Kuvira's Gambit

At City Hall in Republic City, inside Raiko's office, the president, Wu, Korra, Mako, and Tenzin were sitting around a table with a map of the city on it.

"How's the evacuation coming?" Korra asked

"Could be better. At this point, we've evacuated almost ..." Wu glanced at the papers in his hand "eighteen families."

" Only eighteen? There are millions of people in this city!" Korra exclaimed

"I said it could be better," Wu said

"The problem is, it's a voluntary evacuation, and there aren't very many volunteers." Mako cut in, "They just don't feel like they're in any immediate danger."

Suddenly, the conversation comes to an abrupt halt as Bolin and Elira burst through the office doors with Suyin, Lin and Zhi Li behind them.

"Guys! Good, you're all here!" Bolin grinned

"What's with you interrupting my important meetings all the time?" Raiko stood up angrily

Korra stood up as well, looking surprised to see Suyin.

"Su ... what are you ... you're okay!" The two women exchanged a hug before Korra looked at the metalbender with an ashamed expression "I'm so sorry about Zaofu. How did you escape?"

"Opal, Lin, Gran-Gran, Bo and I rescued everyone," Elira replied

Tenzin's eyes widened "Your grandmother? Is she alright? Are you alright?"

"We're fine, Dad. But we had a run-in with Kuvira. We saw her super spirit weapon up close." Elira revealed

"Like, really close. Way too close." Bolin added

"Is she going to use it against Republic City?" Tenzin questioned

"Yes. I found out she's going to attack in two weeks." Zhu Li answered

"Ooh! And Zhu Li's on our side now. Actually, she never really switched sides, and I'm just gonna let her explain the whole thing. Zhu Li?" Bolin gestured for the woman to explain everything.

"I pretended to be loyal to Kuvira so I could sabotage her weapon. It didn't work, but I did overhear her plans to attack." Zhu Li said

"I knew she wouldn't stop at Zaofu." Raiko scowled

"My guess is, she's coming by rail. It's the only way she can transport that weapon." Lin cut in.

"We should cut the rail lines," Elira suggested

"I agree. But let's get as many citizens evacuated before we do." Raiko said, then turned to Mako, "Put out the announcement. The evacuation is now mandatory"

"We're on it." Mako stood up

"Don't worry, Mr. President. I won't let Kuvira take our city." Korra declared, looking determined. 

*

Inside a Future Industries factory, workers were busy fastening bolts and welding several flying mecha suits as Varrick stood on a balcony above the assembly floor, shouting down at them.

"Weld hotter! Tighten tighter! The president said we only have two weeks to get these hummingbirds humming!" Varrick placed two hands behind his ears and closed his eyes as he hummed.

"Varrick!" Varrick jumped as Elira came through a set of doors behind him, with Bolin trailing behind her. "Good, you're here. We've got a surprise for you"

"What is it? I'm busy inspiring my workers," Varrick said, slouching against the railing of the balcony. "Let me guess: You kids are finally back together? Not much of a surprise if you asked me, Ellie. I already know how annoyingly crazy you are about each other; I had to listen to Bolin pining over you for weeks after you broke up."

"What, no, that's not – I mean, we are back together – But that's not the surprise" Elira bounced on the balls of her feet in excitement.

"El and I went to Zaofu and saved Su and her family ... and guess who else we found?" Bolin smirked

"Du-du-du-da!" Elira stepped aside, and she and Bolin gestured in presentation at the doorway. "Surprise!"

On cue, Zhu Li walked through the doors, looking slightly unnerved. She had changed out of her Earth Empire uniform and into some regular clothes. Upon seeing her, Varrick straightened up, his eyes widening in surprise.

"Zhu Li..."

Zhu Li smiled softly at him.

"Now, isn't there something you wanted to say to her? Hmm?" Bolin asked with a grin.

"Please, let me go first", Zhu Li stepped towards Varrick "I know I said a lot of terrible things about you in front of Kuvira. But I need you to know ... I didn't mean one word. When you were being taken away, I thought my only chance to save you was to join her"

Elira glanced at Varrick, smiling to see that he looked touched by Zhu Li's devotion.

