Book 5: Humanity

by Freedom0153

Korra wanted peace after defeating Kuvira. Then life happened. During her Spirit World vacation, an unlikely gift from an old friend caused a great rift between many spirits and humans. Even conflict with the Earth Empire wasn't over, Kuvira's surrender opening a vacuum. To restore balance, Korra needs any allies she can get, finding her growing love for Asami giving Korra peace.

53. Chapter 53: City of Two Lovers: Part 2

Chapter 53: City of Two Lovers: Part 2

Yangchen looked out at the scene in front of her, many small children playing with each other and occasionally annoying their parents or older siblings, able to hear exclamations of awe and wonder about the sun and the city itself intermittently over snippets of conversation. There were even what must have been toddler waterbenders playing in the one "monument" King Bumi made to himself - a big water fountain and mock slide with a wildly grinning younger version of himself and Aang sitting in a precariously perched mail system chute container at the top, water flowing down the fake mail chute. Yangchen even spotted Alyssralove, perched on Omashu's wall next to some rather nervous looking Earth Empire defectors manning one of the five spirit weapons that guarded the main approach to Omashu, the huge spirit looking… contented somehow.

Wanting to get closer, down and away from the entrance to her own hideout, Yangchen was tempted to use her newfound power of effortless flight. Hazarding a glance at Kipa's baby belly and remembering she herself had to take it easy physically and work her way back towards being physically combat ready again after Gyatso was born, Yangchen realized babying herself would be a bad idea. Pointing to Kipa's belly, Yangchen said, "I could fly down there, but - I won't. I need to make sure I don't baby my body," having intended to continue and make some stupid joke about passing a baby like a kidney stone from "hell". The way Kipa nodded, Yangchen felt that wasn't necessary, the words unspoken, Yangchen instead saying, "Kipa, the things we put up with for love - but it's worth it, in the end. Even without the 'it's all worth it' hormone. Why don't we talk on the way down?"

Kipa smiled, saying as she patted her stomach, "Glad to know someone feels like I do. Some of the moms down there have even more kids than I do! That sounds wonderful - but before we do, I'll go grab you a radio, and see if anyone else wants to come," laughing slightly before she left Yangchen's side, saying, "I've had one more kid than you have, and… the feelings never stop amazing you - or distracting you slightly, especially when they're strongest. After birth, and nursing… You tell me the basics of what needs done, and I'll do my best to help. I don't mind even 'milk' diapers. Maybe that big bird spirit can help. Alyssralove? What's her story - how can she bend two elements, or anything at all, for that matter? You'll have to tell me later. Be right back." Yangchen sighed when Kipa was out of earshot, at first finding herself annoyed that she'd need to rely on others to help keep her on track - technically, she should have sketched out Varrick guns, the more powerful and easier to handle spirit weapons, Meesiles, even Lisers by now, talking to her only spirit ally about how to help Jasmine out! Maybe even thought of a way to help Jasmine at the camp aside from sending Alyssralove… The list seeming endless, Yangchen felt for a moment like she hadn't done her job properly - let Korra down, jeopardized her city's safety for personal issues…

Hearing the laughter of children, Yangchen's mood shifted again, feeling better about her decisions - a lot had happened since she got up over 30 minutes ago, and if she really did need to fight, tethered flight would help greatly, gravity not dragging her down in any way - or her husband, after his much more personal breakthroughs. Hearing familiar young laughter behind her, Yangchen wanted to give Gyatso the first of what she hoped to be many high-flying "mommy rides", stopping at the last minute when she felt a small pinch on her backside. Yangchen felt light for a different reason when she heard her husband's voice say, anticipating seeing her other family again, "Hey, honey. I told your parents and sister to meet us at King Bumi's fountain - and it looks like a lot of people are there already," a single tear rolling down her face after he said, "I don't really know how I got over everything so quickly - all I want to do now is hug my mom, not yell at her. I thought Kipa had - has - a rough life… but…"

Turning to her husband, Yangchen was glad to see he was carrying Jaina, taking her warm baby before a cold steel radio any day, slipping her into the baby carrier she had designed for Jaina's big brother, Gyatso… Thoughts of Jaina reminding herself Yangchen she had a story of her own to tell, she absentmindedly took the radio from Kipa, busying herself with walking and looking at a sleeping Jaina every so often rather than listen to the her husband's tale of woe - again. She didn't know how much more of that she could handle… Listening for a minute, hearing her husband's tone of voice, Yangchen felt stronger somehow - if he could handle… that, alone just like his mother had been from the age of 15 to 20, not really having known a good life until 8 years ago when he met herself, she could handle anything with him, together.

By the time the group got almost to the bottom of the first large stair leading back up to Yangchen's hideout, having decided years ago to hide - and successfully - in plain sight inside the massive restored Omashu Royal Palace, it was Yangchen's turn to speak, stopping momentarily to hug her emotional husband and tell him, "I'm so proud of you - I love you. It's going to be okay…" Xingyun sighed, Yangchen smiling contentedly when he insisted, "It has been okay - more than okay, since I met you," Yangchen deciding to tell everything about her own experience, following her husband's example. After she was done with her personal story, she even included more details about her "mission" and what the Avatar had told her, sans bending pulse. Aside from making sure everyone knew what they needed to know, Yangchen hoped to throw the curious Katara off from asking anything else about Jaina, as she had the moment "past life" was mentioned.

Finishing by the time they reached the bottom of the final stair, Yangchen groaned loudly when Kipa's only daughter asked, pointing at Jaina, "Hey - you stopped telling her story! About who she was… I wanna know more! Forget death particles or the bad serpent spirit!" Yangchen shook her head, feeling as though someone else were temporarily speaking through her when she said, "There is a very good reason Raava censored … Jaina's life aside from the little she told me about," - though she was pretty sure she was going to ask Korra more about it. If there was anything Yangchen needed to watch out for as Jaina's mother…

Yangchen was rather unnerved when she saw Alyssralove lift her head slightly after Yangchen had thought about her own concerns. She found herself not really questioning why she no longer felt the need to worry about Jaina when the massive spirit shook its head from side to side, steel beak glimmering in the morning light - swearing she had seen it moving, not understanding any words the spirit might have spoken. Seemingly satisfied, the dragon bird spirit returned to preening its feathers of varying shades of blue, Yangchen listening with a more open mind when Jeong-Jeong asked, tugging on her robe, "You gonna show us firebenders how to make blue fire like the Avatar? Can that big spirit make blue fire, like its feathers - and why does it have steel on it? How's it fly? Is it heavy?" Yangchen chuckled lightly when Yuehan piled on, "Yeah - care to explain why I swear I can see the characters for 'Mako' and 'Kuvira' inside that big yin-yang symbol on its chest? Ones that weren't there when I first saw the spirit?" not really remembering that part of Alyssralove's form being quite so… obvious in meaning. Maybe the spirit had changed?

Alyssralove squawking slightly when Yuehan finished, Yangchen found herself the one re-directing to what needed to be done, Yangchen saying as Katara whined about Jaina like the four year old she was, "Blue fire first - maybe Alyssralove can help with that," sighing in annoyance when Kipa's four-year old daughter insisted in a way that reminded her of herself, "Wha - no! I don't wanna wait to know the answer to Yuehan's question! And I didn't like your answer earlier either about Jaina! Cop-out!" She smiled when Kipa reprimanded her child, "Katara, hush. It's not nice to ask people questions they don't want to answer, much less can't," laughing when Kipa added, "Plus, mommy wants to see if she can make blue fire or not - so you guys will have to wait!"

Seeing they had drawn a crowd of firebenders of all ages as well as their families, even surface residents of Omashu as well and what must have been "New Garzai" earthbenders, green eyes looking full of hope, swearing she saw her own sister and parents approaching, Yangchen said, "I won't go into the detail of how, but I've talked with Avatar Korra," adding after she remembered one anonymous child's vehement refusal to leave Omashu, "I will say Avatar Korra is adamant about everyone cooperating with the evacuation that, given I heard someone from the city beneath Omashu complaining about earlier, almost everyone must have already heard about."

Seeing one young boy frown and stamp his feet, Yangchen conferred with Kipa quickly, letting Kipa say, Yangchen on a whim turning her radio on, switching it to Omashu only, "We need to leave. I know abandoning our home, even one built around sewers, is hard enough, much less someone who lives on the surface." Yangchen laughed when an old man said, looking too dapper to be from New Garzai as he pointed a fancy cane at a somewhat familiar boy, "I dun care what that whipper shnapper said earlier - I wanna leave, and I got all sorts of stuff here! Stuff's nice, but ultimately useless - and I already done left the city once, when the Fire Nation took over seven decades ago, when I was barely ten! Jinshu Kuangmai ain't stupid enough to fall for the pentapox ruse. I don't know 'bout the rest of you, but I'd rather take my chances with Ozai or his cronies than that Jinshu Kuangmai fellow - rather be zapped than choked any day!"

Yangchen could see many somewhat familiar faces nodding, having been incognito while out and about while in hiding herself and every other new airbender. Unable to talk to any of her friends as herself, not entirely sure she could refrain from showing them her gift, her world had shrank to family over the past three years. Many wholly unfamiliar faces looked unconvinced, Yangchen whispering, "Kipa - you know them best… say something!" Kipa nodded, and say something she did, starting passionately as if she had been waiting her entire life: "I know some of you want to stand and fight - refuse to leave at all. While I admire your courage, just look at it this way - with the Avatar's help, we can finally achieve the dream we've held close to us as a source of hope. We've been living in terrible conditions beneath Omashu for multiple generations, hoping for this opportunity: leaving the 'Earth Kingdom', 'Earth Empire', finally becoming a part of the United Republic of Nations," Yangchen surprised when Kipa continued strongly, "Being a part of the United Republic. Our birthright, our forefather's birthright - denied to us, former colonists of the Fire Nation and waterbending refuge seekers alike, former citizens of Garzai. Being a part of the United Republic denied to the citizens of Garzai and other neglected colonies by Earth King Kuei's cowardly concern about giving away land, afraid he'd have civil unrest if he did what was right. Unwilling to let go of land occupied by people who wanted to live in the nation of hope and new beginnings. The one the predecessor of the current Avatar and the current Firelord's father founded - even if it meant drawing more lines on a political map. His tyrant daughter Hou Ting, the reason my grandparents met each other on the road, her deliberate persecution of former colonies after only swelling our ranks as more people fled taxation or the possibility of persecution. The former tyrant Kuvira the one who destroyed Garzai's walls, the current tyrant Jinshu Kuangmai, the tyrant who may have the power… the power to kill us all, with a single stroke."

Yangchen didn't remember including permission to talk about the death ray or modified "Korranium" weapons, but didn't care, finding herself inspired as Kipa continued, " Republic City - the United Republic. Somewhere any bender can be who they are, openly - somewhere anyone can be who they are, openly! I'm sure you've heard President Raiko's decree, as well as the Firelord's," curious to see two young men fidget towards the end. Seeing the boy from earlier still look skeptical, Yangchen smiled when one of the two young men who had fidgeted said, blue eyes gleaming, "Little brother - get over it. We're moving. I… don't mean to freak you out or anything, but…" The young man smiled, taking the other teenager who had fidgeted, the larger, shyer teenage boy blushing as the more confident, slighter one said, blue eyes watering slightly now, "Seems like a weird place to come out, but I've got something in common with the Avatar - even if we're not the same sex. I'd rather move somewhere new, where I can - oh come on, man, quit blushing! Well - both of you, if you're gonna be like that, little brother! Whatever…"

Seeing how annoyed the young man looked, Yangchen wanted to go re-assure him, stopping when she saw two teenage girls coming over, neither one look interested in the boys they were now consoling. The original younger trouble maker buried his face in his hands, saying, "Gah - wh…" finally screaming, "I needa nice bath afta that!" Remembering one thing her city had been spared, a visit from "the devil himself", Yangchen found herself yelling at the creeped out, possibly intolerant younger brother, "Jinshu Kuangmai would have your big brother killed, you know - just for being him! You really want to treat your big brother like that…?"

Apparently, rumors had spread even to the lower level, the young man stopping and instead saying, "Never mind… I don't wanna stay nowhere some evil thug's gonna kill my big bro - even if I'll never see 'im the same way again."

Satisfied that people understood the need to fight, and then leave regardless, Yangchen said, noticing her parents and sister were close now, "Now I've got something for every firebender in the city - though I don't know if everyone will be able to do it." Nodding towards Alyssralove, who seemed to get the hint, Yangchen said, as the large spirit carefully made its way down off the wall and into the back of the parting crowd, producing a single blue flame in its iguana-parrot like hand and flicking its distinct metallic thumb spike back and forth slightly, lightning covering the large thumb, "I'm going to try and teach you how to do that - make blue fire. If you don't already know how, lightning as well - though Alyssralove will have to handle that. If - no, when the Earth Empire's forces come to our gates, we'll need every little edge we can get," half hoping the blue love-inspired flame would possibly cause extra incapacitating pain to evil people, just like Korra implied it might to evil spirits.

Yangchen felt slightly annoyed when the spirit politely took over her job, still laughing to see so many people jump when Alyssralove spoke through her metallic beak in an incongruously friendly voice, saying, "I'll take it from here, Yangchen," Yangchen feeling a small panic when Alyssralove added in English, for her ears only: "Wan Shi Tong 'tells' me Jasmine's prison camp is now under attack. While the assault so far has been pretty laughable, not even getting close to the walls, that could change if Wuqing actually commits his own men to the attack - many of the new 'sexual' prisoners and even old bending prisoners are not in fighting shape or willing to fight," adding normally, "You should busy yourself with drawing schematics and making weapons now. I'll handle it from here - once I am done teaching, I'll see if I can help whoever needs it the most," for some reason Yangchen didn't understand, Alyssralove adding after her avian eyes thinned for a brief moment, "Maybe some of these firebenders can be trusted enough and are capable enough to help synthesize the most important pieces. I can trust you're all that trustworthy anyways… right?"

Alyssralove's eyes thinned again after people said the obvious, professing their loyalty to making sure they didn't die and one man exclaiming loudly his hate for Jinshu Kuangmai, Yangchen still feeling confused even as long metal whips shot out from the metal on the spirit's chest. Confusion vanished after the metal whips wound around multiple people who had tried to flee upon seeing the whips. Yangchen saw a very different side of the normally peacefully and pleasant spirit as a few men and women were dragged in front of the spirit's beak, noticing Alyssralove's beak took on a more predatory, serrated look as she yelled at what Yangchen could only assume were traitors, "SPIES! I'll be taking those radios now… I do not know exactly how, but I could feel your hearts beating excitedly when I talked about making weapons, could feel your erratic breathing and heartbeats as you proclaimed you hated the man you obviously work for - Jinshu Kuangmai!" Yangchen was slightly puzzled when the spirit added in English, "Guess the 'spirit vision' judging doesn't work perfectly, or I need to hone it like any other skill… perhaps I was too distracted to notice your red, red souls."

The crowd transfixed, Yangchen realized that spirits transformed with dual bending got more than just their human link's bending, given the spirit could now sense irregular heartbeats. Alyssralove continued, "I cannot infobend, unfortunately, so I'll just have to do this the… old fashioned way - though a little more humanely than Kuvira might have. I noticed you trying to bend ME, the metal whips - and I'm sure a little platinum handcuffs will keep you occupied until the Avatar arrives and she can strip your bending… unless you decide to cooperate." Yangchen sighed when all four spies spat, one yelling "Glory to Jinshu Kuangmai! All hail the Great Resistor!" Yangchen pretty sure she hadn't heard that title before. Apparently, Alyssralove did not feel amused either, hissing with what sounded like slight resignation, "Thsss - a pity. Now, I'll just be taking those notebooks you're clutching so tightly, along with your other personal affects," Yangchen cracking a smile, remembering a line her parents had told her King Bumi once used on Korra's predecessor as Alyssralove said, "Get me eight platinum shackles, one for each set of hands and feet, and then… throw them into 'the refurbished chamber that was once bad'!" Yangchen wasn't sure, but she swore she could hear something resembling a chirping laugh come out of the spirit's beak after.

Yangchen took the opportunity provided by the impromptu show's diversion to look around, not surprised in the least to find her mother, father and sister standing behind her. Yangchen blushed slightly when her sister Diki started to tussle Jaina's hair as her younger bubbly sister said, the tussling moving Yangchen in a way she wanted associated wither husband and not her sister, "Oh, she looks even cuter than she did before! I want one - and everything that comes with it! Oh you're such a cute little baby. Especially in that wonderful baby carrier!" Yangchen smiled to see Yuehan come a little closer, Yuehan saying with melancholy, "All babies look similar at her age - and really, all babies are the same, when you really get down to it. Her innocence… She really does remind me of … my baby son, may he rest in peace," Yangchen no longer smiling by the time he finished.

