Looking at my life
It's very clear to me
I lived so selfishly
I was the only one
I realize
That nobody wins
Something is ending
And something begins
Like every first Monday of the quarter, a sharply dressed Kuvira was appearing before the Republic City parole board to report and in turn be informed of the latest developments of her case. Chief Lin Beifong had just concluded her turn addressing the judges as the parolee's case officer and now both the metalbender and the police chief waited expectantly for a response. Kuvira observed the inexpressive visages of the panel members as they methodically perused the documents piled up over their desk, their eyes occasionally leaving the documents to glance at her as if trying to ascertain her alleged repentance. From the outside, the ex-military officer appeared calm and collected akin to the image she publicly presented in her previous incarnations as captain of the guard and head of state, but the trembling of her left leg underneath the table betrayed the anxiety gripping her nerves at this very moment. The reason for her current uneasiness was that unlike previous occasions, today's appointment was everything but routine. Outside the courtroom, a throng of reporters and governmental officials also waited eagerly for the results of this audience, evidencing the newsworthy event currently taking place inside.
It all began less than a week ago. Kuvira was busy preparing the metal rigs to receive a new batch of police cadets for their metalbending lessons at the Republic City Police Academy when she received an urgent call from the Chief herself. Soon after returning from Zaofu to continue fulfilling her sentence under revised terms, an advisory council comprised of prominent leaders from the Four Nations was assembled to review the cases of deposed dictator Kuvira and second in command Bataar in light of their recent actions successfully assisting the Earth Kingdom in its recent crisis. After months of deliberation, the council finally arrived at a decision and it was now up the parole board to review its recommendations for ratification and to issue the final determination on the terms of her sentence. Bataar's sentence commutation had been issued about a month ago and since then Kuvira had been patiently waiting for her turn. It took her a few seconds for the actual meaning of the message to sink in and the rest of the week became a blur as she prepared for the big day to arrive.
The night before, restless anticipation had kept the former captain awake and after tossing and turning in bed for hours, she had given up on any hope of resting. Korra woke up that morning at Kuvira's place disconcerted after noticing the empty space beside her. She turned on the nightlamp and the light allowed her to see a slumped figure sprawled over the desk. Korra smiled gently at the sight of Kuvira sunk in profound sleep, her head cradled comfortably in her arms, dark hair spilling in disarray partially covering her face. Naga was equally asleep snoring softly beside her. There were some discarded paper sheets scrunched into balls and sticking out underneath the metalbender's right forearm, a clean sheet with a list. Apparently Kuvira decided to fill her sleepless hours jotting down the things she wished to do on her first day of freedom and Naga had dutifully kept her company until slumber caught them both in its embrace. The corners of Korra's lips curved upright as she mussed the hair from Kuvira's face and placed a kiss over her temple.
"Don't worry Veera, I'll make sure your first day as a free woman is an unforgettable one."
The courthouse was sunk into a deep silence. The only perceivable sounds were of pages turning, the scribbling of pen against paper, and the subtle taping of Kuvira's heel against the floor. Suddenly, the judges put down the dossiers as they turned to face each other and soft murmurs echoed through the hall. Final deliberations had begun.
"Spirits Lin, this audience is even worse than the trials" the metalbender muttered in an almost panicky tone.
"Don't worry. It should be over soon" replied Lin reassuringly.
After anguished minutes that felt like centuries, the board members ceased their deliberations in unison and now were staring directly at the parolee.
"This honorable panel requests Republic City inmate Kuvira to stand up. We have reached a decision" the chief judge said as he motioned Kuvira to stand up.
Kuvira swallowed hard as she got on her feet glancing briefly at Chief Beifong and then at the three judges who just made the decision that would irrevocably alter her future. With measured steps she walked towards the bench and now was standing straight as razor before the panel. The metalbender took a deep, cleansing breath and after clearing her throat, she said with clear, determined voice:
"The parolee is ready to hear and accept your decision your honors."
