~Chapter 21~

(Yeah new chapter! So warning, I wrote this story for my good friend, so some of the stuff you'll read like 'what the hell?' and it'll seem pointless but yeah its for her and she got most of these parts, so you you don't get it, please don't review flames, just understand)

I woke up, surrounded by a comforting heat, and the last thing I expected was to only be in my under wrapping when I woke up.

This fact shocked me a little, and I looked around, trying to find the rest of my clothing. I was lying next to the wall, Ty's body the closets one to the door, and I sat up slightly from his loose hold around my waist. He was just in his wrappings too, and I blush at the memory of putting them back on before we went to sleep. Hey… don't judge… you mean and heartless people.

I looked around the floor the best I could without waking Ty, and I saw my clothes. My shirt was on the floor halfway under the nightstand, and my pants were ON the nightstand, hanging slightly off as they stayed there. Damn… how'd they get there?

I reach for them, leaning over Ty and trying really hard not to touch him, and I managed to grab them both before sitting back and smiling at my handy work. Ty remained asleep, his breathing deep and slow, and I smile. Mission Accomplished.

I suddenly heard footsteps from the hallways getting closer, and I panicked. I knew his mom would not like to see me with him, let alone in this condition.

I nudged Ty and grabbed a few blankets, packing them on top of me, making it look like I was just another lump of cloth on his bed.

Before I hid my face, I nudged him again, waking him this time, and I whispered harshly, "Someone's coming! Hide me!" I covered my face and laid as still as possible, feeling half of Ty's weight lay on me. I was guessing he was stretching out and looking like he was asleep, and I tried not to move or breath too loudly under the blankets.

I heard the door open and footsteps creep in. I prayed they didn't come TOO far in, and the Spirits granted my wish as the steps stopped a foot or two inside the door.

"Ty… Ty!" His mom greeted, whispering in a loud voice.

Ty fake woke up, and asked, "Wha? Oh, hey mom." He inhaled and stretched, pushing on my face in the process. I tried not to grumble, swearing to get him back for that, knowing he knew it was my face since he pushed on it a little longer than necessary. "What's up?"

"Breakfast is ready." She stated, starting to leave.

"Wait mom?"

"What?"

"Can I eat in here today? Like I'll come out and get my own food and all, but I'm like super tired and I really want to go back to sleep after I eat. Pleaseeee?" He begged in a sleepy voice, buttering up the acting and making his mom break.

I pictured her smiling and shaking her head.

"Fine, but get the food yourself. I'm not serving you." And she left after that comment.

"Thanks mom." Ty smiled, the door closing as he stayed in place.

When I heard the click of the lock, I sat up and gave him an annoyed look. He smiled back at me and leaned towards me.

"Yes?" He asked, drawing the e out as he smirked at me.

I flicked him in the forehead, smirking when he recoiled, smile still on his face, and I commented, "Do it again, and I'll bite your hand next time. Now go get me food." I ordered jokingly, pointing at the door as I laid back on the bed.

I heard him laugh, then move down.

"Hmm… maybe I will do it again," he kissed my forehead as he spoke against it, "and don't be so pushy or you won't get any bacon."(A/N: There must be bacon!)

I looked at him.

"Did I ever tell you how gorgeously handsome and amazingly sexy you are?" I asked, smiling up at him and laughing a little.

He leant down while he pulled up his pants and approved, "Much better." And he kissed me lightly before walking out to get breakfast.

I laid back down and closed my eyes, wrapping the blankets back around me. I would have to go back home today, explain what happen without telling them about the trade, and I just had an awful feeling that I was going to be yelled at. Mako had trouble using his inside voice, and I constantly reminded him to practice it more, which only gave me more of a lecture. I couldn't help it, messing with my brother was too fun, and the fact Bolin's laughter at it encouraged me didn't help.

"I'm just gonna apologize now." Ty stated, walking back in with his plate, shutting the door behind him. I kept my eyes closed, scooting over so he had room, and I made a confused face.

"What for? You didn't do-"

"For blowing up last night." He confessed, sitting next to me, plate in his lap. I heard him start eating and I moved closer to him.