Her normally upbeat sister Diki looking sad, sadder than when her big sister had been the only one to get airbending in the entire family, Yangchen carefully took Jaina out, feeling light to see her sister's eyes light up again when Yangchen offered, "I'm going to be busy for a while - you want to look after her, Diki?" Diki beaming again as she took Jaina from Yangchen gingerly, Yangchen noticed that Yuehan really was interested in… something, maybe more than one thing, given how he joined her parents at Diki's side as they fussed over her daughter. Not entirely sure where her husband was, or if Alyssralove was going to start lessons anytime soon, Yangchen told a smiling Kipa, "Come on - I still do have stuff to do," deciding she'd wait for the engineers to come to her when Kipa shook her head, saying, "If Alyssralove's… otherwise occupied for now, why don't we go back to the original plan - you do the coaching? It's got something to do with love, the way I hear it. Oh- forgot to mention - you don't need to bother with lightning generation training. Almost every firebender down there can do it - my own oldest son included. It along with purifying the sewer water with earthbending and waterbending then sanitizing it by boiling were what let us stay 'off the grid' for so long." Yangchen felt grossed out at the idea of drinking sewer water, not sure if she wanted to tour New Garzai after all. Kipa called for Jeong-Jeong, Yangchen not sure if Kipa was being overly optimistic to think a nine-year old could master blue fire, even if he could generate lightning.

Seeing this had attracted the attention of a lot of other people holding small fires, some holding larger ones, Yangchen knew there was no going back now, explaining, "For decades, it was thought that blue fire was one particularly evil and twisted individual's trademark - then Princess Azula. I do not know how much you have heard about the outside world exactly, so I will just explain what the Avatar 'told' me about how she and her friend Mako managed to produce blue fire almost a week ago," surprised to hear the same troublemaker boy from earlier say, "I know how she told ya, most likely - 'star projectin'! Or wassit 'astral projectin' - whatever." Technically, he was wrong, Yangchen not having a clue until the massive information dump from Raava in a "place" she was still having some trouble making sense of herself, but she went with it, saying, hoping Alyssralove would keep her beak shut about this white lie, "Yes - after she contacted me last night, she contacted me again, giving more specific instructions, as well as letting me get to know everything that's happened recently in more detail," adding another white lie to make sure she wasn't interrupted again, "I'm no firebender, and it's all I can do to remember the exact thoughts and feelings, so if you interrupt me again, it could end badly. No blue fire."

Seeing even the young boy's big, apparently gay brother nodding, noticing that the older brother had the blue eyes of a waterbender, his boyfriend having yellow eyes and the smallest boy light yellow eyes, Yangchen decided to see if there were any other acidbenders aside from Korra and her mother Senna in the world after. Kipa and her children now standing in front of her, smiling to see that Gyatso had apparently made a friend, holding Iroh's hand, Yangchen began explaining: "Azula's blue firebending was a combination of exceptional skill as well as exceptional malice and hatred as a fuel, the way I have heard it. Avatar Korra first discovered a much less reprehensible source for the more powerful - and possibly Dark Spirit-deterring as well - flame while thinking about her other-centered anger. Everyone hoped that with Kuvira's surrender, that days of peace would return - but no one was more personally affected than Avatar Korra. She'd been fighting for four years, on and off, hoping for a lull, getting her only lull filled with the pain of recovery from Zaheer's poison, instead finding the future held the same things that her past did - chaos, discord, strife, conflict. No peace." Pausing for breath, noticing many of the adults in front of her including Kipa looked angry already, Yangchen continued, "It all came to a head the day after the Spirit Civil War started, her lover Asami Sato having been threatened indirectly by the spirit 'Long Yumao the Opportunist', her mentor Tenzin threatened by the same spirit the next day, and Tenzin's fourteen-year old daughter Jinora shortly after that. Korra first produced blue fire while thinking little about herself and her own concerns, thinking about everything that had 'gone wrong' and her anger with the Universe. Righteous anger. After the Hundred Year's War, from my studies, firebenders transitioned from hate and rage to more 'peaceful' power sources - but when your loved ones, friends, home is under threat by dark forces or evil people, righteous anger and wrath can be some of your best allies."

Vaguely remembering something about Jinora wanting to try out a similar technique with airbending, Yangchen decided to make her own "attempt" after she saw the first blue flames, continuing, remembering some of the things Kipa had told her on the way down the stairs, "I want every firebender in front of me to think about how you feel. The justified anger and rage you harbor at Earth King Kuei for not letting Garzai join the new nation it wanted to be a part of so desperately. The righteous anger you feel for Earth Queen Hou-Ting, even after death, for punishing the former colonies for being who and what they were. What you would feel, if your husband, wife, daughter, son, father, mother, boyfriend, girlfriend, friends were butchered by the monster that lurks far beyond these city walls, in his lair inside the city he ruined - Zaofu." Remembering how Korra had almost incinerated a passing boat, Yangchen made sure to add, seeing she wasn't a moment too soon, "When you unleash this rage - no, no, not yet, I'm not done! - make sure to control it by thinking about your loved ones, the feelings you have for them - platonic, familial, or sexual. This blue fire is difficult to control; the Avatar warned me about this specifically."

Yangchen raised her hand, saying, "Now try your hand - see if you have the heart of an Avatar!"

Yangchen saw many large billows and jets of flame erupt skyward, all intense and powerful looking - even those from children, including Kipa's oldest, Jeong-Jeong. Yangchen hadn't known what to expect, but she was sorely disappointed to not see any blue fire at first except from one vaguely familiar tall man near King Bumi's fountain, saying angrily after she recognized Seiko, "Seiko just did it - and so can you! You don't have to hide anymore - TRY AGAIN! I know firebenders draw power from the sun - and I know your circumstances! Feel the sun's rays on your skin - feel the sun within! Burning life! You may have had to hide underground for generations, closeting your children until they can learn to refrain from expressing a vital part of who they are - their bending!", feeling angry herself as she continued, "But just like the howling typhoon I feel inside my heart, when I think of what could happen to my family, at the hands of Dark Spirit or 'Dark Human' alike, nothing can extinguish your inner fire! Only losing hope can! ROAR!"

Yangchen smiled, hearing the intense crackling of flame, the warmth from the symphony of fire in front of her giving her a simultaneous feeling of power and peace. Very few "little people" could produce any blue fire like Kipa's son Jeong-Jeong had, likely drawing on his anger and resentment for having to work so hard just to keep his family above water. Having heard Mako himself was a skilled firebender, as was obviously the Avatar, Korra seeming equally comfortable with all four elements to Yangchen, Yangchen hadn't expected everyone to produce blue fire. Which they hadn't, Yangchen frowning slightly to see a few people crying, apparently feeling inferior, people nearby consoling them after a while.

But Yangchen certainly hadn't expected for there to be more than one or two multicolor fire vortexes screaming out of firebender's mouths towards the sky, Kipa among the ten to fiteen who had produced dragon's fire out of what seemed like many hundreds of firebenders, making a mental note to ask Kipa just how many people lived in New Garzai at some point. Yangchen noticed with a smile that someone she hadn't expected had managed to produce the colors of the rainbow - the shy, larger gay teenager had. Yangchen smiled broadly to see any kind of love bloom as she heard the bigger teen saying, "Jobukori… I love you. I... I've never actually said it before, out loud and strong - just like my… fire for you," what must have been Jobukori kissing his much taller boyfriend after he said, "I love you too, Daikaji - now let's go make sure we can live to see Republic City, together! To arms!" Yangchen noticed a few other "sexually interesting" young couples join them. Yangchen winced slightly for multiple reasons when one with green eyes glistening with hate said, manipulating two dual dao swords she had just whipped out far too deftly to be a nonbender, "Yeah - to arms! One defector told me what I thought all along for the past two years. My parents, in Jasmine's camp, having been deemed 'dangerous' enough two years ago as Garzai's 'leaders' by Kuvira to warrant being thrown in the 'highest' security prison camp. It's payback time when the Earth Empire attacks. I was the only one in our family to get away two years ago from Kuvira by pretending to betray them, unable to get my little sister… I've heard the rumors from defectors about what Jinshu Kuangmai wanted to do to people like us - 'sexual criminals'! When they attack, let's return the favor!" With that, the girl held both swords at her side once more, forming an Earth Empire symbol from a piece of stone and slicing it clean in two with one sword after, as if to demonstrate what she though Earth Empire soldiers good for.

Yangchen was ready to go into a big long speech about not giving into hatred, much less killing for its own sake - at least she had killed for a purpose, if mainly for the wrong reasons! She was certain she wasn't going to try the acidbending experiment if that was how some people felt - she didn't want to inadvertently empower an angry potential killer like this unnamed teenage girl earthbender. Yangchen breathed a huge sigh of relief when what must have been the bellicose teenage girl's girlfriend said incredulously, "Wh - Lumang, no! Don't be stupid - if we piss off the Earth Empire too much, they might fry us all, like Kipa said earlier." Yangchen's relief didn't last long, grumbling slightly when Lumang tossed one sword idly in the air, looking at Yangchen directly as she spoke, "Yeah, Jin - I guess you are right, in a way. If I'm dead, I won't get to fight, or ever see you again either. Got to remember what we're up against… which is what, exactly, Yangchen? You and Kipa haven't told us everything."

Not sure she could get a headstrong teenager to understand the fact that she didn't really know what they were up against, even the Avatar not knowing aside from guesses, Yangchen was relieved when Kipa took over, merely stating, "The way Yangchen explained it to me earlier, it's something you can't see - something that you would never see before dying, or something that leads to a long, lingering death you can do nothing about. And that's just the unknown weapon - she also told me there's a large railway gun that Jinshu Kuangmai claimed could vaporize either the prison camp or Omashu if he wills it at any moment, not vaporizing Omashu out of concern for the city itself and all its industry. The camp, not vaporized due to some private deal even Yangchen didn't give me the specifics of. We've got to defend ourselves enough to stay free - I'm sure you and your girlfriend Jin have extra incentive for that, aside from you wanting to see your family again - but not so effectively or brutally they decide to just kill us all. We can't afford for them to give up hope of taking back Omashu before the Avatar arrives - capturing the city, above ground resident and below ground residents alike. Again, from what Yangchen said, the illusion of hope of victory for them is crucial to maintain." Yangchen felt a small pit in her stomach, realizing those spies had likely seen and reported the residents of New Garzai's existence as soon as people started bending water and fire in the open.

Maybe even what had just happened as well - four spies for all of Omashu did seem like not nearly enough, if Jasmine's camp had warranted one spy. Then again, Jinshu Kuangmai had "trusted" Omashu enough to never visit personally. If he had, with his truth sense…

There may not have been an evacuation to do from Omashu in the first place, almost everyone dead or imprisoned for their "treachery".

Snapping to the present when Kipa tapped her shoulder, she listened as Kipa asked, "Yangchen - you okay?" She nodded, face perking up slightly when Kipa told her, "The engineers are finally here to see you."

The other, highly protective part of being a mother taking over, Yangchen felt a rush of energy at the opportunity to make sure her city and family stayed safe, quickly preparing to draw out and explain the weapons she'd been shown and would need to the stunned looking engineers. Without needing to be asked, Yuehan made a table for them all to work on near the soothing sounds of King Bumi's fountain, and a separate one for himself, Kipa's family and Yangchen's family. Wondering why he had made the other table so close out loud, Yangchen nodded in agreement when Yuehan said, "Inspiration comes from the oddest places at times, and I figured you might want to be near family while working on war. Cheer you up some. The water should help too." Able to sense he might not be needed for a while, Yuehan immediately returned to talking to Yangchen's sister about love, life and his own loss, Diki appearing like she was cradling a sleeping Jaina tenderly more for her own benefit than Jaina's. Yangchen and Kipa's family kept to themselves at the separate table - for now.

She didn't know exactly why, but Yangchen felt she might need their support later, feeling something she hadn't before - a sort of premonition. Closing her eyes, she saw eight characters, a chill running down her back at their meaning: Chief Military Officer Wuqing.

Merciless.

Recollecting herself, Yangchen still started with the Liser as she had wanted to after her change of heart, though she did explain its potential for designating targets for benders and Meesiles alike. Even without truly endless power feeding it, the Liser could be a highly effective way to give orders in the right hands - likely her hands, though she'd still try to find time for Jaina. After all, her parents hadn't just taught her about the Air Nomads and their near extinction, but also the underpinnings behind and workings of what might have saved them - a standing military, like Jinora wanted. Yangchen made two mental notes; one, to ask Korra about any changes in tactics she or anyone else thought spirit weapons and these newer weapons brought, remembering that the Avatar had likely used every weapon system she had provided the plans to Yangchen by now against some vile sea spirit. The other, to ask her parents to bring out their personal book collection, and to ask Yuehan to see if he could scrounge up any Earth Empire tactical manuals, wanting to know more about her enemy thought and operated beyond what the former Sergeant knew himself. Given one of Kuvira's schools was present in Omashu, Yangchen was pretty sure he'd find something.

Noticing the engineers did mostly look lost at her explanation of the Liser with only a few exceptions, Yangchen moved on, hoping they would "get" the workings of Meesiles, airbender projectiles and the glove design, smokeless Lipowder weapons such as the two forms of the Varrick gun, the spirit repeaters and spirit engines better than they had Varrick and Zhu Li's odd light-based brainchild. While they didn't look lost, Yangchen could tell they needed a while to digest everything especially when one dunce asked, "Why don't we just make Chin's fire-earth 'fully automatic'?" despite having just been told why the "fire-earth" Chin had been able to produce would gum up any such weapon. Yangchen felt like a dunce herself when he added, clearly displeased and more than "slightly" condescending, "Don't give me that look, woman - err, Yangchen. I'm not an idiot - just airbend the smoke away from the barrels and earthbend the soot out of the barrels if needed. And unless you can figure out how to 'synthesize' with four benders before the Avatar herself figures out how it works, that 'Varrick gun' sounds awfully complicated to produce on such short notice - you sure there's not a simpler version?" Yangchen laughed when a woman who bore some resemblance to the other engineer scoffed, saying, "Well, why don't you come up with it, if you're so smart, 'Grating Gear', and stop earning my nickname for you!"

Remembering that all spirits aligned with Raava had some link to the great spirit of love and light, Alyssralove also having an apparent link to Kuvira, wondering if some of the former tyrant's technical expertise had rubbed off on her spirit friend, Yangchen yelled, "ALYSSRALOVE! I need you over here!" The same man as before yelped slightly when Alyssralove chose to delicately land fairly close to him, everyone except for him laughing after the spirit said, "You may be a chauvinist, but I'll work with you if I have to. 'My human' Kuvira doesn't take guff from any man, and you should probably treat Yangchen with the same respect you'd treat both her and 'my' other human Mako," the female engineer who must have been the sister of "Grating Gear" laughing harder than even Yangchen's own mother.

Turning to Yangchen, still towering over every human present, Alyssralove cocked her head to the side, chirping, "Exactly what did you need me for again? I'm done seeing those spies to their cells, and the situation has only improved in the prison camp. Sura's begun healing people… if you know what I mean." Yangchen nodded, pointing to the blueprint of a Varrick gun as she said, "Good to hear. You can say what Sura is - we're all friends here, and I bet the enemy knows she's a psychic bloodbender by now anyways. I'm sure Jasmine has put her to use," a few people gasping as Yangchen continued, Alyssralove nodding and confirming Yangchen's suspicion, "Following this rude man's suggestion, I need a simpler but still effective version of the Varrick gun, that can use inferior fire-earth like that in Chin's war balloon that we captured's holds instead of the more resource and time intensive smokeless version."

No sooner had Yangchen finished than a metal pen levitated into the air off the table, the great spirit looking at her expectantly - as if wanting clear paper! Yangchen quickly took the other blueprints off the table. At first, the pen, which she assumed was being manipulated by Alyssralove, moved erratically, her suspicion confirmed when after one particularly bad pen stroke the dragon bird spirit hissed, the pen's metal cap and point melting slightly. Now slightly leery of the spirit, Yangchen suggested, "Uh, Alyssralove - you can earthbend and firebend. As I can see by you melting that pen. Why don't you just lavabend a piece of marble with the blueprint engraved on it?" seeing the spirit was more than logical when it replied, "No - something like that would be much easier to leave behind than a piece of light paper, and we don't want Jinshu Kuangmai getting ahold of this. Paper's also very easy to burn. It felt like I had a little block on the design. Hmmm… just a moment - I think I might know the problem."

