I escaped after reminding republic city that the feared spirits still existed, but what I learned later Granny was something I wasn't expecting. "Remove someone's bending?" I whispered, in the family Villa, or better said the dragon corps lounge for important guests. "How do you think this could be achieved?" She asked, her eyes filled with frustration.
I thought for a bit, lighting bending could cause permanent damage to the chi system but also cause long-term physical damage, no other way came to mind other than the experiments the hidden flowers' conducted by implanting nails into the chi pathway of serial killers. "It's not the hidden flowers." I turned to her. "They told me that their experiments would take more than a simple finger to the head. From what I get their method is implanting nails into sections of the spine, to be exact these segments where the chi pathway runs through." I felt a bit disgusted at the method. My parents told me about the hidden flowers and at the age of six I was trained next to warriors and assassins. My mother was such an assassin herself as explained how she learned to throw needles. "So they're not responsible for this? Even if it's in their category to terminate members of triads. The highest level of personal loss was lightning Bolt Zolt." She smirked at that. "Oh really? Boldo lost his little trick?" I simply gave a nod.
Granny Zaya finished her tea. "Still, they're idiots." I concentrated on her words filled with venom. "If this Amon character is blessed by the spirits or if he is a bender with special skills. What about the long term? As in what After his death? Let's say he succeeds and removes bending away from an entire generation or two then what? His paradise would collapse and the inverse would happen where the benders would revolt against this so-called equal world." I guess foresight only comes with age.
"So what now?" She finished her tea. "Wait and see, maybe start hunting members." I nodded. "But what I want you to do is keep an eye on the avatar. I heard a certain vole is heading to our dear avatar" I nodded even if it sounded like babysitting. "Make sure that rat doesn't escalate the situation! We need to fight the equalists with the hearts and minds of the republic city, not our fists. The more people see them as the radicals they are, the easier it will be to snuff out this infestation." I smiled, this was why no one beat her at pai sho.
I went to the air bender island jet jumping across the water. When the white lotus guards wanted identification when I reached the shore, I just showed them my father's custom paisho piece which made them step back. One of them whispered. "I thought the black lotus was a rumor!"
I walked to the temple and announced my presence with a bellowing: "Great Uncle TenTen!" I announced before Ikki ran me for a hug, and so did Meelo and Jinora who came out to see the dog pile. "Good to see you two. If you want your gifts then back off ankle biters." They stepped back and I gave them little Sattels of sweets leading to them running and eating in secret. "It's good to see, cousin," I smirked and pulled out a notebook. "Here's a few pages from my great grandmother's Azula diary. It's about their mission to find her mother." She grabbed it out of my hand as if the universe was attempting to jeopardize her reading sessions. "Huh, usually she's the normal one." Turned to see the avatar and she answered me with accusative pointing. "You!" I nodded. "Hey you, Kazuto here, I have no comeback for that." She took a fighting stance. "Are you an equalist?" I Snorted and snapped my fingers from my pinky to my index lighting dancing between my fingers.
I made a fist redirecting from my stomach into the ground. "No, I'm the third greatest fire bender in the world." She didn't look impressed. "Just third? Ok, who's the best of the best then if you're the third person?" Why do I always get punished for being a little modest? "That would be my father, after him my grandmother and I'm the third." She snorted and I sighed. "Don't laugh at the shaved platypus bear." Remembering when great-grandmother Azula told me in my youth as she trained me. "Bronze is still a reward." Korra just burst out laughing holding her stomach. "Why are you here and who is Uncle TenTen?" I saw great Uncle Tenzin walk behind her growling at his nickname. "That would be me." I smiled at her looking between the two of us. "Wait, you're related?" She looked perplexed trying to find a similarity between us. "I'm his brother's grandson." She looked more annoyed and confused at what I said. "What brings you here Kazuto?" He said warmly as looked around. "A certain annoying vole will be attempting fan flames and my grandmother wanted to make sure he doesn't poison the polar dog isn't poisoned." Naga jumped and sniffed at his pocket. "Ok you smelled it— hey!" He ripped it open revealing a bag of seal jerky. "I was going to eat half of it, you jerk." The polar bear dog happily walked away with a mouth full of its favorite food.
