The darkness within

Chapter 4: y/n's fighting past

Trigger warnings: violence, mention of blood and mature language

Y/n's POV

Bolin, Mako, Korra and I meet early the next day for a training session at the gym. I figure, since last night's fight was not as rough as the night before and we don't have a match tonight, a light training session is a great team bonding opportunity. Plus, Korra still has a lot to catch up on. The fire ferrets are the only newly formed pro bending team this season, so we get the worst training slots. We are rookies after all. Rookies that managed to secure a spot in the championship tournament. I smile to myself.

"Deal with it!" Mako replies to Korra's complaint about having to train this early. He throws the medicine ball to Korra. I usually have them do their warm up with a medicine ball.

"You deal with it." Korra throws back the medicine ball and in the process launches Mako across the room. She stands there and grins with crossed arms. Bolin is laughing into his hand. I keep forgetting how strong this girl is. I mean look at her muscular arms. I guess I don't need to plan a strength workout for her.

The arena manager walks in: "There are my little hard working street urchins. And it's an honor to finally meet you, avatar."

"And you are?" Korra asks confused.

"Botaka! I run this whole pro bending circus. Here are your winnings form the last match." He hands over a stack of money to me. Before I can put it in my pocket he stops me: "Not so fast! First you own me for the avatar's new gear, then we have the gym and equipment rental for last month and personal loans for groceries." He takes the whole stash of yuans back. I look at my empty hand in disappointment. Mako stares at Bolin angrily.

"What? I'm a growing boy!" Bolin rubs his tummy.

"Oh and one more small item of business. The fire ferrets need to enter thirty thousand yuans into the championship pot." Botaka continues

"Thirty thousand yuans!" Bolin, Mako and I exclaim at the same time in disbelief.

"Sorry kids. You've got to the end of the week to come up with the dough or else, you're out of the tournament." Botaka says over his shoulder, while leaving the gym.

We all think of possible options.

"You wouldn't happen to have a secret avatar bank account, overflowing with gold, would you?" Bolin asks Korra.

"Bolin!" Mako and I scold him for asking that.

"I got nothing. I've never really needed money. I've always had people taking care of me." Korra explains anyways.

"Then I wouldn't say you have nothing." Mako utters angrily.

"Sorry I don't mean..." Korra starts.

"Not it's alright. It's just ever since we lost our parents we have been on our own. Well, until we met y/n." Bolin explains.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't know." Korra is embarrassed.

"How are we going to come up with that kind of money?" I ask to make Korra feel less embarrassed and have everyone focus on our actually problem.

"I've got it. I've been training Pabu to do circus tricks. People will pay good money to see that!" Bolin suggests.

"Come on Bolin, we need serious ideas!" Mako complains.

"I was serious." Bolin mumbles.

"I'll figure something out. I always do" Mako remarks as he leaves the room.

"I think your idea sounds great! Why don't we go practice some of those tricks?" I encourage Bolin. I know Bolin and Pabu's act won't bring in nearly enough money. They would be more than lucky, to make 100 yuans this week. I just adore Bolin's optimism and I never want to see that go away in this cruel world. I turn to Korra: "Korra, you coming?"