Lin's POV

I watched the dark skinned girl curiously as she sat across from me in the chair. One of her hands was pressed against her head and it didn't take a genius to figure out she had a headache due to the hit to the head she took. Not that that was of any consequence to me. She was an intruder and if it had not been for the Sato girl, who had proven loyal to us for the last five years, I wouldn't have allowed her into our safe haven. The heiress was currently standing by the exit, her arms crossed as she watched the brunette.

I took a deep breath. "Ms. Sato tells me your name is Korra. Is this correct?" I received no reply from the teen; she didn't even acknowledge that I was even there. I huffed in annoyance, leaning over the table in front of her. "Is it, or isn't it?"

The girl finally looked up at me, her expression was uncaring but guarded. She looked as though she couldn't care less what I had to say. "I don't have to answer any of your questions," she replied, her cerulean eyes looking square into mine.

I growled at the girl's arrogance, slamming my fist on the table and making a dent in the metal. The girl looked unimpressed as she crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her chin up in defiance. "I'm not playing games," I barked. The interview had only begun and I'd already lost my patience with this brat. "You can either cooperate with me or I can throw you in a cell with the rest of your Equalist buddies.

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "What?" she asked, her teeth clenching.

"You heard me. Equalists." I stood a little straighter. "Did you think I wouldn't put two and two together? You just happened to show up just before those Equalists leveled an entire town, and on top of that you seem to know Asami? I'm no fool. You two know each other because you both live in the same Equalist base with that monster Amon."

I noticed her hand clench around her arm, the nails digging into skin as the muscles flexed. I smirked when she suddenly got to her feet, her entire body shaking from anger. The heiress stepped between us, standing in front of the girl, one hand on her shoulder.

"Chief Bei Fong," she began, looking over her shoulder at me. "Please, perhaps we should leave this for a later date," she pleaded. "Korra just woke up. She isn't quite ready for this."

"Get out of my way, Asami," I ordered. "Before I forget what you've done for us."

When she made no attempt to move, I put a hand on her shoulder, intending to push her aside when the shorter girl's hand wrapped around my wrist and she practically threw me into the tent wall, tearing it and allowing me to land on the other side of the now gaping hole. I growled in response, getting to my feet and readying myself for the attack. This girl had some nerve.

"Don't you dare touch her," the dark skinned girl growled darkly as she joined me outside the tent. I saw a fire in her eyes, a blaze I'd never seen before in anyone else. It was almost unnerving.

"You're only making this worse for yourself," I told her. "It's people like you and that so called masked revolutionist that have caused this whole mess!"

"Lin, she doesn't mean any harm," Asami tried reasoning. "She's not an Equalist. She can Bend."

"She's proving all the contrary right now," I shot back. I'd actually already been told that this girl was a Bender by Mako. But I wanted to see it for myself. So far, I hadn't seen any evidence to dismiss her being part of the Equalist party. "If she doesn't decide whose side she's on…I'm just going to have to take matters into my own hands."

The raven haired girl looked pleadingly over at her friend. "Korra, just answer her questions."

"I don't have to follow orders from her or anyone else," the teen growled, not sparing the heiress even a glance.

"So be it." And with that I stomped my foot and pushed my arms forward.

The girl dodged the large boulder I'd thrown, her jaw clenched as she came at me. I smirked a little. At least she was actually going to put up a fight. I formed several pillars but she simply grabbed onto one, using it as leverage as she hopped from one to the other and landing in front of me in a crouch. I immediately put a wall between us which she surprisingly managed to punch through, causing me to take a step back.

I gritted my teeth. I'd had enough of these games. I stepped forward again, raising my arms and then once again pushed forward, managing to knock her back toward the tent. At first, I thought she was going to stay down but then she rose, her eyes narrowed at me as she took deep breaths through her nose.

"Korra!" the Sato girl begged. "Please, Bend!"

The teen looked over at her friend this time, a flicker of emotion cooling the fire in her cyan eyes before she closed them and shook her head. I stopped my move to attack, scrutinizing her. It occurred to me then that Asami wouldn't be asking something that the girl couldn't do. And if that was the case and both Mako and the heiress were telling the truth, why didn't she just Bend?

I saw her shoulders rise and fall as she breathed deeply, then suddenly she moved her hand through the air and water appeared. My eyes widened as she pulled water out of the air, moving it to her will and covering the tips of her fingers before allowing it to fall onto the ground.

No one moved for a long moment, then Asami walked over and placed a hand on the Waterbender's shoulder. It hadn't been a great feat by any stretch, but it had proved the girl a Bender. But the girl didn't seem proud to have shown me up. "There's your proof," she said, sounding a little resentful.

