Published January 16, 2017. Updated September 21, 2020.
"Farewell, Good Angel"
"You better tell us what you did hear your uncle say that evening," said John Faa. "Don't leave anything out, mind. Tell us everything."
Lyra did, more slowly than she'd told the Costas but more honestly, too. She was afraid of John Faa, and what she was most afraid of was his kindness.
~ Philip Pullman, The Golden Compass
Tenzin's study is one of the more quiet places on Air Temple Island—except when the telephone rings. That almost defeats the purpose of working at home instead of City Hall. Tenzin likes to be able to focus away from the bustle of the city proper.
On the first ring, he sighs; on the second he picks up the telephone. "Councilman Tenzin speaking."
A voice bubbling with excitement answers. "Master Tenzin! This is Abbot Shung at the Southern Air Temple. Something—something extraordinary has happened."
"Is everything alright?" Tenzin asks apprehensively.
"More than alright, sir! It's the Hall of Statues. The eyes of every statue glowed."
Tenzin is so shocked he barely hears Shung explaining their system of watching the statues constantly, in shifts. Their glowing eyes are a sign Tenzin instructed them to watch for, and Abbot Shung took the task more seriously than many other acolytes, but so many years passed fruitlessly … even though Tenzin did not consciously give up hope, to find it finally fulfilled …
He finally gets ahold of himself and asks desperately, "When did this happen?"
"Less than ten minutes ago!"
"And … how long were the statues …"
There is a murmur of conference at the other end before Shung answers, "They glowed for about two minutes."
"Thank you for telling me," Tenzin says. "I think … I need to make some calls." He almost hangs up, but then adds quickly, "If it happens again, send word immediately."
"Will do, sir!"
Tenzin hangs up, and leans heavily on his desk, trying to think clearly.
The previous Avatar statues glowing means the Avatar entered the Avatar State. That does not bring them any closer to locating the Avatar, but it confirms that he or she is alive, and old enough to have unlocked his or her powers.
Tenzin's gaze rises involuntarily to the portrait of his father hanging on the wall. He smiles at the familiar face, feeling happy and rueful at the same time. "I guess this means … Mom was right again. I hope." In youth and old age, she always believed the Avatar would return with each new incarnation.
Then again, though, the first time Aang went into the Avatar State was when he froze himself in ice, and that resulted in his being hidden for a century. What if something similar has happened now? Or worse—what if the Avatar was harmed while in the Avatar State? There would be no signs of reincarnation because the cycle would have ended …
Hope and anxiety have battled in Tenzin's heart for years, but now both are intensified. He presses his folded hands against his forehead. He has to be rational about this.
His first thought is that the White Lotus ought to know, but before he picks up the telephone, it rings again.
He answers with more than a little trepidation. "Councilman Tenzin speaking."
"Master Tenzin, this is the High Fire Sage, calling from Caldera. The sign we have been waiting for finally appeared."
"I just heard similar news from the Southern Air Temple—"
Just then an Air Acolyte pokes his head into the office. "Sir, there's a radio call from a temple in the Earth Kingdom."
Tenzin covers the mouthpiece and barks, "If it's about the Avatar, tell them I'm aware! Other Air Acolytes and Fire Sages have seen it too."
The young man looks awed. "Has the Avatar returned, sir?"
"I don't know yet. Take a message while I finish this call."
The Sage reports the same kind of sign, only on a lesser scale. The Air Nomads had the most extensive collection of Avatar memorials, but every nation has at least one. The moment he hangs up, the phone rings again, with a message from the Northern Water Tribe.
The acolyte managing the radio returns. "Sir, there's a message from—"
"Let me guess, the other Water Tribe?"
"No, sir, from Chief Beifong."
"What?" Tenzin knows better than to think it could be a social call, which is the last thing he needs at this moment. No, Lin would only contact him if she had no other option. Still, the timing is odd. Could she know something about this? He follows the Acolyte to the radio a few rooms away and accepts the microphone. "Lin?"
"This is Officer Song. Chief Beifong wants you to know we arrested a young woman who claims she's the Avatar."
Tenzin almost drops the microphone, and grips the table to steady himself. "What?" For the Avatar to be alive and active is one thing. For her to be in his own city is quite another. "Where? When? How?"
"The downtown district, less than half an hour ago. We got several calls about a street fight between a few benders and several Equalists …"
Equalists. Fear douses Tenzin's incredulous hope like a splash of cold water.
"… she fought or scared them off, but she ripped up the street and caused a lot of fire and water damage."
"Was it the Avatar State?" That would explain the glowing statues.
"That's what we think."
"Where is she now?"
"At the station."
"Tell Lin I'm on my way—and for goodness' sake, keep the Avatar safe."
He runs through the halls, an act that he usually scolds his children for doing. He considers simply using his glider, the fastest possible mode of transportation, but after a moment's deliberation he decides to take Oogi—just in case he has more companions on the way home.
Amon knew he might someday have to go into hiding, but he always hoped that he would move up to a nicer living situation—something Korra would enjoy. Now her opinion does not matter, he thinks bitterly, as he goes through his few significant belongings. If Korra reveals their address and describes his physical appearance, it will be only a matter of time before they initiate a search for him, starting at the apartment. He must disappear before they arrive, and he cannot leave anything pertinent for them to find.
He really should have made a habit of moving every few years, he reflects. He was selfish to stay in one place for so long. He wanted to maintain a sense of stability and permanence, something he had lacked for many years, something he should have known better than to hope for.
He does not have much to pack for himself: spare clothes, money, identification documents, a few odd weapons, various Equalist memorabilia, a few mementos he saved over the years. He knows where his own belongings are. But Korra's room is a different situation. He will have to search it quickly before leaving, just to make sure they don't find any leads.
He has the bomb in his safe … that would serve a double purpose, destroying evidence and sending a message. He could pull the fire alarm and have people evacuate the building before detonating it. That might be enough to scare Korra, so much that she will not want to take further action. But then again, it might reinforce her belief that he is in the wrong, that she must fight him. He must stay on the moral high ground as much possible.
He remembers the night he found her, how he ransacked her family's igloo, took everything that bore evidence of her existence, hid it all in the motorboat, and gave orders to have it destroyed. This is much the same, but more difficult, because all these items stir his memories.
