Authors Note: Sorry guys this isn't a terribly action packed or whump filled chapter. It is mostly setting the stage for bigger events in chapter 3. Anyways, hope you enjoy!

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Somewhere in the dark tunnels of republic city...

The lieutenant walked tensely down the sinister tunnels of the equalists underground hidden lair with a strong sense of foreboding. Even with his night vision goggles, he was struggling to see in the dingy light. Aside from the steady drip drip of the leaky sewage pipes and the distant hum of the railways, the only sound that broke the eerie silence was the sound of his own footfall on the cracked cobblestone. There were no other Equalists in these parts of the tunnels other than himself. No one dared enter Amons private sector without being personally summoned. Even then, it was always a nerve racking experience.

As the lieutenant walked he kept a straight back and his stride steady, trying to feign the appearance of confidence. However, on the inside his stomach was churning in anxiety. Amon had given him and his squad of chi-blockers an important mission, capture the Avatars two pro-bending companions and bring them back to Amon alive.

They had failed.

It wouldn't matter that they had captured dozen of other bending scum in there attempt. It wouldn't matter that they destroyed that blasphemous pro-bending arena. No, it only mattered that they had failed to deliver what Amon had requested. Now he had to report their (his) failure to the equalist supreme leader.

Amon was not kind to failures.

All too soon, he came to a stop at the large stone door of Amons private chamber. It's cold stone surface was painted with the blood red symbol of the equalists. The gruesome red color did nothing to alleviate the hallways chilling atmosphere.

He took a deep breath, stealing his nerves, and he knocked at the door.

A harsh voice from the other side of the door replied with "Enter."

The room inside was not large, but regardless was very intimidating. Equalists banners lined the walls alongside blueprints of the city layout, hit lists, battle plans, and various other items required to mount a full scale rebellion on a major city. The lighting was low, and cast ominous shadows across the walls. A intricate dark oak table was the focal point of the room. It's delicate carvings and gentle curves looked out of place alongside the slab grey floor and walls. In further contrast it was surrounded by blunt, mundane chairs used to hold all of the ranking members of Amons inner circle. However, they were hardly ever used. Amon made most of his descions alone. At the head of the table, in a large detailed chair rivaling that of the table, sat Amon himself. Hands folded in a displeased manner in front of him on the table. His somber mask hiding his expressions.

"How did it go Lieutenant?" Amon asked in a low, gravely tone. The grand melodious voice he often used at riots was for rallying crowds, not for interrogating his underlings, "Did you collected what I requested?"

"No sir, we were unable to capture them." Lieutenant replied, cutting right to the point. He knew that beating around the bush would just make it worse. Regardless, the lieutenant had to stop himself from taking a step back as he felt Amons sinister glare bore into him.

He continued to sputter, "Y-you see, t-there was a fire , the two b-boys got away with the avatar in all the confusion, b-but there will be plenty of opportunities to capture them in the future, and we did manage to capture over a dozen other bender scum, and the pro-bending arena is-"

"silence!" The Lieutenants desperate rambling was cut off by Amons sharp command.

"So, I am to understand that you have not apprehended the bending brothers?" Amon asked in a cold calm voice. Too calm.

"Yes, but-" Lieutenant tugged at his mustache nervously.

"Then why are you bothering me? Your mission is not complete until you have retrieved the young Avatars play toys."

"But sir... all reports say they are now on air temple island under heavy guard by not only Representative Tenzin, but also the white lotus guard!" The Lieutenant was worried.

'Surely he wouldn't expect us to infiltrate air temple island? That would be madness!'

Oh how he was wrong.

"Then. Go. Get. Them! They have a false sense of security, they will not be expecting you. Now go fetch me those little street rats". Amon said in a frigid tone that left no room for argument.

However, against his better judgement, the lieutenant decided to speak his mind, and ignored the icy tone of his superiors voice. He had already lost enough soldiers today,

"Sir, as your second in command, I don't think it's worth risking any more lives capturing these boys. They aren't vital or important in your plans, they are just a couple of Bender scumbags. I already lost five of my Chi-blockers trying to capture them at the-".

"Not important you say?" Amon let out a sinister laugh, that lacked any actual mirth. "Lieutenant, do you know what the best way to destroy your enemy is?"

"Electrified Kai-sticks?" Lieutenant responded, scratching his head in confusion, he had no idea where this was going.

"Think of a tree on a cliff side. If the wind blows against the tree it will not fall, its' roots hold it too the cliff, keeping it grounded and preventing it from falling no matter how severe the wind blows. However, if you burn its roots, it is left vulnerable and unbalanced. The slightest breeze will send it tumbling to splinter on the rock the rocks below." Amon cracked his pencil in front of him, letting the broken pieces clatter symbolically to the floor. Seeing his lieutenants confusion, Amon continued, a bit irritated.

