(This work is set in an alternative universe in which Bolin is the Avatar. Team Avatar (Mako, Bolin, Korra, and Asami) fight a surprise Equalist attack together.)

The Equalists descended seemingly from thin air, like wasps after a disturbance to their hive. They came from behind buildings, out of windows, and down fire escapes. After a few minutes it became clear that Bolin, Mako, Korra, and Asami were outnumbered, badly.

The four friends took fighting stances and prepared to defend themselves. Asami readied her stolen electric glove and crouched into a defensive position, while Korra bent a long stream of water from her side pouch, preparing to strike. Instinctually Mako stepped in front of Bolin, making a fist with his left hand and holding up his right in a firebending form. His position echoed that of a thousand past confrontations, desperate experiences that the brothers had shared together. Even though Bolin had the potential to be far more powerful than the firebender, Mako was still his big brother—the caretaker, nurturer, protector. He would always draw the brunt of an attack onto himself if possible.

Without warning the Equalists struck. Mako wondered if they had some sort of silent signal; if so, it was undetectable. He ran forward and pounded off a series of crippling fireballs at the front line.

At first it seemed like Team Avatar might be able to win. Mako was ahead of the other three, attempting to hold off the attackers with his searing flames. Korra had managed to take out four different Equalists with her quick maneuvering and dangerous ice. Asami, graceful and prancing through the air, had knocked out at least three. And Bolin, trained in street combat and probending, had handicapped six attackers alone with his columns of earth and precise boulder hurtling.

Things took a turn for the worse after a few more minutes. Three Equalists ganged up on Asami and one managed to touch her white neck with an electric glove, knocking her unconscious. Korra was left limping from a gaping wound to her left thigh; she was pale and losing blood fast. Bolin and Mako moved in front of her, deflecting the charge.

Without warning, the Equalists turned the brunt of their attack onto Mako, apparently deciding their best chance of success would be to take him out. Mako bent flames as fast as possible, but he wasn't quick enough. One of the Equalists moved forward, breaching his defenses, and swung what appeared to be nightstick at his right shoulder.

Thunk. Mako cried out in pain and clutched at his injured arm. Red and white spots floated in front of his eyes and he swayed dizzily, afraid he might pass out.

"MAKO!" Bolin shouted. The earthbender hurled a chunk of rock at the Equalist, knocking him into a nearby building. Four others swarmed closer around Bolin, blocking him from providing further assistance.

Breathing deeply, Mako stretched his legs widely, pushing against the ground. His right arm wouldn't work right—it simply hung, limply. Is it broken? Thought Mako, trying to move his fingers. Doing so sent a shooting stab of pain up his arm, and he bit his lip to keep from crying out again.

Two Equalists were nearing the firebender, who raised his left wrist protectively. Mako shot out fireballs as the combatants approached, but his arm was shaking from the pain and his aim was off. One of the Equalists skirted around him and grabbed the wrist of his injured hand, shocking him.

Mako probably would have been knocked unconscious if his leather glove hadn't protected most of his skin. As it was he was badly shocked and he staggered, falling to one knee. The other Equalist reached him and swung forwards, his fist making contact with Mako's gut.

Doubled over, Mako fell to the ground, and the Equalists were on him, punching and shocking his face, arms, and chest. He raised his left arm over his eyes in a defensive position, and began crying out and wincing with each blow.

Very quickly it was over. Korra and Asami were already tied up, and Bolin soon succumbed. His hands were roughly bound behind his back while two Equalists stood at his side, ready to shock him at a moment's notice.

Mako lay on the ground, biting his lip and gripping his pained arm. One of the fighters was crouched next to the injured firebender, effectively immobilizing him; he had removed his facemask and he stared down at Mako, sneering.

Without warning the man's hand reached for Mako's cheek and stroked down from his temple to his chin, suggestively. Startled, Mako jerked back as much as he could.

"Stop." Mako ground out between clenched teeth as the Equalist raised his hand again.

