Title: Korrasami 21
Fandom: Avatar: The Legend of Korra
Pairing: Korra / Asami Sato
Rating: PG
Notes: Where you been Dimensional Lover….finishing this chapter, lol. Thanks for waiting girls, guys, and others. Next Chapter...Koh's reveal and LET'S GET READY to Rumble!
Much love for the reviews, favs, follows, and PMs. You all are amazing. Private Message (PM) me if you have any questions. See you as soon as possible.
After the meeting
They planned to stay at Korra's place until the city was evacuated.
The ride back to her apartment was quiet. Korra and Asami were noticeably tense. Azula sat in the back seat seeming rather emotionless as she watched them.
Asami focuses on the road ahead of her as they turn on Azulan Avenue. Her heart was beating slow and hard in her chest as she gripped the steering wheel. She couldn't get the female firebender's words off her mind. Part of her felt that Azula was right. As soon as the woman's words left her mouth Asami remembered her first official date with Korra.
The pale skinned beauty would never forget that night nor the week following it. She had no control of herself. She had almost done something that she could never be forgiven for. Asami remembers feeling like she was going to lose her mind. She feels a slight chill recalling the memory of those bugs all over body.
Asami is so engrossed in thought that she passes their apartment. She jumps when Korra puts her hand on her shoulder.
"You okay?" The avatar asks.
Asami blinks rapidly. "Huh? Yeah I'm fine. What's up?"
Korra furrows her brow softly. "We… just passed the house."
"Oh." The green eyed beauty comes to her senses looking around seeing they were 3 blocks away from their apartment. She takes a deep breath then does a U-turn.
After they park Azula immediately gets out of the car and begins to survey the area noticing the White Lotus sentries dashing across the rooftop. Korra takes her fiancé's hand while they sit in the car. Asami swallows softly breathing through her nose with lowered eyes.
Korra watches her for a moment before speaking unsure of what was bothering her partner. Sure there was about to be a world war, but after all she and the raven haired beauty had been through together, a war would be a piece of cake. "Asami, you okay? I know the meeting was tough…"
Asami interrupts her with a half hearted smile. "I'm fine. Just…have a lot on my mind."
Korra squeezes her hand and smiles softly. "We're strong enough…right?" Asami nods and they both move to get out of the car.
Azula briefly makes eye contact with Asami as she walks past her into the apartment. The amber eyed woman looks around the living room checking some of the closets and windows. "This place is sufficient….for now. Where are we sleeping?" She asks.
"'We" are sleeping upstairs… 'you're' in that bedroom down the hall there." Korra says.
"Then you're sleeping down here with me then." Azula says.
Korra furrows her brow defiantly. "No, I'm sleeping with Asami upstairs and YOU are sleeping downstairs."
"That's illogical. The most efficient means of guarding you is to stay in the same room with you." Azula argues.
The avatar huffs through her nose. "Look I'm the avatar and what I say goes. You're not sleeping with us alright. If I need your help I'll ask you. We'll be fine here okay." Korra says.
The amber eyed firebender locks eyes with Asami. "As you command…Avatar Korra." She says.
Asami averts her eyes as Azula walks into the back bedroom.
Korra rubs Asami's arms. "Hey, what's going on?" The concerned avatar asks her fiancé.
Asami takes a breath and half smiles. "It's nothing, I just need to head out to my office and make sure the production of the EMP system started." She looks into Korra's eyes. "I'll see you later tonight okay."
The young avatar nods. "Are you gonna see Lau today?" Korra looks into her eyes.
"You still don't trust him, do you?" Asami says.
Korra lowers her eyes. "Asami, I can't help it okay. I just get a bad feeling whenever I'm around him. I don't know what it is, but I know it's more than not liking him because of what happened between you two."
Asami holds Korra's hand in hers. "I understand. I'll call when I do okay." Korra nods then brings their lips together. "I'll see you later, don't work too hard." Asami says with a smile as she heads out the door.
"I love you Asami." Korra says.
Asami turns around with a sad smile. Their eyes lock. "I love you too." The young avatar walks out the door and watches her fiancé drive away.
Korra goes into the downstairs bedroom behind Azula and explains about the intercom system then gives her a short tour of the apartment.
Future Industries
The drive to the office was longer than usual for the raven haired beauty in part because she couldn't get what Azula said to her from her mind. The remembrances of guilt flowed through her body as she recalled her and Korra's first date. She was sure now that Koh had taken control of her back then. All she saw for three days was those centipedes crawling from her hands. It wasn't just a terrifying sight it also felt horrible, like she was a sick monster, especially the intense relief she felt as she obsessively thought of Korra.
It pained Asami more than anything to consider Azula's words seriously, but she knew the amber eyed woman was right. There was also something else she knew, but was afraid to talk to her new fiancé about. Lau…
See just as Korra had had negative feelings about him, Asami's feelings toward the seemingly innocent young man had intensified as well. She felt drawn to him in a way that she couldn't describe. It wasn't sexual attraction; it was more of a deep longing. He was someone important to her….even….more important than Korra in some way as hard as she found that to believe.
All Asami knew was that she wouldn't allow herself to hurt Korra no matter what. Korra wasn't just important to her, she was important to the world. It was Asami's duty to protect the avatar even if it meant from herself.
If Korra still felt negatively about Lau then it was for a good reason. Asami knew that more than most having been with Korra through Amon, Vaatu, and now the Red Lotus. She had to admit that they both breathed a sigh of relief the day Korra threw that talisman at Lau. Asami had had the same thoughts her partner had. Could Lau really be Koh? She knew it was possible after what happened to Katara and what Lin said at the meeting an hour ago. There were five of those bugs. But Lau protected her in Ba Sing Se. And she was with him at the factory around the time Katara was attacked so he couldn't be Koh.
There was only one way for her to find out for sure though. She needed to touch him.
The pale skinned woman walked past her assistant and into her office. Chelse notices Asami's expression.
"Miss Sato, is everything alright?" She asks before noticing the necklace around her boss's neck. "Oh my goodness! Miss Sato! Congratulations!" She says now walking into her office.
