After the events at the Sato estate, Mako, Bolin and Asami all took up Tenzin's offer to stay at Air Temple Island until the Equalist Movement blew over. Korra and the Airbending kids all joined me in waiting for the new arrivals, alongside Naga, Nuki and Saria. "You're finally here!" Ikki said excitedly. "Welcome to Air Temple Island! Your new home."
"Yes, welcome to my domain." Meelo declared, jabbing a thumb into his chest.
"Well, aren't you sweet, little monk child." Bolin greeted. Pabu lept from Bolin's shoulder and started to run around, weaving in between everyone's feet and playing with Saria. Meelo watched them and then pointed at Pabu.
"What's that fuzzy creature?"
"That is a Sire Ferret." Jinora started. "An arboreal mammal common to the bamboo forests of the central Earth Kingdom. In stark contrast, the Snow Ferret is a terrestrial creature that hibernates in caves and is found in both the North and South Pole."
"He's cute!" Ikki squealed and ran off to Pabu while Meelo air-bent himself up and landed on Naga's back.
"Yip yip! Fly sky bison! Fly!" Meelo cried, pulling Naga's ears.
"Thanks for sending the Air Acolytes to help us with the move." Mako said, approaching Korra and I.
"Yes, they've been amazing." Asami agreed. "Such tireless workers." The heiress didn't notice some of the Air Acolytes struggling with her bags.
"Oh, I thought you were only bringing a few things." Korra admitted.
"Trust me, it could have been worse." Mako stated.
"The bags aren't an issue." I assured. "Everyone here on the island wants you to feel welcome." As Pabu, Saria, Nuki and Naga played throughout the courtyard, the group made it's way toward the Air Temple. Meelo was practically grinning up at Asami.
"You're pretty, can I have some of your hair?" Meelo offered his hand up to Asami. Mako chuckled.
"Looks like I have some competition." He joked.
"And now for the grand tour." Ikki declared. She started to talk rapidly, pointing at each thing she said. "The flying bison sleep in those caves down there. And that's the temple Grandpa Aang built. And that's the greenhouse where we grow the vegetables we eat." She then grinned at everyone.
"I have a couple of questions." Bolin spoke up. "Is this an all-vegetarian island? Is that where you train Airbending? Do we have to wear Air Acolyte clothes? Do we each get our own sky bison? And final question, how many trees are on this island?" Ikki thought for a moment.
"Yes. Yes. No. No. Ten thousand five hundred and fifty-two." The brothers stared at her in mixed fear and awe.
"So, where are we going to be staying?" Mako asked.
"You're a boy." Meelo stated. "Boys have to stay on the boys' side."
"I'd be happy to show you to the men's dormitory." Jinora offered. She and Mako walked off.
"I'm a boy!" Bolin cheered and followed after his brother.
"Meelo, why don't you go with the boys too?" Korra suggested.
"We shall meet again soon, beautiful woman." Meelo stated, gazing up at Asami before running after his sister.
"Ikki and I can escort you to your room, Asami." I said.
"I'll go feed Naga and Nuki." Korra told me. I nodded, and she left with our Polar Bear dogs. Asami followed Ikki and I to the girls' dormitories.
"Asami, did you know Korra likes Mako?" Ikki wondered. My eyes widened.
"Ikki!" I scolded. "You can't just-" I was cut off by Asami.
"Oh, uh, I wasn't completely aware of that." Asami admitted. I took Asami's arm and pulled her towards her room, letting go only to open the door and gesture her inside. Asami smiled at me and walked in. I closed the door after her, right on Ikki's face.
"Hey!" Ikki protested.
"Go feed the Bison, Ikki!" I called to her. I heard Ikki sigh, snarl, and then walk away. I let out a breath myself and then turned to Asami. "So, this is your room." I said, gesturing around to the small space. "I know it's not what you're used to, but I did manage to convince Tenzin to get you a mattress, so that's a plus."
"I think it's really charming." Asami admitted, looking around. "And the best part about it? Nothing here reminds me of my father. Thank you for your hospitality." There was a loud knock on the door.
"I'll get that for you." I said with a small smile. I turned to the door and opened it to reveal Tenzin. I stepped aside to let him in.
"Good day, ladies." Tenzin greeted. "Asami, welcome to the island."
"Thank you for having me." Asami said, bowing to the Airbending Master. Tenzin bowed back.
"Beifong's replacement, Saikhan, is going to be inducted as the new Chief of Police later. I think we should both be there."
"Ok." I said with a small nod. I turned to Asami. "Are you ok to settle in?" I asked her. "If not, you can ask Jinora, Ikki or Korra to help."
