We're back on the next chapter.
REMINDER: I DO NOT OWN LEGEND OF KORRA OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS.
City Hall, where a few spirits play on the spirit vines lining the square.
Wu was waving his arms as he acts out his vision for Mako and S.J, who were standing in front of him. "So then the crowds are gathered, all excited to see my coronation, when all of a sudden, these boulders come rolling through. And guess what pops out of 'em? Earthbender dames! These gals start banging the boulders like drums, and sing the song of my royal lineage. It's the most dynamite six-hour show you'll ever see in your life."
"Shouldn't you be getting ready to, I don't know... rule a whole nation?" Mako asked bluntly.
"Now, now, now, don't get yourself in a tizzy." Wu puts index finger on Mako's chest. "I'll have ministers for all that!" He puts his arms around Mako and S.J. "No, Mako and Sheng Jr., when we get to Ba Sing Se, it'll just be two kooky pals, living the life!"
"Yay..." Mako said sarcastically.
"Tell me about it." S.J said.
Sheng Sr. approaches. "Getting excited for your big day?"
"Does a platypus-bear poop in… Hey!" Wu turns around angrily as he sees metalbenders putting up spectator stands. He races over to berate them. "You can't put bleachers there! There won't be enough room for the Dance of the Badgermoles! Look, it's going to go like this." He proceeds to dance as Mako, S.J and Sheng Sr. look on.
"You sure that's the guy you want running the Earth Kingdom, Dad?" S.J asked his father.
"Well, he is royal, son." Sheng said.
Tenzin, Franceschini and Diogenes enters. Them, too, were looking at Wu's dance.
"But trust me. We'll be sending a delegation of experienced advisers to handle day-to-day governing."
"I see the prince is becoming accustomed to the burdens of leadership." Tenzin said.
"You know royals. They love a ceremony. Have you received any word on Korra's location?" Mako asked.
"Not yet, but I have airbenders all over the world on the lookout for her." Tenzin said.
"I hope they find her soon." Dallas said.
"He's right. We both concerned about reports I've heard regarding Kuvira's growing military. The say she's throwing some of her dissenters into prison camps." Phil said.
"Well, she'll be stepping down tomorrow. We can worry about correcting any of her mistakes after that." Sheng said.
"And you're worried about her handing power over to Prince Wu, right, Sheng?" Mako asked.
"Wh-when Kuvira started cleaning up the Earth Kingdom, she knew her position wasn't permanent. She gave me her word that she'd step down." Sheng said before he looks unsure. "I think for the Lord Above."
Wu, who was still doing his dance.
"Still, I'd feel a lot better if Korra was here." Tenzin said. "Why the hell would you let her go on her own, Mako?"
"She just wants to learn from Toph." Mako said.
Meanwhile, at the swamp, where Korra and Toph were shown in Toph's dwelling while Raava and Vaatu were watching. Korra stands on the left, while Toph sits on the right, drinking tea.
"You got to help me get back into Avatar fighting shape. I want to learn some new moves from you. The world needs me." Korra said.
"Oh, get over yourself! The world doesn't need you one bit." Toph said.
"But, while I've been the Avatar of the Balance, I've stopped some really bad people from doing some really bad things." Korra said.
"Listen, Korra, when I was Chief of Police in Republic City, I worked my butt off busting criminals. But did that make crime disappear? Nope. If there's one thing I learned on the beat, it's that the names change, but the street stays the same."
"So, basically, you're saying that everything Korra had ever accomplished has been pointless." Raava said.
"And that includes us, too." Vaatu said.
"And I thought Beifong was grumpy." Korra said.
"I'm the original Beifong!" Toph said.
"So... you're not going to train me?" Korra asked.
"Well, I was planning on soaking my feet in mud for a few weeks. But I can't stand you being so pathetic all the time. All right, I guess I can help."
"Thank you!" Korra said.
She moves in to hug Toph, but Toph bends a wall between them, knocking Korra down.
"Na-uh-uh-uh. You want to hug something, go hug a tree. We're here to work!" she said before she pushes wall down again.
