White Lotus Compound, South Pole

159AG

Oogi landed in the center of the compound. The sky bison groaned before closing his eyes, falling asleep right where he landed. The last time he had seen this place, one year ago, they had only just started it's construction. It had been just a few plies of snow, just starting to take shape. Now, it was a massive circle of impregnable ice. Seeing it put him at ease. Although it had been built to protect the Avatar from the possibility of future Red Lotus attacks, it would also be an excellent defense against Sato and his Equalists. It would a long time before Sato could muster the forces to come to the South Pole and take on this base, and when he did he would have to deal with the rebuilt Southern Water Tribe, who's city stood between the ocean and the compound. The Southern's city didn't have the infrastructure of their Northern counterparts, but they had grown much stronger under the leadership of Chief Sokka. They would surely put up a good fight to protect that Avatar. But that time was long in the future, or so Tenzin hoped.

Tenzin had taken his turn at the reigns and he looked back to see both Kya and Pema sleeping. He was happy to see them getting some rest. They had pushed themselves to the limit in order the reach the South Pole as quickly as possible, sleeping in shifts and stopping for only a few hours at a time to let Oogi get the bare minimum amount of sleep to keep him going. He jumped off the sky bison, giving him a pat on the head as he was approached by a few White Lotus sentries who were on guard duty.

"Master Tenzin," their captain said as they all bowed the clasped their hands together, "we weren't expecting you." Tenzin returned the bow.

"Yes, I apologize for not radioing you before coming. Things have taken a turn for the worst in Republic City. I had to leave very quickly and had no time to let you know I was coming."

The captains face darkened, "I see." Tenzin understood his reaction. The whole world had known about the banning of bending in the city. It was hard to imagine what could be worse than that, especially if you were a bender.

"I'd like to speak with my mother. And could you please summon Chief Sokka to the compound?"

"Of course, Master Tenzin. Master Katara is currently training with the Avatar, one of my sentries will show you to them."

"Thank you Captain," they bowed again in parting, and Tenzin added "we've had a long and tiring journey, can you also ensure that my wife and sister have a comfortable place to recuperate?"

"Yes, Master Tenzin," he said again bowing one more time. The White Lotus were always perfectly respectful. With that Tenzin left Oogi, Kya, and Pema in the captains hands and followed the sentry the captain had assigned to him to where his mother was training the Avatar. They were easy to see from where Oogi had landed because of the small size of the compound. If he bad been paying more attention he would have rejected the offer for an escort, as they were in easy eyeshot of him. They hadn't noticed the hullabaloo of his arrival either. They were focusing on passing a perfect sphere of water back and forth. Tenzin was surprised by the control the Avatar displayed over the water, even at the tender age of six. She squinted her eyes in concentration and her fat baby cheeks puffed out with the exertion. He knew that she was a little firecracker, and he wondered how his mother was able to get her to sit still for so long. However, Katara did have experience with rambunctious children, she had somehow managed to raise Bumi, and he had always been told what a handful he had been as a child. Korra finally lost her focus and looked over at him.

Tenzin's shoulders slumped as he watched them. He was very tired himself, but it was not the exhaustion that weighed him down. Avatar Korra loved bending with her entire spirit. She would certainly be willing to fight for the future of the benders and the balance of the world. But looking at the bright eyed child, knowing the suffering she would have to endure before this war was over...it tore him up inside and made him think of his own soon to be born child. His child would likely fight in the war to come as well. It seemed like no matter how much good the Avatars of the past did, there was always a horror waiting in the next cycle. Tenzin believed Korra would be able to continue the tradition of the Avatars that came before her, and bring balance back, but the he didn't even want to think about what the cost might be this time.

Korra's concentration finally broke and her voice broke him away from his thoughts. "Master Tenzin," she yelled loudly with a goofy childlike smile. Tenzin waved, not knowing what else to do.

"Focus, Korra," Katara said chastising the girl, sending the water sphere at her pupil. Korra tried to bend it back, but Katara had put too much power behind it and it splashed in the Avatar's face. Her tiny body was soaked head to toe and she wrapped her arms around her body, shivering.

"Master Katara," she whined through chattering teeth.

"That's what happens with you don't focus. Take this as a lesson."

Korra grumbled, "Yes, Master Katara." Katara waved over a member of the White Lotus.

"Get the Avatar cleaned up. I think that's enough bending training for today. Make sure she studies her history before going to bed." Korra looked like she was going to cry about that last part.

"Yes, Master Katara," said the female sentry as she bowed, "come, Avatar."

"Okay," she said while pushing herself to her feet, "but first I want a hug." She looked over at Tenzin mischievously and then ran at him quickly jumping into his arms. Tenzin returned the Avatar's hug. After what he had been though a little water wasn't going to kill him. "Bye bye Master Tenzin." She smiled again and followed her guard.

"Bye, Korra," Tenzin waved at their retreating forms and Korra turned around to give one last wave while walking backwards.

