Earth. Fire. Air. Water. Only the Avatar can master all four elements and bring balance to the world.
Airbenders are mysteriously disappearing in Ba Sing Se, including Kai. The Earth Queen denied any knowledge of the airbenders, but Korra refuse to give up her search. Meanwhile, Mako and Bolin met their long lost relatives, who told them that Dai Li agents have been rounding up airbenders for the queen's army. And at a prison in the north, Lü Bu, Tonraq and Lord Zuko prepare for Zaheer's imminent attack.
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The scene opens to P'Li's prison cell where P'Li is breathing out cold air. The camera zooms out of her prison cells, showing her guards. Pan to the surface, where Lü Bu, Tonraq, Desna, and Eska are standing outside P'Li's prison waiting for Lord Zuko and Druk's return. Druk lands on the ground heavily.
Tonraq: Did you see Zaheer?
Zuko: The only thing I saw was a snowstorm heading our way.
Lü: That's not a snowstorm. That's him.
Lü Bu and the group begins running toward the snowstorm Zaheer created to cover his snowcat. Zaheer continuously airbends to provide his group with some cover. The snowcat jumps out and Zaheer and Ming-Hua jumps off the snowcat afterward, running toward Lü Bu's group.
Lü: I put you away once, Zaheer, and now I'm going to put you down- FOR GOOD!
Tonraq and Lü Bu waterbends a punch and an ice block at Zaheer, who dodges both attacks. Tonraq and Lü attacks Zaheer again, and he manages to dodge it again before sweeping them over.
Desna and Eska begin attacking Ming-Hua with multiple ice shards at a rapid pace, which Ming-Hua dodges. The twins create a field of iceberg spikes, but Ming-Hua maneuvers through them with her water arms before she freezes the pair in ice blocks. She jumps up and breaks the ice on the ground with her waterbending before she glides down to P'Li's cell.
A White Lotus sentry firebends at her, but she counters back, defeating him with little trouble. Another sentry attempts to waterbend at Ming-Hua, but she quickly strikes him. She freezes P'Li's prison cell's door, causing it to fall off of its hinges.
P'Li: Ming-Hua.
Ming-Hua: Let's get you out of here.
Ming-Hua waterbends the metal chains which restrains P'Li. P'Li stands up, removing the cuff on her forehead, revealing her "third eye" tattoo. She clings onto Ming-Hua's back, who uses two ice axes to climb P'Li and herself up to the surface.
P'Li: We could have just taken the elevator. Show-off.
After the two of them reach the surface, Druk and Mushu firebends at them. P'Li redirects the fire.
P'Li: I've waited thirteen years to feel this warm.
P'Li easily tames the fire before using her combustion ability to blast the dragons away. The scene shifts to Lord Zuko dodging a rock from Ghazan and retaliating with his firebending, before dodging again for another strike.
Ghazan deflects Lord Zuko's blast before using a rock to strike Lord Zuko down. Tonraq tries to attack Zaheer, but the airbender continues dodging the blows. The fight ends with P'Li using her combustion on Lü Bu and Tonraq. The criminals make their escape; Lord Zuko staring at their snowcat as it departs. The scene shifts to Zaheer and P'Li embracing.
P'Li: I thought I'd never see you again.
Zaheer: I've never doubted it.
He kisses P'Li while Ghazan glares at them.
Ghazan: Really. Right now?
Cut to an aerial shot of the truck leaving the scene before switching to Mako and Bolin's extended family's household. Tu opens the entrance door.
Tu: I've got them. These passports should get you into the Upper Ring.
Bolin: Awesome! Tu, you're the best cousin that I can have.
The rest of the family looks on with saddened looks.
Bolin: And my other cousins as well. Yeah. Yeah, you're all the best.
Mako: Thanks. I know this wasn't easy.
Yin: It's such a shame you two must leave so soon.
Mako: I wished we could stay. But if it's true the Earth Queen is forcing airbenders into her army, we have to do something about it.
Yin: I love you both. Come visit again.
She hugs her long lost grandsons, who hug her back.
Mako: We will, Grandma.
Bolin: I love you too, Grandma. And Chow, and Tu, and Meng-Meng, and Chow Jr., there is Big Tee and Little Tee, and Medium Yu, and... and... and what was your name again?
Cut to Team Avatar's residence, where Korra punches at arms who blocks the attacks. Far shot of Korra, and Ryu which shows that she is attacking Ryu while Asami watches in combat attire.
Korra: I know that Earth Queen
Ryu counter-attacks, which she dodges.
