Book: Metal

Chapter 15 - Eve of The Revolution

"There are no Equalists in Ba Sing Se. There are no Equalists in Ba Sing Se." The voice droned on and on, the point of light painful in its intensity. Bolin squirmed, the chair hard against his back, his rope bonds biting into him. His mouth felt parched and his head pulsed with pain. What were they doing? How long had this been going on for now? No Equalists... No. They were here. He and Kuvira had followed them here. And they had Asami. He needed to find her. At least Pabu should be safe back with Grandma Yin. No Equalists... No! Bolin clenched his teeth. He had to hang on. Somewhere in the distance something shifted. Movements, impressions of voices and shouts of alarm. Then; a mass of people moving hurriedly. A door was flung open somewhere beyond the light and between startled blinks he caught impressions of the darkened stone room. A figure surprisingly close to him who whirled in surprise to address the intruder.

"We're under attack!" the newcomer said breathlessly. "Equalists," he added.

"Equalists?" the other man in the room queried in an angry tone. "How close?"

"They're in the main access tunnel. Hundreds of them."

With an exasperated sigh and a sharp crack the lamp extinguished and for a moment Bolin in darkness. Equalists? Here? Bolin struggled in his chair, his bonds no weaker than when he first tried. The Equalist attack should at least mean he could get out of this room. At the same time it might mean he wound up in Amon's clutches. Was either better right now? Dim lighting flickered into life all around the room, and the Dai Li figure gestured at him. With a screech of metal on stone, Bolin's chair moved forwards. "Make sure everyone is prepared," the older Dai Li who had been droning said.

"Of course," the other man replied.

The Dai Li dragged Bolin out of the room, down a dingy, damp corridor to jail cell. The man severed his rope bonds roughly, but before he could rub feeling back into his limbs or even attempt earthbending, the door ahead of him was flung open. A glimpse of hopeful, curious faces as he fell inside. Every expression darkened in the same moment, a singular spark of hope extinguished as the door clanged shut and locked with a screech of metal. Who were these people? And why were they imprisoned? He had to get out. Get free. But the walls, floor and ceiling; all metal. Nothing for him to use. There was nothing he could do. Bolin slumped back against the wall, relieved at least to be out of that light. The others imprisoned with him crowded against the bars, eager to see what was coming as the sounds of conflict grew louder by the second.

The Kyoshi warriors had come back for her. Asami strove to hide the fluttering excitement the nurses's words evoked in her chest. The disappointment tempered the emotion easily; as much as they had tried, the attempt had come a fraction too late. Could she have gone with them this time though? They had some form of assistance - or so the nurses said from the garbled reports of the aftermath and those left behind at the camp. Maybe their companions could have managed to get her father away too. Or maybe they could have simply rescued him and left her behind to face Amon alone. Asami sneered to herself. Why were they even hanging onto her? A few modifications and some sabotage did not justify the expense of keeping her around and alive in addition to ferrying her father too. She was worthless, had been worthless since Amon dragged her from the mansion. For the first time in a long while her thoughts turned to Korra. How had she handled the public accusations? Republic City still thought of her as a criminal, a willing participant with the Equalist's plans. A turn-coat waiting to betray the Avatar at a the right moment, a cold-hearted seductress who used her wiles to make Korra lower her guard and allow her to get closer than anyone else. No. Korra would not believe that for a moment. Would she? No. Asami needed to believe Korra would not be convinced by any of the slanderous accusations made about her. But how about Mako and Bolin?

Were the trio safe back in Republic City? Were the Equalists attacking the capital even now? It had been a while since she had last convinced herself to listen to the radio. At least with Amon here there was no way for anyone back there to lose their bending. Korra, Mako and Bolin would still have their bending. And not just because Amon would be unable to stay quiet if he had successfully stripped the ability from Korra. Asami sighed. It seemed all too likely her friends knew she had turned down the first rescue attempt. The Kyoshi warriors would have responded to Iroh. And Iroh could easily have communicated with Korra. What would he or Korra have made of her refusal to flee? Would they conclude - like that one Kyoshi warrior - that she was now aligned against them? That the Equalists had somehow swayed her in the past weeks? Or perhaps she had always had the inclination to seek the elimination of bending? She smiled for a moment. Iroh telling her he wished all Equalists were like her; the desire to not have to rely on bending rather than seeking it's elimination. Pity the people here had driven the mind-set to the extreme necessity of the latter.

There was a faint tremor in the deck. They must have reached their next destination; the airship was docking. Asami sighed. And just where were they now? Predictably enough, Amon entered the infirmary a few minutes later - the nurses saluting as he passed.

"Miss Sato," Amon greeted her.

"Amon," she said, her throat tight.

"I must thank you for your continued patience. It is with the greatest pleasure I can inform you we have arrived in Ba Sing Se."

Asami jumped to her feet. "Then-"

"Yes." Amon gestured to the nurses. "Please see Mister Sato delivered to the medical team." The nurses nodded and began disconnecting the equipment. Within moments they were able to wheel the bed and its patient out of the room.

"I'm going with him," Asami said. Amon's hand closed on her arm, halting her in her tracks.

"Not just yet, Miss Sato. Please; allow the doctors to examine him first. I have... another matter I require your assistance with. Do not worry; your father is now in the best hands imaginable," Amon said coolly. Asami cast one last glance at her father's bed as it vanished down the corridor.

"Alright," she said. The familiar drone of the airship's engines had already faded and the craft's running lights were off as she walked down the gangplank. The airship rested in the centre of a dimly lit, walled compound. It looked somewhat like they were in a wealthy residential area but it was too dark to see much of the city at present. It felt as is it was somewhere just past midnight. The realization felt strange; she had not cared about the time of day for almost a month now. Hordes of Equalists were unloading equipment from the airship and ferrying it down a steep slope under the ground. Amon guided her away from the underground entrance and towards a cluster of nearby buildings. He halted as a old man flanked by curious guards in green uniforms and wide-brimmed hats approached them.

"Amon," the man said smiling. His gaze immediately flicked to her and his grin widened almost imperceptibly. Asami resisted the urge to shiver.

"Kwan," Amon replied with a nod. "Miss Sato, this is Magistrate Kwan."

Kwan bowed to her. "Miss Sato. A pleasure to finally meet you." She nodded vaguely, glancing towards the underground for a hint of where her father wound up. "I trust your trip was comfortable?"

"As much as it could be," Asami replied distractedly.

"Good, good," Kwan said. "Now, if I might have a word with you Miss Sato, Amon?"

Asami blinked and looked at him. "What is this about?"

Kwan looked around, seeming nervous. "Please." He gestured towards the structure nearby. "Let us go somewhere more private. I suspect you are tired after your long trip; I will provide refreshments."

"Thank you, Kwan," Amon replied. He pressed his hand into the small of her back. Not much display of force, but a touch more intimate than felt comfortable. Asami repressed another shiver, and trailed after Kwan, Amon at her side. How could she have remained with him for so long? Kwan seemed no better, something fake in every one of his movements. The old man lead them inside to a room reminiscent of an office. Cabinets and drawers filled the walls, and a single sheet of paper lay on the desk. Kwan took a seat on the opposite side of the table and gestured Amon and Asami into the chairs facing it.

"Tea?" he asked.

"Please," Amon said.

"No. Thank you," Asami replied, eyeing the paper. Kwan smiled.

"Some tea for Amon. And in the absence of tea; for you Miss Sato." He pushed the paper forward. Familiar. A moment of distance and memories of her old life came flooding back. A bank document. Unexpected but so mundane in this would be office and in the early hours of the morning. Here the amounts, there the destination and- Asami blinked at the source account and re-read the page from the start. The described transaction would transfer every single yuan of her inheritance into Kwan's account. The document was all but complete - it lacked only her thumbprint and a signature.

"What... What is this?" She was almost ready to laugh. Asami re-read the paper. There was no other way to interpret the text as written. So, this was what they needed her for. For all Amon's ideals about equality and compassion, for all her father's supposed importance, this was why she was still here. This was why her father still lived. The personal fortune of the Tan family - all that remained of her mother's name and birthright - the Equalists wanted her money. If she completed the form everything really was lost. The last bright spot she clung to, the little fantasies of somehow getting the money and leaving everything behind to at least try and start again. Had Amon not taken enough from her that he now wanted this too? But faced with the paper it was hard to feel much of anything. Did it matter if she lost this now too? If it truly was all she had left, what good could it do her now? Why hang on? No. She would not simply roll over for Amon, not simply give in to the man who took everything. "I should have known this would be what I was needed for."

Amon sighed. "How quickly you forget, Miss Sato. I gave you permission to leave us-"

"At the expense of leaving my father with you," she snapped in response.

"-several times. Yet you chose to remain," Amon continued without missing a beat. "You are here because you did not take the opportunities offered to you. And you refused a rescue mission on behalf of some... mysterious savior. Magistrate Kwan here has gone to great lengths to hide us and provide facilities for the care and protection of your father. It is on account of his dedication to the cause that he has done so until now. As vast as his fortune is, he cannot continue indefinitely. Kwan requires additional resources."

"So my inheritance was the price all along," Asami said, her chest numb.

"Miss Sato, you misunderstand the situation. With your contribution-" Kwan's smile was too large, too perfect, too hungry for comfort. "-I will be able to provide your father with the best doctors in the city. And I swear on my life I will do everything in my power to help him recover." he had placed his hand over his heart and was looking at her earnestly.

"This would not be a bad arrangement for you, Miss Sato," Amon added.

