Hi, everyone! Sorry I didn't post last month but I tried to get this chapter done as soon as possible for this month. I hope you all enjoy it!


Chapter 3: The Earth Queen


It had been one week since Rukia Kuchiki had seen another human being. After giving herself in to Captain Kensei Muguruma in the World of the Living, she'd been kept in solitary confinement. Food and water was passed through a slot under the door but she never saw the person pushing it through, nor did they speak to her.

She was starved of news of the outside world. The only hope she had was that somehow Uryu had gotten through to Ichigo with her message but she had no way of knowing. It was funny how even after everything that had happened since the day she met Ichigo, she still found herself in a Soul Society prison on account of him.

But this time he wasn't coming to save her. This time he was in a totally different world and he was a very different person with the entire force of the Soul Society bent on arresting him. Ichigo was strong and she trusted him with everything she had, but even he had his limits. If Uryu's warning got through to him, it would only buy him one thing: time. But who knew whether he'd be able to use it properly.

Rukia brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and looked up at the little slit in the wall that stood for a window. It was right up at the top and touched the ceiling, providing a tiny bit of light during the day and far too small to escape through. She had no idea how her brother and Renji were getting on or whether they too had been imprisoned.

With the Soul Society in such disarray, she wondered whether things would ever be the same. Perhaps this event, Ichigo and the Avatar destroying the Seireitei in their battle would have even larger ramifications. Even locked away in her cell, it felt like the very foundations of the Soul Society were crumbling.

"I haven't given up," she croaked, her voice sounding dry and brittle. She shut her eyes. I still believe. I believe in him. And as long as he's safe… then I'm okay. He doesn't have to save me. I just hope he'll let someone save him.


Ichigo stepped outside into the brisk morning breeze. The airship soared through the clouds as they made their way towards Ba Sing Se. He had stayed up late the night before and subsequently slept in. Asami was already up and about hours ago. He gripped the railing in front of his cabin door and allowed a small smile to appear on his face as he stared out at the gorgeous blue sky.

"Light on your feet, Uncle Bumi!" Jinora's voice caught his attention. "Remember, you want to be quick and evasive."

"Don't worry about me, little lady. I've been in a scrap or two, you know."

The two of them were on the main deck below where Ichigo was standing. Asami, Naga and Pabu were standing behind Jinora while their new recruit Kai, squared up to spar Bumi. Ichigo headed down the steps and Asami smiled as she saw him coming.

"Good morning, honey," she said.

"Morning, Prissy," he kissed her on the cheek.

"You sleep well, lazy bum?"

"Hah, yeah."

He turned to focus on the spar as Bumi raised his fists with a confident grin.

"Oh, you're just a youngster so I'm gonna go easy on ya. Wouldn't wanna hurt a kid- woah!"

Kai swept Bumi's feet out from under him and sent him crashing to the wooden floor. Jinora came over.

"Uncle Bumi, you've got to work on your stance changes." She and Kai helped Bumi back to his feet. "Kai, that was just… really good."

He rubbed the back of his head. "Thanks, Jinora. You're a great teacher."

Bumi stopped and felt around his pockets in confusion. "Hmm. Did I drop my wallet?" Kai chuckled and tossed it up in the air. "Gimme that, you little thief!"

Kai dodged away from him then pointed at Ichigo. "Hey strawberry guy, I'm gonna spar you next."

Ichigo scowled and punched his fist into his hand. "Just for that I might have to accept, you brat."

Above them, Korra and Tenzin were looking out over the main deck as the great outer wall of Ba Sing Se came into view.

"It's so exciting to be on a diplomatic mission to Ba Sing Se," Korra said. "What's the Earth Queen like?"

"I've never met her but I've heard she can be quite… demanding."

Ichigo and Asami jogged up the stairs to where they were.

"So that's the city?" Ichigo said, pointing to the wall.

Tenzin shook his head. "Oh no, we haven't reached the city yet. Beyond that wall is the agricultural lands. Then we'll reach the Lower Ring, then the Middle Ring and then finally the Upper Ring where the Queen lives."

Ichigo crossed his arms. "Jeez, how big is this place? You ever been here, Asami?"

She nodded. "When I was a little girl, I went with my father. I haven't been since."

Bolin suddenly ran up beside them. "This is it, Mako, we made it! This is where Dad grew up! Look! Look!"

"Okay, okay, calm down. I'm looking," Mako humoured him.

"I wonder how many airbenders are down there," remarked Korra.

Ichigo gripped the railing on front of him in anticipation as they flew over the agriculture and farm lands. Another wall loomed ahead of them. Bolin was grinning from ear to ear and the others all had excited, eager looks on their faces. The wall passed by below them and they were greeted with the slums and stench of the Lower Ring.

The poverty was rampant. Old men and young children slept on the streets alike and fires burned in the town squares where people gathered. The homes and buildings were all in disrepair and everyone looked miserable. It looked like it went on for miles and miles on end.

"Ugh, the Lower Ring looks terrible," Korra said.

Bolin plugged his nose in disgust. "Yeah, I can smell it from here. No wonder Dad left."

Ichigo stepped back from the railing. "Great introduction," he said sarcastically.

"It gets better," laughed Asami.

"Sure hope so, jeez."

They reached another wall and Bolin spread his hands. "Hellooo, Middle Ring!" he called.

This ring was far nicer and Ichigo returned to his spot at the railing and looked at it with a smile. The city was truly massive. The Lower Ring behind them stretched out seemingly endlessly and this Middle Ring was no less impressive. They soon reached the Upper Ring and the gleaming golden roof of the palace.

Ichigo glanced at Asami. "It got better."

"Wow," said Kai. "This is more like it."

Their airship touched down in between two other military airships in a ginormous courtyard outside the palace. Ichigo stayed still for a minute in thought until Asami nudged him.

"Come on, let's get our stuff from the bedroom."

He nodded. "Right. Yeah."

"What are you thinking about?"

"This place, this city… it reminds me of the Soul Society. It's so huge and the wealth here is obvious but there's such a giant wealth gap between the outer rings and the inner rings. The rural areas of the Soul Society and the slums are just like it. And the Seireitei… it's exactly like this Upper Ring."

Korra elbowed him playfully as she overheard him. "Let's make sure we don't destroy this city too, eh."

He rolled his eyes. "Very funny."

Team Avatar, after gathering their supplies, disembarked from the airship. Waiting for them was an older, timid-looking man dressed in green and yellow robes and with a forest green cap on his greying head. He gave them a winning smile in greeting.

"Avatar Korra, Master Tenzin, it is a pleasure to welcome you and your party to the Upper Ring of Ba Sine Se. I am Grand Secretariat Gun."

Korra bowed. "Thank you."

Bolin strode up with Naga, Oogie and Pabu behind him and took a deep, solemn breath. "Ah," he said, "it's got that Upper Ring smell."

Gun's expression soured when he saw the animals. "Oh no, th- the Queen hates animals. We've got to get them out of sight."

"Good luck with that," Ichigo remarked.

"I can just stash Pabu in my shirt. These other two will be a little tougher," Bolin agreed.

"Come with me and hurry," Gun said. "I'll take you to your quarters."

He led them away from the airships and the palace on beautiful cobblestone streets that made their home beside lush topiaries, rich and affluent houses and structures and over little creeks and rivers dotted with Lilli pads and flowers. Along the way, he explained the various behaviours expected of them.

"Now, when you meet the Queen, you must make sure you bow low enough; that's very important. And don't look her in the eye. She can't stand that. If any food is served, don't eat before she eats. Oh, actually, I have to taste her food first before she eats then you can eat. Better yet, just don't eat."

"Seems like an awful lot of rules," said Korra in annoyance.

"Oh, you have no idea and I'm the one who gets in trouble when people don't follow them so please, please for my sake just try not to upset her Majesty."

Meanwhile Kai was hanging near the back of the group when he glimpsed a portly and finely dressed lady come walking past. At first he didn't give her a second look but then he heard the jangling of coins in her back pocket and his attention was seized. His eyes followed the thick golden rings on her fingers and the solid gold chain round her neck. Silently, he stole away from the group.

