//------------------------------//
// While You Were Away 
// Story: The Legend of Korra Book 5: Chaos 
// by Epicdiscord214 
//------------------------------//

Outside of the Red Lotus warehouse, the prisoners of the Red Lotus were guided out. Opal appeared and saw Bolin. She cheered and hugged him.
"I missed you." Opal said.
"I missed you too." Bolin said.
"Hey, kid," Korra addressed to Miles, "You've never told us, how is it you can bend two elements at once?"
"Frankly, I don't understand it myself." Miles answered. "See, all I saw was the Red Eye waving his fingers and different-colored smoke-things flew out of two different benders. He stuffed them in me and I've been a bi-bender ever since."
"I don't believe it." Spike breathed happily at the costumed heroes. "It's the Power Ponies and the Mighty Machines! I have no many questions!"
"Any question you have will have to be brought to Hum Drum." the Masked Matterhorn said.
"I don't get it." Twilight said. "What are you doing here?"
"The Doctor brought us here." the Masked Matterhorn said. "He told us we were needed and we needed to bring our cylinder."
"What cylinder?" Twilight asked.
"This one." the Masked Matterhorn said holding up a small, metal cylinder with open ends. "This came from our world's Everfree Forest."
"Hey, the metal compound looks familiar." Twilight said. She turned to a draconequus. "Discord, didn't you find a metal ball with a hole in it in our Everfree Forest?"
"Wrong draconequus, kid." Anar D said.
Twilight sighed. She turned to the other draconequus. "Discord..."
"I heard you the first time." Discord said. "Yes, I did find one, but I can't find it. It's like this: during my time in the Red Lotus, I thought I could find a way to escape. I looked through the supplies I brought, but I couldn't find anything. The point is, that ball I found wasn't in my stack. I must have dropped it when I was forced out of Equestria."
"Well, what does that thing have to do with our problem now?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I don't know." the Shadow Blot said. "The Doctor expressed the cylinder like his life depended on it."
"Discord, do you have any idea?" Devastator asked.
"Hey, all I know is what I was told to do." Discord said. "The Red Eye wanted me to take something from Ms. Sato; some kind of old... bowl... thing. I don't know. I zoned out the details."
"I don't remember any old bowl." Asami said.
"Well, the Red Lotus seem to believe you have it, Bo Peep." Discord said. "I don't know the details."
"I've got a better question." Mako said. "How did the Red Eye get diplomatic immunity?"
"We've got to talk to President Raiko about that." Tenzin said. "Maybe we can get some answers from him."
"Hey, you can't do this to me!" Lok said having his cage carried by police officers. "People adore me!"
"Here's a better idea," Mako said, "Why not just question the bird?"
"That's what we're going to do." Lin said. "We're taking him to the department and interrogate the bird."
"Did you ever hear the words coming out of your mouth and think 'what am I talking about'?" Discord said. "Don't worry. I'll talk to him."
"No, Discord." Tenzin said. "The Red Lotus are after you. Right now, the safest place for you is the Air Temple."
"I should go too." Miles said. "I'm the Red Lotus' reluctant weapon. They might come after me again."
"OOH!" Masque exclaimed. "OOH! I volunteer to protect him!"
"What?" Miles gasped. "No, thank you!"
"Too late!" Masque shouted. "I called it! I've got witnesses."
"If I'm going to this 'Air Temple Island', then I'll take the turkey with me." Discord said holding Lok's cage.
"Did you just call me..." Lok said.
"Discord, give me the bird." Lin said.
"I can't." Discord said. "This story's rated E."
"You know, Discord's just going to twist whatever you say." Rarity said. "I say, let him take Lok."
"Then I'm going with him." Anar D said. "He'll need someone of equal power (and handsomeness) to talk to chicken legs here."
"I'm right here." Lok said.
"Mako, you should stay and watch over them." Lin said.
"What did I do?" Mako asked in shock.
"They'll need someone to supervise them and make sure they don't... break the temple or something."
Mako sighed. "All right. Let's go."
"OH, BOY!" Anar D shouted wearing a 10-year old set of clothes. He grabbed Mako's arm and left with the others. "WE GET TO TALK ABOUT OUR FAVORITE CARTOONS AND PLAY VIDEO GAMES AND READ COMIC BOOKS AND..."
"Will you knock it off, Discord!" Mako said pushing Anar D away.
"I'm Anar D!" the draconequus said.
"Okay, we need something to tell you apart." Mako groaned.
"I got it." Discord said. He snapped and a red cape materialized around Anar D's neck. "Since you're from a superhero universe, I think you'll need this. Now, they can tell us apart."
"I suppose it'll work." Anar D said. "Although, I don't have much trust in capes. I've seen the Incredibles."
"This is too weird." Tenzin said.
"Is Anar D always like this?" Twilight asked.
"I'm sure he wasn't this obnoxious when he was a pony." the Masked Matterhorn said.
"A pony?" Twilight asked making sure she heard right. "Discord's always been a draconequus."
"What's a draconequus anyway?" Korra asked.
"Something tells me we've got a lot of notes to compare." Twilight said.
Bolin caught Mako's arm and leaned in. "Hey, Mako, do you think we should tell Korra about... you know?"
Mako looked at Korra and sighed. "Not yet."





