We're back on the next chapter.
REMINDER: I DO NOT OWN LEGEND OF KORRA OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS.
At the Upper Ring of Ba Sing Se, covered with fire. An airship takes off. A man stole the Earth Queen's luxurious vase. Another man stole her painting, while people were running.
"My God, I can't believe it! The Upper Ring is in chaos!" Mako said in disbelief.
"Don't try to stop us; we're taking back what's ours." a looter said.
"Stop you?" A Royal Earthbender Guard takes off his helmet. "I'm gonna join you. I know where the good stuff is." The group runs off.
The looters runs past Mako and Bolin.
"Should we do something?" Bolin asked.
"This isn't our battle. We have to deliver Azula and Zaheer's message to Korra immediately." Mako said.
"Right. Okay, find Korra, deliver message. Yeah, this should be easy. We just got to get out of the city and get to the desert, then somehow find her in the vast expansive wasteland that goes on for thousands, and thousands, of miles. This isn't gonna be easy."
Mako sees a flying airship. "We need an airship."
The brothers run to the docking bay and enter an airship, where looters are stealing airship components.
"Excuse me, may I have your attention please? I'm with the Republic City Police and I need to commandeer this airship to help the Avatar of the Balance."
The looters listens to Mako, but resume their activities, oblivious to the brothers.
"Let me give it a shot. Hey, the Queen's gold's on the third floor of the palace, second door on the right!" Bolin shouts.
The looters listens in delight and run out; Bolin smugly to Mako. "You just got to know how to talk to 'em, bro." The brothers ran to the controls.
"What, they took everything. I mean, who rips out a transmission radio?" Mako asked bluntly.
"Some folks just do not have respect for other people's property. Now let's steal this airship!"
"You know how to fly this thing?" Mako asked.
"Technically speaking, no." Bolin answered. "But, c'mon, how hard could it be?"
A glass lens falls off the control. Bolin confidently pushes a lever with his right hand, causing the airship to skid forward across the airstrip as citizens scatter.
"Up! Up!"
"I don't see any up button. I see levers and switches, oh, there it is." Bolin said before the airship rises.
The airship flies above Ba Sing Se, which is engulfed with flames.
"The whole city is falling to pieces." Mako said.
"Mako, our family's down there." Bolin said worriedly.
Mako takes over the controls. "Move over, we're getting them out."
"Oh, you think just because you dated Asami, you know how to fly this better than me?"
"Yeah. Pretty much it." Mako replied.
Mako pilots the airship above their paternal family's house and opens the hatch.
Once the brothers arrive, Bolin slides down the hatch, enters the home via the window, and discovers the family still in the house with no apparent attempts at leaving.
"Bolin? What are you doing here?" Cow asked.
"I came to get you guys out. This whole block is about to go up in flames. Come on, Mako and I have an airship on the roof."
"We can't. Grandma won't go." Tu said.
"This place is my whole world. I will not leave!" Yin said stubbornly before she walks up to Bolin. "Oh, but I'm so glad my little Bolin has come back to visit. Sit down, would you like some tea?"
Smoke seeps through the door behind. "Grandma, we don't have time for tea." Bolin said.
"Mom, please!" Chow begged.
"No! I can't abandon the place where I raised my family. It's my home." Yin said obstinately.
"Grandma, there's one thing Mako and I've learned from all our years on the street. It doesn't matter where you go. If you have your family with you, you'll always be at home."
"I'm not going." Yin said firmly.
"Fine!" Bolin slings his grandmother over one shoulder. "You leave me no choice. We're rolling out!"
"Wait." Yin takes the portrait of Hou-Ting. "Okay, let's go!"
Bolin walks out of the house. The entire family climbs up to the airship. The airship leaves the house before the fire consumes everything.
"Thanks for getting us out of there. I mean, I probably could have handled it myself if you guys didn't show up, but, thanks." Tu said.
Yin hangs the portrait of Hou-Ting. "May she rest in peace. This airship is nice. Is it our new home?"
"No, Grandma. I'm not sure where we're gonna take you, but right now, we need to find Korra." Mako said.
"Did something happen to the Avatar?" Chow asked.
Mako pulls out a map and opens it. "I'm afraid so. Her airship went down somewhere in the desert. She was coming from a military base near the Misty Palms Oasis and heading to Ba Sing Se. If we retrace her route back to the base, we should find the wreckage."
Meanwhile, at Si Wong Desert at daybreak as everyone in the airship inspect the desert, looking for the wreckage. Some soon become bored and tired.
