~Chapter Six~

~Evan Triad?~

The night air felt good on Iroh's face and helped to clear his head as he walked out of another long meeting. He rubbed his temples trying to ease away the tension. The problems of the first fleet mirrored what was going on in the city. As Tarlok's task force and equalists clashed the situation between the soldiers only became more hostel. For example at the meeting some of the officials practically said they wanted all non-benders to walk the plank. Iroh pinched the bridge nose, why did Sozza give him this mission? What had he done to deserve being put in this position? Was 'I like being put between a rock and hard place' tattooed on his forehead?

He was pulled from his own self-pity by a private holding piece of paper. "Um sir, during the meeting the Avatar called asking for you. She didn't leave a long message just said to call her back."

Iroh nodded taking the piece paper and walked back to his cabin, which had been searched during his little stay at the police department. "Now what could she want?" He glanced over at the calendar and felt his spirits take a nosedive. "Oh, tomorrow's our anniversary…she was probably calling about that." He dialed the number for the Air Temple and answered. "Hey, Tenzin can I speak to Korra she called earlier and… What? How? Ok, thanks yeah, if Korra calls please tell her I'm doing what I can to help. Thanks Tenzin."

Iroh hung up the phone and immediately left the ship passing one of the ship's captains. "General Iroh, Sir are you leaving, at this late hour?"

"Yes, sorry I have a family emergency I need to take care off."

The captain blinked. "You have family in the city? But I thought all were in the-"

"Not all of them." Iroh cut him off walking off the ship. "Look, I'm sorry but I've got to go. If you have anything you need to discuss write a memo and give it to my second in command."

Iroh headed straight to HQ. If anyone in this city knew what Amon's people were doing it would be those in the UFO. He just hoped he would be able to get the information he needed and get to Korra before something bad happened to the young earth bender or anyone else.

.o.

Korra was reaching the limits of her patience with Tarlok who seemed to be hindering more than helping. The councilman upon hearing that Bolin been kidnapped by the equalists had jumped in immediately to 'help' with his task force and what little information he had. Korra appreciated the information and manpower but she was not really a fan of his constant touching of her shoulders and pulling her close for photo opportunities. Even now he stood a little too close as she looked over a map of the city, trying to see where Amon could possibly be holding Bolin.

Nearby Mako paced aggravated that they hadn't found his brother already. Asami just watched sadly, having no more advice or comfort to give Mako at the moment. Tarlok noticed Korra looking over at Mako and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"We'll find him." Tarlok gave her a sympathetic smiled. "Don't worry. He'll be back home safe and sound in no time."

"I highly doubt that since it's been what? Two-three hours since you were brought in and we still have a missing earth bender." Iroh jeered walking in casually. He was still in his General's uniform and walked with a swagger Korra knew was as fake as his fire bending. He smiled and held up a folder. "Happily, I do have some information that will actually come in handy since our time table is so small."

Tarlok glared at Iroh, while Asami and Mako tried to figure out who this new man was and why he was helping. Mako glanced over at Asami and pointed to Iroh. "Who's he?" He mouthed.

"No idea." She mouthed back.

Tarlok clicked his tongue in disgust. "I didn't ask for your help General Iroh, so would you kindly shove off and let me do real work." He looked at the folder as if it was covered in the plague, "And I don't want or need any of your bosses help either."

Iroh rolled his eyes. "Yes, you do need my help and as for want; well you weren't the one who asked for my help now is it?" He picked up Tarlok's hand off Korra's shoulder like he was removing a bug. "A little bit of free advice Councilman, if Korra's making that face don't touch her. Better yet don't touch Korra at all."

Tarlok chuckled. "Well I guess you would know when not to touch, General Iroh."

"Cute." Iroh handed Korra the folder. "Here you are darling, according to what my people could find these are the three most logical places for the Equalist Rally tonight."

Korra took the folder and turned to check it against the information Tarlok had.

"So you look well. Still doing Mama Sozza's dirty work? Or did she really give you over to Director Je'very to do his dirty work?" The venom in the councilman's voice was thick.

Over in the corner Mako had stopped pacing and was looking at the two men confused. He also suddenly looked like he had just realized he left the stove on.

Iroh crossed his arms. "I don't see how that matters since either way I don't work for you."

"Then why on earth did you come bearing gifts?"

"Korra asked for my help."

Unseen by both Korra rolled her eyes and kept working. "It's always got to be a measuring contest with them doesn't it?" She mumbled under her breath.

"So Korra actually asked for your help?" Tarlok asked not bothering to mask his surprise. "She actually said those words?"

Iroh smirked. "Yes, she actually did."

"Well I guess desperate times call for desperate measures."

Iroh nodded. "I can't agree more, she called you after all."

Korra bit her lip and turned back to the two men. "Ok, so bad news one of the places Iroh's intel suggests was raided earlier day," Tarlok puffed out his chest, "But the other two places we haven't even heard of before."
Iroh smiled. "So I guess those are the two places we need to look first." He glanced over at Tarlok. "Unless you want to muck around here more and put the lives of innocent people in more danger?"

