Author Notes: Thank you to my editor, ToasterMarketingBoard!
The hot desert sun had crested its climb into the sky and was just beginning its descent. Wing, Wei, Opal and Bolin were lying on the outside deck of their airship, soaking up the warm rays. Suyin slammed open the door from inside the ship and stepped onto where the group was resting.
"I just got off the radio with Asami, the airship has touched down, let's go!" the matriarch ordered, then quickly went back inside.
The sunbathers groaned as they got up from their spots and slowly shuffled into the bridge of the airship.
Suyin grabbed a map scroll and stepped in between the four youths. She flopped it open and pointed to where the Earth Kingdom ship had landed. "We're only a half hour's flight from their coordinates."
"Finally, we get to do something," Wing said.
"It's going to be a long day kids," Suyin said as she walked away from the group.
Mako guessed it had to have been almost an hour since he made his radio call to Asami when he heard the faint humming of an airship. He looked to the sky, shielding the bright glare from his face with his left hand. Soon the ship was close enough for him to make out the octagonal emblem of Zaofu.
"It's them!" the firebender hollered to his crew.
Tu and his boys were pulling anything they could use from the ship before they blew it up. Mako knew they had a bit of a wait ahead of them. Korra had to be formally summoned to their aid by Raiko, before she could even start the six hour trip out to where they were.
Mako walked over to Yasmine's unconscious form. The group had moved her underneath a tall rock pillar near where they had landed. The strange rock formations were the only sources of shade this far out into the desert.
The firebender bent down and grasped one of the young woman's arms. He adjusted his hold so one hand held her wrist, and with the other he pressed his thumb on her pulse point. It was a ritual he hand been performing every fifteen or so minutes, to make sure that Yasmine was still alive. The guilt of what he had done was starting to become overwhelming, so Mako was very relieved that the Beifongs were finally here to provide a distraction.
The ship touched down a few yards away, sweeping up the air and sending a few gusts of sand clouds at Mako and his crew. The firebender let go of Yasmine to cover his own eyes during the assault. He then rose and walked towards their new company.
Bolin was the first out of the ship; he jogged down the ramp and into the sand. "Mako!" he yelled out.
"Bolin," Mako called back.
The two brothers were soon face to face. Mako started to open up his arms to embrace his younger brother, but Bolin crossed his own.
The earthbender lifted up his chin and looked away from his older brother. "What did I say about you staying put?"
Mako let out a sigh. He had forgotten about their previous conversation up until this point. He mirrored Bolin's brooding stance. "I think I ended up in the place where I needed to be."
They stood in silence for a moment, until Bolin peeked over at his brother. The earthbender's expression quickly softened and he rushed to Mako, scooping him up in his big arms.
"Come here you big stubborn jerkface," Bolin said.
Mako sucked in air as his brother crushed him in a bear hug. The firebender squeaked out an "I love you too little bro."
Bolin put down his brother and relaxed. "I'm glad you're here, seems like things got a little complicated."
The firebender scratched behind his head. "Yeah, I kinda wish I did what you told me to do."
"What's the status of the girl?" Suyin asked as she joined the two brothers. Her three children trailed behind.
"She's out cold, but I don't know what damage I may have done… I hope this is worth it."
Suyin cast her gaze over to the unconscious Yasmine. "That's something I cannot guarantee. I think that is in the eye of the beholder for this mission."
"Where's Kuvira?" Opal asked.
"Stashed in the shade over there," Mako said, pointing to another rock pillar towards the back of the Earth Kingdom aircraft.
Suyin stepped away from the group to closer to inspect Kuvira. "They planned on you shipping her twelve plus hours on a dolly? We can't leave her like this, it's inhumane."
Wing spat on the ground away from the group and then crossed his arms. "Humanity isn't really a concern when you're just going to kill someone anyways."
"Mom, I don't think we should unlock Kuvira until the Avatar removes her bending," Wei said, resting a hand on his mother's shoulder.
Suyin straightened her shoulders and took in a deep breath. "Fine, we'll lay her down flat in the ship so her blood doesn't pool at her feet. Wei, you and your brother load her onto the ship and stay with her."
