Chapter 7: Fall of Zaofu
Day. Home of the Metal Clan, Zaofu.
It took a couple of days to reach Zaofu after night, but they finally reached the metal city. Nolun had flew the group during their departure from the swamp, feeling tiredness slowly begin to calm him. Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo had fallen asleep beside Li Mei last night before they arrived. Raiku rested laying back as Korra slept on his chest, with Li Mei herself smiling at the couple sleeping after she woke up. It had been so long for both of them, especially Korra. Li Mei remembered there were times when she would hear Korra cry herself to sleep at night in her room when she stayed with her in the South Water Tribe. With her seeing Raiku again, filled Li Mei with hope that Korra's spirits would be lifted. In the end, it succeeded even when Raiku was there for her while she moving the metal out of her body. However, her smile soon faded when she suddenly thought of her boyfriend, Bolin. It had been three years since they last saw each other, and he was still in Kuvira's army. She knew her Bolin loved to help people, but joining Kuvira's conquest had always made her skin crawl. This confirmed her fear when she refused to hand over the Earth Kingdom back to a pampered and showboating nephew of the late Earth Queen. She was cut off her fears when Nolun let out a long whistle that got her attention.
"Rise and shine, people!" Nolun yelled waking everyone on Pepper up. "We've finally made it!"
Korra yawned as Raiku rubbed his eyes for a second. "Are we in Zaofu?" she asked
"Yep. I'm going to land us in the Metal Clan garden." Nolun replied having Pepper the flying bison land near the garden gently. "Su! Opal! I'm back."
"We'll be out in a minute." Suyin shouted back in her calm demeanor
Raiku suddenly raised an eyebrow. "You live her now?"
"Not exactly. I just stay in as a guest from time to time." Nolun stated. "Though I imagine Suyin and Opal will be shocked to see you."
"They definitely will." the snow haired airbender chuckled. "I'm pretty sure everyone in Republic city will, too."
Just soon, Suyin and her daughter Opal arrived outside as the now wingsuit airbender rushed outside to embrace her boyfriend in a kiss. "Welcome back. Are you okay? You look tired."
"I am." Nolun yawned. "I got us back here after the long trip."
"Will you and Li Mei stay for long?"
"It's not just us." Nolun said to them. "You have a few more guest. And I can guarantee that maybe one or both will surprise you." he gestured his thumb toward Korra
"It's good to see you up and about, Korra."
"Thank you, Su."
"Don't forget guest number two." Nolun added as Raiku jumped off Pepper, expressions of shock and surprise set upon Suyin and Opal once they saw him
"Suyin. Opal. It's good to see you two again." he said. "It's been awhile."
"Raiku, is that you?! Thank the spirits you're okay!" Suyin said as she embraced Raiku with a genuine and concerning hug. "Are you okay? Not just physically either?"
"I should be fine once I see her grave back home." Raiku responded to Suyin
"If you ever want to talk about her, let me know." she told him as he nodded his head while Opal gave him an embracing hug as well
"I'm sorry about what happened to your mother."
"Thank you, Opal." Opal showed a sympathetic look as Nolun placed his hand on her shoulder
"Why don't we give these two some time to themselves?" Nolun suggested as he and Opal left Korra and Raiku on their own
"Things look tense with this Kuvira mess. And Bolin's in her army?" Raiku inquired staring at the city
"He still is. I think this is hurting Li Mei the most." she joined in the sight of the metal city. "She wants Bolin out of it."
"I have to find a way to get him back to her." Raiku declared. "For both their sakes. In the meantime, I guess you'll be talking to Su about Kuvira?"
"I am. I will try to see if I can convince to step down peacefully."
"What if she doesn't?"
"Then, I'll make her stop by force if necessary." Korra answered. "Hopefully, she backs down."
"Just hope you're right." Raiku said to her as his stomach grumbled loudly
"When was the last time you ate?"
"Almost two days ago."
"Two days?! Raiku you need eat something. Now."
"Okay, okay. I'll get a bite to eat, but I should warn you." Raiku reassured Korra. "My appetite has gone up after three whole years." he slightly warned
Korra let out a giggle. "I doubt your appetite has changed."
Hours later...
"Are you okay?" Korra asked as her and Li Mei walked in the hallway of the Metal Clan. "You haven't said anything since the trip back or anything. Is this about Bolin? Are you worried about him."
"The truth I'm frightened and worried about Bolin. I'm hoping he's not getting into much trouble." Li Mei said with an unease and troubled tone in her voice. "We have to get him out of there, Korra. I mean it. I don't want him with her in all of this."
