Chapter 24
Within a few days, the tensions in the Southern Water Tribe began to rise. Unalaq's fleet continued the blockade, and no ship was able to leave the harbor. The presence of the Northern troops created much resentment in the native population.
Korra and Asami were casually walking on a street, when they saw that some kid threw water at the Northern soldier. "Watch out kid," spoke the soldier as he formed an ice projectile and threatened the kid.
The ice melted. "What's going on here?" asked Korra as she observed the situation.
"Everything was fine until that brat threw water at me. I am taking him in," spoke the soldier.
An ice wall formed between the soldiers and the civilian population, "My name is Avatar Korra, and I will not tolerate infighting among our sister tribes," spoke Korra
"Tell it to the troops! They are invading our homeland," spoke some civilian
"We are here on the Chief's orders to reclaim our land. We have authority to arrest anyone who does not comply," spoke another soldier
Korra used air bending to rise into the air. "Listen up people, nobody will be fighting," spoke Korra as she entered the Avatar State.
The soldiers glared, as they did not want to deal with the Avatar, since they knew she was Unalaq's niece and his student. So, since they did not want to antagonize the Avatar any further, the soldiers left.
"You are a horrible Avatar!" spoke one civilian
"Why could not you help your people?" asked another
Korra descended on the ground and looked at the civilians in disbelief. "It's fine Korra, lets get out of here. I think we might need to talk to your Uncle," suggested Asami as the two girlfriends left.
"Asami, I don't understand what I should do. The Northern Troops don't like me, and the Southerners dislike me for not doing anything," spoke Korra
"Korra, look, I know this will be difficult, but you need to be patient. We need to resolve this issue in the most peaceful manner as possible. If everything else fails, I could help you by using my authority to threaten sanctions and provide relief to the South," spoke Asami
"Thank you, I agree, I think it would be a good idea to speak with my Uncle, and see what he thinks," spoke Korra as Asami smiled.
The two ladies journeyed to large house where Unalaq was staying. "State your name," spoke a guard
"I am Avatar Korra, and I am Chief Unalaq's niece," spoke Korra, "I am here on an official business,"
"And my name is President Asami Sato of the Republic City, and I am here on a diplomatic mission," spoke Asami as the guard looked at the two women before allowing them to enter.
As the couple was walking in the hallway, they saw Eska and Desna. "How are you?" asked Korra but her female cousin ignored her and walked away.
"Forgive my sister, she is still not over the fact she is not together with that uncultured Earth Bender from the Republic City," spoke Desna as he followed his sister.
"My cousins are so creepy," complained Korra
"Hey, at least you have a family," spoke Asami
"I am so sorry, I did not mean to hurt your feelings. I mean, I know that," began Korra
"Relax, I know you did not mean it that way, but I think you should be happy that you have family. I would recommend to at least try to actually befriend your twin cousins," spoke Asami as the two young women approached Unalaq's office. Korra knocked.
"Come in," spoke Unalaq as the two ladies entered.
"Hello Korra, President Sato," spoke Chief Unalaq as the couple sat on chairs, facing the Chief.
"How may I help you, Korra?" asked Unalaq
"Uncle, I know that you told me that you want to bring balance to our two tribes, and to reunite them, but I saw that tensions began to rise between your troops and the civilian population here," spoke Korra in concern
"Korra, look, from the moment I decided to reunite our tribes, I knew that there would be some resistance. It is inevitable. Some people always resist change, and I will deal with this. The people of the Southern Water Tribe will soon see why I am correct in wanting to reunite the two tribes. Some people will not welcome it, and unfortunately I will have to arrest them. But don't worry, I plan to arrest only troublemakers who actively attack and harass my troops," spoke Unalaq
"Thank you, Uncle, I just think I am not doing much," spoke Korra
"Korra, I know you might feel bad about not helping the Southern Tribe, but as the Avatar you must remain neutral and see both sides of the story, and not actively endorse one side or another," spoke Unalaq as the two ladies left.
"Why do I feel like that Unalaq's advice was not helpful?" asked Korra
"I think he is wrong. I don't know much about all this Avatar stuff, but if he is indeed correct and the Avatar cannot actively endorse one side or another, I will help the South in your place. I feel that Unalaq is wrong in wanting to fuse the two tribes so quickly in such a manner, but we cannot do much right now, because whether we like it or not, Unalaq is still technically the Chief of the both Water Tribes," spoke Asami
"I know. Thank you Asami for your help," spoke Korra as the two young women arrived Korra's home, where they saw a meeting, where Varrick and Tonraq seemed to be most outspoken people.
"Hello Korra, Asami" spoke Tonraq as Korra and Asami entered the house.
"Dad, what's going on?" asked the Avatar
"What's going on? You tell me, since Chief Unalaq is teaching you whatever weird thing he is teaching," spoke Varrick as he stared at Korra
"Varrick, please leave my daughter out of this," spoke Tonraq
"No, that's alright. What do you want, Varrick? And for the record, Unalaq is my spiritual teacher, but I don't fully agree with his plans," spoke Korra as the young couple sat next to Tonraq.
