Chapter 7 - Alleyway
„...over fifty years old. The architect died just after its completion, stating that it had been his greatest achievement. Oh, over there you can see one of the city's famous..."
Asami Sato didn't notice that her flow of information was unheard by both her companions.
This was quite convenient for Korra who had still a bone to pick with the General.
„So, what exactly is Bumi's urgent business in Ba Sing Se?", she hissed under her breath.
Iroh had his gaze fixed forward stubbornly. He dug his hands into his pockets and mumbled something unintelligible.
„Say again? Oh, and how come a General needs to be given a tourist tour?"
Korra was laughing in earnest now, already brushing the moisture out of her eyes gleefully.
„I didn't know you could be such an awkward turtletuck!", she whispered breathlessly, still shutting Asami out.
„I am not!", Iroh hissed back, „I'm just...she is just...I mean...shut up!"
Korra was clutching her sides and was doubled over in uncontained laughter. Or so it seemed.
Then the Avatar let out a moan of pain.
„Korra, what's wrong?" Iroh inquired, stopping in his tracks „Asami, wait up!"
The General had gripped Korra's elbow tightly. Korra hid her face and clung to her midriff.
„Korra? Hey, are you alright?" Asami asked tentatively, touching her friend briefly on the shoulder.
„Yes...yes, I'm...just a little nauseous" Korra grit out, setting her jaw. Please, don't make me throw up in the middle of the street, she prayed silently.
Iroh and Asami looked at each other, not knowing what to do. Korra didn't seem to have the intention to move, so Asami gently prodded her side and together, she and the General managed to get her to the side of the road. They took shelter in a dingy but thankfully empty alleyway, where Korra immediately slid down the side of a wall and put her head on her knees.
„Hey Korra? Korra, say something!" Asami fretted over her.
Korra took labored breaths and willed herself not to loose her take away breakfast. She felt cool fingertips tilt her head upwards and groaned in protest. When Asami finally got her to look up, she gasped.
„Spirits, you're green Korra!"
„M'alright", Korra mumbled.
Another hand touched her, Iroh's calloused fingers pulled her ponytails over her shoulder.
„No she definitely is not. Look at this", he told Asami evenly.
Asami shuffled over to inspect Korra's temple.
„Korra! What did you do?! That looks awful!"
Korra threw Asami an annoyed look. Awful hu? If she dared to open her mouth right now, she'd give Asami a piece of her mind.
If Korra really dared to open her mouth right now, she'd probably spill something else than words, so she remained quiet and put her head against the cold brick wall behind her.
After some moments she ventured: „This morning...I had a little training accident … in the gym."
Iroh looked sceptical. Asami scoffed: „No way! Mako wouldn't have let you out with a bruise like this. He'd have gotten you to a hospital straight away!"
Korra couldn't help but laugh at this, the amusement tasted bitter on her tongue.
She tried to come up with a convincing lie and openend her eyes, searching the sky for an answer.
What she saw was dark and heavy. A huge mass of brick stones and iron poles was soaring down into the narrow alleyway.
Korra choked in shock and sprang to her feet, ignoring her protesting limbs.
Iroh followed her gaze upwards and Asami whipped her head around, trying to determine were the sudden clanking noise came from. Judging by the loud onslaught the whole world was collapsing around them.
And it did.
The upper side of the building they had been settled against was caving in. At least three storeys of the decrepit building were crashing down on them, followed by iron scaffolding, that seemingly had not been able to hold together the run down edifice any longer.
Asami shrieked, transfixedly staring skywards. Iroh threw himself on top of her, muffling her scream.
Korra spun around on her heels and dug her feet into the ground. Once she had found her footing, she slammed her fists into the stone wall before her. The impact of her hands sent two stony beams upwards to meet the threat. They redirected the first of the falling bricks to crash down a few feet away from them. This move had won Korra a second and she used it to step right in front of Asani and Iroh. She bent her knees and curled her feet into the earth for support. Then she drew a shuddery breath and pushed her arms skywards in a forceful movement. Korra tried to bend the whole mass of stone above them but it was no use. When the first bricks where at an arm's reach she gave a mighty push and met the onslaught with her bare hands. Immediately the Avatar was forced onto her knees. The sheer force of the impact was unbelievable. Korra yelled in pain and was sure she felt something snap in both her wrists. With every ounce of her willpower she managed to create a small dome of stone over their heads. The rest of the brick walls came tumbling down on both sides of her creation, followed by numerous iron poles that pierced the ground like spears, effectively caging them in.
I love writing stuff like that: explosions, destruction, accidents - in fact I like it so much, you can expect more like it in this story...
Mako won't return for the next two chapters, after that, however, I will give you a lot of Makorra.
Some opinions would be nice, thanks :)
