Chapter Thirteen

¥ Rebel Spirit ¥

•

'WE ALL HAVE GOOD AND BAD INSIDE OUR SOULS.'

•

I do not own Legend of Korra or the Last Airbender, all credit goes to the people who made the two happen. I only own Kanna and the things I make up along the way. Most of the script comes from the person who created it. Descriptions come from the show I've watched and the things I've read.

•

Kanna Kya

•

Somewhere near the South Water Tribe, a boat quietly sails the water during the night. The ship's horn blasts as two sailors stand near the railing of the boat. One man is looking over it, staring into the depths of the sea as the older man stands behind him with a lantern in his hand.

"This your first watch?" The older male asks. The younger one nods his head yes. "Well then, better keep your eyes peeled laddie. Ya never know what creatures lurk in the murky depths." The younger sailor gasps and looks overboard, while the older one chuckles as he walks off, smiling eerily. The younger male watches as a large, squid-like spirit swims beneath the boat, its many tentacles trailing behind it.

"Uh, Sir!" He fearfully calls out.

"What?" The old man asks. A tentacle appears and snatches the older sailor from the boat.

"Man overboard! Man overboard!" The older sailor is dragged into the water, as several more tentacles appear and begin grabbing the boat, slowly dragging it into the water as the scene fades out.

••••

"Iiiiit's pro-bending night in Republic City, and have we got a doozy for you! Fan favorites, the Fire Ferrets, are about to take on hot newcomers, the Rhino Lions!" A stern looking Bolin has his hands on his hips while staring at his teammates. Pabu is perched atop the railing separating the player's locker room from the playing field.

"Now we all know that our last match was garbage. Terrible!" He gestures with his right hand to Pabu. "Even Pabu could've done a better job." Pabu walks up to Bolin and puts his paws on his master's side while squeaking. Bolin takes on a more confident and proud posture; in a more cheerful tone. "But that's in the past," he confidently leans forward in a somewhat defensive pose, "because when you back a Fire Ferret in the corner, well mister," he throws a strong downward punch, "he comes out fighting!" Bolin confidently raises his fist before his body, while Pabu hisses, arching his back. Bolin confidently points toward the arena. "So, let's get out there" he raises his fist above his head, "and bend like there's no tomorrow," he triumphantly punches in the air with his right fist. "Are ya with me?" He turns his attention onto the two in front of him and frowns. The male water bender - that strangely looks like Mako - sitting on the bench rubs his nose while sniffing. The female fire bender - who also resembles Korra - stands awkwardly next to him. She glances down at her teammate, holding her right elbow with her left arm. Bolin sighs and looks at Pabu. "Where's Kanna when I need a good motivational speech?" Pabu squeaks and shrugs his shoulders.

The Fire Ferrets and the Rhino Lions line up before each other on the arena floor. As the bell to announce the start of the match rings, both teams ready their respective element. As a loud crash is heard, first Bolin, followed by his two teammates, are knocked over the rim into the water, each being hit by their respective element. The buzzer sounds, signaling a zone-line has been crossed.

"Ooh, the Fire Ferrets go down in the water, and right into the record books," Bolin pulls his torso on the platform, "for the fastest knockout in Pro-bending history!"

"Where's Mako when I need him?" Bolin rests his head on the platform in disappointment.

••••

Kanna glances at her watch while sitting at the fire bending restaurant. She nervously rubs her arm and smiles as the waitress comes to refill her cup for the second time. "Would you like to order soon, miss?" The waitress politely asks.

"Not yet, he's probably just running a bit late. I'm going to give him some time." Kanna replies, "thank you." The waitress nods her head and leaves, with a pitiful look in her eyes. Kanna heaves a sigh and rests her head on her hands. The door to the restaurant basically slams open and Iroh appears in the doorway, clearly flustered by the redness in his cheeks and the unkempt appearance of his clothes. Kanna perks up when she sees him and quickly notes the flowers he holds.

"I'm sorry I'm late," he apologizes and approaches her, "I thought since I was already running late, that I might as well buy you some flowers." He smiles apologetically at her, holding the flowers out to her. She narrows her eyes at hun before smiling and taking them.

"Thank you," she closes her eyes and leans in to smell them, "they smell lovely." She opens her eyes, staring at him. He grins and takes the seat in front of her. "Why are you late?"

"President Raiko has been at my throat lately. He thinks he can use my fleet as police guards, and I tried explaining to him that we are soldiers. Not his little dogs that he can send to track down people." Iroh explains.

"Who does he want you to track?" She curiously questions.

"Equalist supporters," he sighs. "He fears that they are going try to do another revolution at one point so he wanted us to bring them in to question." Kanna goes to retort when the waitress appears, a pleasant smile on her face.

"I'm glad you finally showed up, gentlemen do not leave a lady waiting." She playfully scolds Iroh, winking at Kanna. "Now what can I get you?"

"Can I have the flaming fire flakes with the watermelon juice?" Iroh requests.

"I'll have the sizzle crisps please." The waitress nods and leaves the two alone. "He does know that if he targets those people and locks them away or something, people are going to see him as a tyrant. He is the first president, he needs to be more careful about his decisions."

"I don't think he understands that," Iroh shakes his head. "And I don't know how much longer I'll be able to stand his annoying barking before I shut him up."

"Shut up him, he deserves it." Kanna states causing him to laugh. She smiles at him, enjoying the sound.

