"So, you two are definitely in?" Korra asked.

"You're damn right we are," Lin said, arms crossed tight across her chest. Her posture tensed, on edge. "Zaheer killed my sister, and he has my family captive. If you think I'm sitting this one out, you haven't learned a damn thing about me over the years."

"And with this one liable to run off and get herself hurt, I have to be there to reign her in," Kya said, holding an arm around the former police chief's shoulder.

Lin grumbled. "Please, I know what I'm doing."

"Doesn't meant I can't be concerned," Kya insisted. "Besides, Su was my friend, too. She was a good woman, and she didn't deserve what happened to her."

Kuvira took a step forward, focusing an earnest gaze at the former police chief. "Lin, I promise you, we will make Zaheer pay for what he did. And we will get our family back, whatever it takes."

Lin nodded. The fire in her eyes shifted ever so slightly, replaced with a glimmer of appreciation. "I'm with you, kid. That bastard will never know what hit him."

"Uh, Lin, I'm not really a kid, you know," she said, with a lifted eyebrow. "I'm thirty-one."

"Kuvira, when you get to be my age, everyone looks like a kid."

Kya stifled a chuckled, tightening her embrace around Lin's shoulders. "So, when are we leaving?"

"We want to shoot for two days from now, but if everything goes smoothly today we can set out tomorrow," Korra said. "The sooner, the better."

Steel returned to Lin's eyes, hardening once more. "We'll be ready. Just give us the call and let us know."

Korra frowned, exhaling a disappointed sigh. "Are you sure you can't come? We could really use you."

"Believe me Korra, I wish I could." Mako leaned forward against his desk, hands folding together. "You know I always got your back. But I'm not just some beat cop anymore, I'm a lieutenant. I have more responsibilities to Republic City, and even if I wanted to take some vacation time to go with you, things are going to be crazy around here for a while with the new chief stepping up now that Beifong retired. Plus, with the Red Lotus attacking world leaders, we have to make sure the president is safe. I'm sorry, but I'm needed here."

"I understand," she said, with an affirmative nod. "It won't be the same without you, you know."

"I know, believe me. But talk to Bolin. I know he'll want to help."

"Yeah, that's actually where we're stopping next."

"Right. 'We'." Mako glanced towards the partially opened door of his office. "That's real encouraging."

Kuvira leaned into view from beyond the doorway. "You do know I'm standing right here, right?"

"Uhhh..." Mako stiffened in his seat. "Sorry?"

Korra chuckled. "Anyway, thanks, Mako. Take care."

"You, too, Korra." He gave a firm nod. "Just make sure you stop this guy."

"We're in," Opal said, with a sharp glare. Anger burned in her eyes—anger infused with inescapable anguish, filtering tears around the edges of her eyes.

"Opal, are you sure you want to do this?" Kuvira asked. "This is the Red Lotus. They're no joke."

"They killed Mom, and kidnapped our family," she replied. Her tone bit with hate, and venom. "I'm not going to sit here waiting, while you go after them. I'm going to be there with you, and I'm going make Zaheer pay for what he did."

Kuvira eased a quiet breath. So much for the airbender oath of non-aggression. Not that she could blame her for it, of course. Opal had every reason in the world to want to go after the Red Lotus and make Zaheer pay.

"Besides," Opal said, "I'm a lot different than you remember, Kuvira. I'm not that timid little girl you grew up with. I'm an airbender, and a damn good one."

"She really is." Bolin leaned in with a smile, pointing at his fiancée excitedly. "You should see her in action, she's amazing! Tenzin even says she might get her tattoos soon, you believe that? She's an airbending master!"

Opal stood straighter, with renewed confidence. "Bolin's right, I am. I can handle myself, and I can handle the Red Lotus just fine."

In the face of her sister's rigid determination, Kuvira found her apprehension melting away, her lips spreading into a warm smile. "You've really grown, Opal. I'm proud of you."

"Thanks." Opal slackened, returning a smile of her own. "That means a lot to hear."

