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:
So...I wasn't expecting my vacation to get drawn out like this. I was expecting just a week of it, but it turned into two and I didn't get as much time to write as I would have liked. Luckily, my beta managed to finish his beta-ing quicker than usually for me to be able to post this chapter. :D
Anyways, this chapter is meant to ready everything that will go down (and there is a lot) in the next chapter. So, without further ado, let's get on to some reading~!
Legend of Korra
The Schism
Chapter 64: Creeping Marionettes
"Hello, Korra. I heard you needed help. I came to give my assistance."
Avatar Korra knew she had heard the words correctly, yet she couldn't fathom what meaning lay behind them.
"You...heard I needed help?" Korra asked, remembering to keep her voice down as there were people sleeping—Asami, in particular. "From whom? I had not been able to connect to the Spirit World for a while now."
The Light Spirit nodded, bobbing the entirety of its upper body with it. "The Spirit World is in turmoil. Too many things happening at once. Darkness is corroding it fast, but Light is holding on. What you did unsealing the Elemental Core of Fire helped. Lord Suzaku, too."
Again, Korra was at a lost. She blinked. "You have seen Suzaku?"
The little Light Spirit nodded again, the small, twin leaves on its chubby head danced around as it moved. It cocked its head to the side—or as much as something without a neck could—gave Korra a confused expression verbally responded to her.
"Plenty of times. He has been hard at work keeping the Darkness at bay." It looked over to where Asami was and added, "It is strange that you sound as though you have not seen him."
The Avatar kept silent, neither confirming nor denying anything. The creases on her forehead deepened when the Light Spirit seemed oddly intrigued by the sleeping, young woman. Korra was not exactly certain what came over her, but she found herself freeing her arm that was caught between their bodies and throwing it around the Chosen's shoulders like some sort of protective gesture.
It was oddly satisfying, even when it did not necessarily do as intended. Her actions flew over the head of the little spirit who—much as the Avatar was before, and even was still (a bit) now—did not understand the nuances of human interaction. Or the reasons for such actions thereof.
Still, Korra froze when Asami stirred in her sleep. She found it impossible to move even more so now than before. If the Prodigy (or anyone else with them, for that matter) were to wake, she would be caught—as the humans would say—'red handed' with her arms around the other girl.
What would I say then? She momentarily panicked.
"Is everything alright, Korra?" the question caused the Avatar's head to snap to the source and for the deity-turned-human's cerulean eyes, and her attention, to refocus on the Little One.
The dark-skinned, young woman shook her head, berating herself silently even as she responded with, "Everything is fine. I was just...musing."
"It's good to take a moment and think," the Light Spirit spoke sagely as it floated down and landed on top of the sleeping Polar Bear Dog's head, making itself comfortable thereafter. "But over-thinking doesn't do much good, Korra. Sometimes, all that does is cause unnecessary complications."
It was impossible to ignore the heated glare that was being directed at him, nor the tapping of Duo Xing's heels on the linoleum floor. Not that she wanted the young Mover Star to ignore her. No, she wanted him to feel every ounce of irritation she felt.
Apart from the earlier burst of outrage (which she would not be apologizing for), the Secretary hadn't spoken a word to the young man. Words were unneeded. Her vexation poured out as waves that made Bolin feel both chilled to the bone and sweaty at the same time.
They were still in Omashu, at the Embassy where they had been told Opal had called for them. Of course, that was hours ago and thanks to the Mover Star's obsession with making his supporters happy and trying to appease them, it should come as no surprise that they had been left behind by their companions.
But, for Bolin, it did come as a surprise. He had believed his friends would understand—Opal, most of all. Of course, saying that to Duo Xing did not placate the Secretary's dour mood. All that did to him was be called a 'moron' and be reminded of what everyone in the group—themselves and the Prince perhaps being the sole exceptions—believed were much more important than his 'Meet and Greets': namely, saving the world. Or whatever constitutes as keeping it in balance—which was Korra's job as the Avatar...or so she has been told.
Duo Xing didn't really understand any of it. She didn't hope to, nor did she care. She was just blackmailed into doing as the Fire Lord had bidden.
When the person in-charge—which was whom the Secretary had demanded to speak to—hadn't met with them still, Duo Xing's heel-tapping was coupled with a rather aggressive form of finger-tapping, as she drummed her nails atop the counter. Even when the poor soul on the other side of the counter had looked pleadingly at her, stuttering as he told her to keep the noises she was making to a minimum, Duo Xing paid him as little (maybe even less) attention than she did her own charge as she waited for the receiver on the other end of the line of her communicator to pick up the call.
