As I had predicted, after the incident at the arena, things went downhill. One of the first things to happen was the shutting down of the arena, and unfortunately, that meant kicking out Mako and Bolin who I had only learned lived above the arena. After consulting with Tenzin, Korra and I raced towards the building. We left Nuki and Naga in front of the RCPD Police Tape before ducking under it ourselves to get to their floor. "Guys, great news." Korra said as we climbed the ladder. "You don't have to go back on the streets."
"We had a talk with Tenzin and we managed to get all the arrangements set up really quick." I added with a smile, bouncing up beside my sister. "If you want, you can come live on Air Temple Island with us!"
"Oh…" Mako trailed off. "Well, we'd love to, but-"
"Asami already invited us to live in her and her dad's giant mansion!" Bolin said happily. "From here on out, it's gonna be the lap of luxury for us."
"Oh, hey Korra, Yunoh." Another voice said. I turned around and grinned at Asami.
"Hi!" I greeted. "You're so kind, Asami, offering your house."
"I was hoping you two would stop by." Asami said with a smile before letting Pabu go and started to descend the ladder from the upper landing.
"I was just leaving." Korra said flatly. She turned back to the boys. "So, I guess I'll see you guys around…sometime."
"How about tomorrow?" Asami questioned as she detached from the ladder. "I'd love to have you come visit the estate."
"I don't know. I have some...training stuff to do."
"Come on Korra." Bolin said, lifting Pabu and putting on a voice. "We all deserve a little rest and relaxation after all this craziness. We could swim in Asami's pool. It'll be fun!" Korra chuckled.
"Alright Pabu." She said, starting to descend the ladder to leave the room.
"Great, we'll see you tomorrow," Asami said as Korra left the room.
"Do you need any help getting things to Asami's?" I asked, turning to the boys.
"No, we're all good." Mako replied.
"Alright then. I'll see you guys tomorrow too." I started to descend the ladder myself. "Bye!" I waved at my friends and hurried to follow Korra. We left the arena and headed over to the RCPD. As Korra took Nuki and Naga to the pet holding facility, I waited in the lobby for Tenzin.
"Hey, Yunoh." A tried voice greeted. I turned my head and gasped when I saw Tahno, in the worst condition than I had ever seen anyone in.
"Tahno?" I breathed. I walked up to him and knelt in front of the now former Waterbender. "How are you holding up?"
"I've been to the best healers in the City. Whatever Amon did to me, it's permanent."
"I'm sorry." I dipped my head in sadness. "It's my fault. If I had been faster, you'd still be a Bender."
"Don't be sorry. But you have to promise me something, Yunoh." I lifted my head to meet his sunken eyes. "You have to get him for me."
"Mister Sato, if you remember anything else about what you saw during Amon's attack, be sure to let us know." Lin said. I stood, turning to face her, Tenzin and Hiroshi as they entered the room.
"I'm happy to help any way I can." Hiroshi said. "I want these Equalists to pay for what they've done." Hiroshi turned and saw me. He nodded before walking off.
"We're ready for you now." Tenzin said to Tahno. Tahno stood and turned to me, giving me a two-finger salute.
"See you around, Uh-Vatar." He said before following Tenzin and Lin into a separate room.
TIMESKIP
I was at the Sato estate much earlier than Korra. When I arrived, I told Asami that I didn't have a swimsuit, so she dragged me to a store to find one. "Uh, Asami?" I called through the curtain. "I don't think this is for me."
"I'm sure you look amazing!" Asami assured from outside the changing room. "Come on out and show me." I pushed the curtain aside to show my swimsuit. It was a two-piece suit that consisted of a dark blue sports bra-like bikini top and matching bottoms. I shifted in place, uncomfortable with the awed look Asami was giving me. "Wow…" She trailed off. "You look amazing!" I covered my stomach with my arms.
"Really?" I asked. My eyes shifted around the room uncomfortably. "I feel so exposed."
"Trust me." Asami stood and walked up to me. She took my hands and moved them away from my stomach. Her eyes lingered on the marks around my body. "What happened?"
