Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The room was turning orange as the late afternoon sun inched lower in the sky. Instinctively, Asami looked towards the window, wondering if Varrick had finished collecting the inventory lists. The guard standing to the right of the sill shifted uncomfortably, feeling her gaze.

“I’m surprised at you.”

“What?” Asami flicked her eyes back across the table. On the other side sat her father, his shoulders hunched.

“This kind of opening.” He gestured towards the Pai Sho board. “You hardly ever overlook a trap like it.” Hiroshi jumped a tile over two of hers, and looked back up with a small, timid smile. “Are you okay?”

“Of course I am; this is just a game.” She swept her captured tiles away and tried to quickly scan the board for her next move.

“Asami, all I mean is—you seem distracted.”

“Sorry. I’m fine,” she told him. She thought about moving a tile at random just so he’d need to focus again.

“Yes, well, I understand if you don’t want to tell me.”

Asami withdrew her hand to her lap and met his eyes. I don’t, she thought. But then what was she even doing there? Forgiveness would take more than Pai Sho. She sighed. “It’s Kuvira…it’s this meeting with Raiko.” It’s the partnership with Varrick; it’s Korra facing the emergency in the Spirit Wilds .

Hiroshi frowned. “Are you worried you won’t be able to think of a solution?” Asami had told him the broad strokes of the President’s request over their first game, for lack of anything else to say.

“It’s more the idea of a giant super weapon out there. Kuvira wouldn’t have built it unless she meant to use it, right?”

“Probably, but I’m sure you’ll be able to create one before such a time comes. There’s plenty of spirit vines in the city.”

Asami stared. “We’re not going to build a spirit weapon of our own, Dad. The vines are already out of control with what Kuvira is doing miles away. We can’t risk using that technology.”

“That technology is already being used,” he protested. “Ignoring it is like starting a game of Pai Sho with half your pieces missing. You need to even the board.”

Is that what you used to tell Amon? “Pai Sho isn’t the same. When you move a tile, people don’t die.”

Her father seemed to sense her anger. He leaned back and exhaled before speaking again. “You’re right. This is dangerous. And we cannot fully understand the vines.” When Asami said nothing, he continued, “I read in the papers the Avatar is back in the city. She’s the bridge between the two worlds. Does she have any ideas?”

“She…” Asami let her voice trail off. Korra was the last thing she wanted to talk to her father about. “I don’t know,” she admitted, at last. “She’s been taking care of the crisis in the wilds all day.” In truth, Asami was unsure whether that was still the case, but she had been stuck in meetings herself and hadn’t had a chance to speak with her.

“She’s back in action then? The paper was unclear.”

“You don’t get to ask about Korra, Dad. Not after what you did,”  she snapped before she could stop herself.

Hiroshi seemed taken aback. “I’m... I’m on your side here.”

“And how long will that be for?” To her frustration, she felt tears forming in her eyes. She turned her head away.

“Asami, I know I made mistakes. I—”

“Stop.” She lay a hand on the table, trying to decide whether or not to leave. “Just stop. I can’t do this every time I see you.” When Hiroshi stayed silent, she looked back towards him. “I want to try and move on Dad, I really do. But we can’t keep having this conversation.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Maybe... Maybe next time we can just try and focus on Pai Sho.”

“Yes, if that’s what you’d like,” he said quietly. When she said nothing in response, he tried again. “Despite how it may seem, I want you to know that I believe in you. Whatever you come up with will be the right thing—the answer this city needs. For all my mecha suits and biplanes, I never understood what that was. Yet I know you do.”

Asami nodded, unable to think of what to say. She knew the compliment was kindly meant, but it made her stomach churn. Thankfully the desire to cry seemed to have disappeared. She stood and cleared the Pai Sho board off the table, grateful for something to do. She could feel her father’s eyes, but couldn’t bring herself to meet them. “Bye Dad,” she told him once she had placed everything back in her purse.

“Goodbye, Asami.”

She was so determined to put as much distance between her and the prison that she barely paid attention to where her feet were taking her. It wasn’t until she was a good few blocks away that she realized she was headed towards the heart of the city. I could stop by the wilds—see if the crisis was resolved yet .

When she had left Raiko’s office, the wilds were still barred, with Lin’s force doing what it could to contain the vines. From a distance, she had seen Tenzin, but there was no sign of Korra or Mako. With Jinora missing, Asami hadn’t wanted to intrude any more than was necessary, and instead opted to get her visit with her father over with. Had I known how that was going to turn out, I might have been better off checking-in with Tenzin anyway.

Yet as she looked towards the wilds, she was distracted by the sun disappearing behind the skyline. The day was nearly done, and Varrick would surely want to check back in after his meeting with her Chief Operating Officer. Dutifully, she turned to head in the direction of Future Industries Tower.

As she walked, she wondered if it had been foolish to let Varrick handle reviewing her inventory for them; he had tried to steal her company once before, and she hated to think of the secrets he might be able to glean from a factory visit. But if the president was contracting them to work together to stop Kuvira’s weapon, what choice did she have? Varrick knew more about the spirit ray than anyone, after all, and he would be of no help to Asami if he didn’t understand what he had to work with in the first place. She could only hope that he hadn’t given Dara too hard of a time.

Thoughts of her COO carried her all the way back to her office. Asami had already altered her sales strategy and production schedule following the coronation ceremony where Kuvira had announced the Earth Empire. Though her initial reaction had been to halt all business dealings there, her CFO had convinced her otherwise. Much of her raw material came from the Earth Empire, and such an action would only harm its the citizens and the company, not Kuvira or her power structure. “Admirable, perhaps, but a meaningless moral gesture,” Shoji had summarized. Even so, he had agreed to halt the delivery of any technology that would likely be used by the empire’s army.

Whatever Varrick and I design will need to be put onto a line, she mused as her elevator carried her up forty-two stories to her office; We’ll need the bayside and northeastern facilities, unless it doesn’t require metal. That seemed unlikely. She tried to recall her last meeting with her Production Manager, but the days were blurring together. I can halt the sports-models, but unless Raiko issues a formal embargo, stopping the L-line will be too much of an unnecessary hit. That seemed even less likely. The Earth Empire was the richer kingdom in its resources, and issuing a ban on trade might only serve to provoke Kuvira.

Raiko would need to side with the world leaders on this one, and from what she had gathered during her meeting with the President, Fire Lord Izumi only agreed to help secure the borders. “If this weapon does what you claim,” Raiko had said to Varrick, “then Kuvira will be able to cut through our ranks like butter. We need you two to come up with something so that we can fight back.” But what?

The elevator doors opened before she found her answer. She was surprised to see Anju still sitting behind her desk in the reception area just outside the office. “It’s nearly six,” Asami told her secretary with a smile. “I’m only expecting Varrick to come by, if you want to take off.” Anju was a hard worker, but Asami had little use of her towards the end of the day; she tended to prefer all her meetings in the morning, so that she could spend her afternoons in her workshop, uninterrupted.

“I’m afraid you’ll have to tolerate me for a few more hours,” Anju said, lifting her eyes from a file folder. “Your new contract with the President’s office means that I need to get through the supplier recategorization today.” She sighed and leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “Do you really think we might have to go to war?”

Asami answered slowly, “Well, the President does seem to be preparing...and it might be the right thing to do. But it sounds as though an invasion is off the table for now. At least, the other nations don’t want that.”

“I’m not sure I see that stopping Raiko.”

I’m not sure it’s Raiko who needs to be stopped this time. Asami knew Anju could be trusted, but the spirit ray was still information that Raiko was trying to keep from the public. When she had told her secretary about the contract, she had only told her that it was to deal with the threat of the Earth Empire without going into the specifics. Though even without knowing about her super weapon, Kuvira’s speech in front of City Hall alone resulted in the papers and town criers musing about an upcoming war. Once Zaofu fell, it had only intensified.

Asami could feel Anju’s eyes on her. “Maybe not, but inaction doesn’t feel right either. Not with the reports of the reeducation camps.” It had been something Asami knew the airbenders were talking about for months; the Republic City Sun finally broke the story to the public only a few days after Prince Wu’s failed coronation. Varrick and Bolin had confirmed as much, though Asami hadn’t had a chance to talk with her friend yet, and Varrick seemed too distracted by the new project.

“I guess all we can do is wait and see how this shakes out,” Anju offered.

“And all I can do is try and keep Raiko happy in the meantime,” Asami said with a hollow laugh. “I’m going to be heading down to my workshop for some time, if anyone needs me.”

“You said Varrick would be stopping by?”

“He was supposed to check back in after meeting with Dara, but it wouldn’t be unlike him to get sidetracked and disappear for the rest of the day. Or even for a week, especially now that Zhu Li isn’t with him.”

Anju furrowed her brow, clearly confused, though she answered all the same. “Well, I’ll be sure to send him on down if he does make it here.”

Asami smiled. “Thank you, Anju. Feel free to order anything you want for dinner and charge it here.”

She entered her office, where she dropped her purse onto her desk. She considered running up to her penthouse apartment to change her clothes, but it seemed an enormous effort when she was unlikely to do more than sketch out a few schematics. Instead, she removed her capelet, which she draped carelessly over the back of her chair, and crossed the room to the heavy metal door that led to her workshop on the lower floor.

Once there, Asami pulled up a stool to a workbench that already had her drawing tools strewn about, and sat down. For a good five minutes, she sat idly twirling a compass, until she shoved it away in frustration. She hopped back down and began to pace, thinking. Raiko would surely be expecting a spirit weapon in answer, as her father had, though luckily Varrick seemed as against it as she was. Were they being foolish? It was hard not to be annoyed with her father for his assumption, but what could be a possible answer if not to match Kuvira’s strength?

A shield of some sort would be ideal, but there’d be no way to test the technology without also building a canon, and far too much risk if it failed. Maybe we are starting a Pai Sho game with half the pieces missing. She stopped pacing to slam her fist against her her workbench. “He makes it impossible to forgive him,” she told the room, her anger rising. But then she pictured how he looked sitting across from her, so sad and crumpled, offering his sheepish reassurances; she could only feel ashamed of herself. “Whatever you come up with will be the right thing—the answer this city needs”, she could hear him say. “For all my mecha suits and biplanes, I never understood what that was.”

Hiroshi’s biplanes and mecha suits had certainly been the answer Amon needed; the magnetic attachments on the suits’ arms had allowed him to capture Lin’s metalbending force with barely any resistance, and the planes had made short work of General Iroh’s fleet. But they’d be little use against a spirit beam.

From what Asami understood, Varrick had provided Kuvira with rough sketches of a cannon that could be transported along train tracks before having second thoughts about the project, and it seemed likeliest that Baatar Jr. would pick up where he left off. Kuvira had mecha suit platoons of her own, now bimodal, thanks to Varrick, so only air support would stand a chance. Yet planes required runways, and would not be able to maneuver well enough to get close to the spirit weapon, especially if the cannon could be angled upwards. What they truly needed was an army of airbenders, not that it was a possibility. Or anything I’d want to happen.

Suddenly, it struck Asami. When she had been deeply buried in the wingsuit project for the airbenders, she had also considered designing flying mecha suits. It was only natural, after she had spent months thinking about nothing but wing shapes. The ones she had ended up using for the suits had no chance of working without airbending, but there had been some airfoils with promise, especially those she modeled after birds and insects. They could have the maneuverability needed, while being able to take off in a confined space.

Asami spent nearly an hour sifting through her old drawings and charts before finding a feasible direction. The design she had taken the furthest had been based on fireflies, even going as far as to begin building a prototype at one point. But that had been abandoned quickly. Because of the weight of the mecha suit, she would need a wing shape that could generate enough power to counter the downward drag; flireflies’ dual sets of wings made sense in that regard, but she found that there wasn’t a way to incorporate a hovering motion, and least not one stable enough to be useful. That was crucial for a flying mecha suit to have any practical applications—what if mid-air repairs were needed?

She turned instead towards her schematics based on dragonfly hummingbirds. She had originally written them off since the fuel intensity required to lift a metal body seemed far too demanding to ever be profitable. But for once, the bottom line wasn’t a consideration.

Asami sat down with the diagrams, sketching new ones furiously. The range and complexity of motion would be a lot for one pilot to handle, another reason she had been more drawn to fireflies. Yet she remembered vividly the way the dragonfly hummingbirds moved. She had spend many good hours in Avatar Korra park watching them; their speed and flexibility was unparalleled. Unless she was prepared to suggest Raiko order the United Forces up the mountains with hang-gliders, this was the closest thing she had towards a solution.

Within another half an hour, Asami had covered an entire page with her sketches, already overwhelmed by the work the circuit diagrams promised. Steering would be a nightmare, especially to allow it to take off from a sitting position, which would be a crucial aspect of its functionality.

She was so deep in thought, mulling over the possibility of a second pilot, that she barely heard Anju calling her name from the top of the metal staircase. “Miss Sato? I’m so sorry to interrupt.”

Asami scribbled a quick note before looking up. “Is Varrick here? You could’ve just sent him down.”

“No, but the Avatar is. Is that alright?”

She felt her heart rate quicken. “Of course! Korra can always... I mean. Yes, that’s fine.”

Anju gave a nod and retreated back through the door. Asami barely put her pencil down before Korra appeared. “Hey,” she said, almost jovially, heading down the stairs.

The last time Asami saw her, Korra had spent the evening worrying about whether she was even fit to be the Avatar. Her light tone was almost jarring. “Hi,” Asami answered, trying not to let her surprise show. “Uh, welcome to my office.”

Korra gave a small laugh. “What was that desk I passed upstairs then?”

“Oh, that’s for more formal meetings, paperwork, things like that. I spend most of my time down here.”

She nodded. “Well...may I?” she asked, gesturing towards the table where Asami sat.

“Yes, of course, grab a stool.” Asami said, the words sounding idiotic the moment they left her mouth. Suddenly it struck her. “The wilds! What happened? Is everything okay?”

Korra walked one of the stools over to the workbench and set it down across from Asami. “Everything’s fine,” she answered, sliding onto it, “and everyone’s rescued. No injuries.”

“How? What happened?”

She leaned an elbow on the table. “I meditated into the spirit world and found a way to release them. Turns out I can bend energy directly in there.”

Asami found herself at a loss for words. “Energy?” she repeated lamely.

“Yeah, it was something Raava explained to me.”

“Wait, Raava? The spirit world? You’re able to mediate in again?”

“Well, I couldn’t, at first,” Korra said, picking up a protractor and turning it over in her hand. “I tried after Mako and I found Jinora and the others trapped inside these sort of spirity cocoons. But Zaheer blocked me, like always. So, I decided I needed to visit him.”

“You visited Zaheer?” Asami asked, before sighing. “I must sound like an iguana parrot. Do you have time to tell me the whole story?”

Korra smiled and set the protractor down. “If you have time to listen.”

The sun had fully set when she finished, yet Asami barely noticed, transfixed by Korra’s words:  how she battled with the spirit vines, convincing Tenzin to let her go to the prison, her conversation with Zaheer. Though the story obviously had a happy ending, Asami still found herself getting nervous as Korra recounted what happened in the mountainside prison. “You must be exhausted,” Asami told her once she was done.

“Physically, maybe,” Korra answered with a small shrug. “But, I don’t know...I feel better than I have in a while. At peace, or something. I’m not sure how to explain it.”

“I understand; I—” Asami stopped herself, almost mentioning her father’s conviction and how long it had taken her to stop flashing back to their fight. It was hardly the time. “I just can’t believe Zaheer was willing to help.”

“Well Toph did tell me that I could learn something from my enemies. Though she probably didn’t mean it so literally.”

“But even just going there and facing him at all...”

“Yeah, about that,” Korra said, suddenly very interested by Asami’s tool shelf, “it actually made me think...uh, about you.”

“Seeing Zaheer again?” she asked, bemused.

“Well, you know, you seeing your father, and trying to forgive him and all.”

Asami dropped her eyes to her drawings and nearly started laughing. I’m doing such a great job, with that forgiveness. “It’s, um...”

“I’m not trying to compare your dad to Zaheer or anything,” Korra said quickly. “And I’m not forgiving Zaheer at all. But seeing him again, facing what he did to me, it’s what I needed to move on. I shouldn’t have told you—”

“No, Korra,” Asami interrupted, meeting her gaze, “I’m sorry I snapped at you like I did.”

“Yeah, but you had put thought into it and I—”

“Really, it’s fine,” she insisted, moving her hand on top of Korra’s. For a moment they both froze, until Asami pulled back again. She saw Korra’s eyes follow the movement. “I, uh, it’s just confusing for me, that’s all. I actually saw him again today, and...it’s complicated.”

“What happened?” Korra asked.

“Nothing happened, really. I told him about Raiko asking me and Varrick to partner up because of Kuvira’s spirit ray.”

“Yeah, Tenzin mentioned,” she said. “I can’t imagine Hiroshi is a fan of Kuvira, right?”

“No,” Asami confirmed, almost laughing. “But there’s this side of him...” She paused and shook her head, though Korra said nothing, a concerned look on her face. “I guess, I want to forgive him, but part of that means accepting how he’s not going to go back to being the person I thought he was. That had been a lie. And maybe it’s unfair of me to not be able to forgive the person that he is.”

Korra made a move, as if to reach her own hand out, but stopped herself. “I don’t think that’s unfair. But I do think focusing on acceptance might be the best approach. It’s how Zaheer helped me, at least.”

Even that seemed easier said than done. It had almost felt as though there had been two different men sitting across from her in that prison, and she was never sure which one would talk next: the man who’d kiss her scrapes when she was a little girl, or the man who imprisoned her. And did that matter, if they were both contrite? Asami gave a small smile. “I’m just so relieved you’re okay—better than okay, from the sound of it.”

“I’m just relieved no one got hurt,” she answered with a small laugh.

“Yes, of course, that too.”

“So,” Korra said, dropping her eyes to the schematics still in front of Asami, “you and Varrick are teaming up again, huh?”

She rolled her eyes. “He does know more about this weapon than anyone. Though he might be causing problems already. I sent him to one of my factories to take inventory hours ago, and he hasn’t come back.”

“You think he might be trying to get out of helping?”

“I don’t see why he would be.” Varrick had certainly seemed chipper at the prospect back in Raiko’s office. “Besides, where else would he go? Kuvira would arrest him, I doubt Suyin would take him back, and I’m pretty sure all intellectual property he produced under Varrick Industries International belongs to the Earth Empire for now.” Asami looked back at Korra and smiled. “It’s more likely that without Zhu Li, he got lost trying to find his way here.”

Korra shook her head. “I just can’t believe anyone would want to be loyal to Kuvira after she marched an army to Zaofu. But everyone seems to love her anyway.”

Asami could hear a sadness creeping into Korra’s voice, as it had when they talked the other night. It made her feel sick to think Korra blamed herself for the Earth Empire. “I don’t think Zhu Li’s decision had much to do with Kuvira,” she offered. It made sense; from what Asami had witnessed, at best Varrick treated his assistant like a shadow, and at worst she was rubbing his foot with pumice stones. “If only I had known she was willing to leave Varrick, I might have offered her a job myself.”

That brought a smile back to Korra’s face. “So do you think he can be of any help without her?”

“Of course, as long as he doesn’t ask me to ‘do the thing’ too much. Though I might have an idea anyway, and it’s one I know he can help with it. I was thinking that if we had flying mecha suits, we’d be able to—”

“Flying mecha suits?” Korra asked excitedly. She hopped down from her stool and circled the table to get a better look at the designs in front of Asami.

“It was an old idea of mine. I’m not positive this will work,” she told her. “Just before you got here I was thinking of how I might need to increase its size so that there can be a second pilot.” Instinctively, she picked up her pencil and quickly sketched a freehand drawing, so she could map out where they would sit. Korra leaned an arm on the desk as she worked, craning her neck. Asami suddenly became aware of how close she was. “It would be something like that,” she said, looking up in Korra’s direction, trying to act as naturally as she could. “The biggest issue would be the power needed to counter the extra mass, of course.”

She nodded. “And what, the top pilot would have to climb in a door by the wings?” she asked, pointing towards the middle of the drawing.

Asami lightly lay a hand on Korra’s outstretched arm. “It could probably be a top hatch above them.”

Korra turned her head, her eyes traveling first to Asami’s hand before meeting her gaze. “Well, this seems like the perfect solution,” she said, still not moving her arm back. For a moment, neither one said anything. Asami could feel her heart beating faster, wondering what would happen if she just moved a little closer...

The door banged open with a metal crash that made both Asami and Korra jump. “Heya, partner!” came Varrick’s voice. He paused at the top of the stairs. “Am I interrupting something?”

Asami rose from her stool with a sigh. “No, Varrick. You’re fine.”

“Great! Hey there, Korra,” he said, running down the stairs. “Long time, no see.”

“I saw you this morning.”

He drew up a few feet short of their table. “That’s right, you had your spirity vision you were telling everyone about. Hey, why weren’t you at the table with Raiko? Meant to ask then, but the whole ‘almost getting arrested’ thing put a damper on that.”

Plain irritation showed on Korra’s face. “Varrick,” Asami said quickly, “did Dara go over the inventory and lines with you?”

“Yeah, she’s great! Kinda looks like you, Korra.” Korra rolled her eyes in Asami’s direction, though Varrick didn’t seem to notice. “Then I went to your south-end factory. Real tight ship you’re running there, Asami.”

“Who gave you permission to do that?” she snapped.

“Come on, cut me some slack. We’re working together now, how about a little partner-to-partner trust?”

She folded in arms. “I think you said ‘goodbye’ to that a long time ago. What possible reason did you have to go there before we worked on any designs?”

“Before, eh?” Varrick pointedly looked down to the workbench. “For your information, I wanted to see how coal-reliant it was, given that it’s the factory where you shape early parts, and given how Kuvira might cut us off at any minute. Heck, I worked to ensure that she could! But I would say that information might be helpful to us, wouldn’t you?”

Asami felt color rising to her face. She couldn’t tell if she was more irritated that she was stuck working with him again, or that he had a point. Before she could think of a rejoinder, Korra cleared her throat. “I think I’ll leave you guys to it,” she said, gesturing towards the stairwell. “Tenzin will probably be wondering where I am anyway.”

“I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Korra,” Asami told her.

“Tomorrow?” she asked, in a voice that was almost hopeful.

“Well...I’d like to,” Asami answered, uncomfortably aware of Varrick. “I mean, I want to visit the island anyway. To see Bolin.”

“Right. Yeah, good, he’ll...he’ll like that,” she answered, lifting an arm to the back of her neck.

“Maybe I’ll swing by too,” Varrick said, more loudly than was necessary.

Korra shook her head slightly at that. “Well, see you!” she said, before turning and bounding out of the room. Asami offered a lame wave, though lowered her hand once she saw Varrick looking at her.

“Didn’t realize you were so schmoozy with the Avatar,” he said, barely waiting for the door to close behind Korra.

“I’m not schmoozy!” Asami protested hotly. She adjusted her skirt and sat back on her stool. “We’re friends. We were just talking.”

“And what did she have to say about the designs you made without me?” He almost sounded hurt.

She sighed. “I wasn’t trying to do anything without you. I was just thinking how our best chance might be more air support. So maybe if we had—”

“Flying mecha suits!” Varrick cut in, moving closer to the blueprints. “I had thought about it when I updated those mecha tanks of yours for Kuvira, but they’re just too heavy for that kind of thing.”

“It’s a challenge,” Asami agreed, “but I spent a lot of time studying flight dynamics when I was designing those wingsuits for the airbenders, and a lot of time watching birds and insects.” She pushed aside her sketches, looking to her older chart of airfoils. “Dragonfly hummingbirds have heavy bodies for their wing size, but their speed and power make up for it. And it also allows for hovering.”

Without invitation, Varrick picked up a pencil and began making markings of his own on the diagram. “It wouldn’t be fuel efficient,” he said as he worked, “but it’s even less efficient if we’re all blown to bits by Kuvira.”

“Well, that’s one way to look at it,” Asami said, almost letting herself laugh.

“This is great, kid! Kuvira might have all my mappings of the hydraulics from those mecha suits, but I have that mostly memorized.”

“And I consulted with you on them anyway,” she reminded him.

“Ha! You’re right! She doesn’t stand a chance! It’ll be just like old times, won’t it?”

Asami looked Varrick full in the face. “I certainly hope not.”

Chapter Text

Korra felt as though she had been talking for nearly an hour by the time the two bison appeared over the lip of the newly formed spirit-vine crater. Their arrival sent the spirits that had drifted closer to listen scattering away, back towards the glowing green light of the portal.

It had been an easy story to tell at first, and one she knew everyone was eager to hear. Bolin had barely waited for the group hug to break apart before asking what happened inside the spirit world. Everyone’s relief and praise allowed Korra a few more minutes of respite, but once Tenzin had Jinora and Ikki to fly back to the island and fetch Pepper and Oogi, the others began to press for details.

The more questions she answered, the more uncomfortable she felt, as though she were betraying some confidence. Kuvira hadn’t quite done anything to earn such privacy, and Korra needed to look no further than the destruction around her to remember that. But somehow she didn’t feel happy, or even relief, as she had when she defeated her uncle. It was a melancholy victory during Harmonic Convergence, but a victory nonetheless. This time felt...different.

“Well,” Tenzin began once he spotted the bison, rising from the vine he had perched himself on top of, “I’m sure we all have more to share, but I at least think we’ve earned a rest.”

“All my stuff’s in the Four Elements,” Varrick said. “I can’t rest without first applying my exfoliating cucumber sand mask.” He nudged Bolin in the elbow. “Would you believe the sandbenders didn’t know anything about it?”

“We don’t know that the hotel is standing, Dear,” Zhu Li pointed out.

Tenzin nodded in agreement. “We can appraise the damages tomorrow. For tonight, there should be plenty of beds on Air Temple Island for everyone, especially with most of the acolytes having evacuated.”

“Oh yeah,” Korra said, “Pema’s still outside the city, huh?”

“I’m going to look for her group first thing,” Jinora called from atop Oogi’s head. “She was in the last group to evacuate—we don’t know how far they got.”

“I’m coming too!” Ikki’s voice sounded from her own bison.

Meelo started to offer his own support, but Tenzin interrupted. “We’ll figure it out, but we definitely need to locate everyone soon. However, we can’t worry about that right now. Kuvira’s officers confirmed that they took no captives, so there’s not much more we can do. Besides, it’s quite late.”

“You can say that again!” Varrick agreed. “It feels like Raiko surrendered a week ago, not today.”

Korra felt herself frown. “Raiko... He’s going to want to know everything too, isn’t he?”

“Leave him to me for tonight, Korra. He’ll understand,” Tenzin assured her. “Let’s just get everyone into the saddles.”

He took Jinora’s spot behind Oogi’s head while she floated down to guide Varrick and Zhu Li. Both Korra and Bolin needed to help Mako climb onto Pepper’s back, his left arm too angry and blistered to grab onto anything. Once he was settled, Korra began to lift herself up, but Asami’s voice stopped her, perhaps the first time she heard it all night. “You guys go ahead,” she said quietly. “I’ll catch up later. There’s something I have to check on.”

Korra turned to look at her, but Asami seemed to be finding the vines by her feet quite interesting. “Check on?” Tenzin asked. “Asami, I’m sure this can wait until the morning. Whatever you’re worried about won’t be—”

“It can’t,” she said quickly. “I mean...I just..." She took a breath. “I need to take care of it now.”

“See, this is why I wanted to be her business partner!” Varrick called from Pepper’s saddle. “Always focused on the company.”

“But how will you get back?” Tenzin insisted, ignoring the interruption.

Asami moved a hand to her waist. “I have a motorboat by the docks. I don’t think Kuvira targeted them.” Korra could see her face growing flushed.

He didn’t seem satisfied. “That doesn’t make much sense. We’re not even going after Pema or Wu tonight. What is this really about?”

“I... There’s something...”

Suddenly it struck Korra. “I’ll go with her,” she offered before she could stop herself.

“What?”

Korra turned to look up at Tenzin. “It’s fine—I can waterbend us back if I have to. But there’s something to... to clean up.” It sounded ruder than she had hoped, but she couldn’t think how else to phrase it. “It won’t take us long, I promise.”

She glanced back in Asami’s direction to find her staring. “You don’t have to,” she said slowly.

“I want to,” Korra answered with a shrug, though she could feel her ears growing warm. “Unless you don’t want me to—”

“No,” she said quickly. “I’d like..." Asami let her voice trail off as she looked back up towards the saddles. Korra followed her gaze to find everyone staring. Tenzin’s face was a mask of confusion, though Jinora gave a small nod.

Bolin turned towards his brother. “Uh, should we help out too, or...?”

“No, don’t worry about it,” Korra said. “We won’t be long, really.” She locked eyes with Tenzin, wishing she could somehow make him understand.

After a moment, he inclined his head. “If you’re sure. Be careful. The city is evacuated, but you never know.”

She almost laughed. What would he have said if he had seen her throw herself in front of the spirit cannon? “We’ll be fine.”

It wasn’t until the bison had taken off that Asami met her eyes again. She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but it was a voice from over Korra’s shoulder that sounded. “Are you in need of assistance, Avatar?”

She whirled around to see the dragon eel spirit hovering just a few feet away, several others closer to the portal watching with rapt attention. “Uh, no, that’s okay,” she answered, before realizing that it might sound ungrateful. Spirits were always so prickly. “Tonight is a night for peace,” she tried. It sounded like something an Avatar would say.

The spirit closed and opened his eyes slowly. “So it is.” Without another word, it drifted dreamily towards the others. Was that an apology for not helping? Somehow, Korra doubted it.

She turned back towards Asami, whose eyes were wide. “Come on,” she told her, gesturing towards the side of the crater where the pieces of the mecha giant lay, almost entirely embedded thanks to the thick growth of vines wrapping around its chassis.

“You know where we’re going?” Asami asked her.

“Yeah, as soon as we got inside, the mecha giant stopped moving, so I figure it’s all gotta be in those vines.”

“Yes, I just... You know why?”

“You can’t leave him there tonight,” Korra answered softly.

Asami nodded and swallowed. “Well, thank you.”

“Of course.” They began to make their way over the vines, circling around the portal. Even though its light was filling the sky with a warm, green glow, there was something ominous about the crater, especially with the half-toppled buildings lining its edge like jagged teeth. The spirits circling high above them served as a small comfort. “So, I didn’t have the chance to ask anyone; what did it look like, when I opened this?”

Asami turned her head to look in Korra’s direction. “It looked like the world was ending,” she answered simply. “I remember hearing that noise, the cannon firing but not stopping. And then there was this...wave of purple.” She shook her head. “I’m sure I’m not making any sense. All I really know is that the ground felt like it was going to split open. I ended up ducking into an alley to shield myself from whatever was coming. I felt this rush of wind and heard a kind of popping noise, but when I went out to look again, everything was green and the portal was already there.”

Korra nodded, trying to picture it. Her own memories were almost hazy. She could see Kuvira’s face as the beam approached her, but the way she had bent the energy around them when she entered the Avatar state felt more like a dream now. “You found everyone else at the portal, then?”

“Yes. I had gone off looking for Zhu Li and Varrick in case we could somehow salvage their suit, but once I saw it I... I think I figured that’s where you would be. We all did.”

“When I wasn’t, did you guys think I had died?” Korra asked. The crater began to slope so sharply upwards that she used her hands to help her scale. The mecha giant wasn’t far now.

Asami did the same, silently at first. After a minute, she answered, “I didn’t exactly let myself consider that. I couldn’t...” her voice trailed off.

Korra’s hand struck something hard and metal—the ‘foot’ of the mecha suit. She pulled herself upright and turned to help Asami do the same. She was already on her feet, her worried eyes scanning the length of the suit’s bottom half. “Come on,” Korra told her. “We’ll find him.”

It took a good fifteen minutes to do just that. Thanks to the suit’s platinum exterior, Korra and Asami were forced to wade through the tangling vines, Korra occasionally firebending them, allowing a closer look before they would grow back. They opted to walk along the inside of the ‘legs’ to be able to check both sides, though more than once Korra found herself questioning that decision. Just as she was considering blasting her fire in the middle of the wreck with as much force as possible, she spotted a darker glint of scrap poking out from under a vine. When it responded to her metalbending, she rushed towards it.

There was no mistaking the crushed suit, even in its buried state. Korra managed to metalbend the chassis mostly to surface, a handful of insistent vines still wrapped around it. The broken wings remained ensnared, pinning it to the ground. I won’t be able to get it out completely like this. Instead, she turned towards where Asami was pulling at a vine near one of the ‘knees’ of the mecha giant. “Asami,” she called, “here it is.”

She made her way over, though stopped a few feet short of the exposed metal. “Korra,” she said slowly, “I don’t think we can...clean this up.”

“No, doesn’t look it. I can metalbend it open? Try to get him out.” The thought made her stomach churn, but what choice was there?

“I—I’m not sure that will work.”

“Well if it doesn’t, the only other option involves opening the suit anyway.”

“I know,” Asami said in a soft voice. “You shouldn’t have to do it though.”

“You shouldn’t have to. It’s okay.” Korra took a breath and turned back towards the wreckage, hoping her body was blocking most of Asami’s view.

Before she could think about it for too long, she raised her arms and bent the hummingbird suit open in one swift movement. She had to force herself not to clap a hand to her mouth at what lay inside; the body was a ruin, a red mash amid a jumble of gears and screws, with a foul smell accompanying its exposure. Korra looked over her shoulder at Asami. As if knowing, she inclined her head ever so slightly.

Korra didn’t hesitate. She turned back and with one punch, shot a fireball into the inside of the suit. The flames spread quickly, mercifully washing over everything she had just seen.

She retreated to where Asami stood, grateful to have distanced herself further from the smell. She expected Asami to have started crying, but her face was stony, the fire illuminating surprisingly hard eyes. Korra suddenly became very aware of her hands and found herself wishing she had her staff—anything she could fiddle with—rather than just stand there awkwardly, with nothing to do but watch her say goodbye to another parent.

Korra looked back towards the suit, the flames rising higher as they burned, the scent of scorched metal and whatever else she didn’t want to think about making her feel dizzy. “I didn’t really know you, Hiroshi,” she heard herself say after a minute. “I mean, I guess we didn’t have the best start,” she paused and looked at Asami yet again. She was still staring ahead, though Korra could see her chest rising and falling faster now.

As if unable to stop herself, she continued, “Honestly, it’s been so long and so much has happened, I barely remember it. But that’s okay; what’s important is today. What you did...it’s why we’re here, any of us. And I think that’s what everyone will remember.” A thicker, grey smoke flew upwards now, the fire making quick work of the body. Korra swallowed. “Believe me, I know what it’s like to fall out of balance. To be so angry you try and find an answer some place where there isn’t one. And I’ve learned that what’s important is how you recover from it. There’s no going back, but there is moving forward, and that’s what you did. You redeemed yourself today.”

She could think of nothing else to say, but Asami remained still. Korra felt heat rising to her face that had nothing to do with the fire, and wondered if she should have just stayed silent. Was that stupid? It was impossible to imagine what she would want, in Asami’s position. All Korra could do was continue to watch the flames, hoping they would burn through quickly.

At last, Asami spoke. “Korra’s probably right, Dad. The history books will be kind to you. After all, everyone loves a redemption story; it makes things simple. I... I want it to be that simple.” She looked in Korra’s direction and for a moment, their eyes met. When Asami looked back towards her father and began to speak once more, her voice was louder. “I really thought it could be. You heard me forgive you, you heard me say that ‘I love you’, and maybe that’s all that matters, isn’t it? I forgave you. Even before you... Before you sacrificed yourself.”

The fire seemed to be dimming. “So why is it that after...” She shook her head, taking a shuttering breath. “I just wish I could know Dad, when we were up there, flying, were you thinking about the last time you were in a mecha suit? Because it was the only thing I could. Did you remember smashing the glass to get to me? Prying the suit open?” The words sent a shiver up Korra’s spine. She looked over yet again and now saw tears swimming in Asami’s eyes. She wanted to reach out, but before she could, Asami spoke again, her voice cracking.

“If you did remember that...I have to think you did... Did you even want to be forgiven? I just, I need to know that answer. You said you didn’t expect it, but did you want it? It was the question I—I didn’t make myself ask you during our visits. I meant to. And the worst part, Dad, is that I could have. If I had gone to the prison sooner...if I had...” Tears were rolling down her cheeks, glistening by the light of the dying flames. Asami’s voice was suddenly angry. “I was the one steering, wasn’t I? If I had only not listened to you. I spent over three years not listening to you, and I chose today to start?! What is wrong with me?” Her last sentence turned into choking sobs.

