The vision continued as Team Avatar searched throughout the New Republic for Aang and Katara's children. They struck at every underworld hangout the Dark Elements were known to frequent, getting info by any means necessary. More than once, Aang had to keep Katara from getting too violent during interrogations. This proved particularly difficult when Aang himself struggled to keep not only his own rage in check but that of his past lives. The spirit of every past Avatar who had been a father or mother wished to unleash the power of the Avatar State upon Yakone and his followers but Aang simply could not give into temptation.
They searched for days with no trace of the children until they were eventually forced to return to Republic City. Yakone's trial was in a week and without Team Avatar's testimony; the crime lord would go free. One night, Katara left Air Temple Island in secret to visit Yakone. They had exhausted every possible lead and even investigating where Yakone's men had infiltrated the temple had done nothing. If anyone knew where her kids were, it was Yakone himself.
Katara raced along the city streets until Aang and the others found her and stood in her way. "Move" Katara ordered in the harshest tone she could muster. "No Katara" Aang replied with equal firmness "I know what you're planning and I can't condone it. You think I don't want to do the same? They're my kids too but stooping to Yakone's level will only give him an edge."
"I don't care Aang!" Katara snapped "I'll do whatever it takes to save our children even if you're too afraid to sacrifice your Air Nomad philosophy!" Aang winced at Katara's harsh tone but didn't respond. He knew his wife was hurting right now and needed to release her anger. "Aang is right Katara" Zuko spoke up "remember Yun Rha?"
"They're right Katara" Toph said, more serious than she's ever been "I know how you feel but if you do what I think you're planning, that makes you a criminal too and I'd have to take you down." "How can either of you know how I feel!" Katara spat "Lin's with your parents in Gaoling and Ursa's in the Fire Nation, protected by guards and Mai. Now, get out of my way!"
Katara attacks with a water bending barrage that the group just barely dodges. Aang counters his wife's attacks with his own water bending but Katara's skill and anger make it difficult to defend him. She was his sifu for a reason after all. The rest of the group reluctantly prepares to attack but Aang held them back. He knew he could get through to his wife.
"Katara, think of the kids" he says softly "they think the world of you, especially Bumi. Do you really want him to think of you as being the same as Yakone?" A tense moment followed as Katara weighed her husband's words. She loved her children more than anything and to have them fear or even hate her was more than she could bare. She eventually ceased her attack and collapsed into Aang's arms, sobbing gently.
its okay sweetie, no one blames you" Aang said softly "we'll find them soon, I promise." "Maybe even sooner than that" Toph speaks up "I hear people screaming underground. How 'bout a hand Twinkle Toes?" Hope dawned in everyone's eyes for a brief moment before Aang walked over and together with Toph, used eath bending to reveal a hidden tunnel. Team Avatar climbed down the ladder that was placed there and found themselves in an underground prison of some sort. Korra immediately recognized this as her current location.
"Spread out" Aang ordered "Katara, find the kids! We'll find the Council." Katara nodded and darted one way while the group continued marching forward. They walked past rows of empty cells until they finally found the missing Council members. "Avatar Aang, thank the spirits you've come!"
"Stand back" Aang ordered as Toph stepped forward. The council members did so and allowed the police chief to metal bend the cell door away. "Move your butts" Toph grunted "Yakone's goons can't know you're free!" "Too late."
Out from the shadows step six Dark Element underlings; three fire benders and three earth benders wearing armor similar to Toph's uniform. The first thing the group noticed was the three fire benders all had third eyes. It seemed Yakone's lieutenants were not the only ones to receive an enhancement.
"RUN!" Aang bellowed to the Council as Team Avatar assumed fighting stances. The Council members eagerly obeyed as the fight began. It seemed this group had been enhanced beyond that of the others for the fire benders could fire lightning from their third eyes, the earth benders could bend metal with their minds and actually created metal golems from the armor they wore, creating living protective shells to fight for them. Team Avatar was in for the fight of their lives.
When Sokka attempted to use his boomerang once again, a bolt of lightning destroyed it midway and shocked him into unconscious. Zuko attempted to redirect the assault aimed at him but when the other two joined in; the Fire Lord nearly perished attempting to redirect such a large amount at once. He somehow managed but collapsed due to the immense strain. Even Toph found herself at the mercy of the skill she created, unable to use her own metal bending on the golems due to psychic reinforcement by her opponent.
Eventually, Aang is the only one left standing, fighting with all four elements. He tries to enter the Avatar State but the strain from fighting is too great. In the end, even he blacks out. Despite this, however, the vision continues to play out.
"That was the Avatar? He sure went down easy" one of the fire benders laughed. "Yeah" agreed the other "and to think, he's supposed to be the strongest bender ever. I guess this makes Yakone the new number one."
Korra briefly wonders what makes the easily apprehended crime boss so powerful before she sees one of the earth benders shed his golem armor and step forward. "Regardless, the boss wants the Avatar on our side when we take the Four Nations." "How are we gonna do that? Avatar Aang would never help us."
At this, the earth bender grinned a sinister grin. "I never said it had to be this Avatar" he said while gesturing towards the unconscious Aang "once we kill him and take the New Republic, Yakone says we move to the Water Tribes. The new Avatar will be born into one of them and once we find her, Yakone plans to adopt and make her one of us. With the Avatar helping us, we'll be unstoppable!" "Her?" "Yeah, Yakone says the spirits told him it will be a girl and apparently, very easy on the eyes. He says her name's Korra."
AN: Once again, another cliff hanger but the last, I promise. Special thanks to Silver Omega 01, Thestorywizard, and everyone else. Thanks so much for your patience and support. R/R!
