Hey, everyone! Really sorry about how long it's been since I last posted. But to make up for it, this chapter is extra long! We're slowly getting closer to the finale of Book 2 and I can't wait. A lot of cool stuff is going to happen and I'm really excited. Anyways, I hope you all enjoy the chapter!


Chapter 10: A New Spiritual Age


Ichigo wrinkled his nose. The marshy ground beneath him sucked at his feet, making a gross squelching sound. The air was putrid and thick with fog. After leaving the woods, he had emerged into a dank swamp where the water was brown and amphibious-looking spirits eyed him lazily.

"This is such a pain," he grumbled aloud.

Having latched onto Korra's spiritual pressure as a tether, he'd headed out to find her. Though to be honest, he didn't exactly know why. He was sorry for the way things had been left between them but he recognized that that was the only way she'd have left him alone.

"Do I even owe her an apology? She's been nothing but annoying recently. Besides, apologizing will only make leaving harder for me. If that's even what I'm going to do."

His foot got stuck in the murky water and he kicked out violently, launching a spirit into the air and into a tree.

"Hey!" it cried, "Watch where you swing those things, human!"

"Watch where you stick your grubby little hands, weirdo. I felt you grabbing onto my leg there."

The spirit brushed itself off. "Well, you were making such a racket, I had to put a stop to it! Who do you think you are sloshing about through here with your pin needle-sized legs like that?"

"Pin needle? Are you calling me skinny?"

"You're as scrawny as they come, human!"

"Shut up, you look like a fricking obese purple frog."

"So?"

Ichigo shook his head. "I don't have time for this."

"Hey wait!" The spirit jumped in front of him and narrowed its already beady eyes. "You smell funny."

"Piss off, will you? I'm kinda in a hurry."

The spirit sniffed him dramatically. "What are you?"

"None of your business, ugly, get out of the way."

It held up its hands. "Fine! Fine, I'll let you pass, demi-human."

"Demi-human?!" A new voice screeched out and another spirit emerged from behind a nearby bush. It was tall and lanky with cat-like features and grey fur. It looked very old, as old as spirits could probably get. The spirit regarded Ichigo closely and then it's ancient eyes lit up in recognition.

"It's you, isn't it?"

Ichigo stared at him with confusion. "What?"

"Yes, yes, my nose is not as good as it once was but I could never forget that scent. How long ago was it that you left…? Nigh upon ten thousand years…" He said wistfully.

"Okay, I have no idea what you're talking about and I'm in a hurry. In case your 'nose' didn't pick it up, the Avatar is here and I have to find her."

"Yes!" The spirit cried. "The Avatar, yes!" It gripped hold of Ichigo's arms. "Stinky! Stinky!"

"Hey, let go of me!" He flung the spirit off him and into a tree. It trembled pathetically and clawed at the bark with a crazed looked in its eyes.

"Stinky, you closed the portal. You locked us in here like the wretches we are. And for what? Darkness rises once more; the portals will open and all your good intentions will go to waste."

"Portals…" Ichigo muttered. "What about the portals?"

"Vaatu is coming. The great spirit of darkness is coming again." The spirit crawled over to Ichigo and clutched desperately at his robes. "Demi-human, our only hope rests in you. You saved Stinky once. You can do it again."

"What are you talking about? Who is Stinky?"

"You must save him!" It shouted. "Please!"

"Save who?!"

"It is written! When Vaatu's darkness blankets the sky and all hope is lost, the warrior in black will rise again. Through trial and sacrifice, he will prevail; and the light of Raava shall shine once more. It is written, Soul Reaper!" The spirit's grip waned and it eventually let go, sitting dejectedly on the ground, muttering incoherently to itself.

Ichigo looked at it with confusion. It seemed to know him. But he'd never laid eyes on it before. Not that he could remember anyway. He decided to ignore it, at least for now. Korra was the more important thing. Beyond that, he'd have to see.

The spirit said nothing as Ichigo walked away. It just watched him. As he faded from view, the spirit sighed as if in a moment of clarity. "I'm sorry, Stinky. I tried to warn him. I really did. But my mind is too far gone to have gotten through to him. It seems like he doesn't remember me… or you. I can only hope that somehow you will reveal yourself to him."

Ichigo eventually reached the edge of the swamp and then he abruptly stopped with a gasp. He stood upon the brink of a giant cliff that reared high above a vast expanse of green grass and pink skies. Directly below him, the ground was covered in cloud and he couldn't see a thing. Suddenly, the ground shook and caved in beneath his feet. He struggled for balance and then cried out as his feet lost purchase and he toppled off the cliff and into the fog below.


Night had fallen upon the Air Temple. The crescent moon shone down on the small fire that crackled in the forest below. Tenzin, Kya, and Bumi all sat around it, waiting for Korra and Jinora to return from the Spirit World.

"I can't believe my little girl had to guide Korra into the Spirit World instead of me," Tenzin said. "If anything happens to her I won't be able to forgive myself."

"She's very smart," Kya reassured. "And she obviously has a strong connection with the spirits. She'll be fine."

"Yeah, Dad went all the time," Bumi drawled.

"They won't have their bending in there," Tenzin said. "They'll be defenceless."

Bumi cleared his throat loudly. "Excuse me? I've never had bending and I don't think I'd call myself defenceless."

"Of course you aren't because you have your…" He looked to Kya for help.

"Positive attitude?" She ventured brightly.

"I would've said acute intellect and cat-like reflexes but whatever," Bumi said.

"Why don't you two get some sleep," said Tenzin. "I'll take the first watch."

"Wake us up if you need some company," Kya said.

"Or if some interesting spirity-stuff happens like their bodies start floating around and you need someone to grab them before they fly off!"

"Bumi!"

"I'm just saying we're here if you need us."

"I know you are. Thank you," Tenzin smiled. He went over to his daughter and rubbed her head gently. "Please come back safely."


Jinora opened her eyes and gazed with wonder at her surroundings. The Spirit World was very bright and shimmered with an ethereal radiance. Everything around them was green, vibrant and healthy. The grass was soft and thick and great trees with tops like lily pads hovered over their heads.

"Isn't it beautiful?" She said in awe.

"Just stick close to me, okay?" Korra said cautiously. "This seems nice, but you never know when we'll run into some dark spirits."

She jumped as a flower next to her turned into a gorgeous purple butterfly. Jinora giggled.

"Look! It's like it's made of jewels. The spirits are so much more beautiful in their own world than they are at home." She ran off, chasing the butterfly spirit.

"Jinora, be careful! Hold on!" Korra began to go after her but then she grunted as her foot got caught in a hole.

"Hey!" cried a voice. "Watch where you're going, you giant clod!" Small hands shoved her foot from underneath it and an angry gopher-spirit emerged from the hole.

"Sorry!"

"This is a residential area in case you hadn't noticed," it said indignantly. "Who do you think you are stomping through here like that?"

"I'm the Avatar," Korra smirked.

Another gopher popped out and sniffed her. "The Avatar? Not impressed."

