Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The break proved necessary because the Southern Air Temple proved to be a battle.

The Fire Nation did not wait for the Comet.

I'm still not sure how the battle started early. The records didn't mention it. That was the issue with them; the Fire Nation could fudge whatever it wanted. Giving up the pretense of a massively coordinated attack was one such thing that was fudged.

We filed out of the TARDIS to find the Temple already under fire. "And there goes our plan," Bolin complained. "So what next, Mister Smartypants?"

I looked at him with bewilderment. Harry snickered and ignored my brief glare. "We get however many we can. Go and be safe."

"Right!" Molly reached out and veiled Bolin, Mako, and Korra to lead them off. Asami and Lucca took up defensive positions around the TARDIS and Jainas stood watch on the door.

"They didn't mention an early attack in the histories I read," Tenzin said.

"Obviously the Fire Nation didn't want to mention the full history of what happened here," I mentioned. As I thought about it... if the Fire Nation tweaked the history here...

Then we might have some flexibility.

"New rules," I declared. "Get children and caretakers to the TARDIS. If you have to fight... then fight."

There were nods and we went into action, team by team. I pulled my sonic disruptor but remembered my role; staying by the TARDIS to fly it out when the time came. I brought out my viewing glass and used it to peer out at the approaching Fire Nation army. They came up in ordered lines with a mixed frontline of Firebenders, pikemen, and swordsmen that made me think of a 16th Century Spanish tercios formation, if on the loose side. Massive siege engines came up behind the frontlines, trebuchets by the look of them, and I could see more sited on distant bluffs. Lines and hooks covered the mountainsides, powered by steam engines fueled by the effort of firebenders; this was the solution to how Sozin assaulted the mountain-top Temples.

This part was born out by history. Unfortunately, it meant that this entire temple would be subjected to a barrage like none we'd seen, and that wasn't counting the super-powered Firebenders that would be putting out enough power to batter walls.

"We have to take out their artillery," I said to myself. But how? That was the question.

I saw movement beside me. Lucca had her old helmet on, but with a new telescoping sight. "That's a lot of siege weaponry," she said. "Taking it all out is going to take just as much effort as manning the evacuation."

"Yes," I agreed. "And if we halt the evacuation we have to leave more behind when the Firebenders break the walls down."

"We're going to need help, then." Lucca looked at me. "Crono and Marle will come."

"They won't be enough. I have someone else in mind." I went back to the TARDIS. "Crossing my own timestream this closely will be tricky, so I may not be able to come back to the moment I leave. I'm leaving everything in your hands Lucca. I know that's a bit of a chore given Harry Dresden and all..."

"Hey, I handled Janus, Harry's not nearly that bad," Lucca laughed.

I cracked a smile. "No, I suppose he isn't."

I stepped inside and walked past Camilla. "Doctor?", she asked.

"Have to make a couple of stops," I answered. "One will be a bit dicey." And so I began to work the TARDIS controls.




We arrived at my first destination and I bid everyone to stay in. I stepped out into a familiar low-lit corridor and hit a call button beside a door. "What?", I heard a voice call from within.

"Hello Nerys," I said through the door. "I'd like to ask a..."

The door slid open. Nerys stepped out and gave me a friendly hug, like the kind a girl gives to her doting and silly uncle. "You're looking... tired," she said.

"In a bit of a jam at the moment. Trying to prevent the annihilation of an entire culture by moving survivors into a future time period on their world," I explained quickly. "I... didn't want to do this, Nerys. But I need your help."

Looking at her, I could see she'd just gotten off a duty shift. She was in the white sleeveless undershirt she typically wore beneath her uniform, but she was still in her red uniform pants. No doubt she wanted to rest.

"Tell me what you need," Nerys answered. "I'm ready to go."

"I need a talent of your's that I know you weren't particularly desiring to use again," I replied. "The tools are in the TARDIS."

She nodded and stepped in. I followed.




My next stop involving a lot of shaking. The TARDIS doesn't like time loops.

I stepped out into a converted apartment covered in white with images depicting information on a certain city-crushing monster I'd recently faced. A single pair of blue eyes stared at me and, thankfully, recognized me. "Hello, Homura," I said, hands in front of me. "I normally wouldn't call like this but I have an emergency. I need your powers."

Homura nodded and stood from her sofa. "You're coming to me for help? Even after you made it clear you won't help me destroy Walpurgisnacht?"

