Author Notes: No joke, chapter 59.
We are nearing the end of our time together.
The night is warm when Jinora decides to leave the windows half open in her study for her end of day journaling, but a brisk wind forces the old wooden shutters open. Her candle's flames bend and dance, catching her attention. The mischievous breeze goes for her notebook next, flipping up the pages and losing her place.
Jinora goes to the window and cuts the wind off from further disturbance. She returns to her desk and glances at the open page. It's an entry from a few months ago. It was the day her father called and spoke about stepping down as the head of the Air Nation and passing the position to her, again. He hadn't set a date, but he said it would be coming soon. She was with the White Lotus at the time, that likely was part of it.
This was before Cheif Beifong's retirement announcement. Jinora now wondered if her father would follow suit. The people she always considered 'adults' in her life were getting old. It scared her a little. One day these people will be gone, and when people look for guidance, they will be looking at her as the elder.
This was natural of course, there was for sure a time when her father felt too young to take on the role of head of the Air Nation.
Jinora laughed a little to herself. People had always told her that she seemed so mature and wise for her age. That she was like a little adult. She had reveled in those comments. She liked being seen that way. Now she feels the weight of that responsibility and the longing for some time to be young and dumb like her sister Ikki was ever so indulgent in.
Jinora would never admit to anyone that she had moments where she envied Ikki. Her sister established early on that little would be expected of her regarding her involvement with the Air Nation or perhaps because Jinora herself was so competent. This made her consider what would things have been like if Meelo never ran away to the United Forces? Would they be in direct competition for their father's role? Or would Meelo's breezy side keep him from wanting all the responsibility of leadership?
It was good seeing her brother the other night. She wonders if maybe one day they will be close like her father and his siblings. It wasn't until way later in life that they were able to connect comfortably. That gave her hope for their future.
Jinora thumbs through her pages finding where she was making notes tonight, when the sound of fast feet approaching caught her attention. She looked at her door before it even opened. The screen whips to the right, her mother behind it. Her eyes were open and wild.
"Jinora, you have to go to Korra and Asami's home right now! Their children are missing!"
It takes a moment for her mother's words to process. What she was saying was not possible. "Isn't Ikki-" Jinora could barely get the thought out as her mother rushes to her side.
"Yes. Please fly over." Pema weakly gestures in the direction of her and Tenzin's bedroom. "I have to wake your father and he'll be over as soon as he can."
Jinora was still in her wingsuit, she just had a robe on to keep her warm as she journaled. She quickly shed it on the floor and followed her mother out of the room.
"Wake Zhou Rhen too."
Ai fussed for a little bit longer on the ride to the Spirit Portal but had gone silent by the time they arrived.
Wan could feel his sister's disapproving glare as they were marched out of the vehicle and through the gates to the portal.
Ai's scowl faded as they looked up at the Portal. It was the first time the kids had ever seen it so close. It hummed and crackled with electricity. Wan had always dreamed of entering but his mothers' said the Spirit World was off-limits this way, for most people, not just children. Now his physical body was about to enter the world he had been exploring. His other senses, not just his eyes, would experience a strange other world for the first time.
The boy clutches Kimmi a little tighter as he passes through the portal and into the Spirit World. He looks to his left to see Ai in awe of the beautiful flower-loaded field.
Nimol is there alone to greet them. He musters a big smile and holds out his arms in a friendly manner. "Welcome children."
Wan relaxes a little, seeing a familiar face. "Don't worry Ai, I know him."
Ai turns as much of her body away from Wan as the man holding her arm will allow. She is over the novelty of the Spirit World and is back to being mad at him.
"We're going to meet our father." Wan musters as much confidence in his voice as he can. "I know you'll feel better about all of this once you do."
From the sky, Jinora can see the activity outside the Sato home. Mako's and a few other Republic City police vehicles are parked out front. Flashlights flickered from all sides of the house, officers likely searching around in the bushes for the children.
Jinora touches down in front of the home. No one she knows is outside so she quickly enters through the front door. Asami, Mako, Bolin, an officer, a medic, and her sister on the couch. Korra is absent.
Mako sees her first. "Jinora."
Her friends look over, while the two strangers tend to Ikki, who is not awake. Jinora moves to her sister's side, by the armrest of the couch she was draped on. She picks up one of Ikki's hands, which is carelessly hanging over the armrest.
"Is she going to be okay?" Jinora whispers.
"Yes, she's just very deeply asleep." The medic says as she pulls out a vial and needle. She presses the needle tip into the vial and extracts the liquid. "This shot of adrenaline should get her up and moving."
The medic injects the liquid into Ikki's left arm and in seconds the young woman's eyes flash open.
"AH!" Is all Ikki can think of squawking as she rapidly regains consciousness. She pulls her other arm out of Jinora's grasp and holds herself tightly. "What is going on!?" Ikki's head swivels as she looks into the concerned faces of her friends and some strangers.
"Do you know where the children are?" Asami asks, as patiently as she can muster.
"They're not in their beds?" Ikki looks down at her arms and remembers Kimmi was on her lap. She looks at Asami and sees she's empty-handed as well. "I was sitting here with Kimmi. I had something to drink…"
Ikki strains to remember what happened before she must have dozed off. But it was all so fuzzy. She didn't even remember closing her eyes or feeling like she was falling asleep. Her eyes seek out the mug on the coffee table.
The officer follows her eye line and spies the cup as well. He removes a bag from his pocket and places the mug inside it.
"I found a note!" Korra's voice called out from the other room.
Everyone turns to the door to watch Korra stomp in with the piece of paper in hand. Asami, Mako, and Bolin scramble to Korra to read the note.
"I've taken my sisters to meet our dad. My friend Yorru will safely take us there and bring us back tomorrow. Wan," Mako reads aloud.
Asami grasps her head as if it was hurting and sits back down on one of the unoccupied couches.
"What is Wan talking about?" Mako asks, taking the note from Korra. He turns it around in his hands, inspecting it for any other clues. "Their Dad? But he's-"
"Still not in the picture," Korra sighs. She uncomfortably shifts on her feet. "It's been something Wan's been curious about lately. We've been trying to figure out an approach."
