Kuvira's limbs effortlessly moved in autopilot through the motions of a pre-workout stretch but the distracted gaze in her eyes betrayed the fact that her focus was somewhere beyond the practice field. Her mind gears were still soaking in the information received earlier in the long awaited meeting with Earth Kingdom officials on the country's status and the ex-commander was already engaged in analyzing the facts in search of strategies to counter the situation. Following a brief breakfast, the former head of state was finally briefed the specifics of the nation's current political landscape. While many of the provinces had transitioned without much effort to the democratic option championed by Wu, some sectors hadn't been so open minded and welcoming to the new political alternative. Some of the opposition sectors were content in manifesting their discontent through protests and calls to boycott the elections. The more radical factions however, were pushing back with more disturbing and violent methods. Elections had to be called off several times in the more troublesome provinces and negotiations with their leaders and the government were at a stalemate. The composition of the more aggressive opposition leaned to be stalwart imperialists which in an ironic turn, banded together with supporters of the monarchy to block the advance of any democratic initiative. To make matters worse, there was the issue of the remaining lost and stolen Empire armament still in possession of felonious hands that was causing all sorts of trouble. In this climate of uncertainty the most affected were like always the common people with speculators and people of ill repute callously taking advantage of the situation.
"I see what's going on and it's understandable. Both monarchists and imperialists interpret this as ceding the power and control they once held and they don't trust the imposition of ideas they consider foreign. Wu's intentions are noble but a country doesn't change its stripes overnight. We tried to impose change by force and that didn't end up working either" Kuvira told the government representatives.
"Your assessment is accurate. Prison certainly didn't dull your political acumen" one of Wu's counselors retorted. "That is why we need both you and Bataar to help us promote our initiative as the way towards reconciliation, healing and a better future for all citizens. We don't have their ear but you should certainly be able to reach them and have them listen. They still respect you so we expect that any information conveyed by you should persuade them to join the polls and make themselves heard in equal footing with the other factions rather than disrupt the process for all."
At the mention of Bataar, Kuvira involuntarily stiffened for an instant. She was aware that the engineer was to be involved in the mission but the details had been vague until now. She hadn't anticipated that it meant returning to the campaign trail with her former vice commander and fiancé in tandem. It made sense the authorities had kept most of their plan under wraps so neither could refuse participating before it was exposed. Depending on the success or failure of the whole enterprise, the possibility of partial or even total commutation of their sentences was at stake. They had no choice: they would have to work together again whether Suyin liked it or not. Bataar hadn't been present during the briefing; the decision to approach each former Empire leader separately had been taken in advance due to scheduling conflicts or so it had been the official line but Kuvira suspected that in reality, it had been to keep at a minimum the uncomfortable scenes that could arise even before their mission began. The metalbender expected sooner rather than later they would have to eventually meet to smooth things over and to discuss their strategies She could anticipate the meeting would be on the very least an emotional one, but one that it had been in the making for years.
Kuvira smoothed the wrinkles of her gray sleeveless shirt and adjusted the bindings on her forearms. Letting out a long exhale, she prepared to go through some basic earth and metalbending drills at the large practice field favored by the Zaofu guards. The freedom and the sheer expanse of the South Pole had allowed her to reincorporate some routines to her daily schedule but the extreme weather had presented a challenge for exercising in the outdoors. The metalbender could now understand by experience from where the sheer physicality of Korra and her father Tonraq came from, being used to live and thrive on the challenging Antarctic environment. From a nearby bench clad in an immaculate white tank top and contrasting black pants, Lin watched Kuvira absentmindedly having finished her own routine just minutes before and now reluctantly resigned to her "nanny" duties as Toph had put it.
First order of business for the metalbender was acclimatizing back to the climate of her native country as drops of sweat already gathered over her brows. The effect of the midmorning sun over her skin felt good and before long, her body responded to the change in environment making her reactions quicker and more agile. As she threw volleys of rocks in repeated succession, nearby voices caught her attention. From the corner of her eye she noticed Korra, Asami Sato, Opal and Bolin approaching the field in workout clothes. Apparently everybody had come up with the same idea she concluded with a smirk. With the prospect of traveling to the Earth Nation hotspots soon to begin in earnest, it made sense to make the most of the last days before their schedules put them back on to the more confined spaces of Maglev trains and airships.
"Good morning!" greeted Korra.
