A Breath of Fresh Air

Two weeks after Korra's epic battle with UnaVaatu and Republic City was still recovering. Vines had sprouted up all over, creating pockets of wilds the spirits had now come to call home. On Air Temple Island, everything was pretty much the same... Well, almost everything. Spirit vines had taken over Bolin and Mako's apartment. So while Mako was fine staying at the police station (despite El arguing that underneath his desk was no place to sleep), Bolin had moved into the temple with El and her family, and the new couple could not have been happier with the arrangement.

Nothing much had really changed between the best friends turned lovers since returning from the Spirit World. They still acted childishly, goofing off whenever they got the chance. The only real difference was that they were now free to be more touchy with each other (Not that they weren't before). Of course, they kept most things for when they were in private, but around others, they were always connected in some way. Whether that be holding hands under the dinner table or Bolin wrapping his arm around El's shoulder as they walked.

While Meelo always stuck out his tongue in disgust whenever the couple showed each other affection, Jinora and Ikki, however, found the whole thing adorable. Ikki even declared that Bolin was El's fairy tale prince. But that's not to say that the kids didn't manage to corner the poor earthbender at one point without El knowing. They warned him that if he hurt their big sister, there wasn't anywhere he could run or hide that they wouldn't find him.

As of right now, the duo were in El's bedroom (even though Tenzin had forbidden Bolin from going in there). A pillow flew through the air and Bolin ducked in time before it hit him in the face.

"Take that!" He laughed and threw the pillow back at El, standing on her bed holding another in her hands. The airbender jumped over it with a smirk.

"Missed me!" She taunted, sticking her tongue out at her boyfriend.

Bolin smirked and went to grab the girl, who simply flipped over his shoulder, landing elegantly behind him as he fell on the bed with a thump.

"Missed me again", She laughed, pushing her hair out of her face

"That's it!"

Elira laughed as Bolin dove for her again, jumping out of the way and dashing out the door into the hallway, Bolin hot on her tail. Running down the corridor, the two circled around Zira for a moment as she was walking before sprinting off again, laughing loudly. The old woman just shook her head, smiling in amusement. As Bolin continued to chase El through the house, they shot passed Pema carrying Rohan in her arms.

"Elira, Bolin! No running in the house!" She scolded Rohan babbling and giggling.

"Sorry, Mom!" El called over her shoulder before heading outside with Bolin still chasing her.

Running into the courtyard, where Ikki and Meelo were playing with Pabu and Pichi, Bolin finally caught up with his girlfriend.

"Gotcha, airhead!" He grabbed her around the waist, trapping her in his arms as she squealed.

"Ikki, Meelo, help me!" El laughed

The kids grinned and got up, grabbing onto Bolin's arms and laughing as they tried to free their sister. They then squealed as Bolin grabbed them, trapping them in his arms along with El and spun them around.

"Oh going down!" Bolin lost his footing and fell backwards, bringing El and the kids with him.

They landed in a heap on the ground laughing even harder as Pabu and Pichi jumped into the pile. But their fun was suddenly interrupted when Bumi came running toward them, panting and sweating.

"Um, you okay Uncle Bumi?" El asked as they all sat up

"You're not gonna believe what just happened. Where's your father?"

"Dad!" Ikki screamed

Tenzin immediately appeared, barging the door open and looking visibly worried "What is it? What's wrong?"

Bumi rushed up to him as the rest of the family joined them outside.

"The most amazing, wondrous, fantastical thing just occurred" He ranted " Okay, Bum-Ju and I had a little fight. I made him this sweater, and he didn't seem to like it, and I'll admit, it might need work, but it was my first attempt at knitting, so I was a little hurt."

"Hilarious," Tenzin said blankly before turning to the rest of his family "Time for dinner, everyone."

"No, check this out. I can airbend" Bumi thrust his palms out, trying to bend, but nothing happened. He tried multiple times but got the same result.