Without thinking, Korra put an arm around her. She half-expected it to be shrugged off, but instead, Asami turned and began crying into her shoulder, her body shaking. Korra felt the wetness against her neck, almost immediately soaking into her collar. She could think of nothing to do but hold her, looking towards the smoking mecha suit while the flames grew lower and lower. The portal’s light gave the charred metal a peculiar glow, as if it were something alien.

Once Asami's crying slowed, Korra spoke softly, “If you had steered away—if you had tried to take another pass, it might not have worked. It probably wouldn’t have worked.” She could feel that Asami was no longer shaking, though she made no move to let go. “That suit was unstoppable, and it was our best shot to cut in," Korra continued, keeping her voice low. "I think Hiroshi doing what he did...that’s your answer. Maybe it was the only way he could forgive himself.”

Asami remained still for another minute, her breath warm against Korra’s neck where the tears had pooled. When she finally picked her head up, her cheeks were streaked with wetness, but her eyes were as piercing as ever. Her gaze somehow made Korra’s heart beat faster. Then, without warning, Asami leaned in and kissed her.

Instinctively, Korra pulled her closer, and felt Asami wrap her arms around her neck in response. Everything else seemed to fade as the kiss deepened, yet when Korra made to move a hand to her face, Asami suddenly pulled back again, looking down. “I’m sorry,” she said, breathlessly.

“Uh...that’s okay?” Korra answered, confused. Her head was swimming. Did she not want to?

Asami seemed determined not to look at her. “I just...I didn’t—” she cut herself off as her eyes fell back on the mecha suit, a thin trail of smoke still rising. She brought a hand back to her chest.

“Oh, right,” Korra said, stepping back towards the wreckage. “I can clean this up.” She’s grieving and confused, she thought, a sinking feeling in her stomach.

A thin line of ash lay across the bottom of the suit, the bolts and gears inside now disturbingly clean. Korra raised her arms to bend the sides upwards. Then, with a few short movements, she brought them towards each other, as if she was creating a funnel. It took several minutes of bending to shrink the base into a fairly contained size, but she wanted to be sure she collected all of Hiroshi’s remains. Finally, she bent the collection area to have shallow walls, and cut it loose from the rest of the suit. She walked over and picked up the makeshift box, happy to find the pile of ashes within. It wasn’t terrible, given how limited her practice of finer shapes had been. She put on the finishing touches—bending the walls slightly higher so that they could seal over the top to form a lid—before turning back.

“Sorry that it’s a little uneven,” she told her, holding it out. “I still have a lot of metalbending to learn. I’m sure Su can make you something much better for his proper funeral.”

Asami took the box with trembling fingers. “I...I don’t think there will be a proper funeral,” she answered.

“Why not?”

She shrugged and looked down at the metal, turning it over in her hand. “The only people who might come would come because of me. I don’t want that.”

“There’s no family of your dad’s that would want to?” Korra asked.

“I might have a great uncle or second cousin in the Fire Nation somewhere,” she said, raising her eyes again. “But my father was an only child, and I don’t think my mother’s family would attend...after everything.”

Korra nodded. “I’m sure you know best.”

“I’m not,” Asami said, her mouth twisting into a sardonic smile, “but I’ve at least gotten this far.”

The loneliness of her words made Korra’s chest hurt. She wondered what would happen if she took her in her arms again, though if Asami was unsure, she didn’t want to upset her. “We should probably get back,” she offered. “I mean, the others will be wondering where we are.”

“Oh...okay,” Asami answered flatly. Her eyes moved to where the rest of the mecha suit lay, half-swallowed by the vines. “We’ll have quite the clean-up ahead of us.”

“Maybe we can let someone else take the lead,” Korra said, stretching an arm. She could feel the soreness all the way to her shoulder.

Asami smiled appreciatively, but that seemed to stop the conversation. They climbed out of the crater and made their way to Yue Bay in silence. Once there, Korra froze a block of ice for them to climb on top of, which she navigated to Air Temple Island. It had seemed silly to try and hunt down the motorboat, especially with Asami carrying her father’s ashes in her hand. Korra doubted she’d be in a state to pilot much of anything if she had been the one who just lost her dad.

Once they were ashore, Korra started to make for the path towards the dormitories, but Asami grabbed her wrist. “Korra,” she began, turning the metal box over in her other hand again, “thank you. For coming with me, I mean. I’m not sure how I would have...” Her voice trailed off.

“Are you going to be okay?” Korra asked quietly.

She sighed. “I’m—”

“Korra!” She turned to see Tenzin scurrying down the path. “You two took care of what you needed?” He drew up just shy of them.

“Yeah it’s all fine,” Korra answered, feeling oddly irritated. She knew there was no chance he would have gone to bed before she got back, and possibly not at all tonight, but she didn’t think he’d be watching the docks.

“Ah, good. And Asami, you’re doing... You’re... Tenzin awkwardly brought his hands together, “How—how are you?”

“Uh, I’m okay,” she answered uncertainly. “Just a little tired.”

“Yes, well, I’m sure we’re all in need of some sleep. You should go to the girl’s dormitory. Jinora can point you to an empty room.”

“I can do that,” Korra said, folding her arms.

Tenzin’s frowned slightly as he turned back towards her. “Actually, I need to speak with you for a moment before you head up there.”

“Now?”

“I’m afraid so.”

Asami cleared her throat. “I’m going to get out of your hair then. I mean...I’ll see you, tomorrow.”

“Goodnight,” Korra said. She offered a smile, yet couldn’t shake her feeling of disappointment. It seemed as though too much was still left unsaid. Unless she has nothing more to say. Korra watched Asami turn and head up the path, doing her best not to think about their kiss.

Luckily, Tenzin gave her little time to reflect on it. “I’m sorry, I know you must not be in the mood for this, but I’ve been speaking to President Raiko.”

“Do I have to see him now?” she asked, suddenly aware of a headache.

“No, I told him that you’d be needing your rest. However the next few days are going to be something of a challenge, and I wanted to prepare you.”

“Let me guess: Raiko is going to hold me accountable for the destruction.” The memory of the president pointing a finger in her direction after Harmonic Convergence was still a bitter one.

“I don’t believe so,” Tenzin said, raising a hand to his chin. “He seems to be putting the blame solely on Kuvira, and you’re the one who stopped her.”

“I’m also the one who stopped Unalaq.”

He sighed. “Raiko has made mistakes. But he was willing to surrender the city. You might have saved his political career today.”

Korra rolled her eyes. She couldn’t think of anything she cared about less than Raiko’s political career. Even since she had gotten back to Republic City, he was still determined to shut her out of meetings. “What does he want from me, then?”

“As you might guess, he is chiefly concerned with cleaning up the city. We will have to focus a large effort here.”

“Alright, I can help with that,” she said, shrugging. She didn’t see why Tenzin needed to tell her any of this now.

“I actually think my airbenders would probably be the most suited to the job, especially given all the rooftop damage. But there’s also the issue of the Earth Kingdom.”

“Not the Earth Empire?”

“Well that’s just it.” Tenzin cleared his throat and looked up the path, as if checking to see if someone was there. “Kuvira may have had her troops stand down, but we need to transition power back to the governors, until we can set up a proper ceremony for Prince Wu. Or...King Wu. It’s unclear exactly what his role is right now.”

Korra frowned. “Wasn’t this the reason there were bandits in the first place? Because no one was sure who was in charge?”

“Yes, but most areas have been stabilized for some time, and the governors can be counted on to uphold order at least in the short-term. Kuvira was successful in driving off the worst of the outlaws, whatever else happened.”

“That’s true. So then what’s the issue?”

He nodded. “Well it’s a question of how we go about turning over power. Based on Kuvira’s surrender, it seems that she is willing to step down, as she was supposed to a few weeks ago. Because she did not, both Raiko and I feel she’ll need to travel across the Earth Kingdom to make it very clear to everyone that the transition is, in fact, now happening. However, we need someone else to serve as the ultimate authority so that the people stop looking to her—someone who can also any fears put to rest.”

“Wu should go then. After all, he’s going to rule as the king, isn’t he?” she asked.

“Yes, but he’s not very...” Tenzin grabbed at the air with one hand, searching for the word, “...hardened.” Korra laughed, but he continued, “It’s not just governors to meet with, but also prisoners to be released. We don’t know how Kuvira’s supporters will react, either. We’ll want Ba Sing Se to be kept under control during this exchange of power; I think it would be best if Wu and a small security force stayed there. Traditionally the monarch never leaves the capital, so it could bring back a sense of loyalty to the royal family. A sense of tradition.”

“Is Wu going to be okay with that?” From what Mako described, he seemed to have settled into Republic City a little too well.

“Right now he’s with the evacuees, though he was eager to take the throne before. Perhaps we could still hold his true coronation in the United Republic, to show that his authority is accepted across the world. But I think getting him to Ba Sing Se as soon as we can and restoring a feeling of normalcy in the capital is of the utmost importance.

“Well if that’s where Wu’s going to be, then who’s traveling with Kuvira across the Earth Kingdom?” Korra asked, “Su?”

“I’d like Su to be there, yes,” Tenzin confirmed. “But she’s simply a governor herself. Both Raiko and I feel it would be best if you accompanied them, Korra. The world will look, and listen, to the Avatar.”

She nodded, hardly surprised. “Alright. I said I would do everything I could to restore balance. Though it’s going to be weird leaving the city again; I feel like I only just got back.”

“It won’t be for very long. If Kuvira is cooperative, you’ll be able to cover plenty of ground each day, and the Fire Lord still has her troops at the border to provide assistance. I only spoke with her briefly on the radio, but she seemed hopeful that it might take about a week or so.”

“That’s not long at all,” Korra said skeptically, folding her arms. Hadn’t it taken three years for the Earth Kingdom to settle down after the queen’s assassination? “Shouldn’t we be careful that we’re not rushing anything?”

He let out a sigh. “I had the same thought. But she is very...mindful of how she uses her military, what with the Fire Nation’s history. She was also rather adamant that the world leaders convene sooner rather than later to decide what to do about Kuvira, along with any Earth Empire officers. Izumi felt that we let the Equalist trials become too much of a public spectacle.”

“Earth Empire officers? Does that mean Bolin will be in trouble?”

“I doubt that,” Tenzin assured her. "Bolin and Varrick may not have defected until after Kuvira declared herself the Emperor, it was before she took Zaofu by force, and certainly before she decided to invade Republic City. They’ve also been nothing but cooperative and fought bravely to stop her. Baatar Jr., on the other hand..." he paused and stroked his beard once more. “If you don’t mind, I’d prefer that this conversation didn’t get back to Su.”

“Baatar came around too,” Korra pointed out.

“Yes, but there were his actions in Zaofu, his part in the invasion...” He shook his head. “Like I said, the world leaders will have to make this call, and a lot depends on how your trip with Kuvira goes as well. I just wanted to prepare you for it now. I’m afraid you’ll need to leave tomorrow morning. And, well, I wanted to make sure you felt you could handle it.”

Tenzin looked away, as if embarrassed. Even though there were times when his concern was irksome, after everything that had happened she almost wanted to hug him. “I can handle it. I want the Earth Kingdom to see that their Avatar has returned.”

Chapter Text

The sun sat above the horizon for nearly an hour before Asami Sato saw it. It wasn’t due to sleep—she doubted she had even managed to close her eyes for more than two hours in total. Instead, it was Republic City’s new spirit portal that had obscured the morning from her, its queer, green glow washing out everything else in the sky. As soon as Asami finally spotted the slowly spreading patch of orange rushing to meet it, she threw her covers aside and sat up.

For all her lack of sleep, she certainly felt as though she were dreaming. Her memories of the day before seemed hazy: escaping her factory, fixing the wingsuits, her father offering his help... Her father. Out of all the confused images that swam before her eyes, the mecha giant’s arm rushing towards his hummingbird suit while she floated helplessly away remained clear.

She looked to the side table where she had set down the small metal box containing his ashes. It was difficult for her to connect it to that memory, or to the pile of rubble she and Korra had found the night before, but it was the only tangible proof she had. That and the green sky.

Asami’s room suddenly seemed small to her—suffocating. She knew she’d feel better once she was moving about, and a cup of tea would help clear her head. Though something in her was hesitant. Who would be up? Would they be offering condolences? She wasn’t entirely sure she could handle that. Everyone had been too distracted the night before to say more than a few words on the subject...everyone except Korra, that was.

She groaned and brought a hand to her face. Why did you kiss her? Korra had been nothing but sweet, and Asami was beyond grateful not to have gone alone to find her father’s remains. Yet it was impossible for her to think back on the moment with any feeling other than embarrassment. I was crying; what was she supposed to do? She should have never put Korra in that position, not after what she had been through, though Asami could hardly say it had been planned. Something seemed to have taken over, the same idiotic impulse she had given into three years earlier with Mako after Varrick had stolen her goods. For all that had changed, had she really learned so little?

She kissed back, a voice seemed to say. It had been one of the thoughts keeping her up during the night. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as she was making it out to be. Even before last night, it certainly seemed as though it wouldn’t have been unwelcome. Still, Asami wished she had been able to find a minute to talk to Korra afterwards. How could I, with her rushing to get back to the island?, she thought, gloomily. She had considered seeking her out after everyone went to their respective rooms, spending a good hour pacing the floor of her own. Once she had even made it as far as the hallway before she stopped. It was selfish to think this should be on her terms, she had decided in the end.

Asami lowered her hand once again and looked towards the window, the sunshine growing brighter. My father died saving the city last night, and this is what I’m thinking about? It seemed shallow, though there was a part of her that was glad for the distraction. She sighed and rose to get dressed.

Before she left the room, her eyes fell back on the box, and for half a moment she found herself contemplating taking it with her. She would undoubtedly be coming back to this room—Future Industries Tower may have still been standing, but it had sustained enough damage to its exterior alone that she doubted her penthouse apartment would be usable. Somehow, it felt...wrong to leave the box sitting.

Asami couldn’t place her discomfort; as far as she knew, ashes usually stayed in one place, just as her mother’s did. Yet they were also normally collected after a public funeral to honor the deceased, not salvaged from battlefield scrap. There was no choice, she told herself. She trusted Korra to have made that call, and would never be able to find the words of thanks for not having to be the one to look inside the crushed mecha suit. Would that have been how Bolin found me, had he taken just a little longer on the airstrip? Instinctively, her hand moved to the old scar on her stomach, the thought bringing bile to her throat. “He changed,” she said out loud. “That’s not who he is anymore.” When the room gave no answer, she balled her hand into a fist and headed towards the door. Whatever condolences might await her, she knew that she would drive herself crazy if she stayed with her own thoughts any longer. If her eulogy hadn’t helped her sort out her feelings last night, she was unlikely to reach any sort of enlightenment now, sleep-deprived and hungry.

Asami could smell the mild aroma of tsampa porridge when she entered the dining hall. She considered heading straight for the kitchen to get a small serving from Kaba and avoid the dining room altogether, as had often been her custom as a resident of the island, when she remembered that all the acolytes were still evacuated from the city.

She heard voices, but when she slid the door open, she was surprised to see that the hall was mostly empty. Kai, Daw, and Yama sat together at a far table, hunched over their bowls, though it was the one in the center of the room that interested her more. Around it sat Tenzin, Raiko, and Suyin, the latter of whom seemed to be making no effort to keep her voice down.

“I can’t believe you’re even considering this. My son Baatar is in more than enough position of authority to—”

“Your son Baatar,” Raiko cut in, “is not the face people have had plastered on their t-shirts! I didn’t even know who he was until Kuvira said he was supposed to meet me to work out the terms of surrender.”

Suyin looked like she wanted to argue further, no doubt stung by the idea that anyone would be unaware of her eldest child, when Tenzin looked towards the open door. “Asami!”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she answered automatically. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I can just help myself to tea..." She gestured towards the three airbenders in the corner, though the only teapot she spotted sat in front of the President.

“You weren’t interrupting at all,” Tenzin assured her. “In fact, we were all hoping to talk to you.”

“You were?”

“Come, sit here,” Suyin ordered, inching over and patting the space next to her. Asami did as she was told, wishing she didn’t have to be directly across from Raiko. He had come to respect her, she knew, but since their disagreement over her building a spirit weapon, the coldness in his eyes she had first associated with him was back. Coldness and...something else. She sat, doing her best not to shrink from his gaze.

“There’s much to discuss regarding the cleanup efforts,” he told her once she was settled onto her cushion. Suyin fussed to pour her a cup of tea as he continued. “It seems our city will be in need of Future Industries technology again, as we were when the spirit vines first displaced everyone.”

After harmonic convergence, Asami had spent the ride home from the south pole drawing new designs and attachments for the mecha suits, along with the other various products Varrick had stashed on his ship—anything she had thought would be able to help remove the vines. Jinora and Korra’s description of the city seemed so manageable at the time. She had secured the contract with Raiko’s office immediately upon returning home, and come to realize quickly enough that the vines could not be removed by any machinery. Still, the retrofitted products had at least come in handy when it came to the work of keeping certain buildings stable, or the cutting and rerouting the city’s pipework. In truth it had saved her company, even if she had since tried to move Future Industries away from military technologies. Publicly, at least.

“Well,” she said slowly, trying to think of her available inventory. The hummingbird suits have the most potential. The idea of going near one again made her stomach churn, but with all the different repairs that would need to take place, she knew it was likely the only product with enough versatility in movement to meet those demands, so long as she modified the arm attachments. Asami tried to push the thought of her father having done the same thing less than a day before from her mind as she continued her answer. “My bayside factory is destroyed, so..." she let her voice trail off, thinking about which lines would be the most suited to the new machinery.

“We’ve all sustained losses, Miss Sato,” Raiko said, the harshness of his voice making her jump. “What we need is for every United Republic citizen to do his part.”

“Oh, no, you misunderstand me. I just meant, my bayside factory was my largest facility devoted to end-of-the-line goods, and it had my stores of flying mecha suits in it. It will take a couple of days to get everything we need onto the line of another factory, but the turnaround will be fast once that’s in order. In the meantime I can work with my inventory manager to see what’s available now.”

Raiko narrowed his eyes, as if deciding how to respond. Asami took an awkward sip of tea, regretting not blowing on it first, before he spoke again. “Very well. Though I don’t have time to wait on lengthy contracts. I would like this taken care of as soon as possible.”

“I’m sure I can stipulate a delayed payment plan in the proposal, but I will need my CFO to be the one to draft the language. And to get everything ready as fast as possible, I’d want to meet with my Chief of Operations today as well.”

The President waved a hand. “Yes, yes, the United Forces will be locating evacuees throughout today. If you provide us with a list of the employees you require, we’ll see to transporting them here first.”

The thought of deciding which of her employees were important enough to pull away from the evacuation sites made Asami’s stomach twist—or was that the hunger? “Of course, Sir,” she managed with a smile.

“There’s also the matter of a plan for the city. Now, Tenzin has agreed that the airbenders will aid in the cleanup efforts, and—”

“Which I must object to, again,” Suyin interrupted so loudly that Asami spilled tea onto her wrist.

Raiko narrowed his eyes. “Look around you. My city is decimated. My citizens are living in temporary housing on our borders, and there’s already worrying reports from the few policemen we could send there.”

“And the Earth Kingdom is leaderless, which is what got us into this mess in the first place.”

Tenzin raised a hand. “Now Su, it’s not leaderless. Prince Wu is still in line for the throne—or even crowned already, depending on who you ask. He will be going to Ba Sing Se as soon as we can find him.”

“But there were people who didn’t respect his authority before,” Suyin pointed out. “If you send us there without backup, you’re going to be looking at another rebellion. We need the airbenders. At least Republic City still has its government.”

“At least the Earth Kingdom is still standing!” Raiko snapped.

Asami sat, staring at her tea. It hardly sounded like a new conversation, although she felt that she had no business listening to it all the same. More to give herself something to do, she took a sweet bun from the plate in the middle of the table and began to pick at it as Tenzin spoke once more. “Help is needed in both areas, and we know this. But my airbenders are not soldiers.”

“They’re not masons, either,” Suyin snapped. “Face it, Tenzin, you’ve always had a blind spot when it comes to this. Well, my mother was just as involved in the founding of Republic City as your father ever was, and I can still see the need of the Earth Kingdom is greater.”

“No one’s ignoring the Earth Kingdom!” he answered, his face growing flushed. “After Ba Sing Se, you’ll be meeting up with Izumi, and her troops will—”

“Oh you and Izumi are cut from the same cloth. She’s probably already sending soldiers home and hoping we won’t notice.”

Raiko slammed a fist on the table. “You’ll have the Earth Kingdom army with you. And you’ll have Kuvira turning over her power and telling everyone to stand down. You are making an issue out of something that isn’t there.”

Suyin closed her eyes and took a breath. “How many times do I have to tell you that Kuvira can’t be trusted? If you had listened to me in the first place, none of this would have happened!”

“You had left us with no other option,” the President snarled.

“You’re making the same mistake here! Throw together a quick fix for the Earth Kingdom, why should it matter, just so you can spend your actual energy on Republic City. Well, I won’t let it happen again!”

Asami quickly took a bite of her roll, worried what she might say otherwise. Suyin didn’t exactly sound reasonable, but it was Kuvira they were talking about. The woman who caused all the damage in the first place. The woman who killed... Despite the sweet roll, a bitter taste suddenly filled her mouth.

“Su, what other fix is there, but to have Kuvira cede power?” Tenzin asked, looking from her to the president. “She surrendered; this can be a peaceful transition. Perhaps the people won’t listen to Wu, at least not right away, but they’ll listen to their former emperor, and they’ll certainly listen to the Avatar. From what Korra’s said, she and Kuvira have an understanding.”

“You even said this yourself three years ago,” Raiko added. “When we asked you to become the interim leader, you told us that it was only the Avatar who you’d trust to assume power.”

“Well that ship sailed,” Suyin said, waving a hand. “And everyone bowed to a dictator instead.”

The President’s eyes flashed, but his response was calm. “A dictator who is stepping down, with the Avatar right next to her.”

“Korra’s going to Ba Sing Se?” Asami asked before she could stop herself. It was hard to parse out what they planned on having her do exactly, with all the yelling.

Suyin jumped, as if forgetting Asami had been sitting a foot away from her the entire time, while Raiko turned his glare on her. Fortunately, it was Tenzin who answered. “At first, just to secure the capital. But then she, Kuvira, and Suyin will travel throughout the states to ensure all prisoners are released and each governor is ready to take charge in advance of Wu formally assuming the throne.”

“And we’re certain the Avatar is ready for this?” Raiko asked skeptically. “We can’t afford another disaster on our hands.”

Asami suddenly felt her anger rising, though Tenzin nodded congenially. “Yes, she seemed quite eager, in fact. She even shared our concerns, Raiko, about Izumi’s proposed week-long timeline.”

“Yes,” he agreed, “Two or three weeks is more realistic. Any longer and we’ll need to look at a change of strategy.”

She’s eager to leave, Asami thought as she took a sip of tea, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in her stomach. Of course she’s eager. She’s finally feeling ready to lead again. It was selfish of her to want otherwise, no matter how comforting the previous night had been. You’ve handled grief before.

“I suppose I have no say in the matter then,” Suyin was saying. “Just like last time.”

“Suyin, I assure you, we’ve heard all of your concerns,” Tenzin insisted. “No one is taking this lightly, and if it makes you feel better, I can personally speak with Izumi about avoiding the temptation to dismiss troops early. We could also think about including Baatar Jr. on this trip, given his rank. If he’s as eager to cooperate as you claim, that should make things...easier for him. Perhaps he could help in Ba Sing Se with—”

“I don’t want my son anywhere near Kuvira! And I’m certain he agrees. He’s seen Kuvira for what she truly is.”

Raiko’s lip curled. “A pity it wasn’t a moment sooner.”

“Do you really want to go there?” she asked.

“You forget your place, Governor,” the President said coldly.

“Enough!” Tenzin said, placing a hand on the table. “This bickering won’t get us anywhere. Su, we are not willing to focus all our resources on the Earth Kingdom simply to avoid allowing Kuvira to help. The airbenders, United Forces, and Republic City police are all needed here. What we need from you is to get on that airship with Kuvira and Korra as soon as possible, to oversee the return of power. If you don’t wish for Baatar to go, I’m sure we can find some use for him around the city. Maybe even working for Asami.”

“Oh, I...” Asami couldn’t think of a reason to refuse, but the idea of working with Baatar was less than appealing. “It’s really my current employees that would probably be more help.”

“Besides, good ol’ Asami’s got all the help she needs with me here,” a chipper voice called from the doorway. She turned to see Varrick and Zhu Li, Varrick still in his clothes from the battle. “Mind if we join?”

Raiko frowned. “Actually, we’re discussing important issues of national security.”

“Is that how you classify Asami’s hiring practices?” he pointed out. Before anyone could answer, he slid next to Tenzin. “So, what did I miss?”

“Future Industries will be providing necessary machinery to repair the city’s buildings, I’d assume without outside assistance, and I was about to ask Asami if she would contract with us to work on another infrastructure clean-up project,” Raiko said through gritted teeth. “You tried to kidnap me, have no publicly traded company, and are only here because you wanted to mitigate the damage your own weapon caused.”

“But I did mitigate the damage,” Varrick said waving a finger. Zhu Li sighed and circled the table, seating herself on Suyin’s other side. “And I took out an entire platoon of mecha suits, not that anyone’s keeping track!”

“Another infrastructure project?” Asami asked, looking in the Raiko’s direction. Ignoring Varrick could sometimes make him louder, but engaging with him would only serve to anger the president further.

“Yes, if you can handle it,” Raiko answered. “I understand you’re dealing with a...a personal loss of sorts.”

Of sorts? “I’d like the work,” she said quickly. Too quickly. “I just...want to help.”

Suyin put an arm around her. “Attagirl,” she said, giving her shoulder a squeeze. Asami instinctively tensed in response; she could feel Tenzin’s gaze on her, but didn’t want to meet it, instead opting to stir her half-empty tea.

Raiko merely nodded. “Very well. My city planner is among the evacuees who will be flown back here today. I’d ask that you work with him once again to craft a clean-up strategy. We’ll need both short-term and long-term, what with this new spirit portal disrupting the downtown area. The priority is obviously to get everyone moved back into the city as quickly as possible.”

Varrick reached across Tenzin to grab a sweet roll. “Well, as Asami’s partner, I’d like to be in on these meetings.”

“You’re not my partner!”

“Oh, come on, Asami,” he said leaning forward, “you can’t deny that we worked well together on those suits.”

“That was for the city,” she insisted, as Suyin withdrew her arm again. “And you don’t even have a company that’s earning profit right now.”

“Besides,” Raiko cut in, “while I am happy you wanted to rectify the situation with your weapon, I would prefer the man who bombed a cultural center not be involved in Republic City’s planning.”

Hurt showed on Varrick’s face, but was gone in an instant. “Suit yourself. You know it won’t be long before Varrick Industries, International is back on top.” He took a bite of his roll and continued, crumbs flying, “I’m going to be busy planning my wedding anyway. Zhu Li and I are getting hitched, in case you don’t know.”

“I believe they do know, Dear,” Zhu Li said, calmly sprinkling seeds into her porridge. “You were talking about it quite a bit last night.”

Asami had found it confusing then, as well. From everything she had seen, Varrick had hardly treated her with respect. Even Zhu Li’s demeanor now made Asami uneasy—it still felt as though she was merely putting up with him. But entering a battle and facing certain defeat together must have helped put things in perspective, for both of them. Was that the only reason I told my dad I loved him?

“Well what they don’t know,” Varrick continued, “is that it’s two weeks from tomorrow. Oh, Tenzin, we’re having it here. Hope that’s okay, but there’s not a whole lot of the city left to choose from.”

“I...that’s... Two weeks?!” he spluttered.

“We might not be back from the Earth Kingdom yet, Varrick,” Suyin said, sounding disappointed. “Especially if things don’t go as smoothly as some insist they will.”

Raiko rolled his eyes at the pointed dig, but Varrick simply shrugged. “Well, the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe seems to feel differently. He accepted when I radioed him.”

“You invited Chief Tonraq to your wedding?” Raiko asked incredulously.

“Sure! We go way back. Heck, we planned a rebellion together! Ooh, not sure you were supposed to know about that.”

Tenzin cleared his throat. “I believe Tonraq was going to be coming here to help anyway. But perhaps this is a good thing. We can’t let Kuvira’s fate be open-ended for too long, or else there might be a challenge from people within the Earth Kingdom. We’ll get everyone back in time for the wedding, and then the world leaders can meet the following day to decide how we want to proceed with regards to a trial.”

A trial. It seemed ridiculous to Asami. What defense could someone possibly have who had done such things? Who had... What, bombed the city?

“Mom!” a voice called. Asami looked up to see that it belonged to Opal, who had just appeared in the doorway along with Bolin and Korra. She felt heat rushing to her face.

“Oh, Suyin!” Bolin said, as she rose to greet her daughter, knocking into Asami on the way. “I uh, just met up with Opal in the yard. With Opal and Korra. What timing!” he said.

Korra smirked in Asami’s direction, before walking towards the table. Raiko rose. “You can have my seat,” he told her. “Tenzin, if you feel this is the timeline we need, then we must do everything in our power to stick to it. It will take a long time for the Republic to recover, and we can’t have uncertain neighbors yet again.” He looked down at Korra, who was sliding onto the cushion. “I trust you understand the importance of the task at hand?” he asked her.

A look of annoyance flickered across her face. “I do. You don’t have to worry about anything,” she told him, as she reached to serve herself porridge.

“Very well. I must radio General Iroh to check in on the evacuees. Asami, you’ll get that list to us within the hour?”

“Of course. If my meeting with my executive team goes well, I’ll be able to work with Sarika on the clean-up plans as early as this evening.”

“Say, we’ve got people to radio too, don’t we, Zhu Li?” Varrick asked, leaping up again. “Wedding preparations.”

She rose, a small smile on her face. “I suppose there is a bit to arrange. Don’t worry, Master Tenzin. I'll make sure that everything for the ceremony is up to code.”

He pinched his eyes. “I’m sure of that.”

As Raiko, Varrick, and Zhu Li left the room, Suyin, Bolin, and Opal moved to take their seats, though to Asami’s relief it was Bolin who opted to sit next to her this time. “How’s Mako?” she asked him.

“Oh uh, probably sleeping. In the boy’s dormitory. Where I was,” he answered, nearly upending Suyin’s empty mug.

“He should rest,” Tenzin said, oblivious. “He’ll probably be out of commission for a little, but he can work with Lin to organize the evacuees. Bolin, you’ll probably be helping with the demolition. I’m sure we could use a lavabender.”

“Oh, yeah! I’d be happy to. Though hopefully we won’t have to knock down too many buildings.”

“It will depend on the location and damage,” Suyin told him. “I’m sure Lin’s metalbenders will have their hands full as well.”

Korra put her spoon down. “It’s weird that I’m going to be missing this.”

“Well, as Raiko mentioned, you have quite the task in front of you,” Tenzin said. “I’m actually glad you’re awake, Korra. If it’s alright, we’d like for you to leave as soon as possible. Beating Wu to Ba Sing Se might be advisable. What with his...reputation.”

She nodded. “I understand. I’ll be ready to go once I eat.” She locked eyes with Asami for a moment, until Suyin spoke, rising yet again.

“I’ll ready the airship then. Kuvira’s in Lin’s custody, so we’ll need to make a stop.”

Tenzin smiled at her. “I know it’s not easy for you, Su. But it is the right thing.”

“Kuvira’s being released?” Opal asked in alarm.

“No,” he answered. “We just need her to help with the transition.”

Suyin looked as though she wanted to argue the point, though instead turned back towards her daughter. “You’re going to be okay here, Sweetie? I know your injury wasn’t serious, and you’re welcome to come with me if you’d rather.”

Tenzin frowned, but Opal shook her head. “I’m fine. And the last person I want to be around right now is Kuvira.”

“Well you’ll have your brothers to keep you company, at least. I know Baatar wanted to speak with you—”

“I don’t want to be around him either! I don’t understand why you’re forgiving him.”

“I know you’re upset right now, but he is family.” She sighed. “You’ll keep Wing and Wei in line for me?”

When Opal promised, Suyin kissed the top of her head and left the room. A silence fell over the table, leaving Asami to think about the list of Future Industries workers she’d need to meet with right away. The enormity of the task was overwhelming; how was she supposed to coordinate the production of new machinery and craft a plan for the city’s infrastructure without first surveying the damage, and how would that happen fast enough for the needs of the evacuees?

She climbed off of her bench. “I think I should go too. I need to get those names to Raiko, and hopefully work out a production schedule.” She looked back at Korra. “Come get me before your airship leaves.”

It ended up being Bolin who found her, not Korra. Almost an hour had passed at that point, the first half having been spent painstakingly deciding on who she needed to meet with. She settled on her CFO, COO, Director of Risk Management, Inventory Manager, Vice President of Products, and Director of Facilities. She had also wanted her Director of Sales and her Senior Logistics Engineer, but she assumed that Raiko would already balk at six names. He had frowned when she handed him the paper, though left to make the call all the same, leaving Asami to retreat back to her room where she spent the rest of the hour trying to draw new arm attachments for the hummingbird suits. The memory of her father’s suggestion about platinum saws only the day before punctuated every mark she made.

“Hey, they’re going to leave now!” Asami jumped in her seat and saw Bolin standing in the doorway. “You wanted to say ‘goodbye’, right?”

“Yes, thank you.” She followed him into the hall.

“So...are you okay?” he asked. “We didn’t get to talk much last night, not that you need to talk about it or anything.”  Before she could find the words, he continued, “I mean, I don’t really remember what it was like losing my parents because I was kind of young then, and you know, it was you and your dad for a bit, even if there was that whole ‘evil mastermind behind a revolution’ thing, but I—”

“Bolin,” she interrupted, putting a hand on his shoulder, “I’ll be alright. I just think I need some time to process everything.”

“Oh, should I not have asked?”

“No, I’m glad you did.”  They stepped outside the dormitory and began to head towards the path beyond the meditation pavilion. “On the bright side,” she continued, “it looks like you and I will be helping to clean this up together.”

“Yeah, I heard!” Bolin shook his head. “Hopefully we figure everything out soon. It’s just weird, seeing the city like this. It’s home, you know? Even when it was covered in vines, it was never empty.”

Asami looked across the bay to the skyline, with its new, unfamiliar shape. “It is weird.”

They turned the corner to the clearing. In the distance, an airship was tethered to the ground. Asami could make out Tenzin and Korra talking, while Suyin, Wing, and Wei stood huddled together closer towards its door.

“Where’s Opal?” Asami asked, eyeing the twins.

“Oh, she didn’t want to run into Baatar. Though he might not come—I’m not sure Wing and Wei are talking to him yet. Plus she says she’s angry with her mom for being so lenient.”

Asami raised her eyebrows at that. Suyin had her blind-spots, but she didn’t think Opal could see that. “Well, it’s hard to blame Su. She did almost lose her son.”

“Yeah,” Bolin said slowly, “I think Opal might need some time of her own to process everything.”

When they reached the ship, Korra broke away from Tenzin and walked to meet them, while he made his way towards Suyin. “Well, I guess I’m off,” she said with a shrug.

“But it feels like you just got back,” Bolin said, pulling her into a hug. Korra laughed as he lifted her into the air.

“It’s fine, it’s only going to be a couple of weeks,” she told him, with a sarcastic pat on the head. He set her down again and she looked at Asami. “For real this time.”

The words “I know” stuck in Asami’s throat.

“Well you’ll be able to radio us, won’t you?” Bolin asked.

“Yes,” Korra confirmed. “I’ll have to; Tenzin wants detailed reports.” She gestured towards where he was now standing, no doubt giving Suyin last-minute directives.

“We’ll keep you updated as well,” Asami said, trying to sound casual. “Let you know if Raiko makes plans to build new housing inside the Spirit World or something.”

Korra laughed again. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“Korra!” Suyin called. “Are you ready?”

“I’ll be right there!” She turned back. “I guess this is it.”

Bolin’s face fell. “Well, hurry back.”

“I will.” Korra met Asami’s eyes again. “I promise.”

She stepped forward and the two embraced, though Asami was acutely aware of Bolin standing just a few feet away. “Good luck,” she told her quietly.

“I think you’ll need that more,” Korra answered. She gave her a swift kiss on the cheek as she pulled away. “Alright, bye.”

They watched her board the ship, giving Tenzin a hug as well. “It seems wrong that she’s going without Team Avatar,” Bolin said.

“There’s only one Avatar, Bolin,” Asami answered, absentmindedly raising a hand to where her cheek still felt warm. When he looked confused, she gave him a smile. “Come on, we’re going to have a busy day.”

