The Spirit of Competition

Elira watched from the sidelines as the Ferrets trained in the gym. Korra was handling a water blob splitting it in two, and rapidly launched each smaller bullet in a different direction.

Bolin raised an earth disk and as the water blob Korra launched at him struck the disk, he was shoved slightly backward by the impact. 

Mako moved back and twisted around, vaporizing the incoming blob with a fire arc. He immediately retaliated with two fire punches. 

 Bolin's earth disk was pulverized by the fire attack as Korra aimed another rapid water blast at Mako, who jumped over it, while Bolin launched an earth disk at Korra, forcing her to shield herself with water from a nearby tank. 

Mako fired a blast at each of his teammates, which both of them blocked with their respective elements.

 A second fire blast hit Bolin square in the stomach, flinging him backwards. As he fell, he raised and launched a last earth disk, hitting Korra in the stomach as she directed another water blob away. 

 Korra's water attack hit Mako straight in the face, flinging him to the ground several meters from where he was standing. 

The group sat there for a moment before Elira let out a snort, covering her mouth and they all burst out laughing. 

 " It's been great having you at so many back-to-back practices, Korra." Mako smiled as he stood up, taking off his helmet and resting his hand on his hip.

"Feels good to be back, although Tarrlok isn't too happy about my leave of absence," Korra replied, also taking off her helmet 

"Who cares what he thinks" Elira scoffed, scratching under Pabu's chin making the fire ferret purr. 

"Yeah, you joined the Fire Ferrets before you joined his task force," Bolin added 

"Okay, come on, team huddle time!" Mako announced "You too, El" 

The teens huddled up, placing their heads together and Elira smiled at Bolin. Her stomach twisted once again when he turned to Korra with a flirty grin. Korra returned the smile awkwardly before turning to Mako. 

"It's our first match of the tournament tonight. I know the three of us haven't been a team for very long, but even so, the Fire Ferrets have never been this good. Are we ready?" The firebender grinned

"We're ready!" 

"Not quite. You'll need these" The teen looked up and saw Asami smiling at them holding up a uniform with the Future Industries logo on it 

"Hey, Asami." Mako smiled, walking over to his girlfriend while Korra just looked annoyed 

"Good morning, sweetie. El, we had one made for you too. Seeing as you're the Fire Ferrets cheerleader" Asami reached into the cart and pulled out a top similar to the uniform. 

"Asami, that looks awesome!" Elira grinned

"Yeah, these new uniforms look great!" Mako added taking the uniform

"You look great, champ!" Mako and Asami Eskimo kissed 

Elira smiled, happy for them as Bolin looked with a "Really?" expression, and Korra openly showed her disgust. She quickly acted normal when Mako turned around. 

"Well, teammates, I'll see you before the match tonight. Asami and I have a lunch date." Mako and Asami began walking out of the gym with the uniforms 

"Okay, we'll check you guys later, you know, we'll see you when we see ya." Bolin waved

"Have fun!" Elira grinned, also waving. 

Korra was picking up her gym bag when Bolin slid to her side with his hands behind his head "So, Korra. There they go, here we are, all alone in the gym, just you and me, two alone people. Together. Alone." 

"Uh, El's still here" Korra pointed at the airbender over her shoulder 

"Korra, come on we gotta go. Training remember?" She crossed her arms 

"I'm coming!  See ya, Bo!" Korra waved, following Elira out of the gym 

*

Later that evening, Elira was helping her sister's and Korra feeding fruit to Pichi and the other ring-tailed lemurs in the snow. 

"So, how's it going with the tall, dreamy firebender boy? You've been spending a lot of time together lately." Jinora smirked 

"Oooh, yeah! And El, tell us all about the magical romance with Bolin" Ikki grinned 

The two teens shared a glance before laughing 

"Listen to you two, Bo and I are just friends" Elira chuckled

"Yeah and I-I'm not interested in Mako or any romantic stuff. Besides, he's all into that prissy, beautiful, elegant, rich girl ... but let's just pretend for a second I am interested in him. What would I do?" Korra asked 

"Ooh! I just read a historical saga where the heroine fell in love with the enemy general's son, who's supposed to marry the princess. You should do what she did!" Jinora smiled 

"Tell me!" 