-oOo-
The greenish amber glow from the rising column engulfed Kuvira for a moment before the sight of tall buildings and human civilization faded away. Instead, she encountered the mesmerizing sight of a meadow tinted in blue and purple hues filled with white and carnation flowers as far as her eyes could see. Above it, an open sky colored in all gradients of pink from pale rose to deep carnation. Spirits fluttered swiftly above her head and skittered at her feet, a mixture of cautious curiosity and practiced indifference in their behavior. Probably the result of the increased mingling of spirits and humans at this new junction. Although being partially responsible for the inception albeit accidental of the Republic City portal, it was only the third time the metalbender had crossed the newest of the entryways towards the Spirit World. The first time was of course when it came to existence after the colossal clash between Korra and Kuvira's out of control spirit weapon that almost erased the city and beyond into oblivion. Kuvira was still the Great Uniter and her last act had been to surrender to the Avatar her forces and her own freedom. The second time inside she was a convict turned envoy of sorts of the United Republic to the Earth Kingdom in the almost desperate attempt to salvage its stability amidst unrest.
Today as Kuvira made her way beyond the meadow and the iceberg shaped peaks with the Avatar, she had no title and no role to fulfill or mission to accomplish. Just hours before, the parole board concluded that the time served under custody between the Republic City prison and the Blackstone Isle at the South Pole, along with the deeds performed for the benefit of the Earth Nation were justification enough to commute her sentence to the time already served. The metalbender was rendered virtually speechless upon the news, the only responses she was able to utter were an audible gasp and a choked sob before hoarsely mumbling a heartfelt thank you that was well received by the smiling judges. Chief Beifong congratulated the now ex-convict as she candidly admitted that her freedom meant she was at last liberated of parole officer duties.
"So you finally got rid of me Lin" the metalbender had quipped with a smirk.
"Something tells me we'll be seeing a lot more especially if you decide to stay with us at the Academy. Now go and enjoy your freedom" the detective replied as she gestured towards the door. A grinning Korra had just snuck in after managing to barely escape the swarm of reporters stalking outside the courtroom for the latest development in Kuvira's case. After a quick address from the United Republic president herself Zhu Li Moon and a short and succinct press conference later, the metalbender found herself traversing the city riding full gallop with Korra, their intended destination the downtown Spirit Portal. It was the first item annotated on her list and the Avatar had dutifully complied, bringing with her all the elements to enjoy a well-deserved lunch picnic inside.
As Korra extended a blanket over a tranquil spot surrounded by trees similar to the Banyan tree, she eyed the former commander with curiosity. Naga was running around chasing butterfly like creatures around while Kuvira took in the sights of the always captivating environment of the realm of the spirits in reverent silence. The Avatar could perceive a profound sense of peace coming from the former commander as she sat down facing Korra once everything was set up for their meal.
Korra offered the metalbender a plate of noodles from Narook's as the question that had been lodged inside her mind since she read the list materialized in the narrowing blue eyes that watched Kuvira's tranquil countenance. There was something utterly fascinating in the softened shimmer of the emerald gaze and Korra's heightened spiritual awareness and their own bond allowed her to notice even more the metalbender's lightness of spirit.
"Of all the places you could be today with your newfound freedom, why here?" Korra inquired as she prepared Naga's plate. The polar bear dog lifted her snout and sniffed loudly once before turning around sharply towards her owner, almost running her over in the process.
"Naga girl, take it easy! Here, lunch is served" the Avatar exclaimed as her four legged friend licked her cheek before zeroing her attention over the plate. Naga barked happily before proceeding to attack her meal with gusto. Kuvira put down her finished plate down as she let a soft smile curve on her lips.
"Because our story began here" the metalbender replied as her glance journeyed over her surroundings. "Years ago you defied all of my expectations by approaching me not as your enemy but as a person. After the war ended it was all over for me. I was defeated. I lost everything I'd worked for and my family pretty much disowned me. I earned everybody's scorn and distrust and yet you treated me with a compassion I didn't deserve. Against all odds you were able to reach me and since then, I've never been the same."