Korra: is lying to me! I can tell by that stupid little queenly smirk of hers! I can't believe I helped her. I should have known she was using me!
Korra rises with airbending and attacks Ryu with an air kick, knocking him off his feet. Asami runs over to checks on him.
Ryu: Hey, I think I can use a break. You letting off steam is starting to, hurt. A lot. It's Asami's turn.
Korra: Sorry.
Pabu chitters and run forward. The trio turn to see Mako and Bolin running toward them, panting.
Asami: Mako. Bolin. You're okay. Where have you been?
Bolin: We chased Kai. Train. Slipped away. Lower Ring. Slept in trash pile. Met our family. Grandma tears. Mako scarf.
He throws Pabu onto his head, mimicking Hou-Ting's royal headgear as he passes out.
Bolin: Earth Queen. Lying.
Ryu: Mako translation please?
Mako: The Earth Queen's been secretly taking away airbenders and forcing them into her army.
Korra: She was lying. I knew it! I swear, the next time I see her-
Asami: It's the Queen.
Ryu: Quick act natural!
Korra softens and looks at the Queen, who is carried in a sedan.
Bolin: Quick! Pabu. Shirt.
Pabu jumps in, chittering in protest.
Bolin: I know. Sorry. Kinda sweaty.
Earth Queen: Good. You're here. Gun, tell them the news.
Gun: We've received word from the Yang Province. There have been reports of airbenders there.
Earth Queen: Wonderful, isn't it? It's the very thing you've been looking for.
Ryu: Thank you! That is just the most wonderful news. Ever. Yay.
Earth Queen: So, I assume you and your friends here will be leaving immediately.
She sneezes repeated with unease. To Gun, struggling to breathe.
Earth Queen: Is there an animal in my presence?
Gun: N-no, Your Majesty. I would never allow an animal near you.
Bolin folds his arms innocently. Pabu's tail pops out of his shirt. Shocked, Bolin clasps his arms around the tail and runs off.
Earth Queen: If I find one within fifty feet of me, it's your head. Anyway, if you need any assistance packing, let Gun know. He'll see to it that you're on your way by evening.
Korra: Uhh, this evening? I'm not sure about leaving so soon-
Asami: Because our airship is having engine trouble. It'll take me until tomorrow to finish the repairs.
The Earth Queen continues sneezing. Gun walks off, and the Queen follows, sneezing onto his sleeve.
Ryu: Thanks for buying us some time.
Cut to the interior of Team Avatar's residence where everyone is having a meeting.
Tenzin: I can't believe the Earth Queen is conscripting airbenders.
Ryu: Those people should not be forced to join an army!
Bumi: Well, technically, the Earth Queen has a right to conscript her citizens.
Everyone stares at Bumi silently.
Bumi: What? It's true.
Jinora: Guys, what if Kai was spotted airbending? He might have been taken too.
Bolin: Probably not. He's surprisingly difficult to catch, like a— like a little, greased hog-monkey.
Jinora: But, what if he was?
Korra: Don't worry, Jinora. We'll find him. We just need to figure out where to look.
Ryu: I bet they're under Lake Laogai.
Everyone stares at him.
Ryu: Y'know secret underground lair of Long Feng and the Dai Li?
Everyone just shook their head.
Ryu: Where Appa was captured?
Everyone still stayed quiet.
Ryu: Jet died?
Korra just shook her head No while everyone still looked confused.
Ryu: ...Where Iroh gave that inspirational speech to Zuko?
Everyone: Ohhhhh.
Ryu: I hate you all.
Jinora: Ryu's right! It's the perfect spot to hide airbenders, and I know how to check it out without being caught. I can project my spirit into it!
Bumi: You mean that out-of-body thing you did to help giant, spirity Ryu and Korra mixture?
Tenzin: You can still do that?!
Jinora: It's not as powerful as it was during Harmonic Convergence, but if I can get close enough, I think I can do it.
Ryu: Let's go get Kai out. Let's get all the airbenders out.
Cut to the Dai Li fortress, where the airbenders are standing in pairs, one on either side.
Dai Li: You are the property of the Earth Kingdom. You will become the Earth Queen's elite fighting force and protect her at all cost. It is your duty to serve the Earth Queen.
Two airbenders attack their opponents, cut to the other side, where they redirect the attacks and counter, knocking them off. Kai redirects his opponents blast and prepares to attack fiercely.
Yung: Go easy on me! I'm not that good.
Kai throws out a weak blast, which Yung easily dodges. Both smile at each other.
Dai Li: Never show mercy! Now attack your opponent, and this time, like you mean it!
Kai throws a strong blast, easily knocking Yung out.