Later, at Wu's hotel in Republic City, where Bolin, Kuvira, Baatar Jr., Meldora and the rest of Kuvira's delegation arrive.
"Ahh, Republic City. I've never been here since I first came on this planet." Meldora said.
"Hello, Republic Cit-ay! Bolin... is back!" Bolin shouts in joy before he sees Eska, who was standing in the lobby with her brother Desna. Bolin sees her staring at him and reels back, seized by a fit of terror. He becomes more downbeat. "And... Eska is also here."
Eska slides in front of Bolin. "I see you have replaced me with a new girlfriend." Kuvira and Meldora were talking to a soldier. "Well done, she seems very threatening."
"Oh, no, no, that's Kuvira, she's kind of my boss."
"Boss, girlfriend. Same thing." Eska said.
A man came to address Eska. "I'm afraid there's been a mistake, Your Eminence. We have you and your brother booked in the same room, with only one bed."
"It's no mistake. Desna sleeps in the tub."
Eska shoots a look over her shoulder and walks off with her brother. Varrick, who was waiting for Zhu Li, who was carrying four suitcases, to catch up with him.
"Never thought I'd be allowed back in the Republic City Four Elements." Varrick said before Zhu Li puts down a lot of suitcases which appear to be very heavy. "Sheng must have turned purple when Kuvira made him pardon me of my alleged crimes."
"You're an upstanding citizen again, sir." Zhu Li said.
"Upstanding is right! And don't forget to fill the extra bag with as many of those little soaps as you can grab. Love the lavender scent."
Mako, S.J and Wu walk in with two guards who are at the door. Mako immediately spots Bolin, who was standing in the center albeit with his back turned.
"Bolin!" Mako shouts. Bolin turns around, and they trade some mock-punches before hugging each other. "Look at you! My little brother got all... important."
"I know, right? I see myself in the mirror sometimes and I think I'm in trouble before I realize: it's only me." Bolin said.
"So, what's it like working for Kuvira?" Mako asks before he sees Kuvira, who was talking to Baatar Jr. and Meldora. "AND MELDORA?!"
"Kuvira recruited her since she was banished from Witchvainya. She said she's changed now." Bolin said.
"After everything that alien witch had done three years ago, Kuvira recruited her? From what I've heard, Kuvira's pretty harsh." Mako said.
"No! I-I mean, she can be tough, sure, but we're turning around the Earth Kingdom like you wouldn't believe! You remember how bad Grandma's neighbourhood in Ba Sing Se was? All that's completely changed, I mean, we are really... helping people. But what have you been up to? Fighting crime? Busting triads? Chasing the ladies, Mako-style?"
"Well, Sheng's son and I have been working for Wu." Mako said before he looks over to Wu, who was fixing his hair in the reflection of a window." And, uhhh..." He lets his head hang in disappointment. "Yeah."
"So, how did you go back at New York with Korra?" Bolin asked.
"She left New York months ago. No one knows where she is."
Bolin gets a worried look on his face.
Suyin, who was handed the keys to her room, when she was approached by Baatar Jr.
"Mother." Baatar Jr. said. "Hello, Baatar Jr." Suyin said.
"It's just 'Baatar' now. So, now that you've seen all the good we've done since we left Zaofu, you must be sorry that you didn't come and help us."
"I don't know if I'd call marching all over the Earth Kingdom, forcing people to bow to Kuvira, 'doing good', and with that witch." Suyin said.
"You're going to have to get over your grudge with her. I'm sure you've heard that we're engaged. She's going to be an official member of our family." Baatar Jr. said.
"I'm just glad she'll be stepping down after tomorrow." Suyin said.
"You prefer to be ruled by that royal idiot?" Baatar Jr. looks over his shoulder toward Wu, who was trying to chat up Kuvira.
"I hope I'm not out of order saying this: You're pretty easy on the eyes for a military type. I'll put in a good word for you with the hotel staff, maybe get you a little upgrade. I've been living here for years, they love me." Wu said.
"I won't be needing your help. We've reserved the presidential suite." Kuvira said.
"Well, I think someone is pulling your chain, gumdrop! See, I'm in the presidential suite." Wu said.
