Chapter 38 The Stakeout
Sean and the others arrived in an old town before Naga started sniffing the ground for Aiwei.
"Mother fucker has definitely been through here. Nice work, girl." Sean said petting Naga before he got off before they went into a bar.
"Oooh." Bolin said seeing posters of all of them on the wall. "We're famous here." Bolin said.
"Those are wanted posters you idiot." Sean said making him blink.
"Oh...Sorry." Bolin said before Sean snatched one with his wife and read it.
"Wanted for taking the property of the Earth kingdom. Carries three Earth citizens and will pay greatly for capture." Sean read making him growl before burning it and the others before he noticed bounty hunters approaching them.
"You four will pay big." One of them said before Sean slashed off their heads making the others back off in fear.
"Assholes." Sean said as they left.
Heading back on Aiwei's scent Naga started sniffing.
"Find something girl?" Sean asked before getting off and picked up a bolder before throwing it at a distence before finding Aiwei's jeep making him glare.
Thats when Naga nudged him making him face her before he realized.
"Oh, shit. Sorry, girl. I forgot to bring treats. I'll make sure to give you a big extra when we get back." Sean said making her whimper before turning around and smacked her tail into his face. "Ok I deserve that." Sean said.
"This must be Aiwei's jeep. He can't be far." Asami said.
"Bolin and I will investigate the misty palms oasis and see if he's hold up there." Mako said.
"Yes, Ii love it when you talk like a cop." Bolin said.
"Asami and I will wait here incase he comes back." Sean said.
"Right." Mako said as he and Bolin went into town.
Later
Sean looked at his blades glaring before growling as he slashed a rock making it crumble apart.
"WHOA! Easy!" Asami said avoiding getting hit as she searched the Jeep.
"Sorry." Sean said putting them on his back.
"Wanna tell me whats wrong other than the obvious?" Asami asked.
"I should have killed those four 15 years ago and been done with it. Now Korra and my kids are in danger because of my screw up. And I still have no idea why they want her." Sean said annoyed as she searched the jeep before finding a piece of paper.
"I don't know the why, but I think I found a clue." Asami said handing it to him.
"Xai Bau's grove, sundown. Thats gotta be where and when Aiwei's going to meet Zaheer." Sean said before pulling out a map. "Now where are ya?" Sean asked before spirts started swarming them. "Go away!" Sean yelled swatting them away.
"We found Aiwei hiding in an inn." Mako said approaching them.
"Good. We found something as well. It looks like he's going to meet Zaheer at sundown at a place called Xai Bau's grove." Sean said.
"But we can't find it anywhere on the map." Asami said holding it.
"I saw we bust Aiwei's door down and finally get some answers. I'm sick and tired of Korra being afraid for her life and our kids." Sean said pissed off.
"Look I get it your worried about them. But we need to play it smart. Once Aiwei knows we're on to him, we lose our advantage. I say we stake out his room and when he leaves for this meeting, we follow him." Mako said.
"So long as it leads me to Zaheer fine." Sean said.
Meanwhile
Korra sighed as she rubbed her stomach. Suyin had tripled the guard around the estate to make sure she was safe.
Thats when the doors opened up.
"I'm not in the mood for a report Lin leave me alone." Korra said annoyed.
"Well I could always come back later."
Korra widened her eyes before turning to face her father who chuckled.
"Dad!" Korra yelled rushing to him and hugged him making him laugh.
"How are you doing Korra?" Tonraq asked placing his hands on her shoulders making her sigh.
"Terrified. Zaheer and his group almost got to me last night." Korra said.
"I know. Lin told us when we arrived." Tonraq said.
"What are you even doing here?" Korra asked.
"After P'li got out we figured the best way to protect you was to find you." Tonraq said.
"We?" Korra asked before Baldur and Theseus walked.
"Hey kid." Baldur said before she glared at Theseus.
"Oh don't tell me your still holding a grudge for something that happened almost 2 years ago." Theseus said.
"You tried to kill my husband." Korra said still glaring.
"All in the past. They say defeat can make you humble and open your eyes. I'm living proof of this theory." Theseus said before Tonraq frowned.
"Theres something else you need to know." Tonraq said sitting down with her.
"Whats wrong?" Korra asked concerned.
"Eska and Desna are dead." Tonraq said surprising her. She may not have liked them for helping Unalaq free Vaatu who nearly killed her husband had Deimos not made the ultimate sacrifice but she didn't want them dead.
"What happened?" Korra asked.
