Chapter Sixteen
"Come on. We can't sleep all day." Asami's voice spoke out from the cell next to them. Alessia was already up and pacing the place. Mako was sitting down with his head in his hands. Bolin was now just getting up and yawned with a stretch. Kuvira was standing with her hands behind her back. She was so calm in this situation. One of the many things she admired about her friend. Alessia stopped pacing and went to stand next to Kuvira. They were there all night. Her back was hurting a little from the hard bed from the night. Su was probably worried out of her mind since they never made it back home last night. Yet, Kuvira still seemed so calm. Alessia decided to take after her friend. She leaned her head on Kuvira's shoulder. This seemed to make her jump a little. Raising a brow at her friend.
"Sorry. I'm just worried." Kuvira spoke softly.
"I know. We all are." Alessia replied in a soft tone as well.
"You think Korra will bust us out of here?" Bolin spoke. Alessia grabbed a hold of the bars and sighed. Platinum. Of course they were.
"No. Not with platinum bars like these." Alessia replied. Bolin decided this was the time to use the loo.
"Hey a little privacy here?" He asked. They all stopped talking when they heard shouting. Loud bangs and the door slammed opened at the end of the hall.
"I'm busting you out! Come on!" The voice of Lin came when opening their cell doors.
"Chief!" Mako spoke. Alessia was beaming when she saw Lin. Seeing her door open before following Kuvira out. She waited on Bolin who finally came out. Hearing a zip!
"Your fly was down." Lin spoke.
"Thank you for catching that." A very embarrassed Bolin replied before following the others. Alessia couldn't help but laugh lightly. She stopped when Lin was looking at her.
"What happened?" Lin asked while grabbing Alessia's chin to see the red bruise on her face. It was still sore.
"Nothing that I can't handle." Alessia replied.
"Once this is over, we'll weed out the corrupt." Lin added. She was smiling at her. Alessia returned the smile but was blushing. It gave her a raised brow from Lin before Alessia took off after the others. Lin is not far behind.
"The officers took our uniforms upon the search." Kuvira spoke as Lin nodded. They arrived at the station as Alessia and Kuvira went to the locker to grab their uniform before going back into the main room.
"So, what's going on?" Mako added while breaking the silence. Alessia could feel how close Lin was standing next to her. 'Focus!' She told herself.
"Korra got kidnapped." Lin started.
"What?!" Was all Alessia and Mako could say. She gave him a raised brow before listening.
"We believe that the Equalists have taken her." Lin added.
"We are going to have to search the whole city!" Asami sighed while shaking her head.
"What about Naga?" Bolin asked.
"Naga disappeared when Korra did. I'm afraid we have to do this ourselves." Tenzin spoke as everyone nodded.
"Then I guess we better start." Kuvira spoke. Her friend was right. There was too much ground to cover.
"I might have an idea." Alessia spoke as all eyes were on her. "Follow me." She added while leaving the station. Taking a deep breath of fresh air before leading them down towards the old factory where they had first set eyes on Amon.
"Care to let us in?" Lin's voice spoke. Alessia stopped and turned to face them.
"I have a theory. What if the tunnel in the mansion wasn't the only one?" Alessia started.
"Are you saying there could be more under the city that isn't the sewers?" Mako asked as Alessia nodded her head.
"Get to the point." Lin crossed her arms as she looked at the chief.
"I think there may be another tunnel. Large enough to transport those mech suits without being detected. Some sort of underground network." Alessia added and saw Lin's eyes go wide.
"That makes sense. Airships constantly going back and forth would raise questions." Asami added as Alessia nodded her head again.
"There's a tunnel nearby." Lin spoke while taking the lead.
Mako held his hand up with a small ball of fire for light. Lin and Tenzin were up front. Kuvira and Alessia next followed with Asami, Mako, and Bolin in the rear. The fire had just enough light to see about five feet all around them.
"Wait, they kissed?" Asami spoke loudly. Alessia rolled her eyes. They needed to focus. "Did you know?" Asami grabbed Alessia's shoulder and glared at her.