"And you can count me and Pabu in too!" Bolin exclaimed, with an eager pump of his fist. Pabu sat up on his shoulders with a shrill chitter, the fire ferret's posture shifting with a determination to match Bolin's. "No way we're gonna let Zaheer get away with everything he's done. He caused enough problems the first time around. We're with you, Korra."

Korra gave the two an accepting nod. "Alright, we'll give you a call later to fill you in on the details about when we're leaving. Should be soon, so make sure you're ready."

"Believe me," Opal said, steel returning to her gaze, "we will be."

"Korra, what is she doing here?" Tenzin glared beyond the Avatar, towards the Air Temple Island dock. "I thought I told you I didn't want her anywhere near the island."

Korra shifted with an awkward glance over her shoulder. Kuvira waited on the ferry, watching them from the deck of the ship. "I know, I'm sorry, but I needed to see you and she kind of has to come wherever I go, so..." She sighed, turning to Tenzin again. "Look, she's not going to leave the boat, and this will be quick."

The airbending master uttered a single grunt, arms folding. "Very well, what is it you need to speak to me about?"

"It's about what happened in Zaofu."

"Ah..." Tenzin breathed deeply, his gaze lowering towards the ground. "A terrible tragedy, what they did to Suyin. To think that the Red Lotus could have grown so powerful. I fear we underestimated them, and Zaheer. We should have been going after them all these years, rather than assumed they had simply disappeared."

"Well, we're going after them now," Korra said, "and this time we put an end to them for good. I'm not letting them hurt anyone else like they did to Su."

Tenzin lifted his gaze again to look at her, his eyes softening with concern. "And you feel you're ready to face Zaheer again?"

She nodded, retaining her stern demeanor. "I know I am. This won't be like last time. I'm a different person now, but he's the same—same twisted ideals, same desire for chaos. We beat him before, and we'll beat him again. We do need a team to go after him, though. That's actually why I'm here."

"What do you need?"

"I was wondering if there was any way you or the other airbenders might want to join us? We're going to need all the help we can get on this mission, and I can't think of any better than the Air Nation."

"Hmm." Tenzin paused, lifting a hand to stroke his beard while he thought. "I'm afraid most of the Air Nation is spread out across the world helping those in need, and those who are here have already agreed to aid President Raiko in stepping up security around Republic City, should the Red Lotus decide to attack."

Korra tilted her head and sighed. "I guess that makes sense. It would have been nice to have some airbenders along, though. The Air Nation has come a long way in the past eight years."

At this statement, Tenzin grew a warm smile across his face, eyes flickering with joy. "It really has." He hummed out another thoughtful breath and added, "I suppose I could speak to some of the other airbenders and see if—"

"Bum-Ju and I will go!"

"Wha—!" Tenzin jumped at the sound of his brother's voice. He spun around to see the former United Forces commander standing there, a blue dragonfly bunny spirit on his shoulder. "Bumi, where did you come from?"

"From right behind you," he declared. "I've only been standing right here the whole time."

"What?" Tenzin frowned. "No you haven't."

"Well, okay," Bumi said, giving a slightly guilty look. "Maybe the game of catch Bum-Ju and I were playing got a little out of hand. He missed the ball and I had to chase it down the hill, only now I can't find it anywhere. Have you seen it? It's about this big, it's bright red, and it squeaks when you—" Bumi paused when he noticed Tenzin staring at him with a wholly unamused frown. Clearing his throat, he stood straighter and shrugged. "In any case, I got here in time to overhear you two, and I volunteer to go!"

"Are you sure you?" Tenzin said, with a furrowed brow.

"Of course I'm sure!" Bumi smacked his fist into his palm. "This Zaheer guy has gotta be stopped. I haven't forgotten what he did to us back then. Nearly killed me, you, and Kya, the airbenders, Korra, and now with what he's done to Su..." A frustrated, angry breath seethed from his throat. "This is a mission of the utmost importance, and by the spirits I'm gonna be on it." Turning to Korra, he pointed his thumb at himself and stood straight at attention. "Whatever you need from me, Korra, Bum-Ju and I got your back!"

