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

Author's Notes:

First off, as late as it may be already (though not quite, if you happen to celebrate the Chinese New Year), I want to wish you all a prosperous and blessed New Year! I hope that each one of us will attain are goals this year and that 2017 ends up being one filled with positivism!

Having said that, apologies again for the delay since it took a while for my beta to finish with this chapter. Still, I do hope that you guys will enjoy reading it. :)

Again, thank you to everyone who has left behind a kudos and/or a comment, and for those who have bookmarked this fanfic and placed it under their favorites! It is very much appreciated, as always.

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]

The Legend of Korra:

The Schism

Chapter 45: Lord Zuko's Plan

"That man," Korra said, utterly perplexed as she wondered just how long a human's lifespan could be. "He said his name is Zuko."

At those words, it wasn't just Opal whose eyes widened in surprise and who rushed towards the same glass pane Korra had looked out of. Even Asami and Kai were equally intrigued. Together, the peered over the windows, making sure not to stick out too much.

As far as they were, they could only catch a rugged outline of the man Korra had said had introduced himself as 'Zuko'. They couldn't see much of him, but judging from his stature, he looked like a really old man.

Opal laughed. "Come on, Korra. Whatever you're thinking, it's impossible. The Hundred Year War happened a very, very long time ago. No one from that era could still be alive. I think that old man just took on the name of their ancestor."

Korra frowned. Though she admitted it was such a far-fetched and incredulous idea to think that the man from the legends and stories Opal had shared would be the very same man she had met before and was seeing now, there was something about the old man that kept giving her pause. There was an air about him－something that she had noticed before－that was both familiar and foreign; comfortably reassuring and at the same time made her feel tense. It was a juxtaposition that drew her in.

Before the Avatar could argue and before she could act on her impulse to run to the old man calling himself 'Zuko', he and his entourage－along with Bolin's －had already begun to make their way from the airstrip and to who-knew-where.

Watching them walk away, Korra couldn't help but feel, as strange as it may have sounded, like it was a missed opportunity.

"Come on," Opal pulled the young deity-turned-human out of her reverie. "Let's get moving."

He faltered momentarily in his steps having sensed the coming of change. Or, at least, of the one whom they had been waiting for.

It was much stronger now than it had been in Shu Jing. But, at the same time, there was something different about the presence. There was something…disturbing about it. He knew it had something to do with the recent increase of dark stirrings that he had also felt.

The Schism has been made bigger; the crack expanding. He could feel the darkness that had spilled and the creatures that were bound to it. He didn't know what had happened, how it had come to this, but he knew of a way to fix it－they all did. But in order for balance to be restored, they needed the Avatar.

He took a glance back from where they had came, where they had welcomed the young man and his entourage, his eyes sparkled. It was something his grandson did not fail to notice.

"Is there something wrong, Grandfather?" he asked, worry marring his brow, making the man much older than he was.

The old man took his sights off from the airship the Mover Star had arrived in, shaking his head and saying, "Nothing at all. There is, however, something I wish of you to do, Iroh."

He knew it must have come as a surprise to his grandson. Rarely did he ask a favor of him. He knew then, even before he was given a reply, that young Iroh would agree with him.

"I need you to do something for our…visitors."

Iroh looked at the people they were with－the visitors; the foreigners. He wondered what it was his grandfather wanted to do for them. Quickly his mind churned with all sorts of ideas that would make them feel welcomed; that would showcase the dignity of the Imperial Family.

What his grandfather asked of him, however, was something bizarre. It made the prince scratch his head in confusion. He thought the old man was just playing with him, but a look at his grandfather's face told him otherwise.

Still, he had agreed to do as he was asked. And a request from his grandfather was still a request from a higher authority, despite the fact that he was no longer the Fire Lord sitting on the throne. And so, weighed by discombobulation, he asked himself to be excused, and left to do as he was told.

