Redeeming Rush

Writers: Alley of the Labyrinth and MV (A friend of mine who doesn't often do fan fiction)

Pairings: Cannon Makorra, OFC June BeiFong x General Iroh, OMC Nerio x OFC, Bolin X Asami

Makorra and Bosami and romances will happen later, cause we all know I'm a romance kind of writer/read...but there is more than just that thanks to co-writing.

The first chapter is basically the last episode of season one in our OCs experiences

Disclaimer: Just another fan, don't own anything but OCness

Part One

It was another long day in Republic City, benders and nonbenders striving to survive. Shops and apartments lined the roads from the ports to the mountains. Waterbenders, Earthbenders, Firebenders living alongside non-benders. Some thugs began treating nonbenders unfairly, giving benders a bad name. Within a few months of rumors of the new Avatar's arrival, someone rose from the crowd and began preaching against the unfair power of the benders. Some people - those who didn't want trouble for their city, but were too afraid to make a stand in public – believed this. Others hailed from respectable families and didn't want to ascribe a difference; it would only make things worse. Like one girl, who didn't like hiding just because of her name and status, a nineteen-year-old who went against her mother, and many others of the police force; some turned their heads for her; others were too afraid of her mother to go against her. So just like every night that one girl ran the city and played her tricks, bending her way through the darkness, feeling every movement of the silent earth.

The slums of Republic City were crawling with Equalists. Why the hell did her mother want her away? She was the chief's daughter for crying out loud! It shouldn't matter what she did. But damn; she turned the corner and knocked over an abandoned cart with her earthbending. She stopped to fix the fruit; no one else should be blamed tonight when all she wanted was some freedom. She roamed the city and by now, she knew where Amon's men had underground entrances into the city. She heard footsteps coming from behind her. She grabbed her dagger and turned, looking with her blind eye for the person to show up. "Who's there!" she said. She couldn't see with her good eye and the darkness masked the other's presence.

A robed figure stepped out of the shadows. He pulled down his hood and revealed his mask. "Relax," he said. "Put down your little dagger and let's have a little chat, shall we? Maybe we can avoid an unnecessary fight."

"Unnecessary?" she spat. "It's past midnight and I can't freaking see you!" She pocketed her dagger and crossed her arms over she chest. She studied this figure: a mask, and a robe, only one person had that. AMON! Anger flushed over her. No way was she gonna get caught and have her mother ground her for two months. She grabbed her dagger again and prepared to bend. "Who are you? I'm not dropping anything until you tell me who you are!" She sighed when the figure didn't even make a move. "Can I trust you?"

The figure removed his mask. A streetlight flicked on. "So that's it, huh? You know, it's tough being a bender around these parts. A young woman like you should be careful roaming at night like this, alone. But if you insist on fighting..." He pulled an arm out of his robe. Electricity crackled in his palm. "You can call me Nerio, and to whom do I owe the favor?"

"Of course," she growled. "Well Nerio, I'm June, daughter of the Chief." She paused, and took a step back. "Yeah I'm a bender, what of it?" she said, looking at his face. She hated this lighting, but at least she could feel him through the earth.

Nerio analyzed the June's facial expression. He raised his arm and sent electricity to light up the rest of the streetlamps. "And I am son of... never mind. Knowing will only make matters worse between us." He uncharged the lightning glove. "You're against Amon, aren't you? That makes two of us. We must be careful. You don't even know half of what Amon is capable of doing."

"It's not like I care," June said, thankful for the better lighting but didn't allow him to see it. She stepped closer, one two, face still in shadow but she looked into his eyes. "You're against him? Well that's good enough for me." She offered him her hand. "Well Nerio, let me take you to my hideout so we can talk."

Nerio got a better look. She didn't look threatening, but he knew better than to underestimate a bender. He glanced up at the moon shrouded by thin clouds, grateful that he didn't have to demonstrate his powers. He accepted the offer and shook her hand. "With Amon's men roaming the shadows, it would be wise not to stay out in public this late at night."