"She rode a dragon into battle and burned down the entire country. Then she jumped into a volcano. It was so romantic!" Jinora swooned as the two teens frowned 

"No, no, no!" Ikki cut in, speaking rapidly" The best way to win a boy's heart is to brew a love potion of rainbows and sunsets that makes true lovers sprout wings and fly into a magical castle in the sky, where they get married and eat clouds with spoons and use stars as ice cubes in their moonlight punch. Forever and ever and ever!" 

She airbent upward, spinning in excitement, and landed in her big sister's arms. 

"The volcano is starting to make more sense now," Elira muttered before they heard laughter behind them 

"Mom?" Elira turned around, finding her mother standing behind them on the path "Uh, how long were you standing there?" 

"Long enough. But trust me, I know what you're going through" The woman smiled, walking over. 

"You do?" Elira wondered 

"Mhmm, years ago I was in the exact the same situation, with Tenzin." 

"Daddy was in love with someone else before you?" Ikki asked in surprise as Elira adjusted her, now resting her on her hip. 

"That's right." 

"So what did you do?" Elira questioned

"Well, for the longest time, I did nothing. I was so shy and scared of rejection, but watching my soul mate spend his life with the wrong woman became too painful. So I hung my chin out there and I confessed my love to Tenzin. And the rest is history." Pema explained 

"Wooow!" The girls gasped

Elira looked down for a moment, thinking to herself before quickly placing her sister down and running up the path. 

"Where're you going?!" Korra called out 

"Gotta talk to Gran-Gran about something!" 

*

Azira was sat by the cliff overlooking the city and Aang's statue. She stared up at the memorial of her husband with a look of sadness as she fiddled with the locket around her neck. 

"Gran-Gran!" Azira turned her head when she heard her granddaughter calling out to her

"Gran-Gran, how did you know you liked Grandpa? You know...In that way?"Elira asked, her cheeks flushing 

Azira smiled "What brought this on?" 

"No reason, just...curious" The teen quickly replied

 Azira chuckled "Funnily enough, it took your great aunt Katara explaining it for me to realise. But I can remember that night vividly. Me, Katara and Toph sitting around the campfire. I asked Katara about what I was feeling and do you know what she told me?"

"What?" Elira asked curiously, sitting next to her. 

"She said that when you're in love with someone, when you're really in love, you put their happiness before anything else. Because seeing them smile and seeing them happy gives you this warmth in your chest. And when they smile at you, you feel nauseous but excited at the same time. But seeing them in pain hurts you more than any wound or scar" Azira explained with a wistful smile "And I realised then that everything she was saying, I felt about Aang. Whenever he smiled at me, my stomach felt like a million butterflies were fluttering about inside. And I knew at that moment that I had fallen deeply for him"

Elira thought for a moment, thinking "But...But what if he didn't like you back? Wouldn't that have made it super awkward?"

"Oh, lotus flower, you shouldn't be afraid to tell someone how you feel in fear of being rejected" Azira smiled "Why do you ask? Finally realising your own feelings for someone" 

Elira smiled softly "Yeah...I think I am" 

She hugged her grandmother tightly "Thank you, Gran-Gran" 

"Anytime, my dear" Azira watched the teen run back to the temple before turning back to the ocean, smiling wistfully at Aang's statue in the distance. 

"She's growing up, Aang" She whispered "You wouldn't believe how much she's grown" 

* 

Later that night, Elira and Korra arrived at the arena, finding the boys in the waiting room already suited up in their new uniform. 

"Hey, looking good, guys" She grinned as they walked in 

"Thanks, you too, El. Really rocking that logo" Bolin complimented jokingly, gesturing to the t-shirt Asami made for Elira, who was wearing it over her Air Nomad clothes. 

"Oh, thanks. Uh, listen, Bo, um...can we talk later? I need to tell you something" Elira asked nervously 

"Hmm, oh yeah sure, absolutely" Bolin smiled, adjusting the straps on his helmet. 

