Chapter 35 The Metal Clan
It's been a few days since the airbenders the Queen held hostage were set free and since Sean had learned Zaheer was free along with his group. So for the past few days he made sure they kept on the move so that he couldn't find Korra.
Sean had also been using old abilities he hadn't used in years to be fully prepared to fight Zaheer and his group once more. He would make sure not to hold back for Korra's sake and the safety of their unborn children.
Currently right now they had stopped to rest as Korra used airbending to play fetch with Naga making her laugh enjoying time playing with her dog.
Sean of course smiled seeing his wife enjoying her time with her dog.
"While your playing Fetch, four of the most dangerous criminals in the four nations are after you." Lin said annoyed.
"As long as we keep on the move Zaheer will not find us. And besides we're gonna have to stop somewhere eventually when Korra enters her eighth month in a couple weeks." Sean said making Lin frown since she couldn't deny it.
"Relax. We just got here. Besides, no one knows where I am right now except us." Korra said as Naga came back with the ball before dropping it. "I think she wants you to throw it for her." Korra said making Lin look seeing it covered in drool.
"Pass." Lin said making her shake her head in amusement as Asami and Mako came out of the airship. (Just so no one gets confused they still have the Future industries airship incase Korra goes into labor early)
"We just got a call on the radio about another airbender." Asami said.
"About damn time." Sean said.
"Where are they?" Korra asked excited.
"A city called Zaofu. The home of the metal clan." Mako said making Lin frown.
"You know the place?" Korra asked Lin.
"Uh, Never been, but I don't want you going there. I'd rest a lot easier if you were back safe in Republic city." Lin said making her frown.
"You mean the city who's president is hoping my kids die the second they come into this world? No thank you." Korra said making her frown remembering that.
"What are you not telling us?" Sean asked seeing she was hiding something.
"Nothing!" Lin said slashing Naga's ball before getting into the airship making Naga whimper.
"It's ok Girl we'll get you a new one." Korra said comforting her dog.
"The hell was that about?" Asami asked.
"I think she knows someone there and doesn't want to go. Doesn't matter we are." Sean said before they got on.
Soon they were in the air and arrived at Zaofu which was completely made of metal.
"Wow, wow, wow. An entire city made of metal, whoo!" Bolin said amazed.
"I've seen better. Remind me to take you to Atlantis after we capture or kill Zaheer and the others." Sean said
"You should be right at home, Chief." Bolin said making her scoff.
Korra looked at her husband seeing how she was acting and he just shrugged.
Soon they landed before they were about to get off with Bolin being the most excited.
"Aren't you coming?" Asami asked Lin.
"What's there to see? It's metal. Big whoop. Just find the airbender, and lets get moving. And don't tell anyone I'm here." Lin said.
"Why? What are you not telling us? Is there someone here you know?" Sean asked.
"I don't need to explain myself to you." Lin said annoyed making him roll his eyes before they got off.
When they did a group of people greeted them.
"Avatar Korra and Lord Kruger, it is an honor to meet you. My name is Aiwei." Aiwei said bowing.
"Thanks for having us." Korra said.
"Is this everyone?" Aiwei asked.
"Yep, just us. So can we meet the new airbender?" Korra asked.
"Of course. Right this way." Aiwei said leading them on an elevator.
Meanwhile
"Oh wow." Kya said seeing hundreds of new airbenders from Greece, Norse, and Egypt.
"HAHAHAHA! Oh man Tenzin is gonna have a heart attack seeing these many airbenders." Reznov said laughing.
"Most of these people were just ordinary folks and wanted to see what they could do. The rest of the world will be sending theirs soon enough." Julia said.
"Excuse me."
Everyone turned and saw a Zaheer but didn't know who he was since his head was shaved.
"My name is Yorru. I heard this was the place to come if you're a new airbender." Zaheer said.
"Aye." Reznov said.
"Well, a couple of weeks ago, I woke up, and suddenly, I could do this." Zaheer said demonstrating airbending.
"Very impressive." Julia said making him smile.
"At least your not destroying the streets like some of these fuckers did." Reznov said laughing making the other new airbenders hang their heads down making Zaheer chuckle lightly.
Meanwhile
Sean and the others were on a train going through the city.
