We're back on chapter seventeen.
REMINDER: I DO NOT OWN LEGEND OF KORRA OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS.
Zaofu, where Korra was sparring with Wing. He fires two meteorites at her, but she dodges them and sends her metal cable at him. He dodges it twice, traps it on the ground, and bends it back at her. The impact of the cable knocks Korra to the ground.
"I can't believe I'm sparring with the Witch-Avatar of Raavania!" Wing fist pumps his twin brother.
"I can't believe I'm stuck with her friend." Wei said, referring to Bolin. Bored and frowning.
The practice area and Wing earthbends a trail toward Korra who jumps and dodges. Bolin stands in front of Wei.
"Hang on, I think I got it. Let me just try this." Bolin said before attempts and fails to bend a meteorite. "Nope, okay, maybe…" He was cut off as he gets nailed with a slab of metal by Wei.
"Trial by fire. It's the best way to learn metalbending." Wei said before Bolin ducks as a meteorite was sent toward him. He quickly bends a pebble at his attacker, directly hitting his forehead. "Agh!"
Mako approaches with Asami. "Whoa. Nice shot, Bolin!" he said before Wei grabs his forehead with both hands and makes little moans of pain. "But I thought you were supposed to be practicing metalbending, not earthbending."
Wei rubs his red forehead. "Yeah, cheater." He crosses his arms.
"Mako, metalbending is extremely difficult. No one gets it right away, if they can get it at all! It's not normal!" Bolin said.
Korra was able to dodge Wing's attacks and knock him to the ground with her cables.
Korra jumps. "Woo-hoo!" She flexes her muscles. "Metalbending champion, baby!"
"Oh sure. She's the Avatar." Bolin said.
"Yeah, the Avatar of sorcery." Mako said.
"Guys, it's time to get cleaned up. Tonight is Opal's farewell dinner." Asami said.
Korra was able to dodge Wing's attacks and knock him to the ground with her cables.
Korra jumps. "Woo-hoo!" She flexes her muscles. "Metalbending champion, baby!"
"Oh, now I have to say bye to Opal? This is the worst day ever!" Bolin said sadly before he slumps his shoulders and walks away sulkily.
Meanwhile, on Opal's farewell dinner, as the chef walks over and gives Opal her plate.
"Thanks for making my favourite meal." Opel said.
"I'm really going to miss you, Opal. No one appreciates my raw veggie wraps like you do." the chef said before he walks away to serve the remaining plates of food.
"Every time I eat raw kale, I'm going to think of you." Bolin said.
"You're so sweet." Opel said.
"This stinks! We were just starting to get to know each other, and now you're off to the Northern Air Temple."
"We'll be together soon. You guys are coming up after finding more airbenders, right?" Opel said.
"Yeah, but that's... in the future. Ugh, I hate the future!" Bolin said.
Opal holds up a piece of kale, which Bolin bites into. "Until then, we'll always have kale."
The other side of the dining table where Mako strains to hear the conversation.
"What's going on? I can't hear anything. I hate sitting down here!" Mako said. He grabs his glass and notices Aiwei next to him, staring at him awkwardly. "Uh, not because of you."
"I can tell you're lying."
Mako slumps in his chair and sips his drink with an embarrassed expression, as Suyin taps her glass to get everyone's attention. A metallic object tapping against the glass three times was heard. At the middle of the table again and Suyin has stood up with a glass raised.
"Everyone, if I could have your attention please? Tonight, my beautiful little girl leaves for the Northern Air Temple." Suyin places a hand on her necklace. "Opal, none of us could be more proud of you. You're an incredible daughter, sister, friend, and soon to be airbending master." Suyin gives a kiss on Opal's head.
Huan, Wing, and Wei who watched the slightly emotional scene. The twins sniffle and Huan rolls his eyes. Raises her glass up high.
"Here's to Opal. May she help lead us into the new era!" Suyin said before everyone raises their glass for a toast.
At the docking bay at sunset and Opal's airship was taking off. Opal stands at the window of the ship and waving goodbye to her family and friends.
The docking bay where a small crowd was looking up at the airship and some were waving to Opal. Kuvira was behind the group as she pulls out a radio from a metal bag near her hip.
