It was Monday morning, and Ozai was having breakfast alone. The food he prepared was not the best, but was edible. He decided then to write his first letter back home, and to the North Pole. The information was short and consisted in his arrival, and the contact with the council men.
After finishing his letters, he decided to send them to the post office and then walked to the Police Station. It was already late morning, and the sun was casting its rays stronger and stronger. To Ozai, the sun was a refreshing feeling, maybe because of his mom's side.
He arrived at his destination and entered the building, ready for his first work day. However, he was uncertain if he would get along with Lin just as he wished. She is his godmother's daughter and he thought that they would be at least in friendly terms. Never did he imagined that she would be so against him.
Ozai sighed, walked to Lin's office, and knocked.
Lin was reading some reports and suddenly started to feel a headache when she heard a knock on the door. "Come in," she ordered, waiting for her secretary to arrive and give her more reports, but instead, it was the kid from yesterday.
"What do you want?" asked Lin curtly when she saw him.
Ozai stepped closer, his hands behind his back. "I need access to any information your department has on the Equalists, specifically their movements, hideouts, and known associates."
Lin's eyes narrowed. Over the years, she had dealt with countless problems; some of them were either too difficult for the city's complicated system to handle or too harsh for anyone to step in. The Equalists is one of those rare cases that are both.
"And why should I give you that information?" Lin challenged, her voice cold. "What makes you think you can handle this?"
Ozai didn't flinch, "Because I'm here to help, Chief Beifong. The council wants answers, and they've sent me to get them. If I don't return with the information, I'll have no choice but to report that your department was uncooperative. And that won't reflect well on anyone."
There was a moment of silence. Lin could see the resolve in his eyes; his quiet determination mirrored her own. But she wasn't about to hand over sensitive information to a nobody, or at least not without a fight, even when this nobody had the approval of so many people.
"You think you can come in here, threaten to go to the council, and I'll just hand over classified documents?" Lin's voice was low, almost a growl.
Ozai remained calm, his expression unchanging. "It's not a threat, Chief. It's simply the truth. We're on the same side here. The Equalists are a threat to the entire city, and we need to work together if we're going to stop them."
Lin stared at him, searching his face for any sign of deceit. But all she saw was sincerity, a genuine desire to protect the city. It was rare to find someone so young with such a strong sense of duty. But she knows of people who are good at wearing their masks.
Finally, she sighed, her face still with a frown, "Fine. But don't think for a second that I trust you, Ozai. Because I don't. I'm only doing this because the situation with the Equalists is getting out of hand, and we can't afford to waste time."
Ozai nodded, grateful for the breakthrough. "Thank you, Chief. I won't let you down."
Lin rose from her chair and walked over to a locked filing cabinet in the corner of her office. She produced a key from her belt and unlocked it, pulling out a thick folder filled with documents. She handed it to Ozai, her expression stern.
"This is everything we have on the Equalists," Lin said. "Names, locations, suspected hideouts. But be warned, the information is scary, hance why we haven't done anything."
Ozai accepted the folder, his expression serious. "I understand. And I'll be careful."
As he turned to leave, Lin's voice stopped him. "One more thing, Ozai."
He turned back to face her, curious.
"I doubt you could find something we don't," Lin said, her tone colder than before. "This city doesn't need another hero. But in the weird case you find information…" Lin leaned to the front, "let us know."
Ozai gave a small, respectful bow. "I will do that, Chief Beifong."
With that, he left the office, the heavy folder clutched in his hand. As he walked down the corridor, Ozai couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and responsibility. And once he stepped outside, the bright sun was already at full power. The streets were noisier now, with the usual hustle and bustle of the city.
Once Ozai entered the Beifong house, he placed the thick folder of documents on the desk. He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the task ahead. The folder seemed heavier and bigger than it had when Lin handed it to him, and he knew that whatever lay inside would determine the course of his investigation.
He sat down and opened the folder. The documents inside were a mixture of reports, surveillance photos, and handwritten notes. The first few pages detailed the history of the Equalists, "a radical group that had emerged to disrupt the balance of Republic City with misinformation being handled to the populace."
Ozai skimmed through history, eager to learn everything and learn about more recent developments. He was looking for something specific, maybe something that would give him a lead on their current activities. As he flipped through the pages, he began to notice a pattern. The information seemed… old. The reports were dated months ago, the photos showed faces that later in the report show as arrests, and the notes detailed plans that had already been thwarted.
His brow furrowed in confusion as he continued to sift through the papers. Where were the current intel, the fresh leads, and the updated locations of the hideouts?
