"I guess that's it," Kuvira said, as she gazed beyond the darkened shore of Air Temple Island. Most of the lights in Republic City were out, aside from street lamps and a few key locations, such as City Hall and police headquarters. Eerie, to see the normally brilliantly glowing backdrop dark and silent, aside from the glowing beacon of the spirit portal. "Evacuations are complete."
"Looks like it." Korra leaned close and held her hand, linking their fingers together. "The only thing we can do now is wait."
"How far out did the last report say Yula's forces are?"
"About eight hours. Should get here just after dawn tomorrow."
Kuvira breathed deep and turned away from the city, facing her girlfriend. She held both their hands together, squeezing tight. "Korra, whatever happens tomorrow... I want you to know, I love you."
Korra smiled. "I know. I love you, too. Always will."
"I just can't help but worry..." Kuvira let her gaze tilt towards the ground, her eyes becoming solemn, and distant. "If Shayu can't convince Yula to leave, countless people are going to die. We could lose friends, family. We've already lost so much, I don't know if I..."
Korra reached up and raised Kuvira's chin with a gentle touch, staring deep into her eyes. "Hey, we'll get through this. Together. I promise."
"Together..." Kuvira frowned at the statement. "Can you really be certain of that? If something happens to either of us...
"Don't think like that," Korra insisted. "Everything will be fine. We'll be fine. I'll make sure of it, one way or another. We'll be there to look out for each other, and our friends, and our families." Her hand left Kuvira's chin, slowly gliding up along her cheek. "No matter what happens, we will always be together."
Kuvira swallowed, staring back at her with a shuddering breath. "You really believe that?"
"I do."
"In that case, um..." Kuvira shifted with an awkward, nervous expression. Now was as good a time as any. Probably the only time, really. "There's something I need to ask you."
Korra blinked at her, lifting a curious eyebrow. "Oh, alright. What is it?"
"Well, um..." Kuvira sucked in a deep breath and slowly let it out to calm her nerves. Her heart thumped like mad in her chest, pulsing and shuddering. Spirits, come on. She could do this. She'd been working up to this moment for weeks. If she didn't get it out now, there wouldn't be another chance. Just do it, no matter the outcome. "Korra, my life hasn't gone anywhere close to how I thought it would. I made so many mistakes, hurt so many people... people like you. After I went to prison, I thought that was it. I thought my life was over, that I'd never recover from my failures and misdeeds."
Kuvira held both their hands together again, and gave a gentle squeeze. She looked deep into Korra's eyes, curling a loving smile. "Amazingly, I was able to find new meaning in my life. I was able to change for the better, I was able to forgive myself, and find redemption. I was able to become the person I always should have been. So much of that is thanks to you. When I needed a friend, you were there. When I needed someone to reassure me, you were there. When I needed someone to push me in the right direction, you were there. You showed me kindness and compassion I didn't ever think I deserved. You helped me heal, and better myself, and now you're the one person I love most in this world. I wouldn't be the person I am today without you. You've completed me."
She inhaled another deep breath, holding it in for several seconds before forcing it out in a deep huff. As she neared closer to the question, the bubbling in her gut churned harder, lifting a numb lump into her throat. "Korra, what I'm trying to say is, you mean the world to me, and I... I wanted to ask you if... if you would, uh... Well... See, there might not be another chance to do this after tomorrow, and if the worst happens, I didn't want to let this go unasked, so..."
Now or never. With one more deep breath, Kuvira reached into one of the pockets of her green robes. When her hand reappeared, she clutched a blue choker with a metal pendant in the shape of a lotus flower dangling from the front of it. She held it forward resting in her palm, and stared deep into Korra's eyes once more. "Korra... will you marry me?"
A sharp gasp surged from Korra's throat when she noticed the betrothal necklace, hand held over her mouth, eyebrows lifting high. "Oh, Kuvira..."
"I know this more of a Northern thing," Kuvira said, her voice shuddering out in a nervous whisper, "but Kya assured me it's still an acceptable Southern tradition as well. I know it's not much, but... See, I made it myself, and..."
Korra silenced her with a kiss, pressing their lips firmly together. Deep, passionate, loving. When she finally pulled away, she placed her forehead against Kuvira's and smiled. "It's beautiful. Yes, Kuvira... I'll marry you."
Kuvira blinked, staring back at the Avatar in genuine surprise. Pleasant, wondrous surprise. "Okay, wow, that went better than I expected." With a soft chuckle, she unclasped the back of the necklace and pulled it open. "Can I put it on you now?"
Korra grinned, and turned around so Kuvira could wrap the choker around her neck and latch it into place. Once the necklace was in place, she turned around and pull her in for another kiss, their first as an engaged couple. "It's perfect."
