AUTHOR'S NOTES: And thus we arrive at the conclusion of Book Two, right near the year anniversary of its publication! While the following book will cover events from the 2nd season of the show, there's also a few intermediary chapters (much like there were after this story's Book One) that kind of show how things got patched up after the Equalist revolution, and more importantly, to give Asami some important closure and development that got glossed over in the show. This chapter hints at a lot of other underlying issues Asami is dealing with, and so the next couple of chapters will also address those problems as they surface.
Happy Reading!
BOOK TWO: CHANGE
CHAPTER NINETY: THE HERO OF DESERT STORM
Korra and Senna were both remarkably surprised to find Tonraq and Kwan laughing about something when they walked back in.
"You didn't!" Tonraq guffawed.
"I did, and Chief BeiFong let me keep the mecha tank!" Kwan grinned, "I mean, I did kind of help save her life with it, but then we hid right under the Equalists' nose for a while until we shook 'em. And then of course there's the story of how we smuggled Korra and her friend into the Probending Arena so she could give Amon the beatdown he deserved, but that's a whole different story. Remind me though and I'll give you the full-detailed version. There's also this time where Korra… well, yeah. It's been a wild few months."
"Well, Kwan," Tonraq offered his hand, "you've convinced me, for now. Surely you can understand why I'd be wary of you, but if your claim that Korra will back up your stories turns out to be true, then perhaps I was wrong about you."
"Hey, I'm not trying to lie my way out of this one," Kwan shook her head and hands, "And I do feel really bad about what happened to your wife—I saw a lot of that in Korra too, and each time I do, it… oh, well look who it is." Senna and Korra stood together in the doorway.
"Well you two warmed up quickly," Korra quipped.
"It seems Kwan's claims are more genuine than those of her sister," Tonraq pointed out, "but ultimately, the decision of her fate will fall to my wife." He glanced at Senna, which in turn caused Korra to do the same.
"Mom, I can't let you hurt her." She asserted, "Not after… everything…"
"Do you think everything we just discussed stayed in that room, sweetheart?" Senna turned to Korra, "Come now, give your old lady a bit more credit than that."
"Give her a lot more credit, kid," Kwan pointed out, "your dad just told me the coolest story about Desert Storm that I never even realized, despite my, erm… involvement."
"Mom?" Senna's reasoning for not wanting to disclose the story was still fresh on Korra's mind, and out of respect for her, she wanted to make sure she was okay with Kwan sharing Tonraq's account—because Korra recognized that face Kwan made when she was about to launch into an enthralling story.
"I want to hear this," Senna actually cracked a dry smirk as she moved and sat down near Tonraq and Kwan. "Go ahead, Ikiza."
"Alright then," Korra sat down next to Senna as both of them watched Kwan.
"So, Korra," Kwan looked the Avatar right in the eyes, "your mom was part of Operation Desert Storm as I'm sure you've figured by now—but it's what she did there that amazes me—because after all these years I never realized that The Hero of Desert Storm was her. Her airship was shot down and she parachuted down right into Red Lotus territory armed with nothing but a waterskin, a bottle of whiskey, and a hunting knife."
"Mom?" Korra's eyes widened. "She's not making this up, is she?"
"No, actually," Senna cracked a chuckle, "I think I know exactly how she's going to detail this story even; and at this point I'd actually take over, except that it's much more fun to hear it from someone else. Go on, Ikiza."
"So she drank the whiskey on the way down because why waste good spirits, am I right?" Kwan continued, "And when she landed, she was immediately surrounded by over two dozen insurgents. She smashes the bottle on one of their heads hard enough to kill the guy right there, and uses her waterbending to put space between her and the rest. About half of them suffer death by ice dagger, but the heat of the desert was too much for the water, which eventually dried up. So, she used the jagged half of the whiskey bottle to impale another guy, and then killed six of the remaining seven with her hunting knife. The last guy ended up breaking her knife, so she flat-out strangled the sucker to death with her bare hands."
"Fuck you, Kwan, that's bullshit and you know it!" Korra shook her head, but when she glanced at her mother, she was simply smirking, her arms crossed.
"She's not lying," she and Tonraq spoke simultaneously.
"That's not the story that shook you though, is it?" Korra's tone suddenly grew more cautious, "because that's incredible!"
"No, there were… other events… that I feared would come up," Senna shook her head, "suffice to say, when your dad heard that story, he proposed to me on the spot."
