Authors Note: I'd say it's reasonable to say that guns are a thing now.

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

Chapter 15

Resistance Part 2

"He's not with them!" Elsi cried at the resistance as Yakko tried to pummel Wikilow, to no avail. The Avatar easily dodged his hits. Soon, Yakko was on the ground, unconscious. "Wikilow!" Elsi shouted. Even Gale was frozen on the table.

"Quiet!" Yulan darkly muttered, as someone else jeered the barrel of a gun at Elsi. Others rushed out the narrow door to take Wikilow down. Also getting defeated in a rather flimsy display. The Avatar's expression remained unchanging as he hit a man in the neck and kicked a woman in the shoulder. "Ugh… not again…" Yulan groaned, rolling her eyes.

"That's another safe house, Yulan!" A random resistance member angrily told the Beifong.

"I know! But how else are we supposed to find people!" Yulan rebutted, shooting the member a scolding glare. The sound of Wikilow fighting was heard outside. Punches, kicks and blocks filling the night. Occasionally, he would discreetly enter the Avatar State for a boost. Exiting it afterwards to hide his identity.

"Stop fighting!" Elsi shouted to Wikilow, quieter. The Avatar paused, the last opponent's neck slammed against the wall. They clawed at his arm. Wikilow stared into the room, and at his companions states.

"I've caused the situation to escalate." Wikilow dully observed.

"..Y-yeah… k…kind of d…did there… b…buddy…" Arlo wheezed from under Yulan. "C…can you…e…ease up…p…" The fire bender asked the Beifong. In response she pressed down harder on his back. The resistance looked to Wikilow, then each other warily. As if daring the others to go forward. No one did.

"Please listen! Wikilow's not with the Dai Li anymore!" Elsi pleaded, yet understanding was out of reach.

"Then why's he wearing their uniform?" Yulan interrogated, baton at Arlo's neck.

"…That's-"Elsi tried to say, but another member cut in.

"Look at what he did!" They, a tall female furiously went. Pointing at the various unconscious members at Wikilow's feet. He looked down at the bodies, apathetic. The struggling rebel in his grasp, beginning to go limp. Wikilow promptly dropped them to the floor, drool foaming from their mouth.

"I was attacked first. This was an act of self defence." Wikilow logically retorted. Though, the unfamiliar members got the impression that he just plainly didn't care.

"Of course we're going to attack you! You're Dai Li!" Yulan accused, the smell of metal surrounding her.

"A reasonable assumption. But-" Wikilow began but was interrupted.

"So you are Dai Li!" A random member shouted, crossbow focused on his forehead.

"Incorrect." The Avatar answered.

"Ugh.. I've had enough of this already!" The member growled, shooting the arrow. The metal projectile cut through the air but Wikilow stepped to the side and caught it with his hand.

"Enough." Wikilow state, storming inside the building. He ducked to avoid the bullets shot his way, metal bending the arrow's tip to better use as a weapon. Before anyone knew what had happened, Wikilow had thrown Yulan off of Arlo and held the sharpened arrow dangerously close to her pale throat. "Cease." He ordered, the shadows of his hat obscuring his eyes.

The resistance stumbled, before lowering their weapons. Arlo gasped, clutching his chest while coughing. He crawled for a bit before shakily standing next to Elsi. Who had slammed herself against the wall to avoid the barrage of attacks that had been for Wikilow. Her arm had been slightly cut, though the trench coat hid the bleeding.

"We're leaving." Wikilow told his companions, backing toward the door while still holding the struggling Yulan captive.

"Wikilow…" Elsi hesitated, before shaking her head and helping Arlo outside. Gale flew off with them. Wikilow slowly exited afterwards. Dragging their captive a few alleyways out, he kicked Yulan away. Proceeding to sprint off with his companions.

Elsi fixed her cut wound up as they fled. Stopping in a different alley with unsanitary stains on the bricks. Discarded clothing in a pile nearby that emitted an odd odour.

"We all good?" Arlo asked, collapsing against a clean portion of the wall.

"I think so…" Elsi quietly mumbled. "What now?" She asked, allowing Gale to settle on her arm.

"Our main course of action should be leaving Kang City." Wikilow stated, looking over a map he had grabbed earlier. "It would be best to make our way to the city's edge, then wait for an opening." The Avatar planned, dragging his finger through the path they would take.

