Legend of Korra: Life
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights and characters of the Avatar Last Airbender & Legend of Korra Franchise, they are owned by Bryan Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino and other respective owners and creators. I gain no profit from this. It's purely for fun. I only own my OC's.
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Chapter 7: Respite and Reaction
A flying bison soaring over the Republic City skyline was beginning to become a common sight for the citizens. A few people were already gathering to watch the stars illuminate the night sky as the sun disappeared over the horizon. It didn't take long for people to spot Oogi dipping lower beneath the clouds and flying towards the centre of the city. Not much longer, people noticed the group nestled on the back of the creature.
Staring down at the growing crowd, Asami wrapped her protective arm around Korra tighter. The Avatar kept a damp piece of fabric pressed against her wounds. While the bleeding had stopped, that didn't mean the pain disappeared. She would occasionally hiss in pain whenever the wind picked up and they were forced to make a sharp turn. There was a collective silence among the group before Asami finally spoke up. ''Shouldn't we head to Air Temple Island? Won't there be people there who can help?''
Tenzin turned to her, offering a sympathetic look as he guided his trusty air bison towards their destination. ''The city hospital is closer, and they have better facilities to tend to both Korra and Opal.''
Asami's glance fell back down at the watchful city, then Korra before finally returning to Tenzin. ''Okay, but can we find a way around the back to enter? Somewhere that won't draw a crowd?''
With a nod, Tenzin tugged the bridle gently, steering Oogi to the side. The air bison obediently did as instructed.
Feeling Korra's body shift in her arms, Asami stared down to see her girlfriend grinning warmly at her. ''Thanks.''
Asami smiled and planted a gentle kiss on Korra's head. ''Don't mention it. Just try to stay awake until we get to the hospital.''
From the corner, Bumi glanced over at a tired looking Opal and attempted a smirk. ''That counts for you too, Opal. Don't go snoozing on us anytime soon.'' Though his tone and playful look were meant to lighten the mood, there was worry evident in his voice.
Opal's face was pale and she constantly kept her hand pressed against her forehead. The bruise had bulged and she had barely moved since they left the swamp. Despite her weakened state, she kept the mood fun. ''I'll try not to…'' She stopped and almost swayed forward and collapsed in a heap.
Ikki and Meelo leant forward with their arms outstretched, ready to catch her just in case. ''How are you feeling?'' Ikki asked worriedly.
Finally, Opal's smile faltered and her arm trembled more evidently. ''I don't feel so good…'' She replied quietly.
''Oh, that's no good,'' Ikki panicked and shuffled forward so that she was sitting in front of her friend, clutching her hands on Opal's shoulders and keeping her upright. ''We can't have you lose consciousness now. Keep your eyes open for as long as you can.''
''I'll try.''
Before Ikki could say anything else, Meelo scooted over, almost barging his sister out of the way. ''I know how to keep you awake!'' Without warning, he began scrunching his face and contorting it into a montage of over exaggerated facial expressions. Goofy and incoherent words and sounds erupted from his mouth, earning perplexed looks from everyone. ''What?'' He asked innocently, noticing their confused stares.
Ikki's brow twitched. ''What made you think doing stupid, scary faces would work?''
''It always used to work on Rohan when we didn't want him to fall asleep.''
''Yeah, because you ended up scaring him and making him cry,'' Ikki snapped. ''Also, Opal isn't a child.''
There was hardly any time for their bickering to erupt into full-blown arguing. Opal's head lowered and she released a drawn-out sigh, causing the siblings to drop their heated discussion and return to helping her.
Seeing her friend in such a dire state caused Korra's heart to clench. Her own pain was forgotten when she saw how close Opal was to passing out. ''Tenzin?'' She called out to her mentor.
''I know,'' He replied without missing a beat. ''Come on, Oogi.''
He yanked the line again, more urgency in his gesture than before, causing Oogi to hurtle forward at full-speed. Everyone on board reeled back slightly at the newfound speed but managed to keep themselves composed.
The buildings grew as they torpedoed downwards, curving around the tall structures until they finally came across the local hospital. As Asami instructed, Tenzin helped direct them around to an area that was less crowded and susceptible to prying eyes who may become too curious if they caught the injured and bloody Avatar. Luckily, Tenzin spotted a balcony that was free save for one lone nurse. It would have to do, and at least it wasn't someone from the public who may spread the news of their state to the press.
