K orra led Tenzin and Asami into the spirit world. The ambiance of the chartreuse and viridian earth and the never-ending sparkling blue skies were an enjoyable change of tempo from the drab muddy blue purples and grey asphalt in Republic City.

"I was thinking about how Amon's original story was that he got his ability from a spirit. Sure he was blood bending to take powers, but what if he got his idea from a spirit." Korra said.

"Like, Vaatu? But didn't you kill him?" Asami asked.

"He did fuse with a person. What if he reincarnated into someone else." Korra replied.

"Please, don't scare me; last time I fought with Equalists, I was 10." Came the voice of Jinora, coming upon the three. She had been relaxing in the spirit world, when her father contacted her.

Korra responded to Jinora, "sorry, but it's a big chance, but I think because of all the spiritual energy, that it could all be a person born with Vaatu inside of them. Those are the two options here anyway because of how the bending is being taken."

"What if somebody else ran into a Lion Turtle," said Asami.

They all looked at each other, getting more disturbed and uncertain. Tenzin looked his age at that moment; everything had been exhausting lately. He longed for the simpler days. He now understood why his mother had stepped away from all these crises; it was weighing on his spirit heavily.

"What is going on, may I ask? I only heard about Equalists and that there was a bombing when my dad contacted me." Jinora asked.

Korra gave her a general rundown from the unusual series of confessions to past crimes to further atone for past wrongs. She then told her that those in custody had had their bending removed by an unknown assailant. She went on to explain that all they knew at the moment was that the assailant was targeting people in the Avatars circle.

"Oh, oh no. That might explain some things." Jinora said, afterKorra added that Mako was working with the confessors and a sketch artist.

Tenzin sighed. He felt it, too, the weighted dark energy; maybe they are hunting a dark Avatar.

Jinora explained that she had encountered dark spirits, and led the three of them to where they were when she had last discovered them. They decided to split up; Jinora and Korra to face the dark spirits, while Asami and Tenzin were going to interrogate the other spirits.

Tenzin and Asami struggled with their task

"If one more spirit claims they don't know," Tenzin said in frustration.

"Maybe they don't, and it's new for them too. We will solve this, we always do. I know you are worried about your family." Asami was gentle, feeling the frustration radiating from the air bending master.

"I just hate thinking about that day," sighed Tenzin.

"Hey, I think I might know something." A small pink spirit called out, its voice soft like a cloud."He asked me a few questions, a man with four ponytails, and he was with a guy with three ponytails."

"Ah, oh boy. So what did they ask, can I get more of a description." Asami looked at the cute spirit; it made her think of when Jinora was a child. The spirit described people who sounded like they were from one of the water tribes, but in between traditional and contemporary Republic City styling.

"They wanted to know where Vaatu's prison was located, and asked about the spirit of the Avatar. They wanted to learn all about Raava's first reincarnation." The spirit said.

"What did you tell them?" Tenzin asked with a stern look.

"I told them that the first regeneration of the Avatar cycle was an airbender, so Raava had gone to one of the Air Temples."

"Oh," they both said.

"So did Vaatu go to the Water Tribe?The pair looked nervously at each other; this would be difficult.

"Yes, he would go to somebody with water bending orgins."

Tenzin recalled looking for the Avatar after his father passed, and the overwhelming grief that came with it. The mayhem that was his love life; his infidelity, getting back together with the person he was close to his whole life, how they lost a child for a second time, and then returning to Pema again. His indecision mixed with grief and anger caused by losing his father, followed by the stillbirth of their child, and then Sokka's passing, all within a short period of time.. He hadn't known what direction was up at that time, but he knew that what he was doing at the time was wrong. He hoped this time nobody had to die when they searched for this apparent dark Avatar. He also hated this was around the same time of year as the attempted kidnapping of Korra as a child that had taken his uncle's life.

"You okay, Tenzin? You don't look so good." Asami asked softly, as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I am fine.. It's just that I just remembered the last time we looked for an Avatar." It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth either.

"Oh, I'm sorry. It must have been so hard." She said softly, rubbing his shoulder now. Tenzin had always been there for Asami, like a father. She thought about losing her father, wondering if it was easier that Hiroshi was now gone forever. Not living forever through other lives that will face trials and tribulations, lives you will see suffering like Korra had.

