Chapter 14: 'Broken'
Author Notes:
FIRST OFF. THE GAY MARRIAGE BILL WENT THROUGH TODAY. THAT'S FREAKIN AMAZING PEOPLE!
Ahem...
People might hate me a little in this chapter. I made the decision whilst writing this particular section, didn't plan it before. But I decided that in the Avatar universe actions have consequences, we saw that at the end of S3. People can't just get away from things injury free, and that's something that always made the LOK feel real in so many ways. Characters actions don't always have a happy and perfect outcome. Review if you want. Or kill me.
Anyways do try and enjoy this chapter somehow...beware though. This is all angst. Angsty, angst.
The humming of the Future Industries airship in flight was soothing somehow, much quieter than any other vehicle of it's kind, the sound was refined and precise. It wasn't all too dissimilar to its creator's voice actually and its tone was lulling Korra to sleep as she sat on a cushioned chair in the cockpit, vision going hazy as she watched one of Asami's employees piloting like it was second nature. The training must be pretty thorough...
They'd be back in Republic City in no time at all, especially considering how early in the morning the Avatar had insisted the delegation of Earth Kingdom parliamentarians left Ba Sing Se. Korra had decided not to call Asami before she left, one reason being because it would still be stupidly early in the morning for the engineer and the other that the water-tribe girl was desperate to surprise her girlfriend when she returned. The Avatar was certain that her partner would at the very least flip out with her lack of prior knowledge and then try to chastise Korra for making her so flustered. It took a lot of effort to make Asami flustered, she was like an immovable object most of the time, particularly in the public eye.
I can't wait to see her.
Thoughts of the engineer were making it extremely difficult to focus on the task at hand. The Avatar had taken responsibility in leading this delegation to the Fire Nation , and the Earth Kingdom's people needed her to get a good deal for Firelord Izumi if they were to ever establish a new democratic government and undo Kuvira's work. The water-tribe girl resolved not to fail them when they needed her, not this time.
As she finally caved in and closed her bright blue eyes Korra couldn't help but wonder how the trial was going to pan out for the day. By the time she returned to Ba Sing Se, hopefully with the financial backing of the Fire Nation, the trial would still be ongoing. At least i'll get to see how it ends. Suyin's intervention yesterday could have been the turning point for Kuvira's fate, the change of mood within the courtroom had been palpable at the time. Would that change of heart and Su's humanity make the judge show compassion for the dictator? Maybe. There's not exactly much I can do about it anyway, it's not my battle.
The Avatar hoped that Mako was still awake and about as she drifted into sleep, keeping an eye on the delegates and making sure they stayed on course to Republic City. Eventually Korra hoped she would be able to pilot one of these airships with some mentoring from Asami. Man...she'd be so proud of me if I could. It did feel a little wrong falling asleep with Earth Kingdom representatives in the next room, the Avatar should always be on guard, ready for anything. Then again it was quite likely those delegates had went to bed for the journey as well, Korra had just chosen a less private location to get some rest. It was much nicer sleeping here, where the hum of the engines were at their loudest.
It took the Avatar several seconds to hear the ship's radio ringing out in her peacefulness. "I'll get it," Korra groaned as she stumbled over to the pilot who had been about to pick up the receiver when she had been stopped mid-reach by the water-tribe girl's droning tones. Who could be calling them on the ship? Not many people were even aware they had left Ba Sing Se so early. If anyone was trying to get in contact with them they would likely have contacted their palace phones first of all. Unless they have already tried that and really need to talk to us...
That thought made Korra incredibly anxious as her hand hoovered over the receiver, feeling her fingers shaking violently as she commanded herself to pick it up. Something was wrong. Very wrong. Suddenly the Avatar was wide awake as she finally picked up the radio, the ship's pilot staring at her suspiciously as Mako stepped into the cockpit having heard the ringing from his room. The young detective decided to remain at the back of the room leaning against the wall with his arm's crossed, listening in as his friend put the radio to her mouth.
"Remember to announce what this ship is in case it's a nearby airship contacting us" the pilot advised as her attention returned to the wheel.
Korra nodded slowly, hoping that it really was just a nearby airship and no one she knew. "Hello, this is Future Industries Airship 1-17," the water-tribe girl coughed as she trying reading out the label attached to the ship's control panel.
The Avatar felt her heart rate quicken as she heard a familiar but unwelcome voice on the other end. "Korra, Korra is that you? Where are you?".
