A Leaf In The Wind - Part 2

"You did it!" Elira grinned as the team came back into the locker room. She laughed as Bolin picked her up and spun her around.

"One more win, and we're in the championship tournament!" He exclaimed

"So, what'd ya think, Korra? Bolin's got some moves, huh?" He turned to Korra when he put El down, taking off his helmet; casually.

"What did I think? What did I think?" Korra grabbed him by his shirt's collar enthusiastically. "That was amazing!"

She playfully pushed Bolin backwards, causing him to stumble as Elira laughed and Mako and Hasook walked up toward the locker room.

"You did more harm than good out there. You almost cost us the match!" Mako scowled at the waterbender

"We won, didn't we?" Hasook snapped, taking off his helmet

"Barely!"

" Get off my case, pal!" Hasook threw his helmet aside and slammed the door open as he left.

" Useless." Mako scoffed, irritated

"You guys were incredible out there!" Elira grinned, jumping onto Bolin's back, hugging him from behind.

" Especially you, Mr Hat Trick!" Korra added, pointing at Mako, grinning

" Oh, you're still here?" He replied coldly

"Oh, you're still a jerk?" Korra glared at him

" Ooh!" Bolin chuckled

"Anyway, I've been immersed in bending my entire life, but I never learned how to move like that! It's like there's a whole new style here!" Korra then grinned in excitement" Think you could show me a few tricks?"

"Ab-so-lutely!" Bolin nodded

"I'm sure we can sacrifice one night of noodles", Elira grinned, still on Bolin's back.

"Right now? Come on, guys," Mako sighed, untying his protective gear, annoyed.

"Just ignore him, Korra. He's being an idiot," Elira whispered, sending a glare over at the firebender.

"Yeah, I could show you the basics", Bolin continued" I'm just not sure how my earthbending would translate to your waterbending, but we'll figure it out."

"Won't be a problem. I'm actually an earthbender," Korra smirked, crossing her arms slyly.

Elira rolled her eyes and jumped down from Bolin's back, knowing where things were headed and didn't feel like getting dropped when he started freaking out.

"I'm sorry, no, no! I didn't mean to assume. 'Cause I, you know, I was just figuring ... with your Water Tribe getup ... that you are ... a Water Tribe ... gal." Bolin backtracked, awkwardly

" Nope, you're right. I'm a waterbender. And a firebender." Korra stated smugly, and Elira giggled at Bolin's confused face.

"Mm. Mm-hmm. I'm very confused right now."

"You're the Avatar, and I'm an idiot" Mako bowed his head while closing his eyes.

"Both are true", Korra smirked, sharing an amused look with Elira, who let out a laugh.

" No ... way" Bolin's eyes were wide in shock as Mako turned around to face them.

"Yes way, dirt brain", Elira chuckled.

"The Avatar!" Bolin whispered to Mako, shielding his face from Korra with his hand while pointing at her, looking shocked and excited.

*

"All right! Let's see whatcha got!" Bolin grinned, now in casual clothes, as they all stood in the arena gym.

There were two piles of earth coins between him and Korra as they faced a net hanging on the other side of the gym. Mako and Elira were watching in the background. Mako leaned up against a flight of stairs while El sat on the last step with Pichi curled up in her lap.

Korra decisively turned and raised her arm, an earth coin following the movement. She knocked the coin away with her other hand and quickly repeated the movement, knocking two of the earth coins at a net which slammed into the back of it. 

"That was great! Good power! But in a real match, you'd be a sitting turtle duck," Bolin said, and Korra looked disappointed.

"Not so upright and flatfooted!" Bolin explained, taking on a fighting stance, punching to air, " Stay light on your toes, right up until the moment when you need to dig in and strike. Then ..."

He quickly raised two coins and--

" Pop, pop!" Almost immediately, he sent them flying toward the net, where they nearly hit the exact same spot.

Korra stared at the net with open mouth while Bolin turned to her with a broad smile and gestured at the net, inviting her to give it another shot.

"Okay, let me try it again." Korra looked decisive as she jumped from side to side before throwing two coins at the net, mimicking Bolin's fast strikes.

"Wow! Nice adjustment! You're a natural at this." Bolin grinned

"Good job, Korra" Elira smiled from the steps

"Not bad." Mako shrugged

"What's it take to impress this guy?"Korra huffed, irritably gesturing towards the firebender.