I blindly put my hand on his shoulder and started creeping it towards his plate as I replied to his apology.

"Don't feel bad," my hand had made it to his elbow and slowly moved towards the bacon I knew he had, "you had every right to blow up. Your brother's an ass and he deserved you getting mad at him. I was proud of you actually."

I found the edge of the plastic plate and grew more determined on my quest. I would find the bacon without opening my eyes, and I'd eat it too.

"What are yo- you're looking for my bacon aren't you?" He asked in a voice that clued me in he was rolling his eyes. I only smiled and then found it, snatching it up and starting to eat it before he could even react.

"Hey! You took all of it!" He laughed and whined at the same time, three pieces of bacon in my hand as I munched on one.

"Uh-huh. And it's what you get for pushing on my face." I stuck my tongue out, but then put a piece back, sitting up and opening my eyes. I leaned my back against the wall like Ty did and I ate a little, thinking about the night before.

"You shouldn't feel bad about it," I admitted to him, looking at my hands, "I've done much worse and you had a reason to do yours. You fought for me and I'm thankful for that." I gave him a small side smile and he nudged my shoulder, smiling back.

But then his face fell a little.

"What do you mean you've done worse? You're not like evil are you?" He scooted away a little and then laughed, moving back and looking at me for an answer.

Every dark deed I've done flooded my thoughts, but one stuck in particular.

"Not evil, I was just misguided for a while. Even though I work for Toza, the pay kinda sucked and I wanted a little more money since it was starting to become tight for us. Getting another job wasn't an option, I was too busy with everything, so I took a guys offer of helping him out one night…"

It was late one night, and I stood on the roof tops with two guys on my left and right. Our targets were in the warehouse below and across from us, and I could see a few of them through the small window in the ceiling. Smugglers, just a group of low lives ruining the trade relations between gangs of the city, and the informant that hired me told me to take them out for some well earned extra cash. Dirty money of course, but none of it could be traced so I didn't worry about it, taking the money and the job.

The two boys and I were suppose to take down the small group of fifteen, and I had to formulate a plan to do it. It had taken me a while to think of a plan, until I came up with the perfect plan. We'd start with the small ones, the smugglers on the outside, and work our way in, moving up with power and strength as we went on, finally reaching the boss of this all and ending it, permanently. Each boy was given five men to kill, and I was given four along with the boss of the operation, my main job being to end it all.

We went off, entering the building and carrying out the plan. Everything was going smoothly, the small ones' going down and the bigger ones falling with them. It came down to two henchmen and the boss. A square off, just what we could take.

The boys were busy with the henchmen, and I took the boss on. He was a non bender, and using both my blades and fire, I managed to take him down simply. Before he went down, though, he managed to get a blade into my arm, and I was in burning pain as I brought him down.

"I looked him in the eyes, and he looked back at me. He looked angry, but also terrified. Like he knew I was the last thing he was going to see, and he wasn't prepared for it. I looked at him and asked, 'You know why this is happening?' and he only nodded. He knew very well who he had messed with, and that fact angered me. Most smugglers don't know who they're dealing with, so when they do know, it's just a huge sign of disrespect.

"I took him by the collar, bring him close to my face, and I replied quietly, 'Then I have no envy… or mercy for you.' And the blade ran through him. We blew up the warehouse after it all, and no one ever found out. I heard a few months later that those two boys went on another opp and were killed in the middle of it. I was suppose to run that with them, but I turned it down, someone else taking my place. And not one day goes by where I don't think about those boys. I didn't even know their names… and yet they died for blood money all the same."

I finished my story, showing Ty my scar in the middle of the story, and looked down at the bed, reveling one of my darkest storied to Ty. I had murdered five people and had blown up someone's property. Sure I had worse stories than that, but that one haunted me especially. That look on the smuggler's face when the blade went through him was indescribable, and it burned itself into the back of my memories.

Ty was just looking at me, I couldn't tell with what expression out of my peripherals, so I turned and looked at him.

I couldn't tell what he was thinking, and I sure as hell was surprised when he kissed me. His kiss was gentle and sweet, but it stumped me greatly. Why was he kissing me?

I pulled back and looked at him.