"But every day, I hoped for the chance to see you again and tell you the truth. Varrick, you mean the world to me, and I'm sorry if I hurt you in any way." Zhu Li confessed

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Varrick said softly, moving his hand toward Zhu Li as if intending to cup her face. Zhu Li looked hopeful.

Bolin and Elira smiled at each other. Bolin wrapped his arm around the airbender as they watched their friends happily.

"Apology accepted!" Varrick suddenly dropped his hand to Zhu Li's shoulder, and his voice was full of newfound exuberance. Bolin and Elira looked dumbfounded. Zhu Li looked annoyed.

"Now be a good assistant and man the assembly line!" Varrick turned to face the hummingbird mecha suits.

"No!" Zhu Li scowled and grabbed Varrick by the shoulder, turning him around to look at her again "I am not your assistant anymore"

She pointed at Varrick, who bent backwards against the railing "If you want me around, you need to start treating me like an equal!"

Zhu Li then turned and stormed away, Elira quickly chasing after her, leaving Varrick standing bent backward, while Bolin stood by in silence. When Varrick straightened up and shrugged, Bolin smacked his own forehead.

*

Later, on Air Temple Island, the Acolytes bustled around, carrying bags and supplies down towards the docks. Elira stood in the courtyard with Pichi on her shoulder, forcing a smile as she oversaw the final preparations. The Acolytes and her family were leaving for the Fire Nation, while she and Tenzin stayed behind to help defend the city. The decision put Elira at ease, knowing her family would be safe until things had calmed down. 

"Careful with that tea set, Tanni! Gran Gran will have my head if it arrives chipped!" she called out, her voice strong and clear.

"Elira?" Tenzin walked up to her, causing her to turn"Have you seen Rohan? He's not with your mother, and I can't find him anywhere" 

Elira thought for a moment before smiling, "If he's not with Mom and the others, I think I know where he is. I'll go get him" 

"Thank you", Tenzin nodded before walking away again. 

Heading inside the temple, Elira walked down the corridor of the boys' dorm while holding a custard tart on a plate in her hsmd. When she came to her baby brother's room, it appeared empty, with toys scattered about the floor and drawings hung up on the walls. Elira silently walked in and sat on the bed, placing the plate in her lap as Pichi jumped down from her shoulder and over onto the cabinet. 

"Dad's looking for you," She said to the seemingly empty room. "And I'm gonna eat this delicious egg custard tart in 3...2..." 

Smirking, Elira placed the plate on the floor beside the bed "...1" 

A small hand shot out from underneath the bed, pulling the plate and the tasty treat back with it. Elira chuckled softly and moved to crawl under the bed, finding her baby brother hiding underneath. He didn't move to eat the dessert his sister had brought him. His usually bright eyes were clouded by a scowl, and his lower lip trembled slightly. 

With a gentle smile, Elira nudged his shoulder "Hey, little lemur. What's got you looking so glum? Thought you'd be excited to go see Grandma and Grandpa Shai"

Rohan didn't respond, just stared at the tart in front of him. 

"I don't want to go," he mumbled, pouting, "I'm staying with you"

Elira's heart softened, and she sighed.

"Rohan," she said gently, "You need to go. It's important. The Fire Nation is safe, and I promise it won't be for long. When things calm down, you'll come back and we can all be together again"

Rohan looked over at her, his eyes brimming with tears. "But... what if you're not here when we come back?"

Elira paused before wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug. "I will be. Promise"

Rohan sniffled, unconvinced. Elira thought for a moment, then her face lit up, and she pulled back to look at her brother.

"Hey, I've got an idea. Think you can do something for me while you're gone? Something very important." 

Rohan sniffled again, reaching up to wipe his nose with his sleeve. Elira turned her head, letting out a soft whistle and seconds later, Pichi crawled under the bed with them. She sniffed at the egg tart, which Elira blocked with one hand, using the other to reach up and pet behind Pichi's ear, making the lemur purr. 

