Authors Note: Hi Everyone! I hope you enjoy the 1st chapter. There is a lot of set up I have to do since this is an alternate timeline, but I'm just as excited to get to Korra as you are. At this point in the Avatar timeline she is still just a kid, so she won't be kicking some butt for a while, but I promise she will (if you really wanna skip the set up Korra makes her first teenage appearance in chapter 8). Also, I'm a huge sucker for Korassami, so there will be lots of that in later chapters. Like most authors on here I'm really motivated by follows and reviews, so if you like what you see, please let me know. I'll do my best to get a chapter up every week. Thanks! Also, also, I haven't written fan fiction in ages, but LoK inspired me so much, it's wonderful to get back to writing :)

I plug this in a later chapter as well, but if you like my writing style, but don't want to get into a long and drawn out story like this one, you might like my other story "The Republic City Miracle." It's a high school AU where Korra is a star quarterback and Asami is a cheerleader and silliness ensues. Korrasami. Bopal. Find it on my profile or search for it if you think that sounds fun.

Air Temple Island, Republic City

Year 159AG

Tenzin paced back and forth across the dock at Air Temple Island, the flames engulfing Republic City seemed to grow by the minute, and he kept his gaze steady at the skyline. Hiroshi Sato had finally lost his mind. Thinking back, Tenzin realized one year ago, after the death of his wife at the hands of a firebending burglar, is when he actually went crazy. The murderer, who was be a member of the Agni Kai Triad, felt Sato's wrath as he channeled his rage into something productive for the city. He declared a war on the bending gangs and offered his assistance in anyway he could. Money, weapons, manpower, there was nothing that wasn't at his disposal, and he used all of his resources to strike back at the low-lives of the city who had been stealing lives and property with impunity. Shortly after, he form a new political party, the Equalists, and put his name in for the running for the office of President of Republic City. With a majority of the credit for the decrease in violent crimes given to him and his company, Future Industries, his victory was all but assured. He won the election in a landslide and all of the non-benders of the city were very happy to have more representation outside of the council which was comprised solely of benders. He agreed to work together with the council and all seemed to be going well, at first. His methods were harsh, but the city had been longing for peace. The people accepted him fully. Tenzin had even supported him, but, when he outlawed bending within the city limits one month ago, everything changed. Benders all over the city rioted, even the pro-bending athletes who's matches were the exception to this new law. Bending was as natural to all of them as breathing, and making their innate abilities illegal...no one had expected such a rash move on the part of President Sato.

The air acolytes and Pema, heavily pregnant with their first child, had retired for the night long before. But he doubted they were sleeping soundly. Sure, they were in the safest place in Republic City, but the glow of the fires was bright even seen from their safe haven, and the sounds of battle between benders and the metalbending police crashed through the night air. Tenzin didn't think anyone would be able to sleep through all this chaos.

The sound of a revving speed boat engine caught his ear. That was most certainly not the person he was waiting for, but it was undoubtedly approaching the island. He stopped pacing and stood poised for battle. He didn't think that Sato would come for him...yet. He was still a member of the council, after all, but one could never be too prepared. His tension eased as the boat came into view. There was only one person on the small craft, and he knew it was someone who would never harm him.

Lin Beifong jumped out of the boat, quickly securing the craft with metalbending, and approached Tenzin rapidly, her brow furrowed with worry, or anger. Tenzin could never tell with her. "Tenzin," she said forcefully, "what are you still doing here? You must flee, now!" Tenzin, always collected, looked her straight in the eyes, "I'm waiting for my sister. Shouldn't you be quelling the violence back in the city? What are you doing here?" He said a little more forcefully than he had intended.

"Sato has turned on us all, even the metalbenders. He has his own squads of chi blockers and mech-suits patrolling the city. He is capturing or killing every bender he sees. It wont be long before he comes for you." She grabbed his shoulders and looked him dead in the eyes. "Leave now! Take Pema and go to the Avatar, she needs to be taken somewhere out of the reach of Sato."

Tenzin looked at her in shock, but knew she wouldn't say such things unless she was deadly serious. "I need to wait for Kya...are you sure things are that serious over there?" Lin looked at him irately, not needing to speak a word for Tenzin to understand. He turned away from Lin, arms crossed in deep thought. Leaving now would mean abandoning all the air acolytes, none of them were air benders, so they would likely be spared, but if Sato was truly doing the things that Lin claimed...they might not be safe.

"Tenzin," Lin said again, more desperation creeping into her voice, "I know this is hard, but think of your future. The Avatar needs you, you are the only one who can train her in the art of airbending. Think of Pema and the family you want to make. You need to go!"

