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LEIs POV

After leaving Asami's house, Korra and I arranged a private meeting with Tenzin and Chief Beifong. We decided to meet on the roof top of a building. We explained to Tenzin and Chief Beifong what Korra had overheard.

"So, you think Mr. Sato manufactured those gloves, gave them to the equalists, and framed Cabbage Corp?" Tenzin asked. Korra nodded.

"That's a bold accusation, but what proof do you have?" Chief Beifong asked.

"I don't exactky have proof, but I know what I heard. Mr. Sato is up to something," Korra said.

"Where else would equalists be getting that kind of technology?" I pointed out. Chief Beifong rubbed her chin.

"He does have the means, and he also has a motive," Chief Beifong said.

"That's right," Tenzin said. I raised my eyebrow.

"A motive? What is it?" Korra asked curiously.

"12 years ago, the Agni Kai Triad robbed Sato's Mansion, a firebender killed Sato's wife," Tenzin explained.

"That's terrible," Korra said.

"It was tragic, it's possible he's been harboring anti-bending sentiment all this time," Tenzin said.

"Maybe we should watch him a little more closely," Chief Beifong said.

The next day, the four of us made our way to Sato Mansion to confront Mr. Sato. Facing Asami will be hard, but I know that I have to do the right thing. Chief Beifong knocked on the front door, and a few moments later, the butler opened it with a shocked expression on his face. Behind him, I saw Mako and Asami on the stairs. I sighed and followed Korra. We walked up the stairs, but Korra and I were stopped by Mako.

"What's going on? Why are they asking Hiroshi more questions?" Mako asked.

"I overheard him on the phone yesterday," Korra said and turned to Asami.

"Asami, I don't know how to tell you this, but we think your father is working with the equalists," Korra said.

"I don't believe this!" Asami said angrily and stormed off upstairs. I sighed.

"You spied on Hiroshi? What's your problem," Mako asked angrily. He turned to me.

"I expected even more from you, Lei," Mako said, and went after Asami.

Korra frowned, but I put a hand on her shoulder, telling her everything will be okay. She smiled lightly and we made our way to Mr. Sato's office. I saw Asami burst into the room first.

"My father is innocent! Just because we aren't benders, doesn't mean we support those awful equalists!" Asami retorted.

"Equalists? Is this what this is about? I can ensure you that I have nothing do with those rascals," Mr. Sato said.

"Yeah, you don't know what you're talking about, Korra," Mako said.

"I heard you on the phone, you said shutting down Cabbage Corp. bought you some time and that you're ready to strike. Explain yourself!" Korra said sternly. Mr. Sato chuckled.

"This is all a misunderstanding, resulting from the young Avatar's overactive imagination," Mr. Sato said. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Cabbage Corp. was my number one competitor, seeing it shut down would enable me strike the market with new Sato Mobiles, it's just business," Mr. Sato added.

"To put all accusations to rest, may we have a look at all your factories and warehouses?" Tenzin asked. Asami groaned.

"If it's necessary, you are welcome to search all of future industries," Mr. Sato said.

After given access to all of future industries, Korra and I spent the whole day searching with Naga and Kaya, if smelled for anything suspicious. Kaya was never good at sniffing, she was a feline after all. Naga did most of the work. Kaya and I just circled the factory for anything that looks out of place. At the end of the day, we found nothing at all. Korra and I headed outside.

"I can't believe we didn't find anything," Korra said.

"It would appear Hiroshi is innocent," Chief Beifong said.

"Okay, you did your search, now I want you to leave," Asami said sternly. Chief Beifong bowed.

Mako pulled Korra to the side, and everyone's ryes were on them.

"So, I hope you're convinced now," Mako said.

"No, I'm not, Sato is up to something and I'm going to find out what," Korra said.

"Why are you doing this? Are you that jealous of me and Asami?" Mako asked. Korra gasped.

"That is ridiculous, that has nothing to do with this," Korra retorted.

"If you don't stop this, consider our friendship over," Mako said. I raised my eyebrows.

