Chapter Text
Night time at the Misty Palms Oasis Hotel and Casino was calm, especially around 4 AM. A cold chill was still in the air, one which would go away once the sun arose within the next hour.
Aside from some guards on patrol, some overnight workers and the one or two guests still milling about, it was quiet for the most part.
Lights were off as those staying at the hotel within the Si Wong Desert rested.
The perfect time for massive cloth bags to be lowered down from a window on the top floor, filled to the brim with yuan bills.
Carefully and slowly zipped down by two sneaky thieves who dared not make a sound, despite the pleased, giddy looks on their faces as they held onto smaller duffle bags as well.
Two women who made sure they had their haul on hand as they reached the ground.
Just in time for a light to come on through a window, an alarm blaring out!
Then came another, and another, and another. Soon, the entire casino was lit up as night became dawn, more alarms ringing out in the area. All to alert of the massive theft made.
That being their cue, the two thieving females, both in their thirties, began to sprint off with what they stole. Weight and size of the bags be damned!
One was a Water Tribe brunette clad in the most snappy of attire, consisting of a brightly light blue colored jacket and tie, a silverish-white buttoned-up shirt under it, sleek dark blue pants and fancy brown shoes. She had plenty of similar suits in other colors, but she was in the mood for something light.
The tanned skinned female was short, but made sure she was in fit muscular shape, if hard to tell by her attire with her short brown hair bobbing along with the rhythm of her running. All as her cyan blue eyes were focused on what was ahead, not the angry guards behind her and her partner.
Speaking of her, the other woman was a light skinned one straight from the Fire Nation, one whose wardrobe was minimalist by comparison, wearing a rather dark red suit jacket and pants, a very black dress shirt, a red tie with a little gold clip.
She too was in the same shape as her ally, if just an inch shorter and leaner, though her shoulder length raven black locks of hair covered her sleek amber eyes as with her ever present black broad-brimmed red-banded fedora. All the while constantly having a lit cigarette in her mouth didn't leave her out of breath.
Even as both easily ran and jumped over each barricade in their way in sync, still carrying all the yuan they stole from the casino, aside from the few bills that blew behind them in the wind.
Not that either carried with the amount they swiped, the two women being able to get to their getaway Feiyate 500 Cabbage car, a rather rare model as well. A small, but powerful yellow two door four seater they opened up and stuffed their stolen goods into.
As the Water Tribe female easily got hers in, the Fire Nation one had to stuff her bag through the open sunroof and stomp it down before slipping in.
Making sure all were accounted for, the key was put into the ignition quickly and turned, the mini-Cabbage Car speeding off out of the parking lot to the road leading out the desert area as the guards realized what was up, slow to fire their automatic rifles.
"There they are, GET 'EM!"
All the guards outside, the sun rising up slowly, made their way to their own automotive.
"What are you waiting for, move it!" one yelled as he entered the passenger seat of one, the driver preparing to put the pedal to the metal and starting chasing after the thieves as they pulled out...
... only for the wheels to instantly pop off the axles, all four bouncing away at the same time as the hood and trunk flung open!
"WOAH! Son of a-!"
The same happened to another as they tried to pull out, first just the vehicle's front wheels before the same thing happened as it made a hard stop.
A less awkward situation than what the four guards in a third encountered as somehow, the mobile somehow split in two. As in it was literally like it was sliced in two pieces, the front half speeding off with the two guards up front crying out.
"What the hell?!" one whined as the other two who were with him yelled out as the back half fell over onto the ground.
As the front half kept sliding along, sparks flying as those inside kept yelling out before crashing into a parked mobile, one that was still intact ended up turning and crashing into a small tree and the railing in front of it!
That was due to the brake lines being cut.
Surveying the damage done to their rides, two guards just couldn't believe it as their motor vehicle came to a stop at the driver's command, seeing the wreckage.
"Who ruined our rides?!" he had to call out, hoping someone had an answer. "What just happened?"
Before any of the others, all surviving their wrecks, could answer, a stray fallen tire rolled over and hit the front bumper of the mobile.