"If you attack the young avatar with her friends to support her, she will continue to fight back, she will not break. However, if you take away and break what she loves, what's supports her, what keeps her grounded, it will leave her alone and exposed, she will splinter and fracture under are attacks. The city will be ours." Amon paused to let his words sink in.

Once they had, the lieutenant nodded in defeat.

"Now. Bring. Me. The. Boys." Amon said, biting off each word to emphasize his point.

"Yes sir." Lieutenant said resigned, this was not going to be easy. It never was.

"And Lieutenant?" Amon said, stopping the Lieutenant as he turned to leave.

"...yes sir?"

"Don't fail me again. The consequences are...most unpleasant." His eerie mask made the words sound even more ominous.

The Lieutenant visibly swallowed as he left the chamber to gather what remained of his squad. They had a lot of planning ahead of them, and he knew just the people to help him.

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Bolin woke up in his bed, rays of sunlight streaming from the window bathing him in warmth. He was surprised (but pleased) to hear birds twittering outside instead of the loud hustle and bustle of Sato mobiles which he had become accustomed to. He snuggled deeper into the warm blanket and buried his face into the comfort of his soft pillow. Mako would be up already making them breakfast. It felt like paradise, well at least it would have if he didn't ache all over. Every part of his body ached with the dull throb of overworked muscles and the faint sting of too many scrapes.

'Wait, why was he covered in scrapes? Why couldn't he hear the satomobiles? Why hadn't Mako woken him up yet, they were supposed to have practice before sunrise?...'Bolin thought drowsily.

It all came back in a rush. His muscles protested as he sat bolt upright. His tired brain spun as it finally began to function and the previous days events slammed into him full force. The attack, the fire, Mako.

A moment of panic filled his chest when he realized he was no longer next to Mako. However, it was quickly alleviated when he spied his brother across the room, lying on his own bed. Bolin relaxed as he watched the steady rise and fall of his elder brothers back. His normally neat hair was now a messy jumble, strands hanging down his forehead. His blankets were pulled up to the point where the bandages started, in hopes of preventing further irritation. Speaking of an irritation. Bolin grinned as he saw Pabu had curled up on top of Makos head, acting as an impromptu hat/scarf.

'Ah man, Mako would hate that if he was awake' Bolin thought, chuckling slighting.

Mako always pretended to hate Pabu, but Bolin knew better.

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* Flash️Back **

Bolin rubbed his bleary eyes as he walked tiredly back towards his sleeping loft. It was dark, but he was familiar with the attic and knew where to step to avoid running in to their sparse furniture.

It was 2am, he had gotten up to get a drink of water. He kept his eyes almost closed as he walked trying to keep 'the sleepy feeling', however he regretted it instantly when he tripped over an unseen mound of practice gear laying on the floor and hit the ground with a lumbering *thump*.

"Grrrrrrrr, dang it Mako, leaving stuff on the floor!" Bolin growled angrily, before realizing that it was in fact his own stuff he tripped over (Mako always put his away). His cheeks colored in embarrassment even though no one was there to see his blunder. He thoughtlessly smoothed his now rumpled night shirt in an effort to make up for some of his embarrassment.

As he picked himself up he noticed that the trap door leading up to the roof was left open. Pale moonlight shined through, bathing the attic floor in a faint white glow. Bolin shivered as a crisp night breeze blew in through the door chilling him to the bone. He rubbed his forearms with his hands, trying to warm himself.

"Wouldn't mind being a Firebender right now." He muttered quietly, longing for his brothers ability to warm himself.

Bolin quickly climbed the ladder to the old wooden hatch. He was about to close it, but he stopped when he spotted a familiar figure in a red scarf sitting a little farther down the roof.

'What is Mako doing up here?...and at 2am?!?!?' Bolin thought bewildered, his brother was not an night owl.

Bolin was about to go over and demand as such, but he paused when he suddenly heard his brothers quiet voice.

"You know Pabu, sometimes it's nice just to sit up here, everything is so quiet and peaceful at night."

A mischievous grin covered his face as he sneakily pulled himself the rest of the way out of the hatch, and hid behind one of the pillars with full intentions of scaring his brother. It wasn't everyday he caught his brother having a conversation with a fire ferret. He watched as his brother mindlessly scratched the little fire ferret behind the ear before continuing his one-sided conversation.

