We're back on chapter five.
REMINDER: I DO NOT OWN LEGEND OF KORRA OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS.
At the Republic City harbour, where Varrick's yacht was docked. Chief Lin Beifong oversees Water Tribe criminals being loaded into trucks before noticing Team Avatar departing the yacht. Lin walks up to Korra and Mako.
"Welcome home, Avatar. Thanks for starting a war." Lin said sarcastically.
"I didn't start a war, goddamn it! Well, I did, but it's more complicated than you're making it seem." Korra said defensively.
"Mako, I want you back on the beat. There's going to be a Southern Water Tribe peace march tonight. I need you there to make sure things don't get out of hand." said Lin.
"I'm all yours." Mako said.
"I'll go, too. The people of the South need to see that the Avatar is on their side in the fight against the Northern invaders." Korra said.
"Great, that should calm them down." Lin said sarcastically before she walks away.
"Maybe you should sit this out." Mako said.
"What?"
"I just think having you there blatantly supporting one side will only make things worse. You could at least try to seem neutral." Mako said.
"I'm not neutral! The North invaded my home. The only reason I'm here is to get the Republic to send troops to help the South."
"Zhu Li's already scheduled a meeting for us with President Raiko tomorrow. We'll get them on board." Varrick said.
"Whatever, I gotta go to work." Mako said before he walks away.
"I better go check on my factory." Asami said before she walks away.
"I'm going to find out about this peace march." Korra said before she walks away.
"And I am dying for a pedicure." Varrick said before he walks away with Zhu Li.
"So, um, what should I be doing?" Bolin asked.
"I don't know, Bolin. Figure something out." Mako said while walking.
Varrick turns around and approaches Bolin. "Say, kid, have you ever seen Republic City at night?"
"Sure, I live here." Bolin said.
'Have you really seen it?" Varrick asked again.
"Y… no?"
Varrick chuckles. "That's what I thought. Come on."
Meanwhile, at the Southern Water Tribe war room.
"Tonraq and the rebels are holed up here in the hills outside of town." the general said.
"Leave them. My brother's no threat to us up there. Increase security around the spirit portal. Keeping it safe is our number one priority." Unalaq said.
"Yes, sir!"
The general leaves the war room. He opens the door to find Desna and a deranged Eska in a bridal gown and smudged make-up. He leaves the room in fear, keeping a distance from Eska. The twins approach their father.
"I need you two to go after the Avatar. She's the only one who can open the Northern spirit portal." Unalaq said to his children.
"But, Father, you told Korra…" Desna tries to say.
"I told Korra what I thought she needed to hear."
"I'll find her. She stole my husband." said Eska angrily.
"I need her alive."
Eska sighs. "Fine. But what about this partner you speak of?"
"He'll contact me for some news." Unalaq said.
Later, at the Southern Air Temple, where Meelo was training Poki, while Tenzin was reading a scroll.
"Watch me, Poki. You lie down and roll over. He rolls as a demonstration. Roll. Over."
"No, no, you can't just demonstrate it. That never works." Tenzin said.
Poki curls up and falls asleep. "Good!" Meelo said before he gives Poki a treat.
Tenzin sighs. "Ugh, classic over-rewarding."
Meelo was using a treat to play with Poki, while a noise is heard from a distance. Poki follows the noise and flies off.
"Poki, where are you going?"
"Command respect." Tenzin sighs again and walks to Meelo, while Poki was perched on a tree. "Having some trouble, son?"
"Poki isn't very good at learning." Meelo said.
"Believe me, I know the feeling. Maybe I can help. How would you like your old dad to teach you how to be a master trainer?"
Meelo smiles widely. "Yeah!"
Meanwhile, at the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center, with a statue of Sokka overlooking the compound. A huge number of people have congregated, while police riot vehicles have been employed to control the crowd. Chief Lin Beifong was overlooking the event with her officers.
Southerners were being led by Korra riding atop Naga. Some of them were holding lit candles on paper lotuses, while others were holding signs.
"Tensions are running up high outside of the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center. The Avatar is leading a group of Southerners in a peaceful protest against Chief Unalaq, but the Northerners have come out in droves in support of their leader."
"Boo! Get out of here! Boo! Get a real job! Get out of here!"