She was starting to grow tired of having to sneak around. If she could have her way, the Avatar would have simply gone away with stealth and had busted them all out of the Imperial Hangar with all the elements that she could muster－and it wasn't Opal who was just thinking that, even Korra herself had stated as much. On more than one occasion.

Of course, as easy it would have made their escape from the restricted area they had found themselves in, that would have－in turn－made their search for the Elemental Core difficult. They didn't need the added trouble. She supposed that was also one of the reasons that kept Korra from actually doing anything brash.

Still, there was something…off…about Korra. Even the cheeky way she had suggested using her bending to get them quickly out of the place was said half-heartedly. There were moments when Opal would look at the young Avatar and saw her in deep thought, mind wandering to who-knew-what. Not that Korra seldom did that. She did. Just not during times when her presence and readiness were very much needed.

As always, the aspiring Historian found herself wanting to know what went on in the mind of the deity-turned-human. She wanted to know what could possibly cause her to zone out (and in several instances almost hit something as she walked). Already she had ruled out the possibility of whatever it was having anything to do with Asami. She didn't know what those two talked about when Korra had awoken, but if their conversation was the cause of the Avatar inattentiveness, Korra would have unvigilant even before the airship landed on the Imperial Capital.

No, Opal deduced. It must be something else.

"It's that old man," Kai whispered from beside her.

"Jeez, Kai!" Opal hissed, quite surprise by the young man suddenly speaking to her (and, quite possibly, reading her mind). "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

The Avatar's Steward gave her a look that suggested her question did not warrant any actual response from him, though all he said by way of apology was a "That was not my intention".

When Opal realized Kai was not going to say more, she asked him to expound on his earlier statement. "What do you mean by that old man? The one Korra said introduced himself as 'Zuko'? What about him?"

She saw Kai gave Korra a sidelong glance as they continued to make their way－one crate further away from the plane at a time, hiding and ensuring no one was around before taking yet another sprint towards another tarp-up crate. He waited until they were safely on the other side of the hangar before he gave her any sort of response.

"Korra still thinks there's something up with that old man," Kai said, making sure that only Opal could hear. "I'm not sure why she thinks that way, though."

Opal sighed. She had an inkling why.

"It's the name, isn't it?" She took a gander. "I think our version of the world's history might have piqued her interest…and with someone in the Royal Capital named as the hero of the Hundred Year War? I mean, we already told her it was just a coincidence, I'm sure she'll get over it."

Hopefully sooner rather than later. Opal thought to herself. She would rather have the Avatar ready for anything. Who knows how long their luck would last?

"Is it really that normal for such a name to be passed down?" Kai asked when he was given the chance. "In your people's version of history, he is the hero who had saved the world from the ruthless Ozai, right? Should that name then be something that deserves reverie instead of something akin a trinket handed down from one generation to the next?"

"He is. And Lord Zuko is revered. But I don't find it as odd as you and Korra seem to. It's sort of a normal thing. Besides, we know nothing of the old man. Who's to say that he did not earn the right to be named after his forefather?" It was all the explanation the young Historian could come up with. The most basic and normal, at least. She was not ready (despite finding herself in the midst of it, anyways) to think of anything outside the norm.

As she pondered on the reason for the old man's name, she couldn't help the budding curiosity that her own answer gave birth to. She conceded that Kai had a point with the legendary hero's name and how it should be respected, but if her own reasoning proved to be correct, then what feats must that old man have done in his youth to earn him the right to use the name? Was he a hero in his own right as well? Thinking about it made her anxious; it made her want to get to the bottom of this mystery.

"Opal, are you okay?" Kai surprised her once again, placing a hand on her shoulder to accompany the question. He gave her a frown, and though there was another question to be asked, the young man instead chose to inform her that they were ready to move once again saying, "The coast is clear, it's time to move."

She shook her head, reminding herself to listen to her own advice.

"R-Right."

