Bolin stepped into the training arena, ready to train for the upcoming Pro Bending Tournament. As he made his way through the training zone at the back of the arena, he noticed Korra and Mako already deep in practice.

"Hey, Guys!" Bolin said without missing a beat. "Sorry for coming late."

Just as Bolin approached them, he heard Mako call out, "Whoa, who's this?" Korra spun around, her eyes widening in surprise as she took in the sight of a young boy standing beside Bolin. He was dressed in a red gi and wearing a long black shirt under it. The boy had a mop of black hair sticking up every which way.

Bolin laughed nervously, glancing down at the boy who seemed oblivious to the commotion. "Oh, him?" he said, trying to keep his voice casual. "This is Ozai's little brother, Sozin."

Korra walked over to get a closer look. "Sozin?" she repeated, her tone laced with confusion. "Like... Sozin from the war?" She snorted, "they named their kids after the fire lords from the war?" she muttered sarcastically while approaching the kid.

Bolin cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well, I guess his parents are history buffs or something." He paused, scratching his head. "Anyway, Ozai's away right now, so I'm just taking care of him. I mean, I wasn't going to let him alone."

Mako raised an eyebrow. "And you think bringing an eight-year-old to bending practice is a good idea?" He asked skeptically.

Bolin shrugged. "He is a firebender. If I remember correctly, he may learn something by watching us..." He trailed off as Korra was already petting Sozin's head.

"You really are adorable," Korra said, and Sozin moved her hand away.

"I am not adorable!" said Sozin, which only made Korra smile wider.

Mako facepalmed. "Let's start the training."

Korra nodded and guided Sozin to the side of the training arena so he could see them training. "Why don't you sit here and watch?" Sozin nodded and sat down.

As they started practicing, Korra glanced over at Sozin often, catching him distracted, as if he was getting bored with his movements, something that upset Korra for a reason.

After a few minutes, Korra turned to Sozin again. "So, do you enjoy watching?" she asked.

Sozin looked up at her with a drowsy face. "Not really," he replied. "My mom says Pro-bending is a fake sport that makes fun of real bending abilities."

Korra's mouth opened in surprise. "What?! You can't be serious! Is your mom friends with Tenzin!"

Bolin put a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down, Korra," he said gently. "He is just a kid. Let's continue."

Meanwhile, Asami Sato strolled into the training area wearing a black coat and dark red boots. "Hi, Mako," she called out cheerily. "How's training going?"

Mako waved her over. "We are just starting. Why don't you go and watch over there with Ozai's little brother, Sozin."

Asami approached Sozin, and a big smile crossed appeared on her face. "Hello, Sozin," she said sweetly while patting Sozin's head. "Are you enjoying the show?"

Sozin shrank back slightly, clearly uncomfortable with strangers touching his head. "No really," he grumbled.

But Asami didn't seem bothered. "Aw, come on, you must find this fascinating," she cooed. "Look how strong and powerful they are."

Sozin shrugged, "I would be able to defeat them. And they are no match for my older brother."

Asami then turned to Korra. "Isn't he just precious?" she said. "He looks like the hero of Tu-Zin, isn't he?"

"You mean Goku?" asked Korra, looking at Sozin and forgetting about the thing of not liking pro-bending. "Now that you mentioned it, he does."

Bolin looked at Korra and Asami, "Who's Goku, and Why is he a hero from Tu-Zin?"

"You don't know the history of Tu-Zin?" asked Korra, as if it was the most basic of the world.

"We lived on the streets, remember? We did not have any education on history, but the most basic thing." Mako said abruptly, defending his brother.

"Sorry, I did not mean to offend you," Korra said sheepishly.

"The heroes of Tu-Zin," started Asami to stop more bickering. "Were the younger siblings of Fire Lord Zuko, Azula, and Goku. They founded the Tu-Zin country after the war ended and let Fire Lord Zuko take the country without their interference as they were still loyal to their father."

"A few years after the end of the war, a spirit appeared and destroyed the Chin village. That spirit then moved and attacked Tu-Zin. Even when they were enemies in the war, the Avatar Aang and the twins joined forces to stop the spirit once and for all and protect the world from the spirit. To do that, the fire twins gave their life. People say that after that, the Fire Nation and the other nations recognized Tu-Zin as an independent Nation."

"Whoa!" exclaimed Bolin, amazed by the tale.

Asami chuckled and then turned to rub Sozin's hair, "Maybe you are related to him."

Suddenly, an idea came to Bolin's mind. "Hey, Sozin, you said you already know how to fire bend, right?"

Sozin nodded.

"Great!" said Bolin. "What if you help us with our training? We need one more bender to have a two versus two battle."

Sozin shrugged and walked to him.

"Hey, Bolin!" Mako called. "What are you doing? We could hurt him in the training."

"Come on, Mako. This can help us to be more precise when fighting." Bolin argued, then turned to Korra. "And, he may start liking Pro-Bending after he experiences it."

