//------------------------------//
// A Friend in Need 
// Story: The Little Pony Legend: The NightMare's Return 
// by MaggiesHeartLove 
//------------------------------//


*(~)*
Isaiah 58:8~
Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.	
*(~)*

A Friend in Need


Back at the Crystal Empire, P'Li used her bending to make a fire in order to help warm up the crystal heart as well as the Crystal ponies. They figured if they kept the heart from getting any colder than the winter will slow down. Shinning Armor and Cadence had used all of the spells they knew, but nothing worked. The Crystal Heart was not freezing up so quickly, but it wasn't getting any better. The sky kept changing from bright day to early dusk as the snow continued to fall, changing from gray to cold pitch black.
“Nothing's working.” said Bumi
Kai sadly turned to the two royal ponies, “I'm so sorry, Cadance.”
“It's all right, Kai. You tried your best.” said the princess.
Shinning Armor angrily stomped his hoof, “I can't believe none of our spells worked! This is our empire, we should be fighting to save it.” 
“I'm sure the others are doing everything they can.” his wife tried to comfort him. 
Her husband sighed in defeat, his ears lowered in sadness, “I hope you're right, because if this keeps up, there will be nothing left of the Crystal Empire.”


(~)


“YAHOOOOOOO!” Mako happily shouted with a big smile on his face as he waved his hands in the air. Ever since he and Korra escaped the fog, the young man seemed way more optimistic than ever before. Korra laughed at his enthusiasm while the others were still rather surprised by his sudden sunny demeanor. Aiwei was clinging on to the side of the dragon, the man had an age old fear of heights. 
“Wow, bro. I've never seen you this excited before.” said Bolin, slightly confused and surprised.
"Yeah, ever since you came out of that fog you've been happier….why?" Rainbow asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Let's just say the fog, surprisingly, helped me see things a a lot more clearly." he responded with a smile.
Korra smiled in return, "For both of us." suddenly, the atmosphere began to shift. No longer was Goldie flying over a filed, but they had entered a forest. A forest with plants glowing like neon and the trees were as tall as the building in Republic City. Maybe even more. 
Rainbow Dash's eyes widen, “Wow.” 
“I've never seen trees this big before.” said Fluttershy
“They could reach the heavens.” said Rarity.
“The spirit world doesn't go by the laws of physics." said Korra, "Around here, anything is possible.” she then suddenly felt a disturbance in the air, almost as if something was watching them. She tugged on Goldie's orange colored mane, making him halt and hover in mid air.
"Is something wrong?" Aiwei asked.
"Something doesn't feel right." she said.
Fluttershy quickly hid behind Opal, "That's never a good sign."
Flash's ears perked up and he looked around, "You hear that?" he asked the princess, who nodded her head in yes. 
Faster than Pinkie Pie could say 'cupcakes', a pale white gooey spider web-like substance shoot out from bellow and grabbed hold on Goldie's leg! The poor creature cried out in fear, trying his best to shake the stuff off while making sure his passengers did not fall off. The friends tried their best to break the substance with their bending, but had no effect. The spider web then began pulling Goldie downwards as he continuously flapped his wings in order to escape. 
“What is that!?” Bolin asked in fear. 
As the dragon bird was forcedly lowered down, they spotted a strange looking creature, a mix of a spider and a scorpion who was pulling them down with her tail, connected to the web.
