Summary: Korra faces off with Councilman Tarrlok as Equalist activity continues to rise in Republic City.

"Welcome to your new home, Air temple island!", Ikki said, full of enthusiasm, as the boat carrying Mako, Asami, and their luggage arrived at the dock.

"Yes, welcome to my domain", Meelo added while pointing to himself.

"Why aren't you sweet, little monk children", Asami responded, walking off the ramp to join them and Korra, with Mako right behind them. The avatar was disappointed that Bolin wasn't there to greet them, as he had offered to help Pema prepare lunch. She was worried about tension between him and his brother, but she was confident they would be able to sort it on their own, given that it hadn't affected their rescue effort at the Sato mansion. At least he had Pabu come along with them to help supervise the moving of his stuff, with the added bonus of keeping the attention of the children.

"By the way, what is this fuzzy creature?", Meelo asked, as the focus of his question scurried between his legs to go and sniff Naga's snout.

"That is a fire ferret, an arboreal mammal common to the bamboo forest of the central Earth Kingdom", Jinora answered. However, it wasn't really heard by her siblings, as Ikki let out a squeal and chased Pabu around Naga, while Meelo clearly didn't understand a word from the eldest sibling, choosing to go and hop on the polar bear dog, yanking her ears in an attempt to get her flying.

Asami and Mako then gave their thanks for sending air acolytes to help with the move, noting their tireless work ethic while carrying a mountain of luggage that nearly ended up falling on Korra. When she told them that she thought they were only bringing a few things, Mako reassured her that it would have been a lot worse.

A few moments later, Asami looked down at Meelo, who was staring at her with a gigantic grin on her face. "You're pretty, can I have some of your hair?" Mako made a remark about how he seemed to have some competition, while Korra reminded herself that she should have a talk with the boy. What he did may be cute now, but asking for hair from girls you like at an older age would lead to something...unfortunate.

As the children led them to gates near the living quarters, Ikki pointed out the pens where the air bison slept, the temple built by Aang, and the greenhouses where they grew vegetables for food.

After that, Jinora directed Mako to the boy's dormitory with Meelo tagging along, but not before promising Asami that they would meet again soon. That was followed by a brief silence as Korra led her to the girl's dormitory, with Ikki alongside them.

"Asami, did you know that Korra likes Mako?"

No. She did not. She did not just do that. Korra knew that Ikki had no bad intentions in revealing those feelings, but the girl was apparently unaware that her feelings for the firebender had changed, let alone the implications of what she had just told his girlfriend. Acting on her second impulse, Korra took Asami by the arm and led her into one of the empty rooms, instead of her first impulse to fling Ikki into Yue Bay by her hair. However, the girl was upset after the door got slammed in her face, clearly not taking the hint.

"Hey!"

"Run along, Ikki!" For your own safety.

After hearing a moan and cat noises for some reason, Korra turned her attention back to Asami. "So, here's your room. I know this is a little more...rustic compared to what you're probably used to."

"I think it's really charming", she responded. "And the best part about it, nothing here reminds me of my dad". Korra relaxed, knowing there was actually a subject more uncomfortable for her to talk about than what Ikki had just blurted out. After taking a moment so the blabbermouth would hopefully be out of earshot, Korra began to explain. "Look, about what she just said, about Mako, I just wanted to tell you that I-"

"You don't have to explain yourself about that", Asami offered. "Mako told me about what happened with you two during the tournament when Bolin went with you to Air temple island the other night."

"Oh". Korra was left feeling a little lost for words hearing that, looking at the ground while twiddling her thumbs. While she did feel relieved that she didn't have to talk someone through what had happened again, she didn't want her friend to get the wrong impression of her either. "Aaand, you're okay with it?", Korra asked with a sheepish grin.

"Well, I'm not happy that it happened", Asami answered with a small smile but with an annoyed tone that made Korra wince. "But when Mako told me, he seemed more worried about Bolin getting hurt than anything, but I remembered how you two were acting at the mansion, and I realized neither of us had anything to worry about with that."