"Hey, keep me out of your relationship drama please. I have enough on my plate." Alessia frowned. She did know about it.
"And you?" Asami rounded on Kuvira.
"Hey, we need to focus. You can worry about who is kissing who once we find Korra." Kuvira snapped. Alessia was shaking her head again. Seeing Tenzin and Lin watching them. Alessia stopped walking and looked around.
"Someone is coming." She spoke. They made a mad dash against the wall and heard talking. Two men in masks appeared before leaving. They followed quickly in the shadows before stopping. They disappeared.
"Where did they go?" Asami asked while Mako made the light bigger.
"There's a door." Alessia spoke while kicking the wall. "Platinum." She added. Lin placed a hand on the door and then smirked.
"Smart. Not smart enough." She spoke and stood back and turned her hand. Hearing loud clicks as the door opened.
"I'm impressed." Alessia spoke while smiling. Lin had found the metal lock and door handle on the other side and had unlocked it. Peeking inside, Alessia stomped her foot. Getting a clear view of their surroundings as Lin did the same.
"Clear." They both said in unison. She blushed but the dark shadows had hidden it.
"There's some train or trolley system." Mako spoke as they entered the doorway.
There were train tracks leading up the tunnel.
"Let's go." Tenzin spoke as they all gathered up onto the cart. Alessia stood to the side at the back with Kuvira.
"No phone?" Alessia asked her friend who shook her head.
"I'm worried." Kuvira spoke. She knew exactly who her friend was talking about. Gently squeezing her friend's shoulder in comfort.
"We'll be home soon." Alessia added. The cart had stopped. Looking around, there was barely any light. Hearing whispers before they stopped. Lin used her seismic sense and followed down another tunnel. Seeing a few cells, Alessia could feel the metal. She bent a few doors open. Seeing the police officers in them.
"Hey chief." A few of them said sadly.
"I was too late wasn't I?" Lin asked in a saddened tone. No one spoke. Their bending was taken away. Alessia felt her heart sink. Bending is a big part of who they are and to have something or a part of you ripped away was bad. She couldn't imagine the feeling of it.
"Where's Korra?" Mako asked while going through each cell.
"Hey! You can't be here!" A voice shouted. Hearing a shout and then a body slam against the wall. Mako had the man raised up with fire ready.
"Where is Korra?!" He shouted.
"Mako stand down!" Lin shouted. An alarm had gone off.
"We didn't take her! I swear!" The man shouted. Alessia could feel the man's heart rate. 'Wait. How?' She thought.
"Where is she?" Mako yelled again.
"Mako! We gotta go! Do you even see her here?" Alessia shouted while grabbing Mako's jacket and pulled him away from the man who fell down to the ground.
"Move out!" Lin shouted as her officers made their way to the cart trolley.
They had made it out from the tunnel with the cart as they began to head towards where they came.
"Wait!" Alessia spoke. She stopped and turned. Stomping her feet and raising her hands above her head. Causing the ground to shake as the ceiling collapsed. Causing a cave in.
"Great, now they know someone was here!" Tenzin shouted as Alessia started running after the group.
"Yeah, well I bought us more time to escape! They won't know exactly who! Just an earth bender!" Alessia responded while they made it out of the tunnel and back into the city.
"Smart thinking." Lin praised as Alessia felt her cheeks turn a light pink. She nodded and looked away. "My officers, head home and keep your head down. That's an order." Lin barked as they scattered. "Rest of you, follow me." Lin spoke as they ran across the roads and sidewalks. They were now at city hall. Raising a brow as they entered.
"Tarrlok. We have questions." Tenzin spoke.
"I already told you and made my statement. I was attacked. Equalists came in and attacked me. I have nothing to do with Korra's kidnapping." Tarrlok spoke. Alessia raised a brow. The man was lying through his teeth! His heart rate was elevated so high.
"He lies! I saw him! He took the avatar!" A voice spoke. Her eyes went up to see a man hiding behind a pillar.