"I'm trying to find the Spirit Portals. I opened one-"

She was interrupted by another gopher. "I heard Unalaq did that."

"No, I did."

"Well if you opened it, how come you don't know where it is, huh?" Another one said.

"Because I was at the South Pole!"

More and more gophers started popping out, voicing their disapproval.

"I don't trust her."

"Get out of our world!"

"We don't need you!"

"You don't belong here."

"Get away from me!" Korra yelled and attempted to blow them all away with air. But nothing happened.

"Did you guys see that? She tried to bend at us! In our own holes! Get her!"

The gophers began launching themselves at her, turning into dark spirits as they did.

"Jinora!"

Jinora turned back. "Korra! Stay calm; your energy is upsetting them. You're only making it worse!"

She ran over to her and then suddenly the ground began to swirl around them like a whirlpool. The girls screamed as they were sucked into a hole and plunged into a massive body of water. They grabbed each other's hands and then panicked as a gigantic sea creature swam over to them and swallowed them whole into its gaping maw.

Inside, the girls shouted and struggled as they were forced along by a swift, churning current past row after row of jagged teeth. Korra cried Jinora's name as they were separated and then she reached out in vain as the current ended and she plummeted into a black abyss of space.


Asami sat against a tree and childishly picked at the grass around her. Yoruichi had returned her to her body at the Spirit Oasis and now she was sitting there, waiting for Ichigo to also come back. It felt like she'd been waiting for hours.

She looked over at her boyfriend and smiled slightly. His hair, still black from when they'd dyed it on the boat, ruffled in the breeze. He looked peaceful, she thought to herself. Most likely more peaceful than he'd looked in a long time. She sighed and looked up at the sky.

This whole adventure seemed strange to her. They'd come so that Ichigo could meet with his friend but he'd barely told her anything that his friend had said. Asami still suspected that Ichigo was considering leaving but she didn't want to accept the thought. He meant a lot to her, probably more than anyone else in her life right now.

"I don't want you to leave," she whispered. "You're all I have." She knew he wouldn't hear her but she hoped that she meant as much to him as he did to her.

Asami stiffened as she heard a creaking noise. The door that served as the entrance to the oasis was opening. Asami nearly panicked but she steadied herself and quickly pulled Ichigo's body into the bushes behind the pool. Then she hid herself and observed who walked through the door.

It was a tall Water Tribe woman. Her tied-back hair was greying but her face bore no wrinkles. It was adorned with heavy makeup particularly around the eyes that immediately reminded Asami of Eska. The woman moved with the poise of a noble and her flowing clothes were elegant and silver-white, a certain contrast against the normal blue of the Water Tribe.

She knelt down gracefully before the pool and laid her hands across her lap. Asami watched with intrigue as the woman took several deep breaths and let the light breeze waft through her hair.

"I know you're there," the woman said suddenly. "Come out, young one. Don't be afraid."

Asami gulped and slowly came out from behind the bush, making sure Ichigo's body was still hidden properly. "Sit down," the woman said and Asami obeyed, lowering herself to the grass beside the woman.

"Why are you here?" the woman asked.

"I-um I have an interest in the spirits so I wanted to come here and see two in person."

"Ah, then why did you hide?"

"I was afraid that I would get in trouble for being here. Am I in trouble?"

"Not at all. I also have a fascination with the spirits. It is a trait shared by my husband. I come here every day to pray to the Moon Spirit who was once my ancestor, Yue. Come, child, pray with me."

Asami hesitantly obeyed and knelt beside the woman. She began to pray. "I, Kahinna, beseech you, great Moon Spirit to hear my prayer and fulfill my desire. I ask for balance between spirits and man and I ask again that the destruction wrought by the cursed Avatar would be undone. Hear me, O Moon Spirit, and smite thy enemy. The time of the Avatar is nearing its end."

Asami look at her, horrified. "Who did you say your husband was again?"

"My husband is the great Unalaq, Chief of the Water Tribes."


Ichigo groaned and shook his head to clear it. He had fallen for a long time and had eventually landed on the hard ground of a dry forest. The air around him was very heavy and murky; it's smell pungent and oppressive. Ichigo looked around at all the dark trees and shrubs that surrounded him. The dirt beneath him was compact and squishy.

He got up and stretched his sore limbs. Then he stopped. Korra was near, he could sense it. Walking slowly, he spread his energy out around him until he zeroed in on her. He began jogging and then sprinting as he heard a scream. Leaping off a ledge, he saw Korra. She was on the ground, raising her arm in defence as a giant spirit bore down on her with a pincer-like claw.

Ichigo drew Zangetsu and used Shunpo to teleport in between them. He blocked the spirit's attack with his sword and grunted. Then he spun round the claw and slashed through the spirit, cleaving it in two.

"Ichigo?"

He turned and regarded her with a smirk. "That's me."

Her face turned to a scowl. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Saving your ungrateful ass, it would seem. Why didn't you just use your bending?"

"I don't have my bending in here, asshole. I meditated in with Jinora. Oh no, Jinora!" Korra jumped to her feet. "I have to find her!"

She began to call out repeatedly for her. Ichigo rolled his eyes and put away his sword. This was going exactly as he'd expected.

"Are you still pissed at me?" He asked.

"Shut up, I'm trying to find Jinora."

"No, you're not; you're yelling and pacing like an idiot. You are still pissed at me, aren't you?"

"Why wouldn't I be? You abandoned me and you haven't even apologised or anything. 'Are you still pissed at me', what kind of stupid question is that?"

She walked a few paces away and Ichigo crossed his arms and sighed. He turned around at a peculiar noise and glimpsed wary spirits scuttling about on the ground and in the trees, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Hey, Korra," he said and then stopped instantly. "What's wrong with my voice?" He looked around. The trees seemed suddenly larger and more imposing. He felt small, weak and helpless.

"Jinora!" He heard Korra call. Her voice faltered and grew higher pitched and her cries for Jinora faded into the weeping of a child. Ichigo hugged himself tightly and keeping his head low, darted to where Korra was. What he saw startled him; her body had regressed into that of a little girl and she sat on the ground, crying profusely.

He looked down at his hands. They were small and smooth. His coarse palms had become soft and fleshy; like those of a child. He felt his face. It was different too. Then a wave of fear washed over him and he trembled with fright. Visions of his mother assaulted his mind. He still didn't remember how she had died. Tears pooled into his eyes as he glimpsed a bloody body lying on the banks of a river as torrential rain soaked the world around her.

Ichigo jumped as he heard a squawk and Korra screamed and swatted at something bright in the air. It was a tiny purple dragon-like spirit that squealed with pain and clutched at its damaged wing that Korra had hit. Ichigo watched as she crawled over and gently took the creature into her arms.

"I'm sorry I swatted you," she said. "You just scared me." She stood up and brushed away her tears. "Come on, Ichigo, we have to find Jinora."

"B-but my mom!" He said tearfully, sniffing loudly as he did so.

"Your mom's not here, Ichigo, come on." She took his hand and brought him to his feet. They looked around. The dark forest was huge and daunting, it's trees bending around them, blocking their way. Suddenly they heard footsteps and a dim light broke through the oppressive darkness.