"Good luck out there, guys. You got this" She waved as the team entered the ring 

"Folks, after a year of waiting the Pro-bending Championship is finally here. Tonight is the first set of matches in our single elimination sixteen team bracket. And I gotta tell ya, these are the most tenacious and talented bending trios this arena has ever seen." Shiro commentated 

"Introducing our first team, the Future Industries Fire Ferrets!" The announcer yelled making the crowd cheer as the Ferrets stood on the platform moving towards the ring 

"And their opponents, the Red Sands Rabaroos!" Their opponents also entered the ring with cheers from the crowd 

The teams got into position and a second later the bell rung. 

The pro benders immediately through attacks at each other. 

"What an explosive opening volley. Both teams quickly recover and unleash a barrage of bending. I am astonished with the level of improvement displayed here by the Fire Ferrets" 

"Woohoo!"Elira cheered as Bolin and Korra knocked the Rabaroo's firebender back a zone 

 "No wonder the Avatar has been absent from the papers lately. She's obviously had her nose to the grindstone in the gym" 

The Ferrets pushed all the Rabaroo's back into zone 2, giving them the green light to move forward. 

"The Ferrets advance into Rabaroo territory and are holding nothing back. Nice sprawl there by Mako"

Bolin lifted an earth disk and punched it away "Bolin strikes, Ula dodges" 

The Rabaroo earthbender jumped back right into her teammate. After another earth disk from Bolin and all, they were both knocked to the floor.  

 "And all three Rabaroos are down. The Fire Ferrets easily take round one!" Shiro yelled as the bell rang 

"Round two!" 

The bell rang and once again the teams wasted no time attacking. 

"The Rabaroos are looking for payback and they go straight after Bolin" 

Bolin got hit by a blast of water, sending him back a bit but not out of the zone. He kicked up an earth disk, using it as a shield against another water blast before Korra jumped in front of him, bending away the water. 

"Korra comes to his defence and water-whacks Umi back into zone two! The Ferrets are on fire tonight and they win round two!" 

"Come on, Ferrets!" Elira jumped with excitement 

"Round three!" 

The bell rang and they were off again 

"With the Rabaroos down two rounds they'll need a knockout to win, and with the way the Fire Ferrets are playing I don't see that happening" 

Bolin jumped back, dodging a blast of water. He threw an earth disk before dunking and allowing Mako to fire kick over his head. They send the waterbender Rabaroos back one zone. 

 "These Ferrets are working together like a well-oiled bending machine" 

Bolin punched away another earth disk and pushes the last Rabaroo into zone two. 

"Bolin passes Adi back into zone two and the Ferrets get the green light to advance. The Rabaroos are just fighting to stay at their feet at this point. Out goes Adi, and Ula, and Umi!" 

The Ferrets pushed all three of their opponents off the ring and into the water. 

"All three rounds go to the Future Industries Fire Ferrets to win the opening match of the tournament!" The announcer yelled 

"Yes! That's what I'm talking about! Great job, guys!" Elira yelled over the cheering crowd. 

*

When the team arrived back in the locker room, Korra went to speak to Mako while Elira approached Bolin who was still yelling to the cheering crowd. 

"Hey, Bo? Do you think we could talk now?" She asked "Look, I uh, I've finally realised something but I don't want it to change our relationship" 

Bolin however, wasn't paying attention "Thank you, thank you very much! Thank you all you fans!"

Elira frowned "Bo!" 

"Huh, I'm sorry, what were you saying?" He finally turned to her

" I need to talk to you. It's important" Elira repeated 

"Yeah sure. Listen, I gotta talk to Korra real quick, but then I'm all yours, promise" Bolin smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder 

Elira sighed "Okay, be quick like I said "Important" 

"Thank you" Bolin picked her up in a hug before heading over to Korra who looked downcast about something. Elira walked back into the locker room, greeting Asami as she came in to congratulate them. 

"So, Korra, I was thinking, you and me, we could get some dinner together, sort of a date situation." He suggested

Elira froze, overhearing them.  

"Oh, that's really sweet, but I don't think so. I don't feel very date-worthy." Korra replied, leaning against a table. 

