Hey guys, I'm back! :D
Please don't kill me or burn me for disappearing for 3 months, otherwise I won't be able to finish this fanfic properly :c
Enjoy it!
Korra was right, Republic City isn't as peaceful as she thought.
During the previous evening, Yang discovered the first signs of the formation of a revolution by the equalist movement, and today, she will focus her investigation on finding out how the equalists will carry out their plans for equality and then where they get the resources for their clandestine operations.
For the time being, she hopes that the Council will stop ignoring this problem and take action on the matter before it is too late, Korra is just beginning to master her second element and the United Nations military is so spread out in other nations, that it will be relatively easy for the equalist movement to gain control of the city by means of a coup and legally exert their vision of equality on the bender population.
It's also quite possible that they will need international help in the event of a counter-revolution.
- Come closer! Check out Pabu, the fantastic fire ferret! - As she walked down the street, she noticed a boy with a fake moustache and circus clothes, he was doing a street show, where the cute fire ferret crossed a small bridge headfirst and jumped at the end - Thank you ladies and gentlemen! You are very kind!
Yang didn't hear what he said next, but he knew what the boy wanted from people, she usually doesn't carry money, but the owner of the costume did, so she approached him and gave him 3 coins from her pocket.
- Oh, thank you very much, nice lady - The beta boy smiled gratefully and looking at him closely, he looked healthy and his old clothes were in good condition, maybe it was a mistake to give him the coins.
No, she shouldn't think like that, surely it's for a good cause.
- It was nothing, dude – She made a gesture and he understood immediately, perhaps starting this conservation could give her important clues for the investigation.
- Bolin, I'm Bolin, thanks for helping me, Miss ehh... – The airbender was silent for a few seconds, thinking of a false name that wasn't related to her true identity.
- My name is Min – A short and very common name, with those characteristics it wouldn't attract undue attention and Bolin would forget about it when she continued on her path of investigation – It was a pleasure.
- Anyway, I appreciate it, Min, this has been a difficult day - The boy sighed tiredly, looking somewhat sadly at the few yuan in his can - I wish I had more money right now.
- Do you owe money to someone? - She asked curiously sitting next to him, she didn't know everything about the use of money due to her lack of earthly possessions, but she understood some things like debts.
- Yes, I think so, my brother and I need it to continue working - He replied apologetically.
- If you're working, why do you have to pay? Shouldn't your boss give you a salary for your effort? - Yang was confused by what he said, all work was supposed to have its pay and that was the case all over the world, except in her culture, there the pay for work is the joy of the community, in her case, the family.
- No... Wait yes, ehh... it's complicated, let me think – She waited until Bolin dared to speak – Look, where I work, each team must put money into the champions tournament fund, so we have the chance to participate and get the grand prize if we win the championship.
- Awesome! You're a probending player -.
- Of course it is and I love being one! Even though my team doesn't always win, I don't mind, I'm very happy that my brother and I have this job - The screeching of the tires of a satomobile interrupts their conversation and an elegant looking man got out of the vehicle.
- Hey, Bolin, I heard you've become a probending star, not bad at all – The guy lacked the refined and polite speech of elegant people, however, his fine and quality clothing indicated otherwise, he's probably an important member of the triads – Oh, I see you have some nice company.
- It's good to see you again, Shin – Bolin lied through his teeth.
- Listen, I have an offer for you, Zolt the Lightning wants to hire extra manpower for a job – His proposal confirmed her suspicion about him.
- Uh... I'm sorry, Shin, I won't be able to do that job, Mako and I have decided to stay away from the triple threat and I think it's better this way – This Shin showed a slight look of displeasure before returning to his previous confidence.
- Are you seriously going to let Mako boss you around? How old are you? 10? – He pulled a wad of yuan from the lapel of his suit and put it in the can, he is definitely a high-ranking member of the triple threat, and Bolin was surprised by such an amount of money – Anyway, it's a security job, simple and fast. Are you in?
The beta boy nodded regretfully and remained looking at the can with the thousands of yuan, this Shin looks at her and sniffs her, analyzing if she seems useful and by his cheeky smile, he indicates yes.
- You look strong, alpha girl, I'll pay you the same if you join us - He offered her the same job offer, she isn't interested in money at all and her air nomad values were against this, however, she was on a research mission, infiltrating the triple threat seemed like a good shortcut to confirm those rumors of the mysterious vigilantes of the equalist movement patrolling the streets.
