A Legend of Korra Fanfiction
By Sakura Martinez (aka SMTsukishiro)

Author's Notes:

A bit late as it might be, I still want to wish everyone on who celebrates this holiday a Happy Thanksgiving! :)

I'm going to blame this late chapter to the release of Pokemon Sun and Moon. XD

The Legend of Korra:
The Schism

Chapter 44: Kai's Plan

It was easier said than done. Avatar Korra didn't want to admit it to anyone, not even herself, but paving safe passage for her friends in the midst of all the chaos and darkness swirling in Shu Jing was difficult. It didn't matter that their destination was not far－the port was but a short, winding distance away－there was just too much she had to take into consideration. She not only had to ensure no Dark Spirit made contact with her or her friends, but that she would not accidentally harm another human being as she fought against those dark fiends.

Standing against these dark creatures, the Avatar confirmed one thing: they were strong. Facing them in battle, they were so unlike those she had fought before. Where her elemental bending gave her swift and easy victories thus far, they proved ineffectual against the enemies they faced now.

Each blast of air and fire, the lashing of her water whips, and even the forces of the earth were, if not deflected, were absorbed like a single drop of water being assimilated by a raging river. Though some of her attacks looked as though they have made impact and even when it seemed the Dark Spirits would be knocked down, they would regain their footing and march at her with renewed intensity.

It was the reason why she had to push herself to her limits to ensure that whatever opening she had made for her friends, they would stay safe for them to pass through.

Still, no matter how difficult the task at hand was, Korra's pride kept her from showing just how much it was taking its toll on her.

I must awaken the Elemental Cores soon, Korra thought to herself as she bended a large piece of the ground, fashioned it into something sharp, and then threw it at the Dark Spirits who had lined up in the path in front of her. I cannot remain as weak as I am now. Not when I have unleashed these beings…

And the Avatar was certain she was the cause of the Dark Spirits' manifestation in the Human Realm. She had not just imagined that sensation she had felt as she left the Spirit World. The constant throbbing of her left ankle reminded her that it was real. What was happening was real. And it was her fault.

The thought that she had, yet again, inadvertently led yet another town towards its destruction weighed heavily on Korra. So much so that the guilt unhinged her; it distracted her to the point where, several times, Asami, Opal, or Kai (sometimes even all three of them, combined) would shout out a warning just in the nick of time for her to dodge a Dark Spirit's attack.

She chastised herself when a Dark Spirit almost grazed her, its outstretched claws missing her left cheek by a hair's breadth. She could almost hear the exasperation in Asami's voice when she had reminded her to be careful.

By the time they had arrived at the port, it was teeming with an agitated and overwrought crowd, all clueless as to what those things they were trying to escape from were, Avatar Korra was certain either one of the two young women she had been protecting was going to throttle her for how many close calls her carelessness brought. It wouldn't even surprise her to hear Kai voice out his displeasure, knowing she must have shaved a couple of years off his life.

Thankfully, the massive, hysterical crowd demotivated her companions to give her a stern talking to. She was equally thankful that the townspeople were frenzied enough not to notice them (nor what Korra had done to get them safely there) as they arrived.

"What now?" Korra heard Opal's question, directed towards Kai. As she tried to see past the crowd, stretching her neck as far as she was able without hurting herself, the young, aspiring historian added, "It doesn't look like they are letting anyone board the airships."

"Should I get ready to hijack yet another airship?" Asami quipped, even as she too scanned the docked vehicles for any sign that any of them were ready to depart. "Because that would be a bit difficult without my tools."

Much as Asami tried to make light of it, Korra noted a slight difference in tone when she spoke of the tools she had left at their room back at the now-ruined inn. It wasn't anger, the Avatar knew, but something almost close to it, which shook Asami's voice.

Difficult to tell as it was, Korra could somewhat empathize with how the Prodigy was feeling. From the short time they had spent together, the Avatar knew how important Asami's equipment was to her. She cared for them, more than was needed, making sure they were always in pristine condition.

