The Southern Lights

"There it is, the Southern Air Temple. Isn't it magnificent?" Tenzin announced as Oogie flew over a mountain range, seeing the temple in the distance. 

 "It most certainly is" Zira smiled, not being able to help the feeling of nostalgia that washed over her. It was just like she remembered. 

"How long has it been, Mom?" Ursa asked 

" Over 18 years" Zira looked down slightly, fiddling with her bracelet "My, how time does fly" 

As Tenzin landed Oogie, three Acolytes walked towards them, two of them carrying a large case.

"Master Tenzin, Lady Azira, welcome!" One of them greeted, smiling as the family dismounted. 

"Good to see you again, Abbot Shung" Tenzin bowed as did Pema and Azira. 

"Is there anything you need? Water? Dandelion greens? Ahh, perhaps you'd like to recenter yourself by meditating in the gardens?" Shung offered 

"No thank you, I'm fine." Tenzin refused 

"And you, my lady?" Shung looked at Azira "It has been quite a while since you were here, but I do remember you always prefer to visit the sanctuary when you arrive" 

Zira smiled and shook her head "I'm alright for now, I'll visit it a little bit later, thankyou. Right now, I just want to get settled" 

"Of course, my lady" Shung then tuned to Pema "And you must be the honourable Pema! Please, accept these gifts" 

Shung reached into the case, and pulled out an odd contraption, which he then handed to Tenzin "This is an ancient airbender head shaver we've refurbished just for you" 

"Oh... Okay?" Tenzin looked unsure of how to respond.

"And Pema and Azira! These flowers once filled the mountainside! Now, they can brighten up your rooms" Shung handed the women two massive bouquets.

The bouquets were so large that Zira nearly toppled over. "Oh! Thank you, that's ... sweet?" 

" Y-you didn't have to" Pema added, her face covered by the flowers. 

"Nonsense! Whatever you need is yours. Anything for the mother of the next generation of airbenders." Shung smiled over to where an Acolyte woman was handing Jinora a book

Ikki however snatched it "No! That gift is mine!" 

"You don't even like to read!" Jinora scowled 

"Eeeh!" Ikki stuck her tongue out at her sister 

 "Yep, those are the world's next generation of airbenders" Pema smiled in embarrassment "Most of them anyway" 

"Yes, I was wondering. Where is Master Elira today?" Shung asked 

"She's in the South Pole, helping Avatar Korra" Tenzin replied 

"I see. I'm sorry, but I must ask, have you found any promising suitors for her yet?" Shung inquired

The trio's eyes widened as they all shared a glance. 

"A little early to be thinking about that isn't it? She's only just turned 18" Pema replied 

"The sooner the better I say! She's the future of the Air Nation after all" Shung smiled 

Pema and Tenzin shared another look before Meelo suddenly appeared from behind the three Acolytes and jumped on the abbot's back, a lemur in his hands.

"Mommy, Daddy, Gran-Gran, look! I finally got a lemur! Just like El! I'm gonna name him Poki!" The boy grinned excitedly, but the lemur then wiggled out of his hands and flew away. 

"Poki! Come back!" Meelo jumped down from the abbot and formed an air scooter to chase after the creature.

Back with Oogie, Kya, Bumi and Ursa were unloading the bags. 

Kya tossed some bags down, which hit Bumi making him grunt as Ursa snickered. 

"S'cuse me, a little help here?" Bumi looked Somewhat frustrated at a nearby Air Acolyte woman as Kya dropped down from on top of the sky bison. 

The acolyte turned to them "Sorry, I thought you were the Princess Kya's servants" 

 "We're Tenzin's brother and sister!" Ursa snapped, gesturing to her and Bumi. 

"Avatar Aang had other children?" The woman gasped excitedly "The world is filled with more airbenders?" 

"They're not airbenders" Kya spoke up calmly, glancing at Ursa slightly as the firebender scowled. 

"Oh ... I'm so sorry" The Acolyte bowed 

"Whatever" Ursa scoffed and walked away

Zira, who had watched the whole scene from where she stood with Tenzin, looked down and sighed to herself, closing her eyes. 

*

"Guys! Hey, wait for us!" Bolin yelled as he and Elira zoomed over on the snowmobile, to where the others were preparing to leave.

