Chapter 9:

"Tenzin," Lin gasped colliding with him as she exited the station. "What are you doing here. I told you I had this under control?"

Zuko stepped forward forcing Lin to step back a bit into the lobby of the station. "We don't doubt your efforts Lin, we only want to help."

Tonraq was next in making his presence known. "You have to understand chief this is my daughter we're talking about here. Her and her family are missing and I'm not going to sit around and do nothing about it."

"Fair enough Chief," she nodded to Tonraq.

Tenzin then chimed in, "Bumi and Kya went to check in around the city."

"I'll let my officers know to clear them through should they encounter them-"

"Chief! Chief," Bolin yelled barging into the station.

"What now," she huffed more to herself than to anyone in particular.

As Bolin caught his breath, Ela, Asami and Honora made their way to the now crowded lobby of the station. "Chief… we think… we're onto something."

Lin crossed her arms now having had enough of all the interruptions. "Well I haven't got all day, out with it then."

"Walls…Metal…Spying…Tunnels," Bolin heaved out between large breaths as he supported himself on Ela.

"We went to their apartment. There's metal plates between the walls, I think whoever is responsible was using the metal walls to spy on them."

Finally getting his breaths even and steady Bolin added to the story. "And anyone smart enough to use metal and earthbending like that is probably using it to their advantage to hide Kaiden, and possibly Korra and Mako."

"Like tunnels."

Lin lowered her arms so that her hands now rested at her hips. "I considered the possibility, but my officers said they found no tunnels in that area."

Bolin was slightly disappointed that she had already beaten him to that conclusion. "We've got to go back and check again," he said shaking his head not accepting her response.

"Well before you all decided to show up for a party at my station, I was going to head down there myself to take another look at things, and meet up with General Iroh. I've gotten all the information I could out of all the drivers after questioning, which isn't much. They all seemed just as baffled and clueless, which is not at all what I expected. So now we'll need to make up for the time spent getting nothing out of them."

"Okay so what can we do to help you chief," Asami asked.

"Hmm. Since I don't need the entire brigade of you to accompany me down there how about this: Tenzin, Tonraq, Zuko, and Honora do you think you could take your sky bison and dragon and survey around from a bird's eye view for anything suspicious or promising? I'm going to have a few airships loom around the bay too. It's going to get dark soon, so I'll need as many eyes in the sky as possible now." Without delay they headed off heeding her instructions and not wasting another moment of precious daylight. Lin turned to the remaining young adults before her. "Asami, have you been to your estate since any of this happened?"

"No Chief I haven't. We've only stopped at Mako and Korra's apartment."

"I have a funny feeling something might be up over there as well. You and Bolin should go check it out. Bolin look for tunnels in that area too."

"Yes Chief," he nodded before leaving off with Asami.

"And as for you kid," she said addressing Ela. "You're coming with me. We'll head down double check for any tunnels then check in with Iroh like I said. And I want to hear more about these metal plates in the walls. Maybe that's something we can work with." Ela nodded understandingly then followed Lin to a standby police car and they took off. "We're going to find them all...somehow," Lin said sternly with determination coating her voice.


After about ten minutes of pounding, prodding, and firing at the walls that formed the dead end, Korra finally relented. "Ugh," she huffed. "These stupid walls won't budge! This isn't any better than where I was before!" Korra roughly massaged her hands across her face in frustration. "Why here, why would he lead me here?" She mulled it over a moment pouting angrily at her dark surroundings. "Maybe I can meditate into the Spirit World and find a way out of here." Taking the excess of her now tattered and dirt stained wedding dress in her hands, she sat against the cold ground. Korra adjusted her posture to the standard meditating position. With the proper position now assumed she tried to relax her body and breathing before closing her eyes. The looming distraction of not knowing Kaiden, and now Mako's fate prevented her from fully relaxing though. Her lips quivered and her brows tensed as she tried to force herself to meditate again. No luck. Her eyes sprung right back open. "Great! I can't even meditate, what the heck am I supposed to do!" She sat silently running a million things through her mind hoping to land on a solution.


