Hey guys! Sorry I haven't updated in a while. Writer's block. But I'm back, inspired and I've got fresh ideas.
Chapter 11: The Golden Wrench Awards
Korra offered to help Asami fix one of Future Industries' planes in one of her warehouses. Apparently one of the rudders got bent while in storage. Standing on top of a rickety old ladder, Korra tried to metalbend the rudder straight while Asami held onto the ladder below.
"How old is this ladder, Asami?" Korra asked nervously as she struggled to keep her balance.
"I don't really know, to be honest. I remember seeing this ladder around here when I was a child..." she answered.
Asami ignored the Avatar's nervous remarks when she noticed her secretary enter with a fancy letter in her hands.
"Morning, Miss Sato..." she said politely. "I recieved this a few moments ago."
Asami knew exactly what it was. She's been waiting for this for over six years. She peels the wax stamp off carefully and pulls out the letter.
"I'm nominated... I'm finally nominated for an award..." she said breathlessly. Her secretary shakes her hand. "Congratulations, Asami. But I must inform you of an uninvited guest waiting to see you."
Asami narrows her eyes.
"Send him in." she says as she takes two steps to her right.
Just then, Korra lost her footing and fell hard onto the ground, leaving the rudders of the plane flipping around aimlessly. The ladder missed Asami by a few inches, and unlike her secretary, she didn't even flinch once.
"I'm ready for anything." she finished as she folded her arms.
Asami's secretary quickly made her way back to her office to send in the mysterious visitor.
"Nailed it!" Korra said as she pointed to the rudder while she lifted herself up. Asami snickered as she helped her dust herself off.
"You are so cute when you're clumsy..." Asami whispered as she planted a kiss on Korra's cheek.
"So what's that all about?" Korra asked as she swiped the letter out of Asami's hand. "Oh nothing..." she said as she tried to sound modest.
Korra quickly scanned the piece of paper. With a gasp she threw it onto a nearby table and lifted a smiling Asami up by the waist.
"The Golden Wrench Awards?!" Korra squealed. "My girl is going to the 'most prestigious awards ceremony for mechanical advancements'?"
For a while the two just spun around, laughing happily. It wasn't until a figure approached the happy couple that they finally settled down.
"Am I interrupting something?" a thick, gravelly voice asked.
Korra's eyes snapped open to see a man in his early 30's dressed in a rather expensive looking suit. His face looked villainous. Piercing black eyes, sharply shaped beard and a cane with a fire symbol embedded on it's handle.
The two disbanded and straightened themselves out.
"Ajax." Asami said as she shook his hand reluctantly. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I'm just checking up on my favorite little adversary. Congratulations on finally being nominated for something..." he said as he looked around carefully.
"Here I thought I'd never live to see the day you, of all people, would get invited to such a prestigious event... Just shows how much it's gone to the dogs."
Korra nearly lost her temper, but Asami stuck out her arm to stop her from doing something stupid.
Ajax noticed the aggressive movement.
"Pardon my manners. You must be Avatar Korra..."
He held out his hand, but Korra refused to return the gesture.
"Feisty one, aren't you? Well, allow me to introduce myself then. Ajax Zhou, CEO of Zhou Corporation."
Korra glanced at Asami. She never heard of him before, and judging by his attitude she understands why the engineer chose not to mention him. Ajax's eyes wandered around. He squinted his eyes at most of what he noticed and smirked.
"How pathetic." he remarked. Something inside Korra snapped. She's not going to let a pretentious prick insult Asami.
Korra grabbed him by the neck, crumpling up the collar of his seemingly expensive suit.
"You're going to apologize for that right now." Korra sneered.
Ajax smirked once again, dropped his cane and lifted his arms sarcastically.
"Ooh. I'm so scared." he said teasingly. Suddenly his hands were on Korra's wrist, a rising heat starting to eminate from his fingers. The heat became so unbearable that Korra was forced to her knees, her teeth grinding in pain.
Asami stepped in and pulled Ajax off of Korra.
