Howdy y'all. Shorter chapter this week, but we're finally entering parts of the story where I feel comfortable making major changes to the events that have yet to happen. In case you all were getting tired of events being practically a carbon copy of the original series. While I give you this, I will also be working on something else that I may end up alternating weeks with this story and that one. Anyways, enjoy.
The very next day, Korra woke up after recovering last night. As soon as she made her way to the dining room, she saw something that only Asami was familiar with at the moment. There in the kitchen was Rein with Pema. Noticing Korra, Pema smiled happily. "Korra. I'm glad to see you're awake. Rein has been such a help in the kitchen. Honestly I'm glad to not be the only one cooking now." She covered her smile, and spoke earnestly. "Honestly, I didn't know he could cook for vegetarians like this."
"Fried rice, hot and sour noodles, and disanxian. For dessert, I'm making mango pudding with sugar art. Pema, can you pass me the garlic." Rein smiled as he cooked. Looking over at Korra, she nodded her head to him as she went to the pantry. "I hope you've worked up an appetite Korra. There will be plenty for everyone."
"Rein…I…I'm glad you're back. When you were gone I felt like I'd never see you again." Korra quickly closed the distance between them and hugged him tight.
"What? You thought I couldn't handle myself? You're stuck with me, smartypants." He poked her forehead with a smirk. "Now go sit down. You're going to make me burn the rice." Taking his hint, she went out to the dining table, sitting with everyone else as the Ple's ran through the halls yelling, "Ple, Ple, Ple, Ple." The two excited girls ran into the kitchen. "Wait Elina!" A loud crash could be heard making everyone at the table jump. Pema came out of the kitchen a moment later with the two Ple's. Rein would come out, setting the food on the table with a sigh. "Sorry about that. Lost some of the disanxian. I can settle with leftovers." As everyone began eating, Korra ravenously chowed down. Everyone's eyes were on her as she ate almost as she got the food. "You know I probably should have made more…Don't forget to swallow…or breath." Rein commented.
"The food tastes amazing, Rein." Korra would speak with her mouth half full.
"Well I had help this time." He looked at Pema with a smile. His hands, although had a number of cuts, were far nicer than last he cooked thanks to Pema's help as well as his growing experience.
"Rein you're being too humble. All I did was bring you ingredients." She would place a hand to her chest with a happy smile. "We're just so thankful you're both home safe." Pema would get up to take dishes when Asami offered her help. Tenzin would finally begin to try and find out about what happened.
"Korra, I realize you've been through a lot, but I need to know everything that happened.
"Well. First off. Tarrlok isn't who he says he is. He's Yakone's son." Lin and Tenzin looked shocked by this.
"It all makes sense now." Lin began to reason. "That's how Tarrlok was able to blood bend us without a full moon."
"But how did you escape? And where's Tarrlok?" Tenzin asked the most important questions.
"Amon captured him and took his bending." Korra informed. Tenzin couldn't believe what he was hearing. "He showed up out of nowhere. He almost got me too."
"This is very disturbing news. Amon is becoming emboldened. Taking out a councilman, almost capturing the avatar. I fear Amon is almost entering his end game."
"You forgot my capture and the captains." Rein added. "I can't tell you how good it's been to sleep in peace and quiet…You know, after healing some hot head." He smirked at Korra who stuck her tongue out in response. "Anyways, let me get everyone dessert." He clapped his hands before heading to the kitchen. Looking over at both Pema and Asami, he smiled. "Do you two need any help? I have an extra tail to give." Asami would look his way with a wry smirk at his comment.
"We're good Rein. You just worry about Korra." She replied, swinging her hips one way. "After all this Equalist nonsense is over with, you, Korra, Aasha, and I are going to have a long talk."
"I understand, and I agree completely. For right now though, dessert." He smiled, lifting up the mango puddings with sugar art decorating the elegant desserts. The sweet fragrant scents caused her to smile. With a small peck on her cheek, he went out to the others, setting the treats down in front of them.
