Chapter Text

EXT. REPUBLIC CITY - DAY-

The city looks as gleaming and bustling as ever, now with the added anticipation of the inauguration which has brought both bunting decorations and heavy police presence.

INT. ROOM IN REPUBLIC CITY

ZAHEER and his allies are holed up in a derelict building. ZAHEER performs a highly ritualized shaving of his head, much like what TENZIN performs every day. Despite only newly receiving air-bending he has followed many of the teachings of the air monks for much of his life.

Later, while the other three occupy themselves, ZAHEER sits in meditation. GHAZAN and MING HUA are off to the side playing Pai Shao, a board game, as MING HUA manipulates the tiles with her toes.

ZAHEER

(meditating)

Let go your earthly tether. Enter the void. Empty and become wind. Let go your earthly tether. Enter the Void. Empty and become wind.

PLI walks over and gently touches his back to get his attention.

ZAHEER

(straightening his back)

It is time. We have everything we need to strike at our targets.

GHAZAN

(impressed)

I will never not be impressed by those tricks of yours.

ZAHEER

(shakes his head and pulls out a piece of paper)

Not this time. No, we got a letter this morning from a friend.

MING HUA

Well, what's it say? Maps? Codewords?

ZAHEER

(with a slight smile)

Better. An invitation.

INT. CAPITOL BUILDING

MAKO is standing at an open window in his police uniform looking out at the crowd and decorations that have all converged in front of the capital building for the presidential inauguration. The crowd is excited but MAKO narrows his eyes at this celebration.

Behind him LIN BEIFONG is trying to extract herself from various political figures without giving into the temptation to beat them into the ground. In particular, the White Lotus representatives in full uniform, led by a Water Tribe woman, seem to be giving her trouble. Then soon-to-be president RAIKO strides by accompanied by his own constellation of attendants and a tired looking Vice President who does not appear to be enjoying all this as much as RAIKO is.

RAIKO

(to his aid)

Make sure the press statements play up my opponent's gaff. We need to thoroughly discredit the ethnic Earth Nation block's absurd reunification plan. Ba Sing Se will step back if we show unity and strength.

(smiles slightly sinisterly)

Plus, it makes for good radio and it's never to early to start raising money for the next election.

RAIKO passes by and vanishes out the far side of the hallway. LIN approaches MAKO's window.

LIN BEIFONG

(growling and grumbling)

Useless pageantry. And we also have to deal with the visiting Fire Lord's security detail. Good thing neither of the other world leaders came. Raiko seems to like it though.

MAKO grunts something in noncommittal agreement.

LIN BEIFONG

(Squints suspiciously out the window)

Keep keeping an eye out. There's something happening and the Order of the White Lotus aren't telling us. That water-bender girl they have leading their delegation was clearly agitated; worried. They think they only have to answer to the Avatar, and they don't really think they have to answer to her.

(gestures at the White Lotus)

Look how easily they're taking her place on that stage after spending all this time promising she would be there. Oh, well, I'll find out what they're hiding soon enough.

MAKO

(extracting himself from this job as LIN's emotional punching bag)

Right. It's time for me to head out on another sweep.

(Looks over at LIN still glaring out at everyone)

Um, good luck in here, Chief?

LIN just grunts.

EXT. INAUGURATION CEREMONY

Outside, MAKO walks along the edge of the audience area off to the side of the main stage in front of the capitol building. People are cheering from the ground and leaning out of the windows in buildings that line the capitol square. However, a few of those standing off on the side streets seem less than happy about the election. MAKO passes metal armored police who are glaring back at nearly everyone. Several other cloth uniformed cops are out on the street arguing with a delivery truck that is parked in the wrong area, too near the main stage.

COP BY TRUCK

(to his partner)

Driver's on the list to get through the security block but I know no one's supposed to be parked here.

(to driver inside the truck)

Yeah, I know buddy! Hold on a sec!