"How could I not?" Tonraq reached over and put an arm around Senna's shoulder, "beautiful, clever, resourceful, AND a war hero? Your mother's a storied woman, Korra—it runs deep in this family, in case you haven't realized."
"What with all your riveting tales," Korra elbowed him, "how could I not realize it, dad?"
"And look at you going and one-upping us both," Tonraq pointed out, " I didn't have half as many stories at your age. Even the people you surround yourself are the same; no wonder Kwan said there was never a dull moment when you were around."
"I'd boast the same about myself," Kwan pointed out, "but most of my stories aren't ones to be proud of, as surely all three of you know."
"The ones in the last few months beg to differ," Korra asserted, "Seriously, Kwan—regardless of what anyone else might say to you, I think you're a good woman."
"Good?" Kwan shook her head, "No. Repentant and willing to try and atone for my mistakes?" She paused, glancing at Korra's parents, "That I can take credit for."
"I'm not convinced," Korra asserted, "But I guess it's not me you need to convince."
"As much as her previous betrayal still hurts," Senna briefly frowned, "there is merit to Ikiza's words. Perhaps Shenzi was the source of my suspicion and distrust. I need time of course… but I trust my daughter's judgment and will trust you for the time being Ikiza."
"I will believe your words for now as well," Tonraq assured Kwan, "although if you break that trust, you're going to wish you had done a lot of things differently."
"Of that I have no doubt," Kwan shook her head, "your stupid kid's going to keep me in line and ensure that I never get a moment's peace." despite the jab, it was clear that she meant it in an affectionate manner.
"I'll make sure to hold her to that then," Senna gave a small smile. "And perhaps someday I will be able to fully come to terms with everything that has happened, Ikiza."
"Look, I'm not even expecting forgiveness at all," Kwan raised her arms, "but we've been over this. And I don't know if this means a thing or not… but I want Korra to be safe, and more than that, I want her to be happy. Everything that she's gone for, and despite all the shit she's dragged me kicking and screaming through… she deserves that much. That reminds me—have either of you really met her girlfriend?
"Oh, they have…" Korra scratched the back of her neck, "in, erm… not the best of situations."
"That sounds like a story," Kwan laughed, "I take it that was back when I was still in prison?" She paused at realizing the awkward expression on Korra's face, and the similarly uneasy expressions Tonraq and Senna suddenly both had. "...I'll shut up now."
Overall, the tension that had originally formed when Kwan had appeared was gone by the time they parted ways, and unsurprisingly, both Tonraq and Senna were a lot more excited to meet Asami properly, what with Korra referring to her as "the center of my universe" at least twice. In fact, it was a full 14½ minutes before Korra stopped gushing about how amazing she thought Asami was, which all three of the others in the room found rather endearing. Korra was passionate about the things and people she loved, and it showed.
"I suppose after getting talked up like that I hardly need a more proper introduction," Asami laughed, "but still… it's good to actually meet you in much more… pleasant circumstances. I don't know what Korra's told you about me before today, but your daughter is an amazing woman—and I owe her a great deal more than I'll ever be able to repay."
"Wait, what?!" Korra gawked, "babe, isn't it the other way around? Mom, dad, don't listen to her. I owe her my sanity, among other things, and she's just amazing and perfect and…" she began to stutter and stumble over her own words. Asami had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.
"We're honoured that you hold our daughter in such high regard," Tonraq smiled, "and know this: you most certainly have our blessing."
"That… thank you." Asami signed for a moment. Korra noticed and suddenly looked concerned, but Asami shook her head. "Sorry, I just… a lot has happened over the last few days, what with the Equalist breakout, my father's company selling out to those radicals, Korra losing her bending, and… everything else. Thank you for your blessing."
Asami did not want to mention how much it hurt to think about Hiroshi's last words to her, or how envious of Korra she was to see Tonraq and Senna and the close, loving bond they shared with their daughter. Her own mother was dead and her father had been twisted into a bitter, hateful shell of his former self, and in this brief moment, Asami longed for a family.
And yet, as she turned and saw Korra excitedly conversing with her parents all of a sudden, it brought a smile to her face. She wasn't even registering what they were saying despite them all only being a few feet from her, but it warmed her heart to see them all—particularly Korra—so happy. At least one of them had parents that approved of them and of their relationship.
There was certainly something to be said about Korra's strength—both physical and mental, and even if Asami zoned out from whatever they were talking about, she could not help but keep her mind fixated on Korra. For all the praise Korra heaped on her, there was a nagging voice in the back of her head that sounded eerily like Tarrlok—or more precisely, the words he shared with her shortly after Korra had rescued him from Air Temple Island.
