Winding Legacies: A 'The Legend of Korra' Rewrite

Episode 12: The Day of the Colossus Part 2

Wu's body began to weave around the train station platform in the familiar curves of Mako's frantic pacing. The Grand Conductor held his hat tightly in his hands as he explained to Pema that a subset of Kuvira's army had taken control of the first trains. There was no way for them to get out of the city by rail, which left them with very few alternatives.

"And, I really hate to be the bearer of more bad news, your highness, but I also got word on the radio that there are a bunch of necha suit soldiers heading our way."

Great, that was one less alternative.

Pema turned to Wu, her lips pressed into a thin line. "We could try leading them to the harbor. See if there are any ships left."

"Assuming Kuvira hasn't toppled the rescue boats by now, I only earmarked enough for the last-minute evacuees. You know, the prisons and whatnot." Wu came to an abrupt stop, his hands clasped firmly on his hips. "No, we need a different solution."

Taking a breath, Wu jumped onto a nearby bench and shouted over the worried whispers of the large crowd. Though they would rather run for the hills than listen to him, they quieted at Wu's kind and calm face. He said, "Listen, everyone, I made you a promise, and I intend to keep that promise no matter what. I can get us out of here if you just sit tight and wait for me to get us some help. Does that sound okay?"

The crowd didn't give him nearly as enthusiastic a response as he was hoping for. Still, Wu put on a brave face and stepped down from the bench, letting Pema walk him to the entrance of the station. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes. Just another day in the life of a prince," Wu exhaled. He paused at the bottom of the stairs and asked, "Will you handle this unruly mob for a little while?"

Gently pinching his cheek like she wished she could do to her heroic children, Pema said, "Absolutely."

Every minute in the train station felt like hours, and the longer they waited, the more impatient the crowd became. Pema managed to keep them quiet with the threat that she would keep signing old airbender songs whenever they became unruly. She smiled to herself, knowing that her kids would love to hear that she was tormenting other people with those same tricks.

Pema brushed a loose hair out of her face as a woman took a seat next to her. The palms of her hands were sweaty from how tightly she was gripping her skirt, but she couldn't help it. Though for her sanity, she assumed all her kids were safe, not being able to see them herself ate at her. "I don't think we've met." The woman held out her hand and without having to introduce herself, Pema already knew who she was.

"I'm Pema. And, I have to say, your daughter looks just like you."

Yasuko laughed. "Thank you. My name is Yasuko."

"I would have thought you evacuated already."

"Asami had me on the first train out, but I kept running into people who needed my spot more than I did, so here I am waiting on the train that never will be."

Pema exhaled, saying, "Well, I'm sure our children are saving the world as we speak, so hopefully we won't be waiting much longer."

"Does it ever get any easier? Letting them go into those dangerous situations?"

"No." Pema wished she could say something else to asuage Yasuko's mind, but it was the truth. There was always a fear in her that something might happen to them. "But I remind myself that they do it to help others. And, as their mom, I couldn't be prouder."

The small smile they shared leapt off of their faces as the wall beside them crumbled to the ground. Pressing themslves firmly against the wall, they squirmed as two badegrmoles strolled toward them, their snouts pointed outward to sniff their surroundings.