#equalist!mako

Tinted Green

Part Seven

.

Sneaking in was a lot harder than sneaking out.

Korra slipped out in the cover of night. She found the exit she went through led her into a part of Dragon Flats; dimly lit cobblestone streets with rips and cracks tattering concrete sidewalks and murky water pooling in the spaces between. The air was sticky despite the winter winds, if that were possible, and a shiver ran up her spine as snowflakes collected like glitter in her hair. She looked up at the night, grey clouds pooling around skyscrapers like ghosts, wispy yet heavy. Snow started trickling down and she was so caught up in the sight of it all (or maybe the lack of it—the dark of night comes in many shades, she thought) that she was oblivious to the police surrounding the area a few blocks down—until the cries grew louder.

She trekked toward the scene.

.

“Tarrlok, this has got to stop.”

Tarrlok did his best to ignore Tenzin as he kept instructed the police force, along with his task force. Saikhan was in the mix, coming in and out, throwing apologetic glances Tenzin’s way when he got the chance. Finally, when Tarrlok had enough of the looks, the comments, he whirled around. “The council’s decision is final. Now if you don’t mind, stay out of my way. Or I’ll have you arrested.”

Tenzin’s eyes narrowed at the mere thought. “Like you would dare,” he whispered fiercely.

“Try me.” Tarrlok smirked, before facing the bustle of cops and citizens. “Attention, citizens of Dragon—“

The citizens were quick to interrupt. “Hey! What’s the big idea?”

“Where’d the power go?”

“You can’t do this! This isn’t right!”

Korra appeared at the front of the neighborhood, emerging from unapologetic darkness and into the unforgiving headlights of police cars. “What the hell’s going on here?”

Suddenly everyone stopped what they were doing—policeman and citizens alike—and turned to the sound of anger. Korra stood before the mix, hands fisted on her hips, lips curled in a frown. Teznin shoved his way through the crowd, knocking over a metalbender and stepping on another’s foot before he stopped suddenly before Korra. His breathing was a bit heavy before he took one more step toward her, collecting her in a hug.

“Oh, Spirits, Korra. I was so worried.” He whispered. The hug was gentle, brief, and when they parted, he smiled fondly at her, playing with the strands of her new choppy and messy hair. “What happened?”

She eyed past him, back at the growing commotion. “Later,” she mumbled, she sauntered past him and marched right up to Tarrlok. “Alright, Tarrlok, what’s with this whole mess?”

Tarrlok tried to disregard the Avatar like he did Tenzin, but it was simply not going to work—all the citizens had quieted, waiting for the Avatar to speak, to help. “These are not average citizens,” he explained, gesturing to the crowd. “This is an equalist rally!”

“What!”

“You got to be kidding me!”

“We’re not equalists! This is an ourtage!”

“Avatar Korra, please!”

“Miss Avatar please do something!”

Korra turned slowly, surveying the crowd before her. “I—“

Tarrlok shoved the Avatar aside. “Metalbenders—arrest the equalists.”

At command, the police stepped forward. Combining their skills with metal and earth, they separated the people into groups, binding them by metal strips to prevent them from leaving. They lifted the earth up into platforms, making it impossible for them to jump or wiggle free.

“Let us go!”

“Stop! Please!”

“Help us!” One woman cried, her eyes pleading as she stared at Korra, her son clinging to her dress. “You’re our Avatar too!”

“Why save me?”

“Because you’re my Avatar too.”

“I—“ Korra was surprised by her own voice: weak, timid, quiet. It was as if her words were leaves, ripped from her tree of thought and carried in the wind, flying and whirling without a pattern, without a purpose, dead.  She was shaking, but it was not from fear—it was something far beyond that.

“Tarrlok!” Korra shrieked. This time her voice sliced through air like a twister. “Let them go!” She yelled.

And as she stared at him, she was sure the air around them was heated by her wildly beating heart; it was fast but steady, like a machine going rampant. But he just smirked—he underestimated her and everything else. So he had the audacity to open his mouth and say, “No.”

No one knew how it happened; only that it had. Korra had tackled the councilman to the ground. She growled, not far from a polar-bear dog, her face dangerously close to his. “Let them go.” She snapped.

Immediately, the metalbenders came to the aid of Tarrlok. Her writs were snapped and bounded with metal cables and she was pulled off, tossed carelessly to the ground like cargo. Tarrlok stood up quickly, dusting his clothes off with a few quick pats. He walked slowly toward her, kneeling in front of her like she was some sort of pet to be admired. He didn’t smile, but she swore she heard it in his voice: some sick satisfaction. “I strongly suggest you stop right now, Avatar Korra,” He looked up at Tenzin, who wore an expression of shock from the whole ordeal. “Otherwise I’ll arrest you and Tenzin. Clear?”

“Don’t bring Tenzin into this,” she barked lowly. “This is about me—always has been.”

Tarrlok laughed, short and amused. “Ignorant girl! Typical of you, isn’t it? This isn’t all about you—you may be the Avatar, but a half-baked one at that. Until you have mastered every element, until you have a better handle on this world will people stop to even spare you a glance. For now, you are a child. A child getting in my way.” Tarrlok nodded to the metalbenders. “Arrest—“

“No. Please,” Tenzin sighed, stepping forward. “Korra’s been captured. She’s probably tired and hungry and angry with what’s happened to her. Please. Just…let her go. Let me take her home.”

It was quiet, save the mumbles of the captive citizens. “Very well,” Tarrlok finally said. “Take her home—but make sure she stays there.” He pointed to Saikhan. “Start processing the citizens. We got a lot of work to do.”

The metal binding her wrists fell and in an instant she brushed past Tenzin’s reaching arm, right to the woman who called for her help.

“I’m sorry,” she choked out breathless, “I’m sorry—but you’re right. I’m your Avatar too. I’ll help you, I will. But I can’t right now. I…I can’t,” she felt her throat ties in knots, burning with subdued sobs.

The woman said nothing; but her son looked up at her with all the wonder in the world—Korra wasn’t sure anyone ever looked at her like that—and said, “Okay. We’ll wait.”

“Come on, Korra,” Tenzin said sternly, a hand on her back. “Let’s go.”

“Okay. Thank you,” she breathed before she followed Tenzin back to the temple.

.

Sleep never came.

She tossed and turned for hours, but her mind was rampant with thoughts of the revolution. Korra thought about her friends still working undercover with the equalists. She thought about Tenzin and his airbending family. She thought about political corruption and the revolution but most of all the danced around her duty as the Avatar; she was having a difficult time outlining her plan, her objective. No one told her being the Avatar was ever going to be this hard. She was dealing not with war, but with something bigger, something intellectual. Korra’s strength was…well, her strength! But she couldn’t use it to solve anything—it required something more, something that was currently out of her reach.

She thought about the spirits she never reached, her past lives that she had no contact with.

The answer was simple—but she didn’t know how to reach it.

Frustrated, Korra finally jumped out of bed and snuck out of the temple. She fetched Naga and headed straight to City Hall, no distractions. She’d take care of Tarrlok, because that was the only thing she was sure was right at the moment.

.

She left Naga behind, instructing her to loiter in the surrounding streets of City Hall. She whispered promises of a quick return, although she didn’t know how long this would take, much less the outcome. Korra knew she had been given a “fair” warning about future defiance—she was asking for trouble, but it was needed trouble.

She stepped into the empty City Hall—it was probably almost dawn, it was so late (or early, she supposed). The other councilmembers had gone home, and her mind drifted to Tenzin, asleep and safe at his home on the island. Her feet made quiet footsteps along tiled floors, climbing up stairs and maneuvering through hallways until she came across Tarrlok’s office somewhere in the center of the building.

Korra did not go out of her way to make any sort of entrance; she walked in quietly and stood on the opposite side of the room, waiting to be seen. His page looked up first, then Tarrlok. He looked not surprised, but rather annoyed. “Avatar Korra.” He said sternly. “What a surprise.”

“You and I need to talk.” She spat, anger bubbling in the pit of her stomach.

Tarrlok rested his chin across his woven fingers, staring her down from his desk. Finally, he mumbled. “I do believe it’s rather late. Go on home now—you aren’t needed.”

“But sir.”

“Go.”

The assistant bowed his head before scuttling out of the room. Korra kept her eyes on Tarrlok, all the while her chest heaving up and down with each and every nervous, labored breath. “You can’t do this,” she hissed lowly, the sounds of the indoor waterfall gushing from the wall.

Tarrlok spun side to side in his chair. “Why is that.”

“You’re doing just what Amon says you’d do!” She screeched. Her hand went up, tugging at her hair and scalp desperately. “Spirits, don’t you get it? You’re just proving his point! You’re using your power and status to oppress these people. They’re only going to hate you! And all benders alike. The equalists won’t go away—they’ll get stronger if you keep this up.”

“And, what, you don’t?” Tarrlok said, voice rising. “Take a look at yourself right now, Korra. What are you doing to me right now? Wouldn’t you say you’re trying to oppress me with your status? Your power? I do believe you play the Avatar card quite a lot.”

Quiet.

“You see Korra,” Tarrlok continued, rising from his chair. “I admire your persistence, your strength—your willingness to do whatever it takes to get what you want. A trait I see in myself.”

“We are nothing alike!” She screamed, teeth clanking and grinding.

The councilman sighed, suddenly rubbing his temples. “Things would be a lot easier if you’d just do as I say.”

“I will not! You can play the other members of the council, you can play Saikhan, but you can’t play me. These people need me—and I won’t have you taking me down with you. I’m going to stop you Tarrlok, just you wait and see.”