After an hour of reading, Ozai leaned back in his chair, frustration gnawing at him. It was becoming increasingly clear that Lin had given him outdated information. Documents that were no longer relevant to the current situation.
Ozai couldn't believe it. He had come to her for help, trusting that she would provide him with what he needed, but instead, she had handed him a dead end.
He stared at the documents spread out before him, his mind racing. 'Why would Lin do this? Was it a test? A way to see if he could figure out what was truly useful on his own? Or was it a deliberate attempt to hinder his investigation, to keep him out of her way?' Ozai thought.
The idea stung. He had been nothing but respectful, trying to work with her. But now he felt like he was someone unworthy of the actual information.
Ozai closed the folder and pushed it aside. He needed to think. If the information was outdated, then it was up to him to find the real intel.
'¿But where should I start? Lin's department was the main source of intelligence on the Equalists, and if they weren't willing to share it,' "I would have to find another way," said Ozai.
He considered his options. Perhaps the easiest and simplest way was the best, walk through the city and see if he could see something. Or maybe he could go back to Lin, confront her about the outdated documents, and demand the current information.
The last idea didn't sit well with him. He didn't want to burn bridges. Besides, if Lin had given him outdated information on purpose, confronting her would likely only make things worse, and perhaps that is why she wants to throw him out of the case.
No, he had to be smarter about this. He had to prove that he could handle the situation on his own without relying on anyone else. Only then would he earn Lin's respect and perhaps gain access to the information he truly needed.
Ozai stood up from his chair, pacing the small room as he formulated a plan. He would start by carefully reviewing the outdated intel and identifying any patterns or leads that might still be relevant. Then, he would follow those leads on his own, using his instincts and the skills he had developed over the years to uncover the current activities of the Equalists. He knew It would be difficult. But Ozai was no stranger to challenges.
When he sat down to write, his stomach demanded his attention with a loud growl. He then paused everything and started to cook for himself.
Once he had eaten, not with the amount or the flavor he would like, but it was the best he could do. Then, the next thing he did was to walk to the different places where he thought it was most likely that the Equalists would show up. But his mind came blank, maybe the main park, which was told to be where most of the citizens were.
He walked for a while until he arrived at Republic City Park. He walked around for a while without finding anything of importance. After a while, he took a seat on a bench near a bulletin board where various notices and job pamphlets were posted. People came and went, some stopping to read the notices, others simply passing by.
After a while, his attention went to the bulletin boards. He stood up and walked over, examining the different flyers pinned to the wooden boards. There were announcements for community events, lost and found notices, and, most prominently, job advertisements.
As Ozai read through the job postings, a troubling pattern began to emerge. Most well-paying jobs required bending abilities, earthbenders for construction, waterbenders for specialized medical roles, and firebenders for energy generation. These jobs offered good salaries, and no prior experience or education was required. The message was clear: if you were a bender, opportunities abounded.
In contrast, the jobs offered to non-benders were scarce and low-paid. They involved menial tasks, such as street cleaning or manual labor, with barely enough pay to survive. The disparity was so obvious that it was exactly the kind of inequality that fueled the Equalists' cause. This unfair system valued benders over non-benders, giving them advantages simply because of their abilities.
As he continued to scan the postings, one pamphlet caught his eye. It was a job advertisement seeking firebenders for a specialized energy project. The flyer read:
"FIREBENDERS NEEDED! Looking for skilled firebenders for energy generation. Experience with lightning generation is preferred but not required. If you don't know the technique, we'll teach you! High pay and benefits. Apply at Republic City power plant."
Ozai stared at the pamphlet, a deep frown forming on his face. Lightning generation was a rare and dangerous technique that had traditionally been taught only to the most elite firebenders, particularly those of the Fire Nation royal family. His mother, Azula, had often spoken of it with reverence, emphasizing how it was not a skill to be taken lightly, a skill that had been prostituted by the bad management of her brother Zuko and the low esteem the Avatar and their friends had for that ability.
The idea that this powerful technique was being offered as just another job skill to be taught to anyone willing to learn felt wrong. It cheapened the art, turning something sacred into a commodity. Ozai's thoughts drifted to his mother, imagining how angered she would be if she saw that pamphlet. She had always been proud of her heritage and the discipline required to master firebending, especially a technique as advanced as lightning generation.
Even though he wasn't a bender, Ozai felt deeply connected to his mother's teachings. She had instilled in him a strong sense of respect for the elements and the bending traditions, even though he couldn't practice them himself. The fact that lightning generation was being used so casually as a mere tool for profit troubled him.