Asami licked her lips and cleared her throat. "Won't anyone be suspicious, that I, a wanted criminal, was somehow able to sign this document? And why can't I just hire these same doctors?"

Kwan smiled and leant back in his chair. "I can easily pass it off as a result of the Ba Sing Se police arresting you, and that you personally paid a hefty sum for your release. You would have been remaindered into custody of the Fire Nation royal family for your crimes but-" He chuckled. "The diplomatic procedure would take time and you might easily be lost in the cracks as paper-work went missing. You are free to refuse - if you think as a wanted felon you could possibly find, contact and hire people to help you."

His smile was not comforting. If this was all they needed her for, she would quickly become disposable. Whatever had kept her alive up until this point would be gone and she would be useless to Amon. She needed time. "My father first." She stared into Kwan's eyes. "I will sign this document when my father is in a good condition. When he's healthy."

Kwan's next smile was faker than any of the others, a frown almost forming on his brow. "Miss Sato, you must be aware that I am not making a request of you."

"My condition stands," Asami shot back. Kwan's hand slammed onto the table.

"I asked you nicely," he growled, all pretense at charm gone. "But you didn't seem to like that, did you? Don't think for a second this is the only way." His next smile reminded her of some underwater predatory creature, its prey helpless and cornered. "I can just as easily accomplish this with nothing more than your dead body. No one wants to let money languish in some account no one can get at. Be sensible. Bloodshed is so unnecessary. But if it comes to it..."

Asami sat rigid, forcing her features into a mask and not reacting to the outburst or the threat. There was no protection to be had. If she did not sign the document, she and her father would certainly die. If she did sign, well... hopefully at least either she or her father would live. The pit in her stomach deepened. This was still bad, wrong and irrevocable. Permanent. The end of everything she had known, her whole life changing beyond recognition. If freedom was even possible anymore she would face it with nothing more than the clothes on her back. Less even; she would need to hide, disguise herself. Cut her hair short, change her style, her clothes. Food. No. If Bolin and Mako could survive with nothing, so could she. But the cost to not sign was far too high.

At least her hand did not tremble as she picked up the pen and scrawled her name on the indicated line. She jammed her thumb into the ink pad with a little too much force. Maybe - if she was lucky - the print would be illegible and they would have to prepare a whole new document. No such luck; her thumb print was crisp and clear on the paper. Should have deliberately smeared it on the paper. No. Even that might not have been enough. For a moment she wanted to snatch the paper up and tear it into confetti, but instead she forced herself to sit back and set the pen carefully down on the desk. Kwan plucked the paper up and peered at her signature. "Wise choice, Miss Sato. If you will both excuse me?" No choice at all.

Amon nodded, but Asami just stared ahead, all the implications of what she had just done still churning through her head. "Miss Sato."

"Yes?" Her voice sounded unnaturally calm. She should be shivering, crying, pleading, trying to strangle the maddening individual beside her. But she did not. Asami replied as if this was any other occasion she had spoken to Amon.

"I need you to do something for me, if you are willing to help us further."

Why not? She had nothing to lose. "Of course," she said, biting off the words, ignoring the prickle of tears in her eyes.

"Good. There are specific communication channels in use across the city. I would like to be able to take control of them as and when it becomes necessary." Just like back in Republic City then. That voice, preaching to everyone who would listen. She wanted to squirm away from the man, refuse this request. She could not possibly assist him, help with his terrorist endeavor. But if she refused; she had little more to offer beyond her technical skills. No choice.

"Fine," she said, trying not to clench her teeth.

"Excellent," Amon said. "You can begin in the morning, for now-"

"I'll start now," Asami interrupted, blinking rapidly. She forced a charming smile. "Why wait?"

"Commendable, Miss Sato." Amon sounded pleased. "Commendable. This way." He lead her out of Kwan's office and under the ground. The underground chambers echoed with footsteps and people moving. How much was down here? They entered a tall building nearby; a massive warehouse. Strange, squat metallic figures stood in ranks inside.

"What... what are those?" she asked, peering at the strange mechanisms. There were like nothing she had ever seen before. No; not quite. They looked like something her father had idly sketched close to a decade ago. The reality was cold and imposing. The figures looked sinister in a way she could not quite articulate.

"Your father's greatest work," Amon replied. "Mechatanks. Pure platinum. They are invulnerable to earth and firebenders. The tire tracks are rubber and the interior is fully insulated making them invulnerable to lightningbending. Their strength is theoretically enough to resist water based attacks and the cockpits are water-tight. In addition they are capable of generating electrical charges sufficient to incapacitate any bender. Their mechanical strength is enough to smash through stone. I think it is somewhat fitting that they will now protect their creator." There had to be a weakness in the design. Some oversight. But she could not think of one, could not even see a place to start looking. Nothing else the Equalist's demonstrated came remotely close to the horrific potential of these machines. Amon kept on walking and she followed, trying not to keep looking back at the machines; the mechatanks.

At the far end of the building was rank upon rank of shelving. "Cables, relays. I want to override any frequency within the city. There are technical notes from the original construction here. These maps of the city will indicate the relay towers." He gestured at the shelves as he spoke. "I trust you will not... displease me. Now if you will excuse me; I have other... business to attend to. Carry out my request and nothing shall befall you. Please," he beckoned to a nearby Equalist guard. "When you tire inform this man and he will show you to your room." Amon turned to the guard. "Please find a suitable room for Miss Sato in our... guest suite." It sounded like he was smiling and close to laughing. Asami turned away to stare at the components and the maps.

Layers upon layers in the city. Equalist camps hidden in between them and interlinked with a bewildering web of tunnels. It was hard to concentrate now. She had to escape. She had left it far too late now. Find a way to escape with her father and tell Korra. No, tell anyone who would listen each and every one of Amon's secrets. That he lied to everyone. And after; she needed to go somewhere, anywhere. Somewhere she and her father could have peace. Somewhere no one would ever think to look for them. Somewhere they could rebuild their lives as much as they were able, starting with absolutely nothing.

In the days that followed, Asami stalked along endless corridors, her Equalist guard duty ever trailing behind her as she dragged cables and wired them into the necessary networks. The man was there to keep her on the right path. But he was not Amon; he missed so many little things. Her wiring was more complicated than it needed to be, terminated in odd places and doubled back on itself. Amon's second network flowed to two nexuses; a control panel in Kwan's warehouse and, much more secretively, to Asami's room.

Amon had long since stopped trying to recall the names of his subordinates. Names were a luxury for later. When the revolution was complete. For now, masks made them impossible or perhaps simply unnecessary. At least no one seemed to expect him to remember. A messenger interrupted his conversation with Kwan . "Sir; we've defeated and captured Dai Li operatives in the Kansai and Ghanzou districts. The tunnel systems in both regions are now under our complete control."

"Excellent," Amon replied, smiling beneath the mask. "We should expect the Dai Li to begin their retaliation soon. See that this news is cascaded out to the other division leaders." The other man dithered. "Something else?" Amon asked.

"When we took the tunnels we found large numbers of imprisoned Earth Kingdom citizens. They were captured under suspicion of Equalist sympathies but none are aligned to our cause. According to the prisoners, the Dai Li have been suppressing any knowledge of our organization."

"Noted." Amon waved the man away and turned to Kwan. "You assured me the Dai Li would be ignorant of our presence until our operations began? How can this have happened?"

"If your numbers had not grown so vast then yes, that would have been the case. As it is, there are thousands following you now." Kwan shrugged. "It was simply not possible to suppress any and all rumors with so many at work. I can assure you: the Dai Li know nothing of our current location."

Amon refrained from responding. Kwan and his Dai Li associates had been so easily bought with Hiroshi Sato's wealth. Amon was not so naive to be unaware of Kwan's ultimate goal; escape the Earth Kingdom as the revolution occurred and buy citizenship in the Fire Nation. Somewhat futile; the Fire Nation would be their next target after the Earth Kingdom - any weath Kwan had now would only be his for a short while. Still, he would allow him to have a short while of being a little richer than he was at present. For now at least the man had hidden them from the Queen while they prepared. Expensive, but necessarily vital to the operation. And an easy cover; the Queen so quickly bought into the lie Kwan spun about constructing an earthbending sporting arena and was currently engaged in heavy excavations the foundations she had left the site well alone to facilitate a hasty construction. Kwan liked to brag about the revenue the arena would rake in - something that delighted the monarch no end. Absurd man; so excited over purely imaginary money - money he would not only not receive, but that he had no intention of passing onto the Queen. And it was not as if he gained much from insisting on the Tan family inheritance; Asami's wealth was a drop in the ocean next to the man's existing finances. But a deal was a deal.

Another Equalist burst into the room. "Sir. We found one of the Avatar's companions among the Dai Li prisoners."

Amon leant forward. "Which?"

"The earthbender; Bolin."

Was the Avatar here too then? As per the last broadcast from the decoy airship, Korra had pursued them to the south rather than utilising the sabotaged vessel. The crew had failed to report in for some time now - and it remained plausible the Avatar had indeed made it to the city. More plausible than whoever had been on the decoy vessel. Hard for the Avatar to be easily reunited with her companions and thus an interesting turn of events. He had another pawn in the game now. He toyed with the idea of having Bolin brought here and taking a certain enjoyment in suppressing his bending. No. Let the boy think they had overlooked him for now. Find a better use for him as the opportunity arose. The lieutenant entered the room. "We stand ready."

"Excellent. Tell me, how is the riot in the Sichuan district? I would prefer it if it could possibly coincided with the Queen's speech," Amon said.

