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:
What's up, good friends and readers of this story!
Be sure to read the End Notes as I have something very special up for everyone! :)
Enjoy the chapter! :D
Legend of Korra
The Schism
Chapter 61: The Growing Epidemic
There was something about having this human—this Asami Sato—in her arms, no matter how many times it had been, that always managed to calm the Avatar and also made her more susceptible to selfish thoughts. As they traversed the short distance between the entrance to the mysteriously-named and strange-atmosphered "Cave of Two Lovers", those emotions didn't change. Korra wanted to prolong the moment.
With Asami keeping her eyes closed (why she was still frightened of being able to fly with her, Korra couldn't really perchance a guess. It wasn't as if the Avatar was going to let anything bad happen and let her fall) and burrowing her head in the nook of Korra's neck, the shorter girl was left alone with her thoughts...which only served to fully ingrain the reason why Asami could be allowed to speak and act towards her in a way which no one had the gall to and without getting the Avatar to take offense.
And it wasn't just because of the whole 'Avatar's Chosen' business the old man, Zuko, had started.
Introspecting, however, was not one of Korra's strong suits. Nor did it include knowing what to do with her emotions, especially the ones where violence was not an option. Anger, annoyance, outrage? Those she could deal with and handle as her temperament had, for much of her memory, been explosive (to say the least). She never had to deal with, nor acknowledge, the gentler side of the human psyche. She never even considered it.
With Asami, however, anything—and everything—she had never thought about was now something she would (at one point or another) let her mind wander to. Though, often, she still held a certain line she dared not cross.
The Avatar heaved a sigh as they, thankfully, landed softly on the ground in an alleyway close to the embassy building. For as much as she wanted to keep Asami's company to herself, she knew the other girl would not think kindly of her for it. Feigning ignorance (for she wasn't really, at all, that oblivious to what Asami was pointing out) at what the Prodigy had been accusing her was one thing, forcing Asami to abandon (even if it was momentarily) her best friend who was in need of her was another.
"Finally!" Asami cried out in relief, which made Korra feel (even for a bit) transgressed. "That was a lot longer than it actually was."
An arched eyebrow and arms crossed were what accompanied Korra's words when she said, "I am taking offense in that. You make it sound like flying with me is such a horrible experience."
Pointedly, Asami looked at her. She began to recount each time Korra had whisked her in flight, ticking each instance with a finger. When she was finished, the Prodigy put a hand on her waist and sealed her point with, "You can't argue that there wasn't a time when our lives weren't in jeopardy each time you took us flying. This would have to be the first time nothing bad happened in flight!"
"Those don't count," the Avatar huffed, looking away. Her arm throbbed, as though to remind her that what was said almost happened yet again. "It's not as if you ended up getting hurt, not even that time when we did end up having a rough landing on that pond back at the Fire Nation Capital."
"'Rough Landing'," Asami snorted. "That's one way of putting it." She shook her head, noticing how much they were dawdling. "Let's not waste any more time with this pointless argument. Who knows what Opal might end up doing if she thought we ditched her."
The Sato Heiress walked briskly, past the sulking deity-turned-human. Whether or not Asami knew she had (as petty as it sounded) slighted the Avatar's pride, Korra didn't know. But it didn't keep the darker skinned girl from proclaiming loud enough for anyone close to hear, "I'll make you enjoy it, Asami! Just you wait!"
The aspiring, young inventor went on walking, only allowing a "Whatever you say, Avatar Korra" and a flourish of her hand to let Korra know her words had been heard.
Iroh felt like he was babysitting.
There really wasn't any word more appropriate and suitable for the circumstance. Granted, unlike how he envisioned it when he was suddenly burdened with the responsibility to ensure that the young Bei Fong woman wouldn't go running off and causing problems—not only to her family, but his as well—he was certain he would have to do more physical work than simply keeping an eye on the annoying girl.
Thankfully, Opal Bei Fong wasn't having any sort of tantrums this time around, unlike how she was with him back in the Palace. Of course, he wasn't oblivious to the difference between the events prior to being shut inside a room with guards stationed just outside at that moment and back then.
