The Fire Nation's Lily (Wing Beifong x OC)

Book One, Chapter Five: Tricked

"There's a madman running around our beloved city, threatening to tear it apart. We need to create a task force whose sole mission is to find Amon and bring him to justice." Tarrlok said, keeping his eyes trained on Tenzin.

Sayuri was on Tarrlok's left, and she tapped her dark nails against the wooden table as he made his case. What the waterbender said, made sense, and the princess glanced at Councilwoman Ena. Their eyes met and Sayuri nodded her approval to Tarrlok's plan.

Tenzin's voice filled the room and he voiced his opinion on the matter. "Absolutely not. A move that aggressive would further divide benders and non-benders."

"Tarrlok," Councilwoman Ena said, "the Princess and I are inclined to agree with your proposal. But I do have a question; who would lead the task force?"

Tarrlok stood up and bowed. "It would be my honor and privilege to accept such a duty."

The princess noticed Tenzin's sour face and she cleared her throat. "May I make a suggestion, Councilman Tarrlok?"

The Northern Water Tribe representative nodded, and the princess gave him a small smile. "I agree with the need for a task force, but I can't help take Councilman Tenzin's concern to heart. I believe it would be in everyone's best interest if we select someone to infiltrate the Equalists and report their findings. Upon learning that information, we could act appropriately and hopefully not get anyone stuck in the crossfires."

"What an excellent idea, Princess Sayuri." Tarrlok praised.

"Don't encourage him, Sayuri." Tenzin said, catching everyone's attention. "This is just another one of Tarrlok's ploys to gain more power."

"All I am trying to do is help." Tarrlok argued. "Think back. 42 years ago, Republic City was threatened by another dangerous man—Yakone. Your father wasn't afraid to deal with him head on."

Sayuri made note to ask Tenzin about this 'Yakone' man, and she discreetly glanced at the other members of the council. The lights in their eyes had weakened, and Councilwoman Ena's hand trembled. Whoever the man was, he was bad news.

"This is a completely different situation." Tenzin interjected, standing up and pointing a finger at Tarrlok. "And how dare you compare yourself to Avatar Aang!"

Tarrlok's eyes narrowed and his voice lowered. "Amon is not going to stop with the bending Triads. He already tried to take the bending of a pro-bender, and if Princess Sayuri had any bending, that too would have been stripped from her." The councilman turned away from Tenzin and addressed the rest of the council.

"Eventually, he will come for all us benders—our families, our friends, and he might make the same mistake he did with Princess Sayuri and endanger non-benders by misidentifying them. No one is safe. Vote for this task force and I will stop Amon before it's too late."

He took a step back from the table and raised his hand. "All in favor?"

Councilwoman Ena waited for Sayuri's nod of encouragement, and once she got it, she raised her hand in the air. Councilmen Jet and Sitka followed soon after, leaving Tenzin by himself.

Tarrlok banged the gavel and the meeting was adjourned.

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Sayuri heard music coming from outside and she poked her head out of the window. Korra was practicing her air bending movements, and the princess decided to go down and talk to the avatar. She still had yet to thank the avatar for rescuing her and Bolin.

She slipped on her bathrobe and loosely tied the black satin sash together. The hallways were empty and she rounded the corner, running into a naked Meelo. The boy was covered in a thick layer of soap, and his lower face was hidden by an impressive bubble beard.