“You humans don't belong here!” said the angry spirit.
“Let him go!” Korra spread out her wings and flew downwards, zapping the spirit with a magical beam. The spirit backed away from the impact and Korra used her magic to freeze the webbing, breaking it apart and freeing Goldie. The spider/scorpion spirit unleashed another web from its tail, this time entangling Korra with it, making her fall to the ground. She sat up, looking disgusted at the sticky stuff all over her cloths and wings, preventing her from taking flight. 
“Ewwwww!”
“Korra!” the others cried out. Goldie quickly landed on the ground and everybody started attacking the spirit. Rainbow Dash pounded her fists and glared at the spirit “Back off you overgrown freak show!" both she and Mako unleashed a simultaneous fire attack at the spirit, causing her to cry out in pain. It was clear that she was more browns and brains when defending herself.
“You shall pay for trespassing in my domain!”
The spirit unleashed another webbing but Rainbow Dash dodged it while Mako and Bolin fire and earthbended at the spirit while Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Opal used their airbending to push the spirit away. Rarity unleashed her water whips while Applejack hurled rocks. Seeing his chance, Mako rushed over to Korra to help her remove the webbings, but she already used her magic to freeze and break them like she did before. He helped her up and the two prepared to help their friends until, by surprise, Korra stopped him midway.
"Wait!" she took a moment to look at the spirit and noticed something she had not seen before…one of her many bug-like legs was wounded, which would explain why she had a hard time defending herself. Realizing this, Korra impulsively jumped in between the spirit and her friends, protecting her with a magical force field. Seeing this, the others stopped. Aiwei was the only one not participating in the fight, since he did not have his bending. Korra lowered her defenses as well as the forced field.
"Korra, what are you doing?" Rarity asked in surprise.  
"Don't attack her!" Korra said in an authoritative voice, surprising her friends. She then turned towards the spirit, who snarled at her.
"Why can't you humans ever leave me alone?!” Korra noticed there was something odd in her tone of voice. It didn't just sounded angry. It sounded…sad. “You are all alike! All you ever do is disturb us! Why can't you just let us be?!?!”
However, Korra showed no signs of fear whatsoever and tried to slowly approach the angry spirit, who backed away while snarling, making Spike very nervous, “Uh, Korra, what are you doing?”
Fluttershy walked over to Korra and recognized her expression: it meant she knew what needed to be done. She turned to the ponies who all nodded at her. Korra slowly walked towards the spirit who growled angrily. “It's all right. I won't fight you.” the princess said kindly but the spirit sneered. 
“Why should I trust you? Ah!” she winced at the pain in one of her many legs.
"You're hurt. Let me help you."
"No! I know who you are. You're the Avatar. So what?! You're a human just like them. You're not even bonded to Raava anymore, so why bother coming here?!”
“I may not be bonded to Raava like before. But that doesn't mean I can't care about the spirits.” The spirits growled at her again, but Korra remained unfazed.
"I'm sorry we attacked you, I promise no harm will come to you." slowly, Korra continued to approach the spirit, feeling sympathy for her but she was still reluctant, "It's okay. You're safe now." she understood how it felt to be physically hurt and no one around to help you. But she was here, and she was determined to help this poor spirt who needed a friend. Because everyone needs a friend.

