Three years. It had been 3 years since she had left the Beifong compound and since then she had grown tremendously. She stood tall and held herself with the confidence of a leader. No, not a leader. A conqueror. Someone who could lead the struggling earth empire back to glory. No more was she the semi dependent girl she had been before, always attached to Suyin and obeying her every order. Kuvira was powerful now, much more powerful than her useless mentor. Her mentor, the one she used to love so much, who had turned out to be a complete fake when asked to take on more responsibility. Absolutely disgusting. She was the greatest the earth nation had seen in a while, and it was quite unfortunate that the avatar didn't seem to agree.

It was no matter to her however. The avatar had been out of practice for far too long to actually be strong enough to ever beat her in battle. Kuvira had no worries, except ways she could possibly torture the family she had just taken hostage.

"They're here," a softer male voice called out. Kuvira turned around and was greeted by the unpleasant sight of her fiancé.

"All of them?" She asked. He bowed his head to her out of great respect.

"Yes, Kuvira. All of them. We have them all trapped in a suspended cage. Are you going to visit them?" Bataar Jr asked, a little bit of hatred in his tone. After his family had kicked him out for what he deemed as a stupid reason, he had begun to heavily resent them all including his wretched mother. Because he had been kicked out however, he did not know the special past that his fiancé and his mother shared. No knowledge of their forbidden love as it had never been told by anyone let alone Kuvira. The great uniter had better things to do with her time rather than talk about her now forgotten and bittersweet love. That love was gone, only to be replaced with resentment and hatred.

A small smile made its way onto the great Uniter's lips as she spoke.

"Yes I think I will pay them a visit. After all I think I'd love to see the once powerful Beifong's after they have fallen." Bataar shared her smile as he lovingly placed his hands on his fiancé. As soon as his hands had reached her waist they were quickly pressed against the wall with earth bending. "I honestly thought you were more professional than this. Don't make me rethink my decision," Kuvira muttered beneath her breath as she let him slide to the floor. After having the wind knocked out of him and then having to regain his stance he let out a groan. Kuvira had not let anyone lay hands on her since her rendezvous with Suyin. No one was allowed the pleasure, leaving her mentor as the last one to ever touch her.

"Yes, Kuvira, I understand," he replied (like the good little beta he is). He dusted himself off and took his stand behind his, and everyone with a brain's, leader.

They quickly came upon the cave where the Beifong's were being held, and Kuvira requested that she go in alone. Bataar, although confused, obliged. Once inside, Kuvira ordered all of the guards to bring Suyin to her in a titanium holding box.

Suyin's eyes went wide upon hearing her former lover's voice. Bataar Sr. was by her side, holding her tenderly.

"Don't listen to anything she says, and don't fight her. I know she's going to tempt you, but you need to resist," he said to her in a worried tone. Two guards swept in to carry Suyin away, removing her from her family all together. She fought them every step of the way of course, as she had always been a strong willed woman. When they finally presented her to Kuvira, she smirked.

"Miss me dear?" Kuvira asked, the snobbiness in her tone showing.

"Hardly," Suyin replied dryly. Kuvira's hand quickly found her mentors cheek in a soft caress.

"I don't see why you wouldn't. After all, I saved the kingdom you refused to help. I'm doing much more than you ever have or will. You should actually be thanking me, for not only helping the earth kingdom, but also for agreeing to marry your son. Really this should be nothing but a win-win to you." Suyin couldn't move much as her whole body was restrained, but she quickly moved her head away from Kuvira's warm hand.

"Don't you DARE say I refused to help this kingdom. I did EVERYTHING I did for these people! You included! You ungrateful BRAT!" Suyin spat back. This caused the Uniter to chuckle a bit as she backed off.

"I'm the ungrateful one here? I'm not the one that turned down the chance to be saved. But I suppose you always thought of me that way, eh? Always ungrateful. Such a shame honestly. If you had been more cooperative," she paused to leer over Suyin once more, "I could've at least let you bargain your way out of this. But I guess much like your family, you've gone and fucked this up too." A malicious grin made it way across Kuvira's face as she grabbed Suyin roughly.

