Waking up the next morning I opened my eyes slowly to find a mass of thick, curling dark hair. That wasn't Korra's hair. "Huh?" Shifting I lifted myself up but relaxed when I realised it was Asami. She'd fallen asleep next to me, it seems. We'd actually talked for a long while before I'd crashed out and Asami must have fallen asleep not long after as I was actually hugging her back against me like I did with Korra. Smiling I left her to rest in peace as I hungrily sought out food, Ikki and Meelo bounding on me the moment I showed my sleepy face.
"Kanna!"
"Hey kids, what's up? Oof!" I was tackled to the ground once more by the children who hugged me tightly. "Hey what's all this? I was only gone a few days, did I really worry you all that much? Gee I'm sorry, I promise never to do it again." I comforted them, rubbing their heads as the younger ones cried and Jinora huddled up against me so with a strong grip I lifted them all up and carried them into breakfast where Pema had spared no effort in making the most wonderful meal.
With Korra awake and everyone up to speed on what had happened, Tenzin called an emergency council meeting with the other representatives. Finishing up my food I head outside to ask Pema if she needed anything specific done however I stumbled into a rather awkward interaction between Lin, Pema and Tenzin. "I didn't realize you two were out here." Pema was saying sarcastically to Lin and Tenzin who blushed guiltily. What's going on here?
"Pema! Yes, yes, Lin has agreed to help out around here and keep an eye on things while I'm away." I saw my aunt arch an eyebrow before walking forwards.
"Thank you. I could use the extra pair of hands. Would you mind giving him a bath? He's filthy." I stifled a laugh behind my hand at Lin's horrified expression as Meelo squirmed in her grasp before she then turned around to Tenzin who was already mounting his bison to escape the women.
"This is not what I signed on for!"
"Thank you, Lin! Oogie, yip yip." Seeing that Lin was completely out of her depth I walked forwards as Pema disappeared back into the house, approaching her as she eyeballed Meelo suspiciously.
"I gotta poo. Really bad." To prove his point Meelo began to contort, so Lin quickly used her cable to hold him further away from her and this time I laughed. Reaching out I took Meelo from her and she exhaled visibly with relief, shoulders slumping as I held him at arm's length away and gave him a stern look.
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it." I winked at her with a grin before I went to take care of Meelo and gave him the bath that he needed. He struggled however when I started to play around with the bubbles, making them spiral around him he thought it was the coolest thing ever and so a bath was easy after that. I dressed him in clean clothes before then sending him to go play so that I could help his mom clean up. Just as I was disposing of the dirty water, I heard a knock on the door.
"Hey, Kanna. It's me." Korra said as she opened the door, looking a little awkward. We hadn't exactly spoken over breakfast, unsure of where the other stood. "Listen, I just wanted to say-!" Before she could finish I had crossed the room in a leap and flung my arms around her, hugging her tightly as I sighed with relief.
"I'm so glad you're okay Korra. Really." I said to her and she relaxed before grabbing me around the waist and lifted me off the ground, the both of us smiling as we embraced one another. "We can talk properly once this is all over, but just so you know, there's no bad blood between us. That wasn't even one of our worst fights. Comparatively it was pretty tame, am I right?"
"Totally, I remember way worse." Korra agreed, the two of us punching fists together before I waved her and the others off as they went across to Republic City to help Tenzin whilst I stayed here on the island to help protect the kids. Amon would be making his move soon, it was only a matter of time. Lin and the other White Lotus guards kept watch, however later on I heard several shouts so I dropped what I was doing and rushed outside where Lin and the others were staring at the city, seeing the giant airships hovering overhead.
"We're in trouble." I murmured under my breath before clenching a fist.
"Everyone, hide inside and remain calm." Lin ordered in her authoritative voice however suddenly Pema cried out in pain and I whipped around to see her hunched over in a puddle of water whilst gripping he stomach. Not good, not good at all. We're in so much trouble! "Pull it together, Pema. Didn't I just say remain calm?"
"Mommy? What's wrong?" Ikki asked worriedly as Pema caught her breath.
"The baby's coming!" Immediately I was running forwards, calling for some help as I reached Pema first and she leaned against me dependently and with the next contraction, gripped my arm so tightly I could feel the bone.
"Not now, baby!" Meelo yelled at his mother's stomach so I hurriedly got everyone organised.