"Good morning Avatar Korra" replied Kuvira back. She continued her routine uninterruptedly sensing Korra's gaze falling momentarily over her. She kept a neutral countenance while taking advantage of the polite salute to lock glances with Korra for an instant. The metalbender smiled inwardly as she recalled the Avatar's reluctance to depart her room during the change of the guard. Korra had woken up in a particularly affective mood that morning that the former commander lamented she wasn't able to indulge due to their present circumstances. A major crisis had been adverted when in the nick of time she stopped Korra (who was rather distracted by seeking her lips for a kiss) from opening the bathroom's door while Lin was inside.
"Good morning Chief!" exclaimed Bolin cheerily as he neared the bench. "How are you doing this wonderful day?" Pabu's furry head emerged from his jacket with a chirp.
Lin waved her hand in acknowledgment of Bolin's greeting. "Me? I'm relaxing or was relaxing until now…" replied Chief Beifong bitingly.
Korra smirked at the reaction. "C'mon Lin, you know you enjoy the attention."
The Avatar and Opal joined Bolin and soon they were all immersed in cordial conversation. Kuvira was concentrated on her own routine when all of a sudden, she sensed an insistent glare over her. When she whipped her head around she realized it came from Asami Sato. The metalbender had been so caught up by the momentary distraction and her own musings that she didn't realize the magnate had not joined her friends in conversation and instead had moved towards the field carrying a gym bag. Kuvira also noticed that Asami had settled a little too close to her location to her liking. The metalbender continued her workout, shifting surreptitiously away from the industrialist to put some space between them.
"I didn't take you for the type to be easily intimidated" mocked Asami, her light green gaze perusing the metalbender as she stretched out her long legs over the lawn.
Kuvira arched an eyebrow inquisitively. She was sensing some rather hostile vibes from the Future Industries CEO and had opted to defuse rather than stoke them by providing some distance but it seemed that the magnate was determined to fuel the animosity rather than quell it.
"I am not. I was just allowing for enough space for you to do your thing."
Asami stood up in front of the metalbender, staring at her intently with a smirk on her lips.
"You really don't look so intimidating now."
"I don't intend to appear intimidating" the former commander replied. Above her open right palm, a piece of metal changed shapes with distracted wiggles of her fingers. The industrialist observed the gesture unimpressed, with hands rested over her hips.
"Have you finished your routine? I was going to propose you we had a short sparing session. I could certainly use the workout."
Kuvira gave Asami an enquiring glance. The quieter voices behind made her realize that their exchange had attracted the attention of the others. Korra in particular looked concerned and Lin was observing the scene attentively with arms crossed over her chest.
"I was just about to finish here. Perhaps another time" the metalbender retorted in a calm voice and was about to turn around when she felt a hand grab her by the shoulder.
"No, I don't think so. I would like to do this…now."
Kuvira couldn't help but let out a small snort. "Is that so? I should oblige you then if you're so insistent." It was obvious the industrialist was itching for a confrontation. She had made a conscious effort to avoid it but at the engineer's insistence, the former commander decided that she wasn't going to back down from the challenge.
"Asami what are you doing?" Korra approached Asami in a hurry, lines of worry creased on her forehead.
"Nothing Korra, just a friendly match, that's all." The hard edge in her voice's inflection betrayed the civility of her words.
"You can pair up with me or Opal" Korra offered. Opal nodded in agreement as she also approached Asami.
"Not every day you get to cross paths with the notorious Great Uniter" the industrialist retorted.
"I don't think this is a good idea Asami." insisted the Avatar as she offered a silent appeal to Kuvira in the sapphire eyes. Even if Asami was stubbornly determined to face the metalbender, it was up to her to refuse and put a stop to the insanity.
"Avatar Korra, if that's what Ms. Sato wants, I don't have a problem accepting. After all, it's just a friendly match, isn't it?" Asami nodded. Korra stared at Kuvira with mouth agape, her worry increased tenfold when she saw the steeled determination in Kuvira's orbs.
"Lin, do something…!" Korra pleaded to Lin who was now standing beside her.
Lin glanced impassible at the two woman staring each other down. A flashback materialized on Chief Beifong's memory, one of herself on a very similar situation with her sister Suyin. She realized that even the power of the Avatar would not be able to stop the inevitable. Lin knew all too well how powerful and entrenched old grudges could be and just how toxic they became when ignored. The sooner they were dealt with, the better for all of them with the challenge that awaited them. She certainly didn't need personal animosities sabotaging their mission. Violence wasn't the answer to emotional distress but it could certainly serve as an outlet that could enable a more peaceful rapport afterwards.
Lin placed a hand over the Avatar's shoulder. "Korra, sometimes people need to vent off their differences and you of all people should know this by now. Let Asami have this. She certainly can handle herself. Kuvira gets it."