"Here we are," Gun said.

The house was massive with broad, oak doors and golden, tiled roofs. The walls were made of beige stone and there was an expansive garden and open, grassy space surrounding the house itself. Ichigo whistled.

"Ooh, very swanky," said Bolin.

The inside was as lush as the outside with a towering ceiling and plenty of open space on the ground floor. Gun stood smiling at the front door as the group began to explore.

"Now go in and make yourselves comfortable and keep those animals out of sight!" he instructed. "Avatar Korra, if you would follow me. We don't want to keep her Majesty waiting."

Ichigo glanced at her, wondering whether he should come along. Korra noticed and cleared her throat, causing Gun to turn around.

"Would the Queen mind if I bring a friend?" she indicated Ichigo. "He's a war hero of the Southern Water Tribe and an icon in Republic City."

Gun studied him with slight distaste. "Her Grace may not take kindly to an unannounced guest. Particularly one with such a vibrant… choice of hair colour. Is that the new wave in Republic City so to speak?"

"It's natural," Ichigo said with annoyance.

Gun hesitated for a few more seconds then relented. "Very well. I will announce you as the Avatar's personal attendee. You will stand off to the side with me while the two of them speak. You will not say anything, you will not do anything, understood… Mr…?"

"Ichigo. Kurosaki Ichigo."

"Mr. Ichigo."

"Ichigo is fine. No Mr."

"As you wish."

He fell into stride with Korra as they followed Gun back to the palace. She pointed at the bottom of Gun's robe which was trailing in the dirt on the ground and tracking it everywhere. Ichigo snorted and the two of them laughed quietly.

"We'd better behave ourselves when we meet the Queen," Ichigo whispered.

Korra stroked her chin mockingly. "Hmm, yes, we must be rather polite to the old bag."

He stifled a loud laugh. "A bag? What? Korra, she's a Queen. You can't say that."

"I can say whatever I want. I'm the Avatar."

"Oh, there it is. Your favourite catchphrase. Can't wait till the Queen throws you out of the city as well."

"We can just destroy the palace," she joked.

"Wow. You can't let that joke go, huh?"

"I think it's better to joke about those times. It stops us from getting too sad or upset about them."

He shook his head. "I can't joke about it. So many people died and that's on us, Korra. We did that. I'm surprised you haven't felt more guilt like I have."

"I do feel guilt, Ichigo. Enormous guilt. That's why I've been working so hard. It takes my mind off of it."

"But what about when you're sleeping? Don't you imagine that place? Don't you see their faces? All the people who died because of us."

Her voice softened. "Every night. I didn't know them like you did. But I see them. I make jokes because I don't know what else to do. I can't imagine doing what you did for the past two weeks, meditating and thinking about what happened. You're really brave for confronting your guilt like that."

"I wouldn't call it bravery. It's regret, pure and simple. Painful, horrible regret."

Korra took his hand and squeezed it tightly. "We have to move on. There's no way back and nothing we can do about it. But we have a mission here. I don't know if I'll ever live the guilt down, I probably never will. But I can do enough good here in response."

He nodded. "Yeah. I don't know if that makes it easier or harder, knowing that I'll never be there again. I'll never have to see the damage I caused and graves I filled."

She attempted a smile. "I think it makes it easier."

"I hope you realize I can hear every word you're saying," Gun's voice jolted them back. "You two are some of the worst whisperers I've ever met. Anyways, we're here."

He led them into the grand palace and quickly up a flight of steps onto a huge balcony on the west side of the palace that overlooked the west courtyard which was filled with giant pavilions and topiaries and multitudes of workers scurrying about while the Queen herself watched over their every move.

"Your Majesty," Gun said, "may I present Avatar Korra and her personal attendee, Kurosaki Ichigo."

The Queen ignored him. "You're ruining the koi pond!" she yelled gruffly at some poor worker down below. "It's completely overshadowed by the topiaries. Guards, take that buffoon away and get me someone who knows what they're doing! You, rip everything out and start over! I am surrounded by idiots." Eventually she turned and looked at Korra. "So, I finally get a visit from the Avatar. Let me guess, you want something."

Ichigo crossed his arms. Straight to the point, he thought. Handle this right, Korra.

"Well," Korra said. "actually, your Majesty, I was hoping you could-"

"I hardly think you're in a position to ask me for favours after what the last Avatar did to the Earth Kingdom," the Queen interrupted. "He and Fire Lord Zuko took advantage of my father's weakness and stole our lands to make their own little empire. The United Republic is Earth Kingdom territory."

"Well, I uh… I'm not sure what I can do about that-"

"Not that you care but what's left of my kingdom is falling to ruin. Roving bands of barbarians are raiding villages in the countryside and now some of my subjects are refusing to pay their taxes!"

"I'm very sorry for your troubles, but actually-"

"That topiary is supposed to be an eel swan, not a turtle duck!" The Queen began shouting again at the workers.

Korra looked back at Ichigo. Are you serious, she mouthed to him. He spread his arms. A bitch is a bitch, he mouthed back. Rude! Korra mouthed. But true.

"No! To your left! Your other left!" The Queen grumbled and turned back to Korra. "Do you have these problems with your servants?"

"I don't really have servants."

"What are you talking about? Your personal attendee is right there," she pointed at Ichigo.

"Oh, he's not my servant, your Majesty. He's a good friend."

"Oh, so he's that kind of servant. Surely someone of your status would have higher standards than him and that gaudy orange hair."

"Hey!" Ichigo protested. "I'm right here and I'm no servant."

The Queen didn't bat an eye. "You let him speak like that? He should be punished."

Ichigo took a step forward. "This motherfu-"

"Enough," Korra held out her hand in front of him. "Your Majesty, the reason for our visit is that we're trying to gather all of the new airbenders who are popping up in the Earth Kingdom and we'd like your help finding the ones in Ba Sing Se."

"Airbenders in Ba Sing Se. Where did you hear that?"

"Before we left Republic City we got some reports."

"Hmm. Well, before I even consider helping you, I'll need you to do something for me."

"Oh… of course. What is it?"

"I have a vault full of tax money sitting in a town south of here. Barbarians have stolen my past two shipments. Go, collect my money and bring it back here."

Korra bowed. "Yes, your Majesty."

The Queen shunned them with her hand and Gun hurriedly pulled them away from the balcony and back inside the palace. Korra and Ichigo both shoved him off and walked purposefully side by side.

"I hate her," Ichigo said.

"Yup. Me too."

"And Gun, I hate you too for introducing me as a servant. Do better."

Gun adjusted his loose hat. "I'm doing my best, sir."

"You know, if you hadn't stopped me, I might've-" Ichigo stopped walking.

"What is it?" asked Korra.

"This reiatsu… it can't be."

"Kurosaki?"

Ichigo turned and his mouth fell open in shock. "I-Ishida?"

The Quincy stood on a level up the staircase behind them and was dressed in lush Earth Kingdom robes. In a way that looked like he didn't do it often, he smiled and came down the stairs toward them slowly.

Ichigo was hit with a rush of emotions. "H-how the hell? What? I don't understand."

"It's good to see you too," Uryu said. "I'm glad I found you."

Korra just stood there in confusion. "Ichigo, who is this?"

"This is Ishida Uryu. He's a… friend from back home. Back in my world."

"What? Then how is he here?"

"I came the same way you did: Urahara Kisuke's portal," Uryu explained. "Mind introducing me to your friend, Kurosaki?"

Ichigo's head was spinning. "Y-yeah. This is Korra. She's the Avatar."

Uryu froze. "So this is her. This is what all the fuss is about." He stared into her eyes intently and Korra looked away.

"What are you even doing here, Ishida?"

Uryu adjusted his glasses. "I would recommend that I answer your questions outside the palace. I was going out anyway."

"R-right. Let's go back to the house. I'll introduce you to everyone."

The three of them left the palace in awkward silence. Ichigo's mind was running at a million miles an hour, trying to process everything. Why was Uryu here? Why was he in the palace? How long had he been here? He was so eager to ask these questions that he could hardly contain himself.

