A/N: Welp, the document uploader is not longer keeping any of my formatting when I copy and paste, including italics and line breaks. I'm trying to fix it, but if anything seems off in this and/or upcoming chapters (like scenes that don't have a separator between them), please just bear with me. Kinda feel like this site is circling the drain these days. Find me on AO3. It's so much better. Same username, and also RowanSpiritShepherd.

"Who are you looking for?" Shylo asked as they found seats in the bleachers.

Surrounded by people she knew—enough that potential fans and admirers were kept at bay—Saph scanned the floor of the gym.

"My friend, Chen."

"You have a friend?"

She rolled her eyes. "I met him at school."

"Oooh, it's a 'him'? Do tell."

"It's not like that. Sheesh. First my parents, then Nani, and now you. I wish everyone would stop assuming that."

"Just be careful," Shylo said, more serious now. "You never know what he might be expecting from you."

"I can take care of myself, thank you very much." But hopefully, I won't have to.

On her other side was Zenya, who was being looked after by her grandparents. She sat there sulking, arms crossed, wearing a petulant frown. Saph already knew the reason for her current attitude and poked her side playfully.

'Smile. Watching fun.'

'I win,' Zenya replied stubbornly. 'I'm best."

Saph honestly wasn't entirely sure who would win a match between Zenya and Koko. In her experience, earthbenders had a huge advantage in friendly fights. Zenya had far less restraint and Koko would probably be too focused on not getting seriously injured.

"I wonder if Valen will beat Koko," Saph mused aloud. "He's pretty good, and he's very patient. He might be able to tire her out."

Shylo snickered. "I wouldn't bet on that. In fact, I bet half of this week's food money on her, so if she loses, she's gonna be extra pissed when I have to ask her for more."

Saph returned her attention to the room and, after another minute or so, spotted Chen. "Oh, there he is! Will you get him for me? My mom would throw a fit if I tried to get up in this crowd."

"Sure, sure, I see how it is. I'm being replaced. Shall I find somewhere else to sit?"

"Oh, be quiet."

The matches were starting now and Saph watched eagerly, though neither of them featured anyone she knew yet. Where was Koko? Her eyes scanned the edges of the two fighting rings, enclosed in protective netting, but found nothing.

"Wow," Chen said when he and Shylo arrived. "I feel like I'm in the VIP box or something."

"Here, there's a spot in the row below me. You can't have Shylo's seat, otherwise I'll never hear the end of it," she teased.

There was some shuffling in the row behind her, followed by Mara sticking her head between Saph and Zenya. "Who's your friend?"

"Chen. From school. Remember, I told you about him? Chen, this is my mom."

He gave her a skeptical look. "Oh. Hello."

A few tense seconds passed, though the cheering at whoever had just won a match dispelled the moment.

"I'll be watching," Mara whispered right in Saph's ear.

"Ugh… You're so embarrassing."

When she was gone, Chen leaned back to quietly say, "That's your mom? She looks about twenty. Figured she was your sister."

"Yeah, I get that a lot," Saph muttered, reluctant to explain her unusual family drama.

Shylo, who knew the story, gave her an amused sideways look. Fortunately, Chen had turned back around to watch the next set of matches.

"Oh! Koko's fighting now!" Saph exclaimed. "You'll like this, Chen."

At the beginning, most of the matches were over quickly. Koko's first few made Saph snicker. She spars harder with me! But as the day wore on, the fights became more drawn out. Skill became less of a factor than stamina, which both Koko and Valen clearly had plenty of. Several non-benders blew through the brackets against benders who hadn't bothered to practice hand-to-hand.

Saph was particularly interested to watch Valen vs. Opal. "Those are two of my bending teachers. This should be a good fight! But Opal is old, so she'll probably lose."

That prediction turned out to be correct, but only by a slim margin. Opal managed to hold him off for a good twenty minutes before he got enough points against her. By the end of it, Saph was entranced—shocked by Opal's agility in spite of her age, and her use of airbending not only as a defense, but a weapon, as well.

I have a long way to go, she thought dismally. A loooong way.

The next fight was the final one. Koko and Valen. They squared off, both visibly tired, even from a distance. Red-faced and panting. But standing tall, all the same.

"This is gonna be good," she said to Shylo. A glance at Zenya made her smile. No more sulking; she was riveted.

The crowd seemed to agree. With each successive round, the roar of voices had gradually softened and was now only a soft hum. Saph blinked and missed the ref's signal to begin. Without warning, fire flashed and rocks shattered.