"I shall ensure it does. Mei's unit is already in place and I can add others," the lieutenant replied. "Magistrate Wang has hired some three hundred men to add to the confusion. More than enough to distract the imperial troops."

"Sir? The earthbender?" the first Equalist asked.

"Earthbender?" the Lieutenant asked.

"Bolin," Amon replied.

"Then the Avatar-"

"Might be here, yes," Amon replied. "Leave him for now. If she is here, the Avatar will inevitably come looking for him. And when she does, we will have the perfect opportunity. The moment she confronts me..." Amon smiled. "We will be able to show the whole of Ba Sing Se the moment she fails. The moment all the Avatars fail."

"What about the Sato woman?" the Lieutenant asked.

Amon shrugged. "She belongs to us now. Do not mention Bolin unless necessary." He paused. "Curious. I wonder if she could possibly betray her friends again? Her father is such useful leverage." And keeping him like that would necessitate ensuring Hiroshi stayed unconscious for longer still. Small price for the boon of his daughter's skills. Her paternal love made her weak and she clung so futilely to the hope of his recovery, never suspecting Hiroshi should have recovered long before. Whatever did she think of his repeated visits to his bedside? Some romantic notion of care no doubt. Maybe when the revolution was over; maybe then Hiroshi could re-awaken. A repayment - less than what she had paid. No. What she deserved. If not for her then the Avatar might be dealt with already. Regardless, it would be enough to keep her quiet.

"She has given us all her resources now. Why do you hang onto her?" Kwan asked.

"Never eliminate a piece before it's value is completely expended, Kwan. You are clearly not a military man." Kwan sniffed, annoyed by the comment. "Miss Sato still has her uses. And thanks to her father's continued incapacity, I will see her provide the recompense for his past failure. Thanks to her we do not control either of the capitals." He cut himself off. The role came first. "At least..." Amon smiled. "At least when the city falls to us, our operatives in Republic City can take solace in our new bastion of enlightenment and freedom. There are few places better designed for defense than here."

"The anti-monarchy groups help," the lieutenant added.

"They do," Amon almost laughed. "So zealous. Willing to do anything to remove the Queen from power. We know the members?" The lieutenant nodded. "Good. Ensure they are restrained once the revolution has commenced. Any benders in the group are to be dealt with first. Bring them to me as soon as we have control."

Kuvira slapped her foot against the ground and closed her eyes. Another tunnel right below her. Another place to investigate. Ba Sing Se was simple enough to figure out - with seismic sense at least. The tunnels were here to conceal secrets from the public. Secrets for how many generations now? Su had once told her of Toph's mission to sweep the city forty years previous and search for any remnants of the Dai Li remaining. For a decade or more the organization was all but extinct. But time moved inevitably on; the Avatar died and Toph was who knew where by now. With no restraints Hou Ting's influence grew and from all Kuvira witnessed, it seemed the Dai Li thrived under her.

A few well placed queries, some casual conversation, and holding her emotions in check; sufficient payments for the information necessary. The hierarchy under the Queen was not terribly complex and there was as yet no direct heir to the throne. In the event of her removal as Queen, control would temporarily pass to the government as they figured out which branch of the family tree to pluck their new ruler from. Kuvira scowled. Their new, possibly inept, likely corrupt and definitively ineffective ruler. She was not about to let that happen again.

Kuvira shook her head and with a quick glance around, levered up the nearest access panel. No sensations of movement from below. No one here just yet. Kuvira dropped inside and sealed the panel shut behind her. A moment to visualize the city. A map right now would make this so much easier, but the chances of one mapping this network beneath the streets was unlikely. She would need to work with what she knew. Kuvira aligned herself with the street above. Behind her was the outer edge of Ba Sing Se and Bolin. Ahead of her was the palace and the heart of the city. Kuvira strode forward, staying light on her feet. The Dai Li were supposedly expert earthbenders; it should not take much to draw their attention. She carried on walking and met no one. Kuvira frowned. It seemed so unlikely she could have so completely evaded detection, but still the tunnels remained quiet. Nothing. Not even when she slammed her foot down to check the surrounding area again. Nothing nearby. Surely the Dai Li would have noticed her by now?

The Gokongwei's confirmed the organization was still here and active. Unlike her predecessor, Hou Ting had taken direct control of the organization while on the throne. She at least had that much sense to keep such a devastating secret force under her remit; a pity that her sense had a knock-on cost to the rest of the kingdom. Wait. Movement ahead. Kuvira flattened herself against the tunnel wall a few steps from where it intersected into a larger passageway. Dai Li. But they were not coming for her. They did not even glance in her direction. Something had happened, something far more pressing than a singular intruder. Kuvira trailed after the group, hanging back far enough to avoid obvious detection. Faint sounds echoed off the wall, shrieks of pain, fizzles of electricity; the sounds of conflict. The Dai Li ahead of her moved increasingly faster and at the tunnel's end, sprinted around a corner and into battle. Kuvira paused in the tunnel and peered after them.

The Equalists. She had finally found them. Masked troops were advancing through the cavern beyond; many swiftly knocked down by Dai Li attacks, but there were more Equalists behind them. Sparks and bolos rushed through the air, rock hands and rough stone chunks flung in response. For a moment the battle seemed equal. Then the tide turned. The Dai Li were losing; they fought bitterly but in between the cracks of electricity, it became clear that the earthbenders were falling faster than the Equalists. Kuvira slapped her foot down again. There was a panel nearby; a good enough hiding place. One final check on the battle; and she darted into the concealed pit, closing the panel behind her. Placing both hands on the rock panel above her she concentrated. The battle came alive via sensation, the whispers of shouts, the slam of footsteps and bodies on the rock floor. The wrenching tear as rock ripped from the ground to form new projectiles. She needed to know more; needed to know just what the Equalist's planned to do here. Remove bending naturally. But why operate in the tunnels? Amon revelled in spectacle before; what kept him lurking in the dark? She expected rumours, some hints of a goal. But people were extremely hestiant to say anything about the Equalists. How long had Amon been in the city, and just how many could he have laid his hands on in that interim?

A decision; her goals more closely aligned with the Equalists than the Dai Li right now. Kuvira smirked. So strange; the Equalists remained a fundamental risk; she could not afford to lose her abilities for a moment. And yet; they would remove these more dangerous member of the Queen's forces for her. Time passed and the battle above quietened, the movements slowing, and the frenzy fading. Unconscious Dai Li breathing fitfully. Equalists began dragging prisoners away, others moving off further down the tunnels. Patience. Wait for the right target. There; a lone Equalist heading back up the tunnel she had followed. An earth cone to pin them, a blow to the back of the head to render them unconscious. Simple. The uniform fit well enough; Kuvira dumped her clothes into the concealed pit and dragged the woman to a side tunnel. The uniform should be disguise enough - at least until someone found the missing Equalist. Hopefully she would be elsewhere by then. In the maze of tunnels down here it could be days before the anyone found the woman - if Kuvira was lucky.

Kuvira walked as if she belonged to the Equalists. Confidence was key; do nothing to attract attention. It was strange to move within in among the group now, the people she despised. Su had gotten much from the captured spies in Zaofu, but the internal dynamics had been a mystery until now. It became quickly clear there were no ranks, nothing to distinguish one Equalist from the next. No one was more important than anyone else. Somehow appropriate; equalize bending, equalize the organization. And yet; Amon was still the unquestioned leader of the group. Kuvira resisted the urge to sigh; the group seemed inherently hypocritical. Now; hopefully someone would let slip what she needed to know - asking directly felt too risky. The Equalists still in the area were sweeping through a series of chambers branching off from the main tunnel. The buzz of conversation ahead slowly resolved into coherency.

"Hey, release us too!" a voice called. The floors, walls and ceiling were all metal here. Deep alcoves lined each side of the corridor, each boundered by metal bars and filled with people. Prisoners of the Dai Li.

"Shut up," an Equalist snarled, smacking his hand against the bars. "We'll let you out soon as Amon has cleansed you." The prisoner flinched and cowered away, the others in the cell mimicking his action as they tried to get as far away from the Equalists as they could. Benders. Wait. The crowd shifted, revealing a familiar person slumped on the ground. Bolin. She forced herself to act casual. Why was he here? He should be with his family and out of the way. And hopefully in a position to meet and distract Korra with his feelings. It ought to be a natural escalation after everything she had said. Now this. Rescuing him was possible, but she could not easily do so with this many Equalists. Plentiful metal but... Wait. Asami should be here too; the airship she was on would have come here. And she, more than anyone else, might be a better route to the information Kuvira craved. But who was Asami aligned with at present? Korra insisted Asami could not possibly be with the Equalists. Maybe she was right. But maybe not. Maybe Asami was now aligned against the Avatar; there were studies on kidnapping cases were such a thing had happened. Either way, it did not matter too much. Bolin was innocent enough to ask for the information without thinking; based on every conversation on the way here, the pair had to be close enough for Asami to not think twice about why he was asking. If Kuvira primed him with the right question.

The bulk of the Equalists were moving away now, heading back down the tunnels, the prisoners still cowering away from the bars. Bolin did not even look up. Good. Kuvira followed the group; they moved too freely, too confidently to be always on edge. Wherever they were going was a safe haven - and one hidden by someone with power and influence in the city. Most likely the result of bribing one or more of the officials? Based on the Kyoshi warrior's summary of events, if Asami was here, she would be close to her father. And her father - unless miraculously recovered - still required medical care. Simple. Kuvira made her movements stiffer. She clutched an arm against her side and deliberately labored her breathing.

