Ok so I have been pretty much going crazy over Lok lately, and so I ended up making some new fics on it. My first two having to do with my favorite character Lin Beifong, and now I've decided to make a third that includes Kuvira.
After Kuvira was defeated she was sent to prison, or so it seemed. When Korra goes to confront her she comes across something completely unexpected. The person that became The Great Uniter is not who they thought, and a new evil is about to return. Korra will need all help possible to save someone who didn't deserve their fate, and before time runs out not just for them, but for the rest of the world too.
I will say this fic was inspired by an author named gothraven89 and their amazing fic 'Beneath a Veil of Bitter Ice'. If you are an Avengers fan, and you're a Loki lover all for Loki feels, then you should check it out because it is a brilliant read! Partial credit goes to them, as they did give me permission to use part of their plot for this.
I would also like to thank the author known as MusicPlayer81 as they have helped me come up with some new ideas for this fic's future chapters. They've also got a great LoK fic called 'Guess I'm Going with You', and if you haven't read it already then you should, it'll get you on the edge of your seat!
Kuvira x Bataar Jr
Lin x Kya cuz I love this pairing
Korra x Asami Sato just because
I don't own the Legend of Korra.
Enjoy!
As she walked down towards the large metal building, Avatar Korra used all mental skills available to keep her mind calm and collected. Two White Lotus guards stood on either side of the doors, both giving her light smiles as she approached them.
"Avatar Korra, you look well." the first guard, Chu bowed to her.
"You too, thanks." she bowed back.
"You've come to see Prisoner 6012 correct?" she all but bit back a retort at Kuvira's prison number, and nodded.
"I am, has anyone else been here to visit her?" he shook his head.
"Other than Chief Beifong, no one else has come." the other guard, Hong, answered her. "That was a week ago, and well…it wasn't pleasant."
"What happened?" if anything serious had gone down wouldn't the chief have said something?
"Nothing too serious, just the usual frustration of Kuvira not talking…again." Korra sighed, she was afraid of this. After Kuvira was brought here, she had been completely silent; she didn't speak or make a sound, and from what the other guards had said she spent most of her time on the floor or in the corner of her platinum cell. Korra didn't know Kuvira that well, but according to Su and the others she'd never been this quiet.
"So nothing new?"
"Afraid not, but you can try…since her trial is coming up in a few days."
"That's actually why I'm here, might be able to help if she'll talk to me." the guards exchanged a glance.
"Are you sure? One of us should probably escort you."
"Thanks Chu, but I can handle this." he gave her a look. It matched the one Tenzin had given her when she told him she wanted to come alone, and he had insisted he or someone else go with her. Asami had done the same, but Korra had put her foot down and told everyone she could do this.
"Avatar Korra, it's not that we don't trust your judgment it's just…" he sighed. "Something has been very off with the prisoner lately."
"Off how? I thought you said she's been quiet."
"She has, but last night…I can't really explain it, but she was up all night pacing in her cell. She started mumbling, I could only make out the words 'not over' and 'never again'." that was weird. "That's not even the strangest bit."
"What is?" Chu shook his head.
"I think it's best if you'd see it yourself, if it even happens. Look, I know you're the Avatar and I trust you here we all do, but for the safety and peace of mind, please let me or Hong escort you down there and wait." his tone had a slight begging sense to it, and Korra knew if any WL guard had that tone it was serious.
"Ok, you can come but I want to be alone with her while we speak."
"Fine by me, let's go." the doors were opened and Korra followed behind Chu. She could feel his unease as they passed through two corridors and to an elevator. Kuvira's cell was at the bottom, underground near the water but she wouldn't be able to bend her way out. She hadn't been imprisoned for that long, only a few months, but she was already going stir crazy? Beifong and a few others had come to see her, but she had been silent up until now.
"We're here." Chu's voice broke Korra out of her thoughts, and the elevator doors opened. Korra stepped out and then stopped suddenly, her entire body freezing up. "Are you alright?" Chu touched her shoulder.
"You can't feel that?" huge waves of spiritual energy were flowing deep in the ground, and in the walls. It was different though, it didn't feel pure or vibrant like in the spirit world, instead it was…dark, and powerful but almost lifeless.
