Team Avatar grew worried with the disappearance of Korra. Mako and Lei had just gotten back from Air Temple Island. Mako was sitting on the couch, watching as Lei began to pace back and forth in front of the couch. He knew that she was thinking of Korra, his gaze continued to follow her as she went back and forth. This reminded of him when she was worried about Iroh II losing his position.

"Korra has been gone a few months, where could she be?" Lei questioned, as she paced continuously, Mako not taking her eyes of her.

"Lei," Mako started, knowing she was going to ramble.

"We wrote her a lot of letters to make her feel better, she must've received them right?" Lei questioned, as she crossed her arms together.

"Babe," Mako cooed, trying to get her attention, which didn't work on her.

"She couldn't have gotten far, so that means she would be near the earth kingdom," Lei thought out loud, as she glanced at Mako.

"Princess," Mako teased, Lei looked away then made a thinking expression.

"What if she's hurt? What if she's not missing but kidnapped?" Lei gasped, as she grew worried.

"Lei," Mako repeated, giving up with the nicknames.

"I should go find her, figure out where she went. I'll take Kaya with me and start packing," Lei finished, as she started heading towards the bedroom. Mako immediately got up to run and stop infront of her.

"Lei, slow down, will you?" Mako said, Lei narrowed her eyes at him and crossed her arms.

"Korra's out there on her own for six months, how can you not be worried?" Lei said angrily, as she pointed at the window.

"Of course, I'm worried but there's nothing that we can do besides leave it up to Tenzin and Tonraq. We don't even know exactly where Korra went, so it would be a dead trail and you know that," Mako explained, Lei sighed deeply as she began to walk back to the couch.

"I'm worried about her," Lei said softly, as Mako kneeled in front of her, taking his hands into hers.

"I am too, but this time, we have to leave it up to Tenzin. Can you do that?" Mako said sincerely, Lei sighed and nodded.

"Besides, we have to go see a healer about your condition, anyway," Mako added, as he kissed her hands before standing up and going to the bedroom.

✨•~~~~~~~•✨

Morning came, and just as Mako said, he took Lei with him to see the local healer that was nearby. After Mako and Lei informed the healer about some details of her condition, she was told to sit in the tub of water, Mako waited outside to give them some privacy, even though Lei insisted he could stay. She placed one foot in the tub before carefully submerging her body in the water, with her head resting at the rim of the tub.

"Close your eyes," the healer instructed, Lei closed her eyes heeding her words. Just like that, Lei was put into a deep sleep while the healer brought the water back and forth from each end of the tub, to sense the energy flowing in her body. The healer looked at her oddly as she assessed the patient's condition. Lei sat outside after her check up with Mako. The healer came in, causing both of them to stand up.

"Well?" Mako asked curiously, as the healer stopped in front of them.

"Her physical condition is fine, other than the common fatigue she feels in her legs. But, I healed it as much as I could but it could come back after a while. As for her mental condition, I'm still not certain as to what is causing it," the healer answered, Mako nodded slowly.

"Thank you, maam," Mako said, as he took Lei's hand when she stood up.

"Can I go back to my job?" Lei asked, the healer looked at her, thinking about it.

"You can go back to your job, but it's best that you should be given less tasks that can cause you to get exhausted more because it will only make the fatigue worse," the healer advised, her response caused Lei to smile widely. After getting some final reminders from the healer, Mako and Lei stepped out of the building. Mako hailed a sato taxi, that was heading right for them.

"Do you think you can get home by yourself? I need to get to the hotel cause of Wu," Mako asked, as the taxi stopped in front of them.

"Yeah, I'm a big girl, Mako," Lei chuckled, as Mako opened the door for her, as she stepped inside. He closed the door after her, Lei opened the window, looking up at him.

"I'll see you later, okay? Try to get some rest when you get home," Mako said, Lei smiled lightly, before he leaned down and kissed her forehead. She closed the window, as the driver began moving the car. She looked back at Mako, to see that he was watching the taxi as it drove away.

"Where to?" the driver asked, Lei turned to him.

