Seven years later. A tanned woman dressed in red garb over her sleeveless tunic with her fur coat around her waist. This was Korra. She was fighting with two people in the same red training garb, a smile on her face as she continued her training fearlessly. However powerful she may be, she clearly lacked restraint, as proven by her launching one of her sparring partners onto the roof. The other wasn't as lucky as she unleashed a torrent of fire upon them. He would fly back a few feet before woozily falling over. "Woohoo!" Korra cheered aloud before looking at her instructors. Most of which weren't smiling, save for Katara. "What's with the doom and gloom people? Three elements down, one to go." Katara, who was still smiling, looked further down the field. Rein was there using the force to hold a number of boulders up under the watchful red glowing eyes of Tarmeia. The strict knight would activate her lightsaber and attempt a sneak attack only for one the boulders to strike her in the side. He was sixteen now while Korra was seventeen. His hair now grew out to be long and brown, bobbing down over his right eye giving him a rather gloomy expression. Their tail now far exceeded three feet and wrapped around their waist and leg when not in use. Seeing how far both he and Korra have come, warmed her heart. That isn't to say there was no hardship along the way.
Flashback to five years ago. Rein did his best to keep up with Korra and Naga, her polar bear dog. Panting, he called out to her. "Korra, can we take a break? Master Tarmeia really worked me hard today in lightsaber form and I don't think we're supposed to be this far out of the compound." The eleven year old asked her, trying to get her to at least slow down. The young, and still very impressionable Korra would look back at him with a smile.
"Come on. Are you giving up on me already?" She smiled playfully back at him.
"I-I just don't want to get in trouble." He reached up, squeezing his arm as they came to a full stop.
"Fine. I just wanted to get away from master Yim anyways. He's so UGGGH!" She growled in frustration. Master Yim was her firebending teacher. Unfortunately the two didn't get along because of Korra's headstrong attitude and his strict behavior. Plopping down in the snow, she sighed looking at Rein. "Why can't I just learn firebending from you? I mean, I know you can't bend, but you have all these creatures that can use fire, and you'd be a much better teacher than he ever could."
"B-Because Korra, I'm still learning the force and lightsaber forms…It's not very fun." He looked down disappointedly. Master Tarmeia was an incredibly strict teacher when on duty, and Aasha who knew her as a friend never spoke a word against her. Although he was excelling in force combat, his lightsaber skills left a great deal to be desired. Korra, still young, thought of things that were fun to her. With that ever playful smile, she finally came up with something.
"Well if it's fun you want." She opened the ice underneath Rein whose eyes widened as he fell into the freezing water below. Korra began to laugh loudly. "How about a nice ice bath?" She cheered, having thought she pulled the prank of the century on her friend who often pulled similar pranks on her despite his soft spokenness. She had never seen him swim, even though he bathes. He never seemed interested in going in the water with her, or anything above chest level. She soon heard the reason why she never saw this from him.
"H-Help. I…" She looked over the edge of the ice to see only bubbles surfacing above the water and claw marks across the ice going south of her.
"R-Rein…Very funny Rein, now come up…R-Rein? REIN?!" She called out before finally realizing.
"There you are Korra. Master Yim has been looking for you." A sentry had found her before looking around. "Where's your friend? You two are usually inseparable." He noted. That was until the earthbender saw her crying.
"H-He's under the ice! I don't know where he went!" She shouted as she tried bending the ice away in search. Tears ran down her eyes as the sentry finally realized what was going on. Frantically the sentry began clearing snow aside to search with her. Being an earthbender, he was practically useless in this situation. It was a good two minutes and the bender was about to give up and rush back to try and get people to search for Rein. That was until Aasha finally approached the two in a hurry. She didn't even bother asking what they were doing before following her own senses, instincts, or who knew what. Jumping into the frozen water below, the Jedi master gracefully swam like any water bender could. The sentry and Korra surrounded where she dived in from. Not even a minute passed before she rose from the water gasping for air while holding Rein. He was unconscious, making the situation far graver than first anticipated.
"GO GET KATARA!" She shouted at the sentry who saluted and rushed off. There was no time to waste in Aasha's mind. She would then turn to Korra. "Korra. I need you to waterbend the water out of his lungs."