Korra scratched one of Naga's ears as she observed Kuvira with a pensive expression. "Maybe because it happened right after I'd recovered from my own ordeal but I felt a connection with you. In your defeated, vulnerable state I was able to see a part of me and it compelled me to reach you. I had refused to burden my loved ones with my troubles and I paid dearly for that, struggling for years to figure out what was wrong with me. I didn't want you to go through something like that alone and it didn't matter if we'd been enemies or not."
Korra extended her arm and Kuvira immediately moved to her side. The Avatar welcomed her in a warm embrace. Kuvira closed her eyes as she nestled her head over the crook of her neck with a hum.
"You saved me" the former commander whispered. "It would take me a long time before I could understand what it meant, but by reaching out to me, a small spark of hope grew when there was none to be found and it all started here. Even with all the horrible things I had done, you believed I was worth saving. There's no other place more appropriate for me to return to with my freedom than here, with you." Lids fluttered open and Kuvira caught sight of the most beautiful thing inside the spirit realm: the Avatar's compassionate glance staring back at her. Kuvira's hand found Korra's clasping it gently. Korra's fingers ran over Kuvira's calloused yet soft palm, fingertips gently tracing the life lines as her lips brushed her forehead.
"And I would do it again in a heartbeat" Korra affirmed as she lowered her head seeking the softness of her lips against hers. A loud bark startled her and all of a sudden, a heavy fluffy body came between them making both the Avatar and Kuvira to fall backwards. A giant paw stood parallel to each woman's head as Naga licked and nudged the two of them until Korra rolled her eyes sighing loudly in defeat while Kuvira giggled amused.
"Got your message loud and clear girl. Let's play, okay?"
Naga barked happily, her tail swaying side to side as Korra managed to slide from underneath the polar bear dog's massive body and with her bending, used the water of a nearby brook to launch snowballs that Naga enthusiastically chased. Kuvira soon joined in the game and about an hour later all three laid collapsed in exhaustion over the blanket. Naga's energies had finally been drained for the moment being, her big body occupying now most of the blanket.
"Seems Naga has just hogged the blanket for herself" commented Kuvira as she arched an eyebrow.
"Yeah…guess we can sit down there down by the brook until the polar princess wakes up. I need to wash off some of the mud I got in my hair. I wonder how I got a mud ball in my head" Korra replied as she gave Kuvira a side glance.
"I have absolutely no idea how that might had happened but at least your shirt is not drenched" the metalbender retorted with a false innocence look as she squeezed the excess water from her shirt.
"Your shirt like that looks good on you" Korra mumbled with a sly smirk and Kuvira felt color rise to her face.
Moments later the couple laid down by the brook under the shade of a tree, arms tightly wrapped around each other. Korra's hair was rendered mud free and Kuvira's shirt had benefited from a bit of airbending that left it as good as new. Freed from Naga's playful interventions, Korra was able to resume what had been interrupted and it didn't take to long for her hands to roam under the metalbender's shirt.
"Veera" the Avatar whispered while nibbling the commander's ear "I'm pretty sure that one of the items on your list was 'make steamy love to the Avatar while at the Spirit World.'"
"Don't tempt me" replied Kuvira huskily as she traced the Avatar's strong back muscles.
"But I want to tempt you. Naga's knocked out for the count for at least an hour so no more interruptions. Wanna go for it?" Korra cajoled. Her fingers were skimming over Kuvira's abdomen and the metalbender sighed. Korra was all too aware of the effect she elicited in her with that gesture and the cocky smile perched in her face was just confirming it.
"Avatar Korra, I believe you missed an item or two of my list. I can repeat them to your ear if you wish to know." And after stealing a deep, probing kiss that left Korra breathless, Kuvira proceeded to enumerate the final items of her list to Korra's ear, making the Avatar blush and grin at the same time.
"Okay, I can wait. Besides, you barely got two hours straight of sleep last night. I'm amazed you made it through the hearing without falling asleep."
"I was way too nervous for that but I wouldn't mind taking a nap here. You can be quite comfy" the metalbender added as she snuggled beside Korra.