"How much time do you think we have?"

"Not long, I saw a strike force preparing by the docks as I was sneaking away. I believe the they'll attack before morning. How long will Kya be?"

Tenzin grit his teeth. He had no idea how much longer Kya would be, and if she didn't make it in time he didn't want to be responsible for calling her into a death trap. "I don't know,"he finally said to Lin, "but, we have to hurry. Will you help me?"

Her face hardened, but Tenzin could see her eyes were full of sadness and regret. It hadn't even been two years since they split. It look her only a moment to answer in spite of her reservations, "I'll do everything I can."

"Lin..." he said putting a hand on her shoulder, "Thank yo-"

"Enough of this mushy stuff," she cut him off, flicking his hand off her shoulder, "there's no time for this. Let's go!"

"Alright, we need to get Oogi packed for a long journey. I'll wake the others and let them know the situation!" Without another word they both raced up the steps from the docks. Lin turned toward the sky bison pens, he knew she would be able to handle saddling Oogi up on her own, and Tenzin continued straight to the living quarters.

As he entered the main temple compound he sent out a shock-wave of air rattling the whole place. Just in case that hadn't gotten everyones attention he yelled out, "Everyone up! We have an emergency!" Air Acolytes started quickly coming out of their quarters at Tenzin's call. "Everyone meet in the central square!" He ran past all of them without stopping to make sure they heard his order, but he saw them running back the way he came toward the central square. They would all be waiting for him, but first he needed to get Pema.

Pema was fully dressed with a pack for travel on her back when Tenzin entered their room. She looked at him, horror in her eyes. "This isn't really happening, is it?" Tears started to stream down her face when she saw Tenzin's eyebrows furrow. "Why now?" She said grasping her baby bump. Tenzin closed the distance between them and held her tightly in a protective hug.

"Don't worry, we'll make it through this."

"I know," she said, "I believe in you Tenzin. Let's go." She grasped Tenzin's hand, preparing to run with him, but he swept her up in his strong arms. She began to protest.

"I know you are fully capably, but it's faster this way." Those words silenced her and she took one last tearful look back at their room, not knowing how long it would be until they saw it again, or even if they would see it again. She held him tightly as he made his way out of the living quarters and toward the central square of the temple. All of the Air Acolytes were there armed with staves. Lin stood by Oogi, who was groaning in exhaustion. Apparently, the sky bison was the only one in the temple who had been sleeping soundly when awoken. Kya had finally arrived as well and was speaking with Lin, who had clearly filled her in on the situation, because when she saw Tenzin she ran over to him and embraced him.

"Umm..." Pema said squeezed between the siblings, "pregnant woman here." Kya released her brother, and Tenzin gently set Pema down mumbling his apologies. He saw Lin shoot her a dirty look, thankfully Pema hadn't seen it. The last thing anyone needed now was a cat fight, but considering the circumstances he trusted them both to keep their dislike for each other in check.

"Tenzin," Kya said getting her younger brother's attention, "I had no idea things had gotten so bad here. You should have called me sooner. If I had arrived any later..."

"I know, I'm sorry," he said hanging his head for a moment to compose himself. He looked up and saw that not only had Lin saddled Oogi, but the Air Acolytes had already placed sever full packs of supplies on the sky bison's back. He hadn't prepared any of these measures. Pema saw his surprise and place her hand on his arm softly.

"You always had faith in President Sato, the council, and Republic City, but the rest of us weren't so sure. We prepared all of this just in case we needed to make a quick escape..." He heard the guilt in her voice. She was right to do what she did, though, and Tenzin grasped her tightly in his arms again.

"It's a good thing one of us wasn't blinded by their faith in this place, thank you Pema." He looked at the giant statue of his father, Avatar Aang, and his stomach dropped. He was failing his father by leaving, but he knew that leaving was the only way to protect the future of the air nation living in his wife's womb. His resolve was hardened. He released Pema, holding onto her shoulders and looking into her eyes deeply. She had always been a strong woman, now he need to gather as much strength from her as he could, and the resolve in her eyes make him brave enough to leave his home behind. They would gather more strength, train the Avatar, and live to fight another day.

"Tenzin," Lin said harshly, he hadn't seen her approach, so her sudden presence made him jump slightly "we don't have all night." He nodded to her and turned toward the Air Acolytes and addressed them in a booming voice.

"Everyone, throw down your weapons and don't fight. You are all non-benders. President Sato should have no qualms with you remaining here. Stay on the island and keep the culture of the Air Nation alive. I'll return one day with the Avatar, until that day comes, stay strong!" There were murmurs of disapproval coming from the acolytes and the highest ranking one approached him. Acolyte Lee, an man Tenzin had known almost his entire life.

