At Lake Laogai, Jinora and Aang sit across from each other in a meditative stance.

“If anything goes wrong, come back immediately.” Tenzin said to Jinora.

“I will.” Jinora replies.

“Don’t worry Tenzin, she’ll be okay.” Aang said with a reassuring smile.

Tenzin nods and walks off as Jinora and Aang prepare to meditate. The two search the underground in their spirit forms, finding nothing, and return to their bodies.

“What happened? What did you see?” Korra asked.

“The airbenders aren't there! It's completely deserted.” Jinora replied.

“They're not down there?!” Tenzin asked.

“Aang, you've been in Ba Sing Se many times. Can you think of any other places the airbenders might be?” Korra asked.

“I guess they could be in the catacombs beneath the Upper Ring,” Aang replied, “or the ancient sewers beneath the Lower Ring, or the maze of tunnels that connect the rings together, or they could be—”

Tenzin sighs, “There are just too many places. There has to be another way to locate them.”

“Maybe there is.” Aang said then looked at Jinora, “I know how you can find Kai. You two have a connection so you can focus on his energy.”

“What do you mean ‘a connection’?” Tenzin asked, concerned.

“I don't know. Let me try.” Jinora said before she returns to meditating.

------

Back in the fortress, the Dai Li sergeant bends multiple earth discs to the airbenders, who attempt to block it with airbending. Only Kai was able to block the attack. The sergeant bends out more earth discs, and Kai blocks the attack meant for Yung.

“Thanks.” Yung said.

“You again?!” The sergeant exclaims, “If you have time to help your friend, then you're not getting enough rocks for yourself!”

The sergeant attacks Kai with multiple discs. Kai managed to deflect the first two, dodge the next two, but was subsequently struck by the fifth and knocked down.

“I guess you're not as good as you thought.”

Kai attempts to attack the sergeant with an air blast, which he easily dodges. The sergeant immobilizes him in an earth shell.

“Throw him in the hole!”

Two Dai Li agents grab Kai and throw him into a prison cell. Kai looks away sadly before Jinora's ghostly spirit appears, shocking him.

“Jinora?”

“It worked!” She exclaimed happily

“How are you here right now?”

“Shh, quiet. It's a high-level airbender move. With a little spiritual stuff thrown in.”

Kai breathes a sigh of relief, “At first, for a second there, I thought you were a ghost.”

Jinora chuckles, “It's good to see you. We've been looking for you and the other airbenders. We're going to get you all out of here. Where are we anyway?”

“Underground somewhere. Other than that, I don't have a clue.”

“I'll figure it out. Don't worry.”

“Jinora!” Kai pauses, “Thanks.”

Jinora smiles and travels upward. At the surface, she looks back to see the temple, “The Earth Queen's Temple!”

------

“I can't believe Miss Queenie Smug Face had them right under our noses the whole time!” Korra exclaimed. They were back at their residence after Jinora told them what she saw.

“We have to get into that compound tonight and get those airbenders out.” Tenzin said.

“All right.” Bumi said, “We go in under the cover of darkness: two small insertion teams and a third on the outside. Then all we'll need is twelve tons of blasting jelly, a medium-sized bulldozer and... does anyone have a badgermole that knows Morse code?”

Tenzin sighs as someone knocks on the door.

“Oh great, not the Queen again.” Asami said, irritated.

“Everyone, act natural.” Korra said, “And Bolin-”

“I'm on it!” Bolin opens his outer shirt. Pabu chitters in protest, “What? Hey, I'm not sweaty this time!” He points at his shirt. Pabu jumps in, and wiggles around.

Momo quickly digs his way into the back of Aang’s shirt again as Tenzin glances at the others and opens the door. Lin walks in.

“Lin? What are you doing here?” Tenzin asked, surprised.

“We need to get Korra and Aang out of here immediately.” Lin replies, “Their lives are in danger.”

“What?!” Korra moves toward Tenzin and Lin, “What's going on?”

Lin continues talking to Tenzin, “I just got word from Lord Zuko and Tonraq.”

“Why is Lord Zuko with my dad?”

“Zaheer and the others have escaped.”

“How is that possible?” Tenzin asked.

“Because Zaheer is an airbender now.”

“No…”

“There is some good news.” Lin stepped to the side and in walked Sokka.

“Sokka!” The Gaang exclaimed.

Aang was the first to hug him, “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“And I’m glad you’re okay too.” Sokka replied

Once the two pulled away, Katara pulled her brother in for a hug, “Don’t scare me like that.”

