Notes: Hello and greetings to all of you loyal long time readers and new ones alike. This chapter has been a long time coming. I wish I could have gotten it to you sooner and spirits I have tried, but every time I seemed to start on it something got in the way. Hopefully though that won't happen again and I will be able to deliver a worthwhile story for you all.

Please remember to like and leave a review to show your support. It means a lot to me and it is what has kept this work alive.

Oh and Shout out to Kind of Fans for getting me back in gear.

A Second Wind

0 AG — Year of the Dragon

Tenzin wasn't quite sure what he had just experienced. One minute he was sat inside a tree in the spirit world and the next, well he couldn't quite recall. That was the problem. He remembered bits and pieces, like a bight flash of light and a strange falling sensation, but past that everything had gotten really hazy. It was like of like he was hearing everything from an old worn out radio. There were some voices, they were shouting, panicked, but he couldn't really make out what was being said, or who had been speaking. He distinctly recalled hearing the name of his father being shouted a few times.

Then there was darkness. The next thing Tenzin knew he was flat on his back on top of something soft and warm. He wasn't sure what he was on top of, but it far more comfortable than the hard wood of the tree in the spirit world, so he assumed he was no longer there. However, that begged the question, where was he now?

Seeking answers Tenzin's forced his eyes open and he found himself lying in a small bed. With that revelation the logical part of part of his mind just wanted to write everything that had led up to it as nothing more than a strange dream. However, something still didn't seem right. When he pulled himself upright and took in his surroundings, he found them to be unfamiliar. That raised a lot more questions.

"Where am I?" He pondered while he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

Then once Tenzin was fully awake and able to properly take in everything, Tenzin could say with certainty that this room was not his own. While did it have all the bells and whistles one might have expected from an Air Nomad's living space, such as scrolls, spare robes, pray beads, incense, and few other distractions. It was far too small to be his home. This room, if it could truly be called that, was so small in fact that even most of the guest rooms back on Avatar Island would have dwarfed it in comparison. And if that wasn't enough to convince him, his wife Pema would've never allowed a room in their home to become this cluttered let alone so unkempt and dusty.

Still, this did seem to be the room of an Air Nomad. Tenzin wondered for a moment if he could be in the Northern Air Temple. Perhaps he had been visiting with the new recruits, it had been awhile since he had the opportunity. However, it just didn't add up. The last he recalled, he was in Republic City, or at least the spirit world equivalent. Even if he had made use of the Northern Spirit Portal and proceeded to charter the fastest ship he could find, it would've been at least a few days time before he could reach the temple proper. Surely he would've remembered such a journey.

Before he could make heads or tails of this odd situation, Tenzin's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of movement coming from out side his room. When he strained his neck to look towards the source of the sound he saw a wooden door. The door in question seemed to be the only way in or out of the room he was in. There didn't even appear to be any windows in the confided space.

A moment later and the wood door creaked as it slid open an elderly man stepped through the threshold. The man was dressed in the traditionally robes of an Air Nomad and he had a long thin mustache, but didn't seem to have any other hair to speak of. Weather the elder was shaven or just naturally bald was unknown, but the airbending tattoos on his head and forearms suggested the former.

When the elder's gaze met Tenzin's, the elder's eyes widened slightly before relaxing again. Then he gave Tenzin a warm smile and took a few measured steps into the room before he spoke. "Oh, good you're finally awake. You really gave us a bit of a scare there brother. We were beginning to fear that you wouldn't awaken."

"I'm sorry Elder," Tenzin interrupted. "I am a bit confused. Do you think you could tell me what happened? Also have we met? I don't recognize you, so I assume you're a new recruit?" Tenzin inquired.

Seeming to find something that Tenzin said amusing the elder began to chuckle to himself, but when Tenzin gave him an odd look, he calmed himself. "Sorry, I don't mean be rude. It's just been quite some time since anyone has referred to me as new in any capacity. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Gyatso and I am a member of Council of Elders here. As for where here is, well your at the Southern Air Temple."

As Tenzin listened to the Elder's explanation, he found himself only becoming more and more confused. There were was a lot wrong with what this elder was telling him. This man had just claimed to be a member of the Council of Elders, but there hasn't been such a Council for over one-hundred years. Even assuming the Council had been reinstated, surely he would have been notified.

Then there was the fact that he was supposedly at the Southern Air Temple. However, Tenzin could think of no reason why he would come to the Southern Temple. This Temple has remained empty since his father's time. Only a few dedicated acolytes ever even bothered to make the journey to this place and even when they did, it is mostly to just pay their respects to the lost generations. Even the name Gyatso seemed odd, if only because it sounded so familiar, but he couldn't for the life of him place where he had heard it before.

