Episode 3-Welcome to Republic City
It has been 9 years since that fateful day when Tozan discovered he could airbend. During this period, wherever he was in Republic City he asked Tenzin to teach him about airbending techniques, insisting he was only curious about the culture and to maybe incorporated some of the techniques in his own style of firebending. Tenzin happily obliged and behind closed door Tozan practiced his airbending, becoming quite proficient as the years passed. The voice never spoke to him again but he could still feel its presence inside of him, he reasoned that it took over when he let his rage consume him so to stop that from happening again he also studied meditation techniques at the temple in order to not let his emotions blind him again.
Now he is once again at the South Pole compound training grounds helping a 17 year old Korra put on her armor, though not the little boy from before. Not "little" at all. In his pre-teen years he went through a real growth spurt and now he was almost half a head taller than Tenzin, which was really saying something, with a muscular and yet lean body. His skin was tanned but it was still lighter than South Pole natives. His hair was shaved at the sides and pulled to the back, ending in a short ponytail, a style quite common for South Pole guys. He was wearing a modified version of the traditional White Lotus uniform, a long sleeved black shirt with red patterns, black pants and boots and a belt with the White Lotus symbol.
They were being watched by 3 men wearing the same armor as Korra and 5 other spectators in a small building, 4 of them were White Lotus leaders, one of them wearing red clothes in contrast to the other that were wearing white and blue, and the other was Katara.
"So, any advice before I go out there?" Korra asked.
"You got this, just do what you always do. Stay on the aggressive and don't let them overwhelm you. Also, try not to embarrass me. I was your trainer after all." Tozan said with a playful smile, making Korra relax but also earning him a punch to the shoulder.
"Don't get cocky baby giant. Just observe me while I kick some butt." Korra said, walking to face her opponents.
"When are you gonna stop calling me that!?"
"How about never?" She said, giving Tozan a cheeky smile, which he reciprocated.
She then approached her opponents and they all took fighting positions, waiting for one of the grandmaster to give the signal.
"BEGIN!"
As soon as Korra heard that, she went on the offensive, jumping in the air and kicking two fire blasts at the one on the right. He tried to guard against it but it was futile and he was sent flying and knocked unconscious to the ground. As soon as she lands the remaining two send simultaneous fire streams at her but she was able to dissipate it using a circular hand movement and took a stance again.
One man decides to charge forward and send a series of fireballs towards Korra but she manages to dodge and deflect them all and rush forwards. The same guy jumped in the air and send two fire arcs at her but she managed to roll under and at the same time catch his foot with hers, throwing him off balance and making him roll to the ground. Unfortunately he managed to recuperate and now Korra was sandwiched between him and the other guy.
The bender at the front send a fire stream and the one in the back charged at Korra but she reacted quick and managed to disperse the blast while simultaneously kicking the man behind her. She then countered with a series of blasts of her own, knocking the guy in the front back as well and giving herself some space.
For a while they attacked without pause and she was forced to concentrate on defense but after a while an opening appeared and she took advantag of it by pulling her arms forward and sending a powerful fire wave at the bender, sending him flying to the roof of the building and knocking him out.
"She is strong. Tozan trained her well." Katara commented.
"She lacks restraint." One of the leaders argued.
The one bender that was left decided to throw caution to the wind and charged at Korra, bending at fire stream at her. Korra was not deterred however, she smiled confidently and ran straight into the stream, parting it in the middle and when she was close enough, pushed the man's arms apart, stopping his bending. She then uses his body as a ledger and somersaults into the air, launching a fire arc by sweeping her leg and then, as she was descending, another fire stream. Without hope of defending against the attack the other bender was knocked back and then fell unconscious, smoke rising from his armor.
Korra looked behind her to see Tozan giving her a thumbs-up and threw her hands to the air and wooed in celebration. She then runs to the White Lotus members and notices them looking a little emotionless.
"Why all the doom and gloom people?" She said, removing her helmet and letting her long hair fall down as Tozan approaches them, helping the benders Korra defeated get back up. "We should be celebrating! Three elements down, one to go."
"You are getting ahead of yourself as usual, Korra. We still haven't decided if you passed your firebending test." The firebender member said.
"Ever since you were a little girl, you excelled at the physical side of bending, but completely ignored the spiritual side." One of the leaders added.
As Tozan finally stood beside Korra, she gave a bored look at the mere mention of spiritual stuff.
"I haven't ignored it, it just doesn't come as easy to me. But that's why I should start with Tenzin immediately. He is Mister Spiritual." Korra argued.
"Do you believe she is ready Master Katara?" The one at the end of the line-up asked.
"Yes, if anyone can teach her what she needs to learn is Tenzin."
"What about you Tozan? What are your thoughts?" The firebender leader asked.
"… Honestly, I don't think there is anything else I can teach her. I mean don't get me wrong, she is still not as good at firebending as me." He said, looking at Korra with a smug smile, getting an annoyed look from her and amused smile from Katara. "But she knows all the techniques and as you all say is proficient in using them. I don't see any reasons to not allow her to go to the next stage."
"Very well, Korra. It's time for you to begin your airbending training."
