Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar and everything created. I own my OCs. Here is it! Book 5:War has finally arrived ladies and gentleman! This will be the last story I will do for this trilogy. So as always, please read, review, and enjoy!

Chapter 1: Invasion

Night. Off the coast of Republic city...

In the waters outside of Republic city, dozen of warships patrol the coast leading to Republic city by sea as soldiers of the United Republic stood watch. It has been five years since the former Earth Empire invaded Republic city, before Kuvira was apprehended and on trial. But the transport to escort the tyrant to her trial where she would face the crimes she commended was attacked. There was no survivors and Kuvira was nowhere to be seen, leading to have either fled or died in the crash. The same had went for Zaheer when Republic city was attacked by the Earth Empire. After five years, both criminals were still wanted if they were alive. Since then, there have been loyalists of the Earth Empire and supporters of Kuvira's cause running amok in the formed Earth Sovereign, with Suyin Beifong as the voice of the people in the Earth Sovereign. There was also the concern of insurgents starting chaos in the four nations, which was the cause of setting up a perimeter.

"I got nothing on my end." a United forces soldier said as he brought out his radio. "East, west, and south. Report. See anything out of the ordinary?"

"East is clear." said a male voice

"West is clear." said a female voice

"The perimeter on the south is clear. Nothing out of the ordinary." said a second male voice

"We've been in this perimeter for five months." the soldier complained, as another solider stepped in beside him. "I mean, what does anyone expect? An invasion of Earth Empire loyalist? Insurgents?"

"You haven't heard the rumors? These insurgents are gearing up for a battle." he stated

One of the soldiers stared north with a pair of binoculars. "Isn't there suppose to be a summit coming in two days?"

"Yeah, pretty much. Won't be long before President Raiko and the leaders of the four nations put it to a vote on what-" seaman officer was cut off by the other

"Something's coming! I can see it in the distance!"

"You see a ship?" the other soldier inquired looking into the binoculars as well

"More like two dozens of them. Spirits, I even see airships!"

"What banner?" the soldier demanded. "Is Water tribe? Sovereign? Fire Nation? Air Nation? What?"

"None."

"None?!"

"All I see is some kind of symbol."

"Symbol?"

The soldier stared at the left side of the airship with his binoculars, to see a symbol that the petty officer mentioned. It was a black triangle that showed a red eye, with a white hand holding it to strike sudden fear and intimidation into the United forces patrolling the perimeter outside Republic city. A sleek metal pole suddenly turned in their direction as they saw a purple light glow inside. Their eyes widened in fear and horror when they realized the pole was a cannon, as a beam struck the ship hitting the hull. The remaining ships went into battle stations with firebenders launching hurtling balls of fire at one of the enemy airships, as another focused their attack on the ships in the water. A United forces officer ran over to the radio, holding a bleeding wound on his gut.

"Abandon ship! I repeat: Abandon-" the announcer was cut off from an incoming blast that destroyed the helm

"The S.S. Dukada is under attack! I repeat: we are under attack! Unknown forces have breached the perimeter! We have suffer heavy casualties! Request immediate-" a searing blast struck the deck of the ship as a scorching flame burned the hull

Morning. Air temple island, Republic city.

"You think you are safe? Do you think everyone is safe?! You will not saved them, Avatar. You will fall. Soon all will die. No man, no spirit. Nothing will live! Everything will die! And so will you."

A shrieked scream echoed in the room as Korra sat up, with sweat going down her head and panicked breath. She looked left and right, seeing her boyfriend still snoring in his sleep as she relaxed knowing that she did not wake him up from her screaming. For five years, she and the others including Raiku have done what they can to quell Earth Empire loyalists. Also the insurgents who have ceased any riots in the four nations. It had five months ago since the riots stopped and the insurgents have gone into hiding, staying out of plain sight as wanted criminals of the four nations and Republic city. Both her and boyfriend were the same age, 26 years old. Korra felt as if her relationship with Raiku would lead to the next level. After having to go around the world ending the ongoing riots and Raiku constantly being pulled in the council, they both could spend more time with each other. There was even a point where Korra thought Raiku would consider marriage after being with each other for so long.