"I can take them," she scoffed, with a smirk, though she rather not. One wrong move and she could be defenseless. She turned and checked the area once more before grabbing two of the fruits on the cart. "It's abandoned." She shrugged and took a bite from one, offering him the other while they continued down the street. Now where was her hideout again? Wasn't it with those peace keepers, near the pier? "Can you run? We're not far but we need to be fast."

Nerio accepted the fruit and took a big bite. He hadn't had any food that day and now a stranger offers him something he could've stolen on his own. "Thanks, but don't worry about me. I'm swift as a raging river." He gripped the fruit and sped onwards, taking smaller bites as he ran. He discarded the fruit in a nearby trashcan and reached the next block when he had no idea where to go. He looked back and saw June standing by the streetlight with her arms crossed, head tilted to the side. "Sorry!" he called out to her.

"Very nice," she sighed, catching up with him in a moment, her long black hair flying with her swift leg movements which brought her next to him. "Well now we're not far at all. I just hope someone's up." Swift as a river, speed like that, June gained some suspicion he would tell her in due time. She pointed down the next block and closed her eyes for a moment; yep, just down that way and a knock to the fifth door on the left. "Let me do the talking." She ran where she pointed, knowing that when they were in better lighting, he would be able to see her eyes; if he had anymore doubts about her, he would see why she was a fighter.

"What's this girl up to?" Nerio thought. And he thought his life was complicated. He followed close behind her, on the lookout for Equalists that could jump out and ambush the unsuspecting bender. He couldn't let June get caught; he couldn't allow Amon to get to another bender, taking away the one thing that makes them so special. He waited awhile and the door opened.

"You gonna let me in tonight?" June said to the man at the door. He nodded and looked at Nerio. "He's with me. We needed a more private place to talk." She turned and glared at Nerio's glove. "Hide that thing!" she hissed.

Nerio slipped the glove under his sleeve. Thankfully it wasn't charged; or else it wouldn't matter if he hides it. "Hello there, yes, I'm with her. Um, down with Amon?" There probably wasn't any password, but he had to gain their trust.

The man laughed. "Welcome, friend," he said to the boy. "Of course you're always welcomed here June, not many here tonight. I think some went to live with that crazy hobo. Good place though."

June shrugged. "As long as I get my corner table I'm good," she said, walking in. They went down the first pair of stairs and she knocked twice. The door opened and they were allowed in quickly before it was shut again. She went straight for her favorite table, turned on the light and sat down.

Nerio gazed around the room. There was a homely feel to it, like a community. Maybe he doesn't have to roam around alone or hide anymore. He knew why she brought him here. She wanted to know more about him, but how can he go about it without dropping the bomb, so to speak? There are some secrets best kept hidden until a time when there is no choice but to reveal them. "So, June, what would you like to know?"

"Stranger, Nerio, you caught me on a night where I just needed to breathe. Look at me, look into my eyes." She moved her hair away from her face. "If you want to be on my side, I don't want you holding me back. So are you a bender, Blue Eyes?" She let out both her fear and her worry. She would let him speak but he had to know about her, why she fought, why she was a rebel.

Nerio sighed. We'll start with the basics for now. Someone placed a glass of water in front of him, for the newcomer. "Maybe I should show you." He placed a hand over the glass and flicked his wrist up. He levitated a small stream of water into the air, made it dance, and then returned it to the glass. Then he took a small sip. "I'm a bender, a waterbender."

"Fine by me." She waited, wanting him to look into her eyes. "We'll have the upper hand when and if we run into trouble."

"We should be fine on our own, but we'd be better off teaming up with the Avatar. I hear she's in town, but it looks like she's a little occupied with pro-bending. A waste of bending, I'd say. Bending is meant for survival; when you're stranded or surrounded by enemies, you do what you must to survive." Nerio saw the dreadful look on June's face. He probably shouldn't be talking so grimly right now. A change of subject should fix this. "So... you're mother is Chief BeiFong. It must be great being her daughter. The whole city recognizes you and respects you, even if you hadn't exactly earned that respect."