The dark-haired, young woman made a mental note to apologize for that, too.

Though, if they were going to count their blessings, the Avatar counted them fortunate that Asami had kept her Shock Glove sequestered in her coat's hidden pockets and that Opal was wearing the satchel that housed all of her notes and what little money they had left, in her person. The only person who didn't seem to have lost any of their personal belongings was Kai, who had every item he owned strapped safely on the wool sack that was tied on Naga's saddle.

"Did we not agree that we would be inconspicuous this time around?" Korra finally spoke as she walked side by side with Naga and those that were still mounted on her. She directed her words to Kai, as though reminding the young man. "Stealing another one of these contraptions would be detrimental to our cause."

The Polar Bear Dog, big enough as she was, was enough to get the people out of their way. And the way Korra would glare at whomever would look at them wrongly or would open their mouths ready to speak out, was enough to silence and avert the eyes of any of the already frightened denizens.

"You would have to admit, Avatar Korra, that stealing one would, however, get us all to safety quicker than waiting around here for an airship that may or may not leave." Kai stated.

Hearing the word over and over again irked Opal, however. With a loud enough hiss, she told her companions, "For the love of－! No one is stealing anything! We are not going to commandeer any of the ships here, capiche?"

The Avatar did not know what a "capiche" was, or what it meant. She was not even certain if the word did held any kind of meaning and was not just some random gibberish. Regardless, the statement was uttered with a warning so strong going against it seemed foolish—even for the Avatar.

Even Asami and Kai sensed the vehemence in Opal's words that they too were left keenly to agree that there would be no hijacking of any vehicles.

When the question of what their next move would be was raised again, Kai finally had the wits about him to actually be serious.

"Shu Jing is one of the Fire Nation's tourist destinations, correct?" When Asami and Opal affirmed that it was, Kai went on to say, "It would come as no surprise to anyone—except, maybe, Lady Korra—"

Korra glowered at that little tidbit, but didn't interrupt Kai. She knew that these seemingly ordinary facts were of no surprise to anyone but her, but she didn't appreciate Kai highlighting it, especially with the playful smirk he had.

"—that this place is almost-always visited by delegates from all over; from politicians, to celebrities, and those rich enough to spend their yuanshow they pleased."

"Can you get to the point, Kai?" Korra didn't want to cut off whatever lecture Kai had decided to launch himself in, but he was going on about it in a roundabout way. They didn't have any time to spare, if the eerie sounds emanating from the Dark Spirits were anything to go by.

Time was running out.

"Y-Yes, of course." The Avatar's Steward stammered his reply, nodding as he looked sheepishly at the others. He cleared his throat before he launched straight into the gist of it. "Well, during my rounds in town, I heard that there was a high-ranking official visiting Shu Jing. And, well, I haven't heard word of him leaving, so…"

"Maybe he's still here!" Finished Asami. It made sense to her then what it was Kai had planned to do. "And, if he is still here, his entourage would be given priority over all the other citizens. He would be the first to make an escape."

"Right," The young man nodded, grinning. "So, all we have to do is look for any signs of an airship about to take flight, sneak on board, and we're all set."

"And how do you propose we 'sneak on board', Kai?" Opal sighed. It was a good plan, but already she could see the flaw in it. "We don't exactly fit the whole 'nondescript' bill right now…or ever. Naga, alone, already stands out like a very, very sore thumb."

"Well, we have the Avatar," Kai argued, looking at said Avatar with confidence. And although Korra appreciated the vote of confidence her steward had on her, she didn't quite understand what she had to do with it until he expounded, saying, "Avatar Korra can just use her water and air bending to create a fog so dense no one will be able to see through it. Then, with that as our cover, we can waltz right in the airship no problem!"

They looked at Korra then—Asami and Opal—both had a thoughtful expression on their faces.

It was true the Avatar could do that. It was one of the easiest things to do…and the most useful trick up her sleeves. But, she wasn't certain if she could do it so well at the moment.