MAKO ignores all that. Up on the stage the delegations are all seated, the Water Tribes, the Fire Empire, the Earth Kingdom, PEMMA and DONG with a few acolytes representing the Air Nation, and in the Order of the White Lotus sitting in place of KORRA. MAKO focuses for a moment on the female White Lotus Commander.

MAKO

(to himself a little nostalgically)

You know, from a distance she does actually look a little like Korra.

Then the crowd erupts in a gathering roar as soon-to-be President RAIKO advances out onto the stage. He takes his place at the center of the ceremony and after a moment a hush begins to fall over the crowd. RAIKO stands before a podium and raises his hand in the beginning of the oath. The corner of MAKO's mouth twitches into the beginnings of a smile at witnessing a bit of history first hand.

Then the hush echoes with the sudden sharp sound of crack, crack, boom.

The center of the main stage violently explodes. Amid the screams that follow that same sound rings out again as P'LI's nearly invisible ray attack triggers a second explosion to erupt on the same stage off to the side.

EXT. STAGE

Up on the stage, LIN is thrown back, shielding her face with her arms against the smoke and the fire and the rubble. Then she looks up and the stage is in chaos. The center stage around RAIKO was hit, as well as off to the side near the Fire Empire delegation, leaving the White Lotus seats in a curious island of calm in between smoke and screams.

Someone is yelling RAIKO's name, another yells for the Fire Lord, and on the other side of the stage the Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom delegations are fleeing. One of the metal armored cops runs up to grab LIN and haul her to safety.

METAL COP

Chief!

LIN shakes him off.

LIN BEIFONG

Find President Raiko!

She dashes forward herself across the broken uneven floor, making a bee-line for PEMMA and the rest of the small Air Nation delegation who she can still see through the chaos. Then MING HUA swings up onto the stage. Armored cops rush forward against her but MING HUA beats them back, her water arms forming ice blades that fortunately lose their killing edge against the metal armor. LIN however is without armor and catches one hit off the edge of swirling fight. She is knocked down, but MING HUA is not focusing on the cops. She cuts a swath straight across the stage towards the White Lotus, smoothly taking out the two members standing on each side and tripping the female Commander down to the ground. Then MING HUA catches a good look at the woman's face and she stops suddenly. She was expecting KORRA to be there.

LIN is not one to let an opening slip by. She spots a small chunk of broken cement lying nearby on the stage and she plants herself, focusing all her power into punching out in a perfect earth-bending form. The chunk flys forward with her punch and glances off MING HUA's head but LIN's power is still far too weak to do any real damage. MING HUA turns on her, tentacle arms rising up in menacing sweeps, but LIN is trembling and panting after that little show of bending so MING HUA simply spins and begins to fight her way off the stage. Her mission is over.

EXT. INAUGURATION CEREMONY

MAKO stands his ground amid the stampeding, fleeing crowd as he tries to trace the path of the explosion shots back to where they must have come from. He identifies a nearby rooftop and then spots P'LI expertly swinging down the fire escape. MAKO does not know who she is but he is quick enough to put two and two together. He runs forward but as he passes the illegally parked delivery truck its doors burst open and ZAHEER blasts out swirls of wind that catchs everyone by surprise. From the first escape landing P'LI shoots out two more blasts, destroying a police car presence at each end of the street, before she jumps down to the ground and runs for the truck.

MAKO starts punching and kicking out his own fire attacks, but ZAHEER avoids or dissipates them, though MAKO is having better luck than the other cops by virtue of having fought beside an air-bender before. However, just then MING HUA comes bursting out of the crowd behind him and puts MAKO down on the ground. P'LI and MING HUA pile into the truck as it peels out. MAKO is just then picking himself back up off the pavement.

ZAHEER drives as the truck races down the road. Sirens scream across the city as all LIN'S forces respond to the attack. An airship slowly turns the air to pursue them from above, but one shot from P'LI out the back of the truck rips a hole in the airship's front compartment causing it to slowly sink towards the earth. The truck makes a bee-line for out of the city, but a small fleet of police cars are gaining on them from behind. That is until GHAZAN replaces P'LI in the open back of the truck and with one earth-bending move turns the entire street into a glowing lake of molten asphalt and concrete. Up against an impossible barrier the cops are forced to screech to a halt and watch as ZAHEER and his friends race off.

