Disclaimer: I don't own Legend of Korra.

The sun was beating down rather harshly, very unusual at ten in the morning. Nevertheless, the heat didn't prevent the earthbending master and prodigy to get up and get ready for the day ahead. At the moment, the two were eating breakfast. Rohan had finished his breakfast quickly as he was too excited for the events to come. Lin finished off her bread and stood up.

"Stuffed?" she asked the young boy.

He nodded and answered. "Yes Sifu Lin."

"Good, because there is no food where we are going."

Rohan stood excitedly. "So can I know now Sifu?"

"Soon."

Rohan scowled. Lin noticed and only smirked. "Ready?"

The boy's attitude quickly shifted. "Yup!"

Rohan followed his Sifu until they were just about to enter the dark cave. Like the previous day, he eyed the darkness and could feel his heartbeat speeding up quickly. This hadn't gone unnoticed from Lin.

"Maybe this was a bad idea. You're scared."

Rohan shot Lin a stern look. "No I'm not! Let's go!"

Just as I thought. Lin led the way into the cave and soon enough both were engulfed by the darkness. As they continued to venture deeper into the cave, Rohan kept lookng back to the light of the outside world that came from the mouth of the cave. The farther they walked, the smaller the light became. Soon enough, Rohan glanced back and all he could see was darkness. His heart was beating wildly. It's okay. I'm sure Sifu Lin wouldn't let anything happen to you. Hopefully. He gulped nervously. Suddenly, his ears filled with a large crashing noise and naturally he reached up and grabbed the nearest person to him, more like the only person.

Lin gave a slight jump once Rohan's hand grabbed hers abruptly. His fingers grasped harshly on her hand and she could feel his racing heartbeat. The contact brought back nostalgic memories.

"Momma!" A young Lin grabbed her mother's hand tightly. "I can't see!"

She heard her mother laugh. "Darn, that must really suck. Not being able to see."

The joke only made Lin call out for her mother more. "Momma! I'm..." The girl struggled finishing her sentence, as if she was trying not to admit it. "...scared."

"It's ok, Lin. Remember, you still have earthbending to see."

Lin scolded herself within her mind. How could she forget! "Sorry, Momma."

"That's alright, kiddo."

"Can I still hold your hand?"

Her mother grabbed her hand tighter. "Of course."

"Can I still hold your hand, Sifu?" Rohan's voice brought Lin back into reality and out of her memories.

Like her mother, Lin grabbed the boys hand tighter. "Of course. Remember you always have your seismic sense."

Rohan spoke into the air. "Stupid!" Lin only laughed.

They continued to walk. After what seemed to be able thirty minutes, Rohan spotted a small spotlight in the distance.

"Look! Light!" He started to haul Lin into running towards the light. They stumbled over various rocks and cracks but finally made it into the spotlight. Rohan let go of the chief of police's hand and looked to where the light was coming from. There in the ceiling of the cave was a small slit that allowed sunlight to enter. He never thought seeing the sunlight would bring him so much joy.

"Well, we are here." Lin announced.

Rohan observed the area. They were completely surrounded by rocks. He tried to guess the reason for them being here. More seismic sense training? Or perhaps a new technique. Nevertheless, he was bouncing with excitement.

"So what are we doing here Sifu Lin!"

Lin looked around as she answered her pupil. "We are here to meet up with some of my old friends."

"Your friends live in here? They're weird." Rohan commented.

Lin chuckled. "Actually this is the perfect place for them to live."

"Are they earthbenders too?"

"The best in the world."

Rohan tilted his head in confusion. "Wait, I thought that was Master Toph?"

"They are better."

Before Rohan could question, a large crash came from the right side of the cave. As the dust subsided, all was revealed. In front of Lin and Rohan stood two large badgermoles. Their brown fur covered most of their body in exception to the black and white strip that ran down their backs. Their long tails whipped around behind them and their claws were almost as big as Rohan himself. Rohan eyed the badgermoles and studied their faces. Ear pointed, they seemed they were observing them as well. Rohan noticed the small nose on the tip of their face and their eyes…were blank. They were blind.

"Rohan, I'd like you to meet Mang and Banh."

Rohan looked to his Sifu in surpise. "Your friends are badgermoles?" Lin nodded. Lin approached one of the badgermoles and stuck her hand out. The badgermole carefully sniffed her hand and slowly allowed her to pet the top of his head. Rohan realized that the creature recognized his sifu. He was utterly amazed.

"Don't be shy, kid. Pet her."

Rohan looked at the other badgermole curiously. Her blank stare that was covered slightly by hair intimidated him greatly. Nonetheless, he slowly walked towards the badgermole, the creature making no sudden movements. When they were about a foot apart Rohan stood as still as possible, allowing the badgermole to do what she liked. The large creature sniffed Rohan's entire body, taking in his scent. The badgermole came to a stop right in front of the young boy's face. Rohan winced and closed his eyes for what was to come. Don't eat me.

He felt a warm wet thing make its way up the side of his face. Realizing it was her tongue Rohan started to laugh wildly and began to pet the large creature. Like her sifu, the creature snuggled up to Rohan lovingly.

"Her name is Mang." Lin informed Rohan.

Rohan continued to hug the badgermole. "How do you know sifu?"

Lin's hand grazed over her badgermole's nose. "Like the person who named her, some of her hair comes over her eyes. Remind you of anyone?"

"Oh! Master Toph!" Rohan exclaimed. He looked over to his sifu and said. "And you named that one didn't you?"

Lin eyed Rohan. "Yes I did. How did you know?"

"Banh has two markings on his face too!" Rohan pointed.

