(IMPORTANT NOTE 2019: I've been wanting to re-edit this fic, however I think I will be doing so as an original story, without ties to "The Dictator." It would be a mesh of both "Book 5: Redemption" and "He's A Man, Not Amon," simultaneously redeeming both Kuvira and Noatak (and Lee). (Note that a few chapters of "Kuvira Fluff" would be affected too. I aspire to do this to no longer feel like I'm leeching off of riot3672's work, to make things more efficient all around, and to leave this as a showing of just how far I feel my writing has come. My life has gotten increasingly busy over the past few years, so I have no set dates as to when I'd do this. I'm also beginning work on my own original novel which is a dumb idea since I still have such a big fanfiction backlog. Regardless, these are my plans that I think readers might be interested to hear. Cheers and blessings.)
Disclaimer:
Obviously this is not the actual fifth book of Legend of Korra, that beautiful wonderful cover pic is not mine, and (roll with me on this) I'm basing this after the events of another little fanfic titled The Dictator as written by the extremely talented riot3672, of which I claim absolutely no ownership of or partnership with.
I don't know if there's some policy against this or something, but I got this idea after reading it, and out of all the Kuvira fics I've read (that's a lot), everything adds up. I could seriously see it becoming an official comic or mini-series or something. It's awesome. It'll make you cry. I wish so hard LOK went where it did (though given a few maturity tweaks here and there.) That being said, I feel I should point out that in The Dictator, Korra and Kuvira kinda end up becoming a couple (which means yeah, Korra and Asami broke up with each other (it was mutual)) so, just know that those happened. It's a little important.
I sincerely insist you read it regardless! If not, I just can't do it justice or encompass all the emotional weight (there's a lot of that), but here's as brief a summary of The Dictator as I can make:
SPOILERS for it obviously...
Since the end of Book 4, Kuvira has been imprisoned in solitary confinement. Just when it seemed like everyone had abandoned her to suffer in guilt and depression for over half of her life in prison, Korra showed up. She promised that she would be with Kuvira every step of the way, to visit her in prison every week, to guide her healing and transformation into the woman she used to be before the "Great Uniter" facade took over.
It's been a very long and incredibly emotional five years for Kuvira, but now thanks to King Wu of all people, she is now free from prison, no longer having to endure a thirty-year sentence!
Kuvira has made unbelievable progress in her rehabilitation. She has learned from her mistakes, realized her flaws and strengths, and has made amends with nearly everyone she has hurt in the past (including Baatar Jr., Bolin, Opal, Toph, and especially Suyin.) Since her release, Kuvira and Korra have been traveling around the Earth Kingdom, delivering food, rebuilding villages, curing sicknesses, taking out bandits and thugs, and doing other positive works for the Earth Kingdom in its time of hardship.
King Wu's new government for the Earth Kingdom didn't work out quite as well as everyone would have hoped. The people of the Earth Kingdom don't seem to want a system where they make all of the decisions for themselves. They are used to having someone make all the decisions for them. So, a new course of action had to be taken. While she was still imprisoned, Kuvira helped Wu create another new type of government: a constitutional monarchy, a system where the people appoint a prime minister and mitigating council, and where a king exists to be more of a figurehead than an actual ruler. The world leaders weren't sure who would be a good candidate for this, but Wu would only trust one person to become the new prime minister: Kuvira.
Kuvira fearfully hesitated taking up another political position (for obvious reasons), and the world leaders initially voted against her as well, but Korra and others have tried convincing her to accept, including Arnav, a sympathetic prison guard whom Kuvira became close to during her sentence, and Chief Lin, surprisingly, who occasionally shared some encouraging words and wisdom as her warden.
With recent publicity from winning an Earth Rumble match (Kuvira was unknowingly chosen to fight, thanks to Toph), all the good works she and Korra have been doing, and leaping off of a roof to save Wu's life during an assassination attempt, Kuvira was elected in a unanimous landslide.
Kuvira has begun to realize that people don't fear or hate her like she thought they would. Instead, they rally behind her and trust her, just like they used to back at the start of her campaign to reunite the Earth Kingdom. The world leaders' fear of Kuvira being a "polarizing figure" had dwindled. Kuvira accepted becoming Prime Minister, free from fear of being rejected. With her mind in the right place, she's more than ready to help her nation get back on its feet.
Along with her brand-new job, Kuvira has adopted three orphaned children that she met and bonded with during her and Korra's travels: Park, Anaya, and Takeo. She's also hired Arnav to babysit for them on occasion.
Kuvira's present is bright, and her future looks brighter. She's finally healed of everything that has happened to her in the past, and she couldn't be more grateful for everything that Korra has done for her.
She's finally happy.
And with that, hope you enjoy :)
Book 5: Redemption
Chapter 1: Old Friends, Old Enemies
The night of Kuvira's inauguration ball was absolutely beautiful in every single way.
Kuvira had just convinced Baatar Jr. to break away from the other Beifongs to dance with her for a song or two. A tad reluctantly, he agreed to it.
Despite all the little lessons Kuvira gave him in what little spare time they had back when they were still fiancés, dance was never really Baatar's forte.
"Wow," Suyin said in awe, sitting next to Korra, watching the two of them dance their hearts out. "She's...amazing. You're amazing." She turned to Korra. "Everything you two have accomplished together is just...amazing."
Korra smiled at her. "Thank you, Su."
Suyin looked back at a stumbling Baatar and a laughing Kuvira.
She was just radiant. Pure. Happy. Happier than Su had ever seen her in the past. She truly seemed finally healed of all the damage and pain that had plagued her life before.
"Amazing" had only barely started describing it all.
"N-No," Suyin said, wiping her eyes as she looked back at Korra. "Thank you."
Korra's memories were halted by a groaning Mako.
"Ugh. Where is she for crying out loud? We've been waiting for almost an hour!"
Korra sighed. "Mako, she's gonna be busy! It's not like she can just take a break or a day off or something whenever she feels like it!"
"But isn't she supposed to be going on a vacation?" Mako asked. "Like, today?"
"W...Well I..." Korra frowned in defeat. "Just give her a couple more minutes."
Mako grunted and crossed his arms. Korra grunted as well. She went back to looking around at all of the people walking and talking in the Earth Parliament building's spacious, humbly decorated lobby.
They were all there for a good reason, Korra assumed, all in charge of something somewhere in the Earth Kingdom, all of them there for something important. But none of them were quite as important as who she and Mako were at Ba Sing Se for.
