I exited the doors of Zaofu's city hall to see the blank faces of soldiers staring back at me. I had just air-shipped in from Song Island. For all the general public knew, I hadn't left since I took control. A microphone awaited me on a podium.
"Today, we stand on the precipice of history. For the past three years, we've fought side by side to unite the Earth Empire, and we've proven that no one can stand in our way, not even the Avatar. But our mission is not yet complete. There is a grave injustice that must be corrected. As you all know, after the Hundred Year War, Avatar Aang, along with Fire Lord Zuko, stole Earth Empire land and formed the United Republic. This land belongs to the people of the Earth Empire, and it's time to take it back! Republic City will be ours," I said, inspiring my soldiers.
"All hail the Great Uniter!" they yelled in unison. I began to walk back into the building with Baatar.
"Are you ready to show the world what a true superpower looks like?" I asked. I was in a good mood.
"Yes. I'm honored to march into the city by your side. I love you, Kuvira," he said, taking my hands.
"I never could have done this without your help. After we claim victory, we can finally get married and rule our empire together," I said. I pulled him into an embrace. Something told me to hold on to him while I could.
"Ready to go?" he asked, breaking away. I nodded, and we boarded an airship yet again before arriving in New Gaipan several hours later. Walking through the city, the citizens who were covered in dirt stopped to stare before knowing better and continuing to work. I didn't feel sorry. They were my subjects, contributing to society. But yet, the hustle and bustle that New Gaipan had when I first came nearly three years ago was gone. After being led into a roofless warehouse a short drive outside the city, I saw it; the finished mech giant. Its size baffled me. Baatar came to my side, smiling. I was taken up to the platinum neck of the suit, where after much struggle, a door was opened. I stepped into the familiar head that I had trained in just weeks ago.
"This is really it," Baatar said.
"I'll meet you in Republic City," he said with a kiss. The walls of the warehouse were evacuated, then promptly blasted away. The legs began to move automatically, and I could feel the immense power coming from within the core. It wasn't like any natural feeling of force; you could tell that only the spirits were capable of such a thing. I pulled the lever the stop after a few steps, then flipped on the radio switch that addressed all soldiers on their way to Republic City.
"Attention all soldiers. I hope you all have full stomachs because we have a long walk ahead of us. We're scheduled to arrive in Republic City in three days time, at approximately dawn. My job will be to handle the surrender, and yours is to keep the citizens in check. You've been trained for this. Be prepared to have the four nations as they were always supposed to be almost seventy years ago; separate," I said. Mech suits around me raised their arms in spirit.
The next few days were spent walking, including short breaks every evening to eat and stretch. On the second days evening during a break from walking, I joined Baatar and my generals on the foot of the mech giant for drinks. I sat unprofessionally with my legs crossed on the foot, floating the metal tankard above my hand. The rest of the group lay blissfully under on the green meadow of the far northwestern United Republic. I shouldn't drink, but with the impending attack, I needed a break.
"You've done excellent work in your field, Hong Li. I'm not disappointed," I said, mid-conversation. He smiled tiredly at these words.
"You're not just a young guard anymore. Ever since you stood up for yourself when you were convicted of a crime you didn't commit, I knew you had the capability to be a great leader,"
"What about Zhu Guan?"
"Well—" Zhu Guan started.
"He was second in line to me. He was a guard for a long time but often overlooked. There are some things that only experience can teach you," I told him. I paused to take a sip.
"It must have been difficult for you to do your job, I know the way I do things are not your way. But when you sentenced Suyin, that's when I knew for sure that you would follow me into battle, no questions asked. I appreciate that, soldier," I told him.
"That means a lot," he said quietly.
"I couldn't have began to build any of this if you didn't organize the engineering team," Baatar added, looking at Zhu Guan.
"It's really quite something," he said, looking up at the head many stories above us. Silence came as everyone took another sip.
"Everything will be over after tomorrow. We won't really be around each other," Hong Li said, looking at Zhu Guan.
"That's not true. The Empire still needs an army," Zhu Guan added.
"It's different. I guess I just don't want it to be over. I'm afraid of what will happen to me when it's over,"
"You'll still have a job and a life, Hong Li. Everything you've done hasn't gone unnoticed, you'll be rewarded,"
"Who said anything about a reward?" Baatar joked. Laughter came from the group.
"But I understand the stress that comes with change. The good part for me is that I can finally start my life. And my family," Baatar said, looking to me. I looked at my feet.
"Aw, just because you're getting hitched doesn't mean you can't have fun," Hong Li joked, giving a playful shove.
"Unless you're Zhu Guan," A pebble collided with Hong Li's head as he laughed at himself, having come from Zhu Guan.
"All this planning. All of everything has lead up to this. My life has led up to this," Zhu Guan said confidently, puffing up his chest.
"Time to cut you off," Hong Li said, grabbing his mug.
"You're probably right," he smiled. The sunset gave the world a golden glow as it got darker, and there was a sense of calm between the soft wind and low buzz of soldiers talking.
