A.N. Soooo this is it the last chapter of part one! It is an absolute monster, but I couldn't bear leaving another cliff hanger and having a four-part ending. So this is finally it, and now I am super behind on writing so there will be a brief hiatus to help me catch up on both writing and some prep for the lovely online semester... as someone majoring in the performing arts it's well yeah... Anyway, I will be back updating in by August 19th so not a super long hiatus. I'd also love to hear some of y'all's thought on future fics, I am thinking of writing a Bucky Barnes x OC, Sam Wilson x OC, or a Thor x OC. Let me know your thoughts!

Also, I totally forgot that fanfiction is weird about punctuation so thank you erinthewanderer for your review, I am hella rusty with Fanfiction. Another thanks all of you favoriting and following the story! Hope you all enjoy, let me know your thoughts!

Part I Revolution

The Finale

The End

Mako

Mako woke to pins and needles in his wrists, his eyes were still having trouble adjusting. All he could make out was dark hair over his face and hushed whispers, but his tired ears were having trouble making out what they were saying. Whatever they had put in him was inhibiting his senses, but he did manage to hold on to three words.

"Rope...Loose...Escape."

And that would be enough.

He turned his head to the side, the action taking more effort than he had hoped for, he saw his brother still sound asleep with rope tying him to a thick metal chain. As he looked on, he could see he too, was connected to the same chain. His eyes followed its length until he found the source, at the center of the metal, were thick handcuffs against Akira's limp wrists.

Mako exhaled in relief at seeing her, the rise and fall in her body enough for him. That ended shortly, as his eyes adjusted, and he could really see her. Her eyes were closed but, beneath the closed lids, he could see a flurry of action, her skin looked paler than he thought possible, the warm tones in her brown skin, was almost gone leaving behind a gaunt and ghoulish grey hue. Her dark hair was matted from dirt and other elements and Mako felt the rage bubble in his chest but bit it down.

Now was not the time for blind rage; if he had any hope of getting her out of here, he had to keep a level head. He looked towards his brother again and stretched his foot out as far as he could, kicking his brother repeatedly until one of his eyes snapped open sharply. As it turned out, Bolin had been awake; and from the look he gave him much longer than he had been. Mako gave a short nod and Bolin closed his eyes again, his finger slipping into his pocket and reaching for the rocks in his pocket.

Mako understood what needed to happen, the two men stationed were unaware of what would happen next. Mako just wanted to avoid hurting more people than necessary.

Meanwhile, a few feet away Gian was playing her part well, she twirled her dark brown hair in her finger absentmindedly as Dru growled in frustration. "This wasn't supposed to happen this way, Gian! If you had just let them come without notifying the other...it'd be easier to watch them die on their own accord."

Gian paused her actions looking at Dru in surprise; he had always seemed too adamant to please Li. But now he looked just as unsure as she had felt, Gian stepped closer looking into Dru's eyes.

"We were supposed to kill Asami Sato; instead, we are given the President Assistant; and a detective. So, tell me, Dru, what do you want to do? Do you want to be the one that kills them? Or the one that brings true justice?"

He looked at Gian in surprise, he had always thought her purpose was to be the anchor. She tethered Li to Earth by being his companion, but she had no other use. It's what they all thought, but he could see it in her eyes that there was something brewing beneath the surface. And Dru knew what it meant, he grabbed Gian's forearms in outrage. But she remained calm, nothing in her face giving way to what she was forcing him to do.

Dru looked at Gian as if seeing her for the first time, she was supposed to be the anchor. She was what tether Li to Earth, that was until he decided to abandon all reason. But when he looked into her eyes, he could see that they weren't just the pretty blue decorations he had thought; beneath the surface was the workings of a complex machine. She was playing him, and he was too dumb to see it.

Dru grabbed Gian's forearms forcefully, trying to get a rise out of her but, her face gave nothing away, it remained the blank albeit lovely stare he had always seen.