"...it wasn't when we were younger. At night, it always got worse. It was hard enough when the sun was up, but once it went down, that's when it got really dangerous. I don't think I ever got a full nights sleep when we lived on the streets. In the winter it was the snow storms, in the summer the monsoons. Even when nature wasn't against us there were always the thugs, the older kids, the thieves. Even when we were somewhat protected by the triple threats, we had to watch out for rival gang members..."

Bolin shivered in his hiding place, but it was only partly due to the cool breeze blowing across the roof top. All thoughts of scaring his brother was forgotten. He remembered those nights as well, though he had always had Mako there to comfort him and make him feel safe. Mako hadn't had anyone.

His attention shifted back to his brother at the sound of shifting fabric. Mako crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. His jet black hair blowing slightly at a sudden gust of wind. A far-away look had entered his eyes as he relived days long past.

"I was always scared I would wake up one morning and Bo would be gone, and I would be all alone...he's all I got Pabu." Mako said softly, his voice was much more vulnerable than Bolin was accustomed to hearing. His distant gaze stared into the night sky.

Pabu, sensing the older boys somber mood, head butted his hand gently, nuzzling against it comfortingly.

"Thanks Pabu." He said almost in a whisper, and softly stroked the little fire ferret. "I'm glad Bo has you; you are good for him. Having a pet is one of the only 'normal' kid things he really ever got to have."

Bolin suddenly felt like he was intruding, he should probably leave and give Mako his privacy. That would probably be the right thing to do, the mature thing to do...but Bolin never had been good at being mature, and Mako NEVER talked about this stuff. Mako always bottled everything up, acting so mature and unshakable, hearing him admit he had fears and doubts was both disturbing and oddly reassuring.

"I'm trying so hard, to take care of him, Pabu, to give him a better life just like mom and dad would have wanted..." Mako said, sounding far more drained than any 18 year old should. He had tipped his head back against the wall was staring up at the dazzling stars and heavens above. Bolin was stunned to see Makos eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry Mom and Dad, I'm doing my best. It's just so hard, I don't know what I'm doing... I wish you guys were here, I miss you both so much." his words choked a little bit on the last part and silence followed.

All Bolin heard after that was Makos quiet uneven breathing, and the soft chirping of Pabu as he snuggled closer to the warm Firebender.

Bolin climbed back down the ladder as soundlessly as he could and made his way back to his sleeping loft, but he had a hard time sleeping. He had never realized how hard it was for Mako, he had always just seemed to know what to do... . But it was nice to know Mako could talk to Pabu about it, even if he wasn't ready to let Bolin help shoulder part of the burden.

Eventually he drifted off to sleep. The next morning, Bolin woke up before Mako for once, and found him asleep peacefully on the couch, Pabu cuddled comfortingly in his arms. Bolin smiled to himself and pulled a blanket over his brother.

Bolin smiled at the memory, as his mind came back to the present. Content that his brother was fine for now, he finally took stock of himself and his surroundings. Last he remembered he had fallen asleep next to Makos bed. His best guess was that the air acolyte healers had moved him to his own bed when they had returned from healing at the arena. He was pleased to see that his cuts and scrapes had been neatly bandaged, and his singed skin had been expertly covered in a healing cream. None of them were serious, but he knew from his time on the streets, that if not taken care of, even insignificant injuries could become serious if it became infected.

However, he really wasn't worried about his own injuries. With a worried frown he glanced over to his brothers unconscious form. He was probably fine, but...

Bolin groaned as he stood up, his muscles protesting against the sudden effort. He stiffly made his way back over to sit down (once again) in the chair next to Makos bed.

"How you doing buddy?" Bolin softly asked his brothers sleeping form. He didn't expect a response, but he still talked to him out of habit. For as long as he could remember he always started off his mornings with talking to Mako. Talking to him now brought him a small amount of normalcy and comfort.

"Fantastic. Would be better if you got this fury gremlin off my face." Bolin nearly jumped out of his skin with surprise at Makos sudden sarcastic voice.

"Mako!",Bolin exclaimed. A ecstatic grin brightened his face, and he pulled his older brother into a hug. Well that was until his brother let out a quiet grunt of pain and Bolin remembered that it probablyyyyy was not the best idea to hug a burn victim.

After he pulled back, Makos brow furrowed as he intently studied Bolin, taking in the various bandages wrapped around his younger brothers arms, face, and hands.

"Are you hurt, Bo?" Mako asked, tone landened with worry. Despite a full nights sleep, Mako still looked tired. His golden irises were bleary and unfocused with exhaustion. There was a very slight slur to his words. His skin was a few shades too pale even for a Firebender.