"Guys, it's the wreckage!" Tu said. Mako and Bolin walk up to their cousin. "I found it! There!"
"That's a Ba Sing Se airship, all right. But where's the rest of it?" Mako asked.
"I don't know. But there's some tracks." Bolin said.
The airship follows the tracks created by the sand-sailer. Outside the Misty Palms Oasis where Druk was resting, but flies off upon seeing the airship land heavily.
"See, I told you. Landing is hard." Bolin said.
The Misty Palms Oasis where numerous spirits have gathered around the iceberg. The family walks up to the iceberg.
"Spirits!" a female relative said.
"Okay, guys. We think Korra found her way back here." Bolin said before Pabu crawls onto his shoulder. "Now let's split off into teams and scour the town. Yes, we'll need your help too, Pabu, now just give me a second while I… wait, Pabu? Pabu!" Bolin hugs his pet while laughing in joy.
"Why is Bolin hugging that big rat? Eww, now he's kissing it!" Yin said in disgust.
Bolin kisses Pabu. "I'm never gonna let you go again!"
"Guys, look out! Giant dog beast thingy!" Tu shouts out.
The relatives all scatter, leaving Mako alone, while Naga pounces atop him, licking him.
"Okay, all right, Naga. It's good to see you, too. Gah! Stop! You're licking my mouth." Mako pushes Naga away, spitting in disgust.
Korra and Asami run out of the cantina. "Asami! Korra!"
"You guys are okay!" Mako said.
Bolin and Mako runs forward, hugging Asami and Korra respectively. Korra was slightly taken aback by the hug, but returns the favour.
Mako stops hugging Korra; awkwardly. "Sorry. I was just… It's so good to see you."
"It's really good to see you, too. Both of you." Korra said.
"Good. You guys aren't dead." Lin said.
"Don't get all mushy on me, Chief." Mako said before he bows. "Tonraq. Sir." Tonraq nods to him.
Bolin slides toward Lord Zuko. "Oh my God, it's Lord Zuko! I can't believe it." He tries to suppress his laughs of excitement.
"Uhm, forgive my brother. We're just really honoured to meet you, sir." Mako and Bolin bow in respect to Zuko.
Zuko bows back. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well."
Yin walks up to Asami. "You must be the Avatar." she said before Asami smiles awkwardly. "Mako told me so much about you. You are even more beautiful than I imagined."
Mako leads Korra to his grandmother. "Uh, actually, that's Asami. This is Avatar Korra. Korra, this is my grandma, Yin."
Yin holds Korra by the hand. "You are very muscular for a woman."
"Um, thanks. You, too?" Korra said.
"What lovely young women. Mako, why aren't you dating any nice girls like them?" Yin asked before Korra and Asami grimace and smile in awkwardness.
"Well, him and Korra, a breakup problem. But I told them to think about it." Vaatu's Imprint said. "I'm Vaatu, by the way."
"And I'm Raava." Raava's imprint said.
Yin shakes raava and Vaatu's tenticles. "Pleasure to meet you two." she said nicely.
"Uh, so what happened to you two? Where have you been?" Asami asked.
"We were captured by Azula and Zaheer and taken to Ba Sing Se. We were there when the Earth Queen was overthrown."
"What? How did you escape?" Korra asked.
"They let us go." Mako said.
"What? Why would they do that?" she asked again.
"Because they wanted us to find you and deliver a message." Bolin said.
"They're headed to the Northern Air Temple as we speak. He said he's gonna wipe out the new Air Nation and everyone in it. Unless you turn yourself over to him.
Korra listens to the news in disbelief and worry.
"My God." Raava's imprint said. "Oh, shit." Vaatu's imprint said worried.
"Zaheer, Azula and those witches are threatening innocent lives just to get to me." Korra said.
"They could be bluffing." Tonraq said.
"They already taken out the Earth Queen. I don't think he bluffs." Mako said.
"We need to radio Tenzin and warn him that the Red Lotus is coming." Korra said.
"I agree. Unfortunately, we don't have a radio on the airship." Mako said.
"There's a portable radio on the jeep, but the signal will never make it to the Northern Air Temple." Phil said.
"We need to get to a place that has a strong radio transmitter. The Metal Clan will have one." Lin said.
"Let's go. We'll radio Su on the way. Hopefully she can get a hold of Tenzin at the air temple by the time we get to Zaofu." Korra said.
At Zaofu, where the airship and Druk approach the dock. Team Avatar dismounts with Suyin and two Metal Clan escort awaiting them.
