While this happened, in the far north a fierce battle was in progress as the water tribe chieftains and Mipha were battling Zaheer and his group only to end up losing.
"This...can't be." Mipha groaned before seeing Zaheer and his group escape with the final prisoner. A Dangerous Fire and Combustion Bender known as P'Li. "No…" She said before passing out.
Back in Ba Sing Se…
"So the Earth Queen is taking Earth Kingdom Airbenders off the streets? Why?" Hope asked.
"No clue." Kendo said. "But depending on what that beggar told us...it's likely Kai's already been captured."
"So that settles it. We gotta bust him an the other Airbenders out." Connor said.
"You sure that's a good idea? She could brand us as criminals, and that'll probably be the worst of it if we succeed." Lloyd said.
"He's right. We're gonna have to find someway to free them, but for now, it's best we try to stay out of trouble." Spade said as he put a hand on Connor's shoulder. "Alright?"
"Sorry, Connor. Although your intentions were good, you almost got us arrested once already. We have to be sure we can at least get out of there alive." David said. "Not everyone is lucky enough to have a second chance at life like you, after all."
"Yeah…. I know a lot about second chances. That's why I care for Kai the most." Connor said.
"We'll rescue him and the other airbenders, alright? For now we need to come up with a plan that won't get us caught." Al said.
A knock was soon heard at the door. "You think it's the queen?" Natalie asked.
"I'll get it." Zexi said opening the door only to see Lin there. "Chief Beifong?"
"What in the…" Ty said.
"We need to get the Avatar out of the city. Her life is in danger."Lin said.
"Can you explain the situation once we get out of here?" Spade asked.
"I just got word from Lord Zuko and Chief Tanraq." She said ignoring Spade. "Zaheer has escaped with the other three."
"Zaheer? How?" Tenzin asked.
"Because Zaheer is an airbender now." Lin said.
"No…" Tenzin said.
"So he's on his way here now? Wait...Who the heck is Zaheer anyway?" Mari asked.
"From what I've heard in my career, he was a brutal Terrorist around these parts." Connor said. "He once tried to capture Korra, believe it or not. But Tenzin, Tanraq, Sokka and Zuko stopped them. They were locked up in four different prisons, three of them restricting the benders abilities. But it looks like they've all busted loose."
"Thanks to Zaheer since he can airbend now due to Harmonic Convergence. He must have took this chance so he could free his fellow members to try and kidnap Korra again. Chief Beifong is right, we need to leave." Spade said.
"We're not leaving without those Airbenders." Hope said.
"If your plan is to brand us all as public menaces, then go right ahead. But, Korra is an important part in this. Who will resolve all of this if she won't?" David asked.
"David's right, Hope. We will rescue the Airbenders but for right now we need to get Korra somewhere safe." Simon said putting his hands on Hope's shoulders. "She's one of your teammates after all."
"Ahem. Don't I get a say in this? I'm not going anywhere." Korra said.
"So, you've already made up your mind?" Hope asked.
"Yeah. We're busting those Airbenders out, tonight." Korra said.
"We might be able to slip past in the cover of night, but still…" Nagi said.
"Looks like we're doing this, whether we like it or not." David said.
"Seems so." Spade said. "But why not have Kirumi and Stoj to teleport us and the Airbenders out after we free them?"
"Because teleportation only affects people within a certain space." Yoko said.
"In that case, I guess it's my turn to pitch in." Marco said holding a certain Materia. "This Materia once belonged to our friend Agito. His ability was teleportation."
"Nice thinking, Marco. That will definitely come in handy for the escape." Aya said.
"I hope we can pull this off quick enough, so we don't get a bad enough sentence." Hope said.
"Just remember...in and out. No stops, no distractions." Jexi said.
"Let's do it." Ryuko said.
Late that night, the group broke into the Earth Queen's temple as they began their operation of freeing the Airbenders. But little did they know a third party was already in there.
"All right...make sure all of them are out and loaded." Pen said as Miasma, Hate and some Dark Kingdom soldiers were breaking open cells.
"Where are you taking us?" Kai said. "I doubt its anywhere good."