It was easier said than done, however…

"Is there a reason behind this, sir?" One of his subordinates asked. It was a question he, too, had asked himself, and one that he knew the others who had heard of his order had on their minds as well.

Still, even with how he anticipated it to be asked, he didn't have a suitable answer for them. Unlike his grandfather, who had asked this of him, he couldn't see the full picture that would enable him to give an answer wrapped in riddles. That was, of course, what he had been given: an enigma.

The request in and of itself was not a bad thing. Certainly not when word had reached them of the strange things that had been happening all around, including the sudden disappearance of the entire populace of several villages within their nation's borders.

With the way his grandfather had spoken, however, it didn't seem that much of a conundrum for the old man. He seemed to know the reason for these disappearances and seemed to have an idea on how to fix things…which, really, was not a surprise. His grandfather had vast amounts of knowledge, it was impossible for him not to come up with a solution to any problem.

That was the reason why, even with these strange goings-on, his mother－the Fire Lord, herself－was unfazed. He was certain his grandfather had already shared his knowledge on the matter with her and together they had both come up with a way to put things in order.

That still doesn't explain why he suddenly wants us to triple the patrols, the Prince thought to himself. And so soon, without any briefings. The way he gave the order is strange as well. He didn't look like he was bracing for any imminent danger. Grandfather looked…

He couldn't finish the thought. There was no way the Great Lord Zuko would do such a thing just to entertain himself…and (or, perhaps) his guests.

"Just Lord Zuko's orders," Iroh replied. "It would not do us any harm to follow him. He had never led us astray, after all."

"I-I'm sorry, General," the footman quickly apologized. "I didn't mean…"

General Iroh held his hand, quieting the other commander before him. "There is no need to apologize. I understand where your concern is coming from, what with all that has happened around the border."

Those words put the platoon commander at ease. He regained his composure, and then asked, "Where would you like the patrols, sir?"

The Prince walked towards the center table where a large map of the Royal Capital was laid out. Quickly, he pointed out the locations his grandfather had told him to set up the additional patrols. As he did, he could find no explanation to why those particular places needed to be defended. What he could see from the order was a pattern; a pattern that has their airship hangar at its center.

It all happened so suddenly; so quickly. As though, all of a sudden, the entire compound was under some state of emergency or another.

Just when they were at the home stretch, a number of Imperial Guardsmen arrived and began patrolling the area. They were lucky all of them were nimble on their feet and were able to quickly fall back and hide themselves away before they were found.

The sudden arrival of the guards bewildered the Avatar and her group. They did not bother to think the increase in security was their fault, after all, no one knew of their presence. Only Bolin did. And none of them thought the Mover Star would have told anyone about them.

Well, perhaps that was wishful thinking on Asami's part. She didn't know what the others thought of Bolin. Neither did she knew of what the young man would do. Of course she trusted him. She knew he wouldn't knowingly betray them. But what if he, somehow, let it slip?

"Well, this makes thing a lot more difficult than it should have been," Kai grumbled, expressing the sentiment they all felt. "What now?"

Korra scanned their surroundings, searching for something Asami knew not. She couldn't fathom what the chocolate-skinned, young woman hoped to find when all around them there was nothing but tarped-up boxes and crates, consoles for controlling the docking mechanisms, and equipment meant for maintaining the airstrip. Unless Korra wanted to cause distraction for their escape by means of a massive, electrical failure that could lead into a medium to large-sized explosion, there really was nothing of note.

Unless…that was what Korra did plan to do.

That thought made Asami quickly whirl at the Avatar. She was ready to talk some sense into the shorter girl; ready to remind her against wanton destruction, even if it was for the sake of their escape; when Korra got a word in before she could.

"This place is too open," Korra muttered. Asami was relieved she wasn't the only one was confused by the Avatar's statement.

"Too open?" Opal asked. "Well, of course it is. It's an airship dock."

