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

Edward

Night had fallen, and the airship was speeding towards the Northern Air Temple and was on track to arrive tomorrow. Chief Beifong has produced a map and laid it out on a table, and everyone, even the Metal Clan guards, were circled around it trying to strategize their next move. Everyone except Ayana, who stood by the window, watching the landscape below. She hadn't said a word during any of the discussions. A few people had voiced suggestions on possible plans of attack, but Ed wasn't confident in any of them. They had too many flaws.

"None of these ideas are going to work." Ayana finally spoke as she continued to gaze out the window, and everyone fell silent to listen. "The second Zaheer realizes we're up to something, he'll wipe out the airbenders. The only plan that ends with everyone alive is if I turn myself in."

"Not happening." Ed announced heartily. "I'm pretty sure he wants you dead, too, so no. That plan ends the same way as the others."

"I don't think there's another option. The world has been out of balance for too long, it needs the Air Nation back. I can't let Zaheer destroy it. I can't let him kill them." She turned to face the group. "Aren't the needs of many people more important than that of a single person? This is my job as the Avatar, to restore and keep balance to the world. Help me fulfill my purpose. Help me save the airbenders. After they're safe, then worry about saving me."

The group looked around at each other nervously; apparently no one had a good argument against her speech. Ed certainly didn't, but he still didn't like it.

Finally, Lin nodded. "We're with you, Ayana."

"I'll go radio Zaheer." She crossed the room and left. No one said anything as they waited for her to come back. Bolin was pacing anxiously, and Al stood shifting his weight from foot to foot. Ed fingered his sword sleeve, feeling uncomfortable with the tension in the room. He didn't like this at all. It was a lose-lose situation, no matter how you looked at it.

Eventually Ayana returned and announced, "He wants me to come to the top Laghima's Peak tomorrow at noon. Alone. Once he has me, he'll release the airbenders to you."

"I think I've thought of a way to get both the airbenders and the Avatar out of this in one piece." Su mused thoughtfully. Everyone perked up in interest. "He doesn't know how many of us there are, so that gives us the advantage. We can split into two groups, one small group will take the airship to the temple to get the airbenders, and the other group will start in the valley and scale the mountain, taking Zaheer by surprise and rescuing Ayana after the airbenders have been freed."

He had to admit, that was actually a decent sounding plan. Judging by everyone else's faces, they thought so, too. Even Ayana had a confident look on her face.

"Okay, how do we split up?" Mako asked.

"I think we need as much firepower against Zaheer as possible. It's likely that he'll have his combustion friend with him, and we all know she's a challenge. Let's have Mako, Bolin, and Asami take the airship in, and the rest of us will scale the mountain." Su suggested, and everyone nodded.

Ed wasn't sure how he was going to get up the mountain, but he didn't want to be on the airship, anyway. He wanted to be where Ayana was, to help her get out of this safely.

Al seemed to read his thoughts, as usual, and whispered, "Don't worry, Brother. I'll get us up there, together."

Ayana

The next day came too quickly for her. Of course she was nervous, but they needed to get this done. She was ready to be finished with Zaheer. Hopefully, they could surprise him today and successfully defeat him.

The airship landed in the valley under cover of fog. Everyone disembarked to see her off. She tried not to think about how this might be the last time she'd be seeing them for a while. No, don't think like that. We will succeed. Su passed out portable radios. Ayana took one, as did Mako and Lin.

"Radio as soon as you have the airbenders in sight." She instructed Mako, and he nodded and gave her a hug. Asami and Bolin hugged her, too, before they returned to the airship and took off.

"Don't worry, kid. We'll be there ready to take him out." Lin assured her. She nodded grimly in response.

Turning to Ed and Al, she threw her arms out and hugged them both. They returned the hug tightly.

"Don't worry." Al reassured her confidently. "Things will work out."

Ed's eyes were on fire. "We're gonna kick that guy's ass, don't worry." He held out his pocket watch. "Here. So you'll know when to head up. You're going to give it back to me after we save you, though."

"Yeah. I promise." She gave him a quick kiss. "See you soon."

"Let's go." Lin commanded, and Ayana watched as she, Sue, and the Metal Clan guards began ascending the mountain by metalbending their cables up the cliff face. Al clapped his hands and together, he and Ed ascended on a transmuted pillar.

