Commander Guan stood at the window of the Mayor's office, as it overlooked the quiet nightlife of Gaoling. Behind him was the Mayor of Gaoling with an escort of two guards at the front of the desk.

"You're making a mistake, Governer Guan. I could be of Great Assistance to you and your administration," Mayor Rhee said nervously.

"Gaoling thanks you for your many years of service, Mr. Mayor but you are no longer needed," Guan said, as his soldiers escorted the Mayor out of the room. As the doors closed, he didn't notice the lingering shadow behind the door.

"Hello again, Commander," Kuvira said, as she approached his desk. Guan seemed surprised by her sudden intrusion.

"I'd ask how you snuck in here without being noticed, but that would be an insult to your cunning," Guan started, "So, have you come to try and stop me again?"

"On the contrary, I commend you on resurrecting the Earth Empire. You've always been a shrewd leader," Kuvira answered, "I'm here to propose a deal that will benefit us both,"

"What did you have in mind?" Guan asked, interested in her response.

"I've thought a lot about what you said. Why should others reap the benefits of what I— what we worked so hard to accomplish? In my quest for power, I've alienated everyone I've considered family. It's clear to me now that no matter what I do, things can never go back to the way they were. So, I've decided the only path left for me to follow is yours," Kuvira explained, leaving Guan shocked at her offer. He was unsure of whether to trust her or not. However, having Kuvira back in the Earth Empire would certainly ensure victory.

"You want to rejoin the Earth Empire?" Guan clarified. Kuvira nodded.

"On one condition," Kuvira started, Guan scoffed.

"I'm not stepping aside so you can reclaim the title of Great Uniter. Not after all the risks I've taken to get us this far. I'm in charge of the Empire now!" Guan responded angrily. Kuvira chuckled lightly.

"I assure you,  I have no intention of challenging your authority," Kuvira said, Guan was now appalled.

"Then what do you want?" he asked curiously. Kuvira stepped forward towards the window, overlooking the city, just as Guan was.

"I want to forget," she started softly, "I want to forget how I lost my temper and nearly killed my own mother. I want to forget the Beifongs and my life in Zaofu. All those painful memories but most of all, I want to wipe away the memory of all those I've hurt. I believe you have the technology that can help me with that?"

"Yes, but the process would also put you under my complete control. I can't believe you'd yield willingly," Guan answered, still shocked by the new personality Kuvira had shown him.

"This wouldn't be the first time I surrendered— and besides, we both know you wouldn't allow me back without brainwashing me. It's the only way you'll be able to fully trust me," Kuvira said, Guan nodded slowly.

"True," Guan muttered.

"This way, we both get what we want— you'll have my complete compliance, and I'll have a guilt-free conscience. So, do we have a deal?" Kuvira asked him, Guan thought to himself for a moment before smirking back at her.

╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

As soon as they heard of Kuvira's disappearance, they rode Opal's bisen named Juicy to Gaoling. Toph, Korra, and Asami rode at the back of the saddle, with Lei and Su at the front of it on the look out for any signs of Kuvira.

"There's the place," Su started, as she spotted the plane with her spyglass, "But no sign of Kuvira,"

"Just admit it, Mom— Kuvira took advantage of your good will and betrayed you again," Opal interrupted, with an angry tone.

"We don't know that for sure, until I learn otherwise, I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt," Su answered.

"Just like you've always done," Opal muttered under her breath.

"Make a pass over the city. I'll see if I spot her, Opal," Su said, as she continued looking through her spyglass.

╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

Meanwhile, Kuvira was tied to one of the chairs, getting ready to be brainwashed. Dr. Sheng was setting up the machine while Guan was excited for the change this was going to make to the Earth Empire.

"Whenever you're ready, Dr. Sheng," Guan said, before turning to the Doctor.  Meanwhile, Kuvira's eyes were set on the helmets in the desk near her. She took a small rock using it to cut the rope on her hands. She metalbended the helmets in front of her, levitating them right above Guan and Dr. Sheng.

"I'm so pleased I finally get to share my invention with you," Dr. Sheng said, before Kuvira metalbended them down to their heads, crushing them enough to tighten it to their heads. She broke free from her restraints easily.

"What are you doing?" Guan said, as he and Dr. Sheng struggled getting the metal helmet off his head.

"Beating you at your own game," Kuvira said, as she stood up from her chair. "When we're finished here, you will have no choice but to finally surrender and tell the whole world how you stole the election,"

"You can't brainwash us! You don't even know how this machine operates!" Dr. Sheng argued, Kuvira smirked.

