It was a quiet day in Republic City. In spite of the two attacks that it suffered the last few days, things were able to return to normal. However, although most people were acting calmly as if nothing had happened, there was one person who was suffering from those attacks, but not physically.

Zhu Li, the president of Republic City had been very busy trying to repair the damage caused by the Kraang and the anthrax. Lin made sure to hide accurate information, so she didn't know who these creatures were or where they came from. Normally she would demand answers immediately, but she trusted Lin enough to know that she surely had her reasons.

However, that didn't save her from the huge job she had and it didn't help that her husband, Varrick, was in her office talking as if nothing were happening.

"I'm just telling you that this is some kind of conspiracy. First we are attacked by some metal beings, and let me tell you that it's pretty impressive if it wasn't for the fact that they were trying to kill us, and then these giant ants arrive. The funny thing is that I had a dream about the latter, although they were much bigger. The thing is... there's a lot going on here." Varrick said.

Zhu Li put her hands on her face as she moaned in frustration.

"Varrick, I love you, but I don't have time for your stuff. Besides, if there really is something hidden, the answer won't come through that door." Zhu Li said, pointing to the door.

Just then, all the heroes suddenly entered the door, taking the two present by surprise.

"JA. Do you see? I told you so." Varrick said, bragging about himself.

"Avatar Korra! What's going on? Who are those... spirits?" asked Zhu Li, surprised by the arrival of the group and the presence of the mutants.

"Wow, you weren't lying about being taken for spirits." Slash whispered to Raph.

"I know. I was surprised, too." Raph replied in a whisper.

"It's a long story, but now isn't the time. We have to evacuate the city immediately." said Korra.

"And we also need all available benders as soon as possible." said Lin.

"Wait a minute. What's that all about? It's almost like there's going to be a war." said Zhu Li, increasingly confused.

"That's exactly what's going to happen." Korra said to the shock of both listeners.

"Before I do anything, I want to know everything." said Zhu Li seriously.

For the next half hour, the heroes were telling them about what happened, although they omitted certain things, as this time it was a very serious situation.

"Wait. Let me get this straight." began Varrick before pointing to the mutants. "They are mutants who come from a different world than ours and their enemy, a man who leads an evil group called the Foot, named Shredder, will come here in two days to kill Korra. And let us not forget the fact that you have said that he has become, in some way, an airbender."

"Not only is he coming to kill Korra, but he also wants to destroy the entire city and kill all of its inhabitants." Mako said.

"This isn't a war, it's an extermination." Raph said.

"But why? Why would I do that? I mean, killing the Avatar is one thing, why attack an entire city?" asked Zhu Li.

"The reason for killing me is because he knows that if I die, another Avatar will be born. Shredder wants to take him over and make him his warrior. The city is just a means to kill us all." explained Korra.

"How can there be a man this cruel? Is he a man... or a monster?" asked Zhu Li with some fear.

"His anger and his hatred are his fuel. They drive him to do whatever he wants and he won't hesitate to kill anyone who gets in his way." said Splinter.

"But there is a plan, right? Please tell me there's a plan." Varrick said with fear and nervousness in his voice.

"The plan is clear. If they attack us with everything, we will respond in the same way." Lin said.

"We will need to prepare a plan of attack. Shredder isn't an enemy we should underestimate, especially now that he will have bending skills." Tenzin said.

"In that case, I will give an immediate evacuation notice." said Zhu Li.

"I will send a message to general Iroh, see if the United Forces can help us." Tonraq said.

"We don't have much time. We have to prepare." Leo said.


For the next few hours, everyone was busy. After Zhu Li announced the evacuation of the city, the streets were filled with people who made their way to the docks and the nearest station.

Everyone was worried since the last time something like this happened was when Kuvira was planning to attack the city. Many members of the police, including Mako and Bolin, helped the people stay calm while they were escorted for safety.

Thanks to Tonraq's message, general Iroh was approaching Republic City with the United Forces' ships parked nearby at the docks and his troops and Mecca tanks ready on land.

Every street and area of the city was prepared for the approaching war. As for the spiritual portal, a group of earthbenders erected a wall around it with the intention of keeping it out of reach of Shredder and his forces.


