//------------------------------// // The Request // Story: The Little Pony Legend: The Redeemers // by eric-emanwu //------------------------------// Chapter 2: The Request Korra was very quiet on the train ride back. Thinking about what Kuvira had said. So much peace had been created after all their hard work, and yet now her friend couldn’t share in the beauty of it all. It weighed on Korra’s mind even as the train pulled up to Republic City, and she flew off to Air Temple Island. And as she touched down, still thinking about Kuvira’s words, she was finally shaken out of it when a hand touched her shoulders. “Korra, are you alright?” Korra finally snapped out of her thoughts and turned to look at who had touched her. But when she did, it only made her heart sink lower. It was P’Li. Ex member of the anarchist Red Lotus group given a new chance at life and truth after Princess Celestia had saved her life in battle. She’d been living on the island for over 4 years now, and while Korra could make out some faint age creases around her eyes, she still looked every bit as intimidating and stunning as before. Today though she was dressed in a simple green gown that made her fire eye stand out. Not that anyone would notice though, as she’d allowed her bangs to mostly cover it today. “Oh. P’Li. How are you today?” P’Li smiled. “It’s been a good day. I got to go on a glider ride today. It scared me more than Tirek did, but thankfully Jinora was there to help keep me safe. I’m also thinking that the new recruits need a bit of Bumi style discipline like how Meelo would sometimes use. Cause right now the latest team of airbenders are having...issues even approaching the new wind gates.” P’Li then got a hold of herself. “Sorry. It’s just….I’ve been here so long that it’s become easy for me to pick up on these things now.” Korra smiled at this. Then frowned again. “And are you...happy here?” P’Li’s expression changed quicker than one of her combustion blasts. “Where did this come from?” Korra shook her head. “I’m sorry. It’s just….Kuvira.” P’Li raised an eyebrow. “What about her?” “I took her back to her prison a few days ago, and I can’t help but feel that I’m failing her. I’m out here, with wings, a palace, millions of people and ponies who trust me, but the one person I want to bring into the unity of the world, I can’t. I can’t help Kuvira be free.” P’Li gave an oddly sour look at that. “Well, it’s not like she doesn’t deserve it.” “SHE…” Korra then sighed. “She does, but I wish she could work her way out of it faster. She’s been trying so hard for 2 and ½ years, but she doesn’t seem any closer to getting out than before. I want her to be out and serving like she did before.” Korra then looked P’Li in the eyes. “She has so much leadership potential she’s squandering in that cell. And I don’t want her to be stuck there until we’re all old and ready to let the elements or a new Avatar take our places. That’s why I asked if you’re happy here. Because the more I think about it, the more I realize...you’re in a similar situation P’Li.” P’Li had her mouth shut for several seconds taking in Korra’s words. Finally she began to speak. “You people and ponies have done incredible things for me. While it may have been a tough start, you took me in after years of my evil on the world. You trusted me with freedom of journey to the Crystal Empire or to Starlight’s former village. You gave me so many new friends to understand life as being so much bigger than freedom.” Then P’Li’s expression hardened. “But I am not fully happy here Princess Avatar. Tenzin has made me a guardian of the isle, but in truth, I know I’m still a prisoner here legally. I can’t go do shopping with Pema for bulk food items due to reputation, and I know that even after all these years, I can still get uneasy looks from Suyin, laced with the memory of almost killing her sister.” Korra only now realized that she’d taken several steps backwards from P’Li while she’d been saying this. A mixture of horror and sadness rose within the Avatar, but she also saw that P’Li’s expression had turned to one of sorrow too. “And I’m tired. I’m tired of doing...little around here. I want to be able to do more for the world. Because you’re right Korra. In this new age of unity, I want to be able to go do more beyond this island.” P’Li then took a deep breath. This was even more difficult than when she tried to save King Thorax of the changelings. “Do you...think you could talk to Tenzin about this? I don’t think I have the right to ask for my freedom, but you always have the right to be heard.” Korra glanced to her left, where she saw Tenzin’s home. “I...I’ll set up a formal panel with the leaders of Republic City. Hopefully, after all this time, they’ll trust you enough to let you be free. I’d say I can get back to you on this in...a week at the latest.” P’Li just nodded at that. “Thank you.” Five Days Later…. “WHAT?” In a side building on Air Temple Island, Spike the Dragon was writing down something on a scroll. Spike was almost in the throngs of teenagehood, and was definitely starting to grow out a bit. His sleeping habits were becoming a bit more flexible, and after his many adventures, he was almost fit enough to handle enemies on his own now. Still, he knew he had quite a ways to go. And yet, as he was writing down a letter to Ember, Lord of the dragons, he couldn’t help but wonder if his time to be a hero again would come soon enough. Then he heard