"Lock it down for the night." Kuvira said into a walkie-talkie.
Back to Korra, Lin, and Bolin. The latter stops waving and looks a little sad.
Lin gives Korra a smile. "We'll head out first thing in the morning."
Bolin sighs solemnly and follows her leave, as Korra walks next to him, with her arm resting on his back in comfort. The duo walks away and the metal petals of the city start to close.
A view of all of Zaofu where all the metal flowers close in harmony. A Zaofu guard was patrolling the guest houses at night. The surrounding parks and the guests houses as various guards walk up and down the perimeter.
Below, a small group was running across a trail in the park toward a bridge. The Shadow Coven, the Spellbook and the two Red Lotus members were quietly peering out from under the bridge. A guard has a metallic staff in hand, and he looks down at the bridge for a few seconds before walking off.
Jaakuna waves her hand and signals to everyone to continue moving forward. Another guard patrolling the sheltered walkway as the bad guys use the cover of darkness to sneak past the walkway undetected. They head toward a guest house in the far end.
Bolin in his pyjamas with a blanket over him in his bed, snoring. Pabu was curled up on top of the blanket and the fire ferret perks up with a squeak.
"Kale, kale, kal ... Opal..." Bolin said mumbling.
Pabu wakes up. The fire ferret leaps off the bed and hops over to the nearby window sill and looks out, noticing the six villains. He paws against the glass and squeaks loudly in alarm in an attempt to wake his owner jolting Bolin awake.
"What?" His pet continues to shrill. "What's going on?" Bolin sinks back and lays down to his pillow in annoyance. "For God's sake, Pabu, sleep!"
In Korra's room where Korra was sleeping. At the moment, she was in the Spirit World.
"What's going on?"
She looked around and wondered what was going on. Then she saw Zaheer.
"Are you Zaheer?" Korra demanded.
"Yes I am." Zaheer answered. "Welcome to Xai Bau's Grove."
"Don't move, Zaheer. You're going to give me some answers." Korra said. "And no funny business."
Zaheer sits back down. "There's no need for aggression. Neither of us has our bending, and I'm not going anywhere. I'll answer whatever questions you have. You deserve that much." Korra looks surprised. "What would you like to know?"
"First off, who are you people, and why do you keep trying to take me?" Korra asked.
"We are part of a secret society, dedicated to restoring freedom to the world. We are the Red Lotus." Zaheer answered.
"Red Lotus? Are you related to the White Lotus?" Korra asked.
"We are what the White Lotus was meant to be. But after the Hundred Year War, the White Lotus lost its true purpose. Its members came out of hiding and openly served the Avatar. They became nothing but glorified bodyguards who served corrupt nations. So a great man named Xai Bau broke from the White Lotus and began his own society."
"That's a great story, but it doesn't explain why you tried to take me when I was a kid." Korra asked.
"That was Unalaq's idea."
"My uncle was part of the Red Lotus?" Korra asked.
Back outside the window, the villains ducked down an alley between two guest houses while Jaakuna and Mogui hide under a window.
Zaheer directs his gang onward to the adjacent bedroom window: Korra's. They crouch down beside it, and Ming-Hua raises a water tentacle up and forms a small sickle at the end. She uses the ice sickle to scratch the glass and carves a hole into the window with water bending.
"Get her." Jaakuna whispered.
"How would I know she won't wake up, boss?" Ming-Hua asked.
"Zaheer's keeping her in the Spirit World. Just go!"
Inside the room that Ming-Hua was attempting to break into, and Naga was still sleeping in front of the bed. Korra in her pyjamas, deeply sickle on the window as it makes a complete circle. Water encases the cut glass, and it pulls away quietly. Another water tentacle arm holding three red darts was soon raised.
Naga awakens and growls, but she was quickly knocked out by shirshu-spit darts.
"Take that." Ming-Hua said.
Back to Bolin's room, as Pabu leaps onto the bed to get his owner's full attention.
"Huh? What? Oh, Pabu." As the fire ferret jumps back to the window. "It's not play time right now. Okay, we are seriously going to have to have a talk…" Bolin sees an unconscious Korra being held by the fleeing villains. "The Coven! They've got Korra. They've got Korra!"