Opal knelt down and took a look at Yasmine. "She anyone important back in the Earth Kingdom?"
"Doesn't seem like it, but it doesn't matter, she didn't deserve this," Mako said, joining the airbender.
Opal picked up a limp arm and moved it slightly up and down. Then with a sigh she let it flop back down. "No, but we couldn't trust her. It was the right move."
"You know, you guys are gonna have to knock me out too," the firebender said.
Opal put a hand to her ear and cocked her head toward Mako. "Pardon?"
"The only person who works for the Earth Kingdom government can't be the sole crash victim. It's a little too convenient."
"Kuvira is 'dead'."
"You know what I mean," Mako pushed.
Opal frowned at the firebender. She watched him reach into his jacket and pull out Asami's glove.
"Take care of Bolin, okay."
"Whoa, whoa, you want me to do it?" the airbender asked in a frustrated tone.
Mako held out the glove. "Yes, and right now before it becomes this big thing."
"This is like 'in-law level' stuff you know," Opal said as she snatched the glove from Mako's grasp.
The firebender offered her a weak smile. "I'm sure we'll make it official someday."
Opal slipped on the glove and looked it over. "How does this thing even work?"
"Flip the switch on the top by your thumb, and then you just grasp whatever you want to shock."
The airbender fidgeted with the on switch. It clicked on and she could hear the faint buzzing of the electricity coursing through the glove. Opal hesitantly looked over to Mako. His face was blank, so she was unable to read what was going through her boyfriend's brother's mind.
"Now," Mako commanded.
Opal winced as she reached out the glove and smacked it on Mako's forehead. She clenched the glove around his skull and sparks flew around the point of contact. The firebender groaned and then slipped out of her grasp. His head collided with the sand and he was out cold. Opal let out a squeak as he fell. She looked down at the glove and quickly fumbled with the switch, turning it off. She then threw the glove into the sand and stood up, backing away from Mako.
Opal looked around her to see if anyone had noticed what had transpired, but they were all turned away.
"Damnit Mako," the airbender cursed as a shudder ran through her body. She then started to jog back over to her mother and boyfriend.
"So… I zapped Mako unconscious."
"What?" Suyin and Bolin shouted in unison.
"He didn't want this to be a 'thing', so I quickly did it."
Bolin threw his hands in the air, exasperated. "He didn't want it to be a thing?"
Opal took a step towards her boyfriend, puffing her chest at him. "Yes, like you're making it to be right now. Mako had a solid reason, that Earth Kingdom girl can't be the only one knocked out when help arrives. We've got to make this look legit. Now let's finish up here so we can be on our merry way!" When Opal was done explaining she pushed past Bolin and headed towards Tu and the crew.
"But…" the earthbender protested.
Suyin shrugged her shoulders and followed her daughter.
"This is crazy," Bolin muttered under his breath as he trailed behind the Beifong women.
"Okay, who's next in command?" Suyin asked the group of young men.
Tu stepped forward. "That'd be me, I guess."
"You need anything else from that ship?"
Tu shrugged. "Naw, I think we're good."
"Alright, then we need to blow this thing up and get out of here. Bolin, Opal, go grab the dynamite from our ship," the matriarch ordered.
The couple returned each carrying a crate of explosives. They headed towards the ship followed by Tu and his crew. Once the craft was loaded up, Bolin slowly unwound the long fuse.
Suyin inspected the area around them. "We better move Mako and the girl with us when we take cover behind my ship."
A few crewmembers headed over to where the pair was stashed and started dragging their limp forms away.
Bolin rushed over to Suyin with a distressed look on his face.
"What's wrong?"
"How we going to light this thing, our only firebender is unconscious!"
"Shit," Suyin cursed under her breath. She grabbed her chin and thought about her options. "Anyone got a pack of matches?"
Bolin turned to his cousin and his crew and repeated Suyin's question. Most of the young men shrugged, a few dug around in their pockets.
"I do," a tired old voice said.
Suyin and Bolin jumped, not noticing the small man near them until now.