"I hate to cut this short, Su, but I have other business to attend to. Hold onto this for me while you think about what I might do to your family, alright?" In one swift motion, Kuvira's lips crashed against Suyin's for just a moment before immediately letting her face go. The pure shock on the older woman's face was enough to give Kuvira satisfaction for a year. She stayed only a moment longer to ensure the guards got the defiant woman back in her cage before leaving to rejoin Bataar.

"I heard screaming. Are you okay?" Her fiancée asked worriedly.

"Just your mother. She's fine, she just didn't quite like what I had to say," Kuvira replied lamely. He nodded as a silent response. Without anything left to say, the train left the Beifongs.

—

authors note* I'm skipping to after her fight with Korra, because if I didn't this chapter would be 6000 words. So basically everything that happens between the last paragraph and now is canon. The best part goes fast but it's worth it I promise.

—

A new portal was created. Bataar was with his mother, who Kuvira assumed was safe and sound. And there she was, laying in a crumpled up mess in the avatar's arms. After all of the hard work she had put in to the new world, the strongest earth bender had fallen and team avatar had won.

The trial happened fast, and her innocent pleads went unheard.

"What do you plead?" The judge asked. Even after all of the pain and suffering she had caused she refused to admit that she was mostly in the wrong.

"I plead innocent, your honor." The courtroom was silent for what felt like eternity. Her ramblings on how she had helped bring the earth kingdom out of the dark ages meant nothing to them. She meant nothing to them. Like that, her trial was over. She was sentenced to minimum of 10 years in prison and no one could change that.

Soon after she was escorted back to her cell where she would spend the rest of her days, no bending allowed. Before she made her way back she was stopped by a teary eyed suyin.

"You still refuse to see what you did? All of the pain you caused? All of the people you hurt? I know you wanted to help Kuvira. I know you did. But why can't you own up to your actions?" She asked with a tremble in her voice. No response came from Kuvira.

"I loved you. We all did. And now you've gone and burned every bridge you've ever had. I hope you at least spend your days thinking about what you did and how you were the villain." Those were her last words before storming off, leaving the once strong leader with her guards. She remained silent as they put her back in her cell. It was only until they walked away however that she broke down in tears. Her previously dominant demeanor had vanished only to be replaced by a fragile shell of a person. Everything Suyin had said about her was true, and deep down she knew it. She hated herself more than anyone else ever could. And she hated what she had become.

The tears never seemed to stop over the next day, week, and month. Until Kuvira had nothing left to give. She was empty. She felt nothing. Pain was nothing to her anymore and with each passing day she seemed to wither away to nearly nothing. Once she was the Great Uniter. Now? Now she was nobody. She was utterly powerless and a pathetic excuse for a human being.

As the time went on she became more and more alone. The only people she knew were her guards and the avatar. Korra would drop by occasionally to check on any progress she had made, but for the first few years it seemed futile. That is of course, until Kuvira hit her breaking point. She begged, she pleaded, she even groveled at Korra's feet begging her to reduce her sentence. Korra never asked why she had the change of heart so suddenly but each time she promised to reason with President Raiko. Each time she was turned down.

Not long after that, Korra's visits to the prison became more and more frequent. Sometimes she came alone, others she was accompanied by Chief Beifong. The Chief had fought for Kuvira's right to practice earth bending again on many occasions to no avail. The government wasn't about to let there be any slip ups, regardless of what Korra had to say. Kuvira was rapidly losing muscle mass and soon stopped eating all together. Korra begged her to keep up her strength, but eventually she stopped talking to her.

