Reunion - Part 2

In Republic City, Asami was high-tailing it on their way to the train station. Meanwhile, Mako turned to Korra, sitting in the back with Elira and Pichi. "So, how do you know where Wu is just by touching some spirit vines?"

"I learned how to connect to people's energies through them," Korra explained.

"Who taught you that?" Asami asked

"Lin's mom", Korra said, and Mako and Asami's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yeah, we found her in the swamp", Elira added. "That place is like one giant spirit wild. Except, way freakier."

"You met Toph? What was she like?" Asami inquired

"Uh?" Elira and Korra shared a look

"Cranky," Elira said

"Yeah, A cranky, more miserable version of Lin." Korra finished

"Is that even possible?" Mako asked

"You'd be surprised," Korra replied, causing Elira to chuckle.

They soon arrived at the train station, where they got out of the car, and Asami slipped on a modified version of the chi-blocking glove as they ran inside. They arrived on a bridge over the platforms and saw many trains parked, all of which could have been hiding the kidnapped prince.

"Which train is Wu on?" Elira questioned

"I don't know!" Korra replied

"Split up and start looking," Mako ordered before he and the three women quickly went separate ways. 

*

In the Earth Empire, Bolin, Varrick, and the prisoners were approaching a heavily guarded gate. Bolin and Varrick had made themselves look somewhat respectable again, and the prisoners were trailing behind them, tied together with rope around their wrists.

"Follow my lead," Bolin whispered as they walked up to the guard post soldier and saluted.

The guard saluted back, "Good afternoon, sir. Can we help you?"

"You sure can. We captured these escaped prisoners. We need to get them to a secure facility." Bolin lied, gesturing to the prisoners.

"Where did they escape from?" The guard asked

"Camp fourteen."

"Then why are you bringing them through here? Camp fourteen is the other way." The guard said

Bolin pretended to get aggravated. "You think we don't know where Camp Fourteen is? Kuvira wants them transferred."

"Then I'll need to see the transfer order." The guard stated

Bolin gave Varrick a worried look, and Varrick moved up to the guard, grabbing them by the front of his uniform and waving his arms animatedly.

"Listen, pal! I had to fight off two badgermoles, six wolfbats and eighteen hog monkeys to capture these guys, so sorry if I don't have the paperwork! I was too busy cramming it in a hog monkey's mouth while it was trying to eat me!"

Bolin and Baraz glanced at each other, and the other guards watched in surprise and slight worry as Varrick continued shouting.

"I am in sore need of a shower and I have blisters that are the size of cantaloupes and twice as juicy! So you can let us through, or you can give us your name and rank, and I'll make sure to pass it on to Kuvira! You know what happens to soldiers who question her orders, don't you? Bad stuff!"

The guard was clearly nervous after Varrick's display and called out to the other soldiers, "Let them through!"

Two guards metalbend the gates on either side of the wall, allowing the group to walk through. Inside the wall, there was a guard working in a booth, where there were wanted posters of Varrick and Bolin. He recognised them when Varrick waved to him as he passed.

He quickly ran out of the booth, pointing at the group and yelling, "Wait! Stop them. They're traitors to the Empire!"

The group took off running, but their escape was abruptly cut short when two colossal mecha tanks thundered down from the gate above, landing with a bone-rattling crash right in front of Bolin and Varrick. Panic surged through them as they realised they were encircled, with four more mecha tanks flanking them alongside a daunting quartet of earthbenders ready to unleash their formidable powers. Tension crackled in the air as they stood frozen, caught between the relentless machines and the fierce benders.

"There's no way I'm going back to prison!" With a swift flick of his middle fingers, Baraz fashioned a miniature fire dagger, slicing through the ropes that bound his wrists before he unleashed a stream of fire towards the soldiers, who scrambled to hastily erect rock walls for protection.

The chaos of battle erupted as soldiers launched rocks at the prisoners, who countered with their elemental prowess, bending fire and water.

