Chapter 19
Six months passed since Avatar Korra and her friends defeated the Equalists. While Korra relaxed and played during these months, and enjoyed her newfound Air Bending powers, the other Team Avatar members experienced many changes in their lives.
Mako joined the police force, and now worked under Chief Lin Bei Fong. He enjoyed his new job, since he liked protecting people. Upon Asami's request, Bolin took care of day-to-day dealings at Future Industries; he gave frequent reports to Asami as to how the company was doing. The young Earth Bender enjoyed his job, especially since Asami let him stay at the mansion, since she personally had too many bad memories there.
Asami meanwhile worked nonstop to reform the Republic City, and give non-benders a voice. She reformed the governmental structure, splitting it into three parts. As a President, she was now in charge of the Executive Branch, which now incorporated the police force as well. Asami decided to form a hundred person legislative body, separate from her office, which elected a hundred people of various backgrounds to make new laws. She also created many lower courts that were independent from her Presidency.
"Come in," spoke Asami as she was working with many papers in her office, which became her current place of residence.
"Asami, I think we need to go out now," suggested Korra
"Not now, I am working,"
"Please," smiled Korra
"Fine, let's take a break. We have to attend the Trial today, which will decide the fate of my father, and of Amon's Lieutenant. Personally, I think we need to abolish the new Council and fully separate the Judiciary from the Executive," began Asami as Korra kissed her. Asami smiled and the two ladies journeyed to get lunch.
Later, Asami presided over the Trial, sitting in the middle of the judicial bench. General Iroh and Master Tenzin sat at her left and right hand, respectively.
"The Trial is now in session. Today we will decide the fate of accused Hiroshi Sato, and accused Lee, also known as Amon's Lieutenant," spoke Asami as twelve people entered the courtroom. They approached the twelve persons bench that had three rows, with four seats on each row.
"State your name," spoke Asami as she questioned the first Juror.
"Opal Bei Fong," answered a gentle non-bender.
"Are you a bender?" asked Asami
"No, I am a non bender," replied Opal
"Very well. Is there any particular reason why you don't think you should be on this jury?" asked Asami
"No. I live in Zaofu, and I don't know anyone from around here," answered Opal.
"You may sit," Asami instructed Opal, who sat in the jury box.
When Opal sat in her seat, she heard that her oldest brother, Bataar Jr, answered Asami's first question. After answering the same questions, Bataar sat next to his younger sister. Ten more people later joined the two siblings: Commander Bumi, Varrick, Zhu Li, Gommu, Otaku, Wu, Ginger, Daw, Pema, and Shiro Shinobi.
Asami sighed. It took her many months to find appropriate jury for the Equalists, since Asami wanted to form the most fair and jury possible. She wanted to reduce as much bias as possible. She remembered that the defense attorney initially objected to her idea to include Bumi and Pema, but later agreed, since Bumi was completely absent from the whole Equalist ordeal, and Pema had a reputation of a just woman.
After the twelve non-benders sat in their jury box, the two sides began their arguments. Early in her Presidency, Asami appointed her former rival to her office, Raiko, who now was the lead Prosecutor.
"I call my first witness, Chief Lin Bei Fong, to provide an accurate account of what happened during Equalists rebellion," spoke Raiko as Lin approached the Witness stand. After Raiko asked her questions, the defense began cross-examining her.
The trial continued. While Asami was used to working long hours in such tedious proceedings, Korra was not. The Avatar was impatient to exit the building at the first available opportunity.
Lucky for Korra, the Jury very quickly decided that both Hiroshi and Lieutenant were guilty. Asami then consulted with Iroh and Tenzin and gave the minimum and maximum punishments available. The three judges then also provided the list of various factors that could lower the sentence. When the jury acquired all the evidence, they left to deliberate.
"Court will now take a one hour break," spoke Asami as she stood up from her seat. This trial was difficult for her to preside over.
"Asami, you are doing a wonderful job," smiled Korra as she approached her girlfriend.
"Korra, it pains me to preside over the trial of my own father. But I will do everything I can to make this trial as fair as possible," spoke Asami
"I know you will. I remember that when you first announced that the jury will only include non benders, your approval rate skyrocketed," spoke Korra
"I remember. But, even if people will approve of my method to judge the Equalists, it still does not mean that people will not stop associating me with my father," spoke Asami as Korra hugged her.
"Hello ladies," spoke Bolin as he approached the two young women. Mako followed.
"Asami, you were doing great, this whole trial is a testament on how great a leader you are," spoke Mako, who was wearing his police uniform.
"Oh, and don't worry about what others think of you. I checked the numbers, and the stock has gone up. Congratulations Asami, Future Industries is finally returning to its former glory. Some of my financial assistants projected that the company will become the leading company in the world," spoke Bolin energetically.
The four friends went to get a snack at Narook's. While Asami preferred Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom's cuisine, she lately grew fond of Water Tribe noodles.
After the lunch was over, everyone returned to the courtroom. The jury deliberated for three more hours before reaching a verdict, and returning to the main hall. One of the jurors gave their decision to the judicial bench.
"Hiroshi Sato, you are found guilty of treason and assault. Due to your extraordinary story, you will receive ten years in prison with a possibility of parole," Asami read the paper. She then saw that her father looked at her before looking away. A tear escaped her eye.
