Chapter 16

"We're too late."

Korra had seen the untold destructive aftermath of battles before. The hung bodies of innocent benders on the streets during Amon's short takeover of Republic City, parading to the occupants of what they truly thought what equality meant. Her deceased brothers and sisters of the Water Tribe, becoming one with the bountiful snow during the short lived Civil War, dying the land red with their blood. The unlucky few guardsman of Zaofu and White Lotus sentries that fell victim at the final fight against Zaheer and the Red Lotus, bravely attempting to retrieve her and stopping the anarchist terrorist group. She thought she had seen it all. Blood, friends hurt, the deceased. She thought that was all there was in the aftermath. But how wrong she was. How terribly wrong she was.

She wasn't prepared for this; wasn't prepared for actually war and the casualties of it.

She had never seen so many dead before. Many of the deceased were of the United Forces, with some of the Earth Empire's soldiers littered indiscriminately among them. Most of the dead were completely mutilated, unable to differentiate the once living human being to a discarded heap of flesh with their separated limbs and open guts being dinner for the scavengers that hovered above. It was the rare few that truly scarred her and no doubt haunt her dreams. The rigid warm forms of the charred victim's faces permanently stuck in place, reminding others of the anguish they've felt in their dying breath. Soldiers skewed by the bountiful earth stood like scarecrows being filled with pins, showing off to the ignorant masses the terrible truth of war. Vultures impatiently pecked their peak against the half frozen bits and pieces of people that laid on bloodied grassy plains as if they were ice cubes dropped and forgotten by children.

The stench of the fallen and the scenery became too much for the young woman and she threw up in a nearby bush, bits of her breakfast landing on a discarded leg of a deceased solider. She knew war was ugly, but this was on a whole different level. Did Aang ever seen this kind of carnage before?

Kuvira walked to her side and rubbed her back gently. "Let it all out Korra."

Korra spat the last of her puke, wiping off the leftover residue of her last meal with the back of her hand. "How did you stomach this?" She had heard the stories from the citizens of the Earth Kingdom what Kuvira had to deal with. She cannot imagine how her girlfriend went through this type of carnage every day.

"You will get numbed to it with time." Kuvira admitted solemnly.

The avatar doesn't think she ever wanted to get numbed to it. The metalbender looked past the war-torn battlefield, staring at the giant mechanized suit that was standing in the middle of the city. "Baatar must be in that mecha suit, which no doubt is his ace in the hole. If we take that out and capture him, his army would have to cease with their assault."

"Yeah but how?" Korra followed her gaze. If she even had reconnected with Raava, it would still be a challenge to take on that gigantic monster of a weapon. "We need more than the two of us to take that down, and I have no idea where everyone is or if they're…"

"Hey," Kuvira placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, silencing her worrying rambling with a tiny smile. "Your friends are okay. I met them, remember? And if they survived everything they've been through, they would easily survive something like this."

She closed her eyes and breathed slowly. Yeah, she was right. She needed to believe in her friends. Hope was all they have left at the moment. "Thanks Vira." She said, opening her eyes. "I might have an idea on how we could reach the capital without getting caught."

"Please don't tell me it involves us jumping out of an airship again?"

Korra laughed with a mischievous smirk. "Next time maybe, but I'm thinking quite the opposite this time around."

Dust and dirt fell from the ceiling and landed on Su. She wiped the debris off her shoulders. She didn't think her son would fight so hard for control of the city. From what she could see with seismic sense, his army was winning but the United Forces were making them work hard for it. Sad to admit but it was a fruitless endeavor of her ally. They could only hope that Baatar would stop at capturing the United Republic.

The only solace she could find about the whole affair was that the prince had finally calmed down. At least now she will not suffer from a migraine when the battle was over.

"Hmm?" Su suddenly felt a weird and strong vibration, different from the battle that was ensuing above.

She placed a hand on the ground, eyes closed and focusing to see if that vibration would happen again.

Prince Wu noticed her alert state. "I-is something wrong? Did they find us?" Panic raced through his body.

