The Good and the Bad: Kainora

Chapter 7: Shocking Discovery

The next day, two unexpected guests showed up. Mako and Bolin came running back over the bridge, no doubt having something important to say. When they delivered the news to Korra and Asami, they quickly called an assembly. Everyone gathered around the table in the common room to hear the news. 

"I can't believe the Earth Queen is conscripting airbenders," Tenzin said worriedly. 

"Those people should not be forced to join an army!" Korra raged. 

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

Jinora suddenly came to another conclusion that left her very, very fearful. 

"Guys, what if Kai was spotted airbending? He might have been taken too."

Bolin denied it. "Probably not. He's surprisingly difficult to catch, like a-like a little greased hog-monkey."

"But what if he was?" Jinora persisted. 

"Don't worry, Jinora. We'll find him," Korra reassured her. "We just need to figure out where to look."

"I bet they're under Lake Laogai," Mako concluded. Everyone stared at him in surprise. "What? I've been reading some of Jinora's books-" 

Wait, what? How did you get a hold of my books?

"-The old Dai Li agents used to have a secret fortress beneath the lake."

A light bulb went off in Jinora's head. "Mako's right! It's the perfect spot to hide airbenders, and I know how to check it out without being caught." She came closer to the table. "I can project my spirit into it!" She said proudly. 

"You mean that out-of-body thing you did to help giant, spirity Korra?" Bumi asked. 

"You can still do that?!" Tenzin asked in surprise. Even though he knew that Jinora was able to project her spirit outside of her body during Harmonic Convergence, what he didn't know was she had been refining the skill in her spare time. Using her deep connection with the spirits, Jinora was able to remain in her spirit form for longer durations and further away from her mortal shell, although it still needed some tweaking. 

"It's not as powerful as it was during Harmonic Convergence," she said frankly. "But if I can get close enough, I think I can do it."

"Good idea Jinora, let's go to the lake. Tenzin, call Oogi, we're going to need a lift." She looked at everyone with determination. "Let's go get Kai out. Let's get all the airbenders out."

***

Jinora sat next to Korra as Oogi lumbered through the air. Just another sky bison flying over Ba Sing Se. Nothing to worry about. 

"I hope you know what you're doing," Korra said. 

"Don't worry, I've had some practice." Jinora stared out at the water as Oogi flew over the last wall. "I've got to get Kai back." 

Korra put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll find them."

Tenzin set Oogi down on a small island in the middle of the lake. The passengers hopped off, and Jinora found a quiet spot to meditate. 

"If anything goes wrong, come back immediately," Tenzin insisted.

"I will." As she closed her eyes, Jinora emptied her mind in preparation. Meanwhile, Tenzin and Korra stood guard over her body. 

Breathing quietly, Jinora entered the core of of her energy, able to distinguish the positive and negative flow of energy within. She focused her attention on drawing out that energy for the task ahead. As long as she wasn't doing it for extended periods of time, her flow of energy would remain uncorrupted.