After reporting to Korra and Darth Vader that the attack had been thwarted, Kuvira's shuttle dropped her off a short distance from Zaofu, as the city still wasn't equipped to handle spacecraft. She walked into the city she'd grown up in, where many residents were noticeably wary of her. Unbelievable, Suyin had sided with her on this matter and there were still a bunch of people frowning at how she'd disproven the narrative they'd believed for so long. She ran into Wing while he was jogging on his new legs, and he smiled upon greeting her, leading his sister to their house.
"Kuvira, I wasn't expecting you here," Baatar Sr said to his adoptive daughter.
"Well, I felt like seeing you guys," Kuvira replied as she walked in. "Korra has decided to meet with the White Lotus in that reservation for the dragons and their worshippers."
"They're called the Sun Warriors," Su spoke up. "If you are to lead the Earth Nation, you have to know these things."
"Well, thanks for the reminder," Kuvira smiled slightly. "She won't be honoring their request to come alone, which is why I will be joining her, along with a few others."
"She thinks it's a trap?" asked Wei.
"She won't be caught off guard if it is, especially with what I just had to deal with," the younger woman replied. "I just had to handle an incursion in the east."
"Incursion?" asked a skeptical Huan.
"A royal cousin we all forgot about decided this was his chance for the crown," Kuvira revealed. "He'd assembled a small army of thugs and obsolete equipment he thought could take Ba Sing Se, and that if he handled me while Korra was elsewhere, that would make him king."
"That's extremely shortsighted," Wei noted as the Beifong family heard what Kuvira had just went through, surprised at how there were still holdouts for the old monarchy. "There's no way they could be ignorant of the Empire now."
"He kept it secret from his minions so they wouldn't get cold feet," the Metalbender dubbed the Great Uniter revealed. "He also underestimated me, if he thought I could be overcome."
"No doubt," Su said, getting the feeling that her eldest daughter was holding something back. "So, you think that he was backed by the White Lotus?"
"No, but he was bribing a member or two in Republic City to tell him when Korra had left for the Sun Warrior reservation," Kuvira answered. "They radioed in the second they thought Korra had left. Korra and Mako should be handling them, now, and I'll meet them shortly afterward. As for how it goes, that depends on what the White Lotus does in this meeting." Kuvira then asked how setting up Opal's wedding was going, and the family smiled as they talked about the arrangements they'd made. They knew Bolin loved her and were looking forward to Opal's marriage to him in the next two and a half weeks. Wing playfully asked when she and Baatar would wed.
"I'm guessing he'll propose shortly after returning from his offworld mission," Kuvira smiled, having figured out that Baatar was planning to do so. After finishing up the conversation, Su asked for Kuvira's help with the holocron she'd been given. Kuvira followed the older woman into the training room and questioned her about Su's progress with the teaching device.
"It's a new sensation, feeling this device call to you," she said.
"Well, if you can hear it's call, you can access it," Kuvira replied.
"Good to know, but there is something else I wanted to talk to you about," she said. "I'm getting the feeling that there was more to this attempted coup than you're saying."
"Sort of," Kuvira admitted. "The secret weapon of this loser, were the deadbeats who gave me away." Su was shocked, she thought Kuvira's parents were dead at that point, either from their own mistakes or by being caught up in the civil war.
"How were they helping him?" asked Su.
"They planned to show up in front of me, pretend to feel bad about abandoning me, and then lure me into a trap," the younger woman said. "They'd failed before they could even try, as I have a much better set of parents, now." Su walked up and hugged the younger woman, understanding that this was a painful subject for Kuvira and how, even if she was putting on a brave front, the young woman was still hurt by it.
"Remember, you are loved here," Suyin said to her daughter.
"I know," Kuvira replied, hugging her mother back. After giving Su some more tips regarding the holocron, they did some Metalbending practice together. Realizing that her shuttle would be there in an hour, Kuvira took a shower, thanked her family for their time and left to make her ride. Wing, having overheard what Kuvira had said, talked to her right before leaving.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that betrayal all over again," he began.
"Thankfully, I didn't have to," she said. "Their scheme was over before it even began."
"So, those two are in jail, now?" he asked.
"No, I had to kill them," Kuvira revealed, shocking him. "I had to kill most of the people in that guy's army."
"Well, at least they won't hurt anyone else again," Wing said after a moment, before trying to lighten the mood. "I'll have to be on the lookout for any relatives seeking to trick me."
"Great," Kuvira replied. As her shuttle came into view, she hugged her brother before leaping into the air, inside the shuttle's open door, at which point it flew off for the rendezvous.
Katara landed her Sky Bison in the middle of the Sun Warrior reservation, a short distance from the White Lotus's monastery. It was traditionally a place of meditation and contemplation, but now, it was serving as the scholarly fraternity's headquarters, ever since the volcanic eruption at the Boiling Rock had destroyed their original. Many leading members had gone to this place, including the Grand Lotus himself, Saigo. As they tried to rebuild from their losses, many were concerned at Korra's new alliance with a terrifying alien warlord.