"Lin's right Avatar Korra" the metalbender intervened. "I believe if Ms. Sato wants to deal with certain animosities she holds against me this way, I won't deny her the opportunity." Kuvira appeared calm with hands resting behind her back, the tone of her voice even. Whatever animosity was brewing, it came from only one side and it wasn't the metalbender.
Korra simply brought a hand to her forehead, pursing her lips as she let out a frustrated grunt.
"Argh…alright. Since you agree with this madness, you get to establish the ground rules and referee the bout. I'm not going to intervene" the Avatar told Chief Beifong emphatically.
"Fine with me" Lin eyed Korra with a side glance. "Opal, Bolin, you take a side each and watch out for any fishy moves."
"What, are we involved in this now?" exclaimed Bolin mimicking Korra's earlier dismayed expression.
"I guess we are now darling" replied Opal with a resigned expression. "You go to Asami's corner. I'll take Kuvira's."
Lin cleared the field of any debris and after concluding her inspection, moments later, the women were facing each other from opposite sides. Asami shed the red and black jacket she had been wearing and adjusted a pair of sleeveless black gloves over her hands.
"I want to make this fair for all parties concerned" the Chief addressed the duo standing in the middle. There will be no bending, so that means you Kuvira and there will be no gadgets of any sort. That means you Asami."
Both women nodded in understanding as they walked towards the center of the field and towards Chief Beifong.
"The match will end when one of the combatants yields or is knocked out. Ready? Begin!"
Even before she could nod, Kuvira felt the impact of a kick connect with her forearm from a charging Asami.
"Spirits, she's quick!" the metalbender muttered as she instinctively went into a defensive stance. A thought crossed her mind as she received and evaded the industrialist's multiple blows. This must have been how Korra felt when they faced off in Zaofu years ago. Korra had barely recovered her ability to go into the Avatar state and the ghosts that hounded her since her poisoning were still harassing her, hindering her full combat prowess. Kuvira meanwhile was in her absolute prime, her abilities honed by years of combat experience, itching to prove once and for all that the world didn't need an Avatar anymore. It was an uneven match even if it didn't look like it. It was later that Kuvira got to witness the unleashing of the Avatar's true power at the battle of Republic City and she realized that the person she had beaten before hadn't been fighting at her full capacity and even then, her respect for life handicapped the force she applied to her attacks. The fact that Kuvira survived their clash with her life, with only fractured bones, contusions and bruises but all her limbs attached was telling of Korra's compassion even under duress. The tables had turned for Kuvira and it was now Asami Sato the superior fighter. Kuvira welcomed the humbling experience.
"Why are you holding back on me? Fight me!" Asami growled as she kept the unrelenting barrage while her opponent kept deflecting, blocking and defending but frustratingly didn't attack back. Kuvira didn't reply. She simply sidestepped and skipped and maneuvered around but threw no punches.
"You think you're so good you can beat me just by avoiding me?"
"I don't. Right now you are in better condition than I. I just don't have anything to prove to you."
Asami let out a howl as she tackled the metalbender and both fell down with the magnate on top straddling her opponent. Asami aimed towards Kuvira's head but she placed her forearms crossed against the face to avoid the punishment. All of a sudden, Kuvira yelped loudly as her body shook and an intense pain coursed from head to toe followed by a fist connecting solidly against her jaw.
"Asami stop! That's enough!" Chief Beifong was running towards the women. Asami managed to place more blows to a shocked Kuvira before Lin grabbed the taller woman and separated them. An upset Korra was behind her.
"Why did you that?" Korra reprimanded perplexed. She had seen plenty of the magnate's gadgets to know how an electric attack looked like.
"You saw it Korra. She refused to fight back. What's the use then?"
Kuvira was incorporating with difficulty with the aid of Opal, the effect of the electric shock wearing off slowly.
"Whatever you used there sure packs a punch" the metalbender grimaced. "Your uppercut isn't bad either." Kuvira wiped blood off her mouth with the back of her hand.
"I wouldn't have resorted to that if you hadn't been holding back on me" Asami spat back insulted.
"Like I was going to give you yet another reason to despise me but if you really want to do this so badly, I won't hold back on you anymore."
"Shut up kid. That should be enough for today" Lin replied.
"Are you going to fight me for real now?" Asami challenged.
"Quiet Sato! You won, she's already bleeding."
"Let her be Lin. I deserve the pummeling. I would have beaten her senseless if I were in her place" the metalbender sneered.
"Kuvira, don't provoke her" the eldest Beifong sister warned.
"You can still try" Asami went back to the offensive.
"Asami, stop it" Korra exclaimed.