“I’d like to see you try,” he growled. “You’re going to regret not working with me.”

Korra let out a laugh—a mixture of frustration and un-believability. Her mind was twisted and stretched, at its breaking point. “Spirits look at you! You’re just as bad as Amon!”

Something inside Tarrlok snapped. With the widening of his blue eyes, the color they both shared, and the lifting of his brow, all his restraint began spilling out, running through puffs of air that he choked out and slithering through his veins that pumped wildly hot blood.

He raised his arm and a snake of water came shooting out, ready to wrap Korra in a choking grip. Korra moved just in time, but not without more of her already short hair getting sliced in the process. Korra vaguely recalled lessons in bending when she was a child. Don’t fight fire with fire—it wasn’t mean to be literal but she figured she was lucky he wasn’t a firebender. She spun her arms in a circle, creating a steady stream of fire she hopes would dry the water around him, and maybe burn Tarrlok in the process. But he wrapped himself in a protective cove of water before he started dishing out ice shards, large and quick in her direction.

Korra twirled and flipped but once one of them sliced her side, she stumbled, clutching her stomach in pain. Her speed and concentration broken allowed the rest of Tarrlok’s attack to hit her. Her neck, her cheeks, her arms were sliced and cut burning with cold.

“Argh!” she cried in pain before she gritted her teeth. Two more ice shards hit her as she used her earthbending to create a wall to catch the ice. Pain as her motivation, she gave another yell as she bent the wall behind Tarrlok, ripping it from the foundation and sending crumbling rocks and a waterfall to hit Tarrlok. She continued to push the wall so far, so quick, it sent Tarrlok flying out of his study, through a wall and left him hanging by a banister. All he had was the several feet of a fall to the council room before as he dangled in thin air.

Korra approached him slowly, crouching in pain, hunting him down like she was a polar-bear dog. With a flick of her wrist, the already broken wall came shooting out in large chunks, throwing Tarrlok off the banister and spiraling to the floor below. Korra jumped from the balcony, slamming the ground with her fist as she landed—an earthquake, a ripple of earth moved below them, throwing Tarrlok off balance as he tried to get up.

“Look at that—all out of water, pal!” She screeched, her hands igniting with flames. She was a picture of something broken, cuts like cracks tarnishing her skin. Her eyes were wild with anger—and Tarrlok saw that. He had upset the Avatar, and that meant extreme measures had to be taken.

He curled his fingers and she collapsed, shaking as she tried to move.

“What the—“ Korra yelped as she watched her arms bend and twist without her command. She managed to look up at him. “You’re a…bloodbender?”

“Very observant.”

Korra recalled the night. “It’s not even a full moon!”

“Life’s full of mystery, isn’t it!” Tarrlok growled before he lifted the Avatar in the air and threw her across the council room; she hit the wall and slumped down, her head thumping and her vision fading as she teetered on consciousness.

“You’re in my way Avatar,”

Korra’s mind was racing. “Move!” she told herself, but her weary body wouldn’t budge. “Move move move!”

Tarrlok came closer.

She squinted her eyes and took a deep breath. “I said…”

Avatar Korra help us please!

Help us!

We need you!

We’ll wait, Avatar Korra.

…AANG!...

“MOVE!” She screamed.

In seconds Tarrlok was whisked across the room, spiraling like a tornado. Korra saw him hit the floor before she stared at her hands “I can airbend?” she gasped, before clenching her fingers into fists. “Yes! I can airbend!” She lifted herself in the air, leaping with the air, until she stood before Tarrlok. “Still think I’m a half-baked Avatar now?” She asked. But Korra’s smile was wiped off her face when Tarrlok stood quickly, regaining his bloodbending technique and putting Korra back in a bind.

“Yes,” he said quietly, trying to stare as she crouched crumpled, shaking. “I do.” With one swift movement he knocked the Avatar down to the ground. He bounded her with ropes and just as she was starting to wake, he closed the door, ignoring her calls of protest.

“Let me out!”

He ignored it all the way up and through the mountain.

.

Asami twisted Bolin’s arm but before she could pin him to the ground, Bolin managed to kick Asami’s leg, throwing her off balance and sending them sprawling across the floor. Bolin pressed Asami down gently, an unsparking glove to her face.

“I win!” He taunted, a toothy grin on his face. Asami laughed before she rolled the both of them over—she then pressed him to the ground, her legs straddling his waist.

“Eh, not bad,” she said, and now they were both grinning. Asami got up slowly, offering Bolin a hand. “It’s coming along. That pro-bending training is handy for hand to hand combat, believe it or not. You’ll be rising in the equalist ranks in no time.”

Bolin smacked his lips together, the sound echoing off the concrete walls. “Living the dream,” he said sarcastically. He looked behind him, where he saw Mako and Tahno finishing up their sparring match. Bolin saw Tahno’s stuggle against his brother before he offered up a piece of advice. “Left arm! Left arm!”

Mako peered up, momentarily confused. “What the—“

Tahno took the opportunity to take Bolin’s advice and grabbed Mako by his left arm. He twisted it a bit, and found Mako gave a cry of pain before Tahno kicked him in the shins, throwing him off balance as he collapsed to the ground. Tahno looked on with pity as he clutched his arm. “What’s with him?” he asked.

“When he was seven he broke that arm.”

“Doing what?”

Mako gave his arm a few shakes before his eyes narrowed in accusation. “Don’t—“

“He wanted to save a kitten from a tree.” Bolin said, clasping his hands and batting his eyes profusely. “Remember what you said?”

“Who’s the traitor now?” Mako deadpanned as he starting picking up equipment from the spar.

Bolin continued, “You thought it was so cute! You said you wanted to rescue it so—“ he paused. “so it wouldn’t be scared and alone.” Bolin laughed, quiet. “Anyway, that arm was never the same, right?”

Tahno and Asami stared at Mako. He nodded. “No—it’s never been the same.”

Suddenly, Asami bid them adieu. “I have a meeting with my father in a few minutes so I best be off. See you.”

Tahno started following her out. “Yeah I have to….” He shrugged, uncaring to come up with a good excuse. “Yeah, I’m just leaving. Bye.”

Bolin raised his hand in protest. “Wait! Aren’t we going to go check up on Lin?”

“Takes just one guy, Bo. Catch you later.”

Mako and Bolin were left alone.

Mako liked to think he didn’t know how long it was since he was last alone with his little brother. He liked to think that because the weeks turned into months and months turned into years that his memory should slip. That like any other person, he adapted to his new life and what was old started to fade, blur and perhaps vanish altogether.

But that was simply not the case.

He remembered. He remembered the day too well. He had memorized his little brother’s face, his round eyes, full of wonder, dirty face, smile with missing teeth. He memorized it all because he didn’t want to forget what someone could never take away from him no matter what happened. Mako was always Bolin’s big brother. Always.

And he couldn’t really forget that.

“So…” Mako drawled, side eyeing Bolin. Feeling awkward, Bolin attempted to busy himself with the few things around him—spare weapons, posters of Amon on the wall, you name it. “So…” Bolin parroted back.

They fidgeted about, looking anywhere but each other. Seconds ticked by, minutes passed and finally the former earthbender cracked. “Why’d you do it?”

Mako feared this. He feared this more than anything. It was one thing to have to face his brother, to have him look at him and know that he hadn’t died, to have him, his little brother, think he was abandoned. That was bad enough. But to have him stand tall before him, look him in the eye and beg for an answer for his betrayal?

He wasn’t so sure he could give an answer that would satisfy him. But he decided, he might as well start with the truth.

“I—I did it for you.”

Bolin dropped the glove in his hand. “What?” He demanded, voice wavering in anger. “You mean to tell me all this—letting Korra get captured, taking my bending away was all for me? HA!” He ripped down one of the equalist propaganda posters. “Perfect! Great! How kind of you! And to think, it wasn’t even my birthday!”

Mako could help it—he stared at his shoes. “You don’t understand,” he gritted through his teeth.

“Oh, I don’t?”

“No, you don’t!” he argued.

Bolin marched over and grabbed Mako by his shoulders, balling the excess fabric in his fingers. “Then tell me! Make me understand! Please, just tell me why you left!” His hands began to shake, along with his knees and everything else and he slowly let go. “You’re—you’re my big brother!” Bolin cried, and Mako swore he saw tears, but he couldn’t really tell through his own. “And you left me all alone, Mako! You were all I had! So please—tell me.”

Mako took one step forward and crushed his brother in a hug. Bolin felt one tear, then two, fall on his forehead and run down the bridge of his nose. “I—I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Bolin. I never meant to leave you. Never.”

Bolin embraced the hug, shoving his face into this brother’s chest. “So why did you?”

“I was working for the triads—and there was a trap. Amon’s trap. He took all our bending—including my own.”

Bolin looked up, eyes glossy. “Amon? All those years ago, Amon was there?”

A nod. “He’s been around for a long time. It was either my life or his regime.” He sighed, relaxing his hold. “I thought—maybe he had a point,” Mako whispered, a little embarrassed.

“Mom and Dad?” Bolin whispered.

“Mom and Dad. I wasn’t a firebender anymore, Bolin. I couldn’t hurt anyone. I wasn’t like our parents murderer. I was cleansed.”

Bolin took a few steps back, shocked. “I—I didn’t—how long did you feel like that?”

“I’ve always felt like that.”

