Avatar: Forgotten Legend

[Air Temple Island]

In the middle of the courtyard, among the ruins of the ancient airbending gates, a young man worked methodically, sorting shattered remnants into different piles.

ZHEN

AGE: 19

STATUS: Rebuilding

Zhen carefully examined each piece of the gates. He separated the fragments in two categories: those that could be salvaged and those that were beyond hope.

Not far from him, near the guest quarters shaded by trees, a group of White Lotus guards sat around a wooden table. A static-filled radio crackled with the voice of a confused announcer.

Just a minute, folks, we're just waiting for the referee's official call. But… I—I think this replacement player could be—

The guards leaned in closer to the radio, completely absorbed. Even Zhen, who was a distance away from them couldn't help but listen in while working.

Walking toward them, with deliberate steps and a commanding presence, a tall man in flowing orange robes.

TENZIN

AGE: 51

STATUS: Airbending Master

"Pardon me everyone." Tenzin said politely.

He stopped a few paces from the group, sweeping his gaze over them.

"Have any of you seen Korra this evening?"

The guards, engrossed in the broadcast, barely acknowledged him.

You've gotta be kidding me!? She's the Avatar Folks! Playing in a Probending match! Can you believe that?

The radio announcer exclaimed in shock, but still kept his professionalism.

Pfft!

One of the guards, caught mid-sip, spat their tea in surprise, showing the unfortunate colleague next to them.

Behind them, Tenzin's composure cracked. His eye twitched, and his jaw tightened as he heard the announcement.

"I'll go get her myself!" he said curtly, turning on his heel with a sharp pivot.

His patience had clearly worn thin, and the tension in his shoulders was evident as the wind caught the hem of his robes. Behind, the White Lotus guards exchanged uneasy glances, but their small tension was quickly overshadowed by the radio.

Zhen, still crouched amidst the ruins, barely glanced in Tenzin's direction. Focusing on his task as he tossed a broken fragment onto the discard pile with a dull thud. He didn't bother acknowledging his superior's frustration, his disinterest clearly showing.

As Tenzin vanished from the area, Zhen brushed the dust from his hands. He took a final look at the sorted piles, his gaze briefly flickering toward the distracted guards. Without a word, he stepped back, then turned and slipped silently into the cover of the trees, leaving the courtyard.

————————————————————————————

[Later in the Probending Arena]

After discovering Korra's escapade, Tenzin wasted no time heading to the Pro-Bending Arena to retrieve her. Zhen, who made a half-hearted promise to Korra, made an effort to head over himself. Though his interest was less about intervening with Tenzin and more about seeing how she'd fare in a Pro-Bending match. Unfortunately for him, his means of transport was no match for Tenzin's flying bison.

By the time Zhen arrived, Tenzin was already reprimanding Korra. From where he stood in the audience, he watched the scene unfold right at the fighter's knock off area below. Though he could barely make out what the two were arguing to each other about due to the distance and commotion.

"I should really buy glasses" he muttered, squinting as he tried to make out the blurry figures.

Through the haze of his poor eyesight, he could vaguely see Korra stomping back toward the ring while Tenzin floated up toward the audience area, clearly agitated.

As Tenzin was walking away, muttering to himself in frustration, he failed to notice Zhen standing nearby, blending with the crowd. Zhen's eyes followed his superior for a moment before shifting back toward the ring.

She might be the Avatar, but she is no Pro-bender, and the Platypus Bears are not hesitating on exploiting that weakness

The announcer's voice boomed, hyping up the already raucous crowd.

Korra stood alongside her teammates who were on the defensive. Zhen immediately realized it was Mako and Bolin despite only meeting them briefly. While the Ferret brothers displayed near-perfect synergy, Korra was lagging behind. It didn't take long for her opponents to single her out, launching attack after attack her way.

She struggled to block and counter, her inexperience glaringly obvious. The audience began to murmur, picking up on her mismatch. The opposing waterbender had effectively pinned Bolin and Mako to the side, leaving Korra to fend for herself against relentless barrages of fire and earth.

Looks like the Avatar's Probending debut is about to be cut short

The announcer declared, adding a bit of dramatic flair in his voice.

Korra was being pushed to the edge of the ring, teetering dangerously close to a knockout. Zhen's jaw tightened as his fist clenched, a bit on edge himself as he watched her match.

'C'mon Avatar…' he thought, tensed as he saw the Avatar struggle.

Then came the enemy earthbender's move—a calculated double disk strike aimed to send Korra clean off the ring. Yet, to everyone's surprise, the disks veered sharply off-course, arcing wildly to the side as if pulled by an unseen force.

And the Avatar's luck strikes again! The Platypus Bears' earthbender needs to get his eyes checked, cause that shot wasn't even close! She is still in the game folks, but probably not for very long

The errant attack left the opposing team visibly confused, but it bought Korra just enough time to stabilize her footing. She took a breath, her stance shifting slightly as her eyes focused.

The Platypus Bears didn't let up, redoing their offense. Fire and earth rained down on the Avatar, closing in fast.

Locking her gaze on her opponents, she exhaled sharply, her stance shifting into one she had painstakingly familiarized herself with. As the attacks closed in, the crowd braced for her to block and fail—but she didn't. Instead, she moved. With a sharp spin and fluid grace, she began evading the strikes.

Her defense became a graceful dance as she moved in a controlled circle; each step was light, every motion precise.

Hold the phone. Stop the presses! She's still in the game folks! And she's moving like an entirely different player! All of a sudden the Platypus Bears' strikes are only striking air!

In the stands, Zhen squinted, struggling to make out the details. Still, her movements were unmistakable, even to him. Leaning forward, his tense fists relaxed, and a slow, knowing smirk curved across his face.

"Well, I'll be damned…" he muttered, recognizing her movements.

Korra had found her rhythm, and to him, it was nothing short of mesmerizing to watch.

For a full minute, she evaded every attack thrown at her, her fluid movements leaving her opponents flustered and out of sync. The relentless barrage from the Platypus Bears began to falter, their stamina drained and their strikes losing power. It wasn't long before the crowd noticed them weakening.

Looks like the Platypus Bears have no juice left, but the Ferret Brothers are still fresh and juicy!

As the enemy team's waterbender caught their breath, the stream faltered. The instant the attack ceased, Mako seized the opportunity, jumping forward with a sweeping kick that unleashed a fiery strike toward one of the opponents. Bolin followed up with dual disks, launching them at the same target his brother went after. From the rear, Korra spun water like a cycle, supporting the brothers' assault.

With their opponents too exhausted to defend effectively, the Fire Ferrets kept their momentum, completely changing the tide of the match. One by one, the Platypus Bears were forced back and finally knocked out of the ring. The crowd erupted as the last opponent fell.

Knock Out!

The announcer roared, his enthusiasm echoing through the arena louder than even the audience.

The Fire Ferrets come from way behind and steal the win! What an upset folks! The rookies, Avatar in tow, have nabbed a place in the championship tournament.