"Yeah wait, seriously, I was doing it" He continued to try but to no avail while the others headed inside for dinner.

"No hold on, I just uh, maybe if I-" He gave a kick - Nothing. "No"

*

"I swear, I'm not making it up" Bumi persisted, continually making airbending moves but nothing was happening.

"Bumi, stop waving your arms around at the table" Zira scolded

"And stop saying you can airbend. It's not funny anymore" Tenzin snapped irritated

"It's not a joke," Bumi stated as Korra and Asami walked in

"What's up with him?" Korra asked, sitting down beside Bolin and El

"Uncle Bumi says he airbended earlier, but he can't now. Oh, and I guess he's not very good at knitting either" El whispered

"I gotta say, I love being a part of this family" Bolin grinned "You got the grumpy dad, the wacky uncle, the put-upon mom, crazy kids. Well, that's just great."

"What about me? Do I count as a "crazy kid"?" El smiled at her boyfriend

"You are the beautiful, fun-loving older sister." Bolin complemented making El blush and kiss his cheek.

"Where's Mako?" Asami inquired, smiling at the couple, finding them completely adorable.

"Oh, you mean the brooding teenager? He's staying in the police station." El replied

"Still?" Korra asked

"I told him El and Tenzin invited us to stay here since our apartment is a vine habitat now, but, he said he had to focus on work" Bolin explained, styling his hair like Mako, with an upset tone.

"Oh, did you see that? I think the napkin moved." Bumi exclaimed as Bolin put his hair back

"You blew on it." Ursa scowled, sitting next to Kya across the table.

"Wait! Maybe I can only do it when my life is in danger. Bolin, bend a giant boulder at me." Bumi turned to the earthbender, holding his arms up, ready

"Yeah, I don't think that's a good idea." He replied

"If you're going to be bending giant boulders, you can do it outside." Pema scolded, looking irritated

"No one is bending giant boulders!" Tenzin banged his fists on the table

Meelo slammed the table flipping a plate into the air and grabbed it "Look alive, Uncle Bumi!"

As Meelo threw the plate, Bumi looked on in fear, stretching his hands out his hands and suddenly the plate was suspended in a ball of air.

" I told you!" Bumi yelled as the rest of the table looked on in total surprise.

"Unbelievable. You're actually an airbender." Tenzin gasped

"Mom! Mom, look! I'm airbending!" Bumi grinned at his mother, who was staring with her hands over her mouth in shock.

Bumi then lost control of his bending, the ball of air disappearing causing the plate to drop onto the table and shatter.

*

That night, Bumi was back in the courtyard trying to airbend again with Bum-Ju watching. He thrust his hands out but groaned in annoyance when nothing happened.

"Oh come on! I did it earlier!" He huffed before the sound of someone laughing caused him to freeze.

Zira was standing by the steps, smiling softly at her son as she held something wrapped in cloth.

"Oh, hey mom. Sorry, I didn't wake you did I?" Bumi scratched the back of his neck sheepishly

"No, but if you're not careful you'll wake the children and have Pema after you" Zira smirked, walking down the steps towards him.

"Right, sorry. What's that?" Bumi pointed at the wrapped object his mother was carrying.

" One of my most treasured possessions. I want you to have it" Zira smiled at him, holding out the object to Bumi who took it hesitantly.

Bumi looked at his mother confused for a moment before slowly unwrapping the object, pulling away the cloth to reveal an airbender's glider. Bumi stared at it in shock.

"Was...Was this dad's?" He asked, picking up the closed glider

"No, Korra's got that one. This one, this was mine," Zira replied

"But you're not an airbender" Bumi looked at his mother, who chuckled slightly

"No, I'm not. Your father had this made for me when we were children after seeing how much I enjoyed flying at the Northern Air Temple. Of course, I couldn't use it without his bending to keep me in the air but...It was magical either way" Zira looked down sadly, remembering the first time Aang had taken her flying "With your father gone, it's just been sitting in the corner gathering dust. So with you discovering your bending, I figured it was time that I passed it on"

Bumi stepped back and opened the glider. Its wings were the traditional Fire Nation red with golden trims. Smiling, Bumi snapped it shut again and held it.