"How's everyone doing? I haven't seen them in a bit." He questions.

"Yeah, you and me both." She grumbles.

••••

The wailing of police sirens can be heard as the rider shifts gears on the motorcycle. A truck flies around the corner with the motorcycle is hot on its tail. The rear door on the vehicle raises to reveal two men. One of the men makes circular motions with his hands to bend water from inside the truck. As the liquid flows to him, the other man as he claps his hands together, rapidly transforming the water into a mist to hide the speeding truck from view. The truck races off, while the mist fills the entire length of the street. The motorcyclist as he enters the fog. One of the men forces his hand down, the water can be seen flowing onto the road, freezing as the truck travels along the street. The motorcyclist as he emerges from the mist and gasps as his vehicle starts to slip on the ice. As the motor spins out of control, the driver uses his firebending to create a circle around him, melting the ice, and enabling him to regain control of the bike as its wheels find solid ground. He swerves out of the path of the rest of the ice and resumes his pursuit. The truck runs down a road blockade and narrowly misses an incoming police truck from a street to its right. The motorcyclist finds his road now blocked, and swerves to his left, where a truck with wooden beams that form a ramp stands in his way. Without hesitation, he steers his motor onto the ramp. The driver uses his firebending to launch himself and his bike into the air, where he flips over, and aims a powerful fire stream at the truck's engine as he comes down. The truck's screeching tires can be heard. Heavy smoke comes from underneath the truck's hood, and its engine explodes, causing it to spin uncontrollably. The motorcyclist lands, and stops his vehicle. The truck races by him, hits a water hydrant, flips on its roof, slides along over the road, and flips to its side. As the vehicle comes to a stop, it partially explodes. Two of the three passengers are already lying in front of the truck, and the driver lets himself fall from out of the broken windshield. He lands on top of his two comrades, eliciting a grunt from them. The motorcyclist walks toward them, removing his helmet and pushes up his goggles, revealing himself to be Mako.

"Looks like you had some car trouble." He smugly smiles. "Good thing the police are here."

••••

A plane releases its landing gear and it hits the airstrip, one of the propellers starts to lose speed. The pilot jumps out the cockpit and removes their helmet, walking up to a man in a blue overall, who walks up to meet the pilot half way. "I think these planes are finally ready to ship." Asami cheerfully states. She halts before the man, smiling, while resting her right hand on her hip, and holding her helmet in her left.

"I hate to mention the elephant-rhino in the room, but since your father was thrown in prison, no company will work with us. We're nearly bankrupt." The engineers informs her.

"Don't worry. I'm going to the South Pole to meet with someone who can help us put Future Industries," she confidently pats the man on his right shoulder with her left hand, "back on top." Her tone is upbeat and the engineer feels slightly better about their situation. She walks away from the engineer and as soon as he can no longer see her face, her confident expression changes to one of sadness and worry.

••••

A ski bison flies around the Air Temple island, groaning. Four figures are racing down the stairs, all on air scooters, Ikki is the first to come into view, with Korra trailing close behind her, followed by Jinora and Meelo. They take a turn, heading toward the buildings. Pema is walking in an open corridor, holding Rohan and some groceries. The four youngsters zoom past her, nearly knocking her over. Startled, she throws the vegetables in the air, as she spins in between the racers. When they are gone, she manages to catch the food again, and stares after the foursome in surprise. The racers swiftly turn around the airbending training gates; some of the panels start spinning as they pass by. The foursome jumps off the platform. Ikki is still in the lead, confidently smiling in challenge toward the Avatar. Korra's eyes begin to glow when she enters the Avatar State and she uses the extra power to pull ahead of a surprised Ikki. Korra speeds underneath a paifang gate, and is flagged the winner. Korra comes to a stop and leaps off her air scooter, remaining on her haunches. Bumi is coughing due to the thrown up dust, as an angry-looking Ikki zooms past, followed by her sister and brother.

"The Avatar is the winner!" Bumi announces. Korra erects herself, her eyes ceasing to glow as she exits the Avatar State; she turns to her right, her hands propped on her hips, and smugly towers over a raging Ikki.

"No fair! You can't go into the Avatar State to win!" Ikki states in anger. Korra sticks her tongue out at Ikki, blowing a raspberry. Tenzin approaches, his face going red in anger from the news.

"You did what!? The Avatar State is not to be used as a booster rocket! You are toying with a dangerous power that you obviously do not appreciate!" Tenzin scolds her.

"It's the Avatar State and I'm the Avatar. Who appreciates it more than me?" Korra goes to high five Kanna only to realize that she is not there. She briefly wonders when the last time she saw Kanna was, but dismisses it. It feels weird not having her with her all the time, always having someone to back her up and joke around with.

"Clearly you need more training to grasp the depths of your spiritual connections, not to mention that you're still a long way from mastering airbending." Tenzin comments. Korra laughs at him.

"I have mastered airbending." She emphasizes her statement by directing several air blasts at the nearby trees, sending leaves floating. "Punch punch punch!See?" She turns to Tenzin with her hands on her hips and smiles smugly; confidently. "Mastered."

Tenzin skeptically eyes Korra.

"Looks pretty good to me." Bumi states with a smile. Tenzin sighs and puts a hand to his face.

"Is it too late for you," he turns his head to his brother, "to unretire from the United Forces?" He asks.