Later, that day, Dietlea was with Tenzin on Oogi, on their way to city hall. While they walked, her eyes wandered to the window washers. As soon as one made a move, she began to glow with biotic energy before spreading it out in a sphere. Their electrified disks pinging off the field and falling to the ground. The three men dropped down prepared for a fight to capture the councilman. However, this time, Dietlea wasn't pulling her punches. Using her biotic energy, she pulled one over to her. Striking them in the throat, she would bring them to the ground with their arm in a lock. She didn't hesitate to dislocate it causing the man to scream in pain. The two that caught Tenzin's hands were not prepared for her to take their friend out so quickly. Using his bending, he spiraled into the air, taking them both with him. Around and around they went until their grip was too loose. As soon as they let go, they were both tossed to an opposite rooftop. Tarrlok's page came to the roof. "Oh, I'm so relieved to see you." Tenzin looked over at them with worry.
"The other council members. Are they alright?" Tenzin asked, trying to find more about this attack. Dietlea was distracted by something else and went off to the side.
"I'm afraid not. I've just received a call from chief Saikhan. They've all been captured." This was grave news for Tenzin, that only got worse.
"The Equalists are moving. My security forces are spread all throughout the city, but their numbers are thin. It is a calculated attack and we are woefully unprepared." Dietlea informed, only describing how dire the situation was becoming. Then explosions went off throughout the city. Several Equalist airships began to fly over the city. Each carrying trained chi blockers.
Back on Air Temple Island, everyone came outside to figure out what was going on. Rein brought a hand to his mouth wondering just how the security force could even maintain any of this. Just seeing it from the island, it was pure chaos. With all this going on, Rein would follow team avatar inland. He…quickly found out what they were doing while he was gone. There, parked by the street was the Satomobile and Beacon. With a groan he went over to the car. "Right I promised no more secrets right. Well you see. My car is…"
"We know." Asami smiled, bringing a hand to her hip. "Made quite the impression on Tarrlok."
"You should have seen it! He was all, and then, and." Bolin made a number of weird noises with his mouth and gestures with his hands. Blinking a few times, Rein looked over at Beacon before letting out a sigh and smiling.
"Well I'm glad there's one less secret I need to talk about." That was when he noticed Asami take out one of those electric gloves. "You've…been very busy since I was gone…Don't tell me you did cool things while I was stuck in a cell with tweedle dee and tweedle dum watching me." He groaned.
"Sorry, but if you must know, it was fun for one night." Korra smiled over at him as she got in Asami's car. With a sigh, he got in the Impala and closed the door. Beacon's radio glowed a bright blue.
"About time. I was getting tired of waiting here. I swear all this sea air is rusting my windpipe."
"Just be happy you weren't in a cell. Though we can change that when we get back to the south pole."
"I think I'll pass on that and stick to my regular oil bath and energon goodies."
"Glad some things haven't changed. Please tell me you at least remembered to walk Husk-E." He snickered only for his seat to move forward, banging his head off the steering wheel. "Fucker." He groaned holding his head as they began to drive.
"By the time we get control of the situation it'll already be too late boss. What do you think we should do?"
"Well…originally we were worried about collateral damage…Not like that means much anymore. They practically bombed the entire city. Send word to get a few more people sent down."
"Already done. And well…Omega ain't too happy hearing that you were captured a few days back. She has been up and down the Marmoreal about mobilizing the entirety of the Fatebound for war. You're lucky you were found as early as you were or Oliver and Tisan might have caved in."
"Last thing we need is a full on war. Our technology alone could accidentally level this entire city. Not to mention civilian casualties, destruction of property, mixing Equalists up with the general populace. There's too many factors for a full scale mobilization."
"Well lucky you. Tisan managed to talk her out of it. That said, he couldn't talk her out of mobilizing twenty Alpha's. Fresh out of the tanks."
"Speaking of Alpha's. Where is Allie?"
"One forty-eight? No clue, but wherever she is, she's raising holy hell, as you humans call it."
"Surprised she didn't find me. Thought of all people, she would have torn through half the city just to get to me."
"Yeah well…She tried. She hasn't picked up any calls, hasn't reported in, and has been raising vigilante justice wherever she goes. Don't worry. Wherever you are, she'll likely be right behind you." One of his mirrors turned to a rooftop. A shadowy figure was moving fast across the roofs.
"Well whatever it is, I hope you're ready for a leap. Because I'm not!" Rein quickly jumped out of the car. Unbeknownst to Beacon who had his attention elsewhere, they were right up at the police station. Korra and her group had made a ramp which they launched their car into one of the six mecha tanks which knocked down a second one. Beacon would ramp before transforming in front of the other four tanks. Despite their numbers, they were up against an opponent nearly three times their size.