"Did you just like zone out for my whole story and miss the morally wrongness of it all?" I wondered, raising an eyebrow at him as I looked at him skeptically.

He laughed and shook his head.

"No I heard the story. I heard all of it. I don't think you're a monster, I just think you've had some bad moments because of hard times. Bad moments don't make you a monster. Constantly doing the bad things over and over again just to get satisfaction of doing them and not because you have to do them, makes you a monster. You're not a monster, and even if that wasn't the happiest story in the world, it's you, and I was glad you told it to me." He observed, his head leaning back against the wall as he told his thoughts to the ceiling glancing at me at the end of it all.

I only smiled and got closer to him, Ty putting the plate down off his lap and moving an arm over my shoulder.

"So you don't care if I have scars or a dark past?" I wondered looking up at him while I learned against him.

He looked down at me with his purple eyes, and simply replied, "Scars tell stories and make people. I love scars… like I love you." He smiled and looked at me.

I could only blush and bring his lips to mine, whispering a quiet I love you too against them.

"Well hey! Thanks for showing up guys." Mako greeted rudely as I walked up the latter into the apartment.

Korra, Mako, Bolin, Asami, Ren and Hana were sitting in the living room, all doing separate things as Ty and I walked in. We had left his house when his mom left and came here, not expecting to see this many people actually at our house. It was Saturday, meaning Mako didn't have work, and I rolled my eyes at my rude older brother.

"Oh shush. What are you all doing?" I wondered moving and sitting next to Hana on the couch, Ty leaning against my legs as he sat on the floor.

"Nothing… absolutely nothing." Korra grumbled, rubbing her temple as she slouched in between my brothers. I tried really hard to not to laugh, seeing the boredom on everyone's face, and I smirked.

"So why are we doing nothing?" I asked the group, looking at them with an eyebrow raised. Seriously… why were they just doing nothing? The Fire Ferrets' had a match tonight they could be practicing for. We weren't fighting tonight since it was the finale, so all I had to worry about was watching them kick Leon and the Wolf-Bats sorry butts.

"Because there's nothing to do on Saturday." Bolin whined, laying his head back over the back of the couch and sighing dramatically, making me smile.

"But-"

"Hello my fellow Equalists."

Amon's twisted voice cut me off and we all sat up, shocked and looking around.

The radio came to life and Amon's voice radiated from it, speaking loud and clear.

I couldn't pay attention, his words speaking about equality and freedom, and then he said he was ordering the probending finale to be shut down. We all gasped at that, our minds moving a mile a minute and I blinked a few times, trying to comprehend what Amon wanted. He wanted the finale canceled? Why? I knew he was trying to take down probending and all, but ordering the counsel to stop it… what would that do?

The radio stopped making noise, and we all just sat there in silence.

"This can't happen, they can't stop the match! We have to do something!" Korra insisted, standing up and looking at everyone.

I nodded in agreement and stood with her.

"We have to go to the counsel and try to convince them otherwise. They can't just stop the finale." I agreed, everyone else slipping into agreement too.

"You're right… but you guys can't go. Asami can give us a ride there and you four stay here. We shouldn't be long. Since we're probenders it should go over smoothly, and we'll be back as soon as possible." Mako practically ordered, standing too.

"What!?" The four of us whined in unison. I groaned at my brother and rubbed the bridge of my nose. This would only turn into an argument, and I really didn't need that. He would end up getting his way anyway, so I knew the fight would be pointless.

"Fine, whatever. Just hurry back." I gave in, shrugging and looking at them Mako nodded once, the four on them departing, leaving us where we were before. I sat next to Hana and Ty had moved from the floor over to Ren. The two boys talked when I turned to Hana.

"Where were you yesterday and last night? Your brothers were seriously worried." She asked, turning to face me, us both sitting cross legged on the couch.

"I cooled off then spent the night at Ty's house." I replied simply, picking at the pillow cushions on the couch. I saw Hana's eyebrows shoot up and her face look a little surprised.

"You did? Did you…?" She asked, trailing off and looking at me for an answer.

I blushed a little at her suggestive question, and smiled a little.

