Chapter Six: Revelation
Alessia had finished packing up her side of the dorm and was smiling non stop. They had found an apartment about five minutes from the university. She only had her bedspread, clothes, and some hygiene products for her bathroom.
"Ready?" Kuvira's voice spoke while popping her head into the room.
"Yes!" Alessia smiled as she tossed her bag over her shoulder and followed her friend out of the dorm. Taking one last look in the room before leaving. They came to the dorm office and knocked.
"It's opened." Su's voice came from the other side.
"Hey, we came to let you know we are officially out of the dorm." Kuvira spoke first.
"Alright my dears, just sign these and good to go!" Su smiled while handing them both release papers from the dorm. Alessia signed it quickly before handing it back. "I am glad you two found a place." Su added while filing the paper.
"Maybe you should come visit sometimes." Alessia spoke with a smile. That gave her a harsh nudge from Kuvira on her side. Alessia winced but faked a smile to hide the pain.
"That would be nice. Maybe in the future." Su replied with a nod before waving at them as they left. Alessia hummed softly while they left the university grounds. It was not long before they arrived at their apartment. Alessia unlocked the door and went inside. Hearing Kuvira close the door and lock it. Tossing her stuff on her new bed before entering the living room. Seeing her friend laying on the center of the dining room floor. Alessia walked over and laid next to her.
"Finally! Peace and quiet!" Kuvira shouted with a small laugh.
"And privacy! Hopefully!" Alessia added and sighed contently. She linked arms with her friend while staring at the ceiling with her. "What time is it?" Alessia finally asked while sitting up.
"Time to head back for dance." Kuvira spoke while standing up. She left to go change while Alessia was just wearing a green shirt and slacks. "Come with me? The others wanna dance with you too." Her friend was smirking as Alessia rolled her eyes. She went and changed into her gym clothes. Grabbing the other shirt that she borrowed. She decided it was time to return it. Grabbing her sketch pad as well.
"Come on ladies! Performance is not far from now!" Su shouted while they all gathered up after stretching. She was right. They will be performing in Zaofu very soon. Alessia was looking forward to it to support her best friend and the other dancers.
"Alessia! Come join us!" One of the ladies waved her arm to motion for Alessia to join.
"Oh, I'm good here." Alessia replied.
"Get up and join us!" Kuvira ordered her friend.
"Yes ma'am!" Alessia practically ran to the group. She could feel Su beaming at her. She took a spot next to her friend but behind her in window form.
"Let's see those bright smiling faces!" Su clapped her hands and started the music. Getting lost into the music was easy. Keeping up with the other dancers was just as easy. Being in sync with her best friend felt amazing. The jumps, turns, the routine alone was fun to perform with them. It was a simple routine since some of the dancers were having a hard time keeping up. Alessia found her spot in the back of the group. Making sure they had their window spots and were able to perform without her. Smiling as she was able to slip out. She grabbed the shirt and left for the locker room. Knocking on the office when she saw Professor Beifong in there doing work.
"Open." Was all she said.
"Came to return the shirt. Thank you again professor." Alessia spoke as Lin looked up and nodded. Alessia handed it over and smiled. Giving Lin a respectful bow before turning to leave. She came back to the gym and saw they started on the second part of the routine. Alessia took a seat on the bleachers and began to draw in her personal Sketchbook. Remembering the image of Lin she just had from now is still bright in her mind. She started to draw the outlines of the professor's face before starting on the green eyes. 'Those green eyes.' Alessia was deep in thought and didn't notice the dancers had left.
"Who is that?" Kuvira spoke as she was standing over Alessia's shoulder. Seeing Su was also looking. She had Lin's face outlined perfectly. She snapped her book shut.
"Nothing!" Alessia laughed lightly with embarrassment.
"Come on. Let's head home for dinner." Kuvira spoke while Alessia nodded while giving Su a bow. The professor tried to give her a hug but Alessia evaded it as soon as she heard her phone go off.
"Hello Korra." Alessia sounded annoyed. She held her phone away from her ear as Korra was screaming in her ear.
"IT'S BOLIN! HE IS MISSING!" Korra's voice carried over loudly. Alessia looked at Kuvira whose face was just as white as hers.
"Where are you? We are on our way! Contact the police!" Alessia spoke. Hearing Korra said to meet at the park. Completely forgetting about her sketchbook on the bleachers.
"Everything alright dear?" Su spoke as Alessia shook her head and ran off. Kuvira is not far behind her.
"What happened?!" Alessia demanded as they arrived at the location to meet up at. Mako was speaking to a kid before approaching them.
"Apparently Shady Shin took Bolin in for a job with the Triads." Mako spoke.
"Why would he even do that?" Kuvira asked as Alessia shook her head.
"Our manager said we needed money for the tournament and Shady showed serious cash in front of Bolin. He couldn't refuse." Mako replied. Alessia sighed with frustration as her younger friend was stupid enough to do something like this. "I might know where he is. Come on." Mako spoke while hopping on Naga with Korra. Kuvira and Alessia looked at each other.
