[Night, Dragon Flats Borough]
Night draped itself over the Borough like a heavy blanket, muffling the world into a deep, expectant hush. And that silence held just until it was torn apart by the wail of sirens.
Blue and red lights pulsed across the abandoned streets, washing over brick walls and shuttered windows as a large police transport rumbled through the district.
The trucks moved without subtlety, blinding in the dead of night—oblivious of the crows that tracked them from rooftops.
"Are we even sure this kid is the culprit we're looking for?" the driver muttered, breaking the long stretch of stale silence inside the cab. "Ain't he a bit too young?"
The officer in the passenger seat exhaled a lazy yawn, blinking himself awake before answering.
"Don't look down on him just cause he's a kid" his voice dropped, tinged with resentment… or fear. "He's been behind half the unsolved murders on our board the past year, not to mention the recent terrorist attacks. The things he's done… I don't even think he's human like us"
He shifted, leaning his cheek against the cold glass window. An expression of deep disgust twisted his face as though simply imagining the boy breathing the same air as him soured his stomach.
The driver could only swallow hard at the expression of his partner.
"Still… if that's the case, aren't we being a bit too lax with security?" his eyes flicked toward the rearview mirror. "Should've we brought more units with us?"
Only one patrol car followed behind them. Another escorted from the front.
"Should be nothing to worry about" the senior officer assured, his tone far too casual. "It's close to the middle of the n—"
KRRRSSHH!
His sentence was severed by the violent explosion of glass. The window beside him shattered inward, spraying the cab in glittering shards.
Neither officer had time to scream.
The driver jerked in panic as his partner was yanked from his seat with terrifying force, armor scraping and sparking against the jagged frame as he was dragged screaming into the darkness outside.
Though his hands were shaking, the driver clutched the steering wheel with one and fumbled for the radio with the other.
"REPORTING ALL UNITS—REPORT!" his voice cracked. "MAIN CARAVAN IS UNDER ATTACK! MAIN—"
The words died in his throat.
Through the windshield, he saw the vehicle ahead—it was damaged, but still moving.
And atop it stood another passenger.
A lone figure balanced on the roof like a statue facing him. A hood obscured its face, its cloak snapping violently in the wind. In its hands, a long metal chain spun in slow circles, the weight at its end carving the air with a predatory whistle as it gathered momentum.
"ANCHOR"
AGE: 26
STATUS: Equalist Black Feather Frontline
"Vehicle one" he rasped into the radio, hoping someone was at the other end. "There is… there is someone on top of your vehicle. I repeat, there is—"
KRSH!
The chain launched forward in a silver blur, punching through the windshield.
The officer had just enough time to understand what was happening.
But not enough to avoid it.
The anchor at the chain's end tore through his skull in a wet, catastrophic instant, obliterating thought, breath, and fear alike.
It didn't slow as it passed through him—continuing onward, biting into the metal behind the seat with a shriek of steel before lodging itself there.
As the body went limp, so did its control. His arms spasmed, wrenching the steering wheel sharply before falling slack at his sides. His foot pressed harder on the pedal.
The caravan surged forward.
CRASH!
The hooded attacker leapt onto the hood just as the transport slammed into the vehicle ahead. Metal screamed against metal, sparks bursting into the night.
She landed low, absorbing the impact with a grunt, then wrenched the anchor free with a forceful pull, the chain screaming as it tore loose.
Without taking a breather, she broke into a sprint atop the moving vehicle, her boots pounding against the steel. The chain looped over her shoulder, clanking with each step as she raced toward the rear ready to jump.
As she took a leap, mid-air, she hurled the chain with inhuman force.
The anchor truck deep into the caravan's rear plating and locking fast. The chain snapped taut with a thunderous jolt.
Beneath her robes, muscles coiled, fabric strained, threads snapping audibly as her body tensed far beyond human limits. Her feet dug into the pavement, the ground beneath her cracking and caving as she fought the vehicle's momentum.
Tires shredded under the pressure, bursting one after another in violent pops. Even then, the remaining wheels continued to drag forward, sparks spraying wildly as metal scrapped against asphalt.
With a guttural cry, the assailant twisted her body and yanked the chain sideways.
BANG!
The transports slammed onto its side, skidding violently across the street as dust and debris erupted into the air. The echo of the impact rolled through the borough.
But no doors opened. No voices rose. Dragon Flats remained eerily unbothered, as though the city itself had chosen to look away.
As the engine sputtered and finally died, the tension from the chain eased. The hooded figure exhaled slowly, the fury draining from her posture. She began wrapping the chain around her arm with practiced ease, each coil making her walk closer to the vehicle.
"Anchor!"
The sudden commanding voice was deep. It made Anchor stop in her tracks as if it were natural to follow.
"You're too loud" it continued. "I told you I should've handled this"
Another hooded figure stepped from the shadows of a nearby building. Unlike Anchor, his hood did little to hide his features. A barely shaven face caught the glow of the streetlamps. His hair, dark and loose, fell neatly down his back like silk, untouched by the dirt and grime. His eyes were as green and fresh as grass.
In his hand rested a longsword. Once silver. Now drowned in red.
As the light fully claimed him, it revealed his robe shared the same stain.