She sat on a rock and waited, giving each group time to get into position. She glanced multiple times at the pocket watch apprehensively. At five minutes to noon, she stood and snapped her glider open. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves and shoving the watch into her pocket, she flew up to the top of the mountain.

She circled once and chose a spot far away from Zaheer before landing. He had his combustionbending friend with him, just as Su had predicted. The water- and lavabender were nowhere in sight. They must be at the temple.

"Drop your glider and surrender!" Zaheer commanded. When she didn't obey, he added. "Don't make me come get you."

She ignored him again and chose to grab her radio instead. "Mako. What's happening?"

There was a brief pause, but then he answered. "They're here, but so is the lavabender."

She lowered the radio and shouted to Zaheer. "Tell your friend to let the airbenders go!"

"Not until you surrender yourself! I'm not negotiating with you." He replied angrily.

She sighed as she threw her glider down and pulled the radio bag off her shoulder, dropping it beside her. The combustionbender approached with shackles and attached them to her hands and feet. There were very short chains; she had to shuffle awkwardly to walk. She followed the woman up the slope to Zaheer. "Don't try to metalbend out of those, they're made of platinum." The lady sneered.

She watched Zaheer radio his friend and heard him say, "We have her." Hopefully, that meant they were releasing the airbenders to Mako now.

She was just about to start up the ramp to Zaheer's airship when she heard the radio crackle behind her. "Ayana! It was a trick! The airbenders aren't here, don't turn yourself in!"

Damn it. She jumped and kicked both feet out, sending an air blast at the woman, who staggered backwards at the unexpected attack. Ayana got to her feet awkwardly and tried to firebend, attempting to move her hands instinctively. But the chains were too short, they wouldn't allow for any complicated bends. Putting her hand to the ground instead, she bent a rock up, then jumped and kicked again to send it flying at Zaheer. He rolled and the missile sailed above him harmlessly. Jump-kicking again, she sent a fire blast at him, and he airbent his own gust to meet it. Whipping himself around, he lashed out with a sweeping slice of air that sent her rolling backwards. He picked her up with a quick bend and immediately slammed her back down, causing her to see stars as she hit her head on the ground.

She heard the popping noises of the combustionbender. Her friends must have made it to the summit.

She groaned as she struggled to get up. Zaheer was jumping, swinging his body around in an airbend, when he was suddenly knocked backward by a laser blast. Thanks, Ed!

She managed to stand, then put the heels of her hands together to send a stream of fire at Zaheer. He dodged again by diving to the side. She watched an alchemic wall appear in front of him and he collided with it awkwardly, having been halfway through his roll. Ed appeared out of nowhere, yelling out a battle cry in rage and swinging his sword at Zaheer.

She stomped her foot to bend the earth up beneath the airbender. Zaheer lost his footing as a result. Ed slashed furiously, and Zaheer dodged and blocked the blows with air. Al was somewhere nearby; she watched a spike shoot up from the ground and knock Zaheer backwards. Another jump kick from her sent a current of air at him, and he fell onto his back. Ed took the opportunity and launched himself at his enemy, bringing his sword down for a hard blow.

Zaheer reacted quickly by airbending a powerful gust of air that sent Ed flying backwards.

And over the side of the mountain.

"EDWARD!" She screamed in horror. She heard Al cry out, too, and watched him run over to the edge, collapsing to his knees to look down to side of the cliff.

She felt the tears burning her eyes. There's no way Ed could survive a fall like that. Zaheer had killed him.

Her heart broke in half as she was consumed with grief. She jump-kicked again, sending another torrent of fire. Again, and again, and again, she jumped and kicked furiously. Her target dodged every single one. He rushed her abruptly and then jumped high in the air to send his own airbent blast in a kick down at her.

It hit hard and knocked her sideways onto the ground, and she hit her head again. The world spun and grew fuzzy. Her eyes felt heavy, then her vision faded.

Edward

Everyone regrouped in the valley after the fight. They had failed.

He was lucky to be alive. After Zaheer had thrown him over the cliff, he was spotted falling by one of the metalbender guards, who had shot a lifeline to him. That bender, and their metal cables, had saved his life. He could still hear Ayana's heartbroken voice screaming his name as he'd gone over, and the memory gave him chills. He was positive she thought he was dead.

Poor Al was beside himself. He was blaming himself for letting Zaheer get away with her. After Ed had gone over the cliff, he admitted he'd lost it, thinking his brother was dead, and hadn't been much use in the fight after that. No one blamed him, of course. They all knew what it was like to lose someone. They were feeling a similar sentiment now.

