it's locked, stupid: book three

ch. 6

We made our way back to our residence in the Upper Ring. Outside, Korra and Asami were sparring. Pabu ran over to us upon seeing us before Asami and Korra.

"Mako! Bolin!" Asami announced.

"Jay!" Korra ran over and engulfed me in a hug. "You're okay." She spoke, head shoved into my neck.

"We almost weren't." I pulled away from her.

"Where have you guys been?" Asami asked, placing a hand on her hip.

Boolin took a second to try and catch his breath. "We chased Kai. Train. Slipped away. Lower Ring. Slept in trash pile. Met our family. Grandma tears. Mako scarf." He threw Pabu onto his head, mimicking Hou-Ting's royal headgear. "Earth Queen. Lying." He slumped onto the ground in exhaustion.

"Can you interpret that?" Asami looked between Mako and I.

"The Earth Queen's been secretly taking away airbenders and forcing them into her army." Mako explained.

"She was lying. I knew it! I swear, the next time I see her-" Korra said angrily.

"It's the Queen." Asami cut her off with a whisper. Korra and I put a lot of distance between us. Staying in our bubble. The Queen was brought over in her carriage.

Bolin opened his shirt for Pabu to hide. "Quick! Pabu. Shirt." Pabu jumps in, chittering in protest. "I know. Sorry. Kinda sweaty."

"Good. You're here. Gun, tell them the news." The Queen said.

"We've received word from the Yang Province. There have been reports of airbenders there." Gun informed us.

"Wonderful, isn't it? It's the very thing you've been looking for." The Earth Queen seemed awfully cheerful while remaining monotone. Not suspicious at all.

"Thank you! That is just the most wonderful news. Ever. Yay." Korra responded sarcastically.

"So, I assume you and your friends here will be leaving immediately." She sneezes repeatedly with unease. "Is there an animal in my presence?" She grabbed Gun by the shirt.

"N-no, Your Majesty. I would never allow an animal near you." Gun says. Bolin folds his arms innocently. Pabu's tail pops out of his shirt. Bolin clasped his arms around the tail and ran off while the Queen was distracted.

She sneezed again, wiping her nose on Gun's sleeve. "If I find one within fifty feet of me, it's your head." She directed the threat at Gun before turning to us. "Anyway, if you need any assistance packing, let Gun know. He'll see to it that you're on your way by evening."

Korra and I shared a look of suspicion. "Uhh, this evening? I'm not sure about leaving so soon-"

"Because our airship is having engine trouble. It'll take me until tomorrow to finish the repairs." Asami lied. The Queen continued sneezing as she and Gun walked away.

"Thanks for buying us some time." Korra thanked Asami. We had gathered everyone inside to discuss this information we've gathered. Not really gathered. More like speculated.

"I can't believe the Earth Queen is conscripting airbenders." My dad said.

"Those people should not be forced to join an army." Korra spoke, leaning forward in her chair.

"Well, technically, the Earth Queen has a right to conscript her citizens." Everyone stares at Bumi silently. "What? It's true."

"Guys, what if Kai was spotted airbending? He might have been taken too." Jinora piped in, obviously worried. I pulled Jinora into a hug, trying to ease her nerves.