Uryu was very cautious. He knew the Dai Li could be anywhere, keeping tabs on them, listening in on their conversations. He too was eager to speak to Ichigo about why he was here but he was content to wait. Soi Fon could be around the corner but now that he'd found Ichigo, the first part of his mission had already been completed.

Korra walked a little slower than the other two and her eyes bored into the back of Uryu's head. She had no idea what was going on but she knew she didn't trust this guy. Ichigo was confused but she could tell he was wary of him all the same. Perhaps they had a past of some sort. I'm gonna keep my eyes on you, buddy, she thought to herself.

They reached the house and headed inside where everyone was sitting round the main dining table on the ground floor. Uryu eyed everyone curiously as Korra shut the main doors behind them. Asami smiled and greeted Ichigo happily while the others watched him and Korra expectantly.

"This is Ishida Uryu," Ichigo said, "he's an ally of mine from my world."

The others looked at him in shock and Uryu gave them all a respectful nod.

"How is this possible?" Tenzin asked.

"I thought the gates had been severed between the two worlds," Asami added.

"Evidently not," said Korra who sat down heavily.

Uryu cleared his throat. "I came here with a mission and a message."

"Who sent you?" asked Ichigo.

"Rukia did."

Ichigo swallowed and looked down. "What's the message?"

"The Soul Society has not forgotten or forgiven what happened. Rukia came to meet us in the World of the Living but they sent two captains and a few lieutenants after her. Before she was arrested, she explained everything. The Soul Society is angry. They're sending Soi Fon and several others on a stealth operation to capture you and the Avatar or to kill you. Rukia sent me on ahead to warn you."

Ichigo collapsed against a wall and put his head in his hands as he sank to the floor. "I knew this would happen. I knew it. They were never going to leave us alone."

"But the gates," Asami said. "The gates are closed. Aren't they?"

Uryu shook his head. "Evidently they're not as closed as you all believed. Soi Fon may even be in this world as we speak."

"Harmonic Convergence," Tenzin said. "It brought the two worlds together for the first time in ten thousand years. Perhaps when Ichigo and Korra went back and forth from that world, it created a link. A new gate."

"And Rukia?" Ichigo asked in anger. "Where is she now?"

"I do not know."

"They won't kill her."

"You don't what they'll do, Kurosaki. After what you did, anything is possible."

"That wasn't Ichigo's fault," Asami objected angrily.

"Do you think that will save him?" Uryu's tone was ice cold. "Your personal sentiments mean nothing to them. Kurosaki and the Avatar killed thousands in their battle. There will be bloodshed in response. There will be vengeance."

"Gee, way to lighten the mood," Bolin said with his arms crossed.

"Oh, is that what you would do right now? Lighten the mood? We are being hunted by highly trained and powerful killers with decades of battle experience. This is no laughing matter."

"So what are we supposed to do?" Mako asked. "And how do we know you're even telling the truth?"

"He's telling the truth," Ichigo said. He got to his feet. "I need some air."

"Ichigo," Asami said.

"Leave him," Korra interrupted. "It's a lot to take in." She bit her lip as she stared aimlessly at the table beside her. This is really bad news for us. I've been able to ignore my guilt but Ichigo was looking like he was finally getting through his. We all thought we'd have nothing to do with his world ever again. But this changes things. We can't just leave our guilt behind after all.

Korra's eyes met Asami's and she could see the other girl was thinking the same thing. They glanced angrily at Uryu. It wasn't right to blame the messenger for the message but he was an easy target. Uryu adjusted his glasses and met their glares before turning on his heel and exiting the room.

Bolin crossed his arms. "I was just trying to be positive," he muttered.

"Ignore him," Mako replied. "Every once in a while you meet an asshole in the world. Not a big deal."

Jinora, who had been quiet this whole time, spoke up. "Hey, has anyone seen Kai?"

Tenzin frowned and got up. "Kai?"

"Kai!" Bolin called. "Little bro?"

"He's not over here," Bumi said, opening a door.

"I don't think I've seen him since we landed," Asami admitted.

"I knew that kid was no good," grumbled Mako. "He was just waiting for an opportunity to run away again."

"We have to find him," Jinora insisted.

"What's the point? He obviously doesn't care about us."

"But he's my new little brother," said Bolin. "He's probably lost and scared."

"He is just a little boy," Tenzin said, "and he's our responsibility. Besides, he's the only airbender we've recruited so far. We can't lose him."

"Fine," sighed Mako, "Bolin and I will find him."


Hanataro stirred from his sleep and his eyes flittered open. As he became more aware of his surroundings, he found that he had gotten used to the constant tossing and movement of the heavy waves beneath him. He glanced up at the others in his party, Soi Fon, Omaeda, Izuru and Iba.

There was little light in the bowel of the supply ship they found themselves in and it stank of fish and other things he didn't want to think about. Omaeda was snoring loudly while Izuru and Iba were leaning quietly against the back wall.

Soi Fon was sharpening her sword carefully. The little light shining in the room reflected off the blade and revealed her stone cold face. She held it aloft and blew on it before sheathing it away. Her eyes met Hanataro's and he looked down, intimidated by her glare.

"Um Captain Soi Fon," he ventured quietly, "why do you hate Ichigo so much? Is it just because he hurt so many people?"

"He didn't hurt people, he killed them," Soi Fon corrected. "It's important that you admit that. There are many reasons, I suppose. I never respected him. In fact, I always saw him as some sort of imposter, a petulant child playing at being a Shinigami. He was never one of us, never held our morals or convictions and he never could either. Kurosaki Ichigo came in, desecrated our powers and traditions, caused discord and stole the loyalty of many of our officers and is now responsible for the deaths of thousands."

"But he saved Soul Society too," Hanataro said. "He saved the whole world from Aizen and the Espada."

"Yes, and then he destroyed it two years later. He took Yoruichi-sama's teachings and spat on them. He used the power she helped him attain to destroy her home and he allied himself with the enemy, the Avatar."

"To be fair," Izuru said, "we don't know if he's allied with the Avatar or not. They fought each other right in Seireitei. You could argue that she saved the rest of the city from him."

"But that doesn't make any sense," replied Iba. "We've known for hundreds and hundreds of years that the Avatar is an enemy of the Soul Society. I would argue that she created or awoke that monster inside Ichigo. She manipulated the Hollow inside him to mutate and go out of control then she tried to fool us by making it seem like she was stopping him."

"But these are all just theories," Hanataro insisted loudly. "Ichigo would never destroy the city willingly and he's not a monster either. He's my friend."

Soi Fon scoffed darkly. "Your 'friend' wiped out the last of my house. He infiltrated our ranks and gained some of our trust and stole our abilities then he murdered the people who raised me, who trained me, who loved me. I never liked Ichigo but when he came that day, I swore that I would dedicate my life to his destruction."

Omaeda was now awake. His eyes were sad as he looked at Soi Fon. "The captain never speaks about her house or family. But they were very precious to her."

Soi Fon shut her eyes. "I will not rest until he and the Avatar are brought to heel and executed for their crimes. He is not your friend, Hanataro. He never was. Let go of him so that your attachment to him will not hurt you as well."

Hanataro turned his gaze to the floor and slowly laid back down, facing away from the others. As silence returned to the cabin, he allowed himself to weep. Ichigo, where are you? What happened to you? Please, you have to prove them all wrong. I know you're a good person. I know you're still my friend. I know it.


Renji glanced around the street corner surreptitiously and spread out his senses. A frightened women ushered her child into their little house and slammed the door shut. Apart from her, the street was deserted and Renji could sense no other Soul Reapers besides those he was meeting with.

At the end of the street was a tiny house, more like a shack with boarded up windows and a heavily overgrown yard. Renji kept to the shadowy side of the street as he made his way towards it. It was humiliating, he thought, meeting in the Rukongai district like this. But there was no other way.

Entering the house, he nodded to the others inside and quietly shut the door behind him. The room was illuminated by a single lantern hanging from the ceiling above a chipped, wooden table. His captain Byakuya tapped the table lightly and the others all gave him their attention. He sighed and then sat back, saying nothing.

Toshiro shook his head. "How did we come to this? Meeting in the shadows, making plans in the gutters…? Is this what we are now?"