"Thanks." Asami says quickly. "We don't have time to celebrate. The city is being evacuated in preparation for an attack. I need to see how many of my employees are gonna be willing to stay to get my EMP system up around the city." Asami says as she pulls a few papers from a file cabinet.
Chelse gulps then takes a deep breath. "Oh….uhhh…I'm…I'm here, Miss Sato. Just tell me what you need." She says with a noticeable tremble in her voice.
The young CEO smirks sadly. "Thanks Chelse."
The brown haired woman walks up to Asami's desk and stares at her for a moment. "That's not all that's bothering you." She breathes out through her nose. "Is Korra alright?"
Asami stops moving and lowers her eyes as she swallows softly. "Yeah…she's…she's gonna be fine." She opens a drawer then pulls out a rolodex accidentally dropping the cards on the floor. She bends down to pick them up as her hand trembles slightly. "I just have to do my part and make sure the city is protected. That way I can take some of the strain off of her and she can…." Asami stops talking as Chelse bends down next to her and covers her hand with her own.
"Miss Sato…I'll…I'll take care of the calls alright. What's going on?" Chelse asks as she starts picking up the cards.
Asami takes a deep breath then looks up into her eyes. Chelse swallows softly as she stands to her feet and helps Asami up. The young CEO is silent for a minute.
"I…just need to make sure that Korra's safe." She says sitting down at her desk and picking up a few papers.
"What does she need to be protected from?" Chelse asks.
Asami takes a slow breath. " ' From me…'" She thinks to herself. She knew the answer to that question, but couldn't let the words move past her lips.
Chelse lowers her eyes seeing the apprehension on her boss's face. "Miss Sato, you love her right?"
Asami looks up at her. "Yeah."
Her assistant smiles at her. "Then everything will be fine. Love has a way of protecting the people we care about. Avatar Korra's a strong woman you don't have anything to worry about."
The young CEO half smiles. "Thanks Chelse."
Asami spends the next few hours creating a city layout for the EMPs. Every so often her eyes tracked to the phone. She wanted to call Lau and let him know about the situation but she was afraid to.
"Chelse…were there any messages from Mr. Gan-Lan today?" Asami asks.
"No, would you like me to call his office?"
Asami shakes her head. "No."
Operation Beifong
Lin met with a few officers she trusted on the force about implementing her mother's plans to rescue them from Zaofu and cut off the rail lines in the process. It was risky to say the least, but it was the only course of action they could take to stop whatever this weapon Kuvira had built from getting to Republic City.
President Raiko gave Lin everything she needed for their operation. It was imperative that that weapon be stopped. If they could keep it from reaching the city, then they would keep it from reaching the Fire Nation as well.
Tenzin even leant one of the sky bison to help in the effort. The airbender went to work that day preparing the new airbenders and his family for transport to the Northern Air Temple for their protection. The doctors at the hospital told him that moving his sick mother across such a long distance wasn't good for her health. After much arguing Kya and Bumi agreed to stay with Katara. The doctors moved all of the Intensive Care patients to their underground shelters where they could look after them until the conflict with Kuvira had ended.
Outskirts of Zaofu
Thanks to the sky bison, they had managed to fly around Kuvira's army avoiding detection. Toph had marked a specific spot to create a tunnel and burrow beneath Zaofu city hall. However Lin and her men met a few people along the way.
"Bolin?" Lin exclaims in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
The tearfilled male earth bender throws his arms around her. "Chief Beifong, oh I'm so glad you're here!" He says.
"What?" Lin asks.
Bolin releases her and takes a deep breath. "Okay first Varick, Zhu Li, and I escaped Kuvira's army after we found out what her plans were. Kuvira… is… crazy! She made this thing that goes baaboooom….aaaahhhhhhh…..whoooosh….. I don't know how it works but it has this…wwwwrrrraaaaaaa!" The young man says trying to make mechanical blasting sounds.
The metal bender furrows her brow. "What is he talking about?"
Varick puts his hand on Bolin's shoulder. "It's a super weapon. Like a regular weapon only super and….Zhu Li and I helped her build it." He holds his head down.
Zhu Li, Varick's assistant moves to stand beside the forlorn inventor. "We slowed down production as long as we could, but it wasn't enough. Baatar Jr. figured out what we were up to and imprisoned us. Fortunately, your mother freed us before she attacked Kuvira and told us what she had planned. We've all been waiting for you to arrive. We have to hurry. Most of the army has already moved out."
Lin nods. "Alright, you two get behind my men. Bolin, you're up here with me. We're rescuing my family."
Bolin pumps his fist solemnly. "Alright! Let's do this. Saving the Beifong's and saving the love of my life. I vow to repair the rift that has grown betweenst Opal and I so that we may be whole again!"
Lin rolls her eyes. "Stop babbling and start bending."
"Yes mam." He says meekly.
2 hour later…
"Sure took you long enough." Toph says grumpily to Lin as Baatar, Opal, Wei, Wing, Huan, and Suyin enter the tunnels she and her team had created under Zaofu City Hall.
The police chief grits her teeth. "Yeah well it's been over 20 years since we've spoken… 'mom' , what did you expect when you left that message for me. Why couldn't you have just told Korra what was going on?"
"I have my reasons." The old metalbender says suddenly feeling a strange vibration as dust and small rocks drop from the roof of the tunnel. "Stop…everyone stop." She furrows her brow. "What is that?"
Lin turns to her mother. "We don't have time for this."
"I feel it too Lin." Suyin says.
Lin, Toph, and Suyin all take a wide stance and stomp their feet against the ground in unison.
Toph's eyes widen as she feels hard slow stomping against the ground above them. "I'll have to give that girl credit. She's smart."
"What is it?" Lin asks.
Toph takes a deep breath. "They aren't using the railways to move that platinum weapon."
"What do you mean? How else are they going to move it?" Lin asks.
"It's….walking." Toph says. The old earth bender takes a deep breath as Lin begins digging again. "Stop bending chief. You, me, Su, and the dipstick are staying here in Zaofu. The rest of you head back to Republic City."
"Why?" Suyin asks.
"Because that weapon isn't the only thing moving around up there." Toph says.
Bolin clears his throat. "Umm, just to be clear…are you talking about…."