"The paperwork's gone through, little brother. From now on, it's 24/7," Bumi grabs Tenzin's face and punches his cheek, "Bumi time!" Tenzin makes him let go and walks up to Korra.

"You've mastered Korra style airbending, now you need to master real airbending. Hopefully our visit to all the air temples," he opens a scroll to reveal a map, the locations of the air temples marked with airbending symbols. A small chibi style image of Tenzin's face smiling with a thumbs up pose has been drawn onto the map. Korra looks appalled and irritated, "will give you the inspiration you need to look more deeply into your studies."

"Can we see where Grandpa Aang was born?" Jinora excitedly asks.

"How many lemurs can I have?" Meelo inquiries.

"I wanna get tattoos! But instead of arrows, I want lightning bolts!" Ikki gushes.

"You can't get lightning bolts. That doesn't make any sense." Jinora retorts.

"You don't make any sense!" Ikki angrily states.

"Fight, fight, fight!" Meelo chants.

Ikki and Jinora press their foreheads against each other as they growl and glare at one another. Tenzin stels forward to separate his two daughters.

"No one's fighting! We're going to have a wonderful time!" He sighs. "Now that the president is in office and I'm not needed on the council, I can finally relax with my family and give Korra the attention she needs."

"Great, more attention." Korra grumbles, kicking the ground with her feet.

"Hah! Relax ... I'd pay money to see that. Maybe I'll tag along just to see "Vacation Tenzin," Bumi comments with a grin.

"You're not invited." Tenzin quickly states.

"Before we go on your dad's study trip, we're gonna have some real fun in my home town at the Glacier Spirits Festival. They've got rides, games, and all kinds of fried food on sticks." Korra tells the children and glances at Tenzin. "Is Kanna invited?"

"She can come if she wants to, have you seen her?" Tenzin frowns realizing he hasn't seen her all day. Korra shakes her head.

"Yay!" The kids cheer and circle around Tenzin, who makes a defeated and somewhat frustrated face. Tenzin clenches his eyes shut for a moment and frowns, while Bumi puts an arm around his shoulder.

"Yep. There's Vacation Tenzin. And you can't stop me from going to the festival, Mom already invited me." Bumi says to him. Tenzin's eyes widen slightly for a moment before narrowing in frustration.

••••

Kanna and Iroh walk around the city as the day turns into night, admiring the lights from the buildings and the different smells of foods from vendors. She observes him and smiles at the clear happiness in his eyes. "What are you looking at?" He playfully asks.

"A gross cockroach." Kanna jokes. She squeals as he wraps his arms around her waist and spins her around. She closes her eyes and laughs, enjoying how free and alive she feels in that moment with him. He carefully sets her down and cradles her face in his hands.

"Why am I cockroach?" He curiously asks.

"Cockroaches never die or leave the house and I have the feeling that you'll never leave me alone." She giggles.

"You are rude." He tells her.

"I am not rude!" She protests, softly hitting his side.

"And I am not a cockroach." He gently kisses her nose and releases her face. She grabs his arms, leaning into him as they continue their walk. As the moon reaches its highest point in the sky, the two are sitting at the docks and gazing at the night sky.

"The Glacier Spirits Festival will be happening soon in my hometown. Korra and I have plans to attend it, would you like to join?" She questions.

"President Raiko has to approve of my every move, I'll ask him." He replies, softly tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. The two gaze into each other's eyes for a moment and Iroh leans in slowly for a kiss. Without meaning to, Kanna backs away. Iroh pauses and furrows his eyebrows.

"I'm sorry. We still haven't made this," she gestures between them, "an official thing. I want to save my first kiss for my first boyfriend." She explains.

"I understand." He tells her, backing away from her and goes back to staring at the sky. "We've only been on a few dates in the last six months because of our schedules. We haven't gotten to know each other that well, but we can do that while dating one another." He turns back to her and grabs her hand. "Kanna, will you do me the pleasure of being my girlfriend?"

"Yes," her face reddens as the two leans slowly in and kiss one another for the first time. She expects to feel fireworks like everyone explains how their first kiss with their soulmate feels like; however, the kiss just felt like wet lips on her own. The two pull away, and he smiles at her. She smiles back at him, cuddling into his side while he points out the constellations and tells her the myths behind them. The entire time she wonders about their kiss and if that's normal. Or maybe Iroh was not her soulmate.

••••

Mako, Korra, and Naga are sitting on deck of the ship bound for the South Pole. "So I walk up and say: "Looks like you had some car trouble. Good thing the police are here."" Korra widens her eye while chuckling before looking sideways at Mako with an eyebrow raised and a smile; amused.

"Did you write that beforehand?" She asks.

"Yeah! I had a few others." He pulls out a list from his jacket and begins reading off of them. "Let's see, uh ... "Looks like you guys should put more 'try' in triad", huh? Or, "when you get to jail," he points to himself, "tell 'em Mako sent ya"."

"Ooh, I like that one." Korra states. Mako tucks the piece of paper back into his jacket.

"Okay, I'll use that next time. Beifong says if I keep it up, I could make detective soon." He informs her happily.

"That sounds so fun. All I do is train all day. It's like Tenzin's totally forgotten how I beat Amon." Korra sighs in annoyance.

"Tenzin's just trying to help you become the best Avatar you can be." Mako comments, resting his hand on her arm. Korra pulls her arm away from Mako.

"Of course you'd take his side!" She angrily says.