"See, Pichi here is gonna need a brave and responsible guardian to look after her while you're all away. Someone who will make sure she gets plenty of berries, plenty of cuddles, and absolutely no trouble. Think you can handle that?"

A slow smile spread across Rohan's face, and he reached out tentatively to the lemur. Pichi immediately sniffed his hand before trilling and crawling underneath the boy's chin and curling up there, causing a genuine laugh to escape Rohan.

"I can do it," he said, his voice regaining its usual cheerful tone. He looked over at Elira, his eyes filled with newfound purpose. "I'll take really good care of her. I promise I will"

"I knew I could count on you," Elira smiled and ruffled his hair. She then nodded towards the plate, "Now, are you going to share that tart or not?" 

*

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the temple, Tenzin walked into a room where Pema and Azira were with the other three children, getting ready to leave.

"Rohan's with Elira and the Acolytes have the boat ready to leave." Tenzin explained before stopping when he noticed the suitcases were empty, "Why aren't you all packed yet?"

"Because we're not leaving, Tenzin", Azira revealed

"Zira, the kids and I have been talking, and we decided that if you and El are staying, then we want to stay too. This is our city, and it's going to need all the help it can get." Pema explained

"Yeah! Only a coward flees his fate." Meelo added, puffing his chest out.

"I know my fighting days are over, but I was here when this city was first built; I'll be dammed if I'm not here to help defend it", Azira declared, a determined glint in her golden eyes.

Tenzin smiled and embraced his family. "Thank you"

Releasing them, he turned to his wife and mother, "I'm sure Prince Wu could use your help with the evacuation." Then he turned to his children, "And you three can help the other airbenders keep an eye on the Earth Empire troops from above."

"Kuvira's gonna rue the day she messed with Meelo." Meelo proclaimed, raising a fist and knocking himself on the chest once. Beside him, Jinora eyed him a little in annoyance. 

*

The evacuation of the city was well underway. Rohan had left with the Air Acolytes for the Fire Nation to stay with Shai and Ty Lee. Meanwhile, the other civilians, some chose to leave by satomobile, some by airship, and others boarded trains, standing in long lines as they waited to board, being directed by Wu, Azira, and Pema. As night fell, the United Forces Navy and several airships approached Republic City with General Iroh standing at the bow of a battleship. By morning, the troops had scattered across the bay and city. Days came and went, and within a week, the city streets became empty. All that remained were the advancing mecha tanks, which took up positions in front of the gathered battalions of infantry troops at the outskirts of the city, with several lines of barbed wire positioned in front of the assembled troops.

In a tower on Air Temple Island, Raiko stood looking out at the empty city as Lin and Tenzin stood behind him.

"I still don't like having to abandon my office in the city." He turned away from the window with a scowl.

"Air Temple Island is the ideal location for your base of operations, and you'll be safe here," Lin reassured.

"Dad!" Elira's voice calling made them all turn, seeing The Krew ascending the stairs towards them. "There's something we need to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Tenzin asked

" The five of us have been talking and ... we wanna take out Kuvira's spirit weapon before it gets too close to the city," Korra declared

"That sounds like a risk we don't need to take. The evacuation is on schedule, and General Iroh is getting his army in place." Tenzin replied

"Dad, I know Iroh can go toe-to-toe with Kuvira's army, but that weapon ..." Elira argued.

"It's too powerful! It can destroy the city." Bolin finished her sentence.

"We can't let it get to our doorstep," Mako stated

"We'll use Mochi to sneak behind enemy lines and disable the weapon," Korra explained.

"If it works, it'll even the playing field," Asami added.

Tenzin didn't look convinced "But if you get caught ..."

"It's worth the risk," Elira said, before giving her father a reassuring look "We can do this, Dad. We have to"

"I agree", Raiko cut in, and everyone turned to him "And it might be our only shot at preventing an all-out war"

He nodded at The Krew, "Good luck."