"Very impressive. This might rival Atlantis after all." Sean said.
"Atlantis is your uncle's domain right?" Korra asked remembering that story when she was a kid.
"Aye. I When we get Zaheer and the babies are born I'll show you it." Sean said making her smile before they came to a metal statue of Toph Beifong.
"That statue honors the first metal bender, Top Beifong. She showed Benders are more than capable of just bending the basic elements people have known since the days of old." Aiwei said.
"Does Toph live here? Are we gonna get to meet her?" Bolin asked excited.
"Might be why Lin didn't want to come here." Sean said to Korra.
"I'm afraid not. She used to visit from time to time, but years ago, she left to wander the world in search of enlightenment." Aiwei said. (Translation she wanted to be left the hell alone)
Soon they arrived at some large estate.
"Very impressive. Our airbender lives here?" Sean asked.
"And I thought you lived big." Korra said to Asami who giggled.
"Yes, but first, her mother wants to meet you." Aiwei said leading them inside before they saw a group of people doing some performance.
"What is this some kind of combat training?" Korra asked.
"Not exactly. They are rehearsing for a dance premiere next month." Aiwei said before it ended and a woman spotted them.
"That's it for today, everyone." She said before approaching them.
"Allow me to introduce the matriarch of the metal clan, Suyin." Aiwei said.
"Please, Call me Su. Great to finally meet you, Avatar Korra and Lord Kruger." Suyin said.
"You can just call us by our names we're not into titles." Sean said.
"Speak for yourself." Korra said grinning making him chuckle holding her close.
"And this must be Mako, Bolin and Asami." Suyin said.
"You've done your research." Mako said.
"I make it my business to know who's visiting my city." Suyin said.
"So you're a dancer?" Korra asked.
"Dancer, Leader, Wife, Mother. Collector of rare meteorites. You'll find people here have many skills and interests." Suyin said before Aiwei whispered in her ear before she frowned. "Korra, why did you lie when Aiwei asked if there was anyone else with you?" Suyin questioned surprising them.
"How did you know we left someone out?" Sean asked surprised.
"I am a truth seer. When people lie, their heart rate and breathing increase. I can sense the most subtle of changes." Aiwei said making Sean grin.
"Really? Ok see If I'm lying. I enjoyed every moment studying under Athena and Aphrodite when I changed my ways when I left Ares." Sean said making him raise an eyebrow.
"Your good." Aiwei said making him burst out laughing while Korra giggled.
"How did you learn to not show a tell?" Suyin asked impressed.
"Oh thats something Hermes showed me a long time ago. Believe me it's come in handy to hide all possible tells of lying to someone. Anyway the person we left out was the Chief of Police. Lin Beifong." Sean said.
"Lin's here? Well, I would love to say hello." Suyin said.
"Wait, you two know each other?" Korra asked.
"Your joking, right?" Suyin asked.
"No...She never mentioned you. She said not to tell anyone she was here." Sean said making her sigh.
"I'm sensing some issues here lad." Mimir said.
"I guess I shouldn't be surprised. She's always been that way." Suyin said.
"So how do you know her?" Korra asked.
"I'm her sister of course." Suyin said surprising the group.
Meanwhile
Lin was looking at the city on the airship when.
"Well, we found out why you didn't wanna come!" Sean said as they appeared.
"Why didn't you ever say you had a sister?" Korra asked.
"Half sister." Lin said.
"My sister was a half sibling and I loved her regardless." Sean said.
"Same Mom, different Dads. So what? We're blood, Lin. And after 30 years, the least you could do is say hello." Suyin said making her turn her back.
"I have nothing to say to you." Lin said.
"You two haven't spoken in 30 years?" Korra asked.
"And I thought Baldur had issues with his mother but they still spoke." Mimir said.
"Why the hell not?" Sean asked.
"Ask her. I've tried." Suyin said.
"Oh, don't put that on me. You're the one who tore our family apart." Lin said.
"And you've done a bang up job keeping it that way." Suyin said.
"You haven't changed one bit, have you?" Lin said.
"Enough. Look the reason we're here is because of a new Airbender you reported." Sean said.
"Yes I know who your talking about. It's my daughter Opal." Suyin said.