At the back of the cultural center, where Mako was on patrol. Two suspicious characters were stealthily escaping, but one steps on a can, alerting Mako.
"Hey! Stop! Republic City Police!"
A man pressed a remote controller before running. Mako pursues them but was stopped by an explosion. He controls the spread of the fire with firebending. The front of the center explodes, leaving everyone looking on in fear and shock.
At the back of the center, Mako was fighting the men. He throws multiple fire blasts and kicks, but one of them retaliates with firebending. He was subsequently knocked off and drops the remote, but makes his way into the getaway Satomobile.
Mako attacks the Satomobile with a fire blast, but they manage to escape. He walks up to the remote and picks it up.
At the front of the center, Korra was extinguishing the fire using water from the fountain.
"Goddamn. The Northern Water Tribe is out of control!" Korra said after Mako approaches.
"I saw a firebender running away from the blast. The North might not be responsible for this." Mako said.
"Of course, they're responsible. Who else would it be?" Korra asked before she runs to an approaching fire truck.
At the Pro-bending Arena, there was a parked limousine. Bolin, Varrick, and Zhu Li were standing outside the limo, while photographers were continually taking pictures. Bolin was in surprise, while Varrick was waving at the audience.
"Wow. Usually, when I see flashing lights like this, it's because I got hit in the head with a rock." Bolin said.
"Being famous is like getting hit with a rock all the time." said Varrick.
Inside the arena, where Varrick and Bolin takes their seats in a VIP booth.
"Look! It's Bolin!"
The crowd chants out Bolin's name, which Bolin responds to by waving and flexing his muscles.
"Folks, that cheer you're hearing is for local favourite, Bolin, of the Fire Ferrets." Shiro Shinobi said. "Let's see if we can get a quick interview. Bolin! Bolin, the Fire Ferrets are out for the season. How have you been spending your time lately?"
"Well, I took a trip South for the Glacier Spirits Festival, was briefly engaged to a princess, then went through kind of a tough breakup there, was accidentally involved in a civil war..." Brief pause, someone in the crowd coughs.
"But there's nowhere I'd rather be than pro-bending night in Republic City! Am I right, people? Republic City!" Bolin shouts before the crowd cheers.
"Do you miss being in the ring?" Shiro asked.
"Well, I definitely don't miss getting hit with things all the time, and the humiliating losing. I mean, that gets pretty old. You know, sometimes I actually cry myself to sleep..." The crowd falls silent again; someone coughs.
"I guess what I miss the most are these fans! They're the greatest fans in the world! Give it up for the fans!" Bolin shouts again before the crowd cheers again.
Bolin leaves the booth, where Varrick was waiting at the entrance.
"Look how these people love you, kid! They're eating that cornball spiel right out of your hand."
The trick is, whenever I get confused, I just say 'Republic City' or 'fans', and then everyone cheers." Bolin said.
"I think I just figured out your true calling." said Varrick.
Later, at City Hall.
"I hope President Raiko listens to us." Korra said.
"Don't worry. I was a big contributor to his election campaign. Him and the other guy. Gotta hedge your bets." Varrick said.
Varrick and Korra entered through the main doors and into the hall, where President Raiko was already waiting for them.
"Hello, Mr. President." Korra said before she shakes hands with Raiko. "Sir, the Southern Water Tribe…"
"Just a second." Raiko said. Keep smiling." Korra looks on at the camera, but Varrick pokes her, causing her to flinch awkwardly before the photo was taken. "Now, how can I help the Avatar and my most generous supporter?"
"Unalaq's troops have invaded the South. We need you to send the United Forces to help." Korra said.
"I'm very concerned by what's happening down there. But I don't think it's the Republic's place to interfere with internal Water Tribe matters." Raiko said.
"Unalaq isn't even the rightful ruler of the Water Tribe. He lied his way onto the Northern throne. He hired barbarians to attack the Northern tribe and told them to hide in the spirit forest, and then that got my father banished."
"Mr. President, the Republic is already involved in this conflict. The North attacked our cultural center last night." Varrick said.
"Believe me, we are doing everything we can to bring the people responsible to justice." Raiko said.
"What? 'The people responsible'? Who else would it be but the Northerners?" Korra asked.
