Hey guys, I hope you all are enjoying the start of the new year, because all we can do is hope for a better one than last year. Things so far aren't looking too well with this pandemic still going around, though I'm not sure if it'll ever end, but we still have another 11 months to go!

This chapter is a fun one to write, so I hope you all enjoy reading it! Here, Korra and the chosen 'group' are off to the south pole, and let's just say there's a reason Tonraq isn't one to be angered. A little flashback too, and be prepared for it.

Warnings: Physical abuse and mentions of miscarriage in the flashback, skip it if you can't take it.

I don't own Legend of Korra.

Enjoy!

In the few days flown by after making their plans, Korra kept trying to think of different ways to break the news to her dad. Tenzin had called and told him they'd be coming, with a group, but still, telling him that his brother, his supposed dead brother, was somehow alive and abducted a woman to create the next avatar, and would likely go after her too, well that wasn't as easy as she'd hoped.

The day after they'd made the plan, Tenzin and Korra had followed through in gathering those who were best to go on the mission. Korra, Tenzin, Mako, Bolin, and Jinora were all riding atop Oogie's saddle, and the bison was flying them to the South Pole. No one else knew of the plan, and Korra had to assure Asami they would be back as soon as they could. While Asami didn't know of the entire plan, she knew it was serious and Korra had to go. Bolin had been filled in, and he…well he literally wouldn't eat anything for two days before Mako pushed him into it.

"Tenzin, I don't mean to nag but how much longer until we get there?" Bolin asked the air master, for the second time that day.

"We should be there soon; I'd say before nightfall." Bolin groaned.

"We should have just taken a boat; Varrick would have loaned us one."

"Stop whining Bolin, we can't let too many people know where we're going and borrowing a Varrick made boat would attract too much attention. You understood the reasons."

"I know, I just…I don't know." Bolin leaned back against the saddle's edge.

"Bolin, what's wrong? You're not getting cold feet are you?" Mako stared at his brother.

"No, no I'm not it's just…" he sighed.

"It's Opal isn't it?" Jinora turned back to look at them.

"Opal?" Korra and Mako's confused faces stared at Bolin.

"Yeah, Opal and I…it's not good." He sighed. "Ever since this whole thing with Nan started she's been acting odd. Like one minute she's calm, then she's crying, and then she's just angry; I try to help, but she barely talks and when she does it's always says something about Kuvira."

"Kuvira, what does she say exactly?" Korra knew that things with the Beifongs were tense after this huge revelation with Nan, but she hadn't known how tense.

"Things like 'her fault', and 'wish she'd never come into our home', I know she and Kuvira didn't get along too well as kids but…it's like she's blaming her for everything." Mako sighed.

"She's having a tough time coping bro; I mean Nan was her friend growing up. To hear all this, and see it, it's hard for her."

"I know, but why is she blaming Kuvira? She didn't do anything wrong."

"She's looking for a scapegoat Bolin, it'll just take a while for her to accept the situation. Just give her a little space, she'll come around." Mako looked so sure, but Korra wasn't.

"I hope so Mako, I hate seeing her upset like this."

"You just have to give it time Bolin, maybe once things calm down you two can sit and talk it over." Korra gave her friend a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

"Korra…" Jinora scooted towards her. "Could we talk a bit?" she glanced at the boys, and Korra understood.

"Ok, over here." They scooted to the farther end of Oogie's saddle. "What's up?"

"I wanted to talk to you about that charm." Korra felt confused, and then she remembered, the necklace Nan wore. "I tried researching more of it, but found nothing."

"Nothing? How is that possible?"

"I don't know, I even went to the spirit world library but there was nothing there. Nothing was 'checked out' either." Korra couldn't believe it, how could there not be anything? "I feel like an idiot."

"You're not." She quickly defended Jinora. "You're not an idiot Jinora, just because nothing's been found doesn't mean there's nothing out there; we just have to keep looking." The young airbender gave her a look.

"You mean I'll have to keep looking?" Korra mentally punched herself.

"Not if you don't want to, I don't know, I'm sorry Jinora."

"You're fine Korra, I know you didn't mean anything by it. It's just…this hasn't been easy for any of us."

"I know and it's just getting more and more complicated." Korra looked out at the clouds around them. "I keep having more troubles with this, and you, you worked your butt off trying to figure this charm out but nothing comes up. I know it's something with Unalaq, but…ugh I hate this."