"What? I said, "Not bad". Mako shook his head, annoyed. "You know what, it's getting late. I think I'm gonna turn in. You, kids, have fun, but El..."

He turned to the airbender with a serious look. "Make sure you get to bed soon, I see those dark circles under your eyes."

"Whatever, Dad", Elira replied sarcastically.

Mako rolled his eyes before sauntering off with his hands in his pockets. He stopped and glanced back once more. "Nice to meet you, Avatar Korra."

"Yeah, been a real pleasure." Korra held her hand up sarcastically

"See ya upstairs, bro."

"Upstairs? You guys live here?" Korra questioned

"Yup. In the attic. It's nothin' fancy, but we have some great views!" Bolin explained, " So, back to bending. Why don't you throw that combo one more time?"

Korra immediately hopped up and down a bit before successfully throwing two coins away, hitting the back of the net. Korra smiled broadly at her success.

Elira continued to watch the two practise for what felt like hours, and her eyes were feeling incredibly heavy. They began to droop before; finally, the airbender fell asleep with her head against the railing.

*

The next morning, Elira awoke to the delicious smell of food cooking. Opening her eyes with a yawn, she looked confused for a moment as she found herself lying on the couch in Mako and Bolin's apartment with a blanket laid over her and Pichi on her lap.

"Morning, El. Sleep okay?" The airbender looked up sleepily to see Mako standing by the stove cooking breakfast.

"What...what happened?" Elira muttered, still half asleep.

"You fell asleep in the gym last night, Korra went back to the island, and Bo carried you up here", Mako explained, stirring whatever was in the cooking pot.

Elira's eyes widened, and she bolted upright with a gasp, startling Pichi, who screeched!

"Oh god! My dad's gonna kill me!" She scrambled out of the blankets, racing to pick up her glider and flatten her wild, messy hair.

"Right, I'll see you and Bo tonight. If not, I'm definitely dead. See ya!" She quickly hugged the firebender before dashing down the stairs with Pichi following behind her.

*

Reaching the island, Elira sprinted as fast as she could to the training ground, where she knew her father would be with her siblings and Korra. Reaching them, she spotted Korra attempting to get through the spinning gates again but was failing miserably.

"Patience, Korra!" Tenzin called out to the Avatar

"Sorry, I'm late!" Elira cried, rushing over, "Dad, I am so so sorry. I-I didn't realise the time, and I--"

"It's alright, Elira. Jinora and Korra explained that you got up earlier than usual to get your chores out of the way," Tenzin interrupted her calmly.

Elira looked at him stunned and glanced at her little sister, confused. Jinora nodded at her slightly, making the older girl sigh in relief.

"Uh, yeah, that's what I was doing" She smiled. "Wanted to get get them done early so I have the rest of the day to myself...mostly. Guess I lost track of time...and skipped breakfast."

"Be sure to go get something to eat later. You had your mother worried," Tenzin reminded

"Yeah, I will, I --!"

Elira was suddenly cut off as Korra was thrown against more gates. But as she was knocked to her knees, she lost her temper and burst into a violent firebending tantrum, burning and breaking most of the gates. The family watched in shock, all gaping wide-eyed at Korra's outburst, as the gates were knocked out of their sockets, broken in two or burned down.

"That was a two-thousand-year-old historical treasure...What ... What is wrong with you?!"Tenzin yelled angrily, his cape fluttering behind him.

"There's nothing wrong with me! I've been practising just like you taught me, but it isn't sinking in, okay? It hasn't clicked like you said it would!" Korra yelled back

Tenzin closed his eyes as he tried to remain calm. "Korra, this isn't something you can force. If you would only listen to me--"

"I have been! But you know what I think? Maybe the problem isn't me! Maybe the reason I haven't learned airbending yet is because you're a terrible teacher!" Korra shouted, pointing at the airbender.

"Korra!" Elira yelled, glaring at the Avatar as she stormed off

Tenzin grunted in annoyance, watching her go.

"Yeah! You're a terrible teacher, Daddy!" Meelo grinned, pointing at his father before running forward, growling and screaming, while kicking and throwing some of the burnt-up wreckage, imitating Korra's tantrum.