It got real quiet after that. Mako could only hear his own heart pounding against his ribcage as his little brother stared at him, scrutinizing, judging. But eventually Bolin asked. “You really believe in equality, don’t you?”

Mako didn’t respond. Bolin’s lips twitched in a smile. “So why help me? Help Korra?”

“You’re my brother,” Mako responded. “And I know I messed up at first,” his thoughts were brought back to the championship. “But I pick you. I left you once—I can’t leave you alone again. And Korra—she’s the Avatar. She isn’t just about helping benders. She’s here to help everyone—and she reminded me of that.”

Bolin smiled. “But I’m not alone, not anymore. I’ve got Tahno and Korra. And you’re not alone either, okay?” Bolin gave Mako a friendly punch to his shoulder. “Korra….she’s pretty amazing, isn’t she?”

Mako blushed. “Well, I—“

“I knew it. You liiiiiiiiiike her!”

Mako rolled his eyes, stomping past him in a rush, trying to ignore how his cheeks grew heated. “Let’s go,” he grumbled, Bolin trailing behind him, laughing.

“Whatever you say, Big bro.” Bolin whispered.

Mako heard, and smiled.

.

“Let me out!” Korra pounded on the metal cage she was thrown into. Tarrlok managed to bloodbend her all the way down the stairs and place her in a metal box—one similar to the one she was thrown in when Amon took her weeks ago.

“Oh, hush.” Tarrlok snarled. “It’s no use. Your newfound airbending is useless. Such a shame you didn’t learn metalbending,” he commented, pounding on the wall once more. “But it’s platinum, so what’s the use.”

“You’re not going to get away with this!”

Tarrlok walked up the stairs. “Oh, I think I will.”

.

The next morning when Tenzin arrived at City Hall, he couldn’t believe his eyes.

He couldn’t believe after everything she’d been through, Korra snuck out. As he inspected the ruins of the building, reporters and police man informed him that equalists had attacked the hall, capturing Korra (again) and injuring Tarrlok in the process.

“I tried to save her—“ Tarrlok explained as a healer tended to his injuries. “But the equalists knocked me out with one of those damn gloves. I’m so sorry.”

Tenzin hummed. “Of course you are,” he said curtly.  “Saikhan, a word?”

Tenzin pulled the police chief over in the corner. “I don’t like this—I don’t like this one bit.” Tenzin’s eyes slid between Saikhan and Tarrlok.

“What? You don’t think—“ Tenzin shushed him before Saikhan continued, “You think Tarrlok is lying?”

“He gave Korra a hard time last night—and chances are Korra didn’t just stay and take it. I bet she went back.”

“What on Earth did she think she could accomplish on her own?”

Tenzin sighed, rubbing his head. He felt old—older than he ever had. “I’ve barely seen her. She’s been captured twice! Now three times! She’s been in the hands of equalists longer than she’s been in my own care.” Guilt crept up like a shadow.

Saikhan divided his attention to the leaving reporters and medics exiting the scene. “If you didn’t know any better you’d think she was collaborating with the equalists.” He laughed at his own joke, but Tenzin was not amused. The two men stared at Tarrlok who was finishing up a healing session with a medic. “Tarrlok,” Tenzin boomed. “Where is Korra?”

He scoffed, a bit annoyed, but he kept his political smile and charm. “I already told you—Korra came down to have a word with me, and then the equalists attacked. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to protect her. Look—“ he pointed to his arm, burned and scared. “Glove burn. I gave it my all, Tenzin. I’m terribly sorry.”

“Don’t worry, Tenzin,” Saikhan came up from behind him, laying a hand on his shoulder. “I’m mobilizing forces to search for the Avatar—we’ll find her. And these equalist hideouts as well.”

“Now, Chief, I think we agreed—“

“But nothing Tarrlok. This is the third time the Avatar has been captured. I intend to stop it. We’re going to find the Avatar, we’re going to find Lin, and we’re going to stop the equalists. Your help or approval is not needed.”

“Chief, Councilman, I really think you should reconsider. We can’t use all our forces to look for one girl!”

“She’s the Avatar!” Tenzin roared. “Why are you so against this it’s like—“ He paused, eyes going cold and hard. “You know where she is, don’t you?”

“Me!?” Tarrlok snarled. “I am offended! Why would you think I would withhold information?”

“Because you took her!”

The three of them looked up and stared.

Tarrlok’s assistant, round glasses and all, stood crouched behind a pillar. Tarrlok pointed an accusing finger. “Liar! I’ll have you fired for such nonsense!”

“Councilman Tenzin, Chief, please believe me! He took Korra last night! He asked me to leave and I was staying up to clean up when I heard a noise—a fight! I watched him tie Korra up and throw her in the back of her van!”

Like lightning, Tenzin sprung, his robes swooshing as he grabbed Tarrlok by the collar. “How dare you!” he seethed. “Tell us where Korra is, now!”

“How did you manage this—and you!” Saikhan pointed to the assistant. “You didn’t come forward, why not?”

“Because!” He braced himself. “Tarrlok’s a bloodbender!”

Next thing Tenzin and Saikhan knew, they were on the ground, unconscious.

.

“So this is the finalized airship. They are being produced as we speak, on track and ready for the invasion.”

Asami looked up, interest peaked. It was the first she had heard about any invasion. She stared at Amon as he looked over her father’s blueprints. “Very good. And you added the extra compartments for the bombs?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Excellent.”

At that moment, an equalist walked in, a letter in his hand, and captured the attention of Amon and the Lieutenant. Asami leaned in and whispered in her father’s ear, “What’s this about an invasion?”

“Oh right, sorry sweetheart. I’ll fill you in on it later. But Amon is taking the city!”

Asami nodded slowly. “The whole city,” she mumbled to herself. “That’s really something.”

“It is.” Hiroshi beamed.

“Well, well,” Amon said aloud. “It seems Korra has been captured again. But not by us.”

“By who, where is she?” Hiroshi asked.

“Don’t worry,” Amon stood from his chair, hands clasped behind his back and casually walked out of the room.

.

“How long are you going to keep this game up, kid?” Lin asked as Tahno “guarded” her cell.

He sighed, finally reaching behind his back and tossing her a pair of kali sticks. “Hide these. You’re gonna need them.”

“A key for the lock would do wonders.”

He eyed her briefly. “Surely the police chief knows a thing or two about patience. We’re going by Mako and Asami’s plan—they said we have to wait a bit, that’s all.”

“What makes you think they’re trustworthy?” Lin asked.

He sighed, loudly. “They freed us. Bad guys tend to hold on to your captives—another thing I assumed you’d know.”

“Your smartass attitude is not appreciated.”

“Noted.”

“Things may not always be what they seem. We’re constantly deceived.” Lin commented.

It was quiet, save the dripping and creaking of the walls of the hideout. “Think like that all the time and a man would go mad.”

“I’m just trying to make a point,” she emphasized, patience wearing thin. “The whole thing smells something sour. It doesn’t sit right with me.”

“Yeah, and why’s that?” Tahno barked back.

She laughed, humorless. “Call it detective’s intuition. She’s known you for what, a few days? Weeks? And she picked you guys, a rag tag team of beaten heroes over her own father? The only family she had left?”

Lin heard his loud breath momentarily stop. “You’re not giving her enough credit. She’s young, but we are all. She knows right from wrong.”

“Yeah, well,” Lin tossed the weapons in the air and caught them. “She may be using different definitions.” Lin shook her head, laughing again. “I don’t know kid—I hope you’re right. I really do.”

“TAHNO!”

He lifted his head as Lin was quick to stash the kali sticks out of view. Asami came bounding down the hall, panting for breath. “Tahno, where’s Mako and Bolin?”

He shrugged. “I dunno.” He took more concern over her disheveled appearance. “Why, what’s the matter?”

Asami eyed Lin for a split second, before her eyes drifted back up to Tahno’s. She grabbed his sleeve. “Korra’s been captured.”

Tahno rolled his eyes before slapping his face with his palm. “You have got to be shitting me. Again?”

“Just come on! I’ll tell you all about it on the way. She started running down the hall when she threw her head back and shouted. “We’ll come back for you Lin, I promise!”

The echoes of their footsteps faded quickly, leaving Lin in solitude.  Slowly, she retrieved them and tossed them in the air again, catching them with a smile.

“Good think I make my own promises,” she whispered to herself.

.

“Attack! What are you talking about?” Bolin tugged at his locks, his hair becoming a puffy mess.

Asami shifted her weight, placing a hand on her lip, using the other to gesture in explanation. “I was in a meeting with my father and Amon and they were talking about attacking the city…A cleansing, if you will. No more benders in Republic City.” Asami pointed a finger at Mako. “You didn’t know about this?”

Mako suddenly felt guilty. “I knew Amon always had plans to take the city, but…” he sighed. “I honestly thought we had more time. He must have really put his plans into action because of Korra.”

Asami grimaced. “And speaking of Korra…she’s been captured.”

“What!” Mako shouted.

“AGAIN!???” Bolin screeched.

Tahno nodded to Bolin. “Yeah that’s what I said.”

“But…But how!” Bolin stuttered. Mako thought his brother was about to pull his hair right out. “Amon’s right upstairs.”

“Wasn’t equalists—not this time.” Asami explained.

“ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!???”

Asami winced, his shrill shouts giving sending pulses through her head. “Please! Quiet down! Amon’s on his way to making a team to retrieve her himself.”

Mako grabbed his mask and goggles as fast he could. “I got to make sure I’m on that team. It’s the only way to make sure she’s safe.”

