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Book Three

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Chapter XI

Enter The Void.

The new Air Nation is in jeopardy. In an effort to force Korra to surrender herself, Zaheer ambushed the Northern Air Temple. Tenzin, Bumi, and Kya attempted to hold off the Red Lotus but were injured in battle. The airbenders were unable to escape and everyone was taken captive except Kai. Now Korra and Team Avatar race to the temple hoping to mount a rescue.

Airship.

Suyin, now wearing chest armor, places an airship figurine on a map as they flew in front of the temple. "I say we make our approach from the west, drop down from the airship on cables, ambush these Red Lotus low-lives before they know what hit them."

"It will never work. That Combustion Lady will pick us off one by one." Lin spoke, crossing her arms.

"You have a better idea on how to save the airbenders?"

"Yeah. We come up from the valley, scale the side of the mountain and take them off guard." Lin explained as Tonraq looked at the map.

"That could work."

"And give them the high ground? No, if their lavabender spots us, he'll melt the mountainside and us with it." Su sighed as Bolin raised his hand.

"Wait, I've got it. I'll disguise myself as a lost hiker, and once I'm in the temple, I'll distract the Red Lotus with my bird calls. (Whistle Caw-Caw Whistle!) That's when you all strike."

"Bird calls, really?" Mako asked, crossing his arms.

"Well, I haven't noticed you offer any suggestions.

"It doesn't matter."

They turned to see Korra looking out the window before Naruto walked up to wrap his arms around her and rest his head on her shoulder. "None of these ideas will work. The second Zaheer realizes we're up to something, he'll wipe out the airbenders."

"And Opal is one of those airbenders. Believe me, I understand what's at stake." Su said as Naruto leaned back before turning her around.

"And would Zaheer let them go if you give yourself up? He does only want anarchy, and destroying the airbenders again could help that."

"The only plan that will work is for me to give myself up." She said looking up at him.

"What?"

"Korra, no."

"We'll figure out another way."

"I talked it over with Lord Zuko, and I've given it a lot of thought. I have to do this." Korra said, pulling away from Naruto's embrace.

"You can't expect us to sit by and let Zaheer take you," Asami spoke walking over.

"The world has been out of balance for far too long: it needs the Air Nation back again. I can't let Zaheer destroy it and everyone we love. Help me save the airbenders, then you can worry about saving me."

Tonraq after exchanging glances with Suyin looked back. "We're with you, Korra."

"Yes, whatever you need, they're here."

"I'll go radio, Zaheer." Korra walks out of the meeting room. Cut to the Northern Air Temple radio room. "Zaheer, are you there? It's me.

"I've been waiting for your call. So, do we have a deal?" He asked as she nodded.

"Yes. You release the airbenders, and then I'll turn myself over."

"And take away the only leverage I have? No. I can't do that. Listen carefully, here's what I need you to do."

Back with the others, Bolin paced before Mako looked up. "Will you sit down? I'm already tense enough as it is."

"I'm just worried about Opal, and Pabu's not here to comfort me. (Sigh.) I hope he and Naga are doing okay back in Zaofu."

Korra then walked out as Naruto looked up. "Did you speak to Zaheer?"

"Yes. He told me to come to the top of Laghima's Peak at noon, alone. Once he has me, he'll release the airbenders over to you at the temple."

"I think I figured out a way to play this so that the airbenders and Korra all come out in one piece." Su mused as Lin looked over.

"How?"

"Zaheer doesn't know how many of us there are, so we have the numbers advantage. I say we split into two teams: Naruto, Mako, Bolin, and Asami will take the airship up to the temple. Meanwhile, my metalbenders, Tonraq, Lin, and I will get in position below Laghima's Peak."

Korra nods in agreement with the plan.

In the temple, Zaheer is meditating before P'li walks into the room. "The airbenders are secured."

"Thank you, P'Li. For everything."

"Of course."

Zaheer stood up as she turned. "I want you to know: not one day went by in that prison when I didn't think of you."

P'Li walks up to Zaheer at that. "The years apart only made my love for you stronger. And deep down I knew you would find a way to get me out. Just like you saved me from becoming that warlord's killing machine when I was a girl. You've shown me what true freedom means."

"And after today, we'll show the entire world what it means. No more prisons, no more running."

"I love you, Zaheer."

"I love you too." He said before both kissed.

At Laghima's Peak, the airship lands at the bottom. Tonraq and Suyin walked outside, with Lin talking to the Team Avatar at the mouth of the airship.

Lin passes a radio to Korra before speaking to Mako. "Radio the second you see those airbenders."

"I will, Chief. Good luck."

