Chapter 26: 'The Fall of Ba Sing Se'

Author Notes

Oh dear lord. This chapter. Enjoy.

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"Who would've thought we'd being doing this or having just done that three years ago?" Korra grinned smugly as she ran her calloused fingers absently along her girlfriend's spine in the darkness of their shared bedroom on the airship, short, brown hair sticking this way and that against the her pillow.

Asami chuckled lightly as she flipped over to face the Avatar, threading her hand through the water tribe girl's ruffled locks, somehow making the hair even more unkempt than before. "Me. I thought about it a lot, even way back then. I can't even remember when I my brain transitioned from 'let's be friends' to 'friends with benefits' and finally to 'gal pals forever.'"

"...'gal pals?'" Korra exhaled in confusion. "Please don't start calling this...that. Ever." When the engineer started laughing again the water tribe girl blew a puff of air in Asami's face. "I'm serious. I will dump that magnificent ass of yours. Avatar promise, and you know those are sacred."

Asami poked the young woman in the forehead for that comment. "Well thank you, Korra. It's a real comfort to know that my rear end shall go down in Avatar history as sacred. Honestly, it's a goal I've been working to all of my life," the CEO replied sarcastically, unable to stop herself giggling even more when the epitome of all pouts spread across Korra's features. That's it. See how long you can keep your face like that.

With that the engineer began to tickle the Avatar in the sides like a child as Korra fought with all of her strength not to crack. Asami kept up her assault. "You know if you keep screwing your face like that it will stay that way one day. Then I'll be dumping your ass," the CEO grinned mischievously as she continued with her important work. A few seconds later and the water tribe girl burst out laughing as she tried to push Asami's hands away with flailing limbs.

"Sto-Asami!-stopppp!" Korra managed to retort through fits of giggles, cheeks going red. This is getting a bit cruel...

Promptly the engineer halted, though it wasn't a result of the Avatar's breathless pleads for mercy. The CEO's hand stopped on a deep scar on Korra's back, bile rising in her throat as she felt her fingers trembling uncontrollably. The diluted red mark was a reminder of that past battle which had left much more than physical scars, especially for the water tribe girl, memories that would never fade. Memories that had quickly mutated into inescapable nightmares.

Now Asami understood that pain and fear more than ever with the help of Raava's tea pot. That little item was something the engineer had left in Yama's care, beginning to feel extremely guilty for violating Korra's thoughts in that way. How do I begin to tell her? There's no easy way to say I pretty much invaded your brain. Sorry. The CEO was incredibly grateful for the fact that she hadn't experienced any visions involving Zaheer when she'd drank from the tea, the pain would have been too great. How did Korra carry that burden? She's the strongest person in the world.

"Everything okay?" the Avatar asked in concern when she eventually caught her breath.

Asami abruptly removed her hand from the scar, sensing that her partner may have been feeling a little self conscious at the contact. "I'm fine, sorry for, touching there. I had no right."

The CEO gasped when Korra gently moved the engineer's hand back to the injury and held it in place. "Don't be stupid. I don't mind, it's not like you haven't seen it before, what with you helping me to the bathroom and stuff when I was in the wheelchair." That scar had looked much worse back then, crimson red and raw combined with a deep blue and black colouring which had formed around the outside of it. Internal bleeding Kya said...

"But you didn't have a choice back then, now you do," Asami argued as she shook her head firmly.

"And I'm telling you it's okay. We all have scars we want to hide from the world and we try to choose who we allow to see them, if anyone," Korra explained, blue eyes filled with a fierce determination. "I want you to see them, they're a part of me. I want you to be the person who knows everything there is to know about Avatar Korra. Even the scars." But only if she allows it. Not through that stupid pot.

Asami nodded slightly, trying to fight back tears. She was so sick of crying in front of the water tribe girl. I shouldn't hold things in so much... "If we're being honest here, about scars and everything else, then there are some things that I think you should know, though I'm afraid you'll only be the second person to hear this stuff about me," the engineer said quietly as Korra shifted up the bed to sit against the headboard, allowing Asami to lie against her.

The Avatar nodded resolutely, running a hand through the engineer's glossy, black hair. "I'm all ears."

She won't hate you for this. She won't. You were a child. A scared child.

Asami inhaled deeply before beginning, feeling the water tribe girl take a firm grip of the CEO's mechanised hand.

"When I went to see Koh the Face Stealer, he...he asked me for some personal truths in exchange for information about Haruana..." the engineer recalled, voice catching in her throat at the fear and guilt that dark spirit had inspired from deep within when she had confronted him.