"The Republic City Police Station, please," Lei answered, she wanted to get her job back. She just hopes that Lin will keep her end of the bargain.

✨•~~~~~~~•✨

Three years ago, Korra was getting ready to travel back to South pole to heal. A huge white Southern Water Tribe ship was docked onto Air Temple Island. Team Avatar were gathered at the docks, each giving her a goodbye. Lei was rolling Korra on her wheelchair, bringing her down to the docks, with the rest of the group behind her.

"I hate that you're leaving. Sometimes, I feel like you're leaving because you found out about Mako and I," Lei said softly, as she continued rolling her wheelchair down the dock.

"You know that's not it, I'm happy for you guys," Korra said honestly, as she reached her hand backwards to touch Lei's hand that was on the handle. Lei smiled, before handing over her job to Asami.

"Don't take this the wrong way but I can't wait for you to leave," Bolin said, as he walked up to them. Lei raised her eyebrow at him.

"How else is she not supposed to take it the wrong way?" Mako pointed out, as he crossed his arms together.

"I just can't wait to have a pen pal, here!" Bolin said excitedly, as he handed Korra a letter, causing her to smile. Bolin leaned in closer and whispered, "Spoiler alert, Pabu and I already miss you,"

"Thanks, that's sweet," Korra said truthfully, as she smiled at her friend.

"Are you sure you don't want some company at the Southern Water tribe? I'm happy to come with you," Asami asked worriedly, Korra shook her head in response.

"No, I appreciate it but I'll only be gone for a couple of weeks. A little alone time will do good for me," Korra responded, Asami nodded.

"Now, I don't want you to worry about a thing while you're gone, you focus on your recovery. Jinora, the airbenders and I have everything under control," Tenzin said to Korra, who put on a light smile. Lei knew this was hard for her, but it was for the best.

✨•~~~~~~~•✨

Lei had just arrived at the station and stepped inside the building right away. She looked around the offices for Lin, before knocking on her office door. Lin hailed her to come in, so she opened the door to find Lin signing some papers. She looked up from her desk and saw Lei.

"If you're here to get off your break, I suggest you go home and rest," Lin said, before going back to signing her papers. Lei closed the door behind her and stood in front of her desk.

"I went to the healer, Lin. She said I just have to come back every week so she could heal the fatigue that I'm experiencing," Lei said, Lin didn't look at her and continued signing the papers.

"Didn't we agree that I'd give you back your job once you were fully healed?" Lin questioned, not looking up from her task. Lei sighed heavily.

"Yes, but I'm already at the process of that. You don't even have to give my position as detective, right away. If you could just give me a light job, you'll see that I'm already feeling better," Lei said, trying to convince her to give her something to do. Lin looked at her for a moment and began to think.

Lin smirked, "I've just got the perfect job for you,"

Lei smiled widely at her response and replied eagerly, "What is it?"

"Guard Prince Wu with Mako," Lin smirked, Lei gaped her mouth open, Lin continued, "That way, Mako can keep an eye on you and you get the light job you wanted,"

"Why am I always stuck on babysitting duty?" Lei pointed out, as she crossed her arms.

"Maybe, because you're actually good at it. Just take the job, Lei, cause that's the only one I'm offering you," Lin said seriously, Lei sighed and nodded.

"Alright, fair enough. But, could you do me a favor and not tell Mako, yet? He doesn't really know I'm here," Lei said slowly, Lin sighed deeply and rolled her eyes. After a moment, she nodded.

"Also, Lord Zuko and Firelord Izumi are arriving from the fire nation soon, so make sure they get settled in the hotel," Lin said, as she looked at Lei, who smiled, before turning.

"Was already on my way there, Chief," Lei said, saluting her before leaving the room.

✨•~~~~~~~•✨

Mako and Prince Wu were at the front of city hall preparing for the Prince's coronation. Mako was leaning against the front wall of the stage, while Wu was talking to some of the personnel in charge of the preparations for the event.