"I'm not taking his side, I'm just ..." he gets cut off by korra standing up.

"Im gonna take a walk." She leaves.

"Why is it so much easier to bust triads than it is to get through one conversation with my girlfriend?" He asks himself.

"Maybe because you're saying the wrong things to her." Mako jumps and turns to see Kanna standing there with her arms crossed. "You know Korra, you knew that was going to make her mad."

"It's my opinion though. I shouldn't have to agree with everything she says." Mako says. Kanna sighs and takes the spot next to him.

"Korra doesn't like when people don't agree with her. She views it as an attack on her abilities especially with everything Tenzin has been doing." She quietly states, gazing at the sky. Mako is silent for a moment.

"Where's Iroh?" He asks.

"He couldn't make it. President Raiko believes that he needs to stay in Republic City instead of traveling with his girlfriend." She irritatedly sighs.

"Girlfriend? You guys made it official?" He asks. For some strange reason, the green monster inside him pokes its head out a little at that word. He watches the redness spread across the cheeks and the smile that tugs at her lips.

"Yeah, we made it official yesterday night." She informs him.

"Does Korra know? She didn't tell me about it." He questions.

"Not yet, I haven't been able to get a moment alone with her really. It's been that way for weeks now." She shakes her head in dismay.

"She's alone now." He gestures to the direction Korra walks away in. Kanna glances in the direction before shrugging.

"I'll talk to her soon," she dismisses it, "I haven't talked to you in a bit though. How's life?"

"Awesome," he happily informs her about everything he told Korra.

"Congratulations! Being a detective is huge, you'll get to do so many badass things," she pats his back with a smile on her face. He stares at her, feeling happy that finally someone reacts to the news in the way he wanted instead of making it about themselves. "It's getting late, we should go to bed." She stands up and brushes the dirt off of her. "Goodnight Mako!" She calls out, throwing a wave at him while heading to her room.

"Goodnight Kanna," he calls back out and turns to stare at the stars. He notices that the Perseus and Andromeda constellations are extra bright tonight.

••••

"Katara! Kya!" Kanna shouts in greeting, waving her hand around as she bolts towards them with the air bending children following her in excitement.

"Gran Gran!" The children all gather around Katara and hug her waist. Kanna yanks Kya into a tight hug making the older woman laugh.

"Still going by Kanna Kya?" She inquires.

"You betcha." Kanna replies, pulling away with a smile.

"Oh ... you've all gotten so big." Katara wraps her arms around the kids.

"We missed you, Aunt Kya." The kids release Katara to hug Kya and Kanna hugs Katara tightly.

"It's good to be back." She mumbles quietly to her old mentor and aunt. Katara and her lean back, smiling at each other.

"I see my brother in you more and more every time I see you." Katara gently says while stroking Kanna's face. Kanna grins happily at that relevation.

"Ohh, I missed you, too. Your father doesn't bring you to visit nearly enough. He's probably scared I'll beat him up," Kya walks over to where Bumi, Pema and Tenzin are walking off the boat and lightly punches Tenzin's arm playfully, "like when we were kids."

"I'm not scared of you," he rubs his arm, but his voice is slightly timid, "anymore." Kanna laughs at the duo, shaking her head.

"Your tone says otherwise." Bumi snorts at her comment. Tenzin throws a glare at her. Kanna waves goodbye and heads over to where Korra is with her family. She watches in amusement as Korra introduced Mako. Korra hugs Tonraq while Mako stands behind her and Senna stands to the side. She releases him and steps to the side.

"You remember Mako." Korra states.

"Sir." Mako greets while offering his hand to shake. Tonrag's arms stay crossed over his chest.

"I hope you're not getting my daughter into anymore trouble up in the city." He sternly states.

"Uh ... No ... uh ... I ... no." Mako stutters, glancing at Kanna for help who playfully shakes her head at him.

"Knock it off, Dad." Tonraq laughs and shakes Mako's hand.

"Tonrag! Senna!" Kanna greets loudly, throwing her arms around the two adults. The two chuckle at her and hug her back.

"It's good to see you, Kanna. It's been too long." Senna closes her eyes and smiles at the girl.

"It's good to be back. I've missed the tribe." Kanna tells them, a longing tone in her voice. Mako furrows his eyebrows and briefly wonders if she'll consider moving back here. Bolin walks over towards the group.

"Wow! Look at all these people that came out to greet us." He comments, standing proudly.

"Uh, no. They came to greet them." Korra points to a large and ornate Water Tribe ship that approaches across the water.

"The Northern Water Tribe." Kanna scrunches her nose up in disgust. The royal Northern Water Tribe ship docks on the other side of the pier. The crowd claps and cheers.

"The great chief of the Northern Water Tribe comes to grace us with his," Senna looks at Tonrag, "presence. Hooray." He sarcastically states. Senna places an assuring hand on his arm.

"Just relax," he looks down at his wife, "he'll be gone," Senna turns her head back to the ship, "soon enough." Tonrag sighs while growling. Mako and Bolin turn to him.

"Soon isn't soon enough." Kanna quietly grumbles. Bolin leans in close to her face.

"Why do you hate the Northern Water Tribe?" He whispers.

"Because of its people." She whispers back. He makes an 'oh' face and leans out of her personal space. A small arctic hen is perched atop the flag pole attached to the ship, the flag waving gently in the breeze. As the bird makes a call and flies off, the people see Unalaq and his children, Desna and Eska, as they depart the ship walking down the plank to the pier, accompanied by guards. Kanna narrows her eyes at Desna.