"Tenzin," Katara said standing up and walking toward him before embracing him as well, "what a pleasant surprise!" She beamed at him, stepping back from the hug she looked him up and down. From the exhaustion on his features she ventured this was not a social call and her voice took on a much more serious tone, "what happened?"

"President Sato turned on the benders of Republic City. Thanks to Lin, I was able to flee before he could get to me and my family, but..."

"Oh no..." Katara said covering her mouth in shock, "Tenzin, I'm so sorry." She wrapped her arms around him again, this time more tightly. "That man is so powerful. We have to come up with a plan."

"Yes, Mother, we do." They broke apart again and Tenzin continue, "I've already asked the White Lotus to summon uncle Sokka here."

"We need to get Korra's parents to come as well, they deserve to know what is happening...this development directly effects the safely of their daughter."

"Of course, you are right." Tenzin agreed whole heartedly with his mother, but he didn't know what difference they could make with so few of them. "We also need to find an earth and firebending master for Korra as quickly as we can and bring them here."

"Are you suggesting we further accelerate the Avatar's training? She is still just a little girl, Tenzin. And besides, she has already started her training much earlier than most Avatars."

"Of course not, Mother, I'm just saying we need them here for additional protection of the Avatar. But, because of events in the world now...it would not be a bad idea to accelerate her training a bit."

"That's not up to me. We need to come a consensus. We'll talk tonight." She touched his cheek. "For now, get some rest Tenzin, you look exhausted. When everyone arrives, I'll wake you."

"Thank you, Mother." The White Lotus sentry who had lead him to his mother and the Avatar stood behind him waiting patiently. Tenzin had no idea where he might get some sleep in this place.

"Could you take me to your sleeping quarters?"

"Of course, Master Tenzin. This way."

...

"Tenzin," Katara said has she gently shook her son awake. He opened his eyes with much difficulty and groaned. Katara offered him her hand and he took it. She pulled him to his feet.

"Thank you," he said as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes the best he could. He saw Pema on one of the other beds in the room, still completely passed out. Katara saw his stare.

"She'll be fine here."

"I know," he said looking back at his mother.

"Everyone is waiting. Let's go." Katara lead him out of the White Lotus' sleeping quarters. It was difficult to tell how much time had passed as the sky retained the same twilight glow it had when he had arrived. They walked a short distance to the largest building in the complex. Katara opened the door and stood to the side, letting Tenzin step in first. Katara was close at his heals and closed the door quickly, trying to keep as much of the frigid arctic air out as possible. Tenzin could see this room was a massive mess hall. However, dinner time had clearly long since passed. The tables were spotless and no smell of food lingered in the air. Now he was certain it was very, very late at night. Katara took the lead again and Tenzin followed her toward the back of the hall. There was another door here, and behind it Tenzin could here voices. Katara opened this door, too, again stepping to the side so her son could enter first. Tenzin surveyed the room while his mother secured the door behind them.

All talking ceased as the two of them entered the small room. A huge round wooden table in the middle of the room took up almost it's entire area, making it seem even tinier. Around the table sat everyone he had expected. He took a seat next to his sister, his back facing the door and Katara join him at his left. Next to Katara was her brother, Chief Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe. Tonraq sat next to him, his wife Senna had one hand on her husbands leg in a gesture of comfort. Likely more for her own comfort than for his, as worried was etched into her features. One of the White Lotus leader's lieutenants was at her left and next to him sat the leader himself, Master Arrluk. He was flanked by another lieutenant before finally coming full circle back to Kya and Tenzin.

Master Arrluk cleared his throat. "Now that we've all arrived, let's begin the meeting, Master Tenzin," he said looking in the air nomad's direction, "it is a pleasure to see you again, though I wish it were under better circumstances. Kya has told us of the destruction in Republic City. Would you like to add your observations? This whole situation seems to have come out of nowhere."

"To be honest, I am just as shocked as all of you. None of us on the council expected this. President Sato had been doing nothing but good things for the city. We all supported him. He showed no signs of this level of hatred for benders. I'm sorry, it was my lack of oversight, if only I had noticed the signs."

"Tenzin," Kya said grabbing his shoulder in support, "if you didn't see it, no one did. Growing up as he did, and then becoming the successful business man he became, I'm sure Sato learned how to mask his true intentions very well. Don't beat yourself up over it. It's not your fault."

"That's right," Tonraq said, clenching his hand into a fist on the table, "now is not the time for looking back at what we could have done. We have to focus on what we need to do in the future to keep Korra, all benders safe, from that madman's reach."

Sokka, who had remained completely silent up until this point, chimed in, "From what Kya has told us it seems like this situation has begun to snowball out of control. But tell me Tenzin, you know Hiroshi Sato better than any of us, do you think the man can still be reasoned with? It would be best to avoid further escalation. If Aang were still here we would have more options, but as things stand, the Avatar is still a child. It pains me to say it, but we all know there is nothing she can do about this at her age."