"Look, you can give up now and I won't smash your tanks in and possibly you." The four remaining mecha tanks looked up at the giant. The daunting task of fighting such a being alone was too much for the chi blockers, who were ordinary citizens conscripted and trained for the cause against benders. Stepping from their tanks, they held their hands in the air and getting on their knees. Beacon grabbed hold of the armored car as it tried driving away. Its tires screeched and burned as they tried getting away. "You didn't get the memo? I said give up." He reached around, squeezing the front where the engine was. With a sputter, the tires slowed and finally stopped. Letting the car go, he tore out the doors. Tenzin, Dietlea, Saikhan, and a number of police and dispatch workers were aboard. Then Mako was the first to notice an airship on its way to Air Temple Island. "I don't know who I feel sorry for. The White Lotus sentries, or the chi blockers. Because Aasha and her kids are still there." That was when Rein pulled out the lightsaber, showing it off to the Cybertronian. This meant Aasha was unarmed, but that didn't mean much.
On Air Temple island, Aasha stood alongside Marsha watching the airship come closer. "Naisha, please watch yourself. I will go with the white lotus sentries, because this is above their pay grade."
"You're unarmed, mother. I'm not letting you go alone with just five men in bathrobes." Marsha argued. Then Aasha lifted her arm, showing off the mechno-arm once more.
"Back then I was unarmed. Now, I'm dangerous." They were quickly joined by Naisha who seemed to be in a hurry. "Naisha, I need you to…"
"Pema is giving birth!" Naisha shouted, explaining why she came in such a hurry.
"I…Marsha, Naisha, I trust you two to be at Lin's side this entire time. I need to help deliver the baby." She made her way towards Pema's room. The two Togruta girls looked at one another. Marsha raised a brow with a smirk. While they stood with Lin, they could hear the fighting from the stairs. A second airship had arrived, releasing more chi blockers onto the island. From one of the stairways, nine chi blockers and Amon's lieutenant came running up. Lin sent out two cables wrapping around two of the chi blockers and slamming them together. Marsha and Naisha used the force to push another two back down the stairs they came from. Two chi blockers tried to strike Lin head on just for her to use the metal cables knocking them into the other. One tried to attack from behind just for Lin to earthbend a pillar into their face. Marsha and Naisha fought another two. One of the chi blockers went for Naisha's pressure points only for her to strike their chin with the palm of their hand. Marsha was not so nice. She caught the man's hands and bent them backwards nearly to breaking point. With a swift kick that looked like it could take someone's head off, she knocked the man out. It was only a matter of time when several of the chi blockers that were previously knocked out returned.
One of the chi blockers prepared to run up to Naisha from behind when he was shot in the leg. Tumbling and screaming in pain, he held the bullet wound. Elina stood under the cover of the walkway. In her hand was a smoking pistol which she aimed at the other chi blockers. This had fully incapacitated two of the original nine assailants. Then the scraping of metal on stone reached their ears. Both Hilona and Urhesha. Behind them, Leonar pushed up his glasses, bringing the sun's glare across them. "I suggest you surrender now, and there won't be another crippling or life threatening injury." A bow formed out of pure blue energy appeared in his hand. Originally the odds were looking good, until they were evened out. Now, they were up against people with weapons, training they were not set to fight against, and powers they had never seen before. Despite these odds, the lieutenant would try to swing at the closest opponent, Lin. Both Marsha and Naisha moved forward, using the force to send him flying off to who knows where. Leonar let out a sigh. "Anyone else?" He asked, looking among the remaining chi blockers. Simultaneously they shook their heads no.
After chaining up the remaining Equalists, Leonar would look up at the airships. Part of him was tempted to shoot them down, but that would be a little too much. That and he didn't know if they were still manned. Before he could proceed, Oogi flew down, landing behind everyone with the group. Minus Dietlea who was still in the city trying to round up what remained of the security forces with Beacon. Tenzin jumped down as his children ran up to him. "Oh thank goodness you're alright." Meelo would climb on his back and shoulder.
"We caught the bad guys."