Korra couldn't help but smile at Bumi's enthusiasm. "Thanks, Bumi. We're happy to have you. And you, too, Bum-ju." The dragonfly bunny spirit chirped out a response, rapidly flickering its ears.

"Besides, I know your team could use a regular airbending master to help you take on the Red Lotus!" Bumi added, raising a triumphant fist. "We'll show them just how far the Air Nation has come!"

"Bumi, you're not an airbending master," Tenzin muttered, staring at his brother.

"Well, not technically, no," he said. "But I'm competent, at least."

Tenzin let a defeated sigh, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I'll admit, you've become a fine airbender in these past years. Dad would be proud."

"Well, I like to think Dad would be proud of me even I still couldn't airbend, but thank you, Tenzin. I had a good teacher, you know. At least when you weren't blowing trumpets and yelling at us all day."

Tenzin frowned. "That was one time, Bumi. One time."

"Ha, I know, I'm just yanking your chain." Bumi laughed and nudged his brother in the ribs with an elbow. Turning back to Korra, he gave a military salute. "In any case, you just give the word, Korra, and Commander Bumi is at your service!"

"Former commander," Tenzin said. "You retired eight years ago, remember?"

"Oh, you are such a buzkill."

Korra laughed, and returned a salute of her own. "I'll give you a call soon, Bumi. Thanks again."

"Well of course I'm going." Anraq sat up straighter in his hospital bed, forcing out a grunt of pain. "You think I'm going to pass up a chance to go on a world saving mission with the Avatar? Ha, as if." He chuckled, but had to stop himself short with pained cringe. "But seriously, after what happened in Zaofu, and what the Red Lotus did to Su, I have to go. Besides, I have unfinished business with my cousin."

Kuvira leaned close over the bed, resting a hand gently on his elbow. "Are you sure? You're still not well."

"I'm fine, really." He gave a reassuring thumbs-up, fighting to hide the grimace twisting across his face. A lot of good it did. Try as he might, he couldn't hide his condition sitting there in a hospital bed of all places. Tight bandages wrapped over his chest and shoulder, and every time he moved too quick his body seized with another pained wheeze. "Better than I was, at least."

Kuvira squeezed her fingers against Anraq's elbow, enough to offer reassurance. "I just don't want to see you hurt again."

"Hey, it takes more than a few ice blades to the chest to take me out," he said, with a laugh. His breath cut out with an abrupt cough, forcing him to fall back against the mattress. "I lived, didn't I?"

Kuvira eased a quiet breath. As much as she admired her friend's determination, she admired his loyalty and compassion far more. "Well, if you're sure, I'd be happy to have you with us."

"Me, too." Korra stepped next to the bed and smiled. "You're a great waterbender, Anraq, and an even better friend. You're more than welcome to come with us."

He nodded. "Just say the word. When do we leave?"

"As soon as possible," Korra said. "I think we've asked just about everyone there is now, and we've put together a decent team. All that's left is to make preparations to depart, hopefully by tomorrow."

"Sounds like a plan. I'll be ready."

Korra trudged into the Sato mansion with an exhausted sigh. Her gaze flicked towards the clock on the wall—eleven o'clock. Ugh, no wonder she was so tired. Running around the city recruiting people for the mission had taken long enough, but throw in more meetings with Raiko, and making all the preparations to be sure they'd be ready to leave tomorrow, and the only thing she wanted to do now was collapse into bed for whatever sleep she'd be able to find. As she made her way up the winding stairs, she realized sleep would have to wait, as a familiar figure met her on the second floor balcony.

"Asami?" she said, with a lingering yawn. "What are you still doing up?"

"I couldn't sleep." Asami moved closer, keeping a hand on the railing of the balcony. A pink and purple nightgown hugged her body, tied around her waist with a silken sash. "Decided to wait up for you. Long day?"