After pocketing the pamphlet, Ozai continued walking through the park, thinking about the disparity between benders and non-benders. The issue wasn't new to him in the paper, but in Tu Zin, where academics have more value, the difference between benders and non-benders was almost nonexistent. And seeing it laid out so blatantly in the job postings had made it painfully clear just how deep the divide ran in Republic City.
He moved through the park, hoping to catch sight of anything unusual, something that might give him a lead on the Equalists. But nothing stood out. The people were going about their usual routines, unaware of the undercurrents of tension that Ozai sensed everywhere.
Eventually, he decided it was time to head home. The day had been long, and his mind was already racing with ideas about how to proceed with his investigation. He would need rest before he could think clearly and make any decisions.
As he left the park and began walking down the main road that led to his apartment, he noticed a group of people moving purposefully in the same direction. Something about their behavior caught Ozai's attention. It was unusual to see such a large group moving together, especially in the late afternoon when most people were either heading home or finishing up their day's work.
His curiosity piqued, and Ozai decided to follow the group from a distance, blending in with the crowds as they made their way through the city. The streets grew narrower and more congested as they neared the center of Republic City, and Ozai could feel the atmosphere changing. The buzz of people talking grew stronger with each step.
The group finally came to a stop in front of the City Council. As Ozai approached, he saw that a crowd had already gathered outside the building, their attention focused on a platform set up at the top of the stairs. The atmosphere was charged when Ozai saw people coming out from the City Council approaching the platform.
At the forefront was a young woman with a powerful presence, her dark hair pulled back and her posture commanding. Behind her stood two familiar faces: Lin Beifong, the stern Chief of Police, the calm Master Tenzin, and between the young woman and the Chief of Police was… a polar bear-dog?
The woman at the front approached the microphone that had been set up at the center of the platform. The crowd fell silent, all eyes fixed on her as she prepared to speak. There was a palpable sense of anticipation, as if everyone could feel that something monumental was about to be revealed.
Ozai noticed that the girl started to sweat, probably out of nervousness. The young woman took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over the crowd before she spoke into the microphone, her voice steady and confident.
"Hello," she began, her voice carrying across the square. "My name is Korra, and I am the new Avatar."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by cheers and applause. The announcement sent a wave of energy through the square, and Ozai could see the excitement around. The Avatar, the bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, the one destined to maintain balance, had returned. And she was standing right in front of them.
Korra paused, allowing the cheers to die down before she continued. The crowd's reaction had confirmed what Ozai had suspected: most people hadn't known about her yet. Her announcement had surprised them, and now they were eager to hear more.
The reporters gathered at the front of the crowd began to shout questions, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of inquiries. They were hungry for information, eager to understand what this meant for Republic City.
"Avatar Korra, Does this mean you've moved to Republic City?"
"Were you trying to send a message to the Triads yesterday?"
"Will you be fighting crime or the Anti-bending Revolution, or both?"
"Will you be working with Chief Beifong and the police?"
Korra was confused by the round of questions. She then leaned to the microphone to make sure that she was heard, "Uh ... yes, I am definitely here to stay, but honestly, I - I don't exactly have a plan yet." She said and then sighed, still nervous, "See, I'm still in training, but, look, all I know is... Avatar Aang meant for this city to be the center of peace and balance in the world, and I believe we can make his dream a reality. I look forward to serving you!"
Her words were met with another round of applause, though this time it was wilder. Ozai could see that Korra was trying to assert herself as a friendly and one of the citizens. Someone who could be trusted to guide them through the challenges ahead.
Behind Korra, Lin stood with her arms behind, her expression as stoic as ever, while Master Tenzin remained calm, his presence radiating a quiet authority.
Ozai sighed and walked out of the place, finally returning home to find something to eat before sleeping.
The following morning, Ozai found himself once again standing in front of the Police Station. The previous day's problems were still on his mind and fueled his determination. He needed more information, and he was determined to get it.
As he entered the building, the hustle of police officers moving about their daily tasks filled the place with their noises. Ozai went to the front desk, where Lin Beifong's secretary was stationed.
"I'm here to see Chief Beifong," Ozai said, maintaining a respectful tone.
The secretary shook her head. "The Chief isn't available today. She has other matters to attend to."
Ozai felt disappointed, letting his arms fall and with his mouth open. He recovered and asked, "Can you tell me when she might be available?"
"I'm not at liberty to say," she replied, her tone final.