As if a cruel joke played on them, the last remaining motorized machine broke apart instantly to their shock, its hood slammed open.
All as a special sign was revealed, taped under the hood for all to see.
Drawn on with marker, it was a silly bob haired little female face giving a goofy face with her tongue out. Complete with a message just for them.
'Maybe next time, boys!- Love, Korra III!'
Already miles off, the temperature already rose as the thieves drove the Feiyate along a crowded bridge road and getting around other drivers, the thieves celebrated a job well done!
Neither female, one Korra Nanouk The Third, or either 'Korra The Third' or 'Korra III' as she was sometimes known as, along with her go-to partner, Azula Dezaki, could have done it without messing with the guard's vehicles ahead of time.
Or at least without having their silent passenger in the backseat handle the tampering while they stole the yuan from the casino.
As their partner slept the ride off, the thieves laughed as they were in the clear, celebrating their victory.
"I've never seen so much yuan in my whole life!" came out joyfully from Azula as they were neck deep in stacks of yuan, holding one in hand. "Crisp unmarked bills, score of the century!"
Playfully pushing some out, she watched as Korra tried to avoid having her vision blocked while driving as she cheered as well.
"Hey now, don't block my vision! I wanna spend some of this before I die!"
Good news, she was able to keep on the road. Even if the master thief did make one driver behind her panic as he tried to do the same.
Even still as she drove, her laughing died down, Korra's attention was piqued by something as she took notice of the yuan bills before her. "Huh?"
The Water Tribe girl couldn't help but focus her attention on the bills.
It then all registered for her as the Feiyate began to slow down off to a side line, other riders speeding on by.
"Ah crap, should have guessed..."
Hearing that and seeing what was up, Azula brushed aside more yuan out of her eyesight, looking at her partner and friend looking so calm. "What's up, Korra?"
"Dump the haul."
Just hearing that took the fedora wearing female by surprise.
"WHAT!?"
"You heard me, Azula. We swiped counterfeit bills."
Knowing she wasn't going crazy, Azula took a stack of yuan in hand to look closely at it for any screwups with the printing. "You're screwing with me, it can't be." she insisted, figuring her ally was messing with her. "We just stole all this from a Government funded casino!"
"They're Badgermole bills." Korra up and told her like nothing, feeling a little silly herself for even falling for them.
All while the Fire Nation woman herself tried to process what she was hearing, knowing damn well what her buddy was speaking of.
"Badgermole- But that stuff's just a myth!"
Yet the master thief herself, she was more curious. And when Korra got curious, she got interested. VERY interested.
"Forgeries so precise, they almost fooled even me." she grinned out, her mind already getting to work. "It's official, I just picked our next target!"
Then with her trademark lopsided grin, the Water Tribe female decided to go through with the first part of her new plan.
"Let's get rid of the haul and celebrate!"
Without warning, Korra put her motor vehicle on cruise control and instantly rose herself upwards onto her seat and out the flap of the sunroof to Azula's surprise.
More so upon seeing her grab armfuls of the fake currency and start throwing them out while howling out in laughter.
The hat-wearing female could only turn and watch each and every bill of yuan billow out behind them, blowing right onto the oncoming traffic behind them.
"Come on Azula, we can take over the entire operation ourselves!" she heard Korra point out, the idea sounding not bad.
But that would mean throwing all their hard work away.
"Aahhh..."
Still, it only took Azula a few seconds to make up her mind as she followed Korra's lead and stood up on her seat as well, chucking as many fake bills into the air.
"... Oh, you're lucky I'm not the 'early retirement' kind of gal!" she insisted, which only perked her friend up more to hear.
"That's the spirit!"
Sometime later...
After getting rid of the fake currency and dropping off their friend at a safe house, informing her of what they realized, Korra and Azula began making their way to their next destination.
Luckily, where they were going was within the Earth Kingdom itself, so they could just drive the small yellow Feiyate there.
Traveling to their next destination took some time, some of which was spent in the countryside. Being the sort to always be prepared, both criminals had brought along some camping supplies and a tent just in case.
With it all tied up to the back, the journey had some delays. From harsh rain fall, waiting for trains to make their crossing, bathroom breaks, to just needing to rest for the night.