Korra placed a hand on Li Mei's shoulder for reassurance. "Don't worry. We'll get Bolin out of there, which is why Kuvira is my next stop after I talked with Suyin."
"Thanks, Korra." she moved aside when a chef rushed into the dining room. "What's the hurry with that guy?"
"I don't know. Let's go find out."
Korra and Li Mei headed their way to the dining room where they spotted Nolun staring with wide eyes and an open mouth. Once they looked to see what Nolun was shockingly staring at them, Korra and Li Mei had the same expression Nolun himself was currently having. They were silver platters cleared with little food stains on them, leading the rest of the plates toward the end of the table. They saw a particular someone finishing down a slice of Earth Kingdom cake enriched with green and brown, the last bit of it in his mouth. That certain person was known other than Raiku who had eaten nearly seven plates of food. All of a sudden, his cheeks were grabbed Li Mei who still showed a shocking expression on her face.
"Are you really sure you haven't eaten for two days and not three years?!" Li Mei shouted in exclamation
Raiku smiled. "I'm sure. It's been two days, Li Mei."
"You call this two days?! You're literally a three man army from the way you've been eating all of that food!" she exclaimed
"My goodness! What happened here?" Suyin asked as she suddenly came in
"He happened." Nolun answered gesturing his thumb at Raiku who only had a wide grin as he rubbed the back of his neck
"Sorry." he nervously laughed. "I think my appetite has gotten way larger than it use to be."
"You think?!" Li Mei said in outburst. "How big is your appetite?!" she inquired as Raiku chuckled nervously
"Li Mei, we should get going to Kuvira's camp." Korra reminded. "You said you wanted to come with me to see Bolin?"
The thought crossed Li Mei's mind as she nodded her head. "Right. Let's go."
"I'm going with you guys, too." Raiku suddenly added
Li Mei raised an uncertain eyebrow at Raiku. "You sure you want to do that?"
"I figured it would be the best way to surprise Bolin." he joked. "Besides, I want to know how he's doing."
Kuvira's camp. Outside Zaofu.
A lot has changed since Raiku went into hiding for three years. He knew after the Earth Queen's death, the entire Earth Kingdom would be in disorder and turmoil. Bandits raided defenseless towns and there was even the one time he went back to at the old Earth Kingdom in Ba Sing Se to let the world know he was still alive. Mostly just to let his friends and family he was still around. Raiku would have displayed the facts of some people in the Earth Kingdom were talking about during Kuvira's reign. Some were praising her work as the Great Uniter, but the rest heard rumors of those not in Earth Kingdom that were sent to 'education' camps. He was about to ask one of the soldiers did they know where Bolin was when he heard a conversation a couple of them, leaning over a tent undetected.
"That Varrick guy along with Bolin left?" said the first
"They already deserted the Great Uniter. I hear Bataar is tracking them down due east as we even speak." the other said. "That Zhu Li beauty is with them too."
"Always knew you were a lover for a dame in glasses. I admit she did carry that secretary look of hers pretty well."
"Anyway Bataar should catch those traitors before the night's out." the 1st said as him and the other soldier began to leave
"Probably put them with those in the education camps, due northeast where those traitors are."
"Not if I have anything to say about that." Raiku muttered
Raiku ran with the speed of a tornado, making his way east to make sure Bolin along with Varrick and Zhu Li were not captured. There was also the thought of liberating the prisoners from being sent to the 'education' camp. Raiku caught a noise as he leaped onto the trees, spotting machines that resembled mecha tanks. However, they looked entirely different aside for the same frame and chassis. They now had legs and two small tanks on their back, follow by agile arms and small claws for hands. There were at least five, but one of them was fighting the other while another rogue mech ejected a person. Raiku squinted his eyes to see Varrick of all people that came out of the mech. Then something hit Raiku at that instant. If that was Varrick inside one of the mechs, that would leave Zhu Li to be in the one mech that is fighting the other to protect Varrick. Then all of a sudden, a wave of lava started ensnaring the mech's leg in the molten rock as it dispere quickly into earth itself. Raiku's eyes went wide as he stared at the cause of the lava now turned earth, his friend Bolin. Before he could be in awe, a mech pried out Zhu Li from her mech and held her up. Raiku zoomed in to launch forth a gush of wind to sent the mech falling to the ground as he grabbed Zhu Li, Bolin, and Varrick, fleeing the fight. Once the coast was clear, he let them go with Varrick's face starting to turn blue.
"Zhu Li! I need-" he did not finish his sentence as he ran toward a nearby bush, retching out vomit. "Now I need a breathmint." Zhu Li tossed one in his mouth
"What was that?!" Bolin exclaimed trying to stand still. "It felt like a tornado swooped in and get us out."