"Just a couple of scrapes, nothing major." Bolin said cheerfully, trying to alleviate his brothers fears. Then, eager to change the subject to the problem at hand, Bolin chastised, "Why are you awake? Don't you have something important to do like, I don't know, resting and healing?" However, there was no force behind it, he was relieved to see his brother awake.

Mako rolled his eyes and replied, "Firebender. We rise with th' sun. Unlike som' lazy animals." He once again tried to unsuccessfully shift the sleeping Pabu off his head. Pabu merely yawned and curled up tighter.

Bolin bit his lip in an unsuccessful attempt to hide his amusement, but after an irritated glare from Mako, he decided to have mercy on his brother. He was injured after all.

"You know Mako this could be the start of a whole new fire nation fashion trend." Bolin joked as he reached to pick up his beloved fire ferret. "I can see it now, you and Pa-" His train of thought froze mid sentence as his hand brushed his brother forehead.

It was hot. Very hot.

Frowning, he moved to put his hand back on Makos forehead. Mako, seeing the drastic shift in his brothers facial expression (and having a pretty good idea of the cause), attempted to evade it, but since he was still laying on his stomach there was no where to escape to.

"Stones, Mako! You're burning up!" Bolin exclaimed upon feeling the raging heat coming from his brothers forehead. If it got any hotter Bolin would get burns just taking his temperature!

"No, m' not. I'm a fir' bender, we 're always hot." Mako argued, slurring more noticeably. Bolin narrowed his eyes, the blurry and unfocused look in his brother gaze was taking on a different meaning now.

"You can't pull that on me Mako, I know 'normal fire bender hot' and that is nooooo where near it", Bolin argued back, concern making his voice sharper than he intended.

Mako said nothing, but his silence said everything. Mako could lie to a lot of people. His brother was not one of them.

"I'm getting Korra." Bolin announced, already getting up and walking towards the door.

"Nooooo, m' fine. Dn't bother Korra!" Mako implored, his voice uncharacteristically whiney.

"Too late, and just so ya know, I'm never believing 'I'm fine' ever again" Bolin shot back, hand reaching for the door. However, before he could grab it, the door burst open revealing a surprised Korra and a startled Air Acolyte healer.

Before either party could fully recover, Bolin cut right to the point. "He has a fever!" He burst out, pointing an accusatory finger at his brother.

"His face is hot, and he says it's because he's a Firebender but I know that's not normal Firebender hot, so don't believe him cause he's a liar liar set his own pants on fire." Bolin finished his tirade with a triumphant look in his brothers direction.

From behind him, Bolin heard Mako groan in defeat.

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"I've never seen an infection set it so quickly before, Avatar Korra!" The air acolyte said tsking in disapproval.

Well he kinda decided to go swimming in the dirty bay water after it happened." Bolin remarked humorously. He had retaken his seat next to Makos bed and was watching Korra and Song, the senior air acolyte healer, work on his uncooperative brother.

The corner of Korras mouth twitched upwards in amusement, but she stayed silent as she intently watched Song work meticulously over Makos back and shoulder with a healing cream. Some of the less severe spots had actually improved from yesterday (and from an additional water healing session); the skin was less raw and scabs had started to form. However, other spots (primarily around the shoulder) had become inflamed with infection, white discharge oozing from the source, skin angry red, raw, and scorching with fever.

Despite the gruesome site, Song did not hesitate. Korra was impressed with the level of grace and sureness her hands moved with, gained from years tending to wounds and burns.

Song had spent many years serving as Chief Royal Practitioner under Fire Lord Zuko, before finally finding her calling among the air nomads. During her years in the fire nation, she had become a master at treating burns.

Korra was very glad to have someone so experienced helping her friend, especially now that the infection had set in. As Korra applied another cold compress to the back of Makos burning neck, she made eye contact with Song, hoping for some reassurance. However, Song merely shook her head in disapproval at the state of the young man.

The fever chills had started shortly after their arrival. Despite his best efforts, Mako couldn't stop the shivers that came with them and they wracked his body mercilessly. His forehead was pressed against his forearm in a futile attempt to alleviate a raging headache.

Korra was sure he felt awful, despite the fact that he never voiced a complaint throughout the entire examination. In fact throughout the entire procedure Mako had pouted quietly, his face buried in his arms, refusing to say a word other than the occasional grunt of pain and the all famous 'I'm fine'.

"How are you feeling?" "Fine."

"Does that hurt?" "It's fine."

'Ya, you're totally 'fine'!' Korra thought sarcastically as she watched Mako tremble with yet another bout of shivers. A muffled groan escaping his mouth.