A small sky bison appeared above them, carrying way too many people for its size. Ed watched as it landed clumsily near the group. Mako, Bolin, and Asami were on it with Tenzin and Kai. Tenzin looked pretty beat up; he had a black eye and couldn't seem to stand without someone else supporting him. They approached their group after sliding off the small bison.

"How did you guys make it out of that temple alive? It looks like there's a river of lava coming from it." Chief Beifong asked.

"It was Bolin! We were trying to outrun the lava and then out of nowhere, he lavabent!" Mako exclaimed as he put his hand on at his brother's shoulder proudly. Bolin had the grace to blush at the praise.

"What happened on your end?" Tenzin asked.

"We managed to kill the combustionbender, but Zaheer got away with the Avatar. Somehow he can fly now." Chief Beifong informed him.

"What?" They all gasped.

"I'd heard the legends about Guru Laghima's ability to fly, but I never believed them. Zaheer has somehow unlocked ancient airbender techniques…." Tenzin mused in awe.

"We need to find Ayana and the airbenders. What's our next move?" Ed asked.

"I know where the airbenders are!" Kai announced loudly. "I'll bet its where they took Ayana, too. The other day, I followed their airship to some caves a few miles from here. That three-eyed lady met up with some strangers there, and they took the airbenders into the caves."

"We need to get over there." The Chief spoke firmly.

"How? My bison is too small for everyone." Kai replied sadly.

A grunting noise sounded from above, and everyone gazed up to see Sona and Oogie approaching. They landed in front of the group, and Sona stuck her tongue out to give Ed a lick.

"Hey, girl." He patted her head fondly.

"Let's get going." Su suggested.

Ayana

When she woke, she was shocked to find herself suspended in the air in a wide cavern. Her arms and legs were held spread-eagled in shackles and chains. She couldn't move. Even in the gloomy light of the cave, she could see Zaheer standing on a platform below her with his water- and lavabender friends beside him.

"You killed Edward!" She screamed at him as she writhed against her bonds. The agony from his death coursed through her soul, and her heart ached terribly. She wanted nothing more than to avenge her love.

"I feel your pain, Avatar. I also lost someone I love today." Zaheer sympathized.

"Let me go!"

"I'm afraid I can't do that." He sneered. "Bring the poison."

She watched two newcomers approach, holding a bowl of liquid. One of them bent it up and out of the bowl and held it there, taunting her with it.

"Once we administer this poison, your body will react, forcing you into the Avatar State." Zaheer was explaining. "And then, when we kill you, the Avatar cycle will end. We lucky few are witnessing the dawning of a new era. One without nations and borders, kings and queens, where a man's allegiance is only to himself and his loved ones. We will return the world to the true balance of natural order. Your name will be echoed throughout history. Ayana, the Last Avatar."

"No!" She struggled against the chains, trying to break free. They must be made of platinum because her efforts to bend them failed. Zaheer simply gave her an evil grin and waved his hand at the men with the bowl.

The bender sent the liquid over and wrapped it around her limbs. He then forced it through her skin and into her bloodstream.

It was agony. The pain flared throughout her body as the poison spread through her blood vessels, into her organs, through her heart. Her head began to hurt abominably, and she could feel her heart pounding. Her skin felt like it was on fire, and she could do nothing but cry out, writhing in pain.

She was having a hard time concentrating on anything but the agony. The torture was too much. She felt herself slip into the Avatar State.

No! I can't! She fought back, pulling herself out of it. It threatened to take over her again, looming like a giant shadow in the back of her mind. She had to fight it; she couldn't give Zaheer what he wanted. She slipped back and forth multiple times, and each time it was increasingly difficult to pull herself back out.

Her senses were overwhelmed with the ache. She couldn't see or hear anything, and the only feeling she had was torment.

Edward

Sona and Oogie followed Kai on his baby bison to a cave in the mountainside. Everyone jumped down and prepared to storm the place. Tenzin was too weak and stayed behind, but everyone else hurried down the tunnel in search of Ayana and the airbenders.

They slowed as they heard voices ahead. Su was in the lead, and she peaked around the corner. She nodded to them confidently, then stepped from cover and earthbent a boulder into the room beyond. Ed heard a grunt as someone was hit. Asami rushed around the corner with her glove buzzing. He heard the electric noise of it shocking someone and another grunt.

