The Little Pony Legend: Journey of Iris

The following morning, while bright and sunny in weather, was overwrought for many. City Hall was overrun by airbenders, both of pony and human variety, as well as guards from Canterlot, the Police Force, led by Ali and her siblings, and many known friends and family members. Everyone had gathered in the main entrance, where Asami and Bolin addressed to the crowd.

"Okay, everybody, listen up!" Bolin called out to everyone, speaking in as high a voice as he possibly could, getting everyone's attention. On his left stood Jinora and her husband Kai, and on Asami's right stood Kuvira and the former Prince Wu, now much older in appearance, sporting a goatee and some classes hanging on the collar of his shirt. In his hand was a clipboard. Kuvira, while still very healthy looking and beautiful, was now sporting very similar hairstyle to when she was the Great Uniter, only with a few elegant curled strands framing the right side of her face and wearing a Zaofu inspired outfit, with a few more modern additions.

"Thank you all for coming. Now, I know we're all on edge after what happened last night."

"The Queens are missing!" one of the royal Canterlot Guards shouted.

"Yes, thank you for that already stablished information, Mr…whatever your name is, I'm pretty sure it's got something to do with spears."

"But exactly how were they captured?" Kuvira asked the guard.

"We're not entirely sure of it ourselves." the same guard replied. "This morning Queen Celestia and Queen Luna did not arrive for breakfast, but when we went to check on them their rooms had been ransacked. Lady Leilani's room was in the same state, but nopony heard anything last night."

"It's not just the Queens who were taken!" the now older Ikki voiced out. "Korra and Mako are missing too!"

"So are Twilight and Flash! Even Rarity" Spike said, "We were ambushed last night but when I woke up she was gone! I went back home to warn Twilight and Flash but when I got there the entire throne room was destroyed and they had disappeared!"

"The same thing happened with Fluttershy!" Thorax said.

"And Applejack!" said Double Diamond, who was accompanied by the rest of the Apple Family. Big Mac was already crying, as was Granny Smith, while Sweet Gala and Half Pipe were being comforted by their Aunt Apple Bloom.

"And my sugar-dumpling, Pinkie Pie!" Cheese Sandwich cried, getting down on his knees, brawling like a baby, literally tears spewed from his eyes like water hoses. "I'll never be the same super-duper-party-pony again!"

"Rainbow Dash was taken too!" Soarin said. "All of the Mane Six are gone!"

"Not just the Mane Six, my parents were kidnapped last night too! Our entire apartment was ransacked!" Gallant voiced out. Him, and the other children stood in a corner along with Rohan and Iris's spirit siblings.

The doors of the mansion opened again, this time P'Li and the long since reformed Zaheer barged into the room. The man removed his white lotus helmet, looking as distressed as everybody else inside. "We just got a call from the Crystal Empire. Queen Cadance, King Shinning Armor and Princess Flurry Heart have all been taken!"

Akari gasped, "What?! No!"

"I'm so sorry, Akari." P'Li said with great remorse.

The poor young alicorn couldn't contain anymore of her sadness. Tears bursted from her eyes like water pushing through a now broken dam. Iris and Gallant rushed to her side, embracing her in a comforting embrace. Timber Spruce rubbed the side of her legs, whimpering sadly. First her parents, now her aunt, uncle and cousin were gone as well?

"This doesn't make any sense." Sunset Shimmer said, "The alicorns and the Elements of Harmony are the most powerful known magic users in the three worlds. How could they possibly be kidnapped so easily?"

"Actually, this wouldn't be the first time." Ikki said. "Years ago, we were kidnapped by Queen Chrysalis and her changelings."

"She's right." Thorax said. "Since we can change our appearances, Chrysalis's army was able to infiltrate security, kidnap the royals and replace them without anyone knowing. It took Chrysalis years to come up with a plan full proof enough to be able to capture all of the royals, the air nation and half of the police force without getting caught."

"Which makes even less sense." Opal said, accompanied by her husband, Tu. "There is no possible way this was Chrysalis's doing. We all saw her fall to her death. Her, very disturbing and nightmare fueling death." the airbender woman shuddered at the memory of being the former changeling queens decapitated body after she fell towards her impending doom. "So, who else could have pulled this off?"

"Wait." Double Diamond said, speaking out. "Before I was knocked out, I saw the shadow of who took A.J. It was hard to tell but I think it was some kind dog-like creature."

Asami's eyes widened. "Dog-like?"

"Weren't those the same descriptions as the animal that eyewitness saw on the train?" Bolin said.

"What dog-like creature? What eyewitness?" Iris asked her aunt and uncle, looking at them curiously. "What are you talking about?"

"Mom? Dad?" Mai asked the two, awaiting an answer.

The adults, as well as the lizard spirits sighed in defeat. Ali placed a hand on Iris's shoulder. "Sis, we didn't say anything because we didn't want you to worry. But, there have been some sightings about these strange wolf creatures all across the world. We still have no idea what they want or even what they're doing, but Dad kind of found out that they were possibly already here in the city."

"What?" Iris took a step back in shock.

"Is that what wrecked the park?" Gallant asked.

"Yes." Ali replied, "How did you know about it?"

"Mom and dad were trying to figure out the origins behind this strange scale sample they found. Wait, I think I still have it!" from his satchel, Gallant pulled out the same scale inside a plastic bag marked "evidence" and handed it to Ali.

Iris scoffed, "Okay, is there anything else you people are hiding from me?" she said, her voice rising.

Ali shook her head, "No, that's pretty much it."

Iris angrily groaned and paced around in place, "Unbelievable! What is this, "Keep secrets" from Iris week or something?"

"Iris, we will discuss this later." Ali said through her teeth, only to have her younger sister turn away, folding her arms and pouting.

The doors opened and Varrick, alongside his wife Zhu Li and their son, VJ, entered the estate. "Sorry we're late people, but you would not believe the traffic! Hey, we can't all have airbending, wings or magical teleporting powers now can we?" Varrick said. Despite his growing age, he still carried that same flamboyant and charismatic attitude he always had.

Everybody else stepped back in terror once the man suddenly pulled out what appeared to be a riffle gun from his long jacket pocket, and by the looks of it, it was packing heavy.

"Now, where can I find that no-good-dead-end punk who kidnapped our Applejack?"

Zhu Li gently lowered the weapon and pried it from her husband's hands. "Okay, sweetie, what did we agree on on the way here?"

Varrick dropped his shoulders in disappointment. "No shooting until the guy is proven guilty."

"That's right. We need to set a good example for VJ."

"So, no shooting yet, Pops?" ten-year-old VJ asked. He bared a striking resemblance to his mother, except with his father's skin tone and eye color.

"Not yet, son. Be patient." Varrick said while proudly ruffling his son's hair.

Asami and Bolin blinked in surprise, their eyes darting towards each other. Asami narrowed her eyes at her husband, who shrugged in surrender. "Sorry, but we're in a crisis here, we could use all the help we can get."

"Wait a minute!" Wu looked over the list of people on his clipboard. "We're missing someone here. Discord!"

At the mention of his name, Akari gasped, "That's a great idea! If anybody can figure out what happened to our parents it's him!"

"Akari's right." Jinora said, "He can sense if there is a magical imbalance. After all, this kind of kidnapping couldn't have been done by some everyday person or pony. There has to be some kind of magical involvement here."

"Dialing right now! I got him on speed dial." Wu said, with geo-phone already in hand. Kuvira, Asami, Bolin, Jinora and Kai all looked at him in surprise. "What? We have karaoke nights together."

The phone started to ring, and Wu had it placed on speaker. After a few rings, Discord's voice was heard.

"Hello, you've reached Discord."

"Discord, buddy! Hey, we're in--"

"So sorry to disappoint you but I'm not home at the moment. But, if anyone of my friends, who know who you are you lucky scamps, is hearing this, I was hoping, if you could maybe find the time to, oh I don't know- *HELP ME!!!!*"

Everybody reeled back at the incredibly loud, and uncharacteristically desperate scream, that came from the voice message. Anybody who knew Discord could already say with confidence that this was NOT his original recording.

Wu blinked a few times before hanging up. "Well, there goes that last lingering thread of hope."

"Discord's been captured too?!" Kai exclaimed in shock, "How is that even possible?! The guy can zap in and out whenever he wants!"

A blood curling girlish scream broke out, leaving everybody nearly def. Most eyes fell on either the ladies of the room, then to the younger female generation, only for all of them to point directly towards Ryu, who was the one screaming like a little girl. He eventually stopped once he saw everyone's confused and very disturbed expressions all aimed at him.