"Thank you, Mom" He pulled his mother in for a hug

"Just try not to break it", Zira teased, smiling as she held her son, who chuckled.

*

The next morning, Bumi was still trying to airbend again, but this time the rest of the family was watching.

"Ugh, I can't figure this thing out." He groaned after another failed attempt.

"Patience, Bumi. You need a clear head," Zira advised

"I'm trying!" Bumi punched the air again but still couldn't bend.

"Do you think being in the Spirit World during Harmonic Convergence could have given him bending?" Korra asked Tenzin

"I suppose it's possible." He replied

"Maybe Uncle Bumi is just a late bloomer," Ikki suggested, looking a bit bored

" I have been noticing a change in your aura lately," Kya added, holding her hands up as she felt Bumi's energies

"And you didn't tell me?" Bumi continued trying to airbend while Mako and Lin approached the group

"Invisible spirit monster attack?" Lin asked, watching Bumi punch at nothing.

"Lin, you won't believe this. Bumi just started airbending" Tenzin replied, and Lin and Mako widen their eyes in surprise.

"I'm afraid he's not the only one," Lin said

"What?" Korra, Zira, Tenzin and Elira all gasped

"I got a call last night. About a guy who just started airbending out of nowhere." Mako explained

"You mean there's another one?" El asked, looking shocked "Where is he now?"

"He ... blew a door down on me and got away", Mako replied, looking a little embarrassed as Elira snickered slightly behind her hand " We got an all-points bulletin out on him right now."

"Wait, we'll help you look for him. Where should we start?" Korra offered as Lin and Mako went to walk away.

Lin continued walking while Mako stopped and turned to the Avatar.

"Oh, well, y'know, you should leave it with the police. It's ... police business. Y'know. It's um ... official." He said awkwardly

"Okay" Korra shared a glance with El as Tenzin and Zira slid away

"How are you doing anyway? You know, you're welcome to stay here instead of sleeping under your desk at the police station," El asked as Pichi landed on her shoulder with a chitter.

"No, I'm fine. I should just, get going. So, as you were," Mako saluted his friends "Ladies."

He then marched off awkwardly while Korra and Asami looked at each other in confusion and Elira sighed and face-palmed.

"Idiot" She muttered, and Pichi chittered in agreement.

*

Later that day, Asami, Korra and El were out in the city together to try and teach Korra how to drive.

"This is so exciting! New airbenders in the city!" El jumped up and down as they walked

"I bet we can find that guy before Mako does", Korra grinned, stopping beside Asami's Satomobile, and catching the keys she tossed at her. "You know I'm not very good at this."

"You're the Avatar, master of all the elements. You should know how to drive," El encouraged

"Besides, it's relaxing" Asami flipped her hair elegantly

Relaxing maybe wasn't exactly the word to use when Korra was behind the wheel.

" Clutch! Clutch! " El yelled from the back seat, Pichi clinging to the side of her head as Korra constantly jerked and braked the car while a car stopped behind them

"That's the brake. Let's try again. You ready?" Asami asked

The car behind honked at them to hurry up while Korra saluted to Asami and El, mimicking Mako, and the trio laughed.

"How long do you think talking to Mako is gonna be like pulling teeth?" Korra asked, restarting the engine.

The car behind turned and stopped next to them, the driver glaring at them before driving off

"Well, Mako has never been the most ... "in touch with his feelings", guy, but it'll get better eventually", El replied as Korra started driving again.

"So, when I was gone, did he tell you that we broke up?" Korra wondered

"Yeah ... we all knew. Sorry." Asami apologised as El leaned forward between the seats, Pichi now detached from the side of her face.