The sun crept awake, its rays peeking into Korra and Mako's bedroom. The light was brighter than usual as it reflected off of the blankets of snow that covered the city, but it still wasn't enough to disturb the sleeping family. Cozied up in the middle of the large bed Kaiden was pressed against Korra's chest nice and snug, her arms loosely adhering his body to hers. Mako's larger frame engulfed the two smaller bodies, securing them closely to him. Their chests rose and fell in synchronization as their soft breaths of sleep filled the room.

All at once their peaceful slumber was disrupted when the bed began to tremble and shake. "Mako! Korra! Kaiden! Wake up! Why are you guys still sleeping? It's Christmas," Bolin screamed jumping at the foot of their bed.

Slightly startled they all wobbled out of their comfortable sleeping position to see Bolin standing over them with an enormous grin on his face. Squinting her eyes at Mako for a moment Korra flopped her head back onto her pillow, her loose hair sprawling the surface area of the pillow as she mumbled, "When did you give Bolin a key and why?"

Mako rolled back over, tucking his head beneath his own pillow. "I didn't," he mumbled groggily back to her.

Bolin jumped off the bed, quickly removing their blankets causing them to cringe and curl up at the sudden shock of cold. "A metalbender doesn't need a key for anything, now come on and get up. It's Christmas for crying out loud!" Bolin scooped Kaiden up, whirling him around in the air until they reached the kitchen where Ela and Asami waited, clearly having been woken and dragged along by Bolin too.

After quickly getting dressed and ready for the outside cold, they all made their way to Air Temple Island. Stepping onto the island, they were all immediately greeted by the airbender children screaming, "Merry Christmas!" As everyone hugged and exchanged their holiday greetings the festivities moved inside. The smells of hot chocolate and peppermint permeated the room where an elaborate tree was well decorated and spewing extravagantly wrapped gifts from below.

"Alright, alright," Tenzin shouted trying to calm down the hoard of family and friends. "Everyone gather around so we can open gifts. Now let's do this in a nice organized fashion-"

Tenzin's words were cut off by the bumbling of his children whirring and whooshing around him.

"Oh Tenzin, just let them have at it, it's Christmas," Pema said.

"Okay, okay. Kaiden should go first, this one is from Ela,"Bolin said already thrusting a small present at the little boy. Kaiden tore at the wrapping revealing a small black pair of snazzy finger-less gloves. Ela helped him into them and they were a perfect fit. "And this one is from me buddy." Again he unraveled the gift, this time uncovering a small red scarf. Bolin wrapped it fashionably around his nephew's neck as everyone laughed and cheered. "Now he's the perfect mini Mako!"

Kaiden waddled over to Korra testing out his new digs, "Look Momma, me do like Daddy," he said attempting to motion as Mako does when he bends. Korra and Mako chuckled at his mimicry.

"I think you've got a ways to go but you're not too far off baby!"

Mako picked Kaiden up, "Looking good buddy! Future Team Captain right here." Kaiden waddled back over to Ela and Bolin for a thank you hug after being prompted by Korra.

"This one is for Kaiden from me," Asami said. She placed a sizable box before him, helping him open it. Mako and Korra watched from their distant position on the floor.

Together they finally got the box opened and his eyes grew large at the contraption in front of him. "Is that…a mini Mecha Tank,"Korra said looking at the familiar machine.

Asami gladly responded, "Yep! I made him a special toy version. It doesn't have all the capabilities of a real Mecha Tank obviously, but it does a few things here and there. And a little imagination won't' hurt either."

"Wow that's amazing Asami," Mako added. "Looks just like the real deal."

"Thanks. I'm thinking, in time I might actually manufacture them to sell, so this one's a prototype." Kaiden was already playing and manipulating the little action figure Mecha Tank, discovering its buttons and features. "Well I think that's a great idea, Kaiden seems to approve already." Mako interrupted Kaiden's playing, "What do you say Kaiden?" He looked up from his toy to Asami, "Tank wu, 'Sami," he said wrapping his small arms around her then resuming with his new toy.

Noticing another small green gift near where Kaiden had unwrapped his, Mako called over to Bolin, "Who's that one for?"

Bolin picked it up carefully inspecting it as if he didn't already know what it contained. "Ahh yes! This one is for Ela." She blushed as he presented the gift to her. Sheepishly backing away, he mumbled "Merry Christmas. I hope you like it…I mean... if you don't that's okay too-"

"Oh my goodness," she cut him off finally opening the small box. "Bolin this necklace is beautiful."

