A/N: Sorry, bit of a short chapter today. I try to keep my chapters around the 3-4k word count but this one falls a bit short

Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist or Legend of Korra

Mustang

The situation was not looking good. The Wang army moved fast and relentless across the Amestrian countryside. They had crossed the border about fifty miles south of Youswell and were heading in a straight line toward Central. The Eastern Command army was being pushed back, little by little. They had already been pushed too far for his liking; they were currently positioned south of New Optain.

He was starting to think that they were going to be forced to regroup at Central. With Central being reinforced by the other three Command Centers, and the fact that it was their capital, meant it was the greatest stronghold in the country. It was the best place in the country to mount a defense.

He stood gazing at the enemy's camp, who had ceased hostilities for the night, deep in thought. A soldier ran up to him and saluted. "General Mustang, there's a Lieutenant Havoc on the radio for you, sir."

Roy followed the soldier back into a tent, where they'd set up a makeshift radio room. He picked up the receiver. "Havoc. What have you got?"

"I'm sorry it took me so long, Boss, but there's not a lot of information on Xing history in our libraries." Havoc apologized. "I finally managed to find a book called Myths and Folklore of the World and I found an account of the legend you told me about. Basically, Yosono Kami is considered to be the god of the elements to the Xingese people. The legend says that someone found a portal that contained great power, but doesn't specify what that power was. The clans fought and bickered, wanting to claim the power for themselves. The god appeared to them through the portal one day with a warning to stop sending their warriors through, but they didn't listen. The god became angry and reappeared to destroy the village that was built near the portal, using all four elements to obliterate it. The few survivors of the assault ran for their lives, the portal was closed, and it was never found again."

Roy digested this. "That lines up with what General Hu told me, except he claims the god attacked all the clans except his. And that the god promised to reopen the portal for them someday."

Havoc paused. "Sir, do you think the god is the Av…" He coughed, having caught himself. He tried again. "Do you think Renee knows about this?"

"I don't know, but I do think it's important for her to be informed about the current situation. It most certainly involves her." He had no doubts this god was the Avatar. Maybe she could come help end this damn war. He considered his wording. "I want you to find her. The bouncer should know how to contact her. Ask him for his help, and report back as soon as possible."

"Yes, sir." Havoc replied stiffly.

Ayana

They ran down the airship's ramp and found Su waiting for them on the platform below. "Have you been able to contact anyone at the Northern Air Temple?" Ayana asked desperately.

"Our signal is going through, but we've received no answer." Su answered sadly. "I just hope we're not too late."

Everyone followed Su to the radio room to see if anything had changed since she'd left to greet them. They were disappointed when the operator told them he still hadn't received an answer.

Su sighed and led them to a nearby room, furnished with couches and chairs, and informed them she'd come get them as soon as anything changed.

They sat waiting for a long time. Ayana was getting worried. What if they were too late? What was she supposed to do? She couldn't turn herself over, but she also couldn't allow the Air Nation to go extinct. They'd worked too hard to rebuild it. She couldn't let them all be murdered just for her safety. It was her job as the Avatar to bring balance to the world; she couldn't allow the Air Nation to fall.

Maybe it was best if she did turn herself in.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when a spirit suddenly materialized in front of her. "Kin!" She exclaimed in surprise. Ed and Al looked up in recognition at the name. Her other friends glanced over curiously.

"Avatar. You have someone requesting to speak to you at the Amestrian portal." Kin relayed urgently. "It sounds very important. Kei Shei Rah sent me here straight away to fetch you."

"I want to go, too." Ed announced as he stood from the couch and crossed over to her. Al followed him.

"You remember how to get in, right? To pick a destination, focus on it. Focus on your portal, and you'll find yourself there." The brother's nodded as they moved with her over to the floor. They sat in a triangle and closed their eyes.

She appeared at the portal to find Havoc standing there. Her sudden arrival startled him, and he jumped in surprise. The dragonbird stood nearby, his tail twitching in agitation, as Kin appeared next to him. Ed and Al appeared shortly after she did, and Havoc jumped again.

"Havoc!" Ed exclaimed. "What's going on? Where's Mustang?"

"It's a long story, Chief. And you're not gonna like what I'm about to say." He answered solemnly. "Amestris is currently at war with the Wang clan, from Xing. They somehow found out about the portal and are coming to claim it. Mustang is leading the troops."

She saw the shock on Al and Ed's faces. They were speechless.

Havoc locked eyes with her. "The General wants to know. Are you aware of the Xing legend of Yosono Kami?"

She sighed. "Yes. Ling, Lan Fan, and Fu told me about it."