Mako purses his lips. "There is no way Wan could have contacted him, right? He's not a suspect."
Korra shakes her head. She wraps her arms around herself. "No." She dares a look at Asami, but her wife's eyes are locked on the floor.
Bolin takes the note from Mako. "So then this Yorru guy's the culprit. It says they're with him too."
"I have no idea who that is," Korra looks back at Asami. The knot in Korra's stomach loosens just a little as Asami returns the gaze. Her wife shakes her head. "We've never heard that name before."
"Wait," Ikki groans. "I think… I have?"
Jinora moves to sit beside her sister. "Where?"
Ikki closes her eyes. Trying to put herself in the time and place of that name. "That name is hitting me like in a long-forgotten memory. Remember that name. I told myself to remember that name."
Jinora nods. "I feel like I've seen that name too…" Her eyes look around the room and settle on a bookshelf. The image of a knowledge seeker flashes in her mind. A desk. A placard. "Reserved for Yorru…"
"What do you mean?" Mako asks.
"The Wan Shi Tong Library. The last time I was ever there, I discovered a reserved desk space. It said it was reserved for Yorru. I never saw who that was, but they were studying in the library.
Bolin scratches his chin. "But that's in the Spirit World. And how long ago was this?"
"Fifteen years ago," Jinora sighs. Two people with the same name, fifteen years apart. Two worlds apart. It was an unlikely connection. She couldn't believe she was able to pull that name.
"It's ficken Zaheer!" Ikkis shouts, startling everyone. She flops around on the couch, trying to stand up. "I caught him in Dad's study. He was pretending to be a new Airbender. Well, I guess technically he was, But he said his name was Yorru as a cover!"
"Are you sure?" Jinora presses.
Ikki's face turns more serious than it had ever been in her life. "Yes."
Jinora steps away from Ikki. "So it was Zaheer in the library. … We had his alias and never put it together. If I had known back then…"
"You shoulda talked to me more when we were younger!" Ikki barks, nudging her sister. Jinora pushes back.
While Jinora and Ikki bicker, Mako huddles up to Korra. "If it's Zaheer then that tracks with what we've been seeing. Red Lotus on the down low, prepping and waiting for that right moment. Especially ordering the…" It dawns on Mako that he never told Korra about Jargala's late-night call.
Mako moves to address the group. "It's as we feared. The Red Lotus is back. Zaheer has been regrowing the group from prison, somehow."
"The Spirit World," Jinora corrects. "He meditates in and others meet him there."
"But how did Wan?" Bolin asks.
It strikes Korra and Jinora at the same moment. They share a knowing glance. "Wan's meditating to meet him."
Korra thinks back to the many times she found her son, eyes closed, legs crossed in his room. Not once did he ever tell her he had figured out how to go to the Spirit World.
Asami stands up and takes one of Korra's arms. She rests her head on her shoulder. "The Red Lotus has our babies."
Korra can feel the flames in her body rising. She wanted to breathe fire. The rage boiling inside her was enough to keep the small and scared voice of her younger self who was still terrified of seeing Zaheer again. She rests her head on Asami's. "We're getting them back."
Tenzin and Zaheer enter the room. The group quickly gets them up to speed.
"The kids have to be in the Spirit World, no way they'd make it into the prison," Jinora offers.
"But what do we do about Zaheer?" Mako asks. "We can't imprison him any more than he already is."
Korra steps into the center of the small circle they formed in the sitting room. "I don't care what you do with his body. I'm going to the Spirit World, now, to get my children."
"Yeah, we know who's got 'em, let's go get' em!" Bolin seconds.
"Wait," Mako holds out his arms. "We have to have a little strategy here. I'm going to send my officers to shake down the Red Lotus hideout. Some of us should go to the portal, but I'm going to Zaheer's body. Who knows what the heck is happening at the prison anymore if he's got Red Lotus goons in the city."
"I'm going to the portal with you," Asami says, taking Korra's hand.
"Me too!" Ikki adds.
Jinora raises her hand. "I'm going to the prison with Mako. I can go into the Spirit World and keep you in the loop. Dad and Zhou Rhen, you should come with us too."
The two men nod. The group moves to the door, splitting off into their smaller groupings. Asami dashes around the back of the house to get her fastest Satomobile which isn't a two-seater.
Mako pulls Korra aside. "I need you to be extra careful. They have poison."
Korra tries to not let the fear that swells in her at that word show. "I will."
"And don't be brash this time."
Korra flashed her classic lopsided grin, but there was a sadness to it. "They're my kids. I have to do whatever it takes."
Mako gives her knowing nod. They both move to embrace the other in a fierce hug.
Korra, Ikki, and Bolin watch the other two groups disperse in their vehicles. They all exit the long driveway single file, not unlike a parade.
"Korra, I'm so sorry. I don't-" Ikki starts, but Korra's hand on her shoulder stops her.
"You did nothing wrong. You were obviously drugged."
Ikki covers her face with her hands and lets out something between a sigh and a sob. "If anything happens to them."
"They won't hurt the kids." Korra kicks at the gravel with her boot. During her sweep for clues of her children in her house, she took the opportunity to change out of her dress clothes and into her dayware. "They need them to lure me."
Bolin tosses his hands in the air with exasperation. "It's the fricken Air Nation as hostages all over again. You're not going to let them get a hold of you, right?"
Korra glances down the now-empty driveway. Mako's whispers about poison play in her ear. Twenty-one-year-old Korra flashes into her mind. The Korra in tired Earth Kingdom clothing and a black eye. How long had it been since she thought of that time in her life? After Kuvira was truly and finally settled, Korra had mentally put all of that behind her. That was her of the past, they were enemies of the past. She wanted to focus on the future. And now that past was back to haunt her.
"Korra?" Bolin asks, before a sleek black Satomobile with the top down shrieks as it comes to an abrupt stop in front of the trio. They don't wait for an invitation and pile in.
Asami tears up the roads, taking all the shortcuts she's learned over the years to get to the center of downtown. The green and yellow glow of the portal is the beacon to her destination. Soon the structure guarding the portal comes into sight.