"Yeah, you could say that." Korra held a hand to her forehead and heaved a tired sigh. "Been traveling around the entire city today recruiting people for the big mission, then there were meetings, and more planning. I guess it went longer than I thought." Pulling her hand down, she looked to her girlfriend and took a step closer, close enough to slide her hand over Asami's on the railing. "When all's said and done, I think we put together a pretty good team. This time, we're putting a stop to Zaheer and the Red Lotus once and for all."

Asami paused, her lips creasing into a subtle frown. "And you didn't think to ask me?"

"Oh!" Korra blinked, a knot lumping in her throat. "I didn't think—I mean, with how busy you've been lately, and now that you're building that underground train system with Varrick, would you even be able to go?"

"You know I own Future Industries, right? I can pretty much take off whatever time I need, and I do have a pretty competent advisory board that can run things while I'm away." Asami wrapped her hand around Korra's, interlocking their fingers. "So if you think I'm just going to sit home and wait for you, while you're going after Zaheer alone with Kuvira, you're sorely mistaken."

"I'm not exactly alone with her," Korra insisted. "There's a whole team, remember?"

Asami glanced down at the first floor of the mansion, in the direction of the guest wing—the direction of Kuvira.. "You know what I mean. Besides, I know how much you say you're over Zaheer and what he did to you back then, but you still have nightmares."

Korra stiffened, swallowing the knot in her throat. She'd never told Asami about the nightmares. "How'd you know?"

"You talk in your sleep sometimes." Asami focused again on Korra, her gaze shifting with empathy and understanding. "At least when you're having a bad dream. I've heard you. I just never brought it up because I wasn't sure it was something you wanted to talk about."

"Those are just dreams, Asami. I'm fine, really."

Asami tightened the embrace of their fingers, gently rubbing her thumb against the side of Korra's hand. "Yeah, well, I don't know if going after Zaheer again might trigger an episode or something, but I wouldn't forgive myself if I wasn't there for you. So, I'm going."

Korra gazed into her girlfriend's eyes, a calming warmth spreading through her. She smiled and pulled Asami close, slipping a hand around the woman's backside. "There's no one else I'd rather have with me."

"Good," she replied, with a loving smile of her own. "And hey, you're going to need an airship, right? Which means you need a pilot. Who better?"

"Hmm, you do have a point." Korra's smile twisted into a mischievous grin. Her hand slid lower, moving to Asami's rear. "And how would little miss pilot like to fly Air-Korra tonight?"

Asami uttered a small gasp, and giggled with delight. "Well, that is my favorite ride."

Kuvira raised an arm to shield herself from the sun. A massive airship lowered itself into view, docking at the landing zone of Republic City's airfield. Incredible, the sheer size of it—larger than any of the airships in Zaofu. "We're traveling in that?"

"Well, we're going to need plenty of space for everyone," Korra replied, with a smirk. "Besides, there's no rule that says we can't travel in style, right?"

When the airship docked, a gangway extended to the ground. Asami appeared on the ramp moments later, strolling down towards the landing zone with a flip of her hair. "Someone order a fully equipped Future Industries airship?"

"You really love saying that, don't you?" Korra said, making her way to greet her girlfriend.

"Well, I do like to provide." Asami grinned, and pulled Korra in close for a kiss. When she pulled away, she looked back at the airship with a prideful gleam in her eye. "She's all set and ready to go. Just needs passengers."

"We got a call earlier from Lin and Kya," Kuvira said, taking a step forward. She looked back and forth between the other two women, feeling a surge of heat rise into her cheeks when they looked back at her. "They're, uh, on their way now."

"Right..." Asami stared at Kuvira, her previous gleam fading in place of a defensive edge. "That's good, then."

Asami's glare shot a pang of guilt and nausea through Kuvira's core. The pang twisted, knotting itself so tight she forced herself to look away. Five years, and Asami had grown no closer to forgiving her. Hardly unexpected.

"I'm going to double check the engines," Asami said, returning up the gangway. "Have to make sure everything is in order. Let me know when everyone's on board, Korra."

"Uh, yeah, okay." Korra watched her girlfriend disappear aboard the airship, a quiet sigh hissing between her lips.