Asami seemed to have picked up on Korra's hesitance.

"Korra?" She frowned.

The shorter girl shook her head. Now was not the time to falter. She made a promise to protect her friends and she was going to keep it no matter what.

But she also made a promise to Asami to not hide anything from her, just as the Prodigy had assured her she wouldn't.

"I can do that," the Avatar said, but then added, "I think."

This, of course, was not something anyone was expecting to hear from her.

When their worry returned anew, Korra hurriedly added, "There is no need for concern. I just meant I am still feeling the effects of my encounter with these creatures in the Spirit World. But I am willing to give it a try as soon as we find that airship."

The answer satisfied her companions, though Asami not so much. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but thought the better of it, making Korra curious though she did not press the taller girl for it.

As it dawned on them what they had to do, Kai quickly disembarked from Naga, giving Asami the Polar Bear Dog's reigns when Opal refused it. With a nod, the Avatar's Steward disappeared into the crowd, ducking and weaving through them with practiced ease as he searched for higher purchase in order to get a better view of the port, though not without Korra explicitly telling him not to engage the Dark Spirits.

When Kai had gone, Korra—with Naga's help—steered themselves to a little alcove far from the panicked crowd but would be easy enough for Kai to spot them and vice-versa. Once there, Asami regarded the Avatar once more.

There was a distinct limp on Avatar Korra as she walked, and even when she simply stood she continued to favor her right leg. Watching her face, Asami could detect her discomfort as much as the other girl tried to hide it. Glancing at Opal, it seemed she was not the only one who noticed. Of course, that wasn't saying much. There were few things the young Bei Fong tended to miss.

Instead of pursuing the topic, however, Opal ended up asking a different sort of question.

"Should we not get off Naga? Wouldn't she get tired of having to carry us around even when we're in a standstill?"

"It is fine," Korra replied, though she allowed herself to slowly slump down on her haunches. She leaned on the Polar Bear Dog's side, making sure neither Asami nor Opal's legs were caught before she looked fondly at the large, furry creature. "Naga is as strong as she looks. Besides which, this would make it easy for us should the need to make a quick escape arise."

Naga gave a playful bark, before she followed her master's example and flopped to the ground with a loud thud. The sudden act surprised those riding her, so much so that they almost fell off the Polar Bear Dog's back.

"Naga!" Asami chastised as she righted herself, her heart hammering in her chest.

Naga did not seem reprimanded, however, as she merely looked at the young prodigy with something akin to a spirited smile, tongue lolling to the side.

"Well," Opal laughed, as she too, pulled herself back to her proper seat. "It seems Naga would like to say otherwise."

Korra laughed along with Opal, then apologized to Asami—though it seemed she didn't mean the apology, with the way her eyes twinkled with mischief. In the end, the Prodigy did end up chuckling herself. Sensing she was off the hook, Naga gave one, last bark before she turned head forward and laid it on the ground.

A relative sort of silence filled the little space their group had occupied after that, and they watched as more and more people frantically filled the already over-populated area.

The old woman shivered. Rubbing her arms, she looked over the window, past the vast expanse of blinding white snow and crystal blue sky; past the façade of peace that hung in their small, quaint, hidden village.

Yet, despite the frigid and perpetual winter, it wasn't the temperature that had been the cause of her discomfort. The glacial tundra was a constant, something she had gotten used to. This sensation was not.

It wasn't entirely new to the old woman, however. She had felt this kind of cold creeping up her bones, sending gooseflesh to rise, so long ago. Back when her hair was not grey, her skin was missing of wrinkles, her knees were not weak, and her posture perfect. Back when she was young.

It was a very long time ago. So long that it felt like it was a lifetime past.

But as long ago as it was, she would never forget the ominous dread she had felt then—the same feeling she was experiencing now.

Though the sky hinted not of turmoil and turbulence, the old woman could feel it. She knew the others felt it too, wherever they may be.

