38Chapter One
Flowing Current
AN: I know what you're thinking.
What the fuck is this guy thinking? Is he really doing a Aquaman story? All he does is talk to fish what the hell!?
I want to get a few things out of the way. Number one, he doesn't talk to fish, he commands them. Number two, between the command of all sea life, ability to breathe underwater, and his other powers? I wouldn't mind being Aquaman! Not to mention he's the king of the largest country on the planet. So yeah, I think Aquaman is pretty cool, and I don't mean Jason Mamoa Aquaman (as much of a badass bro he is) I mean comic book Aquaman….specifically New 52 Geoff Johns Aquaman because that's when he took all the crap people say about him and turned it on it's head.
I've been reading DC Rebirth's story with him as well and it's almost like he's the Black Panther and Thor of DC comics. And I'll be honest, he's kind of a character I've been looking for, he's powerful but not infallible, he's strong but not OP like Superman is, and he had a deep and pretty complex world that can go almost anywhere.
Now I know what your thinking. No. Batman will not be in this. Or Wonder Woman, or Flash, or Superman, or Green Lantern, I AM DONE WITH BRINGING WHOLE UNIVERSES TOGETHER. Ahem, sorry I just need to hammer that point home.
Now to be honest I chose Legend of Korra for the crossover because it's a world that I'm familiar with and…well I think you'll see why it works together.
Thinking
'Reading/Radio'
Location Change
And lines like the one below this sentence represent passage of time.
Kiyoshi Island
Is island of Kiyoshi had changed since the hundred year war, the small hidden village near the center of the small, crescent shaped island had transformed into a prosperous port town. The small village that originated from within the isle had spread out into the bay of the island, docks of wood, steel, concrete and filling the mouth of the harbor like teeth. The only thing that still stood the test of time was the wooden statue of Avatar Kiyoshi in the middle of the town, the dirt path it had been built on had been paved with streetlamps lighting the way.
On the left handed side of the statue was a bar where sailors of all types of sea craft, the bartender, whom all the patrons referred to as Sully, had lived on Kiyoshi Island for the past thirty years after a extended time at sea himself. He came back with a thirst for two things, whiskey and company….good company preferably but he takes what he can get.
Sully's bar, simply named Sully's, doubled as a inn for when sailors, captains, and dockworkers needed a place to crash on dry land for a few days before heading back out into the water. Inside the tavern at this time at night there were only a few patrons and guests, one of them sat at the end of the bar next to the fish tank that took up a large portion of the back wall with the other half being a stage where entertainment played for the tables booths spread throughout the bar.
The man was young, into his early twenties with fair skin and deep blue eyes like those from the Watertribes. He was fit as well, not that he looked like one who spent their life dedicated to building their body as such but enough that he would be considered buff to most. But the most distinguished feature he held was his hair, it was a mixture of brown but also yellow like the sun itself. Blonde hair wasn't unheard of but it was not the most common of hair colors. It was darker at the roots but the length and tips were golden.
His hair wasn't too long, the length of his fingers from print to nail with the bangs nearly covering his eyes, his face also contained the save colors as his hair as a short scuff covered the skin around his mouth. "Another one Arno?" Sully asked as he walked over with a bottle of Fire Nation. Arno looked up at the bartender and nodded, looking down at his glass as Sully refilled it for him.
Arno gave him a nod of appreciation, "Thanks Sully." he said as he raised the glass up to his mouth and drank the liquid. It apparently had quite a kick to it, unfortunately Arno didn't feel it, or any drink for that matter much to his challenge. Today was the third year anniversary of when his father died, the day his secret got splashed over every paper from Kiyoshi Island to Ba Sing Sei, the day he made one of the biggest mistakes in his life. And Arno remembered this day solemnly every year the same way, coming home to Kiyoshi island to try and get hammered….which never worked, not for lack of trying but it did help dampen the headaches he received almost daily.
He remembered how the day of the funeral almost the entire Island came to pay their respects….but now they wouldn't so much as look directly at Arno. Part of him couldn't blame them, but the other part of him could only think of how isolation from everyone stung.
"You going to stay a few days Arno?" Sully asked as the young man took another sip of his drink. The son looked up at the bartender, Sully was a heavy guy but not in a bad way, he was strong enough to throw two guys half his size out of the bar and out onto the street if he needed, which on occasion did happen. His grey hair wet from around the sides of his head to the beard he wore with pride, though Arno's father always joked it all used to be on top of his head and then moved down.
The son shrugged his shoulders, his olive colored coat shifting along with him, "Maybe. I got in last night and crashed at the lighthouse, I got done with the repairs last time I was here but…." he trailed off, the damage caused to his home was minimal at best. But it did need maintenance every few months which he happily did like his father showed him.
Sully gave him a sad look, "Feels empty…doesn't it?" he asked, Arno only nodding in response. The lighthouse was his home, he was born and raised there for most his life but with his father gone it wasn't the same there. "Tai always told me that being a lighthouse keeper was both the most boring job, but also one of the most lonely." he mused.
