Light in the Dark

In Republic City, the sky had been illuminated by spirit lights. Police airships and United Forces battleships had been deployed to protect the mainland, while on Air Temple Island, on the balcony Pema and her three younger children stood watching. 

"Oooo ... Pretty." Ikki smiled at the sky 

 The sky suddenly lit up, something shooting through the air before Unavaatu plunged into the sea. The wave he created pushing back one of the battleships.

"It's time to take back the physical world." He declared standing up 

As he began approaching the mainland, the United Forces battleships attacked Unavaatu with large fire blasts, but the Dark Avatar continued walking, unharmed and unfazed by the blasts. 

 He retaliated with a large waterbending wall to stop the blasts, before sending the wave toward the battleships, scattering them

"Monster attack!" Meelo yelled as Unavaatu walked up to Aang's Memorial Island.

The Dark Avatar grabbed a hold of Aang's statue, wrapping his tendrils around it before tipping it over into the sea where it slowly sank into the water. 

*

"They're over here!" Tenzin yelled, kneeling beside Elira as the rest of his family ran over to tend to Korra and the boys. 

"Please, wake up" He muttered, picking up his unconscious daughter, and looking down at her in worry. 

"They're gonna be all right. But I need to get them into some spirit water. Right away." Kya explained and Bumi hauled the brothers over his shoulders as Ursa picked up Korra. 

Heading back into the Spirit World, Tenzin gently lowered Elira into a stream of spirit water as Bumi and Ursa did the same for Korra and the boys. 

Once Tenzin was out of the water, Kya began to heal the fallen kids, a stream of illuminated water passing over them, mirroring Kya's movements

After a few moments, the four's eyes snapped open and each shot up gasping for air. 

"Thank goodness you're all okay." Tenzin sighed in relief 

"Dad!" Elira shot to her feet, almost falling over but her father quickly caught her "Where's Jinora? Did you find her? Is she okay?" 

"I was able to rescue her soul, but she wasn't ready to return to her body yet" Tenzin explained helping El out of the water as Korra and the boys stood up. 

"What? Why not?" El questioned confused 

"She sensed that the world was in grave danger." 

"...She was right" Korra muttered, walking past to sit on a rock looking dejected 

"Were you able to stop Unalaq and Vaatu?" Tenzin asked 

"No, they fused. Then Vaatu ripped Raava right out of me and destroyed her...Vaatu won" Korra lowered her head in defeat. 

"No. I am too young to live through ten thousand years of darkness. Korra, can't you talk to one of your past lives or something?" Bolin begged 

"When Vaatu destroyed Raava, he destroyed my connection to the past Avatars too," Korra revealed

"If that's true, then-" 

"The cycle is over. I'm the last Avatar...I'm so sorry, Tenzin" Korra began crying as the others watched her sadly. 

El was in shock. The other Avatars - her grandfather. They were all gone. Really gone. She glanced over at Korra on the rock looking defeated and walked over, sitting beside her friend. 

"You know, the other Avatars may not be able to help anymore, but, maybe I can?" She suggested softly 

"No one can help me now," Korra muttered, hopelessly 

"Come on, Korra, don't give up. There may still be a way for you to stop Vaatu" El encouraged 

"How?" 

 "You could try connecting with your inner spirit?" El placed a hand on Korra's shoulder "Let go of your attachment to who you think you are" 

"Haven't you heard anything I said? Raava is gone. I'm not connected to a spirit anymore."Korra looked away 

"I wasn't talking about Raava" El declared but the Avatar continued to face away making her sigh. 

"Korra...Maybe Raava chose you for a reason. Maybe she was given to you because the spirits saw someone worthy of being the Avatar" She said and Korra looked up slightly" But Raava wasn't the one who makes you Korra...You are"

Korra turned to her friend who smiled at her. They both looked up, however, when Tenzin walked over to them. 