Man, I hope we can find her. I hope she's not super busy. What am I saying? Of course she is! Ohh, I wonder what she's up to right now? A meeting? Paperwork? That'd be boring. She probably enjoys it though. She's weird like that.
After several more people shuffled around, Korra finally spotted her.
"Oh! Mako, I see her! Come on!"
"Ugh, finally!"
As they walked over (Mako walked, Korra ran) they saw that she was talking with three other men: some mayor or chief with his consultants. They seemed somewhat exasperated as they spoke with this woman, no doubt from all the waiting for a chance to speak with her.
She spoke just like she did in her earlier days, with confidence, poise, dignity, arms behind her back and head held high. The air of an experienced politician.
Despite consulting with dozens upon dozens of others before this, she seemed just as patient and thoughtful and composed as she would at any other time.
Years in prison can do that to a person.
"Yes," she consoled the officials. "It is on my list of states that require improved agricultural regulations. I will get to it when I have the chance. Trust me, I haven't been neglecting it. I will send the necessary equipment and protocol forms over for you in an upcoming shipment as soon as I possibly can."
The eldest of the three men sighed, scratching his chin. "Alright, yes, yes. It's just that we have been low on crop production for over a month now, and, well," he said with a good-natured chuckle, "people tend to need a little to eat now and again!"
She politely chuckled along with him before he continued. "Ahh, yes. We trust you will get to us eventually." He bowed respectfully. "Thank you for your time, Prime Minister."
His consultants bowed as well before they all walked away, finally leaving the Prime Minister alone.
"Hey!" Korra called out to her, waving an arm over her head.
The Prime Minister looked straight forward at the sound of Korra's voice, then turned around sharply, her arms still behind her back. An indifference graced her prim posture upon seeing the Avatar. They walked up to each other as Mako stood on.
The Prime Minister acknowledged Korra with an upturned nose. "Avatar Korra," she greeted, unblinking and straight-faced.
"Illustrious Prime Minister Kuvira," Korra announced with mock reverence, bowing and gesturing grandly. Mako looked between the two of them during their moment of silence.
Korra blinked. Kuvira blinked.
Korra bit down a smile. Kuvira blinked again.
Korra smirked. Kuvira rolled her shoulders.
Korra snorted trying not to giggle.
But Kuvira burst out laughing first.
They held each others shoulders as they laughed together, also holding their stomachs as well. Once they finally stopped, Kuvira sighed with a grin, wiping the corner of her eye. "Ohhh my," she said, shaking her head. She looked back up with a smile. "It's so good to see you again, Korra."
Korra smiled and nodded before they embraced. "You too."
"Man!" Mako called to Kuvira as he walked up to them. "About time you got to us!"
Kuvira lost her smile, then worriedly held her forehead. "Oh. Oh no! I'm so sorry! I haven't kept you waiting long, have I?"
Mako opened his mouth to answer with the truth, but Korra cut him off. "Nope! We're good! Just a few minutes tops, nothin' major." She glanced at Mako with a smirk, then looked back at Kuvira. "So, how've you been doing?"
Kuvira started smiling again. "Just fantastic! Busy, but fantastic. To tell the truth, I think I kind of like it that way, even if it means Arnav has to babysit the kids more often. It's not like any of them mind though."
Korra couldn't help but smile as well. "That's great! How are they?"
Kuvira lit up. "Oh Anaya is just a natural at dancing! She is absolutely gorgeous when she does too. I can't believe she didn't ask to start taking lessons sooner. I keep trying to find a studio or some place where she would want to go practice with other kids, but she doesn't want anyone else but me to teach her!"
Korra laughed. "That sounds like her alright."
Kuvira nodded. "Yep. And Takeo's earthbending is just as solid as her dancing. He hasn't quite grasped metalbending yet, but he'll get it eventually, I can tell. He's more determined than anyone I've ever seen."
Korra smiled. "And Park?"
Kuvira smiled and stared off into space, sighing. "Just as docile and carefree as a toddler can be."
"Wow. Great!" Korra's usual smile started to die down a bit. "You," she started with worry, "haven't been having too many panic attacks lately, have you?"
Kuvira shook her head honestly. "No, actually. Not much at all. I've been stressed from time to time of course, but I haven't had an actual attack in almost three weeks."
Korra breathed a massive sigh of relief. "Wow, I...I just...Great! So, would you be ready to leave yet?"
Kuvira unconsciously twirled her bangs with a finger. "Oh. Um, well..."
Mako tilted his head back and groaned.
"Oh don't worry, Mako!" Kuvira reassured. "It's just a couple of papers and forms that I need to have filled out. It won't take long, I promise."
"Yeah," Korra joined in with a smirk. "She'll work much faster now that she realizes you have such a busy schedule."
Mako rolled his eyes and turned to walk away. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. I'll be waiting outside."
#
Korra walked with Kuvira to her office in the Prime Minister's wing of the Earth Parliament building.
"So," Korra asked, "who's in charge of everything while you're gone, exactly?"
"The members of the council will all share responsibility during my vacation," Kuvira answered. "Everything I would have to do, they will have to do. The thing is, it wasn't my idea to go on this vacation, and I don't think I need it either."
"But you deserve it," Korra said. "You've been working hard."
"That I can't argue."
They turned a corner that led down a hall. "Wu hasn't been giving you much trouble, has he?" Korra asked.
Kuvira raised a brow. "Trouble? Hardly! He's been doing more work than I ever expected him to, and he's not supposed to be doing much of anything! Say what you will about him, but just when I thought he'd matured as much as he possibly could, he somehow surprised me even more."
"Huh," Korra said, nodding. "Good for him." After a moment, she smirked. "Has he found a girlfriend yet?"
Kuvira tried her hardest not to smirk as well. "Despite being named 'Wu', it seems that's the one thing he still can't do."
Korra laughed as the two of them walked into Kuvira's office. While it was remarkably neat and tidy, as Kuvira always was, if someone were to glance inside, the first thing they'd notice would be papers, lots of papers, all piled onto different desks and tables. Not exactly sprawled around the room, but still.
"So," Korra said as she closed the door behind them, looking around the spacey room, "this is where you hang out most of the time?"
Kuvira chuckled as she sat down at her main desk, beginning to sort through documents. "Well, not exactly. For paperwork, yes, but most of my time is spent in meetings, conferences, the occasional interview, and so forth."
