Rei suddenly screeched as intense coldness washed over her entire being. She quickly sat up and looked over to see Airon holding a large bucket between his antlers.

"I borrowed it from some kind of man. He let me take it, although...it could've been out of fear," Rei didn't answer, instead just staring at him in disbelief before looking down at her drenched body. "You didn't want to wake up! I had to go to the extremes! Besides...no offence, but you reek. I'll go see if I can get some hot water from that woman. Stay." Airon said before turning around and heading back towards the town. Rei glared at his back all the way until he disappeared from sight. She sighed and stood up. She went over to her bag and after removing the books, took out her new outfit; the one that exposed her back. They were next heading for the Southern Air Nomad, and she was almost sure no one would be around to ask about her back. Airon returned not long after, balancing the large and heavy bucket between his antlers. He placed it down.

"Ignoring the fact that you woke me up with ice cold water from probably the river. Thank you." Airon chuckled and nodded.

"Yeah, well. I'll keep a look out around. Bath quickly," Rei nodded and Airon turned and went out of sight. Airon sighed to himself as he circled around her position, a good distance away. I wonder if we'll ever find that Lion Turtle, he wondered to himself. Not long after, he heard Rei calling for him. He returned to see her dressed in one of the new outfits. "What about your back?" He asked, causing her to shrug.

"No one around to exactly ask about it, is there?" Airon shook his head. They quickly packed up and after the saddlebags were placed on his back, they were off the island in no time. Rei examined their map while flying.

"I'm just flying in a random direction. Better tell me where to go." Rei chuckled.

"The Patola Mountains. It's right next to the Southern Air Nomads. Uhh...little left." Airon nodded and turned a little. He sighed.

"Do you think we'll find the Lion Turtle there?" Rei's head fell.

"No. Probably not," Rei shook her head and examined the map "As soon as you spot land, take us down." Airon nodded and flew on. Rei rolled the map up and placed it in her backpack. Not long after, Airon took them down to land. Didn't think we'd be here so quickly. They landed in a forest.

"As far as I'm aware, the Patola Mountains don't have forests, and isn't that close to Whaletail Island. Where are we?" Rei asked, examining the trees. There was something... odd about them. Yet familiar. They have the same presence as the trees on Spirit Island!  

"Uhm Rei?" She turned to Airon, only to see his entire body glowing white. "What's going on?" She looked around, her vision going shaky. Dots entered her vision, yet she didn't feel dizzy.

"I honestly don't know." She shook her head and most of the dots disappeared, surprisingly.

"Thou hast taketh too long to find me; so I have appeared before thee." A sudden voice boomed, the ground rumbling at the voice. Rei's eyes widened in fear and fell onto one knee at the shaking. Where did that voice come from? She looked all around, examining the surroundings. She suddenly stopped her actions. Wait... a spiritual forest, infecting both of us and a voice that makes the earth rumble. Could it be..?

"No way..." She then ran, abandoning Airon for the first time.

"Hey wait!" He quickly caught up to her. She ran to the shore and, after abandoning her backpack, jumped into the water. Airon rolled his eyes and threw the saddlebags off before jumping in as well. They swum around, going up for breath, until they found what they had been looking for. The head. The head of the Last Lion Turtle. Rei gasped at the size before realizing it wasn't that smart of a thing to do. She quickly swam up for air before feeling a pressure underneath her, pushing her up. Spitting out water, she looked up to find the Lion Turtle, staring down at her. She looked down and saw she was seated on the Lion Turtle's hand, as did Airon. Airon almost slipped on the Lion Turtle's hand, his hooves wet and slippery. Rei didn't know what to do, so she bowed her head.

"My name is Reiko. Reiko of the Fire Nation and Soul Caverns." She introduced.

"I am Airon. Airon of the Fire Nation and Soul Caverns." Airon introduced as well, finally regaining his footing.  The Lion Turtle hummed.

