A Legend of Korra Fanfic

By Sakura Martinez (aka SMTsukishiro)


Summary:

A promising engineering student. A mysterious woman capable of controlling the four elements. When their paths crossed, the resulting collision not only changes their lives and themselves, but the fate of the entire world as well. [Korrasami AU]


Author's Note:

Hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

Also, don't forget to leave a review if you can!

Allons-y~!


The Legend of Korra

The Schism

Chapter 2. A Strange Encounter


She didn't think she made a loud enough noise to make the mysterious young woman standing—or was she actually floating?—in the middle of the lake notice her. But whether she gasped loudly or not, the dark-skinned stranger did hear her and she turned to face Asami, looking at her with the bluest of eyes the young inventor had ever seen; eyes that seemed to stare straight into her soul. It was enough to make Asami's heart beat just a little faster, breath hitch, and for gooseflesh to rise at the back of her neck.

Still, Asami Sato held the other woman's gaze. Her emerald eyes were locked intently at the stranger's sapphire ones. She didn't know why she did it. Perhaps it was to show a brave front, or maybe it was just her competitive nature getting the best of her. Whatever the reason, she maintained eye contact far longer than any other person would have, given the situation. Not that Asami believed anyone would even try and hold a staring contest with someone who was either a very good illusionist or not entirely human.

And the young prodigy, being a woman of science, was much more inclined to believe the former of the two explanations.

Whilst they were having their impromptu staring contest, the sound of the bell jingling and jangling continued to play. A gentle wind blew around the girl, surrounding her as a barrier would. Yet despite the breeze, there was not a ripple on the lake's surface. The water—for some inexplicable reason—remained calm.

A flicker of emotion passed through the other girl's eyes—one Asami might not have noticed if she wasn't paying attention. A second later, a powerful gust of wind blew from behind, strong enough to push Asami off balance. This forced her to break eye contact with the olive-skinned foreigner.

She steeled herself, shutting her eyes as she tipped over the gazebo's railing. Already her mind had begun concocting an explanation to Opal—one that sounded more plausible and believable than the actual truth—for why she would be coming home drenched.

But her body didn't meet the water, as she had expected. Instead, she felt a warm set of hands around her arm and waist, steadying her.

Slowly, the young inventor opened her eyes only to be met with those steely blue ones she had been in contest with, this time so much closer than Asami would've allowed. Before she could react in any way, the strange, young woman righted Asami back into the gazebo's solid ground.

A smirk played on the stranger's face, crinkling the side of her eyes as she let go of Asami before taking a step back. There was a smugness in the other girl's countenance that irritated the aspiring engineer.

The Prodigy couldn't help but note other things about the other woman. Like her dark-blue and white outfit. It was all dyed, animal skin, so unlike the clothes she was used to seeing—and she had seen a variety of them, from the most expensive and exotic, to those worn by the common man. It looked similar in design to the garbs worn by the ancient warriors from the Water Tribes—clothes that were now often seen during festivals, ceremonies, or displayed at the museum.

And then there were the four, distinct, tribal markings, painted from her well-toned arms to her shoulders. The markings looked familiar to Asami. She felt as though she had seen them before, perhaps in one of Opal's books. Regardless, the motif's import eluded her. Out of curiosity, she made a mental note to ask her friend about it.

Despite the consequence of her careful scrutiny, Asami couldn't find any visible evidence on the other girl's person for the source of the chiming. Her clothes didn't have any ornament of the kind that would make such a noise. It bothered Asami more than it should.

"Nice try, but it is still way too early for a human such as yourself to challenge me into anything and win." There was a sort of melody that accompanied the strong, confident, accented voice of the sapphire-eyed stranger as she spoke. Then, as if it was perfectly normal and there was nothing wrong with the words she had uttered, the stranger affixed her eyes once more on the university building and segued into an inquiry, "Tell me, what purpose does this structure serve? What is it for?"

Asami frowned. It was a bizarre question to ask. The rational part of her mind told her to ignore the question and the dark-skinned, young woman; to let this stranger be, forget everything she had seen, and just go home. But another part of her told her to stay and supply the information the other had sought. That, and the look she was given, kept Asami from doing the sensible thing.

"That is the Great Republic University," Asami answered in the rehearsed tone she always used when elucidating things—no matter how mundane a thing she was explaining. Or when reciting words written on the University's pamphlet. "It is the crown jewel of the United Republic of Nations. A place of learning where the brightest minds congregate. It is also the place where new technologies are conceived and old ones perfected and continually upgraded." She arched an eyebrow and followed the explanation with a question laced with suspicion, "How can you not know about it? Everyone knows about the University. It's renowned throughout the entire world."

Asami didn't get an answer out of the mysterious, young woman who had turned from staring at the imposing building to glaring at it as though it was the most offending thing in the entire world. At that point, the young prodigy was again given a chance. She could have simply left the stranger alone. She could have walked away, left the peculiar, young woman be. But despite the angry look on the dark-skinned girl's face, Asami could also see confusion and turmoil. It kept her from taking that one step back.

