed to be upset with Bolin's absence, though. Mako frowned a bit, why was she so down? It was just Bolin, at least he had come. She would see his brother in practice, anyways, so it wasn't like his absence was a huge deal.

Korra, on the other hand, was becoming more and more disheartened about her friendship with the earth bender. The two used to be so close, but now it seemed as if he was avoiding her and Mako, distancing himself from the two. Even in bending practice, he wouldn't talk nearly as much as he used to. He would mostly do drills with the two, and then head out early before she could say a word to him. But whenever the two did talk, he would always act as if nothing was wrong, and everything was normal. Each time she asked why he leaves so early, Bolin would simply answer, "I've got another job, Korra. You know, you've got pro bending and avatar stuff, and I've got pro bending and street performing. It's really no big deal. Besides, you and Mako are hanging out, anyways, right? Think of it as… Makorra time!"

She had never heard dumber thing to call her relationship with his brother, but she still thought it was just Bolin's brand of humor. And while she did appreciate her time with Mako, she still wanted to have the occasional night out with Bolin. Mako was so serious all the time, it was fun to hang out with his goofy brother every once and a while. Plus, she didn't really have any other friends other than Asami, assuming she even liked Korra, who was always busy with running her dad's business.

"Avatar Korra, the meeting is about to begin," she heard Tenzin call from inside the courtroom. Korra took a deep breath, preparing herself for yet another boring council meeting, thankfully the last. She and Mako went into the courtroom and took their designated seats in front of the U shaped table, where each council member was sitting.

Korra noticed that there was someone who usually wasn't present at these meetings, Asami. Apparently she had decided to attend the official election meeting, most likely since she represented the money of Republic City.

Councilman Tenzin stood once everyone had filed into the room and began his opening statement.

"Welcome, everyone," He greeted, giving a polite bow to the crowd of aristocrats and politicians, "to the official election and induction of the newest member of our council. In this meeting, we will be choosing from the group of nominated candidates a new Water Tribe representative. Keep in mind the characteristics that make one a worthy member of our council and who will be the most beneficial to the people of Republic City, and the entire nation. Now, without further ado, I present your candidates!"

Three sharply dressed water tribe men entered the room, smiling and waving to the deciders. Each of them went around shaking the hand of each member of the council. After making their rounds, the three men stood next to each other in a neat row. Tenzin stepped forward and began to introduce them. Pointing to the first man, who had a full beard, a mostly shaven head, and a confident smile. He shouted, "Tikanni Kesuk!"

He then pointed to the one standing in the middle, who was much older than the other two, and seemed much more sullen. "Injaquaq Iluq!"

Tenzin then pointed to the man on the far end of the three, whose face had multiple visible scars streaking across it. It was obvious to everyone that the man was a veteran. "Nanuq Qupok!"

The airbending council member turned to the crowd of voters and said, "Please decide carefully who you wish to vote for. You have ten minutes to make any last minute discussions among yourselves."

Everyone immediately stood from their seats and began to shift around, trying to locate their respective groups to discuss why their candidate was the most qualified.

Korra felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to see Asami standing behind her. She seemed happy to see the teenage billionaire, but not so much the said billionaire's ex boyfriend.

"What are you doing here, Asami?" Mako asked suspiciously

Asami shot him a glare, "What, am I not allowed to perform my civic duty? Since I'm now one of the most influential people in this city, I figured it'd be a good time to brush up on politics."

"Why weren't you at any of the other meetings then?"

Asami became flustered; clenching her fists angrily, "Running dad's business is a lot of hard work! Anyways, I figured Korra could fill me in on each of the candidates."

"She's not some errand girl you can send to important meetings in your stead!" Mako snapped, pointing accusingly at Asami.

Korra sighed; it had been heated between the two ever since Asami convinced the council to have her father put under her own custody. Mako saw freeing her father, who had put Korra's life in danger, as a betrayal of trust. When he had finally confronted her about it, he had said to her "Just because you're still angry with me, doesn't make it alright to free terrorists!" Asami, of course, was not happy with Mako calling her father a terrorist, and the two had been fighting ever since.

Finally deciding enough was enough, Korra stepped in between the two and agreed to inform Asami about each of the candidates. Asami smiled at her response, while Mako frowned disapprovingly.

"Alright, so let's start out with Tikanni," Korra began as Asami listened carefully, "He's a self made man. Tikanni built upon his father's small fishing company and has turned it into a full-fledged industry. He can be a bit brash and naïve, but he knows what it's like to have practically nothing and is most likely going to end up trying to help the lower class."