Korra seemed to tense up at the fragile tone of her girlfriend's voice, squeezing the engineer a little more tightly around the waist in reassurance. The Avatar was obviously still frustrated by the fact that she hadn't been by Asami's side when the CEO faced Koh, that she'd been forced to confront the malicious spirit at all. Still the water tribe girl remained silent.

"Apparently that ugly centipede can crawl right into your brain because it knew a whole lot about me, so I had to be totally honest. I mean...it knew things, things from my past that know one else could possibly have knowledge of. Things I buried away for most of my life," Asami explained slowly, feeling a lump building at the back of her throat.

"Is it about your dad...?" Korra asked cautiously when the CEO paused for a few seconds.

Asami shook her head. "My mom..." She felt the Avatar's heart speed up against her back. Until now Yasuko Sato hadn't even been discussed, just a pretty face in a photograph, Korra was always careful to avoid the topic so as not to to upset the engineer. The water tribe girl only had a little knowledge of the CEO's mother, mainly gained from little comments made by the the green eyed woman.

"The night fire benders broke into my home, the night my mother...the night she died," Asami stuttered, unable to stop tears falling as she spoke, her mother's loving smile glowing in her mind.

Korra kissed her on the top of her head. "You don't need to keep going if you don't want to."

"I have to."

The Avatar squeezed her again.

"My mom and I were corned into a bedroom, we could hear the intruders going from room to room. My dad was in his workshop at the time, he was always in there late at night. When they finally got to where we were hiding and blasted the door down my mom told me to run and find help, then she lunged at the two of them...but I didn't do that...I ran and hid behind a chair..." Asami gasped as she felt her entire body convulsing, desperate to throw up as she vividly recalled watching her mother burn.

Korra lowered her head against the engineer's own, breathing softly. "When they were done with my mother they came for me, flipping the chair onto my leg, they broke my ankle," Asami began to sob as she felt her heart pounding, lowering her hand to a small, faded white mark on her lower leg as she brought her knees up to her chest. The Avatar instantly covered the engineer's hand with her own once the scar was in reach. The water tribe girl was trembling with rage behind her as she sat. "If the police hadn't came at that moment...I don't know what they would've done."

"Asami, sweetheart, I-"

"I failed her! When she needed me most! My mom died because I was coward!" Asami shrieked in distress and she slammed her fists into the bed, feeling Korra grab her arms firmly before she was allowed to swing them again.

"Asami. No. You're wrong. You're mom didn't die because of you," Korra declared resolutely as she forced the engineer to turn her head, wiping away the CEO's tears. "It was the fire benders who tried their luck that night who are to blame. Never you. You were just a little girl. Of course you were afraid. You're not a coward, you're brave. So, so brave. I'm supposed to be the strongest person in the world but only you make me feel secure, like no one can ever hurt me. That person would have to be pretty courageous, making the Avatar feel safe."

Then Korra brought their foreheads together gently. Asami still couldn't hold her gaze, wrenching her eyes shut. "Nothing you could've done that night would've saved your mom...but years later you saved my life somehow, even after I tried to shut everyone out, you held on, wouldn't let me give into the darkness completely. I wanted to die when I was in that wheelchair, but then I'd see your smiling face, assuring me I was making progress, that'd I'd get there eventually. When you'd sing to yourself when you thought I was asleep, it made me feel...something..."

"You heard that?" Asami inhaled sharply, covering her face with her hands.

"Every, single, word. You're not actually that bad a singer," Korra chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood in the room slightly.

Asami gazed upwards, feeling a smile creep across her face despite the tears she could feel on her cheeks. "Maybe I'll sing to you sometime."

Korra sank down back into the bed, bringing the engineer down with her. "I wouldn't go that far," the water tribe girl laughed against her head. Somehow she's always able to dig her way out of an emotional hole with her mouth.

At that Asami began to run a finger over the white outline of what she'd previously thought was a tattoo which was engrained into the skin of the water tribe girl's stomach. The engineer hadn't bothered to ask much about it, Korra having simply brushed it off as the mark of the Avatar. Now's as good a time as any.

"Since we're being honest here, what exactly is...this?"

Korra grinned to herself. "I knew you'd ask about that eventually. It's the mark of Raava, the Avatar spirit. The one that gives me all by crazy bending powers. See, when a spirit enters a person they change that person's physical appearance. I wasn't born with this though, it only appeared after I reconnected with Raava during Harmonic Convergence, kinda freaked me out a bit the first time I saw it actually. Though it could've been worse I suppose, having a white kite for a face or something." A kite? What the hell is she talking about...? Are we even talking about a spirit here?

"I love it. It's really beautiful actually, and totally unique in the universe," Asami smiled before turning to poke the water tribe girl in the nose, "just like you."

