Chapter VI

How to obtain justice. That was always the question for our kind. Our peaceful tribe always strove with that issue. We were pacifists at heart, so even when someone was misguided, there should never be a punishment harsh enough to take all from a certain individual. So he or she should be judged rightfully, by anyone that took place in their rise and fall. Our people called it justice. And yet, at times, many things could have been solved with one kill. No one wanted to make his hands dirty I suppose. But I shouldn't be thinking like that... Everyone is redeemable.

Unknown source, Jinora


And so the farce began. Each delicately picked pawn was on it's place, especially the one awaiting it's judgment. And everyone were silent. They strove for words. It was just like Tenzin anticipated. Much to his joy, he was the first one who had the opportunity to poke on Raiko's nose. An opportunity he clearly wished not to miss on.

"We all know the reason we're here." He took a deep breath. "Justice needs to be served. However…" He lengthened the pause as much as he possibly could, which drove the crowd mad. "We must remember that the one we're sentencing at this very moment, is not guilty of anything until sentenced." He took a step down, slowly closing towards the Great Uniter. "Therefore, the bounds, should there be any, shall be given after the cause. Not before."

In a theatrical gesture for everyone to see, he placed himself before the woman. She simply stared blankly at him, awaiting what he'll do next. And he was rather predictable, as the small gust from within his hands, precisely focused between her hands, sliced the ropes that bound her. Just that, and only that, still that very gesture made the crowd disappointed. As they should be, since they expected entertainment which would end in blood. And it would seem to be otherwise.

"Better?"

He said silently, only for her to hear. Yes, it was a gesture more towards those that watched than towards her, still, she appreciated it as much as she could.

"I…" She paused. No, no emotions, nothing like that. Keep it straight. Short, to the point. "Yes. Better."

He nodded knowingly, as he returned to his spot. Asami paid close attention to his doings. It would seem that she will be holding her line not only against the Great Uniter, but also against both the avatar and her mentor. Very well, there was nothing implausible for those that call themselves Sato.

"Now, we can begin." He stated more officially, almost as if he put a mask over his face. "Kuvira. Right now you will be judged. During this time, you will be treated as equal. As one that bares freedom on her shoulder, and our trial shall decide, if your freedom shall be taken from you. But should you wish to neglect the responsibility upon us and upon yourself, you shall be burdened with whatever follow you." He paused. "Do you understand?"

"I do."

"You are charged with the crime of genocide. Razing of Zaofu. Razing the Republic City. Re-education camps. Attempted murder. Suceeded murder. Lethal usage of spirit weapons…" The list went on and on. She obviously knew each detail about his list. That was somewhat necessary for others it would seem however. Eventually, he finished. "Do you understand those charges?"

"I do." She sighted, wishing to add 'I'm not stupid, I know what I've done.' Still, that mattered not. "I do understand. And accept to be charged for them."

"Very well. For as Guru Laghima said, acceptance is a bliss for understanding. All of us will take a voice sooner or later. Yet the accuser as well as your defender have the right for their speech. Will they use that right?"

Asami nodded almost instantly, vigorously showing her readiness to take her aim at the hated oppressor. Korra was more calm, as she never enjoyed those kind of public display of viciousness. Still, she had a speech prepared as well. The avatar needed to start on a strong feet after all, if she wished to succeed against all the odds. Never the less it was her lover whom started first, as her small frame turned towards the ones which gathered around them.

"We all know whom Kuvira is." Asami stated calmly, yet her ice cold voice echoed through the place, almost giving chills to those that sat nearby. "Or do we?"

She began to circle around, just to focus the sight of others on her frame. A notion that she both despised and enjoyed.

"Great Uniter." The words trembled underneath her tongue. "Everything about her doings was great, wasn't it? A great leader. A great person." She spoke faster and faster, almost propping herself for the grand finale of her short lived speech. "Great shimmering gem within the dust, of which the Earth Empire is full off. And yet. Nothing more than a murderer." She smiled. "Kuvira. A living exemplar of self inflicted justice that went wrong. Of self inflicted justice that was for the most part inflicted on others. Not on the Great Uniter herself. What a pity." She gulped, as her lips got dry. "And what a surprise that she will be judged like any other."