Likewise, she knew the cause. There can be only one, after all.

"Oh, Avatar…" the old woman sighed. She sent a prayer to the wind as she clutched the memento left to her care by her late husband. "Be strong, child. And hurry."

He had been feeling rather relaxed just a few moments ago. Now, however, he sat ramrod straight.

It came as a surprise. So much so that whatever drowsiness there might have been (and he would not admit that there was) was chased away completely, leaving him as wide awake as can be.

He felt chills running up and down his spine; could tell the exact moment the air shifted; could still feel the tremors—subtle as they might be—that shook the planes both human and spiritual.

One of the seals has broken.

That can't be good…

He looked past the porthole, beyond the seemingly never-ending ocean and the clouds above, a frown on his face.

"How did it happen?" he wondered, his hand unconsciously resting on the hilt of his precious sword. "Avatar, I hope you're okay, kid."

"Father!" the elegant woman adorned with various jewels showing her high status, quickly ran towards the old man who had stumbled, falling into all fours. The concern on her face was evident, momentarily breaking the mask of indifference she always wore. "Are you alright?"

The old man nodded, smiling to assuage his daughter's worry. "Y-Yes, I am. There is no need for concern my dear. I just felt a little bit…out of sorts for a moment."

She didn't seem to buy what he had said, but did not voice out her disbelief of him. Instead, she gently helped him up. Both were glad that those who were usually by their side—their guards—were not permitted within the premises. Their garden was the only place their family could be by themselves.

"Are you certain, father? You look awfully pale."

The old man patted his daughter's hand which was still supporting him. "You're so very much like your mother. You worry too much."

"And for good reason," she huffed as she led the old man to one of the metal benches nearby. "And please do not change the subject. I can tell that something is bothering you as of late."

"And I can assure you that there is no need to worry, my dear." He looked beyond the walls that surrounded their courtyard. "The times, I can feel it…they are merely changing."

The woman sighed. Her father was a wise man, someone of great integrity, and whom people looked up to. It was just, at times (such as this), he tended to ramble and speak in riddles. She wasn't particularly fond of riddles.

"Well, if you are certain, father…" She stood up.

Much as she would have liked to spend the entire afternoon with him, she had responsibilities she needed to do. The old man understood. He knew how crushing the weight of responsibility can be. He had experienced it himself.

"Go on," he gave her another smile. "Do what you must. I will stay here for a while longer. No need to fuss over me. I will be fine."

Though her responsibility warred with the desire to stay with her father, in the end, the former won out. With the promise of checking up with him later, the elegant woman stood and proceeded back inside the castle where much of her work awaited her.

When he was certain his daughter had left, the old man's jovial expression turned serious.

There was no mistaking it. The air had turned heavy, even if the ordinary folks could not sense it. It was charged with something dark and sinister. And that could only mean one thing…

"I hope your words ring true, my friend," the old man sighed wearily. "May the Avatar find her path here quickly…"

She tried her best not to feel frustrated nor angry with the turn of events. She could almost hear her daughters reproving her, saying it would be bad for her health.

Gah, she thought, as she kicked mud about, throwing a tantrum like a child. This whole thing stinks!

It wasn't the first time the old woman wondered aloud, "What are you doing, Avatar? Why are you taking your sweet time!?"

She wished she knew the answer to that. She also wished she could meet this Avatar now, so that she could give the deity-turned-human a good thump in the head.

The entire swamp was at a turmoil. The animals could feel that something has happened. Something big. All the tendrils of life that spanned from the forest to the beyond could sense this as much as she could.

Whether it was something the Avatar did on purpose or not was no longer the case. One of the seals was gone. And the spirits were in further uproar. None of the Elemental Spirit Lords had been reawakened. And, if what she was told was true, things were only going to get even more chaotic from here.

The pile was stacking.

And it was stacking against them.