"We all do, but what else can we do other than…?" Jinora trailed off.

"What's wrong Jinora?" she sighed.

"I can't understand, why someone would do something so awful." Korra kept quiet. "Unalaq, what he did to me, to you, that was awful enough, but now…he's taken control of what's left from my grandfather's past. How can he do this?"

"I don't know, Unalaq is someone I hardly knew, even when I was little something just seemed off with him. I didn't think much of it until all that happened with the spirit portals, I don't know if he's always been bad or if he just got so greedy he was willing to do whatever he could to achieve his goals."

"And now he's taken Kuvira and helped smear her name across the world."

"That was Nan, but you're partly right. I hate this too Jinora, but all I can hope is that we put an end to it before it gets worse."

"We will." Jinora's confidence stared Korra right in the eyes. "I won't let him win, he didn't last time, and he won't this time." Korra smiled.

"I'm glad we're on the same page, now…we still have a while before we get there. Why don't you get some sleep?"

"I need to take over for Dad…" she stopped when a yawn escaped.

"I think he can manage a little longer, but if he needs a break I'll take over ok?"

"Ok, can I borrow your blanket?" Korra passed it over and Jinora bundled herself up, leaning against the bags for pillows. No one else spoke as they continued, and Korra felt glad because she still had to figure out how to break the news to her father. Would he even believe that his traitor brother was likely alive somewhere? That he'd once again stooped a level so low to kidnap an innocent woman and force her into motherhood? She didn't want to believe it either, but they had to find that island, there was nothing else to go on.

Flashback:

"I'm sorry my lord, but there was nothing else I could do." She could feel his angry glare on her, but she didn't dare look at him. Her heart felt heavy and the tears fell down her cheeks, the horrors of what had come hours before had finally weighed in on her.

"What caused it?" he said it low, but she heard him.

"It could have been anything my lord, but my best guess is…stress and dehydration. It wasn't truly a fault of anyone's…"

"I have ordered you to watch her health, you said she was fine."

"She was at the time master, but this place, this air, it isn't always the best and her body is weak from stress."

"What stress? I have not given her reason to be stressed…"

"My lord, she is locked up daily, and the spirits scare her sometimes it's not…" she paused.

"How long will she need to wait before conceiving again?" she paled but kept her gaze away. He would dare have her get pregnant again so soon?!

"A year my lord, her body will need to fully heal. I have done my best, but she will need to be more careful in the future but my lord, perhaps its best if you wai…"

"Enough." He said it loud. "Go into the next room and watch the child, do not bring her in until I say so."

"My lord…"

"Go." She heard the woman leave, and then turned as he approached her bed. His hand gripped her shoulder and forced her to turn over and face him.

"Stop…don't…" she pleaded with him, and his hand went around her throat.

"You lost me my child, it could've been the one, and you've lost it." He hissed at her, his face so close she felt his hot breath against her skin.

"I didn't do…anything…" He squeezed her throat tight, and she gasped. "Agh…!"

"You did something, I don't know what but it was apparently enough to kill the baby."

"I…I didn't mean to…" her hand gripped at his wrist, but her strength was depleted.

"It doesn't matter if you did or not, all that matters is the child is gone, and now…" he squeezed a little harder and leaned in so close his lips were a hair's breadth away from her own. "You will pay the consequences." He let go of her throat only to reach back and smack her so hard her lip bled.

"It was my child too…" she said it before she could stop herself, instant regret flooded her body as he froze, stunned at her words.

"What did you say?" she flinched as he moved his hand towards her face, before harshly gripping her chin, forcing her to look at him. "Answer me."

"It…it was my child too…" he yanked her forward and she whimpered. "Don't…"

"Don't what darling? This?" he forced his lips on hers and bit her bottom lip, sucking the blood off as she screamed in pain. When he pulled back he licked up the trickle of blood from her chin, and she fell back against the pillows. "I will allow your body to recover, and when it does, I will give you your full punishment."

"Please…don't…" she begged, but he smirked.

"I will do what I wish with you, perhaps this will teach you to be more careful." His finger stroked her cheek. "If you behave, I will make it less painful." With that said he all but stormed out of the room, and a few minutes later the healer returned with her small daughter in her arms.

"Miss." The woman's eyes were sad, pained; the baby cooed in her arms, and her tiny arms reached out towards her mother.