That's when she developed an odd relationship with the Chief. Without very many words spoken between the two, Lin made it known that her heart was out there for Kuvira. She truly had made a complete 180 and the Chief was prepared to fight for her. Little by little she began eating again and eventually started to open up to Chief Beifong about what had really been happening to her between their visits. Needless to say Lin was not impressed with her once golden guards and she let all hell break loose on them. Kuvira was grateful of course and even began to admire Lin. Chief Beifong never had any kids, but to her and Kya, Kuvira and Mako were the closest things to it.

—

another time skip, this time 10 years in the future. I am going on the fact that she was 33 when she became a dictator, so now she would be in her 40s. I know the age isn't right, deal with it*

It had been quite a while since she had seen the light of day. And now even just being outside in it hurt her eyes. She shielded them the best she could, until Chief Beifong handed her a paper she could use instead.

"Take this, it'll help with the light. I'm sure it'll take some getting used to after all that time away," she said. Kuvira just nodded in response. Lin hurried her into the car, stopping only to check her handcuffs.

"When can these be removed?" Kuvira asked meekly.

"When you've been safely transported. Then you'll be let free. If they're too tight please let me know." Another nod.

The car ride was deafeningly silent. The Chief had never been one for words, especially not with criminals. Criminals like Kuvira.

"Can I ask you something?" The younger woman asked. Lin sighed.

"Well I suppose you'll ask anyways. Go on." Kuvira paused for a moment before asking,

"Why is she taking me back?" The Chief could feel the pain in her words and couldn't even look into her eyes.

"Kid, I don't know what to tell you. I'm not my sister. I don't know what she's thinking. The only reason this is happening is because Korra trusts her enough. If the avatar wasn't so busy you know you'd be in her custody. But with 2 little gremlins running around and another on the way she's got her hands full." Her eyes finally moved to meet Kuvira's. "Listen, if I were you I wouldn't sweat it. Just do what you're told, and keep within your bounds. Su is known to do crazy things like this but I'm sure it'll all end up fine, alright?" She nodded yet again without another word. The rest of the car ride was silent.

..

The sunlight still hurt but not as much as before. Kuvira expected to be greeted with yet another guard, but no. Of course, her now guardian, Suyin was there waiting for her with a pain filled smile adorning her beautiful face. The face of a woman she had once loved. Even in her 60s, Suyin was as beautiful as the day she left. Seeing her again caused mixed emotions to rise within the younger woman. Anger? Hatred? Sadness? Happiness? It was hard to tell. She almost felt as if she were finally home.

"I hope the ride here wasn't too bad, Lin," Suyin said as a greeting to her sister. "You know, you and kya should come by more often. It wouldn't hurt you to pay your dear old sister a visit you know!" She playfully jabbed. Her words granted her nothing more than an eye roll from the chief.

"The trip was fine. Kuvira is a model prisoner. Before I just hand her off, you remember all of the rules to this agreement I assume?" This time it was Suyin who rolled her eyes.

"Yes of course. We've made arrangements and have everything covered. She'll be perfectly fine here."

"Suyin, can I talk to you privately? Just for a second." The now worried Suyin quickly introduced Kuvira to some guards who were put there to keep an eye on her.

"Did you tell her about...them?" Suyin asked her older sister.

"No! That wasn't in my job description! Just...keep them away from her right now. I have no doubt that their presence will only make her angry. She's not much of a fighter anymore, so I doubt she'll attack them. Just keep them out of harms way."

Kuvira couldn't hear everything they said, but she heard more than enough. She was not to be trusted. She was still the villain. She was pulled out of her thoughts by a tug on her handcuffs.

"Let's take these off, kid. You're close to freedom now, so don't mess this up yeah?" The chief said as the tight handcuffs fell from her wrists. A weak "thank you" was all she could seem to muster before Lin disappeared once more and Su was the only one before her.

She waived the guards away as soon as her sister was out of eyesight.

"I don't think you'll be needing either of those two. I trust that you understand why you're here?" She asked, this time with a more enthusiastic look. When Kuvira didn't reply she continued.