Yan Yan held out a half-used book of matches to Bolin. "Just save me one, I'm going to need a smoke after needlessly blowing up this fine aircraft."
The earthbender accepted the matches. "Thanks..." For some reason he was not sure how to act towards the little man.
Bolin raced over to where he left the fuse. "Okay, everyone clear the area!"
Everyone turned to the Beifong ship and jogged towards it. Opal followed the group, but then stopped and turned around to watch her boyfriend.
Bolin sandwiched the match between the two book flaps and then quickly tore it out. The small stick ignited, a flame appeared and then quickly went out. His shoulders slumped as he examined the barely used matchstick. The earthbender tried again with the same result.
Opal caught on to what was happening and ran over to assist her boyfriend.
"Let me shield the wind for you," the airbender said, cupping her hands above Bolin's.
"Thanks honey," he said with a smirk. "Is… Mako going to be okay?"
"It's you I'm worried about. Those stumpy legs of yours aren't the fastest."
"Hey, my stumps get me around just fine, but seriously?"
"He should be, Mako's a big boy, he knows what he's doing." Opal smiled and leaned forward. Her lips brushed over Bolin's ever so softly.
"Light the fire," she whispered.
Bolin blushed and turned his attention back to the matches. The flame flashed to life and this time stayed lit thanks to Opal's hands. The pair moved together, guiding the flame to the fuse. When they made contact, sparks flew from the fuse, and started racing towards the ship.
Opal and Bolin sprung from their spot and headed in the opposite direction. The airbender reached behind her, grasping hold of her boyfriend's hand. Together they raced towards the other ship to hide with the group.
It was well into the afternoon when Korra completed her hundredth lap around the Air Temple courtyard. Jinora had been keeping count as she watched her friend restlessly circle the property.
They received the radio call confirming that Mako had successfully landed in the desert. Then the second call that Kuvira had been successfully transferred to Suyin and her group. Now they were waiting for Raiko, or someone, to call Korra to go to the 'crashed' ship's 'aid'.
Korra stopped her pacing, and looked to the sky. Jinora looked up as well and saw a small speck flying towards them. It grew larger and larger until she recognized it was her sister Ikki coming their way.
The Avatar's shoulders slumped. Ikki probably had news, but she was definitely not there to send them to action.
The young airbender touched down at the entrance of the courtyard. She readjusted the duffel over her shoulders, as it had slumped off when she landed.
"Korra!" Ikki hollered as she jogged over towards the other girls. "I'm glad I caught you."
"Wish I could say the same," Korra said with a huff.
Ikki's expression fell. The Avatar realized what she had implied and held up her hands defensively. "I'm sorry Ikki, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just getting a little sick of waiting around here."
Jinora joined the girls. "What's in the bag?"
Her younger sister held it out to Korra. "It's from Asami, to give to Kuvira."
Korra grabbed the duffel straps and slung the bag over her own shoulder.
"It's got some clothes for Kuvira, stuff that looks kinda Fire Nation-y," Ikki said proudly, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "She assumed you all probably forgot to bring something else for Kuvira to wear besides her prison uniform."
The Avatar chuckled to herself. "Asami and clothing..."
"She told me it's all about looking the part. 'Fake it till you make it'," Ikki said with a nod.
Jinora gestured to Korra to pass her the duffel. She opened it up and looked around the contents. There were a few shirts and pants, and a small makeup bag. "You think Kuvira knows how to apply makeup?" Jinora asked.
Korra smiled and put her hands on her hips. "Well she's going to have all the time in the world to learn."
"One more thing, this is for you to read later. Asami specifically said to at least wait until you're on the airship," Ikki said, passing a small envelope to the Avatar.
Korra's cheeks turned a little pink as she accepted the letter.
"Ooo, Korra got a love letter!" Jinora teased.
"She's gonna have to read it later, cos it's time to go."
The three girls jumped at the sound of Lin's voice.
Korra perked up and ran towards the police chief. "Finally, I was starting to worry."
"It took a little convincing, but we're set to go. I had to remind Raiko that you are not Republic City's little pet, but the Avatar."
"He tolerates me, then he banishes me and now I'm his pet," Korra grumbled.