"Enough!" she said. "Take your stupid cane and leave my property!"
Ajax calmly straightened his clothes and went to pick up his cane while Asami helped Korra back to her feet. Before he left the building, he pointed his cane towards them in a threatning way, saying that they'll be sorry.
"I'll get that punk back for that one day..." Korra said through gritted teeth as she rubbed her wrists.
"Such an arrogant man..." Asami sighed. "Let's get those wrists under water, I can see dark marks starting to form already."
As Korra submerged her wrists in a nearby bucket of water, she tried to find out more about this fiendish character from Asami.
"He was one of my father's arch enemies. Not just because of their difference of opinions, but because of the fact that Ajax took my father's concepts and ripped them off. All he did was change the designs to make it look more luxurious, thus making it twice as expensive as Future Industries' creations. Plus, to make matters worse, he advertised his machines as 'hand welded' by himself. I guess that added to my father's hatred for benders..."
Korra had a bitter taste on her tongue. This guy sounds like he's been an issue for a long time.
"He absolutely relishes the fact that my father is gone. I know he's waiting for me to screw something up so that he can profit from it. Almost like a vulture waiting for it's prey to die as it lies helplessly in the scorching sun just to be torn-"
"Uhm, Asami?" Korra asked, concerned.
Asami snapped her eyes back to Korra's. "Sorry. Was I monologueing again?"
Later...
It was the end of the day. All the hard working employees have already gone home to their families. Asami and Korra were still busy in the warehouse.
As the engineer checked off the last few things on her clipboard, she turned to her significant other. Korra was so bored that she fell asleep on a Satomobile's hood. Asami took her pencil and nudged Korra on the arm.
"I'm up! I was just resting my eyes!" she yelled as she shot up.
Soon the two were heading home to the Sato Mansion. On the way, Asami wanted to ask Korra an important question.
"So, are you coming to the awards ceremony?" she asked casually.
"Well, actually I-"
Asami slammed on the brakes. Korra nearly flew through the windshield because she wasn't wearing her seatbelt.
"Please don't tell me you're not coming..." Asami pleaded. "This is really important to me!"
Korra sighed. "I'm sorry, Asami. But Tenzin wants me to go to the Northern Watertribe to deliver a message in person."
Asami looked away. "Fine. I just... I would've wanted you to be there."
Korra rested her hand on Asami's knee. "I know. I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you."
2 Days later...
Tonight was the big night. The Golden Wrench Awards at the Pro-Bending Arena. The crowd was huge, almost as if all of Republic City came to see. Asami took her designated seat after being overwhelmed by the papparazzi outside. A cold hand grasped her shoulder tightly, startling her.
"Asami! So nice to see you."
Ajax. She could practically see the seething hatred in his eyes.
"I just wanted to tell you not to get your hopes up. Zhou Corporation has been dominating for the past few years." he whispered, contempt lacing his words.
"I have been the 'CEO Of The Year' nine times in a row now," he said as his fingers dug into Asami's shoulders, making her groan with pain.
"I won't let a little girl get in my way."
Ajax walked away as if nothing happened. Asami tried to ignore the burning blaze his fingers left on her shoulder and keep her composure. Instead she turned her focus to the crowd. She recognised some of her employees and their families. Then she noticed Mako and Bolin waving at her.
The whole gang was here, including Pema, Tenzin and the airbender kids. All except for Korra.
Later...
Asami couldn't stop thinking about Korra, so much so that she didn't notice that Future Industries' employees were taking home most of the awards.
"And now, the moment we've all been waiting for..." the announcer said. "The CEO Of The Year Award!"
The crowd cheered enthusiastically. Asami snapped out of her thoughts thinking that this is probably her cue.
"And the nominees are... Ajax Zhou from Zhou Corporation!"
A spotlight hit him. He leaned his hands on his cane as he nodded to thank everyone for their applause.
"Asami Sato from Future Industries!"
Another spotlight. It nearly blinded her but she waved at the crowd nonetheless. She could hear Bolin and his erratic cheers more than anyone else.
