Authors Note: Finally! At the first bit of big plot development in terms of action!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Avatar world, that is all owned by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko.

Chapter 14

Resistance

The group spent a full day driving in the car. Which Arlo primarily drove. Gale flew above them, flying ahead occasionally to let the trio know that they were still with them. When night came, they parked the vehicle as discreetly as possible. Proceeding to camp outside. Except Arlo, who insisted on sleeping in the car. The added speed allowed them to reach the next big Earth State City, Kang City in almost two days. A journey which would've taken weeks on foot.

Kang City was located in the middle of a giant sized crater, surrounded by mountains. There were multiple entrances up, through and between the mountains to enter and exit the city.

While on the road to Kang City, Arlo was regaling an old story about a time when Republic City was under lockdown. The fire bender was making the situation seem insanely humorous despite the obvious implications that it was anything but.

"We're getting close to Kang City." Wikilow observed from their surroundings, the treeline thinning out the more they drove.

"Yeah, like five to six-ish wish hours until we reach it. It'll be about nighttime when we get there though." Arlo further elaborated, eyes focused on the road ahead. "I've never been to Kang before. Wonder what it's like." The fire bender added.

"…Let's go around the city. It would be best if we avoided Kang City." Wikilow stated.

"Huh? Why's that?" Elsi inquired.

"The most resistance activity has occurred in Kang City. The Dai Li have increased their numbers in the area in response. It will be more effective to avoid the city entirely." Wikilow explained. surprising his companions.

"Resistance?" Elsi asked.

"Criminals who disrupt the peace stablished by the Dai Li." The Avatar continued. Elsi and Arlo shared a look before shrugging.

"Got it, we should have enough gas left to go around." Arlo alerted as he made a turn in the road.

"Understood." Wikilow said in turn.

"So, what do you know about the Resistance exactly?" Elsi prodded as they drove.

"Minor details regarding their activities. Their main base is located in the mountains/ But the Dai Li does not know the exact area to search. There's also high suspicion that the Beifong family is heading the operation." The Avatar droned.

"I see." The air bender said in turn as the sun set behind them.

Arlo drove them down a long straight road that would lead to an intersection. Multiple trees canopied above the road, moonlight reflecting off the gravel on the ground. The trio were silent inside, Arlo humming a small tune. A tired Elsi leaning against her seat, eyes half closed. Wikilow was still, attentively watching the road. His eyes widened for a fraction of a second. Before he jumped forward, wrestling the wheel from Arlo and swerving the car

The car screeched as the car's occupants were flung to the other side of the car. All but Wikilow shouted out as they hit a tree. Branches smashing through the window, barely missing Elsi. Who hung off a flimsy seatbelt that slowed her.

"WHAT WAS THAT?" Arlo yelled, unbuckling himself from his own seat and trying to get the door open. Gale pecked at the exterior from outside.

"Door's jammed!" Elsi added, trying the backseat doors.

"Road trap." Wikilow stated as he metal bended the doors apart, using his hands to rip them open. Getting out of the car with Arlo, Wikilow released Elsi before quickly walking to the road. Kneeling down, Wikilow closely inspected the gravel. He then carefully picked up a sharp metallic object. Pointing to a long row of the objects across the entire road.

"Sheesh, you saw those? They're so tiny." Arlo said, rubbing his forehead. Wikilow stared at the object a minute longer before throwing it away, the clink like thunder in the silence.

"This is bad. We need to move." Wikilow ordered, grabbing stuff from the wrecked car. His companions didn't question his urgency, and grabbed their belongings as well. Before they could move, a voice alerted them back to the road.

"Everything all right over there?" It asked in a friendly tone. "We heard the crash, you lot all right?" It continued, coming closer. The trio slowly turned around to see a woman in her late twenties enter the scene. She was dressed casually, as if going out on a stroll.

"…We're all fine, thanks!" Arlo replied, tone easing up.

"Do you need any help?" The woman questioned.

"…We're good. Thank you for offering though." Elsi said back unsurely.

