Hi theree, so this is chapter 53 of my Avatar story; I hope you like it! :)

Thanks to everyone who has been and is reviewing, following, favoriting, and reading my story; I very much appreciate it :)

Please comment/review and let me know what you think of it, all reviews are welcome! Thank you!

I OWN NOTHING; I DO NOT OWN AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER OR/AND THE LEGEND OF KORRA.


Chapter 53-

*With the Gaang.*

With only two days until the finally battle- no, the war between Benders and Nonbenders, the Gaang is freaking out. They are nervous, tried from all the training, a bit scared, but they are ready.

They all have been training and practicing nonstop so they believe deep down that they are ready to fight and win this war. They know and believe that if they work together they can defeat anyone or anything that gets in their way and tries to destroy good and replace it with evil.

The Gaang is sitting outside the Airbender's home; all just relaxing and talking. Mako, Zuko, Lin, and Toph all thought they should continue training, that they shouldn't be taking any breaks with the battle only two days away, but Katara made a good point that they need to rest.

Katara told them that they all need to rest up and gain their energy; she told them that they have been training enough and they should have a small break.

So, everyone is outside expect for the airbending children, who are in the kitchen helping Pema cook, Uncle Iroh who is making some tea for everyone, General Iroh who is cleaning his general uniform, and Tenzin who is reading the newspaper and working in his office that is in his home. Tahno is at the probending gym with his team training for the tournament despite the fact that Amon will be attacking, Lin is at the Police Station, working, and Korra is still nowhere to be seen.

Since last night when Korra ran off from the probending gym, no one has seen her. Mako has been worrying about her nonstop, but Aang and Bolin, both, reassured him that Korra is the Avatar, she's strong, stubborn, hotheaded, and she's probably fine and she could take care of herself.

It's the afternoon and the sun is beaming down at them; the temperature is warm with lots of strong winds. The water is calm; when the sun hits the water it makes it sparkle and look so peaceful and beautiful.

Appa and Oogie are lying beside Aang and Katara with Momo resting on Appa's head and Pabu resting on Oogie's head. Nyla is lying next to his master, June, and is sleeping nicely and quietly. Naga, however, is nowhere to be seen as well.

"I wonder if Korra's okay . . ." Asami says with a sigh, "She's been gone for a while and Naga's gone too."

"Well with that big beast, I'm sure Korra's fine." Sokka says, but then is hit in the stomach from Asami, "Hey! Naga isn't a beast."

Sokka rolls his eyes and puts his hands up in defeat when he receives a death glare from Asami, "Okay, okay, fine Naga isn't a beast, but still, I'm sure Korra is safe with Naga."

"I still can't believe what that stupid bonebrain said that stuff in the article! Ugh, I would love to rip his head right off." Toph mumbles to herself as she folds her arms across her chest.

"Don't we all." Mako mumbles under his breath and rolls his amber color eyes.

"So . . . who's excited to go against Amon and his followers?" June says sarcastically and sighs.

"Oh come on, the battle can't be that bad . . ." Katara says with a shrug to the shoulder and a half smile, "He's just one man with a creepy mask, I'm sure everything will be okay."

"Oh yeah, just one man with a creepy mask who can take away someone's bending." Toph says to Katara with a roll to the eyes and a mocking tone.

"I am just trying to lighten the mood a bit. Everyone should be calm and try to relax." Katara answers back while trying to keep the smile on her face despite how much she wants to shoot a glare at the blind earthbender.

"Well I don't think anyone is calm. I mean, we're going against hundreds of nonbenders, do you think not one of us is going to get hurt?" Toph says with a raised eyebrow.

Katara then frowns and tries to use a calm voice, but annoyance and anger is starting to make its way into the tone of her voice, "Well maybe everyone would be a lot calmer if someone was a bit more positive and not so negative."

"Negative?" Toph laughs, "I'm just being realistic and prepared. Definitely one of us are going to get hurt and maybe even lose their bending, if they're a bender."

"Ugh!" Katara finally snaps. She then stands up, places her hands on her hips, and hisses, "Must you say that kind of stuff? You are just worrying everyone, Toph!"

Before Toph could answer back and the two of them could continue going back and forth, Bolin and Sokka clap their hands together and say in unison, "Okay, who's hungry?"

Sokka faces Bolin and smiles, "I think we should get some food; that always makes people happy."

"Yeah!" Bolin agrees, "And I am starving!"

Suki laughs at both of the boy's attempts to try to change the subject, but she shakes her head and tells them, "Sorry guys, but Pema said dinner isn't until another hour and she doesn't want anyone snacking beforehand because she's making a big dinner."