It peeved him that she was being a lot more careful now than before. The thought of having to clean up the mess she had made in that waiting room, and having to face both his mother and grandfather to explain why the room had been trashed, was not a fond memory to revisit. Though, he would gladly take this squirmish and anxious version of Opal than have to deal with explaining to their hosts why their guards had concussions and why the embassy looked as though it had been ransacked.
"Will you stop?" He sighed. "You are acting in a way that is highly suspicious."
As always, Opal glared at him. Surprisingly, however, she did not say anything back at him. She merely returned to her pacing and mutterings under her breath.
Iroh sighed, crossed his legs and then his arms as he made himself as comfortable as can be on the sofa. Despite knowing that there was a high probability of being snubbed again, the Prince continued as though it has—so far—not been a one-side conversation. "You've called for them. Though I am quite certain Lady Asami will come running, if that Avatar was as a friend as you say she is, then they will be here soon enough and then we can go about our business. Why you even demanded they be here before meeting with the envoy from your family, I cannot fathom."
"You must really like the sound of your voice that much to keep talking even when it is quite evident I don't wish to waste my breath on you." Any more venom in her voice and he was sure she would be a shoe-in for the most poisonous and deadly creature in the world. He shuddered at the thought. It was a good thing that words could not kill.
He really couldn't understand why she was still annoyed by him. Had he not apologized for the numerous misunderstandings that had occurred between them? Were his attempts at being civil and quite the gentleman incomplete? Even when he showed goodwill towards her, this young woman was still giving her an icier treatment than winter in the Northern Poles.
And he needed her to like him. It was the best way he could win Asami over…
"Well, one must find a means to alleviate their boredom and keep themselves from losing their calm as you have." He rolled his eyes with sarcasm before turning serious once more. "And also, because I truly am at a loss. Surely your family's worry is not lost on you?"
"Of course not," Now it was her turn to roll her eyes at him, as though he had missed the point completely. "I know how worried they must feel. I also worry about them for reasons I know you are already privy to."
He cocked his head to the side. He was not going to waste the opportunity of being able to actually talk to the Bei Fong girl into speaking of something trivial.
Perhaps if I show a bit more concern she will like me a bit better and help me win over Asami? He thought to himself before saying, "Then why are you hesitant to come home to them? The need for Asami and that Avatar—"
"Korra," she interrupted to remind him, but he chose to ignore her. What he calls the dark-skinned woman was his choice, and he would not be changing it any time soon.
"—to be around when you meet with your family holds so little—even bordering on none—logic and is just a waste of time for this inevitable reunion."
"Asking that is a little too late, don't you think, Your Highness?" Opal replied as she stopped running the rug and turned her full attention to him. "Perhaps you should have asked me that before you thought about dragging me back to my family against my will."
"I have already apologized for that!" He was growing tired of how it all seemed to come back to that moment.
He could see the young woman's mouth working to say something in defiance, but it was at that precise moment that the doors to the waiting room they had been ushered in flew open and a concerned Asami Sato came walking in. Following her was the Avatar.
"We're here, Opal!" was Asami's greeting as she made a beeline for the other girl.
"Oh, thank the heavens!" Opal heaved a sigh of relief, which continued to confound the Prince. She looked between Asami and the Avatar and added, "I was worried whomever they sent would lose their patience before you guys arrived…" A frown contoured her forehead as she noted, "Where's Kai?"
As if on cue, they heard the familiar voice of the troublesome and unruly, young man outside. Peeking through the windows, Iroh saw him awkwardly patting an older man—the Official who had volunteered to go looking for their companions—who was bent over and vomiting the contents of his stomach while the large, monstrous animal that belonged to the Avatar waited on the side lines.
"Well, that's everyone accounted for." He stiffened when he noticed that the dark-skinned bane of his existence was standing behind him in close proximity, the noises from outside having piqued her curiosity. "Unless you also called for Bolin and his secretary?"
A burst of air that was close to being a snort preceded Opal's words. "No. As entertaining as it is to have Bolin around, he wouldn't provide much help in this instance."
