[Nightfall, Republic City's Green Meadow's District]
After interrogating a protester and coming up empty-handed, Korra and Mako fled the park. Though their efforts seemed fruitless, Mako managed to snag a few scattered flyers from the ground during their escape.
Later, as they examined the flyers, they discovered something unusual—a series of maps printed faintly on the back. Piecing together the details, they managed to pinpoint the location of a secret Equalist rally scheduled for the night.
The rally was set to begin at 9pm. With no time to waste, Korra and Mako already planned to infiltrate the event. Korra was already made known as the Avatar in public and Mako was a rising star in Probending. To avoid being recognized, they donned simple disguises: caps pulled down and plain masks to obscure their faces.
As they approached the dimly lit warehouse, Korra suddenly slipped her arm around Mako's, pulling him closer.
"What are you doing?" he hissed, the surprise in his voice evident.
MAKO
AGE: 18
STATUS: Infiltrating
"We'll attract less attention this way" she murmured nonchalantly, replying with a confident tone.
KORRA
AGE: 17
STATUS: Infiltrating
Mako frowned but didn't pull away, a faint blush showing on his face.
They reached the entrance, where a towering, broad-shouldered man stood guard. His roundish frame was amplified by the flickering shadows cast by an overhead lamp.
"This is a private event" the man said, crossing his arms "No one gets in without an invitation"
Korra and Mako exchanged a brief, nervous glance.
"Uh… Invitation?" Korra asked, her voice faltering slightly.
The guard's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized them. He slightly raised his eyebrow, looking at the would-be couple.
Thinking quickly, Mako reached into his pocket and retrieved one of the flyers he'd grabbed earlier.
"You mean this?" Holding it up, he forced a nervous smile.
Korra mirrored his expression, her own crooked grin poorly masking her unease.
The guard stared at the flyer for a long, tense moment before snatching it from Mako's hand. His gaze pierced between them again before, to their relief, his frown melted into a broad smile.
"The Revelation is upon us, my brother and sister" he said warmly, stepping aside and gesturing for them to enter.
With a polite nod, Korra and Mako stepped past the guard and into the darkened warehouse. As they crossed the threshold, a heavy sense of tension settled over them.
As they moved deeper inside, they reached a railing that overlooked the heart of the warehouse—a sight that left both young infiltrators momentarily stunned.
"I knew a lot of people hated benders…" Mako murmured, commenting out of disbelief. "But I've never seen so many in one place."
Below them, a massive crowd stretched across the entire floor of the building, bodies packed so tightly it seemed impossible to navigate. The energy in the room felt electric, a mix of anger, desperation, even a small hope radiating from the sea of faces.
Shaking off their initial shock, Korra and Mako began descending down the rusted staircase, slipping into the throng. They kept their heads down, doing their best to blend in.
As they moved further into the crowd, Korra unconsciously reached out and grabbed Mako's sleeve to avoid getting separated. Her fingers clung tightly as they wove through the maze of bodies, but Mako, preoccupied with worrying about his brother, didn't seem to notice, their anticipation almost tangible. Suddenly, spotlights flared to life, focusing on the stage as an elevator platform began to rise from below.
The announcer's voice boomed through the cavernous room, charged with enthusiasm
Please welcome! Your hero! Your savior! AMON!
The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement feverish and overwhelming.
AMON
AGE: ???
STATUS: Equalist Leader
A man stepped forward, his face obscured by a stark white mask, his posture confident, hands clasped behind his back. Behind him stood a squad of Equalists, lining orderly at attention. Flanking the line were two figures cloaked in hooded robes, their faces hidden by shadows and masks.
Korra and Mako, caught in the middle of the frenzied audience, felt a wave of claustrophobia settle over them. The crowd's collective energy was unnatural, their devotion more unsettling than genuine.
As the cheers subsided, Amon stepped forward, his deliberate movements drawing all eyes to him. He approached the microphone at the center of the stage, exuding a commanding presence.
"My quest for Equality began many years ago…" he began, his voice powerful despite the flat tone.
He raised his hand, as if presenting an invisible truth to the audience.
"When I was a boy, my family and I lived on a small farm. We weren't rich, and none of us were benders. This made us easy targets for the firebender who extorted my father. One day, my father confronted this man, but when he did… that firebender took my family from me…" his voice hardened, the bitterness clear.
"Then… he took my face."
The crowd collectively gasped, their shock rippling through the building like a wave.
"As you all know, the Avatar has recently arrived in Republic City." he continued, his tone shifting to one of quiet resolve.
Korra instinctively pulled her scarf higher over her mouth, trying to disappear into the crowd as a ripple of jeers erupted around them. Mako stepped slightly closer to her, his protective insects kicking in as he glared at the people sneering and muttering about her.
"And if she were here" Amon continued, his voice rising "she would tell you that bending brings balance"
He paused, letting the words linger before taking the microphone off its stand and pacing to the side of the stage.
"But… she is wrong"
Amon's voice carried through the building, clear and unwavering. He turned back to face the crowd, his mask concealing whatever emotions might have flickered across his face.
"The only thing bending has brought to the world… is suffering. It has been the cause of every war, in every era"
Korra's hands clenched into fists at her sides, her teeth gritting as his words pierced her resolve.
"But that is about to change."
The room settled to hold its breath as Amon returned the microphone on its stand.
"I know you have been wondering… 'What IS the Revelation?'" he said, his tone thick with anticipation.
Mako and Korra leaned forward slightly, their guards momentarily eclipsed by the same suffocating curiosity gripping the crowd. It gnawed at them, an unbearable itch in their mind that demanded to be scratched.
"You are about to get your answer" he declared, his voice growing stronger with each word he spoke. "Since the beginning of time the Spirits have acted as guardians of out world, and they have spoken to me"
He paused, scanning the faces before him.
"They say… the Avatar has failed humanity"
Korra's blood boiled, her glare burning holes into the masked man. His words felt like a direct assault, not just on her, but on the very mantle of the Avatar itself.
"That is why the Spirits have chosen ME to usher in a new era of balance.." he stretched his arms wide, announcing his declaration to everyone.
"They have granted me a power… a power that will make equality a reality!"
The crowd tensed, the weight of his words pressing down on them. Amon leaned in, his voice dropping to a near whisper that somehow filled the entire room with uncontained tension.
"The power… to take a person's bending away." Amon's voice crescendoed as he delivered the shocking revelation.
"Permanently"
The room erupted. The crowd cheered, screamed, and gasped all at once. Applause and shouts of hope filled the warehouse, but beneath the surface, disbelief rippled through the audience like an undercurrent.
"That's impossible" Korra muttered, understandably doubting his words.
Korra and Mako exchanged a look, their faces etched with doubt. For all of Amon's theatricality and conviction, one thing remained glaringly absent: evidence.
————————————————————————————
[The same time]
"The power… to take a person's bending away. Permanently"
As Amon was in the middle of his awe-inspiring speech, somewhere in the shadows of the crowd, someone was quietly observing.
ZHEN
AGE: 19
STATUS: Has been here since the beginning.
Zhen stood near the end of the gathering, his arms crossed, leaning casually against a support beam. He didn't really have a specific reason for attending; his curiosity had brought him here.
The crowd's energy swirled around him like a storm, but Zhen remained detached.