The man's lip curled as he stroked down the firebender's chin and neck. "Aren't you pretty," he drawled, reaching down and starting to undo Mako's sash. Mako bit his lip and turned his head away, too nauseous from the pain to fight.

"GET OFF OF HIM!" shouted Bolin, who had gone deathly pale watching the scene and was shaking with rage. His voice sounded strange—deeper, more powerful, and echoing.

Bolin's eyes began to glow a bright white, and he suddenly rose up in the air while simultaneously breaking through the ropes that bound him. The Equalists who surrounded him cried out in shock and stepped backwards.

Mako's eyes widened as the events unfolded. Bolin was floating—floating!—somehow manipulating the air beneath his body in order to balance himself several feet above the ground. An enormous wall of earth was suddenly raised around Mako, sending the Equalist who had touched him flying like a ragdoll into a nearby building. He smacked against the outermost wall, hard, and crumpled to the ground, unmoving.

Many things were now happening at once: towering columns of earth shot up in several places, throwing about most of the other Equalists. A large circle of flames sprouted around Asami, Kora, and Mako, pushing away their nearest attackers. A pipe underground suddenly burst and water came hurtling from beneath the street, immobilizing a dozen of their attackers by freezing them into place.

It was terrifying. Mako's mouth fell open as he gaped at Bolin's power. Mako had read about the avatar state before—who hadn't? But to experience it, live, was an entirely different matter. Bolin was wild, out of control, shooting off multiple elements at the same time seemingly without any regard for the value of human life. Mako knew that only extreme, uncontrolled emotions could trigger this outburst, and it was difficult to accept that Bolin was in such a searing state of emotional pain.

The ground trembled beneath Mako's prostrate body. Was it Bolin causing the streets to shake? He heard violent splashing in the near distance, and realized Bolin must also be controlling the tides in the bay.

Afraid that his brother would kill their attackers, he brought his good hand around his mouth. "Bolin!" Mako shouted. "Bolin, stop!"

But Bolin didn't seem to hear him. Nauseous and head spinning, Mako moved onto his knees. His outer shirt and sash gaped open where the Equalist had groped at him. Mako put one knee up and paused, attempting to stabilize himself as the ground lurched.

"BOLIN!" he shouted, louder. Again no answer.

The ground was vibrating and air whipped around in every direction. A fire escape groaned and suddenly fell off of a nearby building, crumpling to the ground in a heap. Mako redoubled his efforts, beginning to fear that in this state Bolin might be capable of accidentally harming his friends as well as his enemies.

The injured firebender unsteadily rose to his feet and fought his way through the wind emanating from Bolin's floating form. Gritting his teeth and bending forward he wobbled on. His brother was now just a few feet away. Mustering all of his strength Mako reached forward and latched onto his ankle.

Bolin glared down at him, eyes glowing and expression formed into a terrible look of rage. Mako felt a jolt of fear, something Bolin had never before caused him to experience, but he did not let go.

"BOLIN!" Mako shouted up at him. "It's me—Mako! Look, I'm fine; Korra and Asami are fine too! You don't have to do this! Calm down!"

Bolin continued to glare and the ground trembled even more violently. Mako tried again.

"Bolin, it's okay—CALM DOWN! I'm here for you! Please—I…I love you!" Mako's voice trembled both from fear and the effort of holding onto his brother.

The spinning air surrounding Bolin dissipated, and he sank down onto the ground shakily. Still unstable on his feet, Mako wrapped his good arm around Bolin, preventing him from immediately falling to the ground with great effort. Bolin turned to face him, his eyes still glowing bright white.

Mako spoke in a regular tone of voice. "Please, Bo; you're scaring me!"

It was the use of his brother's nickname for him that seemed to finally quell Bolin's anger. His expression shifted, becoming unreadable, and his eyes returned to their regular emerald green. He sank down, seemingly exhausted, and Mako held him as he fell to the earth.