"That's the thing I was telling you about, it's been coming around for the past few days but it feels stronger today."
"You can feel the energy, why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Because up until this point I assumed it was only the energy that flows around the city, yesterday and today though it's different." Korra could sense it, and she could feel the energy coming from the very end of the corridor, towards a large platinum door. The closer they got the stronger it felt, it was almost enough to knock Korra back a few feet, but she kept her feet planted on the ground.
"Are you sure she's in there?" Chu nodded and he began to open the locks.
"No one else has been down here other than me when I brought her food. Keep your guard up, I can tell you now this won't be easy. I'll stand out here; just knock when you need me." Korra nodded and the thick door opened. Korra took a moment to compose herself, and stepped inside with the door shutting behind her. The room was dimly lit, with a slim window on the other side, a cot just under it, a small table and chair on the left end, enough room to walk around, but the overly powerful feeling of spiritual energy was enough to make the hairs on Korra's neck stand up.
"Avatar Korra, what a pleasant surprise." the low, husky voice almost made Korra jump. She looked around and saw Kuvira, hunched over with her head in her knees, but green eyes looking directly at her.
"Kuvira."
"Of all the people to visit me before my trial, it ends up being you." the head moved up a little, and Korra was stunned at what she saw. Kuvira's olive skin was pale, almost sickly looking; her eyes were dulled out from their usual shine with heavy bags underneath, and her face looked thin with her cheekbones showing.
"Your trial is in a few days, I wanted to come and check on you." the other woman laughed.
"Check on me? Of what convenience would it be for you to see me? Are you going to try and intimidate me into confessing my crimes? I doubt there's any point to it now." Korra glared.
"I came to help you, not interrogate you Kuvira. You've got a lot going against you but it'll help if you show a little remorse." Kuvira stared at her.
"Remorse for what? Giving the Earth Kingdom an army strong enough to protect itself? Modernizing it from an ancient relic of society? Uniting the whole nation so it could exist peacefully? Building a weapon that could easily make all enemies of the empire fear the nation? I really don't see what the fuss is about." Korra felt her nerves heat up, she couldn't really believe all that.
"You became a dictator and bullied people into following you, you stole spirit vines and almost got yourself and others killed because of their power, and you pretty much made the Earth Kingdom live in fear after you usurped the throne from Prince Wu." Kuvira scoffed.
"That worthless wimp knew nothing of leading a kingdom; he just sat in his comfy little home and kept himself pampered while I was out there making the nation great again." Korra hated to admit that was true, but things were different now.
"That didn't give you the right to dethrone him; you could've at least given him a chance."
"Regardless I did more than he or the Earth Queen ever have in the past, I'm only sorry I didn't get to kill him." that shocked Korra to the very core of her body. Where was all this hostility coming from?
"What is wrong with you? Can't you see that you've done more harm than good, yes you made the Earth Kingdom better, but you've hurt many innocents even the Beifongs." that got another laugh.
"Spare me the sob stories avatar that family wasn't much of one to me to begin with."
"That's not true, Su raised and cared for you when you were younger. I know she wasn't the best guardian but she gave you a home." Kuvira's eyes glared so hard Korra saw a light of rage flicker in them.
"A home maybe, but she never made me part of her family. Tell me something Korra, when you first visited Su in Zaofu did she introduce me as her daughter? Did you ever see me dine with her? Was I in any of the family photos in her office? Or better yet, did any of her real kids think of me as a sister?" Korra could feel the angry rage vibrating off the woman, it was powerful and frightening. How was she supposed to answer that? After a few minutes of Korra's silence Kuvira leaned back against the wall, giving a snicker at the avatar. "I didn't think so."
"Look, I get it ok? You had a messed up life and you think Su took advantage of your abilities, but it's nothing like that. I talked with Su yesterday; she does feel bad that she didn't step up when the other leaders asked her to…"
"But she doesn't regret that she abandoned me at the first chance, I'm not surprised she would after all this." Korra slammed her fist into the wall.
"Stop putting words in my mouth Kuvira, I can't help you if you won't let me."
"I don't want nor do I need your help Avatar, you can proclaim you wish to help me all you want, you can beg me to plead guilty to my crimes whether or not I am so, but you will never get me to back down. I did what I had to for the best of the empire. My only problem was you getting in my way." Korra sighed and rubbed at her eyes, this was not going the way she hoped it would.