She turned towards her loved one. Looking within the longing eyes, it was difficult to say what she needed to say. But she knew she will non of the less. No remorse. No pity. Only retribution.

"I do not envy Korra, for I know her role. And I'm almost tempted to end at this very moment, just to listen how she will try to defend her, how she will attempt to make her see human. And how I will dissolve each and every single attempt." She felt good letting that out of her chest. "Because Kuvira cannot be judged as one amongst us. She did far more than anyone. Far more than Amon, Zaheer, far more than..."

"And yet..." Korra decided to interrupt the monologue, much to the crowd curiosity. "She is nothing like them. She just made a bad choice. Followed by another, and yet another. And in our rights is to make mistakes. In our rights is to make choices which are bad. Yes, she did all of that, she did it all however out of spite. She is not all bad, despite what some wish to believe. Before the Great Uniter, there was Kuvira. And for the most part, she is still there."

"Not everything can be brought to the balance of spirits and emotions."

"No." The avatar hesitated, narrowing her eyebrows. She knew how dangerous her loved one could be. And she knew that every asset will be used against her. "But there is always light in the darkness."

"Is it?" Asami was a fast thinker. Each word was like a weapon placed in her hand. And she wished to use it all. One by one. Even against the one that stood before her. "Interesting view. Is that always the case? With me, her and... you perhaps?"

"And how is that have to do with anything connected to..."

„Enough." Tenzin coughed loudly for everyone to hear, before their dispute could be more personal. "I understand both of your view points." He tapped on the edge of his pedestal. "And your word about it Kuvira?"
He looked at her, staring right within her eyes. It was clear that he wished for her to speak. He wished for her to do her part, so he can do his. To save her. But was it because he really wished for her servitude, or rather he wished to take a step against Raiko? They were all used one way or another.

"I will not speak for myself. I don't like empty words. Let my actions alone speak for my doings."

"Very well." The air bending judge nodded. "Asami, shall you begin?"

She wanted nothing less than that. And she was prepared. She had it all under her control. Each slim detail. Now, all it needed was to proceed with her plan.

"Let us begin with Zaofu. A place where it all began." She looked at the crowd. "The very place that the Uniter was meant to protect, the shield and bacon of her heritage. Destroyed and melted to the ground by the viciousness of…"
"I object to that." Korra shrugged. "This leads to nowhere Asami."

"Agreed." Tenzin nodded. "We hardly need any more hate. Keep it to the point."

At first, the last Sato was somewhat surprised. Then she remembered. During the trial, she was alone. She could not count on the help of others, and while her role here was viewed as desirable by many, she could not count on any kind of help. At least not when she stood here, when she stood before the one she wished death upon.

"Right." She stated calmly. "Still, the destruction of Zaofu will be the first one we will look upon." Air bender trial. Anyone can be the witness. Anyone can join in. And she needed someone exceptional. Suyin? Not yet, too much glaring hate. Her husband? No, he bared no importance. But Opal. Yes, Opal. "Opal." Words proceed quickly with her thoughts. "Zaofu was your home. And therefore, I'll pick you as my first witness."

Suying cringed. It was obvious that her daughter will be used in one way or another, but she thought that it will happen at least a bit later. So she could prepare. Shield her better off perhaps. But that was impossible at this time. The fragile frame to her left quickly rose up, and with the guard assist, quickly found herself down on the field, next to the very monster she despised so much.

"Opal." Asami leaned closer. "The Great Uniter is not a being unknown to you, right? Treated like a daughter by your own mother. A hero of sorts."

The girl frowned a little bit, but overall was rather untouched. Why she was picked as the first one to confess and scratch on the still fresh wounds was beyond her. But at least at the end of it all, Kuvira will be sentenced. And perhaps then her mother will return to her normal self. And perhaps then her brother will be as she knew him.

"That is correct."

Asami smiled, as she came a bit closer to Bolin's mate. They knew each other well, still, Opal saw that something changed within her. Something with her eyes. Same viciousness as the one which she found in the eyes of her mother.

"And when did she slipped away into... well, that?"