He goes over to the jewelry box he gave Korra years ago, and finds it filled with odds and ends from her childhood: rocks and acorns from the park, sea glass and shells from the beach, bits of trash found in the street, some handcrafted items. Memories come back as Amon lifts up the origami they made together, creased in the wrong places from all Korra's failed attempts at folding it correctly.
The only real piece of jewelry is a necklace, with a choker he made and a pendant he bought—his gift to Korra on her thirteenth birthday. He is grateful she didn't throw it out. He tucks it into a pocket that buttons closed inside his coat.
He runs his hand over the bedspread where he comforted a toddler from her nightmares, resigning himself to the fact that such happy, innocent period is over. He takes a last long look at the room, and finally turns his back on it all.
Korra recognizes parts of the police headquarters' interior, but the cops also lead her through rooms that she has not seen before. When they book her, they find her rap sheet, which informs them of the one other time she was arrested. That was the night Amon told her about the Equalist movement. How strangely fitting that she both began and ended her career as an Equalist by being arrested.
She thought it might be easier to tell her story after finally revealing her secrets to her friends, since she is no longer pressed for time. But it is actually more difficult, because now she has to go into the details of what she has done over the past three years, and even deeper into her relationship with Amon. Lin Beifong and a deputy named Saikhan record her testimony on a blank record and also take detailed notes on paper.
She starts with the most relevant and time-sensitive facts she can think of. She remembers to warn them about the bomb she saw in their apartment. Lin directs a cop to call the porter and evacuate the building before they investigate there. Korra knows Amon will be gone by the time they arrive, probably underground, both figuratively and literally. She tells them about the tunnels under the city, and they produce a map for her to point out all the entrances she knows of.
When they ask about her criminal activity, Korra tells them about the recruitment, training, missions, and rallies. She confesses to charges of kidnapping, conspiracy, and aiding and abetting criminals, but shows contention when they use the word treason. "I'm from the Water Tribe. Technically, I'm not a United Republic citizen. I couldn't really betray the country if it was never mine to begin with, right?"
"We're still waiting for someone who can verify your identity," Saikhan informs her.
"Even if you are who you say you are," Lin gripes, "that technicality does not change your intent or the consequences of your actions. You thought you were a legal citizen, and conspired against the city anyway. That makes you a traitor."
It's ironic, really. Korra feels herself sinking down to a new level of betrayal by revealing what she knows about Amon, the Equalists, and the revolution. She could still do worse, though. The final, lowest blow would be to fight directly against them—not just defensively, as she did tonight, but offensively, to stop their actions and put an end to their activities. There have been times over the past few weeks when she truly wanted to do just that, but after what just happened she is less certain.
"What can you tell us about Amon's criminal activity?"
"You know about his ability? How he takes people's bending?"
"We've heard. Not everyone believes it."
"It's true. I've seen it. And I'm pretty sure he killed people after using them as test subjects." She tells them everything she knows, as well as everything she suspects. Saikhan tries to draw out descriptions of the Equalist network and how it operates. Then Lin asks for details about Korra's relationship with Amon.
"In general, did you get along?"
A lump threatens to rise in Korra's throat again. She forces it down and says, "Yeah. We did."
"Did he ever physically hurt you?"
Korra thinks hard and chooses her words carefully. "We had one physical fight, when I confronted him with what I found out … I don't know who started it, but we were both hitting each other. But he was never abusive … in fact, when we met people who had been in abusive situations, he used to say … he used to tell me I was lucky that I ended up with him instead of someone who'd hurt me." As she says it, she comes to a new understanding. "I think he wanted me to feel like I owed him."
Lin asks the questions the others are too afraid or embarrassed to ask. "Did he ever molest you?"
Korra bristles at the woman's bluntness. "No."
"Did he ever rape you?"
"No!"
"Sorry, but legally I had to ask."
In spite of everything, Korra still instinctively wants to defend her father figure, and resents them for assuming the worst. They don't know what kind of person he is. But then again, she reminds herself, neither does she.
They ask how she learned the truth about where she came from, so she tells them about her dreams (they are clearly skeptical about this point), her conversations with Amon, and her investigation at the library. This leads into an explanation of the events that led to this moment: her house arrest, the attack on the Arena, and the car chase. "They were waiting and watching us, and when they figured out we'd beaten the kidnappers and were going to betray them, they sent another team to stop us."
"It's that 'going to' that I don't trust," Lin breaks in.
"What do you mean?" Saikhan asks.
"Isn't this a little too convenient? There's a real chance she could be acting on Amon's orders."
"What? No!" Korra feels her frustration renewed. "He wouldn't want me bending in the street like that."
"Not even if it reinforced hatred of benders?"
Korra blinks, and then wonders if that might have been the case after all. Did Amon or the chi-blockers want to force a reaction out of her?
Another officer comes into the room. "Chief, Councilman Tenzin is here."
Korra feels a spasm inside, but cannot tell if it is a good or bad emotion; she only knows that this is a significant development. Lin pauses a beat, not looking particularly happy about the news, then says, "Fine. Stay here while I speak with him." The deputy stands aside as she leaves.
Lin finds Tenzin being held up by the two boys who insisted on being brought to the station. Of course they finished their testimony more quickly than the Avatar. Tenzin looks over their heads at her. "Lin! There you are."
The boys turn and immediately accost her next. "Chief Beifong—"
She points to the nearest bench. "You two sit down and wait. We have enough to sort out without your hovering."
"How much longer is this going to take?" Bolin asks.
"As long as it has to." She gestures for Tenzin to follow her down the hall.
"Thank you for notifying me," Tenzin says.
Lin grunts. "Don't take it personally. I promised your parents I would, if the time came."
"What I don't understand," he says, his brow furrowing, "is what they were asking me to sort out. What did the Avatar do that warranted an arrest?"
"Song didn't fill you in?"
Tenzin looks slightly sheepish. "He just said you'd found her … so I said I'd come right away."
Lin huffs in annoyance. "We got called because Equalists were in the streets and three benders were tearing up a neighborhood, one of them with multiple elements. We arrested her because she confessed to being an Equalist."
Tenzin stops walking. "Say again?"
