Well I wasn't planning on posting this chapter today but here we are. I hope I'm not overloading you guys with this stuff honestly. Book 1 is beginning to reach its climax and I seriously can't wait. Hope you guys all enjoy chapter 10!


Chapter 10: Turning The Tides


The morning sun filtered through the windows of the Air Temple. In the infirmary, Korra and Ichigo were lying asleep in beds. Mako was sitting next to Korra's bedside. He stared at her peaceful face and placed his hand over hers.

Asami looked sadly through the door at the exchange and walked away. Mako left the room a few minutes later. Tenzin strode into his room where his family was all sleeping on one bed. He smiled at them and sat down. Jinora was the first to wake.

"Daddy, you're home. We waited up for you. Is Korra okay?"

Tenzin nodded. "Yes. She's fine, sweetie."

Ikki stretched out her arms and Tenzin pulled her into a hug.

"I was scared." she said. "I thought she wasn't coming back."

"I'm sorry you were scared. But everything is going to be fine now. I promise."

Ichigo groaned in his sleep. He opened his eyes and looked to his right. Korra was lying there, also awake. She smiled at him.

"I, um, I never got a chance to thank you, Ichigo. So, uh, thanks."

He smirked. "You certainly have a way with words, don't you?" Then he smiled genuinely. "I'm glad you're safe."

Korra grinned then hesitated. "Ichigo… when I was in that box, I had a vision of Aang. It happened just like Tenzin said it would."

"That's great! What did he tell you?"

"Well, he warned me about Tarrlok and his bloodbending and stuff but after the vision was over, something else happened."

"What?"

"I heard a voice. It was a girl, I think. She was looking for you."

Ichigo's eyes widened. "Um… okay. Was it just a voice? Did you get a name or a face or anything?"

"No. Just a voice."

He sighed and sat back in the bed. "Well, what am I supposed to do with that?"

"I don't know, Ichigo. I mean, I guess it just shows that there is someone out there looking for you. Maybe it's meant to give you hope?"

"Maybe," he said uncertainly. "Honestly, Korra… I don't know if I want to be found."

"What? What's that supposed to mean? Don't you want your memories back?"

"Well, yeah but I'm not sure if I want my old life back. I've made connections here, you know? I don't want to lose them."

Korra smiled knowingly. "Who says you'll lose them? Just because your old friends find you doesn't mean that you'll stop being our friend. You've been here from the beginning; of course you won't lose your connections with us."

Ichigo's face remained stoic. "We'll see."

Korra sighed. "You can be so melodramatic sometimes."

Mako opened the door to the infirmary quietly and they turned their heads to look at him.

He smiled at them. "Good to see you two awake again. Pema has made breakfast for you guys. But if you're not ready then that's okay."

Ichigo shook his head. "No. We're fine. Let's go eat, Korra."

They struggled out of bed and Mako supported them. Ichigo shrugged him off. "I'm good, Mako. Just help Korra."

Together, the three of them walked into the dining room where a small feast was laid out on the table. Everyone was sitting around it. Mako took care to sit beside Korra. Asami glanced at them suspiciously. Korra ate like a lion, devouring every plate in front of her. Ichigo was more reserved, as usual.

Korra swallowed a boiled egg whole. "Mm. The food tastes amazing, Pema. I'm starting to feel like myself again."

Ichigo nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."

Pema smiled. "We're so glad you're all home safe."

She rose and started taking plates. Asami joined her. Tenzin looked sympathetically at Korra.

"Korra, I realize you've been through a lot but I need to know everything that happened."

Korra nodded. "Well for starters, Tarrlok isn't who he says he is. He's Yakone's son."

Lin realized something. "It all makes sense now. That's how Tarrlok was able to bloodbend us without a full moon."

"But how did you escape?" Tenzin asked. "And where's Tarrlok?"

"Amon captured him and took his bending," Korra answered.

"What?" Tenzin was shocked.

"Yeah, he showed up out of nowhere. He almost got me too but Ichigo saved me."

Ichigo nodded. "One more thing, I've fought Amon several times but every time we fight, he seems to get stronger. I wouldn't have lasted much longer. Amon is much more dangerous than we thought."