"Actually, I do, thanks to Baatar," Kuvira countered, "He figured out how your little contraption works— and it only took him a few hours,"

"Kuvira— realease them at once," Mako said, as he and Bolin entered the room, getting ready to attack her.

"I suspected you might try something, so I called them in as backup," Guan said, before shouting, "Mako! Bolin! Attack!"

Mako sent a fire punch towards her, but Kuvira metal bended a table in front of her to defend herself from it. Guan and Dr. Sheng used the opportunity to take off the metal helmets from their heads. Kuvira bended the table towards Mako and Bolin, which they deflected by moving to the side swiftly. The table luckily opened an escape hatch for her. She ran out of the tent with guards, including Mako and Bolin chasing after her.

"There's Kuvira!" Su shouted, as she spotted Kuvira running away from Mako and Bolin, who seemed pretty intent on attacking her. Juicy picked up her pace and landed separating Mako and Bolin from Kuvira.

"We'll handle them," Lei said, looking at Korra, before dropping down from the bisen. Lei sent a wall of fire behind Mako and Bolin, separating them from the guards. Korra used her airbending to create a sphere of air, acting like a cage for them.

"Sorry, guys! I promise this is only temporary!" Korra said, as she sent the sphere away. Lei sent a fire stream towards a dozen guards, breaking their formation. Korra took out the ones in the right by earthbending a wall surrounding them. Lei sent fire arcs towards the guards on the left, knocking them off their feet.

Opal, Su, and Toph got off the bisen. Opal sent a swift air kick towards three soldiers, knocking them off their feet. Su used her metal wire to tie a mechatank's feet, she pulled it tipping it over. Toph stomped her feet to the ground causing two earth pillars to crush two mechatanks back to back together.

"That's what happens when you mess with three generations of Beifongs!" Toph shouted triumphantly.

Meanwhile, Dr. Sheng grabbed as much of her paperwork as she could while the fights were happening. She ran out only to be face to face with a very angry looking Asami.

"This is for zapping my brain," Asami said, as she used her electric glove to electrocute Dr. Sheng. She fell to the floor, her whole body shocked and stunned.

Guan took the opportunity to flee the scene with a Sato Jeep. However, before turning a corner, Kuvira slid in his way. "Hope you buckled up," Kuvira said, before raising a fist down crusing the front of the Jeep. The momentum caused Guan to be flown forward from the jeep. He lands in front of her, groaning from the pain.

"You don't give up, do you?" Guan groaned, as he struggled to get up.

"No," Kuvira responded, Guan looked up at her with anger.

"Neither do I!" Guan shouted, before sending his metal shoulder pads toward her. She metalbended them to slow down their speed and attach them to her metal whip, making it longer. Guan earthbended a pillar from below him, launching him into the air. He earthbended a piece of the pillar towards Kuvira, hitting her right in the left shoulder. It knocked her down to the ground. Guan metalbended the wrecked Jeep above him.

"You never had the will to lead the Earth Empire to its full potential— I do!" Guan shouted, before sending the Jeep at her. She quickly got up and metalbended the jeep in half cleanly. She bended metal shards and used them to pin him to the wall.

"Still think I'm a spineless coward?" Kuvira asked, before metalbending another shard. Guan widened his eyes.

"All right, you win!" Guan shouted hurriedly, in defeat. "I surrender!"

"It's too late for that! I'm making certain you never rise again!" Kuvira shouted, just as she was about to use the shard to kill him, a voice shouted.

"Kuvira, stop!" Su shouted from behind her, causing Kuvira to hesitate, "Killing Guan won't solve anything— it won't bring you any peace,"

"You're right...," Kuvira thought to herself, before dropping the metal shard, she turned to Guan pointedly, "But make no mistake Commander Guan— you're finished and the Earth Empire is over, for good,"

"Everyone, stand down!" Guan shouted.

╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

With the army standing down and surrendering, Mako, Bolin, and Wu were placed back into the chairs with metal helmets on their heads. Asami calibrated the settings using Baatar Jr.'s studies. Lei sat behind Korra, worried for her friends.

"You will no longer obey Commander Guan's orders, your minds are yours again," Korra said, their eyes changed from a deadpanned look to expressions of realization. Mako set his eyes on the first person he saw, Lei, who seemed to tear up. He took off his helmet and stood up, with Lei running at him, embracing him tightly.

"You're you again," Lei muttered softly, on his shoulder. Mako smiled and hugger her back tightly.