- Okay, I'm going with you - She answered confidently, Bolin looked at her worriedly and that guy looked satisfied with what she said, he opened the door of the satomobile and the teenagers sat in some comfortable leather seats.
The earthbender felt like he was making a big mistake, even though he was doing this to help his brother and the airbender considered that the decision would help her in some way in her investigation, although she had a feeling that danger was approaching.
They go straight into the lion's den.
Shin took them to an unknown area of the city, forgotten and neglected by the Council, Yang was saddened to see so much misery in one place while Bolin seemed to be accustomed to this pitiful situation, the satamobile parked on the sidewalk of a building that looked much better than the rest of the sector.
They both cautiously descended into the Triple Threat headquarters, staying close to her new friend the entire time, from the moment they entered the building until they were assigned their roles in security work alongside other teenagers.
- Well, this could have been worse – Bolin murmured with a very strange mix of relief and concern, they had both been tasked with protecting an important warehouse from the triple threat and had spent hours checking it out.
- What did you imagine? – Yang asked in a low voice.
- Something horrible like torture – He answered fearfully, the curiosity to meet her new friend died in an instant and was replaced by guilt.
- Hey, you don't have to tell me – She told him quickly, trying to make Bolin not feel obligated to share bad experiences – If it makes you feel bad...
- It's been years, it doesn't hurt me to think about it anymore, it's like an old wound - Bolin tried to make a little joke, he didn't laugh and neither did she - I had been part of the triad when I was a child and I witnessed... how they tortured a guy, he wasn't an adult and he was punished as such, they said he had betrayed them and they killed him in an atrocious way... In the end, Mako and I had to leave his body on the street.
When he told her that dark memory, Yang was speechless and the guilt grew even more.
- I had many nightmares from that day, I still feel sick from seeing his death and I still regret leaving his body on a dirty street - Bolin's face darkened and he was too different from that jovial boy she had met a few hours ago, the airbender wanted to do something to comfort him.
- Bolin – She called him in a soft tone of voice and took his hand carefully – It wasn't your fault, dude, you were just a child, you hadn't choice.
He was able to say nothing to her before everything fell apart.
The lights went out and chaos settled in the building, they were terrified by the silence that lasted an eternity to die, the screams of terror, the moans of pain and the sounds of the elements clashing alerted them of the danger, Yang took Bolin's hand again and they ran in search of an exit.
Unfortunately they didn't find it in time.
Instead, it was others who found them first, covered from head to toe and showing no sign of mercy, they chased them tirelessly through the halls of the building, Bolin unlocked a door, they entered the room and tried to block the entrance with a closet.
Yang and Bolin were late and they entered violently breaking the door, they surrounded them with a fighting stance unknown to her and began the attack, they were fast, coordinated and fierce, they didn't waste the opportunities to incapacitate them and she didn't allow it to happen, Bolin had no range with his element and they were at a clear disadvantage, so she used her secret card for this occasion.
Her smooth and calm movements became violent and erratic, the air in the room became extremely agitated and in her spontaneous fury she took the two opponents against the wall with a powerful force, her attack was devastating like a storm and silent like a light breeze, the intruders collided and fell unconscious before them.
There, Yang knew she made a grave mistake and Bolin understood what had just happened.
- You're an airbender! – He exclaimed incredulously – You're Avatar Aang's granddaughter!
- Don't say it so loud – ''Min'' complained and took off her hat, showing her arrow on her forehead and several aspects that seemed strange to Bolin about her made sense like her conversation about work and salary, it must be something of a monk – I'm on an undercover mission, no one has to know my identity.
- Oh, that's amazing! Don't worry, Min, I won't tell anyone, not even Mako, I promise – Bolin swore enthusiastically, his new friend not only saved him, but she is a direct descendant of an Avatar, she is such a famous person that under normal circumstances he would never have met her, but she is here with him – What's more, I will help you in your mission.
- By the way, my name isn't Min, I'm Yang – She corrected him with a smile and then frowned in concern – Are you sure? You could get hurt in this.
- And you don't run the same risk? - Bolin questioned her seriously - Maybe you are an airbender and almost no one knows how to fight with your type of control, but you're not invincible, you can end up badly if you go alone into the lion's den.
The girl stood thinking, looking at the guys she defeated, glancing at their masks and strange leather suits. Yang believed that they were somehow related to the equalists. She had read reports of a high number of disappearances of triad members in the last month, and apparently she found the answer to that case, while investigating other news.
After looking at the masks in more detail, she decided to take a bigger risk.