Onstage, Amon's voice rang out once again.
"Now, for a demonstration"
A stir went through the crowd as a line of people, their wrists bound with a single rope, was led onto stage. They stumbled nervously, some struggling against their restraints. At the head of the procession, a hooded figure guided them to a halt.
'Seems a bit theatrical…' Zhen thought, tilting his head as he let out a disinterested sigh.
He pushed off the beam, straightening as he was about to slip away unnoticed. Just as he turned, however, a firm grip landed on his shoulder.
"Zhen?"
The familiar voice behind him snapped his attention. His body tensed as he turned, his resting aloofness replaced by a flicker of surprise. Standing behind him was Korra, her face partially obscured by a scarf but unmistakable nonetheless.
Behind her, Mako loomed protectively, his gaze sharp as he stared at Zhen with suspicion.
Zhen's brows furrowed. "Avatar?" he muttered, his voice a whisper. "What are you doing here?"
Korra crossed her arms, holding his curious stare without flinching. "I could ask you the same thing"
"No reason?" he replied, almost indifferently.
Korra narrowed her eyes, clearly not buying it, but her urgency seemed to outweigh her need to press him further. Shaking her head, she brushed past his response.
"Anyway, good timing. We need some help"
Zhen blinked, tilting his head slightly. "Help?"
Instead of answering immediately, Korra pointed toward the stage. Zhen followed her gesture, squinting at the scene, but the distance made it hard to discern what she was getting at.
BOLIN
AGE: 16
STATUS: Captive
"What exactly am I supposed to be looking at?" Zhen asked, his voice edged with mild irritation.
"We need to get Bolin free from there" Korra said quickly, lowering her voice to a whisper. "He's one of the captives on stage."
Zhen's gaze went down as he processed her words. His stance shifted, both intrigue and hesitation mixing across his face. He was considering for a moment, weighing whether getting involved was worth the effort.
"We already got a plan. Korra's going to start a smoke screen while I go and get Bolin" Mako stepped in, his sharp tone making it more like a command than a request.
Zhen's gaze shifted between the two, furrowing his brows as he caught onto the situation.
"Sounds like you've got everything covered. What do you even need me for?" he asked, understandably confused.
"The smoke will only buy us a few seconds of confusion" Mako explained, keeping his urgency as he spoke more speedily. "We need something bigger—something big enough to keep their focus off us"
"So…" Zhen crossed his arms, letting out a quiet sigh as he considered how absurd this request is. "You want me to start trouble in the middle of an Equalist rally?"
"Exactly" Korra cut in, already moving away. "And we don't have time to argue about this"
"Just do something while me and Korra prepare." Mako added curtly before turning and disappearing into the crowd.
Neither of them even stuck around to hear Zhen's response, leaving him standing there alone.
With a resigned sigh, he muttered to himself "This is dumb…" before pushing off into the sea of bodies, deciding to help anyway.
As Korra disappeared into a side room to prepare her part of the plan and Mako positioned himself closer to the stage, Zhen worked his way through the crowd. He moved quickly, even purposely bumping into a few people, his hands occasionally slipped into pockets and pouches as he went, lifting small items unnoticed by the cheering audience.
Coins. Matches. A small pouch of powder. Loose wires. Zhen's fingers worked quickly, assembling something as he did. His mind raced as he pieced the materials together.
'Isn't enough but this should do' he thought, slipping the makeshift device in his pocket.
Meanwhile, Bolin's turn on the stage drew closer. Mako stood near the edge of the crowd, his fists clenched as the pressure weighed in, watching closely as Bolin shuffled on his knees.
From the corner of his eye, Mako noticed something odd. One of the hooded guards behind Bolin leaned down, whispering something before covering Bolin's ears. Bolin's shoulders slumped further as his eyes squeezed shut, as if already accepting his grim fate.
Mako's patience snapped.
He started pushing through the crowd, his voice rising. "Bolin—!"
"HEY! PRETTY BOY!"
Mako froze, his head snapping toward the sound of Zhen's voice booming across the hall behind him.
"EYES! SHUT EM!" Zhen shouted.
The crowd, the guards, even Amon himself turned their attention to Zhen, who now stood in the center of the room, a cocky grin on his face and a blindfold over his eyes as he held something in his hand.
Mako barely caught a glimpse of the object before Zhen threw it mid-air. Acting on instinct, Mako clamped his hands over his ears and squeezed his eyes shut, crouching over the ground.
KRA-KOOM!
The explosion rocked the hall, a deafening crack followed by an impossibly bright flash of light that seemed to engulf the entire building. The crowd erupted into chaos, shouts and screams mixing with the lingering ringing in everyone's ears.
And as if on cue, a pipe along the walls burst with a resounding hiss, releasing a thick plume of steam. The fog quickly spread throughout the room, swirling through the already disoriented crowd.
Civilians began to panic even more, pushing and stumbling toward the exits in a desperate bid to escape the chaos.
In the midst of the commotion, Bolin, who had kept his eyes tightly shut throughout everything, felt a tug on his arm. A hooded figure, smaller than him, leaned close and whispered.
"Stand up. Now"
The figure deftly cut through Bolin's restraints, prompting him to stand up.
As Bolin blinked in confusion, the figure glanced up at him, their face fully obscured.
"Go. Get out of here." they commanded softly, their voice strangely childlike.
Before Bolin could ask any question, the figure melted into the thick steam, vanishing.
"Bolin!"
He turned to see Mako rushing through the smoke, his face etched with worry. Relief flooded Bolin's features as he broke into a wide grin, his eyes welling up.
"Are you alright?" Mako asked, though he kept his guard up he softened when speaking with Bolin.
"Yes! Mako! I love you!" Bolin exclaimed, throwing his arms wide for a hug.
But Mako wasn't in the mood for a tearful reunion. He grabbed Bolin by the collar, tugging him toward the nearest exit.
————————————————————————————
[Meanwhile, in the maintenance area]
After Korra had just finished triggering the steam vents, sending a burst of hot steam through the other room. She had just taken a step toward finding her own exit when a sudden movement across the hall froze her in place.
A hooded figure, emerging from the fog, blocked her path. She narrowed her eyes, taking a defensive stance.
"I don't suppose you'd just let me leave huh?" She quipped snarkily, her eyes narrowed, preparing for the fight.
"STEAM"
AGE: ???
STATUS:Equalist
The hooded figure before her didn't speak, only exhaling sharply, releasing a billow of steam from his cloak and mask. His breath seemed to hiss through the air like the pressure of a boiler about to blow.
Korra's instincts flared, and she immediately grounded her feet, summoning the earth beneath her. With a swift motion, she thrust her arms forward, raising a thick wall of earth between them.
But the figure was already moving.
With a sharp, mechanical exhale, he lunged forward, his elbow angled like weapons, pushing through the air with a force that seemed to split the space around him. Korra's wall barely had time to form before Steam's fist punched straight through it, shattering the earth like mere glass.
Korra barely had time to react as the debris rained down, her arms lifting to shield herself from the oncoming blow.
Suddenly, Steam's fist opened, his fingers curling around Korra's arm with an iron grip. grabbing her arm. Korra's muscles tensed, but no matter how she struggled, she couldn't pull free.