Su quickly shushed him before he could start rambling. She frowned; the vibrations from above were disrupting her seismic sense enough that she couldn't differentiate from what she felt earlier. She stood up, raising her knee high before heel stomping the ground, sending out a sonar pulse with her earthbending.

She could fully pinpoint the origin of the vibration and saw the cause of it. Su sensed two earthbenders making their way towards her and the prince. Two young adult females if her seismic sense was correct. Her face twisted to that of confusion. One of the women she sensed felt like someone familiar but it was impossible for it to be her. Why would she return now?

"Stop ignoring me, and tell me what's going on!"

Su opened her eyes. "Get behind me." She ordered. If it was truly her that she sensed, then she must be here to end the royal line of the Earth Kingdom.

"O-oh no, they found me. Oh spirits those brutes will kill me." Prince Wu rushed to Su and clung to her like his life depended on it. "Please save me, I will give you anything!"

She shrugged the teenager off of her. She wished she had a gag to shut him up. "Just stay behind me and you will be fine. I promise."

A chunk of metal and stone from the wall burst towards them. The prince yelped in fright and hid behind Su. She reeled her arms back before striking them out, her hands in an open triangle shaped causing the slab of steel and earth to split evenly into two.

She stomped on the ground and brought forth a chunk stone from the floor. With a palm strike to the floating stone, she sent thousands of sharp pebbles speeding dangerously at the intruders. A cloud of dust started to form from her onslaught.

With no more rocks to throw, she readied herself for a counterattack, a hand over the metal coil attached to her hip. She heard coughing from the intruders. Su didn't expect her attack to work but to only gauge their skills, especially if her hunch about one of their identities was indeed true.

"W-wait!" One of them said, coughing heavily. "It's me, Korra!"

"Korra?" With a simple flick of the wrist, Su cleared the cloud of dust. She really cannot believe it's her. "Korra!" She greeted her happily.

They met halfway and hugged one another. After she started her campaign of finding Kuvira, Su didn't think she would see her anytime soon, let alone during the battle of Republic City. She let go of the Avatar with a tiny smile.

"It is so good to see you again, Korra. Sorry for attacking you. I thought you were someone else."

Korra chuckled. "No harm done, Su." Her expression became deadly serious. "Do you have a radio? We need to contact Asami. Knowing her and the rest of my friends, they're probably working on a plan to stop that giant mecha suit."

Su smirked at how right her hunch was. President Raiko had even pardoned Varrick and Asami's father, Hiroshi Sato, to create a last ditch effort against Baatar's army. Desperate times called for desperate measures she supposed. "I do." She was about to lead her to the radio in case of emergency until she thought about what Korra stated earlier. "Wait, Korra, did you just say we? Who is we exactly?"

Korra's sheepish expression did not fill her with confidence. She craned her head back slightly. "Uh, honey, the cat is out of the bag. You can come out now." She faced Su with raised hands, trying to caution her. "Look Su, please don't start anything. She's on our side now."

Out from the tunnel came the last person she thought she would ever see again. "Suyin." Kuvira greeted.

"Kuvira?" Su recalled what Korra labeled the metalbender. "Did you just called her honey? Wait, are you two dating?"

Kuvira boldly walked to Korra's side and held her hand, intertwining their fingers. "Surprise." Korra meekly announced with a nervous expression.

Kuvira cannot tell whose expression was more priceless. Suyin, who'd looked so stupefied that one would swear that the young woman grew a second head, or the teenager behind her that looked like he just had his candy stolen based on his upset demeanor. Honestly, if the situation was not so grave, she would be laughing right now. She was sure Korra would join in too.

"Wait," the teenager pushed himself in front of Suyin, "you're Kuvira? The same Kuvira that went power hungry and started all this mess?" He asked, pointing an accusing finger at her. "And you're dating the Avatar!"

The couple regarded each other for a second before facing Suyin once more. "Who's he?" Korra finally asked the big question that plagued the two young women.

Kuvira's brow quirked upward at how heavy Suyin sighed. Guess the teenager caused the women some trouble. Or a headache. "He's Prince Wu, heir to the throne of the Earth Kingdom."