"You selfish girl!" She blinked back at him, her face giving nothing away. "I will do anything to survive Dru, will you?" Dru stared back at her releasing her quickly; his anger didn't stem from her decision. Because as much as he hated to admit it, Dru was terrified of Li's actions. He didn't want anyone to die, he was just angry that he hadn't been brave enough to break free himself.

Mako sat up and kicked at the man nearest to him, he turned in outrage, raising a fist. "Watch that pretty boy!" Mako smirked, "That was my only warning, leave now and, you won't get hurt." In truth, Mako did want to hurt them; he wanted them to feel his anger, but he wasn't going to be that person. He couldn't be.

With a quick glance at his brother, they were quick to their feet. They apprehended the guards quickly, knocking them unconscious and careful to leave them away from the edge of the makeshift cell. Bolin lava bended the rocks into a disk and cut away at Akira's chains releasing her, she was still barely conscious, and Mako could hear her mumbling something under her breath.

Mako reached for her but, a flash of fire blocked them from one another. Suddenly the rest of the Badgermoles had come and were surrounding the brothers. They shielded Akira's body as a man walked forward, dragging the girl that had helped behind him. She looked oddly serene, which made Mako's blood run cold. She met his eyes, and he wasn't quite sure what would happen. There was arguing between them all about what should be done, the man never taking his hold off the girl.

Her eyes remained on Mako through it all, even when she was being shouted at and, her face forced to meet the people she betrayed. Her eyes flashed once towards the edge of the platform. It was then that Mako saw it, the heart of their skillful rigging. If triggered, it would have killed him, his brother, and Akira. Mako saw how it was connected and looked up alarmed, what she asked for would be her undoing.

As if sensing it, two men surged forward to apprehend Mako but, before they could Bolin held them off, Mako dived to the edge of the platform, unplugging the rigging and switching two wires. He hoped he was skilled enough to have been right, then he pressed down hard.

Akira

The first thing that registered in Akira's mind was smoke; the smell infiltrated her nose and chocked her. She felt strong arms lift her from the floor and take off, her head hit their chest hard from the force of their speed. The smell of burning hair greeted her nose and turned her stomach, she heard cries ring out, and voices exchanging quick conversations, but her mind was too muddled to make it out.

"I didn't know…I didn't know." The voice was close to her, and she felt more hands on her as she was transferred to someone else's arms; she reached back to that person unconsciously. "Please…Don't." Akira sighed, still not able to reach full consciousness, her head was still cloudy. And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't seem to get her eyes to focus.

But she felt the sense of wrong in her chest, another explosion rang out further this time.

"…Take her…. Have to…. Asami…. Korra…" She was only getting bits and pieces from the voice, and she knew it was Mako. She knew he was going to be the hero and try to save those people in that burning building. Although she wasn't completely aware, she knew she was scared, she felt such fear of losing him that it forced her eyes open. She saw a blurry Mako run back into a flaming building, then nothing…

The End of a Revolution

Li watched his people charge towards City Hall; he had held an arm up to stop them. They halted suddenly, still standing at attention; he only had his most loyal in the fronts, he had no patience for runaways. There was a purpose to his actions, he would not be a tyrant he would allow them to surrender, and if not, well then he'd kill then. And once he ascended in his new position, he would find the old leaders good work in the Republic City Restoration Project, under the watchful eye of his second-in-command. (The ones that could live that is)

It was a bold plan, and Li was aware of how this seemed to come from seemingly nowhere to the public. But this was a slow process, he dismantled the system that was prevalent in those streets and united them into one gang, it was afterward that his hunger became more apparent. He was always thirsting for something to quell his desire for power, and he thought he found it with the gang.

But he wasn't satisfied with a street empire, he wanted to be recognized everywhere. He wanted praise and thanks, and at one point...Well, at one point, he wanted Gian, he remembered her shy smiles, and quick glances at him when he walked by her building. He wanted her for so long he didn't remember a time she didn't pass his mind, but once he had her, he realized that even she couldn't satiate his desire, he needed more.