Yeah….I know how that feeling. Arno thought as he glanced up at the wall behind Sully, beside the shelves where the beer and drinks were kept was a wall full of pictures. Some of them were fishermen with large fish as trophies dangling beside them by a hook, others were of regulars who Sully put up, one of them was of him and his dad. He looked a bit like his father except for his dad's dark hair, of which he got from his mother, but she left shortly after Arno was born.
But his father was never mad about it, he never blamed her for leaving him with a son to raise all by himself. Arno couldn't exactly say the same thing but if he ever met his mother? He had some things he needed to say to her, but even more things to ask her.
The door to the bar was suddenly flung open, Sully and Aron turned and saw Pao, the head of the police, catching his breath as he made his way over. Pao was a thin man, however what he lacked in stature he made up for with his leadership, at least that's what he boasted about when someone asked. He had neatly combed black hair with grey on the sides in a grey officer's uniform, at least he usually wore that instead of the casual clothes he currently wore. "Sully! Do you have any visitors that arrived today?" he asked between breaths.
The bartender shook his head, "No they're all in for the night, why the hell are you running around this time of night?" he asked as the chief leaned on the counter to catch his breath.
"I got a call from the harbormaster, one of the ships that docked here today left a hour ago. Then I got another call saying the Unagi was sighted!" he explained, Making Sully's eyes widen. The Unagi was a giant serpent like creature that made Kiyoshi it's home, after the Hundred Year War however it migrated from the island out to the open sea in the Spring and came back at the start of Fall. It usually didn't bother boats unless they were directly in it's way, it didn't bother any boats in the harbor since the islanders set up a feeding ground on the opposite end of the island.
But with it coming back tonight and that ship out there?
That thing helped fend off the Fire Nation Navy for decades, it would tear that ship apart. As Pao continued to catch his breath he heard the door shut, he looked to the end of the bar and saw that Arno was done. Pao noticed as well, "Oh shit was that Arno!?" he exclaimed. Sully simply nodded in response, "Damnit! I do not want him out there!" he said as he turned towards the door.
"Oh will you cool it Pao?" Sully asked, making the police chief look at him with a glare.
Sully knew it was coming, it was the same speech Pao gave to Arno every time he came back home and to everyone who saw him when he was here. "Do you remember how things got after….whatever he is got out!? The United Forces shut down the port for six months!? If he get's caught again-"
"Are you serious?" Sully asked, his voice teetering on accusation, "You know that's not Arno's fault it's that idiotic professor. Arno has done nothing but help and you know it."
"We barely got any money that year because of Arno. Can't be a shipping town if the port is shut down." he fired back. Sully rolled his eyes as Pao stomped out the door to the bar. Sully frowned as Pao left, as he went to collect Arno's glass he realized that the bottle of Fire Whiskey was missing. "…Arno you asshole."
Kiyoshi Island, Main Road
Arno marched down the road towards the bay of the island with a bottle of Fire Whiskey in his hand, taking the drink down his throat as he walked. I will probably need this for what I'm about to do. he thought as he finished the bottle and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket. Upon reaching the Entrance to the port, he tossed the bottle into the garbage and made his way to the mouth of the Harbor where the numerous docks were situated. Approaching a nearby railing, Arno pulled his jacket off his shoulders and draped it over the metal, across the back of his black pants was a golden dagger in a sheath that his father had left him.
Removing his cotton shirt he placed it on the railing along with his jacket before taking his boots off and setting them in front of the other clothes. Taking a few steps back he got a running start before jumping, lunching himself high up into the air. He tilted forward and dove into the harbor, the water covering him made Arno smile before taking a deep breath in the water.
It was a huge surprise for him when he first went swimming and he didn't need to hold his breath under the water and in fact could breathe perfectly fine beneath the waves. However his father wasn't as surprised, it was another something he inherited from his mother besides his hair color. With a kick of his feet he took off through the water faster than anything within it, shooting out from the bay, Arno was out into the ocean within seconds.
Swimming was also different, he used his limbs like anyone else but it felt like the water wasn't even there and he was flying. He was faster in the sea than anything on dry land, and what's more was that he never felt the effects of the water no matter how far down he went to the bottom. To him the water felt perfect, not too hot or freezing, just perfect for swimming in without risk of staying in for too long. Arno at first was as curious as anyone as to how he was able to do these things when he was younger, but by now he simply accepted his abilities.
Which he was currently using to try and locate and stop the Unagi.
The Calm Gulf, South of the Fire Nation and West of the Earth Kingdom
Korra laid back against the large polar bear dog behind her with a content smile on her face, the Avatar may have been denied training by Tenzin since he had matters to attend to in Republic City but she saw an obvious solution to the problem. Simply got to Republic City herself! Of course the White Lotus with a stick up their nether regions where completely against the idea, but she had been locked away in a compound for all her life to master the other three elements by them.
So it was about time she started deciding what she did with her own life, so she snuck out of the compound in the South Pole, found this cargo ship and convinced the captain to take her to Republic City with their shipment. The captain was a more than hesitant to begin with, however when Korra demonstrated her Avatar abilities by bending the three elements she knew in front of him and explained that she was on a journey to Republic City, he was more than willing to oblige.