But such was a regular thing for Korra and Azula, the two criminals. Each well known and infamous each in their own way.
For the female known all over as 'Korra the Third', her reputation was quite the infamous one. In fact, she's up there among those most wanted by the United Forces, despite being well established as ONLY a thief, compared to other criminals.
In fact, the Water Tribe female is the third in her family to be given the name 'Korra Nanouk', after her grandmother on her father's side as well as her great-grandmother. And also like her, the two before Korra were known as both the greatest lady thieves and criminal masterminds of their times, with the first being the most well known.
At least until Korra the Third came around and became the most notorious.
There's no treasure she can't find, no obstacle she can't beat and no male or female she can't charm.
Well, there is ONE exception with someone she's close to. But that relationship is complicated, to say the least.
Compared to Korra, the past of the Fire Nation woman named Azula Dezaki is more private and really only known to herself. Something she personally prefers.
What Korra does know about her before they met, as well as certain others, is that despite her obvious heritage and appearance, Azula was actually born in the city of Ba Sing Se, where she became known as a high ranking triad member in the area as well as the occasional mercenary for hire.
She's also known as one of, if not THE greatest markswoman in the entire world presently with a 0.3-second quick-draw, as well as having aiming and reflexes bordering on superhuman.
Azula's firearm, one just as famous as her, was a special .357 Lightning Bolt six barreled repeater she'll ALWAYS have on her.
Other than having an older brother and younger sister, the only other thing known about the markswoman is her distrust of being caught up in relationships. Though Korra personally believes it may have to do with a bad experience protecting the one girl she loved, though she doesn't outright say it.
All she knew for sure was her name was Ty Lee.
Also of note, Azula has a tendency to keep her fedora on, no matter the situation unless she makes an exception... which is rare.
You wouldn't think either would become acquaintances, let alone partners. But the thief and markswoman are true allies and friends to the very end, having their own inner crew of partners.
But one thing at a time…
Their trip took at least two days and four hours, but they made it.
The border into their next destination was right ahead of them. Just a couple cars, a few guards in uniform and a gated entrance they have to pass through.
Seeing the hanging flags, the most notable one a silver and green one with what looked like a badgermole on it, Korra knew exactly where they were.
Of course, with their infamy, both she and Azula had to bust out some of their creativity and go wild with some disguises needed to get through as the Cabbage car was the next to be searched at by a guard.
One who was wearing an army uniform and metal helmet the same colors as the flag, a light tan hue to his skin.
"Passports please."
Giving a big lopsided smile, Korra reached into her pocket while wearing massive pop-bottle glasses with a messy black wig with hair clips all over it, as well as some fake teeth.
"Here ya' go, me and my wife are spending our anniversary here." She lied with a fake accent, nudging her head to Azula, who's long pigtailed brown wig covered up the sides of her hair and brown contacts, some fake nose rings stuck on as she tipped her fedora in respect.
"Heard this place was lovely."
Giving the false ID's a look over and seeing the two matched, the guard just nodded and handed them back. "Thank you ladies, enjoy your stay." he offered as the wooden gate went up for them.
Another guard fooled, just the way Korra liked it as she gave her grin.
"Oh, we will..." she insisted before driving away under the gate, the two thieves now having slipped their way in.
The area where they were was a peaceful mountain side area full of green foliage, fields of flowers, big lakes, simple cottages and plenty of long winding roads.
Plenty unassuming for those not in the know...
"'Me and my wife'? Did I hear that right?"
Having asked that as she and Korra began removing their wigs and whatever else they had on while keeping their eyes on the road, Azula couldn't help but comment on the excuse used as she took her contacts off. "Never pegged you as the marriage type, Korra."
"Come on, Azula." The Water Tribe girl playfully acted up her flirty tone, giving a cute wink to the markswoman. "You of all people KNOW I'm a romantic."
Even with all the hair covering her eyes, that still earned a flat, yet sharp look from the Fire Nation female, who knew damn well of Korra's... particular traits when it came to romancing someone, be them male or female.
