"So how much y'all get?" Damien pulled out his roll of cash proudly showing his $500. Ramen and Michael shut him down quickly though as they each pulled $1000 while Terrence only pulled out $500. They all quickly noticed what happened, the winners got paid more than the losers.
"Seems like it was supposed to be a rigged match and yet we still get paid differently. That's some bs." Damien grunted about, being very spiteful. While the group was just walking around Terrence suggested finding a tram to ride over to their new home.
As the group agreed to the decision they quickly found a tram, hopped on in and sat down for the ride. After a short 20 minute tram they found their way into the outskirts of Republic City. As the group got themselves ready, they one by one stepped off the tram. "Yooo, names Terrance and this is Damien. What's your name?"
"Michael and Ramone but he likes to be called Ramen, it seems like we're gonna be working a lot together, I hope we can get along. It seems like we're here, hopefully no one dangerous is in there.. That's a joke by the way."
The trio quickly see that Michael is an expressive chatter mouth, but it's got a charm. The group then observes their area, the hotel, a few shops, overall a not so bad place. You could say it also has a unique charm.
The first to make a move was Terrence, he stepped forward and walked into the hotel, went over to the elevator and went up to the third floor, the group followed along as well. As the elevator did its thing Michael looked at the rest of the group to really look at them. While thinking to himself he examined everyone.
"Terrence is a pretty big guy, black man about 6'4 and he has a nice small afro. Ramen's about 5 '10, Asian with bed hair, nice dark eyes. Damien's about 6' Latino, average look guy. Whereas I'm about the exact same as Ramen but Latino. I've got better looks though."
The elevator makes a small musical note and the doors open, the boys walk out. As they do they follow the rooms until they find theirs. As they find their room Michaels eye catches a man smoking. While everyone else went in to claim their bunks or whatever that in there Michael stops outside.
Ramen notices Michael but shrugs it off, he cares more about getting top bunk.
"Excuse me sir, you know there's no smoking in the building right?" Michael then walks up to the man.
"My bad man, just a habit."
Michael walks closer to the man and does his work.
"6 '2 looks a mixture of Asian and White, black hair, a very very nice rat tail for his hairstyle."
"Sir what's your business?" Michael begins to do a slight interrogation before he remembers that he's living with miscreants who might just steal his bed. So he left running into the room. The man watched him as he left.
Michael was able to run into the room just in time but as he made it in he quickly realized a horrible reality. There were only two queen sized beds. But, there were four men.
"Look, I'm cool with sleeping next to another man but imma need to put some pillows between each other." Terrance then slumped onto the bed. Damien with not much retaliation also fell onto the bed next to Terrance.
Ramen and Michael gave each other a glance then sat on the bed. As the group took their moments to rest Terrance thought to himself that life looked a little too nice. He got up, walked over to the closet and as he opened up the door he saw four backpacks.
He quickly grabbed one and opened it up, while spreading it on the bed he listed. A full extra pair of clothing, a ski mask, gloves and a bottle of water. Everyone else also followed along, they took their bags and after a quick skim they noticed the contents of the bags were the exact same.
One by one the group began to ponder. As they all collectively brainstormed they realized. They couldn't remember anything in their lives before the pro bender match. They didn't exactly know what anything was happening.
The group began to formulate a plan, Terrance being the lead. "So far we know literally nothing, I don't remember my parents or even if I had any siblings. I don't know the year we're in or anything else in this world, so the first thing I'm gonna do is find a library and study. Does anyone wanna join me?" As the group looked around at each other Ramen rose his hand.
"I'll follow along"
So did Michael and so did Damien.
Then the group got up, grabbed their bags and walked outside. Then they realized very quickly.
"Where the fuck is a library? "
As the group collectively face palmed themselves, the same handsome man was still there smoking. Yet this time it looked as if he was playing with the smoke. Damien thought of him as a weirdo, Terrance and Ramen realizing he's a fire bender couldn't really help them get stronger.
Michael with no hesitation walked forward to the man. "Excuse me, could you point me to the nearest library?"
With a small smile on his face the man gave him quick directions to a Library. "Just go downtown, find the big marble building with Republic City Public Library on it and you'll find it."
The man then took another puff of air from the cigarette. Michael with a bit of hesitation in his voice asked. "Can you teach me how to fire bend?" The man with no words palmed Michael in his solar plexus. Forcing him to practically relearn how to breathe.
Although this probably wasn't the first time he's been hit like this. His body definitely shouted at him like it was, "BREATHE, BREATHE,BREATHE!" After gasping for air for a few seconds Michael was finally able to regain his posture a bit better.
"You alright?"
Michael in a labored manner posed up a thumbs up, "Just peachy."
Michael stumbled back up, using the wall as support. He looked at the man, still being groggy. "So can I get your name?"
"Call me Eli, well I guess you could call me master too if you're weird." Eli then held out his hand for a shake. Michael grabbed that hand then said, "I'm Michael, I guess you could call me student if you're weird enough."
With a bit of a smirk Eli shook Michael's hand before gesturing to his friends. Michael turned around and realized they already left. "I'm assuming they left when they heard where the library was." Eli nodded his head in agreement.
With a sigh Michael jogged over towards the elevator, getting to the ground floor. As he leaves the doors of the hotel he sees the trio standing in front of a radio shop. As he catches up, Terrance catches Michael up.
"Basically there's an election going on right now, looks like it's the final two candidates. Apparently there's also been some weird cult like shit going on. So the final speeches before the voting ends will be happening in a month."
Damien remarks that it seemed as if they knew most of the world and how it works, but nothing about their personal lives nor any details of the word. Ramen looked around the area, and he suggested they find jobs.
Terrance nodded, "He's right, even if we do work under that mob boss it's no guarantee if we'll get paid on a constant basis. I think we should do something that would both make us stronger and get us paid."
While the group was indeed pondering around Michael suggested they should wander around the neighborhood first. While looking at each other all of a sudden their stomachs rumbled in hunger. Just as their hunger rose so did their scent of smell, they looked to their right and there was a Mexican food stand.
Without much hesitation they got themselves a large burrito and a drink for a measly $8. While dabbing his burrito in a fine hot sauce Terrance caught a glimpse of an odd store. While not saying much he just walked over there. Damien with his cunning eye follows along, as well as the rest as they want to get left behind.
As a sweet chime rang when the door was open they felt new.