Mako wakes up in the other bed and they quickly exit their room.
Mako blasts fire at the gang. "Let her go!"
"Or what?" Mogui taunts. "You'll make me change my ways with your lovey dovey? Don't you know love is weakness?"
"You two are descended from us, and you deny us!" Sastujin said. "Why must you refuse to see the dark side?"
"Because we're good guys." Bolin said.
Bolin sends at a boulder shortly after Mako's attack, but Mogui absorbs the fire with his magic, while Ming-Hua stops the boulder with waterbending. She sends a line of water at the brothers, but Mako counters it with more firebending.
"This could be fun." Kurayami said while she gets ready with her magic.
Back to Xai Bau's Grove, in the Spirit World.
"I met your uncle when I was a teenager, after we had both joined the Red Lotus. We learned about Raava and Vaatu, and how Avatar Wan foolishly severed them, disrupting the balance of the world forever."
"Avatar Wan wasn't foolish! He was trying to restore balance after he fused with Raava." Korra said.
"He closed the portals, severing humans from spirits. Even you, Korra, realize the error in his ways." Zaheer said.
"So all along, you and my uncle planned to use me to open the portals and release Vaatu? That's why you tried to take me when I was a kid?" Korra asked.
"Yes, and with members of the Red Lotus as the Avatar's elemental masters, we could've taught you so much."
"It sounds like you were just trying to brainwash me, so I'd do whatever you wanted." Korra said.
"No, Korra. All I wanted was to show the Avatar a better path for the world." Zaheer said.
"Well, did you know about Raavaatu, Raava and Vaatu's true form?" Korra asked.
"We never knew much about her and the Dark Witches of Eternal Gloom, but there were some theories. When Raava and Vaatu returned as one, Raavaatu shall return to bring twilight to the universe, and the three Witches shall be weaken."
The Coven and the two benders attack, which Mako and Bolin also avoid. They hide behind a pillar.
"They've got Korra!" Mako yells to the guards at the top towers.
An alarm began to blare loudly, and two guards activate the spotlights and direct their beam down on the Coven and the two criminals.
"So much for the element of surprise." Ming-Hua said.
"It's Shadow Time!" Jaakuna said.
The Coven turns and fires blasts of magic at each spotlight before curving a third around the pillar Mako and Bolin were using for cover, sending them flying to land outside Asami's door. She runs out to help them.
"We can't let them take her." Mako determined.
"I don't think they're going to get far. Look!" Asami said.
One of Zaofu's guards attacks the group, but was easily overpowered. The Coven and criminals try to flee, but were stopped in their tracks as they were surrounded with slabs of metal, bent by Lin Beifong. Wei and Wing add onto the pile, backed up by Kuvira and more guards.
"We have you surrounded. It's over. Release the Avatar!" Kuvira said.
"Perhaps this is your cue, Ghazan." Satsujin said before Gahzan nodded.
Lava begins to flow out from underneath the pile, evidently bent by Ghazan. Lin uses a rock pillar to propel herself away from the deadly lava, and Kuvira and another guard do the same with their metal cables.
The metal cage holding the criminals slowly falls apart under the magma.
"No way! That guy is lavabending! That's awesome... ly not good for us." Bolin said.
The Beifong estate courtyard has become a battleground. The Metal Clan and Team Avatar were pinned down by Mogui's magic while Ghazan and Ming-Hua protect him from retaliatory attacks.
At Xai Bau's Grove.
"If my uncle came up with a plan to abduct me when I was a kid, why wasn't he caught?" Korra asked.
"He wasn't with us that night, and he covered up his involvement afterwards." Zaheer answered.
"So he betrayed you, just like he betrayed me." Korra said.
"Yes. He allowed me and my friends to remain in prison while he pursued his own selfish goals. Unalaq becoming a Dark Avatar was never part of our mission."
"Wait, so what is your mission, exactly?" Korra asked.
"I want what you want: To restore balance to this world." Zaheer answered.
"I don't think our ideas of balance are the same." Korra said.
"Are you sure about that? You have your ancestor's magic. You kept the spirit portals open. You've made a kingdom of twilight. But why stop there? Bringing the spirits back should only be the beginning." Zaheer said.
