The sheets were soft as she gently turned in bed. The soft cooing of Lok alerted her to his presence. She opened her eyes to make sure that it was true. After being poked in the face, Korra knew that she was in Ba Sing Se. The past week had been a complete blur as she came in and out of consciousness. There always seemed to be someone with a shot that would make her fall asleep.
"Hey cutie." She said in a rough and unused voice, "What are you doing here?"
Lok answered her with blowing spit bubbles.
"He wanted to see you."
She opened her eyes fully to look over. The ugly, unshaven face of Zhao was right there, looking at her with a smile.
"I see that you are still here. I don't know if that is a good sign or not?" She said in jest.
"Don't think I will let you off, Water Tribe Savage. You caused us lots of trouble in that new city."
Lok's sudden fall into her face left her covering her nose. She was still smiling but in more pain than before. The boy was laughing at her pain.
A thought occurred to her, "Did you bring him in?"
"I did, after having to wrestle with Makoto for him. For a bargaining child, he seems… charming."
Korra struggled to sit up. She stopped the firebender from helping her as she used all of the pillows to support her back. It did not take long for the boy to unknowingly ruin her comfort. As Lok settled down and laid on her chest, she hugged him.
"I'm thinking that calling him a bargaining child isn't right anymore. Since the secret is out, I might just settle down here. Or close by." She heard Zhao let out a moan, "What? You're free to do what you want. I'm not going to keep you here."
"Actually," Zhao started slowly, "The King ordered us to be put under house arrest until he can properly speak with the United Republic. We might have started a possible incident between two nations that resulted in a skirmish at the border. In our defense though, we were protecting the Avatar." He leaned in, grinning as he spoke softly, "And I don't want to just be your shadow anymore."
The firebender stood, leaving Korra confused as she thought over his last statement. "Oh, and I think the earthbender is happy to be locked in a room again. She never stopped reminding us that she didn't want to be free."
Korra looked back at the sleeping child. A small smile appeared.
"At least one of us is happy at the moment." She said softly as she smoothed the child's hair back.
Hours later, she was sitting at a table with the Earth King. Several of his guards stood around the table. Like Zhao mentioned, Wu was forced to treat this as an international incident. The four of them were under house arrest, except that Kuvira was actually locked in a room with soldiers. The reunion between her and Wu was not a pleasant one.
The Earth King had walked in with an unusual worried look on his face. He did not attempt to flirt or lighten the mood in the room. Even the way he spoke to her surprised her.
"Avatar Korra," he started, looking at the paperwork before him, "Reports are coming in from Republic City, accusing you for starting a riot and murdering the President of the United Republic. Then it is stated that you had aid by a former dictator that had attacked the same nation, a former Fire Nation admiral known for being brutal, and a delegation member of the Earth Kingdom. As of now, you and your team are being placed in custody of the Earth Kingdom until the United Republic decides on what they want to proceed on."
"As of now, there are four warrants for you and the others. The Northern Water Tribe is now asking for former Admiral Zhao's arrest but I secretly think you cousins just want someone just a cruel and empty as they are. I have placed Kuvira in a room because of, well, she asked to be. It was kinda a strange request. You are being held for a murder and your father is asking to have you in his custody. Congrats Korra; you made a bigger mess of the world than the last time you killed someone." He let out a sigh, "That sounded nice, didn't it? I told you that I could get the professional sounding Wu out of me."
The Avatar gave him a look as she responded, "I'm glad you can tell me now that I'm in your custody. What about Mako?"
"I had to arrest him for using my money for bribery. My favorite guy too! I was going to use that money for a new city center!" he then gave her a softer look, "But don't worry. I know a great attorney. He can help you and the others if I do have to turn you over."
"Thanks. I'm sorry for bringing this all on you." Korra slouched in her chair to take the pressure off of her wound.
"Well, now that you are here," Wu leaned over to take a few more papers out of a folder, "I wanted to know if you were still on board with helping me eradicate the throne, like we had spoken about years ago at Varrick's wedding."
One of Korra's eyebrows began twitching in annoyance.
The four of them were sitting in Kuvira's room. After a month of waiting, a report from the United Republic's intern president finally arrived in Ba Sing Se. Chief Song, Tenzin and a few of the metalbending officers were due to arrive to their room soon. Except for Mako's and Kuvira's soft bantering in a close card game, the room was quiet. Every so often, the Avatar was up and pacing around.
They all looked over when the door opened. Tenzin and the police chief were still speaking with each other until they stopped. The old airbender looked them all over.
"Hey Tenzin." Korra said.