"We'll head out tonight," Korra replied 

*

By the time the sun began to rise the next morning, Mochi was already flying over mountain ranges, with the Krew in her saddle. Elira was driving while behind her Bolin was peering through a telescope and Korra, Asami and Mako were surveying their surroundings with the naked eye. As Bolin directed his attention to his left, he gasped in surprise, drawing everyone's attention.

"Guys! I see something. Down there!" He pointed to where rows of tanks could be seen crossing the landscape.

Asami gasped "Is that–"

"Kuvira", Korra finished "She's already crossed into United Republic territory. She's a week early."

"Looks like Gran-Gran's melting the cannon only set Kuvira's plan back by a few days", Elira said, turning to Bolin slightly as they both eyed the tanks in the distance.

"This doesn't make sense. There aren't any train tracks this way. How are they transporting that super weapon of theirs?" Mako wondered

Suddenly, as if in response to his question, a series of thunderous, resonant thuds echoed through the air, growing louder with each passing second. From behind the jagged silhouette of a distant mountain peak, an enormous humanoid mecha suit emerged with the spirit cannon attached to one of its arms. Its colossal frame loomed over the landscape as it stomped into view, and the ground trembled beneath its weight.

"Apparently, on a giant mecha suit!" Asami exclaimed in horror at the sight of the monstrous machine.

"Did you know Kuvira was building that thing?" Mako turned to his brother.

"Oh, did I forget to mention it?" Bolin asked sarcastically, "No, of course I didn't know!"

Just when they thought their situation couldn't possibly deteriorate further, the massive mecha suit ground to a halt and pivoted with an eerie precision. Its spirit weapon rose ominously, locking onto the group with menacing intent. Elira's heart raced as she saw the purple glow coalesce at the now reassembled turret's end, crackling with raw energy.

"I know what happens next! We gotta get out of here, now! Now!" Bolin yelled at Elira in a panic.

"Mochi, yip yip! Yip Yip!" Elira's heart raced as she urgently flicked the reins, guiding her bison away from imminent danger.

Then, the Colossus unleashed a searing beam of purple energy. The blast whooshed past Mochi, forcing the Krew to duck and dive for cover as the bison let out a deep groan, spiraling wildly off course. Panic erupted among the others, their shouts mingling with the chaos as they desperately clung to the saddle. With gritted teeth, Elira yanked on the reins, pulling and heaving until, at last, Mochi steadied herself again.

The Colossus unleashed another powerful blast, sending a surge of energy toward the bison as it hurried away. The shot went wide, crashing into a nearby mountain with a thunderous roar that echoed through the valley. Elira gasped, shutting her eyes as her grip on the reins tightened, her knuckles turning a ghostly white.

"What do we do now?" Elira asked, opening her eyes and turning to Korra with a desperate look.

"We head back to Republic City. We have to warn them," The Avatar declared, and without another word, Elira flicked Mochi's reins, making the bison fly faster towards the horizon. 

*

In no time at all, Mochi soared towards Air Temple Island, landing in the courtyard. Tenzin, Pema, Azira, Raiko, Lin, Suyin, Wei, and Wing gathered to meet Team Avatar as they dismounted from their bison.

"Korra? Elira? Are you all right? Why are you back so soon?" Tenzin questioned, noticing how rattled his eldest daughter appeared.

"It's Kuvira! Our intel was wrong. She must have known Zhu Li had the information!" Elira cried

"What are you trying to say?" Raiko asked

"Kuvira's army is only a few hours away," Korra revealed

Everyone's eyes widened in horror.

"No, they can't be! We're not ready." Tenzin exclaimed

"Ready or not, Dad, that spirit weapon of hers is now attached to a giant mecha suit monster! It's over twenty-five stories tall!" Elira waved her arms about to depict the size and scale of the Colossus.

Hearing this, Raiko turned to Lin, "Get General Iroh on the line and tell him that the attack is happening today. We need to lock down the city."

Lin nodded and quickly ran off as Azira turned to Pema.

"Pema, we need to find Wu and get the remaining citizens to safety, immediately. We can't have innocent lives in jeopardy," she said, and the two of them also left.