After the fifth attempt, Fire Lord Izumi—whom she had been trying to contact just as long as they had been waiting for the person in-charge—finally answered.
"I hope you have something worthwhile to tell me with how insistent you have been in calling, Miss Duo Xing," the Fire Lord drawled.
"Considering that me and my charge are stuck here and with the arrangement we both have, I would say this is a meaningful call. Unless you've changed your mind and have decided to let me do my own thing." The Secretary retorted, disregarding the consequences of being disrespectful to one as powerful and influential as the woman on the other end of the call. "So, unless you want me to keep working for you, Fire Lord Izumi, you would do well to help fix this problem."
There was a moment when all Duo Xing could hear on the line was static. It stretched for far too long than she would have liked, to the point where she had thought the line was cut. She was about to push for a response before hanging up and trying again when a sigh was finally heard.
"What is it this time?" She could imagine the monarch speaking with her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose, eyes closed.
"It seems your son forgot to mention about us—Bolin and I." Duo Xing explained. "Bolin took far too long with his fans and we ended up being left behind. Now, these people in Omashu's embassy is keeping mum about the destination and whereabouts of the others."
"Shouldn't the answer to that be obvious?" There was a hint of condescension in the Fire Lord's voice, as though the call between them was highly unnecessary...as is the request that she fixes the blunder Bolin had caused.
Duo Xing frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Miss Bei Fong." Fire Lord Izumi sounded bored and it irked the Secretary. "She was the primary reason that you and the others landed in Omashu first, is she not? Now, if she had presented herself in the embassy, would it not make sense where she would be heading—or taken to—next?"
"Zaofu." She felt foolish at not having thought of that, especially when the answer was obvious. But, as Duo Xing was a prideful woman, she didn't want to admit that that eluded her.
Before she could say something to defend herself, the older woman chuckled. "See? It wasn't that hard, was it? You're making me question just how well-deserved your renown in the intelligence community is."
Duo Xing shook her head. She was not going to allow the other woman to belittle her as so and make her the butt end of a joke. Luckily for the Undercover Spy, she had something that would negate what jab the Fire Lord had at her expense.
"If only knowing where they are solves everything," she said. "Zoafu, as far as I know, does not welcome outsiders with open arms at the moment."
There was another round of pause before Duo Xing's mouth quirked upwards at the question given to her.
"What do you mean? Zoafu is a friendly city, open to all. It isn't as alienating as the lands influenced by the Earth Queen."
The Secretary smirked. "It seems there is something the omniscient Fire Lord doesn't know about. What were you saying about my intel, again?"
"Cut to the chase, Duo Xing." Gone was the patronizing tone being used on her. "What do you mean?"
Bolin's secretary glanced at the young man under her care, looking to see if he was within earshot and if he had been listening in on the conversation. Thankfully, he was speaking with the embassy worker and paying her no mind. Though she did not particularly care what he thought, Duo Xing knew better than to put unnecessary stress on the young man. Especially when he understood even little than she did.
After making sure she was not going to be overheard, Duo Xing turned around and gave Fire Lord Izumi the explanation she requested.
"The Bei Fong Clan seems to be preparing for something," she spoke in a hushed whisper. "Everyone is on high alert, though they seem to be keeping whatever it is from young Opal."
"Perhaps the civil war is reaching its climax?" Even Duo Xing knew the Fire Lord didn't believe her own take on the matter.
"If this is the operation that would end the unrest in this kingdom, then they are setting their sights literally on the wrong horizon." It was really a conundrum, even for a spy such as herself. The movements and preparations she had witnessed didn't coincide with anything pertaining to the Earth Kingdom Civil War, of which the Bei Fongs were amongst the major players. "No. This seems different."
"Do you believe it will turn out to be problematic for our own agendas?" Fire Lord Izumi asked. It was a surprising question, considering how Duo Xing didn't think Izumi valued her opinion that much.
Then again, beggars can't be choosers.
"Well," Duo Xing couldn't help but grin despite how the situation had started and how serious their conversation had become. "There really is only one way to find out."
"Very well." Finally, a defeated sigh graced Izumi's lips as she instructed the other woman, "Give the communicator to a representative of the embassy."
The secretary did just that. She watched as the man on the other side of the counter took the device with a confused—yet annoyed—expression, which quickly morphed into shock with each passing second he was on the line with the Fire Lord.
Duo Xing didn't bother to hide her glee with how profusely the officer in-charge of the embassy had apologized soon afterwards when he was finally called and had spoken with the monarch.
