Chapter Thirteen: Tip-Off
Alessia could not remember much that had happened. She found herself in a hospital bed. Mumbling softly as she leaned up with a groan. Holding onto her stomach. She could hear voices arguing. They were on the other side of the curtain from her bed. She lifted up the hospital gown and saw several scars.
"What was she doing off of the island?" Tenzin's voice shouted.
"She's not a child, Tenzin!" Lin's voice shouted back.
"I cannot keep my eyes on both of them! Korra is more important!" Tenzin replied back. Alessia winced at their voices and sighed. Pulling the blanket back over herself.
"Is Alessia not important too?" Lin's voice made her eyes sting as Tenzin only grunted before hearing footsteps fade away. Seeing the curtain move to the side and saw Lin standing there.
"You're awake." The chief spoke as Alessia only nodded her head lightly. "You heard, didn't you?" Another nod. Watching the chief close the curtain before sitting on her bedside.
She looked around for something to write with and Lin was prepared.
"What happened?" Alessia wrote with a frown.
"You don't remember?" Lin asked as Alessia shrugged.
"I remember seeing you after the performance outside but that was it." She sighed while rubbing her side.
"You were pulled back into the alley. On the side of the building. I remember hearing you scream. By the time I reached you, you were bleeding out so quickly. I thought you were gone." Lin frowned while she was looking at anything but her.
"I never want to dance again." Alessia wrote before standing up. Feeling her legs wobbly before she grabbed her change of clothes that were brought.
"Alessia, you can't let one incident like that stop you from doing what you love." Lin spoke as she had her back turned towards Alessia for privacy.
I should have listened to Tenzin and stayed on the island. This would have never happened."
"You're not a child. You can't stay locked up on the island." Lin sighed while turning to look at Alessia. "If he won't allow you to do anything, then at least join my force. That way I know you're safe." Lin crossed her arms. Become a police officer? Alessia had finished getting dressed and looked at Lin with a nod.
"Good. Where are you going?" The chief asked.
"I have somewhere I gotta be." She handed the book back to Lin who only pushed it back, telling her to keep it.
"Then be safe. Come to the station later to collect your badge and uniform." With that, Lin stood up as Alessia's multi-colored eyes met the green. She nodded her head and left.
Alessia had found herself at the Sato mansion when she caught up with Korra. It felt old walking inside the largest estate in the City. Her stomach was turning at some uneasiness. She sat down on the edge of the pool and dipped her feet in the water. It felt good to feel the connection with the water as well as the earth.
"You are all looking well settled in." Korra spoke as Asami, Mako, and Bolin were already swimming. Alessia was humming softly while watching her friends converse among themselves. She held the book Lin gave her closely.
"Yes, but someone forgot to mention to her father about us." Mako spoke as Alessia raised her brow.
"It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission." Asami spoke softly with a smile. Alessia was humming softly while moving her feet around in circles. Feeling the cold water against her skin. It felt refreshing to a point.
"Hey, I have an idea." Asami spoke as they all got out and dried. Alessia put her flats back on and followed the heiress outside to what seemed like a racetrack. She took a seat next to Bolin who was giving Pabu kisses. Alessia gave a disgusted look before chuckling at her friend's actions.
"Woohoo!" Korra shouted as their sato-mobile raced past them followed by another one not far from it. Seeing that Asami had the idea to take Korra onto the tracks.
"Who is hungry?" Bolin asked as Alessia stood up quickly with a semi raised hand. "Follow me!" Bolin added as Alessia and Mako followed him to the kitchen. Alessia was enjoying a delicious custard when Korra came into the kitchen. She saw her sister's face and then hers fell.
"Alessia, Tenzin called. He wants to speak with us." Korra spoke as Alessia nodded. She waved at the brothers and bowed at Asami before following Korra out of the Sato mansion.
They reached the police station and Alessia gave Korra a confused look as they entered. Korra led the way to the chief's office and knocked.
"Open." Lin's voice on the other side. She followed her sister into the office and closed the door behind her.
"What is it?" Lin asked as Alessia shrugged her shoulders. She was confused as to why they were there.
"It's Hiroshi. I think he is working with the Equalists." Korra finally spoke. Alessia's eyes went wide and gasped.
"Korra, that's a really big accusation. Do you have any proof?" Lin spoke while standing up.
"Only thing I have is what I heard. He was talking about the cabbage corp bought him more time and will be ready to strike soon." Korra spoke. Alessia looked at Lin who locked eyes with her. Watching the chief touch her chin while in thought. Hearing another knock as Tenzin came into the room. Korra re explained the situation as Lin handed Alessia her uniform and badge.
"You're coming with me. We have to follow up." Lin explained as Alessia metal bent her armor on and saw Lin place the badge onto Alessia's chest piece. She felt a small swell of pride on her chest before looking at her sister. She was the last one out of the station as they made their way back to the Sato mansion. She was fumbling with her cables as Lin knocked upon the door. Seeing a servant answered it.
"Is mister Hiroshi home?" Tenzin asked as Mako came into view.