Lin turns and looks directly at him for the first time. "If her story is true, Amon is the one who took her from her home. He brought her here, to Republic City. She was practically raised to be a terrorist." She stops when she sees how shocked Tenzin is. "Do you need to sit?"
"I'm—I'm fine." He runs a hand over his bald head, one arrow tattoo almost meeting the other. "This just … well, changes things."
"No kidding."
"Was she … did she know who and what she is?"
"If what she says is true, she didn't know about the kidnapping or being the Avatar until a couple weeks ago."
They pass through the observation room looking in on Asami Sato's interrogation. "That's Hiroshi Sato's daughter," Lin informs Tenzin. "She's a nonbender, but says she opposes the Equalists. Apparently she's the Avatar's closest friend. They both claim her father is also an Equalist conspirator."
"Hiroshi Sato an Equalist?" This surprises Tenzin, though it is arguably easier to swallow than the previous revelation.
"He does have the means, and a motive," Lin reminds him.
"That's true." They both remember the tragedy, one of the most publicized crimes committed during Lin's tenure as Chief of Police. It caused a great deal of stress for her and the force when it took place.
"We don't have any substantial charges against the boys, and at any rate they couldn't be Equalists. But the Sato girl's still suspect, if you ask me. They say her father has been financing and manufacturing their technology. We'll have to investigate her home, but that could be a setup to trap my officers."
Lin finally leads Tenzin into the observation room that offers a one-way view of Korra's interrogation chamber she left. Tenzin stops short when he sees her, then comes up close to the glass, staring and studying the girl. "Is this … her?"
"Yeah." Lin follows his gaze. "She says she's Tonraq and Senna's kid." She looks at Tenzin. "You've met them before. What do you think?"
Tenzin nods slowly, his eyes not leaving the teenager. "I believe it. I can see the resemblance. She's Senna's spitting image."
"Hm. That closes one missing person case."
"Who knows she's here?"
"Everyone who saw her in the street, and anyone who's heard the news by word of mouth."
Tenzin strokes his beard reflectively. "We need to notify the rest of the council, sooner rather than later—before the press gets wind of all this. I expect the Water Tribe representatives will want to see her, and pass the news on to their chief—he's her uncle, and helped lead the international search for her. If I could wire Kya, she can tell Korra's parents that she's here."
"How'll they take the news that she's an Equalist?"
"I don't know." Tenzin pauses. "If she's an Equalist, how did she end up fighting them tonight?"
"She says they went after her because she was going to turn herself in. That's the part I doubt most. She could be setting us up, planting herself as a spy—"
"Oh, really, Lin—"
"Don't 'oh really' me. If this proves anything, it's that even an Avatar can turn bad."
"She's just a girl—"
"And your father was just a boy when he fought the Fire Lord. You can't underestimate an Avatar."
"All right, point taken." But Tenzin looks closely at her and asks, "What's really bothering you?" He knows her too well.
Lin is silent for a moment, turning away to stare through the glass. Then she answers flatly: "That girl had a record before tonight. A few years ago, we brought her in with a group of protesters who resisted arrest." Lin raises a hand to her face, pressing the bridge of her nose. "I just can't believe that the Avatar was here and I didn't realize it."
Tenzin puts a hand on her shoulder, startling her somewhat. "No one expected a situation like this. Amon played us all … including her. Now all we can do is make the best of the situation."
She looks at him, and for the first time that evening, her expression conveys some of the emotions she is experiencing, among them stress, discouragement, and a strange, uncharacteristic helplessness. "How do do you suggest we start?"
He removes his hand and nods toward the door. "May I speak with her?"
"I'm not going to stop you."
Tenzin enters the interrogation chamber with Lin on his heels. She dismisses the two officers, leaving a chair free for Tenzin.
Korra stares at him, recognizing both the young man from Aang's memory and the Councilman from the newspapers. A minute ago, she was apprehensive because she did not know who she could trust. She feels she can trust this man, but as he looks at her, a different kind of apprehension seizes her, the self-conscious kind. She is keenly aware that she is being scrutinized, but she feels almost as awed and hesitant as Tenzin.
He steps closer to the table. "Avatar Korra?" He looks at her with soft eyes, solemn but kind. "My name is Tenzin."
Something in Korra's heart hurts, because she remembers feeling the connection they had in Aang's lifetime, but does not feel it now that she, Korra, is finally with him. She wanted to meet him, but this way of meeting is all wrong. "Tenzin." Her voice comes out sounding hoarse, so she swallows and tries to start over. "I'm sorry …"
"It's alright," he says, which they all know is nonsense. His automatic assurance is that of a father, someone used to giving comfort. "I'm here to help you."
She grimaces. "I really made a mess of things, huh?"
He sits down across from her. "I know these aren't desirable circumstances, but even so, it's good to finally meet you."
"Thanks. It's nice to meet you … you know, in this lifetime. I, um …"
"Yes?"
Korra hesitates, knowing how dubious Lin is, but then decides to go ahead and tell them. "I saw some of your dad's memories. One was about you, the day you got your tattoos." She turns to look at Lin, who stares with incredulity. "You and your family were there too." She looks back at Tenzin, who seems amazed but not disbelieving. "I know how much it meant to him. I felt it. He was so proud of you. And he said he hoped that when the next generation of airbenders got their tattoos, there would be more of them to move the chimes and incense." Tenzin and Lin both stare at her. Korra returns their gaze, waiting, willing them to believe and accept her.
Tenzin looks at her, and then says simply, "I believe you." The corners of Korra's mouth turn upwards, as she feels hopeful for the first time tonight.
Lin turns toward the door. "We're still watching," she reminds them as she leaves the room.
"She doesn't like me," Korra says. "But I guess I can't blame her, after everything I did."
"I think there may be more to it than that," Tenzin says. He looks at her a moment longer before asking, "When you were fleeing the Equalists tonight, did you use bending against them?"
She shifts uncomfortably in her seat, but with her hands chained to the table it does not make much of a difference. "Yeah."
"And was all of it the result of conscious effort?"
"… No."
Tenzin senses her reluctance. "I know you've been through a difficult experience, but I need to know. We can help you control your power in the future."