"A school…?" she heard the stranger mutter. "Why here?"

There was a moment of silence after that, one that Asami wanted to fill with so many questions her inquisitive mind and nature had been dying to raise. She wanted to ask, but the argument the stranger seemed to be having with herself kept her from doing so.


She had been certain of her destination when she left the comforts of her hut in the Hallowmount. The Spirits had shown her a vision. They had pointed the way. Whatever tumult there was with them came from the large structure that stood before her.

But how could a place of learning cause such a commotion? This was the question the Avatar pondered on.

"Does it matter?" A noble voice—explosive and powerful—asked, a hint of exasperation and impatience coating the words. "We came here to put a stop to whatever is causing our people to suffer, and that is all that we must do."

"How can we stop something we know not the cause?" Another voice, drawing out each syllable of the words, countered. "We cannot blindly charge in. Doing so will only put Avatar Korra in harm's way."

"Then what do you suggest, Bai Hu? Watch and wait? Be patient?" there was a mocking tone that accompanied the fiery voice.

"And what is wrong with being patient, Suzaku?" a third voice joined in. Unlike Suzaku's loud and ill-tempered voice, or the steadfast and drawling voice of Bai Hu, the third spoke calmly yet with a hint of the playfulness of a child. "There is much to be gained from such virtue."

"Maybe in other things, but not in this. We cannot prolong the suffering of our brethren. Did you not hear their cries, Vayu? I thought you, for one, would side with me."

"I am not siding with anyone," Vayu retorted. "There are no sides. We're all in this together. I was merely reminding you of the importance of that which you so easily dismiss. There is no need to be grumpy. Tell him, Ali."

"I will not be pulled into another one of your arguments, especially not when we are far from the safety of Nia Bayou and the Hallowmount." came a fourth voice, melodic and nurturing as a mother's. "I do have a suggestion, if Avatar Korra is willing to listen."

"Yes, by all means, join in." It was not as though the Avatar had a choice. For the moment, the only one who can hear the voices of the Four Elemental Spirits—Suzaku, Bai Hu, Vayu, and Alignak—who serve her, was herself.

"Perhaps we can ask that human for aid?" the Elemental Spirit of Water suggested. "She seemed capable and knowledgeable enough."

The Avatar had all but forgotten about the aforementioned human. So concerned was she by her own plight, her own mission, she had tuned everything out. She had expected said human to have left by then. But when she glanced at the gazebo, she saw the pale-skinned, young woman still present, looking at her intently with such unabashed scrutiny.

It was strange, being looked at that way. For as long as she could remember, the people of Nia Bayou had never openly gawked or stared at her. They didn't even dare look her in the eyes as this girl had just been doing. And when she did catch them looking, there was always this fear in them. Fear of her power, her divinity, and her being. This human she had met also held fear in her eyes, but it was a different kind of fear. A fear of the unknown—something the Avatar was to her at the time.

"Would that be wise?" Bai Hu, ever the cautious Elemental Spirit of the Earth, questioned. "Getting a human involved…'tis not something to be done out of whim."

"Not out of whim, but necessity." Alignak countered crisply. "I sense something from that human. A strong will, determination. Something unwavering, yet adaptable. And as I have said before, she is acquainted with this place better than we are. If we are to investigate, perhaps she would know of a way inside without the need to have Suzaku blow a hole through the wall for us."

The Elemental Spirit of Fire huffed, though like Bai Hu, he said nothing. Vayu, on the other hand, vocalized his approval on Alignak's suggestion.

"The decision is still yours, Avatar Korra." was the last thing the Elemental Spirit of Water said before the she and the other Elemental Spirits left the Avatar to her own thoughts.

The Avatar weighed her options, though in truth she really had none. Though she was quite capable of doing things by herself—with the aid of the Four Elemental Spirits who serve her—and she wished nothing more but to rely on her own power, the Avatar knew she had to make an exception.

Just this once.

She sighed before turning to face the human once more. She really didn't like the idea of having to depend on on someone else. Especially someone she could easily break in half.

"You, human," she spoke in the most authoritative tone she could muster as she pointed a finger at the green-eyed mortal. Having spoken so suddenly, the other girl had taken a step back in surprise, though the Avatar didn't care much about her reaction. "The Four Elemental Spirits and I have deemed you worthy to aid us in our mission."

She had thought the girl will be honored. That she would smile and bow at her in reverence as the people of Nia Bayou would have, muttering that they were not worthy. What the Avatar didn't expect was that this girl would frown, an irate look settling on her face and hands on hips, as though the Avatar had offended her.

"Excuse me?" the girl's glare went from the Avatar's face to her finger which was still pointed at her, and then back again.

Avatar Korra blinked, she didn't understand why this girl would be excusing herself now. She shook her head and said, "I cannot permit you to release yourself. I am on an important mission that precedes any mundane troubles you may or may not have."

The girl with flowing, black hair, eyes the color of Vayu's treasured jewels, and porcelain skin gave her a disbelieving look. The eyes that had gazed at her in awe and wonder now looked at her as though she was crazy.