Few even glanced at her as she exited the tunnels into an artificial cavern nearby. A few pained words to a nearby Equalist soon sent her towards the infirmary. She limped and stumbled towards the squat, two story building convincingly enough, but staking out the centre itself was just going to draw attention as to was going in. There were more Dai Li panels here; all empty of any waiting surprises. No Dai Li waiting patiently to strike when the Equalists lead expected it. Something of a shame; more chaos would be an even better mask for her movements. At least the Equalists could have no idea these were here. Easy to slip inside the closest and wait. Her breathing sounded so loud in the confined space; she ignored it, concentrating only on what she could feel through the rock. There. A set of footsteps, a flutter of a heartbeat. One she felt a few times before; unmistakable. Asami Sato was walking nearby.

The door flew open and Asami jumped. Equalists rushed into the room and dropped other wounded members onto the spare beds as they groaned and grimaced with pain.

"What...?" Asami asked.

"Apologies, MIss Sato," Ai said as she hurried into after them. "The common ward is full; this was intended for another general ward before you arrived." She grimaced as she turned to the nearest bed.

"What happened to them?" Asami asked, staring at the sucession of injuries.

"The Dai Li," Ai replied grimly.

"Can... can I help?" she asked as the occupants of the beds writhed and groaned.

"Oh! Yes," Ai said brightly. "Please."

It was a repayment of sorts - for everything Ai, Kaji, Akira and Reki had done over the past weeks. Without them, her father might never have even made it here, might not have survived when the stroke left him immobile on the deck. There was no way Asami could agree with the Equalist ethos but she refused to stand idly by and allow people to suffer while she did nothing.

Asami kept working as long as she was able, but at last she could not stop yawning. It had been hours, and yet Ai was still going. Asami apologized and stumbled away from the infirmary. She was too tired to do any good anymore, but the others - they were nothing short of amazing. If only they were not aligned with Amon. If only they had not succumbed to a prejudice. Her room here was not far, but by the time she reached it, it felt too troublesome to do more than kick her boots off. She slumped on her bed and after a moment of forcing her eyes to stay open, sat up and clicked the hidden radio on. This particular channel one was wired to a microphone she had secreted in the rafters of her father's medical ward. Once more, Asami regretted not getting a similar device into Amon's lair or Kwan's office. Possibly for the best; doing either massively increased the risk of detection. The resulting audio from the infirmary was faint and almost lost in the babble of voices, but if she concentrated, she could just about make out a conversation.

"Dai Li have a load of prisoners," one voice said with a sharp wince on the last syllable.

"Yeah," a second voice agreed. "We let all the non-benders out... But we figured we'd leave the rest for Amon."

"Naturally," Ai said brightly. "Could you just- thanks."

"That Sato woman; she's not coming back, right?" the first voice asked.

"Oh - I don't think so - press here please. Great. Now... There we go! I think she's exhausted herself," Ai replied. A pause. "What? You still don't trust her?" Another pause. "Oh, come on! Look how much she did for all your comrades. She's totally on our side now." Asami smiled. At least Ai believed in her. Shame it was a lie. No matter what happened, she wanted to ensure Ai had a good life after this was over.

"Can't be too careful," the second voice said. "And look; don't tell anyone this, but Wang told me they found her earthbender friend earlier."

"The Fire Ferret?" Ai asked.

"Yeah, that's him," the first voice said. "Can't remember the guy's name, but Yukina said she recognized him right off. What is he doing here?" A long pause, the sounds of the other conversations in the ward too faint to make out.

"Maybe it means the Avatar is here," Ai said at last.

"Doesn't matter if she is." That sounded like Akira. "Amon'll take care of her this time." He chuckled. "Now that is a fight I would pay to see."

"Bit sick isn't it?" the first voice. "Not like she has any chance." He started laughing too. The second voice joined in too.

"Enough of that," Ai said sharply. "The Avatar's... just misguided," she said. "And chained to the past. It shouldn't be a fight. It's more like it'll be her freedom. Amon will free her too."

Asami barely heard the rest of the conversation and soon clicked the radio off. It could only be Bolin. How? How could he possibly be here? Wait. The second rescue; the Kyoshi warriors had reinforcements that time - and if the chatter was to be believed, their forces included two men. No. That did not necessarily follow; the organization had long since allowed men, ever since Sokka became the first. She could still hope; there was still a chance. Mako and Bolin could have come for her. And if they were here, could Korra be here too?

News of her assistance in the infirmary seemed to ripple through the ranks. The Equalists grew increasingly relaxed around Asami and she did as little as she could to provoke any curiosity or suspicion. Or perhaps it was because her direct usefulness to the cause was over. Sure, she could wire in the communication channel just as Amon wanted, but it was not something only she could do. Either way; she could probably run away without problem now. Possibly even escape successfully, but to what end? Inevitable arrest, trial and absolutely no means of defending herself. That was what awaited her outside; an exchange of one prison for another. She did not want that. Asami continued to work, and held onto hope.

Her apparent subservience made the double-edged nature of her task that much easier. More wires than necessary, better connections, more interlinks. More movements in and around the Equalist staging area. More chances to observe, though none of it comforting. The Equalists were stockpiling explosives. Asami almost did a double-take when she first saw the crates stamped with stark warnings. Just what did they have planned? Why did they have mining explosives; whose use was primarily for carving deep into the mountainside and removing the very tops of mountains? There was enough here to destroy a mountain; more than enough to level the entire city.

Asami needed to know why. Had to know what they planned. The lack of active observation gave her opportunity to smuggle a few necessities into her room. A mask, a black uniform, a shock glove. The device still induced bitter feelings; her self-defence design used to suppress and incapacitate benders. No. Not now. She had so much to apologize and atone for. At least now it was simple enough to now pass herself off as just another Equalist. Her guard barely glanced as she strode out of the block her room was in - just another Equalist now. All she had to do was move as casually as she could. Everyone underestimated her; no one thought she had any spirit left. She had plenty and a rebellious streak besides.

Asami sauntered back towards the stacked crates of explosives and the pair of Equalists currently wiring detonators into material from the crate. "Hey, that's pretty awesome," she said in an awkward, broad water tribe accent.

The female Equalist glanced up at her. "You think?"

"Yeah," Asami said emphatically. "Wish I got to do that kind of thing. All I get to do is scrub the toilets." She glanced around. "Just between us, that Sato woman's a pig. The state she leaves that place in..."

"Urgh." The male Equalist snickered. "I feel ya, sister. But this here's a job for the professionals."

"Yeah," the female Equalist added. "We mess this up... Well. First we all die. Then we leave a massive, massive hold under Kwan's construction site. Then we'd have to deal with Amon. And I don't think being dead is going to stop him getting to us. Spirits'll help him hunt us down and... Yeah. Don't want to find out what happens then. We only got one shot at this."

"So," Asami said leaning against a crate, breaking down the components in her head. All Future Industries stock. All benign - at least intended to be so. She tried not to think of just what she was leaning against. "What we gonna blow up?"

"The palace. Gonna tear that whole thing down to rubble. Big bang," the man said chuckling. "Real big bang," he stressed.

Asami suppressed the shiver that ran through her. "Wow." Her throat felt tight. "Hope I get to see it go."

The Equalists did not seem to notice her trembling. "I almost guarantee you will. Hopefully. Well. Depends on what the Queen says when Amon gets to her. Or maybe Amon'll give the order anyways. Or the spirits'll tell him to do it." He looked up at her. "And if you don't mind?" He gestured at the half-assembled bomb. "I want to blow up the palace not myself. You mind letting us concentrate and go someplace else?"

"Yeah, we all have our jobs. Get back to your toilets."

"Sorry," Asami said and hastily wandered away. Blow up the palace? That was far worse than she had ever suspected Amon would go. He was always preaching about equality and peace. At worst perhaps Amon might have laboriously dragged every bender in the city dragged in front of him to do what he did. But it seemed there was another plan at work here, and helping Amon was accruing a greater and greater cost. What had she facilitated with those handful of favors he had asked for? All those little fixes to help get her father here faster. No. It had been to help Amon get here faster and she had not even noticed.

Bolin. Bolin needed her help. But so did her father. Maybe... Maybe it would be possible to get them both out. Bolin could help her. If he could get them somewhere secluded down here, at least he could then earthbend them out of here. It would take a while and they would be in darkness almost the entire time, but if she pushed the bed and Bolin tunneled... No one would be able to find them or track them. Her heart skipped a beat. Korra. Korra would come looking for Bolin, she was sure. Did she still believe in her enough? Would Korra take Asami too if she came for him?

More chatter on the wires. Reports of operations, progress through the tunnels, the number of Dai Li operatives captured. There; an odd report. An Equalist who lost her uniform sometime during a pitched skirmish with the Dai Li. Asami tensed for a second, but soon relaxed. They were not referring to the stolen uniform folded beneath her bed. The discussion seemed to relate to a more recent event - one inw which the Equalists were sure they had captured all the Dai Li. The timing was terrible. Now they would be checking Equalists more closely. Her disguise was not worth a thing without familiarity with the Equalists. She had not even thought of a false name and it was not as if she could trust that pair working on the bombs to vouch for her.

But there was a traitor or some saboteur within the Equalist ranks - or at least that was how it seemed. Who was it? A Kyoshi warrior? Korra? Mako? Mako was highly likely; he would come for his brother no matter the cost. But a Dai Li spy was much more likely. She scanned the frequencies for a short while longer and reluctantly shut the audio off. Whoever the intruder was, they had successfully vanished into the mass of other Equalists. She needed to know more, but if she hung on any longer then someone would notice her absence from her father's side. It was still vital to avoid unnecessary attention.