Korra bites her lip. She does not want to think about it, but she does want to know how to prevent it. "We were surrounded … I didn't want to face Amon, and I couldn't let him get to my friends. I just … I was so scared, and angry too, and … I don't know if I was desperate or determined, maybe both, and somehow … it was like moving in a dream, I knew what to do but I don't know how I did it. Somehow I ended up blasting the street and a bunch of chi-blockers. When I woke up they were gone. I don't know if they've been found, or whether they were hurt or …" Her lip trembles, and she bites down on it, not wanting to cry again tonight.
"If they were, it wasn't your fault." When Korra looks up at Tenzin again, his expression is solemn but understanding. "You're not the first Avatar to experience difficulty controlling the Avatar State."
That phrase rings a bell in Korra's memory. "So what happened to me has a name?"
"Yes. It's a defense mechanism that channels the power of all your past lives through your body."
"So … since there have been about a thousand Avatars, that was like having a thousand bending masters working in sync?"
Tenzin pauses. "Well … something like that."
"Great." Korra laughs, bark-like and humorless. "I'm a one-woman army. No wonder Amon wanted me on his side."
"This can be a lesson for you, to be wary of your power. But you mustn't be discouraged. You will learn to control it, just as your past lives did. And once that happens, how you use your power will be entirely up to you."
Lin comes back then, and joins them at the table, with a new question for Korra. "Is Amon likely to be searching for you?"
Korra considers this. Tonight Amon wanted her captured so she could not reveal Equalist secrets, but she has already done that, so his priorities will be different from now on. "He might try to capture me if he thinks I'm going to fight the Equalists. I don't know if he'd still want … parental custody at this point. Even if he does, I don't think he'll want me back on his side, after what I've done."
A moment passes in silence. Then Tenzin asks her, "Do you have any questions for us?"
This is different, and welcome, as Korra remembers one key topic she has wondered about lately. "My parents." Tenzin and Lin immediately seem unsettled. She fumbles on, "I know their names, and some of my father's history, but I don't know anything about them now. Do you … are they …"
"They're alive and well," Tenzin assures her.
Korra smiles in relief and hope. "Do you know them?"
"We've met a few times. They're close to my mother and sister." But Tenzin looks uneasy as he says this. "However, there is something you should know. I'm just not sure how you'll take it …"
"What?"
"You were your parents' first child … but not their only one. You have a younger brother and sister."
Korra looks at him with a silence and blankness that increases the adults' apprehension. "Huh." She bows her head slightly, and then trembles. "Wow. Okay." Korra looks at her hands, still chained to the table. She tries to picture a family of four—or five, if she can squeeze herself into the imaginary frame. A man, woman, boy, and girl who look similar to her. "What—what are their names? Their ages?"
Tenzin strokes his beard absently as he tries to remember. "Your brother's name is Damasak. He was born a year after my first child—he would be nine by now. Your sister is Hanami; I think she is six."
"Wow," Korra says again.
"Does this news upset you?"
Korra finds that question incredibly hilarious. So many things have upset her lately, but this, bizarre though it is, is not one of them! She surprises them by smiling, and makes noises that could be either sobs or giggles. "Are you kidding? That's the first piece of good news I've heard in weeks!" She bends over her hands, laughing and crying at the same time.
Tenzin and Lin exchange glances, as though worried about her state of mind.
"I'm sorry," she mutters after a few minutes, turning her head against her hands to wipe her eyes dry. "It's been a weird day. Weird couple of weeks, actually."
"I promised we would notify them if and when you were found," Tenzin says. "When we do contact them, Korra, would you want to send them a message? Arrange to meet them?"
"I …" Her first instinct is to say of course, but when she thinks about it, she becomes less certain. "I don't know. Someday, sure, but now …"
"Well, you don't need to decide right away," he says, his eyes crinkling with sympathy. "Spirits know, you have enough going on already." He stands and turns to Lin. "I need to send that wire." She nods and he leaves the room, but not before telling Korra, "We'll talk more soon."
While Tenzin goes to the communications room, Lin and Saikhan finish taking down Korra's testimony. When they finally finish, they bring Tenzin the minutes so he can understand the full extent of the new Avatar's crimes. He is grave as he skims them, yet he seems stubbornly committed, as though he has already made a decision and resolved to see it through to the end.
"Tenzin, we can't afford to be sentimental about this."
"This isn't about sentiment," he insists, "this is about—duty. Maybe honor and legacy too; but those all stem from responsibility. She has the same responsibility for the world that my father carried, and we are responsible for helping her shoulder that burden. Can we not agree on that?"
Lin nods curtly.
Tenzin pushes the pages of minutes forward on the table. "That being said, with everything that's happening, I think criminal activity in her past is the wrong thing to focus on."
"If we drop the charges just because she's the Avatar, people might use that as an example of bender favoritism," Lin points out.
"I suppose. And we can't very well let her leave unprotected. But if she stays in police custody, I don't think she should go to the prison. That's the first place Amon would look for her, either to free her or to keep her from giving information."
"Then what do you suggest?" Saikhan asks.
"I suppose some kind of house arrest. Outside of the city would probably be safest, but I'd be more than happy to let her stay on Air Temple Island."
Lin looks at him dubiously. "You? With a new kid and the Council keeping you in the city most of the time?"
"We're the closest thing to family she has around here. She needs stability."
"What about security?" Saikhan asks.
"The White Lotus can get here within a day. If you could lend some officers until then—"
"Fine," Lin concedes. "I'll ask Tarrlok to do the same."
Korra has completely lost track of time by now, there being no clock in the interrogation room. She thinks it has been fifteen or twenty minutes since Tenzin and Lin left her with some other officers. How many hours have passed since Asami picked her up?
Finally, Aang's son and Toph's daughter return. Korra wastes no time asking, "So what are you going to do with me?"
"We're not entirely sure," Tenzin says carefully. "We've agreed that you should stay in protective custody."
"To protect me, or protect people from me?"
"Probably both," Lin says.
"But," Tenzin goes on, "the exact location is debatable. The most secure places in Republic City are the police station and the city prison, but—"
"The Equalists know those places inside and out," Korra says. "They've got schematics. They'd probably try to bust me out."
"Well, I'd like to offer an alternative. If you wish, you can stay on Air Temple Island with my family and me."
