We're back on the next chapter.
REMINDER: I DO NOT OWN LEGEND OF KORRA OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS.
P'Li's prison cell, where P'Li is breathing out cold air. The surface, where Tonraq, Desna, and Eska are standing outside P'Li's prison waiting for Lord Zuko and Druk's return. Druk lands on the ground heavily.
"Did you see Zaheer and Azula?" Tonraq asked.
"The only thing I saw was a snowstorm heading our way." Zuko said.
Tonraq tares at the snowstorm ahead. "That's not a snowstorm. That's him."
Tonraq and the group begins running toward the snowstorm Zaheer created to cover his snowcat. Zaheer continuously airbends to provide his group with some cover. The snowcat jumps out and Zaheer, Azula and Ming-Hua jumps off the snowcat afterward, running toward Tonraq's group.
"I put you away once, Zaheer, and I'm going to do it again!" Tonraq determined.
Tonraq waterbends a punch and an ice block at Zaheer, who dodges both attacks. Tonraq attacks Zaheer again, and he manages to dodge it again before sweeping Tonraq over.
Azula stands towards Zuko. "Hello, Zuzu. Did you miss me? My, you look old." Azula taunts.
"And you're the same as before." Zuko said. "Let's fight like me did a long time ago."
Azula smiles and assumes an awkward fighting stance. She spins and sends a sudden blast of blue fire toward Zuko. Zuko brings his hands up and jumps forward, bringing his arms down in front of him. He bends a flame in each hand and they emerge. He sends the fire toward Azula. A wall of fire, blue colliding with red, take form. As the wall begins to die, Azula leaps up on a jet of fire and kicks her legs forward, sending a wave of fire from her feet during each of her three spinning kicks. Ghazan joins the fight.
Desna and Eska begin attacking Ming-Hua with multiple ice shards at a rapid pace, which Ming-Hua dodges. The twins create a field of iceberg spikes, but Ming-Hua maneuvers through them with her water arms before she freezes the pair in ice blocks. She jumps up and breaks the ice on the ground with her waterbending before she glides down to P'Li's cell. A White Lotus sentry firebends at her, but she counters back, defeating him with little trouble. Another sentry attempts to waterbend at Ming-Hua, but she quickly strikes him. She freezes P'Li's prison cell's door, causing it to fall off of its hinges.
"Ming-Hua." P'Li said. "Let's get you out of here." Ming-Hua said.
Ming-Hua waterbends the metal chains which restrains P'Li. P'Li stands up, removing the cuff on her forehead, revealing her "third eye" tattoo. She clings onto Ming-Hua's back, who uses two ice axes to climb P'Li and herself up to the surface.
"We could have just taken the elevator." Ming-Hua continues to climb in silence. "Show-off."
After the two of them reach the surface, Druk firebends at them. P'Li redirects the fire.
"God, I've waited thirteen years to feel this warm." P'Li said before she easily tames the fire before using her combustion ability to blast the dragon away.
Lord Zuko dodging a rock from Ghazan and a lightning from Azula, and retaliating with his firebending, before dodging again for another strike. Ghazan deflects Lord Zuko's blast before using a rock to strike Lord Zuko down.
"Aww, and I was having so much fun." Azula said in disappointment.
"Sorry about that." Ghazan said with a smirk.
Tonraq tries to attack Zaheer, but the airbender continues dodging the blows. The fight ends with P'Li using her combustion on Tonraq. Azula and the criminals make their escape; Lord Zuko staring at their snowcat as it departs. In the snocart Zaheer and P'Li embracing.
"I thought I'd never see you again." P'Li said.
"I've never doubted it." Zaheer said before he kisses P'Li while Ghazan glares at them. "Really. Right now?" The truck leaves without a trace.
Meanwhile, at Mako and Bolin's extended family's household.
Tu opens the entrance door. "I've got them. These passports should get you into the Upper Ring."
"Awesome! Tu, you're the best cousin that I can have." Bolin said as the rest of the family looks on with saddened looks. "And my other cousins as well. Yeah. Yeah, you're all the best."
Mako takes the passports. "Thanks. I know this wasn't easy."
"It's such a shame you two must leave so soon." Yin said.
"I wished we could stay. But if it's true the Earth Queen is forcing airbenders into her army, we have to do something about it." Mako said.