Tenzin stroked his beard. "This is very disturbing news. Amon is becoming emboldened. Taking out a councilman, almost capturing the Avatar, I fear that Amon is entering his endgame. And if what you say is true, Ichigo, I wonder whether we can defeat him."

In the kitchen, Pema cried out. Asami ran to her side.

"Pema! Are you all right?"

Pema sighed with pain. "The baby is just kicking really hard is all. I'm fine."

"Should I get Tenzin?"

Pema shook her head. "No reason to worry him. It's nothing."

Mako strode into the kitchen with an empty pot of tea.

"Can I get some hot water? Korra needs more tea."

"You're a firebender. Heat it yourself." Asami replied curtly.

Pema looked at the both of them and a knowing look came to her face. "I'm going to step out, in case you two need to talk."

Mako looked at his girlfriend. "Is there something we need to talk about?"

"I've noticed how you treat Korra, how you acted when she was missing. I can excuse Ichigo because they're almost like siblings, but not you. You have feelings for her, don't you?"

"What? No! She was taken by a crazy bloodbender. How'd you expect me to act?"

Asami glared at him. "I like Korra. But you've been keeping the truth from me this whole time."

"The truth? About what?" He asked incredulously.

"You're really going to make me say it?"

"Yes, because I don't know what you're talking about."

"The kiss, Mako. I know."

Mako stuttered. "I- well I-" He grunted in frustration. "Bolin told you, didn't he?"

"Don't blame your brother for what you did. Do you have feelings for Korra or not?"

He sighed. "Look, things are crazy right now. Can we deal with our relationship problems later?" He took her hand but she pulled it away.

"Well there might not be any relationship to worry about later." She stalked off.

"Asami!" Mako sighed.


Tenzin and Lin stepped out of the Temple.

"Lin, I, uh, I need to ask you a favour. It would mean the world to me, but I know it could be a uh- a potentially awkward situation. Furthermore-"

"Spit it out already!"

"Will you stay here and watch over Pema and the children while I meet with the Council? With everything that's happened lately, I want to be sure my family is in safe hands."

She smiled. "Of course I'll help, old friend."

"I didn't realize you two were out here." Pema said as she strode up to them, carrying Meelo.

"Pema," Tenzin said. "Yes, yes. Lin has agreed to help around over here and keep an eye on things while I'm gone."

Pema's face brightened. "Thank you. I really could use the extra pair of hands." She passed Meelo to Lin. "Would you mind giving him a bath? He's filthy."

Tenzin walked off smiling to himself.

"This is not what I signed on for!" Lin yelled after him.

She looked back at Meelo. He was picking his nose and he farted. "I gotta poo." He said matter-of-factly. "Really bad." He farted again.

Lin grimaced and held him on the edge of a cable, away from her face.


Ichigo was sitting on some steps outside the Air Temple. He turned around as he heard a noise behind him. Mako had just walked out of the house, hands buried in his pockets. He was muttering something and he kicked out at a loose rock. It skipped past Ichigo and into the training area.

"You good, Mako?" Ichigo asked.

Mako looked at him. "Do you know what's going on?"

"What do you mean?"

Mako walked over and sat down heavily. "With Asami. Ever since Korra got captured she's been acting different around me. And Bolin told her that I kissed Korra! I can't believe that he did that. Now Asami's super mad and she's threatening to end the relationship."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow. "I think you answered your own question right there. That's exactly what's going on with Asami. She probably thinks you have feelings for Korra and she's mad about that. It's understandable."

Mako scowled. "I- ugh. Yeah."

"Do you have feelings for Korra?" Ichigo pressed.

"Do I-? I… I don't know. Yeah. Yeah, I think I do. I like both of them."

"Then that's your problem, dumbass. If all you do is switch between the two then either one will be mad at you until they're both mad and your friendships are ruined. You have to pick one and stick with her. It's stupid to do otherwise."

Mako looked over at him. "What about you then? I saw you talking with Asami yesterday. You sure that you're not playing a role here?"