Quite a few other nominees were mentioned, but most of them were from small startup businesses.
"And the Golden Wrench goes to..."
Tensions were running high. Asami was crossing her fingers and thinking about her parents. The crowd was practically holding their breath.
"Asami Sato from Future Industries!"
Asami's heart stopped. This can't be happening. She staggered to her feet and made her way to the stage while the crowd applauded.
"Here to hand over the award, our surprise guest, Avatar Korra!"
The crowd errupted with cheers as Korra stepped out from behind a curtain.
Asami almost started crying. Even though she was in high heels, that didn't stop her from running towards the one person that meant the world to her.
She ran into Korra's open arms, and even planted a passionate kiss on her lips. Korra took the Golden Wrench Award from the announcer and handed it to her.
"Told you I'd make it up to you." she said with a smirk.
Asami took a moment to look at the Golden Wrench. She knew how hard her father worked to earn one, yet he never could because of Ajax. In a weird way she felt like she avenged him, made him proud. She wished she could share this moment with her mother, too. In her mind she could visualize her mother giving her a hug, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear and saying that she's proud of her.
The sound of overwhelming applause snapped her focus back on what was happening. Korra gestured for her to move to the podium for her acceptance speech.
Once she stood on top of that podium, she realised that she didn't even bother to make an acceptance speech. Yesterday she thought to herself that IF she even won anything that she would say something utterly ridiculous for a good laugh from the crowd. But, then again, if she did that right now she would probably get banned from this awards ceremony for life. She quickly decided to say the first thing that came to mind.
"My father would've loved to be here today. I'd like to dedicate this award to him because he teached me everything I know. I would also like to thank my friends sitting up there on the balcony. You guys were always supporting me, even through the tough times. My employees are some of the best and most hardworking people I know, and without them I don't think I'd even be standing here today. And Korra..."
Asami looked to her, and started to tear up.
"I can't imagine my life without you. I love you so much, Korra. Don't you ever forget that."
Korra sniffed and wiped a tear from her eye.
"Thank you, Republic City!" Asami said as she hoisted the award in the air. The crowd roared with cheers.
Yet, Asami couldn't help but notice the deathstare Ajax was giving her. He made his way to the exit, violently shoving applauding audience members out of the way. She felt a bit of satisfaction from seeing him get so upset.
Later...
Asami had to go back to the office to get some paperwork she forgot earlier. Even though Korra wanted to go with her, she insisted that she had to make her way home. She even gave Korra her award to take with her.
As the Avatar walked alongside her polar-bear pet, she took the time to admire the beautiful night sky. She tried to see shapes in the stars, something her dad taught her to do when she couldn't sleep. For a moment she caught a glimpse of a shooting star. As per tradition, she stopped walking for a moment, closed her eyes and made a wish.
"I wish... That Asami would marry me one day."
In actuality she wanted to wish for a new punching bag since she tore her old one open about a week ago. Those words seemed to pop into her mind without hesitation. Perhaps it was a sign.
Sirens in the distance caught her attention. It was coming towards her. Two firetrucks rushed around the corner in the street up ahead.
Luckily Korra was close to the Sato mansion. She jumped onto Naga's back and rushed past the gates of the estate. After she left Naga in the house she used her newly retrieved airbender staff to soar into the sky.
She could see the firetrucks on route, but as she looked up her heart sank. A part of Future Industries was on fire. It looked like the part of the building that had Asami's office in it.
Asami. She's in there.
Korra frantically picked up the pace. Judging by that amount of smoke coming from the roof she didn't have much time.
Once she landed at Future Industries, she hurried to the battalion chief giving out orders. The firefighters seemed to be waterbending water into the windows.
"What's going on?" Korra yelled.
"All the doors are locked! We're doing the best we can!" He answered, although his eyes looked hopeless.
Korra ran to the nearest door and tried to rip it open, but the door handle was searing hot. She tried kicking it down, but to no avail.