"MERCY"
AGE: 27
STATUS: Equalist Black Feather: Leader
"Because of your showboating" he went on, his voice as emotionless as his eyes. "The rest of us have double the work"
He wiped the edge of his blade against the hem of his robe, wiping away the blood that had already been soaked deep into the fabric.
His tongue clicked in irritation as he inspected it a few more times before giving up.
"Don't be too hard on her~"
Another voice drifted down from above, indulgent and annoyingly slow.
A third figure leaned out of a second-story window, peering down at the street as if watching a stage performance.
Unlike the others, he wore no robe. Instead, he was dressed almost formally: a pressed shirt, vest, necktie. A fedora shadowed neatly combed brown hair and well kept beard, and small square glasses rested comfortably on his nose,
His blue eyes were sharp… too sharp.
They watched the scene below with a fascination that felt distinctly… inhuman.
"CURATOR"
AGE: 30
STATUS: Equalist Black Feather Support
"After all~" he continued lazily. "It is our first mission together~"
He glanced back into the dark room behind him, a wide grin stretching from ear to ear.
"And it's been such a joy~ showing off my…" he chuckled. "Masterpieces"
"Ugh…" Anchor didn't bother masking her disgust. "Are we sure we can't replace him, Leader?"
Mercy let out a long, tired sigh—it looked like he was far more exhausted dealing with his team and the mission itself.
"Unfortunaately" he said. "No one in our batch is as… gifted as we are. If we want to maintain quality, replacement isn't an option we have"
He slid his sword back into its sheath, the blade barely clean enough to justify the motion.
"I would've rather worked alone" he muttered.
Turning his back on them, Mercy gestured toward the wreck.
"Let's just finish the mission"
He and Anchor approached the caravan cautiously, they hands gripping their weapons, prepared for any final resistance.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
But the loud and cheerful knocking against metal broke their tension.
"Knock, knock~"
A small figure stood at the rear doors of the overturned transport, rapping enthusiastically against the steel with his fist.
Mercy pinched the bridge of his nose.
"What" he asked. "Do you think you're doing?"
The boy turned toward him, eyes wide with innocent curiosity, a crooked grin plastered across his face.
"I'm checking if anyone's inside" he said brightly.
As if this were normal.
JUVENILE
AGE: 15
STATUS: Equalist Black Feather Assassin
Of course, there was no immediate answer.
Juvenile frowned slightly, then tilted his head.
"Leader" he called out, genuine curiosity leading his voice. "I think he died"
The others exchanged quick glances, each silently arriving at the same conclusion.
"Open the damn door"
A voice echoed from within the metal container.
He was alive at the very least.
Mercy exhaled a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
'Thank the spirits' he thought.
Failing their first ever mission would've been an unbearable shame in their record.
He nodded once toward Anchor.
She responded with a sharp huff and strode forward, wrapping one hand around the rear handle. With a slight, brutal pull, she attempted to tear the door free—metal shrieked as it bent and its hinges ripping off before completely breaking.
Streetlight spilled into the container, and it illuminated a lone figure inside.
At first glance, his condition made them doubt. He looked worn down—his clothes torn and filthy, hair disheveled, posture slack from exhaustion. But beneath the grime, there was no mistaking him.
He was their target.
ZHEN
AGE: 19
STATUS: Prisoner
The four of them exchanged another glance, then nodded in quiet confirmation.
"And you guys are…?" Zhen questioned, confusion edging his voice.
But he wasn't given an answer.
Mercy snapped his fingers. "Bag him"
Anchor, already thrown away the large door, reached into her belt as she entered the vehicle. Her large frame casting shadows against Zhen, pulling out a heavy sack.
Their mission was complete.
—————————————————————————————
[Morning, Air Temple Island]
Korra had finally returned to their care late last night.
From the moment she set foot back on the island, no one had allowed her out of their sight—not even for a second.
Mako remained at her bedside through the night, sacrificing sleep without complaint. Every time she stirred, he was there. Asami took one look at them together before sleeping and quietly withdrew, choosing solitude over saying something she might regret.
Tenzin reassured his family of Korra's safe return, repeating the words until they felt real for them. At least, that's what he wants to think he's doing. In reality, he is simply distracting them from looking for another individual, another who has not yet come back.
Bolin, exhausted beyond protest, slept through the night without stirring.
Lin, however, spent the entire night on patrol, circling the island with members of the White Lotus with alert senses. Lin was determined what happened to Korra would never happen again.
When morning came they gathered for breakfast in the main dining hall, sunlight spilling through the open windows and painting the room in gold. Korra ate with visible enthusiasm, devouring her meal like she hadn't eaten in days.
Because she hadn't,
The other barely even touched their food.
Tenzin sat stiffly at the table, his hands laid flat on his lap. Lin's posture was rigid, her attention flicking instinctively toward every sound. Both of them looked… unnerved.
TENZIN
AGE: 51
STATUS: Heard of Some Bad News
"Pema" Tenzin said at last, his voice gently but unmistakably firm. "Would you mind giving us some space"
Pema studied her husband for a moment, then nodded.
"Of course" she rose up from her seat with a small smile. "I'll clean up"
PEMA
AGE: 35
STATUS: Will Give Birth In a Few Hours
As she stood, Asami—who was seated across from her—rose as well.
ASAMI SATO
AGE: 18
STATUS: Is In a Sour Mood
"Let me help" she offered politely.