The arena thundered with cheers, the crowd on its feet as Korra and her team stood tall in the middle of the ring. Even Tenzin, who had stayed back to watch despite his earlier frustrations, couldn't help but let a small cheer escape. But just as quickly, he regained his composure, clearing his throat before turning to leave the arena.

As Korra and her team basked in the glow of their hard-fought victory, Zhen offered a subtle nod in their direction before quietly leaving the arena.

————————————————————————————

[Middle of the Night, Yue Bay District]

At the edge of Republic City, where the wharf and docks met the sandy beaches, a cluster of small fishing houses stood silhouetted against the night sky. In stark contrast to the golden glow of the Pro-Bending Arena in the distance, this area pulsed with the flashing red and blue lights of police vehicles. A makeshift blockade of metal barriers blocked entry, sealing off the area.

"Chief Beifong, over here" one of the officers in metallic armor called out, gesturing to a stern-looking woman.

LIN BEIFONG

AGE: 51

STATUS: Chief of Police

With a curt nod, Lin followed behind her subordinate toward one of the dimly lit houses

"From what we found out, our victims are Triad members." the officer reported.

As they approached the house, the state of the place became clear. It was in shambles. If the structure had barely been standing before, it was far worse now. The door had been split in half, part of the roof was missing, and a corner of the building had collapsed, leaving debris scattered in the water below.

"I swear, it's like these goons have an endless supply of men to throw away" Lin muttered, showing her annoyance as she stepped inside the house.

If the outside looked bad, the inside was far worse. The air was thick with a nauseating stench, and the pungent smell of blood clung to the walls and floor. In the center of the room, a beheaded corpse slumped eerily at the dining table, while another had been cruelly nailed to the wall, its body cleanly split in half.

"What kind of lumatic is running loose in my city?" Lin snapped, her annoyance palpable as she turned toward her officer.

"The damage and bodies matched similar cases the past month, Chief" the officer reported, scanning his notepad.

"I can see that" Lin shot back sharply, gesturing to the gruesome scene. "What else did you find that isn't staring me in the face?"

Her commanding tone matched her growing temper as she began inspecting the rest of the interior.

"Well, it looks like there was supposed to be a boat here, Chief" the officer responded, flipping through his notepad 

"A boat? Lin's eyes narrowed, her attention snapping to him

"Yes Chief, seems one of them owned a boat and it was supposed to be docked here" 

Lin paused, her expression hardening as she pieced together the implications.

"Then we have our first real lead to whoever this deranged psychopath is."

Without missing a beat, she turned on her heel and marched out the building. Her firm voice carried over the night, issuing orders as her officer scrambled to keep up.

"Relay my orders. I want every boat entering or leaving the city inspected immediately. Check every docked vessel, interrogate every owner, and don't stop until we've got something concrete. Move!"

"Yes, Chief" The officer halted, offering a salute before firing his metal wire toward a nearby post. 

He swung off into the streets above, leaving Lin to continue her march.

————————————————————————————

[The Next Day Early Morning]

After reconciling with Tenzin, Korra was finally granted permission to leave the island publicly. To her delight and Tenzin's clear dismay, she was also allowed to join the championship pro-bending tournament with her new team.

The very next morning, as the sun barely peeked over the horizon, Korra was jolted awake by an early call from Bolin, urging her to head over to train. She groaned in protest, not exactly a morning person, but still reluctantly dragged herself out of bed. It was better than being cooped up on the island, anyway.

At the gym, Bolin explained their ungodly training hour. "We're rookies, so we get stuck with the worst timeslot in the gym."

BOLIN

AGE: 16

STATUS: Pro-bender

"And you're the rookiest of us all." Mako added, furrowing his eyebrows at Korra. "We gotta get you up to speed if we want to survive in the tournament. Deal with it"

MAKO

AGE: 18

STATUS: Pro-bender

With that, he tossed her the heavy training ball—just a bit too hard.

They were in uniformed clothing, practicing by passing a giant ball around to improve their reflexes, and Korra was none too pleased with Mako's attitude.

"You deal with it!" she shot back, throwing the ball hard in Mako's direction.

It hit him with surprising force, sending him onto his back.

KORRA

AGE: 17

STATUS: Newbie Pro-bender

Korra smirked, arms crossed in satisfaction, but was soon interrupted,

"Avatar" a familiar voice called from the side, spectating the trio.

It wasn't just Korra who was given a break from the island. Zhen, despite Tenzin's objections, was allowed to accompany her thanks to his wife. Pema had argued that it would be better to have someone closer to Korra's age around her, rather than a White Lotus guard, and she had vouched for Zhen over Tenzin's protest.

"Mhm? What's up?" Korra turned to face him.

"I'm going to head out first" Zhen informed her, stopping in front of her. "Madam Pema asked me to pick up her favorite tea leaves before heading back."

Unlike the three of them, Zhen kept his look casual, opting for a sleeveless shirt that allowed for ease of movement.

"Alright, do you want me to head back first?" Korra asked, glancing up at him.

"Sure, I'll head back on my own after finishing… well, this" Zhen replied, pulling out a list that unraveled all the way to the ground.

"Sheesh. Are we feeding the entire island?" Korra quipped, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, yeah" Zhen replied earnestly, making it more absurd.

The island wasn't just home to Tenzin's family; it housed the Air Acolytes, members of the White Lotus, and even Zhen himself. The unbelievably long list made sense, but it didn't make it any less daunting. 

Korra blinked at him, then glanced back at the list. Squinting, she scanned a few of the items. Half of the words weren't even familiar to her, and the rest sound made up.

"Well, good luck with… whatever THAT is" she said, pointing at the list and shaking her head in disbelief.

Zhen rolled up the list neatly, tucking it under his arm.

"I'll see you when I see you then, Avatar" he said, offering a small nod before turning to leave.

"Yeah, sure" Korra replied, giving him a lazy wave.

Just as he took a few steps away, he stopped and turned back, as if remembering something.

"Oh, right. Naga's shedding again" Zhen informed her casually.

"Yeah, I'll take care of it" Korra said, already waving him off.

"Make sure to get it cleaned before I get back" he added, his tone light but teasing.

"Fine, fine." Korra muttered in exasperation. "Now go already!"

With a chuckle, Zhen walked out of the building, leaving Korra in the gymnasium.

"You two seem pretty close" Bolin remarked, sensing the right moment to jump in.

"Are you two… you know, THAT?"

Bolin's question came out of curiosity rather than teasing. It took Korra a moment to realize what he was implying, and once it clicked, she wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Not in a million years, ugh~" she groaned, clearly grossed out by the idea.

Though Bolin seems glad by that news. "So… does tha—"

Clank

The metallic creak of a door opening interrupted Bolin mid-question. All three turned to see a man in a tailored suit stroll in with a wide grin plastered across his face.

