Laylacat11 - Thank you! Your comment reminded me that I posted the story, so this update is for you!
Spirit Portals - It Glows!
"Scales!"
Chai snorted as she yelled sitting up in her bed. She looks around the room with tired blinking eyes. She rubs her eyes before letting out a yawn.
"Man what a weird dream. Well at least weirder than normal."
Chai stood up and stretched her body.
"Guess I better get ready for the day. Geez, no matter how many times I come here I still can't handle the cold. Wish I could firebend just to keep myself warm."
"Yo Chai you up!"
Bolin's head peeked into Chai's hut, and he saw the young lady in a deep backstretch, bent over so her lower body faced the back of the room but her head faced Bolin.
"Sup Bolin."
"Uhh…." Bolin said
Chai stood back up then she turned and faced Bolin properly.
"Just doing my morning stretches. What's up?"
"You wanna come with me to get supplies for the trip? Varrick said he'd give us some gear," Bolin said
"Cool. Let me grab my coat," Chai said
Korra and Mako busied themselves, saddling up Naga with their supplies for the journey.
"I thought you said Bolin was coming?" Korra said
"He said he'd be here. I thought you said Chai was coming?" Mako said
"She'll be here. If there's one thing I know about Chai is that she never goes back on her word and she'd never miss a chance to go on an adventure," Korra said
"Okay. But we can't worry about them. I have to make sure you have everything you need for a safe trip," Mako said
"Thanks, Captain Expedition, but I'll be fine," Korra spoke with a bit of sarcasm but had a smile on her face.
The sound of a snowmobile came from behind and Tonraq pulled up next to Korra.
"Tonraq, what do you want?" Unalaq questioned
"I heard you're taking Korra to the South Pole. I'm coming," Tonraq said, crossing his arms.
"Absolutely not. You're a distraction to Korra and a hindrance to what needs to be done," Unalaq said
"My daughter is not going without me! She needs someone to watch after her," Tonraq said
"Dad, why do you always think you know what's best for me?" Korra said
"Because he's misguided. The sad truth is, it's men like your father who have put the Spirit World out of balance. He's ignored my warnings in the past and hasn't learned since," Unalaq said
"What happened in the past?" Korra asked
"It doesn't matter. What matters is the Everstorm," Tonraq said
"The Everstorm?" Mako questioned
"It's a massive blizzard that's battered the South Pole for decades." Tonraq turned to his brother. "I'm coming unless you think you can stop me."
The two brothers glare at one another, and they finally stop when a loud shout comes from the distance.
"Guys! Hey, wait for us!"
Bolin came zooming up on a snowmobile that had a sidecar attached. Chai was laughing as she rode on the back, but she wasn't sitting down but rather standing on the back of the seat, her hands on Bolin's shoulders to prevent herself from falling.
"Check it out, I'm traveling in style!" Bolin said
"Chai, what are you doing standing up on the back of that thing you're gonna fall," Mako scolded
"Don't worry so much Mako I-!"
Bolin leaned forward accidentally resting his elbow on the throttle causing the snowmobile to jerk forward. Chai, not expecting this, and just like Mako said, she fell back landing in the snow.
"Okay, uh, sorry, still getting used to that throttle. You good there Chai?" Bolin asked
Chai stuck her thumb up. "Just had the wind knocked out of me a bit, but I'm good."
Mako sighed, rolling his eyes before walking over and helping Chai to her feet.
"Thank you, Mako," Chai said brushing the snow off her body.
"You need to stop being so reckless," Mako said
"Says you. You call it recklessness I call it adventure," Chai said
"Yeah, let's see you say that when you end up with all your bones broken," Mako said poking Chai in the forehead.
"Hey!" Chai pouted covering her forehead. "Don't poke."
Korra glanced at the two, watching their banter, a small frown forming on her lips.
Mako turned to Bolin. "Where'd you get the ride?"
"Varrick. He's awesome! He also gave me this fancy snowsuit! It's inflatable, with an internal heater, emergency beacon, and food ration pouches! I mean, if I get lost, I can survive in this thing for like, like a month!"
Bolin reached into his snowsuit pulling out some food.
"Who wants some freeze-dried cucumberquats. Nobody?...Did I interrupt a conversation?"