"I love you both. Come visit again." Yin said before she hugs her long lost grandsons, who hug her back.
"We will, Grandma." Mako said with a smile.
"I love you too, Grandma." Bolin said. "And Uncle Chow, and Tu, and Meng-Meng, and Chow Jr., there is Big Tee and Little Tee, and Medium Yu, and... and... and what was your name again?"
Meanwhile, at Team Avatar's residence, where Korra punches a protective glove in anger. She is attacking Asami in combat attire.
"I know that Earth Queen is lying to me! I can tell by that stupid little queenly smirk of hers! I can't believe I helped her. I should have known she was using me!"
Asami counter-attacks, which she dodges. Korra rises with airbending and attacks Asami with an air kick, knocking off one of her protective gloves.
"Hey, damn, I think I can use a break. You letting off steam is starting to, hurt. A lot." Asami said before she unstraps her other glove.
"Sorry." Korra apologizes.
"I think you might be right, Korra. I can feel something about her." Raava's imprint said.
"Me, too. I don't trust her. She's obviously hiding something." Vaatu's imprint said.
Pabu chitters and run forward. The ladies turn to see Mako and Bolin running toward them, panting.
"Mako. Bolin. You're okay. Where have you been?" Asami said.
Bolin is catching his breath. "We chased Kai. Train. Slipped away. Lower Ring. Slept in trash pile. Met our family. Grandma tears. Mako scarf." He throws Pabu onto his head, mimicking Hou-Ting's royal headgear. "Earth Queen. Lying. Possibly working for aliens." He slumps onto the floor.
"Working for aliens?" Vaatu's and Raava's imprints asked. Can you interpret that?" Asami asked.
"The Earth Queen's been secretly taking away airbenders and forcing them into her army. And I heard rumours that she might be working for some aliens." Mako answered.
"She was lying. I knew it! I swear, the next time I see her…" Korra tries to say angrily.
"Oh, shit, it's the Queen." Asami whispers.
Korra softens and looks at the Queen, who is carried in a sedan.
Bolin opens his outer shirt. "Quick! Pabu. Shirt." Pabu jumps in, chittering in protest. "I know. Sorry. Kinda sweaty."
"Good. You're here. Gun, tell them the news." the Queen ordered.
"We've received word from the Yang Province. There have been reports of airbenders there."
"Wonderful, isn't it? It's the very thing you've been looking for." Hou-Ting said.
"Thank you! That is just the most wonderful news. Ever. Yay." Korra sarcastically.
"So, I assume you, your two Avatar Spirits, and your friends here will be staying here for, shall we say, 16 weeks." She sneezes repeated with unease. To Gun, struggling to breathe. "Is there an animal in my presence?"
"N-no, Your Majesty. I would never allow an animal near you." Gun said nervously.
Bolin folds his arms innocently. Pabu's tail pops out of his shirt. Shocked, Bolin clasps his arms around the tail and runs off.
Hou-Ting sneezes. "If I find one within fifty feet of me, it's your head. Anyway, if you need any assistance packing by the end of the 16 weeks, let Gun know. He'll see to it that you're on your way by evening."
"Uhh, this evening? I'm not sure about leaving so soon…"
"Because our airship is having engine trouble. It'll take me until tomorrow to finish the repairs." Asami said.
Hou-Ting continues sneezing. "Good, I'll have Gun to write down what food you would like by tonight." Gun walks off, and the Queen follows, sneezing onto his sleeve.
"Thanks for buying us some time." Korra said.
Inside Team Avatar's residence where everyone is having a meeting.
"I can't believe the Earth Queen is conscripting airbenders." Tenzin said.
"Those people should not be forced to join an army!" Korra said.
"We'll find away to save them." Mako said before he places his hand on Korra's shulder.
"DON'T touch me, damn it!" Korra snapped before she slaps Mako's hand. "Hey, I was trying to be suppertive!" Mako is about to snap at Korra.
"Man, would you two shut the hell up?" Vaatu snapped. "We have to stop her."
"Well, technically, the Earth Queen has a right to conscript her citizens." Everyone stares at Bumi silently. "What? It's true."
"Guys, what if Kai was spotted airbending? He might have been taken, too." Jinora said in a worried look.