"They were trying to help us stop Zaheer from freeing P'li but Ming-Hua killed them before they could even get the chance to fight her. I can see exactly why Sean was concerned about these four now." Tonraq said seeing the danger.
"So now that we know where you are Zeus has at least a few dozen Elite Spartans here to keep you safe while I brought some of the best from Asgard." Baldur said.
"Wheres Sean?" Tonraq asked.
"He went looking for Aiwei after he escaped. He figures if he can find him he'll find Zaheer and end this nightmare." Korra said.
"I don't think it'll be that simple. They know how to hide. Who knows how long it could take to find them." Theseus said.
"I can try to track them down but even I had trouble fighting them." Baldur said.
Meanwhile
Sean and the others waited in a small hotel room as it was almost sundown and Aiwei was not moving.
"It's almost Sundown. Why hasn't Aiwei left yet?" Sean asked.
"Maybe he slipped out when you weren't looking." Asami said.
"No he's there." Mako said before Sean had enough and rushed out. "Sean Wait!" Mako yelled before Sean kicked down the door.
"Oh well that explains the lot." Sean said seeing him in a mediative state. "He's not leaving to meet with Zaheer. He's in the Spirit world to meet with him. Thats what those spirits from earlier were trying to tell us." Sean said to Asami before getting on the bed before doing the same position. "I'm going in after him. At the very least I can learn what Zaheer is up to." Sean said.
"We'll watch him in case he wakes up." Mako said as Sean concentrated.
Sean opened his eyes finding himself in the Spirit world.
Soon he found Aiwei making him growl silently about to attack but Zaheer appeared making him rethink this and listened in.
"What happened back at Zaofu? You told me we wouldn't have any problems getting the Avatar." Zaheer said.
"How was I supposed to know Kruger was that powerful? No one has ever seen him unleash that much raw power period. I thought it would be easy." Aiwei said.
"Because of you, we've all been compromised." Zaheer said.
"No, Any evidence was destroyed when my library burned." Aiwei said.
"Where is your physical body now?" Zaheer asked approaching him.
"At the Mist Palms inn. But there is no need to worry. I was not followed." Aiwei said.
"You left a loose end." Zaheer said.
"I assure you no one knows anything about us." Aiwei said.
"No, you are the loose end." Zaheer said grabbing him.
"ZAHEER!" Sean roared making him face him before vanishing.
Zaheer and Aiwei appeared in the fog of lost souls before Zaheer threw him in making him scream.
Sean growled looking around before he re-appeared again.
"It seems Aiwei was mistaken. He was followed." Zaheer said.
"No shit. I was hoping he'd lead me straight to you and the others so I can end this nightmare so Korra wouldn't be so afraid for the future of our children. You have caused nothing but fear for her since you got out!" Sean yelled pulling out his blades. "Now where did he go!" Sean asked.
"He'll be spending eternity in the fog of lost souls, Which just leaves the two of us." Zaheer said making him growl before Zaheer sat down.
"DON'T EVEN MOVE!" Sean roared.
"You know neither of us can hurt each other in our current form or use our abilities. Besides theres no need for aggression. I'll answer whatever questions you have. I at least owe you that much." Zaheer said making him frown before putting his blades on his back.
"Who the hell are you people? And why do you keep coming after my wife?" Sean asked.
"We are part of a secret society dedicated to restoring freedom to the entire world. We are the Red Lotus." Zaheer said.
"Red Lotus? Like the White Lotus?" Sean asked.
"Not exactly. We are what the White Lotus was meant to be, but after the hundred year war, the white Lotus lost its true purpose. It's members came out of hiding and openly served the Avatar." Zaheer said.
"A lot of good they did for her. Every one of them is worthless if four people could easily beat them all." Sean said.
"I think you'll agree that in times of war it brings out greatness in abilities. After all you once lived in a time when war was a constant when you were a Spartan Captain before serving Ares for power." Zaheer said making him frown. "Reznov told me your history before he realized who I was. I respect a man who turned away from a dark path when he was tricked into doing something he would never do willingly. Killing your own family." Zaheer said.
"Thats none of your business. Those days are behind me. I was a lot of things in those days. A monster, Child killer, Murder. But I would never dare hurt my own family especially my little sister no matter how much power it got me." Sean said.
"And thats why I respect you. You turned away from a dark path and trained with the Gods of Olympus in order to find redemption for what you did. And in time protected the next Avatar." Zaheer said.
"Whats does this have to do with the White Lotus?" Sean asked getting annoyed.