"Is THAT what you call yourself?"
Especially thinking back years before how that night in the Ramaal-Hadia brothel, which had the hidden Catfox Jewel that Azula was hired to protect and Korra intended to steal, certainly didn't end how either planned.
And while the gig was a bust for both, both would admit in private what they did with each other in bed was fun, they worked better as enemies...
... before realizing they worked even better as partners-in-crime.
As the sunroof was pulled back to let some breeze and breathing room in, Azula gave where they were a look over. "The Duchy of Zaofu. Never heard of the place, didn't pop up on any map I looked at." she observed.
"Well, it's technically more of an independent city-state within the Earth Kingdom," Korra casually explained of the location of their next job as her partner reached into the ashtray to grab a still lit cigarettes' to stick in her mouth. "But an official extension of the United Republic regardless."
"And you say this is the source of the Badgermole bills?"
"Yeppers, the black hole of the counterfeiting world, shrouded in mystery to this very day."
"Repeat that first part."
Hearing the curiosity in her galpal's voice, the master thief just gave a nod of the head as she thought of how peaceful Zaofu was.
Certainly brought back some memories.
"'Black hole'. As in 'people who snoop around too deep suddenly vanish', get me?" she hinted towards, getting a light scoff in return from Azula who adjusted her seat back and propped her feet onto the dashboard.
"Oh, stop, I'm so scared. Wake me when we get there." she decided to rest off, somehow still keeping her smoke in her mouth to the driver's amusement.
"Of course. Azula..."
Not even eight seconds went by before the sound of air hissing was heard and the back left side of the yellow Feiyate slanted down.
Quick to react, knowing what just happened, Korra pulled her vehicle over on the side of the empty road, put it in park and stood up, turning to see what was up.
The back tire went flat.
Leaning herself against the exposed sunroof, she looked down to see her partner try to ignore it by 'sleeping it off'.
"Azula..."
"Yeah yeah, give me a second..." said woman complained from her seat, annoyed at her trick failing as she rose herself up as well.
Seeing what was up with the tire, Azula furrowed her eyes at Korra, who did the same, both reeling their hands back slowly...
... before engaging in a quickdraw variant of 'Rock, Paper, Scissors'.
First time, both drew scissors. So they drew again.
This time, both drew paper.
A third time, rock.
The fourth time however, scissors cut paper.
Korra just gave a big snigger as she held her index and middle finger up in a peace sign as all Azula could do was swear the thief drew rock.
Grumbling to herself about her luck, the markswoman climbed out of the Feiyate through the sunroof and made her way to the front trunk of it, the model of vehicle having the engine in the back.
Unlatching it, Azula took a look at the spare tire and how it looked as she grabbed it and the car jack.
"This spare's about as bald as my uncle's head."
As her galpal got to work, all Korra could do was relax peacefully on the roof, looking up at the calm and relaxing blue sky.
Seeing a bird fly along the clouds, as well as the chirping, she just smiled as she inhaled the smoke from one of her specially hand rolled herbal cigarettes imported straight from her home of the South Pole. The kind not as toxic and deadly as those you'd buy from convenience shops.
"Peaceful, isn't it?" Korra simply asked, feeling like she was in tune with the land and whatever spirits were about.
Only focused on replacing the tire, able to get it on and just finished getting the lugnuts put back on, Azula could only grumble as she grabbed the hubcap.
"Easy for you to say."
An rather unexpected sound right then came into the ears of the Water Tribe female, that of a vehicle engine mixed with tires running.
Of course, that wasn't the problem, motor vehicles drive down roads all the time.
It was how fast they were going that caught Korra's attention.
Looking as it was coming in the direction it came, she spotted a fancy dark red Cabbage car drifting along the road, tires burning up something fierce.
"Huh?" she slipped out, sitting up to get a better look.
As it got closer and drove by, that allowed the thief to see in the driver's seat was a young woman in a white wedding dress, of all things.
Seeing the Cabbage car pass by, Korra wondered as did Azula, who took notice of the vehicle and its driver speeding away...