That actually made her think for a little bit. When did she became whom she is now? Hard to tell really, she was different, a bit, but in the end, Kuvira was always that. Kuvira.

"Well, she did not technically slipped, she simply..."

"Wanted to unite Earth Kingdom? Perhaps." Asami shrugged. "But what came from it was rather underwhelming, right? And Zaofu, she scrapped your city, trying to kill your mother, don't you feel she is rather vicious? Almost like some kind of abomination..."

"Tenzin..." Korra shouted. "I object..."

"I agree, this leads to nowhere."

"Right." The one from the Sato family rubbed her forehead. "So tell me Opal. Was she always like that? What do you think of her as a person? Before she became the Great Uniter?"

"I. Well..."

###

The Great Uniter took a deep breath as she rubbed her hand against her forehead. Talking to Opal was never so difficult before. She was usually more obedient.

"You understand what I'm doing, right?"

"Not really…" She sighted. "You are taking him from me." She shook her head. "You're taking him from me while we just…"

"It's harsh for all of us at times… to loose things dear to us."

"He is not a thing!"

Kuvira pondered. Yes, some people view other people just as they are. As people. But they forget that at some point, they simply are tools. An extension to certain means. But she was a true offspring of Suyin. She would never understood that.

"My choice of words was poor, I admit." She tried to lighten up and by that, look a bit more sympathetic. "And he will be quite the asset in our progress. Besides, he already agreed."

"Maybe. But you're taking Bataar with you. And now Bolin. You have the one you care for with you, and I…"

Her voice faded slowly. Kuvira once again took a deep breath, as her stale and narrow face softened a little bit. She was not made out of stone after all. She was a person deep underneath the layers of her discipline. And she too felt remorse. Or pity.

"Listen." She stated slowly "It's not in my interest to break your life. It never was, and never will be. But I need him. As much as I need you. What you are doing is great. But I need Bolin with me, to repair this mess. To fix our empire."

She still seemed unconvinced. But that was not surprising. The Great Uniter was very much alike. She never trusted in words and just words, if they were not backed up by something. Some kind of proof, some kind of relief.

"You know what?" She stood up. "Come with me."

Opal seemed surprise, but followed her. Just now she realized that in fact, she ever really knew this woman all too well. She knew she was like a daughter to her own mother. That she was a guard woman, in charge of those which protected Zaofu. A skilled metal bender that helped defeat Zaheer. But aside from empty word exchange, she always seemed so distant. So far to her, almost as if she talked to a statue of sorts.

"Why are we here?"

Kuvira did not respond at first, taking a glance at her surroundings. A garden of earth and metal, which could be shaped to her will. Even

"Your mother and I used to come here all the time. I were problematic at times. Here, we let of some steam. My angst behavior, her motherly concerns. And nothing made Su feel better than throwing a rock in my face." She let out a chuckle. It was honest. Almost as if she took off her mask, if only for a brief moment. "Admit it Opal. You'd wish to punch me in the face huh?"

The look on her face was priceless. Just because of that it was worth to ask said question. But she was too much of a nice kid still to accept the fact that yes, in fact that was just the thing she wished for.

"Come on. Nothing wrong in admitting that." He rose her eyebrows. "Of course, you need to earn it."

Kuvira prepared herself, like she always did. Her pose was perfect, and as the rocks began to slowly drift around her, Opal knew that this was not an invitation. So she prepared herself as well. And the battle begun. Rocks were flang with great velocity and numbers. Opal however learned much during her time at the Air Temple. She deflected some, while she attempted to send others off into the side of the former guard. It was like a huge game of dodge-ball, only a bit more dangerous, should any of the rocks hit. Eventually, seeing as the ranged battle had no effect, Kuvira decided to make a move, jumping right before the thin little girl. She was skilled, but Opal had a thing for dodging. That, and hurting her was never the subject of this little game. Eventually, as their bodies flew in dancing motions, the unbelievable happened, at least for the young girl. She actually managed to take a smudge over Kuvira's cheek, leaving a small bruise. That made her somewhat happy.

"Hah, you're good!"

The rocks quickly felt down onto the ground and so did they, side by side, catching as much air as possible, with smiles on their faces.