Face flushed with embarrassment, bowing his head repeatedly in shame, the officer in-charge spoke timidly, saying, "We didn't know you were a part of the Fire Nation envoy. Please accept our deepest apologies. As we have told Her Eminence, we will be escorting you to your friends."
She was impressed with the reach of Izumi's influence and how useful the Fire Lord was in tough situations. If each hurdle could be solved with Izumi's name alone, Duo Xing could imagine herself getting used to it.
"Wow," Bolin whistled as they boarded the sandcruiser that would take them directly to Zaofu. "This is a complete three-sixty from how they were treating us before. It's like an instant free pass, or something."
Yes. I could really get used to it. The Secretary merely smiled. The fact that the Fire Lord had anything to do with the sudden change of heart of those who had hindered them before was something she still kept secret from the gullible youth.
Hiroshi did well.
That was all they could think of as they watched the Earth Queen inspect the newest additions to her army. Though they did not expound on the true identities of these so-called "new additions".
In Hou-Ting's eyes, the dozens of automatons were strange-dressed (and even stranger mannered) mercenaries clad in fierce-looking armor. They had warned her of the automaton's thirst for blood and the dangers of using them—all for the sake of providing a disclaimer and to ensure that they would not be held accountable of what happened next, and to keep the Earth Queen from getting near to the abominations and learn of their true natures as man-made machines.
"And you are saying these...people—" Huo-Ting sounded hesitant to use the word, understandably so, "—are more capable than they look?"
"I am confident," they replied. "Just tell them their target and they will be as relentless as blood hounds."
"So if I tell them to search for and eliminate every, single member of the Metal Clan?" the Earth Queen's eyes glimmered with carnage and bloodlust as she asked.
It was delectable.
"You have to be more specific than that, Your Majesty." Cloaked shoulders rose and fell as the hooded stranger shrugged. "Lest you do not mind innocents being slaughtered in their wake, of course."
"So, names?"
"Or locations," they clarified. Repeating the instructions Hiroshi had given them. "You can tell them to target a place and they will terminate all within that location without impunity."
Despite the warning that was present in their words and in how those words were spoken, it did not diminish the dangerous look on the Earth Queen's face, as they knew it would not. Hou-Ting, after all, was just like all the others they had touched—the brothers Tarrlok and Noatak, Hiroshi, the Northern Watertribe Chieftain Unalaq, and all the others who had unknowingly became their pawns—all of them were much too ambitious; unforgiving to those who stoond against them and had done them wrong.
It wasn't just the Avatar who was building up their rank, seeking out help from the Fire Nation. They, too, planned to expand their reach and their power. And unlike Raava's incarnation, they were willing to do anything—and everything—to grow in power and influence and to sow the seeds that needed planting for the coming war.
Because unlike the Avatar, they knew what was coming; what they were heralding.
Darkness eternal. Inescapable. Never-ending.
"Very well," the Earth Queen gave a curt nod. "I will make good use of these people."
"I have no doubt," they acquiesced. "As I have no doubt you already have a quarry in mind, Your Grace."
The grin on the plump woman's face grew, only proving what the hooded stranger already deduced.
Grow strong, Avatar Korra. Entertain me.
The hunting lodge was where the mysterious, hooded stranger said it was—which was a relief for Hiroshi Sato who had agreed to the demands ask of him in exchange for the information.
Yet, even with knowing that the place Raiko had spoken about truly did exist, the Inventor could not do anything about it yet, apart from watching at a distance and gathering information. He still had a lot to uncover, having only learned of the security of the place mere minutes prior.
And though he wanted to rush things, he could not risk it. Not yet. Not at that very moment. Time was of the essence, but acting brashly could destroy everything. He had to make sure that Tarrlok was truly in that building, ensure that the guards placed on duty would not have the capabilities to call for help once he had set things into motion. He also had to guarantee that he would be able to get the information regarding his daughter that was hinted the Councilman had before Raiko could let word escape of what he was doing behind Amon's back.
So many things still needed doing, but he was getting there.
Hiroshi looked at his watch. He had spent quite enough time scouting already. He needed to return soon or he would surely arouse suspicion.
Just a few more hours, he told himself to keep the impatience at bay as he brought the prototype automobile he had with him to life. It hummed silently as it waited for the CEO to step on the gas and speed away, having installed a special kind of exhaust into it for this very sole purpose of ensuring silence in his reconnaissance.
Despite knowing the dangers of infiltrating the hunting lodge to find Tarrlok, Hiroshi knew he had to do it that night. And there really was only one way it could safely go to his favor...and what he needed to do at that moment was return to his hidden workshop and continue working on his special automaton.