"Self made man… I like that," Asami commented, looking over to the proud ex fisherman.

Korra nodded in agreement, Tikanni was her favorite as well. "Next is the old guy, Injaquaq Iluq. He's an old aristocrat, and to be honest a bit of infuriating sometimes. The old man is interested in creating more riches for the city, but intends to stream most of it towards the upper class."

"Bet you'd like that," Mako scoffed quietly, earning him a glare from Asami.

"So what about the big scary guy?" Asami asked, pointing towards Nanuq Qupok.

Korra looked over at Nanuq and whispered to Asami, "I don't know much about him. Apparently he's some celebrated general, but he rarely ever talks. But he's got most everyone's respect, for some reason or another."

"Is he a good leader?"

Korra shrugged, "I guess so, seeing as he's a general and all. I asked Iroh about him, and all he could tell me was that Nanuq's really good at making tough decisions. Didn't say much else."

Asami looked over to Nanuq again, who was standing by silently, not talking to any of his supporters unlike the other two candidates. He had a certain aura about him, though, one that commanded respect. For some strange reason, she felt as if she could trust him with such a position.

After ten minutes was up, a gong sounded and everyone took his or her seats once again. The three candidates returned to their original spots as well. Tenzin stepped forward and spoke in a loud voice, "We are now going to perform the vote. Each of you has three flags under your seats, one red, one blue, and one green. If you wish Tikanni to be your next council member, raise the red flag. If you wish Injaquaq to be your next council member, raise the blue flag. If you wish Nanuq to be your next council member, raise the green flag. Is that understood?"

Everyone nodded simultaneously. "Alright then," Tenzin said, "Will you all now raise your respective flag."

Unfortunately for Mako, since he wasn't an actual member of the court, he was not allowed to vote. But Korra allowed him to put his input on her vote. Both agreed that Tikanni would be best for the overwhelming poverty that Republic City suffered from. Asami, on the other hand, raised a green flag. She figured an ex general would know a thing or two about strong leadership, and that was what the city needed most of all. And it seemed as if most felt the same way, because there was an overwhelming amount of green flags.

After two counters went through the crowd and tallied up the votes, they whispered the results into Tenzin's ear. Tenzin simply nodded and thanked them silently. He then held his hands up, signaling for everyone to lower their flags. "The results are in," he announced so that everyone could hear, "Your new council member will be… NANUQ QUPOK!"

Those who voted for the ex general stood up and cheered happily, while the others sulked in their seats. Tenzin smiled widely, another successful vote. He walked over to Nanuq and put his arm around the large man's shoulder in a brotherly gesture. "Is there anything you would like to say fellow councilman?"

Everyone went silent, waiting in anticipation for Nanuq to speak up. After a couple seconds of silence, he finally opened his mouth to speak. "This city is sick." The general then exited the courtroom, not even bothering to explain his statement. Most seemed surprised with what he said, especially Korra. She glared at the newly inducted councilman as he walked off. When he had finally left the room, she growled, "That jerk! The people of Republic City elect him, and all he can tell us is that our city is sick?"

Mako seemed equally upset by the ex general's opinion, "I don't know who he thinks he is, but you saved this city! If anything, Republic City's doing better than ever! Sure, we still have our problems, but nothing out of the ordinary."

"I'm gonna go give him a piece of my mind!" Korra said, balling her fists as she began to follow him. Before she could get far, though, Tenzin grabbed her by the shoulder.

"Let him be," he told her sternly, "Nanuq may have come across ungrateful, but I truly believe he is what this city needs."

"What this city needs is the avatar, and Korra's right here!" Mako exclaimed, pointing at his girlfriend

Tenzin shook his head, "What the city needs is someone who is able to lead them selflessly and wisely so that someone like Amon cannot harm this city again."

"But Korra defeated Amon!"

Tenzin nodded, "An for that, we are all proud. But we let his movement grow for far too long. What we should have done was stop it before it could gain steam and grow out of control like it did. As glad as I am that Amon was stopped, there were a million ways we could have done it better."

Korra huffed angrily at this. I did the best I could, she thought, why can't we all just leave it at that! "I'm sorry I'm not good enough for Republic City," she snapped, and stormed off. Mako began to follow her, but Tenzin quickly stopped him.

"What are you doing? I need to talk to her!" he shouted angrily

"This is something she needs to figure out on her own," Tenzin responded

Mako sighed and submitted to the old air bender's will. The two watched as Avatar Korra stomped out of city hall.