Chapter 7

"I have an idea!" P'li exclaimed. She went and positioned herself on the other side of the hole over which the cage hung. "Korra, if I blast the cage from underneath can you air bend it onto the ledge?!" P'li yelled from the other side.

"I think so! I can't hold any longer so we have to try!"

"Alright! Release the rope and I'll blast it in mid air!"

Zhu Li could do nothing but tremble and hope this would work.

Korra released the rope, only the cage was still hanging up there.

"Kuvira let go of the rope!" Korra snapped.

"I can't!" Kuvira cried out, but without help she couldn't hold for long before collapsing from exhaustion.

The cage started falling, Zhu Li screamed and P'li fired off her combustion blast. The blast line made its way trough the air and curved to explode at the bottom of the cage. P'li aimed it very precisely under the bottom plate not to injure Zhu Li.

The cage was blasted towards Korra, but it still needed another push not to fall down.

Korra's eyes glowed as she induced some extra power from the avatar state and managed to air bend the cage just half way onto the ledge.

The cage begun to tip down slowly but before anyone else Kuvira earth bended the ledge to roll the cage down on the safe side, and she passed out upon doing so. There was a puddle of blood already forming by her hands.

Korra flipped her over on her back and started cleaning her wounds with a water bending technique while P'li went to see if she can open the cage door.

"She's alive!" P'li yelled over to Korra and proceeded to focus fire from the tip of her fingers to melt down the lock.

Korra took off her tribal armbands and used them to bind Kuvira's hands, then she tried to slap her awake while P'li walked over with limping Zhu Li.

Zhu Li fell on her knees next to Kuvira and brushed away some of the messy long hair that fell over her face. "Kuvira?!" She called out.

They didn't know when or if Kuvira would wake up, but the question was answered a moment later when Kuvira's eyebrows formed into a frown, probably from the pain that just kicked in upon her regaining consciousness. She opened her eyes to see Zhu Li, Korra and P'li.

"You saved me!" Zhu Li exclaimed, still kneeling next to her.

"Yea, P'li and I did nothing."

"I'm sorry…" Zhu Li looked up.

"Relax Zhu Li, I'm only joking." Korra explained.

Zhu Li turned back to Kuvira and helped her up into a sitting position. "Why did you save me?" She asked.

Kuvira didn't replay. She stood up on her feet which made Korra and P'li take a step back in caution. Kuvira looked all round and then up at her destroyed war machine.

"Kuvira? You ready to head to the station?" Korra asked.

"Give her a moment." P'li said, helping Zhu Li up on her feet. "On second thought, we should hurry up." P'li corrected herself pointing to the piece of metal still stuck in Zhu Li's leg.

"Yea, that could get infected." Korra confirmed.

Kuvira still gazed up at the metal monstrosity that belched fire and burned from inside. This mourning it seemed so indestructible, as Kuvira herself did. She never imagined the day would end like this.

"Kuvira?" Zhu Li called softly, but she was still spaced-out and unresponsive.

"Kuvira time's up! Let's go!" Korra yelled out firmly.

Woken back to the reality Kuvira turned around to face the three.

"Why did you save me?" Zhu Li repeated her question once more.

"I don't know…" Kuvira looked down. "But I know I don't want to spend the rest of my life in prison!" Kuvira earth bended the block of earth under her feet. It catapulted her next to the ledge of the hole over which Zhu Li hung minutes before.

Korra ran after her, soon followed by Zhu Li who limped over holding onto the tall combustion bender.

"Stay back!" Kuvira warned looking back to see how big the fall was. She concluded the fall would undoubtedly kill her.

"What are you doing?" Korra asked first.

"Isn't it obvious?"

"You're gonna jump? Kill yourself? You know I can stop you!"

"Not if I stop you first!" Kuvira earth-bended a big rock into Korra's belly and knocked her on her back.

"Korra?!" P'li asked for instructions.

Korra just made a motion for P'li to hold, as the air was knocked out of her.

Zhu Li was unable to speak and begun to cry at this turn of events.

Korra stood up and carefully approached Kuvira again.

"Stay back or I'm gonna jump!" Kuvira threatened.

"Kuvira don't do this! Why are you…?!" Zhu Li cried out unable to continue.

"Look around you Zhu Li! I'm finished! Everything I accomplished now lies in ruins! What can I look forward to? Being locked up in a cage like some animal?"

"You've locked me up!" Zhu Li snapped though tears that rolled down her cheeks. "You know it seemed hopeless so many times, but I didn't give up!"

"You're right Zhu Li. I did so many bad things to you. You're the last person who should be trying to save me. All I can say is I'm sorry and goodbye…" Kuvira took a step back almost losing balance.