"Sure whatever," she said, not sure if he couldn't tell she was blind, or he was avoiding it. "I don't care, I'm never there, can't be her weakness. I don't want that respect." She lifted her hand. "Come on, you got something for me to eat or what!" she yelled. Someone tossed her another fruit. "Oh come on it's not that late for a meal, dude!"

"Eat at home, BeiFong!" the man yelled from the other side. The room was large enough for its own corner bar for the older gentlemen, both benders and nonbenders alike were sitting around booth-like tables and some were at normal ones, just talking. All these people of different elements and beliefs sitting around because they didn't want to be involved with Amon or any type of danger Republic City would put itself in.

She looked back at Nerio. "So what about the Avatar being in town? Pro-bending, I agree. But, I don't know, was my mother part of that when she was a kid?" She rolled her eyes again. "If you think you can try that hun, you forget I can sense everything around me," she said to the girl with a pitcher of water above her head.

Nerio bent the water out of the pitcher and aimed small ice needles at the girl. She lowered the pitcher and turned away. Nerio refilled his glass with the water and stared into June's eyes. They were so unique, so washed out, a faded brown. Then it hit him. "You're blind! You can sense me in the dark with your feet. I didn't know anyone but the first Chief of Police, Toph, could do this. Anyway, I heard that Avatar Korra needed to learn airbending with Tenzin. Maybe we can visit them on the island. I can bend us across, shrouded in a mist, and we can go unnoticed. I understand you must be hungry. I already burned through that fruit while running. Ow!" Nerio placed a hand over his stomach. "Never eat and run, June." He covered his hand with some water and rubbed his stomach, relieving the pain.

"Half blind right now, but thank you." She smiled, finally, laughing a little at his displeasure. "I'm not big on water travel." She shrugged thinking about it. She wanted to stay here, there were a few others she still needed to watch over and if she was at the air temple... wait a minute... Pro-bending! Those two were pro-benders of course the Avatar would have them over for sure. "Fine, we go tomorrow afternoon." Hopefully her mother wouldn't be there and she could get some information on why the city was falling apart... for herself 'cause the Chief never tells her a damn thing. Leaning back, she flicked her leg and made her seat longer before turning off the light. "Sleep well Nerio." She flicked his seat as someone tossed them pillows. The hideaway became dark as those who stayed went to bed. She closed her eyes and waited for sleep to take her.

Nerio closed his eyes, but didn't fall asleep so soon. He was shocked that people could be this nice to him. What would they think of him when they finally get to know the full truth, his heritage? He cannot let them suspect anything. He went to sleep and had a disturbing dream. A light flicked on as he was presented on a stage. Walking towards him was Amon, his fingers extended. "Traitor," Amon said. "I had expected a little loyalty from you. I must take care of this before you think of a way to use it against me." Amon grabbed Nerio by the neck and placed his thumb on his forehead. Nerio struggled and screamed. He felt his energy rapidly draining, hiding in deep crevices in his body, and sealed away. He screamed to wakefulness. Through the window, he saw the dark sky turning purple and knew the sun was rising. He looked around the room. June and the others were sound asleep. Good. He didn't wake any of them up. He sneaked out for a morning walk and returned before anyone woke up. He poured himself a glass of water from the pitcher on the table and thought to play a little prank. It was almost noon and they needed to get going. He levitated a handful of water, made it colder, and dumped it all on June's head.

No shouting or sounds of bending; it was perfect. In her dream she was sitting on the pier completely blind. Nothing but sound washed over her, and there from afar she wished to see again, her vision was failing in her other eye, freezing suddenly. She blinked and sat up. "Who?!" She sat up perfectly drenched in ice cold water. "I'm gonna kill whoever did that!" She blinked a few times and saw Nerio standing over her. "Oh it's you. Morning." She growled, trying not to yawn.