"Now, I know that when you're young, it's hard to keep perspective…"
"You're the one who's lost perspective. I'm trying to save my tribe, and you're taking pictures." Korra snapped accusingly.
"Sending troops is not something I can do at this time. But I promise I will work with Unalaq and the South for a diplomatic solution. Now, I'm sorry, but my mind is made up. This meeting is over."
"My family is going to be wiped out, and it'll be on your head for doing nothing about it." Korra said before she walks away with Varrick.
As soon as they left, Raiko grins evilly, he stood to his desk and picks up a remote. He presses a button, then a hologrammatic Unalaq appears.
"Ah, President Raiko. Any news?" he asked.
"Well, I told Korra I won't send the troops to the South for their aid and defeat the North. I'll expect her to do something dramatic against 'Republic laws', I'll caught her, and then she'll head to find someone to help on boat or something. Your kids will catch her and bring her back to you."
"And the Northern portal will open, and our plans will be complete." Unalaq said with an evil smirk.
"As far as we still made a bargain for this partnership, I rule the nations, you'll have the whole world." Raiko said.
"Yes, a deal is a deal. Now, make sure Korra is at sea." Unalaq said.
"Don't worry, Unalaq. I'm the President, remember? I'll improvise."
Meanwhile, at Mako's residence. Korra gets agitated about her meeting with Raiko.
"I can't believe the President is doing nothing! H-He doesn't even care!" she said.
"I'm sure he cares, but he can't just tell his people to go fight a battle at the South Pole that has nothing to do with them." Mako said.
"How could you take his side?" Korra asked exasperated.
"God, What's with you and sides? Why do you always think I'm working against you?" Mako asked agitated.
"Well, you're not helping me! I'm trying to get troops to the South. So, what the hell are you doing?" Korra asked.
"I'm doing my job."
"Well, excuse me, officer. Don't let me stand in the way of you writing tickets. I'm just trying to save the world." Korra said sarcastically with anger.
"Well, you wouldn't have to if you didn't keep messing it up!" Mako said angrily.
"I can't talk to you when you're like this." she said angrily before she storms off and slams a door.
"You're the one who's like this!" Mako snaps angrily.
Meanwhile, at the harbour, Asami was walking, but gets cut off by Korra.
"Hey! In a hurry?" Asami asked in an annoyed tone.
"Sorry, I have to talk to Varrick." Korra said. "Yeah, me, too." said Asami.
Korra and Asami enters Varrick's yacht. There were stray arrows everywhere. An arrow nearly hits Asami, but Korra pulls her out of the way. Both girls turn to see a blindfolded Varrick holding a bow, while Bolin and Zhu Li stand next to him.
Varrick removes his blindfold. "Oh, hello! See? I told you I could do it."
"Sorry I ever doubted you." Bolin said.
"We can't wait for the President to act. We need those troops now." Korra said.
"And my company is about to go under. I have to find a way to make some sales." Asami said.
"Right, okay. Got it. Idea storm! Get the supplies!" Varrick ordered Zhu Li. "You're about to get an inside look at how Varrick Global Industries stays at the forefront of imagination innovation, or 'imagivation'! That's trademarked, pal."
He takes a chili pepper, while Asami and Korra glance at each other with unsure looks. Brainwork requires increased circulation.
He eats the chili pepper and reddens. "Let's do this!" Varrick hangs himself upside-down. "Okay, here come the ideas. Fast and furious. Pink mint lemon tea. Radio for pets. Uh, hand shoes. Hold on a tic. We don't need the President to go to the South. We just need the troops! Let's go straight to them! If there's one thing I know about troops, it's that they love fighting."
"I know General Iroh. He might be willing to help us." Korra said.
"A man on the inside. Perfect! And you need to sell some mecha tanks. I know some people who need them. We'll ship 'em South."
"That's perfect! You'll be making money for your company and you'll be helping to defeat Unalaq." Korra said.
"It's true. If you can't make money during a war, you just flat-out cannot make money." Varrick said.
"It's dangerous on the seas right now, but I'm willing to try if you are." Asami said.
"It'll be crazy risky, but I love crazy risky! End storm!" Varrick said before he wings himself upright with a spin. "Zhu Li, get those other ideas to research and development. I want prototypes by next week." Zhu Li runs off.
