Avatar Crossroads: Winter: Part 2 Chapter 22-2

”Thank you so much.” Josa replied, eying me, I nodded.
“Just… try to smile some more, okay? I don’t like seeing my boyfriend all pouty like this.” Josa earnestly grinned.
“Boyfriend?”
“You have a problem with that?”
“Not at all.” He whispered, nudging closer to me, I of course expected the tall firebender to kiss me on the lips, but instead he pecked me on the cheek… I found myself blushing at that… I was not use to anything like that… apart from years ago when my mother would do that…
“See you tomorrow, then.” He smiled, turning and walking off. My blush remained, as I slowly turned away, beginning to walk.
“So… you’re gonna find his friend then?” a voice swiftly asked, I instantly turned, realizing it wasn’t Josa… it was a man standing there in a torn cheap suit, he had a neutral look covering his face.
“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” I swiftly replied, he blinked at that.
“I think it is my business… you making ridiculous promises like that.”
“So what, you want Shiro to not be found?”
“Of course not.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“You know your brother.” The owner turned, “How he guards his secrets.” I frowned at that.
“And he also told me never to talk to you.”
“I could believe that… so why are you still here then?” He asked, I frowned… looking away.
“Leave me alone, Rham.” I replied, I hadn’t even realized he was here… but I recognized his voice…
He was my uncle after all.
“Just be careful,” He then sighed, “The last thing I’d want would be anything happening to you.”
“Right, because over ten years ago you cared so much about what was happening to me.”
“Yes,” he replied stepping closer, “Even then.” I shook at that, unhappily. “I’m sorry I wasn’t much help”- he tried to explain himself, I wouldn’t listen.
I felt myself marching away from him… my mother’s brother was nothing like her… and maybe that’s why Abhik hated him… because he was a coward… like our dad was.
I was gonna get to the bottom of what happened to Josa’s friend, no matter what.

PRESENT TIME
My brother held the door open as I entered the room, entering a gray room… I then realized it didn’t look to be any sort of bedroom I had seen in the base… it was a room meant specifically for training… it was dark though.
I then noticed the room we were inside had a glass window, separating the space this was meant as a way to observe what was happening in the other room. A door sat on the side of the window.
“You’re lucky you asked about Yamazaki when you did.” Abhik explained, “He was going through some drills with our experimental team… people chosen specifically so they wouldn’t ask questions.” I squinted, looking into the glass… finally I could see figures… four of them.
Two of them were waterbenders, one was a nonbender, and they surrounded a firebender… a familiar one.
’I’m not the one trying to separate families’
He was identical to Ryuu, and the boy I saw speaking out at the first rally… his hair was different, trimmed down slightly. Looking into his eyes, part of me was unsure I was looking at the same boy at that rally… I could only tell off his face.
“So how do you know of Shiro?” Abhik quietly asked.
“Oh, um… Ryuu mentioned him once.” I lied. Abhik nodded, while I eyed the boy once more.
He wore a black sleeveless shirt, while his opponents wore actually training armor.

Immediately the two waterbenders slung forward with their hands, shooting two straight lines of liquid towards Hound(I wouldn’t call this Shiro). The man ducked, evading the water as he then slammed his leg across the ground, tripping them both. The nonbender had pulled out a wooden beam katana, and quickly slashed in the direction of the firebender.
As if by instinct, he backed away from each slash, practically flipping before kicking down at the katana, forcing it to the ground, and then immediately slamming his other foot into the man, throwing him back with incredible strength.
“He’s strong…” I muttered.
“Stronger than his brother ever was.” My brother smiled. The two waterbenders turned their gaze back to him, quick to blasting sharp icicles in the direction of Hound. It was clear that for this simulation he was supposed to not use his bending… I was actually afraid of how easily these guys would be taken out had he used it.
Hound swiftly pulled up the armored nonbender as a shield, blocking icicles. One of the waterbenders swiftly shot tendril towards Hound, who turned quickly, replacing him with the nonbender. The waterbender was confused by who he gripped, so Hound immediately kicked into the nonbender’s stomach, firing him directly at the waterbender mid grip. Both humans went down, with the last still standing, holding two icicle blades stretched out of his arms.
“Agh!” He yelled, charging towards Hound, his blades slashing directly towards him. Hound evaded a couple swipes, ducking and flipping away. When quickly he picked up the wooden Katana, blocking more blows.
The icicle fighter slashed down with his hands, turning the sword into two, which Hound accepted. He jumped away and swiftly threw one piece down towards the man’s leg, tripping him, his blades shattered into a quickly melting pool of water.
Hound stared down at his opponent, who knelt up, a scowl on his face. He immediately shot his hand forward. A thin sharp stream of water shot towards Hound, who deflected part of the blow with the katana, and made it forward, kneeing the man in the chest, he pointed the wooden blade into the guy. The waterbender’s hands shot up.
“I surrender!” he yelled. Hound paused at that, before swiftly kicking him across the face, putting the man in a daze. I turned to Abhik.
“He won, why”-
“The man surrendered… that’s a sign of weakness.”
“…” I looked away at that. In front of Abhik was a panel of some sort, he gripped a microphone, speaking into it.
“Very good work Hound, you can give them a rest.” Hound immediately stopped, while the others swiftly got up, and hurried away from him. My brother then glanced over to me, “Would you like to see him?” I was silent, which my brother took as an easy yes.