"I'll be ok." Asami assured with a smile. "Thank you." I bid her goodbye and Tenzin and I headed off to Republic City. I stood on the podium, off to the side, behind Saikhan as he gave his speech. He himself was in front of all of the representatives from each of the Nations.
"It was an honour serving under Chief Beifong for so many years and I wish her a speedy recovery." Saikhan spoke into the microphones. "It is with great humility that I take her place as the new Chief of Police. Republic City is facing a threat like none the world has ever seen but there is one man who's been effective against Amon's revolution, Councilman Tarrlok. That is why for all matters involving the Equalists, I will report directly to him." My eyes widened a fraction, and I cast my gaze up to Tenzin, who met my eyes with equal suspicion. "The police department will lend any and all available resources to the councilman and his task force until we quell this insurgency." Saikhan slammed his fist onto the table.
"Tarrlok's up to something." I muttered quietly. "He's started to make his moves." Tenzin nodded a fraction. Once the press was gone, as was the other Nation Representatives, Tenzin approached Tarrlok.
"Tarrlok, I don't know what you did to get Chief Saikhan in your pocket but I highly doubt it was legal." Tenzin stated.
"Oh, Tenzin." Tarrlok sighed, turning to Tenzin. "Always the conspiracy theorist. Did you ever consider Saikhan simply recognizes my talents and wants what is best for this city?" Tenzin let out an annoyed and disgusted grunt as Tarrlok's eyes slid to me. "Well, Avatar Yunoh. Long time, no see. Now that your sister's little pro-bending distractions are over, I look forward to both of you returning to my Task Force."
"I hate to disappoint you, Councilman, but Korra and I have bigger things to deal with than your Task Force." I said evenly. "So we will not be joining you."
"That is unfortunate to hear, but I'm sure you'll come to your senses as you have in the past."
"In the past, people have spoken for me." I said. "So those 'senses' you speak of aren't technically mine. But…I'll tell you what I think, Tarrlok." I took a deep breath, steeling my frayed nerves. I lifted my head a little taller and moved my shoulders back. "I think that Tenzin's been right about you since day one." My voice wavered a fraction as I spoke. "You played Korra, you played Tenzin and Lin, and you're attempting to do it with the new chief too. I've come to realise that you need my name and status to elevate your own, but it doesn't work the other way around. I'm the Avatar."
"You're not, in fact, the Avatar." Tarrlok stated, causing one of my eyebrows to raise. "You are merely a half-baked Avatar in training, which reminds me, how is your Airbending going?" My eyebrows drew close over my eyes in anger. "Made any significant progress with that? I didn't think so. If you will not be part of my task force, then you had best stay out of my way." Tarrlok walked away, and I glared at his retreating figure. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to Tenzin who was giving me a sympathetic look. We left after that, climbing onto Oogi and beginning to soar over the city. "Nothing's wrong with me, is there?" I asked. "Am…am I a failure? Is that why I can't perfect the Airbender techniques."
"No, you're not a failure." Tenzin argued. "You just need to work through this small Airbending roadblock."
"You think I haven't tried?" I demanded softly, pulling my knees up to my chest and looking away.
"I wasn't finished yet. You see, Aang not only had his bending teachers, but also his past lives to call upon for guidance. Have you ever made contact with your past lives?"
"No." I shook my head as I spoke. "Haven't the White Lotus told you yet? I'm a Spiritual Failure too…"
" You may have made a connection without realizing it." Tenzin told me. "Perhaps something you mistook as a dream?" I blinked.
"Yeah, actually, I think I have, though the memory's fuzzy."
" And did you see any previous Avatars in these visions?" Tenzin asked me, turning to me.
"I…I think I saw Avatar Aang. And…it looked like trouble…do you have any idea what it means?"
"I don't know." Tenzin admitted. "But I urge you to meditate on these visions. I believe Aang's spirit must be trying to tell you something."
"Yeah…ok…" I looked away again.
TIMESKIP
I sat on the edge of Air Temple Island, gazing at the expanse of sea that separated Air Temple Island from Republic City. I've been having visions from Aang and I've been missing them? How? Tears welled in my eyes as I curled up, burying my head into my knees. "Yunoh!" Korra's voice echoed through the night. I sniffled, lifting my head and rubbing my cheeks with the heel of my hand. I felt fur slither around me as Pabu and Saria sat on my knees. They lent forward and licked my tears away.
"There you are." Bolin stated, relieved. Pabu scampered off me. I glanced behind me to see Korra, Asami, Bolin and Mako approaching me. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine." I insisted, looking away again.
"Come on, what's wrong? You can tell us." Mako persisted.