INT. CAPITAL BUILDING TRIAGE CENTER

Amid many people much more injured than her LIN has barely submitted to being bandaged on her arm while she relays a constant stream of police instructions to a radio operator. Some of the other figures in this room are covered with draped sheets. The atmosphere is one of panic.

RAIKO is nowhere to be seen and the center of the government attention seems to be the Vice President who is standing in the center even as he has a trickle of blood drying on one side of his face.

LIN

(pounds her good arm down against a nearby surface)

Damn it, they're getting away!

MAKO enters from the side.

MAKO

Chief! You're ok!

LIN waves off that concern as she points at him, freezing him in place with the intensity of her stare.

LIN

You were right there. You saw all four of their faces, didn't you. Would you be able to spot them again?

MAKO

What? I mean, yes, I-

LIN

They were after Korra.

MAKO silently reacts to this revelation just in time for LIN to drop another.

LIN

Raiko's dead. Caught right in the first explosion. President for fifteen seconds and now he's gone. The city's a riot, the Fire Lord got some superficial injury, and the Earth Queen's ambassador is already fleeing the city in a panic. And I think all of it was collateral damage.

(stands up)

It's about time the White Lotus really talked to me. They identified these attackers as escaped "prisoners" of theirs. Since when does the order have prisons!

MAKO

Chief, wait. There's something else.

(lowers his voice)

I heard another officer talking to the get-away truck right right before it happened. Someone did the paperwork to get the attackers through the security lines. Someone involved in organizing the ceremony.

LIN

(disbelieving)

I couldn't even add someone to that list without approval.

(sighs angrily)

Someone involved. That narrows it down to four national governments including our own. And whoever from the White Lotus was in there. Great, a conspiracy against the Avatar. And we have no time.

She suddenly grabs MAKO by the sleeve and begins rapidly walking out of the room

MAKO

Wait, where are we going?

LIN

The Avatar is more important to the world than any of us, more important even than this city. After this attack, with this country wavering, someone keeping the world balance is critical. With Raiko gone, things are going to start moving really quickly and we will need the Avatar. We're warning Korra and getting her into protection.

(looks around the room with suspicion in her eyes)

And until we can root out who betrayed us today I don't trust any open communications. So I'm going myself. You've been keeping track of her movements, right?

MAKO

(would be embarrassed at a less stressful time)

Uh, right. I mean, yes. Last I heard Korra was still in the Earth Kingdom, heading for the Metal Clan's city. That at least's good, she should be safe there.

(he catches a look at Lin's face)

Right?

LIN

(face darkening still further)

The Metal Clan. In that place, safe is the last thing she'll be.

INT. AVATAR'S AIRSHIP

KORRA and her friends stand around the radio, horror and anger on their faces as they hear the news of the attack in Republic City.

RADIO NEWSREADER

...have confirmed the death of the President Raiko, newly chosen leader of the United Republic. The identity of the Republic City attackers is currently unknown. Ba Sing Se has issued a statement calling for all Earth Kingdom citizens currently residing in the those territories to remain calm and seek-

BUMI turns off the radio.

BUMI

If this local station had any more info they would have said it by now. At least Pemma and the kids are safe.

KORRA

(to herself)

I should have been there. Damn it, I was supposed to be on that stage!

ASAMI

Then I'm glad you weren't.

KORRA

(angry and frustrated)

I might have stopped it.

TENZIN

(trying to be strong)

Even the Avatar can do little against a threat we know nothing about and, as of now we don't know a thing about these attackers. No matter how painful this news is, there's nothing we can do from here. We have no choice to dedicate our desire to act towards the task we have at hand.

(he tries to put on a brave face)

After all, Lin might have already caught the criminals by now. And the United Republic is stronger than any individual. That cannot be destroyed.

JINORA

(nods)

The new air-benders still need us.