The nurse was blissfully unaware of what was above her as she took a sip of her beverage from a cracked cup that had been taped together. When a shadow loomed over her, she finally looked up and her eyes bulged when she saw an air bison carrying half a dozen people land gracefully on the balcony beside her.
''Pardon the intrusion, we need your assistance,'' Tenzin greeted.
The nurse stood frozen on the spot. Her cup slipped from her grasp and shattered on the floor.
With Asami's assistance, Korra was helped off of Oogi and onto the balcony. The nurse took her eyes away from the giant creature before her and towards Korra, instantly seeing the bloody rag that failed to hide fresh scars cut across her stomach. ''Oh goodness,'' She gasped and hurried over to support Korra. ''Follow me inside, please.''
She led the way, both supporting Korra inside of the building as the nurse called a doctor that was available. Not too far behind, Ikki and Meelo used the wind to carefully glide down with Opal. ''I can walk.'' The weary Airbender mumbled, almost staggering the moment her feet touched the stone flooring.
''You don't have to act tough,'' Meelo grinned. ''Bolin's not around.''
Ikki shot her brother a glare. ''She can act tough whenever she wants.''
''I was just trying to help…''
''Children!'' Tenzin called out, silencing the two. ''Please take Opal inside to a doctor, then you can argue.''
Not wanting to incur their father's wrath or keep their friend waiting any longer for medical attention, they rushed inside with Opal's arms wrapped around each of their shoulders. Using the wind, they quickly caught up with Asami and Korra. The group disappeared from Tenzin's sight. The elder's expression softened and he gripped the reins tighter as if releasing the tension he had been holding all day.
Bumi was the next to leap off. He turned heel, expecting Tenzin to do the same. However, Tenzin remained seated and stared outwards over the city horizon. Bumi raised a brow and pointed inside the hospital. ''Aren't you coming?''
''You go on ahead,'' He responded. ''I have to report back to President Raiko and let him know what we've discovered. Time isn't on our side as it is. We have to use every bit of knowledge that we gain the moment was acquire it.''
With a swift tug of his hand, Oogi was ready to set off and fly into the distance. The only thing keeping the air bison grounded was the feel of a hand patting one of its back legs. Tenzin looked over his shoulder to see his brother stopping Oogi from setting off immediately.
Tenzin was ready to scold Bumi. His mouth opened and stern words were ready to slip out until he saw the compassionate gleam in his brother's eyes. It wasn't a common sight and it left Tenzin befuddled.
''We'll find her,'' Bumi said.
Tenzin's heart pounded in his chest. ''I hope so. I couldn't imagine losing her.''
''And you won't have to,'' Bumi's tone grew more triumphant as he pumped his fist. ''We've got that rogue spirit on the run. He thought he could take us and we retaliated tenfold.''
''That's what frightens me,'' Tenzin warned. ''He knows that we can beat him. He was playing with us at the start. From now on, he'll be serious. We have to be ready for next time. Otherwise, I fear the consequences will be far worse.''
Getting his feelings out, Bumi took a step back and allowed room for Oogi to lift off. He watched as Tenzin flew out of sight, towards the Republic City Hall where President Raiko would be.
Korra groaned loudly, biting her bottom lip and clutching the corners of the bed mattress she sat on. An older nurse tended to her scars by carefully rubbing a floating pool of water over her wounds. The faint trickles of blood disappeared within the crystal blue liquid. Wearing only a thin vest to keep her modesty, she had to reply on Asami to hold up the hem of the attire so that the nurse could apply the treatment properly.
While the modest room was secluded of any other patients, a number of nurses and doctors had gathered to witness the Avatar being treated. At first, Korra assumed that they were merely curious about how she was injured and if she would be okay after the treatment. Although, she soon realised that there might be another reason for the way they would gawk at her muscular stomach. She bit her tongue to suppress saying anything to Asami. The taller woman kept one concerned eye on her girlfriend and another more intimidating eye on the ogling crowd.
