A Legend of Korra Fanfic
By Sakura Martinez (aka SMTsukishiro)
Summary:
A promising engineering student. A mysterious woman capable of controlling the four elements. When their paths cross, the resulting collision not only changes their lives and themselves, but the fate of the entire world as well. [Korrasami AU]
Author's Notes:
his chapter should've been published last Friday (September 9, 2016), but I end up forgetting about it what with all the projects I currently have on my plate (a videogame, a new book, my YouTube channel...just to name a few). I apologize for that oversight and I do hope you guys enjoy reading this as much as I found interest in writing it. :)
Also, if you're curious about certain things written in this chapter, be sure to check out the post-chapter notes.
The Legend of Korra:
The Schism
Chapter 40: The Incoming Storm
It was a moonless night. The air smelled of rain that threatened to pour. Clouds gathered far in the horizon. From a certain vantage point, one could make it out behind the cityscape.
Those who had lived long in Republic City—who had watched the city grow into what it was today—would sense the storm brewing. They could sense the strength that lay behind the storm. And the superstitious of their bunch would even murmur of ill-tidings that it may bring. These sort of people hurried to make their preparations, choosing not to speak of the ominous feeling, knowing few would believe them to be more than just the ramblings of the older populace.
The majority of Republic City's denizens continued on with their lives, paying no mind to the storm brewing on the horizon. Whether they actually thought little of it or were actually oblivious, one could only guess. Even with power shortages experienced commonly nowadays, nothing seemed to deter the façade that Republic City wished to keep up for the world.
It was a tiring act—one President Raiko had no choice but to maintain. He did not wish for the other nations to belittle the growing republic. Not after so many sacrifices had been made just to keep it alive. But he could not change the fact that Republic City—his nation's own capital—was in a state of great crisis. It wasn't just the power shortages that were causing major concerns.
Over the past months, the people's frustrations were mounting, especially those from the Burroughs and its surrounding areas. After what had happened, it was understandable. And even with the relief efforts his government were doing, it didn't seem enough. It never did. It was because of the belief that they were doing nothing that the people living in those areas had begun to dissent. The building rebellion, the missing people, the alarming spike in crime rates, as well as the terrorist that had caused the destruction of Dragon Flatts Burroughs, made the President order his forces to spread as thinly as they could.
The bespectacled Head of State sighed, rubbing his temples at the thought of all he had to deal with just to keep Republic City afloat. Not for the first time he wondered, if running for the office was a good idea; had he really wanted it that badly?
A soft clink of a teacup, filled to the brim with—from what he could smell was Oolong Tea—made him open the eyes he had shut in thought. He was greeted by the sight of his wife smiling softly at him, obviously the person responsible for bringing him tea.
"Buttercup, what are you still doing up?" he asked, after admitting his gratefulness for the tea.
Buttercup Raiko chuckled softly before replying, "That is something I should be asking you. Don't you think it is time for you to get some rest?"
The President of the United Republic caressed the teacup, letting the warmth spread through his fingers. Again, a sigh, escaped his lips before he uttered his response.
"I would love to, my dear," he said. "But there is just too much to think about. So many problems that need fixing. I have tried to sleep but the thought of being at the helm as the Republic sinks is enough to keep a man from slumber."
"You exaggerate too much, Victor." Buttercup placed a hand on her husband's shoulder, trying to soothe him. "The Republic isn't going to sink."
"Really?" President Raiko laughed bitterly, "Because, from just the Capital alone we are facing a great deal of trouble already. Do you know? Word spreads from beyond the city that I have begun to neglect my duty, choosing to favor Republic City. People have begun to grow restless from the energy crisis we are facing—with Noatak and his people failing to provide the solution I have asked of them! Two very powerful families—Hiroshi Sato and the Bei Fong clan—have been breathing down my neck for their missing brethren!"
He grabbed a fistful of his hair as he leaned forward in his desk. Had he been with anyone else, he wouldn't have displayed the same shred of weakness he was showing now. But, his wife understood. Buttercup Raiko always did.
She walked closer towards President Raiko, placing a hand and rubbing his back. "It'll be alright, Victor. You'll see. This is just a little bump in your political career. Now, come. Let us turn in for the night. Everything will be clearer come the morrow."
With a sigh and slumped shoulders, Victor Raiko stood and followed his better half to their bedroom, all the while hoping that her words rung true.
There was a flurry of activity everywhere he looked. Not a single soul was lounging and loitering about. All of them had a sense of purpose in their movements—though he did not know if all were in accord with what it was they were aiming to do. Though most of them were people who had known injustice with the system and had—at one point or another—been disgruntled by and unfairly treated by those with power, he knew that some of those who had joined their ranks were only after that very same power they were trying to overthrow. He knew that, although they had a just cause, there are still those who would take the opportunity he had presented to simply spread chaos. At the end of the day, Amon could see no difference. They were cannon fodder. Pawns. And with the power he now wielded—thanks to Hiroshi Sato's invention—they would know only to bow to him, as the Republic would soon find out.