A strange mechanical sound filled the air as she heard the whirring of gears within his cloak. Her eyes darted to his other arm, which was already pulling back in preparation for another strike.
'Crap!' Korra thought, her guard forcefully being dropped, unable to brace for the blow.
But just as Steam's fist shot toward her, a small, cylindrical object flew between them. It hit the ground with a soft thud, and before Korra could process what was happening, she heard a metallic click as the lever on the device snapped down.
KRA-KOOM!
The explosion of light and sound hit them both at point-blank range, an overwhelming flash that burnt Korra's sight and left her ears ringing, followed by a high-pitched screech that vibrated in her skill. The force sent them both reeling back, the shockwave rattling their senses.
Korra crumpled to the ground, one hand pressed to her head as she fought to steady herself, the world spinning around her. Steam dropped to the floor beside her, shaking his head as the sound of the explosion continued to echo in his mind.
"Argh… What…" Korra growled, disoriented, struggling to regain her bearings.
Before she could gather herself, she felt a strong hand grip her arm, yanking her upright.
"Let… go!" she hissed, fighting to break free, but her limbs felt heavy, sluggish.
"...ra… st… us… me…" the words were a jumbled mess, barely comprehensible through her ringing ears.
Korra blinked rapidly, desperately trying to focus. As the blinding light receded, the first thing she saw was an arm wrapped securely around her waist, holding her steady. She was off-balance, her feet barely touching the ground, her arm looped tightly around someone's neck, her hand held by a strong grip that kept her in place.
Confusion swirled in her mind as she weakly turned her head to see the person supporting her. She immediately recognized him and calmed down.
"Zhen…?" she murmured, her voice barely a whisper, still dazed.
"Quiet" Zhen snapped, his grip tightening as he steadied her "Keep walking before we get caught"
The two burst through the exit, Korra finally regaining her balance as they stumbled out into the open. The cool night air hit her face, but the brief moment of relief was shattered by a pained cry.
ARGH!
Korra's heart dropped as she and Zhen turned to see Mako and Bolin crumpled on the ground, writhing under the crackling arcs of electricity from a man wielding twin electric batons. His face twisting in cold hearted determination.
"LIEUTENANT"
AGE: ???
STATUS: Lieutenant
"You benders need to understand…" the man growled, staring at the unconscious brothers with disdain. "There's no place in the world for you anymore"
Before he could say another word, the ground beneath him suddenly erupted, a slab of pavement slamming into his side with force. The man flew into a nearby metal wall, crumpling to the ground in a heap.
"I wouldn't count us out just yet" Korra said, stepping forward.
Behind her, Zhen pushed the exit door closed and leaned his back against it, grounding himself as the sound of pounding fists and shouting voices echoed from the other side.
"Avatar, I hope you've got a plan, cause we're seconds away from getting swarmed!"
Korra didn't miss a beat, raising her fingers to her lips and letting out a sharp whistle. "Naga!"
From somewhere, her loyal polarbear dog barreled into view, growling low with an Equalist dangling unconscious from her jaws. She flung the unlucky grunt aside with a snarl and trotted toward Korra.
Korra darted over to Mako, quickly helping him to his feet. His head lolled slightly, but he was conscious enough to groan and stand.
She guided him toward Naga, hoisting him onto the saddle before climbing up herself.
"Zhen! Let's go!" Korra yelled, her voice cutting through the chaos as Naga started sprinting toward Bolin, who was just waking up.
AHHH!
Bolin screamed, his eyes snapping open just in time to see the massive jaws heading straight toward him. Naga lifted him effortlessly, his legs flailing in the air as she charged forward.
At the exit, Zhen braced against the exit door as it started to buckle under the force of the Equalists on the other side. Zhen immediately pushed himself off as the door finally burst open, and a flood of masked figures surged through.
The Equalists were quick to give chase, already sprinting toward him. Naga was already gaining speed, and Zhen could feel the gap widening. He grit his teeth—there was no way they could afford to slow down at this rate.
Just as he prepared to push harder, a sharp, familiar whirring sound stopped him in his tracks. Zhen turned, his instincts flaring. Steam was there, emerging from the fog like a specter, his unseen mechanicals hissing with pent-up pressure.
The sound of gears reached a crescendo as Steam launched a piston-powered punch straight at Zhen. The attack came almost faster than the eye could follow. Zhen barely managed to jump and twist his body, bringing his forearm up to deflect the strike. But in the split moment, he got an idea.
He took the strike head on, the sheer force of the punch sent a shockwave up his arm, his bones audibly cracking from the force.
But, using the momentum, Zhen twisted his body mid-air, launching himself backward toward Naga. The move was risky, but it paid off. He crashed into Mako, barely managing to land safely on the polarbear dog's back.
"GO!" Zhen shouted, his breath coming in sharp gasps as he gripped his broken arm.
His other hand darted into his pocket, pulling out a small canister. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed toward the Equalists. The device hit the ground, erupting into a thick cloud of green smoke, engulfing their pursuers. The Equalists faltered as the dense fog obscured their vision.
As the commotion faded into the distance, Amon stepped out of the second-floor exit. He looked down at his people below with a calm, calculating gaze, his arms folded behind his back.
"Let them go" he commanded, stopping his men from preparing to give chase.
The pursuing Equalists froze in their tracks, immediately halting at their leader's word. They glanced up at him, waiting for him to speak further.
"She's the perfect messenger to tell the city of my power" he announced, his mask tilting slightly as he observed the direction in which Korra and her companions escaped.
Satisfied, Amon turned away, his steps silent. As he began to descend into the shadows of the hall, he paused briefly. His gaze shifted to a small hooded figure standing silently at the edge of the balcony.
"Inform me should HE make his report" Amon said.
And without waiting for an acknowledgement, he continued on his way, disappearing into the shadows as swiftly as he had appeared.
The hooded figure remained motionless for a long moment, their face hidden by a pristine white mask, its surface gleaming faintly in the firelight. When the last echo of Amon's footsteps faded, the figure let out a soft, exasperated sigh.
"Ha~ This is a bother without Leader~" they muttered under their breath, their tone laced with both annoyance and a languid indifference.
"NEEDLE"
AGE: ???
STATUS: Equalist
Stretching lazily, Needle surveyed the empty courtyard below, making sure it was now devoid of even a single evidence the Equalist forces have been here. Behind her, flames began to consume the building, roaring hungrily as they climbed higher, their fiery glow casting flickering shadows across the masked figure's silhouette.
"I need a day off~" she murmured, almost wistfully, as she turned toward the encroaching darkness.
Without hesitation, Needle leapt into the shadows, vanishing like a ghost as the building behind her collapsed under the weight of the inferno. The fire's crackle and the distant wail of sirens were the only sounds to remain as she departed.
————————————————————————————
[The Next Day, City Hall]
After the chaos last night, Mako and Bolin returned home, too drained to rehash the events. Korra, however, couldn't shake her unease. As the Avatar, Amon has challenged her very position, and it weighed heavily on her mind.
When she finally arrived back at Air Temple Island, she was met with Tenzin's worried gaze. The Airbending master had been on the verge of organizing a city-wide search party for her. After a brief explanation of the ordeal, Korra recounted the events toward Tenzin, as well as the mysterious power Amon displayed.