The kindness was genuine, but there was no mistaking her eagerness to leave the table.
The two moved about the table, gathering plates. They took everyone's, except Korra's. She was still eating, blissfully hungry.
Once the room was quiet and Pema left with the plates, Tenzin spoke again.
"Korra" he started carefully. "I know you've been through a lot. But I need to know everything that happened"
Korra slowed, her chewing stopped as she stared down at her plate. Her brow furrowed as she searched her memory, the effort physically visible.
KORRA
AGE: 17
STATUS: She's Fine for the Most Part
"Well…" she began. "Some of it's kind of blurry"
She took a breath, her eyes lifted.
"First of all—Tarrlok isn't who he says he is. He's Yakone's son"
The reaction was immediate.
Tenzin's eyes widened in disbelief. Lin's expression hardened, then shifted as realization clicking into place.
LIN BEIFONG
AGE: 51
STATUS: Had Some Bad News
"It all makes sense now" Lin said grimly, glancing toward Tenzin. "That's how Tarrlok was able to bloodbend us without a full moon"
"Well, that explains that part. But where is Tarrlok now?" He followed up with another question. Then, unable to stop himself, added. "And how did you escape?"
"Amon captured him" Korra said quietly.
She paused, the memory surfacing in sharp, unwelcome clarity.
"And he took his bending"
"What?" Tenzin gasped.
"Yeah. He just… appeared" Korra continued, her voice unsteady now.
Her gaze dropped to her plate, fingers trembling faintly as she gripped the chopsticks, creaking it inside her fist.
"He almost got me too… if it wasn't—if it wasn't"
She froze.
Then her eyes lit up, her fear giving way to something warm.
"If it wasn't for Zhen" she finished. "Where is he? Why isn't he here?"
The room went still.
Lin and Tenzin exchanged a brief look. A silent discussion passed between them.
'You tell her'
'I'd really prefer if you do'
In the end, Lin's stare was iron-hard, something she inherited from her mother.
Tenzin looked away first.
He sighed. "Korra… there's no easy way to say this"
On each of Korra's side, Bolin and Mako straightened, sharpening their attention.
Yes, they were still here.
"Last night, we had Zhen taken to the Police headquarters for questioning" Tenzin continued, choosing each word carefully. "On the way there, the caravan and escorts transporting him was attacked."
Korra's breath caught.
"For now" he went on, forcing steadiness into his voice. "We assumed the Equalists rescued—Ow!"
Lin rammed her shoulders into his side, cutting him off.
Tenzin winced, clutching his ribs.
"I'll explain" Lin said flatly, stepping in before he could recover. "Zhen's known allies are still here on the island. If we were to believe their explanation on what their position is within Amon's Equalists, then that rules out a rescue"
She paused, her eyes narrowing.
"Which means he was captured"
"WHAT?!"
Korra slammed her fist against the table, the sound cracking through the room as plates rattled.
"How—whu, what? Why?" she demanded, words stumbling over each other as fury took hold. "How could you let this happen?!"
Lin didn't flinch as Korra raised her voice. For her, it was just a teenager about to throw a fit.
"And why didn't he come back with us in the first place?!" Korra shot, rising halfway from her seat.
Lin met her glare. "Because regardless of him helping you, he's still a known murderer. The amount of blood on his hands isn't something you can even imagine. Escorting him to the station for questioning was the right call for all of you safety"
"And how's that 'right call' working out for you, huh?" Korra snapped, her voice shaking with fury. "What are we even waiting for? We should go get him ri-Ack! Koff! "
Her protest cut off abruptly as she choked on her own food.
Mako was instantly at her side, one hand steadying her, the other gently rubbing her back.
MAKO
AGE: 18
STATUS: Only Focused On Korra
"You alright?" he asked, perry flooding his voice. "I'll get you some more tea. I'll be right back"
He stood and grabbed the kettle, already halfway out the door before anyone could even attempt to stop him.
As he left the room, every set of eyes—save Korra's—followed him with near-unison. It was almost impressive that he didn't notice.
Once the door slid shut behind him, Tenzin spoke again.
"I can't shake this feeling" he admitted, combing his fingers through his beard. His brow was furrowed, his expression deeply troubled. "Amon is growing emboldened. Taking out a councilman, nearly capturing the Avatar, and how he's seized Zhen" his voice lowered. "I fear he's entering his endgame"
"Or… he's getting impatient" Lin countered. "Too many of his moves don't line up. Especially this one" She crossed her arms. "There's no clear reason for him to capture Zhen. Even if he was a traitor, he hasn't really gotten in Amon's way, and Amon probably doesn't need him to move forward with whatever he's planning"
Tenzin's eyes narrowed. "Unless. He's a direct threat to his plans"
Lin nodded slowly. "Exactly"
"Are you…" Tenzin hesitated, testing the words in his thoughts before saying them aloud. "Are you suggesting Zhen might be our leverage against Amon"
Lin exhaled sharply through her nose.
"As much as I hate to say it…" Her gaze flicked briefly toward Korra. "The Avatar might be right"
Silence stretched as Korra just grabbed Bolin's cup to drink her throat clear.
"If our theory holds true" Lin continued. "And Zhen truly poses a danger to Amon's plans… then leaving him in enemy hands is a mistake"
She met Tenzin's eyes squarely.