"Korra, I know I haven't been the best mentor to you. But I realized it was because I had a lot of spiritual growth to do myself. " He declared "But Elira is right you know. Raava is not who you are" 

Korra looked down again, contemplating what the airbenders had told her. 

"Come with me, I need to show you something." Tenzin walked off again and Korra watched him dejectedly, turning to El who nodded at her, so the Avatar followed after her mentor. 

*

As Tenzin took Korra into the Tree Of Time, El remained sat on the rock picking at her nails. Bolin watched her and debated whether or not to go over and speak to her. He jumped when he felt Mako nudge his shoulder.

"What are you waiting for? Go talk to her" He encouraged 

"You sure? I mean you saw what happened earlier" 

 "Bro, she thought you were really saying all that stuff to Eska, not her" Mako sighed

"Seriously?" Bolin realised 

"Yes! What were you thinking? Of all times to tell her, you do it when your ex-girlfriend's there?" 

"Okay, okay, I get it. I'm an idiot, we've already established that" Bolin grumbled making Mako smirk "I just didn't know if I'd get the chance to tell her, so I went for it" 

"Well, you have a chance now. Go get her, bro" Mako playfully shoved his brother towards Elira. 

Bolin stumbled slightly but quickly regained his footing. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves he walked over to his best friend. 

"Hey" He sat on the rock beside her. "You feeling alright?" 

El looked at him strangely "The world is on the brink of being plunged into ten thousand years of darkness and we're all sat here feeling sorry for ourselves" 

"Right sorry, just trying to make small talk..." Bolin muttered before scratching the back of his neck awkwardly "Actually, I um...I really need to tell you something, El. Something I should've said a long time ago" 

"What is it?" El asked, tilting her head 

"Well uh, you know, back with Eska, I um..." Bolin rambled but trailed off seeing Elira's face fall 

"Yeah, I was there, I heard. It's good to know where we both stand with this. But I'm happy for you, Bolin, really" She muttered and went to get up

"El, wait!" Bolin grabbed her hand "I wasn't saying it to Eska!" 

El turned to him confused "What?" 

Before Bolin could explain further, a deep thumping sound coming from the Tree of Time caught their attention. Turning around, they were shocked and surprised to see a large blue projection of Korra exiting the tree.

Everyone watched in shock and surprise as Korra's projection reached out to the overlapping portals and was sucked through, disappearing through the base of the portal.

"Uhhh ... what did you say to her exactly?" Bumi asked Tenzin and Elira couldn't help but smile. 

"Go get him, Korra" She whispered to herself 

*

In Republic City,  the buildings were surrounded with vines and an emergency alarm blared loudly. 

 Unavaatu stood in the bay, his arms stretched toward the water as he controlled the vines that were overtaking the city. 

He suddenly looked up as a blue light coursed through the sky. 

The light intensified into a bright ball before slamming right into him, knocking him back, ricocheting over the water's surface.

 Korra's projection stood up glaring at the Dark Avatar as, from the island, Pema and the kids looked on in surprise.

"Korra's back!" Ikki grinned 

"And she's a blue giant!" Meelo added, pointing at Korra. 

Unavaatu rose up from the water and prepared to battle Korra.

 Both entities fired out their respective energy beams from their chests, the two beams colliding in a power struggle. 

 Korra soon focused her beam to overpower Unavaatu's, eventually knocking him back. 

Korra ran forward, but Unavaatu shot out tendrils toward her, which she caught and used to immobilise Unavaatu, pulling him towards her. 

She jumped and kicked Unavaatu in the chest before wrapping the tendrils around her arm, turning around and picking up the Dark Avatar over her back and throwing him into a nearby mountain. 

Before Unavaatu could get up, Korra leapt forward and pinned him to the mountain face. 

Grabbing Unavaatu's head with one hand, Korra used her free hand to send a pulse of golden light throughout the Dark Avatar, desperately searching for Raava within. 