(Parody of "I've got my eyes on you" from Disney Princess. Sung by Jasmine)

Korra;
I know you're scared 
And I know what you've been through
Look in my eyes 
Can't you see I'm frighten too
So let's take one step at a time

Korra's hand reached for the spirit's head, but she snarled and threatened to attack her, but her wounded leg kept her back. Korra fell backwards onto the ground and Rainbow Dash attempted to rush in and help, only to be stopped by Fluttershy, silently telling her to trust their friend. With determination, Korra stood back up, she was not going to let this spirit suffer.

Korra; 
I won't give up
That's one thing I swear will be true
For it's said by the wise: Keep your eyes on the prize
And I've got my eyes
On you

The spirit couldn't stand anymore, and so she reluctantly stood down, but she could slowly see that Korra meant her no harm. The princess slowly approached her, trying her best not to frighten her.

It's hard to trust 
When you've been misunderstood
But starting now 
You'll be treated like you should
You don't need to feel you're alone

Finally, the spirit calmed down, allowing Korra to kneeled beside her and with her glowing hands, she placed them on her wounded leg, healing it and easing the spirit's pain.

I won't give up
That's one thing I swear will be true
And I won't give in
We're stronger than they ever knew

Don't try to run
Cause a friend will be there if you do
For it's said by the wise: Keep your eyes on the prize
And I've got my eyes
On you

The spirit couldn't believe it, her leg was all healed! And it was all thanks to Korra…her new friend. She didn't know what to say for no one had shown her such kindness before. She nuzzled Korra's face, allowing her to hug her head before she stood up and the spirit found the strength to stand up as well.
“No human has every shown me kindness before." said the spirit,"I remember an admiral of the fire nation came to the spirit world many years ago…he was angry and cruel to me. I did nothing to upset him, but he attacked me none the less. For his cruelty I took him to the Fog of Lost Souls. Ever since, I never trusted another human before.”
Korra felt compassion for the spirit, “I see. I understand why you would be upset. But humans are not all alike and if you gave them a second chance you'd see that some can actually become good friends.” 
Fluttershy flew beside Korra and near the spirit, no longer feeling afraid, “She's right. You don't have to keep being angry.” 
“Spirits and humans can live together. But only if we are willing to take the first step.” Mako said. He and the others all approached the spirit, no longer feeling afraid. Korra hugged the spirit once more, who closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the hug. The rest of the girls came over and hugged the spirit as well.
“Hugs!” Pinkie Pie said happily.
The spirit had never felt so content in her life, “Thank you. Friends.” They all released and the two brothers smiled at the scene. Spike sheds a few tears.
“Are you crying?’ Flash asked the little dragon who was wiping away the tears. 
“No! I--I just got something in my eye!”
Rarity happily gasped, “I think I know just what will make you an even happier spirit.” she whispered something in Korra's ear and the Avatar grinned.
“That's a great idea.” Korra used her magic to create beautiful sparkles that surrounded the spirit. Her dark colored shell became bright with beautiful artistic designs and sparkles around her.
“I don't believe it!” said the spirit, admiring her new appearance. 
“You look smashing!” Rarity said kindly.
“You really do.” Applejack agreed. 
Bolin gave her a thumbs up, “Lookin' good.”
The spirit bowed, “Thank you. If there is anything I can do to make it up to you please let me know.”
“Actually, we're looking for Wan Shi Tong's spirit library. He has something of ours.” Korra explained. 
“Ah yes, the library.” the spirit pointed her claw to the right, “Just continue through this path and you shall see it right above you. You won't miss it.”
Korra bowed to the spirit, “Thank you.” 
“We hope to see you soon.” said Fluttershy.
“Bye!” Pinkie Pie waved. Once they mounted onto the Goldie, the dragon bird flew off into the air, while the spirit happily waved from down bellow.
“Goodbye! And good luck!”
As they flew off, Aiwei asked the princess, "Your Highness, how did you know the spirit was wounded?"
Korra smiled his way, "I didn't at first, I only did once I stopped to look closer."
Mako nodded in agreement, "Sometimes you gotta have the courage to be kind." 
The metalbender took their words into deep thought…and smiled.


(~)


NightMara screamed angrily after witnessing the events unfold from the glowing orb, “AHHHHHHH! That fog was suppose to weaken their spirits! Speaking of which, what idiot spirit was that?!" 
Twilight Sparkle crossed her front hooves (she was still in pony form, the magic of the orb keeping her from morphing) and smiled smugly from within her spear prison, “I told you: Love is their greatest weapon.”
NightMara mockingly mimics Twilight, " 'Love is their greatest weapon' SHUT UP! It's not over yet.” she waved her hands he continued to spy on her targets. “You won this round, princess….but I'll be the one who will get the last laugh.”