"You kid." Toph says. "You bend lava don't you? That's a rare skill we're gonna need it." The elderly earthbender says.
"No Grandma Toph. I'm staying here." Opal says.
"You're the only one who can fly them back to the city, sweetheart. Now get moving." Toph says.
A loud clicking noise fills the tunnel with sound. A voice resonates in everyone's ears. "I didn't expect to see you so soon little earthbender…and…look you brought your offspring." Everyone covers their ears as Toph collapses the tunnel around them.
The old woman hardens the earth around them then lifts them to the surface. "Is everyone alright?" She asks them.
"What was that?" Suyin asks as she turns to see her oldest son Baatar Jr. standing a few yards away from them. "Baatar Jr. what's the meaning of this?"
He smirks deviously.
Toph puts her arm out stopping Su from moving toward him. "What did he do with my grandson?" The old woman says to herself.
Everyone's jaw drops as the ground trembles and they look up seeing a huge mecha suit at least 25 stories tall off in the distance.
11 pm
Korra's Apartment
The young avatar returns to her apartment completely exhausted after hours of securing evacuation routes and even more hours meditating trying to see if her past lives could offer her anymore advice. It wasn't very eventful.
Korra also found herself becoming overwhelmingly irritated with Azula. The amber eyed woman never let Korra out of her sight. The one moment of solitude she finally had was back at the apartment in her bedroom. Azula was content on the roof for some reason.
"So…how long have you three been following the avatar?" She asks the White Lotus guards. They are silent. "It's alright you don't have to answer. I already know. My brother spoke to your commander earlier today. If you all had been this vigilant guarding Master Katara, none of this would be happening."
The guards stare quietly out at the moon ignoring the young woman. They had their orders and they were going to follow them until their last breath, not just for the avatar, but to fulfill Master Katara's orders. They had great respect for the old waterbender having been personally trained by the woman.
Azula continues to speak. "The other three are guarding Asami Sato correct? They should be careful around her."
One of the guards speaks up. "Why is that?"
"Because she's going to turn on the Avatar at some point between now and the solstice, and when that happens none of us will be able to stop her." Azula says firmly.
The guards look at one another for a moment as though having an unspoken conversation with each other. One of them nods then gets up disappearing into the darkness of the roof.
Future Industries
Asami jumps slightly as her phone rings. She blinks rapidly not wanting to pick it up. Chelse answers it. "It's Avatar Korra, Miss Sato." She says.
The young CEO swallows softly then picks up the phone. "Hey…baby." She says softly.
"Hey. How are things going over there?" Korra asks.
Asami takes a slow nervous breath. "It's…good. We should have the EMP system up and running soon." She averts her eyes. "I…I don't…think I'm gonna make it home tonight."
The avatar sighs sadly. "Oh…okay."
"Sorry."
"No it's fine, I know you have a lot of work to do." Korra lowers her eyes as she holds the phone. "Do…you…want some company?"
Asami answers quickly. "No. I mean…(sighing) no babe. I've gotta stay focused. If I don't get this system up and running we won't have a city left to save."
"Okay…well…I guess… I'll let you get back to it then." Korra says unable to hide the disappointment in her voice.
The raven haired beauty wanted to see her partner desperately, but she couldn't fight the feeling that she could hurt Korra unconsciously. "I love you Korra. I'll…see you soon okay."
The young avatar smiles. "I love you too. See you soon." She says then hangs up the phone and lies back against the headboard.
Asami was scared. Korra could hear it in her voice. All this stuff with Koh and the war was probably overwhelming her. It was only natural. She was used to it by now but any normal person would be acting exactly the way Asami was. Korra wanted to find a way to soothe her partner. She knew as well as anyone that keeping a cool head in stressful situations was important.
She thinks for a few minutes then a smile comes to her face. She gets up from bed and puts her clothes on. She opens her bedroom door to see Azula standing there. Korra almost growls at the young woman. "What do you want?"
"For you to stay put. I was charged with your protection by Master Katara. If you die during my watch it would be… problematic." Azula says. Korra rolls her eyes and moves past her. Azula puts her hand against the avatar's chest stopping her. Korra looks down at her chest then up into the young woman's eyes. "It's late. You've done all that could be done today. You need rest. Your partner is fine. I'm sure you've already spoken to her by now, so you know that already."
Korra breathes roughly from her nose. "Look Azula you're my body guard alright, not my baby sitter."
"I don't see a difference. You're acting like a child running around as if you're invincible." The amber eyed woman says. "I don't think you fully understand the situation you're in Avatar." Korra moves her hand to the side and takes a step down the stairs.
Azula grabs Korra's wrist. Their eyes lock. Korra yanks her arm away. Azula doesn't let go. The amber eyed woman's expression is firm and immoveable.
"Take your hand…off of me." The avatar says very slowly still holding the woman's gaze.
"No." Azula says.
Korra immediately tries to firebend at her. Azula steps behind the avatar and hits her with two quick jabs, one in the upper back and the other just beneath the rib cage, then catches the temporarily paralyzed avatar before she falls down the stairs.
Korra gulps. "What…did you…do to me?"
Azula drags Korra back into the bedroom and puts her into bed. "It's called… chi-blocking, I think, effective isn't it?" Azula sits next to the bed. "It'll wear off in an hour or so. Listen to me avatar. This war… is nothing. The closer we come to the solstice the stronger the son gets. I don't know what his plans are but Master Katara said that he wants you. If he gets you I don't know what will happen. What I do know is that if you die the next avatar will more than likely be born in the new United Earth Empire. I don't think I need to tell you what kind of problems that would cause." She crosses her legs. "And besides traveling during the night isn't wise. Everyone knows it's more beneficial to attack under the cloak of darkness, even the son."
Korra takes a few deep breathes. She knew Azula was serious about protecting her, but this was taking things way too far. And why does she keep talking about Koh like that? Who's son is he? Lord Zuko told Korra after the meeting that his sister had a deep connection with the spirits. He didn't fully understand it himself, but he knew she had a lot of knowledge that could help Korra in the upcoming battle. "Don't ever do anything like this again Azula. What if…"
"All that matters is your life Avatar Korra and I will do anything to protect you, even if it's from yourself. And I seriously doubt anything will happen in the next hour that I can't handle. Rest now." Azula says.
