Chapter 9: Friendship
(Disclaimer!)
The 5 of us were in a holding cell.
"So much for Rising Champion," Bolin said.
"We can't skip it," Korra said.
"Well we can't play either," Opal said.
"Korra just give it up, its over," Kai said.
"I hate to break it to you but Kai's right," said Bolin, "We show up how we are now, and we're gonna fail."
"So you're just gonna give up?" Korra asked.
"That's exactly what we're saying," Kai said, "And in case you haven't noticed, you're the one to blame for all this."
"Me?!" Korra asked.
"Yes you," Bolin said, "You're the one who got us thrown in here."
"We weren't actually arrested, and our parents are coming anyway," Korra said.
"Guys, please stop fighting," I said my voice still sore.
"We can't do it Korra, just give up already," Opal said, "Some things are just beyond our control and there's nothing we can do."
"Do you even hear yourselves?" Korra asked, "We didn't form this band and go through all this trouble to win!"
We were listening to her.
"We did it to be heard, we did it for our fans," said Korra, "We did it for our beliefs and….."
"For our friendship," I finished, "Guys, we can't give up."
The others were just staring at the wall.
Opal was playing with a rubber band.
Bolin started to drop a beat, and soon Korra joined in.
The 5 of us were singing "Turn up the music."
"Are we in or what?" Asked Korra.
"No," Kai said.
"…..You're kidding right?" Asked Korra.
"Yes," said Kai.
We all hugged.
I went outside and saw my grandma waiting for me.
"Oh darling, when I said get out of the house more often this isn't what I meant," she said giving me a hug, "I'm just happy you're ok."
"Gram," I said.
Kai saw Amy waiting.
"Your dad is on his way from work," she said, "I know you're not use to me but…."
Kai couldn't be more happy to see him.
"Thank you," he said.
Opal went out and saw her parents and brother.
"Mom, Dad, I know you're disappointed in me," Opal said.
"Honey we can talk about it when we get home," Bataar said.
"Dad wait, please, I gotta say this," said Opal.
Su Yin nodded.
"I might as well tell you, I'm never gonna be this perfect child you want me to be," said Opal, "Honestly I wanted to tell you about this band from the beginning but…. I was worried."
"Why would you be worried?" Asked Su Yin, "You're making some friends aren't we?"
"Well, you both have high expectations and.. I didn't wanna let you down," said Opal, "Jr. You're perfect at everything."
"Well, I wouldn't say I was perfect," Bataar Jr. said, "My grades are good, but average. But my parents love me regardless."
"If we can accept your brother for who he is, then we can accept you for you," Su Yin said, "This changes nothing, because you're still our daughter and we're still your parents."
"We couldn't be more proud of you for standing up for your beliefs," Bataar said.
Opal smiled.
Bataar winked and said, "But you still need to stay out of trouble."
Opal brought Bolin over to them.
"Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend, Bolin," said Opal, "The drummer of Fire Breath."
"Boyfriend?" Asked Bolin, "I like the sound of that."
Bolin shook their hands
"Hey Bo," Mako said.
Bolin ran to Mako gave him a hug.
"You ok little bro?" Mako asked.
"I am now that you're here," Bolin said.
Korra saw her dad waiting for her.
She sat by him and said, "Yeah I know….. grounded for life."
"Well, you got off with a warning, we can just leave it at that," Tonraq said.
He looked at her,
"Do you know what I see when I look at you Korra?" He asked, "I see the most determined, amazing child that I am proud to be the father of."
Korra looked at him.
"Really?" She asked.
"Look at the things you've done," Tonraq said, "You started a band, you stood up for what you believed in and more…. And I'm so sorry that I've been so distracted lately."
He held Korra by the shoulders.
"But Korra, I've never been more proud of you in my life," he said.
She hugged him.
"Thank you," said Korra, "But there's one more thing you should know about me."
She was looking at me.
"I'm…." Korra said.
"I know Korra," Tonraq said, "But you have my full support."
"Soooooo, you wanna see us start a revolution at Rising Champion?" Korra asked.
"Well, we were counting on it," he said.
"We?" Korra asked.
Principal Tenzin and his wife and kids came with her guitar.
"You guys!" She said smiling.
Later we were at Rising Champion.