(~)


After following the spirit's instructions Fluttershy pointed upwards to something in the distance. "Look!" Everyone's eyes shifted upwards, seeing the old spirit library entangled in winces way up above their heads, and positioned upside-down. 
“The spirit library. Take us in Goldie.” Korra instructed. Goldie did as she asked and they all entered the library. Once inside they all jumped off and Spike eyes widen at the size of the place, “Wow….”
Flash Sentry flapped his wings as he admired all of the books within, “Look at all of these books! I could stay here forever reading!”
Rarity observed the architecture, “Well, it could use a splash of color.” the unicorn yelped when she stepped on a vine, “Or at the very least a maid.” 
Korra looked all around but found no sign of the great owl spirit, “Hello? Wan Shi Tong? Are you here?”
Fluttershy hid behind Korra while shaking, “Oh, well maybe he's not home.” she really didn't want to meet up with this creature again. The only two ponies who had meet him before where herself and Applejack and Twilight Sparkle. 
Opal studied the area, amazed at being within the walls of such a history place. "Wow…To think, so much knowledge can be found here. And they all came from the material world. Incredible."
Aiwei was also astounded by the place, but he showed less enthusiasm than some of the others. He approached the princess, a look of worry dawned on his face. "Korra, are you absolutely certain this is where you will find a way to save your friends? I have heard stories of the Great Owl and from what I've learned he does not take kindly to strangers."
Korra placed her hands on her hips, "Well, I'm not a stranger. I'm the Avatar. Besides, how scary can an overgrown bird really be?" No one answered her question… because they were too busy feeling frightened by the gigantic creature standing behind the princess Avatar, who lowered her shoulders and pouted as a shadow grew from behind her nearly over her friends. "He's right behind me isn't he?"
No one said a word but simply nodded their heads in yes, their eyes comedically widen while some had their jaws dropped. Even Goldie backed away in fear and Bolin literally fainted at the sight of him.
“I see you have returned Avatar.”
Now it was Korra's turn to be shocked. She flinched, placing her hands to her sides, standing perfectly straight and her eyes widen. The grate owl certainly sounded larger than life. Hesitantly she turned around and was now face to face with the gigantic spirit owl who held a grudge against the Avatar. She flashed him her goofy smile and waved, "Hey, Wan Shi Tong. Nice to finally meet you…lost any weight?"
The giant owl was pitch black from head to toe, his claws were as sharp as swords and his beak could clack skulls if he wanted too. His face was round and white in color, while his eyes were as dark as night and just as menacing. His face was completely expressionless but anyone could still tell how he felt due to his voice, which gave away the sense that he had seen and learned a lot of things. But also, there was a hit of arrogance in there as well which as hard to miss. He lowered his head towards Korra's lever.
“Why have you come here?” asked the large spirit. 
Korra swallowed her fear and stood tall before him, “We're sorry to have intruded, but you have something that belongs to us. We know one of your knowledge seekers took some books from the library of Canterlot in Equestria.”
Rainbow Dash quickly flew up to the owl's face and glared at him, “Yeah, so cof it up or else!”
“Or else what, little pony?" Wan Shi Tong's neck then started to grow longer as he sneered at the anthro pegasus. Rainbow Dash lowered her ears and gulped.
“All yours, Korra.” she quickly flew back to the Avatar.
“We don't want any trouble." she said, "We only want to get back the books you took.”
“Once my knowledge seekers find something for my collection, it stays here forever.”
"Hold on just an apple spitin' minute!" Applejack said angrily as she stood forward, "Last time we were here, you weren't even interested in Equestria or its magic.”
“That was because I did not believe it." said the spirit, "But once that world merged with the human world, It seemed only fair to have something in my library for the new era.” 
“With all due respect sir, I don't think it was fair of you to simply take something that doesn't belong to you.” Korra pointed out. 
Pinkie Pie stepped forward and walked closer to the owl, “Yeah! Where we're from that's called stealing!”