"That's pretty embarrassing." Korra blushed

"Actually, I need to tell you something about that," Asami said, looking unsure and awkward "El already knows, and I should have told you this sooner, but ... while you were gone ... I ... kind of ... kissed him. I'm sorry" Asami looked down guiltily.

Korra just laughed. "No wonder he's so nervous around us!"

"You're not mad?" Asami shared a surprised look with El

"No!" Korra chuckled

"Well, I mean, you did kiss Mako when they were going out, so ..." El thought out loud

" You what?" Asami scowled at Korra, and El's eyes widened

"El!"

"Oops"

" I'm so sorry! I thought you knew!" Korra panicked

"I'm just kidding. I knew a long time ago." Asami laughed

Korra and El chuckled, El's shoulders sagging in relief before she perked up again.

"Wait, so who told you then?" She asked

"Bolin accidentally let it slip."

"'Course he did", El chuckled, shaking her head.

"Well, whatever happened with Mako, I'm glad it hasn't come between us" Korra smiled at Asami. "I've never had a girlfriend to hang out with and talk to before. Except for Naga"

"Hey!" El scowled, and Korra jumped a little, remembering the airbender was in the back seat "What about me?"

"Yeah, you too, El!" Korra smiled sheepishly, El raising an eyebrow when she noticed the Avatar blushing

"Vine! Vine!" Asami screamed, and Korra slammed on the brakes, swerving the car, narrowly missing the vines in the middle of the road as Pichi screeched, once again clinging to Elira's head.

A hedgehog-like plant spirit phased toward the car, looking annoyed. "Hey! Watch where you're going!"

"What are you doing living in the middle of the road in the first place?!" Korra yelled, standing in her seat.

"Don't ask me, Avatar! You made the world this way; we're just living in it!" The spirit argued

"Look, I don't have anything against spirits, but these vines are causing major problems all over the city!"

"Spirits, vines. We're all the same. Seems like the Avatar would know that." The spirit scoffed before walking off.

Korra sat back in her seat, staring into blank space. 

"Korra, you okay?" Asami asked gently.

"I think that spirit just gave me an idea how to get rid of these vines" Korra realised"...But I'm gonna need a lot of water."

*

The girls headed back to the island, and El went to find her father with her siblings tagging along behind her. Tenzin was sat meditating on the cliff edge overlooking the statue of his father.

"It's like a dream, Dad. After a hundred and seventy years, new airbenders." He smiled to himself

"Dad!" El called out, and the kids ran over to him, Ikki kneeling on his leg, while Meelo leapt onto his shoulders.

"When that new guy's airbending, does that make him our brother?" Ikki asked

"Well, in a way, all airbenders are our family." Tenzin smiled

"Does that mean I have to share my room? Because I like my personal space." Ikki frowned

"Of course not. But we might have to get used to not being the only airbenders around anymore."

"I hope we have enough for an army", Meelo grinned, leaping off his father's shoulders " I want to be Commander like Uncle Bumi."

"Air Nomads don't have armies, Meelo." Jinora rolled her eyes

"But maybe, there will be enough to fill the temples again," Tenzin said with tears in his eyes

"Dad, you okay?" El asked as Meelo crawled into her lap.

"I just wish your grandfather was here to see this." Tenzin smiled sadly, and El placed a comforting hand on his arm

"Will you be airbender President?" Meelo asked

"No, but I think the new airbenders will need lots of help and guidance to understand what it means to be part of our nation. That's a big responsibility." Tenzin explained, glancing at Elira, who turned away.

"Don't worry, Dad, we'll help you", Meelo grinned, hugging his father while his sisters followed suit.

"I know you will" Tenzin smiled, wrapping his arms around his children.

*

Later, El was in her room getting ready to head back into the city with Korra to try and get rid of the vines. She was just heading out the door when her father called out to her from the end of the hallway.

"Elira, there you are. I've been looking for you. I need to talk to you about something" Tenzin walked up to her

"Dad, can it wait till I get back? The others are waiting" El tried to go around her father.