No change in her father when she reached him. She was numb to the sight now following the depressing succession of day after unchanging day. And no one paid her any kind of attention for a moment. She was just part of the background now. Or was she just assumed to be on-side? Her lack of retaliation might be evidence enough. Asami slumped into the chair beside her father. She could kill him right now. Kill him this very moment and no one would ever know. Asami shivered. Where had that thought come from? She could not possibly kill her father - never. As easy as it would be to end his life right here and now. No. No. Not after so long and so much effort to bring him here, to get him here fast. Enough. She needed to get away from him, away from the others. Asami was a day ahead of the wiring anyway - she could afford to just lie in her room and try to escape her thoughts. The nurses remained busy with a new wave of the injured as she left; there was nothing more to do until the next wave of Dai Li tunnels fell.

Asami trudged back to her room. Odd. It had been so long since her Equalist guards had bothered to trail after her. They had apparently abruptly decided to restart. Asami grimaced. Had someone noticed her? Her subterfuge uncovered? What had given her away? The unusual wiring? The stolen uniform? Or had Amon somehow seen the inside of her head and noticed that murderous impulse from a moment before? No. Amon could not simply read her thoughts; he would not have let her get this far if he could see into her mind. Asami repressed a sigh. Best to deal with this situation however as best she could. Remain calm. She walked home, closed the door and scrambled for her shock glove. Asami blinked and stared at the weapon. Why had she grabbed for it? She was not about to attack one of the guards. Best to take it off. Pretend nothing was wrong. But somehow she did not and nothing happened. There was no knocking at the door, and no one burst into her room. Had she been mistaken? No. There was someone outside in the corridor now. A brief stamp of a foot, a pause and the door opened. Asami tensed. A woman Equalist pushed her way inside. The stranger stared at Asami for a moment and hurriedly closed the door. What was this? Korra? No.

"Asami Sato," Kuvira said by way of a greeting as she pulled the mask off.

"Kuvira?" Asami gaped. She remembered the weapon on her hand after a moment and scrambled for the shock glove's off switch. "Why... why are you...?"

"I came to rescue you, naturally," she replied. So Kuvira was one of the Kyoshi warrior's reinforcements. Was Korra the other? "Well, unless you've been swayed to the Equalists..." Kuvira trailed off and her hands twitched at her sides.

"No," Asami said loudly.

Kuvira winced and shushed her. "There are people all around us. Try not to attract attention! I will take your answer though."

Another rescue. Still the matter of her father, and now... "Kuvira, they have Bolin. We need to help him too. Is... Is... Korra here?"

Kuvira summarized the situation in brisk terms. She knew about Bolin. Korra and Mako should be in Zaofu by now. Asami listened with a sinking heart. Kuvira had been on the airship she sabotaged - and as a result she, Korra, Bolin and Mako were all separated and in trouble. But... they had come for her, all of them: they had come to rescue her Asami realized with a thrill of excitement. But should they have? They had no idea what was in store for them here. "Asami, the Equalists have been on high alert ever since I got here. While I agree we need to rescue Bolin, we cannot do so like this. We need- Wait; someone's coming."

Asami panicked for a second. No. She knew what to do. Practice, a set sequence in her head. She could do it. Asami stripped the shock glove from her hand and flung it beneath the bed. Asami cursed silently. She had never imagined another person would be here and needed hiding. Kuvira glanced around the room hastily. The bed was too low to hide a person, there was no cupboard, the window was small and too much traffic passed close by. "Kuvira take your clothes off!" Asami said as she pulled her shirt over her head, and started on the rest of her clothes, her fingers fumbling with buttons and clasps. Need to be quick.

Kuvira blinked at her. "Do what?"

"Get naked and start moaning as loudly as you can," Asami hissed. "I need a reason for you to be here that no one is going to ask awkward questions about." Her fingers scrambled for the button Kuvira's pants. Understanding seemed to cross Kuvira's face. She let out a deep groan. "Good," Asami hissed. "But a bit more like this." She gasped out a throaty moan as Kuvira stripped the Equalist shirt off and dispensed with her underwear. Their clothes came to rest strewn in heaps across the floor. It gave the right impression at least. Someone began pounding on the door. "Onto the bed." Asami tugged Kuvira into her arms and fell back onto the mattress. A little awkward like this, someone she barely knew lying between her legs; cool skin and overly tense muscles against her own. She tried to relax a little, but the situation was nothing close to erotic. "Moan," Asami breathed as she wrapped her arms around Kuvira's back.

Kuvira let out another breathy moan as the knocking continued. "I hope this is going to work," she commented, as she squirmed uncomfortably on top of Asami.

"It will," Asami replied in a soft voice and tried to ignore the feel of Kuvira's chest against her own, the feel of their legs against each other. "What?" she called towards the door with as much impatience and annoyance as she could.

"Miss Sato-" a voice began.

"Go away," she yelled back.

"Miss Sato, we need to check-"

"I said go away! Don't come in here!" Kuvira raised an eyebrow; Asami tugged her head down to her shoulder.

"Break it down," a muffled voice said from the corridor.

"Ready?" Asami whispered.

"As much as I can be," Kuvira said. Her whole body was tense.

The door flew open with a splintering crash and Asami screamed. She pushed Kuvira off her and grabbed for the sheets. Kuvira mimicked her action and they awkwardly tried to cover themselves. The trio of Equalist troops stared hard at them for a second before looking away awkwardly. "What is this?!" Asami yelled. "What? You want to watch? Perverts!"

"Out, everyone out," the lead Equalist said. He paused in the doorway, facing away from them. "Apologies... Miss Sato. We... were looking for an intruder." He swallowed awkwardly. "I... Yeah." He pulled the door to and his footsteps faded away down the corridor. Asami held her breath for a few more seconds before finally relaxing and flopping back against the bed.

"Impressive," Kuvira said a second later. She clambered off the bed and immediately began dressing. "Very impressive improvisation. I doubt they'll be back anytime soon. Shame this isn't likely to work again."

Asami sighed. "I know. And I apologize for doing that." She idly watched Kuvira for a moment as the other woman rapidly pulled on her uniform. Asami shook herself and looked away as she drew the blanket around her shoulders.

Kuvira shook her head. "No need to apologise. Very effective, and I'm not sure I had any kind of better plan." She shrugged her shirt on. "While we have a chance right now and little risk of being interrupted; what do you know of the Equalist's plans? What do they intend to do here?" Kuvira blinked. "And have their plans for the Av- for Korra changed at all?"

"Revolution," Asami stared up at her. "Amon plans to overthrow the Queen. It's going to happen soon... And there is a strong possibility they'll destroy the palace - dependent on the queen they said."

Kuvira's eyes narrowed. "That palace is centuries old. And they're threatening to just blow it up?" She made an angry noise in her throat. "We have to stop them. And we need Korra to help us. I have been trying to get in contact with her." Kuvira sighed. "If only Bolin wasn't captured - he might have joined up with her by now. If Amon recognised him-"

"Some of the Equalists know who he is, so I doubt Amon is ignorant," Asami interrupted.

"Then it is likely Bolin will be used against Korra." Kuvira stared at her. "I have to ask before we can go any further; are you committed to stopping them?"

"Bolin's my friend." Asami said hastily. "But I'm... I'm scared. I don't know what to do anymore. Amon needs to be stopped, but my father needs me. I can't just leave him." Her face contorted with sorrow and her eyes filled with tears. "Please. Can we take my father with us? If we have a plan... Maybe Korra-"

She broke off as Kuvira's hand struck her cheek, the sharp noise of the impact ringing in the air. "Fool," Kuvira muttered angrily. "You are nothing but a selfish fool." Asami raised a trembling hand to her cheek, the skin hot and stinging. "You disappoint me Asami Sato. Korra and her friends dropped everything to chase after you. They risked their lives trying to save you from Amon. From your father's co-conspirators. And yet you insist we drag him with us when we try to save you?" Asami could not bring herself to say anything. "If Korra was here and she forced you to chose between your father and freedom; which would you choose? The Equalists or freedom?"

All Asami wanted was to apologize to him. Have one last conversation with her father. Kuvira glared at her and continued speaking. "It does not seem a hard choice; your father helped terrorize an entire city. He poisoned the Avatar - the girl you at least seemed to be once be besotted with. He kidnapped you and helped fund this whole organization - one that you insist you oppose. And yet; you still care for this man?" Kuvira shook her head. "I cannot begin to understand you Asami Sato. But say your father recovers? What then? Will he now side against the Equalists, or will be once again side against Korra? And what about after? When the revolution is over, what life can there possibly be for him? You think he - and you - can possibly live happily ever after now?" Her most secret thoughts on Kuvira's lips. They sounded so fantastical, so impossible like this. So childish. "Your choice, Miss Sato. Go down with your father, or save yourself. You have no other options."

Bolin. Asami blinked. The earnest boy who loved everything and everyone, somehow caught up in this mess. Thanks to her. She could not let him suffer for her mistakes. Asami cleared her throat. "The Equalists are going to wait for Amon to address them in just over an hour and a half. It'll be our best chance to free Bolin. And... and I'll try and hack the communication tower. I should be able to get in touch with Zaofu at least. If Korra's there, we can warn her or ask for help."

Kuvira smiled.

