Earth
Fire
Air
Water
Only the Avatar can master all four elements and bring balance to the world
THIS JUST IN:
Tensions between the Northern and Southern Water Tribes have reached a breaking point. After Chief Unalaq's troops infiltrated the South, Varrick incited an uprising, but Korra stopped the rebels from abducting her Uncle. Enraged by the insurrection, Unalaq arrested the rebels and Korra's parents, accusing them of conspiring to assassinate him. Will Korra be able to save her parents and prevent civil war?
Korra scrambled to her feet after her parents, catching them just in time to watch Unalaq's soldiers load them into a prison truck that was parked right outside Korra's door. The pitch-black night was illuminated only by the prison truck's interior lights, and Korra's eyes met her parents' with worried gazes every few seconds.
"You're making a mistake," Korra said as she tried to push past the soldiers standing guard over the truck.
Unalaq sighed, "I wish it hadn't come to this, but your parents held a meeting with the rebels right here in their home."
"I can't believe you're doing this to your own family." Korra shoved the soldiers one last time and backed up, shaking her head at Unalaq.
"Rest assured, I've appointed Judge Hotah to oversee the trial tomorrow. He is the most fair and honorable man I know," Unalaq said, stalking over to the passenger side of the prison truck. The soldiers before Korra followed him before hopping beside her parents in the truck and closing the doors behind them.
"Uncle, my parents had nothing to do with the men who attacked you," Korra reasoned. Her breathing became uneven as the truck fired up and her parents were closed off from her field of vision.
Unalaq looked back at her briefly and then got into the truck. "I'm sure you're right so we have nothing to worry about." The truck drove away and left Korra stranded as a small flurry of snow coated the ground. For the first few minutes, Korra repeatedly wiped the icy snow off of her eyes, but once the truck pulled out of view she stopped and let the snow coat her eyelashes.
After a while, she figured there was no use in dying of cold, so she ran inside to grab her coat and head off to the place her instincts told her to go in the face of scary events: Lemaya's. But, as she began to slide the coats' warm fabric over her thick arms, Korra remembered how dark it was outside. She let her arms fall and let the coat slip to the ground, and she stood in the middle of her home silently before slowly closing the front door. Dragging herself to her room, Korra quietly got into bed and just sat there. Despite how much she wanted to see her, Korra didn't want to bother Lemaya in the middle of the night. So, she decided to sleep and wait until morning.
The next morning, though, Korra's eyes were bloodshot as she planted herself on Lemaya's doorstep. Yue opened the door for her and immediately pulled Korra into a hug once she caught sight of her disheveled form. Feeling that it was best not to pry, Yue did the next best thing she could think of and practically forced breakfast into Korra before letting her trail up the stairs to Lemaya's room. Korra said her thanks as she left, continuing to munch on her last bit of egg as she lifted her hand to open the door to Lemaya's room.
Now, it should be noted that this was normal, and they usually entered each other's rooms without knocking because it's just a thing with them. However, that day, it was a thing that led to another thing that Korra wasn't expecting because it never happened. Well not until today.
See, when Korra first stepped into the room, she didn't really notice Lemaya moving around beside her bed, so she turned her back to her and shut the door like a good friend. But that wasn't the best course of action because, as Korra readily found out when she whirled around, it caused her to be very stunned when she caught sight of Lemaya raising her brows at her with her arm held over her unclothed chest. Surprise! Korra walked in on Lemaya changing.
Korra's breath hitched immediately, and after struggling for a couple of moments to say anything, her face flushed insanely red, and she turned back around to face the door. "I'msosorry," she said, rushing her words together. Lemaya laughed heartily, especially as Korra hit her head rhythmically against the door frame.
"Are you embarrassed?" Lemaya teased with a grin as she grabbed a long wrap from her dresser and walked over to Korra.
Hearing Lemaya's voice get louder behind her, Korra rolled her eyes and said, "Absolutely not."
"Then turn around and look at me. I bet you can't." Not enjoying the smugness in Lemaya's voice, Korra pushed herself off of the door and slowly inched around to look at Lemaya. Surprisingly (and by surprisingly I mean surprising to Korra and maybe Lemaya, not anyone else), Korra's eyes flickered for a moment downward, wondering if Lemaya's hand was still held over herself. Once she realized what she was doing, her eyes quickly shot up and she gave Lemaya a sheepish grin.
"See? I did it," Korra said quietly, trying to dramatize her held eye contact with Lemaya.
Lemaya smiled and bit her lip. "You had a little trouble there at the beginning, though."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Korra said as she looked off to the side of Lemaya's room. She held back her laughter at Lemaya's lopsided grin that she could see from the corner of her eye, but she couldn't stop herself from doubling over beside Lemaya. A few seconds later, Korra managed to quiet her laughter after moving from between Lemaya and the door, now setting herself on the edge of Lemaya's bed. Her mood dropped as she sighed, remembering why she came over to Lemaya's in the first place.
Noticing her change in demeanor, Lemaya grabbed, with her free hand, her shirt on the other side of the bed and walked in front of Korra. Turning her back to Korra, Lemaya said, "You talk, I'll listen." She leaned back a bit to lay her shirt on the bed next to Korra as Korra furrowed her brows.
"Talk about what?" Korra asked, watching Lemaya's arms as she folded something in her hands in front of her.
"Korra, I know you. You have something on your mind." Lemaya held her other hand out to Korra, her long wrap in her hand as she waved it at her. "So, it's more like you help me wrap and talk, and I'll patiently listen to you. Okay?"