"Lee, also known as Amon's Lieutenant, you are found guilty of treason and numerous counts of assault. You will receive twenty five years in prison, with a possibility of parole after fifteenth year," read Asami as Lin Bei Fong led the two men into the police van.
"The court is now dismissed," spoke Asami as everyone stood up.
People began to exit the Courthouse. Korra began walking towards Asami, but was blocked by a young man around her age, who was dressed in green clothing. "Hello Miss Avatar Korra. My name is Prince Wu, next in line to the crown. How about we go to dinner tonight," smiled Wu.
"Really? You are hitting on me?" asked surprised Korra
"Yea, why not? I heard you are a Princess as well, since your Uncle is the Chief. So, I was thinking, the two royals maybe will find a lot in common," continued Wu. Korra was getting frustrated, but she did not want to make a scene, at least not in this courthouse, where Asami just presided over the trial.
"Korra, here you are. Hello, my name is Asami Sato," spoke Asami as she extended her hand and greeted Prince Wu.
"Nice to meet you, President Sato," spoke Wu
"Asami, I was thinking that we should go to the park," suggested Korra as Asami smiled, hugged her girlfriend, and the two young women walked away from disappointed Prince Wu.
"Just to let you know, they are a couple, so you should not waste any energy," spoke Mako as he approached the heir to the throne.
"Aww," mused Wu as he exited the building, before returning to his Satomobile.
Next day, team Avatar resumed their normal activities. Korra was still playing around with her Air Bending, racing with Tenzin's kids to see who would be the fastest person on their Air ball. Korra activated her Avatar State and sped up, quickly winning the race.
"The Avatar is the winner," spoke Bumi, as he announced Korra's victory.
"No fair, you cheated. You used your Avatar State thingy," spoke Ikki, as Korra showed tongue to the girl.
"Korra!" spoke Tenzin in a loud voice.
"Whoops, gotta run, bye," spoke Korra as she quickly flew in the air using her glider staff.
"Korra?" asked Tenzin.
"I am afraid you just missed her. She left the island," spoke Bumi
"Fine. I will speak with her later. I wanted to tell her that I decided to take a vacation with my family at the Southern Water Tribe, so that I could help Korra to perfect Air Bending techniques, and perhaps help her to regain her bending," spoke Tenzin.
"Perfect. I will love to see this Vacation Tenzin," grinned Bumi
"You are not invited," spoke Tenzin
"Oh, but Mom invited me, so like it or not, I will come with you," grinned Bumi as Tenzin sighed.
Korra meanwhile returned to the city. Korra flew right into Asami's open window. The Avatar lost balance and crashed onto Asami's desk.
"Korra!" spoke Asami in surprise.
"Sorry, I did not mean to throw all your papers everywhere," apologized Korra
"No, its fine," spoke Asami
"You are not mad?" asked puzzled Korra
"No, why would I be mad?" inquired Asami before picking one paper from the floor, "You wont believe it! Bolin was right; Future Industries is finally recovering, so I thought it would be great for us to go to the Southern Water Tribe, where I could try to form a merger with Varrick Global. I like Bolin, but Future Industries needs an actual business person to run the company, and it is hard for me to constantly answer his phone calls, since Bolin is afraid to mess things up,"
"That's great! We can visit my family. I know they really like you," spoke Korra as Asami smiled.
"I know, but I already received a letter from Tenzin, where he requested to tell you that in case he forgot to tell you in person, he would accompany you to the Southern Water Tribe, where he would help you with mastering Air Bending," spoke Asami as the two young women suddenly heard a voice on the radio.
"It's a knockout! The Fire Ferrets are out of this year's tournament, and they create a new record for the shortest match!" spoke Shiro Shinobi. Korra and Asami laughed.
"I did not know Bolin still played," spoke Korra
"He doesn't. Not really. He just tried to reenter into this year's championship, but apparently couldn't," spoke Asami
Later that day the Team Avatar met in the harbor. "Hello Tenzin," spoke Korra as she greeted her teacher.
"Korra, I hope you got my message. I think this would be a great opportunity for you to further master Air Bending, and possibly regain your connection to the other three elements," spoke Tenzin. Korra paused.
"But I," began Korra.
"Korra will practice, but she has other duties too. Besides, the President is taking a business trip, and I need some help. Since we are going to Korra's birthplace, she would be of great help to me," spoke Asami.
"Fine. But I expect you to train hard!" spoke Tenzin as he walked towards his family.
"Thanks for the save," spoke Korra as the Team Avatar entered the deck of the ship. "Oh, and who have you left in charge of the Republic City while you will be taking this short business trip?" asked Korra. Asami smiled.
"No! Why have you left the Republic City? And why have you made so many changes and started so many projects?" Raiko sat in Asami's office, terrified of seeing all projects that Asami had began working in the past six months.
A/N: I plan to have more changes to canon in this arc. The Krew are going to visit the Southern Water Tribe, after which they will return to the Republic City. Since Asami is the President here, the storyline will begin diverging quite a bit from what happened in Book 2. I also decided to make a semi realistic trial at the start of this chapter. I hope I have not bored you with it. I also hope that all the juror's names are recognizable. They are all non-benders in Book 2, while some will become Air Benders in Arc 3.