Finally. After two days of wandering the city, reading all the scrolls in the room and getting herself flustered all over again. Two days of killing time. Two days of innuendo and sly comments from the inn owner. Two days worth of unexpectedly tasty contraceptive tea. After what seemed like an eternity, they had a response from Zaofu. The note on Azula's leg was from Opal in her overly neat, tiny handwriting. She related that she had received a similar message to their's via Archie; an excitable note half written by Kuvira and half-written by Bolin. The pair had made it to Ba Sing Se some days after the Equalists. Asami should be there. Korra smiled as she read the note and passed it to the bemused Mako.

"Seriously?" he stared at the letter. "'Dear Mako, I found Gradma and the rest of our family'. Korra, this is... amazing!"

"Amazing or not, we need to get moving." Korra said flinging their supplies into the bag. "Can't waste anymore time." She paused "I'll... I'll miss the room," Korra said taking one last glance around the overly pink room.

"I won't," Mako growled as he stalked past her. Mako has refused the tea every single day. The owner never seemed to know if she should be worried or impressed with him. "I might finally get a decent's night sleep."

"Sorry..." Korra said.

"Sorry? What did you do? I meant all the moaning from... everyone else," Mako said. "Honestly I think some of them are competing to see how can be the loudest."

"Oh," Korra said. "Yeah. I mean, I'm sorry for getting us this place to begin with."

Mako sighed. "Well. At least we're away from it now. Now we just need to find when the next airship is headed over there," he said as they retrieved Naga from the stables.

Korra shrugged. "I was thinking we'd try a more direct approach."

"Which is what?" Mako asked baffled.

"I am Avatar Korra. I humbly request your assistance in a mission of the utmost urgency. Please take this airship to Ba Sing Se immediately." Korra stared down at the captain who blinked at her. He dithered but nodded after a moment. Korra grinned at Mako who just sighed.

"Nothing like subtlety is there?" Mako asked.

"Right now, subtlety is over-rated." She stared out the window as the airship raised up and left people shouting in confusion on the ground. "Mako; we can pay something for our unscheduled flight, right?"

Mako scowled and rummaged in his bag. "Yeah... Hope this goes some way to cover the cost..."

Korra tuned him out as she watched Omashu fall away below them. This journey had gone on so long now. At least now they were again definitely headed towards Asami. And Bolin and Kuvira. She needed to end everything in Ba Sing Se. Deal with Amon once and for all. Save Asami. Deal with the rest of the Equalists. Maybe deal with the Earth Queen. No. She was still thinking like the Red Lotus. Try and ruffle as few feathers as possible while they did this. Get Team Avatar back together, save her friend and defeat Amon. Just that.

The airship swept low over the swamp. Korra peered down looking for either the swampbenders or the airship wreckage, but saw neither in amongst the tangle of trees and vines that shielded most of the ground from view. Beyond the vast reaches of the swamp was an almost endless sea of sand and rolling sand-dunes. The great desert; the scale of it was staggering. But even that ended eventually, and the sand flowed at last into the ocean. A few hours later the very tops of Ba Sing se were visible in the distance, the sheer size of the city daunting even as far off as they were. "Wow," she breathed.

"Wow is right," Mako said beside her. "No matter what pictures you see or what anyone tells you..." He shook his head. "I know it's the biggest city in the world. But I just... never thought it would be that big."

"And our friends are somewhere down there," Korra murmured.

The city was almost overwhelming the moment they landed. Almost. So much to see happening all around them and people so many people. It took a few attempts to get someone to pause long enough for her to ask how they could find the address from Bolin's letter. A few more attempts to find someone who recognized the address and could point them in the right direction. "Ready for this?" Korra asked as the helpful woman vanished back into the crowd and Korra ran over the instructions one more time. "You're going to meet all your family after all."

Mako looked pensive. "Ready as I think I ever could be."

They followed the streets, the crowd thinning as they went and moved towards the outer edges of the city. Korra's gaze drifted to a display of vintage Water Tribe artifacts in a shop on one side of the street. When she looked up again she could not be sure what the previous step in the instructions had been.

Korra stared at the street. "Okay. Did she say left at the end of here? Or was it right?"

"I... don't remember," Mako said, frowning. "There was definitely one left involved."

"Mako; there were three left turns..." Korra trailed off and looked back up the street. "Or four? Maybe? Maybe it was the third left before then the second right..."

"Let's find someone else to at least point us in the right direction," Mako said with a sigh.

"I've got a better idea." Korra grinned and patted Naga's flanks. "You remember what Bolin smells like, right girl?"

Naga barked an affirmative and Korra scrambled up onto her back. A weary Mako climbed up behind her. "We could have just done this back there, you know."

"I know," Korra replied as Naga started forward. "But I don't want to just rely on Naga like that. And she deserves a rest just as much as we do." The polar-bear dog trailed after Bolin's scent, and from what Korra remembered of the instructions they seemed to be heading in the right direction. It was at least a relief to not trudge down the stone streets on foot and Naga was moving far faster than they could have. They should be there well before evening and be able to plan out what to do next for finding Asami and Amon. "Hey, I think we just passed the last landmark that woman gave us," Korra said. She leant forward, keeping watch for the large multi-storied building described by both the stranger and Bolin.

One building ahead of them looked promising but instead of heading for it, Naga abruptly veered off down a sequence of alley-ways and moved away from the area. Korra frowned as Naga picked up speed. Odd. Well, maybe Bolin was in the habit of strolling down these alleyways and the route would eventually lead them back to the family home. One reason not to use Naga for this kind of thing. Or was she losing her touch? Korra tried to remember Polar-bear dog life-expectancy was Naga getting old? No. She was still moving fast and seemed excitable and full of life. But how could she be so wrong and how could Bolin be so far removed from where he had claimed? Mako voiced his own wariness after the first hour and during the third Korra considered calling a halt to Naga's tracking. Before she could, Naga stopped in front of a solid stone wall and barked at it.

"Hey, hey, girl? Bolin isn't here. ...is he?" Naga barked again. "Okay, now I'm confused." Korra dropped down off Naga and pushed against the wall. It did not move in the slightest; solid and complete. Earthbending would take care of it in a moment, but why would Bolin hide somewhere only accessible with earthbending? A sudden chill swept through her. Earthbenders in Ba Sing Se. The Dai Li. Too close for comfort. "It's not like Bolin could have left his scent here," she said trying to assure herself.

Mako hummed. "How about Kuvira? She's here too, right?"

Korra glanced at Naga. "How about it girl? Can you smell Kuvira?" And please do not just lead them to another blank wall. Earthbending through them would be no problem, but she would rather know what was on the other side first. The polar-bear dog sniffed around for a moment before sitting back on her haunches and barked in the opposite direction. "So, she's not here. And Bolin is apparently." Korra stared at the wall for a moment. "Hey, Naga? How about people? Are there any people here?" Naga sniffed around again and began to paw at the ground. "Something there, girl?" Korra grimaced but scooped the mud away from around Naga's paw. A deep layer of muck and then stone underneath. Stone foundation of the street? No, something more. The slab was larger than other paving slabs and hinged along one edge. "There's something here."

Mako peered over her shoulder. "Looks like a trap door. For earthbenders."

That same horrible notion of what might have happened. Bolin might be in serious trouble. "Then let's see why Naga thinks Bolin's down here." Korra said hurriedly as she bent the slab open. The stone floor was not far below and after a quick listen it seemed as though the coast was clear. Korra dropped into a wide tunnel and Naga squeezed through after her. Mako paused and glanced around before following and Korra bent the hatch closed again. "Okay girl; still smell Bolin?" Naga sniffed at the air and barked loudly, the sound echoing. Korra shushed her even as she grinned. "Okay girl, lead on."

Asami was breathing hard by the time they reached the cells, a trail of unconscious Equalists in their wake. If she lived through this, she was getting more exercise. Three times a week. Being on Team Avatar was exhausting. Did Aang's group have to do all this running? Probably not. They had Aang's air bison afterall. If she could possibly persuade Tenzin to donate one, or just insist Korra take on for additional transport... Asami shook her head. Now was not the time. Kuvira checked the passage way behind them and with a wave of her hand, gestured Asami forward. "This one?" Asami asked when she caught her breath and paused beside the first of the underground jail cells. Kuvira nodded. She was not even slightly tired. Asami gritted her teeth. She was not going to spend this time wheezing and feeling terrible. They were rescuing Bolin. Cautiously she approached the bars and peered inside. A sea of strangers peered out at her, curious and nervous at her appearance.

"Is that... Amon?" one muttered.

"Don't be absurd; Amon's a man," another prisoner replied.

"Maybe she's here to take us to him," a third voice said in a quavering voice. The prisoners erupted into plaintive pleading as they backed away from the bars.

"Please," Asami called. "I'm not with the Equalists! I'm just looking for my friend! Please! Listen to me! I'm-"

"Asami!" Bolin called and pushed through the mass of people in the opposite direction to them. He hauled himself closer to the bars and stared at her wonderingly. "Asami! Asami! You're... Wait. We were supposed to be rescuing you, weren't we?" He sighed. "Can't believe you wound up rescuing me when I was helping rescue you."

Asami smiled. "Oh Bolin." She took his hand, the contact so wonderful after so long without her friend. There were some scrapes on his cheeks and foreheard, but other than those and the dark rings under his eyes, Bolin looked just fine. "We're getting you out."

"We?" Bolin glanced around. "Kuvira! Oh... Oh I'm sorry. I wound up getting caught. Well. Guess you figured that, huh?"