His eyes widened at her reaction, "You really like it?"

"It's gorgeous," she said cradling the necklace which read her name.

"And it's made out of metal, you know. So you can bend it to any shape you like, whenever you like," he added, helping her place it around her neck. Hovering her hand over it, she manipulated it so that the metal formed a circle, then a square, then finally a heart. He watched as she changed the shapes, smiling with pride at his clearly good gift choice. His moment of pride was momentarily stopped when she abruptly wrapped her arms around him in a hug to thank him. He stumbled a bit before returning the hug. Enjoying her heartfelt hug and the attractive smell of her sweet perfume Bolin was hesitant to let go. She pulled away first, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek, "Thanks Bolin, I love it." He internally melted as her lips quickly pressed against his skin. Ela slighty shocked herself with the impromptu kiss, casting her eyes down to avoid him seeing her cheeks fill up with a rosy hue.

Mako and Korra exchanged a pleased glance at the flushed faces of the pair before them. "Alright how about we give them some time to recover," Korra joked. She reached over Mako for a tiny box wrapped in flaming red paper. "This one is for you Mako." He smiled at her, graciously accepting the present. He cautiously removed the wrapping, building the anticipation. Finally getting the wrapping off he popped the box open to see a gleaming golden watch. He took it out bringing it closer to his face to inspect it. Korra leaned closer to him, taking in his reaction to her gift. The face of the watch contained a picture of their little family, and the lightening bolt shaped hands ticked rhythmically. "Flip it over," she encouraged eagerly.

Following her directions he turned it over reading the inscription, " I've never been patient, so I'm glad I don't have to waste another second without you in my life. - Korra"

Looking up from the loving words, he inched closer to her. His arms snaked around her, the watch still in his hand. "It's great," he finally said squeezing her tighter. "I love it, but I love you even more." He loosened his grip on her, giving her the opportunity to breathe again. "Thank you Korra." She bent forward back into him, attaching her lips to his for a moment. "You're welcome," she giggled through the kiss.

As Mako fitted the watch around his wrist, Tenzin approached Korra with a gift next. The unexpected weight of the concealed present surprised her as he handed it over. "Jeez Tenzin what's in this thing a rock?" He laughed, urging her on to open it. With all the wrapping cleared she saw it was a book. "Hmm, well I was close in my assumption," she joked.

"Avatar Aang had many journeys as you know, in both the Spirit and Physical Worlds. Over time he managed to recount them all into this."

Korra cracked the delicate book open reading the first page aloud. "To the next Avatar. May this collection of my own experiences and encounters, trials, and tribulations, help guide you in your own journey when you're ready. – Avatar Aang." She flipped through the numerous pages, skimming the topics briefly before looking up to Tenzin. "Wow. This is... unbelievable. His whole life, well my whole past life, right here between these pages." Enthralled, she continued to lightly caress the pages, before looking up to Tenzin. "Thank you so much Tenzin, but can I ask why you hadn't given this to me sooner. I mean it's practically an entire guide to being the Avatar."

He grinned already anticipating the question. "It came with strict instructions, not to just hand it over. Each Avatar needs to lead their own lives, make their own mistakes, and learn their own lessons. Had I given it to you earlier you most likely would have been so influenced and blinded by trying to emulate and live up to Avatar Aang, that you would not have been able to realize your own potential and life as Korra. But you've grown so much, and learned so much about yourself now that you've reached a point where you can differentiate yourself from that and you can truly appreciate this and use it to continue to help you." Placing the book down with care, she stood to her feet to hug him. "I really do appreciate it. Thank you Tenzin."

After the long day of Christmas festivities and a very filling dinner, Pema insisted everyone stay on the island for the night and enjoy each other all together before getting drawn apart in their individual busy lives in the days to come. Mako walked the temple halls with a snoozing Kaiden slung over his shoulder. He passed the dimly lit temple library where he unexpectedly found Korra. "There you are," he whispered so as not to wake their son. "I've been looking all over for you. You just disappeared." He noticed the book Tenzin had given her was open in front of her. "Must be some good stuff in there, you haven't put that thing down yet."