"Probably not. He's surprisingly difficult to catch, like a… like a little, greased hog-monkey." Bolin said.
"Bolin, are you sure the Queen is working for aliens?" Raava asked before Bolin nodded.
"But, what if he was taken?"
"Don't worry, Jinora. We'll find him. We just need to figure out where to look." Korra said.
"I bet they're under Lake Laogai." Everyone stares at him. "What? I've been reading some of Jinora's books. The old Dai Li agents used to have a secret fortress beneath the lake."
"Vaatu, could you tell 'Mr. I-Broke-The Avatar's-Heart' I said that is the stupidest theory he came up with?" Korra said sarcastically in anger.
"Vaatu, could you tell her I said 'bite me'?"
"For God's sake, I said shut up." Vaatu snapped.
"No, Mako's right!" Jinora said. "It's the perfect spot to hide airbenders, and I know how to check it out without being caught. I can project my spirit into it!"
"You mean that out-of-body thing you did to help Korra show Vaatu the true meaning of love?" Bumi asked.
"You can still do that?" Tenzin asked.
"It's not as powerful as it was during Harmonic Convergence, but if I can get close enough, I think I can do it."
"Let's go get Kai out. Let's get all the airbenders out." Korra said.
Later, at the Dai Li fortress, where the airbenders are standing in pairs, one on either side. A Dai Li sergeant approaches.
"You are the property of the Earth Kingdom. You will become the Earth Queen's elite fighting force and protect her at all cost. It is your duty to serve the Earth Queen and her masters, the Witches of Witchvainya."
Two airbenders attack their opponents, at the other side, where they redirect the attacks and counter, knocking them off. Kai redirects his opponents blast and prepares to attack fiercely.
"Go easy on me! I'm not that good." an airbender said.
Kai throws out a weak blast, which the young airbender easily dodges. Both smile at each other.
"Never show mercy! Now attack your opponent, and this time, like you mean it!" the Dai Li sergeant said sternly.
Kai throws a strong blast, easily knocking Yung out. "Sorry."
"A soldier never apologizes to his enemy!"
"I'm not a soldier!" Kai yelled. "You will be when I'm through with you." the Dai Li sergeant said coldly.
Meanwhile, Oogi approaching Lake Laogai, then to an island in the middle of the lake, where Jinora is in a meditative stance.
"If anything goes wrong, come back immediately." Tenzin said. "I will." Jinora said.
As Tenzin walks off, Jinora prepares to meditate. Pan to the underground fortress, which is flooded, where Jinora's ghostly spirit appears. She fades off and scans two more areas, before returning to her body.
"What happened? What did you see?" Korra asked.
"The airbenders aren't there! It's completely deserted." Jinora said.
"They're not down there?" Tenzin asked.
"Jinora, you've read all about Ba Sing Se. Can you think of any other places the airbenders might be?" Korra asked.
"I guess they could be in the catacombs beneath the Upper Ring, or the ancient sewers beneath the Lower Ring, or the maze of tunnels that connect the rings together, or they could be…"
"Wow, there are just too many places." Vaatu said. "Don't interrupt, Vaatu." Raava said.
"There has to be another way to locate them." Tenzin said.
"Maybe there is. How did you find me and Raava fighting Vaatu in my body and mind during Harmonic Convergence?" Korra asked.
"I don't know. I just kind of focused on your energy. I think our spiritual connection led me to you." Jinora answered.
"Maybe you can find Kai the same way. I know you two have a connection." Korra said.
Tenzin is concerned. "What do you mean 'a connection'?"
"A crush, that's what." Vaatu said. "Can you talk to him in the place he might me, Jinora."
"I don't know, Vaatu. But I'll try." Jinora said.
She returns to meditating. The fortress, where the Dai Li sergeant bends multiple earth discs to the airbenders, who attempt to block it with airbending. Only Kai was able to block the attack. The sergeant bends out more earth discs, and Kai blocks the attack meant for the young airbender.
"Thanks." the young airebender said.
"You again?! If you have time to help your friend, then you're not getting enough rocks for yourself!"
The sergeant attacks Kai with multiple discs. Kai managed to deflect the first two, dodge the next two, but was subsequently struck by the fifth and knocked down.
"I guess you're not as good as you thought." the sergeant said.