Raiku's eyes slowly opened as he saw his girlfriend's blue eyes and said. "Morning there, beautiful."

Korra slightly giggled. "Good Morning." she said planting a chaste kiss on the lips as she stroked her shoulder length dark brown hair. "How did you sleep?"

"First good sleep I've had in five years. Plus it's a change from being call to the council everyday." Raiku said as he sat up kissing Korra on her sweet and tender lips. "And with you here, I got all the time in the world to spend with my best girl."

Korra leaned closer to Raiku as she brought her lips near his ear. "Well, you have earned it." she whispered in a flirty tone

"You too." he whispered back, giving Korra another kiss. "Anyway, are you okay? I heard you scream."

"I..." Korra trailed off slightly looking away from Raiku. "I just haven't been getting a good sleep lately. I've had a bad dream."

"What about?" Raiku inquired. "I mean it must have been pretty terrifying to make you scream like that. What kind of dream was it?"

Korra tapped her hand with Raiku's. "Nothing. It was just a dream." she got out of bed and went to the bathroom as Korra splashed water on her face

"Do you want to talk about it?" Raiku asked, getting a sudden silence from Korra as an answer. "What am I saying? Of course you don't." he muttered

"Rai..." Korra placed her head on his shoulder as she sat down. "It's not that I don't want to, but it's something I don't want to talk about right now." she said

Raiku stared in his girlfriend's eyes. "You sure?" he asked

"I'm sure." Korra replied

Raiku kissed her forehead and said. "Okay. Whenever you're ready to talk..."

"Thanks." Korra went toward her closet. "I should get dressed. I promised Asami and Li Mei I'd go meet up with them later on." she said getting her clothes on, as Raiku went out of their room to put on a pair of brown pants and boots from his closet. Korra put on her sleeveless dark blue shirt, with her forearm sleeves on both sides of her arms. A brown fur shawl guard and a blue wrap around her waist on her blue baggy pants as she put her fur boots on her feet. "I should still be here by the time I get back."

"Have fun." he replied, opening a drawer on his nightstand. "Hey, Korra. Can I ask you something?"

"Ask away." she said, as Raiku pulled out a small black box

Raiku opened up the box, smiling and asked. "What time do you plan on coming back?"

"Around four o'clock. Maybe five if Li Mei decides to have me shop all over Republic city like last time." Korra answered. "Why?"

Inside was a betrothal necklace with the top showing wind blown and the bottom showing waves of water, along with a griffon head on the middle. "No reason. It's perfect." Raiku said closing the box and setting it back inside the drawer of the nightstand

"Perfect? What's perfect?" Korra said fully dressed in her water tribe clothing

Raiku wrapped his arms around Korra's waist and said. "It's a surprise for when you get back. I want you to be here when I show it to give you."

Korra smirked. "Really?" her face an inch closer to her boyfriend's. "What kind of surprise would this be? Is it special?"

"Can't tell you that, beautiful." Raiku replied, planting a kiss on her cheek. "It's a surprise. You'll have to wait for it."

"Maybe I have to come up with a surprise for you, then. I could wear something more comfortable when I get back." Korra planted kisses on his cheek, along with a long and brief kiss on the lips. "How does that sound?"

Raiku smiled. "That sounds-"

They heard a knock on their door as they stopped. "Hello? Korra? Raiku? Are you two in there?" said a voice outside the door

Raiku leaned his mouth toward Korra's ear and whispered. "If we're really quiet, he might think we're already gone."