"You three look lost," a gentle voice said. "Maybe I can help you."

The voice belonged to a kindly old man with a long beard, dressed in green and yellow robes. He held a lantern in his hand.

Korra's eyes widened. "I know you."

"I was good friends with Avatar Aang."

"Iroh…"

He smiled. "Hello, Korra."


Outside the forest, Jinora was calling out Korra's name. She was totally alone on the vibrant rolling hills of the Spirit World and her cries fell on deaf ears.

"Korra! Where are you? Hello? I'm lost; can anyone help me?"

Suddenly, she heard a familiar twitter and grinned as her favourite bunny spirit Furryfoot, who had led them into the Spirit World, flew up the path behind her.

"Furryfoot? Is that you?" The spirit had now increased dramatically in size, easily dwarfing Jinora. She ran over and embraced her friend with a laugh. "It's so good to see you again! You're so big here. I don't suppose you know where Korra is, do you? We were supposed to go find the Spirit Portals but I don't know how to find anything down here."

The spirit twittered again and Jinora jumped on its back as it flew away from the forest to a different area of the Spirit World. They traveled over valleys and rocky mesas all the way to a lightly populated wood where Jinora saw their destination. It was a large stone structure that looked like a more rounded upside-down pyramid with towers and domes suspended by thick vines hundreds of feet above the ground.

"It's like an awesome treehouse!" She declared. "Wait, I've read about this place. Grandpa Aang came here. It's Wan Shi Tong's Spirit Library."


"I'm so glad you came to visit us in the Spirit World, Korra," Iroh said as he led them out of the dark, miserable forest. "You came just in time. We're having a little tea party to celebrate Mejin's wedding."

Korra's eyes widened as they left the gloom of the forest behind and emerged in a bright gorgeous valley. Straight ahead of them was a cute little house with a table outside around which sat several happy spirits. On top of the table was a delicious-looking cake and some tasty muffins. Korra looked quite excited but Ichigo was sad and timid, keeping his head low and his hands clutched.

"How can you marry each other?" Korra asked the bride and groom, two large frog spirits with bulbous blue eyes wearing colourful flowers as decoration. "Aren't you…"

"Complete opposites?" said one, "I know!"

"I tried to fight it, but she really grew on me," the other said.

"The Spirit World is very mysterious," said Iroh, "but so is love. Help yourself to some tea and cakes. They are spirit cakes so you won't gain any weight. Of course, you won't lose any either," he chuckled as he patted his substantial belly.

Korra eagerly took a seat at the table but Ichigo hung back, his face downcast and nervous. Iroh turned to him and wrapped his arm around the boy. "Come, young Ichigo," he said with a smile, "Perhaps some hearty food will brighten your mood, bwaha that rhymed!"

Ichigo stared at him. "You know who I am?"

"Yes. Everyone in the Spirit World knows who you are. Or at least they know what you represent. Come, sit! There's no need to be afraid."

"Yeah, come on, Ichigo!" Korra encouraged. "This part of the Spirit World isn't so scary."

Ichigo swallowed and gingerly took a seat next to Korra who happily munched away at her cake. A spirit across from them reached over and pulled the cake over to himself, revealing an old tea pot lying behind it. Korra pointed at it instantly. "My tea pot!"

"That's right," Iroh said. "It was yours long, long ago. When you were Avatar Wan, you used it to carry the light spirit Raava around until the two of you became one. It's my favourite thing I've found here. You know, when you make tea in it, you can still taste a little light in every cup"

He poured out some tea into a cup and Korra took a deep long draft with a smile. She looked at Ichigo who was tentatively picking at his food. His eyebrows were knit together in thought and his eyes shimmered with pain. The spirits around the table eyed him warily. Korra pushed the tea pot towards him.

"You remember this, don't you?" She said.

"Huh?" He looked at her with confusion.

"The tea pot. You must recognize it after all that time you spent with Wan."

"Yes," Iroh said. "You knew Avatar Wan, you saw the light and dark spirits in their full glory in the old world before the time of the Avatar. And now you are back… just like it was written. That is why I am so happy that I found you before anyone else. The rumours of your presence have spread quickly."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ichigo said. "I've never heard of Avatar Wan. I'm not even from this world, how would I know him?"

Korra sighed. "Of course you don't remember. Because the minute anything important happens you disappear."

"Shut up! You can't say that!" The spirits around the table quivered at Ichigo's raised voice.

"Both of you," Iroh interjected, "please. This is no place for a fight. This is a wedding! Ichigo, are you sure you don't remember Avatar Wan? You were his closest friend. Your deeds in the last Harmonic Convergence have passed into legend. Your return has been foretold for thousands of years. You don't remember anything?"

Ichigo shook his head mournfully. "All I remember is the rain. And a little girl down by the river. And my mom… Mom!" He shot up from his seat clutching at his head in pain. Beads of sweat dripped down his face. "She's calling to me! She's bleeding!"

"Ichigo, calm down!" Iroh laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Your mother is not in the Spirit World. You must relax. You will aggravate the spirits."

Ichigo stepped away from the table, his face skewed with anguish. "This place is messing with my head. I need to go." He ran off into the house and slammed the door. Iroh looked after him and sighed.

"He'll come around," said Korra. "He always does."

"I heard you two arguing earlier. I am surprised you say that after the things you said to him before."

She looked down. "I haven't forgiven him. But after everything I've learned about him and Wan… I want to believe in that Ichigo."

Iroh smiled. "That Ichigo is still in there. The prophesied warrior is still in there. You just need to have a little faith and a little patience."


Asami got to her feet hurriedly. "You're his wife?"

Kahinna nodded. "Yes."

"That's- that's amazing!" Asami recovered quickly. "What's he like?"

Kahinna beamed wide. "He is the wisest man in all the nations and the most spiritually gifted. He sees the world for what it truly is. I have never met another man like him. He will bring true balance to the world. And he is the love of my life."

"If you love him so much, why are you here and not with him at the South Pole?"

The woman hesitated and then knit her hands together calmly. "My husband wished that I remain here… for my own safety of course. What with the civil war going on and the Avatar on the loose, I would be in mortal danger. Yes, my husband is right, always right."

Asami sat back down. "Why do you hate the Avatar so much?" she asked gently.

Kahinna's eyes flared. "The Avatar was the worst mistake in human history. It has divided the spirts and humans for ten thousand years and thrown the world out of its natural balance. The Avatar is an abomination that must be put down."

"But the Avatar is the bridge between the two worlds, isn't she? The whole purpose of the Avatar is to maintain balance."

"A false narrative," Kahinna dismissed derisively. "That is what everyone is told but it could not be farther from the truth. My husband saw through these lies. He seeks true balance even at the cost of ignorant people's lives. It is why I love him so dearly." She began mumbling to herself. "The Avatar will be no more and a new order of balance will rise. It has been foretold. But alas, the prophecy. No! It won't come true. It can't come true. He doesn't even remember anything."