"Didn't you kids get notified about the road closing? Dai Li's trying to catch some no good… runaways." The woman explained, stepping closer. Wikilow and Elsi stepped back.

"Run." Wikilow whispered.

He and Elsi immediately started sprinting, but Arlo stumbled while following them. Not getting the memo they had got at first. A wall of earth erupted between them. Wikilow ran back to assist the fire bender, destroying the wall and grabbing the cirque.

"Come on!" Elsi yelled up ahead, just barely dodging an earthen fist. Before she could move out of the way, the ground below her lifted up and was pulled back. The air bender just managing to jump off before it collided with a tree. Another, thicker wall came up between the group, splitting them up. Elsi screamed.

"Elsi!" Wikilow shouted before disabling a Dai Li agent. More and more of the agents appeared from the shadows as they fought.

"We have to get out of here! Now!" Arlo yelled, blinding one agent and rolling out of the way of another. Elsi was farther away from the two, being cornered. She blew one man away but couldn't defend against an incoming female agent. Luckily Gale swooped in and charged her stomach, taking the agent out. The spirit bird flew back to Elsi protectively.

"This is bad." Wikilow thought as he avoided a jagged rock. They could handle the current number of opponents, but for every agent downed two more appeared from the trees. The Avatar was more worried about his companions than himself.

Elsi maneuvered away from an agent attempting to chi block her. Hopping onto a large boulder to avoid another. Taking a breath she swept herself into a small tornado, forcing the closer agents back. Elsi then lifted herself into the air. Gale flying up with her. Looking down, she could see that Wikilow and Arlo were being pushed further and further back.

"Oh no…!" She panicked, gaze shifting from them to the agents below. The air way to their area was being bombarded with large boulders, making any passage extremely difficult. The seconds beat down on her as she hesitated. Suspended in the air in disarray. However, a lone light shone through the mountains. Elsi stared at it, the light from a city.

She made eye contact with Wikilow, who instantly understood. He nodded.

"We'll meet up later…" Elsi mouthed as she and Gale took off toward Kang City.

"Arlo! We're retreating!" Wikilow sternly ordered, pulling the fire bender by the arm. He then entered the Avatar State, using his free arm to clear a path out in a fell swoop.

"Huh! What about Elsi?" Arlo questioned, a bead of sweat trickling down his face.

"We'll meet later! We have to go!" Wikilow urged, Arlo relenting as he picked up speed. Enhanced by Wikilow's bending. And with squads upon squads of Dai Li agents on their tail the trio fled toward Kang City.

Elsi landed on top of a random store building then jumped down into an alley. The air bender then scampered into the streets and hid amongst the crowd. She was constantly vigilant, checking over her shoulder and watching everyone around her. Elsi eventually took shelter inside a dark alleyway further out in Kang City. Where Gale met up with her. Away from the bustling centre and glowing skyscrapers.

Searching the cramped space, Elsi found a large grey trench coat and hat. Putting them on to disguise herself as she went deeper into the alley. The twists and turns seemed to morph together after a while. The same bleak walls, ground and litter identical. Elsi stuffed her hands into the coat's pockets. Gale hopping along beside her. She wondered how she would find the others.

A sound from behind Elsi made her go still. Breath stopping she turned a corner and raced under a metal fire escape. Her heart rate sped up, every beat too loud.

Elsi and Gale were absolutely silent.

Elsi heard footsteps approach their location.

Elsi took a breath in and prepared for a fight. She spun to face her would be attacker before they could surprise her. The air bender had already moved into a fighting stance when she saw that it was no Dai Li agent. But a girl her own age, with raven shoulder length hair that were tied into two pigtails. Dusted goggles sat atop her head. The girl was dressed in a secretive black as well.

Elsi instantly pulled back, raising her hands to apologize.

"S…sorry! I thought you were someone else!" Elsi sputtered, backing away and turning to leave.

"…Err… no problem…" The girl said back, looking down the fire escape alley and then running after Elsi.

"…You just walking around…?" Elsi nervously asked. The girl didn't answer at first, checking behind her as she speed walked.