Korra perks up at this idea. She has never been to the island, but it has always looked beautiful from a distance, and the Air Nomads are supposed to be peaceful. It might be a good place to hide out for a while, and Tenzin would be there to help her figure out this mess. "What about my friends? The Equalists will be looking for Asami too, and the boys can't go back to their apartment."
"We'll leave it up to them. Lin, if you don't mind?"
Lin purses her lips, and grudgingly flicks her wrist. The handcuffs snap open, allowing Korra to stand. Tenzin gestures for her to follow him out of the room.
Korra glances over her shoulder at the Chief of Police. They both remember the rude, mistrustful gestures they made to each other the last time they parted ways in this place. But now Korra extends a peace offering: "Thank you … Chief Beifong."
Lin's lips part slightly, surprise evident in her expression. Korra turns and follows Tenzin out into the hallway.
They find her friends lounging on a bench. Bolin is sitting with one leg hugged against his chest, a morose expression on his downcast face. Pabu is curled up under the bench, while Asami is lying on it with her head in Mako's lap. For a moment Korra feels ashamed for forgetting about her: this severing of ties with the Equalists is painful and exhausting for Asami too. But at least she has good company, Korra thinks, spotting Mako's comforting hand stroking her hair.
Her friends straighten and stand when they see her. "You okay?" Bolin asks, beating the others to the question.
Korra starts to nod automatically, but then thinks better of it, and shakes her head truthfully. Now that she has chosen to tell the truth, she ought to try to make it a habit.
Bolin gives her a one-armed hug. "You'll feel better soon," he says, the image of upbeat confidence.
Tenzin clears his throat, drawing the teenagers' attention to him. "I'd like to invite all four of you to stay at Air Temple Island. With everything that is happening on the mainland, it may be the safest place."
The boys look amazed, but Asami smiles, her entire countenance brightening. "That would be wonderful," she says graciously. "Thank you."
"I came here on my sky bison, but if you'd rather take the ferry we could arrange an escort—"
The idea of going from the station to the docks, surrounded by police and heckled by passersby, is enough to banish any nervousness Korra might feel about flying. She glances at her friends. "I'm up for the bison, if you guys are."
A response of "Okay" from Asami, "Cool" from Mako, and "All right!" from Bolin settles the matter.
Tenzin leads the four of them and two officers up a staircase to the roof, where his bison is waiting. A stepladder is there to help them climb up, but Tenzin leaps up onto the creature's neck—using airbending, the teenagers realize belatedly.
"Please don't lean over the side," Tenzin requests. "In fact, try not to let anyone below see you." He flicks the reins. "Oogi, yip-yip!"
The first-time flyers grab the closest thing they can find—parts of the saddle, another's hand or arm—as the bison leaps up. The closest thing they can compare it to is the rush of a racecar at the Sato track—it is not as fast, but the change in altitude makes the air seem to rush past them in a similar way. Mere seconds later, once they are high above the police station and other buildings, Oogi stops ascending and seems to fly in a straight line.
The four friends look at each other. Korra realizes that she grabbed Mako's arm, while Bolin grabbed hers. They quickly release each other, laughing nervously, smiling apologetically. Then they look at the city below them.
"Whoa."
They have all seen beautiful views of the city, looking down from different vantage points, but this view is panoramic, unobstructed: the city is completely spread out around and below them. Korra remembers her fantasies and dream-memories about using airbending to fly. She glances at Tenzin, wondering if he can teach her how to do that.
"I came to Air Temple Island once, on a field trip with my class," Asami says. "You guys will like it. It's a nice community."
Tenzin directs Oogi to land in a courtyard between a roofed walkway and a pond. Korra wonders if the water feature was made so Aang's wife and daughter could use it for waterbending. As Tenzin helps them get down from the saddle, a few Air Acolytes approach them, coming from different directions.
A woman with her hair pulled back in a low bun comes right up to Tenzin. "Is everything okay?" she asks.
"We're fine," Tenzin says, taking her hand and looking to the four teenagers. "This is my wife, Pema." He turns to the other Acolytes and says, "We need to have a community meeting. Can you help get everyone together?"
"Of course." Pema gives then a small smile, and then she and the other Acolytes scatter to different areas.
Tenzin leads the teenagers inside while the two metalbenders stand watch at the entrance. Despite knowing that Aang lived here periodically, Korra does not feel any sense of familiarity in these surroundings—until they arrive at the spacious room that Tenzin says is the meeting place: it is the same sanctuary in which Aang anointed Tenzin as an airbending master. Tenzin notices her gaping, and seems to understand the reason.
It only takes about fifteen minutes for the entire community, between two and three dozen Air Nomads, to assemble.
Among the last are three children dressed in matching yellow and orange uniforms, who run up excitedly to the front of the sanctuary. Korra recognizes the tallest as the one who came to the library so many weeks ago. "Dad! Did you find the Avatar?" the smallest one, a bald boy, asks.
"Yes, I did." Tenzin turns to Korra and gestures to each of the kids. "These are my children: Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo. Kids, this is Damasak and Hanami's sister, Korra."
Jinora is startled when she recognizes Korra. "It's you," she says. "From the library."
Korra smiles, glad to see this familiar face. "That's right. I remember that day. You were the first airbender I met."
Jinora looks delighted. "I knew I felt a bond with you!"
"Are you really the Avatar?" the younger girl, Ikki, demands.
"Yeah."
"Our Grandpa Aang was the Avatar. Does that mean you're our grandma?"
Bolin and Mako snort as they try not to laugh. Jinora gives her sister a withering look. "Gran-Gran is our grandma on Dad's side, Ikki."
Feeling playful, Korra puts a hand on her hip. "Do I look old enough to be a grandma?"
Ikki looks her over, seemingly deep in thought, before quickly justifying her theory. "Well, Grandpa Aang didn't look old enough to be a hundred and twelve when he came out the iceberg."
More than a few people laugh. "Okay, fair enough," Korra says. "I guess I am your spiritual grandparent. These are my friends, Asami, Mako, and Bolin."
Meelo notices Pabu coming down from Bolin's shoulders. "What's that furry creature?"
"That is a fire ferret," Jinora identifies. "An arboreal mammal common to the bamboo forests of the Earth Kingdom."