 Bolin and Varrick found themselves under siege from a menacing mecha tank, its flamethrower roaring to life in an attempt to incinerate them. Quickly thinking, Bolin raised a protective barrier, buying precious seconds as Varrick scrambled to safety, still moving away from the onslaught.

Meanwhile, Baraz was locked in a fierce struggle with another mecha tank, deftly dodging its powerful punches and rolling away just in time. Ahnah, the skilled waterbender, rushed to his side, expertly bending her water into a solid slab of ice that instantly transformed the battlefield, forcing the tank to skid to a halt. Seizing the moment, Baraz unleashed a barrage of fiery blasts that should have sent the metal beast flying. Yet, with surprising resilience, the tank relied on its calf spikes to regain balance and shatter the ice.

Before they could regroup, the tank unleashed a surge of lightning that split Baraz and Ahnah apart, charging the air with electricity. The tank's flamethrower ignited once more, aiming directly for Baraz, but he retaliated swiftly, using his bending to split the inferno and protect himself.

Bolin stood his ground as two menacing mecha tanks thundered towards him, their metallic bodies glinting ominously in the light. With a fierce determination, he hurled a barrage of boulders, but to his dismay, they merely bounced off, leaving the tanks unscathed and relentless.

Summoning his strength, Bolin leapt into the air, extending his arms wide as molten lava began to bubble and churn beneath him. With a powerful gesture, he unleashed a torrent of lava that surged forward like a wave of fire, aiming to engulf the armoured beasts.

Yet, the tanks were not to be underestimated. With surprising agility, they leapt high above the seething magma, and one of the tanks charged up mid-air, releasing a crackling bolt of lightning at Bolin. The energy crackled through the air, and Bolin instinctively darted aside, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike.

Varrick, who was hiding underneath the gate behind a wall, watched as a waterbender was sent crashing to the ground, barely able to defend themselves against the onslaught. But it wasn't the battle that caught his eye; it was the flickering lights of a peculiar generator nestled within the booth.

As he slipped into the booth, adrenaline pulsed through Varrick's veins as he seized a discarded screwdriver and, with a fierce grunt, unscrewed a table leg. He wrapped a length of electrical wire around it, transforming a simple piece of furniture into an improvised weapon.

Peering out the window, he saw Bolin being relentlessly pursued by a heavily armed tank. The tank's metallic frame was surprisingly agile, dodging Bolin's lava-bending attacks with uncanny precision. Every close call sent a thrill of panic through him, forcing him to leap and roll to avoid becoming a casualty of its crushing weight.

Then, with a sudden crack, he seized a moment of opportunity. Bolin summoned all his strength and directed a powerful surge of earthbending, sending a shockwave that toppled one of the tanks. His triumph was short-lived, though, as another tank quickly took its place, unleashing a bolt of sizzling lightning aimed straight at him.

Instinct kicked in. With no time to think, he propelled himself out of the line of fire, feeling the heat of the bolt as it smashed into the rocky ground behind him, sending shards of stone flying. The thrill of battle surged through him, mixing with a fierce determination to keep fighting. Bolin was in the eye of the storm, and he wasn't backing down.

Bolin grunted as he hit the ground, the impact rattling his bones. He rolled to a stop before swiftly erecting a massive wall of stone, thrusting it up just in time to deflect the hail of fire from the advancing mecha tanks. Heart pounding, he glanced over the relentless inferno—three of those metal monstrosities were closing in on him – He was trapped!

Inside the cramped booth, Varrick meticulously hooked up the tangled cables, a look of determination etched on his face. "Boy, I sure hope this works," he muttered to himself, tension hanging in the air like electricity.

With a deep breath, he pushed down a lever. Suddenly, outside, the makeshift stick sprang to life, unleashing an electromagnetic pulse that sliced through the chaos. In an instant, the colossal mecha tanks shuddered and fizzled, their once-menacing machinery reduced to useless husks.

The explosion of silence was deafening as Bolin and Baraz, who had narrowly escaped death's grip, blinked in disbelief.