When morning came, after a restless night, Tenzin convened an urgent meeting with the Republic City Council to discuss the growing crisis. He insisted that both Korra and Zhen accompany him to provide their testimonies.
Now, in the grand chambers of City Hall, at the heart of Republic City, the Council gathered. Inside their council room, their discussion began. Meanwhile, Korra and Zhen waited just outside the chamber, waiting to be called.
Inside, however, the tension was palpable.
"There is a madman running around our beloved city, threatening to tear it apart" a refined voice broke through the chattering noise. "We need to create a task force, whose sole mission is to find Amon"
TARRLOK
AGE: 37
STATUS: Representative of the Northern Water Tribe
"Absolutely not." Tenzin was quick to reject the proposal. "A move that aggressive would only further divide benders and nonbenders"
TENZIN
AGE: 51
STATUS: Representative of the Air Nomads
Tarrlok's piercing gaze swept toward Tenzin, a thin smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"With all due respect, Tenzin" he began, adding an edge of urgency in his voice.
"Inaction is not a strategy. Amon is growing bolder by the day. Not only that. but we also have a deranged killer on the loose taking out benders in cold blood—and we have no new leads on who they are"
The other council members exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions a mix of concern and skepticism.
"For now, they've been focusing on the Triads and other criminals, but with Amon now making his presence public, who's to say when he'll turn his attention to innocent civilians?" Tarrlok continued, his voice hardening.
"If we fail to act decisively, Amon will only gain more support."
He slammed his fist on the table, his forceful gesture echoing in the room.
"I understand your concerns" Tenzin countered, keeping his calm. "But we cannot risk escalating the situation. A task force led by benders will only validate Amon's claim that benders impose on nonbenders. We must find another way"
Tarrlok's eyes narrowed, his smile shifting into something more cynical. "And what would you suggest? Sitting idly by while Amon's Equalists spread fear and propaganda? The people need reassurance. They need to see us taking action"
Before Tenzin could reply, a representative from the Fire Nation, interjected.
RYU
AGE: 58
STATUS: Representative of the Fire Nation
"Tarrlok raises a valid point" she said. "The longer we delay, the stronger this Amon fellow's movement becomes"
Ryu turned toward Tarrlok, though her expression remained cautious. "I'm inclined to agree with you. But who would even lead such a Task Force?"
Tarrlok, sensing an opportunity, flashed a confident smile. He straightened his posture, shifting to a more persuasive way of speaking.
"It would be my honor—and privilege—to accept such a duty" he gave a slight bow toward the council members.
Though his tone was polite, there was an unmistakable air of ambition in his words. Tenzin, who had silently been observing, could no longer contain his frustration.
Though one man was against this ploy, Tenzin.
"This is just another one of your ploys to gain more power, isn't it?" his words cut through the room, his gaze hardening toward his fellow councilman.
Tarrlok's smile didn't falter at the accusation.
"All I'm trying to do is help" he replied, his voice calm, but his eyes gleamed with calculated intent.
"Think back. Forty-two years ago, Republic City was threatened by another dangerous man—Yakone. Your father wasn't afraid to deal with HIM head on"
Tenzin's brow twitched at the mention of his father. The weight of that comparison fueled his anger.
"This… is a completely different situation" he began, standing up. "And how DARE you compare yourself with Avatar Aang"
As the heated argument between Tenzin and Tarrlok reached its peak, the doors to the council chamber suddenly slammed open with a force that rattled the walls. Everyone turned, startled, as Lin Beifong strode in, dragging Zhen behind her by the collar. Korra rushed in after them, her face flushed with concern and confusion.
LIN BEIFONG
AGE: 51
STATUS: Chief of Police
"Whose idea was it to let this filth walk around in my city?!" she barked, throwing Zhen into the middle of the room with enough force to make him stumble but regain his footing quickly.
A voice from across the room broke the silence. "What is the meaning of this, Chief of Police?"
ROOK
AGE: 52
STATUS: Representative of the Southern Water Tribe.
Lin's eyes narrowed, her gaze hard as she fixed him with a glare.
"I was going to report to the council about a lead I found on our killer" she spat, gesturing toward Zhen with disdain. "Then I see THIS runt walking around City Hall like it's some kind of tourist attraction.
"I allowed it" Tenzin began, his voice steady as he tried to intercede and explain. "However—"
"Dammit Tenzin!" Lin interrupted.
"We've still got a madman and a psychopath running loose, and now you're telling me this terrorist is TOO?!"
Korra stepped forward, her voice showing concern "What's going on? Why is Zhen—"
Lin's glare shifted to Korra, but the young Avatar meets it head on.
"Keep out of this, Avatar." Lin shot out, her voice dripping with frustration.
Tenzin, though his expression remained composed, couldn't mask the strain that had crept into his features. He kept his posture controlled despite the weight in his shoulders. His hand clenched slightly around the edge of the table, but he kept his expression composed.
"Like I said Chief Lin" Tenzin began, keeping his voice steady as he attempted to relieve the situation. "Pema insisted—"
"I don't give a damn if it was the Fire Lord who insisted!" Lin snapped, cutting him off with fierceness that left no room for him to explain. "What makes you think it's a good idea to let that disaster walk around my city like it's some kind of vacation spot?"
The room fell into a tense, almost suffocating silence. Lin's words bore weight and it showed on not just Tenzin's face but the rest of the Council members present as well. Though her voice carried a biting edge, the underlying worry for the citizens' safety was evident in her gaze.
Another voice interjected. The oldest one in the room, the Earth Kingdom representative.
KAITO
AGE: 68
STATUS: Representative of the Earth Kingdom
"I'm sure you're fully aware of what your decision entails, Tenzin?" Kaito leaned forward from his seat. "We have a formal agreement in place regarding this young man—one that has been revisited and reaffirmed"
Kaito stood, his towering figure casting a shadow on Zhen as he looked down at him. The young man met his stare without flinching, his expression apathetic.
"His relocation from his previous settlement was approved under highly specific conditions: he was to remain confined to Air Temple Island, permitted to leave only when summoned by the council, and placed under twenty-four-hour surveillance." Kaito shifted his attention back to Tenzin as he continued.
Ryu, who had been quietly observing, was next to speak up. She leaned forward on the table, expressing a growing concern.
"That wasn't a causal decision, Tenzin" she added.
"Its renewal, along with certain amendments upon Zhen's coming of age, was ratified by individuals with far greater authority than any of us. The Former Chief of Police, Lord Zuko, the current Fire Lord, and the Former Kyoshi Leader. It was a carefully considered arrangement. Changing it wasn't even an option we have power over"
Tarrlok, ever eager to seize an opportunity to undermine Tenzin, saw his chance and pounced.
"Indeed" he said, his smooth voice dripping with sarcasm. "What authority do you think you have to unilaterally disregard an agreement of such importance without consulting us first?"
He raised his voice slightly, as though taunting Tenzin, pushing the issue further.
As the council and Lin argued against Tenzin, Korra crept up closer to Zhen, who stood in the center of the chamber, his wrists bound by tightly coiled metal wires, even though one of his arms was still in a makeshift cast. His expression remained calm, unnervingly so, as if everything around him didn't matter.
"What's going on…?" Korra asked, looking at Zhen, but instead of showing curiosity it was more so she was concerned. "Why is everyone looking at you like that…?"