She gasped loud enough for only us to hear and she laughed.

"Jade!"

"What! I was lonely and sad and he was there and… yeah." And I laughed with her at the end of my sentence. We both knew it wasn't a big deal, but it was funny to talk about anyways.

"Plus," I smirked at her, "Don't pretend you and Ren haven't."

"True… very true." She nodded, giving me a look of agreement that made me laugh and smile.

"I only have three questions." She stated, looking at me.

"Shoot." I leaned back comfortably and looked at my friend. Our boys were deep in their own discussion, not even paying the slightest bit of attention to us. Which, for once, was ok.

"Bedroom?"

"Yeah."

"Protection?"

I almost rolled my eyes at her ridiculous question.

"Of course."

"And breakfast?"

I smiled triumphantly, "I took all his bacon, which was delicious by the way." I laugh, Hana nodding in approval.

"Nice." She smirked, shaking her head at me. Gotta love friends.

I sat in the V.I.P box of the arena only a few hours later and was nervous as hell. The match wasn't canceled, Korra and my brothers had convinced Tenzin and the rest of the counsel to keep the match going, and it felt like everyone in Republic City was there to watch. The match was about to begin, and I kept looking around, seeing police everywhere. Everything was supposedly secure, but I didn't trust any of it. Something just didn't feel right. Lin had given her word to protect us all, but since I've manage to run from and outsmarted her on multiple occasion on my own (some of the main reasons she doesn't like me), I wasn't sure about this match happening anymore.

I was still looking around, nervous and not as excited for the match as usually would be, but none of the paranoia reached Hana as she cheered and danced around. Ren was just as excited as he stood with her. The two were really getting into the game, booing and cheering when needed, and it helped ease my nerves a bit to watch their reactions.

Ty's shoulder was lazily thrown over my shoulder as we watched the game from our seats, Toza sitting behind the four of us. He was cheering too, but I wasn't in the mood for cheering. I just knew something was going to go wrong. Ty kept telling me everything was going to be fine, but I knew he felt the same without admitting it. His brother was out like mine were, and I knew no matter how much of a dick Leon is, Ty still doesn't want his brother to be Equalists' bait.

It wasn't until the Wolf-Bats' won, mainly because of a paid off ref and unbelievably cruel moves even for Dark probending, that hell broke loose. Police started dropping like flies as disguised Equalists started popping out of the crowd and zapped them with these electric gloves. I could see the crowd start panicking as their protection was taken away, and I knew the next thing going to happen wasn't good... no matter what it was.

The Wolf-Bats were standing in the middle of the arena platform and the Ferrets were nowhere to be seen. I was actually happy they had all been tossed into the water and away from the arena, but the fact I couldn't see them worried me a lot. I was hoping they were safe and back in the training arena after fishing themselves out of the water, but my gut told me I wasn't that lucky.

I didn't have time to search for them as I saw Amon appear on the arena, Equalists with him. I gasped along with Ty and Hana, and a fire started inside of me. Damn this son of a bitch, he always got in the way when it was important.

"Leon." I heard Ty whisper quietly, both of us still standing, and my eyes flicked down to the arena. The Wolf-Bats were starting to get surrounded by the Equalists, elements ready, but I knew they stood no chance. I had to get down there, and I knew just the person to take with me.

"Toza," the old man's full attention was on me as I spoke with authority, "Keep Ren and Ty here"

"What!?" They cried together. But I ignored them.

"-and Hana come with me. Give us a boast down to the arena using the water from the bottom of the arena." She nodded.

Toza had already locked the two boys to the floor in an unbreakable column of rock, and I turned to Ty. His eyes looked hurt and worried, but he knew I had to go and do something.

"If I let you get hurt, I'd never forgive myself. I love you, and I promise to be careful." I stated, kissing him lightly after my explanation. He nodded and kept his eyes down at the floor, unhappily trying to get out, not wanting me to go.

Ren wasn't struggling after Hana talked to him, and I gave him a look. He returned in, and I frowned a little.

"I'll bring her back to you, I promise." I reassured him, nodding and looking at him straight in the eye. He nodded also, hold the stare.

"Please." He asked, giving Hana one more look then turning back to Amon.