"Well, I suppose it can. But it is important that we--"

"Great, see ya Dad!" El didn't even wait for Tenzin to finish his sentence before she was sprinting down the corridor and around the corner.

"Elira, how many times do I have to tell you? No running!" Pema's voice cried out from around the corner

"Sorry, Mom!"

Tenzin just sighed to himself, shutting his eyes.

Out in the city, El stood with Bolin, Korra and Lin on a bridge overlooked by a building which was overgrown with spirit vines.

"I hope this works," Korra muttered before the group noticed a small crowd of reporters approaching them led by Raiko.

"What are you guys doing here?" El demanded, crossing her arms as Korra scowled in annoyance.

"I was alerted that Avatar Korra had a new plan to wipe out these noxious weeds. So I thought you'd want everyone to be here to watch" Raiko smirked smugly.

"No, you want them here in case Korra messes up so you can broadcast how bad an Avatar she is!" Elira snapped. "Well, guess what, buddy? Korra is going to remove these vines and prove you wrong. See if you're still smirking then."

Raiko's smirk didn't even falter. "We shall see, won't we?"

Elira glared, her face slowly going red in anger as Bolin wrapped his arm around her, rubbing her shoulder in an attempt to keep her calm.

"Avatar Korra!" The reporters called out," Do you really think-

"No questions! Just stand there. Silently!" Korra held her hand out sharply, shutting up the reporters.

Korra approached the vines, focused for a moment then entered the Avatar State, bending out swirls of water from the river around the vines. As she closed the loops, she infused positive spiritual energies into the water, causing them to glow gold, and the vines slowly retreated.

"She's doing it" El smiled before smirking over her shoulder at Raiko and the press looking on in awe.

When the vines had fully retreated, Korra stopped bending and bowed in respect ."Go in peace."

The press was immediately on her, bombarding her with questions, "How did you know what to do?" "Will you send the spirits away now?" "How soon can we expect public water service to resume?"

As Korra was about to snap at them, a loud splash was heard, and the vines suddenly grew back, startling everyone.

The vines grew denser than before and had also grown to inundate the opposite block. The weight of the vine caused the building to tilt toward the bridge.

"Look out!"

The reporters ran away as Korra and El grabbed their staffs, running towards the building.

Bolin and Lin ran forward, and both bent out a rock pillar to stop the building from toppling over.

Korra barged open the door with airbending, finding the worried occupants inside.

"Let's go, people! Hurry!" El yelled

The people quickly evacuated, but a woman suddenly grabbed Elira's shoulders, looking frantic "My son! Please, he's still up there!"

She pointed up towards the building where a little boy was huddled on the vines.

"Stay here; I'll get him!" Elira opened her glider and flew to the window where the boy was trapped, landing on the vine.

She reached out to grab the child when rumbling caused her to gasp. The building was collapsing!

"Hang on!" She quickly grabbed the child as the tip of the building fell.

With one hand tightly holding the boy, and the other gripping her glider, El dove down and landed, using her airbending to soften the landing.

As she hit the ground, still holding the boy, Korra jumped in front of them and stopped the tip of the building with airbending.

She strained herself for a second and slowly let the tip land softly.

"Oh, thank you! Thank you!" The woman ran up to El, taking her son from her and holding him tightly as Lin and Bolin walked over.

"I think that could've gone better," Bolin muttered as they stared at the building.

*

Back on the island, El stood by the cliffs with Rohan in her arms, giving her mother a well-deserved break from the restless baby. Thankfully the sounds of the ocean waves and his sister humming softly to him seemed to have finally lulled the child into a peaceful sleep.

"You're lucky, kid, you know that." El smiled sadly down at her baby brother, rocking him gently as he cooed

"Sweetie?"

El looked over her shoulder at her mother as she stopped by her side. She smiled, seeing Rohan fast asleep.

"I swear you've got the touch when it comes to calming down kids", Pema chuckled softly.

