The Guide

The morning after Zira had left the Eastern Air Temple, Jinora was playing in the garden with a light green dragonfly bunny spirit.

"Gotcha!" She jumped and tried to grab the spirit but it escaped " Furry-Foot, come back" 

The spirit returned and landed on Jinora's head as four other dragonfly bunny spirits come closer making the little girl laugh.

"Jinora, there you are. Come on, everyone's waiting" Tenzin walked over " Were you playing with someone?" 

He couldn't see the spirits his daughter was playing with. 

"Oh, just some ... imaginary friends." Jinora smiled 

 Furry-Foot then appeared on Tenzin's head while he walked away making Jinora giggle as she ran after her father. 

*

Tenzin and Jinora joined their family in the courtyard, Ikki and Meelo sat at a table with their mother, while Ursa and Kya sat by one of the trees. Both looked annoyed at Bumi. 

"Stop telling lies" Kya huffed

"It's true. I once beat an earthbender in a rock-throwing contest! I have the trophy to prove it." Bumi persisted 

"Yeah, sure you do" Ursa rolled her eyes sarcastically. 

"All right, who's ready for an exciting tour of the Eastern Air Temple?" Tenzin asked, " We've got a lot to see today, including ancient statues, ancient gardens, and the meditation hall used by ancient airbenders." 

Ikki and Meelo looked bored 

"Yay. Old things." Ikki muttered, disinterested 

A figure suddenly entered the courtyard and Tenzin looked shocked when he saw them.

"Korra?"

"Korra! Yay, Korra! Korra's back!" The kids ran and hugged the Avatar. 

"What are you doing here?" Pema asked, smiling 

"Is El here too?" Jinora added as her brother and sister looked hopeful. 

"And how did you know where to find us?" Kya finished, standing up along with Ursa. 

"Tenzin's itinerary. We went over it like a hundred times before we left Republic City." Korra explained before looking at the kids "And no, El's still in the city. Sorry" 

Tenzin turned to his siblings and cousin "See? This is why schedules are important." 

"Where's Zira, I thought she came with you guys?" Korra asked 

"She went back to Air Temple Island. Something about El needing her guidance or something" Ursa explained 

"Still don't see why I couldn't have gone" Tenzin muttered, crossing his arms and pouting slightly.

"Tenzin, if you went, you would've taken over and not let El figure things out herself" Ursa sent a pointed look at her brother 

"I...No I wouldn't!" Tenzin defended

His cousin and siblings just stared at him. 

"...okay, maybe I would" He muttered 

"Well, it's so great to see you all again." Korra smiled 

"It's great to see you too, but why aren't you training in Republic City?" Tenzin asked 

"Republic City?" Korra looked at the man confused 

"Yes, Elira told me over the phone that Unalaq moved your training to the city" Tenzin explained 

"Wait...She didn't tell you about the Civil War?" Korra questioned

"What? No. The only connection we've had to the outside world since we started our vacation was through our occasional phone calls with Elira" Tenzin replied, before looking away slightly 

What was Elira thinking? Why would she lie to him about something as serious as this? 

"Tenzin's idea. Wanted to check in on his "little girl" but that was it" Bumi teased his brother "What happened?" 

"So much. I-I don't know where to start." 

"Just tell us everything," Ursa said 

"Everything?... Okay" Korra took a deep breath "I opened a spirit portal at the South Pole, but then Unalaq turned out to be a bad guy and wanted to take control of the South, so I sort of started a Civil War, but when I went to find some help, I was attacked by my cousins, and then by a giant dark spirit, and then I forgot who I was, and then I met the first Avatar, and then I realized I shouldn't have opened the portal in the first place, and now I need to close it again!" 

The family was silent. Staring at Korra wide-eyed. 

"I knew this would happen." Tenzin declared and his family just looked at him. 

*

Tenzin and Korra were later sat in the gardens as Korra further explained everything that happened. 