The masked Equalist Leader flexed his hands, testing out the gloves that covered each. They were not as heavy as the ones Hiroshi had made before. The material was light fluid enough that it made it seem he was not wearing any gloves to begin with. The gloves were inconspicuous. It looked just like an ordinary pair would—something he had requested the CEO to make sure of.
It was really incredible. He remembered how the tests had gone; how it felt to have all that power at the tips of his fingers. He remembered the rush that came to knowing he had the key to have a person succumb and bend over to his will; the key to siphoning their own life force in exchange for an increase in his own strength. It was more than he had ever imagined and dreamed of.
And it would not have been made possible if not for Hiroshi and his daughter, as well as the veiled stranger. Through her studies, Asami Sato had unwittingly unveiled un-tapped potential that her father later was able to incorporate into his machines. But, it was that stranger who had given him his purpose. Who had shown him what he could be capable of, and given him the assets he had required.
Yes, he knew what it was he had wanted. But it was that hooded figure who had given him that much needed push to begin and to see things through to the end.
At the back of his mind, however, a voice nagged, asking him the question he had repeatedly shoved at the deepest recesses of his thoughts.
Why?
It was one question that held so many others—especially when the subject of that one-worded enquiry was her.
Why had she decided to seek him out? Why did she know all the things she does about him? Why was she assisting and aiding him in his quest to have the Republic bend to its knees? Questions like that fleeted in and out of his thoughts whenever they could, but again and again he would just shake them off. She had her reasons, he knew that much. Reasons that seemed to all involve that girl—the Avatar.
Still, his own Lieutenant—even Hiroshi, himself—had never failed to warn him to be wary of their mysterious benefactor.
His musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps on metal as the Lieutenant joined him. The Lieutenant gazed at the mass of followers underfoot as he walked, hands ever held behind his back, before stopping by Amon's side.
"How are the preparations going?" Amon asked, a heartbeat later.
Eyes never leaving the Equalist members below, the Lieutenant replied, "As well as it should. If all goes smoothly as it had been going for us, we should be ready to commence with the plan by the week's end."
"Three days…" He tried not to sound too impatient, forcing himself to be as stoic as he could—and as he was always viewed as. "The Republic's requiem will soon be at hand."
"Provided that Councilman Tarrlok does not hinder our plans as he had been doing," it was dangerous to bring the matter up, but the Lieutenant knew he had to regardless.
He couldn't see the Masked One's expression, but the man beside him could guess he was greatly displease by what he had just heard.
"Tell me," came Amon's order.
And so the Lieutenant did. He shared what he had come to investigate from the moment he had been ordered to find the missing Chief Bei Fong, to the nightly surveys he had of the Councilman and his movements. He recapped what he had come to unravel about the recent purchases the Councilman had made, to the possible creation of a weapon very-much like the one Amon was sporting in his own hands. And, he spoke of murmurings in Republic City's Underworld about plans of overthrowing Victor Raiko's government—plans that Councilman Tarrlok, himself, seemed to have concocted.
"And does this talk of rebellion have any basis?" Amon asked, despite knowing there was enough cause for civil unrest. He supposed such a question stemmed from the fact his brother had anything to do with it, especially when Tarrlok, himself, was amongst the reasons there was even much unrest to begin with.
"Judging from the atmosphere of the place when I visited, it would appear so." The man answered, combing his Fu Manchu in thought. There was a pause as the Lieutenant tested the words he was about to say in his head. When he felt like it was good enough to vocalize, he added, "It would seem destiny would have you fight your brother."
Amon looked briefly at the man who stood beside him, the first one who had joined his ranks and who had remained loyal to him. The Lieutenant was also one of the few who knew his identity and connection with Republic City's most esteemed politicians. It was this knowledge the man had often laughed the irony of.
For a moment, however, as Amon looked coldly at him, the Lieutenant believed he had crossed the line. He held his breath, quickly gazing warily at the gloves he had been privy to see the capability of, only releasing it with tantamount relief when their leader later set his gaze back at the force they were amassing.
"Indeed," was all Amon chose to say afterwards. The emotion in them—or lack, thereof—difficult for the Lieutenant to discern.
He was going to demand for a raise. It was justifiable. Or, at least, reimbursement. If not from Amon, then from his other, more current, and demanding employer.
To be told to hurry back to Republic City was one thing. To be expected to be there at a snap of a finger was another. And yet, Mako had no choice but to comply.