Korra playfully hit his shoulder as she let go of the embrace and said. "Come on. Don't be rude." she turned to the door. "You can come in!" she yelled out

The door opened up to reveal a 27 year old Mako in a black suit, with a red scarf tie over his neck. A goatee on his chin and a thin mustache above his lips. His hair combed nicely to the left as he walked inside. He gave a quick hug to Korra and a short handshake to Raiku, as he turned his attention to the snow haired arishiakage.

"I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"

"Well now that you mentioned it-" Raiku was cut off by a nudge from Korra

"Not at all." she replied. "What brings you here, Mako?"

"Sorry I had to come unannounced, but Raiku is needed in the council." Mako stated. "It's an urgent matter."

Raiku raised a sudden eyebrow as to why the council needed him and replied. "For what reason? It's my week off."

Mako nodded his head and stated. "All they told me was to get you. I went to go ask Nolun did he knew anything about it, but he doesn't even know what's going on."

Raiku narrowed his eyes. "How big is this crisis?"

"Big enough to get both you and Nolun involved." Mako said. "Bolin's waiting for us to meet him there."

Korra glanced over to Raiku. "Maybe I should come with you to see what's going on." she suggested

"You don't need to come with me." Raiku reassured Korra. "I'll tell you what this is about when I get back. In the meantime, go enjoy your day."

"Are you sure?" she inquired

"I'm sure." Raiku said, as Korra kissed him on the cheek while she left the room to meet Asami and Li Mei. "I was not expecting this today. I was looking forward to something else. Something personal I needed to plan out before Korra gets back here."

Mako raised an eyebrow as he asked. "Like what?"

Raiku motioned Mako to wait for a moment, as he went to the bedroom to grab the small box and came back. "I was going to give Korra this." he opened it to show Mako a betrothal necklace

Mako's eyes lit up with surprise. "Wait... were you going to propose to Korra?" Raiku nodded his head in answered as Mako folded his arms at the back of his neck. "I can't believe it. You and Korra... you and Korra!"

"I know! I'm going to propose to her!" Raiku exclaimed as he put the box in his pants pocket

"You're going to marry Korra?!" Raiku and Mako turned around to see a 25 year old Bolin walked in, with his face full of shock and surprise. "You and Korra are getting married?"

"Shh." Raiku shushed Bolin from speaking loudly, almost alerting Korra of the surprise proposal he had in stored for her. "Korra doesn't know. I was planning on thinking of a way, but a sudden change prevented that before I could come up with an idea."

"You mean with the council sending Mako to get you?"

"Precisely."

Mako put his hands up in mock surrender and stated. "Don't blame me. The council called you and Nolun for an emergency meeting on your day off."

Raiku crossed his arms as he glanced at Mako and said. "This must sound important."

"You'll have to find out for yourself." Mako replied

Afternoon. City hall. Council chambers, Republic city.

The hall was filled with people chattering, one of politics and one of military on each side as Raiku, Mako, and Bolin arrived. They could hear tons of arguing going on about the perimeter and mainly the riots that happened five months ago in the four nations. There were a lot of people they did not recognize, but some of them that Raiku, Mako, and Bolin have personally known like Chau, Ragun, and Bateen. A United Republic officer rushed to his superior while another group were coordinating a battle stragety.

"Lot of people here." Bolin said breaking the silence between the three

"A lot of them. This place is crowded." Raiku added

"This is no coincidence." Mako stated as he turned his glance at Raiku and Bolin. "Whatever this is... It's not an emergency meeting. There's something going on besides whatever this is."

"You're right." Raiku said in agreement. "The question is what?"

"Hey, Raiku! Guys!" all three turned their attention to an approaching Nolun, as he waved at them. "I was wondering went you guys would get here." he said shaking their hand

"You know what's going on?" Raiku asked as him, Mako, and Bolin had followed Nolun up the steps leading to the second floor

Nolun nodded. "No. I'm waiting to get contacted by the council."

"The only way this could get worse is if Thadek, and his son Ryn showing up here." Raiku replied. "Please tell me him and Ryn aren't you."