"If I am then I'm not aware of it. Mako, you're the one you need to look at here; not anyone else."

Mako sighed. "Okay." He got up and walked back into the house. Ichigo stayed seated there on the steps.

Do I have a role to play? I've never really thought about it like that. I've never thought about Korra or Asami in that way before. I've been too focused on regaining my memories. Maybe it's time to settle down. Maybe, when all this Amon stuff is over, I'll find someone. I don't know who though. We'll have to see.


The councilwoman from the Fire Nation hurried around her house. Her husband was sitting in a chair, reading the newspaper.

"Have you seen my keys? I can't find them anywhere." She asked him.

"No, dear."

She jiggled her purse and heard ringing. "Oh, found them."

"Good, dear."

Someone knocked on the door. "The door, dear."

She opened it. Two men were outside dressed in pest-control clothes.

"We're here to fix a spider-rat problem." One said.

"But I didn't call an exterminator." The councilwoman replied.

The man grinned and electrocuted her. Her husband heard the noise.

"Dear?"


Tenzin landed Oogie on the roof of City Hall where several cleaners were scrubbing a dome.

He walked past them but heard electricity buzzing. An electric disc flew past him and he barely dodged it. The cleaners, who were really Equalists, charged him. Tenzin proceeded to avoid their attacks and sent them flying into walls, knocking them out.

Tarrlok's secretary ran up to him. "Oh, I'm so relieved to see you!"

Tenzin looked at her. "The other council members- are they all right?"

"I'm afraid not. I just received a call from Chief Saikhan. They've all been captured!"

Tenzin cursed quietly. "This can't be happening."

The secretary stood up straighter. "The leadership of Republic City is in your hands now, Councilman Tenzin."

Suddenly, several explosions rocked the city. Tenzin ran to the edge of the roof and gasped. Several Equalist airships were dropping bombs on Republic City. He narrowed his eyes.


On Air Temple Island, Lin and the Airbender children stared at the commotion in the city. Lin grimaced.

"All right, kids. Time to go inside." They nodded and dashed into the house. Ichigo, Korra and the others ran out.

"We heard explosions. What's going on?" Korra asked.

"Republic City is under attack."

Ichigo clenched his fist.


From the cockpit of an airship, Hiroshi Sato looked out over Republic City. He held a locket with a picture of his family in his hand. He sighed and placed the locket in his jacket. Then he walked up to where Amon stood.

"I've dreamed of this day for so long." He said.

"Yes." Came the reply. "The time has come for the Equalists to claim Republic City as their own."


The boat docked at the wharf on the mainland and Team Avatar stepped out. Asami looked around.

"Where did you say you parked the car?"

"It's right around here somewhere." Korra replied. "There it is."

They ran in the direction she pointed. Asami's hot-rod was smashed into a lamppost with several parking tickets on the hood.

"Wow. Nice parking job." Asami said sarcastically.

Ichigo chuckled. "Same Korra as always."

Korra defended herself. "Hey, you guys got arrested and left me with the car. I made it very clear I don't know how to drive."

Bolin surveyed her handiwork. "All in all, you did a great job. But how are we going to pay for all these parking tickets?"

Mako rolled his eyes and burned all the tickets. Bolin gasped in shock.

"Relax. The city's under attack. The police have more important things to worry about." Mako declared.

Korra and Bolin got into the back of the car and Asami pulled out her stolen Equalist glove from the trunk. She went to the driver's seat and Mako moved to sit beside her.

"Why don't you sit in the back? With Korra."

"I think I will." He replied with annoyance.

Korra looked at the two of them in confusion. Ichigo sat beside Asami in the passenger seat and she revved the engine.

"Everything all right?" Korra asked Mako.

"Yeah. Everything's terrific."

Asami took off.


At the Police Station, Saikhan was having trouble keeping up with all the attacks. Equalists had just bombed the harbour and they had sabotaged all the River Rescue units so they couldn't help the sinking boats.

Tenzin dashed into the room. "Chief Saikhan."

Saikhan sighed with relief. "Tenzin! Boy, am I glad to see you. I was worried you'd been captured as well.