"We might need to rescue him"
BAM!
Korra slammed the cup on the table, grabbing everyone's attention.
"Then let's do it!"
—————————————————————————————
[Someplace else on the island]
While the others were gathered in the dining hall, the quieter souls sought refuge elsewhere.
Asami and Pema walked beneath the open sky, leaving the stone paths behind as they wandered into one of the island's many forested stretches. Morning light filtered through swaying leaves, dappling the ground in gold and green.
The air was calming—deliberately so.
"Thank you for inviting me for a walk" Asami said after her moment of quiet.
Her gaze lingered anywhere but straight ahead, and it wasn't hard to tell her thoughts were tangled elsewhere.
Years of raising children had honed Pema's instincts, she had noticed Asami's mood long before they'd even left the dining hall,
Though it had been impossible to ignore after her small outburst toward Mako in the kitchen.
When Pema had returned, Mako was already gone—and Asami was left washing dishes in the kitchen, her eyes shining, clearly fighting tears she refused to let fall.
That was when Pema had invited her outside.
"There's no need to thank me, dear" Pema said now, hoisting the basket resting in the crook of her arm. "Everyone needs a change of scenery from time to time to help clear their thoughts"
Her gentle smile eased something in Asami's chest, though it didn't banish the ache entirely.
"Did you…" she trailed off, matching her pace as she gathered herself. "Did you hear everything back there?"
Pema didn't even pause to think about an answer.
"Why, every word" she replied softly.
Asami let out a mortified groan and covered her face with one hand. "That is so embarrassing"
At least she was acting her age.
"There's no need to worry, dear" Pema said gently. "We've all had moments like that"
"Yeah" Asami muttered, unable to stop herself. "Because having a boyfriend who clearly likes your friend is something that happens to everyone"
She hadn't meant for it to sound sarcastic. It just… slipped out.
Pema didn't take offense to it. Instead, her expression soffened—then it dimmed/
"I supposed I owe you an apology" she said after a moment. "I may have meddled where I shouldn't have. If I hadn't shared that story about my younger years with Korra, perhaps things between the three of you would've turned out differently"
"You don't need to apologize" she said sincerely, placing a hand on Pema's shoulder. "Honestly, I don't think it would've changed anything. Whether you said something or not"
And she meant it.
At the end of the day, she couldn't blame Pema. Or Korra—well… maybe a little. But mostly for her… it was Mako who had been the one who's acting very differently.
Pema smiled faintly. "Thank you. I brought you here to cheer you up, but it seems you're the one doing that for me hmhm~"
She let out a quiet chuckle at the irony.
Asami tried to smile back, but her eyes kept drifting to their surroundings.
The path had grown unfamiliar, the trees were denser. But Pema moved through it with confidence, despite her late pregnancy.
"Still" Asami asked, unable to hide her unease. "Where exactly are we going?"
"We're almost there" Pema replied, vaguely reassuring. "There's nothing to worry about"
They came upon a tall, weathered metal fence. A wide gap yawned open in its side, and Pema stepped through it without thinking twice. Of course, Asami followed.
The moment they crossed, a new sound joined the wind and rustling leaves.
Hahaha~
Laughter.
Specifically, children's laughter.
Asami felt goosebumps ripple across her skin at the sudden, out-of-place warmth of it. The atmosphere shifted too cheerfully too suddenly.
Pema, however, remained entirely at ease.
Hm~ hm~
She even started humming softly, a light, content tune.
The forest thinned, opening suddenly into a wide clearing near the island's edge.
"Pema~!"
A chorus of voices greeted them.
Several children came running across the grass, laughter ringing bright.
They swarmed Pema, hugging her waist, her arms, and her sides. Pema laughed quietly, smiling down at them as she gently ran her hands across each of their heads before shooing them back toward their games.
Asami stood frozen for a moment, taking it all in.
"What is this place?" she asked, her eyes sweeping across the clearing.
Acolytes moved through the space with gentle steps—not only tending to the children but constructing a large building, maintaining tents, chopping wood, and managing small campfires.
Everything felt purposeful here…
Everything felt real.
Pema exhaled proudly, fists resting at her sides.
"Just keeping a promise" she said. Then she smiled at Asami. "Come on"
She led Asami along a manmade dirt path that cut straight through the settlement. Few finished huts stood beside the tents, scaffolding creaking softly as acolytes worked. Children darted between them, chasing one another and laughing, others helping anyway they can.
As Pema and Asami passed, Acolytes bowed respectfully.
It was essentially a small village, tucked neatly into the island, unseen from the main temple.
They passed through without stopping, leaving the warmth and motion behind, until they reached another cleaning beyond the village's edge.
A completely different place.
It seemed untouched… yet clearly lived in.
A cold fire pit sat at its center, stones carefully arranged. Logs were stacked neatly nearby, tied tightly to the ground with vines. A handmade clothes line stretched between two sticks, pulled taught with deliberate care so they don't snap.
And att the cliff's edge stood two huts.
Both were small. Both were crude.
One was noticeably smaller than the other, and both leaned dangerously toward the drop, warped by time and weather. They looked fragile—enough that a single wrong touch might send them tumbling into the sea below.
Pema approached the fire pit and set her basket gently on the ground.
