When she regained consciousness, she felt the metal chains on her hands and legs. She was forced in a standing position against a pole. Her one consolation was that she couldn't move her arms.

"Where am I?"

"In the arena beneath the stage," Amon answered.

"What? Am I going to be put on display for some crazy show of yours?"

"I do happen to have a rally tomorrow." He met her face to face. "And taking away your bending will be my main event." She gasped and struggled against her chains. "Don't waste your already dwindling strength. It's a shame you missed the defeat of the United Forces this morning."

"You're lying. There's no way you could've won that quickly."

"It's remarkable what technology can do. Just with a few mines and planes that Mr. Sato created for us and we destroyed the fleet. All without bending." Mizuki could hardly begin to process the information in her weakened state. He walked away from her. "It's about time you face reality. All of your sacrifices were in vain." She waited a few more minutes after Amon left before she finally let out her tears.

It was so cold and so dark. She could no longer keep her eyes open and all she could hear was the sound of his breathing. Her body always felt as if there was a weight pressed against it and now it was no longer bearable.

"I promised you," he whispered. "Don't let go."

But for the longest time, all she wanted to do was to let go and find peace. She only held on for his sake.

"We're almost there."

She felt the cold rush of water all around her yet it was strangely comforting.

"Meiyu, it is time," he said.


She awoke when a gag was forced around her mouth.

"Time to begin," Amon declared. He took his place on the platform and it elevated him to the stage above her. "Thank you all for joining me on this historic occasion!" The crowd roared in applause. "When I was a boy, a firebender struck down my entire family and left me scarred. That tragic event began my quest to equalize the world."

"That's a lie, Amon! Or should I call you Noatok?"

Korra?

"Everyone calm down, we have nothing to fear from the Avatar. Let's hear what she has to say."

It is her! Mizuki's cries were muffled as she struggled against her chains.

"Amon has been lying to you. The spirits didn't give him the power to take people's bending away. He uses bloodbending to do it. Amon is a waterbender!"

What? How is that possible?

"You're desperate, Avatar. Making up stories about me is a pathetic last resort."

"Your family wasn't killed by a firebender. His father was Yakone, and his brother... is Councilman Tarrlok."

"Hmph, an amusing tale, but I will show you the truth." There was a pause before the crowd gasped. "This is what a firebender did to me." There was a commotion from the crowd.

"I'm telling you. He's a waterbender!" Korra shouted.

The memory of that night finally clicked in her head. That strange sensation she felt was bloodbending. Terror welled up in Mizuki now that she knew how dangerous Amon really was. "I wouldn't leave yet, Avatar. You'll miss the main event."

Mizuki's platform began rising at that moment. No… Korra, run now! She began to pull at her chains more than ever. Her heart dropped when she finally saw Korra and Mako standing on a balcony by themselves.

"Tonight, I present to you one of the Avatar's closest friends. She is a granddaughter of former Councilman Sokka and from a prominent nonbender family. Sadly, she is a waterbender, but I will amend that right now."

"Amon, let her go!" Korra demanded.

"You're welcome to come down here and try to stop me," Amon goaded. "The Avatar needs to be reminded of the power I possess." As he approached her, Mako shot a bolt of lightning. Mizuki coughed as the cloud of smoke cleared up. Korra and Mako made their way towards her using their firebending.

Korra untied Mizuki's gag and began to work on her chains. "Where is Tenzin and his family?"

"They got away and were heading for the United Forces."

"They must be with Bumi and the reinforcements then. Beifong?"

"She got captured the day before I did. I haven't seen her since." Korra broke through the chains on Mizuki's feet, but when she tried to take a step, she collapsed.

"I'm sorry. I can't fight… I've haven't eaten in days and Amon broke both my arms." Korra looked at Amon with anger and disgust.

Two of the Equalists were suddenly tied up by metal cables and flung into the air. A young man jumped onto the stage. "I'm here to help."

"Who are you?" Korra asked warily.

"I'm Yuan Fen."

"He's my little brother."

