Ruins of the Empire Part One

"Kuvira is right. The Earth Empire has no real power. It never did, really. The world has never viewed us as a legitimate nation. But I'm going to change that. Mayor Rhee, I am officially declaring my candidacy for Governor of Gaoling! Here's my paperwork."

— Guan to Mayor Rhee.

Ruins of the Empire Part One is the first installment of the Ruins of the Empire trilogy. It was released on May 21, 2019.^[1]

Overview[]

Korra must decide who to trust as the fate of the Earth Kingdom hangs in the balance!

On the eve of its first elections, the Earth Kingdom finds its future endangered by its past. Even as Kuvira stands trial for her crimes, vestiges of her imperial ambitions threaten to undermine the nation's democratic hopes. But when Korra, Asami, Mako, and Bolin don't all see eye-to-eye as to the solution, drastic measures will be taken to halt a new march to war!^[1]

Synopsis[]

Three months before the present day, Commander Guan, an officer in charge of an Earth Empire re-education camp in Gaoling, is being attended to by a barber when he is approached by Doctor Sheng, a scientist within the camp, with a report on the invasion of the United Republic of Nations. Guan initially assumes that Kuvira succeeded in her conquest, and becomes infuriated upon learning that she instead surrendered to Avatar Korra, and has ordered her armed forces to surrender immediately. After furiously ordering his barber to leave, Guan ponders how Kuvira could betray her followers despite being on the cusp of victory, before ordering Sheng to continue her research. When Sheng takes these words as an indication that Guan and his followers will not surrender, Guan tells her that while there was little hope for their soldiers when they first came to the camp, she showed him otherwise, and that the two of them have turned their soldiers into a formidable fighting force. He states that while Kuvira's reign may be over, the Earth Empire will never die.

In the present day, Bolin, now serving as a personal assistant to President Zhu Li Moon, is walking through a corridor of Republic City's City Hall with her and Varrick while outlining her schedule for the afternoon, which largely relates to the Evacuee Crisis and the aftermath of Tokuga's insurrection. After Varrick briefly complains when Zhu Li's busy workload prevents him from taking her out on a dinner date until the end of the month, the three of them meet Korra, Asami Sato, King Wu, and Mako, who are there for a speech of Wu's regarding his planned dissolution of the Earth Kingdom monarchy. Wu is initially nervous about the speech, owing to the size of the audience and his dislike of public speaking, but Mako calms him down by telling him to just be himself.

Giving his speech to a large crowd of both citizens and reporters, Wu informs them that the nation's first democratic election will take place in Gaoling in two weeks time, followed by elections in other states until the entire Earth Kingdom has transitioned to a democracy, a process he claims will be completed within a year. While Wu handles the scripted part of his speech well, he soon falters when pressed about the realism of his predicted timetable and opposition to his plans from certain states, and ends up launching into a song and dance on the subject. He collapses shortly after finishing his song, and Zhu Li hastily takes the stand to explain to the crowd that Gaoling's peaceful transition to democracy will encourage the other states to do the same.

Following Wu's speech, Kuvira is led into a courtroom to stand trial for her crimes as ruler of the Earth Empire. As this happens, she remarks to herself that the people in power want to humiliate her even after she has given up both her empire and freedom, and earned the hatred of those she once considered family. After the charges against her are read out and she is asked for her plea, Kuvira apologizes for her crimes, but claims the tribunal is deliberately focusing on them while ignoring her accomplishments in stabilizing and modernizing the Earth Kingdom after Queen Hou-Ting's assassination. She ultimately enters a plea of not guilty.

Kuvira's plea of innocence prompts Suyin Beifong, who had attended the trial alongside most of her family, to confront her after she is led out of the courtroom. Kuvira tries to ignore her at first, but after Suyin tells the younger woman not to turn away from her, Kuvira replies that the Beifongs turned their backs on her long before she formed the Earth Empire, and that she was never truly part of the family. She then asks Suyin when she will forgive her for attacking Zaofu and nearly killing Baatar Jr., claiming to have apologized for both things numerous times. Suyin tells her that simply being sorry is not enough, and that she needs to take responsibility for what she is done, before turning around and leaving.

After the trial, Team Avatar, Zhu Li and Wu all attend a meeting within Zhu Li's office. Mako asks Bolin about his new job before it begins, with Bolin claiming that he is really enjoying his new job, and that politics is his true calling. Mako is not convinced, however, recalling that Bolin said the same about all his previous jobs, and jokingly suggesting that he dislikes commitment. Bolin replies that just because Mako has "found himself" does not mean everyone else has, before the meeting commences. Wu explains that he has recently learned about Guan and his followers, and is fearful that they will attempt to disrupt the election in Gaoling, which Team Avatar realize would hinder the entire democratic movement and give the Earth Empire a chance to regain power. Zhu Li suggests that Korra and Team Avatar go with Wu to maintain the peace, and agrees to send Bolin along when he requests to go with them. Bolin assures Mako that he is not planning on giving up his new job, but lets out a sigh once Wu and the rest of Team Avatar leave.