Always more…

Li stepped forward earth bending, himself towards the sky. He looked towards the large windows of the building, his eyes reaching those inside. He spread his arms out in what he imagined was a benevolent gesture, he wanted those inside the little guys to know his intention was to spare them. "I am not without reason I will spare everyone inside should you surrender to me. We are here to take our city back into the hands of the people. The people that have been ignored, the people who thought you, President Moon could do something Raiko couldn't. We will achieve stability and have peace, but it can no longer be through the plans you and your failed team as created."

Li stood his heart racing as he awaited their response, he felt hopeful triumphant even as he watched them. That was until he met the smirk of the officers they stood guarding the halls their once impassive faces gloating; because they knew something he didn't know.

Li felt himself stiffen, the creeping fear rose into his chest. Suddenly the sun was eclipsed from the sky, as he turned his head he was met with two police airships. Li had thought they were all destroyed after Kuvira's attacks, and yet he watched as the officers descended upon his followers, ripping people from the ground and into the sky. His sudden confidence melted away, he felt like that scared boy in the streets again. The teenager, who had watched President Raiko push his mother from his path; while parading down their town, his nose turned in disgust at her starving body. He was helpless again, everyone around him was being rounded up because he had let his arrogance lead him.

But after a moment, the fear dissipated, he remembered Raiko's face. He remembered why he had to harden himself, he remembered the brutal methods of getting initiated into the gangs. He remembered tearing them down and creating something better.

He remembered his rage.

He brought himself back to the ground, the appearance of the benevolent leader gone. He ripped his way through his companions, ignoring their fearful eyes and grabbed his friend roughly. "Do it." He spits, his body shaking from emotion, but was met with the same scared eyes as the other.

"Li, this weapon is..." he trailed off, noticing that his eyes didn't change, "This was only if we had no choice, it was never meant to be..." Li threw him to the side and clicked the timer.

5:00

Li looked back at his friend, his face crumpled in disgust. "I thought you of all people wouldn't be this weak." He turned back towards his followers watching them fight bitterly against the police they hadn't gotten Li yet, but from what he had seen, they were being picked up left and right while others abandoned the cause their faces were concealed after all and took of towards their homes.

Li knew he lost the fight, but that didn't mean he wouldn't stop. So he made a decision, one that would shape the rest of his life. "Give me one of those." He said, pointing at the new and dangerous weapon. It was handed to him without a word, his second held onto him, a bitter look in his eyes.

"I hope you never recover from this." Li nodded, before taking off towards City Hall. His feet pounded against the ground as he launched himself through into the air until he could no longer earth bend he prepped himself and broke through the glass of the building securing his mask to his face as he threw the weapon.

The officers rushed towards him, they all paused their faces going blank as they fell helplessly to the floor. Li threw the now emptied weapon stepping over their fallen bodies, in truth, he didn't know if they were asleep or dead, nor did he care.

Meanwhile, Mako had only been out of the fire for a few moments as they rushed towards City Hall. Gian driving the car, her pale skin was covered in soot and she was blinking away the dust from her eyes. He had not had the luxury to think of Akira, Bolin left her with their grandmother in Asami's estate and now they were heading towards the action.

What they saw was a flurry of action, police, and civilians all fighting one another. More explosions broke out shaking the ground beneath the three in the car. Mako didn't have to look at Gian to know what she felt, but he did anyone especially when a gasp left her mouth. She stopped the car suddenly, ignoring the honks of the frantic people trying to leave the city and whipped the door open.

4:00

Mako followed her line of sight to see the earthbender launching himself into the sky, and straight through the window of City Hall. "We have to stop him!" Without another word she was sprinting down the streets, she leaped onto an overturned car and continued sprinting not making any move to slow down. Without much time to argue the brothers followed her as fast as they possibly could, they weren't sure why she was no scared, but they knew now not to judge her.