Bolin was wearing a green snowsuit, while Elira, despite not really needing one, wore an orange one as she sat in the sidecar attached to the mobile with Pichi beside her. 

Mako and Korra watched from Naga's saddle in confusion as the duo pulled up next to them.

"Check it out!" Elira grinned as Bolin pulled his hood down

"We're travelling in style!" He leant his elbow on the throttle, accidentally turning it. 

"Whoa!" The vehicle jerked forward, but Bolin promptly stopped it "Okay, uh, sorry, still getting used to that throttle" 

"El? Why aren't you with your family?" Korra questioned

"Dad convinced me to stay. He pulled the "Team Avatar" card on me" Elira replied  

Korra looked at her surprised "I thought you were mad at me?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong, I still don't like that you just ditched my dad" Elira crossed her arms, turning away as Korra frowned.

"So, where'd you get the ride?" Mako asked, smirking 

"Varrick; he's awesome!" Elira then exclaimed, airbending out of the sidecar " He also gave us these fancy snowsuits! They're inflatable, with an internal heater, emergency beacon, and food ration pouches! I mean, if we get lost, we can survive in these things for like, like a month!" 

Bolin reached into his snowsuit, pulled out several cucumberquat slices and offered them to the crowd "Who wants some freeze-dried cucumberquats?...Nobody? ..." 

No one took the food. Just stared at the two. 

" Did we interrupt a conversation?" Bolin asked awkwardly as Pabu popped out of his suit and ate some of the cucumberquats. 

"No, the conversation is over" Korra turned to her father" Dad, come if you want, just don't interfere with my training" 

She rode away from the group, as Eska got off of her camel yak and approached Bolin

"Does this sidecar have the capacity for two passengers?" She asked 

"Sure does" Bolin smirked at her flirtingly, patting the seat " But, uh ... who's gonna drive?" 

*

That night, it turned out that Eska was implying Bolin drive the snowmobile while she and Desna sat together in the sidecar. Bolin did not look happy with the circumstances. 

 Mako and El rode toward the trio on their camel yaks, Mako smirking teasingly at his brother. 

"Well, what do you know? Looks like--" 

"Go away, Mako" Bolin grumbled, looking annoyed 

El snickered slightly at her best friend's annoyance, not even noticing Desna glance at her from the sidecar while his sister continued to face front. 

Korra and Unalaq stopped further ahead and appeared to be talking about something before Naga suddenly began to growl, sensing something hidden in the cold fog. 

"Easy, Naga" Korra tried to calm her but Naga kept growling. 

The fog began to clear revealing three dark spirits watching them from a distance. 

"What are those?" Bolin whimpered 

"Dark spirits," El muttered, narrowing her eyes at the entities. 

The fog picked up again, hiding the spirits from view once more but Naga kept growling slightly. 

"Let's keep moving. We have to find a safe place to set up camp." Tonraq declared before speeding away on his snowmobile. 

*

Later that evening, they were all huddled around a roaring fire eating food in a small cave. Elira had intended to be next to Bolin, but the twins ended up sitting between them, Desna closest to her. 

"Uncle, why do you think the dark spirits are following us?" Korra suddenly asked 

"Can we not talk about dark spirits, please?" Bolin scooted closer to Eska and held her arm tightly. 

"My brother doesn't like ghost stories," Mako explained 

"Don't worry. I will protect you, my feeble turtle duck." Eska said dryly 

"Thank you," Bolin muttered 

Elira frowned a little, sadly, and looked away from the couple. Desna noticed. Thinking she too was scared, placed down his bowl of food and wrapped his arm around her. 

"What are you doing?" She looked at him strangely 

"Don't you also require comforting?" Desna asked

El glanced at Bo and Eska beside them, feeling the sharp pain in her chest at the sight of them cuddling. 

"Sure, why not" She sighed, resting her head on the prince's shoulder. 

"Sadly, this isn't a ghost story. This is real" Unalaq began explaining, making Bolin gasp and close his hood. 

"The spirits are angry because he's here" Unalaq looked at his brother before turning to Korra "Haven't you ever wondered how your father ended up in the South Pole? Why he's never taken you to visit his homeland in the North?" 