Kuvira rolled her eyes. "Next time, if I leave you somewhere with a mission, stay there." She studied him for a few moments. "I figure, maybe it couldn't be helped. Okay, listen up, all of you. We're getting you out of there." With a series of hand gestures the cell door crumpled like paper and Kuvira pulled it from the door frame. It fell to the floor with a loud crash. Nervous at first, but soon confident, the prisoners poured out of the cell, excited babbling still tempered with fear their rescuers might turn against them. Asami caught Bolin's hand again as he stepped out and pulled him into a hug. Bolin squeezed her back and Asami felt the familiar prickle of tears in her eyes and immediately began sobbing into his shoulder. It had been so long since anyone had exhibited anything like this much warmth towards her. Since she had last had this chance at sharing another's warmth. "Missed you," Bolin murmured.

"Me too." Asami said smiling as she wiped her eyes. "You and everyone else."

Kuvira turned away from and addressed the crowd. "All of you; you are now free. Please get out of here and if you are able get clear of the city. If you follow this tunnel until you see daylight you will find yourselves in the outer ring of the city. Alone you may be recaptured, but together; you will have no problems with either the Dai Li or the Equalists." The prisoners cheered and began to stumble along the tunnel en masse. "We need to move," Kuvira said as the last of the prisoners vanished around a turn. "We need another route if we want to keep moving - that crowd is just going to hold us up. If I remember..." Kuvira closed her eyes. "Yes, this way." She headed up the tunnel, Bolin and Asami walking fast just to keep pace with her.

"Bolin..." Asami said, still gripping his hand, afraid to let go, but at the same time afraid of what she was about to say. "I'm... I'm sorry. I... betrayed everyone. I helped Amon..."

"Don't say that," Bolin said, smiling. "It's not your fault."

"It is," Asami insisted. This could not just be allowed to pass without comment or penalty. "I didn't have to help them, but I did. I... How can I face Korra? I've lost the last of the little honor I had..." Asami murmured.

"Asami?" Bolin grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. "Please, don't do this. The moment we found out you were gone, Korra was so sad and she wanted so badly to rescue you. And me and Mako; we both felt the same. So; please don't beat yourself up. Doesn't matter what you did; what matters is we found you and we're going to get you home."

"If I still have a home..." Asami said bitterly.

Bolin opened and closed his mouth a few times. "We'll take care of that. We... I... Your home..." He sighed. "Let's get out of here first. And I assure you; we'll take care of anyone who badmouths you. Mako already started as soon as you were taken. He got in this massive fight at work because people insulted you. Of course, he got fired because of that so..."

"He... he did?" Asami felt bewildered. "He did that... for me?" How could she have kept on choosing her father over these people who cared for her so much? Friends who had dropped everything in their lives to chase after her into another kingdom. Who missed her when she was taken. They were her friends, but Asami was not sure she ever quite appreciated what that meant until now. They cared so much more than she thought. Even Mako. She... She had misjudged him. Mako was a good person. She had been unfair to him for so long now. His methods remained hard to stomach, but she needed to let that go now. And she owed him a dance on her birthday.

"And, and, Korra stormed into Iroh's office and ordered him to rescue you," Bolin said excitedly, his face becoming more animated. "Though he couldn't, because... politics I think. It was something like that. And that just made Korra angrier and then... she wound up taking out his desk."

"She what?" Asami asked, blinking.

"Kicked it way up in the air and threw everything on the floor. And Iroh was like almost unfazed. It was amazing. He just started picking stuff up off the floor. He didn't yell or anything. And then..." Bolin smiled. "We were on the docks and Iroh came to talk to us and it was like the confrontation scene in that episode of Do You Remember?" He blinked and frowned. "What was it called? Can't remember..." He shook himself. "Guess the Dai Li got some of my memories. Anyway! The one with the love triangle where it gets undone and they have the last confrontations and everyone pairs up because of it. It was so intense! And Iroh and Korra were admitting all this stuff and...I'm not sure I should have been there..."

"Um. What?" Asami asked her head feeling light. Love triangle? Confrontation? Iroh confronting Korra?

"Well; Korra challenged Iroh to an Agni Kai over you..." he trailed off as she felt the blood leave her face but at the same time a strange excitement enveloped her. Korra... challenged Iroh? Over her? "I'm kidding on the last part! But he-" Bolin cut himself off and glanced nervously at Kuvira.

Asami smiled and laughed with a touch of disappointment. Hopefully not much of the rest was true, otherwise things would be very complicated back in Republic City. "I've have like to have been there," Kuvira said. "I would have rooted for Korra. Or at least fought the prince alongside her."

"Oh, now that is a great storyline! Remind me to write all this down when I get a chance..." Bolin carried on talking excitedly. So much had happened to her friends without her and they had all done so much to try and save her. She had almost nothing to say in reply; endless days on an airship, endless days in an infirmary; nothing worth relating. A few rare moments when she helped the enemy. If only she could have been there with the others. But if she had, they would never have had those experiences - they had them because of her. Asami smiled. She had never been alone; even when it all seemed hopeless, Team Avatar had cared for her. Home seemed that much closer now. But they had to deal with Amon first; this was not over.

Naga picked up speed as she sniffed at the air and before long she was charging down the tunnel, Korra and Mako on her heels. Hopefully she had found either Bolin or Kuvira. Then at least they could get the group partially back together and start the next part of the search. Abruptly Naga screeched to a halt and hunched closer to the ground. A growl developed in her throat as she glared down the tunnel. Mako peered into the gloom ahead. "Equalists or Dai Li most likely," he said. "Neither good and it's best if Amon doesn't know we're here."

"Right," Korra said. "I'll make us a detour- Naga! Wait!" Naga darted forward as three figures, two in Equalist uniforms became visible further down the tunnel. And Naga was running right at them. When had she cultivated such a hatred for them? Wait. Naga did not look angry. She was panting and her eyes were bright. She was heading straight towards the Equalist on the right. Wait. They, no, she was not wearing a mask. Her long black hair was messy but would be beautiful if treated in the right way. And that smile - that was a smile that always made Korra's knees feel a little weak. "Asami?" Korra gasped. "Asami!" she yelled, forgetting herself, stealth, everything else. Korra started running towards her. With a whoop Asami grinned and started forward, but Naga reached her first. With a grunt Asami fell back onto the stone floor, Naga licking at her face vigorously as Asami squirmed and tried to push the polar-bear dog away.

"Naga," she said with gasping laughs. "It's great to see you too." She giggled. "Someone... help!"

"Hey, girl, just, give us... a... moment," Korra said as she gently pushed Naga's head away and offered Asami her hand. Asami hesitated for a moment but took tight hold of Korra's hand. The Avatar pulled her to her feet and into a tight embrace. With a whoop of her own, she raised Asami up and twirled her around gazing up at her eyes. They were both laughing and unable to stop looking at each other. Slightly dizzy, Korra stopped turning and let Asami's feet drop to the floor again as she kissed her cheek. And again. And Asami was kissing her cheek in return. It felt too good. If they did not stop they would get a little too close to their lips, and Korra was not certain she would care who was here if they did, would not be able to stop that kiss. No. Not the time, and after their last day together, possibly awkward. First things first. She rested her head on Asami's shoulder and hugged her tight again, glad to feel the other girl squeeze her back just as tightly. "Hi Bolin," Korra said grinning, feeling a little giddy. Bolin wiped a tear from his cheek and waved. Kuvira meanwhile looked somewhat smug while she watched them. "Hi Kuvira."

Bolin cleared his throat. "Glad you guys made it!" Bolin said. "And... did you get to meet the family?" he asked Mako.

"Not yet. Introduce me later?" Mako replied. "Glad you're okay, bro," he said and hugged Bolin. Korra smiled at them, Asami showing no sign of letting go of her. They needed this moment. Just for a little longer; finally team Avatar was whole once more.

"I... I missed you," Korra murmured into Asami's shoulder. She took a step back, Asami moving with her so she could lean against the tunnel wall, the comforting weight of Asami pressing into her. How long had it been now? How long since that tea, the last hugs hello and goodbye. How long since the last time they just spent time in each other's company and talked. How long since they last kissed? Too long since any one moment and in the same instant it did not matter in the slightest. They were together here and it was was all worth it. Korra vowed to never let someone else split their group as Amon and Hiroshi had.

Asami's body began shaking and she started sniffing as tears tears ran down her cheeks. "I missed you too." She glanced around. "All of you. And I'm... I'm so sorry. You came all this way... just for me. And after I... I could have come back sooner. But..." she tried to pull away from Korra, her arms slackening. "I helped them. I can't..."

Her words became muffled as Korra pulled her back into her arms and after a moment, Asami clung onto her again. Korra shushed her as she started sobbing and began stroking her hair. When Asami calmed a little further, Korra took her face in both her hands. Asami had lost a lot of weight since they had last seen each other. Her lips were missing the red lipstick Asami always wore and they seemed so pale and dry without the colouring. Her eyes were missing the dark eyeshadow but had gained dark rings that spoke of sleepless nights. Asami's hair was a complete state, matted, tangled and riddled with split ends. She needed a break, needed to recuperate and find herself. Become the Asami she had been before. First thing after they wrapped things up here and she would get Asami a good home-cooked meal. Then maybe let her sleep for the week or more it looked like she needed. "Asami... We're here now. I have to admit I am somewhat not a fan of your father, but you can't keep blaming yourself for caring about him or for staying with him and ensuring he was safe."