Korras thoughts were interrupted by a rustle of fabric as the elderly healer pulled out a glass bottle from her healer bag, " I'm going to give him some anti-biotics to help fight the infection and keep his temperature from getting too high." she said, already measuring out the correct dose into a small paper cup, "If one of you could help him sit up?"

"I can do it." Mako rasped, breaking his stubborn silence and weakly pushing himself over with his right arm. He hated being babied. Despite his insistence that he could do it, Bolin had moved to help him and was supporting him with a hand under the shoulder. He then sat behind him so his brother could lean back on him if needed.

Once he was sitting all the way up (and leaning on Bolin more than Mako would admit) song handed him the medicine. However, instead of taking it, he just held it in his hands. He starred down at the little paper cup, nose wrinkling in disgust at the sickening sweet smell of the medicine.

"I-I can't take this Korra." He finally said after much deliberation. His hand trembled slightly as he placed the paper cup on the side table.

"Come on City Boy, don't be a baby, it doesn't taste that bad." Korra said teasingly. If she had to pull the 'baby card' to get him to take it then so be it.

However, he merely scowled at her, before silently staring back at the offending object.

"Come on, Bro." Bolin said encouragingly. "It's can't taste worse than my cooking."

A moment passed before Mako spoke again.

"...I can't pay for it, everything burn'd in the fire." He painfully admitted, rubbing his throbbing forehead with one hand.

"That never stopped you when we were on the streets and I was the one that was sick." Bolin muttered under his breath, and pushed the little paper cup back in his brothers direction.

Mako grunted in reply and childishly pushed the cup away again.

'They lived on the streets?' Korra thought, shocked and her thoughts momentarily side tracked before she got her mind focused again.

'That's a later problem, focus on the current problem.'

"Mako, you're our guest, you don't have to- no you're not allowed to pay us back for this. In fact, it would be considered rude if you didn't accept our hospitality." Korra said, arms crossed in a defiant and (what she hoped appeared to be)an offended manor.

"But-" Mako tried, but Korra swiftly cut him off.

"Nope, no buts, take the medicine Mako." Her confident stance and the determined glint in her eye screamed that the medicine was getting in her team captain one way or another, even if she had to personally bend it down his throat.

Mako silently mulled it over for a moment, before letting out a deep, resigned sigh through his nose. Hand unsteady, he reached for the cup and downed its contents, only grimacing slightly at the taste (korra was wrong, it did taste that bad).

From behind Mako, Bolin shot Korra a grateful smile.

Korra was surprised to see that in no time at all Makos eyes were struggling to stay open.

"Tired already Mako?" Korra asked teasingly.

"No. *yawn* firebenders don't sleep *yawn* during the day." He tried to argue, but he was fully leaning on his brother now. His head resting on his younger brothers shoulder.

Bolin helped ease him back down on the bed. Soon his fever glazed eyes fluttered all the way closed and his breathing took on the deep even rhythm of sleep.

Korra and Bolin looked questioningly at Song.

"I may have also slipped in something in to help him sleep." Song said riley, "you wouldn't believe what it takes to get a Firebender to sleep when the sun is still up!"

Bolin let out a laugh, careful not to jostle Mako as he moved back to his chair. "Here I thought you did it because he was a horrible patient." He said with a mischievous grin.

"Oh honey, you haven't seen horrible patients until you've tried to get Fire Lord Zuko to take a weeks bed rest." Song replied sarcastically, "One time he came down with the fire flu. I ordered the guards to keep him in his room until he was well, so naturally Zuko decided to sneak out the window to attend a meeting. He was so sick he ended up falling into the turtle duck pond, woke up half the palace with his cursing." Song said laughing at the memory. Bolin and Korra joined in the laughter, picturing the soaked and cursing fire lord.

"Then there was that other time..." As Song began re-bandaging Makos back, she continued to tell stories of her adventures as Chief Practitioner to the fire lord.

However, despite Songs calming voice, Korra felt her nagging worry returning.

'Would the anti-biotics work?'

'How long would his temperature stay down?'

Korra re-took up her place beside Mako on the bed, gently bending a cool orb of water over his burning forhead.

She hated feeling helpless. She was the Avatar, she had the four natural powers of the universe at her finger tips. She could topple mountains, erupt volcanos, and stop tsunamis. She (theoretically) could communicate with the spirit world. With all that power she should be able to help her friend, but she couldn't. The best she could do was sit by his side and try her best to cool his raging fever. She prayed to the spirits that it would be enough.

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Lin Beifong strode impatiently through the hallways of the air temple in search of Tenzin. Usually she enjoyed her walks here, it reminded her of her childhood. Hours spent listening to Aunt Kataras stories, roaming the halls with tenzin, and practicing metal bending with her mother and Avatar Aang. However, at the moment she was impatient to get on with her business. After spending most of the night sorting out the chaos at the probending arena, she had finally found time to question the Avatar and her two team mates.