Kai: Sorry!
Dai Li: A soldier never apologizes to his enemy!
Kai: I'm not a soldier!
Dai Li: You will be when I'm through with you.
Cut to Oogi approaching Lake Laogai, then to an island in the middle of the lake, where Jinora is in a meditative stance.
Tenzin: If anything goes wrong, come back immediately.
Jinora: I will.
As Tenzin walks off, Jinora prepares to meditate. Pan to the underground fortress, which is flooded, where Jinora's ghostly spirit appears. She fades off and scans two more areas, before returning to her body.
Ryu: What happened? What did you see?
Jinora: The airbenders aren't there! It's completely deserted.
Tenzin: They're not down there?!
Korra: Jinora, you've read all about Ba Sing Se. Can you think of any other places the airbenders might be?
Jinora: I guess they could be in the catacombs beneath the Upper Ring, or the ancient sewers beneath the Lower Ring, or the maze of tunnels that connect the rings together, or they could be—
Tenzin: There are just too many places. There has to be another way to locate them.
Ryu: Maybe there is. How did you find us during Harmonic Convergence?
Jinora: I don't know. I just kind of focused on your energy. I think our spiritual connection led me to you.
Ryu: Maybe you can find Kai the same way. I know you two have a connection.
Tenzin: What do you mean "a connection"?
Jinora: I don't know. Let me try.
Jinora returns to meditating. Cut to the fortress, where the Dai Li sergeant bends multiple earth discs to the airbenders, who attempt to block it with airbending. Only Kai was able to block the attack. The sergeant bends out more earth discs, and Kai blocks the attack meant for Yung.
Yung: Thanks.
Dai Li: You again?! If you have time to help your friend, then you're not getting enough rocks for yourself!
The sergeant attacks Kai with multiple discs. Kai managed to deflect the first two, dodge the next two, but was subsequently struck by the fifth and knocked down.
Dai Li: I guess you're not as good as you thought.
Kai attempts to attack the sergeant with an air blast, which he easily dodges. The sergeant immobilizes him in an earth shell.
Dai Li: Throw him in the hole!
Two Dai Li agents grab Kai and throw him into a prison cell. Kai looks away sadly before Jinora's ghostly spirit appears, shocking him.
Kai: Jinora?
Jinora: It worked!
Kai: How are you here right now?
Jinora: Shh, quiet. It's a high-level airbender move. With a little spiritual stuff thrown in.
Kai: At first, for a second there, I thought you were a ghost.
Jinora: It's good to see you. We've been looking for you and the other airbenders. We're going to get you all out of here. Where are we anyway?
Kai: Underground somewhere. Other than that, I don't have a clue.
Jinora: I'll figure it out. Don't worry.
Kai: Jinora! Thanks...
Jinora smiles and travels upward. Pan to the surface, where she looks back to see the temple.
Jinora: The Earth Queen's Temple!
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Cut to Team Avatar's residence.
Korra: I can't believe Miss Queeny Smug Face had them right under our noses the whole time!
Tenzin: We have to get into that compound tonight and get those airbenders out.
Bumi: All right. We go in under the cover of darkness: two small insertion teams and a third on the outside. Then all we'll need is twelve tons of blasting jelly, a medium-sized bulldozer and... does anyone have a badgermole that knows Morse code?
Ryu: How did you become a commander again?
There's a knock on the door.
Asami: Oh great, not the Queen again.
Korra: Everyone, act natural. And Bolin-
Bolin: I'm on it! He opens is outer shirt. Pabu chitters in protest.
Bolin: What? Hey, I'm not sweaty this time!
He points at shirt. Pabu jumps in, and wiggles around. Tenzin glances at others and opens the door. Lin and Roku walks in.
Ryu: Uncle?
Tenzin: Lin? What are you doing here?
Lin: We need to get Ryu and Korra out of here immediately. Their lives are in danger.
Korra: What?! What's going on?
Roku: We just got word from my father, Lord Zuko and Tonraq.
Ryu: Why is Lord Zuko with Tonraq and my grandfather?
Lin: Zaheer and the others have escaped.
Tenzin: How is that possible?
Roku: Because Zaheer is an airbender now.
Tenzin: No...
Ryu: All right, hold on! Will you quit ignoring me and tell us what's going on? Who's Zaheer? Why is me and Korra's life in danger?
Roku: Ryu no.
Ryu: Why? Who is Zaheer... what are you not telling me?
Roku and Tenzin exchange glances with Lin and approaches Korra and Ryu.