"Oh so your niece is the new airbender." Korra said.
"Hooray." Lin said.
Soon they were back at the mansion seeing two boys playing some game.
"Those are my two youngest, Wei and Wing. Their playing a game called power Disc. They invented it all on their own before Wei scored. "I'm so proud of those two. Trust me you two being a parent is the greatest thing you can be." Suyin said making Sean and Korra smile as she held her pregnant stomach
"Oh believe us we're looking forward to it." Sean said as his wife kissed him.
And they met her son Huan who was an artistic person but had a gothic appearance.
"We are not raising them that way." Korra said making Sean nod.
"And this is my daughter Opal." Suyin said before she saw them.
"Wow, Avatar Korra and Lord Kruger." Opal said excited.
"You can just call us by our names." Korra said.
"Oh so now you don't care for titles." Sean teased making her grin.
"Opal. Thats a beautiful name." Bolin said making her blush.
"Thanks." Opal said shaking his hand.
"I'm Bolin." Bolin said.
"Opal, But, You already knew that." Opal said blushing.
Sean and Korra looked at each other and grinned.
"Great we found the airbender we can take her back to the airtemple and leave now." Lin said.
"Will you stop." Sean said annoyed.
"And the woman apparently trying to abduct you is your Aunt Lin." Suyin said.
"Really? I've always wanted to meet you. My mom has told me so many stories about you." Opal said.
"I'm sure she has." Lin said crossing her arms.
"So I've set all of you up in the guesthouses while Korra trains Opal." Suyin said.
"Oh, I'm sorry, But I was hoping she could train with the rest of the airbenders at the Northern temple." Korra said.
"Plus Korra is in no condition to train her." Sean said.
"I wouldn't mind going to the temple." Opal said.
"Nonsense. This is where Opal's home and family are. You can train her after you give birth." Suyin said.
"Well...I guess I can instruct her without moving too much." Korra said.
"Actually...Suyin...How secure is this place?" Sean asked making Lin frown.
"Very. It's impossible for anyone to get in without getting caught...Why?" Suyin asked.
"Theres a group of people after Korra who I took down 15 years ago. They escaped and I believe they will try again. In her current condition she's in no position to fight and we can't keep going in the air. Eventually we're going to have to settle down until she gives birth. I was hoping perhaps you could let us stay here until she does." Sean said making her smile.
"Of course. I promise she'll be completely safe here." Suyin said.
"Absolutely not! We're leaving now!" Lin said making him glare.
"Oh I'm sorry. I didn't realize the safety of my wife and unborn children were of no concern to you!" Sean yelled pushing her back.
"Calm down." Korra said holding him.
"Look. I just think it would be better if she was in Republic City." Lin said.
"You mean the city who's president admitted out loud that he hoped Korra lost the babies when they were born and now has the mark of the Damned? A mark that is impossible to remove. He would sell her out just to get back at both of us before his death. I'm thinking of their safety. And I'm saying we stay." Sean said.
"It would be nice to not be in the air for days on end." Korra said holding her stomach.
"So it's settled then. You'll stay here until the babies are born and then you can both face these people together." Suyin said making them smile while Lin frowned clearly annoyed.
Meanwhile
The new airbenders at Airtemple island were practicing the same thing Korra once used when she first arrived.
And one just got thrown out hard making Reznov laugh.
"Oh my god. Is that the best you can do?" Reznov asked unimpressed.
"You try it." One of them suggested.
"Not my style. I'm more of a rush into danger person first then calm and patient. Kruger could get through this no problem because of Athena's training." Reznov said before Zaheer went in and did it perfectly.
"Well...Not only can he control his power better then most of the new bloods but he's got perfect timing." Julia said.
"I suppose some people are born with natural gifts." Reznov said as Kya approached them.
"I got some great news. Tenzin is heading to the Norther airtemple. He's with a whole group of other airbenders and he wants all of you to join him." Kya said.
"We'll leave first thing in the morning." Julia said.
"And the Avatar is with them?" Zaheer asked.
"No Sean suggested they split up since someone he took down 15 years ago is after her. Last thing he wants to do is put his wife and the triplets in harms way." Kya said making him raise an eyebrow not knowing she was having more than one child.