"We have to be," Renji replied. "The rest of the Gotei 13 are on our asses constantly. They don't trust us."

Kenpachi laughed. "They're smart. We're the start of an uprising. They're scared of us. They know we could take them all out and run this place ourselves."

"We're not that powerful," said Byakuya finally. "And we're not the start of a movement either. The only thing separating us from them is our loyalty to Ichigo."

"How can they turn against him like that?" said Rangiku. "Like at least give him a chance to explain. It isn't fair on someone who's helped us so many times before."

"They're angry. We're all angry. He is responsible for the deaths of thousands of our own but he was never truly one of us."

Toshiro nodded. "It's always easier to blame and hate people that are different than you."

"All of us are different," said Yachiru in her bright voice.

Kenpachi bashed his hand on the table. "Oh, who gives a damn? All this talk is pissing me off. The only thing that matters is they're the bad guys and we think Ichigo is a good guy. We need to take over. The old man is still injured, the other captains are all weak as shit. Hell, I'll kill them all myself."

Ikkaku shook his head. "We need more allies. Surely there's more people in Soul Society who agree with us."

"Don't be such a pussy!" Kenpachi shouted.

"No, he's right," Renji said. "We can find more allies. Ichigo still has friends in the Seireitei. People like Captain Shinji Hirako, for example. If we can win them to our side, we can make some kind of underground resistance. Then we take over, free Rukia and give Ichigo the chance he deserves."

"But if we try to win them to our side," Rangiku argued, "they could rat us out and we'd be imprisoned or killed for treason."

"Let them try!" Yachiru yelled. "We'll show them why they shouldn't mess with us."

"We must be careful," Byakuya said quietly. "They have the leverage. Rukia is in their custody and could be executed at any moment. Soi Fon moves on Ichigo and may have found him already for all we know. We must be careful and we must trust that Uryu Ishida was able to get Rukia's message to Ichigo in the other world." He stood up. "Choose your allies but only those whom you trust with your life. This is a very difficult situation. Patience and vigilance will see us through it."

"Patience is for losers," Kenpachi scoffed.

"What do they say in the World of the Living again?" pondered Rangiku. "Good things come to those who wait."

Byakuya nodded. "We'll meet again soon. Be mindful of what you say and who you say it to. Soi Fon may not be here but her spies are everywhere. Good luck."


Ichigo stood alone in the back garden of the house they were staying in. The sun was still high in the sky and a pleasant breeze blew by him, rustling the flowers and leaves of the nature around him. He glared up at the sky, trying to allow his brain to process the information he'd just learned. His mind and heart were racing and he took a long, deep breath to calm himself down. It didn't help much.

Behind him, Uryu exited the house and joined him in the garden. For a moment, the two of them were silent until Ichigo turned to look at him.

"I should've known this would happen. I should've."

Uryu nodded. "Yes."

"This is a disaster. Rukia's captured, Soi Fon is coming to kill us, we've only found one airbender, and the whole Soul Society hates me."

"Not the whole Soul Society. You still have allies there."

"Okay, but for all we know they could have been captured or even executed. Everything's gone crazy. And it's all because I was too damn weak to stop it."

Uryu crossed his arms. "What happened that day? Rukia said you were possessed by a dark spirit and that that caused you to go out of control."

"Yeah, that's essentially what happened. I was fighting this evil spirit that had possessed another body but when I defeated the body, the spirit took over mine and I couldn't do anything to stop it. It triggered the Hollow inside me and then went and destroyed the Soul Society."

"The Hollow… you mean the same one that you turned into when you fought Ulquiorra? The Vasto Lorde?"

"Yeah, that's the one. Except even more powerful. Then Korra turned into a spirit as well and fought me there in Seireitei. Thank God she won."

"Hmm. So just a series of unfortunate events?"

"Something like that."

The two of them left the garden and walked around to the front of the house and out the gate onto the streets. "So what have you been up to since you got here?" Ichigo asked. "And where did you first arrive?"

"I arrived atop the wall outside the Middle Ring. Urahara said he couldn't control where I landed. I started walking round the city, trying to find information about the world. I learned about you and the Avatar and about the Dai Li and the Queen. I also learned you were in a place called Republic City. I wanted to meet the Queen myself so I led the Dai Li on a chase throughout the city and showed a few of my powers. They took me to her immediately and I won her favour."

"You won her favour?" Ichigo faced twisted in disgust. "I don't even know how that's possible."

"You just have to know what to say and when to say it," Uryu explained.

"Well, I guess you always did have a way with words."

"Indeed. My plan was to lead a group of Dai Li to Republic City on the pretense of a diplomatic mission and then I would find you. But you coming here certainly made things easier."

"What did you think of all my friends?"

"Annoying. Just like your friends back home."

"Hey, they're your friends too, you know."

"Whatever. That tall girl with the black hair, she's not your girlfriend, is she?"

"Um, yeah she is," Ichigo said sheepishly.

"Seriously? You were stuck in another world so you got a girlfriend?"

"Ishida, I didn't have any memories, man! I didn't even know about our world for a long time. So, yeah, I got a girlfriend. I made a life here for myself. You wouldn't understand how it feels."

"You're right," Uryu admitted. "It must've been very difficult."

"Well, it wasn't all bad. But now my lives in both worlds are falling apart."

"Not yet, they're not. It isn't like you to get down so easily, Kurosaki."

Ichigo scowled. "You're right. But that was the old me."

"That's not an excuse. Listen, you know I'm not the best reader of emotions but even I can tell something's bothering you. What is it?"

"I don't know. …I- I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I will be the cause of my life falling to pieces. And it's already happening."

Uryu shook his head. "My word, those friends of yours are more useless than I thought. Is this what they let you do? Mope and complain and have pity parties? Wake up, Kurosaki!"

The two of them stopped walking as they saw Gun shuffling his way over to them. Two Dai Li agents were at his sides and he bowed low when he reached them.

"Ishida Uryu," he said. "The Queen requests your presence. She demands an update on your endeavours."

Uryu nodded. "Her wish is my command. Let's go, Kurosaki. Her Majesty wants us."


"Kai!" Bolin called. He and Mako were wandering around the upper level, looking for the missing teenager. Bolin leaned over a river. "Did you go fishing? Are you under the bridge?"

Mako rolled his eyes and then squinted as something caught his attention in the distance. A wealthy-looking man was walking by and then all of a sudden a gust of wind blew up from underneath him, exposing his lower half and causing him quite a fright. His hat fell to the ground but then Kai appeared and handed it to him with a smile.

"Here, sir, let me help you," Kai said before helping smooth out the man's robes.

"Oh, thank you, young man. What a strange, sudden breeze," the man said.

"Yeah, that was really weird," Kai replied as he snuck a roll of cash into his back pocket.

"Thanks for your help."

"Kai!" Mako yelled. "Get back here!"

Kai whirled around and flashed a toothy grin before saluting and dashing off. Mako and Bolin immediately set off in pursuit.

"Kai, it's us!" Bolin called. "Mako and Bolin, your new family!"

Kai slid underneath a carriage but Mako leapt right over it, bouncing off the wall acrobatically. The young airbender quickly rolled out of the way as Mako landed beside him before turning down an alleyway. Bolin, meanwhile, slowly made his way between the two carriages, making profuse excuses to the shocked onlookers.

Kai emerged in a train station and jumped aboard the crowded train. Inching his way through the people, he gasped as he ran straight into Mako who glared down at him sternly.

"What are you doing running around robbing people?" Mako demanded.

"I was just practicing my airbending!" Kai responded.

"Yeah, right." He grabbed the back of Kai's shirt. "Let's go. You're in big trouble."

Kai quickly bent over and allowed the shirt to be pulled off of him. Then he unleashed a blast of air that sent the brothers flying. Mako and Bolin jumped up and bolted after Kai who had slipped off the train but the doors shut right in their face. Kai gave them a snarky wave as the train slowly left the station.

Mako glowered at Bolin. "Your little brother, huh?"

"Yeah. Just a loveable little scamp, isn't he?"