"What's going on?" Mako asked in a demanding voice.
"I'm sorry Asami." Korra spoke. Asami glared at them before Alessia followed Lin up the stairs into the office of Mr. Sato.
"My father is innocent!" Asami shouted as she burst through the double doors.
"Of course my dear." Hiroshi spoke.
"Then you don't mind if we look around do you?" Lin asked as they were given permission. Alessia took her leave to help begin their search.
"Clear." An officer shouted.
"Clear!"
"Also clear!"
"Clear!" They finished. Alessia sighed as they finished their sweep. She made her way back down the stairs to meet the others.
"Consider our friendship over you two!" Mako shouted at them. Alessia frowned at him before following Lin out of the mansion. Once outside the gates, Alessia was listening to Tenzin and Lin speak.
"We owe Hiroshi an apology." Lin sighed while holding the bridge on her nose.
"I agree. There should have been more evidence than hearsay." Tenzin added. Alessia was deep in thought while listening to the two.
"What do you say, Alessia?" Lin's voice brought her back as she wrote in her new book.
"Korra should have had more evidence to back it up. We owe an apology." They nodded as they were about to head back to apologize.
"There's something you three need to see." Korra spoke as they turned to face her. Korra was holding up a note. She handed it to Lin who read it.
"I guess we'll have to meet them then." The chief spoke as they made their way back to the station. Alessia took a seat and was back in thought. Why would Hiroshi join the Equalists? Lin had mentioned his wife dying by the hands of a fire bender. Still, it didn't make sense to her.
"Let's meet back here an hour before we meet." Lin spoke. "Get a game plan going." Alessia took her leave.
Sitting at a diner while drinking tea and sighed a little. Her sides still hurt from that night. She pulled out her new book and studied it. It had an earth symbol upon the cover. It matched the one on her wrist almost. She placed the book back into her pocket. Sitting back in her chair while watching the city folk go about their day. Just by looking at it, the city seemed peaceful as if nothing was wrong. Until you looked deeper. At night. Where crimes came to be. Where non-benders were hating on the benders. 'Every place had its secret' she thought.
"There you are." Korra's voice brought her out of her thoughts. Watching her sister take a seat across from her. "You do believe me right?" Her sister frowned. Alessia wrote in her book.
"I mean, there wasn't much evidence that backed you up but yes, I believe you. Though, Hiroshi never gave us any reason to doubt him. He funded the team. He also took in Mako and Bolin." Alessia eyed Korra whole sighed and nodded.
"You're right. Then again, the note." Korra added.
"There has to be something we missed." She stood up and paid for her tea.
"Let's head back to the station." Korra took the lead as Alessia followed her sister. Lin, Tenzin, Korra, and Alessia were at the meetup location that was on the note. Looking around while feeling her barefoot against the ground to keep them from being snuck up on. She turned to face a pillar as a man came up.
"You were right to suspect Hiroshi." He said. Alessia felt her metal boot cover her foot again and sighed.
"We found nothing in the mansion." Lin spoke.
"That's because it's at his factory." He added.
"Even the factories had nothing." Tenzin spoke.
"He has another one. A secret one. Under her mansion." The man spoke. They all gasped and looked at each other. It was right under their nose the whole time?! Then again, it was the perfect place to hide something so secret in plain sight!
"Let's head back. Thank you." Lin spoke before taking their leave to follow the chief back to the station. She noticed there were only a few officers there. They were standing in line. Alessia stood next to officer Song at the end. Lin came out of her office and sighed.
"We already received a tip once about Hiroshi conspiring with the Equalists. We came empty handed. Now, new evidence was shown to us. I do not ask you to join me because you can lose your badges for this." Lin spoke. Alessia felt her heart racing as she had only recently taken the oath to protect Republic City's citizens and uphold its laws.
"I understand if you do not want to join me on this. I promise you that if you do not, you will face no consequences or retaliation." Lin spoke. Only a few officers stepped forward to show they would join. Alessia took a step forward as well. Seeing Lin watch her and then nodded. She could have sworn she saw pride in Lin's eyes before the officers not joining took their leave back to their daily jobs as for the others, they followed Lin up the stairs to the top of the building where an airship was waiting for them.
Korra and Tenzin were already there waiting. Alessia was the last one on the airship before the door closed behind her. Feeling it take off the roof and towards the mansion. Hearing them go over the plan again as Alessia took a deep breath. It wouldn't be long now. Tapping her foot as she could feel the earth in her metal shoes. It felt weird. She traded her dance for the police uniforms. She felt a hand on her shoulder as she turned to face Lin.
"I appreciate you coming. You didn't have to." Lin spoke as Alessia wrote.
"I took the same oath as you did. If Hiroshi is helping the Equalists, then it's our job to stop it. I stand by you."
Lin nodded and squeezed her shoulder before leaving. The airship was now above the mansion. Alessia followed the other officers out by using her cables. Flicking her wrist to retract her cables back before following Lin and Korra. Knocking on the door again.