The last part of Asami's story had been told with a slightly teasing nature that made Korra blush a little, but she also felt a weight being lifted off her shoulders now that all that stupid stuff from before was out in the open, and they could all move on without any awkwardness or tension.

That blissful feeling was interrupted though when she heard knocking on the door. She better have not been eavesdropping again. "Ikki, I swear if you don't leave us alone, I'm gonna-". Her threat to use the avatar state was cut off when the doors opened to reveal her airbending teacher, clearly unamused by the misunderstanding. "Uh, hey Tenzin! Come right in."

(-)

While dinner with the airbender family had been a mostly joyful experience, Bolin couldn't help but notice that Korra was silent nearly the entire meal. It hadn't got noticed by anyone else though, as Mako was telling stories of their exploits in the pro bending leagues to Tenzin and Pema, and Asami kept the girls attention with tales of romance, either ignoring or oblivious to Meelo staring at her with a look that made him wonder if that's how he looked when watching Korra.

Speaking of his girlfriend, she left immediately after everyone had finished eating, leaving him on dish cleanup duty with Ikki instead. That wasn't a problem, since Bolin enjoyed conversation with someone who had as much to say as he did, but he really wanted a chance to check up on Korra like she had done for him after breakfast yesterday.

After they'd finished, Bolin decided to go looking for her, with Pabu leading the search party. After a few minutes, his buddy jumped through a bush, and he followed right behind him to see Korra sitting on the ground, staring at the statue of Avatar Aang with Pabu licking her cheek.

"Hey", Bolin spoke softly. "You doing alright?"

"I'm fine", she responded, but her body language tipped him off that she wasn't being honest with him.

"You know, I've only seen Pabu act like that when I-er Mako is crying."

"Mako?", Korra questioned, disbelief clear in her voice, but enough of a smile that made him want to continue.

"Oh, totally. He does it all the time. I remember once where he stubbed his toe, he started bawling, for like, half an hour. Snot running down his nose and everything. Don't tell him I told you that though, he'll deny it...and get mad. At me."

That got a small laugh out of her, so Bolin decided to inquire. "So do you want to tell me what's bothering you, or would prefer to talk to Pabu?" He held the fire ferret up to his face again and cleared his throat in preparation of doing the voice.

"You'll do, Bolin", Korra responded while giving Pabu a belly rub. When he set his friend down, the fire ferret immediately hopped into her lap for additional affection. "I guess...I just feel like the worst avatar ever right now".

"What? Why?" Bolin was completely shocked by her negative feelings toward herself. He hadn't known Korra all that long, but he never thought of her as a person who would lack confidence in herself.

"It's just that at that jerk ceremony for that new jerk police chief that jerk Tarrlok called me a half baked avatar". Bolin felt his expression darken hearing that. Who the flameo does he think he is to talk to her like that? But it didn't feel like he was getting the full picture.

"Is there anything else bothering you? Because I find it hard to believe that you care that much about what that three-ponytailed jerk thinks." He'd hoped that the jab at Tarrlok would cheer her up, but the look Korra gave him after saying that made him wonder if he'd made things worse. "What's wrong with having three ponytails?", she asked in a voice that sounded like she was about to cry again.

Oh no. He meant to respond with an explanation or an apology, but apparently part of his brain was malfunctioning as he could only stammer and utter complete gibberish. Fortunately, a smile grew on her face that he took as either mercy or revealing that he was just messing with him.

"I mean, he was kinda right though", she eventually continued. "I still can't airbend, or meditate, or talk to any of my past lives!"

"What do you mean still", he asked. "Aren't you like, seventeen?"

"Yeah, but Aang was able to master all four elements, and the avatar state, and end the hundred-year war when he was just twelve years old."

"Wasn't he one hundred and twelve, technically? Besides it's not like you two are the only avatars to ever exist".