"I'm the only council member left. What's the status?"

"Amon has launched simultaneous attacks across the boroughs. The police are trying to regain control but we're spread too thin."

Tenzin considered this. "I need to send a wire."

"To whom?"

"The General of the United Forces."

The wire had just been sent when the lights went out. Saikhan pulled out a flashlight and gave one to Tenzin. Suddenly, gas started coming in through the vents. Saikhan quickly closed the vents with metalbending. More gas came from under the door.

"We need to evacuate immediately. Everyone stay close to me." Tenzin ordered.

They moved through the station, protected by a bubble of air. Tenzin led them out the front door and extinguished the bubble. Hiroshi's mecha-tanks surrounded them.

Tenzin cursed. "Not these mecha-tanks again!"

The tanks stretched out their arms. There was a large magnetic plate on the end of their rights arms. Through these, they drew all the police to them and trapped them to the plates due to their metal uniforms. Tenzin tried to save Saikhan but it was too late.

Now he was all alone. The tanks shot cables at him but he deflected them with air. He lasted a few seconds longer then he was slammed into a column and thrown to the ground.

Tenzin struggled to remain awake. He saw Saikhan being driven away in a truck. Multiple police airships were falling from the sky and chi-blockers moved into the station, taking out anyone they found.

Tenzin forced himself to his knees. Then he fell into unconsciousness. The tanks moved in. Then out of nowhere, Asami whirled the car around a corner and into the square.

Bolin made a ramp and everyone leapt out of the car as it flew off the ramp and smashed into a tank and knocked another one off its feet. The five remaining tanks converged on Team Avatar.

Mako was hit by an electric cable but he was able to redirect the lightning into the tank itself. Korra charged at a tank with two strings of water. She jumped over its attack and sent the water into the engine. The tank began smoking and Bolin tripped it with earth.

Tenzin was being loaded into another truck by several chi-blockers. Asami attacked them and took two of them down. Three more attacked and she blocked and evaded their blows, electrocuting them as she went.

Ichigo crashed into his target, smashing through all its attacks. The winds stirred around him and his reiatsu felt more potent than ever. He had an idea. Ichigo swung his arm like a baseball bat and a small crescent shaped attack of blue energy left his arm. It cleaved right through the tank and decimated the building behind it.

Holy shit, that was cool, he thought with a grin.

Tenzin regained consciousness and rolled underneath a tank, blowing it up into the air and slamming it into a roof. The clash here was over. They had defeated all the mecha-tanks.

Hiroshi looked through a telescope from his airship at the battle. "Tenzin has escaped yet again. I can't stand to see Asami fighting alongside those benders."

"We will capture them before long." Amon replied. "And you will have your daughter back."

Korra ran up to Tenzin. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine. Thank you, kids. Another moment and I would have been on my way to Amon."

Ichigo looked around and cursed. "Uh, guys, look."

He pointed to the Island. An airship was hovering over it.

"Oh, no." Tenzin said.


The Lieutenant looked down over Air Temple Island.

Finally, he thought, we can rid the world of airbending and soon, all forms of bending.

Beneath them, a group of White Lotus members had gathered to defend the Temple and the Airbending family within it. The airship sent a cable that plunged into the crowd. The Lieutenant and several chi-blockers all slid down it into battle.

Lin stood guard over the house. She looked to the Airbender family.

"Everyone, get inside and remain calm."

Suddenly Pema screamed. "Pull it together, Pema. Didn't I just say stay calm?'

"Mommy, what's wrong?" Ikki asked.

"The baby's coming!"

Several women instantly ran to her side to help her into the house. Lin cursed and Meelo started scolding the baby.

The White Lotus security did their best but it was no use. Soon the Island was overrun with Equalists. The Lieutenant led several chi-blockers to the house. Lin stood alone, barring their way.

She charged, instantly knocking out two enemies. The rest spread out, trying to flank her. They moved in and she defended herself on all sides.

Pema groaned. "The children?"

One of the ladies reassured her. "They're in the other room. Don't worry, they're perfectly safe."