"Reminds me of my little brother."

They heard the train conductor's voice speaking overhead. "This is the express line to the Lower Ring. Next stop, Ho Kong Station!"

The train trip took forever as they travelled out of the Upper Ring, through the immense Middle Ring and to the end of the line in the Lower Ring. Mako and Bolin were shoved out of the doors by the mass of people. Across the platform was another train heading back the way they'd come.

"Alright," said Mako, "let's see if we can catch a train back to the Upper Ring."

The two of them attempted to stride past the beefy train steward at the entrance to the other train but he stuck out an arm and stopped them.

"Passports and tickets," he said.

"We can pay, hold on," said Bolin. They felt around in their pockets. "Where's my money?" They looked at each other. "No. Kai wouldn't… aw man…"

The steward pushed them away. "Alright, beat it you two. Before things get ugly."

Mako growled and raised his fists but then looked to the side. Two Dai Li members were watching them intently. He relaxed his stance and they exited the station. They were on a random street deep in the filthy bustle of the Lower Ring.

"The bad news is," said Bolin, "we're stuck here. The good news is, you can go to the bathroom wherever you want!"


Ichigo tried not to stare as they entered the immense and grand throne room of the Earth Palace. He and Uryu walked side by side with Gun ahead of them and the two Dai Li agents behind. The Queen sat absentmindedly on her throne, tapping her chin with her long nails and staring intently at nothing.

Gun bowed low and Uryu followed suit, pulling Ichigo down with him. The Queen turned her attention to them and her eyebrows raised ever so slightly when she saw Ichigo.

"It appears you're getting passed around by different masters, servant boy," she said coldly.

Ichigo didn't respond. Uryu stood back to his feet. "You asked for me, your Grace?"

"I did. You've been here for a few days implementing your new training with the Dai Li. I want to know how it is progressing."

Uryu nodded. "In terms of the new strategies I'm introducing, the Dai Li are taking to them brilliantly, however, I require more time. I was hoping to leave for Republic City in the coming days on a scouting mission but I may have to postpone it."

"Hmm, is that so?" The Queen mused. "And you understand my personal feelings on failure and delays, yes?"

"I do, my Queen."

"I disagree. Perhaps your methods and abilities are not as impressive as they first seemed. Perhaps you, like so many others, are all just vain talk and nonsense."

Silence hung in the room. Ichigo kept his eyes on Uryu as the Quincy maintained a calm and controlled expression. Knowing that Uryu had already achieved his goal made the situation difficult. They had to keep on the Queen's good side so she'd help them find the airbenders but he didn't want to see his friend have to suffer under her rule.

"How may I serve you then?" Uryu said eventually.

The Queen smiled. "I am sending the Avatar on a mission to collect my tax money. My soldiers have been attempting to for weeks but a group of bandits have been harassing and defeating them. I do not tolerate failure. Go with the Avatar. Bring me my tax money and prove yourself worthy of serving me."

Uryu bowed again. "Your mercy is limitless, your Grace. I will do as you ask."

He turned and left the room with Ichigo in tow. The Dai Li guards parted to let them pass and neither of them spoke until they were outside.

"You're way too good at playing your role," Ichigo joked.

"Yep," Uryu sighed. "I am very much looking forward to leaving this place. Pretending to be enamoured with that awful queen is taxing."

"Same here. Let's go meet up with Korra, I guess."

Uryu nodded. The two of them ran lightly away from the palace to the outer courtyard where they kept the airships. Korra and Asami were currently boarding one that already had it's propellers turning, beating mightily against the air and causing buffeting winds to streak around the courtyard.

Ichigo raised his hand and caught their attention as he and Uryu dashed over to them. Korra and Asami faces brightened when they saw Ichigo, but soured immensely when they saw Uryu behind him. The two boys boarded behind the girls and they gathered in the main cockpit of the airship.

"What are you guys doing here?" Korra asked.

"Her Majesty requested that I come with you to collect the tax money," Uryu said.

Korra crossed her arms. "What, she doesn't trust me?"

"She doesn't trust either of us," he replied.

Ichigo flashed Asami a smile. "Didn't know you were going with her," he said.

"Well, yeah, there's nothing else to do here," said Asami.

"Where's Mako and Bolin?"

"They're chasing after Kai. He's gone missing."

Ichigo scowled. "That brat. I told you it was a bad idea to bring him along."

"Mako will knock some sense into him," Korra said. "Or if not him, then somebody will. He's still just a kid. He's safer with us."

"Yeah, but he's a pain in the ass."

"Forget about him," Asami grabbed Ichigo's arm and steered him away from the others. "We haven't talked all day." They headed into another room, leaving Korra and Uryu by themselves.

Korra was steering the airship so her back was facing Uryu but she could see his refection in the window before her. An extremely awkward silence passed between them but as the airship rose higher and left the city behind, Uryu drew closer to the window to stare out at the world below.

Korra glanced at him. "I guess this is your first time seeing what it's like outside Ba Sing Se, huh?"

"That's right." Another awkward silence followed. "Your world is very beautiful," Uryu offered.

"Thanks. I'm sure yours was too."

"Before you destroyed it?"

"Y-yeah…"

"It's alright. That wasn't my world. In fact, I hated that place and most of the people in it."

"Oh. Then what is your world?"

"The Shinigami call it the World of the Living. Humans like me just call it Earth."

"And that's where Ichigo is from too?"

"Mmhmm." Uryu looked at her keenly and pushed up his glasses. "I'm very interested in seeing what the Avatar is capable of."

Korra didn't want to meet his gaze. "So you've heard of me then?"

"A little."

"Good things, I hope?"

"No. Not really."

"Ah."

They remained in silence until Uryu ultimately left her side and sat down by himself. Korra would occasionally glance at his reflection when she thought he was staring. What is this guy's problem, she thought to herself. How was Ichigo ever friends with him in the first place?

Ichigo and Asami entered a small cabin and sat down on the bed. He ran his hands through his hair and rested his head on her shoulder playfully.

"I'm exhausted," he said.

"Me too."

"What do you mean? You haven't done anything today."

"Neither have you!"

"Fair." He groaned and sat up. "This is not how I thought today was gonna go. I honestly never thought I'd see Uryu ever again."

"Uh huh," Asami said dryly. "How are you two even friends? The guy's an asshole."

"I mean, I'm an asshole too."

"A likeable one. He's just an asshole."

"You don't even know him that well."

"I don't want to. Like were you guys close or what?"

"Not really. I guess he's kind of my friend, kind of my ally, kind of my rival all at the same time. It's a complicated relationship."

"But you trust him."

"Yeah. He's a good guy. Yeah, he can be a dickhead and rude but he means well. Most of the time. …Some of the time. …Okay, half the time."

"Just admit it, Ichigo. You don't actually like him at all."

"That's not true. I was happy to see him. Really, I was. And he's saved my life a few times as well."

"Well, the news he brought didn't exactly make you happy."

"No. No, it didn't. I'm trying not to think about it. One problem at a time for me right now. Soi Fon can wait."

"Who is she?"

"She's someone very powerful and very dangerous who apparently hates my guts now. Facing her is not gonna be fun."

Asami lolled her head back. "So is this Uryu guy going to be part of Team Avatar now?"

"Forget about him," Ichigo jokingly pushed her onto the bed. "He can wait too."


Mako and Bolin woke up in a back alleyway atop a pile of garbage. Flies buzzed overhead and a rotten banana skin had found it's way onto Mako's head. Bolin had used an old, water-ridden newspaper as a blanket.

He yawned loudly. "Man, I think I slipped a disc sleeping here. It's been a while since we spent the night on a trash pile." He pulled an empty can out from under him. "It's about how I remembered."

Mako got to his feet and brushed the banana skin off his head. "I bet everyone's freaking out that we've been gone all night," he said.

"I'm worried about Kai. He's just a little kid, out there on his own. He's probably really scared."

"I wouldn't bet on that," Mako scowled. "With us gone and Korra off collecting taxes, kid's probably got the run of the mansion."

The two of them left the alley and headed out onto the streets in search of some breakfast. Bolin's stomach grumbled loudly.