"Apparently, I've been having spiritual visions and I can't connect to him!" I buried my head into my knees. "I am the worst Avatar ever, I'm so alone…"
"No, that's nonsense! You're amazing!" Asami argued.
"Yeah and remember, Aang hadn't mastered all the elements when he was battling the Fire Nation, he was just a little kid." Mako added.
"Look, Yunoh." Korra set her hand on my shoulder as she spoke. "Avatar Aang wasn't alone, he had his friends there right beside him to help. Look, I know you weren't part of the Fire Ferrets, and the arena may be shut down, but we're your team now, Yunoh, the new Team Avatar." I turned to look at everyone.
"We've got your back, Yunoh. And we can save the City, together." Asami, Mako, Bolin and Korra all put their hands on top of one another. I stood as well, smiling.
"Yeah." I agreed. "I'm never gonna be alone, I have all of you." I put my had on top of Korra's. "Let's do it." There was then the sound of a fart, as the youngest Airbender...Fart-bended to slow his descent onto the group's joint hands.
"Yeah, lets do it!" Meelo shouted, his arms raised. "What are we doing?" Everyone chuckled. We got Meelo back to bed, and then Korra and I saddled up Naga and Nuki. We approached the group with our animal companions, eying Bolin as he gazed at Republic City with a serious look.
"Get ready, Republic City. You are about to be patrolled by Team Avatar." He declared.
"Asami, you always know how to accessorize your outfits." Mako commented as the heiress approached us and slipped an electrified glove onto her hand.
"I figure one way to fight Equalists is to use an Equalist weapon." Asami stated.
"I don't think having two Polar Bear dogs running around is a good idea." I suggested. "Does anyone have any other ideas?"
"I think I have the answer." Asami lead us over to the old garage on the island, and started up the Sato-Mobile that Tarrlok had gifted me. She pulled it around and it screeched to a stop in front of us. "You think this'll do?" I hopped into the Sato-Mobile, situating myself at the back with Korra and Bolin.
"I like the new Team Avatar's style." Mako commented. Asami switched gears and we headed to Republic City, Korra and I made a bubble around us so that we could easily drive on the sea floor. We were soon patroling Republic City, our eyes peeled for any suspicious activity.
"Unit two sixteen, cancel that ten fifty-eight at Harmony Tower. Come back to the station, over." The radio spoke.
"My dad had police scanners installed in all of his cars." Asami explained. "I guess now I know why." I reached over and set a hand on Asami's shoulder to comfort her.
"Calling all units, Level Four Alert. Jailbreak at headquarters. Officers down, electrocuted. Chi-blockers and Equalist convicts are still at large armed and dangerous. Last seen heading east. I repeat, Level Four Alert. Equalist jailbreak!" Asami put on the brakes as a truck and bikes shot past the front of the Sato-Mobile.
"Chi Blockers!" Bolin shouted.
"After them!" Mako echoed. Asami put the Sato-Mobile into hear as we hurriedly followed after them. A truck pulled out in front of us, blocking the way.
"Yunoh, Bolin, give me a ramp." Asami ordered.
"Don't worry!" I shouted. I concentrated on the truck, it's wheels more specifically. I then shoved my hands back the way that the truck came, and the wheels turned, the large, metallic vehicle reversing back into the previous street. Mako electrocuted one of the Chi-Blocker's bikes, causing it to go off course and fall, and Bolin pelted another with stones which caused it's wheel to pop off and it crashed. Another pair of bikes turned on smoke to block our vision, but I stood and bent it out of the way so that we could see. When we could, Kora stepped up and bent the water from her hip flask, turning it into icicles that burst the wheels of the last two bikes. However, the Chi-Blockers landed on the car Mako was caught in one of their ropes, and Bolin had his Bending blocked by the other. Asami reached forward and electrocuted the one who attacked Bolin, causing him to collapse in the back seat. Korra pulled Mako back, so that the Equalist trapping him would fall forward and Asami could electrocute them too. Mako moved back to the front seat, and then Asami pulled up near the truck so he could send lightning into the cab. When they fell unconscious, I quickly bent a wall up to stop the truck from causing any damage. As we were rounding up the convicts and their allies, word spread, and a couple news reporters came out to get first dibs on the story. We had our picture taken with the now-bound criminals, just as sirens penetrated the air. I turned to see Police vans stop, and Tarrlok get out of one of them, pissed, with police behind him.
"Avatar Yunoh, what do you think you are doing?" He demanded.
"Good evening, Councilman Tarrlok." I greeted with a small bow. "Team Avatar have captured the escaped criminals and their co-conspirators. I hope you'll have no trouble returning them to their cells?"