''You know, you're lucky,'' The nurse stated while eyeing the wound closely and carefully. Her large spectacles gave the impression to Korra that the woman's eyes were as big as her head. ''If you stayed in a swamp for too long, you could have risked infection with gashes like this.''
Korra licked her dry lips. ''Actually, the swamp is quite clean. The spirits there like to keep it that way.''
''Fascinating,'' The nurse retorted with no interest in what Korra said, causing the Avatar to pout and narrow her eyes.
She felt Asami's hand stroke down her shuddering arm, feeling her warm skin and somehow feeling lighter at the simple touch. She wasn't sure if Asami was comforting her through the treatment or trying to stop her from lashing out at the nurse hating her. Either way, she was gratefully for the companionship.
After a few minutes of allowing the liquid to wrap around Korra's midriff, cleaning up the wound, the nurse swung her arm and the water surged efficiently into a small bottle kept by the table. ''There. The skin should start healing and any bacteria that might have threatened you is gone.''
Asami stepped forward, refusing to release her grip from Korra. ''She'll be okay, then?''
''Of course. I've never lost a patient in my forty years of medical experience and I certainly wasn't going to start over something as trivial as animal clawing. Well, there was one person we lost in the great Cabbage brawl on Bryke Street. But he died before he reached the hospital, so we don't count that.''
Hearing the description of the wound, Korra couldn't stop herself from flinching. Every stepped gained in solving this mystery seemed to result in two further steps back. They might now know what Shǔ is and who he's after, but this caused many more questions to be raised. Thoughts of Shǔ led to thoughts of Opal, and the pain she had suffered in his blunt attack.
''Can I see Opal?'' Korra asked.
''For now, you stay in bed. I don't need you moving around, not until you're bandaged up.''
''But…''
The nurse raised her hand to stop Korra from speaking. ''My husband is in the other room checking on her. You have nothing to worry about. Not unless she died before she got her. Then that doesn't count.''
Sensing Korra's fear, Asami patted her girlfriend's hand to get her attention. ''I can check on her for you. I'm sure that she's fine and being well-looked after.''
The nurse huffed. ''Yeah, that would be the first time my husband's looked after someone in years.''
Korra and Asami didn't say a word as they stared at each other momentarily.
Clearing her throat, Asami returned her attention back to Korra. ''You just stay and rest. You've deserved it.''
''Thank you.''
Their moment was interrupted as the nurse stepped closer to separate them, nudging Asami away from Korra and towards another door with 'Doctor Juhong' inscribed on the door in gold plating. ''Yes, yes, fine. Go check on your friend. I need to finish up here. Can someone help me apply the bandage along the abdomen?''
''I will!'' Every doctor and nurse in the room declared eagerly. Too eagerly for Asami's liking.
Innocently, Korra shrugged and scooted back onto her bed so that Nurse Juhong could finish treating her.
Asami didn't argue, letting the professional nurse work her magic as she turned heel and headed towards the door and entered the other medical room. This one was larger, leaving enough space for Bumi, Meelo and Ikki to sit and wait on one side of the room while Doctor Juhong and Opal were on the other side. Opal sat on a chair with her back against the wall, keeping her eyes open as wide as possible while the man flashed a small light into her eyes, watching her pupils slowly dilate with each flicker.
The first thing Asami saw was a strip of herbs tapped to Opal's forehead, keeping the bruise covered but emphasising the size of the swelling. Asami winced at the sight, not realising how bad it was until staring right at it. An inkling of guilt rushed over her. It was a silly notion, as she couldn't really blame herself for any of this. However, there was something about this mission that stuck out for her.
Of the group, she was the only non-bender. Did this just make her a hindrance to the team?
Not wanting to make this situation about her, she turned to the family of Airbenders, not wanting to interrupt the doctor while working. ''How is she?''
Ikki responded with a relieved smile. ''He says she'll be fine. Thankfully, she didn't get a concussion, but she might need to stay here for a few days at least. That's how long he reckons before the swelling stops.''
''I don't reckon,'' Doctor Juhong said sharply, never taking his eyes away from Opal as he spoke. ''I know.''
Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Meelo leant closer to his uncle and cupped his hand around his mouth to whisper in Bumi's ear. ''It's guys like this that make me afraid to go to the doctors.''