It was Tenzin, he sounded frantic about something. It would have to be something very important if he had contacted his apprentice like this.
"Tenzin, I'm on the airship, heading back to Republic City to meet President Raiko with some Earth Kingdom delegates and Prince Wu and Mako."
"That's good, that's very good..." the air bending master began, voice fading away before he could finish. Clearly there was something off.
Korra hesitated before she spoke, unsure whether she really wanted to ask this. "Tenzin...is everything okay?".
There was an even longer pause on the other end of the line as the Avatar's mentor tried to think of what to say, what would cause the least distress.
"Tenzin!" the water-tribe girl shouted, shocked by how desperate and unsteady her voice sounded before she had even heard what her teacher had to say. Please, please don't let it be...
"Korra...there has-there had been an incident in Republic City involving Bolin...," the Avatar found herself incredibly frustrated with this waiting ,"And Asami."
Korra felt her blood run cold, trying to think of anything to say. There were too many questions. Although the Avatar had a strong feeling she already knew what might have happened. I'm going to kill Yon Rha! If he's done something to her...he's going to wish he never stepped foot in Republic City.
"Are they, is she alive...?" Korra muttered, feeling her eyes moisten as Mako stepped towards her at the mention of his brother and in noticing his friends distress at whatever had been said.
"They are, but seriously injured. I'm calling from the hospital radio at the moment, I tried you're room in Ba Sing Se, but none of you were there. Now I understand why." Tenzin explained, voice shaking.
Korra couldn't think of any response, feeling herself lost for words. I failed her! I failed her! How could I have let something like this happen...? I'm suppose to be the most powerful person in the world but I can't even protect the people I love? What kind of Avatar am I that I can't even do that!?
Mako took the radio gently away from Korra, realizing she wouldn't be able to say anything else as tears streamed down the water-tribe girls face, sat staring at the Future Industries logo ingrained into the ship's console.
"Tenzin, are they going to be alright? What happened?" Mako asked quickly, finding himself overwhelmed at the idea of his brother in pain but trying to stay calm for the Avatar's sake. They needed to know what was going on or else they would both be driven mad with grief. The young detective had to stop himself asking too many questions or else they wouldn't get the information they so vitally needed.
"They are stable at the moment, and expected to make a full recovery, but Miss Sato - Asami - one of her injuries, it's going to be permanent I'm afraid. Luckily, my mother was in the city at the time and was able to save their lives after Chief Beifong called us having found them lying unconscious in the street," Tenzin explained, sounded exhausted. Likely he had been fraught with worry the whole evening, especially not being able to get in contact with the people whom this incident most concerned.
"Who attacked them? Have they been arrested?" Mako demanded, feeling his anger building with every second, the radio shaking violently in his clenched fist. Then looking briefly to Korra at his side who looked in a complete daze, barely even blinking.
"Your brother informed us that it was the former deputy of the Anti-Spirit party in what seems to have been a random but vindictive attack," Tenzin responded.
"Bolin's awake!?".
"Yes, your brother woke up an hour or so ago, he's got some broken ribs and a nasty fracture to his left arm, but other than that he will be fine. He's in bed at the moment," Tenzin replied. Mako breathed a huge breath of relief before Korra yanked the radio out of his hand, suddenly back to her senses again, a fury burning in her sapphire eyes that the young detective had never seen before. He would have to calm her down before they got back to Republic City.
"And Asami? What about Asami!?" the Avatar demanded as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"Korra..." Tenzin began, realizing and probably wishing his apprentice had not retaken the radio. "Asami saved both of their lives with a new shock-glove she seems to have been developing. Whatever she did with it during the fight, it appears to have malfunctioned significantly," No. It wouldn't have malfunctioned. Nothing she ever makes does. It wasn't ready for a battle, it must have been a prototype rather than the finished thing. ,"It's caused severe burns to her hand, the metal has...it's something I can't really explain over the phone. You'll have to see if for yourself."
"The injury is not live threatening however, my mother - Master Katara is keeping a close eye on Asami whilst rests" Tenzin added quickly. That made Korra feel slightly more relieved. As long as her girlfriend's life was not in danger then they could get through whatever had happened together, and having Katara's healing expertise present was also a great comfort to the young Avatar. There was no one else in the world better suited to helping the engineer now. If gran gran hadn't been in the city...how different would the outcome have been?