Kai attempts to attack the sergeant with an air blast, which he easily dodges. The sergeant immobilizes him in an earth shell.
"Throw him in the hole!"
Two Dai Li agents grab Kai and throw him into a prison cell. Kai looks away sadly before Jinora's ghostly spirit appears, shocking him.
"Jinora?"
"It worked!" Jinora said.
"How are you here right now?" Kai asked.
"Shh, quiet. It's a high-level airbender move. With a little spiritual stuff thrown in."
Kai breathes a sigh of relief. "At first, for a second there, I thought you were a ghost."
Jinora chuckles. "It's good to see you. We've been looking for you and the other airbenders. We're going to get you all out of here. Where are we anyway?"
"Underground somewhere. Other than that, I don't have a clue." Kai said.
"I'll figure it out. Don't worry." Jinora said.
"Jinora, thanks."
Jinora smiles and travels upward. The surface, where she looks back to see the temple.
"The Earth Queen's Temple!"
Back to Team Avatar's residence.
"I can't believe Miss Queeny Smug Face had them right under our noses the whole time!"
"But why would she want you to stay here?" Vaatu asked.
"If it's true she's working for aliens, what do they want from you and us." Raava asked.
"We have to get into that compound tonight and get those airbenders out." Tenzin said.
"All right. We go in under the cover of darkness: two small insertion teams and a third on the outside. Then all we'll need is twelve tons of blasting jelly, a medium-sized bulldozer and... does anyone have a badgermole that knows Morse code?"
"Jesus, Bumi." Tenzin said in annoyance.
There is a knock at the door. "Oh great, not the Queen again." Asami said.
"Everyone, act natural." Korra said. "And Bolin…"
"I'm on it!" Bolin said before he opens his outer shirt. Pabu chitters in protest. "What? Hey, I'm not sweaty this time!" Pabu jumps in, and wiggles around.
Tenzin glances at others and opens the door. Lin, Dr. Franceschini walks in. A third person came with them. He has purple skin, a red coat, a black and white hair, black chin beard, a red bowtie, a green vest, and white trousers and boots.
Tenzin gets surprised. Lin? Dallas? P.T? What are you three doing here?
"We need to get Korra out of here immediately. Her life's in danger." Beifong answered.
"What?! What's going on? And who's he?" Korra asked before the purple skinned man walks towards her.
"Professor P.T. Diogenes, PHD, DDS, FYI, IOU, Doctor of Phrenology & Physiology, Board Certified & Bored Stiff, Fortune Teller, Master Mechanic, and Gray Area Canasta Champion. The greatest warlock in the Netherworld. And a dear old friend of Tenzin and Dallas. Pleasure to meet you, Avatar Korra. And two of the Spirits known to man."
"We just got word from Lord Zuko and Tonraq." Lin said.
"Why is Lord Zuko with my dad?" Korra asked.
"Zaheer and the others have escaped. And Azula is working with them." Dr. Franceschini answerd.
"WHAT?! How is that possible?" Tenzin asked in shock.
"Because Zaheer is an airbender now." Professor Diogenes said.
"No...
Korra is getting impatient and exasperated. "All right, hold on a goddamn minute! Will you quit ignoring me and tell me what's going on? Who's Zaheer? Why is my life in danger And how did Azula escaped from prison?"
Tenzin has exchanges glances with Lin, Dallas and the Professor, and approaches Korra. "Shortly after we found out you were the Avatar, Zaheer and three others attempted to kidnap you. Luckily, your father, Lord Zuko, Chief Sokka and I were there to stop them. We apprehended the criminals and locked them away in prisons designed to impair their abilities."
"So that's why you and my dad sheltered me away." Korra said.
"It was for your own safety." Dallas said.
"Why were they trying to kidnap Korra?"
"We spent thirteen years interrogating them, but they never broke. To this day, no one knows what their motive was. We don't know how they formed alliance with Azula, but we'll find out what she's up to. Now we need to get you back to Republic City, where I, Dallas, and P.T can protect you." Lin said.
"You may call me 'Phill or Ted", Korra. The P.T stands for Phillip Theodore." Diogenes said.
"Phill, not now! Moron." Dallas said. "Putz." Phill muttered while crossing his arms.
"No... I'm not running."
"Korra, you don't understand. These criminals are like nothing you've ever faced before." Lin said.