The spirit closing its eyes and breathing in and out a few times, "Grating Gear" having the presence of mind to bring another metal pen to the stone table, the pen had hardly come into view before a small metal tendril grasped it, the form of a more primitive-looking weapon Alyssralove labeled the "Gatling gun" taking form on a clean blueprint. Apparently not done, another metal tendril shot out from the spirit's central yin-yang symbol exposing more paper, the other metal tendril drawing even more primitive-looking weapons on the page. Alyssralove explained coolly, "I just 'talked' to Wan Shi Tong - the spirit who needed to grant me access to the wing in which these weapons can be found in his spirit library. What Jasmine calls the 'put-put cart', seen here with its many barrels, has proven to be very effective during a few subterranean tests when coupled with metal, earth and firebending for firing, cleaning and reloading. This other weapon, the Meesile cart, has not been tested, the 'Meesiles' themselves nothing more than glorified fireworks with metal shells instead of paper and extra Lipowder in the tips. These three along with the 'Gatling gun' should be child's play for Omashu to produce - and I recommend starting immediately."

A few engineers running off with the blueprints, Alyssralove re-produced them quickly after. They were apparently eager to do just that -run off - and leave the more complicated weapons for others to worry about, those left looking relieved somehow at their departure. One woman spoke up, saying to what must have been her brother's consternation, "Surprised you didn't leave with the other cop-outs, big brother." The man still looking annoyed, his cheeks flushed when the woman continued, pointing to the Meesile and Liser's blueprints, "Bet you're just jealous Meelo, a nine-year old boy and Zhu Li, just a 'woman', made things you'd have never thought of." Although it was amusing, Yangchen didn't have time for this banter, saying, "Whoever you two are, cut it out for now."

Both nodded, Yangchen suppressing a smile to see the young woman elbow her brother covertly, saying at the same time, with false innocence, "All that stuff you gave us is great - got anything else for us, either of you?" Yangchen had a vague idea she wanted tested, but found herself interrupted by Alyssralove, the spirit speaking as she drew some items Korra had either forgotten - or tried - to give Yangchen, "Yes - adjustable strength lightning generators. If the Lisers can really be powered by 'mere' spirit vines to even a fraction of their potential, they will be key, if you want to knock someone out with lightning generated by a machine, instead of killing them. Even if we have firebenders, they would be best used trying to master the 'synthesis' Avatar Korra used to produce these weapons." Yangchen liked how the spirit thought when she added, "Would be great to knock out and capture Wuqing - I bet he knows all sorts of stuff Korra would love to. Not to mention Chin himself…"

Not sure why Jinshu Kuangmai himself hadn't been included, Yangchen wondering if infobending was like its "parent" energybending in that one will had to triumph over another for anything to happen, Yangchen cemented her own idea for Lisers, drawing quickly as she explained, "This is the last piece of equipment I can think of to make on short notice, unless you feel like trying to make more spirit weapons and convert them into engines, or, hah, modernized mechasuits, tanks, war balloons, let alone aircraft. This Liser 'dazzler' isn't to kill or even wound - just incapacitate, like a weak lightning bolt. I got inspiration from it by remembering how much my eyes hurt adjusting to the morning sun earlier. Idea is, you have a whole bunch of little Lisers facing forward, or a few aimed ones, at a power low enough that the enemy is only temporarily blinded instead of permanently if it hits their retina." Realizing a lethal use for this non-lethal weapon, she added, "If it ever looks like we're going to be overrun, just turn up the dazzler's power, and while the target is down - hit them hard. Yeah I can see you over there, Xingyun. Don't give me that look, honey - we all known Jinshu Kuangmai is unlikely to play fair. Yeah - I hardly call a mystery instant death weapon playing fair."

Not feeling like she had backtracked any on her change in heart about taking life or like she could no longer fly, Yangchen realized with a mix of excitement and dread she'd likely be setting precedents for the new Air Nation military and ethos without intending to in defense of Omashu. Yangchen now noticed what she had thought were disapproving stares were just blank ones, people apparently still not getting the complicated Liser. Just as she had originally feared and rationalized not telling anyone about for the exact reason that was now staring in her face. Yangchen asked for a mirror, paying back whoever "Grating Gear" was for his earlier misogyny by reflecting the sunlight into his face, saying as though to a grade schooler, much to his sister's delight, "Basically, that, but with a Liser instead, 'strobing' out towards the front all over the place from multiple sources. People will be too busy covering their eyes to try and fight back," adding, "Now that I have your attention, 'Grating Gear', I'll repeat myself," another woman engineer snickering slightly to see the look on his sister's face. Ignoring this, Yangchen said, "Electricity makes light, and the light does funny things when run through this chamber with vaporized spirit vine 'gas' - sort of looks a little like a mover camera had a foursome with with a spirit vine capsule and two mirrors, now that I think about it," hoping "Grating Gear" wouldn't react negatively when she stressed, "Probably where Zhu Li got the idea… If they ever get too close and it looks like we might lose… I figure, just like the sun's rays if you look at it too long, with enough juice, we could blind them - permanently. Only as a last resort though - I figure blinding Jinshu Kuangmai's precious elites would be enough to 'earn' us oblivion."

The female engineer nodded, her brother not batting an eyelash at Yangchen's stressing, Yangchen noticing her eyes were golden as she said, tossing her jet black hair slightly, "I don't like to throw my father's name around, but I'm Kosuke, the renowned architect Seiko's only daughter. That chauvinist idiot is my one, and thankfully only, brother, Taro, or as I like to call him, 'Grating Gear'. As you can see, he really can be grating." Giving Taro a quick glance, noticing his eyes were the same color as Asami Sato's - light green, Yangchen asked out of curiosity, "Either one of you benders?" Both siblings shook their heads, Kosuke frowning a little as she said, "No." Yangchen did her best not to act excited when Taro said, sounding like he thought he was being ridiculous even mentioning it, "Did have a crazy dream last night where I was taking earthbending lessons from our grandfather, my little sister- ouch! you know I'm older than you, Kosuke… even if I don't always act like it - taking firebending lessons from our grandmother. In Garzai, of all places - before Kuvira tore it up, or even the Earth Queen ruined it, from what gramps said!"

Yangchen hoped nobody was good at catching lies as she said, knowing Raava had been pretty explicit about very carefully disseminating knowledge about the bending pulse, "Hah - dreams can be crazy. Just last night, I dreamed I was a hopping llama," her face flushing when Kosuke's eyes thinned, saying, "Uhuh - yeah. You sure had plenty of time to dream, giving birth then handing out information about what Avatar Korra wants with Omashu. I can see the little shadows under your eyes. That dream seemed too real to be a 'hopping llama' mad dream - grandma seemed just like she did when I last saw her, but younger! She even told us stuff my dad knew, and had never mentioned, given his… less than enthusiastic reaction to 'baby and teenager Seiko' stories she told us. And I think that bending thing means something too."

Yangchen acted like she needed to use the bathroom, saying, "Oh shoot. Bathroom - be right back," stopping dead in her tracks when she heard an avian voice say from behind her, "Yangchen, remember - I can tell when you're lying," glad she had a co-conspirator when Alyssralove said, telling a partial truth herself, "She really needs to go talk to Jasmine about something that's hush-hush - better to not ask about it," Yangchen realizing Alyssralove was talking to her part ways through when the spirit added in English, "Raava has the same reservations disseminating information about the bending pulse, as she does for telling you anything else about Jaina. Just know that I did speak earlier - saying you are the perfect mother for Jaina, past life considerations and all."

Apparently, nobody around her was a truthsenser, spoke English, or knew enough to realize Yangchen could simply "talk" to Jasmine through Alyssralove, Yangchen saying, "I owe you one!" in English as she left, glad to hear the engineers talking and apparently working in her absence once they finished complaining about the "barking tongue". The last chatter she heard being about a spirit engine sketch, it was apparent Alyssralove was helping as well, Yangchen yelling, "When you're done, Alyssralove, help them make everything a reality!" hoping the dragon bird spirit had heightened hearing.

Finding herself actually needing to use the restroom now that she thought about it, Yangchen winced prematurely, not anticipating the sting that came from her vagina being raw after childbirth. Remembering her earlier pain when she tried to rush moving her lower body, she went slow, cursing still as she went. The pain - still there! Yangchen tried something unconventional, attempting to meditate the pain away. While it worked in a fashion, she wondered what a waterbender healer might be able to do for her - a woman, obviously. Now thinking of another person she might want to talk to in the camp, Yangchen exited the restroom. Remembering some of what her mother had told her about delivering both her sister Diki 26 years ago and herself four years before that, Yangchen felt she had gotten off easy. Her mother required both a waterbender healer and a surgeon after delivering her little sister, Yangchen hoping she could have another kid unlike her mother. Her mother Weifeng had been devastated when the surgeon told her another child might be her end… and she was too old now, well into her fifties, likely more interested in having grandchildren from Diki than the biologically impossible.

Remembering what she had needed to talk to Jasmine about and now wanted to ask Sura about, Yangchen contacted the prison camp's leader after a few tries, saying in English, "I'm not entirely sure what Alyssralove has 'told' you, Jasmine - so I have a question for you. One I didn't feel comfortable relaying through Alyssralove, given she might act on it herself, even if she did just tell me she had reservations about it. Two of my engineers had bending dreams last night, and I botched the diversion attempt - the sharper one, Kosuke, thinks something's up. What should I do?" After a brief pause, the response came in English, Jasmine sounding vaguely annoyed somehow, "Hmmm - do whatever you think is best, Yangchen. Your call is as good as mine on this - I've had a few of the nonbender 'sexually interesting' prisoners tell me about their own bending dreams, including some others I think are just flights of fancy," Jasmine contradicting herself slightly when she said, "My position? Things are complicated enough as is, and it's over a week away. People knowing would just complicate things, and you never know if someone's going to slip up." After a slight pause and an English curse, Jasmine continued in the same language, saying, "Like I just did - forgot to stay in code for that part! Hope Jang didn't catch that - not like he'd ever puzzle it out anyways. On what I know - she's let Wan Shi Tong know about everything that's happened."

Remembering the other reason for the call, one a little more… personal, Yangchen asked, "Can I speak to Sura, if she's not busy nursing?" Rather than an answer from Jasmine, Yangchen heard another woman's voice pipe up, what must have been Sura saying in English, "I don't know what you guys were talking about, but understood everything you were saying. If you have something that might give people hope or inspire them, tell them," Yangchen hearing a slight bumble after footsteps faded, "Why do you want to talk to little old me, Yangchen? Don't you have something to be doing?" Yangchen could see her point, but the lingering and dimming pain had a stronger argument, Yangchen saying with a hushed tone, "We're both new moms, that's what, Sura. You gave birth to twins a while ago - my own baby slide's smarting, a lot more than after I had my first kid, Gyatso. You think a waterbender healer could do anything about my pain? Make my vagina shut up already?" After a slight pause, Sura said, "I'm a first time mom - glad to know that's 'normal'. Except mine felt less like smarting at first, more like screaming, having had twins and all. I'm just glad nothing went wrong… All me or my husband has done so far is normal healing, even internally with some water, and it helped ease the pain a little. Just a moment," saying after a much longer pause, "Whoa - never thought my special talent would be good for quite so… personal care! I almost feel like I could handle a little 'traditional' style fun with my husband now, aside from my hips. Too bad nobody can bonebend. Not like I'd have time to do anything for six weeks anyways, with twins… but you never know. If you're still hurting later and everyone gets out of this camp and to Omashu, I'll see what I can do for you," smiling slightly when Sura finished, "If you get free time, I'd like to talk to you - all this fighting isn't my thing, even if I know Jasmine needs me badly. I'd rather take care of my babies Sokka and Katara than make people jerk around like puppets in this endless tug-of-war. Over and out."

At first, Yangchen only felt glad to know she had another mother concerned for her and possible friend, a stray thought running through her mind ruining the feeling entirely: "If we're spread out into two targets, that means we might have a chance to take out the railgun and then save whichever doesn't get hit by the mystery weapon from destruction by the unknown device, once they take the first shot. If it comes to that... Maybe… the prison camp shouldn't 'retreat' - stay and act as a temporary sponge until the reinforcements from Republic City arrive? Any help at all?" Calling back and relaying her concerns to Jasmine in English, Yangchen didn't like the string of profanities she heard, Jasmine admitting in code still, "UGH! Nobody had thought of that, or took that into account when thinking about what goes where! I still don't know how that big Dark Spirit turned out for Korra - can't make radio contact at this range with most of the towers being in Earth Empire hands," Yangchen not sure what to think when Jasmine said in English, "As I mentioned, Wan Shi Tong was telling me about 'little Garzai' beneath Omashu from what your only spirit ally saw, the blue fire as well, and, while news of more people on our side is welcome… I can't help but think. If something like that can stay hidden from even Jinshu Kuangmai, never mind Kuvira and him… maybe this mystery device isn't officially condoned? We both know Jinshu Kuangmai wants Omashu intact, and from what we know about the weapon's possibilities, even a … death particle ray would 'ruin' the city for him, most of the metal in Omashu radiating death particles for who knows how long. Chin worked behind both Kuvira and Jinshu Kuangmai's back to an extent on fire-earth, I know, though Kuvira never knew of it and it sounds like Jinshu Kuangmai approved of the weapons a little bit, given the funding he did receive before now - damn. We need the WHOLE story!"

A borderline lunatic idea occurring to Yangchen, she suggested, still in English, "We both know our favorite blood-iron bender seems to have taken Korra's threat to end him seriously, guarding some special project like his life depends on it - which it probably does. Say we radio him - Jinshu Kuangmai. Maybe if we call him out on what we think might be Korranium weaponization… he'll either confirm it's someone else's sickening baby, or give Korra the reason she needs to off him?" In the silence that followed, Yangchen thought a little, remembering something the tyrant in question had said himself: "I want to rule EVERYTHING, not see EVERYTHING turned to ash before me, Vaatu!" Remembering another thing Toph's reprehensible son had said: "If everyone's dead, how can I take pleasure in seeing other's fear, or their quaking obedience?" and the fact that Jinshu Kuangmai had demoted one of his top officers for suggesting they would obliterate Omashu under any condition, Yangchen's stomach sunk, pretty sure they were dealing with a "loose cannon" now. Telling as much to Jasmine in English, she got another string of curses, cursing a little herself when Jasmine gave a one-word reply: "Wuqing."

A one word reply that sent chills down her spine.

Not knowing if there was anything they really could do about either the rail gun or the mystery device at this stage, Yangchen sighed with resignation, saying as much, laughing bitterly to hear Jasmine suggest in English what she herself had suggested earlier jokingly: "Like it or not, Omashu may need to try and produce tanks, mechasuits, airships. Crap, if you can do it, a Raging Shark Whale would be nice! The whole 'nine yards'. Any little slipup to the north with the people coming from Republic City or the west with the Avatar, we could end up on our own for quite some time, and we both know Jinshu Kuangmai's 'holding back' and preparing - Tonga said as much," not sure if she was relieved or distraught as Jasmine continued, Yangchen realizing the place that needed it the most was the weakest, "Even with that find of supplies, unless we figure out how to synthesize equipment and get more materials, our camp may be screwed sideways in the long run. I don't look forward to seeing what my former boss and Chin have been working on. You might be better on the bender front than Omashu has all four bending types present - plenty of earthbenders, that's for sure. From what you told me in Pema's inner dream world, you've got over a hundred airbenders from all over the former Earth Kingdom who took shelter there over the past three years of varying skill level."

Yangchen chuckled weakly when Jasmine continued, "And not all running from the Earth Queen or Kuvira, the way you've told their tales. Knowing the old Tenzin and Air Nation, I can see the how and why behind what you said people felt. I guess people fancied being found by Tenzin or Korra and guilt-tripped into the Air Nation just as attractive and resistible as the Earth Queen's 'recruitment'. Wonder if Korra or someone's going to go back and give everyone who refused when asked outright the 'good news' about the new Air Nation." Yangchen remembered more than a few airbenders who had come to her discreetly even before Korra's poisoning, having correctly hoped there were airbenders in Omashu that weren't goody-two shoes. These reluctant souls weren't sure if they could resist both Tenzin and the Avatar's appeal to join the Air Nation, but didn't want to give up things like meat, regular clothes, or non-nonviolence - much less leaving their families behind! Luckily, the chaos in the Earth Kingdom let the trickle continue, even made it grow, all the other airbenders under her "command" having originally intended only to make a new life in Omashu as nonbenders much as the residents of New Garzai had without the world's knowledge. Omashu was one of the few cities besides Zaofu itself that hadn't fallen to chaos… aside from Garzai, from what Kipa had told her. Such a loss... Yangchen had made it a priority to take any newcomers she could aside when possible over the past three years.

Remembering how many of her airbenders had come with family, especially how some of the new bender's family members had been slightly resentful at first of their sister, father, daughter's lucky gift, Yangchen made a vow to let anyone in those families - including her own, if any of them had dreams they hadn't mentioned - know about the meaning of any bending dreams. Even if it meant "letting the fireferret out of the bag" to Kosuke and Taro and likely anyone else.