"No, the conversation is over. Dad, come if you want, just don't interfere with my training," Korra said
"I'll actually take those Bolin," Chai said
When she reached to grab the food Pabu popped out of Bolin's snowsuit eating the cucumberquats in one fell swoop.
"Hey, Pabu! That was mine!" Chai said
She crossed her arms looking to her left and almost squealed when she saw Eska standing right there. Her sharp gaze made Chai shiver and before the waterbender could say anything Chai turned around.
"What? I think one of the Arctic Camels learned how to talk and is now calling for me. I better go see what he wants!" Chai lied before fleeing away from Eska.
When Chai was out of sight, Eska looked to Bolin.
"Does this sidecar have the capacity for two passengers?"
"Sure does. But, uh...who's gonna drive?" Bolin queried
Bolin wore a frown, upset, as he drove the snowmobile with Desna and Eska both sitting on in the sidecar. Chai smiled happily to herself as she now rode atop the Arctic Camel the twins were going to ride. Mako pulls his camel up next to Bolin, a teasing smile on his face.
"Well, what do you know? Looks like-"
"Go away, Mako," Bolin said annoyed
Mako held back a laugh as Chai's camel came up next to him. The young Princess looked rather peaceful with a small smile on her face as she swayed a bit to the tune of a song she was humming.
"What are you singing?" Mako asked
"Something my mother used to sing to me when I was kid," Chai said
Further, up ahead the group was Unalaq and Korra the two talking as the rest of the group caught up. In the distance, they could see a large storm raging on.
When the group got a little further Chai had stopped moving, falling a bit behind the group. Mako was the first to notice and stopped too, looking at Chai.
"Chai, what's up?" Mako asked
The girl wasn't facing forward but rather her upper body was turned, so she was facing the direction the group had just come from.
"Chai?" Mako called out to her.
She said nothing but suddenly Naga had stopped moving as well and the polar bear dog turned around and started growing.
"Easy, Naga," Korra said
A fog in the distance starts to clear up and a few dark spirits could be seen.
"What are those?" Bolin asked frightened
"Spirit and not the good kind," Chai said
The fog grows heavy again hiding the spirits.
"Let's keep moving. We have to find a safe place to set up camp," Tonraq said
The group found a cave and started setting up camp. Mako walked over to Korra getting in close.
"Hey, Korra there's something that I wanted to talk to you about," Mako whispered
"Sure, what's up?" Korra said
"It's about Chai," Mako said
Korra's expression goes flat when she hears the name of her friend come out of Mako's mouth.
"She's been acting weird," Mako said
Korra quirked a confused brow. "Mako that's just Chai. Weird is her standard-setting."
"No, like weirder than normal. You know right before we saw those dark spirits she stopped and looked at them. She noticed them before anyone, even before Naga," Mako said
"So?" Korra said
"And then before that dark spirit attacked you the other day. She ran out of the hut saying 'Something was coming' like she knew," Mako said
"What are you saying that Chai can predict the appearance of spirits or something?" Korra said
"No, but something is up," Mako said
"Yeah, something is up," Korra said with a bit of an attitude in her tone.
Mako picking up on the bite behind her words looks at Korra confused
"What?"
"What do you mean what? You and Chai have gotten awfully close," Korra said
"Me and Chai?"
Mako glanced over his shoulder to where Chai was, happily feeding her arctic camel.
"Were friends. I was also her police escort when she was doing something in the city," Mako said
"Oh, so you two hang out a lot huh?" Korra said
"Korra what's the issue? I thought you'd be happy that I get along with your friend," Mako said
"I can't believe you don't see what's wrong here," Korra said
"I don't," Mako said
Korra scoffed and walked off leaving behind a frowning, confused, and frustrated Mako.
Camp was finally set up and a fire was lit. The group took a seat around the fire enjoying a small meal. Desna and Eska sat next to one another and Bolin took the other side of Eska. Korra took a seat next to Mako and her Uncle. Chai came and took a seat between Mako and Bolin, and Korra cut her eyes at Mako causing the firebender's expression to change, wondering what he had done now.
"Uncle, why do you think the dark spirits are following us?" Korra asked
"Can we not talk about dark spirits, please?" Bolin scooted closer to Eska and grabbed her arm.