"Thou hast proveneth to me thine bond. I hath watcheth thou without thou in knowledge. I hath seen thou perform thou bend. I hast decide." The Lion Turtle lifted up his other arm, bringing it towards them. With two fingers, he touched Rei slightly. Rei's vision turned white before it cleared. She stood still for a second, lost in a white vision. She raised her hands up to look at them. I feel so... light. Airon stared at her curiously before being tapped as well. His vision turned white before clearing. His front legs gave out and he nearly fell onto his face.

"What was that?" Rei asked.

"Thine bond sense," He answered. Rei frowned and looked to Airon, who was struggling to get up. Her eyes widened. He's right! Something's...different... "I shalt now bestow onto thee thy power." He said, bringing a single finger up to Rei. She closed her eyes and felt him tap her head. A surge of energy went through her and she opened her eyes in shock. She stood still while regaining her composure. Something went through her, something... powerful. She smiled and looked up at the Lion Turtle.

"Does this make me a Master Soulbender?" She asked, excited almost. The Lion Turtle blinked slowly.

"For thou to art Master Soulbend, thou must return to Soul Cavern." Rei blinked in surprise.

"To Master Bernings?" The Lion Turtle slightly nodded its massive head.

"The true mind can weather all lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed. From beginning less time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light." Rei nodded slowly, the words not making much sense to her.

 "Thank you," She said, bowing her head in respect. Airon followed the action. "We'll be leaving now." Rei moved over to Airon and climbed onto him, struggling a little with his height. After fetching her backpack and the saddlebags, they were off in the direction of the Fire Nation. It was strange that Spirit Island would be in the Fire Nation, between Fire Fountain City and Ember Island.

"That was rather strange, don't you think?" Airon asked to which Rei didn't respond. Her mind was busy racing at what had happened. The Lion Turtle's words... a true mind can't be lost, and a true heart can't be harmed. Darkness always yields to light... but, how do you get a true mind and heart? She looked over to Airon and shook her head. Why do I still keep my concerns to myself, when I have Airon? 

"Airon, promise me something." He looked up at her and nodded.

"Yes?"

"Don't ever leave me." Airon smirked before chuckling.

"Idiot. I'll never leave you. Besides, aren't we bonded now or something?" Rei nodded.

"Yeah," Rei held up her hands and clenched them. "What do you think this power is that he gave me?" Airon looked at her from the side of his eye.

"Honestly, I don't know. It's a good thing we're being sent back then. Master Bernings might know." Rei nodded, agreeing.

"Yeah, and we can go see Ferre and your siblings." Airon lowered his head and laughed sheepishly.

"Yeah, and your siblings," Rei looked down, Airon regretting his words. "I'm-."

"No, it's fine. I want to see them again. All of them." Airon nodded. Rei swung over her backpack and hooked her arms through the loops so that the bag wouldn't fall. It happened before. She took out their map and examined it.

"Am I going the right direction?" Rei nodded.

"Yeah. To get to Spirit Island we'll need to pass through Fire Fountain City, or we pass through Ruko's Island and Fire Fountain City's ocean pass, but that will take longer. I say we go through Fire Fountain City, so that I can get some Fire Nation clothes for when we sneak into the capital. I'm probably going to have to alter my appearance as well, if Carnelian could recognize me." Rei nodded to herself.

"But remember, her recognizing you is different than the scene we're heading to. Put a Fire Nation girl in the middle of Earth Kingdom girls and it's surely easy to spot her if you know what to look for. Put a Fire Nation girl between other Fire Nation citizens and you will blend in. They won't recognize you easily. It's not like brown hair isn't common, it's common everywhere in the world! And orange hair is only found in the Fire Nation, so you'll find a lot of it. Now that I think about it, why didn't the Avatar question your eye colour?" Rei shrugged.

"All of their minds were on their bison, not on me. And your right, they won't spot me easily.  But Carnelian did tell me I look like my brothers, and I'm pretty sure my brothers made names for themselves. She called Dai a captain, after all. I'll change my appearance for in case; colour my hair or something. Maybe a wig. Oh! And I definitely have to hide my back, it's a big give away." Airon nodded.