"Give her to me." She didn't care how hurt or weak she felt, all she wanted now was to hold her baby. The emptiness she felt worsened, and nothing would fix or fill it.

End flashback.

When they finally closed in on the South Pole, Korra still had a hard time wondering how she would tell the news to everyone. Though she didn't feel as conflicted as before, she certainly didn't feel at ease, then again how could she? Why would she?

"Korra." Tenzin's voice called her. "We're almost there, wake the others."

"Ok." She didn't realize time had flown by so fast. Mako and Bolin woke, albeit groaning, but got the message quickly as they looked over the saddle's edge and spotted the Southern Water Tribe's castle in the view. Jinora was woken too, and Korra spotted a crowd gathering at the palace front when they landed. Guards made the crowd part, and Tonraq came out with Senna behind him; Korra air jumped down to his arms, and he squeezed her to him.

"Welcome back sweetheart." He whispered to her.

"It's great to see you dad, I've missed you."

"And we've missed you, so much." Senna's arms went around them both, hugs like this were one of the few things Korra missed with her family. She hated when they pulled apart, but they could always hug later.

"It's good to see you again Tenzin, boys, Master Jinora." All four bowed at the tribal chief. "Why don't we all head inside? We have some fresh tea made, my guards will make sure your bison is fed and watered." Tenzin looked relieved.

"That would be great, thank you Chief Tonraq."

"Just Tonraq is fine, come on in." They got through the crowd with the guards gathering their bags. Korra didn't really mind the crowd, it wasn't as bad as in the city, but at least it was her own people.

"This way everyone." Senna led them to a large living area, with a fireplace and chairs, and Kya, sipping tea by the fire. Korra almost forgot she'd come down here to help Katara, it was still good to see her.

"Korra, you look tired." Kya handed her a cup first, and Korra shrugged.

"I am tired, but what's new these days?" she sat down next to Senna on the large sofa. It took a few minutes to get everyone to sit and have a cup, they needed it after a long journey.

"We're glad you all made it safely, there's a storm heading this way."

"How big?"

"Not too big, just passing through but it should be done by morning. Now…" Tonraq looked at Tenzin. "I hate to get right to it, but your call as you said was very urgent. What's wrong? Is there something going on in the city?"

"Not quite, it's more of what to do with…Kuvira." Tonraq and Senna exchanged a glance.

"What do you mean Tenzin? She's in prison isn't she?"

"Dad, it's a long story, and while I'm not very good at telling stories I'll just say it. The woman who was arrested as the Great Uniter, that's not Kuvira."

"What?" he looked confused.

"It's a bit difficult to explain, but in short, the battle of Republic City ended differently than what the press has led on." She took a breath. "Though, maybe I should start from the beginning." Korra took only fifteen minutes to explain the aftermath of the battle against the giant mech suit, and the facts of Nan Tao impersonating Kuvira with spirit magic.

"Are…are you sure about this?" Tonraq looked skeptical.

"I wish it was easy to understand dad, trust me I do."

"It's not that we don't believe you dear, but you must admit it sounds a bit farfetched. A stranger, stealing someone's identity for three straight years, using spirit magic of all things. I mean we heard about the vines being used and then the spirits having trouble, but this…" Senna glanced at her husband.

"I understand it's difficult, but Korra speaks the truth, Mako and even Lin if she came can confirm everything Korra just told you." Tenzin sighed. "I had a hard time believing it myself, but I know Korra, she couldn't make this up."

"And that's not the worst of it dad…" Korra shuddered, and swallowed the lump in her throat as she prepped herself, mentally.

"What is it Korra?" his eyes held concern, and she looked dead into his own.

"Nan Tao, she did more than just impersonate Kuvira…she…she sold her, to someone."

"Sold…you mean…?" Senna got the message and covered her mouth in horror.

"She gave her to a man…" she couldn't bring herself to say the rest, but both her parents seemed to understand. Korra took a few more minutes explaining about Nan, and while they seemed to be listening more, her parents and Kya were still confused, but horrified.

"How is this possible?" Tonraq whispered.

"She had some friends in very high places, one accomplice is in custody and he made a deal."

"What did he tell you?"

"Not me, Mako." Korra turned to the firebender who nodded.