Lin nods to Mako before walking out as Korra hugs Naruto and Asami. "Be careful, Korra." Naruto kissed her, followed by Asami.

"You too."

Korra hugs Mako, and when she lets go, Bolin hugs her, sobbing. Korra walks out of the airship before it takes off. "Korra," Tonraq spoke looking over

"Don't worry, Dad. I'll be alright."

Tonraq hugs his daughter at that. "I just want you to know how proud I am of you. The risk you're taking to save the Air Nation will be remembered for generations."

"I love you, Dad."

"I love you too, sweetheart." He walked to his group before she spoke.

"And Dad, watch out for Zaheer. He's not very fond of world leaders."

"I can handle him. Just stay focused on your mission."

Tonraq and the metalbenders scale up the mountain until they are obscured from view by the clouds. Korra opens her glider and flies up the mountain.

The airship flies up into the temple as Mako and Bolin survey the damage. "Oh, man."

"Must have been some fight."

"Naruto, did you see the airbenders?" Korra asked on the radio.

"Not yet. We're just arriving. Don't turn yourself over until I get a visual on them."

Asami steers the airship to the temple, while Bolin ties the tethering ropes. Both approach the temple to see Ghazan awaiting them. "This way." Team Avatar glares at Ghazan with suspicion. "You want the airbenders, or not?"

Ghazan walks into the temple, which Team Avatar follows.

Above, Korra flies toward Laghima's Peak, where Zaheer and P'Li are waiting. "Drop your staff and surrender yourself." Korra stands still at that. "Don't make me come get you."

Korra remains defiant and remains still.

Inside the Northern Air Temple, Ghazan leads Team Avatar to the captured airbenders, where Tenzin is chained to the floor and gagged, while the other airbenders are bound up and hooded.

"Naruto, what's going on?" Korra asked Naruto.

"They're here. And so is the lavabender."

"We have her," Zaheer said after a moment as Ghazan gestured to Team Avatar, who ran toward Tenzin.

"It's okay, Tenzin. We're about to get you out of here."

Naruto walks up to the airbenders, only to see them collapse into a pool of water and Ming-Hua seated among the decoys. Ming-Hua rushes to attack Team Avatar, but Naruto blocks the attack with fire before pulling lava around her.

"Korra, it was a trick! They're not here. Don't turn yourself over!"

Korra who had shackles on struggles against her restraints, and airbends with her feet, separating Zaheer and P'Li.

The metalbenders ascend the mountain as Korra firebends and earthbends at Zaheer, who dodges all the attacks. Korra tries to regain her ground but is stopped by her shackles. Zaheer airbends her off her feet and slams her down with an air blast. The metalbenders reach the peak, engaging P'Li.

"Get the Avatar on the airship. I'll deal with them." P'Li said before she ran to the group.

She directs a combustion beam at the metalbenders. Lin manages to dodge the attack, but two metalbenders are thrown off the peak and fire a cable to ascend the peak again. Lin dodges another combustion beam and sends two earth slabs to P'Li. Suyin joins in and sends another slab. P'Li destroys a slab with combustion and avoids the other two.

Zaheer pushes Korra into the airship. Tonraq climbs up the airship and attacks Zaheer. Korra dodges the attack and falls off the airship. Tonraq catches Korra with waterbending and throws her toward Zaheer, where she sends a point-blank fire kick. Zaheer protects himself with airbending but is thrown back. Tonraq cuts the tethering ropes with his water whips, causing the airship to fly off.

"Nowhere to go, Zaheer!"

Naruto then runs out as Tonraq directs his whips to Zaheer.

Inside the Air Temple Ming-Hua scales the walls, landing next to Ghazan. Ghazan directs lava to Bolin, who blocks it with an earth column. Mako runs up and firebends, while Asami tends to Tenzin. "Where're the airbenders?" She asks Tenzin who looks up.

"I don't know. Zaheer moved them out of the temple."

Mako firebends at Ming-Hua, who stops the attack with her water arms. "Won't you just bury them already?"

Ghazan leaps forward, lavabending a large portion of the floor, before spreading it across the room. As they exit, Ghazan lavabends the exit path. Asami looks on in fear, as she picks Tenzin's shackles with her hairpin. "Come on." She punches the hairpin, freeing Tenzin before supporting him. "We have to get to the airship."

"Not gonna happen. The exit's blocked." Bolin bends the tiles beneath, forming a barricade to stop the lava flow before a pillar collapses. Tenzin groans, prompting Mako to run up and support him.

"Where's Oogi?"

"Gone. All the bison got scared off during the attack. But, I think I know another way out. Bolin, can you get us to that wall?" Tenzin asked, pointing to a wall.