MEANWHILE
ARIA POV

I quietly followed the others as we were making our way towards the elevator. Serena quickly made it to us, happy to join in on Mika and Malena’s conversation. I was silent, I didn’t even pay attention to what they were talking about… for a while now, I felt as if I’ve been somewhere else entirely.
I didn’t know what it was, but oddly enough… I felt strange.
Times like this… I missed Ryuu.
We made it to the elevator, finding that someone was coming up. We waited there for a moment, with Serena casually glancing to Mika.
“So um… how’s Tooru doing?” Mika shrugged.
“He feels bad about what he did.” Serena shrugged.
“It’s not his fault… Maka would have found out anyways.” Mika sighed, looking away, while I found myself forming a slight smile.
Mika had been giving Tooru the silent treatment, I bet now she was feeling terrible.
“She’ll come around it,” Malena replied, “Might take a while, but… when she’s done with being mad, I know she’ll love you.” Serena sighed at that.
“Thanks for your support… tell your grandmother I said thanks as well.”
“Why don’t you tell her?” Malena then asked, turning more, “She’s been waiting a long time for Manny to get a girlfriend.” The earthbender smiled at that, while I felt myself smiling slightly.
They were a good match… not sure if the others saw it as well as I did… I think what sealed it for me, was the fact that… Serena reminded me a lot of Maka, and it was very usual for someone to be with a person that reminds them of their parent…
Odd how in that case I was with Ryuu.
The elevator finally approached, with Serena sighed.
“I swear, next update needs another elevator.” The door opened, revealing a man standing there in a beige trenched coat, it was a tallish man. He glanced at us, before eying me for a split moment. Mika didn’t seem to care at all, as did Malena, while Serena quickly got out the way. “Excuse me sir.” The man nodded, sighing.
“Sorry to intrude, but… you wouldn’t happen to know where I could find Professor Werrick, would you?”
It was then I paused even more… he seemed rather… familiar… especially his voice. Serena sighed, annoyed that she wasn’t seeing any sort of badge, but she assumed he was likely an important visitor… She looked as if she was used to seeing some people coming to this floor unannounced.
“Oh, um, sir… Professor Werrick’s down this hall to the left.”
“Thank you, that’ll make this easier,” he smiled, stepping away from us… and immediately I felt something was really wrong… and I had no idea what.
“And what is your name, sir?” Serena then asked, the man paused.
“Lorik Namakura.” He said, obviously lying… I could tell that much, and so could Serena. She eyed him suspiciously before sighing and looking away.
“Very well,” she turned back to the others, “Let’s get you guys downstairs.” She smiled, while this ‘Lorik’ eyed me one more time… smiling in a way that made me furious.
I didn’t know why, but… his smile reminded me of Ryuu’s.
The man disappeared from sight, with Serena quick to lead the others into the elevator, I paused.
“Um guys… I need to use the bathroom.” I lied, Serena grumbled at that.
“Can’t you just wait till you’re on the first floor?” I shook my head.
“You know us small girls… even tinnier bladders.” Mika’s eyes widened at that, surprised.
“You actually admit that…” she looked to Serena. “She can come down later.” I pouted at that, of course Mika would be distraught by me admitting my… height. Serena sighed, before nodding.
“Alright then, Aria.” The earthbender nodded towards me, Malena simply smiled, nodding.
“See you later then.” I nodded. The elevtor began to move, with the doors closing.
When they were gone, I sighed.
For being Aimee’s cousin, Malena didn’t seem much like her, or Maka or Meme for that matter… it was odd, she kinda reminded me of… no, that was ridiculous.
Mika would be fine, I turned around, quickly heading down towards Werrick’s office.

MEANWHILE

“You seem distraught,” Silas continued, “Were you expecting someone else?” Sifo was silent at that, sitting at the desk… he seemed to hold little disregard for Silas.
“How’d you sneak in?”
“To be honest, total luck,” Silas shrugged, “Doesn’t help I can pretty much figure out the outcomes.” He took a few steps approaching the man. Sifo quietly composed himself. He glanced out the window for a moment, noticing something… there looked to be fighting going on in the streets. Though it was dark to really see.

SIFO POV

The firebender looked as arrogant as ever, a trait I noticed with others of his ilk.
“But don’t worry, nobody saw me.”
“I’m having trouble believing you.” I sighed, Silas shrugged. “So why did you come, why not the Nishi brat?”
“You sound disappointed,”
“If I am, it’s because this is not the best place.” I replied, “Where I work.”
“If you have a problem with it, you shouldn’t have signed on with the strikers.” I scowled at that.
“I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter.”
“Of course,” Silas smirked, “’Use your resources to finance and manage our cause, and we keep a certain family out of the fire’ if I so recall.” He was taunting me… trying to anger me.

The reason I worked with the strikers was because of my connection to Silas Akiko when we were younger, and now with my position, he was using me… as was his protégé, Abhik.
The worst part about this though, was I wasn’t even sure where I stood in all of this…
“If this is about Abhik being angry with no information on the white lotus, then he can come here himself”-
“This has nothing to do with that, true Nishi did send me… but I came for my own reasons.”
“…” Silas’s eyes hardened.
“You’ve been overstepping your boundaries.” I blinked at that.
“Is that so?”
“Yes… there’s no way in hell Kimi would dare go through my things unless she had good reason to, and I know Abhik didn’t order her to do so.”
“So you think it was me?”
“You have been an influence on her… and regardless of our arrangement (which Abhik didn’t know about), you are an important piece to our organization.”
“Sounds more to me like you haven’t been keeping your leash tight enough on her… or Abhik for that matter,” I scowled, Silas eyed me. “Sonya Kalros? Considered the most dangerous person in the northern water tribe after the winter Phantom is publicly working with you?”
“I don’t have control over what Abhik does with the resources I give him.”
“I noticed… like the one resource you told me you’d never allow an outsider to use.” Silas scowled at that.

