Zaheer was floating slightly on top of a building in a meditation pose. Slowly, he began to descend until his body rested gently on the surface. He opened his eyes and sighed.
"So... that's it." Zaheer said. "It's done... And I'm glad."
Suddenly, his daughter, Iris, jumped out in front of Zaheer and breathed heavily with a surprised look of fear on her face.
"Dad, you need to come!" she said. "It... It's very bad news!"
"Iris, calm down." Zaheer said. "Whatever it is, it can't be bad."
"It's... It's the Avatar." Iris said. "She's been put under arrest! She's locked up!"
"...Okay, that does sound bad." Zaheer said.
Korra woke up sluggishly. When she could see clearly again, she was in a completely metal room with platinum bars. She looked through the bars and was shocked at the sight of a certain alicorn on the other side.
"Twilight?" she asked. "Is that you?"
Twilight looked concerned instead of happy. "Hey, Korra."
"What are you doing here?" Korra asked.
"Mako brought me and my friends here. We also met up with a few new and old friends. Mako said you were gone for weeks."
"Weeks? That doesn't make any sense." She tried to get up, but that's when she noticed the straps. Her arms and legs were tied to the table she woke up on. "What the... What's this for?"
Twilight knew what she was going to say wasn't going to be a good answer. "Korra, what's the last thing you remember?"
"Well... I had a vision from Avatar Aang. He said I needed to talk to Avatar Stelle. I went to the Tree of Time to meditate and see what I could learn... and after that, I must have blacked out. What happened?"
"Apparently, you were taken by a madman named Tartus." Twilight answered. "He's been causing trouble in many worlds, not just yours and mine. We believe he is nearing his endgame, but we caught him before he could do much physical harm. He's being kept in another cell."
"Then why am I here?" Korra asked.
Twilight struggled to answer. She didn't want to tell her the truth, but she had no choice. Twilight lifted up the mask with the red circle and showed it to Korra, who was shocked to see it.
"Do you know what this is?" Twilight asked.
"How could I not?" Twilight asked. "That mask belonged to Amon, the original leader of the Equalists. He pretended to be a non-bender, but in fact, he was a water-bender who used a forbidden technique to keep other benders from bending. He blamed our abilities for destroying his family. But when I exposed the truth about him, he disappeared. ...How did you get his mask?"
"...Korra, you were wearing this." Twilight said.
That answer struck Korra so hard, she stopped breathing for a second. "What?"
"You were wearing this mask... and you were fighting us for Tartus." Twilight confessed. "You answered to the name Kira, and you almost hurt a lot of people."
"No!" Korra denied. "No, that's not true! I'd never do that!"
"Believe me, I don't want it to be true either," Twilight said, "But after we stopped Kira, we removed the mask and you were the one wearing it."
"Twilight, you've got to believe me!" Korra pleaded. "I was set up! Maybe this Tartus was controlling me! He had me under a magic spell!"
"I can't deny that possibility, but the public refuses to be peaceful." Twilight said. "After we unmasked you, half of Republic City saw you and became afraid. They are demanding justice and we can't tell them you're innocent without some physical evidence. We also can't let you leave or else the public will be in a panic. I'm sorry, but we need to keep you here until we can clear your name. Don't worry. We've got the metal-benders investigating all of Tartus' known sites, the others are interrogating Mako, and we've got Varrick and Zhu Li working on forensics."
Korra was still worried, but she decided to accept it. "I'm innocent. You know I am. I don't like this... but I trust you. Just please, figure this out."
"I will, Korra." Twilight said. "Whatever it takes, I will clear your name. After all, you're my friend."
After that, Twilight left the hallway and ran into Mako.
"How is she?" Mako asked.
"Pretty riled up." Twilight said. "She said she doesn't know anything about Tartus, wearing Amon's mask, or even her kidnapping. She's more confused about this than we are."
"So what did you say?" Mako asked.
"That we'll clear her name somehow." Twilight said. "I think the best start is interrogating Tartus and figure out what he did."
"That's a few minutes of walking there." Mako said walking alongside Twilight.
"Well, maybe then, you'll give me some answers." Twilight said.
"What do you mean?" Mako asked.
"Tartus said you're mad at Bolin." Twilight said. "What are you mad about?"
Mako stayed silent for a minute, then sighed. "All right. As you know, weeks ago, Korra was taken by Tartus' vultures. All this time, we've been consulting with the best of the best to see if they can figure out where they went with her. Then, about before I went to get you, Bolin remembered hearing the vultures mentioning ponies."
"So?" Twilight asked.
"Think about it." Mako said. "Weeks and weeks of searching and Bolin only remembered what the vultures said after all that work? I just can't believe he forgot that important detail when he knows how much this means to me."