Varrick laughed, clearly pleased with himself. "I still got that Varrick touch!"

Outside, Bolin poked his head out over his rock wall, confused as Varrick suddenly ran past him.

"We're clear, come on!" He called to the earthbender.

Bolin stood up and noticed how the prisoners were fighting a losing battle. His face hardened.

"Varrick, wait, we can't leave them!"

He jumped over his wall and ran up behind the prisoners just as one was knocked down. Punching the ground, Bolin created a massive pool of lava, forcing the guards back to the gate.

"Retreat!" The guards yelled as Bolin bent the lava all the way to the gate, hosing the wall along with it.

"Thanks. You didn't have to come back." Baraz smiled, supporting another of the prisoners.

"Yeah. I kind of did," Bolin replied. "Let's go!"

The group then took off into the forest again, confident that the guards would not be following them any time soon. 

*

The search for Wu was still ongoing at Republic City Central. Elira and Pichi looked around, Elira even jumping slightly to see over the heads of people before she approached one of the civilians waiting to board a train.

"Excuse me, have you seen a man about this tall?" Elira held her hand up just above her head. "Dressed really fancy, kind of a snobbish idiot?"

The man shook his head and walked off, causing Elira to sigh before walking over to Korra.

"Anything?" She asked

"Nothing" The Avatar shook her head as Asami walked down the steps behind her.

"If we don't find Wu soon, we might never find him." She said

Korra knelt down and placed her palm on the floor of the train station. The area around her hand glowed yellow as she felt for Wu's energy. After a moment, she raised her head and turned to look at a nearby train that was about to depart.

"He's on that train!" She yelled, sprinting to jump on just as the train started moving.

Reaching her hand out, she barely managed to help the others on as the train sped away.

"You've got to teach me how to do that." Elira grinned before they entered a train car. A few passengers were sitting at tables against the walls.

"How do you know for sure he's here?" Mako questioned

"I don't. But I had a feeling, okay?" Korra replied

"And I'm just supposed to trust your 'Avatar Feelings'?" Mako scowled

Annoyed, Korra stopped walking and turned to face Mako "You wouldn't have to if you had guarded the prince like you were supposed to!"

Korra and Mako continued down the aisle, missing the way two passengers from opposite sides of the car glanced over to each other, looking ready. At the back, Asami opened the door to the next train car, and the four entered a cabin sprinkled with luggage. Korra and Mako were still arguing.

"Oh, so it's my fault Wu disappeared." Mako snapped

"It's certainly not mine!"

"Okay, you two! Enough!" Elira stood between them, holding her arms out to separate them. "No matter whose fault it is, arguing about it isn't going to find Wu"

On Elira's shoulder, Pichi chittered as her attention was caught by a red chest rattling behind Asami. She jumped down and bounded over to the chest, sniffing at it before running over to Asami, pulling on her leg and chattering loudly, pointing at the chest.

"Guys, shh. Listen." Asami called out, and the others silenced.

Their attention then turned to the red chest, which Pichi jumped on. The chest rattled again as if something or someone was trying to get out. Mako bent down, shooing Pichi away before opening the lid. Prince Wu popped up, shouting and flailing!

"Wu! Wu, it's me." Mako grabbed the distraught prince.

"Mako?" Wu opened his eyes, confused. "Where am I? Am I dead?"

"No, you're on a train. We're gonna get you out of here," Mako said before the door to the train car door suddenly opened – It was the two passengers from earlier.

Korra stood her ground as the man unleashed a barrage of metallic bands toward her. With a swift motion, she deftly deflected them, stepping back just in time for Elira to summon a whirlwind of air. The tornado spiralled forward, slamming into their attackers and sending them crashing into the ceiling before they tumbled back to the ground.

But the battle wasn't over; more assailants surged in from both ends of the train car, urgency crackling in the air. Without hesitation, Korra summoned her metalbending skills to seal the front door with a resounding clang, preventing one of the attackers from reaching them.