"What do you mean?" Korra asked.
"The idea of having nations and governments is as foolish as keeping the human and spirit realms separate. You've had to deal with a tyrannical queen, but I took care of her. Don't you think the world would be better off if leaders like her were eliminated?"
"No. I mean, I do really agree with what she did, but taking out world leaders isn't the answer." Korra said.
"It wasn't too long ago that the airbenders were nearly all wiped out, thanks to the Fire Lord's desire for world dominance. True freedom can only be achieved when oppressive governments are torn down." Zaheer said.
"But that won't bring balance. It will throw the world into chaos." Korra said.
"Exactly. The natural order is disorder. Do you know who once said, 'New growth cannot exist without first the destruction of the old'?" Zaheer asked.
"No." Korra said.
"The wise Guru Laghima. An airbender."
"Hēixīn, create some cover. We've got to get out of here!" Jaakuna determined.
Hēixīn begins to create a mask of smoke from Ghazan's lava, but was caught by the wrist by a cable of one of the guards, who was able to reel Ghazan off the platform.
Mogui blasts a guard with lightning. Ghazan sends a lava bomb at the guard who breaks cover to go after Jaakuna, but it was blocked by another guard with a metal slab.
Bolin, Mako, Lin, and Asami take cover together behind a slab of metal in order to avoid the criminals' attacks, firing off some of their own. Kurayami and Satsujin notices them and arcs magic blasts to hit them, but it was blocked just short of connecting by another metal slab bent by Suyin and her twin sons, who join them.
"How did they get in here?" Lin wondered as everyone ducks reflexively as a combustion attack detonates nearby.
"I don't know, but we're not letting them escape!" Suyin said.
"Oh, they will. And so will I." Aiwei walked to the benders.
"Aiwei? You're working for the Coven?" Suyin asked disbelief.
"I am one with the Red Lotus. And the Witch-Avatar is ours."
"You snake!" Lin shouted.
"Perhaps that's what I'll be."
Jaakuna flew on her broomstick and pointed at Aiwei.
"Begin this evil hour, reward this spy with ultimate power!"
Jaakuna's spell started to change Aiwei, turning him into a giant snake. The group were terrified of the transformation.
"Oh…" Lin was scared.
"God." Suyin said.
Aiwei tried to strike, but Lin used earthbending to knock him down the ground. Jaakuna tried to attack, but Bolin knocked her down with earthbending.
They look over, as three guards use more metal slabs to create a bridge to get to the Coven and criminals. Ghazan knocks the guards off with earthbending.
"There's no way to cross that moat." Asami said.
Mako Looks up at the ceiling dome. "We don't need to cross it. Lin and Su can drop in from the dome on cables."
"That's a great idea." Lin said sarcastically. "Except we'll get blown up the second your great grandparents can see us."
Another blast explodes as if to prove her point.
"If one of you can stun one of them, they will be knocked out temporarily." Suyin said.
"Bolin can land a shot." Mako said.
"I can?" Bolin asked.
"You have to take her out right before we drop down." Suyin said.
"I do?" Bolin asked again.
Then, the giant snake rises from the ground to attack the group, but Mako used lightningbending to stun him. Aiwei whacked him with his tail and charged at Suyin. But the moment she docked, she metalbends a blade to stab him through the heart. Aiwei fell down the ground, and he turned back to his human self, dead.
"You traitor." Suyin said bitterly.
Back to Xai Bau's Grove.
"Guru Laghima must have known the origin of Raavaatu before she became Raava and Vaatu." Zaheer said. "He realized that there are many universes with every Raavaatus and Witches."
"Who are these Witches?" Korra asked. "What do they have something to do with my ancestor?"
"Nothing. Their evil may have spread in each universe, but some have done that do themselves, including Ozai and Unalaq."
Zaheer shows a vision of Raavaatu, and three triplet Witches.
"Raavaatu was born and entrusted to maintain the sacred balance between opposing forces. But the Witches desire to rule all of existence. All multiversal counterparts of Raavaatu and the Witches destined to battle in each universe.
And even the disciples of the Witches served them as their gods. They would send their followers to split Raavaatu into two halves: Raava, Spirit of Light and Harmony. And Vaatu, Spirit of Darkness and Chaos."
