A/N: Hello everyone! So here's our latest story, Titanium! It is BG-13's and mine first KORRASAMI story! It is an Iron Man crossover as long with some Grey's Anatomy in there just for fun and some PTSD. Hope you enjoy it! Read and Review please! Thank BG-13 as always :)
Tonraq watched as his wife organized the volunteers to set up for the Harmonic Convergence Festival. The Southern Tribe Chief always admired how his small wife could get things up and running within moments and without raising her voice. Visitors and tourists would be arriving soon to lay eyes on the Southern Lights as they danced across the sky. His wife had taken care of the preparations ever year since his reign began and they normally went off without a hitch.
The broad-shouldered man waited until she was alone before walking up behind her and wrapping an arm around her waist, kissing her cheek. Senna smile at his actions and moved so that she could see him.
"Aren't you supposed to be in a meeting?"
"The most recent report hasn't arrived," he replied with a affectionate smile as he stared down at Senna. "So I thought I'd come out here and see how the preparations were going."
"Right on schedule as usual. There were a few hiccups but nothing to worry about," the woman replied with an easy grin. "Everything will be set up and ready for the public by nightfall."
The Chief hummed in response, stealing a kiss. It was the little moments like this that he loved spending with his wife. He admired her patience and devotion, always supporting his decisions when it came to ruling the nation. The only time she'd ever asked him for anything was when their daughter had wanted to enlist in the military. The teen was brash, smart, and proud like her father. And Tonraq knew that she would be an invaluable addition to his ranks.
Despite the young woman's...other interests and activities she had an impeccable military record. She was a brilliant strategist and it didn't take her long to rise through the ranks. Senna had begged him to not let her join but had caved after seeing how happy Korra was to be enlisting and serving her nation. Korra was mostly in charge of all his forces, and answered only to her father. She, of course, had her own platoon which was made up of the best in his militia.
The young woman worried him at times but he also knew she could take care of herself. She was like a walking weapon despite not being able to Bend. His daughter had been trained in all sorts of marital arts since she was a child and then there were the skills she'd learned while in the military. And Tonraq couldn't have been more proud.
"Chief Tonraq!" the messenger called, breaking their peace.
The large bear of a man sighed but straightened himself, saluting the soldier before reading the contents of the letter. He sighed shaking his head. The Kuvira situation was quickly escalating though the other nations had been doing their best to ignore it.
"Is it Korra?" Senna asked. "Is she coming back?"
Tonraq sighed and nodded, hating that he'd have to cut his girl's leave short. "Now she is."
The Sato heiress smiled as she studied the various Spirits and animals interacting in the field of violet orchids. She had been spending most, if not all, her time in the Republic City Spirit Portal, except when her best friend managed to drag her away to have some sort of fun.
Korra had been in the city for a week and they had gone out a couple of times for a drink or just spent time together at the mansion. The heiress had gone to pick her up at the airport and was, as always, excited to see her friend. She knew Korra was on leave and their time together was limited but they both had activities and interests of their own to pursue.
Ever since the death of the Queen, the Earth Kingdom had fallen into chaos, among other things. Rumors were that Kuvira, the Metalbender that had taken over after the monarch, was indeed trying to rebuild the powerful kingdom at whatever cost. Citizens of different nations had been asked to leave and some did. Those who defied her and stayed were never heard from again.
A somewhat insane inventor, Varrick, a Southern Tribe nobleman, had resided in Zaofu, a city founded by Suyin Beifong. When he realized the growing instability of the nation he decided to flee with his wife and partner, Zhu Li to Republic City. There he had signed a contract to work with Future Industries and together they had built several machines for what he called the 'inevitable' war.
Currently, Asami was studying hummingbird dragonflies to help with an idea that she had come up with earlier in the week. Korra had tagged along, curious about her friend's work. She had sat down in the field and began to sketch, a hobby she'd discovered and taken up doing in what free time she could find. The heiress had asked to see what she was doing and looked over the very detailed sketching of the small, flittering creature. Her mind had immediately started to work on the possibilities and ever since had been studying the way they moved.
She yawned, looking down at her watch to see it was four in the morning. She had stayed up all night, again.
Asami sighed and started to pick up her things, figuring she should at least shower and get a few hours of sleep before heading to her midday meeting with Varrick. Not that he was ever on time.
The heiress looked at her phone, seeing no new messages from her best friend. She sighed and shook her head. The Water Tribe woman was probably having fun in someone's bed as usual.
When Asami arrived home she dropped her bags by the door and tiredly headed upstairs and went straight to bed. As soon as her head landed on the pillow she was out for the count, but her mind still swirled with ideas.
Mako watched as the Southern Tribe Colonel ran around the base with her team. Every single day she'd work them and do special training. The five member team had been with Korra since they'd enlisted together almost seven years ago. The brunette had been their Sergeant at one point and she'd kept the group with her all the way to Colonel, training them to be the best the Southern Tribe had to offer. She treated them with respect, though she worked them hard and she never let them go through it alone. The Water Tribe Colonel would never ask them to do anything she wouldn't do herself.
The Firebender raised a brow when she spotted the United Nations looking down from the tower at the group as they came to a halt. It was no secret neither official could look each other in the eye. Mako heard Iroh huff and he sighed shaking his head, following him as the General made his way down. These encounters never did go well.