Jinora stepped forward, taking notice of the now distressed, and very, very anxious expressions both Asami and Bolin currently wore on their faces. "Okay, okay, everybody stay calm. I know this looks bad, but--"

"Bad? Bad?!" Varrick intervened, "Bad is when I get that itchy rash that won't go away and I run out of my special ointment imported from Saddle Arabia. This is beyond bad, this is devastating! Not only are the primary four known alicorns of Equestria MIA, but so are the Seven Elements of Harmony and one chaotic reality warping spirit! Face it, everypony with powerful magic is gone! Poof! Out of order! Adios! Sayonara! Don't ask me how I know those words! The point is, we're all doomed!"

"We are not doomed!" Asami said firmly, "We're going to figure this out, and we won't rest until our friends are safely back home. At the moment, with Korra and Mako currently…out of commission at this point, Bolin and I will temporarily serve as regents until we get them back."

"Can you do that?" Soarin asked.

"Indeed they can." Wu said, looking through his folders. "Right here on this document, sighed by Korra and Mako themselves. Thought, quite frankly it was hard for me to tell at first, Mako's got some very feminine hand writing. Anyway, if by any chance the King and Queen can not perform their duty in service to the city, the family members of their choosing shall temporarily perform said tasks in their place until further notice. The Sato's name is on the top of the list."

"Anyway, back to the subject matter." Asami continued, "Ali, you and the rest of the police force carry on the investigation for who or whatever kidnapped the King and Queen. Any new information you find, report back to us."

The lizard spirit gave a salute. "Yes, Ma'am."

"We'll send Airbender troops to scout the globe. We'll immediately alert you if we find anything." Jinora said, earning a nod from Asami.

"King Thorax, you and your changelings are on good terms with the Crystal Empire. Would you be willing to tend to the citizen's until we find Cadance and Shinning Armor?"

The changeling bowed in respect. "Of course. Me and my changeling brothers and sisters will do anything we can to help."

"Double Diamond, Cheese Sandwich and Spike, you three keep an eye on things back in Ponyville, while Kuvira and Wu head to Canterlot. No matter what, we need to remind the people to remain calm and know that they are in good hands. And hooves."

Double Diamond, Cheese Sandwich, Spike, Wu and Kuvira all saluted in responce. The rest of the airbenders bowed in agreement to do as Jinora has requested, and the police force saluted as well, a silent promise to do the work assigned to them.

Seeing all of their friends and family wholeheartedly agreeing to work together in this time of despair and worry certainly eased both Asami and Bolin's tension. They were already internally terrified of the well being of their best friends/family members, so thankfully not only were Ponyville, the Crystal Empire and Harmony City in good hands, so were they.

With that, everyone one by one exited the building. Jinora and her family left with the airbenders, while Ali led the police force. Iris rushed outside to catch up with her older sister.

"Ali, wait!" Iris stopped right in front of her sister.

"Iris, please, this is police work."

"But I want to help!"

"You can help by staying with Tenzin and Pema on Air Temple Island."

"How is that helping?"

Ali looked around before leading Iris away from everyone else, speaking in a hushed tone. "Keeping the Avatar safe is how you will be helping."

"So, I'm just supposed to do nothing?"

"Iris, you just found out literally yesterday! You have no idea how to control your powers, like at all, and with everything else that's going on we can't risk loosing another alicorn, let alone the new Avatar."

"But--"

"Iris, she's right." Mika said as she, along with San, walked on over. The female winged lizard spirit looked down at her younger sister with sympathetic eyes. She crunched down and placed a reassuring hand on Iris's shoulder. "As much as I believe you, little sis, this is something you just can't participate it. At least, not right now."

"And you know I hate to agree with Ali, but it's a big fat ditto for me." San said, arms crossed.

Iris only turned her head away in bitter annoyance. "Just great. I find out I'm the Avatar on the same day my parents get kidnapped and I can't do anything about it."

"We're sorry, kid." Ali said with genuine regret. "But, I promise, we'll do everything we can to bring Mom and Dad back."

"Besides, you won't be alone." San said, trying to better the mood. "You've got your friends!"

Iris's expression softened a little bit, though barely. "That's true." the young princess was surprised when all three of her older adopted siblings embraced her.

Ali cupped Iris's cheek with her lizard hands. "Promise me you'll stay safe."

"I…" Iris paused before replying, "I promise."

Both Ali and Mika kissed Iris on the forehead, while San playfully ruffled her hair before parting. Once they did, Akari and Chi walked on over to Iris. Neither said a word, they simply stood beside her, each with one arm over their shoulders. While Spike was conversing with Double Diamond and Cheese Sandwich in regards to Ponyville, Mika flew up to them, her dragon-fly wings humming until she landed right behind the young dragon, who was looking over some notes he had in his claws.

"So, I was thinking maybe we could--" Spike continued, until he noticed both the male anthro ponies were suddenly smiling knowingly between each other. "What?"

"Impressive planning there, Spike." a female voice said from behind him. Spike immediately jumped back in surprise, taking a karate stance before realizing who it was. "Oh, Mika! Hey, I didn't see you there." Spike said, hoping she didn't see the blush on his face. No matter how hard he tried, Spike just couldn't help but become flustered whenever Mika was around.

She was only a head taller than he was, slender like most respites, but with very subtle feminine traits, yet she still resembled a tall lizard standing on two legs with insect-wings on her back, still with the pink hues as when she was younger, and smaller. As daily wear, she wore a long kimono styled outfit with floral prints, and given her reptilian anatomy, she was always barefoot. There were no shoes in existence that could hold her reptilian claws anyways. Her eyes were bright and chocolate brown, soft and expressive, and she looked even more adorable whenever she cocked her head curiously, rivaling the cute innocence of a puppy dog.

Spike gulped before speaking. "So, uh, is there anything I can help you with?"

"Actually, I'm hoping we can help you."

"Wait, "we"?"

"Yeah, "we"!" San said, flying right behind Spike and giving him a nuggie. "Sis and I are gonna head back to Ponyville with you guys."

"Really?" Spike asked in surprise. "But, don't Asami and Bolin need you here?"

"They've already got Ali, Sunset Shimmer and Nova." Mika explained, "Besides, I offered to watch over Cookie and the Apple Twins while you're staying there."

Speaking of the kids, Cookie, Half Pipe and Sweet Gala all spontaneously appeared behind Mika, hugging her slender reptilian waist, cheering happily. While Ali was the no nonsense detective, San was a professional pro-bending coach, Mika was more of a caretaker, watching over children in her spare time when she wasn't working on her flowers back in her shared apartment.

Spike felt his mouth go dry. Mika was coming back to Ponyville with him and the others, which meant they would be spending some more time together. Of course, Spike had to remind himself that there were more important matters at hand, so he couldn't afford to get too distracted.

"Uh, that's, great. We could use all the help we can get."

"You can count on us, Spike. Lizard-bro hug!" San wrapped his arms around the slightly shorter reptile and nearly knocked the wind right out of poor Spike.

(~)

While Asami and Bolin conversed with Kuvira and Wu back in the meeting room, Iris and the rest of the group awaited in the hallway of the building.

"This is ridiculous!" Iris said with a huff while leaning with her arms crossed against the wall.

"I don't know, cous. Ali does make a good point." Hiro said, looking at his older cousin with genuine sympathy. His younger sister shared the same look as he.

"I know she does, but I don't feel right staying on Air Temple Island while everybody else is trying find our parents!"

"I agree. We should help." Akari said with a bubbling determination that was already starting to rise.

"I hate to sound like the wet blanket here, but what can we do?" Mai said.

"What do you mean "what can we do"?" Chi said, "Uh, hello, who participated in the defeat of Ronin?"

"Technically, Nova vanquished him after Iris broke his sword."

"Well, yes, but my point is, we're already an awesome team! I mean, we've got a supper strong, clever, and gorgeous wisp--That's me--two alicorn princesses, one of them the Avatar, and three kick butt junior benders right here! Nori, didn't you once slice a kraken's tentacles when he infiltrated your old sea cave, using only one spear?"

Nori proudly flipped her hair, "Technically, it was my hoof filler, but guilty is charged." she said, proudly inspecting her nails.

"Mai, Hiro, you guys are at the top of the junior pro-bending leagues!" Chi said, making the two Sato siblings smile. Well, in Hiro's case, he sleeked his hair and smiled proudly to himself. "And Gallant, you're an airbending master! You've been making tornadoes since you were seven. On our own, we may be just awesome, but when together we are unstoppable!"

