"Pema, have you seen Korra?" Asami asked.
"No, dearie. I believe she is with Tenzin trying to make arrangements for the challenge." Pema replied.
Asami sat down next to Pema. Rohan was bouncing on her lap reaching out. Asami smiled and reluctantly took him. She looked at Pema with a worried look and observed the little pup. She carefully placed him on her lap.
Pema giggled," They are not as fragile as you think. He really likes you. Usually he screams anytime someone takes him from me."
Asami placed her finger in his hand and gently took in his baby scent. "You have beautiful children."
"Thank you." Pema smiled.
Just then Rohan spit up some milk. Asami held him up in the air unsure of what to do next. Pema reached over and took him. "Yeaaahhh they do that from time to time."
Asami began cleaning the spot on her lap where Rohan had left some of his dinner. "Pema?..."
"Yes dearie?" Pema said as she began cleaning her pup.
"I'm not too familiar with the details of a challenge. Does that mean I would have to bite Kuvira if she won?" Asami questioned.
Pema explained, "No dear, but she would win the right to mate with you. You're animalistic instincts would kick in, her scent would overwhelm you and she would become very alluring. It would be much worse if you were in heat."
"..and Korra?" Asami looked at Pema with worried eyes.
Pema sighed, "Korra… would be lost to you in a way. As I said your animalistic instincts would kick in and well losers of any challenge are exiled."
Asami gasped, "No!"
Pema laid her hand on Asami's lap, "You wouldn't forget her, but her scent would either be lost to you or repulse you." Pema paused," One last thing, that only happens IF the loser survives the battle, some Alphas have been known to fight to the death."
Asami placed her face in her palms as she leaned forward placing her elbows on her knees. "Korra finally asks me to be her mate… and this happens. Can't we just bite one another now so this doesn't have to happen?"
Pema lays Rohan down and sits next to Asami. "No dear, there is no running from this. We cannot fight nature, even if that person is the Avatar. The instinct to fight for the best mate runs deep in all Alphas. It is in their blood, their being and not to mention she would lose her honor. There is no regaining the honor of backing down from a challenge when it comes to Alphas."
Asami sits there buried deep in her thoughts.
Pema smiles. "It'll all work out dear…. Just trust in Korra. She is a very skilled warrior."
Asami looked up at Pema, tears threatened to stream from her jade eyes. "I do, I do trust in Korra. Thanks Pema." Asami gives Pema a hug and leaves the room to prepare for morning.
That night Asami gets no sleep. Thoughts of losing Korra just when they were making breakthroughs dwelled in her thoughts. She tossed and turned at the thought of mating with another Alpha. Kuvira was a force to be reckoned with. She vibrated with an aura of strength and was very attractive. But she came of as cold. Colder than the stories that Korra used to tell her about herself before she met the green eyed beauty. The more Asami thought about it the more it made her feel ill. Before Asami knew it the morning light was cracking through the drapes of her room. Asami sighed and got ready for what the day's events would bring.
The hustle and bustle of the crowd, all gathering around the arena. Vendors screaming out the goods that they have, ranging from foods to banners. People were arriving by the dozens scrambling for good seats. Word had traveled and those who could make it over night to watch were the lucky ones.
"I MEAN WHO THE HELL DOES SHE THINK SHE IS!" Korra hollered, pacing back and forth.
"K-korra… I need to finish putting on your armor." Kai interrupted the disgruntled Alpha.
Korra turned to Kai, blue eyes blazing. Kai shrunk back afraid of what may happen next. Korra turned to the table next to her and pushed it over.
"Kuvira will NOT win this battle… Asami is mine." Korra muttered as she regained her composure. She walked up next to Kai and looked down. "Continue..." Kai immediately got back to placing Korra's armor in place.
Korra dwelled on her thoughts. She had finally given into the idea of having a mate. Her heart was in this for the long run. All her doubts about leaving a widow behind with pups was behind her. She wanted this…she wanted Asami. Her fears of having to spend a lifetime with anyone person disappeared. Now she feared living a life without Asami. If she lost this battle, she would lose everything. Her reputation, her confidence and her new reason for living.
The horns that signaled the beginning of the challenge brought Korra back from her thoughts. She checked her Armor. She had it specially made. Years ago, she traveled deep into the Fire Nation. She had heard of a new metal that was lighter and stronger than most. She stayed there for a year with the metal worker, helping him make it by hand. This was her finest armor and she was proud of it. There was nothing fancy about it, it was simple and practical. It allowed her mobility for when she needed to do bending that required a fluid motion.
Korra got up on Naga and Kai escorted them out of the tent. People began cheering. Korra waved at the crowd. This was not normally what she did in the past but she felt good. Asami loved her people and Korra took them for granted. Now, Korra felt new feelings towards the people she protected and not the resentment she felt before.
Korra felt a shiver as she heard another roar emitting from the crowd. Kuvira had exited her tent. Korra scowled in her mind. Making sure she showed no emotion when the Emerald Knight emerged.