"Uh, Waterbending." I pointed to the thin line on my shoulder. "Firebending." I gently touched the burn on my thigh. "Earthbending training gone bad." I touched the puncture wound on my stomach.
"You...you got all this during your training?"
"Yeah, when your the Avatar and you live next door to the best Healer in the world, you're told to go all out."
"I'm glad you're ok." Asami said. "Though I wish your training wasn't so harsh."
"It's over now." I said, retreating back into the changing room and closing the curtain. I started to change back into my regular clothes. "Airbending training is a lot tamer, more meditating rather than flinging boulders." After I had changed, I exited the changing room again. Almost instantly, the costume disappeared from my hand and Asami was at the counter paying for it. "Asami! No!" I hurried up to her and gripped her arm. "You can't get this for me, it's too much!"
"Oh, it's only a thousand Yuans." Asami waved her hand dismissively as she handed over the Yuans.
"A thousand!?" I cried. I turned to the cashier. "Don't you accept those." I grabbed Asami's arm and started to pull her out of the store. "We are going to a cheaper store that isn't going to drain the Air Nomad's budgets!"
"But it won't!" Asami said, reaching over to try and pay. "It's no trouble."
"It's is for me!" I managed to tug Asami out of the expensive boutique. "Let's go to something cheaper."
"Cheaper?" Asami questioned, looking at me with wide eyes. "This is the cheapest shop in town!"
"For you, maybe." I took Asami's hand in mine and lead her down the street. "You can find cheaper stores on another street, where the clothes last longer too."
"Seriously?" I nodded. I took Asami into another store. I found a sleeveless, one-piece swimsuit that unfortunately, wasn't able to cover the burn mark on my thigh. I paid for it myself, it was about two-hundred Yuans, which I was happy about. We went back to the Sato estate and I changed into my swimsuit. I kept a towel wrapped around my shoulders to keep myself covered. Mako, Bolin and Asami were having fun already, though I myself was just sitting at the edge of the pool with my feet and calves in the water.
"Korra has arrived." Asami's butler informed. I turned around and smiled at my sister.
"Hey Korra." Mako greeted.
"Glad you made it." Asami added.
"Welcome to paradise." Bolin said, popping out of the water with a smile. Pabu climbed onto his stomach as Bolin floated around on his back.
"Looks like you guys settled right in." Korra stated, sitting next to me, keeping her feet on dry land.
"Pretty much." Mako said. Asami slipped into the water, the two of them swimming over to Korra and I. "Except someone forgot to ask her father if we could stay here."
"Yeah, but I smoothed it over with him." Asami assured. "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission." Bolin climbed out of the pool next to me.
"This is the greatest place in the world." Bolin said excitedly. "Watch this, watch this. Fetch me my towel, good sir."
"Yes, Master Bolin." The butler said.
"Master Bolin. I love this guy." The butler picked up the towel beside him and walked the couple of steps towards Bolin. Bolin stuck his arms out. "Now pat me dry."
"As you wish." The butler dried Bolin off.
"Don't forget Master Pabu."
"Wouldn't dream of it, Sir." The butler put the towel over Pabu and dried him off too, causing the Fire Ferret's fur to poof. The butler folded the towel and started to walk off…ony for Bolin to dive-bomb into the water.
"So, what do you have planned for us today?" Korra asked as Asami swam up to us, leaning on the edge of the pool. "Let me guess, shopping, makeovers."
"Ooh! Ohh! I vote makeovers!" Bolin cheered.
"I have something a little more exciting in mind." Asami said as she pulled herself out of the pool. My eyes widened as the water dripped down Asami's back. I swallowed thickly, looking away.
TIMESKIP
We were soon brought out to a race track, where some of the new Sato Mobiles were being tested. Korra's eyes were wide as she watched them. "Pretty cool, huh?" Asami questioned.
"Way cooler than a makeover." Korra said.
"This is where Future Industries test drive their Sato Mobiles. Ever been behind the wheel?"