"I wish he could be reasoned with, Uncle...I'm not saying he can't be reasoned with, but judging from how much damage his forces were doing to the city, I believe he wont stop until he has rid the entire world of bending." Sokka sighed and the whole room looked downtrodden, and then there was only silence as everyone present thought about how best to take on their present situation.

Sokka finally spoke, "The best option may be to gather as many benders as we can and try to take back the city on our own, without the Avatar's help."

"Attack Republic City!" Katara burst out, "Sokka, how can you suggest something like that?"

"I know Aang wouldn't approve, but I think he would do it because it is necessary. If Sato can't be negotiated with then this is our only option. He will only grow more powerful with time. Someone like him in power isn't good for the balance of the world. I know Aang would understand. I think this is what he would do."

"And if we lose?" Master Arrluk asked. "The Avatar would be left defenseless. This is not and option! It's the duty of the White Lotus to protect the Avatar, therefore, we cannot support any action that might cut down our numbers. At least not while the Avatar is so young. Once she masters all four elements and can protect herself, we'd be willing to assist with an attack, but until then we cannot take any aggressive action." He slammed his fist down on the table resolutely. He was clearly firm in his position.

Sokka leaned back, crossing his arms, "Then our options are negotiation, or do nothing."

"Defending the Avatar is not doing nothing!" Master Arrluk shot back.

Tenzin's voice cut through the tension, "let's say we choose to go on the defensive until the Avatar master's the elements, we need to find her the best teachers possible. My mother," he said nodding at Katara, "is clearly the best waterbending instructor for the Avatar and I will train her in airbending. I know it is not tradition to have all of the Avatar's masters gathered in one place to train her, but I think it would be best to find and bring her other masters here now. It would also mean that she would have two more expert benders here to protect her." He added that last part to get the White Lotus keen on the idea.

"Shall we put Master Tenzin's plan to a vote?" Master Arrluk said. Everyone nodded agreement. "Very well, all those in favor, say aye."

"Aye." Everyone's voices resounded in favor.

"It seems as if there is not need for a 'ney' vote. The White Lotus will get to work on the task of finding the Avatar's earth and firebending Masters immediately,"

Arrluk assured everyone on the room. "Does this conclude this meeting?"

"I seems so," said Sokka, arms still crossed and looking rather annoyed. He had voted "aye," but it seems like he still wasn't satisfied about something.

"Then we shall take our leave," the three White Lotus members stood and left the room first.

Katara touched her brother's arm in support, "This is for the best, Sokka."

Sokka looked intently at her, "I'm not worried about gathering the Avatar's masters early. Chances of Sato trying something before Korra is ready to lead this war are very high. He is no idiot. He'll want to take her out."

Tonraq and Senna stood to leave. "Don't worry Chief Sokka," Tonraq said offering Sokka a hand to stand. He pulled the older man to his feet. "Whatever Sato tries, we'll stop him. We already repelled the Red Lotus and saved my daughter once. I believe we can protect her from anything." Sokka nodded. "Goodnight Chief," he and Senna bowed and left. Sokka sighed. Tenzin, Kya, and Katara stood last.

"Well," Katara said, "we're all exhausted. Especially you two," she said looking back lovingly at her children. "Let's all get some sleep." Tenzin and Kya, who very clearly had dark bags under their eyes from sleep deprivation couldn't argue with that statement. "Go on ahead." She told them gently, but they could both tell this was an order. They obediently left the room as their mother said. Katara and Sokka stood their quietly contemplating each other with stern gazes. The sound of the closing of the outer door ended their silence. "What are you thinking?" Katara asked her brother.

"I have no problem with what was decided. But, I think Sato will make a move very soon. Sitting back and doing nothing might not be an option."

"We'll deal with that when the time comes. We have no idea what that man is thinking, or even what his true goals are, I think it may be more complicated than just killing all benders."

"That's exactly why we should start a dialogue with him! We need to get inside his head so we can stay one step ahead of him. If I need to, I'll go myself."

"Sokka, there's no need for that. Don't forget, Kya said Lin is still in the city. If she discoverers any pertinent information I know she'll find a way to pass it on to us. We'll do what we can from here."

"Fine," he said, knowing there was no reason to continue this conversation tonight. He would sleep on things and try to come up with a plan himself, "but I'm telling you Katara, something bigger than we can handle is coming, and soon."

"Goodnight, Sokka."

"Goodnight, Katara."

Authors Note: Sweetness! I got this chapter up a little faster than one week. I hope you enjoy the direction I'm taking this :) Maybe just a couple more chapters of set up before I will fast forward in the timeline to older Korra, but at least this time we got to see little Korra (even if it was just for a moment). So, yeah, I had to give the leader of the White Lotus a name, just calling him the leader would be weird haha, so I just chose a random Inuit name for him, I guess Arrluk will work. Anyway, enjoy it! Please follow/favorite/review if you like the story. Also, I'm totally cool with constructive criticism, so feel free to let me know any ways that you think I can make this story better. I'd love to hear you're ideas!