Dawn was arising and Tenzin's kids--Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo--were up with Pema, their mother, Kya, their aunt, and Bumi, their uncle.
"Where's dad?" Meelo asked. "I got this funny joke for him."
"Meelo, your dad's at a political meeting." Kya said. "He'll be back soon."
"In the meantime, you've got moi!"
Discord materialized frightening the airbenders around him. Anar D appeared with him. "And moi!"
"What the..." Bumi gasped.
Then, Mako, Miles, and Masque appeared from the steps.
"You people got a lot of stairs, you know." Masque said.
"Ooh!" Meelo said. He jumped over Masque and grabbed his tail. "Nice tail! What are you?"
"Hey, let go, kid." Masque said. "Don't make me break out the crowbar."
"Mako, what is going on?" Pema asked.
"It's been a crazy day." Mako sighed.





In an unknown location, Iris air-blasted Zaheer to the wall while Tirek just watched. Iris was full of rage.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" Iris shouted. "BECAUSE OF YOU, NOT ONLY DID WE LOSE DISCORD OR LOK, BUT WE ALSO LOST THE RED EYE!"
"Iris, open your eyes." Zaheer said pinned to the wall. "I can't be responsible for what happened last night. No one could have seen Arcanus' enemies coming. It wasn't my fault."
"Like it wasn't your fault with what happened to my mother?!" Iris shouted angrily.
Zaheer's eyes widened with despair. He bowed his head in sadness and breathed in. "Iris, I am sorry for what happened to P'Li, but that doesn't mean you have to take it out on me. I'm your father."
"The Red Eye hasn't forgiven you." Iris said. "Then again, I shouldn't be surprised. My mother was his daughter."
"Tirek, can't you talk some sense into her?" Zaheer asked turning his head toward the centaur.
"I make it a point not to get involved." Tirek said.
Suddenly, a phone nearby started to ring across the room. Iris let Zaheer down and approached the phone. She picked it up and answered. "Hello?"
"Are you all right, granddaughter?" said a familiar voice of evil. Iris widened her eyes at the sound of it.
"You're free?" Iris asked. "You're okay?"
"They couldn't lay a finger on me." the Red Eye said. "Where are you right now?"
"We're in a broken-down inn that Kuvira destroyed at Jeong-Jeong Blvd." Iris explained. "When do you think you can be here?"
"Actually, I need to maintain my cover." the Red Eye said. "I'll keep the Avatar and the ponies guessing, and then, I'll be there. In the meantime, who's with you?"
"Tirek and Zaheer." Iris answered. "It's just us."
"It'll do. You see, we lost our advantage when they took Pandora's Box. We need to get it back, plus a new advantage. As such, I have a special mission... for each of you."