"Are you kidding me? You're the smartest, funniest, toughest, buffest, talentedest, incrediblest girl in the world!" Bolin grinned 

Elira's heart shattered at his words. 

"You really feel that way about me?" Korra chuckled 

"I felt that way since the moment I saw you! Trust me, I know we're gonna have so much fun together." The earthbender smiled 

"You know what? I could use some fun. Okay, sure!" Korra replied, changing her mind 

"Yes! Who's the luckiest guy in the world? Right here, Bolin!" Bolin exclaimed, happily

"El, are you okay?" Asami asked, noticing the airbender's face.

"...Yeah, I just..." 

Bolin continued to grin happily, not noticing his best friend fleeing the room. 

*

Elira had locked herself in her bedroom. Laying on her bed with tears running down her cheeks. Pichi was by her side, chittering sadly as she nuzzled her owner. There was a soft knock at the door before it slid open, revealing her grandmother with her siblings standing behind her. 

"You three stay out here and keep guard. I'll talk to her" Azira whispered and the younger two saluted, acting like soldiers. 

Azira then entered the room, shutting the door behind her softly  

"Elira?" She called out, taking a seat beside her "How are you feeling?" 

The teen sniffled and sat up, wiping away her tears.  

"I'm fine" She lied, forcing a smile "If Bo wants to be with Korra, then so be it. As long as he's happy" 

"Don't lie to me, young lady" Azira frowned" Now, how are you feeling? Truthfully?" 

Elira was silent for a moment before letting her tears fall freely, a sob escaping. Azira quickly embraced her. 

"I'm such an idiot, Gran-Gran!" She wept 

"Shh, there there, It's going to be alright." They looked up suddenly when they heard the kids yelling outside the door. 

"Haven't you hurt our sister enough?!" Meelo shouted 

"I just want to talk to her" The door slid open and Korra walked in despite the kid's attempts to keep her out. 

Elira quickly wiped her tears, crossing her arms angrily as Azira stood up

"I'll give you two some privacy. Come on you three" The old woman ushered the younger kids out of the room, despite their protests, shutting the door behind them. 

"What is wrong with you?" Elira snapped as soon as they were gone. 

"What?" 

"Korra, I understand you're upset about Mako, but don't go using Bolin to get back at him!"Elira stood from her bed, angrily. 

"What? I'm not! We're just having fun together. What do you care, anyway?" Korra snapped 

"Because I like him, Korra!"The airbender revealed, "...And I don't want to him get hurt!" 

Korra was stunned "El, I had no idea...Why haven't you told him?" 

"Because he likes you!...I just want Bo to be happy, Korra. But how can that happen when the girl he likes is pinning over his brother and he doesn't even know?!... You know what, just get out. Don't you have a match to be getting to?" 

Elira turned her back on Korra who looked down, guiltily, as she headed for the door. 

"I'm really sorry, El" She muttered 

"It's not me you should be sorry to" The airbender huffed, staring out the window 

Korra frowned, looking down again as she opened the door and left. Ignoring the glares the kids sent at her as they rushed inside to their big sister. 

*

A few hours later, Elira forced herself to return to the arena for the quarterfinal match. Just because she was angry with Korra and felt awkward being around Bolin, didn't mean she was going to miss a match. 

"Eight teams have been eliminated and eight advance into the quarter-finals, which get underway way tonight" Shiro commentated " The rookies are about to take on the former and longest-reigning champs, the Boar-q-pines. Youth clashes against experience in a battle for the ages, or rather of the ages"

The bell sounded and the match began. Fire, water and earth disks flying everywhere. 

"Korra dodges and, ooh, slams right into her teammate!" 

Elira winced as Korra collided with Mako

" Down goes Mako and Bolin and Korra!" 

"Round one goes to the Boar-q-pines!" The announcer yelled 

"The Ferrets looking to mount some offence here in round two. Bolin lets fly a flurry of attacks, he's a one-man bending battalion" 

"Come on, pull it together" Elira muttered 

 "The Ferrets are having a rough time finding their rhythm tonight, but thanks to Bolin, they narrowly notch round two." 

