Last Stand AU. Korra doesn't move fast enough and the spirit beam ray hits Kuvira but instead killing her, it changes her back child without her memories. Requested by Guest, Smaura.
And this is a long one. I probably could have broken it up into two parts.
It all happened in slow motion. Kuvira had fallen off of the cannon and was left stunned at the sight of the vines adjusting aim towards her. Korra contemplated if this was justice for messing with the spirits but the Avatar, after her quick processing of what was before her, could not let it go this way. Alas, for Kuvira, it was a bit late. By the time Korra entered the Avatar State and began to bend the energy around her, Kuvira had received a head on blast from the weapon.
Before her was the training compound she had lived and trained in. She saw herself training for hours and hours as her White Lotus mentors tried to enforce their teachings on her. They meant well, but for a young girl at the age of ten, it was often too harsh and the standards were often too high. Her earthbending mentor was also stubborn and refused to let her take a much needed break.
Korra stood off from the memory. She could hear, see and feel the environment around her but she could not interfere with it. A smile would soon come though. Master Katara here to save her for a few hours of healing lessons and maybe she would play a game or two of fire-air-water-earth. Even Tenzin and his three year old daughter Jinora came down from their temporary quarters. Korra grinned as she remembered that they did play a few rounds of the hand game. Katara, even at the ripe age of seventy-eight, won most of them. Then Korra had tried to teach the toddler.
"Why do you play games with me?" she had asked her healing teacher the same question again.
"Because even little Avatar's need to play." Katara smiled, "Someone needs to show you love, even when your own parents are unable to."
But then Korra realized that this sudden memory did not fit her stepping into the cannon's blast.
She turned around and saw bits and pieces of Kuvira's past. She frowned at the scene of Kuvira being left behind by her parents. She saw how Kuvira felt like an outsider until she proved to Suyin that she could metalbend.
She soon found herself standing in the Spirit World beside another looked around hoping to find reason as to what had happened. Then she heard the cooing of a young child. When the Avatar looked down, she saw just not a young child but a baby. A human baby and this human baby was sitting up and putting a green jacket into his or her mouth. Korra bent over to look at bit closer. Little arms reached up towards her.
"You are certainly lost." She spoke as she picked the child up as well as the large green jacket.
Korra's worried look suddenly became one of realization.
"Spirits," she sighed, "Really? Just when I thought I had the spirits figured out, they go and make you a baby."
The Avatar soon smiled as she spoke again in a softer tone, "Alright, an adorable one. Look at those cheeks!"
After talking to herself and the child, Korra decided that they did need to get back. As she left the portal, Korra saw all of the worried and weary eyes as they realized she was not dead. Soldiers of the Earth Empire all stood, ready to fight.
"Go home," Korra shouted letting her eyes flash as a warning, "This fight is over."
She tucked the child into her left arm and she took a more aggressive stance. The soldiers finally took her message to heart and begin to leave the crater. The rest of Republic City's defenders ran up to her.
"You're alive. Thank goodness." Tenzin said as he caught his breath.
"Did you…" Suyin trailed off at her next thought.
Korra smiled as she showed them the infant, "No, she should be dead but the spirits thought otherwise."
She gave them her goofy grin as their jaws dropped and they began to question why. Before Korra could begin to answer, she was reminded that the child did not have a diaper.
They had all moved back to Air Temple Island when Korra complained about her shirt being wet. The Bei Fongs argued about what to do with Kuvira. Tenzin stepped in a few times when Suyin was losing her rational thought. She kept going on about throwing her in jail to rot.
Mako, Opal and Bolin sat close by. They were not speaking but confusion was written all over their faces. Asami was helping Pema with cooking up something to eat for the numerous visitors. President Raiko was away and directing the Earth Empire and United Republic soldiers on a search for injured and clearing rubble away.
Korra was entertaining the baby and laughing along.
"For the last time, Su," Lin threw her arms up, "I am not throwing someone who turned into a child into jail."
"Then let me take her back to Zaofu. She'll be under constant supervision and-"
"No." Korra stood up. The child was still in her hand, "Su, no offense, but I do not think you can take care of her again. Your lack of care before left her to do all of this with Bataar and without advice on how to run a country."