"They're a no show which is a good start. Avoids him and my father heading butts." Nolun answered modestly as he moved away from two admirals talking to each other. "Since Lin is still in Zaofu, we got Chief Saiko preparing an evacuation for civilians if things go south real fast."

"Sounds like an invasion is coming from the looks of how things are going here." Mako stated noting the sudden urgency of everyone. "Seems like they're expecting a war to start here in the city."

"That's what everyone is saying. People are saying that the perimeter may be breached." Nolun explained coming to a stop as they reached the council doors

"Breached? What do you mean "breached"?! How can it be BREACHED?! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK?!" Bolin panicked, receiving a slap across the face from Raiku. "Thanks, Raiku. I really needed that one." he said rubbing his cheek

"What about the other perimeter north of here?" Mako inquired

"That one is still secure. It's the one at sea everyone else is worried about." Nolun stated to them. "They've already sent out a scout team for reconnaissance. In the meantime," he looked at Raiku who nodded his head in reply, before glancing back at Mako and Bolin. "The council is already starting the conference."

The doors opened as President Raiko along with councilors Han, Sing, and Notoa were present in the council table. A ton of arguments rang throughout the room, as Raiku could hear the chatter going on through the left and right side while he and Nolun made their way to Raiko and the council. Off in the distance, they could see Raiku's uncle Acaro standing by with Hiroshi Sato holding a box crate in his hands as he set it down on a table. The chattering outbursts continued as a loud banging from the gravel was heard, as everyone looked at President Raiko who sat down with the council.

"Order in the court." he said noticing his son with the arishiakage and his two friends walking their way. "Now that everyone is here..." he turned his attention back to the crowd in the court room. "We could begin the meeting. Last night, we have received an incoming transmission from the S.S. Dukada."

"What are the details?" Nolun inquired

"Unknown." Councilor Song stated. "We were not able to understand the transmission. A jamming signal was interfering with the message."

"Do we have any leads on who could be attacking?"

"It is unknown." Councilor Han replied. "We do not know if loyalists of the Earth Empire, a rogue army in one of the Four Nations is responsible."

"It could be the Insurgents that started those riots five months ago." Raiku stated. "They've been quiet after the riots stopped."

"I understand your statement Arishiakage, but that seems unlikely." Raiko stated. "They would not possess the equipment and enough manpower to attack Republic city in just five months. Until we know for certain from the scouts, we must prepare ourselves."

Raiku thought of countering, but decided not to go as he glanced at councilor Notora and asked. "Have you start evacuation?"

"It is underway, Arishiakage. We are leading all civilians away from the ensuring battle as a precaution." she replied. "We must prepare for the worst to come if-" the councilor was cut off when a soldier barged through the door

"President Raiko! Councilors! I have urgent news from the scout team!" he exclaimed

"What have you found out?"

"Just before they were intercepted, we received word that the perimeter has been breached by unknown forces."

"Under what nation? What banner?"

"None." the messengers said, as the crowd began chattering after the soldier revealed to them that the unknown force on his way to the city held no banner

Raiko beat the gavel on the council table and shouted. "Order! Order! This council will receive order at once!"

Nolun looked to Raiku, along with Mako and Bolin as he said. "We need to find out who we're dealing with."

Hiroshi approached them and said. "Come with me." they followed Hiroshi and Acaro out of the courtroom. "This may be something more than just an invasion of Republic city. It could be a war for all we know, but the question is who or what." he stated as he opened the crate to show what was inside, leaving Raiku, Nolun, Mako, and Bolin to see from themselves. Inside the crate laid out a long barrel over to a device, which had a trigger with a small crystal glowing inside. There was also the same weapon along with a sawed off double barrel with a short trigger, and another weapon with a short barrel but with a long clip attached to it. "These are weapons that we've obtained from one of the riots in the Fire Nation. These have been scattered in each riot of the four nations. It's nothing like I have ever seen."