Dejected, Tenzin bowed his head, and his youngest daughter's hugged him to comfort him.

*

Later that day, Elira went actually to complete her chores so her father didn't get suspicious before deciding to do some training. She stood in the courtyard practising her forms while Pichi sat by the radio playing music.

"El!" The airbender looked over at the sound of her name, seeing Jinora with a bowl of food in her hand.

"Hey, you okay?" Elira asked, doing a few more movements as Jinora walked up to her

"Mom made you some food since you missed breakfast", Jinora replied, holding out the bowl of food to her big sister.

"Oh right, oops. Forgot about that, thanks" Elira smiled, taking the bowl and walking over to sit by Pichi and the radio.

"So this morning....where were you really?" Jinora asked, sitting beside her

"Why did you help Korra cover for me?" Elira countered, tucking into her food.

"Because you're already in enough trouble with Dad as it is. If he found out you snuck off again, he'd be furious. And I knew you wouldn't get up early, chores or not. You love your sleep too much," Jinora explained.

"That's true", Elira grinned. She did like her sleep.

"El?" Jinora looked annoyed that her sister was dodging her question.

"Okay, promise not to tell?" Elira chuckled

Jinora nodded, looking at her expectantly

"Pinkie swear?" Elira smirked, holding up her hand with her pinkie raised

Jinora giggled slightly and linked their fingers. "Pinkie swear. Now, where were you, El?"

"Relax, I wasn't far. I accidentally fell asleep at the arena last night," Elira explained before taking the last bite of her breakfast.

"Of course you did", Jinora sighed. "I'm guessing you're going back again tonight, aren't you?"

"One more match, and the guys are in the championship. I can't miss it," Her sister replied

"You say that about every match", Jinora argued. "Dad's gonna be furious when he finds out"

"What he doesn't know won't hurt him", Elira shrugged, placing her now empty bowl beside her. "And you cannot tell him. Remember you pinkie swore."

"El!--"

"Pinkie. Swore!"

Jinora sighed again. "Fine...Just be back before breakfast tomorrow. If I use the same excuse again, Dad's gonna get suspicious."

"I promise." Elira smiled and hugged her sister before getting up. "Now, come practice with me."

Jinora smiled and got up to train with her big sister.

*

Later that day, as the sun was beginning to set,  Tenzin and his children, minus Elira and Korra, were gathered in the dining room for dinner. Meelo and Ikki looked rather bored, while Jinora had her nose deep in a book, and Tenzin had his arms crossed while sporting an annoyed expression. Pema entered the room carrying a tray of small dishes, placing them on the table.

"Okay! Everyone here?" She straightened up and looked around. "Wait...Where's Elira and Korra?"

Tenzin turned to her, frustrated. "Honestly, Pema, I am at my wit's end with those girls! I ... I don't know how to get through to them!"

Tenzin's expression changed to a dejected one as he closed his eyes and slanted his head. Pema kneeled beside her husband and placed a hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes at her touch and glanced at her.

"Dear, Elira's probably just still upset about being stuck on the island, and the best thing you can do right now is to give both her and Korra some space" Pema smiled sympathetically.

Tenzin then turned to his youngest daughters. "You must promise me that your teenage years won't be like this!"

Jinora lowered her book slightly and glanced over it at her father. "I will make no such promises."

"Me too!" Ikki added, smiling, "I wanna be just like El when I grow up."

"No, you don't" Tenzin quickly shot down the idea.

*

At the arena, Korra and Elira entered the locker room, finding Bolin sitting on the bench while Mako was leaning against the wall. The airbender immediately knew something was wrong, seeing the defeated expressions on her friends' faces.

Korra also seemed to notice how down the brothers looked. "We didn't miss your match, did we? You guys look like you lost already."

"We might as well have," Bolin muttered, glancing at Elira as she sat beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"What happened?" She asked gently, glancing at Mako

"Hasook's a no-good no-show!" The firebender snapped angrily.

"What! You're kidding?" Elira frowned

"Wish we were", Bolin sighed

The referee then popped his head in. "You got two minutes to come out ready to play, or you're disqualified."

"Well, there goes our shot at the tournament ... and the winnings." Mako huffed bitterly as the referee left.