"So Avatar Wan imprisoned this dark spirit Vaatu in the Spirit World?" Tenzin questioned

"Yes, and now I think my uncle is trying to free him," Korra replied 

"I knew Unalaq was hungry for power, but never realized how far he would go to get it," Tenzin stated

"This is all my fault," Korra muttered, looking down 

"No, don't blame yourself. This is Unalaq's doing. Now, we must focus on setting things right before he can do any more damage." Tenzin reassured her 

"Thankyou" 

"So, you need to close the Southern portal, but if Unalaq's army controls the South, how are we going to get to it?" Tenzin asked and Korra looked up 

"I thought about that. My best chance to close the portal is from the inside. I have to enter the Spirit World." She declared 

"A journey to the Spirit World. All my years of spiritual training have prepared me for this moment" Tenzin stood up " I will help you. Today, we enter the Spirit World. " 

*

That very same morning, Elira made her way into the filming set of "The Adventures of Nuktuk: Hero of the South"  determined to get an explanation - Good or bad. 

She entered the set, seeing it completely empty except for a certain earthbender dressed as Nuktuk and suspended upside-down by props resembling eagle talons. 

Bolin looked shocked when he saw her" El? Is that you or is the blood rushing to my head giving me hallucinations?" 

"It's me. What are you doing up there?" The airbender stopped just underneath him, looking up confused. 

"Oh, you know, just hanging around" Bolin joked and Elira fought the smile trying to fight its way onto her face. She's supposed to be mad at him. 

" Look, I need to talk to you. Now" She crossed her arms "Can you get down from there?" 

"Okay, yeah sure. The buttons on that control panel there" Bolin pointed to the panel and Elira silently walked over to it, glancing at all the buttons as the door behind her opened again. 

Turning her head, she smiled "Asami!" 

"Hey, what are you doing here?" Bolin asked 

"Varrick invited me to watch some of the filming" She stopped beside El and looked around confused " Are you filming right now?" 

"Right now? Nope. We're uh ... we're at lunch." Bolin replied

The door suddenly opened again and this time Mako walked in dressed in his police uniform. 

"El, Asami, there you are. Is Bolin around?" He asked 

El pointed up at the earthbender as he cried out "Up here" 

"Good. I've got something to tell all of you" Mako declared 

"Okay, just give me a second" El turned back to the control panel, intending to get Bolin down. 

"Which one is it?" She asked, her hand hovering over the panel. 

"To the left slightly. Down a tiny bit...That one, I think" Bolin instructed, pointing from his suspended position and Elira hit the button. 

"Ahh!" Bolin plummeted to the ground and El quickly used her bending to soften his landing

 "Ow, aww. Oh, I got to stop doing my own stunts." He groaned standing up. 

El then turned back to Mako" What did you need to tell us?" 

"I found out who's been stealing from Future Industries" He declared 

" Who?" El gasped, sharing a look with Asami

 "Varrick" Mako revealed 

"What? No." Bolin scowled 

"He attacked his own ship?" Asami questioned, confused 

"Why would he do that?" El added 

" It was a ploy. He wants Republic City to go to war, and he wants control of the businesses that stand to profit the most from it. He already had all the shipping. All he needed was Future Industries" Mako explained 

"Varrick helped save Future Industries. He's my business partner now, not an evil mastermind" Asami placed a hand on the firebender's arm, concerned "Mako, you seemed stressed" 

"I am stressed!" 

"See, this is why I had to move out." Bolin huffed 

"You guys aren't living together anymore?" Elira asked, surprised and concerned 

"Nope. It was time for this eagle-hawk to spread his wings and fly." Bolin flapped his hands 

"Sounds like you've had a pretty busy week," Asami said to Mako before putting a hand on his chest " Maybe you just need to relax" 

Seeing this, Bolin and El shared a shocked glance

"Wait a minute. Are you two—" Elira pointed at them 

Bolin gasped "You're dating again? What?" 

