Earth

Fire

Air

Water

Only the Dual Avatars, masters of all four elements, can bring balance to the world.

Book II: Spirits

Chapter VI: The Dual Avatars' Guide

The ride to the air temples is silent, Wan is still marinating on the fact that he has been dead for nearly an entire era, while Korra is still not getting over the fact that Wan created the entire avatar cycle from one near world-ending mistake.

In short- awkward tension.

"So… First Avatar huh?" Korra starts off, "Yeah, I am the first…" Wan replies, still keeping that same tension in the air. "This won't change anything within us, right?" Korra asks a bit worried, Wan waves her off, "What, pfff no. I'm still me but with a lot of memories now."

"...what was it like, fusing with Raava?"

"Scary, really really scary. I didn't know what I was doing- wait how do you know that?"

"Oh, you know." Korra smirks. Wan facepalms, "Of course, Raava! She let you see my memories didn't she?"

"Yeah, you got yourself into a lot of trouble ten thousand years ago didn't you?" Korra teases a bit, smirking when Wan blushes. "Yeah, I was reckless."

"Oh I know."

"Yeah yeah, just get your shots Korra, I know you're itching for it."

"Oh no, I'm waiting to get my hands on Unalaq, so I can choke the life out of him. Fake avatar? I can't believe him, the disrespect was enormous," Korra rants. Wan chuckles, then shakes his head. "No no no no, I'm going to get my hands on Unalaq because he knew about Harmonic Convergence and lied to my face. Even worse, I think he knew who I was."

"It wouldn't surprise me," the female avatar shrugs as she directs the sky bison to turn right.

"I can't think of a motive, Vaatu hates humans, that's been said and shown. Why would he go so low for him unless he's desperate…" Wan strokes his goatee as he thinks.

"He could be," Korra mentions having a small grin on her face, "he was literally stuck in a tree by you."

"No, Vaatu doesn't just admit when he's been beaten. If Unalaq wants us to open the portal, he knows Vaatu is waiting in his prison. He could very well be weaponizing Vaatu to his own goals."

"Good theory, detective Avatar Wan," Korra jokes, as she continues to guide the bison. "Do you even know where we are going?" Wan asks Korra who grins a bit, "Tenzin has been drilling me on his itinerary. I hate to say it, but it's very useful right now."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that," Wan snickers to himself, Korra turns to Wan, glancing at him up and down. "Seriously, do you have a bad memory in general?"

Wan shrugs as he gives an amused grin, "Hey, what can I say...I'm prone to amnesia."

"Oh come on!" Korra shouts, the first avatar laughs after he calms down, Korra smiles. "You never change do you?" she sighs happily. "Nope. Same old me, just in a different time."

The Duo finally make it to the Eastern Air Temple.


Wan and Korra enter through the courtyard, to the airbending kids' excitement. "Wan! Korra! They're back." The kids hug the Avatar Duo, Tenzin stands up along with Kya and Bumi. "I missed you guys too." Wan rubs Ikki's hair making it a bit messy, "How did you two find us?" Kya asks. Wan points to Korra, "She did all the mapping."

"Tenzin's itinerary. We went over it like a hundred times before we left Republic City," Korra replies.

"See!" Tenzin turns to his siblings, "This is why having a plan is important."

"It's so great to see you all again!" Wan smiles as he glances at everyone. Tenzin looks at Wan with confusion, "It's great to see you too, but why aren't you both training at the South Pole?"

Wan noticeably flinches at that question, "Ugh." He draws out the sound for a few seconds, then he admits, "So ugh, yeah, there's a Civil War."

"What!" Tenzin gasps, "Wan, when did this happen?"

"You don't know about the civil war?" Korra asks in shock, Tenzin is completely stunned just as everyone else in the outside area is. "What? No. We've been out of touch with the outside world since we started our vacation."

Wan glances at Korra with an awkward expression. "This is going to be a long day…" He mumbles to her. "Okay, do you want everything or just the important stuff?" He asks Tenzin.

"Just tell us everything," Tenzin says. Wan and Korra glance at each other then take a deep breath. Korra starts the explanation, "Alright, I'll go first, we opened a spirit portal at the South Pole, but then Unalaq turned out to be a bad guy and wanted to take control of the South, Wan started having visions of the portals colliding."

"Unalaq told me that I was a false avatar, and we started the Civil War. While Korra looked for allies for the southern water tribe I studied the portals but came up with nothing." Wan adds on, the family either looks confused or bewildered.