"Yes! Finally!" Korra yelled, jumping and turning in place from the excitement.
Tozan, noticing the dismayed expression some were giving her, lightly bumped Korra with his shoulder. She then realized they were still watching her so embarrassed she cleared her throat and turned serious.
"I mean, thank you for believing in me."
She then start to slowly walk away from the leaders before leaving the training grounds in a full on sprint, a smile on her face. Tozan sighed, already knowing this was how she would react, then respectfully bowed to his elders and followed after the Avatar.
Korra dashed down the stairs towards the stables and opened one of the gates, ready to share the news with her second best friend in the whole world: The polar bear dog Naga.
"Naga, you should have seen it!"
Naga, hearing her name, got up from her napping spot and went to greet her master.
"I kicked some firebender butt and I passed!" She said, cuddling Naga in the head.
Korra then notices a familiar shadow entering the stable.
"And yet not a single word of appreciation was given to the guy that taught you how to kick said butt and pass in the first place." Tozan commented, his arms crossed and his back against the gate.
"Pleeease, I was kicking butt before you could even walk."
"We are the same age Korra."
"Exactly. I was born kicking butt."
Tozan rolls his eyes in response, then got close to Naga and started scratching her neck. Which she seemed to enjoy as she moaned and started waving her tail back and forth.
"I get paid to hang with her, I don't know how you do it Naga."
Hearing that Korra stuck her tongue out to him, making Tozan laugh.
"Seriously though, good job at the test today. You did great."
The sudden honesty made Korra surprised to the point of even blushing a little.
"… Thanks. Your lessons helped. A little bit but they did."
"Wow, I am flattered." He said with sarcasm. "But Korra, this part is gonna be especially hard for you. It won't be like the other elements, so you better be prepared."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Airbending is about being level-headed, going with the flow and in contact with the spiritual side of the world."
"Your point?"
"You are hot-headed and as stubborn and spiritually intuned as a rock."
"Oh yeah!?" Korra pulled her arm back, ready to give Tozan a smacking.
"Hey! Hey! You do realize that hitting me will just prove that I am right don't you?" Tozan said, covering his face with his arms.
"Ugh! You will see! When Tenzin starts teaching me I will be an airbending master in no time at all!"
"Ahaha! Okay, sure. Ah, I just remembered. Mom said she was making seafood stew and grilled fish for lunch. You wanna come?"
"Why do you make it so hard for me to stay mad at you baby giant?"
"You were born kicking butt, I was born being likeable."
Korra playfully punched his shoulder again and they smiled at each other. They then realized Naga had started whining.
"Don't worry girl, of course you can eat too." Tozan assured her.
With her spirits lifted Naga thanked Tozan the only way she knew how: by licking his entire face. An action that cause both him and Korra to laugh.
A few days later, Korra was mounting Naga going to the main gates of the compound. Tozan was behind them carring a rope connected to the saddle and a wooden they arrived, the guard in the watchtower gave Korra a suspicious look.
"Just taking Naga for a strow!" She said.
The guard still looked reluctant to open the gate, which annoyed Korra, but Tozan jumped in.
"Cheng, don't worry! We are not going far and besides I am with them!"
That seemed to convince the guard and he stepped back to use the mechanism that opens the gate. Watching at it opens Tozan puts the board on the ground and steps on it, rolling the rope on his arm so that his grip was more firm.
When the gates were completely open, Tozan gave Korra a nod and she gently kicked Naga's sides making her start running, pulling Tozan along but with him sliding in the snow with the board.
When they put some distance from the compound and started riding on the plains Tozan decided it was time to go up a notch.
"Come on girls! If that's as fast as you can go it'd better if I just went running!" He said.
"Oh, you are gonna get it now! Come on Naga, show him what you got!"
Naga starts picking up speed and when Tozan saw a bump on the path a wide smile appeared in his face. He turned the board in the direction of the bump and used as a platform to jump in the air. He touched the board from behind with his free hand while on the air and stuck the landing by bending his knees to kill the impact.
"YEAH! That's what I am talking about!"
"Show off!"
"Ain't that the pot calling the kettle black!"
They bickered like that with smiles on their faces while riding until twilight when they notice a flying bison heading for the compound.
"That'd be uncle Tenzin."
"Oh, no! We got to get back! Come on girl!" Korra said, directioning Naga back to the compound.
As the bison made his descended towards the compound one could see Tenzin with a little boy with air nomad clothes on his shoulders, gnawing at his head and playing with his ears, his youngest Meelo, and another little girl with same clothes that was just couldn't seem to stop talking, the middle child Ikki.
"Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? It looks like we are there!" She asked the whole way down, not even pausing to take a breath. "I know it, this is very familiar! Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Ooh, please tell me we are here!"
"Yes, Ikki, as I have been telling for the last 15 minutes, we are, finally, here." Tenzin said, relieved, as the bison landed on the ground.
Ikki and another older girl, Jinora, jump from the bison and start riding off its tail with air-scooters. Tenzin got off normally as Katara approached to greet her son, Meelo still on his shoulders and gnawing at his head and Ikki and Jinora pulling up on his sides, with Ikkin jerking his arm.
