A/N: Just a warning, updates will begin to slow now that I'm back in school. I'm sorry, I wish it didn't have to be like that, but my education is more important then this story. Just a heads up. Now, without further hold up, please enjoy!

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Chapter Seven: Studies

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Bolin watched Korra as the two made their way through the park on the way to the Soto library. She had been quiet for so long, something that Bolin was not used to. At first, he figured that she was probably beating herself up over what happened to councilman Ulva, and would get over it pretty quickly to return to her old butt kicking self. But she had been quiet for almost half an hour, and he was starting to worry. Finally, after ten more minutes of silence, Boling decided he had had enough.

"Korra, are you alright?" he asked concernedly

Korra tried to hide the frustration in her voice when she responded, but didn't find much success. "Yes, Bolin, I'm fine. Just leave me be."

Bolin frowned at her answer. Korra was usually never grumpy like this. She would be sad, maybe cry a bit, get over it, and then move on. She never would just sulk. "Korra, I know something's up, and it's not just what happened to Ulva."

"I told you to leave me be!" Korra snapped, slightly startling poor Bolin. She saw the earth bender's hurt expression and sighed, "Look, Bo, I'm sorry. It's just the Arbiter, he really got to me, Bo."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that maybe, just maybe, I shouldn't be the avatar," she explained, tears beginning to form under her eyes, "Maybe he's right! I mean, if I couldn't stop one man from killing another, how can I protect the whole nation!"

"I mess up all the time, Korra. All we can do is learn from it, and try harder next time. You can bet your bottom yuan that the Arbiter won't catch us off guard again," Bolin told her, upbeat.

"You just don't understand Bolin!" Korra lashed out angrily, grabbing the attention of some of the people in the park, "You don't understand what it's like being the avatar! You will never understand! I'm only seventeen, and still people are asking me to take on someone who is obviously a master at his trade!"

"But you're the avatar, Korra, you have to-"

Korra cut him off, "Then maybe I should let him take me, and you all will get a new avatar!"

Suddenly, without warning, Bolin grabbed Korra's shoulders, spinning her around so that she was facing directly at him. His expression was more serious then Korra had ever seen him before. "Don't ever say that." He told her gravely, staring straight into her sea blue eyes, "Do you understand me? Don't ever talk like that again."

"Bolin…"

"You may be the avatar, but you're also my friend. One of my only friends. If you were to die, I don't know what I'd do," he continued, still gripping her shoulders forcefully. "You're not just the avatar, remember that. You're still a person, just like everyone else."

Korra finally looked up into the earth bender's green eyes and saw the one person who had accepted her without question. Even before she showed her skills in the arena, Bolin had been nothing but kind to her. No matter what happened; no matter what decision she made, he always backed her up, ready to help no matter the cost. He was the only person who had ever truly seen her for who she was, not what she was, and it had taken her this long to realize it. While Bolin had been going out of his way to make her time in Republic City the best he could, all she had done was walk all over him and push him aside.

She thought back to the month in which Republic city was rebuilding, and she and Mako had just begun their relationship. Bolin had tagged along with them less and less, until he was barely around, almost always dashing off to go earn a couple yuans on the streets with Pabu. A feeling of guilt washed over her as she continued to look into Bolin's eyes. She had to fix things, she thought, she had to make things right.

In one swift movement, Korra flung her arms around the teenage earth bender's neck and put her lips against his. Bolin recoiled in shock a bit, but slowly loosened into her embrace. The two lovingly caressed each other's lips, as if they were two long lost lovers, finally reunited. It felt like electricity was coursing through their veins, like a passionate flame was burning between them. The kiss lasted longer then both had expected it to, and when they finally parted, they each needed a few seconds to catch their breath.

"Well," Bolin said, still in shock from Korra's sudden show of affection, "That was… unexpected."

Korra gasped as the realization of her actions hit her like a ton of bricks. "Spirits, what did I do? I-I cheated on my boyfriend with his own brother."

"Oh, yeah, that's pretty terrible," Bolin said sarcastically, thinking back to when his own brother had moved in on his date. He quickly shook those thoughts from his head. What was he thinking? Just because Mako had done it to him, didn't make it right. "Mako can never know about this."

Korra nodded in agreement. She apologized sincerely, "I'm so sorry Bolin, I don't know what came over me. I was depressed over what had happened to Ulva, and then I don't know, I kind of lost control, and-"

"Korra," Bolin interrupted, "it's alright. It's partly my fault too. Lets… lets just forget it ever happened."

"Yeah…" Korra didn't know why that upset her so much. Of course I want to forget it, she told herself, Bolin is just my friend! My really really really good friend… Something about the f word (and not the one you're thinking) made her feel as if her heart had dropped, but why?