"This is the Southern Air Temple?" Tenzin asked just to make sure he heard the elder correctly. The elder gave him a nod. "And you are a member of the Council of Elders?" Again the elder nodded. "So that makes you an airbending master then?"

Tenzin's last question seemed to make the elder falter for a moment, his warm smile being replaced by a bewildered stare. "Yes I am a master. I earned my tattoos many years ago." As he said this his smile returned, but it was some what subdued now. "I still remember the day. My old friend Roku, the former Avatar was still alive back then. He had personally come to attend my ceremony. Of course everyone made such a big deal about it at the time. We both thought it was so silly."

Tenzin froze. If he was hearing this man correctly, then something was defiantly wrong here. Avatar Roku died nearly two-hundred years ago now. The man before him certainly looked well aged and Airbending masters had been known to live long lives, but two-hundred years!? He would be giving Avatar Kyoshi a run for her money. No, it just couldn't be. If there was another airbender around, his father would have told him about it. That left only one possible conclusion, one he wasn't entirely prepared to accept.

"Umm, elder. If you wouldn't mind could you tell me what manner of transport I used to get here?" Tenzin inquired.

"Please there is no need for formalities. You may simply call me Gyatso. As for how you got here, well I don't really know what to tell you?" Gyatso explained.

"What do you mean?" Tenzin inquired.

Gyatso shrugged. "I couldn't see what brought you here. None of the other Monks could either. It was cloaked by in a bright white light and by the time the light had dissipated, whatever had brought you here had vanished. That is unless," He trailed off, looking deep in thought for a moment before speaking again. "It was the light itself that dropped you on our doorstep. Does any of that mean anything to you brother?" After asking this, Gyatso took a long meaningful sip of the tea as his eyes scanned Tenzin's face for a reaction.

"I-I umm." Tenzin wasn't sure where to begin. He still didn't completely understand his own situation, but he felt like he was on the verge of something. He just needed to put the pieces together. "May I ask a strange question Gyatso?" Gyatso raised an eyebrow and waited. "What year is it right now?"

"It is the Year of the Dragon." Gyatso replied with some curiosity slipping onto his face and into his tone.

"The Year of the Dragon!?" Tenzin screamed internally.

The Year of the Dragon was one of the twelve years on the zodiac colander. On its own it means very little, just a way to gauge how many years have passed. However, last time Tenzin checked it was the Year of the Dog and the Year of the Dragon should have been six years away. On top of that, it was the same year that the one-hundred year war had begun and his people had been wiped off the face of the world. That set off alarms, Tenzin needed more information.

"Sorry elder, do you think you tell me the numerical year?" Tenzin clarified, now with some desperation slipping into his own voice.

Gyatso gave him another odd look. One Tenzin couldn't quite make heads or tails of. "I'm sorry, I don't think I understanding the question." The elder stated as he set his tea down. "Do you think you can explain?"

"I, hmm." Tenzin tried to begin but he didn't know where to start.

The official calendar that was the standard of his time was originally created after during the one-hundred year war and it used Sozin's first offensive against the Airnomads as its starting point. Before the war, the four seasons along with the zodiac were the only ways one could really gauge how many years had past. Sure they kept track of the days so winter wouldn't sneak up on them, but there really wasn't much reason to keep track of how many years had past.

Tenzin figured he was just asking the wrong question. There was one thing he could ask that would surely give him answers. "Never mind, I suppose it's not that important." He said dismissively before taking a deep breath and speaking again. "I just have one last question to ask you. After that I will try my best to answer any questions you may have for me."

Gyatso nodded. "Very well, you may ask."

"Who is the current Avatar?" Tenzin inquired.

Gyatso's eyes winded and his body became still. This question seemed to catch him off guard, but all surprise soon replaced by sharp scrutiny. "What makes you believe that I would have such information?" He asked.

"Do you not know?" Tenzin inquired.

"It's only been twelve years since Avatar Roku passed. Even if the next avatar was born her in our temple, his identity wouldn't be revealed until he comes of age." Gyatso explained with a shrug, but Tenzin could tell it was stiff. He was hiding something.

"I see." Tenzin said before he fell silent and his head fell into his hands. He didn't need to hear anymore anyway. He had a good idea why he was being secretive. He also finally remembered where he had heard of this man before. His father had told him about him. This man was his father's mentor and guardian. He was trying to protect him.