"We'll have to get you some clothes as soon as we reach the city." Rei nodded, placing the map back in her bag.

"I'll wear my black cloak in the meantime." Airon smirked and nodded. Rei fished out her cloak and threw it around her before placing her bag back on her back.

"Since the Fire Nation is aware that the Avatar has means of flight, they must be watching the skies. We'll going to have to sneak in by sea. It's safest." Rei frowned.

"Yes... you said you can dematerialize bags now, right?" He nodded. "Then as soon as we see the land, drop me off so that I can swim. I'll leave my backpack with you. Go fly around and see where it's easiest to enter by sea. A supply dock or something. Come back and let me know then." Airon nodded. It wasn't for another three hours until they saw the shadow.

"Should I drop you off here?" Rei laughed sheepishly.

"Go closer down to the water and I'll tell you when to let me off. I'm not swimming that far." Airon laughed and nodded, taking them down to the water where he ran.

"Hopefully a sea monster won't jump out at us again." Rei laughed sheepishly, agreeing. It wasn't until Rei could begin seeing the details of the island that she remained on Airon. She strapped her backpack onto the saddlebags before jumping into the water. Luckily it isn't that cold, but that's Fire Nation waters for you.

"Alright. Hurry back. I don't want to drown." Rei said seriously, causing Airon to laugh sheepishly. He dematerialized and with incredible speed flew towards the island. Rei sighed before she started to swim.

Airon circled above the island until he spotted a supply dock. He smirked and raced back. Rei was at the front of the island now, hiding away from watchers. Airon appeared through a watch tower, Rei nearly yelling out in shock. Airon chuckled and signalled for her to follow him. He walked over the water, Rei swimming behind him. He led her to the supply dock where she went under the dock.

"I'll tell you when it's clear." Airon said, standing on top of the dock. People rushed around, passing through his body and onto a ship. Not long after, the ship took off and most of the workers at the dock dispersed soon after. Airon bend down and poked his head at Rei, upside down. He nodded. She swam out from under the dock and went ashore. Airon signalled her over and the duo ran from the dock into town, which wasn't far from each other. They stopped in an alleyway.

"That was fairly easier than I expected." Rei commented as she took her backpack from Airon.

"Indeed." She exited the alleyway, Airon following behind, dematerialized. People gave her strange glances, probably her wet and covered attire, but ignored her otherwise. Not long after, she found a clothing store. She entered. The woman behind the counter looked to her and sneered.

"I know, I'm sorry. I was accidently thrown over the dock and threw this cloak over since it was cold but the water swept through anyway. I'm here to buy some dry clothes." Rei lied. The woman nodded, understanding. Rei searched through the shop until she found two outfits she liked. The one outfit consisted of black long pants and a red tank top rimmed with thick gold. The other was a red gypsy pants and a black tank top underneath that with gold floral patterns on it. She also got Fire Nation boots and red slight-heeled around-the-ankle shoes. She was dressed in the second outfit with the heeled shoes when she bought the clothes. She went outside, a wet bundle of clothes in her arms.

"We need to find a place to put those so that they can dry," Rei nodded and they exited the town to enter the forest. They found a nice open place near a stream where the sun hit the grass. She placed down her wet clothes on the grass. "Are we going to stay here for a while or head out once they dry?" Rei shrugged.

"We'll see how it goes." She stretched her arms out before placing her hands behind her neck. She frowned as she felt her hair. It's growing fast. She opened her arms wide and fell onto the grass. Airon collapsed next to her. She closed her eyes and took deep breathes as she enjoyed the hot summer sun.

"This is relaxing," Airon commented. Rei hummed in agreement and turned so that she was propped up against Airon. "You look tired." Rei huffed.

"You're the one who interrupted my sleep with ice cold water." Airon chuckled and snuggled her hair.

"Maybe you should sleep now; we don't know what's going to happen. We might be on the run after this," Rei nodded slightly. "And I'll keep watch. Sleep." Rei didn't have to be told twice before relaxing her entire being.