"Hello, mother. I can't tell how happy I am to see you… Please help me." He pleaded in desperation, making Katara laugh as he bowed to allow her to take Meelo off him.
"Unhand me, strange woman!" Meelo squirmed while trying to get out of his grandmother's arms.
"That is your grandmother Meelo." Tenzin informed.
Meelo didn't seem to care as he put a hand on Katara's head and used it as a pivot to somersault over her, running in the opposite direction.
"It's so good to see all of you." Katara said, seemingly unaffected by the display.
"Gran Gran, I've been reading all about your old adventures. I've been dying to ask you: What happened to Zuko's mom?" Jinora intrigued.
"Well, Jinora, it's an incredible tale-" Before Katara could answer, Ikki jumped in front of her with a barrage of questions of her own.
"Gran Gran, you look old! How old are you? And why is it so cold in the South Pole? Can we make a campfire, and all huddle around it, and tell scary stories, and build snowmen? And then can you make the snowmen move with waterbending and chase us? Wouldn't that be fun? Huh? Wouldn't it?"
While Ikki asked question after question before Katara could answer even one of them, Tenzin's wife, Pema, was trying to slide off the bison's tail. A challenging task considering how big her belly was.
"Pema, let me help you." Tenzin said, taking her hand and helping her walk off the tail. "Careful now. Careful."
"Stop doting on me!" She said, shaking his hand off and putting hers on her belly. "I am not helpless, I'm just pregnant."
She makes it to the ground and Katara gives her a hug and then puts a hand on her stomach.
"The baby is strong. I see another airbender in your future."
That remark seemed to disturb Pema a little.
"All I want is one child like me. A nice non bender who doesn't blast wind in my face every five seconds."
"Mommy look!" As if on cue, they turn to see Meelo covered in snow and then blasting it off with bending. "I am a snowbender!"
As the snows lands on Pema's head she gives a dismayed look at the prospect of another Meelo, before shaking her head to get it off.
"Were Tenzin and his siblings this crazy when they were kids?" Pema pouted.
"Kya and Bumi certainly were, but Tenzin has always been… rather serious."
"Mother please." Tenzin said, a little embarrassed.
They then notice Korra and Tozan running up the stairs.
"Hey uncle Tenzin! Hey aunt Pema!" Tozan waved at them, getting the attention of the airbending kids.
"TOZAN!" They said in unison, running to him and swarming him from all sides, with Meelo even using airbending to boost his jump and land right on his shoulders.
"I climbed mount Tozan!" He said triumphantly.
"You sure did Meelo. How are my favorite little airbenders doing?"
"We have been good but we missed you too." Jinora said with a sweet smile.
"I missed you guys too."
"Tozan, are you coming back with us? If so, are you gonna wear air temple robes this time? By the way, what are you wearing? It's really cool! Do you have one my size? If not, can you make one? Hey, if come back can buy us sweets from the mainland? Can you? Can you?"
"Those are really good questions Ikki, but before I answer let me ask you this: Who wants to bury me in snow!?"
"ME!ME!ME!" Ikki and Meelo answered at the same time, while Jinora just laughed on the side. Tozan then moved away with the kids to let Korra talk to Tenzin without distractions.
"I swear, sometimes I just wished he stayed with us permanently. The kids are so much easier to deal with when he is there." Pema commented.
"Tell me about it." Tenzin sighed then noticed Korra standing close to him. "Korra?"
Korra approaches Tenzin, who puts his hands on her shoulders, sizing her up.
"Look at you. So big and strong. You have grown into quite the avatar." He said, with pride.
"Master Tenzin, I am so glad you are here. I can't wait to get started!"
"Yes, well…" He sighed looking away.
"You are gonna have to tell her sooner or later." Pema said.
"Tell me what?"
"You are not staying are you?" Katara guessed.
"[Sighs] I am afraid not. We are only visiting for the night. Then I have to return to Republic City." Tenzin admitted.
"But… no, you are supposed to move here. You are supposed to teach me." Korra said, with a voice filled with sadness and disappointment.
"I am sorry Korra. Your airbending training is going to have to wait."
Watching this all unfold while playing with the kids was Tozan. He heard everything and was feeling really sad for Korra,she was his best friend and he knew how much she was looking forward to start learning airbending.
Later inside one of the houses in the compound Korra, Tozan, Tenzin and three other White Lotus members were sitting in a table to discuss the situation.
"So how long until you teach me airbending? A week? A month?" Korra asked.
"It could be much longer."
"I don't understand. Why are you making me wait?"
"I have a responsibility to Republic City. I am one of its leaders and the situation is very unstable right now."
"What do you mean unstable?" Tozan butted in. "Is it the equalists?"
"I am afraid so."
"What is an equalist?"
"An anti-bending movement that has been going on Republic City for a few years. The last time I was there I heard they were getting some momentum but didn't realized it had gotten so bad."
"I am afraid it has. It has gotten to the point I am not even letting the kids leave the island anymore. The city might be on the verge of a civil war so I need to be there to stop things from escalating further. The only reason I came here personally was to take Tozan back to the city with me. I need his help now more than ever."
"Republic City is like a second home uncle Tenzin. I would be pretty angry if you didn't take me with you to help fix it."