- There's a change of plans – She took the mask off the equalist girl and put it on herself, snatched the other one from the guy and handed it to her friend, who seemed conflicted by the idea – Listen, Bolin, it's okay if you don't want to come with me, I understand, but you need to get out of here without attracting attention and I think this will help you a lot.
He hesitated for a moment, closed his eyes and took the mask with resignation.
- Usually, friends do fun things like walking around the city, listening to a probending game or going to a bar, but infiltrating the equalists... is another level, a completely new and dangerous one - Her friend chattered for a while, he put on the unconscious equalist's suit while Yang turned around and dressed in the new clothes with discomfort, since they're disguising themselves as the guys that were attacking them a few minutes ago, an irony.
- I'm not asking you to help me, Bolin, I'm giving you the chance to escape this place in one piece – She adjusted her suit and was completely ready to leave the room, but her friend stopped her before she opened the door.
- And you are totally wrong if you think I'm going to leave you alone in this, Yang - He affirmed with a certainty that was impossible to question and extended his hand towards her - We are in this mess and we will get out of this together, understood?
- Understood - She sealed that promise with a handshake.
After that, they both looked at the biggest problem lying in the room and asked each other the following:
- What will we do with them? -.
Another risky idea crossed Yang's mind in a matter of seconds and she just smiled.
- Is it necessary? – Even though the mask hid his face, the nomad had a slight notion of what the earthbender felt from his tone of voice so... conflicted by how they carried the equalists on their backs, put their clothes on them, blindfolded them and tied their hands and feet – I mean... they aren't good, but they shouldn't be that bad either... Shouldn't we loosen the rope a little?
- I don't think it's a good idea to do that, Bolin - She answered him with the same clash of ideals, focusing on the objective of the investigation was becoming more difficult every minute due to the actions she is taking to achieve it - Just... think about it if they had captured us, would they be wondering if what they do is good or bad just like us?
There was a heavy silence as she walked down the stairs to meet up with the equalist group and Yang was regretting her tactless words, she didn't have to give Bolin any moral problems right now.
- I... thought not - Was the only thing he said after leaving the building and beginning her plan.
It was a wonder to them that none of the equalists spoke as they loaded the benders into a van, allowing the plan to proceed calmly as if nothing had happened, Yang and Bolin were the last to arrive and placed the non-benders in a comfortable place in the back and closed the hatch when the vehicle started.
There was an altercation on the way, a firebender who was never in the building threw several flames at the van during the escape.
- No, Mako! - Bolin whispered with great concern after seeing how the bikers stopped to face his brother, Yang felt very sorry for him and the violent confrontation that took place, Mako fell before the equalists, they gagged him like the others and put him in the truck, Bolin took his brother and put him near him, although the firebender moved away to a corner and tried to untie himself without much success.
While the earthbender tried to calm his brother down, Yang took it upon herself to close the door and wished that this hadn't happened. She hopes that her disguises last long enough to get the information she needs and get her friend and his brother out of this shit as soon as possible.
However, fate is capricious and she will learn it the hard way.
Something strange is going on at the temple.
Murmurs and wild rumors spread among the younger servants, a kind of silence spreads among the older ones, the White Lotus changed all the guards assigned to the temple and her parents in-law avoid any conversation on the subject at all costs, even Korra and Yang disappeared during the day and appeared very late at night, acting evasive and giving unsatisfactory answers.
With all the evidence on the table, Sakari has no doubt that everyone on the island, except the children, is hiding something from her and no one will stop her from finding out.
She didn't sleep well for the rest of the night, her mind was hyperactive, creating various strategies to achieve her goal efficiently and she prepared herself with what she would need in the operation, she took out her favorite dagger and a bone gauntlet, small and easy to hide weapons, along with other useful tools.
Sakari waited for the morning to arrive with expectation and when she saw the first rays of sun in the sky, it was the beginning of her plan, she grabbed her things and snuck into the part of the temple where the rooms for alphas are in search of her sister, but first she checked one room in particular.
With just a quick glance it was obvious that no one had slept there, the bed was spotless, there wasn't a single footprint on the floor, nor any trace of disorder in the room, Yang didn't come and it is likely that it will take longer for her to show up.
She doesn't know what trouble Korra and Yang are in, but she cannot sit back while this secrecy continues, she will discover this mystery very soon.
- Good morning, Sakari - Korra greeted her with a yawn, the omega blocked her path to the earthbending training and she looked at her strangely - Is something wrong or do you want-
- Do you know where Yang is? - She interrupted her with a simple question, in order to see some gesture that would allow her to get more information than with the words spoken - Because I didn't see her all day yesterday.