"I know you wanted to create a world of peace for your people, I get that you wanted to help them. I also know you were abandoned by your parents, I know how it feels to be afraid…" Korra was cut off when Kuvira started laughing again, only this time it was more…maniacal?
"Afraid? Believe me avatar, you and the rest of the world don't know what true fear is…yet." Korra narrowed her eyes.
"What're you talking about?" she felt a stronger surge of spiritual energy flow around Kuvira, it was strong, but something was controlling it.
"You'll just have to wait and find out on the day of my trial, and that's all I've got to say to you." Kuvira turned around to face the wall, and Korra felt the energy in the room diminish slightly.
"What's going on Kuvira?" the look she got made her extremely uneasy, this was not the Kuvira Korra had encountered in Zaofu, no this was someone else.
"Get out."
"Kuvira…"
"I SAID GET OUT!" the energy level rose up again, and Korra was flown back into the wall. The door slammed open and Chu charged at Kuvira, but she stayed put.
"What happened?" he went over to Korra.
"I don't know…but I think we should leave." Korra let him help her stand up and lead her out the door. As soon as the locks were all in place she felt a shift in the air, and the energy all but disappeared.
"Are you alright? Do you need medical help?" Korra shook her head.
"I'm fine physically, but I sure didn't expect that." he gave her look.
"I told you didn't I?"
"Yeah you did, and all I can say is that something is completely off, but I can't understand where all that spirit energy is coming from." Chu sighed.
"I was afraid of that, but at least you see it now."
"Definitely, I'm gonna go speak with Tenzin he might know something. If not we'll just have to wait until the trial." Korra took a few deep breaths before she followed Chu out of the huge prison, and Hong judging by the look on his face already knew what happened. Korra said nothing and bowed, she wasn't sure what to think of all this and it almost terrified her.
'Just have to stay positive, and hope the council can do more to help her.' Korra had spoken with Zhu Li a few times, since she was the new president of Republic City. Her hope was to get Kuvira some help but keep her isolated still, and Zhu Li somewhat agreed. The only trouble was getting the court council to agree, and it would help if someone could speak on Kuvira's behalf but no one came forward. Even the Beifongs had all disowned her, well…all except Bataar Jr.
Korra had gone to visit him in his own little prison, which was actually in Republic City's jailhouse. He got regular visits from his parents, both of whom were pushing to have him sent back to Zaofu, but Korra knew that was the last place he wanted to be spending his sentence. He said he would rather spend it in Republic City, regardless of the time since he would be the laughing stock of his hometown. Kuvira's betrayal had hurt him deeply, but he still loved her; Korra felt for him, she could see that being around the woman had toughened him up but at the same time alienated him from his family. He'd paid a huge price, and now he had to pay it back to society.
Suyin was another case entirely, Korra had asked if she was willing to go visit Kuvira but she declined even when brought up the chance to maybe help Kuvira's case. Su was adamant that the girl who was once her protégé deserved whatever she got, and didn't care if she suffered. Thinking back on Kuvira's words, Korra began to wonder if they were true. Did Su really love Kuvira as a daughter? She didn't remember seeing Kuvira around the other Beifongs until Opal had left for Air Temple Island and well…Su hadn't introduced her as family.
'It really doesn't help, but it's not an excuse either.' Korra continued walking until she reached the car, where Asami was waiting for her. She smiled at her girlfriend, and Asami pulled her to a hug.
"How did it go?" Korra pulled away slightly.
"I…it's not good." the older girl frowned.
"She didn't accept your help?"
"More like she spat it back at me, something's wrong with her but I can't tell what." Korra went on to explain everything she encountered in the cell, even with the White Lotus guards. By the time she finished Asami looked worried, and hugged her again.
"I think you should talk with Tenzin and the chief, maybe Jinora too since she's very spiritual."
"I plan on it, but for now…let's just head back to your place. I think I need a breather right now." Asami didn't argue, Korra was glad; normally she would tell Korra to deal with the problem right there, but in this case she needed a break. They would likely see the others tonight anyway, so Korra could talk with them then.
later that evening:
"Thanks for coming over Tenzin, chief." Korra greeted the two after Asami's butler let them into the mansion.