"Good morning," Nerio said. "Sorry for the cold shower. Here" He gathered the water in one hand, and directed it to the plants. "It's five minutes to twelve. We should get going." He turned his face away, not wanting June to see the depression on his face from the dream he just had. All his dreams had come true until now, the good and the bad. He hoped this one would remain a distant fantasy.

"There's a reason why people sleep in, Nerio." She rolled her eyes and stood up. "Thank you though; we have a lot to do today." She stretched her back and walked towards the center, kicking the guy by the door. "You gonna check out that hobo's underground later?" she asked him.

The guy shrugged. "Go before you get caught." He opened the door. Nerio and June walked up the stairs.

"Where to first Nerio, the island or the station?" she said with interest when they reached the second door, not wanting to run into gangs; they had to get started on getting ready at all costs.

Once outside, Nerio got a better look at the sky. The view of the air temple was suddenly blocked by a grey blimp. Dark figures climbed down the cables. "We've got bigger problems right now." He pointed and June saw people climbing down. They wouldn't be around if there weren't any benders who broke the rules. They rushed to the scene and saw metalbenders surrounding... the Avatar! Avatar Korra used a combination of fire, water, and earth to ward off the metalbenders. Nerio took out his glove, snuck up on a metalbender, and took him to dreamland. More metalbenders arrived and surrounded Nerio. He knew he wasn't at his best until he bends, but at least he has this alternative. He was agile as he trained himself with the glove. June was watching the battle. "You know, you can join in any time now," he called out to her.

"Where is she?" June asked herself. "Damn it!" She ran forward and jumped, lifting the earth, carrying two of the so-called benders with her whom she pushed into the water. "These aren't real benders, the fakers, mom can metalbend better than this. Fuck, where is she?" She pushed a few more of the soldiers before stopping and looking around. Closing her eyes she focused on the earth. The Avatar near the center, Nerio just towards her left, the firebender and younger earthbender closer to the temple... nonbender girl fighting like Nerio..."Where the hell are the Airbenders and Chief BeiFong!" she screamed again, taking out another soldier heading towards the center.

A metal cable wrapped around a pole. Chief BeiFong swung into action and landed at the scene. "Return to base," she said to the metalbenders. "We'll be back for the Avatar." The metalbenders raised their arms and rose to the blimp. The Chief turned to June. "Let alone missing curfew, you didn't even come home last night, young lady." She turned to Nerio and then back to June. "You weren't with him last night, were you?"

"Um, if I may say something," Korra said, raising her hand.

"No you may not," Lin barked at her. "This is between me and my daughter." She glared back at June. "I'm giving you a chance to explain, so don't blow it. Well, what would you like to say for yourself, young lady?"

"Oh great we got into the wrong fight!" June growled. "I got nothing to say, mother, just wanted some time away from you and the rules and stuff." June crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at her mother and everyone else with her good eye. "Metalbenders and Equalists look similar... shit I thought... I'm not sorry."

"Grounding you won't do you any good," Lin said, "maybe you'll listen when Amon blocks your bending. It's a terrible thing, which is why I stress that you follow the rules. I don't want Amon to capture you. But don't expect me to save you if he does. I have my own concerns." She turned to Nerio. "And you are?"

"Nerio, Chief BeiFong," he said. "I don't mean any trouble. I sensed danger and I had to help the Avatar. She can't take on all those metalbenders on her own."

"Actually, I was doing just fine 'til you showed up," Korra said. "I'm the Avatar; I can take care of myself."

"Seems as though things have settled over here," Lin said. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get going. I can't waste anymore time babysitting." Lin shot up to the blimp and it carried them away.

Nerio turned to June. "You really have issues with your mother, don't you?" Then he turned to Korra. "Avatar Korra, we needed to find you, and it looks like we did. June and I can't ward off the Equalists on our own and we need your help. We benders need to stick together."

"Wait a minute," Korra said. "You're not a bender. You used the glove made for and used by the Equalists. You're with them!" Korra bent water from the barrels on either side of her.