"The only thing I know how to drive is a Polar Bear Dog." Korra admitted.
"You want me to take you for a spin?"
"Let's do it!" Korra and Asami were soon behind the wheel of a Sato Mobile. They zipped around the track, racing against another of the test driver's. It was a tight race, but Asami managed to win. Bolin was truly busting to go to the bathroom, so as soon as we walked through the doors of the estate, he raced off. "Uh, this there another bathroom I can use?" Korra asked.
"We have a ladies powder room upstairs." Asami said. "First door on your right, you can freshen up in there."
"Thanks." Korra said and walked off.
"I'll see you tomorrow, you two." I said, turning to Korra and Mako. "I have some Airbending Training I have to get to, tell Korra I'll be back on Air Temple Island."
"Ok." Asami said. The two of us shared a hug before I left the house.
TIMESKIP
It was late at night on the top of the RCPD building where Korra had dragged myself, Tenzin and Lin to report on something she had regarding the Equalist movement. "So you think Mister Sato manufactured those gloves for the Equalists, then framed Cabbage Corp?" Tenzin confirmed.
"That's a bold accusation." Lin stated. "But what proof do you have?"
"Well, I don't exactly have proof." Korra admitted. "But I know what I heard. Sato's up to something."
"He does have the means. And he has a motive."
"That's right." Tenzin agreed.
"A Motive?" Korra questioned. "What is it?"
"Twelve years ago, the Agni Kai Triad robbed Sato's mansion. A Firebender killed Sato's wife during the break in."
"Oh no." I gasped, my hands coming up to cover my mouth. "That's horrible."
"It was tragic. It's possible he's been harbouring anti-bending sentiment all this time."
"Maybe we should look at Mr Sato a little more closely."
"I don't think Mr Sato would do this." I said, my hands falling to my sides. "He's been kind to me." I sighed. "I don't want to be part of this, ok? I understand that the investigation has to run it's course, but I'd rather it be done by the proper authorities." I turned to Korra. "I suggest you keep out of it as well."
TIMESKIP
And of course, Korra did not stay out of it, as I found out about midday the next morning when I got an angry call from Asami. "Why is your sister accusing my father of being involved with the Equalists!" Asami shouted in my ear. I had to pull the receiver away so she didn't blow out my eardrums.
"I don't know what's happening in her head." I said, putting the receiver back to my ear. "She's a little crazy, and I don't think she's completely ok with me not forgiving her entirely yet."
"Well her little accusation just destroyed a bunch of Future Industries merchandise!"
"I'm sorry, Asami, I'll try and get her off of this high horse she's gotten herself on top of. I'll see you later, Asami."
TIMESKIP
"Why am I here!" I complained as we neared Sato's mansion that night. "You know if this so-called Equalist is wrong with this information, that's my friendship with Asami and Mako down the drain, not to mention Cheif Beifong's job!"
"We have to at least see what he had to say." Korra said. "Whatever happens…I'm sorry." I reluctantly followed the Metalbenders and Cheif Beifong throughout the mansion.
"What are you doing here?" Asami demanded
"We have reason to believe there's a factory hidden below the mansion." Lin stated.
"I think I would have noticed if there was a factory underneath my house. The lies you people come up with just to persecute my father…"
"Where is your father?" Tenzin asked.
"In his workshop, behind the house." As we made our way there, Asami pulled me aside. "I thought you were gonna talk to Korra!"
"I was." I told her. "But she woke me up and dragged me here, look, it's just going to be a routine search and we can put this all behind us, ok?" The Metalbenders broke open the door to the workshop, they entered followed by the rest of us.
"Dad?" Asami called. "Hello?"
"Cheif, the estate's been secured." One of the Metalbenders reported. "No one has left the workshop since we've arrived."
"Perhaps we just couldn't see him leaving." Lin proposed. She then turned to me. "Why don't we see how much you can detect." I nodded. Lin and I walked into the centre of the room and I shook off my boot. After taking a deep breath I closed my eyes, lifted my leg and slammed my foot into the ground below me. I felt the vibrations of the earth below my feet and everything it had to offer. I opened my eyes and turned to the Cheif.