"Look I get that you have a responsibility to the city but you also have responsibility to teach me. Believe me, I'd be happy to find another airbending master, but you are the only one. We are stuck with each other." Korra protested.
"Korra, that city is my father's legacy. I can't just stand aside while it destroys itself. Trust me, I wish there was another way."
They stayed in silence for a while until Korra's face lighted up, having thought of something.
"Wait, there is! If you can't stay here then I will just go to Republic City with you! It's perfect!"
"Absolutely not!" One of the members yelled, banging his hands on the table. "The city is far too dangerous! Avatar Aang tasked us with keeping you safe while you mastered the four elements."
"I get that, but I don't think keeping me locked up in this compound like a prisoner is what he had in mind!"
"Grandmaster, if I may? She wouldn't be alone, I'd protect her the whole time she was there." Tozan argued.
"I don't need your protection!"
"Shut up stupid! I am trying to convince them to let you go!" Tozan whispered between gritted teeth.
"Ignore what I just said! He'd do a great job protecting me!"
"Tozan, while it's true you are one of our most skilled benders, you can not guarantee Korra's safety in a city on the verge of war. She is still not ready, the risk is too great." The other member said, making Tozan lower his head.
"I know this is difficult to accept but this is not the right time for you to come to the city." Tenzin explained.
"Whatever." Korra said standing up, fed up with the conversation. She then leaves the room, smacking the door on her way out.
A moment later Tozan also stood up to leave but unlike Korra he bowed to his elders in respect and didn't smack the door on the way out. Outside he saw Korra walking off angrily and called to her.
"Korra! Korra!"
"WHAT!" She yelled with an angry tone.
"Look… I get that you are disappointed, but there are thousands of people living in that city and uncle Tenzin is one of the only ones that is keeping from falling into total chaos. You think it'd be fair to them if he dropped everything just so you could learn airbending earlier?"
"… It's just not fair! You get to get out all the time and see the world while I am stuck here! How am I supposed to bring balance to the world if my whole world is just this compound!?" She complained, with tears on her eyes.
"… Okay, tell you what. While I am there I am gonna try to make uncle Tenzin change his mind about letting you train in the city."
"You'd do that?"
"It's not guaranteed, but I can be pretty convincing. I just need you to promise me that you are gonna behave yourself in the meantime."
"Tozan, the fact that we are the same age but you always sound like my dad is very sad. You know that?"
"Korra." He said in a harsh tone.
"Okay, fine. I promise I will behave."
Unbeknown to Tozan however, she was crossing her fingers when she made that promise.
The next morning Tenzin's family was again on the bison waiting for Tozan to get on so they could go back to the city. Kya was also at the compound this time to say goodbye to her son together with Katara.
"I can't believe he is taking you this year again when the city is such a mess."
"Mom, please."
"I know, I know. You are all grown up now, but no matter how tall you get you are always gonna be my little boy." She said, pulling him into a hug. "Just promise you will call to let me know you are okay."
"I will mom. I love you."
"Love you too, sweetie."
They parted from each other and then Tozan hugged Katara goodbye before going up the saddle.
"Bye Gran Gran! Bye aunt Kya!" Ikki waved the two goodbye.
"Hey Tenzin!" Before they left though Kya had one more thing to say to her little brother. "If my son comes back hurt again I will impale you with an ice spear!"
"MOM!"
"I am kidding!" She said in a joking tone but Tenzin could see her silently mouthing to him that she was not, which send shivers down his spine.
"Oogi, yippe yippe!" Tenzin said the command with fear in his voice and the bison flew away.
As they were leaving the pole's border Tozan could see Korra and Naaga on the edge of a cliff and Tozan seeing her had a bad feeling that Korra was gonna do something stupid and when it came Korra those feelings were usually right.
The next day, at Air Temple island, Tenzin had just come back from a council meeting and was received by the nice smell of lunch being cooked by his wife. His children were already at the table waiting to be served.
"It smells delicious Pema." He said, giving her a peck on the cheek while she was putting food on the bowls.
"Thanks. Where is Tozan? Didn't he come back with you?"
"No, he stayed in the city to meet with a special someone."
"You could have warned me! I would have made less food." She said in an irritated tone.
"Sorry." Tenzin responded, still caught by surprises by her mood swings.
"[Sighs] No, it's okay. I should have guessed that he'd want spend some time with his lady friend as soon as he could."
"MOMMY! I AM HUNGRY!" Meloo yelled from behind, startling them.
"Go set the table." She said in a no-nonsense tone.
"[Sighs] Yes dear."
In the city park Tozan was standing near a tree, watching time pass as he waited for the person he was meeting when suddenly a pair of hands covered his eyes.
"Guess who?" Said a woman' voice to his ear.
"The most beautiful woman in Republic City." He responded.
The eyes uncovered his eyes to reveal a raven haired young woman in an black jumpsuit with red lines and luscious red lips.
"Oh, sorry. I thought you were aunt Pema." He joked and the girl threw her arms around his neck while giggling.
"You can be a real jerk sometimes."
"And you love me for it, Asami"
"Yeah. Yeah, I do." She said sweetly and gave him a big kiss on the lips.