"It's times like this that makes you appreciate life. I don't know why people complain about being soldiers," Hong Li said.
"Well most of them, Hong Li, are in a life-threatening war," Zhu Guan said sarcastically.
"What if we don't win?" Hong Li asked after a short silence.
"Of course we're going to win, Hong Li,"
"You're standing under the most powerful weapon humans have ever built," Baatar added.
"I should cut you off," Zhu Guan said.
"Yeah," Hong Li sighed, handing his friend his mug. Silence came once more, and Hong Li still looked worried. I observed his expression.
"We'll win," I said, jumping down from the foot and sitting next to Baatar. Everyone looked up at me when I spoke due to my prolonged silence. I stared at Hong Li sharply, reassuring him.
"It's the drinks. They're supposed to calm your nerves, not build them up," Zhu Guan joked.
"And what's up with you, all sympathetic?" He asked. I opened my mouth to protest.
"Now that's her drinks talking!" Hong Li said, reaching for my mug. I lifted it out of the way.
"Stop that!" I smiled ever so slightly.
"I remember the last time the drinks were talking for you," Baatar said, hugging me from the behind.
"Guys, don't get gross again. I still haven't recovered from last time," Hong Li said with a disgusted face. Baatar kissed me on the cheek, from the behind, and looked at me. I looked back into his emerald green eyes, and time temporarily stopped.
"Well," said Zhu Guan, standing up and cleaning up his mess. The disturbance broke the moment apart.
"We should get going if we still want to make it by morning," he said. I nodded and returned to the head.
I didn't sleep during the night and stood in a trance-like state at the helm. The stars shone brightly under the countryside.
"Military outpost in the valley ahead," a soldier alerted me, bringing me out of my haze. I snapped viciously back into the real world. I looked at the soldier.
"The fog is thick enough that we won't be seen until we're in range," I nodded and watched carefully until I saw the lights from the station come into view. Lights were turned upon the army, and I knew we had been spotted.
"Time to try this thing out," I radioed to all troops, no doubt bringing them out of a dreamy state as well. Shifting the enormous levers, the suit stopped with a thunderous thud. I swiveled the head slightly, aimed, then fired. The base erupted into flames and no longer existed.
"Great job!"
"Wonderful!" came the cheers of my generals.
I stared at the glowing mound that was a military base just minutes ago. I didn't know what I felt; I suppose it was nothing.
The morning light came soon and initiated a short shift change. I remained at the helm.
"There's a flying bison up ahead," a soldier alerted me.
"The Avatar!" I said diabolically. I slid the head over, aiming at the sky bison. I smirked as I held up my arms in the firing position, and closed my fists, causing the weapon to fire. The bison swerved to the side at the last minute. I fired again, demolishing a large mountain. I was sweating from the great amount of labor it took to control the giant. I watched the Avatar fly away indifferently. These controls better loosen up soon, I thought.
"Should we go after them? They're going to warn Republic City," Baatar said, apprehensively. I paused and weighed my options for a moment.
"Let them. No one can stop us," I smiled.
The pink glow from the rising sun eventually turned into daylight.
"The United forces must be already there if Zhu Li told them about the original date for the attack," Baatar said over the radio. I listened boredly.
"And the citizens will be mostly evacuated,"
"Baatar, we've been over this. Enough," He was silent for a moment.
"I need this to go perfectly. I just want to finish and…"
"Yes?"
"And marry you. I—"
"It's alright, Baatar," I said softly.
One more hour passed.
"Republic City up ahead. We'll arrive in ten minutes," alerted a soldier.
"Looks like this is it," Baatar said evilly. A few minutes later, I emerged from within the mountains to see the United Forces, waiting as I expected. I pulled the levers to stop walking.
"Imagine the look on the president's face," said Hong Li over the radio. Static suddenly came through an open line, and I snapped my head towards the control board.
"Kuvira, this is President Raiko. I order you to stand down. Turn your army around and leave,"
"You're in no position to give orders," I commanded
"Stand down, or we will attack!" I could sense his fear.
"I don't think you understand the power I possess. Let me make it clear," I had no patience. I aimed at the naval fleet and fired several times, wiping it out completely. Fortunately, the controls were becoming easier. Silence came from the president's side.
"You have three seconds before I wipe out your army," I said, pointing the weapon at the army.
"Spirits, they just destroyed the entire fleet!" General Iroh yelled to the president.
"I'm not sure of the fatalities, but they're all gone. We only have the land and air now, and that's if we can even get to Kuvira before the takes us all out,"
"We can't surrender. She's strong, but we can't give up. It doesn't mean we're helpless," said Lin Beifong.
"All of those innocent lives, gone immediately!" The president said himself in shock.
"Mister President, do I have your order to engage?" Asked General Iroh.
"I have no choice," Raiko said, turning to Lin. She gave him a pained, but understanding look.
"Time's up!" I said mercilessly.
"Stop! We surrender. Republic City is yours!" Raiko said defeatedly.
"Good. Turn your army and the Avatar over to me, and give Baatar your location. He'll present you with our terms," I said. I stood down and smiled.