"Jian?" said Mizuki.

Mako launched one fire blast after another, taking out the rest of the Equalists. Amon flipped in the air to dodge one of them, but Jian hurled a slab of earth from the ground when he landed, knocking him off the stage. "No time to chat. Let's get out of here!" Jian shouted.

"Mizuki can't walk on her own," said Korra.

Yuan Fen carried her in his arms. "I've got her, time to run."

They ran through the hallway before they stopped. "Get her out of here. We'll create a diversion," said Korra.

"I'm not leaving you to fight against a bloodbender," Mizuki protested.

"Stubborn, isn't she?" Yuan Fen commented.

"She needs healing. She hasn't eaten in days and both her arms are broken."

"We'll take her to our mother's. She'll be safe there," said Jian.

"We'll find you." Korra and Mako took off.

Jian and her brother ran in the opposite direction. They were soon confronted with more Equalists and the Lieutenant. Jian punched at the ground, flinging most of them at the ceiling, knocking them unconscious. Yuan Fen hoisted Mizuki onto his right shoulder and with his free hand, took out a blow pipe and launched a few blow darts at the remaining Equalists. They immediately fell to the ground paralyzed. "Never leave home without shirshu-spit darts."

"Impressive." Yuan Fen carried her bridal style again and the three of them continued on their way. They didn't notice the Lieutenant getting up and heading the opposite direction.

"Do you think the crowd outside are going to give us any trouble?" Yuan Fen asked.

"No, they're civilians and wouldn't try to take us on," Jian answered. When they finally got outside, they heard a shattering of glass. "What was that?"

"Is it Korra?" Mizuki mumbled, her vision began fluctuating. The crowd began shouting in protest. A waterspout suddenly emerged and it revealed Noatok without his mask and fake scar.

"The real face of this revolution," said Yuan Fen.

From the window, Mako tried to firebend at Noatok, but he escaped through the water.

"He's getti-" Mizuki fainted before she could finish her sentence.

Yuan Fen placed a hand on her forehead. "She has a fever." People in the crowd noticed the trio and he glared at them. "It's easier to play the victim for you people, isn't it? The ends justify the means that way. You know your leader imprisoned her, starved her, and broke her arms." They had guilty expressions when they cast eyes on the unconscious girl. "This is what you want for every bender, AM I RIGHT?"

"Yuan, stop it," said Jian. Her brother fell into silence, but his anger was still evident on his face. Korra used her airbending to get her and Mako down to the bridge. "Are you two okay?" Jian asked.

Mako opened his mouth to say something, but Korra beat him to it. "Never mind about us. Is Mizuki going to be fine?"

"Our mother knows a lot about herbal medicine. We'll take her there now."


She was slightly surprised to find herself in a bed again when she woke up. Her arms were tightly wrapped in bandages. "Oh good. You're up, dear." Mizuki turned to face a kindly middle-aged woman. She had long dark hair worn in a plait behind her shoulder and grey eyes. She could make out the resemblances to Jian and Yuan Fen.

She rubbed her eyes. "How long have I been out?"

"A little over a day. Do you want to eat something?"

"I'm not sure if I could keep it in. I still feel a little faint."

"I'll fix up some weak broth for you. That should be fine."

"Thank you- um…"

"Zhe Shu," she smiled.

Mizuki pushed the empty bowl aside when she was finished. "So where is everybody else?"

"Well, the reinforcements from the United Forces arrived today so order in the city is being re-established."

"I'm so glad to hear that."

"Your friends and family all wanted to check up on you at one point. They could barely fit inside this apartment." Zhe Shu laughed.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality."

She shook her head. "No, dear. I should be thanking you. If it wasn't for you, my daughter would have lost her bending and my children mean everything to me."

At that moment, the door opened to reveal Bolin and Asami. "Hey, you're finally awake!" Bolin shouted.

"I'm so happy to see you guys again."

"How are you feeling?" asked Asami.