TENZIN

Exactly. We have our own task. Justice will find its way, given time to-

The room suddenly shakes and rattles as the door to the interior corridor suddenly slams inward in a rattling burst of wind. KAI enters with a happy jump.

KAI

(excited)

Whoo! I'm getting better at this! And hey, I heard that last bit about new air-benders. Let's hurry up and get some fresh meat for this training program or...

He trails off as he catches sight of all the faces turned to face him all baring expressions of shock, horror, disgust, or willingness to grind him down into dust.

KAI

(raises palms in surrender)

Oh. I have misjudged the room. Uh, carry on with....whatever you were...

(flees)

There is a moment of silence after he leaves.

BOLIN

(genuine and smiling)

I like him. He's got good energy.

Outside, the Airship is approaching its next destination. They pass through a mountain-bordered valley, over rich and well-tilled fields tended by tractors and other early tools of mechanized agriculture.

A city appears ahead, near where the mountains converge. It is a shining city of metal towers and one unlike any KORRA had ever seen before. The six parts of the city rise out of what looks like giant metal lotus petals, gleaming flowers of immense size. They are connected by threads of elevated train tracks that fly above unspoiled grass and streams between the flower-boroughs. This is Zaofu, the city of the Metal Clan.

EXT. ZAOFU AIR DOCKS

As the airship descends down towards its designated platform housed in its own metal bloom, a large number of local metal-benders down below reach out their hands, each moving cranes or launching cables to latch on to the airship. Then the airship is moored and two more metal-benders approach to slam their hands down on the platform, unfolding metal into a ramp as if it were a living thing. Earth-benders who can manipulate metal are rare in most parts of the world, but not in this city.

A man in long ornate robes, AIWEI, a woman in a metal armored uniform, KUVIRA, and a small number of other guards in similar metal-accented uniforms meet KORRA and her crew.

AIWEI

(bows)

Welcome, Avatar Korra, to Zaofu, city of art and invention. I am Aiwei, chief administrator, and I am honored to assist you during your stay. The founder is eagerly awaiting your arrival.

EXT. ZAOFU, VARIOUS LOCATIONS

An electric train carries them along from the first flower of Zaofu through the others, each filled with shining metal skyscrapers all designed in ornate art deco style. Sculpture and art are everywhere in this impossible city. They pass one sculpture in particular, a larger than life metal form of a woman holding the octagonal seal of the city above her head.

AIWEI

(indicating to the statue)

The illustrious inventor of metal-bending. The first earth-bender to do what had always been called impossible.

KORRA

(excited)

Does she live here?

AIWEI

(his face darkening a little in an unreadable way)

No, not for years. But the founder always keeps a room for her.

BOLIN

(face pressed up against the window)

Wow, everyone here looks rich. And I mean everyone.

TENZIN

(voicing some criticisms inherited from Lin)

When everyone must pass a lengthy application process to even enter the city, population control becomes rather trivial.

KUVIRA

(less diplomatic than Aiwei)

Zaofu welcomes the best, no matter their class or their history. Here anyone can prove themselves and get a fresh start.

KORRA

And that application's good enough to prove the truth about them?

AIWEI

(enigmatically)

When I conduct it, yes. It is.

The final 'flower' that the train approaches is not filled with towers and buildings like the rest. Instead this one is mostly gardens, with a sprawling manor house in the middle. This is the seat of the Metal Clan.

INT. HOUSE OF THE METAL CLAN - DANCE HALL

KORRA and company enter a high-ceilinged hall and are confronted by a dance performance. Six female dancers are performing their fluid, acrobatic routine in the midst of a huge metal flower. The shining petals bend and reform constantly under the touch of these expert earth-benders, showcasing the use of bending for beauty and art rather than combat.

Then the music dies and the dancers cause the metal petals to slowly lower them down onto the ground. The lead dancer, SUYIN, a woman in her forties, turns gives a little clap to the rest of the performers.

SUYIN

Excellent ladies! This performance is going to be fantastic!

The she turns to pay attention to KORRA's party.