"You're looking for something that is gone" Unavaatu ensnared Korra with his tendrils, preventing her from moving " Raava has been destroyed. And soon you will be too!" 

Unavaatu suddenly fired a close-range energy beam at Korra. 

She tried to hold on to the Dark Avatar but eventually lowered her head in exhaustion 

*

Back in the Spirit World, El noticed a swarm of dark spirits approach the Tree of Time.

"Look alive people, we got company!" She got into an airbending stance as the others noticed the dark spirits. 

"They're coming for Korra!" Mako yelled before shooting lightning toward the spirits.

 His attack was followed by Ursa, El, Tenzin, Kya, and Bolin, who attacked the spirits with their respective bending elements.

Back at Republic City, Korra stumbled from Unavaatu's attack, but as she regained her footing he fired another energy beam at her sending her flying back into the water where she lay unconscious. 

Unavaatu then bent out purple streams of water around the downed Avatar, preparing to corrupt her spirit. Purple slowly began to encase the luminous blue. 

In the Spirit World, Team Avatar was forced to retreat near the Tree of Time. 

El was fighting beside Bolin, trying to keep the spirits away from the tree, Bolin and herself. 

"GAH!" El whirled around at Bolin's cry, seeing him being dragged away by a spirit. 

"No!" Using her bending she fought her way toward the earthbender. 

"Get off of him!" She sent a blast of air at the spirit, destroying it before it could harm him and Bolin dropped to the floor. 

"El, you're amazing!" He pulled the airbender in for a hug as she pulled him to his feet. 

"Oh, I know. But come on, dirt brain, we got more incoming" El smirked as more spirits closed in on them. 

One snarled and jumped at them, but it was quickly destroyed by a water stream and suddenly Eska and Desna jumped over the duo and began attacking the spirits. 

"Leave my Bolin alone!" Eska glared 

"Eska? Desna? What are you...?" El questioned 

"You were right, Elira, the father I knew is no more. And besides..." Desna turned to her, smirking "I am so done with spirits."

"You and me both " Elira laughed taking a bending stance once again 

"Then let's face the end of the world together!" Bolin added, joining her side and bending a rock in front of him. 

Elira just smiled before they each attacked the spirits with their respective bending. 

*

 Back in Republic City, Unavaatu was near success in destroying Korra. Her luminous blue light almost completely covered by the purple. 

"With you out of the way, I will be the one true Avatar." Unavaatu boomed 

Suddenly, a ball of light descended from the sky between the Avatars. 

On Air Temple Island, Pema and the kid were still watching the fight and using a telescope, Ikki noticed that it was none other than her sister inside the ball of light.

"Mommy, it's Jinora. She's ... beautiful." Ikki smiled 

"What? Let me see" Pema took the telescope from her and looked through it, gasping in surprise.

" Be careful sweetie!" She yelled 

Jinora descended toward Korra, stopping in front of her and holding a small ball of light in his hands. When she opened her palms, she released the light illuminating Republic City. Unavaatu shielded his eyes from the glare causing him to stop bending and release Korra who dropped into the water. 

As he recovered from the glare, a ball of light suddenly emerged from his chest.

"No!" 

Korra looked up and noticed it, knowing right away what it was. 

"Raava" Running forward, Korra punched Unavaatu, making him stumble, before reaching into his chest for the ball of light. 

 As she touched it, it shone even brighter and pulling her hand back, Korra removed Raava from Vaatu, letting the light spirit hover in the sky above her. 

Turning back to Vaatu she began waving her hands as she started to purify the dark spirit. 

Water streams surrounded Unavaatu, lifting him into the air and began to glow gold. 

"Nooooo!" Unavaatu yelled as the glow engulfed him and he dissipated into the sky in a golden light. 

"Go in peace." Korra bowed in respect.

Raava glided down towards her "Harmonic Convergence is nearly over. We must return to the Spirit World so we can fuse once again." 