Asami hurried to her side, helping her ease down onto one of the logs.
"Thank you, dear" Pemna said warmly, accepting the help with a grateful smile despite the strain.
"Don't mention it" Asami replied, her gaze drifting back toward the huts. "So… do you mind telling me what this place is? It looks a little… run-down"
"Oh, Zhen was never much for decoration, hm hm~" Pema said with a soft laugh.
Asami's head snapped back to her.
"Oh" she set her head down slowly, already getting an idea. "You mean this place is…"
"I still remember when he first arrived on the island" Pema's voice warmed with memory, her eyes shining faintly as her smile remained. "He lived in a tent back then and kept growling at the acolytes if they get too close. Such a feral young man"
Asami took a seat beside her. "Feral?"
"Well" Pema chuckled. "It was charming in its own way. Seeing him just get used to everything felt like watching him grow up"
Her gaze drifted to the unlit fire pit, as if she could still see him there… making sure it's warm enough for her.
She had spent more time in this clearing over the past year than she liked to admit.
But she straightened, gently pulling herself back to the present. "Still… that isn't why I brought you here"
Asami lifted a brow. Until now, she'd assumed the walk was simply to clear their heads.
"What do you think of Korra, dear?" Pema asked, her tone intently careful.
Asami blinked, caught off guard. Not by the timing, but by the question itself.
"Oh—uh" she stammered. "She's great. She's… really great…"
Her eyes wandered toward the sea beyond the leaning huts. Waves rolled endlessly against the cliffs. If any place was meant for untangling thought, it was this one.
'Is this why he lived here?' she thought to herself, imagining Zhen just sitting with them, keeping the fire warm.
When she finally decided to speak again, her voice had changed—it was softer, warmer.
"She's incredible. Being the Avatar and all" Asami smiled faintly. "But as a person… she's pretty amazing too. To be so confident to admit when she's weak…"
The thought stung more than she expected.
Asami swallowed.
It was something she'd never learned how to do.
Because of who she was—because of where she was placed at—she had learned to perform in confidence instead. To keep her composure pristine, never letting doubt or jealousy or fear crack the surface.
All to avoid being looked down on or taken advantage of.
And that realization settled heavy in her chest.
"Wow" she muttered, letting out a breathless laugh. "I'm being… incredibly immature right now"
Pema turned to her with an amused smile. "I don't believe you're quite old enough to be too mature yet"
Asami glanced at her.
"You're just like Zhen in that regard" Pema continued gently. "Both of you believe you understand your feelings completely"
Now… there was something wistful behind her smile.
"But our feelings are complicated" she went on. "And I believe that's what makes us human. No matter where we come from. No matter how we were raised" her voice warmed. "You're both still so young. You should really give yourselves a chance at being immature kids"
A tear welled in her eye.
For just a moment, she allowed herself to think of the boy she hadn't known how to help sooner. The one who had needed guidance when she hadn't yet known how to give it.
Then she wiped the drop away before Asami could notice and turned back to her with a gently smile.
Asami smiled in return… this time truly sincere.
"Yeah" she said, letting out a quiet breath. "You're right. I guess… I'm allowedbe a little immature sometimes"
Pema's expression brightened, satisfied. At least her words had reached someone.
"That's the spirit"
As the breeze carried the sound of the distant sea, Pema's gaze drifted toward the leaning huts at the cliff's edge
She hoped that one day, the young boy burdened by his own fractured sense of belonging would come to understand the same truth.
—————————————————————————————
[Republic City, Underground]
BAM!
The massive doors burst open with theatrical force, their impact echoing through the cavernous hall as four robed Equalists entered.
Though they seem a bit different from the night before.
Their robes were torn and stained. Bruises darkened exposed skin.
Even Curator looked ragged now, his coat ripped in half, his composure frayed.
Mercy and Anchor led the way inside. Anchor carrying Zhen's body slung over her shoulder like a bag.
Behind them followed Juvenile and Curator. The boy's manic energy from last night was gone, replace with a quiet, unsettling exhaustion.
They stopped at the center of the hall. And, without ceremony, Anchor hurled Zhen to the ground—then yanked him upright again, forcing him down onto his knees with an iron grip.
Zhen himself was being very compliant. The bag over his head swallowed even the dim light of the chamber, leaving only narrow seams through which he could barely make out the shapes and movement.
Metal suddenly rattled around him, accompanied by a sudden, icy bite wrapping around his neck.
Click.
Another sharp sound followed… then another.
A faint tug, restraints tightening around him. More locks snapping into place around his torso, arms, his legs.
Only after everything was in place was the bag ripped away.
Light flooded his already poor vision, completely blinding him at first. His eyes burned as they adjusted, shapes bleeding into focus until one figure stood before him.
Zhen looked up, unimpressed by the mask so many others feared.
AMON
AGE: ???
STATUS: Equalist Leader
A thick metal collar encircled Zhen's neck, four heavy chains extending from it, pulled taut and bolted into the stone floor. His hands were bound behind his back, though already cuffed, was now reinforced with additional restraints. Cloth and chains wrapped his body so thoroughly he might as well have been a madman.
Zhen tested the chains, shifting as if to rise.
And though they groaned from the force, they didn't give.
Tch.
He clicked his tongue lightly.
"Little excessive, don't you think?" he said dryly.
The hall remained silent.