"I don't think Naga can hold all four of us." Alessia explained. "We can keep up!" She added as they began to follow the polar bear dog. They came upon a bridge that led to a small shop.
"Where are we?" Kuvira asked while looking around.
"Triad headquarters." Mako spoke as Alessia and her friend looked at each other before continuing on.
"That's weird. There are usually thugs around here." Mako spoke softly as Korra slammed open the door.
"Must you be so dramatic?" Alessia scoffed at her sister before following into the shop. Looking around while holding her stance. Chairs and tables were all tipped over all over the place. Dishes shattered and covered the floor with glass. She looked around the shop.
"Clear." She shouted from the room.
"Clear here too." Mako spoke from the other side.
"Clear." Kuvira spoke.
"Guys! Here!" Korra shouted. All three of them ran to the back in time to hear an engine go off as Alessia kicked the door open. Seeing Bolin tied up with the leader of the Triads as well. "Stop!" Korra shouted as the motorcyclists threw smoke bombs. Alessia was coughing up a storm before it finally cleared.
"After them!" Kuvira shouted. Not missing a beat, Alessia ran forward, moving her hand up and forward to cause a boulder to skyrocket her in the air. Kuvira was right behind her. Her feet planted on the side of the building while running after the cyclists. Seeing Naga running after them as well with Mako and Korra on her. Shooting rocks at the masked men hoping to pop a tire. An explosion had hit them in the street. Naga yelped and fell. Her pawas tied together. Coughing again, Alessia stood up and saw the masked men standing there. Taking her stance as she fought hand to hand. Low sweep kicking the man before feeling a jab of sharp pain in her side.
"Ugh!" She moaned, holding her side before feeling jabs go up her spine. She stomped her foot and nothing happened. Falling to the ground as her friends fell beside her. Then Korra.
"Why can't I bend?" Korra shouted. Watching the men make their escape.
"Chi blockers. Amon must have recruited them." Mako explained. Hearing a frustrated sigh from Kuvira as they got up.
"Come on. I have an idea where they might be." Korra spoke as they followed.
Feeling Kuvira's head hit her shoulder gently as she fell asleep. She smiled softly at her friend. Watching her sleep peacefully made her feel drowsy as well. Alessia hadn't slept in the last twenty-four hours.
"Equality now!" A voice shouted. Causing all of them to jump. Peeking over Naga to see Mako and Korra both red faced while standing up. Brushing off dirt from their clothes. Rolling her eyes while walking up to the protestor.
"You again?!" The man shouted as Korra lifted him off his feet.
"Korra! Set him down!" Alessia snapped at her sister. Grabbing her arm.
"A few of your buddies kidnapped a friend of mine! Where is he?!" Korra demands.
"I don't know where your friend is! If he is a bender then he is getting what is coming for him." The man spoke while shaking. Alessia picked up a few pieces of paper and looked at it. 'Revelation' was written all over it.
"What's the revelation?" Kuvira asked while looking over her friend's shoulder.
"No one knows! Just that Amon is showing himself." The man spoke. Hearing a whistle from the park police.
"Help! I'm being oppressed by the avatar!" The man shouted as Korra dropped him. Mako took the lead as they ran from the park. They found a spot at a bus station. Mako and Korra were arguing as Alessia sighed. Leaning against her friend. The exhaustion was finally starting to hit her. Watching Kuvira fumbled through the papers.
"There has to be a clue hidden somewhere." Mako sighed. Holding his head in his hands.
"Look at this." Kuvira spoke while holding a piece of paper to the bus map. Alessia looked up and moved to the side to get a better look.
"That's where it's going down." Mako spoke as they all looked at each other.
"What are you doing?" Mako asked as Korra held onto his arm.
"It's less suspicious this way." Korra explained. Alessia rolled her eyes at her sister before feeling her own arm grabbed. Looking at her friend, Kuvira did the same to her. They were wearing long coats and hats. Arriving at an old factory that was no longer in use and now abandoned.
"Invitations?" The man spoke with his arms crossed.
"Invitations?" Korra asked with a confused look. Kuvira cleared her throat and handed the man the papers Alessia had collected earlier that day.
"Have a wonderful revelation." The man opened the door for them as they entered. Alessia's eyes had widened at the sight. The crowd was huge! There were so many non-benders in one place!
"Holy spirits." Kuvira whispered in Alessia's ear as she nodded in agreement.
Welcome one and all! Please welcome your hero! Your savior! Amon!" A voice boomed over the crowd. Smoke rose from somewhere as the crowd cheered. Amon started speaking as the cheers died down.
"When I was a little boy, a fire bender attacked and killed my family. Left me scarred for life." The man spoke as jeers were heard. "I have received a gift from the spirits themselves. Asking me to right the wrongs our avatar has done! The power to remove bending!" He shouted. Alessia gasped while the hold from Kuvira tightened on her arm.