Korra chuckled as she combed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Have you thought what you actually want to do now that you've paid your debt to society?" the Avatar queried in a more serious tone. "I know you're probably considering taking a break but I've been thinking a lot of what Asakawa told us about the bad intel that lead to the incident at Yulin village. I'm glad they finally caught the culprit but that was really clever, planting false information so you would end up failing to discredit you while at the same time fueling the flames of unrest."
"I know what you mean. I've been giving it a lot of thought too and it was a brilliant plan. To embed an agent within the highest levels of Wu's court just like they did in Zaofu. I can't believe there's still agents of the Red Lotus operating even after Zaheer was captured" Kuvira retorted worryingly.
"They have proved they're a crafty and patient lot. Nothing about them surprises me anymore" countered Korra. Kuvira sensed how Korra pulled her closer, the emotional scars of Zaheer's attack resurfacing albeit briefly stirring within the depths of the azure eyes.
"Are you planning to do something?" Kuvira knew quite well that the Avatar wasn't one to wait for the fight to come to her.
"Yes. I was planning on giving Zaheer a visit. It's been a while since I last saw him and even imprisoned, with the ability of traveling to the Spirit World, who knows if he's meeting with his cohorts here." Korra's features displayed the determination that Kuvira had learned to recognize and admire throughout the years. She understood her mind was already made.
"Well, I wasn't planning on visiting a maximum security complex so soon but if you don't mind me tagging along, I could keep you company. I've been told the man had such a lofty opinion of me that I think I'll enjoy seeing his face when he realizes I've been freed and now I'm working with you and not against you." Kuvira couldn't help the cocky grin that curved on her lips at the thought.
"Really? Would you do that?"
"I sure don't have anything pressing to do in my schedule. I would really like to have your back on this, that is, if you accept my company."
Korra beamed. "But of course you dork! It is settled then and after we take care of that, how about we drop by the Northern Water Tribe and pay my cousins a visit? I believe they're still big fans of yours."
Kuvira chuckled at the idea of meeting Korra's twin cousins again. "Sure. Eska and Deska seem unusual but fascinating people. And I've always wanted to visit the Fire Nation…"she trailed wistfully.
"I owe Fire Lord Izumi a visit so we can do that too on the way back" replied Korra with a big grin.
"Wow…from having absolutely no idea of what to do to a full travel itinerary. Hanging out with you sure is non-stop activity Avatar. I have to let Lin know. She's seems pretty pleased with my job at the academy."
"Because you're such a hardass with the recruits just like Lin was when she was in charge of the training…" Korra blurted.
Kuvira opened her eyes wide as a dismayed pout hung from her lips.
"What! That's what Mako told me! You've been gaining quite the reputation there missy" the Avatar added as she poked Kuvira with her index finger.
"As if I didn't already had one to begin with…." The metalbender retorted wryly.
"And that's what makes you so damned adorable." Kuvira groaned loudly but before she could come up with a response, Korra simply cut her off with a soft, leisurely kiss.
"Now go and take your nap because later I'll make sure to remind you of that fun list of yours."
-oOo-
A soft, quiet wind blew quite appropriately at Air Temple Island as Kuvira contemplated the night cityscape of Republic City from one of Korra's favorite sightseeing spots at Air Temple Island. A reminder of Korra's mystical connection to past Avatars stood majestically at Yue Bay welcoming every visitor and citizen to the city he cofounded with Firelord Zuko. Kuvira wondered what was like for Korra to see an imposing physical reminder of the person who held the role she was currently holding every single day. Avatar Aang, the one who ended the 100th year war and rescued back the Air Nation from extinction and who also brought together people from all nations to make a new, intrepid idea a reality. She couldn't imagine how daunting it could be to be always compared to your predecessor in both character and deeds, making her cheerful and kind disposition even more impressive and admirable.
"If you don't hurry up, Meelo's going to devour all the dessert" Korra warned.