At that time, in the middle of the night, Korra was at the city hall, looking out the window at the changes that were being made. That war was the last thing Korra wanted for that city.

Its citizens had suffered enough from the Equalists, the spirits and Kuvira. Even if they took all the citizens out to clear the combat zone, the war would leave a big mark on all of them. She wished she could have done more to avoid that, even a very small part of her was thinking of giving herself to Shredder in exchange for the safety of the city, but she knew that even if she did, he wouldn't stop to get what he wanted.

"It's horrible, isn't it?" a voice startled Korra who looked aside to see Leo at her side. "The calm before the storm is usually the worst part." said Leo.

"I know it's inevitable, but I can't help but worry about the many people involved in this war. I can't help but feel that it's my fault this is happening." said Korra.

"No. It isn't. Shredder is responsible for this, not you." Leo said, trying to comfort her.

"Still. All this he does... he does it for me and for you. I wish there were something I could do to stop him." said Korra.

"Korra, in the short time I've been in this world, I've read of the great deeds that some of the Avatars of the past performed. You may not be able to communicate with them, but that doesn't mean you can overcome this." said Leo.

"How, Leo? How can I overcome this when I am unable to defeat one of them on my own?" asked Korra.

"Then don't do it alone." a voice caught the attention of both of them, who turned to see Asami approaching them. "You aren't alone. We are all concerned about this war against Shredder, but as someone very wise said, we can't let fear keep us from seeing that there are many people willing to help us." said Asami looking at Leo.

Leo smiled as he remembered that's what he told the Avatar that time.

Korra smiled at her girlfriend's words and then remembered how many people were offering their support to help them.

"You know what? You're right. Thank you... both of you." Korra said looking at the engineer and the mutant turtle. "I'm feeling a little better."

"That's what friends are for, right?" Leo asked.

"Same here." said Asami with a warm smile.

"Hey, guys!" a voice caught their attention and they turned to see Raph down the hall. "I'm sorry to interrupt your moment, but we have important business to attend to." said Raph pointing behind him with his thumb.

With all that said, the four went into a meeting room to discuss the progress of the preparations.


In that room, there was the New York group, the Avatar team, the young airbenders, Tenzin, Lin, Tonraq, Zhu Li, Varrick and general Iroh (to whom they explained all the details). All of them were around a table where a map of Republic City and its surroundings was shown.

"Considering that we know the position of their base, it is most likely that their troops will reach the city from this direction," said Karai pointing to a line drawn from the cave that the Foot used as a temporary base to the city.

"I have mobilized my troops along with several Mecca tanks in positions close to the area, as soon as they see them arrive they will warn us and wait for the signal to attack." said Iroh.

"That's good. The surprise factor is always the important one." Casey said.

"But let's not forget that their troops consist of foot-bots. So, there's no need to hold back with them." Donnie said.

"We'll keep that in mind." said Lin.

"Nor should we forget his mutant henchmen." said Slash.

"If any of you or any of your men encounter one of them, be careful, they are tougher than they look." said Rockwell.

"Thanks for the warning." said Tonraq.

"Not to mention the fact that Shredder is now an airbender, making him more dangerous than ever. If you're going to confront him, don't do it alone." Splinter said.

"We will." Jinora said, hoping not to have to meet him.

"How did the evacuation go?" April asked the president.

"There are still some who are refraining from leaving the city, but I estimate that it will be completed by noon tomorrow." said Zhu Li.

"And then we will check the streets to make sure there are no stragglers." Mako said.

"Lin, do you think you could ask your sister for help? We could use the help of the people at Zaofu." Tenzin said.

"Unfortunately, there are issues she has to attend to, but she's going to send us a third of her metalbenders to help." Lin said. "What about the airbenders?"

"I've called all the temples. I couldn't convince them all, but enough will come to help." Tenzin said.

"Bolin, didn't you say that your girlfriend was an airbender?" asked Mikey, whispering to the earthbender.

"Yes, I hope she comes. She'll be glad to meet you." said Bolin, whispering excitedly at the thought of seeing his girlfriend again.

"I'd love to meet her, too." Mikey said, whispering excitedly about meeting his friend's girlfriend.