"Chief Beifong and I interrogated him, she didn't want to deal but it was the only way to get him to talk. He said that Nan spent a long time planning this 'revenge plot' against Kuvira, she used whatever means to pull it off. How she got the spirit magic we have an idea, but basically he revealed she had a third partner."

"And this third partner is the one who took Kuvira?" Korra nodded. "When did…?"

"After that incident on Laghima Peak, but it really was Kuvira who saved you dad. She was kidnapped when you all went after me and Zaheer." Tonraq's hands clenched around his cup.

"So, this girl stole her identity out of jealousy?"

"More than that, Nan apparently felt she was wronged by the Beifongs, mainly Su and Bataar Jr and she used the empire as an excuse to go after them. We're pretty sure she wanted to start with the Earth Kingdom, and eventually go to other parts of the world but since she was arrested and her forces depleted that plan is gone."

"Good." Kya put her cup down. "But what about Kuvira?"

"That's actually why we're here." Korra took a breath. "We know, or we assume, that Kuvira is being held captive on an island called 'Unknown', it's a special island that was once a haven to the airbenders before the hundred-year war." She looked at Tenzin.

"Special?" Senna asked.

"It was a training area to where those spiritually powerful could be with the spirits, it's like a special area between their world and ours. My father trained there when he was young, but after the war…" Tenzin's form went rigid.

"Tens?" Kya stood up to go to him.

"I'm fine Kya." He stopped her. "After the war, and dad's untimely disappearance, the island was overrun by the fire nation and the people on it…" he looked down, but everyone understood.

"They didn't…" Bolin whispered.

"They did." Korra looked at her dad. "I've…I've been having dreams, and not the usual ones with Zaheer."

"What kind of dreams dear?" Senna looked worried.

"It's…it's Aang, I think he's been trying to reach out to me, about the island. Tenzin agrees, because each time I see Aang he's left a hint about the island, and I've…I've seen flashbacks."

"I thought you'd lost your connection with your past lives…?" Kya looked at Tenzin. "Could it really be dad?"

"I think it might be, when Korra described the dreams to me I didn't want to believe it, but after the last one…I knew it had to do with him. That island has been untouched by humans since Aang and Lord Zuko went to investigate some spirit attacks, and dad promised that no other human would go there."

"The spirits are still there?" Tenzin nodded.

"They attack anyone who gets close, and the island is protected by the fire nation. The man who took Kuvira has some unnatural amount of spirit power, and they're likely using the island as a cover so no one will approach."

"So that's why all of you are going? You're going to try and talk to them? Can't you do that from the spirit world?" Senna looked at Jinora.

"The island is a land between our world and the living Lady Senna, it would be difficult to enter in the spirit world. Our best bet is to go there."

"That's another reason why we came here dad, we wanted to ask for your help."

"My help? What do you need?"

"Anything or anyone you can spare dad, this place is going to throw everything at us. We're all willing to take the chance to save Kuvira, and our family owes her."

"I owe her Korra." He corrected her. "And I agree, so I'll go with you."

"Really?" a small part of her hadn't expected him to say it right away.

"Really, she saved my life and it's only fair that I help in her rescue, and I'll bring some of my men along." He cleared his throat. "Tell me something though."

"What dad?" he stared at her.

"What else is there to worry about? I can tell by your expressions you're not giving me the whole truth." Korra closed her eyes in resignation.

"It's not that we're keeping things hidden dad, we just…we aren't sure how you'll take this bit." She looked at Tenzin, he nodded at her. "Lin and Mako asked the man to give us the identity of the third partner, but he couldn't give a name." Korra looked at Mako, who pulled a folded piece of paper from his jacket and passed it to her.

'Here we go.'

"He couldn't give us a name, but he gave us a face." Korra unfolded it, took a quick glance at it, and then showed the drawn face to her dad. His expression changed from disbelief, to shock, to disbelief again, and then flickered to anger before he looked at her.

"Not possible…" he whispered but they all heard it.

"I know dad, but…it's all he could give us."

"We didn't want to believe it either Tonraq, but the facts we have…it's all that makes sense." Tonraq looked ready to retort and deny it, but Senna stood up and put a hand on her husband's shoulder.

"What are the facts?" she looked at them.

"Unalaq, was a powerful spirit master, he hid it well. We all know what he did, what he attempted to do, and he failed, but if this is real, then he must've had other cards in the deck." Tenzin spoke, he had confidence in his voice but he still looked unsure. "We aren't entirely certain if it is him, but…it's all we have."

