Episode 4: THE CALLING

SWAMP

They had been at this for hours. Toph blindsiding Korra with a splash of mud out of nowhere.

Toph sighed disappointedly for the 100th time that day, "Out of all the other Avatar's I've worked with you're by far the worst. And that's including Yully." Another splash of mud hit Korra upside the head.

"Hey-wait you met Yully? When?" Korra wiped the glob of mud off her head.

"At Zuko's funeral last year."

Korra bowed her head regretting she had asked. She had gotten an invitation but she couldn't work up the courage to go on crutches.

Toph continued, "Knew it was going to be dull, his dinner parties were always a snooze fest but…I wanted to give my respects. And since Yully was going to be there I wanted to see for myself if this girl was all she was cracked up to be."

Korra almost didn't want to ask, "And was she?"

"Don't know, she wouldn't fight me," Toph said grumpily, "Said she wasn't worthy of it, blah blah honor crap. What a suck up. All she wanted to do was some weird stretching thing."

Korra smiled, "Yeah she does that."

Then Toph began to mimic the stretches Yully did, "But it did manage to pop my hip back in place so gotta give her credit for that. But it sure did bum out the funeral for me."

REPUBLIC CITY

Yully had made sure to get an apartment that overlooked the city. She loved heights even when she wasn't flying. It made her feel big and small at the same time. But looking out over the landscape now made her feel so insignificant. The President had ordered that no one was to evacuate the city for fear of being caught, or joining, Kuvira's Army despite three explosions happening around the city. More homes were destroyed and the people were scared. Miraculously no one was injured but the world leaders were outraged. Yesterday's coronation had left them all stunned. The fireworks were Yully's plan for celebration but luckily she had the detonator in hand to cause a distraction. After getting the world leaders to safety she went back for Kuvira, but she had fled the city; roaming about in her mobile headquarters.

But new reports of her convoy had Yully don on her blue flight suit with black trim. Custom ordered so she could blend into the sky easier. Although she had never worn it for this type of mission before. What ever this mission may turn out to be. Stealth, peace-treaty, battle?

A firm and steady set of footsteps approached her door, "Come in Lin," she called out before the knock.

Lin entered shaking her head. She had always half admired half envied Yully's talent for…everything, "Yully, I got—are you going somewhere?" she stared at Yully halfway in her suit as she continued packing her bag.

Yully stuffed in some snacks for the day flight, "Zaofu. Kuvira's army-"

"-headed that way," Lin had sent a runner to inform the President but she wanted to tell Yully directly.

"Less than two days," Yully pulled back her hair and wrapped it in a tight bun.

"You'll miss the council meeting," Lin warned.

"Like they'd listen to me anyway."

Lin watched as Yully tied up her bag, "Suyin will not surrender the city."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that but I'm going to ask her to evacuate the city," Yully pushed her arms into the suit, "Do you think she will?"

Lin raised her eyebrows, "That's like asking a mountain to move."

Shrugging, Yully pulled on her backpack, "Well I'll see what damage I can do."

"The good damage if you can."

Yully stood to attention and saluted, "Chief."

"And Yully," Lin hesitated to ask until Yully was almost at the door, "I got word that President Raiko will be asking you to stay neutral in this conflict."

Yully's eyes drifted out the window to the lingering smoke above the city, "Neutral—indifferent. They won't be able to ignore her when she's at their door."

She opened the door and leaped over the railing down the stairs. Falling down the 10 stories she heard her name being called somewhere around the 4th floor. Looking back up she saw Mako already on his way back down.

"I was on my way up to—you're leaving?" he stalled on the third floor before running down the last two flights.

"Your detective skills never cease to amaze me," Yully looked around suspiciously.

"How can you leave with all these attacks?"

"Because," Yully pushed him into a small alcove and lowered her voice, "Kuvira is marching onto Zaofu."

No matter how she got her information, it was always right, "What? When?"

"Two days."

She made it sound like it wasn't urgent but more of an inevitable deadline, "Are you going to stop her?"

Yully shook her head, "It won't do any good, but I have to talk to her."

She took a step out into the street but Mako grabbed her jacket sleeve. He looked up and asked somberly, "Do you think…you can talk to that idiot brother of mine too?"

Pulling him in for a quick hug she left him with, "I'll do what I can."

Jogging out into the street she was met by a prim Prince Wu, "Ah Avatar Yue, President Raiko would like a word with you now before the council meeting."

Yully nodded her head and smiled, "Sure I'll just be right back." Then taking a running start, flew up and disappeared into the sky.

Looking up after her, Wu leaned over towards Mako, "She'll be back in like what five-six minutes?"

But Mako wasn't listening. He didn't even notice the seemingly ordinary man in the alley run off towards the President's office. Mako was looking at his hand that had some odd red clay flakes on it. How…what? His head shot back up to the sky searching, but realizing that was pointless he took off in a run.