Korra crossed her arms and grinned at Sozin. "Alright, little guy. Let's see what you've got. You up for a real match?"

Mako frowned. "Korra, are you serious? He's just a kid. We could hurt him, or worse—"

Bolin clapped Mako on the back. "Relax, bro! It's just a mock battle. We'll go easy on him."

Korra nodded in agreement. "Besides, you and I will team up. It'll be two-on-two. No one's getting hurt under Pro-Bending rules."

Mako groaned. "I think this is a bad idea, but you're not going to listen to me, are you?"

"Nope," Korra said with a grin. She turned to Bolin. "Care to explain the little one the rules?"

"Of course!" Bolin said, raising a hand as if swearing an oath.

The group moved onto the arena platform, Asami taking a seat on the sidelines. She crossed her legs and waved a hand at the competitors. "I'll keep score, so make it a good match."

As Bolin walked Sozin to their starting zone, he crouched down to meet the younger boy's gaze. "Alright, buddy, here's how this works. Pro-bending is not like regular fighting. There are rules."

Sozin tilted his head.

"First," Bolin began, holding up a finger, "your fire blasts can't last longer than a second. No flamethrowers or crazy stuff like that."

"Second," Bolin continued, "no aiming at the head. That's super illegal, so keep your fire aimed at their chest or legs."

"Third, and this one's important: no lightning generation, even if you can do it. And no combustionbending, obviously."

Sozin's eyes lit up. "What's combustionbending?"

Bolin laughed nervously. "Uh, never mind that. Just follow those rules, okay?"

"Got it," Sozin said with a nod. "Fast blasts, no headshots, no lightning. Easy."

"Good!" Bolin said, ruffling the boy's hair before straightening up. "Now, let's have some fun."

Back on the other side of the arena, Korra rolled her shoulders and cracked her knuckles. "Alright, Mako, let's show these guys why we're the best team in Republic City."

Mako sighed. "If he gets hurt, this is your fault."

"Noted," Korra replied with a grin. She turned toward Asami. "We're ready!"

Asami raised a whistle to her lips and blew, the sharp sound echoing through the arena.

Korra immediately went on the offensive, pulling a stream of water from the dispenser and sending it spiraling toward Sozin. The boy's eyes widened, but he reacted quickly, bouncing to the side with surprising agility. He landed smoothly, twisting to fire a quick blast at Mako.

Mako blocked it with a precise fire shield, glaring at Bolin. "This was your idea."

Bolin shrugged, raising a disk rock and launching it at Korra. She deflected it with a whip of water, sending a spray of droplets across the platform.

"Nice try!" Korra called, sending a second stream toward Bolin. But before it could reach him, Sozin darted in front, firing a short but powerful blast of fire that evaporated the water mid-air.

"Whoa!" Bolin exclaimed, turning to Sozin with a grin. "Nice save, buddy!"

"Thanks!" Sozin replied, bouncing on his toes. His movements were light and quick, making it hard for Mako to land a hit.

Mako growled, sending a sweeping arc of fire toward the boy. Sozin ducked, rolled, and jumped to his feet, dodging effortlessly. He countered with a short burst aimed at Mako's feet, forcing him to jump back.

"Stay focused, Mako!" Korra called, her attention divided between Bolin and Sozin. She fired another water blast at Bolin, pushing him back into the second zone.

"Got it under control!" Mako shouted. Sozin's agility was surprisingly good, and every time he thought he had an opening, the boy slipped away like a shadow.

Meanwhile, Bolin launched another rock disk at Korra, who deflected it with a sharp slice of water. "You're not bad, Bolin," she said with a grin on her face. "But you're not good enough to beat me."

"We'll see about that!" Bolin replied, stomping the ground to send another rock disk her way.

Back in the arena, Sozin was gaining confidence. He darted around Mako's attacks, firing short, controlled blasts that kept the older firebender on his toes. Mako countered with a wide flame arc, forcing Sozin to retreat toward Bolin.

"Hold the line, Sozin!" Bolin shouted, raising a defensive wall of earth to block Korra's latest attack.

"No problem!" Sozin replied, dodging another of Mako's blasts. Despite the intensity of the match, he wore a grin, clearly enjoying himself.

Korra narrowed her eyes, focusing on Sozin. "Alright, kid. Let's see how you handle this."

She pulled a massive wave of water from the dispenser, sending it surging toward Bolin and Sozin. Bolin managed to block part of it with a rock disk, but the force surpassed the disk and pushed both of them back toward the edge of their zone.

"My turn!" Sozin called, shaking water droplets from his hair. He charged forward, firing a series of quick blasts at Mako. Each shot was perfectly timed, forcing Mako to backpedal into the second zone.

Asami leaned forward in her seat, her eyes wide open. "Is that flame in blue?" she asked to herself.

"You've got to be kidding me," Mako muttered, dodging another fire blast.