The group ditches the vehicle a little ways away and spies the White Lotus guards out in front.
"What do we think?" Bolin asks.
"We trust no one," Korra mutters, marching toward the portal. "But I say we act otherwise."
The two guards notice them approaching. Korra waves. "We need access to the portal if you could let us pass."
"A little late for the Avatar and friends to be going to the Spirit World," One of the guards calls back. "Why not come back tomorrow morning?"
Korra, a few paces ahead of her crew, stops only a few feet from the two guards. She casually puts her hands on her hips. "Unfortunately, it has to be now. So if you could let us through we'd really appreciate it."
The two men look at each other. "We need to get clearance for such a suspiciously late inquiry into the portal."
"As the Avatar, I should be all the clearance you need."
The two guards cross their ceremonial staffs, blocking the entrance further.
Bolin rolls up his sleeves. He rolls his head from side to side, cracking his neck. "Alright, I think we all know these pleasantries are a facade. You're Red Lotus, right?"
One of the guards takes a step forward. He thrusts his staff into the dirt. "We've had enough of leaders telling us what to do. It's time to find your own path. No longer will we be oppressed by tyrants. Until we are all free!"
"And kidnapping children is, in your opinion, the way to achieve this goal?" Bolin snarks, crouching into an Earthbending stance.
The guard doesn't wait for Bolin to strike, he makes the first move. Both hands grasp his staff and he twirls it over his head a few times and then slices it down generating a powerful gust.
Bolin, Asami, and Korra hunker down to brace themselves against the force of air, while Ikki jumps up and catches it like a surfer skims a wave. She uses the boost to flip over and land between the two guards. Ikki furiously contorts her arms, summons the wind, and then focuses the gust at the guard's feet. It knocks them to the ground and they panic like flipped-over turtleducks.
Bolin grabs the legs of the guard nearest to him. Korra and Asami each take a leg of the other. They drag them away from the gate to the Spirit World. The guards aren't stunned for very long and curl up to attempt to free themselves from their attackers.
"Get the door!" Korra shouts, grabbing the other leg from Asami. Asami obeys and runs to meet Ikki by the gate.
The two guards manage to get from Bolin and Korra's grasp. They quickly right themselves and assume a bending stance. The Airbender slings more wind at Bolin, while the other guard reveals himself to be a firebender. Korra dodges the flames.
"We got it open!" Ikki calls out. Waving her arms to get Korra and Bolin's attention.
Now that Bolin knows there isn't an earthbender, punches furiously until the two men are surrounded by nine-foot walls of earth on all sides of them. "Let's move!"
The group passes through the gate and enters the enclosed entrance of the Spirit Portal. The green and yellow threads of energy cast colorful light on the walls surrounding the portal.
Bolin recalls the last time he entered the portal, a giant snarling tigerpillar spirit on the other side. It could be argued the Red Lotus being there instead was far worse.
The four take in their breaths and dash into the light. As they pass through into the beautiful electric fuschia colored flower field they see the Red Lotus is there to greet them.
Mako, Jinora, Tenzin, and Zhou Rhen pile into Mako's vehicle. He peels out of the driveway. When he hits the main roads, he fires on the alarm.
"So, what do we do about Zaheer? We can't imprison him any more than he already is." Mako hollers over the horn.
Tenzin, in the front seat, switches the alarm off. "Save that till after we're done debating."
Mako flushes. "Right."
"Zhou Rhen caught me up to speed on the potential Red Lotus situation at the White Lotus compound in the Fire Nation," Tenzin says with an audible heaviness.
"We believed, well I'd say all but confirmed now, that they are in the city as well." Mako stops at a traffic light. He pops on his siren for a second to drive through the empty intersection. It was so late, likely no one else was on the road, but it was better to be safe.
"Left alive, Zaheer will always have the Spirit World to move freely in." Zhou Rhen starts, leaning towards the front seats. He puts his hand on Mako's headrest. "Making that world his playground by rebuilding the Red Lotus. They can have a central location in the Spirit World, allowing members from all over the world to tap in. This is a nightmare. To save the children we have to end Zaheer. Then we focus on taking down the Red Lotus."
"End?" Mako, Zaheer, and Jinora all ask in near unison.
"He needs to be executed. I hate to come to this conclusion but as long as this man lives he is a danger to society. I'm going to contact my uncle. I will get the support of White Lotus leaders and we'll take this to the United Republic President."
The four all fall silent after Zhou Rhen finishes speaking. They consider his argument for Zaheer's death.
Mako pulls off the road and stops the vehicle. He lets out a long sigh and turns the ignition off. "He's right. I'm not normally a death sentence kind of guy, but prison doesn't work on Zaheer."
Tenzin turns around in his seat to make eye contact with Jinora. He can only see a sliver of her face but can tell she is troubled.
"Jinora, I leave this decision to you."
"Dad, that's."
"Not fair?" Tenzin interrupts. "Perhaps, but it is your generation who needs to now start making decisions about its future. What I would do is perhaps not your way. Zhu Li will want the Air Nation's blessing. Our people were major victims of his crimes all those years ago. You now represent our people."
Jinora opens her door and rushes out onto the street. Tenzin quickly follows.
"You're doing that here, now?"
Tenzin lets out a long breath. He is feeling his age tonight. He can't remember the last time he stared down an all-nighter. Or even longer? Who knows how long this crisis could last? Jinora wasn't wrong, to unceremoniously pass the torch now was not how he expected this to happen either. But it was long overdue and had he seen that he could have given this honor to his daughter at least a year ago. "I know you will lead our people with grace."
Jinora feels her eyes bite with tears. So much had happened and changed in under an hour of her life. Seeing Ikki unconscious had frightened her in a way she had not felt in a long time. Korra and Asami's children were likely being held by the Red Lotus, which meant a repeat of one of the most challenging battles of her and the Avatar's lives. And now her father saw it fit to put her in charge of her people through this crisis?
Jinora rushes into her father's arms. "I'm scared, for so many reasons."