Wan Shi Tong closed in on Pinkie, “How dare you accuse me of such things?! I am a researcher, not a thief!”
“But you did take the books without asking, that's stealing.” said Pinkie, feeling unfazed by his intimidating stature.
“It is research!” Wan Shi Tong demandingly pointed out. 
“Stealing.” Pinkie Pie pointed out.
“Research!” 
“Stealing!”
“Research!”
As they continued, everybody's eyes kept going back and forth to Pinkie and Wan Shi Tong.
“Stealing”
“Research!” 
“Stealing!”
“Research!”
“Research!” Pinkie Pie switched the words, but the spirit was already caught up in the game to notice, 
“Stealing!” 
“Research!”
“Stealing!”
Pinkie Pie used her airbending to reach up towards him, her face was pressed against Wan Shi Tong's face as she glared, her eyes large and bulgy, “I SAY IT'S RESEARCH SO DEAL WITH IT!!!!”
“IT'S STEALING AND THAT'S FINAL!”
Pinkie Pie lowered down and happily attempted to skip pass him, “Okey-dokey! We'll just take what you stole from us and be on our way.”
“Wait, what? E--Enough of these silly games!” the spirit owl dragged the pony back to the others with his wing.
"Korra, what are we gonna do?" Opal asked, approaching the princess, "He's clearly not going to just hand over the book to us."
Korra knew her friend was right, how else were they going to get the book now? As she looked upon the spirit she recognized the pride and prejudice in his eyes. She had seen them both many times in the past. She now knew what she needed to do. She spread open her wings and flew up to the owl spirit. “Listen, both of our worlds are in grave danger. Our friends are missing and we need the information from one of the books you took. I know you've had issues with the Avatar in the past, but could you please put it aside to help us?”
They all waited anxiously for his answer. “……No!”
“Don't you get it? Our friends are in trouble!” Mako cried out. 
“What happened to your friends is none of my concern.”
Korra's fists began to clench, she was begging to get furious with the spirits' stubbornness. “Oh, boy Korra's gonna blow.” Applejack said as she covered her face with her hat. 
Korra the flew closer to the spirits' face and speaks with much authority and strength, even resulted to poking at his beak. “Now you listen here you over-grown-sky-rat! You might see yourself as this big all knowing spiritual being but you know what I see? I see a big arrogant bully who can't let go of a grudge if his life depended on it!” The others looked at her surprised as Korra continued, her voice slowly lowering its volume and began to speak a bit more calmly but still firm. “I get that you're upset with how humans used the knowledge in your library for their own personal gain, but you have wrapped yourself up in your dusty old books for so long that you never had the chance to study humans up close. I know you can find all kinds of information inside books, but this kind of knowledge will get you nowhere, especially when it comes to understanding humans!"
“How dare you disrespect me like that?!” the own spatted angrily, his dark feathers ruffling as his body seemed to rise up higher in an intimidating fashion.
“It's true! I know humans can be…difficult sometimes, but that doesn't mean they all are. It's time for you to stop being one-track minded about us and about books. You may know ten thousand things, but knowledge doesn't make you better than anybody else.” 
“Yes it does. Knowledge is power.”
"Really? “Look around.“, Korra gestured to the entire library. It's size, it's walls, it's beauty. But it wasn't the beauty that she was trying to point out. It was the emptiness it contained. “In this entire place, you're the only one who's lived here.”
“That's not true. I have my knowledge seekers.” the spirit replied somewhat arrogantly.
“But do you treat them like friends?” Korra asked.
“Friends? Of course not! They seek me knowledge, that is all.”
“Which brings me back to my point…you're all alone.”
“I am not alone! I have my books.”
“Yeah, you do. And nobody to share them with. Don't you see? You can read and find all kinds of wonderful things….but for what?” 
“I tried to share my collection with humanity, and they abused it for their own selfish reasons.”
“But like I said: not all humans are like that. If you just gave them a chance you'll see. You might even make some friends.”
“What makes you think I need friends at all?”
“Everybody needs a friend.” Korra said with a smile. "Even you." Korra flew to a shelf an takes out a book and starts singing as she around the library, flipping through the pages of books.