Korra narrowed her eyes at Bolin, her competitive spirit surging. With a swift motion, she drew water from the dispenser and launched a spiraling wave toward him. Bolin tried to block it, but the impact caused him to slide dangerously close to the edge of the platform.

Bolin retaliated by stomping the ground, sending another disk flying toward Korra. She sidestepped and deflected it with a quick water blade.

Sozin looked for a second towards Bolin, who looked in danger, but he turned back to the battle as he dodged another blast from Mako on the other side of the arena.

Bolin planted his feet firmly and raised a new rock disk. But Korra wasn't giving him a moment to recover. With a powerful strike, she slammed another wave of water towards him, sending Bolin stumbling backward.

"Careful!" Sozin yelled, but it was too late. With a final burst of water, Korra pushed Bolin off the edge of the platform. He flailed briefly before landing unceremoniously on the padded floor below.

"Out!" Asami called from the sidelines, raising her hand to indicate Bolin's elimination.

"Bolin, you're out!" Korra said triumphantly, resting her hands on her hips. She glanced at Sozin, who was glaring at her with wide, accusing eyes.

"That's cheating!" Sozin shouted, his fists clenched. "You can't do that!"

Korra raised an eyebrow, amused by Sozin's reaction. "Uh, yes, I can. That's literally how Pro-Bending works. The goal is to push your opponent out of the ring."

Sozin's glare didn't change.

Korra sighed, softening her tone. "Look, Sozin, I get it. You're upset because Bolin's out. But those are the rules. You can use fire to push us out, too."

Sozin's eyes narrowed, and for a moment, he seemed to be considering her words. Then, with a determined expression, he dropped into a low stance, his hands glowing faintly with heat.

Mako stepped forward, looking worried. "Korra, what is he doing?"

Before Mako could say anything more, Sozin thrust his arms forward, releasing a massive wall of fire that erupted across the platform. The heat was intense, forcing both Korra and Mako to shield their faces as they stumbled backward.

"What the—?!" Korra exclaimed but her voice was barely audible over the roar of the flames.

The wall of fire rushed toward them, its height and intensity was unlike anything they had seen before. But what truly shocked everyone was the color of the flames—they weren't the usual orange-red. They were blue.

The brilliant blue fire blazed across the platform fast, its sheer power pushing Korra and Mako to the edge. Both of them tried to hold their ground, Korra using water to cool the advancing flames and Mako countering with his own fire, but it was no use. The force behind Sozin's wall of fire was overwhelming and knocked both Korra and Mako off the platform. They landed on the padded floor below, the heat still lingering in the air.

"Out!" Asami called again. She slowly lowered her hand, her wide eyes fixed on Sozin.

The arena fell silent, the only sound the crackling of residual flames dissipating into the air. Everyone stared at Sozin, their expressions a mix of astonishment and disbelief.

Korra swam back to the platform. "What… what was that?"

Mako stood, brushing himself off. "That wasn't normal firebending," he muttered, his gaze locked on Sozin. "Blue flames? That's way beyond anything a kid should be capable of."

Bolin, who had climbed back onto the platform after his elimination, stared at Sozin with wide eyes. "Uh, little buddy… since when can you do that?"

Sozin looked down at his hands, his expression showing that he was still upset. "What? Blue flames? Last year, I think."

Asami stood from her seat, her voice cutting through the stunned silence. "That was incredible, Sozin. The blue fire is a sign of immense heat and control. I've only ever read about it in old Fire Nation history texts. Maybe you really are related to the heroes of Tu-Zin."

Korra climbed back onto the platform, her competitive nature momentarily overshadowed by her curiosity. She approached Sozin cautiously. "Okay, kid, spill. Where did you learn to bend like that?"

Sozin scratched the back of his head, looking genuinely confused about why it was so impressive. "Ah… at home."

Korra exchanged a glance with Mako, who still looked skeptical. "That's not something you just learn at any academy or reading books," Mako said.

Sozin shrugged. His irritation was already gone, and now he was confused about why it was so important. "My mom taught me fire bending, and she can also produce blue flames."

Korra opened her mouth to respond but found herself at a loss for words.

Asami clapped her hands, breaking the tension. "Alright, that's enough sparring for now. I think we all need to cool off… literally."

Korra shook her head, still trying to wrap her mind around what had just happened. "Yeah. Cool off. Sure…"

Sozin stood tall, his grin as bright as ever. For the first time, it seemed, everyone in the arena was looking at him not as a kid, but as a firebender with serious potential.

/

Ozai followed the secretary through the sleek halls of Future Industries. The secretary stopped before a grand set of double doors. "Mr. Sato will see you now," she said with a polite tone.

Ozai nodded, muttering a soft "Thank you" before stepping into the office.

The room was a mix of opulence and functionality. Behind the desk sat Hiroshi Sato, the genius behind Future Industries and one of the wealthiest men in the city. His demeanor was calm, his posture relaxed, but his sharp eyes betrayed a calculating mind.