"You're so smooth Sato," Korra teased from above as she stroked the top of the engineer's head.

"I actually know a little more about Raava than you think," Asami began, feeling instantly anxious at where this conversation could lead. Korra's definitely not going to like this.

Korra raised her brows suspiciously. "Oh?"

"See, when I was in the Spirit World meeting with Iroh he gave me some tea..." Asami began cautiously.

The Avatar laughed to herself. "That's typical of Iroh then. Tea for all your troubles."

"Yeh...well, it kinda did the opposite for me. More trouble. Apparently the tea I drank was brewed in a pot belonging to the first Avatar, a pot he used to carried around Raava. As soon as I swallowed the tea it sorta did something crazy to my brain." Now Korra looked extremely concerned as she stopped stroking the engineer's head suddenly, though she didn't say anything, mouth hanging open awkwardly.

Asami lifted herself off the Avatar to face her, feeling anxious at the troubled look radiating from Korra's sapphire eyes. "My spirit...I think I was inside your brain briefly when you were in court, I felt all of your emotions and fears, quickly forgetting that I was Asami Sato, that I was in fact the Avatar. I saw your...freak out. And I felt what that guard did to you in your cell. I left the pot with Yama in Republic City."

Korra immediately rose from the bed and began picking up her clothes, clenching her fists as she did so. Oh no...

"Korra?...Korra talk to me. Are you alright?" Asami asked in concern, noticing how much the water tribe girl was shaking and debating with herself whether to rise and try to smooth this over with a hug.

The Avatar spun around after putting her blue shirt on and buttoning the collar, eyes glistening slightly. "I can't believe you kept that from me for this long...you took a day trip in my brain, saw my deepest emotions, and you didn't even tell me?" Korra spat incredulously making Asami cower back slightly. She couldn't recall the water tribe girl ever sounding so angry with her in the years she'd known her. What have I done...why didn't I tell her sooner? I'm so stupid. So insensitive.

"Korra, I'm sorry, but I was trying to help you," Asami tried to explain desperately as she tossed the bed covers away and pulled her maroon shirt on. "I never meant to invade your privacy, it was an accident the first time I did it," the engineer continued as she tried to move towards the Avatar who was adjusting her gloves.

"But the second time it wasn't, and you didn't even talk to me about it, you sent me away to play with Bolin like some child," Korra stated firmly, voice crackling as she spoke. The water tribe girl side stepped Asami's grasp and she spun around to face her.

The pain in Korra's eyes broke the engineer's heart. "You even told Yamamoto before you spoke to me, a guy you've only known for a few weeks. Don't you trust me?!" the Avatar cried as she gestured widely with her muscular arms.

"Of course I trust you!" Asami argued, recoiling slightly at how angry her voice sounded and watching on as the water tribe girl stepped towards the heavy metal door of the double bedroom. "Korra please don't-" the CEO begged.

"Clearly not enough," the Avatar replied as she gritted her teeth, a single tear streaming down her face as she stepped out of the door. "I need some space to think, I'll talk to you later," Korra finished as she closed the door, unable to look the engineer in the eye upon exiting.

Korra stood at the balcony of the airship roof, Bolin leaning against the railing beside her with Pabu sitting comfortably on his shoulders. The night air was warm here, the sky pristine and filled with stars which gave a wide field of view. The faint outline of Ba Sing Se could be seen on the horizon, probably around 30 minutes away. It'd been a whole hour since the Avatar had last spoken to Asami, still pouring over the argument they'd had. The water tribe girl didn't know what she was more angry about, the fact that Asami hadn't told her all of that stuff earlier or the fact that the engineer possessed that intimate knowledge at all. My deepest fears, my humiliation. Those are my secrets, ones that no one is ever supposed to know without my permission, not even the person I love. But now she does.

"Trouble in paradise?" Bolin asked softly as he petted the top of his ferret's head gently.

The water tribe girl leaned over the railings heavily, exhaling as she examined the grid of farming fields and desert terrain passing by below. "You could say that. I think we may have just had our first argument."

Bolin shook his head slowly. "Ouch. It was bound to happen eventually, even for you two. At one point in time you'll piss the other one off over something stupid, it doesn't matter how much you love each other. People always manage to annoy other people, and it always hurts more when it's because of someone we care about," the earth bender explained as Pabu scooted across onto the Avatar's shoulder, licking the water tribe girl's ear.

"Do you and Opal argue much then?" Korra questioned as she stroked the ferret at her neck affectionately.

Bolin crossed his arms behind his head. "Not a lot. It's always minor things and I can't exactly blame the woman. I do have a mouth that doesn't know when to quit," he chuckled lightly. "Honestly, I think all couples argue from time to time. It'd be weird if we didn't. When we open up our hearts to people it makes as feel vulnerable, makes us more defensive."