Korra huffs then sighs as she lowers her eyes. She couldn't surprise Asami like she'd planned, not for another hour anyway. "Tell me what you know about Koh and why do you keep calling him…the son?"
Azula looks at her for a moment. "I was the guardian of the Great Mother until a week ago. He is her son. I am not allowed to speak the true names of their kind. That name you gave the son is not his true name, even so as a guardian, I can't speak it."
"What do you mean their kind? Koh is a spirit isn't he?" Korra asks her.
Azula shakes her head. "The Great Mother is not spirit, or earth, air, fire, water, or matter. The son was created by her. He isn't a spirit. The son is of earth."
"What does that mean? Aang said that Koh crossed over from the spirit world…that means he's a spirit." Korra says.
The amber eyed young woman takes a deep breath. "You and your predecessors haven't spent much time in the spirit world since the portals were closed. There are many kinds of beings there, spirit is only one of them."
"Have you been to the spirit world?" Korra asks.
"No."
"Then how do you know all this stuff?" The avatar asks her.
"The Great Mother taught me these things in order to protect her." She looks into Korra's azure eyes. "And I will use what she taught me as well as the knowledge of this world to keep you safe too."
Korra takes a deep breath. "Why is Koh doing all this, the weapons, Asami, this war…none of it makes any sense? If he wants me why doesn't he just come after me?" Korra asks her.
Azula lowers her eyes. "Because…his kind can't hurt you...not directly anyway." She looks up into Korra's eyes. "That's why I'm here. I don't have the power to stop him, but I can stop anything…or anyone… he sends your way. I don't know what the son wants with you, but I know it's not good."
The confused avatar looks away from Azula as she tries to process what she's just heard. It meant that Koh was purposefully attacking the people closest to her. But why would he do something like that. Aang said that Koh didn't hold a grudge against him for Kuruk trying to kill him. Kuruk tried to kill Koh because he took Ummi from him. But…then why did Koh take Ummi away in the first place. And if this all had to do with Ummi, why did he release her? And if he didn't mean to release her why hadn't he just taken Asami already like he'd done before.
What exactly was Koh… if he wasn't a spirit? And what does it mean to be 'of earth'. Korra thought to herself as the feeling began to return to her fingers and toes.
"Hmm, you're recovering more quickly than I anticipated. Do you still plan on leaving?" Azula asks her.
Korra shakes her head. "No. I need to talk to my past lives about what you just told me. They have to know something about this."
"Good. I suggest you speak to the first avatar, if that's possible as well as the light spirit. Though I don't think she'll be much help." The young firebender says.
"Why?" Korra asks.
"The Great Mother told me that most spirit world beings stick to their own kind and don't concern themselves with the goings on of others." Azula says then gets up and leaves the room closing the door behind her.
She heads down stairs then to the back yard and back up to the roof.
Fifteen minutes later Korra has regained the full use of her body. She sits up in bed and begins to meditate, remembering the feeling of love she has for Asami.
Future Industries
Asami continues to look over the map of the city figuring out the best positions for the EMP system. Thoughts of her partner never stop flowing though her mind. The best thing she could do for Korra right now was to stay away from her. She wouldn't risk putting her lover in danger and if worse came to worse she would willingly give her life to save Korra. She had no doubt in her mind about that.
Asami knew she couldn't stay away from Korra forever, nor did she want to, but until they found Koh she had no other choice. The spirit bug had manipulated her mind before, there was no reason he wouldn't do it again of course he had to come into physical contact with her first.
She huffs from her nose as she finds the letter from Lau in her paperwork. "Are you him?" She asks herself as she puts the letter down and lowers her head.
A small smile slowly spreads across Asami's lips as she feels a familiar warmth in her chest. "Korra." She whispers. It felt like when she lays with Korra. She takes a deep breath and sits back in her chair putting her hand over her heart closing her eyes.
The young CEO takes a few more breathes marveling at the thought of her lover. This was a part of their connection, she could feel it. Korra was thinking of her. She had no idea how she knew that, but she just… knew. Asami takes another breath then sits up at her desk now deep in thought. There was no way she would ever hurt Korra, she loved her too much. But that didn't mean that she couldn't do anything unconsciously. Their date night had proved that.
If what Azula said to her was true, then she needed to find a way to protect herself from Koh. Of course they had to find out who he was first.
2 am
Chelse walks into Asami's office. "Miss Sato, I just got a call from Cabbage Corp. Mr. Gan-Lan has to leave for Ba Sing Se this morning, apparently there was some damage to his father's estate as well as an issue with one of his farms."
"What? He can't leave right now. There's an army out there and I need to coordinate the EMP plans with him." Asami takes a deep worried breath. "Has…he left yet?"
"I'll go call his assistant back." Chelse says.
Asami lowers her eyes then looks at the phone on her desk. This was it. If they were gonna find out if Lau was Koh or not this was their chance. She gulps as she picks up the phone to call Korra.
Chelse peaks into the office. "Miss Sato his assistant said to come to the office as soon as you can." Asami nods.
The phone rings a few times.
"Who is it?" A voice asks in a very dominant tone.
"Korra?" Asami asks.
"No, this is Azula. The Avatar is meditating right now and can't be disturbed. What do you want Miss Sato?" The young woman asks quickly recognizing her voice.
Asami almost growls into the phone hearing slight disrespect in Azula's voice. "Tell her to meet me at Cabbage Corp as soon as she can. I'm going to talk to Lau."
"If I'm not mistaken Lau Gan-Lan Jr. is the co-owner of Future Industries, is he not. There is no reason for Avatar Korra to join you for that." Azula says.
Asami yells into the phone. "Look you little…." The phone clicks. Asami's mouth is completely agape for a moment. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, then clicks the phone and calls the apartment back. She speaks very slowly trying to compose herself. "Azula…"
"What?" The young firebender says.
Asami breathes out through her nose. "I understand…that you're looking after Korra…but this isn't a business meeting."
"And?"
The young CEO grits her teeth. "Lau…has one of the fake talismans."
"And the avatar suspects him of being the son? She's probably right. Spirits have a sense about these types of things. All the more reason both of you should steer clear of him." The amber eyed woman says.