"Lin, I'll take care of this. Kids all of you inside. I want you to listen to everything I tell you carefully." I began as Lin nodded her head and I helped Pema into her room, sending the kids into the room next door where I could get to them quickly if I needed to. This was Pema's fourth child so the birth should be quick, however I was worried about how long we had before Amon turned his airships towards our island.
"Ow, ow!" Pema squeaked and gasped, struggling for breath as I settled her down. "Kanna, it's coming. It's coming right now!"
"I know Pema, this one has incredibly bad timing." I answered as the older acolytes helped me prepare everything. Rolling up her shirt I pulled some water from the basin and began to weave it over her belly, making sure that the baby was alright as the glowing water helped me figure out how far along she'd come in the time since her waters had broken. "Are you ready Pema? Just relax, you're going to be just fine. I'm right here." I promised her with a soothing calm which helped her to relax as she breathed heavily. The acolytes let me take control and as I guided Pema through the birth, I watched as the baby crowned before all at once he was born, crying softly. "A boy! Oh Pema he's so cute!" I fussed, smiling as I quickly lifted him up to show her.
"My children…where are my children?" Pema panted a little tiredly.
"They're in the next room dear, perfectly safe." The acolyte answered however I blinked at her.
"Weren't you supposed to be watching them?" I asked and she stopped, frowning slightly.
"Was I supposed to?" Oh crap. Almost as if the universe was doing its utmost to make this day go from bad to worse, one of the guards banged on the door.
"We have company! Enemy airships have docked over the island!"
"And you didn't think to tell me sooner?! Agh!" Momentarily disoriented I hurriedly passed the baby into someone else's care. "Just sit tight Pema, I'm not going to let anything happen to you or your children." I vowed before I hurriedly turned and flew through the door. Sure enough the kids were gone from next door and I could hear fighting just outside, Lin desperately trying to keep the children under control. Oh I am so going to kill them. Striding forwards my anger spiked to a furious peak. Flinging open the doors I stepped out into the courtyard.
Lin was gripping her side and the three children facing the Equalists, however as I stepped down to pass them, they all looked at my thunderous expression and blinked, watching as I slowly began to lift my hands. "None of you are welcome here." I spoke darkly, lifting my head to then strike forwards with a powerful rush of water which turned to ice. "Get lost!" Before any of the chi blockers could react I had changed stances and moving through the forms, guiding the water from the nearest source I could find, the spring as well as a nearby fountain and suddenly the water rushed upwards, coming to form a wall that cut between myself and the others in a pulsing dark mass as I struggled to control it, however this raw power was exactly what I was going for. The thundering rumble of the water pounded in my ears as I shifted into a lower stance, huge spears of ice streaking forwards and the chi blockers had to move quickly to not be caught. Some were not so lucky.
Three of them were trapped in an icy cage, the spikes pinning them down and locking their joints in place as I then swept the water to the side and formed a colossal rushing wave which washed up the rest, spiralling around to forcibly drag it into ice which then bended more easily to my will, encaging the last of the chi blockers together where they could not escape. One more remained, springing from hand to foot however with a flick of my wrist ice formed on the ground and they slipped, landing flat on their back where I then summoned the vines on the trees and wrapped him up tightly, carefully manipulating the water within the plant before finally, it was all over. "Losers." I tusked before turning back to the kids.
"Wow! That was amazing! You're so cool Kanna!" Ikki cheered as they all ran to me.
"We are the winners! You're the losers!" Meelo chanted as Jinora exhaled with relief and looked down to my trembling hand. My fear obviously evident, she reached out and held my hand to comfort me so I exhaled and smiled shakily down to her. Using that much water had been terrifying, however it was necessary to protect them so I did everything I could to keep it from getting out of control.
"Take these Equalists and lock them in the temple's basement." Lin directed as the water-bender Lotus guards melted the ice and quickly had the chi blockers clapped in irons. "Nice work, kids." Lin praised and I winked at the three of them as their faces glowed with pride. Looking up as a shadow appeared and Oogie landed bearing Korra, Tenzin and everyone else. The children immediately cried out for their father and as they ran to him I rushed to Korra, wanting to feel safe again as my heart refused to calm down.
She leaped down and instantly we were embracing, her strong grip helping me to relax. "Oh thank goodness you're all right." Tenzin was saying to his kids who immediately told him that they'd helped us catch the bad guys. "You let them fight? Do you realize what could have happened?"