Before the other three could even protest, even offer an alternative idea, he was gone.

“Maybe we could all get on this team?”

Asami shook her head. “Amon will only take Mako. It’ll be okay though. Everything will be just fine.”

Bolin gave Tahno a friendly jab. “Mako’s after her, she’ll be fine.” He chirped.

“…you really believe that?”

Bolin smiled softly. “Yeah,” he said. “I do.”

.

Korra decided she was very very bored.

She had tried everything. Kicking, punching, bending—but she was trapped, just like long before when Mako watched over her.

Mako.

She wondered of anyone would miss her, if anyone would try to help her.

But then she remembered she could only help herself.

She sat at the bottom, placed her hands together and tried to make a connection; afterall she had unlocked her airbending, she was bound to get to the Avatar State now.

…Right?

.

Mako was successfully placed on the team.

He was briefed, assigned, and partnered to drive up in a van to the mountains on the outskirts of town. He was in the middle of loading the truck with supplies and weaponry when he heard it.

“Hey.”

Mako turned around, snow collecting in his eyes and lashes. His partner was in uniform, mask and all. “…Hajime?”

He sighed. “Yeah.”

“You’re…still here?”

“No thanks to you,” he said, voice as cold as the winter winds. “Come on, let’s go.”

Mako closed the door to the trunk with a slam.

As they traveled up the mountains, Mako at the wheel, he found himself tapping the wheel in nervousness. They were silent, without a peep, until Mako finally said, “..are you okay?”

“You let her out didn’t you?”

The answer was so quick, so calm, so quiet, Mako had to say it over and over in his head until he managed a squeaky “..huh?”

“The Avatar, Korra? When we had her the first time. She didn’t electrocute me.” He turned his masked face and stared dead on at him. “You did.”

Mako’s mouth was parted in shock, hidden behind uniform. He didn’t know how to respond—he didn’t even know if he should. Hajime had paid the price for Mako’s actions and what was worst, Mako wasn’t even the one to tell him. He tried keeping his eyes on the road, hands moving nervously, ghosting over the wheel and the controls. But the guilt was strong, strong like Bolin, like leaving him and coming back—it was all the same. He felt terrible and he couldn’t just sit there and lie—or even worst, give him silence.

“…Yeah,” Mako choked out. “I did.”

He expected anger. Lashing out, punches and kicks. But that wasn’t the case. He heard the sharp intake of breath and then a quiet sigh before a feeble, “Why?”

Mako struggled for the right words. “I don’t know, I—“

“No,” Hajime said softly. “I think you do.” It was quiet again, but Hajime wouldn’t let Mako wallow in silence, not anymore. “Take your time—I want to know.”

Mako thought carefully. “Have you ever spoken to her?” He asked, but he didn’t expect a response. “She’s…young. Fearless. Brash. Stubborn as hell,” he laughed quietly. “But she’s also the Avatar. And sometimes, when you talk to her, when you hear her—you see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice.”

“…what?”

“Everything. You hear what she must have said time and time again. She’s here for us, Hajime—all of us.”

He shrugged. “So that’s it? As simple as that?”

“I guess so, yeah.”

Out of the corner of Mako’s eye he watched as Hajime took his mask off.  Mako looked and saw red line marring his face, slashed across his cheeks and rimming his eyes. “Hajime…”

“Don’t. Don’t say it. But Mako…”

“…Yeah?”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

Mako nodded. “I do.”

“Then that’s good enough for me.”

Mako wasn’t sure what he meant, but he kept driving.

.

Korra had tried everything but it was no use.

She couldn’t connect with Aang.

“I can’t believe the mess you’ve caused.” Tarrlok’s voice suddenly echoed around her. She sat up straight, a sly smirk on her face.

“Lemme guess—busted?”

Tarrlok groaned. “Whatever the matter, you’re coming with me.”

Korra scoffed. “I’m not going anywhere with you!”

“Lucky for me you don’t have a choice.”

CRACK!

It was the sound of wood creaking, breaking. “What was that?” Korra asked.

Silence. Then,“…I’ll be back.”

And that was the last Korra heard of Tarrlok.

.

Hajime and Mako followed Tarrlok into the shed.

“Stand here,” Amon said. “And wait.”

Mako and the other equalists stood behind as instructed.  A few minutes went by when the stairs to the basement creaked with wait, footsteps growing louder-Tarrlok appeared.

It took all of Mako’s restraint not to charge at him. But when he saw Tarrlok’s eyes widen in fear, he felt a little better.

“You’re no match for me.” Tarrlok explained. He lifted his hands and began moving them, twisting his fingers like crooked branches.

“ARGH!” Mako grunted. He fell to the ground.

Why can’t I move! He looked around and saw everyone but Amon was down. Why can’t anyone move?

But Amon kept moving, albeit slowly. A few steps here, a few steps there and before he knew it, Mako watched as Amon grabbed the councilman by his neck and remove his bending.

Mako stood up, recovering. What was that? Was that...bloodbending?

He didn't have much time to muse it over. “Retrieve the Avatar,” Amon explained, hoisting an unconscious Tarrlok over his shoulder. “And don’t underestimate her.”

“Sir.”

Mako followed the Lieutenant down the stairs where they found a small box, the same she had been kept in from before. “Electrocute the box,” The Lieutenant said, handing another equalist the kali sticks. “Then open the box.”

Mako bit his lip.

“Arghhhh!” Her screams drove him mad. Like thunder after lightning, it shook him in all the wrong ways. But the worst part was the quiet after the storm, the thunk of metal when she hit the box in unconsciousness.

He clenched his fists. He was running out of time to think, and now she wasn’t even conscious to help him!

“Open it.”

The next thing he knew he was thrown into the wall, the floor beneath him wavering and crumbling like a landslide. He watched as Korra rolled out of the box before she dashed up the stairs.

“Korra!” Mako shouted, doing his best to regain his balance and run after him. His vision was blurry from hitting his head but he ran through the haze, up the stairs and out into the snowstorm.

She stood in fear, staring at Amon.

“Korra!” He shouted again. But she didn’t acknowledge him. She readied herself for a fight as Amon crouched, ready to run at her, ready to take her bending.

“NO!”

He ran towards her and in a mess of action, tackled her to the ground. Amon was only a few feet away, back to standing, back to watching, as Mako sat hunched in the snow, Korra under his arms.

“Mako…” Amon said slowly. “So I see.”

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

“You’re the traitor,” Amon growled. He took a few more steps forward. “I spared your life once a long time ago. But this time, I won’t be so kind.”

Mako held Korra tighter.

“Mako—“

“—is not the only traitor!”

In a flash, Mako’s vision was surrounded by hot white light, the pop and fizzle of electricity from a glove. Amon jumped back and Mako and Korra found themselves staring at the back of someone very familiar.

“I’ll hold him off! Go!” Hajime demanded, sparking the glove up.

“What are you doing!” Korra screeched. “You can’t win this fight!”

“…I know. Which is why you need to go. You need all the time you can get.”

“What! Korra screeched. “No, Hajime, you can’t--!”

“Mako, get her out of here!”

Mako tugged on Korra, but she wouldn’t move. In a hurry he collected her small muscular frame in his arms. “Put me down! I’m not leaving! I can fight!”

“Exactly! You’re the Avatar!” Hajime cried. “What chance do we have if you can’t fight for us? You have to leave! So Mako, get out of here! SCRAM!”

“Come on, Korra,” he whispered, before the two of them started running.

Amon squinted behind his mask. “Two traitors…” he mused. “I guess you didn’t learn your lesson the first time?”

Hajime scoffed. “You already burned my face, what’s left?”

Amon drew near. “Something much worst—I assure you.”

The glove popped and fizzled. “Bring it.”

They charged.

.

“Everything going according to plan?” Hiroshi asked, looking over his schemes. His daughter walked in, ruffling her hair as she removed her mask and goggles.

“They’re eating out of the palm of my hand.” She laughed. “They totally buy it—Bolin, Tahno, all of them--they think I’m on their side.”

“Excellent!” he beamed. “So you’ll have no trouble with the last part of the plan?”

“Don’t worry Dad—“ Asami smirked, playing with her equalist glove. It sparked to life. “I’ve gained their trusts—it’s only a matter of time before I get on that island. And then,” she walked over to the wall, looking over a drawing of Air Temple Island.

“They’ll be ours,” Hiroshi finished.

Korra leaned over and tugged on Bolin’s IV. “I still can’t believe this happened,” she sighed, her fingers running up his arm to then tug on his earlobe. “I shouldn’t have been so reckless,” she admitted before her fingers wrapped around his button nose and gave a hard pinch, to which he flinched. She chuckled as he swatted her away, an adorable pout adorning his lips.

“Are you admitting you’ve done wrong?” Bolin teased, wrinkling his nose. She sighed again, leaning back against the chair that sat beside his hospital bed.

“Yeah,” she mumbled. “Don’t get used to it.”

His eyes shone bright as he laughed. The two of them continued to talk about this and that for a while before a soft knock sounded on the door and a nurse let Tenzin in. He avoided Korra’s eyes as he gave Bolin a curt nod. “I hope you’re feeling better.”

He sensed the tension. Bolin swallowed. “Yeah, I’m doing okay.”

Tenzin nodded again before exhaling a sharp breath. “Korra, a word?”

“Tenzin, I know you’re probably—“

“Korra. A word.”

Like an already scorned child, Korra slumped out of her chair and followed him out the hallway—she wasn’t one to normally own up to mistakes (it’s not like she tends to make them, she thinks) but she knew when she did wrong.