"You know, Chi's right." Hiro said. "We're just as much capable as the rest of em. Heroing is in our blood!"

"I agree." Gallant said, surprising many of his friends. "Normally, I'm more on the pacifist side of things, but there is no way I'm letting whoever tok my parents get away with this!"

"Totally!" Akari cheered.

"Now, wait! Hold it!" Mai intervened, trying to ease down the already growing excitement here. "Guys, I want to find our families as much as you, believe me, but how exactly do we plan on saving them if we don't even know where the heck they are? And even if we did offer to help, after the last time any one of us got involved in a world wide crisis, two of us were captured and nearly killed!" Mai said, her age directly at both Iris and Akari. "You really think they're going to take that risk with so many other important figures missing right now?"

She wasn't wrong. The last time they participated in something they shouldn't have, they did get captured and would have died have it not been for Korra and the others. Besides, there was no way Asami, Bolin or anybody else was going to allow these kids, as talented as they were, but still inexperienced to participate. Not to mention, now that at least several close family members were already well aware of Iris being the new Avatar, it was all the more reason for them to be protective. This loggia contrasted with Iris growing, and burning desire to at the very least do something to help save her parents. Anything!

Iris sighed in defeat. "It's just not fair. I finally get these powers and I can't even use them to save the world!"

"Now, where did I hear that before?" a voice said from the end of the hallway. The sound of the cane tapping the cold floor as the elderly airbender approached the group alongside his youngest son.

"Uncle Tenzin?"

"Dad, what are you babbling on about now?" Rohan asked. Tenzin only chuckled.

"That's not babbling, son. This is babbling." Rohan only arched a brow as his elderly father started making random noises with his mouth and sticking out his tongue. It reminded him of the funny faces Tenzin would do when Rohan was still a toddler. He then cleared his throat, reverting back to his serious tone. "All joking aside, I'm surprised you kids have failed to see the obvious solution to finding out where your parents are.

Iris arched a brow in curiosity. "Is there something you want to tell us?"

Tenzin leaned in close to the young princess, giving her a sly grin. "Is there something you want to hear?"

Iris then shared the same grin, while Akari spoke. "He's acting weird…I like it."

Rohan, on the other hand, only face palmed. "Oh, boy…"

(~)

While ridding on an equally elderly Oogie, Tenzin and the children mounted off and approached Iris's palace home, where she was immediately greeted by Naga and Akhlut. Akari's timberwolf also greeted his fellow canines.

"Why did you bring us back to my place?" Iris asked in confusion.

"Does your mother still have that mini portal that leads directly to Twilight's castle in Ponyville?"

"Yeah. In her closet."

Tenzin approached the door and opened it, revealing that the majority of the wreckage had been cleared, with the airbenders having cleaned up beforehand and the police having collected any and all evidence. Iris was a bit hesitant to go back inside, especially after what she had seen last night.

Tenzin kindly offered his hand, in his eyes he silently promised he wouldn't let it go until Iris felt comfortable. She took in a seep sight and took her mother's former teacher's hand and walked inside, with the rest of the group following suit.

Rohan stared at his father suspiciously. "Father, what are you up to now?"

"Patience, Rohan." Tenzin replied. "Remember, patience yields focus."

The group retreated upstairs where Iris led Tenzin to her parent's bedroom. She gestured to the closet door and, with a magical wave of her hand, the knob glowed brightly before changing to look like an alicorn. She gently pushed the door forward and rather than a room filled with cloths, what they saw was Twilight and Flash's bedroom in Equestria.

One by one, they stepped inside, once Akari, Gallant and Nori crossover, immediately their anthro formed shifted back into their pony forms, a common occurrence whenever ponies entered back into their homeland. Tenzin, surprisingly, took the lead this time until they arrived at the throne room, which still looked as wrecked as this morning. Thankfully, the magical map remained perfectly in tact. Iris and the rest of the children circled the magical map, which for the moment was unactivated. The crystal-like surface was clear and crisp as if it had just been polished, but in reality it was mainly due to it supernatural origins.

Akari placed her hoof onto the surface of the map. "The Friendship Map? I don't understand, this hasn't worked in years." she said, while Nori began admiring her reflection on its surface.

"Works pretty good to me." said the merpony, batting her eyelashes at the self image of herself, which only made Akari roll her eyes.

"Why did you bring us here, Master Tenzin?" Gallant asked.

The airbender stroked his beard. "You know, I'm not entirely sure." he said.

The kids all groaned, face palmed or just gave Tenzin an "are you kidding me?" gesture.

"Tenzin, not to sound rude, but we don't really have time for this." Chi said, hovering over Rainbow Dash's throne.

"Give me a minute, it'll come to me." Tenzin said, still pondering.

Iris only gave him a confused look then at Rohan, who only shrugged his shoulders, equally perplexed as the rest of them. However, Iris then quickly noticed something peculiar. Chi sat on the arm of Rainbow Dash's throne, but something seemed different about it. On the chai was Rainbow's cutie mark, and from Iris's perspective…it was somewhat glowing.

"Chi?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you…take a seat?" Iris asked, rather unsurely.

The wisp pouted her lips in curiosity but never the less complied. "Uh, sure, I guess." she said, taking her seat directly on Rainbow's old throne. Then, just as Iris has suspected, the cutie mark symbol started to glow, brighter than before!

Everyone else noticed this as well, and they all simultaneously gasped, much to Chi's confusion. "What? He told me take a seat."

"Look up!" Hiro pointed to the symbol on the throne which Chi currently sat on, and she looked up. She too gasped upon seeing the symbol glow. So surprised in fact that she floated right off out of shock, only to realize the glowing had stopped. When she sat again, it glowed once more.

"Uh, has that ever happened before?" the wisp asked in surprise.

"Not really, no." Akari said, ears lowered and eyes widened.

Mai leaned against Applejack's throne, only to realize the three apples on the chair started to glow when she got near it. The Sato child shrieked in shock, getting Iris's attention. Seeing her cousin's hesitation, Iris gently gestured to Mai to sit on the throne. Mai unsurely did so and, just like with Chi, the three apples's glow intensified once she saw fully seated. It was then, the pieces started to fit together.

"Everyone, pick a throne and sit on it!" Iris said.

As if by some hardwired subconscious guidance, each of Iris's friends sat on a specific throne. Gallant Steed sat on Fluttershy's throne, Hiro sat on Pinkie Pie's, Nori sat on Rarity's, and Akari sat on her mother's throne. One by one, each of the cutie marks were engulfed in a shimmering bright glow. Finally, all that was left was Korra's throne. Iris gulped before taking her place, and the cutie mark symbol above her head glowed. She suddenly felt a tingling in her cheek.

Her cutie mark was glowing!

Akari noticed the symbol on her own flank glowed with shimmering white sparkles. The same event happened to Gallant Steed and Nori. Mai, Hiro and Chi suddenly felt a tingling sensation on their right arms, and three symbols flashed before their eyes, so quickly they couldn't tell exactly what they were. However, the glow of the cutie marks above them suddenly emitted an even more powerful glow, one as white as snow and as blazing as the sun, which caused Iri's throne to glow simultaneously with her own body. The princess watched in shock and confusion as her body emitted bright colorful sparkles. That same light shot a beam from herself and the thrown, which in turn hit each of the her friends one by one. Shimmering sparkles fused into their bodies and that same beam reached the map itself. The surface radiated with a rainbow hue. Tenzin and Rohan shielded their eyes as did Iris and her friends once the room was engulfed in the bright blinding light. Once it had cleared, the group stared in awe at the sight before them.

For the first time in fourteen years, the Cutie Map was fully active once again! This time, showcasing the human world. The children blinked, their eyes widened and jaws dropped. Rohan shared the same reaction, while Tenzin was simply smiling contently. Gallant reached out his hoof to touch the map, only to jump back on Fluttershy's throne in alarm once it suddenly reacted. The Cutie Marks symbols were suddenly separated themselves from the chairs they were attached to and flew up into the air, radiating in bright neon sparkles that fell upon the children like fresh soft snow during winter time. Korra's symbol hovered in the center, while the other six danced eternally around it. In unison, the Cutie Marks lowered down, shrinking a bit in size while floating all across the human world until it reached the golden colored spirit portal at the Spirit Wilds in Harmony City.