Yangchen snapped back to attention, saying, "Sorry - drifted off into thought. What was the last thing you said?" Yangchen found herself wondering what was going on, hearing scattered sounds of fighting as Jasmine said, "The fighting's starting to heat up a bit. It's really sort of… quiet, even still. I haven't seen a single reinforcement or any bit of activity in Zaofu's direction. Not even from the 'proving grounds' nearby where the rail gun is…" Yangchen wasn't entirely sure what Jasmine's point was, her ears perking up when she continued, "I was scanning radio frequencies earlier; dolts haven't changed them enough. Apparently, people are contacting Jang, even from some ruckus up north that one person is speaking in some sort of code about… but nothing's getting through to Jinshu Kuangmai - if he knew what Wuqing was doing, or rather, doing poorly and doing instead, it'd be that hotheaded idiot's head. I don't know if you've noticed it, but they've been fussing around with his own elite troops in an empty field, making hills and digging into existing ones while Chin's troops under Jayashri get tossed around like rag dolls… No harm done with your lapse of attention - I was listening to the process two of the 'sexually interesting' prisoners, two of Jinshu Kuangmai's former top scientists Fai and Maylin, came up with just now for making metal-based synthesis easy. Hope we can test it one more time before we need the spirit weapons for anything else… Alyssralove can tell you - we're still going to keep trying to do synthesis 'properly' like Korra does though. So far, metalbending, waterbending and firebending together have been good - but still missing something, given how the material sometimes either cracks or doesn't end up like it should, and we can't make anything really complicated… like a Varrick gun. Sigh… Wan Shi Tong found the theory fascinating, the demonstration, even more so. What you need to do - make Alyssralove some extra armor, like what I'm designing for every spirit in our camp. Given how big she is, you might even be able to arm her with some physical weaponry."

Yangchen recoiled slightly, saying, "I don't know - remember the whole thing with the Spirit Portal barriers? Spirits might not take too kindly to humans arming and armoring their spirit allies for human wars," conceding the point to Jasmine when she said, "Uh - Alyssralove's already drawn weapon blueprints for you, and tuber-vines are basically that, except on 'steroids'! Half their whole point in the first place! We need to make sure everyone is protected - even Raava has the common sense to wear armor while in her human-y form." Yangchen still feeling slightly uneasy, she said, "Okay - still not sure why she needs armor when she can just go incorporeal," Yangchen's stomach dropping when Jasmine said, "Aye-zul tried that, intending to see if he could just waltz over to Wuqing when he returned to his camp after doing whatever in the middle of nowhere, hop into him and kill him - he's now sporting a few holes in his ears, incorporeal at the time or not. He swears it was from 'man-portable spirit weapon fire' guarding Wuqing's tent, sort of like a spirit repeater but smaller. I hope he's wrong," Yangchen glad the spirit was okay - wondering if she'd be facing miniature spirit weapons anytime soon.

Jasmine continued for a short time, still in code, yelling over an awful racket, "Crap - looks like our line in the sand has just been crossed! That's Lipowder you hear! They're finally starting to bring out the big guns! Aye-zul says he recognizes 'chirping' from earlier," a nasal voice interjecting, "Those metaltossers have more than one - I thought I saw more than a couple when I was jetting away! Why, why'd I have to be right! Tell 'Miss' Stinky she needs to hurry up and get here!" Jasmine continued after what must have been Aye-zul stopped speaking, "We may need support at some point - probably sooner than you can make any military equipment! Figure out a way for Omashu to support us 'ASAP' without risking anyone - human or spirit! You're clever - I'm sure you'll think of something!", Yangchen grumbling to hear Jasmine finish in code, the odd "BWOONG" ringing out as she spoke, as well as a chirp she had never heard before, "Until she's armed and armored, something other than your spirit friend - this could be a long haul, even with everything we've found in scavenging the train! If I need her, Alyssralove will just leave Omashu, but only as a last resort - I'm not getting someone's 'lovebird' killed! I know you have reservations still most likely, but… just… think of it as a mechasuit for a spirit! Use her while you can."

With that, a powerful voice building to a roar by the time it was finished speaking rang out clear through the radio, "All the red soldiers… I can see the hatred through their mechasuits… I know what they… WHAT THEY WANT TO DO TO THE 'SPECIAL' PRISONERS! OVER TEN THOUSAND YEARS… AND NOW IN THE RIGHT. PERMISSION TO WIPE THEM OUT, JASMINE?" Jasmine responded, more human shouting almost drowning her out, "No - not as a first 'resort'! I had no choice but to kill that spy earlier! Control your rage, keep it controlled but still useful, all of you! Kill to protect, to defend what's right - not for its own sake! Remember which powerful spirit backs the Earth Empire, which one we're fighting for! Goodbye, Yangchen!"

After a little pause, nothing. Not a sound from the radio…

Yangchen was glad she heard silence, instead of static, or an enraged Aye-zul contradicting Jasmine in a… physical, violent way. Looking at her watch, she noted the time, intending to remember exactly when Jasmine had come under heavy attack: 7:28 AM. Making her way back to the engineering table slowly, Yangchen felt slightly comforted by the fact she had been able to accomplish so much in such a short time. Remembering how the enemy had apparently squandered their own time, Yangchen figured Jasmine had more than a fighting chance if the enemy's idiot and likely treasonous commander Wuqing had waited this long to attack in force, small arm spirit weapons or not. Remembering Jinshu Kuangmai's temper, she was pretty sure why Wuqing hadn't used the superweapon on the camp - whether Jinshu Kuangmai liked it or not, the camp was the ticket to his "girlfriend" getting dual bending, and Wuqing likely knew taking away that bargaining chip would have been his end.

Then again - if Wuqing were logical at all, why would he risk so much to construct a device anything close to what Jinshu Kuangmai had seen destroy Earth - those weapons the whole reason Toph's wayward son lashed out at Vaatu in the first place? Just how poor was the enemy's communication with one another?! A small chill running down her spine, pretty sure what her premonition had been about now, Yangchen realized she'd never understand evil, and didn't want to. She did know what she needed - find out more about this mystery device, if at all possible.

Finally back to the engineer table, noticing the family table had some blank blueprints on it as well, she smiled slightly to see Kosuke greet her warmly, waving many sheets of paper in the air as she said, "Yangchen, come and look - if benders can make this equipment and change some of Omashu's existing industrial stuff, we can make all the bullets, shells, these man-portable Meesiles we came up with without bending! And Alyssralove gave us a bunch of other designs - claims you've seen some, but not all of them!" Giving Alyssralove a quick glance, Yangchen said as enthusiastically as she could manage, a small suspicion beginning to gnaw at her, "That's great, Kosuke - I'll make that top priority."

Remembering two other top priorities, she said, "Mom, dad - get all the books and scrolls you think relevant to defending ourselves from 'our' library. Yuehan - go to Kuvira's school, anywhere, find me an Earth Empire tactical manual, I need to know how they think," quickly after floating over the much larger family table, Iroh clapping innocently. Hearing Gyatso sniff a little, her own knowing what something like this could mean, Yangchen found herself tempted to cry. Remembering something Raava had shown her about the great spirit's own failing, Yangchen shook her head and said, "No - I've got to stay strong. I can't afford to lose it right now." Seeing an unexpected face at the table, Yangchen listened as Seiko said, his wife and two children joining his side, "How can I help - like my kids have?" Knowing Seiko likely had an encyclopedic knowledge of Omashu both aboveground and below, Yangchen said, "Seiko, I want you to work with my parents and Yuehan. Figure out the most likely routes of attack besides the obvious - the bridges. Assume the worst, that some spy managed to get out information about the subterranean tunnels' specifics. Also try and come up with updated defensive positions and ambush sites - secret tunnels could prove decisive if the enemy doesn't know. Maybe even help ensure most of the takedowns are nonlethal."

Noticing both Kosuke and Taro were at full attention, Taro giving Yangchen a respect he hadn't before based on his stature, Yangchen said, "You two, get busy with ammunition production equipment creation. That other stuff can wait - likely a bunch of advanced stuff," Kosuke's nod confirming Yangchen's suspicion as she continued, "Get the spirit weapon and engine works running too - we may need air support beyond airbenders, and who knows how long it is until Jinshu Kuangmai or Chin think of making something other than just war balloons. Take as many benders as you need. I'll try to tag along - come up with a way to help Jasmine at the camp from afar without risking anyone while we do so." Seeing her husband looking a little flustered, Yangchen said, "I know you're a lover, honey - but maybe you should study these blueprints, read up on tactics, everything. I need you to be a second me."

Xingyun nodded, saying as Kosuke and Taro looked antsy, "I know what's at stake. Of course I will! And have - I paid attention to the meetings too," Yangchen laughing when he added, "I remember you admonishing me for giving you 'that look' earlier," Xingyun saying after a loud squawk nearly caused Yangchen to land, "Looks like someone needs to speak to you." Yangchen spun around, Alyssralove speaking fast, "I am glad the siblings stayed - I just got all the exact details about a new way to make things, though I've already explained a part of it - a way to make spirit weapons not fire at full capacity. With this, you should be able to make the ammunition-producing equipment very quickly, given it's all metallic and earthen. Possibly even the ammunition itself, given there's spirit energy in the smokeless Lipowder because of the spirit vine base. Just hear me out…"

Yangchen listened incredulously to Alyssralove's explanation, finding herself not alone in demanding an explanation or demonstration at the end: "When Varrick first examined spirit vines, he postulated they were pure, unstable energy given a physical form - something he confirmed violently, getting one of my human's attention in the process, back when she was evil. You all have worked with transformed spirit vines - the vines I stabilized and empowered with Raava's energy. That of love - love and hate being the two truly universal constants, associated with great energy and power. Though we know the more powerful one… Anyways, Fai and Maylin observed the process of spirit vine transformation in the prison camp, how they absorbed no matter, only love's energy apparently, still growing in size and power. After messing around - not in that way, you idiot, Taro, Fai's a guy, Maylin's a girl, both 'sexually interesting' - eventually coming up with a wild plan based on their own knowledge of untransformed spirit vines: use two or more transformed spirit weapons tuned down, using a process I already relayed to 'your' engineers, Yangchen, and shoot them at a hunk of earth, ore, metal - any raw material manipulatable by an earthbender or metalbender. The first test was a success, so they went further. After the addition of stable transformed spirit vine material, the material begins to pulse with energy, like putty in the bender's hands, easily manipulated into complicated shapes with the right technique."

Yangchen got a partial explanation as to how this was possible after Taro asked for one indignantly, Alyssralove saying, "The more time we spend talking, the less we can act. I'll keep it simple, Taro. Fai and Maylin theorize the stabilized love-based 'good' energy contained within the spirit vines myself or the Painted Lady transformed is actually part of what makes up both the physical and spirit worlds - what binds everything together." A few people including herself gasping, Alyssralove bobbed her head, saying, "Most curious, I know. I'll continue, seeing as you all look… very interested, to put it mildly. They theorize the other two energy types are neutral, such as part of what was present in the original Republic City spirit vines as well as those from the Great Banyan tree, and hatred, also known as evil - also present in the original spirit vines from Republic City, given Vaatu created them, absent from the ones in the Swamp. Even before the 'Restoration' I'm sure everyone has heard of by now, the Great Banyan tree had neutral and love energy inside of it, the love and the tree's history why vines from it were more powerful; now, it is just like the spirit vines powering part of our defenses, except probably stronger. They believe that the new spirit vines - both those transformed by Vaazula or a spirit like myself - are more stable, since being truly neutral is a very difficult state to maintain, Fai theorizing that these binding energies prefer extremes over 'balance'. Balance something I am sure any human can attest is hard to maintain, truly 'gray' humans almost non-existent, even being 'pure' good or evil not removing the burden of balance," adding, looking sad, "One of my humans, and the Avatar herself would both find this to be very true - though for very different reasons…"

Tired of listening, though she found what Alyssralove said about balance to be very true, Yangchen said, " 'We humans' thank you for the compliment… 'we' guess," getting a small snort complete with flame out of the spirit as she continued, "Okay - let's see if we can use this to make more 'spirit synthesizers'. Alyssralove, go grab eight spirit cannons and any extra spirit vines you can find as quickly as possible and… bring them outside Omashu as you are able, to the flatlands where I had bunkers constructed. Either that, or bring the materials and cannons here - the most open part of Omashu. Yuehan mentioned they found a lot of raw materials during excavation," continuing, "Actually, the last one would be best, the one that involves the most work - we don't want the Earth Empire seeing what we're doing," swearing she heard Alyssralove whine slightly before taking off, blue flame jets roaring once she was out of torching distance. Noticing out of the corners of her eyes that her parents and Yuehan were returning, Yangchen said, looking at her husband, "Gah - I'm going to have to multitask. Honey, Kipa - help me stay organized, anything," saying when she noticed her sister giving her a confused look, "Diki, look after Jaina - things are about to get real busy."

Seeing everyone begin to take their places, Yangchen took Xingyun aside for a moment, saying after the loud settling of earth that followed Alyssralove's first delivery, "This other kind of synthesis could change everything - or it could prove to not be what we need. There's a more 'traditional' kind of synthesis that involves all four elements working together as one - I think I may have mentioned or explained it to you already." Seeing her husband looked a bit confused, Yangchen realized she couldn't possibly tell everyone everything, simply saying, "Go give the order for all the airbenders to come out, and we'll go from there." Her husband nodded, Yangchen finding herself admiring his tush as he floated away quickly laughing, "This flying's great!", shaking her head and thinking, "Work later - sex now. Errr - crap! The other way around…" wondering if she envied or pitied the women who lost their sex drive after giving birth. She didn't need this right now, distracting her!

Re-focusing, deciding designing a weapon system to assist the camp "ASAP" took precedence over anything else, Yangchen closed her eyes, trying to think of something, anything. Suppressing a laugh, finding an image of her husband naked and his package coming to attention highly inappropriate in multiple senses of the word but still relaxing and alluring anyhow, Yangchen tried again, trying to think of something destructive. She only saw other kinds of love replace the racy image - a vision of a four-year old Jaina in an adorable dress, her parents cradling a younger version of herself in that same dress, Gyatso walking for the first time… Yuehan, and Kipa's family, all together with her own and some friends she hadn't seen as herself in years? Pretty sure she had some kind of block on war for now, as frustrating as it was, realizing that all the talk about death and Jasmine's troubles had taken a toll on her, Yangchen landed next to her sister, saying over other conversations, "I can't work - something else is on my mind… can I hold her for a while? I need a break."

Diki nodded, saying, "Of course - she's yours in the first place!" After taking Jaina, Yangchen feeling concerns about a more personal "Sudden Death" fading from her mind, Yangchen asked her sister idly, just making conversation, "So, little sis - have any interesting dreams lately? A guy and family, anything?"

Yangchen couldn't keep her eyes from widening when Diki said, sounding excited, "I dunno if it's connected to Seiko's kids' dreams, but, falling back asleep after Jaina was born… I had a really cool flying dream - mom and dad were there too, flying!" Yangchen had figured her sister to be somewhat of an airhead, slightly surprised when she saw Diki's jade eyes staring strongly at her, still polite as she said, "Big sis - you must know something. Can… can you tell me?" Yangchen sighed, feeling good enough to begin working again, for that reason saying, "Yes - but I'll have to tell you later. I need to get everything squared away first," savoring her sister's warm, gentle hug around her and Jaina, saying, "I'm sure you'll find someone, Diki - you're too nice to 'go without'." Yangchen noticed a sparkle in Diki's eyes as she said cryptically, "I may have already - but life's funny, so I won't 'jinx' it," blushing a little as she said, smiling slightly, "Now go already!"

Finding stroking Jaina's auburn hair soothed her even as she walked away, contemplating what could be lurking outside their city, Yangchen' stomach dropped, glad she had put Jaina into the baby carrier.

It had finally dawned on her - Wuqing hadn't been just screwing around, digging into hills and having his troops create more outside Omashu where there had once been irrigated fields and open plains. They had been making entrenchments - far away from their own camp, the way she remembered it!

Deciding not babying herself didn't really matter, taking Jaina to Kipa for safekeeping and grabbing a pair of advanced binoculars Yuehan had brought with him from Kuvira's school, all Yangchen could feel as she flew away after a terse explanation to her parents and Yuehan was her rapidly beating heart. The wind on her face and even the dust produced by her flight hitting her didn't register as she raced to a nearby mountainside to the south, finding herself zipping between obscuring rock outcroppings on instinct.