Ikki gasps and squeals loudly, "He's cute!" before rushing toward Pabu, who then runs in the opposite direction. The Acolytes casually step aside for the animal and the airbender pursuing him.
Tenzin counts heads until he is convinced everyone who should be present has arrived. Then he goes to the front of the room, and a respectful silence falls.
"Thank you all for coming at such short notice," Tenzin says loudly. "As you can see, we have some visitors."
"Is one of them the Avatar?" a male Acolyte asks, apprehending the strangers.
The four friends exchange uneasy glances until Korra raises her hand sheepishly. "That's me."
Tenzin puts a hand on her shoulder and addresses the assembly. "I'm very pleased to introduce Korra, daughter of Tonraq and Senna of the Southern Water Tribe."
The Acolytes exclaim joyfully and break into applause, a reaction that embarrasses Korra as much as it touches her. Her friends grin at her as if to say, See? They like you.
Tenzin raises a tattooed hand to silence the small crowd. When everyone quiets down, he explains the situation. "Avatar Korra and her companions will be our guests for the time being, and we would like to keep their whereabouts secret. Starting now, security measures on and around the Island will increase. Chief Beifong has agreed to lend her own officers until the White Lotus arrive. All communication and transportation to and from the island will be monitored."
It occurs to Korra that she has left one house arrest to begin another, and is now imposing the same condition on her friends and, to an extent, this community.
As the crowd disperses, she goes up to Tenzin and asks quietly, "Tenzin? Am I endangering people by being here?"
He does not answer right away, and that tells her enough. But after a moment he says, "I don't think we're in any more danger than we were before, considering who we are." He has a point. He and his family may be the only airbenders, but everyone in this community is dedicated to sustaining Aang's legacy, and they know airbending to be a crucial part of it.
Ikki comes up and tugs on Korra's hand. "Do you want to see our baby brother?"
Korra remembers reading about the new Air Nomad's birth, just days ago. "Uh …"
"Sure," Asami answers. Ikki takes her hand too and pulls the girls toward Pema, who is now holding a small bundle in her arms. Mako, Bolin, Jinora, and Meelo follow them.
Korra cannot remember the last time she saw a baby—probably in a public place—and she does not think she has ever seen a newborn. Rohan must be the smallest person she has ever seen.
"Aww," Bolin coos, "he's so cute!"
Ikki stands on her tiptoes to address her youngest brother. "Hi, Rohan! Look who's here!" She pulls Korra over and says, "This is Korra! She's our grandpa's reincarnation."
Rohan's eyes fall on her, and then widen to look fully. He opens his little mouth, and dimples form in his cheeks as the corners of his lips turn upward.
"Aw, he likes you, Korra!" Bolin says, squeezing her arm.
"I wonder if he can tell you're connected," Jinora says thoughtfully.
"Do you want to hold him?" Pema offers.
Korra is taken aback by the casual, welcoming, familiar suggestion. She shakes her head, remembering how much damage her hands caused a few hours ago. She does not trust them to hold something—someone—so fragile.
"May I?" Asami asks. Pema nods, and explains how to support him before handing her son to her guest. Asami holds him and gently bounces his weight back and forth. Rohan still seems quite alert, his eyes darting from one person to the next. It seems to Korra that he keeps looking back at her.
Tenzin comes up to their circle and looks between Korra and Rohan, his gray-blue eyes tender but somehow sad. "We can't tell, yet, whether he's an airbender, but my mother thinks it's likely."
The discomfiting fear Korra felt when she met Jinora and Skoochy intensifies, multiplies, concentrates in her heart. It does not matter that she barely knows these people. It does not even matter that they are her previous life's family. She only knows that what Amon wants to do to them—this father, these children, this infant—is wrong.
Hitting on this truth, Korra starts to feel once more the conviction that made her stand up to Amon, first for her parents, and again for her friends. She may not be able to protect all benders, but she can—she must—she will protect as many as possible. Her first friends and the last airbenders are a good start.
A sound like a small gong pierces the peaceful atmosphere. The newcomers are startled. "Is that an alarm?" Mako asks.
"No, it's the dinner bell," Tenzin says calmly.
"Can they eat with us?" Ikki asks eagerly.
"Of course," Pema says, "if they'd like to."
"Yes, very much." Asami hands Rohan back to Pema.
"Come," Tenzin says, and they follow him out of the assembly room.
As they pass through a roofed walkway linking the buildings, Korra notices police motorboats coming and going from the island's dock, dropping off metalbender cops and task force waterbenders. She knows she should be glad for their presence, but the fact that such precautions are necessary adds weight to her already heavy heart.
There is a dining hall with about a dozen tables where most of the Acolytes eat, but the Air Nomad family has a private room with a larger table already laden with food. A cook brings more plates and utensils until everyone has a place setting.
As soon as they are seated, Bolin makes an eager noise and picks up a bun, but Tenzin says, "Just a moment." Bolin drops it and draws his hand back. The Air Nomads all fold their hands and bow their heads, so the teenagers follow suit.
Tenzin speaks in a practiced yet sincere tone: "We are grateful for this delicious food, for our safety, for companionship, and for the presence of these brave young people." Hearing this, Korra does not know whether she feels grateful or ashamed, or both at once. Her friends are certainly brave, but she suspects the words are more for her, and she feels least worthy of them. Tenzin continues: "We are grateful for happiness, compassion, and peace. We are grateful for our hope for the future, and our guidance from the past."
"Amen." The family says it in unison, and the guests echo it belatedly. Korra cannot remember every hearing someone pray before eating; Noatak never did, and she doubts whether her friends grew up with the practice. It seems quaint—old-fashioned but endearing.
The food, though devoid of any meat, is quite good, and for a little while they talk about how it is grown and cooked, and how their kitchens differ. A few minutes pass before the teenagers notice Pema nursing Rohan as she eats her meal. Korra catches her friends' eyes, and their reactions seem similar to her own, surprised that she can be so casual and comfortable with them, complete strangers who might be dangerous. No one else comments on it, though, so it must be typical for Pema and her family. They try to avoid staring on the one hand and averting their gazes on the other hand.