"What I want? I want for my ship to leave the harbor! I have lots of fish to sell, and its just sitting there in the cargo bay. If the blockade does not end soon, I will have a lot of rotten fish. Seriously, I need to sell that fish. And what's to stop Unalaq to tell what cookies we have to eat, or what cloths we should wear," spoke Varrick
"What are you saying, Varrick?" asked Tonraq
"I am saying that the two tribes are going to war, and we need to be prepared for it," spoke the man as he observed the other people in the house.
"That's silly, my Uncle would never let a Civil War to happen between our sister tribes," spoke Korra
"I actually agree with Varrick on this," spoke Asami
"You do?" spoke surprised Korra
"She does?" asked Varrick
"Look, I can already see the tensions between the Northern troops and the population of the Southern Water Tribe," spoke Asami as she stood and looked at the people in the house.
"How can you be so sure?" asked Tonraq
"As some of you may know, the Republic City is home to many benders and non-benders, and a few months ago Amon exploited the tensions and used Equalists to cease power. I experiences one Civil War, I know when the tensions are high, and I sense that the two tribes are on a brink of it. Even though we defeated Equalists, we all lost something. I lost a lot during that year," spoke Asami
"See? Even Miss Sato agrees with me. Seriously, we need to do something about this. I also can see that the Civil War will start very soon. But, I think we don't need to just wait for the spark to ignite and cause the Civil War, we need to actually cause it to happen and defeat Unalaq and send him away from our Tribe," spoke Varrick
"No, we will not be the first aggressors," spoke Tonraq, "If we start this conflict, we will alienate many otherwise sympathetic people to us,"
"And meanwhile the Evil Unalaq will keep tightening his grip over our tribe, and make sure we cannot even rebel after some point," spoke Varrick
"I can help," spoke Korra
"Sorry Avatar, but I doubt people will actively want to work with you, given your connections to their hated enemy," spoke Varrick
"Korra, I know you want to help, but both you and I don't actually know whether you can help. I mean, we don't know whether the Avatar has to be neutral here," spoke Asami
"I know that, but I want to help! And Avatar does not need to be always neutral; I just realized that. I mean, Aang fought Fire Lord Ozai, where he did not take a neutral stance but actually fought Ozai," spoke Korra
"Ozai, like his father, and grandfather, was a horrible man, who committed atrocities. Unlike Ozai, your Uncle just brought his troops and you might need to stay neutral. I don't know whether it is true or not, but lets just not risk it," spoke Asami as Korra reluctantly nodded
"Korra, I doubt the conflict will escalate into a Civil War soon," spoke Tonraq
"Doubt?" asked Varrick
"Look, while Korra cannot help much, I can. I have a lot of authority, and if needed, the Republic City will side with the Southern Water Tribe," spoke Asami
"Thank you Asami," nodded Tonraq
Korra and Asami continued listening to the conversations in the meeting, before leaving the house. The couple decided to check up on their friends to see what they were doing.
"Hello Bo, Mako," spoke Korra as the Krew reunited again.
"Korra, please help me. Even though we are not together anymore, Eska still creeps me out. She even asked me tonight when our engagement would be," spoke Bolin
"Bo, I think you need to try the best noodles in the Southern Water Tribe. Come, it will help," smiled Korra as she brought her friends to a restaurant, where Korra ordered some noodles. Bolin tried the noodles, and then quickly ate the entire entrée.
Mako raised an eyebrow. "What? I am a growing boy," spoke Bolin in his defense as Korra laughed.
"It's nice to have at least short periods of time when we all can spend time together," spoke Asami
"I agree! We are the New Team Avatar!" smiled Bolin as he placed his hand on his stomach. Korra grinned.
"Oh no, you wont," spoke Mako as Korra ordered more food.
After their small party was over, Korra returned home, where she only found her mother. "Mom, where is Dad?" asked Korra
"Korra, when you left, Varrick continued to advocate for a rebellion," spoke Senna
"I cannot believe it, Dad is in a rebellion? I thought he did not want to be strike first against the North, but only to defend," spoke Korra
"Korra, listen," began Senna as Korra quickly ran away from the house, and went to warn Unalaq. When Korra arrived, she saw trashed palace, and many men lying on the floor.
"Uncle?" asked Korra as she fought the bandits quickly, before defeating them.
"How could you do it, dad?" asked Korra as she threw the leader of the gang on the snow, only to find out it was not her father who led this small group of bandits.
"Thank you Korra. I could have handled the situation, but I appreciate the help. These traitors will rot in prison for the rest of their lives," spoke Unalaq
"But don't you think that's harsh?"
"What do you want me to do? Set them free?" asked Unalaq
"No, but at least give them a trial," spoke Korra
"Very well," agreed Unalaq as Korra left the palace.
Korra was very surprised to found learn that while her dad did not participate in the attack on her Uncle, Unalaq still arrested her parents.
A/N: Next chapter: The Trial. Korra is angry at the whole situation, Varrick suggests bribing the judge, while Asami gets pissed.