AIWEI

(gesturing grandly)

This is the founder of Zaofu, Suiyin (Beifong)-

SUYIN

(cheerfully interrupts before he finishes the name)

Enough formality. Just call me Suyin, Avatar Korra

KORRA

Ok, if you can just call me Korra.

SUYIN

(Laughs)

I walked right into that. Come on, even I have the sense to know that this is a little excessively casual for our first meeting.

INT. HOUSE OF THE METAL CLAN - SITTING ROOM

KORRA's crew is all in a large sitting room, now confronted by SUYIN'S rather numerous family.

SUYIN

(gestures out introductions)

My husband, Baatar. My eldest, Baatar Jr., and Huan. Over there's Wing and Wei.

WING

(energetically and unnecessarily)

We're twins.

Wei nods forcefully.

TENZIN

I must say, it's nice to see you again, Suyin, after all these years.

SUYIN

(gently waving that away)

Oh hush, you know that's not your fault.

(sympathetic)

And I heard about what happened in Republic City. It was just terrible.

TENZIN

Thank you. Fortunately, Pemma and the kids are safe and are now heading to the Northern Air Temple. We'll be joining them soon.

BUMI

(To Suyin

Well, you've done well for yourself.

KORRA

I'll say. This place is amazing!

SUYIN

Don't give me credit I don't deserve. The family had money that my sister didn't want, and my husband is the greatest living architect in the world.

BAATAR

(amused)

Stop it.

SUYIN

(lost in pleasant memory)

We started small, an artist colony really, full of outcasts and people in need of a second chance. But our dreams have always been bigger than ourselves. My mother was the first earth-bender to learn control metal, something always thought impossible. I guess I learned to never trust what people say is a reasonable ambition. So this is where inventors and innovators can be set loose, a place free of the oppressive regulations from out of Ba Sing Se.

KORRA

Ug, Ba Sing Se again. I haven't even seen that city yet and the Earth Queen's been giving me a headache for weeks. How do you people deal with them all the time?

SUYIN

(laughs as if at an inside joke)

Here in Zaofu we mostly choose to ignore her.

KORRA

(skeptical)

And that works? I mean, you are still in the Earth Kingdom.

SUYIN

But enough 'shop talk'. I know you all have been working very hard to find and help all those people who suddenly gained air-bending. Well, I can say with confidence that one such person is very excited to meet you.

She makes a gesture to the back of the room. The doors open to reveal a young woman in a long green dress, OPAL.

SUYIN

My daughter, Opal. Opal, this is Avatar Korra, and this is Tenzin.

OPAL

(bows)

It is such an honor.

KORRA

(strides forward)

No, believe me, the fact that you're not running away from us right now is a great sign.

OPAL

(confused)

Um, good? You're welc...uh.

TENZIN

This is fantastic! Suyin, your message didn't mention that the new air-bender was your daughter.

SUYIN

(shrugs vaguely)

There's a time for secrets. I'm protective of family.

BOLIN

(genuine)

Opal, that's a beautiful name. I'm Bolin.

OPAL

(blushing as she looks at Bolin)

Oh! Thanks.

(holds out her hand to shake, fumbling through her flustered behavior)

Opal. But you already knew that.

BOLIN however is oblivious to her obvious reaction and is already looking over at a other part of the room with curious interest.

BAATAR

(to Korra)

My little girl has been so excited for this meeting. I'm surprised she has held back for this long asking for her first lesson.

TENZIN

(disappointed that it isn't him giving the lesson)

What? Oh, Korra. Of course, yes, that makes perfect sense.

KORRA gives TENZIN a half-sympathetic half-teasing look.

EXT. GARDEN - SUNSET

KORRA and OPAL stand alone in an exterior pavilion of columns and trestles.

KORRA

OK, lets see what you've got.

OPAL

(hesitant)

I'm not very good.

KORRA

That's ok. I've never been a teacher before so we're in the same boat. And at least you won't be constantly sending gusts at me down the airship hallways like Kai.

OPAL

What?

KORRA

Never mind.