"Azula!" Asami yells again.
"Miss Sato, do you have the ability to go into the spirit world?" She asks.
Asami furrows her brow. "What? No, but what does that have to do with…"
Azula interrupts her. "Neither do I. And as I told you a few moments ago, she is meditating meaning we have no way of alerting Avatar Korra of your situation. When she returns to her body I will tell her what's going on. For now stay where you are." Azula says then hangs up the phone.
Asami takes a deep breath as she puts the phone down. If Lau really was Koh, she couldn't let him leave the city. He had connections with Kuvira. Asami knew that from his father's funeral. If he made it into Ba Sing Se, they would have to go through Kuvira's army to reach him. Lin said that the main bug was in Republic City. If it was Lau, then this would be their only chance to try and put a stop to whatever he was planning. The young CEO swallows hard. She wasn't gonna let Koh hurt Korra, no matter what. "Chelse, call his office back and tell them that I'm on my way."
She goes to her closet and takes out a pair shock gloves and a few other smaller weapons. She then opens her desk drawer and pulls out some small tools. The young CEO sits down at her desk and changes the settings on her gloves as Chelse peaks her head into the office.
"Miss Sato, his assistant said to hurry and that Mr. Gan-Lan only had a small window of time. He said he knows about the conflict and was given safe passage by Kuvira to settle his affairs."
Asami looks up at her for a moment, then back down at the shock gloves. "Okay…thanks."
"Miss Sato…" Chelse says.
"Yes?" Asami says as she picks up the other glove.
"If you…want to wait for few minutes, I…I could call…Mako for you….if you like?"
"What?" The young woman says looking up at her assistant.
Chelse takes an anxious breath as she looks at the gloves then back up into her boss's eyes. "I've only seen you take out those gloves when you know there's gonna be a fight."
Asami lowers her eyes. "It's fine. Korra's…gonna meet me. It's just a precaution." She takes a breath as she finishes her modifications. Then she puts on a pair of regular gloves and gets up from her desk.
She walks past her assistant to the elevators. "Be careful Miss Sato."
"I will Chelse."
Korra's Apartment
"Who were you talking to just now?" Korra says walking down the stairs seeing Azula put the phone down on the hook.
"How was your meditation?" Azula asks.
Korra takes a sorrowful breath. "I know a little bit more, but not enough to make a difference, unless I can talk to that… Mother of Faces spirit that Aang told me about. Avatar Wan, didn't know of anything but spirits being in the spirit world." Korra sighs. "And you were right about Raava, her only focus has been on maintaining the balance of light and darkness. She's only learned about other things through my past lives, and none of them had even heard of the Mother of Faces until Aang."
"Well that's unfortunate. We need to leave." Azula says.
"What? Why?" Korra asks crossing her arms. "I thought you were 'scared' to travel at night afraid of the cloak of darkness or whatever." Korra says teasingly.
"I just got off the phone with Miss Sato, and based on the sound of her voice she isn't going to follow my orders. She's probably on her way to do something stupid right now." Azula says.
"What?"
"She's going to meet Lau Gan-Lan Jr. at Cabbage Corp. You suspect that he's the son don't you?" Azula says nonchalantly.
Korra's blue eyes widen. "What! Why didn't you say that in the first place?!" The avatar whistles and Naga breaks down the back door and comes barreling down the hallway.
She and Azula are out the door in no time. "Come on Naga! We gotta hurry girl!"
Kuvira's Camp: Zaofu
Everyone watches in amazement seeing the huge mecha suit towering over the mountains.
Baatar Jr. cups his hands behind his back as he locks eyes with Suyin.
"It's just Baatar, now… mother." He says with a smile. "So you must be sorry now that you've seen all the good Kuvira and I have done. The Earth Empire will finally be united."
"If you call marching all over the Earth Kingdom with Kuvira imprisoning and enslaving its citizens good, then you're more far gone than I realized. She really has brainwashed you hasn't she. You don't even care that she imprisoned your family." Suyin says.
He smirks. "No, on the contrary, she set me free. You're going to have to get over your grudge with her Mother. I'm sure you've heard that we're engaged. She's going to be an official member of our family. And I'm glad she imprisoned you, if she hadn't I doubt I would have seen my reclusive grandmother again. Speaking of…..guards take them away, me and my grandmother have some things to discuss."
The mecha soldiers lead them away. Toph hits her foot against the ground. Lin trips and falls, then gets back up to her feet. She then stomps her foot hard against the ground, she looks back and sees her mother nod. Lin tucks a small piece of dirt under her chest plate.
"What kind of game are you playing bug?" Toph says. "And what did you do with my grandson?"
He walks up to her then leans down and whispers in her ear. "Oh I did miss you little earthbender. Tell me, did you really think your plan was going to work? There is no where that I can't be." Koh says to her.
"Where…is…my grandson?" Toph repeats with a noticeable bite in her words.
Koh smirks. "That question is irrelevant. You'll never see him again." He starts laughing and nudging her. "Get it…because you're blind." He sighs despondently. "Oh I thought you had a sense of humor." Toph remains silent. Koh rolls his eyes. "He's with all the other bodies I've taken. He won't be found." Koh puts his hand on the old woman's shoulder and begins to nudge her forward.
"Do you know why I like you little earth bender? It's because you know the truth of this world. You understand the violent nature of your species and you don't apologize for it. You understand that that's just the way things are. Unlike the avatar, who believes she can change that nature."
He sighs again. "You know...you helped the previous avatar destroy a good friend of mine when you were younger." Koh squeezes Toph's shoulder causing the old woman to grit her teeth in pain.
"My friend understood the truth too. That at your disgusting core, your species are nothing but a bunch predators, only interested in domination and power. And you my little earth bender are no different. You ripped the iron armor from my friend's body allowing the avatar to pierce his chest. Tell me my dear. Did you know his name?" His fingers pierce her tough skin. Thick red blood stains her shoulder.
Toph winces. "I…don't remember."
Koh breathes in through his nose. "His name was Old Iron. And all he wanted to do was protect the one he loved from being corrupted by your kind's illogical ideals." Koh looks away from her with tears in his eyes. "Just like me." He takes in a breath composing himself then laughing. "Well, that was a long time ago." He stops walking then pushes Toph into a platinum room.
