Finally it was over. Three long years and it had come to this. When she had told the others about her plans for Republic City, she had expected resistance and there had been.
Suyin had been hesitant, but between her and Baatars efforts they had been able to convince her that it was for the best if Republc City became a part of the Empire.
Riako had been angry but out voted. He would remain president of the city but he would answer to the Empire now. No longer would he be able to sit by when the world needed his city.
And with Republic City joined with them, their mission was finally over. And with it done it meant she could finally fulfill her promise.
It felt strange to be wearing a dress after so long in her military uniform but there was nothing she would rather be wearing than white right now.
If only she could get Suyin and Opal to stop trying to fix her hair. Honestly they hadn't stopped in hours and it was not helping her nerves. Her stomach was doing somersaults and it must have been showing on her face.
"It's okay to be nervous," Suyin chuckled. "I was the same on my wedding day."
"I'm not nervous."
"Kuvira you weren't this scared when we had to face those Bandits outside of Omashu," Opal grinned.
"I would rather face them all right now."
Her face redden as the two of them giggled until a knock at the door silenced them. Suyin got it, reaching the door and looking surprised by the visitor.
"Korra."
"Um hey Suyin. I was hoping to talk to Kuvira... If she's ready of course," she added hastily.
"Well..."
"It's fine Avatar Korra," she said quickly. "I can spare five minutes."
The two Beifongs left, though they didn't look happy about it, saying the would come back to finish. The Avatar walked forward though quickly sat down. Old wounds still plaguing her, three years later.
"What brings you here Avatar Korra," she asked, curious. "I hadn't realised you'd recovered."
"Getting there," Korra smiled. "But I wanted to thank you personally."
"Thank me? What for?"
"For maintaining balance. When I couldn't..."
Kuvira remained silent unsure of what to say. Many people had thanked her in the past months. It had all felt the same whether they were noblemen or peasants. But to have the Avatar herself thank her. It made everything real. She had actually done it.
"I know you had a lot of people helping you, but I hope you never forget it was you who led them. You who rose up when you had know reason to."
"Anyone could ha-"
"Anyone could have," the Avatar interrupted. "But it was you who did. And for that I will always be grateful."
Avatar Korra brought her hands together and bowed to her.
"Thank you Kuvira."
Opal walked silently through the streets of Capital. Bolin walked with her, both of of them wearing hoods and long robes they could remove the second they needed to fight. She doubted even her mother would be able to recognize her now.
And it was vital that Vaatu didn't recognize them, even if they weren't sure what memories, if any, the Spirit had of Kuviras. Everything was riding on it. They had to ensure that everyone was in position before the attack.
With Vaatu's power, no mistakes could be made.
So far only Bolin could defend properly against lava bending and no one could fight against platinum bending. Not like that had stopped her brothers. Wing and Wei had been trying desperately to crack the secret but even there combined strength wasn't enough. She hadn't really expected it to though. If Grandma Toph couldn't do it, she doubted anyone could. Except maybe Korra
Who still wasn't here yet.
Opal glanced over to where Vaatu stood resting against the wall, dark glasses covering her eyes enough that, in the bright sun of the Fire Nation, no one seemed to notice the red glow.
Why wasn't Korra here yet?
Bolin squeezed her hand gently, reassuring her silently. She smiled back at him, trying to remain calm. Korra would be here soon, then they should been enough of them to...
To what?
Even if they could beat her, how would hold her? Could they even hold her? Only platinum could hold Korra and it took a lot of it. Even then, in her Avatar State nothing could hold her.
How were they meant to hold her without platinum?
She felt Bolin tense, and glanced over to see Vaatu was moving. He walked casually down the street and towards the sea. They waited for a few moments to make sure he didn't notice him, then they followed.
The air bender wondered what everyone else was doing, everyone moving at once was bound to draw attention.
Mako was around somewhere, as well as the remaining guards her mother had brought from Zaofu. A few more guards that the Fire Lord could spare but the majority of the force had been injured in the Red Lotus attack. The rest was remaining to guard the council with the combined paranoia from Fire Lord Izumi and President Riako to strong for the council to convince them it was necessary to relinquish the soldiers. They would just have to make do, just as soon as Ko-
The ground opened up underneath her and before she could make a sound she vanished beneath it, a cry from Bolin the last thing she heard.
Darkness surrounded her as she was pulled through the earth, chunks of hard rock pulling her robe from her revealing the wing suit underneath. Suddenly battered and bruised she emerged back in to daylight and coughing up dirt she found herself facing Kuvira, her hands and feet still trapped beneath the earth.
No not Kuvira. Vaatu.