"Detective," Mr. Sato greeted warmly, standing to shake Ozai's hand. "Welcome to Future Industries. I understand you're here about the Equalists? I'll do my best to assist the police in any way I can."

Ozai returned the handshake, firm and professional. "Thank you, Mr. Sato. That's very appreciated."

Hiroshi looked at him from head to toe for a moment, his head tilting slightly. "I must admit, you look quite young for someone in your position. Please, take a seat."

Ozai nodded and sat in front of the desk.

"May I ask your name?" Mr Sato asked, genuinely curious.

The half Saiyajin hesitated briefly. "Ozai," he replied.

A smile tugged at Hiroshi's lips. "Ozai? ..." Hiroshi repeated, nodding thoughtfully. "You know, my daughter, Asami, has mentioned you before. She seems to think highly of you."

The words caught Ozai off guard. A faint flush crept up his cheeks as he cleared his throat. "I appreciate that," he said, struggling to maintain his composure.

Hiroshi chuckled. "Tell me, Detective, are you interested in any of our products? Satomobiles, perhaps? Or something from our newer lines?"

Ozai smiled faintly. "Your products are impressive, sir, but I'm more interested in how they work than the products themselves. The engineering behind them is fascinating."

Hiroshi let out a hearty laugh. "Spoken like a true innovator! You remind me of myself when I was younger."

Ozai shifted slightly, changing the conversation toward his purpose. "Actually, Mr. Sato, I came to request some specific information about your machines, particularly the motors you manufacture. It's part of an investigative lead I'm following."

The smile on Hiroshi's face faltered for a fraction of a second, replaced by a curious tilt of his head. "Motors? That's a rather specific request. What exactly are you hoping to find?"

Ozai paused before revealing his true motives. He had a hunch; something felt off. But he couldn't tell what outright, not yet.

"Well," Ozai began, carefully choosing his words, "it's more of a preliminary inquiry. Understanding the specifics of your motors might help us identify patterns or trends that could be relevant to the case. It's a precautionary measure, really."

Hiroshi's eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, the room felt heavier. "And what happens if I refuse to provide this information?" he asked with a light tone but spiked with an undertone of challenge.

Ozai met his gaze steadily, refusing to be intimidated. "I'm asking for your cooperation, Mr. Sato, not demanding it. Providing this information could be instrumental in ensuring the safety of Republic City."

The tension hung in the air for a moment longer before Hiroshi's smile returned, broader than before. "Relax, Detective. I was only joking. Of course, I'll help. Anything for the safety of our city."

He pressed a button on his desk, and his secretary's voice filtered through the speaker. "Yes, Mr. Sato?"

"Please guide Detective Ozai to the archives and provide him with access to the documentation he requires," Hiroshi said.

"Right away, sir," she replied.

Turning back to Ozai, Hiroshi extended a hand once more. "I hope you find what you're looking for. If there's anything else I can do, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you," Ozai said, shaking his hand firmly.

He followed the secretary until they entered a warehouse. The archives were a labyrinth of metal shelves and filing cabinets, each packed with the meticulous records of Future Industries' production history. The secretary led Ozai to a section filled with large boxes stacked high and labeled in neat handwriting.

"This section contains everything related to the motors," the secretary explained, gesturing to a cluster of particularly large boxes.

Ozai nodded, scanning the labels on the boxes. He couldn't help but feel the weight of his hunch pressing down on him. Something about this investigation didn't sit right, and he was determined to uncover the truth.

Glancing at the clock on the wall, he noted the time. It was late afternoon, and the day was slipping away faster than he'd realized. He sighed, realizing the magnitude of the task ahead.

"Thank you," he said, running a hand through his hair. He turned to the secretary. "Is there a phone I could use? I might need to make a call."

"Of course," she replied. "There's one just outside the archive room. Let me know if you need anything else."

Ozai nodded his thanks, his mind already racing ahead to the work that lay before him.

/

Time had passed since the intense sparring session, and the Fire Ferrets were deep into their Pro-Bending training. The training area of the arena buzzed with the sounds of grunts, the clash of bending elements. Despite the rigorous practice, the trio showed no signs of slowing down.

On the sidelines, Sozin sat next to Asami, happily eating a double-scoop cone of chocolate and vanilla ice cream. His legs swung back and forth as he watched the training, occasionally glancing at Asami, who seemed completely captivated by him.

"You're just the cutest," Asami said with a soft laugh, reaching over to tousle his hair. "How can someone so little have such big firebending moves?"

Sozin pulled his head away, grumbling, "I'm not cute. I'm a fierce firebender." His cheeks flushed slightly, betraying his embarrassment.

"Fierce, huh?" Asami teased, her tone playful. "Well, you looked pretty fierce out there earlier. But right now, you look more like a kid enjoying his ice cream."

Sozin pouted and took another big bite of his cone, earning a chuckle from Asami.

The Fire Ferrets finally wrapped up their training. Mako wiped the sweat from his brow as he stepped off the platform, with Bolin and Korra following close behind.