"I've had lots of practice thanks to you", El teased, snickering as she passed the baby to her mother.

Pema scowled playfully. "Why have you been avoiding your father? He's been looking everywhere for you."

El turned back to the ocean. "I've...been busy."

"Mmhmm", Pema just stared at her disbelievingly. "So it has nothing to do with what he wants to talk to you about? About helping teach and lead the new airbenders?"

Elira just sighed softly, knowing her mother was right.

"Sweetie, I know in the past you weren't too keen on taking your father's place. On the council or in general. But I've never really understood why?"

"Because, the guiding and the teaching, and running the island, that's dad's thing", El ranted, trying to keep her voice down not to wake Rohan. "He knows exactly who he is. He always has, but...I'm still looking. I know that I'm not Dad, nor will I ever be the leader he wants, so what does that make me?"

El looked out at the ocean again, wrapping her arms around herself.

"It makes you, you" Pema smiled gently, softly stroking her daughter's head.

"But what you're searching for isn't out there, Elira. It's in here" Pema placed a hand over El's heart. "Maybe you just don't see it yet."

El smiled at her mother as she kissed her head. "Thanks, Mom"

"El!" Korra suddenly ran up to them, Tenzin, Zira and Bolin behind her ", Mako called. The cops found the new airbender, but he's climbed to the top of Kyoshi Bridge."

El's eyes widened, briefly hugged her mother before running off with the others.

*

As soon as Oogi had landed on the bridge, El jumped off along with Korra, Zira, Tenzin, and Bolin, walking up to Mako and Lin, who was holding a megaphone.

"Come down immediately, or we will be forced to take action," Lin demanded to the man on top of the bridge, clinging to it, terrified.

" Stay back! I'm dangerous." The man yelled as metalbenders approached him atop the bridge, getting ready to fight.

"Lin, I don't think using force is such a good idea," El said, holding Pichi in her arms. "You're just gonna scare him even more and--"

Atop the bridge, a metalbender cop shot a wire at the airbender, but he unconsciously defended himself using an air dome, knocking off all the metalbenders.

" Sorry!"

"And that will happen", Elira finished as the cops swung back to the ground.

"Well, what do you suggest we do then?" Lin questioned

"Maybe just try talking to him? Like I said, he's scared and confused. If we get him to stop freaking out, we may be able to get him to come down," The airbender explained

"Leave it to me" Korra grabbed her glider and flew up towards the frightened man, landing beside him.

"Don't panic. I'm just here to talk." She said, "I'm Korra. What's your name?"

"Daw. But please, I don't know what I'm doing, and I don't want to hurt anyone!"

"Tell me about it. Rough day, huh? I'm having kind of a rough day myself. You mind if I sit down here?" Korra sat down as Daw clung to the bridge. "Look, I know you're scared. You've gone through a big change, and it's kind of my fault. But you're not alone. There are other airbenders, and they want to help you. Actually, they are really excited to meet you."

"I don't want to be an airbender. Please, you're the Avatar; make it stop," Daw begged before clinging to the bridge again after nearly falling.

"I'm sorry, I can't, but I promise you things will get better if you just give it a chance. Let me take you over to Air Temple Island, and we can talk this through. Okay?" Korra offered her hand to the man in a welcoming manner.

Daw hesitated but soon reached his hand back to Korra.

"Ahh!" He took a step and suddenly lost his footing, plunging down the bridge!

Korra dove after him.

Catching up, she grabbed him and opened her glider, safely lowering the man to the ground.

Smiling, Tenzin and Elira approached them as the crowd that had gathered cheered.

"Daw, this is Elira and her father Tenzin. They're going to help you," Korra introduced.

"It is absolutely my pleasure to meet you, Daw," Tenzin bowed as did El, Pichi climbing onto her shoulder" I have never met a new airbender before. Well, at least not one whose diaper I didn't have to change."

"Dad!" El scowled in embarrassment, hearing Zira chuckle behind her.