"Lets just keep moving," Bolin told her. He motioned for her, and Korra followed. The two didn't talk the rest of the way to the Soto library.

"What the hell is taking them so long," Asami muttered as she paced around the main study impatiently, "Bolin should have brought her back an hour ago."

"Don't get mad at Bolin, he's trying his hardest," Mako told her sternly, sticking up for his brother while he was out.

Asami snorted at the notion, "I'm sure he is. He's probably trying to down three bowls of noodles at once right now."

"Will you calm down? Geez, I've never seen you like this before."

Asami shot him a glare that could kill a saber-toothed moose lion. "I apologize if I'm a bit anxious right now. But it's a bit hard not to be when your own government is being picked off one by one!"

"They'll be here any minute, I promise," Mako assured her, trying not to do anything to set off her temper.

The heiress threw her hands up in the air in exasperation, "Then why aren't they here! Mako, I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation! The whole nation could be in serious trouble here!"

"Gee, what gave you that idea," Mako retorted in a snarky tone, "The masked man killing off members of the high council or the masked man turning the whole city against Korra."

"Don't get smart with me," Asami snapped

Mako shrugged calmly and then said, "Besides, you won't even tell me what you know about the Arbiter. All I know right now is that he's a crazed sword swinging, lightning-hurling lunatic with a bone to pick with the avatar. I mean, he's good, really good, but that's all he is, a good fighter."

"So you didn't notice anything strange about him?" Asami asked, one eyebrow raised skeptically

Mako thought for a bit, and then answered, "Other then the fact that he wore a skull mask over his face?" Asami nodded. "No, not in particular."

"Well then you're just going to have to find out when Bolin and Korra get here. IF THEY GET HERE!" She stomped angrily, flustered by the avatar's inability to show up on time

Suddenly, the double doors to the study burst open and in ran Bolin and Korra, both out of breath. Asami walked over to the two, her eyes narrow and her lips pursued into a tight frown. "Where were you two?" she interrogated, "You were supposed to be here a while ago!"

"I'm sorry, we got caught up in traffic," huffed Bolin, who was bent over and resting his hands on his knees. Asami's frown loosened a bit, but then she heard Mako laughing from the other side of the room. The usually broody fire bender walked over to his brother and gave him an encouraging pat on the back.

"Sorry Bolin, but you don't own a car."

Asami's glare quickly returned as Bolin smiled up at her guiltily, "Heh, heh, there was sidewalk traffic?"

Korra face palmed at Bolin's lame excuse. "Another good try, Bo," she told him sarcastically, "But let's stop while we're ahead."

Bolin frowned a bit at Korra, and then turned back to Asami. "Look, I'm sorry we're late," he said apologetically, "We were talking with the new owner of Narook's Noodlery for a bit and then we got caught up in the park." Bolin winced as soon as he realized what he had just said.

"The park? What happened there?" Mako asked curiously

"Naga!" Korra hastily yelled. Bolin, Mako, and Asami all stared at her as if she had three heads. She quickly elaborated, "I mean, Naga saw one of Tenzin's flying lemurs and tried to run after it. We had to chase her all around the park, it was terrible."

"Nice save," Bolin whispered, earning him a prompt elbow in the ribs. "So what do you have to report Asami? Did you find out who the Arbiter is under that mask?"

"I, don't have anything to tell you," she pointed to the double doors that Korra and Bolin had just burst through, "But my father does."

The doors opened gently and in walked Hiroshi Soto, the money behind the Equalist movement, carrying a silver tray with a tea set on top. "Hello, avatar Korra," he greeted her with a polite bow, and then set the tea set down on the table.

Bolin, Mako, and Korra all stared at the man in disbelief. Korra couldn't believe it, Asami had brought her traitorous father in to help them fight the Arbiter. THE Hiroshi Soto, the man who had helped Amon almost bring Republic City to its knees. The man who helped build those horrible mechanized suits and warships. She didn't know how she felt about seeing him. The man had helped commit so many atrocities, that it was hard to look him in his old, tired eyes.

After a couple seconds of gawking, Mako finally spoke up, "Uh, uh, nope, not happening. He can just pick up that tea set and GET THE HELL OUT!"

"Mako!" Asami scolded, "He's trying to help us!"

"It's true," Mr. Soto added timidly

"He tried to 'help' us last time, remember how well that went!"

"I know what I did, and I'm sorry for it," Hiroshi told them, his gaze falling to the floor in shame, "But please, let me help you. This Arbiter, he threatens all those who hold power in this city, all those who he feels sat by while Amon gathered his forces. That means my daughter could become a possible target, which makes this my business."