"Why are you just now telling us?" Lin snapped.
"Because I was afraid! Tarrlok is a bloodbender!" The man shouted and cowered behind the pillar again. Alessia took her stance so quickly along with everyone. Tarrlok laughed as Lin shot cables at him to arrest him. He easily deflected it.
"You can't defeat me! My father was Yakone!" Tarrlok shouted.
"Impossible!" Tenzin shouted. Alessia stomped her foot. Nothing came. Instead she felt pain. Her blood was boiling and moving. He was bloodbending them! Without a full moon? She started to scream. Her back bending in a way it shouldn't. She couldn't move any of her body! Hearing others shouting and screaming before she had hit the floor.
"Come on. Wake up!" Alessia was slapping Kuvira's cheek before her friend quickly sat up.
"Ow!" She shouted while holding her head. Her friend sat up too quickly. She moved over and gently touched Lin's cheek. Caressing it softly before gently patting it.
"Come on chief. Wake up." Alessia spoke. Lin's eyes opened. Her eyes met the green. "Up you get." She spoke softly. Lin sat up while rubbing her head. Tenzin, Mako, Asami, and Bolin were already up.
"We should have known!" Tenzin spoke while taking the lead back outside.
"Korra!" Mako shouted. Alessia turned her head and saw Korra arriving on Naga. She was hurt. They all ran up to her. She was definitely out of it. Mako picked Korra off of Naga and took her to Oogie. Tenzin mounted his bison as Mako, Bolin, and Asami joined.
"Let's get her to the island." Tenzin spoke.
"You go. We have some business to finish here first." Lin spoke.
"Yip yip!" Tenzin shouted. Watching Oogie carry them out of the city.
"Let's get back. Su must be worried." Lin finally spoke as they nodded. Turning their heels and went back to the station. Lin grabbed her sato-mobile keys before she drove back to their apartment.
I need a shower." Alessia spoke softly. Breaking the silence. She was looking down at her hands in her lap. They had finally arrived. She was just glad Korra was okay. Alessia opened the door to let the other two in before closing and locking it behind here.
"You're all okay!" Su's voice shouted. Seeing the older woman hug them all before holding Kuvira closely. Giving her several kisses. Alessia and Lin looked at each other before both of them quickly looked away.
"What happened? I was worried sick! Lin, you're supposed to be in the hospital!" Su rounded on her sister who put her hands up in defense.
"I had to bust these two out of prison!" Lin defended herself.
"Prison?! Why were you in prison?!" Su rounded on Kuvira and Alessia who both were red faced now.
"Let's go to the living room and talk." Lin spoke softly. Su nodded and dragged Kuvira with her. Alessia metal bent her armor off before following behind them.
"So let me see if I have this down. You two were caught in a protest and were arrested for defending citizens. Alessia refused an order and got arrested with you. Lin, you heard the radio about Korra disappearing and got them out of jail. Found your men. Tarrlok is a bloodbender. On the loose and Korra is on the island?" Su summed it up as they all nodded their heads.
"Yeah, that's the short version of it." Alessia spoke softly. All four of them were sitting on the couch. Shoulder touching shoulder before Su pulled Kuvira on her lap and sighed. Resting her face against her friend's neck.
"I am glad you are safe." Su spoke softly. "What am I thinking? You three must be hungry! I made dinner. Let me warm it up." Su spoke while standing up, heading to the kitchen closely followed by Kuvira. Alessia felt her stomach growl lightly. She blushed.
"Someone is hungry." Lin chuckled softly. Alessia nodded her head lightly.
"Yeah, they didn't feed us in prison." Alessia replied. She could feel Lin's eyes on her. She turned and met the green eyes with her own. She could feel her cheeks flush a little. Lin was so close. She could feel her own heart beat fast. She could have sworn she was leaning in closer to Lin before pulling back quickly.
"Tea anyone?" Kuvira asked as Alessia jumped up and walked to the kitchen.
"Yeah." She spoke softly.