Discord, Anar D, Mako, Masque, Miles, Bumi, Kya, Pema, and the kids sat in the dining area. Mako told the adults everything that happened recently.
"That's some story, Mako." Bumi said. "Reminds me of the time I..."
"Bumi, this is not the time." Kya said. "So, the Red Lotus are back and they're worse than before."
"Good thing we've got something to be ahead of them." Discord said. He reached under the table and pulled out the bird-cage with Lok in it. "This pigeon works for them. And if he knows what's good for him, he'll sing."
"Oh, please." Lok scoffed. "I'm not ratting on the Red Eye."
"He abandoned you." Mako said. "He left without you."
"At least his cause is just." Lok said.
"Just?" Mako asked surprised at what he heard. "Just? When we first met Zaheer, he tried to kidnap Korra! After a long week of playing cat and mouse, he caught her and tried to poison her! A flying airbender would've been no problem, but he had a lava-bender, a combustion-bender, and a waterbender that had no arms at all! And now, we learn there's an entire army of them! Not to mention, their cause is to get rid of all the world leaders! How is any of that just?!"
"And I thought Terry was the best at complaining." Masque said.
"Let me." Discord said. "Look, Lok, I feel you. I hate politics as much as the next guy. But my double-ganger doesn't think so fondly of you."
"You're nothing but a Three Amigo reject!" Anar D shouted. "I bet you taste like chicken!"
"Hold on." Lok said. "If Discord's the good cop and the other guy's the bad cop, who's the wolf?"
"I'm the funny cop." Masque said. "Pull my claw."
"This is getting us nowhere." Mako said. "Look, are you going to tell us about the Red Eye's secrets or not!"
"All I can tell you is that there are those who can't be trusted." Lok revealed before turning away.
"Can I keep him?" Meelo asked.
"No!" Pema responded.
"Here's something else." Lok said. "Discord, you are in danger because of that box. It was crated by D's sister. And now, any draconequus who holds it is bound by it and will be controlled."
In panic, Discord pulled out Pandora's Box and passed it to his counterpart. "I just remembered! It's your birthday! Happy birthday!"
Anar D jerked in fear and forced it back in Discord's paw. "Merry Christmas!"
Discord threw it back. "It's not Christmas!"
"Happy Hannakuh!"
"One potato!"
"Two potato!"
"Three potato!"
"Four!"
"Five potato!"
"Six potato!"
"Seven potato more!"
"MY..."
"MOTHER..."
"TOLD..."
"ME..."
"YOU..."
"ARE..."
"It." Anar D finished.
"HA!" Discord said clutching on the box. "I win!" He then realized what just happened. "Wait."
"It doesn't work like that!" Lok said.
Suddenly, everyone heard a phone ring. Bumi got up and answered it. "Hello? ...Yes, he is here. ...All right." He pointed the phone towards Mako. "It's for you."
Mako got up and picked the phone out of Bumi's hand. He placed in his ear.
"Hello?" After a moment, Mako grew a slight smile. "Yes, I have time. How's about..." He saw everyone looking at him. He told the person on the other end to wait and turned away from it. "Guys, this is a little private. Why don't you get acquainted with each other... in the other room?"
"...Okay." Pema said.
Everyone got up and walked out of the room.
"Well, that was weird." Masque said. "And I know weird."
"So... Discord," Meelo said, "What can you do?"
"Well, I can make three-dimensional illustrations of a lot of stuff I do. That includes my jokes, my expressions, and my songs."
"Ooh!" Ikki said. "Will you sing, please?"
"I don't know." Discord said. "I can't see anything chaotic about singing by myself."
"How about singing with yourself!" Anar D said. "What do you say?"
"I say..." Discord said, "Five, six, seven, eight!"
Suddenly, music filled the background. The adults had constipated faces throughout the whole song.