Korra blinked unenthusiastically. "That sounds like a lot of the same stuff."
"It mostly is," Kuvira said, signing a document. "But, it's what I'm good at. Oh, and sorry about all the papers. I'm usually on top of everything, but with a few straggling states in the housing department, food supply as you saw earlier, and trying to keep up appearances...I'm swamped."
Korra snorted, smirking. "Yeah, cuz this little mess of yours isn't a dead-giveaway of that."
Kuvira held up a finger without looking at Korra. "This isn't a mess. Everything is organized and in its place, where it should...belong?"
Kuvira had found herself looking at a paper titled Infrastructure Developments that she'd taken out of a folder labeled Agriculture Protocols. She had a look of innocent surprise on her face, or self-disappointment, or something inbetween.
Korra walked up with a giggle and leaned on the desk. "Looks like somebody could use a little break, huh?"
"N-No, I'm fine," Kuvira absentmindedly said, getting up and putting the paper on a different desk. "Huh," she mumbled to herself, "I never misplace papers like that..."
Korra furrowed her brow in concern. "Really, Kuvira," she asked a tad more insistently, "you sure you're good?"
"Yes, yes. I just need a minute more and then I'm finished."
Korra nodded. "Alright." She thought for a moment, then smirked. "Wu might be right. Maybe you need this vacation more than you think."
"Pretending I didn't hear that."
After a little over five minutes of Kuvira sorting papers, walking back and forth between desks, and occasionally humming to herself, she finally sighed with a wipe of her brow. "Alright!" she announced. "Done!"
Korra almost dropped some ornate candle she had been fiddling with. "Whoa! Um...okay! Let's get going!"
Kuvira laughed as she walked over to her closet. "Korra, I can most likely replace anything that gets broken, but could you please try to preserve the odds and ends for me?"
"Hey, no promises."
Kuvira took off her outer robes and necklaces and hung them up on the closet rungs. She metalbent the Kyoshi Medal of Freedom bracelets off of her wrists and formed them into the original medallion, setting it on the top shelf. She substituted it with several metal strips from her boots, bending those around her upper-arms. She comfortably wrapped bandage wraps around her wrists and across her palms, then adjusted the collar of her sleeveless green tunic.
"Shall we go now?" she asked as she turned, undoing her bun, starting to put her hair into that braid of hers.
Korra grabbed her arm and pulled them both through an opened window without a word.
#
"Did you get bored, Mako?" Korra teased as she and Kuvira walked up to him outside the Parliament building.
Mako rolled his eyes with crossed arms, leaning against a satomobile. "Hey, I can go for a few minutes waiting without getting bored." He smirked. "But, a little company doesn't hurt either," he said, nodding towards—
"Arnav! Kids!" Kuvira exclaimed, still rubbing the bump on her head.
Surprising Kuvira with a change of plans, Arnav had arrived at the Parliament building with Takeo, Anaya, and little Park. The kids all ran and hugged Kuvira in a flurry of giggles.
Kuvira always made the effort to see her children as often as she could despite all of her work, but that didn't stop them from greeting their adoptive mother like she had just gotten back for the first time in several months.
"Guys," Kuvira chuckled as she knelt, "what happened? I thought I was supposed to come back home to pick you up!"
"We wanted to surprise you!" Anaya said, happily hopping up and down. "Arnav said it'd be fun!"
Kuvira, still kneeling, looked up at Arnav, who was chuckling with crossed arms. She smiled. "Well, I guess you did."
"Hey, Mom!" Takeo asked, barely able to contain himself despite being the oldest of the three children. "Do we really get to ride a sky bison?"
Kuvira giggled. "Yes, Tak. Oogi's over there by Auntie Korra."
Takeo looked over, and nearly exploded with excitement. "Whoa!" he exclaimed, running over to the friendly sky bison. "He's so big and fuzzy!"
Kuvira chuckled and looked back up at Arnav. "They were good?" she asked, as if there was ever going to be a different answer.
Arnav chuckled as well. "Yep, as always. Little tykes make the job easy for me." He ruffled Park's hair, the toddler giggling. "Boy, they really are your kids, always helping each other out, always looking out for each other. It's like they barely need me! Oh, and speaking of jobs, I'm sorry to say this, but...you're gonna need to find another sitter."
"Really?" Kuvira asked as she stood, Anaya gently taking Park by his hand and leading him over to Oogi. "What for?"
"Penitentiary is calling me back for duty," Arnav said grimly. "Within the week."
"Oh," Kuvira said in somber surprise. "That's...unfortunate. I don't know anyone I trust with them as well as I trust you."
Arnav smiled and shook his head. "Thanks, Kuvira. I...almost want to say it's been an honor watching your kids..."
Kuvira hugged him. "Thank you," she said softly, "for everything you've done for me."
He hugged her back. "Anytime."
With their hug over, Arnav walked back to his satomobile, waving goodbye to everyone.
"Kuviraaa!" Korra called atop Oogi, trying to keep Takeo from jumping off of the bison. "We'd better get going now!"
"Coming!" Kuvira yelled back, running over to Oogi and climbing on top of him with everyone else.
"Auntie Korra?" Takeo asked, once he'd calmed down and settled in her lap, holding Oogi's reins. "Can I make him fly?"
Korra smiled. "Sure, Tak! Go for it!"
Takeo had been waiting for this moment for what felt like forever.
"Oogi, yip yip!"
Oogi promptly growled and fell over on his side.
#
Iroh chuckled before taking a sip of his warm cup of jasmine tea.
"So," he asked his unexpected, but not at all unwelcome visitor, "I trust you found your way here without much trouble?"
Zuko stroked his beard. "Well, Korra's directions weren't exactly the most, um, direct, and some spirits seem get a kick out of giving others the wrong directions." He looked down, mumbling, "I could've sworn I passed that talking mushroom nearly four times..." He looked back up, smiling. "But, I'm here now. And I have to say, Uncle, a tea shop in the middle of the Spirit World really says everything about you."
Iroh laughed. "Yes, I suppose it does!" He took another sip of his tea. "So, how are Mai and little Izumi doing?"
Zuko sipped his tea also. "Izumi is doing quite well, though she isn't exactly 'little' Izumi anymore. She really has become the Fire Lord that the Fire Nation deserves. She has kept peace for years, and I think she will continue to do so! She hardly ever sees the need for military action or any sort of violence at all. She has learned to be very considerate of her nation's history with wars."