"Well, that was-"

"Unacceptable." I scowled and turned to see the elder Waterbender walking toward me, clearly very upset with my actions. "You are not to torment this girl or Asami in the future. Is that understood?"

"I'm just doing my job to keep everyone safe," I countered, indignant. "I needed to make sure she wasn't a spy."

"There are other ways, better ways," Katara replied before turning to look at the two teens. "You can take her back to your tent," she told Asami in a softer tone.

The Sato girl nodded and lead the brunette back to her tent, leaving just me and the older woman alone beside my now needing to be fixed interrogation tent. I sighed in annoyance. "I wasn't through questioning her."

"Yes, you are. As of now." And with that finally order, she turned to follow the teens to their quarters, and left me to silently fume.

That girl was hiding something. And I was going to find out what.


Katara's POV

I'd known Lin had inherited her mother's hard edge and direct personality but this was out of line even for a Bei Fong. Mako had come to me earlier, informing me of the interrogation that was going to take place with the girl Asami had arrived here with. I'd known about the Earthbender's techniques and immediately had left to make sure it didn't get out of hand. I'd been a little late.

I'd seen the teen surrounded by boulders and knew that it had already gotten out of hand. And then I saw the girl pull some water out of thin air, something I'd learned when I was fourteen. After a moment, I'd stepped forward and made my presence known, telling the heiress to take the newcomer back to her tent. I had planned on checking up on them, and due to Lin's rough approach, I would now have to be careful with how I went about my own.

The Sato teen had informed me of her friend's…serious nature. And now with this, I knew it would be even harder for us to gain her trust and for her to be comfortable around us. Asami had informed me that her father was far from the camp and that her mother had died when she was an infant. Having known the effect of losing a mother, I could understand the younger girl's hard edge. And now being separated from her only other caregiver was only adding her unease.

"Hello," I greeted upon entering the tent, finding the Waterbender lying on her side on the cot while Asami sat next to her. The girl quickly sat up, too quickly and she grimaced in pain, bringing her hand up to her head. "Mind if I take a look at that?"

She shook her head, one hand squeezing the opposite bicep. I tilted my head when I noticed a very skillfully woven armband there, recognizing the pattern instantly.

"So you were born in the Southern Tribe," I noted aloud with a smile. She looked up at me before nodding her head slowly, hesitantly. "I was also born there, you know."

The teen said nothing as she studied me.

"Asami," I said, looking over at the older girl. "Iroh has been looking for you."

"Katara-"

"Your friend and I will be fine. Go."

Asami looked over at her friend, who looked like she was silently pleading with her to stay, before she reluctantly got up and left the two of us alone in the tent. I sighed before sitting down next to the brunette.

"So," I began. "Now that you know my name, mind giving me yours?"

She paused for a moment, looking unsure before relenting. "Korra."

"Korra," I repeated. "That's a good name. Did your father give it to you?"

I saw a flicker of emotion in her eyes, something very akin to sorrow, before she shook her head, a hand clenching at the necklace around her neck. "My mom did."

"Hmmm," I hummed. "I'd like to apologize for Lin's behavior. I know you must be confused as to where you are and that's fine, understandable even. I'm sorry she put you through that."

"She doesn't worry me," she replied with an air of indifference. She looked over at me. "Are you a Bender?"

I blinked a few times at her response before I answered. "Yes. A Waterbender." The teen nodded her head at this, rubbing her temple with her hand. "Does your head hurt?" I asked.

The younger Waterbender hesitated, as if not pleased with her acknowledgment of pain. "A little."

"Lie down," I instructed as I pulled Water out of the skin at my waist. I didn't find it necessary to pull water out of the air if I already had some at the ready. Korra didn't seem to carry a pouch, or she had lost it when the Equalists attacked, but she knew how to pull it out of thin air, so it didn't seem to matter much.

The girl did as she was told and I pressed the water to the side of her head, willing it to glow an eerie blue. She sighed, her whole body relaxing as the pain ebbed away. After a moment I put the water back in its container and checked on the cut. It was almost completely gone, barely a white line as a reminder.

"Better?" I asked with a soft smile. She nodded, her lips twitching slightly to form her own small smile, barely there, but I saw it. I sighed and stood, my old bones protesting a little. "A lot has changed since Asami was last here. If you need anything, just come find me."

"Wait," she called as I made a move toward the entrance. I turned back and watched as she twiddled her thumbs, biting her lip. "Thank you."

I nodded, grinning at her. "You're welcome, Korra."

As I left, I couldn't help but feel the familiarity that had come from the girl. It almost felt as though I'd known her previously. I shook my head, storing this away for later. This girl was special, I could feel it.


