"Where is this way again?" Masaru asked. "You're not gonna like it, but it's the only way. It's back at the cave. There's a portal there that can take us to the Spirit World," she explained. "Great," he said sarcastically, "can you guys wait for a moment. I actually have to pick up something from my house. Be back soon." "Wait! (Sigh) Are you sure Mala Ta'ak won't be there?" Taka asked. "I'm sure. He doesn't come unless I summon him. So we should be okay." "Should?" he asked worried. "We'll be fine," she said. "Alright, I just…actually need to get something from my house too." "Okay, hurry." "Be right back." Masaru then returned with something that could help. "A sword?" she asked. "Yeah, it's my family's sword. I figured it might come in handy," he told her. "Where's Taka?" "I'm here," he came back. "Where did you go?" "Came to get my scarf. I figured it might be pretty cold." "Cool." It was a dark-reddish scarf with black lines going across the top and bottom. But it wasn't just any scarf, it meant a lot to him. It was his father's, and sort of a family heirloom. "Okay, we really need to go now," she told them. As they reached the base of the mountain, "Get on," she said. "Get on what?" they asked. "Just get close to me." She then earthbended the ground beneath them to raise them up, climbing up faster. "Whoa!" they both shouted. "Now this is what I call travelling," Masaru said. Eventually, they reached the entrance to the cave, whereupon they quickly jumped off their rock elevator and quickly ran to it. She opened the entrance and they went in. "Okay, this place brings back bad memories," Taka said as they ran through the tunnel. "I'm really sorry about that," Korra told him. "I know, it's okay," he smiled. They reached the open area and they went to the side of the waterfall. "Alright, guys. Hang on," she warned them. "Hang on- Whoa!" Masaru spoke. She used her airbending to give them all a boost up to the small area above the waterfall. As she fell gracefully, Taka and Masaru fell on their asses. "Ow!" they both exclaimed. "Stop whining," she said to them, "let's go." They got up, feeling sore, holding their backs. "So where is this thing?" Taka asked. Korra raised her right hand forward. "It's here," she said. Masaru then looked at where the waterfall originates, "Where is the water coming from?" "From the Spirit World. This is the portal," she explained. With her right hand, she opened the portal as it warped in front of them. On the other side was another place. "Are you sure this is safe?" he asked. She then stepped through the portal and entered the Spirit World. "Just step through," she said. Taka takes a deep breath and quickly enters. "He looks at himself, making sure nothing happened. He turned around and said, "Come on, Masaru." "Alright," he said to himself softly. He holstered his sword on his back and walked through.
"Haha, I'm okay. Whoa," he said admiring the surrounding. They were standing on a circular platform very high up, and they could see a 360o view of the area, mostly thick forests. "Welcome to the Spirit World," Korra said. "Wow," they were amazed. "It's not as scary as I thought it would be," Masaru said, "it's actually quite beautiful." "Yeah, wait till you see what's waiting for us," she told him. "We don't have much time left, so what do we do now, Taka?" "Well, the lion turtle told me to find a spirit called Mogley. We have to explain to him what' we're doing and he'll help us." "Mogley?" she asked. "Yeah, I know." "Alright, so how do we find him?" the sword wielder asked. "I have no idea." "Great, so we're just gonna wander around until we find him?" "Or until he finds us. The Spirit World is pretty much infinite in size, so let's hope it's the latter," Korra explained. They then proceeded down the long stairs to the entrance to the spirit wilds. Korra was walking particularly fast. "Hey, I know we need to hurry, but we've still got time," Taka said. "No, we don't. If I'm in the Spirit World, there's a chance that Mala Ta'ak can sense me," she explained. "What?!" he asked, "you told us he wouldn't know!" "No, what I said was, he wouldn't come if I don't summon him…in the cave! Here there's a slight chance he can sense me…a chance, okay? He might, he might not. That's why we should do this as fast as possible." "But what does it matter if he knows anyway? He's locked up, right?" Masaru asked. "Yes, HE is. But his followers aren't." "Well, that's just great, isn't it?" "Let's just hurry," she said. They entered. The trees were very dense with wild vines. It wasn't your ordinary jungle. Plenty of spirits were watching them from the trees and branches, but they didn't do anything. "Uhh, what're they doing?" the sword wielder asked worried. "They're just watching us. Don't worry most of them won't attack," she