"Ah, she does sound like an exceptional Fire Lord." Iroh took another sip. "What about Mai?"
Zuko lowered his cup, solemn. "She...passed away, long ago."
"Oh. I am sorry. From age?"
"Fortunately, yes. But, she is in a better place now." Zuko rubbed his thumb against the side of his cup in thought. "Perhaps she'll get the chance to come here to the Spirit World and meet you in some time."
"Ah, yes! She just might!" Iroh took another sip. "Has Izumi had any children of her own?"
Zuko smiled. "Actually, yes! Just one though. But she picked a fantastic name for him: Iroh."
Iroh smiled, curious. "Oh really? Tell me more about this young man!"
"Well for starters, he's a general in the United Forces."
"Oh, so Iroh is a military man," Iroh said, thoughtfully handling his cup. "Sounds oddly like someone I know of..."
Zuko chuckled. "I should say so. He has even helped the Avatar on several occasions!"
"How fascinating. Is he a firebender?"
"One of the best I've ever seen! I gave him some lessons myself, told him to remember his basics, like you always did for me."
"Well," Iroh said with a chuckle, "your grandson sounds like he is going to be quite the adventurous man! That is, if he isn't already."
Iroh's smiled started to fade. His eyes fell to his cup.
Zuko stopped sipping his tea and furrowed his brow. "Is there something wrong, Uncle?"
Iroh blinked and shook his head. "Oh, no. No, no." He looked back up and smiled. "I just can't believe that I am getting this wonderful chance to see you again, my nephew."
Zuko returned the smile. "Likewise."
#
With Oogi awake and flying, it was going to be a little over a day's journey to get to Republic City from Ba Sing Se.
Kuvira just hoped Arnav had made sure that the kids knew that.
As Korra and Takeo flew Oogi, Park sat in Kuvira's lap, playing with her braid. Anaya was settled down next to Mako. "Your hair is really pointy," the timid girl told him.
"Uh, thanks," he said, his arms crossed. "I know."
"...Can I touch it?"
Mako raised a brow.
"Welp!" Korra suddenly announced. "We got a day 'til we reach Air Temple Island, and lots of catching up to do!" She and Takeo climbed onto Oogi's saddle. She sat down and eagerly rested her chin in her hands, looking at Kuvira. "Tell me everything!" She pointed. "And don't leave anything out!"
Kuvira laughed as Park kept playing with her hair. "Okay, okay. Alright." She looked at Mako. "Should I start from the beginning since Mako's here?"
He shrugged. "Hey, if you want. I'll listen."
Kuvira brushed her hair out of her face from the wind. "Okay. So, you're aware we live in a house in the Upper Ring? A ways away from the palace and the Parliament building?"
Mako raised a brow in surprise. "No, I wasn't actually! Really? I kinda thought you, like, I don't know...lived in the palace! Or at least near it. I was kinda under the impression that you got treated like royalty, at least a little bit sometimes."
Kuvira laughed. "Oh, no! I don't want the kids to have to live like that. In fact, I don't want to live like that! I just want my kids and I to live simply and peacefully."
"Ah," Mako said with a smile, watching Park as he climbed off his mother's lap and toddled over to Korra. "I can understand that. Getting away from running a nation as much as you can wouldn't hurt, would it?"
Kuvira chuckled. "Yes, exactly. And I enjoy a little commute to work everyday too, to get some exercise, fresh air, sunshine." Her eyes fell and her voice got quieter. "Prison has a way of making you appreciate nature more."
After a slightly solemn moment, she looked back up and continued. "It's a nice home, lots of room and yard space for the kids to run around and play in. Not too big, not too small. Just right for a family of four."
Mako and Korra exchanged a mischievous look.
Kuvira raised a brow. "Um...what are you two thinking about?"
They both started to snicker, much to Kuvira's growing nervousness.
Korra finally stopped giggling and spoke up. "Have you considered making it a family of five again?"
Kuvira might as well have been blushing. "I-I...A husband? O-Or another wife? I-I...W-Who? I mean, who would...H-How...?"
Korra and Mako laughed. "Oh come on, Kuvira! We're only teasing!"
Kuvira looked away, sheepishly muttering, "If either of you try to hook me up with someone on my personal vacation, I swear..."
#
Baatar Jr. ran his fingers through his sweaty hair as he hunched over his desk.
Why? Why is it doing this? What could possibly be the problem here?
His eyes flickered over his schematics. He tapped a pencil against his bearded, stubbly chin.
Man, I should shave.
Huan suddenly ran into Baatar's office, blurting, "Baatar! Dad says there's another leak! In the south complex!"
Baatar slammed his hands against his cluttered desk, making several cups and rulers jump. "GAH!" He collected himself with a sigh. "Thank you, Huan! But knowing there's another leak isn't going to help me figure out why the plumbing is leaking!"
Huan scratched his head has he walked up next to his brother. "This isn't happening cuz you guys used different metals for the new piping, is it?"
Baatar set his pencil down and stood up. "No, that shouldn't be an issue. Besides, it's not leaking exclusively in the newly-refurbished areas. You guys are getting people to fix them, right?"
"Yeah, Opal's trying to find, like, every plumber in Zaofu." Huan started walking out of the room, his hands behind his head. "Man...it's almost like this is sabotage or something!"
Baatar followed him, taking off his glasses and pinching the ridge of his nose, sighing. "I'm not sure if we should hope for that or not."
#
Night came soon. Thankfully, Kuvira's kids had no trouble falling asleep, or, not much more than usual. They were pretty exhausted from their exciting day. Mako had dozed off as well.
After giving her kids hugs and kisses, Kuvira moved to the front area of the saddle closest to Korra, who had ever so valiantly taken it upon herself to stay up all night to make sure that Oogi didn't fly off course.
"Psst, Korra?" Kuvira whispered. "If you want, I can steer Oogi for a while, if you need a break to get some rest."
Korra didn't answer her.
"Korra? Really, I can take over for a little bit. I'll be fine." Kuvira smirked. "We both know how much you like to sleep."
Still, Korra didn't reply.
Kuvira furrowed her brow. "K-Korra? Can you hear me?"
Korra suddenly jerked and whirled around as she sat, Oogi's reins still in hand. "H-Huh? Did you say something?"
Kuvira flinched back in surprise. "I...I said I could fly for you, if you wanted to get some rest."