"We're two of a kind in a mess," Discord sang,
"It's tough being a draconequus
When no one gives you the time of day"
"It's not like we're robbing banks," Anar D sang,
"We're just pulling a few pranks
Something to pass the time awaaaaaaaaaay"
"It's just a little chaos," both sang,
"Show those stuck-ups who's the boss"
"A simple trick to really have a chance," Discord sang,
"Make up a story with your mind
Close your eyes and imagine"
"Focus and you will find," Anar D sang,
"The adventure you're already in
So who can really deny it
The voice cannot stay quiet
It's quite better to not plan in advaaaaaaaaance"
"But wait! If I let my guard down," Discord sang,
"Then everyone in this town
Is in danger of my anarchic powers"
"Well, let's not let that day arrive," Anar D sang,
"Then, everyone will get out alive
Yours and mine are also oooooooouuuuuuurs"
"IT'S JUST A LITTLE CHAOS," both sang,
"WHAT IF NATURE'S AT A CRISS-CROSS
IGNORE THE FACTS! USE YOUR GUT! THAT'S THE GIG
BE A HERO TO THE JESTERS
GIVE THE JERKS A TUMOR
'CAUSE THE VERY BEST INVESTORS
ARE THE ONES FILLED WITH HUMOR"
"LET THE WAVES OF CRAZY RUN WILD," Anar D sang.
"GAIN THE MIND OF A CHILD," Discord sang.
"FOR NOW, THE DRACONEQUUI ARE LIVING BIG," both sang,
"LIIIIIVIIIIIING BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIG"

The music continued until Mako opened the door and walked in.
"Spoil sport." Anar D huffed.
"Hey, everyone, would you be okay if I left for a few hours?" Mako asked.
"Why?" Miles asked.
"...It's not time you know yet." Mako said.
"Clear as mud, kid." Discord said.
"I'll see you all later." Mako said as he walked out the door.





