DISCLAIMER: DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY BEND TO MY WILL, THESE CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE.
CHAPTER FOUR: TO CLEAN A RIVER
Mako's injuries left him too much time to think.
He had, miraculously, survived. Unfortunately, that meant many painful days ahead. Nigh on every bone in his body had been broken.
He wasn't sure how to think of Korra now. Sure, she hadn't meant to do it, but he still wouldn't think of her the same again. The glare of those white eyes was forever imprinted into his memory.
He stared out the window of his hospital ward. The night sky was filled with stars.
There was a knock on the door. Moments later, Asami entered the room.
"Hey," Mako croaked. His vocal chords had also been damaged.
Asami smiled and rested her hand on his cast. "Hey." She followed his gaze. "That was pretty crazy yesterday, wasn't it?"
Mako attempted a laugh, but his face contorted in pain as he made a sound like a turtle-duck puking.
"Well," Asami continued, "I just stopped by to make sure you were okay. I've got a meeting with Beifong today."
She kissed Mako's black and blue cheek, and then strode out the door.
#####
Korra was scared to fall asleep, despite the fact that Asami was nowhere near and she was locked tight in a prison cell. With her luck these days, something would happen that allowed her to run free and wreak havoc.
It was a curious feeling, being afraid of yourself.
But eventually, pure drowsiness kicked in. Her eyelids closed, and before she knew it, she was asleep.
Korra's fears were correct, however.
Moments after she began slumbering, her eyes opened; they were bright white. Her mouth, too, opened, and she said in a voice that sounded older than hers, "The threat must be stopped. The fire must be put out."
A light blue aura swirled around her.
#####
Mako was still studying the constellations.
A cerulean streak slashed across the sky.
He blinked. It was no longer there.
#####
Asami turned her chair around to face Beifong.
"Hello," she said simply.
Beifong grimaced. "Let's just cut to the chase. Why am I here?"
"I want this factory to be more secure," Asami replied.
"And by secure, you mean have more guards, correct?"
"Correct," repeated Asami.
"I suppose it could be done. But tell me," Beifong hissed, "Why I was brought out to this uncharted forest just to say you could have more security?"
Staring down, Asami shook her head. "I don't know."
"I thought so. If—" Beifong stiffened. "Get down," she muttered.
"Excuse me?"
"I said," the officer snarled, "GET DOWN!"
She raised her arm, and metal chords flew out of her sleeve, dragging Asami to the floor. Be Fong herself jumped sideways.
Something large and bright blue plummeted down to where Asami had just been and broke a hole in the floor. Moments later, it could be heard hitting ground level.
Everything was obliterated at once. Chunks of wall fell into the night, desks and blueprints in hot pursuit. Seconds later, the whole factory collapsed.
Beifong and Asami were flung out, flying through the air. They hit solid ground. Asami's vision went black instantly.
A wave—no, a tsunami—of flames rose from the ruins, burning the metal remains to ashes. This was too much fire for even an Avatar to summon.
Beifong struggled to her feet and surveyed the wreckage. "No…I had thought…" was all she managed before she joined Asami in unconsciousness.
#####
When she came to, Asami's whole body ached. She groaned and got on her knees. The bright sunlight blinded her, but she managed to see through it and look at once used to be her factory.
Rubble. Rubble was all that was left. All her projects, models, everything...gone.
She looked past it and examined the river.
It was an immaculate bright blue. As she watched, playful spirits swam around, joyously basking in the cleanliness.
Asami was sickened. She was sure that Korra was behind all this.
Had she really put this one river in front of her friends?
No, this was insane. This wasn't the Korra she knew. This was a monster. A savage beast.
There was always the possibility that she really did not try to do anything, that something or someone else was behind this. But that was unlikely. How do you not remember destroying a whole factory?
The Avatar was supposed to bring peace, balance. But instead, Korra had brought flaming ruins and strife. She had tried to kill her, she had injured the one she loved, and destroyed her business.
Asami didn't cry. She wouldn't give Korra that satisfaction.
She just stared as the final embers died, along with her whole career.
#####
Korra's cell's door slammed open. She squinted as light poured into the miserable room.
One of her guards stepped in.
"Come with us. You've got a lot of explaining to do."