Tenzin: Shortly after we found out you were the Avatar, Zaheer and three others attempted to kidnap you. Luckily, your father, Lü Bu, Lord Zuko, Chief Sokka and I were there to stop them. We apprehended the criminals and locked them away in prisons designed to impair their abilities.
Roku: But...before they stopped them. Zaheer and his goons looked around asking questions. He ended up questioning my brother.
Ryu eyes soften as he slowly backed away.
Ryu: When Jin, refused to answer them about Korra's whereabouts... Zaheer killed then.
Ryu:
Roku: When we got to their hut was already destroyed and my brother and his wife was were lifeless corpses. I found you under the rubble crying...
Korra: So that's why you and my dad sheltered me away and took Ryu there.
Tenzin: It was for your own safety.
Korra and Asami looked over Ryu who had his head down but his hands were balled up. They looked worried as Ryu suddenly punched a wall making a crater scaring everyone as his hair covered his eyes but his voice had some venom with his words but broken at the same time.
Ryu: Why... Why were they trying to kidnap Korra?
Lin: We spent thirteen years interrogating them, but they never broke. To this day, no one knows what their motive was. Now they want Ryu as well, we need to get you back to Republic City, where I can protect you both.
Ryu: NO! I'm not running.
Korra: Neither am I.
Roku: Ryu, you don't understand. These criminals are like nothing you've ever faced before
Ryu: I don't care. They killed my parents. So it seems only right for me to take their lives.
Korra: Look, we're not a little kid anymore. You don't need to protect me. We came here for one thing: to find airbenders. And we're not leaving without them.
Lin: Fine. Let's get them and get out of here. Where are they?
Korra: In a military compound, and we're busting them out.
Cut to the temple at night, where two royal guards are on patrol when they run into Jinora.
Jinora: Hi.
Guard: Hey! What are you doing here?
Guard 2: Oh, it's just that little airbender girl who came with the Avatar. You shouldn't be walking around here all alone.
Jinora: I'm not alone.
Camera cuts out to show Korra, Ryu, Bolin, Bumi, Tenzin, and Mako in their fighting stances. The guards get knocked out and tied up. Cut to the interior of the temple where Team Avatar enter. They enter a doorway to hide from patrolling Dai Li agents.
Tenzin: Ryu, Bumi and Korra, come with me to find the airbenders. You three, find Kai. We'll meet on the surface shortly. Radio us if anything goes wrong.
Team Avatar head their separate ways. Cut to the prison cell, where Ryu opens the door, awakening the airbenders.
Yung: What's going on? Who are you?
Ryu: Come with me if you want to live.
Tenzin: Everyone, please! You must stay calm and quiet if we want this to work.
Yung: What to work? We're sneaking out?
Korra: Yes, and we must leave now.
Tenzin: We're going to get you away from the Earth Queen and out of the city.
Everyone begins to run out of the prison. Yung stops to talk to Ryu, Tenzin and Korra outside of its entrance.
Yung: There's an airbender that's not here. His name is Kai. We need to get him.
Tenzin: We're already taking care of it.
Cut to Bumi crouching down low and speaking into a walkie-talkie.
Bumi: Topside, this is Papa Bear. The breezies are in the hold; cue the balloons!
Roku: What? Are you in trouble?
Bumi: No! We've got the airbenders and we're headed out! No one likes code names anymore.
Lin: Copy that. Asami and I are on our way.
Asami and Lin pilot their respective airships and take off. Oogi rises and follows the airships. Cut back to Kai's prison, as the door opens, and Kai looks up.
Mako: Come on. We're getting you out.
Jinora: Kai!
She runs and hugs him, than kisses him on the cheek; Kai smiles in a frozen stance.
Bolin: Whoa! Tenzin's not gonna be happy about this!
Mako: Then don't tell him.
Bolin: How can I not? This is too juicy!
Kai: Thanks for coming to get me. I'm really sorry about stealing your wallets, and running away, and getting you stuck on that train.
Bolin: We can't stay mad at you.
Mako: Yes, we can! I had a lot of money in that wallet!
Jinora: Guys, come on!
They run down the hall and turn a corner, but the rest of their path is blocked by three Dai Li agents.
Dai Li: Deserting Her Majesty's army is high treason. Punishable by death!
The agents simultaneously bend rock gloves at the trio. Cut to Korra and Ryu behind a wall. They stare at the courtyard outside the temple.
Ryu: Come on! It's clear.
They run out, not noticing Dai Li agents hiding on the structure of the temple, who quickly surround them.
Earth Queen: So, you've discovered my elite army. I see their loyalty still needs some work.
Korra: These airbenders shouldn't be used as weapons! They have a right to choose their own paths.