"Did you have any luck getting through to Tenzin?" Lin asked.
Suyin starts worrying. "No one's answering. What if Zaheer and Azula had already up there? I should never have let Opal go."
"It's going to be okay, Su." Lin said.
"I hope so." Suyin said.
Meanwhile, at the radio room, where a radio operator adjusts the controls.
"We have a strong signal, but no one's answering."
Korra gets impatient. "I can't just sit around here while a madman is on his way to the Northern Air Temple with that psychotic princess. We have to do something."
"I'll ready my airship. With a full force of the Metal Clan security backing us, we can take them." Suyin said before she leaves the room.
"We'll never make it up there before Zaheer and Azula." Mako said.
"There might be another way to stop him. It's a long shot, but Zaheer is always meditating into the Spirit World. And I know exactly where he goes: Xai Bau's Grove. If I can find him there, maybe I could somehow trap him." Korra said
"We can't protect you in there. I don't like it." Lin said.
"Raava and Vaatu are with me. I'll be fine. I have to try." Korra said.
"If Zaheer messes with Korra, he messes with us." Vaatu's imprint said.
"And he'll regret it." Raava's imprint said.
"I'll watch over her as she meditates." Asami said.
"I guess, in the meantime, Mako and I will stay here and try to get through to the temple." Bolin said.
"We'll help Su ready the airship." Lin said.
"May the Avatar Force be with you." Bolin said.
Korra, Asami and Tonraq walk out of the room, leaving the brothers alone with their grandmother.
"I'm going to take a nap." Yin said.
At the garden, where Korra meditates, crossing over to the empty Xai Bau's Grove.
"Zaheer! Come out! Face me! Leave the airbenders out of this!" Korra demanded.
Vaatu notices Avatar Aang appeared. "Aang? What are you doing here?
"Well, I just thought I'd might give Korra some guidance." Aang said before he notices Korra's troubled expression. "You look troubled."
"I am." Korra said in a troubled tone.
Yeah, and I hate to admit, but I'm scared of aliens and witches now." Vaatu said.
"This is not what we expected." Raava said.
"Sit." Both the Avatars and the Spirits were sited. "Now, Korra, what is on your mind?"
"There's a maniac on the loose, he's working with Azula, and alien witches called the Witchvanians. He's threatening to destroy the new Air Nation. I don't know what to do."
"Just because you are the Avatar, doesn't mean you will have all the answers." Aang said.
"You know, many Avatars have needed guidance. I'm glad can talk to you and Avatar Wan." Korra said.
"You know, Zuko and I were close friends. Our relationship started off a little rocky, but we grew to become lifelong friends. Best friends." Aang said. "He was often my counsel and he'd love to be yours."
"I was wondering what you might do if you were in Korra's situation." Raava said.
"Hmm, you remember, Raava. Rebuilding the Air Nation was my biggest dream. I beside myself with joy with what you've done. And if I accomplished that goal, I might have sacrificed anything to protect it."
"So you would give yourself up to save the Air Nation, right?" Vaatu asked.
"The airbenders might have been closest to my heart, but, as the Avatar, I was concerned with people of all nations. No one knew better than me that in times of turmoil, the world needs its Avatar the most." Aang said as he reaches out to hold Korra by the shoulder.
"Thanks. It was helpful talking to you." Korra said.
"Anytime, Korra." Aang said before he vanished.
Korra returns to her physical body.
"Did you find Zaheer?" Asami asked.
"No, he wasn't there." Korra said before she walks to Zuko, preparing to mount on Druk. "You're leaving? Aren't you coming to the air temple with us?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm going back to the Fire Nation. If it's true that the Red Lotus is targeting the nations' leaders, with Azula's assistance, I need to protect my daughter."
"I understand. You have to keep the Fire Lord safe. But before you leave, Aang said 'hi'." Korra said.
"How, is he?" Zuko asked.
"Great." Korra said before Mako runs toward.
"Guys. We got through to the air temple." he said.
The trio runs to the radio room, where Bolin was using the radio.
"Who is this?" Meelo answered the radio.
Bolin gets irritated. "I told you, it's Bolin!"
Meelo picks his nose. "Bolin's not here right now. Can I take a message?"
"No, damn it! I'm not looking for Bolin, I am Bolin! Gah, look, I need you to find your dad."
"He's outside with the bison. Did you know we found a whole herd full of baby bison?" Meelo asked.
"No, a whole herd? Really?" Bolin was amazed.
Korra pushes Bolin aside. "Meelo, this is your commanding officer. Go get your dad, now!"
