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Tarrlok's POV

I had to admit, I found the young Avatar's decision very…convenient. I could tell that those who had volunteered to be on my Task Force were uneasy, hesitant to attack Nonbenders but now that the Avatar had joined the group, they were more cooperative. Of course, this had been my plan from the start. I even found it amusing that other Nonbenders were signing up to battle against their own kind. Pathetic, if you ask me.

She had arrived ahead of schedule, wanting to go over the plan with me. This was the only detail that I found annoying; having to have her 'approve' what we were doing or else I would be exposed as a fraud. I couldn't afford that, not now that I was so close to winning the city. Soon enough she agreed with the plan of action and I couldn't help but smirk at this. There had actually been some details I had purposely left out for the time being.

"My fellow Task Force Deputies," I began, officially starting the meeting. "Tonight we will execute a raid on an underground Chi Blocking training camp located in the Dragon Flats Burrow."

The members gave me their full attention at this, all except the brat, who didn't even look up at me once, looking over the paperwork. I took a deep breath before continuing.

"According to my sources there is a cellar underneath this bookstore," I continued motioning to the map. "Where Equalists teach Chi Blocking in secret."

After I gave everyone the rundown of what was going to happen, we headed out to the place in question. I positioned all the officers in strategic places before ordering the Benders to gather their natural element and ready themselves for the attack. I glanced over at the Avatar, who seemed calm, considering there was nothing she could defend herself with.

I raised my hand and signaled them to go in. The Waterbenders went in first, freezing the Equalist scum's' heads. Next were the Nonbenders, fighting with those who still hadn't put up a fight with my officers. The Avatar went after a group that escaped and after stopping a few other Chi Blockers I followed her and helped her take down the remaining Equalist.

She turned to look at me, her eyes as cold as the tundra but I remained calm as she came towards me, grabbing me by the collar and slamming me against the wall. I had to admit I was surprised by this. I hadn't known she was capable of actually lifting me off the ground.

"This wasn't part of the plan," Korra said through her clenched teeth.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," I told her calmly. "They are fighting us, the only thing we can do is fight back."

"Not like this. There are other ways"

"This is my Task Force," I reminded her. "I command it. You'd do well not to forget that."

"As long as you don't forget your future as councilman remains in my hands," she replied, putting me down.

I clenched my jaw at that, fixing my uniform and following her out with the captured Equalists. The press soon arrived, as well as the Chief, who arrested the members and locked them away. Soon after the Avatar left, reminding me not to keep anything out of the raid plans again. I had barely contained a growl at this.

She had me in her hands and there was nothing I could do about it.

For now.

Mako's POV

Korra and I got so caught up with the kids that we lost track of time. Before I knew it the last ferry had left and she was stranded in the city. She insisted that she would be able to swim back like she had before but I wouldn't have it. It was raining outside and more than likely there would be a storm brewing and I knew how much she hated storms.

I had her call her parents and let them know she would be staying with me. After she did, however, she insisted that we might as well stay at the shelter. I had agreed, knowing the reason why. For a while now Korra had been growing closer to the boy that had been brought here a few days ago. Sure enough, my suspicion was confirmed when she went to tell the kid that she would be staying.

He smiled broadly at the news and grabbed her hand before picking a book, silently letting her know that he wanted her to read to him. Korra informed him that she would as soon as she helped the other kids get to bed but I told her that I would be able to manage on my own.

Not long after and just as I was putting the last of the kids to sleep the lights went out, a product of the storm outside. I quickly calmed the kids and let them know that everything was fine and that there was nothing to be afraid of. Surprisingly they had no problem with the darkness and I left to check on my teammate and the remaining child.

Korra's POV

The boy had practically dragged me away to his room and got on the bed with the book, gesturing for me to sit down. When I did he crawled over to where I was and handed me the children's book, waiting for me to read. I couldn't help but smile at this. It looked like Mako was right. The kid really did like me.

I had only read a few pages when a large clap of thunder was heard, making both of us jump. I pulled him closer to me, assuring him everything was alright when the lights went out. I sighed. Of course the lights would go out.

"Looks like we're going to have to stop here," I said, putting the book down. "I can't see anything. I'm going to go get Mako," I added.

Just as I was about to get up, I saw a small flame appear in the boy's tiny palm. My eyes widened. He-he was a Bender! A Firebender!

"You can Bend?" I asked, in awe of this development.

The boy slowly nodded before gesturing to the book. I let out a chuckle at this, taking the worn out hardback once again and sitting next to him. He crawled into my lap and made the flame a little bigger so I could see the words. Not long after Mako came in, a brow raised. I shrugged at him and he chuckled when he saw both the boy and I yawning.

"Maybe I should read for a bit," he suggested.

I nodded and scooted over so that he was able to sit on the bed. I lay down on my side, still awake and listening to the words when I felt the boy snuggle closer to me, maneuvering so that he was under my arm. I blinked a few times at this but didn't move it. Slowly Mako's words began to fade and I started to close my eyes, quickly falling into a deep sleep.

Iroh's POV

My grandfather, Zuko, had asked that I go to the Boiling Rock, an old Fire Nation Prison, and see what was going on there when Avatar Korra was found. I had been in the Earth Kingdom at the time, training the forces and trying to keep the capital in order after a large earthquake hit it. I had been delivering supplies, and although I knew that it was urgent for me to see this prison, I had other priorities than what could be nothing more than a made up story.

It was needless to say that I didn't completely trust the young Avatar's word. When she had been a teenager, she had lied often in order to get out of trouble. However, when I received Bei Fong's report and that of Katara, who had healed her injuries, I figured she might actually be telling the truth for once. For this reason I sailed to Republic City, to investigate the situation further.

When I arrived, however, it seemed as if Korra had gone back to her old party habits and I assumed she had little to no interest in going back to the prison. The rumors of a revolutionist who was able to take away Bending permanently had once again sidetracked me from my purpose in the city.

A few days ago, Commander Bumi had been sailing close to the old prison and had found a decomposed body in the sea. It was this that brought the Boiling Rock back to my attention. And it was because of this that I immediately set out to find the young Avatar.

I was outside Tenzin's home when I saw her walk up the steps next to her polarbear dog, uniform still on from the Task Force. I took a deep breath before walking up to her.

"Avatar Korra," I greeted. The girl looked up at me, a brow raised. "I have to speak with you."

"Kind of busy, General Iroh," she answered. "I just came home to change."

"I'm sure you can take some time out of your social life to speak to me," I answered when she walked right past me. "It's about the Boiling Rock," I added turning around to face her once again.

The young Avatar stopped in her tracks, her posture going rigid, and turned around to face me. Seemed that had warranted her attention.

"What about the Boiling Rock?" Korra asked. Her tone was deadpan, but her body remained tense.

"I'm going on an expedition there," I explained. "Commander Bumi found some…suspicious activity and I want to investigate this personally. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to attend, though I understand if you don't-"

"When?" she questioned, cutting me off.

"My fleet is leaving in two days," I answered. "I can accommodate you in the ship if you want to go. I know you said that what happened there is off limits," I added. "If you think this is going to…bring back memories, I don't think it would be wise for you to go."

"Thank you for your concern but I'll be fine, General," Korra said, turning away. "I'll meet you at the docks in two days."