(she settles into an air-bending posture)

Let's try this. You want to keep your elbows in, torso straight, feet just skimming the ground.

(she moves in a circular pattern around the center of the floor)

Why don't you try it with me?

OPAL hesitantly begins to mirror KORRA's movements and soon they are both moving in a harmonious circle. Then KORRA adds a flourish that summons up a rush of wind to swirl around them. She makes a motion with her hand and 'passes' it to OPAL who unconsciously half-mirrors KORRA, capturing the swirling wind into her own circular motion. Then the wind dissipates outward to rustle the vines on the trestles above.

KORRA

Ha ha! That was great!

OPAL

(modest)

Oh, no. I barely have any idea what I was doing.

KORRA

(joking)

You're just starting. That's the way it's supposed to be. If it's three years later and you still have no idea what you're doing then we might have a problem.

OPAL

(cheerful)

Easy for you to say. I know you were bending three different elements by the time you were six! Everyone else must seem like they're moving in molasses.

(looking off to the side)

When I suddenly got this gift I...I think I'd almost forgotten how much I'd tried to learn earth-bending. Daughter of the Metal Clan and I couldn't even move a pebble. I guess I felt like I was letting down an obligation, but now I have a new chance with Master Tenzin and I-

KORRA

(firm and reassuring)

Hey, easy now. Don't feel like there's some duty to be the best there ever was. It's your duty to just be Opal, like it's my duty to be the Avatar.

OPAL

Is it?

KORRA

Huh?

OPAL

Do you actually have a duty? I mean, the Avatar is like a job but you're just a person too, right? You could choose if you wanted.

KORRA

(grins)

Ha! Don't let people hear that or they'll have conniptions. The world without its protector would be a scary thought. People would have words.

(tapping her temple)

Heck, I've got hundreds of past lives somewhere in here probably all itching for me to stop wasting my time and go figure out how you fancy modern day folks are doing this new fangled metal magic or something like that.

OPAL

(taking the signal from Korra to laugh)

You know, my mom would be delighted to teach you.

KORRA

(a smile slipping onto her face)

You know what? Yeah, I think I'll take her up on that. It's about time I add something new to all those Avatar lives.

The sky above deepens from red to purple. From the distance there is a large but gentle noise as the huge metal petals that surround each of Zaofu's 'flowers' begin to close for the night.

EXT. WILDERNESS CAMP - NIGHT

The four escaped prisoners have stashed their truck around a hill off the road in an uninhabited bit of land. Now, under the stars P'LI, MING HUA, and GHAZAN relax while ZAHEER sits in lotus position with his eyes closed, mediating. P'LI gently plucks on a stringed instrument. His breath slowly comes in and out and while the others fidget and shift position from time to time ZAHEER is perfectly still.

ZAHEER

(slowly, with eyes still closed)

A friend sends word. She's in Zaofu.

EXT. ZAOFU - MORNING

The domes of the city open in the dawn like spreading flowers. From the distance an airship approaches.

EXT. GARDEN

KORRA stands beside SUYIN in a section of the garden that seems dedicated to metal-bending training. However, in the characteristic style of Zaofu, even this utilitarian place looks more like a display of modern art than a training-ground. There are several displayed lumps on pedestals of looking like metallic scholar's stones. In fact, one of SUYIN's children, HUAN, is in fact off to the side twisting assorted sheets of metal into a sculpture. Behind KORRA, ASAMI stands watching this lesson with interest and support.

SUYIN

(to Korra)

Now, metal manipulation is a new art and even among earth-benders there are only a few masters.

(smiles)

However, I'm sure that you'll do just fine, Korra. In fact I'm surprised you hadn't already learned back in Republic City.

KORRA

(laughs)

Yeah, my relationship with the RC police didn't exactly start out on the best foot.

SUYIN

Well, we'll do better.

She turns to one of the metal scholar's stones and slams her hands together against its side.

SUYIN

These lumps of metal are almost slag, full of earthen impurities, which makes them perfect for practicing.

Under her hands the metal shifts and twists like liquid, snapping into complex geometric shapes. ASAMI claps.