“Wait, what's going on? Who's Zaheer? Why is my and Aang’s life in danger?” Korra asked, looking at Tenzin and Lin.

Tenzin exchanges glances with Lin and approaches Korra, “Shortly after we found out you were the Avatar, Zaheer and three others attempted to kidnap you. Luckily, your father, Lord Zuko, Chief Sokka and I were there to stop them. We apprehended the criminals and locked them away in prisons designed to impair their abilities.”

“So that's why you and my dad sheltered me away.”

“It was for your own safety.”

Mako steps forward, “Why were they trying to kidnap Korra?”

“We spent thirteen years interrogating them, but they never broke. To this day, no one knows what their motive was.” Lin replied

“Why is Aang in danger?” Zuko asked.

“I overheard some of the Black Lotus’s plans while I was their prisoner.” Sokka said, “They plan to work with the Red Lotus in order to capture Aang.”

“That’s an offer the Red Lotus can’t refuse.” Lin said, “Now we need to get you back to Republic City, where I can protect you. Both of you.”

“No... I'm not running.” Korra said.

“Me neither.” Aang said.

“You two don't understand. These criminals are like nothing you've ever faced before.”

“Look, I'm not a little kid anymore. You don't need to protect me.” Korra said, determined, “Aang and I came here for one thing: to find airbenders.”

“And we’re not leaving without them.” Aang finished.

“Fine. Let's get them and get out of here. Where are they?”

“In a military compound, and we're busting them out.” Korra replied

------

Later that night, two royal guards patrol the tower when they run into Jinora.

“Hi.” She says

“Hey! What are you doing here?” A guard asked

“Oh, it's just that little airbender girl who came with the Avatar.” The other guard said, “You shouldn't be walking around here all alone.”

Jinora points behind the guards, “I'm not alone.”

The guards turn to see Korra, Aang, Bolin, Bumi, Tenzin, and Mako in their fighting stances. The guards get knocked out and tied up before Team Avatar enters the temple. They enter a doorway to hide from patrolling Dai Li agents.

“Bumi and Korra, come with me and dad to find the airbenders.” Tenzin said the turned to Bolin, Jinora, and Mako, “You three, find Kai. We'll meet on the surface shortly. Radio us if anything goes wrong.” Team Avatar head their separate ways.

----

Korra opens the door to a prison cell, awakening the airbenders.

“What's going on? Who are you?” Yung asked

“I'm the Avatar, and so is he.” Korra motions to Aang, “We’re getting you all out of here.” The airbenders start murmuring.

“Everyone, please! You must stay calm and quiet if we want this to work.” Tenzin said

“What to work?” Yung’s eyes widen, “We're sneaking out?”

“Yes, and we must leave now.” Aang said.

“We're going to get you away from the Earth Queen and out of the city.” Tenzin said.

Everyone begins to run out of the prison. Yung stops to talk to Tenzin, Aang and Korra outside of its entrance.

“There's an airbender that's not here. His name is Kai. We need to get him.”

“We're already taking care of it.” Aang reassured.

Bumi crouches down low and speaks into a walkie-talkie, “Topside, this is Papa Bear. The breezies are in the hold; cue the balloons!”

“What? Are you in trouble?” Lin asked from her walkie-talkie in the airship.

“No! We've got the airbenders and we're headed out! No one likes code names anymore.”

“Copy that. Asami and I are on our way.”

Asami and Lin pilot their respective airships and take off. Oogi and Appa rise and follow the airships.

-----

The door opens to Kai’s prison, and he looks up to see Mako.

“Come on. We're getting you out.” Mako says

“Kai!” Jinora runs and hugs him, then kisses him on the cheek; Kai smiles in a frozen stance.

“Whoa! Tenzin's not gonna be happy about this!” Bolin said.

“Then don't tell him.”

“How can I not? This is too juicy!”

Kai turns to Mako and Bolin, “Thanks for coming to get me. I'm really sorry about stealing your wallets, and running away, and getting you stuck on that train.”

Bolin sighs and goes to hug Kai, “We can't stay mad at you.”

“Yes, we can!” Mako said, “I had a lot of money in that wallet!”

“Guys, come on!” Jinora says

They run down the hall and turn a corner, but the rest of their path is blocked by three Dai Li agents.

“Deserting Her Majesty's army is high treason. Punishable by death!” The sergeant said. The agents simultaneously bend rock gloves at the trio.

-----

Korra stares at the courtyard outside the temple from behind a wall, “Come on! It's clear.” She says to Aang, Bumi, and Tenzin.

They run out, not noticing Dai Li agents hiding on the structure of the temple, who quickly surround them.