Asami raised her eyebrows. This woman clearly wasn't all there mentally but she could at least be useful for information. "What prophecy?" she asked.

"Hmm? I dare not speak it here; my husband would have my neck."

"Come on, Unalaq's not here. Say it."

Kahinna sighed. "Very well. When Vaatu's darkness blankets the sky and all hope is lost, the warrior in black will rise again. Through trial and sacrifice, he will prevail; and the light of Raava shall shine once more." She shuddered at those last words and her mood darkened immediately.

"What does it mean?" Asami asked.

"Why do you care?" Kahinna said suspiciously.

"I-I just… I'm curious."

The woman leaned over and stared into Asami's eyes. "You lie. You are not interested in the Spirits. You are a spy! Who sent you here?"

"No one!" Asami said hurriedly.

She got closer and her voice became menacing. "You're afraid… afraid that I will discover…" Kahinna's eyes shot over to the bushes and she leapt to her feet.

Asami watched in a panic as the woman rummaged through the foliage and dragged Ichigo's still limp body onto the grass. "Aha! You thought you could hide him from me. He is in the Spirit World, yes? If he dies here, his spirit will be trapped there forever." She cackled and began to pull his body towards the pond.

"No!" Asami jumped up to defend him but Kahinna swept out a hand and a wave of water launched Asami off her feet and she landed with a cry of pain. The woman thrust Ichigo's head into the pond intending to drown him. But then the black dye in his hair began to bleed out into the water and his natural orange locks came into view. Kahinna stared at his hair in horror and realization lit up her face.

"Orange hair, black robes, a sword… the warrior in black. This is Kurosaki Ichigo."

She ripped him out of the water and began to beat his face with her fists. "It's your fault! You're the reason the world is like this! You cursed, devilish boy!" Then she stopped. "If I kill him and show his body to my Unalaq, then perhaps… he will love me again… Yes. I shall murder the prophesied warrior and I will be the hero of this story! Unalaq will not leave me behind then! He will not dismiss me then! Never again!"

She wrapped her hands around his neck and began to squeeze. Then the crackle of electricity made her look up. She turned around. Asami stood there with her Equalist glove on one hand and a furious scowl on her face.

"Get the hell away from my boyfriend you crazy bitch."


Jinora, riding on the back of Furryfoot, descended down into the library. It was truly massive with endless corridors separated by hundreds of floors. Books upon books upon scrolls adorned unending shelves and bookcases. Being an ancient structure, the library was musky and had many vines and trees entwining themselves in and around the countless floors. Green-eyed librarian foxes patrolled the dimly-lit corridors, as the light only struck the middle beams of the causeway.

She touched down in the middle of the causeway and gazed around with an awed smile on her face.

"Wow," she said simply. "I could just stay in here forever, reading."

Suddenly there was a gust of wind and the great owl spirit, Wan Shi Tong alighted heavily in front of her. He was many times her size with wings like a dragon's and black eyes that pierced into hers with an age and wisdom unlike any she had hitherto experienced.

"The last human who said that is still here," he said ominously. Jinora followed his gaze and shuddered at the sight of a browned skeleton with rotten skin peeling from its visage and a few brittle last wisps of black hair on its crown. On the skeleton's lap and on the floor around it were scrolls and piles of books. She had heard of this man. He had travelled with her grandfather to the library and opted to stay and study it's ceaseless knowledge.

"Professor Zae," she said quietly.

"I see that you have some knowledge of the past so you should know that humans are no longer allowed in my library. Get out."

"I thought anyone could come in if they brought you some new knowledge."

"Those are the old rules. Besides, what is a little girl going to teach Wan Shi Tong, he who knows ten thousand things."

"Well," said Jinora in her usual know-it-all voice, "since you've been down in the Spirit World, the humans have invented radio."

"Yes, I am well aware of the radio."

"But do you know how it works?"

"Of course I do. There is a box, and inside that box there is a tiny man who sings and plays musical instruments."

"Actually," Jinora countered, "when we speak our voices produce sound waves. Radio takes those sound waves and converts them into electromagnetic energy that is transmitted through the spectrum."

"Alright, enough" he interrupted. "I did not know this. Apparently, I have been fed some misinformation about the existence of tiny men in boxes." He shot a dirty look at a fox who hung its head. "Still, I am not interested in that human garbage. Now go away."

"My grandfather was the Avatar and I came to the Spirit World with the new Avatar to find the Spirit Portals. I would think that you'd want to help me."

"You came with the Avatar, hmm? Well, why didn't you say so? Fine. You may look around. But don't break anything. I'll know."

With that, he flew off, beating his great wings against the air. Jinora quickly ran to a random corridor.

"Come on, Furryfoot, we gotta hurry!"


Korra and Iroh were sitting at a Pai Sho table next to a bulbous purple plant spirit. Iroh was sipping a cup of tea and Korra held the little spirit animal close to her and stroked it gently. Ichigo was still in the house. His only thoughts were of his mother and his now child-like brain struggled to comprehend his scattered memories of her death.

"They say that the game of Pai Sho," Iroh was saying, "was invented by the spirits. Although some of them don't seem to grasp it very well."

"Just hold on. I'm thinking," the plant spirit said.

"As you can see, it is a game which requires great patience. But time does not mean much to us here."

"How long have you lived here?" Korra asked.

"Oh, I've been here for many years. I had always enjoyed the company of the spirits; so when my work was done in the material world, I chose to leave my body behind and come to the Spirit World. It can be a wonderful place and I've made so many friends."

Iroh took a sip of tea and Korra's face turned gloomy. Small tears began to form at her eyes. "Korra, what's wrong?"

"I came here with my friend but I lost her and now I'm all alone. There's something wrong with Ichigo and I don't know what to do."

"You're not alone, Korra," he reassured. "It's okay."

"No! It's not okay! Jinora's gone and I need to find her! She's lost and we need to go home! I don't like the Spirit World and I don't wanna be here anymore!"

Suddenly, the spirit next to them shrivelled up. Dark, brown clouds formed threateningly from a mountain in the north and thunder rumbled. The spirits around the table shrieked and began to turn dark and argue with each other.

Iroh looked on in horror. "Korra, please stop," he pleaded. "Look at what you're doing to everyone."

Korra looked around. "I did that?"

"In the Spirit World, your emotions become your reality. Especially for the Avatar because you are the bridge between the two worlds. You must try to stay positive."

Korra sniffed and Iroh wiped away her tears. She turned to the spirts meekly. "I'm sorry," she said with a bow. Almost instantly, the spirits returned to their normal state and the dark clouds above retreated to the mountain where they came from.

"There, you see?" Iroh said.

"I can make the sun shine?"

"Even in the material world, you will find that if you look for the light you can often find it; but if you look for the dark that is all you will ever see."

"I'm looking for my friend. I want her here now!" Nothing happened. "Why didn't she come out like the sun?"

"I'm afraid finding her won't be so easy."

"But what am I supposed to do?"