"That's unfortunate. I was really looking forward to meeting her." Zaheer said.
Meanwhile
Korra and the others were having a nice meal.
"This is nice. Never got served such high end meals like this before." Korra said as she ate.
"Hmph! Don't get used to it now." Sean said before.
"Sorry we're late, everyone." Varrick said entering with Zhu Li.
"What the?" Sean tried to say.
"Varrick!" Bolin said before his brother glared at him making him shut up.
"What are you doing here?" Sean asked pissed off.
"Good question Kruger. I mean...What are any of us doing here?" Varrick asked.
"He means why are you not in a cell?" Korra said glaring at him.
"Simple. The cell I was in had an escape hatch. You didn't think I was gonna stay there forever now did ya? I always have a plan." Varrick said.
"Thats it!" Lin yelled standing up. "This how you want to keep your wife safe by staying with a criminal?" Lin asked Sean.
"Ease up Lin. Sure Varrick's made a few mistakes but he shouldn't pay for them with the rest of his life. I mean Sean did a lot of horrible things in his past that over shadow anyones but look at him now. People can change." Suyin said.
"I can't argue with that." Sean said making Lin growl before storming out. "Ok thats it. Whats going on between you two?" Sean asked making her sigh.
"You know that scar on her face?" Suyin asked.
"Yeah...What about it?" Korra asked.
"I'm the one who did that." Suyin said shocking them all including her children. "It was an accident. I never meant to hurt her like that. I was young and rebellious when I was Opal's age. Got into some wrong crowds and one of them led into a confrontation with Lin which resulted in the injury. Mom suggested I leave Republic City for a while and well...Here I am now. I became responsible and took responsibility for my actions and hashed out things with mom. But Lin could never let go of what I did." Suyin said.
Later
Lin was in her room before Sean walked in.
"You ok?" Sean asked.
"Leave me alone." Lin said.
"Look I get it. Your holding a grudge for the injury she gave you." Sean said shocking her.
"How did..." Lin tried to say.
"She told us. Look I get it you became someone responsible in your younger years and she was a rebel which was everything you hated. She told it was an accident when she gave you that mark. But at least you still have a family." Sean said.
"Oh don't give me that crap. At least none of your family members tore yours apart." Lin said making him raise an eyebrow making her sigh. "Sorry. Some grudges are just hard to let go. She got off with a simple slap on the wrest and I got this." Lin said touching her injury.
"Lin...Don't make the same mistake I did when it cames to family. It's the most important thing we have. And I lost mine...By my own hands because of Ares. And I never told them how I truly felt other than my sister. And that haunts me every day." Sean said leaving as tears trailed down her face.
Meanwhile
Reznov was about to head to bed when he heard Ikki talking with Zaheer before he walked into Tenzin's study.
"Kid, you should be in bed. Go." Reznov said.
"Night." Ikki said leaving.
"Good night." Zaheer said before Reznov faced him.
"You seem to know a lot about airbending culture for someone who just became one." Reznov noted.
"I have always been fascinated with the culture. Are you saying there are not cultures from other lands you were not fascinated in?" Zaheer asked curious.
"Point made on that." Reznov said seeing the logic.
"May I ask you something? You've known Kruger for a long time correct?" Zaheer asked.
"Aye. For 250 years. Our meeting was...Unique to say the least." Reznov said. (I'll be putting up the real meeting later)
"I know most of the tales. But some insight from someone who's known him the longest might shed some light. What was he 300 years ago?" Zaheer asked making him frown before sighing as he looked at an airbending statue.
"He was definitely worse than my people were before we changed. Kruger used to be a Spartan Captain at the age of 15. His tactics were beyond brutal for a Spartan but highly effective. He was drunk with power and he'll admit this freely. Everyone in the lands feared him. Except one. His sister Calliope. She was the only one who wasn't afraid of him because he was her big brother. And he always vowed to protect her." Reznov said.
"And the rest of his family?" Zaheer asked.
"His mother and the others resented him and vice versa for his choices. They wanted peace and he wanted to conquer. One day he faced an enemy even his men weren't good enough to handle. The Barbarians of the East numbered within the thousands. His army faced certain death that day. And Kruger facing their king faced the end of his carrier...And his life." Reznov said.