KORRA

That's amazing!

SUYIN

Now you try.

KORRA focuses intently on the lump of metal, placing her hands on it. She tenses with exertion. Then there is a sound behind a large ornamental bolder to her side. A flash of a head disappears behind it.

KORRA

(Looking over)

Bolin, is that you?

BOLIN

(concealed)

No?

He pops out of hiding.

BOLIN

(starts out strong with the excuse but trails off)

Oh, yeah, hey. I was just walking around checking if...any of the...trees...were...venomous...

(talking quickly again while trying to sound casual)

So what are you doing over here? Metal-bending? That's cool.

SUYIN

(Amused)

Would you like to join us?

BOLIN

(low self esteem)

Nah, that's ok. I've tried loads of times. I mean like only one earth-bender in a hundred can metal-bend.

SUYIN

(a bit superior)

Don't believe everything you hear from...experts.

BOLIN

(embarrassed)

Maybe I'll just hang out over here, and, you know...

BOLIN sidles across the garden over to the sculpture area where HUAN is working. He admires the current metal project.

BOLIN

(to Huan)

Wow, nice...Banana?

HUAN

(outraged)

It's not a banana! It's inspired by the eternal cyclical nature of reality, obviously.

BOLIN

Oh yes, I can completely see that now. Yes, right, of course.

BOLIN retreats back over to where ASAMI is watching KORRA from a bench. BOLIN stamps the ground and raises up a little flat earth pillar to sit on.

BOLIN

(quietly to Asami)

Banana. I mean, that's a banana, right?

KORRA returns her focus to the lump of metal. Then, after much effort the metal suddenly shifts under her hand. It is instantly firm again but right now, for KORRA this is a victory.

KORRA

Did you see that?! Yes!

ASAMI cheers.

BOLIN

(Clapping)

Great job!

(with a hint of sadness)

I guess you're one of the one in a hundred.

SUYIN

(to Korra)

Excellent work! Of course, that is just the very first step. Soon you'll be up to tricks like this.

SUYIN shifts her stance, lowering her weight and bringing her hands around to sweep past two flat spools that are hanging from a harness around her waist. Two metal cables shoot out, one from each spool, and snake through the air at lightning speed under SUYIN's power. The cables reach out and snag the edges of a large, shin sheet of metal that had previously looked like a firmly attached wall decoration. Then the cables retract and the panel comes flying toward SUYIN until she reaches out to touch it, spinning around and planting it into a nearly invisible slot in the ground all in one smooth motion.

SUYIN

(with a half grin)

This is your next lesson. As soon as you've got the trick of that lump you can-

A ZAOFU GUARD appears behind her and snaps into a salute.

ZAOFU GUARD

Mam! Urgent matter.

He moves in closer to murmur something that only SUYIN can hear.

SUYIN

I'm sorry Korra, but I have to attend to some family business. Will you be ok here for a moment?

KORRA

Sure thing.

SUYIN exits.

KORRA is practicing the moves as BOIN and ASAMI watch from off to the side. She thrusts forward and hits her palms against the flat metal sheet. She pulls back and the sheet bulges out around her palms. KORRA grins at her success. That is when LIN appears from around a corner and grabs KORRA's shoulder.

LIN

Avatar.

KORRA

( jumps with surprise)

Lin! Chief Beifong, how-?

Out behind LIN, MAKO comes into view from the same hiding place, looking over his shoulder and being very uncomfortable about this whole affair.

ASAMI

Mako?!

BOLIN

(delighted)

Mako! What are you doing here?

LIN waves off MAKO's answer.

LIN

We need to move now. Korra, the squad of benders who killed Raiko during the inauguration were actually targeting you. I came to make sure you get safely into hiding until we can resolve this threat.

KORRA

Wait, no, what? I'm safe right now. Tenzin and I are finally finding air-benders who want to...Wait, you know who attacked Republic City?

LIN

I know that they had help. Support from within one of the four national governments and something to do with the Order of the White Lotus. And I know they're deadly dangerous. That is why we need to get you to out of here. Right now I don't trust anyone and in this freebooter city you can't throw a rock without hitting a criminal record.