"Are you serious?" the human had asked, again in an incredulous tone. But before the Avatar could assure her that she was, the other girl had already begun backing away. "Look, I only came here because I heard a bell, I was curious. And then I saw you and had thought you were a fascinating illusionist. I don't know what you've been smoking or drinking, but now I think you're just plain crazy. So, I'm going now…whether you permit me or not." The human had rolled her eyes at this. "Have a nice night…and good luck on whatever it is you're doing."

The words were rushed, as was the way the girl had turned around and began walking as fast as her long legs could carry, her away from the Avatar.

The young Avatar, for her part, stared at the other girl's retreating figure. She couldn't believe that someone would dismiss her like that, and even think of her as insane. Being brought up the way she was by the Four Elemental Spirits, surrounded by people who did her every bidding, the Avatar found herself affronted. She bristled for a moment, before she took a powerful jump.

Propelled by Vayu's power, she took flight before landing directly in front of the human who had the gall to walk away from her, barring the mortal's way. The girl, not expecting the Avatar to drop in from the sky like that, let out an exclamation of surprise before falling on her backside.

"Hey, I didn't say you could walk away!" the Avatar said, trying to force her emotions in check. She needed the girl's help, and it would do her no good to scare her away. "I have given you the privilege to help in our mission. You should feel honored that I would even choose a human such as yourself to assist me. The spirits are restless, and I intend to get to the bottom of this—whatever is causing them to act that way—and fix it. And that is coming from that building you call a university. I need to find a way inside."

As the Avatar was speaking, the young woman had stood up, dusted herself, and had been trying to get through the path the Avatar had blocked. The fright the girl had been given was slowly being replaced by annoyance. Thanks to Vayu's help, however, the Avatar was quick to impede whatever progress the human hoped to make.

After a while, the dark-haired girl quit her attempts and placed a hand on the bridge of her nose, the other on her hips.

"I do not have time for this!" she said, exasperated. She gave the Avatar a glare—the coldest and harshest she could muster. "I swear, if you do not move out of the way, I will scream so loud the guards will come. Then I'll have you arrested and make sure you do not see the light of day again."

"You will do no such thing," the Avatar's face darkened, growling as she snatched the girl's wrist, yanking her so that her eyes were leveled with hers. Though she would rather not hurt anyone, she couldn't afford to waste time. And having the girl scream for help, calling unwanted attention on her, would be such a bother. "I don't wish to fight, but if pressed, I will not hesitate to defend myself. Besides, there's not a prison in this world that can contain me."

Her words served to weaken whatever resolve the other girl had, though she didn't stop trying to wrestle herself free from the strong grip on her wrist. After several seconds, the Avatar slowly released her hold on the girl and took a step back.

The two glared at each other. The awe and fear that have danced and mingle in those bright, green orbs, now had a new emotion added to the mix: anger.

Avatar Korra couldn't care less, though, and she made sure to let her tone carry that sentiment as she added, "Now, tell me what I need to know and you can be on your way."


Chapter End Notes:

Just a few notes with regards to the Four Elemental Spirits.

Before I actually put this story into writing, I knew I wanted to have four elements personified as spirits. I also knew that I want them to mirror and retain the diversity that is ever present in the Avatar World (the exception being the live-action movie, which should never be spoken of), hence the names.

Though named after the Vermillion Bird, Suzaku the Great Spirit of Fire embodies the form of a dragon (in this story, at least). The name, as many may know, is from the mythological Four Gods (in Japan) and Daoism's Ling Guang (Chinese Four Symbols).

The Great Spirit of the Earth, Bai Hu, came from the same mythological circle. Though Bai Hu (which is the Chinese name for Byakko and the Daoism's 'Jian Bing') is known as the "Tiger of the West", in this story he is depicted as a Badgermole.

Alignak, the Great Spirit of Water, embodies the twin fish (moon) spirits. Though she has the ability to appear as a beautiful, blue-skinned woman and is different from the actual Moon Spirit that will be introduced at a later chapter. The name "Alignak" is from the Inuit mythology. There she is the lunar deity weather, water, tides, eclipses, and earthquakes.

The name for the Great Spirit of the Air, Vayu, I got from the Hindu deity, the Lord of the Winds, Vayu Deva. Unlike how it was with Alignak, Bai Hu and Suzaku, I deviated from the original mythos. Whereas in the original Avatar Universe (prior to Wan's Story and Raava's Era), the Flying Bisons are the one associated to Airbending, in this alternate universe, the Great Spirit of the Air is portrayed as a large, majestic bird with multi-colored feathers. And before anyone says anything, there is an important reason why Vayu isn't in the form of a Flying Bison.

So, yes. Diversity. Though I honestly hope I haven't offended anyone by making use of those names and depicting them in a manner different from how they originally were. That is not my intention.

Anyways, I hope I'm able to provide a bit more insight to this fictional alternate universe. Again, comments, suggestions, and that ever-so-valuable constructive criticism is always welcome. Also, I'll try to update this story as frequently as I can. So, until then, dream on; fly on!