Korra smiled and gently took the wrap from Lemaya's hand, circling her arms around Lemaya and waiting for her to place it where she wanted it. "Well, last night I stopped some Southerners who opposed the Northern troops being here from abducting Chief Unalaq."
"What? Why would they abduct him?" Lemaya asked, holding the wrap in place over her chest as Korra circled the long side pieces around her.
"Because they're rebels who were inspired by Varrick to stand up to Unalaq," Korra explained.
"When did this happen?" After the wraps held their own against her skin, Lemaya placed her hands on her hips which, despite the fact that it made it harder for Korra to reach around her body, made Korra chuckle.
"I don't think I told you, but there was a meeting about it with my parents and Varrick."
"Why am I never invited to these things?" Korra pinched the sides of Lemaya's arms, and Lemaya lifted her arms above her head, letting Korra tighten the wraps and secure them before grabbing Lemaya's waist tightly and shaking it.
"Because I was avoiding you because I didn't want to talk." Lemaya yelped at the sudden coldness on her waist as Korra pressed her hands there, her face warming significantly as she slapped Korra's hands away and rubbed over where Korra's touch was.
"And I'm assuming now you want to? As well as scaring the spirits out of me?" Lemaya shook her head as she grabbed her shirt off the bed and slipped it on, "But seriously, what happened?"
Korra laid her head on Lemaya's shoulder and messed with her fingers while she thought over everything that had happened. "My uncle arrested my parents for supposedly conspiring to assassinate him even though they had nothing to do with it."
"Huh?" Lemaya swerved around to face Korra, grabbing her hands and looking wildly into Korra's eyes. "Are you serious?"
"Completely. I-I just always get to a place with my Uncle where I don't understand his actions and it makes me doubt the other things he's done. And most of all I just don't know what to do about my parents. They're going to be on trial and I-" Lemaya scooped Korra into a hug and rubbed her back soothingly, closing her eyes as Korra squeezed back.
"First off, I'm so sorry. Second, I don't think there is much you can do other than be there for them," Lemaya said as she pulled away. Korra nodded softly, letting out a shaky breath as Lemaya continued, "Third, maybe you should doubt some of the other things Unalaq has done. I mean the North never wanted unification before, so why now? And how he's trying to undermine his brother and accuse him of attempted assassination? It just seems fishy to me."
Korra recoiled, sliding herself back from Lemaya. "Wait, you actually think my Uncle has some ulterior motive? All he wants is to help our tribe and me."
"That may be true Korra, but that doesn't mean that those wants don't also get him something else that he's wishing for. You could just try to be on the safe side and be wary" Lemaya tried to reach out to Korra again but failed as Korra pulled away more. She watched Korra with soft eyes as Korra's eyes welled with tears.
"Are you saying you think I'm not smart enough to see when someone's using me?" Korra whispered, her voice bitter as her cheeks grew wet.
Lemaya shook her head hastily, grabbing Korra's arm with a desperate grip. "No! Not in the slightest, Korra. You are brilliant, it's just that sometimes things aren't as obvious to one person as they are to others. It happens all the time!" Korra's lips began to quiver, and Lemaya scooted closer to her, racking her brain for something to get Korra to see her point of view. "Like...I don't know, when my...Mom didn't realize that my father was using her to get to my Uncle! She wasn't able to see it coming, but she's still like one of the smartest people I know!" Korra deflated slowly and let out a breathy laugh as she remembered the story that Yue always told her when she asked about Lemaya's father. She wiped her cheeks and sniffled, looking up at Lemaya with bleary eyes.
"You're right, Lem, I'm sorry for getting defensive like that. Everything just has me on edge, and I shouldn't take it out on you, but I'm having trouble coming to terms with not everyone seeing eye to eye with me."
Lemaya smiled and rubbed Korra's arms, saying, "I see that you're trying, and I'm proud of you, so don't be too hard on yourself. And I'll always support your choices, just...be careful and stay on your toes around Unalaq, please. Do it for me?" Korra stared wistfully at Lemaya, then pushed a strand of her un-braided hair behind her ear and held her hand there.
"I know you'll always support me, and I'm thankful for your input, really, even if it may not seem like it. It really helps even if it's by disagreeing with me. I respect your opinion, Lemaya, so I'll be careful. Just for you." Korra held Lemaya's gaze intently, their eyes meeting in a comfortable silence making Lemaya's cheeks warm and her head turn away. She couldn't meet Korra's eyes any longer or she felt like she might explode.
"Thank you. And it's nothing, Kor. You'll be able to count on my disagreement forever." Korra snorted at this, then dropped her hand from Lemaya's ear to her chin to pull Lemaya's face back toward hers, wanting to see her face again. At that point, Lemaya was overheating from how warm her face was, and Korra was beaming despite the prickling heat on her own face. She's so cute when she's nervous, Korra thought. Yeah, Korra, totally normal thoughts for a friend.
"Forever forever?" Korra asked.
Lemaya meekly nodded and squeaked out, "Forever forever." Korra laughed and threw her arms around Lemaya, hugging her as Lemaya sighed and hugged her back.
After calming herself down from an intense moment for her, Lemaya pulled away as Korra said, "Since you're looking out for me, do you mind doing it at the trial that we need to head out now to get to in time?" Korra wriggled her nose, and Lemaya hummed and pulled her chin away from Korra's fingers.
"Sure, I could do that. But only if I get three things in return," Lemaya said as she stood up. She crossed her room to her closet and rummaged around for her coat while Korra smiled.
"And those are?" Korra asked, turning around to face Lemaya as she came back over to the bed.
