Korra desperately tried earthbending the rubble aside, but there was too much for her to move on her own. No one else had realised that Kuvira was buried underneath the remnants of the courthouse, or they just didn't care. Not that Korra could completely blame them, but she valued Kuvira's life, even if others didn't.
Whilst Korra was trying to save Kuvira's life, Izumi had managed to quieten down the masses. "We need to remain calm, everyone stay here so we can make sure no one has been left behind in the rubble" she ordered, and much like before, the people readily obeyed her. So they huddled together for support. Even though they had survived what seemed almost inevitable deaths, they were now traumatised, some more than others, as they tried to forget the hectic minutes spent under the roof of the crumbling courthouse.
Even though she was wholly focused on earthbending, Korra still managed to hear Izumi's words, and seized an opportunity to rally more earthbenders. "Someone's still trapped down there! I saw them!" she cried, not disclosing exactly who was trapped, thinking that it would deter potential helpers from volunteering.
Immediately afterwards earthbenders and others rushed to her side and got to work- whether it be through hurling bricks aside to simply lifting them off the ground, everyone, even world leaders like President Raiko and the Fire Lord contributed some muscle to the task. While this was happening Jinora hovered above, trying to see which unlucky person had been trapped. Everyone seemed to be safe, except for… Oh.
Jinora debated whether or not telling the crowd below the identity of the missing victim. In any other case it would be not only the right but also smart thing to do, but here she felt that encouraging people to rescue a totalitarian dictator would be an impossible thing to do. So she kept mum, while reassuring concerned individuals that their loved ones were safe from above.
Eventually Asami spotted a hand, barely moving and bruised. "I've found them!" she called, at which point several people rushed to her side, as they pulled Kuvira out of the rubble. No one said anything about having to rescue her- if anything, the wounds adorning her face as she limped along, barely responsive to anyone, made them feel sorry for her.
Kuvira's rescue had incited another commotion amongst the crowd. Was she going to survive her injuries? How long would it take to for her to recover? Would her sentencing be delayed? These were just a few of the questions on people's minds as they surrounded the woman, who was slipping in and out of consciousness.
Meanwhile, Raiko tried to subside the noise of his constituents as he made an announcement. "Owing to the tragic calamity which occurred today, I see it fit to delay the trial until further notice. For the time being, I think it will be fine to have the defendants allowed home until the trial recommences" he stated. Buttercup smiled. Some good had come out of this disaster. At least now her husband's approval ratings may now exceed the single digits, she thought.
It was apparent now that Kuvira needed serious medical attention, and an ambulance was promptly called to escort her to the hospital. Apart from medical personnel, no one accompanied her. Gradually, the crowd started to die down as they went back home, leaving only "The Glorious Avatar, The Great Bolin, and their sidekicks"- at least, that was the term being employed in Varrick's new mover for them.
"So I guess we're free, right?" Bolin asked. "I guess so" Mako said, before realising what he just said. After he did, both brothers exchanged another hug, again somewhat overwhelmed with emotion. No one else interfered, feeling it a moment best shared between the two of them. None of them knew how to feel.
On the one hand, Bolin, Varrick and Zhu Li were now more or less free, and they all managed to survived the destruction. On the other hand, they had all nearly died, and there was an uncertainty looming over them, as they didn't know what was going to happen now. Obviously an investigation needed to be carried out into the incident, and Korra suspected that she would play a fairly large part in that. A silence continued as the group tried to figure out exactly what the next few weeks and possibly months of their lives would entail.
"So, pals, who's up for celebrating our release on Air Temple Island?!" Varrick eventually enthused. "I can guarantee you that won't be a good idea" Jinora replied, noting her sick brother. Besides, she didn't think her father would appreciate Varrick inviting himself over to the temple.
At Bolin's insistence they went to Asami's mansion. Most of Mako and Bolin's family had come to the trial, but Grandma Yin had refused to go, too heartbroken to see her grandson labelled a criminal. Hence her squeals of joy when she saw him enter the house a free man.
While Bolin was happy to reunite with his family, the rest of them (save for Mako) felt slightly overwhelmed by just how huge the group was- Varrick in particular was surprised at how many relatives one could still be in touch with. It was like the Beifongs x 10. Asami and Korra both shuffled their feet uncomfortably when Grandma Yin started once again berated Mako for not dating either of them. Both decided it wouldn't be wise to come out to her. Whilst most people had been accepting of their sexuality and relationship, but they thought Grandma Yin probably would be at best frosty to the concept. She was an old fashioned woman in that way.
Eventually Grandma Yin got too overbearing even for Bolin, so armed with Pabu in his grasp, he and the rest of the group left the mansion for a newly built restaurant overlooking the pier to celebrate. After their meal, Korra, Mako, Bolin and Asami separated themselves from the rest of the group as they took the time to reminisce about old times past.
It felt like an eternity since the four of them had properly interacted with each other. Since the three years, there had been Kuvira's attack, and since then its ramifications had dominated their lives. Sure there were two weeks of tranquillity within it all, but Korra and Asami weren't even traceable during that time except via portal.
So thank goodness for these moments, which allowed them to truly catch up on what they'd missed. Familiar jokes were told as the quartet interacted, not out of necessity or to save anyone's life, but just because that was what friends did with each other. And even if a lot had happened between them, they would always be friends.