She stole the water stream from another firefighter and firebended herself through a window on the floor of Asami's office. She landed on broken glass and immediately waterbended at the flames. The smoke was unbearable to breath, much less see through.
Asami's office door was blocked from the other side. Korra decided to break through the weakening wall of the office next door. After the third try she managed to ram through and fall on the rubble.
Asami was tied to her office chair, a bruise visible on her forehead and a drop of blood escaping the corner of her mouth. Before Korra could do anything, a sudden hit from a pole blindsided her. The sheer blow of it knocked her up back into the crumbling wall behind her. She dropped to her knees in agony and looked up to see who it was.
Ajax.
"So nice of you to join us, Avatar." He sneered. "Now you two can die together."
He lifted the pole to deal another devastating blow, but a tremor from above them interrupted him.
"Luckily for you, that's my cue to leave."
Ajax moved the three file cabinets away from in front of the office door, unlocked it and escaped. Korra dragged her body up from the ground and tried to open the door. He locked it again.
Cracks were rapidly starting to form on the ceiling. The roof will come down on top of them soon if Korra's not quick enough. She ignored the searing pain across her chest and focused on saving Asami.
"Asami!" she coughed as she tried to wake her up, shaking her by her shoulders. It was no use, she was knocked out cold, and probably exposed to too much smoke.
Another tremor from the ceiling, louder than the one before. It was like a final warning. Korra then turned her focus on untying the unconscious engineer. The ropes were tied so tightly that Asami's hands were starting to turn a shade of maroon.
Getting Asami loose from the chair turned out to be impossible. The ropes were tied in several different knots, and Korra couldn't get any of them untied fast enough.
A piece of the roof started to cave in. Korra desperately used her firebending to burn off the ropes. As the roof finally gave in, she threw Asami over her shoulder in an adrenaline fueled rush and jumped through the nearest window.
Time seemed to slow down at that point. Korra could hear the building break down behind her, the broken glass surrounding them and the wind breeze through her hair.
She looked down, and saw the ground approaching quickly. Without hesitation she twisted her body around, grabbed Asami around her waist and head and braced for a hard landing on the ground.
The impact of the ground knocked the wind out of Korra. As she wheezed for air, Asami started to come to because of the sudden jerk. The engineer lifted her head immediately, confused and scared.
"Wha- what... Korra? Are you okay?" she managed to say despite a few coughs.
"Yeah... I just got the... Wind knocked out of me..."
Asami politely got off of her and helped her sat up. For a while the two just stared at the destruction happening in front of them.
"What happened, Asami?" Korra asked once she caught her breath.
"Ajax must've followed me to my office..." she said as she rubbed her head. "After I noticed him, I felt something hit my head and I blacked out."
The firefighters seemed to be able to get the fire under control after the roof caved in. About a quarter of the building was already destroyed.
"Asami, I'm sorry..."
"Sorry for what? I don't care about the building, that can be fixed. I could've died if it wasn't for you!" she said as she threw her arms around Korra. "I don't know what would've happened if you didn't come to find me..."
As tender as the moment was, the short-tempered Avatar couldn't hide the brewing anger inside her.
She shot up to her feet and helped Asami up.
"Stay with the firemen. I'll be back." she said through gritted teeth.
"What? Where are you going?"
"I'm gonna get that punk. He couldn't have gotten far..."
"Korra, wait-"
"NO! NOBODY TRIES TO KILL MY WIFE!"
The two stared at each other awkwardly.
"Korra, did you just call me your-"
"I HAVE TO GO!" she yelled as she frantically ran away, leaving a confused and red-faced Asami behind.
5 minutes later...
"Idiot!" Korra mumbled to herself as she jogged through the streets. "How are you going to fix things after saying something like that?!
She shook the thought and focused on finding Ajax. The streets were relatively quiet at this time of night. Nothing but the occasional Satomobile passing by.
KA-PWAAAAANGGG!
After rounding a corner something from above Korra hit her head. She stumbled for two steps as she held her head in her hands. She swung around to find Ajax dropping down from the nearby roof.