MEANWHILE
MIKA POV

I was really surprised Aria would admit she was short… it was always a difficult topic for her. We continued going down the elevator for what felt like two minutes until we finally reached the floor, to which I smiled… seeing that my cousins Lufi and Joshua were already there, beside Manu… who smiled towards Serena.
“I guess I can publicly be happy to see you” he smiled, Serena quickly grinned, while Malena rolled her eyes.
“More than I’ve ever gotten.” She quickly approached Manu, who still smiled.
“That’s because you’re a complete twerp…” he patted her on the head, “a sweet one though,” I could tell it was because she stood up for Manu yesterday… I couldn’t help but smile.
Lufi quickly approached Serena, smirking… to which the earthbender frowned.
“Great… now you know.” He smirked.
“So if you and Manny have a kid, would I be like that kid’s uncle?”
“No,” she quickly replied, “you’d be that child’s first cousin once removed.” Lufi’s eyes widened, while Sernea sighed, “You have no idea how long I’ve dreaded the day you know about us, Lufi.” My cousin grinned at that, while Manu smiled.
“So, talking about children then… that’s a good sign.”
“Of what?” Serena turned.
“That it’ll actually work out between us.” He grinned, Serena blushed quickly, before looking away.
“Right.” She scowled, Manu’s smile continued. Malena then asked.
“So you guys are planning to get married then?” Serena paused at the thought, blushing even more, while my cousin continued to smile.
“Kiddo, you have no idea how long we’ve been talking about this stuff” That sounded like a lie if anything, Serena didn’t look that interested… maybe it was because what Male had told me about her, about how her parents weren’t married.
“Don’t call me kiddo, I’m twenty-two.” Malena replied.
“Like what grandpa kept telling mom, find a husband and then we’ll consider you an adult.” He joked, the others casually laughed, while Malena pouted, crossing her arms.
“Hate you guys…” It sucked to be the only girl in this part of the family… it reminded me of how much it sucked to be Aki. I then glanced back to Serena and Manu, smiling.
“So you guys are planning to get married then.” Serena shrugged.
“Eventually… I guess.” She sighed, looking to have slight misgivings about that topic. I found myself smiling regardless.
“I better get an invitation.” Manu smiled.
“Oh don’t worry, you will… if it ever happens.” Serena looked away slightly at that.
“Wouldn’t hold my breath if your mother doesn’t get one.” Manu sighed slowly at that, looking away.
“Well… one that at a time.” He smiled, Malena then turned.
“Okay, so… can I go home now?” she sked, Manu sighed, before nodding. “Yes you can… My sato’s outside.” Lufi and Josh were quick to hurry out, with Josh struggling to keep up with his energetic younger brother… I loved how zany they were.
Manu quietly stepped towards Serena, smiling,
“You free tonight?”
“I might be,” she smiled, “Just don’t bring your mom.” He nodded, before nudging in to quietly kiss her on the forehead, quick to avoid any suspicion, while Malena simply smiled.
“I love them together.” I nodded to my cousin.
“Me too… we need some happy stuff after all that happened.” Malena turned, eying me.
“So how’s your group then?”
“We’re okay… I guess.” She raised an eyebrow, “We’ve been through bad stuff before… we’re survivors.” I shrugged. My cousin nodded, before hurrying off. Manu looked to me as Serena began walking away to the nearby counter.
“Want me to give you a ride? Or”-
“No, I’m waiting for my friend… besides, the place we’re staying at is pretty close by.” I then eyed Serena, “And besides… I think I could probably guilt your girlfriend into taking us home.”
“I would doubt that,” he smirked, “The only thing she might care more about than me is this academy.” He joked, “And she has an hour left today.” I shrugged.
“Okay, good point.” Manu walked away, while I simply smiled, before turning to Serena, seeing her talking to someone in a coat, a shorter person.
“Hello, welcome to the Bending Institution, I’m Serena and”-
“I need to see Professor Werrick.” The coated person replied, causing me to raise an eyebrow in confusion… just the sheer quickness of how this was said.
“I could set up an appointment, but Professor Werrick is in a meeting right now.”
“With who?” Serena shrugged.
“Um… a man in a trench coat, like you… are you a colleague, or”-
“What floor is the professor on?”
“Nineteen.” The stranger turned away.
“Sorry for wasting your time.”  The person was quick to walk away, confusing me immediately, it was then the person swiftly walked to the elevator, stepping into it and tapping the nineteen button. Both me and the instructor stared at this immediately… with Serena getting away from the counter, grumbling. The other instructors curiously eyed this, confused.
“Something the matter?”
“It seems like nobody wants to wear a badge.” She frowned, while I turned. “I don’t trust this, I’m heading up there too.”
“But that guy took the elevator.” Serena frowned at that.
“Then I’m taking the stairs.”
“I’m going with you.”
“Absolutely not.”
“But Aria’s up there, she might be in trouble and”- Serena groaned.
“Fine, If you can keep up with me on those stairs, you’re free to come along.” It was then I frowned.
…I HATED stairs.

MEANWHILE
ARIA POV

Wait… Sifo Werrick worked with the strikers? The guy who Aimee called Uncle, was a striker? I had no idea how to take this in… but then again it made sense. Why else would Sifo not want Aimee to be involved with Crest’s task force, because he’s obviously afraid of Aimee getting hurt… but then why work with the strikers anyways?
What did he have to gain? He was one of the most influential people in this city.
It was then something Silas said made more sense… when he taunted Sifo, about using his resources in return for protection of certain people… he must have meant the Akira family…
Still, even if it was to protect loved ones, this seemed no good, no matter what way it was spun.