Kuvira turns to face Wu again with a smug smile on her face. "Not anymore. I had you moved out."
Wu was surprised. "Wait, what?" He angrily grabs the man named Cam by the collar. "Cam, where's all my stuff, damn it?"
"We've moved you into a very nice junior suite on the seventh floor."
Wu was seriously disappointed. "Junior suite?"
"Something you should know about me: I always get what I want." Kuvira said with a smile triumphantly.
Mako, S.J and Wu were at City Hall, with Wu visibly being worried.
"Your royal cabinet is here, Your Majesty!" Gun said.
"Where have you been? My coronation is in ten minutes! Where's everyone else? Where are the Seven Sacred Chests of Exquisite Finery? Where are my grandfather's taffeta pantaloons?"
"Sadly, most of your servants were scattered and the royal things were looted after the queen was removed from office. So your coronation may not have some of the usual items... like... the crown." Gun said.
"There's no crown?! How can you have a coronation without a crown?" Wu was getting distressed. "How the hell will people know when I'm officially the king?"
Gun opens a small jewel box which contains an earring. "We still have one of the royal jewels we can pin on you."
Wu was annoyed. "An earring?"
"Think of it more as a royal brooch." Gun holds the earring up and it sparkles.
"Are you telling me that there are no dancing badgermoles? No acrobat bell ringers, no horn blowing announcery guy?" Wu demanded.
"It will be a very simple, intimate, elegant ceremony. A wonderful day for your kingdom. Just try on the brooch, Your Grace, you will see it looks beautiful ..." Gun tries to pin the earring on Wu, but he stops him and walks off.
"Don't... touch me."
Meanwhile, at the swamp, where Korra and Toph were facing off while Raava and Vaatu watches.
"Okay, bring it!"
Korra tries to knock her down with airbending, but Toph evades every blast with her hands behind her back, before knocking Korra down with a single blast of mud.
Korra lands in a pool of mud, all dirty, when a poll of grass in blown into her face and a frog-squirrel jumps onto her shoulder and croaks, much to Korra's confusion.
"Tell me what you did wrong." Toph said.
Korra was picking up the animal and putting it on her knee. "Well, I was thinking that you were..."
Toph interrupts Korra. "Exactly! You were thinking! Go again."
Korra gets up and tries again, but Toph effortlessly evades everything Korra throws at her, and finally knocks her down again by blasting her away with a stream of mud.
She lands in a shallow pool, and turns on her back when Toph stands beside her again.
"What was that?" Vaatu wondered.
"Pathetic. Of all the Avatars I've worked with, you're by far the worst. I know that's only one other Avatar, but still."
Korra stands up and has a massive elbow leech on her elbow. Toph pulls it off with one quick tug.
"Gah! Hey! It seems like you're enjoying having someone around to beat up an awful lot." Korra said.
"Yeah, the swampbenders out here really can't take a punch." Toph said.
"So... what made you want to drop out and disconnect from the rest of the world?" Korra asked.
"I'm more connected to the world than you've ever been! The roots and vines... they run all over the world. I can see Su and Lin, Zaofu and Republic City. I see everything." Korra gets a smile on her face, and silently tries to take Toph by surprise, but she's knocked down once again by the old woman. "You're blind compared to me."
Meanwhile, at Wu's coronation in Republic City. Gun pins the earring on Wu.
"Now rise, Wu of the Hou-Ting Dynasty, King of all the Earth Lands and glorious defender of Ba Sing Se. Long may you reign!"
A few people were applauding in the crowd.
Wu was now addressing the crowd through the microphone.
"Thank you, for that incredibly brief, but very moving ceremony. I am touched by the love of my devoted countrymen, who have worked so hard to restore their beloved leader to the throne. One of them deserves special attention. Kuvira, rise!"
Kuvira walks over to him. "For your service to the realm, I would like to present you with the Kyoshi Medal of Freedom, our nation's highest honour, which was somehow not stolen, unlike the royal pinky rings." Wu said.
"Thank you. And if you don't mind, I would like to say a few words." Kuvira said.
"Why not? We've got six hours to fill..."