"What you did was tear up the city and impede the real authorities in their pursuit of these criminals."
"If you look around for a moment, Councilman, you'll notice that the only damage I did to the city, was there." I pointed to the large crack where I had bent the wall back down into the Earth. "It could have been worse. We have already apologised to the people whose homes and storefronts we may have caused damage to and have promised to help repair them tomorrow morning." I then paused. "Councilman, all of the police radios would have gotten the signal that these criminals had escaped, how is it that during the time Team Avatar were pursuing them, I didn't see a single RCPD officer? Let alone you, the one who is now in charge of leading your Anti-Equalist Task Force? If my team and I weren't looking out for the wellbeing of the people of Republic City, they'd have gotten away."
"This is your last warning." Tarrlok snarled at me, jabbing his finger in my face. "Stay out of my way!" With an angry flip of his coat, Tarrlok walked off. My shoulders slumped, my confidence falling like a stone. But…I did it. I can't believe I stood up to a Councilman.
TIMESKIP
That next night, we were sitting around the Sato-Mobile, taking a break. I was enjoying some Earth Kingdom Dumplings when the police radio came to life in the car. "All available units, please respond to the fifty six hundred block of Dragon Flats Borough. Equalists have taken to the streets, consider them armed and dangerous. Proceed with caution." I hopped in the front next to Asami, while I noticed Bolin be a gentleman and let Korra into the car first before following after her and Bolin jumping on after them. I noticed Asami narrow her eyes before she started the car and drove off. As we headed towards the Dragon Flats Borough, I noticed it had gotten pretty dark.
"Why is the power out?" I wondered, looking around. "This doesn't feel right…" The car came around the corner and stopped. My eyes widened at what I saw. Hundreds, if not a thousand Non-Benders were behind barricades, protesting the loss of power. RCPD vans were surrounding them, as well as Airships circling above.
"Wait a second, these people aren't armed or dangerous." Asami stated.
"Sure doesn't look that way." Korra agreed. I noticed Saikhan on top of a van.
"All Non-Benders, return to your homes immediately!" Saikhan said into a megaphone.
"Yeah, as soon as you turn our power back on!" Someone shouted.
"Disperse, or you will all be arrested!"
"You benders can't treat us this way!" A woman cried.
"Mummy, look! It's the Avatar!" Her daughter called out. My eyes widened at being noticed, and I approached the group.
"Please, help us." The mother pleaded. "You're our Avatar, too!"
"Give me a moment, please, and stay calm." I soothed, lifting my hands in a non-threatening gesture. I looked around for a moment, and spotted a tent with a familiar man standing inside. "Councilman Tarrlok." I greeted approaching him. "May I ask what's going on here?"
"Avatar Yunoh, you and your playmates have no business here." Tarrlok said sternly.
"We won't be going anywhere, Councilman, not until you tell me why these innocent people don't have power to their homes."
"This is an Equalist Rally, there's nothing innocent about it."
"They're not Equalists, they're just normal people who want their rights back." Asami stated.
"They are the enemy!" Tarrlok insisted. He turned to the Metalbending officers. "Round up all these Equalists!" I watched as the Metalbending officers used their Bending to wrap the steel barriers around the innocent people, and then tried to put them into RCPD vans by Earthbending them above the ground.
"Please, stop!" I pleaded. "It doesn't have to be this way!" However, no one was listening to me. My heart was pounding, I had to make a decision. I stepped forward, lifting my hands, I brought the earth back down, and allowed them to escape. I rushed up to them. "Are you ok?" I asked. "Please, head back home if you can, if you can't, find another family to stay with."
"Thank you, Avatar." The mother from earlier said, gripping my arm for a moment before leading her children away. I heard the woosh of water and then a grunt.
"Hey, let me go!" Asami protested. I turned to see Tarrlok yanking Asami closer with a water whip.
"You are under arrest!" Tarrlok snarled.
"What?" Mako protested. "You can't do that!"
"Actually, I can." Tarrlok argued as two members of the Task Force gripped Asami's arms. "She's a Non-Bender out past curfew and her father is a known Equalist conspirator."
"Let her go!"
"Arrest him, and his brother, and her." Metal cables wrapped around Mako, Bolin and Asami.
"Tarrlok, what are you doing?" I demanded. "Please, we can work this out amicably, there's no need to resort to violence like this."
"Unless you want to join your friends in prison, I sugest you turn around and go back to the Air Temple." Tarrlok told me.
"Yunoh, listen to him, it's not worth it." Mako called. I took a deep breath.