"It feels like forever since we last ate."

"It was yesterday," Mako replied.

"I know! But I'm getting hungry." He spotted a fruit stand up ahead and nudged his brother with a smirk. "We might have to hustle up a little breakfast with the old fruit stand scam." Mako's face said no but Bolin pulled him along. "Come on! You remember how it goes. I push you into the stand, you scream, I pretend to faint."

"I don't want any part of this. Besides, look at this fruit. It's disgusting! We don't wanna steal this.

The fruit in question was old and heavily moldy with an army of fat flies surround it. Behind the stand, a young man stood up indignantly. He was beefy and well-muscled with a green headband holding back his medium-length brown hair.

"Hey!" he said, "you trying to steal my fruit?"

"No, I just said I don't want any of this rotten fruit."

"Oh. You too good for my fruit?" The man set his hand on some apples but they squished right underneath him. "This is the best fruit on the block!"

"So you want me to steal it…?"

"Just try it, buddy," he kissed his right bicep slowly while eyeing them up. "Go ahead."

"I'm confused," Bolin remarked. "Are we stealing the fruit, or not?"

"I knew it. Thieves! Yah!" He leapt over the stand and tackled them to the ground right at the feet of an older man who was approaching from behind.

"What's going on here?" he asked in surprise.

"Dad, these fruit thieves are insulting our fruit."

The older man looked at them closely and then his eyes widened. "Bolin? Mako?"

"How do you know our names?" said Mako.

"Yeah, I mean, I'm famous," Bolin added, "so I get that. But how do you know his name?"

"You look just like San," the old man grinned. "Tu! You'll never believe who these guys are. They're your cousins! My brother San's kids."

"W-what?"


The icy tundra of the Northern Water Tribe gleamed in the bright sunlight as a deep, red dragon descended powerfully onto the city, a splash of red on an otherwise white and blue landscape. In the throne room of the Northern Palace, the children of Unalaq, Eska and Desna held court and ruled over their tribe.

The two of them looked incredibly bored as they sat by themselves in the cold room but two figures approaching them piqued their interest. The figures were Lord Zuko and Chief Tonraq who had just arrived on the dragon. The twins stood to their feet immediately.

"Lord Zuko," said Desna. "Uncle. This is a surprise."

"Finally something interesting happens," Eska said. "Ruling the tribe is so tedious."

"Then you should enjoy this," Zuko replied patiently. "We need to check on a secret ice prison in the western tundra."

The twins smiled.


"And what I do owe the honour of this visit, hmm?" mused Hirako Shinji. "You've never really spoken to me before, Kuchiki Byakuya."

Byakuya stood before him and conceded with a nod. "I come on behalf of Kurosaki Ichigo."

"Of course you do. So? What is it?"

"I'm not convinced he's fully responsible for what happened. And neither are many others. After everything he's done for us, all the lives he's saved, surely he deserves a chance to explain himself and what really happened that day."

"He will get his chance. When he stands trial."

"You know they won't give him a fair trial. They're too proud and angry for that."

"Oho? And you're so much better? Kuchiki Byakuya… no two words go better with you than proud and angry." Byakuya blanched as the other Soul Reaper captain laughed and walked away from him. "I thought I told you this earlier," he continued, "Ichigo lost control of his Hollow. Me, and the other Vizards warned him time and time again about the consequences. What we do and what we are is very dangerous. If we lose control, if our Hollow takes over, we're toast and we should be put down. Look outside, Kuchiki. He murdered thousands. That's genocide. Even if it somehow wasn't his fault, those lives still matter."

"I know that." Byakuya sighed and looked down. "They're going to kill him and they'll most likely kill Rukia too for helping him."

Shinji's voice softened. "I like Ichigo a lot, you know I do. And I want to help him. But this is just a horrible situation." He paused. "These others you mentioned, the others who believe in Ichigo, how many are there?"

"So far, not many. But we're trying to find more."

"That's why you're here," he nodded several times. "I want to do what I can to save his life. And Rukia's. But the majority of my squad hates him and they believe Rukia is a traitor as well. When they see him, all they'll see is red. I can't turn against my squad."

"I understand. But when things heat up and you have to make a choice… can I count on you?"

Shinji hesitated and gritted his teeth. Then he swallowed. "Depends on how hot they get."

"That's good enough for me."


"Your father sent us a letter years ago with your names. But that was the last time we heard from him." Chow explained. He had brought Mako and Bolin back with him to his house, an apartment in a two-story complex just down the street from the fruit stand. "Then we saw your pictures in the sports pages with your bending team. And Bolin, we loved those Nuktuk movers! They're hilarious!"

Bolin winced. "Yeah, they're not really comedies but uh…"

Tu crossed his arms. "Yeah, I could probably be a pro-bender or an actor or something if I lived in a mansion in Republic City like you guys. You don't know what it's like here on the streets." He flexed his biceps again. "You gotta be tough."

"Oh, Mako and I grew up on the streets. We were homeless, then we were kinda in a gang, then we lived in a gym-"

Chow grabbed them and flung open the doors to the apartment. "Hey, everybody, look who's here! San's kids, Mako and Bolin!" He shoved them forward where at least two dozen people were inside, sitting around together.

"No way!"

"Come in!"

"Welcome!"

Mako and Bolin waved awkwardly as their extended family members gathered round. They came in all shapes and sizes but they all resembled Bolin quite a bit. Mako had always said that Bolin had taken after his dad's looks while he'd got his mom's. A little old lady came up to them with a shocked expression on her face. Her hair was tied back in a wide bun and white as snow and although the wrinkles on her face were prominent, it was easy to see she had been a beautiful woman.

"Is it true?" she said. "After all these years?"

Chow smiled. "Boys, this is your grandmother, Yin."

She beamed from ear to ear. "It is so wonderful to finally meet my long-lost grandchildren." She embraced them. "Where is San and your mother?"

Mako and Bolin looked sadly at each other. "Wait, you mean… you don't know?"

"I'm sorry," said Mako. "They were killed when we were little."

Yin's joyful expression turned to one of pain and her eyes filled with tears. The rest of the family sat in stunned silence.


The town was small and beaten down, centered around a square of dirt and rock where the airship made it's landing. Ichigo, Korra, Asami and Uryu all disembarked together and slowly approached what looked to be the bank. Looking around, they could see the town was even more run down than they thought.

The stone used on the buildings was chipped and cracked and the last vestiges of paint had long faded from their walls. Overall, the town felt dry as if all the life had been sucked out of it. It was utterly silent but they could see people peeking out at them through battered window shutters. The only people not inside quickly remedied that, bolting the doors behind them.

"I don't like the look of this," Ichigo remarked quietly.

The others nodded.

"Let's hurry up and get out of here," Korra agreed.

"Bit of a stark contrast from the palaces of the Upper Ring," Uryu said.

"Yeah," Ichigo said dryly, "almost as if the Queen hoards all the wealth of the kingdom for herself."

"Imagine that," said Asami.

Royal soldiers opened the doors of the bank and addressed them. "You here to pick up the tax shipment?"

Korra nodded. "Go ahead and load it on the airship."

The soldiers filled a small wagon with three heavy bags of gold and began wheeling it towards the ship. Uryu drummed his fingers against his thigh as reiatsu sparked on them. His keen eyes observed their surroundings but no bandits were in sight.

Ichigo breathed deeply and absentmindedly gripped Zangetsu on his back. "Think there's gonna be trouble?" he asked.

"Whatever it is, we can handle it," Korra replied.

"Hold on," Asami said. "Do you guys hear that?"

Suddenly a flare was shot into the sky from the outskirts of the town. The soldiers stopped and stared fearfully as the roar of engines in the distance and the sounds of yelling men reached their ears. The noise grew louder and then a dozen or so motorcycles shot out from the streets into the square.

They were followed by refitted cars and finally, men on foot. Each man held a spear or sword in his hands and they let loose ferocious war cries as they advanced. The soldiers panicked and fled in fear, leaving the wagon behind.

"So much for our escorts," Asami said, fitting the Equalist glove onto her hand.

"There's a lot more of them than I thought there'd be," Korra admitted.