Heart still beating rapidly, she surveyed Omashu's surroundings. Looking for any obvious entrenchments first, she found many odd-looking hills and even strange seemingly pointless circles in the earth north of what must have been Wuqing and Chin's camp to the east of Omashu, the camp deserted. Looking at the camp again, she noticed with displeasure there were more circles and roughed-up looking hills to its east - where the Republic City reinforcements would likely come from after stopping in the Swamp! Realizing the enemy might make some attempt to cover up what must have been fortifications against attack on Wuqing's superweapon and an attack from the northern reinforcements, Yangchen took out a piece of paper, working hurriedly - some of the places she had spotted not thirty seconds ago looked "normal" again! The covering up traveled in a wave of sorts - people must have been finishing up!

Unable to see any detail even through these binoculars about who might be doing this, Yangchen set the binoculars down, intending to project herself closer to those east of Wuqing's camp after closing her eyes. Opening her eyes again, she found herself staring at a couple soldiers inside mechasuits from behind a rock, the one inside a dark green mechasuit continuing to work after one soldiers addressed him and said, "Sergeant Riyu, sir - cover up going as planned. Other mechasuit platoons report no issue with new equipment. But that's not what I wanted. Permission to speak freely, sir?" What must have been "Sergeant" Riyu said, "Permission granted, Lee - but not if it's another damned question about Wuqing versus Jinshu Kuangmai. We know where our real loyalty lies - to Jinshu Kuangmai himself, followed by Chin. Jinshu Kuangmai's got the guts, Chin's got the brains - and if rumor's true, so do some of his soldiers. I didn't volunteer my battalion or my wife Yulian's for Wuqing's pet fortifications - just the originally ordered ones." The other soldier groaned in a way that reminded her of Gyatso whining, what must have been Lee whining after opening his helmet dome, "Oh, come on, man - we all know something's up!" Yangchen's eyes widening when Lee complained, "The bathroom nearest our batallion's barracks is right near Wuqing's stupid 'personal' room, a room the size of two supply depots and a barracks combined, and I've almost pissed myself waiting for his cronies to approve me going to the bathroom! I know his boss can be sort of a jerk, but that's just… wrong!"

The dark green mechasuit's helmet dome slid down, what Yangchen assumed to be Sergeant Riyu sighing deeply, saying, "Wuqing is busy right now - but every time I try and radio Jang out here, the whole reason we came to the surface unlike Yulian, I get stupid platitudes, half the time Jang snapping at me about how many calls he's dealing with, all the tapes he's managing at once… Jinshu Kuangmai and the only competent military man I know of since all these damn traitors and defections Chin are busy doing something top secret - hush hush. Hush hush-er than these new mechasuits were, before that idiot Sergeant Sensu defected earlier this morning with a copy of the blueprints, according to Jang's propaganda 'assistant'. Half wonder if she's a replacement for his wife…." Riyu groaned when Lee protested, "Forget him, both of them - forget his whole family! What, hush hush like Wuqing's stuff? You know about Jinshu Kuangmai, man - he hates secrets! He's paranoid - more than Kuvira was!" Lee visibly shook when he continued, looking like he'd be nibbling his nails if they weren't inside his mechasuit, "If our commander's up to no good, and Jinshu Kuangmai finds out we didn't say anything…" Yangchen barely stifling laughter when Lee moaned, "Damn it - guess I won't have to worry about a bathroom break for a while!"

Originally, Yangchen had gone to the hillside in a panic, but if this Lee and Riyu had reservations about what Wuqing was doing, "secret room"… maybe her original idea of talking to the "enemy" about the more idiotic and evil enemy was the right one.

Going out on a limb, she tried acting like a Dark Spirit at first, not sure what reaction she'd get as herself, saying in a gravelly voice as she hid behind the same rock, "Me new Dark Spirit ally - hear everything you say. Think Wuqing up to no good - may want to overthrow Jinshu Kuangmai after using superweapon in secret room I saw on Omashu and traitor Jasmine! Need talk to - "

Yangchen heard a low, "Ahem," turning to see a displeased-looking Riyu staring at her, saying, "Hmmm - I didn't know Jinshu Kuangmai had two girlfriends. Or one that was blue, wearing a baby carrier… You have approximately one minute to convince me to listen to you, airbender, before I decide to test out my suit's weapon on your projection - see if it has any affect, like I heard about some Raava spirit over Wuqing's personal - and only 'sanctioned' - network by him, come to think of it…" Riyu shook his head and said, "Whatever. I'm setting my watch. And don't think I can't find your body - so don't try and run."

The words pouring forth, Yangchen said, wondering just how they'd get a "read" on her position anyways, "Uh - let me start at the beginning. Korra visited Jinshu Kuangmai in a dream, trying to get him to change his ways by showing him that Vaatu's behind any kind of destruction - even if it means death of all life on our planet, like what the Avatar and myself think the kind of secret weapon could do if used enough." Yangchen had expected Riyu to not move, but he did, relaxing as he said, "Never mind about the timer - the Earth Empire wants to re-unite the old Earth Kingdom at the least, conquer everything at most, not see the world burn like that idiot Zaheer, or his predecessor Unalaq did, who actually merged with the… former twerp of a spirit Vaatu three years ago. Uh, who are you, by the way?"

Yangchen smiled, saying, "I know the stakes - both for Omashu and the prison camp, and yourself. Lee said it already - imagine what Jinshu Kuangmai would do, if he found out about this superweapon, and you hadn't done anything to stop it." Seeing that even Riyu was sweating now, she made her one demand: "Before I give out any more information and arrange for a meeting between Korra and Jinshu Kuangmai via projection on this subject, I want you to tell me: Riyu, you have a battalion, as does your wife, apparently - hers still under ground. How many more are there, and who are they loyal to?"

Given the way Riyu cursed, she must have driven a hard bargain, the Earth Empire Sergeant saying with audible reluctance, "I am sure you know this force was intended to go to Republic City, before… recent events. Three battalions on the surface and visible - two under Chin, or I guess right now his daughter Jayashri, and one under Wuqing himself. You sound like a smart woman - three battalions and some updated tanks isn't enough to take Republic City, even with Long Yumao being a menace and the city gutted. Six more underground… probably enough, if the Firelord was as slow as she was last time." Yangchen did not express her doubts even about nine battalions being enough, merely stating, "Go on - you haven't finished. So you and your wife - loyal to Jinshu Kuangmai still, for reasons I won't try and fathom," her face flushing slightly when Riyu responded hotly, "Family - we live down here, down south in the Earth Empire, not up north with riff-raff, middle-class people like myself who can't see the stronger side in this 'Earth Kingdom Civil War', or hoity-toity types who inhabit the upper ring. Almost every one of us in the battalions from down here… and I never got your name, or the rest?"

Yangchen sighed, saying, "My name is Yangchen, and I am the rebel resistance leader you've likely heard masterminded the bloodless overthrow of Earth Empire forces in Omashu last night. Before I say anything else, I'll just say this: ultimately, all anyone inside Omashu or Jasmine's camp wants is to leave in peace to the United Earth Republic or the United Republic of Nations, and start a new life there. Just like some of your own have been willing to pull up their roots to join the Avatar's side, we're willing to pull up ours to go somewhere we're safe from your tyrant of a leader." Before she could continue, Lee interjected, "Wha - just let them leave then I say, don't throw men's lives away for people who don't want to be a part of our state! Good riddance," Riyu barking, "SILENCE! From what I have been told, Jinshu Kuangmai wants Omashu intact, just like Kuvira wanted Zaofu - but if there's still people there to serve him rather than losing another million fighters and civilians from Omashu, all the better. He'd love Omashu to lay down like Zaofu did for Kuvira, bunch of spoiled richies… We've already lost the 'core' of the Earth Empire, to that stupid republic," looking directly at Yangchen as he said, some kind of odd barrel popping out of his mechasuit's arm as he did so, "STOP LECTURING, start talking. Don't think you can just break the connection and scram either. We know where your body is, thanks to a little feature on these suits," Lee asserting, "Just added too!" much to Riyu's annoyance.

Still skeptical, Yangchen said, "Oh yeah - how?" her eyes widening as Riyu did point in the right direction, saying, "Proprietary technology, I'm afraid. Lee - keep your mouth shut." Without thinking, Yangchen violated his order of no lecturing, blubbering, "Riyu, I… I just want to take my family somewhere else, Xingyun, Gyatso, Jaina…" noticing the man's eyes softened, sounding disgusted with himself as he stamped his foot, "GAH - this is why I'm still Sergeant after three years! I guess… I'm willing to hurt to get what I want, but not kill!" finding herself identifying with Riyu when he said, "Though, you touch my wife or my three kids - you're dead." Saying as much, Riyu grumbled, looking dead serious when he said, "Not everyone down there's of the same mindset. Now hurry up, before a killer comes up - what, did you leave the tea kettle on to cook or something, Yangchen? Something that doesn't require attention? Don't you have something to do too?" Yangchen laughed, saying, "I guess you could say that, in a way - in the same way Avatar Korra's job is cooking and serving food to people at conferences," Riyu grumbling, "Again, hush, start the other talky-talky. I'm no chauvinist like Jang or Jinshu Kuyangmai - that was just an expression! Sheesh."

Choosing her words carefully, Yangchen said, "Part of this relies on 'proprietary technology' - technology Avatar Korra and everyone else with an ounce of sense never wants to see developed, let alone used. Unfortunately, given two of our earthbending spirit allies have already detected suspicious energy, decidedly non-spiritual energy… one or more may already be in existence. Suffice to say, there is a material that exists which can be used for one of two purposes. One, it can be made into a bomb that leaves behind lingering death particles, or two, it can be used to make a different kind of bomb that still destroys a substantial portion of whatever city it is used on and emitting death particles intentionally to kill living things in a wide radius." Riyu nodded, Yangchen continuing, "The only 'problem' for your boss is that these death particles embed themselves in many different types of something he apparently holds nearer and dearer than life itself - metal. If even a very small one of the latter bombs were used on Omashu, the central ancient city would be obliterated forever, and the industrial outskirts, full of death particles for a long time. These death particles are what Alyssralove and Hei Bai believe they detected - even in the material's resting state, it decays, releasing death particles. Given the fact of the massive blast radius, if Wuqing has produced either weapon type, he would deploy them from the air - anything else would be suicide." Feeling an odd energy come over her, she continued, "Enough of these weapons get used - life's dead. By the Avatar's reckoning, given our planet's size, not that many, either - a dozen of 'powerful enough' bombs could be the end. Even 16 of the most basic ones would be the end - not nearly enough targets to be of military use. Even if one never goes off inside your 'Empire', you'd still be toast, death spreading on the winds," not entirely sure where the figure and other specifics had come from.

I'm not as busy as I was, so I… assisted. Extraordinary circumstances, extraordinary measures. Aaand I hate to admit it, but… 15 could still be 'enough' to force a surrender, unless the other five nations feel suicidal. Though, "Tonga" wouldn't have much other than towns and minor cities to rule…

Everything else that's anywhere, ruins.

Riyu nodded as Yangchen felt slightly creeped out by Raava admitting to speaking through her, much less her "little" conjecture, Riyu, saying, "….Ooookay. That was awfully… specific. Spirit shenanigans? Whatever. Regardless… Remember, this room in question - the secret room - is massive. And underground. Not only that, it doesn't seem made to be opened either. Now, don't tell anyone of Wuqing's cronies I said this, Lee, the rest of you, but… I tried earthsensing the secret room from within the adjacent bathroom earlier, and got nothing. Not even any odd energy - like he's covered it up since your spirit lackeys sensed something amiss. Everything, coated in platinum - possibly something else as well, not sure what. Didn't see any tunnels leading to the surface, though." Yangchen knowing the other metal's identity and keeping it to herself for now - lead, what the Avatar named "Tophinum", a name Yangchen found much more appropriate - Riyu cursed and barely stopped himself from facepalming using his mechasuit when Lee said, "Wh - that little rat, he stole the platinum for our room, your wife's and the trams for his little thing, didn't he?" Yangchen refrained from laughing, making note of the possibility of underground transports as Riyu continued, clearly annoyed with Lee, "Ugh - moron! May as well tell her more secrets, huh? Anyways - you told me two things, Yangchen. That these are deployed from the air if at all, and that use of even a relatively few would toast life as we know it. And as far as I know, Wuqing has no war balloons that report directly to him, even his subordinate Chin getting a few, which you stole - Jinshu Kuangmai doesn't trust Wuqing with any equipment that's really hard to replace. Like a little toddler…"

Yangchen sighed, not entirely sure what Wuqing had after talking with Riyu, saying, "Hmm - I know one person other than the Avatar who could force their way in there, assuming Wuqing still reports to Jinshu Kuangmai. Jinshu Kuangmai would likely be very… interested in making a little tour of this underground facility," seeing Lee nod, looking like he was going to say something before Riyu hushed him as Yangchen continued, "See if you can get through to Jang - tell him the Avatar wants to project to Jinshu Kuangmai on 'matters of state'," Yangchen remembering that the Earth Empire saw itself as a distinct entity - even Raava had obliquely hinted at the reality of the situation by saying "other five nations" and not four. Riyu nodded, eventually laughing, wagging his mechasuit's "finger", "Ah ah ah - no. No projection, certainly not by the Avatar. Have no clue what she could do to the security measures in Zaofu, given I've heard rumors of her projecting well over a thousand miles, far beyond a normal airbender's abilities. Radio call only. You already found out things you weren't supposed to - like where I came from, the extra battalions. Korra shows up where she's not supposed to, we'll test our theory about astral projections and spirit weapons on her." Yangchen nodded, asking on a whim, "You wouldn't happen to be close to anyone, who's close to Wuqing, would you? Or know anything about odd materials?" Riyu shook his head, saying, "No," in a way that made Yangchen suspicious he wasn't telling the whole truth, frowning when Riyu said, "I… know nothing of odd materials, aside from the other metal's possible identity - lead. That wasn't the lie… the other part was," tearing up slightly as he continued, "I used to 'know' him, until he came out of Wuqing's room, acting like I was a complete stranger, ordering me to leave." Given Riyu made no comment about the Dai Li, he didn't know his history - or perhaps Kuvira really had appropriated their methods as her own?

Seeing the answer right in front of her, she asked Riyu, who had been in Earth Empire service for three years, "Riyu - did Kuvira ever manage to successfully brainwash people, Dai Li style?" his wince making her think he did know of the Dai Li and the memory likely fresh and painful. Riyu sighed, saying, "We've been at it, what, four minutes, Lee? Thank you. If I linger any longer, people will start to ask questions. He was my best friend… until that rat Wuqing brainwashed him. To answer your question - no. I heard rumors she tried, possibly successfully, but if the key phrase was 'Kuvira has invited you to join her inner circle' instead of something about the Earth Empire, Jinshu Kuangmai hasn't used it at all. If he did, it would backfire horribly, obviously." Remembering Kuvira had tried to get people to be loyal to her explicitly, not sure if Riyu knew about the schools and Kuvira's mug being plastered all over them, Yangchen said, "That's it! She made schools with her face all over - and if Jinshu Kuangmai used that 'key phrase', which is probably what it was, then the people would just go to Kuvira - defect all over again! Like you said!"

Breaking the connection after saying goodbye to Riyu, Yangchen refrained from throwing in any last barbs for his cooperation. Rather than feeling upset about the confirmation of this mystery device's existence and that it had been hidden from Jinshu Kuangmai, she found herself feeling glad to have set up some sort of a meeting, about something both parties agreed was bad - though for very different reasons. Yangchen figured Jinshu Kuangmai would love Korranium weaponry if it weren't for the death particles, and the fact that any city hit would be mostly leveled, instead of selectively, like she imagined he'd prefer. Knock out all communication, military targets and kill anyone who resisted, the rest left alone - that's what she would do if she were inclined on conquest. Deciding to change her position just in case Riyu or someone else took a potshot at her, not wanting to take chances, Yangchen hovered above the mountain on which she had been hidden from sight.

Spotting another place to land among some bushes near a large cave, Yangchen landed, checking her watch - 7:35. Apparently, all her gabbing with Riyu had taken shorter than she thought it had. Realizing the presence of a whole 4,800 men underneath the ground bent on subjugating Omashu again was a very direct threat to her city, even if they appeared to be being held in reserve, Yangchen checked in on Omashu first from near the cave, surprised to hear Kipa answer over the radio, "Hey! We've been worried about you, wandering off for five minutes outside the city. What did you find?" Yangchen smiled, figuring talking normally over radio about what, or rather, who, she had found would be a good way to make sure the message got to Jinshu Kuangmai, explaining everything. Even the reinforcements - Sergeant Riyu would be a fool to not let his ultimate commander know their position had been compromised, even before Yangchen tried talking to him. She'd overheard plenty, after all.