After a while they separated and started walking around the park while holding hands.
"Guess what? Daddy finally let me drive the moped around town."
"Really?!" He said, dumbstruck. "Because last time you were driving that thing on the track you almost ran me over, TWICE!"
"I've been practicing. Besides, if memory serves me right I made it up to you didn't I?" She said in a seductively smile.
"Now, that was worth getting hit by a moped. Shoot, it was worth getting hit by a hundred mopeds."
Asami started laughing when she noticed a equalist rally close to when they were staying. The hate filled speech the agitator was giving made her fell very uncomfortable. Tozan, noticing it, put his hand on her shoulder and turned her away.
"Hey, hey. Don't worry about them. It's just the two of us here."
"… I just don't get what goes through the head of these people. Do they really think that if all the benders disappear the world will magically be a better place?"
"I kind of get where they are coming from. The triads have been exploiting the non-bending community for a long time now. When you spend most of your life being tormented by benders, it's kind of hard to see any bender in a good light-" Tozan was interrupted when Asami kissed him again. "What was that for? Not that I am complaining."
"For being so amazing."
"Okay, that is nice to hear. But why exactly?"
"They are literally calling you the source of all that is evil in the world and you still try to see things from their point of view. In my book, that is amazing and deserving of reward."
"I am gonna try being amazing in front of you more often then."
They kept looking at each other's eyes for a while when Tozan noticed a man with shabby clothes sitting near some bushes, it was clear he was homeless. Tozan gestured for Asami to stay there for a while and approached the man, taking some yuans out of his wallet.
"There you go sir." Tozan said offering the money, which the man took.
"Thank you, young man. Ah! This day just keeps getting and better. I have enough money to get myself some fine grub and even got to see a polar bear-dog for the first time!" The man commented, making Tozan stop his steps and turn back to the man.
"Excuse me, sir. Did you say polar bear-dog?"
"Yes, it was the pet of a tourist water tribe girl. Kind of surprising since I thought they couldn't be tamed."
"Hmm, interesting. By any chance did this girl had a high ponytail? Blue eyes? Kind of muscular for a girl?" Tozan asked, hoping to the spirits he was wrong.
"Yes, exactly! Do you know her?" He was not.
"Yeah, she is a friend. Do you perhaps know where she went? It's her first time in the city and I would love to give her a tour." Tozan said, giving a smile that did not match the fury he was feeling on the inside.
"Sure, she was just here. She went that way." He pointed the direction. "Towards the shopping district."
"Thank you sir. Here is some more for bothering you." Tozan said, handing the man some more money and getting back to Asami.
"No, thank you! You are a very nice young man! Have a good day!"
"I was having!" Tozan muttered under his breath.
He walked to Asami, who was curious about what made her boyfriend be in such a bad mood.
"Asami, I am so sorry but something came up and I am gonna have to cut our date short. I promise I will make it up to you."
"It's okay babe. I know your job is important." She said, putting a hand on his cheek. "Can I just ask what happened?"
"Oh, nothing much. I just got to go kill the Avatar."
"…WHAT!?"
In the shopping district Korra was walking the streets with Naga, still completely lost. She then notices a young man and an elder woman in front of a shopand decides to ask for directions.
"Excuse me, I think I am lost. How do I get to Air Temple Island from here?"
"Just head down this street." The old woman answered.
Just then, a red satomobile ornamented with a gold lion turtle head at the front turned on the street of the district, scaring all the shopowners and customers away.
"You should get moving young lady. It's not safe." The old lady warned and hided together with the young man.
The satomobile then pulls up to a stop and three thug looking man came out of it. They approached a phonograph vendor who didn't noticed them due to his attention being on the product he was cleaning.
"Mr. Chung, please tell me you have my money, or else I can't guarantee I can protect your fine establishment." The thug with a hat threatened, having the firebender make a fireball in his hand for extra effect. It worked, the shopkeeper was terrified.
"I am sorry, business has been slow. Here, take one of my phonographs." Mr. Chung offered but they response he got was a flaming kick destroying his machine and making him fall on his butt.
"My friend here is not a music lover. Give me the money or else-" The thug in the hat started but was interrupted by a female voice.
"Or else what, hoodlum?"
The thugs turned to see Korra standing behind them with her hands in her hips. They stared at her for a few seconds but busting in laughter. Korra wondered what was so funny and was answered by a familiar voice on her side.
"Hoodlum Korra, seriously? That is your entrance line?"
It was Korra's turn to be surprised as she looked to her right and saw a very annoyed Tozan with his arms crossed.
"Heeeey, Tozan! Fancy seeing you here." She said with an uncomfortable smile.
"You promised me you wouldn't do anything stupid and you couldn't even keep that promise for one day!?"
"Okay, in my defense you made me promise to behave, there is a difference."
"That being?"
"… I don't know, but there is. And…ugh, I crossed my fingers so … doesn't count?"
"Words can not begin describe how angry I am right now."
"Hey buddy!" The leader called out, tired of being ignored. "Sorry to interrupt, but you and your girlfriend are making a fuss in Triple Thread Triad territory!"