"On it!" Bolin bends the wall behind them.

Outside, Ghazan lavabends the entire exit path before taking over Suyin's airship with Ming-Hua. As the airship takes off, a portion of the garden collapses. Inside, the four are escaping to a meditation room. Bolin notices the lava approaching and blocks off the flow.

"Through there," Tenzin said, looking at the floor.

Bolin opens the floorboard and the group enters the tunnel, where Mako firebends to provide some light. "Is it just me, or is it, uh, getting really warm in here?" Bolin asked before looking back and noticed the approaching lava. "Oh, this is not good." He then blocks the lava flow. "Let's move it, people!"

Outside, P'Li bombards the metalbenders. Korra kicks a boulder at Zaheer while Tonraq whips the water. Naruto ran over and threw fire at Zaheer. He airbends away and creates a wind gust to Tonraq. He dodges and waterbends the water to attack Zaheer. Korra throws a boulder toward Zaheer, but he easily dodges and punches some air gusts to Tonraq until he falls.

Korra stands up, creating some earth columns, which the airbender dodges. Resuming his assault, Tonraq bends a stream of water at Zaheer, forcing him back. Taking advantage of the respite, Korra earthbends another small column behind Zaheer's foot, causing him to stumble backward. With his remaining water supply, Tonraq bends an ice spear on his forearm and attempts to stab Zaheer, who dodges his attack and manages to ensnare Tonraq in a small tornado.

"Say hello to the Earth Queen for me," Zaheer said and threw Tonraq off the cliff.

Only for a wire to pull him back over before Naruto threw a boulder at Zaheer.

P'Li directs combustion attacks toward Suyin, who dodges the attacks before regrouping with her half-sister, who has already taken cover. "We're pinned down."

Lin looked over at that. "I'm gonna draw her fire. You take her out."

"Lin. No."

P'Li directs combustion beams to the half-sisters, who shield themselves.

"I love you," Lin said as she touched her sister's cheek. She runs from the rock and leaps to the terrain. "Come and get me, you Third-Eyed Freak!"

Lin leaps up the slope to avoid P'Li's combustion beam before retaliating with an earth slap. P'Li destroys the slab while Suyin glances out looking for the right moment. Lin sends two earth slabs to P'Li, who dodges and retaliates with combustion beams. Lin dodges the attack and bends an earth wall to protect herself from another beam, but is knocked toward the edge. Lin props herself up. While P'Li prepares to finish Lin, Suyin runs out of her cover and bends her armor toward P'Li's head, containing the blast.

Zaheer turns back in horror, staring at the resulting explosion.

"P'Li!"

Zaheer looks at the fight sadly, while Korra, seizing the moment to distraction, firebends at Zaheer. Zaheer dodges the attack as Naruto runs over before he flips over and sends an air blast to Naruto knocking him over the cliff.

"NARUTO!"

Korra ran over and was hit with an air blast into a rock, knocking her out. Zaheer carries Korra and walks to the edge, watching the unmanned airship fly off. Suyin and Lin ascend the peak, landing behind Zaheer.

"It's over, Zaheer."

"Let go of your earthly tether." Zaheer took a breath before Lin spoke.

"Release the Avatar."

"Enter the void." He said before Su spoke.

"This is your last warning!"

"Empty, and become wind. "Zaheer steps back and falls off the peak.

"No! Stop!"

The half-sisters run up to the edge, where they see Zaheer floating in mid-air. Both fire cables at Zaheer, who dodges the attack and flies off to Suyin's airship.

"Did he just fly?"

At the Red Lotus' airship, Zaheer zooms past. Ghazan and Ming-Hua watch this in disbelief.

"Guess he doesn't need a ride."

At the mountainside, the group looks for Naruto before seeing him flying up and coming down on the ground into a roll. "Korra!" He didn't see her before seeing Zaheer and the ship was gone.

Down in the tunnel, the group continues to outrun the lava. "We can't outrun it! This way."

Bolin bends a tunnel on the side of the path, the group enters the tunnel before the lava approaches them. "Now what?"

The group turns back to see the lava approaching the tunnel. Bolin walks toward the lava and stretches out his hands. "Bolin!"

As Bolin groans, the lava flies above him. He brings his hands together, pushing the lava back and solidifying it. "Incredible."

"You're a lavabender," Mako said, amazed as Bolin looked at the wall, surprised.

"I know. I just found out."

Just the Kai flies toward the hole atop a baby bison. "Hey, you guys need a lift?"

"Kai. You're all right."

"More or less. Everyone hop on."