"I would have been toast if not for your kids. You should be proud. You taught them well. Go on, be with your wife." Lin said warmly, a tone I never thought I'd hear from her as I finally pulled back and smiled to Tenzin.
"Yeah! Pema had the baby, hurry and go see them, they're waiting for you." Tenzin didn't need telling twice, disappearing into the house as Bolin, Mako and Asami got down from the bison. "Is everyone alright? Any injuries? What happened?" Bolin immediately launched into an in depth description of everything that happened, from the mecha-tanks at city hall and how awesome it had been. "Whoa, slow down, tanks? You're going to have to start from the beginning."
"We don't have time. Look!" Asami pointed and we all turned to see more airships coming our way. Oh no, Amon really was after the air-benders. The attack on city hall was just a distraction. "We have to warn Tenzin."
"Right." Korra agreed, looking dispirited so I took her hand and gave it a tight squeeze before we all turned and went inside where Tenzin was holding baby Rohan in his arms. "I'm so sorry to interrupt but more airships are coming." The children looked frightened and they huddled closer to their parents as I went to the window and watched the airships approaching. "What do you want to do Tenzin?"
"I need to protect my family and get them as far away from this conflict as possible. If Amon got his hands on my children...I hate to even think of it." I agreed. Getting the children out of here took first priority as well as Korra. As the Avatar, she would also be a prime target for Amon and there was no way he was getting his hands on her either.
"If you're leaving, then I'm going with you." Lin announced firmly, making us all look to her quickly.
"But…"
"No arguments." Before my uncle could even protest Lin had lifted up her hand and given him a stern look. "You and your family are the last air-benders. There's no way in the world I'm letting Amon take your bending away." A wave of respect surged within me for this woman. She was one tough cookie. If I had her guts, I could conquer the world.
"Thank you, Lin." Turning to Korra, Tenzin looked at her sternly. "Korra, I want you to leave this island and hide for the time being." Of course Korra immediately protested, not liking the idea of running from a fight but my uncle was right. There were too many of them for the time being, there was no way we'd be able to take them all. "I'm not asking you to give up, Korra. I sent word to the United Forces. They will be here soon and once my family is safe, I will return. With the reinforcements so we can turn the tide in this war." Hanging her head, Korra gave a long sigh.
"What you're saying is we need to be patient." Smiling fondly Tenzin nodded his head.
"You're learning well." Knowing we were running out of time I got the kids up and ready, helping Pema onto Oogie's back before then jumping back down to face Tenzin. "Will you come with us? You are family too, after all."
"Thanks Tenzin, but I need to protect Korra. With Lin, you guys should be perfectly safe." I cracked a grin as I glanced across to the stone faced Chief of Police. "I wouldn't rate their chances if they try to go up against her when she's as determined as this." Tenzin chuckled sadly in agreement before embracing me, a hand going to my head to smooth back my hair. "Go now, before they have a chance to catch up." Tenzin went to say something else but I stepped away and pointed. "Go!" With no other choice but to leave me behind, Tenzin had Oogie fly away from the island as Korra rode up with Naga.
"Hurry Kanna!" Springing forwards I squeezed onto the end behind Bolin, gripping onto him for balance as Naga sprung forwards. My pulse quickened slightly at being so close to him but I ignored it, shaking it out of my mind as the chi blockers descended from above.
"Moustache guy!" Bolin suddenly yelled in warning, pointing ahead so I leaned forwards and gripped onto his sleeve, swinging myself around with a yell to kick that same guy from before in the chest, sending him flying. "Woo! Go Kanna!" Suddenly Naga jolted, hurriedly having to avoid more chi blockers and I yelled, losing my grip however both Mako and Bolin lunged to grab my hands. "Hold on Kanna!"
"I'm trying!" I yelled, my feet scraping across the ground as Naga continued to run for the shore. Turning my head I saw more chi blockers coming after us including the truncheon wielding guy, fearlessly coming after us as Naga ran as fast as she was able without losing her footing. "Hah!" With a yell I kicked my feet, using the nearby sea water to fling a spray upon the rocks and turned them to ice, throwing most of the chi blockers off balance however as the others continued to get closer, I looked back to Mako and Bolin.
"No, don't be stupid!" Mako yelled at me so I smiled at him, taking a deep breath before I placed my foot against Naga's side and pushed off from her, flying away from my friends as they cried out my name but I was already twisting, shooting bolts of ice out from the ocean as I rose up and descended, never once losing pace as I slowed them down and landed safely on the pier. "Kanna!"