Tenzin envelopes Jinora in his robes, holding her close. "No matter what decision you make I am so very proud of you."
Mako and Zho Rhen stay in the police vehicle and watch the exchange. They can't hear much, but figure it's better to leave the two to their family moment.
Mako drums his fingers on the steering wheel for a few anxious moments and then turns around. "Your decisiveness to execute Zaheer throws off one of my theories."
"Theories?" Zhou Rhen repeats.
"You're uncle tipping us off to the Red Lotus being back. Saying he should be the only point of contact there for the Avatar. Raised a lot of red flags for me. Your uncle, we can trust him, right?"
"You think he's a Red Lotus mole?"
"Couldn't he be?" Mako presses.
"I trust my uncle. He was shaken by the return of the Red Lotus. As we all are."
"Okay, because once you make that call we're giving him a heads up of our intentions with Zaheer."
"I know he'll agree it's the best course of action."
Mako turns back to face straight ahead. He drapes his arms over the steering wheel. "I guess the real question is, will the Air Nation."
Tenzin and Jinora get back into the vehicle.
"Zhou Rhen and I should go to see President Zhu Li. Officials need to be aware and I need to be there with Zhou Rhen to plead whatever case the Air Nation will make for or against execution. Mako, can you take us to her first?"
Mako flips on the siren. "Heading to the President's home now."
Jinora generally was satisfied with the leadership Zhu Li had provided during her time as president, she just could never understand why someone like her ended up with a doof like Varrick. He, of course, accompanied by a couple of bodyguards answered the door.
After a little convincing, they got an audience with Zhu Li. Jinora and Zhou Rhen we ushered into study to wait for the President to see them. There are two chairs by the door. They sit down, then Zhou Rhen spies a phone and takes the opportunity to attempt contact with his Uncle.
Jinora lets her eyes close and she allows her spirit to pass over in the Spirit World. She's in an unfamiliar place, but at least there are no obvious threats. Jinora thinks of Wan, Ai, and Kimmi. She focuses her thoughts on only them and then seeks out children's energy. Familiar chirping breaks her focus. It's her old friend, the flying rodent spirit.
"You know where they are, right?'
The creature trills and then takes off. Jinora follows the spirit to Xai Bao's grove. She smacks herself for not thinking of the obvious. Of course, Zaheer would hold them here. Jinora keeps her distance at first, just trying to get eyes on the children.
Wan is holding Kimmi, and Ai is struggling with her arms behind her back. Beside each kid are two Red Lotus members, each with a threatening hand on either side of the kid's shoulders.
Jinora is unable to make out what Zaheer is rambling about, and dares to get a little closer.
"Your father is just running a little bit late. Don't worry." Jinora quietly hears Zaheer say to the children.
A new Red Lotus member emerges from the forest and runs to Zaheer's side. She uses her body to block their conversation from the children. Once the message is relayed she dashes back to where she came.
"I have good news!" Zaheer announces gleefully. "Your father is ready to see you."
Jinora dares to step a little more out from the trees to see if she can get eyes on this man. Ai spies her immediately.
"Jinora!" Ai cries out. "Help."
Zaheer's focus snaps onto Jinora. "Look who it is."
Jinora steps fully into the grove's clearing. "Hi, Yorru. Is this really the best use of your time and the Spirit World? You could find true enlightenment, yet you choose darkness and harming children."
Zaheer tosses his head back and laughs in a way she did not know was possible for this humorless man. He steps away from the children and lowers his voice. "You have no idea how I've maximized my time. I have found enlightenment here."
"Our definitions of enlightenment must differ slightly."
"The children will not be harmed." Zaheer goes to a whisper. "If Avatar Korra gives herself up."
Jinora dares a few steps closer. Aiming for the children. "This plan failed before. It's not going to work."
"It would have had you not interfered." Zaheer grits his teeth recalling how very close to victory he truly was that day, had the airbenders not summoned that tornado. The body he was so excited to suddenly be able to bend with, was his greatest vulnerability. Zaheer relaxes his jaw and almost smiles. "No one can harm me here. Your attempts to stop me will fail and the new world order will begin."
Familiar voices could be heard in the distance. Jinora cranes her neck to try and seek out where they are coming from.
Zaheer points towards a clearing "Take the children to their father. "
Jinora debated staying to see if it was Korra who was arriving but feared giving anything away to Zaheer. She allows her spirit to slip away and she's back in Zhu Li's study.
"Has the President come?"
Zhou Rhen is at her side. He shakes his head. "I got through to my uncle. He's speaking with the other elders now. I am to call him once we are seen by President Zhu Li. Have you decided?"
Jinora grimly stared ahead. She felt herself being brought back to when she was younger, during Kuvria's trial. The debate on life in prison or execution. She knew her answer so quickly back then. She was young and sure of herself and her people's teachings. Life was sacred. Her grandfather spared the life of one of the worst tyrants in known history and ended the war without death.
This time Jinora feels the true weight of the decision. Zaheer was already imprisoned for his crimes, yet he still persisted in committing more. What do you do with a person like that? One that truly cannot be stopped. There was nothing they could do to Zaheer's spirit short of tossing him in the Fog of Lost Souls, and that wasn't a guarantee. Souls do get out. By using the Spirit World as his platform, he had completely altered the game. What if he had discovered how to exist there after his death like Iroh? Jinora had to take comfort in the fact that though he was knowledgeable of the spiritual, that didn't translate to being truly spiritual. Jinora knew what had to be done and she hated it. She knew this decision would stay with her for the rest of her life. Quite the way to start in her new role.
"Yes."
"Jinora!" Ai cries desperately one more time. She whips her head to face Wan. "Did you hear what the man said? He's going to hurt Mommy!"
"Yorru wouldn't…" The two men holding Wan give him a firm nudge to walk forward. Wan looks back at Zaheer. He gives him a thumbs up. "Aren't you coming?" Wan asks.
"I got some things I need to take care of." Zaheer looks away towards another entry point of Xai Bao's grove. He can barely feign interest in the children anymore. "You enjoy quality time with your father."