It was all coming back to Tenzin now, the Tree of Time, Korra, and the bright light. If there was no calendar but there were nomads, it meant the war hadn't happened. Or rather it hadn't happened yet, but would eventually. This was the trees doing, he was now sure of it now. He had really been sent back in time. With that revelation Tenzin looked up to meet the elders questioning gaze and finally spoke again. "I think I could try to explain, but it might be difficult to understand or even believe. However, I think it is of great important that you listen to what I have to tell you."

"Go on." Gyatso told him.

Tenzin's eyes took on a hard line as he spoke. "Our people are all in grave danger."

Year Unkown

This falling sensation, Asami was beginning to get use to it. At first it had been very unsettling, almost like somebody pulled the world out from under you and left you to fall into the void, but now it felt slower more stable. It almost felt like diving into a deep pool of water. Kind of like the one she had back at her estate.

"Hmm, dive. Maybe that was a good name for this." Asami thought to herself.

It made since when she thought about how people liked to compare time to a stream of water, always flowing, constantly in motion. Though, usually it would only move in one direction. Kind of made her wonder what it is she is doing. Is she swimming against the current? It certainly didn't feel that way. Then could it be that she was changing the direction of the currents flow? It seems like a ridicules notion at first. How could she alone have such an impact on something of that scale? However, after seeing what she saw, that horrible future that was created due to their interference, she wasn't so sure anymore. Of course there was always the possibility she was way off base on both counts. It was just food for thought.

"This is sure taking a long time." Asami thought. Her last few dives had been over in a matter of seconds, well maybe the term seconds didn't really apply here since she was technically outside of time. Regardless, it was taking longer than before. Was it because she was carrying others along for the ride? Perhaps, but on her first dive she had Korra and the others with her. It didn't take this long then. Though, that could have to do with the fact we had different points of arrival.

"Wait a minute, a point of arrival!" Now that Asami thought about it, she never decided where she was jumping too. She had been in too much of a hurry to think of one at the time. Could that be why this was taking so long? Maybe she had been standing still this whole time without even realizing it. Wouldn't that be embarrassing? Well assuming that she needed to come up with an arrival point what should she choose? Obliviously she wanted to see Korra, however the last time she tried to go to her she ended up getting the evil spirit version, not ideal. She couldn't risk jumping them to any point in time in which that version of Korra exists. So what did that leave her?

Asami pondered on where to go for awhile. "Hmm, there wasn't a Tenzin in the timeline she had just left. There was a Katara, but she had never had children. Assuming she was currently tied to this timeline that meant Tenzin didn't exist. However, did that mean that their Tenzin was also erased? He had dived in along with her and the others so he was technically outside of time. That meant that there was still a possibility of him existing somewhere. It was perfect. If Tenzin exists it would be their Tenzin. They wouldn't have to worry about screwing up the timeline anymore by interacting with another version.

Her mind made up Asami began to concentrate. She focused on who she wanted to see, the moment she felt the steam begin to pull her along. "Oh, so that was the problem." She mused before returning her focus to the task at hand. After a moment she felt herself drawing closer. She zeroed on a landing zone and with a flash of light she felt time beginning to flow once again.

0 AG — Year of the Dragon

"Well that could have gone better." Tenzin sighed in exasperated as he stepped out of the Chamber of Elders with Monk Gyatso at his side.

"It will be okay brother, I'm sure we can get them to come around in time." Gyatso reassured.

"Perhaps, but how much time do you think we have? The comet could arrive any day now and we're nearly prepared." Tenzin replied, a mix of panic and frustration evident in his tone.

Gyatso frowned and hummed in thought. He new full well why Tenzin was so distraught. After all it has been nearly a full week since he had arrived here at the Southern Air Temple and during that time he hadn't been able to accomplish much. Tenzin had told him about the impending threat of the Fire Nation and while he didn't completely believe it at first, when Tenzin finally told him everything, including the fate of his disciple Aang and the future of the Air Nation, he decided he wanted to believe. So of course he decided to help in whatever way he could, starting with giving Tenzin an audience with the rest of the Council. However, the Council turned out to be a far harder sell.

Tenzin, like what he had done with Gyatso had told the Council about how the Fire Nation intended to use the power of a comet to raid their temples and destroy their people. He also urged them all to evacuate the temples and scatter to the winds until the comet passed. Unfortunately, they couldn't make such a decision lightly. They demanded to know how Tenzin had come to possess such knowledge and since he and Gyatso had decided it best not to delve into the time travel part of the story, he was left with no answer.

The Council also reasoned that even if the Fire Nation were to launch such an attack, which they clearly seemed to doubt, they would be far better off staying in their temples. The mountainous terrain would offer them a natural defense making it difficult for an invasion force to maneuver and thus easier for them to defend. They also offered said that Tenzin could be a spy sent by the Fire Nation to lure them into a trap. While Tenzin assured them otherwise, he couldn't offer any proof to his claims so he was dismissed.