"I think my mouth is pretty much the same," Korra chuckled lightly as she shook her head. "It runs miles ahead of where my brain is at."

Bolin then shifted over to the Avatar, placing a hand on her shoulder. "The important thing is to know how to recover from it. How to apologize without it just sounding like your saying it just to jump back into bed with them. The other person's got to know you're being sincere."

"Asami was just trying to help me...I said some hurtful things," Korra explained as she gripped the railing slightly more tightly, meeting the metal bend slightly under her hands.

"Yikes, those are always the worst. I wouldn't push Asami too much right now. She might need some time alone to cool down. In the end she'll end up missing your dorky face so much that the apology will go over much more smoothly," Bolin grinned as he pointed to the Avatar. "That doesn't sound like a good idea...shouldn't I just yank off the leech and apologize?" Korra questioned suspiciously as she scratched the back of her neck anxiously. The idea of leaving this kind of tension to stew between herself and her partner was a nightmarish thought.

"Never listen to Mako's dating advice. You and Asami are the perfect example of why. I mean, he was so bad at it you two ended up getting together," Bolin laughed loudly, slapping the Avatar on the back as he did so which made the water tribe girl gasp.

"Bolin! Jeez!" Korra shouted as she tried to compose herself. "And Mako's poor dating skills are not the reason Asami and I got together, though I suppose joking about him together was the start of our friendship..." At that the Avatar began to scratch her neck furiously.

"Trust your uncle Bo Bo's council on this Avatar. It'll be fine," Bolin winked as he wrapped an arm around Korra's shoulder. The water tribe girl very much wished that arm was the slender one belonging to the engineer.

"Alright, I'll take the word of the love guru in this case." Then Korra took a firm hold of Bolin's collar. "But if you're wrong then you're going to get a severe ass kicking from me and Asami."

"She just sort of flipped out," Asami explained as Opal brought her a glass of water. The two women had taken up residence in one of the airship's large storage rooms, using nearby crates as make shift chairs, Fire Nation guards stood in the hall outside, still annoyingly around to make sure the gold didn't fall into the wrong hands on its journey to Ba Sing Se. I can't wait to be rid of them.

"I don't know Korra as well as you but if there's one thing I've learned in the time I've been around her it's that she appreciates honesty," Opal commented softly as she sat down on a slightly raised crate, legs hanging over the edge. Are all air benders obsessed with heights or something?

Asami nodded slowly. "Honesty, loyalty and selflessness, all traits she embodies perfectly," the engineer replied in frustration as she rubbed her upper arm. "I didn't even know what to say to calm her down. Everything I said seemed to make her more angry."

Opal smiled slightly as she look a sip from her own glass of water. "I think that's more of a Korra problem that anything you've done. As wise and mature as she can be at times she's still a child at heart, with all of those terrible toddler tantrums to go with it." That's definitely true. I just never wanted to be the one to cause the tantrums.

"That's just one of the many reasons why I fell in love with her. She's a playful optimist, you can't help but feel like a child around her," Asami chuckled. "Only a few weeks ago she dragged me into a full on food fight with pieces of shark-squid in a busy restaurant."

Opal started to laugh loudly. "Haha, sometimes it worries me that you two are the most powerful couple in Republic City, though I suppose you gotta have down time at some point what with all the other craziness that fills your lives."

The engineer nodded as she took another sip of her water and leaned forward slightly. "Do you think I should go after her then, try to apologize again?"

Opal shook her head firmly as she dropped down from the crate, softening her landing with some light air bending before placing a hand on the engineer's shoulder. "That's the last thing you should do. Korra will come around eventually, you don't want to pester her, it will only drive her away more," the air bender advised as she offered a hand to pull the CEO back up. "Besides you two need each other. Korra knows that," Opal stated resolutely.

Asami took her hand wearily. "I suppose I can't spend the rest of the voyage stuck in a storage room."

"I almost don't want this ship to reach Ba Sing Se," Opal admitted as they entered the hallway, the airship was peacefully quiet at this time of night. "I still haven't forgiven Kuvira for what she's done. I was warning people about her long before anyone else started to red flag her, I saw the 're-education camps' with my own eyes. My mom wants her to be treated fairly, truthfully, I'm going only going on this trip to support her. I never want to see Kuvira's face again," the air bender explained before looking at the woman beside her awkwardly. "But I suppose you don't need me to tell you that, what with your dad..."

Asami stopped to lean against a nearby wall. "Honestly, no, I don't think like that. Sure, I'm not Kuvira's number one fan, she does need to be punished for what's she done but I don't want her to spend the rest of her life behind bars either."