"Well depending on how this all goes he might go back to banishing you for a while. Now grab you gear and let's go," Lin said with a huff.
"I'm coming too," Jinora said, stepping forward.
"What? Your father's not coming so…"
"She's starting her training to one day take over Tenzin's role," Korra said proudly.
Lin crossed her arms. "I don't think this is the kind of mission you want to start your 'practice' on, kids."
"We've already talked it through, Jinora's coming."
The police chief shrugged and turned away from the girls. "Alright, but if anything happens you're the one who's answering to Tenzin."
Jinora and Korra hurried into the temple to get their belongings, leaving Lin alone with Ikki.
"Do you know how to apply makeup?" Ikki asked curiously.
Lin groaned and walked away towards to the docks.
"Is that a no?" Ikki called out to the older woman as she walked away.
The propellers hummed as the Beifongs' airship coasted through the desert. They traveled back to the area where they were originally waiting, but this time landed amongst a cluster of rock spires. The group wanted to be close by, but hopefully out of the Earth Kingdom's sight.
Once the airship was secured, Bolin and the Beifongs situated themselves in the ship's main deck. There was bench seating around the perimeter of the large open room. The group split up, taking up the corners of the seating area.
"What do we do now?" Bolin asked the room with a shrug.
Suyin leaned back into her seat and crossed her arms. She was sitting in the corner diagonally opposite her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend. "Wait for Korra and Lin."
Bolin slumped in his seat. "More waiting..."
"So we're shipping her off to the Fire Nation after? Do we know anyone over there?" Opal asked.
"Kuvira will be on her own," the matriarch said as she dared glance at the woman she was talking about, but not to. Kuvira's eyes were fixed on the ceiling above her. The dictator's dolly had been rested against the bench in-between Suyin's corner and Opal and Bolin's. The seats were pretty low, so she was leaning back at a forty-five degree angle.
Bolin perked up in his seat, waving his hands about. "Ooo, ooo! She'll be a mysterious stranger, with a mysterious past. Kuvira, I can totally come up with your back-story. Let's see, what else did you do before taking over the Earth Kingdom?"
"She was a dancer with Mom," Opal offered.
"Okay, so you're athletic and… graceful. How about you were a traveling circus performer in the Earth Kingdom, but were captured and put into a reeducation camp by Kuvira?"
"Wouldn't it be better to not give anyone a reminder of her who she looks like?" Wei countered from his spot next to his twin.
"What if they ask her to do some tricks?" Wing added.
"Kuvira, do you know any tricks?" Bolin asked.
The dictator did not answer and continued to look above her.
"Okay something else, maybe playing more to her current and very quiet personality…"
"We could always shave her head and say she's a monk," Wei suggested.
"A fresh cut for a fresh start, that could be good." Bolin rubbed his chin as he considered the option.
Suyin looked to Kuvira again; she seemed to be straining to maintain her expressionless composure. "Kids, why don't you leave us alone for a bit."
Bolin and Opal got up from their seats and meandered towards the door to the hall of personnel quarters. The stocky earthbender continued to murmur ideas for Kuvira's possible new identity to his girlfriend as they left.
The matriarch eyed her twin sons, who had not moved. "That means you boys too."
Wing and Wei looked to each other and then back to their mother.
"You act like I can't hold my own anymore, please just a few minutes."
The boys finally accepted defeat and headed towards the door. Wing took one last look back and directed his gaze to Kuvira. "No funny business, or the Earth Kingdom will end up finding a body after all."
"Wing, go!" Suyin barked.
The door slammed shut and the two women were alone. Suyin got up from her spot and moved a few seats closer to her former protégé.
"Kuvira."
"I was wondering when you'd pull me aside for a little heart to heart. You pull off this stunt just for this opportunity? Since you went through all this trouble, please, speak your mind."
"How ungrateful, just like you've always been," Suyin said, crossing her legs.
"Sorry I'm a disappointment mother. Oh wait, you were never willing to officially take on that role. If you had done that, you couldn't have continued to use me like the other people in your life hovering just outside that special inner circle."
"It wasn't like that."