"It's no trouble kid, today's been slow." Lin nodded at her.
"You sounded concerned over the phone; did everything go alright with Kuvira?" Tenzin asked the question but he already knew the answer. Lin knew it too, but she kept quiet.
"Let's go somewhere private, Asami's working upstairs and Mako's family is out back." she didn't want anyone to walk in on their conversation; the two adults were led into a small sitting room away from any prying eyes. Korra locked the door behind them, leaned against it, and sighed while rubbing her tired eyes.
"What happened out there?" Lin's eyes narrowed slightly and Korra sat down on the couch.
"It was bad, and I'm almost certain that the woman in that cell is not the same Kuvira you arrested before. I don't think it's even the same Kuvira who was once Su's captain, or the woman that stabilized the Earth Kingdom."
"What do you mean Korra?"
"Tenzin, it's like she switched personalities or something; I think being in jail is making her insane." Korra started describing Kuvira's act to the two, and while Tenzin looked both worried and horrified, Lin was passive.
"She could be acting to get your sympathy kid, you can't trust her."
"I know that, but I think something is really wrong even the guards think the same. Chu, he's one of the best ones, he said he heard her pacing and mumbling to herself all last night but it was odd…the way she was talking."
"What all did she say?"
"He couldn't fully understand her, but it was something like 'it's not over'." both adults exchanged a look.
"You saw her before Korra Lin, how was she?" Lin's eyes closed in annoyance.
"She wouldn't talk to me or anyone, some of my best officers including Mako couldn't break her silence. How did she look when you saw her?" Korra cringed slightly.
"Awful, she looks so sick but her physical health according to Chu is fine. She's been eating and walking in her cell, but she almost looks like death." Tenzin tensed up.
"Perhaps we should get a healer to look her over?" he turned to Lin.
"I'd have to get approval from Raiko, and I can tell you now he'll refuse. After everything Kuvira did he'll want her to suffer before the trial." Korra glared.
"We have to do something, and it's not just her appearance and attitude that scares me…it's what I felt around her that does."
"Felt?"
"Chu sensed some powerful spirit energy surround Kuvira's cell, and when I went to talk with her I sensed it too in the corridor and all around her."
"That's…not possible. Kuvira is not spiritually inclined…" Tenzin thought for a moment. "Jinora hasn't been picking up any oddities lately…" Lin nudged him.
"That could be because she's spending a lot of time with Kai and the others at the Southern Air Temple remember?"
"Oh, yes that's right I sent them on a trip last week but they'll be back tomorrow."
"Good, maybe she hel…"
"Guys!" Korra didn't mean to shout. "Look that's not all, the energy I felt from the usual around the city was stronger, and it feels dark like when I fought Unalaq."
"Dark? Dark spirit energy…" Tenzin's worry increased. "It can't be…"
"I don't want to believe it either, but it looks like it. I'm going to head into the vine forest tomorrow and see if the other spirits know anything. This city is flowing with spiritual energy, yet I can only sense this odd energy around Kuvira."
"Could it be an after effect from that weapon?"
"I don't know, I'd have to ask Varrick but he and Jr spent more time around those vines than her and neither of them have any side effects that I've seen." Lin thought for a moment.
"I could talk to Jr, but then I'd have to involve Su." Korra sighed.
"Is she still babying him?"
"That's putting it mildly, and I can tell you now Jr wants none of it. I saw him the other day, she's been going on about getting Raiko to let him serve his sentence in Zaofu."
"He's already told her he doesn't want that, hasn't he?"
"Multiple times, her husband agrees but she's insistent. I've tried to tell her Raiko might use him to help repair the city and expand it, but she's…" Lin groaned. "She's Su."
"Opal hasn't been to see him has she?" Lin shook her head.
"She asks about him, and she too thinks he should serve his time here. The twins they don't care right now, and Huan…well he hasn't said much of anything."
"Why is Su so overprotective? I get he's her kid and all but he had a part in this too, he did everything for Kuvira and he did it willingly."
"I know kid, but that's how Su is…I can try talking to Raiko myself, and I'll try for the healer with Kuvira but for now I think we should all wait until the trial before anything else."