The bell rang for round 3, Korra and Mako were all over the place. Getting hit left right and centre. 

" Not sure what's eating them, but this is not the same team who took out the Rabaroos." 

The buzzer sounded and the fighting stopped 

"Round three is a tie! We go to a tie-breaker to decide the match." The announcer yelled 

The two teams lined up and the referee flipped the coin. It landed red side up. 

"The Fire Ferrets win the coin toss! Which element do you choose?" He asked the Ferrets 

"I got this." Mako clenched his fist 

Bolin quickly stopped him "I know you usually handle these, but frankly, your head's not in the game. I'm gonna take this one" 

He stepped forward "We choose earth" 

The other team members stepped out of the circle, allowing a platform in the middle of the stage to rise with Bolin and Chang, the Boar-q-pine earthbender, on it. 

"Looks like the earthbenders will collide in the tie-breaker face-off." 

"You got this, Bo!" Elira cheered 

The bell rang and the earthbenders attacked! 

Chang tried a jump at Bolin but he ducked and rolled out of the way. He grabbed onto Chang's midsection, trying to push him over the line 

"Bolin goes in for the grapple, Chang reverses" 

Chang threw Bolin into the air over his shoulder. In mid-air, Bolin bent a disk at Chang, sending him back. 

"Bolin strikes from mid-air, knocking Chang to the edge of the circle" 

Sending two more disks and Chang was thrown off the ring 

"Another strike from Bolin, and Chang is in the drink!" 

"The Future Industries Fire Ferrets win their quarterfinal match!" The announcer yelled as the crowd screamed. 

"Oh, that was a close one folks! Youth trumps experience tonight." 

Elira sighed with relief, glad that the match was over. 

*

"Hey, El, wait up!" The airbender stopped as she walked down the hallway, turning as Bolin ran up to her, holding a bouquet of pink roses. 

"Hey, Bo. What's up?" She asked 

"You said you wanted to tell me something important, but then totally disappeared on me" The earthbender explained 

"Oh, that. Um...Forget about it. It doesn't matter now" Elira muttered, looking to the side. Pichi chittered and nuzzled her cheek, comfortingly. 

"You sure?" Bolin asked 

"Yeah, it wasn't as important as I thought...Who're the flowers for?"Elira changed the subject 

"Korra. What'd you think? Should I have gotten different ones?" Bolin fiddled with one of the petals. 

Elira smiled sadly "They're beautiful. She's gonna love them" 

"Sweet! Can you help me find her?" Bolin grinned 

"Yeah, I think I saw her head outside " 

*

Outside, Korra was leaning against a pillar, looking out over the city when Mako came up behind her. 

"We need to talk. Look, sometimes you can be so infuriating. But I —" 

"Save your breath. You've already made it clear how you feel about me." Korra cut him off 

"No, I haven't" Mako argued "What I'm trying to say is: as much as you drive me crazy, I also think you're pretty amazing" 

Korra looked up surprised, turning to face the firebender "So you do like me?" 

"Yes, but, I like Asami, too. I don't know, things are complicated. I've been feeling really confused and —" 

Korra interrupted Mako by kissing him on the lips. It surprised him at first, but kissed her back, making her blush. When they broke the kiss, Korra immediately looked down in shame after having seen something behind Mako. 

The firebender turned around to find Bolin standing there frozen with flowers for Korra.

Elira stood not far behind him. Her eyes wide shocked at what she had witnessed. 

Bolin soon burst into tears and ran away, wailing and dropping the flowers on the floor.

"Bo, wait!" Elira called after him 

"Bolin, this isn't what you think!" Mako yelled before turning to Korra" Great, look at what you did!" 

"You're blaming me?" Korra yelled back, insulted 

"You kissed me!" 

"You kissed me back!" 

"BOTH OF YOU SHUT UP!" 

The duo fell silent, turning again to see Elira looking absolutely livid! 

"You're both idiots! Total idiots!" She screamed before opening her glider and flying away with Pichi to find her best friend. 

*

Elira found Bolin walking the snow-covered streets with tears running down his cheeks and snot leaking from his nose. 