explained. "Most?" "Why won't they attack?" Taka asked. "Because of me. Most spirits aren't usually violent anyway, but they know and respect the Avatar," she told them, "and they're really afraid of Mala Ta'ak. They think I can save them." "Wait, so they don't know that you…?" "No. Let's keep moving." "Do you know where you're going?" Taka asked. Uhh, kind of… I've been here many times. Although I don't know who or where this Mogley is, but I think I know a place where we can find him," she said looking serious. "Alright, lead the way," Masaru said. Taka was a little wary. He remembered what the lion turtle told him. "Mala Ta'ak's control over the Avatar is greater than you imagine." Suspicion clouded his mind as he followed her, but he still believed. She's stronger than that, he thought. As they were walking, he started thinking about the power the lion turtle bestowed him. What did it mean by "bending the energy within"? He looked at both of his hands. Couldn't really feel a difference. It did say he'd understand when the time is right. What does that even mean?, he thought. Eventually, the path changed to more stone-like as they started to move out of the forest. In front of them was a huge stone structure, kinda like a castle, but already broken. They asked what this place is. "It's just a place that a few spirits like to gather at. Either one of them is Mogley or might know where he is," she explained. They admired the architecture. Who knew they had stuff like this in the Spirit World. "Are you sure?" Taka asked. "Yes, I'm sure," she said. He looked at her with suspicion. "Trust me." "Okay." "Now, come on. This place is very ancient. Stick close to me," she said. Without further thought, they went in. "So where are the spirits, Korra?" he asked her. "I…actually don't know," she answered, "they're usually here. I'm gonna go check the place out." As she was about to, Taka grabbed her hand…then something happened. There was a slight glow from his hand, and from both their eyes too for a brief moment. "Urgh!" they both exclaimed covering their eyes. "What…what did you do?" she asked. "Uhh, I have no idea." She felt weird for a moment…they both did. "You guys okay?" Masaru asked. "Yeah, we're fine," she said. He shook it off and then saw the necklace he bought her. "You still have that?" he asked. "What? Oh this thing. Yeah, it means a lot to me," she answered. He smiled at the fact that she said that. She smiled back and gave a little chuckle, "Haha. Come on, let's go." Masaru only raised his hands in confusion before following them. They went through a broken door with stairs leading downwards inside and followed it. It wasn't very long. When they reached the bottom, she created a fire in her hand to light the way. They were inside a long, dark tunnel. It was very old. Eventually there was a light near at the end. It lead to a small, open area with some kind of stone artifact in the middle.
"Korra, what is this place?" Taka asked. "That…is the artifact of resurrection," she said. They entered the area, but were ambushed by two spirits. Though their forms were a bit distorted, they took the appearance of a man and a woman, seemingly in their mid-30s. They knocked both Taka and Masaru out. "Don't hurt them," she said. "As you wish," the man replied sinisterly, "chain them to the wall." The woman then did as she was instructed. "Now then, do you have the final piece?" he asked. "Of course. Let's do this," she answered anxiously. The man bowed, gesturing his arm, allowing her to proceed. She took off her jacket and threw it away. Then they both walked towards the artifact and she took the piece out of her bag. The woman took Masaru's sword away as she chained their arms to the wall. Taka came to and saw what Korra was about to do. "Korra, what are you doing?!" he shouted at her. "What I have to do!" she answered. She presented the piece to the artifact and it flew from her hands and inserted itself into it, completing it. It had the same design as the piece. The roof was open to allow viewing of the sky and light to enter. "Come, child," the man said to her. She climbed up the small steps to the artifact. The sky above suddenly opened up as if a portal, and on the other side was…another place. Mala Ta'ak's voice could be heard talking from it. "Ah, finally. I will be free soon," he spoke. Korra looked anxious, she doesn't really wanna do it. "It's time to free the master," the man told her. "Korra! You don't have to do this! We always have a choice!" he screamed. "Shut up!" the woman spoke slapping him. She was contemplating, holding the necklace tightly, and crying. "No, Avatar. You do not," the man spoke grabbing the necklace off her and throwing it in front of Taka, "this is what you were created to do. The master created you to serve! Now