The scenery shifted to reveal the spirit world, so vast and large it was hard to tell if this was the entire realm or only one half of it. The children stared in wonder as the sceneries began to rapidly move forward, with the Cutie Marks hovering farther and farther, bypassing many already documented areas in the Spirit World, such as the Hai-Riyo Peak, where the dragon spirits lived, a familiar lake, a small swamp and various other locations, including a neon-like forest, where the majority of the neon light spirits from Songbird Serenade's concert resided. The locations continued to rapidly pass before their eyes, until they reached certain locations the group had never seen before, bypassing what appeared to be some kind of large dark cloud encircling a dead forest-like area before reaching what appeared to be a wide open, vast and nearly deserted desert realm, where the Cutie Marks finally rested, right above what appeared to be some form of a cave, almost invisible due to being partly hidden amongst the rapid desert sands.

"Uh, did you guys just see that?" Hiro said, being the first to actually say something.

"Did we just…activate the Cutie Map?" Nori asked, before excitedly clapping her hooves. "The Legendary, all Powerful Cutie Map! We, actually activated the legendary Cutie Map for the first time in years!" she then gasped. "Wait a second! The Cutie Marks are hovering over this one specific area in the Spirit World. And, the castle is still connected to the Tree of Harmony, which is connected to the Elements, which are Korra and the Mane Six! So, this must be where they were taken!"

"Way to connect the dots, Nori!" Akari said proudly.

"Well, duh! Beauty does not sacrifice Brains, starfish." Nori said with a proud flip of her purple/sea foam green mane.

"But, how exactly did we do this?" Mai asked, leaning forward, gently tapping the holographic surface. "We just sat on the throne and BAM Cutie Mark Map starts working fine? How is it even possible?"

Rohan was at a loss for words, "It-it shouldn't be! Only the Elements of Harmony could ever make this map to work!"

"Exactly." Tenzin finally said. Everybody turned their attention to him.

"Huh?!" everybody asked in surprise.

Iris managed to put the pieces together. Tenzin was never one to just troll around with everyone without having something up his sleeve. It was for this reason she found it very hard to believe he used to be more serious and uptight when her mother was a teenager.

"Tenzin, did…did you know about this?"

The older airbender only smiled. "Well, it was more of a hunch really. Turns out, my instincts have been right all these years."

Hiro blinked. "Uh, ya lost me, old timer."

Tenzin kept his calm smile as he walked around the table, passing by each of the children sitting on the throne. "When Korra was first discovered to be the Avatar, my mother always knew there was something special about her. At one point before she passed, I asked her how she knew that Korra was always meant to be different from other Avatars. She merely said this; "Once you finally learned to see, you will." For years, I questioned what she meant by that. Of course, the answer became clear on the day little Iris was born."

Tenzin stopped beside Korra's old throne, placing a loving hand over Iris's shoulder. "You all remember the story of Harmonic Convergence, correct?"

"Everybody knows that story, Master Tenzin." Gallant said. "Korra and the Mane Six defeated UnaVaatu with--"

"I'm not referring to the final Harmonic Convergence, Gallant. I was talking about the one that started it all."

"The one where Avatar Wan, Prince White and Princess Leilani trapped Vaatu, became the first alicons and Avatar in existence then disconnected their worlds which would eventually start the chain reaction that was the end of the world, leading up to when the Elements of Harmony would defeat Vaatu for good?" Akari said, saying all in one single breath. She panted once she finished.

"Precisely." Tenzin said.

"But, that still doesn't explain--" Iris began, only to be stooped when Tenzin continued to speak, once again walking around the table.

"After the two worlds became severed, there was still two pieces of each world that contained magic from the other. The Tree of Harmony, created by Raava's light and the Elements of Harmony were physical manifestations of Wan's spirit. While, in our world, the Avatar carried Equestrian magic within him or herself."

"Again, we already know that." Gallant said.

"Do you? Tell me, what does the Avatar and the Elements of Harmony have in common?"

"They're one in the same." Iris said. "The Avatar is the Element of Unity, where the Elements themselves originated." once she said the words out loud, just like before, the dots connected. But not just for Iris, everyone else could see the pieces falling into place. Iris's breath caught in her throat.

"And…I'm the Avatar now…which means…" she was hesitant to finish, her mind working at rapid speed, only to slow down when Tenzin finished his last round and placed his hands on her shoulders.

"The Elements of Harmony choose the Mane Six to become their wielders long ago, which is why Korra bonded with them upon first sight. Her Avatar spirit choose them even when she didn't even know it. The same way you, as the new Avatar, choose your friends to become the New Elements of Harmony."

"Whoa!" Hiro exclaimed.

"Are you serious?!" Mai asked in disbelief.

"No way!" a wide grin began to form on Chi's face.

"Total Shock Wave!" Nori said, rubbing her head with her hoof, already feeling overwhelmed to the point her vision became a tad blurry.

"I don't believe it!" Gallant said, unsure exactly what to feel right now.

"This is incredible!" Akari said, beaming with joy and surprise.

"I need to lay down." Rohan said, leaning against the side of the cutie map.

Out of everyone, Iris was the most speechless. She didn't even know what would be the proper reaction to such a find. "I'm…we're…huh?"

"That explains why the map hasn't worked in so long!" Akari concluded, "Maybe it was waiting for all of us to activate it again!"

"But, I didn't even--I mean--how could I have chosen if I didn't even know?"

"It's just like Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom! It brought the Mane Six together at the same time they got their cutie marks! Their friendship was there all along!"

Gallant looked up at the still glowing three butterfly cutie mark above his throne. "But, Master Tenzin, how could you have possibly known? Why were we chosen as the new Elements? No offense but, I'm not fully convinced we're qualified for the job."

"On the contrary." Tenzin explained. "I kept a close eye on you children whenever you came to the Island. At first, I wasn't entirely certain, but in time I came to realize you all have exhibited traits that align with the Elements themselves."

"Well, at least Hiro being the Element of Laughter makes perfect sense." Mai said, folding her arms while smiling smugly at her brother.

"Thank you, sis." Hiro said proudly, only to come to the realization to what she really meant. "Hey, wait a minute!"

"So, I'm the Element of Kindness?" Gallant said, feeling a tiny bit embarrassed. Not about the Element and its meaning, but the fact that he was chosen to wield the butterfly-styled Element. He wasn't always the most masculine of his circle of friends (not excluding the girls), and having the butterfly certainly didn't help.

Chi, out of spontaneous reaction, couldn't help but giggle. She tried to hard to stiffer, but Gallant still noticed. Even as the wisp sucked in her lips, the unicorn still narrowed his eyes, which was enough for the wisp to finally control herself.

Nori, on the other hand, was literally jumping up and down the throne. "I'm the Element of Generosity! AAH! I can't wait to tell Rarity!" the reality of the situation hit her hard like a tsunami. They still needed to uncover where the original Elements of Harmony were. Nori's eyes immediately fell upon the map. "And now, we know exactly where she and the others!"

"But, what is that place?" Akari asked.

Iris gazed at the location from which the cutie marks hovered over. "I don't know. I've never heard of that area before. Chi, you and Nova have traveled the Spirit World before, any ideas?"

"Sorry, I'm drawing a blank here." Chi then gasped once she recognized the dark cloud over the forest area. When examined closer, they could see the trees completely dead, lifeless and creepy looking, almost as if they were bony black hands reaching out to grab whoever was foolish enough to cross their way.

"And, I think I know why. That is the Spirit Desert, just beyond the Dark Spirit Realm!"

"The Dark Spirit Realm?" Nori asked.

"It's basically a prison for all of the known malevolent spirit criminals." Rohan replied.

"That's right, Mom used to tell us stories about them when we were little." Iris said.

"Then you should also be well aware of the fact that Koh is amongst those criminals."

Upon hearing the name, Gallant gulped. His pony body already trembling, his ears pressed back nervously against his head. "Uh, Koh? As in, Koh the Face Stealer?"

"Well, he hasn't been called that since Queen Korra defeated him, and stripped him of his powers." Rohan clarified.

"From what I heard that guy's as famous for how long he can hold a grudge as he is for his creepiness." Chi said, leaning against the throne she sat on.

"Okay, back up the truck here." Mai said, finally standing up from Applejack's throne. "So, we're supposed to just openly accept that we're apparently the New Elements of Harmony and go to this spirit desert place, past the area where evil spirits reside to find our family?"

"Looks that way." Akari said.

Mai rubbed her temples, "I'm sorry, I'm just still wrapping my head around this."

"You and me both." Iris said while slouching in her mother's throne. "As if finding out I was the Avatar wasn't jarring enough!" he then turned to look at Tenzin. "Are you sure this isn't just some coincidence?"