"What do you know about them?"

"The crystal inside is a catalyst to emit concentrated plasma out from the barrel once the trigger is pulled." Hiroshi explained. "However, it seems to overheat when fired repeatedly. I have no idea what kind of crystal this is, but it seems to be what powers these weapons."

"Any idea who can make these weapons?"

"Even I am not capable of creating this. But this is..." Hiroshi trailed off shaking his head in sudden disbelief. "No, that's impossible. It can't be him."

"Who?"

Before Hiroshi could answer, a searing blast hit the council hall as all six were sent flying back. Nolun got up and ran toward the destroyed council room, as some bodies were covered in rubble while the rest bleed to death. Small fires spread out of the court as Raiku and the rest arrived, their expressions filled with shock when Nolun lifted his father's now dead corpse off the floor. Nolun held his head down while holding his father's lifeless corpse in his arms, nothing but dirt, and burnt marks remained on his body. Raiku walked over to Nolun as he knelt down, his hand on his friend's shoulder. A large hole from where the blast impacted showed them airships firing a beam of spirit energy at buildings and the streets of Republic city.

"Dad! Dad!" Nolun screamed holding his father in his own arms. "Dad. Still with me okay? We're going to get you help! We're-"

"Nolun." said person nudged his hand away, only for Raiku to keep his hand steady on his shoulder. "Nolun. I'm sorry for your loss, but we have to move." he said sadly as a couple of United Republic soldiers approached them. "Take Raiko's corpse out of here. Give me a proper burial outside the city."

"The city's is underway, sir! Reporting heavy casualties! The civilians are all captured!" one of the soldiers exclaimed. "Our soldiers are doing what they can, but we're getting reports that the perimeter outside the wall is breached."

"Take his body to Shu's Hope. It's a settlement out of the city." Nolun stated getting up. "That's where he met my mother." the soldiers nodded as they picked up Raiko's corpse. "Radio an airship here. We have to leave the city."

"That must have been planning this since they attacked." Mako said as beams of light attacked near their direction. "Where did that came from?"

"I have a good idea where." Raiku replied putting a few masked and unknown soldiers who were armed with spirit weapons in their hands which had glowing purple lights. Their militia uniforms were dark with white sleeves and red visor eyes on the helmets. "And whoever they are..." the airbender trailed off seeing a 8 foot tall dark spirit that spewed out fire while another launched a boulder, as they moved out of the way. "They have some serious firepower."

"Are you doing puns?!" Mako interjected while taking cover behind a wall

"No! Well, maybe... I don't know!" Raiku exclaimed while sending out a gush of wind at the masked soldiers and dark spirits, leaving only the dark spirit staggering

"Come on!" Mako exclaimed as the group followed him. "We need to get out of city hall."

"Korra, where are you?" Raiku said to himself

"Rai, come on!" Mako shouted as Raiku ran to follow the others

Elsewhere. Republic city.

Fifteen minutes earlier.

"No, seriously. What's the embarrassing thing you did the most?"

"I can't tell you that, Li Mei." Asami giggled

"Come on! Why not?" Li Mei inquired. "Please."

Asami sighed. "Okay. When I was six, I broke an expensive vase my parents bought in a auction while they were away. Not knowing what to do, I hid the broken pieces in our lawn. A couple days later, the gardener found a piece of the vase and showed it to mom and dad."

"Oooohh..." Korra and Li Mei teased at the heiress of Future Industries

"Shut up, guys!" Asami exclaimed playfully nudging her friends arms. "Anyway, I got an earful from dad and was grounded for almost a whole month."

"I got grounded for two months when I shove my cousin Lucon's head down the toilet. Little jerk deserved a swirlie." Li Mei stated. "But enough about childhood hi-jinks." she glanced at the Avatar. "Korra, do you want to tell us something embarrassing?"

"I'll pass. Thanks."

"So... you don't want to tell us nothing? Not even a certain surprise you were planning for Raiku?"