"I'm coming back Tenzin. We're coming back right now" Korra said firmly as she looked to the pilot.
"How long until we reach Republic City?" Mako demanded as he and the Avatar shared an anxious but equally furious glance. This had made any activity with the Anti-Spirit Party personal. Korra could not stand idly by anymore, even if it went against the peoples opinions. It's not like she hadn't done that in the past anyway. When had the Avatar ever done something because it was popular? They didn't. They did it because it was the right thing to do.
"One hour" the female pilot replied quickly. "But I can make it 45" the young woman added confidently, shifting the gears on the console with a series of rapid hand movements. The water-tribe girl couldn't help but be reminded of her incredibly talented girlfriend then, clearly Asami's influence had been at work with her employees too. The ship jolted forward, the hum of the engine much louder than before as their speed increased, interior of the vehicle beginning to shake.
"Will the ship be able to handle that?" Mako asked in concern, still trying to keep a level head despite his heavy emotions at this moment in time.
"She'll handle it," Korra replied resolutely. Staring out the window. "We'll be back in under an hour Tenzin, keep Asami and Bolin safe for us until then," the Avatar said sharply as she put down the radio, brown boots pounding against the floor in irritation and impatience. How am I going to last 45 minutes?
"When did you become an expert?" Mako asked incredulously as he looked at the pilot in concern. Crashing with a delegation of Earth Kingdom representatives didn't seem like a very good idea. It would throw that nation into chaos. Then again it was hard to argue against Korra when she was in this kind of mood.
"I'm not an expert. But Asami is. She designed and built this thing, and you know how she likes to drive stuff at times. Like a maniac. I'd bet my life this airship will be able to handle more punishment than this" Korra stated resolutely, gesturing to the loud humming of the engine ringing in their ears.
That silenced Mako indefinitely who had seen no merit in arguing further. It was unlikely the Avatar would listen. Several of the Earth Kingdom representatives trundled into the cockpit including Prince Wu who was scratching his head in pain as the airship cut through the air. Clearly the increase in speed had given them a rather rude awakening.
"Mako?...what's going on now?" Wu asked hesitantly as he continued rubbing face. The rest of the men behind him looked incredibly disgruntled at having been woken up and also a little concerned at the speed the Future Industries ship was now cutting through the air at.
"We're going to Republic City. That's all you need to know" Mako replied curtly.
"Right..." Wu said awkwardly, sensing the tension in the room, radiating from the Avatar in particular. "See I already knew we were going there, I'm just curious about why we are going this fast?".
"It's an emergency, there's some trouble in Republic City, so we have to go a little quicker" Mako replied sharply.
Prince Wu seemed to decide not to pry any further realizing the sensitivity of the subject. "Okay...okay. I'm going to go for a quick power nap before we land then," the prince stated quietly as he tiptoed back out of the room, trying to persuade the rest of the delegates to follow him by waving his arms. Most did so, but one particularly sour looking old man who was the leader of the town Gaoling, former home of the Beifong's, began striding towards the pilot.
"If we continue at this speed the ship will be torn to pieces before we reach our destination" he complained, stretching out to grab the back of the pilot's chair and spin them round.
Korra reached out a toned arm rapidly, gripping the complaining man's hand before it could grab its target. Piercing blue eyes glared at him as he backed away from the console, the Avatar maintaining her vice like hold as she strode forward to meet him, bringing her face directly into his. The man looked utterly terrified.
"I know you Earth Kingdom people are used to flying on Cabbage Corp airships, but this ship belongs to Future Industries. It's not going to fall a part in mid air. If you don't like it you're welcome to step off," Korra said firmly, releasing her grip as the frightened man nodded rapidly, throwing himself back in the direction of Prince Wu and out the door.
The Avatar proceeded to take a seat at the console of the ship, getting a grateful nod from the female pilot who continued to maneuver the ship with skill.
"I'll get you there as quickly as I can" the pilot assured confidently as she pulled a lever above her head.
"Thanks" Korra replied warmly, tapping her boot off of the ground again, surprised when she felt a hand on her shoulder that didn't belong to Mako who had just left the room, likely to assist Wu in keeping the delegates in check for the remainder of the journey.
The pilot grinned reassuringly as she pulled more levers with her free hand, "Miss Sato is strong. She'll be okay, I'm sure of it."