"Harder!" Azula shouted, as she ducked below a sweeping water whip. She countered with a spinning kick of blue flames. "Come on, is that all you got? Give me more!"
Anraq leaped back to evade the strike. He whirled an arm forward, freezing his water into a solid ice brick. The frozen block thudded harmlessly against Azula's armor. Didn't even slow her down. She kept coming and leaped into the air with a whirling kick. Flames ignited, exploding at Anraq's feet. The blast lifted him airborne. He bounced twice across the ground before shifting himself upright, heaving deep breaths.
"Azula, we've been at this for hours," he said, pressing his hands against his knees. After taking a moment to catch his breath, he wandered over to the large statue of Avatar Korra and leaned against it. Under normal circumstances, sparring in Avatar Korra Park would probably get them arrested, but right now there wasn't anyone around to stop them. "I think it might be time to stop for the night and get some sleep. Or at least take a break."
"I can't stop," she insisted. "Yula is going to attack, there's no doubt about that. When she does, I am going to find her and end her. To do that, I have to be perfect."
"You think a few hours of last minute sparring is going to help?" Anraq straightened himself, and heaved in a deep breath. "Azula, I know you're determined, but you'd be much better off relaxing and getting a good night's rest beforehand. You keep going like this and you're only going to be exhausted tomorrow."
"You should listen to your boyfriend," a voice called.
Azula turned around to see a familiar older woman approaching them from across the bridge over the nearby pond. "Izumi? When did you get here?"
"A few hours ago," Izumi said. "Just in time, apparently. I hear Yula is almost on your doorstep."
Anraq nodded. "She'll be here by morning."
"And you're sure she'll attack?"
"Positive," Azula replied, with a low scoff, "The idiots in charge continue to think they're going to somehow get through to Yula through peaceful methods. I suppose we should be fortunate they're not completely inept, otherwise they might not have even bothered to prepare their armies."
Izumi hummed out a thoughtful breath and nodded slowly. "That's what I thought. I'll be joining you, in that case, doing whatever I can to fight back. Yula must pay for what she did to my father."
"She will," Azula stated. "I'll make sure of it."
"In that case, I'll see you both tomorrow. If not before the attack, then on the battlefield." Izumi gave a parting wave, and continued on her way out of the park. "Good luck."
When Izumi was gone, Anraq glanced back at Azula. "So, you still want to keep going?"
"No," she muttered, with a calm sigh. "You were right. This last minute practice isn't going to change anything. I'm just obsessing. I need to be calmer. Focused."
"In that case, you want to get some sleep?"
"Yes, in a bit. First, though..." Azula took a step closer and pushed Anraq back against the statue. She leaned in, pressed their lips together. Fiercely, passionately. Her hands slipped into his tunic and traveled lower, beneath the waistline of his pants.
Anraq huffed out a pleasant groan when her fingers found what they were after. "Oh, well, I suppose sleep can wait. But, uh... are you sure, out here in the open? I mean, anyone could see."
"There's no one around," she insisted, moving in for another kiss. She gently bit his bottom lip, and began pulling down his pants. "Even if there were, I wouldn't care. Just... do it like we might never see each other again."
As seductive as her request was supposed to sound, there was truth to it. Anraq would be joining his Water Tribe brethren in the Navy tomorrow, while Azula would be keeping close to the Avatar and President Sato. If something unfortunate did happen tomorrow, the last time they saw each other would be in the morning when they awoke.
Anraq groaned softly, as his hands traveled down to Azula's hips. With a single, forceful motion, he flipped them around so he had her pressed up against the statue, her backside facing him. Leaning forward, he yanked down the pants of her uniform and brought his lips close to her ear. "Yes, ma'am."
Yula's army arrived shortly after dawn the next morning. The air fleet arrived first, soaring over the mountains to the northeast. Half a mile outside the city, they stopped and hovered in place, waiting. The Dragon Empire's Navy arrived an hour later, numerous battleships and smaller speeders coming up south through Mo Ce Sea and halting a quarter mile outside the United Forces blockade. Not to mention only a few hundred yards away from the Water Tribes' aquatic minefield. Any closer, and they might have detonated the first line.
Bright sunlight spilled over the top of the mountains, highlighting a massive procession of ground troops marching up from the southeast, the last of the Empire's forces to arrive. Several waves of mechas led the formation, followed by another three rows of battle tanks, and ground troops behind them. Several airships hovered overhead, the largest of which was nearly double the size of the others, with two large gold dragons painted across its sides. The Imperial Flagship, from where Yula herself most likely commanded her forces. The Dragon Empire ground troops stopped a hundred yards in front of the United Forces soldiers stationed outside the city. At a glance, the Dragon Empire outnumbered their opposition at least three to one, possibly more.