On and on it went, a chaotic blur. Saph had only seen Koko this ferocious twice, both times when fighting blue sages. Ten minutes. Twenty. Thirty.

They must be exhausted.

Valen stepped forward and stomped so hard the entire gym shook, and Koko was propelled up and back. Saph's mouth fell open, sure that this must be the end and utterly shocked that Koko had somehow lost. But then…

She backflipped and landed in a lunge, her knee just off the ground. She wasn't out yet. For just a moment, everything stopped. Complete silence was shattered by a roar—not vocal, but static. She wasn't bending fire; she was fire. It seemed to envelope her whole body, spinning and swirling. Hotter, brighter, blinding.

A double helix of pure white flame formed around her outstretched arm and–

HISSSS

The entire room dimmed when the fire went out. Saph squinted and realized Nani was standing at the edge of the ring, near the water table. Koko stood there like a statue, literally steaming. The water had instantly vaporized when it hit her.

Three eternal seconds passed, then she was stalking away. Everyone watched her leave. The room erupted with noisy voices the moment she was out of sight.

"What happened?" Saph asked no one in particular.

"I'm not sure…" Shylo said. "But I think she just forfeited. Shit! No! My bets! Oh, man, she's gonna kill me!"

Chen turned around with a pensive, heavy-lidded expression. Well, that was his normal expression, actually. "That was exciting. Not what I expected. Is it over?"

"I don't know." Saph turned around to ask her dad, who had Lia squirming in his lap. "Is it over? Is that it? Who won?"

Nik, a few seats down, was the one who answered. "Walking out of the ring is a forfeit." He peered closely at where a small knot of people were talking. "I think they're giving Valen the option to challenge Bolin."

The two men were shaking hands now. Challenge accepted?

Looks like it.

After Koko and Valen's match, this one was…sadly anti-climactic. Not boring, as both were still very skilled, but it lacked the intensity. They were tired. Exhausted. Bolin put up enough of a fight for Valen's win to feel earned, but that was all that could be said.

Despite knowing she'd get yelled at, Saph bolted down to talk to Nani as soon as the crowd began to disperse. People were shouting and gesticulating about their bets. Apparently, a lot of people were not happy.

Saph ignored them. "Nani! Nani! Over here!"

"Oh, Saph! Spirits! Come on, let's get away from all this!"

They had to shout just to hear each other. Then Mara appeared, ready to bite Saph's head off.

"What did you think you were doing?!"

"Mom, relax. I went like, thirty feet. Good grief." She turned back to Nani. They were at the edge of the bleachers now and could talk more easily. "What happened? Where did Koko go?"

"I think she went to the locker room. Probably best to give her some space."

"Is she mad at Valen or something?"

"No, I don't think so." Nani put on a cheerful smile, though it seemed forced. "Don't worry. You know how she is. Sometimes old things bubble up, but she knows how to recenter herself."

Mara didn't seem encouraged in the slightest. "And what if she loses control like that while training Saph?"

"She would never!" Nani protested, eyes wide. "Mara, really. There's no comparison. She's a very patient teacher. Valen isn't her student, nor is he someone she has a duty to protect."

"Hmph." Clearly unconvinced, Mara took Saph by the wrist. "Time to get home. You've got chores to do."

"Ugh! When do I not?" She turned to Nani sullenly. "Bye. Tell Valen congrats for me." The rest of their group was filing out with the crowd, but she allowed herself a moment of complaining before they caught up. "Are you really gonna make me do chores all weekend?"

"I was going to give you tomorrow off if you finished your list today."

"Was?"

"With the way you're acting, I'm having second thoughts."

Saph held back a retort in the interest of getting what she wanted. Her life was so unfair. Why was she constantly treated like she was made of glass? Watched all the time. Not allowed to go anywhere on her own.

I'm lucky Mom doesn't follow me into the bathroom, she thought sarcastically. Will things change once I turn seventeen? Will she loosen her grip, then?

That was a whole year off. Might as well be an eternity.

Well aware that Koko would probably snap at her if she brought up the tournament incident, Saph kept her mouth shut about it while they trained that week. And Koko didn't mention it, either. They both pretended nothing unusual at all had happened.

In any case, Saph had other things on her mind. "My birthday's in three days."

"I know."

"Do you think I'll be able to talk to Korra, like Jade seemed to think?"

"Maybe."