"There are my hard working street urchins" he announced dramatically.

The man sauntered over to them, his polished shoes clicking against the floor. As he stopped in front of the trio he placed a hand on Korra's shoulder.

"It's an honor to finally meet you, Avatar." he said, tipping his hat slightly.

Korra gave him a skeptical look, raising an eyebrow.

"And you are?" she asked.

"Butakha!" he declared with a flair, straightening his posture and removing his hat in a mannerly gesture of introduction.

BUTAKHA

AGE: 43

STATUS: Director of the Pro-bending league

"I run this whole Pro-Bending shebang!" he proclaimed proudly.

Korra shrugged off his introduction, clearly uninterested, and walked away without a second glance. Butakha didn't seem the least bit bothered by her reaction.

As if on cue, he reached into his coat and pulled out a thick wad of cash.

"Here's your winnings from the last match" he announced, waving the money

Mako's face lit up instantly. With an eager smile, he extended his hand.

But just as Butakha placed the money in Mako's palm, he held up a finger.

"Ah. Ah. Ah. Not so fast" he said, wagging his finger side to side.

Mako froze, his excitement dimming as Butakha listed their debts.

"First you owe me for last month's gym and equipment rentals" Butakha began, peeling off a chunk of the money. 

"Then, there's the rent on your apartment. Oh and let's not forget that personal loan for groceries."

With each item, Butakha peeled off chunks of the cash from Mako's hand. And just like the dwindling stack of money, Mako's expression steadily fell, until only a fraction of the winnings remained.

At the mention of groceries, Mako turned to Bolin with a sharp gaze.

Bolin, completely unapologetic, rubbed his belly and shrugged.

"What?" Bolin said defensively. "I'm a growing boy"

Bolin rubbed his belly without an ounce of guilt.

Butahka chuckled, tucking the last of the deducted cash back into his coat.

"Look on the bright side kid, you get to keep a bit since someone else covered for the Avatar's new equipment" 

He grinned as if this were a great favor, but the reassurance didn't really help east Mako's frustration. With a heavy sigh, Mako shoved what remained of their winnings into his pocket.

Just as they thought the meeting was over, Butakha lingered, his smile fading into a more professional expression.

"Oh, and one more small item of business" he said, shifting to a more businesslike seriousness. "The Fire Ferrets need to ante up 30,000 yuans for the championship pot"

"30,000 yuans?!" Bolin blurted out.

Butakha raised his hands as though to calm them, his demeanor softening into something almost apologetic.

"Sorry kids, but my hands are tied" he admitted with a sigh

"You've got till the end of the week to come up with the dough, or else…" Butakha hesitated, clearly reluctant to deliver the bad news. 

"Well, you're out of the tournament"

Without giving them a chance to protest, he adjusted his hat and turned on his heel.

"Good luck kids" he added over his shoulder before striding out, leaving the brothers in silence.

The quiet stretched for a moment, the situation setting over them. Finally, Mako and Bolin turned to Korra, looking at her with a faint hope.

"You wouldn't happen to have a secret Avatar bank account overflowing with gold, would you?" Bolin asked, adding faint humor in his desperate voice.

Korra let out a sigh and flipped her empty pockets inside out.

"I got nothing" she shrugged.

"I never really needed money, I've always had people taking care of me"

Mako, crouched over his gear, grumbled without looking back.

"Then I wouldn't say you had nothing" His tone was quiet but pointed as he stuffed his equipment into his bag.

Korra glanced at Mako, then at Bolin, guilt flashing across her face.

"Sorry" she said softly. "I didn't mean—"

"It's alright" Bolin interrupted, waving her off.

He hesitated to talk for a moment, choosing his words carefully.

"It's just… Ever since we lost our parents, we've kind of been on our own"

Korra's expression softened, her gaze locking onto Bolin with visible empathy.

"I'm so sorry" she said, sincere in her apology. "I didn't know"

Mako zipped his bag with a sharp motion and stood, shifting awkwardly.

"So anyway…" he said, clearly trying to steer the conversation away from their personal struggles.

"How are we gonna come up with the money?" His tone was serious, though unease lingered.

"OH! I got it! I got it!" Bolin suddenly lit up, exclaiming.

He crouched down and scooped up Pabu, holding up the little Fire Ferret with a bright smile. "I've been training Pabu to do circus tricks. Now people would pay good money to see that"

Korra and Mako exchanged a glance, their expressions wavering between reluctance and amusement. Bolin's enthusiasm was contagious, but the idea was… well, Bolin-level

"C'mon Bolin. We need SERIOUS ideas." Mako said flatly, dismissing his brother's suggestion completely.

"But I was serious." Bolin muttered, his shoulder slumping as he cradled Pabu.

The little Fire Ferret licked his hands in what looked like sympathy, making Bolin's pout even more pitiful.

Ignoring his brother's theatrics, Mako turned to Korra, his mind flashing back to something Butakha had mentioned earlier.

"Hey, didn't Butahka say someone paid for your equipment? Have any idea who that is?" he asked, both curious and urgent.

Korra furrowed her brows, resting her chin between her thumb and forefinger as she considered the question.

"Hmm… It might be Zhen or Tenzin. They're the only ones I know who carry around money at least" she mused aloud.

"Then talk to one of them" Mako suggested with an insistent tone.

He stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder before walking away.

"I'll figure something out in the meantime." he added, walking past her. "I always do"

Without another word, Mako left, leaving Korra and Bolin in the gym. Bolin, however, didn't seem discouraged. Still thinking his idea could work, his eyes lit up in determination to help his brother.

————————————————————————————

[In the middle of Old Crane Fish Town]

The afternoon hustle in the Republic City's Market District was as lively as ever.

Crash!

But it seemed busier today.

The sound of shattering glass drawed startled gasps from passersby.

A man burst out of a store, stepping on glass as flames still flickered from his hand.

"Stop! Thieves!" the store owner shouted, holding a broom as he leaned out of the now shattered front window.

Two men darted through the crowd, jostling anyone in their way.

"We got the money!" one crook yelled gleefully, clutching a sack.

"Shut yer trap and move it!" his partner hissed, glancing back nervously.

He looked around and noticed an alley up ahead, pointing at it so his partner was aware. "Duck in there 'fore we get nabbed!"

As they barreled forward, knocking over baskets and bumping into bystanders, a young man emerged from the alleyway, arms full of paper bags.

"Move it, kid!" the leading crook snarled, pulling water from a pouch on his waist.

THWACK!

Before he could act, a fist connected square in his face. The crook crumpled to the ground, his stolen loot spilling out as water splashed over his body.

His partner skidded to a halt, summoning a ball of fire

"You brat!" he growled as he hurled the flame at him.

The young man, Zhen, arched an eyebrow, calmly shifting a few bags to one arm. He barely seemed fazed.

