~Chapter break~

Suki looked over at crickets. "What do you mean creepy as Compass and Storm?"

Crickets gave her a look. "Well you never knew Storm but he and Compass are, or were, mediums. The two of them had connections with the dead, snow could sense and hear ghosts, while compass could see them too." The two paused when the caught up to Sokka. "Back when we were K Company we'd be sent on lots of different missions. I wasn't in the same unit as them but I heard stories about them."

Sokka looked around. "What type of stories?"

Crickets shrugged. "You know the usual spooky stuff that went along with the night unite. If there was going to be a weird mission, they would be the ones to complete it. Like the time they were sent out to stop an army of earth nation soldiers that may have been ghosts repeating their last battle."

"Oh." Sokka looked around. "Let's check these cells for the book since I disappeared here."

Suki put a hand on his shoulder. "You know how creepy that sounds right?"

Sokka nodded. "Yeah, but trust me when I say I don't feel scared like I thought I would be. I felt at peace with my ghost. Is that normal?"

Crickets shrugged. "No idea but Snow used to say he always felt better when he talked to the ghost of his mother. Compass never seemed to be visited by the people he wanted to see." Crickets started to check each of the cells. "I remember one time I ran in to him an he was very agitated. I asked Snow and apparently Compass wasn't sleeping at night because he kept being visited by his great grandfather who didn't seem that impressed by his choices."

Sokka paused. "So Iroh's met Ozia before? Huh, maybe that's why he doesn't seem phased by him now."

Crickets gave Sokka a queer look. "I don't want to know." He turned his flashlight on to one wall. "Hey guys…I didn't find the book but you might want to see this anyway."

Sokka flashed his light on to the wall. "That looks like a battle with some sort of giant coming from the ocean."

Suki looked at wall. "Does anyone know what an 'Old God' is? Or why that star's been scratched out?"

Crickets shook his head and pulled a sketchpad from his bag. "No, but I'll draw the whole thing out just incase it's important. Hold the light steady for me."

.o.

Korra knew the moment she set her foot down she had messed up. The iron beneath he feet crumbed and she plummeted a good thirty feet before crashing down hard on to some debris.

"Korra!" Iroh yelled. "Korra are you ok?"

"I'm alive!" She yelled back before moving a little. "And I think I'm ok." She stood up and then immediately sat back down. "Ok, so not totally ok. I think I managed to actually bend some on the metal supports in my leg." She felt her right leg and hissed. "Yeah, that's bent."

"I'll try to find a way down to you!" Iroh yelled. "Make a flame and I'll be there as soon as I can."

Korra produced a white flame in her hand. "Ok done."

"Good! Just sit tight Korra. I'll be there a.s.a.p.!"

"Well it's really not like you to take your sweet time on things." Korra mumbled to herself. Korra paused. The whole place had gone silent; it was so quiet she could hear her own heart beating. Korra made her fire stronger just to have a little company. Then the voices came. At first they were barely perceptible but they grew in volume.

"Oh look, a phantom that doesn't know their dead." A voice said mockingly.

"Shame. She's so young." Said another.

Korra sent a gust to where the voice had come from, there was nothing. "Stop it! I'm not dead! I'm alive!"

A different spirit laughed mockingly. "Oh please, princess you haven't been alive since that fight at the air temple! You died you should be rotting in the ground not here rusting away with us!"

"No! I'm the avatar and I am alive! I'm right here breathing! Heart beating! I'm alive!" The flame Korra had made was extinguished as she wrapped her arms around her. "I survived."

"No, you didn't. The avatar is dead and your prince is dead too. You two died ages ago and neither of you seem to believe it."

Korra shook her head. "No! I survived I came back! Iroh, he came back! Mako saved him! Restarted his heart!"
"Mako started a dead man's heart Princess! Only the dead can summon the white fire."

A spirit laid an arm on Korra's shoulder. "Your beloved died on that rainy night fighting for you. The man you love is a phantom who doesn't know it's time to go home."

Korra covered her ears, falling to her knees. "You're lying Iroh's not dead, I'm not dead! We survived! You're lying!"

Suddenly there was what looked like a woman made of blue fire that walked into Korra's perspective. "Go away both of you!" The stranger ordered before raising her hand. "Before I send you to the book keeper."
There was the sound of little feet running away. Korra looked at the woman. "What are you? I can see you, you're nothing be blue fire."

"Me? I am a Lantern Keeper."

"So you're a spirit?"

The woman chuckled. "Not quite, I'm more of a phantom with a purpose, a soul who wished to help those who suffered the same fate I did."

Korra gulped. "And what happened to you?"

"I was a victim, that's really all you need to know. Those spirits you were talking to they were going to try to get you to take your own life you know. Nasty little gremlins." The woman kneeled down and set something in Korra's lap. "I believe this is what you're looking for? This old beat up diary containing the story of a war no one remembers."

Korra closed her hand around the book. "Yes, but how do you know I'm looking for it?"

"Because I remember." The woman stood up. "This isn't the first time we've met, Avatar and it won't be the last. At least for you, I have no idea about me. Your husband should be here in a bit. Getting to this level is difficult for those who are made of solid mass. I should leave you. I don't want to scare him."