"Um–"

Koko crossed her arms. There was an extra level weariness in her eyes that had been slowly growing over the last several weeks. "Don't look at me like that."

"Like what?"

"Like you're scared I'm going to get upset about you mentioning Korra. Say what you have to say."

"Well… I was just wondering. If I do talk to her, is there anything you want me to ask her for you?"

Koko's face went slack. No emotion. Or at least, no obvious emotion. Her eyes still burned, soft and warm now. "Questions can wait. One day, I'll talk to her myself. In the meantime, tell her–" She stopped. A hint of consternation appeared on her face—just a slight tightening around her eyes and mouth. "Never mind."

Saph's eyes inexplicably welled up with tears as she was assaulted by a powerful surge of emotion that she wasn't entirely sure was fully from her. A deep, primal sorrow within and all around. A silent outcry of heartache for an old loss, a severed connection.

Maybe you can talk to her soon. Maybe I can help you.

"Why are you crying?" Koko asked.

"It's nothing." Saph brushed away the single tear that had escaped. She hated crying around Koko, especially for no good reason. Best to focus on training. "Can we work on that master form today? The one you were showing me yesterday?"

"Alright. Show me what you remember."

The following weekend, Saph was lucky enough to have two consecutive free days from her busy schedule. The Council had reluctantly—according to Koko—agreed to let her have her birthday off. They probably would've made her train the following day instead, except that it was the biggest holiday of the year: The Winter Solstice.

Saph went to bed early the night before her birthday, prepared to spend the entire morning meditating. Nothing would stop her from achieving a connection with her past life. Failure wasn't an option. Nobody would let her actually fight or even walk outside unsupervised; if she couldn't do this one Avatar thing, then what use was she?

She had a very strange dream that night. Her body moved through the dark. A black void. It felt so real, tactile sensations all around her. Brilliant stars appeared out of nowhere and she floated between them in a lotus position.

When the dream faced and her eyes opened, she was in her meadow with Jade. "Wow! You're so clear. Almost like in Republic City. I have so much to tell you!"

Jade's reaction wasn't unexpected. Without words, she somehow managed to communicate to Saph that there were more important things than catching up.

"Alright, alright. Let's see if I can find Korra."

She sat down and began meditating, filled with a sense of vertigo as soon as her eyes closed. Like walking into a room full of mirrors. Not that Saph had ever experienced such a thing, but somehow she was able to imagine it.

Suddenly it all fell away. Stillness and silence. The world reformed behind her closed eyelids as if some part of her had accessed an even deeper realm than the Spirit world. Everything looked the same but felt different, and Korra sat opposite her with a soft smile.

"Where am I?" Saph asked.

"Still in the Spirit world. As you learn more about your bond with Raava, you'll begin to understand the complex layers. This place…" She waved her hand around and stared off into the distance. "It's not like the real world, where everything is fixed and time flows in a straight line. Here, you shape reality. And reality shapes itself around you."

"This is too hard. I don't understand anything you're saying."

"You're doing a lot better than I was at your age." Korra's face fell into a frustrated scowl. "No thanks to the adults controlling you. Are they idiots or something? They're doing the same thing to you that they did to me. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. History has a way of repeating itself."

"Koko agrees with you. She said so in one of the Council meetings."

"I know." Korra smiled. "Remember, I see everything you see. Well, sort of. It's more like I'm aware of your experiences. I'm just a left-over. A voice with memory. The best part is that you have access to those memories, and the emotions that go along with them."

Saph grimaced. "I noticed. Koko makes you sad sometimes."

"Technically, I don't feel anything. Not on my own, anyway. What you feel in those moments is just a reflection of what I would feel. My memories mixed with your ability to experience the result. We're two sides of the same coin." Korra got to her feet in one swift motion. "Let's take a walk. It's time you left this meadow."

"What?" Saph blurted, alarmed. But she did get up to follow. "I thought it was dangerous out there?"

"Yes. Life is dangerous. You have to face it sooner or later. My purpose is to guide you, not shelter you. Come on. You're more powerful here than you realize."

"But I can't bend."

"You don't need to. Raava may be dormant, but her spiritual energy is still within you. Shape the world. Let all the best parts of you seep into the ground like roots."

The edge of the meadow appeared in front of them as if they'd taken a huge leap. Ahead, the forest was dark. Impenetrable.

"What about the bad parts of me? The fear? Whatever's making me not be able to earthbend." Saph reached into her pocket but realized her lucky rock was back in her real body in the physical world.