Sensing the opportunity, the crook hurled a fireball straight at him. But with a swift side step, Zhen avoided it easily. The crook's frustration mounted as he launched fireball after fireball, each one missing its mark as Zhen weaved side to side as he walked closer. He didn't even glance at what had happened behind him.

Before the crook could react, the young man had already closed the distance between them. In a sharp motion, he grabbed the crook's wrist with his free hand and twisted it painfully.

ARGH!

The crook screamed in pain as he dropped to his knees.

Without hesitation, Zhen delivered a swift kick to the side, sending the crook sprawling to the ground. A faint but unmistakable crack accompanied the motion, leaving the crook clutching his arm in agony.

Zhen adjusted his grip on the bags, his gaze shifting between the two thieves sprawled on the ground: One conscious, the other writhing in pain.

"Hmph. The hell are you guys?" he muttered, almost dismissively.

The conscious thief barely managed to lift his head, wincing, but before he could stammer out a reply, the growing sound of footsteps and murmurs filled the air. Bystanders began to gather, forming a small crowd around the scene.

"Hey, this kid stopped them!" one person exclaimed.

Among them, the shopkeeper pushed through, looking grateful as he approached Zhen.

"You caught them!" the shopkeeper said, smiling brightly.

"I don't know how to thank you!"

The young man gave a dismissive shrug, barely sparing the growing crowd a glance. A few bystanders had already started tying up the two crooks, murmuring about calling the authorities.

Just then, the low hum of an approaching engine made the crowd pause. A fancy car pulled up to the curb, its extravagant design drawing attention for a moment. But the emblem on its side was unmistakable, and the atmosphere shifted in an instant.

"Oh god it's them" someone whispered nervously

"Step back. It's the Triple Threats" another muttered, keeping their voice low.

"Keep your head down! Don't get their attention" came another warning as the crowd began to scatter.

The shopkeeper, who just moments ago had been beaming, paled visibly. Their smile faded, and without a word, he joined the others, retreating with their head lowered.

The car door swung open, and out stepped a sharp-dressed man. He slid his hands casually into his pockets, a sly grin playing on his lips. Behind him, two hulking figures followed.

"You got skills, kid" the man said with a sly grin, his voice laced with amusement.

SHIN

AGE: 37

STATUS: Shady

"Name's Shin" he introduced himself with a faux-professional air.

"I'm sure you're aware what the Triple Threat Triads are" he added, a rhetorical question meant to test the waters, his eyes never leaving Zhen's face.

Before Zhen could respond, Shin reached into his coat and pulled out a thick wad of cash. He flicked it open with a lazy gesture, the bills fluttering slightly as he held them in front of Zhen.

"How about putting those skills of yours to earn yourself some big bucks?" Shin proposed, his smirk widening as he extended the cash towards the young man.

Zhen stayed silent, his gaze flickering between the money and Shin, an eyebrow raised as if weighing his options.

————————————————————————————

[Later that night]

After hearing the news that they needed thirty thousand yuan to compete in the championship tournament, Mako wasted no time. He immediately set out to find a job and managed to land one at a power plant. It was a tough gig but the pay was decent, and it was a good start.

But when he returned home that evening, Bolin was nowhere to be found. Assuming his brother might have gone to Air Temple Island to pay the Avatar a personal visit, Mako decided to check there.

When he didn't find Bolin at the island, Mako's concern deepened. His brother had a knack for stumbling into trouble. Deciding to return to Republic City to look for him, Korra offered to join him, bringing her trusty polarbear dog, Naga, to track Bolin.

Using information they got from a witness, they immediately went to a Triple Threat Triad headquarters. But the scene that greeted them wasn't what they expected.

The building's exterior was riddled with heavy damage: charred walls, broken windows, and shattered debris. Oddly, the streets around the base were eerily empty. No Triad members, no bystanders, no commotion.

Korra didn't hesitate to burst through the entrance with Mako behind her. Inside, the scene was worse. Scorched walls, chunks of earth scattered across the floor, and signs of struggling.

Their attention was taken when they heard the unmistakable roar of an engine. Mako and Korra immediately dashed toward the back, where they found a group of masked figures revving their bikes and loading a van.

The figures wore black headpieces with a bold red circle emblazoned on their foreheads, their eyes glowed green that seemed to glare back at them.

"Bolin!" Mako yelled out, his eyes locking on his brother, bound inside the open van.

One of the masked individuals turned, slamming the van door shut. Before Mako and Korra could act, the bikes roared to life, and a couple of them threw canisters with greenish smoke as they left.

"Naga!" Korra called out, coughing through the thick smoke.

The polarbear dog bursted out the building, scooping Korra and Mako onto her back before bolting out the gas-filled area.

The chase was on. Mako leaned to the sides, bursting flames from his fists as he aimed for the tired—or perhaps the riders themselves. Despite his efforts, the drivers expertly swerved and dodged, their bikes weaving with precision to avoid the attacks.

Korra, not one to be left out, raised her fist forward and up. With a heavy motion, she pulled a chunk of earth upward from beneath one of the bikers, intending to throw them off balance. Instead, the rider skillfully turned the obstacle into a ramp, launching into the air and landing smoothly giving them a chance to speed ahead.

As the chase led them into an open area, Naga surged forward, her powerful legs eating up the distance between her and the fleeing vehicles. For a moment, it seemed like they might close the gap.

CLANG!

But then, the van's rear doors flew open with a deafening crash. A hooded figure sprang from the vehicle, landing with a heavy thud.

"STEAM"

AGE: ???

STATUS: Heavy hitter

"What the—" Mako began, but the figure was already in front of them.

Steam billowed from beneath the figure's cloak before they lunged toward Naga with an unexpected speed. Before Korra could react, the figure collided with Naga, grabbing hold of her thick fur in a vicious grapple. The force of the impact sent Korra, Mako, and even Pabu sprawling forward, tumbling on the ground as Naga let out a startled squeal.

"Naga! You—" Korra shouted, scrambling to her feet.

"Hi~" A playful voice interrupted, and Korra's gaze snapped up to a small figure with a white mask staring down at her.

"NEEDLE"

AGE: ???

STATUS: Needles

"So you're the Avatar?" the figure tilted her head, putting on an exaggerated cutesy act, as if mocking Korra.

Korra's jaw clenched. Without wasting a second, she unleashed a blast of fire, aiming to scorch the figure. But she easily evaded the attack, flipping backward and creating some distance between them.

Korra straightened, fists clenched, with Mako stepping in behind her. Needle's mask made it hard to determine her expression, and behind her, two other masked individuals with glowing green eyes joined in.

"I hope you can have fun with just me" she taunted, gesturing to her two allies to step aside.

As she rushed forward, the pair behind her split—one heading straight for Mako, the other moving toward Steam, who was holding Naga at bay.

Mako and Korra moved, barely in sync as they unleashed fierce bursts of flames aimed directly at their attackers. Needle and her grunt danced around the flames with uncanny agility, dodging the fiery attacks by mere inches, the heat of the blasts barely grazing their clothes.