"So..." Twilight said.
"I'm not mad at him." Mako said. "I just... I told him I needed some time to think about it. Anyway, let's just confront Tartus."
Soon enough, they reached the others surrounding Tartus, who was resting in a small cell. There was one more difference. Instead of his robotic eye, he was wearing an eye patch.
"Not exactly roomy, but I suppose I can make the most of it."
"What happened to his eye?" Twilight asked.
"Turns out it's removable." Asami said. "He barely felt it. Although, it made Fluttershy faint."
"You removed his eye?" Mako asked.
"Hey, last time we met him, he shot a laser out of it." the Masked Matterhorn said. "I'm pretty sure it's dangerous."
"I'm okay now." Fluttershy said.
"We've been interrogating him for the past half-hour." the Shadow Blot said. "So far, we haven't gotten one answer."
"Because not everyone is here." Tartus said. "In order to set the full scene, I need the entire cast."
"What does that even mean?" Dawna asked.
"I've already called Bolin." Lin said. "I told him to bring Kuvira. Maybe she can get some words from this dwarf."
"Kuvira's coming?" Tartus asked.
"So you know her." Lin said.
"Who doesn't know about the 'Great Uniter'?" Tartus said.
Suddenly, Bolin and Kuvira walked in. Bolin was ecstatic to see the ponies again, but he then felt akward when he came face to face with Mako. Kuvira turned her eyes on Tartus.
"Who is that?" she asked.
"That's the guy." Sunset Shimmer said. "That's Tartus."
"Him?" Bolin asked. "No offense, but I see Pabu as a scarier threat than this guy. Somehow, the eye patch just makes him more adorable."
"You should see me with my cloak, prosthetic eye, and extensions on." Tartus said. "You'd really be quaking in my boots. And that's not even my final form."
"Was that a reference or something?" Discord asked. "If so, then I think they're going to sue us."
All of a sudden, Zaheer, Iris, and Miles came charging in from the door.
"You guys?" Asami asked.
"Getting a little cramped in this room." Discord said.
"We came as soon as we heard." Zaheer said. "What's going on?"
"Ask him." Lin said pointing to Tartus. "He's behind it."
"You're the big bad?" Iris asked.
"But you're not even bi..." Miles started to say.
"Yeah, I'm fully aware of the irony." Tartus interrupted. "Well, if it isn't the bi-bender, the daughter of a terrorist, and an airbender who I believe just lost his wings."
"What's that mean?" Rainbow Dash asked. Zaheer didn't answer.
"Just need one more person." Tartus said. "He'll be here any second now."
"Are you expecting a rescue?" Lin asked. "Whoever you're waiting for, I'm pretty sure they're going to be late."
"Me, late?" a voice asked. Everyone looked and saw a stallion with an hourglass Cutie Mark on his flank. "I'm pretty sure we've met."
"The Doctor!" the Masked Matterhorn said.
"Hello, again, everyone." the Doctor said. "Don't worry, I'm on your side. I just have a few questions of my own." He approached Tartus, who seemed eager to meet him. "So, you're the Unique causing the anomalies."
"Well, I've been called worse." Tartus chuckled.
"Unique?" Rarity asked.
"The Doctor told me about that back at Equestria Perilous." the Masked Matterhorn said. "For the past few years, there have been events he couldn't foresee because he was blind to the actions of a Unique, an element in the Multiverse that has no counterpart at all. In all of Creation, it'd be one of a kind."
"And that includes Tartus?" Shadow Blot asked. "I mean, he just called him a Unique."
"As soon as I got word that the Avatar was apprehended in this world and arrested, I was shocked because that's not supposed to happen." the Doctor explained. "Then, I learned that she was brainwashed and the culprit was captured, but I couldn't see him with my powers, so I decided to come here to meet him in person."
"And now, the game is set." Tartus said. "We can begin now."
"Don't treat this like some playtime, varmint!" Applejack shouted. "You brainwashed our friend!"
"And I'd like to find out how!" Mako said.
"Wrong question." Tartus said. "You should be asking why I did it."
Everyone looked at each other.
"Okay." Starlight said. "Why?"
"You heard the rabble outside." Tartus said. "They saw what Korra is capable of and how much damage she can really do with it. All these centuries and the Avatar was looked at as but a symbol of peace and unity... until today. Oh, sure, you can convince them that she was brainwashed and that she would never do that, but after that display last night, so many people are going to wonder 'if the Avatar really was controlled, what makes you sure she won't be again, and by someone worse? Are we even sure that she's broken out of it?' See what I mean?"
"You sick maniac." Scimitar said.