''Me too.'' Bumi agreed.
Ikki rolled her eyes in annoyance. She turned back to Asami. ''Is going Korra doing well?''
''Yes, she is,'' Asami sighed. She was just as happy to say those words as the group were to hear them.
Opal smiled weakly. ''That's a relief. Though we knew she would be okay, she's too tough to put down.''
The doctor turned off his light and stepped out from his chair. ''You seem responsive. A bit slow, but with trauma like that, I'm not surprised. I'll have to run a scan to make sure there's not permanent damage to your cranium.''
Fear slowly crawled up Opal's spine. ''What does that mean?''
''It's nothing to be concerned about. I'm going to take a picture of your skull to see if the bone is damaged. That's all.''
Behind the doctor, Bumi raised a brow suspiciously. ''You can do that?''
In no time, Asami was keen to gush and explain. ''It's a relatively new procedure I've heard about. You'd be surprised what technology is developing. Blink and you'll miss it.''
''Huh, if I blink and miss it, I'd hate to think what I would see after a snooze.''
The doctor marched over to his desk, rubbing his hand with an antiseptic gel kept close by. ''Yes, well, as long as you children keep putting yourselves in dangerous situations that we require our attention, we'll never stop with advancing our medical techniques.''
Bumi glared at the doctor. ''Children? I am a fully-fledged adult who served in the United Forces, I'll have you know.''
''You? An adult?'' Doctor Juhong mumbled monotonically. ''I could hardly tell from the crowd you keep yourself in.''
It wasn't known if Bumi kept his mouth sealed either because he believed arguing with the doctor wasn't worth the effort or because he couldn't think of a witty enough response. Bum-Ju emerged from out of Bumi's jacket, nestling on his shoulder while growling at the doctor, looking ready to pounce. Bumi remained poised as he patted the spirit's head to calm it. ''Don't bother, Bum-Ju. He just doesn't know greatness when he sees it.''
''Funny, my wife says the same thing to my face every morning.''
Asami wasn't sure what room she wanted to stand in anymore.
While Bumi was content with keeping quiet, Meelo couldn't stop himself from barking back. ''Putting ourselves in danger? You should know that we were in pursuit of a dangerous criminal.'' He folded his arms and puffed out his chest proudly.
''Did you catch him?'' The doctor asked.
Meelo's mood and demeanour deflated. ''Well…no…but, we almost did. And that's the next best thing.''
Ikki narrowed her eyes at her brother. ''How are we related?''
Doctor Juhong stared out of his window, looking down at the city streets below. ''Funnily enough, pursuing a criminal is exactly what became of a patient of mine earlier today.''
That vague comment grabbed Asami's interest. She stepped closer to the doctor. ''What do you mean?''
''I was treating one of Chief Beifong's officers. Not a moment after he walked out of this hospital, I spotted him gallivanting after a criminal who robbed from a fruit stand.''
Asami held her breath as she dreaded asking her next question. ''The officer's name wouldn't be Mako, by any chance?''
''The very same. I'm guessing that this was something expected of him from your reaction.''
A sigh rolled past Asami's lips. ''Unfortunately. Did you see what happened to him afterwards?''
''No. They disappeared down the street and I lost sight of them. But, I assume he's okay.''
''Why's that?''
''Because he's not here.''
Asami nodded and pondered for a moment. The last thing she wanted was for another person close to her to be stuck in the hospital, especially only after just coming out of it. Why was Mako even here in the first place? She needed to know. At least she had the satisfaction of knowing that Korra and Opal were fine for the time being.
She turned to the group. ''I'm going to head to the station and see what happened with Mako. I'll be back as soon as I can.''
Meelo jumped from his seat. ''If he's up and fighting, you get that Firebender's butt on our team so that we can find Shǔ together and kick that ugly spirit's...''
''I wouldn't recommend that.'' Doctor Juhong muttered grimly.
A deathly silence clung to the room. Asami narrowed her eyes at the doctor. ''What do you mean?''
''You don't know about his arm?''
She nodded. ''He injured it during Kuvira's attack. But he can still bend from it.''
Taking his time, the doctor spun his body his face was shadowed and morose as he locked eyes with Asami. ''You don't know about his arm.''
To Be Continued…
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