Admittedly Korra felt a little guilty, using her title to get what she wanted, so she had been helping out around the ship as much as she could as means to pay for her and Naga's trip. They were still a week out from Republic City but the time was flying by if she was being honest, she was just happy to be out of the South Pole. She felt her animal companion shift beside her, laying her head in Korra's lap, much to her amusement. "Aw are you sleepy girl?" she asked in a tone fit for toddlers.
The large Polar Bear Dog breathed out through it's nose before it's ears suddenly perked up and lifted her head from her master and let out a low growl. "What's wrong girl?" Korra asked before the ship suddenly lurched to one side and Naga began barking. The Avatar stood from the floor, "Naga, down." she commanded, the canine did as she said making Korra smile, "Good girl." she praised before the ship shifted again, this time more violently. "Something's wrong." Korra realized before taking off towards the stairwell.
Upon reaching the upper deck, one of the crewmen nearly stumbled into her, "What's wrong?!" she asked as she caught the young man as he regained his balance.
"Unagi!" he shouted before rushing past her to the deck of the ship with Korra right behind him. She didn't know what exactly a Unagi was but she was sure she heard that name somewhere before, when she reached the top deck and looked up at the shadow cast over the deck from the moon, she suddenly remembered the tale of how her past life nearly bit the dust too early because he was trying to ride that thing. She also remembered Katara telling her that Aang wound up riding the beast and using it to extinguish a fire on a island.
The gigantic sea serpent was looking over the bow of the ship with a low growl, it's two long barbels reverberating from the growl and it's narrow head was filled with sharp teeth that barred at the sea craft. Korra immediately sprung into action by jumping off the ship and down towards the water where she froze a board out of the liquid and flug her arms back to propell herself away from the boat, the Unagi's head fallowing her movements.
The fin going down it's back sprung out as it dove under the water and took after Korra. The Avatar looked over her shoulder and grimaced, Crap that thing is fast! he thought before abruptly changing directions away from the boat, Maybe I can scare it off. She thought as she felt the water waver below her before suddenly going airborne as the sea beast's head rose from the water and knocked the novice avatar off her board.
Hitting the water, Korra quickly resurfaced and drew one of her arms back and unleashed a large plume of fire at the large eel. The creature opened it's mouth in retaliation and unleashed a powerful spray of water, dosing the flames and sending Korra back under the waves. She was flung a few feet under the water, it was dark and she was dizzy from the hit, it was terrifying. When her eyes managed to adjust to the darkness she witnessed the Unagi swimming right at her!
As she readied to waterbend herself away, a small shape rammed into the side of the creature, the force sending a shockwave through the water and knocking the Unagi away. Regaining herself, Korra could made out the shape as a man, shitless in the water and looking at where the Unagi was. But what caught her attention was that the young man didn't look like he was holding his breath, however she didn't have time to question it as the Unagi was focused on him now.
Ok, well I got his attention! Arno thought as the beast lunged at him through the water, he pushed to the left to escape the creature's mouth and swam under and over into the bottom of it's jaw with a solid punch. Don't want to hurt you big gu….girl, he corrected when he realized it was a female, But if it's between roughing you up and people getting eaten? Well you're going to be hurt and hungry. the swimmer thought as he dove down the body of the creature, circling around it's body and swimming though some of the fins on it's back.
Korra meanwhile was dumbstruck, that Unagi was gigantic, it made both her and this swimming guy the size of ants! How could he hit this thing that hard!? However she didn't sit on the issue for too long and stroked upward to the surface to get some much needed air. Taking a few breaths of fresh air, she submerged again and dove downward, using waterbending to take her into deeper depths.
Meanwhile Arno had doubled back and was making his way back up the Unagi's body, passing the dorsal fin, he reached the head of the serpent and grabbed onto the whiskers on the side's of it's face and then pulled down. The beast immediately tried to recoil but Arno's grip was like iron and he needed to make sure the Unagi didn't come back. After a good minute of struggle he finally released the whiskers. However instead of swimming away it snapped at Arno, the swimmer held his arms out and stopped the jaws from biting into him, his hands and feet stopping the jaws by holding it at the gums with all his might.
Ok if that didn't work, sorry in advance sweetheart. the young man through before letting go of the lower jaw and reaching around back and grabbing the hilt of his knife with one hand as he backed off, the mouth closed around his other arm with the teeth cutting into his bicep. He winced as he drew his blade and plunged it into the lip of the Unagi, slicing through the flesh violently. Both his and Unagi's blood leaked into the water, the creature recoiled and let go of the young man's arm, a shallow cut from the sharp and powerful teeth of the creature.
Arno held his wound as the creature swam away in the opposite direction of the ship, the swimmer let out a breath as it were, running his hand through his dirty blonde locks. Disaster adverted. he thought thankfully as he turned towards Kiyoshi island only to see he wasn't alone in the water.
Floating a few feet away was a WaterTribe girl, Oh shit. Arno thought as his eyes widened.