Earth Queen: These airbenders are Earth Kingdom citizens, and I am their queen. Taking them will constitute an act of war. If you disobey me, I will bear down on you with the entire force of my kingdom!
Ryu: Lady I'm having a really really bad day and you really don't wanna get me more angry. They're leaving with us end of story.
Earth Queen: No, they're not!
Hou-Ting turns and walks away, and the first row of Dai Li agents begins bending rock gloves at Team Avatar and the airbenders. All of the airbenders begin bending blasts of air back at the Dai Li, attempting to hold their ground while the airship ladder lands to give them a lift.
Bumi: Come on!
The scene shifts to Kai, Jinora, Mako, and Bolin, who are still fighting the three agents. Mako avoids a rock glove, and he and Bolin fire attacks back at the agents, who successfully evade Mako's attack. However, one of them is knocked against the wall by an earth pillar sent by Bolin. Another agent charges and receives the same fate.
Mako firebends at the last remaining agent, who stops the blast with an earth pillar. He sends a rock glove spiraling quickly at Jinora, and manages to capture her into his grip. Close-up on Kai's face with a look of shock, followed by anger. He charges at the agent, avoiding a boulder sent his way, and fires two air bending blasts to knock the agent backward and free Jinora.
Kai: I guess I am as good as I thought.
Cut to the airship, as two final airbenders enter. Cut to Lin in the control room, listening to her walkie-talkie.
Bumi: Everyone's in. Let's go!
Cut to Ryu, Tenzin and Korra, who are firing air blasts at Dai Li agents attempting to climb the temple and stop the escape. Tenzin whistles for his bison.
Tenzin: Oogi!
Ryu, Tenzin and Korra jump on and Oogi begins to fly away, as the Earth Queen looks on.
Earth Queen: Take down those airships!
The agents begin bending rocks at the bison, and one narrowly misses Korra's head. They dodge a few more rocks. One gets launched right at Ryu, but he destroys it with his hand without looking everyone looked in awe as Korra slightly blushes at him.
Korra: So cool...
Cut to Bolin, Mako, Jinora and Kai running down the temple steps.
Bolin: We need help!
Dai Li agents rise to new heights on earth pillars, and begin firing down at the escapees. Korra steers Oogi away from the airship.
Bolin: Everybody, hang on.
Bolin sends himself and his allies into the air with an earth pillar, as Oogi flies over to break their fall.
Kai: Whoa, that was awesome!
Cut back to the Earth Queen, who points at Oogi and the airship flying off in the distance. Pieces of Oogi's fur fall onto her face.
Earth Queen: Bring me those airships now! *Sneezes* Oh, get it off me! *Sneezes*Get this fur off my-
She sneezes for a third time; looks disgruntled as her hat falls crooked and covers part of her face. Cut to Oogi and the airships fully escaping. Cut to the airships landing near ruins atop a range of hills in the desert. Cut to Tenzin and Korra standing before the airbenders.
Tenzin: I know that none of you chose to become airbenders. But now you do have a choice. We can relocate you somewhere safe, or you can come with me to the Northern Air Temple, to live in peace and train as Air Nomads. You are no longer anyone's property. What path you decide is up to you.
Yung: I want to go with you.
Airbender: Me too.
Airbender 2: Count me in.
As more airbenders agree to go with Tenzin, tears form in his eyes as he smiles.
Korra: Good luck at the Northern Air Temple. I'll send more airbenders your way when I find them.
Tenzin: Be careful out there. Stay safe.
Korra: I'll try. Seems like wherever I go, I make a new enemy.
Tenzin: But you made some new friends too. You did well, Korra.
Korra: This is only the beginning.
Cut to the airship and Oogi, simultaneously rising and flying off in different directions. The scene fades to nighttime Ryu is standing at the edge of the airship, looking out at the ocean, blankly. Korra approaches him.
Korra: Ryu. Are you okay?
Ryu: Oh nothing much, just found out that my parents murder is on the loose and hunting is down, meanwhile I'm worried that my grandfather may loose his life trying take him down, and most importantly scared that I might lose you too. So yeah Korra, I'm just fabulous.
Korra walks over to him grabbing his hand placing her other hand on his cheek.
Korra: Hey. Whatever happens we can figure out together. You don't have to worry about me, I can take care of myself. I understand your anger... but please promise me if we do run into Zaheer, you won't do something that'll cost your own life.
Ryu placed his hand on hers and pressed his forehead against hers.
Ryu: I promise...
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*TO BE CONTINUES*
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"What's wrong with Zaofu?"