Again, with the cryptic way that Opal saw and dreaded the reunion waiting to happen.
"Do you know who came for you?" Asami asked, to which the bobbed-haired, young woman shook her head.
"Not yet. But since you guys are here, we might as well get this over and done with." She sighed, then turned her attention towards him. Opal looked as though she was waiting for him (of all people) to do something. When he didn't budged, she once again raised an eyebrow and asked, "Well?"
"Well, what?" He returned to sitting cross-armed and cross-legged on the sofa, mustering a bored expression to boot.
"I said we're ready to meet with the envoy." She spoke condescendingly, as though he was a child unable to comprehend her words.
He frowned. "I heard you the first time. Were you expecting me to commend you on your decision?"
"No," she scoffed, then rolled her eyes. "You can fetch them and tell them that now."
He stared at her in disbelief.
Is she serious? Was the first thought that came rushing in his head.
When she stared at him, waiting for him to move and do something, it became apparent that she was very much serious. It annoyed him, very much, that he was suddenly being turned into some kind of errand boy. As though he was on the same level as that urchin outside who was still spewing apologies to a barfing man.
Iroh looked away from the presumptuous girl and growled, "Go do that yourself. I am the Royal Fire Nation Prince, Heir to the Throne. I am not your servant whom you can order around to do menial tasks."
"Well, Your Highness," there was mockery in her voice as she spoke back at him. "You presented yourself as an envoy from the Fire Nation, did you not? You're the only one here who can go past those doors and speak with those in-charge to tell them that I am now willing to speak with my family's representative. Isn't that part of the responsibilities that is included with the title?"
He opened his mouth to retort, but words failed him. He had set himself up for that one. What Opal had said was true, it would be disastrous to send just anyone in to arrange the delayed meeting. Especially when he was the one who also spoke on her behalf and delayed that meeting in the first place.
The smug look on her face, however, made him grit his teeth and eye her with as much disdain as possible.
"Very well," With a frustrated huff, he uncrossed his arms and legs and stood. He didn't want to make a scene now that Asami could see him. In his mind, he kept telling himself to not fall into the trap Opal had laid for him. He needed to give a pretty good impression, after all, and completely win the Sato Heiress over.
That, however, did not stop him from stomping his way out of the room and shutting the door with as much force as necessary.
Getting Opal Bei Fong to like him would be as equally and superbly difficult as getting himself to like the girl.
She waited for her sons to call. She had wanted to send her oldest, but with her twins being in closer proximity to Omashu, it was the more logical choice. Added to the fact that her daughter was more fond of her twin brothers, it was a given.
It was much a puzzle to her as to anyone in their household why her only daughter decided not to send them any form of communication. They didn't know what had become of her prior to the call from the Omashu Embassy that told her they had someone who was claiming to be Opal Bei Fong. With the way things had come undone in Republic City and with what had happened to her half-sister, it took everything in Suyin Bei Fong not to fall into despair and not break into hysterics.
Even with the vast network they had developed, none heard word of her missing daughter. It was like she just fell off the earth. It was something she had deemed impossible, with how intensive and widespread her spies were…Now, she was wondering if she should have them all re-trained.
"You are thinking too much," her husband—an epitome of calm—did not even bother to look up from the book he was reading. "Stop over-thinking, Suyin. Give it time."
Had she not known him for so long as she had—known him to the very core of his being—she would have thought it offensive of him to not show care about their only daughter; to not be so distraught as she was obviously being. But, as it were, that was just how Bataar was. He was showing concern in his own, subtle way.
"It has been hours since they last called, Bataar."
Her husband looked up from his book and towards the clock hanging near him. A look of surprise briefly passed by his face, before he shrugged it away and gave his wife a sheepish smile. "Well, think of it this way, honey: at least it hasn't been days since."
She sighed. "That is not a funny thing to think about. I am now very tempted to ask you, in all seriousness, why you don't seem at all perturbed."
"Why should I be?" He adjusted his glasses and went back to his afternoon reading. "We were told she was perfectly healthy and fine, that she was safe. I was worried before, but hearing that and learning she is now in custody at Omashu has eased that worry. If anything, I should be asking you why you are still worried about Opal when she has proven herself quite capable of surviving on her own."