Bolin and Sokka both pout at the news and Mako rolls his eyes at his brother, "It's just another hour, Bo."

"Yeah, but I reeeeeally want to eat!" Bolin whines and Sokka nods his head in agreement.

"You know," Aang begins and rubs the back of his neck, "maybe we should look for Korra. She's been gone a while and it's almost dinner time . . . and she left last night."

"Yeah, but like you said, she's strong and I'm sure she's fine. She is probably still upset about that whole incident with the newspaper." Zuko says with a shrug to the shoulders.

"Yeah, but still . . ." Aang says and then sighs, "I just have this bad feeling that something happened."

Mako's face then drops and he looks directly into Aang's eyes, "What do you mean?"

"I don't really know how to explain it, but I just have this feeling that she's in trouble or something."

Katara rests her hand on Aang's shoulder and she smiles at him, "Stop worrying, Aang. Korra is probably just letting off some steam and she probably thinks we are mad at her because she didn't tell us about the article sooner. She'll soon realize, though, we aren't mad at her, she's being stubborn, and then she'll come back here."

"Yeah," Aang says with a small shrug to the shoulders, "I guess you're right, Katara."

"Of course she's right; isn't the Sugar Queen always right?" Toph says mockingly, a smirk tugging at her lips as she leans back against the rock she bended behind her so she could rest against.

Katara eyes her and before she could say anything, Ikki comes skipping out of the house with a bowl in her hands and a smile on her lips.

"Hi guys! What are you guys doing? Hanging out? Oh, that seems like so much fun! Are you guys having fun? Oh, how do you guys like the island so far? It's nice, isn't it? It is so beautiful and peaceful here, but the city's cool too; there are a lot of people there and there is a lot of stuff to do. But, there is a lot of stuff to do here too! Oh, I got you guys some berries in case you were hungry!" Ikki starts talking very quickly, her smile never leaving her face.

"Uh . . . hi, Ikki." Suki says politely, but not really sure what the young airbender was saying since she was talking so quick.

"Food!" Bolin and Sokka both yell and dash for the bowl that is in Ikki's hands. However, when both of them realize it's just berries and no meat or noodles, they both frown and sigh.

"No meat?" Sokka cries out, sadness covering his face and he speaks with a sad tone.

"Meat?" Ikki questions and then shakes her head, "No, my family doesn't eat meat. Did you know that meat is animals? Helpless, small animals? Why do you eat them? What do they taste like?"

Sokka stares at the small girl with a blank expression and the only thing he could mumble is, "Wow . . . she talks fast."

Katara grabs the bowl of berries and sets it down on the floor so whoever wants it, can eat it. June, Suki, Asami and Katara have some while watching Ikki confuse Bolin and Sokka.

"Ohhhhh! Oh, can we play a game? Please, please, pleaseeeee?" Ikki begs as she bats her eyes at the Gaang.

"What kind of game?" Aang asks and Ikki smiles at the question.

"All of you take turns running through the Spinning Gates!" Ikki says with a wide smile on her lips and she jumps up and now, waiting for the Gaang's answer.

"Uh, Ikki? Not all of us are airbenders so I don't think that will work out very well." June says with a raised eyebrow and a small smile.

"Yeah, I've seen Korra go through that and she almost got killed it seemed." Mako adds as he leans against the wall of the Air Temple home.

Ikki frowns at their answers, but then Toph speaks up, "But I'm sure Twinkle Toes would love to give it a shot. I mean, he is an airbender."

Ikki smiles wide once again and Aang's eyes widen, "Wait, what?"

"Yay! Let's go then!" Ikki cries as she grabs Aang's hand and pulls him towards the Spinning Gates.

Toph laughs and everyone then turns their attention to watch Aang go through the Spinning Gates.

Aang takes in a deep breath and Ikki smirks at him, "Ready?" Aang nods at her and then with that, Ikki made a large gust of wind hit the Spinning Gates and makes them spin quickly.

Aang jumps through the Spinning Gates. He concentrates very hard and peacefully goes through them. However, he is at first doing so well, but then Ikki's piercing yell breaks his concentration.

"Oh, I know another game we could play!" Ikki yells and the Aang gets sidetracked and then slammed into the Spinning Gates.

Ikki bites her lip and rubs the back of her neck, "Oops?"

*With Uncle Iroh.*

Uncle Iroh is sitting on his bed, sipping his hot tea that he just made a few moments ago. He is relaxing and thinking about once he is done with his tea that he will take a short nap.

Once Uncle Iroh is finished with his tea, he sets it down on the nightstand and lets out a sigh. "Mm, that was very yummy."