Kuvira and her band Earthquake were about to perform.
"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for Earthquake!" Said the announcer.
Kuvira took the microphone and said, "What's up Rising Champion!"
The drummer counted down and started playing.
Don't you wish you were us
Kuvira: My guy is hotter than your guy
You know it, you know it
Yeah, my ride is sweeter than your ride
You know it, you know it
Don't ya wish you were us?
Don't ya wish you were us?
You know we own this party
You know we run this town
I'm about to steal your boyfriend
I'm about to knock you down
Sorry but your train has left the station
Maybe you should try a permanent vacation
Never even got an invitation did ya, did ya?
Hey what, don't you wish you were us?
Hey what, don't you wish you could rock?
You're M.I.A. we're V.I.P.
You're L.O.L. we're B.I.G.
No one really likes you that much
Don't you wish you were us?
Yeah, don't you wish you were us?
Korra was watching them.
"They're really good," said Kai.
"But we're gonna beat em," Korra said, "Remember, be heard, be strong, and be proud."
Kuvira: Yeah, I score in every game now
You know it, you know it
You ride the pine for nine now
You blew it, you blew it
Don't ya wish you were us?
Don't ya wish you were us?
You know we rule this beach, yo
We kick sand in your face
We're gonna crash your birthday
And eat up all your cake
Sorry but your train has left the station
Maybe you should try a permanent vacation
Are you a member of the loser nation
Loser, loser
Hey what, don't you wish you were us?
Hey what, don't you wish you could rock?
You're M.I.A. we're V.I.P.
You're L.O.L. we're B.I.G.
No one really likes you that much
Don't you wish you were us?
Yeah (ha ha), don't you wish you were us?
Yeah, yeah
Now all the guys and girls are waitin'
To get their picture taken
With the Quake
She blew a kiss to one of her fans.
For some reason, Mako wasn't getting into the groove.
Kuvira: Don't ya wish you were us?
Yeah, don't ya wish you were us? Ha ha
Well, don't ya?
Whoo
Hey what, don't you wish you were us?
Hey what, don't you wish you could rock?
You're M.I.A. we're V.I.P.
You're L.O.L. we're B.I.G.
No one really likes you that much
Don't you wish you were us?
Yeah yeah, don't you wish you were us?
Yeah, yeah
Whoo, it's the crush
Don't ya wish you were us?
Don't ya wish you were us?
They left the stage and we were next.
"Try to top that," Kuvira said.
"Oh we will," Korra said, "Trust me."
"Good luck Bolin," Mako said.
"Thanks," he said.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Fire Breath!" Said the announcer.
The audience cheered for us.
We went to the stage.
Kai started playing the beginning to determinate but was playing off key.
"Kai, what are you doing?" Asked Korra.
I started to sing and pretend not to notice it.
My voice was still raspy.
Opal coughed a bit.
Korra tried to comfort me.
"Come on, you can do it," she said.
We went to the second section but nobody was in tune or time.
"Asami…" Korra said.
"I'm sorry Korra but…. I can't do it," I said.
The others gave up and stopped.
The were walking off the stage.
"Damn it!" Korra said.
She unplugged her guitar and started walking away.
"In the bag," Kuvira said, "I guess maybe they don't have it after all."
Mako grabbed his ax.
"Um what the fuck are you doing?" Kuvira said.
"They need help," he said.
"Hold it buster, you go and do that, and you're out of the band, for good," Kuvira, "Make your choice!"
I started to walk away then I heard someone singing our lyrics.
One by one the audience began singing with her.
"Then I'll find another band," Mako said.
He walked away from Kuvira and started playing chords to our song.
The audience continued singing.
Korra plugged back in and joined him.
The entire audience was soon singing "Determinate."
I had tears in my eyes knowing the impact our band had on everyone.
There was a big audience.
Korra grabbed me by the shoulders.
"Asami there's something I gotta tell you," she said.
"What is it?" I asked.
She kissed me on the lips.
"I-I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that," she said, "I didn't even ask if…."
I kissed her and this time I didn't pull back.
"So does that mean we're an item now?" Korra asked.
"Yes it does," I said.
"Isn't that cute," Opal said as she kissed Bolin's cheek.
Even though we didn't win Rising Champion, we won something bigger; The audiences respect and support.