Raiku appeared behind Bolin and smiled. "Yeah, that was me."
Bolin turned with wide eyes and saw long lost friend. "Raiku!" he jumped up and caught Raiku in a playtpusbear hug
"Bolin... can't breathe... need air..." Raiku gasped out trying to breathe air
"Sorry, sorry! It's just- I can't believe you're here!" Bolin exclaimed
"I can't believe you can lavabend! Since when could you do that?!" Raiku shouted in awe
"It came in real handy when-" Varrick cut him off
"As much as you two can chat," Bolin and Raiku glanced back to see Varrick. "I feel better if we left."
"Right. First, we need to liberate some people being sent to the 'education' camps."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Varrick suddenly objected. "I need to get to Republic city were it's safe, kid."
Raiku folded his arms and stared at the former enterpreur. "Why? It can't be just for the sake of hiding from Kuvira."
"I'll give you the short version. I build a machine to harness the energy of a spirit vine I picked up from Republic city. But it turns out that it's pretty unstable." Varrick started. "When I told Kuvira that it was dangerous, she threatened to my life!"
"Mine's too when I told her we should let Zaofu be independent." Bolin added
"It seems like she wants to take over the entire Earth Kingdom. By force if necessary, too." Raiku muttered. "First things first, we liberate those prisoners."
"Hello! My llife is in danger here!" Varrick exclaimed in near panic
"You don't help out, no asylum in Republic city." Raiku said giving Varrick a standard ultimatum
"Fine." Varrick complied in a sigh
"Good." he grabbed the three of them with his arms and shoulders. "Now hang on!" he zoomed in superhuman like speed
Just northeast from Kuvira's camp, a group of prisoners were being escorted into the woods of the former Earth Kingdom now declared Earth Empire. The prisoners were of people from the Water Tribes, Fire Nation, and Air Nation. But among those prisoners was Noalok, Li Mei's own brother. There were a slight bruise on his face along with one of legs crippled as they were passed to the checkpoint the Earth Empire army built recently. He was not expecting himself to be caught, least of all by Kuvira. He thought those shipping papers would allow him to be in the clear, but unfortunately he was not. For days he evaded capture from the so called Great Uniter's army, until he was caught on his way to Zaofu for sanctuary. Then all of a sudden, a gush of wind and earth sending boulders collided with the mechs and sent the soldiers flying back. Just when the mechs were about to apprehend them, a strange electromagnetic surge put them out of commission. Noalok suddenly felt his arm being around by two people. Surprisingly, who he said holding was Raiku and his sister's boyfriend Bolin lending him a hand.
"Varrick, whatever you did worked." Raiku told said person as he and Zhu Li approached holding a wire and plug cord in his hand
"Zhu Li! Remind me to take note of this when we get to Republic city. Electromagnetic pulse works well against mechs."
"Of course, sir." she said, leaving Raiku to see a certain blush from the secretary
"Everyone, follow us. We're going to Zaofu."
Night. Home of the Metal Clan, Zaofu.
It took six or seven hours but they finally made it to Zaofu. With some help from Nolun to allow the prisoners sent to Republic city, especially Noalok seeking medical attention for his broken leg. At the moment, Nolun was in the middle of talking to Varrick to see if he knew anything. Especially the part with Su and her sons Wei and Wing being held captured, shocking both Bolin and Raiku. In the meantime, they were looking for Korra and Li Mei.
"Guess who I brought..." Raiku trailed off for Korra and Li Mei to see Bolin with them
"Bolin." Li Mei ran to her boyfriend who was expecting a hug from her, instead receiving a slap to the face. "That's for leaving!" she then kissed him passionately on the lips. "And this is for coming back."
Korra embraced Raiku with a hug. "Where have you two been? You mostly?" she asked in a worried tone
"I heard some of the soldiers in Kuvira's army talking about Bolin deserting with Varrick. I saved both of them and Zhu Li from being caught." Raiku explained. "We also liberated some prisoners along the way." he looked down. "Noalok was one of the prisoners being sent to one of these education camps."
"What?" Li Mei gasped out in shock
"Yeah, his leg was limping when we found him." Bolin stated. "Your brother's on his way back to Republic city."
"I am going to make Kuvira pay." Li Mei declared with a slight growl. "She had no right to do what she did!"
"Li Mei..." Korra started with Li Mei nudging her shoulder as she left. "Li Mei!"