Ichigo unsheathed Zangetsu. "Good. I've been itching for a fight." He smirked at Uryu. "I hope you've been keeping up with your training."

"Likewise," Uryu replied calmly.

Korra grinned. "Alright, let's see what you've got, four eyes!"

"Same to you, Avatar." His spirit bow materialized on his left hand and he took aim. "Try to keep up."

"Hang on," Asami said. "Let's see what they want."

The motorcycle riders drove in circles around them, hooting and hollering as they went. Then a man, who looked to be their leader, stepped forward. He was very tall and broad with a long ponytail that had been dyed green. His face was painted totally white and he had a long beard which was also partly dyed green. Several piercings were along his body.

"Step away from the gold, ladies," he said gruffly, "and you won't get hurt."

"Ladies?" Ichigo said indignantly. "You assholes think you're funny, huh?"

The other bandits all guffawed around them. Korra glared right back at the leader.

"Sorry to disappoint you," she said. "but we're taking this gold back to Ba Sing Se."

"Aw, we love gals with spirit. Suit yourself."

"Really?" said Ichigo. "Again?"

Something flashed by and the man cried out. One of his earrings had been totally shot off. Uryu eyed him menacingly.

"The next arrow goes through your eye."

"You bastard… get them! Oof!"

The wind left his body as Korra planted her foot and drove her fist into his stomach, causing his feet to momentarily leave the ground despite his heavy weight. Then she spun in the air and roundhouse kicked him in the jaw.

Uryu flipped away from the others and unleashed a barrage of arrows at the bandits, destroying their motorcycles and piercing their bodies. They scattered in disarray and regrouped, charging at everyone individually, trying to isolate them. Uryu continued to pick them off one by one, quickly pivoting his foot and adjusting his aim as needing. No one could get near him.

Ichigo met their members who were on footy in open combat, swinging his sword in mighty heaves, often clearing two or three of them at once. He clashed with one and beat him to his knees with repeated blows to his sword until his snapped it in two, then he knocked him unconscious.

Asami stood at the ready while a lone bike veered off and aimed for her. Timing her jump to perfection, she leapt into the air and caught the driver with a powerful kick that knocked him off the bike and sent it careening into a wall. Several more men surrounded her but she beat them back with an impressive display of martial arts, electrocuting them as she went.

Korra was primarily using her earthbending, upending cars and disrupting the bikes. The bandits roared and flung their spears but she easily dodged or batted them away. One of them grabbed one of the sacks of gold but Korra immediately fired a blast of air at his bike but not before he tossed the bag to another bandit.

Asami dashed forward at him as his bike thundered towards her. Electricity sparked on her glove as she jumped again, over the bike and twisted in midair to grip the bandit's shoulder and electrocute him.

The leader had grabbed a huge mace in his hands and he swung it down at Korra from behind but Ichigo was there to defend, blocking the mace straight up with Zangetsu. The man snarled and kneed Ichigo in the gut and pushed down with the mace at the same time causing Ichigo to lose his balance.

His reiatsu flared and he drove the man powerfully off of him and sent him hurtling into one of his cars. He growled again and prepared to bend but then an arrow rocketed into his eye socket. The man screamed intensely and fell to his knees. Uryu stood far off and allowed his bow to dissipate.

"I told you so," he said simply.

The other bandits helped their leader to his feet and piled into the remaining cars and armoured trucks.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

"You're on the wrong side of this fight, Avatar! That gold belongs to the people, not that blasted queen!"

Korra stared after them. "Why do I get the feeling he's right?"

Ichigo flicked the blood off his sword and sheathed it up again. "He is right."

"The Queen probably charges the people high taxes to pay for the luxury and maintenance of that luxury in Ba Sing Se," Uryu said.

Asami removed her glove. "The sooner we get the airbenders and rebuild the Air Nation, the sooner we can help the people of the Earth Kingdom."

"I agree," said Korra. "But I don't like it."

"We don't have to like it. But we made a deal so we have to stick to it."

Korra turned to Uryu. "So is that all you do? Shoot arrows?"

He pushed up his glasses. "Why would I reveal the extent of my powers against a group of mere bandits. Shooting arrows was sufficient for this battle. Besides, I sure hope you swinging that sword around isn't all you do now, Kurosaki. Have you forgotten your speed or finesse? Your movement has changed as well."

Ichigo shrugged. "It gets the job done. I mean, did I ever really have finesse?"

"More than you do now."

"Whatever. Let's just get this gold on board and get outta here."


Deep in the western tundra of the Northern Water Tribe and in the midst of a blizzard stood a lone, metal building. It's thick, heavy doors opened and admitted Zuko, Tonraq and the twins to come inside. The place was guarded by members of the White Lotus.

"Why didn't anyone tell us we have a secret prison we could've been throwing people in?" asked Eska indignantly.

"I'd like to put my tailor in here," remarked Desna. "He never gets my cuffs right. They're so… creasy."

The four of them entered an elevator that went deep, deep underground.

"We built this place secretly with your father to hold a very… special prisoner," Zuko said. "She's a powerful firebender named P'Li who can create explosions with her mind. Ironically, I hired a guy with a similar ability to kill the Avatar myself once. …Didn't work."

"Don't feel bad," Eska replied. "I tried to kill Korra after she ruined my wedding. It happens."

"Let's just focus on keeping this woman in prison," Tonraq said.

The elevator stopped and they exited, emerging into an incredibly vast, icy cavern with towering walls that led up to the surface above and down to who knows where. Built in between the two walls was a metal structure secured into the ice. A bridge extended to it from the elevator and they approached with caution.

"The intense cold prevents her from firebending," Zuko explained.

"There's certainly no way anyone's breaking out of here," said Desna.

"That's what we thought about the other three prisons."

They reached the other side where two guards stood watch over a round, metal door. Heavy icicles hung all around them and from inside the door, a dominant yet shivering voice spoke.

"Must be something exciting going on," P'Li said. "No one interesting has visited me in thirteen years."

"Don't get used to it," Tonraq said.

"He's out, isn't he? Mmm, I'm feeling warmer already."


"This is so great!" Bolin exclaimed. "We've never had a family before now we've got one, two, five, eleven… a big family! Yeah!"

"So why did Dad leave Ba Sing Se?" Mako asked.

"Oh, he always had big dreams," Chow explained. "He couldn't wait to get out of here and see the world. Your grandfather thought it was ridiculous. He wanted San to stay here and work the fruit stand. But San was determined to leave. They had a huge fight. And that was the last time they ever spoke. Oh, um, sorry Mom."

Yin's face had soured with sadness as he recounted the story but she forced a smile. "Come with me," she said. "I have something to show you."

Mako and Bolin followed her into her bedroom and sat down on the bed on either side of her. She pulled a box off a shelf and opened it, revealing an old and brittle piece of paper.

"This is the only letter we ever got from San. It says he married a beautiful girl from the Fire Nation and had two wonderful sons. He sent this picture of you all on his birthday."

The picture she showed them was old as well but it was a lovely family portrait of the four of them. San sat in a tall chair with a toddler Bolin on his lap. Their mother stood beside him and her hands were on Mako's shoulders in front of her.

"Look, Mako," Bolin said, "Dad's wearing your scarf."

"I'm so sad that I never got to meet your mother," said Yin, turning to Mako. "But you have her eyes. I know from looking at you two that she must have been a wonderful bride for my boy."

Mako looked down and felt his cherished scarf in his hand. He closed his eyes and pulled it off. Smiling, he handed it to his grandmother. "I'm sure they would want you to have this."

Yin beamed with a bittersweet happiness and the three of them embraced each other tightly.


Korra and Uryu stood next to Gun in the throne room before the Queen. Ichigo had decided he'd had enough of the Queen and wanted to stay home. Asami had readily remained with him so it had been left up to Korra and Uryu to deliver the news.

"Your Majesty, the Avatar and Ishida Uryu have returned with the tax payments," Gun announced.

"Finally," the Queen said. "Secure it in the vault."

"It's being done as we speak."