"Given where you came from, son, aren't you really just calling yourself that?" Tartus asked. "Unless you can determine how I made her do what I told her to do, there's really no way to ease everyone's minds. Too bad for you because I'm not saying how. You're just going to have to find out for yourself."
"...OOH! I GOT IT!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Maybe it has something to do with that Project: Phoenix he was talking about. I heard him mention it."
"No, it's... not that." Scimitar said.
"How do you know?" Dawna asked.
"I... I just know, okay." Scimitar said with a heavy breath. Sunset looked worried. "Father, you sent Greengear to secure Project: Phoenix. Does that mean you've moved it to this world?"
"The answer is yes and no." Tartus said. "You see, the Project: Phoenix you know is actually Site B. The original one is here."
"Here?" Scimitar asked in a gasp. "But why would you build another one if it didn't..." That's when he widened his eyes. "No! You didn't!"
"Right on the money." Tartus said. "And with the right amount of thinking, I'm sure you can figure out the truth of Site A."
"I don't get it." Bolin said. "What's Project: Phoenix?"
"A phoenix is a majestic bird that bursts into flames and gets reborn from the ashes." the Shadow Blot said. "Princess Celestia has one as her pet."
"Yours too?" Fluttershy asked.
"This is an important conversation, right now?" Mako asked. "Now, what's with Amon's mask?"
"Didn't I already tell you?" Tartus asked. "I'm the one who gave it to him. You should have seen poor, young Noatok when I found him starving and nearly buried in the snow. He had so much talent even with his bloodbending abilities and he was too busy hating his father to see it. I opened his eyes, convinced him that Yukone was too addicted to bending to be the father he needs him to be, and taught him how to use his bloodbending to cut off someone's connection to bending."
"You?" Bolin asked. "You told him how to do that?"
"That's a lie." the Doctor said. "You claim to be Amon's mentor, but I couldn't find any reference at all about him being someone's student other than Yukone. I know you're a blind spot, but all my records say that Amon was self-taught when it comes to taking someone's bending."
"Sounds like you weren't thorough enough." Tartus said. "Maybe you should check again at the Chronotorium. Perhaps you'll find something."
The Doctor gave a fearsome scowl before backing off. That's when the Shadow Blot stepped in.
"What about the Siren Sisters? What do they have to do with this, and why are you turning people into sirens?"
"Well, I happen to be an avid music lover." Tartus said. "I've always felt that with music or song, your inner self will be known. You look like you could really hit the low notes. Wanna sing back-up?"
"And what about the device you made the human Twilight make?" Sunset Shimmer asked. "You used it to take the essence of Midan the Nature and Atrum the Darkness. Where is it?"
"I don't have it on me." Tartus said. "I'm not that stupid. I hid it somewhere safe. The only way I'll bring it out is if you get me the vessel of Lucid the Light."
"How can you be so heartless?" Dawna asked. "How could you cause all this despair with that smile?"
"Believe it or not," Tartus said, "I wasn't the one who started the fire. It's been lit since before I got involved."
"What does that mean?" Dawna asked.
"For every action, there's an equal and opposite reaction." Tartus said. "Let's just say... I am that reaction. If you want further answers, ask your tribe."
"...Wait, what?" Dawna asked. "That's... That's impossible. The Golden Apple destroyed them."
"A majority of them." Tartus said. "But some of the Wandors survived, including your father. Last I saw, they built a settlement in the Limbo Zone."
Dawna struggled to breathe. "What? My father... My people are alive?"
"Who are you?" the Shadow Blot asked. "It's obvious you know who we are, but we don't even know which world you're from?"
"Why bother explaining?" Tartus asked. "I can just make up whatever backstory I can think of and you probably wouldn't believe me. What if I said I'm made of the leftover evil of every villain you all fought in the past? Or I could just tell you that I've been diagnosed with a fatal disease and only destruction is the cure. The point is, I don't have to tell. I've given you all enough clues already. If you're going to believe in my history, you have to figure it out for yourself. Until then, I'll be waiting. The Creation War has begun, my friends, and I'm looking forward to your final stand."
Tartus turned his back to the heroes and refused to answer any further questions. They all got out of the cell room and discussed on their own.
"He really grows on you, doesn't he?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"What did he mean by all that?" Tenzin asked. "He said he gave us clues on his past, but he didn't tell us everything."
"Not exactly." Scimitar said. "If you hadn't noticed, that dunce mentioned some locations: Project Phoenix, the Limbo Zone, and the Chronorium. I'm guessing you know what that place is, Doctor."
"That's right." the Doctor said. "If there is a secret hidden there that I missed, I might need some extra eyes."
"Gross." Discord said.
"What's the Limbo Zone?" Starlight asked. "Is it anything like Limbo where we freed Starswirl and the Pillars?"