"Hiroshi is not the man you think he is," Korra said. Mako walked away from Korra, and turned to me.

"And you?" Mako asked weakly, I looked away.

"I'm sorry, Mako, I have to do the right thing," I said without looking at him.

Mako exhaled sharply, and walked away with Asami. I lost two friends today, but I had to do that right thing no matter what. Korra went up to Naga, and I went up to Kaya. I gave Kaya some ash apples to energize her from all the work she had been put through today.

"I think you guys would wanna hear this," Korra suddenly said. I turned around and saw her holding a small piece of paper.

"If you want to know the truth, meet me under the silk road bridge at midnight," Korra recited.

It's the only lead we got, so Chief Beifong, Tenzin, Korra, and I decided to head over to Silk Road Bridge. Once we were there, we just kept walking under the bridge until we heard someone.

"Psst, over here," An old man whispered. We approached the old man, lurking behind the column.

"Look, I joined the equalists because I thought Amon would make life easier for us non-benders, but I never wanted this war," the old man explained.

"What do you have on Hiroshi Sato?" Chief Beifong asked.

"He manufactured those gloves for fhe equalists," The old man replied.

"I knew it," Korra said.

"There are rumors that he's been working on something bigger, a new kind of weapon," The old man said.

"We searched all of future industries and found nothing," Tenzin said.

"That's because he has another secret factory," The old man said.

"Where?" Korra asked.

"Right underneath his mansion," The old man said.

After hearing the helpful news, thanks to the old man, we headed to Chief Beifong's airship. Korra was sitting on the floor, while I was standing in front of her. We were on our way right now to Sato Mansion, where hopefully we can put an end to all of this. Once we arrived, Metal bender troops barged through every room until we found one room where Mako, Asami, and Bolin were inside.

"What do you think you're doing?" Asami asked angrily.

"We have reason to believe there is a factory underneath the mansion," Chief Beifong said.

"I think I would have noticed if there was a factory underneath my house," Asami retorted.

"Where is your father?" Tenzin asked.

"In his workshop, behind the house," Asami replied.

Korra and I exchanged glances and we headed over there immediately, along with Tenzin, Chief Beifong, and the metal benders. Asami and the guys followed as well. The metal benders surrounded the area. Some metal benders went inside the workshop first to survey the area. When I came in, Mr. Sato was nowhere to be found.

"Dad?" Asami called.

"Chief, the estate is secure, no one has left the workshop since we arrived," A guard said.

"Perhaps, we just couldn't see him leaving," Chief Beifong said, and made her way to the middle of the room.

Once she was right in the middle of the room, she slammed her foot on the floor.

"There is a tunnel underneath the workshop, leading all the way to the mountainside," Chief Biefong said.

"There's no tunnel," Asami said. Chief Beifong raised an eyebrow.

Suddenly, Chief Beifong metal bended a portion of the floor. Underneath the portion, was a tunnel.

"Do you think your dad knows about this tunnel?" Bolin whispered.

"I don't understand, there must be an explanation," Asami said softly. I put a hand on her shoulder.

"Maybe you don't know everything about your father, I'm sorry," Korra said softly.

"Officers, into the tunnel, be cautious," Chief Beifong ordered, as the metal benders marched down the tunnel.

I let go of Asami's shoulder and follow the metal benders. I turned around to see Asami, Mako, and Bolin following the metal benders until, Chief Beifong stopped them.

"Uh uh, you three stay up here," Chief Beifong said.

"Officer Song, keep an eye on them," Chief Beifong ordered before heading down the tunnel with Tenzin.

Korra and I followed behind them, but I saw Korra stop and looked behind her. I did as well, but I pulled Korra to usher that we needed to go. Before we headed down, I made eye contact with Mako, and he looked away with a sad expression. I sighed and made my way down the tunnel with Korra.

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AUTHORs NOTE:
This chapter was edited but nothing from the storyline has been changed.

PUBLISHED: May 10, 2019