"Perhaps instead of closing off your own insecurities, you might try sharing them with her. If Avatar Korra can find good in a lowlife such as me, then fathom what she might find if you actually opened up to her the way you're always pressuring her to do in turn for you."
That was what she loved about Korra. Despite everything that had happened to her, she took the time to try and find the good in people, even if she sometimes struggled to keep her own emotions in check. Korra forgave Kwan, despite the lavabender being an accomplice to a group that manipulated her for almost two years; she forgave Tarrlok despite the numerous atrocities he had committed against Korra, some of which had deeply scarred and traumatized her. She forgave Asami despite her accusing the Avatar of slander when she had simply been trying to warn of Hiroshi's connection to the Equalists. That was the one that hurt Asami the most at the moment. Any time she recalled that memory she was wracked with guilt over the desperation and sincerity that she had not recognized in Korra's eyes until it was too late—and that she had made the mistake of siding (however briefly) with the father who had now just recently tried to kill her, over the girl she had spent years building up a very close and intimate relationship based on trust and concern for one another. Korra was just too genuine, and the passion she backed her honesty with often cost her.
Asami's eyes briefly glanced to Korra's exposed right hand, which was still carved up with the angry red lightning scars all the way from her wrist to her fingertips. She couldn't help but smile a little longingly, watching Korra converse with such an excited expression on her face.
"Asami?" She was snapped out of her thoughts by Korra's voice, and as her focus returned, she realized that Korra, Tonraq, and Senna were all staring at her with somewhat concerned expressions; Korra's in particular looked worried.
"Hmm?" Asami had been startled by this, and as much as she tried to quell it, it showed.
"Are you alright?" Korra reached out and softly clutched Asami's arm, "you zoned out kinda like I usually do. Did… did something happen?"
"No," Asami shook her head and smiled. She'd have to tell Korra about what was on her mind later, "Sorry, I just got a little lost in thought. You're so cute when you ramble, Korra."
"I wasn't rambling!" Korra pouted, before turning to her parents. "...was I?"
Tonraq and Senna exchanged looks and smiled—even if they did not actually reply. Korra crossed her arms defiantly and gave an angry little pout, although it was hard for her to stay upset (and slightly embarrassed) when she was surrounded by loved ones.
The rest of the evening was spent in similar high spirits, and even Asami was cheerful by the time it was over. While it was nice to take a little trip back to the South Pole to see her family and Katara again, Korra itched to get back to Republic City, and wanted to be there for Asami as she picked up the pieces of her father's company. That would take a lot of work, and even without considering Future Industries, there was going to be a lot of work to be done regarding the mess the Equalists had made entirely—and Korra was not one to sit on the sidelines when there was work to be done and people to be helped.
Despite everything though, Korra felt accomplished. Her journey to the Southern Water Tribe, however brief, had both managed to help Senna and Kwan reconcile, and she had learned a great deal about her mother that she had never even considered. Giving them and Asami a proper introduction had also been quite the load off her back, and of course it was not only wonderful to have her bending back, but to know that Lin, Tenzin, and his children had all gotten their bending restored as well. She thought of all the people in Republic City—Amon's victims—and wondered if she could help them as well. She might rule out the Triads, gang members, and other criminals, but most other people whose only crime was being born with the ability to manipulate one of the elements—these were the people Korra felt deserved a second chance. Even Tahno and his team of cheating probenders deserved another shot at it. Sure, cheating at Republic City's Favourite Pastime was a low move, but not even Korra thought that was such an atrocity as to warrant getting stripped of their bending. Besides, it was just a competitive rivalry between her and Tahno; nothing truly malicious.
Tenzin and his family were spending a few extra days with Katara; but Lin, Kwan, and the rest of Korra's friends were ready to return to Republic City the next morning, and the mood on the return trip could not have contrasted the somber attitudes any further. Kwan and Lin elected to pilot the ship in shifts (much like how they had done when Kwan had brought Lin to the South Pole in the first place), allowing the others to rest for much of the journey.
For how wild Korra normally slept, this was one of the most peaceful evenings of sleep she had ever had in her life. Both of them were still fully dressed, but there was a calm, peaceful smile on Korra's face as she slept comfortably with Asami Sato wrapped in her arms.
AFTERTHOUGHTS: This story's iteration of Senna is a badass. There's just no way around it, and we're going to be seeing her a lot more often in future arcs.