"Li Mei!" Korra exclaimed, her cheeks blushing

Asami glanced at Korra, then back to her sister-in-law and asked. "What do you mean by surprise?"

"When we were in the Earth Sovereign, Korra was thinking of a way to surprise Raiku." Li Mei stated to Asami. "And did she. She was in one of those belly dancing dresses the geisha wore for entertainment."

"Please, stop."

"I will after this." Li Mei assured her. "When Raiku came in, I was pretty sure his jaw dropped while he was drooling."

Korra covered Li Mei's mouth to end the stories. "Okay. That's enough of that."

"Well, we're all up for surprises."

"Speaking of surprises..." Korra started, trailing off. "I think Raiku has something for me when I get back to Air temple island."

"Think he's going to give you another dance?" Li Mei joked in a teasing manner

"Oh, no. I can't see that happening. Especially for him."

"You two think Raiku might have plans of marriage?" Korra asked them. "I mean, we haven't talk about it in a while."

"I thought the law forbid Raiku of not marrying anyone of Lakogi origin."

"It does, but I've heard the old laws of Lakogi are being changed thanks to him."

"You think is about to propose to you?" Li Mei inquired

"I don't know." Korra replied. "He hasn't talked about it. He hasn't hinted or mention anything about getting married at all."

"Have you two talked about it recently?" Asami asked

"Not for a while, no." Korra stated. "Maybe should I go to talk to him about-"

All of a sudden, a searing blast shot through the sky, as an explosion was heard throughout Republic city with the sudden sound of screams being heard. A wave shattered the glass off of windows, and sent fewer people falling on the ground as black smoke formed at the area that was struck. A large shadow began to form on the city as Asami, Li Mei, and Korra looked with horrified and shocked expressions to see airships. A squadron of planes set out to intercept each airship, follow by United Forces airships that spew out fireball at the unknown hostile airship. The unknown enemy airships retaliated by firing a strange beam to destroy an airship in a split second, as three planes were lost in the blast along the way when they crashed near a six story building. One of the planes fell off the roof, descending a woman and her child as Korra brought up two columns of earth long enough for the woman and her daughter to get away in time.

"Who are these guys?!"

"I don't know!" Asami exclaimed in reply. "Do you recognize a banner or anything? Anything that could tell us who's attacking the city."

Li Mei looked up to only see a dark hand holding a red eye with a white triangle. "No, it's not even a banner. The only thing is whatever that is."

Asami looked up as well seeing the logo Li Mei noticed. "Neither do I. But where did that explosion come from?"

"I don't know. Judging from the smoke, I would say it came north." Li Mei stated

"North? That's where..." Korra trailed off before her eyes went wide. "That's where Raiku and the others are! Mako and Bolin went to get Raiku for some kind of emergency meeting the council called for in city hall."

Asami ran to her satomobile opening the trunk of her satomobile and took out her electric glove. "Something tells me this was about the perimeter they set up outside Republic city."

"Who else is with Raiku and the others?" Li Mei asked Korra

"Nolun might be there with them." Korra replied. "If they called Raiku, they probably called him, too."

They felt the ground suddenly tremble, as a dark spirit creatures moved on all fours heading for them. Asami and Li Mei got into the satomobile while Korra was launched back from a earth column, landing on the back of the seat as they drove. The dark spirit chased away them while they drove away launching sharp columns appeared out of the road, as Asami drifted the satomobile left and right. Korra hurtled boulders and a ball of fire at the dark spirit, using the rocks it summoned to provide cover for it boulder-to-boulder collision and fireball block. Asami turned her car right heading six blocks to city hall, as the earth dark spirit trip off its feet and crashed near a store leaving Li Mei to look behind them.

"I think it's gone now." she said, only for the dark earth spirit to barge out of another building and charged. "But I've been wrong once. Turn."

"There's nowhere to go!"