"Trust me, Iris. There are no coincidences when it comes to destiny." Tenzin said before squatting down and gripping the fourteen-year-old's hand softly. "I know a lot has happened in such a short amount of time, but I wouldn't have brought you children here if I wasn't certain. My mother saw the magic within Korra long ago, and it's the same magic you and your friends carry within yourselves. The map wouldn't have reacted to just anyone. It reacted to all of you."

Iris pondered on this for a moment, staring at all of her friends who, aside from Akari and Chi, still looked rather baffled and uncertain about this reveal. Still, the thrones would never have glowed as powerfully as they did had it not been from anybody. Also, they glowed before Iris even sat in her mother's throne, so it wasn't just her magic.

Could it be possible history was repeating itself all over again?

As she studied everyone's faces, she began to notice something peculiar. Their eyes began to shimmer with rainbow colors in a way Iris had never seen before. Or, has she? She always knew her friends were special, but could they really be the nest generation of heroes destined to save the world yet again? As Tenzin said, there were no coincidences when it came to destiny, and so far destiny had stirred her mother and her friends to the right path. The map had never been wrong before, and if it hasn't worked on its own in all this time, aside from that one time they used it to help Nova find Madam Alpha but it didn't entirely qualify since it was more of a crucial matter, but this time, it responded on its own when all seven of them were present. The more Iris thought about it, the more it made sense. With a rising determination, Iris stood up from her chair.

"Tenzin's right. This Map has showed the original Elements of Harmony the way on hundreds of their adventures. It it wasn't for this map, the girls never would have met Starlight Glimmer, and she never would have changed. Heck, Gallant wouldn't even be here with us." Iris stated, making the young unicorn blush. "I say we should follow it. I mean, how can we not?"

"Iris is right!" Akari stated confidently, "Plus, we have no other leads, and when a magical all knowing map tells you where your missing parents are, who are we to complain? I'm in!"

"Me too!" Chi said, "No way I'm letting you girls have all the fun. Also, Nova and Sunset would kill me if I let anything happen to you guys."

All eyes turned to Mai, who sighed in defeat. "I still think it's a suicide mission, but I guess you're right."

Hiro jumped up onto Pinkie's throne, "Alright! Our first real mission to save the world! Somebody pinch me!--YEAOCH!" Hiro leaped out of the throne when his sister shot another tiny fire blast at his rear end. "I said; "pinch me", not "burn me!"

Mai only laughed.

"Eh, deserts aren't really my thing. Way too much heat, and harmful rays don't do my complexion any favors." Nori said, right before dawning a serious demeanor. "But, if this is what it takes to save Rarity and the others, then count me in too!"

"And me!" Gallant said, looking braver than before, which Akari most definitely noticed. "Nobody takes my family and gets away with it!"

"Are you people serious?!" Rohan exclaimed, catching everyone by surprise. "Did the whole Dark Spirit Realm and Koh the Face Stealer just fly over your heads? There is no possible way, on heaven and earth, that you guys are going out there, in the uncharted regions of the spirit world, on your own!"

"Rohan is right." Tenzin said. "It is absolutely preposterous for a group of teenagers to travel that far distance by themselves."

"Thank you! Now at last, we hear some sense!" Rohan said, sighing in relief. At last his father was speaking sensibly.

"Which is why we should inform Bolin and Asami before you do."

"Dad!!"… apparently Rohan spoke too soon.

"Son, if your grandmother can let a seventeen-year-old woman run off to the big city in the dead of night to fulfill her destiny, and your sister can go to and from the spirit world without the need for my consent, I don't see why I can't allow a fourteen-year-old half Alicorn Princess/Avatar-in-training to go rescue her parents in the spirit world with her ragtag group of friends."

"Well, can't argue with that logic!" Hiro said as he playfully elbowed a bewildered, jaw-dropped Rohan on the shoulder. The nineteen-year-old airbender didn't react, but instead just narrowed his eyes in annoyance.

"Criminy!" Rohan muttered bitterly.

"Oh, this so exciting! Spirit World Road Trip!" Hiro couldn't contain himself as he lifted up a pony Gallant and hugged him so tightly his face was slowly turning blue until his horn glowed and he teleported back to the floor, taking in heavy breaths.

"Hold your yuans, bro." Gallant said once he regained all of the needed oxygen. "We still don't know what your folks will say all of this. We have to lay it down gently."

"Relax, buddy. Once Mom and Dad find out that we're the new Elements of Harmony, they're totally gonna say…"

(~)

"Absolutely not!"

"Not gonna lie, I really didn't see that coming." Hiro said, scratching the back of his head.

The children, along with Tenzin and Rohan, returned to the Sato Estate, where Asami and Bolin were having a meeting with Varrick, Zhu Li, Zaheer, P'Li, Sunset Shimmer and Nova Nightshade discussing on what to do next, only to get interrupted by the children when they barged in and informed them about what had happened back at Twilight's palace.

"You kids seriously expect us to let you wander off to some unknown place in the spirit world by yourselves?!" Asami exclaimed, her voice already rising and her eyes narrowed.

"Well, we won't technically be by ourselves." Iris said, already nervously tugging on her long raven hair. "I mean, we could send a search party, and since we already know the location we can lead the way."

"Iris, I have traveled to the spirit world many times when I was locked up but I have never heard of this place the map showed you." Zaheer explained, looking at the young princess with concern.

"Same here." Nova said, "Plus, if it really is beyond the Dark Spirit Realm you're going to have to go directly through it to reach it, which is next ti impossible. Only your mom's magic can open the gateway."

"That must be how they were able to get through." Sunset concluded. "Whoever kidnapped Korra and the others must have used her as leverage to get by. Her presence alone is enough to access it."

"At least we know for sure she and the others are still alive. No way they would get rid of her if she's their ticket to and through." Bolin said before turning back to the kids. "So, you kids really claim that, because the map woke up, it means are the new Elements of Harmony? How is that even possible?"

"That's what I said!" Mai pointed out.

"It actually does make sense, Uncle Bo." Iris explained. "I'm the new Avatar, ergo the Element of Unity, and technically the Elements originally did choose the Mane Six to wield them, and nobody but the Elements of Harmony could make the map work."

"Except for that one time my mom used it to travel through time, but that wasn't so much as "activating it", rather using it as a tool, but yeah, the map technically only worked for the Elements whenever they were needed somewhere to solve a friendship problem." Gallant explained, "Also, normally their cutie marks were the ones that showed them the way, but this time it was the cutie mark symbols on the thrones."

"Don't forget the part where our own cutie marks started to glow." Nori said, pointing to her blue musical note cutie mark on her cheek.

"And this weird symbol appeared on my arm for like a split second." Chi said, gesturing to her said arm.

"The same thing happened to me." Hiro said.

"And me." Mai replied.

"See? This has never happened before! What more proof do you need?" Iris said, stepping forward to Asami and Bolin, who both looked at one another, sharing the same uncertain expression.

"Makes perfect sense to me." Varrick said.

The two Satos were silent before Bolin spoke up. "Could you kids give us a minute to think this through?" he asked.

Iris was about to open his mouth to say something, only to be stopped by Akari, who gently grabbed her arm, giving her a sympathetic look. Tenzin kindly led the kids out of the office, leaving the adults to ponder on this new information.

"So, what do we do now?" Varrick asked.

"If the map really did start working again, then we should follow it." Nova said, "I've been around the spirit world for years, I know it like the back of my hoof."

"If we do then we'll need Iris to get through the gate." Asami clarified, "And you know only the Avatar can do that. You really think I'm going to put my own niece in harm's way?"

"Asami, what other choice do we have?" Sunset asked, leaving the poor woman and her husband to sigh in despair. Who knew they would one day have to choose between the safety of their own niece and children, as well as the safe return of their family.

(~)

Iris continuously paced back and forth inside Mai's large bedroom. The young Sato instead sat cross legged on the floor, googles over her eyes as she tampered with some kind of invention of hers. Judging by the looks of it, it was nearly finished. Nori, meanwhile was brushing her tail on Mai's bed while Akari read a book on the small cushion chair to distract her. Sadly, it wasn't working and she wounded up having to re-read the same paragraph over and over again. When Iris walked past Mai once more, she briefly lost her focus and one of the pieces flew right off when she was trying to place it back in. She groaned and placed it back on the floor, removing her googles to face her older cousin.

"Iris, I know you're stressed right now but if you keep pacing around like that my room's gonna have an indoor moat."