"Better. A lot better. So want to tell me everything that's happened? The only thing I remember before my rescue was Amon telling me he defeated the fleet."

"Let's see… Well to start it all off, Korra rescued General Iroh and we took him to our hideout in the tunnels. Asami and I destroyed the Equalist airfield and defeated her dad. General Iroh flew a plane for the first time and destroyed the rest of them. Korra lost her bending to Amon, but she unlocked her airbending. We rescued Beifong, but she already lost her bending. Tenzin's planning a trip to the South Pole so Katara can try to heal them," said Bolin.

"Wow."

"Yeah, a lot of crazy stuff happened."

"Are you guys heading to the South Pole?"

"Tenzin can't fit everyone on Oogi so the rest of us will board a ship from the United Forces," Asami answered.

"I'm going too."

Bolin and Asami looked at each other awkwardly. "I don't think Tenzin would let you travel so soon."

"I can heal myself now. I just have to start eating more again and gain back my strength. Leave Tenzin to me."


"No, absolutely not," Tenzin responded. Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo were at Mizuki's bedside. They were delighted to see her again, but Mizuki had to reassure them she was fine when they saw her bandages. Pema was rocking Rohan to sleep in a chair nearby.

"Tenzin, we're not in danger anymore. I'm going to go crazy if I stay in this bed any longer. I have enough energy to start healing myself now. Besides…" Mizuki didn't enjoy using this tactic. "I have to head south to see my family again, don't I? I'm sure there's no better way to reassure my mother I'm okay."

"You might as well give up Tenzin. If you don't let her go, she's going to sneak onboard the ship," said Iroh.

He put his arms up. "Very well. But right after we visit the South Pole, we will immediately go to Kyoshi Island."

"I agree," Mizuki smiled. Everyone else headed back to Air Temple Island except for Iroh. Jian and Yuan Fen were still in the apartment helping their mother clean up. Mizuki and Iroh were playing a game of Pai Sho. "I'm not sneaking off, you don't have to keep an eye on me."

"I haven't seen you in a while and then I learned you were taken hostage by Equalists. You didn't get into this much trouble when you were younger."

"Well I'm growing up, you learn how dangerous the world is when that happens."

"Seems like you had to grow up too soon."

"Who had to tell my parents about what happened to me?"

"Me, but at least I got to be the one to tell them you're safe now."

"Ha, I won!"

"Best two of three! You were distracting me."

"Sorry general, but you have to admit surrender. I'm getting sleepy." He stood up and ruffled her hair. "Iroh!" she called out.

"Tell your family I hope to see them again when no one is in grave danger so try not to get into trouble for a while. Good night, Mimi."

She stuck out her tongue at him. "You know I hate that nickname." He laughed at her. She waved goodbye to him and he closed the door.

"You two seem close."

Mizuki raised her eyebrow at Yuan Fen. "How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." He folded his arms together.

Since she was barely conscious during their first encounters, she had more time to observe the siblings. Yuan Fen was in his early twenties, with brown hair, and grey eyes like Zhe Shu's. He had a slender physique and was slightly shorter than Mako. Jian was three years older, with black hair and green eyes. She was around Asami's height and had a more toned physique due to her policework. Her straightforwardness balanced out Yuan Fen's sarcastic streak.

Mizuki rolled her eyes at him. "Before you jump to conclusions, he dated my older sister, but our families have always been close."

"I didn't say anything about romantic relationships."

"Oh, you implied it."

"You are quite a bit younger than him. Still, wouldn't most girls want a chance at being a princess?"

"That's not me or my sister."

"Don't mind him. He tends to be condescending towards other human beings, male and female," Jian interrupted.

"Hope that doesn't interfere with his job."

"I'm a reporter for the United Daily News."

"What?" Mizuki covered her mouth with her hand.

"Don't worry, I'm not completely insensitive. I don't write about gossip and I know when I should keep a secret. Korra losing her bending shouldn't be revealed when Republic City is still recovering."

"Thanks?" Mizuki still felt a little more awkward around him now.

"You should get some sleep." Jian pushed her brother away.