... only to hear the sound of ANOTHER behind them, both girls turning to see a similar ride swerve past them, both thieves having to move out of its way quickly as it turned onto the grass before getting back on the road, almost hitting a freaked out Azula.
"WOAH!"
Unlike the first one however, she and Korra noticed the following vehicle was packed to the brim with men in dark suits, hats and sunglasses.
"What the-" the Fire Nation half of the duo was about to ask, only for the front trunk to be kicked down.
"Get in!" Korra demanded of, she herself already to spring into action as she slipped back into the Feiyate, pulling a special lever as soon as she sat in the driver's seat.
This was done to engage the heavily modified back engine and its extended back exhaust port which popped out of the back hood.
All the little additions put in to make it go faster than the little yellow Cabbage car was supposed to, a little gift from an old flame who knows her way around an engine.
Having been kicking the hubcap back into place as fast and hard as she could, Azula heard the engine rev up good and loud, a burst coming out the exhaust pipe.
That was her cue to jump right through the sunroof as quickly as she could, clinging on for life as the vehicle sprung into action and sped away from where they were parked!
"Let me get in, damnit!" she yelled out in a hurry, grabbing and packing up whatever was tied up on the roof into the backseat, so as to not lose it by way of it being blown away by the high speeds.
But Korra wasn't listening, focused solely on catching up on the fun as she drove her little baby down the road the other two cars went, seeing they were driving along the stretch of mountain road.
The closer they got, the better they saw it was clear the one driven by the suits were chasing the one which the Bride sped away in.
Drifting along the corner and getting up on them, leaned in to get a closer look as she grabbed the cigarette she placed into the ashtray. "Who are we helping?" she had to ask, with Korra stating the obvious.
"The girl!"
"Should have guessed..."
Ahead, the suit's car managed to get alongside that of the Bride's, the size difference apparent as the driver moved closer, enough to knock her against the guard rail as another suit climbed out the window to try grabbing onto it!
"AH!" the Bride yelled out, trying to keep control and not go off the cliff. All the while the side of the Feiyate grinded against the metal rail with sparks flying.
Seeing the disrespect on display, a more focused glare formed on Korra's face.
"Shoot the tires!" she let out, which a just as happy Azula was fine with as she stood up in her seat and prepared to aim her repeater.
"GLADY!"
A PIECE OF MOLDING FROM THE BRIDE'S CAR BROKE APART, FLUNG RIGHT AT OUR HEROES', with the markswoman forced to duck back down for cover!
"AHH!"
Luckily, it only hit the front trunk and missed Azula, who growled out in anger, ready to rise up and fire away once more as Korra sped back up to catch up with the two...
... only to see the Suit's Cabbage car pull away from the Bride's, to avoid an oncoming tour bus! One that the two thieves were speeding towards the front of!
"WWOAHH SSSSHIT!" the driver screeched out as she turned the wheel to the right, forcing her car to lean off to the side and drive only on the right two wheels to avoid it!
"Put it back down, PUT IT BACK DOWN!" Azula yelled back as in the process, the back of her head was close to grinding against the stone mountain as she and Korra moved themselves onto the left to force the vehicle back down on four wheels.
All before screaming out in anger.
"DAMN TOURISTS!"
Trying to catch back up to the other two vehicles, the yellow Feiyate saw them go up on a high portion, both briefly in the air before coming back down to continue the chase.
And it was the same for the two criminals, both bracing themselves for landing.
Thankfully, this was what they needed for finally, they were riding close behind the Suit's car and Azula had the sight of her firearm aimed right at the back right tire with a wicked grin.
On point, she fired two shots which hit the rubber of the wheel...
... only for both bullets to bounce off with a metal ding heard each time!
THAT was something neither she nor Korra expected, the Fire Nation female taken aback at what she realized they were.
"What tha- Are those tires fuckin' bulletproof!?"
In the midst of both surprised reactions, those within the Suit's car opened the back window and threw out a little something for those trying to interfere.
Something both Korra and Azula realized, the latter calling out. "GRENADE!"
Swerving out of the way of the explosive, the Feiyate avoided the explosion that was made behind it.