"You paying for dinner sometime and...letting me take Naga to the trial." Lemaya put her hands back on her hips and grinned as Korra gaped at her.
"You mean with me just riding as a passenger?" Korra pointed at herself, Lemaya laughing as she pulled Korra to her feet with the outstretched hand.
"I'm surprised that that's what you're focusing on and not the fact that you don't have the money to pay for dinner." Lemaya nudged Korra's side as they walked out of the room.
"I can figure that out, what I can't do, however, is bring myself to trust you with my baby," Korra said as they bounded down the stairs, "and you never even said your third thing."
"Oh, I forgot. Haha. The third thing is you have to listen to me about one last thing." Lemaya opened the front door for Korra, letting her out of the house.
"Listen about what?" Korra turned around but paused as Lemaya held up a single finger to her.
"One second," Lemaya said, "Let me just tell my Mom where we're going." Lemaya stepped back into the house for a couple of minutes then joined Korra outside, skipping up to Naga as she continued with what she was saying. "Anyway, I would like you to listen to my very kind and very straightforward duty to my new friend Asami. I told her I wouldn't force you to do anything so I won't, I'll encourage, but..." Lemaya's voice trailed off in Korra's mind as she followed her to Naga. She didn't know why exactly she was feeling so miffed all of a sudden hearing about Lemaya's new relationships, but she did know that she was caught off guard as Lemaya grabbed both sides of Korra's face and squeezed Korra's cheeks to make her pout.
"Are you even listening to me?" Lemaya asked. Because she couldn't respond in words, Korra nodded. "Hmm, that's a lie. I bet you don't even know what I said." Lemaya let go of Korra's face a bit, giving her room to speak, and I guess breathe.
Korra took in a deep breath, sucking in her bottom lip as she nervously said, "Uh, something encouraging?" Lemaya rolled her eyes and held her hands firmly on Korra's cheeks, making Korra's breath hitch in the back of her throat.
"I was encouraging you to apologize to Asami for-"
"What for?" Korra interrupted, trying to shake away Lemaya's hands.
"For going after Mako even though you knew they were together. It was wrong." Lemaya held Korra's face steady as Korra blinked, surprise etching itself in place of her annoyance.
"Wha-how do you know about that?"
"Asami told me because we're becoming close friends, but it doesn't matter how I know, what matters is that you did it. And you're gonna do the right thing, right?" Lemaya looked Korra deeply in her eyes as Korra nodded her head solemnly.
"Yes, you're right. I was wrong, and I'll do it, I promise," Korra relented as she smiled. Satisfied, Lemaya let go of Korra's face and clapped her hands together.
"Great! Now, you're going to fulfill your end of the deal and let me steer Naga." Lemaya spun around and hoisted herself onto Naga as Korra sighed behind her, Korra's hands moving to Lemaya's waist to help push her onto Naga's back. "I could have gotten up here by myself," Lemaya said once she sturdied herself.
"I know," Korra said as she sat right behind Lemaya, "But I didn't want to let you do it by yourself. And make sure you don't hurt Naga." Korra snaked her left arm around Lemaya's waist and held her tightly, leaning over with her other hand to softly pet Naga.
"I would never! She's my baby too," Lemaya gushed as she bent over to kiss Naga.
"Alright then. You can head off," Korra said worriedly, securing herself behind Lemaya and leaning her chin on her shoulder so she could monitor everything Lemaya would do, "Take your time. Please." Lemaya didn't respond but laughed and hiked Naga's reins, shooting off through the snow as Korra clung to Lemaya for dear life.
---------------
"Where's Varrick? We should've closed our deal an hour ago." Asami paced back and forth across the spacious living room of Varrick's mansion in the Southern Water Tribe, her heel clicks echoing against the walls.
Lounging on the couch, Bolin picked at his fingers and said, "Would you relax? Your deal is gonna make it, and this place is great. And the best part about it?" Bolin closed his eyes in pure delight as he calmly pet Pabu. "Eska and Desna don't know I'm here."
Just in time to ruin Bolin's delightful lounging, Eska and Desna bounded into the room, Northern Water Tribe soldiers tied at their heels. Bolin jumped up and rushed to the twins. "Hey! I wasn't hiding at all. Heh."
"We're not on the hunt for you. Currently," Eska said, narrowing her eyes at Bolin as he teetered by the couch.
"We search for Varrick. Our father wishes him to stand trial," Desna said as he motioned for the soldiers behind them to search the room.
Asami's pacing came to a halt before the twins. "What did he do?" she asked.
"He is a traitor to the Water Tribe along with our Aunt and Uncle," Eska answered as she looked around the room at Varrick's various knick-knacks.
"Korra's parents were arrested?" Mako stepped toward the twins, his arms crossed and his eyes laced with concern.
"Yes. Your powers of deduction are impressive," Desna said, eyeing Mako from across the room.
"Yeah, he's a cop," Bolin added, throwing a thumb to Mako over his shoulder.
"Don't say that, Bolin," Mako said before backing out of the way of the soldiers as they approached the twins.
Bolin furrowed his brows at his brother as one of the guardsmen said, "Varrick's not here."
"Very well. Desna, let us continue our search elsewhere." Eska stopped to turn to Bolin and say, "Boyfriend! Bow to us when we exit."
Bolin dropped to his knees and pressed himself as close as he could to the ground. "Yes, yes my sweet koala otters."
"You are so cute when you grovel," Desna said before falling in line with his sister and stalking out of the living room with the soldiers in tow.