Chapter Text

“So Prince Wu is...not coming.” Even as she spoke them, the words barely made sense to Korra. If Wu was going to rule the Earth Kingdom, how could he not be there when Kuvira stepped down?

“Well that’s what my sister is saying,” Suyin answered, with a dismissive wave of her hand towards the airship’s radio. Just a moment before, Lin Beifong’s voice had been filling the control room, explaining the situation in the evacuee camp, and how Wu had insisted that he wanted to stay and help organize. “Honestly, I never know what she’s thinking,” she continued, turning around. “There’s no more of a security risk for the Prince now than there ever was, and even if he’s enjoying this ‘man of the people’ bit, those aren’t his citizens. But she convinced Tenzin to sign-off on it, and take it from me, when the two of them agree there’s no negotiation.”

Korra laughed. “This might be the first time I’ve ever seen it happen.”

“You should have known them back in the day, then. It’s a wonder Tenzin ever managed to end things at all. They used to drive my mother crazy, you know.”

“I can imagine. But what are we supposed to do without Wu? We’re going to be in Ba Sing Se in an hour.”

“We were always going to get there before him,” Su pointed out. “No one ever listened to him in the first place, just like his aunt. We’ll have to leave it in the hands of their governor, I suppose.”

Korra simply shrugged. “Well the governor’s been running things for a while, right?”

“Yes, but he’s of Kuvira’s sycophants, I assure you.”

“I thought the governor was an elected position.”

Suyin made a face. “Do you think if the Fire Nation held an election, Izumi would lose? One of the first things Kuvira did was establish a governorship for Ba Sing Se, and mark my words: she hand-selected the choices. How do you think she stabilized the place so quickly? But of course Raiko and Tenzin ignored this when I told them.”

Korra exhaled before answering. If this was how the next couple of weeks were going to be, she’d need to save her energy. “Well, they’re listening now. You think the city will be okay with just the governor once we leave, given all the changes?”

“We may have to leave behind some extra troops, I suppose. This is exactly why I told Tenzin we needed the airbenders.”

But there’s no way you could have known Wu wasn’t coming, Korra thought. She shook her head slightly. “We should go talk to Kuvira. If we have her mention the plan for Ba Sing Se and also tell everyone that Wu is currently helping evacuees, they might feel better about the situation, and about their King.”

“Just what we need,” Su said, rolling her eyes. “I doubt she’ll be willing to say anything positive about the boy.”

“She did say she wanted to help,” Korra pointed out.

“And you’ve seen what Kuvira’s idea of ‘help’ is, haven’t you?” She sighed. “If you want to try and reason with her, be my guest, but I’ve given up on that myself.” Korra headed towards the door of the control room, until Su’s voice stopped her. “And don’t forget, you’re the Avatar. You’re just as capable of providing reassurance.”

When I wasn’t around to do it in the first place? She managed a nod before leaving the room. She wound her way down the airship’s narrow stairwell to its lower level, where Kuvira was being held. Though they were flying in one of the Republic City Police’s ships, it reminded Korra all too well of her own imprisonment by the Earth Queen’s forces. It seemed an unnecessary precaution, but Su had been insistent. “Trusting her to do the right thing is what got us into this mess in the first place,” she had pointed out.

Korra opened the door to the cell and spotted Kuvira sitting against a wall, her hands cuffed together with links of platinum. She looked smaller than usual, stripped of her uniform and armor, instead sporting a simple, brown tunic. When she spotted Korra, she merely lifted her head, but made no move to rise. “Where’s Su?” she asked.

“She’s... She’s upstairs with the pilot. We’re nearly at Ba Sing Se.”

Kuvira’s mouth tightened. “It was her idea to keep me in here, wasn’t it? To make her point. The door’s not even platinum.”

“Can you blame her?”

“No,” she answered looking away.

Korra shut the door behind her and leaned against it. “I wanted to talk to you because there’s been a slight change in plans. Prince Wu is not going to be joining us in the capital.”

“Why not?” Kuvira asked, meeting her eyes once more with a hard look.

“He’s helping the evacuees in their camp. I was hoping you might mention this when you address the people.”

“Mention that I’m stepping down for someone who’s not even here?”

“Prince Wu is the rightful ruler,” Korra said firmly. “Some would say he’s already King. And he’s currently trying to help people in desperate need.”

“Those aren’t his people. What kind of a leader abandons his nation?”

“He’s not abandoning anything. I admit that he has his flaws, but he’s been stepping up lately. Don’t we at least owe him a chance as a ruler?”

Kuvira frowned. “We’ve given monarchs a chance. I can’t believe Su is going along with this.”

“It’s not her call. Or yours.” Korra sighed before continuing. “Kuvira, when we spoke in the spirit world, it seemed like you understood.”

“I do understand,” she insisted. “I know what I did wasn’t right and that I need to step down. I’ve made mistakes that will haunt me for the rest of my life.” She shook her head before continuing, “It won’t change the fact that Wu is not qualified to lead.”

“Maybe not, but he’ll have advisors. And as a member of the royal family, he can still unite the kingdom.” Kuvira shot her a look, but she ignored it. “I know you were just trying to protect your people. But if it’s truly their safety you care about, then what they need from you is to know that there’s a plan. That they’re in good hands with their governors, and that they will be led by one figure the world supports—a figure who is currently putting others above himself.”

For a moment, Kuvira was silent, until she looked away again. “I’ll say what needs to be said, for the good of my people. But that doesn’t mean I’m not worried about a King Wu.”

“We all will be,” Korra admitted. “And I’m going to personally make sure things run smoothly.” I should have been the one making sure in the first place.

“Maybe you should be the one addressing the crowd, then.”

“I’m just the spiritual leader, not a political one. Besides, the people need to hear that you’re willingly stepping down.”

Kuvira frowned. “Does that mean I won’t have to give this speech in manacles?”

“I hope not. Actually I think if Ba Sing Se goes well, I may even be able to convince Suyin to let you ride on the main level with us.”

“What an incentive,” she muttered. “So will it just be Governor Xie taking care of the capital once we go?”

“Yes,” Korra answered, “though Suyin thinks it might be a good idea to leave behind some extra troops.”

“She’s right. Especially now that production will be slowing.”

“What, you think that was the only thing keeping the people in line?”

Kuvira struggled to her feet, the sudden movement making Korra stand upright as well. “You don’t understand what it was like. What it is like. I may have put out the fires and rebuilt the walls, but there will always be something lurking in the shadows. One faction falls, and another seizes control. For better or worse.”

Korra’s mind flashed to the cells underneath the palace where the Dai Li had held the airbenders. She folded her arms. “Don’t be so sure about what I understand. The extra troops aren’t to deal with the shadows, but your loyalists. Which is why I know you’ll be fair to Wu in your speech. Because you don’t want to make more of a mess of things, or have more blood on your hands.”

Kuvira dropped her eyes at that. “Anything I can do to help.”

“I’m going to go back upstairs,” Korra told her. “I’ll ask Suyin if you can join us. It’s not long until we land anyway.”

“With Suyin all you can ever do is ask.”

She left the room, even less sure of how she felt about the situation. Suyin was clearly not right to be blaming Kuvira for everything, and Korra didn’t see what else Tenzin or Raiko could be doing right now. Yet the conversation with Kuvira had been anything but comforting. She had agreed to say what Korra wanted, though with her disdain for Wu, her agreeing on the troops...none of it felt right.

Korra rubbed her eyes as she made her way to the top of the stairwell. If only Asami had come. She would have given anything to talk to her. But thanks to Kuvira, Asami was spending her time cleaning up the massive destruction and mourning her father’s death. The thought made Korra so angry that when she entered the ship’s main room, she considered not even mentioning Kuvira’s imprisonment. No, she doubted any other Avatar would have been so petty. “Su?” she called.

Suyin was standing over a map on the table, but pushed herself upright when she spotted Korra. “Well? What did Kuvira have to say for herself?”

“Nothing, really. She agreed to mention how Wu is helping the displaced in her speech.”

“Of course,” she scoffed. “Kuvira can always play the diplomat when it suits her.”

“Doesn’t that suit us right now?” Korra asked.

“Certainly more than if she was refusing to step down. But I wouldn’t count that out yet.”

“I don’t think I am,” she said quietly. When Suyin raised her eyebrows, she shook her head. “We need this afternoon to go smoothly, and to do that we need to give Kuvira a chance.”

“Is that what she said?”

Korra folded her arms. “No, that’s what I’m saying now. I’m not happy with her either. But we should at least let her out of her cell. If this is going to be peaceful, we can’t have her in handcuffs.”

Suyin contemplated that for a moment. “I suppose not. It would upset those who she brainwashed into worshiping her anyway. Still, there’s no reason we can’t wait until we reach the city. Another half an hour won’t hurt.”

By the time the airship was tied down, it was closer to a full hour, though Korra doubted any amount of time would have made things better. When they were ready, Suyin made a big show of bringing Kuvira up the stairs, speaking the entire way about how all eyes would be on her should she try anything. Kuvira said nothing, but her scowl spoke for itself. It was hard for Korra not to feel at least a little bad for her. Kuvira truly had lost everything in the past day, and was now going to be forced to admit her mistakes to an entire city. Then again, she was still the woman who tried to kill them all—who had killed Hiroshi.

It wasn’t until they were outside the ship and halfway to the palace steps that Korra even realized where they were. From what Bolin had described in his letters, Ba Sing Se had become a manufacturing city, full of factories pumping out supplies for Kuvira’s campaign. Yet the palace grounds looked as unchanged as ever, with just one exception. In the distance, she could see the new, shimmering metal walls.

She turned to see that the second airship that landed behind theirs, which was full of Earth Kingdom soldiers. The brunt of the army was heading towards the border towns on the trains, though the call for extra reinforcements in Wu’s absence likely meant that another ship would soon follow. Maybe not. Maybe this can go smoothly, she thought apprehensively, looking back towards Kuvira and Suyin. The two women seemed determined not to look at one another.

They were stopped just short of the steps by a man so tall and thin, it looked as though the slightest breeze could knock him over. Next to him stood a woman with graying hair swept back in a bun and a thick metal collar around her neck. They both dropped into bows.

“Kuvira, Governor Beifong, Avatar Korra,” the man said as they returned the gesture. “It is an honor to welcome you to Ba Sing Se.”

Korra opened her mouth to say ‘thank you’ but was cut off by Suyin. “You must be Governor Xie. It is a pleasure, though I hope it’s not Kuvira who you’re welcoming with honors. I trust news of everything that transpired in Republic City has traveled?”

Korra felt Kuvira tense next to her as the governor spluttered a response. “I... We’ve heard...” He cleared his throat and turned. “May I introduce the Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se—”

“Shyla,” Suyin said coldly, nodding.

“Su,” she answered with a large smile, “it is so wonderful to see you again after all these years. I’ve really missed you.”

“Have you? I suppose a congratulations are in order from me. Licking Kuvira’s boots certainly paid off for you, didn’t it?”

Shyla frowned. “There’s no need for any of that. Those of us who came here from Zaofu did so because we wanted to help.”

“I’ve seen Kuvira’s idea of ‘help,’” Suyin scoffed. “Forced labor, dissenters thrown into prison, withholding food from towns unless their governors caved.”

The governor looked at Kuvira in alarm. “There’s none of that here, I assure you,” he answered. “Shyla has been instrumental in making sure the city is running smoothly.”

“While turning a blind-eye to what it’s been enabling,” Suyin finished, nodding.

Shyla shook her head. “You didn't see what it was like here before Kuvira came. Entire city blocks of the Lower Ring had been burned to the ground. The palace had been ransacked. And the Dai Li were still operating from the shadows, grabbing innocent people.”

Suyin gave a hollow laugh. “Are you sure that wasn’t Kuvira rounding up anyone of non-Earth Kingdom origin.”

“I told you,” Governor Xie said in a sharp voice, “that’s not happening on our watch.”

Shyla put a hand on Suyin’s shoulder. “Look, I don’t know exactly what happened in Zaofu, and none of us supported the invasion of the United Republic. But that doesn’t mean everything that happened here was bad.”

“We understand,” Korra answered, before Suyin had a chance to say more. “And as the Avatar, I certainly thank you—both of you—for your service in this time of need. From what I remember, Grand Secretariat has always been a thankless job. Though that reminds me...what happened to Gun?”

“Who?” Shyla asked, looking towards the governor in confusion.

“The Grand Secretariat before we arrived,” Kuvira answered calmly. She turned to look at Korra. “He was at the Prince’s coronation.” Suyin made a noise, but Kuvira ignored her. “He fled Ba Sing Se right after the crowd ripped Colonel Shu apart, limb from limb.”

“Isn't he still the Grand Secretariat then?” Korra asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kuvira merely shrugged. “He's free to call himself what he likes. It was Shyla who stepped up when we needed her to.”

The governor nodded gravely. “Perhaps there is some truth in what Suyin says: we did turn a blind-eye to certain things. But can you blame us for being scared to go back?”

“When it comes at the cost of innocents I can,” Suyin said haughtily.

Korra was barely able to contain a sigh. “Both Shyla and Governor Xie seem to agree. What matters now is that we look to the future and make sure we keep things running smoothly in Ba Sing Se.” She saw the governor nod happily from the corner of her eye. “What is the plan for us to speak to the city?” she asked him.

“There is a lovely amphitheater at our university in the Middle Ring. There's plenty of room for the press, as well as a moderate crowd.”

“Of course we’ll be broadcasting the speeches across the city and on every radio,” Shyla added.

“The Middle Ring?” Korra asked. “Does that mean these metal walls that replaced the old inner ones are being kept? Bolin had told me that they’d only be a temporary measure, and that citizens would be able to come and go once the area was stabilized.”

“The people can do that now,” the governor assured her. “These walls were built with plenty of gates, and our guards are more than happy to let citizens move about the city as the please. They’re merely a safety measure.”

“I guess I just figured there wouldn’t be talk of any rings anymore.”

Shyla gave a tinkling laugh. “Perhaps that’s the dream for one day, but even so, our infrastructure is built around a ring system. Remember, the priority was to restore order, not redesign a city.”

“Exactly,” Governor Xie continued, "the Lower Ring offered the most space for the factories, and had the largest number of people in need of jobs. Plus there was no reason to displace the academics of the Middle Ring.”

“Very enlightened,” Suyin quipped.

Republic City also had to restore order, thanks to the vines. Korra found herself thinking of Asami’s letters suddenly, and the extensive changes she had designed. I guess it’s different when there’s no leader. Still, she couldn’t help but think that Asami would have had a rebuttal for the governor. Korra could feel his eyes on her. “That makes sense,” she told him. “Though you sure we should be giving the speeches from there? Wouldn't it be a better idea to make the speech from the Lower Ring since the people who live there are the ones who will probably be the most upset or nervous?” Shyla and the governor exchanged a look, but gave no answer. Korra could feel her face growing hot, wondering if she had asked another ridiculous question.

Governor Xie finally cleared his throat. “In these trying times, it's often best to be more...proscriptive. The end of the military campaign was always going to create anxiety among our factory workers, and to add further uncertainty to the mix...”

“They're afraid of an uprising, just like you,” Kuvira said, cutting across him. “One in my name, because of what I built.”

“Is that what you tell yourself?” Suyin asked in a mocking tone. “‘The Great Uniter’, hero of the downtrodden? Please, you turned your back on this city, just as you did everywhere else after you left them. Resources gone, earthbenders taken... Opal told me everything she saw. You may have felt unstoppable on that train of yours, but you didn’t peddle your patriotic zealotry nearly as well as you think you did.”

Kuvira scowled in her direction. “Su, I have admitted that I made mistakes. But your refusal to recognize the good I accomplished doesn’t help the Earth Kingdom, and it certainly doesn’t help us on this trip now.”

“How dare you try and talk about the good after Zaofu...after Republic City...after you fired that weapon on my family?!” She turned her body so that she was square with Kuvira, the two women mere inches from one another.

Korra quickly jumped in between the two of them. “Su, if the speech is being broadcast to the whole city, then the Middle Ring will probably work fine. That’s all we need to worry about right now.” She looked towards Kuvira, whose jaw was clenched. “Maybe we should all go ahead and get ready.”

“Yes,” Governor Xie said quickly, “we can leave for the ampitheatre now.”

“Fine!” Su answered, taking a step back. “I’ll go speak with with Sergeant Bai so that we can organize the troops staying behind.” With that, she walked away from the group, back towards the airships.

“Perhaps you and I can discuss the speech in the car?” the governor asked Kuvira, gesturing to the left of the palace where a small drive curved around the golden steps. “I had remarks prepared regarding Republic City.” She gave a curt nod, but said nothing, instead opting to walk up the path. He quickly followed, though Shyla remained standing in her spot, her eyes moving to Korra.

“I am so sorry,” Korra told her once Kuvira and the governor had taken a few more steps.

“Oh please, I lived in Zaofu. It’s always been like that between them.”

“Really? I just thought tensions were high now. Wasn’t Kuvira like a daughter to Suyin?”

Shyla raised and lowered her eyebrows. “They were quite close, that’s for sure,” she answered, looking up the path at Kuvira’s back. “I have nothing but respect for Suyin, I can assure you. These are trying times for all of us. But come, I have a feeling even getting them onto a stage together will take some time. We best get a jump on things.”

To Korra’s chagrin, Shyla’s words proved mostly accurate. Though the drive to the Middle Ring was smooth enough, it took nearly a half hour for the seats on stage to be arranged to Suyin’s liking. She insisted on having Korra sit at the center of the stage, near the governor, yet wouldn’t hear it when Korra tried to assure her that she was also fine sitting next to Kuvira. Suyin also did not want her own seat next to Shyla, but felt “some Grand Secretariat” sitting next to the former emperor would send a strange message.

They finally settled on the chairs being placed in a semi-circle arching towards the end of the stage, so as to not obscure the people on the ends. By the time they were ready to take to their seats, the amphitheater was full to bursting, the afternoon sun was disappearing, and the press corp in the front few rows already had a glazed look in their eyes.

Governor Xie addressed the crowd first. While he hadn’t left a strong impression on Korra in their conversation, as soon as he he began speaking into the microphone she could understand how it was he won an election. Though he had a far calmer manner than Raiko, there was something in the way he took his pauses that kept all attention on him.

“Citizens of Ba Sing Se, and all those in the Earth Kingdom listening over the radio,” he began, while a hush fell over the audience. “I’m sure in the past few days you have heard distressing news reports, especially out of Republic City. I can assure you that our city is safe, and our nation is safe and in good hands. Today marks the day that the Earth Kingdom is fully united and ready to return to its great state. Today marks the day that we can begin to look at disbanding the troops and welcoming our loved ones home again. Today marks the day that there is peace in Ba Sing Se, and stability in the world.”

Several cheers sounded, but most of the crowd remained silent, as if unsure how to react. He pressed on, unphased. “It is true that our current leader, will be stepping down. And though this is something we have heard before, I can guarantee that there will be no change regarding the safety of any citizen, nor any cause for worry. The governors of the Earth Kingdom, myself included, are working to ensure that each state continues as it has under our temporary, interim leader. Resources have been spread fairly throughout the nation, and we are interconnected and protected as never before. There will be no bandits, no riots, for there is no need.”

Even fewer cheers sounded at that, though Korra saw many people nodding from the nearest rows. “The Earth Kingdom remains fortunate in its great supply of natural resources, and as such, the fires of our factories will not be extinguished anytime soon. Though the military campaign has ended, we can still turn our attention towards consumer goods, and bring businesses into this nation. Those of you with a job today will have a job tomorrow, and those without will have the promise of a brighter future.”

The governor glanced over his shoulder before speaking again. “However, part of embracing that future requires the conclusion of our last chapter. And to speak to that, I invite Kuvira up to the podium.”

The reaction from the audience was instantaneous; there were cheers as well as chants of “the Great Uniter”, but they were quickly matched with boos and jeers. Most rose to their feet for a better view.

Kuvira hesitated before rising herself, but she seemed as calm as ever as she walked to the microphone, exchanged a bow with the governor, and turned to face the audience. “Citizens of the Earth Kingdom, I want to thank Governor Xie for his introduction.” Korra heard her draw in a breath. “The last time I spoke to you like this, it was to say that Prince Wu had no authority, that we were now an Earth Empire, and that all world leaders needed to keep their distance.”

Boos sounded again, along with an audible “You lie!”, though it was quickly answered with “All hail the Great Uniter!”

“Please,” she said, raising a hand, “there will be no more calls for the ‘Great Uniter’. Governor Xie was correct when he said that our nation is united now, and ready for true and lasting peace. I had felt that creating an empire and casting aside our long-standing monarchy was crucial to continue our progress, but thanks to the world leaders of the other great nations, as well as Avatar Korra, I can see now that I was wrong.”

The cries were mixed once again; it was hard for Korra to tell if those booing were upset with Kuvira herself, or her words. Or is it about me? Kuvira continued, “True peace and security requires international cooperation, not an insular approach. Over the past three years I worked tirelessly to connect our great nation with the United Republic through a high-speed rail system. While I may have lost sight of our needs, this progress is not undone. And Prince Wu is committed to continuing on this path, to ensuring our good standing in the world, and to upholding our way of life.”

This time, there was audible laughter among the cheers and hisses. “Please,” she said firmly. “The reason the prince is not here with us today is because of the hard work he put in alongside President Raiko when the time came to evacuate Republic City.”

“Because of you!” an angry voice spat out from the crowd.

Kuvira pretended she did not hear. “He is still among those dislocated, those without housing, doing what he can to help his fellow man. Though he may not have led an army, he possesses the traits that will make for a wise leader during this time of peace.” Her voice seemed to crack on her last few words. In the seat next to hers, Korra heard Suyin give a sharp exhale. I guess they still agree on that.

“I am formally stepping down today, as I should have before. Your excellent governors are more than prepared to step up in my place, until the time comes for Prince Wu’s proper coronation.” She cleared her throat. “I have no wish to disguise the truth. I made mistakes, and as a result, I will face justice. However thanks to our great world leaders and Avatar Korra, I will be able to do my part in seeing this transition through, and ensuring the continued safety and prosperity of the Earth Kingdom. Thank you.”

To Korra’s surprise, the crowd remained silent for a moment, until a few began clapping. From there, more and more joined in, along with cheers. From her vantage on stage, she could see some stony faces, but they seemed outnumbered.

There was little more to do in Ba Sing Se after the speeches. Once they had filed off the stage, the governor asked Korra about the details of their plans, suggesting that the sooner they met with Fire Lord Izumi along the border, the better. It was agreed that a company of elite metalbenders would be sent to Ba Sing Se, to guard the city in addition to the three platoons they had arrived with.

Despite feeling as though she had done little, Korra found herself oddly drained by the time she, Kuvira, and Suyin made their way back onto their ship. Luckily, the two women appeared to be equally tired, their bickering hardly taking the same intensity as it had mere hours before.

“I assume you want me to return to my holding cell?” Kuvira asked, once the airship had left the ground.

“It seems that what I want makes no difference,” Suyin merely replied, before turning to head through the door to the cockpit.

Kuvira grimaced, but did nothing more than give Korra a curt nod and make her way towards the stairs.

At least she won’t be handcuffed this time, Korra mused as she watched her disappear. She sighed. “Well, that’s one city down.” The empty room gave no answer.

Chapter Text

“Miss Sato! Miss Sato! A minute of your time?”

Asami paused, her hand still on the vine she had only just scrambled over, and looked towards the voice. There, fighting in his own tangle, was the reporter she could have sworn they shook several blocks ago. “I’m not taking questions today,” she called. Future Industries Tower wasn’t much further, and she was already cutting it close with her executive team meeting. From her periphery she saw Dara had stopped walking as well.

The reporter was a good fifty feet away, the vines mercifully slowing his approach. “Please,”  he said, waving a notebook, “Future Industries hasn’t made a statement on its involvement during the invasion.”

“And you’d like the exclusive?” The man had the decency to look ashamed. “I’m sorry,” she told him with a sigh, “but I can’t offer a comment right now. I promise you there won’t be a statement magically appearing in Times tomorrow either.” She had hoped the joke might lighten the mood, but instead he merely slumped his shoulders before turning back the way he had come.

“Aw, you made him sad,” Dara said, watching him struggle back over the vines. In the distance, a crash sounded, no doubt the demolition crew having made short work of yet another building.

Asami looked at her COO. “He shouldn’t have followed us. He saw us ignore him over ten minutes ago.”

“I guess, but do you think it’s wise to make an enemy of a reporter?” Dara turned to resume her own crawl towards the tower.

“I didn’t recognize him,” she answered, following suit. “He’s probably new and hoping for a big break. I doubt he’ll be angry.”

“Makes sense to be hounding you then. After everything Nuktuk said, I mean. No bigger story right now than an interview with the woman who saved the city.”

Asami nearly tripped, a vine snagging the toe of her boot. Even though her day was full of business meetings, she had opted to wear them under a pair of slacks in place of her heels. It would likely be some time before the streets were cleaned. “His name is Bolin,” she corrected. “And that’s hardly what happened.”

Whether he had been caught unaware or simply hadn’t thought about consequences, Bolin had given a full interview with a Republic City Sun reporter that was printed only the day before. He had fortunately avoided mentioning Asami’s contract with President Raiko, or Future Industries at all. But that hadn’t stopped him from discussing her factory being targeted, or her hummingbird suits, or her father. I should have been with him yesterday. I dismissed him from my meeting with Sarika too early.

Dara bent down to untangle a vine that had snared her ankle. “Still, you can’t blame the press for their curiosity.”

Asami caught up and extended a hand, helping her stand again. “I’m happy to blame the press for a good deal. Not the least of which, their lack of due diligence in their reporting on Kuvira.” She turned to look at the tower, somehow still standing amid the vines and rubble. We can make it.

Dara seemed to follow her gaze, and continued her trudge forward. “She was stepping down though. And things were getting better in the Earth Kingdom.”

“That’s not a free pass to ignore the means. There were prison camps, Dara.”

“ I know, but I’m saying it makes sense why it was ignored.”

Opal had been warning Tenzin for over a year. “I think it’s hard to argue it made sense when you take a look around.”

“Hindsight,” Dara shrugged. “Come on, how was the press any worse than us? We sold plenty of tech to that campaign.”

“You don’t think I know that?!” She saw her COO flinch. “I’m sorry Dara,” she said, bringing a hand to her face. “I—I have a lot on my mind today.”

“You’re grieving,” she answered quietly.

Asami felt a chill sweep over her. It’s not that. “There’s just so much work to be done...for the President and for us. It’s not your fault.”

“It’s not yours either,” Dara replied. “You don’t have to fix everything overnight, and you definitely don’t have to take everything on yourself, especially now.”

“I don’t think our shareholders will see it that way.” Asami felt her annoyance creeping back in. She’s just trying to be nice.

“That’s not what I mean.” She stopped walking and put a hand on Asami’s shoulder. “I’m not talking to you as your employee right now—I’m talking as your friend.”

Asami scanned her face. Dara had always been one to speak her mind; it was one of the reasons she had earned herself a promotion to the executive team. But were they friends? Feeling that way about a coworker hadn’t ended well for her before. “I’m fine,” she managed.

“Okay,” Dara said slowly, furrowing her brow, “but just know that you can take time off. Shoji and I, we’re more than capable of crafting a short-term strategy to get our factories and lines back up and running, and Jiayi is already managing scheduling and logistics for our workers.”

“A break?”

“Some even call it a ‘vacation,’” she teased.

And what would that accomplish? Dad won’t be any less dead. “Dara, I do appreciate what you’re saying, and I know that if something happens, Future Industries is in good hands. But between my contract with Raiko and the overhaul our strategic plan needs now, it’s just not feasible.”

“Who knows,” Dara said, her mouth twisting into a smile, “maybe we’ll have a really productive meeting today.”

After the first twenty minutes was spent with nothing but handshakes and complaints about the vines, Dara’s sardonic tones were seeming all too apt. Asami finally found an opening to call the meeting to order once Shoji’s utterly dull recount of his commute reached an end.

“I truly thank you all for your flexibility today,” she told the room, rising from her chair. “I know it’s not easy with most of us displaced and the roads still covered in vines, but—”

“You’re on the case again though, right?” Isao asked, to numerous chuckles.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I am working with the city planner again to create a short and long-term clean-up and development strategy, yes. But when we’ll be able to get roads cleared and functional again is another story, especially with the President’s desire to fix the housing situation first.”

“The man is already running for reelection, isn’t he?” Mumik grumbled. “He seems to forget it’s the business leaders who got him into office in the first place.”

“His donors will remember,” Shoji said, nodding his agreement with the Director of Global Strategy, “but even they can only vote once. His approval ratings have been problematic for some time, and the longer citizens have to wait to move out of temporary housing, the worse that will become.”

Otaha took off her glasses and examined the lenses for smudges. “He’s the one who appointed Kuvira. His career is over,” she said simply.

“If only that reality wouldn’t take so long to set in,” Mumik put in.

“Please, no politics,” Asami said, noticing Chogyal shifting in his seat. "We have plenty to discuss as it is. For now, we have to assume that the roadwork may take some time, especially given how difficult it will be to clear away that mecha giant. Jiayi has already arranged our airships to pick up and bus our employees as needed, and when more factories are restored, she will be making the appropriate adjustments to the schedule.” She gestured to the Vice President of Labor Affairs, who gave a humble smile in return.

“Speaking of factory restoration, when will our offices be open again?” Isao asked. He had a habit of working so late that he often would spend the night on his office couch. “I assume there’s a reason we’re using one of Daruka’s conference rooms, rather than our own?”

“We can’t guarantee the stability of this building above the fifteenth story,” she answered, fingering her agenda on the table in front of her. “And the pipework is damaged for now.” Jinora hadn’t even let her go up to her penthouse apartment when she and Kai had finished surveying the damage. The roads also made living at her estate impractical for the time being, though with everyone else displaced, she didn’t feel quite so guilty staying at Air Temple Island. It hopefully wouldn’t need to be for long. Even so... “I promise, getting our properties fixed is a top priority, even if it means contracting workers from the Earth Kingdom. There should be available labor soon.”

“Does that mean the army is officially going to be disbanded?” Katsu asked, no doubt already considering his sales strategy. “I hadn’t heard any word one way or the other.”

Asami hesitated. She doubted she was even supposed to have been privy to that information in the first place. “I can’t comment on that with any certainty.” That was true enough. “All I’m saying is that everything we can do is being done. But that does bring us to our first order of business today: we have to decide which products we are putting on the lines first. The President has already contracted us to supply—”

“Wait,” Mumik interrupted, “isn’t there something we should discuss first?” He looked around the room. “I mean, we all read the paper.”

“Miss Sato is not one to categorize her heroics as an order of business,” Shoji said with a small smile. Anyone else in the room, and she might have taken it for an insult, but she doubted her CFO had ever offered a sarcastic remark in his life.

“It’s not that.” Chogyal’s voice was soft. His grey eyes met Asami’s. “Is it true then...about your father?”

She found it difficult to look at him. Chogyal was one of the few employees who had been with Future Industries while her father ran it, who knew her for the better part of her life. Who stayed when I had nothing left. He was certainly competent enough in his new role at the head of her supply division, though there were times when she wondered if she hadn’t created it out of guilt.

“It is,” she heard Dara’s voice say.

Asami let the mumbled condolences wash over her. “And he was with you, when you fought Kuvira?” Jiayi asked once the room had quieted again. She nodded in response. This is your meeting—say something, anything.

Katsu drummed his fingers on the table. “We should probably do something to honor him, then. What with him being our founder...how he died to save our city.”

“I’m sorry,” Isao said, leaning back in his chair, “but haven’t we spent the past three years trying to distance ourselves from him?” The Administrative Project Manager was the other person in the room who had worked for Future Industries before Asami took over.

“People still drive Satomobiles,” Otaha pointed out. “Though I doubt it would be appropriate to erect a statue as Lau Gan-Lan did.”

Asami’s mind wandered to the statue of Korra she had overseen. “No, it wouldn’t be,” she said, her own voice surprisingly steady. She felt every head turn to look at her. “I appreciate the sentiment, but how we choose to honor my father, or not, is something Xing and our marketing team will have to take care of. At the moment they are not considered ‘essential’ personnel. It may be some time before they’re back in the office, or until we even have an office, so let’s not worry about it today.” A crease had appeared on Katsu’s brow and Jiayi’s mouth had fallen open, but no one raised an objection. Chogyal merely lowered his eyes to his hands, a resigned look on his face. “Please, we have a lot of ground to cover. Dara, if you could begin your report on the lines we currently have up and running?”

Asami took her seat as Dara jumped up, though barely heard her as she spoke. It was nothing she didn’t know—with the Bayside Factory destroyed, the brunt of the finishing work would have to be moved to their facility in the Dragon Flats District. The priority was being given to the mecha suits Raiko would need, along with Future Industries engines and generators. Based on the damage she and Dara had just found at the Park View Factory, it would be some weeks before any Satomobiles were back on the line, though her inventory supply was healthy enough.

Shipping was another question entirely. She doubted demand for consumer goods would increase anytime soon with the uncertainty, but if things went smoothly enough in the Earth Kingdom, towns would be looking to rebuild and plan ahead. Future Industries had plenty to offer that would aid such efforts, but even if all her factories were repaired, securing ore or refined metal could prove a challenge. Kuvira had systems put in place to keep trade running relatively smoothly, but with her war effort being shut down, those would be thrown into question. Plus much of that production had been on the backs of conscripted soldiers. People forced into service. Am I truly upset this is ending? Asami felt a shiver run up her back.

She pressed a hand to her temple as Shoji asked some question about leasing agreements. My competitors will be in the same boat. Even those based outside of the United Republic relied on the natural resources of the Earth Kingdom. You’ll figure out a way. She had before. Future Industries nearly went under, and would have, too, if it hadn’t been for... Varrick.

Yet it wasn’t all him, was it? Harmonic Convergence had barely passed before she was negotiating with Raiko to sell tanks and equipment to aid in the clean-up of that particular mess. And the infrastructure contract had soon followed. But it was my publicist who turned the company image around—who got people willing to buy from us again.

She hadn’t thought of Ginni in some time and preferred to keep it that way. These were still your successes, Asami told herself, shifting in her seat. She scanned the room, though all eyes were on Dara, who was speaking yet again. When the COO looked over, Asami gave her a thoughtful nod, as if she had been listening. And just look how I’ve built these successes: faking it. She fought the sudden urge to sprint from the room. One day, one of them would look closely enough at her and see it...see that she had no right to be there.

Isao and Chogyal had seemed to have realized that truth soon after her father’s arrest, yet they stayed. How could they even stand to be at the same table as her? The others had quit—they had figured out that it was Hiroshi with the answers. Even once things turned around, it was always his blueprints Asami started with. His products she updated. A metallic taste suddenly filled her mouth.

“Miss Sato?”

She jerked her head up to see everyone staring at her. She couldn’t even have said who called her name. “I’m sorry, do you mind repeating that?”

It was her General Counsel who spoke. “I was saying that adding the extra workers to the Dragon Flats lines could be argued to be an unsafe environment.”

“And I was telling Otaha that we’re unlikely to see any inspections now,” Isao added.

“That’s true,” Asami agreed, sighing. “The last thing Raiko would want is to slow down production. But we can’t risk it, no more than we can the safety of our workers.” She saw Jiayi nod enthusiastically in approval.

Dara lay a hand on the table. “The trouble is, the Dragon Flats workers aren’t used to finishing lines. So we may need to think about only bringing in the Baysiders and giving the others temporary leave.”

“Don’t we already have to do that?” she asked. It wasn’t the worst problem; too many workers and not enough factories. She preferred it to the alternative, at least.

“We do,” Jiayi agreed, “but this would mean facility displacement too. There will be probably be sizable turnover by the time we get everything back up and running.”

Shoji folded his hands together. “If that’s the case, and I do admit a bit of ignorance in this department, isn’t it better to make sure our Bayside workers stay, than those who work in the Dragon Flats? I was under the impression it required more specified, skilled labor.”

“Absolutely,” Dara confirmed. “We put in a lot of training hours with them.”

“None of it’s ideal, but I’d sooner go with this solution than have a factory fire where too many workers get trapped,” Asami said. “Is there any way to provide some wages while the facilities are closed?”

“To the line managers, of course,” Shoji said. “If you’re speaking of the workers on the floor...they’re hourly. It would prove costly.”

Mumik shifted to lean on an elbow. “The good news is that the other factories aren’t exactly going to be hiring either. So unless something opens up in the evacuee camps, we probably won’t see that many losses.”

“I suppose that’s true,” Asami said slowly, “but—”

“Miss Sato?” She looked up to see Chogyal shifting in his chair. “There’s uh...I think there’s someone here to see you?”