"We were attacked by my cousins when we were headed to the fire nation and then by a giant dark spirit that swallowed Wan whole, I freed him but then he forgot who he was completely."

"Then I found my memories and it turns out I was alive ten thousand years ago; I am the first Avatar. And then I realized we shouldn't have opened the portal in the first place, and now we need to close it again!" Wan exhales and sighs; the entire area is silent, Tenzin briefly smiles for a moment as his suspicions of Unalaq were true. "And that's what you missed," Korra finishes.

"I knew this would happen," Tenzin says, in the midst of the silence.


"So Wan, ten thousand years ago... you imprisoned this dark spirit Vaatu in the Spirit World?" The three are sitting on a bench in a garden. "Yes." Wan replies. "I was the lucky winner for a second chance at life. That's why I'm here now."

Tenzin bows on his knees at Wan's feet to his shock, "It is an honor to meet you, Avatar Wan."

"Woah woah, Tenzin, please! I'm the guy you met six months ago, you don't have to do the formalities."

"Oh, I'm never going to forget this," Korra mumbles to herself smirking. Tenzin gets up and sits back down, "My apologies,"

"It's fine," Wan says awkwardly. "Anyway…" Korra starts off, "I think my uncle is trying to free him."

"Think? Oh, it's an I know. He has been hiding Harmonic Convergence from us, and once I confronted him at the prison, he was silent like he couldn't defend himself." Wan argues, he wished he would've used his instincts more with Unalaq, he guess that his memories were too alluring to ignore so he followed along like a puppet.

Unlike Tarrlok, Unalaq knew what to say and how to say it to him and it made the first avatar even more pissed.

Wan curses himself a thousand times, though most of the blame was not his since his memories were gone and he had no idea about Vaatu or why he closed the portals.

"I knew Unalaq was hungry for power, but never realized how far he would go to get it." Tenzin turns to Wan, who nods in agreement. Wm closes his eyes and he slumps down with his palm holding his chin up.

"Well, I think that he's trying to weaponize Vaatu to some degree, But I don't understand why he would go with a human?" Wan replies.

Tenzin puts his hands on both of the Avatar's shoulders. "We must focus on setting things right before he can do any more damage."

"How? Unalaq controls the southern portal with all his army."

"Maybe so, but there's one thing he can't control...The spirit world." Wan says having his signature grin, Unalaq may messed things up but they can fix it.

"A journey to the Spirit World. All my years of spiritual training have prepared me for this moment." Tenzin stands and faces the two avatars and bows, "I will help you both. Today, we enter the Spirit World."


Wan, Korra, and Tenzin begin to meditate beside each other, Meelo is ringing a bell, while Ikki is playing a horn by airbending. The first Avatar's left eye peeks open. "You in the spirit world yet?" He asks Korra. "Nope," she says, "Tenzin?"

" I would be if Meelo could ring his bell at the appropriate intervals."

Meelo is saddened by this as he stops ringing the bell, "Aww, did I do it wrong?"

Tenzin gets up and exasperatedly says, "Let's try something else," as he walks away. Korra and Wan stand up, then look at Meelo. "You did good kiddo," Wan gives the little Airbender a thumbs up, he smiles and rings the bell loudly.

They try another location, then another one and each and every time Tenzin had a problem with one thing or the other. They restart the meditation inside the temple and under a statue of Avatar Yangchen.

"Focus Wan. Focus."

"I am," Wan mumbles, Tenzin then says, "No talking. Feel the energy of the universe."

"But you just- Never mind." Wan sighs as he refocuses back to his peaceful center. Tenzin opens his eyes and gets back on his feet, "Wan, I'm trying to concentrate here! I don't think this location is going to work either."

"Okay," Wan starts as he stands on his feet, "Tenzin, you've been complaining about every tiny little thing lately, If it isn't the bells it's the smoke and if it isn't the smoke it's me talking. What is your deal?"

Korra stands up as well, right next to Wan. Tenzin sighs, "Well, nothing is feeling right to me."

"We don't want to rush your feelings, but we're kind of in a hurry. How did you first get into the Spirit World? Let's try that," Korra suggests, Wan nods in agreement. "That would be a sure-fire way to get there."

Tenzin adverts his eyes, "Actually I've never been in the spirit world."