It is impossible, after all. Kai thought to himself as he perched himself atop the tallest point in the port, between two crisscrossing beams that made up one of the harbor's main support pillars. Up there, he could see much of Shu Jing.

He had thought that it was merely the initial shock of seeing those monstrous creatures that had caused him to shake in his boots. But, now, seeing them rampaging about the once-thriving tourist hub, swallowing everything in their path—from automobiles, to kiosks, buildings, and humans—he couldn't help but feel his blood run cold.

It is impossible not to feel terror in their midst. It was the conclusion he arrived in. A conclusion anyone would be so inclined to accept, and one he didn't feel humiliated in admitting.

It didn't help his confidence any that even the Avatar had looked horrified before them.

Dark Spirits. That was what Avatar Korra had dubbed them as. Though he knew nothing about them, if their name was anything to go by, those spirits were evil. Purely malicious. Why they have to come now and why were they wreaking havoc, devouring everything in their midst? That was anyone's guess.

First the Elemental Spirit Lords, and now this…

There was a loud keening sound. It was grating to the nerves as much as it was eerie.

Just what is going on with the world?

The Avatar's Steward shook his head. Though those questions were one that needed pondering, now was not the time. He had climbed atop such a structure not to muse over things he wasn't even certain he wanted answered, but to find that airship—their ticket to safety and to their goal.

Carefully, he turned from where he was perched, facing the rows of airships all docked at the port. He felt bitterness rise up within him as he saw how easily all could be used to bring everyone in Shu Jing to safety. There were plenty of them, after all. More than enough to accommodate those who had hunkered at port, hoping to find a means to flee.

And yet, the officials of Shu Jing were pushing people away from the airships. Some were even beaten up for not doing as they were told.

He understood that fear can drive a person to act cruelly towards another, but he could not accept that people such as those exist. What could they possibly lose in helping these people? Surely their lives weighed more than the cost putting all airships to flight might bring.

He tore his gaze from a group of port officials shoving people away with their batons and focused on the airships. One by one he looked at them, searching for any tell-tale signs that they were being prepared for departure. He may have been a native of Nia Bayou, but he wasn't as clueless about these things as his mistress was and he had observed enough of these aircrafts to know the difference between one on stall and one that was only moments from airlift.

Kai's keen eyesight settled on one airship. It wasn't as big as the others, but it looked much more maintained. It was so well-taken care of that it was impossible to belong to anyone but one who had enough money to pay for it. Kai had an idea, based from Asami's stories and estimates, just how much yuan was needed to keep a machine like that in perfect condition.

The young man strained his eyes for anything that was out of place with that aerial vehicle. He recalled the things Asami had to do before they could take flight in theirs and used those as a mental checklist. As he went down on that list, his mouth slowly curved into a grin until finally he was so certain of it there was no room left to doubt.

With one last look at their targeted airship, and then at the monstrosities that had begun their march towards the hangar, the Avatar's Steward swiftly retreated back the way he came. The news he had ready to spill from his lips.

By the time Kai returned to them, the airship port had turned into a place too difficult to manoeuvre with the number of people that have congregated to that very space. Even before the young, messy-haired man could open his mouth to share with them what he had found, Korra and the two other young women with her already knew that he bore with him great news.

"Which one is it?" Opal beat everyone to it in asking as she tried to stifle a yawn, looking at the airships closest to them. As deeply in trouble they were, Naga was too warm and too fluffy—not to mention surprisingly comfortable—that she found herself drowsy.

"It's not nearby," Kai replied with a shake of his head. "It's further back, but it is there and it is just about ready to take off, too."

"Then we must waste no time." Groaning, Korra pushed herself up, making use of Naga's side for support. She flinched when she accidentally put too much weight on her left foot and hoped no one noticed. "Is there somewhere close by I can do my bending without causing much duress to these people?"

The young steward nodded. "There's a closed off space near the hangar we need to get to. It's filled with large containers. It will be difficult for anyone to spot you there."