She followed his gaze to the door of the conference room, where Sarika was standing, his shoulders hunched. What is he doing here? “I suppose my first order of business should have been to locate my secretary,” she joked, rising. “Dara, can you keep things on-task?” She slid her agenda down the table towards her COO and made for the glass door, doing her best to hide her confusion.

“Asami,” Sarika said, as soon as she closed it behind her, “I’m so sorry.”

She nodded but said nothing, instead pulling him around the corner, out of view of the room’s windows. The last thing she’d want would be Raiko to later accuse her of allowing her company in on government secrets. “What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting tomorrow.”

“Are you upset with me?” he asked, looking taken aback.

Was my tone that harsh? “No, I’m just in the middle of something important.”

“I know—I didn’t mean to come here today.”

Asami folded her arms. “It’s a little hard to show up by accident now, Sarika.” She meant it as a joke, but he was still regarding her nervously. “What’s going on,” she prodded, gently.

“It’s Raiko. He’s demanding that we have the road maps from City Hall to the docks finished tonight.”

“Why the rush? There’s no way the building demolitions will be finished by tomorrow. Or is he already worried about bad press?”

“I don’t know,” Sarika said, shaking his head. “He mentioned something about earthbender units being disbanded, so maybe he thinks we’re going to be getting ex-Empire benders to help?”

Asami felt her heart beating faster. “Disbanded? Was there news from Ba Sing Se?”

“Maybe, though it wouldn’t be the first time he’s put the cart before the ostrich-horse.”

She sighed. “I understand that he’s impatient, but there’s no reason why we can’t stick to the meeting schedule we already had planned. One day really won’t make a difference, and until the crumbling buildings and mecha giant are completely cleared, it’s a hazard to try and do any other sort of construction.”

“Asami, I don’t disagree with you. But I’m here asking because the President sent me.”

“And I’m here trying to run my company—a company he’s currently counting on to provide clean-up equipment.”

An odd look flickered across Sarika’s face. “I...wouldn’t provoke him. You can’t just delegate for today?”

It was unlike Sarika to be this insistent about anything, much less something Asami disagreed with. “What’s really going on?”

“I told him that you and I weren’t supposed to meet until tomorrow, and he said...” He slumped his shoulders before continuing, “He said if you wouldn’t work on this today, that I was to remind you...you’d be defying presidential orders during a time of war.”

“He also gave a presidential order to surrender the city. And one before that to put Kuvira in charge,” she snapped.

“I know.”

Asami touched his arm. “This isn’t your fault, Sarika. Raiko’s been impatient before, but never unreasonable. I wonder if he’s trying to overcompensate to distract everyone from the fact that we’d be bowing to the Great Uniter right now if things had been left up to him.”

“Maybe. Everyone’s scared though, and this is what? The third time Republic City was destroyed in the last four years? I can’t exactly fault him for wanting a plan as soon as possible.”

She wondered how Sarika would feel if he found out a portion of her meeting had discussed the possibility honoring the man responsible for the city’s first attack. “No, that wouldn’t be fair. Give me a minute to get everything in order. Then you and I can head out.”

“We can’t work here?” Sarika asked.

“There’s someone we need to talk to.” Asami left him standing where he was, and went back around the corner to the meeting room. There, she beckoned Shoji to the doorway and explained the situation to him. “Afterwards, I want you and Dara to write up a full report. Any decision like the one regarding worker compensation, give your recommendations, but make sure it’s run past me.” Even if the request might have seemed poorly timed, Shoji certainly wasn’t about to question the importance of Raiko’s city planner. Yet as Asami and Sarika stepped out of Future Industries Tower into the sunlight, she couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“So...” Sarika said, after a solid five minutes of trudging through vines. “Do I get to know where we're going?”

A crash sounded at that moment, causing him to flinch. Asami pointed in the direction of the noise, where a faint dust cloud seemed to be rising. “That way. To my friend, Bolin.”

“The lavabender?”

She couldn’t help but smile. Sarika could well be the only person in Republic City that wouldn’t think of him first as ‘Nuktuk’. “That’s the one. We need to figure out how controlled his abilities are, and how the lava has been interacting with the spirit vines.”

“Firebending never managed to clear them off,” Sarika pointed out. “No more than the metalbenders were able to restrain them. It’s probably going to have to be raised or moved roads again.”

“Probably,” Asami agreed, “but I’d rather ask than assume. Besides, by the sounds of it, he’s not going to be far away.” Bolin would also be able to tell them how the demolition was going...and if she was right about Raiko’s irrationality, though she decided against pointing that out to Sarika.  

They made their way through the tangle for another few minutes in silence, the movement somehow easier than it had seemed less than an hour before. Maybe the only plan we need is to get everyone a good pair of boots , she mused.

“So, speaking of Bolin...I read that interview of his in the papers yesterday,” Sarika said once they had rounded a corner. There was a faint burning smell in the air.

Asami rolled her eyes, happy that he was lagging a few steps behind. You and everyone else. “Yes, he’s never had my gift for dodging reporters.”

“Well, by the sound of this, it would have been good press for you, right?”

She stopped walking and looked back. “Excuse me?”

“I wasn’t...” he began, holding up a hand, “You helped save the city, that’s all.”

“I helped.” She made to climb over the next vine. “Kuvira had an army, a super-weapon. I didn’t do anything with the press in mind.”

“I know you didn’t.” Asami could hear the earnestness in his voice. “All I mean is, there’s not reason for you to dodge anyone this time.”

“There’s a lot of work to be done before I’m going to even think about marketing.”

She took a step too far and nearly fell, though managed to catch herself in time. Sarika reeled up beside her as she detangled her ankle from the vine that had snagged her. “What Bolin said, about your father...” his voice was quiet. “You’re okay?”

He wasn’t meeting her eyes. That somehow made it better. “I’m fine, Sarika.” They both resumed their walk.

“I was a little surprised to read it. When we were working yesterday, you didn’t say anything, or seem...different.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

He hesitated before answering. “I guess so. All I’m trying to say is, I’m here if you want to talk about anything. And if you need to pull back on what we’re doing, I can take care of that with Raiko too.”

“I don’t,” Asami said quickly. “Besides, his insistence today speaks otherwise.”

“Even so...”

They rounded a corner to find a street mercifully clear of vines. A block away, Asami could make out Bolin standing near the base of a building, gazing up, along with one of Suyin’s twins. She turned to face Sarika. “I appreciate what you’re saying, but I’m going to be okay. The fact is, until recently, he had been out of my life anyway. For years.” Nothing has to change. She wondered if she was sounding too callous. “It’s...complicated, of course it is. But the only thing I want right now is to help clean up this mess in city.”

“Well, I’m certainly here for that,” he said with a kind smile.

Bolin spotted their approach halfway down the block and ran to meet them. “Asami! What are you doing here?”

“I came to talk to you, actually,” she answered as the twin drew up beside him. “You remember Sarika, the city planner?”

Bolin squinted. “Uh, yeah, of course.”

“We met a couple of years ago,” Sarika tried. “In that colony town, where we had a meeting with Varrick and Baatar Jr?”

When no look of comprehension crossed Bolin’s face, Asami cut in again. “And Sarika, this is Wi—Wei. One of Suyin Beifong’s sons.”

He and Sarika nodded at each other before Wei looked in Asami’s direction. “Have you heard anything from my mother? Or Korra?”

“No...uh, no more than you’ve heard, I’m sure. Though maybe Tenzin will have news tonight.”

“Does that mean you’ll be at dinner?” Bolin asked. “We missed you yesterday.”

Asami glanced in Sarika’s direction. “If today goes well,” she answered.

“Which is what brings us here,” he added. “We need to finalize the road maps, at least for the first stage of the clean up, and we were hoping you could tell us how the vines react to your lavabending.”

“Oh, well...I can’t clear them away, if that’s what you’re asking. They always grow again.”

“But we can usually pull down buildings before it happens,” Wei added with a laugh.

Sarika nodded. “Sounds exactly like firebending.” He gave Asami a look.

I never expected any different, she thought, wondering how she could broach the next subject.

“Firebening’s probably cleaner,” Wei said. “No tangling with the rubble.”

“Tangling? What do you mean?” She looked from Wei to Bolin.

“Yeah,” Bolin scratched the back of his neck. “The vines sort of...like the spots where the lava touches, or something. Once it cools, that is. They grow back in its path, even if I harden it right away. I kind of...made a mess over on Broad because of it. Beifong was not happy.”

Wei grinned. “They coiled around a building we were trying to knock the top off of, and ended up completely blocking an alleyway. We might need some firebending to fix it, actually.”

“Wait.” Asami put a hand on Bolin’s arm. “You mean to tell me the vines follow lava?”

“I guess? More like, they follow its warmth or something. The lava itself makes them shrink.”

She looked at Sarika, whose eyes were wide. “It must be the temperature.”

“Well, whatever it is, I’ve been letting the metalbenders push away the vines while I stick to earthbending,” Bolin said. “I don’t want to mess things up even more.”

“You didn’t mess anything up!” Asami told him, turning back. “This is a discovery we could use. You’re able to lavabend down into the roads, right?”

“I think so... I haven’t really tried.”

“We could have you dig canals and guide the vines through them,” she explained. “It would mean that we wouldn’t have to raise roads as high.”

Sarika nodded enthusiastically. “Or even tunnels, maybe. If there wasn’t a danger of impinging growth.”

“We have vine charts for that,” Asami pointed out.

“And my office is still standing, fortunately.”

“As long as we make sure the diameters are big enough, there shouldn’t be issues, though canals seem safer.”

“Well, depending on the angle the vines come in.”

Bolin was looking back and forth between them, pure confusion on his face. “I’m not sure how much I can help with any of this.”

Asami nearly laughed. “It’s fine; we just have a lot of drawing to do. I think this might be exactly the solution our city needs.”

“As long as you’re willing to lavabend some new roads,” Sarika added.

“Of course!”

“This does complicate the maps though,” Asami said, bringing a hand to her chin. “We might want to do more of a piecemeal approach, to make sure this works.” When Sarika nodded, she looked back towards Bolin and Wei. “How is the demolition coming? Do you have an idea of the timeline?”

Wei shrugged. “Aunt Lin would have a better idea of that, but it’s moving along. Fortunately the majority of the buildings still have a stable foundation. We’re mostly just ripping off the tops and rerouting pipes.”

“So you’ll be finished today? Tomorrow?”

“Bolin and I will be lucky if we even get done this street today.”

He nodded in agreement. “Beifong said she wants everything torn down by the end of the week.”

Three days. She could feel Sarika shifting uncomfortably next to her. “Well, I’ll leave you to it, then.”

Neither of them spoke about Raiko on their way to City Hall. Instead, the conversation about Bolin’s lavabending discovery carried them, any awkwardness from earlier having all but evaporated. “I’m wondering,” Sarika said as he pushed the door to his small office open, “whether we could even use waterbenders to help direct the vines. If it’s the warmth they’re responding to, then maybe they’d be ice-adverse.”

“It’s a thought, and certainly one easy enough to test.”

“If only Bolin had been around when we tried to clean up the vines the first time,” he said, drawing several scrolls out of his desk. “We might have been able to clear the spirit wilds after all.”

“No,” Asami said instinctively. In her mind’s eye, she saw Korra placing her hand on a vine, like she had done when they needed to find Prince Wu. “I think... This city is the spirits’ home too. We may be able to use lavabending for more efficient and direct road construction, but we shouldn't be trying to get rid of them. Especially now that there’s a portal. Besides, Bolin confirmed that they still grow back.”

“You’re probably right. Though you remember those building owners asking for Raiko’s head at the early Business Council meetings.”

“Hopefully we’ve all learned something from that," she answered, uncoiling one of their vine projection charts and laying it flat on the table. Since they had first begun working together on the infrastructure project, Asami and Sarika must have drawn over a hundred of them, meticulously projecting the growth of countless vines, trying to divide them into different types and categories. Jinora had tried to warn them that it wasn't an exact science, though it had done little to stop them from trying. "We’ve seen how tourism helped. And the new portal is sure to be an attraction."

“If we can make the rest of the city livable, that is.”

It was easier said than done, though it didn’t take long for them to fall back into their old rhythm. They barely moved from their seats for the better part of four hours, Sarika matching pictures of the new vines to their charts, while Asami scribbled calculations. It wasn’t until the sun had set completely and Sarika needed to turn on a light that they realized how the time had passed.

“Well, I don’t exactly see us finishing this in the next couple of hours,” she told him.

“No, but if I show Raiko this progress, I don’t think he’ll mind.” Sarika adjusted his glasses. “I’m sorry again I pulled you out of your meeting. I probably should have stood up to him more.”

“No, he’s your boss and the city is counting on us. Dara will be able to catch me up.”

“I hope not tonight?” He smiled. “You’ve done quite a bit already.”

Asami rose, finally setting down the pencil in her hand. “There’s always more,” she answered. She was tired, but she knew Shoji’s report would need to be read before the morning. I can write my letter to Korra first. At least there’s something interesting to say today. The thought came as a reflex, and she clapped a hand to her mouth once she realized.

“Asami?” Sarika asked. “Are you okay?”

“I—Sorry. It just...feels like no time has passed, doesn’t it? Us working together again. Like maybe we only dreamt Kuvira’s attack.” Or the weeks leading up to it.

“I think it’s more that our work is destined to continue until you and I finally publish a book on the fourteen-hundred types of vines,” he joked, before sighing. “I do know what you mean, though. Are we keeping the meeting time we had planned for tomorrow?”

“Ten o’clock,” she said, nodding. “I need to go. Are you okay talking to Raiko alone?”

“Of course. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Asami practically ran out of City Hall. Once she had put a good couple of blocks in between herself and the building, she stopped to gaze around at the city. The sun was nearly hidden below the horizon, the eery green glow of the portal yet again taking over. “It’s not how it was,” she said to herself. “She’s coming back. She’s coming back...and he’s not. This isn’t three years ago.”

That seemed to calm her, though the disorienting feeling remained, even once she had reached the tower. She half-expected Shoji or Dara to still be there, but the floors were empty. They were probably worried about finding a way back to the temporary housing. She had arranged for one of the factory airships transporting the workers to pick up her executives as well. Still, she found a stack of papers waiting in the conference room for her, several tabs of dyed paper sticking out, no doubt to highlight anything that needed her approval.

Asami pulled out a chair, but somehow couldn’t force herself to sit down. Instead, some impulse carried her across the room, where a radio box sat on an end table. She won’t think anything of it. Even if she did, was that so bad? Korra certainly hadn’t been acting as if it would be. Before Asami could question it any more, she placed the call.

It was Suyin’s voice that sounded on the other side. “Yes? Is this Tenzin?”

“No, it’s Asami.”

“Hello dear. You’re not with the president, are you?”

It’s a good thing I’m not, she mused, imagining how Raiko would have reacted to the question. “No, I’m alone.” She swallowed. “I was trying to reach Korra.”

Suyin gave an audible sigh. “She’s below, talking to Kuvira right now. You wouldn’t believe what that woman’s been putting us through. Korra insists she wants to help, but she’s only out to help herself, like always.”

“Oh,” Asami answered, unsure of how else to respond. “Does this mean things aren’t going well?”

“It’s a bigger mess here than anyone’s willing to admit. This is what I told Tenzin and Raiko we’d be facing, but it didn’t suit their needs, I suppose.”

“Right...”

“I swear, they’re going to just make the same mistakes as last time, though at least Wu is unlikely to declare himself an emperor. But I’m sorry, what is it you needed Korra for? I can go get her,” Suyin offered.

“No—no don’t trouble her. I was just... We’re working on the clean up plans, and it had been proposed that we might be able to have help from some of the earthbenders in Kuvira’s army, if they’re no longer needed.”

She heard a scoff from the other end. “I'm not sure where anyone got that idea. Was it from Raiko? If he wants another quick fix for my nation, then I’m sure he’ll have a friend in Tenzin, and even Izumi. But to do this right, it will take time.”

Asami felt her stomach turn. Then the least I can do is have a clean city waiting.

***

Chapter Text

The airship had barely stopped moving when Korra raced to its door. There was nothing but a mess that waited for her, and yet she couldn’t stand to be around Suyin and Kuvira in such tight proximity for another second. Though at first she had been happy to see Su give up on Kuvira’s imprisonment in the belly of the ship, after they spent the entire journey over Full Moon Bay sniping at one another, Korra was beginning to wonder if the bars might have been more merciful.

She had hoped Kuvira’s behavior in Ba Sing Se would have helped Suyin get over some of her anger, but instead the governor seemed more determined than ever not to give her former protégé any credit. Their arguments were all the same: Kuvira would offer some kind of suggestion, and Suyin would shoot it down, usually by saying, “after what you did to my family? To your fiancé?”

It was hard to argue with the sentiment. Kuvira had very nearly killed them all, including Baatar mere seconds after he had talked to her about their undying love. It made Korra’s skin crawl to think about it. Still, Suyin was hardly the picture of balance, her anger never waning. Korra wished she had been able to bring someone along with her—anyone else. Or maybe I should have stayed back. Mako was injured, Bolin had only just escaped from Kuvira, and Asami... The world needs you, she told herself, watching as the airship’s ramp was lowered. The Avatar is finally back.

If she had needed any reminder of the gravity of the situation, the Fire Lord standing at the base of the ramp more than served that purpose, a squad of grim-faced firebenders behind her. Korra walked down, trying to slow her pace to one that seemed as dignified as the woman waiting to greet her, and bowed once she stepped onto the solid ground. “Fire Lord Izumi,” she said, “it’s an honor to see you again.”

“The honor is mine, Avatar,” she answered without a trace of a smile. “I’m glad to see you here, after everything that happened.”

She had seemed far less thrilled when Korra had burst into City Hall to warn the President of Kuvira’s tampering with the vines. She followed the Fire Lord’s golden eyes up the ramp, where Suyin was making her own descent. “Izumi,” she called warmly.

When she reached the bottom, the two women embraced. “Su, it’s been far too long.”

“If you’d ever leave that kingdom of yours, you could see the wonderful progress Zaofu has made.”

Izumi’s mouth seemed to twitch. “I’m sure that could be arranged. You know that you and your family are always welcome in Capital City.”

Suyin waved a hand. “By the looks of it we’ll all have to focus on the Earth Kingdom for some time. Thanks to Kuvira.” She gestured back to the ship, where Kuvira was now halfway down the ramp.

Izumi said nothing but watched with narrowed eyes until the metalbender reached the ground and bent into a low bow. “Fire Lord. Please allow me my sincerest apology for the trouble I’ve caused the world,” she said. “I understand now what I did was wrong, and I accept full responsibility for that.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Izumi answered without so much as lowering her head. “Though if it’s any assurance, there are many who share in the blame. You should have never been in your position in the first place.”

Kuvira raised her eyebrows. “I...was just trying to help my kingdom. That’s all I want to do now.”

“Her speech in Ba Sing Se seems to have gone a long way,” Korra offered. “I heard a radio report this morning that things are running smoothly under the governor.”

“We’ll see.” Izumi turned towards Suyin. “I’d like to make short work of this, Su. It was not my intention to come this far south."

“You have Raiko and Tenzin to thank for that,” she answered. “Without the United Forces or airbenders, we need someone’s help. As it is, we had to leave behind a sizable number of troops in Ba Sing Se, including highly skilled metalbenders.”

“I am offering my aid, where reasonable. Better my troops in the Si Wong provinces than in the capital. But you must realize that they can only serve as a temporary solution.”

“I know your concerns, Izumi. The same ones as you’ve always had,” Suyin answered dismissively. “The Hundred Year War is a distant memory compared to the families that are still torn apart.”

Izumi frowned. “We are asking people to have faith in their governors—in the Earth Kingdom again. Foreign troops cannot keep the peace, at least not for long.”

Suyin looked as though she wanted to argue again, but Korra cut in. “The people stood down in Ba Sing Se,” she pointed out. “And you’ve already seen to securing the Hu Xin provinces, Fire Lord. I think...it’s the people who want peace.”

“The states that border the United Republic were always going to be easier,” Izumi said. “Though this governor we’re to meet later sounded amenable.”

“The State of Yi was one of the last hold-outs,”  Kuvira offered.

The Fire Lord gave a stiff nod. “Then hopefully there should be few problems.”

“That’s unlikely,” Suyin said with a hollow laugh. “Kuvira was quick to strip towns of their resources and pluck anyone healthy for the army.”

“I was spreading the resources across the entire kingdom,” Kuvira said, frowning. “How else would you have ensured stability, especially when some states were ravaged by bandits and unable to feed themselves?”

“That doesn’t justify slave labor!” she shot back.

Izumi held up a hand. “We’re not here to deal with resource equity, or even bandits. We merely need to ensure that formal control is in the hands of the governors.”

“Leaving a mess in our wake?” Suyin asked.

“Leaving a task at hand for your King. We cannot concern ourselves with every problem facing the Earth Kingdom right now.”

Kuvira’s frown deepened, and for a moment Korra was reminded of their conversation in the spirit world. “We're not going to let it slip back into chaos, I promise,” Korra heard herself say. “But Lord Izumi is right. Until Wu takes charge, we need to make sure there's someone watching out for the people of each state. Let's meet with this Governor of Yi, and then we should continue across the nation, as we planned.”

Izumi cleared her throat. “I’m afraid there’s another matter we must take care of first. We received word that there is a reeducation camp in this area, though my own troops have been unable to locate it.” Her gaze seemed to harden as she looked from Korra to Kuvira. “I’m given to understand this information was only available to those in your ‘inner circle’?”

Suyin didn’t hesitate. “‘Inner circle’? Why am I not surprised. I can only imagine what lengths your officers went to so that they might be rewarded with such an honor.”

“It wasn’t like that,” Kuvira said. “We were in an active war zone; decisions needed to be made quickly. There were some officers I trusted more, and I had to be able to know who I could tap at a moment’s notice with some of these measures.” She looked to Izumi. “I’m sure you have Cabinet members you rely on more than others.”

“I trust the people I appoint to be able to execute their job appropriately, regardless of my partialities,” she answered.

“And I doubt you would make your favorites so obvious as to label them part of an 'inner circle',” Suyin added. Izumi inclined her head slightly, though Korra could have sworn she saw her roll her eyes.

Kuvira’s lip curled. “It was Baatar who came up with that name.”

“How dare you mention my son after what you did?! How dare you try to blame him for your mistakes!”

She seemed to get smaller at that. “I wasn’t. I... What I did will haunt me the rest of my life, Su.”

“Well it should. And—”

Korra stepped in between them. “I think we were trying to figure out where the reeducation camp was, right? We should probably go there as soon as we can, since we have to meet with the governor too.”

Suyin threw an angry look in Korra’s direction, but turned her attention back to Kuvira. “Well, do you want to tell us where it is, or do you only want to ‘help’ when it’s convenient for you?”

Kuvira closed her eyes for a moment before answering. “It’s... It’s underground. I can point it out on a map, but the only way in is with earthbending.”

“Sounds familiar,” Su said, folding her arms.

Izumi’s mouth tightened. “That would explain why my troops were having trouble finding it. Shall we?” She held up an arm, gesturing towards one of her platoons, no doubt where one of her officers would be able to provide a map. Her gaze fell to Korra for a moment, who gave a small nod in response. There was something about the Fire Lord that made Korra feel both secure and on-edge at the same time. She seemed so unflappable, like she could handle any situation, but how was anyone supposed to act around her?

The journey to the camp was mercifully quiet. Suyin and Izumi led the squadron, a mix of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom soldiers, while Kuvira allowed herself to fall back to the middle of the pack, her shoulders hunched. At least she’s feeling remorse, Korra thought from her own place a couple of rows back.

The ‘underground’ entrance turned out to be in the side of a cliff face, behind which lay a steep tunnel. Kuvira led the way inside, while Korra, Suyin, and Izumi followed. The Fire Lord remained silent, though Suyin took to clicking her tongue in disapproval every so often. As they made their dissent, the few lanterns that had lined the top became replaced with crystals that gave off a soft, green glow. “I’ve seen these before,” Korra suddenly said, pointing at one along the wall. “These were under the Earth Queen’s palace, where they were keeping the airbenders.”

“Go figure that Kuvira would borrow the Dai Li’s tactics,” Su quipped.

“I imagine it had more to do with conserving oil,” Izumi said quietly, “though I won’t deny that I find this any less troubling than the stories of Lake Laogai.”

Kuvira glowered. “Don’t pretend like you understand anything about the Dai Li. They wanted to burn Ba Sing Se to the ground when I came. Even Lake Laogai...it was used to cover up a war; this camp was built to win one.”

“Are you really trying to justify imprisoning your own people?” Suyin asked, waving an arm around. “Sticking them underground like rodents?”

“They’re not all like this, but this camp was designed for the dissenters who had caused harm to the campaign.”

Izumi was unmoved. “I would have hoped my own nation’s history might have taught you something of what true harm actually looks like.”

For a second it seemed like she wanted to argue further, but Kuvira glanced to Korra before saying, “I lost sight of things.”

The tunnel took a sharp turn, revealing a metal door on the other side of the bend. Two guards stood in front of it, both in Earth Empire uniforms with a single chevron on their sleeves. When the saw the approaching party, they both immediately snapped into a salute. “All hail the Great Uniter,” the one on the left declared. He sported a chinstrap beard, though otherwise looked virtually indistinguishable from his partner, both with their neatly slicked back hair and stern expressions.

“There will be none of that anymore!” Suyin snapped. “Or didn’t you hear the news about Republic City?”

“I...there were rumors.”

“You mean to tell me you didn’t hear her resignation speech in Ba Sing Se over the radio?” she pressed.

Izumi put a hand on her shoulder. “Suyin, it’s irrelevant, though I do find it odd that two officers would be so isolated from communication.” When neither of them spoke, she continued. “Kuvira is no longer the head of the army, and the Earth Empire is the Earth Kingdom once again. We are here to release the individuals held within this camp.”

The guard on the right folded his arms. “Even if Wu is taking the throne now, these individuals are threats to our nation. Our orders were to keep everyone safe.”

“Your orders are what we tell you,” Izumi answered.

“Kuvira wants them released now too, don’t you?” Korra said, turning towards her. If the guards heard it straight from the ostrich horse’s mouth, she didn’t see how they could refuse.

“Yes,” Kuvira answered quickly. “I may have felt this camp was necessary at the time, but we are no longer at war. We need our citizens to return home, for the good of the Earth Kingdom.”

The guard on the left gave a defiant look. “Then why is the Fire Lord the one giving us orders? Is that for the good of the Earth Kingdom?”

“I assure you,” Izumi said, her voice softer, yet somehow more menacing than before, “your hesitation does neither yourselves nor Kuvira any good.”

The other guard gave a hollow laugh. “They can make short work of us, Aiguo. Look at the Fire Nation troops they brought.”

“This isn’t just the Fire Nation!” Korra said, annoyed. “Kuvira is stepping down and every world leader is making sure that the transition goes smoothly. So am I. We’re not going to let anyone dangerous hurt you or your people, but we need you to stand down and let us in.”

They exchanged a look. Aiguo finally inclined his head. “As you wish, Avatar.”

Once they bent the door open, Korra could see why they were so hesitant. The tunnel opened to a cavernous room, the pathway spiraling down into the depths. Along it, a metal plate jutted out of the wall and followed the curved route. It was there that the prisoners sat, spaced no more than two feet apart, using the metal as a table for their work. From what Korra could tell, most were intently sewing, though she noticed a few were hammering on buckles. The only person to notice their presence was a nearby officer, who froze in her tracks.

“Stop this. Immediately.” Izumi’s voice was barely more than a hiss, but it was enough.

“Shut it down,” Korra heard Aiguo call. The guard’s eyes shifted from him to Korra to the Fire Lord, but she soon drew a whistle out of her pocket and blew into it.

The reaction was instantaneous. The prisoners Korra could see looked up in alarm, some eyes moving to the door. It was then that she heard gasps, and the scraping of metal on stone as many rose from their seats. The whistle’s note echoed off of the walls, and was soon joined by others ringing below in the depths. Suyin began to admonish Kuvira, while Izumi started questioning the female guard, but Korra barely heard either of them. As if in a dream, she felt her feet carry her down the winding path.

As she walked, murmurs from the prisoners grew louder and louder. Some were hugging one another, others had doubled over their work, clutching the table for support. She was barely out of sight of the door when she passed a teenage boy who burst into tears. Instinctively, Korra walked over to him. “What’s your name?” she asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. She could see a guard watching her from her periphery.

“Kenshin,” he mumbled. “You’re really the Avatar?”

“I am. You’re...safe now.” Even though it was true enough, the words felt hollow. “How old are you, Kenshin?”

“I’m fourteen.”

“And how long have you been here?”

Kenshin seemed unable to meet her eyes. “I’m not sure. I think three or four months. I’m one of the lucky ones, and this is a newer camp.”

Korra’s stomach turned. “We were told this was a high-security camp, for more serious dissenters. Can you tell me why you’re here?”

“Serious dissenters?” he repeated, shaking his head. “Kuvira’s thugs came into my village, rounding up everyone born outside the Earth Kingdom. They said we were in so much danger that we couldn't afford the risk of anyone who might undermine uniting us. Anyone sympathetic to the terrorists who killed our queen.”

“Well that’s true I guess,” Korra said, “but I don’t see why being born in a different nation has anything to do with it.”

“It doesn’t. But my mom, she’s from the Fire Nation, so they tried to take her away and I... I...tried to stop them.” He finally looked up at Korra. “She never did anything wrong, and she was hoping Kuvira would have come to our town sooner to protect us. I had to do something!”

“I would have done the same thing. And trying to protect your mother shouldn’t have gotten you chucked into a prison camp, no matter what.”

“Well...” Kenshin hung his head again. “I didn’t just try to stop them. One of my neighbors, he’s really strong, and I asked him to help me. An officer overheard, and that’s when they arrested me. They said I was trying to start a riot.”

“That isn’t right.” Korra let go of him and looked in the direction of the guard, who seemed to find his shoes suddenly fascinating. “It’s over now, I promise, but I’m so sorry for what you went through. Where is your mother?”

“I don’t know,” he said sadly. “She was taken to a different camp.”

“They’re all being shut down,” Korra assured him. She could think of nothing else to say, though when she turned away to head back down the path, she couldn’t help but feel guilty for it.

The guard stepped in front of her once she started walking again. “Avatar, please...forgive us. We were just following orders.”

She folded her arms. “You had to know they were wrong.”

“We were told we were keeping our country safe.”

“It’s not safe unless it’s safe for everyone. Promise me you’ll never follow an order like this again.” He nodded in response, though no words came out.

It took over two hours to evacuate everyone out of the tunnel. Korra lost track of the people she shook hands with or hugged. There were only a handful of prisoners that needed healing, including an older man whose fingers had been reduced to bloody pulps from the work, though a few dozen had a dangerous-sounding cough.

Izumi’s troops were moving about the camp, some supporting prisoners, others questioning Kuvira’s guards. The bulk of the Fire Nation’s forces were outside, readying medical tents and vehicles for those who needed the immediate attention. Korra hadn’t the slightest idea how they would see to the prisoners getting home, though she was certain that if anyone could organize such a thing, it would be Izumi. The Fire Lord herself wound her way down and up the camp’s path as Korra had, though Korra didn’t see her exchanging words with anyone. Suyin and Kuvira had made their way back outside the tunnel. Korra had no desire to guess at what they were saying. I’ll probably get an encore performance on the airship tonight anyway, she had found herself thinking.

At last, every prisoner and guard had exited the underground camp, most opting to stand grouped around the entrance, unsure where to go. Izumi was mumbling something to three of her officers, yet before anyone could give an order, Suyin’s voice cut angrily through the crowd. “Kuvira! You owe these people an apology!”

All eyes fell on them, and an instant hush seemed to wash over the prisoners. She did owe them at least that, Korra had to agree, though she couldn’t help but think many of them would have preferred to be told of how they’d be transported home, rather than listen to the woman who ordered their imprisonment.

Kuvira took a step forward, drawing upright, a pained expression on her face. “Su—Governor Beifong is right. I know there’s nothing I can say right now that can give you back your time here, or take away the pain I inflicted. But do know how deeply I regret my actions. I made a lot of mistakes, and I’m truly sorry it took as long as it did for me to realize that. The Earth Empire is gone now, and you won’t have to worry about this happening ever again.”

Her words were met with only blank stares. Suyin looked as though she wanted to say something herself, but the Fire Lord walked forward and addressed the crowd first. “Rest assured, Kuvira will face justice. However, our priority right now is to see you returned safely to your homes. My officers will be overseeing this. Please, report to any Fire Nation soldier so that we may begin to organize everyone by location.”

It was hardly inspiring, but the people soon began milling about all the same. Izumi turned back. “We best make our way to the governor,” she said. “My forces will be needed here, so I don’t want to bring more soldiers than absolutely necessary. Kuvira, you mentioned that the State of Yi was late to join your cause?”

Kuvira nodded. “The governor was very reluctant. I don’t think there’s much danger of a riot in that town.”

“The Avatar in our company should ensure that,” Izumi agreed soberly. “Though if we should need to...take matters into our own hands, I would remind you that your cooperation will be noted when the time comes to decide your fate.”

“Don’t worry,” Suyin said, “I’m not taking my eyes off her.”

Korra looked back at the prisoners, frail and squinting in the sunlight. Neither will I.

It took another hour to travel to the village, though they were able to move quickly with a smaller group. Izumi only brought one general and a handful of firebenders, while Suyin made the arrangements for a small contingent of the Earth Kingdom’s army to meet them there.

The town was modest in size, its buildings arranged in a horseshoe pattern on the edge of a hill. Its opening was marked by an arch, underneath which the governor was waiting for them. Behind him, Korra could see a number of villagers looking curiously, some leaning in the doorway of the buildings, others shuffling around the street.

The governor introduced himself as Shen. They barely exchanged bows before he glared angrily in Kuvira’s direction. “I’m sure we have much to discuss, but I’d have us do it in my house, not on your train like last time, and certainly not here, where you hung that banner of yours. I hope you don’t mind, we didn’t wait for your speech at Ba Sing Se to fix it.” He gestured to the arch where a green flag with a yellow circle now hung. Yet unlike the Earth Kingdom flags with a green square in the center of the circle, there was a triangle with a wave of blue in front of it, to give it the appearance of a mountain.

“You made a state flag,” Kuvira said, an edge to her voice.

“The citizens of Yi felt strongly about it after your little visit.”

“You didn’t just want an Earth Kingdom flag?” Korra asked. It made sense why some areas wouldn’t have wanted Kuvira’s silver seal on display, but she didn’t see why the old flag would have been an issue.

“The Earth Kingdom we knew died with the Queen,” he answered. “And Yi had gotten on just fine for nearly three years.”

Kuvira frowned. “You were overrun with bandits. Your people were unable to provide for themselves.”

“And after hearing the horror stories of the states you ‘united,’ that was still preferable to them, I’m sure,” Suyin pointed out.

“As the Governor said,” Izumi cut in, “this is not the place to discuss such things. I advise you show us the way to your house.”

The walk up the path was more congenial than Korra had feared. Kuvira opted to hang towards the back of the group while Shen took the lead, happily pointing out the various buildings to Korra. Izumi ordered her troops to stay behind in the town square at the base of the steps to the Governor’s House while she and the others filed into it, only to be quickly directed towards a meeting room.

Korra had been confused why this meeting was even necessary to begin with; the man seemed more than happy to take charge of governing his province once again, and if his villagers had been willing to adopt their own flag, she couldn’t imagine any of them rioting or causing trouble with Kuvira stepping down. Yet it soon became clear enough why Shen had been so quarrelsome.

He set a small stack of papers in the middle of the table, while Korra, Suyin, and Izumi took their seats around it. Kuvira leaned against the doorway with her arms folded. “As you can see from this contract,” Shen explained, “Kuvira shipped away much of our ore with no compensation.”

“We gave your starving citizens food,” she muttered.

“We were starving because of you! You took control of the southern rail line, which we couldn’t use anymore. All the bandits had to do was target the one to the north.”

When Kuvira began to object again, Izumi silenced her with a wave of her hand. “She did many indefensible things to the harm of Earth Kingdom citizens,” the Fire Lord agreed. “But returning your ore or providing a financial compensation will not be so easy, given how these resources were already allocated within your nation.

“Zaofu’s in the same shape,” Suyin added. “Kuvira destroyed our security domes and stole a good deal of our metal. That’s billions of yuans in damage.”