Eager to share her discoveries she responded, "Mako it's amazing. I've been told stories for years about Aang, but these are all his words directly. And some of the spirit stuff he went through, no one could ever explain but him you know?" Mako stepped further into the room continuing to listen to her speak. He enjoyed seeing her this excited about things, the glint in her eyes and enthusiasm in her voice were typically contagious. He readjusted Kaiden, who wasn't the least bit phased by the sudden movement. "And you know he actually wrote about spiritual projection too!"

His eyebrow peaked in interest. "What did he say about it?"

"He said it was something he didn't really discover until much later in life, since he didn't have any air nomads or masters to explain it to him. He learned about it through encounters with gurus and various spirits over time. But basically, if you go deep enough into a spiritual meditation and have a strong enough connection to another person you can spiritually find them and project yourself to them. The airbenders who used it way back when, mainly used it as a defense mechanism to get help for one another in times of serious danger. But it isn't necessarily restricted to airbenders, it's just that airbenders are usually more spiritually connected and enlightened so the technique tends to be more up their alley."

"Interesting," Mako nodded now taking a seat next to her. "But that still doesn't really explain how Kaiden was able to do it when you were gone."

"That," she said raising a finger. "I just don't know. I mean obviously Kaiden and I have a connection since I carried him around inside of me for months. But the spiritual enlightenment part still makes no sense since he's still only a toddler. I've barely become spiritually enlightened myself, and I'm the Avatar." The candle beside her began to fade slightly in intensity but neither of them felt the need to adjust it.

"Maybe he somehow got your spiritual enlightenment by default in the womb," Mako joked.

"Oh that's a good idea Mako," her voice seemed to be getting lower and softer. "You think that could really happen," she asked through a long yawn, taking his words more seriously than he intended.

He stood up from his seat gently closing the book with his free hand which he then used to grab hold of Korra's. "I think, you can read more about it another time. But for now, I think sleep is a good idea." She looked at the book then up at him reluctantly with her tired, drooping eyes becoming childlike and pleading to stay. "C'mon. It's getting late and I'm not trying to carry both of you to bed," he smirked gesturing to remind her that Kaiden was still attached to him. She knew he was right and she couldn't deny that she was craving sleep after the exhausting Christmas day. She laughed through another yawn, rising to her feet and draping his arm over her shoulder. She then let her head rest against his body.

"Maybe that means I can spirit project too," she mumbled not relenting on the topic. Her head perked up in excitement once more, "And maybe one day I can spirit project to you if we're ever apart for some reason…" Another brief yawn escaped her lips, "What do you think Mako?"

He leaned down kissing the top of her head as they slowly continued to shuffle through the halls "Maybe one day Korra...just maybe."


"That's it," Korra shouted to herself after replaying the flashback in her mind. "I can probably spiritually project myself duh!" She wiggled around in her seated position before talking to herself again. "Okay c'mon focus Korra! You can do this just breathe and focus. Deep meditation and focus is all Aang said it took right?"

Listening to her self-advice she closed her eyes again and began breathing. Seconds passed. Then minutes. Close to an hour had passed and still nothing. Her brows knit tensely together again. "Come on, think spiritual connection," she repeated to herself several times. After another few painstaking minutes a montage of her entire chakra journey played through her mind and she felt the sudden surge of spiritual energy as she relived the unlocking of the chakras.

Her meditation then came more naturally as she loosened up into more of an easy going trance like state, practically losing herself in the meditation. Another couple of moments went by and the spiritual energy that she felt intensified, although it wasn't like the sensation of entering the Avatar State at all. Her eyes shot open. Immediately looking down at herself she saw she was no longer sitting. Instead she floated weightlessly in the air, her body a ghostly spirit blue. Her self-examination was interrupted by a confused whisper, "Korra?"

Her eyes darted toward the voice, relieved by its familiarity. "Mako!"

Hey there, ho there whoa there! Would you look at that I actually updated again in a timely fashion, surprise surprise! I know it's past Christmas now, but I guess in the process of taking down my own Christmas decorations I just had this LOK Christmas brain-blast and decided to just roll with it, with yet again another flashback. But I hope you liked it though! As always review and comment please. And more soon!