The magnate glanced at Korra with an unexpected pained expression.
"Korra…"
"Avatar" Kuvira intervened. "It is quite obvious Ms. Sato here hates me. If we're going to work together she needs to work whatever issues she has with me. This tension is honestly becoming quite unbearable."
"You are mistaken Kuvira" the industrialist interjected.
All eyes were over Asami now, especially Kuvira's.
"What do you mean I'm mistaken?"
"I thought I hated you with all my strength for taking my father away. From luring Korra away from me but I realized that yes, I am angry for all of that and for what you did to us and to my city but I don't hate you. I don't want to hate, not anymore."
The metalbender stared at the industrialist in confusion.
"I am very angry and certain things I've found out have let me in a very irritable mood and all of them have to do with you but I'm done with hate."
Kuvira assessed the engineer as she took in what she had revealed. A pause later, her lips curved into a subtle smile.
"Are you up for a second round? Not holding back. And zero gadgets!" Asami replied with a smile of her own.
"Haven't you had enough?" Korra rebuked as she closed in on the metalbender. There was worry and irritation in her eyes. Kuvira smiled reassuringly back at her.
"Yes, let's do this" Asami affirmed.
"But 'Sami…"
Asami placed a hand over the Avatar's shoulder. "You don't get it Korra. We need to work this on our own terms. She gets it. Spirits, I can't believe I'm actually agreeing with Kuvira but I need to do this. We need to do this."
Lin Beifong let out a sight as she motioned to the opponents to gather beside her. "You heard them Avatar. Let them fight."
-oOo-
Kuvira opened her eyes with difficulty and immediately regretted it. As she brought her body to a sitting position, pain arose from multiple parts in unison. A blinding white light hung from the ceiling making the white room even whiter. Pained groans emerged from the opposite side of the small room. Kuvira glanced to her side and captured the sight of a disheveled, bruised Asami Sato sitting up with difficulty. The metalbender attempted to recall the last moments of her bout with the magnate. The showdown had been surprisingly even as old instincts kicked in making the fight a more leveled one. The longer the fight dragged on, the more bruises and contusions their bodies acquired until the world spun around for the former commander, her consciousness collapsing into a dark void. Kuvira noticed the medical supplies over a nearby table and moments later, she was applying a cold compress against her aching jaw. She moved it around and heard the bone click at the connecting joint, making her yelp in the process. Asami was also assessing her wounds as she glanced at her opponent in silence. Kuvira swung her legs around and allowed them to fall off the stretcher.
"You have a mean left hook. Where did you learn how to fight like that? I can't picture a prissy girl like you street fighting at a back alley" the bender addressed the magnate with genuine curiosity.
Asami let out a soft smile. "My personal instructor was an ex professional street fighter. From a young age, I realized that I had to learn to defend myself. I also wanted to be able to defend my loved ones." Memories that seemed faded yet remained as powerful as ever were stirred. The memories that deeply scarred Asami and her late father and unbeknownst to her, changed her father's world perspective for most of his life until he was imprisoned.
"My respects to your sifu. The only person that managed to sneak a left hook on me like that was my old combatives instructor. After that, I learned to move quickly because a week eating soft foods wasn't amusing at all."
Asami chuckled despite the pain of a cut lip. "I must admit that for being out of practice, you landed some good punches. That last one almost knocked me out."
"Actually, it did knock you out but you got me too. I was already reeling from the roundhouse kick that took the air out of me and the hook finished the job."
"Yeah, I think I remember Opal screaming something and then I blacked out." Asami was pretty sure she had a swollen eye.
"I heard Bolin holler double knock out and then I was out" recalled Kuvira with a grin.
"So nobody won?" Asami looked surprised. The metalbender held her own better than both had expected, her reputation as a strong fighter more than well earned. She had to admit she was glad they'd agreed on no bending because otherwise, she would have certainly fared worse. The female Beifongs including the former protégé were all lethal.
"I would rather see it as that nobody lost" Kuvira offered diplomatically.
Asami smiled. "I can live with that."
"Me too" Kuvira nodded as she loosened the bindings off her forearms and hands. Her knuckles appeared red and swollen.
"I warn you though."
"Hmm?"
"The moment I find out you are being dishonest with Korra or that you are purposely hurting her, I'll come for you and that left hook will include the added bonus of my electrified glove." Asami's voice was dark and ominous.
Kuvira's eyebrows twitched under widening eyes. "Spirits, you're terrifying! I was afraid of Chief Tonraq but now I think I fear you more."