"I see." President Raiko told the rest of the heroes in his office. "And where is this... Discord?"
"We sent him to Air Temple Island." Tenzin said. "He'll be safe with my family."
"And Mako." Korra added.
"And Masque." Dusk said. "Although, he's about as sharp as a bowling ball."
"Well, I can assure you that I couldn't have given the Red Eye diplomatic immunity." Raiko said. "I haven't given anyone that since Harmonic Convergence. It's probably a forgery."
"No." Lin said. "I thought that and took a good look at the document. It's definitely real."
"Hmm." Raiko said. "This is definitely something I need to run by other world leaders. I'll contact Fire Lord Izumi, the North and South Pole chiefs, and War General Pakku to meet up with us this weekend."
"Who's Pakku?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"That's Sokka's son and Tenzin's cousin." Korra answered.
"Is it all right if I come to this meeting too?" said a slick voice. The door opened up and a tall, thin man with a blue jacket, a slick hairstyle, and a tiny mustache.
"Varrick?" Bolin asked.
"That's right." Varrick said. "I'm back and ready for action."
"But it's been three days since the wedding." Asami said. "Shouldn't you and Zhu Li be on your honeymoon?"
"Oh, we enjoyed the first day, of course." Varrick said. "It was very relaxing. But when we heard of some action here in Republic City, we agreed to return and lend a hand. I tell you, Zhu Li's great with compromise."
"Oooookay." Rarity said.
"Well, would you look at that?" Varrick said. "Either you're a group of spirits that hasn't been documented yet or you're real, physical, talking ponies."
"Who's this whack-job?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"This is Varrick." Lin introduced. "He's got a rap sheet as long as my arm."
"Hey, I amended all that, remember?" Varrick asked. "In fact, I've got some ideas I'd like to run by the world leaders at their meeting... if you don't mind Mr. President."
"It's against my better judgment," Raiko sighed, "But all right."
"Great!" Varrick said. "Now, we can..."
Suddenly, Varrick got knocked over by a more muscular man tripping over him. The other guy quickly got up and had panic.
"President Raiko! We got trouble!"
"Calm down, my friend." Raiko said lowering his hands. "Everyone, this is Crem-Sun, my bodyguard." He turned back to his bodyguard. "What's the matter?"
"It's... very bad news." Crem-Sun said. "I was at the White Lotus prison, and then, I learn that Zaheer... has escaped!" Nobody responded leaving him feeling awkward. "...You already knew that, didn't you?"
"Yes." Tenzin said.
"Sorry." Crem-Sun chuckled. "See, I'm a little worked up. Raiko's re-election is soon and I'm a little busy."
"That reminds me." Raiko said. "Crem, do you have my promotional posters?"
Crem-Sun widened his eyes and his face was full of worry and fear. "Oh... yeah... about that... Give me a minute. Ah! They were taken... by a knight."
"A knight?" Twilight asked raising an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
"Of course!" Crem-Sun lied obviously. "And he was very aggressive too. Mean, I'd have to say. Very, very mean. This knight, he had a voice like thunder and a sword as fast as lightning. He came out on me like a whirlwind. All in all, I'd have to say..."
Everyone leaned their heads forward to listen.
"...It was a dark and stormy knight."
Raiko widened his eyes and groaned. "Crem-Sun, if you lost the posters again, you can just tell me."
"Really?" Crem-Sun asked. "Okay. I lost them."
"I smell a bozo." Applejack whispered.
"Anyway," Twilight said pulling out the Red Eye's bag, "This belonged to the Red Eye. Perhaps we can gain some information about him in here."
"Let me look!" Pinkie Pie said stuffing her head in the bag.
"PINKIE, GET OUT OF THERE!" Twilight said pulling Pinkie out of the bag. "You could have accidently eaten something valuable."
"That's a little farfetched, don't you think?" Varrick asked.
"No, it isn't." Applejack said. "At our last Hearth's Warming Eve dinner, she ate the entire dinner."
"So?" Varrick asked.
"...She ate the food *and* the plates." Applejack said.
"Well, if you don't mind, we've got work to do." Raiko said. "I've got to prepare for my re-election, Varrick's got to invent some things, and you all need to find and stop the Red Lotus. Crem-Sun, show them the door."
"It's that way." Crem-Sun said pointing at the door.
Raiko rested his hand upon his face. "No. I mean, escort them out."
"Oh, right." Crem-Sun said. He opened the door and exited with everyone else.
"Well, the good news is, we know absolutely NOTHING!" Timberwolf shouted.
"Looks like Raiko knows about as much about the Red Eye as we do." the Shadow Blot said.
"I wonder what he does to relieve stress." Devastator said.
"Well..." Crem-Sun said, "I don't know about relieving stress, but Raiko does have mysterious phone calls that he doesn't tell anyone about like it's some big, giant secret."
Everyone pointed their noses at the same direction quickly.
"Hello!" Asami said. "Didn't it ever occur to you that it is some big, giant secret?"
"That would explain a lot." Crem-Sun said. "But he's the president. What does he have to hide?"
"Hold on." Korra said. "Doesn't being a president automatically give you diplomatic immunity?"
"Now, Korra, don't make any accusations just yet." Tenzin said. "We can't convince anyone of anything until we have proof. For all we know, Raiko might have secret calls with his employees. Let's just find out about the Red Eye."
Before Korra could leave with the others, Bolin sighed. "Hey, Korra." Korra and Twilight turned around. "There's something you need to know. See, it may have been a few days, but still, a lot has happened while you were away."
"What do you mean?" Korra asked.
"It's... about Mako." Bolin said. "He didn't want me to tell you just yet, but I can't hold it back anymore. He's... in a relationship."
"He is?" Korra asked.
"Why wouldn't he want Korra to know that?" Twilight asked.
"It's a long story." Korra said. "Now, Bolin, do you mean, he has a... girlfriend?"
"Actually, they haven't made it official yet." Bolin said. "They met once in the morning and had a date the night after. They decided to keep dating."
"Well... good for Mako." Korra said nervously. "Tell me, what's the girl's name?"





Meanwhile, in a fancy restaurant, Mako sat in a round table with two seats and a candle in the middle. Suddenly, a girl his age arrived. When he saw her, he smiled.
"You made it." Mako said.
"Never doubt I would." the girl said.
The girl leaned in and pecked her lips on Mako's cheek making him blush.





At the same time, Bolin told Korra the girl's name. "Iris."