"Nice going!" Lin praised as the rest of the group rounded the corner. The airbenders were all huddled in a circle, chained together. Al quickly clapped and touched the locks to release everyone.

"We need to get Bumi and Kya out of here, they don't look so good." Chief Beifong eyed them in concern. They looked just as bad as Tenzin did, maybe even a bit worse.

"You guys go. Al and I will look for Ayana." Ed stated. Al nodded, and he had a determined look on his face.

"We'll go with you." Mako offered, indicating him and his brother. Bolin nodded agreement.

Jinora approached them. "You don't have to search for her; I know where they're holding her."

She quickly explained the quickest way there. Apparently, she was in another cave, further down. There was an urgency in the girl's voice that Ed didn't find reassuring.

"Let's go." He waved his brother and friends on, and together the four of them dashed down the tunnels.

They didn't have to go very far. They quickened their pace as her screams echoed down the cave walls. It sounded like they were torturing her; her voice held nothing but anguish. Another few twists and turns, and they found themselves in a large, dimly lit cavern. Ayana was suspended from chains in the air, and Zaheer and his two remaining allies stood watching.

The four of them froze as Ayana's eyes suddenly blazed a brilliant white, and with inhuman strength she pulled her right arm free by ripping the rock, still attached to the chain, right out the ceiling. She swung it angrily and the rock swooped around and shattered as it impacted the waterbender hard, who fell and did not move.

Ayana broke the shackles on her legs loose, and now she was only hanging from her left arm. The lavabender sent a rock at her, but she blocked with a powerful airbend and sent his own projectile back at him. Swinging her body, she threw herself forward using momentum and broke the final chain.

Zaheer flew past right in front of Ed's face, startling him, as he headed for a side tunnel to escape. Ayana rocketed after him by shooting fire from her feet. She was still trailing the chain on her wrist behind her.

Everyone broke out of the trance at the same time. "We need to help her!" Ed yelled.

"Go! We'll take care of his cronies!" Mako replied forcefully. Ed turned to sprint back the way they'd come.

"Let's go, Al!"

He and Al ran out of the cave and found the airbenders congregated near Sona, Oogie, and Tenzin. He stopped to watch the scene before him. Zaheer and Ayana were both flying around, weaving between the large rocky columns that made up the local landscape. Ayana was throwing everything she could at him, taking large portions of the columns and sending them sailing through the air at Zaheer. She used fire a few times, too, but Zaheer was able to dodge them all.

Ed raised his laser, wanting to help. But they were moving too fast, and were probably too far away, for the laser to do any good. He watched, feeling helpless, as the Avatar unleashed the full power of her wrath on Zaheer.

Ayana

She couldn't take it. The Avatar State was mounting, it was threatening to overtake her. She couldn't hold it back anymore. So, she let go.

The power of the Avatar State flooded through her, feeling unusually strong as it fought to keep her alive. Her eyesight sharpened and her hearing improved, but her body still laced with fire as the poison flowed through her veins. She was aware of nothing but the agony she felt, and the presence of Zaheer and his friends.

They needed to pay.

She gathered her strength and pulled her right arm free, and found the chain still connected to rock. Using it to her advantage, she swung it around and smacked the waterbender hard. Twisting her feet, she broke the chains holding them. An incoming boulder forced her to protect herself and blast it away, which sent her swaying backwards. She used the momentum and swung forward to sever the final chain.

She caught sight of Zaheer as he flew away to flee down a tunnel. The coward! She forgot about the lavabender as her brain became overwhelmed with one thought. Kill Zaheer.

Somehow, she was flying toward him, her memory of the last several seconds gone. They were outside the cave now, in a rocky area with multiple tall, vertical columns. She grabbed the top of one of the pillars with an earthbend and sent it forward at her enemy.

He dodged, so she threw another one. He dodged again and used the resulting dust as cover to turn back and rush her. He kicked her in an airbend and sent her flying into the side of a pillar. She recovered in midair and bent fire beneath her feet to pursue him.

She bent more rocks at him, and he protected himself with airbends, deflecting her attacks away. Switching to fire, she threw a thick stream of hot flame at him as he flew between the pillars, but he weaved in and out and successfully dodged.

Her fury was nearly as intense as the pain, which continued to course through her entire being, burning into her very soul. Kill Zaheer.