Sorry it took so long to update. while I was working on this story I was struck with inspiration for another unrelated story. between that, and computer problems here we are. Once again I own nothing but the plot, and ocs. Now without further adieu chapter 9


Chapter: 9

There before her stood Kuvira: the woman who conquered the entire earth kingdom, and Zaofu, the very same monster who murdered her father. Asami could only stand there frozen as confusion, and anger fought for dominance. Anger won out.

"What the hell is that monster doing here?" Asami asked through clenched teeth.

After a moment of confusion a look of recognition dawned on Kuvira's face as she locked eyes with the irate heiress.

"What do you mean Asami? She's the fire lady." Ty Lin said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Azulon raised an eyebrow at the girls emotional 180. Katala was shocked at Asami's outburst as well. Asami looked at Ty Lin, completely shocked at the princess's words.

"How can she be the fire lady?" Asami asks as she turns, and points an accusing finger at Kuvira. "You are supposed to be rotting in prison right now."

Kuvira simply looked Asami in the eyes, and spoke calmly. "I take it that you haven't spoken to my husband yet."

"No I haven't, and I don't have any intention to listen to the ravings of a lunatic. Anyone who would marry you would have to be out of their freaking mind!" Asami exclaimed.

"Hey don't talk to my mom like that." Ty Lin said taking a step towards Asami.

"It's alright Ty Lin." Kuvira said glancing at her daughter. "Ms Sato just has a lot of catching up to do.

"What do you mean by that?" Asami asked with narrowed green eyes.

"She means that a lot has changed since you've been gone." The pregnant woman said, as she came to stand next to Kuvira. Asami's glare turned to a look of incomprehension as she recognized her.

"Opal, what happened to you?" Asami asked as she took in Opal's rounding figure. This was impossible, they had only been gone a week. Kuvira should be in prison right now, and even if opal was pregnant before they left she shouldn't be this far along.

"Asami I know this is shocking, but you really need to listen to what the fire lord has to say." Opal said as she placed a gentle hand on Asami's shoulder. She relaxed a little as Opal gave her a smile. Asami returned it, before turning to glare at Kuvira once more.

"All right I'll hear him out, but Iroh had better have a very good explanation for all of this." Asami warned.

Opal and Kuvira exchanged worried glances at Asami's words. Before she could ask about it the doors burst opened once again. Asami turned to see Korra, Bolin with a mustache, and by the look of his robes, and crown the fire lord. He definitely wasn't Iroh Asami noticed. This man was leaner, with a narrower face, a short black goatee, and pointed eyebrows.

"Oh thank Raava we made it." Bolin said out of breath.

"By the look of things Opal hasn't decked her either." Korra added.

"Is everyone alright?" the fire lord asked.

"We're fine Mako." Kuvira said as she smiled at him.

Asami did a double take of the fire lord. "Mako?" she said stunned. "Okay what the hell is going on?"

"Kids have you debriefed with Tenzin, and Zaheer yet?" Mako asked calmly.

"Not yet father." Azulon answered.

"Please go take care of that. I can handle things from here."

"Of course fire lord Mako." Katala said with a bow.

Katala began walking from the room closely followed by Azulon. After shooting a quick glare at Asami, Ty Lin followed after.

"Asami you may want to sit down for this." Korra said as she took her hand, and lead her to the steps.

Bolin came to stand with Opal, while Kuvira did the same with Mako. When Asami sat down next to Korra, Mako began the tale once more.


When Mako finished explaining what was going on the heiress was silent. Shock, anger, and exhaustion seemed to be fighting for dominance on her face as she processed everything. Korra put her arm around Asami's shoulders trying to comfort her.

"How about Bolin, and I take them to the guest rooms, they look exhausted." Opal suggested.

"That's a good idea Opal." Mako said as he turned to Korra, and Asami. "You two should get some rest. Tomorrow we can discuss things more thoroughly, and you can catch up with everyone."

"That sound like a good plan." Korra said helping Asami to her feet. With one final glance they followed Bolin and Opal out of the throne room.

"Well that went better than expected." Kuvira stated.

"Oh, how do you figure?" Mako asked with a small smile.

"Well the Sato girl didn't attack me on sight for one thing" She said returning the smile.

"Korra actually attacked Zaheer."

"Well we both knew that would be a given. Was he hurt?"

"I don't think so, but he did look a little singed." Mako said with a chuckle.

Finally alone Kuvira wrapped her arms around Mako's neck, and pulled him into a kiss. After several moments they ended the kiss. Still holding her close he rested his forehead against hers, and gazed into her green eyes.

"After all these years we finally stand a chance." Kuvira whispered.

"It's more than just that. Now that Korra is back we can finally end this madness, and take back our world. We can be free again." Mako said.

"We shouldn't break out the tea just yet. There is a lot she needs to learn before she faces Vaatu again." Kuvira warned.

Mako just smiled. "Fortunately for us we have six of the most powerful benders in the world. As long as we can hold this deadlock, she will be ready."

"I hope your right" Kuvira said as she pulled him into another deep kiss.

"So what's brought this on?" Mako said smiling.

Kuvira returned the smile. "Just one more surprise today."