“So, you've discovered my elite army. I see their loyalty still needs some work.” Hou-Ting said.

“These airbenders shouldn't be used as weapons! They have a right to choose their own paths.” Korra said.

“These airbenders are Earth Kingdom citizens, and I am their queen. Taking them will constitute an act of war. If you disobey me, I will bear down on you with the entire force of my kingdom!”

“You are so lucky I can’t access the Avatar state.” Aang mumbles before saying, “They're leaving with us!”

“No, they're not!”

Hou-Ting turns and walks away, and the first row of Dai Li agents begins bending rock gloves at Team Avatar and the airbenders. All of the airbenders begin bending blasts of air back at the Dai Li, attempting to hold their ground while the airship ladder lands to give them a lift.

“Come on!” Bumi says

-----

Mako avoids a rock glove, and he and Bolin fire attacks back at the agents, who successfully evade Mako's attack. However, one of them is knocked against the wall by an earth pillar sent by Bolin.

Another agent charges and receives the same fate. Mako firebends at the last remaining agent, who stops the blast with an earth pillar. He sends a rock glove spiraling quickly at Jinora, and manages to capture her into his grip.

Kai is shocked at first before becoming angry. He charges at the agent, avoiding a boulder sent his way, and fires two air bending blasts to knock the agent backward and free Jinora.

“I guess I am as good as I thought.” Kai says.

-----

The two final airbenders enter the airship, “Everyone’s in. Let’s go!” Bumi says into his walkie-talkie.

Aang, Tenzin and Korra, fired air blasts at Dai Li agents attempting to climb the temple and stop the escape.

Tenzin whistles for his bison, “Oogi!”

The three jump on and Oogi begins to fly away, as the Earth Queen looks on.

Take down those airships!” Hou-Ting said to the two Dai Li agents next to her. The agents begin bending rocks at the bison, and one narrowly misses Korra's head.

“Where are the others?” Korra asked

-----

Bolin, Mako, Jinora and Kai run down the temple steps, “We need help!” Bolin shouted

Dai Li agents rise to new heights on earth pillars, and begin firing down at the escapees. Aang looks back at them before jumping over to Appa and steering him towards the group.

“Everybody, hang on.” Bolin said.

Bolin sends himself and his allies into the air with an earth pillar, as Appa flies over to break their fall.

“Whoa, that was awesome!” Kai exclaimed

The Earth Queen points at Oogi, Appa and the airship flying off in the distance. Pieces of Oogi and Appa's fur fall onto her face.

“Bring me those airships now!” She sneezes, “Oh, get it off me!” She sneezes again, “Get this fur off my-” She sneezes for a third time; looks disgruntled as her hat falls crooked and covers part of her face.

Oogi, Appa and the airships fully escaped.

-----

The airships landed near ruins atop a range of hills in the desert and soon, Tenzin, Aang and Korra stood before the airbenders.

“I know that none of you chose to become airbenders.” Tenzin said, “But now you do have a choice. We can relocate you somewhere safe, or you can come with me to the Northern Air Temple, to live in peace and train as Air Nomads. You are no longer anyone's property. What path you decide is up to you.”

“I want to go with you.” Yung said

“Me too.” An airbender said

“Count me in.” Another airbender said

Tears formed in Aang’s eyes As more airbenders agree to go with his son. Tears also form in Tenzin’s eyes as he smiles.

“Good luck at the Northern Air Temple.” Korra said, “We'll send more airbenders your way when we find them.”

“Be careful out there. Stay safe.”

“I'll try. Seems like wherever I go, I make a new enemy.”

“But you made some new friends too. You did well, Korra.”

The two hug, “This is only the beginning.” Korra says

Aang smiles at them before turning to look at Katara. His smile fades as he walks up to her. Katara smiles at him when she sees him walking to her. But it fades when she notices the look on his face.

“I’m guessing you want me to go with them.” Katara said

Aang took her hand with a sad smile, “If I’m in danger, I want you far from me.”

“I can take care of myself Aang.” Katara said softly

“I know, but it’d make me feel better if you were safe.” Aang said as he cupped her face in his hand.

Katara held his hand and softly kissed his palm, “Okay.”

Aang smiled again before pulling her in for a soft kiss. Neither of them wanted to pull away. But they needed air and the airship needed to leave.

Soon, Aang was watching the airship, Oogi and Appa simultaneously rising and flying off in different directions. Tears formed in his eyes as he thought of Katara.

Then, someone placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, “She’ll be okay Aang.” Sokka said with a reassuring smile.

Aang smiled and nodded at his friend.