Opal's green eyes widened in surprise. "Well, I guess you're a better person than me then," she replied softly as they started walking again. Or I'm a coward. Not willing to punish people who've hurt my family.

"C'mon, let's go chill in the ships lounge until we arrive, wait and see, Korra will crawling in eventually," Opal smiled as she pulled the CEO forward.

"It's so good to see you again my girl," Suyin smiled warmly as she embraced Opal tightly before they were both promptly consumed by Bolin's bone crunching hug as he lifted them clean off the ground. It was a good thing Su's nature was so much gentler than Lin's otherwise Korra was sure that her friend's big head would have been ripped off by now. "Lovely to see you too, Bolin," the metal clan leader added breathlessly as she tapped Bolin firmly on the shoulder to which the earth bender released his vice like grip.

The Avatar then glanced towards Asami who was maintaining a subtle distance from her. It's no wonder after how you spoke to her. Maybe Bolin's approach wasn't such a good idea? The pair couldn't help but catch each other's gaze from time to time, though they both instantly looked the other way when they became aware that the other woman had noticed.

The palace of Ba Sing Se rose majestically ahead as Prince Wu and the Earth delegates made their way down the buildings marble steps to greet the newly arrived party. It didn't take long for the delegates attention to be drawn to the crates of Fire Nation gold that where currently being hauled off of the airship by Fire Nation guards and police who exchanged a few pleasantries with their Earth Kingdom counterparts as the tremendous amount of wealth was handed over. The beginning of something new. Something good.

"Avatar Korra, welcome to the new Earth Republic," Prince Wu began grandly as he extended a hand, the Avatar couldn't help but notice Asami glaring at the corner of her eye. Wu often had the extremely bad habit of being a little too touchy feely with...pretty much everyone.

"It's nice to be back. I'm just sorry it took me so long to get this gold here," Korra apologized as she quickly shook the prince's hand before wrenching her arm back to her side.

A look of guilt crept across the prince's features. "You don't have to apologize. It's myself and the government of the Earth Republic who should be sorry for everything that happened to you in the Fire Nation. My people are forever in the Avatar's debt." Korra sensed Asami nodding at her back even though the engineer was not at all a part of the conversation.

Those words warmed Korra's heart. For so long she'd felt like she was failing people, especially the people of the Earth Kingdom, now the Earth Republic. This was one part of her legacy she could now look on fondly in years to come. That and the new Air Nation.

Now the conversation to a more demure turn. "And the trial, the last day, when does it start?" the Avatar inquired anxiously as she looked over to Su and Opal who were smiling and laughing with each other. They won't be like that once today is over.

"It'll be in the palace, just as before, and it starts in a few hours. That'll give your party a chance to sleep beforehand and our temporary government a chance to shift this gold into the treasury of Ba Sing Se in the city center," Wu smiled warmly as he put a hand on the Avatar's shoulder. "How's my big tough guy Mako anyway? Back on the beat?"

The prince's tone suggested he really was missing the fire bender's presence and company. "He's fine, I think he's just happy to be back to the day job after all the craziness with Kuvira," Korra replied softly as she felt herself being led towards the palace, noting the sad expression on Wu's face. "I think he misses you though."

The flamboyant young man beamed at that as he gestured towards the palace with his hands. "It won't be long until this place becomes the parliament of the Earth Republic, filled with democratically elected representatives with branches in every region of this nation," Wu grinned proudly. "But for just now, this place will be your group's hotel. Go and take advantage of sleep while you can, we've got a long day ahead."

Korra nodded in agreement. "That sounds like an excellent idea, I didn't really sleep much on the way over here..."

At that Wu poked the Avatar in her side, raising his perfectly plucked eyebrows playfully as he pointed towards Asami. "I feel you Avatar, I feel you. You're both one lucky lady."

The water tribe girl pulled away then. The last thing she wanted was to discuss her love life with this loud mouth. Prince Wu seemed to get the message anyway as he pranced away to mingle with the rest of the party leaving Korra standing alone for a few seconds to consider the palace in front of her. This opulent building would become a symbol of democracy and personal freedom rather than a seat of fear and totalitarianism. For once she could breath easy. This was an Avatar act that wouldn't back fire, it was one the people wanted.

Then Korra turned towards Asami who was discussing something with Bolin, occasionally glancing towards her girlfriend over the earth bender's shoulder, guilt radiating in those green eyes. I really want to hug her. Just pick her up an hug her. An eye dart from Bolin reminded her of his advice as the water tribe girl rooted herself to the ground, watching with a heavy heart as Asami followed the rest of the group into the palace for some rest. "Guess we won't be sharing a bed then," Korra mumbled to herself as she slowly followed on behind.