"Bo!" She called out, landing 

He stopped but kept his head down as Elira ran up and hugged him tightly. He immediately clung to her sobbing. 

"Oh, Bo" She muttered, stroking his hair comfortingly "Come on, let's get some noodles" 

She wrapped her arm around the boy leading him towards their favourite restaurant. 

They got a table and Elira ordered a bowl of noodles for Bo and a drink for herself. Bolin continued to cry, slumped on the table in front of her.

It was silent between them, the only sound being Bolin's sobs as he downed bowl after bowl of food. 

"I'm so sorry, Bo" Elira finally muttered

Bolin looked up at her and sniffed his runny nose "Why are you sorry? You didn't do anything" 

Elira glanced down at her tea." No, I didn't. And that's the problem" 

"What do you mean?" Bolin wiped his cheek. 

"I should've warned you about Korra's feeling for Mako. But I saw how happy she made you, so I kept quiet. I didn't think something like this would happen" Elira explained

"That was the important thing you wanted to tell me, wasn't it?" 

Elira put down her cup, hesitating "...Yeah. It was...I'm sorry" 

"It's not your fault...You didn't kiss Mako!" Bolin began sobbing again and Elira took his hand comfortingly. 

"Why?" The boy cried "Why does every girl go for Mako?" 

"Not every girl," Elira thought

" I'm such an idiot! Am I just not good enough?" 

"Hey!" Elira scowled and flicked his forehead  

"Ow!" 

"You listen to me, dirt brain!" She scolded " You are the bravest, strongest, funniest, most amazing guy I have ever met. And if Korra can't see that, then she's an idiot. You are enough, Bolin. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!" 

Bolin stared up his best friend for a moment, silent before more tears ran down his cheeks and he clung to her hand "Please don't leave me, El!" 

Elira smiled, squeezing his hand "Hey, as long as you're my best friend, you are never going through anything alone. I promise" 

*

The sun was now rising. The duo was still in the noodle shop asleep on the table, their hands linked. The sun shone through the window and Elira stirred. She yawned, rubbing her eye sleepily as she sat up, giving Pichi a brief scratch behind the ear as she slept on the windowsill. 

She stretched and smiled seeing Pabu sleeping upside down in an empty bowl. She giggled and stroked his tummy making him purr.  

Mako suddenly came walking in, looking for them. He waved to the owner "Morning, Narook. My brother and El here?"

Narook gestured to Elira softly running her fingers through Bolin's hair as he slept. 

"Thanks" Mako waved to Narook again before approaching the two. 

Elira glared as he neared, getting up and standing between him and Bolin, her arms crossed. 

"That's close enough" She snapped

"El, please, we don't have time for this" Mako sighed 

"Your brother just got his heart ripped out because you kissed his crush, in front of him! You could at least show a little sympathy!" 

"I know, I know! I was stupid!" Mako groaned "Look, I just wanna take him home, please" 

Elira continued to glare at the firebender but slowly moved to the side. 

"Thank you" Mako nodded before placing a hand on Bolin's shoulder, shaking him slightly "Come on. Wake up. Taking you home, bro" 

"Don't call me that. You're not my brother! You're a brother betrayer!" Bolin sobbed, sniffing "The only ones I can trust anymore is Pabu, El and Pichi! They love me" 

He gestured to the animals and his befriend who was still glaring. 

 "You're a mess, and we've got the biggest match of our lives tonight. Let's go" 

Bolin slapped his hand away, pointing at him angrily "No! I'm not going anywhere with you, you traitor!" 

Mako sighed "Guess we'll have to do this the hard way." 

He picked Bolin up and hauled him over his shoulder, walking out of the restaurant. 

"Why?!" Bolin sobbed 

"Come on, Pabs" Elira whistled to the fire ferret following after the boys with Pichi on her shoulder 

"Told you dating a teammate was a bad idea." Mako huffed 

"You're a bad idea! Put me down! Put me down!" Bolin yelled as they left the restaurant, Pabu jumping into Elira's arms as she followed. 