"My brother doesn't like ghost stories," Mako said
"Don't worry. I will protect you, my feeble turtle duck," Eska dryly spoke.
"Thank you," Bolin meekly said
"Sadly, this isn't a ghost story. This is real," Unalaq said
Bolin gasped, throwing his hood up and pulling the drawstring close.
"The spirits are angry because he's here." Unalaq gestured to Tonraq. "Haven't you ever wondered how your father ended up in the South Pole? Why he's never taken you to visit his homeland in the North?"
"Unalaq, this is not the time," Tonraq said
"You're right. You should have told her a long time ago," Unalaq said
"Told me what?" Korra exclaimed
Tonraq sighed, I left the North Pole because...I was banished."
"You were banished from the North? Why?" Korra asked
"Because I almost destroyed the entire tribe. Twenty years ago, I was a general in the Northern Water Tribe, sworn to protect my people."
Tonraq went into detail about how their home had been invaded by bandits.
"I drove them out of the city and deep into the frozen tundra. We tracked them deep into an ancient forest. Many believed this forest was the home to spirits, and the barbarians retreated there because they thought we wouldn't attack them on such hollow grounds. They thought wrong. We captured the barbarians, but in the process, we destroyed the forest. I didn't realize the consequences of what I had done. By destroying the forest, I unknowingly let loose angry spirits. They threatened to destroy everything, the entire city. Unalaq was able to guide the spirits back to the forest. But by then, the damage had been done. For being the cause of so much devastation, my father banished me from the Northern Water Tribe in shame. That's when I came to the South and started a new life."
Tonraq bowed his head in shame looking sadly at his daughter.
"Whoa, so you were supposed to be chief, then he became chief. No wonder you guys don't like each other" Bolin said
"I got this," Chai whispered to Mako
She reached over and with her hand in a knife-handed position she swiftly jabbed Bolin in the side.
"Ow! What? Isn't that what happened?" Bolin said
Korra stood up, anger the only expression on her face. "I can't believe you kept this from me."
"I was protecting you from the shame I brought on the family," Tonraq said
"Why did you keep hiding things from me and then telling me it's for my own protection? I'm tired of you protecting me!" Korra turned and walked off.
"Korra!"
The next morning the group was back to traveling, Korra was still rather angered by what her father had revealed to her. Tonraq pulled his snowmobile up to Korra.
"Korra, you have every right to be mad at me. But I don't want you to make the same mistake I made. I should never have gone into that forest, and we shouldn't be going to the South Pole now. Spirits and the physical world should remain separate."
"Dad, it's my job to be the bridge between the spirits and the physical world, and I finally have a chance to live up to my potential," Korra said
"You don't even know if what Unalaq says is true," Tonraq said
"You want proof? Look to the sky. Where I'm from, the spirits are at peace, and they light up the dark," Unalaq said
"The Northern Lights," Korra said
"Yes. There used to be lights at the South as well, but during the Hundred-Year War, the South was thrown out of balance and the lights disappeared. When the War ended, the North helped to rebuild you physically, as a nation, but we have not rebuilt you spiritually. Now the spirits no longer dance in your skies. Instead, they rampage in the Everstorm," Unalaq said
"I think we're here!" Mako called out.
The group approached the edge of the cliff where they could see the Everstorm raging not too far off. As they pushed forward the harsh icy winds became worse and everyone had to pull up their hoods to protect their faces.
Suddenly Chai stopped walking and looked left. Mako noticed and quickly looked at Korra. Before he could say something a loud roar echoes in the distance the sign of an angered spirit.
"Is that what I think it is?" Bolin questioned terrified
"We must keep moving," Unalaq said
"Oh man, I really don't like this," Bolin said
"Bolin, just stay calm, there's no reason to-"
A spirit pops out of the ground right before Mako.
"-panic!"
More dark spirits sprung up from the snowy ground grabbing at everyone and destroying their supplies. Naga reared back on her hind legs and Korra fell off. She quickly got up and started to chase after a dark spirit.
A dark spirit jumps at Chai, and she flings out her whip.
"Hands off!"