Gian had stopped and was staring up at the broken window, Bolin and Mako were panting by the time they reached her. "We need to get up there quickly!" Bolin took in a deep breath, "Okay…totally agree, but what's going on?" Gian looked between the brothers her lip set into a firm line. "You two don't understand, Li doesn't lose." Mako scoffed at the comment, it was clear now the rebels were retreating while the rest were getting arrested by the police; it was a failed revolution if he had ever seen one.

"It looks a little differently to me." Gian stomped her foot in impatience, "He has a bomb! He's going to take himself and the rest of the people inside that building…Unless I can reach him." Her voice cracked at the last part, and Mako could tell that she truly cared about this man even through his arrogance and quest for power. And Mako truly could understand loving someone that much, he had loved Korra that much, and he was beginning to feel that way for someone else…

He was capable of rage, but also he knew he was capable of forgiveness. If she broke his heart that way, no matter how much he'd want to sever ties with her. There would always be a tether between them. "We'll get you in." Mako said and Gian turned to him an appreciatively, Bolin sighed standing beside the two. "Alright Earth bending elevator coming up." The three were launched in the sky, Mako propelled himself higher but not before reaching for Gian. He grabbed her hand as gravity tried to pull her backward and threw her into the building before landing himself. He turned and grabbed his brother before he crashed into the girl.

They grunted at the impact and skidded further into the hall, but not before hitting something hard. Mako turned to see bodies littering the floor, he pushed Bolin off him and pressed his fingers against the man's neck. He let out a sigh of relief releasing they were only unconscious; Gian was already halfway down the hall searching each door. They brothers ran towards her just as she opened the door. It was a sight to behold, the young man stood there with a strange looking thing in his hand.

3:00

It was unlike any bomb he had ever seen; they had usually been sticks of dynamite strapped together nothing like this. It was compact and fit in his hand, it was the size of a turtle duck egg and was a dark green hue. There was a small circle at the top that looked like it could be removed, he wasn't sure what it would do but from the looks of everyone around him they weren't willing to find out.

Korra stood protectively in front of Asami, her eyes a storm of frustration at her lack of power. Zhu Li was barely visible through the officers, Chief Beifong at the center her face firm but alarmed. The man turned to see Gian his face falling, when Mako and Bolin appeared.

"You? Of all people you'd betray me?" Gian stepped forward and he took a step back reaching for the trigger. Gian held her hands out a gesture of peace, "Li listen to me, this isn't worth losing your life." He turned from Gian bitterly, and began pacing tapping the trigger with his finger making everyone nervous.

"I have nothing else Gian! I ruined everything…because I couldn't be satisfied." He took a step towards Gian and caressed her cheek gently. "I loved you." He said softly, "But I am a failure." Gian stepped closer, "Then let me help you." She enveloped his hand eclipsing his on the object, "Let me do this." The room clamored in alarm trying to reach the two as Li's smile grew, Gian grabbed the object and wrapped her arms around Li's neck.

2:00

"I love you." Li grabbed Gian's arms, "You don't understand Gian. I didn't intend to win this." Her eyes widened, "What have you done." He shrugged, "The inevitable." Picking up on what was happening they all tore there ways out of the room tripping over the guards that were left, as Gian tried to leave Li held to her fast. "I love you too Gian, which is why I'm going to fix this." Li kissed her, and she knew it was a goodbye; Gian tried to hold him back but he was bounding down the hall and back out of the window. Gian followed and watched him reach the stairs of the building, he turned back towards the building raising his fist above his head.

"No!" Gian rushed towards the window but was caught by Bolin, he pulled her down his body crushing hers as he protected her head at the explosion. The building shook forcefully, and smoke filled the entire hall. But as the smoke cleared the building was still intact, but there was a hole in the ground where a man once stood, and a girl's heart.

Now, it was over.

Akira woke up in a bed that was not her own, she looked around confused but on edge. She sat up slowly and winced at the pain in her ribs, the soreness was something she hadn't felt since her training. She grunted at the deep throbbing pain but was glad to have a clear head for the first time in a while. The door to the room swung open and she was met with Asami Sato, Akira sighed in relief sinking bank into the comfortable sheets.