Neither of them moved, they remained suspended in the water before Arno regained himself and darted off past her, Korra spun in the water from his spend. Turning around she saw him disappearing into the ocean depths beneath her, her first instinct was to swim after him but at his speed she doubted she would catch up to him, and she needed to get back to the ship before it got too far away.
She turned back in the direction of the ship and swam, when she reached the side she used a spout of water to launch herself up onto the deck where she was quickly swarmed by the crew and their questions.
"Where did the Unagi go?"
"Are you ok?"
"Are you insane?"
"Did you see the Aquaman?"
That last one got Korra's attention, "The what?" she asked, not missing how some of the others rolled their eyes at the question.
The sailor, the same one she ran into earlier cleared his throat, "There's this guy who's spotted all over the seas, people say he's a spirit from bottom of the ocean who helps those who sail the waters when they're in danger." he said, the myth making the others wave him off. "It's true!" he insisted, "My cousin was on a schooner fishing with his friends when a storm rolled in, Aquaman grabbed their anchor and mowed the boat to safety." he explained.
It does sound like that guy… Korra thought, but he didn't look like a spirit he looked like a normal guy. "Anything about how he looks?" she asked curiously.
The man nodded, "They say his hair is like gold. And looks strong as ten men." he replied, making Korra's eyes widen. She'd seen the guy with her own eyes and that sounded just like him. He wasn't a spirit but he had strength like she hadn't seen before, however by the lack of crew around her she could tell that not many would believe her if she told them. I might have to ask Tenzin about this when I meet up with him. she decided.
Northern End of Kiyoshi Island
Arno woke to the rays of sunlight beaming in through his window. Rolling over in his bed he let out a groan as his legs swung over the side of the bed. It had been a solid week since his fight with the Unagi, the cut on his arm from it biting him had healed the day fallowing their battle. However what alarmed him more was the fact that someone had seen him fight underwater like that, but there hadn't been anyone from the papers or the radio who had come to Kiyoshi since then so he took that as a good sign.
Sitting up from bed he looked over at his nightstand where his dagger lay, his father had given it to him on his seventieth birthday, saying that it was a important family heirloom that was passed down to the oldest in the family. Since it was just him and his dad however that meant it went to him, I should have asked more about it. he thought as he picked up the blade by it's handle.
It was simple in design, there was only two parts with the golden double edged blade which angled out where it met the hilt like a diamond shaped base of the blade. The hilt was covered with a black wrapping that held firm in Arno's grip, just above where the blade met the hilt was a strange symbol, it had a triangular tip with the sides going down and curving back in themselves and ending a point before reconnecting below the tip.
Arno believed it was a sort of family crest, however he had never found any link to any family in any of the four nations. He had hundreds of questions about his life but only a few answers, and dozens of theories that ranged from a light bulb in his head to utter nonsense.
Arno brushed those thoughts aside and stood up from his bed, walking over to his dresser he pulled on a pair of pants and a grey cotton shirt. As he pulled his head through the hole there was a knocking on his door, "I'm coming." he called out as he walked out of his room in the lighthouse.
Walking out into the hall and down the stairs into the living room, he approached the door as another more quick series of knocks went off, Arno peeked through the eyehole in the door to see who was on the other side. It was Pao, with the most uncomfortable look on his face. Opening the door to his home, "Pao? What brings you all the way out here?" he asked.
The police chief sighed, "Arno, may I come in?" he asked, the blonde moved aside, letting him enter the lighthouse. The living room was fairly sparse, only a few chairs, a table, and a old radio that didn't even work anymore. The door on the other side of the house led to the tower beside the small home, the light still rotating in the early morning of the day. Pao took a seat in one of the chairs, "I think you need a second opinion on your interior décor." he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Pao. What's wrong?" Arno asked bluntly, it was no secret that Pao wasn't his biggest fan. Around the time his father died, photos of Arno using his gifts surfaced in newspapers through the world, he left home right as the United Forces closed in around Kiyoshi and performed a through investigation across the island. They closed down the port to all outsiders, and the island suffered for it, many people could barely provide for their families since their lively hoods depended on a open port. Pao was one of them.
The chief took a deep breath, "It's Ming." he said, making the blonde swimmer stiffen, Ming was Pao's daughter, as well as one Arno's old friends. They knew each other since they where children, she used to come here and swim with Arno, they even went to their high school dance together….but when he left? She refused to even try and get in contact with him, he had sent letters under a fake name but she never replied, and when he did come back home for a few days he never saw her. "She left a few months ago with a few friends to take a vacation to Republic City….and I got this letter in the mail this morning." he said, pulling a paper out of his shirt pocket and handing it to Arno.
Arno unfolded it and read the letter.
'Dear dad.
I've been thinking long and hard about this and I decided that I'm staying in Republic City. I've met some people here who have opened my eyes to the world, they want to change it for the better and I want to help usher this new age in. I promise that I'll write you every week or so, but don't worry. I have a decent job, a apartment that I can afford (with locks before you ask) and some new friends, (not just boys) to show me around the city.