Tenzin climbs onto the bison first, followed by Asami. Mako follows suit, causing the bison to lose altitude. As Bolin climbs onto him, it groans from the impact. The bison subsequently leaves the temple. Tenzin looks back sadly as the temple begins to collapse.

With the others, the female metalbender is tending to Naruto's arm which was cut from the fall. "Thank you, Captain."

"You can call me Kuvira."

They then hear a bird call before Suyin stands up and points in the direction of the call. Lefty flies toward the camp, landing heavily and tossing Bolin off the mount. Suyin and Lin rush forward to help Team Avatar. "Hey everybody, there's something I got to tell you," Kai said as the others ignored him

"How did you guys make it out of the temple alive?"

"It was all Bolin. I thought we were done for, then out of nowhere, he lavabends." Mako said as Su walked up to Bolin.

"I knew you had the potential for something big. You just had to believe in yourself."

"You're right. Being moments from death was a pretty good motivator too. Of course, we would have never made it back with Kai."

"Glad I could help. So anyway-" Kai stopped as Tenzin spoke up.

"Did Zaheer get away with Korra?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Apparently, he can fly now," Su said, surprising the others. "And Naruto as well."

Naruto shrugged at that. "All that was on my mind was rescuing Korra."

"I wouldn't believe it either if I hadn't seen it for myself."

"I've heard the legends about Guru Laghima's ability to fly. I'd never imagined they were true." Tenzin said before Tonraq ran over.

"So what's our next move?"

"I have an idea," Kai said as Lin waved him off

"Not right now, kid! We need to figure out where Zaheer took Korra."

"And find the airbenders."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you," Kai yelled as everyone looked at him as he spoke. "I know where the airbenders are, and I bet it's where Korra is too."

"Well, why didn't you say something? Mako asked as Kai glared at him in irritation, before sighing.]

"Where are they? How did you find them?" Tenzin asked Kai who started to explain.

"After I got blasted out of the sky, I woke up on the side of the mountain, where this little fellow found me. I tried to sneak back into the temple, to see if I could rescue anyone, and that's when I saw the airship leaving. I followed it into some caves a few miles from here. The giant lady and some people put the airbenders into the caves."

"Was it Ghazan and Ming-Hua?" Naruto asked as Kai shook his head.

"No, there were four more of them. They didn't look familiar."

"Must be more Red Lotus members than we thought."

"I couldn't fight them on my own, so I came back here, hoping you guys would show up."

"We need to get to those caves," Lin said looking over.

"How? I don't think we can all fit on my bison." Kai said before a shadow flies above the group. The group looks up to see Oogi.

"Oogi!" Tenzin exclaimed as Oogi landed on the ground, and Tenzin reached out for his bison. "I'm glad to see you too, old friend."

The entire team then mounts atop Oogi, while the Metal Clan nurse their wounds. Kuvira walks up to Oogi. "I want to come with you."

"No, Kuvira. Stay with the injured. We'll be back for you once we have the Avatar." Kuvira nods at that before Mako looks at Kai who had just mounted Lefty. "Hey. Um, I appreciate you coming back for us. Sorry for ever giving you a hard time."

"That's okay. I probably deserved it."

"Yeah, you kind of did."

They then fly off at that.

The Red Lotus' Hideout.

Zaheer is seated cross-legged while levitating. Ming-Hua and Ghazan approach him. "Why didn't you ever tell us you could fly?" Ming-Hua asked Zaheer.

"I wasn't sure I could. Only one other airbender in history had the ability."

Ghazan looks underneath Zaheer at that. "How did you figure out how to do it?"

"I found true freedom. I am no longer bound to this earth by worldly desires. I have entered the void."

Ming-Hua glares at that before speaking "Where's P'Li?"

Zaheer returns to the floor before speaking. "She sacrificed her life for our cause. Now let's make sure it wasn't in vain."

In a cave with the Red Lotus insignia painted on it, Korra is chained on all four limbs without her boots and pelt. Zaheer, Ming-Hua, Ghazan, and two Red Lotus members enter the cave as Korra regains consciousness and gasps.

"You. You killed my fiance!" She yells and breathes fire in rage at Zaheer.

"I understand your grief. I also lost someone I loved today. But your pain will soon be over. "Bring the poison."

"Two Red Lotus members walk forward, causing Korra to gasp in fear. One member bends out the poison, which is a silvery-black liquid as Korra looks on in horror.

To Be Continued.

A/N: Thanks for reading and let me know of any mistakes.

Beta: Chaos-PSD.

Remember to vote if you haven't!

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Talk To You Later,

Lone Wolf Out.🐺