The courtroom of the palace was packed for the final day of the trial, Korra feeling extremely uncomfortable being in this position again as her eyes stared at Kuvira sat in the dock, chains around her wrists. Just the sight of them made the Avatar want to start scratching that place again. The water tribe girl was extremely glad that she wasn't being scrutinised here, though it certainly would have helped if Asami was sat beside her in the public gallery. Opal, Su and Bolin occupied the seats to the Avatar's left instead. She was missing their closeness immensely.

Thankfully Kuvira didn't look any worse than she had the last time Korra had seen her. If anything she looked strangely content, relieved that this trial and public humiliation would finally be over, regardless of the punishments dished out to her today. I know that feeling. Though in Kuvira's case, the woman was entirely guilty of what she'd been accused of, there would be consequences after today and no one was going to crash into the building and unlock the former dictator's chains. That thought made Korra's attention return to Asami briefly, unable to contain a smile as she did so. After this I'll apologize. Screw guru Bolin's love advice. What does he know anyway?

"Would the accused please stand," the judge called, bringing the Avatar sharply out of her daydream as she focused completely on Kuvira, feeling the rest of the court gasp around her. It was so very strange to be on the opposite side this time, there was no chance of retribution for her. Still, that didn't stop the water tribe girl feeling incredibly nervous as she leaned forward in her seat, clenching her fists. How was Suyin handling this kind of pressure? The metal clan leader was visibly shaking as she clasped her hands together.

Kuvira did as was commanded in her usual meticulous fashion, rising as though she was being summoned by a commander as she bowed her head slightly. Korra doubted whether showing respect to the judge now would make any difference to the outcome of the trial. The severity of her sentencing had probably all ready been decided. At least Kuvira hadn't lost her pride after all this. The floor beneath the Avatar seemed to shake lightly with the increased tension in the room.

"After deliberating on all evidence and testimony presented to me over the past few weeks I have come to a verdict. Kuvira of Zaofu, on behalf of the people of the Earth Republic and the United Republic I sentence you-"

The judge was abruptly interrupted as the shaking that Korra had initially perceived to be nothing more than circumstantial became rapidly violent as the roof and beams of the palace began to tremble and creak. An earthquake?!

It took several seconds for the packed courtroom to comprehend the danger they were in as concerned glances were shared. Korra looked across to Su who nodded in understanding before lowering a foot to the floor and slamming down heavily, eyes shut in concentration.

"There's something coming up from below the floor!" Suyin called in alarm as Korra immediately placed her own hand to the ground, feeling the same disturbance deep within the earth.

Crash!

A huge vine tore through the center of the floor with ease, scattering grit and rumble in every direction as it did so. The effect the vine caused was immediate as Korra felt the building begin to shift on its foundations. "There's more coming!" Su warned as she stood up in the public gallery and gestured for the guards and the police in the room to take some control.

At that the entire room erupted into panicked screams and angry shouting as the audience tried to flee, pushing against each other viscously to get to the single exit. Korra leaped out from the public gallery and landed in the center of the courtroom, locking herself to the ground as she switched into an earth bending stance, holding the unstable ceiling and pillars as best she could, immediately feeling herself straining from the effort. Time stuck in a prison cell restrained all day had left her weaker as she gritted her teeth firmly. I'll have to go into the Avatar state!

"Get everyone out of here! Get out!" Korra called as she felt the entire weight of the palace on her shoulders.

Suyin and Bolin did as they were told, taking charge of the rushed evacuation as they bent away pieces of earth that threatened to crush the fleeing citizens in a rushed and brash fashion. "C'mon people, move it!" Bolin boomed as he forced people past him, knocking a large block of the roof away before it crushed a reporter.

They should've never let so many people in here!

Korra shifted into the Avatar state then as supporting the entire building became to much, feeling more and more exhausted by the second. Please hurry it up!

A second later and several more vines came crashing through the floor, nearly breaking the Avatar's stance as she clenched her fists in the air tightly, all of her focus on pillars around her. If any of those vines came any closer she would loose her footing, she'd drop the whole building on top of scores of people.I have to hold on. I have to hold on. Just a little longer.

A familiar cry of her name at her back made Korra spin around briefly, time moving slowly as she watched a large chunk of the ceiling following towards Asami who was running frantically in the opposite direction of the exit. Why hasn't she ran away yet?!

The Avatar was powerless to do anything as she stared with wild eyes, the slightest movement of her hands would bring the whole building down, and there was still a lot of people in here cramming their way through the main door.

"Asami!" Korra's and Raava's voice echoed all around her in a last ditch attempt to warn the engineer. Too late! Too late!

