Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal Alchemist, Avatar the Last Airbender, or Legend of Korra

Ayana

"Head straight that way, and it'll take you East City." Kara pointed to her left as the chilly breeze whipped her jacket around her body. She had her head bowed, trying to protect her face from the morning drizzle, as she lowered her hand and pulled the fabric around herself tightly.

"Kara, thank you again, for everything. I can't tell you what your kindness means to me." Ayana had tried to give Kara money earlier this morning in exchange for the hospitality and the clothes, but the old woman had vehemently refused. Ayana suspected that even if it had been money Kara recognized, she still wouldn't have taken it.

"Come back and visit sometime. Good luck, and I hope you find your friend." Kara waved as she turned back and entered her house. Ayana waved as Kara closed the door, then turned and began trudging through the rain towards East City.

She eventually arrived at the outer edge of the metropolis. She really didn't have a destination in mind, but she knew she had to find a way back to Republic City. After thinking over her options over the course of the morning, she'd decided her best bet was probably finding a way through the spirit realm, since she was positive that's how she got here to begin with. But it didn't seem like this world had much, if any, spiritual connections. She couldn't feel it, anyway. Back home, the north and south poles were where the physical and spiritual worlds met. Perhaps that was true in this world, too? Maybe she should find a quiet corner to meditate and see if she could connect to the spirit world that way, and find a spirit for help. Or perhaps the governme… wait, military… would be able to help. Maybe the alchemists that Kara mentioned had a way into the spirit world. The way Kara described them, their power seemed similar to bending, perhaps…

A loud boom roused her from her musings. At first, she thought it was thunder, but a second explosion sounded shortly after. No, definitely not thunder. Curiosity got the better of her, so she changed her course and started jogging toward the sounds.

She was moving down a nearly-deserted street when she spotted a short, blonde boy and a man in a suit of armor turn down an alley and disappear from sight. They were being chased by a muscular, white-haired man. He had rage blazing in his eyes, and a massive X-shaped scar across his face. He didn't look like he had friendly intentions at all. Ayana quickened her pace to follow them but stopped short when the blonde kid was thrown out of the alleyway and sent sprawling into the middle of the street several feet in front of her. The scarred man marched towards him ominously as he extended his hand in a threatening manner. With a pang, Ayana realized the kid only had one arm. He was completely helpless.

She couldn't stand by and watch this boy get murdered. Ayana jumped into action by stomping her foot and bending the stone cobbles beneath the attacker sharply upward. He was propelled away from the boy but twisted midair and landed on his feet to face her.

"Leave him alone!" She shouted in a firm tone.

The scarred man eyed her as he assessed this new development. The boy watched her with wide eyes, frozen in surprise at the unexpected intrusion.

"Another alchemist." The scarred man mused. "God must be smiling on me this day. You are a fool to interfere!" He instantly took the offensive and charged her.

Ayana acted on instinct. A quick air blast aided her jump, propelling her sideways and away from the man's incoming swing. She cartwheeled away and turned her momentum into a dance to bend the nearby puddles of water to herself. Landing on her feet, she quickly moved her arms to throw the water towards the man in two quick shots. She'd caught him off guard, but he still managed to evade the water blasts.

He was still running for her, stretching out his hand for another strike. She evaded again by jumping up and over his head. His open palm touched the wall behind where she had been standing, and it instantly shattered with a boom and a cloud of dust.

Damn, he could do that sort of damage, just by touching something? She couldn't let that hand touch her. It would mean instant pain, and maybe even death. She hadn't wanted to risk killing him, but the murderous intent on his face, along with the proof that he could kill with just a touch of this hand, quickly changed her mind. Time for some fire.

Fire had always been her favorite element. Being born into a Fire Nation family, it was the element that came most naturally to her. Being the Avatar, she of course had to master every element, but fire had always felt the best. Focusing her energy, she jumped and swung her right leg around in a roundhouse kick, sending a sweep of flame towards her enemy. She twisted as she landed, swinging her arms up and punching the air to send fireballs towards him. The man yelled out in pain as some of the shots landed. She rocked back on her heels, her body and hands in a defensive stance, ready for his next move.