Kosuke was the next to speak along with her brother Taro, Yangchen feeling a burden lifted off her when Kosuke said, "The 'spirit synthesis' is going marvelously - " Kosuke cut off by a loud hiss, Alyssralove saying tersely in partial English, "Kosuke, shhh - they can likely hear this, and you don't know the code! Yangchen - keep it personal, extremely vague, in English, or what we want them to hear - or just get back here!" Yangchen sighed, for some reason not wanting to leave her current spot near the large cave just yet, saying in English as she remembered something Jinora had done, "Fine. I'll just come back in a bit and touch you to do an 'information download' - I want to project or talk to Jasmine first," adding on impulse, "Then check out this cave - I feel… drawn to it, for some reason." Getting a chirp of confirmation, Yangchen kept her last questions vague, asking, "So, Kosuke - how's the city planning coming along?" glad to hear, "Very well - and one of the elephant rats we found in your room finally started squeaking. Looking through your room, there aren't any more where they came from - Alyssralove confirmed it with seismic sense," surprised to hear Alyssralove add in English, "Her father's greatest work remains unknown, in specifics. New Garzai's details didn't leak out, and her father and your parents have planned out everything."

Wondering why she didn't just talk to or project to the spirit, she got her answer after a loud flapping of wings followed by a distant roar - apparently, Alyssralove was still working. It was Yuehan who spoke next, saying, "Yangchen, come back as soon as you can - your house and making more furnishings for it is fine," Yangchen groaning lowly when Yuehan's euphemisms for tactics and equipment design turned out to be inferior to the ones for city review and synthesis of said equipment when he continued, "We need your assistance on… pro-bending plays and… pro-bending equipment design." Yangchen slapped her forehead in frustration and said, "You may as well have said 'tactics' and 'equipment design' if your euphemisms were going to be that bad - there's no pro-bending in Omashu!" After a small sigh from the other end, Yangchen said, "Sorry - for the tone, not the message. We still need to watch our mouths, even if it does sound like Jang's got his hands full right now. Your first two euphemisms were fine - I'm contacting Jasmine and coming back after that."

Again, the strange draw to the nearby cave…

Deciding to go ignore the draw for now and check in on Jasmine in a more physical way, Yangchen marked the cave's location, flying high above, successfully maintaining altitude and looking through her binoculars at the same time.

Yangchen had once heard someone tell her, "One thing goes good, something else must go bad." Looking at Jasmine's camp, Yangchen could see the cranky old man had only partially been right. Through the advanced Earth Empire binoculars - probably designed by Baatar Jr, Zhu Li or Varrick, Yangchen idly wondering what the enemy's "brain trust" was now, post defections and purge of "undesirables" like Fai and Maylin - she was barely able to distinguish four low spirit weapon beams from within the camp and some rather heavy-looking equipment she didn't recognize as well. Directly observing the camp for the first time, Yangchen found herself stunned, having a hard time a camp of that size was meant to hold a mere two thousand prisoners as her husband had guessed, the walls taller than any Earth Empire defenses she had heard about. There were even a few very new looking weapons turrets, busy firing away at the enemy's onslaught, swearing she saw streaks of fire that changed direction to hit their target. Wanting confirmation from Jasmine that this spirit synthesis had started and was working, also curious as to how many people were in the camp exactly and what this weapon she had observed was, Yangchen contacted Jasmine over radio, getting a very basic response in English: "Synthesis going well right now - first Varrick gun's currently being fitted to its turret. Metal manipulated with spirit synthesis method absorbs spirit weapon fire, but needs to be discharged. Streaking fire is new type of Meesile - Alyssralove should know design. Guided by metalbending through cables here, medium range - you may have equipment in Omashu to make controls anyone can use. On people… Before the almost 400 'special prisoners' from all over, the way they tell, and other unexpected arrivals, the defectors, maybe 250 themselves…" Jasmine paused, sounding vaguely guilty as she explained, rambling, "Now keep in mind I had to run the camp without arousing suspicion, had to sneak people extra food and claim Jinshu Kuangmai wanted nobody to starve to some of my foremen so the prisoners could work, lie to Kuvira and then Jinshu Kuangmai and say I'd 'stop the prisoners from stealing food', and that not everyone wants to fight when I say this - a lot of the prisoners think they can avoid punishment by not fighting in case we fall into Jinshi Kuangmai's hands - had over 2,000 'bending prisoners' of each type, and a handful of people deemed too dangerous for any other camp. I'd say about a third - over 1,500 total - of former bending prisoners able and willing to fight without getting themselves hurt, even after Sura's assistance," Yangchen's stomach sinking when Jasmine finished, "We're still up against three full-strength battalions, 2,400 men plus equipment, even the war balloons giving us trouble - Jayashri's starting to command better. Risked her life earlier, got Chin's men's respect, and Wuqing - gah, it'd be so much easier, just letting Aye-zul and Hei Bai go into rage mode! Wipe out the whole army!"

Speaking before Jasmine could cut the connection, Yangchen said, "No - don't. You sound like you're not thinking straight - rambling. Don't do something you'd regret later. Even without the Spirit Civil War, do that, Wuqing might fire his weapon - and those modified hills and such earlier? Fortifications for his pet thing. Even Jinshu Kuangmai didn't authorize them. Wuqing's not the fool we thought he was - he might even be fortifying it further after this. I talked to an Earth Empire Sergeant about it - set up a meeting between Jinshu Kuangmai and Korra to convince him to take a look at what his subordinate's doing." Jasmine grumbled, "Uh - thought the idea was to keep Jinshu Kuangmai away with his high tech reinforcements until Korra could get here? Whatever - you need to get busy, come and support us. Think outside the box. Jasmine, over and out."

With that, the radio went silent, Yangchen intending to return to Omashu and help move weapons design and tactical considerations along. Trying to think of a weapon that might help Jasmine and closing her eyes, she saw nothing at first. Letting her mind do the wandering, swearing she felt her body moving at the same time, she saw a happy childhood memory: riding the Omashu mail and mischievous youngster carrier much as the mad genius King Bumi had, almost two centuries ago with Korra's predecessor. Feeling a strange alluring energy that seemed to be beckoning her, Yangchen opened her eyes - finding herself staring at the cave from earlier. Deciding to close her eyes again and let whatever "wanted" to happen happen after remembering Aang's experience with the Swamp and other airbender's ability to feel energy, she let herself get lost in thought again, wondering what this place "wanted" - or if her subconscious just wanted to check out the vaguely familiar energy she could now feel coming from within.

Distinctly able to feel herself touching down inside of a cool and damp location, she saw another much more mature image replace her childhood memory, finding herself giggling like a teenager when the image of her naked husband did something it hadn't before, saying as his package "delivered", "Can't wait till I feel good enough for that, inside me. Or tonight, when I go to sleep…" At first, she just thought letting her mind wander had been a waste of time - she still found the image alluring, but didn't see how it had anything to do with her predicament. Thinking for a little, remembering how her last ride on Omashu's mail chutes had gone south, only clever use of her hook sword preventing her from crashing into an industrial building when the earthen carrier had careened out of control, and… launched itself in an arc, Yangchen started to get an idea. Realizing Xingyun's member coming to attention had appeared first earlier, she put her hand to her forehead, thinking, "Two times. Can't just be that I'm passionate, 'dirty little girl' - erecting something, a 'launch', 'emission'…"

Her other vague idea for assisting the camp involving using Omashu's rail systems, Yangchen started to cement her ideas, sitting on the floor. The simplest one would be easy to get up and running, even with just Lipowder for fuel, and the other much larger one would likely require a spirit engine. But driving it wasn't the problem - aim was. Wondering how either one could be made accurate enough to hit preferably just Wuqing's men, at the very least hit just Earth Empire soldiers and not friendlies, she felt some odd urge to open her eyes - as though something around her was the answer.

Doing so, Yangchen gasped in awe - she was deep inside the large cavern from before, and given how her gasp reverberated, it must have been huge! Not entirely sure what had illuminated the gloom in a slight blue and white glow, Yangchen took in the rainbow of colors - red, yellow, blue, opaque and dark brown gemstones in long veins along the walls, deposits of a strange yellow earth that made her sense of awe temporarily turn to unease, what looked to be many veins of different metallic ores… Remembering a little from recent events as well as her own learning, she identified almost all of the things she had seen - the yellow earth that gave her the creeps was likely Korranium, something she most certainly did not want Jinshu Kuangmai or Wuqing getting their hands on. The different gemstones - ruby embedded inside orange topaz, opaque quartz, sapphire, more quartz, except dark brown - combined with sealed-in blood was likely the closest they could get to "elemental crystals" if they found themselves needing bloodstones or "elemental" stones for equipment to "lock" metal - though she was not sure where they'd get the spiritwire from, not having any tuber-vines. While the Korranium had been hard to identify, the other types of metal ore were not - iron, copper, aluminum, perhaps even a bit of what the Avatar called "Tophinum", having apparently never heard of lead before thanks to her isolated upbringing and everyone deciding the "new" name was more appropriate.

These didn't make up the majority of the cave's inexplicably illuminated walls, Yangchen spotting three different types of gems she had never seen before, along with a massive vein of an unassuming-looking ore, one gem type emitting the same low blue and white glow that permeated the cave. Coming close to the vaguely purple gemstone, ignoring the bipyramidal one for now, Yangchen thought she was hallucinating, seeing the gemstone start to shift slightly. Hearing a loud reverberating sound after she touched the pillar-like slightly opaque purple crystal, Yangchen watched as the whole gemstone morphed, taking on a blue and yellow bipyramidal form. Like the one she had seen glowing slightly…

Touching it again, the yellow flashed white, Yangchen feeling a deep peace when contacting its surface. Remembering Fai and Maylin's theories about the three forms of energy that bound the universe together - evil and hatred, neutral, and good and love - Yangchen realized whatever this new mineral was, it very directly obeyed this rule. Looking down the cave and seeing more purple pillar crystals, many more blue and yellow crystals towards the back, then back to what was in front of her, Yangchen finally spotted what was illuminating everything in the cave with a weak blue-white glow - a massive group of shining bipyramidal gems in the far distance on the cavern's roof just like the one she had changed somehow… likely with her own energy!

The crystal in front of her still stuck in the rock, she realized she'd need an earthbender or a chisel to get it out. While everything in front of her was pretty, she still didn't understand why the cave had "called" to her, like the Swamp might the Avatar. Realizing her ideas for helping defend Jasmine's camp from afar both still relied on accuracy, accuracy she didn't have without a tuber-vine powered Kuviracomputer and not wanting to throw away either a tuber-vine's "life" or a Kuviracomputer to guide the Meesile, Yangchen felt stumped. The echoes of an earlier conversation drifted through her mind, Riyu's voice saying "Know where you are… proprietary technology."

Trying for the first time to dislodge the blue and yellow crystal in front of her, yellow glowing white as she tried to pry it loose, Yangchen fell backwards when it popped out of the rock, cursing, "Damn it - that was close!" having nearly fell down square on her sore booty.

Thoughts of booty bringing her husband to mind, she let out a low scream when the crystal spun in her hand, apparently pointing somewhere specific. Standing up straight, Yangchen noticed one of the crystal's two tips was glowing bright white as it adjusted its position, white tip now point down slightly - as though it were tracking someone…

Trying on a whim, she thought of Jasmine instead - the crystal moved. Thinking of Korra instead - the crystal moved. Thinking of Riyu instead - the crystal moved, the tip no longer glowing as brightly. Thinking of Wuqing instead - the crystal moved, the tip now a sickly yellow. Thinking of Chin instead - nothing. Thinking of Jinshu Kuangmai instead, again - nothing.

Realizing that this odd crystal - except likely in a different form - could be what Riyu had claimed to be able to track her with, Yangchen realized she could have her answer for guiding her Meesiles! Trying something different, she thought of Riyu not as someone she might need to kill, but as a potential ally. The crystal moved again, tip white again, an odd pattern appearing on its surface - a pattern she realized looked too orderly to be anything but a language of some sort. Trying again, pretending she needed a range, angle and thrusting power to hit Wuqing with a Meesile and no one else, the crystal shifted position again, the characters now intelligible, giving her the information she "needed", the crystal's tip now the same sickly yellow as it had been before.

Deciding she had everything she needed from the cave, Yangchen made to leave, stopping when the crystal pointed up at the ceiling at the strange metal ore she had noticed before, tip bright white. The crystal jumped slightly - as if it wanted her to touch it to the ceiling? Figuring she had nothing to lose by doing so, Yangchen floated upwards, noting the cavern was so large it took five seconds to reach the top, even at a good speed.

Touching the crystal to the ceiling, she saw the metal in the ore begin to lowly glow blue and white as a set of white lines formed Raava's spirit and human-y shape alternating on the upper pyramid's four faces, hearing an odd, ear-piercing shrieking at the same time. Turning to its source, Yangchen saw another, more sinister looking gem deposit, the third and final gem form red and black, vaguely scale like gems she hadn't recognized earlier beginning to shift form slowly to the bipyramidal blue and white gems, along with the rest of the purple pillar gems in the cavern.

The process ending, Yangchen noticing the upper portion of "her" gem still had faint outlines of Raava on them, Yangchen felt herself enter a strange trance of sorts after they pulsed white one time, feeling connected to everything and nothing all at once as a ghostly figure gradually came into view in front of her. The feeling of peace not making her inclined to move at all even before the ghost began speaking, she stayed silent, stunned as the ghost said, another figure joining her side after the figure shook dark, long hair, "Hello, 'lover' - Yangchen. I am Oma - and this is Shu. I am not sure how we can see you - or how you can see us. Or why we aren't in our cave, where our bodies lie…" Realizing the apparition wanted her response, Yangchen stammered, "Uh - I came in this cave, called by something, a familiar energy, touched a gemstone, it transformed, touched it to the roof, every other gemstone in here like it transformed, full of -"

"Full of love?"

Holding the crystal in her hand, realizing why the red and black crystals had shrieked, what Raava's outline meant, Yangchen nodded, saying, "Yes, Oma - I suppose so. Just like you were with Shu, before his death." Oma nodded, saying, "I know not what has happened to Omashu since my time, but know this: love knows no place and no time. It continues on after death, and you carry it in your heart - no matter where you go." Yangchen sighed, a part of her not really wanting to leave Omashu, saying, "I have to leave my home, Omashu - according to our current plan. But there's a chance we could hold out in your city - make 'love' strong against any attack. What would you do?" What must have been Shu sighed, saying, "I don't know your situation either aside from the love you have inside, but… all that matters is that you still have each other, your family," Yangchen half wondering if Shu had secretly been part Air Nomad when he said, "Attachment to a place is not bad - but it's not inherently good either. Attachment to things can be worse. If it's getting in the way of what you need to do - just go. The only 'possessions' you need are love and determination." Yangchen smiled as Oma said, starting to vanish with her dead husband, "If your foe is motivated by hatred, he will fall eventually - and our city, something tells me your city now, will be free again. Love is patient - hatred is not."

Shu bidding goodbye and vanishing, Oma stopped shimmering after Yangchen held up a hand, saying, "Wait." Yangchen asked, figuring the cavern should have been evenly split between "good", "evil" and "neutral" crystals, finding even the initial imbalance she had seen odd given Fai and Maylin's theories on spiritually attuned matter like spirit vines and the nature of the Universe, "Oma - have any idea why there were so many of the 'good' crystals here in the first place? It didn't seem balanced, even before I did anything." Oma's ghost smiled, saying, "I'm not sure - but we are very close to the city I founded out of love and loss. Perhaps the 'love crystals' in here have something to do with the 'imbalance' caused by Omashu's energy," Yangchen smiling when Oma said, starting to shimmer again, "I do not know - but I do know love does not need to be balanced with hate. Certain things don't need to exist. Hatred and war are what killed my beloved, after all… goodbye."

Landing on the floor, Oma gone, remembering this love crystal, probably some form of a metal given how it interacted with actual metal ore, had given Yangchen what she needed to know to take another's life in defense of her city, she breathed easy, saying, "This stuff… spiritmetal, I'll call it, given how there were 'neutral' and 'evil' forms… this stuff could be what I need to defend Omashu AND help Jasmine."

Deciding to take a few crystals with her at first, eventually stuffing enough into her baby carrier until she could barely walk under the influence of the feelings they produced in her, fitting in more after realizing she could fly away without any true weight, the feelings overpowered Yangchen to the point where she forgot to know of shame at all, removing and using her clothes as bags for a massive haul of the crystals, her only real care by this point that the cave seemed to have an endless supply of them.

Landing near the engineering table, not having a clue why people were staring at her, Yangchen quickly began unloading her haul, glad to see the stares change to smiles as she explained what she had found - and who she had talked to. Stepping back a short distance, self-awareness rushed in, Yangchen blushing deeply as she got dressed, saying, "As - as you can… see, or rather, what you didn't see on me earlier, it's… probably not a good idea for a human to go collecting the crystals," grumbling slightly when she saw those in front of her were still "under the influence", so to speak. Yangchen smiled nonetheless when Kipa suggested, "No - maybe loving people are the best beings to collect them. I know I'd love to help with my husband - except, of course, he can't fly like I can."