She found Tenzin in a long hallway directing some air acolytes who were moving authentic water tribe furniture from one room to the other.

"-no no NO, that needs to go in the master guest room." He said exasperated, one hand rubbing the ever present wrinkles on his forehead. The other tightly clutched a clip board with various lists and documents he was reviewing. All part of the joy of being a council member.

"She will be here any day now and everything has to be perf- oh hello Lin!" Tenzin blinked with surprise upon seeing his old friend stalking towards him, her face sporting it's usual scowl.

" I don't have time for pleasantries Tenzin, where's the Avatar and her friends? I need to debrief them on the their role in the attack yesterday." Lin stated curtly, her arms crossed impatiently in front of her chest. As Chief of police she was not accustomed to waiting, and she wasn't about the start now.

Instead of answering her question though, Tenzin merely glanced up from his list and said, "She has a name Lin, she's not just 'The Avatar' and you actually might like her if-"

"Location Tenzin. I'm not in the mood for a lecture," she cut in abruptly. She really didn't have time for this nonsense today.

Tenzin let out a calming sigh, smoothing his yellow robes, before finally giving in to what she wanted, "Korra and her friends are in the first guest room in the boys dormitory's."

Lin gave him a curt nod of thanks and turned to go, but Tenzin stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder. "Lin, do go easy on them. They all had a rough day yesterday, and the Firebender...he isn't doing well."

Lin rolled her eyes. "Well in that case I'll be as gentle as a mother turtle duck!" She said sarcastically, throwing her hands in the air before turning and striding down the hall.

Before disappearing around the corner she heard Tenzin let out a frustrated groan. He knew full well she was going to do no such thing.

' just because the Avatars friend got a 'boo-boo' doesn't mean she gets a 'get out of jail free pass'. Lin thought annoyed at Tenzins softness. In her opinion, his fondness for the young Avatar and her friends clouded his judgment.

As she walked she stewed over the latest issues plaguing her city. There were many. The boots of her metal bender Police Captain uniform clicked loudly against the floor with each step. The silvery metallic plates looked distinctly out of place among the traditional wooden air bender decor.

Earth vs. air; Strength vs. flexibility.

After what seemed like forever, Lin finally reached the room Tenzin indicated. She took a calming breath before knocking, getting ahold of her temper.

After receiving a response, she opened the door and entered the small guest room.

"Avatar, I have some questions for you and your friends..." Lin started, but hesitated when she saw the scene laid out before her.

Tenzin (for once) hadn't been exaggerating, the Firebender indeed looked to be in pretty rough shape. Laying on his stomach, the poor guy was shivering despite the warm blanket pulled over him. His flushed cheeks told of a raging fever. It must have been her imagination, but she thought she could feel the heat radiating off the teenager from where she was standing by the door.

The young Avatar barely looked up when she entered . All her attention was going to the patient beside her in the bed as she anxiously ran cool orb of water over his neck and forehead. The worried and helpless expression she now wore was so unlike her usual cocky and rebellious attitude. It felt wrong.

The elderly air acolyte was just finishing rewrapping the bandages covering the fire benders upper back and left shoulder, but the sight of the marred flesh she did see made her shiver. Blistering and raw, the skin was a gruesome sight to behold. White discharge oozed from infected areas. She could only imagine how painful it was.

'When did that happen?' She thought, slightly stunned, 'He looked ok yesterday?'

After the initial shock passed, she quickly regained her composure. She had seen a lot worse during her days as a beat cop.

"I need to have a word with you and the earth bender outside." She ordered. However, she did soften her tone a little bit. "It won't take long."

"I'm not leaving Mako." The earth bender said defiantly. Upon her entering the room, he had moved, putting himself protectively between Lin and his injured brother.

Lin barely suppressed a groan. She REALLY didn't have time (or patience) for teenager drama today.

"Or I can haul you down to the station and we can have it there!" She snapped. She was irritated at people wasting her time as well as irritated at herself for losing her temper.

Lin watched sharply as Bolins eyes flickered nervously from spot to spot, as if looking for escape. The stocky teenagers shoulders hunched as if he wished he could fold in on himself and disappear; his muscles trembled slightly with the effort of standing his ground, he was fighting his instincts to run.

They were all habits Lin had come to recognize in street urchins, habits drilled in through years battling on the streets and running from the cops or rival gangs. Habits drilled in after years of struggling for survival. They were habits she expected to see from the young thieves sitting the in the back of her police cruiser, they were not what she expected to see from the young pro-bending celebrity.