"We've got to get out of here!" Elira exclaimed, crouching so Pichi could clamber onto her shoulder once more.

Korra lifted her gaze, focusing intently as she ripped apart the ceiling with her bending, revealing a bright patch of blue sky above.

"Everyone out!" she commanded, her voice firm and unwavering.

"I'm not going up there!" Wu protested, determination etched on his face.

Korra pursed her lips, frustration bubbling beneath the surface at Wu's reluctance to cooperate. 

*

As the train hurtled down the tracks, the tension was palpable. Suddenly, with a wild yell that echoed through the air, Wu burst from the open roof, propelled by a fierce blast of wind, before crashing down onto the roof of another train car.

Team Avatar was hot on his heels, their determination fuelling their every move. They reached the end of the train, adrenaline coursing through their veins. Korra, Asami and Elira leapt across effortlessly, but Mako hesitated just for a moment. With urgency, he quickly passed Wu over to Korra, who steadied him with a firm grip.

In one swift motion, Mako then launched himself across the gap, landing with a thud beside his friends.

Below, two more attackers busted through the door and saw the prince getting away. They shot metal cables to the roof, flinging themselves up to Team Avatar and Wu.

Mako attempted to knock them away with a fire kick, but a metal cable shot at his foot caused him to trip.

The attacker fired a cable at Korra, who was holding Wu, but the Avatar deflected it by wrapping it around her arm.

Even more attackers arrived on the roof forcing Asami and Elira to quickly defend themselves. Asami kicked an attacker's punch out of the way and shocked him with her glove, flinging him back while Elira weaved and dodged metal plates sent at her from another.

Pichi suddenly flew down from the sky, launching herself at the attacker's face and biting down hard on the man's nose, causing him to yell.

"Ah! Get it off! Get it off!" He flailed about wildly, but Pichi held on firm.

Seeing he was distracted, Elira swept low and kicked out a wave of air, tripping the attacker and sending them forward as Pichi let go, flying off. But as the attacker was mid-air, Elira sent a blast of air at them, sending them tumbling back towards another cart.

Another assailant adjacent to Asami and Elira then began to metalbend the roof, curling it in on the women.

On the opposite side of the train car, Mako kicked up from the ground and, at the same time, sent fire from his foot, which forced the attacker, who had Korra's arm, back. Mako punched at him, and the attacker did a backhand spring onto the train car behind him before metalbending the roof up, too, just like on the other side, forcing Mako to step back.

Wu and Team Avatar all moved in together as the roof was being peeled up. Seeing no other way out, Korra bent a sphere of air around the group, grabbing Asami and Wu.

"Jump!"

They leapt from the train just in time to avoid being crushed by the metalbenders. They all screamed as they hurtled toward the ground in the air shell. The shell hit the side of the bridge, bouncing off it, and the team grunted as they rolled to a stop on the dusty ground.

After gathering their bearings, Asami and Mako stood up while Elira, Korra and Wu remained sitting on the ground, Pichi floating down to land on Elira's shoulder with a chitter.

"You all right?" Mako walked over and picked up Wu, who gleefully hugged him.

"Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you." The prince put his arm around Mako and said, "You are definitely getting a raise, Buddy."

"You should be thanking Korra. We never would have found you without her," Mako said, gesturing to Korra as she and Elira stood up.

Wu moved toward Korra and bowed. "I owe you my life, Avatar. If only there was some way to repay you."

Elira smiled, surprised by the prince's humble behaviour.

"Oh, I know." Wu straightened up and took Korra's hand. "How about I take you out for a night on the town?"

Elira's smile fell as she rolled her eyes. Nevermind. 

"Really? You're asking me out right now?" Korra looked unimpressed

"So ... I put you down for a 'maybe'?" Wu asked, tentatively

"How about a never?" Korra took her hand from Wu, whose smile immediately fell, and then she walked over to her friends. "Not exactly what I imagined for our first day back together."

"Are you kidding me? That – was – awesome!" Elira exclaimed with a grin. "It was almost just like old times!"