Ozai scratched his head, as it was clear that pressing the issue would get him nowhere. Instead of leaving, He decided to take a different approach. He offered a polite nod to the secretary and left from the desk, making his way deeper into the station. He knew that Lin had a tight grip on her officers, but he was someone new, someone who looked normal, like any other citizen.
Ozai wandered through the hallways, observing the officers as they went about their work. He looked at the officers engrossed in their tasks. Then he decided to take a chance and approached a group of younger officers who were gathered around a table in the break room, chatting animatedly with some hot beverage.
As he walked up, they looked at him with mild curiosity. Ozai put on his best casual demeanor, hoping to appear as another concerned citizen.
"Hey there," he began, offering a friendly smile. "I couldn't help but overhear you guys talking about the Equalists. Mind if I join in?"
One of the officers, a tall man, glanced at his colleagues before shrugging. "Sure, why not? We were just swapping stories."
Ozai took a seat at the table, leaning in slightly to show his interest. "I've heard a lot about the Equalists lately, it seems like they're causing quite troublesome. What's been going on with them?"
The officers exchanged glances, clearly not seeing him as a threat. They didn't recognize him as an investigator. To them, he was just an ordinary citizen curious about the group that had been making headlines.
"Yeah, they've been pretty active," a tall officer said, leaning back in his chair. "A lot of small-time stuff, mostly. They're not exactly organized, but they've been getting better. You know, hitting places where benders work, messing with the city's infrastructure. But on the plus side, they are also attacking the triads."
Another officer, a woman with short hair, nodded in agreement. "Just last week, they sabotaged a power station in the outskirts. Took out the power for half the district for a couple of hours. It wasn't anything major, but it caused a lot of panic."
"Yeah," added a third officer, a younger man who seemed eager to contribute. "And there was that raid on the factory where they've been training young firebenders. They didn't do much damage, but they left several students with multiple injuries."
Ozai listened intently, getting all the information. While none of it was particularly sensitive or new, it painted a clearer picture of the Equalists' recent activities. They were clearly trying to send a message, targeting locations that symbolized the power imbalance between benders and non-benders. These attacks, though small in scale, were calculated to sow fear and unrest.
"Sounds like they're really making their presence known," Ozai said, his tone thoughtful. "But what's the police doing about it? I mean, I know they're not an easy group to deal with."
The tall officer let out a sigh, shaking his head. "It's tough. They're slippery, never in one place for long, and with their fast Sato-mobiles... The Chief's been working hard to track them down, but they keep finding ways to slip through our fingers. They've got sympathizers all over the city, too. Makes it hard to get reliable intel."
"They're not just a bunch of angry non-benders, either," the woman added. "They know what they're doing. It's like they've been planning this for a long time. I just hope that it all is going better now that the Avatar is in the city."
"That or it will go all worse," added the young officer. "They may get scared and try to do something even worse."
The tall officer shook his head, "please don't jinx it."
Ozai filed that information away, his mind racing with possibilities. The Equalists were more than just a loose group of rebels. They had strategy, purpose, and perhaps even outside support. This wasn't just a passing movement but a serious threat requiring careful attention.
"Thanks for sharing," Ozai said, giving the officers a grateful nod. "It's good to know what's going on. Hopefully, the police can put an end to all this before it gets any worse."
The officers nodded in agreement, their expressions reflecting a mix of weariness and determination. They were clearly invested in their work, but the challenges they faced were daunting.
As Ozai stood up to leave, the sandy-haired officer gave him a friendly pat on the back. "Stay safe out there. And if you hear anything, let us know. We could use all the help we can get."
Ozai smiled and gave a quick wave as he walked away. While he hadn't learned anything groundbreaking, if he is able to get the conversations all together, it may say something.
As he exited the police station and made his way back into the bustling streets of Republic City, Ozai's mind was already racing with possible things that could connect everything together.
On his way back, he walked close to the commercial district, and something caught his interest, a radio and a phone. Ozai got closer to the stores and ended up buying both at a small discount, as the goods were slightly damaged due to an attack not long ago.
Once he was back home, he put the phone on one side as he would need to go to the city council again to ask for the service. He then connected the radio and started to change the stations without anything special. He continued changing the stations until he heard a song. He smiled and then grabbed a piece of paper and started to write everything he remembered from his conversation with the police officers.
After re-reading the information, he picked up the first report, which was dated just two months ago. Ozai turned to the transcript of his conversation between the three police officers discussing the latest incidents. They spoke of how the Equalists had evolved since their last encounter, becoming bolder in their attacks to the power stations and the firebender's training, which shows that they are getting more organized. Their attacks now seemed to have a strategic purpose, aimed not just at causing chaos.