"You mean we caught them." Leonar would sigh, rubbing his brow. "I assure you, we wouldn't let kids fight…Well anymore than we already have." He gestured to Rein. Hilona smacked the back of his head for the comment. Grumbling, he said, "Anyways, your wife's waiting for you." This alone was enough to get his attention. Escorting his kids, he made his way to the dorm. It didn't take too long for him to run as soon as he heard a baby crying. Upon arriving in the room, he was greeted by the sight of his new born baby. Everyone joined him, taking in this very happy moment. That was until Korra had to break the bad news.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt, but more airships are coming." Taking the hint, almost everyone went outside to witness another two airships heading their way. It was nothing threatening, but not something they had to deal with. That was before they had a new infant they had to also look after. "What do you want to do Tenzin?" Korra asked, wanting his opinion.
"I need to protect my family and get them as far away from this conflict as possible. If Amon got his hands on my children. I'd hate to even think of it."
"If you're leaving, I'm going with you." Lin spoke up. Tenzin wanted to disagree. "No arguments. You and your family are the last airbenders. There's no way in the world I'm letting Amon take your bending away." She adamantly insisted.
"Thank you Lin. Korra. I want you to leave this island and hide for the time being."
"I'm not giving up." Korra spoke, confident she could keep fighting.
"Korra, you aren't giving up." Rein placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're continuing the fight, but to do so you need to lay low. At least until either the United Forces or more of the Fatebound arrive." Then Rein thought of something. "New problem. How are we all getting off this island? I can't swim, Naga isn't carrying all of us, and Lapras isn't swimming all of us across that river." Korra winced and looked at all the additional people. Aasha brought a hand to her head.
"We can hide on the island." She gestured to most of the group. "Take Lelah and Elina off the island with you. Last thing we need is for her to have another episode while we're hiding."
"Well whatever the case, the airbenders need to run now." Leonar gestured to Oogi. Taking this opportunity, they got on the sky bison and took off. That was when one of the airships reached the island. As soon as it launched its anchor, chi blockers came down. The White Lotus sentries quickly offered to hold them off while everyone made their escape. Listening to them, Rein ran with the Ple's towards the shore as Korra and team avatar climbed atop of Naga. While on their way out, the lieutenant would try to get a drop on Korra and her group, only for Naga to swat him out of the air. Upon reaching the shore, Rein called out his lapras, helping Elina and Lelah onto her. Taking several breaths in, he climbed on top knowing what they needed to do next was going to horrify him. The three put on a rebreather each and Rein closed his eyes especially. Without a word his lapras dove beneath the water, following after Naga. Elina and Lelah were looking back at Rein as best they could while he had a panic attack from being submerged.
At best, it was a few minutes before they were finally out of the water. Rein quickly got off lapras in a panic and ran over to the sewer entrance as fast he could. His breathing was frantic as he clutched his chest. It was hard to breathe. Every moment felt like that back then. Falling through the ice. Sinking below the surface with no lifeline or escape. Korra quickly walked over to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. It's okay. You're no longer underwater." Asami, who witnessed this side of him, finally understood why he never went underwater. Coming over to his side, she placed a hand on his other shoulder. Elina, Lelah, Mako, and even Bolin came to his side. This did help. It made him realize he was no longer under. Although having so many people around him was very suffocating. "We're all here Rein. You're not going to drown. Remember your breathing exercises master Aasha taught you." Taking her advice, he began trying to control his breathing.
"We'll get you further inland. Hopefully there's somewhere that's safe from Amon." Asami would look at the sewer before realizing she had to go in there as well. This disgusted the woman who came from the literal highs in life to the bottom lows now. The only person she could blame was her father. The group would quickly head into the sewers, escaping the view of the airships that now covered the skies of Republic city. As they traveled through the sewers, they ran into a familiar face. Well, familiar for Korra and the Ple's. A dirty old hobo with a full scraggly beard.
"Lookie here. I was doing a little scrounging around for dinner and who do I find, but the avatar with the tasty fishies." He smiled at the group. "Looking for a place to hide while this whole thing blows over? Well look no further." Gesturing for them to follow, he led the way through the tunnels. Most haven't a clue who he was. If not for Korra and the Ple's reassurances, they may have turned around and left the man. That was until he led them into a rather well built shanty town. Most of it was built of garbage, but there were mural's of art on the walls that made it more welcoming than first expected. "I welcome you to Tin Town."