"B-But I don't think I…" She trembled, fear gripping over rationality.
"If you don't, he will die!" Aasha tried her best to get Korra to listen, but was far from calm in this scenario. Korra, listening to the older Togruta, did as she was told and began to attempt to pull the water out of his lungs. This worked to some degree as streams of water escaped the boy's mouth. Katara soon found the three, led by a sentry with her daughter Kya quickly behind her. "Katara I…Please save him." Aasha pleaded to the waterbending master. Katara nodded her head before looking at Kya.
"We will do what we can. Kya, please take over for Korra." The woman whose hair was already turning white nodded her head to her mother. Smile lines already appeared on her face. Although not as exceptional as Katara, she was still a healer and a master waterbender. Sitting beside Rein, she took over what Korra was doing to far greater effect, bubbling the water up above the boy's head in an orb of water. Katara would examine the boy making sure there were no injuries. "How long was he underwater?"
"Three minutes ma'am." The sentry replied quickly, knowing Aasha wouldn't know as she only arrived at the scene after him.
"We need to get him somewhere warmer once we're back…Korra did you know he couldn't swim?" She frowned looking up at Korra.
"N-No. he never told me." She began to cry again, knowing she nearly just killed one of her only friends here. Katara did her best to smile before looking to the guard to take her back. She knew she'd learn from this…but she didn't expect that it would be from such a dangerous situation. Had it not been for Aasha's vision, there's no telling what would have happened.
End of flashback. Rein's tail grabbed his lightsaber, hand me down from Aasha. The bright blue blade activated, blocking Tarmeia's yellow blade. Although not good with lightsaber forms, he was good at improvising. Leaping from meditation, he watched as she approached once more, swinging her blade at him. She was faster than he was physically. Mentally was another story. Despite her speed, he had already begun moving the way she was swinging before she even did. The blades met every time she moved to strike. His tail, making up for his arms lack of strength and form, swung the blade powerfully into the vampire Firrerreo's own blade. This earned a bestial growl from his master who began to put more pressure into the blade forcing him back. "You're supposed to be learning lightsaber form. Not whatever 'this' is." She gestured to his tail as it swayed around with the lightsaber.
"But master. Wasn't it Aasha who taught me to always be resourceful?" He asked. This earned a violent twitch from her eye, but also a pause as she knew that Aasha was far more experienced than her. With a sigh she waved him off before going to contemplate her many aggressive thoughts…and probably find a blood bag. Rein frowned, feeling as though all he ever did now was anger Tarmeia. Lowering his head, he felt like he failed not only her, but master Aasha as well. That was until he looked at Korra who was on cloud nine now that they said she could begin learning airbending. Deciding to knock her down a peg or two. "Get her Charcadet's." He whispered.
As Korra prepared to walk away to meet her polar bear dog, two small bursts of ember launched at her. Using her firebending, she diverted the attacks. The two Charcadet's stood in front of Rein, who stuck his tongue out at Korra as a way to goad her. "Oh ho. You want some too then?!" She charged the two two foot pokemon. Katara would smile seeing the two get along, while her other masters sighed at her brashness to such an obvious challenge. Looking at its counterpart, one Charcadet nodded, the other soon did the same. The two ran around the sides, similar to her previous opponents. One skidded to a stop and used incinerate, launching a massive ball of fire at the avatar. Cleaving through the flame, she looked back briefly seeing the second used flame charge, its body engulfed in fire as it charged her. Jumping over the oncoming charge, she landed behind the Charcadet, using her firebending to strike it with a stream of fire. When the stream finished, the Charcadet was there. Its body practically glowing while wreathed in flame. "Okay that's new."
"I forgot to mention, fire makes them stronger." Rein called out with a bright smile despite his gloomy appearance. Korra was less than amused by this information as the Charcadet's prepared to charge at her once more only to turn right. Turning her attention that way, she wasn't expecting Rein's tail to tug her leg, causing her to slip face first into the snow. "Though they make excellent distractions."
"Oh you asked for it." She got up as he began to run off laughing. Katara couldn't help but notice just how carefree he was around Korra. Normally he was quiet, meek, and most often anxious. Around her he was playful, happy, and most often mischievous. As the two ran, Rein hopped the gate into Naga's pen. Naga would look over at him and Korra, tail wagging as they got up. "Naga. You should have seen it. I kicked some firebender butt. Tenzin should be here in a few days." She smiled wide as she ran her hands under the polar bear dog's ears.