"You wouldn't happen to secretly be a waterbender, would you?" Bolin turned to El

"Just air, Sorry, guys" She shook her head.

"Can't you ask one of those guys to fill in?" Korra pointed to another team also in the locker room.

"Nah. The rules say you can only compete on one team." Elira explained

"Well, then ... how about me? I'm a top-notch waterbender if I do say so myself" Korra crossed her arms

"But, you're the Avatar", Bolin replied

" Isn't that cheating?" Elira turned to Mako

"It isn't cheating if I only do waterbending," Korra smirked

"No way. I'd rather forfeit than look like a fool out there." Mako argued

" Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence." Korra glowered at the firebender

The referee then entered the locker room again. "Time's up. You in or out?"

" We're in!" Korra quickly replied, looking excited

"We are?"

"Yes!/ Alright!"

"Hey, I didn't agree to this!" Mako objected as Korra ran to grab some gear.

"You can thank me later", Korra grinned, opening a locker

"This girl is crazy", Mako muttered, making Elira giggle

*

Soon the brother, along with their new teammates, were out in the ring, ready to play. Elira watched from the locker room with Pichi on the railing next to her. She had an excited but slightly anxious grin. She had no idea how this was going to play out.

"Looks like the Fire Ferrets have ferreted out last-minute replacement waterbender. Let's see if she's another diamond in the rough like the brothers from the school of hard knocks!" Shiro commentated

"Don't do anything too fancy or aggressive", Mako advised as they took their stances. "In fact, don't do anything. Just try not to get knocked off the ring."

"You got it, captain," Korra replied before her helmet slipped awkwardly, but she soon adjusted it.

"Players! Are you ready?" The referee called before blowing his whistle.

Korra smiled confidently and immediately conjured a powerful water blast with her foot which she used to knock the opposing waterbending player over the side of the ring, screaming before landing in the pool.

In the locker room, Elira grimaced as the remaining firebender and earthbender players stared wide-eyed at the spot their teammate was just knocked over the ropes. Mako gritted his teeth and facepalmed as Korra ran around, excitedly waving her hands in the air to celebrate her move.

"Woohoo! Man overboard!"

The referee blew his whistle. "Fire Ferret waterbender, penalty! Move back one zone!"

"What? Why?" Korra looked at the man, confused

"You're only allowed to knock players off the back of the ring! Not over the sides!" Mako explained, gesturing at the sides of the ring, frustrated.

"Oh. Whoops." Korra muttered

She moved back one zone, and the waterbender that was knocked over the side re-joined his teammates.

"And we're back in action after that hiccup, but I'm not so sure this replacement player knows what she's doing."

The bell signalling the game rang again, and the teams immediately started to attack each other.

Korra pulled up some water and fired it away. However, she was immediately hit in the stomach by an earth coin and knocked back.

She came to a halt and immediately jumped up to retaliate with a water blast shot via her feet but accidentally went over the line.

The referee blew his whistle again. "Foul! Over the line! Move back to zone three!"

" Urgh! I'll show you over the line!" Korra muttered irritably as she moved back a zone.

The bell then rang, signalling the end of round one.

" The Platypus Bears take round one!"

Mako closed his eyes and lowered his head in annoyance while Bolin twiddled his fingers in embarrassment. In the locker room, Elira's grin had fallen, leaving her looking anxious.

The bell rang to begin the second round, and the Platypus Bears immediately started attacking, mainly aiming for Korra.

She used her waterbending to deflect the water blast of the Platypus Bears before conjuring up a shield to block a fire and earth attack, being slightly knocked back by the force of it.

She quickly blocked another water blast with one of her own but was kept on the defensive all the time.

" The Platypus Bears know a green player when they see one, and they are focusing the brunt of their bending on this poor girl!"

"Come on, Ferrets!" Elira cheered as Pichi screeched, jumping up and down on the railing.

Korra took on a defensive stance as the opposing fire and earthbender readied their attacks.

Korra clenched her teeth and grunted with effort as she angrily raised two coins beneath her to protect herself against a triple water, fire, and earth combo causing an explosion of smoke.

"Wait a minute! Did that waterbender just earthbend?"

The crowd gasped in shock as Elira facepalmed.

"Dammit, Korra", She groaned as the referee blew the whistle

" Foul! I ... think."