"I'm here, I'm not going anywhere," Mako responded softly.

"Bolin! You're okay!" Opal shouted, as she embraced Bolin.

"My brain is back!" Wu cheered, as he hugged Mako and Lei, who smiled back at him. Team Avatar continued exchanging hugs as they were together again.

As the conflicts seem to be resolving, all the citizens who have been brainwashed were asked to stop by Gaoling City Hall, where they would be given their own minds back.

"I can't thank you enough, Avatar Korra— without your help, Gaoling and its citizens would continue to be under Commander Guan's control," Mayor Rhee said, as he watched his citizens regaining their own selves again.

"You should really be thanking Kuvira. If she hadn't taken matters into her own hands, Guan would still be in power. But this doesn't mean you're off the hook. I have my orders to you back to Republic City," Korra explained, as she turned to Kuvira.

"I know," Kuvira sighed, ready to face reality.

"Considering everything that's happened, should we plan to move forward with the election as originally scheduled?" Mayor Rhee asked President Wu, who was in thought.

That day, the whole town gathered at the front of the City Hall once everyone had been put back into their normal state. President Wu stood in the podium, about to make a speech, with Mayor Rhee, Toph and Su Beifong at his right side and Team Avatar lined up on his left side.

"It has been a trying week for all of us and I can't help but feel responsible. I was so eager for change that I pressed ahead with the election, despite the objections. Upon consideration, I have decided to alter the Earth Kingdom's path toward democracy.  Each state will come up with its own timetable for elections, according to the wishes of its citizens. I refuse to force my will upon the people, the way Commander Guan forced his will upon me and so many of you. The United Republic took decades to elect its first president. Expecting the rest of the Earth Kingdom to become a democracy overnight wasn't realistic. I understand that now. I am still committed to transforming the kingdom so that its governments represent everyone but until that time comes, I will continue to serve as your King and I hope to be the strong, compassionate leader you all deserve," Wu said, causing an uproar of claps and cheers from the crowd.

"Does this mean I'm off the hook?" Toph asked Wu.

"For now, but I still hope you'll consider running for governer when Gaoling finally holds its elections," Wu answered.

"Don't get your hopes up, spindleshanks. I've had enough with political shenanigans. I prefer the swamp," Toph smiled, "At least there, predators are honest about wanting to eat you,"

╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

Team Avatar traveled back to Republic City with Kuvira. It was the day of her tribunal, where it will be decided if she will be pardoned or imprisoned again. Mako and Lei had spent the time together more often, making up for lost time. Hours before the tribunal, Mako and Lei were cuddling on their couch. Lei had her back against his chest, as she played with his hand.

"How did it feel like? being brainwashed?" Lei asked, Mako thought to himself.

"It didn't feel like anything if I'll be honest. I remembered fighting Guan's troops when they attacked the airship and the next thing I knew I was looking at you," Mako answered, Lei smiled softly. He placed his hand on her waist but she winced in pain. Mako lifted her shirt up slowly revealing a bruise at her side, "Did I do that?"

"Mako, its not that bad, don't worry," Lei answered, as she sat up to face him. Mako looked at her as she sat up, placing his hand on her cheek. It hurts him to see her bruised or cut, hurts more that he caused it.

"I love you, you know that, right?" Mako asked softly, Lei smiled at him. "When this is all settled, we are gonna get married, have our own place wherever you want it to be, and we will build our life together,"

Lei smiled and kissed him softly, Mako kissing back eagerly.

╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

Everyone had come to witness Kuvira's tribunal after hearing about the events in Gaoling. The World Leaders, the Beifong family, and Team Avatar were all present to witness the tribunal.

"The Tribunal will once again come to order," one of the judges started, Kuvira stood in front of the five judges with her hands cuffed in front of her, "At this time, we call Iknik Blackstone Varrick,"

Varrick approached the judges, the judge started, "Do you affirm that the testimony you are about to give this tribunal will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"

"Darn tootin'!" Varrick replied.

"You initially helped develop spirit energy technology for the Earth Empire, is that correct?" a Judge asked.

"Yes, but I tried to shut the project down once I realized how dangerous it was," Varrick answered, the judges nodded.

"And did Kuvira agree with your decision?" the judge asked once more.

"No! She made me keep working on it and she threatened to kill me if I didn't do what she said! She's a horrible, horrible person!" Varrick answered, almost shouting.

"That's enough, Varrick," Kuvira said, as she turned to him pointedly.

"Please, don't hurt me," Varrick whimpered.