"Keep going!" I shouted thunderously, the waves churning underneath me from where they answered to my presence, lashing out and splashing at my feet to try and snatch me away. "Don't stop running until you're safe and don't look back."
"Kanna no!" Korra reached out for me however with a quick glance I flung a wave of water at them, forcing them under the ocean where Korra water-bent a sphere around them to give them all air. Some chi blockers tried to dive in after them however I froze over the water's surface, hands spread out to form a thick layer which trapped them above and allowed Korra to escape with the others. Good, they're safe. That's all I need to know. As the chi blockers turned to me I fought them off the best I could, sending ice attacks at them all around however ice was not a malleable element, meaning that I could not adjust to their quick movements and flexible dodges, only managing to catch some of them by freezing their legs or hands down to the pier, however when my feet reached the edge I froze, looking back into the water.
I attempted to lift it up again, however once more the pulsing cist only burst into furious ice shards and uncontrollable streams, so with a resigned sigh I lifted up my hands and surrendered, slowly going to my knees. "Secure her, do not let her escape. Be watchful, she might be tricking us." The truncheon guy warned so I shot him a look, glaring at him as I was tied up with my hands behind my back however in my hand I held a small ball of water that I kept hidden, released from my water pouch that still hung at my side. I froze it into ice and kept it from melting, focusing on it as I was dragged, kicked and pulled all the way back to the temple. When I returned and saw Lin there also, my eyes widened. "Lin!"
"Kanna! You were supposed to leave! Where's Korra?!" She demanded but I just smiled.
"She's okay." I assured her and she exhaled with relief. Guess she and I are pretty similar, staying behind to make sure everyone else escaped. My smile dropped when someone grabbed my hair and flung me forwards, making me yelp in pain as I landed on my shoulder and jarred it, hissing through my teeth as Lin yelled furiously for them to leave me alone. The sun was setting and the night arrived pretty quickly, bringing with it the rain as one by one everyone on the island was captured, even the acolytes. I knelt in line among the White Lotus, head bowed as I waited. Amon would be here, I knew he would, it was only a matter of time.
Sure enough a figure appeared rising up the steps, hooded and masked as always. Lin was brought before him first, sodden by the rain but no less defiant as she pulled herself upright and glowered up at him as his creepy voice spoke. "Tell me where the Avatar is and I shall allow you to keep your bending." He offered and I narrowed my eyes. He's barking up the wrong tree if he thinks he can persuade Lin to parley with him. She's as tough as iron, strong as rock. Nothing can break through her.
"I won't tell you anything, you monster."
"Very well." His hand shot outwards and I gasped, making to surge forwards however someone grabbed me by my long hair.
"No! Lin!" I cried out, screaming in furious defiance as Lin stared up into the rain, mouth dropping open before she collapsed to the ground as if the life had been stolen from her body. "What did you do? You monster! Give it back! Give Lin back her bending! Argh! I'll knock your teeth out!" Rage same through me like a wild hurricane as I struggled against my captor, pulling so hard against their grasp that I actually ripped some of my hair from my scalp, leaving them with a clump of hair in their hand as I dashed forwards. All too quickly I was restrained again, chi blockers jabbing me in the side to wind me and I gasped, collapsing next to Lin who was passed out. "Lin?"
"The effects are irreversible. However, if you give up your beloved Avatar who abandoned you so readily, then perhaps we can come to an arrangement. You need not be bound like a criminal." Amon spoke to me directly and slowly I turned on my side, not quite able to sit up just yet but I glowered at him with all the hate I had.
"You don't know the first thing about Korra. Or me. Don't worry you freak, she'll be back for me and when she comes, you'll be sorry you ever touched us." A dark smirk touched my features as I slowly forced myself to sit upright, bringing up a knee to help balance myself as I focused on the ball of ice in my hand. Holding my breath, my eyes flew up to Amon. The ice sliced through the rope and cut me free and instantly I was throwing a punch directly for his face, however my strike missed him, swinging slightly wide as I felt a strange sensation up my arm. For a moment I was confused but as the thunder rumbled, my eyes widened in realisation. I knew what he was. What he could do. "You're a…" Before I could finish, his hand crashed down on the back of my neck and I choked on my words, body going completely limp as I was knocked cleanly unconscious, his arms catching me before I fell so that he could carry me away.