(Parody of "Be a friend" from Mariposa and the Fairy Princess)

Korra;
Your vast library, so full of knowledge
You say you've got everything
But there is one thing that I fail to see here
The Knowledge that is king

You claim to have wisdom to spare
But I know one thing you don't

The others clasped their hands and stomped their feet to the beat. Korra reached for Wan Shi Tong's ears.

So open up your ears, big guy
Cause I've got something to share

She flew around the library as she sang her beautiful song, which was slowly capturing the spirit's heart.

A true friend for life
That's something we all need
No amount of books could ever feed

That Shinning Light
That's hidden from your sight
You can find if you just learn to
Open up

Close the books and you'll see
At the very end
All you need is a friend

Wan Shi Tong listened to the lyrics and sneered when he noticed his knowledge seekers dancing to the beat. He couldn't fully explain why, but this girl's voice was actually affecting him more than he wanted to admit. This whole friendship thing was something he had never read about in books. Why was that? 

You say it's nonsense
I'm speaking rubbish  
Sure it may sound that way
But I've seen first hand
That the Magic of Friendship
It's something that's here to stay

You can't find it on a shelf
Stop living in the past 
Open up and let it go
And you will see for yourself 

A true friend for life
Someone who helps you fly
Who makes you laugh when you want cry
A friend will shed the Light
Show love in plain sight 
Flip the way that you feel upside-down 
Open up

A friend is all you need
A miracle indeed

The others danced to the beat and sing the chorus. As the owl spirit observed, he saw the happiness, joy and peace each one of them had in their eyes. Even the bald man smiled warmly at the scene. He could clearly see he was a tortured soul, but…was Wan Shi Tong any different? Even his knowledge seekers wagged their tails and happily panted as the song played on. Suddenly, his old dusty library just seemed…brighter somehow. Everywhere the princess flew, there appeared to be a shimmering Light hat surrounded her, and it landed on every part of the library she had touched. This beauty, this…magic was truly astonishing. Maybe, he wasn't as wise as he thought after all if he had missed out on something as beautiful as this.

Everybody; 
Oh, oh, oh

Korra; 
All you need if a friend

Everybody; 
Yeah, yeah

Korra; 
Who stays true to the end

As she sang that one part, she hugged Mako from behind.

Everybody; 
Oh, oh, oh

Korra; 
Anything for a friend

Everybody; 
Yeah, yeah

Korra; 
A true friend for life
That's something I know YOU need
No amount of books could ever feed
That shinning Light

Wan Shi Tong began tapping his claw and moved his head to the beat.

That's hidden from your sight
You will find it if you learn to let go
Open Up!
Close the books and you'll see
At the very end
Let the magic begin
True to the end
You'll see for yourself
All you need is a friend