"Actually, I just fell off a bridge. So I could use a fresh diaper right about now," Daw said, making Tenzin raise an eyebrow as El grimaced in disgust.

"So, is this the deal?" Raiko was let through the metal barrier, approaching the Avatar. "We have a crisis every other day now, thanks to you."

"Listen, I know you're having a tough time getting used to these changes, and I'm sorry for that, but you and everyone else are going to have to learn to live with it. The vines and the spirits are here to stay." Korra declared

"Well, you know who's not here to stay? You! I order you to leave this city. You've caused nothing but trouble since you arrived," The president ordered, and the crowd gasped.

Korra glared at the man. "Don't worry; I was already leaving."

As Korra and Raiko walked away from each other in opposite directions, El suddenly yawned and stretched, subtly kicking a small gust of air at the president. Just enough to make him stumble and almost fall if some of the police offers hadn't caught him.

Raiko glared over his shoulder at the girl, who was whistling nonchalantly as her father stared at her in disapprovement while Zira coughed to cover up her laughter.

"I can see my path now", Korra smiled" There are new airbenders out there, and I'm going to find them and rebuild the Air Nation."

"Don't think I'm not going with you", El smirked, Pichi chittering in agreement on her shoulder.

"Of course not", Korra chuckled

"I'm going too," Zira cut in

"So am I", Tenzin added" It's so exciting. Who knows who's out there now, discovering the gift of airbending for the first time?"

*

Far away in a mountainous region, several White Lotus sentries walked across a retractable bridge to the building. The bridge retracted as they took fighting stances.

A sentry walked forward and metalbent the octagonal door open, revealing an octagonal prison cell with an inmate seated inside in a calm composure. He had long unkempt hair and ragged prison clothes.

"You know the drill, Zaheer." The sentry snapped

"Of course", The inmate, Zaheer, replied calmly. Standing to face the wall, with his hands behind his head.

"Hope you still like rice." The sentry smirked, pushing a bowl of rice through a small opening in the bars.

"Have you ever read the poetry of the great airbending guru, Laghima?" Zaheer asked randomly

"What?"

"Guru Laghima lived four thousand years ago in the Northern Air Temple. It is said that he unlocked the secret of weightlessness and became untethered from the earth, living his final forty years without ever touching the ground." He explained

"Is that how you plan to escape? With something you picked up from an old airbender children's story?" The sentry mocked, going to walk away.

But Zaheer wasn't finished. "Like all great children's tales, it contains truth within the myth. Laghima once wrote: "Instinct is a lie, told by a fearful body, hoping to be wrong."

"What's that supposed to mean?" The sentry snapped

"It means that when you base your expectations only on what you see", Zaheer put his hands down. "You blind yourself to the possibilities of a new reality."

Zaheer suddenly airbent!

The sentry was pulled against the prison bars, slamming against them.

Zaheer ran forward and turned the sentry's body, grabbing him by the neck as the remaining sentries prepared to attack but withheld themselves.

"Uh, uh, uh. You wouldn't want to singe your friend, would you?" Zaheer smirked

" How? You're not a ... bender." The trapped sentry gasped in disbelief

"Nature is constantly changing. Like the wind." Zaheer pulled the keys off from the sentry, and on unlocking the door, he airbent again, slamming his hostage against the wall

He slid out of his cell, narrowly avoiding a sentry's firebending attack, before airbending the sentries off their feet.

He leapt up and grabbed the firebender, throwing him into the cell.

He avoided an earthbending attack and leapt off a bent earth wall before climbing up the wall with airbending.

Perched, he avoided a fire blast and leapt behind the second firebender before throwing him to the cell with airbending.

He ran up a wall, avoiding the attacks from the remaining two sentries before airbending them off their feet and into the cell, quickly locking the door.

"Now, you might want to ration that bowl of rice. You've got three weeks until the next shift change. It's the dawning of a new age. The end of the White Lotus, and soon, the end of the Avatar."