"Then what do you think we should all do?" Su pointed a finger, "She's a murderous dictator."
"Was. She was and now the spirits decided on another path."Korra retorted, "I'll raise her."
Suyin laughed. Everyone else gave Korra looks of mixed feelings.
"No offense Korra," Su started, "But what do you know about children."
Korra smiled. The memories she saw earlier came back to her and she knew why.
"I know that she needs love and someone to support her." She then grinned, "And besides, I babysat Tenzin's children a few times. I'm not completely clueless."
"It's not the same." Tenzin and Su said at the same time.
"Not to mention all the work ahead of you to help rebuild Republic City and the Earth Kingdom." Lin added.
Korra shook her head and stood up from her seat.
That evening, Asami stopped by the Avatar's room. She leaned in the doorway with a contorted look on her face. The Avatar was currently hiding from everyone. Kuvira was asleep with her head against the Avatar's heart.
"You are really going to raise her."
Korra looked up from the rocking chair Pema had found for her, "I am."
"Why?" she asked. It was not a judging tone coming from her. She sounded confused and possibly a hint of having to deal with her father's death was bringing her to question the Avatar.
"Who else will give her a fair second chance?"
Asami shook her head before giving Korra a glaring look, "What about my father? Did he not deserve another chance? Or how about the people whom now have no home. What will you tell them?"
"What would you like me to do about her then?" the Avatar asked barely above a whisper.
"She's tried to kill you; more than once. Just give her to someone else." Asami then shook her head, "I can see that you will not change your mind. I will leave you both alone."
Korra quickly stood, "Asami, wait. Please?"
"I'm not waiting this time, Korra. I don't want anything to do with her."
Korra found out that Tenzin was right about her not knowing anything about taking care of a baby. The first week was hard and no one on Air Temple Island got any sleep. Between meetings with Future Industries and President Raiko, Korra and the airbenders were busy. At breaks, Korra was with Kuvira. Poor Pema was receiving hugs from the Avatar like crazy whenever the older woman offered to watch the child for her.
Sitting turned into crawling. Crawling turned into running. Korra then cursed everything once the child skipped walking. Running quickly turned into climbing and plenty of 'Kuvira, don't get into that!'
What made it all worse was that Kuvira seemed to have retained her knowledge of earthbending. At the age of four, Korra was fixing Air Temple Island as the child wrecked the place. Well, maybe Korra had a hand in a few things. Someone had to teach her how to get into fun mischief. When the Avatar came back from a recent check up in the new Earth Republic, she found that she and Kuvira were out growing the island. Which in all truth meant that the little earthbender was becoming bored staying on the island. Within the week, Korra had somehow convinced someone to let her rent out an apartment in the city.
"Mom?"
"Yes?" Korra looked up at the green eyes looking down at her from her shoulders.
"What is school like?"
They were walking around the city. Korra had been sharing stories and lunch moments before. They even worked in some earthbending training in the park.
The Avatar's mouth hung open for a moment as she tried to think of something to tell the five year old.
"I don't actually know, Kuvi. I kinda went to a special Avatar school."
"What was that like?"
Korra let out a gruff, "Brutal. It was fighting and training all day except some days I would get reading and calligraphy lessons."
Kuvira then let out a long breath of air. The unnatural cold air for late summer let her see her breath and the earthbender laughed.
"I can breathe fire!" she let out a sly smile.
Korra chuckled as she stopped before the main door to the apartment building. She held a hand out to undo the lock before entering.
"It is freakishly cold today." She said as she wiped her boots in the mat.
"Can't you make the weather warmer? You're the Avatar, Mom."
"If only."
She began to climb the stairs. Her apartment was on the fifth floor and while she could take the newly refurbished elevator, Korra needed the workout. Avatar duties were almost non-existent at the time being and if she did have to go, it was always political. It seemed opening a new spirit portal scared most of the world and no one wanted to challenge her. It was a nice change.
Kuvira went on about something as they finally reached their floor. The girl silenced herself and Korra raised an eyebrow with wonder at the sight before her. Bataar Jr. was sitting down in front of their apartment door.