"We don't know that yet." She plopped down beside him and eyed the decanter of wine sitting atop the table close to them. It was meant to be a decoration of sorts, but it was becoming more and more appealing for her consumption. "She could be traumatized for all we know. Look what happened to Lin! Republic City was supposed to be one of the safest places nearby!"
That gave the Opal's father pause. None of them still had any clues as to what happened to Lin. Not a single healer could identify the sickness that plagued her. One of them had even gone so far as to say she had been cursed!
It was the fear of that very same thing happening to Opal that kept Suyin from relaxing. Until her daughter was safe within her arms, she doubted she would actually find peace.
The gold-eyed Mercenary sighed. The airship's Economy Class was not a place he was fond of, but considering how he didn't want his pay to be deducted by a much more lavish accommodation had given him little choice on the matter. Not that he was reluctant of the choice. He wasn't. Money would always come first for him. Well, right next to his brother.
But sitting right beside a toddler made him question his choice much more fervently. The little potato-looking thing had been crying non-stop despite his (her? Mako didn't really care much to pay attention to what the little monster's gender was) mother's cooing and gentle rocking. The thing's mother had even tried breastfeeding and that was, by far, the most awkward moment in the entire flight for him. And though the other passengers did not seem to mind the tantrum the little thing was doing, he was certain they were all internally groaning and begging whatever gods they believed to shut the baby up.
He, for one, had even entertained such morbid thoughts as wishing the airship would just crash to save them all from the headache the baby was inducing.
Mako had to keep his emotions in check, however. As he found out, soon after the airship had taken off and an hour into the child's annoyingly loud vocal protestations, that despite his training, his emotions still played a huge factor in him accidentally summoning his new-found ability. Thankfully, he had noticed the smoke emanating from his tight grip on the seat before it escalated into anything further and he ended up setting the airship and everyone in it aflame.
He closed his eyes trying to keep calm amidst the chaos that was bombarding his ears. Having the need to keep up his charade with Amon and his Equalist followers was taxing. The search for those which would fuel that damn Spirit Bastille? Even more so. And the biggest tip he had on where to find said fuel—according to his new (and even more mysterious) employer—lay on the Fire Nation and that strange pillar he could see.
"So, it will just be a short trip." He had said, crossing his arms and putting his foot atop the table much to his employer's disdain. "Just go to the Fire Nation, find out where that pillar is originating from, and then report to Amon about it. Easy-peasy."
"It is quite amusing what your feeble, little mind could come up with." The Hooded One didn't sound amused at all when she spoke. Their body language, if anything, suggested they were exasperated. "The location alone would not appease Amon. What we need is for him to busy himself for a while to allow our plans to be put into motion."
What those plans were, exactly, was lost on Mako. His mentor had yet to shed light on them. But, whatever those were, they were of little importance to him so long as he was paid.
"Okay…" he wasn't sure where his employer was going with their words. And he was fresh out of ideas on how Amon would leave him alone long enough for them to work on whatever this plan was. "So…? I am supposed to do what, exactly?"
The Hooded One procured from their pocket a small, black vial, not much taller than a grown man's thumb and not much wider than two fingers held close together. It looked like an ordinary, plain old ampule. And even when Mako took it into his hands and inspected it, he couldn't see what the big deal with it was.
"What do you want me to do with this?" He asked, shaking the container. It was light, making him certain it didn't held anything within. "It's empty."
They didn't respond to him immediately and Mako didn't bother wondering if he may have said something stupid. He was certain—in the eyes of his employer—that he had. When they finally spoke, they said, "The pillar is within the confines of the Royal Palace. Make your way there and, with that vial in your hand, dip it inside the pillar—"
"Wait, wait, wait!" He had put his hands up and waved, cutting whatever was to be said next. "You want me to stick my hand into that thing!? There's no way I'm doing that! Who knows what might happen to me if I did!"
His protestations had fallen into deaf ears, however, as his employer merely ignored him and went on with their instructions. With how it was said, it had seemed like an easy enough job. But it still didn't make Mako comfortable in knowing what he had to do.
