Turf Wars Part Two

Turf Wars Part Two is the second installment of the Turf Wars trilogy. It was released in comic book stores on January 17, 2018, and in mass-market retailers on January 31, 2018.
== Overview ==
Recovering from the fight and furious for revenge, Triple Threats member Tokuga solidifies his ties with the duplicitous Wonyong. 
Meanwhile, when Republic City's housing crisis reaches its peak, Zhu Li sets her sights on the biggest public figure in the city—President Raiko—in a bid for the presidency! 
With her friend's success, the future of the spirit portal, and the wellbeing of Republic City's citizens at stake, can Korra remain neutral and fulfill her duties as the Avatar?
== Synopsis ==
Korra, Tenzin, and a couple more airbenders are on Oogi's back headed for the Spirit portal, Korra determined to assure the spirits that she will be neutral after the fight one day earlier. However, as they fly through the portal, they find the Spirit World barren, with all the flowers that were previously growing in the field now dead. Korra is surprised to learn this, and Tenzin comforts her, saying that he knew the place was special to her and Asami. Meanwhile, Jinora has started meditating, and Kai is wondering aloud who would be powerful enough to do this and why. Korra reasons it is the spirits trying to send a message to every human who comes through the portal, warning them to stay out of their world.
Ikki thinks that will not help, as the portal is still open, and tries touching one of the wilted flowers, something Korra tries to warn her against, but to no avail. A vine shoots up, ensnaring Ikki's arm; thinking quickly, Korra uses a firebending slice to free her. Other vines begin attacking the other airbenders, and Tenzin orders everyone back to Oogi. Kai is already ensnared but is saved by Jinora on her glider, and the group escapes on Oogi.
As they cross back into the physical world, they find the United Forces under the command of General Iroh setting up a perimeter around the portal, on President Raiko's orders. Korra tries explaining that she was attempting to ease the tension between spirits and humans and that having the United Republic's military surrounding the portal would only anger the spirits more, prompting Iroh to explain that that was not what he intended. Tenzin tries convincing him to get the military to leave while offering the Air Nation's help protecting the portal instead, with Ikki mentioning that there is nobody better for the job. Iroh considers the offer but ultimately rejects it as he has his orders, and he suggests taking it up with Raiko instead. Annoyed, Korra leaves to talk to Raiko.
At the Republic City Police headquarters, Lin reads Mako and Bolin's report on Tokuga's attack on the new spirit portal. Reaching the end, she inquires what the last part says, as she is not able to read the handwriting. Bolin explains that it says that Korra and Asami kiss, prompting Mako to reiterate that he only wanted his younger brother to finish the report and not write a romance novel. Bolin defends himself by stating that he found it to be pertinent information the chief should know about. Lin scratches her chin, somewhat surprised, before she berates Bolin for his sloppy handwriting, mentioning it looks like a possum chicken scratch. Bolin apologizes, but Mako changes the subject, mentioning that Korra suspected that Tokuga was sent by Wonyong Keum to attack the airbenders. When Lin asks on what grounds the accusation was made, Mako simply responds by stating it was plausible and that they could bring the businessman in for questioning. He is interrupted by Lin, however, who states that she will not bring him in with no evidence, as he is Republic City's most powerful and well-connected land developer, making him hard to get to. As they leave, Bolin states that the lead could be a dead-end, but Mako, unconvinced by this, suggests visiting their twelve-toed friend.
Confronting Ping in his cell, Mako tells him that the police are trying to track down Tokuga and that he might be helpful, though Ping answers that Tokuga changes the Triple Threat Triad's hideout every few days, so he does not know its most recent location himself. Mako tells Ping that Tokuga is not coming to save him, so he has thus no reason to remain loyal to him. Mako offers to talk to Lin about getting better accommodation if Ping co-operates, but he replies that he is being completely honest, remarking that Tokuga is hardly sending him messages. After hearing these words, Bolin suggests that Tokuga is using children to relay messages between his men, just like Lightning Bolt Zolt used to do. Mako turns to Ping for confirmation and takes his reluctance to answer the question as an affirmative answer. The brothers leave, Mako complimenting Bolin's thinking and suggesting he might make it as a cop, to which Bolin replies that he is learning from the best.