Though trying to swerve back into control, the two women ended up in the path of another grenade dropped out, exploding in front of them
Lady luck was on their side as while yes, the motor vehicle was damaged, it was purely cosmetic as parts of the metal frame were blackened and a little dinged up.
The worst was the windshield being badly cracked and barely being held together, to which Korra decided to cut their losses by quickly swinging her fist and elbow against it, starting to break it apart.
All while laughing at what this meant. "Oh, these boys are playing dirty!" she called out as Azula helped out by slamming the butt of her repeater against what was left of the windshield.
"Let's return the favor!"
"Going up!"
Ever quick to come up with an idea, Korra decided to take a shortcut by turning the Feiyate along the now curving steep rock face.
Doing that allowed her Cabbage car to spit in the laws of physics and actually drive sideways up along the cliff.
One thing to take special note of; When Korra Nanouk is involved with something, physics takes a backseat.
Managing to ride along upside the rock face, the skilled driver saw she was close to the ledge and turned harder at the right time.
All to easily get the Feiyate back onto flat ground, all while she and Azula kept an eye on the other two Cabbage cars.
Deciding to cut them off, Korra turned right into the forest and sped through whatever was in the way.
And of course, since the windshield and sunroof were exposed, plenty of branches and leaves smacked in the faces of the two in the little yellow car.
All as both women voiced their pain.
"Ow, oh! OWW! YOW!"
"Ah, DAMNIT! YAH! OW!"
Even for a second, both swore that an innocent little bird ended up flying in through the exposed frame and out the sunroof, hearing it chirp.
Managing to get back to the cliffside and turning to ride along it, the Master Thief managed to see down below the road, seeing the cars of both the Bride and the Suit's still alongside each other.
"There they are!" Korra called out, ignoring whatever leaves blew into her face as she made her next move.
That move happened to be driving the Feiyate back down along the rock face, in turn giving them the speed boost to get ahead of the two vehicles.
For her part, the markswoman had a little something special in mind as she popped out the cylinder chamber of her repeater and got through the sunroof, taking out from her bullet holster waist belt a special gold tipped round.
One Azula loaded up with a sinister grin on her face.
"How's about something a little more heavy duty?"
Even as one of the Suits took a machine rifle and fired away, it didn't scare either women in the slightest as the Feiyate came down and got in front of their and the Bridge's cars while in motion.
With more proper aiming, Azula aimed for one of the front tires and pulled the trigger, a loud shot blasting off like a lightning bolt!
The armored tire stood no chance as the fired round destroyed it upon impact, causing the driver of the packed Cabbage car to lose control, him and the others freaking out at this.
All of which resulted in the vehicle swerving into the rock wall and crashing violently into it, destroying the vehicle and sending those inside flying out while screaming!
"RWAGH!"
This pleased both Azula and Korra, the one holding the repeater cheering at her own work. "YEAH!"
With one thing dealt, there was still the matter of the other car being driven by the Bride as it came up to the Feiyate's side.
"Hey!" Korra tried to call out, hoping to get the poor girl's attention.
Seeing that wasn't working, she began honking the car horn at least three times. "Hello! Miss!"
Wondering what was up, that was answered upon seeing the Bride in the driver's seat, her head laying against the steering wheel, not knowing where she was going as her car kept going with her foot on the acceleration.
This wasn't good, to say the least.
"Oh shit, she's unconscious!" the Water Tribe woman let out, realizing unless something was done, they'd have a dead body on their hands.
As both vehicles went around a turn, the ajar driver's side door of the Bride's be smashed off when hit against the guard rail, sending its mirror backwards.
Right into Azula's hands to be exactly before she sat back down in her seat, worried herself.
"Got a game plan, Korra?"
"Yeah, take the wheel." the thief stated as she let go and began to climb out the sunroof to the fedora hat-wearing female's shock as she tried to keep control.
"Wait, WHAT?!"
With Azula scooting herself quickly into the driver's seat, trying to keep control, Korra perched herself on the roof of the Feiyate, waiting until they got close to the other car.
Once they were just inches off, the brave woman grabbed onto the Bride's automotive and climbed herself onto its roof with ease.