Zhen didn't answer immediately. The arguments around them seemed muffled in his ears, a distant hum as the world sank around him. Yet he felt everything—the way voices cut through the air, the slam of hands against the table, the restless flicker of shadows on the ground. But what he felt to most was the presence of the young girl beside him.
Finally, he turned to Korra, his expression shifting. A wide, almost too-bright smile stretched across his face, an attempt at reassurance.
"Let's say I did something really bad" he said with a shrug, trying to inject humor into his tone.
But when Korra's eyes met his, the brightness of his smile faltered under her scrutiny. No amount of cheer could mask the hollowness in his eyes. Assure her? That was laughable. It seemed more like he was trying to convince himself of the assurance he pretended to offer.
As Zhen turned away, Korra's hand instinctively reached out, hovering inches from his shoulder. She had the urge to comfort him, but something stopped her.
Her hand hesitated midair, then slowly withdrew. She couldn't explain why—but it was unsettling, she didn;t know why.
Her chest tightened as silence between them, filled only by the loud murmurs of the council.
Finally, Tarrlok intervened, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Wait, I have a proposal" he said, raising a hand to quiet the room.
The other council members turned toward him, their voices dropping into an uneasy silence. Tarrlok continued with a calculating expression.
"Tenzin, your main concern is that a task force comprised solely of benders will cause a bigger divide between benders and nonbenders, correct?"
"I don't see how that's relevant to Zhen's situation" Tenzin frowned, replying cautiously.
Tarrlok smirked slightly, brushing off the remark with a dismissive wave.
"This could be an opportunity" he said smoothly. "I propose we let him work under me in the task force"
A ripple of surprise swept through the room, and all eyes turned to Tarrlok as his words settled.
"What?" Tenzin was the first to react. "That is preposterous."
"Think about it" Tarrlok countered, his voice persuasive "This could prove vital—not just to our city, but to Zhen as well"
He gestured toward Zhen, who merely tilted his head slightly, his expression a blend of confusion and detachment, showing no investment in the discussion.
The next to speak was the Chief of Police herself, her voice laced with disdain.
"Are you saying you want to put that…" she paused, her sharp eyes flicking toward Zhen with small contempt "that THING in a position of power?"
"Precisely" Tarrlok replied without missing a beat. "What better way for him to prove his worth? Give him a chance to contribute."
"And what happens when he takes advantage of this opportunity?" Lin crossed her arms, her gaze hard as steel. "For all we know, he might work for this Amon fellow first chance he gets"
Tarrlok smiled faintly, his composure undisturbed by Lin's glare. "Then I will take full responsibility."
The room erupted into murmurs, council members exchanging uncertain glances. Tarrlok's proposal had a tempting simplicity, and despite its implications, there seemed to be little ground to challenge its logic. Only Tenzin and Lin remained visibly opposed, leaving them with concerned expressions.
Ultimately, the council moved to a vote.
And the result was clear: in favor of Tarrlok.
"I will not let you down" he declared, lifting his gravel with an air of triumph.
"WAIT!"
A sharp cry cut through the room. Tarrlok's hand froze midair, the gavel hovering above the block as every head turned toward the source of interruption.
Korra stood, her fists clenched at her sides, her chest heaving as she struggled to steady.
"Why… Why are you deciding things for him? What about what he wants to do?" her hand shot out in Zhen's direction, her tone almost pleading.
This scene felt new to her… yet achingly familiar. Powerful figures deciding for someone else, crafting their next move without their own voice. But this time, something was different. It lacked the empathy she had been shown in her own past, the guidance that shaped her path. This wasn't a decision made with care.
It was meant to shackle.
Lin cast a sharp, scrutinizing gaze down at the young Avatar, her brow arching with a mixture of belief and condescension,
"What HE wants to do?" she repeated. "We're giving him a chance—something he should be grateful for. That's more than enough for someone like HIM"
Korra's jaw tightened at Lin's cutting words, her fists trembling at her sides. But before the words could escape, she felt a hand rest lightly on her shoulder.
"No need for this, Avatar" came a calm voice, disarming her.
She turned, her retort caught in her throat as her eyes met Zhen's. Despite the emptiness lingering in his gaze, there was something faint behind the glint of red—an unspoken plea, a quiet reassurance.
It was enough to stop her.
The suffocating weight of the room pressed harder on her. It made her think, if SHE felt like she was drowning, then what must it have been like for him? Trapped in a decision not his own, yet still finding the will to stop her from escalating the scene.
"I have no problems with the Task Force." Zhens said at last, his voice calm and detached as he stepped forward, gazing upward to address the council.
Tarrlok's lips curved into a satisfied smile. He wasted no time capitalizing on Zhen's compliance.
"Then it's settled" Tarrlok announced, his smooth voice cutting through the tense silence.
With a deliberate motion, he brought the gravel down with a resounding crack, the sound reverberating through the chamber.
The decision was final.
————————————————————————————
[Later that night]
After the council meeting concluded, Korra and Tenzin returned to Air Temple Island. Zhen stayed behind, taken in by Tarrlok to discuss the finer details of his upcoming role.
As night blanketed the city, the stillness of the island was broken only by the soft rustling of leaves in the wind and the distant lapping of water. Yet, Korra couldn't find peace. Sleep evaded her as fear and frustration buzzed under her skin like a storm.
Unable to lay still, she stepped outside. The moonlight cast a silvery glow over the island as she moved with force. She displayed a practice in imagery training, boxing shadows she cannot see. Her fists cut through the air, her movements sharper and more aggressive than usual.
She was uneasy, and it was showing in her performance.
"Korra?"
The calm voice broke through her focus, and she halted mid-strike, turning toward the source.
PEMA
AGE: 35
STATUS: Tenzin's wife
Pema stood at the edge of the courtyard, showing an expression of concern despite her weariness. The faint glow of the moon illuminated her face, softening the lines of her features.
"It's late" She said, her voice gentle. "You should be asleep."
Korra wiped the sweat from her brow, her chest rising and falling with exertion.
"Couldn't sleep" she admitted, her tone clipped but remained kind. "Needed to clear my head"
Pema's gaze lingered on Korra, taking in the trembling of her fists, the tension in her posture, and the storm behind her blue eyes. She stepped closer, her presence providing Korra with a sense of calm.
"Is this about what happened this morning?" Pema asked softly, her tone inviting honesty.
Korra looked down at her hands for a moment before clenching them into fists, containing her bubbling frustration.
"I just…" she began, searching for the right words. "Why does everyone look at Zhen that way?"
She exhaled sharply, lowering herself to sit on the small stairs leading to the door, resting her elbows on her knees.
"It's not like I'm blind" Korra continued, her voice quieter now, though no less intense. "Since I got here Tenzin's been treating him like he barely exists, and now the Council of OLD PEOPLE just treat him like… like…"
Her words faltered as she caught herself, swallowing back the sharp edge threatening to escape. She rubbed the back of her neck, frustrated not just by the situation but by her inability to put it into words.
"What did he do wrong to be treated that way?" she asked finally, her words tinged with vulnerability as she looked up at Pema.
The moonlight highlighted the raw emotion in her expression, a stark contrast to her usual confidence.