"I have to say Asami, I've missed sheets like these." Asami laughed, and hugged Akira tears filling her green eyes. "I was so worried about you," Akira smiled sheepishly, "I appreciate the rescue…what happened?" Asami's face changed and something in the back of Akira's mind told her to be afraid. She remembered the fire and the smoke escaping the building, images flashed in her mind and it came back to her suddenly.

"Mako! What happened to Mako!" Akira panicked she ignored the pain and tried to leave the bed much to Asami's distress. "Akira, no! Akira, Mako is okay!" She paused at that, her breathing settling back to normal. The fear flowed out of her body, "It's Li, he…he sacrificed himself. He realized he couldn't win, but he couldn't bring down the girl he loved. Her name is Gian, and she told me that if it wasn't for something you said she never would have found the courage."

Akira wasn't sure how to respond that, Asami told her the rest of what had happened. Akira listened thoughtfully; she had wanted to prevent something like from happening. It was a tragedy that someone so young had lost his life, and yet Akira was ashamed at her relief. Finally, things would be able to move, the failed revolution showed that change was not something that can happen overnight. Li unintentionally quelled the fire, by creating one too bright.

"Gian would like to talk…and apologize. Those drugs had you out for three days." Akira bolted upright at that and groaned at the pain. "She'd better." Akira muttered in too much pain now to do much else. Asami left and Gian entered, Akira had not had a good look at her before, but she was lovely; beautiful really.

She sat next to Akira an awkwardness in her posture. "I'll be quick." She said her voice barely above a whisper, and when her blue grey eyes met Akira's she saw so much pain within them. Gian took a shaky breath before beginning, "I heard you say that sometimes love isn't enough. It was what made me want to fight against Li, because I realized his love wasn't."

She paused her eyes far away, "He was kind at first, but then he got greedy and he made me feel like I was an object and I've been treated like that enough. The irritating thing was through it all I still loved him, and it turned out that he did love me." She said a small smile on her face, her

eyes were far away now. "There is so much more shit that went into it all if I'm honest." She paused thoughtfully, "I am explaining myself very poorly." Akira smiled and took her hand, much to Gian's surprise.

"I forgive you." Gian smiled, her eyes watery she tentatively took her hands from Akiras and tucked her hair behind her ears. Akira noticed it was something she did for comfort, "I just want to impart some wisdom on you, sometimes love is enough. Sometimes it's everything."

And Akira knew she was right, she didn't let herself think about it this time. She sat up straighter with a grunt and slowly made her way out of the bed huffing from the exertion. Gian looked at her with wide eyes and Akira smiled in response, her mind no longer on the girl.

"Thank you, but I have to go."

Mako

Mako was still exhausted, he hadn't slept much in the three days after Li's failed revolution. He had spent every waking moment by Akira's side, if it weren't for his family and friends, he probably wouldn't have been eating either. He just couldn't stand watching her look so weak, she could barely remain conscious enough to eat at first. Gian had sheepishly admitted to overly sedating her which caused a yelling match between the two, but it was just because he needed someone to be angry at.

If he had just been more aware, if he hadn't allowed himself to be caught up in his feelings, she would have been safe. Feelings were dangerous and he realized that now, perhaps Akira was onto something when she said things wouldn't work between them.

Although those thoughts were abandoned completely when he saw her walking towards him. The elation he felt made it exceedingly clear that his earlier thoughts were complete lies. He didn't care, he didn't care if he became the most irrational person in the world, so long as she was alright, he'd do anything. And sure, she didn't look like she did a few nights ago, she had dark circles under her eyes; and her skin was just getting back to its natural hue. But to Mako, she couldn't look more beautiful, especially when she smiled at him.

Mako saw her shuffle forward a grimace made its way onto her face, he rushed forward to help snakhis arm around her waist. She hissed in paint as his arm brushed her side, "Ribs…still tender." She said gasping at the pain, Mako helped her into one of the chairs in the garden his hands hovering as she sat.