Nerio took a chance. He swung his arm and redirected the two streams of water back into the barrels. "June, why don't you explain, please? You're apparently much better at talking than I am."

"Yeah whatever! Woman doesn't even care that I need to get out of the damn house!" she screamed at the blimp that had already passed. "Excuse me. Miss Korra, I am June, an earthbender, and this sly dog is a waterbender who happens to be against Amon. I don't know how he got the glove. All I can tell you is he knows ways to avoid bending or whatever. Amon is ruining my turf, my grounds; like you I can take care of myself, but we need to team up with your other friends to make sure nothing else happens to this city or us. Amon has the upper hand, telling others bending is unequal; a waterbender like you should know the balance. Am I right?" She stopped to look around. "Is there a chance I can get some food in me or what? Damn woman thinks she can handle it herself. I was scared goddamn it." She walked away from them, pissed off at herself.

"I don't mind explaining how I got the glove," Nerio said. "But not in public." He looked around, peeking in the alleys, checking the sewages. "Is there someplace we could go where Amon wouldn't dare attacking?"

"I've got just the place," Korra said. "The air temple. You'd better get your friend, before she wanders off into trouble."

Nerio chuckled and wrapped a coil of water around June's waist. She struggled but couldn't earthbend her way out of the water. "Sorry," he told her when he pulled her to them. "But Korra can take us to the air temple, where we can freely talk without fear of Equalists."

"Fine... give me a break. I can't think straight without food." June growled. She followed the Avatar and Nerio to the pier. Being half blind, she couldn't tell who to trust around her. She thought she saw some others, but she could be wrong. She looked at the waterbenders. "And how are we gonna cross without a boat?" June didn't like the idea; she won't be able to see all even for a few minutes." Is there a way I can just earthbend all the way there or something instead, eh?" Korra looked at her strangely and June felt the annoyance again. "Oh come on. I can't swim."

Nerio and Korra exchanged looks, as if to say "you thinking what I'm thinking?" While Nerio made a winding ice bridge that formed as they went further, Korra pushed the three of them forward, much to June's dismay. She couldn't see any better on the ice than on the ground. Korra defied gravity at the loops while keeping June's feet attached to the ice. They arrived at the island and were greeted by Tenzin.

The older gentleman looked at Korra and then her two new friends. "All is good, I hope?" he asked before he recognized the other girl. "Hello June, what a pleasant surprise."

"Yeah yeah... food, then talk." June passed him and stood at the top of the stairs; she had some manners.

Tenzin looked back at the boy. "Welcome to the air temple. I am Councilman Tenzin and who might you be?"

Nerio felt honored. "I'm Nerio, Amon's... Amon's worst enemy." Yeah, that works, and maybe it's not a total lie. Tenzin led them upstairs, where the family had sat down for lunch. Nerio saw the kids, and backed away. These are the future ancestors of the Airbenders? A snotty boy, a hyper girl, and a girl who just didn't seem to care. The kids looked up and saw the stranger. Meelo ran up, climbed his shoulders, and pulled at his ears. "Who's this?" he said. "Is he a bender? Is he with Amon? Why didn't he bring me any gifts?" Tenzin plucked his son off of Nerio's shoulders and directed his guest to the table.

"Jinora," June said, smiling at the girl. "What's up?"

"This and that and training."

"I see. Nerio, these kids are the future of airbending. Jinora, Ikki and Meelo are brilliant in their own way." She winked at Meelo, "and if I knew you wanted something, kid, I would've gotten it for you."

Tenzin sighed, his shoulders slumping once everyone was seated. "Nerio, June what brings you here today?"

June was about to retort about Lin not trusting her at all when she knew the older man still had a soft spot for her and it wouldn't be right to do so. "I met Nerio when I was walking the streets last night. He wants to stop Amon as much as we all do. I think he has inside information."