"What should we do?" Bolin asked

"Let's go to my factory. Maybe we can get a few of those hummingbird suits up and running." Asami replied

"We're coming with you." Suyin declared and Asami nodded in agreement.

"I'll head to the front lines and help General Iroh," Korra stated

With final nods, the groups split off, with The Krew turning to each other for one last goodbye.

"This might sound a bit cheesy, but...I love you guys. So much," Elira smiled, looking at each of her friends, worried this may be the last time they saw each other.

"Aw, I love you guys, too!" Bolin began to tear up and wrapped his arms around Elira tightly "We'll see each other again, right?"

"'Course we will, bro", Mako smiled, ruffling his brother's hair.

"Just be careful out there, all of you" Asami said 

"You too," Korra smiled reassuringly before pulling her in for a warm hug.

Elira and the boys soon joined, wrapping their arms around each other in a moment filled with unspoken promises and hope. Each of them, silently hoping it wouldn't be their last. 

*

Soon, everyone was in position. A number of airbenders were mounted on buildings in preparation for the attack. On top of one of the buildings, Kai, Elira, Jinora, Tenzin, Meelo, Ikki, and Bumi, along with another airbender, were staring into the distance at the field where the army, Korra and Iroh waited for Kuvira's arrival. Three fences of tank traps and barbed wire stretched across the field as the army waited behind them.

Suddenly, there was a distant crash, and the Colossus emerged from behind a hill. Elira glanced around her, seeing the shock and disbelief on the faces of the airbenders. She gently placed a hand on Jinora's shoulder, as she was the closest to her. Jinora turned to her older sister. No words need to be spoken, only a look exchanged between them and Ikki, Meelo and Tenzin standing nearer the edge of the building – a silent, reassuring promise. 

Elira then narrowed her eyes and turned back to the metal monster in the distance. It came to a stop just in front of the barbed-wire fencing, towering over its opponents. An airship was floating just behind it. Below, Iroh, like the others, looked shocked, while Korra simply looked defiant. Then, Raiko's voice echoed through a radio nearby and also through a radio Elira had in her hand. 

"Kuvira, this is President Raiko. I order you to stand down. Turn your army around and leave."

"You're in no position to give orders." Kuvira's voice replied 

"Stand down, or we will attack!" Raiko threatened

"I don't think you understand the power I possess. Let me make it clear." 

The arms of the Colossus suddenly raised into the firing position, and the cannon fired. The beam of energy sailed over the city, colliding with a warship in the harbor, which immediately exploded into flame. Another blast from the weapon caught two more warships, which also became engulfed in flames.

"Go, go, go!" Elira turned to the airbenders, waving her arm at them, and two groups sprang into action. Cutting off from the main group, they headed towards the sinking ships in the harbour, swiftly rescuing the people trapped on board.

In the field, Iroh spoke to Raiko through the radio, "Mister President, do I have your order to engage?"

"You have three seconds before I wipe out your army." Kuvira's voice threatened. A few seconds later, she spoke again, "Time's up!"

"Stop!" Raiko cried out, "We surrender...Republic City is yours." 

*

Everyone had gathered in Varrick's warehouse. As they stood in groups, Korra walked through the double doors.

"Raiko surrendered. It's down to us now." She declared, approaching the others.

"How are we supposed to fight an entire army, a mecha giant, and that crazy weapon?" Bolin questioned, looking both exasperated and terrified as he spoke.

"We can't fight it, but maybe we can cripple it" Asami suggested before turning to Zhu Li "Zhu Li, when you were spying on Kuvira, did you learn anything about that metal monster?"

"I had no idea they were even building it." The woman replied

"Guess Baatar Jr. is a better inventor than I thought", Varrick said before scowling "Don't tell him I said that."

Elira's eyes brightened as she perked up "That's it! Baatar Jr. built that thing; he'll know how to take it down!"

"In that case, I say we capture him and get him to talk." Korra nodded in agreement.

Tenzin hummed in thought, and Korra and Elira turned to him, noticing his reservations.