"Finally got tired, Colonel?" Iroh asked, clasping his hands behind his back.
Korra let out a small scoff. "Those five miles aren't even considered a warm up for my team."
"Is that so?" She nodded. "How about a little game, Colonel? My best five against yours?"
"Are you ready to lose?"
"Getting ahead of yourself as always." the Firebender shot back, his tone clipped.
The Water Tribe woman shrugged, unconcerned. "Doesn't really matter. We'll still win." The older man's eyes narrowed. "Name your challenge."
"Terrorists on a plane training exercise. Whoever does it the fastest, wins."
A nod. "Losers buy the team drinks at Barney's." Her gaze went to her friend, sharing a small grin with him. "Rhodey gets to be the judge."
Iroh nodded and turned to leave, already thinking about who to choose for the challenge. He knew beating the Water Tribe woman's team would be no easy feat but he was confident he could do it.
"Why do you like getting under his skin?" Mako asked as the team went to get ready. "As if he needed another reason to have you removed from the premises."
"I'm a military official," Korra answered, stretching her arms above her head and then twisting her torso until she heard her back pop. "He can't kick me out. Besides, I just want to show him that even without Bending I can take him anytime."
The Firbender sighed and shook his head, watching his long time friend and former girlfriend put her gear on. They had been teenagers when they'd met and shortly after became an item. Their romance didn't last long but they ended on good terms, becoming great friends.
Soon Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes, or 'Rhodey' as Korra called him, explained the rules to both groups. There were six soldiers disguised as terrorists on the plane and others playing passengers. All the access ways were rigged and if they activated the traps, they'd be out. They'd have eight minutes to complete the exercise, the fastest team would win. Once he was done he handed out the paint ball guns.
The General decided to go first. At first they had a hard time trying to get past the traps but once they got over that obstacle everything else came easy, except for the part where a sleeper terrorist 'killed' one of his team. Once the plane was cleared, Mako called the time: six minutes, forty seconds. The General grinned, knowing the other team would have a hard time beating their time. Or so he thought.
Mako smirked as he watched Korra talk strategy with her team, pointing to the plans of the plane. Looked like she had a few tips up her sleeve. Mako would be willing to bet her having slept with a few stewardesses in the past had something to do with that.
Soon they started to make their move, helping two of their members get on top of the plane while the rest went inside through two different entrances. He watched as the Water Tribe woman lifted herself up into the plane through a shaft, asking the other team members to debug the traps which they quickly did. Once that was taken care of she gave the signal and the two members that had been on the roof of the plane came down with ropes, shooting the two pilots in the cabin. Each member took down a terrorist and Korra quickly uncovered the sleeper and shot him as well, clearing the scene. Rhodes waited till they came before calling out their time: four minutes, twenty seconds.
"Here are your winners," the Firebender announced, golden eyes sparking with mirth.
Iroh growled causing Korra's team to laugh and cheer. She congratulated them all on their effort and did the same with the other team though the General had left. He never had been a team player.
"Aren't you going to congratulate me, Rhodey?" Korra asked playfully.
Her friend scowled. "It's Rhodes. Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes."
She simply laughed and patted his shoulder, taking a note that their messenger delivered to her. The Colonel read its contents and sighed. Of all days.
"So when are we getting our drinks?" Amy, one of her team members, asked with a grin.
"Sorry, everyone," Korra apologized. "We're being called back home by the Chief. Those drinks will have to wait. They all groaned but left to start getting ready. The Water Tribe woman sighed once more. Looked like the fun was over.
Dressed in her army garb and prepared to leave, she could feel a dead sort of weight settle on her shoulders as she stepped into the mansion, the door shutting behind her. She stood straight, making herself seem taller than she was.
"Korra."
The brunette looked up and saw Asami walking down the grand stair case, looking perfect as usual. At least at first glance. Knowing her as well as she did, Korra spotted the faint creases at the bottom of her blouse, proof it had been tucked into her skirt earlier, and the dark circles under green eyes that spoke of late nights staying up to work.
"Well look at you," the older woman greeted, reaching the bottom of the stairs in her bare feet and hugging her dearest friend. "Don't you look all important."
"And you look like you haven't slept," Korra shot back.
"Ah," Asami replied. "Late nighters are the name of the game. You know that."
"You should take better care of yourself."
"You're one to talk."
The Water Tribe woman shoved her companion's shoulder playfully before she noticed Asami's expression sober. "So you're being deployed again."
The younger of the two shifted. "The Chief wants some of his best to check out a few splinter cells down south."
"Hmm."
"Hey." Korra's hand moved to rest on her shoulder. "You knew I only had a couple weeks here."
The heiress sighed and shook her head.
"I'll be careful. You know that."
The CEO took a deep breath, asking her friend to give her a moment to finish dressing so she could drive her to the airport. The ride there was silent and Korra could feel the dread coming off the beauty in waves as they grew closer to their destination, not that she could blame her.
The two had been friends since before they could remember, had practically grown up together and the Water Tribe woman knew how much her military career affected Asami.
When they arrived, she turned and gave the Sato woman a hug before getting out and grabbing her bag and starting toward her team who were waiting at the gate.
"I'll be back before you know it," Korra called over her shoulder.
Asami sighed once more, shaking her head, a bad feeling settling in her gut.
She better come back, she thought.