Suddenly two defeaning bangs rang out. Both Ayana and the scarred man looked around to find themselves surrounded by military personnel, judging by their uniforms, anyway. A black-haired man, who looked to be in charge, was holding a weird metal contraption, pointed straight in the air. He shouted something to the man she was fighting, but she wasn't listening. She didn't care; it's probably better that the military take over and arrest this guy, anyways. Instead, she turned toward the blonde boy, who was still staring at her with surprise and bewilderment in his eyes. She closed the distance between them in a few steps.

"Hey," she bent down and offered him a hand. "You okay?"

"Y-yeah..." he stammered as he took her offered hand. She stood, pulling him up with her. He finally tore his eyes off her to peer over her shoulder to watch the military officer and the man yell at each other.

Seeing himself surrounded and with no intentions of being arrested, the madman raised his arm and slammed his hand to the ground at his feet. Instantly another explosion rocked the street and sent up a cloud of dust. After the debris settled, all that was left was a crater, and the man was gone.

Ayana stared down the hole, wondering if anyone was going to go after him. Maybe she should, although she didn't want to. From the looks of it, he'd gone down into the sewers, and she had no desire to go down there.

A clicking sound brought her awareness back to her surroundings. One of the officers had approached her and was aiming something at her head; it looked similar to the thing the black-haired man had pointed in the air. Ayana froze, not wanting to provoke the officer and get herself killed. Whatever that thing was, it was obviously a weapon of some sort.

"Hawkeye, what are you doing?" The black-haired officer demanded. Other shouts sounded from several other officers, ranging from concern to confusion.

The boy, who still stood next to Ayana, gasped in surprise. "Hey, Hawkeye, what the hell?"

Ayana stayed still as she met Hawkeye's gaze out of the corner of her eye, and slowly raised her hands in a surrender gesture. Hawkeye was a beautiful blonde woman, with a slim yet muscular figure. Her hair was clipped back behind her head, and her sherry eyes held nothing but fury.

Ayana spoke slowly. "What's wrong? I was trying to…"

"How?" Hawkeye interrupted. "How did you learn flame alchemy? Who told you? Where did you learn how to do it?"

By this time, the black-haired officer had approached. He put a restraining hand on Hawkeye's shoulder. "Lieutenant, put down your gun. I'm sure there's a rational explanation for this."

"Colonel, you saw it as well as I did. She…."

"I know." He responded, cutting her off. "But I don't think she's an enemy. She did save Fullmetal, after all. Lower your gun." When she still hesitated, he added strictly, "that's an order."

Reluctantly, Hawkeye gradually lowered her weapon. Ayana released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She turned to face the Colonel, having gathered he was the one in charge here. "Sir, I don't know what's going on, but I can assure you, I'm not your enemy."

He met her eyes and seemed to weigh her words for a minute. The boy, who Ayana reasoned must be this Fullmetal person the officer had referred to, moved his gaze between them, waiting with anticipation. He seemed to want to say something, but kept his mouth shut.

Finally, the Colonel broke eye contact and glanced around at their surroundings. "I think Lieutenant Colonel Hughes has the situation here under control. We should head back to Command and have a more... private conversation. What's your name?"

"Ayana" She answered immediately. "I'd be happy to go with you."

This Colonel might be able to answer some of her questions. He certainly had a high enough rank, assuming her memory of military rankings was accurate. And assuming they were the same as back home. Surely, he had to have some knowledge about potential locations for spirit portals in this country. If she cooperated and earned his trust, perhaps he'd be willing to help her. Or at least answer her questions.

Hawkeye was still eyeing her. The anger and suspicion in her dark eyes had only slightly diminished. She and her superior escorted Ayana to a nearby car, where she was ushered inside the back seat. Hawkeye shut the door behind her with more force than was probably required, which left her feeling awkward and alone as she stared at the empty seat opposite her.

I hope I can get some answers. And, if I'm lucky, find a way home.