the shout. In a snap he looked at what he’d written so far, shrugged, and moved the letter aside. Then he started scribbling as fast as possible on a new sheet of paper, which he quickly burned with his magic fire and sent flying out the window as soon as he was done. He sighed a bit. “Well, I should’ve known Korra would be getting into trouble again.” Tenzin almost felt like his face had blown off after that shout. But he kept a firm look on his face looking at Princess Korra. He’d known her for so long now, but she could still be so hard headed despite how much she’d grown. He was sitting in a room on Air Temple Island in Republic City. Around him were several of the city’s high officials. Lin Beifong, Chief of the Republic City police force was on his left. She wore an expression that was as hard as he’d ever seen it back in the day. President Raiko was on his right. He had a much more sympathetic look of apology on his face. Further to his right floated Discord, spirit of Chaos. He looked thoroughly amused at what just happened. Facing him were two women. First was the one and only Princess Avatar Korra, her wings extended in a formal blue outfit that had some new additions. Namely, some stylized wings were clipped around her ears, making her seem even more regal than she already was. She was also wearing silver Armbands, and her dress was a bright blue that draped down past her knees and included blue pants with formal velvet shoes. Apparently her friend Rarity had made this one new for her. And next to her was none other than the person they were discussing. P’li today was back in a red outfit with some leather plates around it. Her hair was styled back showing her combustion eye, but her eyes themselves were looking down. She looked quite demoralized. Tenzin spoke first in response to the outburst that had just happened. “I know this doesn’t sit right with you, but after consulting with the other nations and some of the other airbenders, I don’t think that we can release P’li from our care.” Korra looked like she was facing a 3 eared platypus bear. But when she spoke, she sounded more confused than angry. “I...I don’t get it. It’s been years since P’li’s done anything to hurt anyone. She’s been patient, caring. She helped with the evacuation of Republic City and fought against Tirek. So why can’t you let her live her own life again?” “Because it wouldn’t be fair.” Lin spoke up saying that. “Excuse me?” “Do you really think a few years of house arrest can make up for all the harm she did in her life? Attempted kidnapping, manslaughter, breaking and entering, endangering your friends? If you let her walk off, aren’t you’re saying that all those things don’t matter as much as letting her be free to do her own thing?” “But she’s already done so much. This isn’t even so different from that guy a few seats down.” Korra complained. “Yes.” Lin said dryly. “It’s not. And since I’ve never been a fan of letting some reality warping spirit fly around without consequence, I’m not exactly fond of the comparisons.” “Oh you wound me so Lin.” Discord said playfully. “Korra, can I speak?” All eyes turned to the woman being discussed. P’Li was looking down, but when she looked up, all the beings in the room felt their hearts melt just a little bit. Her eyes looked steely just like Lin’s, but with a depth and reflection where you could see just the slightest trace of rainbows along the side. “When I first joined the Red Lotus, I thought I was doing it to free the world from oppression. But then Princess Celestia saved me from my own death, and you all taught me that life is about more than just freedom. For these past years, I cared far more about just trying to show other people that I’m not who I once was. But having seen everything, I now realize I want to do more than just housekeeping and the occasional special mission.” “So what do you want then?” Tenzin asked. P’li took a deep breath, and then said cautiously, “I want to become a teacher.” There was a pause. Nobody said a word, daring P’Li to go on. “I’ve learned so much these 5 years I’ve spent with you all, and Twilight Sparkle inspired me some with her thirst for knowledge. Not to mention how she’s been teaching my best friend Starlight. Now I want to be able to spread the truth of our world to others. I want to be able to help those still to come, such as Princess Iris. I want to reveal to her and others like her all the great and terrible parts of our histories. That’s what I want to do in the future, but I can’t really learn how if I can’t get a chance to go off the island like anyone else.” At this, everyone was silent for a few moments. Then Lin spoke again, and unlike her previous tone, she sounded far more compassionate than before. “P’Li, I trust you again, but I, as are all the people here, are still slaves to our duty. And despite all you’ve done, the people of the world still don’t trust you enough to let you go.” Raiko then spoke up. “I don’t share Lin’s connection, but I do share her sentiments. I’m sorry P’Li, but until we can create a better system for releasing prisoners, or a bigger crisis gives you the freedom to act nobly again, I can’t in good legal or personal conscious release you.” The two women then turned to Tenzin, who gave a small grimace. “Unfortunately, our island is within Republic City limits. I can’t safely release you without sparking a potential crisis.” Tenzin then gave a deep sigh. “This meeting is over.”