“But we were conquered!” Shen insisted. “You mean to tell me we’re just supposed to take the loss of our only valuable commodity? Yi is not as well-funded as Zaofu, Governor Beifong.” He looked in Korra’s direction, but she couldn’t even begin to think of how to respond. What was she supposed to do? Tell him that she’d get the ore back? It had likely already burned in a Ba Sing Se factory.

“Once Prince Wu formally takes the throne, he will work with a team of trusted economic advisors to formulate a plan, I’m sure,” Izumi told Shen. “I can see to it that these appointments are prioritized.”

“Not before we’ve ensured that everyone maliciously imprisoned is safely home again,” Suyin insisted. “Besides, there’s also the army to disband and the new military leaders to appoint. I can’t imagine we should let her generals remain.”

Korra let the conversation wash over her, never feeling more a child. Why had they insisted that she come? Why had she insisted on it too? She did what an avatar was supposed to do in stopping Kuvira, so at least Toph had been wrong about the world not needing her. But even so, the Earth Kingdom certainly didn’t need her to sit and blink stupidly while everyone else discussed logistics or gave speeches.

Maybe I really should have stayed home. In Republic City she could have helped fix the buildings or get water flowing through broken pipes. Maybe that stuff wasn't very 'spiritual leader-y', but at least they were things she knew she could do. And she wouldn’t have had to leave everyone behind. Again. It was almost painful to recall the way Asami had looked when she said her goodbye. Could that have really been less than a week ago? Korra considered leaving the room, maybe making a call to Air Temple Island to check in, but she knew Suyin and Izumi would think it was inappropriate.

Luckily, the meeting didn’t last much longer. Shen was eager to see Kuvira leave, and without Wu present, there was little they could discuss in certain terms. He had seemed satisfied enough when Izumi assured him that her troops would be able to deliver some food stores to tide the state over until trains began to run regularly again, and Suyin mercifully didn’t remind him too much about Zaofu’s dire condition.

They rose from the table, and Korra saw that Kuvira had slumped even further down the doorway, her eyes fixed on the opposite side of the frame, her jaw set. Korra couldn’t tell if it was shame or anger behind her gaze, and she suspected that solving the mystery wouldn’t exactly be comforting.

When they exited the governor’s house, Korra was surprised to see that most of the village had filled the square, waiting with expectant looks on their faces. “Well, Kuvira,” Suyin said cheerfully, “it looks like there may be another apology you’ll have to give today. The State of Yi never wanted you as their leader.”

Shen nodded in agreement. “I did take the liberty of explaining that ‘generous offer’ you forced me to sign. I do think they would like to hear from you that we are no longer bound by it.”

For a second Kuvira said nothing, her eyes moving back and forth between Shen and Suyin. Then she took a breath and walked down the stairs towards the villagers, both of them on her heels. Korra made to do the same until she saw that Izumi had stayed back. She walked to join her where she stood behind the railing of Shen’s balcony, which overlooked the square.

“Citizens of the State of Yi,” Korra heard Kuvira begin from below. “The last time I was here, it was to announce that you were under the protection of my army—to provide the resources I saw fit to get you through the trying times. However, I understand now that my methods of ensuring that protection were not right. You’ve probably heard that I have stepped down as the leader of the Earth Kingdom, and that the Earth Empire—”

“I will be taking my leave of you after this.” Korra jerked her head at the sound of Izumi’s voice, though the Fire Lord remained standing still, her gaze fixed on the crowd below. “My troops will be yours of course,” Izumi continued, “but I cannot be the one to lead them.”

“I...” Korra wracked her brains for how to answer. “I thought today went smoothly? We freed the camp, and this governor is definitely happy that Kuvira isn’t in charge anymore.”

“Today would have gone the same had it been General Honomi in my place.” She looked at Korra, her golden eyes feeling oddly piercing. “I trust you understand why I cannot be the one to negotiate the allocation of Earth Kingdom resources.”

“I guess so. It would seem like a conflict of interest, right?”

“Exactly. If Republic City weren’t in the state it were in, Tenzin and Raiko would be here as well. Perhaps even your father, though I cannot say the same of your cousins. But for now, it is just my troops handling this, and I cannot be looked to as the authority. Not without my motives being called into question.”

Korra thought of the two guards at the reeducation camp and nodded. “People would want to know why the Fire Lord was giving orders, even if they’d heard about Kuvira invading the United Republic.”

Kuvira was still speaking to the crowd in the square. “Prince Wu will be taking his rightful seat on the throne in Ba Sing Se, but with Governor Shen in charge, there will be no cause for worry before that day comes,” she was saying.

Izumi sighed and adjusted her glasses. “May I be so bold as to ask you something?”

“Uh, of course,” Korra told her. The idea of Izumi needing her permission to say anything seemed absurd.

“Why is she here?”

“Kuvira?” Korra looked down at the crowd, Kuvira’s back turned to her. “Why wouldn’t she be? She’s stepping down as the leader.”

“She did that in Ba Sing Se already,” Izumi pointed out.

“But...” She wracked her brains to remember what Tenzin had said to her. “This is to make sure there’s a peaceful transition of powers. That there’s no doubt, especially after how Wu’s coronation went.” And I’m supposed to be the authority figure providing credibility, she thought. It was almost comical.

“Which again, was made clear in Ba Sing Se.”

“I guess that’s true. But this is to reassure the people that Kuvira is cooperative and that this is what the whole world wants.”

Izumi lay a hand on the balcony railing. “And what of her cooperation when she invaded the United Republic? There’s a reason my grandfather was never paraded about the Fire Nation following the Hundred Year War.”

“That’s different,” Korra said, shaking her head. “Maybe if Wu was here on the throne already the way Lord Zuko had been, it would change things. But even if he were, Kuvira isn’t anything like what I’ve learned of Fire Lord Ozai.”

“No?” Izumi asked, arching an eyebrow. “Forcing regions under Fire Nation rule, locking up his own citizens, utilizing a super-weapon to conquer a nation...these things do not sound familiar?”

“Well, yes. And I’m not defending anything Kuvira did. But I thought the Hundred Year War was just about gaining power. It’s different here. The Earth Kingdom really was descending into chaos after the Queen was murdered.”

“Fire Lord Sozin began the war to share the Fire Nation’s prosperity with the world.” She sighed heavily. “No matter what the ends might be, it’s the means that cost people their lives.”

“I know.” Korra leaned her palms against the balcony, looking in Kuvira’s direction. Shen was saying something to the crowd now, but she couldn’t focus on his words. “What I saw today at the prison is going to stay with me,” she continued. “But I do think it will stay with Kuvira too. I’ve spoken to her, and can promise you that she understands it was all a mistake. That this really is haunting her. All Kuvira wants is to help us right now.” She looked back up at the Fire Lord.

“What Kuvira wants is not of interest to me,” Izumi replied. “It’s what the people want that is the concern. For three years, she alone was the figure of stability and safety. The ‘Great Uniter.’ The longer she serves as the mouthpiece to those aims, the more difficult it will become for everyone to accept her departure.”

“But that mouthpiece is telling them to stand down—to respect the authority of Wu and the governors,” Korra objected. “Besides, Su told me that most of Kuvira’s army had been forced into service. Between that, the camps, and the resource depletion in most areas, she says there’s no one who will still stand with Kuvira.”

“I have known Suyin Beifong her entire life, and she has a tendency to see the world as she wishes,” the Fire Lord said dismissively.

Korra folded her arms. It was hard to disagree with that assessment given how Su had been acting on the trip. “I don’t know, didn’t Ba Sing Se prove her right? That was the first place Kuvira stabilized, the one that should owe her the most, given how it was after the Earth Queen fell. But there were no problems when Kuvira gave them the news. If anything, that’s where people would still want a fight! Most of the factories there were producing machinery for her campaign.”

Izumi smiled. “You have a good mind for politics, Avatar. And you’re not wrong. But the most important thing to understand is that people are not complicated. What they want is security. As a result, they are fiercely resistant to change.” She swept a hand out towards the town square, where the people were now cheering. “I’m told it was Zaofu’s elite who left with Kuvira and helped her in Ba Sing Se. These are the influential figures in the city, and they’re no fools; they knew the day would come where Kuvira stepped down for some time, and likely prepared. They also know that the Earth Kingdom’s capital is the last place anyone would let fall again. There’s little risk in bowing to a king, and perhaps far more reward than had Kuvira successfully created an empire. As for the average citizen of the city, the same people they’ve been listening to for over two years are standing on a stage, accepting it calmly. Life won’t change for them.”

Korra was beginning to get a headache. “That’s true everywhere. We’re not replacing governors.”

“No, but not everywhere is a city. Not everyone sees what their governors do. Towns have mayors, but these mayors were not the ones able to protect from the bandits; it was all Kuvira. They were living in fear of robbery or poor harvests, and when she came through, that changed. Then they heard her on their radios promise not to let the Earth Kingdom slip back into the dark ages during Prince Wu’s coronation.” She paused to look back at Korra. “Do you see where I’m going with this?”

“When we come to these towns, they’ll hear her going back on her word, and then that will scare them. Because...she made them feel safe.”

Izumi gave a small nod. “Exactly. And they won’t want to give that feeling up.”

“Isn’t it still better for them to hear all this from Kuvira directly, than if it were just myself and Suyin telling them what’s going to happen?” Korra asked. “After all, they trust her.”

“It comes back to security. People are afraid of the unknown, of uncertainty. If you show them the path, they will take it. Kuvira standing there, the figure they trust, as you pointed out, speaking with authority, it will only serve to remind them of the path they originally wanted to take.”

“But that path isn’t an option anymore. Kuvira herself knows that more than anyone. I told you, she understands why she needed to step down.”

For a moment Izumi said nothing, her golden eyes surveying the crowd before them. At last, she looked back. “I am not sure what has convinced you of this so thoroughly, but make no mistake: that is not a woman without convictions or pride. Kuvira called the rule of kings and queens ‘pathetic’ when the whole world was listening. She declared herself to be the only solution to save the people of the Earth Kingdom. Perhaps she was stripped of that illusion in some way, at least in the moment, surrounded by the destruction she caused. But today was cause for concern.”

“Her apologies?”

“Tell me, how did Kuvira seem to you?”

Korra tried to think back to the prison for a moment, though it was the image of Kuvira leaning against the doorway of the governor’s house that she couldn’t shake. “She seemed embarrassed. Sometimes sad, too. And maybe frustrated, especially with Suyin.”

“That was my thought as well,” Izumi agreed. “There’s many towns to go, Korra. What do you think will happen when she continues to suffer this indignity at each one? When she is forced to swallow that pride, those convictions, and tell the people they’re better off governed by a King Wu, all while Suyin gloats? How much of that could any of us take?”

“So what, she’s going to snap and attack us?” Korra asked. “Declare herself the emperor again?”

“I believe you’ll find a crowd willing to do it for her,” she answered. “Maybe it won’t be her next speech, but at some point the announcement will be met with boos, and cries of ‘Great Uniter.’ There’s a part of Kuvira that wants to be exonerated, rather than face this perpetual humbling. People cheering for her, confused as to why this is the decision... It won’t take much for Kuvira to start to question if, perhaps, she really was so wrong all along. The military effort in Republic City was too far, but wasn’t she the one who stabilized the most dangerous regions? Is it possible that everything she wanted to believe about herself is true?” Izumi shook her head. “Everything you’re doing is asking for a riot. And if one were to break out, I’m not confident that the troops Suyin is now leading would stay loyal to her. My soldiers may be a sufficient enough deterrent, but there is a lot of harm that can be caused, all of which could be avoided if Kuvira was behind platinum bars, where she belongs.”

That doesn’t feel right. “Maybe she will be tempted at some point, but doesn’t she at least deserve the chance to fix her mistakes? So far it’s what she’s done. All she wanted was a safe Earth Kingdom. The problem was that she never stopped to think things through. You saw her at the reeducation camp—she wasn’t happy, or angry there. She was ashamed.”

Izumi arched an eyebrow. “You pity her,” she said.

Korra felt herself shrug. “I’ve done things I’m not proud of too.”

The Fire Lord put a hand on her shoulder. “Your compassion is a virtue, but you cannot let it become a weakness. As my father once told me, leaders must not be guided by their sympathies. If we do what feels good, instead of what is necessary, the world would be quite a bit of a different place. Learn to take yourself out of the equation, Korra. It does become easier, as time goes on.”

“But doesn’t that make you unhappy?”

Izumi simply laughed.

Chapter Text

Asami was late. She had spent the past week running through the vine-tangled city to countless meetings, from inspecting all her facilities, to fighting with shipping merchants about trade routes, to personally overseeing the transportation of her employees, all without missing a single minute. Yet the one meeting where her punctuality mattered most was the one for which she found herself sprinting through the streets.

It wasn’t her fault, or at least entirely hers; though she and Mumik had spent longer than she would have preferred discussing the likely timeline of the Earth Kingdom’s demand for her consumer goods, it was Varrick who had delayed her departure. Asami had been gathering up her things from her temporary office on Future Industries Tower's second floor when he came bursting through the door. She had little enough patience for him now that they were living in close proximity on Air Temple Island. Seeing him at her job was even worse, especially once she found out that the reason for his visit was to propose becoming formal partners yet again.

“You have to be kidding,” Asami had told him as soon as the words were out of his mouth,.

“Come on Asami, we need each other.” Varrick had kept himself positioned in the doorway, likely realizing she would leave otherwise.

“Do I need to remind you again that your company isn’t legally allowed to earn profit?” Varrick Industries International had formed after Kuvira negotiated a pardon for him from President Raiko in exchange for his services to her military campaign. Yet part of that included the stipulation that his company was not allowed to keep its profit for ten years. At the time, anything earned was supposed to go towards the Earth Kingdom’s restoration, though admittedly, ever since Varrick had defected from Kuvira’s army, and especially now that she was going to be facing trial as a war criminal, the standing of his company was more ambiguous. Still, from what Asami had gathered, Raiko hadn’t been in much of a mood to discuss it with Varrick during the past week.

“I meant we intellectually need each other,” he had answered. “You know we’re the perfect team. We made those flying mecha suits together!”

“That was my idea.”

“Well, I fixed those hydraulics, didn’t I?”

Asami had shoved through the doorway at that. “No, you didn’t. There was nothing wrong with the suits on the line, and the prototypes we flew from my office weren’t stabilized until my...” My father. The word had seemed to stick in her throat, not that Varrick noticed.

“But I was the one overseeing the suits in the factory, and that went just fine! At least until Kuvira blew it up,” he had said, following her down the hall.

“Varrick, aren’t you getting married in a few days? You don’t have something to do for that?”

“Zhu Li’s taking care of most of the arrangements. Said something to me about ‘getting in the way.’”

“I’m shocked.” Asami hadn’t bothered holding the door to the stairwell open for him, but Varrick remained undeterred.

“Come on Asami, you know that partnering up again helps you. Profit or not, you’ve seen how good my ideas are.”

Asami had almost considered throwing him out the stairwell window at that; they weren't too high up and the ground outside the tower was still covered with vines—the results might even be amusing. “Then you should pursue those ideas on your own,” she had told him instead. “If you ever need my help, we can discuss a consulting fee, but right now I need to get to this meeting with Raiko so that our city can begin to move on from the damage your weapon caused. I don’t have the time to argue with you about this.”

“Meeting with Raiko? Mind if I tag along?”

It had only taken a few more minutes to lose him entirely, but it was enough. Sarika could have started the meeting, Asami told herself, pausing at the top of the City Hall stairs to catch her breath. Once she had decided that she was as composed as she was going to get, Asami made her way to Raiko’s office.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said as she pushed the door open. Raiko, Sarika, and, to her surprise, Bolin sat around the rectangular table to the right of the giant spirit vine that now served as a permanent decoration in his office. Her friend smiled broadly when he saw her, but Sarika only managed a feeble head-nod in her direction, while Raiko barely moved, instead stroking his moustache, a sour look on his face. She crossed the room and took her seat on the bench next to Bolin, directly across the table from Raiko. “Did you begin going over our current progress?”

Sarika adjusted his glasses from his own bench. “I, uh, thought it might be best to wait for you.”

“Yes,” Raiko agreed in a tone that sent a chill up Asami’s spine, “Sarika has certainly been expressing your...importance on this project.”

She felt Bolin shift in his seat next to her. You’re the one who offered this to me, Sir, she might have said in a different mood. Instead she leaned forward and touched a map of the city already laid out on the table. “Well, if it’s alright with you Mr. President, Sarika and I would like to begin by discussing the cleanup efforts of the past week.”

It didn’t take long to summarize the progress they had made, mostly because it had been infuriatingly limited. Wei had been right about the majority of the damaged buildings: they had stable foundations, which meant too great a cost to tear them down completely. However, that also meant more time needed to be spent within each one, assessing the extent of the damage to see how best to repair, rather than completely rebuild. The demolition crew had to all but stop their progress, instead focusing on capping off broken pipes, stabilizing upper floors, and securing frayed wires.

A bigger part of the problem was the disproportionate number of metalbenders and skilled nonbending laborers the work required. The airbenders were instrumental in assessing the upper-level damages, and any earthbender would be able to determine the stability of a building’s foundation, but it was the metalbenders and electricians who could painstakingly chart the piping, the wiring, and check on any reinforcements.

It wouldn’t have been that much of an issue, but back when Kuvira’s campaign had been announced, many metalbenders had signed themselves up, with promises of advancement through the ranks. At the time, there had been nothing but enthusiasm about the restoration effort, and even United Republican metalbenders were still likely to feel ties to their Earth Kingdom roots. The ones who remained in the city tended to have highly technical jobs, like those in Asami’s employ, but so many of her products were needed for the cleanup efforts that she couldn’t spare them from her lines. So the building inspections fell mostly to the metalbenders in Lin’s police force, the few skilled nonbender factory workers who were temporarily displaced until their companies rebuilt, and Wing and Wei.

The earthbenders had busied themselves with clearing rubble, trying to detangle them from the vines where possible, but so many of the streets had sustained damage during the fight that often a full day would go by with no progress Asami could particularly point to. Even worse, there was no budging the mecha giant from where it lay, thanks to both its platinum exterior and how deeply it was buried within the vines. The discovery that Bolin’s lavabending could help guide the vines’ growth was promising, but there was no sense in having him start on that until every street and pathway was planned.

Republic City was truly a mess, and somehow Asami doubted that Raiko would find that to be a suitable excuse.

Still, to his credit, he took the report better than she had expected. He wore a fixed frown, but said little more beyond his clarifying questions. Even though Asami had been confused by Bolin’s inclusion in the meeting, she was glad to have him next to her with his encouraging nods and few interjections to back up what Asami and Sarika were saying.

The presentation of the future plans for the city went far smoother. They had practiced ahead of time, and it seemed to have paid off. No sooner would Asami would finish up a talking point than Sarika would start in on his own, ready to point to the specifics on the map, or pull out a drawing where necessary.

The President listened to everything with his hands folded under his chin, and once they had concluded, he remained like that for a good minute. “...Are we...done then?” Bolin mumbled after Asami sat back and crossed one leg over the other. She shook her head quickly, though Raiko hadn’t seemed to hear.

At last, he grasped the arms of his chair and pushed himself up straight. “You mean to tell me,” he said slowly, “that this is the best solution you’ve come up with?”

It was hardly the first time the two of them had been on the receiving end of this kind of feedback, but she heard Sarika suck in his breath. Asami refused to be deterred. “It is,” she said, meeting Raiko’s eyes. “In fact, it’s the only feasible solution we see.”

“Yet you do not also see how it repeats the same mistakes as the previous infrastructure projects?”

And there’s the Raiko I know and love. He was always the man who championed causes when it suited him, only to turn and chastise them if it could prove a point. “Mistakes, Sir?”

“The spirit wilds, Miss Sato. How we had to write off entire city blocks, which you are proposing yet again.”

“Sir,” Sarika said slowly, “the area around the spirit portal presents the same issue as the spirit wilds did. There’s a crater covered in vines, and the buildings around it are badly damaged.”

“Part of your plan includes Bolin clearing out the vines,” he answered, gesturing across the table. “Why are we not using him to fix our downtown?”

Bolin started. “Oh, uh, I’m not really sure I can clear anything per say...or uh, perchance, as you do. I mean, I don’t think so, at least it didn’t seem that way when Wei—”

“He can’t clear them,” Asami confirmed, putting a hand on his shoulder to cut him off. “We believe he can help direct vines with his lavabending, but even that will have limits.”

Raiko frowned. “Have you not tested it on the area around the portal? These...new wilds?”

“No, we have not,” she answered, trying not to let her annoyance show. Had he learned nothing from the work they had done following Harmonic Convergence?

“Did it not occur to you to do so? After all, you claim this is the only viable plan; this would seem to be a large oversight.”

“Of course it occurred to us.” It’s not an oversight if it’s too idiotic to consider.

“What Asami means, Mr. President,” Sarika said quickly, exchanging a worried look between them, “is that even if the vines were able to be removed or repositioned enough, which is highly unlikely, the area itself is damaged. The surrounding buildings would have to be torn down and replaced completely, and all the roadways would need to be elevated, thanks to how thickly these vines grew in. It’s even denser now than it was before, Sir. We would be looking at a cost of billions of yuans.”

Raiko nodded, though his eyes remained narrowed. “And you mean to tell me that expanding the city would not have the same cost?”

“Not on the same order of magnitude, no,” Asami answered. “There will losses to the businesses that had stood in that area, and we’ll need to lay down new pipes and roadways, but this would be a part of what it would take to rebuild downtown anyway. However in this case, there won’t be vines to deal with.”

“Losses to the businesses,” he repeated under his breath. “What about the damaged buildings that need to be torn down near the crater? Will we need to buy them back from their owners, just like we sunk money into the wilds?”

That was only for the few who didn’t want to invest. At the time it had seemed an elegant solution: either let the owners of real estate in the spirit wilds keep their holdings in exchange for tax breaks funded by the increase in tourism, or have the city buy back their buildings at a low rate and allow them to cut their losses. Most had chosen the former, though Lekh owned nearly a quarter of the affected area and opted to cash in. From what Asami could tell, the real estate mogul had his own political designs, and driving up the debt under Raiko would only help his case. Even so, Republic City had begun to turn around. The tours offered by the airbenders were almost always full, stores were seeing increased patronage, and trade was on the rise again, even without a fully stabilized Earth Kingdom.

Until Kuvira. She had destroyed everything Asami had worked for. It was a small comfort to realize that Raiko was in the same position. He has only himself to blame for this mess. Yet she knew her president was not wont to do that so long as there was another body in the room he could point a finger at instead.  

“It’s possible we will,” she heard Sarika say. “Unfortunately spirit beam explosions are not on most insurance policies.”

“So once again, you are proposing a plan where my government takes the brunt of the cost,” Raiko finished, oblivious to Sarika’s joke. “Need I remind you that we are already in debt, especially given that these new train lines have yet to become profitable, as was promised in your last plan.”

Sarika glanced in Asami’s direction, the look on his face almost pleading. She nodded and forced herself to take a breath before speaking. “Mr. President, our economic advisors did not factor in the formation of an Earth Empire. We’re just as frustrated about this as you are, but rebuilding the downtown area is simply not feasible.”

“Bolin,” Raiko said suddenly, causing her friend to jump in his seat next to her, “while you may not be able to clear the wilds, do you think you would be able to re-route the vines enough to make a space for at least a roadway? Or perhaps to make a pathway from the portal to the bay?”

“Uhhh, maybe?” he answered, looking at Asami as though she had the answer. “I mean, I could try, but they’re pretty tangled and stuff.”

“No, he can’t try,” Asami said firmly.

The President was insistent. “I understand your argument about the finances regarding the building damage, but is there a reason you’re unwilling to utilize this area in some way?”

“The wilds already are being utilized, Sir.” She felt herself balling her hand and forced it back open. “In case you forgot, it’s where Republic City’s spirits live. We’re currently known as the ‘home of the spirits,’ and that means allowing them their own peaceful space.”

“So this apparent right of the spirits means that you are unwilling to even test Bolin’s lavabending near the portal?”

“Yes, it does,” she answered. “The success of our former plan hinges on the cohabitation of humans and spirits within our city. This is the reason people are coming here.”

“It seems we have different definitions of success then, Miss Sato.”

“Mr. President...” Sarika seemed to have paled. “Even with the ability to potentially guide the spirit vines’ growth, they are still a reality of our city, just like the spirits. Any plan has to factor this in. The economic recovery may have been slow, but—”

“Unacceptable, is what it is,” Raiko cut in.

Bolin leaned over in Asami’s direction. “Is this usually how your meetings go?” he whispered.

She ignored him. “Sir, what is it that you would suggest? No matter what, there is going to be a cost to the city.”

The President scowled. “I can accept that there may be a need to expand. But what I cannot accept is that we yet again tell our citizens they must abandon an entire district in favor of the spirits. That once again their needs will not be prioritized.”

“We can’t risk angering the spirits,” she argued. “And even if we could, that doesn’t change the fact that developing in those areas is nearly impossible.”

“I would think that you’d be able to come up with something! Raised roads over the crater, some kind of metal base that can go in between the vines...anything that shows we are doing all we can to bring this city back.”

“That sort of thing might sound appealing to voters, but what you’re suggesting isn’t practical.”

Raiko slammed a fist against the arm of his chair. “You’re the one calling this portal and the spirits an attraction to the city! You believe it’s more practical just to rope off the area and let people squint at it from afar, all while we relocate our central businesses to the outskirts?”

“What’s the alternative? That we stick a ferris wheel there and charge people admission?” she shot back before she could stop herself. She heard Sarika mumble her name under his breath, but she was in no mood to back down just to soothe Raiko’s ego. “Whatever you might want, it doesn’t change the cost, and it certainly doesn’t change the spirits’ presence.”

He paused for a moment, before speaking through gritted teeth. “Miss Sato, I understand that this is an emotional time for you, but I will not be spoken to this way in my office. I suggest that you step outside for a few minutes to collect yourself.”

Emotional? “Mr. President, I can step outside for a month—it won’t change my recommendation. We had this conversation three years ago. Protecting the spirits will help our city in the long-run.”

“We don’t have the benefit of the long-run,” Raiko objected. “Citizens are displaced now, most with a home that was destroyed or personal items that got lost in the madness of the evacuation. What you are proposing would require raising taxes, and we wouldn’t see enough revenue for years to be able to lower them again. Until the spirits are wage-earners themselves, we cannot consider them above our own citizens.”

“You saw how well fighting them worked for us right after Harmonic Convergence. Why is it any different this time? Because it’s that much closer to your re-election?”

Sarika brought a hand to his eyes, while Bolin let out a, “Ooohh,” in response.

“Miss Sato,” Raiko said, his lip curling, “you are already on thin ice. I have come to respect your company and your ideas, but make no mistake: I will not be subordinate to them. What I need you to do is craft a plan in which you find a profitable use for the wilds beyond a pretty picture potential visitors to the city can enjoy.”

That ‘pretty picture’ saved your image for the past couple of years. “I can’t do that, Mr. President,” Asami said, shaking her head. “Or at least, I won’t. There is a reason Sarika and I presented the plan before you.”

He nodded, as if having expected that answer. “Then I’m afraid I’m no longer in need of your services on this matter. You may include your final fee for consulting hours in the next invoice for Future Industries equipment.”

“Sir, no!” Sarika objected. “Asami’s right about this, and there’s no other plan I can see myself crafting either.”

“Sarika, don’t,” she said, laying a hand on the arm of his bench. “I’ll be going then.”

“Uh, should I come too?” Bolin asked, watching her stand.

Raiko let out an exasperated sigh. “No. We need you to stay and assist Sarika with the new plan.”

“There won’t be a new plan,” Sarika insisted. “Asami and I have worked on every inch of this infrastructure together for the past three years, and what we presented today is the only solution I’ll stand behind.”

“You work for me, not Miss Sato. Perhaps we need to have a conversation about what that means to you.”

“Don’t do this,” Asami told Raiko. “I understand you don’t want to contract with someone who won’t tell you the answers you'd rather hear, but Sarika’s just doing his job. This isn’t about loyalty; it’s about presenting the best plan for the city.”

He would not so much as meet her eyes. “I believe you were leaving. I do not require your advice on how I handle my staff.”

She gave one last glance to Bolin, who looked as though he were trying to retreat into his own shoulders, and Sarika, shaking his head slightly and staring at their maps on the table. Suddenly she found herself thinking fondly of her run-in with Varrick.

Asami had only made it half a block away from City Hall when she heard her name being called. She turned to see Sarika hurrying out the building. “Go back inside, Sarika. You’re only going to anger Raiko more.”

He drew up a few feet from her. “That’d be hard to do seeing as he fired me as soon as you left the room.”

Any anger she had been feeling from the meeting left in an instant. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

“How, because you didn’t have a magical solution to all of our President's problems?”

“I didn’t need to yell at him,” she said, shaking her head. She knew how to couch her ideas to please him—she had enough practice doing it.

“That's true, but I really don’t think it would have mattered.” He sighed. “Asami, I didn’t tell you this the other day, but part of the reason Raiko asked me to pull you out of your meeting the the other day is that, well...he’s worried that you have political ambitions.”

She laughed. “What? How does he figure that?”

“Maybe not you specifically, but someone close to the Avatar. He doesn’t like that you guys defied his surrender, and pointed out to me more than once how the city would still be standing if not for Korra’s ‘meddling.’” Sarika made quotation mark gestures with the last word.

“That’s ridiculous! Does he really think we’d be better off if we had let Kuvira take our city? If that weapon was still out there?”

“I don’t know. Even if we had mounted a counter attack with the help of the other nations, the fight would have still been in the city, and in that case we would have had to retake it. But I guess he sees the plan we proposed as us forcing the Avatar’s vision on the United Republic.”

“Her vision is the reality,” Asami said, rolling her eyes. “Unless he thinks he can find a way to close the portal and clear the vines himself. He’s had three years to adjust to this new spiritual age; fighting against it is not going to help him come the next election.”

Sarika frowned slightly. “That was my thought too, and obviously it’s better for our city to not upset the balance with the spirits. But I’m not sure Raiko is going to have an easy time no matter what. Either he tries to distance himself from the Avatar and hope that the people see he had little hand in the current mess, or he rallies behind this plan and risks looking as though she’s the one calling the shots and he’s a passive President.”

“I know which one he’s more scared of,” Asami muttered. “Maybe he can explain the situation to the voters in a way where they’ll understand that he’s doing the best he can with the mess we’re in?”

He laughed at that. “See this is why Raiko has nothing to worry about with you. You’re probably the only person in Republic City who thinks voters will listen to reason.”

“I suppose this is the town that turned on Korra two weeks after she saved us from the incarnation of evil...”

Sarika gave a small shrug. “We tried to sell it as ‘home of the spirits.’ I guess ‘home of short-term memories’ is going to be the new slogan. I’m sorry it had to come at a cost to your company, though. My hunch is that Raiko would have rejected anything we proposed today.”

Asami waved a hand. “My company is fine. We still have the contracts with the city to provide the machinery and aid in the cleanup. Who knows when that will end, especially with that mecha giant still tangled in the vines.”

“Maybe it’s good that you have less on your plate to worry about, then. Especially...with everything.”

She felt her annoyance rise again, though she knew she had no right to be angry with Sarika. All he ever did was defend her, and it had just cost him everything. “What will you do?” she asked. “I’d offer you a job with Future Industries, but without an established systems engineering branch, I’m not sure I’d have enough work for you. I can look into forming a department, I suppose, though we have a lot to rebuild and so many expenses already...”

“Please, don’t worry about it,” Sarika said holding up his hands. “Truthfully, I've been considering moving back to the Earth Kingdom for a little while now. Well, at least I had before Kuvira declared it an empire. But now, it’s still a bit of a mess in its cities, so there’d be plenty of job opportunities, and I don’t know... I do love Republic City, but the Earth Kingdom’s my home. Besides, there’s no point in working for someone who forces me to go against my better judgment.”

“No, there’s not. I’m just sorry I took this choice out of your hands.”

“You didn’t. I could have kept my mouth shut too, you know.”

Asami forced herself to give him a smile, though all she wanted to do was cry. It would be better if he yelled at me. “So, the Earth Kingdom, then. Are you going to be leaving soon?”

“I guess I may as well. I have friends in Ba Sing Se I can stay with, or even my aunt; it’d probably be more comfortable than the housing camps. Unless...” he took a breath. “Unless you can think of a reason why I should stay.”

No, please don’t ask this. Not now. “Sarika, I...” She let her voice trail off.

He nodded, looking at his shoes. “I know.”

“It’s just, I—I think I’m kind of seeing someone.” Somehow, that seemed less insulting, even if her answer would have been the same regardless.

“You think?” he asked with a small laugh.

“Well, we haven’t really had much time to talk, with everything. But I’m pretty sure, anyway. Or at least, I want to.” She wondered if she was only making it worse. "I'm sorry."

Instead, he gave a gentle smile. “I understand, and I should have figured. He’s a lucky guy.”

“Is she?” Asami mumbled. She cleared her throat and met his eyes again. “You’ll take care of yourself, right?”

“Asami!” Both she and Sarika turned to see Mako coming towards them. He still wore his cast, though he had managed to dress himself in his detective’s uniform all the same. “Uh sorry,” he said once he reached where they stood, “am I interrupting?”

He was, though saying so seemed odd. “No, we just got out of a meeting,” she answered instead. “You remember my friend Mako, right Sarika?”

The city planner nodded and reached out, shaking his hand. “Of course, it’s good to see you again.”

“You as well,” Mako answered.

Asami put a hand on her hip. “What are you doing here?”

“Actually, I was looking for you. Or...Chief Beifong was, that is.”

Sarika gestured over his shoulder. “I’ll get out of your hair, then.”

“Sarika, I...” Somehow the ‘goodbye’ stuck in her throat. “Please, keep in touch,” she managed at last.

“I will.” He cast a glance at Mako before saying, “Um, thank you, for everything.”

What could he possibly be thanking me for? She could feel Mako’s eyes on her as she answered. “Of course.” Sarika gave a nod, and with that, walked away.

“Is everything alright?” she heard Mako ask after a minute. Asami realized she had been staring after him.

“Yes...yes, it’s fine. What does Lin want?”

“Oh, right.” He gave a small cough, as if suddenly uncomfortable. “Um, she asked if you could come to the station.”

“Is this about the cleanup? Because my involvement may have just changed.”

Mako shook his head. “No, it’s... She has something for you.”

Asami couldn’t fathom what that was, but trying to pull it out of Mako would likely be more of a frustrating effort than it was worth, especially if he was worried that it wasn’t in his authority to tell her. There was little use in asking Mako to bend the rules. They set off together down the street.

Though the Republic City Police Headquarters was not a far walk, the vines strewn across the downtown district meant that they needed to cut several blocks further north than usual. “How are you doing, with everything?” Asami asked once they had lost sight of City Hall.

“Funny, I was going to ask you the same thing.”

“I’m not the one in a sling, Mako.”

“That’s true,” he answered with a small shrug. “The arm still hurts here and there, but it’s getting better.”

“Weren’t you hit in the stomach too?” From what Bolin had described, Mako had been slumped over and unconscious when he managed to pull him out of the mecha giant’s control room. It’s a wonder he’s here at all.

They turned a corner. “There’s a scar,” Mako said, “and I have to be careful with my firebending right now. I get winded easily. But otherwise, it’s all quite manageable.”

“Lin isn’t working you too hard, right?”

To her surprise, he let out a frustrated sigh. “No, she’s barely letting me do anything. I wanted to go with Wu to help organize the evacuee camps, but apparently there’s been a few incidents, and she doesn’t want me to risk it.”

“That’s probably smart,” Asami told him. “Though I’m surprised Wu is up to the task. I had been under the impression that he’s kind of...soft.”

He laughed. “In some ways yes, although he can be surprising. Still, I’m sure Lin has him well-guarded, even if that should be my job.”

“Does this mean he's grown on you?”

“I guess in some ways. Or maybe I’m just more bored than I realized. But don’t tell Wu. I still don’t want to move to Ba Sing Se if I can help it.”

“Your secret is safe with me,” she promised. “Though I doubt I’ll be seeing him before you do.”

“Right,” Mako said, nodding, “what was that you were saying about your involvement with the city?”

The story of Asami’s meeting with Raiko carried them most of the way to the station. She knew she should have felt embarrassed for losing her contract, but even retelling it, everything she had said to the President felt justified. To her relief, Mako agreed.

“Well what did Raiko expect?” he asked once Asami finished explaining how Sarika had lost his job as well. “Bolin’s lavabending can’t clear the vines, and our downtown is demolished.”

“My guess is he was afraid of the image of abandoning the center of the city. It would look like he was giving up.”