I know this is really sudden and I've just been gone for three months but….I love Kiyoshi but here? Things are different, I see bad things happen to good people and I remember what you always said about being a bigger person and….what I'm trying to say is that I'm seeing bad things happen and I feel like I can help make a difference. Just like you do…..I promise I'll explain more when I write you next, take care of yourself.
I love you dad.
Ming'
Arno pursed his lips together before looking at Pao, "What do you want me to do?" he asked curiously. Pao was hesitant to say anything else, the blonde's patience was beginning to wear a little thin, "Pao, I'm going to be blunt. You don't like me, so you wouldn't bring this to me unless there was something you're not telling me." he stated directly, the chief of police stiffening at the young man's words.
Arno waited for a solid minute before Pao spoke, "I called Republic City's police department this morning and asked about the address on the letter. They said it came from a busted Equalist hideout." he stated, making Arno's eyes widen. The Equalist party was a movement that had been gaining some traction in recent years with their accusations that non-benders are discriminated against by benders, Arno had heard some of the complaints and if he was honest they did have some validity to them.
However there were also rumors regarding militia like training given to their supporters, that wasn't something a peaceful movement tended to do. "I can't just up and leave but you…..Arno I may not always approve of your…..methods. But everyone here has heard the stories, you help people….and I'm asking you to help me."
The young man looked back down at the letter before sighing, "I'll head out right away, should take me a few hours to get to Republic City. I'll check the police station for her and I'll call you if I find her." he said before walking over to the coatrack beside his door and retrieving his coat and draping it around his shoulders. He saw the relived look on Pao's face as he slipped his shoes on, "Pao….like I said I know you don't like me that much but….don't hesitate to ask for anything like this, ok?" he asked, the man nodding as Arno exited the lighthouse.
His home was on the northern coast of the island, right on the tip of the isle where the land curved inward. Looking up at the pale tower and the light shining around, Arno thought back to when he was younger. He had asked his father why he lived in a lighthouse instead of being a ship captain, "Someone's gotta watch the shores right dad? What's you call it? Oh yeah, responsibility." he mused out loud with a smirk. Making his way down the dirt path which lead to the beach. It was about thirty meters from the cliff where the lighthouse was poised to the beach, the stroll took a mater minutes before reaching the water.
Pao exited the lighthouse as Arno leapt into the water, the police captain watching as his figure zoomed off towards the North beneath the water.
Republic City, Yue Bay
The swim through the Calm Gulf and into northern waters had been pleasant, Arno kept bout a mile below the surface of the water, occasionally skimming down to avoid things like sharks or other predators. Not that he minded, the sea floor had some of the most beautiful views he had ever seen, entire forests of underwater plants that flowed with the currents, mountains of coral that made incredible shapes, and intricate caves that went deep into the earth.
As he neared the Yue Bay of Republic City however his swimming slowed. He couldn't just hop out of the water and onto the docks in broad daylight. The water however felt…wrong, the seawater was clean for the most part but it was almost like he had a slightly bitter taste in the back of his mouth. Must be from the city, I wish people would try not to dump all their crap in the water, can only imagine what it's like for the fish. he thought. Looking around the bay he saw a large emerald colored statue standing tall with it's gaze set out to the city.
Avatar Aang, one of the founders of Republic City, "Don't suppose you've seen a girl around here? About yeah tall, thin, wears her hair in a braid over her shoulder? No? Ok." he joked to himself before taking off through the water towards the city, there were a total of four rivers leading into the bay, one to the northern end of the city, one to the south, and two heading inland to the city, those two separating the city into three parts with the bulk of the metropolis in the middle section of land.
Reaching the edge of the land, he saw that the concrete seawall reached a fair ten meters above his head, thankfully there were ladders located down along the wall at multiple spots in case someone jumped in and needed a way back onto land. Climbing the rungs, he reached street level and couldn't help but stop to take in the sights.
He had traveled a great deal in the past three years but he stayed near coastline towns and stayed away from major settlements, let alone cities. The towering buildings so different from the smaller buildings he was used to seeing, the sound of a horn made him jump back a few steps as a satomobile drove in front of the curb where he was standing in front of. "Het outta the road you vagrant!" the driver shouted as he passed.
Arno shook his head, Right. Focus. Get to the police and ask if they arrested or know anything about a Ming from Kiyoshi Island. He reminded himself as he looked both ways down the road before crossing the street, however after about a good solid hour of walking Arno made a very important discovery…he had absolutely no idea where the hell he was going. While Arno had a good sense of direction he still had no idea where the nearest police station was located at, Ok genius your lost in the city, now what? he wondered with sarcasm.
He ran a hand down his face, the stubble he had when he fought the unagi sprouting out from their roots, "Ok I might as well find some locals and ask for directions." he said as he made his way around the corner of the street. Looking down the street, he immediately stepped back when he saw that down the street talking to a elderly couple was the same girl he saw a week ago underwater!
His reaction was natural. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit! he cursed internally as he peeked out from the corner. What the odds? he thought to himself, he saw this one girl a week ago in the middle of the ocean and she ends up in the same city that he's looking for Ming in. Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, he decided to simply wait for her to leave and then find somewhere else to ask for directions.