SUYIN

(re-appearing)

I'm not sure you can claim the high ground while sneaking around my home, Lin.

SUYIN has reappeared, and now KUVIRA and a large troop of metal armored guards are standing above KORRA and LIN, on a second level of the terraced garden. A moment later AOTO comes running up in his White Lotus uniform, rushing to catch up.

SUYIN

(to Lin, arms crossed)

You aren't nearly as stealthy as you think. I must say, I was surprised when Kuvira told me you'd stolen off that airship with whoever that boy us behind you. Mom was always disappointed you never came to visit us here.

KORRA

(to Suyin)

What? You're Chief Beifong's sister?!

LIN

(bitter)

Half-sister.

AOTO

(knuckle against his forehead)

Avatar, her name's Suyin Beifong. It wasn't a secret. All this was in the packet I gave you on the airship.

LIN

(to Korra)

Yeah, yeah. Korra, Su. That's not important right now. A team of four benders killed President Raiko and tore half of Republic City apart just to get a shot at you! Right now, they'll be aiming for a second chance and we have nothing on them. We don't even know their names.

AOTO

(breaking into the conversation with his grave tone)

Their leader is called Zaheer.

(Everyone turns towards him in surprise)

Born somewhere here in the Earth Kingdom, that man is one of the new air-benders. He used the sudden manifestation of his powers to break out of a secure White Lotus prison. Then he broke out the rest of his team, all expert benders with strength enough to beat any challenger. The Order was afraid they might be coming after you, Avatar Korra, so we spread word that you were at the heavily guarded inauguration, hoping to buy a few days while we hunted them down.

(he reacts to the fury in the look Lin directs his way)

That plan backfired.

KORRA

Aoto, you're telling me this now?!

ASAMI

(focusing on a smaller detail of this revelation)

The Order of the White Lotus has prisons?

LIN gives ASAMI an appraising look for echoing her own previous line.

KORRA

Hey, yeah. Why did you have these guys locked up in the first place?

AOTO

(sighs)

Because they attacked your home and family to kidnap you. You were five. Fortunately, they were defeated, though five White Lotus were killed in the process. Zaheer and his accomplices were imprisoned, and you were relocated to the polar fortress compound for the next thirteen years of your life.

KORRA

(Startled)

These guys tried to steal me as a kid? Why? What did they want?

AOTO

We don't know. Zaheer was the chattiest and even he spent nearly all his time in silent meditation. All those years in their cells and not one of them ever answered why they did it or who else they were working with. Not a word.

BOLIN

(faint admiration)

Wow.

MAKO

Not wow. Whoever Zaheer was working for back then is still helping them.

KUVIRA

(shifting into military posture)

Avatar, I'll have an extra guard detachment posted to you as long as you're here.

AOTO

(bristling)

Protecting the Avatar is the job of the Order White Lotus.

SUYIN

(sarcastically amused)

And you've done a stellar job. I'm pretty sure Korra protects herself. Besides, Zaofu is the safest city in the world. Right, Aiwei?

AIWEI

(nods sagely)

I have complete trust in Commander Kuvira's security force.

LIN

Well, I don't. Korra, no matter what Su says, your presence makes this place a target.

MAKO

Korra, you should listen to her. You and everyone else are in the open here.

KORRA

(looks over at Asami to try and glean some advice from her face)

Look, I can't help the Air Nation if I'm hiding away. And the way I see it, people are getting hurt whether I'm there or not. We'll stick to the plan. Stay here a few more days while Suyin sends out word to the nearby towns for any more air-benders, then we head to Ba Sing Se. And if those criminals show up, we deal with them.

(Then as a balm to Lin and Mako)

Stay with us. I'd feel better with both of you watching my back.

LIN

Fine. But as long as your here you'd better be watching your front too.

She glares at her sister and all the Zaofu personnel standing beside her. There is clearly bad blood here. The question is if it's just a complicated family history or something more sinister.