"Uh," Korra started, "What are you doing here? I thought your mother was keeping you locked up in Zaofu?"
Kuvira leaned down to nervously whisper to her adoptive mother, "Do we know him?"
The Avatar did not respond.
"My apologies, Avatar Korra. I tried to contact you before I let Zaofu." He began as he stood up, "I was hoping we could speak privately."
The Avatar lifted her child from her shoulders before unlocking the main door, "Why don't you go play in your room, Kuvi? My old friend and I need to speak alone."
The girl nodded before rushing to her room. Korra let out a chuckle before turning to her visitor.
"Tea?"
"Sounds lovely." He said.
Korra began to fix them a pot of tea. She would soon turn to look at him.
"So, why are you here?" she crossed her arms as she studied him, "And first thing first; no you may not date her. She's not allowed to date until she's thirty and I'm positive you will be far too old for her by then."
Korra then grinned as she was teasing.
"I did not come here for that. My relationship with Kuvira ended when she fired the spirit cannon at us." His demeanor changed when he realized she was only jesting, "Actually, I heard that you were raising her alone and I convinced my mother that I could help you and Republic City at the same time. While my love for Kuvira has faded away, I feel moderately at fault for your situation."
Now Korra was completely thrown off her game with his offer, "Okay, what I said does stand for real this time. You cannot be truly asking me to help raise her. You two were engaged at one point. This kinda makes it all awkward."
"My mother told me what you said to everyone when I found out about her. Honestly, I thought it was crazy but then I realized that I too, could help her become the woman I knew she was at one time. Please, Avatar Korra. Let me help you." He then grinned, "I can help babysit."
Sold.
It was awkward at first living with Bataar Jr., but Korra soon realized that he was not bluffing when he wanted to help. When the phase of their uncomfortable past was straightened out, she found that Bataar was a bit better with children. He said it was because he had siblings. Korra shook her head as she sighed.
The first time Opal and Bolin came over, Bataar had scared them. Opal then accused Korra of corrupting him. The Avatar then pointed at Kuvira. The girl smiled even if she did not understand her Aunt Opal's comment.
"Of course she would still hold him in some kind of leash." Opal then mentioned.
About a year later, they came home from a long trip from Zaofu. Suyin was actually civil with Kuvira and the girl had fun being somewhere else other than Republic City.
Bataar had crashed on the sofa while the Avatar was putting the young earthbender to bed. She came out moments later and sat down beside the architect. She instinctively rested her head on his shoulder.
"Was she this active the first time around?" she asked while she yawned.
"No. She was tentative and quiet. I think you are corrupting her well."
The Avatar chuckled as she smacked his knee, "You are helping."
Moments later, Bataar lifted his head. He swore he heard snoring. Sure enough, Korra had fallen asleep and he was her pillow. He slowly adjusted so that he could gently pick her up and carry her to her room. Bataar soon found that she was heavier than she looked and had woken her by the time he reached the door to her room.
"Just stay tonight here." She mumbled as her arms wrapped around his neck, "No sense in going."
Bataar was stuck.
Kuvira had always wondered why Asami Sato hated her. Every time they ran into each other, the earthbender was confused as to why the other woman gave her a harsh look.
"Mom," she finally found her courage to ask, "Why does your friend Asami hate me?"
"Uh," The Avatar tried to come up with something. These questions were becoming harder to answer.
"She... wanted you to go to another family… with a better sense of work than being the Avatar."
Korra tried to smile her way through the lie but Kuvira was getting too good at reading her.
"Alright," the fourteen year old rolled her eyes, "What is the real reason now?"
The Water Tribe woman blew a strain of hair from out of her face, "She did not want me to adopt you for personal reasons that you are not old enough to know about yet."
"Can I go practice metalbending with Great-Aunt Lin tonight?"
Her green eyes pleaded with excitement.
"Fine."
Kuvira rushed over to give her mother a hug before taking off to her room. She grabbed a bag and quickly left.
The Rock 'n Roll Hall. It was the place to be in Republic City and Kuvira was there. She and her friends from school had managed to find knee length dresses and did each others' hair before meeting up with the boys.