Korra gave the other young woman a withering look. "That's not what I meant." She frowned. "I was thinking of flying us all out of here, but the risk will be far too great. There is nothing I could use to hide us from those men's sights. I am not certain I can call upon another mist to hide our presence just yet."

There was a unanimous "No" that resounded—one that was punctuated further with a bark, followed by a growl, from Naga that had everyone holding their breath in fear someone might have heard them. When no one came, they released a collective sigh of relief and returned to the matter at hand.

"There is no way we can allow you to pull another stunt like that, Avatar Korra," Kai's voice was stern, though Asami wondered to herself whether the young man was shaking inside.

"Kai is right," Opal seconded, just as fiercely. "It's not worth it. Not when you'll end up as injured as you were before."

Naga gave vocalized her opinion as well, barking so much that Kai had a hard time shushing the Polar Bear Dog, and they could only guess what the Avatar's Spirit Animal was saying (though they were certain that even she was against Korra's plan as well).

Korra crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow before turning to Asami to ask, "I suppose you have something to say against it as well?"

Asami shrugged. "I have a few words, yes." Then smirked as she gestured towards the others who had already spoken before her, "But, I suppose, you get the gist of it."

The deity-turned-human huffed and looked away, clearly peeved. "I was not even planning on actually doing it. As I have said, it is too risky and I do not intend to jeopardize all of your safety. I was only thinking out loud."

"And we're saying," Opal was not ready to let Korra off the hook just yet. "We're not letting you do anything that would risk your safety as well." Asami caught her friend looking at her before she added, "You're not the only one we have to look after every time you do something reckless, you know."

The young prodigy had to school her features and keep herself from showing any signs that she knew that last statement was meant for her.

This time, Korra set her gaze on Opal. She didn't look pleased at all.

"I am the Avatar. I am Raava, incarnate." Korra made it a point to remind Opal. "It is inconsequential where you let me do something or not. I do not follow the whim of humans."

Instead of cowering, however, the Avatar's words did nothing to frighten Opal or worry her. Instead, the Historian seemed to challenge Korra further even without saying a thing. Even when Asami knew her friend had lots more to say. Knowing that it would do them no good if Opal continued with whatever it was she had going on in her mind, Asami thought it best to intervene.

"Alright. That's enough, both of you." She said, taking a step between them and looking at both of them in turn. "This is not the time or place for—" she made a gesture between both of them with her hands, "—whatever this is."

The stare-down continued until Opal raised her eyebrow once more and Asami fervently wished the other girl would just drop it. She didn't know if she could call it "luck" however when, at that point, one of the guards patrolling the area shouted about hearing a commotion from where they had hidden.

The look of irritation she had was mirrored on Kai. They needn't say out loud whose fault it was that they were now in danger of being found.

He wasn't certain why they had been called to patrol the perimeter. Truth be told, he was annoyed that he had suddenly been called into duty. Just a little bit, though. He had been having such a great nap—a scarcity these days with the number of things that had been happening, which had them all up on their toes.

Though the strange events they had heard of happening had done so beyond the shores of the Imperial Capital, the Fire Lord had made it a point to get everyone at the ready for whatever eventuality only she and the former Fire Lord Zuko could see. Much as he begrudged the way his rest day had ended, he couldn't find it in him to fault the Fire Lord and her father. They were, after all, doing their job of ensuring the safety of their people—one that they had magnificently done so in the past.

Still, it was alright to gripe a bit about that missed opportunity to catch some rest and relaxation, right? He didn't even think they would actually find anything on patrol.

That was why one could imagine his surprise when, upon hearing some sort of ruckus near the shack where most of the tools used for maintenance was kept (and radioing the others about it before deeming it his responsibility to check what was causing the noise), out came bounding a gigantic, furry, white dog carrying with it two people. It was enough to put him on his backside!

By the time he has regained any semblance of thought, he quickly rushed to his feet. Already he could see how strange this report was going to sound once he radioed it to the captain.