"Oh," Korra said. "Thanks but no thanks, I'm fine. And hey, you're the one who should be getting rest here, Prime Minister. It's your vacation."
Kuvira knew she wasn't going to be able to argue with Korra. She chuckled, nodding. "Okay, alright." She hesitated. "W-What were you doing? Just now?"
Korra found herself not being able to look Kuvira in the eye, her voice quiet. "Just...meditating. Avatar stuff."
Kuvira stared at her for a moment. "Okay." She smirked as she laid down. "Just make sure you keep an eye on the road there, Avatar."
Korra forced on a smile until Kuvira had laid down completely. Once she did, Korra turned back around. She breathed in and out before closing her eyes again.
Come on, Korra. Concentrate...
Her grip tightened on Oogi's reins.
Aang...Roku...Kyoshi...Kuruk...Yang Chen...Wan...anybody...what do I have to do to be able to reach you guys again?
Korra didn't get any sleep that night, and couldn't have even if she had tried to.
She never felt tired.
#
It didn't even feel like it took more than a single day, but finally, with clear blue skies overhead, they all reached Air Temple Island.
"Wow!" Anaya exclaimed, taking in the view of a completely rebuilt and expanded Republic City, the yellow spirit portal still beaming up from its center.
"Yeah, I know," Mako said to her, resting his arms on the saddle railings. "Pretty cool, huh?"
Kuvira smiled. "You should've seen her when we went to Zaofu."
Korra landed Oogi in the Air Temple Island plaza. Tenzin, his family, Kai, Lin, and Bolin were all there waiting for them.
"Heyyy, guys!" Bolin called as he ran up to Oogi, with a chittering Pabu on his shoulder.
The six of them waved back, until Bolin made the poor decision of stopping directly in front of Oogi. He was almost immediately licked by the bison and covered in slobber, while Pabu leapt off just in time. Kuvira's kids all giggled at him as she, Korra, and Mako helped them down off of the sky bison's back.
Korra walked up to Bolin and put a hand on her hip, smirking. "You'd think you'd learn by now, don't you?"
Bolin did his best to wipe the slobber off of himself. "Bleh! Uegh! Bleh! Why can't we train the bisons to just, like, I don't know, NOT lick people?"
"That's just how they show affection," Korra giggled, petting Oogi's neck. "Naga does it too."
"You gotta stay away from their heads, bro!" Mako sarcastically advised.
"Yeah, THANKS!" Bolin sarcastically called back, slobber dribbling off of him as he flailed his arm out. "That's SO helpful now!"
Kuvira hid her smile with a hand over her mouth, suppressing her laughter as best she could as she and her kids walked up. "Hi, Bolin."
"Oh!" Bolin exclaimed happily upon noticing her, going to hug her. "Kuvira! How've you been!"
"Bolin!" she said, pulling away from him. "You're still covered in—!"
"Oh," he realized, stopping sheepishly. "Woops. Sorry."
Korra giggled. "I got you, Bolin," she said, starting to waterbend as much of the bison drool off of him as best as she could, Kuvira's kids still giggling at him.
Once he was mostly dry, Bolin wrapped his arms around Kuvira and lifted her off of the ground. "Man!" he said to her in his arms. "It is so great to see you again!"
"Oof!" Kuvira nearly had the wind knocked right out of her, but she still managed to laugh. "It's great to see you again too, Bolin!"
He set her back on the ground, putting his hands on his hips. "So, these are your kids, huh?"
Kuvira nodded, smiling. "Yes. This is Anaya, Park, and Takeo." She knelt down next to them. "This is Bolin, guys! The funny lavabender that I used to work with!"
"Aww, you told them I'm funny?" Bolin said, flattered. He squatted down also. "What's up, little dudes! And, uh, girl. Did you guys like the bison ride?"
As soon as they all started talking, Kuvira knew her kids were going to get along with Bolin just fine.
"Yeah!" Anaya said. "We went up so high!"
"Are you really a lavabender?" Takeo asked. "That's so cool!"
Bolin flexed his arm. "Yeeeup, I am. And actually, lava is pretty hot, so I need to be extra careful when I use it."
The kids laughed as Korra and Kuvira looked at each other and rolled their eyes. The others all started walking up.
"Hello, Kuvira," Tenzin greeted with a smile. "How have you been?"
"Tenzin!" Kuvira said with a smile, bowing respectfully despite knowing him on an almost personal basis. "I've never been better! Thank you again for letting my kids and I stay here for a couple nights."
Tenzin nodded. "Of course. You can stay as long as you need to! Also, Pema should have supper ready for us all within the hour."
"I'm looking forward to it," Kuvira said with a nod. She put a hand on her hip with a smirk. "Say, you wouldn't mind if your kids gave mine a little tour around the island, would you?"
Tenzin looked at Ikki. "Could you do that for her?"
"Sure!" Ikki replied, chipper as usual. She walked up to Kuvira's kids and bent down, her hands on her knees. "Hey there, guys! Do you wanna go see the lemurs?"
"Oooh!" Park said excitedly. "Lemurs?"
"Yeah!" Meelo shouted with a punch, as usual. "You can throw nuts at 'em!"
"No, Meelo!" Jinora reprimanded, as usual. "I'm pretty sure Kuvira wouldn't appreciate you teaching her kids that."
"Or the lemurs," Kai added with a smirk, his arm casually around Jinora.
"Wait," Rohan quietly asked as all the children walked away together, Pabu scampering off with them, "you're not supposed to throw nuts at them?"
"Of course not!" Ikki said. "Why would you think you should do that?!"
"Because Meelo said to!"
"Meelo!"
Kuvira had to shake her head with a smile at the airbending kids and all their little antics. She made eye contact with Lin.
"Prime Minister," Lin stated with a nod and crossed arms.
Kuvira nodded as well. "Lin."
It wasn't just because Lin was smiling herself, but she looked genuinely happier. Brighter, even. Maybe it was the new haircut. Kuvira never recalled seeing her with hair like that when she was in prison. The bangs really did make her look younger. Before she could make any kind of comment though, Korra ran up.
"Ooh, Lin!" she eagerly asked. "Did Asami say she could come?"
Lin shook her head. "No, unfortunately. She said she was gonna be busy tonight."
"Yeah!" Bolin added. "She had to do something all, uh, mechanicy with her car. I don't remember what exactly, but it was something like that."
"Cuz if it's something Asami has ever said," Mako joked, "it's mechanicy."