"First of all, not my girlfriend." He said, pointing at Korra. "Second, I am way too pissed to deal with this situation calmly so if I'd recommend you to shut up."
"That's it! We are sending both of you to the hospital!"
"You are the one that is going to the hospital and, for your sake, I hope there is one nearby." Korra said, taking a fighting position.
The one with the hat bended a water jet from his waterskin towards Korra but she took control of it and redirectioned it towards his head and then freezing him on impact. The sudden weight to his head made him fall on his face, breaking the ice and knocking him out. The other guy that seemed to be earthbender tried a move but before he could finish it Korra struck her foot on the ground, bending a platform and sending the guy flying and hitting a lot of things on his way down.
The firebender, seeing his friends being taken out so quickly screamed in panic and send a fire stream towards Tozan but he simply parted the stream while advancing and took the man's hands with his own and force them to his sides. He then lifted the bender so they would be eye to eye, making the guy just now realize how tall he was, gave him a strong headbutt and when the guy was seeing nothing but stars threw him to the ground again.
"Pretty savage baby giant." Korra commented as she approached Tozan.
"You know I am still mad at you right?"
"Maaan, how long are you gonna hold that grudge?"
"It's been less than five minutes!"
In the middle of their banter they heard a roaring sound and moved out of the way as the satomobile, being driven by the other two thugs who woke up, almost hit them. Korra then sprints towards it.
"Korra!NO!NO!NO!" Tozan yelled, already knowing what was gonna happen but it was too late.
Korra earthebends a fissure that goes straight towards the vehicle making it lose control and crash into one of the stores, incapacitating the gang members yet again. The girl had a proud smile on her face with Naga at her side but Tozan was just the opposite, smacking his own forehead, annoyed with the situation.
In that moment they heard sirens and looked up to see a police airship hovering right on top of them. Police officers then jumped out of it, metalbending the cables imbedded in their uniforms to safely land on the ground.
"Cool metalbenders!" Korra exclaimed in admiration while Tozan just groaned in frustration as she still didn't realized the trouble she was in.
As the officers approached, Korra gestured at the car wreck and the two gang members coming out of it.
"We caught the bad guys for you, officer."
"Thanks for letting them know I was involved." Tozan said sarcastically.
"No problem! I mean, I did most of the work but helped a little bit too." Korra didn't seem to notice the sarcasm though.
"Arrest them!" The commanding officer pointed at the thugs and his subordinates launched metal cables that rolled around their bodies and trapped them on the spot. He then approached Tozan and Korra and pointed at them. "You both are under arrest too!"
Korra gasped but Tozan only sighed since couldn't say he was surprised by this turn of events.
"What do you mean we are under arrest? Those are the bad guys over there, they were smashing up a shop."
"From the looks of it you guys smashed up a lot more than that." The officer pointed at the damage caused by the conflict.
"Hey, she did the smashing. All I did was headbutt a guy." Tozan argued, getting an angry look from Korra.
"Doesn't matter who did what! You are both coming with us." The officer said, throwing a cable at Korra which she managed to avoid and then catch it in midair.
"Korra this is a very bad idea, even by your standards!"
"It's not my fault! He won't even let me explain!"
"You can explain yourself at headquarters."
The cop then retracted the cables and advanced at Korra, snapping them again high and then low but Korra managed to back away and avoid them. Before he could press on Naga sideswiped him from behind, making him fall on his face. Korra seized the opportunity to mount Naga and started to flee the scene when she noticed Tozan with his hands up shouting something.
"NOT RESISTING! LOOK! NOT RESIS- " Before he could finish that sentence, Korra took his hand and lifted him up to the place on the saddle behind her. "Why the heck did you do that for! Now we are both fugitives!"
"I am sorry! I didn't think this all the way through!"
"Ah! That is a first!" Tozan commented sarcastically just as a cop rushed at them but Korra kicked him on the face and made him fall on his butt. "Great! Now we can add 'assaulted an officer' to the list of charges."
Naga ran out of the shopping district, losing all the officers except the commanding one that kept following them from the roofs. When they were crossing a bridge, the officer threw a cable that caught on Tozan's ponytail and used it to pull himself towards them.
"AHH! MY HAIR!" Tozan screamed.
"Don't worry! I got this!" Korra assured him and bended a giant wall of ice from the river below the bridge. The cop yelled in a panic before crashing his face on the ice and with him out of commission the cables loosened around Tozan's hair and fell to the ground.
"Sorry officer! I am just as a victim in this situation as you are!" He said as the officer slid down the ice wall.
Naga went up a flight of stairs and landed on a highway bridge, scaring drivers and pedestrians alike. Korra saw more cops following them and then noticed a train that was running under them, getting an idea.
"Korra, don't you dare do it!" Tozan warned, catching on what his friend was thinking.
"Too late!" Korra said, urging Naga forward into a full sprint and jumping off the bridge as the train made a curve and started running right beneath them.
On the landing one of Naga's paws stuck out of the roof of the train for a second but she managed pull it back and stand up, making both Korra and Tozan sigh in relief. Korra then noticed Air Temple Island as they were speeding through the city.
"Air Temple Island is so close! We almost in the clear!"
"You did not just say that out loud!"