"Master Katara," Saigo greeted her as he walked out with the Sun Warrior shaman. "It is an honor to have you here but we were expecting Korra to be with you."
"She'll be coming here soon, herself," the elderly Waterbending master said. "I convinced her to let me come ahead."
"Why?" asked one of the White Lotus leaders in a rather demanding tone. Katara had never met him, but she thought she'd heard his voice.
"She's denying your request to come alone," Katara revealed.
"It's not a request," the same man said. "We told her to come alone, so she comes alone." At that moment, Katara realized where she'd heard his voice. He'd been on one of the recordings the Empire had taken while monitoring the WLO. He'd said that Korra should have killed herself and continued the reincarnation cycle upon being stranded on another world.
"Well, High Lotus, she considers it a request and has denied it," Katara said in a tone more hostile than she normally was. "Korra doesn't trust people who tell her to come alone somewhere."
"We have extended our offer of hospitality," the Sun Warrior leader spoke up. "The Sun Warriors and the Great Dragons are hosting this meeting. We'd never betray such an oath."
"I know, and I believe you," Katara said. "But Korra doesn't know you. What she knows is that there have been a significant number of crimes where someone, host or guest, abused hospitality. Many in her generation, including her husband, consider hospitality to be dead. You won't convince her otherwise overnight."
"So, she hasn't considered that we want to speak to her without alien interlopers hearing what we have to say?" the same High Lotus asked.
"What's your name?" Katara asked.
"Hoi," he answered after Saigo gave him a look commanding him to answer.
"Well, Hoi, the Empire already knows what you are saying," Katara replied. "They recorded you saying that Korra should have killed herself while stranded on another planet, while one of your friends said it was a shame she hadn't been left injured here, so you could kill a cripple and gain a proper Avatar as a result."
"I never said that," he said unconvincingly, while everyone was shocked to hear how the Empire was surveilling them.
"Well, all the same, Korra refuses to meet you here without a party of her choice," the elder Waterbender said. "Either all of them are welcome, or she isn't."
"I'm a little surprised you are so willing to side with the Obsidian Knight," Saigo spoke up.
"I'm siding with Korra," Katara replied. "Also, having seen some of the wider galaxy for myself, I have no desire to start fights with it. Aang wouldn't want vengeance, he'd want his family safe. Fighting Darth Vader is the opposite of safe. In addition, you wouldn't be fighting Darth Vader alone, but the dominant power in the known universe. There is another thing."
"What?" asked Saigo.
"An unidentified force has been spotted building up off the coast of the Earth Nation," Katara revealed. "Both Korra and Kuvira suspect the main thing they are waiting to start their invasion, is her coming here so she's as far away from helping Kuvira as possible. Kuvira and the Imperials are waiting, however, and will annihilate the force when it makes landfall."
"I don't know what you are talking about," Saigo answered, surprised by what he heard. "No one in the White Lotus would ever be involved in such a naked power grab. Kuvira might disregard the laws of succession, but we don't." Katara knew he wasn't lying and thanked him for his time. She got back on her bison and began flying back to Republic City. She didn't know if Korra had left yet, but hopefully, she'd be in a mood to negotiate with the honored society of scholars.
Darth Vader was meeting with Director Krennic and Grand Moff Tarkin via hologram. Krennic had volunteered to accompany Vader and his apostles to the Sun Warrior enclave. After careful mission selection, they decided that Sergeant Wren, Specialist Partagaz, and Corporals Bridger and Mar would be joining them. In addition, the Elemental Fist would be training relatively close by. Such a force would be more than enough to handle any treachery on the part of the White Lotus, Sun Warriors, or the mainstream Fire Nation.
"I question why you are taking the primitive balloon ride that the locals use to reach this reservation of savages," Tarkin said. "Landing a shuttle in the middle of their domain will show dominance."
"Korra has strongly advised to use the local transport, and as this is her world, we will follow her lead," Krennic retorted to his rival.
"We shall respect the local customs, to a point," Vader stated. "What is the progress on the Death Star?"
"The Hyperdrive is nearly installed, my lord," Krennic revealed. "Soon, it will be ready for the journey here. In addition, the ground base for supporting the construction will soon be finished, at the city of Omashu."
"I think that construction would have proceeded better at Scarif, but the sight of this high above in the sky for all to see will remind all Elementals that the Galactic Empire is the dominant power in the universe," Tarkin added. "I look forward to seeing the look on the locals faces when they see our construction block out the sun. Still, this leaves the question of Geonosis."
"The Geonosians are a blight we have been forced to contain," Vader stated, remembering how they tried to feed him and Padme to starved beasts. "We will no longer have to do so, when we destroy them, just as we have with every hive they constructed off world."
"We are in agreement," Krennic affirmed, with Tarkin nodding as well. "Shall we position the fleet for a Base Delta Zero strike?"