Part of my mind went crazy from the possibilities… did he know about Ryuu, what happened to Shiro?
I looked into the conversation from the crack of the door, careful to not make my presence known. I was also eying this ‘Silas.’ Oddly enough the name sounded familiar to me… and I didn’t know why.
“I’ve heard the rumors,” Sifo continued, “Of a firebending striker agent who goes by the code name of Hound… a similar designation to the code name Wolf.”
“Aye, it is similar.” Silas replied, “What are you getting at?”
“I’ve heard of his skill level, leading three successful raids against the city government.”
“That may be true as well…” This Silas replied.
“They say he… well he looks a lot like you, when you were a younger man… like Ryuu does.”
“You’ve never met Ryuu.”
“True I haven’t, but I know of his brother.” My eyes were shot wide open, paying close attention.
So that’s why Silas seemed familiar… he looked like Ryuu?
“And I can tell this isn’t your Agent, Ghost… he’s too busy babysitting what the White Lotus want back.”
“…”
“So I want you to tell me something, Silas.”
“What?”
“How far are you willing to go for Abhik?” The man looked away, with a frown, “to wipe away your own nephew’s memory, and replace it?”
.
..
…
This Silas guy was Shiro and Ryuu’s uncle?
It was then I tried taking in the whole ‘memory’ aspect… what was happening to Shiro? He was this Hound that had been facing off against the city force?
I tried to look at Silas, but he wasn’t turned towards me.
“I suppose I’m willing to go as far as you are, to protect those you hold dear… what was her name again, Malena?”
“Leave her out of this… has nothing to do with any of it.”
“And neither does my nephew.”
“...”
“We have a lot in common, Werrick… we’re both simply trying to protect those we hold dear.” Sifo looked away, while I couldn’t help but be curious over this ‘Malena’ situation. “By replacing Yamazaki’s memory, I am protecting him, as well as his brother.”
“By making him Nishi’s slave?”
“There are aspects to my abilities that even Nishi doesn’t understand.” Silas turned, “That even you don’t understand.” Sifo remained frowning at that. “And besides, that’s not why I’m here… why are you using the Nishi brat to go through my things?”
“What you did to Omura… that surprised me, that you would actually use your ability, and on my command… what’s changed between now and before, that you’ll even do it to your nephew?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Silas was quick to ask,
“All I know is that it involves the spirit world… and Lorik Namakura’s daughter.”
There was that name again, Lorik Namakura… who the hell was he?
“You won’t find them, you know…”
“You don’t know that.”
“But I know him, and I know how far he’ll go to protect her… how far he’ll go to defy you.”
“His son’s in this city… you know.”
“The son means nothing to me.”
“…He looks just like his father.” Silas practically fumed at this.
“But that’s none of your business… as it is not your place to ask questions about matters that don’t concern you.”
Part of me was curious now… it was like these guys had a history, if brief… who was this son he was talking about? Part of me was thinking this had nothing to do with what happening in the city… Sifo was just trying to get on Silas’s nerves, likely to learn more of his intentions.
“What would Abhik think, to know that his mentor has other plans for his forces”-
“That doesn’t concern you”- Sifo was easily getting on Silas’s nerves, I could tell.
“I wonder what Lorik would think, to know his former best friend was focused on”-
“Shut up”-
“What Alana would think”-
“Shut up!”
It was then in a major bout of anger, a bright flash of green light formed in Silas’s hand, blasting outwards towards the waterbending master. Sifo rose up from his desk to immediately draw water from the nearby fountain towards him, falling back swiftly, seeing his water turn to steam.
“Now-now, Silas,” Sifo smiled, “Abhik wouldn’t want us fighting.”
“I don’t care what Abhik would think.” Silas breathed, quick to stretch his hands out and arc more fire towards the waterbender. Sifo fell back, sliding on the ground, breathing slowly, while Silas scowled fists clenched.
I had no idea what to do… do I get involved or not?
It was then I glanced to the side, noticing someone beside me… another person dressed in one of those trench coats… his or her face was hidden behind a hat, with a scarf around it’s face… the person quickly shushed me, not hearing the conversation, but was present for this fight, whatever it was.
“Can you fight?” this person whispered, muffled, I nodded.
“Earthbender, you?”
“…” she sighed, “You’ll see soon enough.”

MEANWHILE
SIFO POV

Fire shot from Silas’s hands as I evaded, quick to use the pool water nearby for the advantage. The water didn’t do much, as Silas’s flames was supposed to be even more powerful than any others were capable of… though luckily it meant he spent more energy doing it.
I was quick to slap water down to his leg, pulling him. Swiftly putting some more space in between us as I shot more water towards the firebender. I had been trying my hardest to keep up with his speed, but it was no use. I knew very well I couldn’t keep up with Silas.
I slid away from the attack, before immediately firing more icicles in the man’s direction.
His fire was too much, as it blasted me back harshly. I slid on the ground, losing my balance. The man took a few steps, eying me as if to finish me off… but instead he sighed.
“Now why would you want to make me angry, Sifo?” he then asked, kneeling down to press his finger’s to my head, I cringed instantly, feeling him try warp himself into my mind. I resisted, refusing to allow him in… and it seemed to be working. Silas scowled.
“Don’t make this difficult.” Then I breathed.
“You’re only making this harder for you.”
“…What?” It was then he noticed something, from the back of my desk… a beeping device attached to it, a flashing red light, “I pressed that,” I breathed, “The moment you entered this room… expected it to be the Nishi brat… but you’re a better replacement.”
“To who?”
“Who do you think?” I then asked, it was then that Silas stood up from me, seeing something… something flying up in the air… a compact plane, with a massive propeller on top…
It was known as a helicopter, a creation made by Varrick and Future Industries… it was really new though, I had no idea how Maya managed to get one, but I was impressed. Silas stared at me, surprised.
This was all a trick, to capture him… something I could sell to Abhik as the White Lotus following Silas, which it technically was.

The man eyed me with an angry look, when suddenly the doors opened. I glanced to the side, seeing someone entering the room… two persons. Aria, and a person dressed kinda like Silas, hands stretched in what looked to be a firebending position.
“Stand down, both of you!” the stranger demanded, I then noticed the muffled voice sounded slightly familiar.
“Or what?” Silas then asked, turning more towards the stranger… who quickly scowled. Immediately the firebender shot forward with a blast of flames, instantly Silas evaded the blast, drawing it forward. The stranger quickly took cover by my desk… this person was quick, it was impressive. I quickly scrambled off the ground, away from the window. The firebender shot more flames in Silas’s direction, which he evaded, before immediately kicking down harshly, an impulse of flames shot out from the ground, pushing the person back… the glass of the window cracked. Aria eyed this, confused… before immediately shooting a rock directly towards Silas. Instead he evaded, and the rock hit the stranger, blowing them out the window in a spectacular fashion… I scowled quickly at that…
“I just got that window finished…” I muttered, confused on the stranger.