"Very well," the Avatar nodded. She could feel the weight of Asami's stare, but chose to ignore it. "Let us make haste. Lead the way, Kai."

Kai gave a mock salute before he straddled Naga, returning to the spot he had vacated prior. He patted Naga, which made the Polar Bear Dog rise from where she had laid to rest. Thankfully, Asami and Opal were ready for the sudden movement. Neither of them suffered the same imbalance as they did a couple of moments before.

Taking the reins, Kai gave it a soft tug to set Naga to the right direction before squeezing the Polar Bear Dog's side and letting her gallop as fast as her legs could carry them, shouting to the people to move out of the way—something they had no choice but to comply upon seeing the large animal barrelling towards them. Korra, despite the difficulty each step brought, managed to keep up with them.

The alcove Kai spoke of proved to be farther and deeper into the port than any of them expected. The distance, coupled with the difficulty with which they had to navigate through the throngs of people, ate up much of the Avatar and her companions' time.

By the time they had arrived there—and Kai had pointed out the airship he had scoured for—it was a few minutes away from flying off the nest. There was no moment to lose. No time for loquacity.

Trippingly, Korra set about to her bending stances. Flowing from water to air and back again, in a cycle. The markings, hidden beneath her sleeves, glowed faintly. Slowly, from underneath the Avatar's feet, mist started to rise. It was light, at first. But, before long, it grew denser and rose higher and higher up until it was twice as tall as the average man and then it reached the peak of the harbor's scaffoldings.

Seeing those markings gave Asami slight relief, though she was at a lost as to why. Even when the fog had gotten dense, making it difficult to see things, it was those markings that somehow, someway, calmed her.

It was…strange.

Not wishing to dwell too much into it, Asami shook her head.

"I think we may have overlooked one, little, itsy-bitsy detail," Asami heard, more than saw, Opal talk behind her. Similarly, she felt the other girl's grip on the sides of her shirt tighten. "How are we supposed to get to the airship from here? I can't see anything from this fog."

It was true. The fog was thicker than they had anticipated, so much so that they couldn't even see the tips of their noses.

"Avatar Korra," Kai spoke up, his voice terse, surprising even the Avatar herself who had gotten used to him not calling her that.

And even when no other words were spoken, Korra understood what it was Kai wanted to say; how he had planned to get them inside the airship. She supposed it had something to do with being with the young man for a long time and having an inkling (though not always) of how his mind worked. It was a bold plan. Bolder still that he expected her to comply.

"I am not certain whether to commend or castigate you for your impudence, Kai." Her voice was masked from emotion that it was difficult for the young man in question to learn where his mistress stood on the matter. "You do understand what it is you are asking me to do? The repercussions of it?"

There was a heartbeat of silence. The conversation between the Avatar and her steward was lost on both Asami and Opal. They could feel it was a tense conversation. Whatever Kai was asking Korra to do, it was something Raava's incarnation would rather not do.

"I do," Kai finally gave his answer. If the steward was worried, he didn't let it show in his voice. "But, this is the only way we can board an airship under these circumstances…especially when stealing one isn't an option."

Another bout of silence, one slightly longer than the last, before Korra let out a heavy and weary sigh.

"You are right." She admitted, sounding dejected. "Very well, I suggest all of you grab hold to Naga as firmly as you can…But try not to hurt her."

"Why?" Asami asked, not being able to take being kept in the dark much longer. "What are both of you planning to do?"

"And try not to speak," Korra added, ignoring the Prodigy's question. "You might bite your tongue."

Without another word, the Avatar took another stance, breathing deeply in the process. She began to move her arms and feet in a circular motion. Before long, they could feel the wind blowing underneath them and around them. The mist moved as the wind did—as how Korra guided it to—forming a ball and encasing them within it.

Though they could not see it, they could feel the strong gusts of wind around them, whipping their hair around and about. They could hear the way the wind howled around them. And then, weightlessness. Even as they sat on Naga's back, there was a feeling of weightlessness, as though the Polar Bear Dog had relaxed herself, her muscles no longer hard.