"Yeah, just taking a stroll…" The girl replied, not meeting Elsi's gaze. The sound of footsteps and yells interrupted the uneasy atmosphere of the alley. The girl's face grew wary and she took a few steps back before breaking out into a sprint. Elsi turned, surprised before seeing what had scared the girl. Dai Li agents, almost eight of them.

Elsi gasped, immediately following after the girl. Narrowly escaping being walled in by the agents. She caught up and matched the girl's speed in no time.

"…They… they after you too?" The girl asked as they ran through the alleys.

"…Y…yeah… I…I'm guessing it's the same for you?" Elsi said in turn. The girl nodded as they turned a corner.

"Hold on!" The girl muttered to her as they passed a metal door. "Yakko! It's me, open up! They're on my tail!" She urgently pressed, banging on the door. The sound of locks opening was heard as the door swung open. The girl rushed inside, and extended her hand to Elsi. "Come on! If the Dai Li don't like you, you're alright in my book!" She said.

Elsi nodded, having no other choice but to accept.

"T… thank you…" The air bender expressed, panting against the brick wall of the building.

"Don't mention it…" The girl went. "So, what are the blockheads after you for?" She asked, grabbing a water bottle from a nearby table and chugging it.

"M…my friend. They're after my friend mostly." Elsi explained, watching Gale hop on the table. "We actually got split up earlier. I need to meet up with them and then… hopefully we'll get out of here." She continued, loosening the trench coat and hat. "Will we even be able to just sneak out? How am I even going to find those two?" Elsi worriedly thought.

"That won't be easy. They've been watching the roads." The man known as Yakko grimly noted.

"They have?" Elsi asked.

"Yeah, they've been looking for something, or someone." Yakko went.

"Wikilow…" Elsi thought. "Oh…" She answered, swallowing.

"You know where your friends are?" The girl questioned, rubbing her goggles.

"…They should be around here, somewhere…" Elsi answered. The girl seemed to ponder something, before coming to a decision.

"Got it, we'll help you find them, then." The girl informed.

"What? No! I couldn't possibly ask that of you if you're in a similar position." Elsi quickly turned down. The girl shrugged, shaking her head.

"Nah, dude. This is what we do. Right guys?!" The girl went, aiming the last part at the room's other occupants. Who passionately cheered in turn. Yelling out obscenities about the Dai Li. "Because we… are the Resistance!" The girl announced, stepping on top of the table, hands on her hips.

"Huh? You're the Resistance?" The air bender asked.

"The one and only!" The girl went.

"I've heard of you." Elsi said, blinking.

"Good to hear!" The girl waved off.

"…Um… thank you for the help then. I'm Elsi." The air bender went, accepting their offer. The girl extended her hand for a handshake, which Elsi shook.

"The name's Yulan, Yulan Beifong."

A loud knock on the door ended the bright atmosphere. Every person stared at the door and then at each other. Afterwards, they slowly unloaded various weapons in preparation for a fight. Yulan grabbed some sort of metal baton from a belt within her coat. Yakko edged toward the doorframe.

"Elsi! Elsi you in there?" The voice of Arlo yelled, echoing in the room.

"A…Arlo?" The person in question went, surprised.

"Oh, your friend? So we don't have to go find them after all." Yulan went, lowering the baton.

"Yeah, it's me! Is Wikilow with you?" Elsi told the fire bender through the door after a quick "I know him! He's good," to a wary Yakko.

"I am here." The monotonous Wikilow said in turn.

"Who names their kid after a tree?" Yulan muttered with a snort, leaning against the table lax. Yakko opened the door and Arlo hopped inside. Racing up to Elsi immediately.

"Spirits! You had us worried there!" The fire bender shouted.

"Sorry… I was worried about you guys too." Elsi replied with a soft smile. Looking over the cirque's shoulder to try and see Wikilow.

Yakko jumped outside, trying to tackle the Avatar.

Yulan charged Arlo, pinning him to the floor.

The rest aimed their weapons at Elsi, who put her hands up.

"DAI LI AGENT!"

Authors Note: The person I got editing my chapters said they were a little long to read. So, I'm cutting Resistance into two parts.