Airon smiled at how easily she fell asleep. He placed his head over her and relaxed a little. He listened to the sound of the forest, how calming it all was. Time passed, but Airon didn't know how long. He snapped out of his trance when Rei began to stir, waking up soon after.  She blinked a few times, her vision adjusting.

"Now that was a nap." She chuckled sleepily, stretching her arms over her head. Airon nodded slowly before rising to his feet. He helped Rei to her feet before she got some fruit for them from the saddlebags. While she ate hers, she packed away the now dry clothes into her backpack. Airon nodded.

"Ready to go?"  Rei nodded.

"Yeah. Let's just get this over with."Airon chuckled and lowered his head. Rei climbed on his back and they were off.

"You didn't want to do anything else here?" Rei chuckled.

"Like?"

"See the new Fire Fountain." Rei rolled her eyes.

"We saw it while passing. It's basically a statue of the shirtless Fire lord Ozai, shooting unending flames from his mouth." Rei sighed, bored. Airon laughed at her before speeding up. Racing like a horse instead of a deer, they ran down the small hill until they reached the opposite shoreline from where they had come. Looking up, Rei realized the sun was setting. Some days just go faster than others I guess. They reached the shoreline where Airon just kept on running on the water. Rei frowned however. Something was different than before. Is he going...faster? She looked down at his back. And he's certainly grown...

"Is something wrong?" Airon asked, concerned. Rei shook her head.

"I just realized how I'm missing your growth." Airon chuckled and sped up, causing Rei to clutch onto him tightly. Show-off, she scoffed. It was completely dark when they spotted the fog surrounding Spirit Island. The fire sprouting from the Fire Fountain was high enough to give them a little light.

"Almost there. Almost home." Rei smirked and laid her head against his neck. They raced through the mist and made it to the shoreline of the invisible island. Airon rushed quickly over the beach and made it to the rock side where he started to climb. A horse, a goat, a human. Airon is a multi being basically. Rei scoffed silently. Airon reached the top and jumped onto the rock clearing in front of the cave.

"Now where do you suppose would we find Master Bernings?" Airon chuckled.

"Where else but the Soul Caverns?" Rei nodded, agreeing. They entered the cave and followed the small light which emitted from the back. Reaching it, the light stretched and revealed to be the ruins of what once was the beautiful underground city of the Soul Caverns. Small blue glowing fluff balls flew around, lighting the ruins. They started down the rock stairs and headed towards the main temple where Master Bernings usually slumbered.

"Master Bernings told me this place used to be the fantasy land. Spirits roaming everywhere and soulbenders co-existing with them. Of course, that was before Avatar Wan. When the spirits went back to the Spirit World, the art of soulbending vanished and became as rare as the Avatar basically. Five at most a generation but only one if not any was known and was taught by Master Bernings." Airon scoffed.

"That must make him incredibly old." Rei laughed and nodded, her laugh echoing through the ruins.

"He should be pondering over something inside the main temple."

"Or sleeping." Rei scoffed before nodding.

"Indeed. With no one around and the complete isolation as his friend, he has not much to do besides sleep. Well, except if one of us pop up, that is." Airon nodded, agreeing. They walked across the stone bridge and onto the main temple's platform. They continued by walking up the steps before moving between the columns. Vine plants were wildly entangled around the columns, some even moving onto the floor. Airon's hoof got stuck in one of them and nearly tripped before casually recovering. Rei laughed as she almost fell off of Airon before swinging herself off. They entered the temple's main room. The room was in a large circle shape and was sunk in lower than the rest of the temple. Inside this downturn of ground was water. Clear blue glowing water. Lilly pads floated around, the blue glowing spirits sitting on top of them. In the middle of the water sat a massive white illuminating bear with purple and orange strange tribal-looking marks across his fur. His eyes were closed and his breathing incredibly calm.