Korra laughed awkwardly, turning to teammates. She stopped for a moment when her helmet slipped over her eyes again before resuming smiling broadly. Mako lowered his head and closed his eyes while sighing and shaking his head.

*

Back on Air Temple Island, some of the White Lotus guards were listening to the game on the radio and looked bewildered at what they were hearing.

"Did I see that right? Hold on, folks; we're just waiting for the referee's official call, but ... I-I think this replacement player could be ... no, there's no way!"

Tenzin approached the table from behind. "Pardon me, everyone, have you seen Korra and Elira this evening? They're not in their rooms."

"You've gotta be kidding me! She's the Avatar, folks! Playing in a pro-bending match! Can you believe that?!"

A female guard immediately spat out her drink over the guard opposite her after hearing that. Behind them, Tenzin's eyebrows twitched in anger, and he slightly turned red. He knew if Korra was at the arena, then his daughter would be too.

"I'll get them myself!" He snapped angrily, turning with a gust of wind swirling some leaves around.

*

Back in the arena, the referee addressed the crowd.

" The Avatar will be permitted to continue so long as she solely bends water!" He announced, making the Platypus Bears raise their hands in protest.

The players got back into position, and the bell signalled to resume the match.

The Platypus Bear earthbender stomped the ground and raised an earth coin, punching it away as the other Platypus Bears also directed their attacks in the same direction as the coin.

"This girl may be the Avatar, but she's no pro-bender, and the Platypus Bears are intent on exploiting that weakness!"

Korra deflected the coins with a water whip, as well as the fire blast and water bullet. She nimbly backflipped under another coin and water attack before crossing her arms over her face to protect herself from a fire blast.

"They're giving her their best, and her best ain't good enough to stop it!"

"Come on, guys! You can do it!" Elira yelled from the locker room

The Platypus Bears launched another wave of attacks at Korra.

She was hit in the side by a fire blast, knocked out of balance by an earth coin in the stomach, and then thrown back by a water blast against the head.

Korra bounced past all the zones and tumbled into the water

"Aaaaand she's in the drink,"

*

Korra swam her way to the surface, emerging from the water and grabbing onto the ledge. While taking a breather, she looked up when a shadow fell over her. She froze when she saw Tenzin standing there with an angry expression.

"Oh, hey, Tenzin. I thought you didn't like coming to these matches." She chuckled nervously, getting out of the water.

"Once again, you and Elira have both flagrantly disobeyed my orders. You were to stay on the island!" Tenzin scolded, "Now, where is Elira?"

"Up in the locker room, watching the match", Korra pointed to where Elira could be seen cheering for the boys in the ring.

Seeing her, Tenzin's scowl deepened. "Let's go."

" No! I'm kind of in the middle of something," Korra called out as Tenzin went to walk away.

The man slowly turned to her, gradually becoming angrier and angrier" I have tried my very best to get through to you by being gentle and patient, but clearly, the only thing you respond to is force! So I am ordering you to come back to the temple right now!"

"Why? So I can sit around and meditate about how bad I am at airbending?" Korra snapped back, " You know, I'm beginning to think there's a reason I haven't been able to learn it! Because, maybe, I don't even need it!"

"What? That is a ludicrous suggestion!" Tenzin pointed at the girl " The Avatar needs to learn airbending! It is not optional!"

"No! This is what I need to learn! Modern styles of fighting!" Korra gestured to the ring behind her

"Being the Avatar isn't all about fighting, Korra! When will you learn that?"

"I have a match to go finish." Korra huffed, turning around and heading for a nearby elevator.

"The Platypus Bears win round two!"

Tenzin grunted in frustration before turning to find his daughter.

*

"Come on, guys! You got this!" Elira yelled to her friends

Her attention was so fixed on the game in front of her that she didn't notice the angry presence of her father standing behind her until he cleared his throat.

She froze, all excitement draining from her face as she turned her head slowly, finally realising she had been caught and smiling sheepishly.

"Heh...Hey, Dad. Fancy seeing you here" She chuckled awkwardly

Tenzin did not share in the amusement, staring at his daughter with a disappointed and angry scowl.

"Let's go, Elira" Tenzin turned to leave

"What? No, I'm staying till the end of the match," Elira declared

"No, you are not. You are coming back home, where you will stay put!" Tenzin argued, whirling back around.