“It would look like he was being realistic.” Mako shook his head as they crossed onto the station’s street. “It’s too bad Korra’s not here. She’d be able to set him straight about the spirits.”

Asami glanced up at her friend, though his eyes were fixed on the building ahead. “The way Sarika was talking, I’m not sure Raiko would have been much more receptive to her.”

“I’m sure whoever he contracts with next will tell him the same thing as you. We probably don’t have to worry too much.”

“Maybe, but it’s out of our hands. Worrying at all won’t do us any good,” she pointed out as they climbed the stairs. There was something almost freeing about that, though she knew it might come at the cost of the city.

Asami was surprised to find the inside of the station mostly empty. She hadn’t been in the building since long before the attack, but there was something eerie about walking through the halls without passing anyone. “Are most of the officers helping with the cleanup?” she asked Mako.

“No, most are at the evacuee camps. Keeping order there is difficult.”

“Maybe we should have let Kuvira take the city.” When Mako stared at her, she shook her head. “It was a joke.”

He gave a stiff nod in return, but said nothing as he pushed open the door to the station’s main office. Lin was standing just on the other side, digging through files in one of the cabinets. There was an officer at the far end of the room with her nose in a paper, though otherwise the desks were empty as well.

Lin straightened up as soon as she saw them. “There you two are.”

“Uh, Mako said you needed to see me? That you have something?” Asami asked, trying to ignore the strange greeting.

The police chief gave a stiff nod. “Yeah. Come with me.” She led them to her office on the other side of the room. “I was at the prison today, and well...” Lin opened the door and gestured towards her desk, where a box sat. “Your father didn’t have much in his cell, but I figured it should go to you.”

“Oh,” Asami managed. Both Lin and Mako were looking at her as though she might faint on the spot. “Well, thank you.”

Lin rubbed the back of her neck. “Look, I didn’t know my father or anything, but I was pretty close to the Avatar when he died, and not too far from your age...” She cleared her throat. “It’ll get easier, kid.”

“Right,” she said slowly.

“Well, I’ll leave you to it.”

Mako shifted in his spot. “Uh, what do you want me to do?” he asked Asami.

“You can stay,” she answered quietly. She wasn’t sure what had made her say it; Mako always seemed half-ready to run out the door with her anyway. Yet he simply walked towards the table with her, while Lin pulled the door shut on her way out.

“Are you okay to do this right now?” he asked. “You had a rough day.”

“It’s fine. It isn’t the first box of my father’s I’ve had to open like this.” Why should this one be any worse? I spent months digging through the skeletons in his closet. Before she could ponder it any more, Asami pulled the top off.

Lin had been right when she said that her father hadn’t left much. The box was three quarters full, but the majority of the space was taken up by several thick books. She removed those first, barely looking at them. She already knew her father’s taste well enough to predict what they likely were, and the few titles she glimpsed confirmed that. Mako watched silently, though she saw him turn his head once or twice to read the spines.

Asami found paints and a brush kit next, along with several sheets of artwork. The subjects seemed inconsequential; a mountain range, or a field of flowers. There was one of a Satomobile, though the shape of the car had been drawn with a pen. Unlike the ones Future Industries currently sold, this was far less boxy in its design. It looked like a hybrid between the enclosed vehicles and the sports model. The painting had been done haphazardly, with the green of the car smearing into the background. “Well,” she said to Mako, “I don’t think I’ll be hanging this one up, but it’s something to consider.” It figured that even from his grave, Hiroshi had the answers for her company.

“I didn’t know your father was a painter,” Mako responded.

“He wasn’t. I guess he had some time on his hands.” Asami shook her head and pulled out a sizable stack of newspaper clippings. As far back as she could remember, her father had always made a habit of reading at least four of Republic City’s newspapers with his morning tea. She was curious which political stories he had chosen as a keepsake. Yet after looking at the first few in the stack, Asami realized that every single one was about her.

She had figured he was following her moves at the helm of Future Industries, and it didn’t surprise her that he’d save some of them, especially since she started visiting him. But from what she could tell, he had cut out every story the papers ever seen published on her, and even some she hadn’t even been made aware of. They dated all the way back to the beginning of his imprisonment, with the first clipping reading, ‘Industry’s Future Looks Grim in the Hands of Sato’s Green Heir.’

The only thing left in the box were the letters her father had sent—the ones Asami never read. The ones she had left at the prison the day she ran from him. Her throat went dry and she leaned on the desk for support. She could feel Mako’s eyes on her, but couldn’t meet them. I should have gone sooner, she thought. Though when? A month after he attacked her? Was that enough time? Six months? Her scar might have already turned silver by then.

“Asami?”

“He regretted it Mako. He began sending me these letters a year and a half before I went.” When he remained silent, she closed her eyes. “What was I afraid of?”

Mako touched a hand to her shoulder. “Do you think if you had visited him earlier things might have turned out differently?”

“I don’t know. I don’t see how.” She took a breath. “I guess I might have forgiven him. Well, sooner, at least.”

“What do you mean?”

Asami turned at looked up at Mako, causing him to remove his hand. “Before we fought Kuvira, before we got into the hummingbird suits I... I told him I loved him. That I was happy we were working together. It was the last conversation we had.” I forgave him.

“That sounds...fitting, then,” Mako said uncertainly. “I mean, it’s the kind of last conversation you’d want to have, isn’t it?”

Which is why I said it. But maybe the 'why' didn’t matter. Maybe the timing didn’t even matter. Whether her father had truly come to regret all of his actions, or whether he just wanted what was best for his daughter and nothing more...what difference did it make? Yes, she could have had those answers, but it wouldn’t have changed anything; it wouldn’t make him any less dead now.

I forgave him. He heard me forgive him. Despite all her confusion, that was what he heard, and it was the last thing he heard, ignoring what was shouted in the heat of battle. What use was there in dwelling on its meaning now? What would have changed if she had said the words earlier? A more agreeable Pai Sho game?

“You’re right,” Asami said, suddenly pushing herself upright. She began to gather the items on the desk and put them back in the box. “It’s exactly what I needed to say, and I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself if I hadn’t.” Sure, she would always have questions about her father. But at least she had closure. How many people were lucky enough to say the same?

Chapter Text

The room had been quiet for a minute—maybe two. It felt like longer.

It was made worse by the fact that this governor’s office was smaller than the others they had visited...smaller than most of the mayors’ officers too. Though the four women fit easily enough around the table, Korra would preferred a bit more space to herself. She could sense Kuvira glowering in her chair only a few feet away, and every time Suyin took a sip of her tea, the smacking of her lips was just a hair too loud. Even the ticking from the grandfather clock that stood in between two Earth Empire banners was grating.

Governor Yunru, at least, had been nothing but pleasant so far, albeit subdued. Yet it was her they were waiting to hear from. She sat across from Korra, reviewing the papers they had given her with downcast eyes. Every time she paused or shuffled to another page, Korra fought the urge to jump out of her chair and pace the room. It wasn’t helped by the fact that Korra already had to force herself to keep both her feet on the ground, rather than propping her legs onto the chair. Is this really what being the Avatar meant? Sitting uncomfortably and nodding at the right time?

Yunru turned a page. Kuvira gave an audible sniff. Suyin clacked her spoon against the side of her cup. The clock ticked.

Korra looked in its direction, her eyes settling on the metal seal of the banners. There had been a few towns that still displayed them, especially those near Ba Sing Se. It wasn’t surprising to see them here, in the state that sat along the western coast of Chameleon Bay. From what Korra understood, it had been one of the first regions Kuvira brought into the fold after stabilizing the capital.

Still, it was hard not to think back to what Izumi had told her before parting ways. ‘Maybe it won’t be her next speech, but at some point the announcement will be met with boos, and cries of “Great Uniter.”’ It had already happened, though the promise of the soldiers returning home, along with anyone who had been sent to the re-education camps, had been enough to quiet things. Even with the increasingly mixed reception, it still didn’t feel right to exclude Kuvira entirely, as the Fire Lord had suggested. But Korra had seen about reducing her involvement.

Convincing Suyin of that had been easy enough. All Korra needed to do was point out that there was no reason to bring Kuvira to any of the camps, and decreasing her speaking time at each city would demonstrate to the people that she truly wasn’t in charge anymore. “It’s what I’ve been saying from the start,” Su had told her. It had been hard for Korra not to point out how she had also been the one to demand long, drawn-out apologies from Kuvira in the first place.

Convincing Kuvira herself was a different story, not that she was in any position to argue. When Korra said that her speeches should be kept to the bare minimum, the metalbender had narrowed her eyes, but said nothing beyond, “If that’s what you think.” Korra was not sure how much she trusted that, and had even begun explaining certain details to the crowds herself, just to make sure Kuvira’s speaking time stayed limited.

She hadn’t been able to think of a reason why Kuvira shouldn’t meet with the governors, however, even if Izumi wouldn't have approved. She barely participated as it was. Once the terms her stepping down were explained, Kuvira would take to slouching in silence, either embarrassed or resentful. With just a few more stops left, Korra hoped it didn’t matter which one.

She glanced at Kuvira from her periphery, still wearing a sullen expression with a clenched jaw. The clock ticked. The governor tapped her index finger against one of the pages. Suyin clicked her tongue.

“So, do you have any questions for us?” Korra blurted out, unable to take the silence any longer.

Yunru met her gaze. “I suppose I’m most concerned about supply trains,” she answered after a moment.

“Uh...what about them?”

The governor blinked. “There was nothing in here about their schedule, and the last one we had was over two weeks ago.”

Korra could feel her face growing hot. What else would she have meant? “Oh, well—”

“That will all be handled once Wu fills positions in the Ministry of Revenue, I’m sure,” Suyin cut in.

“The Ministries aren’t filled?” Yunru asked in alarm.

Kuvira leaned forward, her arms folded. “They are. I saw to appointing every position as fast as I possibly could to replace those who fled the capital.”

Suyin set her cup down with a careless clank. “Oh, of course you made that a priority. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to keep your minions around. Not after what they did.”

“Minions?” she repeated in disbelief. “Su, these were the people who kept the government running.”

“And Wu will no doubt find his own people—hopefully officials who wouldn’t have put their signatures to your prison camps and invasions.”

“The governor is speaking of supplies, not of war,” Kuvira insisted.

“I’m well aware of what she’s saying,” Suyin said. “I’m a governor too, you know. I’m also aware that the Ministry of Revenue would have been responsible for quite a number of your blank checks. You’re not the only one who has to answer to the world leaders, you realize.”

“I’m sorry,” the governor cut in, “but who’s running the government right now?”

“Prince Wu’s coronation is soon,” Korra assured her. “I know Tenzin has advisors lined up for him, and I’m sure supplies are going to be his top concern.” In truth, she had no clue what Wu’s priorities would be, but she couldn’t see what else would matter more.

Yunru frowned. “I thought he already had been coronated.”

“Well...he kind of was,” she answered slowly. “But it was...”

“But it was undercut by the declaration of an Earth Empire,” Suyin interrupted, throwing an angry look in Kuvira’s direction. “We need to hold another because of that—one where there is no ambiguity about who’s in charge this time.”

“At the price of ambiguity of who’s in charge now,” Kuvira muttered under her breath.

“I’m inclined to agree,” Yunru said.

Su rolled her eyes. “Oh that’s just nonsense, Kuvira. You’re stepping down, Wu is taking the throne, and we’ve been making that perfectly clear in every single town we’ve visited.” She turned towards the Yunru. “Those papers in front of you say as much.”

“But where is he?” Yunru asked. “The people in my state aren’t likely to care how proper a ceremony seems if it’s coming at the cost of their well-being.”

“We’re talking about a matter of weeks here. This is hardly a setback worth such agitation.”

“I think what Suyin means,” Korra said quickly, laying a hand on the table, “is that unlike the Earth Queen’s assassination, Kuvira was always going to step down. This is just a transitional period, and that’s why we’re talking to you today. We’re counting on the governors and mayors to help everyone adjust.”

“It’s a burden we all share,” Suyin added with a nod. “You should see the damage in Zaofu. No doubt we’ll still be cleaning up after Kuvira’s mess by the time Wu gets everything organized.”

“Meaning you every respect, Governor Beifong,” Yunru began, “but Zaofu has always been well endowed, and never had to face the same hardships as other states. We don’t have much to clean up, but we also don’t have much to provide for ourselves, especially right now if the war effort is truly over.”

Suyin was unmoved. “Then it’s a good thing Kuvira laid down those tracks, isn’t it? Trains are still running and markets are still open, after all. I’m really not sure what it is you’re worried about, or what you want from us at the moment.”

“I just want to know that my people will be provided for.”

“They will be,” Korra told her. “This is only temporary, and there’s no fear of lawlessness again since we know Prince Wu is ready to step into the throne.”

The governor turned to meet her eyes. “Avatar, things were certainly difficult for us after our queen’s assassination, but they weren’t exactly doing well prior to that. My state is not rich in resources other than livestock, and our landscape doesn’t offer natural protections either. We were plagued by bandits long before it was recognized as a widespread issue. Kuvira turned a lot of that around for us, and it concerns me that you seem intent on undoing everything.”

“That’s not what we’re trying to do,” Korra said. “Right now we’re just looking to peacefully transition power.”

“Then why disassemble the government?”

Suyin sighed loudly. “Because it’s a government that committed crimes against its own people. Or do you simply not care about that here?”

Anger flashed on Yunru’s face for the first time. “What I care about are my citizens being able to put food on the table.”

“We all care about that,” Korra said before Suyin could get another word. “Look, I know that things seem uncertain, but Wu does care about everyone’s well-being. That’s why he’s helping the evacuees as we speak.”

“The United Republican evacuees,” Kuvira added pointedly. When Korra shot her a look, she sank back in her chair again.

“My point is,” she continued, “no one wants things to go backwards. However, we also can’t go forwards until we get rid of the prison camps and disband the army.”

“The army is what kept us safe, Avatar,” Yunru said quietly.

“How enlightened,” Suyin scoffed.

Yunru narrowed her eyes. “Enlightenment is a luxury not everyone can afford.”

“You seriously consider a nation without a conscripted army or prison camps a luxury?” she shot back.

“You’re twisting my words.”

“No, I think you’ve made your feelings perfectly clear.”

Kuvira made a noise that was halfway between a growl and a sigh. “Okay,” Korra said, holding up her hands, “Governor, I understand why you’re worried. But we’re not undoing everything. As Suyin said, the trains are running. Your state is connected as never before, there’s still new technology in the Earth Kingdom, and the men and women who served in the army will be coming home and able to help.” She looked around the table, though none of their faces were reassuring. “We’re here to make sure that everyone understands that Kuvira’s stepping down, and to ask you to work with us to make this a smooth transition.”

Yunru hesitated before giving a small nod. “If this is what’s happening, it doesn’t seem like I have much of a choice. I just hope these concerns will be relayed to Prince Wu. When he’s ready, of course.”

There was no mistaking the scorn in her last few words. “They will be, I promise,” Korra told her.

They left soon after, heading back to the airship to make their way to one of the larger towns along the southern border of the state. Even though it would not have been unusual for the governor to come with them, Korra was hardly sad to part ways. They needed the crowds to be convinced that Wu stepping up was the right thing; she could think of no two people worse for that task than Yunru and Kuvira.

Unsurprisingly, Suyin seemed to agree. “Well,” she said as soon as the airship left the ground, “we’re just lucky Yunru didn’t twist an ankle, climbing onto that soapbox.”

“How can you say that?” Kuvira demanded. “She was just trying to protect her people!”

Korra folded her arms. “I kind of agree with Kuvira here. She did have reasons to be concerned, Su. Especially if things only recently got better here.”

She waved a hand. “Oh please, don’t tell me she won you over too. She was perfectly happy to live under full military control and close her eyes to her neighboring states being conquered, so long as those supply crates came in.”

“I’m not trying to defend that...you know I’m not,” Korra said. “I just think we shouldn’t dismiss how the poorer states benefited.”

“Benefited?” Su asked, a disgusted look on her face. “More like were bought-off. How do you think Kuvira was able to take states against their will so early on? It’s because places like here signed on, not caring about about the harm it could do, not caring about those who weren’t from the Earth Kingdom. They got their short-term relief, I’ll give you that, but it came at the cost of the rest of the nation.”

“Su, you were the one who always talked about how the monarchy was out of touch,” Kuvira said incredulously. “I made a promise to equitably distribute resources once Ba Sing Se had been stabilized. Why wouldn’t Governor Yunru have agreed to that? Why wouldn’t she want my protection against bandits who had been ransacking villages in her state for so long?”

Suyin’s eyes flashed dangerously. “I understand that’s what you have to tell yourself to sleep at night, but it takes a lot more than apple crates to truly help. Look around you, Kuvira! Sure, there’s tracks that you laid down, but did Yunru do anything so that her people could take advantage of the new technology? Or to try and diversify the goods they produce? You plunked Satomobiles and generators in her backyard and yet did nothing to implement any lasting change.”

“And your choices would have been so different? You would have ignored the disarray across the rest of the nation so that you could devote all your time crafting long-term economic strategies on a state-by-state basis?”

“As if those are the only options,” she answered. Korra walked over and slumped into one of the chairs by the central table, though neither woman seemed to notice. She brought a hand to her temple as Suyin continued, “What about education? What about creating opportunities for people to leave these sheltered towns and to learn skills in the cities? Besides, you truly believe this state is better off when its young, healthy population stomped around to do your bidding for the past three years?”

“Educational reform would take decades. Yunru was talking about the dangers of bandits now!” Kuvira objected.

“You don’t get to have it both ways, Kuvira. You can’t claim to have fixed the problems in the Earth Kingdom in one breath, and then tell me that a few weeks without absolutely every single bureaucrat means the bandits are going to take over again,” Suyin said with a small laugh. “Governor Yunru may have a finely tuned martyr complex, but that doesn’t means she can guilt us into keeping those sycophants you appointed.”

“A martyr complex? That’s rich, coming from you, Su.”

“You really want to take this tack? Knowing that the world leaders will be asking me how well you cooperated when they make a decision on your fate?”

Kuvira glared for a moment, but when she talked again, her tone was quieter. “I just think we need to be taking her concerns seriously, even if that means keeping the army together for the short-term.”

“And there it is,” Suyin said, throwing a hand in the hair. “I think, and I’m sure Korra agrees, that you’re not the person who should be making that call. Right?”

Korra pushed herself upright in her chair. “I think we should stick to the plan that we have. We only have a few more stops left.”

Kuvira’s frowned deepened, but she said nothing. Suyin gave a triumphant nod. “Well, it can’t come soon enough. I’m going to go radio Tenzin and update him on the situation.” She turned on her heel and walked through the door to the cockpit without another word.

Once the door closed behind her, Kuvira turned. “Korra,” she said, shaking her head, “I know we’ve had our disagreements. But Suyin’s refusal to acknowledge any good that’s happened is only going to hurt the Earth Kingdom. I know I need to step down, but if Prince Wu isn’t even here now, it doesn’t make sense for him to replace any ministry officials.”

Korra studied her face for a minute. Even though what she was saying made sense, it somehow didn’t feel right. It definitely didn't feel right when thinking about what those particular ministry officials had signed off on. “It’s not going to be that much longer before he takes the throne,” she answered. “And there’s no one else who can make these appointments.” She couldn’t even imagine what the Fire Lord’s reaction would be if they asked it of her, given how hesitant she was just to use her troops as support.

“You could,” Kuvira said quietly. “You’re the Avatar.”

“I won’t do that. But I will work with Wu as best I can to make sure the people of the Earth Kingdom are going to be alright.”

“With a king.”

Korra rose from her chair and folded her arms. “Kuvira, I want to be able to trust you. We only have a few days of this left.”

“I’m stepping down for Wu, I haven’t forgotten.” she said through gritted teeth. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t be worried. The Earth Kingdom needs a leader who is accountable to the people.”

“Just like you were accountable, throwing dissenters and immigrants into prison camps? You don’t get to pick and choose which people are worthy of protection.”

Kuvira held out her hands. “I told you that was a mistake. How many times can I apologize for it?”

“It doesn't matter,” Korra said firmly. “There are some things that can’t be forgiven. But that doesn’t mean you can’t try to make things right. Even Zaheer helped me stop you.”

Kuvira looked stricken. “I...I didn’t realize.”

“What, that it was that bad even before you invaded the United Republic?” Korra shook her head. “All that matters right now is that we finish what we set out to do. I’m going to go check on Suyin.”

She was glad to have cut short her conversation with Kuvira, but after a few minutes in the airship’s cockpit, listening to Suyin rattle off a list of grievances while Tenzin spluttered on the other end, Korra began to doubt that choice. Once or twice she heard the airbender try to interject with something about Republic City’s evacuees, but as always, it was hard to get a word in edgewise. Luckily, the ship began its descent after only a few minutes of this, and Suyin paused to ask Korra if she wouldn’t mind meeting General Honomi while she finished up. Tenzin had sighed heavily at that, but Korra was only too glad for the excuse.

She found Kuvira still in the airship’s main room as they touched down, standing with her arms behind her back, looking out the window. “Suyin’s going to be another few minutes,” Korra explained, gesturing towards the door that lead to the ramp. “We can go get things started.”

“I assume you’ll want me to say little more beyond how I’m stepping down?” Kuvira asked without moving.

Should I even let her do that? She knew what Izumi would say, but she had left Korra in charge. Or at least, that’s how it seemed. “I think it’s for the best.”

They walked down the ramp in silence. The town was much like many of the smaller ones Korra had seen before: one main road with settlements along it, and only a few buildings of prominence. Earth Empire banners were still hanging off of doorways and arches. From what Korra had gathered, the seal was used along the rail lines as a signal to ward off potential bandits. Who would dare attack a train car, knowing the full force of the army could come down on them?

General Honomi stood with a mixed group of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom troops, gesturing towards what looked like a town square. There, Korra spotted a group of what must have been villagers, as well as more soldiers keeping watch. She noticed a handful men and women in uniform exchanging hugs with the townsfolk, no doubt the ones who they would be leaving behind to return to their old lives. Though what were those lives, exactly? The town looked as isolated as any Korra had seen, and she didn’t remember passing over much farm land.

She made her way to the general, trying to ignore how depleted their ranks looked. Disbanding the army was a natural part of the trip, but aside from a few of the more highly skilled metalbenders, the group of soldiers was almost all Fire Nation. Exactly what Izumi didn’t want.

General Honomi gave a salute. “Avatar,” she said, “we’ve convened the town, as requested.”

Korra nodded. “Good. Where’s the mayor? A few words with her first wouldn’t hurt.”

“Him, and...” The firebender hesitated. “Mayor Zhen is bedridden.”

“Oh. Well, I mean, I could just go see him alone. There’s not much we need to talk about since we already met with the governor.”

“I don’t think you’ll find that to be...fruitful. He’s not exactly responsive.”

“The mayor?”

“He’s been sick for quite a while,” Honomi confirmed.

“How can that be?” Kuvira asked with a frown. “Who’s been running the town this whole time?”

The general flicked her eyes in Kuvira’s direction, but only addressed Korra when she spoke. “From what I can tell, there’s not much to run. The village elders took charge of distributing the supply crates delivered on the rail line, but otherwise...” She waved a hand. “This isn’t exactly a booming city. They have one Satomobile and two people who can drive it.”

Korra folded her arms. Did this mean Suyin was right about Kuvira’s help not being what they needed? The town was now protected from bandits, at least. “They still should have a mayor who can do something. ”

“Unless the governor is here too, that’s beyond our scope,” Honomi said, looking beyond them. “The governor of this state, that is.”

Korra followed her gaze to where Suyin had emerged from the airship. She heard Kuvira suck in her breath. “Su,” Korra called, hoping to head off any more unpleasantness, “General Honomi just informed us that we won’t be meeting with the mayor here.”

“Good,” she answered once she reached them. “We shouldn’t have to visit places still displaying those banners any longer than necessary.”

“Aren’t these the towns that need our assurances most?” Korra pointed out.

“Assurances that what? Their turning a blind-eye to the suffering of their countrymen will go unpunished?” She rolled her eyes. “Trust me when I say Yunru is the most thoughtful among them.”

Korra looked back to the crowd, some regarding their group with suspicion, others, still exchanging hugs. “Maybe they didn’t know.”

“They didn’t care,” Suyin insisted. “And no matter what you say to them, that’s not going to change.”

“Su, you can’t just write them off,” Kuvira said in a strangled voice.

“Oh like you have any room to speak.” She waved her hands. “Make your speech. This is already too small a town for the fuss. There’s no reason their governor couldn’t have handled it herself.”

Korra saw one of the soldiers bend down to scoop up a girl no older than five. If they could have seen what I did at those prison camps, they’d understand. Who wouldn’t? Though Yunru had seemed to know what had been happening, and she wanted the military taking charge all the same. Still, Su couldn’t be right about minds not being changed—even people like Kuvira were capable of it. Though Korra doubted one speech would be enough to make a difference. Maybe none of these speeches were making a difference. The meetings with the governors hadn’t; they just dug their heels in before grudgingly accepting the plan. We should have waited for Wu. I’m not helping anyone.

General Honomi’s voice interrupted her thought. “There’s no platform for you to speak from, but there’s enough of a hill where you should be seen.”

A muscle was twitching in Kuvira’s jaw. “Fine.”

“Thank you,” Korra told Honomi, worried Suyin would jump in to berate Kuvira for her tone.

The metalbender herself didn’t seem in the mood for conversation as they made their way up the path. Korra could feel the eyes of the villagers on them, though she tried to only look ahead. Whatever anger or sadness was on their faces was almost too much to stomach. Once they stopped walking, the crowd settled around them in a semicircle, the front row was filled with soldiers, most with turned heads, casting a watchful eye.

Korra looked at Kuvira, who was muttering something under her breath. When she met Korra’s gaze, she stopped and said nothing, instead inhaling and turning towards the crowd. “Citizens,” she began, her voice more stern than usual, “it is my honor to be standing here again.”

The proclamation was met with cheers, along with a chorus of “All hail the Great Uniter!”

She held up a practiced hand. “You have noticed those who bravely fought to restore the Earth Kingdom to its rightful state are here today, ready to return home. This is because we are now entering a time of peace. Our nation is united.”

Another “All hail the Great Uniter!” sounded, though with less vigor.

Kuvira cleared her throat. “You have probably heard over the radio that I am stepping down. My job is done.” The boos were practically instantaneous. “Please,” she said, raising her hand again, “I have just met with your governor and can assure you that your town... Your town will be taken care of.”

Korra shot her a look. Why isn’t she saying that ‘we’ met with the governor? Kuvira continued, “Prince Wu will be taking the throne, and is ready to see our great nation enter a time of prosperity.”

The boos grew even louder. “What prosperity? The Queen robbed us blind!” someone shouted. There were cries of agreement. “We want the Great Uniter! Not some kid who hides from us!”

“Kuvira,” Korra hissed in a warning tone. She saw a few of the Fire Nation soldiers cocking their fists.

The metalbender grimaced before speaking again. “Prince Wu will have the help of the governors,” she said flatly. “But I’ve made mistakes. I was too focused on strong borders and treated those born outside our kingdom with suspicion. We need international cooperation to have lasting peace. This is why the Avatar is here with me.”

All eyes were suddenly on Korra. Thanks for that, she thought. I guess it’s up to me to mention the prison camps now. “Yes, uh... I agree with Kuvira about the importance of international cooperation, which is why the invasion—”

“Just like the Earth Queen cooperated? She didn’t care about anyone outside of the Upper Ring!” a woman shouted.

“Prince Wu is not his aunt,” Korra said quickly. “Right now he’s at the evacuee camps helping everyone displaced from the attack on Republic City.”

“Who cares about Republic City? Our people are suffering now!” “He’s just as out of touch!” “He wasn’t the one who kept us safe!” “All hail the Great Uniter! All hail the Great Uniter!”

“Stop!” Korra was surprised at how strong her own voice sounded. “Listen. We are thankful to Kuvira for restoring order to Ba Sing Se. She drove off your bandits and made sure that supplies and taxes were more fair. I saw how things worked under The Queen too, and that needed to change. But there can’t be any safety in the Earth Kingdom unless there’s safety for everyone. Unless your states’ rights are recognized and nations’ boundaries are respected.”

“You’re wrong, Avatar,” one of the younger men in the crowd said. He wore an opened Earth Kingdom military jacket. “Most of those bandits were from outside our kingdom anyway. There’s only safety when we take care of those who want to hurt us.”

“What?” Korra looked to Kuvira, whose face was stony. “That’s...not true about the bandits. They’re mostly desperate people who want to be able to feed themselves.”

“Sounds like you have a lot of sympathy for them. Kuvira brought us law and order. You’re bringing us lies from Republic City and more royalty who won’t care about the real Earth Kingdom.”

“No, I’m trying to help you by making sure all your citizens are protected,” she insisted.

“You don’t know anything about our citizens!” a woman shouted out. The crowd began to cheer with her. “You people from the United Republic, you don’t get how bad things were before! We were left to rot by the Earth Queen, and no king can fix that.”

Korra held her palms up. “I just told you I did know how bad it was!”

The crowd didn’t seem to hear, their shouts began blurring together. “Down with Prince Wu!” “We don’t need this!” “You don’t know us!” “We don’t have to take this!”

Everything seemed to happen all at once. Korra never saw the group rushing towards her, but before she knew it, there was a wall of fire separating her from them, and a soldier grabbing her wrist. “We’ve got to get you out of here,” he told her. “Restrain Kuvira!” someone else shouted.

“No...” Korra muttered as they began to lead her away. The villagers couldn’t hurt her—they were just scared. Hadn’t she seen this coming? “No!” She broke free and in one swift motion, extinguished the fire with a blast of air. To her right, Kuvira’s arm was pinned by another soldier, though she didn’t seem to be fighting back. There were four villagers also being restrained by the Fire Nation troops. Everyone else had frozen in their spot. “Let them go,” Korra ordered.

“Avatar...”

“It will be okay.” She held her hands up. “Everyone, please... I know you’re all worried right now. You want to know that you’ll be safe. I may not have lived here, and I only saw a little bit of how things were run under Earth Queen Hou-Ting, but I understand how scary it can be to feel as though you’re always in danger. That you don’t have any control over what’s going to happen to you.” No one spoke a word in reply.

Korra swallowed and continued. “What Kuvira was trying to say was that a lot of things happened because of that fear. We never want to feel that way again, and sometimes it doesn’t matter to us in the moment who we might harm to make it go away. I...” She hesitated. No, they need to hear it. “The reason I’m only back now is because I spent three years giving into that. I tried to take control back, and was determined to do it alone. But I only hurt those closest to me—the people I love. And I hurt myself.” Every eye was on her, and even the soldier who had been holding Kuvira had let go, her mouth open.

“Look, we all want the same thing: to be safe and protected. To be able to wake up one morning without any worries about what the day might bring. You might feel alone in that right now, in this town, but you’re not. Even here, what you were yelling...it was coming from a desire to protect each other. But an army marching around the streets, rounding up your countrymen who want the same exact thing as you? That’s not the answer. Neither is invading other lands.”

“Weren’t they threatening us?” a voice called out. “We were protecting ourselves.”

Korra nodded. “I understand that’s what it feels like, but dissenters and immigrants weren’t threatening anything. Some disagreed about the best way to protect everyone and restore order, while others were assumed to be a problem. We can have disagreements, but we need to learn how to live with each other and understand where we’re coming from. I can see you all here...none of you wanted to have thrown innocent people into prisons where they were forced to work until their fingers bled. Where they didn’t see the light of day for months and illnesses went untreated. But this is what happened.”

There were some murmurs at that, though no one shouted anything. Out of her periphery, Korra saw Kuvira hanging her head. Good, she thought before continuing. “We can’t live like that. Yes, every once in awhile there will be someone who acts out of malice. One killed your queen, and he almost killed me too. But these are the moments where we need to come together and look out for one another even more, no matter how much we’ve been hurt. Because otherwise...” In her mind’s eye, Korra saw herself back in the swamp, being dragged into a puddle of liquid metal. “Otherwise we’ll lose ourselves to the darkness. We’ll lose ourselves.”

When she looked back to the crowd, she saw a few people with tears rolling down their faces. “I know that Prince Wu wants to help as your leader. We’re not going to let you be forgotten, I promise.”

She could think of nothing else to say, though thankfully a smattering of claps turned into applause and cheers. When she looked back at Kuvira, the metalbender nodded soberly, looking like the person Korra had talked to in the spirit world for the first time since they left Republic City.

“Avatar,” someone called. She turned to see one of the four villagers who had been held back by a soldier—probably the ones who had led the attack. “Please, forgive us.”

“We all make mistakes,” she told him.

“I didn’t realize...” He pushed a lock of hair out of his eyes. “It feels like we spent the past three years fighting without knowing why. When Kuvira first came through I jumped at the opportunity to protect my family, but somewhere along the way I lost sight of that. When I found out we were going to invade the United Republic, I didn’t even stop to think.”

“I know. What’s important is you’re stopping now.”

“What’s important is that despite my mistakes, I’m still here with my family,” he corrected, holding out a hand. “I have another chance. Thank you, Avatar Korra.”

She shook it, but couldn’t find the words to answer.

“It was a nice speech,” a voice from behind her said. She whipped around to see Suyin standing there, a pair of metalbenders behind her. “I always knew you had it in you, Korra.”

“Right...thanks,” she answered awkwardly. “I assume you want us to get going?”

“There’s no rush, if you wanted to talk to more villagers.”

Korra folded her arms. “Really? I thought you said we shouldn’t linger where they display the Earth Empire banners.”

Su cocked her head to one side. “Perhaps we...don’t need to push the banner issue right now.”

Chapter Text

“Can you lift your chin? No...just look up.” Asami placed one hand on Mako’s tensed right shoulder and gently pushed it back down as she draped the silk fabric around his collar with the other.

He exhaled. “I appreciate your help, but you really don’t have to do this. I can just go without a tie.”

“No, you can’t.” She pulled the ends to the proper length, careful not to jostle his sling, before folding one side over the other.

“How do you know how to do this anyway?”

Asami didn’t take her eyes off her work. “My father taught me.”

“...Right,” Mako said.

“Hold still.”

“So, how are you doing...with all that?” he asked, flicking the fingers of his free hand.

“I’m fine.” She held the knot she had formed with one hand as she picked up the tie pin from the top of the dresser. “Really, I am. I have the closure I needed, like I said the other day. There.” Asami lowered her arms, pushing the bangles that had fallen to her elbow back to her wrist.

He turned to look at the mirror that hung above the dresser in the otherwise undecorated bedroom. Varrick’s wedding was shaping up to be a lavish affair if Asami had to judge by the number of lanterns she saw being hung alone, yet the asceticism of Air Temple Island’s dormitories still made donning a fine dress feel odd. “I have to admit,” Mako said, “this does look nice with the vest.”

“It will look even better with this cummerbund.”

“No, Asami, the tie really is enough.”

“It matches the tie, and will add more color... Just hold still, okay?” she insisted, reaching around his waist.

He shifted his weight, but otherwise didn’t object. “Look, I actually wanted to say, about your dad...that um, if you wanted to talk—”

“Mako I need your help with something,” Bolin’s voice called from the hallway. “Which is better: ‘the longest of longshots’ or ‘unlikeliest of duos’?” He strode into the room in his suit, looking down at a piece of paper in his hand. “Opal thinks ‘longshots’ sounds too negative but... Oh! Asami! Sorry, am I interrupting something?”

“What?” Mako snapped. “No! What would you be interrupting?”

“I dunno.”

Asami finished tucking the cloth in place and stood up straight. “I was just helping Mako get ready.”

“Yeah, shouldn't you be doing the same?” he added.

“I am ready.”

“But you're not wearing a tie.”

Bolin shrugged. “I think the vest is enough.”

Mako shot Asami a look. “He's wearing a green suit,” she said with a laugh. “That's entirely different.”

“Fine. Bolin, what did you want again?”

“He wanted us to choose between ‘longest of longshots’ and ‘unlikeliest of duos’,” Asami answered. "I assume for your speech?"

“Opal likes that one better, but I don't think Zhu Li and Varrick were all that unlikely,” Bolin said.

“No,” Mako agreed slowly. “Though, how are they a longshot?”

“Because it’s Varrick,” Asami muttered.

Mako snickered, but Bolin shook his head. “I was thinking, because they worked together for so long, and with the war thing...they were on opposite sides...”

“Wasn't Zhu Li faking that?” Mako pointed out.

“Well, yeah, but still... They had to go through a lot.”

“I think it works,” Asami told him. “‘Longshot’ doesn’t sound negative to me. Love is already so...so fickle, that two people actually finding each other—”

“Fickle!” Bolin exclaimed. “I like that! Hey, do you mind if I use it?”