"How can we trust you?" Korra demanded almost as forcefully as Mako.

"You can't," he answered, "But know that I would do anything to protect the only family I have left."

Korra hated to admit it, but the traitor had a good point. She knew that Hiroshi Sato would do anything if he thought it would ensure his family's safety, even help a non-bender revolution rise to power. As much as she hated it, it was a possibility that Korra would need his help. But, even with his good reasoning, she still had doubts. "What could you possibly know about the Arbiter?"

"I know enough about the history of this city and ancient spiritual lore to recognize the name."

Mako leaned in and whispered to Korra, "You aren't seriously considering this, are you?"

Korra sighed; she really didn't want to accept help from someone who had so eagerly betrayed their trust in the past. But it was looking like they didn't have much of a choice. "We need to know just who we're up against, and if that means listening to Hiroshi Sato, then so be it."

"I agree," Bolin concurred, "This may be our only lead."

Mako growled in defeat as the three made their way over to the large desk in the middle of the room, where Asami and Mr. Sato were waiting. "Alright, Mr. Sato, we'll hear you out," Korra told him as she, Mako, and Bolin took their places around the table. Hiroshi nodded and began his story.

"The name Arbiter is not a new one for me. I have been in this city almost from the very beginning, and have seen many things. But one thing I will never forget was the attempt made on Avatar Aang's life by the Arbiter."

"Wait, the Arbiter was around when Aang was?" Korra interrupted, "But the guy looks and moves like he's in his early twenties!"

"I am not saying that the Arbiter that tried to assassinate Avatar Aang was the same one that we are now dealing with today," Hiroshi explained, "I am just trying to tell you where I know his title from." He then continued with his story. "As I was saying, a while back, when Republic City was still young and the Republic of Nations was just settling into the idea of unity, an attempt was made on Avatar Aang's life.

It was during a council meeting, as I remember, and Avatar Aang was discussing Republic City's future along with the head of the council, Councilman Sokka. A young man had somehow managed to sneak his way into their private meeting room unnoticed and tried to stab the avatar from behind. Luckily for the avatar, he was able to perceive the assassin's footsteps before the blade was deep in his back.

Now I only know these events from newspapers and through my connections with the government, but apparently the assassin was a gifted swordsman, as well as an extremely talented lightning bender. But, being the avatar, Aang was able to subdue him. Only, this time, the avatar was too late. The lightning bender had already killed several of the arrest officers, and had badly wounded Councilman Sokka. For these crimes, the council demanded the death penalty."

"The death penalty?" Korra gasped, "But I thought that was outlawed by Avatar Aang himself!"

Hiroshi shook his head, "You must remember that this happened a long time ago, when the death penalty was still a viable punishment. And that's exactly what this man got. For his crimes, he was executed, hung in front of an angry crowd, his body thrown into the sea, never to be buried."

"So this man, he was the Arbiter?" Bolin asked, leaning on the edge of his seat, giddy with anticipation, "C'mon, don't leave us hanging!"

"Yes," Hiroshi answered solemnly, "He did call himself the Arbiter."

"So how does this help us understand this guy?" Mako asked, still not happy with Hiroshi's story, "From what you said, the first Arbiter is dead!"

"We were getting to that," Asami growled threateningly. The black haired beauty pulled out a couple of books and opened one of them to a specific page. "This is a list of all known orders that have ever existed. The White Lotus, the Dai Li, it's all in here."

"Again, how does this have to do with the Arbiter?"

Asami shot Mako an annoyed glare and then continued. "As I was saying, this book contains information about all known orders. Now, the title 'Arbiter' only comes up in one."

"And that is?"

"The Order of the Storm." Asami held the book up so that everyone could see the white skull with a blue lightning bolt going through it drawn on the top of the page. "It says here that they were created upon the idea that no one person should hold all the power in the world. They believed that the avatar shouldn't be a master of balance, rather a slave to the people, commissioned with the sole duty of protecting those who could not protect themselves, even if it meant sacrificing things like family and friendship. If any avatar is seen as unfit for duty, due to their inability to perform their job for whatever reason, they were to be dispatched and replaced with a new one, in the hopes that the new avatar could do what the other couldn't. And that's where the Arbiter comes in."

"So this, Arbiter, is trying to kill me so a new avatar can replace me?"

Asami nodded, "But here's the weird part. Apparently the Order has been disbanded for over thirty-five years. The Arbiter is supposed to be a warrior chosen by the council to carry out their will. But this Arbiter has no council to nominate him. He has to be acting alone, there's no way that he's an actual Arbiter of the storm."

"So he's a fraud?"