"We'll be allright!" Bolin called as my sister and friends were hauled into an RCPD van.
"Don't worry about us!" Korra called.
"I'll call Tenzin!" I shouted to them. "He'll know what to do!" The doors closed, cutting me off from them completely.
"So sad to see your little Team Avatar broken up." Tarrlok mocked, approaching me with contempt and his arms crossed. "You had a good run."
"Believe me, Tarrlok, this is far from over." I growled at him.
"Oh, I believe it is. Take them away!" I watched, helpless as Korra, Asami, Mako and Bolin were driven off, sirens echoing in the night. I then turned to the Non-Benders.
"Anyone who wishes for a warm meal and shelter, please, come with me to Air Temple Island." I told them. I set my hand on the head of a young child who clutched my pants. "We will be happy to welcome you with open arms." That's exactly what I did. I will tell you, Tenzin's surprised face when boats full of Non-Benders appeared on his island was a sight to behold. After I explained the situation, he was furious, and said he would deal with the situation immediately. He tasked me with looking after them, a job which I took on happily, and made sure each person was fed and warm enough. After everyone was settled, I was restless, I couldn't sit still while my friends and sister were in prison…so I decided to go out and confront Tarrlok. It was probably the worst decision I had ever made in my life, but my gut was telling me it was something I had to do. I saddled up Nuki, left Pabu and Saria, and headed into Republic City. I stopped in front of the Council Building and dismounted my Polar Bear Dog. "Just stay here for me Nuki, ok?" I asked gently. Nuki let out a soft groan as she nudged me with her head. "I'll be ok." I assured. I walked through the building before walking into Tarrlok's office. "Hello." I said. "We need to talk, Councilman."
"Are any of the other Council Members here?" Tarrlok asked.
"I believe everyone has gone home for the night." His assistant replied.
"Then you should do the same." The man's eyes shifted between the two of us.
"Are you sure, sir?"
"Leave us." Tarrlok ordered. The man bowed and then shuffled out, closing the door behind him. "You obviously have something on your mind? Spit it out."
"I just want to know if you understand what you're doing." I said. "Because from where I'm standing, all you're doing is reinforcing what Amon is saying about Benders, about us. From your platform, you're using your power to intimidate people, oppress them."
"And you don't?" Tarrlok wondered, tilting his head. I felt affronted.
"Of course not!" I protested.
"Isn't that what you came here to do? Intimidate me into releasing your friends. See, that's what I admire about you, Korra. Your willingness to go to extremes in order to get what you want. It is a quality we both share."
"I am nothing like you." I spat.
"Look, I'll make you a deal. You fall in line and do what I say and I'll release your sister and your friends."
"So… that's why you had them arrested?" I confirmed. "So I'd become a puppet for your whims?"
"I need your answer."
"My answer is no, Tarrlok." Tarrlok stood and turned his back on me.
"You will regret that decision." Tarrlok said that as if it were fact.
"I doubt I will." I said. "But you're starting to sound a lot like Amon."
"I've tried to work with you, Korra, but you've made it impossible. Suddenly, Tarrlok bent a water slice through his desk at me. I managed to roll out of the way in time, so he destroyed his bookshelf. In retaliation, I used my Airbending to pick up his fallen books and shoot them at him as projectiles, which he slapped away with water. He created a dome around himself and shot out ice shards to attack. I lit my fists up and used the flames to melt the ice before it got to me, though one sliced my cheek. I created a massive ice chunk from the waterfall behind him and threw it at the Councilmember. It hit him dead on, and caused him to go flying out of the office and out into the hall. I followed through the hole and saw him hanging off the edge. Without saying a word, I Airbent him back, cushioning his fall as he landed in the Council Hall. I then jumped off, landing softly in front of him.
"You're out of water, Tarrlok." I said, approaching Tarrlok as he scrambled. "Surrender, now." He then shot out his hands, and I froze. My heart thudded in my ears as I strained to move, but my body wasn't my own, I was a puppet…for him.
"You're in my way, Avatar." Tarrlok snarled. "You need to be removed!"
"You're…you're…" I gasped out, black dots dancing in the corners of my vision. "But how…the moons…not…not full…how can you…"
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me." It was then my eyes went dark and I fell into unconsciousness.
VISION
An unknown man's eyes bulging.
Chief Sokka grunting in pain.
Toph Beifong shooting her metal cables at the unknown man, a room full of people falling unconscious as her cables retract.
Avatar Aang reaching for the unknown man who looked back at him with a cruel smirk.
VISION END
My ears rang as I faded in and out of consciousness. "Say goodbye to Republic City, Avatar Yunoh…" I heard before I blacked out once more.