The airbender kids alleviate any potential awkwardness, and distract everyone from the gravity of the day's events. They ask to feed and play with Pabu, who slinks under the table and around the diners. The kids are full of questions for the newcomers, some of them quite forward: Meelo requests some of Asami's hair, Ikki inquires which of the teenage friends are dating ("Ikki," Pema scolds, "it's not polite to ask such personal questions,"), and Jinora asks Korra if she has met or seen any memories of her past lives. Contributing to the conversation is both relaxing and exhilarating.
Finally she makes a comment about being tired, and Tenzin agrees that they should rest. Pema leads the children to their rooms, and the teenagers bid each other goodnight before going to their respective dormitories. They exchange hugs again, and Mako kisses Asami's cheek.
"I want you both to know," Mako says, looking between the two girls, "we're here for you."
"We know," Asami says, smiling and squeezing his hand. "We appreciate it."
Korra starts to apologize again, but Bolin holds up a hand and cuts her off. "No, ma'am, no apologies allowed. We are here to support you, because we want to." Korra smiles feebly in thanks.
"Pema and I sleep in here," Tenzin says, pointing out the largest bedroom. "Please let us know if you need anything."
"Thank you for your hospitality," Asami says, bowing slightly.
"Yeah. Thanks—for everything," Korra adds, feeling utterly inadequate.
A female acolyte brings them some pajamas and and toiletries, and escorts the girls to a room in the women's dormitory. Police officers guard the doorway, and more patrol the beach and the windows and doors outside. Korra wonders if they are more concerned with protecting her from the Equalists or making sure she does not leave.
"This is kind of like old times," Asami points out as they change into the borrowed pajamas. "Remember those sleepovers we had?"
"Yeah. Those were fun." They used to talk about personal things, like parents and growing up and finding their place in the world. At that time, those matters all seemed very serious, but looking back, they seem simplistic, so hopeful and full of possibility.
Asami finds a hairbrush among the toiletries and begins brushing her hair. "Everyone here is so nice. Especially the family."
"I guess this is what a normal family's like." It seems an ironic thing to say, since Tenzin's may be one of the least typical families in the world.
"Yeah. None of us have had that since we were little."
"It feels too normal after all this crazy stuff. Almost too nice … like a vacation, or an award. It feels too good to be true."
Asami stops brushing her hair and looks at her friend. "Do you not trust them?"
"No, I do. At least, I trust Tenzin and his family. What I don't trust is how peaceful this place seems to be. I guess I'm scared for them, because it probably won't last much longer." Korra sits down on one of the beds. The mattress is harder than she expected, but she has slept on harder ground while camping. She feels exhausted, but also far too awake to sleep peacefully. "What do you suppose will happen now?"
Asami blows out the lamp and gets into the other bed. "I don't know. I guess it depends on who makes the first move—the Equalists or the city."
"Yeah. They'll both be itching to take action."
"What do you think our dads are doing now?"
"Probably the same thing we are: hiding and figuring out what to do."
After a minute of silence, Asami turns on her side, getting into a comfortable position. "Wake me up if you want to talk."
"Thanks," Korra says, but she knows she will not take up this offer. Asami is a great person to talk to about sports, technology, relationships, morals, or ethics, but she does not know what it means to be a bender, or a sister. Though grateful for her friend's presence and good intentions, Korra wishes she had someone who could empathize rather than sympathize with her.
She wants her parents, more than ever—but even if that wish were immediately granted, there would be too many issues to deal with before she could open up to them.
She wants Noatak—she cannot remember the last words she spoke to him, though she remembers his: "I know you'll do what's right."
She wants one of her past lives to help her, because they are the only ones who can truly understand her situation, the only ones who have ever wielded the kind of power she showed tonight. She waits and hopes for Aang or any past Avatar to come, in consciousness or sleep. She feels like a child willing her imaginary friend to appear.
No one comes.
Since knowledge of the entrances to the underground tunnels has now been compromised, Amon orders the Equalists to seal off the most important locations with platinum and evacuate the other cells and passageways.
Everyone he sees is afraid, and with good reason. They know him to be one of the most dangerous people in the world, and tonight he has good reason to be angry. Their organization has suffered what pro-bending fans would call a metaphorical knockout: he lost one of the best chi-blockers; his Lieutenant and two teams of high-ranking chi-blockers failed to carry out their mission; and the Avatar returned, posing the greatest obstacle yet.
He listens to the mission reports of the Equalists who were sent to the Arena and those who chased the targets through the streets. The only silver lining is that none of them were caught by police or other enemies. But rumors stir among the soldiers as they compare their experiences, trying to piece together the story. Was the rogue chi-blocker the same girl who bent multiple elements, proving herself to be the Avatar? If so, how did the Avatar end up an Equalist?
Amon decides to share the truth—at least, a great deal of it—with his two closest, most important allies.
The first is the Lieutenant, who, though ashamed and angry with himself after failing his mission, demands to know the exact nature of Korra's relationship to Amon. For the first time in his many years of service, he oversteps the boundaries of leader and follower: after ranting about the unfairness of Amon's favoritism, he almost shouts, "Who and what is she to you? A relative? A mistress?"
At that point, after hours of uncertainty and stress bordering on agony, Amon finally snaps. If he had to lash out at anyone, at least it can serve a purpose, putting his subordinate in his place.
He seizes the Lieutenant's collar and pushes him up against the wall; the man is too surprised by this sudden movement to fight back. Amon has seen fear in the Lieutenant before—in fact, it was his fear, as well as his anger and hatred, that made him such a good candidate for assistance and leadership—but this is the first time it has been directed at his leader. Amon hisses the words quietly: "She is my adopted daughter." With that he releases the Lieutenant, who stares stupidly, openly aghast.
Amon gives the briefest synopsis of the story of his shared life with Korra, and tells the Lieutenant, in no uncertain terms, that speculation among the Equalists will not be tolerated, and their leader's methods are not to be questioned except for reasonable clarification. The Lieutenant returns to his ingratiating obedience and dependable leadership.
"You understand, now, why I instructed you not to engage them unless they attacked first."
"Yes, sir," the Lieutenant answers, meek and sullen.
The eyes behind the mask bore into him. "This is not a merely matter of personal affection. The death of the Avatar could jeopardize the long-term success of our revolution. For that reason, it is imperative that she stay alive."
"Understood, sir."
