Sudden Events
It’s fair to say that the radio call that Tonraq received from the Air Temple from Tenzin rattled him. When he had told Senna, she was in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that their daughter, so brash and headstrong would ever do anything like this. This was hard on them. Korra was their daughter and they cared for her, but this was all so unexpected. They were blindsided just like everyone else.
Tonraq had made arrangements to head to Republic City. He was going to find his daughter and bring her back. He and Senna knew she was out there somewhere but where was the question. He wouldn’t come back without her.
The journey to Republic City wasn’t too long. He and Senna had arrived in a few days.
When their boat had docked and they made their way down they were greeted by Ikki, Meelo and Jinora who looked happy to see them but also a little sad. Tenzin stood right before them and greeted them. Pleasantries were exchanged and they all made their way to the house. They both had wished they had visited under different circumstances, but this is how it was.
Once inside Tonraq and Senna noticed three faces they weren’t familiar with. They knew Kya, Pema, Lin and everyone else except for these three who looked downcast, but they could easily relate to that as well.
Mako, Bolin and Asami were sat at the table with everyone when two people who looked like Korra walked in. Tenzin had introduced them as Korra’s parents and Asami’s gaze had snapped up from the table and to them.
Tonraq was a tall and burly man with sharp features while Senna next to him was smaller and had softer features. Korra was almost a spitting image of her father sharing the same physical features such as her broad shoulders and muscular build, but she noticed exactly where she had gotten her eyes from. Korra had Senna’s big eyes and almost the same shade of blue but hers were brighter.
They were kind to them in their greeting and sat down, Tonraq getting straight to business.
“Please, tell me what happened with Korra.”
When Tenzin had radioed him, he didn’t go over the details of what happened but of just that it was an emergency that Korra had left.
Tenzin didn’t necessarily know where to start but neither did anyone else for that matter. How could they tell them that their daughter had, from their eyes, turned her back on them or basically humanity. It was quiet for a few moments until it was Asami who broke the silence.
“Everything was actually fine till a couple of days ago, so really it was shocking to all of us.” Asami sounded so broken. Being in front of her parents just reminded her even more of Korra.
Tenzin taking the lead, “We were having a dinner Saturday night when suddenly a white lotus guard came crashing thru the roof...” Finally finding his voice, he explained everything that happened to Tonraq and Senna who sat there digesting everything that was said. Everyone at the table had relieved that night once again in their minds. The kids and Pema hearing it once again and the kids who were usually happy and full of energy were the opposite but one thing that kids had was hope.
Tonraq took a deep breath before speaking. “Korra is brash and hotheaded just like me and I understand her the most because of our similar natures. A lot of the things she does is with reason, but I can’t think of any reason she’d do this.”
Senna’s soft sweet voice then filled the room, “And you said things were fine before the dinner?”
Everyone’s heads had nodded but Asami had remembered the one night where her and Korra had that conversation at the pavilion. She figured that maybe it would shed some newfound light on this situation.
“Me and Korra had a conversation under the pavilion one night,” Tonraq and Senna’s eyes had shifted towards Asami along with everyone else. “She brought up that she had felt empty and that she still hated humans with us being the exception and then something about maintaining balance…” Asami suddenly felt a flood of guilt wash over her. She wondered if the words she spoke then influenced Korra’s decisions or if it was all a lie. “I’m not really sure what to believe right now though.” What lingered in the back of her mind was that Korra had asked her if she trusted her and she had said yes. She wondered if Korra meant something more behind that question.
Tonraq mulled this over before speaking. “If it’s one thing we regret is agreeing that she would be safer at the compound. Sometimes when Senna and I would visit we picked up on the looks that the white lotus sent her way so I can’t put that against her.” He chuckled a bit before looking melancholy. “I still can’t understand why she left but I swear I will get my daughter back; we will save her.”
Senna had clutched onto his burly arm and sighed sadly.
Mako then spoke. “So, you’re saying that there’s a reason to her being a traitor to all of us after she ran away with another demon?”
The word traitor sounded so bitter to Asami’s ears, something she didn’t want to believe nor seemed to be fitting to Korra.
“I’m saying there has to be a reason to her actions.” His response back to Mako was gruff which made Mako zip his mouth but Mako just couldn’t process Korra’s actions. They were friends he thought, they had all shared laughs and smiles, they teased one another and enjoyed in each other’s company. There was never a dull moment when they were altogether so of course nothing made sense to him or even Bolin who is always so vocal but was now quiet.