"Dating? No! / That's crazy!" The two denied 

"Korra just left a week ago!" Elira scowled 

"Guys, listen to me. Varrick is up to no good, and I have proof. The detonators he uses in his movers are exactly like the one I found at the cultural centre attack" Mako persisted " And those explosions were exactly like the ones the captain reported when Asami's shipment was hijacked. Don't you see?" 

"Anyone could have gotten their hands on one of those detonators," Asami argued 

"Yeah. Let it go, Mako. Let it go." Bolin added 

"Gah! No! I'm not going to let it go!" Mako snapped, irritated

The trio watched as he then stormed out of the filming set and Elira looked off to the side slightly, contemplating Mako's words. 

Outside, as the firebender left, he was suddenly stopped by two bodyguards.

" Varrick's been looking for you" 

*

"Geeze, he doesn't quite does he?" Bolin muttered "Anyway, El you wanted me for something" 

"Oh yeah! Where the hell were you yesterday?" Elira turned to him, crossing her arms 

"What happened yesterday?" Asami asked 

"We agreed to meet at the Noodlery after Bolin was let go for lunch. Just the two of us like old times. Let me tell you, I waited an hour after you said you'd be there. An hour, Bolin! Thankfully Tahno showed up, so it wasn't a complete waste of time" Elira scowled 

"Wait, Tahno? Why was he there?" Bolin questioned, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion as his stomach burned with an unknown emotion at the thought of El being with Tahno. 

"He just showed up and offered to keep me company-- And stop dodging the question! Where were you, Bolin?" Elira glared

"Oh! I was with Ginger" 

Asami visibly winced at Bolin's reply as Elira's eyes widened

"You were...what?" 

"Yeah, she was having trouble with some of her lines for one of our scenes so she asked for my help. She said it would only take a few minutes but I guess it took longer than expected" Bolin explained "I'm sorry I left you at the Noodlery, El. But Ginger wouldn't take no for an answer" 

Elira scoffed in disbelief, turning around and shaking her head "You've gotta be kidding me?" 

"What? What's wrong?" Bolin asked

"I think we're just both a little concerned at how fast Ginger's changed her mind" Asami cut in, glancing at El in concern "I mean, before she hardly even looked in your direction, let alone talked to you. Now she's asking you for help with lines?" 

"Maybe she just realised what she was missing" Bolin grinned, hands on his hips. 

"Yeah, no kidding" Elira scoffed again

"What do you mean by that?" Bolin questioned 

Elira fell silent for a moment

"...Nothing. Forget about it" She muttered "I'm late for band practice, I'll see you guys later" 

El sprinted from the room with her head down as her friends watched her go. 

*

Back at the Eastern Air Temple, Tenzin and Korra were standing on a platform ready to enter the Spirit World. 

"You're lucky. This temple is the most spiritual of all the air temples. Why this very garden is where my father met Guru Pathik" Tenzin explained 

"Wow! Spirit World, here we come." Korra grinned 

Later in a field, Korra and Tenzin were meditating while Meelo rang a bell and Ikki played a horn by airbending, producing a low droning sound. Bumi, Kya, Ursa and Jinora were also there, watching. 

Korra opened one of her eyes and peered at Tenzin

" Are you in the Spirit World?" She whispered. 

" I would be" Tenzin opened his eyes "If Meelo could ring his bell at the appropriate intervals" 

"Aww, did I do it wrong?" The little boy asked, a little saddened 

 Tenzin stood up and sighed in exasperation "Let's try something else" 

 He walked off as Korra stood up and smiled at Meelo "I thought your bell-ringing was just fine." 

"Thanks!" Meelo grinned and continuously rang the bell

Next, they were up on a mountainside where an Air Nomad's face was carved on. Tenzin and Korra were once again meditating, now surrounded by burning incense sticks attached to talismans with the airbending symbol that Kya placed there. 

Tenzin opened his eyes a little and looked around before coughing from the approaching smoke" Kya, this is too much smoke. You set it up wrong. This isn't going to work" 

"I'm sorry. I did what you told me." Kya replied, holding two more incense sticks. 