"How'd you even know Korra and I were here?" Elira questioned, praying her sister hadn't snitched on her.

"I heard over the radio. Now enough with this foolishness. I am your father, and you will do as I say."

"I'm seventeen years old; I'm not a child anymore, Dad!"

"Then why don't you start acting like it?"

"I'll act like it when you start treating me as such!"

"I'll treat you as such when you start acting as such!"

Elira glared at her father angrily. "I have to get back to supporting my friends."

With that, Elira turned back to the match as her father grunted in annoyance at his daughter's defiance.

*

"Round three!"

The moment a bell rings, the Platypus Bears immediately start their offence.

"The Platypus Bears come out of the gate and quickly go after the Ferret brothers!"

The waterbender of the opposing team raised water from the grate in front of him and bent it away before advancing and repeating the attack.

Bolin crossed his arms in front of his chest to defend himself against the first water attack.

He retaliated by throwing an earth coin but was forced to raise another coin in front of him to defend himself against the incoming second water blast.

Meanwhile, the firebender attacked Mako, who attempted to retaliate as unsuccessfully as his brother.

The two brothers were soon driven into the corner of zone one, against the railing. Being showered by water streams, which forced them to remain in the corner.

"They're corralled in the corner, wedged in the edge of zone one, unable to come to the Avatar's rescue! And boy, does she need it!"

The waterbender directed one water blast after the other at Mako and Bolin, locking them in the corner, while Korra was constantly put on the defensive by fire and earth attacks.

Back in the locker room, Tenzin was heading for the exit when he turned around as his daughter cried out to her friends.

"You got this, guys!"

Concentrated, Korra dodged an earth coin but ended up being frontally hit by a water blast.

She was then pushed into the second zone by the water blast, where she caught an earth coin and threw it away.

Tenzin sighed while covering his eyes with his hand the moment the buzzer sounded, signalling Korra had been pushed back into zone three.

"Looks like the Avatar's pro-bending debut is going to be cut short! She's been pushed back to zone three, and the water is calling her name!"

Elira bit her lip anxiously as Korra tethered over the rim.

"Come on..." She barely even acknowledged that her father was still in the room, watching the match.

Korra dodged an earth coin and regained her balance. Her look of anger then changed to one of focused determination.

"It's only a matter of time before ..."

Korra then suddenly took on an airbender stance and began to dodge the three opposing players' attacks in the method she was taught to pass the fan obstacles in her airbending training, changing direction at a moment's notice.

"Hold the phone! Stop the presses! She's still in the game, folks! And she's moving like an entirely different player! All of a sudden, the Platypus Bears' strikes are only striking air!"

"Yes, Korra! Yes!" Elira cheered as Pichi screeched

The opposing firebender looked annoyed by this sudden change, and he and his teammates quickly attacked again.

Korra nimbly dodged their attack, her feet moving as an airbender would.

She evaded more attacks as Elira turned to her father, who now stood beside her.

"Dad, are you seeing this?!" She grinned

"How about that?" Tenzin muttered, looking surprised.

The Platypus Bears all looked tired, and their attacks now lacked their previous power.

The waterbender sent a blast toward Mako and Bolin, who readied themselves to get hit. However, before the blast made contact, the water lost momentum and fell to the ground.

"The Platypus Bears have no juice left, but Mako and Bolin are still fresh and juicy!"

The brothers wasted no time to counter.

Mako promptly began attacking them, directing quickfire blasts at the opposing earthbender, soon aided by his brother's earthbending.

The Platypus Bears earthbender was pushed back by a coin, and the waterbender was knocked off his feet by a water and fire combo.

Behind the brothers, Korra spun rapidly around her axis, building up momentum to charge her water bullet.

The Platypus Bears were put on the defensive and were being hammered by the strong attacks of the Fire Ferrets.

Mako directed three blasts at the other team, each one hitting the waterbender, who was then knocked back several zones and into the water.

The earthbender took a hit from an earth coin. Stumbling back, several water and fire attacks pushed him backwards all the way into the water.

The last remaining player was hit by two water blasts and tumbled over the edge, joining his teammates in the moat.

A bell was rung several times.

" Knockout!"