"Freed Starswirl?" Sunset Shimmer asked.
"It's a long story." Twilight said.
"Well, despite the similar names," the Masked Matterhorn said, "Limbo and the Limbo Zone are quite different. For example, while you can't escape Limbo on your own, you can enter any world you want in the Limbo Zone, and unlike Limbo, time does pass in the Zone. It's safe to say that even though they exist between worlds, they are different places."
"And my tribe has been living there for thousands of years." Dawna said.
"What about Project: Phoenix?" Asami asked. "We don't even know where it is."
"I do." Scimitar said. "At least, I have a pretty good idea. It's probably hidden in that mountain range near Zaofu."
"Why Zaofu?" Kuvira asked.
"...Just trust me on this." Scimitar said as if he was trying to avoid the question.
"Can we even trust Tartus?" Mako asked. "I don't see how any of this is supposed to help Korra. Besides, the guy's obviously twisted."
"Tartus has already told us everything he is willing to tell." Scimitar said. "I've known him my whole life before any of you. Trust me, he's not going to reveal any more just yet."
"So we have no choice but to check out all these places." Twilight said. "We don't have time to check out all these places... so we might have to split up to cover more ground."
"You really think that's a good idea?" Bolin asked.
"We don't have any others." Twilight said.
"All right, then." the Doctor said. "Let me determine the right people to help investigate each area. If you have anything you'd like to add that could help, let me know."
After a couple of hours of processing, the Doctor summoned everyone in front of the portal in the spirit wilds.
"Listen up." the Doctor said. "I've looked over everything I know about the locations and determined who goes where. Investigating the Chronotorium will be myself, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, the Masked Matterhorn, Zaheer, Iris, Miles, and Asami. There, maybe we can find out how Tartus keeps slipping from my sight. Scimitar will be leading the investigation at Project: Phoenix along with Kuvira, Sunset, Discord, and Bolin. Dawna will take the Shadow Blot, Starlight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash to the Limbo Zone to find the Wandors. The rest of you, including Twilight and Mako, will stay and keep an eye on Korra and the people. If anything happens, it could be disastrous. Any objections?"
"OBJECTION!" Discord shouted with a blue suit and slick, black hairstyle.
"What?" the Doctor asked.
"Nothing." Discord said making his suit disappear. "I just always wanted to say that. I'm cool with the teams."
"...Okay." the Doctor sighed. "I'll get the portal set up while the rest of you wish each other good luck."
"You know Tartus is just playing us, right?" Mako asked.
The Doctor sighed. "I know.
"I do understand
It's part of his plan
But we've got no choice in what else to do
The answers are near
They're practically here
And finding them is all up to me and you
When the truth is in reach, then you don't let go
And that's how the future ensues
That's why we've got to move now
I can't explain how
But we've got nothing, got nothing, got nothing
Nothing left to looooooooooose"
And with that, the Doctor and his team leaped through the portal. Dawna grabbed her team and approached the portal.
"If my home is alive, even by a chance" Dawna sang,
"I don't care if we are being used
So if I have to
I'll play his sick game through
We've got nothing..."
"Got nothing..." Shadow Blot sang.
"Got nothing..." Starlight sang.
"Got nothing..." Applejack and Rainbow Dash sang.
"Nothing left to looooooooooose" Dawna sang.
And with that, Dawna and her team walked in as well. The others began walking out of the city, but Scimitar stopped for a second. Sunset approached him.
"Hey, is everything all right?" Sunset asked.
"Given the situation, you tell me." Scimitar said. "I never thought I'd set foot in another Project: Phoenix."
"When we get there, you'll tell us all about it?" Sunset asked.
"More than you'd want, but just what you need to hear." Scimitar said. He then sighed.
"I hope we know what we're doing"
"I need to uncover his ruse" Sunset sang.
"WE CAN'T REFUUUUUUUUUUSE" Scimitar sang as he lead everyone out of town.
"WE'VE ALREADY LIT THE FUUUUUUUUUSE" Dawna sang.
"I SWEAR, KORRA, THAT WE WON'T LOSE" Twilight sang.
"IF WE WANT TO LIVE, WE MUST DO OUR PARTS" everyone sang,
"TO CHANGE EVERYONE'S POINT OF VIEWS
AND WITH EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT
WE'LL UNCOVER THE PLOT"
"WE'VE GOT NOTHING..." Scimitar sang.
"GOT NOTHING..." Dawna sang.
"GOT NOTHIIIIIIIIIIIING..." Twilight sang.
Back in his cell, Tartus opened his one eye and grinned. He chuckled with a sinister intention. That's when he finished the song.
"They've got eeeeeeveryyyythiiiiiiiing tooooooooooo lose"