Elsewhere, under the supervision of Asami and Zhu Li, benders, hummingbird suits, and cranes are clearing a construction site and assembling the framework of a building for the new homes of the evacuees. Asami states that they should be able to rehouse the first group of people within a few months if everything goes to plan, to which Zhu Li expresses a hope that she can convince them to be patient until then. When the two women notice Raiko and Wenyan with a group of evacuees nearby, Zhu Li guesses that Raiko is trying to save his job. Addressing the evacuees, Raiko claims to have fast-tracked the construction project, and that he will be working around the clock to get everyone new homes as soon as possible. One evacuee asks how long this will take, and Raiko starts to say that it will not happen overnight before Wenyan cuts him off and makes a guarantee that it will be completed by the end of the month. This wins the evacuees over, and Wenyan unveils a poster of the finished building dubbed the "Raiko Residencies", further pleasing them.
As Zhu Li and Asami approach the two men, Raiko introduces them to the evacuees, and Wenyan calls for a photo of the group. Zhu Li quietly tells Raiko to make Wenyan stop making impossible promises, while Asami criticizes his decision to name the project after himself when they brought the idea to him in the first place, but Raiko ignores them. He and Wenyan attempt to leave, only to be cut off by Korra and Tenzin landing in front of them on Oogi.
Wenyan tells Korra to book an appointment to see Raiko in an attempt to head her off, but Korra bends a piece of metal over his mouth, gagging him as she walks past. She and Tenzin approach Raiko and tell him to withdraw the United Forces from the portal, but Raiko refuses. Trying to appeal to his goal of re-election, Korra warns Raiko that he could cause another spirit crisis and thus jeopardize his chances of winning, only for Raiko to reply that Korra's creation of the portal is what caused the current crisis in the first place. Korra defends herself by noting that she did not create the portal deliberately but was trying to protect Republic City from Kuvira's spirit energy cannon, to which Raiko retorts that her attempts also left the evacuees homeless. He turns to the evacuees and announces that despite claiming to have their best interests at heart, Korra took a vacation while they were trying to recover, turning them against the Avatar. He concludes to tell Korra that her recklessness and selfishness have left people's lives shattered, with him once again having to deal with the consequences. Asami and Tenzin spring to Korra's defense, Asami calling out Raiko for his cowardice and they both point out Korra's role in stopping Kuvira, but a downcast Korra decides to leave.
As Korra, Asami, Zhu Li and Tenzin head over to Asami's on-site office, Asami remarks that someone should put Raiko in his place. She proposes that Tenzin run for president; as the son of Aang, he could easily beat Raiko. Tenzin declines, stating that his main priority now is to lead the Air Nation, and he instead suggests that Zhu Li would be better suited to lead the United Republic. Zhu Li is taken by surprise by the idea, but Korra and Asami support the idea, the latter remarking that Zhu Li would have no trouble ruling a nation after working for Varrick. Zhu Li admits that the proposal is an interesting one, adding that she had never before considered the idea as she was preoccupied with the evacuee crisis. Tenzin refers to this as compassion, another point in her favor, and Korra adds that she would like to have a president she could work with, having become tired of constantly fighting with Raiko. Zhu Li agrees to consider the idea, and she and Tenzin leave to handle a shipment of supplies for the evacuees that is due to arrive soon. Asami calls her "President Moon" while saying goodbye, claiming that the title has a nice ring to it.