"Why? What is the problem?" Korra asked but then noticed the airship hovering right on top of them.
She directed Naga to jump off the train and into one of the nearby roofs but before they could even land dozens of cables shot out of the ship binding Naga, Korra and Tozan and hauling them off.
"This dummy. This is the problem." Tozan commented. Korra didn't even had the energy to counter and just hung her head low in defeat.
Inside the police headquarters Korra and Tozan were sitting in an interrogation room that didn't seem to have any doors, both cuffed to the table.
"9 years of being a model citizen in this city and the first day you get here I end up behind bars. Very impressive Korra."
"Well, at least you never get bored when I am around." Korra joked, trying to lighten the mood. It didn't work.
Suddenly the metal wall in front of them parted into a door and out of it came a middle aged woman with gray hair and police uniform holding a clipboard.
"Hey Lin, you look good today." Tozan complimented but the woman just gave him an icy look. "Shut it, kid. Now, let's see here…" Lin responded curly and started reading from her clipboard while circling around them. "Multiple counts of destruction of private and city property, possession of a rare animal without a license, not to mention resisting arrest, evading arrest, assaulting multiple officers and boarding a train without a ticked." She fineshed listing the offence, slamming the clipboard across the table. "You two are in a whole mess of trouble."
"Hey, just to be clear I had nothing to do with any of that. She just has a tendency of dragging me into her messes."
"Thanks for having my back Tozan!" She said sarcastically. "Some friend you are!"
"Says the girl that got me in jail!"
"I said I was sorry!"
"No you didn't!"
"I was about to! Besides, those thugs were threatening a helpless shopkeeper! You'd have done the exact same-"
"CAN IT, BOTH OF YOU!" Lin yelled. "Whatever the case, you should have called the police and stayed out of the way."
"But I couldn't just sit by and do nothing. It's my job to help people… See, I am the avatar." Korra said, with a little smile.
"Oh, I am well aware of who you are. And your avatar title might impress some people, but not me." Lin said, with some contempt.
"… Fine, then I want to talk to whoever is in charge." Korra demanded and then saw Kozan smack his forehead. "What?"
"You are talking to her, blockhead." Tozan revealed.
"The boy is right. I am Chief Beifong." Lin confirmed and took a seat.
"Wait, Beifong? Lin Beifong? You are Toph's daughter!"
"What of it?"
"Well then, why are you treating me like a criminal? Avatar Aang and your mother were friends. They saved the world together."
"That's ancient history. And it's got diddly-squat to do with the mess you are in right now. You can't just in here and dolt out vigilante justice like you own the place."
In the middle of Lin's ranting a small portion of the wall opened to reveal the face of another policeman.
"Chief, councilman Tenzin is here." He informed.
"[Sighs] Let him in." Lin said in annoyance and a moment later the wall slid aside to form a door, from which Tenzin entered. He did not have a pleasant look.
"Tenzin, sorry… I got a little sidetracked on my way to see you."
"My bad, uncle Tenzin. I tried to get to her before she got into any trouble but she is just drawn to it."
Tenzin took a very deep breath to calm himself before speaking.
"Lin, you are looking radiant as usual."
"Cut the garbage Tenzin. Why is the Avatar in Republic City? I thought you were supposed to be moving down the South Pole to train her. And while I am at it why is your assistant helping her cause mayhem in my city?"
"I wasn't assisting her. If anything I limited the damage she could have caused." Tozan protested.
"SHUT IT!"
"Yes ma'am." Tozan responded meekly.
"My relocation has been delayed. The Avatar, on the other hand, will be heading back to the South Pole immediately, where she will stay put."
"But-"
"You know Tozan well enough to know he wouldn't do this sort of thing but if you would be so kind as to drop the charges against Korra, I will take full responsibility for today's events and cover all the damages."
"[Sighs] Fine." With a wave of her hand the cuffs restraining Tozan and Korra open. "Get her out of my city."
"Always a pleasure Lin. Let's go, Korra." Tenzin said, turning his back and leaving the room.
As Korra as leaving Lon gestured that she would keep an eye on her by pointing her middle and index fingers to her eyes and then back at Korra, a gesture that she mockingly copied. Before leaving Tozan approached.
"I am really sorry for all that happened Ms. Lin. We must have really ruined your day."
"… Ah, don't worry about it. You are a good kid, you just keep questionable company." Lin shrugged.
"Yeah, she can be a little rough around the edges and this was definitely not the best of first impressions but once you get to know her she is not all that bad. She is actually pretty great."
"I am gonna have to take your word for it." Lin said, unconvinced.
"Okay. Sorry again." Tozan bowed and left the room
"Tenzin… Please don't send me back home." Korra pleaded by the reception table where her Tenzin and Tozan were standing
"You blatantly disobeyed my wishes and the orders of the White Lotus."
"Katara agreed with me I should come. She said my destiny is in Republic City."
"DON'T BRING MY MOTHER INTO THIS!"
"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 saw a lot of the 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."
"… She has point." Tozan said, surprising both Tenzin and Korra.
"You are seriously taking her side after everything that happened today?"
"Yeah, it was a disaster. But it just proved that she needs more real world experience. Grandpa Aang was way younger than her when he started exploring the world."
