Scar Tissue ━━ Mako ²

𝟭𝟲. the perfect storm

    Cloud didn't have a reason, but she suddenly thought about it. Like, imagine an old group of criminals wanting to get rid of you ever since you were born. How cruel is that? Korra barely even knew about their existence, and they had been wanting to kill her ever since.

    She had no idea how Korra could be so at ease and determined to find the fugitives who wanted her dead. It might sound insane, but that's what Zaheer's group wanted, and he'd do anything to succeed, even if it meant taking down everyone and everything in his path. He was a dangerous man blessed with a powerful ability.

     "Look, he must've escaped through there," Korra exclaimed, seeing a small opening nearly covered by debris. "Help me clear it out!"

     Cloud stood back with Mako on her side since they couldn't do much of help while Bolin and Korra started digging the debris out with earthbending to reveal a tunnel entrance. Lin and Suyin suddenly ran into the room, both looking like they'd just run a marathon. They looked appalled at the destruction but were relieved to see them all right. 

    "What happened? We heard an explosion."

    "Where's Aiwei?

    "Your trusted adviser is the one who betrayed us," Korra said furiously. "He was lying about the guard."

    "What? No!" Suyin said, her eyes wide in disbelief.

    Korra pointed at the tunnel behind them. "We confronted him and he bolted through here." 

     Lin stepped forward and used her seismic sense on the tunnel. "He must have collapsed the tunnel behind him."

    "And he rigged an explosion to destroy any evidence that might have been here."

    "This is where Zaheer got in and out. Aiwei was the traitor."

     A saddened look flashed upon Suyin's face. "I... trusted him."

     "I'm sorry, Su," Cloud sighed, sending her an apologetic glance.

    "Is everyone okay?" A certain guard ran into the room, the metal armor she wore clanking together. Kuvira glanced at each of them, assessing the damage altogether.

     "Aiwei is a fugitive. Get all available guards to search the mountainside, and find out where this tunnel exits immediately!" Lin ordered, and Kuvira quickly obeyed, running out of the room as the chief of police walked towards her little sister to comfort her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

    The group waited in Suyin's office, some of them were sitting on the couch while some remained standing with their arms crossed over their chest, anticipating the worst. Cloud, however, was not a big fan of waiting, and all she wanted to do was chase after that man who was working under Zaheer the whole time they were there. 

    Cloud never liked two-faced people. She had enough of those ever since she came back to Republic City. Suddenly, Kuvira ran into the room, bearing news. Hopefully good ones.

     "What did you find?" Lin queried.

    "We located the end of the tunnel, but there's no sign of him. Just some fresh tire tracks."

    Mako pushed himself up from a cabinet as he was leaning over it earlier from behind the couch where the Beifong sisters sat across the four of his friends. He scoffed. "He had an escape plan all ready to go."

     "I trusted him with my life," Suyin muttered as she leaned over her knees, a conflicted expression on her face. "I thought we were family, but it was all a lie."

    "Whoever these guys are, they're more powerful than we thought, and more dangerous."

    "That's why we have to find them. We're going to hold off our search for airbenders and hunt down Aiwei. Naga can track his scent."

    "And I bet if we find Aiwei, we'll find Zaheer," Asami added, and Cloud nodded in agreement. 

    However, Lin didn't seem to like the idea of them hunting for the man who could possibly lead them to Zaheer. There were too many possible risks. It was basically like giving themselves up as bait. Cloud wasn't too keen on the idea, but it was better than nothing. Besides, Cloud believed in her friends. 

    "No! We're not hunting this group. There could be other secret agents in other parts of the world looking for you right now! I'm taking you back to Republic City, where I can protect you."

    "If I wasn't safe here, then I'm not safe anywhere. I have to stop them!"

     Their loud argument went back and forth until Suyin decided to agree with her stubborn sister. Korra rather took it better than Cloud expected, but at least the yelling was over. She wasn't exactly a fan of loud noises. Back in the apartment where the team was staying, a knock was heard on the door, and when Korra opened it, Suyin was standing outside their apartment, a newly determined look on her face.

    The woman ended up letting them leave her city to find her former trusted advisor, giving them keys and a vehicle to drive. Cloud had a feeling earlier that it was all an act so Lin would believe the scheme, therefore giving them enough time to go out without being noticed by the grouchy woman. No one wanted to see Lin angry again, so they left as quietly as they could.

    Cloud only hoped they were doing the right thing.