"I'm sure Jinora will be looking forward to seeing Kai again." said Ikki, whispering to her younger brother.

"It's clear." replied Meelo in a whisper.

Both brothers laughed quietly as Jinora blushed with shame.

As they talked more about how many people could help them in battle, Korra began to think about it. Most of the people they mentioned were people they knew who would be happy to give them a hand, but then she began to think of someone else who could help them, although the problem was that that person might be a little questionable.

Leo was the first to notice the Avatar's thoughtful state.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Leo, drawing everyone's attention.

"I have been thinking. This war is much bigger than we can ever imagine." said Korra.

"We know, that's why we're asking for all the help we can get." said Bolin.

"That's the thing. There's another person that I think could help us, but I don't know if you'd like who that person is." said Korra, confusing the others.

"Who is it?" Leo asked.

Korra took a deep breath, preparing to drop the bomb.

"Kuvira." Korra revealed, causing a small gasp in the Republic City group.

"Wait, you mean that woman who went crazy with power and tried to destroy the city with a giant robot?" Raph asked.

"You can't be serious! Have you forgotten what that woman did?" asked Asami angrily.

"I know she did a lot of bad things, but..." started Korra.

"Bad things? She killed my father!" shouted Asami angrily.

The turtles and the others (from the New York group) were shocked to learn this, except for Leo and Karai who knew about it.

Asami noticed their outburst and bowed her head in regret, but then received a hug from her girlfriend to comfort her.

"I know and I know you can't stand to be around that woman, but this situation is too dangerous not to ignore any help, even if most of us don't like it." said Korra.

"That is obvious. I still have some nightmares about her threatening to kill me if I don't continue with the investigation." Varrick said, recalling that moment.

"As much as I don't like the idea of working with the woman who did so much damage to my family, Korra is right, we need all the help we can get." Lin said.

"Besides, didn't she give up paying for her crimes?" April asked.

"When I mutated, I did things I regret, but I learned from my mistakes and now I'm a better turtle than I was before." said Slash.

"Slash is right. If that woman says she regrets what she did, we should give her a chance." Leo said.

"I know Kuvira was our enemy, but she was once our ally in the fight against Zaheer and the Red Lotus. Besides, I feel I owe her for saving my father at Laghima Peak." said Korra.

"Yes, in a way, I owe her my life." Tonraq said recalling that moment.

Asami still hated her for what she did to her and to everyone else, but they were right. They needed all the help they could get for this war, even if she didn't like some of it. Besides, she was present at the time she was arrested and could see how broken she was, as if she hated herself for what she did. Maybe it wouldn't be bad to give her a chance. After all, she was willing to do it with her father.

"Do you really think he'll help us?" Asami asked.

"I do." said Korra seriously.

"*Sigh* Okay. If you say she can help us, I trust you." said Asami with a smile, making the Avatar smile at her confidence.

"I promised you that I would always support you and I will continue to do so." said Mako with a smile.

"Also, keep in mind that Hakan is in Shredder's ranks." Donnie said, recalling the general's presence.

"It's true. That man is very loyal to Kuvira. Maybe if they meet, she can convince him to fight on our side, or at least AGAINST Shredder instead of WITH him." Karai said, seeing another advantage of that woman's help.

"In that case, we could ask the spirits for help." Mako suggested.

"I'm not sure they'll do that. When I asked them for help with the Kuvira attack, they refused to intervene in human affairs." Korra said.

"It's worth a try, isn't it?" Raph asked.

"Since we are mentioning unexpected reinforcements, there is someone who would prove to be a good ally, but it won't be easy to convince her." said Asami.

"Who is she?" asked Korra.

"I can't tell you at the moment. I'm just asking you to trust me the same way I trust you with Kuvira." said Asami seriously.

"It's okay. I trust you." said Korra with a confident smile.

"I will sign an order to release Kuvira temporarily in case she agrees to offer her help." said Zhu Li.

"Good. Now that everything has been discussed, I think it is best that we rest. We have another day to prepare and we must save our strength and energy by then." said Splinter.

With a joint nod, everyone went to rest for the rest of the night, as the next day would be an important day, the day before the war. They just hoped that all their allies and candidate allies would be there by then.