"No!" Zhu Li screamed and fell on her knees. "Don't do this! I beg you!"

"Why not?" Kuvira stopped to ask.

"Because I love you." Zhu Li said to every one's surprise. Even she could hardly believe she said that out loud.

"You don't mean that."

"I do. I think nobody ever loved you the way you need to be loved. You need more than most people, and I think I only need a little… if you can manage…"

"What are you saying?" Kuvira asked as a single tear rolled down past the mole under her eye.

"I'm saying I won't give up on you. I'll come to visit you whenever I can, all until you're free." Zhu Li turned to Korra. "Korra, they can't keep her locked up forever, right?"

"Well, she did unite the Earth Kingdom, and saved my father as well. I can certainly testify to that…"

"She's the damn avatar!" P'li exclaimed. "She has influence! If anyone can get you out sooner it's her, so don't be stupid." P'li advised.

Kuvira was listening to them now, but most of all to Zhu Li. Her words rang true in her ears however unreal they seemed. Kuvira never felt apart of anything other than herself, she certainly wasn't a part of the family that abandoned her, and not a part of the one that adopted her. They never treated her quite the same, even if it was just the little things she'd notice and it hurt.

When she gained the respect and power, she became addicted to the feeling, but deep down she was unhappy and took vengeance upon the world. Only Zhu Li figured that out.

After the moment of silence Kuvira announced her decision. She let down her guard and let her hands hang by her side. "Alright Zhu Li, I know I don't deserve what you're offering, but I'll give it a try."

Zhu Li limped over as Kuvira stepped away from the ledge. They kissed as the sirens of Republic City police closed in on them.

A group of metal-bending officers lead by Chief Lin Beifong appeared around them. Lin put the cuffs on Kuvira while she kissed Zhu Li for the second time. Lin tore them apart by grabbing Kuvira and yanking her backwards. "Two women kissing, disgusting…" Lin muttered.

"Hey!" Both Korra and P'li exclaimed. "Come here!" Korra pulled P'li closer and stood on her toes to kiss the tall woman. She did it just to spite Lin and it had the desired effect.

"Great! Not you two again!" Lin muttered looking away.

"Yes!" Korra snapped. "And you could have given THEM a moment as well!" Korra added, angrily pointing to Kuvira and Zhu Li.

"I don't give criminals a moment, that's a bad idea in my line of work." Lin argued.

Zhu Li snuck over and kissed her again though Kuvira's hands were bound behind her back.

"That's enough Zhu Li! You want me to arrest you too!?" Lin threatened.

"Yes!" Zhu Li hopefully accepted.

"No chance, scram!"

Zhu Li had to remain with Korra and P'li and tearfully waved Kuvira goodbye.

"Get that leg fixed!" Kuvira yelled out.

"I will, love you, and see you soon." Zhu Li added. "Damn! I'm feeling that leg now! It's hurting again."

"We should get you to a proper healer." Korra said.

"How about that tent?" P'li pointed to the white tent that was set up for injured soldiers.

"Good idea, let's go. P'li will help you walk." Korra said.

"No she won't! I carried her this whole time! Korra, now it's your turn!"

"Fine…" Korra droned "Come here Zhu Li."

"No offence Zhu Li, but you're heavier than you look." P'li added.

"That's alright. I was told I could stand to lose a few Zhu Li's."

Zhu Li limped hanging her arm over Korra's shoulder while P'li walked next to them. Some people flooded back to the streets as they passed by. When some of the citizens saw Korra helping Zhu Li who still had Kuvira's army uniform on, they started booing and throwing rocks at her.

"You're booing me?! Really?!" Korra snapped, earth-bending the rocks to stop in mid air.

When P'li turned to the unruly crowd and they saw her third eye, that's all it took for them to scatter. "Those fools! So ungrateful…" P'li added.

"So…" Korra started. "…is she a good kisser?"

"Hey!" P'li elbowed Korra in the ribs.

"Ouch! Relax will you?! I'm only curious… and keeping the mood light."

P'li sighed. "You see Zhu Li? This is what I have to put up with."

"Don't mind her Zhu Li. She's just the jealous type. You don't want such women…" Korra paused looking at P'li raise an eyebrow. "Nevermind… so tell me."

Zhu Li thought for a moment, taking her mind of the pain in her leg. "Well she's not good. She's great!" Zhu Li exclaimed.

"Good to hear. You know you can count on me and P'li for help?"

"Thank you so much, if it wasn't for you two…"

"Don't mention it." They said in the same breath.

"Anyway…" Korra continued. "I never considered Kuvira to be all bad, she just went down the wrong path, but with your help I'm sure she'll only get better in time."

"I sure hope so. I'll do my best." Zhu Li confirmed.