"Make yourself comfortable. If you try to bend even a screw in this room, I will kill your entire family. Do you understand?" He says.
Toph gulps and nods.
He shuts the door and walks away with a smirk on his face as he turns in the direction of Republic City. "That's right Asami…just a little closer."
Cabbage Corp Headquarters
Asami takes a deep breath as she pulls up to the building. She swallows as she opens her brief case looking at the shock gloves inside. "I won't let you hurt Korra." She closes the case and puts her head back against the headrest for a moment. The young woman closes her eyes then puts her hand to her heart. She takes in a deep breath and thinks of Korra. "I love you."
Korra squeezes Naga's reins tighter feeling like her chest is on fire. "Yah! Yah! Move it Naga! Faster!"
Asami takes one more breath then gets out of the car and heads into the building. Her heart is beating quickly as she rides the elevator to the top floor. She feels a chill up her spine as it stops and the doors open.
Lau's assistant smiles and stands up from his desk. "Ah Miss Sato, perfect timing, follow me please." Asami half smiles and follows him down a long hallway. "Mr. Gan-Lan still had a few things to look over before he left." He says opening the door to one of the board rooms.
Asami walks in. "Lau…I need to…" She looks around, then hears the door close behind her. She gulps then clicks her brief case open keeping her back turned. "Where's…Lau?" The young CEO says as she takes slow shallow breaths through her nose.
Lau's assistant smirks. "Come now Miss Sato, he's not the one you came here for is he?"
Her heart is beating hard in her chest as she waits for the man to move closer to her in order to shock him. "Who else …would I be…here to see?" She asks slowly as her shoulder's rise and fall.
The man whispers in her ear. "An old friend."
She turns around with her gloves on only to lose her breath seeing a 15 ft centipede towering over her.
Korra eyes widen seeing Asami's car parked in front of the building. "No…" She says as she and Azula run into the building.
Korra immediately goes for the stairs. Azula grabs her. "The elevator is faster avatar." They enter the elevator. "Would you happen to have some sort of plan…in case the…." Azula stops talking.
"In case the what?" Korra asks.
"He's here." The young firebender says.
Korra growls. "I'm gonna kill him." She says as she goes into the avatar state. The elevator doors open. "Asami!" Korra yells.
Azula moves to stand in front of her. "Stop."
"Get out…of my way." The avatar says.
"Not until you calm down. Do you want him to hurt your partner the way he hurt Master Katara?" Azula says locking eyes with her as Korra grits her teeth. She deactivates the avatar state. "Good, follow me."
Azula takes a deep breath and closes her eyes as they walk down the hallway. She stops in front of one of the doors, then melts the lock.
"Ah…Avatar so glad you could make it." Lau's assistant says with his hand around Asami's throat as three duplicate assistants giggle as they stand around him. Korra takes a step toward the one holding Asami. "Aa…aa…aaaa, you wouldn't want your little fiancé to have an unfortunate accident now would you?" They all say in unison. The one holding Asami jerks her neck sharply.
"Korra…" Asami whimpers. "I'm sorry." She says with tears in her eyes.
The avatar breathes roughly through her nose. "Let her go, I'm the one you want right?"
"Aww, you want to give yourself in exchange for her, how sweet." He says taking a step back as Korra moves toward him.
Azula looks around the room trying to get a read on the situation. All four men had the son's energy, but something was off about them.
Korra smirks.
The assistant holding Asami raises his eyebrows. "I'm sorry is there something funny about this situation?"
"Yeah…you can't hurt me earth boy. So there's no point in your lackeys here." Korra says.
He smiles. "Oh…is that so?" He says squeezing Asami's throat a little tighter until she starts to choke.
"STOP IT!" Korra says suddenly going into the avatar state.
"Here's what's going to happen avatar. You're going to let us leave here or I'm going to snap her neck." He says as one of the duplicates breaks one of the wall to ceiling windows. "Now what's it gonna be?"
Azula speaks up as she locks eyes with the assistant. "Kill her."
"What?!" Korra exclaims. "No!"
He smirks as Asami begins choking again his fingers tightening around her neck. There is suddenly a loud crash. The closet next to the window flies open. A bound and gagged Lau hops out of the closet covered in centipedes. He throws himself against his assistant putting his cuffed wrists around his assistant's throat causing the man to release Asami.
"Asami run!" Lau yells as his body writhes in pain as the bugs bite him over and over again.
Azula fires blues flames from her mouth and hands at the three duplicates as Korra grabs Asami and moves her behind her.
"Don't move." Korra says to her partner while still in the avatar state. Asami closes her eyes as Azula's blue flames are intensified by the strong gust of air Korra is generating. The walls in the room turn coal black as Korra moves forward grabbing Lau's assistant by the neck, melting the metal. "You're dead!" She says lifting the man with one hand setting his body on fire then immediately putting her fist through his chest.
He begins laughing as he and the duplicates dematerialize into millions of bugs. "Ha haaa! That's right avatar…just like that, haaaa haahahaa!" Both she and Azula practically disintegrate the office trying to kill the bugs. The voice trails off quietly. "You've won avatar enjoy this short lived victory."
"KOH!" Korra yells out in anger as Azula extinguishes the flames in the room.
Korra now stands over Lau still in the avatar state, seeing bite marks all over the unconscious man's body. She huffs from her noise as Asami runs over to him, bending down to help him. Korra's eyes widen seeing the talisman light up. "Get away from him!" She yells.
Azula grabs the avatar's shoulder as she looks down at the man. "Avatar Korra I sense the son's energy in him, but…there's something…different. It's not as strong as the energy that was here a moment ago."
The still angered avatar continues staring down at him, then she averts her eyes and deactivates the avatar state. "Get me some water." She says through her teeth.
Azula leaves the room and comes back with a bottle of water she found on the desk in the lobby. She helps Asami up and moves her away from him.
Korra bends the water over Lau's body. She lowers her eyes in anger of what she saw. His body was full of dark energy just like Katara's assistant at the hospital. Could she really have been wrong about him this whole time? Maybe Koh had been manipulating him too and that's what she'd been feeling.