"Won't there be A LOT of Dai Li guys everywhere?" Arlo questioned, looking over his shoulder.

"That outcome is most likely. But it is also unlikely that they have concentrated most of their numbers here. Equally impossible that those numbers are covering every possible area. There will be an opening eventually." Wikilow explained, pocketing the map.

"Sounds like a plan." Elsi concurred.

"Guess we should get moving then." Arlo said, the rest of the group agreeing. After a moment longer, the trio and Gale began making their way out of Kang City.

"Hurry up Yakko! We got to get moving!" Yulan shouted at the bulky brunette.

"Shut your air hole! Just gimme a minute to finish up!" Yakko yelled back, nursing a black eye and a slight limp. Heaving a heavy bag over his shoulder, the resistance fighter limped over to the doorway. "Okay, I'm ready." He grunted, pushing past another member.

"Finally…" Yulan muttered, her own pack ready. "One last time, we all know what we're doing?" She clarified first. A chorus of yes's echoed out. "Head out!" The Beifong ordered, creeping out the building's door. They were exiting in small groups at random intervals to avoid unwanted attention. She was leaving with Yakko and a few others.

"You're telling Bara about why we can't use another safe house." Yakko muttered as they walked in the shadows.

"For Kyoshi's sake, don't remind me…" Yulan groaned, dragging a hand down her face.

"Yoko said the agents are leaving the borders by the way. Should be safe to cross in a few hours." He lazily informed, posture slack.

"They're leaving? Why?" She hissed.

"Beats me, I'm just telling you what Yoko said." Yakko shrugged. "Though if I had to guess they found what they were looking for." He added, a thoughtful air about him.

"Hmm…" Yulan hummed, cusping her chin. "…They're after my friend mostly…" She recalled Elsi saying. "…No, surely not…" Yulan pondered.

"That Elsi girl was definitely lying, don't worry about it." Yakko stated, guessing her thoughts.

"I guess. It's been a pretty rough night." Yulan accepted with a sigh. "I hate doing field work." She complained, huffing.

"Tell me about it." One of the other guys went. A small laugh rippled through the group.

"How long do you think it'll be before the safe house gets raided?" Someone asked to pass the time, making sure no one else was present.

"Hour at most, I'm surprised we got as much time as we did. Seeing as that agent got like what, a few hours by now?" A fighter answered, as they were one of the last groups to leave.

"Yeah…" Yulan went before trailing off. They were close to their exit point, passing a run down shop when the noises of a fight filled the air. "Go!" She hissed to the others, running ahead.

"Dude, how do you know where we're going? Everywhere looks the same!" Arlo incredulously questioned as Wikilow led them through the maze of alleyways. Not lost in the slightest as he kept track of their direction. Before he could answer, Elsi cut in.

"Let me guess, you've been here before on an assignment?" The air bender guessed.

"Incorrect." Wikilow remarked, turning a corner. "Kang City is one of the only cities I have never worked in." The Avatar explained. "I am just following the map." He elaborated.

"The map's an outdated piece of paper." Arlo muttered as silence enveloped them.

"So, what did you guys think of the Resistance?" Elsi asked as they travelled.

"Very unpleasant, spent most of my time getting my back crushed by goggle girl." Arlo answered, arching said body part forward.

"The Resistance is a group of criminals who will ideally be detained soon." Wikilow replied, keeping at an even pace. "They've been disrupting the peace for more than a decade. Causing many problems to the Dai Li." He criticized.

"They probably have a reason though." Arlo rebutted, swinging his arms back and forth.

"A poor reason if that is the case." Wikilow went.

"Like what?" Elsi asked, turning her head towards him.

"Something of the troublesome nature. Reason of seeking disorder and crime." The Avatar clarified.

"I doubt it. They were actually pretty nice before you guys showed up. Even offered to help me find you." Elsi informed, removing a strand of hair from her eye. Wikilow tilted his head in response.

"That seems to be so. Most likely seeking to increase their numbers." He stated. Another question piqued his mind. "Would either of you join the Resistance if given the opportunity?" Wikilow asked. His companions fell silent, thinking the question over. Before they could answer, a loud crash was heard in the distance. "Up." Wikilow instructed, climbing a rickety fire escape to the roof of a small building.