* 

That night, Elira was sitting next to Bolin on the bench in the locker room as behind them Mako put on his gear. She looked up and narrowed her eyes when Korra entered, quickly turning back to Bolin. The two hadn't spoken since the incident, mainly from Elira avoiding the Avatar whenever she could. 

Soon it was time for the match. And Elira was not confident at all. 

"You can't find two teams more evenly matched in age, size, and strength than the Fire Ferrets and the Buzzard Wasps. Believe me, I've looked! This should be a pulse-pounding semi-final, folks!" Shiro commentated as the two teams lined up. 

The bell rang and the match began 

" The Buzzard Wasps open with a flawlessly executed combo. All three Ferrets take an early visit to zone two. And Mako is knocked all the way back into zone three! The Fire Ferrets have been struggling to stay alive since the opening bell. All three players are totally out of sync tonight" 

Elira let out a gasp as Bolin was struck in the stomach with an earth disk 

"Ooh, that has got to sting!" 

 Bolin stumbled to the side of the ring, removed his helmet, throwing it aside, and vomited. Elira grimace. 

" And Bolin loses his noodles! Literally.  Which reminds me, this match is brought to you by our sponsor, Flamey-O Instant Noodles! Noodliest noodles in the United Republic" 

 The match continued and Korra got knocked into zone three

"The Buzzard Wasps fly deeper into Ferret territory. And Mako plunges into the pool! Can the Fire Ferrets hold on? The Wasps have the Ferrets backed up to the edge now ..." 

The bell rang, indicating the end of the match "and the Ferrets are bailed out by the bell! They had better pull themselves together for round two, otherwise, they can kiss the finals goodbye" 

The bell dinged and the second round began.

 Mako got knocked back a zone and firebent a blast that accidentally hit Bolin in the back, knocking him to the ground.

"Hey! Watch it!" He snapped, but as his back is turned, he was struck by a blast of water and knocked off the edge. 

"The Wasps take advantage of Mako's unforced error and Bolin is in the pool!" 

Korra got fancy with her waterbending and got too carried away, bouncing one of the players up and down with her water. 

 "Ooh, and a blatant hold by the Avatar!" 

The referee blew the whistle " Unnecessary roughness! Move back one zone!" 

"I'll unnecessarily rough you up!" Korra snapped, waterbending a blast at the referee as she headed back. 

 The ref pulled out a yellow fan at her. 

"And the Avatar is slapped with the yellow fan. The Ferrets are their own worst enemy right now. It's just sad to watch. With the Buzzard Wasps leading two rounds to zilch, the Ferrets' only hope of winning is with a knockout." 

The Ferrets grimly headed back to the starting line and the bell dinged, signalling the start of round three.

"Bolin's knocked into zone two, followed quickly by his brother!" 

An earth coin suddenly struck Bolin in the shoulder and he cried out "And Bolin takes a zinger to the shoulder! Looks like it's a clean hit." 

"Bo!" Elira cried as the earthbender knelt on the ring, holding his shoulder 

"Bolin!" Mako turned to his brother but was hit with a blast of fire and knocked off the edge. 

"Mako's in the drink and out of the match. And Bolin keeps playing with one good arm! I gotta hand it to him, this kid's got grit! But how long can he keep it up?" 

Bolin soon got knocked off the edge with an earth and water combo "Apparently, not very long. The Ferrets' dream of making it to the finals now rests in the Avatar's hands. But with three on one, I don't like her odds" 

 Korra dodged the attacks in an attempt to stay in the ring.

"What an unbelievable effort here by Korra! She's dodging every element the Wasps throw at her!" 

 Korra knocked each of the Wasps into a line as Bolin and Mako joined El in the locker room. 

"Hey, you okay? You got hit pretty hard" She asked 

"I'll be alright, don't worry, airhead" Bolin smiled, nudging her with his good arm. Elira laughed and nudged him back before turning back to the match. 

"The Avatar finally gains some ground, but with only ten seconds remaining, it might be too little too late!" 

Korra angled herself so that the Buzzard Wasps were lined up in front of her, and knocked them out with a single blast of water

" It's the big kibosh! What a knockout!" 