After quite moment of thinking Gyatso finally spoke again. "Perhaps we should tell them the whole story after all. At the very least about Aang, that way we could call of the search."

Tenzin shook his head. "Few are as open minded as you are. Do you really think they would believe a word of it?" He asked and when it looked like Gyatso was about to respond Tenzin cut him off. "They weren't wrong you know, I can't offer any proof to my claims. None that cause even more problems, so even if I could offer it, doing such might prove to be very unwise."

"What do you mean by that?" Gyatso asked. "Does this have to do with why you won't tell me where Aang is?"

Tenzin gave a nod. "Yes to some degree. Right now I know that my father is in a safe place and if we leave things be he will be able to restore balance to the world in time. However, if we do nothing then our people will parish. I don't want that and I know it is something my father would have wanted to change if he could have. The quest is if it is really okay to do so, because changing anything here and now could have drastic effects on our future. I mean, how much damage am I causing the world just by standing here and speaking to you right now? What if my actions have already caused my father to some how be discovered and awakened too soon? If the Fire Nation some how found him before he's ready, the repercussions would be immeasurable."

"And what do you plan to do then?" Gyatso questioned.

"I don't know." Tenzin admitted. "I know I want to help I people and I know my father would agree with that. However, I don't know if what I'm doing is right. Maybe I should have never come here. What do you think?"

Gyatso shrugged. "That is quite the pickle you got yourself there my brother. To be honest I have no idea what you should do. Up until recently I didn't even no time travel was possible, so I can't pretend to know how best to use it if at all. However, I do know from personal experience that fate works in mysterious ways some times and perhaps you were always meant to come here and meet me. Perhaps it doesn't matter so much what you do, because it was always what you were meant to do."

"If that were true then what would be the purpose? That would mean I couldn't change anything and if that were true, then our people would be destined to perish. You think I should accept that?" Tenzin replied.

Gyatso let out a deep sigh before responding. "Like I said, fate works in strange ways. It isn't necessarily fair or just, but it always has a plan for us all. So if you are here before me right now, there is most certainly a reason for it. So the question you should be asking yourself isn't if you should be here, but rather what is it you are meant to do now that you are." He explained.

Tenzin became tense and it looked like he wanted to say something to that, but was struggling for words. Before he could manage to come up with anything, he found himself suddenly blinded by a glaringly bright light. "Spirits what now!? Don't tell me the comet is already here!" He shouted.

"No, I don't think this is the Fire Nation!" Gyatso declared as he tried to both shield his eyes from the glaring light and examine it. The light was being admitted from a few feet above them. It took the shape of a sphere almost making it appear as if the sun had descended from heavens to pay them a visit, though Gyatso new better. He recognized this brilliance. "This is just like the light I saw before you arrived here!"

"Wait does that mean what I think it means!?" Tenzin asked.

Tenzin didn't need to wait long to get his answer as a moment later the ball of light began to grow brighter and brighter before it finally seemed to implode on itself. Then just as quickly as it had appeared it had vanished. The only remaining trace of its existences coming in the form of five humanoid figures that were now left suspended in mid air. Tenzin noticed that the new arrivals were all huddled closely together around one person in strange armor and when he focused on that person he recognized her immediately. "By the spirits, Asami!?"

Hearing her name called out like that must have broken Asami's concentration since the moment the words left Tenzin's lips, the girl in question seemed to realizing she was floating and a moment later she and her group were plummeting. The other quickly realized their current plight the five began to scream as gravity took hold of them and they began tumbling down to earth.

"Oh my, that's no good. Should we help them?" Gyatso asked in the type of tone you would usually use to talk about the weather.

"Yes we should help them! Now hurry!" Tenzin shouted before he went into an air bending stance. Gyatso laughed as he assumed his own stance and then the two of them each released a powerful gust of air that collided at ground below the falling people. When the two air currents met they began to spin around one another transforming them into a single cyclone that cushioned the new arrivals fall.

Once back on solid ground Asami and her group let out a collective sigh of relief before they began to inspect themselves for any injuries. Satisfied that she was in one piece Asami looked towards the others. "Is everyone alright?"

"Define alright?" Bolin asked.

"We are both unhurt." Eska said on Bolin's behalf.

"What the heck was that!?" Mako shouted.

"I'd also really like to know what just happened. Did anyone else feel like they were swimming through a void there for awhile?" Kuvira asked before she stud up and began to properly examine her surroundings. "Though before that here is a better question, where are we now?"