Getting in the passenger's seat, getting an arm around the knocked out girl, Korra was about to take the wheel and pump the brakes when something on the road got her worried.
That being a random steamroller parked next to a construction post at the next turn!
Not wanting to smash into it, Korra pressed the brake and tried to turn away from it...
... and it JUST worked, only smashing the back right of the Cabbage car as it made the hard turn. Though plenty of damage was still taken, its hood smashed open while blocking vision.
As they sped away, that still left Azula in the Feiyate trying to do the same. "Woah, WOAH!" she called out, not having the nifty driving skills her partner had, as turning only caused her to still smack the yellow vehicle into the side of the steamroller.
Good news; it stopped the Feiyate and only knocked out some lights. Bad news; the markswoman clanging her head against the passenger's side door, yelling out in pain.
"Ah, DAMNIT!"
Not that Korra herself noticed for she and the still out-of-it Bride had worse problems.
Like the Cabbage car still silly moving down the hilly road towards the guard railing and the brakes not working. Even as it kept falling apart into pieces with each passing second, sputtering out more and more.
No wait, scratch that, that dishonor belonged to the fact that she just realized the machine was getting closer and closer to an exposed section of the guard rail, and off the cliff!
"No, no, nonono," Korra panicked, trying in vain to use the brakes as they got closer to the edge. "Wait damn you..."
It was too late, the front left wheel went off, followed by the rest of the motor vehicle, sending the Water Tribe woman and the knocked out Bride off the cliff!
Yet this was not the undignified end for Korra Nanouk III for as the car fell, she made sure to grab something from her jacket sleeve and threw it upwards mid-fall!
And the Cabbage car crashed down into the water below, the machine sinking deep into the water as some of its debris hit the shoreline.
All the while two hung over the wreck.
One of the many things Korra was known for was the occasional little gadgets she'd have on her, just in case of certain events.
Like in this case and several others, a special hook and line she fitted in her jacket sleeves, which she had used to throw up and wrap around a thick branch poking out the rock face.
Just hanging there with one arm wrapped tightly around the girl she just saved, the thief gave a deep labored breath at the close call.
Deciding to check on her while they hanged around, Korra looked to see how the Bride was by her face.
She just then noticed the young woman, a cute native for sure with her lightly sun-kissed skin and braided brown hair, had to be ten years her junior. Was she twenty, twenty one?
Also had on some sort of fancy wedding crown with a veil going down the back of her head.
From holding her alone Korra was able to tell the Bride certainly kept in shape for, what with the white wedding dress fitting her curvy body.
Yet, even then...
... something about the Bride's face just seemed so...
But Korra's train of thought was cut off by seeing the girl she saved slowly awaken, her dark olive green eyes trying to understand what was up. Mainly why she was being held like this.
Looking at her savior, seeing the lopsided grin, the Bride really only had one response.
"AAHHH!" she cried out, trying to push a surprised Korra away where they hanged. "No, let me go!"
"Hey, stop! Cut it out or we're going to fall!" the thief yelled, trying to get her to understand their hanging situation.
"Look down! DOWN!"
Wondered as she had shut her eyes again briefly, the young woman reopened them to realize that she was hanging over the shoreline.
"Huh?! Oh no..." she let out, instantly understanding and being scared.
Even then, Korra didn't worry as she gave the Bride a trusting smile as she spoke with a calm voice.
"Okay, now we're on the same page. Just stay calm and let me handle things..."
Saying that, the Water Tribe woman moved her hand off a bit from the girl's waist and to her belt buckle, a specially made silver one with a 'K' on it.
Pressing a button on the top, it revealed inside was a special compartment where some little components were, as well as a gear and spinning lever was.
Both of which hooked up to the zip-line in Korra's sleeve, which she spun the lever counter-clockwise to start slowly lowering the two of them down to the ground.
It was a pretty long line, so it should be nice and smooth sailing as the Bride looked to do what she was told and relaxed.
There was at least another twenty feet, maybe fifteen left until they'd reach the ground.