Asami gazed out the top story window of Future Industries Tower. Considering it was located near the heart of Republic City and was one of its tallest buildings, with a clear view on all sides, it had become their base of operations. She focused a glare on Yula's flagship. Almost time. With a deep breath, she looked to the others behind her—Korra, Kuvira, Azula, Mako, and Shayu. General Iroh had left earlier to lead his troops from the front lines, while his mother, Izumi, had joined him, along with Bolin, whose lavabending would be an enormous asset on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Tonraq, Eska, Desna, and Anraq had joined their tribesmen on their respective Navy battleships in Yue Bay.
"This isn't going to work," Azula muttered, folding her arms across her chest. "I'm telling you right now."
Asami ignored the comment, and grabbed her radio. A brief hiss of static followed, until the connection went through. "Dragon Empress Yula, this is President Sato of the United Republic of Nations. Please respond."
Another brief burst of static crackled through the radio, before the frequency cleared. Yula's voice bit sharply in response. "President Sato... You have my sister. I want her back."
"You can have her back as soon as you turn your army around and leave United Republic territory," Asami replied.
Yula scoffed. "I don't think you understand your position. I have you outnumbered, outclassed, and surrounded. I could wipe you all from this world with a simple command. This isn't a negotiation. Return my sister to me, and then surrender. If you do, no one needs to get hurt."
"You know how to make threats, Dragon Empress, but you won't attack as long as Shayu is here."
"You're so sure?"
Azula focused a critical stare at the president. "Now is when you threaten Shayu. Let her know you're serious. That is the only way this plan has a chance."
Asami ignored her. She walked to the window and stared out over the city, at the Imperial Flagship in the distance. "Yes, I am. Still, I think there's another way we can resolve this."
"Oh really?" Yula said, in a disbelieving tone. "And what might that be?"
"There's someone here who wants to speak with you." Asami said nothing else. She simply stepped back, and handed over the radio to Shayu.
A pause followed, as Shayu stared at the radio in her hand. With a deep, shuddering breath, she clicked the button and held it to her mouth. "Yula?"
Another pause. When Yula's voice returned, it carried a tone of concern and worry. "Shayu? Are you alright? Are you hurt?"
"I... I'm fine, really."
"Everything is going to be alright," Yula said. "I promise, I'm going to get you out of there."
Shayu bowed her head and eased out a long sigh, closing her eyes. "Yula... can you please just stop?"
"What? I don't understand. Stop what?"
"Everything. All of this. Your army, your invasion, hurting people... Please, just stop it. This isn't you. This isn't the sister I grew up with."
"Shayu, I don't know what they've told you, but—"
"You killed Lord Zuko," she said, cutting off her sister's defense. "Didn't you?"
Silence. Five seconds. Ten seconds. Fifteen seconds later, the radio crackled to life again. Yula's voice returned, solemn and cautious. "He and his friends were a threat to me. They attacked me, made attempts on my life... Shayu, I had to stop them. I liked Lord Zuko, but he left me no choice."
Shayu shook her head. "Yula, I thought you were doing the right thing. You had me so convinced. I wanted to believe in you, because you're my sister and I love you, and I looked up to you, but this? It isn't right. You have to know that. Destroying Zaofu, killing innocent people, acting like a tyrant, and a bully... This isn't how Mom raised us. We're better than that, aren't we?"
"Shayu..."
"Please, Yula." Her voice cracked, desperate and pleading, struggling to retain poise in the wake of oncoming tears. "They'll let me go if you agree to stop what you're doing. Just turn around. Leave. You don't need to conquer the rest of the world, do you? You already have the entire Dragon Empire. Just leave it at that."
"But Shayu, I thought we agreed." Yula's voice rattled with confusion, as if unable to believe what her sister was saying. "What I'm doing is for the benefit of everyone. I'm trying to help the world. I'm trying to protect people, I'm trying to—"
"You're hurting people!" Shayu held a hand to her face as she shouted into the radio, cutting off her sister again. She hiccuped, barely maintaining her poise. "That's all you're doing. Maybe you meant to do good somewhere at the start, but now? There's nothing good about this. Please... I'm tired, I'm scared, and I want to go home. I want to see Mom again. I don't want to be a part of this anymore. Please, Yula? Please, can we just go home?"
Silence, once again. Longer this time. A minute. Two minutes. Nearly three minutes later, Yula's voice returned. Soft, melancholy. Almost remorseful in tone, the way it shook. "Alright... Alright, we can go home. Put the president back on."