ARIA POV

Who the hell was that? I immediately felt terrible, shooting that stranger out the window… I had no idea what was going on, and frankly I was confused out of my depth.
The helicopter outside seemed hell bent on Silas… so I presumed it was the White Lotus. It was then Silas sighed.
“Oh… too bad.” He eyed me, “Still… surprised to see you’re still here.” I scowled at that, before immediately shooting more rock in his direction, the firebender sidestepped the rocks, while Sifo got back up, shooting more slabs of water towards him. We were working together now as the stranger continued avoiding our blows. It was then he shook, and immediately fired a blast of flames, Sifo fell back, near the window weakly… I continued shooting more streams of rock towards the man, tearing up Sifo’s office like mad.
Silas didn’t seem that interested in fighting me, as he quickly drew closer, evading my blows and then finally kicking down one of my legs.
“You don’t understand.” He scowled, “But… this will make you see.” He then uttered, placing his finger on my forehead… instantly my body convulsed as images shot into my mind.
They were so fast, so sudden, I had no idea what the hell was going on… it was a variety of colors, and then I began to realize these were places… among them was a strange swamp… a twisted tree, and a… some sort of face, it looked painted.
“Hello… Aria.” Its voice shot into my head again. Finally the images stopped, as I shook, with Silas standing over me.
“You were touched by Keshon Arteoh… to see what you’ve seen…” he muttered, standing up from me. I remained at the ground, shaking…
“Why am I alive?” I slowly asked… if he knew that, then…
“I wish I could answer that, truly.” He sighed, “Perhaps you will find your answer in what I have shared.” I raised an eyebrow, confused.
“Enough!” a voice then yelled. All three of us turned back, to see someone floating in the air… I then realized it was air currents… flowing around this person. The scarf that had obscured her face was resting on her neck… she had a water tribe complexion, with bright blue eyes, her hair was brown.

We all eyed this surprised… when Silas then sighed.
“Great… the Avatar’s here.” I turned at that, surprised… and then I realized it made sense… this did look like Avatar Korra after all.
The avatar scowled, eying Silas, who looked to her.
“You’re wasting your time here, this doesn’t concern you.”
“Stand down.”
“Or what?” Silas then asked, causing the Avatar to quick quake, before her eyes lit straight up, signifying the avatar state.
“Holy shit…” I muttered, “They really do glow.” Sifo sighed.
“I did not expect this.” It was then that the Avatar shot her hands forward, a blast of wind went straight towards Silas, who was quick to try and evade, only getting blasted back… he scowled.

SILAS POV

Obviously I was outclassed here… I had no idea why the Avatar was here, and regardless… I couldn’t allow myself to get caught my her… the last thing I needed was that kind of publicity… plus it’d be bad for Abhik, though it likely would mean that Sifo would be caught.
But then again… if the White Lotus caught me… there was a chance I’d find more pages of that damn journal, and figure out what the hell Maya and her ilk were planning… I glanced to the side, eying Sifo… obviously this wouldn’t be held against him by Abhik, he’s built up enough of an alibi with what I expect to be white lotus forces in the city fighting.
“Until next time, Sifo.” I breathed, right as the Avatar was about to shoot more wind into the space, I made it to the window, jumping outwards. Cold air slapped at my face as I began to fall… it was then I found this kinda ridiculous.
Avatar Korra turned instantly, surprised by my suicidal tendencies. She followed swiftly, trying to slow my descent, when I avoided, glancing up to see the helicopter coming our way. I then eyed the Avatar, who scowled, eying me.
Oh I could just imagine all the questions she had, the absolute confusion of what was going on.
The avatar eyed me with a look of confusion. She was about to grab for me, when I quickly lashed out a hand of fire. Pushing her back, it was then I noticed the avatar pulling upwards, looking down I could see a massive river of water, and it was rising up… she was trying to incapacitate me… but not kill.
Her predecessor obviously left his mark on her.
“I’m sorry Avatar,” I breathed, “But I can’t afford for you to get in my way.” She eyed me, confused… when quickly I closed the distance between us and immediately pressed my finger to her temple, causing her eyes to widen in pain.
“Agh!” she screamed, not even knowing what was happening. The glow disappeared from her eyes, as I removed my finger. The water she was raising up began to slow, before stopping… it began to pile back down… I noticed it would be a safe drop for her, it was water afterall.
I knew worst things that didn’t kill her.
It was then I glanced up, seeing the helicopter.
Honestly I could land in the water… but knowing them, they had people prepared to fight and take me… I couldn’t risk any of this. I kicked with my feet, slowing my descent as the White lotus plane made it to me… completely confused, but in the mood to catch me regardless. A door opened and suddenly a hand caught mine, pulling me in.
I hit the ground of the plane hard as it steered upwards, breathing harshly. An old man was looking over me, with a grin on his face.
“Never thought I’d see a hostage who wanted to be captured.” I eyed him, “You must be Silas.”
“Expecting someone else.”
“Yeah, a teenage girl that we could have used for leverage… but this is better… Kovu Oren.”
“My… Sonya mentioned you,” I muttered… I was surprised how calm this conversation was.
“So why let yourself get caught?”
“Do I need a reason?” I muttered, “Honestly… I think it’s time I meet this Maya.”
“I bet she’ll love to meet you.” The old man smiled, turning away to the pilot “Let’s go home.”
I slowly felt myself drifting off to sleep.

KORRA POV

Who the hell was that guy? I felt like my entire mind was shaking… As I glanced up, seeing him being taken in by the helicopter, I scowled immensely. I needed information on what was going on. Maybe I could see that Sifo guy again, but there was a chance he was long gone. The helicopter disappeared from view, as I blinked slowly, before turning my gaze… I then noticed a pool of water… I was freezing… it felt so cold. Immediately my hands went into a strumming motion, the water rose up to quickly catch me, slowing my fall. I hit it hard still, shaking weakly… it was so cold.
I felt… tired, my eyes were growing heavy… what did that guy do to me?
As I drifted, I felt a hand quickly pull at mine, pulling me out of the water.