"Well, the moment's ruined." Tenzin stormed off again as Kya scowled 

Jinora then noticed multiple dragonfly bunny spirits circling around Korra as she stood up. 

" We could have tried a little longer." She called out, following Tenzin. 

Jinora watched as the spirits flew off into the wilderness, the green-coloured spirit looking back briefly before flying off down the cliffside. 

"Come back, Furry-Foot," Jinora called, running after them slightly 

Ursa came up behind her "Jinora, what are you chasing?" 

"Nothing." Jinora ran to catch up with her father, while her aunt looked on with suspicion.

*

After returning to the temple, Tenzin and Korra were now meditating beneath a statue of Avatar Yangchen.

"Focus, Korra. Focus." Tenzin muttered 

"I am focusing." 

"No talking. Feel the energy of the universe." 

"Okay, I feel it." 

 "Korra, really! I'm trying to concentrate here!" Tenzin snapped and opened his eyes 

 "I don't think this location is going to work either" He stood up 

"What's going on with you? First, you're blaming Meelo, then Kya, and now me." Korra questioned 

"Well, nothing is feeling right to me." 

"I don't want to rush your feelings, but we're kind of in a hurry. How did you first get into the Spirit World? Let's try that." Korra asked, also standing up 

"Well ... actually, I've never been into the Spirit World." 

Korra was shocked by the revelation, while Tenzin's family peered into the temple from the outside.

"You've never been into the Spirit World?" Korra questioned as Tenzin's family joined them 

"But you used to spend days in the temple meditating" Pema added 

"Trying to get in. It never happened. It's my greatest shortcoming as an airbender, spiritual leader, and son of Aang." 

Bumi let out a laugh "Welcome to the "I Disappoint Dad" club." 

"If you've never been to the Spirit World, how were you planning to get Korra into it?" Kya asked 

"I've spent years studying the techniques and theories of ancient spiritual leaders. Now that the Avatar needs me, it must be my time." Tenzin insisted 

"Tenzin, Harmonic Convergence is almost here" Korra frowned " If Vaatu escapes from the Spirit World—" 

"You have to trust me. I can help you." Tenzin pleaded 

"There might be another way" Ursa spoke up, making all eyes turn to her "Jinora, is there something you want to tell Korra?" 

"Jinora? She's too young and untrained to have any knowledge about spiritual matters." Tenzin said 

"Actually, I think I do know where Korra needs to go to get into the Spirit World," Jinora confessed 

"And how would you know that?" 

"My spirit friends showed me. It's okay. You can show yourselves" Jinora smiled and the spirits appeared in everyone's sight, surprising them.

"How did you do that?" Tenzin muttered 

"Jinora!" Pema gasped, amazed 

"Bunnies!" Meelo yelled in excitement 

"Actually, they're dragonfly bunny spirits," Jinora explained 

"I knew it. Looks like she does know something about spiritual matters." Ursa ruffled her niece's hair, smirking at her brother. 

The dragonfly bunny spirits flew out of the temple, while Ikki and Meelo gave chase.

"So cute!/Bunnies!/Come back!" 

"How long have you been able to do this?" Tenzin asked as he and Jinora stopped by the entrance. 

"I don't know" Jinora replied as a blue-coloured spirit flew back to the entrance." I guess I've always kind of had a connection with spirits" 

 The spirit flew into the temple and landed on Bumi's shoulder. 

"I think this one likes me." He laughed 

"Are they here to help?" Korra asked 

"I think they want you to go down there." Jinora pointed as the spirits flew down the mountainside. 

"I don't know. The spiritual energy is historically strongest near the temple." Tenzin stated 

"No offence, but I'm guessing the spirits have actually been to the Spirit World, so I'm gonna follow them," Korra replied 

" If we need to go to the Tenzin World, we'll call you." Bumi teased making his brother scowl. 

*

Soon after, Korra, Tenzin, Kya, Ursa, Bumi and Jinora were riding atop Oogi while following the dragonfly bunny spirits.

Things were silent apart from Bumi cooing at his new spirit friend. 