The boys had their hair greased back and wore their leather jackets when the girls caught up to them.
"Come on," one of the boys said, "Bao Hong is playing tonight. This will be a blast!"
They rushed into the dance hall. When the guitarist entered the hall, girls screamed and the boys cheered. Bao Hong adjusted his thick glasses before beginning his first song.
"Kuvi," her friend Ji leaned in close, "Look what my brother got me."
He pulled out a box to show her.
"You managed to get them." She grinned, kissing him on his cheek, "Let me smoke one."
The browned eyed boy grinned, "Sure baby. Do you think you can catch the flick with us later?"
Kuvira took the boy's lighter, "Depends. I am supposed to be practicing with my Aunt Lin. If I stay out too late, my mother will know that I played hooky."
"Your mother is a party pooper, Kuvi."
The earthbender grinned as she blew out the smoke, "She's the almighty Avatar. She's a wet rag. I'm sure she's never played hooky in her life."
They all laughed before Kuvira turned her head. Her jaw dropped and she flicked the cigarette away.
"Oh hey Mako." She tried to give him a smile.
The detective frowned, "Aren't you supposed to be training?"
"Come on, Copper," Ji started, "We weren't causing trouble."
Mako bent over to pick up the smoke, "No trouble, huh? Then what do you call this?"
Some of the gang began to sneak out. Kuvira sighed as she knew what was coming next.
It was the night of her academy graduation. Kuvira was carefully putting on the uniform of a Republic City Police Officer. She knew her adopted family was waiting outside to take her to the ceremony. She could hear the frustration in Korra's and Bataar's voices at trying to get her younger siblings to cooperate with getting dressed. Moments later, the Avatar did walk in.
"It fits." She said walking in and throwing her arms up in joy, "I told you it would, Kuvi."
Kuvira looked at the mirror again, "It does."
"Nervous?" Korra put her hands on the young woman's shoulders.
"Would you believe me if I said no?"
"Nope." Korra made her turn around and began to adjust Kuvira's jacket, "There. Now you are ready and we better hurry. We have to be there in an hour and we finally got your brothers dressed."
As the young metalbender walked out, Korra frowned. She set a small box on her oldest's bed and a letter.
When Kuvira came home from the ceremony and enjoying the night with her classmates, she stumbled into bed. She grunted from the pain of landing on something and found the box and letter. In her merry and slightly drunken state, she opened it after turning a light on. Then she began to read.
'My dear Kuvira,' she started.
As you read this, I want to share my love but as you probably know, Bataar and I have kept a secret from you. In the box is a collection of mementos about who you really were. Please read each news story. We will be waiting for you to answer any more questions you will have.
Love,
Avatar Korra
"Why did she sign it as the Avatar?" she said to herself as she began to unlock the box's hinges.
In it were stacks of newspaper clippings. The first one on top was about a former Captain of Zaofu's guard. It confused her as it had a picture of her and the name of the captain shared her own. As she continued, the clippings went from this Captain aiding Korra against the Red Lotus threat to the captain eventually becoming someone called the Great Uniter. In each story, the face and name was the same. Even Bataar was in a few with her Uncle Bolin. The voice in the back of her mind was telling her that this was her. It was too sobering.
"This has to be some sick joke." She finally said.
She stood up and took off her jacket. When she walked out, she found Korra and Bataar sitting at a table with tea in their hands. There was a third cup for her.
"Kuvira, please sit." Korra held her hand out. She looked like a weary forty-three year old woman in this moment.
Tea was not going to settle the metalbender.
"You both hid this from me? For twenty-two years you both lied and said that I was adopted and was not the dictator that was planning on taking power from the Earth Kingdom. How could you do both lie to me?" she began shouting, "I was a horrible person. Why am I not in prison?"
"Lin Bei Fong would not arrest a child." Bataar said, "And Avatar Korra would not allow for you to return to Zaofu because of my mother."
Kuvira let her head drop. She was not angry anymore as she thought about what was going on. She finally sat down with them.
"I want to know everything about why this happened and who I was in full detail. These newspaper clippings were a bit biased against me."