"This is about saving lives, Homura. A lot of them. And it ensures an entire culture will survive."

"I have to conserve my energy for Walpurgisnacht," Homura answered. "I can't help."

I have to admit I wasn't too shocked when she replied with abject apathy toward my plight. Homura's focus was entirely on Madoka Kaname. Nothing else mattered. It's why I hadn't gone to her before.

But I needed her now. I needed her time-stop abilities for what I was about to do.

"I know this constant loop grates on you, Homura. You don't show it, but I know how it affects you. You need a victory as much as I need your help. I'm offering one to you," I said.

"I have other matters to deal with, Doctor. I can't help."

I crossed my arms. "Homura. I know that deep down you are a kind and gentle young lady. I need you to be that again, just for a moment. Good people will live or die based on what you do."

She lowered her head.

"You're so desperate to save Madoka. What would she want to do in this situation?"

That earned me a glare. "You would say that? When you're not willing to help me save her?!"

"I'd say that because it's the truth. I know how much you love her and how much you wanted to live up to her example. Well, dammit, this is a chance." My voice grew heated. "This is a chance for you to be the kind of magical girl Madoka would want you to be. A chance to know what it's like to save people again and to know it'll stick. And if you would stop being stubborn you'd know I'm right! But if that's not enough, if Homura Akemi has become so selfish and uncaring that she doesn't want to live up to Madoka's example anymore, then fine. I'll bargain. I can't help you fight Walpurgisnacht, but I'll make sure Madoka is there with you after the end. I can't promise when, but it will happen."

A look came over her face. Homura's fists unclenched. I thought a tear appear in one eye as she thought through the ramifications of what I'd said. "Then... you know I'll win?"

"I told you that before," I answered. "Saving Madoka Kaname is a fixed point in time. It will happen. Now, please, help me."

She stood there quietly for the moment, her eyes bright with unshed tears. "I see. Yes, I will help you."

I let out a breath. I wasn't sure this would work, I had already begun considering alternatives in my mind, but to hear her say that and live up to my best expectations of her... that was a relief. "We'll get going then."




When we returned to the Southern Air Temple the first groups of Air Nomad children were already on hand. I handed them off to Jinora - Tenzin's oldest had volunteered to be hen mother for the children - and stepped out with Nerys. Lucca was still looking out at the Fire Nation artillery. She turned back only as we stepped up. "Doctor, I didn't know when you'd be back," she said. "They're getting ready to fire."

I looked up and, from this point, i could see Sozin's Comet as a growing ball of red in the sky. Within minutes it would brush against the atmosphere and generate the extra heat that supercharged all metaphysical fire on this world. "I've got it handled. Nerys, anything?"

"Most of the bombs are already planted," Nerys answered, checking her tricorder.

"Good. Nerys, this is Doctor Lucca Ashtear. Lucca, Major Kira Nerys."

Lucca nodded. She said nothing about the Bajoran nose ridges. Thankfully Nerys had already gone through that with Meelo and Ikki. Granted, Lucca had met Reptites and Mystics so a Bajoran was virtually Human.

"The last bomb is planted," Nerys reported.

My Time Lord senses detected the temporal shift behind me just before she spoke, so I wasn't surprised when Homura cut in with, "Of course."

"Set them off."

From every mountain top explosions flowered, wrecking Sozin's siege machinery. Lucca looked at me with concern. "Are you sure about this?"

"The Fire Nation fudged the history here," I pointed out. "So I took advantage of that."

"I suppose that works." She turned her attention to Homura. "Time stop powers?"

"Yes. Homura Akemi, Doctor Lucca Ashtear."

Lucca looked at Homura and her eyes found the soul gem on the back of Homura's hand. "Doesn't Mami have one of those?"

Homura's eyes widened very slightly. "You brought Mami Tomoe?"

"Ran into her in the time period before your loops," I answered.

"I didn't meet Mami before my loops began," Homura pointed out. "This could change things."

"At most, she recognizes you in each loop but isn't sure of your motives."

"Very well." Homura stepped away. "I will go help the others."

I nodded. She was reaching for her time buckler as she stepped through the nearby door.

I took the time to check the approach of the Firebender army. They had halted for the moment, an understandable decision given the siege engines they had been planning to use were now rubble. This only bought us a little bit of time though. I could see the comet growing larger in the sky. When it arrived, the attack would resume, and they had already damaged the walls with their earlier attacks.

Our time was almost up.

"What is this place?", Nerys asked.