"Why can't you let it go Korra?" Mako shouted as he followed them to Hiroshi's office. It was empty.
"Where is Mr. Hiroshi?" Lin asked.
"In his workshop. We already proved his innocence!" Asami shouted. Alessia looked at Lin before taking the lead to the back. There was a shed in the back. She opened the door and went inside. It was empty.
"I don't understand. He never came out." Asami spoke. Lin stomped her foot on the ground and shook her head.
"Alessia." Lin spoke. She knew what the chief asked. Feeling the metal on her boot retract as she stomped. It was there. Clear as day. Alessia crossed her arms and glared at Asami.
"What is it?" The heiress asked. Lin was quick in her movements as she revealed a secret tunnel under the door on the ground.
"Looks like there are secrets being unrevealed tonight." Lin spoke. "You three stay here with officer Song. Rest of you follow me." Lin barked orders as they followed her into the tunnel.
Alessia was frowning. This was all seeming to be too real now. They walked in silence until they came to a clearing. Lights came on as Alessia gasped at the sight they saw. There were several mecha suits. Hearing a loud slam, she turned and saw a wall trapping them inside. Without thinking, Alessia took her stance and tried gripping the metal wall to bend it down as Lin did the same thing with her.
"You won't be able to bend that. It's pure platinum!" Hiroshi's voice spoke over a type of speaker.
"Show yourself!" Korra shouted. Feeling the hair on her neck stand, Alessia turned around and saw a few of the suits coming at them.
"Come out and face us coward!" Korra spat at him.
"No. I think I'll stay in here were my chances are a bit more ... .equal." Hiroshi smirked as they fight began. Alessia jumped into the air to pull out water from her pouch and flicked a whip at the glass. Not even leaving a scratch upon it. Sighing as she she fell back to the ground and shot several ice spikes at him. Watching the ice shatter and not leaving a mark.
"I thought Lin had picked better fighters for her team. Not some pathetic water bender." Hiroshi laughed and shot electricity towards her. Alessia jumped and rolled out of the way before taking her stance and felt the metal parts come off her uniforms and took shapes as tiny daggers. Flicking her arms in fast movements as the metal slammed against the glass.
"Ah, a duel bender. Amon will want to hear about this." Hiroshi shouted while attempting to go after Alessia. "Grab her! We'll hand her and the avatar over!" He ordered. Alessia felt someone shove her to the side. Her eyes went wide as Lin was shot and flung backwards into the wall. 'No! Lin!' Alessia shouted at herself. She ran over to Lin's side.
"Father! How could you?!" Asami's voice had stopped everyone. Alessia looked over and saw the heiress step out from the ground. Alessia saw Mako and Bolin grabbing Tenzin and dragging him into the hole.
"My dear, you really think I would allow the crimes against your mother go unpunished? All benders are the same! It disgusted me seeing you with that fire bender!" Hiroshi spoke.
"Not all benders are bad father!" Asami spoke.
"Stand by me daughter and we shall equalize the world together." Hiroshi spoke. Alessia took the chance and wrapped Lin's arm around her neck to help carry the chief out. Hearing a loud scream as Asami electrocuted her father.
"Lets get out of here!" Korra shouted as they made their way out through the tunnel.
Alessia had Lin's head upon her lap as they were back on the airship heading back to temple island. She was gently stroking her fingers through Lin's hair while the others were talking. Tenzin was the first to wake and Lin did as well not long after. Her eyes met the green ones. She frowned as Lin leaned up groaning. Holding the side of her head.
"Where are my men?" She asked. Alessia looked down to her hands on her lap.
"We only had time to get you and Tenzin out of there, chief." Mako spoke. Lin looked defeated.
"I'm resigning first thing in the morning." Lin spoke. Alessia frowned at this. She grabbed Lin's shoulder. Meeting the green eyes again. Alessia shook her head at Lin. Hoping she would get the message.
"It's out of my hands." Lin spoke as she stood up. Alessia felt defeated. This was not how this was supposed to go! Tarrlok had the control of the council. It was only a matter of time before he controlled everything else. Alessia huffed at Lin before crossing her arms and left off the airship back to the temple. She could hear arguing.
"Chief! The city needs you!" Mako shouted.
"I need to save my men! Outside of the law!" Lin snapped.
"You need to see a doctor." Tenzin spoke. Alessia knew how stubborn Lin was. She pulled her book out. It was worth a try. She walked back out to the others and pushed Lin's arm not roughly but not gently either. The others had left to help Pema get tea and what not. Alessia was alone with Lin.
"Go see a doctor!" Alessia wrote.
"I have better things to be doing." Lin shook her head and crossed her arms.
"Then do it for me? Please?" Alessia wrote. Her eyes were pleading Lin's. She could feel Lin look deep into her eyes and sighed.
"Fine. Stay out of trouble. I mean." Lin spoke before she left. Alessia felt a little better. She took her place at the table and sat done.
"Where did she go?" Tenzin spoke. Alessia took a sip before letting him know she went to see the doctor finally. Alessia was now worried about what was to come next. What was Amon planning now?