"Why not ask Kya?" Tenzin pitched in. "She's in town working at the hospital, maybe she can drop by the prison and check Kuvira over." they both missed the slight sparkle in Lin's eyes at the mention of Tenzin's sister.
"That might work." Korra looked at Lin.
"It might, but…" they knew what she worried about.
"Raiko won't know, if he asks we'll find a reason for it but Kya will know what to do. Our mother did train her after all."
"And she has some spiritual abilities, it couldn't hurt." Lin held up her hands.
"Alright, alright I'll call her tonight and ask and if she agrees we'll go first thing in the morning and by we I mean me and Korra."
"That's fine, and when Jinora returns we'll investigate that energy."
"Very well, but let's not say a word of this to Jr or Su until we have more information to go on." all three nodded in agreement. "Good, I'll head back to the station and get the paperwork ready just in case. You two stay low for now."
"Got it, thanks chief." Lin left the room swift and quick. "Tenzin, I know you wanted to go with me today…" He stopped her with a hand on her shoulder.
"It's fine, I know you wanted to make sure Kuvira was alright; although now I fear things might be worse than we thought."
"I just don't understand why she's like this; even Zaheer was completely sane when I confronted him in his cell." Tenzin gave a slight glare, but not in anger.
"Zaheer has had time to ponder his mistakes, and he can meditate into the spirit world so I'm sure he's had some guidance. Whether he's changed or not is a different matter, but his own airbender ways have kept his mind clean somewhat."
"True, but still all the members of the Red Lotus were nearly sane when they broke out of jail." Tenzin put a hand on Korra's shoulder.
"We'll try and be optimistic about this; Kuvira is definitely the most hard-headed person I've ever met next to Lin. I may not know her well, but I can see perhaps she's a bit...mentally unstable."
"It still doesn't make sense, and I can't begin to understand…" Tenzin gave a gentle squeeze on her shoulder, and Korra's hand covered his.
"Korra, let's just wait until Kya examines Kuvira, and after that we'll figure things out alright?" Korra relaxed and lightly smiled. Tenzin was still somewhat of a stiff, but he knew how to help others feel the twinge of much needed hope.
"Alright, thanks Tenzin." they shared a brief hug.
"I'm going to head home; Oogi's no doubt tired and Pema will be waiting on me. Are you going to be fine here until tomorrow?"
"I think so, I'll just try and sleep it off. Thanks again for coming."
"I'm always happy to be available if needed, goodnight Korra."
"Goodnight Tenzin, tell Pema I said hello." after watching her old mentor leave the room Korra collapsed back onto the couch. A few minutes later Asami came in and sat beside her, and Korra leaned into her girlfriend's shoulder.
"I saw them both leave, you ok?" Korra nodded. "Are you sure?"
"Not a hundred percent no, but I'm better than earlier." Asami smiled and hugged her around the shoulders.
"Think you can eat something? And then maybe go to bed?"
"I'm not very hungry Sams."
"At least eat some fruit, you won't be able to sleep with an empty stomach." Korra didn't move. "Korra, you need your strength. Please? For me?" Korra both loved and hated when Asami said 'for me', and added a please to it. She even had on her 'pitiful polar bear puppy eyes', something she picked up from Naga no doubt.
"Ok, put the eyes away I'll eat." Asami smiled and kissed her cheek, leaving a red imprint on the tanned skin.
"You might wanna wipe your face honey." Korra gasped and felt the makeup on her cheek, and then swatted Asami on the shoulder. The girl ran off laughing, with a smiling Avatar chasing her into the kitchen. Moments like this always made Korra feel better, but she knew despite it all, tomorrow was going to be tough.
Ok so this wasn't exactly how I wanted to end it but I had to cut it off somewhere. I did want to go in a little further but I think I'll save the real drama for the next chapter. I won't give away anything, but will tell you now this is a Kuvira feelsy fic.
The pairings for this fic are as listed above, but the two main ones are Baavira and Korrasami and this is my first time writing with these two so please bear with me. Updates will come when I can get them ready, I'm on a roll with LoK and I have a new Harry Potter fic I have to update as well. My older fics are on hiatus for now, but none are cancelled in case you want to check them out.
R&R please, they really help build confidence in fics like this.
Later!