There were only a few hours left. And for some, those few remaining moments when the sun was still up in the sky were not enough to complete what he must do. For Hiroshi, however, it was mere child's play.
He was, after all, not a genius just for the levity of being at the top of his peers. No, it was not just a label. He truly was an exceptionally, gifted man in his craft. It was the reason he was sought after by many. It was how he had single-handedly built a business empire.
And tonight, he would be able to prove that once again...
Strange.
There was nothing—no other word—by which she could describe Opal's family apart from that. Well, she supposed she could go for "unique", but neither would seem to suffice. Both adjectives felt like understatements in the face of the immediate family members of the Bei Fong Clan.
Though she belatedly wondered if it were the people who made her think that way, or if it was the over-all ambiance of Zoafu. After all, the entire place was the complete antithesis of Nia Bayou. Where her home was simple and quaint, Zoafu was even more...advanced than what she though the United Republic was.
Though, Korra supposed, it would be rude to air her thoughts regarding the matter. Not when the young woman was finally reunited with her family, leaving the Avatar and those that were with her to the sidelines watching awkwardly an event that made them all feel they were intruding on something personal.
Which was...a new feeling for Korra who, up until that point, did not really bothered about such things. Why she would feel that way now, was beyond her.
"You're frowning, Avatar Korra. Is there something wrong?" the Light Spirit, who hung atop the Avatar's shoulders, asked.
At the same moment, Asami—who then was standing in the sidelines next to the deity-turned-human—spoke a similar statement, saying, "You're frowning".
The suddenness by which the spirit spoke to her—along with having forgotten it was even there—made Korra stiffen and had her in-taking a sharp breath. Her surprise was the pretext for the Prodigy's surprise as well.
Thinking that she was the cause of the shorter girl's uncharacteristic reaction, Asami quickly apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I didn't think I could...or would."
"N-No, it was not your fault." Korra cleared her throat, composing herself. Soon as those words were out, cerulean orbs gave the little spirit a side glare.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Avatar?" Frustration seeped from Prince Iroh's words as he mistook the look she was giving as something that was meant for him, having situated himself to the other side of the Avatar. "I thought we have called it a truce...for now?"
How he had phrased his words had Asami's brow shooting upwards. She was about to say something, but Korra, running a hand over her face and groaning, managed to silence her.
"Neither of you are at fault," she said, words uttered in a hushed and groaning manner as she set her sights once again on the family reunion before them. Before she could find the words to explain, however, the Bei Fongs had remembered they had visitors and had turned their attention to them.
All the Bei Fongs who were present in the mansion's main foyer—a tall, slender, olive-skinned woman with gray and pistachio-green eyes, a bespectacled man with gray hair and olive eyes, another bespactled man who seemed like a younger version of the other, a young man with olive-green eyes and long black hair, dyed with green streaks and shaved on the side, as well as Opal and her twin brothers, Wing and Wei—began to walk to their direction. Though Opal's siblings took a different turn—down a corridor close to where they were—and did not continue down the same path as Opal and her parents.
"These are the people I was talking to you about, mother," Opal said, when she and her parents had crossed the distance, by way of introduction. She gestured to Asami first saying, "You remember Asami, right?" Seeing the older woman next to her nod, the young Historian then proceeded to introduce the others, "This is Korra and that guy is Prince Iroh."
Korra kept quiet, trying to keep the amusement she felt at bay at Iroh's silent grumblings of having been so casually described as 'that guy'. Though it wasn't just for that sole reason alone. The Avatar didn't know what to do, even as Asami subtly elbowed her.
Exasperated at the lack of reaction from her, Asami—as it had seemed to be such a common thing now—took the lead...which also felt right for the Avatar, given that amongst them the young inventor was the one who knew the family most.
"It's been a while, Lady Suyin," she said, bowing slightly in respect, to the woman—Opal's mother. "I am glad to see you well. You too, Lord Bataar." Added Asami as she gave a similar gesture to the oldest man in the group.
"I could say the same to you, Asami." Lady Suyin replied with a kindly smile, though it faltered for a moment soon after. "As I understand it, news of your disappearance were grossly exaggerated. Such is the case with my daughter as well, it seems." Irritation painted her face as she went on to say, "Really, what were the fools in the United Republic thinking, spreading word that both of you were kidnapped? Did they not gauge what the reaction of your families would be to the news?"