"So now, your Majesty," Korra said, "if I could start meeting with some of the airbenders here in the city-"

"The Dai Li thoroughly searched the city but it seems your reports were incorrect. There are no airbenders in Ba Sing Se. So, you can gather your little band and be on your way tomorrow."

"With all due respect, your Grace," Uryu said, "as I have pointed out previously, the Dai Li are not as proficient as first thought. Perhaps their reports are incomplete."

"Silence, boy. Your insolence appears to know no bounds. The Dai Li are more than capable of doing routine searches. They know this city better than anyone. Especially more than some outside pretender with foreign ways and tactics."

Korra stamped her foot. "You make me do your dirty work, extorting your own citizens for your stupid palaces and topiaries and then you just wanna send me away? We're not going anywhere until we find some airbenders! We know there are some here!"

The Queen glowered with rage. "You dare come into my palace, into my throne room and think you can lecture me?! I will not hear of it! Both of you have more than outstayed your welcome in Ba Sing Se. Boy, your services will no longer be required. I've had enough of your devious comments and disrespectful manner. As for you, Avatar, you're even less agreeable than your predecessor, the man who stole away a portion of my kingdom and sold it to a bunch of rats! Get them out of my sight!"

Gun gripped Korra's arm but she flung him away. "This isn't over! I'm going to find the airbenders!"

Uryu said nothing as he followed the fuming Avatar out of the throne room.


It was now dark and the entire family was gathered around for dinner. Bolin was wolfing down a whole loaf of bread while everyone else had been exchanging stories. They'd recounted their lives, how they'd met Korra, Ichigo and Asami and what they'd become post pro-bending.

"You know," Chow said, "San would've been so proud of you guys. Travelling the world with the Avatar? He would've loved that."

"We actually need to get back to the Avatar in the Upper Ring," Mako said. "We're supposed to be helping her find airbenders in Ba Sing Se."

Everyone gasped.

"What, what happened?" asked Bolin.

"One of our neighbours started airbending about a week ago," San explained. "A couple days later, two Dai Li agents come out of nowhere and snatched him up. No one's seen him since."

"They say the Earth Queen's locking all the airbenders up somewhere," Tu said darkly, "and using them for experiments."

"Tu!" Yin protested. "Don't talk that way about her Majesty." She turned to a picture of the Queen on the wall, blew a kiss and bowed. "Long may she reign."

"We have to get back to the Upper Ring and tell Korra," Mako said.

"I hope Kai is okay," said Bolin.


"Ugh! I hate her so much!" Korra yelled. She and Uryu were now outside the palace, heading back to the house. It was very dark out and he kept a wary eye out for the Dai Li in case they were listening in.

"I'm sure she feels the same way," Uryu replied dryly.

"I know she's hiding something. I just know it."

"Well, that's obvious. Those Dai Li are her secret agents for a reason. You can't trust anything she says when it comes to them. We have more important things to worry about anyway."

"Oh, so it's 'we' now?"

"Stop getting stuck up on the little things. There are a group of killers coming for you and Ichigo. We need to be planning for that, not these airbenders."

"You know what? No. Everything was going just fine until you came along. We had a mission, a good mission. We're going to rebuild an entire nation that was destroyed by war. An entire civilization was wiped out and we're going to bring it back. But you wouldn't understand that."

"You don't know that, Avatar. My people have experienced hardship like that as well, but you don't see me moping about it. What, should I have not told Ichigo these people are coming to kill him? Should I have just ignored it and let them take him by surprise? Is that what you want?" he spat with annoyance.

"We would've been fine either way. Ichigo and I can handle anything, we can defeat anyone."

"That's right. You did such a good job defeating the Soul Society that you murdered thousands of people," he enunciated those last three words vehemently. "When Soi Fon and the others come and they capture Ichigo, or even kill him, don't come whining to me for help. I'm here to do my job and help save my ally. And I really hope you won't get in the way of that."

The two of them glared daggers at each other. They had reached the house and Korra barged inside, leaving Uryu outside to stare coldly at the night sky. Ichigo was in the kitchen eating a snack. Seeing her furious expression, he sat back and yawned casually.

"I'm assuming the meeting with the Queen didn't go well?"

"You're damn right it didn't," she growled, sitting down heavily in a chair across from him.

"What did she say?"

"She said there's no airbenders in the city and she wants us to leave."

"Bullshit."

"Right? Oh, and also, your "friend" Uryu is a complete asshole, I swear to God."

"Oh, come on, he's not that bad-"

"No, I am dead serious. If he is an indicator of the kind of friends you had in your world, then I don't want to meet any more of them. And you are much, much better off staying here with us. Honestly, beats me why you tried so hard to get back there."

Ichigo was quiet. "I… understand you're angry. But-"

"Yeah, I'm pissed." She got up. "I'm going to bed."

Ichigo watched her storm off and pursed his lips. "Alright then."

Uryu came in the front door and Ichigo met him in the front hall. "You've made a great first impression on my friends, buddy," he joked.

"Oh, sorry. I guess maybe these friends of yours aren't used to being told the truth so bluntly. Bunch of sensitive idiots."

"Hey now, we've all gotta get along. There's a lot of stuff going on and this strife and anger just isn't going to help."

"Tell that to your friends, not me. Maybe I should just let Soi Fon kill them all."

"Okay, you don't have to be an asshole to me too, man."

"Whatever." Uryu took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I don't want to cause strife amongst your group. I'm just here to help."

Ichigo put his hand on his shoulder. "I know and you will. And they'll see it too. We can get through this together."

Uryu nodded. "It's good to see you again, Kurosaki. I mean that."

Ichigo smiled. "You too, Ishida."


Even this late at night, Kai was still up to his old tricks. He blew a gust of air beneath another wealthy man who freaked out as his face was covered by his robes. Kai swiped his wallet and then picked up the man's fallen hat with a devious smile.

"Here, sir, let me help you."

Moving on, he turned down a dark alleyway, tossing the heavy wallet in his hand as he went. But then he stopped. At the end of the alley was a shadowy figure dressed entirely in black and with the crest of the Earth Kingdom emblazed on his uniform. Dai Li, he thought.

Kai turned back but another figure was now behind him. Sweating with fear, he dashed down a side alley but the two men fired cuffs of rock which latched onto his wrists and held him suspended against a wall. The wallet of gold fell to the ground beside him.

"Hey! What's going on? I didn't do anything!" he protested. "I'm with the Avatar!"

The Dai Li took him and forced him deep underground where they threw him into a cold and sullen cell. Maybe two dozen others were already there, looking haggard, malnourished and petrified.

"Welcome to her Majesty's Army: First Airbending Regiment," the Dai Li said. "From now on, you live to fight for the Earth Queen."


And that's the end of the chapter! Tell me your thoughts on it! I don't think I'll be able to get another one out this month but hopefully in July I'll have the next one posted. Once again, I'll be replying to comments from the previous chapter down below. Thank you all for reading! I'll see you next time.

Comment from Lucifer's assassin: This was pretty nice. Thanks for replying.

Reply: :)))

Comment from anoyak111: The soi fon scenes had me tense. I thought she was going to murder korra's parents. She's the type to get things done without hesitation. I wanted the scene with ichigo and asami to finish but bolin had to mess it up. Any way great chapter overall. Zaheer is making his move cant wait for him to meet team avatar.

Reply: Yeah Soi Fon is so unpredictable that's why I like her and yeah haha Bolin always interrupts those scenes. Hope you enjoy this chapter too!

Comment from thestormwriter123: Really nice chapter. It's good to see that Uryu is perfectly in charectar. Also am eager to see how the soul reaper squad will interact with other types of benders. Keep up the good work

Reply: Thanks I appreciate that! I like trying to use Uryu to show the contrast of how Ichigo used to be in the Bleach world and how he's changed in the Korra world and I hope that shined through this chapter.

Comment from Raximus: Things are in motion, Uryu is stuck playing with a tyrant, the scout squad are in the water and Ichigo is depressed along with the "what were you thinking squad?"

Reply: Yup pretty much hahaha

Comment from Guest: Am I the only one that things soi fung is going to use hantaro as bait and then a hostage to get to Ichigo

Reply: Hmmm no comment ;)