"I'll go talk to her." Bolin said
"That would be best." Raiku replied as Bolin ran toward Li Mei
"I'm meeting with Kuvira again tomorrow outside of Zaofu. I need you to stay here. I need you and Bolin to watch Ikki and Meelo." Korra said
Raiku slightly raised his eyebrow. "You don't want us to come with you?" he inquired unsure of his girlfriend's decision
"I need you to be ready in case turn bad fast." she explained. "Please... for me."
"All right." Raiku embraced Korra firmly. "Just watch yourself, okay?"
"I will." she said as they both kissed
The next day...
Raiku paced back and forth waiting for Korra's word while Bolin was keeping an eye on Ikki and Meelo, watching them a portrait in Huon's art room. Bolin now wore a zipped brown leather jacket and dark green pants. Brown boots on his feet and his regular hairstyle back when he and Raiku first met, with a small strand on his forehead. Raiku on the other hand was worried about Korra, fearing if she failed to convince or stop Kuvira from taking Zaofu. He hoped it would be over by now, but feared it was going to go far worse. That answer came when Jinora's astral projection form showed up in front of them.
"Korra's in trouble!"
"Bolin. You, Ikki, and Meelo get on Pepper! We're leaving!" he said to them as they made haste to their flying bison. "I'll meet you there on foot."
While Bolin, Ikki, and Meelo jumped on Pepper and flew off; Raiku ran with the speed of a tornado as his eyes and tattoos started to glow bright green. He was using his combat energybending to reach the meet-up point where Korra and Kuvira would meet. However; that decided descend to nothing but a disagreement, leaving Raiku to now run faster than a hurricane. Raiku reached the meet-up point where he saw Jinora and Opal conjuring a whirly tornado to push the soldiers with Li Mei behind the two airbenders. He caught a glimpse of Nolun fighting Kuvira in earthbending and metalbending combat. The last glimpse he caught was Korra with earthbending as he rushed toward Kuvira, sent flying with a elbow thrust.
"No one hurts my girl." he snarled as his eyes and tattoos stopped glowing green
"I was wondering when you would show up, arishiakage." Kuvira said now standing up
"About 90% of people have called me since I've been back." Raiku joked. "But I never get that from insane and tyrannical dictators." he added keeping his glare on Kuvira
"Tell me, why were you outside the palace in Ba Sing Se?" she inquired. "I remembered hearing the troops talk a lot about you that day. Was it because of your mother's death? That you failed to your own mother?"
"What did you say?" he growled
"You felt like you failed to protect her, do you? "
"Raiku, don't listen to her." Nolun warned launching at Kuvira who sent out the metal from her uniform to split it in half. "She's just trying to throw you off, I know she does that with me especially."
"Before or after we dated?" Kuvira asked in a taunting tone before having metal wrapped around Nolun's wrist as he was sent flying back
"Both." he grumbled
"The reason why I was at that palace was because of change." Raiku launched out a surge of energy that sent Kuvira back, who quickly landed on her feet. "Within change, there is balance. Good, bad, it doesn't matter. The only thing that comes from is balance. It's always been balance. Which is why I will stay my role of the arishiakage and do whatever I can to help this new era."
"As you can see I am doing all the helping here." Kuvira countered launching two large boulders
"That's not what it looks like from here. I heard all the rumors and found most of them to be true about you." Raiku denied to Kuvira as he shot out a wave of energy that dispere the earth hurtling boulders. "You force towns to join back in this Earth Empire whether they wish or not. All this to take metal ore. That would be somewhere in the dictatorship category."
Kuvira hurtled a few of metal from her uniform, heading directly at Raiku. "And you think you would succeed better than me?"
Raiku dodged the metal shards in swift and quick ease, as his eyes and tattoos glowed bright green once again. "Yes." he answered lashing out a pulse of energy that sent her flying, but starting to feel a little weak using combat energybending
Nolun removed the earth that held Korra trapped as Raiku quickly carried her bridal style.
"What happened to her before I arrived?" he asked Nolun
"I don't know." he replied. "One minute she was in the Avatar state moping the floor with Kuvira. In the next, she started to freak out."
"She's still not ready yet." Raiku muttered as he stared at Korra, spotting Pepper land behind Jinora and Opal. "That's our ride. Let's go!"
"You can't handle all this Meelo!" Meelo said having his moment of sending a gush of wind at Earth Empire soldiers
"Meelo, we're leaving. On the double, soldier!" Raiku yelled to the 10 year old as everyone was on board
"Bolin, get us out of here!" Nolun shouted
"No! We can't leave my family!" Opal exclaimed
"Opal, we'll get them back." Nolun said to her. "I promise you this."
"He's right." Raiku agreed. "You have my word. We will get your family out."