"Whoa!" Bolin puts on a flirtatious smile. "Who are the lovely ladies?" Kanna's narrowed eyes lighten up as she grins at Bolin. Korra glances at Bolin with an amused smile.

"That's Eska," Mako turns his eyes toward Bolin, amused as well," and Desna, the chief's children. Desna is a guy." Korra informs Bolin.

"Oh, no, sure," Bolin's eyes widen and he nervously chuckles. Mako turns his eyes back. "I knew that," he looks to the side, "Uhhh," he drops his smile and looks at the twins, "and which one is Desna?"

Bolin's face becomes impassive.

"The one without the purple eye look." Kanna tells him. Bolin whispers thanks to her as Unalaq and his group approaches Korra's group. Tenzin and his family stand in the background.

"Good to see you again, Avatar Korra and Protector Kanna." Unalaq bows to the duo.

"Good to see you too." The two bow back.

"Tonraq." Unalaq greets coldly. Kanna can feel her bristle at his tone.

"Brother." Tonraq greets back, equally as cold. Mako and Bolin worriedly look at each other, surprised with the tone the two brothers use to address each other. Mako and Bolin turn their eyes back to the two. The group begins to walk through the festival where people are already gathering to celebrate.

"It's a shame the Southerners have abandoned all connections to the spirits," Unalaq says while walking with Tonraq, Korra, Kanna and Tenzin through the carnival, "Even during the most hallowed times."

"I've always loved the Glacier Spirits Festival. It's fun." Korra states. Kanna shakes her head, knowing that statement would not please Unalaq.

"This festival," Korra turns her head to him, "used to be a solemn time of fasting," Unalaq turns to the right, "and meditation. Now it's just," he looks straight again, "a chance to watch some rube try to stick an entire arctic hen in his mouth." The group stops and looks to the left. They watch Bolin who has stuffed a whole arctic hen inside his mouth and is attempting to swallow it. Upon hearing them, he widens his eyes, turns to face the group and shrugs.

"What? Oh, it's so good." Bolin closes his eyes and clenches his fists in delight. Korra closes her eyes and slightly shakes her head in amusement.

"Traditions change. It's not the end of the world." Tonraq states.

"Tell that to the sailors who are being attacked by angry spirits in southern waters. Some traditions have purpose." Unalaq retorts with a frown.

"What? Spirits are attacking people?" Kanna asks, glancing at Tonraq.

"Wait, spirits are attacking ships?" Korra asks at the same time as Kanna. The two girls exchange a confused look.

"I'm surprised the Avatar and her Protector don't know about that. Apparently you haven't been given all of the information you need. It would be my honor to instruct you both in the spiritual ways of the Water Tribe." Unalaq offers to the girls.

"I wouldn't mind learning about fighting spirits," Korra glances at Tenzin. "Airbending is getting pretty boring." Kanna elbows her and shakes her head no.

"Tenzin is Korra's instructor. He can give her all the training she needs." Tonraq steps towards Unalaq.

"So you've said." Unalaq says in an unconvinced tone before turning and leaving.

"What's wrong?" Korra asks Kanna who is watching Unalaq with a frown.

"Something isn't right with him." She mumbles, "I'm just getting a bad feeling about him being here."

"Are you sure it's that or is it because he tried to arrange a marriage between you and Desna?" Korra inquiries, not really believing Kanna's bad feeling from him. Kanna rolls her eyes at Korra.

"Unlike some people, I'm able to separate my emotions to form logical opinions." Kanna comments, smiling with no humor at Korra. "Those some people should really learn how to do that." Kanna turns on her heels and leaves the group.

"What's going on between you two?" Tonraq questions in shock at the hostility between the two. Korra shrugs in response. Kanna clicks her tongue and Lee appears, quickly darting up her arm and laying on her head.

"I wish Iroh was here." She sighs, glancing at the sky.

••••

Asami and Bolin are standing in front of a white ship, with Pabu perching on Bolin shoulder.

"I'm glad you came with me to this meeting. Varrick is one of the richest men in the world, and he controls the entire global shipping business. So, you're my assistant. Just stand there and don't say anything." Asami tells Bolin.

"No problem, Pabu and I are natural assistants." Bolin says. They board the boat and moon around impressed. "Man, this is nice! I got to get into this whole business thing."

Varrick is sitting on a cushion, his eyes closed and his fingers pressed against his head in concentration with a look of extreme focus on his face while Zhu Li sits beside him, writing on a notepad. He is surrounded by a number of other people who are all looking at him intently. Asami and Bolin are among those watching. Varrick stops suddenly, a massive smile on his face.

"Did ya see that?" He spreads his arms, "Levitation!" He laughs. "I was a foot off the ground!" His audience begins clapping and murmuring among themselves. "Is that incredible or what?"

"How does he do that?"

"That's unbelievable."

"That's amazing." Varrick stands, his cloak falling from his shoulders as he does so, and bows. Asami claps with a polite smile as Bolin scratches the back of his head.

"You looked like," Bolin opens and spreads his arms, "you were just sitting on a pillow." A shocked Asami gasps and puts her head in her hands in embarrassment. She looks out to see the stunned audience gasping and looking at Bolin. One of the guests turn and glare at him. Varrick who looks up at Bolin as well in shock. The inventor stands up and walks over, stopping in front of Bolin, while putting his hands on his hips and intimidatingly gazing at him.