- Mmm... I don't know - Her sister scrunched her face when she answered, that's one of her many gestures that she's lying, Korra is a terrible liar, then mischief flashed in her eyes and she smiled mockingly - Why so much interest? Do you want something from her and that's why you're looking for her?
- She's my fiancée, I have to keep an eye on her, don't you think? - Korra tries to distract her with her jokes, but she doesn't fall easily, she took the role of a worried girlfriend to hide her true intentions - Have you seen her or not?
- No, she's probably meditating in the courtyard - Korra lied and tried to keep walking, but she didn't let her leave - Sakari, this isn't funny, step aside and let me through.
- Then stop lying to me - The non-bender claimed, keeping her anger to a minimum - I know something happened here and that they're trying to hide it, but it didn't work, everyone here has an idea of what happened that night, right?
- I don't want to talk about that -.
- No, we'll talk about this - Sakari insisted when her sister remained unable to cooperate with her - All versions of the story come to the same conclusion, there was an attack here wasn't there?
Korra grimaced and said through clenched teeth - It wasn't an attack, it was a robbery -.
- A robbery that put the White Lotus and Master Tenzin on edge, as they have reinforced the island's security and imposed a curfew - So the servants weren't entirely wrong, Sakari obtained an important piece to complete the puzzle - The thief is a prodigy, don't you think?
- What do you say? - Korra murmured, bewildered and almost offended. This is another clue that her sister is more involved in the matter than she first thought.
- I say he deserves the credit, because he mocked the order by stealing from them in front of their faces and I'm sure you're investigating who he really is - She commented to her sister as if she were talking about the weather.
- That guy isn't a prodigy, Sakari, he is a fucking criminal, you shouldn't even care to know about him or flatter him for his crimes - Apparently, Korra took the robbery as something personal.
- Do you care? Did he make fun of you too? - She accepts that she's being ruder than usual with her sister due to the interrogation, but she was getting results - Maybe, that night, you faced him and from your face, I see that it wasn't a good fight and with unfavorable results, that's why you're looking for him in the city with Yang... to get revenge.
- I'm tired of your game, little sis - After telling her that, Korra took her by the arm with some force and looked around carefully and then focused her annoyed eyes on her, dragged her to the room and closed the door - What do you want to know?
- Everything, I want to know everything that's going on here - Sakari demanded answers immediately and held eye contact until her sister sighed reluctantly, a bitterness took over her when she saw her so... exhausted, although that didn't stop her from continuing with the plan - You know how much I hate it when you leave me aside if I can help you.
Silently, she pondered the reasons behind her most recent actions and found them... immature and impulsive, she wasn't acting like the warrior she thought she was, but like a child throwing a tantrum, she feels ashamed of herself.
- I don't want to involve you in this - Korra replied, annoyed by her attitude - No one was supposed to know what happened that night.
- Very late, as you can see, it wasn't like that and I'm part of this, even if you don't want me to - Her acid response didn't help at all and guilt was beginning to torment her, so she relaxed to better formulate her questions - Tell me... What were the things he took?
- The Council's measures against the equalists and my training plan - Her sister answered sharply, she certainly deserved it - Yang is helping me track him down and so far we haven't found any further clues to his whereabouts.
- Do you have any idea who he was working for? -.
- A certainty in itself - Korra grabbed some papers from her desk, which contained the name of various social movements and a list of small notes, but one of them was highlighted in red and several descriptions - We believe that the thief belongs to the equalist movement.
- Have you found proof of that? - Sakari searched for more information on the matter.
- Before the White Lotus changed the guards, we got testimony that one of their companions was an equalist spy, but he was arrested before he got here - Her sister commented about her investigation - The Order wanted to capture this guard's contact, but failed... and so did I.
- So, a spy stole important documents about you and the Republic City Council... Why would a ''non-bending worker movement'' want that secret information? -.
- Because they want radical change - Korra stated grimly - This isn't just publicity, Yang has obtained quite a bit of evidence that they're preparing for a revolution and is researching how their leader Amon's ambitions are going to be carried out.
So the city of the future is more damaged than she originally thought.
How unfortunate.
- What is the Council doing with this problem? -.
- Nothing - That answer made her quite upset, not even the members of the Southern Council show such ineptitude to the threat of the revolutionaries - They ignore it and I'm sure they will pay attention to it once the movement attacks their interests and it is too late to eliminate them.