The irritated avatar sighs removing the water from his body and turning to her partner. Their eyes lock. There was anger, fear, and concern in Korra's eyes. Asami gulps as Korra moves toward her then closes her eyes as she covered in water. She winces.
Korra sighs apprehensively. "Why didn't you listen to Azula?" She asks.
Asami opens her eyes in shock. "What?" She was still shaken up and didn't quite comprehend what she'd just heard. Her mind tracked back to what Azula told her after the world leader's meeting.
Azula speaks up. "Avatar, bend that water back into the bottle when you're done with it." Korra nods.
"She told you not to come here." Korra says as tears streak down her cheek as she removes small bits of dark energy from Asami's body. Korra removes the water from her partner's body and pulls her into her arms. "Why didn't you listen?"
Azula bends down and listens to Lau's heartbeat. "We need to get him to the hospital." She says squinting her eyes suspiciously as she looks at his face. She picks up the bottle of water Korra had used to examine them.
Korra takes in a deep breath as she looks into Asami's eyes then gets up and walks over to Lau. She picks him up, her talisman glows as their bare arms touch. She swallows hard then airbends them all down to the street. "Azula, do you know how to drive?"
"Yes, I watched Miss Sato closely." She says.
Korra puts Lau in the back seat of Asami's car. Then she picks up Asami putting her on Naga's saddle and getting on behind her. "Let's go."
The two women are silent as the polarbear dog gallops down the street.
Azula looks in the rear view mirror watching Lau, then briefly catching Korra's focused eyes behind the car. She refocuses on the road. The young woman still felt Koh's energy, but it was very low. Nowhere near as strong as it was at the office. She still had her suspicions about Lau however. The situation seemed a bit too easy.
"The Great Mother told me stories about the son. She said that when she created him, she knew she would never desire to create another, because he was the greatest of all her creations." Azula looks at the rear view mirror again to see if Lau would react. "She also said that she gained greater compassion toward the humans because of the son's dedication to his counterpart." Azula focuses on the road again. "I can't recall his counterpart's name though…the one that was of…water."
Azula smirks knowing how sensitive beings from the spirit world were about their names. "Oh well, probably doesn't matter anyway, names are stupid, hers is likely just as foolish. Bet it was probably a human name too, idiotic unintelligent beings usually pick human…."
She's interrupted suddenly hitting a bump in the road causing her forehead to hit the steering wheel hard. The amber eyed woman looks at Lau again in the mirror seeing that the man is still unconscious. "Hmm…" She says rubbing her forehead.
Republic City General Hospital
Underground ICU
Korra and Asami hadn't said a word to one another the entire trip. When they got to the hospital the young avatar took her partners hand and walked her into Katara's room. "Stay in here." She says.
Asami takes a deep breath. "Korra…I…"
The blue eyed beauty raises her voice slightly. "Just stay here okay." She says firmly. Asami nods softly feeling admonished all of a sudden. Korra breathes out through her nose seeing the look on her partner's face she speaks a bit more softly. "Just…stay with Katara. Bumi will be back in a minute. I need to…see about Lau."
Asami looks up into her eyes with a small brief smile. "Okay." Korra nods then grabs a bottle of spirit water and leaves the room. Asami sits down next to Katara's bed and holds the old woman's hand. She felt so confused. She was terrified when she first turned around and saw Koh in his bug form standing in front of her, but for some reason when he coiled himself around her, she wasn't afraid anymore. Then there was the things he said to her before Korra arrived.
"If you had just stayed, we could have avoided all this. All I wanted was your happiness." He said as he lowered himself so that he was face to face with her. She saw tears in his eyes as he smiled sadly at her. "See…I learned how to smile after all…but that doesn't matter to you anymore does it. The avatar is your world now." He grits his teeth as he turns back into a human gently lifting the pendant around her neck examining it. He sighs and smiles. "Perfect." He says looking up into her eyes as his hand firmly grasps her throat. "It will end the way it began." He says tightening his grip, causing her to choke a bit. "Don't worry…my love, I'll let you enjoy your world a little longer."
Even while he choked her after Korra and Azula came in, Asami knew that he wasn't going to kill her. Azula must have known that too. Why was Koh doing all this? Asami thinks to herself.
Korra finds the doctor and explains the situation to him and hands him a new talisman. She had Lau placed in the room furthest from Katara. She and Azula go into Lau's room and ask the nurses to leave. "You can come back in after I'm done." Korra says to them.
Azula stands in front of the door then creates a flame and uses it to blacken the small window.
"Did you get anything off of him?" Korra asks.
Azula sighs. "No, unfortunately, but that doesn't mean anything. What are you planning to do?"
"I'm gonna remove the dark energy from his body." Korra says.
"Won't that kill him?" Azula asks.
"If Asami can survive it so can he. It's the only way to be sure." Korra says as she bends the metal on the bed securing his ankles, wrists, waist, and head. Then she opens the bottle of spirit water. She covers Lau's body and takes in a deep breath through her nose releasing it slowly from her mouth.
The water begins to glow. She swallows softly as she moves her hands back and forth. A bright light travels up and down his body. He begins to tremble. Korra creates ice over his mouth as she begins extracting the dark liquid from his body. Sure enough his body begins to thrash in the bed followed by muffled screams. Korra completely ignores it. Azula watches her intently noticing a bit of a killer instinct in the avatar right at that moment. She could tell that Korra didn't care about the man's pain.
Black tears stream from Lau's eyes as he turns his head slightly looking at Korra pleading for sympathy. She tightens her fists lifting more fluid from his body with a strong jerking motion. His chest lifts as he screams like he's being electrocuted as darkness drips from his chest.
Azula speaks up. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you didn't want him to survive this procedure Avatar Korra."
The blue eyed woman almost growls as she lifts both of her hands, Lau's body is almost completely in a contorted wheel barrel position, as it's violently slammed back down on the bed. Korra removes the water from his body and puts it back into the bottle. She touches his hand, and the talisman doesn't glow.
"Is he dead?" Azula asks.
Korra averts her eyes. "No. Let's go."
"A…sa…mi…" Lau whispers almost inaudibly. "O…kay?"