"Are you saying I wasn't levitating?" He asks.

"Uh ... no?" Bolin nervously asks. Varrick turns back to his audience.

"Well, why didn't anyone tell me? Now I look like an idiot!" He points at a man in a red hat, who is also on a pillow. "Swami, you're fired!" The man looks up to Varrick and glares at Bolin before bowing his head and retreating up the steps behind Varrick. "I like you, kid, you're a real straight shooter, just like me. Miss Sato, he's with you?" Asami nods. "Brought your tiger shark with ya to do business, huh? Now that's moxie!" He laughs. "Get over here and pop a squat. Zhu Li, get some tea for my guests!" He pushes Bolin down into a pillow.

"Thank you for meeting with me. As you know, Future Industries is looking for a partner to handle our shipping." Asami states.

"Sure! But first you gotta check out my new venture! Moving pictures! Zhu Li, do the thing!" Varrick tells her. The servant, who is in the process of serving tea to Bolin, hands the tray to the earthbender and starts a projector. "You're gonna love this!" A moving image of an ostrich horse appears on a screen behind Asami and Varrick. "Mind-blowing, right?"

"Yeah." Bolin states, impressed.

"Now forget that! That's the past! Shut it off, Zhu Li!" Zhu Li turns off the projector. "Imagine watching this!" He gestures toward to his left. "Ginger, come over here and do your poses." Bolin gasps in amazement. A red haired woman, Ginger, in a white fur coat, who walks toward them. She drops her shawl and strikes a number of poses, as lights and a stylized background flash behind her. Bolin watches wide eyed and drooling, until Varrick gets in the way of his view. Bolin tries to look around him at Ginger. "Spectacular! And, we tell a story; there's romance, action, some funny animal stuff for the kids. You know, whatever! Thanks, Ginger, go rest your gams." Varrick leaps forward and sits between Bolin and Asami; to Bolin. "How about that tiger shark? We're gonna do big business with these movers as I call them."

"Okay ... but I'm just concentrating on getting Future Industries back on track. If we could hammer out a deal ..." Asami gets cut off.

"Stop! Look me in the eye." Varrick presses his head to Asami, who is initially unsure of what to do, but quickly adopts a determined look on her face. After several seconds of staring, Varrick suddenly breaks away and points his finger at the ceiling, as Asami falls back from her cushion. "We got a deal!" Asami is helped to her feet; Varrick shakes Asami's hands. "We'll hammer out the details at the royal feast tonight." He turns to his audience. "Now, who wants a rocket boat ride?"

His guests exclaim their approval before leaving the room.

"Is that how business usually goes?" Bolin curiously asks.

"You are a natural assistant!" Asami happily hugs and ruffles his hair.

••••

In an enormous hall made out of ice in which a large feast is going on, Korra, her parents, Unalaq, and his children are sat at the head table. Kanna is eating with her family, laughing whole heartedly at Bumi and Kya's bickering.

"This is a wonderful feast in your honor, Uncle." Korra says.

"This is nothing. When this festival was founded, the tribal elders would commune with the spirits. People would watch the brilliant displays of light as spirits danced in the sky." Unalaq tells her.

"Wow, I've never seen that." Korra softly says, imagining it.

"And that is a shame, since the Avatar is the bridge between the material world and the spirits. That is why I want so badly to teach you. To help you fulfill your destiny." Unalaq glances over at where Kanna is. "And I'll happily help Kanna learn her true spiritual potential as well."

"I thought I had made it clear that Tenzin is teaching her and Kanna does not need your help." Tonraq informs his brother.

"Every Avatar before you traveled the world to learn. It was Tenzin and your father who kept you secluded at the South Pole." Unalaq comments.

"I thought Aang ordered the White Lotus to keep me down here?" Korra looks at her father.

"We all did what we thought was best for you." Tonraq tells her.

"Who I train with should be my decision, Dad, not yours or Tenzin's." Korra crosses her arms in anger. At another table, Tenzin, Bumi, Kya, Kanna and Katara overhead the conversation at the head table.

"Looks like someone's trying to take your place as the Avatar's stick-in-the-mud mentor." Bumi tells Tenzin, elbowing him in the side.

"Bumi, don't pick on Tenzin. You know he's always been sensitive." Kya comments.

"You might make him cry." Kanna smiles mischievously.

"I'm not sensitive!" Tenzin defensively crosses his arms. Bumi and Kya laugh as Kya pokes him, while Katara watches on holding Rohan, a serious look on her face. Kanna notices the look and her laughter stops as she wonders what is going on in Katara's head.

At the head table, Unalaq stand up in order to give a speech. "As your chief, it is my honor to speak at this festival, which was founded to bring our tribes together and restore the ancient balance between our world and that of the spirits. But I am saddened to see what it has become: a cheap carnival that celebrates greedy and trivial humans. I feel the time is fast approaching when the North can no longer stand idly by while our Southern brothers slip into total spiritual decay. Angry spirits are already attacking ships in your waters. I only hope we are not too late to change course."

He sits down, and Varrick stands up to give a speech of his own. Kanna blows a hair out of her face, resting her head on her hand in boredom.