"Sometimes the best way to solve your own problems is to help someone else." He indicated the small spirit who's wing Korra had damaged. "This little fellow needs to go home as well. Maybe if you help him find his friends, you will be able to find yours." He placed the spirit in Korra's hands.

"I'll take him home," she said. "Where do I go?"

"The dragon-bird nest is located there at the top of Hai-Riyo Peak." He pointed to the dark mountain to the north.

Korra looked back at the little house with remorse. "What should I do about Ichigo?" she asked.

Iroh smiled. "What did I tell you? Look for the light. You must go to him and reach out in forgiveness. Even if he wronged you, the best thing you can do for him is to show mercy and forgive him."

Korra nodded. "Okay." She went to the front door and knocked on it gently. "Ichigo? It's me, Korra."

"Go away," a small voice said.

"I'm coming in," Korra replied. She opened the door slowly and tiptoed inside. Ichigo was sitting on the floor in the corner with his knees curled up against his chest. His face was wet with tears and he wiped them away in embarrassment. Korra sat down beside him and looked at him with concern.

"I said go away," he repeated quietly.

"Ichigo, we have to find Jinora. I'm not leaving without you."

"Why? You think I abandoned you. Why can't you just leave me here?"

She looked down and then swallowed. "I forgive you."

"What?"

"I said I forgive you, okay? Now come on. We have to go." She took his hand and brought him outside the house. "Jinora's waiting for us."


Jinora pulled a large book off the shelf and added it to the pile she had already accumulated after looking at it. Furryfoot sat patiently beside her while the foxes continued to do their work diligently. Jinora took another book and skimmed through it, sighing with disgust.

"It's not in here either! I have to find the portals. Korra's probably waiting for me there right now." She raised her voice so one of the foxes could hear. "I need to find a map that shows where the Spirit Portals are, could you help me?"

The fox immediately scampered off and brought over an old book in its mouth to Jinora. She sat down and opened it. "Thanks. This is it."

Flipping through the pages, she narrated some of the things she read. "The Tree of Time. That's where Avatar Wan imprisoned Vaatu. The elders believed that as long as the portals are closed during the Harmonic Convergence, Vaatu will remain imprisoned and the battle between good and evil will not be fought again. But if both portals are open, spirit energy is amplified greatly. During the Harmonic Convergence, this energy will be great enough to allow Vaatu to break free from his bonds. The material world will again risk being consumed by darkness."

She gasped. "We have to warn Korra!" Then she noticed something else written on the page. "What's this? When Vaatu's darkness blankets the sky and all hope is lost, the warrior in black will rise again. Through trial and sacrifice, he will prevail; and the light of Raava shall shine once more. Is this a prophecy? The warrior in black…" She got up. "I have to bring this to Korra."

"Leaving so soon?"

Jinora looked up at the new voice. At the end of the corridor stood Unalaq and beside him was Wan Shi Tong. "When Wan Shi Tong told me he had a visitor, I had to see it with my own eyes. I can't believe Tenzin sent his daughter instead of coming himself. What kind of a father is he?"

"Better than you," Jinora retorted. "Wan Shi Tong? How can you be helping him?"

"Unalaq has proven to be a true friend to the spirits, unlike the Avatar," he replied derisively.

"Why would you want to help Vaatu escape? He'll destroy everything."

"Don't believe everything you read." Unalaq stated. "Most of the history books are biased drivel; they don't present a truly balanced and clear vision of the world."

"What do you mean?"

"Since you're here in the Spirit World, I can assume that you have some knowledge of the spirits, perhaps you even study them?"

"Yes. I've always felt a connection with the spirits and I can see them when my family cannot."

"Even your father?"

Jinora hesitated and Unalaq took that as a yes. "I thought so. That's why you're here in place of him, isn't it? He couldn't even get in."

Jinora scowled. "He's a better man than you'll ever be."

Unalaq chuckled. "That depends on who writes the history books when we're all dead." He moved over to one of the shelves and brushed his hand slowly along a row of books. "Like you, young one, I have admired the spirits since I was a child. They fascinated me. I spent years studying them and their ways and over time I began to understand them; and their plight. Long have I mourned the closing of the Spirit Portals. It was not meant to be. It was the first misstep of many for the so-called bridge between two worlds."

He gazed at Jinora and she noticed a certain wistfulness in his eyes. It intrigued her and also frightened her a little bit.

"In fact," Unalaq continued. "The Avatar itself was a mistake. Avatar Wan meddled in fairs that he had no knowledge of and he upset the balance of the world."

"But the entire purpose of the Avatar is to maintain balance," Jinora argued.

He shook his finger. "Not so. Look at the world. Humans grow stronger and build weapons and machines while they lose touch of their spiritual origins. Even the Avatar herself has become outdated. Spirits exist only in the back of people's minds and are shunned across the world. This is not how things were meant to be. There is no balance. One day, this world will spiral into chaos and the spirits will sicken of the humans and a war will erupt. Millions will die and the Avatar will be powerless to stop it. That is what I realized after my decades of study. We must do away with this false narrative of the Avatar bringing balance. All the Avatar has ever brought is violence and imbalance. This future is what I'm trying to stop!"

Jinora stared at him. "I don't believe you," she said quietly. "Your plan to free Vaatu will bring darkness and the world will be a much worse place than it is now."

"No!" He shouted. "Don't you see? Vaatu will bring true balance. He will bring the world back to how it began. That is what he has promised me. And I shall lead the peoples of this world into the future. You have studied the spirits, you know them, child. Surely you must see that this is the only way."

Jinora shook her head. "The Spirits that I see are kind and filled with light. The spirits that Vaatu brings are cruel and filled with darkness. I don't want to see that future. Besides, according to this prophecy, Vaatu will lose."

Unalaq's eyes flared. "The prophecy means nothing. It is false, just like the Avatar. It will not come to pass."

"We shall see," Jinora said confidently.

Unalaq chuckled. "Aren't you brave? Why don't you come with me now? We'll see how courageous you truly are soon enough."

Jinora retreated and then two hands grabbed her. She looked back and saw that the spirit behind her had turned dark just from Unalaq's presence.

She gasped. "Furryfoot?" She turned back to Unalaq. "What will you do with me?"

"I'm going to use you as bait. Then I will kill you or leave your soul here to suffer for eternity."

"You'd murder a child? What kind of sick monster are you?"

"An educated one," he answered darkly. "When historians write about this day, they will not remember you. Your life is insignificant next to the ultimate balance of the universe. It is a small price to pay for a grand prize."


Asami charged forward and swiped at Kahinna with her glove but the waterbender dodged and leapt backwards. Asami continued her assault and landed a solid right hook on the woman's cheek.

She yelped with pain and flung out a hand. A tame wave of water washed over Asami and she shook her hair out in response. Kahinna steadied herself and laughed slightly.

"You foolish girl. You don't know what you've gotten yourself into. A non-bender could never defeat a bender like myself."

Electricity crackled on Asami's glove. "Ever heard of the Equalists?" She said coldly. She lunged forward and burst through another wave, catching Kahinna off-guard with a kick to the side that crumpled her to the floor.