Korra and Asami enter Asami's office, and Korra reveals what has happened to the Spirit World, saddening Asami. Sitting down on Asami's desk, Korra says that she had thought her life was changing for the better when she and Asami first walked through the portal, but with Raiko being uncooperative, the city remaining a mess and the public turning against her, she feels that nothing has changed. Asami assures her that one thing is different; moving close while resting both her hands on Korra's leg, she assures Korra that while there will always be problems to deal with, the two of them can overcome anything as long as they stick together. Momentarily overcome, Korra prepares to say something to Asami, but her nervousness wins out and she leaves, claiming that she wants to let Asami get on with her work. Asami sighs as she watches her go.
Elsewhere, Mako and Bolin drive through the city, Bolin narrating their actions as they do so. After Mako tells him that they are not filming a mover in an attempt to make him stop, Bolin enthusiastically suggests that they do make one, even proposing "Good Cop, Bad Cop" as one of the possible names. Mako sarcastically asks if he would be the bad cop in that scenario, with Bolin replying that he is the "brooding, mysterious older brother", and not a good enough actor to play against type. Mako retorts that Bolin is the same, as his role as Nuktuk was little different than his real-life personality, to which Bolin argues that the role had a lot of range. He asks if Mako's behaving this way because he is upset that his two ex-girlfriends are now dating each other. Mako is taken aback by the question but claims that he thinks it is great that Korra and Asami are together, though Bolin is unconvinced.
The discussion is interrupted when Mako sees Skoochy, along with a group of other street kids, gathered in front of an apartment building. The kids take off running when they see the two cops, but Mako and Bolin manage to catch Skoochy, and question him about being involved with the Triple Threats. Skoochy continually denies it, until Bolin runs out of patience and shouts at him to stop lying and answer the questions. Mako tells his brother to calm down and persuades Skoochy to help them by relating his own involvement with the Triple Threats, and telling Skoochy that people could die if the police do not find Tokuga. Skoochy tells them that the Triple Threats are based in an abandoned warehouse at the docks, before running off. After he leaves, Bolin apologizes to Mako for getting angry and remarks that he had it backward on which of the brothers were the good cop and bad cop. Mako just says that they should find Tokuga, and that he will call Lin for backup.
That evening, as Asami is working in her office at the construction site, she hears people sneaking past and looks out of the window, uttering a cautious greeting while reaching inside a drawer on her desk. Moments later, Jargala Omo and two of her henchmen enter the office, Jargala coming up to sit on the edge of the desk. After explaining to a questioning Asami that they are here to help her and referring to her as "sweetheart", Jargala looks at the blueprints for the housing project and remarks that it would be unfortunate if something happened to Asami before it could be completed. Asami warns Jargala not to threaten her or call her "sweetheart", prompting one of the henchmen to tell her to show Jargala respect, but Jargala assures him that Asami did not mean anything by it, remarking that the other woman has moxie.
Asami asks what Jargala wants, and Jargala replies that she is offering her a chance to work with her, to which Asami responds that she is not looking for new business partners. Jargala tells her to think of it more of a professional courtesy, informing her that Tokuga and the Triple Threats are making a play for all the land on their side of the river, but that the Creeping Crystal Triad was willing to provide protection in exchange for monthly payments. Asami reiterates that she is not interested in the offer, before standing up, now wearing an electrified glove. Referring to the weapon as "cute", Jargala asks Asami if she knows how to use it, and Asami replies that she is happy to demonstrate. The leader of the Creeping Crystals decides to leave however, remarking that Asami is not thinking straight and that they will give her a couple of days to reconsider the offer. Once they are all gone, Asami sits down and breathes a sigh of relief.