"This clan claims that the god promised their clan, and theirs only, that he would reopen the portal for them someday. And that once he did, they could come claim the power within."

"There is no power within!" She growled angrily as she put her face in her hand. "I don't know what they want, but there is no power here that they can take for themselves!"

Kei Shei Rah surprised everyone by interjecting. "Perhaps, Avatar, this legend is old enough to date back to the age of the ancient lion turtles. It is possible that is the power they seek."

"But the lion turtles are gone!" She replied in an exasperated tone.

"Lion turtles?" Havoc repeated in confusion. She glanced up at him, then over at Ed and Al. They looked confused too.

She sighed, not wanting to explain but deciding she should. "The lion turtles were the original source for the power of bending. But they're all extinct now. Except maybe the one in my physical world still lives, but Avatar Aang met him probably upwards of eighty years ago now. But that's beside the point."

Havoc sounded astounded as he responded slowly. "You're telling me turtle lion chimera creatures gave the humans of your world the ability to bend elements?"

"Havoc, if you saw half the things that exist in her world, you wouldn't think that was weird." Ed told him bluntly. "Believe me, it's not that strange."

"So, what now? Mustang's put together that I'm Yosono Kami?" She asked Havoc.

"He certainly knows you're involved." Havoc replied. "I didn't ask, but I get the feeling he's hoping you can help end the war."

She rubbed her temples with her fingertips. "I've kind of got a lot on my plate at the moment. I can't come to Amestris right now."

Havoc looked crestfallen. "I'll pass that along, but please. If you get the chance, I'm sure Mustang would appreciate the help. The citizens of Amestris would, too."

She didn't respond. She didn't know what to say to his guilt trip. It's not like she wanted the war to continue, but she had to save the Air Nation first. But, in a way, this war was her fault. She'd left the portal open, after all. An open invitation. "I'll come as soon as I can."

"Thanks. I'll let him know. See you guys soon. Hopefully." He waved as he turned and walked through the portal.

Ed and Al were looking at each other with fear in their eyes. "If you guys want to go back, we can figure out a way to get you to a portal." She offered.

They communicated silently, as siblings can somehow do, before Ed replied, "No. We'll help you deal with Zaheer and save the Air Nation, then we'll worry about Amestris. Mustang will just have to hold out for a while."

Edward

Amestris was at war. He almost couldn't believe it. They'd finally had some peace in the country following Father's defeat and Grumman taking the role of Fuhrer. He should have known it was too good to be true.

He was trying not to lay blame as he sat there thinking. It wasn't anyone's fault, no one could have known that events would lead to this. But he couldn't help but wonder, if the Avatar hadn't attacked that village centuries ago, if the portal had been closed after the Promised Day, if Ayana had never been thrown into Amestris….

He stopped, angry at himself for even thinking such a thing. This wasn't her fault. She hadn't asked to get sent to his world nearly two years ago. She hadn't asked to be regarded as a god by the people of Xing. None of them asked for any of this. And he could tell by looking at her face that she was blaming herself for the war. She was probably regretting leaving the portal open.

That thought made him sad. She'd left it open for him. So that she could visit him and Al, and they could visit her. Would this change things? After they went back and she helped end the war, would she close it? Should she close it?

"Guys! Bolin got through to the Air Temple!" Su announced as she rushed into the room.

Ayana jumped up and left so fast he was astonished. He stood and extended a hand to Al to pull him to his feet. Mako and Asami were already out the door, and they followed them quickly.

When they entered the room, they found Bolin talking to the radio and the small, childish voice of Meelo answering.

"Bolin isn't here right now, can I take a message?" Meelo asked.

"Ugh! I'm not looking for Bolin! I am Bolin!" He sounded like he had been dealing with this for a while, because his tone held nothing but frustration. "Look, I need you to go find your dad!"

"He's down by the bison. Did you know we found a whole herd of baby bison?" Meelo asked innocently.

Ed saw Ayana's eyes flash as she strode over to the microphone. She whipped it forcefully out of Bolin's hand. "Meelo! Go get your dad right now, or next time I see you I'm airbending your tiny butt to the moon!" She commanded harshly.

"Yes sir!" Meelo squeaked, and then there was silence.

Everyone shifted on their feet nervously as they waited. Eventually, the radio crackled and Tenzin's voice came through. "Hello?"

"Tenzin!" Ayana cried desperately. "You need to evacuate the temple! Zaheer is headed your way! He's coming for the airbenders!" She was answered with silence. "Tenzin!"

His voice came through the radio speaker softly. "It's too late. He's already here."