Looking over the roof, they could see a fight breaking out in front of a few buildings. It was between Dai Li agents and fighters they recognized from the Resistance. The latter of which were being slowly beaten down.

"It appears the Dai Li will soon capture them." Wikilow stated with a nod.

"We got to go help them!" Arlo exclaimed, already leaping off the roof.

"Arlo!" Wikilow called out, failing to grab the cirque. "Come back!" He called, looking down at the running fire bender. Then Elsi moved to jump off, though Wikilow was able to grab her wrist. "You intend to help the Resistance." He surmised, his hat's shadow obscuring his eyes. Gale hovered above, wary of him. The air bender hesitated, glancing down at her wrist. She looked back and forth from him to the fighting scene.

"Wikilow…" She tried to say.

"They're criminals." Wikilow threatened.

"They're doing what they think is right." Elsi softly argued.

"And you agree with them." The Avatar remarked, monotone ominous.

"…Yeah… I do…" The air bender admitted. "I think they're right… and you think the Dai Li's right." She firmly continued.

"The Dai Li are not the individuals breaking the law and disrupting the peace." Wikilow rebutted, tightening his grip though she paid it no mind. "If this is your intention then I…" He continued but stopped himself. He saw the roaring tides in Elsi's eyes, the slight shake of her arm.

A year ago Wikilow would've killed Elsi.

A year ago he would've done so without a second thought.

But things were different.

The shadows of his hat receded as he lifted his head up, grip loosening. "…Then I won't stop you…" Wikilow stated, taking a step back. Elsi looked at him, Gale flying in circles around the pair.

"You're not going to fight." Elsi said.

"It would go against my beliefs." He answered. Then she smiled, and gave him a quick hug before hopping down into the alleys. Gale flew down with her. Leaving Wikilow alone on the roof. He watched them go, face apathetic though he felt very different. "I guess that answers my earlier question." He noted, climbing down himself to observe the fight and make sure his companions were not seriously injured.

The fight was nearing its end when he appeared. Watching from the dark folds on the alley. Upon its conclusion with waves of agents unmoving he made his presence known. The injured resistance members tensed but did not move to attack him.

"Wikilow!" Arlo cheered as he and Elsi ran to his side.

"They most likely incorrectly assume that I will be joining the Resistance with them." Wikilow thought. Yulan quickly approached the trio. "Logically, there is no reason I would be invited after the earlier incident." He mentally continued.

"…We would've lost that fight if you lot didn't help." The Beifong started, looking at Elsi and Arlo. Yakko was dragging people inside one of the buildings, calling out to the other able members for assistance. Yulan looked to Wikilow, staring him up and down.

"You can trust him." Elsi defended.

"…Ugh, fine good enough for me." Yulan sighed, shaking her head in the process. "…If you lot turn out to be backstabbing blockheads… shame on me then!" The Beifong went, throwing her hands in the air. "Come on!" Yulan called to them, motioning inside the building.

"They'll be calling backup here soon! We don't have time to dilly dally!" Yakko yelled from inside.

"…We going?" Arlo quickly whispered. "We don't have that much time either to decide, you know?" He continued.

"This is a good opportunity to retrieve vital information about the Resistance. I could anonymously give the Dai Li the information at a later date." Wikilow realized in his head. He didn't pay the idea of genuinely joining any thought.

"Whatever we do, we do it together." Elsi was saying when he decided.

"We should join." Wikilow said, stunning his companions.

"…You want to join?" Arlo asked, dumbfounded.

"Correct. I believe we should join the Resistance." Wikilow repeated with a nod. Elsi looked at him suspiciously. They both knew what he was planning, but she kept quiet as they raced into the building.

"In here!" Yulan instructed, pushing them into an old fireplace. Inside was the entrance to a tunnel. "Just run once you're in! We have to blow it up before the blockheads get here!" The Beifong added from behind them

With the sounds of explosions chasing them, the trio and Gale joined the Resistance.

They exited the tunnel, reaching the forested mountains. The air was thick with the natural smells around them. Yulan and the other resistance members led them through the area. Focusing on their path, Wikilow could see the faintest of faint trails in the grass, which he noted for later use. Following the narrow path, Yulan stopped in front of a large boulder. Another fighter, an earth bender moved the boulder out of the way. The group entered, and once they did the earth bender quickly covered the entrance back up.