"And nearly got her butt kicked by Charcadets."
"You threw in a cheap shot." She bent snow into Rein's face, making him fall over.
"Ow. Foul! Brain freezing your best friend! That's a ten minute time out." He laughed as he joked with her, making her cover her smiling face at how goofy he was being. She would sit atop his belly causing him to groan. "Jeez Korra. Lay off the seaweed noodles."
"Did you just call me fat?" She raised an eye. He would smile and stick his tongue out at her making her chuckle. "You're asking for a knuckle sandwich. You're just lucky I'm one of the only people willing to put up with you." She would ruffle his hair revealing their bright silver eyes to her. Her bright cyan eyes looked down into theirs feeling a sudden moment. Rein would quickly look away, cheeks red and suddenly nervous at the eye contact.
"W-Well you and the Ple's." He would retort. Seeing him turn away caused a slightly rosy tint to appear across her own cheeks. Then she finally took in what he said.
"Speaking of. Where are they? It's been way too quiet. Normally they're all over you and I can't get a word in edgewise."
"Most of the Ple's are helping master Aasha set up their compound. Ple seven and nine on the other hand." He trailed off looking away.
"Ple Ple Ple Ple Ple!" As if on cue, the two identical girls ran by knocking a sentry over as they ran through the compound. Their bright orange hair made them stand out in the snowy environment. Bright blue eyes full of childish wonder. It had been four years since Aasha and Tarmeia released them from cryo…After having to thaw through half the ship to get there. Despite being identical clones, the two were given the freedom to dress, act, and do however they liked. Nature versus nurture had led to completely different personalities among the nine of them. The two were currently dressed in traditional water tribe fur coats to fend off the cold. Ple seven, renamed Lelah, usually enjoyed the bright ocean colors. Elina, Ple nine, enjoyed everything being a bright color. Korra and Rein sighed, a smile on their faces seeing the two carefree girls run around the way they were. That was until they made a beeline towards the stables and tackled, hugging Rein and Korra into the hay. Rein groaned feeling the weight of three people on them. Although not heavy alone, the three together weighed almost four hundred pounds.
"Rein would like to get up now." He groaned under them as Naga looked down licking his face. "No. Naga. Not. Ugh."
Only a few days would pass when a sky bison floated its way to the compound. An insistent girl was repeating several words one would hear on a road trip. 'Are we there yet'. Her younger brother was biting at the bald dads head. The older sibling looked around excitedly as his wife looked over at him with a smile. "Yes Ikki. As I've been telling you the last fifteen minutes, we are…finally here." Tenzin said exhaustedly as he stepped down from Oogi, the air bison. Katara would smile as she approached him. "Hello mother. I can't tell you how happy I am to see you. Please, help me." Katara would laugh, taking Meelo from his head. Rein seeing the four would hide behind Korra, not used to seeing the whole airbender family despite them coming down every now and then. "Korra? Rein? Look at you. So big and strong. You've grown into quite the young Avatar. And Rein, you've come such a long way from that young child eating fruits from…what was it called again?"
"Tropius." Rein smiled, answering his question and gaining the attention of Jinora. Nervously he shied away, trying to look as small as he could behind Korra.
"Master Tenzin, I'm so glad you're here. I can't wait to get started." Korra excitedly spoke.
"Yes…Well." Tenzin looked away towards his wife Pema.
"You're going to have to tell her sooner or later." Pema scolded with a sympathetic face.
"Tell me what?" Korra would look at the two, having no clue what was happening. However Katara caught on quickly.
"You aren't staying are you?" She spoke, deeply saddened by this revelation.
"I'm afraid not. We're only visiting for the night. Then I have to return to Republic city."
"But no. You're supposed to move here. You're supposed to teach me." Korra responded shocked and disappointed.
"I'm sorry. But your airbending training will have to wait."
Later that night, a great deal of questions were being asked. Tarmeia had returned to join the group for dinner. "So how long until you're ready to teach me airbending? A week, a month?" Korra asked, trying to get answers.
"It could be much longer."
"I don't understand, why are you making me wait?"