"Woohoo!" Elira and Tenzin cried, the older man pointing both index fingers at the arena and pumping his fists, jumping for joy with an uncharacteristically excited look.

He glanced at his daughter, seeing the huge grin on her face and a sparkle in her eyes. A sparkle he hadn't seen since her childhood.

"Woohoo! Great job, you guys!" She yelled

Tenzin smiled softly at her before she turned and gave him a smug look.

"Pretty cool, right, Dad?" She smirked

Tenzin didn't reply, quickly recovering his dignity, straightening his outfit and walking away with a solemn expression. Elira just laughed before turning her attention back to the ring where her friends were celebrating.

*

"The Fire Ferrets come from waaay behind and steal the win! What an upset, folks! The rookies, Avatar in tow, have nabbed a place in the championship tournament! I can not believe it!"

Using her airbending, Elira propelled herself onto the ring, running to her celebrating friends.

"Oh, and there she is, folks. The Fire Ferrets' very own cheerleader and master of air, Elira of the Air Nomads!"

"You did it!" She cried, jumping on Bolin's back in a hug as he posed and pretentiously put his hand behind his ears to listen to the applause

She laughed as he spun her around.

"Championship tournament, here we come!" The earthbender grinned

Korra looked around joyfully at the cheering crowd before approaching the duo and high-fiving them.

"Hahaha, yeah! Yes!"

Mako then walked over, looking apologetic" Korra ... what can I say? You really came alive in that last round. The way you dodged their attacks ... you are a natural."

"Thanks, but I can't take all the credit. Someone else taught me those moves." Korra smiled, glancing at Elira as she laughed at Bolin, who was posing once again to hear the crowd's cheers better.

*

Back on Air Temple Island later that night, Tenzin was supervising the Air Acolytes as they placed new gates in place of the ones that Korra destroyed when Korra came up to him.

" I'm really sorry ... about everything I said. I was really frustrated with myself, and I took it out on you," Korra apologised.

"I think I owe you an apology too. I was trying to teach you about patience, but I lost mine." Tenzin replied

"No hard feelings?"

"Of course not. By the way, you were really good out there tonight. You moved just like an airbender!" Tenzin smiled

Korra looked surprised. "Wait ... You stayed and watched?"

" I did. Pro-bending turned out to be the perfect teaching tool for you."

The two exchanged smiles before Korra suddenly turned around and backed up a few paces while jogging in place " I'll see you tomorrow for airbending practice, bright and early!"

She started jogging away as she called over her shoulder," And, by the way, I kinda permanently joined the Fire Ferrets, and we're playing in the tournament in a couple of weeks!"

Tenzin watched her go with a look of unpleasant surprise. He sighed heavily while lowering his head. He then looked up with a thoughtful expression before turning and walking away.

*

Walking down the corridor, Tenzin stopped when he heard the sound of laughter and squeals coming from Elira's room. He opened the door a little and smiled softly when he saw Elira on the floor, tickling a squealing Meelo and Ikki in her arms.

"Hey, Daddy", Ikki grinned, noticing their father standing in the doorway.

"Ikki, Meelo, may I have a moment alone with your sister?" Tenzin asked

"Okay. See you later, El" The two kids got up and left the room, their father closing the door behind them.

Elira stood up and crossed her arms, frowning. "If you're here to yell at me, just get it over with."

"Actually, I've come to apologise", Tenzin declared, surprising his daughter. "I admit I was a little unfair grounding you. You knew what this city needed, which was for Korra to be here. I don't agree with the method you took but you were right, and I'm sorry for being so harsh with you."

"It's okay, Dad. I shouldn't have gone behind your back, to begin with," Elira replied. "So...Am I no longer grounded?"

Tenzin sighed. "Yes, you are no longer grounded. And I will allow you to accompany Korra to the arena to see your friends."

Elira felt a huge grin stretch across her face, and her eyes lit up. "Really? You're serious?"

"Yes. But, only as long as you complete your daily training sessions and are back on the island before dinner--Oof!" Tenzin stumbled back slightly as Elira charged into him, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you", She whispered.

Tenzin smiled lovingly at her and returned the hug, holding his little girl tightly in his arms.

*

Later that night, Elira was wide awake, staring out of her window at the arena with a smile on her face.

Unknowns to her that Bolin, too, was staring out the window of the attic at the island