Korra stops at the door with her back turned to him. "She's fine."
"Th…th…thank…you…a…va-tar." He says.
She and Azula leave. Korra slams the door and motions to the doctors and nurses as they walk down the hallway.
"May I ask why you're so angry? This is what you wanted isn't it." Azula asks her.
Korra almost stomps down the hallway. She was even more pissed off now. They no longer had a lead on Koh. How could Lau not know that the people closest to him were frickin evil spirits or whatever they were? "This isn't right." Korra says stopping suddenly and turning to Azula. "Did you sense anything after I took that energy from his body?"
"Just this." Azula says holding up the bottle of spirit water.
"Urgh!" Korra grunts punching the wall.
"What! What happened?! Are we under attack?" Bumi says coming out of Katara's room.
"Sorry." Korra huffs lowering her eyes. Bumi shakes his head and goes back into the room. "He was right there! I had him… in my hands." Korra says scratching the top of her head with both of her hands. "Ugh!"
Azula looks back down the hall towards Lau's room. In spite of what she had seen and felt, she wasn't convinced about Lau. Something just didn't add up for her.
"Avatar Korra." One of the nurses says from a large desk. Korra turns to her. "I'm sorry to bother you, but there's an urgent call for you from President Raiko."
The avatar takes a few deep breathes composing herself before she picks up the phone. "Yes this is Korra."
"Avatar Korra, is everything alright? I've been trying to contact you for the last three hours." Raiko asks.
Korra takes another breath. "I'm at the hospital with Asami and Lau, we had a run in with Koh. They're alright. What's going on?"
"What's going on is that Lin Beifong hasn't checked in yet as far as the rescue mission and railway operation. Fire Lord Izumi and I have secured the borders and troops are guarding the rail lines into the city. We only have one more day until Kuvira's army is due to reach our borders. I need to know if Miss Sato is going to have that system of hers up and running in time." Raiko says.
"Asami is…." Korra says as he interrupts her.
"There's more Avatar Korra. I also received word from the White Lotus. Zaheer has escaped." He says.
Korra closes her eyes for a moment. That was the last thing she needed to hear right now. She takes a deep breath and focuses on her heart, like Katara had taught her. She calms herself and focuses on what she knows she can help with. "President Raiko, hold on, alright, let me go get Asami."
The caramel beauty takes a deep breath before she opens the door and walks into the room. Asami looks up at her. "The president needs to talk to you."
"Okay." The raven haired woman says as she leaves the room.
Korra lowers her eyes. "Has…there been any change with Gran Gran?" She asks Bumi.
"I don't know Korra. Have you taken care of that spirit yet?" He says with spite in his voice.
Korra stares daggers into the back of Bumi's head. She'd had about all she could take of her friend's pissy attitudes lately. She rolls her eyes and leaves the room just as Asami hangs up the phone.
"Baby…" Asami says softly as she finds Korra's eyes. "I need to go start putting the EMP devices around the city."
The avatar takes a deep breath now holding her partner's hand. "Are…you alright?"
Asami nods. "Yeah." She cups Korra's cheek and brings their lips together softly. "I'm…sorry. I didn't wait for you."
Korra lowers her eyes as she puts her hands on Asami's waist pulling her in closer. Their foreheads touch. "I can't get through this without you Asami. I don't know what I would do if something happened to you." She looks up into beautiful jade green orbs. "Just…stay safe okay. And don't put your life in danger unless you have to."
Asami kisses her again. "I'll say the same to you." She says leaning into her partner as their lips passionately overlap. They slowly pull back from one another. "You're gonna go cut off the rail ways right?"
"Yeah."
Asami lowers her eyes. "The president mentioned something about Zaheer? What are you gonna do?"
Korra sighs. "I have to let the White Lotus handle looking for him for now."
Their eyes lock. "Korra what about Lau? Is...he..."
Korra shakes her head. "No, he's not Koh."
Asami looks up into her partner's eyes nervously. "Is it…okay with you…if I…"
The avatar takes a deep breath and nods softly. "Yeah…" She says reluctantly. It was the least she could do. The man had done his part in saving Asami's life and all he got as a reward was to be tortured by his business partner's fiancé.
"I'm gonna stop in to see him before we leave okay. Do you… wanna come in with me?" Asami asks. Korra shakes her head.
Lau lies alone in his hospital room with a smile on his face. Things were going more perfectly than he expected. He'd purposefully left his special water out in the open before the battle. Korra had unknowingly given him exactly what he needed to conceal his essence long enough to seem human. He transferred a majority of his power to his assistant during the fight, then absorbed the water through his skin and cocooned the core of his essence within his body.
Korra and Asami would have no choice but to trust him now. Their trust was the last piece of the puzzle.
Kuvira's Camp: Zaofu
Wooden Prison
"What's that?" Suyin asks watching Lin pull a small hard slab of dirt from her under her shirt. "How did you get that in here?"
"A message from mom….and it's dirt mixed with manure." Lin says. Bolin and Opal gag.
Sit tight, free yourselves in 11 days. Love you kids.
Toph
Suyin furrows her brow. "How does mom know all this stuff?" Lin takes a deep breath. "What is it?" Su asks.
"The solstice is 11 days from now."
TBC…
Quoted text with slight changes
A:TLA comics: The Rift series
General Old Iron to Avatar Yangchen & Avatar Aang
LoK Book 4 Episode 3 "The Coronation"
Baatar Jr. to Suyin Beifong
LoK Book 4 Episode 9 "Beyond the Wilds"
Bolin & Varick to World Leaders
According to AvatarWiki:
Avatar:The Last Airbender comics: The Rift series
General Old Iron is a giant humanoid spirit who protected Lady Tienhai during the era of Raava, while she tended to the seashore of what would later become Earth Kingdom territory. After his friend passed away centuries later, General Old Iron went on a rampage against the people he beleived caused Tienhai's death, though relented after having struck a deal with Avatar Yangchen.
However, in 102 AG, with the land having been defiled by humans and his old armor being stolen, he rose again and threatened destruction of the city. After being vanquished by Avatar Aang and Toph, Old Iron, frustrated with the idea that humans only sought to dominate, permanently left the shore surrounding the Earth Kingdom city.