Amon did not answer at once. He simply stared down at his former subordinate.
Then, without so much as a glance at the others in the room, he lifted his gaze—deliberately ignoring them all.
"Oh… Zhen" he said at last, his voice smooth, almost indulgent. "I will grant you the courtesy of explaining yourself. At the very least"
A pause.
"That way, you may be treated the same as everyone else"
Another deliberate pause.
"Equally"
'Damn liar' Zhen thought.
He exhaled and let his shoulders slacken against the restraints, feigning ease.
"Just an impulsive decision" he replied, his tone sharp with mockery. "Didn't realize you already had replacements lined up for us though"
Amon turned away.
"Replacements?" he echoed softly. "No. No one could replace you"
His footsteps were almost quiet as he circled.
"I treated you… especially well, despite where you came from. I pulled you back up from the abuse you were experiencing. Gave you purpose. Direction"
He stopped in front of Zhen and knelt.
His gloved hand came to Zhen's shoulder… almost affectionate, as though patting a child.
"So please" Amon continued, his voice lowering, growing heavier. "Help me understand—"
Without warning, he shoved his hand down.
BAM!
Zhen's forehead slammed into the stone floor. Air ripped from his lungs in a strangled gasp.
Amon's hand pressed him there, forcing his face against the cold stone as he loomed above him.
"—Why" Amon finished quietly. "You would bite the hand that fed you"
"Gh—" Zhen forced out a breath through clenched teeth. "I doubt you'd like any answer I give you"
"Perhaps" Amon agreed easily.
There was no need for this spectacle. Still, it wasn't without purpose.
"Come back under me, Zhen" Amon said, easing the pressure just enough to be felt… allowed. "I am willing to offer you special treatment"
Zhen didn't struggle. There was no need for him to.
"After all" Amon continued. "You are my finest hunter"
Zhen turned his head just enough for Amon to see his grin. Defiant and gully in the best way.
"Kiss. My. Ass"
"How unfortunate" Amon replied calmly.
A piece of paper fluttered down beside Zhen's face.
"I would have welcomed you back beneath my command" Amon said as he rose, brushing his gloves together. "You… as well as your subordinates"
"What?"
Zhen's grin vanished as he forced his torso upright against the restraints.
"Since you are useless to me now" Amon continued, his voice measured but restrained, his shoulder twitching once. "I have no further need to them"
A pause.
"And you do remember what we do to traitors, don't you, Zhen?"
Amon turned.
And he saw exactly what he wanted.
Zhen's gaze had gone hollow, locked onto the piece of paper on the floor.
No, not a paper.
A photograph.
A picture of Sera. The kids. Standing in front of the run-down orphanage they called home.
Zhen's breath hitched.
Amon glanced at the others in the room, giving them his attention. "What do you all—"
"AMON!!!"
The chains screamed.
Bolts tore loose from the stone as Zhen surged forward with a feral roar, metal ripping free under the sudden force. He lunged—
—and was caught.
The Four Equalists slammed into him, trying to drag him back by the chains, barely managing to hold him a hand's length from Amon.
Still, Zhen fought. Still, he strained forward like a rabid animal.
"I swear" he snarled with a raw voice. "If you touch a hair on her head—forget your hand. I'll bite your head off!"
The threat meant nothing to Amon. it wasn't as if he believed Zhen was incapable.
He fully believed Zhen could do it.
That was precisely why he needed him. His undeniable talent.
But not like this.
Not yet.
"How unlike you" Amon said calmly, slightly surprised as he was used to Zhen being more… apathetic.
He stepped past Zhen, giving his shoulder a pat as if the struggle had already ended.
"Rest assured, young Zhen. I will not harm that young lady. Not the children"
He gestured lazily.
The Equalists wrenched Zhen back, slamming him into place and reforging the restraints into the unbroken parts of the floor.
"So long as you remove yourself from our affairs" Amon continued. "I promise no harm will come to them"
Another dramatic pause.
"You know I keep my word"
Zhen went still as they tightened the chains.
He thought…
And thought…
And thought…
And finally—he believed.
"So… I just stay here?" he asked quietly.
Amon's eyes sharpened. "That will suffice. For now"
Zhen lowered his head.
Another second passed. Then another.
Finally, he nodded.
"Good" Amon said as he started walking away. "We will release you when the time comes. When Republic City has achieved Equality"
He stopped by the door, just long enough for his last words to him.
"And when I return, I will extend the same offer once more"
The others followed behind him without question.
The doors groaned shut behind them, metal grinding against stone.
GRRRRRN—THOOOM!
The sound echoed, then vanished.
Darkness swallowed the hall whole, leaving Zhen alone… with nothing but the photograph lying just out of reach.
Close enough to see. Too far to touch.
And as Amon and the rest moved through the corridors beyond—
"What's next, Sir Amon?" Mercy asked, keeping pace behind him.
Amon stopped.
"Eliminate the traitors"
—————————————————————————————
[Noon, City Hall]
In the aftermath of the revelation of Tarrlok's bloodbending, City Hall had become a fortress of whispers. Council members worked tirelessly to keep the damage contained—burying facts beneath paperwork, smothering rumors with carefully chosen distractions.
Officially, Tarrlok was merely on leave.
One councilman remained in office long after others had gone.