He goes to go lie down on the bed, but then window then flies open, sending a gush of wind into the room.

Uncle goes to the window and shuts it, locking it as well so it does not happen again, but when he goes to go lie down on the bed, he then steps on something.

He looks down to see a piece of paper lying on the floor. The paper is folded up neatly and is just lying there.

Uncle, out of curiosity, picks it up, unfolds it, and reads it. He scans over it quickly and then reads it quietly, aloud, to himself.

'Dear Iroh,

By the time you read this, I will most likely be dead. I am so sorry that I got you to fall in love with me only after a few days of knowing me and then I just . . . die. I never meant to hurt you; I truly did love you and I am so sorry for everything. You see, I know that I am an Equalist, but I don't hate benders. You see, Equalists made me think they were right and benders were cruel so I joined them, but after meeting you I did fall in love with you and I wasn't just spying on you and the Avatars.

I am writing this because I want you to know that I'm sorry and even though I will be dead when you read this, I want you to know something. You see, Azula wanted me to spy on you and the Avatars and then report back to her and one day when I was meeting her, I heard her talking to herself. Iroh, she has leverage against Amon that could be helpful to you and the Gaang. She knows something about him and I think that what she knows could make all his followers turn against him. I didn't get to hear what it was so I do not know it, but she is your niece so maybe you could manage to get it out of her. I know it might be unlikely, but you must try.

Anyways, Iroh, just know that I was never using you and that I did fall in love with you. I hope my death has not affected you in a negative way and that you are okay. Thank you for being so kind to me and I hope you take care of my teashop for me! Ha-ha. You are a great man and I hope you and the rest of your friends take down Amon and the Equalist. Good luck and please, stay safe.

P.S. - I will tell your son that you love him when I see him in the Spirit World-

Love, Rebecca.'

Uncle is in shock. Never in a million years would he think that he would receive a letter like this. So Rebecca knew she was going to die before she actually did.

She knew she was going to die and instead of telling him and sharing her fears, she wrote a letter to him, hid it somewhere in the room that they shared, and told him something is helpful.

However, Uncle knows it better than anyone that Azula will be no help. She would never help them and tell him what she knows about Amon.

The last part of the letter hit him hard though. He remembered when he told her that he had a son who died and when she said that she would tell him that he loves him, that made tears form in his eyes. He truly did love Rebecca even after the fact that they found out she's an Equalist.

He lets out a sigh and he lies down on the bed. He lies down on his side, faces the wall, and lets a small tear run down his cheek. He closes his eyes, holds the letter tightly in his hands and against his chest. Uncle then falls into a deep, peaceful sleep with a sad smile on his lips as he dreams.

*With the Gaang.*

"So, what game exactly do you want to play now?" Asami asks with a smile to the young airbender.

Ikki gives them a wide smile and then she cries out in a cheery tone, "Hide-And-Seek!"

Mako and Zuko's face drops and they both raise their eyebrows. "Do we all have to play?" Zuko asks, hoping the girl will say no. She doesn't though.

"Of course!" Ikki says as she jumps up and down. "Um, I think I'm going to sit this one out." Toph says as she rubs the back of her neck.

"Aw, why?" Ikki frowns and Toph simply says to the young airbender, "Because I don't know if you realized it, but I'm blind and I don't think it would be smart for me to go searching or hiding and I am not familiar with this island what so ever."

"Yeah . . . I think I'm going to sit this one out too . . ." Mako begins, but Bolin slaps his arm, "Oh come on, Mako! Don't break the little girl's heart! Just play one round!"

Mako frowns, but then sighs, "Okay fine."

"Yes!" Ikki and Bolin both cheer and Sokka raises an eyebrow, "So, who's hiding and who's seeking?"

Ikki smiles and then says, "Everyone's hiding expect for Toph and Mako and Aang! Oh, and the rules are that no one can use any of the animals. Okay? Now, GO!"

"What?!" The three of them shout, but before they could complain everyone scatters off and goes to hide somewhere on the island.

"This island is huge though. Where are we supposed to search?" Toph asks with an annoyed look on her face.

Aang sighs and then grabs his glider that was lying on the ground, "I don't know, but this would be the easiest way to search."

"Then can we take Appa or Oogie?" Mako asks the airbender, but Aang shakes his head, "Ikki said it's against the rules to use any of the animals, but she never said I couldn't use my glider."

Toph eyes Aang, "So while you're flying around we have to walk and search this entire island?"

"I guess so. Well, let's go!" Aang says and then takes off.

Mako and Toph frown and both of them mumble at the same time, "Great, this should be fun."

The two then start searching the island for their friends while they seek, however, none of them realize that intruders are somewhere on the island as well.