"An alternate world with Humanity, culturally similar to the East Asians of Earth," I explained. "Remember when I mentioned metaphysical differences between worlds? This one is a very soft world. They control the elements, one per nation..."

Before I could continue our overview, I heard footsteps in the hall behind us. "And who might you be?" I turned to face an elderly Air Nomad monk. "You are the one who brought these people to take our children away?"

"For their own safety, yes." I realized I recognized the man. "Master Gyatso I presume?"

"I find Master to be unnecessary. Please, Gyatso." He bowed his head.

"Ah. Very well." I bowed my head in reply. "I'm the Doctor. These are two of my associates, Doctor Lucca Ashtear and Major Kira Nerys."

"So I see. And this..." He looked to the TARDIS and its open door. "It is larger on the inside. A curious thing. And is that a spirit I sense inside of it?"

"The TARDIS is a living being, yes." I felt my mouth dry.

"And you move through time in it? Do not worry about that. I am simply making sense of what I see, and it would explain how you have been to the other Air Temples." Gyatso stepped around the TARDIS before turning his attention to me.

Jinora stepped out of the TARDIS at that point and looked up. "You're Gyatso?", she asked.

"And who are you, young one?", he asked.

"I'm Jinora. I've heard so much about you, Master Gyatso."

"Really? They remember me that much in the future? Me, a humble monk?"

"Oh yes..."

Before Jinora could continue a gaggle of children popped into visibility. Molly leaned up against the TARDIS, perspiring quite a bit. She'd been put through the ringer today, certainly.

The only other one to appear was Korra. I looked at her. "Korra, where are the others?"

"Some Firebenders got into the Temple," she explained. "We beat them but I didn't feel right leaving the other children without someone to protect them."

"And the others?"

A cry of "FORZARE!" echoed from below, as if in reply to my question. I looked down to see Harry standing near a breach in the wall, throwing back a scouting party with his force magic. Mouse was biting another one on, well, the rear end, sending what I presumed to be the officer scrambling. I saw flashes of brief explosions: Mami had found a perch on a building near the wall and was using it to blast away and hold back the Fire Nation troops in that section.

"Who are you, young lady?", Gyatso asked politely.

Korra seemed to notice him for the first time. Her eyes narrowed a little as if, well, she remembered him... which she did and didn't. "I'm Korra. Who are... wait." Recognition dawned on her. "You're Gyatso."

"My, I seem to be well known in the future," he answered quietly.

"No, it's not just..." She looked to me. I gave her a nod. "...I'm the Avatar from my time, Master Gyatso. I'm the Avatar after Aang."

The monk's reserved smile disappeared, replaced by surprise. "You are the one after Aang? Do you know where he is?"

"I..." She looked to me again.

"I believe he should know, Korra," I answered. "We don't have to worry about him changing history with knowledge."

"Ah." Gyatso nodded in understanding. "I suspected as much. I am to die today."

"I'm sorry, Gyatso," Korra replied.

"I am old. My life was to end sometime soon anyway. Please, tell me. What became of Aang?"

Korra smiled sadly. "I think... I shouldn't be the one to tell you." She stepped back and closed her eyes.

Blue light covered her and moved forward, coalescing into, you guessed it, Aang himself, as an adult. Gyatso smiled at the apparition of his student and friend. "Aang."

"Gyatso." There was a slight echo in his voice, giving it an ethereal feel. "It's been a long time, my friend. I'm sorry I wasn't here to protect you."

"Oh Aang. We failed you," Gyatso answered. "I have been so worried. But now I see that I shouldn't be. You grew into a fine Airbender and Avatar. I am proud of you."

"Thank you, Gyatso."

"Grandpa Aang." Jinora stepped up beside Gyatso. "There is so much I wish I could have asked you."

Aang looked down at his granddaughter with a gentle smile. "You can always ask, Jinora. I am still here in Korra. I will always be here."

I forced my expression to freeze. I couldn't betray that part of the future.

I found the spirit of Aang looking at me. A smile curved across his face. "You are the Doctor. Thank you for what you've done today. You're giving my people a future like I never could have."

"It was the least I could do, for you and for Korra," I answered.

"It's time for me to go, then." The blue spirit lost form and moved back into Korra's body.

"Somebody has been getting better at their spirituality," I commented warmly. "Now, I think we should... Oh no."

I looked up and saw the red light in the sky spread that light across the sky.

Sozin's Comet had arrived.