Shards of ice flashed past Asami and she quickly rolled aside but not before one sliced through her arm. She grimaced and held her hand against the bloody wound. Kahinna go to her feet sensing an opening and gripped Asami's ankle with a tether of rope and flung her across the oasis. She crashed against the rocky wall and fell into a heap on the ground.

Asami groaned with pain and forced herself up. Another attack of water tossed her against the wall and turned to ice, trapping her there. She struggled mightily but the ice wouldn't budge.

Kahinna laughed again. Her hair hung ragged and loose around her shoulders and she swayed back and forth with a crazed look in her eyes. Ichigo's body still lay immobile on the ground and Asami found renewed strength.

"He's protected me so many times; I can't fail him now."

Shouting, she broke out of the ice and landed on her knees. There was a fair bit of distance between her to Kahinna and she charged forward. Kahinna launched several tendrils of water at her but Asami evaded them all. The water bender screamed as Asami soared high and landed a devastating axe kick to her head.

Kahinna collapsed to the ground and Asami stood over her, breathing heavily. Suddenly, a shard of ice pierced her stomach. Asami let out a cry of pain. With her last bit of strength, Kahinna had stabbed her through the front. Blood dribbled from the wound and Asami crumbled to her knees.

The waterbender cackled and attempted to rise to her feet. Then Asami reached out and clutched Kahinna's leg with her glove. Then she ignited it. Kahinna screamed again as electricity coursed through her body and she fell to the grass, totally unconscious.

Asami gasped with pain and clutched at the wound, attempting to stem the flow of blood. She didn't think it was fatal but she needed help soon. She crawled over to Ichigo and lay down next to his body.

"You better come back soon," she muttered.


Korra stood with Ichigo and Iroh, still cradling the spirit in her palms, looking at the mountain beyond. She turned to Iroh.

"This looks scary. Will you come with us?"

He knelt and gripped her shoulders gently. "This is something that you must do on your own. The people that have been coming to the Spirit World lately have brought darkness and anger. So that is what you see now. But you have light and peace inside of you. If you let it out, you can change the world around you. Besides, look at this little fellow. This mountain is his home. When you first met him, you were frightened. But does he seem scary to you now?"

"No," she smiled.

"Many things that seem threatening in the dark become welcoming when we shine a light on them." He reached out and placed a hand on Ichigo's head. "Take heart, Ichigo. Perhaps when you are in a better state of mind, we can talk. I'm sure we would have much to chat about," he laughed and ruffled Ichigo's hair. "You remind me of my nephew. I hope someday you meet him." Ichigo nodded and smiled slightly.

Iroh gave Korra a hug. "It was good to meet you. Come visit me again. In this life, or the next."

She smiled and waved. "Bye. Okay, time for you to go home. Come on, Ichigo."

Korra set out, with the dragon-bird spirit in one hand, and Ichigo's hand in the other. She led them along determinedly. They soon left Iroh's little house behind and were well on their way to the mountain. Ichigo's expression was still meek and he sniffed occasionally and wiped his tears.

"What's wrong, Ichigo?" she said finally. "Why are you being so wimpy?"

"My mom…" He said quietly.

"Isn't here," Korra finished.

He sniffled again. "Mom…"

Korra sighed. "What happened to your mom?"

There was a pause. "She died." He said eventually.

"Oh. I'm sorry. How did she die?"

Ichigo didn't reply. He suddenly stopped moving and jerked Korra back. "Hey! What are you doing?" Korra said with annoyance. She looked at his face. His expression was blank. But his eyes were white with terror. Shaking, he pointed at something not far away from them.

"Over there," he said in a petrified voice.

Korra looked. Standing on a slope about twenty yards away from them was a little girl. Her back was facing them. She had straight black hair and wore a short white dress. Blood seeped from a wound on her back and travelled down her legs.

Ichigo took a step towards her. Korra stiffened as the clouds gathered once more above their heads and it began to rain. Soon, it was pouring. Big, heavy drops splattered all around them making it difficult to see. Ichigo continued slowly making his way towards the little girl as if in a trance.

Korra watched and then suddenly the girl disappeared. She screamed as a hideous creature materialized through the rain in place of the girl. It was enormous and covered with grey-green fur. It's hands and feet were red and webby and its face was a chilling white mask with a gaping toothy maw for a mouth. Dangling from its forehead was an enticing hook that resembled a fisherman's lure.

"Ichigo!" She yelled. "Get away from it!"

Ichigo stared up at the monster in abject horror. It laughed and then raised a hand to swat the boy. Out of nowhere, Korra flung herself in the way and the wind was taken out of her as the monster slapped her off her feet and into a muddy puddle.

This seemed to snap Ichigo out of his stupor. "No! Not again! I won't let you do it again!" He raised his fists but his body trembled feverishly. His robes and sword had disappeared when his body had regressed to a child's. The monster laughed at him again.

"You couldn't protect her then, you won't protect this one now," it said frighteningly.

Korra groaned on the ground and looked up at what was transpiring. The words of Iroh echoed in her ears and she got up.

"Ichigo! Your emotions can control your surroundings! You're not afraid! And neither am I. I have light inside."

Ichigo looked back at her then back at the monster. He took a deep breath. "I am not afraid of you," he said quietly. Then, with more confidence, "I am not afraid of you. You are not real. I know what you are. You're just one of those spirits who can see my memories. You don't frighten me."

The rain stopped. The clouds once again receded and the monster before them changed form and became a deer spirit. It looked at itself and then stared at Ichigo.

"Oh no… what did I do? I am so sorry."

Ichigo glared at it then he remembered the warning of Yoruichi that if these memory spirits turned dark they would take on the form of his enemies. He shook his head.

"It's okay," he replied. "You helped me actually. You returned the one memory that I'd still lost to me. I remember her now. I remember my mother."

"Whatever can I do to make amends?"

Ichigo swallowed. "I want to see my mother."

In a whiff of smoke, the deer was gone and there she was. Tall and beautiful, with lush orange-brown hair and a big smile, she beamed down at her son and opened her arms wide.

He stared at her and tears pooled into his eyes. "Mom!" He ran to her and she wrapped him up in a tight hug. He had forgotten how it felt. Her touch, her scent, her quiet strength, it was all the same.

Ichigo sniffled loudly. "I missed you," he blubbered.

"I missed you too, Ichigo," she said kindly.

"I know it's not the real you, but it's all I have."

"This may not be real. But I am the closest thing to your mother in this world." She knelt down and cupped his cheeks with her hands. "Oh, my son. My handsome, kind son. You have come far. You have seen many things. Things that your father and I never wished for you to see. But they have made you strong. You have done great work here."

Korra stared in shock at what was happening. Ichigo's mother smiled brightly and beckoned to her. "Hello, Korra," she said. Korra came forward and the woman stroked her hair affectionately. "Thank you for being a friend to my son. Thank you for caring for him."

Korra nodded but said nothing. She was too in awe of the situation to reply. Masaki turned to Ichigo again. "Ichigo, I have to leave you now."