"She's right," Bolin spoke up. "I... I don't think I could have treated my parents like that. No matter what they did. And... Whatever you did, it's not as bad as the Equalists. They kidnapped you, Asami! No way would you join this lot voluntarily."

"Yeah. And when we get back, we'll sort everything out. We just need to get you someplace safe," Mako said.

"Thank you." Asami gently pulled out of Korra's arms and took a few shuffling steps towards the brothers. With a deep breath she threw her arms around the two brothers and pulled them both into a hug. "I... I can hardly believe how lucky I am to have you all as friends. Thank you."

"Anytime," Korra smiled, her expression twisting into a grimace. She blinked. "Oh. Oh Bolin, your face..."

Bolin pawed at his cheeks and winced. "It's nothing. It's fine..." he said dismissively.

Korra shook her head. "Let me... take care of it." She pulled one of the water bottles from Naga's saddlebags and stepped close to him. With a few flicks of her hands slid the water across Bolin's face and began glowing faintly. He was staring at her, his breathing faster as she concentrated on the healing. As she drew the water away, thankfully his injuries had closed up, but his face still looked red. More practice was probably in order.

"Thanks..." Bolin murmured, glancing away, his lips twitching into a smile. "Should we get moving?" he asked.

"Yeah. And first thing is I need to deal with Amon. Once and for all."

"So let's go," Kuvira said, peering up and down the corridor. Korra mimicked the action. No one in sight fortunately. For all their noise, no one seemed to have noticed them here. "Amon is planning to oust the queen. And soon. He is prepared to kill her and destroy the palace."

Korra clenched her teeth as her hands curled into fists at her side. No. Not now. She could not afford to think like the Red Lotus now; she was the Avatar. What would Aang do? "As much as I don't like her, I can't let him take over like that, and I cannot stand by if he tries to kill her. We'll, I'll... No, we'll decide what to do about her later. We need a plan for Amon first."

"I know about their operations..." Asami said as she took a deep breath. She briefly summarized everything she knew about the Equalists; weapons locations, tunnels, communication lines, allies. Mako muttered something darkly at the mention of Kwan's name but did not interrupt. Asami felt oddly proud; she had not been idle during her capture, even effectively tied in place by the presence of her father. She named names; the other corrupt officials she had caught sight of in the compound and underground chambers. Those whose wealth and power within the city could not sate them and so had turned to Amon to gain even more. Asami bit her lip before concluding her summary with the specifc location her father currently resided in.

"Asami... I'll... We'll get him away from her," Korra insisted.

"And we may well be able to treat him in Zaofu; we have some pretty advanced equipment there," Kuvira added. "I can't vouch for Amon and Kwan's doctors, but I would be extremely reluctant to trust them."

"Yeah..." Asami said.

"Though I have to warn you; if he is cured, he would have to stand trial for what he's done," Kuvira cautioned.

"I know," Asami said, trembling a little. "I... I can't keep hanging onto Am- his promise. Just... as long as my father's alive... He does need to stand trial and I don't expect anyone to forgive him easily. Thank you," she added.

"Let's see if we can do anything first," Kuvira replied

"The communication channel," Korra asked. "I... think I can use it."

"You can?" Asami asked. "Wait, what for?"

"I can't just defeat Amon. Even if we do capture him or... When we capture him," Korra said firmly. "His ideas, his... preaching can still be spread. It's... It's too damaging and risky to let people keep thinking that kind of thing. So, when I defeat him, I need to do it as the Avatar. Everyone in the city, possibly everyone in the world needs to know it's me there and that they should no longer be fooled by his lies."

"Yeah!" Bolin exclaimed. "Show the world what you can do!"

"No." Korra smiled. "What we can all do together. I have my Team Avatar with me. We'll take him down like we took the Red Lotus down. And I want everyone to know Asami helped me; a non-bender challenging Amon. They need to see the truth about her."

"Miss Sato is missing?" Amon asked the Equalist still stood at attention.

"Yes sir."

"Mister Sato?" Amon asked.

"Still in the infirmary," he replied.

Amon sighed. "But the earthbender boy is missing too, no doubt?" The Equalist nodded. "I underestimated her in that capacity. I thought she would dote on her father more. At least it worked as long as it did."

"Do you wish us to recapture her?" the man asked.

"No. What can she do now?" Amon asked. "No money, no legacy and a singular earthbender to assist her. She is the least of our concerns. If we can recapture her, so be it. If she successfully flees it is less of a concern. However; if you can, recapture the earthbender. He remains useful bait." Amon smiled behind the mask. "She completed the communication channel at least?"

"Yes sir."

"And it has been successfully tested? She completed the assigned work?" Amon asked.

"Yes sir," the Equalist nodded.

"Miss Sato may run, she might even evade us forever, but I doubt she can do that and keep the boy safe for long. If anything I expect him to make some foolish bid to protect her. Then we shall have him once again." Amon stared levelly at the man. "You have your orders. See that I am not disturbed; I will now address our brethren." Amon picked up the microphone. Finally. It was time. He waited until the door banged shut before flicking the on switch and began the speech he had waited so long to give. "My brothers and sisters. It is now the appointed hour! The day, the hour that our glorious revolution begins! The spirits have spoken unto me once again and now insist we commence our operations. They begged me to wrest the Queen's communication channel from her. They insist she must leave her throne, whether by our hand or her own. Today we deliver our ultimatums to the corrupt heart of this city. And soon, so soon, we will begin the liberation of Ba Sing Se. We shall free the city from the curse of bending and let it stand as a testament and an example to the entire Earth Kingdom!"

He smiled as he sat back, imagining the roar of approval from his followers, from the anti-monarchy groups. The Avatar would come for him; there was no doubt. Holding the Earthbender boy would bring her more directly to him, but there was little chance the Avatar could risk allowing him to carry out his operation. And he would be waiting, ready to break the Avatar cycle and truly begin the age of Equality - all under his sole control.

Team Avatar looked as if they had a problem with not smiling all the time. This was hardly the most appropriate time or place for it, but Kuvira supposed they needed to have their moment. As long as it then allowed them to focus sufficiently. Still, after spending so long looking for Asami it made sense they indulge in a small celebration. The group had found it's missing member. And now was the time to move on and deal with the Equalists. Kuvira suppressed her sigh and impatience, gratified when Mako proved once again he was the most pragmatic of the group and pushed the conversation in the direction Kuvira desired.

"We need a plan. We can't just attack; there is absolutely no way we can defeat all the Equalists on our own. But..." He smiled. "We can damage the revolution sufficiently to let the Queen's army take out the Equalists." The others bought into his enthusiasm, everyone so swiftly fixated on Amon as the enemy. Perfect. And in the process, it would be trivial to remove the queen in the aftermath. A convenient accident, a change to the succession process and she was perfectly placed to select that successor. Kuvira would ensure the kingdom reaceived a better ruler. It did not matter who would begin the change; either Amon or Team Avatar would perform the necessary actions to cover her plans. Kuvira allowed herself a faint smile as sirens began to blare through-out the tunnels.

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Thanks to Tbone511, Wolfman217, Kradeiz, TrojanHalks, fig-aruna, Guests, Dreadking73, Shadowman20,elmundonosabe (glad to see you comment finally!), jamiegc and Fritz (are you Fritz Niemann? If it's you, I want you to know I really miss your reviews, yep I remember each one of you guys).

I honestly expected controversy over last last week and I'm pleased that the motel scene was positively received by the majority. I read that scene over and over more than I needed to and I agree with you Kradeiz; that scene is hot! Love that comment. To anyone reviewing- just be honest and tell what you feel about something. I'm very interested in raw reactions so don't think you need to make all reviews analytical. Just tell me guys if you liked a line or a scene or something. If you just agree with other reviewers, just tell what you agree with! Thanks again, I hope to see you all next week!

It's also baffling I got a lot of new follows and faves… well let's see how you guys will react on the future chapters.

Gandalf the Grey

You know I always thank people for reviewing whether it's criticism or praise, but I want you to know you can also stop dicking around and use your ffnet account rather than hide under a guest review. I know who you are. I'm sure you're going to see this message because you're curious about the story but you're using the "I'll stop reading" tactic to make me feel bad about my writing decisions: It's doesn't work. I have a juicy commentary on ships and romance in the Book 2 Author's Notes that I hope you'll read.

"Why don't you just announce a pairing?"

Because you know… it's kinda like a spoiler? Announcing a pairing is like having summaries that would look like this:

Book 1:Healing - For the second time in two centuries, the Avatar is lost, their fate unknown. Asami Sato realizes a girl she met years before in the far North might be the person the world needs, and a young woman named Korra begins to rebel against her guardians; the Red Lotus. At the end of the story, everyone in the Red Lotus dies although Zaheer's spirit left his body. Asami x Money

Book 2: Metal - The new Avatar is found. But Korra's legend is far from over as she comes to terms with the aftermath of the Red Lotus and the new forces growing ever more prominent in the world. Amon kidnaps Asami, Hiroshi poisons Korra, Kuvira sneaks out of Zaofu, Mako goes into a love hotel with Korra. Sex almost happened! Bolin x Sokkactus

Book 3: Lightning - After Book 2, the Korra's story is still not finished! More stuff happens. Firelord Izumi talks, the Fire Nation makes its appearance, Korra meets new people, and Unalaq enters the Spirit World. Iroh x High Amounts of Patience

On other story and character issues:

Interesting that so many people reacted. This will be addressed more in the future especially that Book 3 is at least as long as Book 2. I will not be writing notes after the next chapters and just dump all of them in the Book 2 Author's Notes.