"I know", Korra answered with a sad tone. "But for as long as I've been training to be the avatar, it was always 'Aang was able to do this', or 'Why can't you be more like Aang?'. The only teachers I've had that didn't treat me like that were Katara and Tenzin, and even then they were part of Aang's family. I guess I'm just...reminded of him wherever I go."

"So you decided to go out and stare at that big statue of him?"

The realization dawned on her. "Oh, shut up", she said with a smile, fortunately able to see the humor in the situation.

"That statue has always seemed weird to me anyway. If that's supposed to be part of a memorial, then why is it of Aang as a kid instead of what he looked like for most of his life?". Kotta pondered this and seemed to show agreement, but he realized it was still probably best to change the subject.

"Ok, ok", Bolin placated. "But look, airbending and spirituality are kinda intertwined, right?"

"Yeah. At least that's what Tenzin's been telling me when I get frustrated with meditating. But it's so annoying! He, and all of his kids can do it so easily. Even Meelo, and he spends most of his time figuring out how to snotbend!"

Pushing away mental pictures of what that would result in, Bolin kept talking. "Well, weren't they all raised with the air nomad lifestyle? They've probably had years of practice. I mean even Aang was raised by monks before that whole 'freeze myself and disappear for a century' whoopsie".

"I guess. But what does that have to do with me not being able to airbend?"

"Well, isn't it part of the air nomad way to detach yourself from the worldly concerns?"

Korra gave that some thought. "So you think this airbending and meditation block could be because I've had to focus on Republic city and the equalists or something?"

"Just a theory. But it makes sense, right?"

"Yeah, it does", she admitted. "But how do you know about that stuff?"

Bolin couldn't really be bothered by the surprise in her voice. It was completely understandable from his perspective that he didn't really seem like a person who would be knowledgeable on a subject like that. "Oh, Iroh wrote about the four nations and elements in his book".

"Wait, Iroh wrote a book?"

"Yeah, it's in with my luggage if you ever want to read it yourself", he offered, now recalling the last place he remembered having General Wisdom: A guide full of advice and tea from the Dragon of the West.

"Thanks", she said, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. "I'm glad you found me out here. I guess with everything going on lately, I've been feeling really alone."

"You're never alone, Korra."

"Aahh!" Bolin felt himself rise a foot in the air, not expecting to hear his brother's voice. "Clearly", he remarked with obvious annoyance while turning around. "Spirits, how long have you two been listening?"

"That last part was all we heard, honest", Asami explained, and Bolin figured it was probably best to take her word for it and move on.

After that, Mako and Asami offered Korra their help along with Bolin to stop the equalists. Even Meelo wanted to join, while creating a smell that reminded him of rotting meat.

The new team Avatar then decided to head into the city to patrol, although they had to use a satomobile since Naga put her paw down at the idea of carrying four people on her back.

Once they had reached downtown, they heard over the radio that there was a jailbreak at police headquarters, with multiple officers chi blocked, and the escaping equalists were armed and dangerous. Asami explained that her father had police scanners put in all his cars, while sadly adding that now she finally understood why.

It was a stroke of luck that they saw the fleeing prisoners speed by, giving them a chance to pursue. After creating a ramp with Korra to get past a truck, Bolin was able to stop one of the equalists on a motorcycle by taking out one of the wheels with earthbending, while Mako used a lightning bolt to disable another.

The two other cyclists tried to use a smokescreen to escape, but all it ended up doing was hiding that team avatar had been able to make a quick turn with another ramp. After Asami rammed the equalists off their bikes, she was able to dispose of them as well with the glove she got from her dad, since they gave Bolin and his brother more trouble than they would handle with their chi blocking and bolas. Mako was finally able to get the truck to stop when he used a lightning bolt to knock out the driver and cause a crash.