His brow was furrowed, lips nothing more than a thin line across his face, after he took the communication headset off. Those that were with him in the room knew not what he was thinking. They didn't know what to say to him either, or how to make of the report that was just passed to them.

But he knew what it was about.

So, they're here… He thought to himself as he stormed out of the room, intent of capturing the people who had made a fool of him before. I won't let them get away this time.

Asami had to be careful as she peeked through the side of the small structure she and Korra had hid themselves in just before Kai had swept Opal up, jumped onto Naga's back, and had the Polar Bear Dog gallop at a zero-to-sixty speed that had even threatened to topple the stack of barrels and boxes that had made their little niche an optimal hiding spot.

It was such an unplanned thing. Kai didn't even say a word to them and they weren't even able to say anything to him either. How they were going to be able to reunite with the three of them, Asami didn't know. They couldn't very well depend on their luck for such a matter, considering how 'Lady Luck' seemed to completely abandon them at times such as these.

We'll have to make our own luck…again. She thought with a mixture of bitterness and amusement before she gave up trying to make sense of where Kai had steered Naga to and, instead, faced Korra.

"Don't say it," the Avatar grumbled, the crease on her forehead still present from when she and Opal had that argument of theirs.

"Say what?" Asami asked, though she already had an idea of what it was Korra didn't want to talk about.

The Avatar muttered under her breath. Her voice was so quiet it was difficult to hear a word she was saying. When Asami asked that Korra repeat what she had just said, it took great effort for Korra to do so.

"That it was my fault we were found and had to split up," the shorter girl looked at anywhere else but Asami, her arms crossed over her chest.

The Prodigy observed the Avatar. Korra was on edge. And Asami wondered if that was why it was so easy for Opal to get a rise out of her. Still, it didn't fully explain why Korra had been so defensive in the first place. Surely she had stopped blaming herself for what happened with the Dark Spirits and Shu Jing?

"Well, that's not entirely true," Asami said after a while. Tapping a finger on her chin with a far-away look at her eyes, she went on to say, "It was because of you and Opal and that stupid argument you both had." She let her finger rest on her chin as continued saying, "You didn't have to react the way you did, Korra. Opal only meant well."

The crease on Korra's forehead deepened. She muttered "I did not like the way she spoke" in her defense. "I do not appreciate it when humans tell me what to do."

Confusion marred Asami's features. "You don't seem just as angry when I tell you to stop doing reckless things and, last time I checked, I'm as much a human as Opal is. Besides, when I asked you for help, you didn't hesitate to assist me either."

"That's—" Korra started, though what she was about to say next—Korra knew—was as clichéd as anything she could possibly come up with. Nevertheless, it was the best the Avatar had at the moment. "—different..."

One could only imagine how much that non-answer threw the Prodigy even deeper into confusion. She couldn't see what made Opal's plea for Korra not to act reckless different from how she had asked the Avatar the very same thing.

Before she could get a question to Korra, however, sapphire eyes looked at her pleadingly. "Please do not ask me why that is. I do not understand it myself. When it is you, everything is just…different. You're…different." And before Asami could ask just what all of that meant (though the aspiring, young Engineer didn't really think she could get the question out with how her mouth suddenly seemed to have dried out), the Avatar brought them back to the most pressing matter with a fervent shake of her head. "A-Anyway, this is not as important as getting ourselves out of here."

"Of course," Asami had to clear her throat to speak. "I don't suppose you have a plan outside of blowing stuff up or flying us out of here?"

The heaviness that had, minutes ago, permeated the air dissipated as Avatar Korra pouted. "You make it sound like I really do enjoy causing mayhem."

"Right, sorry." Asami chuckled at the way someone who claimed themselves to be above humans looked at that moment. "I probably shouldn't make light of something like that, but you have to admit, those seem to be your go-to plans."

"Not this time," Korra assured her. "But I have to know, how good are you really with heights?"

Post Author's Notes:

Thoughts? I would love to hear them. :)
Dream on; Fly on!