"Wait!" Korra called after the retreating spirit. "Please tell me. Am I dead? Is Iroh dead?"

The woman sighed and sat down. "In the spirit world there is not difference between dead and died. You and Iroh died, but you are not dead."

"And the white fire? Do you know why our fires have turned white and burn under water?"

The woman shook her head. "That I do not know and I have the feeling it is not my role to tell you even if I did know."

Korra took a heavy breath and nodded. "Ok, ok, one last question, I was in the Manor of the North Star as a type of ball and I was an honored guest. Do you know anything about that?"

"Ira's grand ball…it's been years since I've thought of those. Sad it's not around anymore I should talk to Heroto about that."

"Ira? Who's Ira? We ran into named Heroto he didn't seem to be in charge."

"He's not. Ira was the spirit of the North Star while Heroto was his herald and one of my closed friends."

"I didn't know the North Star had a name." Korra tilted her head. "I guess he would have one. I wonder if he knows Yue?"

"He did, but I don't think you'll ever meet the old North Star so why talk about?"

Korra nodded. "I guess I must, uh Miss Lantern Barer one other question, you said you met me before, in the past, and you remember what happened. Do I live? Do I get to come home with my friends and family?"

The woman stood up. "I can't tell you that, I honestly don't remember how this quest ends but I know your sons survive."

Korra narrowed her eyes. "Sons? I don't have any sons!"

"You don't? Well maybe my memories off." The woman sat behind Korra. "Can I fix your hair? It's all mess up."

"I don't like people touching me."

"I'm not a big fan of it either." The woman confessed, "But I did love it so when my spirit mother brushed my hair and pulled it up out of my face. I do miss Nix so much now a days."

Korra wanted to ask who Nix was but bit her lip and just nodded. "I guess it wouldn't hurt."

"It won't and thank you, I hate seeing hair that's messed up." The woman pulled a piece of rusted metal out of her hair. "It's just so much of a waste."

.o.O.o.

"Your hair's too long compass." Storm whispered in Iroh's ear with one hand on gripping his braid and the other holding a knife to his throat. "Someone could use it to their advantage."

Iroh rolled his eyes. "Like someone who never met me would know to grab it especially, in the dead of night where no one can see it. Some commando is going to sneak up behind hind me and grab me like you're doing now and whisper oh so romantically in my ear. Do you mind?"

Strom blushed and let Iroh go. "Sorry, but you should really cut that hair, it's a safety risk."

Iroh gave Strom a confused look. "Snow, why are you suddenly concerned with my hair? I thought you liked it."

Storm sighed and leaned against a tree. "I do but." He sighed. "Fox said you look like a girl when it's down."

"So? Half the time we're in our uniforms we look like woman anyway. He's just bitter he doesn't look as good and didn't get into the unit he wanted." Iroh flashed the smile than made him an infamous flirt. "You ok there, Strom? You look a little weak do you need to go to bed? How long have you been awake?"

"Too long." The water bender bit his lip. "I think I'll hit the hay. Just think about cutting your hair please, Compass." Storm gave Iroh a worried look. "I don't want to lose you because of it."

Iroh sighed. "Fine, I'll get it cut. You worry to much Snow."

The water bender shrugged. "You know what they say, people worry because they care."

.o.O.o.

Iroh looked around the dilapidated hallway and gave a low whistle. "I really hope this place was nicer in operation."

"Always the optimist, Compass. Always looking on the bright side of darkness."

Iroh turned around and shined his light from where the voice originated. "Snow? Snowstorm?" Iroh frowned. "No, it can't be you're at rest no way you'd be haunting some dump like this. Not after all these years."

"Optimistic but dumb. Don't you remember my voice? Am I forgotten so easily?" The spectral figure of Snow Storm walked through a wall and faced Iroh. "I thought we were more than that."

Iroh back up until he was against a wall.

"Do I need to remind you of the good old times?" The specter's eyes glowed white. "It would be a pleasure."

.o.

Sokka looked at the wall covered in red. "I really hope that's red paint."

From behind him he heard a male voice that was reminiscent to his father's. "It's not paint. Don't turn around and don't react Sokka this is you're older self and I know exactly what you're thinking right now because I remember this vary moment."

Oh really? If you know what I'm thinking now?

"You are literally thinking about thinking. Now I'm here to pass on some very important information, you all need to get out. This place is filled with drack spirits that want to drive you mad got that?"

Yeah, got that. Hey wait….aren't I dead?

"Yes, this is your ghost talking to you and since I am dead I have the advantage of knowing what's going on here and I need you and every one of your party to get out before it get's really really ugly."

Ok…. Hey if you remember everything how does it all turn out in the end?

"I can't tell you that because I don't remember telling you and when you get to be me you understand the reason for that."

I don't really fallow but I'm not going to question it either. Is there anything I should know other than we need to get out of here?

"Yeah….you might want to start running in the direction Iroh and Korra went if you want to keep Iroh from falling to his death. I mean that's what I did next."