Afterwards, reporters showed up, and they had fun with the photo op, at least until Tarrlok showed up with police officers, showing clear unhappiness. Bolin figured it was best to stay out that argument and let Korra rub Tarrlok's nose in the fact that they had done his job for him, but he felt a little uneasy at the man's warning to stay out of his way, thinking of the risks of making an enemy out of him.

(-)

Once Korra and everyone else had gotten enough to eat, team avatar left the restaurant that Asami had paid for, and listened for an update on the police scanner in the satomobile. While they were waiting, Korra thought about the new laws that had been passed by Tarrlok during the council meeting earlier that day.

She couldn't argue that criminalizing being an equalist made sense, given what had been going on, but the other rules Tenzin told her about gave her pause. Association with being an equalist felt like a slippery slope, and made her worried about Asami's safety being at risk because of her father.

Korra's biggest concern however was the curfew put in place specifically for nonbenders. "How would that even work", she thought to herself. "Would people out past curfew have to bend to avoid being arrested? Or would they need to show paperwork that certified them as benders?" This train of thought was interrupted though as over the radio they all heard a report of armed equalists taking to the streets. Deciding to investigate, Mako hopped in the front seat next to his girlfriend, while Bolin took the chance to be a chauffeur for Korra.

"After you, milady", he said with a fake fancy accent, while holding her door open with a bow.

"Such a gentleman", she complimented while entering the car.

When they arrived at the borough though, they saw hundreds of people protesting in the middle of a blackout in front of a police barricade, not matching the description they'd heard before at all. One of the children had recognized Korra, and the woman holding her begged for help, saying she was their avatar too.

"Tarrlok", Korra said as she spotted him talking to a member of the task force."Why is the power out in this borough?"

"Avatar Korra", the councilman replied with clear disinterest. "You and your playmates have no business here. Go home."

"We're not going anywhere. These people haven't done anything wrong and you don't have the right to treat them like this."

"This might as well be an equalist rally, and we can't afford any leniency towards them".

They're not equalists, they're just normal people who want their power back on", Asami retorted.

"They are the enemy!" Tarrlok then turned to the metalbending officers. "Round these equalists up!"

They complied with his order, using the barricades to encase people in groups, then lifting the ground underneath them to be put into the back of police trucks. As bystanders fled to avoid the same fate, Korra knew this had gone far enough. She was fortunately able to act quickly, bringing the lifted streets back down so everyone could escape.

"Hey! Let me go!"

Korra heard Asami's voice and turned back around to see that Tarrlok had ensnared the girl's arm with a water whip and told her she was under arrest.

"What?", Mako shouted. "You can't do that!"

"Actually, I can", Tarrlok responded. "She's a nonbender out past curfew and her father is a known equalist conspirator".

"Let her go!"

The councilman apparently didn't take kindly to the tone of Mako's request. "Arrest him and his brother", he told his officers, who immediately coiled their cables around the two brothers.

Korra reacted on instinct, earthbending two massive rocks on either side of her. "Tarrlok!"

"I suggest you put those down and go back to the Air Temple, unless you want to join your friends in jail."

"Korra, don't do it", Mako told her. "It's not worth it." She agreed without replying and reluctantly put the earth down.

"Don't worry, we'll be alright", she heard Bolin tell her as he and his brother were being placed in the truck.

"I'll call Tenzin, he can get you guys out", Korra said. Bolin looked out and nodded in acknowledgment, while giving her a smile probably meant to be encouraging, but she still felt dismayed by the whole situation. Brushing off taunts from Tarrlok, she quickly headed to the police station to get her friends out of jail.

Unfortunately, Korra wasn't able to help them, since the people at the front desk wouldn't give her any information. Even Tenzin speaking to the new chief wasn't enough, as they were told that all equalist suspects were being detained indefinitely. The airbender promised he would take the matter up with Tarrlok first thing tomorrow, while agreeing with the avatar that Saikhan was the worst chief of police ever.