Kuvira was gone.
"You really thought you could surprise me," Vaatu said mockingly. "You were there when this vessel was taught... What is it you humans call it? Seismic sense? "
"Opal!" Bolin's voice rang out over the dock as he broke cover running towards them, flinging rocks as he did but Opal felt herself thrown up by the rocks enveloping her limbs, crying out in pain as a rock struck her back. Vaatu turned her around and she could see Mako struggling to hold back his brother, even as Bolin fought to get closer.
The towns folk were running now realising that something was going on. The guards who had been hiding started to appear but Opal could see it wouldn't be enough, not without Korra.
"You humans are pathetic, yet you continue to get in my way." Vaatu snarled. "So tell Raava we shall do battle where it began. Alone."
As though to make his point, the rocks around Opal and she cried out in pain despite herself. Then she felt herself thrown off the dock, landing hard on speed boat. Vaatu followed swiftly, the edge of the dock melting into lava that hissed as it hit the water.
And then the boat was moving, speeding away from the shore. Bolins cries were barely audible over the roar of the engine, leaving Opal alone with only Vaatus glowing red eyes and the once comforting face of a long gone sister.
"Izumi!"
The council looked up in shock as Korra stormed into the room knocking the door off its hinges in her anger. Tenzin rose quickly to his feet to try to calm the Avatar and Suyin wondered what could be causeing this anger. She was guessing the attempt to catch Kuvira was not successful, though why she was angry with Izumi was unclear.
"Korra what happened?" Tenzin said. "Where is Kuvira?"
"They got away. Gone before I got there," Korra seethed as she glared at the non plusssed Fire Lord. "Because I was told thirty minutes after everyone else."
Suyin glanced over to Izumi her face unchanged.
"I gave orders to have you notified of Kuvira was found."
"Do not lie to me. You had my message delayed."
"Korra calm down," Tonraq urged his daughter. "I'm sure there must be some mistake. The fire Lord would not willingly delay you."
"Except I did."
All eyes turned to the Fire Lord now.
"What? Izumi why would you do that?"
"Because Tenzin," Izumi said with slight distaste her title was bing dropped. "President Riako and I do not think you are the most qualified person for taking down Kuvira."
"What?" Korra rounded on the president and Suyin couldn't help but feel slightly smug at the mans discomfort.
"This was not what I meant I assure you," he stammered before composing himself. "You have served Republic city countless times and we are in your debt. I merely suggested that someone else be there to...finish the job."
"Are we executing prisoners before there trials are over?" Tenzin said as Korra fumed. "We cannot just kill Kuvira now. Nothing's changed."
"Everything's changed," Izumi snapped. "Kuvira is no longer a compliant prisoner. She is one of the most power beings in the four nations. She must be dealt with."
"No one is debating that," Tonraq said. "But Korra is still the Avatar. She came bend all four elements while Kuvira still only has Earth. Why would you not want her to help."
"Because," Izumi began pointedly. "I do not belive that Avatar Korra has the conviction to do what is necessary."
"You both want to kill her, yet you can't even bring yourselves to say the words," Suyin muttered mostly to herself. "Typical."
"Dont act all high and mighty Su, you have already tried to kill her twice."
"Enough!" Korra shouted silencing the hall. "Because of your actions Vaatu has escaped and Opal is gone, so-"
"What?" Suyin interrupted. "What do you mean Opals gone?"
Korras anger vanished, replaced by guilt as she failed to meet Suyins gaze.
"Vaatu took her as a hostage so that only I would go after him. She was gone by the time I got there... I'm sorry."
Suyin felt herself sink in her seat at the thought. Opal, her only daughter was missing possibly... No she was alive. She had to be.
Korra must have noticed the way she sank in her chair as she spoke again.
"Su I will get Opal back, I promise you."
Suyin nodded barely listening as Izumi rolled her eyes.
"This is what I was afraid of. You are unable to what is necessary for the greater good."
"Even if that were true," Tonraq interrupted his daughter before she could tell again. "You cannot possibly think that you can beat Kuvira without Korra. She's too strong."
"Not true, my aunt proved that any lightning bender can potentially end the cycle," Izumi said almost causally. "And I hear mercury can be very effective," she said as she stared at Korra.
There are was a moment where everyone was too shocked to speak. Then Korra snarled, throwing the stone table over the councils head as she stormed towards the Fire Lord.
"Don't you dare threaten me Izumi. Not after what you just did. Vaatu could already be dealt with if it wasn't for you."
"Remember your place Avatar-" the fire Lord began but Korra cut her off with a blast of wind knocking the Fire Lord off her chair.