ARIA POV

I breathed slowly, looking out to see that helicopter flying off… I scowled.
“What the… hell?” I muttered, while Sifo sighed.
“Silas would rather be captured by the White Lotus than by us… how totally expected.” I turned.
“But aren’t you white lotus?” I didn’t know for a fact, but because this was obviously a trap.
“Technically…” the man sighed. “It’s complicated, okay? What was that stuff about Keshow something?”
“Oh um… that’s complicated.” I sighed, kinda tired, my head hurt. Sifo nodded, before finding himself laughing, if a little.
“What’s so funny?
“I just… I’m beat.” He groaned, standing up, “Been a while since I’ve been in an actual fight.” He turned more towards me, “So you heard everything?”
“More or less… more than Korra did.”
“so that was the Avatar…” the man muttered, “I met her briefly, after Unaloq’s fall… she took on this Hoondun guy, she didn’t seem to care to meet any of us, more interested in getting back to her probending game.” I noticed a hint of dislike over that. “It looks like she’s actually grown up now.” I sighed.
“So… about this stuff about Ryuu… and Shiro, and that Silas guy.” Sifo breathed slowly at that. He looked out into the room, before sighing.
“I need to get my office fixed.” I raised an eyebrow. “how about you help me repair this room you tore up, and I’ll tell you everything.” I stared at him, “Could you come in tomorrow?”
“Um… sure.” I had no idea how to take in any of what happened.
“And just… keep this to yourself, I can’t risk anyone knowing what’s”-
“I understand,” I replied, “I have secrets too.” The man nodded. Right as that was said, two people approached the room from the hallway, entering. I heard panting, and looking to see it was Mika and Serena, both looked extremely tired…
They took the stairs, didn’t they?
“What hapenned?” Serena asked, “The room looks terrible.” I had no idea how to explain what hapenned, when Sifo sighed.
“Oh, um… some nutjob came in on my conversation, tore up the office with earthbending and then jumped out the window.”
“What about your guest?”
“Oh he was long gone.”  Sifo lied, I quickly nodded.
“Yeah, that’s totally what happened.” I then sighed, “I came here to see what the commotion was all about.” I lied… sorta. “Sorry if any of you were worrie-” Right as I said that, Mika quickly closed in and wrapped her arms around my stomach, panting.
“I was so worried.” I sighed, smiling.
“It’s okay… I’m fine.” I pulled back, smiling, “So you ran up nineteen flights of stairs to reach me?” Mika nodded, “I’m impressed.”

MEANWHILE
KIMI POV

Seeing Hound closely was an odd feeling, because he looked like Ryuu, it gave me an eerie feeling of de-ja-vu.
He had the customary amber eyes of a firebender, his hair was a slick shade of black, pulled back and shorter. All personality I had noticed from the person who spoke out before was gone. Seeing him up close… it scared me.
“Very good work, Hound.” Hound nodded, “I’m very satisfied.”
“Thank you sir.” Hearing his voice… even it was devoid of personality.
Was this really Shiro Yamazaki? Part of me wondered if it was actually Ryuu… but I knew better than that.
My brother eyed me, with a smile.
“You’re free to ask him questions, just nothing too personal.” I breathed slowly, eying him.
“What’s your name?”
“Shiro Yamazaki,” he replied, “Son of Kal and Azumi Yamazaki, firebender.”
It sounded so mechanical.
When did you join the strikers?”
“About a year ago, with my twin brother, Ryuu… now a traitor.”
He sounded as if he honestly believed that… that whatever reality Silas created was the only one he had ever known.
“What did your brother do… to make himself a traitor.”
“First he failed the strikers in the Shen Jing desert by allying with the Chun tribe people and their lost monarch... and failing to acquire the resource. And then he spoke out against General Abhik Nishi…”
“Abd what about his injury?”
“What injury?” Hound then asked, causing me to sigh, while Abhik scowled.
“Nevermind that.” He turned more towards me, “How about Hound show you some more skills he acquired since his enlistment in the purist strikers.” Obviously a front, Abhik couldn’t talk about what they did to him.
Abhik quickly moved me aside, giving Hound space, quickly shifted his hands in a flowing movement, not unlike how his brother moves… and then suddenly I saw a flash of light forming from the tip of his hands, he bent it around him before quickly aiming it forward, towards a pole.
Instantly lightening discharged, crackling out from his hands into the metal pole, being absorbed and taken in… my eyes widened at the sight of this.
It was even stronger than Ryuu’s lightening… just the sheer volume of the currents… I had no idea what to think.
“He also well adverse in many firebending techniques… he could take on Dragon and maybe win.” Abhik smiled, Hound looked down.
“I would not wish harm on Colonel Akiko, but if you demanded”-
“I don’t, but thank you.” Abhik found himself laughing, but I stared in horror.
“I think I’ve seen enough.” Abhik nodded.
“Fair enough, we’ll let you continue your practice.” Abhik’s hand drew to my back, pulling me out. We exited the room quickly, as I watched more fighters entering the room, all in practice gear…
I felt bad for them, they didn’t have a chance.
The door was closed, and I turned towards my brother, in horror.
“So he doesn’t remember… what’s happened, during the past year?”
“No, it’s impressive isn’t it…” Abhik smiled, “With him we didn’t have to change too much… just embellish certain racial parts of his childhood, create a dislike for the other twin… it’s amazing what Silas’s ability has done for us.” I couldn’t believe this… this was insane.
“Though for others, it might require more work to be done, creating a new personality from scratch might be difficult, but”-
“What?” I immediately asked, “You want to make more?”
“Why not?” Abhik then asked, “We’ve never had an Agent as loyal and effective as Hound… to create sheer power from a change in memory… This could be just the edge we need, to defeat the white lotus, to save this country.”
“By… taking away from these people who they are?” I asked, slowly, “It just seems… dark.”
“I understand your misgivings,” Abhik sighed, “But dark times call for extreme measures…” he smiled, patting me on the side, “I’m sure our mother would be surprised by this too… but she’d understand.”
“So you’re going to do this to others… then.”
“So far, it seems like that.” Abhik smiled.
“Can I ask… who would be a candidate?”
“Well you don’t have to worry about yourself, you’re a fine”-
“I don’t mean myself.” Abhik breathed slowly, nodding. The man looked away.
“Well, Subject XVI for one… Silas had misgivings for changing her, so he only wiped her memory… but now that we’ve seen it works… if we could change her into something we can use… than that could make an incredible difference.” I had no idea why that Kara girl was so important… but Silas wiped her memory? Was she that much of a threat?
“Anyone else?”
“I suppose some with failings in faith.”
“…” I was going to name of someone I knew would be on that list, “Like Connor?”
“Yes… like Connor.” Abhik replied, looking away. “I’ll need to make sure this won’t affect his ability… but honestly I believe it’s time Ghost becomes what he was meant to be.” Abhik smiled, “A true patriot for our cause.” I turned my gaze back to the window, watching as Hound continued to fight, like a caged animal.
It was then… that Abhik truly began to terrify me.
Maybe that’s why Naava left.