"Avatar Korra." he said as he nodded in greeting, "Chief Song, can you please read the report."
"Report Order, 3005129," the Chief started, "We, the Department of Law Enforcement in Republic City, United Republic finds that the late President Kyung was found dead due to a hollow, steel bolt from a crossbow. It was filled with rat-viper poison and had penetrated his chest due to unknown actions taken by Avatar Korra. After searching his office, we found crates of recordings and old newspaper reports."
The chief looked up at the room before continuing, "On the sixteenth day of the fifth month of the thirtieth year of Avatar Korra's reign, we declare that we cannot charge Avatar Korra with the murder of President Kyung due to his build up of setting the Avatar up and planning on disguising an assassination. Avatar Korra, all charges on yourself have been removed and of your company."
"But Kuvira does have to come back to Republic City." Tenzin added.
Kuvira jumped up and held her arms out, "Thank goodness, I can finally finish my romance novels. I was getting tired of dealing with the drama here. It's worse than a soap opera on the radio."
Mako shook his head and chased after her.
Tenzin pulled Korra to the side before she and Zhao could leave the palace, "So, something had come to me that you not only have a child but he is also King Wu's."
Korra interrupted him, "Don't ask. You won't like it."
"Right," the airbender cleared his throat, "Now about you and Zhao. Should I expect future gathering with you to be fill of the same awkwardness? He did fight my father and personally, it is weird seeing him now with you. Do you even know how old he is?"
Korra paled, "Now that you mention that, I don't think I have asked him and I probably won't."
"It's probably for the best." He sighed, "Oh Korra. How do you find these kinds of relationships?"
The Avatar shrugged, "I have no idea. I feel like someone or something is messing with my life."
Tenzin nodded, "You are still welcome to return to Air Temple Island. Just next time, please inform me of how many past criminals I will be hosting."
"Sorry about that," Korra let out a nervous laugh, "So, how is Asami?"
"She is doing well. Bolin and Opal have been by her side for the whole ordeal. She sold all of Future Industries, gave away most of her fortune, and is currently living with us. Pema is enjoying having another adult to talk to that isn't an airbender. Ms. Sato is also teaching some of the acolytes how to repair air ships in case we need to use them. Don't feel bad for what you did. I don't think she blames you entirely. What are your plans now?"
"Honestly?" Korra rolled her shoulders, "I think that I am going to check up on Chonsheng. Then permanently move to Ba Sing Se so I can become a responsible mother. I don't think it's fair to leave Mako playing mother for me and Wu is being a fool again. Other than that, I think it will depend on the world. I have sixteen years until Sozin's Comet returns and I have a feeling that I need to be ready."
Another five months passed until Korra finally decided to leave Ba Sing Se. She and Zhao had begun packing for them and Lok. The Earth King was trying to force her into helping him with creating a new government and Korra flat out said no. She had a feeling that Wu would abandon her and after letting him used her for his own gain, she was not going to be used again.
She did manage to convince Wu to let her take Lok for some time and for some strange reason, the firebender was looking forward to their train ride to Chongsheng with a year old toddler. Korra found out why. She spent most of the trip chasing him up and down the train and she dealt with a fussy boy. Zhao was laughing the entire time.
Well, until Korra handed him the boy and told Zhao that she was taking a quick break. His brown eyes stared into the young green eyes. He and Lok kept a distance relationship and there was a reason. The former admiral disliked children. He barely could stand being around the young prince but he had to because of the boy's mother.
"I have experience with princes so you better be a smart one." He frowned after a moment, "Then again, looking at your parents and Makoto, you are a bit doomed, aren't you?"
Lok then gave him a smile before trying to tug at the older man's incoming sideburns. He yanked hard as Zhao let out a cry. The toddler laughed. Then Zhao took a sip of his water before giving the boy a stern look. Brown eyes followed green ones to the glass of water.
"No." he said quickly, "Do not even dare think about it. That is my water, you little savage. Besides, you should really show your mother first and not me. I do not like waterbenders."
Lok blew bubbles before laughing.
"You are correct that your mother is a waterbender but she is also a firebender. She even prefers it so she is tolerable. You look like a mud slug and a savage in one."
Then the boy let out a cry. Zhao's eyes widened as he tried to apologize before Korra came back. The look on her face when the Avatar came back would have probably skewered and then burned him if looks could kill.
"What did you do?"
"I gave him the hard truth." Zhao answered, "He is a doomed soul from the start; a mud slug and a savage in one."
Korra let out a sigh, "I thought we were beyond the racist insults and you threw them at my son?"