"You don't need to know. You'll be bartering chips with the Earth Queen. If she agrees to an alliance with us, then we will return you to her. If not...you will be transferred to our home kingdom and be trained as soldiers for our army instead." Pen said.
"I don't see how any of those options are better." Kai said.
"It's beneficial to the kingdom and our people...not that a child would understand the complexities of keeping a kingdom running." Pen said.
"You're right. I think I'm better off not knowing at all." Kai said before airbending and blasting air at Pen, knocking him back, and separating the three brothers. "Come on, let's get outta here everyone!" He called as the Airbenders followed Kai out during the commotion of the air blast.
"He really thinks he is smart?" Pen asked as Kai looked back to see Hate still standing as he roared and charged at high speed.
"What?" He said airbending a rock at Hate only for Hate to ignore the hit.
Hate
Curse: Stand Alone
The More Hate feels hated by people, the more stronger and invulnerable he becomes.
"Ah, great… I think we're better off running from this guy." Kai said as the airbenders and him ran outside as Korra and the groups just arrived where they were.
"Kai?!" Connor said.
"Run! You don't wanna go that way!" Kai said as Hate crashed through the doorway.
"This guy again?" Kagura asked.
"Hate…" AJ said.
"Those airbenders...belong to my brother!" he shouted.
"They aren't objects you bastard, Megaton Slam!" Fefnir called out as he delivered a heavy punch with his gauntlet only for it to be ineffective. "Tch!" He grunted as he jumped back.
"Guys! Don't attack him! He'll just get even angrier! It's part of his curse!" AJ called.
"Rrrraaahhh!" Hate said as he walked to a part of the temple as he ripped out the wall.
"Holy…!" Ty said.
"See what I mean? The more you attack him, the stronger he gets!" AJ said.
"Well, how are we supposed to get him off us then?" Mana asked.
"What do you know about him, AJ?" Hope asked.
"His curse is called Stand Alone. The more he feels hated, the stronger he gets." AJ said.
"So we have to calm him down or something?" Mari asked.
"Yeah. And I think I know just how to do it. Azura, warm up your pipes." AJ said.
"Don't...even if we get Azura singing, Pen and Miasma might not be too far behind. We need to...wait…" Theo said seeing the Dai Li agents. "Let's see if we can use that anger to our advantage." He said running over to the Dai Li. "Hey, muscle head. What's the matter? Can't hit a kid?"
"Rar!" Hate said tossing it towards Theo as he ducked as it hit the Dai Li.
"Now's our chance. Fire the teleportations now!" Dark Meta Knight said.
"Stoj, Marco, get ready!" Kirumi said.
"You got it!" Stoj said as Brynhildr floated right in front of her as the pages flipped rapidly.
"O-Okay! Here goes!" Marco said. "Agito…. This one is for you."
"Now!" Kirumi said.
"Warp!" All three of them said as the whole group vanished.
Pen and Miasma then arrived as Hate was smashing the Dai Li.
"Damn it." Pen said seeing the airships taking off. "Prepare our stealth ship. We will not let this stand."
"Of course." some Dark Kingdom soldiers said.
"David Ishihara...Lady Leonora." Miasma said.
"Yes. He certainly...wait why did you mention the last one by a proper name?" Pen asked.
"No reason." Miasma said looking away.
"So much for a bartering chip. And with Hate, we've lost all chance of negotiation." Pen said. "Not good." he said.
Back with the Groups on the airships…..
"That… was too close." AJ said. "But it came at a cost. Odds are, we've got three problems now, Centurion, Zaheer, and now the Dark Kingdom."
"Not only that, but Miasma totally remembers me and Leonora. Crap…" David said.
"He has a grudge against you two or something?" Marco asked.
"Kind of. During the IG-3, we raced against one another. I cost him a victory once and saved him during the final race." Leonora said.
"He sure didn't seem very appreciative of it." Mana said.
"Though...did he call her Lady Leonora? What's up with that?" Sunset asked.
"No clue." Leonora said.
"Anyway, Tenzin will be splitting off from us with the other airbenders to one of the air temples. As for us, we'll head to the next airbender sighting." Jexi said.
"And that would be?" Satsuki asked.
"Zaofu. Home of the Metal Clan." Zexi said as they continued onward as they were unknowingly being followed by a stealth ship.