Korra frowned as everyone else laughed. "Oh. Darn. Hopefully she can come by tomorrow."
#
Asami rubbed her arm against her dirtied forehead. She was in her garage, underneath her satomobile, making repairs on parts she herself had fixed literally a day ago.
What I'd give to be with everyone at Air Temple Island instead of here...
They were brand new parts too. She had no idea how they broke.
An upbeat jazz song played softly from the radio. Asami found herself humming along with the happy melody, even though one infuriating thought had crossed her mind:
If Varrick somehow did this at the Future Industries banquet party last night while he was drunk...
#
Kuvira wiped her mouth with a napkin as she finished eating dinner.
"Pema," she said, setting the napkin down, "I don't think I ever had the chance to say this before, but I would just like to say that you are an exceptional cook."
Pema smiled and touched her heart. "Oh, thank you, Kuvira! That means a lot to me."
She looked right at Tenzin.
"W-What?" he asked as he looked up, in the middle of eating from his bowl. "Oh. Yes, dear! Wonderful food as always!"
Everyone laughed as Pema rolled her eyes good-naturedly.
Bolin set his bowl and chopsticks down. "Hey, that's probably a bigger compliment than you think! I mean, it's coming from practically the queen of the Earth Kingdom!" He looked at Kuvira. "Don't you get, like, feasts every other night or something? Mini, discount feasts?"
Kuvira warily leaned back in her seat. "Well, um...no." She smiled at Pema. "As much as I would enjoy an airbender meal every night, I don't like live extravagantly."
Mako was somehow struck with a coughing fit, but he managed to get out, "What, like Wu?"
Everyone laughed again. Kuvira couldn't help but chuckle herself. "Say what you will about him, but he really has assumed authority! He's not the oaf everyone thinks he is. Well, at least, not in the realm of politics anyways. He really has matured, more than I ever thought he would, or could!"
"Yeah," Lin agreed. "I haven't seen much of him, but with the bits I have seen, I wouldn't mind if he became king for real now."
Tenzin smiled. "It's amazing what a little bit of time can do for someone, isn't it?"
Korra couldn't help but sneak a look at Kuvira as she helped Park eat his food.
Mako poked at his leftovers, resting his chin in his hand. "I know, I know. He's not a bad guy or anything, but being his bodyguard was ten times more exhausting than any detective case I've ever had to do."
Korra furrowed her brow as she thought back, innocently unaware. "Did Asami say she wanted him to get hit by a train one time?"
Lin stopped sipping her drink, exchanging a look with Mako. She nodded to the side. "Something like that."
As everyone else finished eating, the airbending kids started picking up everyone's plates. But along with the four of them, Kuvira stood up, holding her and her kids' silverware.
"O-Oh, Kuvira!" Ikki insisted, reaching for her plate. "Let me get those for you!"
Kuvira held up her hand with a smile. "No, Ikki. It doesn't matter. Besides, I want to."
"Oh...okay. If you say so!"
Kuvira started walking to the kitchen with the airbending kids. Mako and Korra exchanged a look.
"You know," Ikki softly but audibly said to Kuvira, "for someone in a very lofty position of power, you don't seem to let it get to your head. Like, ever."
Kuvira stopped. She thought for a moment, struggling for a reply.
She finally shrugged. "Well...why should I?"
Mako and Korra smiled at each other as the five of them walked into the kitchen.
#
Kuvira moved against the wall of Tenzin's living room as everyone filed in.
Lin stopped next to her. "Prime Minister," she stated, looking forward.
"Lin," Kuvira returned, smiling warmly.
She looked around for a moment before Lin spoke up. "Alright. I...If you aren't busy...If you want to...I mean, if you can, that is...Your schedule is probably pretty packed but...Well, I suppose another time would do if you don't...If you can't...This is very..."
Kuvira giggled. "Just say it, Chief."
Lin sighed, kneading her forehead. She leaned towards Kuvira, lowering her voice just above a mumble.
"Can," she asked sheepishly, "you teach me some metalbending?"
Kuvira blinked in surprise. "M-Me?" she asked, desperately smothering a smirk. "Teach you?"
Lin rubbed the back of her neck. "N-Not like a full-blown lesson, but, y'know, just some pointers, mostly on that stuff you do with all the metal strips, how you can immobilize a whole group of people in just a few seconds. I've been trying to learn how to do it myself 'cause I think it could be a valuable technique for police officers to use, but...I just can't get the hang of it. I didn't think prison was exactly the best place for me to ask you, and more recently you've been busy being the Prime Minister, so, I've...never really gotten the chance to ask you before."
Kuvira pursed her lips, pondering for a moment. She looked back up with a sincere smile. "Does tomorrow work for you?"
Lin blinked in surprise, stammering. She kept trying to find something to say, but kept stopping short.
She finally sighed, put a hand on Kuvira's shoulder, and smiled. "Thanks, kid."
Kuvira returned the smile and nodded. "You're very welcome." She paused. "Also, I like what you do with your hair now. It looks nice."
Lin blushed and fiddled with her bangs. "Oh. Thanks, I...haven't really tried this style that much before. You have Su to thank for it mostly."
Kuvira chuckled as they joined everyone else. "Mostly."
#
"Mama!" Anaya yelled, running into the living room where everyone was chatting.
Kuvira excused herself, got up, walked over, and knelt down to her daughter's level. "What is it, Sweetie?"
Anaya excitedly hopped up and down. "Can we go outside with Tenzin's family and play with the lemurs again? Can we? Can we?"
Kuvira tilted her head to the side. "Well, I don't know. It's getting pretty late..."
Anaya stopped hopping. "Aww, please? Can we, pleeease?"
Kuvira thought for a moment. She squeezed her daughter's hand.
She finally sighed with a smile. "Ohhh alright. But be careful, 'Naya. It's getting dark out."
Anaya giggled and wrapped her arms around her mother, and she hugged her back. "Okay! We will! Thanks, Mama!"
She ran to her brothers waiting by the door. "She said we can go, guys! C'mon!"
"Yeah, alright!"
"Yaaay!"
Kuvira couldn't help but smile as she watched her beautiful kids running off to play with Tenzin's children.
#
Two men were searching along the dark mainland docks of Republic City. One of them spotted a fisherman, still tidying up his boat. "Excuse us!" he called out with a dry voice.