It was only then that Asami remembered the very same sensation she was feeling at that moment. It wasn't the first time she had experienced it.

And then she understood what Kai had asked Korra to do.

He had asked her to fly them to the airship.

"Kai, you—" she began, shouting over the roar of the air around them.

But Kai cut her off. He already knew what she wanted to say; had an idea of it. Again, he repeated what he had said before, "We don't have a choice!"

"But, Korra—!"

"I know!" the Avatar's Steward growled. Even he did not like what he had proposed.

Asami remembered and knew, even though she could only see the vague outline of Korra's body, that the Avatar must be suffering from multiple cuts in her body. She remembered seeing Korra bleeding during that time at Taku. She remembered the Avatar telling her of the extent of Vayu's gift of flight and how Korra had to make a deal in order to carry others.

Korra had bled then, and pretty badly at that. And she had just been carrying her. Asami could not bear to imagine the pain the Avatar might be feeling now, especially when there were more of them in need of airlift.

The gap they had to travel was not that far, but it felt as though the miles stretched before them until they felt Naga regain her weight and the air slowly dissipated around them. Slowly, they realized, they have landed right on top of the airship where mist was not as thick.

The moment that Naga's feet were planted firmly on a stable as ground as any atop the airship, Korra—who had been floating along with them, stumbled beside them as ungraceful as she possibly could.

Not hesitating, Asami quickly got off Naga and made her way to Korra's side.

The question concerning the Avatar's well-being died on the brilliant, young woman's lips when she saw the state Korra was in.

She had multiple cuts as far as Asami could see. All of them bleeding profusely. The side of her head, which supported the biggest wound set out a torrent of blood that had caused Korra's left eye to close shut. Not only that, but she was panting and shaking in effort to keep herself from completely falling flat on her stomach.

"I'm…fine," Still, Korra kept the assuring smile that was on her face. "This is…just a…a…scratch…"

"That is definitely not a scratch!" Opal, who had joined Asami and Korra exclaimed. "You're losing a lot of blood, Korra. A lot."

"Heh," the Avatar gave a soft chuckle as she completely lost control of her body. She slumped to the side, her weight on Asami and her head by the taller girl's shoulders. "I…will be…fine. It will…heal…Although, I think, I may need…to rest…a little. Just…a little…"

"Why is she hurt this badly?" Opal asked as she ripped a full length of cloth from one of the clothes hanging out of Naga's saddle, not caring if it belonged to anyone (Kai) in particular.

Getting a piece of that cloth from Opal, Asami then proceeded to clean the sleeping Avatar's cuts as she explained all about the effect flying does to Korra whenever she flew with another. It was difficult, especially with the way the airship had begun lurching as it moved away from the hangar.

By the time Asami had explained as much as she could and had understood from Korra, she and Opal had managed to clean up the cuts they could see on Korra's skin. Although, they both knew—judging from the traces of blood on the Avatar's clothes—that she had more injuries that needed fixing, they could do nothing about it, hidden by Korra's clothes as they were. It didn't seem right to undress the deity-turned-human right there just to fix her up.

"We have to get inside," Asami pointed out their next, obvious course of action.

Opal nodded, she looked around, searching for Kai and wondering why the Avatar's Steward had not been the one who had rushed to his mistress' side. She found him, however, bent on the other side of Naga, working on one of the airship's plates.

"What are you doing, Kai?" she asked, causing Asami to also look at the direction of where Kai was.

"Getting us in," was the young man's reply as he completed his tinkering and then proceeded to pull the plate off, revealing a vent big enough for even Naga to pass through. He then turned towards the others and added, "We can't stay out here, right?"

He didn't like it. Not one bit. To leave behind all of those people who were in need of help while he, himself, was being safely carried away did not sit well with him. He wanted to extend a helping hand; to assist in any way that he can. But once again, he couldn't.