Korra nodded despite her worry, trying not let tears build up again whilst giving the hand on her shoulder an appreciative tap before she got up, unable to sit any longer. I need some fresh air.
[30 minutes later]
The skyline of Republic City in the early morning came into view, spirit portal radiating at its core. Even at this distance the green vines that enveloped and streamed up the buildings of the metropolis were clearly visible, although so to was the beginning of Asami's reconstruction work with many of the unsafe structures having now being demolished and removed. I have to get down there.
Korra stood leaning against the railings on the deck of the air ship as the city outline became clearer and clearer. Mako stood beside her, appearing to be as equally on edge with the current condition of his brother as he breathed out, a puff of steam forming in front of him in the cold dawn air. The Avatar was wrapped in her dark blue winter jacket, an outfit she hadn't worn for sometime, but even the water-tribe girl was beginning to feel the cold as early winter winds began to seep through to her bones.
The young woman was tapping her gloved hand furiously against the metal railing, bending the water vapor Mako had produced in frustration and transforming it into a collection of icicles. The young detective glanced at his friend in concern as Korra promptly tossed the icicles overboard and into the pale blue sea flowing below.
"You need to calm down," Mako warned as he watched the pieces of ice fall for sometime, keeping a hand on the Avatar's trembling shoulder at all times.
"I can't stand this Mako. She's down there right now, alone and in pain!" Korra shouted, shaking loose from her friends grip and pushing him a way gently as she stormed towards the stairwell.
"She's not alone! - Korra, Korra where are you going now?!" Mako said in exasperation as he chased her down, almost falling over when the Avatar reemerged seconds later, breezing past the young detective with a palpable anger and determination as she tore back up the stairwell and onto the deck.
"Korra! Korra stop!" Mako called desperately as he tried to catch up to her, narrowly avoiding slipping on the cold moisture that had formed on top of the deck. Then he caught sight of the Avatar's blue glider as the water-tribe girl unfolded it and began sprinting quickly along the floor.
"I'm not waiting any longer!" she called in the distance charging away.
"You're acting insane! Don't be so reckless!" Mako boomed as he reached out to stop his friend. Too late. Korra jumped off of the front of the airship gracefully, pulling the glider above her with a speed that only came from practice.
"This way is quicker!" the Avatar called from below, turning briefly in mid air using air bending. "I'll meet you at the hospital!".
Mako stood awkwardly as he watched Korra disappear below the clouds, partially considering following her down using fire bending before eventually deciding against it and returning to the warmth of the inside of the ship.
Korra pointed the glider into a nose diving position knowing that would help her cut downwards through the air much more quickly. Though even she wasn't used to the speed her body was now falling at, except in the Avatar state, feeling herself being buffeted by the wind as she tried to reduce it's impact using air bending as well as trying to direct the glider at the same time. It was a difficult task which occasionally led to the water-tribe girl shifting sharply in mid air, gritting her teeth as she tried to keep control of the flying device.
Korra didn't care how much of a strain this was putting on her muscles as she dropped through the air like a stone. Maybe this would be less painful if she was wearing a glider suit instead? I have to get down there! the Avatar resolved as she pulled the glider upwards viciously when she reached the water-line of the city's bay, feeling icy water glancing against the front of her body as she narrowly avoided crashing the device into the sea. Now the young woman was fighting to level her form as she powered forward using air bending, noticing a small tear in the glider's material above her.
Clearly the device was not structurally capable of withstanding the insane levels of friction Korra had just put it through. It took all of the Avatar's energy and skill just to keep the glider in flight as the terrain below her transitioned to concrete. Falling here would be painful the water-tribe girl warned herself as she swooped around a street corner, dancing between various sato-mobiles and other modes of transport as the sleepy city began its journey to work for the day.
This would have been a much more difficult trip had the streets of Republic City been as bustling as they usually were, a large number of the residents having who had been evacuated still not having returned to their homes because they didn't yet have a home to return to. The commuters looked alarmed as they watched the Avatar weave between them, some pulling their breaks and swerving even though Korra was confident she wasn't going to collide with any of them despite the problems she was having with the glider.
The water-tribe girl then wrestled for control, narrowly avoid hitting a police cruiser which beeped at her furiously before Korra swerved out of its way as she flew onto the main street and the road to the city's hospital. Now this street was much quieter, allowing the Avatar to really pick up speed as she tore through the air, tightening her limbs to make her body as streamed lined as possible. That was a skill Asami had told her about.