"Alright, that's it for today," Mako announced. "We're in good shape for the next match."

"Good shape?" Bolin said, flopping onto a bench dramatically. "I feel like a steamed dumpling!"

Korra smirked. "Don't be such a baby. You're supposed to be the tough one."

Their banter was interrupted when an arena worker entered the training area. "Hey, Bolin!" he yelled.

Bolin turned to see the newcomer and waved at him. "I'm here!"

The man approached him. "I just got a call for you. It's from someone named Ozai. He wanted to let you know he won't be able to come home tonight. He has to stay at work overnight."

Bolin's eyes widened. "Oh, man. That's tough." He turned toward Sozin, who had paused mid-bite of his ice cream. The boy's face fell, his earlier cheerfulness replaced by disappointment.

"Sozin?" Bolin said gently, walking over to him. "I'm sorry, little buddy. Looks like Ozai's stuck at work."

Sozin looked down at his ice cream, his enthusiasm for it gone. "He promised me we'd play together," he mumbled.

The Fire Ferrets exchanged a glance, and Korra stepped forward, crouching slightly to meet Sozin at eye level. "Hey," she said with a warm smile. "How about you come with me to the air temple? There are other kids your age there. You can play with them while you are there."

Sozin hesitated, still looking dejected. "I guess."

Asami stood, brushing off her coat. "I can give you two a ride. The bay's not far, and my car's the faster Satomobile you'll find around here."

Sozin's ears perked up slightly at the mention of a car. "A Satomobile?"

Asami smiled. "A fast one."

The convertible sped down the streets nearby, the wind whipping through their hair. Sozin leaned over the side, his eyes wide with excitement as the world rushed past them. Asami was clearly enjoying herself, too, her hands steady on the wheel as she maneuvered through curves with ease.

"This is so cool!" Sozin exclaimed, his earlier gloom completely forgotten. "It feels like riding Ash!"

"Who's Ash?" Asami asked, glancing at him through the rearview mirror.

"My pet," Sozin said proudly. "He's super-fast and strong!"

Korra, sitting in the passenger seat, turned around to face him. "I know exactly what you mean," she said. "I've got a polar bear dog named Naga. Riding her is the best. It's like flying over the ground."

Sozin grinned, his excitement only growing. "Your Polar bear dog or this car is nothing compared to Ash!"

Korra laughed. "Oh, we'll see about that someday. Naga's pretty fast."

The car slowed as they approached the bay, the sparkling water reflecting the moonlight. Asami pulled to a stop near the ferry dock and turned to Korra. "Here we are. Did you enjoy the ride, Sozin?"

Sozin nodded eagerly.

Asami chuckled. "I'm glad you liked it." She turned to Korra. "Good luck with him. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks for the ride, Asami," Korra said, stepping out of the car. She gestured for Sozin to follow, and the two of them walked toward the ferry as it docked.

Sozin looked back at Asami and waved. "Bye, Asami!"

"Bye, Sozin," she called back, waving as she leaned against her car. Mako was still sitting at the back, holding his head.

The ferry ride was peaceful, the gentle rocking of the boat calming the boy's earlier excitement. When they arrived at the air temple, Korra led Sozin through the path that led them to the dining room.

But in the middle of their walk, Tenzin appeared from around the corner, his expression calm but stern. He raised a hand to stop them.

"Korra," he called before turning to her companion. "Who is this?"

Korra straightened, giving Tenzin an awkward smile. "This is Sozin. He's the little brother of a friend of mine, but his brother is stuck working overnight, so I brought him here. I figured he could stay with us for a bit."

Tenzin's eyes flicked to Sozin, who looked back at him. Tenzin studied him for a long moment before sighing and nodding. "Very well. But he is your responsibility while he's here."

"Got it," Korra said with a grin. She turned to Sozin and motioned for him to follow her. "Come on, let's meet the rest."

They continued walking until they entered the dining room. Inside was Tenzin's family already gathered. Pema, visibly pregnant, sat at the head of the table, overseeing her three children. Jinora, the eldest, sat with her usual composed demeanor, a book resting on her lap even as she waited for dinner. Ikki, full of energy as always, was chatting animatedly about a story with an acolyte, a story she had made up. Milo, the youngest, was busy stacking small bowls like a tower.

Korra stepped into the room with Sozin behind, drawing everyone's attention. "Hey, guys!" she announced. "I brought a guest."

The children immediately perked up. Milo pointed at Sozin and blurted out, "What's his name?"

"This is Sozin," Korra said, nudging the boy forward gently. "He's staying here for a little while."

Milo's eyes went wide. "Wait, like the bad guy? The Fire Nation baddy who started the 100-Year War?"

"Milo!" Tenzin's voice cut through the room like a whip, his tone stern. "That's not appropriate. Apologize."

Milo crossed his arms and muttered, "Sorry."