"I have a responsibility to Republic city. I'm one of its leaders and the situation there is very unstable right now."
"But you also have a responsibility to teach me. Believe me I'd be happy to find another airbending master, but you're the only one. We're stuck with each other."
"I wish there were another way."
"Wait. There is. If you can't stay here, we'll go to Republic city with you. It's perfect." Rein coughed and choked on the tea he was drinking when Korra suddenly said 'we'. Somehow he was getting dragged into her plans.
"Absolutely not. The city is far too dangerous. Avatar Aang entasked us with keeping you safe while you mastered the four elements." The white lotus leader interjected.
"And what do you mean we?" Tarmeia also interjected. "Rein isn't going anywhere until he learns proper lightsaber form." Rein looked down dejectedly. His eyes turned to Korra knowingly before nodding his head. The two got up and left the room leaving Tarmeia reaching towards who she considered her padawan. It wasn't until the door shut that she realized she may have been a little too strict with them. "…Tenzin. Are your children this difficult to teach?"
"I'm afraid not. Even Meelo follows my instructions. Rein is…not like you, me, or even them." Tenzin reasoned, understanding her disappointment.
"I've been raised under a code to forebode attachment while being compassionate to others. My race loathes asking for help of any kind…Including myself. We're very race centric and I'm afraid it's showing in my teachings to Rein. I would give this responsibility to Aasha, but she thought it wise for me to have a padawan of my own."
"Rein is still young and has much to learn. He will come around eventually." Unbeknownst to the party, Aasha was listening outside. She sighed understanding it was too soon to push such a responsibility on both Tarmeia and Rein.
The night the next day, Rein walked behind Korra into the stable rubbing his shoulder nervously. She would place the saddle onto Naga's back when a voice spoke up behind them. "Nice night for an escape isn't it." Rein nervously gulped before looking back at Katara, Aasha, and the two Ple's.
"I have to leave. I have to find my own path as the avatar." Katara smiled as she spoke with Korra, giving her words of encouragement. Aasha would take Rein to the side with the two Ple's.
"Master I…" Rein was hushed by the cold touch of Aasha's mechno-arm.
"I know. Your destinies are intertwined. Through her you will find your own. I will speak with Tarmeia so she doesn't worry or track you down…and Rein…I am so sorry I wasn't there to teach you. I felt I had a responsibility to the people of my ship after we crashed, but I also pushed my responsibility to teach you to another who was not ready." Aasha apologized. Her soft blue eyes looked into his bright silver one's. "Between you and me, you do not need the proper lightsaber form. You must find your own way to fight. Your way to stand on your own two feet." She would smile and lean forward, kissing his forehead. "And please take these two along before they bug me to death about going with you." She laughed looking at the two Ple's. Although she made the rank of master, her attachment to the kids she had during her time in the order, and emotions she felt as a Togruta made it difficult to get along with any Jedi…Except for one.
"I will do my best to take care of them." Rein would smile as the two Ple's ran over hugging him tight. "…Master, I can't take all my friends with me. Only these six so…please look after the rest of them." He would show off six finely crafted pokeballs. A cherish ball, two luxury balls, a fast ball, and two master balls. Not long after their talks, Naga dug through the snow letting the group out the otherside. "Please tell me you have a plan to get to Republic city, that doesn't involve swimming." Rein nervously looked at the ocean. His thalassophobia showed after the plunge into the frozen waters years ago. Korra would only smile before leading the way, sneaking them all aboard a ship. The four of them huddled around Naga so they wouldn't be spotted so easily. The Ple's already fast asleep. "Well…Could have worse accommodations."
"Hey…I know how afraid you are of the water. Are you doing okay?" Korra asked him, checking in. Worry spread across her face.
"Korra, I'll be fine…as long as I'm not taking a dip into anything deeper than shoulder height." He squeezed his arms as he took a breath. "It's these two I'm worried about. Cyber newtypes didn't have the prettiest of lives. Lelah especially." As if on cue she began to sweat, panic, and writhe.
"N-No. Don't leave me! Please! It's so dark! Master Glemy!" Rein would squeeze her close, rubbing her back as she went through one of her episodes.
"What happened to her?" Korra asked sympathetically.