Meelo salutes. "Yes, sir!"
"Come on, God, come on!" Korra begged.
Tenzin answered the radio. "Hello? This is Tenzin."
"Tenzin! Listen to me carefully. Zaheer and Azula are on their way to the temple. They're coming for the airbenders. You have to get everyone out of there immediately. Drop everything. Leave! Now!"
"Oh no."
"What? What is it? Tenzin! Tenzin, what's happening?!" Korra asked in worry.
"It's too late." Tenzin looks at the airship with the Red Lotus. They're here.
Up to the airship where Azula, Zaheer and P'Li were standing. The airship makes circles around the air temple.
Meelo turns and looks at Tenzin. "What is it, Daddy?"
Tenzin looks at the airship. "We need to get everyone out of here." He grabs his glider. "Stay close to me."
Tenzin jumps out of a window and opens his glider as Meelo follows him. Finally they were landing on a garden where Bumi, Kai and other four airbenders looks at the flying airship.
Bumi turns to Tenzin. "What's going on, Tenzin?"
"It's Zaheer. And Azula. Round everyone up! We need to get to the bison and evacuate immediately!"
Bumi, Kai, and another airbender start running as the airship was flying behind them. At the airbending training area where Daw and another airbender were training until Kai suddenly shows up.
"Guys, we got an emergency. We're evacuating the temple. Come on." Kai said.
Kai, Daw, and another airbender start running when lava appears underground and blocking their way.
"Look out!"
Kai, Daw, and the other airbender eject themselves back. Ghazan smiles sinisterly.
At the meditation room where Kya was meditating with Opal and three other female airbenders. A door sound disturbs them and they turn toward it.
"It's Zaheer and Azula! We have to leave." Bumi cried out.
Bumi and the others ran outside. Opal screams as Ming-Hua grabs her from behind and menaces her with an ice spike.
"No one's going anywhere, or she gets it." Ming-Hua said.
Tenzin and his family runs across a bridge. Zaheer and Azula soon lands in front of them.
"Good. The entire family is here." Zaheer said.
"And here I thought Aang's kids would be too difficult to burn." Azula said.
All the airbenders were rounded up in the courtyard by Ming-Hua, Ghazan, Azula and Zaheer.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet a true airbending master." Zaheer said.
"What is it you want from us?" Tenzin demanded.
"Nothing at all. In fact, if everyone cooperates, you will all walk out of this situation unharmed." Azula said.
"Then what are you doing here?"
"We want Korra, and we're tired of chasing her." Zaheer answered.
"You're using us as leverage." Tenzin said.
"Yes."
Tenzin stands. "I will never let you get to Korra."
"Unfortunately, you don't have a choice." Azula said.
"Yes, I do."
Tenzin pushes Azula and the three criminals away with airbending.
"Jinora! Get everyone out of here. Bumi, Kya, help me hold them off!" Tenzin said before P'Li shoots near him, but he uses his airbending to protect the group. "And stay out of her line of sight! Go, go!"
The airbenders all ran away. P'Li fires a beam at the exit, though everyone has evacuated. The hall as the airship exits while the criminals approach Aang's children. Kya bends water from a fountain and forms a ring around her.
The Red Lotus readies themselves and Zaheer throws a gust of wind before the airbenders escapes, reaching the end of the sheltered route. They look at the stable and Kai gestures for them to move out, though they are forced to retreat when bombarded with combustion beams.
"It's too dangerous. We'll never make it to the stables with her up there." Pema said.
Back to the hall, where Zaheer somersaults, avoiding Tenzin's air blast. He constantly avoids Tenzin's attacks by jumping to new heights. Before reaching the roof, Tenzin manages to land a hit on Zaheer, but he was still able to run off, avoiding the master's attack.
Zaheer makes it to the houses attached to the wall, which Tenzin follows, attacking him with a close-range blast which was blocked. Zaheer rises and lands onto the protective wall. Tenzin follows and attacks him from behind, knocking him off balance. Zaheer manages to regain his ground and somersaults, kicking a blast of air.
Tenzin avoids the attack and fires two quick air blast, which Zaheer avoids by somersaulting above him. Zaheer lands successfully and sends an air kick.
Kya attempted to redirect Ming-Hua's water appendages, but to no avail. Ming-Hua leaps up and attempts to land a hit on Kya, but she was able to dodge the attack. Ming-Hua freezes the tips of her appendages into ice blades and swings them toward Kya, slicing a statue into pieces, though Kya is able to dodge the attacks.