"The White Lotus after the war served corrupt nations and became glorified body guards. So a great man named Xai Bau broke from the White Lotus and began his own society." Zaheer said.
"The Red Lotus. Why did you try to kidnap Korra 15 years ago? I don't see why." Sean said.
"That was Unalaq's idea." Zaheer.
"HA! I fucking knew it! I knew that cocksucker was behind that. How else would you know where to find her so fast. Thats why I kept you fuckers alive!" Sean yelled proud his instincts were right on the mark.
Meanwhile
Zaheer sat in a mediative state while the others sat around.
"Kruger. Misty Palms Inn. Find him." Zaheer said.
"You two go. I'll stay here and make sure Zaheer's body is safe." P'li said making them run off.
Back in the Spirit world
"I met Unalaq when I was a teenager after we had both joined the Red Lotus. We learned about Raava and Vaatu and how Avatar Wan foolishly severed them, disrupting the balance of the world forever." Zaheer said.
"In my experience nothing ever happens by accident. Some things are meant to happen because they serve a purpose in life." Sean said.
"Perhaps. But he closed the portals, severing humans from spirits. Even your wife realized the error in his ways." Zaheer said.
"With Vaatu sealed in hel the Spirits wouldn't turn to Dark spirits anymore and Wan only sealed the portals in order to stop the needless fighting between the two. Now things are different as man and spirit learn to coexist peaceful." Sean said.
"I can't deny things have gone smoothly since the portals were opened." Zaheer said.
"So all along, you and Unalaq planned to use Korra to release that thing. Thats why you tried to take her as a child?" Sean asked pissed off.
"Yes, and with members of the Red Lotus as her elemental masters, We could've taught her so much just as you taught her to be honorable and not to repeat your mistakes." Zaheer said.
"Sounds more like you wanted to brainwash her so she'd do whatever you wanted." Sean said.
"No, Kruger. All I wanted was to show the Avatar A better path for the world." Zaheer said.
Meanwhile
Sean still in his meditation sat on the bed as the others watched over him.
However Mako looked outside seeing Ming-Hua and Ghazan walking around.
"Uh, I don't know how, But Water arm lady and Lava guy found us." Mako said.
"How?" Asami asked.
"I just said I don't know how." Mako said before Bolin shook Sean.
"Sean, come on, wake up." Bolin said but nothing happened.
"What do we do?" Asami asked.
"Get Sean out of here." Mako said as he and Bolin lifted him up and put him on Naga. "Bolin and I will hold them off." Mako said.
"Oh Kruger." Ming-Huya sang. "Where are you? I just wanna play...And rip off your arms like you did mine!" Ming-Hua roared.
"You have some serious issues." Ghazan said making her growl before a door opened up and Naga rushed out with Sean and Asami.
"KRUGER!" Ming-Hua roared about to chase them but Mako fire bent at them making her growl.
In the Spirit world
"So if Unalaq came up with the plan to abduct Korra as a kid, Why didn't you say anything?" Sean asked.
"Think about it. A Chief of the Northern Water Tribe hired a group of criminals to kidnap his niece. He would say it's all nonsense and cover up his involvement. And if you killed him you would have started a war between the North and the South. And even you wouldn't do that and put Korra in danger." Zaheer said making him frown.
"Ok fair point. So he betrayed you just like he did his entire family. What a fucking shock. Be lucky his soul is being tormented for eternity in Hades." Sean said.
"He allowed me and my friends to remain imprisoned while he pursued his own selfish goals." Zaheer said.
"His own goals?" Sean asked. "I thought you were all working for the same thing." Sean said.
"So we thought. Attempting to become a dark Avatar was never part of our mission. You did the world a service in preventing that." Zaheer said.
"Ok...So what is your mission?" Sean asked.
"I want what you and your wife want, to restore balance to this world." Zaheer said.
"I don't think our ideas of balance are the same." Sean said.
"Are you sure about that?" Zaheer asked confusing him. "You agreed with Korra in her idea of keeping the Spirit portals open, But why stop there? Bringing the spirits back should only be the beginning." Zaheer said.
"What the hell does that mean? If this is some world domination bullshit like the queen wants..." Sean said.
"No. I don't believe in that nonsense and clearly your fed up with it as well. The Idea of having nations and governments is as foolish as keeping the human and spirit realms separate. You've had to deal with a moronic president who judges you by a past you long since abandoned but only sees the worst in you. And a tyrannical queen who tried to kidnap your wife to take your children away and the new airbenders to use them for her own gains. And you wiped out the entire Persian empire who's emperor fancied himself the god king and was even worse than both of them." Zaheer said.