A spirit hyena and a kangarooracoon jumped on the head of the dark earth spirit, shielding its eyes as it violently tried to shake both spirits as the kangarooracoon roughly landed on Li Mei's lap.

"Hop-hop! Are you okay?" Asami inquired in concern

"Very dizzy." the kangarooracoon spirit feeling slightly nauseous

"Please don't throw up on my lap, little guy." she begged to the kangarooracoon

"Aye-aye!" Korra screamed at the hyena spirit still covering the dark earth spirit's sight

"Cleanse it!" he exclaimed. "I do not know how long I can keep this one occupied."

Korra metalbend a nearby fire hydrant into pieces, as she used waterbending to circle around the dark spirit after Aye-aye leaped off its head. She bend the water in a way that was starting to absorb the energy, as it flown around giving off a mystical property. It began stealing the energy of the residing light from the dark spirit as the water was quickly full of this energy. It stole the light side after forcibly exchanging it from the dark spirit, and swapping it as the dark spirit turned into a light spirit before it vanished back to the spirit world. A sudden dark spirit of fire appeared, leaving Korra to do the same with the last dark spirit. She bend the water to absorb the energy, after stealing the light side once the energy was exchanged as the dark spirit was swapped back into a light spirit. Repeating the last transition of vanishing back into the spirit world.

"Two in a row. Very impressive." Aye-aye complimented

"I try." Korra said as she turned her attention to the spirit hyena. "But what are you and Hop-hop doing here?"

"While we were in the spirit world, I sensed a dark presence like I have never sense before." he stated to the three. "When we arrived to this city, we found you were experiencing an attack from not just man, but also dark spirits."

"Do you have any idea what's going on?" Li Mei asked the spirit hyena

Aye-aye shook his head in a no. "Unfortunately, I do not. Once we had arrived to this city, we found only this chaos."

"Can you sense anyone? What about Mako and Bolin? Raiku?"

"I can, actually." Aye-aye replied. "But they are not alone. I sense two, maybe three presences with them. One is someone who is the son of the one that leads this city."

"That's Nolun. I knew he was with them."

"The other one belongs to someone of the Toaka clan."

"Toruk and Camri are with Tenzin and the rest of the family in Shenmue city. So that leaves only Acaro." Korra told them

"And the last is that of Asami Sato's bloodline. A father perhaps." Aye-aye concluded

Asami's eyes widened at the mention of her father. "Dad! Is he alright?!"

"He is fine. Your father is with the others." the spirit hyena assured the heiress of Future Industries

"Are they still in City hall? A building with four columns on the front?"

"They are, but I also sense those looking forward to do them harm." the spirit urgently stated to them. "At least twenty are outside this 'city hall' waiting for them to step out."

"Men or spirits?" Korra asked

"Mostly men." Aye-aye answered. "Though they carry these strange devices in their hands. I do not know what they are." he added

"Then that's where we need to go. Now."

Afternoon. Outside City hall, Republic city

Men clad in dark armored suits aimed their spirit weapons at the City hall entrance while they took cover. One soldier motioned his hand for a small group to take point, as Mako peeked outside the window and saw the small group coming. Bolin and Raiku looked in another window seeing the exact same thing, as twenty men armed with spiritual weapons stood ready outside the entrance. Hiroshi was speaking to Acaro about something of importance while holding the crate of spiritually armed weapons as Nolun decide to made his way over toward Mako.

Nolun appeared beside Mako and asked. "How many?"

"As far as I can tell, there's only twenty of them." Mako stated. "I have no idea what kind of firepower these guys have."

"If it is like the weapons in these weapons, we may have a problem." Hiroshi said

Raiku glanced at Hiroshi. "Before the attack happened, you said there was someone who could possibly create something like this. I think you know who."

"Someone by the name of Suchong." Hiroshi told him as Raiku took a step closer. "He was a former employee of Future Industries that I let go."

"You fired."