Tenzin had the decency to shut the door quietly and she braced herself, chest out, shoulders back, and waited for the red face, frazzled beard, and strained yell; but it never comes.

“The council refuses to wait any longer,” he said quietly. Korra scanned his face and noticed deep wrinkles around his mouth and eyes, blushes of violet, signs of weariness, under his lashes.

“What are you talking about?”

Tenzin bowed his head a bit. “The search for Lin has come up with nothing but dead ends. We have no leads. A new Chief has to be appointed.”

“What!” Korra screeched. Her tongue couldn’t move fast enough. “They can’t just give up on her! We have to keep looking.”

“And they will,” Tenzin promised, laying a hand on her shoulder. “But the city cannot wait for her to return—it’s only been a couple of days and the city’s crime right has skyrocketed. Have you not heard? Cabbage Corps has been found to be working with the equalists! As much as I wish they could stop everything to look for Lin—they can’t.” He threw her a disapproving glare. “Honestly, Korra, how could you do something so foolish!? You could have not only killed yourself, but someone else as well!” He pointed to the door. “You landed your friend in the hospital!”

Korra slapped her hands to her face, her fingers gripping the stray hairs around her scalp. “I know, I know! Don’t you realize I feel bad enough?” she moaned.

Tenzin took a few calming breaths as he watched his pupil collapse under a mixture of shame and embarrassment.  “Alright, alright, calm down—remember your meditation techniques.”

Korra groaned but complied. After a few breaths, she stopped seeing red and focused. “So, what are they going to do?”

Tenzin rolled his eyes. “There’s talk of Tarrlok acting as temporary chief.”

She swore she choked on her own bile. “Tarrlok?” she spat. “What the hell does he know about protecting the city?”

“All he needs is a majority vote on the council to do as he pleases—even without my vote, he’s going to do what he wants.”

Korra gave her head a wild shake. “Wait, he can’t be the police chief—he doesn’t know the first thing about it.”

A nurse walked by with a cart and stopped in front of the door across the hall, a full tray of vanilla puddings for patients. It creaked and squeaked with movement and added to the tension. Tenzin explained quietly, careful not to let the dutiful nurse overhear. “He’ll strike a deal with a high-ranking metalbender—my guess, Lin’s second in command, Saikhan.”

It was almost too much. Every day, something was placed on her shoulder, stretching her muscles unnaturally and knotting her nerves so tight she never knew it was possible to be so nervous, so scared. Being the Avatar was easy when she was locked up in the South Pole—now not so much.

But she had to try.

Korra remembered. “How much time do we have?” she asked quickly.

Tenzin stroked his beard. “Not long. Tomorrow afternoon, I presume. The council meeting is at noon.”

A soft breeze rustled his robes as she whipped past him and down the hall. “Perfect! That’s all I need!” she exclaimed. “Don’t worry—I’ll fix this!”

I have to.

.

.

“Pull over here.”

The car came to slow stop as Asami pulled it over to the side of a street in Dragon Flats. Korra was the first to jump out and she ran over to the manhole, yanking up the cover.

“Uh…what are you doing?” Asami asked.

“This is it—this is where I climbed out when I escaped.”

Tahno stayed a few feet back, surveying the area—citizens walked by, baffled at their Avatar who was about to climb in the sewers. “Korra, a little poise?”

“No time.” She peered down the hole—besides a few leading steps, the hole was pitch black. She positioned herself to climb down when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw Tahno, face slightly concerned, a puzzled Asami right behind him.

“Be careful, alright? We’ll come on down in a few minutes.”

“There’s no need.”

“We’ll come down in a few minutes,” Although Asami was confused, she nodded.

Korra took a few steps down—but seconds later, Asami and Tahno heard an echo of frustration. “Are you kidding me?” she spat.

Tahno got on his knees to get a better look. “What’s wrong?”

“Rocks everywhere! They destroyed the entrance!” Well done, Mako. “Maybe if I just earthbend these—“

Asami’s eyes went wide. She pushed herself in front of Tahno. “Wait, Korra don’t earthbend!”

“Why not?”

“There’s no telling how unstable that tunnel is—you could collapse the city’s entire underground tunnel system, cause a landslide—and you could really hurt yourself.” She explained.

“Asami’s right,” Tahno agreed. “Come on out.”

“What? Oh come on I’m a master earthbender what could—“

“Korra.”

Korra sighed, gripping the handles on the side. She looked down into a pile of rubble and frowned—Lin had to be down there, but there it was, another roadblock on her way to the equalists. She hesitated, but hoisted herself up.

“There’s got to be a way to Lin.”

“Wait, this is about the missing chief? Beifong?” Tahno and Korra nodded. “What does she have to do with you trekking underground?”

Tahno sighed, side glancing at his teammate. He looked her over and when he decided she wasn’t going to say anything about herself, answered, “Korra was captured by Amon and taken underground.” He pointed to the Manhole. “We found her crawling out of that hole.”

Suddenly Korra shoved them aside, face in a tight line. “Whatever,” she grumbled. “Let’s just—let’s just keep looking for a way in, alright? If we don’t find Lin—no one will.”

.

.

After hours of nothing but dead ends, the three returned to Asami’s mansion, a freshly released Bolin in tow. The four of them lounged around Asami’s mansion, talking idly and swimming—well, Tahno swam, because Bolin shoved him in the pool. Korra ended up swimming too because she laughed so hard Tahno wrapped a water whip around her ankle and tossed her into the pool.

Drenching wet, she climbed out of the pool. She bent the water from her clothes and hair before she asked, “Asami, do you have a bathroom I could use?”

She nodded, attention dived between the laughing Bolin and pissed Tahno. “Yeah. Right up those stairs, take a left and then another left, first door on the right.”

“Thanks.”

.

.

After Korra cleaned up, her skin scented with something like sewage and pool chemicals swimming together, she walked down the door and headed down the hall, when a noise stopped her.

“Yes, yes of course.”

She immediately recognized the voice as Hiroshi. Looking left and right, she darted down the hall and pressed her ear to the door. The voice was muffled, but she could still hear:

“There’s no need to worry—they won’t see it coming.”

Korra peered into the small keyhole in the lock.

“No, she doesn’t suspect a thing. She never will.”

“With Cabbage Corps drama and that all out of that way, now’s our time to strike!”

Korra took two steps back, almost knocking down a vase, before she sprinted down the hall and back down the stairs.

She whirred past them, speeds that challenged an airbender, baffling her friends. Bolin stopped his laughter as he saw Korra reach for the door knob. “Hey, what’s the rush there, speedy?”

Flustered, Korra waved her hands around. “I’m late to airsit the babybenders.” She stopped, puffing up her cheeks and squinting her eyes shut. “Yeah, flip that. I got to go!” she shouted before darting out the door, not even giving the butler a chance to open it for her.

.

.

Korra headed straight for City Hall—she needed to get in contact with Tenzin. But when she got here, his office was empty, the other councilmen gone as well. Silently cursing herself, she bolted to the Police Department, where she was met by a massive gathering of people.

In front the station, surrounded by microphones and cameras, Tarrlok spoke. “It is with great sadness that we promote a new Police of Chief. Our esteemed Lin Beifong was last seen fighting the equalist attack—of which she was not prepared for, but none of us were—at the pro-bending arena. The council has come to an agreement—I will be looking over the Police, and we have chosen a new chief to act in her place until Lin Beifong returns.” He stepped back and allowed an officer to step forward. “Her right hand man, I present Chief Saikhan.”

The crowd erupted in polite applause and cameras began clicking and flashing, reporters shoving their microphones in his face. Korra slid her tongue over her teeth, before gnawing on her lip. “Well isn’t this just perfect.” She thought.

“Thank you, Councilman Tarrlok,” Saikhan adjusted the new badge on his uniform. “It is with great regret that I have to take place of Chief Beifong in such dire circumstances. But the city needs protection and it is a privilege to lead the forces in that protection. I will be reporting to Councilman Tarrlok regarding anything with the Equalists and anything to do with the search for Lin Beifong. ”

In a hurry, Korra pushed past the several reporters and made it to the top of the stairs. They all looked curiously at her, flashing their cameras and getting their equipment ready for asking questions, but they didn’t get the chance with Tenzin pulled her aside and tugged her away from the Public eye.

“I thought you said I had more time,” She whispered breathlessly. Saikhan moved on to talking about his more “police like” duties, his voice deeper and static, nothing like Lin’s.

Tenzin sighed. “I’ve told you—this isn’t my decision.” He narrowed his eyes in scrutiny. “What exactly were you planning on doing to stop this?”

She looked at him like he was stupid. “Find Lin?”

Tenzin went red. “Alone?” he hissed.

“No? I had Tahno and Asami!”

“That is not the same. You can’t just go digging into trouble like that. What if you got captured? Your bending taken away? Do you want the same fate as Lin’s?”

She gritted her teeth. “I am not a child! I am the Avatar! I have to do these things alone. I—have to do these things alone. This is my battle!”

Tenzin sighed, shaking his head. “No, it’s not. My father had the same attitude—but this is not your battle to fight alone, Korra. I’m here to help you, and your friends are too. But you do need to think a little more carefully about your plans. Amon is conniving, cunning. He’s got connections we’re still not aware of. In fact, just in the news this morning, it was found that Cabbage Corps is working with the equalists, remember?