Lin narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the already fidgeting boy.

Now that she thought about it, no one really knew anything about the fabulous bending brothers backgrounds, unlike most pro-benders they had never competed in the junior divisions as kids. Despite both being powerful benders (the Firebender could already wield lightening at 19) their parentage and family tree (a thing pro benders often took pride in) was a complete mystery. If she remembered correctly (which she always did) they had just suddenly shown up in the circuit a year or so back as the underdogs before working their way up the ranks.

'I'm going to have to do some digging on these boys when I get back the prescient.' Lin decided, 'Exactly what kind of crowd is the Avatar involved with?'

Her train of thought was interrupted by the elderly healer clearing her throat to break the tension in the room. "Well that is all that can be done for now Avatar Korra. Keep up with the cold compresses to keep his temperature at a reasonable level." She instructed, rising to her feet.

Despite the popping and creaking of her ancient joints, she moved with surprising grace for someone her age. Her traditional yellow and red robes rustled as she turned to Lin, easily meeting her stoney gaze, "You can remain in here to question them as long as you don't disturb the boy, he needs his rest."

Lin nodded, begrudgingly agreeing. She would have must preferred getting answers from both the earth bender and Firebender (especially now that she was suspicious) but one look at the feverish sleeping Firebender told her that wasn't going to be an option. (Even she wasn't that heartless)

"I'll be back this evening with the next dose of medicine." The healer said, before disappearing out the door and down the hall.

As soon as she was gone, Lin turned back to the two teens and started her questioning, "let's start from the beginning, where were you when the attack began?"

...

Throughout the interview, she learned little more than she already knew from talking to countless other witnesses. The Equalists attacked, some probenders were kidnapped, a fire started, so on and so forth. However, she was surprised to learn why the Firebender had ran back into the building in the first place.

"He ran back in a burning building... for a PET?!?!?" She asked, mouth twisted in disbelief.

Lin looked at the feverish Firebender with a mixture of anger and awe. He ran back in for a stupid animal! What if one of the firefighters or her officers had noticed and run in to save him? He would have risked their lives as well. It was stupid, dumb, but... she also had to admit that it took guts. She begrudgingly found herself impressed.

"Pabu isn't just a pet!" Bolin argued back fiercely, hands moving to emphasize his outrage, "He is part of the family!" He glanced back meaningfully at his brother, " Family is important."

'If that's the case, then where are yours?' Lin wanted to say.

"Do your parents know where you and your brother are?" She asked instead, this had to be handled delicately.

"Makos my legal guardian." Bolin said straight faced, his voice was carefully controlled and a little too guarded. It sounded like a practiced awnser.

'Oh ya, this ones definitely hiding something' Lin thought smugly.

However, based on his tone of voice, that was all she was going to get out of him on that topic. She decided to push a little more anyways.

"That wasn't what I asked." Lin said deliberately, her jaded emerald eyes locking with his naive olive green. Bolin started fidgeting under her gaze.

"I..." Bolin started, but Korra, seeing his sudden discomfort, came to his rescue.

"Is this really necessary? Bolin's family doesn't have anything to do with the fire or Amon." She said defending her friend.

"Ya, it's not important.", Bolin said standing up to his full height once more, confidence growing with the support of his friend.

"Hmmm" Lin hummed disapprovingly, eyeing the two defiant teenagers. She got what she came for, and she couldn't push anymore without looking suspicious. She would do some more digging when she got back to the station

"I suppose that is good enough for now." Lin said as she stood up. She paused with her hand on the door handle, "if you remember anything else about the attack, contact one of my officers."

She took one more calculating look at the three teenagers, two standing protectively and defiantly; the other one laying sickly and vulnerable on the bed. With that she walked back into the hallway and closed the door quietly behind her.

Lin finally arrived back at the prescient late that night. Even at the late hour, the prescient was buzzing with activity. Equalists weren't the cities only problems these days. As citizens became increasingly agitated, so did the thieves, street urchins, and gang members. There had been a sharp rise in crime lately, leading to the police precinct being busy 24/7.

"How'd it go Chief? Learn anything new?" Leon, her secretary, brightly asked. Despite the late hour, the young adult was as cheerful as ever.

"No, same stories as the other witnesses." Lin said, shaking her head in disappointment.

"Ah darn, sorry to hear it was a wasted trip." He said, idally pulling together some files which had been left for Chief Beifong while she was away.

"Not necessarily," Lin said, handing her secretary a piece of paper with two names on it, "get me any files we have on these boys, I need them pronto."

Her secretary's green eyes widened excitedly upon reading the names.

