An Echo of Legends: An ATLA Mystery Story (on hiatus)

Chapter 12: Tenzin

The door to the secret room in Kwong's cuisine burst open as Toph, Suki, and Sokka swarmed inside. The other officers were checking the rest of the restaurant. The room was empty. There was a table and chairs, one of which was knocked over, and a flickering light that was covered with moths. Toph planted her bare foot on the ground and concentrated on the vibrations of the room, every nook and cranny of the place becoming clear to her. 

"No one's here," she said finally, "But there's a door in the far corner." Sokka and Suki walked over to it, and threw it open, revealing a hallway.

"It leads out to the dumpsters, behind the restaurant, but it's no use," Toph sighed, "They're already gone." 

"I think I have an idea of what's going on here," Sokka said, "Kya said that Aang did something to anger these people, and they obviously know their way around the restaurant. They may even have an in with the owners."

"So?" Toph said. 

"So, who else do we know that was affected by Aang, and often frequented Kwong's Cuisine?" Sokka said. Recognition dawned on Toph's face. 

"Yakone," she muttered, "Aang took his bending only a few years ago. Without his influence, his entire criminal empire crumbled. These people could've been remainders of that empire."

"But according to Kya, whoever they are, they still got hired for a job of some kind," Suki said, "So there are two groups behind this."

"At least it's something," Sokka said, "We'll find them all in time, but for now, let's focus on the leads that we have."

~~~

It had been three days since the night at Kwong's cuisine, and Tenzin, Lin, Su, and Kya were sitting in the apartment. The adults were busy, with Sokka and Suki testing some of the explosive substances that were found on air temple island, and Toph busy with police work. Ty Lee had returned as well, but she was helping to fix up the island, so they were on their own.

Tenzin was playing Paisho with Lin, but his mind was on Yakone. Sokka had told him what he suspected, that the people who attacked their home had been resentful of how Aang took away Yakone's bending. His bloodbending. Tenzin shivered. 

"There," Lin said, "I win." Tenzin sighed. He needed to focus.

"Let's play again," he said. Lin shrugged. 

"Ugh," Kya said. She was sitting on a chair, eating noodles, while Su was spinning around and around again, staring at the ceiling, "You two have got to be the most boring people I've ever met. I miss Bumi." So did Tenzin. He wondered why Ty Lee had returned, when, supposedly, Bumi and Izumi were still on Ember Island. It didn't make any sense. But if Tenzin dwelled on that for too long, he wouldn't be able to think of anything, or do anything else. Once, Bumi had told him a story about Koh the face stealer. Tenzin hadn't been able to sleep for weeks, and he stopped meditating for almost a year after, afraid that he would accidentally end up in the spirit world, Koh's domain. Bumi had finally told him it was just a story, that it wasn't real. Tenzin hoped that was the case. 

There was a loud thunk as Su plopped to the ground and started sniffling. Kya started soothing her.

"There's some papaya juice in the kitchen," she said, "Let's go get you some." Sometimes Tenzin forgot that Kya was a deeply caring person. 

"Tenzin?"

"Yeah?"

"I win again."

"Oh," Tenzin said, "Sorry, I'm distracted."

"I can tell," Lin replied, chewing on her lip, "Is it about Bumi, or the whole investigation."

Tenzin contemplated before saying, "Both." Lin shrugged.