"As you said, it's all going to be okay." He watched as Jinora and Korra returned. They updated the two with the information that if a dark avatar reincarnated, he would be from one of the water tribes. They also added what they had found out about the two men who had been asking questions, and their descriptions

"Tarrlok?" Korra growled, her voice low.

"It could be; we will have to investigate the people that confessed and show pictures." Tenzin replied.

"Back to the police station?" Asami said, while Jinora hugged her dad as she could feel his poor disposition.

"It would seem so," he replied, with a sigh as they walked back to the portal.

He looked back, wondering if any of their spirits were there and why it hadn't dawned on him sooner than he should check. He could greet his unborn child or his uncle.

When they returned from the spirit world, a few days had passed in the real world. They decided to meet with Kya, who was with Opal, Su, Bolin, and Mako.

"Su, when did you get in?" Tenzin asked in surprise.

"Just now, Opal told me everything. I wanted to see my sister," Su looked well-rested, almost a bit too relaxed considering what Opal had just told her.

"Well, I sent Bumi to be with her since she insisted, she wanted to be at her home. I hope he's still alive." Kya grinned, knowing Lin must be annoyed at this moment.

"I would start writing a eulogy, but let's go wait. Where does Lin live?" Su's lips curled into a smirk at Kya's words.

"I still remember the way. Let's go." Tenzin sighed, feeling a tad guilty still.

They left the police station, so it wasn't a long trip as Lin, of course, lived nearby. Nobody had been to Lins's house before, so Bolin tried to guess what it may be like. Only he seemed to think it would be ornate and colorful. It was closer to what most would imagine, secluded. It was more modest than they had expected with her salary and familial wealth. The building at least seemed a bit brighter than they thought, but it was pretty humble. Su privately wondered why her sister was living in this dump.

From outside, they could hear a radio playing loudly. Bumi was sitting on the stairs when they approached, feeling annoyed and bored. He stood, and moved so that Su could get to the door. Lin had never answered the door when he had arrived earlier, which worried him.

Su felt nervous as she picked the lock on her sister's door, as Bumi stood by awkwardly. She knew how Lin was with the law, but hoped she was okay. It was too much for her first day back in Republic City in a few months. The door clicked open finally, and they all took a deep breath preparing for the wrath of an angry Chief.

Instead, they walked into an olive green room that reeked of booze. The floors littered baijiu, scotch, and more. If you could name it, there was an empty bottle on the floor; it was almost shocking nobody was sick. Then they found where Lin was, snuggled up with a complete stranger. They were so shocked that it took a minute to realize Lin wasn't wearing the usual tank top and loose pants of her uniform. She was in a pale green camisole top with a square neckline and some bloomers.

Scandalized, Kya decided to let the duo know they had broken in on their drunken party. The man stood up, in just mauve and deep red boxer shorts and a robe. He was the pinnacle of physical condition and his aged face looked like it was carved by spirits. He awkwardly tried to silence them, however this caused Bolin to squeal. There in front of them,was the most famous singer in the world.

Lin stirred and she made exhausted eye contact with Kya.

"You, Chief Beifong, are supposed to be resting from an injury. Not poisoning yourself with ten times the amount of alcohol a person is supposed to drink in a month! Not to mention that hooking up with, uh Hibiki, was not present in my list of home care instructions." The fervor in Kya's voice stopped Tenzin from lashing out in what was envy on his part. But knowing his older sister, and hearing the scathing rage in her voice, he instead focused on his breathing, and decidedly not Lin's proportions or that Bumi was laughing. Besides that, the happy jazz instrumentals blared in the background.

Lin reached for the most potent drink on a nearby table and gulped before saying. "I would appreciate it if you don't yell in my house. There are people recovering from wounds in this room" She drank again as nonchalant as can be before adding, "if you answered the phone when I had called, I would have told you. It's infected. Everything you gave me on that list wasn't working, and your assistant didn't answer either of our calls." She finished the glass unashamed. At least she wasn't feeling the pain of her wounds or emotions. She thought she sounded fine.

"Maybe you should eat some food, you're drunk," Su suggested.