"I'm pretty sure he has already done so. I'm sorry for taking so long. I just wanted to clear my mind for a moment. I know its bad manners to be missing dinner and even more if it's in your honor." Besides visiting the Spirit Portal, the second of the items of her wish list was a quiet dinner among friends. Lin, Bolin, Mako, Kya, Bumi and of course Tenzin and his family were all there. Asami was out of town on a business trip but she and Bataar had called earlier to congratulate Kuvira on her release.
"That's okay. Pema and Tenzin understand. You've never got to stay late here before."
"Curfew made sure that wasn't an option. This is so beautiful" Kuvira whispered awestruck.
"It is" Korra replied softly as she closed in on the metalbender. When the commander realized Korra had been gazing at her the whole time, she felt warmth reach her face.
"Your past life was quite handsome but not as beautiful as you" countered Kuvira as she cupped the Avatar's cheek.
"I know right?" Korra chuckled. "I'm so happy I finally get to show you all of this."
"And I'm happy I've finally deserved the opportunity to do so."
"So, ready for the big adventure ahead?"
That was a question that Kuvira had asked herself many times before. Had she been ready to leave Zaofu behind? With the benefit of hindsight she admitted that she had been ill equipped to face the challenges that were laid in front of her and yet she pressed on anyway. Just as she did when she was presented with a Zaofu captain's ranks and the position of commander of the guard. Just as she faced a new life with a kind, elegant lady that she knew nothing of when her blood family had cast her away.
"I'm not sure I am but I'll do it anyway" replied Kuvira with a gentle smile. Korra lifted an eyebrow bemused.
"I think we'd better join the rest. You're getting way too serious and philosophical out here and tonight I'm not in the mood for that if you get my drift" the Avatar retorted with a wink.
"Hey, philosophy can be fascinating. I'm pretty sure Tenzin and Jinora would agree with me."
"Don't you even dare…! They can keep up with that boring stuff until sunrise and I won't allow it. I've seen it happen before but not tonight! You hear me?" Korra growled as she glared almost threateningly at Kuvira.
"Loud and clear. You know I was just kidding right?"
"Better be safe than sorry" countered Korra sternly.
"Don't worry Korra, the Avatar always gets what she wants, isn't that what you always say? I'll make sure you get what you want" Kuvira whispered suggestively.
Korra gulped. That damned sexy voice of hers was wreaking havoc on her self-control again. The Avatar sighed as she began to once again count the hours until she could have Kuvira all for herself.
"Yeah, I hope I can make it through dinner first…ready?" the Avatar said as she extended her hand in a wordless invitation. Kuvira took it eagerly but before the Avatar could move forward, the former Great Uniter gave it a subtle tug. Korra stared at her confused and the metalbender replied by lunging forward, capturing her lips with her own.
"I love you Korra" Kuvira murmured gently, her breath warm against the Avatar's face. "Now I'm ready."
The Avatar captured her face with her hands. "And I love you too Veera. Now first stop in our adventure: stopping Ikki and Meelo from eating all the dessert!"
Kuvira chuckled as she followed Korra back to dinner and to the beginning of her new life.
The End
Nothing takes the past away
Like the future
Nothing makes the darkness go
Like the light
You're shelter from the storm
Give me comfort in your arms
Nothing Really Matters, Madonna
End notes:
Well, we've made it folks. Final chapter, woohoo! I really hope you've enjoyed this journey with Kuvira, Korra and the rest as much as I did. Ruins of the Empire 3 should be coming out soon (as of today, a leaked version is already available online) but even with the comic canon version of Kuvira's road towards redemption over and done, I think I'll still like this version more ;)
To my readers, thanks for being so awesome and for following this thing until the end. I don't think I'm done with these two but for now I'll move to other stories. Don't forget about Kuvira Zine, it's going to be amazing for all the fans of one Great Uniter. (May Kuvira live for 10,000 years.)
Song lyrics again courtesy of Madonna's Ray of Light. I found this particular song to be on point with Kuvs' journey at this particular stage of her life so ergo the quotes. Thank you again for reading and commenting. Until the next story!