"I personally think you'll be fine on your own as long as you stay in your designated areas. I would've just allowed you to stay in your old quarters but they have been destroyed. I doubt this building is the same as you remember it so let me show you to your wing," she said as she grabbed Kuvira's hand.

Kuvira jerked her hand away quickly and took a few steps away from her. The only people ever permitted to touch her in prison had been Korra and Lin. No one else dared to get within arms reach of her

"Please don't touch me," she whispered as tears filled her eyes. A pained look made it's way across Suyin's face once more. Kuvira refused to look her in the eyes. Her jaw was locked tight and she was using every ounce of strength left in her to hold back the tears.

"R-Right. I, uh, shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry. Let me just show you your quarters. Your belongings are already there. It's just this way," Su replied. Looking at Kuvira saddened her. What had happened to her while she was in prison? What kind of person had she become? She had no answers to her questions for the time being, and she decided that in due time she would most likely find out. She quickly escorted Kuvira to her room and left her with a set of instructions.

Kuvira had the whole west wing to herself. This included 3 separate bedrooms, 2 closed off bathrooms, and a living space all just for her. In the instructions it said that the space was built specifically for her arrival, and the thought of it made Kuvira queasy. She would almost certainly always be a burden, wouldn't she? Nevertheless, she felt the need to explore what would essentially be her new cell.

All of the bedrooms were exactly the same. Everything was made out of wood, no metal in sight. Each bedroom had a standard twin bed set up with green and silver sheets, a plain desk, a circular green rug, and one very bright light hanging from the ceiling.

The bathrooms were different however. One was equipped with two sinks, mirrors of course, a toilet, and a standing shower. The other held just a toilet, sink, and huge tub big enough for at least 2 people.

The living room area held two identical light green couches facing each other, a coffee table between, and a somewhat expensive looking radio. The instructions left with Kuvira also mentioned the possibility of her training again once she had earned the trust of the Beifong's again. Kuvira wasn't so keen on the idea of training, for fear she would lose control of herself again. During her time in prison she had been allowed to train for the first few months, but she quite soon after. After that, her body rapidly lost its muscle mass and it became difficult for her to even lift 15lbs. Training, at least in her mind, was a no go for the foreseeable future.

The only thing else the instructions had mentioned were essentially "family activities". It was mandatory for her to show up to every dinner and she had a specific amount of food she had to eat before being dismissed. Reading that particular line pulled a grimace out of her. "That was most certainly a stipulation Lin required," she thought to herself. It was also mandatory for her to take up an art of some form, as some type of enrichment to better herself further. She was given a list of activities to choose from and at least once a week she would be forced to participate. If she didn't pick one, she was sure Suyin would.

After exploring the wing a little further and reading her instructions over and over, Kuvira decided to call it for the night. She made her way to the bathroom and drew a bath for herself. It had been so long since she had been allowed to bathe regularly and with privacy that the thought of it not only relieved her but also brought the tears back to her eyes.

Her life had been forever changed the second she took over the earth kingdom and she absolutely knew that. But even the Great Uniter could not have predicted that she would've become this. An insignificant, weak woman.

After thoroughly washing herself from head to toe, Kuvira laid in the scalding hot water until it ran cold. She had nothing better to do for the moment. When she returned to the first bedroom where her only belongings had been taken into. She found a small plate of food and water left for her on the desk with nothing more than a note.

"Kuvira-

I'm sure today has been stressful enough. I wasn't expecting you for dinner tonight, but I figured you would still be hungry. Tomorrow morning I will be by to discuss some thing with you.

Suyin"

Just the thought of facing Suyin again made her stomach churn, my like the food she was given. Suyin's chef made such rich and hearty food that could never in a million years compare to shitty prison food, and of course it messed with her stomach.

She ended her night laying in a bed that seemed far too comfortable for a criminal of her measure and a very upset stomach. How would the next day go? Would Suyin stick her nose into business that wasn't her own? Kuvira had no idea. And frankly any thought of the next day at all left her feeling worse than anything else.