"Chief! I know these boys! They are my favorite pro-bending team!" Leon burst out eagerly, jumping from his seat with excitement. "Are they coming down to the precinct? Can I get their autographs? They are SOOOO good! Why are you-"However, his tone suddenly became aghast as he was hit with the realization of WHY the Chief would be investigating his favorite pro-benders.

"Chief you don't think- they wouldn't- but they are benders!" His mouth then worked soundlessly with horror at the prospect of his favorite celebrity duo having equalist ties.

Lin took another calming breath, "I don't know anything, I just want to see their files." She said exasperated, her hands gesturing in the direction of the file room.

The boy finally took the hint, scuttling off to hunt down the files.

Lin made her way into her office and plopped down in the chair. Once inside, away from the eyes of her officers and the public, she finally let her exhaustion show. She tiredly placed elbows on the desk and rested her face in her hands. She took a moment to compose herself. It had been a long, very long, 34 hours. A long couple weeks actually.

And Leon being, well Leon, wasn't helping matters. He really was a nice boy, just not terribly bright or perceptive. He got distracted, asked the wrong questions. She had taken him on as her secretary as a favor to his father (mayor of republic city) and now, she was stuck with him. However, he did have some good qualities. His upbeat attitude and positive outlook was always a pleasant change after a day spent dealing with stuffy politicians and murderous criminals.

As she waited, she went through the files Leon has left for her. Most were just the same old thing, fires, robberies, riots, increased equalist activity.

'Is Was the city ever this bad when Mom was here? How would have she handled it?' Lin thought before finally closing the file, she was tired of looking at it.

Luckily, she didn't have to wait long before Leon returned with two files.

Lin nodded her thanks, and Leon took that as a dismissal and left her alone with the requested files.

Lin wasn't sure what she had been expecting to find in the files, but it certainly wasn't this.

It started with a police report of the murder of their parents, the two boys had witnessed the entire thing. The pictures included of the murder scene were quite...gruesome. She was shocked to see how young the boys were when it occurred: the firebender was 8, the earth bender 6.

She expected to see more paperwork included regarding their next of kin, legal guardians, foster home, or orphanage. But there was nothing. Being the children of two immigrant parents they had no one, and had been forced to fend for themselves. The next pages proved just how unkind the streets had been to the two brothers.

Both brothers had various charges for stealing during their first few years on the streets (though the firebender Mako had significantly more). Despite her best efforts to push it down, Lin felt a small part of her heart ache as she looked at their original arrest photos. The kids faces were both terrified, clothing and faces filthy, and extremely skinny, so very skinny. She was police chief, she should be able to to stop such things from happening. But it was just too big of a city with too many kids and too many problems. However, as the years progressed, Makos photos became less terrified and innocent. It was replaced by a wary, untrusting, and angry glare. He had gained a leanness which spoke of too many fights and too little food. The only thing that was the same was the ridiculous red scarf.

However, it was the last couple arrests she found the most interesting and worrisome. When Bolin was 12 and Mako 14, they had been arrested and interrogated for crunching numbers for the triple threats triad gang.

'They have connections...to the gangs?!?!?' Lin thought, shocked and increasingly suspicious.

Mako had been arrested again at 16 for the same crime. At 17 he had been hauled in for working security for the triple threats during a heist.

After that the records stopped. No more arrests. No more gang activity. But she knew of the triple threats weren't ones to let useful people go that easily, especially two powerful benders. Zolt wouldn't have let go of a prodigy lighting bender without a fight.

So had the boys actually managed to break free... or was this all just part of a ploy to get close to the avatar.

Lin read late into the night, going over each file and report trying to connect the dots. It sounded like they weren't in league with Amon, but having connections to the gang could be just as bad.

'Were the boys a threat?'

'Was getting the avatar to join their team just a rouse?'

'What could the gangs possibly want with the Avatar?'

'What are they up too?'

However, she was startled out of her dark thoughts as the door was thrown open, and Leon rushed in yelling "Chief! You're going to want to see this!" He slapped a report down on her desk.

Her eyes widened with shock as she read it over, her pulse began to race. "This is bad, this is really bad." She muttered to herself, just quietly enough that Leon couldn't hear.

"I want every officer we can spare on their way over there right now, full body riot armor and bender restraining cuffs." She ordered.

Leon rushed off to spread her orders.

Gang triads and chi blockers had been spotted massing near the city docks. Numerous boats had been reported missing.

They were in league with each other and they were going to attack Air Temple Island.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Authors note: More is coming! It will probably take me a while to write it though. Still, very excited to hear LOK is coming to Netflix this August!

Comments and critique always welcome!