"The Great Comet." Gyatso looked up toward it as well. "The Firebenders will be unstoppable. You must flee."

"When our people get back," I answered.

An explosion interrupted us before we could speak further. We all looked to the walls... where the adult Airbenders were reeling as massive fireballs slammed into the structures and blew them to pieces. The buildings were next. Mami barely got off her perch before two fireballs annihilated it.

In the middle of the retreat a lone figure held the rear. Harry lifted his blasting rod and his baritone boomed across the courtyards. "PYROFUEGO!" The blast of flame that erupted from the rod was massive and spared nothing as it slammed into the Fire Nation soldiers in front of him. Seeing he was about to be flanked I pulled out the sonic disruptor and fired a long range burst from it. At distance it didn't have a full effect, causing one squad to falter momentarily.

Harry backtracked, a blue disc of energy absorbing a couple of smaller fireballs, but he was in a bad position and was clearly going to be overwhelmed. "Molly, can you give him a veil from this distance?", I asked.

"I can try," she replied, forcing herself over toward the edge. Before she could get there, I saw Homura pop into view beside Harry and grab his hand. They both popped out of view a moment later. "What happened?"

"Homura's got him. Get everyone into the TARDIS, now!"

The Firebenders were well into the Temple now, heading headlong for whatever buildings still stood. Airbenders rushed to hold the line, the most powerful of them whipping up winds I could feel from here to blow back flames or topple attackers. They were answered by flame, fires so hot and intense that I knew most of those struck would be burned alive.

"It is time for me to go," I heard Gyatso say. He returned to the door leading out of the terrace we were located on. Before he could go through another group of Air Nomad children and mothers ran up, guided to us by Mouse. Tenzin and Asami were in the rear. When Tenzin saw Gyatso he froze. "Ah. And you would be another of Aang's students?", Gyatso asked.

"Master Gyatso." Tenzin bowed respectfully. "I am Tenzin, son of Avatar Aang."

Gyatso's smile widened at that as he bowed. "I see. I am happy to see Aang knew the joy of a family. I know you will bring our people back to happiness. Allow me to go and lead the defense."

"I'm sorry, Gyatso," I blurted out. "If I could..."

"It is nothing, Doctor. Those of us who remain will be comforted to know our people will survive." Gyatso bowed to me. "Farewell."

Tenzin watched him go with a forlorn expression. "My father talked about him with such joy, but to actually meet him..."

Mako and Bolin arrived next, leading another group of children and young adults. "I've never seen Firebending this powerful." Mako's voice was full of awe. "I almost took a wall down with a little jab."

"Somewhat the point of their attack, don't you think? Now get into the TARDIS!" I looked to Lucca and Nerys. "You two as well. I'll be standing by the door to make sure everyone gets in.

"I'll be there too," Korra insisted.

At that point we came under attack, a squad of Firebenders using their flames as jets to leap to the top of the building. An advance party, undoubtedly drawn by the sound of our voices. I brought the sonic disruptor up and sent a blast that threw one right off the building. A high-pitched whine came from beside me, creating a light yellow phaser beam that struck another Firebender and sent him down. A blast of energy from a familiar gun came from the other side; Nerys and Lucca were still beside me.

This left two, but they didn't count on Korra. She opened her bottle of water and in a single motion sent a whip of crystal blue water lashing out, smacking one soldier and then the other and knocking them both away from the building.

More came up from the ground, attracted by the sight of their comrades going down. But a single figure jumped up amongst them; Mami spun in mid-air, firing guns as she came up, and landed at the edge. With a move of her hand a half dozen one-shot rifles appeared. Their hammers let out sharp cracks and yellow blasts erupted amongst the remaining air attackers, sending them all flying.

"Did she really do that?", Nerys asked, bewildered.

"The joy of metaphysically soft worlds where thoughts can shape reality," I answered. "I'm sure that if Dax were here she'd find some suitable term for it. It would probably involve 'quantum'. Everything involves quantum. Now get in the TARDIS."

We had just gotten to the door when we had more trouble; troops rushing up the building in pursuit of the survivors fleeing for the TARDIS. The last thing I needed was fire blasts hitting the TARDIS controls so I slammed the door close behind Lucca and lifted my sonic disruptor. My first burst dropped three troops. Korra moved past me, absorbing a fireblast as she did (and much to my chagrin) before taking the troops down with a flurry of Waterbending strikes.