"Unalaq, this is not the time." Tonraq scowled 

"You're right. You should have told her a long time ago." 

"Told me what!?" Korra glared at her father 

Tonraq sighed " I left the North Pole because ... I was banished." 

Korra looked shocked "You were banished from the North? Why?" 

"Because I almost destroyed the entire tribe" Tonraq revealed "Twenty years ago, I was a general in the Northern Water Tribe, sworn to protect my people. One day, a group of barbarians attacked. I drove them out of the city and deep into the frozen tundra. We tracked them deep into an ancient forest. Many believed this forest was the home to spirits, and the barbarians retreated there because they thought we wouldn't attack them on such hallow grounds. They thought wrong. We captured the barbarians, but in the process, we destroyed the forest. I didn't realize the consequences of what I had done. By destroying the forest, I unknowingly let loose angry spirits. They threatened to destroy everything, the entire city. Unalaq was able to guide the spirits back to the forest. But by then, the damage had been done. For being the cause of so much devastation, my father banished me from the Northern Water Tribe in shame. That's when I came to the South and started a new life." 

Tonraq bowed his head in shame before turning around and facing the rest of the group.

"Whoa, so you  were supposed to be chief, then he became chief" Bolin gestured to Unalaq " No wonder you guys don't like each other" 

 Mako elbowed him "Ow! What? Isn't that what happened?" 

" I can't believe you kept this from me." Korra glared at her father, standing up 

"I was protecting you from the shame I brought on the family." 

"Why did you keep hiding things from me and then telling me it's for my own protection? I'm tired of you protecting me!" Korra yelled before storming off 

"Korra!" Tonraq called after her but was ignored. 

Elira sighed softly, burying her face in Desna's shoulder. She should have gone with her family. 

*

The next morning, at the Southern Air Temple, Tenzin and Zira led Jinora into the inner sanctuary which was filled with statues. 

"Wow, the statue room." The little girl gasped 

"That's right, Jinora, the most sacred place in the entire Southern Air Temple. Here, you will find statues of every Avatar who ever lived" Tenzin explained before suddenly looking behind him "Where are your brother and sister?" 

Meelo and Ikki suddenly zoomed behind them, racing each other on air scooters. The wake from their bending caused Tenzin's robes to blow up and cover his head.

"You can't catch me! I'm the greatest air scooter-er of all time!"  Meelo taunted before accidentally tripping over and crashing face-first into a statue! 

"Meelo!" Tenzin cried, shocked, running over to tend to his son whilst Jinora walked forward to the statue of her grandfather, where Zira was already standing, gazing at it. 

Jinora joined her side and looked up at Aang's statue in awe. Zira smiled softly at her. "Jinora, meet your grandfather" 

"Wow," As the two airbenders locked gazes, Jinora's eye dilated suddenly and she looked behind her but no one was there. 

"Jinora? You alright?" Zira asked, looking concerned 

"I'm okay..." The girl replied, looking a little confused before turning back to Aang's statue "Gran-Gran, I know I've read all about your adventures, but the books didn't really go into detail on how you first met Grandpa Aang. They just say it was on Uncle Zuko's ship. Can you tell me more? Please?" 

Zira chuckled softly with a wistful look in her eyes as she retold the story of her and Aang's first meeting "Well we first saw each other in the Southern Water Tribe. But we met officially on my brother's ship. I was just about your age at the time. I was in my room when I heard crashes coming from outside. I wondered out to look around--Whack!" 

Zira grabbed her granddaughter, making her squeal "He ran straight into me and knocked me down trying to escape from the guards" 

"So, you met by accident? That's so romantic" Jinora gushed.

 "There are no accidents, Jinora. Everything happens for a reason" Zira smiled softly at her again before turning to look up at the statue of her late husband once again. 

*

Back in the Southern tundra, the group were slowly trudging through the snow.

"I think we're here!" Mako called from the front 

El followed Korra and Unalaq to the edge of the cliff Mako had stopped at. She gazed worried at the raging storm in the distance.  The Everstorm! 

As the team got closer to the storm, they all had their hoods up to protect their faces against the icy wind. Elira suddenly stopped and looked back, a roaring in the distance just audible over the wind.

Korra too stop as another louder roar was heard.