"So then the crowds are gathered all excited to see my coronation, when all of a sudden, these boulders come running through. And guess what pops out of them, Earth Bender Dames! These gals start banging the boulders like drums and sing the song of my royal lineage. It's the most dynamite six hour show you've ever seen in your life," Prince Wu explained colorfully, as he looked at the preparations going on.

"Shouldn't you be, I don't know, getting ready to rule a whole nation?" Mako questioned, as he crossed his arms. Prince Wu turned to him.

"Now, now, now, don't get yourself in a tizzy. I'll have ministers for all that. No, sir, Mako. When we get to Ba Sing Se, it'll just be two goofy guys living the life," Prince Wu said, as he slowly swiped his hand above him and wrapped his arm around Mako's shoulder.

"Yay," Mako said, with no emotion. His response reminded him that he somehow needed to get out of that situation.

"Getting excited for your big day?" President Raiko asked, as he approached them. Prince Wu smiled.

"Does a Bear platypus poop in--HEY!!" Prince Wu replied, until he called the attention of one of the metal benders moving the bleachers, "You can't put bleachers there! There won't be anymore room for the dance of the badgermoles! Look! It's gonna go like this!"

"You sure that's the guy you wan't running the earth kingdom?" Mako questioned Raiko, as he raised his eyebrow at Wu. Raiko sighed.

"Trust me, we'll be sending a group of experienced advisors to handle the government," Raiko answered, as they looked at the Prince.

"I see the prince is getting accustomed to the burdens of leadership," Tenzin said, as he approached the pair.

"You know royals, they love a ceremony," President Raiko said, Mako smiled thinking of how Lei doesn't like big celebrations as much.

"Have you received any word on the Avatar's location?" President Raiko asked, as he turned to Tenzin, who sighed. Mako turned to him.

"None yet, but I have airbenders all over the world on the look out for her. I hope they find her soon. I'm getting worried with the recent reports I've been getting of Kuvira's growing military, they say that she's throwing some of her resenters into prison camps," Tenzin answered seriously, Mako nodded slowly at his response.

"Well, she'll be stepping down tomorrow. You won't be worried of her mistakes after that," President Raiko assured, Tenzin raised his eyebrow.

"And you're not worried handing over her power to Prince Wu?" Tenzin questioned, Raiko looked unsure from Mako's perspective.

"When Kuvira started cleaning up the Earth Kingdom, she knew her position wasn't hers. She gave me her word that she'd step down," President Raiko explained, Tenzin narrowed his eyebrows at him.

"Still, I'd feel a lot better if Korra were here," Tenzin said, Mako nodded in agreement.

✨•~~~~~~~•✨

Lei arrived at the Republic City Four Elements Hotel, going up the elevator that ascended to one of the suites. When the elevator door opened, she stepped out and came into a small living room. She was at awe by the interior design of the room, not surprising for a really good hotel. She looked out the window, not noticing the other presence in the room.

"Beautiful isn't it? The place was better than I thought it would be," a voice said from behind her, Lei turned around to see her Aunt and smiled.

"Nothing beats the fire nation, you know that," Lei said, as she walked up to her and gave her a tight hug. Izumi smiled and hugged back.

"Oh, it's so good to see you, Lei. How have you been lately? You haven't visited at all," Izumi asked, as they sat down on separate couches.

"Sorry, I was really busy with work. I've been enjoying my life here in Republic City, people treat me as a regular person," Lei explained, Izumi smiled.

"Well, it still would be nice to have you visit every so often. Even my father misses you," Izumi said, Lei raised her eyebrow and began to look around, then back to Izumi.

"Where is he, anyway?" Lei asked curiously.

"He had to take care of some things back home, he should arrive by tomorrow," Izumi paused, before standing up, "Speaking of tomorrow,"

Lei raised her eyebrow curiously, as Izumi retreated back to her room, only to return with Lei's traditional clothes. She knew what it meant, speaking up, she said, "Oh, don't tell me—,"

"You know you have to sit next to us during the coronation, you have the Fire Nation Royal Family blood," Izumi said, as she placed her clothes in the coffee table in between them.