"Get in the TARDIS, Korra!" I opened the door for her.

"I'll hold here until everyone's back!", she insisted.

"Homura has Harry and Michael wasn't far, you need to..."

A fire blast exploded through the door, throwing Korra to the ground and me back up against the TARDIS. The sonic disruptor flew from my hand and rolled out nearby, just out of reach.

A particularly angry looking Firebender with officer markings stepped in. "Not sure where you ice savages came from," he muttered. "But you'll burn just as easily as the Nomads are." He lifted a fist and created a flame.

Aimed straight at Korra's head.

"Korra!" I scrambled for my sonic screwdriver, hoping I might still do something with it to disrupt the attack... but I was going to be too late.

I had started all of this to make Korra feel better... and now I'd gotten her killed. I saw the flame come down for her and cursed my stupid arrogance and ambition. We should have left before the Comet...

The flame almost got to Korra's forehead when the man's arm came off. I heard the Firebender scream in agony, but my eyes focused on the white fire of the shining blade Amoracchius, in the hands of the ever-reliable Michael Carpenter.

I remember musing on Michael's knack for timing. A good argument for him working for, well, a HIgher Power, even if it was a world that had never heard of his religion.

The maimed Firebender screamed and turned, a fireball forming in his left hand to strike his attacker. Michael stepped by the clumsy attack and drove his blade into the man's chest. The Firebender collapsed against it, fatally wounded. Michael pushed the dead man off the sword and used his fingers to form a Cross in mid-air. Ever the faithful Catholic, that man.

Korra sat up, woozy but cognizant. Michael helped her to her feet. "Thanks," she murmured to him.

"Thank He who sent me," was the answer Michael gave.

"Who, the Doctor?", she asked, genuinely confused.

I allowed myself a slight chuckle. I wasn't quite that arrogant to equate myself to what Michael was talking about.

Michael only sighed as a response, but he was still smiling.

"Okay, we've got to amscray!" Harry ran up the stairs next, looking, well, like you'd expect Harry Dresden to look after a tough fight. Homura took up the rear, hitting a button as she did. I felt the building rumble, undoubtedly from charges meant to block hallways with debris and buy us time.

"I agree!"

And so we all ran into the TARDIS. I went straight for the control and shifted us back to Air Acolyte Island.

With everyone taking a moment to regain their breath, I looked over the chaotic control room and saw an endearing sight. Ikki and Meelo had climbed atop Mouse who, for the moment, didn't seem too perturbed. "Can we keep the lion-dog?", Ikki asked Tenzin.

"He's not your's, Ikki," Tenzin pointed out.

"Aww.... where can we find a lion-dog?"

"Foo dog," I corrected.

Mouse barked at me.

"What?" I looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "You like that?"

"And Daddy thanks I'm silly when I talk to Oogi," Ikki complained.

"He just thinks the things you say to Oogi are silly," Jinora corrected.

Ah, the delightful innocence of children. And that, i suppose, is a happy enough note to end this part of the story on.




When everyone had filed out of the TARDIS to recuperate after the harsh fight, I had one task to do first. The TARDIS rattled once more as I made the precision flight to put it back into Homura's time loop. We were back in her apartment moments after we left. I followed her to the door and stood at it. She turned to face me. "Thank you, Homura," I said. "You helped save an entire civilization today. I hope that victory helps you."

She simply looked at me, her blue eyes icy.

I drew in a breath of resignation. "I apologize," I said. "I should not have said those things to get your involvement. I allowed desperation and arrogance to lead me into playing on your emotions. You have my sincere apologies."

"I don't want your apologies," she answered coldly. "Unless you come to help me, I don't want to see you and your TARDIS ever again."

I sighed. "Very well."

"Good." Her eyes tightened. "If you ever try to manipulate me again, I will kill you."

The look in her eyes told me she meant it. I nodded stiffly. "I understand."

"Good. Now leave." She turned and walked back to her sofa.

I forced myself to swallow and stepped back into the TARDIS, closing the door behind me.




Everyone was busy resting when I returned to Air Acolyte Island. Janias met me at the TARDIS when I rematerialized. She didn't look very happy herself. "You took Homura home?"

"Yes," I replied. "She wasn't interested in a victory celebration."

"Yeah. I could sense that."

The next thing I knew, I was on my rear end. My jaw hurt from where Janias' right fist slammed into it. I looked up to her with surprise and a bit of anger. "I know what you did to her," Janias hissed. "By the Force, how could you do something like that?! If you couldn't convince her nicely you should have just found another way!"