Wan's jaw drops at this revelation, while Tenzin's family peers inside the temple. "You've got to be kidding," Wan mumbles as he rubs his temples, as his nerves are getting bad. "You're telling me that you never went to the spirit world at all?"

Pema then steps up, holding Rohan in her hands. "But you used to spend days in the temple meditating."

"Trying to get in. It never happened. It's my greatest shortcoming as an Airbender, spiritual leader, and son of Aang." Tenzin ashamedly downcasts, as he closes his eyes.

Wan covers his face with his hands, groaning.

Bumi then chuckles at his younger brother, "Welcome to the 'I Disappoint Dad' club."

"If you've never been to the Spirit World, how were you planning to get Korra and Wan into it?" Kya asks, Tenzin turns to his older sister and says, "I've spent years studying the techniques and theories of ancient spiritual leaders. Now that The Dual Avatars need me, it must be my time."

"Tenzin, I love you but we don't have time to wait for you to maneuver around this. Harmonic Convergence is almost here, I cannot let Vaatu be free again."

"You have to trust me. I can help you both," Tenzin pleads to Wan, then Kya speaks up, "There might be another way. Jinora, is there something you want to tell Wan and Korra?"

"Jinora? She's too young and untrained to have any knowledge about spiritual matters."

"Actually, I think I do know where they need to go to get into the Spirit World," Jinora says. Then she calls out in the seemingly empty air, "You guys can come out now." Out of nowhere, bunny dragonfly spirits appear, flying all around the group. They gasp in awe.

"Bunnies!" Meelo says.

"Actually they're bunny dragonfly spirits."

A light pink one comes up to Wan and cuddles him. He pats the spirit's head, "Hey little guy."

"I knew it. It looks like she does know something about spiritual matters." Kya snaps her fingers while looking at her brother. The spirits fly out of the temple and the two younger children gave them a chase.

"How long have you been able to contact the spirits?" Wan asks, a little surprised at this new revelation. Jinora shrugs, then says "I don't know. I guess I've always kind of had a connection with spirits."

One spirit flies back into the temple and next to Bumi. "I think this one likes me." He chuckles, Wan is completely stunned as he looks at the scene before him. The spirits aren't attacking humans or berating them as he was used to eons ago, it's the exact opposite.

"Are they here to help?" Korra asks as the spirits descend beneath the cliffside.

"I think they want you both to go down there." Jinora says. Tenzin looks awfully suspicious at this, "I don't know. The spiritual energy is historically strongest near the temple."

"Tenzin, the spirits are telling us something and we're going to go follow." Wan crosses his arms over his chest. Bumi then adds, sliding over to his younger brother, teasingly, "If we need to go to the Tenzin World, we'll call you."


Korra, Wan, Tenzin, Kya, Bumi, and Jinora are riding atop Oogi while following the dragonfly bunny spirits in the process. While Tenzin guides the air bison, the rest sit on the saddle. Jinora sits next to her aunt while the Dual Avatars sit next to each other. Bumi is in his own space with his new spirit friend.

Jinora glances at her father then back at her aunt, " I think Dad's mad at me."

Kya rubs her shoulders consolingly, "Your father's not mad. His pride's just a little bruised since he isn't able to see spirits like you."

"You have a gift," Korra smiles at the younger girl, Jinora then looks at Wan and leans forward, "I can't believe Wan is the first Avatar and he's here."

"Well, I didn't even know until a few days ago," the young Airbender smiles widely, "Can you tell me how it happened?"

"Well, it's a very long story but I'll condense it. I became the first Avatar by fusing with Raava, the Spirit of Light."

"You're pretty amazing," Korra smirks as Wan starts to blush, "What? I'm not that-"

"The Avatar is part spirit? Of course! Just like the statue," Jinora gasps. "What statue?" Wan asks.

"When we were at the Southern Air Temple, I was drawn to this old carving. I couldn't figure out what it was until now. It was you, Wan."

"When did this happen?"

"It was on the solstice," Jinora answers. Wan eyes broaden, "That's when I and Korra opened the portal… I distinctly remember me fainting and having visions of Harmonic Convergence."

"Woah."

Oggi lands where the spirits stop, Wan jumps off and lands with his air bending cloud. The first avatar is the first to follow the spirits and the rest follow; the spirits led them to an airbending circle surrounded by rocks. The rocks are overgrown with vines and have an airbending symbol on them.

Korra notices the air nomads symbol and points to it, getting Tenzin's attention. "There are carvings on them."