"So uh...Does Elira know about your spiritual connection?" Tenzin asked Jinora over his shoulder, knowing how close his two eldest were.

"Yes, but please don't be mad, I made her promise I'd keep her secret if she kept mine" Jinora begged

"What secret?"

"Oops" Jinora muttered, cringing at her slip up

"Jinora, what else is Elira hiding?" Tenzin questioned. 

The 10-year-old hesitated and Korra placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly. 

"Hey, it's okay, El will understand. I know she can't stay mad at you for long anyway" Korra smirked 

"Okay, well...The truth is..." The adults all leaned in slightly as Jinora sighed "...She can see the spirits too...and she's already been to the spirit world multiple times" 

Tenzin froze. His eyes widened in shock. Two of his daughters. Two of his daughters had the connection to the spirits he only dreamed of having. 

"What? That's amazing!" Korra exclaimed

"How long has she been able to do that?" Kya asked 

"Since she and Korra got their bending back in the South Pole" Jinora answered, not noticing how her father frowned in the driver seat, hurt that Elira felt the need to hide this from him.

"Of course!" Korra gasped "Aang said that when we reach our lowest point, we're open to the greatest change" 

"Wait? You...saw him?" Ursa questioned, sitting up

" Yeah, when Amon took my bending I unlocked my airbending and I could finally connect with my past lives. Something similar must have happened to El and now she can see the spirits!" Korra grinned

While his family all smiled at the new revelation, Tenzin looked down, saddened. Wondering. How much more had Elira lied to him about?

*

Back in Republic City, the two bodyguards opened the door to Varrick's office and shoved Mako inside where he found Varrick waiting for him along with most of the floor covered with burning coal.

"I hear you've got some ideas" Varrick spun in his chair to face the firebender " You wanna tell me about them?" 

"Go ahead. Torture me all you want. I'm not gonna talk" Mako declared 

"Torture? The only thing I want to torture is this pesky foot fungus" Varrick held up his infected foot.

He stood up and walked through the coal "Ah! Eee! Ooh! The burning means it's working" 

Varrick then gave the two bodyguards a look and they quickly turned and left, leaving just him and Mako. 

"I heard you've been investigating the recent attacks on my ships, and I think you know that I know that you know, you know?" 

"Know what?" 

"That the world is a dangerous place, and that's exactly why I want to offer you a job on my security force." Varrick offered 

"I have a job," Mako stated

"We need you" Varrick wrapped his arm around the firebender " Me, Asami, Bolin, El. We're all in the same team here. We want you to join us. You wouldn't want anything to happen to Asami, would you? I mean, I heard you and her were kind of, uh, an item again. Or what about your brother? Or even sweet little El? I heard she's practically a little sister to you" 

"What are you saying?" Mako narrowed his eyes at the man. 

"I'm saying I want your help to protect them. Without you, who knows what could happen." Varrick declared, slightly threatening

"Thanks for your concern, but the answer is no." Mako shoved Varrick's hand off of him and he stormed out the door. 

*

Back at the Air Temple, the group were still following the spirits. 

"Oh, you are just so cute" Bumi cooed at the spirit in his hands " I'm going to name you Bum-Ju. It's short for "Bumi Junior". Don't you think he looks like me?" 

He placed the spirit beside his face, grinning at Tenzin. 

"The resemblance is uncanny." Tenzin scowled without looking back

In the back of the saddle, Jinora had moved and was now leaning into Ursa's side. 

"I think Dad's mad at me." She muttered sadly. 

"Your father's not mad" Ursa consoled her, stroking her hair 

"His pride's just a little bruised since he isn't able to see spirits like you and El" Kya added "Plus, I imagine he's a little upset that El's been hiding things from him for so long" 

"Well, what does he expect, she's a teenager. Teenagers hide things" Ursa replied 

"You and El have a natural gift, Jinora. That's pretty lucky." Korra smiled at the 10-year-old.