Wan, Ai, and Kimmi are walked to a field with large umber rock formations jutting out from neon blue moss. The field is also made of this moss, it's springing beneath their feet.
In the short distance is a man in traditional Water Tribe garb. He crouches down a little and holds out his arms as he sees them. "My children! Come over here and let me see you!" He enthusiastically calls out.
The Red Lotus guards release their grips on the children. Ai pulls her arms close and scowls at her captors. Wan readjusts Kimmi in his arms and heads toward the Water Tribe man.
"Wan, my boy! Look at you!" He says gleefully. "My name is Tuktuk, but you can call me Dad."
Wan keeps a few feet away and inspects Tuktuk. He's middle-aged and has fairer skin than what Wan would have expected from someone with a full Water Tribe heritage. Everyone in the South was the color of his mom or darker. The clothing stuck out a bit too, now that he was closer. They seemed tired and ill-fitting. Like they were very old and Tuktuk got them secondhand or lost a significant amount of weight.
"What a handsome young man you've grown into. And look at your little sister." Tuktuk beckons for Kimmi with his hands. "May I hold her?"
Ai storms to Wan's side and snatches Kimmi before he can even consider Tuktuk's request. "No, you may not."
"And you must be Ai, my little fireball," Tuktuk grins. His eyes strain from the continued smiling. "Just like your mother, Korra."
Ai clutches Kimmi close and takes a few steps back. Kimmi stirs from her sleep and begins to fuss. Ai tries bouncing her a little, but she can't do much, with Kimmi being nearly a third of her size.
Tuktuk rises to a normal standing position. He lets out a long sigh and his big smile is back. "My three children, together with me at last. You have no idea how long I have waited for this moment."
Ai rolls her eyes. "Kimmi isn't your daughter. She's adopted." She kicks at the back of Wan's legs. "This guy's not our dad."
Wan eyes wander over the Tuktuk. He inspects him again as critically as he can and it isn't adding up for him either. Nothing was. Nothing had felt right the moment he slipped the sleeping powder into Ikki's tea. This wasn't how he wanted meeting his father to go or feel.
"Of course, I'm your dad. Yorru found me and told me how much you wanted to meet me, Wan. You have no idea how excited I was to hear that." Tuktuk swerves his body around. "I brought a ball we can play with." He rummages around in the grass and finds the toy he is talking about. He holds up a sewn otterpenguin skin ball.
"How about a catch?"
Zhu Li slips into the study. She's wearing a long fluffy bathrobe. Her hair is down, and Jinora thinks to herself this might be the only time she'd ever seen her that way. Varrick, disinterested, went back to bed. The bodyguards remained and waited outside of the room.
After explaining the situation, Zhu Li quietly moves to her desk. Next to it are several filing cabinets. She rifles through the drawers for a while and then brings over a booklet. She reads the index and then thumbs to the middle section. "There is legal precedence for what you wish to do, but also there is protocol. The matter of execution of a prisoner needs a majority vote."
"We are confident we will be able to compel anyone we need to to get the votes, but we have to do this right away." Zhou Rhen urges.
Zhu Li scoffs. "It's two in the morning."
"People's lives are on the line." Jinora stands up from her seat. The guards flinch a little, but make no further movement than that. "Not to have to play this card, but the Avatar's life is on the line. Zaheer's true aim is to kill Korra in the Avatar State and therefore end the cycle. Meaning no more Avatars."
Zhu Li's eyes narrow. "Let me make some calls."
Mako and Tenzin drive to Zaheer's prison mostly in silence. Now it was just the two of them, Mako started having second thoughts about storming in there. What if Zaheer had people working for him inside the prison? He reaches for his radio and gives Tenzin a quick nudge. "I'm going to call for backup. In case the place is crawling with his goons."
Tenzin gives a little nod. "I'm afraid."
Mako nearly pressed the receive call button but stopped in time for Tenzin's admission. "I am too."
Mako makes the call in for any remaining officers who weren't on the raid of the alleged Red Lotus hideout. He was able to get an update that the place was mostly empty, but definitely Red Lotus, Jinseng confirmed.
The two men wait for the officers to arrive before they enter Zaheer's mountain prison. The entrance guards escort them in through the two sets of doors it takes to get to the holding room. Zaheer's two guards perk up and salute the group.
Mako whispers to their escort and they swarm on the guards, quickly getting them in cuffs.
"Hey!" One of Zaheer's guards bellows as he's cuffed. He's a younger man, likely a fresh recruit. His helmet slips back, revealing he bleached the tips of his black hair. "What the heck did we do?"
Mako strikes an authoritative pose. "You are being arrested on suspicion of being a member of a terrorist organization."
"Terrorist group?" The young guard gulps. He looks over at his companion. He is steely-faced and says nothing.
They two are escorted out of the room by two White Lotus guards. Those remaining walk over to the placid body of Zaheer. His eyes are closed, fists together at the knuckles, Lotus position, and a few feet in the air.
"So, do we just poke him with something sharp to get him to wake up?" Mako asks Tenzin, half kidding.
"I'm sure Zaheer has mastered his ability to disregard all external stimuli while meditating." Tenzin pauses for a moment. "But I guess it'd be worth a shot."
Among the small crowd of Red Lotus members waiting for them at the portal entrance is Nimol. He approaches Korra and the others. "Avatar Korra, you were quick to figure out where your children had gone off to."
Korra recognizes Nimol, but can't place him. "Release my children and we leave you all alone."
"You're obligated to say that," Nimol starts with a bored shrug. "I can tell your heart isn't into any of it. You know what happens next."
Bolin storms in front of Korra. "Yeah, that ain't happening this time."
Asami takes Korra's hand and squeezes it. "I won't let it happen either."
"Don't make us fight you," Nimol groans.
"You're saying that because you're scared you're gonna lose!" Ikki cries as she kicks off into the air. She spins and unleashes a wind that rips through the Red Lotus goons.
The fight breaks out and it all becomes a blur. Korra tries to keep an eye on Asami as best as she can. She gets a little relief when she sees Asami did bring her electric glove. Still, it had been a long time since her wife had seen real combat.