"Crap! Guys we have to get out of here!" Sokka yelled running from the room. "Suki, Crickets! Get the other's I've got Iroh and Korra!"

.o.

Ringling helped his cousin back to her feet while Lafey checked the surrounding area for any more intruders. Zuko looked down at the bodies and shivered. "I've never seen someone chop someone's head off before with an ice fan." He looked at Lafey. "For some reason I thought you weren't a bender."
Lafey shrugged. "Most don't seeing as traditionally the Kiyoshi warriors weren't but I'm one of the best water benders alive."

Zuko nodded. "You're definitely the deadliest."

She smirked. "Yeah, and I don't have to blood bend either."

"Speaking of blood, you got shot in the leg. I saw you go down, how are you able to walk?"

Lafey sat on the table in the middle of the room. "I'll show you a little secret about my right leg." She pulled off her boot to reveal a limb made of ice from above the knee to her toes. Zuko could see a metal prosthetic within the ice giving it more structure but the whole limb was mostly ice. "It hasn't been real for almost ten years."

Zuko blinked. "Oh I guess that would explain it. How did that?"

Lafey put her boot back on. "Got stabbed in battle. Got infected. Almost died. Would have but my bro-Compass, saved me. Took me out of that horrible medical command post and to doctor who actually knew what he was doing." Lafey got back to her feet. "He never left my side and according to some didn't sleep for four days straight just to make sure I was being taken care of properly, even though he had his own pain to deal with."

There was silence for a moment. "So Iroh's your brother?" Zuko leaned against the wall. "That's what you almost said a little bit ago right?"

Lafey nodded. "Yeah, you know I used to be good at lying but that story always trips me up."

Zuko sighed. "Did anyone ever tell you that you look quite a bit like your brother? I mean you don't look exactly alike but you have the same eye shape and cheekbones."

Lafey shrugged. "Well they did call us the twins in training but I always thought that was because we were only two months apart in age."

Zuko took a big breath. "And here I thought I had daddy issues."

"I don't have daddy issues." Lafey snapped. "Now let's get moving, we still have to find that damn book."

.o.O.o.

"We're protecting the Earth Queen travel back to Ba Sing Say? All of us? The Whole Company?" Snowstorm looked over at his C.O. "I'm sorry sir but isn't that stupid? I mean the whole company? They do know it's made of five separate units and teams within that and you know not really a Company?"

"I get that Storm, I really do but these are the orders."

"But-but we're the night unit! We don't do escort! We don't even do daylight! We'll be more than useless! Sir they're using a scalpel as a battle-axe! We aren't meant for this kind of mission!"

"I KNOW!" The C.O. took a deep breath. "I know and I've told them but the orders stand. Don't go and you'll be AWOL. Now go wake up your partner and the rest of your unit ready to report for duty in three hours!"

Snow nodded and walked back to the unit's sleeping quarters. He deiced to wake Iroh up first and then trigger the alarm. When he walked into Iroh's bedroom, Iroh was already up and washing his face in the sink. Iroh looked over at him.

"We've got a mission to get ready for."

Snow sighed. "Where you spying on me?"

"No." Iroh yawned. "He who shall not be acknowledged woke me up. Apparently he was spying on the C.O.'s and after some colorful dialogue about my life choices and lifestyle read me in." Iroh stretched. "So we're talking the dirt queen back home? Fun."

Snow nodded. "Yeah, can you imagine having to listen to her gripe along with Ozia?"

Iroh groaned. "I really don't want to." He looked in the mirror. "I've got a bad feeling about this mission."

Snow nodded. "You and me both." Snow frowned. "You should get dressed and take a nap. You haven't been well sleeping these past few nights. Want to explain why?"

The fire bender sighed. "I keep having these dreams, they I'm standing in the middle of a battle field some many of my friends are there, dead. I see…my self, or someone who kind of looks like me, holding a lantern on a staff and walking through the bodies and glowing orbs fallow him."

Snow raised an eyebrow. "You're dreaming of yourself as a grim reaper?"

"I guess but there's such a feeling of death and sadness and isolation, I can't really describe it." Iroh looked Snow in the eye. "You were dead too. You left me."

Snow set a hand on Iroh's shoulder and gave him a smile. "Don't talk like that, I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me forever."

Iroh gave a halfhearted chuckle. "Don't make promises you can't keep."

.o.

Iroh sat dazed on the smoking battlefield. To his left was an Earthbender with dagger plunged into his rib cage and in front was the still form of his partner. All around him lay his unit, all unmoving, all dead. Iroh checked Strom's pulse in the vain hope he'd feel something. Nothing. He was dead and Iroh was too numb to cry.

"They set us up." He whispered under his breath. "They wanted us dead." His eyes suddenly widened and he stood up. "Lafey! I've got to warn them! They've still got a chance!" He quickly kneeled down and gave Strom on last quick farewell and then ran to the others nursing his own dislocated shoulder as he ran.

A/N: Hey guys thanks for reading. Please comment if you feel so compelled, or have a question. Hope you're having a great day and I'll see you all later.