Pema's brows knitted together, her concern deepening as she took a seat beside Korra, providing her with warm comfort,
"When Zhen first came here just a year ago…" she began, her gaze drifting toward the moonlit sky. Her voice carried a faint melancholy as she began to reminisce. "He was quite… how do you say this, empty."
Korra followed her gaze, her expression softening as she listened.
"Back then" Pema continued. "Tenzin forbade him from ever stepping into the temple unless he was summoned. He made him live alone in the small forest on the edge of the island"
Her voice wavered, and she clasped her hands tightly in her lap."I couldn't understand it—to force someone so young to live that way… so isolated"
"Did he tell you why?" Korra asked, her curiosity piqued.
"He only told me Zhen was serving a 'special' sentence." Pema answered with a heavy sigh, gesturing air quotes as she emphasized her words. "That he was only here cause it was safer to keep him under constant watch"
Guilt seeped into her voice as she continued.
"I wasn't involved much in Tenzin's work, so I… I believed him" her voice broke slightly. "I even warned my children to stay away from him before."
Korra's fists tightened again, but this time, it wasn't out of frustration.
"It wasn't until a few months after he moved in" Pema paused, her hand tightening briefly before she continued. "One day, I was letting the kids play around as usual while I was out helping around the island. I wasn't really looking where I was going and wandered too close to the cliffs. The view was beautiful, but as I stood there, the ground beneath me crumbled and I fell into the sea"
She lowered her gaze, her voice quieter now. "When I came to, I was lying in a strange tent. My wounds were clumsily but carefully bandaged, and I had been dressed in dry clothes."
"When I stepped outside, I found Zhen… shivering by a small fire, drying my clothes. He didn't say much… but that day, I saw him more so just a kid who didn't know what to do… and only doing what he can…" Pema said, her voice soft but filled with emotion.
Korra's grip loosened slightly, her hands resting on her lap as she listened, her heart twisting.
"When he carefully brought me home, he was scolded harshly by Tenzin" Pema continued, her voice tinged with sadness. "I was told to keep my distance. But after that day, Zhen still kept looking out for me. He would leave herbs by my window, sometimes with little notes scribbled in shaky handwriting"
She let out a soft, bittersweet laugh at the memory. "They were barely readable, but they always made me smile"
Pema turned to Korra, her steady, earnest gaze locking with Korra's ocean-blue eyes. She reached out and gently took Korra's hand, offering silent reassurance.
"I'm not sure what you saw or what they told you. But I can say this: Zhen's a good kid."
Korra fell into a heavy silence, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she held onto Pema's hand quietly, as if grounding herself in the warmth.
"Thanks, Pema" Korra murmured, her voice low but filled with a rare tenderness, as though some weight had lightened just a little.
Pema smiled warmly. "Anytime. Now, let's go get some rest. I'm sure an Avatar has a lot to do in the morning"
Korra nodded, standing up and helping Pema to her feet. They shared a quiet, understanding glance before heading back inside. The evening passed quietly, the hum of the island blending with the soft night air.
When Korra returned to her quarters, Naga was waiting, her large, furry head lifting as Korra entered. The polarbear dog padded over and nudged Korra gently, sensing her unease. With a sigh, Korra collapsed onto the bed, feeling the weight of the day settling on her shoulder, though lighter this time.
Naga, attuned to her companion's emotions, laid her head on the bed next to Korra, her warm, soft body offering the comfort Korra needed.
Korra reached over, her fingers brushing through Naga's fur. She snuggled closer, the presence of her loyal friend offering her solace.
The two walked back inside into their respective rooms. Letting the night pass.
"Thanks, Naga" Korra whispered wearily.
Naga gave a soft whine as a response, letting Korra slowly allow herself a moment of rest.
————————————————————————————
[The Next Day, Green Meadows District]
The morning hustle of Republic City was in full swing. The streets bustled with activity as workers darted between carts, jumped onto trams, and hailed rickshaws, all in a frantic race against the clock. The air buzzed with the symphony of chatter, footsteps, and clattering wheels.
Among the chaotic civilians was Mako, one of the Fire Ferret brothers, making his way through the crowded streets. His scarf, a signature accessory he's kept, was slightly askew as he darted his eyes around for a ride to the powerplant he worked.
"Damn it…" he cursed under his breath, frustration etching into his features.
He tugged at his scarf to adjust it, looking for an available ride.
Finally, he spotted a tram slowing down to a stop. Without thinking, Mako jogged toward it, focusing on flagging it down.
In his rush, he failed to notice the approaching scooter.
"LOOK OUT!" a panicked voice rang out.
But the warning came too late.
The scooter's brakes screeched against the pavement as the driver swerved to avoid him, but the momentum carried it forward.
ARGH!
Mako barely had time to raise his arms in defense before the scooter clipped him, sending him backward and sprawling onto the ground. A large bag flew off the scooter, tumbling to the pavement as its contents scattered across the bustling street.
Groaning, Mako sat up, rubbing his shoulder. His scarf had slipped slightly, and he adjusted it again, his annoyance flaring.
The scooter came to a halt a few feet away, and the driver quickly dismounted, pushing it to the side of the road before rushing toward him.
"Oh no!" a muffled, worried voice called out, distorted slightly by the helmet. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you!"
"How could you not see me?" Mako snapped, scratching the back of his head in annoyance.
"I mean, I was—I did—I'm J-Ju—..."
But Mako's irritation faltered the moment the driver removed her helmet.
Soft, dark hair tumbled over her shoulder in cascading waves, catching the light as she shook it free. Bright emerald eyes framed by delicate features locked onto his, her expression showing both genuine concern and quiet grace.
ASAMI SATO
AGE: 18
STATUS: Future Industries Heir
Mako's irritation melted away, replaced by stunned silence.
"I was… I-I—Wow." he stammered, his jaw slightly slack as he struggled to string words together. "I—I… that was"
Mako repeatedly cleared his throat in nervousness, his face showing a bright but faint shade of red.
"Are you ok?" Asami's voice broke through Mako's daze as she rushed to his side, her helmet tucked under one arm.
She bent down slightly, offering him a hand to help him up. "Did I hurt you? Ugh. I'm such an idiot"
Her voice was kind, gentle even, carrying a note of genuine concern. Mako quickly stood, brushing the dust off his clothes in a hurried, self-conscious manner.
"Don't worry, I'm fine!" he said, trying to play it cool. "My brother hits me harder than that in practice."
As he straightened his scarf and patted himself down, Asami's gaze lingered on him. She tilted her head, her brow furrowing in through before her face lit up with recognition.
"Wait, I-I recognize you" She said, stepping closer and looking up at him with excitement in her lush-green eyes. "You're Mako, right? You play for the Fire Ferrets"
Mako blinked, startled by her sudden enthusiasm. His posture stiffened for a second, but instead of stepping back, he shifted his weight awkwardly and glanced to the side, avoiding her gaze.
"Ye-Yeah, that's me" he replied, a faint blush creeping up his cheeks.
Asami's hand flew to her face, her cheeks flushing as she laughed nervously. "I am so~ embarrassed"
After taking a moment to compose herself, Asami extended her hand with a warm smile.
"My name's Asami"
Mako hesitated briefly, then reached out to shake her hand. Her grip was firm but friendly.