Needle, in a swift motion, hurled a barrage of sharp needles toward Korra. She barely managed to twist out of the way, one of the small projectiles grazing her shoulder. At the same time, the other masked individual charged at Mako, calculating their movements to close the gap. Though Mako sweeped a trail of blaze, his opponent was already in front of him, forcing the two to separate.

Meanwhile, Naga was thrashing in a desperate attempt to break free from Steam's unyielding hold. His arms were locked around the large polarbear dog's torso, keeping her grounded. Naga growled, her massive body writhing in frustration, her teeth snapping dangerously close to her captor.

But before she could land a bite, Steam released his grip, narrowly avoiding Naga's jaws. The moment he stepped back, his ally swooped in, launching a pair of bolas with precision. The weighted cords wrapped around Naga's limbs pulling tight and crashing her down to the ground.

Steam, watching the Avatar's companion struggle, turned to his grunt.

"Watch. It" he ordered, pointing at Naga.

The grunt nodded silently as Steam rushed to assist his ally.

Meanwhile, Needle continued to press Korra, skillfully dodging her blasts for fire. With a few will-aimed strikes, Needle had already paralyzed Korra' right arm, her needles poking out of it and leaving her struggling to fight back. Mako, trying to defend, was struggling against a grunt much more agile than he was.

He shot out a repeated torrent of flame, trying to keep the grunt away, but they just flipped and avoided every fire shot toward them, as he closed the distance, he knuckled Mako's side and arm, effectively paralyzing them.

Needle's frustration was evident as Korra continued to evade her smaller projectiles. With a sharp sigh, she drew a dagger, slashing at Korra's feet. The Avatar barely managed to avoid it, jumping back, but her momentum was disrupted mid-air. Needle seized the opportunity, hurling a needle at her. 

Korra tilted her head just enough to avoid a direct hit, but the needle managed to graze her neck, and she felt the sting of its touch. Her vision blurred slightly as her perception slowed.

Then, the ground rumbled with a heavy step. 

Korra's gaze snapped forward to see Steam looming in front of her. Needle remained crouched just beside him. 

Steam narrowed his eyes as he stepped forward, cracking the ground beneath him. Smoke billowed from his mask and cloak, mixing with the metallic whir of unseen machinery. With starling speed, his arm shot out.

HUEGK!

Before Korra could react, Steam's arm slammed into her midsection with a brutal lariat, the force of the blow knocking out the air from her lungs. Blood sprayed from her mouth as her vision blurred.

Steam twisted his arm, hooking her torso effortlessly. With a huff, he stepped forward, carrying her momentum before slamming her down into the ground with heavy force

Korra tumbled and rolled to a stop, clutching her stomach in agony, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she tried to push herself up. But her body was screaming in protest.

Behind her, Mako groaned as he hit the ground hard, half of his body rendered numb and paralyzed. He couldn't even push himself up.

"Lucky us~" Needle's voice broke through the haze, a mocking singsong tone that grated Korra's ears.

"We get to take the Avatar to Masky~" she declared, her pride obvious from every word.

Korra, still clutching her stomach, managed to glare at her through the pain and exhaustion.

Needle crouched down, leaning her face on her hand and resting her elbow on her knee, looking at the young Avatar with smug confidence. Her masked head tilted slightly as if she was mocking Korra's helplessness.

"Too bad we were ordered not to touch you yet" she said in a singsong voice, her words dripping in condescension.

"But don't worry" Needle continued with a giggle, straightening up. "We'll see you again soon, we'll even bring Faceless along to make it more fun"

With a dismissive wave, she gestured to her allies. Steam and the remaining grunts moved closer to her. Steam let out a guttural breath, and a dense fog erupted from his mask and cloak, enveloping the area in a thick, suffocating vapor.

The sound of engines revving cut through the dense fog. Two of the grunts sped away on motorcycles, disappearing into the night.

As the fog began to dissipate, Mako and Korra were left alone, battered and tired. Needle and Steam vanished without a trace, though Needle's maniacal laughter could be heard fading in the distance.

Naga snapped free from her restraints, rushing to Korra's side, nudging her gently to help her stand. Meanwhile, Pabu scurried over to Mako, curling up on his shoulder with a soft chirp.

Korra gritted her teeth as she got to her feet, her left arm trembling from the three needles embedded in it. She reached to attempt to yank one free, but her fingers faltered and she winced sharply.

"Heurgh… Dammit" she hissed through clenched teeth, barely managing to budge one needle halfway making her snap.

"Who the hell are those guys?!" 

"They're Amon's henchmen" Mako replied, his tone clipped as he pushed himself upright.

He flexed his fingers, shaking his arm to restore the feeling to his numbed hand.

"Amon?" Korra shot him a questioning glance, furrowing her brow in confusion. "That anti-bending guy with the creepy mask?"

"Yeah" Mako confirmed, frustrated as he brushed the dirt off his jacket "The leader of the Equalists" 

He paused, his frown deepening as he glanced back toward where their attackers had vanished. 

"But… I've never seen those two before. They're not part of his usual crew"

"What do they even want with the Triple Threats?" Korra pressed, stepping closer to Mako, who was still staring into the emptiness.

Mako didn't respond immediately, brooding over what just happened.

"Whatever it is, it can't be good" he muttered, his shoulders tense.

Mako stood there in silence for a moment, tightening his jaw before he let out a low, frustrated grumble. He raised a hand to his forehead, rubbing it as if trying to massage away his thoughts.

"I can't believe Bolin got himself into this mess" he said finally, voice heavy with worry.

Korra stepped closer, softening her expression as she reached out to him. Gently, she placed a hand on his arm, grounding him in the moment.

"Mako" she said, trying to reassure him. "We are going to save your brother. I promise you that."

————————————————————————————

[Almost the same time]

Back at Air Temple Island, late into the quiet night, Zhen was sweeping the courtyard under the soft glow of lanterns. It was the last task of his day before clocking out, though it wasn't much of a difference from how he'd spend most of his evenings. The island wasn't exactly small, and the repetitive work helped keep his thoughts in check.

As he swept, a small, concerned voice broke the stillness.

"Zhen?"

JINORA

AGE: 10

STATUS: Airbender

He turned to find Jinora standing behind him, her expression worried as she glanced up to him like a small animal.

"Is Korra not home yet?" she asked, her tone quiet but anxious.

Zhen paused, leaning on his broom as he looked down at her.

"Hm? Didn't she get back a while ago?" he replied, the curiosity in his voice clear.

Truth be told, he'd been so busy today that he hadn't paid much attention to Korra's absence until now.

Jinora shook her head.

"That Firebender boy she was crazy about picked her up, saying they were going to look for his brother."

Zhen's brow furrowed slightly as he thought about the information the young girl gave.

"And you're sure they haven't come back?"

Jinora nodded. "I've been checking since dinner. I thought they'd be back by now"

Zhen crouched down to her eye level, softening his expression as he placed a gentle hand on her head.

