Kuvira's Assistant

Chapter 7

Firelord Izumi caught Akemi's eye as she walked onto the stage beside her father, Lord Zuko. The alumni and mentor exchanged a polite and subtle bow, their smiles indicating they were delighted to see each other after so long. A little tear escaped the corner of Akemi's eye as she bowed to Lord Zuko when he noticed her, too. That was her home.

The assistant stood proudly by Kuvira's side, who was seated on the far end of the row, facing Prince Wu as he nervously prepared for his coronation. Poor guy. He'd been expecting glamour for this event; a crown, jewels, earthbending dancers, badgermoles... Instead, he got a single earring pierced onto his shirt, calling it a royal brooch. I feel a little bad... Akemi thought to herself. As the coronation proceeded, she looked out for familiar faces in the audience. There she saw Ju, Ikuyo... She couldn't find Varrick... Oh, Bolin, and... Her cousin! They were all focused on the prince, however Asami noticed her and gave her a supportive smile. Akemi was beyond happy.

"Now rise, Wu, of the Hu-Ting Dynasty, king of all the earthlands and glorious defender of Ba Sing Se. Long may you reign."

Lame claps and a "woo" or two escaped the audience, and King Wu began his speech.

"Thank you for that incredibly brief," he entertainingly grumbled, "but very moving ceremony. I am touched by the love of my devoted countrymen who have worked so hard to restore their beloved leader to their throne. One of them deserves special attention. Kuvira? Rise."

Kuvira walked towards the microphone with an incredibly stern and emotionless look on her face. Akemi hadn't seen her like this in a while.

"For your service to the realm," Wu continued, "I would like to present you with the Kyoshi medal of freedom. Our nation's highest honour... Which was somehow NOT stolen, unlike the royal pinky rings.. Hmf."

"Thank you. And if you don't mind, I'd like to say a few words." Akemi could see her commander's mouth move into a smirk. She wondered what was coming...

"Why not. We've got SIX hours to fill..." King Wu grumbled.

"Growing up in Zaofu with Suyin Beifong, I learned that the idea of a royal family passing a title from one generation to the next was archaic, and that technology and innovation should be what drives a nation forward. It was the pathetic rule of kings and queens that caused the Earth Kingdom to descend into such incredible disarray. It's taken me three years to get it back on track, and there is no way I will allow it to slip back into the dark ages." Wide eyes began to fill the entire audience and stage, including Akemi.

"I'd like to make an announcement to the world. The Earth Kingdom is no more. And from here on out, this man," she points at King Wu, "has no authority."

The audience was gasping in shock. "Wait, WHAT?! But I just got the royal brooch!!" King Wu exclaimed in desperation.

Kuvira continued, nonetheless, "I have created a new Earth Empire, and I will continue to lead it into the future myself, bringing about a new era of prosperity for my people."

Shockingly, there was an overwhelming cheer from the crowd;

"We love you, Kuvira."

"All hail the great uniter!" audience members cheered.

With an obvious look of concern on her face, Akemi once again searched for familiar faces in desperation. She saw Bolin and Ju get up hesitantly and clap for Kuvira, both of them glancing back at Akemi in shock. Akemi had to clap. Kuvira looked back at her for just a moment, so she instantly fixed her expression to show she was impressed. She was; that wasn't a lie, but it was one of many emotions she felt at that instant. She then swiftly turned to her cousin, who glared at Kuvira with hatred and disgust in her eyes. Asami slowly turned her head to Akemi, her expression remaining the same. Fuck. Shitfuck. Fuck shit. No. I LITERALLY just met her. Fuck. Her thoughts went, desperate not to taint her newly formed, innocent relationship with her relative because of a plan she wasn't entirely made aware of.