"No!" he cried. "I don't want you to go!"

"But I must. You must be strong now, dear. Your family needs you. Your friends need you. You have to let me go again."

Ichigo fought back his tears and brushed his nose determinedly. "Okay. I'll be strong for you, Mom."

She smiled. "That's my boy. Goodbye now. I love you very much."

"I love you too."

Slowly, his mother dissipated and the spirit returned. Ichigo nodded his thanks at it. The deer bowed its head and then scampered off. Korra looked at Ichigo with concern.

"What was that?" She asked.

"That was a memory spirit. They can take on the forms of anyone from your past. Anyways, we need to get this little guy home." With a determined skip in his step, he began trekking towards the mountain once more.

"That monster… was from your past?"

Ichigo stopped. "It's called a Hollow. I fight them in my world."

He continued on his way and Korra had to jog to keep up with him. They had now reached the foot of the mountain and began their ascent.

"That woman, she was your mother?"

"Yeah."

"She's beautiful."

"I know."

For a little while, neither of them talked as they hiked their way to the peak. Ichigo wore a contented smile on his face and a steely resolve in his eyes. Korra didn't really understand what had happened but she was happy for him at least. At last, they reached the summit. Ichigo took a deep long draft of air and then nodded to himself.

Korra placed the dragon-bird into its nest where three other baby spirits were sitting. As soon as they were together, a bright light beamed and the four spirits combined. Korra and Ichigo watched in awe as they morphed into a fully-grown dragon-bird. Its feathers were bright gold and its massive wings were tipped with scarlet red. It was a majestic creature through and through.

The two of them looked down at themselves as the dragon-bird perched on the rocks beside them. Their bodies had returned to normal; they were adults again. They looked at each other and smiled wide. The dragon-bird lowered its neck to them and they climbed on. It took off, soaring above the mountain and headed towards the portals.

Korra eventually broke the silence. "So, you remember your mother now?"

"Yeah," he replied. "When we were turned into children, I guess that triggered my memories of her. They were scattered and broken but now, I remember everything."

"Even how she died?"

His voice got quieter. "Yes. That Hollow that we saw is called Grand Fisher. It killed my mother when I was very young. I couldn't do anything to stop it. My only wish was to protect her and my sisters, and I failed. It's my greatest trauma."

Korra looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry," she said.

"It's okay," he replied. "I won't let it happen again."

She furrowed her brow. "You know, I think I finally understand you, Ichigo. I understand the reason why you want to protect people so much. That may be your greatest trauma; but it's also your greatest motivator. Your name literally means 'one who protects'."

"Hmm, I guess so," he said. "I haven't done much of that lately. I'm sorry for not going with you when you asked me to. Or at least I'm sorry for the way things turned out between us."

She shook her head. "Don't be. I've forgiven you. But we're cool now, right?"

"Yeah. We're cool."

Korra smiled. "You know, I've actually had some memory loss too after what happened."

"Oh, yeah? What happened to you?"

"I was attacked by a dark spirit and I lost my memory entirely. I was put in a cave and I connected with my past lives. I met the first Avatar; Avatar Wan. And I met you too."

"Huh?"

"I don't know how; but you were there with Avatar Wan. You guys were friends, best friends even. Do you really not remember?"

"No, not at all."

She shrugged. "Well, maybe someday you will. It's because I saw you there that I know you won't abandon me, no matter what I thought initially. You won't abandon me, just like you didn't abandon Wan."

Ichigo frowned. "I don't understand why I don't remember him. Where are we even going?"

"We have to get to the Spirit Portals so I can close the southern one and we have to find Jinora."

"The Spirit Portals?"

"Yeah."

"The place where the two worlds meet," he muttered quietly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. Why did Jinora come in with you and not Tenzin?"

"Tenzin couldn't come in. He was pretty useless, to be honest," she laughed.

"Heh, so much for being a spiritual leader. I meditated in here, my body's up at the North Pole with Asami."

"Why the heck are you guys at the North Pole?"

"Long story," he said. "What are we gonna find at the Spirit Portals?"

"Something that might jog your memory," she said mysteriously.

They had by now reached the portals. The grey rocky valley stretched out before them shaped like a circle. One portal was clearly open and the other had a swirling dome of energy overtop of it. In the center of the circle was a great tree.

"That's where Vaatu is," Korra said.

"Who?"

"You'll see."

They landed and dismounted from the dragon-bird which flew away. Korra went straight up to the portal and stretched out her hand to close it.

"So you've returned, Raava,", said an ominous voice.

Ichigo watched as Korra seemingly teleported over to the tree. He started jogging over there, looking around as he went. This was the place that Rukia had told him about. There wasn't much to be done because it wasn't Harmonic Convergence but it was good to get a layout at least. He didn't remember this place but as he observed it, he got a strange sense of déjà vu.

"Have I been here before?" He said quietly.

Korra stood before the tree where behind a wall of energy, the spirit of darkness glowered back at her.

"The Harmonic Convergence is coming soon," Vaatu said. "And this time, I'm going to wipe you out for good."

"I think you've said that before, Vaatu," Korra replied coldly. "But I'm here to close the portal. You're not getting out." She began walking away.

"You might want to reconsider. That is if you want to save your friend…"

Korra whirled around as Unalaq appeared from behind the tree with a sinister smile. He held Jinora bound in ropes of water that squeezed her tightly.

"Jinora!" Korra dashed over to them but dark spirits suddenly blocked her path and surrounded her. Ichigo saw this and launched himself into the air, drawing out his sword.

"Come any closer, and I'll kill the girl!" Unalaq threatened loudly. Ichigo stopped and seethed angrily. More dark spirits enclosed around him.

"I can't believe I trusted you," Korra scowled at her uncle. "You made me think you wanted to restore balance with the spirits, but this isn't balance, it's madness! Now let her go!"

"You could never understand true balance, Korra. It's not in your nature. If you want your friend to make it out of the Spirit World alive you'll open the Spirit Portal and you'll open it now!" Unalaq ordered.

"Don't do it, Korra!" Jinora pleaded.

Unalaq tightened his fist and a tendril of water wrapped around her neck and began to constrict. Jinora's face contorted in pain as she struggled to breath.

"What will it be? Open the portal? Or lose your friend's life forever? If her spirit dies in here or is trapped, her body will remain lifeless and will slowly rot as her family waits for her return."

Korra clenched her fists. "Stop! I'll do it," she said, defeated.

The spirits crowded behind them, forcing them to the Northern Portal. As they walked by the tree, Unalaq smiled at Vaatu and nodded towards Ichigo.

"You were right, Vaatu. Like a moth to flame."

Ichigo stopped at the tree and stared at the evil spirit. Something about it ignited a rage inside of him and his reiatsu began to grow threateningly. Behind his prison wall, Vaatu regarded him closely.

"It's been a long time," he said slowly.

"What are you talking about?" Ichigo asked.

"You don't remember me? So it's true. You really have lost your memory. Allow me to enlighten you. You were there, Soul Reaper. You were there ten thousand years ago. And now fate has willed our paths to cross again. It has been well worth the wait. Well? Aren't you going to stop all this?"