"Ok you got my attention. What are you trying to say?" Sean asked.
"Don't you think the world would be better off if leaders like them were eliminated?" Zaheer said.
"If you were only talking about people like them then Yes I would agree...But they're not the only ones you would target regardless if they are good or bad. There are good leaders in this world who do everything to make their people feel fairly treated." Sean said.
"Don't be so sure. The Fire lord who started the war felt like his people deserved better and wiped out the airbenders because he said he cared for his people. Even Good leaders go too far." Zaheer said making Sean frown not denying that. "You see I'm right. True Freedom can only be achieved when oppressive governments are torn down." Zaheer said.
"That won't bring balance. It'll create chaos." Sean said.
"Exactly. The Natural order is Disorder. Do you know who once said, New Growth cannot exist without first the destruction of the old?" Zaheer asked.
"An Airbender. Athena told me about Guro Laghima 200 years ago. Don't forget in a sense the Air Nomads are basically students of her teachings." Sean said.
"You surprise me. It's amazing how someone who once used to be drunk with power now seeks peace and enlightenment after losing everything he loved." Zaheer said.
"People do change. What you seek however will cause nothing but death and destruction. I will not allow that. I want my kids to grow up in a world where the problems I faced no longer exist." Sean said.
"Like I said I respect you for what you are now." Zaheer said.
"Spare me the nonsense." Sean said.
"You know, being locked away for so many years, I was beginning to lose hope, but when I awoke with airbending, I knew I would be the one to destroy the old world and plant seeds for a new world to flourish." Zaheer said.
"A new world is already flourishing. The world is coming together after the battle against Vaatu. The days of pointless war are drawing to a close but your actions will destroy what is being made."
"But how long would it last? Soon people like the queen and president would ruin everything and the cycle of war would spread all over the world." Zaheer said making him frown.
"Let me make myself clear." Sean said approaching him. "If you come after my wife again...If you try to hurt her while she's pregnant with my children. If anything happens to them...I will bathe the earth Kingdom in your blood. I will not lose what I have. NEVER...AGAIN." Sean said glaring at him.
"Is that your final answer? You will not join us?" Zaheer asked.
"No. I went down the path of death and destruction once before and it got me nothing but pain and regret. I will not do it again." Sean said making him sigh.
"Thats a shame. I was hoping you would see things our way and we may find a compromise in which your wife would not be harmed. But it's clear now as long as you are in the way our dream will not be achieved." Zaheer said.
"What does that mean?" Sean asked.
"You'll find out soon enough. The Red lotus should have you by now." Zaheer said vanishing.
"ZAHEER!" Sean roared.
Sean opened his eyes seeing he was restrained heavily to prevent him from gaining any momentum and his mouth was covered by a mask.
"ZAHEER YOU FUCKING COCKSUCKER YOU TRICKED ME!" Sean roared before looking at Asami. "You okay? Where's the rest of the Red Lotus?" Sean asked.
"Whats the Red Lotus? Zaheer didn't capture us. The Earth queen's forced did." Asami said making him growl.
"You gotta be fucking kidding me. Where are we?" Sean asked.
"I'm not sure. Some camp by the desert. They're taking us back to Ba Sing Se." Asami said making Sean glare harshly.
"I should have killed that bitch when I had the chance." Sean said annoyed.
Meanwhile
"The Earth Queen's army snatched Kruger up before we could get to him." Ghazan said before he and Ming-Hua dropped Mako and Bolin who looked beat up.
"But we figured you could find a use for these two." Ming-Hua said.
"Load them in the Truck. We're taking a trip to Ba Sing Se." Zaheer said.
"So how did the meeting go?" P'li said making him sigh.
"I understand his reasons since he's more focused on being an example for his children. But as long as he's in the way like last time 15 years ago we won't be able to achieve our goals." Zaheer said.
"So we're making the deal then?" Ming-Hua asked.
"Not just yet." Zaheer said.
Authors Note: Oh boy things are getting more and more tense by the day. Now Korra is protected by Elite Spartans and members of Asgard along with her father, Baldur and Theseus. Now Sean, Asami, Mako and Bolin have to get free from their captors before it's too late. What are Zaheer's plans for Sean? Find out soon. Read, Review, Fav and Follow. REVIEW MY LOYAL FANS! See ya!