 The light spirits and Jinora descend onto Korra's open palms, where she cupped them with her hands for safety, before teleporting away.

*

Back at the Tree of Time, Mako pulled Bolin up into the hollow, where they all had been forced to retreat, while Elira stood blasting air at the oncoming spirits. 

Moving further back into the tree, the spirits soon swarmed the hollow, darkening the interior when suddenly a beam of light descends from the centre of the connected portals, illuminating the Tree of Time and dissipating the dark spirits. 

El airbent herself onto the rim of the hollow as the others came up behind her. 

"Korra's back!" She pointed at Korra's projection as she stood up and opened her palms, releasing Raava and Jinora. 

"Jinora! Are you okay?" El felt tears of relief build in her eyes as her sister glided down towards her and their father in a ball of light. 

"I'm alright, El, don't worry" Jinora smiled "I'll see you both soon" 

Jinora then faded as Tenzin reached out for her, but she disappeared before he could do so.

"What happened? Where'd she go?" He questioned 

"She's returned to her body...We did it, dad" El smiled at her father "We saved her" 

Tenzin returned the smile, hugging his daughter tightly as above them Korra's projection also dissipated and returned to her body inside the tree. 

Getting up, she walked out of the Tree of Time, where her friends and Raava were waiting for her.

 Raava glided toward Korra, allowing her to hop onto her, and subsequently soared to where the portals overlapped. Korra reached out for the beam, which released yellow bolts of energies from the overlapping portals, surrounding her and Raava in a ball of light. 

As Harmonic Convergence passed, the portals separated and stood upright once again. 

The ball of light surrounding Korra vanished, revealing the Avatar glowing blue with a white imprint of Raava on her chest.

"The Avatar Spirit has returned." Tenzin smiled as Korra descended.

Korra landed softly back to the ground, using an air spout to slow her fall. She opened her eyes, which glowed momentarily before fading.

"It's over." She declared 

El glanced at the boys with a wide grin as Bolin laughed in triumph and they ran towards their friend. El reached Korra first, tackling her in a hug and making her laugh. 

"You did it! I knew you could!" She hugged her tightly 

"Thanks for believing in me, El" Korra smiled as the boys joined them with Tenzin and the others trailing behind them. 

Mako hugged her tightly, surprising her and kissed her cheek. 

"I don't even know what to say" Mako smiled 

"You were amazing," Tenzin added, looking proud. 

"And the way you turned all gigantic like that, wow! I just wished Varrick was here to film it! It would be the greatest mover ever. After the Nuktuk chronicles of course." Bolin ranted excitedly making Elira giggle softly as Korra walked over to her cousins looking guilty as she told them about not being able to save their father. 

*

Elira sat on the rock admiring the sky, taking a deep breath as she calmed down from all the craziness. 

 "Elira?" Desna walked up to her and she got up from the rock to greet him. 

"Hey, Desna, you okay?" She asked 

"I just wanted to thank you, for helping me realise the truth about what my father had become" Desna stated "And I had no knowledge that he had abducted your sister" 

"Yeah, I figured that. But it's all good, I mean, she's safe now finally" El smiled 

"I'm glad" Desna looked down for a moment "Elira, even though your heart belongs to another, I wanted you to know that I will always care for you" 

"Desna..." El whispered, feeling bad for the prince. 

"Do not feel guilty. I understand that Bolin is the better man. He holds a special place in your heart that I could never fill" Desna said and El looked down with a small blush. "But just so you are aware, should he ever break your trust..." 

 "I'll know where to find you" El giggled 

As they talked, Eska was standing on her own watching them when Bolin walked up to her. 

"Uh, hey Eska, um... Listen, I'm not really a fan of a long-distance relationship thing" He confessed "And the thing is, what I said, you know earlier..."

"No need to explain" Eska cut him off "Eternal darkness was upon us and we became caught up in the moment"

"Oh, thank goodness, you understand" Bolin smiled in relief "So, no hard feelings?"