"…She…She was shot down in space. She and her sisters. However unlike her sisters, by the time my parents found her, she was running out of oxygen. She had been floating for nearly eight hours in the debris field unable to get a grip on all that happened. Space, the empty void of it, and the betrayal of the man who made her all for a woman who didn't even like him. It all was too much for her. Like how I grew to fear deep waters, she grew to fear space."
"That's horrible. How could someone do that to her?"
"Easily when they go through a number of hypnotic conditionings…Like the Dai Li did in Ba Sing Se when Aang visited. At least that's what Katara told me. However the conditioning they did was far more intrusive. It makes others far more unstable. Either too emotional, emotionally devoid, or a split in personalities that could take over at any minute." He did his best to explain to Korra while comforting the Ple who seemed at peace in his arms. His hand ran through her bright orange locks. "Korra…I never want to do such a thing to anyone…If I lose my way."
"Wow. What brought this along suddenly?" Korra looked at him with a mix of worry and confusion. "If you lose your way? Come on Rein, that'll never happen. And if you do, I'll just beat some sense into that thick skull of yours." She smiled at him reassuringly, making him return the sentiment. "Now come on. We won't be going anywhere tonight. Get some rest." She leaned back against Naga and closed her eyes. Taking the hint, Rein did the same with Lelah on his lap. When morning came and the light shone through one of the portholes into his face, he groaned. "Guys we're here!" Korra excitedly shook them. With a sigh, Rein would finally get up. Knowing Naga couldn't carry all four of them, and his bag of goodies, he pulled out the fast ball. Pressing the button, Cyclizar appeared from the ball. "Aww what's wrong? Don't like sharing a saddle with the girls?" The Ple's giggled in response to Korra's teasing.
"Har har. I think Naga appreciates not having my extra weight on her." He smiled, patting the side of Naga's face. The polar bear dog would lick his face making him sigh. "Besides. Cyclizer here is perfect for such a cramped city." As if proving his point, his Cyclizer began to race out hopping past Naga who chased after them. Right away, Rein saw the many faces of Republic city. He felt like he stood out, like he was different. It wasn't far off because of his tail, and because of Cyclizer which easily outran an average Satomobile at seventy miles an hour. Looking up, he could see a statue of avatar Aang. The statue which held a staff stood atop what looked like a lotus flower of some kind, entirely made of metal. "Wow. Those are some…big shoes you need to fill. R-Right. We're going to the air temple…island." Rein swallowed looking at the island in the middle of the bay. A lot of deep water standing between them and their destination. "P-Please tell me we're using the ferry and not your…Korra?" Looking back, she was long gone with the Ple's. Panic struck him as he realized he was now alone in a city he had never been to. Unfortunately, Cyclizer was not a creature meant for tracking others down.
Taking this moment to search, he led Cyclizer through the narrows in traffic, alleyways, and even streets. The oddly nimble pokemon capable of moving at its usual pace without running someone over. However when leading it through a lineup of satomobiles, one misplaced jump over one led to him seeing a white moped in the middle of the lineup. "Cyclizer stoooooop!" He shouted as loud as he could. Skidding across the road wasn't enough to stop it from bumping into the woman on the moped. The woman in a burgundy and dark red motorcycle jacket took a tumble from the moped. "O-Oh god. I'm so sorry. I tried to stop as fast as I could. Are you okay?" He was beside himself with worry as he reached out to the raven haired woman.
"Thanks, but I'm alright." She would smile kindly, accepting the offered hand and noticing the strange watch of white, gold, and silver on his wrist. The tail around his legs. His kind silver eyes. Then the creature that ran into her. Mesmerized by the unreal nature of all she took in, the first thing that came out in words was, "He's quite fast and almost looks like a motorcycle. You shouted something earlier. Cyclizer was it?" She smiled, rubbing the cheeks of the timid, yet oddly friendly pokemon.
"Y-Yeah. He's a hard worker and relies on body heat to stay warm. Though I do have others like him…Just not with me." He nervously rubbed his shoulder, smiling a little as they talked. That was until the two were rudely interrupted by a car honking at them. "W-We should probably talk somewhere that's not in the middle of the road." She laughed a little at this before dragging her moped up to the sidewalk. Taking a step off Cyclizer, it unfurled its tail, going into basic mode rather than ride mode.