Tarlok wrinkled his nose. "No we don't have time to look for other options. We'll take two teams and check out the two options. Who ever finds something radio the other."

Iroh nodded and grabbed one of the papers. "Prefect, I'll take the location on 10th St. since it's farther out and I can get there faster than your clunky vans of people."

Asami grabbed the paper from Iroh's hand. "Sorry, stranger but I'll be driving you can tag along if you want."

"Fine, if the lady wishes to drive, I won't stop her." He looked at Korra and gave her a wink, which actually made Korra smile a little.

.o.

Mako sat shotgun while the car sped through the streets. He looked back at Korra sitting next to the stranger in the military coat. The young fire bender could see Korra crewing on her bottom lip and drumming her fingers on the man's knee. He noticed that two weren't talking to each other and the levity that had been in Iroh's demeanor had vanished. He seemed tired.

Asami glanced at the two in the rear view mirror. "So Korra, is this the guy you've been seeing?"

Korra nodded. "Oh yeah, sorry! Asami, Mako this is General Iroh. Iroh, these are my friends, Asami Sato and Mako... what is your last name?"

"It's not important right now." Mako mumbled looking out into the night trying his best to spot his brother.

Iroh smiled. "Well either way. It's nice to meet you both, sorry it's under such circumstances."

Mako nodded. "Yeah, so you're a General? That's a really high rank for someone that looks so young."
Iroh nodded. "Yeah, well that is a long story that I can't go into at the moment. But noble family fast rank climbing."
"Uh huh?" Mako frowned; he didn't like that kind of reasoning. It didn't sit right with him and reminded him of how Sota justified his father's involvement in the mob. He's hiding something. "So how long had you and known Korra? Bolin mentioned you were an old friend."

Iroh glanced over at Korra quizzically but shrugged it off. "I fist met Korra when I was 15 and we've been more or less in contact since then."

Mako was about to ask another question but the car came to a halt a little ways off from their target. "Well, looks like we're here. Let's just take a look around and not draw attention to ourselves."

Iroh nodded as he took off his coat. "Yeah, there's only four of us, getting into a fight would be ill advised."

.o.

Luck was on their side whether that luck was good or bad could be debated however. They had found the meeting place and it was packed full of equalists and civilians curious about their cause. Asami had run back to the car to alert Tarlok while the other three slipped into the building. They joined the crowd of on lookers hoping to remain unnoticed.

Korra and Mako stayed close to each other in the crowed while Iroh tried to find a way back stage. He had stripped down to his white shirt and trousers and looked just like anyone else in the crowd. Iroh stopped when Amon walked out and stared to address the crowd. Four figures rose from a trap door one of them being Bolin. At first Iroh was worried that Amon was going to kill them, then his fears changed as Lightning bolt Zolt's bending was ripped from him.

Iroh's mind raced trying to figure out the best way to save Bolin and cause the least panic. He didn't have time however as Korra and Mako started a fight that threw the whole place in to chaos dashing any plans he may have had. Spectators ran everywhere, while full equalist supporters joined the fray just adding to the madness. Iroh was able to get Bolin untied but punched in the jaw by the panicked teen.

"Sorry!" Bolin yelled realizing it wasn't an equalist.

"'s okay." Iroh rubbed his jaw but quickly rejoined the fight using his 'bending' to help Korra against two equalists. It was four against many and the odds of success were low and they kept dropping. An equalist grabbed Korra and Iroh broke the hold by breaking the guy's arm. Then something strange happened Iroh's body refused to move like he wanted.

.o.

Korra watched in horror as equalists grabbed Iroh making him kneel as Amon walked toward him.

"Run!" Iroh yelled at her. "Get out of here!"

Korra summoned fire to her fists but Mako grabbed her arm and pulled her away.

"You heard him!" Mako said pulling Korra away.

Just at the corner of her eye she saw Amon place his hands on Iroh and her prince collapsing. She held back a scream and ran out of the building where Asami stood waiting for them. They piled into the car without explanation.

"Drive!" Mako yelled more in panic than anything else and the car roared to life.

They were five blocks away stopped at a light when Asami finally spoke up.

"Where's the general?"

Korra hugged Iroh's jacket closer and didn't speak.

"He got captured helping us escape." Mako explained. "And that's not even the worst part. Amon has the ability to take bending away." He looked back at his brother. "Bolin how are you doing bro?"

Bolin gulped. "I've been better." He looked at Korra. "So that was Iroh?"

Korra nodded. "Yup. That was my Iroh." She buried her face in his red jacket. "And now I don't know what's going to happen to him."

A/N: Ok so I know this is a modified version of the one shot, Anniversary which this story is based on. There are some minor changes but if you've read that one you'll know the basic gist of this one. Thanks~ C.C.