Hard Bending (Korra/Grimnoir Chronicles) (Rated R...or M)

[The Whacko]

Heyoooo! How's it going, folk? Tis just an idea I've had rolling around my head for about a month now, and now I'm finaly getting down to writing it. After watching The Legend of Korra for a while, it got me thinking "Hmmm, steampunk universe, 1920's esc...and then there's The Grimnoir Chronicles by Larry Correia, steampunk-esc set in an alternate 1930's, could work together...let's make it happen!" Is it a good idea? Maybe. Will it be awesome? I think so. This is set at Episode 2, for the record.

And now....Enter the Grimnoir!

Prologue

People of Republic City, we are now witness to proof of worlds apart from our own. The unexpected events that lead to the portal to this new world, Earth as their ambassadors have called it, are surely a sign from the spirits. We must greet these newcomers with both respect and dignity, as they welcome us into their world. May our two dimensions live in peace and harmony.

Councilman Tenzin of the Republic City Council, on the appearence of The Link of Worlds, 1932

Republic City, 1933

"Look at all those new people coming in." Korra heard Bolin say as the two watched the cargo ship crammed with passangers approaching the harbor. There had to be at least two hundred people on the deck alone, packed close enough together that they could barely move. Things have been really bad on Earth if they were willing to make this kidn of journey. "Think there's many of those...Actives? That's what I think they're called." Korra turned to the young man, and she could help smiling at the Earthbender's almost childlike wonder at the sight before them. She didn't know much about Earth herself, or the magic people from that place. It wasn't really something people paid much attention to in the South Pole. Tenzin had explained them to her the best he could, and she'd learned the basics. Their world was similar to hers, though they were a few years more advanced technology-wise. And their weapons? Lightyears ahead, at least. She still hadn't seen a gun, but she'd heard of the deadly power in them, and that made her nervous if she have came across someone carrying a pistol or one of those big rifles she kept hearing about.

"I don't know. Tenzin said there aren't as many of those Actives as there are Benders." The Avatar replied. That much was true. There were, however, a far greater variety of Actives than the Benders, not being bound to simply the elements. People spoke of them in hushed whispers: Men and woman who could hurl satomobiles at their foes, others that could heal the sick with just a touch, and others that could even walk through walls or change gravity. She still needed some time to memorize the names they gave to each different Active type. She looked back to the ship, which had finaly docked and now the passangers were practicaly streaming out to their new home. "I heard they're coming here because their economy's bad back home. A Depression, I think one of them said."

Bolin shrugged as he watched them from his little perch at the appartment. Mako was out for the moment, working at the power plant. Bolin, sadly, hadn't had so much luck with finding work. He'd even tried begging with Pabu, once, though that hadn't worked out so well. So now he was here, with the Avatar as they watched the strange newcomers to their dimension. He had to admit, she looked damn beautiful with the city in the background. Truth be told, he was fascinated by her from the moment he saw her in the gym. He still needed to work up the courage to ask her out, but with practice and their Pro-Bending matches, he hadn't found a good time for it. He swore, he would, though.

"Feel like going down there, seeing them up close?" Bolin said, looking over at Korra with that winning smile he always saved for the ladies. She look to him with a grin of her own.

"I thought you'd never ask."


Aboard the Aang's Spirit

Kirk Reese scowled coldly as he looked around the deck of the ship. Too many damn normals around for his tastes. Ants, they were like ants. He was tempted to step on them , with the way they kept shoving for space and generaly being rude. There would be time later to put the normals in their place, though. The Chairman's orders came first.

"Remind me again why we're comin' to this shithole, boss?" A gruff voice spoke in a heavy Virginian accent. Reese had to look up to see the sneer on Toombs' moustached face. The giant was easily as thick as two men, and was tough enough to put any heavyweight boxer to shame. Then again that wasn't a difficult task for a Brute. Toombs grunted as he lifted the cheap fedora to wipe the sweat from his brow, revealing the thinning, rust-colored hair he always tried to hide. It always struck him as absurd for an Iron Guard to be self-concious about hair loss.

"Because the Chairman said so. He wants someone, and we're going to get her for him, not to mention those little Equalist assholes." Reese said with that same cold scowl. In contrast to the Brute, he was a short, neat little man with a spindly frame, almost looking like a teenager to those that were unobservant. He could see Johns across from them on the edge of the deck, one of his cheap cigarettes between his lips. He was as tall as Toombs, but nearly as thin as Reese, with a neatly trimmed goatee and stubbled darkened cheeks, a mane of brown hair covered by his fedora. The Crackler was another oddity to Reese. He was as merciless a killer as any Iron Guard, yet he was polite enough to step outside, or at least away from the crowd, whenever he needed a smoke. Reese shook his head, lighting his own cigarette, but not moving to the edge of the deck with his underling. These normals would learn their place soon. It was the right of the strong to seize power from the weak, and Actives and Benders were sure as hell the strongest. But there was a hitch to the Imperium's opperations here, namely those stupid Equalists, who arrogantly thought they had a right to power, despite the fact they were just weak normals. Reese would enjoy crushing those little shits into the dust. But there was another, more serious threat to them. That girl, Korra. What was she again? Oh, yeah. The Avatar. The Chairman didn't want her dead, though. Not yet. He wanted to learn from her, and if possible get her to see the light. If she didn't? Well, there was always Manchukuo, and Unit 731 would just love a chance at getting to experiment on such a powerful Bender.

Either way, the Imperium would have its way in this world and their own, and the strong would take their rightful place as masters of the universe, as The Power demanded. The ship finaly reached the harbor a minute later, and the normals and the few Actives aboard began their surge into the city they hoped would prove a better home. Reese and his Iron Guard didn't care about home, just the Imperium's glory. He grunted to get the attention of his men, and in less than five seconds they were flanking him either side, stepping down the boarding ramp.

"Let's get to work, boys. Don't wanna keep the Chairman waiting."