The fisherman looked up. "Eh?" He threw down his net in annoyance. "Waddaya want?! Can't ya see I'm tryin' to clean up my boat here?!"
The two men approached him. "I'm sorry," the first one said. "I know it's late, but...my friend and I need to get to Air Temple Island. We can't find any other way to get there. We can pay you."
The fisherman looked from the man to his friend, and found his anger evaporating. The man's friend was wheelchair-bound. His legs were broken, burned in a horrible accident.
The fisherman had had his fair share of accidents in the past. His face softened as he rubbed his own scarred arm.
"I...Alright," he mumbled. "You two don't have to pay me. I'll get ya there. Just give me a minute more to finish this up."
The man nodded. "Thank you."
#
As Kuvira walked back to sit down, everyone was laughing. "What'd I miss?" she asked as she sat.
Bolin was hunched over with crossed arms and a disgruntled look on his face.
Mako laughed, holding his stomach. "Oh I don't think he'd want us to tell it again!"
Bolin replied over-dramatically, as he always did. "Oh no! Noooo, don't worry about me! It's not like I was the guy who had a near life-or-death experience! Oh wait! I was! But, just go on ahead! Go on! Tell her!"
Korra leaned towards Kuvira with a smirk, quietly saying, "I'll tell you later."
After everyone's laughter had subsided, Lin set her drink down on the couch-side table. She sighed, her elbows on her knees. "Alright, I hate to get serious right now. I wasn't sure if Kuvira would want her kids to hear this, but...have you all heard there was another attack?"
"...What?" Korra asked, attentively sitting up straight. "W-Where?"
"It wasn't a major one. It was on the road, near Gaoling. A man was found on the side of the road in critical condition: the owner of the Gaoling fishery, to be specific. He was beaten badly, near unconscious. He said he was certain the men who jumped him were out to kill him. Guess they failed."
Mako frowned. "Well that's unbearable sloppy."
"Oh," Bolin said with a roll of his eyes. "Cuz you know the 'proper way' to kill people?"
"N-No! Well...Hold on. Did these guys really want to kill him? Was it an actual assassination attempt, or was it just some thugs out for a laugh?"
"Thugs don't usually color-coordinate their uniforms," Lin said dryly.
Mako rubbed his chin and started deducing. "Huh. What colors?"
"He said most of them were wearing red shawls of some sort."
"Uh-huh..." Mako held his chin in thought. He looked up. "Hey, Korra, Kuvira, did you guys ever run into any bandits like that during your travels?"
Korra and Kuvira looked at each other. "Uhh..."
"I don't think..."
"Not with red shawls."
"None of them were ever really color-coordinated. Hardly even coordinated."
"Hah! Good one, Kuvira!"
"Thank you, Bolin."
Mako scratched his head. "Huh. This better not end up being a huge gang. The last thing we need is another massive organization under our skin."
Everyone mumbled various agreements, everyone except for Tenzin, who had been sitting in silence, stuck in his thoughts.
"Wait," he said wearily. "You...None of you have heard about the evidence they found, have you?"
Everyone looked at each other. "Why?" Korra asked, concerned. "What did they find?"
"Yeah," Lin repeated. "What did they find?"
Tenzin sighed heavily. "The man was found on the side of the road, yes...but I've heard that set next to him on the ground was a flower, a red flower."
"So?"
"A lotus."
A red lotus.
"Wait," Korra said, slowly standing up.
It couldn't be...
Korra shook her head. "N-No. No...no, no, NO! It can't be!"
"She's right," Lin said, sounding more like she was trying to convince herself. "It can't be...them. Not after..."
Tenzin bowed his head. "I'm afraid...it is."
"Y-Yeah," Bolin said regretfully. "I mean, who else would want to make chaos like that?"
Not again...
Korra clutched her head in anger and confusion. "Not them! Why them?! How?! Why now?! NOO!"
#
9 Years Ago...
The two boys forced Ghazan into a corner of the cave. He wiped his jaw with the back of his hand. He clenched his fists.
"No," he snarled. "I'm never going back to prison. If I'm going down today, YOU'RE COMING WITH ME!"
With a violent slam, he started to pull the cave ceiling down on top of everyone in the Red Lotus hideout.
"Hang on!" he barely heard the lavabending one yell.
That kid and his brother might have escaped, but at this point, it didn't really matter.
Rocks and lava crashed all around Ghazan. He actually thought he had killed himself.
Ghazan coughed.
Kinda wish I had right now...
Ghazan stirred back into consciousness, bruised and aching. He found himself lying on his back, with the weight of several meters of rock above threatening to crush him. He had somehow ended up in a depression, so that a particularly large boulder was just inches away from touching him.
Slowly, wincing, he placed his hands against the boulder. He started earthbending it upwards. He faltered at the sudden sound of hundreds of rocks shifting above him, which caused even more rocks to shift.
Easy. C'mon, careful. Do yourself a favor and don't kill yourself, huh?
After several painfully slow minutes of straining against his own element attempting to kill him, Ghazan was greeted by a blinding flash of light. He shielded his eyes with a grunt, almost dropping the boulder on top of himself again.
It dawned on him, quite literally. The sun wasn't quite out yet, partly due to the weather being fairly cloudy, but the grey sky was still bright for someone who hadn't seen any light for a handful of hours.
He had collapsed the entire the Red Lotus cave hideout.
Ghazan threw the boulder to the side with a satisfying crash. He shakily stood up, wincing as he did. He was stronger than he realized, but now wasn't the time to admire his handiwork. He had to move.
He heard thunder booming in the distance.
Oh, great. Rain. Just what I needed.
He took a few half-blind steps forward, wary of his footing so that he wouldn't twist an ankle on the irregular terrain. He thought he was doing pretty well for someone that had just lost consciousness for several hours. But that was until he found himself falling.
Ghazan fell several yards into a pit of shockingly cold water, face-first.
With a groan of pain and annoyance, he pushed himself back up on his hands and knees.
Yep...just what I needed...
Luckily, the water in the stalagmite-filled cave only came up to his elbows. He sputtered and pushed his wet hair out of his face. He looked up.
And he wished he hadn't.
Ming-Hua was lying there, unmoving.
Dead.
"N-No...MING-HUAAA!"
Ghazan splashed through the water, stumbling towards her body. He fell to his knees, cradling her head against his chest.
"NO!" he choked through tears. "No, no, no! Not you too!"
First P'Li, who knows what happened to Zaheer, now you...