"You're the lucky one. You actually got to meet the first Avatar. I know about a lot of Avatars, but I don't know anything about him. Is it even a him? Or is it her?" Jinora questioned 

"It's a him, Avatar Wan. He was amazing. I saw how he became the first Avatar by fusing with Raava, the Spirit of Light." Korra explained 

"The Avatar is part spirit? Of course! Just like the statue." Jinora gasped 

"What statue?" Kya inquired

"When we were at the Southern Air Temple, I was drawn to this old carving. I couldn't figure out what it was until now. It was the first Avatar." Jinora replied 

"When did this happen?" Korra asked 

"It was on the solstice." 

"That's the day I opened the Southern portal." 

"Whoa." The two gasped 

*

"We're here!" Bumi exclaimed as Oogie landed on a patch of grass next to some waterfalls. 

The group dismounted and the spirits flew off prompting them to follow. 

"Are you sure these spirits are leading us into the right place?" Tenzin questioned 

"Of course! I trust Bum-Ju with my life." Bumi smiled at the spirit on his shoulder 

"You just met him" Ursa muttered as they walked 

The dragonfly bunny spirits led the group to a circle surrounded by rocks. The rocks were overgrown with vines and had an airbending symbol on them.

"Look. There are carvings on them." Korra pointed to the symbols. 

"This is an ancient airbender meditation circle." Tenzin gasped 

"There's a lot of spiritual energy in this place, but it feels really strange," Jinora stated 

"We'll have to perform a spiritual cleansing ceremony" Tenzin declared 

"What are you talking about?" Bumi asked 

"Dad taught it to me. This site has been neglected for many years. A cleansing ceremony will help strengthen its connections to the Spirit World." Tenzin explained 

The group sat down in a meditative stance and Tenzin bent the smoke from an incense burner, encircling the group. As the smoke approached the dragonfly bunny spirits, they flew off and Bumi scowled. 

" Good job, you cleansed the area of the only spirits that want to help us, and you scared away Bum-Ju." He huffed, crossing his arms. 

Tenzin ignored his brother and continued bending the smoke. As he bent the third circle, the ground around began to rumble. 

"It's working." 

The other members of the group looked on in fear as the rumbling strengthened. Suddenly, the centre of the circle exploded and swarms of bat-like dark spirits shot up into the sky before swarming toward the group. 

"Ah! Bats! Evil bats!" Bumi yelled as they all retreated to the rocks for cover

"Not bats. Dark spirits." Korra corrected 

The dark spirits flew out and circled back to the group. 

 Korra and Tenzin attempted to bend at the spirits, but they managed to overwhelm their bending abilities and flew back to the circle, causing everyone to cower to the ground.

"What are we supposed to do?" Tenzin questioned, helplessly. 

Korra suddenly gritted her teeth and followed the spirits into the circle. Putting her fists together and closing her eyes, she meditated for a brief moment before waterbending at the spirits, trapping them in an enclosure. 

Just as she had seen Unalaq do, she waved her arms around elegantly, slowly but surely purifying the spirits causing them to glow gold.

" Amazing." Kya gasped as she and the others shielded their eyes. 

"It's beautiful" Ursa added, completely awed at the sight. 

As the spirits burst into a shower of gleaming specks, the overgrowing vegetation on the circle eventually retreated and disappeared. 

"Your spiritual training has come a long way." Tenzin smiled, coming to Korra's side. 

"Unalaq may be a horrible person, but his spirit powers are no joke."

"He taught you how to transform dark spirits. I can't even get you into the Spirit World." Tenzin looked down ashamed. 

"Everything Unalaq taught me was to help himself" Korra scowled" Everything you've done was meant to help me. El was right and I am so sorry for turning my back on you as my mentor. I need you now more than ever" 

"I won't let you down." Tenzin declared and Korra hugged him while Tenzin's family looked on with pride, Kya wiping off a tear.

