Kuvira and the Gallows
Republic City, 175 AG
"Kuvira, you stand here today a perpetrator of multiple war crimes. They include sedition, treason, after refusing to give up emergency powers given to you by the Earth Kingdom, several murders in the first degree, forced annexation of Earth Kingdom states including Yi, the military occupation of Zaofu and invasion of the United Republic of Nations, commanding of prison labor camps with treatment of inmates described to be unlawful and cruel, and creation of a weapon of mass destruction by using stolen spirit vines, using its energy to destroy portions of a city and other environments. Your guilt is evident. In three days time, you will face your execution through hanging by the neck until you are dead. May the spirits have mercy on your soul."
The judge slammed down her gavel as murmurs and some unruliness was heard throughout the courtroom proceeding. Kuvira hung her head low and said nothing.
Once the room had fallen to a lower volume, Korra stood up to speak to the court judge.
"Your Honor, if I may, as the Avatar, I have a small request. Please spare Kuvira's life." Korra began.
The crowd gasped and whispered.
"I understand that Kuvira should have her due process for the atrocities she's committed, but ma'am...she saved my father's life. A recipient of the Earth Kingdom's highest honor shouldn't be put to death." Korra continued her plea.
"I'm sorry, Avatar Korra...your opinion is valued here, but Kuvira was tried by a jury of her peers and this is a conviction decided by the people. Life imprisonment simply isn't an option. She will be hung and buried at sea in three days time." the judge finished.
"Your Honor, please-" Korra started.
"Korra...it's okay. You tried your best to save her, as the Avatar should, but there's nothing we can do." Suyin spoke, putting a hand on Korra's shoulder.
Kuvira was led out in shackles and sent back to her prison in the mountains, awaiting her death.
DAY ONE
The former leader of the now mostly disbanded Earth Empire meditated in silence. Just then, the elevator hummed. It was the Avatar herself.
"Avatar Korra..." Kuvira said in a low tone.
"Hello, Kuvira." Korra whispered as she approached. "I brought you a Bento box and some tea. Must be better than what they serve you here."
"I appreciate the gesture, but surely I don't deserve such compassion." Kuvira replied.
"Everyone deserves a little compassion, it can change the tide of things. How are you?" Korra asked.
"It won't matter how I am two days from now." Kuvira sipped her tea.
"I tried to save you from execution, I really did. I'm sorry." Korra told her.
"Well, maybe you can convince them to drop me from a reasonable height to snap my neck, then I won't have to choke to death." Kuvira responded coldly, using her chopsticks to eat from her meal.
"...Su and Baatar will be here in the next few days. Make your peace with them while you still can." Korra said, getting up to leave.
"Korra?"
The young Avatar turned to Kuvira.
"I really do appreciate you coming to visit me. It means more than you know."
"You're welcome, Kuvira."
DAY TWO
Baatar entered the chamber and sat in front of Kuvira.
"Baatar, I know you have mixed feelings about coming here, but I-"
"Kuvira, it's fine." Baatar Jr. interrupted. "I would have came anyway."
"You must think so harshly of me after all I've done." she replied.
"Honestly, I did for a time. I even began to hate you. But then you were sentenced and it all came flooding in. My 23 year old fiance is about to meet her end and there isn't a damn thing I can do to stop it."
"I wouldn't hold it against you if you never came. But I have missed you, I think of you everyday in here. It gets me by." she softly spoke to him.
"I've been attempting to get Opal, Wing and Wei to find some closure and forgive you. It will take time I'm sure, but time heals all wounds. Spirits help us, this world needs more forgiveness."
"You've forgiven me, Baatar?"
"Yes. Because I loved you. I just hope you can learn to forgive yourself." Baatar Jr. sat beside Kuvira and gave her a small kiss on her temple, then exited the cell.
DAY THREE
The Order of the White Lotus transferred Kuvira to a URN blacksite near the waterfront of Republic City where she was kept in a smaller cell just before she was put to the gallows. The matriarch of Zaofu had finally come to visit her oppressor in person.
"Thank you for coming, Su."
"I grabbed something from your old room, I thought it might comfort you." Su took out a small Earth Kingdom soldier doll of Toph and handed it to Kuvira. "You wouldn't let this go when I first took you in, it was your favorite."
Kuvira took it and held it close.
"I wanted to be just like her. Eventually I wanted to be just like you and make you proud of me." Kuvira stated to Su.
"I was proud of you Kuvira, you were my most skilled and trusted guard, and the most graceful dancer in my troupe. You were like a daughter to me, you must know that." Su acknowledged, starting to become emotional.
"I know you've heard it all before, but I thank you, Su. And I am so sorry for hurting you and all the others. My errors have been recognized and I am beginning to feel rapport." she reacted.
A guard entered.
"It's time."
"Come, I'll walk with you." Su put a hand on Kuvira's back, leading her out with the guard.
The room was filled with silent folk, most of them familiar faces like the Beifong family, Varrick and Zhu Li, and of course Team Avatar. Kuvira looked up at her reckoning as her breathing became slightly panicked.
"Su?" she piped up.
"Yes, Kuvira?"
"I thought I was ready. But for once in my life...I'm terrified. Will you hold my hand?" tears began to flow from both their eyes.
Su took Kuvira's hand and then hugged her for the last time.
"Be strong. Think of earlier times. Better times." Su requested of her, letting go.
Kuvira nodded, took a big breath of air and headed up the stairs. The executioner placed the noose around her neck as she turned her head to look at all of the people she had known and wronged.
"Kuvira of Zaofu, today you meet your end. Do you have any last words?"
Kuvira turned to him and then the crowd.
"Long live the Earth Kingdom and those who prosper within her."
The signal was given and the trap door opened and Kuvira plummeted below. A snap was heard. She was killed instantly.
One of the guards had come from Kuvira's room and gave a letter to Su.
"We found this as we were clearing out her cell."
"To Whom It May Concern:
This will be the last letter I ever write. Most of you know me as a dictator of a fascist regime, but I wanted to take a moment to give you some clarity. My name is Kuvira. I was raised by Suyin Beifong, a person I will forever be grateful for. My favorite color is gray. In these last years of my life, I attempted to bring a chaotic Earth Kingdom out of what I thought would be a terrible fate. In some ways I did, but my power consumed me as it will with many in a position such as mine. I have no excuse for what I did, but I do leave this message to those who will listen. Do not let power corrupt you. A citizen of the Earth Kingdom is strong-willed, courageous and thoughtful. Take pride in these qualities and shape a better world, not just for the land that we love and abide in, but for all nations. Trust in the Avatar, they will always bring balance even when times seem dark. Believe in yourself and believe in those who care about you. This is what I pass on to you before my inevitable demise.
Farewell,
Kuvira"
Su took the letter and put it in her pocket and smiled, joining the rest of her family and friends.
END