Sozin frowned, stepping forward. "Fire Lord Sozin wasn't a bad guy. He made huge advances for the Fire Nation and the world. Like the big metal ships everyone uses now! And he was so strong, they named a comet after him!"

Jinora rose an eyebrow, and even Ikki looked impressed. Milo opened his mouth to retort, but Pema clapped her hands gently. "Alright, It's time to eat," she said with a soft smile.

As the meal began, everything seemed normal at first. Sozin sat quietly, his small hands reaching for some steamed buns and rice. But soon, everyone noticed that he was eating much faster than anyone else at the table. The boy devoured dumplings, bowls of noodles, and roasted vegetables with astonishing speed, barely pausing to chew.

One of the temple acolytes assisting with dinner leaned in close to Pema, whispering, "I've never seen a child eat this much before."

Sozin finished his bowl and raised it eagerly. "Can I have more, please?"

The acolyte hesitated before hurrying to refill his bowl. Meanwhile, Milo stared at Sozin in disbelief. "How are you eating so much? I bet I can eat faster than you!"

Sozin didn't answer and kept eating.

"Challenge accepted!" Milo shouted, grabbing his chopsticks and attacking his plate with force. It did not take too long for Milo to give up, clutching his stomach and groaning. "Ugh, I'm too full…"

Ikki giggled, clearly entertained. She leaned toward Sozin. "How do you eat so much? Are you part bison or something?"

Sozin shrugged. "I'm just hungry."

As the meal continued, Ikki kept peppering Sozin with questions about his life, his bending, and where he was from, much to Milo's annoyance. Jinora watched quietly, though even she seemed amused by the spectacle. The acolytes were kept busy bringing more food for Sozin, who ate as though he hadn't seen a meal in days.

When the meal finally ended, everyone sat back, amazed by how much food had disappeared from the table.

"That," Pema said with a chuckle, "was impressive. Sozin, I think you've officially eaten more than anyone here."

Sozin grinned proudly. "Thanks! The food was great."

Pema turned to Korra. "Since this was all so sudden, we don't have a spare room ready for him yet. Would you mind having him sleep in your room tonight?"

Korra hesitated, imagining her cozy room being invaded by Sozin's boundless energy. "Uh… sure, I guess."

"Thank you," Pema said with a warm smile.

Later that night, Korra lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Sozin was curled up next to her, his small frame taking up less space than she had expected. She had been nervous about sharing her room, but he had fallen asleep almost instantly, his steady breathing filling the quiet air. His body radiated warmth like a small heater, a faint example of his firebender energy still lingering even in his sleep.

Korra was able to fall asleep, and at some point in the night, she shifted closer without thinking, instinctively seeking the warmth. When she woke up the next morning, she found herself holding Sozin like a stuffed animal, her arms wrapped tightly around him.

Her eyes snapped open, and she froze. Sozin was still asleep, with a peaceful expression.

Korra sighed, closing her eyes again. "This is going to be a long day," she muttered under her breath. She sighed, carefully pulling her arm away and sitting up.

As if on cue, Sozin began to move. His eyes blinked a few times before looking up at Korra. "Morning!" he said brightly, stretching like a cat.

"Morning, kiddo," Korra replied, standing out of bed. "Come on, let's get some breakfast."

Both walked back to the dining room and sat at the table.

Breakfast was simple and quiet. Sozin sat at the table, munching on a bowl of steamed rice while Korra ate beside him. A few acolytes bustled in the background, cleaning up and preparing for the day.

"Sozin," Korra said, glancing at him, "I'm going to train after this. You'll be okay hanging out here, right?"

Sozin looked up. "Can I come with you?"

Korra paused. "You want to come with me to train?"

He nodded eagerly. "Yeah! I love training. I used to do it all the time with my mom and dad."

Korra smiled. "Alright-alright," she giggled. "if you're that excited about it, you can come along."

"Really?!" Sozin's grin stretched ear to ear. "Thanks, Korra!"

After breakfast, the two walked together toward the training area, the air crisp and cool. Sozin skipped ahead a few steps before falling back in line with Korra.

"You must really love training, huh?" Korra asked, raising an eyebrow at his energy.

"I do," Sozin replied earnestly. "My mom and dad train with me back home. It's my favorite thing to do. Better than school."

Korra smiled at the sincerity in his voice. "Well, let's see how you handle the training here. It's an air-bending training, not for firebenders."

As they approached the training grounds, Korra spotted Tenzin and his three children standing in front of the airbending gates, which were large wooden contraptions with revolving doors painted with airbending symbols. The gates spun lazily, creaking slightly as the wind pushed against them.

Tenzin noticed them approaching and gave Korra a nod. "Good morning, Korra. We were about to begin."

"Perfect," Korra said. She gestured to Sozin. "He wanted to tag along."

Tenzin glanced at Sozin but didn't comment, instead turning back to the gates. Jinora, Ikki, and Milo were already in position, their faces alight with anticipation.