Making use of the money he had saved—money that was meant for his younger brother—he carefully made his way to Shu Jing's port, making sure to keep his eyes peeled for the Avatar and her companions. He hoped and prayed to whatever gods there may be that he would not bump into them as he rented the fastest—and, consequently—most expensive (gods help the holes this job was creating in his pockets) airship available. It didn't help his mood when he thought about how unsuccessful he was in haggling for the airship crew's fees.
"If ya wanna get to Republic City in a jiffy, ya best be ready ta dole out a lotta yuan." The Captain of his chosen vessel had helpfully advised him. "Though why ya wanna go there now is a m'stry. So many problems goin' on and all…"
And it is only just beginning, old man, the Mercenary had thought to say then, but held his tongue. It would be a bad idea to let something like that slip when the 'terrorist' was still at large and something was going to go down anew. He didn't want to be pinpointed as a person of interest, after all.
Mako sighed as he aggressively scratched his head in frustration. The way his savings had quickly diminished over the course of just this whole thing had him questioning his decision to keep working with these people. At the rate that he was going, he doubted he could scrounge up enough to help his brother.
The thing was, even with how taxing his job with the Equalists—and with her—was, the pay was still undoubtedly larger than the normal and typical jobs he had received over the years.
Save for Asami Sato's offer, Mako remembered. She still hasn't paid her debt. And now I doubt she'd pay me. Gotta add that to her father's fee. And then add some more for the trouble they caused me.
The Mercenary made sure to remember to cash in on Hiroshi Sato once he had dragged her daughter back home. But for that moment, Mako knew he had to take one step at a time…
He'll come back to finish that job, he promised himself.
As soon as I complete this mission for the Equalists.
Horned, like a demon.
Eyes, gorged and as black and empty as the very depths of an eternal abyss.
Mouth, filled with large, sharp, jagged, yellowish teeth protruding every which way, grinning a horrific-looking grin.
Some with the pallor of dried blood. The others with skin the color of the deepest and fiercest of oceans.
It was difficult not to think of them as the fearsome creatures they had taken the identity of under the shroud of darkness. Fear was the emotion those that came before them had hoped to elicit. The fear of looking at death and of the demons hidden at the very core of a person's being.
They had served as masked assassins. As spies. As the left hand, sullied by the darkest of acts that needed doing to ensure the prosperity of those they served. But, for the moment, they did not come as death incarnate.
For the first time in what seemed like forever, they did not creep through the shadows in search of a wealth of information and with the goal of subterfuge. They had come for something else. Something far more valuable to their leader.
They had come for Lin Bei Fong.
It took them a while. Far longer than they would have wanted and their information known to take. They had to make certain, after all, that they were not being led into a wild goose chase, or worse, a trap.
They had to be careful. Extremely so. Knowing that they were an integral part of the Earth Kingdom's fight as well. Each information brokered and received was thoroughly scrutinized. Each potential lead, examined. And though they had come to the information they desired, it was still difficult to fathom.
Impossible even.
An impossible story given by a couple of trusted sources.
But, for the sake of Lin Bei Fong, they would brave even the most impossible of things. Even the most uncharted of waters.
She was family, after all. And the Bei Fong Clan had never been known to leave their own behind. And they were most certainly not going to start now. Not even when it seemed like they were facing something straight out of a fairytale.
Post Author's Notes:
And there you have it, we're pushing the plot over at Republic City along. It is on the shorter-side, I know, but the next chapter (which I will, for certain this time around, publish this Friday (September 16, 2016)) will be longer and we will be tackling Korra and Asami side of things again.
Anyways, here is a little bit of a "FUN FACT" for those who like these sort of things.
The "masks" I briefly described in the latter part of this chapter-if you guys haven't guessed already-are called "Noh", specifically, the Kishin category or "Demon" ones (though, if you want to be even more specific, it's the ones under the Tobidecategory). They are also called Oni Masks, at times, but they are the same kind of masks used to portray demons, goblins, fierce deities, demonic spirits, devils, and the like in Noh Plays.
I won't delve into the world of Noh Plays and Onis, but for the sake of the chapter, the masks portrayed here are of the blue and red Haraimen Oni (not to be mistaken for the stance used in Kendo, though). Why did I choose to make these people wear this particular mask?
Well, traditionally, in Japan, most Oni Masks are used for protection from evil spirits. These masks serve two purposes: to portray the devil who create disasters or cause the plague, and to ward off evil spirits. The most prominent characteristics of an Oni mask are its large eyes and sharp teeth. In Japan, the term, Oni is used in reference with a devil or demon. However, it is believed the Oni possesses a dual nature-meaning, it can be evil or good.
So, there you have it. Take from it what you will, but I do believe I have given a fair amount of hints here and there. Kudos to those who noticed. ;)
Anyways, that's all for now. Until the next update, dream on; fly on!