Once the twins disappeared, Asami bent down to Bolin and grabbed his shoulder, lifting him off of the ground with a gentle hand. "Bolin, that's not okay. You can't let them treat you that way."
"I tried to break up with them, but Mako gave me terrible advice. Thank you, Mako," Bolin sighed, allowing Asami to help him to his feet. He crossed his arms as he turned to his brother, Mako's hands flying up in defense.
"What? How are your relationship problems my fault? I admit my advice may not have been the most descriptive but-"
Asami rolled her eyes and interrupted him. "Your first mistake was asking Mako for any sort of advice regarding relationships."
"Hey!" Mako protested. Asami shot him a pointed look and he pursed his lips. "Alright, fair."
"Anyway," Asami continued, "Bolin, you need to be honest with them. Tell them how you really feel. And I'll be there if you need any help doing so." Asami placed a hand on the side of Bolin's arm, squeezing it sincerely as Bolin offered her a small smile.
"Thanka, Asami. I appreciate-"
A muffled voice echoed throughout the room. "Honesty is for fools, kid, don't listen to her." The three of them jolted, Bolin most noticeably as he tripped backward into Asami, making them both fall and be caught by Mako rushing toward them.
"Varrick?" Bolin called out, hoping it was him and not some crazy person living in his walls.
"Bolin, if you want to ditch these other kids, then make yourself scarce. Disappear, like I did." Mako grunted as he struggled to push Asami and by proxy Bolin to their feet, letting out a couple of deep breaths once the brunt of the work was left to Asami to push Bolin off of her. Bolin was propelled farther into the room than Asami intended with her push, so he kept going and cautiously looked around the room.
"Where are you?" Asami asked as she wiped her hands on her wool coat, wrinkling her nose at the sweat on her hands that came from Bolin's interaction with the twins. Spirits, that is so gross, Asami thought as she shook her head.
"Somewhere Unalaq will never find me," Varrick murmured before springing up into the mouth of a stuffed platypus-bear sculpture in the corner of the room. Bolin, being the closest to the animal carcass, shot up and nearly screamed until he clasped his hands over his mouth. "I am inside Ping-Ping! How are we doin'?"
"Not good," Bolin meekly said after uncovering his mouth.
Varrick ignored him, so Mako spoke. "The coast is clear. You can come out now."
"No way, mister. Not until I know it's absolutely one hundred and fifty-seven percent safe." Varrick quieted himself as a hand reached up from the stomach of the platypus-bear with a teacup delicately held in its slim fingers. "Ah, thank you, Zhu Li," Varrick grinned, taking a sip from the cup as Asami raised her brows.
"Zhu Li's in there too?" Asami asked.
"Zhu Li never leaves my side." Varrick paused to take another sip then said, " Excellent tea Zhu Li! Love the dash of honey."
"There's no honey in it, Varrick," Zhu Li said, her voice coming out muffled from her hiding space in the platypus-bear's stomach. Varrick ignored her add-on and continued drinking the tea, Mako's eyes rolling as he started backing up to the door.
"This seems like something you two can handle, I'm going to go check on Korra and see how she's doing with her parents and all," Mako said over his shoulder as he stepped into the main hallway of Varrick's house.
"Tell her we hope she's okay," Asami called after him as he left. Once Asami turned her head back to Bolin and Varrick, her eyes widened as Varrick lifted the statue's tail and let stacks of paper yuans fall out of the statue.
"Bolin, this is for you," Varrick said.
"Wow!" Bolin giggled, rushing to grasp all the money in his hands, "I don't think I've ever seen this much money like ever!"
"It's not really for you, Bolin. I need you to make sure my trusty rebels stay out of prison since Unalaq's rigged this trial, and there's no doubt about that."
"So what am I supposed to do with the money?" Bolin asked while holding up the wads of yuans.
"Bribery, of course! There's always someone willing to look the other way for a few yuans," Varrick cheered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I think I catch your drift, Varrick-bear," Bolin said, nodding his head with narrowed eyes.
Asami's jaw slacked, and she ferociously shook her head and swatted the money out of Bolin's hands. "Uh, no. We are not bribing anyone. That's illegal!"
Varrick rolled his eyes. "I just said it is already rigged."
"And? Bribe someone yourself if you're so worried. We're not doing anything illegal for you!" Asami turned sharply out of her heel and stormed out of the living room, her echoing steps stopping harshly to yell, "Come on, Bolin!" Bolin pursed his lips and quickly followed Asami, but not before catching Varrick's eyes as it dropped to the money on the ground. He stuffed as much of the cash into his puffy winter vest as he could without looking suspicious, earning both a gracious grin from Varrick as he slumped back into the platypus-bear's stomach and another call from Asami until he caught up with her outside of the mansion.
---------------
Continuing his search through the woods, Tenzin held out the lantern further in front of him. "Ikki! Ikki, where are you?" He sighed as he walked forward, flinging his behind him as two ring-tailed lemurs jumped onto Tenzin's back. "Shoo! Go bother someone else."
"Okay, everybody here?" Tenzin straightened his back so fast that the lemurs slipped off of him, thudding onto the ground as Tenzin grinned.
"Ikki! Oh, thank goodness," Tenzin whispered as he rushed forward through some thick trees and ended up on the inside of a ring of trees, facing a deep cave where Ikki sat around a large, rough, flat rock with four sky bison calves sitting around the rock with her.
"Juniper Lightning Bug, paws off the table! This is going to be a civilized breakfast." Ikki narrowed her eyes at the sky bison baby but smiled brightly as Juniper Lightning Bug rolled her paws off of the rock. "Good. Now, Daddy always says a blessing before we eat so be quiet and listen up! We are thankful for this super yummy food and for being the best-est new friends in the world. But we are most thankful because Meelo and Jinora aren't here. They stink.