The creature lets out a cry as its center briefly glows gold along with the tip of Chais's whip. It falls to the ground then digs its way back into the snow. Chai stared confusedly to where the spirit went off to and then down at her whip. A dark spirit runs at Bolin then dives into the snowmobile.
"Oh, it's in the engine!"
Smoke explodes out of the snowmobile before it starts to drive off Bolin having no control over it. By now everyone was up and defending themselves from the spirits. Korra attempted to purify the spirit, in the same manner, her uncle had done and at first, it appears to be working but the spirit shakes it off and continues attacking. Luckily Unalaq stepped in purify the spirits.
Mako walked over to Korra helping her up. Chai had gone over to each Arctic camel calming the spooked animals down.
"Is everyone okay?" Mako asked
"Aaaahhhhh!"
Bolin's screams rang out as the out of control snowmobile started careening up a hill and towards the side of the mountain.
"I can't stop it!" Bolin shouted
Eska and Desna stand up grabbing the back of Bolin's suit.
"I'll save you," Eska said
Bolin continued to scream as the twins calmly jumped out of the snowmobile, the vehicle crashing and exploding against the side of the mountain. Desna and Eska drop Bolin in the snow, his snowsuit inflating as Pabu popped out sitting atop of him.
"I'm a raft!" Bolin exclaimed
The twins create ice around their shoes and gracefully glide down the hill while Bolin slides down on his back.
"Uhhh, can someone please deflate me?" Bolin asked
Eska swipes her hand and three large shards of ice stab Bolin's suit releasing the air.
"Thank you," Bolin said
Nearly all of the group's gear was destroyed thanks to the dark spirits and the ruined equipment littered the ground.
"Oh, great. There goes our equipment. Now, what are we supposed to do?" Mako said
"There's only one thing to do. We have to turn back," Tonraq said
"No! The solstice is tonight. And we're so close," Unalaq said
"This mission is too dangerous. We're leaving," Tonraq said
"No, Dad, you're leaving," Korra sternly stated
Korra was giving her father no choice and when they regrouped the man prepared to return home.
Mako walked over to Tonraq. "Don't worry sir, I'll keep an eye on Korra for you."
"Thank you, Mako," Tonraq said shaking Mako's hand
Korra watched the two with an irritated expression on her face.
"You okay there Korra?" Chai asked
"Yes, just fine," Korra said
"Don't worry Korra." Chai patted Korra's back. "I'm sure your dad will be fine on his own. I mean he's a great waterbender and strong. I bet if he had to he could just punch spirits away."
Normally Chai's upbeat and optimistic outlook would cheer up Korra but not this time.
"Yeah whatever," Korra said before turning away.
Chai frowned and looked at her Arctic camel.
"Was it something I said?"
Tonraq got on his snowmobile and drove off, speeding through the falling snow.
"Let's open this portal and lead your father and the entire Southern Water Tribe in the right direction. We don't have much time," Unalaq said to Korra.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Korra said
Since they no longer had Bolin's snowmobile the twins took Mako's camel and pulled Bolin behind them in what was left of the vehicle. Mako now rode with Korra, sitting behind her on Naga.
"So, what exactly were you and my dad talking about?" Korra asked the irritation clear in her voice.
Mako's brows furrowed confused as to why Korra was upset. "Nothing, he was just worried about you, that's all."
"Y'know, sometimes I wonder whose side you're on," Korra said
"There aren't any sides. We all just want to help however we can. You have to trust that we're here for you," Mako said
It wasn't that much longer before the group arrived. They stood before a large beautiful structure filled with numerous ice-covered trees, and there was a hauntingly beautiful glow emitting from the center.
"Trees...frozen in the ice," Korra said in awe.
"It's just like the sacred forest Tonraq destroyed in the North," Unalaq said
"So, what do I do?" Korra asked
"You must find your way to the heart of the forest where the dormant spirit portal lies. From here, you're on your own," Unalaq said
"Wait a second, there's no way she's going alone," Mako said
"Yeah! If she goes, we go, too!" Bolin said as Pabu popped out of his suit.
"I also agree with them," Chai threw in.
"The Avatar must go alone," Unalaq said
"But I don't have any connection with the spirits. In fact, it seems like they hate me," Korra said
"You have to believe in yourself like I believe in you. What is it?" Unalaq asked
"I guess I'm just so used to people telling me how to do things that I forgot what it was like to have someone trust in me," Korra said, smiling at her uncle.