Asami was now spending more time at the office and less time at her home. She was mulling the last three weeks over and over in her head and even at the table with everyone she was still doing that. There was nobody to pull her out of the office so she didn’t overwork herself, but she stayed so late hoping that maybe Korra would just stroll in and drag her out from her desk like always. But of course, it didn’t happen.
At this point everybody wanted to save Korra, she had become someone important to all of them. Unbeknownst to them, somebody was about to help them.
Tamayo and Yushiro had received Korra’s first letter.
Dear Lady Tamayo,
It’s been done. As of late, Muzan has been keeping a low profile. There will soon be a stronger presence of demons in the city, so I hope you and Yushiro have relocated. If you’re still working at the hospital, please keep an eye out for Kya.
If you’re wondering how I’m doing, I’m slipping into my role quite easily. I miss everyone but I feel somewhat of belonging here with the upper ranks. Don’t worry, I’m not going back on my word, but I thought I’d be honest with you.
I’ve been looking for the flower which at this point I think has died out but that’s the current objective for us for now. I think the lower ranks may be dismantled soon.
I hope that you and Yushiro are doing well and that my blood has been of help for you. I’ll write soon.
K
Tamayo and Yushiro worked together in the research department of the hospital with Tamayo being the new head researcher and Yushiro her assistant. It had already been a couple days since they received Korra’s letter and it was time to get some help.
Tamayo was finishing up her usual reports with Yushiro before they went to formally introduce themselves to Aang’s daughter for the very first time. They took the elevator down to where Kya’s office was located. Once the elevator doors opened, they made their way to Kya’s office whose door was cracked open. Yushiro whispered into Tamayo’s ear, “Do you think you’ll have to use your technique Lady Tamayo?”
“I don’t think it’ll be necessary.” She gave him a soft smile and proceeded to knock on the door opening it a bit afterwards and announcing her presence.
“Kya?”
Kya moved her attention from packing up her things for the night and to her new visitors. She had seen the man next to the woman around when she was in the research department but was always in a rush. She gave them a friendly smile.
“Yes, how can I help you two?”
“We haven’t formally been introduced but I’m the new head researcher, Tamayo,” She offered another kind smile towards Kya and then gestured to her left introducing Yushiro. “This is my assistant Yushiro.” He politely bowed to Kya and offered a quick hello.
A light bulb went off in Kya’s brain once the two introduced themselves. She had been meaning to for a while to introduce herself but was always busy even when she had some work in that part of the hospital.
“It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you both! I’ve been meaning to actually stop by your department, but I’ve been swamped and then I usually leave to my brothers place to check on everyone.”
They both noted the tone of her voice fall at her last words. Korra really must’ve did a number on their hearts but they were here to help.
“Oh, that’s alright! We’re both new to Republic City so we’ve been introducing ourselves to everyone here. It’s hard making friends once moving to a new place.” Tamayo let out a chuckle while Yushiro was hoping Kya was buying this.
“I relate to that, I lived in the Southern Water Tribe for a while before I moved here.” Kya finished packing up her things while remembering that tonight they were having a dinner with everyone at the island since Korra’s parents were here. An idea had struck her then. Things were pretty down at Tenzin’s so they tried holding dinners to keep everyone in high spirits so maybe a fresh face would be nice.
“Say, I’m headed to my brothers for dinner with his family and a close family friend that’s also from the south. Care to join and meet some new people?”
Kya was welcoming and kind just like Aang was. Friendly too. It was as if Tamayo was speaking to him again. She and Yushiro gladly accepted the invitation and walked out of the hospital together and to the docks to get to the island. Once on the ferry, they all made small talk and Kya asked how long they’ve been in Republic City which Tamayo lied and answered for about a month and a half. In reality they’ve been here since it was founded but been here on this earth for much longer.
The ferry docked and they made their way up the stairs and to the house. Kya knowing the door would be unlocked let them all in and guided her guests to the dining room where everyone was it. Approaching the dining room Kya yelled, “Hey everyone, I’ve brought two people from work hope you don’t mind Tenzin!” Walking in Tamayo and Yushiro weren’t expecting one of Korra’s friends to almost launch into an attack.
The krew had switched their attention to the newcomers once they heard Kya’s booming voice and noticed two familiar looking demons. Mako was almost quick to attack until Yushiro jumped in front of Tamayo with his arms spread out protecting her and yelled, “DON’T YOU DARE THINK ABOUT LAYING A HAND ON LADY TAMAYO!”