Asami and Opal exchanged looks, a silent conversation going between them. If Korra were to guess, such conversation between the two friends would most likely be about how they were going to lie their way into explaining her identity...again.
"Come now, Suyin," Opal's father—Lord Bataar—gently took hold of his wife's shoulders. "Now is not the time to ask such things to people who would not be able to provide you with answers to them."
Lady Suyin sighed. "You're right. I apologize." Whom the apology was directed to, Korra was not at all certain. She did not have time to ponder on it, however, as Opal's mother turned her sights on her. "Korra, was it? I was told you were responsible for taking my daughter away from Republic City."
Again, the dark-skinned, young woman stiffened. It sounded accusatory, and Korra knew—no matter how one might spin the tale—that there was truth in the older woman's words. She glanced at Asami in askance of what to say, but even the Chosen was as shocked as she was, after all, no one knew—apart from their small group and the Fire Lord as well as her father—that she was responsible for the adventure (and the dangers that went along with it) Asami and Opal had been whisked into. With the way Asami and Opal were looking at each other, however, it did not seem like it was the Historian who aired that little tidbit.
"I—" The Avatar truly did not know what to say; how to proceed. Yet, with the way the Bei Fong matriarch was looking at her—sternly—she could not force a lie out. And so she admitted to it, silently berating herself for such weakness. "I did. Yes."
Consequences be damned.
Which was funny to think of...considering she did not really pay attention to the causalities of her actions to their outcome prior. Or maybe even now.
Suyin nodded curtly, her face not betraying whatever emotion such answer evoked from within. What she said next did not just calmed the frazzled nerves Korra and the others found themselves feeling, but also caused them all great confusion...
"Then you have my gratitude, Korra." Suyin responded, finally aiming a smile at the Avatar. "With how things are now, I do not know what I would have done had you not helped them." Then before any of them could ask what Suyin meant, she turned to the Fire Nation Prince and added, "You have my gratitude as well, Prince Iroh. I could only imagine how much of a handful Opal was. Thank you for ensuring her safety."
Opal rolled her eyes. Korra was certain she had something biting to say regarding how much of a 'help' Iroh had been. But in the presence of her parents, the spunky attitude she had with the Prince was put on the back-burner.
Iroh bowed, "I did only what was expected of me, Lady Suyin." He took a pause, and surprisingly, uttered, "But Korra did more than I. I was only with them from their journey from the palace to here. Her safety—and that of Lady Asami—was due to Korra's ability to protect them."
Suying Bei Fong hummed, "Is that so?" She could feel herself being scrutinized once more, even when her attention was focused on Iroh who was doing anything but giving her his attention.
Whether there was more for Lady Suyin to say, no one knew for, at that moment, the long-haired one of Opal's siblings came back to the foyer delivering to them a message—though it was more directed at the Bei Fong couple.
"The food is ready, Mother, Father," the long-haired one said, sounding bored. As soon as he had done so, he turned around and retreated back the way he came.
"Thank you, Huan," Lord Bataar smiled at his son, then turned to face their guests. Giving a clap, he said, "Come, we have prepared a banquet upon learning of Opal's return. I'm sure you must all be famished after such a rough ride."
As if to prove that their words rung true, Opal's stomach grumbled. Her face colored with embarrassment, one she hid with a sheepish smile.
"You can say that again, Father." Opal admitted. "I wasn't able to eat much when we stopped by the outpost."
"Well then, you can eat to your heart's content," Suyin told Opal. Then to the rest of them she said, "All of you can."
It was only as they were walking to the dining hall and when the Bei Fong matriarch made mention of it that Korra and the others remembered one, crucial detail of their journey to Zaofu.
"By the way," Suyin had said. "I had been informed that your Mover Star companion and his secretary have entered the city. They will be with us shortly."
It would not be a lie to say that all four of them stopped dead on their tracks when they realized that they had, indeed, forgotten about those two.
Iroh sighed. "I do not suppose we will be able to escape whatever melodramatics Bolin would be bringing with him when he arrives?"
The answer, they had found out later that night when their group was reunited, was that they absolutely would not be able to.
End Notes:
So many things going on, yeah?
Well, you guys might have noticed the underlying "theme"—or central point—in this chapter. If you have noticed, then you guys might be able to guess what's about to happen in the next chapter...which I am super excited to get to.
Anyways, as always, thank you so much for the support you guys have been giving this story of mine. I appreciate the comments—they give joy to my little heart (please don't stop, XD).
As for the next update, I'm aiming to be able to get one up before the week ends...so either Friday or Saturday. Sunday, if I'm pushing it. So, until then, dream on; fly on!