Sakari was momentarily silent, analyzing the situation with a more complete perspective and came to a conclusion that wasn't favorable for her older sister, she scolded herself once for what she had to do to get to this point.
She shouldn't have pushed her, she had to support her, she had promised her that.
- I have a suspicion that Yang was caught - Considering all the above, it was logical to assume that her fiancée was in danger when she didn't show up last night - And I was planning to look for her after training.
- I'll go with you - The non-bender was quick to offer her help, she knew that her skills would be useful in her sister's rescue plan and she didn't want to disappoint her more than she had done.
- It isn't necessary - Korra replied with a firm tone, still upset - I can do it alone.
- And leave you at the mercy of hundreds of equalists, without any support - Sakari was determined not to let her go like that, she had to redeem her mistake and this is her chance - Don't even think about it, Korra, I'm going with you.
- You're being a nuisance today - Her sister snorted tiredly at her insistence, although the words hurt her, her face didn't show it, she deserved it - I assume you won't let me go if you don't come with me, right?
- You're absolutely right, sister - She stated with total certainty.
- Let's not waste any more time, let's go -.
Korra put on her earthbending clothes and changed her hairstyle. She tried to get her to disguise herself so they wouldn't be noticed, but Sakari rejected the idea, as she didn't show her face to the public or the cameras unlike her older sister and her fiancée that day.
Then, both of them left the island through a secret passage, they reached a little-traveled area of the port and entered the city center without attracting attention, the non-bender didn't ask where they were going and decided to silently follow her sister, who seemed to know the area due to the investigation, they walked through several unknown streets and places until she saw a park in the distance.
- When I was dropped off here the other day, I ran into a very... fanatical equalist protester, if we're going to find a clue to Yang's whereabouts it should be through him - Korra pointed at a man standing on a platform, he was quite enthusiastically proclaiming false promises of equality and freedom that his leader offers to the most naive in the city.
- Get out! Evil benders of Republic City! We want equality! And we want it now! - He exclaimed many of those promises in a matter of minutes, Sakari wanted to sew his mouth shut so he would never speak again, but she had more important things to do with him first - Let's take back our city! It's time for change! Amon calls for action!
Both of them approached the protester and pretended to be interested in the things he was saying for a while until the non-bender got tired of hearing so much nonsense and took a pamphlet with a legend that gave her a crucial clue.
- Excuse me, sir - The old man stopped chattering and immediately paid attention - What is the revelation that is announced here?
- It's a special event that will take place today at 8 p.m. - He answered with great joy, looking like a maniac - I saw that you are interested in our proposals, so I cordially invite you to attend, there will be many young people like you who also want the benders to pay for their crimes, I promise that justice will be done.
What kind of justice? Will they kill benders to achieve their ''equality''?
- Where will the event be? - Korra intervened with a question, curious about the new information and checking the pamphlet that the non-bender picked up - It doesn't give an address here.
He handed them 3 pamphlets and turned them over - Put them together and you'll find your way - Then he went off to continue preaching nonsense and they followed his example.
In a remote part of the park, they saw that each pamphlet had a different illustration on the back that made up the map of the city, they compared it with a more complete version of it and found the place in the middle of the industrial zone.
They got clothes more appropriate for a worker to go to the place, a giant warehouse of one of the many factories in the sector, seeing the people arrive and enter as if they were going to meet at a dinner instead of a revolutionary conference, Sakari had no qualms about doing the same, but she worried about Korra.
She was about to enter a place full of enemies.
It was very likely that her sister had gone through similar situations in the war, however, here it was different, she had no weapons and her only support was her, she had to do her best to make the rescue go well.
- We will do it, sister - Korra promised her sincerely, taking her hands in hers - We will get Yang out of this place, you'll see.
She just nodded and shook hands, determined they headed to the entrance of the winery.
With my life, I curse writer's block and college, fuck you motherfuckers (sorry, I got violent ;c) in a week I have my semester exams and finally, I'll have vacations and I'll update more often, I promise.
I had a lot of trouble with this chapter, the block prevented me from writing for weeks and I watched several series for inspiration and it ''helped'' me (I distracted myself and joined other fandoms), but it was worth it :)
Thank you for reading this chapter and for waiting for it, I know how it feels to wait for an update for a long time and I really didn't want to be that kind of author, I'm going to try to manage my schedule better to have adequate time to write (lately, I get so tired from the U, that I fall asleep in an instant).
I'm going to revive the ig account on vacation, again, thanks for reading :)