We started the meal, with Tenzin saying thanks. "I'm not interrupting, am I?" I suppressed my urge to attack as he bowed.
Tenzin stood up irritated. "This is my home, Tarrlok. We're about to have dinner." He spoke as if it was an invitation.
"Good, because I am famished!" He patted his stomach. "You air benders never turn away a hungry guest, am I right?" The slimy son— Pema held my wrist keeping me from just attacking this bastard.
He let out a relenting sigh. "I suppose." He sat down and glanced at his wife, who scowled at him. He raises his hands, palms facing forward while shrugging, giving her a helpless look.
He walked to Korra and sat next to her. "You're the famous avatar Korra, it is an honor to meet you." He bowed and did my best not to crack my teeth. "Don't feed her ego, it's already as big as Oogi." Pema and Tenzin snorted.
He gave me an annoyed look. "Who might you be?"
He said with a fake smile. "I'm Tenzin's great nephew, I'm family," I spoke with obvious venom, showing my dislike fully. He pressed his attention back to Korra. "So, I've been reading all about your adventures in the papers. Infiltrating Amon's rally, now that took some real initiative!" I bit my tongue, remembering the odd meeting I had with her.
Korra smiled at the remark. "Oh, thanks. I think you're the first authority figure in the city who's happy I'm here." Why was she naive?
Tarlock continued flattering her. "Republic City is much better off now that you've arrived." At that, I started to feel sick from his perfume.
I put my two yuan in. "Pro bending hasn't been exciting since you came, a real spitfire." I can play that game too.
Tarlock smiled. "Well yes, I should get to my reason for coming here. As you may have heard, I am assembling a task force that will strike at the heart of the revolution and I want you to join me."
She spoke surprised "Really?" Like Child Learning they pick whatever they want from the toy store.
Tenzin stepped up. "What?"
Korra answered, which seemed to surprise Tenzin. "I'm sorry but I need to stay here and finish my training." Tenzin smiled at Korra with pride in his eyes.
The vole continued. "I, see. Kazuto." I raised a brow at him, didn't he just ask my name? "I wanted to have this be private but from your records, I believe you're second best for my task force, with your talents." I gave him a side glance.
"Fine, let us discuss my payment." I stood up and left hearing Uncle Tenzin let out a sigh of relief. "We should continue this in private." We stepped outside.
He started the conversation. "I didn't expect you would be here. I went to your apartment to offer you a position." I chuckled. "I wanted to be around my family, let me bet the original position was lieutenant right?." He kept his fake smile but confirmed it. "I want an infiltration Team and an attack team. The nail and hammer" He guided me to his boat. "Nothing to expect less from the military school's valedictorian!" He laughed as I continued to look at him suspiciously. We both won something from this, I got an eye on him and he had someone of great power as a subordinate.
The fight began with waiting. "What are you doing?!" Tarrlok demanded while I looked at the map. "You have done nothing in the last week!" I pressed another pin into the board. "Answer me now." Those words were spoken with frustration so I answered him.
"The white pins are their recruitment areas. Propaganda for the equalists, the blue pins are Training bases and finally the red pins are the major bases." He looked at the map and noticed. "There's only one." I pointed at the regions. "The one we know is far from the center of republic city, second they have training bases all around republic city yet, only headquarters is behind two rivers?" He nodded.
"That doesn't make sense, they must be keeping the knowledge from the recruits." I nodded. "We will have to strike at multiple fronts." He said like a hungry beast.
I smirked and decided to spice his meal. "My idea is simply to capture the seniors, build paranoia in the seniority, have them believe all the recruits are after them. Will build distrust and sooner or later fracturing." Tarrlok grinned, taking Amon's poster from the board and ripping it in too. "Republic City will be free of tyranny." I sighed. "Writing your victory speech?" He nodded, stepping out with undeserved pride.