"It's true. But if I tell you now, you'll lose your appetites." After an hour of silent eating, Nerio got down to business. "I've seen Amon rendering a bender powerless. I escaped just after knowing that Amon wants to gather the nonbenders of Republic City and show them how he can equalize the benders. We need to crash his party and stop him. He's doing this because he fears us benders, he knows we can stop him, and we will. I don't waterbend in public, so he hasn't found out about me. I can't attract Equalists. I trained myself with my lightning glove, so I can stand up for myself without my bending. I need your support. I have a plan, and a secret which not even Amon knows. Perhaps you won't trust me after knowing this, but I promise to use my powers to help you fight him, not the other way around. I'm… a bloodbender. I can stop Amon's movements before he takes away a person's bending. Then the rest of us can attack him while I have him immobilized. I understand if you don't trust me." Nerio stood up. "Thank you for the meal, Councilman Tenzin." Nerio had to get out of there, never to show his face again. After revealing this, it would be better to let Amon take away his bending for good, than to have his new friends turn against him.

June felt Nerio rise, focused on that small area, and closed the door before he reached it. "You're not leaving, Blue Eyes. You're on my side no matter what. Let the others speak before you leave." She was full and could think straight, which meant well, she would have to apologize to her mother.

Tenzin looked at the boy a little disgruntled. "Bloodbending means waterbending blood. Whoever your parents are have trained you in the art or you trained yourself. I see no trouble with it since he is on our side. Korra dear? As the Avatar, your opinion is most valued."

There was a knock on the door; June lowered it to see golden eyes looking back at her. "Oh, man, did we miss lunch?" the person said.

She leaned back against the wall. "We're just talking about something serious, however you got here or whatever doesn't matter and yeah ya kind of did."

"Oh harsh," said the other person coming behind the first. "Hey look there's still food left! Sweet!"

June raised her eyebrow and watched as the two sat down to eat. "And you are?"

The other person had already stuffed his face with bread. "I'm Bolin," he mumbled.

"And I'm Mako," the first said. "You must've heard of us already. You know, pro-bending stars and all that. I didn't think there'd be more guests."

"We were just leaving," Nerio said. He turned, but Tenzin blew a column of air to close the door.

"Stay with us, Nerio," he said. "We need to finish our conversation. There is still food out, so lunch has not yet finished, I suppose. Wasn't Asami with you guys? Why didn't she come for lunch?"

Nerio stood at the window, since with two more guests, the table had no available seats left.

"Of course I know you fools don't ya recognize me?" June hummed with a laugh. "Ya'll idiots that for sure bad at being in a city gang and just getting by in a tournament really?" She laughed again.

"She's moping in her room," Bolin said before taking another bite. "More Amon info stuff?" June nodded.

"Bolin... wait she's right we have seen her around." Mako said.

June rolled her eyes. "Intro later business now. If you don't mind we're wasting time and mom will have to wait to ground me again."

Nerio turned to Pema. "You didn't put any sedatives in the food, did you? June wasn't this cheery when I met her yesterday." June punched Nerio's arm. She has her mother's toughness. Nerio thought he had nothing to lose by telling Mako and Bolin what he told the others. Bolin was a little scared to know that there is someone in the room who can control his movements. "Don't worry; I would never use it against my friends. What are we gonna do? We need to plan it all out. Nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, should go wrong. Amon won't think twice before blocking a person's bending. Getting caught is not an option."

The family looked at June and at the boys. Tenzin said, "Well it seems we got something going on and I rather you guys stop meeting here... there's so much we can take."

"Yet Amon can get her and hurt you," June said to Tenzin. "Mom would kill me if she found out I left you guys alone. Though the underground is a nice place to hide or so I've heard."

Mako and Bolin rolled their eyes, confused. "Wait a minute, earthbender, knows Tenzin, attitude like Chief Lin's... why in the world are you here?" asked Mako.

"Don't forget, I'm also the toughest on the streets. I've seen you, and you've seen me" she winked, laughing again. This was actually going pretty well, now if only she can get her mother off her case.

Tenzin got up. "I'm supposed to meet the other council members. June, it's best if you come along."

"And get caught in my mother's wire? Not happening."