"Look, I'm not a little kid anymore. You don't need to protect me. I came here for one thing: To find airbenders. And I'm not leaving without them."
"Fine. Let's get them and get out of here." Lin said.
"Where are they, Korra?" Dr. Franceschini asked.
"In a military compound, and we're busting them out." Korra answered.
Meanwhile, at the temple at night, where two royal guards are on patrol when they run into Jinora. "Hi."
"Hey! What are you doing here?" the first guard asked.
"Oh, it's just that little airbender girl who came with the Avatar of the Balance. You shouldn't be walking around here all alone." the second guard said.
"I'm not alone." Jinora said before Korra, Bolin, Bumi, Tenzin, and Mako in their fighting stances. The guards get knocked out and tied up.
Team Avatar entered the temple. They enter a doorway to hide from patrolling Dai Li agents.
"Bumi and Korra, come with me to find the airbenders. You three, find Kai. We'll meet on the surface shortly. Radio us if anything goes wrong." Tenzin said.
Team Avatar head their separate ways. At the prison cell, where Korra opens the door, awakening the airbenders.
"What's going on? Who are you?" an airbender said.
"I'm the Avatar of the Balance, and I'm getting you all out of here."
"Everyone, please! You must stay calm and quiet if we want this to work." Tenzin said.
"What to work? [We're sneaking out?" a female airbender asked,
"Yes, and we must leave now." Korra said.
"We're going to get you away from the Earth Queen and out of the city." Tenzin said.
Everyone begins to run out of the prison. A airebender named Yung stops to talk to Tenzin and Korra outside of its entrance.
"There's an airbender that's not here. His name is Kai. We need to get him."
"We're already taking care of it." Tenzin said.
Bumi is crouching down low and speaking into a walkie-talkie. "Topside, this is Papa Bear. The breezies are in the hold; cue the balloons!"
"What? Are you in trouble, Bumi?" Diogenes asked in the walkie-talkie.
"No, Phill! We've got the airbenders and we're headed out! No one likes code names anymore." Bumi said sadly.
"Copy that. Asami, Dallas, Phill and I are on our way." Lin said.
Asami, Phill, Dallas and Lin pilot their respective airships and take off. Oogi rises and follows the airships. At Kai's prison, as the door opens, and Kai looks up.
"Come on. We're getting you out." Mako said.
"Kai!" Jinora runs and hugs him, than kisses him on the cheek; Kai smiles in a frozen stance.
"Whoa! Vaatu was right about her having a crush on Kai. Tenzin's not gonna be happy about this!" Bolin said.
"Then I don't we should tell him." Mako suggested. "How can I not? This is too juicy!" Bolin said.
"Thanks for coming to get me. I'm really sorry about stealing your wallets, and running away, and getting you stuck on that train."
Bolin sighs and goes to hug Kai. "We can't stay mad at you."
"Yes, we can! I had a lot of money in that wallet!"
"Guys, come on!" Jinora said.
They run down the hall and turn a corner, but the rest of their path is blocked by three Dai Li agents.
"Deserting Her Majesty's army is high treason. Punishable by death!" The agents simultaneously bend rock gloves at the trio.
Meanwhile, Korra behind a wall. She stares at the courtyard outside the temple. "Come on! It's clear." she said.
They run out, not noticing Dai Li agents hiding on the structure of the temple, who quickly surround them.
"So, you've discovered my elite army. I see their loyalty still needs some work." Hou-Ting said evilly.
"These airbenders shouldn't be used as weapons! They have a right to choose their own paths." Korra said.
"These airbenders are Earth Kingdom citizens, and I am their queen. Taking them will constitute an act of war. If you disobey me, I will bear down on you with the entire force of my kingdom! And with you in my dungeon, Meldora will be pleased."
"Who's Meldora?" Tenzin demanded. "Wouldn't you like to know?" the Queen asked coldly.
"They're leaving with me!" Korra determined.
"Oh, no, they're not. And neither are you."
Hou-Ting turns and walks away, and the first row of Dai Li agents begins bending rock gloves at Team Avatar and the airbenders. All of the airbenders begin bending blasts of air back at the Dai Li, attempting to hold their ground while the airship ladder lands to give them a lift.
"Come on!" Bumi said.