It also broke Korra's heart to have to tear up the beautiful field as she sent fireballs across it, scorching the flora in its path. The first time she entered the Spirit World through this portal with Asami was such a treasured memory. In a moment of spontaneity, they took each other's hands as they passed through. Once they cleared the passage, they bashfully let go. But that set the tone of their first vacation together, touching the other whenever acceptable. A rock whooshes past Korra's head. She could reminisce later, she needed to focus.
The Red Lotus members were unrelenting in their attack. Bolin and Ikki were doing a good job of holding their own against three or four of these guys each. Korra has just knocked out one of her attackers when she realizes she's lost track of Asami. She turns around until she tracks Nimol and one other goons, with Asami. They each have an arm. Korra sends a blast of air at another Red Lotus member while she watches Nimol toss Asami's glove to the ground. "Oh, Avatar!"
Korra scrunches her face and before Nimol can make another move she drops to a squat. She clenches her fists together so tightly, that her hand veins pop out. Korra then explodes up and along with several pillars of rock. Four Red Lotus members are sent sailing into the air by the force. Their bodies cartoonishly go into the sky and then rush back to the ground with horrible thuds when they collide.
Nimol pulls out a blade from the belt at his side. "Not even another thought, Avatar or your wife gets it. We don't technically need her. I know you'll risk your life for your children, all the more when they are staring down being orphans."
Korra halts her movements and then drops her arms. Ikki and Bolin quickly do the same. Most of the Red Lotus members have been subdued. Only about six remain standing, including Nimol.
"Let's get this over with," Nimol snarls. He nudges Asami in the direction he wants to move in. The other Red Lotus member holding her arm helps drag her forward. The remaining four flank Korra, Bolin, and Ikki as they march behind.
After a few pokes at Zaheer with his police baton, Mako returns it to his belt. "I don't know what the protocol is here. I can't actually cause him bodily harm yet, right?"
"We need to call Lin," Tenzin sighs. He points to their White Lotus escort. "Take me to a phone?"
The guard nods and gestures for Tenzin to walk with him out of Zaheer's holding dome.
Mako starts to walk around the perimeter of the room. He inspects the walls and floors. Touching and nudging here and there. He looks back to his officers. "A few of you look around with me. Three keep eyes on Zaheer."
Mako and four other officers comb through the big empty room, coming up empty-handed of anything out of place or suspicious. No secret doors. Nothing. It was almost a surprising amount of nothing in this man's cell of eighteen-ish years.
The new police chief glances at his watch. "It's been a minute since Tenzin left, right?"
A fellow officer pushes back his coat sleeve to confirm with his own watch. "I believe it has been longer than one would expect a summons call to go, sir."
Mako quickly dashes to the door, and all his officers follow after him, so he stops shy of opening. "You three stay on Zaheer. Radio if he wakes up."
The group nearly collides with the door when it doesn't open. Mako bangs on the glass window and then peers through to see if anyone is there. The hall was empty.
"Maybe it's just a safety precaution, to keep Zaheer in," one of the officers suggests.
"Yeah, lock us in the cage with the Sabertooth Mooselion," Mako grunts, pounding on the door again. "I'm cooking the lock." He generates a flame at the tip of his right pointer and middle finger and holds it to the door handle and lock.
The other firebender in the group rushes over and contributes his flame too. After a few minutes of continuous flames, the metal begins to soften. The two step back a few paces. Mako pulls out his baton again and wails it on the handle. A few good smacks and it breaks off.
The five run down the hall to the next door and this one opens. The stern-faced man they had 'arrested' stood with four other White Lotus guards. At their feet were bound and gagged Tenzin, the confused young man originally guarding Zaheer, and one other White Lotus guard.
"I knew it was too easy," Mako scoffs. "They're Red Lotus, boys. And we each get a partner."
Mako and the police launch their attacks, carefully trying to avoid any harm to the three captives in the room. As soon as Mako finds an opening, he pulls the young bound guard to the corner of the room.
Tenzin takes advantage of the chaos and uses a gust from his hands to right himself onto his feet. He then navigates his way to the wall to attempt to free himself from his binding.
The room they are fighting in is tight. Soot and sand from Earth Bending soon cloud the air, making it hard to distinguish who they should be fighting against. The only airbender who could clear it is Tenzin who is still fighting to free his hands.
Mako ducks to avoid a few bricks being slung at his face, and slides to the wall he last saw Tenzin at. He scrunches his eyes to keep out the stinging grit in the air and feels his way along the wall until he bumps into Tenzin. Mako pulls his gag out first and then flips the older man around to burn off the ropes around his hands.
"Can you help clear the air?" Mako calls out hoarsely.
Tenzin's now free hands rise and then he begins to swirl them counterclockwise. His movements go faster and faster. The dusty air's chaotic drifting stops for a moment and then begins to swirl with the motion of Tenzin's arms.
"Get the officers out," Tenzin shouts to Mako. The firebender quickly obeys, seeking out another officer to grab the two hostages. They fight their way back through the doors they came as Tenzin conjures a tornado.
The old Airbender ramps up his storm once he sees Mako and his group escape. The wind's strength builds enough to start lifting the Red Lotus members up off the ground. They struggle to launch attacks back at Tenzin, but the swirls of air just send it back.
Once Tenzin confirms he has all five in his tornado's grip he walks it through the doors to the main entrance of the underground jail. He brings them outside and then casts the tornado down the road. It whips and whirls down the street. As it dies, it leaves a trail of unconscious Red Lotus members. Tenzin stands and waits to ensure they do not get back up.
He then closes the main entrance doors, locks them, and seeks out the phone to finally call Lin Beifong.
Lin was only days away from her move to Zaofu and was still awake when Tenzin called. She was still used to having late nights and found it difficult to sleep anyway. She assumes it must be the anxiety of retiring. She hopes once she settles into her new life her mind will start to quiet down more at night and she could do this thing called 'a good night's sleep' everyone is always raving about.
Lin was surprised to find that someone else was awake at this hour and so inclined to give her a call. She expected Mako, with new job jitters, and was alarmed to hear Tenzin's voice.