"Make your famous Jasmine tea." Su smiled. Alessia nodded. Her face was red now. She had never been that close to Lin before. Her mind drifted away from the thoughts as Su set the table. She had finished making the tea and set the cups down as well. Pouring everyone some tea before eating.
"I think Amon is entering his end game soon." Kuvira spoke as they finished. Alessia had cleared the table and cleaned up the kitchen. She was sitting back at the table.
"If he is, I can't leave Korra's side." Alessia frowned. She felt her thigh under the table gently touched and squeezed. It was from Lin's side.
"I don't think anyone should be going anywhere alone at any time." Su spoke. Alessia could feel Lin's hand gently touching her own under the table. Her heart was racing and her face was getting overheated.
"I agree." Kuvira spoke.
"I should go to the island and see how she is doing." Alessia added. She stood up and grabbed her jacket. "Su, Lin. I think you two should stay here." She added while putting her jacket back on. She felt someone grab her and pulled her into a tight hug.
"Please be careful." Su spoke while hugging Alessia close.
"You don't have to go." Kuvira added.
"I know. She is my family though." Alessia spoke lightly.
"Sweetie, you're family to me as well. To Kuvira too." Su spoke while letting Alessia go. She could feel her eyes sting and rubbed them. Not wanting to cry or anything. She nodded her head and hugged her friend and then gave Lin a hug. Who seemed to be hugging her tightly. Feeling Lin rub her back before letting go.
"I'll be back. Stay safe. All of you. Lin, take my bed. The couch isn't comfortable." She added before leaving the apartment. Putting her cables on as she did.
Alessia felt her heart beating rather fast. It was dark outside. It was dangerous now. She stuck to the shadows on the side of the buildings. She just had to make it to the other side of the area to the ferry. Hearing voices, she didn't take the chance. Flicking her wrists as the cables shot up on top of the buildings. Pulling herself up.
"Who's there?" A man shouted. Alessia ducked into the shadow and out of sight. Using the cables, she managed to get to the ferry with ease and quickly. She loved the feeling of flying from building to building with these cables. Her bending abilities were expanded with possibilities all thanks to Toph.
"Hey, one more ride over please? I need to see my sister Korra." Alessia spoke softly. The air nomad nodded his head and started the boat. She climbed abroad and paid him. Feeling the soft breeze against her skin as the air smelled of salt from the ocean nearby. Once she reached across the water, she hopped off and made a dash to the building. Knocking on the building.
"Alessia?" Jinora's voice came as she opened the door.
"Hi! I'm here to see Korra." She spoke as the young air bender girl stepped to the side to allow Alessia inside.
"Korra?" Alessia knocked on the door that belonged to Korra's room. She opened it to peek inside. Mako wasn't here, thank the spirits. She closed the door behind her as Korra jumped.
"It's just me!" Alessia raised her hands as Korra sighed in relief. She walked over and sat down next to her sister. Pulling her into a hug.
"I'm sorry Korra. For what happened to you." Alessia frowned as Korra laid down.
"It's not your fault at what happened." Korra added. She moved over for her sister to lay down. Alessia cuddled her sister and sighed softly. "I can't sleep." Korra added. She couldn't blame her sister.
"Come on then." Alessia spoke as she got back up and opened the window and hopped out of it. "Come on." She held her hand out for her sister. Korra took it and followed her out. "Can you text Kuvira I'm here. My phone is locked up at the station." Alessia asked as Korra gave her a raised brow. "I'll explain everything once we are on the spot." Alessia spoke while leading her sister to the side of the island. It was secluded. She sat down by the edge. Hearing the water crash against the earth on the side. It was soothing to listen to. Once Korra sat down next to her, Alessia began telling Korra of the events that had happened since she was gone. Korra then told her side of the events. Being locked in a platinum box. Nearly escaping Amon and his followers. The moon was high in the night sky. Giving off a bright glow across the water. She pulled Korra into a hug as her sister hugged her back.
"You're not alone in this fight. Your friends and family are here for you." Alessia spoke softly as Korra nodded.