"It wasn't? Don't deny that there was no benefit to you by adopting me, so you didn't."
"I never promised I would."
Barely above a whisper, Kuvira said, "You knew that's what I'd hoped would happen…"
"I know."
Silence fell between the women. Suyin shifted in her seat, swapping which leg she had crossed.
"Honestly, I didn't want to bring you that close to my family. You had so much anger and frustration. I feared it could possibly get directed at my own children. I had a responsibility to keep them safe."
Kuvira turned her head to face away from Suyin as she listened to the older woman speak. The corners of her eyes began to burn with tears that wanted desperately to fall, but Kuvira would not allow herself to cry.
"I knew the military academy would give you the structure and discipline you desperately needed… I too was sent away as a youth and it turned my life around, but at the end of the day I still had a family. I shouldn't have discounted that element being necessary in your development as well. I should have adopted you, so you could have had that experience of belonging."
"Why are you saying this now, at the last possible moment? Did your guilty conscience get the better of you?" Kuvira asked, thrashing her head over to face Suyin.
"We are saving you because everyone deserves a second chance. The Earth Kingdom isn't willing to give you that chance, but we are."
"Where were you all at my trial? Oh wait, that was public, people would have seen you defending me."
"Korra and the others didn't go because it was already too late to save you that way!"
Kuvira's face fell at Suyin's words.
"Your trial was rigged; the Earth Kingdom didn't want you to ever have a chance. I made them stop seeing you so we could pull this ruse off and because… I wanted you to face your punishment, even it if it was temporary. You know you're getting a better deal than Jr."
The dictator looked away, knowing she had no rebuttal to Suyin's words.
Several hour into their flight, Korra found a quiet spot on their small aircraft and sat down in a corner. She then fished into her pocket and pulled out Asami's letter. The Avatar eagerly undid the envelope flap and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She was instantly struck with the overwhelming smell of Asami. Korra brought the letter to her nose and inhaled.
"She must have sprayed it with her perfume…" the Avatar thought to herself. She then unfolded the letter and began to read.
"My dear Avatar, I miss you already. I'm sure you noticed I spritzed this letter with my scent; I wanted you to have a little something to remind you of when we're together. I can't wait to sleep beside you again. It's so wonderful being held in your arms, and holding you in mine. Your hard muscles-"
"Hey Korra."
The Avatar jumped at her name, and quickly crumpled closed the letter.
"Jinora! What's up?" Korra asked, trying to sound casual. The young airbender took a seat beside her on the floor, pulling her knees to her chin.
"You reading Asami's letter?"
Korra's face reddened as she clutched the paper close to her chest. "Yeah…"
"That was nice of her to send you one," Jinora sighed.
"Kai's never written you a love letter?"
"No… he's not the most romantic."
The Avatar pulled her letter away from her chest, folded it up and stuck it in her pocket. "Is everything alright between you? I've hardly seen him around the Air Temple."
"He's been going out on a lot of missions with the other airbender guys his age. I asked him about it, he said he was just restless. Kai's never really stayed in one place for very long…"
"How do you feel?" Korra asked.
"I don't know… I like going on adventures, like right now with you, but Republic City, Air Temple Island, that's my home. And since I'm taking over my father's role one day, it's always going to be my home."
"Well taking over your father's job, and permanently settling down is still a ways away. You need to try and enjoy the flexibility you have right now. Maybe go with him on some of those trips?" the Avatar said, nudging her elbow into the younger girl's shoulder.
"Maybe…" Jinora said, scrunching her legs closer.
"Jinora, after this mission you're officially off of Avatar Air Master training for a few weeks. I'm going to visit my parents soon after we get back, during that time you need to go play!"
"Okay…"
Korra kicked out her legs in front of her. "C'mon, you're too young to be so old!"
Jinora cracked a smile. The Avatar flashed her signature lopsided grin. "See, you know I'm right."
Both girls' heads turned at the sound of footsteps. "Korra, you in here?" Lin called out.
"We're over here!" the Avatar called back.
The police chief walked over to the girls and waved for them to get up. "The crash is in sight, time to prepare for landing."
To be continued...