Lin rolled her eyes, slowly turning on her other side on her couch, the bandages needed to be changed."I'm good. Now all of you can get out." Lin felt sober, and was angry at Kya for yelling at her.

"Lin, don't be difficult. You really should be relaxing, especially if your injury is infected. You should let Kya look at you." Tenzin chided.

Lin stood up, glaring at Tenzin, who struggled to hide. He couldn't keep his eyes where a married man should keep them. Lin only shook her head, replying,"nope, I'll be in my house doing what I feel like. If you don't like it, I'm sure you know how to take the ferry." Lin spat aggressively. Tenzin's face reddened with irritation.

Korra looked at Mako, Bolin, Opal, Asami, and poor Jinora. Unsure what they should do, Mako did what he did best.

"Okay, that is enough for tonight. We have more important things to do than to fight all night, and we found more information on what may be happening, so we're all going to be adults." Mako looked to all of the adults in the room. Hibiki sat down where Lin was laying moments ago, he never understood why have one couch he felt horribly nauseous.

"I don't think we will be getting down to business tonight, kid." Lin indeed was inebriated. She couldn't sit with her back to anything, but now she refused to let Kya at her pus-filled wound. Su and Opal noticed, however, that it looked awful and decided to try and reason with a drunk, angry Lin.

Lin eventually caved and pushed Hibiki off her couch before laying flat on her stomach. Kya gasped when she uncovered the wounds. " Why didn't you go to a healer?"

"We assumed you would be coming soon." Lin bit back the urge to start at Kya. Hibiki watched Kya with intense eyes. He had never seen healing by a water bender before, and it looked like magic.

"So getting trashed was a better solution? Lin." Kya sighed, she ignored their stares even though she didn't like it.

Lin regretted laying down because suddenly her eyes felt so heavy and being healed felt amazing. The water on her back wasn't the same as the first time Hiroshi's mecha tank hurled her into the ground that night they found out he was an equalist.

"Did she… yep she's asleep." Kya found something to cover her since nobody could keep their eyes off of her. She understood why, but this was a bit much for her.

Su busied herself cleaning. She was used to this behavior as she had dealt with many people crushing on her sister while ignoring her, Su's whole youth.

Hibiki observed everyone with curiosity. He decided to greet the Avatar and their friends. He was a huge fan, he was met with polite distance. He ended up retreating to the bedroom.

Opal poked at the piano. "So, we should gather all the information since it may take a while for Aunt Lin to wake up."

"I think it would be easier to wait until everybody is up and sober." Mako mumbled.

He was sorting papers absentmindedly. It looked like sheet music. He was respectful of his boss so that he wouldn't read it. He put it where it belonged when he was done. He kept his eyes peeled, knowing how nosey everyone was.

Tenzin was looking around noticing how things were different, yet also the same.

It felt like a long time before Su stood up suddenly. Su was famished; it had been a long trip from Zaofu. Not timewise, but emotionally; and she had had to take some sleeping pills to rest on the way over. She had not eaten since her daughter called, distressed and aching over the situation in the city. This ordeal had been harrowing for the pair, especially after Kuvira.

After so many years away from her sister, she almost forgot how large a fortress Lin had built around herself. The last time she saw her drink was at Sokkas's funeral. She had looked different, plumper, but her eyes were so intense with despair. Almost crying out for help like earlier when she was making a scene. At the same time, did she even know her sister? Did she know who she truly was besides being the one making her meals, the person who sat with her through her first heartbreak, and helped her with her homework? Her guardian, protecting her from their mother's rage and the coldness of the world. The sister who had attempted to arrest her for a mistake?

She had always wondered who Lin wanted to really be; because as celebrated as Toph was, when you got to know her, there wasn't as much left to be desired, especially back in the day. How badly had Lin wanted their blind mother to see her, that she had become Toph? And how lucky she got to be herself? Had Lin secretly given her the blessing of a lifetime? She sighed, looking at her sister's sleeping form; she was having a fitful sleep, her infection being overseen by Kya. At some point Kya said that they could dress her. She was sure Lin wouldn't be happy to stay in her undergarments for all to see, so Su sent Opal and the others to get some food.

Mako seemed fired up. He wanted to get back to work, but accepted when Tenzin pointed out they don't have much to go off of still no action could be taken. Korra mentioned a market nearby, so Mako left with the others.