"Yeah, why don't you try and find other ways to ease the tension a bit." Nori suggested as she brushed her tail once more, only to accidentally go too hard at one point. "Ouch!"

"What are you even doing?" Mai asked.

"I'm stress brushing, what are you doing?"

"I'm working on the final pieces of my Geo-Slate?"

"Geo-what-now?"

"A Geo-Slate. It's kind of like a geo-phone but, thanks to a few modifications with the implanted geodes, this baby will be able to scan any surface and incorporate it to memory."

"Oh, nice!"

"I'm sorry, but nothing I do is going to make things any better." Iris said, interrupting the conversation.

"Yeah, I agree." Akari tossed the book she was reading, not even caring where it would end up, and sat upright on the chair. "We're not even sure if Bolin and Asami will let us go over all. So, I say we take matters into our own hands."

"You're not suggesting we sneak out again, are you?" Iris asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Didn't stop us before."

"Bad idea." Mai said, rearranging the gears inside her invention. "Everybody else is already on edge with Korra, Mako and everybody with powerful magic missing, how do you think they'll feel once they find out the new Avatar is gone too?"

"But what other choice do we have?" Iris said, her voice rising. "You heard Nova, nobody but the Avatar can open that door to the Dark Spirit realm. Even if they send out a search party there, it won't matter. I have to go!"

"I'm sorry, Iris but--Okay, where is that thing?" Mai scanned the room, only to find that the missing piece had rolled down under her bed. "Oh, great." she muttered and outstretched her hand to reach for it. She struggled due to how far it was and the space between the bed and herself was relatively small.

"You want me to get for you?" Akari offered.

"No, I got it." Mai insisted. She thought if she stretched out a tiny bit more then she would reach it. Nori, still brushing her tail, suddenly felt the bed stir and…rise.

The merpony ceased her brushing and looked down, only to shriek on horror to see that the bed, and herself on it, had risen up from the floor. Mai absentmindedly pushed underneath the bed with her free arm upwards to give herself some room and was finally able to grab her missing piece.

"Gotcha!"

"MAI!!" Nori screamed, snapping Mai back to reality and the young firebender yelped in shock. She was actually lifting up her own king sized bed with only one hand, which was emitting a bright pale pink glow from the tips of her fingers. Gently, Mai grabbed the bed with both hands and lowered it down, where Nori was trembling, hugging her legs close to her body, while Iris and Akari only stared with widened eyes and dropped jaws.

"Mai, what did you just do?!" Nori exclaimed in frustration, her body still trembling.

"I--I have no idea!" Mai stepped back, staring frightfully at her own hands, the glowing having disappeared.

"That's a king sized bed! How did you lift it like that?" Akari exclaimed, still in shock.

"You tell me! It was light as a feather a moment ago!"

Iris assisted the still petrified Nori down from the bed, while she hyperventilated. "I was scared half to death! You know I hate heights!"

"It wasn't my fault! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" Nori outreached her hand towards Mai, telling her she was indeed alright and didn't need her help, at least not after the near heart arrack she had caused the poor merpony. But, the moment she outreached her hand, her fingertips glowed and from her palm manifested what appeared to be a large pearl-like shield, the same side as Mai, which pushed her back with incredible force and the young Sato heiress was thrown into her book shelve. The books themselves fell all over her, but thankfully Mai came out completely unharmed. One book fell open on her head.

"What the heck just happened?" Iris asked with concern as she rushed to her younger cousin's aid.

Nori stared at her hands in shock. "Oh my gosh. I am so sorry! I think? Did I just do…whatever that was?"

"Mai, you okay?" Iris asked as she helped the firebender to her feet.

"Yeah. That…barely even hurt. Seriously." Mai inspected herself. She didn't feel any bruises or anything. Getting hit by the book shelf felt no less painful than actually colliding with a wooden surface.

The four girls flinched, with the two alicorns instinctively stretching their wings in reaction to a medium, yet still loud explosion coming from downstairs, followed by a girlish scream.

"Gallant!" Akari exclaimed and rushed out the door, with the rest of her friends close behind. They quickly arrived at the kitchen…which had looked as if an explosion of cheese, tomatoes, mayonnaise, mustard and lettuce had just occurred. The confidants had been splattered on the wall, counters, utensils and floor.

"What happened in here?" Iris asked the moment they saw the mess. The two boys, Gallant and Hiro, were covered in the same ingredients.

"I don't know! We were just making some sandwiches when--" Gallant began, only to get cut off by Hiro.

"Then I told Gallant we should be more generous with the mayonnaise, but he said "no, that's too much", but I said, "Dude, you can never have too much mayonnaise", but then he said--" he quickly stopped when he saw the girls's impatient glares. "Right, okay, anyway, my hand started glowing green and suddenly--"

"Don't!" Gallant tried to reach out and beg Hiro not to place his hand back onto the surface of a bottle of juice, only for it to blow up and in pieces of glass and the mayonnaise itself splattered all over the two already messy boys. Akari had acted fast and shielded herself and the girls with a small force field.

Hiro shook his head like a dog to whip away at least some bit of the mess from himself. "Yeah, just like that!"

"Okay, how's about you lay off the touching stuff for a while." Akari said as she took both Hiro's hands and led them away from anything else he could possibly touch.

Gallant used his magic to remove the mess from himself. "Eh, we better clean this up before something else happens." he said and began searching for some of the paper towels in the cabinets. "Hiro, where do you guys keep the cleaning supplies?"

Before Hiro could answer, Pabu came rushing inside and climbed up on Gallant's shoulder. He squeaked in his native ferret language and Gallant turned his eyes to the fourth cabinet on his left, where he levitated it open and lowered down the towels he had been looking for.

"Thanks, Pabu." he said. The ferret squeaked at him again. "Sure, I think I saw some nuts somewhere--Gah!" Gallant jumped in fear and teleported himself right behind Iris, poking his head over her shoulder while starring down at a confused Pabu. "Did--did you just…talk?"

Pabu squeaked again and, just like before, Gallant understood the words as if he were speaking like any other human being, even though they were not actual human words.

"But, I don't speak ferret!" Gallant replied, still freaking out over this discovery while Pabu squeaked again. "I don't know if you're the only ferret I can understand."

"Uh, Gallant? What are you doing?" Iris asked in surprise, arching an eyebrow at the unicorn hiding behind her.

"Um…talking to Pabu?"

"Are you saying you can understand him?" Hiro asked in disbelief. "If so, what's the one secret only Pabu would know about me? Go ahead, ask him."

Gallant turned his eyes to Pabu, who squeaked in reply. "I can't do that."

"Ha! Knew it!"

"I can't because you made Pabu Pinkie Promise never to utter a word about it after he walked in on you when it happened."

Hiro's jaw dropped. "No…way…This is so cool!"

The kids spun around at the sound of frantic footsteps, and Bolin came barging in through the doorway. "What's going on…in…here?" his eyes widened upon seeing the huge mess inside the kitchen. Asami shared her husband's flabbergasted reaction, which mirrored Sunset Shimmer's and Nova's.

"What are you kids up to?" Asami eyes, her still widened eyes landing the the said children, who looked at one another, as if expecting the other to come up with an explanation.

"Mom, Dad, you'll never guess what just happened!" Hiro said rather excitedly, "I made stuff exploded and Gallant can speak fluent fire ferret!"

The four adults blinked twice, followed by a brief silence. Sunset Shimmer was the only one to step forward, her eyes staring at the oldest Sato child as if she had just witnessed something from the distance past resurfacing.

"Wait, you did what?"

"That's not all." Mai continued, and explained with a far less enthusiastic tone in comparison to her brother. "A few moments ago, I lifted up my bed like it was nothing."

"With me still on top of it!" Nori mentioned, "And after that I made a pearl thing appear out of nowhere! Which normally I would be excited about, I mean the texture was just perfect, and the--"

"Nori!"

"Oh, sorry. I knocked Mai over and then it disappeared!"

Nova looked around, noticing somebody was absent. "Speaking of disappearing, where's Chi?"

"Last I saw her she was heading to the bathroom." Akari replied…not even a second went by and a blur of bright sky blue came speeding into the kitchen, creating a gust of wind before slamming right into the wall. The blurry image revealed to be Chi, now rubbing her ribcage.

"Ouch!"

"Sis, what happened?" Nova asked as he rushed to her aid.

"I don't know! After I went to the bathroom, I dashed down the stairs but the next thing I knew I was on the race track in a matter of seconds. I know I'm fast but not that fast!"