"So who's going to wake him?" Airon asked, scoffing. Rei smirked and moved towards the water. She stepped into the water, reaching towards her mid-thigh. She moved towards her master, the glowing spirits awakening and flying upwards, circling above the scene. Rei stopped in front of the massive face, smiling brightly. It had been two years since she and Airon left, two years since she's seen this massive face. And yet, his face was so implanted into her mind that it felt as if she's seen him merely the day before. She rested her head on top of his nose, feeling his soft fur against her skin. She heard a low groan from the bear, a smile implanting itself on her face. Master Berning's was always a very sensitive and light-sleeper. If someone merely touched him, he'll be awake in no time. At times like this, it's good because they can wake him easy. At other times, like when they trained, it was awful because that meant there had to be complete silence at night.

"Who dares interrupt my slumber?" His groan sounded. Rei chuckled at rubber his nose.

"We've returned, Master Bernings. We've finished our mission." He opened one of his eyes and peered curiously at her. He shifted his weight before climbing onto his paws. He blinked his eyes before they fully focused. He peered over at Airon before settling on Rei.

"Took you long enough." He commented with a deep chuckle. He then looked over to Airon and nodded him over. Airon then slowly stepped onto the water and walked over. Master Bernings nodded at them approvingly once they stood next to each other.

"The Lion Turtle told us to come back here." Master Bernings nodded.

"Yes. The Lion Turtle can only grant his own power and the power of bond. I will grant you the power of Master soulbending." Rei's eyes widened.

"Wait...do you mean there's even more?" Master Bernings nodded.

"There's something I may have exaggerated a bit. To become a Master Soulbender, it's a little more complicated than you might think. To become a Master Soulbender, you have to be able to, obviously, master soulbending." Rei nodded, understanding a little more.

"You mean I have to master this new power I've been granted?" He nodded.

"Yes. Along with what you've been granted from the Lion Turtle, there's something I have to give you both." Airon was taken back.

"Us both?" He asked, unsure. Master Bernings nodded.

"Remember when I told you there'd be a new of communication between you two? Well the bond-sense the Lion Turtle granted you two is only the beginning; the starting point. What I am going to give you is something more powerful, something you won't be able to back away from. Although it may strengthen your bond, it may also destroy it. This is a manner of how much you trust each other. If you don't want to continue, then you don't have to. You can always come back later." Rei frowned. Is this a way to scare us? But why?

"We wouldn't have come this far if we weren't up to it. You said it yourself, we're spiritually compatible."

"She's right. I remember the time where I held no speech. I remembered how out of all the mortals I saw, how I immediately knew she was different. I don't know what this 'bond-sense' is we've been granted or what it is you're going to give us, but believe when I say that we'll be able to overcome this." Airon spoke, surprising both Rei and Master Bernings. A smile tugged at the ancient bear. He's matured... they both have... He nodded.

"If you both are sure, then..." He raised one of his front paws, two fingers stretched out. He touched both Rei and Airon's foreheads at the same time, a small light emitting from both. He moved his paw away; the two lights remained on their foreheads.  The lights flickered before expanding into another form. The lights slowly dimmed, revealing two large blue gems on their foreheads. Rei blinked in surprise and reached up, feeling the cold surface of the gem that stretched above her head. This is the same gem that girl in the swamp had! She must be a soulbender then!

"This is..." Airon mumbled, looking at his reflection in the water.

"This is what will grant you two your power. Learn to use it, as well as what the Lion Turtle has given you." Master Bernings explained.

"But I don't understand, just what is our new power? What is it we're supposed to master?" Master Bernings chuckled deeply.

"Do not fret; you'll come to terms with it soon. It will come unexpectedly and you will be able to master it quickly I expect. You two are a lot faster and sharper than most of the other generations I've had. When you leave now you'll have no reason to return. The gems will inform you when you become a Master Soulbender. I'm only here to give the starting push. What you do now is completely up to you. Your lives, your power, your souls." Both Rei and Airon smiled brightly at him.

"You know, I'm not going to get all emotional, but I have to confess something. Even though you were my master, my trainer, I felt as if you were more of a father to me than my own was." Master Bernings's eyes went wide with surprise before they softened. He shook his head.

"You two are definitely the most strangest I've had. Now get on with you two!" He chuckled loudly.