Ghazan grinded his teeth. This couldn't be happening.
How? How could I lose everyone in one day? Especially you. Why you? I couldn't hold back some idiot kid who just learned how to lavabend. I couldn't save you. I failed you. I failed everyone...
The rain only pounded harder outside the cave.
Coughing.
Ming-Hua started coughing.
Ghazan blinked. "M-Ming...?"
"Ack!" she wheezed. "St-stop...squeezing—!"
"Oh, sorry," Ghazan mumbled, loosening his grip, but still holding her.
Ming-Hua took a few short gasps as he brushed her wet hair out of her face. She looked up at him. "G-Ghazan? We're...alive? H-How? W-Where are we—?"
"Shh," he said softly, holding up her head by the back of her neck. "Not now. Save your strength. Don't worry, we're still at the hideout in the north."
Ming-Hua nodded once before resting her head against Ghazan's chest, shutting her eyes with an exhausted, shuddering sigh.
"We'll be alright," he said, gently resting his chin on the top of her head. "We'll make it through this. We have before."
Whether that was to encourage her or himself, Ghazan didn't know.
#
"This is insane!" Korra yelled, pacing back and forth. "How can they just come back from the brink of extinction like this?!"
"Again," Bolin gingerly added.
Korra growled and clenched her fists.
"Korra, please," Tenzin said as he got up, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Calm down."
"Yeah," Lin mumbled, rubbing her temples. "We need to keep our heads on straight."
Korra stopped herself. She breathed in and out. "Okay. Alright. Sorry."
Mako struggled to find an explanation. "Th-this can't be for real. These guys aren't really the Red Lotus. They're probably just some extremists trying to...The Red Lotus didn't...It's just a fear tactic! I...None of this adds up!"
"It doesn't matter who they are or how they've returned," Tenzin said. "What matters is how do we stop them from hurting more people?"
"It's not my fault!" Kuvira screamed.
Everyone startled at the Prime Minister's sudden outburst. Everyone could only stare at her in silence as she stood there, her hands shaking, jaw trembling.
"K...Kuvira," Korra unevenly said in concern, slowly walking up to her. "N...No one is saying that this is your fault. Just...remember to breathe. Come on. Deep inhale, hold it in, long exhale."
Kuvira took a moment to blink herself back into focus. Korra gently led her to the corner of the room, and had her lean against a short table. Kuvira closed her eyes, trembling, breathing as Korra instructed.
"I-I," Kuvira started, "I'm...I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to—"
"It's okay," Korra gently hushed her. "Just breathe. You're fine. None of this your fault. Nothing you did made this happen. No one's gonna blame you for this. The Red Lotus is just...always one step ahead of us, I guess."
The room fell completely silent, save for the kids' muffled laughs and squeals outside.
Bolin quietly cleared his throat. "So...if this really is the Red Lotus...where do we start with this?"
"Well," Tenzin thought aloud, stroking his beard, "the United Forces are returning to Republic City in a day."
"Wait," Mako said. "They know about this already?"
"I'm not sure. But if they don't, this would be an excellent opportunity for them to hear about it."
"So what?" Lin barked. "We just have the United Forces march all over the Earth Kingdom, stomping out bandits wherever they find them? Doesn't seem very efficient or productive. The last thing we need is to start another terrorist war."
"It's not my decision to make!" Tenzin said. "I'd prefer we find a peaceful resolution, but unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be an option."
Mako stood up. "I'd hate for that to happen too. It's only been almost seven years since we last had a war, but...what else is there to do? I mean, this isn't just one city we'd be trying to track down some gang in. At this point, they could be all over the world."
The room fell silent again.
Something shifted behind Korra's eyes as she stared at the floor.
"Korra?" Tenzin asked. "What are you thinking?"
Korra looked at him, at Kuvira, then back at the floor. "We..." She inhaled. "We need to free Zaheer."
Mako furrowed his brow. "Uh, excuse us?"
"P-Pardon?" Tenzin said.
Korra took a second to collect her thoughts. "He's...he's the only way we can take down the Red Lotus. If we free him...h-he could be kept in General Iroh's custody! If we can just get Zaheer to share his secrets with the United Forces—!"
"Korra," Tenzin said sternly, "I severely doubt that Raiko would allow Zaheer to be freed! Even if he were to aid the United Forces against the Red Lotus!"
"But, Tenzin! He knows more about the Red Lotus than anyone else! He can help! He could have all sorts of inside information on them! He's not like he was before! He's changed! Different, at least." She gestured to the back of the room. "Just like Kuvira!"
Tenzin opened his mouth to retort, but instead looked over at Kuvira, still leaning against the table. She seemed like she had calmed down enough to avoid a panic attack, but she was staying silent, staring at the floor, keeping her thoughts to herself for the moment.
"I don't...completely doubt you, Korra," Tenzin resumed, "but you have said it before yourself: he hasn't stopped pontificating that ideology of anarchy of his. He's not as similar to Kuvira as you hope him to be. Kuvira's past has been difficult, but despite that, she has been able to obtain balance. Zaheer, on the other hand, he has always had bad intentions. He has always been a murderer." Tenzin stroked his beard with closed eyes and a knitted brow. "I just don't think that he can be completely trusted, if at all, even if he were under General Iroh's jurisdiction. He can't be our only option."
As Korra opened her mouth to interject, there was a knock at the door. Everyone stopped arguing and turned towards it.
Tenzin sighed. "Come in."
An airbender acolyte slowly slid the door open, his voice quiet. "We have...unexpected visitors, Master Tenzin."
"Unexpected? Visitors?"
As the acolyte walked away, two men walked in, or rather, one of them walked in, pushing the other in a wheelchair.
The walking man had shaggy black hair, a somber look on his face, and was also sporting an unmistakable long mustache.
The man in the wheelchair's broad shoulders once carried a much leaner figure, but he had since become frail from little activity, due to his burned and broken legs. His dark hair had fallen over his face, a face that was too pale for a waterbender.
He looked up at Korra, and extended his hand with a grim smile. His deep, reverberating, once feared voice, that haunting voice that had once plagued all of Republic City with fear, especially Korra, it was now saying:
"It is a pleasure to see you again, Avatar."
Yet again tonight, everyone was speechless.
Everyone but Kuvira looked on in shock and disbelief as Korra walked up to him, and shook his hand with a gentle smile on her face.
"It's good to see you again too, Noatak."
END