"Of course not. I realise now that it is Elira who you desire" Eska said and Bolin glanced at the said airbender talking with Desna. 

"But, Bolin" He turned back to Eska

"You will always hold the special place in the organ that pumps my blood. I will remember you fondly, my turtle duck" She placed her hand to her heart while smiling "Now go, confess your undying love" 

Bolin glanced over at Elira again, seeing Desna kiss her on the forehead before she turned and headed into the hollow of the Tree of Time. Gulping nervously, he headed after her. This was it. No turning back.

*

Elira stood in the centre of the tree of time with a nostalgic smile watching as her life played out around her. Even ones she couldn't remember or had forgotten. Her first word, her first steps. She couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the memory of her using airbending for the first time, which had hilariously been during one of her toddler tantrums where she accidentally blew a bowl of food into her mother's face. 

The memories suddenly flashed white before they all changed to only show the moments the airbender had spent with Bolin. Everything little thing. All their schemes and shenanigans and laughter. Moments that made them best friends. 

El heard footsteps approach and stop beside her but she didn't turn away from her memories. 

"We had some pretty good times together...Didn't we?" Bolin muttered also watching the memories 

"Yeah, we did," El smiled softly as the images faded, feeling her eyes watering slightly. 

"El...?" Bolin took her hand and she turned to face him. 

He sighed "El, I...I wish I knew then what I know now– I mean, I wish you knew that I knew what I know, uh, before this– Gah!" 

Bolin smacked his forehead in frustration "Okay, what I'm trying to say is I just...I didn't need Ginger or the movers or fancy hat racks. Everything I wanted was right there in front of me, the whole time" 

Elira felt herself gasp softly "But...what about being a somebody?" 

Bolin smiled softly, using his free hand to gently brush El's bangs out of her face. 

"I'm nobody without you" 

El flushed red, nuzzling her cheek into his palm as she smiled, a tear falling from her eye. 

Bolin wiped it away with his thumb "So, El...Um, I was wondering...I mean it's up to you and it's okay if you don't...but can I um...Can I..." 

Elira giggled at his awkwardness, more tears falling. 

"Just kiss me, dirt brain!"

 She grabbed the front of Bolin's coat and pulled him in. 

Their lips connecting finally in what felt like hundreds of fireworks exploding in their chests. 

Bolin wrapped his arms around her, closing his eyes as he enjoyed the moment they'd both been waiting for. 

It was warm, comforting and soft but filled with passion and longing. 

Pulling away, El chuckled softly "Well that was definitely worth the wait" 

"Tell me about it" Bolin sighed with a giddy look making Elira laugh again

*

Bumi was playing about with Bum-Ju, who had now returned to him when he noticed the young couple walking out of the tree, hand in hand,

"Well, lookie what we got here" He laughed making the others turn to the duo. 

"It's about time" Mako smirked as the two joined them. 

"You guys are finally together?" Kya smiled 

"Yep, we're together" Bolin nodded before looking at El unsure "We are together aren't we?" 

 "Yes" El giggled 

"Well then welcome to the family, kid!" Bumi grinned, picking up the two in a hug making El laugh. 

Someone coughed to get their attention, turning around they found Tenzin standing there frowning with Korra standing beside him. 

"Oh, uh...Hey, dad" El smiled sheepishly as Bumi set her and Bolin on their feet "Um, you'll never guess what, but Bolin and I...are now together" 

"Seriously? That's great, you guys" Korra grinned and hugged the airbender before punching her in the arm "And it's about time" 

"Yeah, yeah I know" El grumbled, rubbing her aching arm and turning to her father again "So... What do you think, dad?" 

Tenzin didn't say anything, walking up to his daughter, glancing between her and Bolin. Finally, he smiled and pulled El in for a hug. 