"Do not intimidate the witness, Kuvira. We will hear what he has to say," the judge argued.

"You don't need to. I confess to everything," Kuvira started, "I refused to turn over emergency powers and took over the Earth Kingdom because I thought I knew what was best for everyone. I was wrong. And though I wasn't fully aware of everything going on in the re-education camps, I should have been. I wanted so badly to wield power and change the world, I didn't concern myself with the consequences. I wish I could forget the terrible things I've done, the people I've hurt, but I can't. I just hope that by taking full responsibility for what I've done, I can begin to heal some of the pain I've caused so I am entering a new plea— guilty,"

After the tribunal, Team Avatar gathered at the hall.

"I'm going to have to hurry back to City Hall soon. President Moon has back-to-back meetings all afternoon," Bolin said.

"You're sticking with the job, huh? Being Commander Guan's lackey didn't turn you off to politics?" Mako asked, crossing his arms together.

"It may not be my true calling, but after everything we went through, I'm fine with a boring office job filing paperwork, at least for a while," Bolin answered, as he placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"I'd give it a week," Lei said jokingly, earning laughs from her friends.

"Here she comes," Korra said, as Kuvira walked towards them, escorted by two guards.

"I respect you for everything you said in there, Kuvira. You really redeemed yourself," Korra said.

"And I never thought I'd sy this, but I'm grateful for what you did for us. It got us back to the people we love," Mako said, pulling Lei closer to him.

"Ditto," Bolin added.

"It's going to take a me a very long time to forgive you for taking my father's life— but I'm glad you were on our side this time," Asami said softly, Kuvira smiled.

"Me too," Kuvira said, the Beifongs walked toward her from behind.

"I owe you an apology, Kuvira," Su said, as she made her way towards them.

"What are you talking about?" Kuvira asked, as she turned to Su.

"I can't help but think that if I had been a better mentor— a better mother— I could have guided you on a more appropriate path," Su answered.

"You took me in when I was a wild, arrogant little girl and cared for me when no one else did. There were so many times over the years when you could have abandoned me, but you never did, not even when I was at my worst. So, you have nothing to apologize for. I'm the one who is sorry I never fully appreciated what an amazing, selfless mother you are," Kuvira said heartily, earning a hug from Su, "I wish we had more time,"

"We will," Su started, "I spoke with President Moon and the tribunal. Thanks to your show of remorse, and because of you help in ending the Earth Empire and stopping Guan, they have all agreed to release you into my custody,"

"I'm going home?" Kuvira asked, as her eyes lit up.

"Yes, you will be under house arrest, the same as Baatar Jr. but if you even think about trying to escape, you'll be thrown right back into maximum-security prison," Su answered, making her last line with a strict tone.

"Understood. And everyone's all right with this arrangement? What will Baatar Jr. say?" Kuvira asked, as the guards released her from her cuffs.

"Honestly, when mom suggested the idea, we all thought she was crazy but we came around. I'm sure he will too," Opal replied, smiling at Kuvira, she continued, "You may not have been born a Beifong but you'll always be part of this family,"

"I hate to interrupt the happy moment but I need to speak with Team Avatar privately," Lin said, earning worried looks from the group. Lin had brought them to an empty meeting room.

"What's this about, Lin?" Korra asked curiously, Lin looked worried and turned to Lei.

"I interviewed Dr. Sheng for her testimonies on the events that happened in Gaoling and she revealed to me some crucial information that I thought you all should know, especially you, Lei," Lin answered, Lei grew confused and uneasy. Lin continued, "Dr. Sheng confessed that she sold a brainwashing machine to a buyer in the Fire Nation about a week ago,"

"Did she give a name who it was?" Lei asked, Lin shook her head.

"She claimed the buyer was very private and careful for their identity to not be revealed," Lin answered.

"Then I'm going back to the Fire Nation tomorrow, before they plan on using it against my people," Lei said, as she was about to head out the door to save time. Mako stopped her.

"We are going with you," Mako said, pertaining to the whole Team Avatar. Lei smiled at all her friends support, but grew worried at what she will face back at the Fire Nation.

╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I'm so happy to say that I am done with Book 4! I've already started writing Book 5 so I apologize if there's not much originality in this chapter. I should have Chapter 1 of Book 5 uploaded soon so continue to be patient with me. I'm so excited to start Book 5, a chapter that I'm sure will keep readers eager and happy to see an ending for our main character. Happy reading and I'll see you soon~

~luna

PUBLISHED: February 24, 2023