Korra turned her head away at the last second, heart unable to endure such a horrible sight as the sound of earth crumbling filled her ears. Asami didn't scream. She died quietly. Died bravely...I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry...

"Get going Sato!"

At that Korra opened her eyes hesitantly, stunned at what she was witnessing as she kept her hold of the building whilst more people ran past her in a fear driven haze.

It was Kuvira, somehow free of her chains and holding the huge piece of earth above Asami moments before impact. The former dictator tossed the chunk of the roof away carefully to avoid hitting any citizens as the CEO stared at her in confusion and shock. "I told you to go!"

This time Asami seemed to hear Kuvira as she looked towards Korra for several seconds, agony in her eyes before she reluctantly sprinted away, turning every few seconds to glance at the Avatar.

A second later and Kuvira was at Korra's side, helping her support the building as people continued to flee from every direction, though the room did seem to be considerably emptier than it had been a few minute agos. It was a good thing too as Korra felt herself struggling with the extreme weight, limbs trembling as she felt her back beginning to give.

Without Kuvira's input the water tribe girl may have dropped the ceiling by now as another vine tore through the earth and swung down violently beside them, the powerful vibration it caused nearly knocking them both off their feet.

"How many are still in here!" Kuvira shouted over the crashing and shrieking all around them, voice sounding hoarse and exhausted.

Korra titled her head back slightly, watching the last few people stream through the exit, Bolin and Suyin following close behind as they kept the exit clear for those few stragglers before disappearing as well, though both earth benders looked incredibly reluctant to leave as they glanced at the two remaining pillars of the ancient palace of Ba Sing Se.

"I think that's everyone!" Korra called as she felt herself slipping out of the Avatar State, the building feeling a million times heavier in that moment. The Avatar state was physically exhausting, as a result the water tribe girl always limited its use.

Kuvira turned to face her, dark green eyes glistening with terror and determination. "Then go! Get out of here! I'll hold this up until your outside!"

Korra shook her head resolutely. "No way! You'll die!"

"I'm very aware of that fact Avatar. Now go!" Kuvira shouted desperately as she fell to her knees.

"I risked my ass for you before! There's no way I'm letting you die now! I made a freakin spirit portal to save you!" Korra replied angrily as she gritted her teeth. "We leave together! We can hold this up together until we're both out!"

"You are a fool Korra! You know that'll take much longer!" Kuvira retorted as she grimaced strongly, raising a single brow. "Do you honestly think you'll be able to hold this building up all that time?!"

"I can! You know I can!" Korra argued as she turned towards the exit, striding forward as quickly as bending the weight of the roof would allow, Kuvira following reluctantly behind.

The two woman held their hands up firmly, feeling the building rock and shake in every which way as they neared the exit and daylight. Unfortunately Korra felt her strength wavering considerably as she gasped out loud, only just managing to stay upright. Kuvira glanced at her in concern, she actually looked scared despite how willing she'd been to sacrifice herself earlier. "I'm okay! I've got this!" the Avatar roared, though she really wasn't sure as the bulk of the roof edged ever closer. I can't, I can't do this!

The exit was still too far away to make a break for it without being crushed to death as Korra desperately searched for a solution. I can stay...I can... Korra was certain she could at least hold it long enough for Kuvira to get outside to safety.

"Don't you even thing about it!" Kuvira spat as she noticed the Avatar slowing down. "You're the one that said together!"

Korra glanced up to the roof briefly, watching it sway and crumble, no doubt Bolin and Suyin were trying to hold it from the outside too. It wouldn't be enough. The distance to the door was too great, they were moving too slowly. I've got one more flash of the Avatar state in me before I pass out. One more.

At that Korra tapped into Raava's power one last time, lowering one hand from the roof as the ceiling immediately dropped like a stone. A fraction of a second later and Korra used her single, free hand to create a huge gust of air behind them. In a matter of seconds the two woman were propelled forward out of the collapsing hallway, landing painfully on the ground outside as they rolled several meters away from the building, the palace of Ba Sing Se crashing viciously into the earth behind them.

Korra was breathing heavily as she stared at the sight in disbelief before feeling Kuvira pull her upwards. They were both breathing heavily as they slouched over slightly.

"Thank you..." Kuvira whispered softly as her body shook, hands gripping her knees.

"How...how did you...get out of the chains...?" Korra questioned immediately as she dropped to her knees. The dictator doing the same in her exhaustion.

"I bent the lock," Kuvira replied nonchalantly.

"But they were made of platinum!" Korra breathed incredulously as she stared at the other woman. That was impossible. Not even Toph Beifong had that level of earth bending.

"When you're stuck in a prison cell for days on end...there's not much else to do...I could only ever manage to shift the lock...just enough to open the cuffs..." Kuvira explained through gasps.