"Clearly that didn't happen if he's still alive." Zaheer said.
"And your right. Kruger made a bargain with the God of war. Pledging his loyalty and his services to him in exchange for saving his men and destroying his enemies. And Ares did do as requested killing the Barbarians who would try to kill him and his men. As for Kruger a shield and Sword would hardly befit the new servant of the God of War. The blades of Chaos. Forged in the foulest depths of Hades. Once attached the chains remained so seared to the flesh. In return ultimate power." Reznov said.
"So in the end he simply did what Ares told him. Battling his enemies in his name." Zaheer said.
"Not even close. Kruger killed innocents. Men, Women and Children without even hesitating. Entire villages were wiped out by his hands and his army both in Greece and other nations. Nothing could stop them. And a monster inside him was born from these actions. Nothing even remotely phased him. Then one day his men attacked a village that worshiped Athena. However at the temple something was different. Most his life he listened to his instincts." Reznov said.
"Except on that day clearly." Zaheer said.
"The Village oracle warned him not to enter the temple but he did anyway. Only he found the temple covered in a mist but he slaughtered all inside without hesitation. When the Mist cleared however his final victims would haunt him for all his days. Every vile thing he did for 2 years rushed to him like a flood. And he knew he could no longer serve Ares." Reznov said.
"I'm not following. Who did he kill?" Zaheer asked making him sigh.
"He slaughtered his entire family." Reznov said shocking him. "His grandparents, Aunts, uncles, Cousins...And worst of all his own mother and little sister. Despite the resentment they had he always loved them but would never admit it out loud because of his pride. Ares admitted he put them there to make him the ultimate warrior so nothing would hold him back. However it had the opposite outcome. He ended all his ties with Ares. As for Kruger? The Village oracle sealed the blood of his family on his body and face. Never to be removed. Thats how he earned his title as the Demon of Sparta. A name he would forever despise." Reznov said.
"And thats when he changed to what he is now." Zaheer said making him nod before facing him.
"Why all the sudden interest in him. First with Korra then with Kruger." Reznov asked.
"Merely Curious." Zaheer said before Reznov frowned when he remembered something.
Flashback 1 year ago on Asgard
"Let me get this straight four mortals actually did some serious damage to you of all people a month after you were ordered to protect Korra?" Reznov asked as they drank while Korra and the others explored Asgard. After Freya had been killed the others decided to explore.
"Yup. I underestimated them but I still beat them. The non-Bender however I learned over the years knew a great deal about Airbending history. I suppose he was fascinated with the culture." Sean said
"So who was He?" Reznov asked
End Flashback
"Wait a moment...ZAHEER!" Reznov roared before pulling out his father's hammer before trying to strike him but he dodged before grabbing Tenzin's staff and bolted through the window before Reznov smashed the wall with his hammer.
"Truly I was just curious about his past. Not exactly easy to learn about your opponent when your locked away for 15 years." Zaheer said.
"Your going right back there you fuck!" Reznov yelled before summoning lightning and began to strike the island but Zaheer dodged each strike with ease before airbending him into a wall.
"It's nothing personal. But I have a mission." Zaheer said before flying away making Reznov growl before groaning looking down seeing his side was pierced by a pointy piece of wood before pulling it out just as Julia jumped down to him.
"Kruger is so not gonna like this." Reznov said.
Meanwhile
Sean sighed as he got out of his armor and clothes before getting in bed with his wife who was also in the nude as she held her stomach.
"You okay?" Korra asked.
"Yeah. I'll be fine. I just hope we find Zaheer before he comes after you." Sean said before she pulled him down and kissed him.
"You stopped him once before. You can do it again. Besides It'll make a good bedtime story for the kids in the future." Korra said making him chuckle before kissing her as sleep claimed them both.
Authors Note: And with that things start to get tense as Zaheer now learned a piece of Sean's past and Lin faces her family after 30 years away. Will Sean be able to stop Zaheer and his group before they get to Korra? Will Lin forgive her sister for the injury she suffered 30 years ago and will the unborn children get to live in this world before it's too late? Find out in future chapters. Read, Review, Fav and Follow. REVIEW MY LOYAL FANS! SEE YA!