I turned my gaze to the side, seeing Nikta enter the room, going straight to Abhik.
“Sir, um… something’s come up.” Abhik raised an eyebrow, before sighing.
“Fine, but I need Silas to come back to discuss”-
“I’m gonna stop you there, sir…” Nikta sighed, “Something happened that we can’t explain.” Abhik’s eyes widened, confused.

MEANWHILE
KARA POV

I looked to see Connor quick to evading the blow of one of these ‘white lotus’ soldiers… it was so strange.
We had finished our mission, and then we saw these guys attacking… I realized they were the same people who tried to abduct me before, but I honestly don’t know that much.
I swiftly jumped back, shooting my palms down into the ground. Snow rose up to immediately grip one of the enemy soldiers, and throw them back. After what felt like an eternity… they were taken out.
Connor breathed slowly, tired from the fighting. I scowled, eying him.
“This wasn’t part of the mission.”
“I know.” He sighed, “Let’s just get back.” He sighed, I nodded.
Connor seemed much better than he was a few days ago, though he did seem somewhat distraught… I’ll admit I was as well. Sonya was teaching me waterbending… and I felt like I knew her, or something… she was so familiar, and yet different. It was odd, how she was being nice to me, all of a sudden.
I kept walking, with Connor eying me.
“Kara…” he sighed.
“What?”
“About Hachiro”-
“You don’t need to say anything,” I sighed, “It was either us… or him… Nikta explained it to me.”
“I see…”
“I just,” I looked away, “If I knew what was going to happen… I have no clue if I did the right thing.”
“…”
“If I didn’t do anything… you would have been caught, Hachiro was caught because I brought him.”
“It’s a difficult decision, I know.” He sighed, I scowled. “Look on the bright side, when we get home… you’ll get to see Casi.”
“Right…” I slowly smiled. When we finally reached the entrance of the base, we both looked out to see if we were followed (as per protocol) and then entered, giving them a password. Right as we entered, a blonde girl stepped out of the building, she seemed bothered.
“Kimi?” Connor muttered, she turned.
“Oh, Connor… I…” she muttered, eying him, looking at me, before quickly leaving, “I gotta go.” And like that, she hurried away, and I had no idea what was wrong. Connor simply sighed, nudging me to enter with him. As we did so, we heard some guys groaning.
“What the hell was all that fighting about?” one guy muttered.
“I don’t know… honestly I’m kinda disappointed I didn’t get to see Hound in action.”
“I know, right?” Connor raised an eyebrow.
“Hound?” They quickly turned.
“Oh it’s nothing, Ghost… just some small talk.” One smiled.
I wasn’t too sure about that.

JOSA POV

I found myself sitting in the lobby of Rham’s apartments, sitting there silently. Mika and Aria had came back with some crazy story about a nutjob that jumped out Sifo’s window. Then there was Aimee talking about Naava’s letter that told us all to leave, and finally there was Dai who almost got swindled on groceries. So I just found myself sitting here, taking it all in. Rham meanwhile was standing at his booth, on the phone.
“Hello? Yes, this is Rham Or… what? Really… he calls me?” I turned at that, Rham quickly lowered the phone, looking to me “You won’t believe this, they found Hachiro.”
“What?” I asked, surprised.
“No joke, he’s being held in jail…”
“Sounds like him…” Oddly enough, this improved my mood substantially.  “So when can we get him?”
“I suppose tomorrow, it’s kinda late.” The man shrugged. I nodded… the police station didn’t sound like anything fun to go to.
Well that’s one friend found… all we needed to find was Shiro and Casimiro. It was then I heard something from the door, it opened slightly, from there I saw a blonde girl peeking out of it, looking to me.
“Kimi.” I smiled, standing up, while Kimi entered the room, Rham sighed, before turning.
“I’ll let you have some space.” He groaned, exiting the room, I raised an eyebrow at that.
“Something up with him or”-
“It’s so good to see you.” Kimi replied, eying me, I swallowed slightly. The look in her eyes… she seemed distraught over something.
“Is something the matter?” I asked, Kimi sighed.
“I um… well…” she looked away with a frown, before sighing. “Just some… personal stuff.” She sighed, I nodded.
“Well, did you find my friend?” She sighed at that.
“Well, um…” the girl tried her hardest not to look at me… before failing, and looking me right in the eyes… she slowly smiled, “Yeah, I did… we do have him.” I immediately grinned.
“That’s… that’s GREAT.” I immediately shot my hands around her, smiling, “Thank you.”
“You might not want to start thanking me… just yet.” She sighed, I eyed her, “He’s a prisoner… and I can’t do much for him.”
“Oh, well…” I shrugged, “Well it’s just good… knowing he’s okay.” Kimi looked away as I said okay, I was too happy to really notice. “I guess this means Aimee was right.”
“I guess…” Kimi looked away. I smiled at that,
“Thank you so much… Kimi.”
“It’s no problem, and hey, you… I owed you”- Right as she said that, I lowered my neck and quietly kissed her, she paused immediately, blushing… before kissing back. “Josa?” she finally asked, when we stopped.
“Yeah?”
“…Thank you.”