They join a few other top officers to listen to the radio news reports on the day's events. So far the police have not made any official statements, but it will not be long before they do. In the meantime, reporters interview eyewitnesses and make up wild theories.
When the program finally ends, the Lieutenant switches it off and asks the question that is on every Equalist's mind: "Amon, how do you want to handle this?"
Amon stands and turns away, facing the posters on the wall: the map of Republic City, the mecha tank schematics. These used to represent all that he had to gain. Now he has much more to gain.
"If Korra has truly switched sides and shifted her loyalties to the council, she will tell them as much as she knows. Perhaps, by now, she already has. Fortunately, she was never well informed about the steps we planned to take. She only knew that the revolution was months away from completion." He turns to face the Lieutenant. "We will have to accelerate our plans in order to preserve any element of surprise."
The Lieutenant nods. This will mean more work for an already thinly stretched force, but the Equalists are nothing if not efficient.
Someone knocks at the door of the meeting room. "Enter," Amon says.
The newcomer opens the door slowly. "You wanted to see me, Amon?" Hiroshi Sato steps in tentatively. His skin almost matches the ashy streaks of gray in his beard.
"Mr. Sato. Yes. Come in. The rest of you, leave us."
Hiroshi steps aside so the others can leave. "What has happened to my daughter?"
"That is exactly what we need to discuss." Amon looks pointedly at the one remaining officer. "Lieutenant, you are excused."
The Lieutenant does not like to be excluded—it happens so rarely these days. He casts Hiroshi an annoyed, resentful glance before leaving the room, closing the door behind him.
The two men look at each other for a moment. Then Amon says, "Lock the door." Hiroshi obeys without asking why. Once there is no chance of a surprise entrance, Amon says, "I suppose, in your case, there's no longer any need for this." He pulls his hood down, unties the string behind his head, and lowers the mask from his face.
It is the same face that looked on Hiroshi with sympathy while their daughters learned how to defend themselves.
Hiroshi steps backwards on unsteady legs, his intelligent mind staggering as it puts together the pieces. "All this time," Hiroshi rasps, incredulous at his own blindness.
"I apologize for my duplicity, but it was a necessary precaution. I had to stay hidden in plain sight so I could give Korra a normal life. Until now, no one has ever known any connection between my two identities." He places the mask carefully on the table and looks at his ally. "Hiroshi Sato, you and Avatar Korra are the only ones who know both of my identities. She can tell our enemies what she knows about me, but all they have is her word, which I can easily deny. It is now more vital than ever that I not be found."
"I would never betray you," Hiroshi swears.
"Not even if they threatened your daughter?"
He freezes at this. Amon knows that Hiroshi draws his strength from his hatred of benders and love for his daughter. But those are also his greatest weaknesses, and Amon knows how to make use of both. "I do not imagine they will harm her if she complies with their wishes. But if she refuses to cooperate, or if they want to coerce you, a tyrant like Tarrlok wouldn't mind employing unusual punishment on you or her."
Hiroshi's voice is tight, almost stuttering as he tries to maintain his composure. "Korra w-wouldn't allow that, w-would she?"
"Korra may be the Avatar, but she is their prisoner as much as Asami. The only difference is that Korra is, to them, a more powerful Pai Sho tile. As a non-bender with no political position, Asami is more expendable … unless they decide to exploit your financial wealth. They're certainly not above blackmail." Amon leans on the table. "I do not doubt your loyalty, Hiroshi, but personal attachments can cloud the best of intentions. So understand this: If you want Asami back safely, you'll have to keep my secret and cooperate with my instructions."
Hiroshi nods, tight-lipped.
"Obviously, you cannot return to your home in the present climate. You will have to stay in hiding until we take control of the city."
"If you'll allow me to stay at the mountain airbase, I can continue work on the aircraft."
Amon nods. "We will meet tomorrow to arrange our acceleration to the final stage of the revolution. We will need your vehicles much sooner than we originally planned."
Hiroshi wrings his hands. "Asami … won't be held responsible, will she? For what happened tonight?"
"We do not know whose idea their escapade was."
"But if she's found—guilty, she won't be punished, will she?"
Amon clasps his hands behind his back and turns to face the wall of posters. "I feel your grief, Hiroshi. Our daughters' actions, while a blow to all Equalists, are a greater blow against you and I. Their fate after the revolution depends on what happens between now and the time we reclaim them. They will receive a fair trial. If they are truly penitent, and reaffirm their loyalty to us, they may be granted leniency. But if they continue to act against us, and refuse to renounce their opposition to the revolution, they will be dealt with according to their actions." He turns slightly to look over his shoulder at Hiroshi. "I have to be just, but I'm willing to show mercy to those who seek it."
Hiroshi nods in acceptance if not understanding. As they bid each other goodnight, Amon wonders whose burden is greater: having to make decisions about rescuing his daughter, or being powerless and having to wait for instructions before doing anything.
Alone at last, Amon unbuttons his uniform enough to open the inner pocket and touch Korra's necklace. He traces the character for daughter with his thumb, then closes a fist around the gift. He hopes Korra understands what she has done, what she has communicated to him by rejecting everything he gave her, turning her back on everything he taught her.
He cannot deny his anger; yet he cannot fully blame Korra. He blames Asami to some extent, and Hiroshi for allowing Asami to be so badly influenced by the culture and acquaintance of benders; but most of all he blames those two pro-benders that the girls think are their friends. Those boys made them think bending abilities were desirable and worth keeping, and eventually turned the girls against their fathers and their people.
They will pay for what they have done, Amon resolves. He will get Korra back and make her see the truth. Then he will return her necklace, as proof that even when she forsook him, he did not give up on her.
"I'll find you, Korra. You can't hide forever. I will find you and convince you of the truth, even if it is the last thing I do."
Author's Notes
Music: "Farewell, Good Angel" from Jane Eyre: The Musical, composed by Paul Gordon.
It might be a while before I update this story again, since I'm about to begin classes for my final semester of college. Please review and pray for me. Also pray for the United States, especially those in Washington, D.C. I'm worried about so many passionate people gathering to support or protest the inauguration. Please pray that everyone will be safe—police, civilians, and elected officials—no matter who they are or what they believe. Thanks and God bless!