Chapter Twenty-Six: Airbenders
It had been a couple weeks since the fight with Vaatu. Alessia had finished moving her things into Lin's apartment. It felt odd in a good way. To be officially sharing space with the woman she loves. They did seem to have less time together currently after the chaos of the convergence that happened. Dark spirits had attacked the city but since Korra defeated Vaatu, all that was left was the spirit vines that had overgrown several parts of the city. Spirits had made their homes in the vines as well. Many roads were blocked off due to this. Asami was hard at work to find salutations to their problems with the spirits. The city was covered in vines. Alessia and Mako were on several cases at once. Due to the increased number of citizens needing to be relocated again. There was a slight chill in the air to let them know that winter was almost completely gone but not gone just yet. Alessia was catching her breath as she tried getting rid of some of the vines but they seemed to be just coming back. Wondering if Korra had any idea to get rid of them yet. The press and the President were going hard on Korra. Several people were not happy with what happened to the city. Alessia however was neutral about it. It didn't seem to bother her at all except the fact they were still low on officers. So, for that time being, Mako and her had taken over more cases to complete to help the load off of the chief. Neither earth nor water seemed to have an affect on the spirit vines. Sighing with frustration as they made their way back to the station to give Lin the bad news about it. Knowing full well, the chief had already known.
"Captain, come with me." The chief spoke as Alessia nodded her head. Setting the case file down as she followed Lin out of the station. Seeing the cruiser ready to go.
"We are to be there when Raiko addresses the press." Lin explained as Alessia nodded her head. She understood. Wondering if Korra was going to be there. The drive was short as she got out of the cruiser before following Lin. Taking a deep breath before taking her place next to the chief as the press began taking pictures. She was used to this by now. It had no effect on her as of right now. Maybe because she was there while being on the job?
"Mr. President. Are you worried that your ratings are almost as low as Avatar's?" A journalist asked. Alessia rolled her eyes. Hearing the President calling it a calamity seemed a bit too far. He seemed more worried about the tree growing in his office than the actual issue at hand. This made Alessia sighed. For the amount of times she rolled her eyes, she had no idea how they weren't stuck or hurting. Hearing a loud whoosh. Korra had finally made an appearance.
"Avatar Korra! Are the vines here to stay?" One asked.
"Is this part of your new world order?" Another asked.
"Are you saying you have no idea what you are doing?" A third asked. Korra was now frustrated as she rounded onto Raiko. Knowing the cue for this, Lin had stepped in and separated them. Alessia pulled Korra to the side.
"That's enough! No more questions!" The chief of police barked as more pictures were being taken.
"We'll figure something out." Asami spoke softly to Korra. Alessia was listening in at this.
"Easy for you to say. You don't have my poll numbers. Eight percent." Korra looked down to the side.
"Who cares about the poll ratings?" Alessia spoke all of a sudden. Her sister's eyes met hers as did Asami's. "They are just ratings, Korra. Not everyone is going to be happy with everything you do. There will always be someone who disagrees with you." Alessia spoke.
"She's right, you know." Asami added. She smiled and nodded her head once to her friend.
"I should be able to fix this! I'm the avatar!" Korra sighed as she gripped her staff tightly. Alessia placed a hand upon Korra's shoulder and squeezed it gently.
"You are a wonderful one as well! Don't take it to heart." Alessia added. Hearing a shout in front from the chief. Alessia bowed to Korra and Asami before taking her leave.
"That was quick." Alessia spoke softly as they made their way back to the station.
"He is mad at Korra. Calling her lazy." Lin spoke softly.
"She's doing everything she can in her power." Alessia replied back. She received a look from Lin. "What is it?" She asked as Lin took her left hand and kissed it.
"You see the good in everyone. Don't let anyone take advantage of that." Lin spoke as Alessia squeezed her finance's hand.
"There's a new case that I want you and Mako on. It was called in." Lin added as they arrived back. She nodded her head before getting out of the cruiser and took a minute to stretch. Feeling a poke in her side as she jumped with a small laugh.
"Rude!" Alessia laughed.
"What? Me? Never!" Lin smirked before taking the lead back into the station as Alessia followed only to grab Mako to head right back out. Realizing that dinner was going to be very late tonight.
Alessia was humming softly as she finished dinner with Lin. Smiling softly as she gave the older woman several kisses before taking her spot upon the couch.
"What a day." She spoke as Lin nodded. Wrapping an arm around Alessia's waist to hold her closely. Hearing the phone ring, Alessia raised a brow and went to answer it.