"That's right." He confirmed. He sassily placed his hands on his hips, having an annoying little entitled grin plastered on his face. "I'm the one who you tried to usurp power and take my nation from."

His nation? His power? She clenched her teeth from his annoying attitude. Where was he when his people needed him the most?! She has never met such a pompous individual before. With a deep breath to quell the anger in her before she made a mistake and bowed at his highness with great reluctance. "I deeply apologize for my actions, Prince Wu. I'm here in hopes to make things right."

"She's telling the truth, Su." Korra vouching for her put a tiny smile on her face. She will admit it felt good to have someone to believe and rely on again.

"Korra…" Suyin muttered. She could hear the disbelieving undertone.

"Suyin, Prince Wu," she looked at both of them. "All I want is to stop Baatar from making the worst mistake of his life and to end this war. Whether you believe me or not does not matter. I will accomplish this, with or without your help."

Korra took a step forward. "Look, we don't have time to argue about this. Give me the radio or I'm going to take it from you." She ordered with authority.

Kuvira stared at Suyin to see if she would bend her morals. She caused a lot of grief for her former-mentor. Betraying her, turning her own son against her just to name a few. While she knew the woman was understanding and open minded -one of the reasons why she respected her so- Kuvira also knew how vindictive and unforgiven she could be to those that wronged her or her family.

"Okay." Suyin finally accepted which surprised both Wu and Kuvira.

"What?!" Wu exclaimed. "She's Kuvira, the same person who set up labor camps for those that looked at her wronged."

"People change." Kuvira tensed up from Suyin staring at her. She could see pain and regret in her eyes. "And besides, I'm a strong believer of second chances." She said with a sad smile.

Korra breathed out a heavy sigh. "Thank you, Su."

Suyin nodded and she led them to the radio. Once she turned away, Kuvira muscles relaxed. She cannot help but feel on edge after gazing how upset her former-mentor seemed when she spoke those words. Has she really forgiven her, as simple as that? No, she knew Suyin almost as well as the woman's husband does. She wouldn't forgive acts of treason so easily. Unless… those words weren't directed towards her.

Suyin set in the frequency for Asami's and handed the microphone to Korra. Kuvira smiled happily at how relieved her girlfriend was to hear how her friends were safe. She wore the brightest smile she had ever seen. Truly she was lucky in finding someone like Korra.

"So, you and Korra, huh?"

Kuvira glanced towards her right to see Suyin. She must have snuck up on her while she was paying attention to her girlfriend.

"Yes, Korra and I." Kuvira crossed her arms, eyes forward and focus on her love. "Is that a problem?"

"N-no. I just… you two look good together."

She sighed. Pleasantry small talks were not foreign to her. She had to get used to them during her time as general. That being said, she detested the common courtesy. To her eyes it was an act of fallacy. It was better to get straight to the point and deal with whatever the outcome may be. At least that's what she was taught by the woman who was attempting it with her.

"Suyin, please stop." She gazed at her from the corner of her eye. "I understand your reservation of me assisting you based on the… circumstances we left on. We do not need to be friendly or anything more than acquaintances. We were basically like that before you exiled me, so matter as well keep the status quo."

She hoped her words at least set where they now stood. She has no hard feelings about their past or what she may think of her. She overcame that issue with the help of Korra.

"...no…" She murmured. "I can't let things be after what happened between us."

Kuvira sharply inhale through her nose, her lips turning into a scowl from the woman's refusal. She had hoped Suyin would accept it with grace. Kuvira accepted the wrongs she committed but doesn't regret leaving Zaofu to help her nation. Sad her former-mentor couldn't let her old grudges be during such trying times.

"Fine." She spat. "Be stuck in the past then." Kuvira narrowed her eyes at the woman, her green eyes filled with pent up hate. "Though I shouldn't be surprised by the woman who exiled her own son for not agreeing with her political views."

Kuvira took a big breath to calm raging tempest in her before she did something she would actually regret. She didn't mean to lash out. Guessed Suyin wasn't the only one guilty of not burying old grudges.