Sozin, meanwhile, gazed up at the Airbending gates with wide eyes. "What's this for?" he asked, tilting his head.

Before Tenzin could answer, Milo jumped forward, his excitement overflowing. "It's a training only airbenders can do!" he declared proudly. "Watch and learn!"

Milo moved his arms in a circular way and sent a burst of wind toward the gates. The revolving doors spun rapidly, but Milo darted through with ease, his small frame moving nimbly between the spinning panels. He landed on the other side with a triumphant grin.

"See? Easy for me," Milo said, turning back to Sozin. "Bet you can't do it, firebender!" Then he sent another burst of wind to the contraption.

Sozin's lips curled into a smile. "That looks easy."

"It just looks easy, believe me…" Korra stopped talking when she noticed that Sozin wasn't at her side anymore. Before anyone could stop him, he darted toward the Airbending gates.

"Wait, Sozin!" Korra shouted, reaching out to grab him, but he was already out of reach.

Tenzin, surprised, could only see the kid running towards the Airbending Gates.

Both of them braced for disaster, Korra half-expecting the boy to either trip and fall or slam into one of the revolving doors. Her biggest concern, though, was the potential destruction of the gates if Sozin gets annoyed and uses his fire bending, just like she did the first day of training.

But to their astonishment, Sozin moved through the spinning panels with remarkable agility. He sidestepped, twisted, and leaped at just the right moment, reaching the other side of the gates without a scratch.

Milo's jaw dropped. "What?! How did you do that?"

Korra blinked, her mouth slightly open. Even Tenzin looked momentarily stunned.

Jinora tilted her head while Ikki was smiling and bouncing with a big smile.

Sozin dusted off his hands, turning back to face the group. "Oh, I forgot something," he said nonchalantly.

Without further explanation, he raised his fist and punched the air. The sheer force of the motion sent a gust of wind hurtling toward the gates. The revolving doors spun wildly, their speed doubling in an instant, the painted symbols blurring into streaks of white.

Korra's eyes widened in disbelief. "Did he just…?"

Tenzin looked stunned. "How…?"

The acolytes nearby gasped audibly. Korra's stomach twisted, her pride taking a hit as she recalled her own struggles with the Airbending gates. She hadn't even managed to pass through them yet, let alone use air to control their speed. And now here was Sozin, a non-airbender, not only completing the exercise but also supercharging the gates with sheer force.

Milo crossed his arms, glaring at Sozin. "Big deal. I could've done that."

"No, you couldn't," Ikki said with a giggle, poking her brother's arm. "You've never made the gates spin that fast!"

Milo stuck his tongue out at her. "I could if I wanted to."

Jinora, more reserved, tilted her head curiously. "That's… impressive. But how did you generate that much force without airbending?"

Sozin shrugged, "You don't need to be an airbender to do that. Gramma taught me how to do it, and she is an Earth bender."

Korra took a deep breath, forcing herself to push down her bruised pride. "Alright, Sozin," she said, walking over to him. "You've made your point. But let's not break anything, okay?"

Sozin turned to see the Airbending Gates and one of them spun so fast that it was flying up; another fell to one side, and some others broke in the middle.

Tenzin, meanwhile, was with his mouth open, clearly impressed but also concerned with the tool that was broken.

Sozin laughed, scratching the back of his head. "haha, sorry."

Korra sighed, placing a hand on her hip. "Alright, kid. Let's move on before you decide to break something else."

/

Ozai walked through the hall. Under his eyes were small dark circles showing his dedication to the current investigation over the mountain of documents provided by Future Industries.

He clutched a thick folder in one hand, its contents meticulously organized to reinforce his case. His other hand briefly brushed through his disheveled hair as he approached Chief Lin Beifong's office.

The door to Lin's office was ajar, and Ozai stepped inside.

"Oh, is you," she said, waving her hand to ask him to close the door. "What brings you here at this hour? You look like you haven't slept."

"That's because I haven't," Ozai replied, closing the door behind him. "I've been going through the documentation Future Industries provided. I've found something, but I need authorization to take the next step."

Lin leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed. "Let's hear it, then."

Ozai set the folder down on her desk and began to explain. "The motors used in the trucks the Equalists are driving align perfectly with the specifications Future Industries has on file. Every detail matches. That means those vehicles are legitimate, manufactured, and sold by Future Industries."

Lin's brows furrowed.

"I need an order," Ozai continued, "to access Future Industries' customer data. Specifically, I want to investigate which companies purchased these motors and vehicles. If we cross-reference their reported vehicle inventories with what we've observed, we might find a discrepancy on..."

Lin raised a hand, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Stop right there. You're asking me to target one of the most respected citizens in Republic City. Mr. Sato has done more for this city than most people. I'm not risking his goodwill to help for a half-caked reason."

"You have to hear all the information," Ozai countered, his voice firm. "I've already verified the records. There are no reports of theft for these vehicles. The trucks the Equalists are using weren't stolen. That means someone purchased them and handed them over."