"She still hates me," Kuvira said. Not a question, but a mere statement of fact. The tension between her and Asami had been so palpable she could have cut it with a plasma saw. No mistaking the look in those eyes, either—anger, loathing, caution.

"She just needs more time," Korra assured. "It's been difficult for her, trying to move on, especially now that you're here."

Kuvira gave a slow nod, letting her gaze sink to the ground. "I understand, believe me."

"Hey, guys!" Bolin came running onto the landing zone, waving his arms to greet them. Opal followed close behind. "We're here, and ready to go!"

Korra smiled, returning a wave. "Bolin, Opal, good to see you." An orange and red blur scurried up Bolin's pant leg, climbing its way onto his shoulders. She grinned, offering the fire ferret a welcoming chuckle. "And you too, Pabu."

Pabu flicked his tail, replying with an excited squeak.

"Everything is ready, so feel free start boarding," Korra said, gesturing to the airship. "Should be plenty of rooms to choose from."

"Thanks, Korra," Opal said, holding a hand to her fiancé's back. "You ready, Bolin?"

"After you." Bolin took a partial bow, and gestured for Opal to go on ahead of him. He followed quickly behind her, both disappearing into the airship.

"Those two are a good match for each other," Kuvira said, with a subtle smile. That smile disappeared moments later, replaced with a guilt-ridden frown. "To think, I almost ruined it for them."

"Hey, don't think like that," Korra said. "Things worked out, and now they're even getting married."

Kuvira held her gaze on the airship entrance, renewed comfort springing into her chest. Leave it to Korra to put her at ease, the way she always did. Her smile returned. "I'm happy for them."

"Commander Bumi, and First Lietuenant Bum-Ju, reporting for duty!" a voice called

Korra turned around to find Bumi standing there with a salute, a duffel bag slung over his shoulder. Bum-Ju fluttered in the air around his head, ears fluttering rapidly to keep the spirit aloft. "Hey, Bumi. Thanks for coming."

"You know I wouldn't miss this," he declared. "All my years in the United Forces have prepared me for this mission, and with all the spirits as my witness, I swear we will take this Red Lotus down."

Kuvira stared at the man, shifting with distant recognition. "You're Tenzin's brother, aren't you?"

"That's me!" Bumi grinned and came closer. His expression shifted, settling on her with a serious stare. "And I know you, Kuvira. Hard to believe I'll be fighting on the same side as one of my former enemies, but if there's anything I've learned over the years it's that a common enemy makes for unlikely friends."

Korra blinked in surprise. "Wow, that's actually pretty insightful, Bumi."

"Well sure, Tenzin isn't the only one who can be deep, you know," Bumi said, with a shrug. "Say, Kuvira, you ever hear about the time I took out an entire encampment of Northern Water Tribe troops with nothing but my trusty flute, a fire ferret, and a polar bear dog?"

"Um, no?"

"Ha, well once we're in the air I'll be sure to tell you all about it! It's one heck of a story. You're in for a real treat!"

Kuvira watched the man head up the ramp. When he was gone, she turned a slow, dead stare towards Korra. "Please don't make me sit next to him."

Korra snickered, stifling herself with a hand pressed over her mouth. "Don't worry, there's plenty of room to avoid him if you want."

A new voice called over her laughter, drawing their attention. "So, this where Team Avatar is taking off?"

Kuvira's expression brightened at the sound of the voice. She spun around, grinning at the waterbender standing there. "Anraq, you made it."

"Of course I made it," he said, taking a slow step towards them. A limp lingered in his stride, but he managed to hold himself upright without cringing in pain. "I said I would, didn't I?"

"You look better," Korra said. "How's the healing going?"

He offered a shrug. "As well as it can be. A few more days and I should be good as new, so long as I keep up my treatments. Not nearly as effective when I have to do it myself, but I'll manage."

"You know, I can probably help you with that," said another voice from behind the group.

"Oh!" Anraq twisted himself around to see Kya standing there, with Lin at her side. "I didn't know you were coming."

Kya chuckled, and gave a firm nudge to Lin's ribs. "Well, I had to make sure someone keeps this old crone in line."