"Korra, all the past Avatars live on inside of you. Let them guide you. Let them help you find the light in the dark," Unalaq said
Korra turned to her friends. "Wait here, I'll be okay."
"Good luck," Mako said
Korra started to make her way inside everyone watching.
"She's going to be fine right?" Chai asked
Her nervousness grew when she received no answer.
"Right?... Yeah, I'm sure she's just fine," Chai said more so to reassure herself.
Sometime later the group begins to grow worried that Korra hadn't returned yet. Chai was close to biting her nails but was stopped by the gloves she wore. She was about to speak up but paused when she saw something out the corner of her eye. Chai whipped around and for a brief second caught the sight of something yellow slithering behind a tree.
"Uh, did anyone else see that?" Chai asked
"See what?" Mako questions
"Something went behind a tree. Over there," Chai pointed out
"I'm sure it was nothing. Probably just your imagination," Mako said
"But I-"
Chai is cut off by a bright light shooting out from the center of the frozen forest. It blasted into the sky releasing a wave of bright lights that danced across the night sky. Everyone gaped amazed at the sight.
"I can't believe it," Mako said
"It's beautiful," Bolin said, tearing up.
"Incredible," Chai said
"Chai, your hair," Bolin said
"Huh? What about my hair?" Chai said
She reached behind grabbing her braid pulling it into view.
"Huh, well that's new."
Chai's hair was glowing, the golden locks shining like the morning sun.
"Am I supposed to do something? I'm not gonna like explode or something am I?"
"No, no, I'm sure not," Bolin said nervously.
But now that the words were implanted in his mind the thought of Chai exploding kept playing in his head, and he took a cautious step back.
"Bolin you're not helping. Chai, you need to breathe," Mako said
"I'm not breathing?!" Chai exclaimed, grabbing at her throat.
"Calm down." Mako grabbed Chai's hands, putting them at her side. "I'm sure everything is going to be just fine."
"Sure, sure...I'm good, I'm fine, I'm perfectly fine other than the fact that my hair now glows, but I'm good, I'm good," Chai said
From behind her, Chai was unaware of Unalaq's intense stare pointed her way. As Chai did her best to remain calm, Korra finally walked out.
"Hey, Korra, you're back. Hey, Korra's back!"
Bolin runs over to Korra pulling her into a hug. It only lasted a few seconds because Eska made a wall of ice separating Bolin from Korra.
"Why are you initiating physical contact with another woman?" Eska said
Bolin gulped before giving a fearful nervous laugh.
Korra went to Unalaq. "Everything you said was true."
"Avatar Korra, you have taken the first step in bringing balance back to the South, and soon the whole world," Unalaq said
Mako walked over hugging Korra. "You never cease to amaze me."
"Thanks. By the way, I'm really sorry for being a total pain. Things were really stressful and pretty confusing. It's hard being the Avatar," Korra apologized
"It's harder being the Avatar's boyfriend," Mako jokes
"Korra! You're amazing!" Chai cheered, giving Korra a big hug.
"Thanks and...you're glowing," Korra said
"I know. I'm scared. Korra hold me." Chai held on tighter to Korra with a scared expression on her face.
"I'm sure everything will be just fine," Korra said petting Chai's head.
"It appears your friend's hair was reacting to you opening the spirit portal," Unalaq said
"What does that mean? Does it mean I'm part spirit?" Chai asked
"No. But you may have been blessed by one," Unalaq said
"Oh. So I'm not going to explode?" Chai said
"No," Unalaq said
"Oh, thank goodness." Chai sighed out relieved, and she let go of Korra slumping to the ground.
The group returned to the Southern Water Tribe and Chai was happy that her hair had stopped glowing. When the group arrived they were welcomed by the sight of several Northern Water Tribe warships approaching.
"What are all your Northern troops doing here?" Korra asked her uncle.
"Opening the spirit portal was only the first step in getting the Southern Water Tribe back on its righteous path. There's more difficult work to be done before our two tribes are truly united," Unalaq said
A conflicted look overtakes Korra's face as she watches the troops pour out of the ships and enter her home.