It was better that way, everyone wanted to snoop, herself included but young adults were a bit harder to to deter. Su sent Bumi with them too, and gave them clear instructions on what to get. Kya had Tenzin show her to the closet, in the hallway. He looked nostalgic, as it smelt like home but it also wasn't his home, not anymore. He wondered whatever happened to Dusty, their brown cat.

"I'm surprised, she has more than just uniforms in here, we should dress her up Su." Kya let a soft giggle. Su had to see, she held out clothes that didn't look like Lin would ever wear, it was strange. Eventually, they settled on a pair of mint palazzo pants that were the least flashy they could find, it showed off her tiny waist and a wrap blouse that had a little bow.

"She is going to kill you two." Tenzin looked over at them, as they both commented on how cute she looked.

"Well we thought she was going to kill you but you managed," Kya teased. There was something in his voice; it may have been envy, Lin did have another man sleeping in their former room.

"Clearly you don't know how to talk to her. I was a leader too, after all; normally the job attracts lone wolf types so you learn to get past that boundary." Bumi said, as he barged through the door.

"You seem like the big bro that always knows what to say. Plus I think it's impossible not to like you, even Lin." Bolin said, as the kids returned as well with the food. Tenzin led them to the most pitiful kitchen in Republic City and filled the cabinets.

"Lin, is difficult-" Kya was cut off.

"No, she's impossible." Tenzin said, as he overheard his sister; the kitchen and the living room were connected after all.

Asami noted Kya and Su's handy work and bravely decided to put a light blush on the Chief's pale face. Mako dreaded her awakening; he felt they had overstepped, but they didn't stop. Food filled the apartment with its delectable perfume.

"I see Lin does have more than her uniform in her closet." Korra commented cheekily, " and in her bedroom to,"

"She has stuff I never would imagine her buying or wearing." Su said thinking back to how pretentious some of the embroideries were.

Little did they know they were gifts; Tarrlok had loved clothes so much, he had constantly pestered her to draw designs when they got serious. If only he hadn't been so envious of Tenzin, and her career; if he hadn't been a blood bender, a fiend.

The food was ready in no time due to all the extra hands, and Su had two plates. She savored the fusion of all four nations on a plate, reminding her of her childhood. She thought it should be a meal they had to commemorate the 100-year war or something. The group's chatter was filling the room with a soft hum. The room was warm, and thought it wasn't as elegant as other spots they hung out, the Chief's home was pretty nice.

"I see Chief and Huan have more in common than we thought." Bolin said. There were some art and sculptures, but not as much as a person with more free time

"Yeah, she used to do more stuff years ago. I remember when she took Su along with us to the museum."Tenzin added.

"I don't remember Lin making art, but I remember that I tried to steal a bronze work after the man said I couldn't have it. Lin told me I would go to jail." Su pouted

Mako looked at her. It was an odd thing to steal for a kid; Bolin had stolen Pabu, but the piece she described didn't sound worth the risk. But then again, he hated contemporary art.

Lin startled as she woke; she had that dream again. She hugged a pillow to her chest. The air felt tight; she couldn't breathe. She felt awful and sick. She felt tears running down her face, her breathing was heavy, and sobs she had held back for decades wracked her body.

" Lin?" It was Mako, his voice was worried

Lin didn't understand why he was here in her home; when had he shown up? She couldn't speak. There was no holding down this overdue breakdown. She felt so ridiculous as she hid her face.

Her hyperventilation made the room feel smaller and smaller. Would this be how she died? She knew it was dramatic, but she really couldn't breathe. She heard voices around her, but couldn't even make out what they were saying anymore, or where they were in the room and it was one thing she loved to do. She freaked out when she felt hands touching her. She would end her life if this didn't kill her, because she was sure everyone was in her house and somehow watching her have a complete breakdown. Lin felt like she was drowning. It was just like her nightmares. She managed to get up and away from the hands into her bathroom; where she immediately threw up. It felt like it went on forever, before finally letting up. She felt cold pain everywhere, and when she tried to stand, the room moved and everything faded to black again.

