AN: Thank you guys for the reviews and favorites! It means a lot. I plan to update once a week from now on, but that may change. To answer a review, Akari is not the official primary caretaker of the orphanage, at least legally. It's a secret that the orphanage and orphans are in such bad shape. This story will evolve as I keep writing, so I'll go in depth in a later chapter. Please enjoy chapter 2!

Chapter 2

"The Avatar!" I couldn't believe it. Here, in Republic City? The Avatar hadn't been in Republic City for years. Avatar Aang had kept the city in peace, and since he had passed, the city had fallen into war between gangs and, more recently, between benders and non-benders. The fact that the Avatar had finally come was great news. To cover my surprise, I asked, "Is he hot?"

Adena laughed. "It's actually a girl. A Water Tribe girl named Korra."

I hid my disappointment with a shrug. "Whatever, as long as she's here to help. Do you know where she's staying?"

Adena shrugged and said, "She was with Master Tenzin, so probably on Air Temple Island."

"Hmm," I said, picturing a rough map of the city in my mind. "That's a day's journey on foot from here. Could you look after the kids until I get back?"

I made for the door, but Adena stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. "What are you talking about? You can't leave us!" She forced me to look her in the eye. "Food isn't the only thing we rely on you for, Akari. You are our source of hope."

I shrugged off her hand. "Then tell the kids that I'm going to find more. We need the Avatar to bring balance to this world. And the world will not be in balance until Leng is behind bars. I'm not going to sit by and do nothing while all of the ones I care about are hurt!"

Adena cringed and stepped back. "I care too, Akari. But right now, we need to focus on survival more than anything. You should leave when we can take care of ourselves, no sooner."

I gave her a sad smile. "I know you do. But we have to act now. Besides, the kids could do with some sneaking and hunting lessons, and you're a better teacher than I am." I turned back to the door. "I'll be back soon, Adena," I said with a smile. "I promise."

Of all the days to set out on an epic quest, I had to pick a rainy one. I pulled my jacket tighter over my leather armor (my first heist, I feel I have to keep it) to block out the wind. The puddles on the sidewalk were deeper than they looked, and my boots were soaked after a few blocks. Maybe I should have waited. I shook my head to dispel that annoying thought. It had to be done.

I would have stopped to eat, but what little money I did have was given to the kids. Pickpocketing was too obvious, and I couldn't afford to get caught now. My skin crawled at the thought of the inevitable dumpster-diving.

As I walked, I came across what appeared to be a Triple Threat raid. At least, the remains of one. There was a large rock formation blocking the street, and tire tracks leading through the broken glass window of a shop. I glanced at the yellow tape surrounding the scene. Weird. Who in their right mind would be stupid enough to run from the Triads? No one I knew.

The wind and rain slowed my progress, so I knew I would have to stop before nightfall. I huffed in annoyance. I hated sleeping in alleys. They were cold, wet, usually smelly, and were very dangerous at night. However, I knew I had no choice. My eyelids had already started to droop.

I found a "suitable" alley and settled underneath a slight awning. Using a pile of newspapers as a pillow, I managed to drift off.

"Akari! Akari!"

Screams were everywhere. They floated in the air and pounded my eardrums. The kids, all in utter agony, were screaming for me.

"Kids? Where are you?" I yelled back, but my voice didn't seem to make it past my lips.

Suddenly, a shadowy beast appeared before me, raising its whip-like tail and sneering in a terrifyingly familiar voice. "You little bitch! You are costing me! Now YOU will pay the price!"

My screams joined the kids' as my face flared with intense pain. Black blood streamed down my face as I wailed for somebody, anybody to help me. But the world was empty and silent. I am alone.

And then there was a voice. The voice of the monster. "You have failed, little girl. Your little band of misfits is gone. And you are nothing. No purpose, no family. No hope. You are alone, and always will be."

The screams came back in full force. And blood was all around me, lapping at my thighs and choking me with its stench. I saw my reflection in the crimson tide. I was the monster. Trained by my master, to carry out his bidding. And then I saw myself torturing the very kids I swore to protect.

The monster hissed in my ear. "And it is all your fault."

I awoke with a scream to find my nightmare had been false. I was not alone. I sprang to my feet and found myself surrounded. I recognized the men around me. Triple Threats. I ignited a small flame in my palm and crouched into a defensive stance. Lightning Bolt Zolt, leader of the Triple Threat Triad, stepped into the light and said, in a vaguely threatening manner, "Now, now Akari. Is that any way to treat your former employer? For all you know, I have an offer you can't refuse!"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You know why I stopped dealing with you. You hurt my friend." I had had a good friend who worked for the Triads with me.

Zolt actually laughed. Bastard. "Your friend was a fool. And that is in the past. What matters now are you and those cute little kids you take care of. You wouldn't want anything to happen to them, now would you?" To illustrate his point, he bent a small flame in his palm.

My eyes widened and I hung my head. "What do you want, Zolt?"

Zolt's grin widened to the point I thought his evil face would split. Not a pleasant image. "I got the offer of a lifetime, and I need your cooperation."

My eyebrows knit together in confusion. "From who?"

Zolt shrugged. "Some guy who calls himself Amon."

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