"What about Iroh II then?" Lei questioned, as she looked at her clothes then at Izumi.

"He's busy leading his Forces, so I have you," Izumi smiled innocently, Lei looked at her with a blank expression.

Lei sighed as she looked at her aunt, "Splendid,"

✨•~~~~~~~•✨

At the Republic City Four Elements Hotel, Kuvira's troops had just arrived. Bolin gave himself an entrance by slamming the doors open to the hotel.

"Hello, Republic City! Bolin is back!" Bolin shouted happily, as he entered, his smiled faded when he spotted a familiar face, "And...Eska's also here,"

Eska and Desna turned to Bolin. It was no surprise that the twins were here for the coronation since they replaced their father as the chiefs of the Northern Water Tribe. The twins walked over to Bolin, side by side. Eska looked at Kuvira for a brief moment before turning to anxious looking Bolin.

"I see you have replaced me with a new girlfriend. Well done, she seems very threatening," Eska pointed out, with the same non-emotional sound in her voice. Bolin raised his eyebrows.

"No, no. That's Kuvira, she's kind of my boss," Bolin explained, as she pointed at Kuvira. Eska raised her eyebrow.

"Boss, girlfriend, same thing," Eska said, Bolin was about to say something, until one of the Hotel staff approached the twins.

"I'm afraid there is a mistake, your eminence. It appears we booked you and your brother in the same room with only one bed," the staff person said, Eska shook her head in response.

"It's no mistake, Desna sleeps in the tub," Eska replied, as the twins left for their room, leaving a very confused Bolin behind.

"Bolin!" a familiar voice shouted, from Bolin's back. He turned around to see his big brother, Mako. He smiled instantly and turned to him. Once both of them were close enough, they started punching the air in between each other. They laughed after doing their little handshake.

"Look at you, my little brother got all....important," Mako said proudly, Bolin smiled.

"I know right, I see myself in the mirror sometimes and think I'm in trouble before I realize it's only me," Bolin chuckled.

"So, what's it like working for Kuvira? From what I've heard she's pretty harsh," Mako asked curiously, Bolin shook his head.

"No, I mean, she can be tough, sure, but we're turning around the earth kingdom like you wouldn't believe! You remember how bad grandma's neighborhood in Ba Sing Se was? All that's completely changed, I mean, we're really helping people! But, what have you been up to? Fighting crime, busting triads, chasing the ladies, Mako style?" Bolin asked, poking his brother's side. Mako shook his head in response to his last question.

"Lei and I are still together, and I've been kind of working for Wu," Mako replied, then turning to Wu, who was next to the window, posing and admiring himself through the reflection. Bolin raised his eyebrow before Mako continued, "And, uh, yeah,"

"So, have you seen Korra yet?" Bolin asked, knowing he missed his opportunity to see Korra when she arrived. Mako sighed and shook his head.

"No, she was supposed to come in with Tonraq but he said she left the South Pole months ago, no one knows where she is," Mako replied, Bolin frowned at the thought of Korra missing.

"Is that Bolin? The lavabending soldier?" a familiar voice said, from behind Mako. He turned around to see Lei, he had a surprised expression on his face.

"Is that Lei? Princess of the Fire Nation?" Bolin smiled, Lei laughed as she approached them.

"Stop calling me princess," Lei pouted, putting her hands on her hips. Mako rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around her waist.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were at home?" Mako asked curiously, Lei turned to him. Bolin stood there watching the two.

"I had to see Lord Zuko and Aunt Izumi before the coronation tomorrow, only to find out, I'd be sitting with them for it," Lei explained, Mako nodded understandingly.

"Wait a minute, you guys live together?" Bolin asked, as he pointed at the couple, they turned to him and smiled.

"Yeah, we have been for quite a while," Lei replied, Bolin smiled widely and nodded.

"I'm kind of tired from everything today, so I'm heading back home," Lei said softly, as she turned to Mako.

"I'll see you later," Mako said, as he kissed her cheek. Lei smiled widely, then turned to Bolin. She approached him and gave him a hug.