Alyssralove finally chimed in, saying, "While I know these spiritmetal crystal elicit great feelings of love in humans in sufficient density… we need to get busy adapting them for war," Alyssralove appearing to cry slightly as she admitted, quicksilver tears rolling off, "The crystals make me feel the same way, but… the situation in the camp is not good right now." Yangchen took a deep sigh, steeling herself as she prepared to explain her other two "finds". Remembering something Jinora had done, she tried getting Alyssralove's attention, the great spirit putting its thumb spike in her outstretched palm, noticing the spike felt warm, and felt a deep sense of peace as she "recounted" her finds. The thumb spike retracted, Alyssralove said, "Good - everyone else, just go on as usual." Following Alyssralove's advice, Yangchen re-focused, smiling slightly. Seeing the piles of crystals and how people like Kosuke and her brother, their father Seiko, even Kipa's oldest seemed like they had something they wanted to say, some sort of idea or inspiration, Yangchen stepped forward.

Closer to the crystals, remembering an earlier vow to draw on love and her feelings for strength and advice.

Finding herself still self-aware, unlike her earlier childlike innocence, Yangchen was half glad, half sad, missing the pure feeling for the pleasure, glad she still had a concept of self so that she could complete her work. Remembering how the enemy had apparently already discovered spiritmetal in what she decided to call the Vaatite form, Yangchen found herself wondering if she hoped they'd amass many crystals next to one another and tear themselves apart, or afraid it would make them of one mind and purpose in their hatred.

Yangchen began to explain her ideas, finding they were evolving as she spoke, "First things first - the easiest weapon, with a ramp adjusted to pin-point accuracy against stationary or semi-stationary targets with a metal ramp," having decided using a part of Omashu as a weapon was just begging the enemy to wreck the city, at the very least an iconic part of it, as she continued, "This smaller long-range ramp-launched Meesile is of a much simpler build and make than my other idea. It's basically just a flying bomb - slap some wings on an Equalist bomb from four years ago and one of Varrick's rocket boat motors and you wouldn't know the difference. Problem is, it's probably not going to be very accurate, and may be slow enough for spirit weapon fire to knock down." Trying to think about the best place to put such a weapon, thinking aloud, she got input from an unexpected source, Kipa saying, "The mountains - they'd be hard to track, plenty of track material, easy to erase the ramp after firing - and they'd need a clear shot off the ramp anyways. Don't want to blow up our own buildings!"

Moving on to her next idea, Yangchen explained, at first intending to avoid eye contact with Xingyun, finding herself looking at him directly and stressing certain words "under the influence", Xingyun starting to smile gradually, "The next idea's probably going to be harder to accomplish than the flying bomb. I got inspiration from an unlikely source, and hope these have a longer range than the other Meesiles do. This type of Meesile would have a bigger warhead and possibly pinpoint accuracy. It'd need a spirit engine - maybe the engine could eject off the end when the Meesile is on the right track, and be recovered soon after. It'd need an erector - I envision it have a highly curved trajectory. The whole package would need to be carried by a big, long truck with a lot of wheels - preferably off-road capability. After all, you never know when you'd feel like firing one off. And we want these to be slippery - hard for Jinshu Kuangmai to catch." By the time she was finished, Yangchen heard avian laughter join much louder human laughter, blushing slightly when Alyssralove asked rhetorically in English, "What, you get inspiration for this 'package' from your husband's or something?" The answer yes, Yangchen ignored the dragon bird spirit, saying, "They're just ideas for now - help me make them a reality!" adding in English, "I showed you all that. Where the idea came from - don't mock me. If you're going to be a dirty bird, go get us some more of these crystals, and the metal itself!" Alyssralove squawked, "My pleasure - be right back," before scattering papers with her wingbeats, Yangchen's stomach sinking when Alyssralove added before flying off, "I have a better connection with Raava and Kuvira than the camp right now - all the spirits there must be busy fighting. I can't get anything from them - other than it's bad. Good luck."

The final products ended up using Lipowder propellants, with what Yangchen called the "Lucky Dragon" in honor of her husband having a propellant that Kosuke claimed came from Princess Ursa II somehow - thin spirit vine cuttings evenly distributed through the Lipowder crystal rod bundles. Looking at the Lucky Dragon's truck, she shrugged, saying, "May not need a launcher for the other kind of Meesile with this beast." By the time they had finished brainstorming and re-drawing, the original flying bomb design had been deemed likely to be too inaccurate, the long ramp needed too obvious even in the mountains. The concept had branched out into two long-range semi-portable Meesile types, one with a larger body and higher potential accuracy, guided by one of the spirit energy designators Kosuke and Taro had managed to get to work off mere spirit vines. Twelve of these unnamed medium-sized Meesiles were to be launched from the back of a shorter truck base they called the Squat Badgermole, its longer "brother" that fired longer-range and larger Lucky Dragons called the Dragon Erector. The Squat Badgermole could also be fitted with two containers with dozens of unguided rockets, aimed at a general vicinity and likely killing almost everything within it - these other Meesiles something Yangchen wanted to avoid using at long ranges unless it was do or die.

Looking at the three blueprints and sighing slightly, Yangchen said, "Can't even come up with a final product in time - it's been a few minutes. Kosuke, Taro - I've been away for a while. How fast do you think we could make these things with equipment, and the spirit synthesis?" Taro nodded, saying, "Sounds like to me you need these in bulk to make a difference from what we know about the camp's situation, especially if the reserves got thrown in. The most important parts for the Lucky Dragon -the basic guidance system and everything but the Meesile's outer shell - would take longer than it sounds like we have to make even using spirit synthesis. Earthbenders and metalbenders are still getting used to manipulating 'watery' materials… You said the Avatar managed to make things way more complicated using all four elements really fast. What if… the 'original' is a better option?"

Yangchen let out a long sigh, tossing a "Raavatite" crystal back and forth in her hands as she said, "Maybe you're right." Holding the crystal giving her an idea, she said, "Everyone who can bend, grab a crystal - stuff it close to your skin, like this." Noticing her husband watched attentively as she placed the now steadily pulsing crystal between her breasts and the baby carrier's cloth, Yangchen laughed, saying, "Yeah - think like that, sex, love, friendship, anything light while bending - any kind of love's good." Remembering there were a lot of airbenders she hadn't even gotten to talk to yet, not sure where her parents had sent them, Yangchen said, getting out her radio, "Mom, dad - get our half a company's worth of airbenders, and remind them this isn't a drill. Kipa - try and get as many fire, earth, metal, and waterbenders as you can from 'New Garzai'," seeing by the way Kipa's light yellow eyes lit up that she loved the name as Yangchen continued, "Yuehan - get all the elite metalbenders including yourself and see if you can speed the spirit synthesis process up. I know you're all capable fighters - probably more than the people you helped train," Yangchen's eyes widening when Yuehan said, "I'll do that - and then some. We've got the original metalbender right here in Omashu, after all - Toph. Heard she's almost as good as Jinshu Kuangmai at manipulating metal, even if she can't blood iron bend - I'm sure she'll be a big help," Yangchen hoping he was right as he ran off, herself continuing, "Seiko, Kosuke, Taro - help me 'direct' everyone, familiarize them with the blueprints of everything we need. You may as well start making blueprint copies now - and leave the ones I haven't seen yet behind. I'll look at them when I get a chance. Gyatso - stay here with me and look after your baby sister, along with aunt Diki." Seeing Alyssralove returning with a large load of both ore and gemstones, including ones aside from Raavatite, Yangchen whistled, saying, "Down here, Alyssralove - everyone else, grab and go!"

Everyone performing their assigned tasks, each taking one of what must have been thousands of gems Alyssralove delivered and Seiko and his children replicating blueprints furiously , Yangchen finally got a chance to relax a little - knowing things were out of her hands, for now, aside from the unseen blueprints. Looking at the three people who hadn't really been given much to do, Yangchen laughed slightly when Gyatso reached out and handed his aunt a crystal, breaking down into hysterics as her son foisted it on Diki, Diki blushing deeply as Gyatso asked, "Aunt Diki - wear crystal like mommy is? Between breast and clothes?" Diki groaning slightly when Gyatso added enthusiastically, "I think Yuehan would like it - he looks at you like you're really pretty!" Diki looking embarrassed, Yangchen reached out to her, saying, "Don't mind him - he's not even two and a half yet," grumbling slightly herself when Gyatso asserted, "My grammar not good yet, but if I know what death, 'a sex', 'a sex' abuse and war is, I'm not just nothing!" crossing his arms as he added, "Take serious!"

Looking at Gyatso's expression, seeing his eyes had hardened since Jaina's birth somehow, Yangchen sighed, realizing that Korra and Asami weren't the only ones who had a child that had grown up too fast - this morning appeared to have changed Gyatso a lot. Picking up a now distressed-looking Gyatso and hugging him tightly against her chest, not caring about how the Raavatite crystal dug into her flesh as she said, "It's okay, sweetie - mommy's here for you, your sister, daddy - no matter where you go, or any of us go." Gyatso started crying, saying as he clutched his own smaller crystal tightly, "I don't wanna lose you or daddy, mommy! Forget the bad men - they made their choice! Don't… I heard what happened to the old airbenders, love enemy too much - don't be like them!" Yangchen re-assured her son, remembering his namesake's skeleton had been surrounded by those of firebenders as she said, "Don't worry - mommy won't go down without a fight. Just because you love your enemy doesn't mean you won't fight back - just that you're sad that they're bad. Only a fool would remain forever nonviolent. In fact, your namesake, Avatar Aang's friend Monk Gyatso didn't go quietly into the night - when Avatar Aang found him, he was surrounded by firebender's remains."

Yangchen had expected Gyatso to just start crying again, except more softly, feeling a shiver run down her spine when he said after a pause, "M-mom…? Six… six firebenders. Around him… How do I know that?" Yangchen having not a clue, she just said, remembering he might have picked up a book given he knew what genocide meant, "I'm sure it doesn't mean anything, sweetie - mommy has a book about Aang restoring the temples, and that was mentioned in there, along with a picture you might have seen. You must have just picked up the same book when you learned the word 'genocide'," another chill running down her spine when she remembered Gyatso couldn't read, even as precocious as he was. Putting him back down on the ground, seeing the blueprints, she felt torn - catch up with whatever they had created in her absence to better do her life or death job, or continue to console her distressed son?

Looking into Gyatso's eyes, she felt she had no choice, didn't really want one either, asking him gently, "Why are you upset? What's the matter?" Gyatso kicked a Raavatite crystal near his shoe, Yangchen glad the crystals were apparently resilient given it didn't shatter as he said, "Never told you before, but some nights… dream about a necklace. Familiar. Always the same." Gyatso being awfully unspecific, Yangchen asked him, "Why don't you draw it for me, sweetie? We have plenty of paper over there - I'll give you a blank blueprint." Gyatso's eyes lighting up, she walked over to the table, using the time he was drawing to examine the other blueprints. Shuffling through them, seeing Gyatso was looking at her intermittently, she decided to put on a little of a show, saying, "Seen it. Next. Saw it. Next. Know that. Next. This again? Does not compute. Next…" in a "Kuviracomputer" voice as she filtered through page after page of schematics she'd already seen, wondering why Alyssralove had decided to include the plans to what seemed like…. well, everything the braintrust had ever made, excepting Korra's equipment and the Raging Shark Whale. Even then, parts of those were included - the thighblade design, apparently for metalbenders to use on the end of cables as a way to extend their bending's reach, and a puzzling amount of notes and details about verticals - something Yangchen was under the impression required tuber-vine power. Finally, there were some designs she didn't recognize towards the end, all revolving around various forms of Lipowder weaponry. Yangchen started saying, "Does not compute" again for an entirely different reason as she flipped through the pages. She was baffled - stamps of "Designed by Braintrust" on all of them, even though some bore resemblance to no weapon she had ever seen, either "Designed by Princess Ursa II" or "Consultation provided by Princess Ursa II" on so many of them. Yangchen found their hypothesized ranges even more ludicrous, even with the use of her own new Lipowder formulation, apparently independently "invented" - one artillery piece mounted on some sort of tank chassis with a hypothetical range of 45 miles without a tuber-vine for a VarriMag gun to shoot the shell, possibly more?! Finally finding a few things she didn't want to just say "Next", Gyatso complained as she examined one closely, "What, no more funny voice? Awww!"

Seeing more than a few passingly unfamiliar blueprints behind this one, Yangchen said, "Later - mommy needs to work, and you need to finish your drawing." Looking at the blueprint, she realized she'd heard it mentioned - this was the blueprint for a new kind of Meesile! Seeing how "kuviricon" chips and wire controls were mentioned, she realized it was the wire-guided Meesile from earlier, Taro having apparently figured out a theoretical way to guide it without bending, without a true Kuviracomputer. A note apparently from Yuehan about Kuvira's school books being used as reference only increased the impression. Flipping to the next blueprint, she blinked a few times, saying out loud, "Wha - why'd they even waste time drawing this? A gunship with verticals powered by spirit vines - ludicrous." Seeing out of the corner of her eye that she had Gyatso's attention again, Yangchen asked, slightly irritated, "Will you let mommy work, please? You still haven't finished your drawing, and you're going to have to get used to sharing attention with your baby sister Jaina anyways. Think of mommy paying attention to go boom as… training." Gyatso sighed, saying, "Wanted see fly thingy. Talk about! Okay, mommy, if you no love me that's fine," Yangchen rolling her eyes slightly - he loved using that when he knew he needed to go away, getting plenty attention other times.

Looking at the design again, noticing it had multiple signatures and what appeared to be a light imprint of a gigantic claw, Yangchen still found the idea of powering something that advanced by spirit vine power alone ludicrous. From what she had heard, Kuvira's Colossus required a massive amount of spirit vines to run, having a hard time believing even transformation of the vines would allow such a feat. Two spirit engines, one larger spirit weapon and a Varrick gun under the broad chin, two dumb Meesile pods with a weapon she recognized from earlier called the "Agni Kai 2" in a small turret underneath the two dumb meesile pods, four guided Meesiles close to each vertical and wingtip, what appeared to be a metal cable launcher like the ones on Earth Empire mechasuits on one side of the oversized front, what was labeled as a "lightning and Liser" and a store for flamethrower fuel on the other side- the thing would collapse if it ever tried taking off! Seven different kinds of weapons… maybe they were just being crazy? Or maybe Gyatso had given… input on it, and people couldn't say no? He had expressed interest in it, after all…

Shaking her head, flipping to the next page, she found something more useful - notes about the spirit synthesis tests. Reading one in elegant characters aloud, Yangchen said, snickering a little, "Material does not like being forced into position with bending - bender who attempted this almost 'smacked' by material under manipulation. Force failure - material responds best if… bender 'asks' it to move nicely with gentle, controlled movements? Unknown mechanism in action, material responds best to waterbending-like movements," a note scribbled quickly echoing her own reaction, "Oh man, don't tell me this stuff is sentient! I don't want sassy steel or mouthy earth!" laughing slightly when the note continued, "Ask Yangchen if this is really better than what Avatar does."

Yangchen was about to flip to the next page, but heard her radio come on, an exhausted-sounding Jasmine saying in English, sounds of battle still raging in the background "Withhold support - tide reversing. Breach plugged. We're turning walls to spirit-resistant metal after beat back enemy. Save anything you've come up with for later, Yangchen - don't bother yammering, keep working. Wan Shi Tong will take care of communication, air not really being useful for repairing people or damage," her ears perking up when Jasmine finished, "Got a surprise for you later - someone had a bonding… event with a spirit without Raava's… involvement. Returning to fight - over and out." Smiling broadly, still flipping to the next page, Yangchen frowned slightly, the page full of half-drawings and musings, realizing that her engineers were taking that gunship idea seriously, given this was their apparent doodle page. Looking at one doodle, Yangchen circled it, saying as she looked at it, "Hmm - pop-up turrets. That's actually a really good idea." Noticing there were a couple versions, including a simple circle, she barely refrained from cursing - the Earth Empire had already done something similar, and given the size of the circles in the earth she had seen Riyu covering up, there were likely some heavy duty spirit weapons in theirs!

At first, she stopped looking at the doodle page out of a tiny sense of despair, finding herself looking on the bright side for some reason, thinking, "Bigger target's easier to hit!" Looking down at the paper, she noticed her baby carrier and left breast was literally radiating light. Removing the crystal, she felt the optimism return as she held it in her right hand, the images of Raava burning brightly as she found herself saying, "Good - Jasmine's okay, and we've got a lot of bright people working here - even without the Avatar! Who knows - maybe the gunship's not ridiculous after all! I want a ring made from this 'Raavatite' thing!"