"I don't understand why it's so hard to get Republic City to support the South."
"Don't worry, I'm already working on that. As soon as people see this, they'll be lining up to fight Unalaq." Varrick said. "Zhu Li, do the, uh… the thing." he ordered Zhu Li before she turns on the projector.
"Don't freak out. It's not real." Bolin said.
"I had a film crew documenting the entire Northern invasion."
The screen shows troops amassing at the harbour. Troops waterbending, followed by Eska, who notices the camera.
Bolin covers his face in fear, while Pabu jumps off. "Ahhh!" Korra and Asami got startled.
"Jesus Christ, Bolin! What the hell was that for?!" Korra asked.
"Sorry. I keep doing that." Bolin said.
"We're gonna cut this footage together with scenes we shoot of our superstar Bolin here playing a Southern Water Tribe hero battling the evil Unalaq. No one will root for the North after they see 'The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South'!"
Bolin flexes his muscles, brightly. "I'm Nuktuk! What do you think?"
Meanwhile, at Mako's residence, where Mako was flipping through a book of criminals' faces.
"Oh, man, you should have seen Varrick today. That guy is a genius." Bolin said.
"Uh-huh." Mako said.
"He's gonna help Asami sell her mecha tanks to the South, and he came up with this great idea for Korra to get General Iroh to fight Unalaq without President Raiko ever even knowing."
"What? Are you serious? That's a terrible idea!" Mako said.
"And he's gonna put me in the movers as this hero, Nuktuk! He's a man of action, but he's got a heart of gold. He was born in the tundra." Bolin said.
"Look, I'm trying to do something that's actually important here." Mako said.
"Oh. Oh, sorry. Uh, sure. What is it?" Bolin asked.
"Something doesn't make sense about this bombing. I just don't buy that the Northern Water Tribe was behind it." Mako said before Bolin flips the book. "Wait a second! That's him! That's the guy that attacked the center! I gotta go show this to Beifong!" Mako walks away.
"Glad I could help. Nuktuk saves the day again!"
At Southern Air Temple.
"All right, Meelo, the first thing you need to do as a trainer is establish dominance." Tenzin said. "You are in charge. Never forget that. Now, call Poki."
"Poki, come here!" Meelo commanded dominantly. But Poki remains in place. "Poki, now." Poki jumps forward and crawls over Meelo, tickling him. "Poki, no!"
"Meelo... you're rewarding him for bad behaviour." Tenzin said. "But he's tickling me." Meelo said back.
At the bedroom, Meelo and Poki were about to sleep.
"You can't let him nap in the bed with you. You are the alpha lemur. He has to sleep on the floor. I know it's hard, but it's for the best." Tenzin said.
Meelo sadly places Poki onto the floor. Poki jumps back to bed. "No, Poki, this is my bed." Meelo said before he puts Poki back to the floor. "You sleep on the floor."
Poki looks at Meelo pitifully, while Meelo looks at his pet sadly. "Being alpha lemur is lonely." He goes to sleep.
"I know." Tenzin said.
Meanwhile at the police headquarters, where Raiko was having a meeting with Chief Beifong.
"How did this Cultural Center attack happen right under your nose? And why haven't you arrested the Northerners responsible?"
"We're working on it, sir." Beifong said.
"Well, work harder! If you don't get any results soon, I'm going to find someone who can." Raiko said.
Mako came in the office and went to Lu and Gang. "I got a break in the bombing case. I I.D.'d the guy I saw at the scene."
"That's great, Mako." Lu said. "Yeah, you better run that in to Beifong right now." Gang said.
"You think?" Mako asked.
"Sure. You're gonna be a hero!" Lu said.
Mako looks confidently at the picture before entering Lin's office. Lu and Gang laughs and make their signature handshake.
"What makes a damn rookie beat cop think he can interrupt my meeting with the President?" Lin asked before Lu and Gang laugh, with Lu banging the table.
"I'm sorry, I just… um, I found something out about the bombing." Mako said to Lin while Lu styles his hair like Mako and imitates his actions, while Gang laughs.