"That was different. My father was thrust into his duties completely unprepared."
"Yes, he was and I understand you don't want the same thing to happen to Korra but what made Aang such a good Avatar was the experiences he got on his journey. How is she supposed to maintain balance in the world when she doesn't know the first thing about it? Doesn't matter how much training she does at the compound, she will never be 100% prepared for her responsibilities as the Avatar, I don't think any Avatar was, but I have faith she will manage pull through. Just like grandpa did."
After that they just stayed in silent for a while as Tenzin contemplated what Tozan had just said, that is until a guard with a displeased look and wet hair styled to side appeared holding Naga's reins.
"Is this your polar bear dog, miss?" He asked and then Naga licked the side of his face, fashioning his hair in upstanding swirl and making him sigh.
As the twilight covered the city, a boat was heading towards Air Temple Island. At the side of the boat Tenzin was looking at the statue of his father, wondering what he would do, and then he looked at the back to see Korra leaning on the railing, watching as the grew farther away, Tozan at her side.
"You okay?" Tozan asked.
"Yeah, I am fine all things considered … Thanks for sticking out for me back there."
"Don't mention. I am sorry it wasn't enough to get you to stay."
"Are you kidding. I am the one that should be apologizing! I got you in jail! So sorry about that!"
"Haha. Yeah, that you did. But you were kind of right, there is never a dull moment with you around." He joked, making Korra giggle. "You know, when I found you had sneaked your way here I was mostly really mad. But there was a part of me that was actually kind of glad. I really miss you when I am here."
"… Thanks, I miss you when you are here too, baby giant." Korra said, with a slight blush on her face.
"Hey, I got you a little going away present." Tozan said, pulling a little paper bag out of his pocket. He handed it to Korra and she found creampuffs inside, her favorite sweet from the ones Tozan brought back from his trips.
"I can't believe you had time to get these. You are the best!" Korra yelled, pulling Tozan into a tight hug
"Yeah. I know I am."
When they got out on the docks at the island three White Lotus members were already standing there next to a ship to take Korra back to the South Pole. Seeing them made her sight in disappointment. Just then then the airbender kids flew down on their gliders to meet her.
"KORRA." Thay said in unison and gave her a hug.
"Are you coming to live with us on the island?" Ikki asked, eyes full of hope
"No, I am sorry Ikki. I have to go home now." She revealed, making Ikki groan sadly.
Tenzin, watching all of that, noticed Tozan giving him a judging look. At that point he had made up his mind.
"Wait!" He yelled, just as Korra and Naga were taking the first steps towards the ship and getting their attention. "I have done my best to guide Republic City towards the dream my father had for it, but you are right. It has fallen out of balance since he passed. I thought I should put off your training in order to uphold his legacy, but you are his leagacy. You may stay and train airbending here with me. Republic City needs its Avatar once again."
Hearing all of that Korra gasped in surprise, unable to contain her excitement.
"Yes! Thank you! You are the best!" She said, pulling him, the kids and Tozan into a tight hug with Naga brushing her head against her back.
The next day at city hall, a large crowd was gathered to witness the introduction of the new Avatar. Tenzin, Lin and Naga were already next to the podium at the entrance, just waiting for Korra. The same peeked from the front entrance and instantly closed the door, feeling nervous all over.
"Wow! That's a LOT of people." She commented.
"What, you are afraid of a couple of reporters? You are Korra of the Southern Water Tribe! You were born kicking butt! You got this!"Tozan said from behind, knowing those were just the words to motivate Korra.
"Yeah, you are right. I got this!" With her confidence boosted Korra opened the door and was greeted with thousands of camera flashes that almost blinded her.
Fortunately Tozan acted as a shield and guarded her until she got to the podium and he then stood next to Tenzin.
"Hello, I am Korra the new Avatar." Just saying her name was enough for the reporters to bombard her with questions.
"Does this mean you moved to the city?" "Were you trying to send a message to the triads yesterday?" "Will you be fighting or the Anti-bending Revolution, or both?" "Is the young man that came with you your boyfriend?"
"Oookay, first: he is not my boyfriend, he is like a personal bodyguard. That is it!" Korra insisted but the way she blushed and how embarrassed she looked made the reporters think there was more to it. "And uh … Yes, I am definitely here to stay but honestly I-I don't exactly have a plan yet. I am still in training, but look, all I know is that Avatar Aang meant for this city to be the center of peace and balance in the world and I believe we can make this dream a reality. I look forward to serving you!" At that declaration the crowd went wild in applause and Korra could see Tozan giving her a discreet thumbs-up, which made her smile even more.
In an undisclosed room in the city, some man wearing leather clothes and full on masks were listening to Korra's speech on the radio. Those were the equalists.
"I am so happy to be here. Thank you, Republic City!-" Korra's voice from the radio got shot down by an equalist member whose mask didn't cover his mouth, a long mustache and kali sticks attached to his back.
"Amon, how do you want to handle this?" He asked to a man in a hood wearing a white mask with a big red circle on the forehead.
"The Avatar has come earlier than we thought. Looks like we will need to accelerate our plans." Amon commented.