"If I try anything, Jinora could die."

"And therein lies your weakness. Your selflessness restricts you from your own goals. I know you can stop this. But you won't. And it's not because of the girl."

"What?"

"If both portals are not open, Harmonic Convergence will not occur and the gate that opens to your world will remain closed forever. You will never return home. You will never see your family again."

Ichigo scowled incredulously. "How do you know all this?" Vaatu simply laughed.

While all this was happening, Korra had reached the Northern Portal. She hesitated slightly and then reached out to touch the portal's surface. It hummed loudly and then she entered the Avatar State. Instantly the portal broke open and a great blast of energy rocketed up into the sky. Vaatu's tree turned red and a reverberating explosion rocked the valley. Both portals were now open.

"Now let Jinora go," Korra said.

Unalaq ignored her and attacked. Korra cried out as he lashed out at her with water and she defended desperately.

"You should've come through the portal," Unalaq said. "Then you could do this."

A spirit grabbed Jinora and flew off with her as she screamed Korra's name. Korra gave chase then was knocked off her feet by a spirit and then gripped violently in its mouth. Without her bending, there was nothing she could do. The spirit threw her onto the ground.

"How do you know all this?!" Ichigo demanded of Vaatu. The spirit still laughed at him.

"Thanks to your self-control, the portals are open. You can go home soon, Soul Reaper."

Ichigo swallowed. Was this his only chance? Could he really leave them? The conflict that had raged within him for months rose up again and he staggered back from the tree. Vaatu simply looked at him, bemused.

I could see them again. Yuzu, Karin, Rukia, everyone. I wouldn't have to deal with this world's problems. Why should I? It's not even my world.

His thought process was broken as Korra screamed with pain. He looked over at what was happening. Jinora was gone. Korra was on the ground surrounded by dark spirits as Unalaq moved in for the kill.

What am I doing? I have to protect her!

"That's enough!" He yelled and shot across the ground, crashing into Unalaq and sending him tumbling into the dirt. The spirits converged on him and he drew his sword. His eyes flared and with devastating speed, he slashed through them all and ran to Korra's side.

Out of the sky, the dragon-bird swooped down and Ichigo picked up Korra and mounted onto its neck. Already, more dark spirits were entering the valley and Unalaq was slowly rising. The spirit took off and headed away from the portals.

"I'll see you soon, Raava." Vaatu said loudly. "Once the Harmonic Convergence comes, I'll be free from this prison and then I will have my revenge."

"Korra!" Ichigo said and shook her. She groaned and looked at him.

"Ichigo… Jinora's gone…" she said weakly.

"She'll be alright," he reassured quickly. "You're hurt. I need to get you out of here. You have to go to Republic City and regroup with the others. Bring them to the South and we'll attack the portal. We'll find Jinora."

"What are you gonna do?"

"I have to go back to Asami. Then I'm going to head south to help your father. I'll be ahead of you guys. We can still win this war."

Korra groaned again and gently cupped Ichigo's face with her hand. "I'm glad you're back. I'm sorry for everything that's happened because of me."

Ichigo held her close. "It's not your fault. You could have never foreseen this."

She nodded. "Okay. I'll see you soon, Ichigo. We'll be together again."

He gave a half smile. "Go to sleep, Korra."


Korra awoke from her meditating position at the Air Temple with a gasp. Tenzin immediately ran over to her.

"Korra! What was it like? Were you able to close the portal? Was Jinora able to help you?"

Korra stared at him. "Tenzin... I'm, I'm sorry."

Tenzin looked at his daughter's body. It hadn't moved. His voice contorted with fear.

"Wh-where's Jinora? Why isn't she waking up?" He gripped her body and it slumped into his arms. "Korra, what happened to my little girl?!"


Ichigo awoke slowly. He looked around. He was lying on his back atop the grass of the Spirit Oasis. It was now night and the stars shone dimly above him. Asami was lying beside him. He gasped as he glimpsed blood on the grass between them.

"Asami! Asami, are you alright?! Talk to me!"

She moaned and opened her eyes. "You're back," she said weakly.

"You're hurt! What happened here?"

"That," she said simply, pointing at something behind him. He turned and saw an unconscious body of a woman lying face-first in the grass.

"Who the hell is that?"

"Unalaq's wife. She tried to kill you."

"You saved me. How bad is your wound?"

"Not too bad but it's hard for me to move. What happened in the Spirit World? Did you find Korra?"

"Yeah, I did. But now both portals are open. And Jinora's in trouble."

"What? What are we gonna do?"

"Everyone's going to come to the South Pole eventually. We can get there through the portals. Tonraq still needs our help. And I can bring you to Katara. She'll heal you."

"Okay.

"We don't have much time to waste. When we get to the compound, we'll meet up with Senna. We'll be safe there."

He gently lifted her into his arms and leaving Kahinna's body behind, they flew off into the air back to the Northern Portal. Ichigo shot through it and they emerged into the Spirit World. His gaze instantly went to the tree and he tried to ignore it as he went past.

"Your time's running out, Soul Reaper. What will you decide?" Vaatu called out.

"What's that about?" Asami asked.

"Ignore him," Ichigo replied.

They burst through the Southern Portal back into the real world and rocketed across the frozen tundra towards the compound where Korra had lived and trained her entire life. It was well away from the city and away from Unalaq's forces. This is where Tonraq and his rebels were hiding out.

Ichigo slowly descended into the compound. Soldiers instantly surrounded them but they stopped when they saw who it was.

"Hey, it's Ichigo!"

"Ichigo's back!"

"That's Asami Sato, as well!"

Bewildered, Tonraq and Senna emerged from the main building. They looked at Ichigo and big smiles lit up their faces. They ran across the snow to them and greeted them with joy.

"You're back!" Senna said.

"Where's Korra?" Tonraq asked.

"Long story," Ichigo replied. "Is Katara here? Asami's hurt."

"She's here," said Senna, "Quickly! Someone take Miss Sato to Katara!"

Ichigo handed Asami off to a soldier who ran quickly to where Katara was. Tonraq clasped him on the shoulder.

"What brings you two back here? What's happening with the United Army?"

"I'll explain everything," Ichigo said. "I'm here to help with the civil war. I promised you I'd come back."

Tonraq smiled. "So you did. Come inside. We'll have some food and we'll discuss our next course of action after you explain everything."

"Asami will be fine, right?"

"Katara's the best healer in the world. She'll be fine."

Ichigo breathed a sigh of relief and then stumbled with tiredness. Tonraq quickly steadied him by catching his arm and helped him towards the compound.

"You look exhausted. You must've been through a lot."

"Yeah, a lot happened. I learned a lot and saw a lot too."

"Heh, not all bad I hope."

Ichigo smiled and thought of his mother.

"No. Not all bad."


And yeah that's the end of the chapter! I hope you enjoyed it, tell me all your thoughts! I'll start work on the next chapter soon. I hope you're all as excited as I am to see what happens next! Thanks for reading, everyone!