Korra stared at her in confusion. "But...you...you could have broken out...?"

"And what would I have done then...? A life on the run is no life," Kuvira retorted firmly as she rose from the ground, watching anxiously as a group of guards approached them, every single one of them was completely covered in dust, faces whitened by grit.

Just as Korra was about to respond she felt a body crash into her which was quickly proceeded by a suffocating embrace. It took the Avatar several seconds to compute who it was as oxygen finally began to return to her brain.

"Why do you always have to be the damn hero?!" Asami cried desperately at her shoulder as she squeezed the water tribe girl tightly. "When I saw the building fall...I thought you'd...I really thought you'd..." The engineer's heart was pounding rapidly.

"I'm fine, I'm right here," Korra assured softly at the CEO's ear, neither of them were willing to release each other just yet. "And I'm so sorry about earlier sweet heart, I know you were only doing what you thought was best," the Avatar added warmly, feeling Asami's heart slow down immediately at the words.

Asami nodded slightly, too overcome with emotion to say anymore as Korra turned to Kuvira briefly, nodding her thanks for the engineer's life. "Sorry for frightening you. Though you gave me a hell of a fright too, standing there like that," the Avatar admitted heavily as she watched guards place cuffs back onto the dictator's wrists. Lips curling slightly at the sight. Do I do anything?

"How did you get the other pair off?" one of the guard's questioned as he locked the new chains.

"A bit of falling rumble broke them," Kuvira lied expertly as she became docile once more and bowed her head. Su came running to check on her adopted daughter a moment later before Kuvira was taken away, presumably to the city's police station. The lie seemed to satisfy the guards as they moved away. Korra resolved not to say anything, to go with Kuvira's words. She doesn't want to break out. And if she did, I'll put her right back again.

Then Korra stared at the ruins of the palace, Asami still gripping her firmly as they turned. A group of Earth Republic delegates appeared them, all gaping in horror at the sight before them.

"Guess we'll need to build a new parliament building then..." Wu said quietly.

"We cannot afford to delay this trial any longer, despite today's events, I propose we move proceedings to the library of Ba Sing Se," the judge proposed softly, glancing briefly to the dust covered Avatar in awe.

Prince Wu nodded in defeat as he walked away from the palace. "Please go ahead, I'll need to make a full report about this with the city's police. Vines crashing through our city...it's very worrying."

Korra couldn't help but stare at the now dormant vines as they were joined by Suyin and the others. "I wonder what made the vines go so crazy...I mean they're so large. They could've come from the swamp..."

At that Suyin became immediately alarmed. "My mother, I'll need to go and check on her immediately. She may be the greatest earth bender in the world but she is also just an old woman." That seemed like a good idea, even Toph would have had bother doing what Korra and Kuvira had just done.

"I'll make sure nothing happens to Kuvira until you come back," Opal replied firmly, which caused a look of surprise to appear on everyone else's faces. Suyin nodded appreciatively before dashing off with some of her metal clan guards.

"Guess we'll need to find somewhere else to sleep," Bolin spoke quietly as he looked back towards the city. Sadly his family no loner stayed here.

"The airship was feeling a little compact wasn't it?" Asami finally spoke. "Don't worry about it, I'll pay for a hotel for everyone."

Korra nodded at her side as she gripped the engineer protectively around the waist. I came way too close to losing her. Way too close...and I was powerless in that moment. "I want to check on some of the people from the trial, make sure no one was badly injured, it feels like the least I can do," the Avatar decided as Asami quickly followed her to the large group of reporters and civilians still huddled in the palace grounds. The Avatar was probably one of the only healers on the scene right now. Regardless of how tired she was after all that bending this had to be done. It was her duty.

Asami whispered softly as they walked, squeezing Korra in a death grip in the same moment. "I love you. I just feel like I've got to say that about a million times after what just happened, that was horrible. I don't know what I would have done-"

"-I love you too. And I'll be here to say it a million times more. Just put up with me and my tantrums until then?" Korra interrupted as she felt the engineer move an arm under the Avatar's shoulder to support her weight, clearly sensing just how tired Korra was feeling despite the water tribe girl's spectacularly brave face.

Asami smiled brightly. "Always. Forever and always."

End Notes

Did I put you through the emotional wringer? You ain't seen nothing yet muahahaha.

-Literally, strap yourselves in from here on out. There isn't a chill chapter left as we head towards the endgame.

-Was Korra right to say nothing about Kuvira's new bending powers?

-And don't ever let Bopal help you with your relationship.

-Would love to hear your thoughts as always.

-Thank you for taking the time to read :) 8 chapters of craziness left.