"But I restored them." Korra said.
"Yes, every Korra did in their universes, even our Vysm Universe." Zaheer said. "And that weakens the Witches and their counterparts."
"So what would happen if they come back in any universe?" Korra asked. "What if our Witches comes back?"
"The war between Raavaatu and the three Evil Ones begins. Someday."
At the top of the dome.
"Open the hatch." Wing ordered before it opens to reveal them standing directly above the battlezone.
"If we get in trouble, metalbend us up."
"We're in position." Wing said into a walkie-talkie.
"Copy that. It's Bolin time." Mako said.
"All right. Bolin time. Bolin time!" Bolin fires a boulder at his ancestor, but he ducks and avoids it.
"That's the best you can do?" Satsujin taunted.
The Coven immediately start firing attacks toward Mako, Bolin, and Asami's slab. Attacks go back and forth.
"Man, this is so much fun as I thought." Jaakuna said.
"I can't get a clean shot!" Bolin said.
"You have to!" Mako said.
"Are we a go?" Wing asked into a walkie-talkie.
"No go!" Mako said.
"Copy that, we're a go."
"I said no! Wait!" Mako tried to say, but Wing hangs up.
Suyin and Lin dropped down. Mako peers back at the Coven and criminals, who were preoccupied with the guards. Mogui looks up and sees Suyin and Lin.
"Bolin, take the shot!" Mako said.
Mogui grins and gets ready to fire as Bolin gets up and quickly launches a tiny pebble at him. The pebble hits him dead-centre in his forehead, knocks him head back, and causes his attack to explode right above his team.
The explosion knocks the Coven and criminals down.
"I'm hit!" Mogui said. "Now, I'm mad!"
"So am I." Jaakuna said.
Mako who cheers on the success of Bolin's attack, which allowed Suyin and Lin to land safely.
"Haha, nice job, little bro!"
Back to Xai Bau's Grove.
"You know, being locked away for so many years, I was beginning to lose hope. But when I awoke with airbending, I knew I would be the one to destroy the old world and plant seeds for a new world to flourish."
Korra stands up. "Zaheer, please, as an airbender, you could help make a positive difference in the world, instead of destroying it. Help me stop the Coven."
"You're a very smart young woman, Korra. But you must realize that once change begins, it cannot be stopped, even by the Avatar." Zaheer said.
"Enough with your philosophical mumbo-jumbo! I want to know one thing. If you do capture me, what are you going to do with me?"
"You'll have that answer soon enough." Zaheer said.
"You're only here to distract me." Korra realized. "The Coven must have gotten me already."
Korra airbends Zaheer and she vanished back to the human world.
Korra woke up, and she entered the Avatar State to blow the Coven away. Ghazan and Ming-Hua tried to attack, but she used her magic to blast them, then they dodged and hid from her like cowards.
"We're afraid of evil witches and warlocks." Ming-Hua said.
"But the Witch-Avatar's worse." Ghazan said.
Lin grabbed Korra and travels with her sister back up toward the dome. Ming-Hua traps her leg with water, but Mako blasts fire at her to break her hold and divert her attention. Meanwhile, Jaakuna and Kurayami were busy fighting two guards, but looks up and sees Lin escaping with Korra.
"No!" Jaakuna shouted. "Get her, Hēixīn!"
Hēixīn leaves the book and flies up in pursuit of Lin. He blasts energy at the chief, but she manages to avoid it. Just as Hēixīn was about to reach her, Suyin swings Lin out of the way and metalbends the metal shards that make up her necklace at the glider, piercing its wings, and sending Hēixīn spiralling down.
The sisters as they continue their ascend. "Thanks." Lin said.
Zaheer goes near his masters, and lands safely back in the spellbook.
"We've failed!" Ghazan said.
"Oh, I'm gonna get them for this!" Jaakuna shouted.
The Coven used their combined powers to create a huge cloud of smoke; when it clears, the lava has cooled, and there was no sign of them.
"Where did they go?" Lin asked.
"They can't be far! Guards, search the entire estate!" Suyin said into a walkie-talkie.
Chapter eighteen will be coming soon.