In a bar elsewhere in the city, members of the Triple Threats, including Shady Shin, are playing a game of cards while discussing Tokuga's mutation. One of the players, a man named Zhen, suggests that Tokuga got what was coming to him, stating that despite his claims that the triad would rule Republic City, the Triple Threats have done nothing but lose territory to the Creeping Crystals and nearly get destroyed by spirits since Tokuga became their leader. Shin says that he has heard Tokuga is planning a big score and that he will likely come through, but Zhen responds by accusing him of being naive, pointing out that while he could always be certain that the triad's previous leaders Lightning Bolt Zolt and Viper had his back, Tokuga has made no attempt to rescue Mushi and Ping since they were arrested. Other Triple Threats agree with Zhen, who asks what they even know about Tokuga, stating that he only joined the triad a few months ago, and no-one knows why he came to Republic City or who he might be running from. Shin replies that Viper vouched for Tokuga, a point which Zhen concedes, before remarking that Viper is now dead.
At that moment, Tokuga enters the bar and asks if Zhen wants to follow Viper. A startled Zhen scrambles to his feet as Tokuga reaches for him, the triad leader grabbing him around the neck with his tentacle arm and slamming him down onto the card table, destroying it. Grabbing Zhen by the neck again, Tokuga tells the rest of the triad to get used to his new face, as he is not going anywhere. He claims that while the dragon eel spirit had tried to kill him, the attack has made him stronger, faster and smarter, referring to what has happened as "an awakening". He says that as a result of his newfound intelligence, he is no longer interested in "fighting with the Creeping Crystals over a few city blocks" or "serving as someone else's muscle" but wants to take control of Republic City for real, declaring that the Triple Threats will possess great financial and military power.
While these events happen, Lin, Mako, Bolin, and the rest of the triad task force investigate the abandoned warehouse Skoocky had directed them to. As they head inside the warehouse, Shin asks Tokuga where they will obtain the financial and military power he referred to. Tokuga replies that he and Wonyong have arranged for the latter to finance the Triple Threats, and tells them of a weapons depot outside the city where the police are keeping all the vehicles and mecha-suits left over from the invasion of the United Republic of Nations, stating that it is a whole army's worth of equipment just waiting to be used. He declares that the police, Raiko, and Korra will soon answer to him, moments before Lin breaks down a door and shouts for the occupants to freeze, only to discover herself at the entrance to a room filled with mannequins.
Continuing his speech, Tokuga states that the old regime must die if the Triple Threats are to advance and that Lin and the task force will be the first to perish. Back at the warehouse, Mako sees that they have been led into a trap and yells at everyone to get out, as Tokuga declares that the Triple Threats will prove that they are a force to be feared and that Republic City will belong to them. Moments later, explosives go off in the warehouse, causing the task force to flee for their lives, but Mako uses his firebending to contain the explosions and prevent them from harming the others.
Once the danger is over, Mako apologizes to Lin for the bad lead, but Lin assures him that he is not to blame; Tokuga was just one step ahead. She orders the task force to search the area for any clues about where Tokuga might be hiding, but Mako takes Bolin aside and tells him that they will not find anything in the warehouse, adding that there is one lead they have yet to investigate. Bolin asks if he means Wonyong, and begins to reiterate Lin's instructions, but Mako replies that he does not care about them after they were nearly killed by Tokuga. He states that if Wonyong knows something, he is their only chance of finding Tokuga. Elsewhere, Tokuga states that he must have the support of the rest of the Triple Threats if his plans are to succeed, with all of them agreeing to stand by him. Zhen also agrees, and Tokuga tells him to prove his commitment, stating that he has an important job for him.
The next morning, Mako and Bolin travel to the offices of Keum Enterprises and try to visit him, but the receptionist insists that they must arrange an appointment. A pair of security guards come over to escort them out, but one of them asks if Wonyong is in trouble, explaining that he has not shown up for work for the past two days. Mako asks why they did not inform the police, to which the other guard replies that Wonyong is a private person who does not like to get involved with the authorities and that Wonyong's wife has not seen him either. The two brothers guess that Tokuga might be responsible for Wonyong's disappearance.