"Chief Unalaq everybody, always great to have him in town. Now, let's have some fun with Wacky Wushu's Dancing Otter penguins!" Varrick says. A man dressed in purple dances onto the stage, and bends a stream of water onto the platform. Three otter penguins slide along the water, before sliding back, stopping in front of Wushu. All four of them take a bow.

••••

Mako feeds Korra some cotton candy, which she greatly enjoys before feeding some to Mako, much to Bolin's annoyance, who is eating some balled food off a stick. Kanna fakes gag at the two being romantic while chewing on her own cotton candy. Bolin turns his head away and his eyes widen. He sees Eska and Desna, who are standing beside each other alone, surveying the people walking past. Bolin clears throat, smirks, and nudges Mako with his elbow.

"Wish me luck." He hands Mako his food. "I'm making my move!" He takes a stance as if he is going to dash away, before going out of the scene with his arms spread out. "Whee!"

"Good luck." Mako says.

"Those two have always creeped me out. They smell like a grandma's attic." Korra states and Kanna snorts.

"They don't know how to interact with people at all and with Bolin's personality, it's not going to end well." Kanna comments.

"Hey, I'm Bolin. I'm a friend of Korra's! You're, uh, Eska right? Wow, I'm just, I am loving these robes." Eska and Desna turn to look at him. Eska hisses at Bolin, who is somewhat taken aback. Bolin clears his throat. "So, you are from the north right? Cool, that's, like you know, that's my favorite direction."

"I think," Eska's eyes turn to Desna, "he is trying to," she leans over to her brother, "establish some kind of bond with you based on your geographic point of origin." Eska turns to Desna.

"Perhaps it would be interesting to spend time with a person whose ways are so rough and uncultured." She glances in Bolin's direction; to Bolin. "You amuse me." She smiles. "I will make you mine." Kanna chokes on her cotton candy, having heard the conversation while walking over to save Bolin.

"You mean like a boyfriend, or like a slave ...?" Bolin nervously smiles.

"Yes." Eska grabs Bolin's collar. "Win me prizes." Bolin laughs nervously as Eska grabs him by his collar and guides him away, while Desna walks beside her.

"Hello Kanna, would you like to join us?" Desna asks, his monotone voice making Kanna flinch.

"No thanks, have fun Bolin!" She waves at Bolin, quickly leaving to avoid Desna.

At a carnival game where jets of water are hitting chibi Aang targets, the water goes into his mouth, Kanna, Mako and Korra are playing it. A bell ring, his eyes and arrow light up, and the Momo figure above his head starts to rise. Mako, looking at his target, is hitting his mark, while Korra, who is looking sideways to Mako, misses. Kanna is not really paying attention to the duo, more focused on winning at the game.

"Unalaq offered to train me. He says he can teach me about the spirits and my connection to them." Korra tells Mako.

"Sounds good. What does Tenzin think?" Mako asks.

"Doesn't like it." Kanna replies.

"Tenzin thinks I'm his prisoner or one of his kids. I'll never finish training with him in charge." Korra becomes irritated at the entire situation and angrily waterbends a big water stream out of her squirt gun, hitting the chibi Aang's figure's head full on and causing the the Momo cut out quickly reach the top of the meter, winning the carnival game.

"We have a winner!" Korra gets a plush Appa toy as a prize. The three begin to walk away.

"I mean, you heard what Unalaq said. The South is spiritually unbalanced and it's the Avatar's job to fix it, but my dad won't even let me think about Unalaq teaching me. Well?" They stop in the middle of the street.

"Well what?" Mako asks.

"What do you think I should do?" Korra questions.

"I guess you should do what you think is right. I support whatever decision you make." Mako states.

"Oh thanks. That's a big help." Korra sarcastically says.

"I thought you wanted me to be supportive? Now you want me to tell you what I think? Make up your mind!" Mako shouts. She throws the stuffed Appa she won from the game at Mako and storms off.

"Just forget it." Korra angrily says. The two watch her walk away from them.

"What did I do?" Mako groans.

"Nothing," Kanna supportingly pats his back, "you just are a guy and guys naturally can never tell what a girl needs." She grins as he sends her a dark glare.

"You're not helpful." He states.

"Neither are you." She bops his nose and walks away.

••••

Korra is sleeping against Naga, who awakens and runs outside. "Uh, Naga what are you doing?" Naga starts howling, prompting Korra to run outside to quieten her down. "Naga, hush!" She runs toward Naga. "Quiet, Naga, you'll wake everyone up!" Naga licks Korra's face and continues to howl, as Kanna, Bolin and Mako appear.

"Uh, What's going on?" Bolin asks.

"Naga senses something," Kanna yawns when Lee comes darting out of nowhere, "and so does Lee." Lee twirls around, chirping loudly.

In the distance, Korra sees a dark entity speeding toward them.

"What, is, that?" Korra says. The spirit quickly makes its way toward the Avatar and attacks her, prompting Kanna, Mako and Bolin to run toward them. The spirit pins Korra against a wall, and begins to lean in closely toward her, but it is distracted by Kanna's, Mako's and Bolin's attacks.

"Got it!" Bolin shouts, earth bending at the spirit only for it to jump out of the way. "Don't got it!" Kanna creates water whips and tries to restrain the spirit as it comes barging towards them. Kanna dodges as the spirit slams into the two brothers, knocking them down the hill. Tonraq and Tenzin rush to their aid, helping them up. Korra begins to attack at the entity with firebending, but the spirit is too fast and her attacks fail to hit. The spirit tries for a direct attack, but Korra manages to jump out of the way in time. Kanna keeps throwing water jets at it, trying to keep it from going after Korra.