"Master Tenzin, it's our wish to fight. We are not benders, this is true, but in our hearts we stand with all benders. If Sato is coming for you, he is our enemy. We want to defend you!"

"Acolyte Lee, I understand your feelings, but you must trust me," He grabbed the man by both shoulders forcefully and looked him dead in the eyes, he looked up and addressed all the acolytes again, "everyone, you must trust me! This is what is best for the Air Nation!" This time no one murmured or grumbled in reply. "Lee," Tenzin said returning his gaze to his highest ranking acolyte and friend of many years, "I trust you with this task. Please be the leader of this temple in my absence." Tenzin let go of the man's shoulders.

"Very well, Master Tenzin," he said breaking eye contact. He could see tears welling up in Lee's eyes as he turned around to convince the other acolytes that Tenzin's plan was the best option. Some of the accepted this immediately, dropping their staves and lowering themselves into lotus position to meditate and wait to surrender to the forces of President Sato. He knew Lee would have them all in agreement by the time the island was invaded. Now was the time to leave.

Kya mounted Oogi and took the reigns. Tenzin lifted Pema into his arms again and with one massive air jump was standing on the sky bisons saddle. He looked over at Lin who was standing with her arms crossed next to the massive animal. "What are you going to do?"

"How about a lift back to the city?" Tenzin furrowed his brows.

"You should come with us to the South Pole."

"Someone needs to stay here and protect the benders of this city. I'm still the chief of police here." Her green eyes flashed with conviction, "I'll do everything I can to make sure this city is ready to counterattack by the time the Avatar has mastered all four elements."

Tenzin sighed, "very well, get on." She grabbed on to Oogi's saddle and pulled herself up. She sat down across from Tenzin and Pema, but didn't look at them. Instead she looked toward the city. The cogs in her brain clearly turning, trying to figure out the best way to help the people being slaughtered now. She was a hard woman, but she always had the best interests of the people of Republic City in her heart. Tenzin knew seeing the city like this had to be killing her inside.

"Yip yip," said Kya as she gave the reigns a quick flick. Oogi lifted his massive tail and launched them all into the cool night air. That air heated up quickly as they approached the city. The fires were more intense than they had looked from the island and the four of them broke into sweats. Kya looked back at Lin, "I don't know how close we are going to be able to get you."

"It's alright," Lin said standing up and surveying the best place be dropped off. It took her only a moment to decide. "There," she pointed to the pro-bending arena. Fire, water, and chunks of rock were flying everywhere and the building was already in shambles. Of course, she would want to go where the fighting was fiercest. "Just get me above the stadium, then I'll jump for it." Kya pulled the reigns so that Oogi would head up and to the right toward the location Lin had indicated.

Tenzin sat motionless, one arm around Pema's shoulder as she leaned into him, their fingers interlocked. "Lin," he said, his voice nearly cracking with emotion. She turned only her head and looked at him out of the corner of her eye. "Good luck, I'll come back with the Avatar as soon as I can." She turned away and looked down. They were right above the stadium. They hadn't been noticed yet, as everyone on the ground was preoccupied by the battle raging down there. "Same to you Tenzin, goodbye." With those words she jumped from Oogi's back, metal wires extending from her arms. Tenzin jumped up, nearly dragging Pema with him as he leaned over the side of Oogi that Lin had jumped from a mere second ago. He saw her falling, her metal wires striking the building as she whirled around the massive structure before landing with some other benders and joining the battle. He believed in her, but he was still worried that would be the last time he ever saw her, she had said goodbye after all.

Kya pulled hard on the reigns, turning them away from the city and dodging a stray lightning blot, Tenzin fell back hard and knocked his head hard on Oogi's saddle and making him see stars. He groaned and in an instant Pema was at his side. She pulled his head onto her lap and stroked his cheek. "Rest." Tenzin closed his eyes as his wife ordered. He knew this war was only going to get harder by the day. He figured he should get rest at any time he could, but he didn't know if he would ever be able to sleep soundly. At least not until he could reclaim his home. He reached for Pema's hand, but she found his before he could grasp her's. She held his hand tightly.

"I'll bring us back home someday," he said finally allowing a single tear drop to slide down his face. She leaned down and kissed the tear drop. She squeezed his hand a little more tightly.

"I know," her voice almost sounded happy. He opened his eyes and sure enough she was smiling. She looked down at him, "I believe in you, remember?"

"Yes," he answered, returning the reassuring hand squeeze.

"Now sleep." Tenzin acquiesced and closed his eyes again.