"Yes! She did it!/ Yes! Yeah!/ Woo! Great job, Korra" The trio yelled 

"It didn't seem possible, folks, but the Fire Ferrets are headed to the finals!" 

"Ha, ha!" Mako and El embraced Bolin tightly in a group hug

"Shoulder! Shoulder!" He cried out making them quickly let him go

" Sorry/Oops" 

*

"That was pretty much the coolest thing I've ever seen." Bolin grinned as Korra entered the locker room 

"Thanks for not giving up on us. We never would have made it this far without you. I owe you. Big time." Mako added 

"You're welcome. So ... I know things are confusing right now, but I hope we can still be friends." Korra smiled 

"Definitely." 

 Elira glared at the next team entered, the waterbender inhaling deeply looking disgusted. 

"Ooh, oof. You boys smell something in here? Wait, I know what that is; yeah, that's the scent of losers." He smirked at the Ferrets

"I hope we see you in the finals. Then we'll know who the losers really are." Korra resorted 

"Yeah, I'm peeing my pants over here." The waterbender replied sarcastically before winking at El "As always a pleasure seeing you again, Master Elira" 

"Wish I could say the same" She muttered

"And now, the defending champs, the White Falls Wolfbats!" The announcer yelled 

Asami then came into the locker room, throwing her arms around Mako's neck.

"Great job! What a comeback, Korra. I've never seen a hat trick like that." She smiled

"Thanks!" Korra replied Elira helped Bolin to the bench "But if it hadn't been for you and your father, we wouldn't have had the chance to play. So thank you" 

"Uh, if everyone's done with the little "thank you" party, need some medical attention over here., Bolin grumbled, his wounded shoulder now out of its sleeve. 

"Ooh, let me help!" Korra placed both hands on his shoulder

" Owww! Gah! Haven't you hurt me enough, woman?" 

"Relax, I'm a healer!" Korra bent some water from a nearby bucket " I learned from Katara, the best there is" 

"No, no, oh- ooh! That's the stuff!" Bolin sighed as Korra healed his shoulder, Elira giggled softly beside him

"Bolin, I'm sorry I hurt your feelings. I didn't mean to let things get so out of hand." Korra sat down beside them

"Ahh, I'll be all right. But we had fun together, didn't we?" Bolin smiled 

"I had a great time, honestly! You are one of a kind, Bolin. I'm sure any girl would be lucky to have you" Korra gave Elira a pointed look. The airbender glared at her playfully 

"Please, go on. I enjoy praise." Bolin smirked 

"Easy, dirt brain. Your head's already as big as your waist" Elira teased, ruffling his hair as Korra laughed 

"Your winners, the Wolfbats!" The announcer yelled making them look back at the ring 

"What? How is it over already?" Korra questioned as they got up, looking out at the ring seeing the Mo Ce Mongoose Lizards being helped from the pool by medics with stretchers. 

"With a brutal round one knockout, the defending champs secure their spot in the finals. I hope the Ferrets know a good doctor, 'cause they're gonna need one!" 

The teens shared astonished and slightly scared looks. 

*

Elira was staring up at her grandfather's statue on the ferry ride home before Korra came and stood beside her.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you"

"It's alright, I deserved it" Korra shrugged "But, you should tell Bolin how you feel" 

Elira frowned, lowering her head "I don't know, Korra. I don't want things to get awkward" 

"Why would they be awkward?" 

"Cause he may not like me back" Elira huffed, turning away 

Korra placed a hand on her shoulder, smiling softly "...You know, on our date, Bolin talked about you constantly" 

Elira looked at her disbelievingly "Really?"  

"Yeah, it was all "Oh, that's El's favourite dish" or "El loves it here". I swear, if I was someone else, I'd be pretty jealous" Korra nudged her playfully, smirking. "You should give a shot, El. You might be surprised" 

"I-I think I should wait a while. He's still getting over you and everything that happened" Elira played with the ends of her hair. 

"Well, watching you pine over him every day is gonna get old, so don't wait too long, alright." Korra teased 

Elira chuckled softly "I'll try not to"