"I umm," Asami started to speak but was stopped by uncertainty. She had a general since of when they were, but the where was something she was lacking in. Figuring the easiest solution would be observation she began to take in her surroundings. When she did it didn't take her long to notice that she was now surrounded by a few dozen people in old Airbender garb and each of them were giving her and her group a mix of curious and weary looks. Most of them were keeping their distance, but two of them were approaching and quite quickly at that. The other must have noticed this too since they had all rushed to their feet and took bending stances. "No, it's okay!" She reassured them.

"Do you know them?" Kuvira inquired.

"Yeah, at least one of them." Asami replied.

"Asami, is that really you!?" Tenzin asked as he came to a stop in front of the group.

"Yeah, hey Tenzin!" Asami greeted then she glanced offer at the unfamiliar monk standing beside her old friend who greeted her with a nod and a warm smile which she returned. "Who is your new friend?"

Tenzin opened his mouth to reply, but Gyatso beat him to it. "Greetings Miss Asami?" He said in a way that suggested he wasn't sure if that was her name or not.

Asami gave the monk a nod. "Asami Sato, but you can just call me Asami. And you are?"

Gyatso's smile widened. "Ah I am Gyatso, I am an elder here at the temple and an old friend of Tenzin's father apparently." That last bit caused Asami to raise a questioning eyebrow at Tenzin who shrugged in response. "And who might your companions be?" He asked while looking past the raven haired girl towards the group of dumbstruck young adults who looked like they had just went ten rounds with a platypusbear.

"Oh right sorry was a little distracted, this is Eska, Bolin, Mako, and Kuvira." Asami announced as she motioned to each person in question who greeted the older man in turn.

However, when it came time for Kuvira to make her interdiction Tenzin cut in. "What is she doing here!?" He shouted.

"Excuse me?" Kuvira asked in confusion.

"You are supposed to be in prison!" Tenzin seethed before turning to Asami. "What is the meaning of this!?"

Asami scratched the back of her neck and racked her brain for a good way to explain all of this. "Relax Tenzin, this isn't our Kuvira." Tenzin's eyes widened before he looked back towards the woman in question as if she would yield some answers. Kuvira only gave him a shrug. "Look this is going to be a long story, so how about we all sit down."

"Oh this should be good. I will make us some tea!" Gyatso declared, clearly enjoying the absurdity of the situation. Then he began walking away from the group and when nobody made to follow him he turned back and waved them along. "Come now, I know the best place for story telling."

Asami and Tenzin gave each other one more look before shrugging and making to follow the elder monk. Asami waved along her new/old friends to follow.

97 - AG Year of the Snake

"I look ridiculous this is never going to work." Korra said as she looked herself over in the mirror in her room chamber.

"What are you talking about? This uniform looks great on you! So brave and bold, I dare say you could pass for Avatar Kyoshi herself!" Loca reassured as she put the finishing touches on Korra's Kyoshi themed face paint.

Korra felt like laughing at the irony of that statement, but decided it was best to restrain herself or risk messing up the paint. "Can you remind me why we're disguising ourselves like this?" She would seriously because it seemed like a waste of time, there was only so much an outfit and some make up could do. It couldn't mask her clearly water tribe features.

"Hey it's like we discussed in the meeting. We're making landfall in Gaoling soon and that means we will be entering into enemy territory. You guys can't just strut in there wearing Fire Nation Reds and Southern Blues. That's why we stopped by Kyoshi Island on the way an picked up all these uniforms for everyone." Loca explained proudly.

Korra sighed. "That's all well and good, but isn't Kyoshi Island also an enemy of the Earth Kingdom now? Do you really think dressing up as Kyoshi Warriors is going to buy us any extra points with the Earth Army?" She asked.

Loca just laughed. "Well that's true, were not really on the best terms with the army anymore. However, the people in this area still respect and do business with us. Though the Earth Army has been trying to cover it up, many people along the coastal areas know the real reason we sided with the South and agree that the Earth Kingdom's attempt a recruiting us were heavy handed."

"So as long as we avoid contact with the army itself we should be alright?" Korra inquired.

"Yep," Loca replied before making one final flick with her brush and directing Korra's gaze back towards the mirror. "All done, what do you think?"

Korra had to do a double take. She looked so different. The thick uniform covered almost all of her skin and what parts it didn't were now shaded a pale white. The power of make up was not one to be underestimated after all it seems. Her bright blue eyes still shown through the guise, but there wasn't anything she could do about that. "Not bad." She would have to show Asami when she got the chance.

To Be Continued…