. . .

Everyone went their own ways and they are all hiding somewhere on the large island and somewhere in the 10,552 trees.

Ikki is skipping through the forest and looking for a good hiding spot. This was her favorite game ever; she loves playing Hide-And-Seek with Korra and her sister and brother.

A large smile is on the small airbender's lips and her eyes are wide with excitement. "Mm, where should I hide? Where should I hide? In one of the trees perhaps? Hmmmmm." Ikki says to herself as she looks around the area.

As the airbender was walking though, she then hears unfamiliar voices, and she raises an eyebrow. Ikki sees two figures walking through the trees, towards the direction she is in, so Ikki instantly hides in one of the trees.

"I cannot believe Amon couldn't get off his own lazy butt and spy on the Avatar and their friends on his own." Azula complains and folds her arms across her chest.

The lieutenant rolls his eyes and says to the firebender, "Because he has other matters to tend to."

"And? I have other matters to tend to as well." Azula says with annoyance in her tone of her voice.

"You really don't like Amon, do you?" The lieutenant asks with a raised eyebrow. Azula shoots him a glare and mockingly says, "No, I love him."

Silence.

Azula then snaps, "What do you think?"

"He's not a bad leader, Azula. You're just too stubborn and stupid to realize it." Lieutenant says in a harsh tone and Azula eyes him.

The firebender then hisses, "I am not stupid. Amon is a liar and he is only looking out for himself. He'll destroy you all."

"No, he'll destroy those pathetic Avatars and their friends! He'll destroy those worthless benders. Benders like you!" The Lieutenant yells, his voice harsh and his eyes cold.

Then, they both hear a small gasp. The Lieutenant and Azula curiously look around and then the firebender smirks when she sees someone hiding in the large tree.

"Ah, and what do we have here?" Azula asks with a smirk and then shoots a blast of blue fire at the figure.

"Ow!" Ikki cries as she falls to the ground, clenching her arm at the burnt mark that Azula left on her.

"Oh? A child?" Azula asks with a raised eyebrow, "Huh . . . wasn't expecting that."

The Lieutenant eyes the airbender and then he snaps, "We should take her to Amon."

"Why? She's just a child; she's no use to us and she isn't part of the plan." Azula says coldly to the Lieutenant.

The Lieutenant rolls his eyes and practically yells at the firebender, "She's one of the airbenders! She would be a good hostage to lure the Avatars to us and it's one step closer to ending the population of airbenders!"

"She's a child. I may be cruel and uncaring and such, but I am not going to hurt a child just so Amon could say she is useless and he doesn't need her . . . yet." Azula says as she folds her arms back across her chest and looks at Ikki.

Ikki slowly stands up and goes to run, but the Lieutenant stops her. He grabs her arm roughly and throws her against the tree, "Stay there and don't move!"

"Oh, and I'm the ruthless and harsh one?" Azula mockingly asks as she rolls her golden eyes.

"Amon is going to end the airbending population later on so we might as well take her to him so he could get a head start!" The Lieutenant snaps at Azula, who is ignoring him anyways.

"You're not hurting my family!" Ikki yells, "I won't let you and Korra and Aang won't either!"

"Is that what you think?" The Lieutenant asks Ikki with venom in his voice.

Ikki stays silent for once in her life and Azula bites her tongue. Not even she, the cruel, uncaring, monster Azula, would dare hurt a child. She wouldn't do what the Lieutenant is doing. He is scaring her and he might even hurt her.

"What's wrong, Lieutenant? Don't like children? Have a thing against them? Is that why you want to hurt this child?" Azula hisses at him, her smirk returning to her lips.

"Shut it, firebender." The Lieutenant coldly replies and Azula eyes him, "I hear footsteps. So, unless you want to get caught, I suggest we leave. Now."

The Lieutenant eyes Azula and then turns his attention back to Ikki, "Fine, but not before without sending a message."

Before Azula could ask what he meant, the Lieutenant takes out two kali sticks and jabs them into Ikki's sides. The small airbender lets out a loud cry and then she falls to the floor, unconscious.

With that, Azula and the Lieutenant disappear off the island, leaving Ikki lying on the cold ground, in the middle of the forest, as the sky begins to darken, unconscious.


That's it for this chapter! Aww, poor Ikki :( I hope you liked the chapter!

Thank you everyone who is and has been reviewing, following, favoriting, and reading; I appreciate it a lot. Thank you!

Please comment/review and let me know what you thought of it, all reviews are welcome so don't be shy! Also all suggestions/ideas are welcome :) Thanks!

Next chapter should be up soon!

Thanks for reading! ^_^