"Is that what I think it is?" Bolin asked fearfully 

"We must keep moving" Unalaq called back before looking up as the angry spirits continued to roar

" Oh man, I really don't like this." Bolin trembled, holding the sides of his face 

"It's gonna be okay, Bo" Elira reassured him 

"El's right" Mako added "There's no reason to-" A dark spirit suddenly emerged from beneath his camel yak and grabbed the supplies "Panic!" 

A dark spirit emerged beneath El's camel yak and landed on its face while another grabbed her supplies. 

"Whoa! Easy!" El cried as the camel yak began to freak out.

The animal suddenly reared up, throwing Elira from its saddle.  

A dark spirit appeared, giving her little time to get up before it was right in front of her. 

"El!" She heard Bolin call out to her 

She went to airbend at the spirit, but it was all of a sudden thrown to the side by a blast of water. 

Looking surprised, Elira got to her feet and her eyes landed on Desna now standing up in the sidecar. His hands were outstretched but his face remained emotionless. 

El went to thank him but ended up gasping when she saw another dark spirit enter the snowmobile.

"Oh, it's in the engine!" Bolin yelled, terrified before the engine exploded in grey smoke as the spirit exited 

"Aaaahhhhh!"

"Bo!" 

Bolin ended up losing control of the snowmobile and it sped off into the tundra, forcing Desna back down in his seat next to Eska.

Elira quickly grabbed her glider, dodging any spirits that jumped at her before taking off after the snowmobile while Korra and Mako continued to fight off the spirits with firebending.

 Korra somersaulted out of the way and employed Unalaq's purifying move on one of the spirits. The spirit stop for a moment in a daze, but it managed to break out of it and pinned Korra down. 

It roared loudly at her, drool dripping from its mouth. 

But its dark purple appearance suddenly began to glow. Unalaq purified the spirit, making it release Korra, flying away and disappearing. 

 Mako walked over to Korra and helped her up "Is everyone okay?" 

"Aaaahhhhh!" Bolin's screams of terror could be heard in the distance making the turn around to see the snowmobile hurtling away from the group with Elira flying behind it trying to catch up. 

"I can't stop it!" Bolin yelled, gripping the handlebars in utter fear, while beside him, Desna and Eska once again had no emotion on their faces. 

"I'll save you." Eska declared as she and Desna jumped off their seat, onto Bolin's back grabbing him before leaping off the snowmobile, which crashed into the cliff and exploded. 

Seeing they were free from the vehicle, Elira looped in the air and followed them as the twins dropped Bolin onto the snow. 

"I'm a raft!" He exclaimed when his snowsuit inflated, revealing Pabu as Elira flew above him slightly, smirking in amusement 

Desna and Eska covered their feet in ice and gracefully slide down the slope back to the team. Elira landed soon after before Bolin finally slide down to them, being stopped by Mako's foot. 

"Uhhh, can someone please deflate me?" 

 Eska shot three ice spikes through Bolin's suit, making Pabu squeak as it deflated "Thank you" 

Mako turned to look at the destruction left by the spirits "Oh, great. There goes our equipment" 

"What are we supposed to do now?" Elira asked 

"There's only one thing to do. We have to turn back." Tonraq declared 

"No! The solstice is tonight. And we're so close." Unalaq argued 

"This mission is too dangerous. We're leaving." Tonraq glared at his brother 

 "No, Dad" Korra cut in "You're leaving." 

*

"Don't worry sir, I'll keep an eye on Korra for you," Mako said to Tonraq as he prepared to leave 

"Thank you, Mako" Tonraq shook the firebenders hand 

Korra watched them irritated before her father sped off on his snowmobile.

" Let's open this portal and lead your father and the entire Southern Water Tribe in the right direction. We don't have much time." Unalaq came up to her on his camel. 

"Then what are we waiting for?" Korra urged Naga forward. 

The group continued on, Bolin having to hitch a ride with El as her camel yak dragged the destroyed snowmobile behind them. Elira glanced over her shoulder and snickered when she saw her best friend pouting 

"Cheer up, Bo. I'm sure Varrick will get you another one if we explain what happened" She smiled 

"Yeah, I guess so" Bolin sighed before hugging the girl from behind "Thanks for coming to get me through" 

"Bo, I hardly did anything. Eska and Desna saved you, not me. " Elira glanced at the royal twins riding in front of her "...You really like her don't you? Eska?" 