"Old crone?" Lin crossed her arms, glaring at her girlfriend. "You're lucky I love you."

Anraq smiled, holding back his own laugh. "Good to see you, Chief."

"I'm not police chief anymore, Anraq." She gestured down at her armor, noting that she had removed Republic City Police Chief badge from the chest plate. "Handed in my resignation yesterday. You can just call me Lin now."

"Oh, okay. Lin. That actually sounds really weird to say." He frowned, repeating Lin's name a few more times under his breath. Each time he said it, his face contorted, as though calling her anything other than 'Chief' was a crime. With a defeated shrug, he looked back to Kya. "But yeah, that would be great, thanks. No one I'd rather have healing me."

Kya nodded. "I'll have you back to normal by tomorrow, mark my words."

Korra looked around at the group, and then up at the airship. "Looks like that's everyone. We should get on board and get ready for takeoff."

"Hey! Aren't you forgetting someone?"

The sound of a new voice drew confused, awkward glances. Who were they missing? Turning towards where the voice had come from, they found an old woman standing behind them, hunched forward with her hands clasped behind her back, and her gray hair pulled up into a large bun. Her gaze pointed blankly forward, eyes faded with a milky white sheen.

"Mom?" Lin's eyes flared, shock erupting across her face. "What are you doing here?"

"What do you think I'm doing here?" Toph replied, with a grumpy frown. "I'm going after Zaheer with you. Who else is going to make sure you all don't get yourselves killed?"

"But I thought your fighting days were behind you?"

"That was before the Red Lotus made things personal." The old woman sucked in a deep breath through her nose and stepped towards the group. "For what they did to Su, I'll make this Zaheer wish he'd never been born when I get my hands on him."

The shock on Lin's face vanished, shifting with a poorly veiled wave of grief.. "Mom, I'm... I'm sorry."

Toph's gaze lowered to the ground. In spite of her blank, blind eyes, her expression sank in equal measure as her daughter's, broken and barely holding together. "You can be sorry after we deal with Zaheer and get our family back." With a deep breath, she straightened herself again and continued forward. "Until then, stay focused. These Red Lotus aren't pushovers, from what I've gathered."

Lin breathed deep and nodded. "Right. But how did you get here so fast?"

"Who do you think you're talking to?" she replied, with a disbelieving scoff. "I earthbended my way here! Obviously. Left as soon as I saw what happened to your sister through the swamp vines."

Lin huffed a small laugh, managing a weak smile in response. "It'll be good to have you, Mom. Thanks for coming."

"As if you could keep me away."

Korra approached, smiling at the old woman. "It's good to see you again, Toph. We're happy to have your help."

"Nice to see you, too, Korra. In a manner of speaking, of course." She chuckled, turning her head in Korra's general direction. "Feels like you're doing well."

"I am, thank you."

Toph frowned, turning a raised eyebrow turned towards Anraq. "You with the heavy breathing, what's your problem?"

"Huh? Oh, me." Anraq cleared his throat and straightened himself at attention. "No, it's nothing, it's just—you're Toph Beifong."

The blind earthbender deepened her frown. Not so much annoyed as she was confused, the way her brow twisted. "Yes, I know who I am. What about it?"

Anraq heaved a deep breath, physically shuddering with delight. "I'm a really big fan, and it's just—it's amazing to finally meet you. Really."

Lin rolled her eyes, letting her face fall into her palm. "Oh, here we go again."

"What is it with all these fanboys I keep running into?" Toph asked. "Did I accidentally start a cult and nobody told me about it?"

"Oh, no, I just read all about your adventures with Avatar Aang and your friends," Anraq insisted. "Those stories were a huge inspiration to me when I was younger. Oh spirits, I can't believe I'm actually meeting you."

"Uh huh. Well, pull yourself together. We have a job to do, and you're not going to be much help if you're tripping over yourself at the sight of an old woman."

"Oh, right. Yes. Sorry, ma'am."

"Well, what are we all just standing around for?" Toph pushed past the group and marched up the gangway. "Let's get this show on the road already!"