Kuvira was now addressing the crowd through the microphone. Suyin was sporting a distrustful look. Tenzin, Dallas, Phil and Sheng were giving each other a worried look.
"Growing up in Zaofu, with Suyin Beifong, I learned that the idea of a royal family passing a title from one generation to the next was archaic, and that technology and innovation should be what drives a nation forward. It was the pathetic rule of kings and queens that caused the Earth Kingdom to descend into such incredible disarray. It's taken me three years to get it back on track, and there is no way I will allow it to slip back into the dark ages. I'd like to make an announcement to the world: the Earth Kingdom is no more. And from here on out, this man has no authority."
Crowd gasps in surprise.
"Wait, what? But I just got the royal brooch!" Wu said.
Kuvira turns to the crowd again. "I have created a new Earth Empire, and I will continue to lead it into the future myself, bringing about a new era of prosperity for my people."
The crowd cheers and applauds. "We love you, Kuvira!"
Bolin, with a worried look on his face, as he applauds halfheartedly. Meldora smiles evilly at Kuvira's speech.
"All hail the Great Uniter!"
"And let me assure my fellow leaders of one thing." Kuvira grabs the medal Wu hung around her neck and pulls it off, breaking the ribbon before letting it hover over her hand.
"Anyone who crosses our borders or stands in our way, will be crushed." She rushes the medal and drops it on the floor.
The crowd were cheering again, the flashbulbs of cameras in the crowd casting erratic shadows on the stage. "Thank you, Kuvira! All hail the Great Uniter!"
"Worst coronation ever." Wu said.
Meanwhile, at Meldora's hotel room, Meldora was talking to a hologram of Magina.
"Yes, I was admired of Kuvira's Earth Empire. At least she may help me with our problems with the Avatar of the Balance." Meldora said.
"And what happens to her, Supreme One?" Magina asked.
"The same as I did to Zaheer and Azula three years ago. Now, until I have found something strong enough to beacon up for the armadas, remain in the mothership."
Meldors grins like a Chesire cat.
At the Republic City Four Elements hotel again, where Bolin and Varrick sit in the Presidential Suite.
"Were you surprised? Because I was really surprised. Won't this turn all the world leaders against us?" Bolin asked.
Varrick was calmly, holding a drink in one hand. "Relax, kid, what can they do? Kuvira and Meldora controls the whole nation now, and Republic City is begging for the metal that we're mining. This train has left the station, and we own the track!"
Zhu Li walks in, followed by a spirit vine on a cart.
"Now that's a nice looking hunk of spirit vine! Let's take it back to the lab and get it stabilized immediately." Varrick said.
Zhu Li gestures the men pushing the cart to take it away again, and Varrick goes with them.
At the same time, Kuvira and Meldora enters the room, and looks at Bolin, who sits uneasily in his chair, hands folded and head down.
"You look worried, Bolin." Kuvira said.
"Is it because I'm here after three years of my rise for invasion? Bolin, I really have changed, I'm promise." Meldora said while lying.
Bolin stands up out of his chair. "I just have some misgivings about how you kind of ambushed Tenzin and the other leaders."
"You believe in the work that we've done for the people of the Earth Empire, right, Bolin?" Kuvira asked.
"I do, but..."
"Then stick with me. I'm going to need your help now more than ever. Ichiro and the other leaders want to bully us into accepting some idiot king who will serve them but neglect the people. We have to stand strong against them."
"I'm just not sure about this whole 'Empire' thing. It seems pretty aggressive. And what was that part about the crushing?" Bolin asked unsure.
"That was just some... tough rhetoric to let people know that we mean business." Kuvira said. "Believe me, conflict is the last thing I want. Will you help me make history, Bolin?"
Bolin doubts for a moment. "I'll stand by you."
"Thank you."
Suyin walks into the room, drawing the attention of both of them.
"We need to talk." she with an angry expression on her face.
Kuvira turns to Bolin, who was clearly uncomfortable with Suyin's presence. "Can you give us the room, please?" Bolin walks out.
"I met with the world leaders, and I've come as their representative." Suyin said.