"Once we had them secured we returned to Cauldera as quickly as we could." Azulon said as he sipped his tea.

He sat before a round table across from Zaheer, and Tenzin. Katala sat to his right and Ty Lin to his left. The aged air benders waited a moment to see if the princess or Katala had anything to add. They just sat there silently drinking their own tea.

"There were no further encounters, or hindrances?" Tenzin asked.

"Nope there was nothing else. It was just your basic snatch and grab; in, and out no problem what so ever." Ty Lin said as she grabbed the container of sugar.

"It seems rather strange that a mission as critical as this went that smoothly." Zaheer said as he looked at the teens.

"We thought so too after you told us who they were." Katala said as she glanced at Ty Lin. "Azulon actually has a theory about that though." She added as she nudged the prince.

"I think the spirits were caught by surprise." Azulon said as he slid the jar of sugar away from his sister, cutting her off at five spoonful's of sugar.

"How do you figure that?" Tenzin asked as he took a drink of his tea.

"Well for starters they were attacked by only seven dark spirits; for two humans that many would be overkill, but for the Avatar its nothing. Vaatu wouldn't send anything less than a hundred spirits to greet his other half. Wherever she's been for all this time; Vaatu wasn't expecting her to be back, at least not now." Azulon explained.

"And bright eyes?" Zaheer asked.

"Bright Eyes guards the Republic City portal on Vaatu's orders. We believe he stumbled onto my sister and Ms Sato by accident." Katala answered.

"Your theory definitely makes sense." Tenzin stated.

"Do you have any other observations Azulon?" Zaheer asked.

Katala and Azulon glanced at each other. "There is one other thing. Bright Eyes was trying to take her alive."

The air bending master's eyes widened at that. Even Ty Lin was looking at her brother in surprise.

"You're sure about this?" Tenzin asked.

"Bright Eyes had Asami by the throat, and Korra was completely surrounded." Katala said.

"This is very unsettling." Tenzin said stroking his beard.

"Why is that?" Ty Lin asked as she finished her sugary tea.

"It means Ty Lin that even though Vaatu wasn't expecting Korra's return; he does have a plan for it. Believe me for the Avatar there are worse things than death." Zaheer explained.

"Thank you for your report children." Tenzin said as he set his empty cup down. "Zaheer and I will bring this information before the council. For now Katala I would like you to stay close to Korra, and serve as her guide, and guardian."

"Quality time with my big sister should be fun." Katala replied with a smile as she set her own cup down.

"I'd also like you to do the same for Asami." Tenzin said as he looked at Ty Lin.

"What! why do you want me to babysit her? Couldn't you have Toph do it?" Ty Lin asked as she began to fiddle with her scarf. It was a nervous habit she did when she was in trouble, or in an uncomfortable situation.

"Well for one reason she is about twenty years behind on current events. You can help her ease into, and get used to everything. Toph on the other hand is more likely to shove her into the deep end of the pool, and hope that she learns to swim." Zaheer said.

"The other reason is, as you've seen there is some bad blood between Asami, and your mother. Befriending you can help bridge the gap." Tenzin added.

Ty Lin looked at the air nomads for a moment. "Alright I'll do it." She conceded.

"How long before we take the fight to Vaatu?" Azulon asked.

"For now it is probably best to let Korra acclimate; this world is very new to her. Anything more long term is something for the council to decide." Tenzin answered.

"We also need to notify king Wu of Korra's return, and Korra will also need training." Zaheer added.

"Who did you have in mind for her training?" Katala asked.

"About twenty four years ago I helped teach her air bending. She was one of the greatest pupils I've ever had." Tenzin said with a fond smile. "That being said she's going to be the power benders problem now.


"And these two will be your rooms." Bolin announced as he lead Korra, and Asami down yet another corridor.

"Are you certain this time? You've already shown us our rooms twice already." Asami said tiredly.

"Don't worry these are the right ones." Opal said as she took Bolin's hand in hers. "It usually takes him three tries to get anywhere here in the palace."

"How can it take you three tries to get anywhere in your own home" Korra asked as she entered the closest room on the right.

"Okay first of all, this place is huge, and all the hallways look the same. Secondly this is Mako, and Kuvira's home not ours. Bolin said.

"What do you mean not your home? If Mako is the fire lord then doesn't that make you a prince?" Asami asked.

"In title only; Mako and Azulon are the only ones who are eligible for the throne. Opal and I actually spend most of our time in Ba Sing Se.

"Bolin and I serve as somewhat ambassadors between here, and there." Opal added.

Korra looked around the room. It was large room with a red color scheme that seemed to be the fire nation standard. There was a bed, a desk, a small sitting area, and a door leading to a personal bathroom.

"Asami your room is just down the hall." Opal said as Asami just stared blankly out the window at the sunset.

"Oh thank you." Asami said as she came back to the here, and now. "If you guys don't mind I'm going to turn in, it's been a very long day."

"Ok if you need anything just ask a servant, or a guard, and they should help you." Bolin said.

Asami nodded, and left for her own room down the hall from Korra's.

"You should probably get some rest too Korra." Opal said turning around to find the Avatar already passed out on the bed.


Another chapter down. Any, and all comments, or reviews are greatly appreciated. Until next time, and thanks for reading.