"Korra!" Tonraq using his bending to encase the spirit in ice. The spirit appears to have been contained, but several tendrils break through the top of the ice, grabbing Kanna, Tonraq and Korra, and throwing them into one of the huts and the ground. The tendrils recede, and the ice explodes as the spirit breaks out completely.

"Spirit, why are you angry with us? What have we done to offend you?" Tenzin rushes onto the scene and tries to converse with the spirit have no success, and he is batted away by the entity. After Korra recovers, she enters the Avatar State, catching the attention of the spirit. The spirit makes its way toward Korra once more, who lifts herself into the air to dodge its attack, causing the entity to land in the festival market behind her. She shoots a number of fire blasts at the spirit from atop her air spout, but her attacks seem to have no effect, and the spirit grabs her with one of its tendrils, slamming her into a nearby stack of boxes.

"Korra!" Kanna shouts, quickly riding ice down towards her. She stands protectively in front of Korra and begins to create a water vortex around her so she can battle the spirit head on; however, it is not needed. A stream of water controlled by Unalaq starts to encircle it, and the spirit ceases its attack. As Unalaq continues to bend the water so that it encircles the entity entirely, the water starts to glow, and the spirit changes color. As the water falls to the ground, the spirit begins to walk away, before disappearing.

"Go in peace." Unalaq states. Kanna and Korra stand next to him, watching the spirit in awe. Tenzin and Tonraq run over.

"Korra!" Tonraq yells.

"Are you all right?" Tenzin asks.

"How are you able to control that spirit when no one else could?" Korra questions.

"As your father could tell you, I have spent my life studying the spirits and learning their ways. All of this knowledge is lost in the South, but I could teach you everything I know." Unalaq turns to face Kanna who is staring at the spot the spirit once was in awe still. "And I can teach you as well." She glances at him, a thinking look on her face.

"Chief Unalaq, clearly you are very knowledgeable, but Korra still has much to learn about airbending. And I hope that going to the air temples will help her connect with the past Avatars." Tenzin tells hun.

"Ugh." Korra groans.

"The air temples will teach her nothing. Only I can give her the training she needs to be a complete Avatar." Unalaq bluntly states.

"I've told you that will not happen!" Tonraq protests.

"Hey! I'm right here! Anyone want to ask me what I think?" Korra asks.

"Korra, please listen." Tenzin says.

"No, you listen," Kanna steps forward with a frown, "Korra needs to make this decision on her own. You guys have kept her locked up her entire life, only being trained by the people you believe are the right trainers for her. She needs to learn the spiritual side and Unalaq can help her with that."

"Both of you were powerless against the spirit attack. I think it's time I had a new teacher." Korra tells everyone. Kanna smiles, happy that Korra was standing up for herself.

"Now Korra-" Tonraq gets cut off.

"Unalaq has proven he's the only one who knows what I need to learn. I have to go with him." Korra states. "And I want Kanna to come with me too, she needs to learn this just as much as I do. She has a connection with the spiritual realm just like I do. We both need this." Korra and Kanna link hands in silent support for each other.

"Please, I know you're angry, but we've come so far together." Tenzin sadly states.

"I'm sorry, Tenzin. This is as far as we go." Korra smiles sadly at him.

Kanna can see the hurt and pain written in Tenzin's eyes.

"It has been a pleasure serving you, Avatar Korra and Protector Kanna." Tenzin walks away. Kanna takes a step to go follow her cousin before pausing.

••••

Tenzin is loading Oogi, his wife and children already seated on the flying bison. "I think you forgot a couple of things." Katara says and stands back with Kya and Bumi.

"Mother, I think I need some time alone with my family right now." Tenzin grabs a sack and turns away from his mother.

"This is your family, Tenzin. When you get to be my age, you'll be thankful for the time you had with your siblings. Besides, I think it's important that you all visit your father's home together." She tells him. Bumi punches Tenzin's arm, before wrapping his arm around Tenzin's shoulders.

"Come on! It'll be fun." Bumi states.

"I'm dying to see that laid back, Vacation Tenzin I've heard so much about." Kya jokes.

"All right, hop on! I love you, Mom." Tenzin hugs Katara. "We'll see you soon!" Bumi has trouble getting on Oogi, so Tenzin creates an air current under his brother to bring him up to the top of the bison.

"I wish Kanna was coming with us." Ikki sighs, looking at where Kanna is sitting.

"I do too, but she is needed here." Tenzin softly states.

Kanna watches the group fly away, a slight frown on her face. She wishes she could go with them to learn about her Uncle Aang, but Korra needs her and she needs this spiritual training. She glances down at Lee and softly strokes his head. She still cannot shake this bad feeling about Unalaq off.

To the side, Mako and Korra are also watch Tenzin's family leave.

"Do you think I did the right thing?" She asks.

"I don't know. I'm sorry, but I'm not very good at this Avatar counseling thing. But I know your heart is in the right place. You'll just have to trust it." Mako tells her. The two hold hands while Unalaq approaches the two from behind. Kanna carries Lee in her arms while walking over to them.

"I know this was a hard decision, Korra and Kanna, but it was the right one. Now it is time to put it behind you and begin your new training. I have great plans for you both." He smiles at them. Kanna narrows her eyes at him, wondering exactly what he has planned for them.