Tenzin pointed to Saikhan, who continued talking. “Cabbage Corps will continue to be put under investigation. We have found substantial evidence in their factories that they hold and or make equalist equipment and propaganda. Until then, all accounts have been frozen until the investigation is over.”

Korra stumbled back, narrowly dodging the Fire Nation representative behind her. The crowd momentarily stopped, Saikhan included, and watched as she gained her footing, flashing them a nervous smile. Saikhan continued wrapping up his speech and Korra waited to the side, before she waited for Tenzin and Saikhan to stand alone. “Guys, I have some news.”

.

.

“What do you mean Hiroshi Sato is an equalist?” Tenzin asked. The three of them were in the new chief’s office upon Korra’s request.

The avatar rolled her eyes. “I overheard him on the phone! You said this morning the Cabbage Corps thing was all over the news—I heard Hiroshi say that now that the company was out of the way, it was their time to strike!”

Both Saikhan and Tenzin looked mildly surprised. “That does sound suspicious,” Saikhan admitted “And he does have motive.”

“Wait what?”

“Years ago, the Sato mansion was raided and a firebender killed Hiroshi’s wife.” Tenzin sighed. “Now are you sure that’s what you heard?”

She didn’t appreciate the skepticism. “Yes, I swear! He even made some comment about “her never finding out,” okay?” Korra pouted. “Never finding out…like hell! I just did!”

Tenzin closed his eyes, forehead wrinkling in thought. “Now hold on just a minute—who says he was even talking about you? What about his daughter, Asami?”

Saikhan frowned. “She could just as well be in on her father’s scam.”

“If Korra’s assumptions have any validity in the first place.” Tenzin reminded him.

No, Korra, don’t earthbend!

The thought stung and stabbed. Asami had given the warning for her safety, right? Or was she just trying to lure her away?

No, stop, Korra, she’s your friend she wouldn’t do that. Remember all the nice things she did for you—invited you to sit with her at Kuang’s, let you stay at her place, offered to set you up with—

Mako. The Equalist.

“I really think you should check it out.” Korra urged. Her mouth felt dry.

Saikhan considered it. “Very well. Since you’re the Avatar, and still technically a part of Tarrlok’s task force, I can take your request. We’ll go over to the mansion as soon as possible.”

.

.

Asami opened the door before several metalbenders stomped past her, quick to inspect her house. “What’s—what’s going on here?” she asked.

Saikhan stepped forward, Tenzin and Korra in tow. “Miss Sato, is there a way we can speak to your father?”

“What is this about?” she demanded as a metalbender walked past her.

“We’re just asking questions in the equalist investigation, ever since Cabbage Corps has had substantial evidence in being a strong supporter. We’ve gotten word that Hiroshi could also have connections as well.” Saikhan explained.

Korra felt a twinge of guilt at the face Asami pulled. “Equalists? You think my father is an equalist? I can’t believe this!”

Saikhan spoke with a few metalbending officers before they led him up the long staircase in the foyer. Outraged, Asami grumbled and sneered, throwing glances at Saikhan and Tenzin’s way. She turned to Korra, weary. “Korra, please, you’re the Avatar, do something about this!”

Korra’s breath caught in her throat. “I can’t because….” She paused. “Asami, I’m so sorry—I. I overheard him on the phone and I just—“

“Whoa, what! You overheard him on the phone? What are you talking about? We’re you spying on us?” she accused.

She puffed her chest out, getting defensive. “Of course not! I overheard, alright? Look, I don’t want to do this, but I can’t afford to take these things lightly. If you haven’t noticed, Amon is kind of dangerous! Just—just look at what he did to Bolin!”

Suddenly, Bolin and Tahno popped their heads into the hallway, all smiles. They faded when they saw the cluster of metalbenders inspecting the household. “I heard my name, what’s going on?”

Asami ignored him. “What he did to him? You mean take his bending away?”

“Yes! Yes take his bending away! Amon took an important part of him—he’s taking a part of all these people! And I won’t let it sit back and happen.” She pointed to Bolin. “You don’t know what it’s like!”

Asami gave something of a growl before she stomped past Korra, brushing her shoulder. “Oh, I think I could relate.”

That twinge of guilt came back. “Asami, you know that’s not what I meant—“

Bolin and Tahno came up behind her as Asami disappeared behind the corner and down the hall with Saikhan and the others. “What was all that about?”

Korra’s mouth set in a firm line. “Just follow me.”

They all filed into Hiroshi Sato’s office, just as he was finishing up a phone call. Hiroshi looked at Saikhan and Tenzin, puzzled by their worried faces. “Is everything all right? What can I do for you?”

Asami stepped forward. “This is ridiculous! My father has no part with those awful equalists!”

“Equalists!” Hiroshi cried. “Is that what this about? Well, I can assure you I have no part in that!”

“No!” Korra shoved herself forward. “I heard you! I overheard you on the phone! You said Cabbage Corps was the perfect distraction for you to strike! Explain that!”

Hiroshi let out a deep bellowing laugh. “Oh, this is all a great misunderstanding, all from the young Avatar’s over-imagination. Don’t worry, dear, I understand—the pressures you must be under---but anyway, the strike is for my cars! With them out of the way, I have no competition! I can release my new model with ease! You see?”

Korra and Tenzin share a look before Tenzin asks, “Do you mind if we search the Future Industries Factories? Just to put this whole thing to rest?”

Asami moved to make a protest, but Hiroshi stopped her. “Go right on ahead.”

.

.

They searched the factories high and low, but as the sun set and the evening sky rose, all Korra and the Police had were dead ends and what appeared to be an innocent man. Saikhan eventually wandered over to her, pulling off his cap to wipe his brow before he murmured, “We’ve searched everywhere—there’s nothing here.”

Asami leaned out of the shadows, arms crossed in an annoyed fashion. “Good, so you can leave.”

Bolin, who had tagged along for the investigation, tapped Korra’s shoulder. “Korra, a quick word? He tugged her gently away from Tenzin and the others. “Convinced yet?” he asked, but she didn’t hear any hostility in his voice.

Korra grumbled. “No I’m not! It’s just,” she sighed. “Look, when I was captured by Amon, I overheard some stuff there too, and I gathered some information—not much, but enough—and it’s just…Hiroshi really fits the puzzle. He really does! You have to believe me Bo.”

“You don’t know your brother’s an equalist. You don’t know he works for Hiroshi! You don’t know he’s friends with Asami!” she thought.

He grimaced. “I wish I could, Kor, but—“ he looked back at Asami. “Look what you’re doing to Asami. She’s our friend. She and Hiroshi have done so much for us. For me! Did you know Asami was going to teach me hand to hand combat?”

No, Korra didn’t know that. “But, Bo—“

He sighed again, interrupting her. “It’s not so bad being a non-bender,” he said quietly. “Maybe you, master of all four elements, can’t understand that. And maybe that’s why this Amon thing is driving you to wild assumptions, but it’s just not, okay Korra? I think you’re letting your worry and fear get the best of you. I think you should just drop the whole thing.”

She felt her cheeks grow red. “I’m not afraid of anything!” she said. “And I’m not backing down from my beliefs.”

Bolin just shook his head and walked away.

Korra began pacing back and forth, her thoughts racing like a Satomobile, leaving tire tracks and smoke that made her dizzy. Her life had become a complicated web of lies and deceit. Here she was, the Avatar, protector of the world, trying to fight the equalists. But people weren’t as they seemed and she was having a hard time deciding who was a friend who was a foe. Asami? Hiroshi?

…Mako?

She wrung her hands behind her back when she felt a small piece of paper slip between her fingers. She unfolded it hastily and read the message:

Korra—

Meet me under Yue Bridge at midnight. We need to talk—one last time. Alone.

--M.

She quickly lifted her head, looking left and right for the source, but he was long gone. She had a pretty good idea who it was, but Mako had quickly scampered off. She stuffed the paper in her pocket before helping Saikhan and Tenzin wrap up the investigation at the final factory.

.

.

Under the cloak of night, Korra walked with confidence under the bridge, tapping her foot impatiently. “Alright, I know it was you, Mako. Come on out.”

It took a few minutes, but he finally showed up, dressed in civilian clothing. He wore a frown and she noticed how his face was marred with tiredness. “Korra,” he greeted shortly.

Impatient, she bounced on her toes, trying to match his height. “Start explaining.”

“It’s simple—stop poking around Hiroshi Sato’s factories.”

Korra growled. “I knew it! I knew Hiroshi was an equalist! That’s why you work for him as a mechanic and designer, isn’t it? Isn’t it?”

Mako’s eyes blazed with fire as he clamped a hand over her mouth. “Sshh, shh! Shut up, will you?” He figured she’d bite his hand so he quickly removed it. “Listen, this stuff is a lot more complicated than you think.”

“But Hiroshi, is an equalist.” She prodded.

Mako didn’t say anything.

Korra gave a cry of triumph. “Aha! I knew it! It all makes sense.” She paused, shock flickering across her face. “Wait, does that mean, Asami…?”

Mako shook his head. “I honestly don’t know.” He rolled his eyes at her pressing glare. “Honest, I don’t know! If she’s involved in Hiroshi’s endeavors, I have no knowledge of it, okay?”

Korra knew she shouldn’t be listening to him, shouldn’t believe him, but she simply did. “…okay.” She shifted her weight, hands on her hips. “So, what’s the big idea? If you’re here to tell me to stop poking around his factories, which by the way, I won’t, then what exactly are you here for?”