"It looks like its tail and head act like shock absorbers." The woman noted, looking at the rather fascinating pokemon. Noticing a slight shift in his demeanor, she realized something. "Sorry, I didn't even introduce myself. I'm Asami."
"O-Oh. I'm Rein Aurrus. It's a pleasure to meet you, Asami." He brought a hand to his chest as he made only a slight bow. "I'm a little…Very new to the city. By that I mean it's my first time here and I've already seemed to have lost track of my friends."
"Lost on your first day? Did you have a destination in mind?"
"Air Temple island, but that's when I lost them."
"Well the easiest way there would be the ferry terminal. Not many people use it, and usually it's government officials, but I'm sure they'll let you cross if you have business there." She pointed in the direction of the terminal, a smile across her light skin. "I can't help you find your friends, but I'm sure if you're heading the same direction you'll find them eventually."
"Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this helps me." Rein smiled brilliantly at this act of kindness. Cyclizer, seeing his master get ready to leave again, went back to ride mode. Puffing out the wheel-like object from its chest and furling its tail to act like the second wheel. These were its shock absorbers. Hopping onto Cyclizer's back, the pokemon would reorient itself towards the ferry terminal.
"Hey wait. If you wouldn't mind. Would you like to go out to dinner with me sometime?"
"You sure? I…don't exactly have money." Rein nervously pulled one of his pockets.
"It'll be fine. My treat." She put her helmet back on before getting back on the moped. Without another word, they took off in opposite directions.
Elsewhere while Rein was searching for them. Korra and the Ple's 'followed' Naga's nose. The polar bear dog ran up to a kebab stand, tail wagging hungrily. "Naga wait." With a disappointed whimper, Naga sat according to Korra's wishes. Stepping to the side of the cart, she picked up one of the kebabs as the Ple's played with Naga's ears. "We'll take one of everything please."
"That'll be twenty yuan." The grumpy lady replied.
"Uh, I don't have any money." Korra nervously smiled as she gestured. At this comment, the woman's face grew red with rage as she snatched the kebab from her hands.
"Then what good are you to me!" Looking at her empty hands, she sighed and took Naga's reins.
"Come on girl. The city's huge. I'm sure we'll find someplace to rustle up something to eat."
"Sorry Korra." Lelah looked over the side of Naga.
"Aasha taught our community to be self-sufficient. As much as we trade with the southern water tribe, we usually do so in wares rather than money." Elina informed her disappointedly.
"It's not your fault. You two didn't do anything wrong. What about you, Rein? You're usually in the compound and the village. Do you have any…Rein?" Korra looked around, suddenly realizing they lost Rein. "Oh no! We gotta find him! He's probably searching for us right now." Their stomach would then growl making her place a hand on it. "Or…we find food first." She sighed as they began walking. Not too long later, they were in the park. Korra would smile having fished up some of the fish and using her firebending to cook them. Along with two extra's. As she went for a bite, a man with a scruffy bush peeked from the bush, jumping her. This didn't seem to bother the other two who were more focused on food than their surroundings.
"Uh, say. Think I can get one of them tasty smelling fishies?" He waved his arms with a smile that spoke no evil.
"Oh. Uh. Yeah sure." Korra nervously gestured and he didn't hesitate to move in and start munching. "So. Do you live in that bush?"
"Yes. Presently that is what I do call home. Took me a while to procure a bush that beauteous. This park is quite popular with all the vagabonds."
"Weird. I thought Republic city wouldn't have homeless issues." Elina noted which earned a nod from Lelah who wouldn't put down her food in fear of it being stolen. "How many of you are there?" That was until an officer blew a whistle at them.
"Hey you! Stop! You can't fish here!" He ran with a billy club.
"You best skedaddle." The Vagabond would jump into the bush as the three of them hopped on Naga outrunning the officer. Not long after they came across a small crowd.
"Are you tired of living under the tyranny of benders! Then join the Equalists!" A man with a megaphone shouts. Behind him was a large flag with a man in a mask. " For too long the bending elite of this city have forced non-benders to live as lower class citizens! Join Amon and together we'll tear down the bending establishment!" Korra, who heard enough, shouted at him.
"What are you talking about?! Bending is the coolest thing in the world!"