It weighed heavily on him. It really did. To turn his back on those that needed help for a second time that day made him feel like he had lost more than he had gained. He felt regret. And he hated that feeling.

His mind told him that there was nothing more he could have done on both instances; that he had made the right choice. His heart, on the other hand, told him otherwise. It reprimanded him; made him question if this was the kind of person he had turned into; if fame and fortune had gotten him to the point where he would just turn his back on others.

It would pose him a question: What happened to that promise you made when fortune finally smiled upon you?

He bit his lip as he remembered that promise: a promise to be a person who wouldn't make another feel helpless; to be a person who provided help when it was asked and needed and whenever it was in his power to do so; to be unlike those who had shunned him when he was young, condemning him from the wrong choices he made instead of extending a hand and reaching out.

Was that not why he strove to attain the fame and fortune he now had? Why he struggled to get himself recognized? So that he would be able to use them for the benefit of many instead of just himself?

Even amidst the sounds of the airship's machinations, he could still hear the eerie noises those creatures were making; he could hear—as well as imagine—the cries of the citizens of Shu Jing. But even when he closed his eyes, images of those things devouring everything in its path, of people screaming and running in panic, assaulted him.

He couldn't calm down.

In the end, he stopped trying to. It was impossible. Especially for him.

So, instead of locking himself up in his cabin, he stood, ready to tell the captain of his airship to stop, go back, and let even a few people in. He knew he couldn't save them all, and so he would just save those that he could.

He, however, had not made it as far towards his room's door when there was a loud crashing sound behind him. Quickly, he whirled around, and there he found the most unexpected of things.

Piled on top of one another were people and below them was a very large, very furry…dog.

As if that was not surprising enough, he recognized two of the four people, groaning and muttering curses under their breaths, that had made an unexpected entrance to his room via the ceiling…

"Asami? What are you doing here?" He asked, stunned in place.

The long, raven-haired, young woman looked up, groaning as she did so and her eyes widened in surprise when she realized whose airship it was they had just tried to stowaway in.

"No. Way." Asami Sato's jaw was practically on the floor. It was the second time she had looked at him like that. "Bolin? What are you—? Wait, don't tell me…this is your airship?"

Even though she asked him not to, he thought that warranted a response and so Bolin nodded, grinned, then—finding it hilarious despite the circumstance surrounding them—said, "You should have told me you would be dropping by."

The President's leather office chair, he found out, was comfortable. It had the right amount of softness, but at the same time did not endanger of giving him bad posture.

I could get used to this, he thought as he watched the now-ousted President Victor Raiko and his wife being roughly pushed out of the office and to underground holding cells where they will be kept.

Victor was throwing curses at him, telling him he would not get away with the coup. But, the fact was, he already did. Who was there to wrestle this newly-acquired power from him? The People? Certainly not. They will not attempt to do so. Not when all he needed to do was provide a show of power—and he already had a lot of that: the military, the triads, the glove that continued to sit snugly on his right hand.

No. There was nothing to stop him from molding the United Republic to how he saw fit.

He would show them that his governance would bring the Republic prosperity; that he would provide for them the solution to their energy crisis; that he would be the one to bring glory to the country!

"President Tarrlok," he grinned to himself. Testing the words out. "It has a nice right to it."

Yes. He knew that was what he was born for. That was his destiny.

"They've succeeded, Amon." The Lieutenant was the one who brought the news. "Tarrlok has overthrown Raiko."

"Excellent," the Masked Man replied, turning to face his right hand man. "Then give the order. Tonight, we march."

The Lieutenant bowed before turning on his heels and doing as he was told. Once alone, Amon turned his attention back to the seemingly peaceful landscape of Republic City before him.

"Bask in the glory of your success, brother, for you will not experience it for long."

It was a promise. One the leader of the Equalists intended to keep.

Post Author's Notes:

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
As always, I enjoy hearing from you all and reviews and favorites are always appreciated.

Until the next chapter, dream on; fly on!