“You’re going to marry them by talking about their fickle love?” Mako asked dubiously.

“Maybe if it’s in a more general sense,” Asami suggested. “I’m not sure how romantic that is, though. I’d run it by Opal first. Where is she, anyway?”

“Oh, she’s outside already. She didn’t want to miss her mom’s airship landing. Plus I think Varrick said that the cocktail hour is starting early.”

Korra’s airship. In many ways, the two weeks since she left had felt like months, and yet somehow Asami still felt unprepared to see her. Mako’s voice interrupted the thought. “That kind of defeats the purpose of a cocktail hour, doesn’t it?” he pointed out.

“Well, we might as well go see,” Asami said, gesturing towards the door. She hoped her voice didn’t seem louder than normal.

Bolin nodded enthusiastically. “Ooh, yeah, I’ll meet you guys out there! I just need to grab Pabu.”

“Wait, you’re bringing Pabu to the wedding?” Mako called after him, though Bolin was already out the door.

Mako and Asami left the dormitory and began to make their way to the meditation pavilion on the other side of a stage that Varrick had ordered to be built only the day before. Workers in Nuktuk uniforms were hurrying here and there, spreading tablecloths and unfolding chairs. In the distance, Asami could see two long refreshment tables with people milling about. They made their way down the path, careful to give the reception area a wide berth.

“Well,” Mako said, nodding in the direction of one of the men laying down napkins, “there’s something I never thought I’d see, and yet I’m completely unsurprised by it.”

“Nuktuk, hero of the place settings?” she joked. “Wouldn’t be my taste, but I guess Zhu Li knew what she was getting into.”

She had expected Mako to laugh, but instead a small frown formed on his face. “Hey, about what you were saying...about love being fickle?”

Why would he bring this up? He was never one for sentimentality, as far as Asami knew. “Yes?”

He sighed. “Look, I know that in the past, you and I—”

“Mako, I wasn’t talking about us,” she said quickly. If he had any idea what she had been thinking...

“I know you weren’t,” he answered, his frown deepening. “I was just... Nevermind, it doesn’t matter.”

Asami couldn’t think what to say, though mercifully Ikki ran up to them as soon as they reached the steps down to the pavilion. “There’s MANGO juice! We’re never allowed to have that here! Dad says there’s too much sugar, but everyone’s allowed to have some, since Varrick just invited us all!” she exclaimed, rocking back and forth on her toes.

“Oh, uh, were you not invited before?” Mako asked raising an eyebrow.

“Dad didn’t want the airbenders to go, but I think it’s more fun if we all do, don’t you?”

It wasn’t a surprise. Tenzin and Varrick had been clashing even more than usual the past few days as the wedding preparations ramped up. “Of course it is,” Asami told her. She and Mako exchanged a look, and she could see him fighting a smile. “I think we should try that mango juice for ourselves.”

“I’m going to find Huan!” Ikki shouted, and took off running in the other direction.

“I can only imagine what this means Meelo is going to be like,” Mako said, watching her go.

Asami squinted towards the crowd for a moment, before spotting him launching himself off of a tree in the distance. “This is going to be quite the party.”

They had only gone a few more steps when a man wearing a Nuktuk costume and carrying a tray of drinks approached them. “Ginger and lychee cocktail?”

“Is there alcohol in this?” Mako asked. He received a raised eyebrow in response.

Asami laughed and took two, handing one to Mako as the server moved on. It was tangy and burned the back of her throat. She spotted Opal standing by the tables, eyeing what looked like a plate of appetizers. She began to make her way over, Mako quietly following, when a voice stopped them. “Ah, Asami, Mako...you’re both looking well.” She turned to see Tenzin. Standing next to him was Tonraq, holding an already-emptied cocktail glass.

“Oh, hello Sir...Chief,” Asami said, feeling oddly flustered. The last time they had talked, Korra was still missing.

“Please, you’re the last person who needs to be formal with me," he answered waving a hand, before inclining his head ever so slightly. "Mako."

The firebender did the same in return. “Sir.”

“Yes, Chief Tonraq arrived just an hour ago,” Tenzin offered. “It seems Varrick’s guest list was rather far-flung.” There was no mistaking the exhaustion in his voice.

“He invited many of us from the South,” Tonraq shrugged.

“I’m surprised you had time to come,” Asami said, “what with all your responsibilities.”

“I’m afraid those responsibilities bring me here as well.”

Tenzin frowned. “Yes, with the situation in the Earth Kingdom settling down, we’ll need to determine how to proceed together. The Fire Lord will be arriving tomorrow.”

“I’m assuming that was her choice, missing tonight?” Tonraq asked with a laugh. “I can’t imagine Izumi would have the best time at one of these.”

“Well, she merely wanted to check back on things in the Fire Nation before...”

“Like I thought.” Tonraq tipped back his glass, letting the few remaining drops fall into his mouth before looking to Asami and Mako again. “I’m sure I would have come either way; it’s been some time since I’ve seen my daughter and... Well, it’s not every day she rips open a new spirit portal.”

“We’re all very proud of her,” Tenzin said with a sober incline of his head. “I just hope we weren’t asking too much when we sent her to the Earth Kingdom.”

“From the sound of it, everything’s gone okay,” Mako pointed out. “At least, that’s what Beifong told me.”

“Has it?” Tonraq looked at Asami expectantly.

I wouldn’t know. The few times Korra had radioed Air Temple Island, Asami had been downtown, trying to solve the thousands of crises her company now faced. She could have been the one to radio instead, and even tried once, but...what would she have said? What if Korra hadn’t wanted to hear it? Or what if things hadn’t been going well? There were too many possible answers Asami hadn’t been ready for, so instead she had done nothing. Sarika’s ‘He’s a lucky guy’ may as well have been a sarcastic insult.

“Excuse me.” They turned to see Zhu Li standing before them in her white wedding dress.

“Zhu Li,” Tonraq said warmly, “you look radiant.”

“Yes, you look lovely,” Asami agreed, as Mako managed a smile.

Zhu Li gave a curt nod. “Asami, Mako, Chief Tonraq, thank you for coming to my wedding.”

“Oh, you’re welcome...” Mako answered awkwardly.

“Tenzin,” Zhu Li continued, “I assure you the utmost care is being taken with all of our decorations. There will be no damage to your buildings.”

He bowed his head. “Yes, Zhu Li, I do trust you.”

“As the bride, you shouldn’t need to worry about that tonight, right?” Tonraq asked.

“This is the only night our decorations are up, Chief,” she answered simply. “Excuse me, I have other guests to greet.”

No sooner had she disappeared than Asami spotted Raiko approaching, Buttercup holding his arm. “Tenzin, Tonraq,” he said once he reached them.

“We’re not late, are we?” Buttercup asked. “I kept telling Raiko that we would be too early, but it seems like we have to catch up with everyone already!”

“Which I intend on doing,” her husband added, forcefully snapping his fingers in the air. A server in the distance seemed to take notice and hurried over.

Tenzin frowned slightly. “Yes, well, festivities began earlier than planned. Although it does seem like most guests knew, somehow. Either way, I’m glad you made it.”

“That’s Varrick for you,” Tonraq laughed fondly, but his tone changed when he addressed the President. “Good to see you again, Raiko.”

He gave a curt nod. “Chief. And hello Mako...Miss Sato.” It felt as though his eyes were scanning her; luckily the appearance of the server broke his gaze, allowing her and Mako to return perfunctory greetings. Raiko took drinks for himself and Buttercup; when he offered one to Tenzin, the airbender waved him off.

“There’s enough for me to worry about as is,” he told him.

Tonraq laughed again and exchanged his empty glass for a full one. “Worries are what these are made for.”

Raiko took a sip before holding his drink up to inspect it. “You’re right about that. Though how exactly did Varrick get his hands on so much sake without our usual trade routes up and running?”

“If I told you, I’d have to kill you!” Varrick had appeared by Buttercup’s side, and lifted her hand to his mouth. “Guess I shouldn't make that joke with so many important people. Can you believe it? Four out of six world leaders at my wedding. I’ve done something right.”

Tonraq clapped him on the shoulder. “There’s the man of the hour! If it weren’t your night, Varrick, I might point out that there’s only three of us.”

“Clearly you missed the King over there,” he answered, pointing across the pavilion. “Just arrived by boat.”

Asami followed his gesture to where Wu stood, talking to a disinterested looking Ginger. “Looks like he made it out the evacuee camps alright,” she whispered to Mako. “I wonder if it’s really as bad as the reports.” He took a sip of his own drink, though said nothing in response.

Tenzin sighed. “Let him enjoy himself tonight. We’ll have to discuss the details of his return to Ba Sing Se as soon as possible.”

Varrick grinned. “Looks to me like we’ve got everyone here we need! You boys would out-vote Izumi, and we’ve also got the woman who’s rebuilding the city.” He nodded in Asami’s direction.

She felt heat rising to her face. Raiko likely had told Tenzin about terminating her contract, and Mako knew, though she had no desire to clarify to the rest of the group. Instead, she managed a smile. “If you’d excuse me, those appetizers are calling my name. Mako, would you like to join me?”

“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “It was...lovely to see you all.” Once they were out of earshot, he turned to look at her. “Do you think Raiko might reconsider? Now that he has to find another planner?”

She took another sip of her drink, surprised to find the glass half-empty. This stuff is dangerous. “I really doubt it, but that’s alright. I won’t give him what he wants to hear, and he knows that.” She looked to the refreshment table, where Opal was now joined by Bolin, Pabu on his shoulder. A few paces in front of them, Pema was leading Meelo by his wrist, a stern expression on her face. Jinora and Kai, meanwhile, were sitting on the top step, entertaining Rohan by airbending what looked like one of the appetizers up and down.

They had almost reached the table when Senna called their names. Once they exchanged greetings, she smiled at them. “It’s wonderful to see you both. When I heard about Kuvira attacking the city, I was so worried for everyone.”

“Thankfully we’re mostly unscathed,” Mako told her, raising his sling.

“Most of us, that is,” Asami muttered into her drink.

“I’m just glad Korra has you,” Senna said. “How has she seemed?”

Mako shrugged. “She’s arriving any minute, isn’t she?”

“That’s what I’ve been told, but I meant...before that. Or, in general?” Her eyes fixed on Asami.

“Oh, she’s been well,” she answered slowly. “At least, she's said she feels ‘whole’ again. Though I’m not sure how everything in the Earth Kingdom went.”

Senna shook her head. “I told Tonraq they’re pushing her too much, but he’s adamant that we let her figure out her own pace.”

“Well,” Mako said, “after everything with Kuvira, I’m sure this wasn’t so bad.”

“I hope you’re right. I should find my husband. If we can, let’s chat more later.” She smiled at Asami before breaking away.

When they reached the refreshment table, Opal and Bolin were in the middle of a disagreement. “It’s fine that you don’t want any, but there’s nothing in this drink that would hurt your voice.”

“It’s my instrument,” Bolin answered, holding a hand to his throat. “And it’s the most important instrument of the night. I shall not damage it with sugar.”

“That doesn’t make any—Oh, hi guys,” she said, turning. “Wow, Asami you look great.”

“So do y—”

“Don’t say it,” Opal interrupted, gesturing to her wingsuit. “If Tenzin had only agreed to let us go in the first place, I could have asked my father to bring me a dress from Zaofu.”

“I doubt Zhu Li and Varrick will mind,” Asami pointed out.

“Hey, have you guys tried these cucumber things?” Bolin asked, shoving a small, circular appetizer into his mouth. “They’re weird, but not bad weird. There’s fish in the middle or something. Cheese?”

Mako furrowed his brow. “How are you possibly mixing those up?”

“If it’s Water Tribe food, fish would make sense,” Asami suggested.

“Maybe? Pabu seems to like them at least!” Bolin pointed to the table, where the fire ferret was licking one.

Opal made a face. “Is that safe for him to be eating?”

“I’m sure Ikki and Meelo fed him worse while Bolin was away,” Mako said.

“Excuse me.” The four turned to see Zhu Li. “Opal, Bolin, thank you for coming to my wedding.”

“Oh, well I’m kind of in it, aren’t I?” Bolin asked.

Zhu Li didn’t answer and instead looked at Asami and Mako. “I already thanked you.” Before Asami could think of a response, she turned back. “Excuse me. I have other guests to greet.”

“You know,” Opal said, watching her leave, “that woman lived in Zaofu for months, and that still might be the longest conversation we've had.”

Bolin cocked his head. “What about the time she told us that Kuvira was going to invade Republic City? That was a long conversation.”

“Yes...that’s true, Bolin,” she sighed.

“May I refresh your drink, Miss?” Asami turned to find another Nuktuk server with a trey of the cocktails.

“Oh, I...” She could already feel her fingertips tingling from the first one. “I’ll just give you this empty glass for now.”

“A good choice,” Bolin told her. “You’ll want to save your instrument for your speech, like I’m doing.”

“What speech?”

“You’re not going to toast Varrick? He told me that you’d want to.”

“Did he also tell you I was his business partner?” she asked, rolling her eyes. “If that’s what he wants, I’ll need at least three more of those.”

Opal laughed, but then her eyes got wide. “Oh! It’s Korra!”

Asami whirled around to see her approaching from across the pavilion. She could feel her heart leap to her throat.

Upon spotting them, Korra broke into an easy jog the rest of the way. “Hey! I'm not too late, am I?”

“Korra!” Bolin scooped her into a hug before anyone else could react. “I’m so glad you’re here! What’s in the middle of these cucumbers?” He thrust one towards her face.  

She laughed. “That’s crab, Bolin.” She gently pushed his arm away and met Asami’s eyes. “Hi. You, um...you look... I mean, all of you,” she said, gesturing around.

Asami felt as though her entire drink were hitting her at once. “How are you?” she managed, suddenly very aware that she had been staring. 

“We didn’t see your airship,” Mako added, confused.

Korra rolled her eyes. “Yeah, Varrick didn’t want any airships on the mover he’s making of this, so we had to dock and take a boat.”

“Where’s my mom?” Opal asked.

“Oh, she went inside to see your aunt, I think.”

She nodded. “Bolin, I’m going to go find her.”

“I’ll be here,” he answered.

“Korra,” Asami said, a little louder than she had intended, “how did everything go?”

“That’s...a longer story.” She smiled. “It’s mostly fine, but I’m really, really happy to be back.”

Asami was about to return the sentiment when Bolin chimed in again. “Well you’re just in time! I’m going to be the one marrying Varrick and Zhu Li.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Korra asked, shaking her head. “Look, guys, I need to change into something appropriate, but I wanted to say ‘hi’ first.”

“Your parents are both here too,” Asami told her.

“Oh good. Yeah, I can catch them once I come back out.”

“Excuse me.” Zhu Li appeared by Korra’s shoulder with no warning. “Avatar, thank you for coming to my wedding.”

Korra did a double take before answering. “Oh, yeah, of course! Thank you for having... Aaand she’s gone.” Mako and Asami both laughed. “Did I say something wrong?”

“It was definitely that attitude of yours,” Asami said.

“Zhu Li’s been doing that all night,” Mako explained.

Korra nodded. “Ah, well, I’ll be right back. I don’t want to miss anything else.” She put a hand on Asami’s arm. “I need to talk to you later. I’ve been thinking about... Uh, yeah. I won’t be long.” With that, she headed back the way she came.

Asami turned back to find both brothers looking confused. “You know, maybe I could use that second drink.”

Korra pinned her bun in place and gave a cursory glance in the mirror before leaving the room, Naga on her heels. While she was glad that she traveled the Earth Kingdom and learned what was out there—truly saw the people—it was difficult not to feel on some level that the whole thing had been a complete waste of time. Kuvira’s first speech had been transmitted to every radio in the world, and if they had all just flown home after that, leaving the prison disbandings to the Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom troops, would it have made that much of a difference?

Korra didn’t want to waste any more time.

The sun was already beginning to set by the time she stepped back outside. She hurried along the path back to the meditation pavilion as fast as her dress would allow. Once she came in sight of it, she spotted Tenzin and Raiko, engrossed in conversation, and changed her direction to keep her distance. They’d need to talk eventually, but a frank discussion about Earth Kingdom politics was the last thing Korra wanted at the moment.

Naga seemed to feel otherwise, or was too tempted by the smell of food, because she bounded directly for the crowd. Three years ago, Korra might have worried about her, but Naga was more used to how to treat people in the city now. Odds were, she’d find Meelo or Ikki and follow them around for most of the night.

She saw her mother a moment later, though as she got closer she realized it was Suyin and Baatar Sr. she was talking to. Korra took a breath and stepped towards them all the same. “Hi, Mom.”

Senna immediately turned and hugged her, while Baatar gave a polite hello. “You look wonderful, sweetie. Healthy, too. How are you feeling?”

“I’m a little tired, but I feel good,” Korra answered. There were so many things she would have to tell her parents, she realized: meeting Toph, failing at Zaofu, visiting Zaheer, stopping Kuvira... How would she possibly explain it all?

“Well,” Suyin said, “it’s tiring work, cleaning up after Kuvira’s mess. If we had brought my son Baatar instead of her, things could have gone much faster.”

Baatar Sr. smiled nervously at his wife, but Korra didn’t even have the patience to humor her. “Have you seen Dad?” she asked her mother instead.

“He’s talking with Bumi over there. Is everything alright?”

“Yeah, I...” Korra looked down. “It’s about how I disappeared and lied to you guys.”

“We can talk about it another time, but you don’t have to think about that tonight. Your father and I were just worried, that’s all; we didn’t like not knowing where you were, and didn’t think it was a smart decision.”

“It wasn’t. But I’m not gonna make that mistake again.”

“And what’s important,” Suyin interrupted, “is that you were perfectly safe when you turned up at Zaofu. I know that’s what I’d worry about as a mother.”

Senna nodded, though Korra could tell it was just out of courtesy. “I want to say hi to Dad.” She left them there, dodging a pair of Nuktuks.

Her father and Bumi were still talking when she reached them. They both greeted her with a hug. “How ‘bout it? Did you whip the Earth Kingdom into shape?” Bumi asked her once they broke apart.

“Maybe not to your boot camp standards,” she joked.

Bumi laughed, but then looked between them. “You know what? I think I’m going to grab me another mushroom cap. Good to have you back, kiddo.”

Once he had left, Tonraq lay a hand on her shoulder. “How did everything go? Tenzin said we can begin making arrangements for Wu tomorrow, so it couldn’t have been too bad, right?”

“Honestly? I don’t know. There’s a lot of healing that needs to happen. I just hope Wu is the right guy to lead it.”

“The world will be watching him, at least. Tenzin won’t make the same mistake that he did with Kuvira.”

“I guess we’ve all learned something.” Korra folded an arm across her stomach. “Dad, I’m so sorry for lying to you and running away like that. I thought it’s what I needed to do to get better.”

Tonraq gave a small smile. “I think you got that instinct from me. I’ve run from my problems too, you know. And lied, now that I think about it.”

“Well, I know now that it doesn’t help. I promise I won’t do that to you again.”

“Let’s both make that promise.” He frowned as his eyes moved beyond her. “Raiko’s coming over. Why don’t you go grab yourself a drink and try to enjoy tonight.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

Her friends hadn’t moved much since she had left them, Opal having come back as well, though they were now joined by Jinora. They were all looking at Bolin, except for Mako who was frowning at his drink. “Alright, I’m back. What’d I miss?” she asked, approaching them.

Jinora hugged her as Bolin exclaimed, “Wow! You look nice!”

“You—You really do,”  Asami said. Their eyes met and Korra could feel her cheeks growing warm.

Mako’s voice cut through. “You didn’t miss anything. Bolin is ‘warming up’ now.”

“And Kai is flying around with my brother,” Jinora added. “My mom asked if we could tire him out.”

Korra turned to see two figures swooping along the trees. “Don’t tell me Meelo got one of those,” she said, pointing to the cocktail in Mako’s hand.

“Worse,” Opal said, “there’s mango juice. We’re never given anything that sweet here.”

“And is Zhu Li still on the verge of a stress attack?” Korra asked.

Asami smiled at her. “That might just be Zhu Li.”

“It is, Zhu Li never gets stressed,” Bolin said. “Unlike me...I’m a wreck! Kyoshi caught kumquats, Kyoshi caught kumquats, Kyoshi caught kumquats.”

“What?”

Opal pinched her eyes. “That’s how he’s practicing.”

“It’s a mover trick that Varrick taught me,” he explained.

“It just doesn’t make sense,” Asami said, amused. “Why not change it to ‘cuttlefish’? How do you ‘catch’ kumquats?”

“Probably the same way Roku rode rhino rabbits,” Mako suggested.

Korra laughed. “Wow. You know, I never thought there’d be a silver lining to losing my connection to my past lives, and yet...”

“Fine, make fun of me,” Bolin said, “but I just want everything to go perfectly tonight. Zhu Li and Varrick deserve it after everything.”

“They do,” she agreed soberly. “Hey, Asami, do you have a minute to—”

“Ladies and gentlemen!” Everyone turned to see Varrick standing in the middle of the pavilion, holding up his hands. “Adults and children, kings and subjects, benders and nonbenders...” Asami groaned. “If you would please migrate over to the front of the temple, my ceremony is about to begin!”

“That’s my cue!”

“That’s all of our cues, Bolin,” Mako explained.

“I need to go find Kai and Meelo,” Jinora said, rushing away.

“Yeah,” Mako said, squinting at the milling group of people, “I’ll catch up to you too. I want to say ‘hi’ to Wu.” He turned to Asami. “Save me a seat?”

She nodded before looking back at Korra. “Let’s go. We’ll have time to talk later.”

It took another twenty minutes for everyone to settle into their seats. Korra was stopped several times by Varrick’s guests, most of whom she had never seen before. After being pulled aside by Ginger, who only managed to giggle at her, she found Asami once again talking with one of Varrick’s cameraman. Or...talking to the camera?

As she got closer, it quickly became apparent that the latter was the case. “...and the, uh, centerpieces are immaculate,” Asami was saying. Her eyes met Korra’s for a brief second, and she cleared her throat. “Oh would you look at that, it’s the Avatar. I’m sure you’ll want to get something from her.”

“Wait what?”

“Avatar Korra,” the man said, swiveling the camera in her direction, “do you have any well-wishes for the happy couple?”

“For the camera?” she asked, pointing.

“Yes, of course,” Asami said, struggling to keep a straight-face. “Varrick wants his guests documented too.”

“Oh, well...” Korra cleared her throat. “Congratulations, Zhu Li and Varrick. And thank you, for having me be part of this lovely evening. So much has happened since I first met you, back when... Huh, when you were trying to get my dad to start a rebellion, I guess. Oh, that’s not... Can I start over?”

“We’ll clean it in editing,” the cameraman mumbled.

“Right, well I just meant...to Zhu Li and Varrick! Wait, I don’t have a drink.”

Asami started laughing as they both stepped away. Korra could feel herself blushing again. “Well, thanks for that one.”

“I didn’t say anything. Besides, it was...endearing.” Asami met her gaze for a moment before looking towards the seats. “I promise, I wasn’t any better. I—”

“Avatar Korra, there you are!” They both turned to see Wu approaching, Mako in tow. “Oh, and Asami Sato, hi!” Korra returned the greeting while Asami donned what might have been a smile. “May I just say, you both are pretty easy on the eyes tonight.”

Asami’s own eyes flashed. “What do you say we find seats?”

“Great idea,” Mako added quickly.

They had barely taken two steps before a short woman in a pressed suit jumped in front of them. “Please, the second row is available for your party.”

“I didn’t realize these were assigned,” Korra said.

Wu laughed and lay a hand across his chest. “It’s because I’m here. It only makes sense that I’d be sitting right by President Raiko. You know, I’m really going to miss that royal treatment.”

“What do you mean ‘miss’ it?” Asami asked.

Wu opened his mouth again, but the woman clicked her tongue impatiently. As they reached the row, Korra noticed Opal sitting a few chairs in from the end. She filed in to sit next to her, Asami on her other side. “You get second row privileges too?” Korra asked. She saw the back of Raiko’s head move, though fortunately he didn’t turn around.

“Bolin insisted,” she answered. “He’s really nervous for some reason, though that could be because Pabu kept shaking off his top hat.”

Korra laughed. On her other side she heard Asami’s voice. “Uh no, Mako, why don’t you sit next me? Give Prince Wu the better view.”

Once she was settled, Korra leaned towards her. “That was very nice of you,” she said with a smirk.

“Anything to please royalty, Korra.”

“So you’ll remember that when it comes time for dancing? Mako’s already warned us about him, you know.”

Asami bit back a laugh and glanced furtively in Wu and Mako’s direction before responding. “No, there’s only one person I’m interested in dancing with tonight.”

Korra felt her heart skip a beat. “Well, I—”

“Hi Korra!”

She whipped her head around to see her father leaning over Opal. “Oh, Dad! You’re...right here.”

“Your mother shouldn’t be long. She and Suyin are probably still talking.”

“Suyin can do that,” Korra answered, as Opal nodded. She looked back at Asami to find her turned around, watching Lin, Tenzin, and Pema file into the row behind them.

Jinora and Ikki came next, accompanied by Kai, who was carrying a dozing Meelo on his back. There were only three spots left in Korra’s row, so he placed the eight-year-old in the aisle seat and made his way back where the other airbenders had settled.

Bolin made his own entrance not long after, immediately quieting the murmuring. He strode to the center of the stage with his arms outraised, Pabu riding gracefully on his shoulder. “Isn’t Varrick supposed to be up there too?” Opal asked, confused.

As if in answer, a trumpet sounded, and everyone turned around to see both Varrick and Zhu Li making their way up the aisle. Varrick seemed to be doing some sort of grand march, while Zhu Li took carefully measured steps, though somehow their paces matched.

They reached the stairs together, and once in their places, Bolin’s voice sounded clear across. “Ladies and Gentlemen, please be seated.”

“But...no one...was standing...” Korra heard Asami mutter, while Mako gave an audible “What?”

Bolin continued without noticing. “It is truly amazing we can all be gathered here on this splendid evening, awash in the glow of a new spirit portal. For not but a mere couple of weeks ago, we were under a threat most severe. A battle was bravely fought, the alliances of friendship could be broken for naught—”

“I told him he should at least open with introducing the couple, for what it’s worth,” Opal whispered to Korra. She nodded in his direction as he finally did just that.

“I think he’s doing alright,” Korra said with a shrug. “And Varrick probably likes this.”

“...True love is a fickle creature,” Bolin was saying. “Difficult to find, nearly impossible to tame. But Varrick and Zhu Li have proven that even the longest of longshots can have a chance of happiness together.”

Without thinking, she glanced towards Asami, only to find her doing the same. Korra felt a sudden jolt, as if hit with an electrified glove. Asami looked as though she were about to lean over to whisper something, but instead gave a small smile and turned back to the front. Korra let her breath out, surprised to learn that she had been holding it at all. Her thoughts stayed on Asami—how her two weeks might have gone, the conversation Korra wanted to have with her—until Varrick's excited voice cut through. “You’re darn tootin’ I do!” Korra wondered what the vow had been. She forced all her attention back on Bolin.

When the couple was married, Korra sprang to her feet and felt herself clap louder and faster than she had intended. Maybe I can talk to Asami before dinner.

That proved an impossible task. No sooner had Varrick turned to the crowd and offered an emphatic “Let’s eat!” then everyone began moving at the same time, funneling out of the seats and back across the island. She and Asami had no choice but to be herded along. Once they reached the outskirts of the eating area, a group of Nuktuk and Ginger servers immediately began pointing people to their tables.

“Avatar Korra, you’re to come with me.” It took a moment for Korra to find the source of the voice: the same woman who had shown them to their seats before. “You too, Pr—King Wu.”

She took a few steps towards where the woman was beckoning before looking back. “Wait, what about my friends?”

“You’re at Table Two,” she answered as though it were obvious.

Wu sidled up to her and chuckled. “You didn’t think Varrick would forget about us, did you?” He held out his arm.

“I can manage.”

They were led towards a table by the stage where Raiko, Buttercup, Suyin, and Baatar Sr. were already sitting. “Will you look at that? We’re at the power table,” Wu said, confidently pulling out the chair next to Buttercup and plopping himself into it. “Hi there, you’re looking fabulous as always.”

Buttercup tittered, Baatar gave an apprehensive smile, and Raiko muttered something into the glass he had held up to his mouth, but it was Suyin who greeted Korra. “Hello dear, are you going to be sitting with us then? I was just filling in your esteemed president here on the finer points of our trip.”

Raiko turned and blinked several times at Korra before speaking. “Yes, I’m...eager to hear your take.”

She couldn’t think of anything that sounded worse. “You know what? I was just making sure Wu found his table alright. I’m going to go to mine now, but I look forward to catching up later.” Before anyone could say anything, Korra turned, sidestepped a waiter, and began to cross the floor. I’ll eat dinner standing in a corner if I have to.

She heard Bolin’s voice cut above the murmurs, and soon spotted him sitting in between Mako and Opal. Once she reached their table, she found them joined by Wing, Wei, and Huan. “Hey, anyone sitting here?” she asked, pointing to a chair next to Opal.

“You eating with us?” Mako said, surprised.

Wing nodded, holding up an octopus fritter. “I thought the Avatar had to be with the important crowd.”

“I’ll take my chances,” she told him, sitting down. “Where’d Asami go?”

“She got moved to a different table too,” Opal answered.

“Yeah, should we tell her it doesn’t matter?” Bolin nodded his head in the direction of one of the tables. “She doesn’t look very happy.”

Korra followed his gesture until she found Asami three tables over. She was leaning back in her seat with one hand stirring her drink, and the other resting on her temple. “Who are those people sitting with her?” she asked, squinting. “I don’t think I recognize any of them.”

“Business contacts?” Mako suggested.

“At a wedding?”

“Well...it’s Asami,” Opal said with a shrug.

Wei laughed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“All she does is work. I’ve barely seen her since I moved here years ago.”

Korra forced her eyes back on her own table. “Wait, wasn’t she working with the airbenders on the wingsuits? You must have seen her then.”

“I guess. She’d come here for a test every once in awhile, though it was rare.”

“She’s just really good at the business lady stuff,” Bolin suggested. “When I was working for Kuvira I didn’t hear from her much, but everything sounded like good news.”

“Exactly,” Opal said, waving a hand. “If there’s one person who could enjoy talking business at a wedding, it’s Asami.”

“No, keep going—a little bit more... I promise I won’t spill. Just below the rim there...perfect.” Asami smiled at the Ginger who had topped off her glass of wine and wasted no time taking a healthy sip.

“Yes, it is a fine berry Varrick’s imported for us, is it not?” Giichi asked. “But I don’t want to let you off the hook about the responsibilities of your Senior Logistics Engineer.”

It took effort not to roll her eyes at the man. “Surely even a new project administrator at the well-respected Varrick Industries International would understand the function of logistics engineering without my explaining it.” She could feel herself growing light-headed, but her half-eaten seared elephant koi held little appeal.

Nauja gave a pleasant laugh from Giichi’s right. Or was that Yuka? Asami had only ever seen one of the seven others sharing the table with her before, and that was a man she had rejected for the job of Line Manager a couple of years prior. Everyone else was a new hire of Varrick’s, all presumably within the past week. How did he even have time for this?

The laughing woman spoke. “Well it’s hard to blame Giichi for asking, right? After all, you famously first sought Varrick for his own logistics solutions. Where shipping was concerned at least.”

“That had nothing to do with routing,” she said impatiently. “That was to stabilize my transportation costs and open new markets through his contacts. Also, I had no idea what I was doing back then. When I partnered with North Seas Shipping, I was the one doing the systems engineering for both of us.”

Another man leaned halfway across the table, his elbow dangerously close to a plate of sauteed kale. “Well, it’s clear both you and Varrick have the mind for it. Just think what could be accomplished through another partnership. Talk about new markets.”

“Future Industries is the top technology company in the United Republic, and leads the automotive industry throughout the world. Varrick Industries International is run by a recently-pardoned criminal who helped to create the weapon that destroyed this city. I really don’t think there’s much he could open up for me.”

Giichi wagged a finger. “A little sparrowkeet told us that you lost the development contract with the city. Tell me, of you and Varrick, who’s the one with Raiko dancing at their wedding?”

Asami glanced at the dance floor where Varrick and Zhu Li were twirling about before finding Raiko at one of the nearby tables, talking to Lin with arms folded. "I imagine it's the one of us that's getting married." She took another sizable swallow of her drink. “My company still has plenty of other contracts with the city, and new products to focus on. Dancing doesn’t affect the bottom line.”

The person that might have been Nauja gave another smile. “If you really think that, a partnership with Varrick could help you more than you know. It’s important that we businessmen sense the change in the winds.”

“Thanks for the advice. You can submit a bill to my CFO for it,” she said, setting her drink down. “But I think I’m going to get a jump on that crucial dancing with...” She turned and found Otaku only a few feet away walking between the tables, a vegetable kabob in hand. “...him. Otaku! Do you want to dance?” Asami stood, trying to ignore the sudden headrush.

The airbender’s eyes grew wide. “Uh, yes! Of course! But, um...”

“Here I can take care of that,” she said impatiently pulling the stick from his hands and setting it on a different table.

They made their way onto the half-full dance floor. Once there, she began scanning the scene absentmindedly, only dimly aware of Otaku’s clumsy movements.

“So, it’s really great to see you,” he was saying. “You know, we used to run into each other every breakfast before you moved off the island, and I miss picking your brain about—”

“Does he really think he can wear me down enough that I’ll agree to another partnership?” She interrupted.

“What?”

“Varrick.” She nodded across the floor, where Zhu Li had just bent him into a dip. “I spent dinner listening to a sales pitch.”

“Oh, that’s... Um, bad?”

“It’s just a waste of time.” She could feel Otaku’s hands growing sweaty and fought the desire to let go and wipe her own on her dress. “If this weren’t his wedding tonight, I’d give him my definitive answer right now. In a way that he’d be sure to hear it.”

Otaku gave a nervous laugh. “Well, this is a nice night, at least. And the band is great, right?”

“The band...” Asami looked towards the stage, as if she were only just aware of the music that had been playing. “Yes, they’re quite... Wait. Is that?” She stopped dancing and squinted for a better look, a hand still on Otaku’s shoulder. “Is that Tahno? And the other Wolfbats, that is!”

“Oh they were probenders, right?”

“That’s Lu and Gang next to them, and... I’m pretty sure the clarinetist was the waterbender for the Fire Ferrets before Korra came to the city.” This can’t just be from the alcohol.

“Huh, you really know a lot about the sport.”

She looked back at Otaku, his eyes still confused behind his glasses. “I was something of a fan."

“There you are,” a familiar voice said. Asami let go of Otaku and whipped around on the spot to find Korra standing only a few feet away. “I was worried you’d never get away from your table.”

“That was definitely Varrick’s plan.” She could feel her heart hammering in her chest. “So...do you, uh...”

Korra smiled. “I mean, we could—”

“Korra! Come dance with me!” Both women jumped as Ikki pushed her way past a couple, nearly causing them to lose their footing.

“Oh, I...”

“I was dancing with Huan, and he didn’t move his legs enough, but I know you will!”

“I...can do that, yes.” She gave a small shrug as she looked back at Asami.

“Go,” Asami answered, laughing.

“Alright, but no airbending around the other dancers,” Korra told Ikki. She gave a look back as Ikki dragged her closer to the band. “I’ll, um...yeah.”

Asami turned around but there was no sign of Otaku anymore. She was debating whether to find a table to sit at, afraid it would just summon Varrick's goons, when Bolin leapt beside her and dramatically bowed. “Would you do me the honor of this dance, Madam?”

“Why of course, Sir,” she told him with a laugh. Even though Bolin and Otuku were similar in stature, her friend moved with a surprising grace. “You did well tonight. I think Varrick and Zhu Li were really pleased.”

“Yeah? Thanks, I always get nervous, and those vows seemed really weird to me, but I guess it makes sense for them.”

“Everyone’s different, Bolin. I may never want to be their friends exactly, but it is nice to see both of them so happy. To see that for anyone.”

Bolin looked from Varrick back to Asami. “It is, isn’t it? It’s funny, I was going to say that about you.”

“What?”

“I dunno; you seem like you’re in a good mood tonight. I guess I was worried, with your dad—”

“I’m fine, Bolin,” Asami told him firmly. “I made my peace with it.” She felt as though the floor were beginning to spin.

“It’s just nice to see you smiling a lot,” he said with a shrug.

“Am I?”

“Well yeah, but that’s what weddings are for, right?”

“And then my aunt grabbed us both, and we totally crashed into this alley. You really didn’t see it?”