Mako sighed, looking up to the sky—the night was cloudy, grey and murky, save for a small patch of navy dotted in stars right above his head. It was a constellation he was familiar with, one his mother told him when he was young, and the only one he was ever able to point out to Bolin when he was still with him out in the streets.

“…I’m here to tell you looking in the factories is useless.”

Korra immediately dropped her defensive, skeptical posture and slumped over, baffled. “Wait—you’re going to help me? Again? Does this mean…?”

A pained expression crossed his face, and she figured it was his wounded pride. He continued, “Why do you think I spend so much time at Hiroshi’s mansion? The secret equalist factory is underneath the mansion. That’s where you’ll find the evidence.” He explained. He pulled the collar of his jacket up to cover his face as he looked left and right. “I need to go, okay?” He reached over and jammed something into her hand, wrapping her fingers around it to make sure she knew it was there before he turned around and made to leave.

“B-but wait!”

He was gone.

.

.

The paper he had given her were basic schematics of the Sato Mansion—the only addition being the underground system of tunnels that converged to meet in the large, hidden factory.

Korra had gone straight to Tenzin with the news—he was skeptic. He told her this could very well be a ploy to make her look bad. He asked for her source and she was honest—an employee of Future Industries had given her the paper when they were finishing up the last investigation at the factory. She conveniently left out the fact that it was Mako, Bolin’s long lost equalist-affiliated brother.

“We’ll take this to Saikhan and see what he thinks,” Tenzin finally decided.

They both went to Saikhan and his reaction was similar to Tenzin’s—without being there to inspect the source himself, he wasn’t sure on its validity. He folded the schematics back up and handed them back to Korra. “I’m sorry, but there’s just not enough proof.”

Korra was outraged. “This is the mansion’s schematics! How can these be a fake?”

“After Hiroshi’s mansion was raided and his wife killed, police investigations led to paperwork that ended up with similar schematics, just like these.” Saikhan went back and tugged the paper out of her hands and unfolded it. “Look—for starters, it’s very…simple. This information could be obtained with a little hard work with anybody with connections, especially an employee.” Saikhan explained. “And besides…this supposed secret factory isn’t in the same kind of ink as the original. Looks fake to me.”

The Avatar groaned. “It’s not fake! Please, you have to believe me.”

A hard look crossed his face. “I already gave you a chance once—and look where that got us. Until something with a little more substance comes up, we won’t be interrogating Hiroshi and his factories any further.” He shoved the papers back at her. “That is final, Avatar Korra.”

.

.

Angry and confused, Korra stomped up to Tahno’s apartment, where and Bolin were staying. “I can’t believe this! If Chief Beifong were here, she’d do something about it! And speaking of Chief Beifong, are they even looking for her? Ugh, I can’t believe Tenzin would just let this happen!”

Tahno sidestepped the angry Avatar as she burst through his home and plopped angrily on the couch. “Do come in, Korra,” he deadpanned. He went to the kitchen and put on some coffee while Korra ended up sprawling out on the couch, her boot-cladded feet sitting in Bolin’s lap.

From the other end of the couch, Bolin readjusted his position to accommodate her feet. “Um. So. Are you still going on about this investigation thing?” he asked timidly.

Korra shot up, face practically hot with frustration. “Yes! Yes I am!” She saw Bolin open his mouth in protest, so she finished by saying, “But what you don’t know is, after you left, I got a tip from an anonymous source! An employee!”

Tahno pursed his lips as he finished making tea. “And what exactly did this source provide, hmm?”

“He said Hiroshi is an equalist—the factory is underneath the mansion.”

Both Tahno and Bolin stared. “Underneath?” Bolin questioned before letting out a low whistle. “That’s pretty impressive.”

She jabbed her foot in his face. “No, it isn’t!” She gave another cry of anguish before plopping back down on the couch. “I talked to Tenzin and Saikhan but they won’t do anything about it, they don’t believe me! You guys have to believe me, right?”

Tahno brought over a tray of tea and handed her a cup. “I believe that you were told what you were told—but I’m not so sure that he was being honest with you.”

“But why would he go to all that trouble to lie to me?” she asked.

“He wants to embarrass you?” Tahno said, like it was obvious. “Look, this employee might be trying to up Hiroshi’s status—he’s already been proven innocent. Maybe this is extra work to make you look bad, as payback for embarrassing him.”

“They wouldn’t be trying to get back at me unless they were an enemy,” Korra pointed out, a sly smile on her face.

“Good point,” Bolin chipped in.

“And,” Korra continued. “The source was supposed to be anonymous but….I know the employee. I’ve met him.”

That fact held Bolin and Tahno’s attention. “What! You know him?” Tahno asked.

Korra nodded. “Yeah, Asami—“

“Wait. Asami,” Bolin whispered. “Asami knows this person?”

A nod.

“Does that mean…could this all be true and Asami’s an…an…”

Korra shrugged pathetically. “I don’t know! This whole thing is just a giant mess—I just want to get to the bottom of it. I want to save Lin. I want to stop the equalists. I want to get your bending back!” She got up from the couch. “But I think in order to do it, we have to check out to see if this factory is real.”

“How would we do that?” Bolin asked.

“The employee,” Tahno murmured. “If Korra says she knows the employee works up at the mansion, we follow him until one day he goes down and reveals the entrance. If he’s trying to out iHiroshi, it shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Sound like a plan,” Korra agreed. “But there’s one problem standing in our way.”

“What?”

“Asami.”

.

.

The next day, all three of them headed over to the mansion. After some apologies, Korra watched as Asami’s mouth curled up into a faint smile.

“I’m sorry too. I don’t know how hard it is to have the job you do. I know you’re just trying to protect people.” She gestured them all inside. “Come in, Come in!”

The four of them spent time testing cars on the track and swimming in the pool. They laughed and had fun but once mid-afternoon passed, Korra pulled Asami aside, still fighting off a fit of laughter from one of Bolin’s stupid jokes.

“Asami, there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

The laughter died down when she noticed Korra’s serious expression. “What, what is it?”

“It’s about Mako.”

A knowing grin spread across her face. “Oh, Mako is it? You do like him, huh!? I told you he was cute! Want that date, huh?”

Korra gave a sheepish smile. “I just want to talk to him, for starters. Do you know where he might be?”

Asami nodded. “Yeah—it’s pretty late. He’s due for a meeting with my father in a few minutes, back in his private workshop.

Bingo, Korra thought.

“Do you think you could—lead the way?”

Asami giggled. “I probably shouldn’t,” she winked. “But for you, I’ll make the exception. Let’s go.”

.

.

Korra and Asami wandered back into the living room giggling like two school girls, which sparked the boys’ interests. Bolin popped his head over the couch, curious. “What’s got you two all smiley?”

Korra opened her mouth, but Asami beat her to the punch. “Korra’s got a little crush!” Asami blurted out. Bolin’s mouth fell open in an “O” while Tahno stared at her curiously.

“Yeah, so Asami is going to introduce me to him. We’ll be back and I’ll…” she struggled with the right words so they’d understand. “…I’ll tell you what happened. Okay?”

Bolin and Tahno instantly furrowed their brows—this wasn’t the plan; Korra wasn’t supposed to go equalist hunting on her own. She might have Asami with her—but that may not be enough.

Bolin put on his charming, conniving smile. “Oh, there’s no way we’re passing up on this!” he snickered, jabbing Tahno with his arm. Tahno grinned.

“That’s right, uh-vatar. We have to make sure this boy is all right for our little girl.”

Korra paid no mind to Tahno—her eyes were practically glued to Bolin, wide with panic and fear—it took all her might not to shout and scream. He couldn’t come, can’t come because if he came then he’d see him, see Mako, his brother.

The entire thought made her sick to her stomach.

Asami snapped her from her thoughts with a playful bump of the hip. “Oh, let them come. They won’t do any harm, I promise.”

Bolin jumped from his seat, Tahno right behind. “Great! Lead the way, Miss Sato!”

As soon as Asami turned around, Bolin and Tahno’s theatrical smiles fell, revealing worried faces. They shook their heads slowly. They weren’t about to back down.

Korra swallowed and turned to follow Asami, her legs feeling like jelly.

They walked up and down stairs, through winding corridors and fancy doors. Eventually, they were at the back of the property when Asami stuck her hand out and stopped the trio.

“Alright, there he is,” she pointed to a tall man, with short and slightly spiked hair, wearing a long black coat. Bolin squinted though the dark of night.

“I can’t see him—is he tall?” he wondered, trying to get a better look.

“Yeah,” Korra whispered hoarsely. “He is.”

Asami brought a finger to her mouth and they all snuck quietly through the night, slipping through the door and stepping into the workshop. They each poked their heads out of the doorway and into the small workshop, complete with workbenches and hundreds of tools. Asami began counting down from five on her fingers as Mako stood, back to them. But on three, he went to the side of the room and pulled on a monkey wrench and then—

The floor opened up.

“What?” Asami whispered. “What on earth…?” she whipped her head around and stared at Korra. Asami’s eyes were glossy with hurt and confusion and Korra almost had to look away.

Mako stepped down and the floor closed.

All four jumped out of their hiding places and scattered about the workshop. “No,” Asami mused. “No that doesn’t make any sense…this is his private workshop! Nothing else!”

“I’ll be damned,” Tahno whispered. “You were right.”

Korra kicked up some dust. “I wish I wasn’t.” She eyed the monkey wrench Mako pulled moments before. “I’m going down.”

Bolin’s eye practically jumped out of their sockets. “Don’t you think we should wait for Tenzin or Saikhan or the Police or—“

Korra tugged on the wrench, opening the floor. “I’m going down there—alone.”