As Mako and Wu walk away from the office, Korra holds Asami back and suggests they ask Kuvira what she knows about Guan. Asami - who did not attend Kuvira's trial - reluctantly agrees with the idea, but suggests that Korra should go on her own, saying that she does not want to be in the same room as Kuvira. Korra asks if this is why Asami did not attend the trial, with Asami replying that after Kuvira killed her father, she did not need a reminder of her other crimes. Korra accepts her girlfriend's decision, and goes to see Kuvira on her own. Before her arrival, Kuvira recalls a memory from her childhood prior to being adopted by Suyin, where her parents blamed her for breaking a vase despite Kuvira's claims that she was not responsible. Kuvira's parents confiscated her toys and locked her in her room as punishment, after which Kuvira responded by breaking down the wall of the room with her bending and running away.

Seeing Korra in the present, Kuvira remarks that she had a feeling Korra would be her first visitor, and expresses surprise at the news that Guan and his troops never surrendered to the United Forces. She warns Korra that Guan is a cunning strategist who used to be in charge of her southern forces, and that he is likely plotting something if he has not surrendered. When asked how she would deal with Guan, Kuvira suggests that Korra bring along an ally who has his respect and can reason with him, with Korra soon realizing that Kuvira is referring to herself in this regard. Kuvira tells Korra that Guan will not listen to the Avatar, but she can convince him to give up if allowed to speak face-to-face with him. Korra refuses and leaves, and Kuvira tells her that she will inevitably need her help.

In Gaoling, Guan mobilizes his troops and has them advance on Gaoling's capital. Team Avatar, Wu and Zhu Li learn of this, and take it as proof that Guan is planning to try and stop the election. With Zhu Li unwilling to deploy the United Forces and risk starting a war unless she has no other choice, and Wu wanting to resolve the issue peacefully, Korra tells the others about Kuvira's offer. All of them are less than happy with the idea, each of them having suffered because of Kuvira, but Korra reminds them that Kuvira was once their ally, having captained Suyin's guard and helped them fight the Red Lotus, while also saving the life of Korra's father. Asami claims they cannot be certain whether Kuvira will be their friend or foe if they take her along, to which Korra recalls her interactions with Kuvira in the Spirit World and the prison, taking them as proof that Kuvira genuinely wants to redeem herself. Bolin comments that they can utilize Kuvira's ability to convince others to do things they're averse to, and after hearing Korra express a belief that her plan can work, the others agree to support her.

Korra returns to the prison with papers for Kuvira's release, and takes the other woman into her custody. Stepping onto the Future Industries airship with Korra, Wu and the rest of Team Avatar, Kuvira tries to be friendly with the others, but Korra warns her not to step out of line or harm her friends, and the others treat her with hostility and distrust, with Asami trying to lock her inside a platinum cell. Kuvira assures Asami that if she intended to escape, she would have done so before getting on the airship, and Korra promises Asami that she will lock Kuvira in the pod herself if she acts up. Asami relents, but warns that she will not take her eyes off Kuvira.

The group then travels to Gaoling, but sees no sign of Guan, though Kuvira remains confident that he will show up. She and Korra convince the others to remove her shackles and let her change into more presentable clothes, Korra fearing that Guan may refuse to talk with them if Kuvira looks like a prisoner, before Korra and Wu leave to meet with Rhee, the mayor of the capital, and see the preparations for the election. Shortly after arriving, they are dismayed to learn that the only candidates are a pair of elderly Chief Magistrates from the old Earth Kingdom bureaucracy, Wu admitting that he had hoped the elections would freshen up the political system rather than maintain the old status quo. As he and Korra talk about the matter, they are interrupted by the arrival of Guan's forces at the town hall.

As these events transpire, a now smartly dressed Kuvira finishes her preparations on board the airship as Asami, Mako and Bolin stand guard over her. After Asami tells Kuvira not to get used to being unshackled, Kuvira remarks to the other woman that it must be hard being Korra's girlfriend, saying that she could be inventing machinery or running Future Industries back in Republic City instead of having to guard her. Asami replies that she chose to come and protect Korra from Kuvira, before warning the other woman that she will not drive a wedge between the couple. Kuvira replies that she is not trying to do so, but showing genuine admiration for the group's loyalty to Korra and each other, something she claims to have never experienced in her life. Bolin tells her that she had always pushed people away in the past, having heard from Opal that Kuvira rejected her attempts at friendship when the two of them were growing up. Kuvira tells him not to believe everything Opal tells him, saying that her childhood was very different from Opal's despite both of them being raised by Suyin. She insists that everyone is wrong about her, and that she is no longer the same person who once ruled the Earth Empire, but Asami replies that while she believes people can find redemption, they do not change overnight.