As he read further, Ozai began to feel a sense of despair creeping over him. There were no clear leads and no obvious connections between the different pieces of evidence. He tried to piece together the puzzle, but it felt like he was constantly chasing shadows.
He sighted with some desperation and just sat in his chair. The music of the radio still sounded around the house. After the end of the current, a commercial appeared to promote the Pro-bending match tonight at the Arena.
"Calling all fans of pro-bending!" started the commercial. "Are you ready for some thrilling action? Don't miss out on the excitement as we kick off the Pro-Bending Tournament with its preliminary rounds at the Republic City Arena! Witness the fierce competition between teams from every nation, each battling for the chance to enter the main tournament. Join us tonight and experience the power of the elements as our talented benders battle it out on the arena floor. Tickets are selling fast, so grab yours now and be there to witness history in the making. See you at the Republic City Arena!"
Pro-bending wasn't something that had ever appealed to Ozai. In his eyes, it was a mockery of true combat. The idea of bending being used for sport rather than as a serious art form was almost offensive to him. His mother's teaching lingered in his head as she would think of it as if the sacred traditions of bending were turned into mere entertainment, reducing the elements to tools of amusement rather than expressions of power and skill.
But, despite his disdain, Ozai knew that the Pro-Bending Arena was the perfect place to gather information. It was where benders were celebrated, admired, and even idolized, a stark contrast to the growing unrest among non-benders. If the Equalists were going to target a public venue, the Arena was a likely candidate. A protest, a disruption, or even just the murmur of dissent could provide him with the leads he needed.
With his mind already made up, he took his belongings, grabbed his wallet, and left the house to can go and to the Arena. As he approached the ticket booth, Ozai joined the line of eager fans. The people around him were buzzing with anticipation, talking animatedly about the upcoming matches, debating which teams would come out on top. He could hear snippets of conversations about the previous night's matches, the skill of various players, and predictions about tonight's outcome.
When it was his turn, Ozai stepped up to the booth and purchased a ticket, the vendor handing it over with a bright smile. "You're in for a great show tonight!" she said enthusiastically. "The Platypus Bears are up against some newbies. It will be a massacre!"
Ozai nodded politely, though he couldn't muster the same enthusiasm. He wondered what she meant by massacre. Surely it was not in the literal sense. If it was, then his parents would love to see the sport, something they don't.
He took the ticket and made his way inside, following the throngs of people up the stairs and into the seating area. The Arena was as big as the Arena in Tu Zin, with rows upon rows of seats circling the central ring where the matches would take place. The only difference was that the Arena had a ceiling.
Ozai found his seat and settled in, his eyes scanning the Arena. He wasn't here to enjoy the show; he was here to observe. His gaze drifted over the crowd, searching for any signs of unrest or unusual activity. If the Equalists were going to make a move, they would want to do it in a place like this, where the city's pro-bending heroes were most adored.
As the minutes passed, the Arena continued to fill, the noise level rising with each new group that entered. The crowd's energy was infectious, and despite himself, Ozai couldn't help but turn to see the matches happening, sometimes cringing at the bad postures and weak attacks, especially the fire benders' attacks. But he quickly pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the task at hand. He was here to investigate, not to be entertained.
Eventually, Ozai realized that the Equalists would not do anything in the place, so he decided to at least see the show, as he already spent his money on it.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are getting to the next match of the evening!"
The crowd roared in response, and Ozai could feel the excitement ripple through the stands like a wave. The announcer's voice was enthusiastic as he continued, hyping up the crowd for the evening's events.
"The Fire Ferrets versus The Platypus Bears!"
The Arena exploded with cheers and applause as the spotlight focused on the tunnel where the players would enter. The crowd's reaction was deafening, the name of the Fire Ferrets echoing off the walls.
"Looks like the Fire Ferrets have ferreted out a last-minute replacement waterbender. Let's see if she's another diamond in the rough like the brothers from the school of hard knocks!"
Ozai watched as the players emerged, each one exuding confidence and determination.
As the Fire Ferrets took their place on the platform, Ozai couldn't help but feel a pang of curiosity. He had dismissed pro-bending as a mockery of real combat, but there was no denying the skill and dedication these players possessed. Perhaps there was more to this sport than he had initially thought.
But his focus remained on the crowd. The Fire Ferrets attacked their opponents with a foul as the match began. The people reacted to that, but Ozai continued to scan the stands, watching for anything out of the ordinary. The night was still young, and if the Equalists had plans to make their presence known, this would be the perfect moment.