A simple plan…..well it was until a red supped up satomobile pulled up in front of the shop that Korra was standing at.
The man in front, wearing a expensive suit and hat in light blues, walked up the shop owner as he was polishing a phonograph. "Mr. Chung, please tell me you have my money, or else I can't guarantee I can protect your fine establishment." he said slickly as he stepped to the side, his shorter friend with a pencil mustache lighting a fire in his hand. The storeowner offered up the phonograph he had been working on, however the firebender swiped his foot downward and burned the device as the owner stumbled back. "My friend is not a music lover, give us your money or else-"
"Or else what, hoodlum?" Korra asked, the trio turning around to face her as she cracked her knuckles in anticipation for a fight.
The trio looked amongst themselves before they burst out into laughter, when their leader finally regained himself he shook his head, "Since you're clearly fresh off the boat, let me explain a couple of things. You're in Triple Threat Triad territory, and we're about to put you in a hospital." he boasted with pride in his voice as he pointed at Korra.
"You're the only one who's going to need a hospital. And for your sake? I hope there's one close by." Korra replied with as much confidence as she always had.
The trio's leader sneered at the girl, "Who do you think you are?" he asked with a growl in his voice.
Korra smirked as she cracked her kunckles in anticipation, "Why don't you come find out?" he challenged. The man with the hat quickly met her challenge, drawing out water from a pelt beneath his coat he threw out the water at her. She caught the water within her ahnd and quickly shot it back at the leader, the liquid hit his head and froze, the force making him stumble back and the sudden weight and lack of air making him stumble forward as Korra heel kicked his head and shattered the ice against the hood of their car.
The larger of the three took a step forward, changing at her as his arms readied to earthbend a slab of the ground at her, Korra stomped her foot down in front of him, causing the ground beneath him to suddenly shoot him up into the air. Korra swear she heard a swear from down the street as the large man hit a metal sign, bounced off a store's rain cover, and through a banner before crash landing in a food table. The firebender looked over at his friend with a panic before unleashing a plume of fire at Korra which she met head on, swiping the flames aside with firebending before grabbing the man's hands with her own.
She used her strength to spin him around and gain momentum before throwing him through the window of the shop they were just trying to extort. "Got an idea of who I am now?" she asked cockily as she stood over the last one.
I was spotted by the goddamn Avatar…great. Arno thought with as much sarcasm as he could muster as he leaned against the corner with his arms crossed in front of him. It's not that he hadn't been seen before, but the most recognition he had received had been that of a folklore figure or some such myth. His current headache seemed to grow worse as he thought of his predicament, if the Avatar had seen him that meant there was merit to what she seen.
He did not want a repeat of what happened last time.
Before he could dwell further on this line of thought however, he felt the ground shake before a loud crash made him jump a few feet in the air. After making sure no one witnessed it, he looked around the corner to see that the triad's car had crashed into the building around his corner and the Avatar was now only a few feet away. It's like the spirits like to screw me over. he thought dryly before a siren screeched over their heads. Looking up, a large black airship with a gold insignia on the side floated over the street with the bottom opening up and men in metal suits dropped out in synch, slowing their decent with cables that shot out from their arms.
Arno's mind suddenly thought back to eight months ago in Chameleon Bay, and the blade that went through his thigh along with a set of glowing red eyes.
The blonde shut his eyes and pushed the memory aside as he peered out from the corner once more, just in time to nearly get trampled by a large white Polar Bear Dog with the Avatar on it's back with the police chasing after her. Well that worked out just like I planned. he thought as he looked back at the scene of the crash and saw one of the metalbenders on the ground with his side against the earth. Arno's legs carried him over to the officer quickly, "Sir are you ok?" he asked with concern as he went to help the bender up.
He let out a groan as Arno helped him up, "I'm fine, thank you…did you see what happened?" he asked as he regained his balance. The blonde nodded, making the man sigh, "I'll have to ask you to give a statement." he said, clearly not feeling in the best of moods after getting flanked by a giant Polar Dog or whatever that thing was.
"Of course sir. I was actually looking for the nearest police station anyway." Arno replied agreeably, taking the officer off guard.
He smiled a little at the blonde's compliance, "Guess you're in luck then. Central Station is close by, if you'll fallow me we'll get this over with soon." he said, suddenly in a pleasant mood as he led the witness in the direction of the station
Republic City, Central Police Station
The station was a half hour walk from the scene of the crime and Arno gave a detailed report as he could. "-and when I looked back she was riding that Polar Bear Dog right past me." he finished explaining to Officer Shu, the policeman he helped off the ground back at the scene. The blonde shifted slightly in the seat beside Shu's desk in the bullpen. Arno was no stranger to police stations, he had on occasion been hauled in on some minor charges, most of them being fights but was easily cleared since most where in self-defense.
Shu finished typing the words out on his typewriter, "Well it seems consistent with other eyewitness reports." he stated.