Bolin had pulled his brother back along with Asami to get him to sit. Tamayo calmly put her hand on Yushiro’s shoulder and warningly called his name, “Yushiro, it’s alright. Please?”
Yushiro backed down and stood to the side next to Lady Tamayo. He was very protective over her and cared for her just as she did for him.
Kya who was standing off to the side, very confused about the situation, “Umm…Tamayo?”
Tamayo bowed to everyone at the table and spoke, “My name is Lady Tamayo, it is an honor to finally meet Aang’s children and your family and the parents of Avatar Korra.” She rose back up and smiled gently to everyone in the room.
Tenzin and Kya bewildered at this announcement. “How did you know my father?” Questioned both of them.
Tamayo noticed that Aang’s other son was not present but proceeded to answer the question but asked if she and Yushiro could sit first. They nodded and made space for them to sit. Now sitting at the table, she resumed. “Yushiro and I were both friends of your fathers. He saw us two demons as friends and we worked together until he passed.” Yushiro continued after her. “We were all very close,” Yushiro proceeded to pull a picture of the three of them from his coat pocket and threw it in the middle of the table. All eyes peering to see it. It was an older Aang with Yushiro and Tamayo next to him who looked like they hadn’t even aged a day.
“Now regarding Korra-“ She was then cut off by Bolin, “Korra told us that she killed you both?”
Yushiro seemed amused from the boys questioning statement. “She did? That’s quite kind of her.” He stifled a laugh before Yushiro gave him a warning look to behave.
Tonraq then shifted his attention to Lady Tamayo. “What happened between you and my daughter?”
“She came with the intention to kill me.” Eyes that weren’t Mako, Bolin or Asami’s were surprised. “I tried to reason with her to help me and Yushiro finish what Aang had failed to do before he had passed.” The room was quiet, everyone was waiting in anticipation for her next words. “It seems to me that she made the opposite choice and decided to officially join Muzan Kibutsuji.” A lie.
Nobody in the room knew of Muzan, not even the ones who were with Korra that night when they attacked. She never explained to them who he was, and she wouldn’t, but Tamayo was about to.
“Aang and us were working on a poison to destroy Muzan Kibutsuji, the creator of all demons. The last time me and Aang spoke, he told me to look out for the next Avatar, but it never occurred to either of us that Muzan would make her one of us.”
“We want to save Korra from that man.” Spoke Yushiro.
“Then I believe we all have the same interests then.” Tonraq said.
Asami was hearing everything. She took it all in but still didn’t want to believe that Korra really left them. She just wondered how it could’ve ended up this way and why it did. But now there was a chance, a chance to save her from the hands of this man and they were all in it together. They all had no idea when they’d see Korra next or if she would even look the same or be the same, but they were now riding on hope because of Tamayo.
Tamayo and Yushiro on the other hand were glad that things had went over quite smoothly. They were not going to let Korra die along with Muzan, that was never an option for Tamayo. They wanted her to live and to be with the ones she loved. No matter the darkness inside her, she knew there was a flame still flickering inside her.
The poison was progressing with no bumps in the road. Their side project on the other hand, the medicine to turn a demon back into a human was surprisingly also heading into the right direction than when they had tried many years ago. Korra’s blood was the solution. Her blood was so interesting when looked under the microscope they couldn’t believe it. If they could describe it, it would be unique.
They had both hoped she was doing okay. They hoped she knew that she belonged her along with everyone.
They spoke more with everyone at the table and were glad that Tenzin’s kids understood and didn’t fear them or Korra being demons. They noticed that they saw Korra as an older sibling and it warmed their hearts. Korra’s friends had even warmed up to the both of them. Korra’s parents was something they weren’t expecting but were glad they met. It would be rude to not meet the Avatars parents. Things had moved smoothly and according to plan. Next on the agenda would be having to teach the ones who were going to help on how to actually defeat demons because bending alone wouldn’t be enough.
They bid their goodbyes to everyone and to Kya who was still very surprised but nonetheless happy that she had others to help them.
Tamayo and Yushiro made their way to the dock and onto the ferry heading back to their new hideout. Looking out across the ocean Yushiro’s kind words floated into the air. “Lady Tamayo, I believe in all of us to make sure Korra comes out of this battle with Muzan alive.”
Lady Tamayo took his hand into hers and softly said, “I do too.”