Attempted kidnapping of President Raiko

The kidnapping attempt at the Pro-bending Arena was a ploy planned by Varrick to ensure military support of the United Republic of Nations to the Southern Water Tribe on the Water Tribe Civil War. During the screening of the finale of "The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South" at the Pro-bending Arena, Varrick intended for President Raiko and his First Lady to be kidnapped, and blame the Northern Water Tribe for the incident. Due to Bolin's intervention, the kidnapping was foiled, and Varrick was exposed as the mastermind behind it.

Prelude
With the Water Tribe Civil War ongoing, Varrick came to Republic City with Team Avatar to enlist the Republic's military help. Despite an early refusal to send in military forces, Varrick continued his efforts to get the Republic to aid them. Publicly, Varrick began producing "The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South", to turn public opinion in favor of the Southern Water Tribe, hoping that it would pressure the president into sending his troops. Varrick also orchestrated the bombing of the Southern Water Tribe Cultural Center during a peace march, to further amass public sympathy. Mako investigated the bombing, and despite uncovering evidence linking it to Varrick, no one took him seriously, and Varrick had him set up for theft of Future Industries property when he could not buy his silence, leading to his incarceration.

Screening night
Before going to the Pro-bending Arena, Bolin visited his brother in prison, and gifted him with a sign posted of the mover, and assured him that he'd get him the best lawyer he could afford. Mako insisted that he look into Varrick, which Bolin took as him intending to employ an insanity defense. Before Bolin left, Mako urged Bolin to be on the lookout, as he was sure Varrick would try something during the screening.



During the screening, a group of waterbenders working for Varrick arrived by boat, and infiltrated the arena, incapacitating Lu and Gang. Feeling sad over not having his friends around to share the moment with, Bolin excused himself from the booth he was in, and was followed by Asami. They chatted outside for a few moments, and Asami returned inside. Bolin then noticed the boat, and while investigating it, came heard loud noises coming from a closet. Opening it, he found Lu and Gang tied up and gagged. Removing their gags, they alerted him they were after the president.

Defeating Raiko's security, the waterbenders apprehended him and his wife, and were about to leave when Bolin intercepted them. Fighting ensued, catching the attention of some of the audience and the police, before becoming center stage as the commotion shifted shifted to the arena. Bolin fought the waterbenders using the earth disks, and intimidated the last conscious waterbender into revealing who sent them. Varrick tried to escape, but was arrested by Lin Beifong and her metalbender cops.

Aftermath
Varrick and Zhu Li were sent to prison, and shortly after, Avatar Korra arrived at the scene, once again requesting military help to Raiko, explaining the new dire situation regarding the coming Harmonic Convergence, and Vaatu's possible release. Despite this, Raiko maintained that he wouldn't send in troops, stressing that if what Korra claimed was true, they'd be needed at Republic City instead. As his allegations were found to be correct, Mako was released, receiving a round of applause by all present at the police headquarters. Visiting Varrick in his lavish cell, he argued that despite his manipulations, he also did good things, and offered to let them take Zhu Li, his battleship, to help out at the Southern Water Tribe.