"So now you're taking an interest in world affairs. A little late, isn't it? When the queen fell, and everyone was asking you to help keep the Earth Kingdom from falling apart, all you wanted to do was hide in Zaofu, and let others deal with the consequences."
"That's hardly fair. I didn't want to seize power for myself, which is what you've done. I'm telling you for the good of everyone, you have to step down. And that goes for that pointy-nosed alien." Suyin said.
"What do you mean, 'pointy'?" Meldora asked in a serious tone.
"I stepped up. I provide stability and equality. Tell your world leaders to stay out of Earth Empire business. We won't accept their hand-picked dictator." Kuvira said.
"What makes you so different? You're just a tyrant as Unalaq was, and even Meldora. And don't pretend the people put you where you are. I know what happens to cities who don't want to hand over control to you."
"Then you know what's coming for Zaofu." Kuvira said.
In another room in the hotel.
"First I lose my suite, then I lose my throne. My royal brooch is a lie! I know you must be crushed, not getting to come back to Ba Sing Se with me."
"Mako, do something." S.J said.
"Don't worry about us. We'll... find a way to make it." Mako with veiled sarcasm in his voice.
"Good ol' Mako, my big tough guy. Ok. I just have to go on, move forward, take decisive action. Let's go shopping!" Wu said.
Someone knocks on the door, and Mako, opens it and finds Bolin on the other side.
Wu was peeking over Mako's shoulder, annoyed and alarmed. "Ugh. Get rid of him. He's with her."
"He's my brother." Mako walks out to the hallway.
"Interesting ceremony, huh?" Bolin asked.
"You aren't going to keep working for Kuvira now that she's going against the wishes of the entire world, are you?"
"You don't understand. Kuvira is helping out all the poor people of the Earth Empire. People like our family. This is for the best." Bolin said defensively.
"I don't know, bro." Mako said.
"Okay, why don't you come with me, and you'll see for yourself? We've done a lot of good, and Varrick is working on some new innovations. We're making history." Bolin said.
"By 'crushing' anyone who gets in your way?" Mako said.
That was just some tough rhetoric to let the people know that we mean business. I mean, Kuvira is basically just like Korra. She might seem hard to deal with, but just because she's so passionate and believes in what she's doing."
"It seems like she's just a dictator who's taking the Earth Kingdom by force. And with a help from an alien." Mako said.
"Oh, okay, you think your new best friend in there would be a better leader than Kuvira?" Bolin asked aggressive.
"Well, no, but still..."
"Still what? Come on, Mako! I'm making a difference out there, what are you doing, huh? You're just some glorified butler for some snotty rich bozo!"
Wu on the inside of the door, was eavesdropping on the conversation of the bending brothers. He gets agitated at Bolin's remark.
Back outside, Bolin walks off.
"I'm sorry, I don't want to work for your glorious emperor, her new her witch partner and her military dictatorship." Mako snaped.
Bolin turns around angrily. "Fine! I'm going to go back to my awesome train, where we bring freedom where ever we go! Enjoy licking the king's boots in your junior suite!" Bolin storms off, leaving a disgruntled Mako in his wake.
Wu was consolingly, as Mako walks back in. "Sorry, sport, we heard it all."
"I can't believe him!" Mako yelled.
"He's an idiot." S.J said. "But, he and Dad stars in 'Nuktuk'."
"Insulting another man's suite? It's beneath low. But I think I know what would cheer you up: A visit to Little Ba Sing Se Fashion Mall! I'll buy you a smoothie."
"Yeah. Ok." Mako said.
Meanwhile, back at the swamp, where Korra and Toph were walking side by side.
"That was terrible." Korra said.
"Hah! Maybe for you. I had a great time! I never realized how much I missed tormenting the Avatar I wish you were putting up more of a fight, but it was still fun."
Toph starts picking something out from between her toes.
"You were tossing me around like a ragdoll all day long." Korra said.
"I know! And I'm an old lady! Imagine me in my prime! I would have destroyed you!" Toph said.
"I just don't understand why. It's like... I'm a step slower. I'm tentative, I'm out of sync, I just can't get back in the groove."
"Maybe carrying the babies doesn't help." Vaatu said.