Tenzin had smiled before at how lovely Ikki was being, but he frowned as he heard how she talked about her siblings. "Ikki?" Tenzin stepped into the cave and Ikki's head swiveled toward him, a pout sitting on her face as he walked toward her.
"Oh, hi, daddy. I guess you found me. Do I have to go now?" Ikki's eyes were soft and brimming with tears, and Tenzin sighed softly, stepping next to Ikki and reaching his hand down to tenderly stroke her hair.
"Actually, is there room for one more?" Tenzin asked, leaning down to press a kiss to the top of her head.
"Uh, sure. You can sit next to Blueberry Spicehead." Ikki pointed across the table to the sky bison calf next to Juniper Lightning Bug. Tenzin smiled and plopped himself next to the sky bison, shaking its little paw.
"Nice to meet you, Blueberry Spicehead," he greeted.
Ikki pointed to another calf across from Tenzin. "And that's Princess Rainbow, that's Twinkle Starchild to her left, and the one who had the paws on the table is Juniper Lightning Bug. They're my new brothers and sisters."
"New ones, huh?" Tenzin asked, "Can they be my new friends, too?"
"Only if they say it's okay." Ikki leaned over to the calf to her left. She placed her ear near its mouth for a few seconds and listened to its quiet breaths. "Uh-huh, uh-huh. No, no, he's nice." She pulled back and giggled, "They say it's okay." Ikki reached over the rock and pretended to lay out tea dishes for her Dad to enjoy at the party. "Now, it's time to commence!"
---------------
Standing in a line with the other charged rebels next to the steep judge's podium in the Southern Water Tribe's courtroom, Korra's parents tried their hardest to not look over at their daughter and make her worry more than they knew she was. Korra stood off to the side, her arms dangling loosely at her sides as Lemaya stood behind her and comfortingly rubbed up and down her arms. Lemaya paused for a moment to give a strained smile to her Mom who was seated uncomfortably in the audience, her eyes flickering a moment to Mako who was standing stoically next to Korra and then to the couple's hands that were deeply entwined. Mako took a look at Lemaya's gestures toward Korra out of the corner of his eyes before forcing his gaze away to follow his brother as he seated himself next to Asami in the crowd.
Mako, obviously, could not hear what Bolin was saying across the courtroom, but Asami could as Bolin whispered to her, "We're good to go. I gave all the money to some guys over there. I told them to 'take care of it,' and then I winked. Pretty sure they got the message." Bolin winked again and then gave a thumbs up to two men by a side door.
Asami facepalmed as the judge overlooking the case stepped up to his podium and a law clerk stood before the audience. "This trial will now come to order! Judge Hotah presiding."
"Man! I should have paid him!" Bolin murmured, bummed out by his decision-making. Asami rolled her eyes.
"I can't believe you agreed to bribe someone," Asami snapped under her breath, just loud enough for Bolin to hear.
"Listen, when you grow up like I did, you learn to be able to bend your morals to get things done."
"Oh. Right..." Asami trailed off, an awkward look shuffling her eyes. There was not much she could say in response to that.
Unalaq moved to the stand as a witness, taking a long look over the crowd before he sat himself calmly into the velvet chair. "I was in my chambers when the rebels attacked. They overpowered me, and the next thing I remember was waking up in the snow after Avatar Korra had saved me." The judge nodded solemnly at Unalaq's words, waving him off the stand and allowing the law clerk to usher Korra forward.
As Korra prepared to go up to the stand, she squeezed Mako's hand before rubbing her fingers lightly over Lemaya's knuckles and stepping up to the stand. "According to Unalaq's testimony, you attended a meeting where Varrick tried to incite a civil war. Is that true?"
"Yes," Korra answered.
"And were these men present at that meeting?" the judge asked.
"Well, yes-but-"
"And where exactly did this meeting take place?"
"Objection!" Bolin yelled from the crowd.
The judge struck his gavel. "Quiet down out there! I'll ask you one more time. Where did the meeting happen?"
Bolin objected again. "Your honor, if I may?"
"May...what," Judge Hotah said.
"May I...declare a mistrial?" Bolin asked quietly.
"Sit down!" the Judge said sternly to Bolin. Bolin pouted and dropped back into his chair as Judge Hotah turned back to Korra. "Varrick and your father led the meeting, didn't they?"
"My parents are innocent!" Korra snapped back defensively.
"I've heard all I need to," the judge said, leaning away from Korra, "I'll return shortly with my decision." Judge Hotah pushed himself to his feet and stumbled out of the courtroom, leaving Korra spluttering on the stand before dropping her face harshly onto the stand.
During the intermission, Bolin peeled off from Asami and followed the twins as they left into a room off the side of the courtroom. Eska turned toward the door as Bolin entered, Bolin's voice meek as he shut the door behind him. "Hey there, Eska. Desna. I was wondering if we could talk."
"We grant you permission to speak freely," Desna mumbled from his seat next to his sister on a couch facing away from the door. Bolin nervously walked around the couch and before the twins, avoiding their gaze as he plated with the cuffs of his jacket.
"Oh, good, because I just need to be honest with you. You know, when we first met, there was this crazy spark. But I'm starting to feel like that spark is fading."
"I agree," Eska nodded, "It is as if a great chasm has formed between us and nothing can bridge it."
Bolin sighed loudly in relief. "Oh! Oh, yes! I'm so glad you guys understand!" He happily placed his hands over his mouth, hiding his large grin while the twins ignored his statement.