"Accept it. Embrace it. And then set it aside. Think of your happiest moments."

Saph closed her eyes and thought hard. Memories of the swamp were some of her favorites: All the times spent with Jade, playing with friendly little Spirits. Or when Gran had shown her a little old cave that looked like it had once been lived in.

Alongside those memories was grief, as well. Gran got old and died. Everyone in Saph's life had trickled away, even Nani. The space between her visits grew larger as time went on.

But what about more recent events? Saph remembered her wonder upon seeing Oldtown, a big city just like out of the stories, full of safety and security. A refuge from the world the blue sages had a hold on.

Her life had so much more color now than when living in Dao-Shu. Not so alone. Shylo and Zenya and Koko and Valen. She thought about when Shylo first woke up after being hurt. She thought about her relief when Koko began to recover from being stabbed. And best of all: Being reunited with family after it was all over. Strong hugs and flowing tears.

Saph's frustration with her mother melted away, even if for just this moment. The love she had for everyone around her, and which she felt returned with the strength of the sun, overpowered everything else.

"Open your eyes," Korra said.

What Saph saw made her gape. The forest was no longer dark. Light filtered in through leaves of the brightest green. The bark of the trees shone gold and silver. A path opened up before them, soft underfoot with moss and clover.

"Where does it lead?"

"Let's find out."

In her peripherals, Saph sensed that the world was shifting and blurring around her. They walked, but everything else moved faster past them. Each step was a mile, or a hundred miles. Every second was a lifetime, yet frozen. All the rules were different.

"Does this mean that I'll be able to earthbend now?"

Korra hummed in thought. "Probably not. Your block seems to be something much deeper, which means it won't have a quick and easy fix."

"Great."

"I think Raava is being suppressed. Or maybe she's suppressing herself. That would explain why the Avatar state doesn't trigger when you're in danger. Although I wonder what would happen if you were actually about to die…"

Saph shuddered. "I'd rather not find out."

They took one more step and the forest was gone, receding in the distance. Ahead was a barren area with a large tree in between two glowing orbs. The sky was a misty, swirling purple.

"The portals!" Saph exclaimed. "I learned about them. And that's…the Tree of Time?"

"Yes.

In another step, they were there. Saph braced herself and approached, unsure what she would see inside. Her studies had prepared her to expect visions of her life.

But that wasn't what she found.

"Jinora!"

"Hello, Saph. I thought I might see you here today."

There was something else that drew Saph's eyes. Inside the tree was a radiant golden barrier. Or…something. She couldn't find the words to describe it. The thing was large, taking up nearly half the interior of the tree—almost like part of a sphere but without defined edges—and couldn't be touched. When she reached out, her hand met resistance before hitting anything solid.

"What is this?" she asked the others, who were having a quiet chat behind her.

"I don't know," Jinora said. "It's been here at least since the comet. Maybe before."

"I've never seen it," Korra said to Saph. "If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say it might be connected to your future. Sometimes things bleed through, out of their time. Big, important things. Don't you feel drawn to it? I know I do."

"Yeah. Wait– I think I dreamed about this." It was starting to come back. "Weeks ago. I dreamed my way to the meadow and had some kind of…vision. Or something. I saw a big tree with something golden shining inside. I thought it was treasure."

Jinora nodded sagely. "Maybe it is. Visions have meaning."

Saph looked around, stymied. "Why don't I see anything on the walls? I thought that's what happened here?"

"The tree has a mind of its own, so to speak. It only shows you what you need to see, when you need it."

"Why doesn't it show me how to get rid of this stupid block?" she grumbled.

Korra smirked. "Let me give you a piece of advice that I ignored when I was your age: Exercise patience. I don't mean that metaphorically. You actually need to exercise it, like a muscle. It doesn't just happen. You don't wake up one morning and find that you've magically achieved it."

Saph was put in mind of Koko, who seemed to spend most of her free time exercising. Did she have to work just as hard to learn patience as to learn firebending?

Returning her attention to the mysterious glowing thing, Saph wondered if it had appeared there for no other reason than to teach her patience. To plague her with curiosity every day for an indefinite amount of time.

The three of them stayed for a while, catching up and discussing the future. Saph mostly listened and wondered if she'd ever live up to their legacy. When they finally exited the tree, they weren't alone. A large, fierce Spirit was waiting for them outside—something like a bird but much more majestic. Every feather was made of burnished gold or glittering crimson.

