Akashi stood in front of a yard full of metalbenders who were training. It was the place where the police task force exercised.
After suggesting that he be included in the transfer of Amon and Tarrlok, Lin had refused at first, saying that he might be too weak for it. And so, they ended up wrestling in some cheap motel room. Needless to say, Akashi had far more experience in grappling.
No, jokes aside. Akashi had twenty points of stamina, plus a fast recovery perk.
And for the first time ever, she had admitted defeat. Not only that, but she seemed more relaxed, more radiant, and even walked while humming a song.
Her cranky mood, which she was known for, had been thrown out of the window for a while. He knew it would be only a matter of time before her anger issues resurfaced.
But after leaving the motel, she had told him not to join, as he was not experienced enough in fighting benders, and Amon might have followers who would try to free him. Akashi suggested that she test his strength first, believing that she had never seen him in action before. And so, she took him up on the offer and dragged him along with her.
Now, Lin stood with shaky legs in the middle of the yard and got herself a seat.
"Why are you sitting? Not going to test me personally?" Akashi asked, standing behind her. He asked in a sarcastic tone, because he knew she couldn't test him even if she wanted to. For the first time in a long time, she needed time to cool down from handling all of his stamina points and recovery perk. That, and she felt it was too embarrassing to ask a waterbender healer for help.
"I'm too strong for you," she replied, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. "I'll have the boys deal with you."
Her behaviour was much calmer than usual. It was a sign that he had performed well.
"Sure, pick at least two," Akashi said, stretching his limbs to warm up.
"I like your confidence, I truly do," Lin said in a calm tone. "But you have to know, most of the task force are elites trained from childhood. Some were trained by my mother, Toph Beifong, herself. And they're formidable metalbenders."
"Most of them have a fatal weakness," Akashi argued. "I've fought plenty. They focus on bending metal so much that their moves are restricted to that type of bending, which limits their earthbending techniques."
"Hmm… you should know that's for a good reason. A metalbender can kick the ass of an earthbender nine out of ten times. And I'm not including myself — I can beat them both." She said, "Now, pick one… no, I'll pick for you. Hey, Samar! Come over here."
Lin pointed to a young man who was training. He was around twenty-five years old, a strong metalbender, and a great guy Akashi had worked with once when taking down Tarrlok. He followed orders, did the job, and got back home before his wife and kids started questioning where he was.
"Yes, Chief," he said, approaching her.
"I want to test the strength of this airbender who's had a year under his belt. He claims he can take two of you easily and demanded to spar with more," Lin said, gesturing toward Akashi.
Samar laughed. "Chief, I didn't know you could make jokes."
Lin frowned at him.
He swallowed his laugh. "So, it's not a joke."
Lin nodded.
He turned to Akashi and frowned. "Let's make it quick. It's almost lunchtime."
"Good thing you haven't eaten yet. You won't throw up, after all," Akashi said, patting the man on the shoulder. The latter pushed his hand away. Akashi didn't act offended and walked to the middle of the yard.
"Just as a professional courtesy, I'll not use the metal scattered around," he said, stretching his hand.
The metal shards and pipes that filled the surroundings flew toward Samar. They wrapped themselves around him, shifting shape and forming armour. He looked at Akashi, whom no one bothered to stop or watch, since they assumed he'd be knocked out easily.
The former officer, Akashi, clapped a few times. "Nice control over the metal. But if it's just wearing your armour, you're not going to do a thing."
The metalbender smirked. He stepped forward and jabbed twice in the air. From his arm guard, metal strips shot toward Akashi, aiming to shackle him. Akashi, with his airbending senses tingling, calculated the trajectory and speed of the strips, walking confidently and dodging with a sharp jerk to the left at the right moment.
"Luck is no excuse to get cocky," Samar said, continuing to send metal strips — this time with greater density. Akashi kept walking, easily bypassing them. And just as a metal strip was about to reach him, he didn't bother to move. The air around it grew very dense, slowing it considerably before he caught it and threw it aside.
"Why do I even bother walking?" Akashi said, slapping the air. A strong jet stream shot toward Samar. His armour danced, coming to life and creating a barrier around his face. The wind blast hit him hard and pushed him back. Then Akashi appeared in front of him. He took a single step backward and crossed his arms in an X-shape before releasing them.
A giant spinning air ball appeared — like the one airbenders used to travel. The spinning sphere lifted the metalbender, trapping him inside, and spun him hundreds of times before releasing him, unconscious, onto the ground.
[+9000 XP]
"He's really good," Akashi said in a bored voice.
The background noises stopped.
Those who had been focused on their training turned to look at the result — a metalbender had been knocked out just like that.
Akashi crossed his arms and turned to Lin. He resisted the temptation to say that he had only used 5% of his power.
An impressed expression spread across her face.
"The White Lotus Order didn't lie when they said you'd reached airbending master level," Lin commented, still seated. Akashi smirked. It was nice to have the upper hand in stamina.
"And?" Akashi asked.
"I can hire you as a contractor without having to worry," she said.
"Would it cause trouble for you?" Akashi asked, remembering that they knew they were after her. And by "they,"—
"No. It won't."
"That's a relief," Akashi said. 'Enough time to have a date with Korra and perfect my flying technique.'