"Let me make this up to you somehow" Asami insisted, already thinking about it.
"N-No, you don't really—"
"How about I treat you to dinner? Tomorrow night, 8pm, Kwong's Cuisine" Asami interrupted him with a smile, her words leaving no room for him to decline.
"Uh… Kwong's?" Mako asked, confused for a moment. "I don't got any nice clothes for a place that classy"
"I'll take care of that. All you need to do is show up" she said, tapping his shoulder with a playful smile.
Mako stammered again as he opened his mouth to respond but was caught off guard when she leaned in slightly, her vibrant green eyes locking onto his.
"So… it's a date?"
For a moment, he faltered under her gaze. His heart skipped a beat as her eyes gleamed, waiting for his answer. Then, almost unconsciously, he nodded.
"Uh… yeah, I guess so"
"Great!" Asami said, her smile blossoming into something radiant, and she gave a little clap of her hands.
"I'll see you tomorrow night, then"
She waved brightly with infectious energy, but just as Mako was about to turn away, he noticed her kneeling down beside the scattered items from her bag
"Let me help you" Mako offered, crouching beside her.
"Thanks, but aren't you late?" she asked, showing her concern.
"It's fine" he insisted, shrugging nonchalantly. "Not like this'll take long"
Together, they started picking up the scattered items—papers, books, gears, tools, pipes, and small canisters. It wasn't a difficult process, but as Mako reached for one canister, his fingers brushed against something soft and slimy.
He pulled his hand back, looking at it with confusion. "What the…?"
Mako picked up the broken canister, and the blue liquid began to drip from the jagged edges, its odd texture pooling on the ground.
Asami noticed his reaction and moved closer, her brow furrowing in frustration.
"Ah. Damn it." she sighed, though her tone remained surprisingly gentle. "I was getting this fixed…"
"What is it?" Mako asked, holding out the canister gingerly.
Asami took it from him, carefully wrapping it in a cloth she pulled from her bag.
"It's a prototype battery" she explained, her voice thoughtful "I was having some parts repaired for a friend. The liquid is supposed to convert into energy to power an engine"
Mako nodded, though the technical talk went over his head. "A prototype battery, huh? Sounds… pretty advanced"
"It is. I'll have to redo this" Asami replied, letting out a soft sigh as she put the canister in her bag. But then, she glanced at Mako for a moment, her lips curving into a faint smile. "But it's not a total loss"
Her expression softened, and for a brief moment, her worry seemed to melt away.
"Thanks for helping" She said, standing and brushing off her hands.
"I-its no big deal" Mako responded, trying—and failing—to sound nonchalant as he stood beside her. "Good luck with that."
"Thanks" Asami replied, flashing him another dazzling smile.
She returned to her scooter, loading her things with an effortless grace.
As she secured her bag and prepared to leave, Mako found himself lingering, unable to pull his gaze away. He found himself captivated, momentarily rooting him in place as she put on her helmet.
She revved the engine and looked over her shoulder, giving the young man one last gaze through her visor.
"Don't be late!" She teased, her tone playful.
Before Mako could respond, Asami drove off, the hum of her scooter fading into the bustling noise.
————————————————————————————
[Evening, Air Temple Island]
Evening had descended, painting the sky in hues of amber and deep purple as the sun sank below the horizon.
Zhen had just returned to the island after a meeting with the Chief of Police concerning his involvement with Councilman Tarrlok's task force. Despite the conversation being brief, it had drained him.
Still, duty called. Even with his arm poorly bandaged and slung over his neck, he found himself sweeping the courtyard, listening to the repetitive sound of the broom brushing against the stone floors. Eventually, his weariness caught up with him, and he leaned the broom against a wall before settling on one of the stone benches nearby.
Sitting there, Zhen reached into his pocket and retrieved a small carton. With movements that stem from memory, he tapped out a cigarette and placed it between his teeth. Setting the carton down beside him, he retrieved a lighter, the small flame flickering to life as it kissed the cigarette's tip. The ember glowed softly, its light briefly illuminating the tired lines of his face.
He inhaled deeply, holding the smoke in his lungs for a moment before releasing it in a slow, steady stream. The ashen cloud dissipated into the air, joining the faint mist that clung to the island's quiet.
His gaze drifted to the distant cityscape, its glittering lights a blur against the darkening sky. The tranquility of the moment was welcome, but it couldn't completely hide the weariness etched to his face. Still, for now, he let himself indulge in this fragile peace, even if only for a little while.
"Still not joining us for a meal?"
A voice, light and teasing, broke through his isolation like a ripple across still water.
Zhen didn't startle or shift, his focus lingering on the horizon a beat longer before he acknowledged her presence.
"Avatar." he greeted flatly, his voice tinged with exhaustion as another cloud of smoke escaped his lips. "Busy training?"
"More like busy letting out some steam… ugh…" Korra groaned, kicking at a loose stone as she trudged closer. Though she was clearly frustrated, her pace was a little softer than usual.
She sat down beside him, the sound of her boots barely registering against the stone. Zhen didn't even glance at her, but he shifted his body a bit to let her know he notices her.
He scooted just a little to the side, but not far enough to make it obvious.
The two let the silence settle between them. Though it wasn't heavy or uncomfortable, it was strangely comforting. It felt… peaceful. No one was demanding anything. No expectations. No nagging. It was just the quiet, air, and the evening light slipping into the night.
Korra closed her eyes for a moment, letting it wash over her. It was like taking a deep breath of fresh air. Only thing missing is actual fresh air.
Koff!
Korra coughed, her throat catching as a cloud of smoke drifted her way. Zhen flicked the ash off the tip of his cigarette with a quiet motion, the ember glowing briefly before he returned his attention to the city.
"You look like you got a lot on your mind" Zhen remarked, finally breaking the silence. His tone was neither prying nor sympathetic—just a matter-of-fact, like observing the weather.
"Is it THAT obvious?" she said jokingly, letting out a soft laugh. "But it's not like I'm the only one with a lot going on"
Korra's gaze flicked to Zhen, who was flicking the embers off his cigarette before tossing it aside.
"Is there any reason they, well, treat you… the way they do?" she asked hesitantly.
The words came out slower, as if she were debating whether or not to finish the question. In the end, she did, her curiosity winning out.
Zhen's expression didn't change much, though his jaw tightened briefly. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees as he considered his response.
"Well" he started, a faint smirk tugging at his lips, though it lacked humor. "You can say I deserve it, I guess"
He didn't elaborate, and Korra could sense the weight behind his words. Before she could even attempt to probe further, Zhen reached for the carton of cigarettes beside him, tapping it lightly until one slid free. He placed it between his lips, holding it loosely as he set the carton aside and retrieved his lighter.
Flick. Flick.
The lighter sparked, but no flame emerged. Zhen furrowed his brow in subtle irritation. He tried again, but still the lighter refused to ignite.
Watching him struggle, Korra held out her hand, a small flame flickering to life in her palm.
"Here" she offered, her voice soft yet teasing as she leaned toward him.
Zhen paused, a bit guarded, his gaze briefly meeting hers before he leaned in, lighting his cigarette with her flame.
"Thanks" he muttered, exhaling smoke as he leaned back into his seat.
Korra extinguished the flame with a flick of her wrist, leaning back on the bench. She used her arms as support for her body as she glanced at the horizon.