"Beifong residence." Alessia spoke.
"Alessia?" Mako's voice spoke. "What are you doing there?" He asked.
"Mako? None of your concern. What do you need?" She asked.
"Something happened in town. I was calling Lin to ask for your help." Mako spoke.
"Get to the point Mako." She wanted to snap.
"I got a call about something odd. Can you come help me?" He asked. Alessia sighed and agreed before hanging up. She walked back to the sitting room. Seeing Lin look up from her book.
"What is it, love?" Lin asked. Alessia smiled. She loved hearing Lin call her that.
"Mako called. He needs me on a call that he just got." Alessia spoke while putting on her police jacket by the door. She felt arms around her middle from behind.
"Be safe. Come home right after." The older woman spoke as she kissed Alessia's earlobe.
"I will. I'll call if anything happens." She turned to give Lin a kiss before taking her leave. She hated working after hours but it had to be important if Mako called for it. Deciding to not drive, she used her cables to travel. She moved with ease between each building before finally arriving. It did not take long as she ran into Mako.
"Alright. What's the case?" She asked as he chuckled.
"Some man called about someone doing damage in a shop." Mako spoke as he took the lead. She was humming softly again as they made their way down the street.
Alessia held the door open before letting herself in as well. Seeing a man drop his broom and run to them.
"Alright sir. Tell us what happened." Mako spoke as Alessia was taking a look around the store. Things were scattered everywhere. Glass broken and all across the floor. She raised a brow, wondering if it was a break in.
"Then everything started flying. Like he was….he was…" The man spoke as his arms were waving around in circles.
"Like he was airbending." He finally spoke. Alessia raised a brow at him as did Mako. There was no possible way that could happen.
"Sir, that's impossible." Alessia spoke. She walked back over to Mako.
"There are only five airbenders in this world and your brother isn't one." Mako added. The shopkeeper was frowning.
""I know what I saw." He spoke. Alessia felt the man's heart rate slow down. A headache was coming along again. Sighing while rubbing her temples. The man then pointed to the back room where his brother was. Alessia followed Mako to the door that was pointed too. Hearing Mako knock on the door.
"Police. Open up." He spoke.
"Go away." The man on the other door spoke.
"Open up! Or we are taking the door down!" Alessia ordered this time. Mako began to count. Hearing a loud whoosh she knew all too well, she ran to the side as the door flew off its hinges. Sending Mako flying and slamming into a wall.
"Ooooh." Was all Alessia could say.
"I'm so sorry!" The man spoke. She looked over to him to see his face full of horror. Then, the man yelled and dramatically ran out of the store. Alessia pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.
"See, I told you. Airbending." The shopkeeper spoke while standing by Mako. Alessia grabbed the door and moved it to the side. This was something Lin would definitely want to hear about.
"Let's get back to the station. I'll call the chief and we'll head over to the air temple island." Alessia spoke as Mako nodded his head. With that, they left back to the station.
She nearly ran up the stairs and sighed softly. Just what the city needed right now. More airbenders. The thought was nice. It would make avatar Aang happy if the Air Nation was finally back after a hundred years. She walked into her office and picked up the phone.
"Beifong residence." Lin spoke.
"It's me." Alessia spoke.
"What is it?" The older woman asked.
"I think you better come in for this. We are heading to Tenzin." Alessia spoke.
"Meet you there." Lin spoke as she hung up.
"She's meeting us there." Alessia explained as Mako nodded.
"How come she is never hard on you?" Mako asked as she chuckled. Taking the lead to the island ferry.
"I always do what I'm told and I tend to stay on her good side." Alessia explained. "Hey, she likes you Mako. Your head is on your shoulders." She added. Seeing Lin at the ferry with her arms crossed waiting. In her full police uniform as well. Alessia smiled and blushed at the sight.
"What happened?" Lin asked as Mako began to explain. The ferry carried them across the water as Alessia saw Tenzin and the others all piled outside. Seeing Bumi doing weird arm movements.
"Invisible spirit monster attack?" Lin asked calmly while putting her hands on her hips. Mako was on Lin's right side as Alessia on the left. Everyone had their eyes on Bumi.
"You won't believe this. Bumi just started airbending." Tenzin spoke. Lin, Mako, and Alessia all were shocked at this. Looking at each other from the news.
"He is not the only one." Lin spoke.
"What?" Tenzin asked.
"I got a call last night about a guy airbending as well." Mako as Korra and Asami both gasped at this news.
"You mean, there's another one? Where is he?" Tenzin started asking questions. Alessia placed her hand upon her chin while thinking. Wondering what had caused this to start happening all of sudden.