"Nothing, that is, except marriage," Desna said, finishing his sister's sentence. He pointed to Eska who produced a betrothal necklace with a skull pendant over its purple strap out of her thick coat, a menacing smile on both of their faces. Desna curled his fingers in Bolin's coat and pulled him towards them, allowing Eska to easily tie the necklace tightly around Bolin's neck.
"We will wed at sunset. You may express your joy through tears," Eska said, grabbing the necklace and pulling Bolin harshly out of the room.
"Oh, no, I can't-" Bolin coughed as Eska pulled harder, forcing him out of the room as Desna pointed out the soft murmurs of the crowd behind the closed door.
"That probably means that the next session has begun, sister," Desna said.
Eska nodded and they left the room, Bolin in tow as he reached for his neck. "This is really tight."
---------------
"Senna, please step forward," Judge Hotah called, gesturing to Senna ahead of him. She stepped forward out of the line of defendants that stood before the podium and looked worriedly back at her husband. "I have found you innocent. You are free to go." A guard removed Senna's handcuffs that held her hands stiffly behind her, and she instantly rushed over to Korra once she was free.
Lemaya and Mako both stepped back from Korra as they saw Senna head toward her. "Korra!" Senna sighed as she wrapped Korra in a hug.
"For the test of you, on the charge of treason, you are all found...guilty. The punishment for this crime is death." Asami gasped and shot up in anger, Korra and Senna looking on in utter shock as the rebels all bowed their heads. Lemaya and Mako spared each other a worried glance before snapping their eyes forward as Korra lunged toward the judge.
"You can't do this! You take their lives, and I'll take yours!" Judge Hotah stopped and his eyes widened like moose-dear, Korra's body nearly punching on him until Lemaya grabbed her arms and yanked her back, with a lot of struggle, too, due to Korra's strength.
"Korra, calm down. I'll talk to him," Unalaq said softly to Korra. This did nothing to soothe Korra's anger, and she only calmed as Lemaya wrapped her arms around her and started murmuring softly in her ear. Korra let out a hoarse breath as Unalaq stepped toward the judge, clasping his hands behind his back as he said, "I know I promised to respect whatever decision you made, but I must ask you to reconsider. Show these men and my brother mercy."
"Very well," Hotah sneered as he shot a horrid glance at Korra, "I'll change their punishment." He turned to the rebels. "Your lives will be spared, but you will live them out in prison." The rebels and Tonraq all sighed as Hotah stomped off, Korra's shoulders relaxing even more in Unalaq's grip.
"Thank you, Uncle." The crowd dispersed after the verdict and Unalaq followed them. Mako, at the request of Korra, left with Asami after she hung behind to make sure Korra was okay. As they walked away, Mako asked after his brother and Asami shrugged, suggesting to go look for them before they broke away from the leaving crowd.
Korra gently wrestled herself out of Lemaya's arms to hug her mom, then let Lemaya's mother scoop Senna into a hug of her own. Lemay rubbed Korra's back and led her out of the courtroom, her Mother holding Senna behind them as she squeezed Korra lightly and said, "How about we walk you to the prison? Hmm?" Korra hummed and rested her head on Lemaya's shoulder, letting Lemaya guide her the rest of the way as Senna caught up to her and grasped her hand tightly. They shared a somber look before focusing back on the road ahead of them, a tense silence sitting over the four of them as they headed to visit Tonraq.
---------------
Tenzin gently stroked the fur of a sky bison calf near his knees, much like he did Ikki's hair, as Ikki laughed across the way as she conjured a ball of air for the calves to chase.
"You like that, don't you, Blueberry Spicehead?" The calf cooed. "Yes, you do." The calf snuggled against Tenzin's thigh, and Tenzin sighed wistfully, watching his daughter with a smile. "You know, I could get used to it here. No one's yelling at me or telling me I'm unbelievable."
"We should have Uncle Bumi and Aunt Kya come visit. I bet they'd like it too," Ikki grinned in between giggles.
"I agree, Ikki."
"Aunt Kya is super nice and pretty and always asks me how I'm feeling. And Uncle Bumi is like the funniest person in the world," Ikki rambled.
A smile rested on Tenzin's features as he said, "Yes, they are all those things. But what about Meelo? He's hilarious too. You never know what's going to come out of his mouth. And Jinora can be so sweet and gentle."
"And mean. And bossy. And Meelo can be annoying," Ikki scowled, tossing the ball of air further into the cave, "Being part of a family is hard, huh, Daddy?"
"That it is, Ikki." The calf at Tenzin's side suddenly stirred, flying out of the cave with its siblings as they all were called to by their parents.
Ikki wildly waved to the sky bison and said goodbye to them as they flew off with their parents. "But, I guess the nice part about a family is they'll always be there for you." She laughed as Twinkle Starchild nibbled at his sister's ear as they took off. " Like even though Twinkle Starchild and Princess Rainbow fight, they still love each other."
"That's very wise of you."
"We should probably head back, huh?" Ikki sighed.
"I suppose we can't hide in this cave forever." Tenzin pushed himself to his feet and padded over to Ikki, reaching his hand out to her. Ikki smiled and let him pull her up, and she gripped tightly onto his hand as they left the cave.
"Don't worry, Daddy. We'll come back and visit Blueberry Spicehead. I know you really bonded with her," Ikki said as she looked off in the direction where the sky bison left.
"Yes, I would like that," Tenzin grinned, swinging Ikki and his held hands between them as they stumbled through the woods back to the air temple.