"Sorr-"

"You're right." Suyin interrupted. She was caught off guard by the sudden apology. "But you're wrong about one thing. I lost a son and a daughter that day.

A daughter? She can't mean her, right? She made it perfectly clear how she viewed her a long time ago.

Suyin turned to face her. Kuvira could see the regret in her eyes. The metalbender stiffened up like a statue when she placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry Kuvira, for everything. I should've been less of an instructor, and more of a mother to you. I wanted you to achieve your absolute best but instead I made you think I didn't love or view you as my daughter." Kuvira blinked, not believing what was happening. Not believing the words being spoken to her. "I know saying sorry won't be enough after everything I said and done to you, but I hope it'll be enough for us to start anew. I love you Kuvira, and I always will, no matter what."

Suyin apologized. She sincerely apologized for everything. Kuvira didn't think the day would come where Suyin would admit she was wrong. When was the last time she heard those three magical words from the woman that picked her up from the streets? Years? Probably little over a decade at this point.

Suyin looked at her, expecting a response. Kuvira swallow the lump that was stuck in her throat, slowly reaching for the matriarch's hand. "Suyin-"

"Hey!" Korra came rushing to them and removed Suyin's hand off her girlfriend. The avatar wedged herself between the two, her back to Kuvira. She took note of lover's stupefy state and immediately got into Suyin's face with a deadly glare. "What did you say to her? You said you were okay with her."

"I-I am." Suyin stammered. "I only-"

"She apologized to me..."

Korra blanched, completely embarrassed for misreading the entire situation. She slowly turn her head to Kuvira. "W-what?"

"She apologized. For everything." The metalbender granted Suyin a brief glance before focusing on Korra. The corner of her lips tugged into a teasing grin. "Thanks for coming to my rescue, my brave knight." She said with a playful tone.

"Oh, uh, y-yeah." Korra backed away from the older woman, avoiding eye contact. "Sorry, Su."

"It's fine."

"Alright wait a sec," the prince chimed in, "I feel like I'm the only one missing something. How do you two know each other?"

Kuvira thought it was common knowledge about Suyin and her relationship. Then again he was a royal so news like this was probably not that interesting to him unless it involved a outlandish party or gaudy clothing.

"She is…" Kuvira looked at the in woman question for a second before finally answering with, "my Mother." She answered with a tiny smile.

Suyin looked like she was going to cry at any moment hearing those words. Kind of reminded her how she first reacted when she first called Suyin that title. Don't get Kuvira wrong, it will take a lot to fix what has happened between them, but if her mother was willing to try to make amends, so will she.

"What?!" Wu exclaimed.

The three women chuckled from his honest reaction. She didn't think such a reveal would be so shocking to a person.

"Okay guys," Korra gathered their attention. "So, Asami and I thought of a plan to take down Baatar and his mecha suit. She has her own suits ready to bust through its tough armor, but she needs a distraction, and that's where we come in."

"Wait." Kuvira stopped her from going any further. She knew what she was about to ask would not be accepted well from the prince. "Give me a chance to talk Baatar into surrendering."

"What, no way! You all know he won't surrender when he is so close to winning. Hell, Raiko is probably surrendering as we speak." Based on the grim expressions on them all, they thought the same. "He needs to be taken down for my kingdom to survive and regain any sort of stability." Wu argued.

Kuvira knew he had brought up a valid point, surprisingly so from one who looked out of his element.

"I need to at least give him a chance. I placed him in this situation by abandoning him because I was too weak." She stared at Korra, hoping to steer her to her way of thinking. "And like you said, Korra, it's never too late to change. I owed him this much."

Korra smiled at her which caused her to smile also. "Alright Vira, you will get your chance."

"Ugh!"

"But," Korra interrupted before Wu could start complaining again, "in case he doesn't, here's what we're gonna do."

Author's Note: I hope ya'll like the fated interaction between Su and Kuvira. I always felt Su was too rash with Kuvira and Baatar and deserves almost as much blame as the two Beifongs. Anyways, the battle for Republic City is fully underway and we reaching closer to the end.

Next update is November 21st.

Till Next Time