He shuddered at the thought.
He had wanted to back out.
But, in the end, he didn't. And he now found himself several hours away from the Fire Nation Capital with a wailing baby right next to him. Placing a hand on his breast pocket, his fingers found the vial he had kept tucked away in it. He gripped it in his hand, though he dared not take it out for fear of accidentally dropping and breaking the glass container.
He still had a few hours before the airship touched down on Fire Nation soil. Boiling with determination (and also of frustration due to his seatmates), the Mercenary swore to himself—however it may seem unwise to stick his hand into something he knew nothing about—that he was not going to fail.
After all, he could already imagine the feel of the check he was going to receive—the full payment for this particular mission—in his hands.
Korra and Asami had both prepared themselves for the worst. They had, in their own ways, prepped themselves for what Iroh would have thought unthinkable believing they had been asked—their presence demanded—by Opal herself in order to act as her backup. The moment that the envoys—for what everyone had assumed was a single entity—turned up to be two, identical-looking people and that Opal's demeanor changed from defiant to jubilant the instant she saw them was not something both young women were prepared for...and they were sure neither was the young royal with them.
The moment the doors opened and the Prince returned to the room, and Opal saw who her family had sent, the young Bei Fong's eyes widened in surprise and before anyone could say a word, made a beeline for the two identical men.
They had neatly combed hair, as dark in color as Opal's. One had their hair parted to the left, the other to the right and Korra wondered if it was for the sake of those around them; to distinguish the identity of one from the other. Their eyes were olive green, their complexion similar to Opal. Their clothes were identical, both wearing churidar kurtas of dark green shades. One had rounded accessories donning his body and his clothes, the other a more boxy set. Though they showed no skin, everyone could see how well their physique were.
Their expressions, looking smug as they came in, changed to one of relief and affection as they wrapped their arms around Opal. Though Asami could still see a hint of mischief in them, as though mischief, itself, was a part of who they were. And despite having only met Opal's brothers once, and having interacted with them briefly, the Prodigy could tell they were good people and that Opal cared greatly for them as much as they did to her.
"Little sister!" The two men exclaimed in identically toned voices as their group embrace ended.
One of them, the one whose hair was parted from right to left, took a step back and looked at his sister from head to toe, inspecting her. When he had finished, he placed both hands on her cheeks, stared squarely into her eyes and asked, "Are you alright, Opal? You're not hurt are you?"
"I'm fine, Wei," she replied, then looked at the other of her brothers and reiterated. "I really am."
Wei dropped his hold on her and then crossed his arms. Meanwhile, the other brother placed both his hands on his hips. They both frowned at the same time, as though on cue. Then the other twin spoke, "You are in a lot of trouble, Opal. You had all of us worried. Mother is beside herself."
Opal looked sheepish. "I know. I'm sorry. There is so much to tell and this really isn't the place for it."
It was only then that the twins remembered they were not alone; that there were others among them. Their faces showed surprise, albeit briefly, before returning to their smug expressions. Two pair of eyes traveled from one person in the room to the other: beginning from the Prince who met their stare and raised an eyebrow of his own, then to Korra who looked as curious about them as they were of her, before finally landing on Asami. The moment they realized whom it was they were seeing, their eyes glinted and their mouths spread into a wide grin.
"Well, well, well," again, they spoke in unison as they made their way to the young Heiress. "Asami Sato."
Asami gave them a smile.
"Wei, Wing," she nodded at both men. "It has been a while."
They beamed at her upon hearing their names. "You remembered us!" they exclaimed as though it was the most surprising thing. And Asami could understand how that might be. That one time they had met had been quite a long time after all as it was during the very same party she and Opal had met.
"Of course," she replied. And it was the truth, it was difficult to forget them even if they were not her best friend's siblings. Especially when one tried to hit on her in that very same gathering and the other hit him for it. "Our first meeting is quite unforgettable, especially the ensuing chaos both of you caused."
The two men laughed.
"I guess we can tell mother that it wasn't at all bad," Wing told his twin with a chuckle. "Good impressions are well and all but even the bad ones got us remembered."