"Dad, I know it's a long shot", Elira said, "But it's the only chance we have, and if we don't –"

"I'm in." Tenzin cut her off, and the two girls smiled at him gratefully.

"We'll need a stealth team of airbenders to get in and out of Baatar's airship unnoticed." Korra stated, "El, Tenzin, Bumi, Jinora, Kai, let's get moving."

"What about me?" Meelo asked, looking disappointed that he wasn't included.

"Sorry, buddy. This mission counts on everyone being as silent as possible," Korra smiled. "And your farts are just too much of a wild card"

"I can be quiet!" Meelo exclaimed before he farted loudly and blushed "Okay, point taken."

Elira chuckled and knelt down to his level "Good, 'cause I've got a very important job for you, kid. While Korra and I are gone, I'm leaving you in charge" 

Meelo's eyes widened in excitement "Really?" 

"Yep, meaning it's your job to look after everyone here. The way I look after you, Rohan and the girls. Think you can handle that, soldier?"

Meelo grinned before looking serious and saluting, "Aye aye, captain!"

Elira giggled and ruffled his hair, not seeing the way her father was smiling softly at the exchange. 

*

Somewhere over Republic City, Baatar Jr.'s airship was flying toward Air Temple Island, on its way to meet Raiko, completely unaware of Mochi flying high above with six people in her saddle.

"Is everyone ready?" Korra asked the airbenders.

The airbenders nodded their heads. Korra rose to her feet and jumped over the side of the saddle with her glider in hand. The airbenders followed her one by one, unfurling their wingsuits. They glided swiftly downward through the air toward the airship.

Korra ran up to the hatch leading to the airship's interior as they landed, using metalbending to destroy the latch and flipping the hatch open. She silently motioned for Elira, Bumi and Tenzin to drop in, and Korra followed them through the open hatch, leaving Kai and Jinora to keep watch on the top of the airship.

Inside the airship, a guard walked down a deserted hallway. As he passed an empty doorway filled with red light, Korra poked her head around the threshold and, after a few seconds, motioned for the three airbenders to follow her again. The four of them tiptoed down another deserted corridor before coming to a stop at a corner. On the other side was Baatar Jr., who was inputting a passcode into a security door.

The doors opened and Baatar walked through; as the doors closed, Korra jumped from her cover, metalbending the doors open again. As Tenzin, Elira and Bumi rushed into the room, Baatar yelled in shock. After a brief struggle vainly to escape, Baatar was then slammed into a thick glass window with a gag over his mouth. Korra and Tenzin held him in place as Bumi and Elira pulled a large sack over his body.

Back outside the airship, the sack containing Baatar Jr. was airbent out of the small hatch, making desperate noises behind his gag. Kai and Jinora caught him as the other climbed out of the airship.

Moments later, Tenzin and Bumi carried Baatar Jr. between themselves, gliding back toward the city as Elira, Kai, Jinora, and Korra followed behind.

*

Returning to Varrick's warehouse, a gagged Baatar Jr. sat tied to a chair, regarding his captors with a glare of utter, burning dislike. Korra walked over to him, removing his gag, and he gasped for air for a moment before speaking.

"You've made a terrible mistake. Once Kuvira finds out I'm missing, you're all done for." He threatened

"That's why, before she finds out, you're going to tell us how to stop that mecha giant, or else." Korra glared

"Or else what?" Baatar challenged

Korra stared at him for a second before her eyes flared with the bright blueish-white light of the Avatar State. She advanced on Baatar, grasping him by his bonds and lifting him into the air with one arm. For a moment, he groaned and tried to escape, but he regained his composure and looked confidently right back into the Avatar's glowing eyes.

"You won't hurt me. I know an empty threat when I see one." He smirked

Korra narrowed her eyes at the man before they faded back to normal as she left the Avatar State. Exasperated and angry, she let Baatar fall back to the floor. He groaned as he crashed down roughly.

"Was this your best idea?" Baatar laughed to himself. "You've lost, only you haven't accepted it yet."