"No you remember yours! The Avatar has been around far longer than any Fire Lord. I have seen Nations rise and fall. Many by my hand. Vaatu is a force of destruction far beyond your comprehension." Korra's voice changed as her eyes started to glow. "We shall deal with this threat as we always do and we shall do it our way now. And when Vaatu is defeated and Kuvira is alive, you will remember that you only have your throne because of us."
Suyin stared at Korra. It was so easy to forget sometimes that she was much more than a woman who could bend all the elements. The spirit that was bonded to her had been awakened and it was furious.
Korras eyes faded back to their usual blue and for a second she almost looked thrown by her actions. Then she turned around and left leaving the council of Nations in a stunned silenced.
Tenzin made his way to Korras room slowly. there was no need for him to rush if Korra was meditating as expected. He had noticed it back in the council meeting and he suspected that Raava and Korra were out of balance with each other.
Korra had told him about how Raava had forced control when they had sensed Vaatus presence but it was something else to see it with his own eyes. It would be bothering the Avatar, having fought so hard to change her own aggressive nature to now have the lights spirits own nature rear its head.
Too many placed Spirits on a pedestal, forgetting that they could have as many flaws as humans did. Wan Shi Tong may have be a Spirit of Wisdom but he was still able to be manipulated by Unalaq. Raava may be a Spirit of Order but order taken to the extreme would suffocate.
Still the Airbending master was worried. He had never heard of the Avatar Spirit forcing control like this. It was meant to be a defense mechanism not an offensive one.
He arrived at her door but found it was locked.
"Who's there?"
Asami voice asked accusingly through the door.
"It's Tenzin. Is Korra there?"
"Oh," Asami said her tone lightening. "One second."
The doors opened and Tenzin stepped through into the room, Asami closing the door quickly after.
"Sorry Tenzin but Korra said to only let people we trust in."
Tenzin nodded.
"I understand. She may have made some enemies in the council meeting today." His gaze softened as it found Korra, eyes closed, as she sat meditating on the floor. "How is she?"
As if on cue, Korras eyes opened, blinking a few times before she realised he was there. They cast down quickly as though ashamed.
"Hey Tenzin," she muttered. "I'm sorry about before. I didn't think Raava would act like that."
"You don't need to apologise Korra. I understand your frustration. The council was furious with Izumi after you left. She had no right to go behind all our backs like that."
Asami scoffed.
"Damn right. Opals is missing because of her and Kuvira got away. She could be anywhere."
Korra sighed slouching out of her meditation pose to a more relaxing one.
"I still should have handled it better. Airbending her was a mistake."
"You air bent her?" Asami smirked slightly. "I would have like to have seen that."
Korra smiled weakly.
"It was mostly Raava but I made it worse for being so angry," Korra sighed. "Emotions shape spirits and I'm making Raava worse by being so angry. We need to be calm for when we face her- him again."
Tenzin noticed the way Korra corrected herself. She really didn't see Kuvira as a threat at all. He hoped she was right.
"Well you'll have time to rebalance yourself while we find Vaatu."
"I already know where he is."
"You do?" He replied shocked. "How? Where?"
"Mako told me Vaatu said, 'we shall battle where it began.' That can only mean one place."
"The Tree of Time."
Korra nodded.
"He'll be heading to Republci City to use the portal. I'm leaving in the morning, Asami is letting me borrow a speed boat."
"Against my better judgement," Asami muttered arms folded.
"I'll be fine Sami," Korra said as she reassured her girlfriend. "I can't risk anyone else getting hurt. No one else is a match for him."
"Hmm."
Tenzin stroked his beard as he thought it over. What Korra was saying made sense. No one else could really stand against Kuvira. Even the Red Lotus, arguably the best in the world had tried to avoid attacking Korra directly.
But part of him was hesitant. He cared deeply for Korra and didn't like the idea of sending her alone. She was a part of his family even without blood.
He sighed. He would just have to trust her, there was no other alternative.
"Very well Korra," he said nodding. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Korra smiled, looking relieved he had agreed with her.
"Let Jinora know Vaatu is coming. The Air benders are the only defense Republci City has if I fail. Maybe they'll be able to get Opal before the battle starts."
"I'll see to it," he said nodding. "You should get some rest though Korra. I'll tell the council where you have gone after you have left. It should be enough time to keep them off your back."
He rose to his feet and walked out of the room pausing in the doorway.
"Be careful Korra. Come back safely."
Korra gave him a crooked grin.
"Don't worry, Asami would kill me if I got hurt," she joked. "Just make sure Kuvira's trial is ready to continue when I get back."
"Of course Avatar Korra."