"Except for the getting on each other's nerves, part", Asami added, putting her hand on her hip.

"Actually, that is like old times for me and Korra." Mako smiled, and Elira chuckled

"I'm sorry things got so tense earlier." Korra apologised, looking down

"It's all right. I guess after being apart for three years, there's bound to be a bit of an adjustment period." Asami replied, sharing a glance with Mako and Elira

"Yeah, but it's great to have you back," Mako added, smiling.

"Team Avatar is back in business!" Elira declared, she and Pichi goofily striking heroic poses, which caused the others to chuckle.

"There's no place else I'd rather be." Korra smiled and hugged her three friends.

Wu walked over, ready to join in, too; However, Korra stuck her hand out and held the prince at bay, holding her hand to his cheek.

"You guys are the greatest friends a guy could have." Unable to come closer, Wu placed his hands on Mako's shoulders while the four friends shared a close embrace.

"So, what are we gonna do with him?" Elira asked, looking at the prince as they broke away from the hug. "It's too dangerous to take him back to the hotel."

"Whoo! You're telling me, Ellie! I need a cushy safe house somewhere." Wu scowled, hands on his hips.

"Don't – Oh, forget it", Elira sighed.

"I think I know just the place." Mako smiled

*

Returning to the city, the team brought Wu to the Sato Mansion and stood outside on the front porch with him.

"Nice digs, Mako. You didn't tell me you came from money." Wu grinned

"I don't. This is Asami's place. She was nice enough to let my family stay here after they fled Ba Sing Se." Mako explained as the big wooden door opened and Mako's grandmother, Yin, stepped onto the porch, wearing Mako's red scarf.

"Mako! It's so wonderful to..." Yin's eyes went big, and she covered her mouth as she gasped at the sight of the prince. She reached out to Wu. "Are you ..."

"Grandma, this is Prince Wu. He needs to stay with you and the family for a little while." Mako introduced him as the rest of his family gathered in the doorway.

Wu got down on one knee and took Yin's hand. "It's an honour, Grandma Mako."

He kissed Yin's hand, and she fainted gracefully, quickly being caught by Mako.

"She loves royalty," he said, holding his grandmother.

Wu stood up with a triumphant grin. "I think I'll fit right in here. Thanks for looking out for me, Mako." Wu put a hand on Mako's shoulder before he urgently threw his arms back. Now, where's the nearest bathroom? I have been holding it all day!" He stormed off into the house, whining loudly. 

*

Somewhere in the Earth Empire, at a bay area surrounded by open water and rocks, the setting sun cast an orange hue across the sky. Beside a long dock sat a battered red and white wooden boat, carrying several escaped reeducation campers, while Baraz and Ahnah stood on the dock facing Varrick and Bolin.

"I know it might not mean much coming from a guy wearing this uniform," Bolin said, tugging his shirt slightly near his belt, "but I'd like to apologize for what Kuvira's put you through"

"I appreciate that," Baraz replied, extending his hand

Bolin smiled and shook his hand "Guess this is where we part ways."

"It's been a blast!" Varrick added, laughing.

"We're heading north, too. Why don't you come with us? It's the least we could do after you saved our necks." Ahnah offered

"On that hunk of junk?" Varrick glanced over to the rotting boat, barely floating in the water next to the dock "No thanks. I'm allergic to drowning"

Bolin glared at him and elbowed him harshly.

"I mean, uh, we'd love a lift!" Varrick corrected himself

Defeated, Varrick walked up the pier with the other three with a scowl. Bolin jumped in easily, but Varrick crawled in awkwardly, causing a great commotion and ultimately falling to the floor of the boat.

Bolin rolled his eyes, half-amused and half-exasperated, as Varrick shot up from his seat like a spring released. With a sigh, Bolin turned his gaze to the horizon, where vibrant swirls of orange and deep purple danced across the sky. The beauty of the sunset was breathtaking, but it paled in comparison to the thrill bubbling inside him. He was finally heading home.