"I'll go look for her, alright? Don't worry about it for now" he assured her, giving her hair a light pat.

Jinora's worried expression eased slightly. Still, Zhen held out his empty hand, giving her an assuring smile.

"In the meantime, why don't you let this little one keep you company?"

At first glance, there was nothing in his hand, but Jinora's eyes lit up as she reached out, cupping her hand together as though holding something precious. Her face softened, her lips curling into a quiet smile.

"She's cute" Jinora murmured, tilting her hands slightly closer to her face.

Zhen gave a quiet chuckle and straightened up.

"Rest up, Kid. I'll get her back"

Jinora nodded and turned to walk away, but just as she left, she stopped, spun around, and bowed toward him politely. It was simple, but sincere. With a final, bright smile, she skipped off.

Zhen stood in place for a moment, watching her go. His lips curving into a small smile of appreciation.

"Good kid" he commented, shaking his head slightly before slinging the broom over his shoulder.

He glanced toward the horizon, looking over toward Republic City. "Now where the hell do I even start…"

————————————————————————————

[Later, well into the night]

Korra and Mako roamed the dimly lit streets of Republic City, their eyes scanning every shadow and alleyway for a sign of Bolin and his captors. They rode atop Naga, with Korra at the front, showing clear signs of fatigue on her face.

As the hours stretched on, the city's bustling energy dwindled. Where there had been noise and crowds at the start, there was now an eerie silence. The streets were empty, save for the soft echoes of their movement.

Korra's left arm still hung awkwardly at her side, the needles embedded in it keeping it numb. The pain had subsided for now, but every attempt to remove them sharply brought it back.

"You need to get that looked at" Mako urged, his concern more obvious than his exhaustion.

It wasn't the first time he'd said it tonight, and Korra was getting tired of hearing it.

"I said I'm fine" Korra snapped, her voice showing a slight frustration.

Even Naga was showing signs of wear. Her steps had grown sluggish, her breaths heavy, until finally, the loyal polarbear dog slowed to a halt, panting heavily.

Korra sighed, running a hand through her hair as her exhaustion bubbled over into a mix of frustration and helplessness.

"We've been out all night. There's still no sign of him"

"I know" Mako said, scanning the empty streets. "But we gotta keep looking… but where?"

For a long moment, the two sat in silence, each lost in thought as the night pressed down around them. It gave Naga a chance to catch her breath. Then, suddenly, Korra's eyes lit up.

"I have an idea" she said, twisting slightly in her seat to look back at Mako.

Before he could ask what she meant, she urged Naga forward again, the exhausted polarbear dog giving a huff before following her direction.

They made their way toward a park, the faint glow of streetlights casting long shadows on their path. 

Korra and Mako stopped by a fountain, watching as Naga and Pabu made their way to the water to quench their thirst. 

Mako and Korra lingered by the side, watching their companions drink deeply. Korra's eyes traced the surroundings, recalling a memory.

"The first day I got into town, I ran into an equalist protester over there" she explained, pointing to an open space ahead of them as she sat down at the edge of the marble fountain.

Mako leaned against the fountain, letting his back rest against the cool stone as he lowered himself onto the ground.

"And you think they'll know where Bolin is?" he asked, understandably skeptical.

Korra sighed, glancing at him as she reached down to bend a small stream of water from the fountain, trying to ease her arm before attempting to pull the needles out from her arm again.

"It's our only lead right now" she replied, trying to remain hopeful. 

Korra applied the water carefully, letting it drop as soon as she finished. But the moment she attempted to pull one out, a sharp jolt of pain shot up her arm.

She hissed, her face contorting in discomfort. Mako's gaze flicked to her, flashing a worried expression.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with genuine concern.

Korra took a deep breath, fighting the sting as she struggled with the needles.

"I'm fine, it's just…" she paused, trying to remove them once more but failing. "I can't get them out"

Mako watched her for a moment, softening his expression. Without a word, he shifted positions, standing briefly before sitting beside her on the edge of the fountain.

"Let me help" he offered, his voice sounding gentler than before. 

"Just keep the water steady"

Korra glanced at him, momentarily surprised before nodding. She bent another small blob of water from the fountain, pressing it against her arm to cool the area. Mako reached out, his touch was gentle as he steadied her arm and inspected the needles

"Alright, hold still" he said, carefully gripping the first needle between his fingers.

As he began to pull, Korra tensed, her body stiffening as the sharp pain flared up in her arm again. She hissed through clenched teeth, but she stayed still, letting Mako work.

The needle slid out slowly, much longer than either of them had expected. Mako held it up briefly, the thin, wickedly sharp metal gleaming in the faint light.

"That's… way longer than expected" he muttered, placing it carefully to the side before reaching for the next one.

They worked in silence for a moment, the quiet broken only by the soft sound of water rippling in the fountain. The pain was getting lighter, and Korra, searching for a distraction, decided to speak.

"So…" she started awkwardly, her voice breaking the quiet.

She glanced around the park before letting her eyes settle on Mako.

"Why is Bolin running around with the Triple Threat Triad anyway?"

Mako flinched at the question, his fingers momentarily tightening around the needle he was holding, causing Korra to wince.

"Well we—" he paused, clearly debating whether to continue.

After a moment, he sighed and kept talking.

"We used to do some work for them back in the day"

"What?! Ah—" Korra exclaimed, her voice rising with surprise as her eyebrows shot up.

Her sudden movement made Mako accidentally press the needle deeper, causing her to hiss in pain.

"Stop moving" Mako snapped. "It's hard enough getting these things out"

Despite the warning, Korra couldn't help herself.

"Are you some kind of criminal?" she asked, her words coming out a bit more rudely than she intended.

Mako froze, his hand dropping away from the needle.

"What? No" he said firmly, his jaw tightening.

His eyes flickered to hers in a defensive glare.

"You don't know what you're talking about"

He leaned back slightly, adjusting his scarf closer to his face in frustration before continuing.

"I just ran numbers for them and stuff. We were orphans out on the street! I did what I had to do to survive and protect my little brother"

The anger in his voice softened as he slowly finished, though the tension in his shoulders remained. He looked away, his hand running through his hair as he sighed, his frustration giving way to embarrassment.

"Sorry… I didn't mean to get heated."

Korra's expression shifted to guilt seeing Mako like this.

"I'm sorry" she apologizes, her voice quieter now.

"It must've been really hard"

For a moment, the two sat in awkward silence, Mako resuming his work on the needles. Korra watched him, still curious. Finally, she broke the quiet again, though she sounded more hesitant this time.

"Can I… ask what happened to your parents?"

Mako sighed, pulling out the next needle completely before setting it down beside the other. 

"We were mugged… by a firebender." His expression grew distant, and his voice got heavy with emotion as he answered. "He cut them down right in front of me… I was eight"

Korra's heart sank hearing this, looking at him with sympathetic eyes. Mako didn't look back at her, trying to pull out the third needle.

