A/N: I'd say something about the viewcount but I can't see that anymore bc my account is bugged so if anyone's actually reading this do follow or leave a review so I know you're there lol

No warnings this chapter.

Enjoy!

"Hey, um, Mike? You don't look too busy. Would you like to try meditating with us?" Jinora carefully asked him the next day while he was sitting in the radio room without having turned it on to any one station. It was playing quiet static at the moment.

He turned to look at her, appearing a little bit sleepy. "Meditating. Isn't that where you sit in silence and do nothing? I've never tried it," Mike replied.

"There's more to it than that. I'll show you how it works," she insisted.

"Look inward," Tenzin had joined his children and Mike in their meditation, taking over instruction. "Feel your breath move in and out, not forcing anything. Let your energy flow."

Boy howdy, was that a mistake. Mike felt dizzy despite sitting completely still. His breathing was nervous and his shoulders were tense.

As he fell into a similar rythym of breath as the others, he started to feel something. He allowed himself to let go a little, only just so.

It wouldn't be that simple for him, of course.

The dark he saw as kept his eyes shut was uncomfortable, unfriendly. It was hazy, like he had run into a barrier with no door or way to get around it and see what was on the other side.

He didn't sense anyone around in his head as he continued to sit and breathe. It was silent, empty, if only for a few moments.

Where are you hiding? I know you're there, he thought into the void. I want to talk to you. This could have applied to anyone, really.

Mike opened his eyes for a brief moment and found himself in a room with pinkish-purple walls and a red floor. It was for a mere second, but he could have sworn he saw a warped, bleary…something. It was like a mound, perhaps a coiled serpent of sorts; it almost blended into its surroundings with its coloring. He thought he heard its smoky breath as it slept.

You shouldn't be here, kiddo, a familiar, old, and distant voice warned him. Get out, now, before I gotta wallop ya myself!

He tried to call out to the being in front of him, but his voice wouldn't work. A wall slammed down in front of him as he saw two piercing orange eyes wake and stare at him-

His eyes opened at the gentle tugging on his shoulder, spooking him out of his vision. "You've been sitting here for a couple hours, it's time for dinner," Ikki said cheerfully.

"I'm sure it was an odd experience, but do you think you got something out of it?" Tenzin asked.

"I…I don't know, I thought I saw—and I heard my—" Mike stuttered. "There was this room and it had something, I think it was sleeping. It felt…it felt really familiar, but I couldn't tell what it was exactly."

"Hm, interesting…let's continue this discussion over some food, shall we?"

Korra slumped down in her spot at the dinner table, scooping up her bowl of food. Training that day had been tough, and she would let everyone know it. She stared at the head of the table as Mike, Tenzin, and Jinora were all talking to each other.

"Hey Korra!" Bolin was there for dinner, no surprises, although Mako must have been spending the night in the city since he wasn't there too. "Rough day out there? Practice was a nightmare, I swear I could barely lift the weights in the gym without keeling over." He slurped up some of his noodles.

"Mm," she replied, picking up her chopsticks and holding them wrong. "I had to run the obstacle course forwards and backwards and forwards again. And that was after a big lunch. I thought my insides were going to exit. Huge mistake."

"Yikes! Maybe Tenzin will give you the day off tomorrow if you ask really nicely," Bolin figured, looking down at the other end of the table. "I wonder what they're talking about. I've still got a bit of ringing in the ears from all the rocks colliding, so I can't hear that far."

Korra perked her tired ears towards the sounds of the other conversation.

"That could mean anything. It didn't appear like a room in a building or natural structure, correct?" Tenzin asked Mike, who shook his head. "It might not be a vision of this world…"

"I couldn't get any of a closer look…and I'm not sure I should try to," Mike said with a sigh. "It was a struggle just to keep myself breathing correctly."

"Wait, you saw things while meditating?" Korra interrupted; she had seen the group outside during her training that day. "What did you see?" Mako wasn't here to write things down, dangit.

Mike fell quiet and went back to eating, not so much as glancing at her. He wasn't going to tell her something so personal. He'd really only talked to Tenzin and Jinora about it because if anyone knew about the limits and potentials of meditation, it was probably the airbending master and his spirituality inclined daughter.

Korra frowned, despite knowing deep down his response was totally justified. "Fine, be like that," she said tiredly, toying with her chopsticks again. "I should go make sure Naga's settled in for the night after she watched me almost fall to my death several times." There was little sarcasm in her voice as she stood up again.

"Korra, you just got here, sit down," Tenzin chided. "Naga is in excellent care here, you know that."

"I know, I know…say, Mike, if that's who I'm talking to," she called him out. "Wanna meet her? I bet you'll get along great."

Mike's brows furrowed. "It is," he replied with discomfort, "And I'm not great around animals…" There may have been instances involving an oversized rodent and a massive arachnid at one point in his life that kept him from visiting the zoo ever again, but did that really even happen, or was he mixing up reality with one of Izzy's excellently exaggerated escapades again…?

"She's a sweetheart, I promise. She wouldn't hurt a fly unless I told her to…" she swore. "And you're pretty tall so she might mistake you for a tree instead of a snack."

Mike gave her a look. "That doesn't make me feel much better," he remarked.

"Bolin, why don't you come too? Since you're so energetic still. Naga will love seeing you," Korra invited, tugging his sleeve.

"Uh, sure! I love hanging out with Naga," Bolin said.

"Great! Let's go," Korra ordered, leaving the table.

Bolin shrugged at everyone else present and followed her. "Naga is a bit intimidating at first, but she's nice once you get to know her! Just like Korra," he insisted with a nervous laugh. Korra had left by now.

"People keep saying that," Mike replied, "and yet she keeps proving you wrong."

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