Asami eased out the breath she'd been holding, and turned a quiet glance at the others in the room. They all appeared relieved, even triumphant over this turn of events. All except Azula, who remained staring with disbelieving defiance. Just as well. Let her stare. Their plan had worked.
"So, do we have an agreement?" Asami asked, as she took the radio back from Shayu.
"Yes..." Yula replied. "Please, just give me my sister and I'll leave. I give you my word."
"Alright, we'll arrange a transport immediately."
"Don't bother. I'll send one myself."
"Fine, we'll be waiting atop Future Industries Tower," Asami said. "You can send an airship to retrieve your sister as soon as you're ready."
"Who else will be with you?" Yula asked, with a subtle hesitance in her tone. "I feel I owe some people an apology. The Avatar, for one. Azula, Kuvira... Too many."
"They're all here. You can talk to them face-to-face if you come yourself."
"I'll do that. Thank you."
When the radio connection severed, Yula released an enraged shout and beat her fist against the airship dashboard. A burst of flames erupted from her knuckles, dissipating in a flash of embers before she could damage the controls.
Ishida approached with a cautious step. "Empress, are you alright?"
"My sister..." she grumbled, with a seething breath of anger. "They turned my own sister against me. They will not get away with this." With another deep inhale to compose herself, she glanced back at her lowly servant. "Ishida, prepare an airship. I want you to pick up my sister."
Thirty minutes later, Asami and the others stood on the roof of Future Industries Tower. A small Dragon Empire cruiser airship descended into view, hovering low enough to get in range of its gangway. Asami stood at the front of the group next to Shayu, while Korra stood behind the girl, her hands clasped around the handles of the wheelchair.
"Thank you for your help, Shayu," Asami said, with an appreciative nod.
"Yeah, you did a lot of good here today," Korra added, looking down at her.
"You're welcome..." Shayu bowed her head and exhaled a deep sigh. "I'm just ready to go home."
Moments later, the airship lowered its gangplank down to the roof. Korra widened a smile at Shayu, and began wheeling her forward.
Azula narrowed her eyes, watching the two ascend the gangplank. "Something isn't right."
Mako shifted a careful look towards her. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, why isn't anyone coming down the gangplank? Yula said she'd be here personally to deliver her 'apologies'. So where is she?"
Kuvira's eyes narrowed, focusing on the airship. "That's actually a good question."
"I'm sure she's coming," Mako said.
Azula shook her head. "More than that, you don't think it odd that Yula changed her stance so easily?"
Mako paused, scrunching his eyebrows together. "Well... I mean, maybe, but that's the power of family."
"No, that isn't it," she insisted. "I don't trust this, and neither should any of you. Keep on your guards."
Korra and Shayu stepped through the entrance of the airship, only to be greeted by an empty room. No crew, no guards, and definitely no Yula. A flicker of concern lifted into Korra's gaze, as she wheeled the chair forward another step.
"I don't get it," Korra said. "Where is she?"
Static hissed over the airship's onboard radio, followed soon by a familiar voice. "Shayu, can you hear me?"
Shayu blinked, lifting her gaze up towards one of the speakers on the ceiling. "Yula? Where are you?"
"I'm not onboard, but I am watching," Yula replied. "I saw you and the Avatar enter the airship, and I can see the others on top of the tower."
Shayu's face twisted with confusion. "Why didn't you come? I thought you were going to meet with everyone before we left?"
"I'm afraid I can't do that."
"W-what? Why?"
When Yula's voice returned, it was quiet. Soft. Mournful. "I want you to know, I love you. I always will, but I can't let anyone stop me, not even you. Goodbye, Shayu... I'm so sorry."
"Wait!" Shayu shrieked, as the radio connection hissed into silence. "Yula! What are you talking about? What did you mean?"
"Oh no..." Korra's eyes widened. That's why Yula had sent the airship. That's why she'd wanted everyone at the top of the tower, and why no one else was onboard. A bubble of panic seared bile into her throat, as she wheeled Shayu's wheelchair around and raced for the exit. "Everyone, get out of here! It's a—!"
Her words cut out with a thunderous boom. As soon as she stepped onto the gangway, the airship behind her exploded in a massive fireball. Flames ruptured outward, engulfing the entirety of the tower rooftop. The resulting shockwave obliterated the top several stories of the building, ripped the radio antenna clean off the roof, and sprayed bits of heated metal shrapnel in all directions, like a storm of molten razors. Seconds later, burning airship wreckage plummeted to the streets below, landing with a crash of twisted metal. A second series of explosions followed, ripping through the top levels of Future Industries Tower. Within moments, the entire building erupted in flames.