"The ancient airbenders must have built this site. If we meditate here, we'll be able to enter the Spirit World." Tenzin said 

"Why don't you go first?" Korra offered 

"After all these years, my father's dreams for me will finally come true." The airbender smiled 

*

That evening in Republic City, Mako was in his apartment looking through multiple documents when a knock on the door was heard. When he opened the door he found Elira waiting with Pichi on her shoulder. 

"El? What are you doing here?" He asked

"I wanted to see if I could help with anything" El replied 

"Wait, you believe me about Varrick?" 

"I don't know. But I wanna find out who's behind these attacks. Figured we could do it together" El smiled 

Mako returned the smile and opened the door fully, gesturing the airbender inside with his head. 

After a couple of hours, the two were still going through documents, Pichi laying asleep on El's lap, trying to find some sort of lead when Mako looked up at El in concern. 

"Hey, you okay?" He asked "You're weirdly quiet" 

"I'm thinking" Elira sighed, blowing a strand of hair out of her face 

"Careful, I think I see steam coming out of your ears" Make joked 

Elira just smiled slightly but didn't laugh making Mako even more sure something was bothering her. 

"Alright, come on, out with it" He moved the documents to the side making El huff in annoyance. "What's going on? And don't say you're fine because I can see something's bothering you" 

Elira looked down slightly "...It's Bo" 

"Of course, it is" Mako shut his eyes. He should've guessed it would be his idiot brother causing El's unnatural quietness. 

He sighed and stood up "Come here" 

El moved Pichi off her lap and got to her feet, letting Mako pull her in for a hug. 

"It's gonna be okay. We both how he is. He does stuff without thinking before realising he's bitten off more than he can chew. He realises how stupid he's being and he'll back to the same nuttbrain idiot he's always been. Okay?" 

El looked up and nodded "Okay" 

"And who knows. Maybe then you'll finally tell him how you feel" Mako teased and El shoved him away

"You're a jerk" She giggled "We were having a touching moment and you had to ruin it" 

"Hey, it got you to laugh" Mako smirked, ruffling El's hair. 

"Mako! Quite it!" She tried swatting his hand away making him laugh.

*

After another couple of hours of searching through documents, another knock at the door interrupted the silence and Pichi woke with a small chitter. Opening the door, they found Asami waiting. 

"Hi" She smiled walking in" Hey, El" 

"Hey, Asami" The airbender returned the smile, standing up as Pichi climbed onto her shoulder with a greeting chatter. 

"Did you come by to tell me how paranoid I am?" Mako huffed 

"No. I just wanted to come by to make sure you're okay. You seemed so agitated earlier." Asami placed a hand on his shoulder 

"I'm fine." 

"Maybe you need a night off. Why don't we go get some dinner?" Asami suggested, walking further in, standing next to El who was watching awkwardly. 

"No, thanks. I'm a little busy." Mako replied

"Too busy for Kwong's Cuisine?" Asami smirked, placing a hand on Mako's chest" Remember? We had our first date there" 

"And that's my cue to leave!" Elira suddenly exclaimed, quickly grabbing her glider that was leaning against the wall as the couple watched in amusement. 

"Maybe I do need to get my mind off things" Mako smiled, turning back to Asami as El headed for the door. 

But just as she opened it, she jumped back in surprise to find Lin and her officers standing there about to knock. 

"Lin?" She gasped making Asami and Mako look over shocked. 

"Hey, Mako. Hope we didn't interrupt you two lovebirds. Or three lovebirds. You know, whatever floats ya boat" One of Lin's detectives Lu smirked as they walked in.  "What's going on?" Mako demanded as the two detectives Lu and Gang began searching his apartment

"We busted some Triple Threats who said you hired them for a job" Lu explained 

Mako sighed. Busted

"All right. It's true. We were trying to figure out who stole Asami's stuff, so we hired them for a sting operation. I'm sorry for going behind your back" He apologised to Lin 

"According to the Triple Threats, you did more than that. They said you helped them steal a warehouse full of Future Industries property." Lin scowled 