"She's scary but she's beautiful" Bolin nodded with a dreamy smile, not noticing El look down and shut her eyes. 

"And what about you?" Bolin asked making her look up 

"What about me?" El looked confused 

"You and Desna?" 

El let out a slight snort"What are you talking about? There is no "Me and Desna" We're friends, at least I think we are. Can't really tell, he doesn't really talk much. He's a good listener though" 

"And handsome?" Bolin smirked teasingly 

Elira blushed slightly "...Maybe" 

"Then what's stopping you, airhead?" Bolin nudged her, laughing 

"Because I like you, dirt brain," Elira thought but didn't dare to say out loud 

*

"We've arrived," Unalaq called from the front 

"Woah" Elira looked up and gasped softly, seeing a number of trees with their trunks covered in frozen ice.

"Trees frozen in the ice," Korra muttered, getting off Naga 

"It's just like the sacred forest Tonraq destroyed in the North." Unalaq walked up to her 

"So, what do I do?" Korra asked 

 "You must find your way to the heart of the forest where the dormant spirit portal lies. From here, you're on your own." Unalaq explained 

"Wait a second" Mako cut in protectively "There's no way she's going alone" 

"Yeah! If she goes, we go, too!" Bolin added, Pabu emerging from his snowsuit

"Couldn't have said it better myself" Elira finished, glaring slightly at the chief as she joined Bolin's side with Pichi climbing out of her snowsuit to rest on her shoulder. 

"The Avatar must go alone" Unalaq declared 

"But I don't have any connection with the spirits. In fact, it seems like they hate me." Korra looked down 

"You have to believe in yourself like I believe in you" Unalaq placed a hand on her shoulder. 

 Korra turned away.

" What is it?" 

"I guess I'm just so used to people telling me how to do things that I forgot what it was like to have someone trust in me" Korra smiled at her uncle 

"Korra, all the past Avatars live on inside of you. Let them guide you. Let them help you find the light in the dark." Unalaq turned to look at the forest and Korra followed his gaze 

She turned to her friends "Wait here, I'll be okay." 

"Good luck" Mako replied as Pabu and Pichi chittered 

They watched as Korra made her way to the forest and disappeared into the trees. 

"So...What now?" Bolin asked 

"We wait" Elira replied, sitting on the snowy ground, her eyes fixed on the forest. 

*

It had been a while since Korra had entered the forest. The group had heard the roars of spirits but apart from that, silence. 

Suddenly, a green beam of light shot into the air and the southern lights appeared in the sky, dissipating the Everstorm! 

"The spirits, dancing in the sky." Elira gasped, smiling 

"I can't believe it" Mako muttered 

"It's beautiful" Bolin wiped a tear from his eye 

Elira turned back to the forest and grinned when she spotted Korra emerging from the trees. 

"Korra! You're back!" She quickly ran to her friend

" Hey, Korra's back!" Bolin called to the rest of the group, following after El 

The two hugged her tightly making her smile. But an ice wall suddenly separated them and brought Bolin back to face Eska. 

"Why are you initiating physical contact with other women?" She questioned making Bolin gulp and laugh fearfully. 

Elira scowled, getting protective "Put him down, Eska" 

The princess turned to the airbender, her face emotionless as usual so Elira didn't know what she was thinking. 

"If Bolin wants to hug me or Korra, he can. He doesn't need your permission to hug his friends" The airbender glared "So I'll say it again. Put. Him. Down" 

The two continued to stare at each other for a few tense filled moments. Elira narrowed her eyes at the princess. 

Finally, Eska let her ice melt and Bolin dropped to the ground. She held Elira's glare for another second before she and Desna walked away. 

*

A day later, the team finally returned back to the Southern Water Tribe.

Stopping her camel yak on the overlook, Elira frowned in confusion when she saw a number of large battleships entering the harbour. 

Korra, feeling the same confusion, turned to her uncle as she got off Naga "What are all your Northern troops doing here?" 

"Opening the spirit portal was only the first step in getting the Southern Water Tribe back on its righteous path" Unalaq explained "There's more difficult work to be done before our two tribes are truly united"