---------------
"Honey, are you alright?" Senna sniffled as she pressed her hand against the cool metal bars of Tonraq's cell.
"I'm fine," Tonraq said softly, leaning his head against his side of the bar. Senna leaned forward, connecting their heads as best as she could while Korra swallowed a lump in her throat behind them.
"Good, let's bust you out of here right now," Korra said, gripping the bars with a determined look in her steely eyes.
Tonraq rested his eyes as he leaned against Senna, but pried them open as he heard Korra's tone. He shook his head and moved over to stand before her. "Korra, no. Saving me would start a war. If fighting were to break out, the North would crush the South. I'll be alright, just promise me you won't do anything rash. Just listen and think for a little and then decide what you'll do. " Tonraq held her gaze and made sure she could see just how serious he was. Korra rolled her eyes and locked her jaw, but relented as her father did not back down.
"Fine. I promise," she said bitterly.
After the visit, Korra and Senna trailed home, Senna going straight to busying herself with dishes in the sink. Korra watched her from afar, her lip quivering as she saw her Mom wrack with sobs. Korra approached her quietly and wrapped her arms around Senna, setting her head on Senna's shoulder.
"It's okay, Mom," Korra whispered while hugging her mother closely.
Senna stuttered. "I hate feeling so helpless." She set down a dish so she could wipe away some tears with the back of her hand, Korra's mouth curling into a frown over her Mom's shoulder.
"I know," she sighed, letting her eyes close as she nestled her face into Senna's shoulder.
For an hour after the verdict, Korra couldn't help but toss and turn over what her next move should be. She pushed herself forcefully out of bed, deciding that she was done thinking about what she should do and she'd much rather actually do something instead. So, Korra quietly left her house, making sure to not wake her Mom who had managed to finally get some rest and ran off to climb on top of Naga and ride off.
Riding around for a couple of minutes, Korra rode Naga up onto the road that swirled around a cliff about the town, hightailing it behind a Satomobile that leisurely drove up the cliff. The man inside the car ginned, until he caught a glimpse of Korra gaining on him, then he froze in fear before slamming his foot on the gas to try and get away from her.
It didn't make much of a difference, though, because Korra caught up to him anyway and knocked Naga into the side of the car, making the man lose control and spin rapidly into the side of the cliff. Once the car slammed to a stop, Naga snorted and bit off the door, revealing Judge Hotah upside down in his car as Naga breathed down on him.
Korra slid off of Naga and kneeled down to Hotah, hurling him up from the ground and forcefully throwing him against the side of the Satomobile. "What do you want?" Hotah whimpered, his eyes wide like saucers.
"It's not about what I want. It's about what Naga wants. And she'd like you to let my father out of prison," Korra seethed, shoving Hotah closer to Naga as Naga growled menacingly beside her.
"I-I'm sorry, but there is nothing I can do. I was just following Unalaq's orders," Hotah squeaked as Korra shook him further.
"What are you talking about?" she snapped.
Hotah stuttered under her tight grip. "I've said too much." Korra rolled her eyes and hiked Hotah from the car, flinging his head into Naga's ready and open mouth.
"Unless you wanna be Naga's afternoon snack, you better keep talking," Korra warned. Hotah yelped and hastily shook his head, making sure to avoid all of Naga's sharp fangs.
"I-I've worked for your Uncle for years! He said he needed everyone to think the trial was fair to inspire trust in him and his friends."
"So Unalaq told you what to say?" Korra scowled.
"Yes! Every word!"
"Then why did he have you free my mother and change your sentence?" Korra watched Hotah carefully, her grip on him loosening as he continued to confess everything to her.
"He's trying to keep you on his side. But he also wants your father out of the way. Just like when he got your father banished." Hotah gasped loudly and wired his mouth shut unnaturally as Korra blinked blankly at him.
Korra narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean, 'he got my father banished'?"
"Nothing!"
Korra gripped Hotah's silk shirt tightly once again. "Keep. Talking," she huffed, shoving Hotah's face deeper into Naga's mouth.
---------------
Bumi tapped his foot steadily against the coarse stone floor of the room of Avatar statues. He looked up at the statue of his father, awkwardly ripping at the cuticles of his fingers as he spoke. "Uh...hey there, Dad. You're looking well. Look, uh, I'm sorry if I didn't turn out like you hoped, but I've tried my best to keep the world safe. Hope I made you proud."
"Of course he'd be proud of you, Bumi," Kya smiled, walking over to her brother and wrapping her arm around his shoulder.
"Kya!" Bumi jumped up in shock. "I-I was just, uh, cleaning off Dad's statue. It's so dusty in here." Bumi wiped off Aang's statue with his sleeve as Kya laughed beside him.
"Oh come here!" Kya wrapped him into a complete hug, squeezing as Bumi returned the gesture.
"Thanks, Kya. You always know when I need a hug," Bumi grinned.
---------------
Korra slid off of Naga and stormed into Lemaya's house, saying a quick 'hello' to Yue before yanking Lemaya out of the house. "You were right," Korra relented as she shut the front door behind Lemaya.
"I'm right about a lot of things, be more specific," Lemaya grinned, opening the door again to say goodbye to her Mom.
"That I shouldn't trust Unalaq. I should have been more careful." Korra took a breather and stared at Lemaya, looking intently at her for a hot minute before sliding her hands down to her waist and lifting her onto Naga. After helping Lemaya sit comfortably on top of Naga, Korra got on Naga behind her, situating herself comfortably in the space closely behind Lemaya.