At first, she could hardly believe her eyes as a portion of the crystal broke off and formed a ring perfectly shaped for her finger, feeling foolish when an avian voice said from behind her, "I heard your request - the 'Raavatite' crystal isn't any more magical than love is." Wondering aloud if it would regenerate just like a spirit vine if given enough positive energy, Alyssralove laughed, saying, "No - it still obeys the laws of matter. While 'spiritmetal' is attuned to spiritual energies, it's still a fully physical object, unlike spirit vines," smiling slightly as the crystal re-formed to a smaller size, the great dragon bird spirit finishing, "That doesn't mean that crystal is any less powerful now - energies like love and hate don't need anything to hold them; from my experience with Raavatite, the tiniest shard exhibits the same useful behavior as the largest crystal, the amount of love inside depending on who transformed it as well as who is holding it. Though you're not going to power an aircraft carrier with one of these…" Still slightly annoyed that what she knew was her crystal, the first given how it felt "right" to her and had Raava's image on the upper half of the double pyramid shape, was now smaller, Yangchen said, "Still wish it was like a spirit vine - this one was the first, and I want it to stay big!" Yangchen heard an odd low hissing sigh from behind her, Alyssralove sounding more like Long Yumao than any spirit Yangchen wanted to associate with when she said, "Ugh - humans and your things. I had wanted to shatter all the crystals for maximum number and efficiency, but…Whatever - that vein runs for a massive distance, so there's plenty more where that came from, so you can keep your oversized gem," Yangchen's stomach sinking slightly when the spirit finished, "Honestly, I'd rather get all the spirit metal and Raavatite out of the surrounding metals than the Korranium, what Raava tells me they've decided to rename 'death metal' - Jinshu Kuangmai's unwilling to fry our world, but I imagine he'd devour spiritmetal voraciously. Given their range-finding capabilities, especially the 'Vaatite' form, for the same reasons you found it so potentially useful…"

Flipping back to the gunship blueprint, telling Gyatso she'd just be a minute, Yangchen asked, "Alyssralove, just what is this? How are you going to power something to advanced-looking, heavily armed and armored, and supposedly agile with mere spirit vines? And what's this I see about additional pylons if a waterbender's aboard, or earthen disks?" Alyssralove bobbed her head, saying, "I understand your concerns - the water tank was Bohatei's idea, disks, Taro's. This is intended as something any bender can use their specialty from, as well as the conventional weapons - all we lack is spiritwire. Fai and Maylin studied the vines extensively during the Painted Lady's conversion of the vines, and believe that both sides are underusing the transformed vine's potential - as far as we know about the enemy's equipment…" Still skeptical, hearing others calling her name, Gyatso taking first priority, Yangchen said, "Very well - I'll believe it when that thing's flying back and forth in front of me, dodging air blasts before they can connect that what you say is true."

Turning to her insistent son after re-stowing her crystal, wondering if she'd ever want to part with it, Yangchen asked him, "Sorry about earlier - mommy was busy. Gyatso time now. Want to show mommy your drawing, Gyatso?" Gyatso nodded eagerly, Yangchen feeling light as he said, "Sure!" Sitting down next to her son, she noticed her new Raavatite ring was glowing brightly as she placed her right hand on his drawing, trying to place where she had seen that shape before. Gyatso had drawn a misshapen circle with three squiggles inside attached to a string of dots, what looked like dense lightning coming out of the dots to either side of the crude circle. Cocking her head slightly, she asked a beaming Gyatso, "Your drawing's very pretty - did it take you all that time, or did you draw anything else?" Gyatso shook his head, saying, "Nope - think I recognize what drew now. Monk Gyatso's necklace - you shown me before. No big deal. Can see silly ship?" Yangchen smiled, saying, "Good - nothing weird going on here. I'm glad drawing it made you feel better - mommy wants to see more of your drawings!" Noticing Gyatso had his arms crossed, Yangchen sighed slightly, coaxing him over to the table with an offer to see the "silly ship", finding herself taking it a little more seriously now, even making some adjustments of her own, not sure if she was glad Gyatso was getting mommy time or a little weirded out it was designing a weapon…

Realizing the craft would likely be hit from the bottom or sides, not the top, unless Jinshu Kuangmai developed something like the Ferocious Lemur, at which point this particular craft would be toast no matter where its armor was, she re-drew it. The armor on the back, thinned, instead increasing the armor on its flanks, underside, drooping wings, broad Y-shaped tail and the two-seater cockpit, adding more spirit vine power source and an additional angular spirit engine to the roof - if this thing were to be of any real help to Jasmine, it'd need to be fast, in any direction. Looking at the wings again, seeing the weapons as something that would only slow the gunship down, she drew a kind of view she'd seen in architecture before when reviewing Seiko's work - a "cut away". All the wing weapons now covered by aerodynamic metal, part of which could be slid back via internal hydraulics to let the weapons drop down for firing when it wasn't trying to fly at a high speed, the wings themselves much sturdier and thicker now and hopefully more resistant to enemy attack. Yangchen ignored a male voice that said, "Uh - I don't think that can fly now," intent on her work. Looking at the gunship's chin and the weapons on the gunship's sides, she could see a major problem - she'd have a much harder time making those aerodynamic!

Looking at the side view, feeling frustrated, Yangchen got a crazy idea, saying as she picked her crystal back up, "Good job on the original, all of you, but… Forget drawing it, Taro - why don't we try making it, no spirit synthesis, do what Korra did - what's the worst that can happen? Design on the go? We waste some time that we have now, thanks to Jasmine managing to turn the attackers back at the camp? There's almost five thousand people underground outside my city - no, our city - just waiting, so we might be the next target! And who knows how soon, and what, Jinshu Kuangmai's going to ship to the front…" Seeing people were nodding, Yangchen realized there was one material she hadn't heard of anyone using just yet and that any bond might help people work as one, like Korra did, saying, "Maybe spiritmetal can make this thing fly. Kipa, get ALL your family and friends together. Yuehan - get any defectors you know particularly well, and anyone you're friendly with," making sure she didn't mention family to him, Seiko smiling and saying, "Be right on it," before Yangchen could give any sort of order. Yuehan nodded, Yangchen frowning when he said, "Toph's working - by herself, aside from the two people she's told to be silent while working the spirit synthesizers. Says she wants to be left alone for now - currently bored making spiritmetal ingots Alyssralove delivered to her earlier, seeming like she's somewhere else," Yangchen smiling when Yuehan said, "The two people manning the synthesizers told me the spiritmetal interacts amazingly with the spirit 'weapons' - swear the metal itself radiates energy, even before spirit vines are thrown in!"

Turning to Alyssralove, she said, "You've already given Toph some stuff. Anything, everything we might need for that gunship - bring it here," asking as she got an idea on how to ensure these gunships could help the camp if needed in the future, "Ingots are small. Do you think there's enough spiritmetal to make two 'gunship platoons' of eight gunships each, two of each kind of bender as 'gunner/bender' for all eight gunships, all spiritmetal and spiritmetal alloy make aside for where it doesn't make sense? I want at least one gunship platoon to cover our city, and one to hide in the mountains or even underground near Jasmine's camp, in case they need support." Alyssralove nodded, saying, "We should have enough. Yes - great idea, sneaking them into the mountains near the camp. Dunno about underground… You'll need to talk to airbenders about 'training' and gunnery - if you know any, or this idea works. I have a similarly… unorthodox idea. I think I may even be able to produce spiritwire, if something that happened in Jasmine's camp is any indication. I'll need two… non-squeamish firebenders, though, and you may not want to watch yourself." Yangchen gave Alyssralove an odd look, feeling vaguely horrified when the spirit explained, "Raava's energy, as well that of Mako and Kuvira, is inside me - literally. It is possible if a large amount of copper is run through my 'heart' and a large shock applied, spiritwire could be created," feeling a little better when the spirit reminded her, "I am a phoenix, after all - even if it goes bad, I can be re-born. Who knows what I'd look like after Kuvira's… second brush with oblivion."

Yangchen realizing they could possibly even evacuate themselves if this synthesis were successful, time passed in a blur as everyone finished their jobs and people gathered, Yangchen saying, "Everyone here knows what we're going to try and do - so don't be surprised if we fail, or it's impossible entirely. I do know we have everything to gain by trying - if we can make this thing, we might even be able to evacuate ourselves and the prison camp alone!" Intending to go on, Yangchen felt a slight chill when her husband asked from the front, "Last I heard, all you wanted was one test ship - you forget about that device? How they might fry us if we're 'too strong'?" Yangchen sighed, cursing when Alyssralove interjected, "Earth Empire soldiers have already seen 'spirit synthesis', so ironically, the 'best' we can hope for is those soldiers reporting their findings - or that Jinshu Kuangmai already knows about 'spirit synthesis'. Otherwise… he may see us as too big a threat, and go back on his word about superweapons himself." Remembering Riyu's rangefinder, Yangchen added herself, "I've seen that they already likely have, and are using, the spiritmetal's crystalline form already as range finders. I had a soldier threaten to shoot me with information from 'proprietary technology' in his spirit vine powered mechasuit…" noticing more than just her own family winced at the more personal story.

Yangchen explaining what they were going to try and do, make all sixteen gunships if the synthesis was successful, she let people divide themselves into groups as Alyssralove gathered supplies, for some reason bringing spirit vines and slighter-looking "weapons" the spirit claimed were specially made for spirit synthesis and non-lethal shots of spirit energy, smiling to see quite a few spiritmetal ingots included. Yangchen noticing her sister chose to stay by Yuehan's side for some reason as her own group assembled, both blushing slightly when their eyes met hers. Yangchen chuckled, saying as she picked up Jaina from where Diki had left her, "Whatever - I guess Gyatso was right." Originally, Yangchen had thought she'd need Raavatite crystal to facilitate the synthesis, but as she handled Jaina and put her in the slightly abused baby carrier, she shook her head, thinking as she looked at Jaina, snug and fast asleep, "No - I don't need things. Something tells me I just need love for this…"

Closing for a brief moment, she saw four figures - Oma and Shu holding hands, herself and Xingyun holding hands. Knowing love was inside, sizeless, she knew she was right - even if the crystals did make her feel great.

Yangchen remembered something about Raava herself and more advanced supreme beings simply being love's servant, even if some were better ones than others, as well as the Avatar allowing Raava to "possess" her. Yangchen looked out at Kipa's content family and Alyssralove taking a break nearby, saying as her husband hugged her and even Gyatso looked like he wanted to help, noticing Seiko's family near Kipa's farther away, "This may strike you as odd, to do while making something for war - but I want you to try letting something bigger than yourselves, bigger than Raava guide you - like a mother guides her son or daughter. Love. I don't know how many of you can meditate, but try that first." Trying it herself, she felt peace - though nothing else. No movement of limbs…

Remembering something from the original Air Nomad's philosophy, one she found no fault with, only sad that some nations and individuals didn't believe it, much less acted in the exact opposite way, Yangchen added, remembering her earlier naked innocences, "The four elements, the nations, you, me, humans, spirits - separation is an illusion. All four elements, plus a spark of Raava's energy are what make the Avatar powerful - but it can make everyone else powerful too. We all have a spark of Raava, light, inside us, and our personalities - a unique blend of what makes each element different. Now let loose - let the universal light inside take control!"

Yangchen had hoped she made sense - she had felt emotions coursing through her as she spoke, saying whatever came to mind. Letting loose as she had earlier without intending to, "under the influence", she realized she had been babbling from the heart. She had expected to be controlled like a puppet, but found herself moving in synchronicity with others willingly, part of an enthralling dance, not questioning when two dimmed blue and white beams struck the material in front of her or a large avian form tossed in plant material. Feeling the air she was bending and reveling in the sense of freedom that came with giving up control to something benevolent and much greater than herself, Yangchen didn't even catch the fact that the mass in front of her was steadily growing in size, moving backwards after an unspoken command she didn't know the source of.

Eventually becoming self-aware, but not losing anything in the process, she turned a critical eye to the form directly in front of her, hoping people would know exactly what she wanted while yelling, "Make a Raavatite range finder and link it to the chin weapons! Make an angular turret mount on the chin that shields the weapons, two holes for the weapons's ends to poke through, side by side! I don't think we'll be able to do independently targetable chin weapons after all. Make the spirit weapon adjustable down low like a spirit synthesizer - move the Liser and lightning generator to the chin on an independent cylindrical turret nearer the nose tip, along with a spirit energy designator! I want non-lethal options up front and able to fire elsewhere, and something to illuminate targets! Add an extra ammunition storage area in the belly, connected to the 'small' Varrick gun's feed - and vine and wire it up so that the mount and engines can rotate well! Make the three 'tricycle' configuration feet stronger, longer - add some more armor around the engines, thicken the glass of the cockpit! Extend the lower end - I want this to be able to carry up to ten people if needed including pilots, or supplies! Alyssralove - go do the spiritwire experiment, if you haven't already!" surprised to hear the bird spirit reply, "Guess you really didn't 'see' anything until just now, did you? I've been VERY busy - finish, and you'll see. I'll help make the modifications you want to speed things up."

Yangchen shook her head, saying, "No, I haven't seen anything - just a blur until now," as her body continued to move, feeling as though she were being watched by someone unseen when her limbs finally slowed after making sure the gunship was what she wanted with the spirit's help, the process apparently winding down. When her hands stopped, pointed down at a slight angle away from her body, she finally took in her surroundings, gasping when she saw that the gunship she had been working on was stably on the ground. It wasn't alone either, seeing other groups winding down their work as well as she inspected the second, identical looming gunship in front of , Alyssralove had seen the synthesis was a success, and had brought enough materials to make Yangchen's plans a reality - even told the others her changes after her direct assistance! Both gunship "platoons" - finished! Alyssralove touched the gunship in front of her with a single metal tendril, the gunship coming to life - even after Yangchen's impulsive modifications, actually able to lift off the ground, the metal itself glowing the same dull blue and white as a spirit engine's jet!

Panicking slightly, unsure of the time, Yangchen heard an unexpected voice from behind her gush as she saw her watch now read five minutes past eight in the morning, "Wow - I guess Raava was right! About everything in this area… Glad I finally listened to her demands that I come see for myself. Even with her re-assurances about what Alyssralove was telling her, I had been worried, wondered if Omashu had turned out as poorly as the reinforcements from Republic City according to General Iroh II… and the camp was looking according to Wan Shi Tong when it finally came under strong attack, but after seeing this, I'm just… amazed. Good work, Yangchen. Looks like Omashu is going to be very safe."

Turning around, Yangchen felt an immense pride when she saw Korra's projection bow as though to a master, crying slightly when the Avatar said, tearing up a little herself, "Big help will be coming, though not from where we had planned, and certainly not the who, but from everything I see in front of me, you might not need it. I can see you look curious - you'll find out soon enough. I'll have to ask Tenzin and Jinora, of course - but I'd say you've more than earned being the second airbender outside of Aang's family to earn Master Airbender tattoos by figuring out synthesis without me," Yangchen not deflated in the least when Korra added, laughing, "Mass synthesis, that is," tearing up when she continued, "Especially what you said, how your version works… So beautiful. The irony… I thought I'd be trying to teach you the how of synthesis after figuring it out in a slightly different way earlier," pride and sense of accomplishment swelling, finding herself smiling when the Avatar admitted, "Yours is a lot more impressive. We have close bonds with each other, much older than any your friendship with Kipa - yet what you made looks flawless. Closer to what Raava or I could do than we thought possible…"

Korra smiled, saying as Yangchen looked at the Avatar's own tattoos, wondering what an arrow would look like on her own forehead, "Raava's told me the basics - I'll get more details AFTER THIS, Raava," Raava apparently being a slight pest given Korra's initially disgusted facial expression as she continued, "Hush - this is the last stop, Raava. Enough. Jasmine and her allies have also proven themselves impressive from what I know, and everyone else has done nicely as well, given their own unique… situations. Everyone's come up with their own ideas… Even found a very astute pair of eyes on the ground in Republic City, and a new spirit convert. Now that everything is mostly okay, I'll be seeing you again relatively soon along with many others, in a different place. A chance to collaborate, and make decisions - I can't handle it all myself. A place you've seen before indirectly, if what Raava tells me is true. Jaina's beautiful, by the way. Goodbye - see you soon," Yangchen wondering where Korra had in mind for this meeting.

She was pretty sure it wasn't in anyone's inner dream world, however, remembering how Pema had acted after people were booted out. Thinking Pema's name made Yangchen smile - and not just because she shared something in common with her own sister Diki, both to become new airbenders if all went to plan in slightly over a week.

Pema's name made her smile, not because she was the twin leaders of the new Air Nation's husband and mother, but because Yangchen knew she'd love to just talk endlessly with her and Kipa about love, life, and above all, families.

What the equipment in front of her was to protect.