"That she was trying to stop the extortion and ended up trashing the block?" Arno asked, he didn't want the Avatar to be punished for trying to do the right thing, but she had caused a good deal of collateral damage to the street.
The officer nodded, "Yeah but who'd have guessed the Avatar would pop up here of all places?" he asked as he took out the paper from the machine and folded it into the pile with the others. Turning to Arno he asked, "You mentioned you were looking for the police before, is there something else you saw today?" he asked in a joking tone.
The swimmer shook his head, "No. See, I'm from Kiyoshi Island. A old friend of mine, Ming, came here three months ago. Her dad called me today and she sent a letter saying that she decided to stay here in the city." he explained.
Shu didn't look impressed, "Hate to break it to you kid but that sort of thing happens here all the time. Girl from the country comes to the big city and decides to stay? I get about a dozen calls about it a week."
The blond nodded in understanding, "I know, I know, but her dad is the police chief on the island. He called you guys about the address he got the letter from and you told him it was from a former Equalist Hideout." he explained, causing the officer to frown. "I was wondering if she had been arrested, or if you know anything about her." he finished.
Shu rubbed his chin in contemplation, "If she was arrested she would still be here, but we've only got triads in the cages…..apart from that? We don't know much about Equalist members." he answered, Arno frowned at the information but found some comfort in the fact that Ming hadn't been arrested. "Sorry son, wish I could do more."
The blonde shook his head as he stood from his seat, "It's fine officer, you've already helped out." he said, shaking his hand before making his way back towards the entrance of the station.
If she's not here then she's somewhere out in the city, probably with the Equalists…..there might be a way to track her down through them but…..are they really that bad? he wondered to himself as he stopped to sit on a bench in the parlor of the station beside a elderly woman and a platypus bear . He had come here because there had been sinister rumors behind the Equalist movement, but really the only reason he was here was because he felt guilty. Guilty for leaving Ming, one of his oldest friends, without so much as a goodbye and not having the guts to talk with her face to face.
I justified me coming here because Pao is worried like any dad would be, but I'm not. They're not bad people for wanting change, and they haven't done anything bad….and let's be honest they kind of have a point. he thought to himself as he recalled that all the triads that the Avatar had fought were all benders. And they used their gifts to extort people, if anything their existence just proved that there was some merit to what the Equalists claimed.
"Is this your Polar Bear Dog Miss?" a sudden voice asked, drawing Arno from his thoughts and making him look up at the door to the station to see who else but the Avatar?
…..ok I shouldn't be surprised I mean the police were chasing her. he thought as the officer led the dog over to her owner. The Avatar smiled at her friend and rubbed the canine behind the ears, making it's tail wag as a taller man beside her went to the counter. He was draped in robes of orange and yellow colors. With a bald head that had a blue arrow going up the back of his neck and stopping at his forehead, An Airbender…..that must be why she came to the city. he realized.
"How much will the damages she caused total?" the monk asked the teller at the counter beside the door leading into the station. The man at the desk searched through the papers he had, when he found the correct paperwork detailing the damages that occurred on Korra' behalf he showed it to the bald man.
The way he stiffened when he read the report made Arno pursed his lips together, reaching into his pocket he felt around inside, I probably have enough but…..he glanced over at the Avatar, who seemed too busy putting the saddle on her animal companion. Guy shouldn't have to pay for her. he decided as he got up from his seat and walked over to the monk as he read over the exact costs. His hand patted the table with s shuffle of metal, "Here, it's on me." he quickly said as he came then proceeding to leave.
Tenzin looked over at the young man questionably before seeing what he left behind on the counter, in a small stack were gold coins. They were the size of a silver yuan and looked old as some of the things he saw at Air Temples, it was more than enough needed to pay for the damages. "Thank-" he began, suddenly realizing the young man had left.
Arno walked down the steps of the station, rubbing his temple to try and soothe his headache, ever since he was twelve he always had a sort of migraine present but no matter how much time passed or what he did to try and soothe them. They only time they seemed to subside a little was when he was in the water, it was a small reprieve but he took what he could get. I should buy Sully a new bottle of Fire Nation Whiskey while I'm here, I did drain his last bottle. he thought..
Four Nations of Liquor
Finding a store that had the correct bottle he was looking for took a while since apparently the liquor was a very expensive brew that general stores didn't carry. So he had to ask around a few stores until he got the tip that he could find it at a small liquor store conveniently near the waterfront. Finding the bottle in the back of the store, Arno had to re-read the price. "No wonder Sully hasn't been talking to me, this most have cist him three months of tips." he said to himself as he took the bottle from the cabinet.
As he approached the cashier, he noticed another customer looking at a few magazines by the door. "Just this please." he asked as he placed the bottle on the counter and dug into his pocket. While he was out he had turned in the old golden coins that he collected from shipwrecks at the bottom of the sea for actual Yuans. He still had a number of gold left but not everywhere accepted Yuans. Paying for the drink, he walked past the man at the magazine stand, the customer pulling up the collar of his jacket as Arno passed him.