"There is a reason why both of you are the infamous ones in the family." Opal interjected, which got the twin laughing once again.
It was a strange for Korra. Despite the close proximity both had with Asami, she didn't feel at all the need to air-bend them as far away from her. Not unlike how she constantly felt whenever Iroh did the same. As the thought of the Fire Nation Prince crossed her mind, the Avatar took a look at where he was standing—at a far greater distance than she was—to the jovial group. He looked grouchier than he did when Opal had ordered him around.
It was at that point that Korra made a decision that if these identical-looking people were making the pompous prince that much annoyed, then they were in her good graces. And it was that thought that made her lips twitch upward.
"So, we got Miss Sato here and Prince Iroh over there...which is strange." Wei nodded at both before he turned his head and focused on Korra. "But, who are you?"
Korra straightened, took a deep breath, and was about to go through the notions of introducing herself as she always does—the Avatar, the Bridge between Human and Spirit Realm—when Opal quickly got between her and her brothers, cutting her off before she could even begin.
"This is Korra." Opal had said. "She's—" her eyes darted to Asami.
"Korra is a great friend of ours," Asami finished for the young Historian. "She's someone...special."
And though that was not how at all Korra would describe herself as, somehow, she didn't mind it when it was Asami who said it. It gave her conflicting feelings of warmth in her chest and the desire to correct them and be blunt about her identity. That warm feeling, however, spread from her chest to her neck, before reaching her cheeks. She felt them burning—not in the literal sense (though she wondered how everyone in the room would have reacted if she had suddenly inflamed herself)—even the tips of her ears.
She looked away then, and cleared how throat. She hoped they wouldn't see anything wrong with her reaction and that they would simply think this was something normal of her. Though it made her wonder as well why they were hiding the fact of who she was to Opal's own brothers. Were they not trustworthy enough?
Alas, Korra forgot that at least one of the two other women with her was very observant in nature. And in the act of looking away, she made the mistake of looking at Opal's direction and seeing the knowing look accompanied by the smirk she had directed at the young Avatar. This made Korra frustrated and made her grumble under her breath.
It didn't help that Asami's words were open to so many interpretation.
Whistling, Wei's eyebrow shot up, as he said, "Ooh...someone special, huh?" in a way that didn't really seem like he understood what it was that made Korra 'special'.
"Ah, I see...I see..." Wing mimicked his own twin's tone as he nodded, fingers tapping on his chin, with his eyes closed. When he opened them, he looked over his brother and said, "Then, I guess that answers our question if Asami had changed her mind about us. Doesn't it, brother?"
"You have no idea how much your words have crushed our hearts and spirits, Asami. How will we cope?" Wei solemnly said, though his eyes betrayed much about his true emotions.
Asami laughed at their silliness, patting them both on the shoulder as she said, "You'll both manage. I'm sure."
"Strange, though." Wing remained thoughtful. "Opal never once mentioned anything about you, Korra, in her letters to us...well, before she stopped writing and had us all worried sick."
Again, Korra was unable to speak for herself as Opal was the one who answered the unasked question her brother had laid out. "Well, I didn't meet Korra until Asami brought her home...and by then I was swamped with stuff that needed doing I forgot to write."
"I see..." though Wing didn't look at all like he believed what his sister had said. He gave Wei a brief glance and the other twin nodded. "Well, I suppose we can save the tales for later. I don't think we should keep mother waiting."
"We really have much to talk about," Opal admitted.
"You have no idea, little sister." Wei gave a sigh so uncharacteristically heavy then. It made Opal's brow furrowed. To his twin, he said, "Do you want to be the one to give the call or shall I?"
"I'll do it." Wing volunteered. "I'll leave our way home to you." He didn't wait for anyone's rebuttal, instead, he turned around and walked backed through the door he had entered from.
Wei sighed, scratched his head and said, "I shouldn't have handed that one to him. I hate getting that scrap of heap working." He turned to Asami and asked, "I don't suppose you would be willing to lend me your expertise?"
"I don't mind." Asami replied with a shrug.