Meanwhile, Korra visits the construction site to find security guards stationed around the area. One of them challenges Korra before Asami appears and waves her through. Entering Asami's office, Korra asks about the presence of the guards, with Asami replying that it is just a precaution. Korra asks if it was because of what happened to Mako and Bolin, but Asami, unaware of what had happened, explains about her encounter with the Creeping Crystals. After Korra is both alarmed and angered by this news, Asami assures her that she is fine, and asks Korra not to make a fuss over it. Upon learning that Jargala and the Creeping Crystals were responsible, Korra offers to visit Jargala and make her leave Asami alone, but Asami insists that she can handle the matter herself and does not need Korra's help. When Korra takes offense at this, Asami explains that she does not want Korra to have to be on "Avatar duty" every time she has a problem, but Korra replies that she is not acting out of duty, but because she cares about Asami more than she has about anyone. Asami assures her that nothing will happen to her, and the two share an embrace before Asami offers to take Korra out on a date that evening, proposing dinner at Fan's Dumplings followed by a romantic ride in a turtle duck boat.
Later on in the day, it is revealed that the delivery of food supplies to the evacuee camp has been delayed, much to the anger of the evacuees. As Zhu Li tries to calm the situation, a worried Varrick remarks that the evacuees have already consumed his entire supply of "Varri-cakes", although he soon reveals himself to have saved one for himself. When the others give him looks, Varrick argues that he can hardly be expected to work on an empty stomach, before eating the cake. Ignoring her husband, Zhu Li bitterly suggests that Raiko, who had promised the food supplies would be quickly moved through customs, is holding things up just to spite her. Tenzin states that such a thing would be unconscionable even for Raiko, and Zhu Li comments on Raiko's hypocrisy in acting like he had the evacuees' best interests at heart earlier, remarking that the president only wanted to help people when it suited him.
Varrick declares that he cannot bear to see Zhu Li so upset, and offers to take her into the tent for a massage. Zhu Li is pleasantly surprised by the offer, but she becomes annoyed when Varrick makes it clear that he wants her to give him a massage, instead of the other way around. Varrick quickly apologizes and begins massaging Zhu Li's shoulders. As he does so, Zhu Li asks Varrick what he thinks about her running for the presidency. Varrick is taken by surprise but eagerly gives the idea his support. Zhu Li recalls her earlier conversation on the subject with Korra, Asami, and Tenzin, but admits that she doesn't think she could handle losing to Raiko. Varrick assures her that she will not lose, and Zhu Li says that she would have to deal with all the problems plaguing the United Republic if she won, something else she is not sure she can handle. Varrick declares that Zhu Li is the most "tenacious, brilliant, inspiring" woman he has known, that the people love her, and that Raiko would not stand a chance if she really wanted the presidency, convincing Zhu Li to run.
That evening, a smartly dressed Korra arrives at Fan's Dumplings to wait for Asami, but her girlfriend doesn't show up for over half an hour. Worried, Korra tries to call Asami from a payphone but gets no answer, and she then calls Mako and tells him what has happened. Korra, Mako and Bolin head to Asami's office, where they discover that it has been attacked, with Asami's security guards unconscious, and Asami nowhere to be seen. Remembering Asami's earlier confrontation with Jargala, Korra guesses that the Creeping Crystals have taken Asami. The three travel to the Creeping Crystals' hideout and force their way inside, but Jargala tells them that she does not have Asami, and permits them to search the hideout as proof.
On Air Temple Island, Jinora and Ikki bemoan Raiko's occupation of the land around the spirit portal over dinner. Tenzin reassures them that Zhu Li has decided to run for president, and Pema expresses hope that Raiko will eventually withdraw the United Forces out of practicality, but Jinora insists that they must act now, or there will be less chance of the spirits returning. Meelo declares that all the airbenders should march on the portal, and Tenzin supports the idea, saying that a protest march led by the airbenders could rally the city against Raiko and put pressure on him to withdraw his troops. While Jinora and Ikki enthusiastically support the idea, Meelo quietly clarifies that he was hoping to have the airbenders attack the United Forces, but agrees with his father's idea.