"He can't be alive, Korra…" Tonraq stared at her. "He died when Vaatu fused with him, and you purified Vaatu…it can't be true."

"Dad, I wish it wasn't either, or it may not be, but if this really is Unalaq, then we need to get to Kuvira as fast as possible. What he's done to her in the last three years…" she covered her mouth, heavily swallowing the vomit buildup that came.

"What has he done Korra?" Kya stood up, she had knowing look in her eyes but she wanted to hear it.

"He's kept her as a sex slave, and a…" Mako swallowed too. "Breeder." All eyes in the room, minus those who already knew, went wide. "That's what the boyfriend told us, and it…it has something to do with gaining the power of the avatar…again."

"Again…" Senna let go of Tonraq's shoulder, going totally pale. "Again…why…?"

"Mom?" Senna started shaking, her eyes welled up with some tears.

"That poor girl…how can he…? He's…oh, I'm going to be sick." She covered her mouth and ran out of the room, with Kya going after her. Korra made to follow, but when she suddenly felt a chill in the room, a big one, she turned and saw her dad shaking so hard the ice and snow outside started moving.

"Dad?" Korra went to touch him, but he pulled away.

"Korra…please, not now." He was shaking with visible rage; Korra could feel everything around them shake with him. He all but stormed out of the room, and she heard a faint door slam. Tenzin walked up behind Korra and put a hand on her shoulder.

"He doesn't believe us…" Tenzin shook his head.

"It's not that, I think he does, but to think of his brother…capable of these crimes, it's hard for him."

"Unalaq was never a good person Tenzin, he knows that."

"True, but he was still his brother. He just needs a little time."

"We don't have a little time though…"

"I know, which is why I'm going to speak with him. If I can, we'll leave first thing in the morning; Oogie needs to rest and we all could use some sleep. Now…why don't we…" Tenzin didn't get to finish as the room suddenly shook and a loud BANG echoed throughout the room. Korra's eyes went wide, and she ran in the direction her dad had taken, with Tenzin, Mako and Bolin following behind. The guards found them and led them outside, but they stopped just as they got out.

Korra froze at what she saw, deep cracks in the earth, ice pillars and cliffs were all around them in such angry, jagged shapes. They looked so sharp one touch was dangerous, even the guards were all afraid to move; they could only watch as their chief, stood in the middle of it all, shaking worse than before, rigid and with heavy waves of fury radiating off him. Korra had seen her father angry a few times, but nothing like this, and this wasn't anger, this was rage.

"Dad…?" Korra slowly walked towards him and jumped back when a sharp ice rock nearly punctured her foot.

"Korra…please stay back…" he said it with a growl, seething mad.

"Dad…please…" she didn't want to leave him like this, he was mad but he was also hurt and confused, a dangerous combination.

"Korra, I don't want to hurt you accidentally…"

"You won't, I know you won't." she started walking towards him again, arms stretched out to touch his shoulders. When she did, she almost jerked back as the intensity of his anger shocked her fingertips. "Dad…"

"Tonraq…" Tenzin said only the name, but his tone said more.

"I'm sorry." Tonraq relaxed his shoulders a bit. "I didn't mean to lose control…"

"No one blames you Tonraq, this is probably one of the most horrific things any of us have ever heard of. We couldn't stop it, but we can do something now." Tonraq took several deep breaths before he started to relax more, and then turned around to face them. He pulled Korra into a hug, and she let him hold her tight.

"You are right, we can do something." He spoke low, but they all heard it. He pulled away from Korra, and with a few waves of his arms the ice and cold earth around smoothed out. The courtyard looked normal again, and Tonraq's hard eyes met Tenzin's. "I'll gather as much as I can spare, regardless of if it's him or not I won't let Kuvira stay in his prison any longer."

"Neither will we." Mako stepped forward, and Korra smiled.

"We're all in this, so let's all get some rest and prepare; we leave first thing in the morning."

Sorry sorry sorry I made you wait so long, there's been a lot going on and I just hadn't had much time to write lately. I know the chapter isn't much, but I hope you still enjoyed it.

Next chapter we are on the first part to Operation Rescue Kuvira! It will be more than a couple of chapters I can say, but exactly how many I don't know. I won't update for a bit, because I'm going to try and update my Kyalin and my Korvira fic before this.

Comments are much appreciated!

Later!