"Yes. He was conducting odd and brutal experimentation of advanced weapons, so I had every weapon he created destroyed and assimilated." he stated. "This was before I lost my wife."

"Can you describe him?" Raiku asked

"Receding hair, scranny figure, he also had a limp on his left leg." Hiroshi said. "After I unemployed him, he was never to be seen again." he added

"Li Mei said that a group of Kyoshi warriors were sent to bring him in when he was helping Kuvira five years ago." Mako recalled. "But she also said he died in a fire caused by his safe hideout from when he worked the Earth Empire. Is he a bender?"

"No, he never was. He was a non-bender born in the Earth Kingdom." Hiroshi stated. "As to if he is alive or not, I truly don't know. If he is dead, I have no idea rather to either compliment or fear his technology."

"What if it is Suchong?"

"Then I was feel more terrified. Please..." Hiroshi paused extending the box crate. "would one of you hold this?"

"I'll take it." Raiku offered as Hiroshi gave it the snow haired airbender who wrapped it around his arm. "The question is how are going to get through that group?"

They saw a group of ten being sent flying by columns of earth launching off their feet, as they two other figures. One was twisting one of the enemy soldiers arm while she tossed him aside before punching and kicking three more. Another familiar face shocked another soldier using her electric glove as five more soldiers were sent flying away, landing inside one store and building. They all smiled once they knew who the figures.

"It's Korra, Asami, and Li Mei!" Bolin shouted out

"Hey, Rai, do you have that bison whistle to call in Mugo."

"Catch." the arishiakage said tossing it into Nolun's hand as he, Mako, and Bolin went outside. Acaro glanced at Hiroshi who nodded his head before staring at Raiku. "Are you two coming?"

A gush of wind suddenly sent Raiku flying out of the exit as he landed on his butt, while a blast door clasped down the entrance surprising everyone. Raiku handed the box crate to Li Mei as he followed Asami to the closed entrance to City hall, bringing out energy claw with combat energybending to pierce the door. But to no avail, the metal blast door was made of platinum.

"You won't be able to cut through." Hiroshi said to the snow haired arishiakage

"Dad! Dad, what are you doing?"

"You have to go."

"No! Not without you!"

"Asami, I'll be fine." Hiroshi reassured his daughter of his safety

"This is what we planned." Acaro added

"Planned? What are you two talking about?" Raiku inquired to the two who closed down the blast door

"You all will need everyone you can if Republic city is ever going to be taken back." Acaro said to them. "You will Earth Sovereign, Fire Nation, Air Nation, and Water Tribes if this city is going to ours. We will find Bateen and the others so we can do what we can. Bring any bender and non-bender who can fight and hold the line here."

"You must help the Avatar unite them together to face this new enemy." Hiroshi added. "The fate of the world may be in sake if you don't."

"Dad..." Asami trailed off with tears in her eyes

"I'll be fine, sweetie." Hiroshi said to his daughter. "Now go. Please, for me."

"We will come back for you. And I will bring back an army to help. I swear it." Raiku promised to them

"I know you will, nephew." Acaro said back to his nephew as he and Hiroshi went another way out of city hall

Raiku's sky bison Mugo landed eight feet away from City hall, while everyone got on with Nolun tugging on the lease as Mugo flew up in the air. The sky bison flew away, avoiding any detection of the enemy airship in quick ease as the others except for Aye-aye and Hop-hop looked down at the destruction of Republic city. Smoke and fire consumed the buildings as a child's hand was out from a crumbled buidling, with bits of blood from the hand of the dead child. They looked away after seeing certain death as Asami stared back at City hall to where her father and Raiku's uncle, with the silver haired airbender placing his hand on her shoulder.

"So much... I can't believe this is happening." Asami looked away with tears in her eyes as she wiped them off. "We have come back, Rai. We have to."

"We'll come back for them, Asami." Raiku reassured her. "We will get ourselves an army and end this war."

"I hope you're right."

"So do I."