I looked at Hana, who was ready and wait, and I said, "Let's go."

I jumped off the V.I.P. balcony, Hana behind me, and she bent the water around us. I held my breath as she did, feeling it hold onto me and control my movements. She bent us down then up, shooting us out of the water and up onto the arena, landing down on one knee to stop the momentum.

Hana pulled the water from both of us to make us dry, and she made water arms, ready to attack. Amon stopped paying attention to the boys and looked at us, some of his Equalists following his gaze. The few that weren't holding the Wolf-Bats in place came at us, the challenge starting.

Hana ran forward, me right behind her. Five Equalists were coming after us, and I knew we could take them. They were chi blockers, so we'd have to be careful, but we've faced more dangerous things in our life.

The first one came at me, trying for my shoulder and left arm. I ducked quickly reaching and burning their side, sending them back into the arena rope. Hana was flipping and fighting off two of her own Equalists, so I knew she was busy. I turned back to see two more coming at me, one a chi blocker and the other with an electric glove. I grimaced at the memory of the last glove I encountered, and I almost growled at it in hate.

My fire whips grew in my hand and I reached for the glove, jerking at it and pulling at it. It only pulled the Equalists forward, falling out of balance and landing into the other chi blocker. He zapped her, the two getting caught up in the currents, and they fell.

I turned to see Hana, but she had already managed to take them both out, making me smirk and move towards her.

"You take out the two Equalists holding the Wolf-Bats and I'll distract Amon and his Lieutenant." I ordered, nodding towards Amon who had started another speech about unfair benders and equality. She nodded, running towards the boys, and I took a deep breath. Show time.

I ran towards Amon, fire leaking from my fingertips, and the Lieutenant charged me. He pulled his electric sticks out from his pack, and my back ached at the sight. Fuck those things, I was going to break them in half.

My fire went towards his head and he dodged it. He went at me with the stick, barley missing my right side and I punched at his mask, breaking one eye glass and cutting my knuckle in the process. His stumbled, growling at me, and I got ready. I created two fire knives and stood ready, the Lieutenant looked flustered and angry. Exactly how I wanted him.

He charged me again, and I fought with him. Fire barley grazed him, while I could hear the electricity buzz next to my ear. We were pretty evenly matched, and I could feel this fight not resolving itself. I didn't pay attention to anything else in the arena, so I didn't know what was going on with Hana. I hoped she was ok, but I had no way of telling.

I suddenly got an idea, but I knew it was going to hurt either way. I felt my lip bleeding and my arms were slightly charred, being exposed to so much energy. He was bleeding a little himself, and he had burn marks all over him. I needed to end this so I could get back to Hana, and I took a deep breath in.

I ran towards the Lieutenant, him smirking and getting ready to jab me with the sticks, and I braced myself. Wow I'm an idiot, but I knew it would work.

I felt the sticks go right in my gut, and I cringed a little, remembering the shock and pain. It didn't knock me out like a normal person however, my body being attuned to the shock, and it did the exact opposite.

I grew lively, feeling the sparks dance in my blood and leaking into my mind, waking me up and rocking my being.

Go through the motions, Mako taught you well, you can do this.

My mind cheered me on, bringing my hands up and moving them in the motions Mako taught me, my eyes squeezed tight. The power and energy started to burn, and the smell of flesh flooded my nose again. It was time.

I opened my eyes wide and looked at the Lieutenant, who looked shocked at me not falling to the ground. The buzzing swarmed my ears and I let the yell out, aiming my pointer and middle fingers at his chest. The current flowed up through my gut, moving right under my heart, and shot from my arm, the lightning flying into the Lieutenant and sending him backwards. I saw the color staining the currents, the excessive amount of energy allowing the color to become present, and the purple and blue streaks filling the Lieutenant and engulfing him, sending him up and over the ropes of the arena, falling down to the water. His eyes were filled with shock as he flew, and his body went limp, falling quickly and swiftly, the slashing being heard.

I fell to one knee, the energy gone from my body and the pain setting in, but I knew I couldn't give up. I had to help Hana and get the Wolf-Bats out of here.