For a moment, they were both quiet again, the only sound coming from the faint rustle of the wind and the distant hum of the city.
Finally, Korra broke the quiet again.
"You're really not going to tell me, huh" she asked, her voice keeping the same softness despite her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Tell you what?" Zhen replied, keeping his indifferent tone as he took another drag from his cigarette.
"Why they treat you like that?" Korra clarified, her head tilting slightly as she turned to look at him. "You said you deserved it… but you don't SEEM like a bad guy to me"
Her gaze lingered, taking in the way his hair hung loose around his shoulders and over his eyes instead of tied back in its usual ponytail. It caught her off guard, hot it fell naturally—clean, soft, and well-kept despite his way of living. She quickly looked away, clearing her throat as if the thought never crossed her mind.
"I mean, sure, you're not exactly sunshine and rainbows" she added, her tone teasing but edged with sincerity. "But you don't seem like someone who should be… well, avoided"
Zhen exhaled slowly, the smoke curling around him like a veil before dispersing.
"Maybe you're just bad at reading people" he said, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Korra huffed, rolling her eyes as she fanned the smoke away from her. "Yeah, sure. Let's go with that"
He chuckled softly, but it didn't reach his eyes. Instead, he tapped the ash off his cigarette again, the ember briefly lighting his face.
"People have their reasons" he said after a pause, his voice quieter, as though the words weren't really meant for her. "Who knows? They might be right"
"Are they, though?" Korra pressed, her brow furrowing as she studied him.
Zhen shrugged, taking another drag of smoke into his lungs. "Does it matter?"
"It should" Korra shot back, frustration creeping into her voice.
She stood abruptly, towering over him now as she crossed her arms.
"It SHOULD matter! You can't just let people treat you like dirt because it's easier!" her voice raised with each word as she looked down at him.
Zhen met her fiery gaze without flinching. His expression remained calm, but his eyes remained sharp despite the obvious weariness.
"Does it matter to YOU?" he asked, his low voice cutting through her anger like a knife.
The question hung in the air, letting a heavy atmosphere get between them. Korra's expression faltered, her confidence wavering as she stepped back and looked down to the ground. Her arms fell to her sides, her fingers twitching slightly as if searching for the right words.
"I…" she trailed off, her voice softer now, almost unsure.
She looked at the ground, her frustration giving way to something more vulnerable.
Zhen sighed, reaching up to rub the back of his neck, a rare gesture of unease breaking through his usual composure. He extinguished his cigarette on the edge of the stone bench, flicking the end toward the ground.
"Sorry" he muttered, the smoke curling from his breath as he spoke. "Didn't mean to sound rude"
Korra blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected apology. Her fingers tightened around her arm as she shifted her weight, clearly uneasy. The defiance in her posture softened, replaced by a hint of guilt.
"No, I-I'm sorry for prying" she stammered. Her voice was quieter now, guilt weaving through her words.
The silence that followed was heavy. The once-comfortable quiet between them not teetered on the edge of awkwardness, both searching for something to say but unsure how to begin.
But this time, Zhen broke the silence first, surprising Korra. His voice was steady, almost contemplative.
"I'm thankful though" he said, the words hanging in the air for a moment before Korra tilted her head, confusion flicking across her face
"What do you mean?" she asked, raising a brow slightly.
"At least I know one person on my side now" he responded simply.
He glanced up at her as he spoke, a faint, weary smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It was small, almost imperceptible, but genuine. His red eyes, dulled by fatigue, seemed to glimmer faintly in the night.
Korra blinked again, her heart skipping a momentary beat as she met his gaze. She couldn't help but smile back, her expression growing confident, dissipating the awkwardness in the air.
She settled back into her seat beside him, feeling less tense now. The awkwardness between them had lifted, leaving a quiet, almost fragile understanding in its place. She leaned forward slightly, resting her elbow on her knees as she stared out at the horizon.
"Still, do you ever want people to treat you differently?" she asked, her tone more direct this time, but still laced with the same curiosity.
"I don't know" Zhen didn't hesitate in his response, simply admitting to it. "I don't think I know how differently I can be treated."
He reached for the small carton beside him, slipping it into his pocket with a casual motion.
Korra's gaze softened as her eyes remained toward the cityscape.
"That's a sad way to live" She said, her voice carrying a trace of sympathy.
He smirked, leaning back against the bench as he used his arms for support behind him.
"A proper way to survive might be more accurate" he replied with a faint humor, but his words didn't quite mask the exhaustion in his voice.
After a long pause, she glanced over at him, the corner of her lips turning up slightly.
"Still…" she started again with the same gentle tone. "It's not exactly… sunshine and rainbows… is it?"
Zhen let out a breath—part laugh, part sigh.
"Not exactly" he admitted, his smirk tugging slightly at his lips, though his eyes remained faded behind the fatigue. "But it's enough, I guess?"
Korra studied him for a moment, searching for something in his face—doubt, regret, some faint uncertainty. But all she found was quiet acceptance.
Maybe it wasn't the answer she wanted, but for now, it would do.
She offered a smile in return.
"Yeah…" she murmured. "I guess it is"
They sat like that for a while longer, not needing to say anything more. The cool night air brushed against their skin, and the city lights glittered across the bay like distant stars, casting a soft glow over their small world.
Eventually, the quiet was broken, and they both knew it was time to return. Korra stood first, stretching her arms over her head, and gave him a small wave before heading back toward her room. Her furry companion, waiting patiently, would be glad to see her. Zhen stayed for a moment longer, pushing himself up with a grunt and glancing around before returning to his camp. There, a campfire was still smoldering, waiting to be put out.
————————————————————————————
[???, ???]
The rhythmic clank of giant gears turning, the hiss of steam escaping from pipes, and the sharp, metallic sounds of steel meeting steel filled the air. The room itself was chaotic, dominated by the full-scale map of Republic City mounted on one of its walls.
The figure standing before it, weaning a pristine mask, had his hand folded behind him, his posture showing his commanding power.
Behind him, three figures waited. One had their head down, his knee to the ground, while two others remained standing, their robed forms almost indistinct in the dim lighting.
Amon's voice broke the stillness, his patience visibly thinning. "Still no word from your leader?"
"Nope~"
"None"
The response came almost in unison from the two hooded figures. The first spoke with a gruff edge, while the second carried a tone that was almost playful, a stark contrast to the current mood.
Amon's fingers tightened slightly, but he kept his gaze fixed on the map, the sharp lines and locations of Republic City, some circled and some marked with a cross blurred slightly as his mind raced.
"It's been days…" he muttered, his tone betraying the frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. "If he remains unresponsive, we will have to proceed with the plan without him"
The bowed figure, the Lieutenant, lifted his head slightly, speaking with respect yet unmistakable concern.
"I believe we should wait" he suggested. "As much as I despise their methods, his skills are critical to our success. Most of our plans depend heavily on the information he currently holds."
Amon considered the Lieutenant's words, his expression hidden behind his mask. For a moment, only the sound of hissing steam and the distant hum of machinery filled the space. Then, slowly, Amon spoke, his tone colder than before.
"We wait, for now" he said, his voice unyielding. "But should his delay cost us our plan, I will take care of him. Personally."
End