Suyin walked up to Korra with a sad expression. "Let me talk to him."

Korra stepped back, giving Suyin to floor. She knelt in front of her son.

"Baatar –"

"If you think I'm going to spill all my secrets to you, Mother, you're sadly mistaken." Baatar Jr. snapped

"Why are you doing this? I know you set out to help better the world, but this is madness!" Suyin frowned

"It's madness to let others take what's yours and accept it blindly! The United Republic belongs to us, and we're taking it back." Baatar galred

"But at what cost? How many people have to lose their lives before Kuvira is satisfied?" Suyin questioned

"It doesn't have to cost any lives if you would all just surrender!" Baatar yelled, leaning forward in his bonds. "All that Kuvira and I want is a united Earth Empire!"

Suyin looked down sadly as Baatar leaned back, turning away from his mother.

"I don't know what I did to hurt you, but whatever it was, I'm sorry. When you left Zaofu, it broke my heart, and our family has never been the same since. Please, Baatar – stop all this and come home. We want you back with us." Suyin pleaded

Baatar turned his head back to Suyin, his expression forceful, "Kuvira is my family now."

Suyin looked heartbroken, closing her eyes as tears ran down her face.

"We've been going about this all wrong," Korra huffed, walking over to Baatar again as Suyin walked away. "You're right. I'm not gonna physically hurt you if you don't talk. But there is something I could do that will be even more painful."

Korra bent over to look Baatar right in the eye, "I will take away the one thing you care for the most ... Kuvira."

The angry expression on Baatar's face instantly evaporated into shock, but he collected himself again.

"What do you mean?" He asked

"Kuvira might win. She might chase us out of the city. But you won't be around to enjoy the victory. Because wherever I run, I'll take you. I am going to make it my life's mission to never let you see the one you love again." Korra straightened up, now staring down at Baatar "Is taking the city worth losing Kuvira forever?"

"No! You can't!"

"I will ... unless you convince Kuvira to back off. You two will still have the Earth Empire. Just leave the United Republic alone." Korra ordered

Baatar stared up at her, overflowing with shock and disbelief. 

*

A little while later, Korra held a radio up to Baatar's head after finding the right frequency.

"Speak," Korra ordered

Baatar sighed before speaking, "Kuvira? It's Baatar. I've been captured. My airship was ambushed, and I was taken by force. Korra refuses to release me unless we back down and leave the city"

"Are you injured?" Kuvira asked

"I'm fine."

"Is the Avatar there with you now?"

"Yes, everyone is here."

Kuvira then went silent, so Baatar kept talking.

"Listen to me. If you try to take Republic City, the Avatar will never let me see you again ... and I refuse to live that way. Forget the United Republic; we have our empire! We have each other!" A shadow of happiness and hope flitted across Baatar's face as he spoke, "Let's go back home and get married. The only thing that matters is that we're together for the rest of our lives."

Kuvira replied, her voice thick with emotion even through the radio, "You're right. This city isn't worth sacrificing our life together... I love you, Baatar."

Putting the radio away, Korra then began to release Baatar from the ropes.

"As soon as we work out terms with Kuvira, we'll let you out of here." She promised

Mako, standing by the window, turned his head to look out at the city, and his eyes suddenly widened. In the distance, the Colossus could be seen, moving, its arms rising upward, the left steadying the right as the massive barrel swung upward into place. The Colossus was entering the incipient phases of its firing sequence! And it was aiming at them!

"Guys! She must have our location! She's pointing that weapon right at us!" Mako yelled, pointing out the window.

Baatar's eyes widened "No! She wouldn't!"

The telltale purplish glow was slowly rising deep within the barrel of the weapon.

Elira whirled around, terror and panic on her face. "Everyone out! Now! Now!"

With a flicker and an ear-splitting boom, the cannon fired! The ray of purple energy screamed across the bay's water, vaporising the water it hit as it rose upward. As the beam tore through the factory, the room instantaneously detonated, a blinding fireball rising from the floor beneath and throwing the helpless men and women off their feet into a cloud of dust.