After a little debating, they decided it was best for Lin to get the President's house to help advise on the next steps, whatever they be. Lin drove as quickly as she could and found she was still too late.
President Zhu Li, Jinora, and Zhou Rhen had taken the proceedings to the Capital building. Lin could see the logic in this, the President likely didn't want to host the whole governing body at her home in the middle of the night.
The lot has a good amount of Satomobiles already in it when Lin parks. Another arrives as she walks to the entrance. A security guard nods at her as she passes through.
"Lin!" Jinora calls out as soon as she enters the cabinet meeting hall. "I'm glad you're here."
"Your father called me. Figured I was of most use to act as a representative of the police force."
Jinora smiles. "Yes, I think your presence will go a long way."
A gavel bangs a few times, catching everyone's attention. Zhu Li is at the podium on a stage at the front of the room. The members of government who were able to crawl from their beds all ambled to their seats. About four rows of staggered seating like a theater.
"Thank you all for coming," Zhu Li starts, mustering a warm smile. "I know it is late, but these circumstances are extreme. Avatar Korra's children are being held captive by convicted war criminal Zaheer, in the Spirit World as we speak. Zaheer and the Red Lotus have attempted to assassinate the Avatar before by ransoming the Air Nation hostages in exchange for the Avatar. She was poisoned, nearly died, and took several years to recover from the threat to her life. Zaheer was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes. What we must decide tonight is how do we want to address a criminal who refuses to stop even after imprisonment. Zaheer is using his ability to mediate into the Spirit World to operate the terrorist group, The Red Lotus. There is a petition to change Zaheer's life sentence to death, on these grounds. The petition is urgent because the Avatar and her children are in danger as we speak. I will open the floor to a brief debate and then a vote." The President steps away from the podium and takes a nearby seat on the stage.
The representatives all look around at each other, seeing if anyone is making moves to the podium. Lin lets out a long sigh and hoists herself from her seat.
"Don't all get up at once," she starts, joking, hoping to lighten the mood. She can tell despite how potentially world-shattering losing the Avatar could be, the representatives were not very awake. "Honestly, I don't think we need a heck of a lot of debate on this, right? The Red Lotus is a sickness. We have suffered many times because of this organization. Remember that giant red spirit monster terrorizing the city? Former Red Lotus member. He went rogue and that was just one nut job." Lin casually leans an arm onto the podium. "Remember when Kuvira brought an army and giant mech to destroy our city? That chain of events started all because of Zaheer and the Red Lotus. He killed the Earth Queen and set Ba Sing Se ablaze. Which conjured Kuvira's megalomania to take over the former Earth Kingdom."
Lin looks to Jinora. She realizes she forgot to ask her about the decision on the matter, per Tenzin's instructions. "I think really the only people we need to hear from are the Air Nation. I can guess Avatar Korra's vote. If this guy had anyone in my family, I wouldn't be here asking for permission to blast him from existence. But Avatar Korra can't be in two places at once. So Master Jinora, why don't you come here and stop me from talking maybe more than I have in my entire career to these people." The old police chief says no more as she steps away from the spotlight.
At the mention of her name, Jinora had gotten up in her seat. She looks at Zhou Rhen for a moment. He offers her a smile as he pushes the glasses up the bridge of his note. She was grateful to have her old friend with her. Jinora still didn't want to say never to the idea of being anything more with him, but in this moment she was relieved there were no additional complications between them.
"I want to thank you all again for coming here so late. I am here to represent the Air Nation, as its leader. My father will be stepping down and will of course make a formal statement during a calmer moment." Jinora looks down at her hands, resting on the podium. She moves them a little and sees she's leaving streaks of sweat. "I have not taken this petition lightly. It is my people's belief that all life is sacred. But we are dealing with an unprecedented situation. Zaheer and the Red Lotus have created a new type of danger. They have created a terrorist organization in the Spirit World, that is both physical and not. Through meditation Zaheer's spirit lives and operates this terrorist group in the Spirit World, meaning anyone who physically enters, or spiritually enters the Spirit World can communicate with him. He by no means is imprisoned in the mountain at the edge of the city. He for all intents and purposes is free. It all comes down to this, as long as Zaheer is alive, he is free."
Mako tries to mentally will his blood pressure to go down as he paces around Zaheer's cell for the fifteenth time since they secured the prison. After the Red Lotus tricked them into a false sense of security, Mako made sure the whole building was swept for any more moles. He called the station and asked that a third of the police from the Red Lotus hideout raid come to prison and walk the halls, a third stay at the station to guard any arrested members from the hideout, and the last third to go to the Spirit Portal to back up Korra, if they were still there. He was waiting for the three groups to perform their fifteen-minute radio check-in to confirm all was still okay.
Tenzin had brought a chair into the cell and sat by Zaheer. His eyes were closed. Mako wondered perhaps if he decided to meditate into the Spirit World. But then he heard a little snore. The old man was exhausted. It wasn't until after the rescue that Mako got eyes on the black eye growing on his face. Also, the tornado he conjured likely tuckered him a good deal too.
Mako stops his lap and walks over to the two old men. He inspects Zaheer's face. His hair and beard are even longer and more unkempt than when he took Korra to see him fifteen years ago. Otherwise, he didn't look too terrible for an old guy. "They've been pampering you in here, huh? I know the money they've been dropping on you for special herbs."
Mako dares a little shove. Zaheer's body drifts slightly, the chains jingle as they creep along the floor. "You barely felt your imprisonment, huh? You spent all this in the Spirit World. Except you can't fly there." The police chief dares another push. This sends Zaheer's floating body to the end of his chain's length.
Mako thinks back to when Zaheer was hunting Korra down in the Earth Kingdom. He was still carrying a torch for her then. They had all agreed to be normal friends, and that is what they did. It honestly felt really good to be able to be around Asami and Korra without his stomach tied up in knots. And it was that way for a good amount of time, tracking down Air Benders, drifting from town to town. But then once Zaheer started making actual moves, the night he almost got Korra from her bed. It reignited something in Mako about Korra.