"Yes and you better be a good mentor because I think he inherited your savagery bending ways."
Zhao spent the rest of the ride to Chongsheng on the roof of the train, bounded by metal strips.
They sat over a pai cho board. She was thinking hard about her next move and began tapping the table with her fingers. She looked up at her opponent and he was waiting patiently for her move. He was scratching the stubble on his face as he had not shaved for a few days.
"Are you stumped?"
She raised an eyebrow in protest, "The Great Uniter is never stumped."
Mako quickly regretted speaking up as Kuvira made a winning move and grinned.
"Tell Bolin that he has to name his second child after me. That was the deal after all."
The firebender snorted, "Why don't you? He's in the next room."
"Because I am currently bolted and chained to the floor because Chief Song's idiot workers think I might escape."
Mako chuckled at her predicament before he stood to get his brother. They would return shortly to the visiting room and Kuvira broke the news.
"You two wagered on the naming of my second child? What is going on between you two?" Bolin stood in surprise.
Mako shrugged and Kuvira answered, "It's hard to explain so I am not going to try to."
"What did Korra do to you both?"
"Don't ask." They both muttered at the same time.
Bolin rubbed the back of his neck before walking out and speaking to himself. How was he going to explain this to Opal?
"Same thing next month?" Kuvira asked the firebender.
Mako snorted, "What will we be playing for this time?"
The metalbender grinned.
A large ceremony was taking place in the United Republic. It was both a mixture of remembrance and victory. The police force of Republic City was on full alert. Every metalbending and firebending officer was on duty for this. The world leaders would also be attending. An Honor Guard made up of soldiers of the five nations marched out as the ceremony began.
Of course, the Avatar would be slightly late to the remembrance of the end of the Hundred Year War.
"Come on Zhao. We're late." She said walking slightly ahead of the older firebender.
"Unlike you, you Water Tribe Savage, I need to use a cane to walk. Slow down or I will use the comet's power to strike at you."
They were lucky to be at their seats when their names were called.
"Avatar Korra and her shadow, Zhao."
Zhao growled as he leaned in closer to her, "You will not let that go, will you?"
Korra snickered while trying to take the ceremony seriously. She leaned in closer to him with a small grin on her face.
"That is what you are. I could not think of another title to give you."
"Long time companion, the Great Admiral Zhao." He began to list off suitable titles.
She raised a brow to his list before turning back to the ceremony. They were asked to sit down and enjoy the pre-comet show.
"No." she smiled.
Korra looked to her right to find that the other world leaders were giving them strange looks, except her two cousins. She could not tell what they were thinking.
"Cousin Korra and her husband are arguing again." She heard Desna say.
"We're not married."
"The bickering says otherwise."
"And I thought our relationship was strange." Eska added as Desna started to laugh.
Lok gagged, "Why was I born into this family?" He received a look and a pat on his shoulder from Tonraq.
The Avatar crossed her arms. She dared not to look to her left. She knew Zhao had that dumb smirk on his face.
"I should have just left you in the Spirit World."
"I should have just left you to die at City Hall."
She met his smirk before returning one of her own. Neither called it love as they both hated each other. They had a messed up relationship and she knew it.
So... this is the ending after like six months of writing this and six other Korra fics posted. Uh, I hope it was funny and crazy because I'm glad I went the humorous route than actually making this into a serious fic. It was not planned to be a crack-ship fest at first. It kinda was leftovers of two other stories that I was writing that did not make it on their own or moved into 'Fallout.' Also, I did not expect the reception 'Rebirth' has received so thanks to those that stayed with it. Now I can focus on 'Dictators and Warlords' and the 'Impasse Terre' sequel/follow up stories.
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She could not believe it. She spent about thirty years reading this novel series and the last book was dangling from her hand. Not only did the ending break her heart, the note left by the author made Kuvira want to break out of jail and break his nose in. Maybe more.
"I cannot fucking believe I spent the last three decades of my life reading this man's trash!" she shouted as she through the entire series out of her wooden cell. The last book remained in her hands as she re-read the note.
"Thank you for reading my novels, Kuvira. It still does not excuse you for destroying my Kyoshi Medal of Freedom and trying to kill me. Love, King Wu aka, Ran Kai Tou."
She tossed the last one out of the cell as well before pacing around like a madwoman. She needed to get a message out to her followers to start again with their revolting actions. There was no way that she was going to let King Wu sit comfortably with an ending like that and tricking her with a pseudo name.
She looked over at the books again before diving towards the door. Kuvira tried to grab the ones she could before giving up. She laid on her back for hours before the guards found her and returned them.