Amon's POV

I paced back and forth in my office, trying to listen to the report Tarrlok was reading off to me about the Sato girl's mission. It had been hours since I'd last heard from Korra. Sure, I knew that her mission would take time, that she'd have to slowly gain their trust before she could gather the information I required and report back to me. I wouldn't be worried…except that the group of Equalists I'd sent with her to protect her hadn't returned.

Not knowing was driving me mad.

"Are you even paying attention?" my younger brother asked.

I nodded, my gaze leading out the window and to the quad where my daughter and her friend spent most of their free time. Come to think of it, the heiress hadn't dropped by even once to ask about her friend since her return. That was most peculiar.

"Then you think the problem is solved?"

"When was the last time you had communication with the captain?" I asked, not bothering to acknowledge his inquiry.

He sighed, shaking his head. "It's only been a few hours," Tarrlok assured. "But you know they can't communicate until everything has been taken care of or if they need help. She's fine Noatak."

I let out an irritated, impatient noise at his words before resuming my pacing. Tarrlok continued to fill me in on the reports until the door slammed open and I stopped, looking to see who had barged in. A man leaned against the frame, looking battered and beaten, bleeding from various gashes. He tried to talk but only fell forward. Tarrlok and I rushed to his side.

"It's one of the men I sent with her," I breathed, feeling some unease at this revelation as I turned the man to lie on his back. "What happened?"

"Someone-someone gave the order to attack," the man gasped before a round of rattling coughs racked his body. "They-they almost seemed…prepared, like they knew it was coming. There was explosives and-"

Korra. And just like that, I was running.

"Amon, wait!" Tarrlok called.

I didn't slow, I kept running to I reached my own personal Satomobile and sped off, heading toward to Bender town I'd sent Korra to. Rek had made it back to base, there was a chance she could be on her way as well…or… I shook my head. No. There was no way she was hurt, and even if she was Naga would protect her, she wouldn't leave Korra's side. She wasn't alone, I repeated over and over in my head. It still didn't calm me down.

Once I arrived I slammed on the brake and hopped out, observing the remains of a barely there mass of ruin. I stepped over what used to be the gate, the desperate sounds of painful groans reaching my ears. Equalists, no doubt. If they were Benders a rescue party would've already retrieved them. I frantically searched around for any sign of Korra but found none.

After what seemed like an eternity, I spotted a piece of blue fabric in the rubble, similar to in make of the blue shirt the girl had been wearing last I saw her. I pushed the fallen boards out of the way, only to see that the piece of cloth was by itself. I picked it up, seeing the edge was lined with traces of blood, and noticing some more on one of the boards. I could feel myself shaking as I clenched the fabric in my fist, wrinkling it in my grasp and falling to my knees.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Tarrlok, his face grave. He understood the implications I didn't want to. I shook my head roughly. She wasn't dead. She had probably been mistaken for a Bender and dragged off to one of the camps. Which meant only one thing in my mind.

I would find that camp if it was the last thing I did.

"I want every camp searched," I told him, getting to my feet and looking over at my brother. "Every single one. Not tomorrow. Not after lunch. Now. I wont stop until we find Korra and bring her home." I made sure there was no arguing with my command, that my voice didn't betray my worry and anger. I was angry at myself. I'd sent her on this mission. Therefore, all blame was firmly on my shoulders.

"Noatak-"

"She's out there, Tarrlok!" I snapped, my voice rising. "And we're going to find her! I don't care if we have to tear the entirety of the Spirit World apart to do so! I want my daughter found and brought back to me!"

He stared at me for a moment, his eyes studying me like they often did. Except this time they were searching to see if I'd finally cracked, if Korra's disappearance would be my unraveling. After that one quick moment, he nodded and jogged back over to his own car.

I looked back down at the fabric in my hand and shut my eyes, pushing aside the voice in the back of my head that said she was gone. She was alive. She had to be.

"What have I done…" I whispered. "What have I done...?"


Mako's POV

After going to visit Bolin who was helping Lin train some of the new Earthbending kids I went for a walk around the camp. Really, the camp was hidden very well. As in, it was actually underground. It had a lot of different and varying tunnels, so there was always an escape route in case of the slight possibility that we were discovered. The main entrance was no more than an overgrown slip between the rocks…unless you could Earthbend to make it wider for more heavy cargo. But each tunnel all led to a gigantic open space, lanterns lighting the space, every nook and cranny. It was ingenious, if you asked my opinion.

However, more precautions had needed to be taken since the Bender town had been attacked. Iroh had informed me that Amon had personally gone to inspect the damage, looking for any survivors. But that wasn't all. He had also been ambushing every Bending camp he came across, and every story that came back about it said that the masked man was edgy, constantly moving, as if he was looking for something. When he apparently didn't find what he was looking for, he'd take prisoners…we all knew what happened to those unlucky souls. They were either killed or stripped of their Bending. Or both.