release him! Put your hand on the artifact and activate it. Use the power that he gave you!" "How are you resisting my power?" Mala Ta'ak spoke. Taka then remembered what happened before they came down here, when he touched her arm. He must've used his energybending to remove some of Mala Ta'ak's influence. "Calm down, my young Avatar," Mala Ta'ak spoke to her, "calm down and release me." She stopped her crying, and when she opened her eyes, it glowed blue again. "Yes, master," she said. She approached the artifact and placed her hand on it. The artifact glowed bright red upwards and shot a beam towards the sky. It hit the portal and shattered his prison. " I. Am. Freeeee!" he screamed out. He entered through the portal into the Spirit World, a dark mass of shadows and darkness without a true form. "Oh, crap," Taka exclaimed. He tried to free his hand, as the woman was distracted. He succeeded and grabbed her necklace. "Now, for the final step," the man spoke. "Korra!" Taka screamed out to her. She turned to him. "You shut your mouth!" the woman said preparing to slap him again. He tried to cover himself and suddenly a burst of energy was released from his hand, sending her flying away. He was as surprised as the man was, staring at him. "Impossible," the man spoke. He then turned his attention back to Korra, "Korra! Remember who you are!" He then threw the necklace to her. She caught it with her hand and then stared at it, her eyes still glowing bright blue. Memories of her time with him came back to her. Images flashed through her head like a video playback. A single tear fell down as her eyes stopped glowing. She smiled again. His face lighted up as he saw that it worked. "No!" the man screamed grabbing her face, "you will fulfill your destiny!" Her smile faded. The man forced her to kneel down. "Now that the master is free, you will return the power you borrowed from him!" he spoke, "Say these words: I, Avatar Korra, will you my power. Say it!" "No, Korra, don't do it," Taka said. It was at this time that Masaru just woke up. "Huh, what happened? Oh, no," he said as he saw. "I…" she started, "Avatar Korra…" "Don't do it." "will you…" she stopped to look at the man. "Finish it!" Clenching her teeth, "…nothing." She then used all her might to airbend the man away. "Nooooooooooo….!" he screamed as he flew away. She regained her composure and quickly ran to her friends. "Taka?" He smiled at her, "I knew you wouldn't do it," he said. "I had you to guide me." She took off their chains and they both shared a passionate kiss. It was a bit awkward for his friend…he coughed and looked around. The woman disappeared and he saw his sword. He ran to retrieve it. "You were right, Taka. We do have a choice." "Haha, I told you," he said putting the necklace back around her neck. "Maybe there was a reason I met you so close to this day. Maybe that was destiny." "Well, I really don't care." "Uhhh, guys. We still have a mission to do," Masaru reminded them. "Right, let's go." The entire room suddenly shook and rumbled. "I don't think so, my former servant," Mala Ta'ak spoke, "you will give me your power!" He reached out to grab them, but was suddenly repelled by a bright light. "Aarrgghhh!" He disappeared and went away, at least for a moment. "What just happened?" Masaru asked. A figure suddenly appeared on the roof before jumping down. It was a lemur-like spirit standing as tall as them wearing a small, circular shaped amulet around his neck. "Hello, travelers. I am Mogley, guardian of the temple," it introduced itself as the spirit they have been searching for. "You're Mogley?" Taka asked surprised. "I am. And you must be the Avatar. It is an honor to meet you," he bowed to her. "Well, thank you," she replied, "anyway, we need your help." "I know. Mala Ta'ak is free, therefore we don't have much time. Come, we must hurry." They all ran back through the tunnel and exited out. "This way," he said. They headed left through a gate and exited back to the forest. "Whoa! What's this?" the sword wielder asked. White bear-like spirits attached to a carriage were waiting for them. "This is how we're gonna get to Avatar Wan's temple," Mogley said, "now get on, it isn't far from here." Seeing the spirits reminded her of an old friend that she hasn't seen for over a year. Naga, her pet bear-dog whom she was forced to abandon under Mala Ta'ak's orders. It brought about unwanted feelings. She lowered her head and cried, "I'm sorry, Naga." Taka jumped back down to comfort her. "What's wrong?" "Nothing, I just…I was forced to leave an old friend behind." "Well, I know you'll see your friend again. But we don't have much time now. The sooner we do this, the sooner we can go home. Okay?" he said. She wiped her tears away, "Let's do this." They all got on and off they went.