Tahno stepped forward. “There’s no way you’re going down there. You need back up.”

Asami lifted her head a bit, her best attempt at determination across her face. “I’m coming too. I have to see what’s down there for myself.”

Bolin sighed, walking over and laying both hands on her shoulders. “You really shouldn’t. Let us go down there for you. We’ll see what’s up. Besides, if you stay here, I know there’s someone watching us from behind, okay? Got our backs?

Asami nodded slightly, hesitantly, but nodded nonetheless.

Korra’s gaze lingered on Bolin, scared and afraid, wondering what exactly he could do with no combat training, his earthbending gone. Even worse, Mako was down there, his brother. She couldn’t let him find him—not yet. So she decided to play dirty.

“Bolin, I don’t want to bring it up, but you’re bending is gone, how are you going to—“

“I’m strong!” he cried. “I can still fight! Asami doesn’t have bending, and she can fight! I’ve seen her! I can too, Korra. I can!”

She closed her eyes. “Bo, please you don’t understand—“

For the first time, he shoved her out of the way and walked down the stairs. “Let’s go!” he cried, determined.

This couldn’t end well.

.

.

The stairway was dark and Korra lit a flame to help them see. They came to an elevator which drew them down. The gears of the machine were loud and mimicked her own wild and beating heart. When the cart finally stopped, they walked off and opened a door, revealing a large showroom, the main focus being a huge poster with Amon’s face on it.

 “Shit…” she murmured.

Along the side of the wall, were several posters and boxes. Tahno ripped one open and found several equalist gloves. “No doubt about it—this is a secret factory.” He sighed. “Hiroshi is an equalist.”

Suddenly the lights went out. Moments later, bright flashing lights appeared, blinding, but not really lighting anything, and the kids had to shield their eyes. They were surrounded by a semi-circle of giant machines resembling humans, with large mechanical arms and legs.

“Guilty as charged.”

From inside the tank, behind metal bars, Korra caught sight of Hiroshi Sato, an evil smile on his face, a glare coming off from his round glasses.

Korra pointed an accusing finger. “Give it up Hiroshi! We know you’re an equalist! We’ve found your factory!”

Hiroshi cackled. “Ah, you did! Isn’t it great? Do you like my new invention—they’re called mecha tanks. And well, well, you’re about to find out just how strong my new invention is. Good work, Mako. You misled them well.”

“What,” Korra hissed to herself. “This was a set up!” she screeched, confused and hurt. She thought he was on her side, she thought that he was going to help them she thought that Mako, Bolin’s damn brother would--

Bolin…

She slowly turned her head and watched him. He was just…shaking. Not much, but just enough, a cold sweat collecting at his brow. He whipped his head to Korra, baffled. “Mako? It’s not….it can’t be.”

“Attack!”

All of a sudden, the half a dozen tanks came at them, spewing metal cables and weapons at Hiroshi’s command. Korra dodged the first one, using earthbending to try and trip them up. She tried to make for the wall, made of earth, when suddenly, a long wall of metal came clashing down, and eventually, three more came down, encasing them in a metal room. Korra thought back to her imprisonment weeks ago, guarded by Mako, but was instantly torn away from the thought as she had to dodge an incoming tank from crushing her.

“You’re not a metalbender yet, Avatar! There’s no escape!”

Tahno was using water from some skins he carried around, freezing it into ice in hopes of slicing the metal or breaking the glass cases of the head. He managed the second and managed to hop on top, using the water whip to try and beat the man working the machine senselessly. It worked and Tahno reached in, cutting his hand in the process and threw him out of the tank. “Bo!” he shouted. “Use this!”

Bolin ran over, dodging electrical metal wires and managed to climb in the mecha tank. He fiddled with the buttons, confused by the complexity of it all. He pressed one button and watched as an arm shot out, spinning weapons that Tahno managed to duck from just in time. “Watch it Bolin!”

“Sorry!”

Korra took on Hiroshi, using her earthbending and firebending to propel herself and throw fire his way. He was hit, but the flames did nothing to mar his suit. He was jostled in the tank, his glasses falling off, making it hard to see. He growled, grabbed her using a metal claw, and electrocuted her.

“AGHHHH!”

He swung her around twice before she was sent flying, hitting the ground with a hard thud.

“KORRA!” Bolin and Tahno screeched. Tahno jumped up and began fighting his way through some of the equalists that had appeared without tanks to get to her. Bolin reached for the controller to move the tank when he was suddenly slammed into from the side. He looked over and that’s when he saw it.

A pair of honey-gold eyes he thought had been dead years ago.

“M-Mako?” His confusion turned to anger and hurt as he scanned the man in the tank, cloaked behind a yellow tinted glass. “It is you?” Angry, he pressed another button on the tank and watched as more cables came from the shoulder of the tank. It sparked to life and Bolin did his best to maneuver the cables around the tank. The whole tank rumbled with electrocution, and some of it reached Mako where he had been holding on to metal controls.

“That’s for joining the equalists!” Bolin charged the tank forward, pressing another button to reveal another sharp, claw-like weapon. “And this is for abandoning me!” He rammed into Mako’s mecha tank and it was tipped over. Bolin’s collided with Mako’s upset one and managed to stop just in time. He leaned the tank over, the windows facing each other, so close that Mako watched as tears bubbled in his little brother’s eyes.

“Why?” Bolin begged. “Why,” he hit the tank over and over again. “Why why why!”

Mako gritted his teeth and endured the beatings. “Bolin, please you don’t understand, if you could just listen I’d--!”

Hit. “You were there, weren’t you!? You were there at the arena! YOU SAT THERE AND WATCHED ME GET MY BENDNG TAKEN AWAY DIDN’T YOU?”

Mako snarled and moved the tank, throwing Bolin off of him. “You’re not the only one who lost their bending!” Mako screeched.

“You didn’t lose it!” Bolin cried, dodging Mako’s hit. “You gave it up for an…an evil cause!”

“You don’t know what I had to do to protect you, my little brother!” Mako screeched, ramming the mecha tank into Bolin’s tank. Bolin gritted his teeth and threw Mako’s tank off of him.

“Don’t you dare call me that, Mako. Don’t you dare!” he launched at him. His metal fist broke through the mask and with every hit, he narrowly dodged Mako’s face as he screamed, “We aren’t brothers anymore!”

Mako froze, eyes wide. He stared back into his little brother’s eyes, and he saw he fear, the anger, the hurt, all emotions had had never seen before. He had never been this angry or upset in his life. Bolin finally gave one last scream before he lifted his hand, ready to strike.

“AGHHH!” Bolin looked over and watched as Tahno was taken down. Hiroshi, as jostled as he was took the opportunity to strike. He hit Bolin once, knocking him off Mako, injuring Bolin, and as he raised for another attack, a voice stopped him.

“DAD, STOP!”

He looked over and saw his daughter, hands clasped together, mouth in a deep frown. She was shaking with anger and confusion. “Why, dad?” she whispered, gritting her teeth. “Why?”

The tank opened and Hiroshi stepped out. “Asami, please..” he wandered over to her, and when he got too close, she took a step back. Hiroshi paused. “Think about what these people did to your mother! They took her away! These—these benders are responsible for so much hurt and violence! But the equalists! We can end this…together.” He reached out and handed her an equalist glove. “Join me, Asami.”

Wounded but still conscious, Tahno and Bolin managed to wander over to a still out of it Korra. With much anguish, Bolin passed his brother, sparing him a pained glance, before he helped gather Korra in his arms.

“We have to get out of here,” Tahno whispered. Bolin nodded but when he looked up, he saw Asami reach out for the equalist glove.

“Join me, Asami,” Hiroshi repeated.

“No,” Bolin whispered.

Asami was shaky as she reached out. Slowly she put the glove on and, testing its flexibility.

Korra in tow, Tahno and Bolin approached her slowly. “Asami?” Bolin whispered. “Asami, please…”

She looked back and forth between her father and her friends. From the corner of her eye, she spotted Mako stumbling out of a ruined mecha tank, his face running with blood from a cut on his forehead. She put on a stern face.

Bolin walked closer, Tahno now the only one holding Korra. “Asami…” he reached out, ready to reason with her.

Asami looked back and forth between her father and Bolin. Finally, she whispered, “I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry.”

She launched forward, electrocuting Bolin.

“BOLIN!” Tahno screeched. He made a move to help her, but Asami was quick. He couldn’t do much with Korra on his back and in a few seconds, both Korra and Tahno were electrocuted by Asami’s glove and on the ground, unconscious with Bolin.

Hiroshi approached his daughter, laying a hand on her shoulder. “Very good, my daughter.” The Lieutenant approached them, standing beside Hiroshi and Asami. “Load them in the truck and take them to Amon,” Hiroshi said.

“I’ll do it,” Asami blurted out. Her eyes flickered to Mako. “Mako, come help me tie them up.”

He simply nodded and headed over there. As they wrapped the three of them up and loaded them into the trucks, he whispered to Asami, “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Trust me,” she whispered harshly. “I do.” She pinched his shoulder before she patted the side of the truck, letting the driver know the captives were tied up. “Just be sure to pay attention, alright?”

“Wha—“ from the still open van, he watched as Korra stirred. She opened her eyes briefly, and through her disoriented vision, she saw Mako sway in and out. “Mako?”

With a grimace, he sighed, grabbing hold of the doors to close the back. “I’m sorry, Korra. Hang in there.”

“What? Mako—“

Slam.