Lin woke up with her face in the toilet; she got up despite her body's objections. The room spun, but she was lucky this time. Thankfully there wasn't vomit everywhere, not even on her clothes. She went to the mirror - another thing she didn't like to do, but she had to. Lin noticed the clothes and figured Su and Kya decided to take advantage. There was no way that Korra did this anyways. She sighed; she could smell Tarrlok. She recalled when they found the boat. There had only been one body. It was assumed the other waterbender, presumably, Amon, had ironically drowned.

But what if that was Amon's body, and Tarrlok had gotten away?

At Yue Bay, they were blitzed by water benders.

Su knocked, drawing Lin's attention back to the present.

"Who told you guys you could be in my house? If you snooped through my stuff, you'll regret it." Lin's voice was angry. She tried to get rid of the signs she had cried, hoping only Mako had seen.

"Lin, we have tea and some food. Also, why would we? You probably just have boring old books anyways." Su lied, not wanting to upset Lin further; she hoped they could try and act like only Mako had been around for her freak out. It did give them the reminder Lin was human; sometimes they forget she was. She was so cold and robotic, like right now.

"You're lying." Lin opened the door to glare down at her sister. She inspected her home for signs of them snooping.

The group was alarmed at how abnormal her emotions were brought back by her harsh voice.

Lin decided to change the subject. "So, what did you find out? I just had a thought: what if Amon and or Tarrlok or both of them faked their deaths?"

"That's why we are here, Lin." Tenzin decided not to suggest they handle it; she would know they saw her anxiety attack and sour her mood.

"Good, now do tell." Lin messed with the bow on the bottom of her shirt, muttering why her sister had to put her in these ridiculous clothes.

"Hey, I dressed you too, and you look nice," Kya whined, and Lin rolled her eyes.

Lin was too tired to change. So she listened to what Mako and Tenzin said. They spoke of their investigations.

Mako had gotten the sketch artist to work with each person who had lost their bending. They got what the guy looked like and then had a compiled version created. Lin looked them over. "It's two people, guys. One looks like that asshole Tarrlok. Mako, I'm going to have you look at all known waterbender triads. I have a hunch this other guy is either an associate or somebody that also was tormented by a triad."

The other guy looked a rail-thin, gaunt face, with rotten teeth, and had four ponytails. But she knew Tarrlok's face. She looked at her shirt; it had been a gift from him. She didn't know what to think, but she would be lying if she didn't admit her heart skipped a few beats; she didn't understand why she was this way. A voice brought her back to earth.

"Right, but there's more," Tenzin said. Tenzin then told Lin about what they had learned in the spirit world. He spoke to her about it like she had not a clue about how the spirit world worked.

"I've been to the spirit world before. You don't have to tell me like I'm a moron. Hurry up." Lin's voice had a familiar snap to it.

"There may be a Dark Avatar out there. We looked for old scripts, but nothing came up. When did you go?" Tenzin added the last part, surprised.

Lin sat on her couch awkwardly. Everyone being in her most private of spaces was weird. She considered moving now that they knew where she lived. Lin shrugged and gave a cryptic answer, deciding to have the tea as her throat was aching.

She pulled out her copy of the triad mugshots; Mako and Lin flipped through the books while the discussion continued.

"What if it's not Tarrlok or only looks like Tarrlok?" Bumi asked as he ran his fingers through his beard. "They use the slightly tarnished reputation of the councilman to lead the remnants, but it turns out it was Amon and this new guy."

"That sounds ridiculous." Korra and Tenzin said.

"Doesn't the Avatar reincarnate into a baby?" Su asked

"The Dark Avatar would be two years old if that is the case." Kya added.

"I dunno, it sounds like what the family did." Bolin defended Bumi from Tenzin.

"How did they even find out Raava reincarnated the first time?" Opal chimed in, holding Bolin's hand.

"We haven't found any documentation on that. I don't even know if people recorded that history back then."

"We can't rule anything out right now," Lin said. If it is an adult Avatar, it was unheard of to pass to an adult person, but who knew about a Dark Avatar.

"Let's fill in Raiko." Mako said, noting how stumped the team was; not one photo matched any known triads.

"I guess we might as well. He may do nothing since there's no pressure on him." Bumi said.

"At least we are investigating," Tenzin replied.