The sound of wood breaking only just filled both girl's ears before they felt a sudden drop, the two quickly looking to see the big branch Korra had hooked to break off the rock wall, causing both to yell their way down to the ground!
"Oh SHIT!"
"AAHHH!"
Thankfully for the two, Korra's rear took the hard landing as she and the Bride hit the ground, which was already painful enough for her.
But the broken branch itself falling square on top of her head, planted there until it fell over? That was just insulting for the Water Tribe woman whose brain got scrambled upon impact.
"Grandma, you ran another stop sign..." was all Korra could slur out in a daze before falling onto her back, passed out from the pain.
For a brief moment, silence filled the air where she and the Bride laid, the latter having not taken the brunt of the fall.
After a few seconds, the green eyed girl slowly awoke, noticing who had saved her was now laying knocked out and that she was on top of her.
"Miss?" she asked quietly, tempted to bring her hand to her head to check it out. "Are you alright? Miss?"
Not getting an answer and seeing where Korra was hit, the Bride realized she had to treat it somehow, getting an idea as she looked at the nearby lake.
Getting up, she rushed over and tried to scoop up some of the cold, soothing water before getting a better idea.
Looking at her left white long sleeved dress glove, the Bride was quick to slip it off and dip it into the water, getting it damp enough before taking it out.
Getting back over to the Water Tribe woman in the nice suit, the young lady came back to her side and carefully lifted the back of her head up with one hand before dabbing the wet glove on her forehead.
Already, it seemed to do the trick as Korra herself began to stir upon impact. Something which the Bride was pleased to see as she continued her makeshift treatment.
"There we go, yes..."
A sound familiar to the Bride came from her left, getting her attention as she looked. "Huh?"
It was far off, but it was a boat coming around a small island, its smoke stack looming. One she knew very well.
Realizing what this meant, she looked back down at the still out of it Korra and carefully placed the damp glove on her forehead with both hands, slipping her bare one in it briefly.
"I have to go, thank you." the young woman thanked her brave savior before having to get up and rush away from the scene.
As she ran, sprinting her way towards a nearby forest, those on the boat, led by another suit on the bow, saw where the Bride was headed, pointing in her direction.
"There she is!"
Even with those on her trail, the young woman would take example from who saved her and keep running.
Unknowing of this where she was, Korra herself began to slowly get up, groaning in pain as she held the damp glove against her forehead.
"Hey! Korra!"
Trying to process what was up, the master thief saw a rope come down, followed by someone climbing down it next to her.
Having come down with ease after tying the line to a thick tie, her smoke still in her mouth, Azula gave her partner a good look over.
"You're alright? Look like crap." she commented in jest, even though it was the last thing Korra was focused on as she looked around.
"Where's the girl?"
"Well, if I had to take a wild guess..."
Following her words, the Fire Nation woman then pointed ahead to the nearby lake, which Korra followed.
All to see the boat which had followed the Bride now riding away from where they just were, just then getting a speed boost to leave the area in a hurry.
It was obvious whoever was on board was in league with those other goons in the Cabbage car and had taken her away.
This just irked Korra to no end as she clenched the wedding glove in hand.
"Son of a BITCH!"
"Who are those guys, and WHY are they after that girl?" Azula had to wonder out loud, scratching the side of her head with a finger.
Once more however, something else captured the thief's attention as she looked at what she was holding.
As well as something hard within it.
Wondering, Korra carefully stretched the glove out to see something was indeed inside, holding her hand under it and shook it out.
To her surprise, as well as Azula's, it was a metal ring.
A silver one to be exact with a small emerald green emblem on it with some sort of design on it.
Upon closer inspection, it looked like a silver colored badgermole on the green.
Both Korra and Azula took a good look at what was left behind, the latter seeing how nice it looked.
"That's some fancy ring there."
For the former however, even with her head still aching, it felt like seeing this ring was jumpstarting her mind.
Especially as something about the ring specifically kept nagging at her. "Funny, I could swear I've..." she began to say...
... before Korra's mind went back to a moment earlier, back to when she and the Bride were hanging as she looked in the direction where the boat went.
Thinking back to when she got a good look at the tan girl's face and what went through her mind.