I met with my old work friends. "How's the promotion?" I drowned an entire glass. "The job suuuuucks! I'm stuck doing all the planning and now I have a weird urge to punch the wall after two sleepless days." Altan chuckled as Saikhan Laughed. "Welcome to my world!" I just downed another bottle and continued the conversation about the fire ferrets.
The next morning I was invited to the party with my Grandmother pulling me with her. "I don't know what he is planning with this but I'm enjoying the snacks." The rich and fat are in one place, Where are the equalists? "Zaya!" We turned to see Hiroshi Sota, and he bellowed happily. "It's good seeing you!" Zaya smiled. "Is the Future industry doing well? My investments have been successful and I will keep investing til the sun sets." I looked around to see the other council members and Korra, my grandmother had sped off and kidnapped Korra."You look tired, my boy." I nodded, taking a swig from my flask. "It's green tea and yes I am tired. Running Tarrlok's task force into the night. Trying to sell my patents." He looked at me as if I was a gold mine. "What kind of patents?" I smiled, maybe I could quit this job.
Korra asked as the elderly woman gripped her like a clamp. "Hey, who are you?!" Zaya let go of Korra. "I'm Councilwoman Zaya, I'm Tenzin's sister-in-law." Korra crossed her arms at the older woman. "To the point, I'm going to tell you don't trust Tarrlok." Korra's eyes widened. "Wait, why? Isn't he trying to help the city?" Zaya quickly answered. "No, he just wants to rule it. He has been bribing and influencing the other two council members for years. He even attempted to blackmail me by revealing my mother's identity." Korra took a step back. "Who is your mother?" She suspiciously.
Zaya simply scoffed. "My mother doesn't matter now. What matters is that you should make your own choices and your legacy. Or don't just don't do anything you will regret." Korra looked shocked holding back some tears. "Don't get teary on me." Zaya playfully warned
She nodded. "It's just good to hear it. I mean It's not easy! I just wanted to master airbending and tour the city. Then I find out that there's a group that hates me and every bender, I have all these responsibilities and there is no one to help me through it!" Zaya looked with sympathy. "Have you tried meditating through it? It calms the maelstrom of the mind." She rolled her eyes at Zaya. "You sound like Tenzin." She chuckled. "Well, I am a fire-bending master after all. Meditation is the foundation of control but you should know that." Korra looked confused. "Didn't Your Master teach you this?" She answered quickly. "No, it just came to me, like a snap. Fire is the easiest one for me!" Zaya looked disappointed. "A word of wisdom from my son, a mind without control will consume itself." Korra looked at her worried and Zaya sighed thinking. *she's like a chick*. "I will tell you what I told one of my students, your guts only knows people, your heart only thinks in the short term and your mind can't decide if it only has a second to answer. Whatever you do, stand your ground and make your path." She smiled and hugged Zaya even if it was uncomfortable for the older woman. "Thank you."
Zaya and Kazuto met up again. "Are you alright?" He looked dejected. "Another talk and another inability to sell my formulas." He sighed and looked at his grandma. Noticing bruises "Got bear hugged?" She almost growled. "I hate being old, getting easily bruised, I'm starting to sound like my mother." He shrugged having never met great-grandmother Zula as his father liked to call her. "Ever wonder if he will come home?" She laughed at that. "After he was 'Honorably discharged'? No, my son hates the council too much to even look in the direction of this city." He watched Korra being photographed. "Shouldn't we stop her?" Kazuto Asked to which Zaya answered. "She's too fresh, she needs to make her own mistakes." Kazuto watched as he heard himself get demoted.
Korra let her stubbornness take over. "I will protect this city! I will join Tarrlok's task force and help fight Amon." Tarrlok held Korra, like a medal and smiled for the pictures.
Zaya sighed. "Kazuki will be laughing his head off." Zakuto nodded. "His views are being confirmed, he would be furious." They watched the camera flash and we cut to the moon under it a man on a boat playing the dragon fiddle. He Stop launched massive jets of fire from both hands launching his boat into the direction of republic city. His eye filled with joy while the other was hollow as black as coal.