"There wasn't any other way that would work as well," I replied. "I would be risking everyone if I didn't take out those siege engines quickly."

"Then maybe we should have left." Janias' fists remained clenched. "Maybe you should have accepted we'd done all we could then. Doctor... you're starting to scare me a little here. Playing with a fixed point in history just to make Korra feel better? Using Homura's thoughts and feelings against her? Getting Nerys involved when it can cause her problems with the Federation? Why are you acting like this? You've got to reign yourself in or you're just going to grow more arrogant and ambitious. That's a path to the Dark Side, Doctor, and I don't want to see you go that way."

I let her speak without responding. Looking back it was another of those early warnings of where I was heading. At the time, well, I was still smarting. Janias doesn't need a lightsaber, she throws one hell of a punch without one. So her words were registered but... I didn't really take them to heart.

I suppose I didn't want to. I wanted to believe I was better than that, that I wouldn't give in to temptation and could live up to the name of the Doctor. It wasn't like I had another name at that time anyway. This was what I was now. And it was a good thing, wasn't it?

"You're right," I answered by rote. "I already apologized to Homura when I dropped her off."

"What did she say?"

"To go away and never come back unless I'm there to help her save Madoka," I answered. "And if I ever do that again she'll kill me."

"Very restrained of her," Janias answered. "It's a good thing I gave you the punch you needed."

I rubbed my jaw. "Wouldn't a slap have sufficed?"

"No." She extended a hand. "Now go ahead, stand up. Pema has another meal cooking. Some authorities from the local Republic are here too, they have questions."

"Oh joy. Questions."

"Oh, and... we may have created a monster."

"What do you mean...?" I realized what she meant when I heard the music. "Oh no."

A short distance away we found Korra, Mako, Bolin, and Asami all huddled together around an object. An object that, on closer inspection, was an MP3 player of some sort, blaring heavy metal music. "Molly," I grumbled.

"She can't use it anymore," Janias said. "So she gave it to Korra."

"Oi!" I remember thinking I really should have been more careful with what groups I mixed.

"I should mention that Lucca might have slipped Asami a schematic too."

At that point I could only facepalm. This really had shaped up to be a bad idea, hadn't it?




I won't bore you with details beyond the fact that the United Republic was both elated and irritated with what happened. Arrangements were being made to disperse the Air Nomads to the Eastern Temple first; the Southern and Western would be completely re-populated as time went on.

The following day, after giving up on getting Lucca to not tinker with Future Industries' mecha designs and having Molly's MP3 player "disappear" before Tenzin and I could reclaim it, everyone assembled to board the TARDIS. I stood at the entrance to it. "I'd like to thank you all for helping. You did a wonderful job. I'm honored to know you all as comrades and friends. So... how about we delay your trip home just long enough for some fun? One TARDIS ride to a location where we won't be having fireballs thrown at us."

"Yay! Box ride! Box ride!", Ikki cried out from the assembled.

"Oh, bring Pema too," I insisted. "Bring everyone. Fun for all of the families we have here."

"So where would we go?", Camilla asked.

"Somewhere fun, somewhere... exotic." I snapped my fingers. "I know. Ice-skating. In the open summer air. And a nice and warm summer too."

That got me confused looks. "Uh, even I couldn't keep an ice surface from melting in the summer," Korra pointed out.

"You're nuts," Harry insisted. "The amount of energy that would take is crazy, anyone who could wouldn't bother."

"If I'm wrong, I'll admit that my sonic disruptor is a ripoff of your blasting rod," I said. "And if I'm right, you have to shut up about it."

"Oh please, everyone knows it's a ripoff anyway," Harry guffawed. "But fine. You're on."

"Good! Everyone into the TARDIS!" I smirked. "Next stop, the Kingdom of Arendelle! A lovely little fjord state, you'll all love it..."

So we went off and fun was had by all, traveling around that scenic little Scandinavian city-state and skating in the palace courtyard. Harry lost his bet, of course... and I paid for it karmically by being run over by an out of control reindeer chasing a carrot.

We don't mention the snowball fight Korra started with Arendelle's Queen Elsa that quickly escalated into a snowball war. At all. It didn't happen.

(Of course it did, what am I saying? At least the kids loved it.)

Anyway... as endings go, it was happy. I look back at it with fondness even now.

If only all endings to our adventures had been so happy.