Saph could only stare in awe, intimidated, but Korra smiled.

"Riyo. It's good to see you."

"What is it?"

"He is a dragon bird. And a very old friend. Come on, it's alright. He likes to be scratched on his neck."

Saph reached out tentatively, but Riyo lunged forward into the touch. Her hand was instantly buried in soft, warm feathers.

"Riyo and I had many adventures together," Korra continued fondly. "How 'bout a ride back to the meadow, buddy?"

He let out a sharp noise—a sort of squawk, but more dignified, and lowered one wing so Saph and Korra could scramble on.

"You're not coming?" Saph asked Jinora.

"I'm afraid not. Time to get back to reality. Until next time."

With one mighty flap, they were airborne. Saph looked around in wonder. This was much different than flying on Shylo's back, or on Jinora's bison. Her hair and clothes fluttered around her, but not as much as they should have, given the speed. She wasn't afraid of falling. Riyo was more like an extension of her own body than a mount.

The world spread out below them in a patchwork of colors. Far below, Saph could see forests and deserts, swamps and mountains, barren craggy hills and sparkling lakes. The only thing she didn't see was signs of civilization.

"Do any people live in the Spirit world?"

"People? You mean humans?"

"Yeah. Or Spirits that act like people, living in towns and cities."

"Not that I'm aware of. Spirits don't fight nature the way humans do. But the portals have been open for a long time. I guess there could be people that came through and decided to stay. And others who can meditate in like you did. I know one who left his body behind. He still wanders around. You might meet him one day."

They returned to the meadow soon after that. Riyo gave her a nuzzle before flying away in a swirl of golden light. Korra was gone. Instead, Jade waited patiently.

"It's our birthday, you know," Saph said. "And I guess your 'death-day'. And Korra's, too." Mom, Dad, Nani, and Koko must all be so sad on my birthday, she realized.

When she returned to her body some time later, she found herself inexplicably on the back patio. "What–?"

The night was deep this far away from the downtown area. False stars above provided almost no light, but they seemed to swallow her up along with the darkness.

An hour into the well-attended but lowkey gathering for her birthday, Saph wondered if Koko was even going to show up at all.

"She'll be here," Nani said while they stood in the living room. "In the meantime, I wanted to give you something, now that we've got a moment to ourselves." She handed over a small box wrapped in brown paper and tied with twine.

Saph grinned and opened it quickly. Nani's gifts were always memorable. The paper fell away to reveal a lacquered wooden box with a metal latch. It was very simple in shape but had some curious carvings on the top.

"Wow. It's so pretty. Did you make it?"

"Yeah, with Nik's help. The carvings are designs that were common in the South Pole when I was a girl."

Saph opened the latch and lifted the lid, though not expecting anything to be in it. The box by itself was a nice gift. But inside, she found something curious—something she didn't have a name for. It was about four inches long with two narrow pieces connected at one end. Most of it was pearly white, though the widest part had a Water Tribe symbol carved and was stained blue.

Nani took it from the box and used it to pin a chunk of Saph's hair back. "It's a clip. Your hair is always falling in your face. There, perfect. It looks beautiful on you. Matches your eyes."

Saph reached up to run her finger along its smooth length. "I've never felt anything like this. What is it made out of?"

"Whalebone."

Saph realized then that Nani was giving her something priceless. Whalebone wasn't exactly something you could just buy at the store. This must've been from the before times. Before the world fell apart.

Overcome with affection, she threw her arms around Nani and tried not to cry. "Thanks. It's the best gift ever."

"You're welcome." Nani laughed but also sniffled a little. "I know you don't feel it, and probably don't think anyone else thinks it, but in the Water Tribe, you'd be an adult now."

"I'm not Water Tribe…" Saph said ruefully.

"You and your mom and Lia got those blue eyes from somewhere. I bet you have some Water Tribe blood in you a few generations back. Who knows—we could even be distantly related."

"I hope we are."

Not long after, Koko finally did show up. Saph went to her and tried to tell her about talking to Korra, but Valen soon interrupted them. Was it just her imagination, or did Koko perk up when he came over?

Valiantly fighting a mischievous smile, Saph made an excuse to walk away so they could talk alone. What Nani had said about waiting and watching, combined with Korra's advice to practice patience, made Saph cling to hope that something might develop between Koko and Valen one day.

And indeed, something interesting did happen a bit later, but not what she expected.