As a blade nearly slices her, she breaks it off and throws it to Ming-Hua. Ming-Hua grabs the blade and throws it back to Kya, sending two more ice spikes in the meantime.
Kya manages to break off two of the ice, though was knocked against the wall by the last fragment. Ming-Hua bends a water vortex and charges toward Kya, but she was able to send a large wave of water to Ming-Hua, knocking her off the cliff.
Kya walks up to Ming-Hua, though was taken aback to find her bending the directed water into multiple water arms.
"No."
Ming-Hua smirks and uses her appendages to knock Kya back into the hall.
Bumi jumps down to the first floor with Ghazan and Azula giving chase. Ghazan melts the floor above.
Once on the same floor, Ghazan erupts the floor into lava, forcing Bumi to land onto the hall. Ghazan bends the floor beneath Bumi into lava, but he is able to jump out of the way before it erupts.
Ghazan directs the lava to Bumi, but he leaps to the wall and charges toward Ghazan with airbending, sliding beneath his legs behind him. He pounces atop the lavabender, grabbing him by the neck and pulling his hair before biting him on the shoulder.
Ghazan screams in pain before Azula stretches her robot arm and knock Bumi off with an earth pillar.
"You're welcome." she said.
Kya evades Ming-Hua's attacks before being thrown toward her brother. Both siblings gather in front of a statue of an Air Nomad to catch some breath.
"I see you're having as much fun as I am." Bumi said.
At the bison stable, where P'Li bombards the area with combustion beams. The airbenders hides in the stable.
"I can't wait any longer." Kai grabs his staff.
"Wait, what are you doing?" Jinora asked.
"Whatever I can." Kai runs out. "Get to the bison! Get out of here!"
P'Li fires a combustion beam at Kai, who narrowly misses the attack. The next combustion beam threw Kai off the cliff, though he was able to open his glider and take flight, avoiding multiple combustion beams.
As he flies past P'Li, she turns her attention to the fleeing airbenders. Kai flies back to the airship, sending an air swipe to P'Li, causing her to misfire and blast the cliff above.
P'Li turns her attention to Kai and fires a combustion beam. Kai protects himself with an air ball, but was knocked out. The fleeing airbenders, where Jinora turns back.
"Kai! No." Jinora shouts with tears on her eyes.
An unconscious Kai was plunging down the mountain. At the stable, where the bison took off without the airbenders when confronted with a combustion beam. The airbenders turn to look at the airship.
Bumi got knocked back with a water blast. His sister retreats to cover him, freezing her water to block Ghazan's rock and Azula's fire, though the next attack shattered the ice.
Bumi steps back and nearly loses his footing. Ghazan bends a large earth fissure, throwing the siblings off the temple. Azula blasts them with firebend.
Bumi airbends and holds on to the ledge while grabbing his sister.
"I got you." Bumi groans before turning to see P'Li.
"Bumi, let go!" Kya said. "But we could die!" Bumi said.
"We're gonna die if we hang on!"
P'Li directs a combustion beam toward Bumi. Bumi hangs on before letting go, narrowly missing the combustion blast.
Both siblings plunge down the cliff before their fall was cushioned by trees, and they land on the cliffside, unconscious.
Back on the battle, Tenzin attacks Zaheer with an air blast, which Zaheer dodges. Tenzin jumps behind Zaheer to avoid an attack and counters by arching his back to throw another blast, knocking down Zaheer.
Tenzin charges toward Zaheer, but was knocked off by a combustion blast. He cushions his fall with airbending, preparing for another attack, but was struck by Ming-Hua on his right, Azula on the middle and Ghazan on his left. He dodges barrages of attack by Ming-Hua, Azula, Ghazan and Zaheer, though was knocked down.
As the Red Lotus surrounds him, he braces himself up and blows off Azula, Ghazan and Zaheer. He protects himself in an air sphere, but was blasted against a wall by P'Li. He props himself up, his clothing badly tattered and his face bruised.
"Give up. It's over." Zaheer said.
"As long as I'm breathing, it's not over." Tenzin determined.
Tenzin strikes Zaheer with a close-range air blast, but misses. The wall was blocking the fight as the Red Lotus launch assaults against Tenzin.
Meanwhile, Kai got licked in the face, causing him to regain consciousness. He was hanging upside-down on a tree and the bison calf that licked him awake.
"Woah!" Kai frees himself and lands onto the bison. "Thanks, buddy. Yip, yip!"
The bison flies off.
Next chapter will come soon.
Review if you enjoyed the story.