Back at the island though, Korra was unable to sleep, instead dwelling on the trouble that Bolin, Mako, and Asami were in. Deciding it wasn't worth risking their safety by waiting until morning, Korra rode Naga into the city, but left the polar bear dog waiting outside as she went to confront Tarrlok on her own.

"You and I need to talk", she said while entering his office through a window.

After sending the council page home after confirmation that everyone else had done the same, Tarrlok addressed her intrusion. "You obviously have something on your mind? Spit it out."

"What exactly do you think you're doing, locking up all these people? You're doing everything Amon says is wrong with benders and it's gonna end up with more people supporting the equalists."

"I disagree", the man replied with a surprising calmness. "Leniency isn't a luxury we can afford right now. You've seen firsthand what Amon and his group of radicals are capable of."

"What does that have to do with locking up my friends and people protesting their power being cut off?"

"Consequences for dissent gives a reason to stay in line and not cause trouble until this matter is dealt with", Tarrlok explained with annoyance. "As for your friends, this vigilante justice you've been up to only puts innocent people at risk and undermines the authority of trained professionals."

"More like we're making you look bad", Korra muttered, just loud enough to be heard.

"Whether you like it or not, Republic city has been looking to me to stop the equalists from taking over. Do you think it should be someone else?" He added the question angrily after seeing her roll her eyes. "Former chief Beifong, who would admit failure herself for her role in this mess? As for Tenzin, I doubt the man has the stomach for making the hard decisions. And I'll do both of us a favor and skip the explanation on why it shouldn't be you."

"Enough", Korra barked. "This isn't about me, Lin, or Tenzin. This is about you using your power to oppress and intimidate people".

"And what exactly did you come here to do? Beg and plead for me to release your friends out of the kindness of my heart?"

"I-"

"You and I are more alike than you think, Korra. We're both willing to go to the extreme to get what we want." Tarrlok held up a hand before she could argue. "Look, I'll make you a deal, you fall in line and rejoin my task force, and I'll have your friends released."

She realized that he had probably planned all along to arrest them to get to her. She wanted them out, but not at the cost of being a puppet. They would understand.

"No. Whatever you did to get chief Saikhan in your pocket won't work on me."

"You will regret that decision", Tarrlok bitterly responded while turning his back to her.

"Why do you care so much about stopping Amon if you're gonna be just as bad?"

The question apparently touched a nerve, as the councilman turned back around and used the waterfall behind his desk to attack her. She was able to put up a wall to defend herself, but not before being grazed by a couple of ice darts.

Korra then used the wall in the office to send Tarrlok into the council chambers, one hand on a railing keeping him on the second floor. She asked if he still thought she was a half-baked avatar, but earthbended him down to the ground before he could answer.

Korra was about to encase him in rock and call the police, but her body stopped before she could move any rock.

"You're in my way Avatar, and you need to be removed", Tarrlok said, as her limbs twisted against her will, causing her to fall to her knees in pain.

She recognized what this was from the stories she had been told. "You...you're a bloodbender?"

"Very observant."

"How are you doing this", she questioned while writhing on the ground. "It's...it's not a full moon!"

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me", he told her before sending her flying into a pillar.

As Korra slipped out of consciousness, she saw a vision in her head of the same room she was now in, with people she somehow recognized having their bodies being manipulated the same way as her. Sokka...Toph...Aang... what's going on? She snapped back to reality as she felt the rope around her body".

"What are you doing?"

"Taking you somewhere no one will find you. Say goodbye to Republic City, Avatar Korra. You'll never see it again!"

Korra let out a scream of anger and fire, but Tarrlok managed to slam the door closed in time. She continued to struggle and shout, but it fell on deaf ears as she felt the truck speed off into the night.

Notes: Chapter was a little longer than I planned, but it didn't feel like enough to be split into two. Wanted to give a theory behind Korra's airbending block, as well as give a better explanation for Tarrlok's actions, showing him as ruthless instead of being simply power hungry. Also included Ikki snitching because that was one of my favorite moments in the show.