An ear-splitting explosion rattled everything as the weapon fired; the ray of shocking purple hurtled across the water, and tore through the walls like fire through parchment. We all raced through the crumbling building, only to be knock to the floor when the hummingbird mecha suits exploded beneath us on the floor below. A metal beam fell away from the ceiling and hurtling towards the unknowing Asami. I let out a cry and bent the metal away from her. Pain blossomed like wildfire on the back of my head, and blackness filled my vision.
"Lin, she'll be okay-"
"-Say that again," my mother urged darkly.
"She was distracted- saving me," Asami explained faintly.
My mother growled above me, and I slowly opened my eyes. I grinned wryly up at her, which earned me a glare. "Hello," I rasped.
"Now is not the time," my mother grumbled, "How are you feeling?"
"Better than after sparring with you," I teased, and slowly sat upright. My head felt incredibly light, and I felt like I was going to be sick. I sighed in relief when cool water caressed the back of my aching head, and I saw Korra kneeling beside me out of the corner of my eye.
"I'm sorry, but we need to get moving," she announced as she withdrew the water.
"Kailyn, I want you on Air Temple Island where I know you'll be safe," my mother ordered.
"No, I am not hiding. I'm going to use Kuvira being distracted to my advantage," I dismissed, carefully rising to my feet, "I am going to find Iroh."
"Kailyn, no," my mother argued.
"Mum, I can't leave him. I made my vows, and I will protect my husband-"
"-Do you even know where he is?! You are just one person, and you think you can take on the majority of Kuvira's forces alone?!"
"You don't understand…"
My mother's lips tightened, more than ready to curl into a snarl, but she kept them in a tight line and walked away.
"Mum," I called after her, but she ignored me.
"Kailyn," Su announced softly, "You should get moving."
"Su-"
"-I will look after her, I promise. Now go."
The streets were filled only by the soldiers that sought to claim the city in the name of their Great Uniter. I made my way back through the city using the underground network of tunnels. I sighed in relief when I went through an empty underground Republic City. I came back up to the ground level once I reach the end of the city. I ducked inside one of the abandoned tents and caught my breath. Where would they take Iroh and the soldiers?
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as the bone-rattling blast of the weapon erupted within the city. Another round sounded, and I flinched. Would my mother not come back to me after this? I shook the dark thoughts away; my mother was too strong, too stubborn, to be taken down by a machine. I looked out of the tent and saw the city on fire, and the giant mecha tank remained standing. I needed to get the United Forces liberated to even the score. I ran between the rows of tents until I reached the mountains across the plain. I looked around, hoping to see the gleam of a platinum cage in the setting sun, but I found nothing. I raked a panicked hand through my hair, and let out a frustrated growl.
I finally slammed my foot against the ground, and saw a multitude of the United Forces tuck away inside the mountain. Small tunnels no wider than Pabu, gave fresh air to the massive cave that held prisoners in its cavern. I burst through the mountain wall with a well-placed punch and regarded them.
"On your feet," I instructed, and reached for the hair pins holding back my hair to liberate the earthbenders confined in platinum.
"The president ordered the surrender," one protested.
"Kuvira is laying waste to the place many of you call home- will you sit back while she takes it from you?!" I demanded, and stopped picking locks to point out into the light, "What of the women and children? What will you answer when they ask you what you did to save their home from a tyrant? I am Kailyn, daughter of Chief Lin Beifong- wife to your general- and Princess of the Fire Nation. I am telling you to get on your feet, we are taking back our city, and keep the Kuvira's attention on the Avatar."
A shadow to my right rose to their feet. "You heard her," Iroh ordered, "Move out."
We made our way into the crumbling at sundown. Iroh launched into a sprint at the sight of the first mecha tank, and I was right behind him. I sent up a wall of earth to isolate the tank from the squad of foot soldiers, and then advanced. Iroh shot bursts of flame with ease as he danced around the mecha tank; he leapt through the air as a clawed arm crashed down where he previously stood. I encased the hand with earth, trapping it to the ground. I crept up the appendage, summoned a boulder out of the ground, and slammed it into the engine compartment. The mecha tank swayed on its feet before crashing to the ground.
I popped my shoulders and looked for Iroh. He knocked a soldier off his feet and kicked the underside of his jaw. Only when he did that- it left him terribly exposed. I shot my cables out, catching the Earth Empire soldier around the wrist before he could catch my husband unaware. I dragged him to me and engaged. The man sent a torrent of rocks like jagged knives. I spun and twirled through the air on the balls of my feet, batting away the rocks that got too close. When I landed firmly on my feet, I kicked out my heel, and the soldier staggered to remain upright after I had shifted the ground beneath him. A chunk of earth flew into my hand and I hurled it through the air like a power disc. An ill-timed laugh bubbled in my chest when the rock hit the soldier in the face of his helmet and he crumbled to the ground.
"Don't let me interrupt your fun," Iroh teased, "But it would seem we have guests." He nodded his head at the remaining soldiers that were approaching.
"Let it not be said that we are terrible hosts," I chuckled, and we dove into the fray.
Darkness has fallen, but the buildings on fire helped light our way through the empty streets. Iroh limped at my side, and I cradled my aching arm to my chest. A colossal amount of energy has been fired off in the Spirit Wilds, and the entire city seemed to be holding its breath.
"Something doesn't feel right," I announced, and cast my eyes about. "What is that?" I pressed, and pointed to the clump of metal thrown into a building.
"It looks like one of the arms from the mecha giant," Iroh observed.
I went over to the mutilated arm, and my heart fell like it was a ball of lead. "Mum? Mum!" I cried, and metalbent the sheet of metal holding her to the wall. She sagged into my arms, her head hung limply in the crook of my neck. Su was in the same condition.