"What?!" Elira gasped

" That's crazy!" Asami exclaimed, taken aback 

"You're gonna believe a bunch of criminals?" Mako scoffed 

"I have to follow up on a lead" Lin replied 

Lu suddenly came out of the bedroom, smirking as he carried a bag 

"Well, looky what I found: cash ... And these" He reached into the bag and pulled out explosives

"What are you doing with explosives, Mako?" Lin questioned 

"I don't know where those came from" 

"You're under arrest" Gang quickly handcuffed Mako

"None of that is mine" Mako persisted 

"Yeah. Should've known you'd hook up with your old pals. Once a Triple Threat, always a Triple Threat." Gang scoffed 

"Lin, there must be an explanation for this" El pleaded 

"Yeah, this must be a mistake" Asami added 

"Sorry to break the news to you, sweetie, but your boyfriend's just a crooked cop. That sting operation was just a way to lure you away from your warehouse" Lu said 

" He was using you the whole time." Gang chuckled 

Elira glared at the man as Asami looked on in disbelief and confusion

"That's not true, Asami. I would never do anything to hurt you" Mako pleaded as he was escorted away "It's Varrick. This is all Varrick. He set me up!"

"Yeah, it's Varrick's fault. Varrick" Gang chuckled, leading Mako out of the apartment" Varrick" 

El wrapped her arm around Asami comfortingly as she looked off to the side. She turned back to the door with a look of concern as Pichi chittered on her shoulder. Could Varrick really be the one behind all of this? But if so...Why?

*

Back at the Eastern Air Temple, Tenzin was meditating in the circle, while the others were waiting around a bonfire.

Getting impatient, Bumi picked up a long stick and began poking his brother's back with it causing his eye to twitch. 

"You in the Spirit World yet?" 

"No, I am not" Tenzin airbent the stick away, annoyed "And stop bugging me!" 

 Bumi folded his arms in annoyance as the others joined his side.

"It's okay, Tenzin. Maybe you weren't meant to guide Korra into the Spirit World." Kya reassured him 

"No! Just give me some time." 

"Stop being so stubborn" Ursa huffed, getting irritated " It's not your destiny. I think Jinora was meant to guide Korra." 

"Jinora will not enter the Spirit World!" Tenzin got up, facing his family " She's not ready for the dangers of the other side, but I am. I've spent years training, studying, and mastering everything there is to know about the Spirit World" 

"Tenzin, we're running out of time." Korra pleaded 

"If everyone could just be quiet and let me focus" Tenzin turned around again, shutting his eyes. 

He opened them once more a second later, glancing down to see Jinora at his side

"Kya and Aunt Ursa are right. I can guide Korra into the Spirit World. I'll be all right" She declared 

Tenzin turned to Korra and his family, who all give him assuring looks. He sighed "Perhaps I will never have the connections with spirits like I always wanted ... like my father wanted me to have" 

Jinora hugged him tightly "It's okay, Daddy" 

"I'm proud of you. You and Elira... But that doesn't mean she won't be getting a stern talking to once I see her next" Tenzin lightly joked and Jinora giggled. 

Tenzin then turned to look at Korra " Go. Close the portal. We'll wait here and keep your bodies safe till you return." 

"We'll be all right." She assured him 

The sun was just beginning to rise when the two girls sat in front of one another, preparing to enter the spirit. 

"Okay, let's do this" Korra declared before noticing Jinora looking hesitantly at her lap. 

"Hey, you alright?" 

"Yeah, it's just..." Jinora sighed "El always said she wanted to be there when I saw the Spirit World for the first time. I know this is important but...It just feels wrong going in without her" 

Korra placed a reassuring hand on the girl's shoulder "Jinora, I know I'm not El and I know that I could never replace her. But I also know she'd want your first experience to be fun and exciting. So I'll try my best to make it so" 

Jinora smiled softly and nodded "Let's go" 

The two then shut their eyes, placing their fists together as they began to meditate. Korra's eyes suddenly glowed, as if she was in the Avatar State. When the two girls opened their eyes, they found themselves surrounded by vibrate green plants and other brightly coloured flowers. 

"The Spirit World..."