Lin fired two cables at the Lieutenant. He caught them on his sticks and electrocuted her through them. Then he ran forward to finish it. Suddenly Jinora appeared on her glider.

"Stay away from my dad's ex-girlfriend!"

She fired a blast of air, knocking him onto a roof.

"Jinora, you shouldn't be out here!" Lin yelled.

Ikki came charging in next, riding on an air ball. She proceeded to ride through the Equalists knocking them down like bowling pins.

"Get off our island!"

"Girls, you need to go back inside this instant!" Lin ordered. Jinora and Ikki paid her no heed.

Meelo was the last to come but he sure made an impression.

"Taste my fury!" With that he landed on a chi-blocker's face and farted- powerfully.

"Meelo, be careful!"

He ignored her and blasted air and farted at all the Equalists. They all charged him but Meelo was like a one-man army. He defeated every single one of them. Snot dribbled down his nose in slow motion as he ploughed through them.

"Never mind." Said an amazed Lin.

Soon, all the Equalists were in chains. Lin ordered the White Lotus to lock them away in the Temple basement. Oogie grunted as he flew into the Island, carrying Tenzin and Team Avatar.

The children ran and embraced him.

"Oh, thank goodness you're all right." He said in relief.

"We caught the bad guys." Meelo declared.

"You let them fight?! Do you realize what could have happened?" Tenzin accused angrily.

Lin smiled. "I would have been toast if it weren't for your kids. You should be proud, Tenzin. You taught them well."

He looked at his children's happy faces and smiled. Lin gestured to the house. "Go on. Be with your wife."

Tenzin dashed through the hallways. He heard a baby's cry.

"Pema!" He ran into her room and stared in wonder at his new child. Tenzin smiled whole-heartedly as he walked to her bedside.

"This is our new son." She passed the baby to him. He was chubby as was to be expected and he had a shock of brown hair. Tenzin tickled his chin. The baby cooed and smiled at his father.

"Hello."

The three airbender kids appeared at the door. Tenzin beckoned to them. "Come and meet your new brother."

They ran to him and Ikki introduced them.

"Welcome. I'm Ikki, this is Jinora and this is Meelo. We have a super great family and we're so happy that you're a part of it."

"What are you going to name him?" Jinora asked. "Can I pick?"

"We already chose a name." Pema said.

Tenzin looked at his new son. "Rohan."

Korra, Ichigo, Mako and Lin walked into the room. Ichigo smiled at the happy family and he surreptitiously wiped away a tear as he thought about his own family back in Karakura Town. If only I could see them again. Karin and Yuzu.

Korra walked reluctantly up to them. "I'm so sorry to interrupt but more airships are coming."

"Everything's not going to be all right, is it, Daddy?" Ikki asked. Tenzin looked at his family with sadness. Rohan reached out his arms but got no reply. Ichigo stepped forward and ruffled the children's hair.

"Don't worry. Your family protected me. Now I'm going to protect you. I realize now that life is something so precious and that we must cherish it. Seeing this new-born baby brings- brings joy to my heart." Ichigo tried to laugh but he was choking up as he said it. "I know I sound pretty cheesy right now, but it's true. So I will protect you. All of you. Even if it costs me my life." He said determinedly.

Everyone looked at him in awe. Korra put her hand on his shoulder.

"Let's finish it like we started. Together."

He nodded. "Yeah. Let's go, Team Avatar."

Everyone ran out to where Asami and Bolin were watching the skies fearfully. Two more airships were arriving.

"What do you want to do, Tenzin?" Korra asked.

He sighed. "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."

"That's not going to happen, Tenzin. I swear it." Ichigo said.

Lin nodded. "If you're leaving then I'm going with you."

Tenzin tried to argue. "But-"

"No arguments. You and your family are the last of the Airbenders. There's no way in the world I'm letting Amon take your bending away."

"Thank you, Lin." Tenzin turned to the others. "Korra, I want you to leave this island and hide for the time being."

"I'm not giving up!" She retorted.

"I'm not asking you to. I sent word to the United Forces. They will be here soon. And once my family is safe, I will return. With the reinforcements, we can turn the tide in this war."