"There's a tunnel underneath the workshop." I reported as she opened her own eyes. "It starts about…there." I pointed to a spot on the ground. "And it's dug deep into the mountain." Lin smirked.
"Astutue observation." She commented.
"What?" Asami demanded. "There's no tunnel." Lin turned to the area I pointed and ripped up a piece of the floor, throwing it to the side. We approached it and saw a set of stairs leading down to a minecart.
"Do you think your dad knows about this tunnel?" Bolin whispered to Asami.
"I don't understand, there must be an explanation."
"Maybe you don't know everything about your father." Korra said softly.
"I am so sorry Asami." I apologused. "We'll get to the bottom of this."
"Officers, into the tunnel." Lin ordered, pointing down into it. "Be cautious." The Metalbenders clicked their heels together and stood still before turning in unison and marching down the tunnel. Korra, Asami, Bolin and Mako went to follow after them. "You four stay up here." Lin told them. "Officer Song, keep an eye on them."
"We'll be back soon." I assured, following Lin down the tunnel. "You'll be safe up here." And with that, I got on the minecart, watching the earth around me. Once it stopped, we followed a tunnel into a large, open area with 2 large posters of Amon hung high, and weird mechanical robots lining the walls.
"Not your average backyard workshop." Lin commented.
"These must be all the new weapons that guy was talking about." I said softly.
"Hiroshi was lying alright, but where is he?" Tenzin demanded. There was a loud thunk, and I whirled around to see a wall slam up behind us. Lin tried to Metalbend it down, but it stood still.
"I'm afraid you won't be able to Metalbend that wall, Chef Beifong." Hiroshi's voice came over the speakers, and lights flicked on from all the robots around us. "It's solid platinum." The robots all turned on and moved towards us, one housing the owner of Future Industries himself. "My mecha-tanks are platinum as well. Not even your renowned mother could bend a metal so pure."
"Hiroshi…" I started softly. "How could you? I trusted you! And all this time…you were working for Amon!? You're a coward! Come out from that thing and face me like a man!"
"And do what, young Avatar? Face the wrath of your bending? No, I think I'll fight from inside here, where my odds are a little more…equal."
"That source was a setup." Lin stated. "You lured us down here!"
"Guilty as charged." Hiroshi shot a claw from it mech that I rolled out of the way to dodge, and the others advanced. I summoned fire to my palms and started throwing it at Hiroshi, but all they did was disperse harmlessly into the air. Tenzin, however, managed to use his Airbending to push the mech back. After backing him into a corner, Hiroshi shot another claw at me that I managed to dodge. I bent a slab of earth up and was about to throw it at him when another claw hit me from the side. It shoved meinto a pipe, my head making contact with the metal surface. I felt something cushion my landing, but the world around me went black.
TIMESKIP
I woke up some time later, my head throbbing like a tiger-dillo was running around like a mad creature in it. I sat up, clutching my head. "Oh thank the Spirits your ok." A voice said from beside me. I turned and saw Korra. She threw her arms around me and helf me tight. "I thought I had lost you."
"I'm ok, Korra." I said gently, hugging her back. "A little knock to the head won't take me down."
"I was so worried about you." The two of us separated. "I am so sorry, I've been such a bad sister."
"I forgive you, Korra." The fellow water-bender smiled.
"Thanks." My eyes slid over to Asami. "You wanna talk with her?" Korra phrazed it as if it were a statement rather than a question. Korra moved over as I stood, walking over to the ravenette as she gazed at her home.
"I…am so sorry Asami." I said. She turned to me, her eyes filling with tears. She then threw herself into my arms, sobbing. Despite her being taller than me, she set her head in the crook of my neck. I held her close. I sighed softly, carding my fingers through her hair. Tonight was the start of something…something bad, and I don't know how what it would mean for Republic City.