At that moment, the conversation is interrupted by Korra telling Mako of Guan's arrival over the radio, and the four head to the town hall in a jeep, arriving just as Korra reveals Kuvira's presence to Guan, the sight of their former leader taking Guan and his men by surprise. Bringing the jeep to a stop, Asami tells Kuvira that this is her chance to prove she has changed, with Kuvira replying that she will do so as she gets out. After being mocked by Guan for "doing the Avatar's bidding", Kuvira tells him that she was the one who asked to come to Gaoling to help resolve the situation, out of respect for Guan and everyone else who served the Earth Empire with honor. Guan tells her not to talk about honor after she disgraced the Earth Empire with her surrender, and Kuvira replies that while she regrets the Earth Empire's fall and is proud of all it has done to help the Earth Kingdom, its time is nevertheless over. Guan however claims the opposite, and asks why others should be allowed to enjoy the benefits of the Earth Empire's accomplishments, before suggesting that part of Kuvira regrets surrendering and wants to see what else the Earth Empire could do.

Kuvira tells Guan that such a path will only end in death and destruction, and reminds him that the Earth Empire was defeated in Republic City. Guan replies that his faction still remains, but Kuvira retorts that they have no real power, only false hope that the Earth Empire has a future. She tries to appeal to his soldiers, telling them that they will be treated fairly if they surrender to Wu and Korra, but the soldiers affirm their loyalty to Guan. Kuvira then tries to settle things with a duel between her and Guan, but he refuses, saying that he is not foolish enough to fall for such a ploy, and that while she once inspired fear in her followers, she is nothing but a coward.

With her diplomatic options exhausted, Kuvira attacks Guan with her bending to try and force him to surrender. Korra and Guan's troops demand that she stop, but before the situation can escalate, Kuvira is suddenly shocked into unconsciousness through an unknown means. Asami reveals that she built remotely triggerable electrodes into Kuvira's belt as a precautionary measure. Korra has Mako and Bolin take Kuvira back to the airship, and warns Guan that she will not let him disrupt Gaoling's election.

Guan however reveals that he has come to take part in the election rather than stop it, explaining that Kuvira was right about the Earth Empire having no real power, and that the other nations never considered it a legitimate nation. He declares that he will change this, before naming himself as a candidate in the election and submits his documents for candidacy to Mayor Rhee. Wu tries to protest this, but Rhee replies that as it is an open election, there is nothing stopping Guan from doing so and his paperwork seems to be in order. As Rhee and Wu double check the papers, before he and his army leave Guan tells Korra that the Earth Empire will soon have candidates for every state in the Earth Kingdom, and that no-one will be able to question their legitimacy once they are elected. Korra and Wu watch him and his troops take their leave, Wu unable to believe what has happened.

Back on the airship, Kuvira awakens to find herself locked inside the platinum pod by Korra, to help her calm down and prevent her doing anything else reckless. She asks where Guan is, and Korra reveals Guan's plan to take over the Earth Kingdom through politics. Mako suggests that Wu call off the election for the time being to prevent Guan from winning, but the Earth King points out that if he wants to encourage democracy, he cannot cancel elections just because there is a candidate he does not like. Asami asks if they should just hope that another candidate wins, but Korra is doubtful that such an outcome will occur, having seen the lackluster candidates for herself. Kuvira suggests that they put up a candidate with enough popularity to beat Guan, with Asami agreeing to the idea, only for Wu to ask where they can find such a person a week before the election. Korra proposes Toph Beifong, citing her reputation, her being from Gaoling, her dislike of the Earth Empire, and her potential for uniqueness as a governor. Wu supports the plan, but Bolin warns the others that Toph was not keen to get involved in world affairs the last time he saw her. Korra replies that they will just have to convince her otherwise.

At the re-education camp, Guan tells Sheng that Kuvira is no longer the commanding and inspiring woman from before, blaming Korra's influence on how she has changed. Sheng suggests that they should recalibrate Kuvira's mind, but Guan replies that they have an election to prepare for, and asks about the candidates that she said had arrived. Sheng tells him that the candidates have been responding well to her messaging, and leads him into a room where three Earth Kingdom citizens have been bound to chairs, and are being brainwashed into supporting Guan.

Production notes[]

Transcript[]

Main article: Transcript:Ruins of the Empire Part One

References[]