The Only Hope

Book 4: Chapter 20

Now

When I was a little girl, before my mother's death, the shattered relationships, and all my innocents for the world were lost; I believe I could be anything. Unlike most little girls growing up, I never dreamed of being a princess who magically finds her prince and lives happily ever after. As born princess, I imaged I was everything else- a baker, an inventor, an average-day person living an average life. I thought that with some will power- and maybe some magic- I would be able to be whatever. Sadly I soon found out that fate has our destinies decided for us before we even realize it. I was not to be a baker or an inventor or an average-day person living an average life. I was to be a princess, an air bender... a friend to the avatar. Fate has made us to be us. We are who we are, and nothing can change that.

~~~

I leaned back from the map of the city, and curved my spine over the back of the chair; sighing as I did. Beside me, Korra looked over to Wu.

"How's the evacuation coming?"

"Could be better, at this point we've evacuated almost ... eighteen families." My eyebrows fell at the sound of the number. I glanced over to Tenzin, Mako, Raiko and lastly Korra.

"Only eighteen? There are millions of people in this city!"

"I said it could be better." Wu did his best to calm Korra, not that I blame her for freaking out. At the sight of movement, my eyes moved. Mako lifted a hand as he spoke. "The problem is, it's a voluntary evacuation and there aren't very many volunteers. They just don't feel like they're in any immediate danger."

"WHAT?" I shot up, my spine becoming steel, "What stupid oaf made the evacuation voluntary?! It should and needs to be mandatory!" Kuvira stood as a threat to the City. Amon nearly destroyed it once, and killed hundred- including my sister. I refused to allow that fate to be repeated again. No one deserved to lose a love one, or loved ones.

Before anyone was given the chance to respond to me, Bolin came bursting through the doors.

"Guys! Good, you're all here!" He entered the room, and following him was Lin, Su and... Zhu Li? What in the world was going on?

"What's with you interrupting my important meetings all the time?" I looked over to Raiko and then back to the small group- and that was when it hit me- Su was safe!

"Su ... What are you ... You're okay!" Korra rushed over to her, and they hugged. I stood, shaking my head slightly as I tried to wrap my mind around it, "I'm so sorry about Zaofu. How did you escape?"

"Opal, Beifong, and I rescued everyone. But we had a run in with Kuvira. We saw her super spirit weapon up close. Like, really close. Way too close." Bolin looked tired. I took a few steps toward him, and his group, but stopped myself. Kuvira made a working spirit weapon. Oh joy.

"Is she going to use it against Republic City?" Tenzin stood, and joined me in the middle of the room.

"Yes. I found out she's going to attack in two weeks-" Zhu Li was cut off by Bolin.

"Ooh! And Zhu Li's on our side now. Actually, she never really switched sides and I'm just gonna let her explain the whole thing. Zhu Li?"

"I pretended to be loyal to Kuvira so I could sabotage her weapon. It didn't work, but I did overhear her plans to attack." In my head I gave Zhu Li a high five. You go girl- double agent oh yeah!

"I knew she wouldn't stop at Zaofu." My joy was soon gone, because as much as it killed me to admit it- Raiko was right. I had been right. We had been on the same page. Vaatu shoot me down dead. Despite not knowing my great-grandfather or great aunt; I was pretty good at telling a crazy person. I.E. Amon, Unalaq... and now Kuvira. If only people would listen to me!