"Today is the day we start," I said, walking past my guards again, and now a few workers who Varrick had brought. The airships and suits had been moved from its secret valley.
"I want to thank you all for being here on this special day. We are going to make history!" I held up my arm in triumph. Cheering came from the crowd.
"I'd like to give a special thank you to Varrick, for making all of this possible. For building our empire!" I said. There was once more cheering.
"And I can't forget, one of our biggest sponsors, Mr. Morishita," More applause followed.
"We will meet in the meadows outside of Omashu tomorrow, but for now, get some rest," The soldiers and citizens of Zaofu climbed on to the airships, preparing for take off. I started to pack some of the last few items onto the ship, and Baatar did as well.
"It's happening Kuvira. This day has been a long time in the making," said Baatar contentedly, pulling my face towards him. He stopped when he saw his mother approach, with an open mouth and a furious glare in her eyes. I didn't need to turn around to see her coming.
"I'm going on the airship," said Baatar, grabbing his luggage and boarding the ship.
"What do you think you're doing?" Said Su furiously.
"We're doing what you don't have the guts to do. We're going to Ba Sing Se to help bring order back to the Earth Kingdom," I said, continuing to pack.
"No! You will stay here!" I closed my suitcase and turned around.
"And who's going to stop me? Your security force was more than happy to join my cause. They're some of the best fighters in the world, and they are tired of being treated like exotic birds in your cage," I said calmly.
"If you leave now, you will never be welcomed back!" Screamed Su.
"When I choose to return, it'll be on my own terms," I said growing angrier. I grabbed my bags and boarded the ship.
Su stomped into the house and slammed the door to her study, tears of rage threatening to spill. Baatar Sr heard the noise and poked his head into the hallway. He approached Su's office.
"Honey? What's wrong?" He asked, panicked. He tried to open the door, but it was locked. Huan showed up.
"What was all of that noise?" He asked.
"I think something is wrong. Can you metalbend the lock for me?" Said Baatar Sr Huan flicked his wrist and the door unlocked.
"I think it's best if I go in there alone, for now, son. Thank you," said Baatar Sr as Huan walked away. Baatar Sr took a deep breath and entered the room and found Su curled up at the end of the couch.
"What's wrong?" Baatar Sr asked, now very worried.
"He left," she said through tears.
"Kuvira took him, and he left," Baatar Sr looked pained and lifted her off of the couch.
"Come on," he said, bringing her to their room where he sat her down. Suddenly, Huan, Wing, and Wei came to the doorway looking afraid. Baatar Sr put a finger up to shush them and finished setting down Su and kissed her head. He left the room and closed the door.
"Dad, what's going on? Huan said something was wrong with mom," Wing asked.
"It appears that your brother has decided to leave with Kuvira," said Baatar Sr. A mix of hatred and sadness crossed their faces. Baatar Sr hugged his children.
"Mom will be alright," he said.
I entered the room Baatar, and I would share, and he was unpacking his belongings. I started to do the same. The room was somewhat small. It was composed of a large bed, some drawers, a desk, a mirror, and a map of the Earth Kingdom. Until the train was finished, it was home.
"How was my mother?" He asked bitterly.
"Angry," I replied.
"I wouldn't expect anything less," he said. I heard the airship take off.
"The good news is that we can now talk without worrying about being overheard," I said looking in the small mirror. I turned back around to Baatar to see him holding a uniform comprising of green pants, with a skirt and several metal accents along the shoulders and back. I held up the suit, looking at every inch of it. I looked back up at Baatar and smiled before running into his arms.
"It's amazing, Baatar! Thank you," I said.
"And the whole crew has them also?" I asked.
"Yes," he said. His glasses slid down his nose, and he looked annoyed as he pushed them back up.
"Oh, I have a surprise for you too," I said, reaching into the pocket of my old robes.
"I got you some new glasses. Since you're always complaining about the ones you have," I said as I fit them around his face.
"I like them," I said, staring out the outfit once more. I pulled Baatar close to me. We started to kiss fervently and didn't break apart.