"Awesome!" Wei gave her a thumbs up before pointing that thumb over behind him. "The junkmobile's back there."
The Prodigy shook her head as she began to walk with Wei to where the automobile was. "You should stop calling it that. Maybe that's why it acts up on you."
"I will stop trashing it as soon as it stops acting like one," was his reply.
Before Asami left the room, however, she stopped beside Korra and in a whispering tone told her, "Play nice, Korra."
That made Korra grumble even more saying, "I'm not a child that you need to keep reminding this, Asami. Besides, I'm not the one who looked as though he is ready to strangle one—or both—of Opal's brothers."
But Asami did not leave, not until Korra had—begrudgingly—gave her word that she wouldn't do "anything stupid" as the Prodigy had said.
As soon as Asami was out of the door and was nowhere in earshot, Korra braced herself. She was certain Iroh was going to say something directed at her that would trigger her temper again. She didn't expect him to swallow whatever emotions was swirling within him and direct his attention, not at her, but at Opal.
"And here I thought you would really start a massive argument with the envoys." He said to Opal, who was just as surprised as Korra was that he spoke with her rather than the Avatar. "I didn't think you would readily go with them when you seemed so worried before and so against the idea."
"It's Wei and Wing. My brothers." Opal said, though she looked not at him but at the door where Wing had disappeared into to make his call. "I didn't expect them to be the one to come." She frowned. Her jovial expression morphing and disappearing into something more gloomy. "Mother would have sent someone else. Not them. Unless..."
"Unless, what?" Korra finally spoke.
Opal shook her head. "It's probably nothing." She looked at Korra, then. "I hope I didn't bother you and Asami when I asked for both of you before meeting with the envoys. If I had known the envoys were my brothers, I wouldn't have demanded you and Asami to be here to meet them."
"It's fine," Korra shook her concern away. "Asami, Kai and I were just planning to explore that strange cave near here when we received word."
"The cave near here?" Opal thought for a while before her eyes lit up. "Oh! Oh..."
But Korra gave her a look that kept her from saying much more. The Avatar had a forethought of how things would go if Opal were to say something regarding the cave. She would rather not have to deal with Iroh, not when she wanted to prove to Asami that she could play nice.
"So, are you now ready to go home?" Korra turned the conversation back to Opal.
"Yes," Opal replied. "We can make use of my family's network in order to find out more about the Guardian and the Spirit Core of Earth. It would be much more easier and productive than blindly searching." Her eyes turned determined. "But I will make sure to let my mother understand that I will not be staying; that I will continue to journey with you and Asami. I will see this thing through to the end."
"And how will you do that when you just introduced your beloved Avatar as 'someone special'?" Iroh asked.
"You can thank Asami for that," was said by Opal in such a way that it meant differing things for both Korra and Iroh. The former cheeks turned red again, while the latter returned to his sulking. "Besides, I couldn't just blurt Korra's identity out to my brothers. Not here. And not until I have talked to mother." She shook her head and added, "I can't guarantee much, but you can rest assured that finding the Spirit Core of the Earth and unsealing it won't be as troublesome as with the Spirit Core of Fire."
Lavish.
It was much too lavish.
Everything was over-the-top. Even the decorations were sickeningly the same. No matter where they looked they could only ever see signs of the ruler of the place. There was no subtlety in the way the Earth Queen showcased her egotistical and narcissistic pleasures.
It was a great contrast to how everything was around the palace. Where the people of Ba Sing Se lived with so little, weighed down by the heavy taxes imposed on them, the palace of Ba Sing Se was the complete opposite.
Personal gain and comfort above her people—that was how Hou-Ting, the Earth Queen, was known. And it was why they had seen it fit to add her to their fold.
Hou-Ting was proud and greedy; she was self-serving and power-hungry. It was these qualities, they were certain, were what was needed to plunge the Earth Kingdom further into the darkness they needed the entire world covered with.
And so they kept their thoughts to themselves; kept themselves from ripping the place apart—sickening decorations and all.
"And you are certain of this?" the Queen asked in a voice that grated on their nerves even more.
"Of course," they replied. "I am always certain in my information."