"It was nice to see you, Bolin," Lei said softly, as she pulled away from the hug. Bolin smiled.

"You too, Lei," Bolin said, before she walked out of the hotel, he then turned to his brother, and said, "I wish Opal and I were still like that,"

"What do you mean? Did you guys fight?" Mako asked curiously, Bolin shrugged.

"It's a long story," Bolin replied, as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Trust me, I'd rather listen to it than listen to another word Wu has to say," Mako said truthfully, as he turned to Wu, who was still making poses.

✨•~~~~~~~•✨

It was the day of Wu's coronation day. Many people were gathered outside City Hall to witness the occasion. All the World Leaders were given a seat on the stage. Lei began to wonder why she even had to sit there. She was sitting beside Aunt Izumi and Lord Zuko, wearing her traditional royal clothes and pin that kept her hair up neatly. She had to admit, she missed the silk from the Fire Nation. Mako was standing guard right behind her, right next to Asami. She turned her head behind her, to catch a glimpse of him. He looked at her, smiled, then winked. Lei rolled her eyes and shook her head, as she turned back to the ceremony. Wu was kneeled down in front of one of the royal advisors, who placed the Royal Broach on the left side of his chest.

"Now, rise, King Wu of the Wu Ting Dynasty, King of all the Earth lands and Glorious defender of Ba Sing Se, long may you reign," the Royal Advisor said, Wu stood up and bowed to him, before walking up to the microphone stand.

"Thank you for that incredibly brief  but moving ceremony. I am devoted by the love of my fellow countrymen, who have worked so hard to restore their beloved leader on the throne. One of them receives special attention, Kuvira, rise," Wu said, as he gestured to Kuvira, who was sitting on the opposite side of Lei. She looked at Kuvira, as she stood up and walked to the microphone. She looked a lot different from the last time she saw her, Lei thought. Kuvira walked up to Wu and faced him.

"For your service to the realm, I would like to present you the Kyoshi medal of freedom, our nation's highest honor, which was somehow not stolen," Wu said, as he held up the medal. Kuvira leaned her head forward for Wu to place the medal around her neck.

"Thank you, and if you don't mind, I'd like to say a few words," Kuvira said, as she stood straight.

"Why not? We've got six hours to fill," Wu mutered, as he gestured to the microphone stand. Kuvira approached the microphone and stood tall. She placed her hands behind her back.

"Growing up in Zaofu with Suyin Beifong, I learned growing up that a royal family passing down a title from one generation to the next was archaic, and that technology and innovation should be what makes a nation drive forward. It was the pathetic rule of Kings and Queens that cause the Earth Kingdom to descend into such an incredible disarray," Kuvira started, Lei narrowed her eyes at her response, she felt somewhat offended.

"It's taken me three years to get it back on track, and there's no way I will allow it to slip into the dark ages. I would like to make an announcement to the world, the Earth Kingdom is no more, and from now on, this man has no authority," Kuvira said confidently, as she pointed at Wu.

"Wait, what? But I just got the royal broach," Wu complained, Mako and Lei exchanged suspicious glances at each other before turning to Kuvira. 

"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," Kuvira said proudly, before turning to the group of world leaders behind her.

"And let me show my fellow leaders one thing," Kuvira continued, Lei stood up straight and glared at her. Kuvira bended the medal around her neck and turned to the leaders.

"Anyone who crosses our borders or stands in our way, will be crushed," Kuvira finished, as she crumpled the round piece of metal.

✨•~~~~~~~•✨
AUTHORs NOTE:
Another chapter posted! I hope all of you enjoyed this chapter! Also, Happy One Year Anniversary!

I just want to say that I'm grateful for all of you, who have been enjoying my book since the start. I never thought that anyone would enjoy this book so much. I'm sorry if the wait in between chapters takes about a month or so, it takes a while for me to gain inspiration. Anyways, I hope all of you stick around for the future chapters of this book and enjoyed this chapter. Till next time! I hope all of you are safe!

PUBLISHED: April 24, 2020