Mako didn't feel that way anymore, or even now. But it was bringing up those messy teenage feelings. Zaheer was a reminder of so much mess. Mako was ready to never think about this guy again. His eyes rove over Zaheer again, and now that he's farther away he notices he's barefoot.
Mako lets out a little snort. "If I can hurt you yet, maybe I can still be a nuisance to you." He really didn't love the idea of touching this guy, especially on the feet. But he knew if this guy's attention was split between the spiritual and the physical, he'd be far less effective.
Korra tries to keep her brave face on as they reach the edges of Xai Bao's grove. She recognizes it immediately. The old voices in her head began to whisper; "Give up! The world doesn't need you anymore!" She breathes out hard, disregarding them as best she can. Then a flash hits her eyes. It's her body colliding with the hard earth. Her shackles clang and the chains whip past her face.
"I've moved past this. These memories cannot hurt me anymore," Korra whispers to herself. Her focus shifts back to Asami, who is several paces ahead. She wishes there was something she could have said to convince her to stay home, but she knew better than to even attempt it.
Korra looks to her side at Bolin and Ikki. Two other people she really didn't want to be involved in whatever mess they were about to get in. They were capable benders, but she could not promise their safety. She should have come alone.
"I know what you're thinking," Bolin whispers. "But you'd be right here with me if it was my children." He musters a smile. "What's happening right now? Means nothing. He's got no idea what's going on in the real world. We're the decoys."
Bolin checks Korra in the shoulder for comfort.
Nimol marches the group through Xai Bao's grove to the clearing Zaheer occupies. The young Red Lotus member giddily trots over to Zaheer's side. "We got her."
"Excellent work," Zaheer grins wildly. "Avatar Korra, we meet again at last!"
"Hey, what about me Zaheer? We've met before too!" Bolin barks. "You gave me to the Earth Queen as a show of good faith?"
Zaheer scowls.
Ikki, inspired by Bolin's rashness. Speaks up too. "Me too! You were snooping around my Dad's study when I caught you, Yorru!"
"So that's how you figured it out, huh?" Zaheer says with a little nod. "I can admit my one mistake was using the same alias all these years."
"Why Yorru anyways? Is he someone special to you?" Ikki snarks.
Zaheer closes his eyes for a moment. "He was a friend who discovered I was a Red Lotus member. I killed him."
Bolin shakes his head. "Great friend."
Zaheer motions Nimol to his side again. "Take the other three-" He stops mid-sentence.
Nimol leans in. "Where sir?"
Zaheer closes his eyes and breathes heavily from his nose, like an angry moo-sow. His spirit flickers for a moment.
Nimol jumps back, startled. "Sir?"
Zaheer grits his teeth. He breathes harder and faster as his form dips in and out of Xai Bao's grove. He crumples in for a moment and then springs outward with a roar. His spirit's full opacity returns. "Take them to the fog of lost souls and then I need to you contact Fusei and have him see what the heck is going on at the prison."
Nimol bows. "Yes sir." He then waves his hands at the Red Lotus beside Korra, Bolin, and Ikki. "We're disposing of the refuse."
To Bolin, Asami, and Ikki's surprise, their captors knew what it meant. More Red Lotus goons descend upon them and pull them away from Korra.
"Korra!" Asami cries out as she is led away.
"Find the kids!" Korra calls back. "I'll be okay I promise."
Asami struggles against the men holding her arms. Since she's not a knifepoint anymore she dares a leg sweep and the two crumple to the ground.
She rushes to Korra's side and flings her arms around her neck. There is so much she wants to do and say but knows they will be back on her in seconds. She brings her mouth to Korra's left ear and whispers, "Remember, the world needs the Avatar more."
Korra's eyes well with tears as her wife is ripped off of her. She shakes her head.
Nimol is back at Asami's side with the knife. "Just say the word Zaheer. We don't need Sato."
"No, I need the Avatar to have a little hope to keep her fighting to the end," Zaheer smirks and focuses on Korra. "That's the real gut puncher, isn't it? Hope?"
Korra keeps her eyes locked on Asami, Bolin, and Ikki as they are taken away. Only once they are out of site does she shift her attention to Zaheer.
Zaheer crosses his arms smugly. He takes a few paces around Korra. Examining the woman she's become in fifteen years. "Do I still haunt your nightmares? I bet I do."
"So you've been operating the Red Lotus this whole time?" Korra asks, not wanting to indulge his line of questioning. But she did seriously wonder if her recent nightmare was at his hands. If that was even possible. "The group never disbanded?"
"What do you know about the lotus flower?"
Korra scrunches her face.
"In flower language, it symbolizes faith and rebirth. A lotus seed can germinate after decades without water, then bloom beautifully as if none of that time passed. I am the seed that remained planted eighteen years ago. I waited patiently and now I have bloomed."
"You've bloomed?" Korra asks, fighting the urge to roll her eyes back in her head.
"I have spent the last eighteen years bettering myself. Seeking out knowledge and enlightenment. I understand the Spirit World so well I can shape it to my will. Whereas you, I hardly recognize. You're a pampered pet. Your marriage to Asami Sato meant you never spent nights awake worrying about anything. You aren't in touch with the people or the Spirit World. You don't even know what's going on in your own son's life."
Zaheer can see Korra's mood sour as he speaks. His grin widens. "A real shame to see a boy who has everything come to the Spirit World lost and lonely, willing to trust a complete stranger who is just willing to listen to him."
"You manipulated Wan." Korra challenges.
"Barely. The work was ninety-nine percent done for me by you. I just had to nudge a little a push him over the finish line. And when you're gone, he'll probably come back to me. Oh, maybe not right away. But he'll remember the father figure I was to him and he'll desperately seek that back out. Likely after your wife falls into a deep despair over your death. Because you two are so codependent you don't know what'd you do without each other. But giving yourself up really is your only choice."
"You know I don't even have proof you have my children."
Zaheer's eyes narrow. "You're going to make me do it? Do you really want to traumatize them that way? Right now they're playing catch with their dad in a nearby field. Oblivious. They'll never know what happened to you. I wanted to give you that comfort."
"Show me my children," Korra commands.
To be continued...