Grunts pulled me out of my thoughts and I looked up to find both the heiress and her Waterbending friend sparring in the midst of the training ground. With a shrug, seeing as I had nothing better to do at the moment, I approached them. There shouldn't have been anything to see, nothing impressive anyway. At least, that's what I'd thought. As the match continued I realized that it was probably one of the best I'd ever seen.

Asami, I knew, was an amazing fighter, by Nonbender or Bender status. She and I had sparred numerous times and we both managed to outdo the other on several occasions. But watching this match seemed to dull anything we'd done. The way they moved, there was a familiarity, like they could tell what the other would do before she did it. And the dark skinned girl was like no one I'd ever seen. Katara had been right. She could give Bei Fong a run for her money.

I'd only been watching for a few minutes when the Waterbender managed to kick Asami's legs out from under her and then pin her to the ground, arm raised and fist curled, ready for an attack. I waited a beat as they locked eyes, and watched as the shorter girl smiled and helped Asami up, who dusted her clothes off like it was no big deal.

That was when the Waterbender caught sight of me.

She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned, the reaction causing Asami to look in my direction as well. I raised a brow at the blue eyed girl's reaction. Was she trying to…show off?

I scoffed, shaking my head. She must've been dreaming if she thought I was going to admit to being even slightly impressed with her display of obvious skill.

"Hey, Mako," the heiress greeted, slightly out of breath, face a little red and sweat clinging to her forehead. "I guess you caught a glimpse of our match, huh?"

"Yeah," I answered with a half hearted shrug. "It was nothing I haven't seen before."

The newcomer's eyes narrowed at the obvious challenge, clenching her jaw. Looks like she didn't take to kindly to someone dismissing her skill. I forced myself not to smirk in satisfaction at getting a rise out of her. The brunette walked over to me till we were toe-to-toe, and I could see the fire blazing in her eyes.

"Think you can do better, pretty boy?"

It was my turn to clench my jaw. Pretty boy? There was no way I was going to let her call me that. I relished the opportunity to knock this girl's ego down a peg or two. "A lot better," I replied, unwrapping my scarf and setting it off to the side so it wouldn't be ruined.

"No Bending," Asami added quickly.

The both of us nodded our heads in acknowledgement as we began to circle each other. I'd seen the girl fight, but she hadn't seen me yet. That alone gave me a slight advantage. During her match with Asami she'd relied heavily on her strength and I could work with that, use it against her perhaps. I wasn't a fan of taking the first punch, I liked the pressure because it gave me a sense of control and that helped me win. I was going to show her exactly what I could do.

After a while, like I'd figured she would, she leapt forward, sending a kick toward my torso which I sidestepped before punching forward. The girl, Korra, leaned backwards under the punch and landed a hit to my side, causing me to take a step back. I chuckled. She was good, I'd give her that. My laughing seemed to infuriate her and she stepped forward again, sending a series of roundhouse kicks and punches my way which I blocked before turning and landing a spin kick to her back. This knocked her off balance.

I watched as the Waterbender's eyes narrowed before she came at me once again. She had a temper, that was certain, and I intended to exploit that. I punched forward and she jumped back, landing on her hands then springing forward, her legs wrapping around my neck and pulling me so that I fell on my back on the ground. I rolled just before she landed a blow next to my head.

We continued like this for a while, panting and sweating, both expertly avoiding taking any real hits. I watched her footwork, trying to find a way to get her off balance again. When I finally found my opening, I grabbed her arm, pulling it behind her as my other arm coiled around her neck, threatening to cut off her airway if I added any pressure. I smiled.

"I win," I breathed into her ear.

No sooner had the words left my mouth than she elbowed my in the stomach, grabbed my arm that was around her neck, and tossed me to the floor, rolling me over onto my stomach. She pulled my arm while her foot came to rest on my back, keeping me in place and my face in the dirt. She leaned forward, my arm still pulled taught away from me.

"I win."

I barely contained a growl as I yanked my arm away, standing up and rotating my shoulder. And for the first time, I saw a small smile appear as she once again crossed her arms. I huffed. Cocky much?

"Not bad," I told her with a shrug. Korra sent me a pointed look. "What? I said not bad."

This earned me a roll of cobalt eyes as she grabbed her towel and left the training grounds, most likely heading back to her and Asami's tent. The raven haired girl walked over to me, handing over my scarf which I carefully placed back around my neck.

"She's good, huh?"

"She has skill," I admitted.

Asami gave me a grin. "Yeah, she sometimes reminds me of this other ego-maniac I know." I grumbled. She laughed.