Chapter Thirty-One:

We stood aboard the Fire Nation vessel as we closed in on Republic City. "Once we get close enough we will let you on to the landing boats." the Admiral said. "You will make contact with the local resistance, and forewarn them on the incoming invasion."

"Ours or Visola's?" I asked.

"Both."

"Got it." I looked over to Kinto. "Do you want to stay with your troops?"

"I will go with you."

We waited as the harbor grew closer. The admiral ordered the vessel to stop and stepped on the landing boat. It was lowered down into the water, and a soldier drove us towards the shore.

"Have you been here?" I asked Kinto.

"Not in years." he replied.

"Wish we could show you around." said Kaze. "I'm sure Sela and Genji would love to show you there favorite spots."

"Oh we will." Sela replied. "That's what we're coming for."

We got closer to the shore. "Stop here." I told the soldier. I looked to my friends. "Kinto and I will make an ice bridge."

We froze a strip of the water extending to the land. We gingerly stepped across, making sure to move quickly but step lightly. We arrived on land safely. "We move into the city." I said. "Blend in, and try to find help."

We found our way into the outer city. There were run down houses and factories. The streets were narrowly occupied. Sela tapped my arm. "He looks familiar." she said.

"One of us?" I asked. "How do we get his attention?"

"I've got an idea."

We followed the man as he walked. At an alley we turned while Kinto continued towards. We turned a couple of corners, and waited for the man at the next alley. Kinto waved his hand upwards and the man tripped.

Tetsu scooped the man up and carried him into the alley. The man pulled out a shockglove, but Kinto controlled his hand and forced it against the wall. "What are you doin... Sela? Genji? What is this?"

Tetsu and Kinto let the man go, who looked at us in confusion. "We need to talk." Sela said. "Get us to New Equalist Headquarters."

"Okay, did you really have to kidnap me?"

"It was my idea." said Kinto.

"We needed to be discreet." Genji added.

The man looked at Kinto "Who are you?"

"Someone who has been running a rebellion longer than your bosses have."

"Unfortunately his troubles are coming here." I added. "Which is why he's come to help."

The man lead us down some alleys until he reached a building. The man knocked on the door, and peep door opened revealing a pair of eyes. "I have the Avatar and his friends."

The door opened up and man let us in. We went down a flight of stars and into a room. We were greeted by Kuma and Takumi "Arata, it's been a long time." Kuma said. "What do you have to report."

"Good news and bad news."

We got Kuma and Takumi up to speed on the situation. "So you were able to get us foreign aid." said Takumi.

"But you also have the problem of a vicious psychopath who wants to kill us all over daddy issues." Kuma said.

"You described my sister quite well." said Kinto.

"I thought I had family issues." Kuma replied, while glancing at Tetsu.

"The point is we need to have the Fire Nation invade ahead of schedule." I said. "Otherwise we will be slaughtered by Visola's forces."

"I'll let them know what's coming."

Arashi stood in his office. Sitting in various chairs were a group of pregnant Fire Nation women. They looked at him with timid faces. Arashi always knew Tsume was not a good man, but he was still shocked when he heard the reports. "Thank you for helping us." one of them said. "But we need to go back to our homes."

"I'm afraid that's not possible." Arashi replied. "The Fire Nation is a hostile foreign power. Nonetheless I am willing to grant you all full citizenship."

"We want to go back home." another woman declared.

"With all that you went through, you need a fresh new start." Arashi. "Republic City is a good place for you and your children."

Some of the women wept when they heard that last word. Arashi heard a knock on the door. "This is important!" he shouted through it."

"So is this!" a voice replied.

Arashi sighed. "A moment please."

He stepped out to the hallway and was meet with a nervous looking aid. "There have been attacks on transports and outposts."

"Yes, so deal with it." Arashi grumbled. "I have a city to run."

"Several of the Iron Assassins have been broken lose." the aid gasped out.

"Okay, I will send aid." he said "Now deal with it."

"You don't understand." the aid complained. "Visola has an army, she is breaking out the Iron Assassins and she is coming this way!"

"Visola!" Arashi declared. "She's working with Tsume and the Iron Assassins?"

"Yes, that's what reports say."

"Can't things get any worse." he grumbled. "Tell the bending gangs to prepare for war, not gang war, real war."

Tsume was standing with Visola's aid Nao. "So you ripped out your own eyes?" he asked.

"To feel." Tsume snarled back.

"Feel what?" Nao asked mockingly.

Tsume just glared at him. "Hey buddy" Nao complained. "Since you do what Visola says, you do what I say."

Tsume grabbed Nao by the head. "Visola!" Nao shouted. "Come help me."

Visola approached the two of them. Nao glanced over at her. "C'mon, you've gotta help me."

"You can kill him." Visola casually remarked.

"What!" Nao shouted, as he felt claws on his forehead.

"I was kidding." Visola remarked and let out a laugh.

Tsume dropped Nao and kicked him in the gut. Nao crawled away and two soldiers approached him. "Are you okay?" one asked him.

Nao glared at them. "I'm fine!" he complained.

Visola looked over at Nao and the soldiers. "Leave us." she told them.

The three of them walked away. Visola turned back to Tsume. "I understand your eager to kill."

Tsume simply nodded. "But there's something you must understand." she added. "I know you don't like Arashi. He was your boss, but my he's my dad. So will you promise to leave him for me?"

Tsume sighed and nodded again. "But you get to kill anyone else you want." Visola said.

Tsume gave her a smirk, which she returned. "Good, I'm glad to know you are ready."

Visola and Tsume looked off into the distance. She casually placed her hand on his stomach. He had strong muscles. She glanced over to him to look for a reaction, anything. But he did not react in any way. She took her hand of him and walked away.