"But, if you had some kind of supper speed, why were you gone for so long?" Nori asked.

"I couldn't control it. Whenever I tried to go in one direction, I kept going too fast for me to stop. I think I ran like twenty laps around the mansion in three minutes." Chi then turned to Asami, "By the way, your family room needs a new vase…and lamp…and couch." the wisp said, subtly shrinking a bit as she nervously tapped her fingers.

But while the other adults were trying to process this new information, which given the day they were already having their brains felt like they have been running a marathon with one huge obstacle after another, and very limited time to catch one's breath and get hydrated.

However, Sunset Shimmer appeared to be the only one who didn't appear lost of bewildered, but rather…a mixture of surprised and even a growing sensation of being overwhelmed with nostalgic joy.

"I…I don't believe it!"

"Honey? You alright?" Nova asked, curious to see his wife beaming all of a sudden.

"I'm better than alright, this is fantastic!"

The children all turned to one another in confusion. "Uh, care to explain?" Akari asked.

"You kids remember the time I told you about Camp Everfree, when our friend Gloriosa was consumed by magic?"

The children shared silence for a brief moment before Hiro spoke. "Honestly, a lot of your stories from that world are pretty similar. You always fight some crazy lady consumed by power and almost destroyed everybody."

"I'm talking about the one with the plant powers." Sunset clarified.

"Oh, okay. Carry on."

"At our old summer camp, my friends realized they had gained new powers due to a side effect from the Equestrian magic inside the geodes of a nearby cave. Super speed, super strength, forcefield, explosions, and animal communication. You guys all have them now!"

"Huh?!" was the children's first reaction.

"But, how is that possible?" Iris asked.

Mai rubbed her temples, "This day just keeps getting weirder."

Sunset Shimmer gently took both of the human alicorn's hands into her own, looking into her eyes with her own, which shimmered with child-like wonder. "Iris, when you were still a baby, the first time you met my Mirror World friends you sucked on their fingers."

"So? A lot of babies do that."

"But that was the first and only time you did it! Each of my human friends are a reflection of the Elements of Harmony we know, that's why they're connected to them too. You must have absorbed those powers when you first met them and they transferred to your friends once you all sat on the thrones back at Twilight's castle! Tenzin was right! You kids really are the New Elements of Harmony!"

"I thought we covered that already." Hiro said.

Seeing just how passionate his wife was being about the whole thing, was was one of her many attractive character features that made him fall for her to begin with, there was no way he could argue with any of the things she had juts said. Also, since Mai in particularly was never the best at coming up with a believably false story, and the mess inside the kitchen, there was no denying everything the kids were saying was 100% true.

"So, this really is legit."

"Duh!" Chi said, now becoming more excited than ever. "So, I have Rainbow Dash's old supper speed? Sweet!" she couldn't contain herself, she had to try it out one more time. Unfortunately, she temporarily forgot the fact that she still didn't have enough control over it, and she slammed right into the wall again. She fell on her back, her pale purple eyes rolling in her cockiest before stabilizing. "I'm okay. Just need a little more practice." she said in a half daze.

"Wait, how come I didn't get any new powers?" Akari asked, looking rather disappointed at her own hands.

"Well, Twilight's power was levitation, which you already have." Sunset said, placing a hand on her hip, "Plus, you're an alicorn, so should there really anything else?"

Akari simply shrugged. "Okay, point taken."

"Do you see now?" Iris said as she walked closer to her still astonished, and dumbfounded aunt and uncle. "This has to mean something. My Avatar powers, the Map, and now this."

"What are you saying?" Bolin asked, his eyes uncharacteristically narrowing.

"I'm saying, what if this is what we're supposed to? Maybe we really are the only ones who can save our family."

"Are you serious?' Asami spat, much to the surprise of both her niece and children. "You honestly believe a bunch of high school kids can survive in the spirit world on your own?"

Nova blinked in surprise. "Whoa, when the temperature drop in here?" he said. He knew Asami could have a bit of a dark side, but this was just cold.

"Why are you so against the idea?" Iris protested, her voice subtly rising, as was her courage. "You guys and my parents traveled the world and face thousands of threats. Aunt Asami, you took self defense classes since you were eight! Uncle Bo, you and my dad spent ten years on the streets yet you guys survived. Also, need I remind you Jinora, Ikki and Meelo all traveled the on their own to the Earth Kingdom when searching for my mother when she lost her real memories, and faced off against Equalists and Kuvira's Siren Mecha! No disrespect, but I don't think you can use age to justify your reasons here!"

"She does have a point, Mom." Mai intervened, though a bit hesitant at first before quickly becoming more comfortable in her words. "Besides I just lifted up my king sized bed with one hand! I couldn't even lift a heavy box without straining an arm muscle yesterday! If that isn't a sign, I don't know what is."

"If it is a sign then it clearly shows all the more reason why you shouldn't leave!" Asami said, more firmly than before, which was enough to leave the children shocked.

"Are you serious?!" Iris dared to say.

"Now that you all have these new powers you won't have any control. If the predatory spirits don't get to you first your inexperiences with your magic will!"

Hiro dared to raise his hand to say something. "Uh, I can blow stuff up on a whim, if anything's in danger here it's your priceless decorative figurines."

"Our decision is final! You kids are staying in the city where you'll be safe!"

"But--!" Iris spoke again, but was immediately cut off when Bolin rose his voice, amazingly more so than his wife.

"End of discussion!" Bolin shouted, which left even Sunset and Nova in shock. While they knew Bolin could have a backbone when needed, this was on the same levels as, well, as Mako whenever he was putting his foot down and nobody would listen to him.

His outburst finally got the children to become silent. Neither one so much as dared to even try and reason with the two. When even the normally calm and optimistic shouted at your face they knew he meant business. His eyes still carried the same softness he was known for, but his posture and tone indicated he would be as still as a stone in his decision. The same went for Asami, who was understandably even scarier when angry in comparison to her husband.

With that, the two exited the kitchen, not even bothering to tell them to clean up the mess. Once their backs were turned, both Asami and Bolin's faces began to soften, the stinging feeling of regret already boiling inside of them but they continued walking.

(~)

Bolin sat on the corner of his and Asami's bed, already dressed to go to bed, while Asami sat on her vanity. Bolin read a book in his lap while Asami brushed her hair, also dressed in her nightwear. Both parents were silent, and with matching concerned expression. Bolin couldn't even focus on what he was reading while Asami's mind wandered as her brush went down her long raven locks. A knock on the door managed to pull both parents back down to earth and the door opened a creek, revealing their children cautiously poking through.

"Mom, Dad, can we talk?" Hiro asked. Before either of them could answer, Hiro revealed to them his hands. "Relax, I'm wearing gloves. They really work." he said. Indeed, he was wearing a pair of biker gloves, similar to those Asami usually wore.

Both parents nodded and invited their children inside. Both took a spot on the bed, and the children on the opposite side, facing their parents. Bolin spoke first, "Kids, we--"

"Before you say anything, we just want to throw in out two cents here." Mai said.

Hiro gently took his mother's hand and smiled lovingly. He certainly had his father's smile. "Mom, you named me after grandpa Hiroshi. You always told me stories about him being a great hero, who sacrificed his life so that you and everybody could live theirs. And, when I was told enough, you told me the truth about him. Still, that didn't change the way I saw him, but I understood why you didn't want to tell me at the start."

"Just as we understand why you don't want us to leave." Mai said, speaking with a softness in her voice that reminded Asami of her own mother. "Dad, Mom, we love and admire you both so much. You taught us that a hero always does what's right, even if it's not the easiest thing to do. Well, this is something I really think we should do. We want to be there for Iris and to make our family whole again."

Hiro and Mai awaited anxiously for either one of their parents to speak. Asami's first reaction was to intertwine her fingers with her husband's. Both smiling proudly.

"We raised some smart kids." Asami said, her voice slightly cracking, no doubt due to the tears that were already starting to form in her eyes.

"They get it from their mom." Bolin said, which only made Asami tear up all the more. Bolin placed a gentle kiss on Asami's knuckles before turning back to the kids. "Mai, Hiro, the day we lost both of our parents was…painful beyond words. Deep down, we know you guys will have to face the world on your own, maybe even face an evil monster from Equestria at some point. But, that doesn't mean we're not going to worry about you, every single day."

Asami gently cupped her son's cheek, and that tear that threatened to come out finally rolled down her cheek. "More than anything, we just want to keep this family together. We're sorry we got so upset."