"Hey, I know how to walk!" he grumbled.

"Good night."

"Good night," the two responded.


That night everyone but Mako had retired to their cabins. They were expected to arrive in the South Pole in the morning. "They say firebenders rise with the sun, but you seem to be acting like a waterbender right now." Mizuki walked up and stood next to him.

"I just don't feel like sleeping," he retorted.

"You're nervous. We've all been nervous since-"

"Since she lost her bending. I will never forget that is my fault. I didn't protect her from Amon."

"You two are so similar," she remarked. "You're so willing to take all the responsibility and all of the blame. I was there too, Mako. We were all terrified, but you and Korra were so brave… you would've done anything to save each other, no matter the odds."

"In the end, she saved both of us despite my failures. She unlocked her airbending and broke through Amon's bloodbending when I couldn't. I just laid there… struggling while he laid his hands on her…" Mako closed his eyes and clenched his fists at the memory of it.

"You know, Tenzin once taught me something about chakras. They're pools of energy located in different locations of our body. I remember the air chakra… it's in the heart and deals with love. One can wonder how Korra unlocked her airbending when you were in danger."

"She unlocked it because she's Korra, not because of me. She put in all those months of training and learning from Tenzin. Her strength always amazes me."

"All right, I'll respect your opinion on that."

They stood together in silence before Mako asked the question that had been haunting him all this time. "What if… Katara can't return her bending? I know it's stupid of me to think of the worst-"

"It's not, it's being realistic. There is a chance that could happen."

"And then what do we do?"

"I have no doubts Korra will find a way. That is destiny."

"How can you have so much faith?"

"No matter what, Korra is the Avatar and the Avatar has always been the world's greatest hope. You just have to believe."

"I've hurt her so many times…"

"Love is hard, deal with it." She playfully jabbed him with her elbow. "The first step is being honest with yourself. How many times do I have to tell you that?" she called out as she walked back to her cabin.


They all stood up when Katara opened the door. "I've tried everything in my power, but I cannot restore Korra's bending."

"But you're the best healer in the world, you have to keep trying!" Lin urged.

"I'm sorry, there's nothing else I can do. Korra can still airbend, but her connection to the other elements has been severed." Korra then opened the door.

"It's going to be all right Korra," said Tenzin.

"No, it's not." She grabbed her jacket and went outside. Mako followed after her.

"Mizuki?"

She looked up to Katara and followed her into the room. "You're healing along very nicely. Your parents will be happy when they see you." The water around Mizuki's arms stopped glowing and was bent back into the tub.

She rubbed her arms. "Thank you, Aunt Katara."

She placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know you're worried about Korra."

There was a commotion outside the doors. "Everyone, quick! We have to head to the temple!" Korra's voice shouted.

She was in awe when Lin's bending was restored. "I am so proud of you, Avatar Korra," said Tenzin.


"The Avatar State! That is so awesome," Bolin proclaimed during dinner.

"You airbending is unlocked so now you can complete your training. Seriously, it's been a crazy week," said Mizuki.

"That's an understatement, especially from you. Are you okay?" asked Korra.

She and Mako had told them Tarrlok's tragic story about him, his brother, and his father. "I'm okay. I'm not even angry at Amon- Noatok- whatever he called himself. It's weird, I feel sorry for him more than anything. I don't forgive him and it doesn't excuse anything he's done. At least the truth was revealed."

"And his supporters are in prison," Asami added. Everyone looked to her, trying to choose the right words to say. "I'm okay, too. My father is where he should be. I'm going to take over the company and I can move on with that." She turned to Korra and Mako. "And I'm happy for the two of you." She smiled.

The new couple blushed in embarrassment. They didn't even say anything before their friends already guessed what had occurred.

New beginnings for all of us now.

Ting Lan's nerves were at a breaking point when Oogi finally landed. She was the first to run up to her daughter and hugged her.

"Hi, Mom."

A/N: The next six chapters take place in the six months between Book 1 and Book 2's events.