"Feeling better?"

"Hah... Yes. Yes I do."

She put a hand on her head, jokingly putting her hair in a mess. Opal simply laughed. She hardly ever knew Kuvira from this side. Perhaps she was the solution that the Earth Empire needed? The one that could unite them? She hardly ever knew her up to this point. But perhaps she could be trusted. And she could entrust her the life of Bolin.

"Bring him back, alright?"

"I will."

###

Opal hesitated. The question itself was strangely hard. It should be easier. It should come naturally. It was Kuvira they spoke of. A monster. A woman that almost took it all. And no doubt she would take her life as well, should it help her cause. Still, the answer came delayed. Asami gave her all the time she needed however, as she needed her to start off strong.

"No. She was different."

"Hm." Answer no doubt surprising, given all she was through. Still, she had to work around it one way or another. "But she was harsh, wasn't she?"

"Yes but..."

"And she was demanding. Everything had to be in it's own order, right?"

"Yes."

"Tell me, Opal." She turned to the crowd. "No, tell all the others, what it felt to see Zaofu torn down piece by piece. When she removed plate by plate from it's core. And what happen to the citizens?"

The girl looked at the Great Uniter. She didn't even knew why. Did she sought permission? Judging by the look that Kuvira gave her, she gave her full support. She even let out a slight smile. What was she smiling about? That was not a place to let out a smile. Not a place for that. Not a person to do so. Opal looked at the crowd. They were waiting. Once again, she gazed at Kuvira. She slightly nodded her head, still grinning as if this was some kind of a jest. Some kind of a jest. That actually made her mad. She tightened her fists.

"At first we thought it was some kind of a grim joke. 'Tore down your houses.' She said." Opal Shook her head, still paying close attention to Kuvira's face. "It was all she have said to them that day. Nothing less, nothing more. No explanation why. Oh, no, wait, there was an explanation. Prosperity. Progress. Unification. But that was just a city. City can be rebuilt. People cannot. Free labor. Everyone needs to be used as one. Expendable." She shook her head. "Human life is expendable, and for that matter, meaningless, if it did not served a greater goal. If it was just to exist, it better ceased to exist for the Great Uniter. Now when I think about it, my family had it good."

She almost wished she could chuckle, but her own laughter was stuck in her throat. Unpleasing. She wished it to end. But there was no end.

"At least she felt some kind of respect for them. They were her family once. That means something to her. Or it meant once. Haven't stopped her from locking them in the cages. Still, a desirable fate. Better to find yourself in one of the labor camps. Or re-education camps. One way or another, most came with their face down to the ground from them. Mostly carried by someone." She gulped. "Bruises. Broken bones. Shattered bodies. Blood from each ditch. Blank stares. Sweat. Sour stench of people piled up together. Shackles. 'Motivators' in the form of electricity. Shattering bodies, shattering will. And it stank, the spirits, it stank, she put those against her like animals. Nothing more. Nothing else. Nothing made by her hand. But with her name on the lips of others..."

"And you?" The icing on the cake, Asami thought to herself. "How did you felt?"

"I came back. To help rebuilt. To attend to those which needed to be attended to. I still see broken frames of those who opposed. Shadows of themselves, hugging the pictures of the Queen they found in the dumpsters, if they had workable hands to still hold onto them. 'She was better' they whispered. Kuvira never brought prosperity. Not everywhere. Only where she seem fit." She gulped, as she caught for air."I felt... Shattered." She closed her eyes briefly. "When I heard about my family locked down... I hoped she will die. I hoped she will perish underneath the city she dismembered, underneath the piles of bodies her little war created, I hoped she will soak with her own blood and choke on it, I hoped that..."

She covered her own mouth in shock. Once again she gazed at Kuvira. She stood there like before, smiling still. She set herself up. Without a single word. Without a single agitating movement she set her up to unleash her anger. To tell everyone what the Great Uniter did. But why? Why would she bring even more wrath over herself?

"The Great Uniter leads us all to states we never wished to venture." She placed her hand on Opal's shoulder. "That's all I wanted to hear." Asami almost instantly turned around to see the face of her lover. "Avatar Korra? Any questions for Opal?"