"Lord Vader, I didn't have the privilege of watching you send Hosk crashing into Kalarba," Tarkin spoke up. Kalarba was the last great Separatist stronghold left after the formation of the Empire. It was defended by a massive fleet, and everyone expected that the Empire would take massive casualties trying to take it. But Darth Vader had spotted it's one weakness. Long ago, it's moon, Hosk, had been devastated by a hyperspace collision. In order to repair it, a massive space station was built around the shattered core of the ruined moon. Vader had executed a precise hyperspace jump past the armada above the planet and flown across the surface of Hosk Station. After disabling its shields, he flew inside the station itself and blasted several important components within. As Vader escaped, it went crashing down into Kalarba below like a comet. The impact not only ruptured the mantle of the world, but it also destabilized the reactor of the station itself. The resulting explosion destroyed the planet and the majority of the fleet above. The remainder, having missed their deadline for surrender, were destroyed by the Imperial warships which had hung back while the Sith Lord won the battle. Most remaining Separatist holdouts surrendered shortly afterward, and Vader was highly decorated in public for his role in the victory.
"Nor of T'Surr being crushed under its own moon," Tarkin continued. "I ask you, as a friend, to do the same with Geonosis. With Korra and Mako assisting you, of course. I understand you cannot do it alone."
"They understand that hard things are necessary for the greater good," Vader replied. "I will help them through any hesitation they might have. Geonosis will be destroyed in a month." After the meeting ended, Vader contacted Dr. Aphra.
"Well, boss, I think I've found the perfect opportunity," the archeologist revealed. "Princess Leia will be at this fundraiser on Naboo in five weeks. Retrieving your daughter will be easy."
"Excellent," Vader replied. "Moff Panaka is an old friend who will do what is necessary to help her. Even if she doesn't realize we are helping her, initially." After dismissing his fixer, Vader went to his starfighter and took off. He'd be landing at the same spot as his apostles, but while he wouldn't look for a fight, he'd show the Fire Nation that they would have to bow to him if they made trouble.
After Korra and Mako tucked their children in, they gave KayBee instructions on protecting the ship and the kids, hugged Asami while saying goodbye, and left the Sato mansion. Before they joined their party, however, they had to deal with something. Major Partagaz had managed to find the source of the broadcast to the attempted coup. It was located close to the local White Lotus lodging, within a building abandoned in the wake of the Hutt's attack on the city. Korra sensed around twenty people within. Deciding to let his wife go in first, Mako stayed back to handle anyone who fled from her when she went in.
Korra climbed up the side of the building rapidly, finding a window to cut through with her lightsaber. Spotting the group huddled around the transmitter, the Avatar saw a familiar face in the center. He was wearing different clothes, now, but he was one of the White Lotus sentries at Air Temple Island.
"We'll get our money when Kwong takes the crown," one of the thugs said to the sentry. "We'll need you to help keep tabs on the Avatar and her friends, until then."
"Well, my price has just tripled," the sentry said as Korra maneuvered into position.
"Don't get greedy, twice is sufficient," the leader of the goons said. Before they could continue, Korra hurled herself at the floor, smashing into it with a powerful Earthbending wave, knocking her adversaries off their feet. Quickly Waterbending, she sent half a dozen icicles slicing through as many thugs. Unleashing her twin lightsabers, she beheaded the sentry before he could recover and split the leader of the thugs in half down the middle. Mako quickly moved in, slashing one across the chest with his own saber. Korra then drenched the rest of the thugs with water, and Mako blasted them with a lightning bolt, killing them all.
"Great technique," Korra complimented her husband, before checking the time. "And it's right on schedule, we should make the shuttle." Getting on his motorcycle, Mako revved up the engine while Korra wrapped her arms around him tenderly. As they got to the hill where they'd RV with the shuttle, Korra looked forward to when they could use speeder bikes in Republic City. The shuttle came overhead, and briefly opened its hatch, allowing the Avatar and her husband to leap into it from the ground. They smiled as they saw Kuvira already inside, and Orson Krennic with his Death Trooper squad.
"Good to see you, Director," Mako said to his first Firebending student.
"Likewise, sensei," Krennic replied. "Wren and Bridger will RV with us on the way, and Lord Vader will join us in the Fire Nation proper, before getting on the balloon to the Sun Warrior reservation."
"Here's to putting the White Lotus in their place," Korra smiled, before opening the box she'd brought with her while Mako did the same. Each contained their Imperial armor, which the two would be donning before they met the White Lotus and Sun Warriors. Time would tell if they'd need it or not.
I'm back. I thought I would showcase Kuvira bonding with the family she actually loves. Of course, Wing will soon meet a distant relative he's not sure can be trusted. High Lotus is the title I've given to the leader of a specific lodge as opposed to the leader of the overall White Lotus Order.
The idea of Darth Vader destroying Kalarba to defeat the last major Separatists has been in my mind for a while. What Tarkin actually wants is for Korra and Mako to prove their loyalty by wiping out the Geonosians. Vader has found a way to reclaim his daughter and will be acting on it. Vader enjoys lording his power and that is why he is going to the Fire Nation.
Korra and Mako will be wearing armor similar to Inferno Squad but with Water Tribe and Fire Nation symbols as well as Imperial ones. Of course, some of their party will be rather interested in proving their skill over the locals.