Stepping out onto the street he looked across the water and saw the sun beginning to set on the horizon. I should head back to Kiyoshi. Pao will be pissed that I don't know where Ming is but at least she's not in any trouble. he thought as he looked down at the bottle in his hand. Ehhhh maybe I should have bought two. he mused as he made his way to the ledge of the road.
As he was about to jump into the water however he heard a car skid to a halt on the side of the road behind him. Turning around his eyes widened at the scene in progress as the customer from inside the store was carrying the cashier over his shoulder into the back of a van! The bottle shattered against the ground as he Arno charged over to the kidnapper as he dropped the man in the van.
He turned in time for a fist to send him through the front window of the store and topple over a line shelves with the bottles inside shattering. Before the van could drive off, the blonde grabbed the underside of the rear bumper and lifted the back wheels off the ground, the tires spinning in the air and moving the satomobile to no effect. The back doors burst open with another man in the back, this one wearing a mask with green glowing eyes and a red dot in the middle of the head.
Leaping over Arno the accomplice delivered a series of quick jabs up the swimmer's leg, back and neck. It would have reduced most people to a unmoving pile. So it was fortunate that Arno was not most people, letting go with one had he swung his fist and 'backhanded the chi blocker so hard that the glass of one of their eyes cracked. Lowering the car back down to the road, he turned to the chi blocker who as trying to stand back up but was having trouble.
Arno closed in on him in a second and hoisted him up into the air by the front of their shirt, he had recognized the symbol on the accomplice's mask as the same one used by the Equalist movement. "Talk. Now." when the masked assailant remained silent Arno grimaced. "Here's what's going to happen, you're going to tell me what the hell you think you're doing to this man and you'll remain conscious, unlike your friend." he said, tilting his head slightly to the broken storefront.
"Like I'd tell a traitor like you anything!" Arno's gaze sharpened at their mention of 'traitor'.
"So you are a Equalist." the young man confirmed as the man struggled to get free of Arno's grip. "So this is what you do? Kidnap benders from their homes in the night?" he asked in a threatening voice. He suddenly felt someone grab his knife on his back, looking back he saw it was the Equalist he had knocked through the store window just before he sank the knife into the blonde's shoulder, biting back a scream he swung the equalist in his hand into his comrade, knocking them both to the ground before Arno's foot slammed into the one on top. Bending down the grab the knife, he slammed the but of his weapon into both their heads, knocking them out cold for sure.
Reaching over his shoulder his hand felt the cut on his back, he was strong, incredibly strong, but he was far from invincible. Too bad it took a reminder like a sharp object to remind him of that fact, walking to the back of the van, he inspected the storeowner and saw that he was unconscious with the only visible injury being a bruise on his neck. Walking around the side of the van he reached in through the driver's window and took the keys out, tossing them far into the bay, he proceeded to leap into the water from the street.
Diving deep into the depths of the bay, reaching the floor of the bay he swam through a perpetual forest of kelp, finding a sandy bottom he sat down with both his legs crossed. No way I'm leaving Ming with people like that. I don't care if I have to take her kicking and screaming she can't be a part of this. he thought as he shrugged his jacket off and laid it against the ground and doing the same with his shirt to inspect his wound. Reaching a hand back his fingers pressed into the cut to see how deep it was.
He winced as his finger sunk into the bleeding flesh, Not that deep….will take a day or so to heal. he reckoned. It was nowhere near the worst of injuries he had received in his life. Arno frowned and bowed his head, his dirty blonde hair flowing in the water along with his sprouting beard in front of him as a few trout swam around him, inspecting the strange visitor to their territory. Republic City was unlike anywhere he's been before, thousands of people lived here, and if he was caught using his abilities there would be no question that it'd make the news across the globe.
It'd give away where he was, and then HE would come. And with Ming here Arno knew that she would be the first person he would hurt just make him suffer.
A blood feud like his and Manta's is one not settled easily.
AN: So? Not bad for a Aquaman story huh? He's not the Jason Mamoa version, but he's not exactly the comic version either.
Honestly this idea came a little out of left field, I've been reading the DC Rebirth Aquaman for a while now and I have to say it's really good. Now there are inspirations from the New 52's version of the character (which I've also read since it's by Geoff Johns) which is admittedly probably the best that Aquaman's been written as in years.
Now as for his powers, and as for why this is rated M well…..honestly some of the subject matter that Aquaman deals with can be upped a little. I mean the first volume of the new 52 is really dark if you think about it. And I'm going to explore it a little more. I mean Aquaman has had some really dark shit happen to him, recently too.
Now as for how strong Aquaman is? Well it's a little though to pin down because of comics upping and downing his powers, and even when written by Geoff Johns it was a little inconstant. He was strong enough to move a tectonic plate but he's not entirely bulletproof, I don't know exactly but I got a good picture.
Also for those of you wondering what Arno's dagger looks like, check out my DeviantArt profile and you'll get a look at what a whole day of working in Inventor with only a picture of what you have in your head of what I THINK a dagger looks like will give you.
Any who, obviously I didn't go deep into the origin of this guy but his tale will soon be told. Swear it.