Back in the city, Korra, Mako and Bolin leave the Creeping Crystals' hideout, having failed to find Asami. Mako states that something is happening, as Wonyong and now Asami have both gone missing. With Korra previously unaware of Wonyong's disappearance, Mako tells her of his and Bolin's trip to Wonyong's office, and his theory that the Triple Threats kidnapped Wonyong. Hearing this, Korra suggests that the Triple Threats were the ones who took Asami. Mako questions why they would do such a thing, but the discussion is then interrupted by Lin calling for all police to head to the weapons depot, which is being attacked by the Triple Threats.
At the depot, the Triple Threats manage to take control of several tanks, mecha-suits and airships, allowing them to overpower and drive off the police. Standing on one of the tanks, Tokuga orders the Triple Threats to follow him, only to be confronted by Korra, Mako and Bolin, all three of whom react in shock to seeing Tokuga's mutated form for the first time. Tokuga tells Korra not to look so surprised, as she was the one who caused his mutation. Korra replies that she had tried to stop the dragon-eel spirit from doing what it had done, but Tokuga retorts that she should have tried harder and that she would soon learn that her actions had consequences.
Mako then steps forward and tells Tokuga that he is the one who needs to answer for his actions, and then asks if he and the Triple Threats are trying to steal the weapons for Wonyong. Tokuga replies that Wonyong now works for him, and when asked for the property developer's location, he tells Mako to look up, saying that Wonyong has been above their heads the entire time. Mako and the others do so, and see a bound and gagged Wonyong standing in the doorway of one of the captured airships, with one of the Triple Threats standing guard over him. Mako orders Tokuga to release Wonyong and surrender, but Tokuga refuses, claiming that he has Korra, Mako and Bolin outnumbered and outmatched. Mako points out Tokuga's previous failures as proof that he will not win now, with Bolin adding that he is facing Team Avatar, but Tokuga smirks and replies that he is not facing the whole team, mockingly pointing out that they're missing a fourth member.
Realizing that Tokuga is referring to Asami's disappearance, an enraged Korra charges at him while demanding to know where Asami is, only to be thrown to the floor by Tokuga's tentacle arm. Mako and Bolin move to assist her, but two of the mecha-suits shoot lightning at them, incapacitating the pair. Tokuga tells them to back off and allow him and the Triple Threats to leave, but Korra refuses, entering the Avatar State as she gets back to her feet. Unfazed, Tokuga warns Korra that Asami will die unless she obeys him, and points up at another airship, which has Asami standing in the doorway with her arms and legs bound, and Zhen standing over her. Upon seeing this, a now disheartened Korra leaves the Avatar State, blaming herself for what has happened. With no-one else in their way, Tokuga and the Triple Threats advance toward Republic City, Tokuga declaring that it is time to lay claim to their turf.
== Production notes ==
=== Transcript ===
=== Character revelations ===
* Wonyong Keum is Republic City's most powerful and well-connected land developer.
* Jargala's last name is Omo.
* Skoochy is still living on the streets and working as a messenger for the Triple Threat Triad.
* Tokuga was responsible for Viper's death.
=== Goofs ===
* On page 12, Mako's belt buckle is missing.
* On page 18, the seal of the United Republic is missing from Raiko's attire in the lower panel.
* On page 62, the arrows on both Jinora's and Tenzin's hands are missing.
=== Trivia ===
* Turf Wars Part Two was the best-selling graphic novel of January 2018 by units in the United States.
* Jinora, Ikki, and Meelo are wearing their traditional airbender robes again, which they wore in the first three books of the series.
* The dress Korra wears on her date is the same dress she wore to Varrick and Zhu Li's wedding.
== References ==
== See also ==
* List of The Legend of Korra comics
* Turf Wars trilogy
de:Revierkämpfe Band 2
es:Guerras Territoriales Parte 2
ru:Борьба за территорию, часть 2
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