Lin's sharp eyes narrowed.

Sensing an opening in her interest, Ozai pressed on. "These trucks are identical to those used by legitimate businesses for transporting goods. If we can get a list of customers and compare it to what we know, we might uncover companies that don't exist or that have discrepancies in their fleet counts. That could lead us to whoever is supplying the Equalists."

Lin tapped a finger on the armrest of her chair, her gaze never leaving Ozai. "And what happens if you're wrong? What happens if your first sweep doesn't yield results? You know as well as I do that the moment we alert the real culprit, they'll vanish before we can act."

Ozai straightened. "That's why it has to be a simultaneous effort. We can't afford to give them time to react. If we identify suspicious companies, we need to investigate all of them at once."

Lin sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. "Detective, you're talking about mobilizing resources on a massive scale. That's manpower I could use to protect citizens, not chase down phantom leads."

"Then I'll do it alone if I have to," Ozai said with a firm voice.

For a long moment, silence reigned inside the office. Lin's piercing eyes bored into his, searching for any sign of doubt or weakness. But Ozai didn't flinch.

Finally, Lin leaned forward, reaching for her phone. "Fine. I'll make some calls and get you the authorization you need. But don't think for a second that I'm doing this because I believe you'll find anything. If you're wrong, and this turns out to be a dead end, you'll answer for the wasted resources."

"Understood," Ozai said, relief washing over him.

Lin waved him off with a dismissive gesture. "Get out of here. I'll let you know when the order's ready."

Ozai nodded and turned to leave, clutching his folder tightly. Behind him, Lin watched the door close, her smirk widening into a grin. "This is where you fall, Ozai," she muttered to herself.

/

Tenzin sat in a perfect lotus position at the center of the meditation pavilion, a quiet and peaceful spot perched at the edge of the temple grounds. His children sat in a line in front of him, trying to meditate. Korra sat slightly off to the side, her posture relaxed but not nearly as rigid as Tenzin's. Sozin, meanwhile, sat next to her, glancing around curiously.

The area was surrounded by lush greenery, with tall trees providing dappled shade. A soft breeze carried the scent of flowers, and the faint sound of rustling leaves added to the tranquility of the space.

"What are you doing?" Sozin asked, breaking the silence.

Korra opened one eye and looked at him. "We're meditating," she said simply. "It's something airbenders do."

Sozin tilted his head, looking unconvinced. "Meditating? You don't look like you're meditating."

Korra raised her eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"Well," Sozin began, glancing at the others, "you're just sitting there. But you are not doing anything."

Korra blinked, surprised by his response. She then remembered that she wanted to ask Ozai about his way to meditation. "Well, then tell me how you do it?"

Sozin perked up at the question, sitting up straighter. "Oh, it's simple! Meditation is about being aware of what's happening inside you and around you."

"That's not what I was told," Korra said with a giggle. "I heard meditation is all about not doing anything. You sit still and clear your mind."

Sozin furrowed his brow. "If it's about not doing anything, then why bother meditating?"

Korra burst out laughing at his bluntness. Her laughter echoed through the pavilion, drawing a giggle from Ikki. Jinora, though trying to look serious, tilted her head slightly, clearly paying attention. Milo, meanwhile, looked at sleep.

Tenzin cleared his throat but kept his eyes closed.

Sozin tilted his head and said, "If he was meditating, our talking wouldn't bother him."

Korra and Ikki tried to suppress another laugh but failed.

Sozin glanced at the others and then had an idea. His expression brightened, and he stood up.

"What are you doing?" Korra asked in a low voice.

"I'm going to help them meditate better," Sozin said, completely earnest.

Korra frowned, unsure what he meant. "Help them… how?"

"You'll see," Sozin replied, his voice cheerful.

Before Korra could stop him, Sozin wandered over to a nearby tree. He reached up and broke off a thin branch, its end still covered with fresh green leaves. Then, with the branch in hand, he approached Tenzin from behind, who remained seated with his eyes closed, seemingly unaware of what was about to happen.

"Sozin, wait," Korra hissed.

Sozin didn't hear, or if he did, he didn't understand why she was worried. He stood directly behind Tenzin, holding the branch like a sword.

To demonstrate his point about awareness, Sozin swung the branch down, hitting Tenzin on the shoulder.

"Ah!" Tenzin yelped, his eyes snapping open as he flinched. He turned to see Sozin standing there, smiling brightly.

"There!" Sozin said, gesturing to the branch. "See? If you were really meditating, you would've dodged it."

Korra froze for a second, and then laughter erupted from her like a dam breaking. She doubled over, clutching her sides as tears formed in her eyes. "Oh, spirits, Sozin!" she wheezed. "That's not how meditation works!"

Ikki fell sideways, laughing uncontrollably, while Jinora pressed a hand to her mouth, her shoulders shaking as she tried to maintain her dignity. Only Milo remained silent, but it was because he was still sleeping.