"This is an Ancient Airbender meditation circle," Tenzin says. Jinora looks around, "There's a lot of spiritual energy in this place, but it feels really strange."

"I feel it too," Wan adds as he feels the stones, he closes his eyes trying to focus on it.

"We'll have to perform a spiritual cleansing ceremony," Tenzin says, Bumi's eyebrows arch, "What are you talking about?"

"Dad taught it to me. This site has been neglected for many years. A cleansing ceremony will help strengthen its connections to the Spirit World."

Wan's hands part from the rock, he feels a shiver on his back.

The group go into a meditative position as Tenzin bends the smoke from an incense burner. As the smoke reaches the dragonfly bunny spirits, they fly off. As he bends the circle of smoke the ground rumbles, then explodes with a swarm of the bat-like dark spirits. They go up in the sky then swarm the group. They all retreat to the nearby rocks for cover. The dark spirits fly out and back into the circle. Korra, Wan, and Tenzin attempt to bend at the spirits, they are overwhelmed and the dark spirits fly back to the circle, causing everyone to cower to the ground.

"What are we going to do!" Bumi yells, Wan runs out to the dark spirits. Taking a deep breath, he begins to bend the water around the dark spirits, trapping them in an enclosure. He begins to purify the spirits, as they glow a golden color.

"He learned it," Korra gasps as a small grin appears on her face. The purified spirits dissipate in a golden glow. The overgrown vegetation on the circle eventually retreats and disappears.

Wan bows, "Go in peace."

Korra runs up and ambushes Wan with a hug, "I can't believe you learned that!"

"Well, I had some help," Wan winks. Tenzin walks up to Wan, "You've come a long way."

"Yeah, Unalaq may be a despicable man, but his spiritual power is amazing. He didn't even want to teach me, so I learned it myself." Wan fist bumps Korra. Tenzin looks down, ashamed of himself, "He taught you how to transform dark spirits. I can't even get you both into the Spirit World."

"Tenzin, Unalaq wanted me to not remember for his own selfish gain. You've been like a father to me, you guided me and helped me to know who I am."

"Unalaq taught me just to spite Wan," Korra says, "You thought of us both, and loved us both equally and were meant to help us." The two hug Tenzin who is shocked at first but then embraces them with a warm smile. "I won't let you two down."

"We know you won't," Wan smiles, they part from each other. "The ancient airbenders must have built this site. If we meditate here, we'll be able to enter the Spirit World."

"I think that it's not meant for you," Kya says a bit bluntly, but at the same time gently.

"What?" Korra looks at the women, "I think Jinora is meant to guide the Dual Avatars."

"Jinora will not enter the Spirit World! She's not ready for the dangers of the other side, but I am. I've spent years training, studying, and mastering everything there is to know about the Spirit World."

"I know, but we don't have the luxury of waiting…" Wan says as his hands gesture to the sky. Jinora walks up to her father and holds his hands.

"Aunt Kya is right. I can guide Korra and Wan into the Spirit World. I'll be alright." Tenzin looks and with his daughter, he closes his eyes giving a deep sigh. "Perhaps I will never have the connections with spirits like I always wanted... like my father wanted me to have."

Jinora hugs her father, "It's okay, Daddy."

Tenzin smiles, "I'm proud of you." He turns to the Dual Avatars. "Go. Close the portal. We'll wait here and keep your bodies safe till you return."

Wan and Korra nod, "Let's go then."

Wan, Korra, and Jinora meditate in a circle, while Bumi, Kya, and Tenzin watch on. For a moment the area is still until Korra and Wan's eyes snap open white.

Wan stands up in the spirit meadows with pink flowers and green grass, along with Korra and Jinora.

"We're here," Wan announces, "The Spirit World."


"You failed me, Unalaq," Vaatu says, the calmness under his anger is not unnoticed. "What? Avatar Wan's memory is-"

"His memory is restored. He remembers our battle, he remembers Raava. He remembers his first life!" Vaatu booms, Unalaq's eyes widen, "How? I-I thought. I won't fail you again," Unalaq gets on his knees.

Vaatu scoffs at the human. "I hope that you won't for your sake, Harmonic Convergence is nearly upon us. Lucky for you, you have a chance to redeem yourself. Even though my connection to Raava was severed by him. I can still feel her presence. Both her halves are here, in the spirit realm."

"I'll find them."

"No, The Dual Avatars will find you."