The two Alphas stared each other down on opposite sides of the arena. They both unmounted and began walking towards the center of the arena. Azure eyes and Emerald eyes clashing together before the battle even began. Both unwilling to be the first to look away. Inches apart. Kuvira towering over the Avatar smirking. It wasn't until Tenzin cleared his throat that both warriors turned to face him. Both bowing their head in respect then turning their heads to their prize who sat on one side of the Emperor.
Asami stood up as Tenzin began to speak. "Today, we will witness a battle for this lovely Omega who sits beside me. The Emerald Knight Kuvira has called to challenge Avatar Korra for the right to mate with Lady Sato." The crowd begins cheering, bellowing Korra or Kuvira's name within the uproar.
Tenzin holds his hands up to quiet the crowd. He looks from the stage at the two warriors, "As you all know all challenges are battled with one choice of a weapon and no bending is allowed."
Both warriors step up to their racks of weaponry. The Alphas both pick the sword as their choice and walk to their designated spot. Each one glaring at one another, eyeballing their opponent for any sign of a weaknesses. Only taking their eyes off to scan their surroundings.
Tenzin signals for the banner to be lowered. The two Alphas run towards one another. Their swords clash with a might echo. Azure meets Emerald as neither opponent backs off… growling as their swords push against each other. This is just a test of strength.
Korra tested Kuvira's skill with the first couple of blows. Kuvira's skill was an even match, if not just a little better. Korra was completely honest with herself, she knew she hadn't kept up with her sword play in recent months. The time it took for healing after Vaatu ravaged her legs and her body took its toll. Korra was enticed by her opponent's level of prowess in swordplay. Though there was the fear of losing Asami, Korra knew she couldn't lose. She couldn't lose everything.
Korra tested Kuvira's defenses, but couldn't land a single blow. Slashing high and swinging low. Korra tried sneaking in a swipe at her opponent's shoulder, but Kuvira saw it coming and turned slicing the Avatar's thigh. Korra moved back and found herself on the defensive. Kuvira hammered her sword at the Avatar. Blow after blow kept coming but Korra matched each one.
After several minutes of trying to get past the Avatar's defenses. Kuvira felt like Korra was just toying with her. She lost her temper and began to batter her sword at the Avatar. Swinging her sword like an enraged animal.
Both Alpha's backed off one another, breathing heavily. Kuvira glared into Azure eyes and snarled. When their swords clashed, she casually stomped her foot and shifted some earth just where Korra landed her foot. Korra lost her balance and rolled. Kuvira moved in for a blow and cut into some of Korra's armor on her shoulder as she was rolling. The Emerald Knight lifted her sword and descended it with all the strength she could muster. Her sword was met with Korra's black blade. Korra mustered her strength and blocked the blow. Kuvira scowled and shifted her sword into her right hand, jumped in the air and spun towards Korra with all her strength. With her left hand appearing to be balled into her torso Kuvira focused on weakening Korra's sword with her bending. The crowd was too excited to notice the subtle move, cheering for their favorite.
Korra moved her sword up to block the Emerald Knights blow, looking up as Kuvira descended upon her smirking. As Kuvira's sword landed on Korra's sword, she smirk disappeared and her eyes widened… the sword did not bend.
Korra pushed up off the ground against Kuvira's sword. She growled, "This… isss… no… ordinary.. sword. I knew… you… would ..try this." With that she pushed Kuvira off her blade, sending her flying onto her back. She walked up to the Emerald Knight and stood above her. "Get up and fight me …. Use your bending if you wish, I WILL defeat you."
Kuvira growled and rose to her feet. She charged at the Avatar, sword in hand. She focused on where Korra was standing and began her subtle shifting of the earth. But Kuvira forgot one thing… Korra was also an earthbender. Korra felt the earth shifting and her airbending instincts kicked in. She turned, twisted and hopped over any shift she felt ensuing. Kuvira's slashing and swings hit nothing but air. She swung desperately trying to land a single blow on Korra.
When Kuvira slashed towards the Avatar with a backhanded blow, Korra turned and hit Kuvira's sword. Kuvira watched as her broken blade flew in the air, her handle still in her hand. Both Alpha's gasping for air, sweating hard, their muscles already aching. Kuvira turned, looked at the Avatar. The Emerald Knight's eyes shifted down. Korra's blade beaming just under her chin poking her throat.
The Emerald Knight's eyes shifted to Asami, to the crowd, to the sword and back to the growling Alpha before her. Kuvira raised her arm and extended her index and middle finger, signaling a surrender. "She is yours. Treat her well … I hope this fight was not in vain Avatar and I hope I am wrong about you. Someone as beautiful as her should be treasured," Kuvira spoke softly so only the two could hear.
With that Korra lowered her sword, the Emerald Knight turned and announced, "This battle is over. I owe the Avatar my life. Her power is beyond anything I could ever achieve."
Korra turned to the stage, her heart dropped when she did not see Asami. Just as she turned to scan for her beloved Omega, the mighty Alpha was met with pale long slender arms and ruby red lips. They kissed long and passionately …drowning out the roaring crowd that surrounded them.