"I'll help you look!" Korra spoke. Watching Lin walk away as Alessia stood there. Lin stopped and looked at her. Raising a brow.
"There's something I need to do. I'll join you soon." She spoke as the older woman nodded. Mako was explaining to Korra about how it was 'police business.' Alessia only laughed and slapped Mako's shoulder gently. He wasn't wrong. She should leave it up to the police. Knowing Korra. She would not let it go. She could feel the awkwardness between the three of them as Tenzin left the scene.
"You are more than welcome to stay here instead of the station." Korra spoke.
"No. I'm fine." Mako spoke. Alessia raised a brow and cleared her throat.
"So! As you were….Ladies." Mako saluted them and turned sharply. Walking away. She laughed again lightly. She was going to give Mako a hard time later for sure about this.
"Alright. I need to speak to Jinora. Know where I can find her?" Alessia asked as Korra nodded Pointing over to the meditation area. She bowed to her sister before taking her leave.
She sat down near Jinora. Knowing full well the young girl could feel her presence.
"Alessia! It's good to see you again!" Jinora spoke while hugging Alessia. She returned the hug and smiled. She was happy to see the young girl.
"How are you?" Jinora asked.
"I am well. You?" She asked as Jinora smiled with a nod.
"I am well. Been visiting the spirit world more now that I know how to do it." Jinora spoke proudly.
"Speaking of the spirit world. Aren't they connected with dreams?" Alessia asked asn Jinora nodded.
"They are. Especially repeated dreams. Why do you ask?" Jinora gave a curious look.
"I've been having this dream for a long time now. Sometimes it turns into a nightmare, sometimes it doesn't." Alessia spoke.
"Tell me about them." Jinora spoke as she sat back down again.
"Well. It always starts in a field of flowers. I'm alone. Sometimes I dance. Sometimes I am not. Then I hear a voice. It's low growling like. It tells me to choose or lose it all. I see two shadows in my dreams. One of them is revealed. The other one is always dancing around but still a shadow. Then it yells at me to choose again. I see water rising as the flowers die around me. The earth is not soaking it up before different things happen to end the dream. The shadows are always the same. Sometimes it's just two small areas covered in water or dirt as the voice keeps yelling to choose." Alessia spoke as she tried to explain the dream the best as she could. Jinora was deep in thought before looking up again.
"I'll travel there to the library and see if there is anything about this dream of yours." Jinora spoke. Alessia smiled and gave the girl a hug again. She watched Jinora stand up and give her a bow before skipping away while using her bending. Alessia chuckled at the sight before taking her leave. Wondering if she should go back to the station as well. Knowing full well Mako was sleeping there. She felt bad since the vines had taken out his apartment as he resorted to sleeping under his desk. Lin didn't mind that and it made Alessia frown upon it.
She stopped upon a bridge as Korra was facing a building that was covered with vines. She raised a brow while seeing Lin and Bolin there as well.
"She has an idea." Bolin explained.
"Oh." Alessia spoke. Her hands behind her back while standing next to Lin. She was fumbling with her ring while watching before hearing footsteps.
"What are you doing here?" Korra snapped at Raiko.
"We heard you have a plan to get rid of these vines." Raiko spoke. Korra nodded as the press began asking questions.
"Just stand there! Silently!" Korra shouted while holding up a hand. Then it clicked. Korra was spirit bending the vines. Watching her sister go into her avatar state and start. The water rose in stream-like movements. Alessia took a stance. At the ready in case anything were to happen. She received a raised brow from Lin. The water turned gold as the vines began retreating. They were gone.
"Go in peace." Korra spoke while bowing. She had done it! Alessia smiled and released her stance. Then the reporters began dogging Korra with questions again. Alessia growled at this when all of sudden the ground began to shake. The vines were angry. They shot back up, covering more of the area. The building behind them began collapsing. Without thinking, she, Lin, and Bolin all ran up and threw their fists up into the air while causing earth pillars to rise and stop the building from falling over. Korra had gone in to tell the residents to leave.
"Korra!" Alessia shouted while seeing the top piece falling above her. Alessia felt cables wrap around her waist and pulled her out from under. Korra raised her fists and stopped the large piece from falling too fast. Slowly setting it down.
"Well, that could have gone better." Bolin spoke as they all crossed their arms.
"Hmph!" Alessia spoke. Feeling Lin giving her the side eye.
"Let's get this cleaned up." Lin spoke as Korra left. Alessia grumbled. Her sister never cleaned up after her actions. It is always left to her now and now to the police.