"Oh yeah. Let me guess. You're a bender."
"Yeah, I am."
"Then I bet you'd just love to knock me off this platform with some waterbending, huh?"
"I'm seriously thinking about it."
"This is what's wrong with the city! Benders like this girl only use their power to oppress us!" The people around the man began to cheer in agreement as if what he was saying was true. A smug smile on the guy's face.
"What!? I'm not oppressing anyone!"
"Korra. Let us handle this." Lelah smiled and stepped down from Naga. "We aren't benders. My sister and I come from a community of non-benders in the south pole."
"Yet we live in harmony with benders and not once felt oppressed by their way of life." Elina added. A smile across her lips as she looked among the crowd who began to waver. "In fact it was benders who saved our lives."
"Benders who pulled us out of ice in the south, who helped us build our new home there."
"If you hate benders that is your opinion, but don't try dragging everyone down to your level and try to villainize every bender you come across. That is wrong, selfish, and frankly abhorrent behavior for an adult." Elina scolded. Many of the people here, being adults, looked ashamed of themselves that a youngster like her had to scold them for them to open their eyes. Slowly the crowd began to disperse leaving the man on the stage.
"No. My brothers, come back. This is just a scheme by the bending elite to tear us apart!" He tried to get them back to his side. Elina flipped her hair back as she and Lelah got back on Naga.
"Let's go Korra. The air here is filthy." Korra would smile as she led Naga along. Not too long after they came down the street. Korra, who finally admitted to being lost, stopped to ask a lady for directions. The two Ple's played patty cake atop Naga. Their childish behavior resurfacing after that one serious moment earlier. That was until a satomobile came down the road carrying three punks. Judging from their outfits right away, the Ple's could see one was an Earthbender, a firebender, and the last one was a waterbender. The group of three would walk up, threatening a store owner who offered a phonograph just for it to be destroyed by the firebender.
"My friend here's not a music lover. Give me the money, or else-"
"Or else what hoodlum?" Korra spoke up, the two Ple's remained on Naga's back knowing she's got this. At first they laughed at her, then started to threaten her, then straight up attacked her. The first to go was the water bender who tossed water at her. Taking control of the water, she tossed it back in his face, freezing it. As he stumbled forward, she delivered a high kick to the head, knocking him over against their satomobile, and breaking the ice. Next was the earthbender, who didn't even get the chance before getting launched high into the air hitting EVERYTHING on his way down. The firebender in a panic launched a torrent of flame at her, just for her to come through the flames and grab his wrists, bending them back. She would spin him around before tossing him through the window of a clock shop. The Ple's winced before taking into account the damages Korra was doing. Laughing, Korra stepped up to the broken window. "Got any idea who I am now, chumps?" Before she could receive a reply the water bender drove the satomobile between them picking up his compatriots and trying to make their getaway. "You're not getting away!" Korra would earthbend, tearing up the street and driving the car into a building before it swerved into another shop of some kind.
"K-Korra! We're supposed to catch the bad guys, but you weren't supposed to tear everything up!" Lelah scolded.
"Oops." Korra would look around at the damages she caused and would suddenly hear a police siren. Naga would howl as they all looked up at a police airship. Metalbenders would slide down, using cable launchers attached to their armor. Korra was fascinated, while the Ple's looked more than a little nervous. "Caught the bad guys for you officer." Confident in her good deed, she wasn't prepared for what came next.
"Arrest them." The leader pointed at the triads who would then be wrapped in cables. "Arrest them too."
"What why? They're the bad guy's." That was when she realized the comment on the damages done to the street were about this exact scenario. Wincing as they attempted to arrest her, she began to resist which led to a chase atop of Naga. "Don't worry you two. We'll get through this."
"We can't get arrested!" Lelah shouted at Korra.
"Why not?" She covered her ear that was just shouted into.
"Because…We're armed." Elina whispers before lifting up a pant leg to show a pistol holstered to her calf. "They won't know that these are weapons."
"But if one cop does something stupid, they're dead." Lelah nervously jittered. Korra, who was shocked by this revelation, did her best to keep calm under pressure. However, no matter how fast Naga ran, the airship could get around far easier above the city. Not long after their attempted escape they would be captured and suspended in air by the metalbenders.