"Tell me, Avatar..." he said as he raised a now bloodsoaked pole at her. "Why are you so persistant? Why not do everyone a favor and just die?"
Korra looked at the red color dripping from the pole and felt the back of her head. Her hair was soaked with blood, a gash spreading nearly from ear to ear.
And, of course, that signature temper of hers started to boil back to the surface.
"I'm gonna hurt you. Really, really bad..." Korra sneered through gritted teeth.
Ajax grinned and made another lunge at her with the crudely bent pole. Korra metalbended it away, impaling it into a wall across the street.
"Impressive, Korra. Say, did you manage to save Asami back there?" he said as he cautiously kept moving away from her.
"Yes..." Korra replied, squinting her eyes at him.
"That's a pity..." he said, stroking his chin. "Seems like I'll have to make extra sure next time..."
"Next time?" Korra spat.
"NEXT TIME?! THERE WON'T BE A NEXT TIME!"
Korra's eyes started to glow white.
"I'M GONNA KILL YOU." she said, her voice darker and dripping with hate.
Ajax retaliated with bursts of fire, but it seemed to fizzle away when it reached her. Korra picked him up by the neck and slammed him down into the ground, the sidewalk cracking from the impact.
"Go ahead. Kill me." Ajax choked.
Korra was lost in her anger. So much that she didn't notice the metal cables snatching onto her arms.
"That's enough, Korra!" Lin Beifong yelled from behind her.
With the help of other police officers, the two were separated from each other. Korra being yanked off and Ajax being dragged away.
Everyone tried to calm the Avatar down, but she kept pulling the metal cables off of her.
"Korra, please, stop! It's over!" Lin begged. "Just calm down!"
Even Mako and Bolin tried to calm her down. Each of them were beside her, either shaking her shoulder or stroking her arm.
"Just calm down."
"Yeah, we've got him."
Yet all Korra could think about was that Ajax would continue to try and harm Asami for as long as he's still breathing.
Korra roared as she knocked the two brothers away, Bolin skidding into a wall and Mako flying into a window across the street. The metal cables seemed to snap like twigs with the force she used to rip them off.
Ajax and the officers pinning him down looked on in horror.
Korra took a few steps, then collapsed to the ground, blood covering her entire back.
"Get her to a healer, NOW!" Lin ordered. "She's losing too much blood!"
2 days later...
Korra woke up to the sun streaming through the window into her eyes. It looks like she's back in her room on Air Temple Island. Asami was beside her bed, sleeping on her arm as she held her hand with the other.
Korra tried to lift her head but immediately groaned in pain.
"Korra?" Asami blurted out as she shot up. "You awake?"
"Yeah..." she moaned. "Ow, my head..."
Asami stroked her arm. "Just relax. Your head got cut pretty badly."
Korra used her free arm to feel at the bandages strapped tightly around her head.
"You've been asleep for two days..." Asami began. "You lost so much blood, Katara wasn't sure if you were even going to wake up..."
"And Ajax?"
"He's behind bars. For now." Asami explained. "But I heard you got so angry you knocked Mako and Bolin off their feet!"
"I can't remember that..."
"Really? Mako flew through a shopkeeper's window and Bolin hit a wall so hard his entire back is still purple!"
Korra widened her eyes. "I'm so sorry. I really can't remember any of this... I guess I got a little too passionate-"
Suddenly she remembered what she called Asami before leaving to find Ajax. It seemed like Asami did too because her face was starting to get red just as much as her own.
"Korra, about what you said... I understand if you just confused the word 'wife' with 'girlfriend'..."
"I really hope that didn't make you feel uncomfortable..." Korra said, avoiding eye contact.
Asami reached for her cheek and stroked it.
"Uncomfortable? Actually I liked how it sounded coming from you."
Korra smiled.
"Who knows? Maybe you'll be able to call me that everyday in the future."
Korra pulled her closer and kissed her deeply. Everyday? She couldn't wait.