"What are you doing out here? You should be resting you've been through a lot." Mako said and normally he would have fought the urge to push those stray strands of hair on her face, but he indulged and tucked them behind her ear. Mako pulled his hand away quickly a soft smile on his face, but Akira held his hand fast and placed back against her cheek and looked up at him.

"We never finished our conversation. "Her voice came out barely above a whisper, but Mako knew they both understood one another perfectly.

. Mako smiled and cupped the other side of her face gently, slowly leaning closer to her face asking permission with his eyes. She nodded barely registering it her eyes slowly closing. Mako's nose brushed the skin on her face and the ghost of their lips brushed against one another. A gasp left Akira's mouth and Mako smiled, his mouth just barely grazing her own moved to capture her full bottom lip between his mouth when he heard his brother rush out.

The two pulled away from one another the frustration clear between the two as they glared at Bolin, but it was suddenly forgotten by the severe look on his face. "There's a call for Akira." Akira stood her brows furrowed in confusion.

"I'll be right back…Don't go anywhere." Akira said to Mako her eyes holding a tenderness that made Mako's heart race. He nodded smiling, Bolin came and helped her back towards the mansion.

Moments Passed…

Minutes…

Almost half an hour had gone by, Mako walked back to the mansion searching for Akira through the halls. He found the door to her room open, what he found stopped him in his tracks. She stood her back to him, just holding the radio in her hand she turned and Mako could feel the violent anger radiating off her. "I want to be left alone!" She croaked her voice hoarse from crying, Mako took a step closer. "Get out!" She warned, Mako took another step. "I'm warning you, Mako, if you don't…" He enveloped her into his arms, she let go of the radio letting it clatter to the ground as her legs gave out from under her. Akira sobbed violently into Mako's shoulder clutching to his body as if she needed to be reminded that he was there.

"She's dead, she's dead." Mako nodded holding her tighter as she sobbed in his arms repeating the same words again and again. After a few minutes she looked up at Mako, those eyes that held so much warmth just a few moments ago now were broken. Something inside her had shattered.

"I'm alone." Mako held her closer not wanting those words to be true at all. "Not as long as I'm here." He said and she held on tighter, the two stayed on that floor together well into the night, and it finally felt like an end. The debacle of their days felt over now because a stunning tragedy took its place.

Fire Nation – Mainland

Shin was a man who knew luxury, in fact, he expected it. His family had risen to prominence during the reign of Fire Lord Sozin making him used to the luxuries of life. And although he had anything a person could want; he was always plagued with boredom. His mother had said his melancholy may be his undoing, but Shin was much smarter than that.

So, he always set out to find something to garner his interest, he even tried philanthropy donating a large sum of money to Republic City's restoration project. At the time he thought it'd be more fun, but all he got was generous thanks and the return to boredom. Shin was in his estate watching the servants busy themselves all steering clear of his critical gaze.

Shin drank his tea hoping that meditation would quell his wanderlust, and then as if a sign from the spirits themselves his son came into the courtyard quickly with a newspaper clutched in his hands.

"I have something that might quell your interest." He said excitedly, the boy handed him the paper eagerly. Shin read the newspaper, and a smile grazed his lips.

"A shame Lein is gone, she was too good for this world…But survived by a young daughter." He paused a smile stretching across his face. "Interesting." He folded the newspaper back and handed it to his son and something glinted within his eyes, something like excitement.

Reli smiled wide his green eyes shining with mischief.

"Truly, interesting."

End of Part I

A.N. I hope you all enjoyed Part I, I will not lie this was a marathon of writing and I definitely need a break. I realize that the quality kind of dipped a bit in the later chapters, so I am trying to get as much written ahead as to not exhaust myself. Hope you all enjoyed Part I as I said before there will be a brief hiatus as I get ahead on future chapters.

I'll be back on August 19th, see you then!