"And why, pray tell, should I trust you? You who hide yourself beneath your hood, keeping secret your identity from all?"
"Because," they replied calmly, their answer already something they knew the Earth Queen could never resist. "I can help you with your desires. With my help, nothing will stand against you. You can rule for as long as you want, without worry or care. Drown yourself to the worldly pleasures that inhabit your wildest dreams."
It was, after all, the lure of power that could easily entrap those who already had it yet constantly still yearn for more. Hou-Ting was no different. No different at all.
Just another pawn in the grand scheme of things.
The Earth Queen harrumphed and crossed her arms. "You sound so confident that you will be able to deliver."
"I am." there was no hesitation in their answer. "I can and will give you the army you need to conquer the whole Earth Kingdom and bend everyone to your will...your enemies, included." They stretched forth their gloved hand, reaching out to the monarch. "The ultimate army, unflinching. All I want from you is your cooperation."
Hou-Ting eyed the hand being given to her. With effort, the Earth Queen stood from her plush seat of power and towered over them. They suppose it was meant to be intimidating, to let the Queen feel that she had control of the situation as she looked down on them from the pedestal by which she had placed herself.
But the effect was lost on them. They were not easily intimidated after all. And the one who truly had power was themselves, not this sad-excuse of a ruler.
They stared at each other for a time, yet the outstretched hand remained steadfast. And it didn't take long after that before Hou-Ting reached out her own hand and shook theirs.
Under their hood, hidden by the shadows, they let their mouth curve upwards in victory.
No, they thought to themselves. I will not make this easy for you, Avatar.
Post-Author's Notes:
So, a lot has happened in my real, everyday life that ended up with me not updating this (and my other projects: namely the Chronicles of Endlessia videogame I am working on and my YouTube Channel). I had so much stuff going on with life (both good and bad) that I had to focus on that aspect of my life much more than the other things...hence the delay.
Before anything else, I would just like to offer my sincerest thanks to those who sent me messages and worried themselves over me. I appreciate it a lot. And though I couldn't reply to most of them, rest assured I read every, single one of those messages and they gave me so much happiness as a writer. So, thank you very much.
Also, much thanks for sticking by this story despite how I always miss the deadline I have imposed on myself for updating it.
Thank you for the reviews as well. The favorites, likes, bookmarks and all the things that make it known to me that you guys are enjoying what I have been writing. It helps a lot knowing that. And because of that, I have decided to do a little bit of an Appreciation Contest of sorts where everyone who had commented/reviewed on this story (both in FFN and AO3) are already eligible to win.
What are you guys winning?
An actual physical copy of the entire Legend of Korra: The Schism fan fiction. Yep. A physical copy. Which means in actual book form. Winners will have an actual say on whether they want the entire story in a single book or if they want to get it in "arcs". The book will also have some of my artworks for this story (if you have been following me on Twitter and on Tumblr, you will know what my artworks look like). There will be 3 random winners of this/these books.
There will, of course, be consolation prices in the form of different artworks (one of which I have already unveiled in my Tumblr) featuring Korra and Asami in the LoK: The Schism universe. I will be giving 10 of these at random as well.
Anyways, I will keep you guys posted about this "contest" as we go along with the story. There is no actual date for a deadline, as I will keep this running up until the week after I post the last chapter of this story. Also, despite hailing from South East Asia, this is open for all who have accompanied me in this wonderful story's journey. No boundaries.
So, there you have it. And no, this isn't some April's Fool joke (I don't do that). I will be forking up the expenses for the printing of the limited copies of the LoK: The Schism books as well the postcards/artworks. And I am doing it all for the love of the fandom.
Oh! But don't go just commenting something along the lines of: "Ooh, I want to win that" or "I hope to win that" or anything that simply comments on this "contest". I mean, you can say that, but I would still like the focus of this to be on the story and what you guys thought of it rather than wanting to get your hands on the goodies. So, reviews about the story/the chapters are very much welcome rather than those that you just post for the sake of getting stuff.
That's all I can say for now, though (I still have much to do). So, until the next update, dream on; fly on!