"Well, give it to Lu and Gang, you moron. Now get out!" she snaps before Lu puts his hair back, while Mako leaves Lin's office.
"Sorry. Was she busy?" Lu asked.
"This is the guy I saw sneaking out of the building right before the explosions. He's a member of the Agni Kais. Someone must have hired him to make it look like Northerners attacked the Cultural Center." Mako said before Gang takes the picture.
"Hmm." Gang drops picture into a drawer.
"Did you learn anything about that remote control I found at the scene? That's gotta be the key to finding out who's really responsible."
"Listen, kid, it was the Northern Water Tribe, okay?" Lu suggested.
"Yeah, give it a rest, Super Cop." Gang said.
Mako returns to the desk while President Raiko exits Lin's office and walks to Mako's desk.
"Mako, right? I've heard good things about you. You've made some big triad busts for a rookie." he said.
"Thank you, sir." Mako said.
"And you're dating the Avatar, right?" Raiko asks.
"Yes, sir." Mako said.
"I'm concerned that she might be getting some bad advice from Varrick. You wouldn't happen to know if they're plotting anything that might compromise the security of Republic City, would you, officer?" Mako glances uneasily. "Let me remind you that you've sworn an oath. You're a man of the law before anything else." Raiko said.
"Yes, sir." Mako said.
"Well, keep up the good work." Raiko walks away.
Mako reluctantly after a sigh. "Wait, there's something you should know."
"Yes?" Raiko asked with a wicked smirk without Mako seeing it.
Meanwhile, at the United Forces Harbour, where Korra was meeting Iroh II.
"Thank you for seeing me, General Iroh." Korra said.
"What can I do?" Iroh asks.
"The South needs military support before Unalaq wipes them out completely, but the President is refusing to give the order. So I decided to come to you directly." Korra explained.
"I see. Well, suppose I were to take the fleet South on some routine training maneuvers. And let's say we were to accidentally run into a hostile Northern blockade. We'd have no choice but to defend ourselves, wouldn't we?"
"I guess you wouldn't. Thank you!" Korra said.
"Swapping old war stories?"
Iroh sees President Raiko entering the ship and salutes. "Mr. President."
"I hope you're not planning to take any military action without an order from your commander-in-chief?" Raiko asked.
"Of course not, sir." Iroh said.
"Good. Because if a single vessel leaves this harbour without my say-so, you'll be court-martialled." Raiko said. "Am I clear?"
"Crystal, sir." Iroh said.
"Your activities here are bordering on insurrection. The Avatar does not command the military of the Republic. Don't go behind my back again or you'll be arrested for treason." Raiko demanded.
"You can't do that!" Korra said furiously.
"I am the President of the United Republic. I can do what I wish. You have been warned, Avatar Korra. Do this kind of stunt again, and it's jail for you." Raiko said. "As you were, General Iroh." Raiko leaves the ship.
"God, I hate that guy! He is the worst President ever!" Korra said angrily. "Who the hell voted him?!"
"I'm sorry. My hands are officially tied." Iroh said apologetically.
"I understand. Thanks anyway." Korra said sadly.
"But you should talk to the Fire Lord. My mother and grandfather have always been good friends with the Avatar, and the Southern Water Tribe. I'm sure they'll be willing to help." Iroh said brightly.
"Thank you, General."
Back at Varrick's yacht, Bolin was filming in a revealing Water Tribe outfit.
"Wouldn't I be cold wearing this outfit in the snow?" he asks.
"Ah, Nuktuk is never cold." Varrick said.
Ginger walks past, makes Bolin happy. "Ohhh. Hey, Ginger."
Ginger walks up beside Varrick and flips her hair. "How about that, huh? It's the latest product in my Varri-manageable Hair Line: Varri-dye! We get some shots of her using it before Unalaq kidnaps her, I guarantee we sell a million cases week one."
Korra came in, riding atop Naga. "Bolin, I need you to watch Naga while I'm gone." she said.
"Where are you going?" Bolin asked.
"The Fire Nation. I'm going to try to get them to help the South. Varrick, I need a boat." Korra said.
"Okay, but happened with General Iroh?" Varrick asked.
"He was going to help, but then President Raiko showed up. Someone must have tipped him off, but I can't figure it out. No one knew about it except for us and Asami."