MEANWHILE
KORRA POV

For a while… nothing hapenned… it was so silent. I had no idea where I was, and I was too tired to think on anything. And then… I finally found myself waking up, in what appeared to be a sort of run down abandoned apartment…
I noticed a blanket was covering me, and that the coat I was wearing was missing… whoever fished me out the water was obviously trying to help… I sighed.
Great… I just got here, and I had no idea what was going on… and it seemed like that firebender guy knew it all too well. I nudged towards my head, feeling my hair was dry… that was good. Atleast I didn’t feel sopping wet, though I did feel cold. I tried to nudge closer to the fire, sighing.
This city… something was wrong with it, I just knew. I figured I could learn more by seeing Werrick, but I honestly didn’t know where to start… apart from what that boy in the desert told me.

’Just get there… and he’ll come to you.’
‘Who is he?’
‘You’ll see… funny, he told me to send backup… didn’t think I’d end up sending you.’

Ronin’s information led me to a burnt down bar in a village called Avory, there worked a young crippled teen by the name of Jack, apparently Koza Kalros was a friend of his father’s… he led me here, saying that he had a friend who was involved in this crap… who had been through hell in the Shen Jing.
I remained by the fire, eying it again. I felt my eyes twitch once more, sighing.
“Green fire… I’ve heard of blue, but… green?” it just seemed so unreal… my teacher never spent much time talking about changing color… in fact what he did say was that the color of fire if changed, can sometimes reflect a change in a person’s personality… like something hapenned in that man’s life that made his bending green.
“I see you’re up.” A voice muttered, I turned from the fire, seeing someone walk sluggishly, he wore a worn black coat, looks like he might have stolen it.
“Who are you?”
“Funny…” the guy muttered, “Never thought I’d meet someone who didn’t know who I was.” The way he moved… I realized he had suffered a wound earlier… this guy’s face was mostly covered up by goggles, but looking closer, I noticed something… he had black hair. “I guess that’s the thing with meeting famous people.” I blinked, sighing.
“So you know who I am.”
“Of course I know who you are.” He sighed, condescending, “Everyone in the damn world knows who Avatar Korra is…” This was something that annoyed me deeply… people who didn’t answer my questions.
“Look pal, if”-
“Relax, I don’t mean to offend.” He sighed, pulling his goggles off, I noticed his eyes then, they gleamed orange.
He looked a lot like the guy I was just fighting, except younger… he also reminded me of the rogue I chased at that warehouse attack.
“My name’s Ryuu Yamazaki, Avatar Korra,” he breathed, “You… can call me Wolf.”

MEANWHILE
MAYA POV

“The Avatar?” I found myself asking, “What is she doing in this city?”
“My best guess…” Oren muttered, “Trying to figure out what the hell’s going on.” I rolled her eyes at that.
“Cute… probably looking to get involved again.” Ventin Beck remained sitting in his seat, I turned, “Are you happy, it was a complete success…”
“I’m never happy.” He sighed, “If this was the Avatar… don’t we have a duty to serve her?”
“No we do not.” I replied then, “The other branches CHOOSE to serve her, we chose not to, there’s a distinction.”
“What about the grand council?” Akem then asked, “Don’t they get a choice in who we serve?”
“No, they do not… and if they did, they’d get a whole lot of Beck lying, saying that we obey them fine.” Beck crossed his arms.
“Right, because we did just great with that Combustion Bender.” I turned, eying him.
“To be honest, yes we did… I had no interesting in keeping her, and honestly I had been trying to lower the guard count for years,” I did not care in the least about what Zaheer and his group had done… later to learn they were anarchists made me angry, but I didn’t care too much, considering they were stopped, and we had captured much more difficult prey. “Still though,” I replied, eying Oren, “Nice job.”
“Don’t thank me… guy wanted to come.” Akem shrugged.
“Well it was either go with us and figure out our ‘master plan’ or go with the avatar and get nothing but stupid publicity.”
“True.” I replied, “So he’s in his cell then?”
“Yeah, his hands are bound together, and the room cannot be burnt, no matter how hard he goes.” I smiled.
“I intend to see him try his hardest…” I then stood up, sighing, “I’d like to see him.” Oren smirked.
“Aren’t you excited?”
“A little bit, he might know something.”
“He probably knows everything,” Beck replied, “Doubt he’ll tell you squat.” I sighed.
“Maybe.” It was then I exited the room, the other admins remained seated as I stepped into the cell we had set up in the nearby room, guards stood in front of it.
I entered the cell, finding it to be a very gray room. A man casually sat in it, hands held behind his back. He was now in a gray prison uniform, much like what we had given Sonya. He smiled, eying me.
“You must be the great Maya Alrick… can’t say I’m a fan.” I breathed slowly, “Gotta say, you aged well.”
“You’re too kind, Mr. Akiko.” I replied, while Silas seemed more enamored with his cell than anything else. “But I doubt you let yourself get captured just to flirt.”
“You’d be surprised what I’d do to flirt with women…” he joked, “but… you are a bit true… who would have thought you’d imprison me in Alpha, right where you put that sweet girl.”
“So then you’re the one that wiped our conduit’s memory.”
“Conduit?”
“Another term for what you are, an Oracle.”
“Right,” Silas smiled, “People that serve as a bridge between the spirit and human realms that aren’t Avatars…”
‘Yes.” I breathed,
“I had a feeling that girl was one of them… not the strongest conduit, but I suppose her bloodbending makes up for it.”
“I would say so.”
“And you need her bloodbending in order to fulfill your plan.”
“I’d say that as well.”
“Would you also say you require her to be a conduit?”
“I can’t answer that,” I found myself smiling, “It’s not that easy, and you know it.”
“True, had to try.” I found myself irritated by this persona he was pushing, seemed rather happy-go-lucky.
It was all a front, to make us believe he was a fool… something I knew he wasn’t, knowing Sifo Werrick.
“But… since I’ve told you so much about our plan… how about you exchange your information, and tell me of your plan.”
“Which plan… the one I have, or the one Abhik has?”
“They aren’t the same plan?”
“Of course not.” Silas smiled, “so which would you like to hear about?”
“Honestly, your plan… but I feel Abhik’s would be more necessary to my situation.”
“And true you are.” He grinned, “Doesn’t mean I’m going to tell you.” I then smiled.
“Good. Then this is going to be fun…"
Why's that?"
"Because torture is hard but fulfilling work.” And then... his smile weakened.