"That's impossible." Korra spoke.
"That guy is insane!" Mako added.
"A demonstration is needed!" Amon shouted while raising his hand. More gasps were heard as a few people were brought on the stage. Bolin was among them! Korra made a slight move and Mako stopped her.
"We can't cause any commotion just yet." He whispered.
"Then come up with a plan then team captain." Korra snapped.
"This man is known as Lightning Bolt Zolt! Who uses his bending to oppress non bending shop keepers!" Amon spoke as Zolt started to fight Amon. The masked man dodged the movements very easily. Forcing Zolt onto his knees and held in place. Alessia felt movement as Korra disappeared. Her heart was racing as the grip was tighter on her arm. Zolt flung his arm up to shoot lightning from it. It died down to fire and then a small flame before becoming nothing. The man fell to the floor. The crowd was silent. You could hear a pin drop.
"What did you do to me?" Zolt shouted. Throwing punches as nothing came from them.
"The era of bending is over! The time of Equality is now!" Amon shouted as the crowd cheered. Alessia looked at her friend with horror. Amon had the power to take away bending. A loud crash and hissing steam brought Alessia back to reality as the crowd panicked. Alessia moved with ease while knocking a chi blocked to the side while untying Bolin.
"You guys came!" Bolin shouted while beaming at them.
"Not the time bro!" Mako shouted as Kuvira easily knocked a man down with her bending.
"Move out!" Alessia shouted while dragging Kuvira by the arm. They fought their way out of the factory. Kick opening a door before jumping down a rail stairs on the side in front of them.
"This way!" Kuvira shouted as they all turned a corner. Naga runs after them while tossing Bolin up onto her saddle. They stopped to catch their breaths.
"They didn't follow." Alessia spoke while looking over the corner. She saw Kuvira pull out her phone and made a call. Ignoring this as she took the lead. "Follow me. Our place is not far from here." Alessia spoke as she led them back to hers and Kuvira's apartment. Letting everyone inside before closing the door. Their furniture had arrived and was set. Not caring at the sight of this. Holding her side where the pain was jabbing at her.
"That didn't just happen?!" Bolin was frowning as he sat at the table with his head on his hands. There was a loud knock on the door. Kuvira answered. In came Su and Lin both red faced. Alessia was pacing back and forth before stopping in her tracks. Her eyes met those green eyes. Her heart sank.
"What were you all thinking?!" Lin shouted at them.
"We were just trying to..." Korra started.
"Can it! You could have been hurt or worse killed!" The chief shouted. Su sighed and sat down at the table as well. Gently touching Bolin's shoulder.
"He can take bending away." Alessia spoke softly. She was looking down at her feet. Avoiding any piercing look from their professor.
"You are all lucky no one got hurt and that this was off of the university grounds." Su finally spoke softly. "Alessia, Kuvira. I expected better out of you two." Su spoke.
"Alessia told us we should have contacted the police." Korra spoke.
"Why didn't you?!" Lin snapped. Everyone had moved to the living room and sat down around the room.
"I dragged them along. I shouldn't have. I told them because I knew they would get things done." Korra spoke, finally breaking the silence.
"I'm glad you're finally stepping up." Lin was scolding Korra. Crossing her arms. You could feel the anger and tension between the two. Korra never seemed to get along with authority and it was showing.
"As I have said. I am glad no one got hurt. Next time. Tell either Lin or myself. We are your professors. We care about your well being as our students." Su spoke in her calm tone again. Alessia winced a little and held her side. Su had stood up and grabbed her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Her professor asked. Alessia let go of her side and nodded.
"I'm fine." She said quickly. She didn't want anyone to worry about her right now. There were more pressing matters. She could feel Lin's eyes on her. She looked at the chief of police before looking away again.
"Well?" Su asked. They all nodded. "Alight everyone. Get to bed." Su ordered them. Korra, Mako, and Bolin all got up and left. Alessia sighed and also stood up.
"My dears, please promise me you won't go looking for trouble?" Su spoke softly to her and Kuvira.
"I promise." Kuvira spoke as she received a hug from Su. Eyes were now on Alessia. Her eyes caught Lin's again and she looked away from the green eyes quickly. Her face flushed before sighing.
"I promise." Alessia crossed her arms while looking at her feet again.
"Then it's settled." Su side hugged Alessia. "Come, Lin. We are needed at the university." With that, the Beifong Professors had left. She felt a hug from Kuvira and hugged her friend back tightly.
"Come, let's head to bed." Kuvira spoke as Alessia nodded. She had entered her bare room and made her bed quickly. Laying down. Her heart was racing as the green eyes entered her thoughts again. Shaking her head while it replayed the events that had happened. Did Amon really take the bending away from Zolt? Was this a more serious situation than they thought? She needed to focus. They were heading to Zaofu soon.