"Look how forceful you're being. It's fun. I like it," Lemaya teased, trying to lighten the mood. Korra reached around Lemaya and grabbed Naga's reins as her face flushed.
"I'm surprised that you're avoiding saying 'I told you so,'" Korra said, a little grateful that she wasn't.
"I know it wouldn't do you any good right now. I can't imagine what you're feeling." Lemaya bounced a little as Korra took off and placed her hands above Korra's on the reins.
"Thank you. And I'll tell you what happened, I just want to let my other friends know too," Korra sighed, steering Naga toward Varrick's mansion where Mako told her they were heading after the verdict. Lemaya nodded softly and set her head forward as they continued on, leaning back into Korra as they set into calm silence.
They arrived at the mansion a couple of minutes after they headed off, a tease sitting on the tip of Lemaya's tongue the entire way there. Finally having enough of the smug grin that Korra could see out of the corner of her eye, Korra said, "Oh just spit it out already." Korra helped Lemaya down off of Naga, letting her hands slowly move away from Lemaya's waist as Lemaya laughed.
"It's nothing, I was just going to say that you were interrupting something very important when you barged into my room like that."
"Like what?" Korra asked, petting Naga and pressing a kiss to her forehead so she'd stay still as they walked into the mansion.
"Just studying waterbending techniques and sewing and playing the violin and...telling you I told you so..." Lemaya trailed off with a wide grin, especially as Korra groaned and rolled her eyes, pushing past Lemaya and speeding ahead of her.
"You said you weren't going to say it right now!" Korra protested.
Lemaya laughed loudly, making Korra involuntarily smile at the cute noise, and she launched herself onto Korra's back. "That right now was minutes ago. I was just biding my time." Korra chuckled and shook Lemaya off of her. She looked back at her with a smile as she placed her hand on the living room door, shaking her head at the smirk on Lemaya's lips.
"Whatever," Korra muttered as she pushed open the door.
"Well Kuvira said she'd look for him too, so maybe she's had more luck finding Bolin," Asami said.
Mako sighed, having to look away from Asami's pacing before his seat on the couch. "I still don't know who she is, you never said."
"She's a friend," Asami answered. It wasn't the best explanation in the world, but she didn't know what else to say. How didshe explain that an ambassador had taken interest in her and tried to talk her every chance she got about her company and how it was going?
"How descriptive," Mako said as he rolled his eyes.
"Unalaq's a liar and a traitor!" Korra shouted, getting Asami and Mako's attention as she and Lemaya trailed into the living room.
"I've been trying to tell you that from the get-go," Varrick said, his body still inside Ping-Ping.
"What happened?" Mako asked. He stood up from the couch and crossed the room to Korra, hugging her.
Korra pulled away and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "I found out the truth about my Dad's banishment. Unalaq hired the barbarians to attack their tribe. Then he told them to hide in the Spirit Forest, knowing my Dad would go after them."
Mako hummed, mulling over what Korra said. Then, he began pacing, and Asami rolled her eyes at how much he was annoyed by his similar annoying quality. "Unalaq wanted your Dad out of the way so he could become chief. It was a setup."
"Just like the whole trial. I can't believe I trusted him." Korra glanced over at Lemaya who smiled at her, ushering Korra to continue. "I'm busting my father and the rebels out of jail. I need your help." Korra said this to Lemaya first, keeping eye contact with her before looking at Mako and then Asami. The two of them nodded, Lemaya stepping toward Korra.
She said, "If you do this, there's no going back, Kor."
"I know. Will you still help me?" Korra asked, her eyes pleading with Lemaya's. Lemaya softened and nodded, giving Korra a kind smile.
"Of course I'll help," Lemaya agreed.
"Me too," Mako said.
"And me," Asami added.
Count me in!" Varrick shouted from across the room where the four of them honestly forgot he was.
Their heads all shot to the door as Bolin knocked harshly on it, a frown embedded into his face as he sluggishly moved into the room. "Bolin, you're okay!" Mako chorused happily, rushing to hug his brother.
"No, I'm not okay. They've decided that we're getting married even after I tried your honesty thing and told them how I feel! And they dressed me like them!" Mako pulled away from the hug and winced as he noticed Bolin's spiked hair, purple coat, and the thick choker tied around his neck.
"Bolin-I. Spirits, that's not good. I'm so sorry," Asami whispered, walking over to Bolin and trying to fix his hair.
Korra chuckled, "I'm pretty sure the guy is supposed to give the girl the betrothal necklace..but then again that doesn't fit every relationship." Korra furrowed her brows as she watched Mako and Asami struggle to remove the necklace from Bolin's neck. "Wait-you're serious? Spirits."
"Yes, I'm serious!" Bolin shouted, letting out heavy breaths. Pabu chittered, having been spooked by Bolin's outburst and scurrying from underneath his long coat. Pabu climbed up Lemaya and nuzzled into her shoulder as Bolin's eyes followed his friend. Seeing who he landed on, Bolin brightened and rushed toward Lemaya, shaking her shoulders violently.
"Mako said you give good advice, I need good advice. Like right now," Bolin pleaded.
Lemaya peeled his hands off of her and sighed, saying, "Bolin, at this point I think you need to let your friends handle it since they're obviously not listening to you."
"Wow, you're so good at this! She's right you guys, you need to fix this for me. It's now your problem." Bolin sighed and dropped to the floor, lying there in silence as everyone in the room cautiously eyed him.
Varrick clasped his hands together in the platypus-bear's open mouth. "Well, back to the prison break- luckily for you, Varrick's got your back. So, gather 'round Ping-Ping, and let's talk."
---------------