Lin looked towards the large creature's face. Right along its jaw line were two slices of bare skin. Fur never grew in that area and just like Lin they were both marked for life. She could remember the first time she met him.

"Momma, Mang looks like you! Her hair is in her eyes like you!"

"Oh does she now? That just makes her more awesome!"

"And this one looks like me!"

"How, Linny?"

"He has two scars like me!" Lin buried her face into the badgermole's fur.

"You guys must be connected. What's his name?"

Lin licked the badgermole'se nose. "Banh." The badgermole licked back and caused giggles to erupt from the small girl. "And I love him."

Lin bent down and licked Banh's nose just like she had done before, a sign of friendship between the two. Banh revealed his long tongue and licked the right side of her face, grazing over her scars. There was so much force in the gesture that Lin fell over and landed on her rear. She only laughed quietly and whispered to her friend, "I missed you too."

"I wish I had one." Rohan said. He skimmed his hand over the creature's nose. Suddenly, as if they had understood what Rohan had said, Mang moved to the side and revealed a surprise.

Stepping out of the darkness was a smaller badgermole, sniffing the ground and making its way towards Rohan. Mouth open, the boy watched in amazement. Slowly, the baby sniffed from toe to head, judging him carefully. Rohan stood still, allowing himself to be fully judged. He really wanted this. This would connect him to real earthbending. Please.

Thud.

The young earthbender had fallen to the ground, the badgermole on top of him licking his face. His laughter filled the air and Lin couldn't help but smile. The baby badgermole quickly got off of his friend and made his way behind him. Rohan stood and looked into the darkness for his friend. Suddenly, he felt a vibration enter the soles of his feet. Rohan turned on his heel quickly and grabbed the rock that had been hurdling towards him. The baby badgermole sent another and Rohan quickly reacted. The boy grabbed it as well and crushed the rock to send pieces flying all over the cave. "They can earthbend!"

"They are the first earthbenders. They are the true masters." Lin informed him.

The rest of the time in the cave was spent playing with the badgermoles. Rohan and his little buddy played an extensive form of catch. The small creature would send rocks from all direction, forcing Rohan to rely on his earthbending. He could feel it. The earth was an extension of himself. He knew that was how it should be used. And extension of yourself. Lin on the other hand was on a full blown sparring match with Banh. The badgermole was a great fighter, sending surprises that Lin would barely be able to catch. She was impressed. With both the badgermole and Rohan.

Hours later, the group found themselves resting and napping. Mang and Banh were snuggled next to each other while Lin layed her back against one of Banh's legs finding comfort within the soft brown fur. The youngest of the group lay in front of them, the baby badgermole lying on its stomach and Rohan snoring lazily on top its back. Rohan's small body would rise and fall as the creature beneath him would breathe calmly. The atmosphere was complete serenity.

However, all good things had to come to an end. Lin stood up and pet Banh on the nose, a small sign of goodbye. The chief of police made her way to Mang and kissed her on the head. Quietly, she told her, "She would have loved seeing you again."

Lin made her way over to her pupil and shook him carefully. Rohan's eyes fluttered open and his vision was only met by darkness.

"It's time to go." a familiar voice said.

"Just a little while longer, Sifu Lin!" Rohan pleaded.

Lin only patted his brown hair on top of his head. "We need to let these guys get back to their own lives. We also need to get back to our lives before your father thinks I kidnapped you."

"Fine." the earthbending prodigy huffed. He slid down the badgermole's back and made his way back to the creature's face. The small badgermole opened his blank eyes at the touch of Rohan's hands.

The small light allowed Lin to watch Rohan and his friend. Now that's a connection. "Why don't you name him?"

Rohan hugged the creature tightly. "I love him so much." He released his hold and looked into his friend's sightless eyes. They had a gleam to them, unusual characteristic. It reminded him of himself. His mother was always telling him that his eyes would sparkle in the most stunning way. They were one in the same.

"Yan. His name is Yan. Goodbye, Yan." At the sound of his name, the baby snuggled against Rohan's small figure, his own way of goodbye. They separated and went their dedicated ways.

As Lin and him walked away, Rohan felt the vibrations of the creatures he fell in love with softening with each step.

Yue Bay looked stunning. Rohan and Lin were leaning against the rail of the boat that was taking them to Air Temple Island and looking out into the water. From a distance, the young earthbender could see the statue of his grandfather, proud and tall. Would he be proud of me?

"Excited to be home?" Lin asked.

Rohan turned to his Sifu. "Yes and no."

"Why the mixed answer?"

Rohan turned back to the water. The water gleamed back to him, reminding him of his new friend that he had made just a couple days ago. "I miss Mommy and Daddy and Ikki and Jinora and Meelo. But I also miss Yan."

"We'll visit them again some other time." she assured the boy.

Rohan turned completely and grabbed his sifu's arm. "Promise?"

His eyes were filled with determination and longing. Lin couldn't have possibly said no to that face. "I promise."

Lin urged them to sit on a bench near by and Rohan didn't complain. They sat down and surprisingly to Lin, the boy didn't let go of her arm. He even started to lay his head against it.

"They taught me a lot."

"Really? What did you learn?"

His small child-like voice was serious. "They taught me that the earth is a part of me. Earthbending isn't just punching and kicking rocks. I have to use it like it's myself. Does that make sense, Sifu Lin?"

She allowed herself to smile. "Perfectly."

"And you know what?"

"What?"

"I'm going to be a true earthbender. Just like you."

Rohan really triggers stuff for Lin's memory. It's beautiful! I hope you enjoyed reading it! Review please!