"Mako…" she murmured.

"Bolin's the only family I have left. If anything happened to him…" he trailed off as he pulled the last needle free, setting it aside before leaning back, his shoulders slumping slightly.

Korra flexed her arm, or tried to, the feeling returning slowly now that the needles are gone.

"Thanks" she said, her tone warm but subdued. She placed a hand on his shoulder, her eyes meeting his.

"We'll find him, don't worry" 

Mako gave a small, reluctant nod, his gaze softening as he locked eyes with her.

"Yeah. I hope so…" he muttered.

————————————————————————————

[Early Sunrise, Republic City Park]

The first light of dawn spilled over the quiet streets, casting long shadows as the city began to stir. Though the world around them was waking, the park remained tranquil, untouched by the bustle.

Korra and Mako, exhausted from their long search, had succumbed to fatigue. They sat slumped against Naga's warm side, leaning into each other as they slept under the shade of a sprawling tree. The polarbear dog lay protectively around them, her relaxed breath matching the peaceful rhythm of the moment. Pabu had nestled himself snugly inside Mako's scarf, his tiny snores matching Mako's

Crrk!

Suddenly, the sharp snap of a twig broke the stillness. Naga's ears twitched, her head snapping up as her keen eyes scanned the area.

Grrr…

A low growl rumbled in her throat, her body tensed but didn't move as she tracked the faint shadow approaching in front of her.

As the figure drew closer, the first hints of recognition softened her stance. Her growl subsided, replaced by the subtle wag of her tail.

"So you recognize me huh?" The voice was low and familiar.

Zhen stepped into view, his silhouette framed by the soft sunrise. He crouched down in front of Naga, scratching under chin with a small smile.

"Where have you been all night?" he whispered softly.

Naga responded with a slobbery lick to his face before nudging her large head against him affectionately.

Zhen chuckled, the sound low and warm as he reached to pet her. Though his hand moved with playful roughness, his touch was gentle, and Naga's tail wagged even harder in delight.

As she shifted her weight slightly, a quiet groan escaped from behind her.

"You guys doing alright?" Zhen murmured. He wasn't really expecting a response from the Avatar's animal companion.

His gaze moved past Naga, landing on Korra and Mako. The two nestled against each other in their peaceful sleep.

'Damn if only I brought a camera' he thought, a smirk tugging at his lips.

He couldn't help but find the sight of them a bit amusing.

But as he stood there, something beside Korra caught his attention. His expression changed as he noticed the small bundle of cloth next to her. He crouched down, his fingers deftly unwrapping it to reveal three long needles, their sharp edges stained with faint blood. His brow furrowed as he studied them.

Suddenly, Naga started growling again—louder, more hostile this time. 

"Quiet down girl, we don't want to wake up the Avatar" Zhen muttered, though his tone surprisingly commanding.

Naga hesitated, then whimpered, lowering her head as she fell silent.

Just then, figures began emerging from the shadows, stepping out from behind the trees. Equalists started surrounding them. They moved quietly, scanning the area.

The air shifted as the three of them darted toward Zhen, but as they approached, they suddenly halted. Their bodies jerked, twitching violently as guttural grunts escaped their voices. Out of their throats, long needles protruded, their bodies desperately attempting to fight against the paralysis.

"I'm going to need to get some answers from you" Zhen stood up, his voice was cold and his arms extended after throwing the needles.

He took a few slow steps toward the nearest frozen grunt. His boots stomped against the stone path as he closed the distance. The Equalist's bloodshot eyes widened in terror, but it was too late. Zhen reached out and grabbed them by the throat, looking down on them as if they were nothing.

The grunt gasped for air. His fingers twitched as he struggled to move.

Zhen's crimson gaze pierced through the Equalist's green goggles, his stare burning with intensity that froze every other thought in their minds. The grunt let out a muffled scream against his own mask, but no sound escaped. His vocal cords were paralyzed, his body was helpless as Zhen's grip tightened.

"Let's talk. Slow–-ly" he added, his words sinking deeper into the grunt's skull.

As the remaining Equalists charged, Zhen's expression darkened… twisted.

————————————————————————————

[Morning]

The sun rose higher, painting the park with golden light as life stirred around. People strolled, conversed, or even played around as they entered the park's space. 

"EQUALITY NOW! EQUALITY NOW!"

Though some of them, curious, got their attention reeled in by a booming voice.

"WE WANT EQUALITY NOW!" the protestor shouted, his fervor echoing across the park.

The noise stirred Korra awake, her eyelids fluttering open as she squinted against the brightness.

"Ugh… so bright" she muttered groggily, shifting her head—and froze.

Mako's face was inches from hers.

He blinked, disoriented, and the two registered their closeness at the same time.

AHH!

Both let out startled yelps, scrambling back from one another in a flurry of limbs. Their voices startled Naga, who raised her head with a low grunt, and Pabu, who tumbled out of Mako's scarf, squeaking awake.

Korra, still stammering, pushed herself further back, her face flushed with embarrassment. But as she caught her breath, something else caught her eye.

"The needles. They're gone!" she exclaimed, her tone shifting as she picked up the cloth bundle where they had been.

Mako, glancing at the empty cloth, frowned.

"Someone must've taken them while we were asleep" he said, edged with irritation.

He crouched, running his hands through the grass, hoping the needles had simply fallen.

"NON-BENDERS OF REPUBLIC CITY! AMON CALLS YOU TO ACTION! TAKE BACK YOUR CITY!"

The shout cut through their small search, making both of them turn sharply. The protester's voice was amplified by a crackling megaphone, drawing a crowd.

"That's the guy" Korra said firmly, pointing toward an older man standing atop a makeshift stage—a rickety table—clutching the megaphone in one hand. His other gestured passionately to the growing audience.

Behind him, a large tarp hung, bearing a striking image: a masked figure, showing an eerie glare, loomed in front of a red and white background.

"IT'S TIME FOR THE—" the protestor's rallying cry faltered mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he spotted the Avatar approaching.

Korra and Mako strode toward him, their expressions stern. The man's demeanor shifted instantly, his hostility bubbling to the surface.

"YOU CANNOT SILENCE ME AVATAR!" he bellowed, rudely pointing a finger toward Korra as she stopped in front of him. Mako stood silently behind her, glaring at the disrespectful man.

Korra furrowed her brows, her hands placed firmly on her hips as the man continued his tirade. His voice grated against her nerves, amplified by the now-crackling megaphone aimed at her.

With a quick swipe, Korra slapped the megaphone from his hand. It clattered to the ground, breaking apart.

The protestor yelped, clutching his empty hand.

"Shut your yapper and listen up" Korra snapped, her patience wearing thin.

She took a step closer, her eyes narrowing. "My friend got kidnapped by some of Amon's goons. Where'd they take him?"

The protestor recoiled, his indignation flaring.