Korra looked down. "What you're saying is, we need to be patient."

Tenzin smiled at her. "You're learning well."

Soon enough, there were three sky bison ready to fly. Tenzin's family and Lin were in one. The other two were loaded with supplies and Air Acolytes.

Korra embraced Tenzin. "Stay safe, Korra." He said.

"You too." Came the reply.

"Tenzin," Lin said, "If we're leaving, we'd better do it now."

He nodded and turned to Ichigo. "I'm trusting you to protect Korra, Ichigo. Never leave her side. I know I told you to be cautious. But now I instruct you to leave caution to the wind."

Ichigo clasped arms with Tenzin and smiled. "You got it, Baldy."

Tenzin smiled back ruefully and jumped onto his bison.

"Oogie, yip-yip."

The three bison flew off into the sky and the airships moved to follow them. Another airship hovered right over the island and sent a cable into the house courtyard. Chi-blockers came swinging down it.

Four White Lotus members stood protectively in front of Team Avatar.

"Go!" One of them ordered. "We'll hold them off."

Korra nodded and jumped on Naga.

"Everyone, climb on."

Mako mounted behind her and Bolin behind him. Asami and Ichigo managed to squeeze onto the back. "Let's go, girl." Korra said.

She kicked her heels and Naga peeled away down a path to the water. About halfway down, Bolin pointed to the mountain beside them.

"Moustache guy!"

The Lieutenant was sliding down the mountainside towards them. He flipped off of a rock into the air. Naga leaped up and slapped him hard with a paw. He went flying.

They reached the water and Naga dove in. Korra created a bubble of air around them and Naga headed for the shore, where in the distance, a city was on fire.


The airships were approaching quickly.

"They're gaining on us!" Lin cried.

"Faster, Oogie!"

The closest airship fired a cable with a net attached. Lin shot her own and shredded the net. Then she wrapped her cable around the other one. She stood up and looked sadly back at the Airbender family.

She resigned herself. "Whatever happens to me, don't turn back."

Tenzin realized what she was about to do. "Lin, what are you doing!?"

She jumped off the bison. "LIN!"

Lin rappelled up to the airship and landed with a roll. She concentrated and pulled the metal of the ship itself apart, causing it to smoke and fall to the water.

Quickly she launched herself onto the other airship and proceeded to do the same thing. Then two chi-blockers came behind her and electrocuted her in the back. She cried out and fell, defeated.

The airship turned away from the bison and went back to the city.

Meelo sniffled. "That lady is my hero."

Tenzin looked sadly back at his old friend's limp form. "Yes, she is."


In a sewer tunnel, Korra looked out at the empty Air Temple Island with remorse. Mako put his hand on her shoulder.

"Korra, we should get moving."

He led her into the tunnel. Asami saw their connection and scowled. Bolin of course was oblivious. Ichigo sighed silently and brought up the back of the group. This relationship drama really is getting cancerous. I hope it's resolved soon. I'm going to give my all to beat the Equalists. I promised to protect them. I must keep that promise. Whatever the cost.


Back at Air Temple Island, rain poured from the night sky. A cuffed Lin was thrust to her knees in front of Amon.

"Tell me where the Avatar is, and I'll let you keep your bending." He told her.

She glowered at him. "I won't tell you anything, you monster."

"Very well."

Amon strode forward and Lin closed her eyes, accepting her fate. He placed his thumb on her forehead and she slumped forward onto her face.


That morning, a fleet of ships was moving towards Republic City. On the main ship, a handsome young man, dressed in a red military uniform, stood facing the ocean, hands clasped behind his back.

A messenger approached him from behind. "General, I just received a wire from the Avatar. She says Amon and his forces have gained control of the city. How do you want to respond?"

The man thought for a moment then replied in an oddly familiar voice. "Tell her we will be arriving in three days' time and that I look forward to winning back Republic City together."

The messenger saluted. "As you wish, General Iroh."


End of chapter 10. Dang we've come a long way. It feels like just the other day there were only like 4 chapters posted of this story. It's been a lot of fun and I can't wait to keep going. I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter, I'll see you all soon!