Inside was the main base of the resistance.

Inside the mountain was a large cave system, which the Resistance lined with electrical lights and wooden frames. The entrance opened up into the biggest area, where many rebels carried on their day. The cave froze once they entered, primarily at Wikilow once more.

"He's good! Don't worry about it!" Yulan yelled, voice ricocheting off the walls. The fighters warily returned to their own business. Shooting nervous glances at him. As Yakko and other nearby rebels rushed the injured away for treatment. Yulan turned to the trio. "So, I guess I'll show you around. Follow me." The Beifong offered, walking off which they followed.

Wikilow memorized as much of the layout as he could. "Yeah, tunnels are kind of confusing. But that's the point. You'll get used to em eventually." Yulan was saying as they walked. Soon they entered a fairly big cave, where a large machine was located. Few people tended the machine's maintenance. Yulan jogged over to one young man in the corner, fumbling with a smaller device.

The young man also wore goggles that covered his eyes, a large scarf over his mouth. Unkempt chestnut hair sat atop his head. He seemed engrossed in his work on the machine.

"Hark!" Yulan happily greeted, slapping the guy on the shoulder. Hark jumped at the movement, goggles slanting on his face.

"Oh.. h-hey…Y.-Yulan! G-good to s-see you. H-how was t-the tr-tr-trip?" Hark stuttered, fixing his goggles.

"Well… lost another safe house. But actually, if that guys good then we didn't lose it after all, hmm." Yulan informed, squinting her eyes. "Anyways! This is Hark! Our super amazing head engineer!" The Beifong introduced, slapping the engineer on the shoulder again.

"P-pleased… t-to me-meet you!" Hark went, extending his hand. Arlo shook it, looking over at the machine Hark was working on.

"Hey, what's that for?" The fire bender curiously inquired about.

"J-just a s-side pro…project I'm wor-working on. C-can't get it-it to w-work th-though." Hark explained, giving the device a small kick in frustration.

"Hmm?" Arlo went, leaning over the machine. Eyes alight in wonder and mischief. "Maybe if you just…" The ex cirque trailed off, immediately beginning to rework the device.

"Hey! Y-you do.-don't even kn-know h-how it w-works!" Hark puffed, lightly punching Arlo to no visible effect. The device rebooted with a beep, and seemingly started working. "H…huh?" The engineer went.

"There, all better!" Arlo beamed, grinning.

"Wh-what? B-but… how?" Hark sputtered, until the device loaded to show a game being played. A virtual ball being bounced back and forth from the sides. "Th-that's n.-not what it-it's f-for!" Hark exclaimed, resetting the machine angrily.

"More fun." Arlo shrugged as Yulan snorted behind him.

"Sorry Hark." She apologized, dragging Arlo back. "But, that's all for now. Should probably take them to see my dad." Yulan noted, specifically looking at Wikilow. "Got to explain this." She added, walking off back into the tunnels.

"O-okay!" Hark responded, a goofy lopsided smile replacing his irritated expression instantly. The group followed, Gale hiding in the ceiling somewhere.

"Speaking of, are you actually named after a tree?" Yulan asked Wikilow, who nodded.

"Correct. I am named after the Wikilow spirit trees that started growing after the portals were opened up by Avatar Korra." Wikilow affirmed as they re entered another large cave.

"Dad!" Yulan yelled, walking to the cave's centre. An older man with few grey hairs and a humble beard looked up from his conversation with another man. A smile breaking out onto his face upon seeing Yulan.

"Yulan! You're back!" The man went, embracing his daughter in a hug.

"You know it!" Yulan said in turn. Proceeding to turn to them. "This is my dad, Bara Beifong. He's the leader of the Resistance." She proudly explained. Though, Wikilow noticed that her hand seemed to itch toward her baton, as if waiting for an attack. However, it was Bara Beifong's reaction that caught his attention. The older man had gone pale upon seeing Wikilow, green eyes glossing. He took a few steps toward the Avatar. Who in turn tilted his head. Bara's next words changed everything.

"Benji?"

Authors Note: Probably wasn't surprising, but I'm really happy that I got up to this point! This chapter was also way longer then I thought it would be.