Hi, again, everyone! I'm really looking forward to posting this. Metal Flowers got way more response, and positive at that, than I could have ever imagined! I hope this one does the same. I did want to keep a metal title, so going with Metal Shards, as the Earth Kingdom, or Empire, is broken.

I think I did fairly well with the first person POV, but I don't think it could work with this, as I wanted to show more than just Himiko. I thought of alternating Himiko and Huan chapters, but I feel like, with both in first person, it would get confusing. And still would not show everything I wanted.

I'm just going to set this to the characters of Huan and OC for now, I may add more, depending on how often I get to use certain characters.

I also think, and hope, that this will be longer. And I still have plenty planned after this!

Chapter 1 United

After the death of Queen Hou-Ting at the hands of Red Lotus member Zaheer, the Earth Kingdom had very little in the ways of leadership and guidance. It was chaos that reigned in nearly every corner of Earth Kingdom territory.

One of the few untouched settlements happened to be Zaofu, the metal city. Inside the city, in the Beifong estate, Suyin Beifong, matriarch of the city, was finishing a toast.

"...have always considered Himiko to be like a daughter to us," she was saying, "and soon Baatar and I will be able to officially call her our daughter."

She smiled in the direction of the couple in question. Her second oldest son, Huan, stood with his bride-to-be. He said something to her, which caused her to shake her head, but she laughed as well. As she brushed a lock of hair from her face, her platinum engagement ring caught the light. For the two of them, at least, it seemed no one else existed.

After finished her toast, Suyin joined them. "I still can't believe this," she said, positively beaming at them.

"You can't believe this?" Himiko asked her with a smile. "I can't believe this!"

"I don't see how it's too much of a shock," Huan said with a casual wave. "You really didn't think it was coming?"

"No so soon." Suyin grabbed the two of them, hugging them both tightly. "And it certainly seems to be just what we needed," she added. "After what Baatar - "

Himiko stopped her by placing her hand on Suyin's. "Let's not bring that up," she said softly.

"Don't think about it, Mom," Huan added.

Suyin sighed wearily. "I'll try," she said. "But I've been invited to Prince Wu's coronation in Republic City. I don't know what's going to happen."

"Do you want us to go with you?"

"I want everyone, including the two of you, to stay here." Suyin's tone was gentle, yet firm. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

As she spoke, her youngest sons joined the three of them. "Hear that, Wing?" Wei asked his twin brother.

"Looks like we can't sneak into Republic City in Mom's bags after all."

"So much for that plan."

It was clear Suyin was trying hard not to laugh at them. She failed to hold in her laughter as they turned to Himiko and picked her up between them.

"But on the plus side, we're getting a sister!"

"I've always wanted a sister," Wing said, his tone teasing and playful.

Laughing, Himiko said, "Opal has been gone for just three years, and this is how you act? I can't wait to tell her! Now put me down!"

The twins did as they were told. "In all seriousness, though, this is amazing." Wing said. "Like Mom said, we get to officially call you our sister now."

"But we didn't think Huan would be the type to get married," Wei said, throwing his arm over his older brother's shoulders. Huan frowned at him. "Come on! You're more in love with your art than anything else."

Himiko and Suyin exchanged smiles as the twins teased their brother. "Is Himiko going to put some green in her hair, too?" Wei tugged gently at the green streak in his brother's hair.

"She keeps putting that idea down," Huan replied.

"So you don't want to match?" Wing asked, leaning close to Himiko.

She tossed her waist-length black hair over her shoulder. "I've said maybe," she said, her tone giving off the impression that she did not mean maybe when she said it. The four Beifongs laughed, causing Himiko to smile as well.


Meanwhile, inside a train, two men leaned over a map of the Earth Kingdom. The train was not moving, but many soldiers were working to get everything ready. Boxes were being loaded, people were boarding, and commands were being shouted.

"Are you sure Yi is our next location?"

"They've been having a lot of bandit issues. Like, major bandit infestation. They really could use our help."

"And Kuvira knows this?"

"Hey, the plan is to unite the entire kingdom. They have no supplies, they have bandit problems..."

"Baatar, Bolin, what's going on?"

The turn of them turned to face Kuvira, the Great Uniter herself. She stepped up in the car, then leaned over the map on the table. Bolin glanced at Baatar over her back.

"Bolin wants us to go to Yi," Baatar told her.

"And why wouldn't we? That is," she turned to Bolin, "if they need us, of course."

"They definitely need us. No supplies, terrible bandits, and I've heard they've even reached out to the Air Acolytes."

"Through Opal?" Kuvira asked, a small smile toying at her lips.

"No, no," Bolin shook his head. "Opal and I haven't talked in a while. We haven't had the chance. I've been busy, she's been busy, and - ?"

Her expression unchanging, Kuvira asked, "Do you hope to see her there?"

"Well..." Bolin began, with a laugh. "It would be nice, since you two get to see each other all the time, and all..."

Kuvira and Baatar exchanged glances. She placed her hand on her own fiancé's shoulder in a comforting manner. "Don't worry, we can bring Yi into the Empire, and we'll be in Republic City on time as well. I'll make sure of it."