"The president has surrendered!" I yelled triumphantly to the troops. Cheers once again came from Hong Li and Zhu Guan.
"We've done it, Kuvira. And I just got word that President Raiko is on Air Temple Island. I'm heading there now," Baatar's voice came a minute later. Now, it was time to wait.
"Time?" I asked.
"1015 hours," replied a soldier.
"The Avatar has likely not given up, so still be on guard. Mech suits, start heading towards Kyoshi Bridge and Republic City Station to see if we can manage to catch any citizens still in the city," I said to the troops.
"Baatar should be finished with the surrender in forty-five minutes. We'll secure the area, then all troops will gather in City Hall," I said separately to my generals.
"Roger," said Zhu Guan. After that was silence. I started the mech giant up again and proceeded to walk towards downtown Republic City. All of this, I thought, is mine. I didn't feel greed or joy— the job didn't feel done. I thought of my map on the maglev train, and how I'd finally get to put the magnet of the United Republic in to complete the map, so it was the Earth Kingdom again. Empire, I corrected myself. The four nations would be four nations again. Earth citizens in the Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation citizens in the Fire Nation. Water Tribe citizens in the North and South Poles, and depending on how today goes, acolytes in the Air Temples. I did feel slightly disturbed at the idea of there being no more airbenders again, but I had to do what I had to do, and there was no doubt that they were with the Avatar, wherever she was. That reminded me; I had to be on high alert. And so did everyone else. It felt obsessive, and I had to stop myself from drilling everyone on what to do if they found the Avatar. Instead, I picked up the radio to Hong Li and Zhu Guan, hopefully ending the poisonous silence.
"What did you want to be when you grew up?" I asked.
"I think when I was really little I wanted to be a farmer or builder. As I got older, though, guard work just suited me. Five years later, here I am," replied Hong Li.
"I always wanted to be a simple family man," Zhu Guan started.
"A father. But I got married when I was sixteen I was so excited to start and needed money for my family. Guard duty just made sense," he said.
"I was lucky enough to join when some of the first guards of Zaofu were still on the force. They really taught me everything I could ever need, from city to war crime," he finished.
"What did you want to be?" asked Hong Li.
"Mmm," I pondered.
"It sounds silly, but I wanted to be a princess when I was very little. Just like every other little girl; it gave me a sense of normality, and made me fit in," I said.
"'Suppose what I'm doing now isn't so different in some ways. It's a similar job, but just more— real," I finished.
"I never had control of situations when I grew up. Now, everything's changed. I can know what I must do, and adhere to a set of rules, and can help everyone else do that, whether it's me, or you, or a dissenter. They all have some sort of routine—"
"1100 hours, Great Uniter," said a soldier, cutting me off. I turned off the line I was speaking with, and turned on Baatar's.
"Status report?" I asked. No answer.
"Baatar, I need a status report," I said again. A soldier's voice came through.
"Right away, Great Uniter. I'll— get him," she sounded unsure. Static came from Baatar's line.
"Kuvira, this is Raiko. What kind of game are you playing? You told me you would send Baatar over with your terms, and then he doesn't show," I was troubled at the sound of his voice, and my heart started to beat faster.
"What do you mean, 'he didn't show?'"
"According to your people, he's not on the airship,"
"If he's not on the airship, then where is he?"
"Kuvira? It's Baatar," My mouth fell slightly open. I switched the line Raiko was on off.
"Is that coming from the same line?" I asked. A soldier shook his head vigorously.
"I've been captured. My airship was ambushed, and I was taken by force. Korra refuses to release me unless we back down and leave the city," he said tiredly.
"Are you injured?"
"I'm fine,"
"Is the Avatar there with you now?" With the Avatar! He betrayed me.
"Yes, everyone is here," I muted my end of the line.
"Find out where that signals coming from,"
"Listen to me. Forget the United Republic; we have our empire! We have each other! Let's go back home and get married. The only thing that matters is that we're together for the rest of our lives," he said poetically.
"We've identified their position," Alerted a soldier.
"You're right. This city isn't worth sacrificing our life together," I said. My mind was frantically calm.
"In there?" I mouthed to the soldier, who nodded as I spun the head, looking straight at Future Industries. The Avatar is with him now, I thought. The only thing standing in my way. The choice seemed clear.
"I love you, Baatar," I did.
I put one arm straight forward, and one at its side, bending the levers to the weapon. My hands were open, and I watched them close. Once more, I felt the too-familiar surge of energy come from within the core, then saw the building collapse into flames.
Baatar Jr stepped out of the circle of rope on the floor which he had just been freed from.
"Guys! She must have our location! She's pointing that weapon right at us!" Mako yelled.
"No! She wouldn't!" Baatar Jr said, stunned and broken.
She did.
The heap of glowing rubble in the distance was physically hurt to look at. I closed my eyes, and sighed, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat. Don't be weak, I ordered myself. It was no use, and tears slid down my face silently. Anger? Fear? Sadness? Guilt? I would never know.