ROOK
AGE: 52
STATUS: Representative of the Southern Water Tribe
He sat alone in his office, the weight of Tarrlok's actions pressing harder on him with every passing hour. It affected him the most despite being from different tribes.
When he finally finished, exhaustion etched into his face, he gathered his things and prepared to leave.
"Please send this to Chief Saikhan" he thrusted a folded document into his assistant's hands, well, he urged rather than offered. "Now"
"Yes, sir!" she replied, clutching the paper with both hands before bowing and hurrying toward the door.
When she opened the door, she froze.
Two large men stood in the hallway, dressed in janitorial uniforms.
"Oh—my apologies" she said quickly, lowering her head as she tried to slip past them.
But a strong hand seized her arm.
"No" one of the men said almost politely. "We're sorry"
He raised a spray bottle and squeezed the trigger.
Green mist hissed into her face.
"Whu—" was all she managed before her knees buckled. The paper slipped form her fingers as she collapsed to the floor.
The second man stepped over her body without a glance.
"Knock, knock, Councilman Rook" one of them called as they entered the office.
Rook stumbled back, his heart hammering. "Who—who are you people?"
"No one you should worry about" the man replied, pulling a rope tight between his hands.
He then showed a faint smile.
"Unless you want to"
—————————————————————————————
[Noon, Air Temple Island]
Reports of council members being abducted spread through Republic City like wildfire. In their wake came organized attacks by the Equalists. With each passing hour the city grew more unstable.
As the last remaining council member still beyond Amon's reach, Tenzin took it upon himself to return to Republic City and assist Chief Saikhan in restoring order.
As such, Zhen's rescue was postponed in favor of preventing the city from collapsing entirely.
He left Air Temple Island under the protection of Lin and the remaining members of the White Lotus.
Korra watched as Oogi cut through the clouds, shrinking into the distance until they vanished completely.
She sat alone in one of the island's gazebos, knees pulled tight to her chest, staring out at Republic City far away. The skyline loomed beneath a blanket of gray clouds, giving Korra a view mirroring her inner thoughts.
She had hit a wall.
Tarrlok's connection to Yakone, which was her strongest and only lead to something—had vanished along with him. And Zhen was still missing.
Everything felt like it was slipping through her fingers.
'Aang…' she thought, hugging herself tighter. 'What would you do if you were here?'
The helplessness settled deep in her chest. For all her power, for all the expectations placed upon her, there was nothing she could do right now but wait.
"There you are"
The voice came from behind her.
Korra flinched slightly as Mako stepped into view, the wind tugging at his scarf.
"Everyone's worried about you" he said quietly.
"Oh… hey, Mako" she forced a weak smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm fine. Just…"
Her words trailed off. There was nothing for her to say—no explanation made sense, no reassurance she believed.
Mako studied her for a moment, then sat down beside her on the cool stone floor, close enough to be present, but far enough to give her space.
"So… bit of a rough week, huh?" Mako attempted a smile. It was weak, a little awkward, but it was sincere. "It wasn't that long we were stressing over the Probending finals. Now it's like we're preparing for war"
"Heh. Yeah" Korra let out a small breath of a laugh. It surprised her at how easily it came.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The wind whispered through the temple banners above, fabric snapping softly like distant waves.
"I've been thinking" he said at last, his gaze fixed on the city. "If I'd known things were going to get this bad… maybe I would've enjoyed the normal stuff with Bolin more. Instead of blindly trying to aim higher no matter what"
Korra's smile faded, but she nodded.
"I didn't even realize how much of 'normal' I wasn't able to do when getting here" she admitted.
She hugged her knees tighter to her chest. Looking back, the reason she left the South was to both finish her Avatar training and try to experience normalcy. But in the end, she never got any closer to the two.
"I've never felt so useless" she spoke quietly. "Tarrlok's gone. Amon's always one step ahead. And Zhen—"
Her voice caught at the name.
Now that she thought about it, the more unsettled she felt.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, there had been a truth she never looked back to… since all she focused on was moving forward.
Zhen had been the one who showed her pieces of normal she never knew she was missing. He'd taken her places, let her breathe, let her choose.
And remembering that only made the knot in her chest tighten.
Mako glanced at her, carefully. "You care about him. A lot"
She didn't deny it.
She didn't know what to deny in the first place.
"I don't even know what to feel about him anymore" Korra confessed. "He helped me, then stabs me in the back and disappears. Only to pop out of nowhere just to save me—just to vanish again" she shook her head, frustration bleeding into her voice. "I don't even know if he got captured… or if he went back to Amon on his own"
The sky loomed over them, thick clouds rolling slowly across the horizon, casting long shadows over the island.
"I don't like Zhen" Mako said suddenly.
It wasn't much of a confession—his feelings toward him wasn't exactly subtle.
But it still made Korra turn toward him, a faint scowl forming on her face.
But Mako kept going. "From the start, I could tell something was off about him. Like he was hiding something"
Korra's scowl lingered, then slowly faded as he continued.
"I wanted to figure out why I disliked him so much" Mako said. "And when I found out he was working with Amon… when I thought he'd hurt you…"
His jaw tightened. His fist clenched on his lap.
"I hated him even more"
A faint wisp of smoke curled upward as heat flared instinctively around his knuckles.