As the hospital came in to sight Korra began to try and slow down but the glider was no longer complying with her movements. Suddenly the Avatar spotted the wood of the frame cracking apart as the device's blue material covering began to tear away. There was no way of righting it now as she braced herself for impact, tossing the ruined glider to the side as the water-tribe girl fired a wave of air directly in front of her, trying to cushion her body as best she could in the short-time frame before she inevitably landed.
Korra hit the ground with some force, cutting her elbows and knee's as she rolled along the concrete, flipping at least two times then grinding to a stop just outside the hospital's entrance. Pedestrians standing on the pavement gave the fallen girl a concerned and then stunned stare as they watched the Avatar pick herself almost as soon as she had stopped rolling and dusting herself off quickly as she charged past them. Man...that hurt. the young woman groaned as she pushed through the hospitals glass doors, feeling slightly dizzy as she wiped away blood from a cut on her lip.
Korra lunged at the reception desk, startling the man behind it who had been engrossed with paperwork.
"Are you a patient?" he inquired in concern, shifting his spectacles to get a better look at the injured person in front of him.
"No. I'm here to see my girlfriend. Asami Sato" the Avatar grimaced as she felt a sharp pain ripple through her side. I'll need to get a new glider...
"Right...I'm afraid I can't let you through. I have no evidence of who you are" the receptionist rambled as he flicked through sheets of paper, eyes darting across to the hospitals security employees who stood a few meters away. I must look like a crazy person... the water-tribe girl realized as she wiped more blood away from her mouth.
"I'm Korra. I'm the Avatar. Let me see Asami right now or I'll!-I will..." the young woman began, unsure what she could really threaten when she was surrounded by the sick and the vulnerable.
"ID?" the man croaked in his chair.
"ID? I'm the freaking Avatar! I don't need ID!" Korra roared as she bent as small flame into her fist in frustration before a firm hand dragged her away. It must have been the security guards.
"She's with me" a familiar voice called, a voice that the Avatar had heard earlier on the radio.
"Tenzin?" Korra said in confusion as she felt herself being led into a the special dependencies ward by a firm hand at her back.
"I was expecting you later," her mentor began before examining his students chaotic appearance in alarm. "Korra what on earth happened to you?".
"Nothing, I'm fine I swear. I'm just here to see Asami," the Avatar responded assured quickly before pausing. "How is she?".
"She's okay but she's still asleep. My mother is with her now" Tenzin informed her, trying to sound as positive as possible.
"Can I see her?".
"Of course you can, she's right through here" Tenzin replied firmly, embracing his apprentice comfortingly for a few seconds before releasing his grip.
"I broke your glider by the way..." Korra added distantly, unsure what else to say before passing the older man. Then she opened the door to the engineer's room slowly, terrified of what she might find inside. Katara stood at the bedside, smiling warmly as the fellow water-tribe girl entered.
"She'll be alright Korra" the old healer assured as she guided the Avatar to a chair at the side of the bed, glancing at the young girls wounds in concern but deciding they were better ignored for now. Korra examined the woman beside her as she sat, heart breaking at witnessing her partner in such a sorry state. Asami lay unconscious under sheets, breathing softly. The engineer's face was dotted with small cuts and bruising on her cheek. Still managing to look like the most beautiful person in the world...
"I'm so sorry..." Korra began as tears fell down her cheeks, wrapping a gloved and grazed hand around Asami's uninjured one. The Avatar's eyes panned from the CEO's pale face to the hand that lay on the other side of the bed, covered in a thin layer of blackened leather and metal.
"What...what caused that?" Korra croaked as she turned away from the severe injury quickly, heart unable to bear the sight of it.
"I'll do my best to explain Korra, but I have to warn you. The injury to Asami's hand is something even I cannot heal."
Yon Rha and Haruana will pay for this. I'll make sure of it.
End Notes
I'm just going to step out of the room just now. No Asami isn't going to die. She'll be up and about eventually, but this has certainly delayed Korra heading to the Fire Nation, and she will have some permanent damage from the overheating of her glove, but who knows. It could become a good thing eventually. Anyways, would be interested to hear your thoughts.
Coming up Asami wakes up to find a battered and heartbroken Korra at her hospital bedside, whilst Yon Rha and the Anti-Spirit party's involvement in the attack are severely questioned.