"And Mako." Bolin said.
"Mako?" Korra glares sourly at Bolin.
"What? There's no way Mako would have told." Bolin said confidently before Korra storms off. "Right?"
At the Southern Air Temple.
"Poki, sit!" Meelo said dominantly before Poki sits. "Roll over." Poki rolls. Good boy. He throws a treat to Poki.
"Well done, Meelo! I knew you could learn to train Poki." Tenzin said.
"Not just Poki. I trained all the lemurs. Watch!"
Meelo blows a whistle, causing Poki to run away and fly. It was accompanied by many more lemurs. Meelo's entire family look on in awe. Meelo blows his whistle, commanding the lemurs to fly toward the direction in which he was pointing.
On a final blow and a point to the ground, all the lemurs land on the floor, with Poki at the center.
"My God, I've created a monster." Tenzin laments to himself. "Uh, maybe we should forget about all this training discipline for now. Why don't you and Poki just have fun and play?"
"Thanks, Dad, training makes me tired. Come on, Poki."
Meelo runs back to his room with Poki. With a blow of his whistle, all the remaining lemurs leaves.
Meanwhile, the police office, Korra kicked the door open.
"You ratted me out to the President?" Korra asked agitatedly.
"Korra, let me explain." Mako said calmly.
"Explain why my boyfriend stabbed me in the back?"
"Look, the President of the Republic asked me a direct question. What was I supposed to do?"
"You betrayed me, and my family!" Korra yelled angrily and accusingly before she kicks Mako's desk aside with airbending.
"Enough! Look, I have a job to do, goddamn it! I can't constantly be worrying about keeping you from making another huge mistake!" Mako snaps.
"Well, I have a job to do too, only it seems like you're always standing in the way of me getting it done!" Korra yelled back angrily.
"Well, I guess if we're both putting our jobs first, maybe there's no room for our relationship!"
"So, what? Are you breaking up with me?" Korra asked sadly.
"Yeah. I guess I am." Mako answered sadly before a tearful Korra runs out of the office.
Lin exits her office in shock. "Mother of God. What the flamey-o hell happened here?"
"I broke up with the Avatar." Mako said sadly.
"You got off easy. You shoulda seen Air Temple Island after Tenzin broke up with me."
At the Mo Ce Sea, where Korra was driving a speedboat with a tear on her face. She wipes it off but was interrupted by a bump. She looks back and notices her cousins were attacking her with waterbending.
"You ruined my wedding!" she yelled.
Eska throws a stream at Korra, but she manages to dodge it. She destroys her cousins' jet skis, but they glide on the water and soon catch up with her.
"No one steals my Bolin!" Eska shouts.
Eska destroys Korra's speedboat, throwing her overboard. Underwater, Korra emerges from a waterspout and attacks her cousins with firebending, while avoiding their waterbending attacks. Eska manages to knock Korra off, but Korra regains her balance with an airspout before jumping on another waterspout.
She quickly bends a water dome, trapping her cousins. Eska and Desna shielded themselves from the water before they notice a green glow underwater. Both look at each other and retreat. Korra notices her cousins were retreating and starts descending.
A giant dark spirit emerges and Korra dodges its attacks but was knocked off her waterspout. Underwater, Korra enters the Avatar State and re-emerges. She attempts to purify the spirit, causing it to glow golden. The spirit glows and vanishes.
Eska and Desna watches the spirit vanished, then Kaori on a boat waterbends them.
"Who are you?" Korra asked before she jumps on Kaori's boat.
"I'm a friend. My name's Kaori." she said. "There's something you have to know about Unalaq and his partner's plans. We have to go to Bhanti Island. My uncle already asked the Fire Lord to help you. We all can help you."
"Thanks." Korra said with a grin, but suddenly a concerned look. "But, what are Unalaq's plans, and who is his partner?"
"I don't know the identity of Unalaq's partner. But, Dr. Franceschini will tell you everything, and he'll help you reach Raava. The future depends on you."
Korra and Kaori sails their way to Bhanti Island. Eska and Desna rises from underwater and sees them escaping. They glided on the water again, and heads back to the Southern Water Tribe.
Chapter 6 will be coming soon.
Review if you enjoyed the story.