•• 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞 •• (The Legend of Korra/Mako fanfic)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐧

Team Avatar and Lin Beifong were standing on the other side of the bars of Varick's prison cell. The businessman had found himself an extremely luxurious cell to spend his days. But the lavishness of Varick's new home wasn't what shocked the group the most; Zhu Li was in prison with him.

'Zhu Li's in prison with you?' a shocked Korra asked.

'Of course!' the man exclaimed as if that was the most natural thing. 'I don't go anywhere without my assistant. Do you?'

'We're not interested in your tea. And this isn't a friendly visit,' a defensive and angry Mako said.

Mako's words made Varick realize that the Avatar team was still angry at him for all he had done. He tried to show them the good things his not-so-good deeds had brought to them but that still wasn't enough. He had to redeem himself.

'Look, I'm truly sorry for the mess I caused,' the businessman apologized. 'Let me make it up to you,' his head darted at Zhu Li, 'take Zhu Li. My battleship, it's yours, and everything on it.'

Although that was not the fleet they were expecting, Team Avatar accepted the man's offer gladly and thanked him for his help. However, there was still one thing missing and Lin made sure they didn't forget about that by staring at them with her serious green eyes.

'Oh, one more thing,' Bolin said. 'We need ten million yuan. It's for Nike's bail.'

Varick looked at Bolin with an amused and scared expression, 'so she really is Amon's daughter! I knew it!'

'You did?' a confused Korra asked.

'Of course, I did! Zhu Li did some research work before I decided I wanted to sponsor her team!' he exclaimed. 'Too bad the team was already in the tournament by that time. But that doesn't matter now! The money is yours! Zhu Li, bring the thing!'

Then Zhu Li walked to a cupboard in the cell and got a chequebook from there. She handed it to Varick who filled it with the details and gave it to Bolin.

'All right! Team Avatar is back in business!' Bolin almost yelled with enthusiasm. 'Unalaq won't stand a chance against us!'

'Don't get so happy,' Lin said breaking the male's joy. 'Nike won't be able to leave the city before her trial.'

Hearing those words made Mako's happiness fall. He was hoping Nike would join them in defeating Unalaq. Her skills would be very useful against the madman. But for now, having her released from prison was good enough. He knew she would join them after everything was settled.

Bolin hung on to the check with his life as the group went back to the Police Station. There, he handed the paper to Lin who took care of the rest. Once all the bureaucracy was done, the chief of police walked the others to the solitary cell where the firebender was being kept.

Just like when she had been arrested by Saikhan, Nike was gagged with a metal mask and was tied up by her wrists and ankles.

Lin was quick to undo all that and soon the firebender was free again.

'Lin!' she exclaimed as she hugged the green-eyed bender tightly. 'What did you do to get me out?'

It was clear Nike was worried. She knew how things worked and she was afraid that Lin had put her job in danger in order to free her.

'Don't worry,' Beifong spoke calmly. 'Varick paid for your bail.'

'What?' a confused Nike asked.

Team Avatar explained everything that had happened to Nike and Asami also apologized for not having listened to her when she warned her about the man. But now, that was all in the past and the team had to get to work.