"But after Lin kept calling me out" he went on with a steadier voice. "And after hearing his allies talk about him with such… respect"
Mako opened his hand. The heat dissipated, vanishing into the air.
"I realized how much of a hypocrite I was being"
Korra frowned, confused. But she stayed quiet.
"When I was a kid, I joined the Triple Threat Triads to survive" Mako admitted quietly. "I did a lot of things I'm not proud of. But I didn't care as long as I could keep my little brother safe" he exhaled. "And when I really thought about it… maybe Zhen has his own reasons for working with Amon"
He turned to her then, meeting her eyes.
The sudden eye contact made Korra's face warm. She looked away quickly, heart beating a little faster.
But she understood what he was saying.
"Maybe you're overcomplicating it" Mako added with a gentler voice. "Maybe the reason he's messing you up so much is because you just want to find out why"
The words sank deep. Korra hated how easily they slid into place—how right they felt.
But they also cleared something in her thoughts.
"Yeah" she said softly as realization dawned on her. "You're right"
She let out a slow, hearty breath. Almost laughing.
"I can't let Zhen live in my head like this. It's… actually pretty simple"
She dropped her feet to the stone floor and straightened, her resolve snapping back into place like a taut cord.
Korra slammed her fist into her open palm. "I just have to find him and beat the answer out of him"
Mako blinked.
Well—maybe not the healthiest conclusion, but it was unmistakably Korra.
Then her expression softened as she turned back to him.
"Thanks" she said, smiling brightly. "I really needed that"
Mako looked away at once, clearing his throat as heat crept up his face.
"S-sure" he stammered. "No problem. Gl-glad I could—"
THOOOOOM—
The deep sound swallowed his words whole.
The stone beneath them trembled. The air itself seems to shudder.
They both turned instinctively toward the city.
It was only for a moment. They looked away for a moment.
Smoke rose in thick, ugly plums, clawing its way into the sky where Republic City had been calm only moments before.
The peaceful view they had been quietly sharing was gone.
—————————————————————————————
[At Another Part of the Island]
Meanwhile, Asami and Pema were met with a far grimmer sight.
An Equalist Airship cut through the sky, its dark silhouette gliding toward the island.
"Get the kids to the temple" Asami reacted instantly, ordering an acolyte nearby as she supported Pema to her feet. "Now. We need to get you to safety too"
Pema shook her head. "No—the children first"
"They need you" Asami insisted, guiding her forward. "And right now, you're not in any condition to stay. I'll work with the Acolytes in making sure no one's left behind"
Pema hesitated.
She hated it—but Asami was right. The pain in her abdomen had been growing sharper by the minute, she was already hitting her limit.
"Madam Pema!" an acolyte called urgently. "Please—we must move!"
Pema closed her eyes for a brief second, then made her decision.
She turned to Asami, placing a gentle hand over hers.
"Please… be careful" she said softly.
Asami nodded. "I will"
With that. Pema was ushered away with the children, their small forms vanishing into the trees with some of the Acolytes.
Asami turned back toward the clearing—
Thwip! Thwip!
Steel wires slammed into the ground around her, embedding themselves deep into the earth.
As more cables followed, stretched taut from the descending airship above. Hooded figures prepared to slide down them.
Asami's pulse spiked. She scanned wildly for any kids left behind.
But it was hard to tell, there were still a few Acolytes looking for them and running away with others.
So she set her feet.
Even unarmed, even alone, she wouldn't let them through.
'Damn it' she thought, squaring her shoulders. 'I can do this'
Zzt—!
A sharp spark crackled through the air.
AAAAHHHHH—!
Accompanied by screams tearing through the clearing as Equalists sliding down the cables suddenly convulsed, sparks dancing along the wires before they lost their grip and plummeted.
Bodies hit the ground in thuds.
Asami froze, stunned.
"You're pretty brave, Miss" a calm, confident voice said behind her. "I'll give you that"
She spun around.
A young man stood atop the unfinished building, short sword already mid-swing.
QORU
AGE: 19
STATUS: Was Taking a Nap Nearby
With effortless precision, he sliced through one of the thick metal wire like it was nothing more than string.
More screams echoed as the others fell like hail.
"Here" he said, tossing something toward her.
Asami caught it instinctively.
It was just an Equalist glove… but there was something different in its design.
"What is—"
There was no time to ask.
Boots hit the ground. More robed figures landed, surrounding the clearing.
She slid the glove on.
And it just felt right.
"I've always wanted to fight alongside the unnamed member of our team" Qoru said, drawing the second blade from his back. "You can figure that out, can't you?"
At first, confusion passed across Asami's face.
Then she noticed the exposed power source: the reinforced battery, the compact container beneath it. When she moved her hand, something sloshed faintly inside.
Some type of thick liquid.
Her lips curled into a confident grin.
"Course I can" she said, flexing her fingers as blue sparks crackled across the glove. "Who do you think designed this?"
Qoru grinned back. "Good"
More Equalists landed safely now, already forming a loose perimeter.
Qoru shifted into a fighting stance.
"We can take them just the two of us, right?" he asked, glancing sideways at her.
But he didn't need a verbal answer.
He'd already seen it—the spark in her eyes. A spark only a few he knew had.
Asami charged the glove fully, electricity flaring bright blue around her fist.
"Let's show em!" she shouted.
End