"It's okay. We're used to it." Hiro said with that sprinkle of humor he was always known for. He managed to get his mother to chuckle a bit.

"We love you guys." Bolin said, already tearing up as well.

"We love you, too." Mai said, tearing up just like her mother and the entire Sato family embraced one another in a tight loving hug.

(~)

Iris laid on the bed in Air Temple Island, in the room that once belonged to her mother while she lived there. Just like her mother before her, Iris just couldn't rest. He envied how easily both Naga and Akhlut could sleep so soundly on the floor. Finally, after a long internal struggle, Iris sat upright on the bed. She looked down on the floor for a few more moments until her eyes turned to the red velvet scarf that rested on her nightstand. Voices of the past echoed in her mind.

……………..

"I'm gonna get ya!"

"Gotta be faster than that, daddy!" little six-year-old Iris giggled as she swooped away from her father. She managed to outmaneuver him quite easily and hid behind a tree. Her father looked around, still with that big smile on his face. He stroked his chin in thought.

"Mmm…where could that little princess be?"

Iris covered her mouth, trying to keep herself from laughing. She was so focused on her father trying to find her behind other trees that she was completely unaware of the looming shadow over her.

"Gotcha!"

"Ah! Mommy!"

"Mako, I found her!" Korra laughed as she carried the giggling child in her arms. Mako came by laughing.

"Thought you could get away, could you?" he said as he ruffled Iris's hair.

"No fair! You two cheated!"

"How so?" Korra asked with a sly grin.

"You worked together to catch me!"

"Well, honey, that's how it is with me and your father. We're a team no matter what?"

"That's right." Mako said, lovingly tickling underneath his daughter's chin. "And wether together or apart, me and Mommy will always find you."

A soft breeze blew and Iris began to shiver. Mako quickly took off his red scarf and wrapped it around Iris's shoulder. Immediately, she felt warm, but not just because of the soft fabric, but also because of her parents loving embrace.

……………

Her violet eyes burned with a scorching determination unlike anything she had ever felt before as she reached for the scarf and wrapped it around her neck. She gently nudged Akhlut and Naga awake. Judging by the look in her eyes, they realized her mind was made up

There's a line where the sky meets the sea.

And it calls me

But no one knows how far it goes

All the time wondering where I need to be

Is behind me

So here I'll go

To worlds unknown

With Akhlut and Naga's help, Iris packed all of her necessities into her backpack and snuck into the kitchen to grab some more food, but not without leaving a note behind. Just as she was about to leave, she was stopped when Rohan appeared at the kitchen door. Iris froze in place, accidentally dropping her backpack and the food rolled out. She expected him to say something in protest to her rebellious action.

Instead, much to her surprise and delight, Rohan handed her back the backpack, food and all, and gave a smile reminiscent of a proud older brother. Either his father finally got through to him, or he just came to the realization that, just like many years before, no one could stop the Avatar from fulfilling her destiny.

The two shared one final embrace and Iris hugged Akhlut and Naga farewell before flying off from the island. From his window, Tenzin observed with a proud smile on his face.

Every turn I take

Every trail I track

Is a choice I make

Now I can't turn back

From the great unknown

Where I go alone

Where I long to be

Iris flew over the city in the dead of night, jumping over buildings and sliding down the spirit vines that adorned many of them. As she did, she texted each of her friends through her geo-phone. One of the stops was Harmony City Park, where she stopped before her mother's statue. She was about to embark on a journey for the first time without her mother and father beside her. She gently gripped the red scarf around her shoulders. She could already hear both her mother and father's voices. Her heart ached.

Then, she saw a soft white light suddenly appear and land on the statue Korra's shoulder. Upon closer examination, Iris immediately identified the light as a winged insect. A butterfly with white and blue wings.

Just like that, all of her fears and worried disappeared and she smiled, with a single tear rolling down her cheek. With this knowledge, Iris once again took flight, her eyes set on the golden spirit portal not too far away, and with the butterfly flying beside her, leaving a trail of sparkling white dust in her wake.

See her light up the night and I see

She calls me

Yes, I know that I can go

There's a moon in the sky and the wind is behind me

Soon I'll know

How far I'll go!

(~)

Iris landed at the entrance to the Spirit Wilds. Not much of it has changed over the years, except the main entrance got a pain job and some floral decorations enwrapping around the poles. A few smaller spirits floated about but Iris payed very little mind as she walked right in. She stopped by the large vine and floral covered arc where the Spirit Portal was. When it was first created a crater surrounded the area, but the spirits had the vines grow around it, making it appear somewhat of a doorway. While the spirit portal was still visible, vines wrapped around the middle, making appear like a tall vine covered pole, with the rest of the portal's glow extended upwards into the sky. The entrance was adorned with flowers of the exotic and rare kind, resembling the flower field where Korra managed to finally reach Kuvira and help her crossover back to the path of good.

Iris expected to see her friends waiting, or at the very least meet her there. Her friends all had arrived in the nick of time. "Guys! You made it!" she said happily, only to look surprised to see who else was there with them. "With Aunt Asami, Uncle Bolin, Sunset, Nova, Kombu, P'Li and Zaheer?"

"Relax, we're not here to drag you back to the island." Asami said, raising a hand for emphasis. "We actually came to wish you kids good luck."

Hiro zipped towards Iris. "We got them to cave." he whispered, covering the side of his mouth with his hand before zipping away, all while grinning proudly.

"Really?" Iris asked in a mixture of both surprise and happiness, more to so to her aunt and uncle.

Bolin nodded his head. "Yeah, we may have been acting a tiny bit, but very understandably, overprotective. After some thinking, we decided that you were right. This is something you need to do."

Zaheer nodded in agreement as he placed a proud shoulder on the young teenager's shoulder. "A new chapter has begun for you, Iris. It's now time for you and your friends to bring peace and balance to the world. I almost took your mother away from her family. The least I can do now is help reunite you with yours."

Iris smiled and surprised the former assassin with a hug. "Thank you, Zaheer."

Zaheer smiled and hugged her in return, his heart swelling up with such happiness he never knew he could have felt once a long time ago.

"And, to be on the safe side, P'Li will be joining you too." Bolin said, "Always good to have a combustion bender on your side."

"And, with your new powers, you'll need someone to help you through them." said Sunset Shimmer with a wink.

"And I've been around the spirit world more than anypony. You'll be in good hands." Nova said, sharing the same smirk as his wife while wrapping his arm around her.

Iris breathed in a sigh of relief. At least she knew she had her family's blessing to go on this journey, and the support of her best friends and teachers. She turned to the rest of her friends.

"You guys ready for this?"

Chi extend her hand out, "I'm all in." she said with fierce determination.

Gallant placed his hand on top of hers. "Me too."

Mai placed her hand next. "You know it!"

Hiro came next. "Let's kick some bad guy butt!"

Nori placed hers in afterwards. "I'm wearing my traveling shoes, so yes!"

Akari placed her hand above Nori's, smiling at her best friend. "We're all in this together, Iris."

Iris nodded her head and placed her hand last. The team let out a cheer as their hands reached out towards the heavens, a promise that they would be triumphant.

Mai and Hiro hugged their parents one last time, while Nori hugged her father. "Promise me you will be careful." Kombu signed with his hands.

"I will, Dad. I'll be home soon." Nori promised and kissed her father on the cheek.

Once the children bid their farewells, and Iris and Akari were the first to walk through the portal. As the children went in one by one, Asami called out, "Be careful!"

"We will!" Hiro called back, just as Nori walked right into the portal. Gallant followed shortly after.

"And don't talk to strangers!" Bolin called out.

"We know, Dad!" Mai replied, just as she and her brother were about to go through.

"Oh, and if you ever get scared remember to hold each other's hands!"

Both brother and sister face palmed and snapped back, "Dad!"

"Right, right, sorry...But seriously, buddy system!"

"Bye, Dad!" the two said in unison, trying so hard, and failing, to mask their annoyance as they went on through the portal, with the four adults entering last.

(~)

Upon the other side, the kids and grown ups entered a familiar field of beautiful flowers. "So, where do we start?" Iris asked. The sound of something large approaching caught their attention. A large scorpion/spider spirit arrived at the scene, with a middle aged man, around sixty, to seventy, or perhaps eighty or so, with Zaofu inspired clothing and glasses ridding above it.

"Perhaps I can be of assistance." the old man said.

Zaheer chuckled, "You got here faster than I thought."

Iris gasped happily once she recognized the man on the spirit. "Aiwei!"

"It's so good to see you again, Iris."