Somehow, the notion didn't make Korra feel any better. Real Arbiter or not, he had still killed a room full of officers with a single amplified bolt and still came close to gutting her like a koala sheep. "Fraud or not, he's still an incredible fighter. At this point, I'm not even sure he's human! I mean, did you see those eyes!"

"That's another thing I wanted to tell you all about," Asami pulled another book out from the stack opened it up. She laid it flat on the table so that everyone could see it, and then said, "This is a book about spirit lore my father showed me. In it, there are descriptions of all sorts of spirits and their different powers."

Korra began turning the pages, looking through each of the spirits. She saw a strange centipede looking creature, which she recognized to be Koh, the face stealer, and also the giant lion turtle. As she continued to skim through the book, a particular spirit caught her eye. It was a pale ghost looking spirit, with a black robe on and flowing white hair. Its appearance almost seemed human, except for one feature, its eyes. The spirit's eyes were black and red, just like the Arbiter's. Even looking at a drawing of them sent a shiver down her spine. "Those eyes, they're-"

"Exactly like the Arbiter's," Asami finished. "This is the spirit Azrael, a spirit of death who is said to guard the gates of the afterlife. It is legend that if one is able to slay a spirit of death, you gain their eyes, allowing you to see as the spirit once did."

"In other words, he's got super freaky death vision?" Bolin asked goofily, trying to lighten the mood.

Asami merely nodded, though. "With those eyes, he is able to see the spirit of every living being, making him an formidable hunter.

Korra came to a realization about her first fight with the Arbiter. When he had shot lightning through the roof, he wasn't just randomly firing in the air. He was able to see the people floating above the manor!

"The eyes give him other abilities," Asami continued, reading the listed powers in her book, "such as enhanced vision and slight precognitive abilities."

Bolin scrunched his face with perplexity, "Precognitive abilities? What does that mean?"

"It means that he's able to predict your move before you make it," Korra explained to Bolin, who still seemed just as confused.

Asami nodded, "Mako's right, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Even with that much power, the Arbiter is still a mortal, and I imagine that he doesn't have the ability to predict every attack we make. In fact, it's more then likely his premonition kicks in at random."

"Hold on, hold on," Mako said, slamming his fist down on the table. "I think we're all forgetting something here. To get these 'eyes of death' one would have to kill this spirit, Azrael. Spirits can't die!"

Korra felt a wave of relief wash over her. Mako was right; killing a spirit was impossible. Spirit's weren't even living in the first place, rather in some sort of limbo of existence. It would be impossible to kill something that was never alive.

Instead of responding immediately, Asami flipped through the book some more until she reached a page depicting a strange looking sword. "You may be right Mako, it may be a strange coincidence. But this proves that he has some sort of connection with the spirit realm." The group gathered around Asami to see what she was speaking of. Korra peeked over Asami's shoulder and saw a large, vicious looking sword drawn on one of the pages, followed by a written description.

The weapon was truly frightening. The broad side of the blade looked as if there were screaming skulls imprinted on it, and the blade looked just as sharp as it was large. As Korra continued to study it, she realized that it was the exact same sword the Arbiter always had strapped to his back.

"This is the Sword of Spirit's Bane," Asami told them, passing the book around so that everyone could have a better look, "There isn't much known about it, but apparently it can only be found in the spirit realm. It's said to be one of the most sinister weapons ever created, but the book doesn't say how."

"The spirit realm, that's impossible!" Korra exclaimed in disbelief. She knew for a fact that only the avatar could enter the spirit realm. No other mortal could possibly reach it; much less steal away a magic sword from it.

"It's impossible," Asami agreed, "but he somehow managed to do it."

"Great, so he's a master bender, a great swordsman, and has his hands on a mystical weapon that's power we don't even know about?" Korra had to admit the situation was beginning to sound hopeless. This Arbiter was becoming more and more of a threat. It seemed as if he was nothing less then a super soldier, the perfect killer.

"Avatar Korra, you realize what you must do, correct?" Hiroshi Soto asked

"Train intensely so that I can defeat him?"

Hiroshi shook his head and said grimly, "You won't be able to defeat him, even with intense training. His skills are too advanced and his bending is too powerful. Every Arbiter is trained to the peak of human ability. You need to defeat him the same way Aang defeated the last Arbiter. You need to master the Avatar state."

"The Avatar state?" Korra knew that she should have the ability to activate it, seeing as she hadn't suffered an injury similar to avatar Aang. After she had defeated among, Aang himself had visited Korra and given her the avatar state. It wasn't that Korra didn't know how to enter it. It was that she knew for a fact she couldn't control it.

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A/N: I hope you all liked the chapter. Please leave a review, thanks! Oh, yes, and whatever you think about the Arbiter's origins right now, it's probably untrue. Just letting you know! (It won't be THAT obvious)