Kai, Jinora, Mako, and Bolin are still fighting the three agents. Mako avoids a rock glove, and he and Bolin fire attacks back at the agents, who successfully evade Mako's attack. However, one of them is knocked against the wall by an earth pillar sent by Bolin. Another agent charges and receives the same fate. Mako firebends at the last remaining agent, who stops the blast with an earth pillar. He sends a rock glove spiraling quickly at Jinora, and manages to capture her into his grip. Kai's face with a look of shock, followed by anger. He charges at the agent, avoiding a boulder sent his way, and fires two air bending blasts to knock the agent backward and free Jinora.
Kai is standing over the grunting agent. "I guess I am as good as I thought."
At the airship, as two final airbenders enter. Lin and Dallas in the control room, listening to the walkie-talkie.
"Everyone's in. Let's go!" Bumi said.
Professor Diogeses throws a potion from window of the airship, and the potion lands on three of the Dai Li agents, turning them into frogs. "Magic Transformation Potion!" he shouts.
Tenzin and Korra are firing air blasts at Dai Li agents attempting to climb the temple and stop the escape. Tenzin whistles for his bison.
"Oogi!" Tenzin beckoned.
Tenzin and Korra jump on and Oogi begins to fly away, as the Earth Queen looks on.
"Take down those airships! And I need the Avatar of the Balance alive for the Supreme Witch!" Hou-Ting ordered before the agents begin bending rocks at the bison, and one narrowly misses Korra's head.
"Where are the others?" Korra wondered.
Bolin, Mako, Jinora and Kai running down the temple steps.
Bolin screams at the top of his lungs. "We need help!"
Dai Li agents rise to new heights on earth pillars, and begin firing down at the escapees. Korra steers Oogi away from the airship.
"Everybody, hang on."
Bolin sends himself and his allies into the air with an earth pillar, as Oogi flies over to break their fall.
"Whoa, that was awesome!" Kai said in amazed.
the Earth Queen points at Oogi and the airship flying off in the distance. Pieces of Oogi's fur fall onto her face.
"Bring me those airships now!" She sneezes. Oh, get it off me!" She sneezes again. "Get this fur off my…" She sneezes for a third time; looks disgruntled as her hat falls crooked and covers part of her face.
Oogi and the airships fully escaping. the airships are landing near ruins atop a range of hills in the desert. Tenzin, Dallas, Korra and the two Avatar Spirits are standing before the airbenders.
"I know that none of you chose to become airbenders. But now you do have a choice. We can relocate you somewhere safe, or you can come with me to the Northern Air Temple, to live in peace and train as Air Nomads. You are no longer anyone's property. What path you decide is up to you." Tenzin said.
"I want to go with you." Yung said. "Me, too." an airbender said. "Count me in." another airbender said.
As more airbenders agree to go with Tenzin, tears form in his eyes as he smiles while Raava and Vaatu watches him.
"He seems happy, Raava." Vaatu said. "He is." Raava agreed.
"Good luck at the Northern Air Temple. I'll send more airbenders your way when I find them." Korra said.
"Be careful out there. Stay safe." Tenzin said.
"I'll try. Seems like wherever I go, I make a new enemy." Korra said.
"But you made some new friends, too." Raava said.
"You made a great Avatar of the Balance." Vaatu said.
"You did well, Korra." Tenzin said before he and Korra hugged.
"This is only the beginning." Korra said.
The airship and Oogi, simultaneously rising and flying off in different directions.
Meanwhile, at Meldora's castle, where Hou-ting's hologram stood there, and Meldora gets angry when she heard the news.
"YOU INCOMPITANT, SPOILLED EARTH CREATURE! You let her escape?!"
"But, I-I'll find her, Your Witchyness. I'll hire bounty hunters. I'll have my guards put her on a wanted poster." Hou-Ting said in fear.
"What is the point of you working for me?!" Meldora asks before the Earth Queen's hologram turns off. "It's obvious, I couldn't give the job to a tyrannical queen like her. No matter. Azula and those Red Lotus can handle it."
"Madame, what will become of the Earth Queen?" Magina asked.
"She won't survive my invasion. Once this planet is mine, the entire galaxies, universes, and multiverses are mine to rule." Meldora said before she laughs loudly and evilly.
Next chapter will come soon.
Review if you enjoyed the story.