Asami couldn't help but flash a very pleased smile upon hearing that. Kuvira seemed really terrified of her threat. Suddenly, the door opened and Korra barged in. Lin was scowling behind her.
"You should have knocked first!"
Korra ignored Chief Beifong's protests and stood between the two ailing women. The Avatar made a quick assessment. Their clothes were dirty, blood stained, and wrinkled . The hair on both was an unruly mess, especially Asami's usually impeccable long raven black tresses while Kuvira's braid was undone. Kuvira held an ice pack against her jaw while Asami rotated her shoulder with difficulty. Lips were swollen and an assortment of bruises littered their limbs. They had really fought each other without holding back and it showed.
"So, are we good now?" Korra queried tentatively.
"Can you ask if we're having soup for dinner? I think Sato dislodged my jaw" complained Kuvira.
"And I have a bruise the size of a fire ferret on my shoulder" added Asami.
Korra offered a disapproving glower at both dark haired women. "Don't complain to me. You wanted to fight? You got to fight. Now deal with the consequences."
"Can you please heal us?" appealed Asami as she yelped when she touched her nose. Kuvira nodded emphatically.
The Avatar crossed her arms over her chest. "Now you want me to heal the two of you? You really have some nerve! Wait a sec…you are not arguing with each other! Are you actually just…talking?"
"Yep."
"Aha."
Korra's jaw dropped and both Asami and Kuvira burst in raucous laughter followed by pained squeals. After recovering from the momentary astonishment, Korra allowed herself to laugh too. Thank the Spirits tensions seemed to have truly melted away. Moments later, Korra busied herself with healing duties while Chief Beifong left to inform on the status of the quarrelsome duo. The Avatar wished the best of lucks to Lin since she had been given the unenviable job of explaining to Suyin what had occurred.
"Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to fight" the magnate commented as the Avatar treated her aching shoulder.
"It was" Kuvira retorted. She was grateful the ache in her jaw had faded substantially after a session with the healing waters.
"You appear much calmer now. I don't sense that current of anxiety coming from you anymore or see the loathing in your eyes when you look at her" Korra added. She had been adamantly opposed to the idea but she couldn't dispute the results.
"That's true" Asami conceded.
Kuvira stood up before Asami. "Listen, I want to apologize for what happened to your father during the war. There's no fixing to that and no turning back from what I did and words can't convey how much I regret it. I won't ask for forgiveness because I don't deserve it but I just wanted to say it, that I'm sorry…" Kuvira's voice trembled as she took in a deep breath and felt Korra's hand wrapping around her wrist.
Asami observed in silence the woman that took her father's life standing in front of her, faded bruises running down her arms and contrition in her eyes. She was unable to place this woman with the one that had waged a war years ago just as she couldn't identify the present Bataar with the one that stood faithfully beside The Great Uniter. They were both gone.
"I accept it…your apology" Asami whispered. The mere act of voicing the words made her feel lighter inside. What Bataar had told her was right. It was indeed a freeing experience and with this, she was unshackling herself from the weight that prevented her to move on.
"Thank you" replied the metalbender softly as she brushed her moistening eyes with her palm. Korra hugged Asami albeit carefully to avoid hurting her.
"Asami" Korra interjected. "I believe this is a good time for you to tell Kuvira what you've told me."
Asami smiled as color came to tint her cheeks.
"You may want to sit down for this one" the engineer advised as she proceeded to provide a similar recap to the one she offered Korra a day ago. Moments later, both Korra and Asami looked at Kuvira expectantly, her expressionless countenance only serving to increase their anxiety.
"Asami" at last the metalbender spoke under Asami's attentive gaze. "I must admit I wouldn't have expected this but having said that, it makes a lot of sense and…"
"And…?"
Kuvira beamed. "I would like to congratulate the two of you and wish you nothing but the best." Kuvira was genuinely pleased that Bataar had found happiness although the unusual situation of the two couples made her chuckle inwardly.
Korra happily placed an arm around each woman making the two of them wince. Kuvira whispered something to Korra's ear which made her grin and moments later, Sammi's parting gift to the metalbender was being shared by the three women in commemoration of the milestones achieved that day. Small yet significant steps towards forgiveness and healing had been taken, bridging what seemed an impossible chasm to close. Korra stole glances with Kuvira and offered a grateful smile to Asami as she enjoyed the wine in the company of two of the most important women in her life. Perhaps close friendship among the three might be hard to achieve but for today, this was enough.
Notes:
Couldn't help but imagine Godzilla's Ken Watanabe when Lin uttered the famous phrase "let them fight" and Asami certainly got her wish of dealing personally with the source of her irritation. More drama to come so stick around!