"I'm happy for you, sweetheart and I'm glad you're happy, too," Tenzin said 

 "Thanks, dad" El smiled 

"Now let's go home" 

"Home?" El looked confused, turning to Korra" Wait, you're not going to close the portals?" 

"No, I think Avatar Wan made a mistake when he closed the portals. I don't think humans and spirits are meant to live apart." Korra explained 

"You're not gonna hear me complaining!" Bumi grinned, hugging Bum-Ju who squeaked 

"Well, in that case, let's get going. Because I for one have seen enough of the Spirit World" Ursa smirked 

"Ditto to that" El laughed before taking off running "Race you to the portal!" 

"El!" 

"Hey! Wait for us!" 

Korra and Mako took off after her and even Bumi joined in the race, but as Bolin went running after his friends, Tenzin stopped him. 

"Bolin, I'd like a quick word if you don't mind" 

The earth bender stopped and turned to face the man nervously as he was flanked by Kya and Ursa.

"Bolin, right now I'm not speaking as an airbender, I'm speaking to you as Elira's father" Tenzin explained "I'm sure you're aware that as an airbender I've sworn on oath of non-violence" 

Bolin remained silent, grinning nervously 

"But should something ever happen to my daughter, I will have no regrets breaking that vow" Tenzin warned 

"Meaning that if you hurt our girl, you will answer directly to us" Ursa added 

"And just remember, that each of us has connections in all four nations...Including the Foggy Swamp," Kya finished and Bolin gulped "Understand?" 

"Yes, 100%. Don't need to tell me twice!" Bolin nodded frantically before sprinting off towards the portal. 

"Think we scared him enough?" Ursa smirked 

"If not, I could always call back home, and ask for some backup. Aunt Azula can be pretty scary when she wants to be" Kya replied

"I don't think that's going to be necessary once the children get a hold of him" Tenzin added making his sister and cousin laugh. 

*

As soon as they had returned to the compound, Elira gasped and smiled, seeing Azira and Jinora waiting for them outside the healing hut. 

"El! Dad!" The little girl bolted down the steps. 

"Jinora!" El fell to her knees, embracing her little sister as she ran into her arms. 

Zira watched them and smiled, letting out a sigh of relief at the sight of them all safe. 

"Told you I'd see you soon" Jinora smirked making El chuckle as tears fell from her eyes 

"You are never leaving my sight again, you hear me?" She looked down at her sister jokingly, wiping her cheek.

"Loud and clear, El " Jinora smiled, clinging to her big sister tightly and their father soon joined them, wrapping his arms around his girls.

The next morning, El stood beside Jinora with their family and Korra's parents outside the palace as the Avatar prepared to make a speech to the crowd that had gathered. 

"The war of the Water Tribes is over. Unalaq has been defeated, and the Northern fleet is returning home. The Water Tribes will always be allies, but the Southern Tribe is now independent!" 

The crowd cheered at this

"And the Southern Council of Elders has appointed my father, Tonraq, to be your new chief!" 

Korra gestured to her father as walked up beside her, waving to the crowd who greeted him with thunderous cheers.

 "I've realized that even though we should learn from those who came before us, we must also forge our own path. So that is why I've decided to keep the portals open" Korra continued" Humans can now physically enter the Spirit World, and spirits will be free to roam our world. I will no longer be the bridge. Humans and spirits must learn to live together. My mission will always be to use Raava's light spirit to guide the world toward peace and balance. Harmonic Convergence has caused a shift in the planet's energy. I can feel it. Things will never be the same again. We're entering a New Age!" 

El turned to gaze up at the sky and smiled upon seeing it was filled with spirits literally dancing in the sky! It was beautiful to see. Glancing down, she saw Jinora also watching the sky and she wrapped her arm around her little sister, bringing her in for a side hug, smiling as they watched the spirits. 

Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Just a quick heads up, but I won't be updating for a while as I'm going on holiday soon. But I will be continuing this story as soon as I get back.