Korra was suddenly attentive. "Babies?"
Raava and Vaaut looks at each other. "Should we tell her?" Vaatu asked.
"I think we should." Raava said.
"What?" Korra asked in confused.
"You're pregnant with twins." Raava and Vaatu said.
Korra was surprised and happy. "Pregnant? Twins?"
"I guess she's happy." Toph said while smiling.
At the Little Ba Sing Se Fashion Mall, where Mako, S.J and Wu sits, drinking smoothies through straws.
"Once we're done with these, we can go into the Middle Ring and I'll let one of you pick out some new suits, then we'll hit the boutiques in the Upper Ring for me."
Two girls walk by wearing shirts that have the logo of the Metal Clan and Kuvira's face on them. Wu was mentally double-taking, he spits his drink onto Mako, scrambling to his feet and dashing after them, angry.
"Where in the hell did you get those shirts?" Wu asked.
"Aces, right? Kuvira is my hero." one girl said. "They're selling them over there." a second girl said.
A store with a large crowd of Kuvira supporters in front of it. Wu pulls his hair in exasperation, squealing, before angrily running toward the shop.
"You can't sell that junk in here! This is the Little Ba Sing Se Fashion Mall, and I'm the Little King here! Respect the brooch!"
The crowd begins booing him.
"Stop it, Little King!"
"I am the Glorious Defender!" Wu said angrily.
Wu throws his smoothie at the group. The sound of the cup hitting something and spilling was heard and the yelling falls momentarily silent.
"I'm covered in juice! Get him!"
"Oh, shit." S.J said.
"We need to get you out of here." Mako said.
Mako and S.J pulls Wu by the arm, while Kuvira's supporters chase them. Mako realizes they can't outrun the group, so he creates a wall of fire behind them, blocking their attackers' path, and pulls Wu behind the wall of a shop, which happens to have a vandalized poster of Wu stuck to it.
"It's destiny. Look where we are, Mako, S.J! The Royal Palace." Wu said.
Wu runs inside, rudely and haphazardly knocking down the trays of various people as he passes. At the far end of the room, he sees a mock-up of the throne; a little boy sits on it, playing with a fake scepter and a fake crown.
Wu approaches and promptly tries to steal the scepter from the child.
"Hey! It's my birthday!" the little boy said.
Wu wrenches the scepter and the crown away from the boy, also taking the cape from his mother.
"It's my coronation day! You'll have another birthday next year, but I'll never have this day back again! Never! God, help me!" Wu breaks down into tears.
"Ok, he's losing it." S.J said. "Everybody saw that, right?"
"This is the worst day of my life!" Wu cries.
"Why? Do you really want to be the king? I mean, Kuvira might be a power-crazed dictator, but at least she spent the last few years working hard to make the Earth Kingdom somewhat better. If you were an Earth Kingdom citizen, do you think you're the kind of person you want as your king? What have you ever done for your people?"
Wu sadly looks at Mako, and Mako realizes what he just said. "I'm sorry, that was out of line."
"No, you're right. No one ever talked to me like that before. I guess I'm just a joke who got what he deserved."
"He's right? I mean he's right of course." S.J said. "My little sister always said things about stuff like this."
Mako notices the group that has been chasing them. "Let's get you out of here and back to someplace safe."
"S.J, carry me?" Wu asked.
"Uh, no." S.J said.
Meanwhile, at Air Temple Island.
"This... is a mission of the utmost importance. Conflict is coming to the Earth Kingdom and we need to find the Avatar of the Balance." Tenzin turns around to face his children. "Can I count on you three to bring Korra home?"
"You can count on one of us. I don't know about these two ladies." Meelo said.
At Kuvira's train, where Zhu Li puts a part of the spirit vine, wired to electrical connections and suspended in a glass tube, into a machine of sorts as Kuvira, Meldora and Varrick watch from overhead.
"From now on, Varrick, developing this technology is your number one priority." Kuvira said.
"This is going to change everything." Meldora said with a grin.
Korra's pregnant with twins! Will Mako react?
Next chapter will come soon.
Review if you enjoyed the story.