"I have no idea what you're talking about" even without his device, his voice still boomed with defiance.

Korra's jaw tightened. She wasn't in the mood for this nonsense.

"Oh, I think you do" she declared.

With one fluid motion, Korra raised her leg high and brought it down with force. The ground beneath the table shuddered, a deep tremor rippling outward. The earth cracked violently, surging upward like a coiled spring.

The table erupted into the air, sending the protestor and his assistant tumbling off with startled cries. They hit the ground in a disheveled heap as the table crashed back down, splintering with a loud crack.

Flyers fluttered from the wreck, scattering across the ground in a slow descent.

The protestor, paying no attention to anything but the scattered flyers, scrambled across the ground, collecting the fallen papers like they were his lifeline.

Curious, Mako plucked one from the air, scanning it quickly.

"Witness the Revelation tonight, 9:00" he read aloud, then shot a sharp look at the man crawling around the ground on his hands and knees. 

"What's this revelation?"

"Nothing that concerns the likes of YOU TWO" the protestor snapped, keeping his disdain.

Korra's patience wore thin. Her expression darkened as she stepped forward, grabbing the man by his collar and hoisting him into the air with ease. His feet dangled helplessly, and for the first time, his bravado faltered.

"You better believe it concerns us" she growled. "Spill it"

The man squirmed in her grip, his defiance giving way to submission.

"N-No one knows what the Revelation is" he stammered, his tone softening slightly "And I have no idea what happened to your friend"

But just as quickly, his sneer returned.

"But if he's a bender, then my bet is he's getting what's coming to him"

"Where is it happening?" Mako pressed, ignoring the man's provocations.

FWEE!

But before he could get an answer, a sharp whistle pierced the air.

"Hey! What's going on over there?!" A patrolling officer shouted from across the park.

The protestor seized the moment, twisting his face into a mask of exaggerated victimhood.

"The Avatar's oppressing us! Help!" he bellowed dramatically, drawing the attention to him.

Korra exchanged a look with Mako, frustrated. With an exasperated sigh she tossed the man unceremoniously onto the ground with a loud thud.

"Let's scram" she muttered, already striding past Mako.

Mako, a bit slow, followed her lead. As they ran, he snatched a handful of flyers, stuffing them into his pocket for later.

————————————————————————————

[???, ???]

"Where in the Spirit's name is this place?!" a guttural, snarling voice growled.

The sound reverberated unnaturally, the sharp edge of desperation echoing off unseen walls.

ARGH!!

A blood-curdling scream followed, tearing through the silence. It lingered in the air far longer than it should, echoing unnaturally.

Shadows danced on the edge of the faint candle light that barely illuminated the small, suffocating space.

Nine figures lay slumped in a row, their bodies kneeling on the cold, hard floor. Thick ropes wrapped tightly around their torsos and arms, constricting every possible movement, ensuring bending wasn't possible.

Blindfolded covered their eyes, making sure not even a faint sliver of light slipped through the fabric.

"No~ your scream is supposed to be louder~" a young woman's playful voice chimed, dripping with a sinister sweetness.

A wet, sickening sound of something cleaving through flesh followed.

Agonized cries echoed once more, their sharp edges cutting through the oppressive stillness. The grotesque symphony of cries and torment continued for what felt like an eternity.

Then, with an almost whimsical abruptness, light invaded the dark. The captives' blindfolds were torn away, revealing a dimly lit room to their eyes.

A small figure stood before them, her silhouette outlined by the flickering candlelight. A thin half-mask obscured part of her face, but her porcelain eyes shone unmistakably, twin orbs that seemed to mirror the moon. The dim room mimicked the night sky, the flickering candles scattered like distant stars.

"Ah~ Hi~" the girl greeted with childlike enthusiasm, waving both hands as if she were welcoming friends.

The nine captives thrashed and struggled against their bindings, muffled protests escaping from the cloth gags between their teeth.

"Well, That won't do for now" she cooed, tilting her head in mock disappointment.

With a snap of her fingers, the room filled with an eerie silence as the gagged captives felt their mouth restraints loosen.

One of the men immediately seized the moment, his voice rising in anger.

"Who the hell do you think you are?!" he bellowed, his face contorted in rage.

"Do you even know who you're mess—"

"No~ Too loud~" she cut him off as her hand darted forward, a needle glinting between her fingers, crouching over and pricking his throat.

"I don't like anyone loud~"

The man jerked, his mouth agape as he struggled to even breathe properly.

The girl smiled sweetly, her expression an unsettling mix of innocence and malice. Her eyes gleamed as she rose slowly from her crouched position.

"That's better" she purred, snapping her fingers again.

"Bring this hideous man to the other room" she ordered. "I'll play with him at least"

With perfect timing, two Equalists stepped from the shadows, eerily in sync. They grabbed the paralyzed man, dragging him towards a dark corner of the room where the sound of a heavy metal door scraping against the floor echoed.

The room seemed to shrink with the absence of noise. But it was soon disturbed again—this time not by a yell, but by a tremulous voice.

"Wha–what's… what's going to happen to us?" one of the men stammered, the clear fear surrounding his voice.

The girl tilted her head slightly, her disturbing smile forming from behind her mask.

"Hmm~ Well, you won't die at least, if you're worried about that. So that's good news, right?" 

With a twisted cheerfulness, she reached out and tousled his hair as if he were a child, but her touch felt anything but comforting.

"We need you alive, after all. You're going to be a VERY important example" her smile turned into a sly, wicked sneer.

"Though, I was promised to play with a few of you before… Oh~" her voice trailed off as her eyes flickered across the group, her gaze locking onto one of the captives.

She stepped forward, lacking the sound of footsteps as she walked, until she knelt politely in front of a muscular young man.

Bolin.

Unlike the others, his mouth was still gagged. His wide eyes brimmed with terror—not just fear, but pure, unfiltered panic. While the others clung to fragments of defiance, he had none. He was vulnerable, like a prey who was in front of its predator.

"I like this one" she said, her voice brimming with dangerous excitement as her porcelain eyes lit up.

"Big~ Strong~ And looks innocent too~"

Her fingers, small and deceptively gentle, brushed against his arm before trailing up to his face. Her touch lingered, as if she were studying him, admiring him like a sculptor.

Her fingers paused near his jaw, finally noticing the gag still secured around his mouth. She frowned, tilting her head curiously.

"Hey~ Why is this one's mouth still restrained?" she asked, turning to one of the Equalists standing silently in the background.

"He… wouldn't stop talking" the Equalist replied, showing a slight embarrassment beneath their mask.

The girl blinked, and then a slow grin spread across her face.

"Heh~ Then we'll both have a ni~ce slow~ chat then, yeah?" she said, amused.

Bolin's breath hitched, his trembling intensifying as tears welled in his wide, fearful eyes. He stared at her, unable to look away as dread started twisting his gut.

He had no idea what she was planning to do, and he didn't want to find out.

End