And so Korra and Bataar did. They stayed up the entire night recalling everything they could. Her life growing up in Zaofu. Becoming a dancer and the Captain of Suyin's guard. The fall of Ba Sing Se. Her becoming the Intern President. The Great Uniter and the spirit weapon. Betraying Bataar which the whole relationship between them was now awkward. Then finally Kuvira and Korra's last fight. They would only pause to have more tea made.
"Was I nearly as bad this time around?" Kuvira asked with a slight grin.
"You tried to kill us less." Korra jested, "Although I won't forget chasing you around the park. You were throwing rocks at me because I wouldn't let you have a flavored ice treat."
The metalbender snickered as she looked away in embarrassment. She did remember that. She was four.
"But mostly, I hated myself at the moment because I doubted that I was even a good mother figure."
"No," Kuvira smiled, "To compare you and Su, you were the better guardian. Both of you. I honestly am lost for words on how I feel right now but I love you both."
She then stood, "Excuse me. I need to do something important right now."
Korra yawned, "Of course. I better take a nap before the boys wake up."
Bataar nodded, "The president wants to meet later about a new project. We will be here for you, Kuvira, if you need us."
The metalbender bit her lower lip and nodded as they both hugged her. First she needed to shower before doing want she needed to do.
Asami was looking down when the elevator to her floor opened. She walked out carrying files and important records. Although she was not in a hurry, she did not realize the new officer waiting for her at first.
"Kuvira? What are you doing here?" she spoke in a surprised tone rather than disapproval of the woman. It was rare that they ever spoke.
"I want to apologize."
Asami raised a brow, "For what? You haven't done anything."
"I have." Kuvira swallowed hard as she knelt down onto her knees, "I killed your father years ago."
"Oh," she interrupted the other woman to quickly unlock her office door, "You know? Let's, um, speak inside. Some people don't need to know."
Kuvira nodded and followed her in. She watched as the Future Industries owner opened a cabinet and pulled out a bottle of wine and two glasses.
"Please sit." She finally said as she poured a glass, "Would you like any?"
"No, I just came to apologize." Kuvira then watched the woman drink down a glass.
When she was done, Asami was left in a forlorn mood. She turned in her chair with a hand to her face. The younger woman was silent as she did not know what to say.
"I will leave. I'm sorry for causing you pain."
"Kuvira, wait." Asami turned in her chair again, "Please sit. I knew that there was a possibility that you would remember and come but I did not expect it so soon."
"It's been twenty-two years."
The older woman laughed softly, "It had been, hasn't it? Where did the time go? Sit; you are making me nervous."
Asami would continue as the metalbender sat down, "It should have been me helping Korra raise you not Bataar. I've spent years thinking and regretting my actions. She needed me to help her with one of her ideas and I ran. It sounds understandable because the Great Uniter did kill my father. I had just forgiven him and was working on bettering our relationship. His death hurt then but in all truth, he tried killing me years before."
Kuvira was lost of words again.
"I should be apologizing to Korra for allowing her to raise you alone."
"Bataar helped."
Asami laughed, "How awkward was that conversation, by the way?"
"You mean the fact that they ever got married and raised me or that we were once engaged to each other?" Kuvira sighed and rolled her eyes, "It was completely awkward. It makes sense that any personal problems I had, he directed me to mom, or Korra. I'm still so confused. Is that offer of a glass of wine still possible?"
"Of course it is, Kuvi." Asami smiled as she filled the second glass, "Congratulations on becoming an officer, by the way."
"I just want to help people," Kuvira pouted for a moment, "With less destroying of things. Will you ever forgive me?"
The older woman sat back in her seat for a moment. Another smile formed as she thought about it.
"I think I will be able to."
Korra was sitting alone on the sofa reading when the metalbender returned. The two younger brothers were playing on the floor. The Avatar looked away from her book and gave Kuvira a smile.
"How did it go?"
Kuvira hung her jacket up and took her shoes off, "It went well."
She then walked around the sofa and collided with the Avatar in a strong hug. Korra returned it although she was confused.
"Thank you, Avatar Korra." Kuvira said quietly as she pressed her face into the crook of the woman's neck, "You have no idea how much I appreciate a second chance."
Korra hugged her tighter.
"You're welcome."