“Nope, not at all,” Korra answered. She had nothing against Wing, but after dancing with Ikki, Ryu who had been shoved at her as a joke, Bolin, and a massively uncomfortable dance with Baatar Sr., she was not in the mood for his play-by-play of the fight against Kuvira.

“Huh, well you might have been busy waterbending at that point. My mom and aunt went into the mecha giant right after that,” he continued, oblivious.

She looked around the dance floor. She still had to talk to Asami, her parents needed to be filled in on everything, she wanted to say more to Tenzin beyond the few words they had managed to exchange, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to avoid Raiko forever. Instead, her eyes found Mako first, standing off to the side, deep in conversation with Prince Wu. Korra looked back to Wing. “That part, I saw,” she said.

“Did you and my mom kick any more Earth Empire butt while you were gone?” he asked her with a grin.

“No. No, it wasn’t like that.”

“Well at least Kuvira had what was coming to her after invading Zaofu. I still can’t believe my brother.”

Korra frowned. “Your mom thinks he should be helping. Maybe we owe him that chance.”

Wing gave a small sigh. “That’s just my mom; she’s always babied him. No, you had the right idea, when you kidnapped him to knock some sense into that engineering brain of his.”

“That’s not what... I’m sorry, Wing, I just remembered; I have to talk to Mako and Wu.”

“Give our fearless leader my best,” he said with a shrug.

Korra made her way through the dancing couples. Once or twice she thought she glimpsed Asami, though it was so crowded it was hard to tell. I should thank Mako first anyway. There hadn’t been a chance for a serious conversation over dinner, not with Bolin regaling everyone with his stories, and she knew she and her friend were overdue.

“Korra,” Mako called pleasantly as she approached.

Wu turned to look. “Avatar, there you are. You gave me the slip at dinner and I was beginning to worry you were purposely avoiding me on the dance floor.”

“Oh, I would never... Hey, you excited to head to Ba Sing Se and finally take that throne? I think the Earth Kingdom is ready for a time of peace.”

To her surprise, Wu’s smile fell. “Yeah, about that...” He scratched the back of his neck. “After my time with the evacuees, I was actually thinking... Maybe I should step down as king and get rid of the monarchy altogether.”

Korra and Mako began to laugh, though when Wu didn’t join them, it quickly died. “You’re—you’re not joking?” Mako asked him.

“For once I’m not. I don’t think anyone should have a king or an emperor to tell them what to do. Things work better when we work together, just like with the evacuation!”

“But you were the one who led that, Wu,” Korra pointed out.

“Yeah, but so did Pema, and Tu, and even that train conductor pitched in.”

Mako furrowed his brow. “Train conductor?”

“Exactly! The point is, I’m not just being lazy, or running away from my duties, or pursuing a singing career—although that could be my calling. I really believe the people should get to decide who leads them. There could be independent states and elected officials, just like the United Republic.”

Korra wondered how the villagers that almost rioted to bring back Kuvira would react to that. They certainly wouldn’t feel forgotten anymore. “I think that’s a great idea,” she told him.

“Yeah,” Mako agreed. “It’s actually very wise and mature of you.”

“And as the Avatar, I’ll do everything I can to help you.”

Wu smiled. “Thanks you guys, I knew I could count on you. But right now, I’ve been away from the dance floor for too long.” He trotted off at that, without another word.

“Well, just when I thought I understood that guy,” Korra said, shaking her head.

“Wu can be surprising.” There was an odd bit of pride in Mako's voice.

A silence fell over them. “Uh, how’s the arm?” she tried. “Do you want me to look at it? Why’s it still in a sling?”

“I’ve seen healers. The way the spirit energy hit it blocked the flow of chi, and they said that if it doesn’t heal slowly, that could be severed forever.” Mako cleared his throat. “I don’t want to risk losing my bending there. It should be fine, just might take a little.”

“Are you sure about that? Here, let me look.” Before he could object, she turned and bent the contents out of several glasses a nearby Nuktuk server was carrying. He stumbled from the sudden movement, though managed to catch himself.

“Uh, is that safe to use?” Mako asked, as Korra proceeded to bend the cocktail around his arm.

“I just need to get a feel for what’s going on... Oh. Yeah. Your healers were right,” she told him. She had never felt anything quite like it before: as though her bending had hit a wall.

“It will still heal on its own though?”

She bent the liquid gently to the ground, the server already having walked on. “It should, I don’t see why it wouldn’t. But you’ll be stuck in that cast for a bit.”

Mako shrugged. “At least it makes me look tough.”

“Mako, what you did... You don’t need help looking tough.” Korra shook her head. “The words ‘thank you’ don’t feel big enough, but I honestly don’t know what else to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” he told her solemnly. “I’d do it again if I had to. I want you to know, I’ll always follow you into battle.”

“I just wish that wasn’t necessary. I feel like I’ve created so many as it is,” she said, her eye falling on the portal in the distance.

“You’ve solved even more. But I don’t just mean a physical fight. Korra, I’ve got your back. Whatever you take on, I know you’ll make the right call, like you did with Kuvira.”

Did I? It seemed like she had been able to help in the Earth Kingdom, but how much of that had even been necessary? Though she and Mako were a good distance from the stage, the music suddenly seemed deafening to her. “Well, thank you Mako. I’m going to go, but can you please dance? If anyone deserves a good time tonight, it’s you.”

“Bolin already said I wouldn’t be allowed to leave until I did,” he admitted, the corners of his mouth twitching.

As Korra walked away, her eyes found Tenzin, but what could she even tell him? That everyone in the world is scared but it was somehow a good thing? That she spent two weeks letting Suyin and Kuvira retread the same argument? And now with Wu’s decision, everything else would be changing again. Instead, she turned away from the reception area, and began to make her way to the meditation pavilion.

She was halfway across it when Naga found her, gently padding along in her wake. “We can just take a minute, Naga. I know the Avatar’s back, but when am I going to feel like I’m not making it up anymore? When will I feel like I understand the fights I’m leading people into?”

Asami had finally located water and was halfway through a glass when Raiko found her. He was moving unsteadily on his feet, though his gaze was fixed. “You’ve been avoiding me tonight, Miss Sato. You and that friend of yours.”

She forced a smile on her face. “Mr. President, I have not been. I was merely under the impression that our last conversation was rather conclusive.” The alcohol was making her words feel awkward, though given how Raiko was slurring his own, she doubted he would notice.

“Our conversation,” he laughed into his glass. “Is there anything you wanted to say?”

“I wish you luck finding a more suitable contractor.”

He snorted again. “Like you and Sarika were so irreplaceable. I’ve already signed a developer.”

“Then I’ll be curious to see their ideas. My own thoughts on the development plans are unchanged.”

“Is that why the mecha giant is still there? Do I need to revisit our other contracts?”

If Raiko followed through on that threat, it would be costly, but Asami knew Future Industries was the only company that could possibly offer the machinery for such a task. Still, she forced herself to take another sip of water before answering. “There’s no need for that; we’re working as fast as we can. The vines are thick, and our metalbenders can’t do anything with the platinum. I need to get heavier equipment together, that’s all.”

Raiko nodded, though his scowl remained. “I guess I have no choice but to trust you, if your made is mind up.”

Asami bit back correcting him. “It is. But even if we disagree on a plan, you don’t have any reason not to trust me. All I want is what’s best for Republic City. The sooner I can take care of the mecha giant, the better it is for all of us.”

His gaze traveled up and down, making her suddenly feel tense. “Your plan wasn’t all wrong. The developer agrees about rebuilding downtown being too expensive.”

A five-year-old would agree with that. “But you’re still going to build something there.”

“You’re not going to make me sign onto an all-cost no-benefit strategy.”

Several retorts came to mind, but Asami knew it’d be no use. “Then I hope you’re right about the benefits of this.”

“You know,” Raiko said, waving a finger of his free hand, “sometimes you almost have me fooled. She wore a lot of red too, and you have moments of sounding like her. Moments.”

“What?”

“But it’s clear which tree your fell didn’t apple far from.”

Asami didn’t have the first clue what he was trying to say, but there was something in his eyes she didn’t like. “Excuse me, Mr. President. I’m going to go back to the dance floor,” she said, leaving without another word.

She had made it halfway when Prince Wu jumped in front of her. “Asami, hey, are you headed up there? I’ve been looking for someone who can keep up with a good Dance of the Badgermoles.”

“Oh...”

“Sorry Wu,” a voice from behind them said, “she promised this one to me.”

Asami turned to see Mako. “Uh, yes, I did.” She took his good arm and allowed herself to be led the rest of the way. “You know,” she told him once they began dancing, “I would have been fine for one song with him. He is going to be ruling the Earth Kingdom. At the least, it wouldn’t hurt my business.”

“Actually, it sounds like he’s not,” Mako said. “He just told me and Korra that he wants to get rid of the monarchy and have the states elect their own leaders, like we do.”

“What? How would that work? He doesn’t have any cousins that loyalists might turn to? What about the current governors? Would these states be independent? Many of them aren’t self-sufficient with resources, and—”

“I don’t think he has it all worked out yet!” he answered sharply.  

She shook her head. “It sounds like it could get really messy.”

“Well Korra thought it was a good idea.”

Asami wondered what Korra must have seen on her trip to make her think that. There were certainly problems under the monarchy, and the Earth Queen was one of the worst imaginable leaders from what she had witnessed. But with the Earth Kingdom only recently reunited, could more upheaval like that really be the answer? “Have you seen Korra?” she asked, trying to keep her voice even. “I’m...curious to hear her take.”

Mako let go of Asami’s waist with his good hand for a moment and pointed towards the temple pathway. “Looks like she’s talking with Tenzin right now.” She turned, barely making out the shapes, before looking back and giving Mako a small nod.

They were both silent for another minute, glancing around the dance floor, pretending to be interested by the other couples, when Mako cleared his throat. “Look, I didn’t ask you to dance to talk about politics.”

“I appreciate that,” she said, trying to lighten the mood.

He didn’t so much as chuckle. “I wanted to clear up what I was saying earlier. I’ve been doing some thinking about how I used to be... I wasn’t always fair to you.”

“No... But we were a lot younger then, Mako. You and I worked that out some time ago.”

“I know we did. It’s just, when you were talking about love earlier, it made me think.” He let go of her again and gestured around. “All this, I want you to know that you deserve it. ...Wherever you might find it.”

Asami found it difficult to keep looking at him. “I, uh—”

“I just hope I never made you feel like you don’t, that’s all.”

“You didn’t,” she mumbled as the song ended. “Thank you for the dance, Mako. The wine is still hitting me... I think I need another break.”

Mako walked her to the refreshment table before going to talk to Lin. Asami picked up another glass of water, though she knew that wasn’t what she needed. Instead, her eyes flicked back towards the temple, marked by the abandoned seats from the earlier ceremony. There, she could still see the outline of Korra and Tenzin. All I have to do is walk over there and get Tenzin to leave. It should be the easiest thing in the world.

Asami set her glass back down. So why can’t it be?

Chapter Text

***

The light of the spirit portal was beginning to leave imprints in her eyes, but for some reason, Korra could not look away. There was something hypnotic about it—something peaceful. It was created in the heat of battle, and yet it had all been so easy and straightforward. She hadn’t even thought before diving in front of cannon’s blast, no more than she had planned what she said to Kuvira ahead of time. The answers were there, and simple, and her body knew it before her brain.

It had been the same in the Earth Kingdom. Well, not at first; that had been a nightmare, and she felt no guilt about having avoided Suyin for the better part of the wedding. But in that eastern town, standing in the square among all those shouts and protests...it was so obvious they were afraid, like Kuvira had been.

Like she had been. It was for different reasons, sure, but it seemed to be the fear that made people do stupid things. When she feared Amon, she tried to confront him alone. When she was scared of losing her dad, she nearly started a war. And when she was scared of facing herself... Well, that’s when she closed off. She was no different than those villagers shouting for the ‘Great Uniter,’ really.

But then how could people like Mako even think about blindly following her into battle? I’m the Avatar—I’m supposed to be different, or wiser, or something. Korra didn’t feel particularly wise, though her fear was gone now. That, she understood, at least. It’s what had dawned on her just before she spoke to the town, almost as if she had floated up above the scene and could see the truth of it all. They were out of balance, but she wasn’t anymore. And it was okay that she had been, and it was okay for the townsfolk to have made their own mistakes, too. The only thing that wasn’t okay was when she tried to discount herself.

“Korra, there you are.”

She jumped, though she didn’t have to turn to know who was speaking. “Tenzin, I’m glad you’re here.”

“You are?” He stopped a few feet from her, his hands clasped behind his back.

“Well yeah, we didn’t really get much of a chance to talk tonight. I’m sure you want to hear about my trip.”

“Suyin filled me in on the finer details. I think for tonight, we can just enjoy Zhu Li and Varrick’s celebration.”

“I’m scared to ask what that will mean for tomorrow,” she said dryly.

Tenzin gave a soft chuckle. “You’ve done so much since you came back, Korra. We don’t have to worry about this right now. Besides, tomorrow is spoken for. I talked to President Raiko, and he’s going to announce his plan to expand the city in order to address the damages to downtown.”

Automatically, Korra looked at the portal again, the broken-down buildings surrounding it perfectly illuminated. “It’s going to be a mess for awhile, isn’t it?”

“Perhaps, but this is a resilient city. We adjusted to the spirit vines well enough.”

“I couldn’t believe that when I got back. Before I left, it seemed like such an insurmountable problem, and everyone was so mad at me for it.”

“My father once told me that perfect antidote to any problem is time.” He brought a hand to his beard. “I suppose there’s truth to that. Or perhaps it's simply that people can feel the positive shift from this new spiritual age.”

“Maybe, though I think Aang was onto something,” Korra said, meeting his gaze. “I’m not sure time alone fixed my problems, but it did take me awhile before I figured out how to adjust. The same thing happened in the city, and I saw the same thing happening in the Earth Kingdom, too. Izumi told me that people fear uncertainty, and I think the only way to get over that is to try actually living with that different reality that seems so scary.”

Tenzin furrowed his brow, considering her. “Were you afraid of uncertainty, then?”

Korra tried to remember. “I guess...there was the uncertainty of what would happen if I couldn’t get better. For a while I honestly didn’t think I would. If I couldn't get back to being my old self, I didn't know what would happen.”

“But seeing Zaheer, it seems as though that all changed for you.”

“It started to, yeah,” she told him. “I felt whole after that, but I don’t think I really understood yet. It wasn’t until I saw Kuvira being so angry and scared of letting everyone down, just like I used to be, for me to finally realize: there is no going back. I can never just be that person I was again.” Korra sighed and leaned back on the archway, facing Tenzin once more. “I’ve seen now what fear can do and what it can drive people to...what it drove me to do, even if it didn’t hurt as many others as Kuvira, or the Earth Kingdom citizens who went along with her. What happened to me, and my running away from everyone—that’s a part of me now, and there’s no undoing it. It’s just, I don’t think I want to, either.”

Tenzin put a hand on her shoulder. “It takes a great amount of maturity to be able to face what happened head-on. Even more to want that reminder.”

“I’m not sure if I want it, it’s more like... Everything feels different now. Your mom told me that Aang found meaning in his suffering, and I guess I found mine. I've realized we’re all afraid sometimes, but that doesn’t make us any weaker. No, recognizing that fear and being able to live with it? To not fight it? It actually makes us strong. I may not always know what I’m supposed to do or who I’m supposed to be as the Avatar—I guess I never did. But I feel like now, I can trust myself to figure it out, because I’m...I’m okay with the uncertainty. And I think that’s kind of amazing.”

“I think so too,” he said quietly, his voice breaking.

Asami hadn’t made it more than a few feet towards Korra and Tenzin before starting to second-guess herself. And then second-guess the fact that she was second-guessing herself, since there could be no way her instincts were wrong. Korra had been flirting—well, the both of them had been—the entire night. There was no other interpretation that made sense.

It had been so effortless it was to the point where Asami felt as though she should be more suspicious, since nothing was ever that easy. Except, again, she came circling back to her previous thought: there was no reason it couldn’t be. It should be that easy. And, perhaps, Mako had, in his own way, made an important larger point. Maybe she did deserve to be happy, as trite and absurd a notion as that sounded.

But that wasn’t quite it, either. Asami wasn’t owed anything at all. It was just, she needed to, at the very least, try. For herself. Because if she didn’t, she never would be, and... Yes, it would be nice to be happy, if only temporarily.

“It actually makes us strong. I may not always know what I’m supposed to do or who I’m supposed to be as the Avatar—I guess I never did. But I feel like now...”

Asami stopped short before the clack of her shoes gave her away and stared at the back of Tenzin’s head. Of course she’d be interrupting something important and revelatory and cathartic. But no, Korra wouldn’t mind. And Tenzin would leave, when all was said and done. Really, when it came down to it, the only thing Asami needed to worry about was Varrick barging in and—oh. Well.

That’d do it.

She suddenly realized that a silence had fallen between them. It will be fine. You have to try. Asami cleared her throat. “Excuse me, Tenzin?” They both turned to look at her, Korra’s eyes immediately lighting up. “I—I think Varrick is about to jump out of your study. In a glider suit,” she said, sounding far more convincing than she’d expected.

“What?!” sputtered, Tenzin, his eyes bulging. “How?! Wh—why would he want to do that at his own wedding?” He sprinted past her before she could respond, a sudden rush of wind accompanying him.

“Varrick’s uh...not really about to jump out a window, right?” Korra asked, once he had disappeared from view.

Asami turned to look at her, failing to hide her amusement. “I wouldn’t worry about it.”

She chuckled for a moment, before clearing her throat. “So, how are you...liking the festivities?”

“Oh, I...” Asami lost track of what she was trying to say once she caught Korra looking at her. Really looking at her. And then they both...laughed. As if it just made sense to do that, except it didn’t because what was so funny about—no. It was funny. It was insane, and funny, and good to laugh.

“Do you want to sit with me?” Korra asked.

“Yes. ”

“Wait, no, I—I mean, yes, we can sit, but first, I want to say I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to tell you that all night.” She sighed. “I never did apologize for being gone all that time and barely answering, or for disappearing completely like that.”

Asami shook her head. “Korra, you don’t need to apologize for anything. I understood what you were going through, and what you needed to do. I’m just glad that you’re—”

“No, I do need to apologize.” Korra frowned. “I was gone for three years, and then I just showed up again after lying to everyone about where I was for months.” She swallowed. “It doesn’t matter that what I was doing was what I needed, or what I wanted, or what I thought the world needed; I still left and cut everyone off. I still hurt you.”

“It’s fine—”

“It’s not! But it’s okay that it’s not,” she said, raising her voice, before taking one of Asami’s hands in her own. “Look, being in the Earth Kingdom...everyone’s hurting. And it got me thinking, because these people, they were fighting to protect themselves but were led so astray by Kuvira. They just never saw the harm.”

“Even with the labor camps?” Asami asked.

She nodded. “I think they chose not to look. And I know I did the same thing after I was hurt. I was fighting myself that whole time, but there’s no point in continuing to beat myself up for it now. The important thing is we don’t let ourselves repeat the same mistakes. I know that for me, it’s closing myself off and leaving the people I care about—leaving you.” She squeezed her fingers. “I’m not going to do that again.”

“I...” Asami couldn’t find the words, instead feeling suddenly light-headed. Was she really saying...? “I need to sit down.” She made her way the closest step and all but collapsed on top of it.

“Oh.” Korra lowered her head and put a hand on her neck. “Sorry, I should have waited or made sure, or...”

“No! No, no, no, that’s not—” She gestured to the spot next to her and waited until Korra sat. “It’s just, hearing you say that... It’s been so long since anyone came back and actually stayed. ” She slouched, her eyes suddenly stinging with tears. “I thought, with my father, maybe...”

Korra reached out, pulling her into a hug as the words died away. “I know,” she told her. “I’m so sorry. Are you...okay? No, I don’t mean okay, just... How are you.”

Asami hugged her back automatically, her head still reeling from...everything. She took a small breath, reminding herself that everything was fine. That she was fine. “It’s been hard, but I think I’m finally in a good place. Or, a place I can handle.” She nodded. Of course she could handle this. “I forgave him before the end, and that’s what matters.”

Korra paused for a moment. “Well...good, then.” She pulled back, smiling. “That’s good. I’m glad you...got there.”

“Thank you,” she sniffed.

“Yup.” Korra looked away and back towards the temple, scratching the back of her head. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for this to get so heavy. Do you wanna go back and...dance, or something?”

Asami managed a small laugh before sighing and running a hand through her hair. “I don’t know, I might be danced out. I’ve had enough of Varrick, and his awful employees, and the Nuktuk servers, and Tahno for some reason...”

“Yeah that was surprising. But what do you want to do, then? Call it a night?”

“I’m just...exhausted. From everything. ...Not you,” she added, catching the look of concern on Korra’s face. “Definitely not you.” Never you. “We should just get far away from here. Because nothing could ever possibly happen while we’re gone.”

“Okay. Let’s do it,” she said simply. “Let’s go on a vacation!”

Asami gave her a blank stare. “What.”

“I mean, it sounds like you could use the break...” Korra shrugged. “And I know I could.”

“I don’t know...” She massaged her temples. “There’s so much to do now.”

“There is...” Korra tilted her head. “But there’s going to be even more to do soon. I talked to Prince Wu tonight and—”

“I know; Mako told me.” Asami settled her hands in her lap and pushed her entirely rational fear of the former Earth Kingdom once again becoming engulfed in chaos down as far as it could go. “But it’s not as if we can just take time off.”

“Of course we can!” she said, throwing up a hand. “Besides, if we don’t do it now, I’m not sure we ever will get the chance. Things are at least stable for the next few weeks.”

“I suppose that’s true.”

“Unless, you don’t want to, which is completely—”

“No! I do. Of course I do.”

“Alright, good. Okay, so we just have to figure out where to go.” Korra leaned back on her hands. “Where we...wouldn’t be bothered. Somehow.”

Asami furrowed her brow and looked up at the giant glowing portal across the bay. “I think I have an idea.” She smirked and cocked her head towards the shiny beam of...energy.

Korra smiled. “Sounds perfect.”

Asami was silent for a few moments before turning back to her. “So...we’re really going to—”

Korra kissed her before she could finish the question, pulling her closer, instantly melting any doubts and concerns. Asami grasped at her arms and back, finding herself on the verge of tears. But, she didn’t care. Even if it was all some sick, cruel dream, she didn’t care.

After a few minutes, they broke apart. “Okay,” Korra said breathlessly, her hands still on Asami’s shoulders. “Okay. Yes. We're...still at a wedding.”

“With lots of guests in attendance,” Asami added lightly.

“Maybe we should... I don’t know, do you want to leave tonight?”

“Yes.” The answer came without thinking. “Please.”

“Good, because this is, like I said, our only...” Korra took a deep breath. “Only shot at this. So, here’s what we’ll do. I’m going to go talk to my parents, let them know I’ll be gone for...what?”

“Two weeks,” Asami blurted.

“Right, two weeks. And they’ll take care of letting everyone else know where we went so nobody gets worried. While I’m doing that, I’m guessing you’ll need to call a few people and let them know you’ll be out? And head back home to pack your things.”

She shook her head. “My Chief Operating Officer has actually been trying to get me to go on a vacation for some time now.”

“I’m not surprised,” Korra said with a laugh.

“Point taken,” she conceded. “But as long as l get a message to her, Future Industries will at least be set. I can do that in the girls’ dormitory. And I have everything I need inside there already. It’s where I’ve been living the past couple of weeks, since the roads and my office building are such messes.”

Korra raised her brows. “Oh, okay, then! That makes it easy. I guess, uh, depending on how long it takes to explain everything to Dad and Mom, we could head out in an hour or so.”

“Yes, I guess we could,” she said slowly. It was easy, wasn’t it?

Korra stood and extended her arm to Asami, pulling her up as well. “Right. Then that’s what we’ll shoot for.”

“Alright.”

“So, I’ll come find you afterwards.”

Their hands were still intertwined. For a moment it seemed as though they might kiss again, but a distant cheer from the direction of the pavilion made them both jump. “I should...” Asami said, gesturing up the path.

“Right, yeah. Yes. We should both. I mean, we both should...” Korra abruptly pivoted and began sprinting in the direction of the wedding. “OKAY GREAT SEE YOU SOON,” she called over her shoulder.

Asami stood there, staring at the blank spot where Korra was a moment ago, before shaking her head. “See you soon,” she whispered. She turned to start up the familiar path that led to the dormitories. So that she could pack. To go on a vacation. With Korra.

She had made it halfway to the temple when she saw someone coming towards her on the path. “Asami?”

“Bolin,” she answered, relieved. With her luck, she half-expected it to have been President Raiko. "What are you doing up here?" Her friend broke into a trot, drawing up just short of her. It certainly wasn’t unusual to find Bolin around the girls’ dormitory, though he usually at least pretended to go to his own first.

“Oh it’s Pabu. He was getting a little sick, and Zhu Li didn’t like him spitting up next to the dessert table apparently, so I took him up here. He’s been sleeping in Ikki’s bed lately anyway.” He looked back over his shoulder. “Little guy’s growing up...moving on.”

“Right.”

Bolin shook his head and met Asami’s eyes again. “What about you, you’re not sick from those crab-things too, are you?”

“No, I feel fine. I’m...” She cocked her head to the side, considering her friend. “I’m heading inside to go pack. Korra and I are actually going to be leaving for a vacation soon.” It was hard not to smile as she said it. Or did she want to cry?

“Oh good!” he said cheerfully. “Good, that will be good. Yeah, you should do that! How long will you be gone?”

“A couple of weeks.”

“Well, we’ll keep the city standing until you’re back. At least I think we will. A lot of stuff happens here...” Suddenly, without warning, Bolin pulled her into a bone-crushing hug. “Have a really, really good time, okay?”

She felt herself laughing. “Thank you, Bolin.”

Once he left, she made her way back to the dormitory in silence, still smiling. It was only when she reached her bedroom and sat down at her desk to write a letter to Dara that her smile began to fade.

She knew her COO was perfectly capable of keeping things running, especially with Shoji helping out, but was she really considering taking this trip after just losing the infrastructure contract with the city? Would her employees think she was licking her wounds? Would her competitors? Did she need to secure something else now to put investors’ minds at ease? Not to mention, there was still the mecha giant to clean up—the hulking platinum frame becoming more and more entwined in the vines every day. Raiko probably wouldn’t need much provocation to take that contract away either. Then the Earth Kingdom sales strategy was now out the window, what with the turmoil promising to continue.

‘If we don’t do it now, I’m not sure we’ll ever get the chance,’ she heard Korra saying in her head. Yes...it was true. Wu dissolving the monarchy, to be replaced by independent states with their own leaders and economic needs, certainly couldn’t happen overnight. If anything, the next month at the least would be a holding pattern for Future Industries, until more details got fleshed out. Asami jotted down this thought in the letter as well, though did her best to avoid saying too much, in case it had merely been a drunken whim of Wu’s tonight that would be ignored tomorrow.

Once she finished, the letter having grown to a frightening number of pages, she walked down the hall until she found an acolyte who promised to hand-deliver it early in the morning. With that taken care of, she moved back to her room and found a rucksack in the back of the closet. The Spirit World would be no place for luggage. She could wear her mechanic’s jacket—that’d surely protect her against anything they might encounter. Though what would they encounter? Was it foolish to go there? Every interaction with the spirits had always left Asami deeply uneasy, even when she was trying to help them.

Korra had been excited at the prospect, or at least it seemed like she had. But what if she was just agreeing to anything because Asami had almost cried like an idiot. Again. Just like the first time Korra kissed her. No, she definitely wanted to be kissing me. And she was the one who suggested the vacation! She wouldn’t have said that if she was against the idea. 

There was no doubt Korra meant her words, but was it coming from a place of enthusiasm or concern? When Asami told her she was fine, the Avatar’s response had been...hesitant. Maybe she thinks I can’t handle being here. Maybe she’s only with me to try and cheer me up, or because she thinks I couldn’t stomach a rejection right now. Asami couldn’t have that. What was wrong with her? Korra had only just gotten to a place where she felt alright, and Asami was now going to be overloading her with all of her baggage?

No, she wants to be with you! That’s obvious! Well sure, it seemed that way, by the quiet light of the Spirit Portal with who knows how many ginger cocktails in her. Besides, even if Korra did want to pursue this, asking her to take time away? How could Asami possibly justify that?

“I can’t,” she said out loud, reaching inside the bag and pulling out a pair of undershirts. She was about to place them back in the drawer when she heard Korra’s voice calling her name down the hall. “I’m—I’m here,” she managed in response.

Korra came around the doorway. “Hey, whatcha doing? Still packing?”

“Uh...yup,” Asami answered, hastily shoving the undershirts back in the rucksack.  

She smirked. “Just remember to pack light, okay? I can wash our clothes pretty easily but I don’t want to have to be airbending our bags the whole time.”

“You won’t.”

“Sure, well, I haven’t forgotten all your luggage when you first moved here.”

She turned to fully face Korra, who was...smiling at her. There was something in her eyes that made Asami’s heart beat faster. Of course she was smiling at her. Everything about this just, made sense. The worries that had been racing through Asami’s head only moments before seemed utterly ridiculous now. “Well,” she said, “a lot’s changed since then.”

“It has.”

Asami leaned against the dresser. “How did the conversation with your parents go?”

“Oh that,” Korra said, folding her arms. “It went really well. I was actually able to get Mom and Dad alone at a table without a million other people interrupting, so that helped. They both were very happy about everything.”

“Happy?” It wasn’t the word Asami had expected. ‘Supportive’ maybe.

“Well yeah, they like you,” she said, waving a hand. “They, you know, remember everything you did.”

“Oh, uh...”  

“Not just that. They also noticed how many letters you sent me and stuff.”

“To be fair, that may have been excessive,” Asami said.

“Hey, I learned a lot about airfoils; I’m not complaining.”

She laughed. “And they’re going to be letting Raiko and everyone else know?”

“Yes, my dad said he’d tell Tenzin first thing in the morning.” Korra furrowed her brow. “He seemed to think he'd be too stressed to hear it tonight. And then they’re both seeing Raiko after that, for his speech about expanding the city, or whatever.”

It took effort for Asami not to roll her eyes at the President's hypocrisy. “Well good, I’m glad that worked out.”

“Yeah, hopefully our friends don’t get too upset with us for hearing about it second-hand, but I’d rather not blow our opportunity to leave.”

“Oh about that...” she said, pushing herself upright again. “I ran into Bolin on the way here, and I kind of...told him. I’m sorry, is that okay?”

Korra raised an eyebrow. “What? Of course it’s okay, why wouldn’t it be?”

“I don’t know, if you maybe wanted to tell them together, or wait until we got back—”

“I think everyone will figure out what’s going on once they hear we’re away, Asami,” she laughed, taking a step closer. “No, I was considering finding Mako or Opal after I talked to my parents, but Bolin being the one to tell them is probably best anyway.”

“And...then it will be official.”

“Yes. It will be.” Korra put a hand on Asami’s forearm and gave her a soft kiss.

There was no softness in the one Asami returned. She drew her closer, their kiss deepening with a fervor that seemed to have erupted from nowhere. It didn’t matter. Korra was kissing her back, hands closing around her waist. Asami became very aware of the door that was open, and took a step towards it. Korra moved with her, until she managed to clumsily throw a hand out and slide it closed. They continued their awkward movement across the room, still interlocked. When they finally collapsed onto the bed, Asami moved on top of her, wrapping her arms behind Korra's neck. She must have removed her bun at some point, though she didn’t remember it.

Her hands then found Korra’s necklace, which the Avatar quickly yanked off, Asami doing the same to her own, letting it carelessly clack to the ground. She reached a hand under Korra’s top as their kiss resumed, but stopped when she felt Korra suck in her breath. “Sorry, I... Should we slow down?” Asami asked, pushing herself up with an arm. Her hair fell across Korra’s face, which she hastily swept to the side.

“What?”

“I—we didn’t... I didn’t know if this is what you wanted right now.”

Korra snorted. “Yes, it’s very mysterious how I’m feeling about it.” She pulled her close again.

“Well... I don’t know...” Asami said, managing the words in between kisses, “you... could be in... in a different place...”

“Will you quit talking?”

She didn’t need telling twice. It was only another minute until her hands were back at Korra’s waist, pulling her shirt up and off. She felt Korra unknot her sash and wriggled the rest of the way out of her dress, which was soon joined on the floor by Korra’s skirt.

Asami threw her hair out of her face once more before sliding a hand between Korra’s legs. To her satisfaction, Korra’s breath quickly became ragged. Her own head was mercifully empty for once. The only reality that existed was this bed, Korra’s skin, the way she could feel both of their hearts beating. She tried to draw everything out, slowing her movements here and there, though it barely felt like any time had passed when Korra twitched and gasped.

“Was that—” Asami started to ask. Before she could get the words out, Korra flipped her onto her back in one fluid motion and began to kiss her again, her hand moving down Asami’s thigh. It was impossible to say which felt better: that, or having Korra’s weight on top of her. She wrapped her arms around Korra’s shoulders, drinking it all in. As everything began to build, she heard Korra grunt, and realized she had dragged her nails across her back. “Sorry,” she breathed.

“No... It’s uh...” Korra smiled before kissing her again.

After a moment, Asami slid Korra’s hand away, instead moving to straddle her thigh, while sliding her own leg against Korra’s groin. As the intensity continued to grow, they rolled over once more, Asami propping herself upright. Somehow, she managed to keep her balance when her body seized. Korra sat up at that, pulling Asami into a hug as she slumped onto her shoulder, momentarily spent.

“Well,” Asami said, once she had caught her breath, “at least this bit works for us.”

“Were you worried it wouldn’t?” Korra asked, sweeping a strand of Asami’s hair off her face.

“No, I...” I never thought I’d actually be here. “I just... This can work.”

“Us. Yeah.”

Asami gently kissed her at that, almost instinctively, all words lost.

Korra pulled her closer, the kiss intensifying, and before Asami knew it, she felt Korra’s hand slide back between her legs. She moaned, trying to lose herself once more, but there was something new building inside her. With each flutter of Korra’s fingers it mounted, a lump in her chest that began to rise. Asami tried choking it down, desperately grabbing at Korra, but it only grew more painful.

Finally—absurdly—she began to cry.   

She squeezed her arms around Korra’s back stronger than before, hunching forward as she sobbed into her shoulder. It was too much. The wedding, the city, the vacation, the battle, Korra. Everything crashing down at once into a singular moment of clarity. It was—it was just too much.

“It’s okay.” Korra stroked her hair and hushed her. “It’s okay. Don’t have to rush; there’s nobody to meet. No one waiting. Just you and me.” Korra kissed her on the crown of her head. “Do you want to move?”

Asami shook her head, her ugly, wet sobbing refusing to taper off. She didn’t care if it wasn’t the most comfortable or relaxing of positions to be in. If she moved, if she laid down or let go, or stopped touching her everything might burn away. She might wake up and everything would be exactly the same except she’d be more alone than she’d ever been. And Asami could not handle that. She...just couldn’t.

“Okay. We don’t have to move.” Korra curled her fingers, sending a sudden jolt of—not pleasure. Something muddled, but not unpleasant. “More?”

“I...” Asami choked, struggling to speak. “Please. Just...” She shuddered and her sobbing grew heavier. “I don’t know. I don’t know, I don’t know. I don’t—” She felt her heart hammering in her chest, so completely out of alignment with Korra’s. Still calm and balanced. Stable. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

“It’s okay. You’re okay.” Korra rubbed her back. “Everything’s gonna be alright. Just let it all out.”

And Asami did just that, or as much as she reasonably could. As hard as she was crying, a part of her couldn’t help but feel that it wasn’t enough. That she should be...breaking more. But that didn’t make sense at all. It was all just stress, anyway. Stress, and Korra. Perfectly understandable. It had been an emotional night; most weddings were, even if she wasn’t exactly a fan of the bride and groom.

But Korra. Actually, somehow, being with her. Really with her, and she was—she was. Korra was with her. Korra was there, here. Both. And she wasn’t moving. Asami took a deep breath as her tears began to stop. She wiped them away, sniffed, and opened her eyes. And Korra was smiling, still. Not a grin, or a smirk, or anything close.

Smiling, and there. Asami couldn’t help but smile, too. “I, uh...” She kissed her. “Thank you.”

Korra shrugged. “I’m your girlfriend; kinda part of the job.”

Asami’s heart fluttered. “That’s not—I just meant that you’re right there. Here.”

“Where else would I be?”

“Nowhere,” she said, kissing her again. And again. And again. “Nowhere at all.”