Not long after, they were in cells for interrogation. "Let's see. Multiple counts of destruction of private and city property. Not to mention evading arrest. You're in a whole mess of trouble young lady." An older woman with gray hair, a scar on her right cheek and in specialized metal bender police armor slammed a clipboard in front of Korra. Unbeknownst to both, until the officer arrived, Tenzin appeared, alongside Rein who looked like he received the scolding of a lifetime from the elderly airbender. Although Tenzin tried being civil at first, Lin Beifong was not in the mood. "Cut the garbage Tenzin. Why is the avatar in Republic city? I thought you were supposed to be moving down to the south pole." She sternly retorted. "And who are these others that she brought with her?"
"Th-They're my responsibility." Rein raised his hand nervously. "The Ple's are extremely sorry for what happened and I assure you, they are good girls. They would never cause another soul any harm unless it was in self defense. I must ask that you please release them to my custody before Lelah has another PTSD episode." Hearing his pleas, and the remark to a PTSD episode, Lin looked to an officer and nodded her head. Although they were caught in the escape, they were only bystanders in the situation carrying a strange yet dangerous device. "Thank you miss Beifong. I am in your debt." He bowed his head graciously. However this only earned a scoff.
"I only released them because they pose no significance to the case. Nor did they commit any serious crime outside of evading police questioning." Lin retorted, trying to play her role as the stern police chief, and refusing to be seen as a kind spirit to anyone else. Korra knew why he asked for them, but she also knew why he couldn't ask for her, especially with Tenzin right there. While Tenzin spoke with Lin for Korra's release, Rein quickly found the two Ple's, hugging them both as Lelah cried into his shoulder. Elina looked sad as well, prepared to be scolded for bringing a gun to Republic city. She knew that would come later as their things were returned by the metal bending officers.
Some time later, the five of them stood inside the pound to retrieve Naga. All of which, aside from Rein who had already been through this talk, were being scolded by Tenzin. "You blatantly disobeyed my wishes and the orders of the White Lotus. Even master Tarmeia would be furious with you two. However, Rein informed me that you two have been given permission to come here by Aasha, despite my objections." He pointed to the Ple girls.
"Katara also agreed with me that I should come. She said my destiny was in Republic city." Korra smiled, trying to see if her permission as well would help get her to stay.
"Don't bring my mother into this!" Tenzin was angry by this attempt, making Rein and the Ple's wince.
"Look, I can't wait any longer to finish my training. Being cooped up and hidden away from the world isn't helping me become a better avatar. I've seen a lot of Republic city today and it's totally out of whack. I understand now why you need to stay. Republic city does need you, but it needs me too." Tenzin looked ready to retort when the man came out with Naga licking his face.
Upon their arrival to Air Temple island, three white lotus sentries stood by the boat meant to take Korra home. They…weren't alone. Tarmeia also stood there making Rein wince in fear. Upon seeing him, that stern look of hers softened as she walked over. While Korra was quickly ambushed into a hug by the three airbender children who thought she was staying. Rein would look up at Tenzin, a smile on his lips as he nodded, telling him that it was time he did what he felt was right. Tarmeia would walk up to Rein before speaking. "Normally…I'd be furious with you…However, I have learned that I was in the wrong. I was so focused on what my teacher had taught me in the order that I lost sight. I am not her. I am no longer part of the order. Instead of focusing on saber forms, I should be nurturing your talent and helping it grow instead of biting it in the butt."
"Thank you master and…I am sorry for leaving without so much as a word to you." Rein apologized, bowing his head. "I should have been more serious and patient with your teachings. I…I understand how to use the lightsaber forms. But when I use them it feels…wrong. Like I'm not being my true self. At some point I just refused to use them and all I did was hurt you and make you angry." Hearing this brought a sense of pride to Tarmeia. She now knew it wasn't her teaching that was flawed, even though she clearly needed some work herself. As loathed as she was to admit it, she sighed.
"We both have things we need to work on…Now my padawan…Let's start over. Take things slow until you find the form that reflects you and not me." She offered her hand. Her pale gold skin glistened in the low light.
"It would be my pleasure master." Rein would take her hand without second thought. His smile reflected that eagerness to learn that he showed the day they agreed to teach him. Little did everyone know, these issues were only a small bump on the much larger road ahead.