Hearing the radio go off only about an hour later as they finished cleaning up the area. Making it safe for others to pass by it. Lin had answered. Alessia kept her eyes upon her lover as Lin pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Bolin. Go get Korra. The airbender had been found on top of Kyoshi bridge." Lin ordered as Bolin nodded and took off.
"Alessia. With me." Lin added as Alessia got into the chief's cruiser. Feeling the older woman set drive fast while the sirens went off.
"Must be scared out of his mind." Alessia spoke.
"We'll see." Lin spoke. Seeing the bridge blocked off as Alessia sighed. She went out and started crowd control. Moving citizens out of the way. Once done, they had put barriers up. Alessia took her spot next to the chief as Korra showed up with Tenzin. Seeing the other metal bending police officers on the top. Using their cables as the man blasted them off the bridge. Alessia gasped as the men were flung off before seeing them use their cables to get back up. She sighed in relief.
"Come down or we will be forced to take action." Lin spoke over the megaphone. Alessia gave Lin a look.
"What?" the chief asked.
"You want to get him down, not scare him up more." Alessia crossed her arms and Lin shrugged her shoulders.
"Let me talk to him." Korra spoke as she opened her glider and flew up to the man. Sighing softly as she was hoping Korra would talk to him on coming down. Hearing a scream as she looked up. The man was falling. Covering her mouth as Korra caught him. Landing him down safely. Sighing another relief as the crowd cheered.
"So is this the new thing? We have a crisis every other day now thanks to you?" Raiko shouted. Alessia balled her hands into fists.
"Stand down Captain." Lin whispered to Alessia. Holding an arm up in front of her. They began to argue again.
"Well you know who is not here to stay? You and your sister! I order you both to leave this city! There has been nothing but trouble since you both arrived!" He shouted. Alessia felt her heart drop. The crowd gasped at this. Lin was frowning. 'What did I do to deserve this?!' Alessia asked herself. She watched Korra smiling at Tenzin as they left. Alessia scoffed and turned her heels in time to see Lin speaking to Raiko.
"She's my captain! She's done more for this city than Korra did!" The older woman spoke.
"I don't care! I want both of them out of my city!" Raiko shouted. Alessia frowned. Lin had tried defending her. Their eyes met as Alessia then looked down.
"Alessia. Come. Let's go find the new airbenders." Korra was smiling. Alessia frowned at her before sighing. "We leave first thing in the morning!" Korra shouted while waving as she left.
Alessia found herself sitting on the bed as she felt her cheeks stain with tears as they fell. Lin was sitting next to her holding her closely.
"I don't know why he said for you to leave. You've done so much." Lin frowned.
"It's because we are related. He doesn't care. He doesn't want anything to do with Korra and since I'm her sister. He wants me gone." Alessia frowned. She buried her face against Lin's neck.
"Not if I have a say in this! I won't let it go. I'm not letting my future wife leave because of the avatar's doings." Lin snapped. Alessia could only hug Lin tighter at this. Feeling her back rubbed a bit.
"Maybe for a couple weeks or something. Korra wants to find the new airbenders and bring them here or to the temple." Alessia spoke softly.
"Then I will put it in the system that my captain is helping her." Lin spoke as Alessia nodded. "You're coming home back to me." She added. She nodded at Lin's words before standing up. She packed a small bag of clothes and sighed. She closed her eyes as they stung again. Feeling strong and gentle arms wrap around her again as she embraced the feeling. Leaning against Lin. Resting her head upon the other woman's chest. Sliding her own arms around the waist of the chief. Loving the feeling of being safe in the woman's strong arms. Feeling a kiss upon her forehead.
"Korra said we are leaving first thing in the morning." Alessia spoke softly. Feeling her waist squeezed.
"I'm still not happy about this. What he did was wrong." Lin added. Alessia nodded her head. She undressed herself slowly in front of Lin. Knowing full well she was being stared at. She took one of Lin's gowns and slipped it on before crawling into the bed. Lin had followed suit. Not breaking eye contact with each other. Lin laid down as Alessia laid her head upon the chest again. Listening to the older woman's heart beat.
"Get some rest my love." Lin spoke softly in the moonlit room.
"I can't sleep. At least not now." Alessia replied. She didn't want to lose a minute with her love before leaving to find the other airbenders.
–Notes–
Hello folks! I apologize for the late delay of the story! I seemed to have gotten hooked on Wheel of Time! I highly recommend it! Anyways, enjoy!