I turned towards where they were, and I gasped. Tahno was the only one left, Hana and the other two gone, and Amon was taking his bending. Tahno didn't look abandoned, more upset and scared, almost like he knew this was happening but he still didn't want it to happen.

I looked around for Hana, not seeing her anywhere, and I started to panic. Where was she?!

I heard the whistle through my buzzing ears, and I turned to see her up on the balcony already. Leon and Riken were safe, neither of them looking down at the arena, and I saw Ty. He was trying to still get free, and I saw him yelling at me to get away from there. He was right, I needed to move, but my legs would walk.

I saw Tahno hit the ground and Amon turn towards me. Fear and shock filled me, and locked my knees and feet in place. I couldn't move, and I was terrified.

The water whip grabbed my waist and jerked me up towards the balcony with such a force, I grunted in pain and my arms and legs shot up, my waist being pulled behind me. The air left me as wind whistled in my ears, and I was set down on the balcony in a little less than gentle fashion. I groaned, holding my burnt and now bleeding stomach and I looked to see who did that.

My eye sight was starting to go fuzzy, and I saw a silhouette of Korra. A sudden explosion rocked my ears, and I covered them, staring in shock as I saw the destroyed arena. No… my home, our home. I was on my knees as I watched, and I felt my breathing grow rapidly. Where were my brothers? What happened to Korra? Where was the ass that just blew up part of my house?!

I tried to stand, but someone's hands stopped me. I had closed my eyes in pain and weakness, so I didn't know who it was. It wasn't until they spoke that I found out it was Mako. He had stopped me from standing and had picked me up himself.

"It's ok Jade, we're here. We're gonna get you out of here."

I felt him running, hearing some footsteps follow us, and all the loud noise had died down. Cool air rushed against my hot skin, and I opened my eyes.

Mako had set me down on the corner of the street next to our house with Hana, Ren, Ty, and the two Wolf-Bats with us. Mako checked me to see if I was ok, turning my head back and forth and looking at my arms.

I slapped him away and told him through clenched teeth out of pain, "Go find Korra, I'm fine."He looked skeptical, so I ordered harsher, "GO!"

He nodded and ran back inside, Bolin following him.

As soon as he was gone, I groaned in pain, my gut hurting.

Ty and Hana were at my side instantly. Hana looked scrapped here and there, nothing too major and Ty looked worried. Hana must have healed herself a little back in the arena, and I knew she would heal me.

She pulled out her flask of water and moved it into her hands. I gripped Ty's hand and gripped it tight, my eyes closed and waiting for the sharp beginning healing pain.

"We-we have to help. Heal me s-so I can get back in ther-aaahhhh!" I screamed, the pain of the water touching the recently shocked area much more intense then I expect.

"I'm sorry!" Hana said, carefully working fast, the wound starting to feel a little better. She was a natural, and I was happy she learned from Korra.

"You're not going back in there. None of us are, "Ty said harshly, holding right back onto my hand, and he looked over us all, "We're staying out here like Mako asked me to do before he went inside. Ok?"

"But what about Tahno?" Leon asked with actual concern in his voice for one of his two friends.

"I saw the police take him and give him to the paramedics. He's fine. We're staying here and that final." Ty's voice was slightly cold, very protective, and I knew there was no reasoning with him.

I nodded, relaxing as I felt the wound close and disappear on my gut.

"You'll have a scar, but that's all. No internal bleeding or external bleeding, sorry I couldn't make the scar go away." Hana filled me in, pulling the water off and sitting back.

I opened my eyes and looked at her.

I smiled and answered to my friend, "Thank you. I can live with scars, don't worry. But thank you." I gripped her shoulder and she gripped mine back, both of us smiling.

I felt really tired and laid back on the ground, closing my eyes. I sighed and slipped into a slightly painful sleep. My mind was spinning and drained at the same time. There was only one thought running through my soon relaxed mind right before I fell asleep.

It had begun.

(dun dun duuuuuuuh! Ok so sorry if my authors notes are getting lame, I'm just sick off all this freaking editing and mistake checking. I had so many errors in this one since I wrote it at 2 in the morning ao yeah, sorry guys)