Oh, oh
All you need is a friend

Once the song ended Wan Shi Tong bowed before Korra who kept herself airborne to face him. The words she sang rang true and were so filled with wisdom and knowledge that they just had to be truth. “Perhaps, I do not know as much as I have led myself to believe. I apologize for my cruelty towards you.” he said sincerely.
“That's okay.” she said sweetly. 
“And I shouldn't have stolen the books from your library.”
“I told you it was stealing!” said Pinkie Pie, only to received an annoyed glare from Rarity and Opal.
“Perhaps it is time I learned to give humans a second chance. They may not all be trusting…but they are not all mistrusting.” 
“I'm glad you finally see that.” Korra said proudly. 
“Thank you for showing me that even he, who knows ten thousand things, can be wrong from time to time.” He turned to the knowledge seeker, “Go fetch the books from Equestria.”
“Ahem!” Korra arced her eyebrow and Wan Shi Tong got the message.
“Oh…please.”
The fox smiled and left to find the books. Korra smiled proudly at the owl spirit, “You see?Everybody needs a friend. And the best way to make a friend is to be a friend.”
“And that should go in the books.” Wan Shi Tong said happily.
The fox quickly returned and hands the books to Korra. She lowered down and picked up the one with the blue heart in the center.
“The Prophesy book! Yes!”
“Now we can finally figure out how to save Twilight and Asami.” said Flash.
“And Asami!” Bolin reminded him.
“I just said that.”
“Oh, sorry.”
Korra opened the book and flipped through the pages, briefly reading all the previous prophesies that had already happened, “Bond will ignite. Element of Unity. Great Change, blah, blah, blah…." she continued to flip through the pages, trying to find anything of use. "What?”
“That's never good.” Spike said with worry, "What, what? Why did you say 'what'?" 
The princess was silent while holding the book in her hands. Her eyes locked on the pages, her mouth slightly open as she tried to get the words out. “There's nothing here.” she said, already feeling distressed. There was nothing in there that applied to their situation. Everything else listed had already happened. What more was there?
“Did you double check?” Pinkie asked. 
“Yes. There isn't anything on how to extract NightMara out of Asami.” 
“I thought you said we could find the answers in the book?” said Mako.
"I just don't get it!”
“Perhaps, it's not inside the book.” Wan Shi tong pointed out. They all looked at each other and then at him skeptically.
“But I get this strong feeling the answers we're looking for are here somewhere.” said Korra, tapping her index finger on the cover of the book for emphasis.
“You never did say we would find the answers in the pages.” said Fluttershy.
Bolin scratched his head, “Okay, I'm really confused right now.”
“Yeah, even I can't figure this out.” said Mako.
“Then maybe you should look at it differently.” said the spirit.
Korra closed the book and looked at its cover. Prince White left a message somewhere in there, but where? After a moment of starring she then noticed one of the symbols on the corner. She turned her head to the side and then saw it looked like a letter. She saw another symbol and turned the book around a different way. It looked like another letter. She kept seeing more and more letters, hiding within the markings of the cover.
“Hey, look at this." everyone leaned on, observing what Korra did, "In the right angle, these symbols look like letters.” 
Mako realized this too, “Hey, yeah. There's an "G" and a "O" and an "D".”
“So it's like one of those alphabet games where you unscramble the letters and see what they say.” said Rainbow Dash.
“Oh! I love this game!” Pinkie Pie clapped her hands excitedly.
Korra placed the book on the floor and began moving her hands in swift motion as her star forehead started to glow. With a deep breath, the letters on the book began to glow a bright light blue. One by one, they were removed from the covers like worn old stickers and rose up into the air. The words hovered in mid air before the group while Korra examined them one by one. As if by instinct, she managed to find the words in a matter of minutes. It was as if this was meant specifically for her to find. There were a lot of words, all arranged into what seemed like a paragraph. Once done, the words could be seen clearly to everyone.
“Way ta go Korra!” Applejack cheered.
Pinkie Pie jumped excitedly, “What does it say? What does it say?"
Korra read the message out loud, word by word.

"The Truth can weather any lie and illusion for those who are lost 
A true believer can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed
Since the beginning, darkness thrives in the void in our hearts
But always surrenders to purifying Light…"

Korra read on more, discovering there was more to the sentence. Then, an image appeared in her mind, an image of long, long ago. She saw a young airbender boy, no more than twelve years old, standing before a majestic lion turtle, placing the tip of his claw over his head. His head and heart glowed brightly white before the creature continued speaking. 

"Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world.
Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.  
But be transformed by the renewing of your minds. 
Believe in the Light with all of your heart,
So that you may become children… 
of Light.” 

The image faded, and Korra shook her head, trying to make sense of what she saw. She was startled a bit when Spike spoke, “Would it have killed Prince White to be more specific?”
Mako read the words alongside Korra, studying the meaning behind them, "The Truth can weather any lie and illusion for those who are lost." for some reason, these words meant something personal to him. It reminded him of when he managed to overcome the illusion in the fog and come out with a clear mind. How he overcame the illusion caused by his anger and hatred towards the man who killed his parents. But, it wasn't just an illusion. His anger, his fear was real. But, maybe it wasn't the illusion of the man he needed to overcome, but rather the illusion that he couldn't find the light and that darkness was the path to being strong. That was the path that man choose, but Mako choose otherwise. He had his Friendships to guide him and found the courage to overcome the illusion that he couldn't make it out. 
Korra read the other part, "A true believer can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed." the very phrase reminded her of when she was poisoned, and while she did come out scarred, she still managed to fight the substance for so long and managed to remove it from her body. But she knew the sentence wasn't referring to a literal form of poisoning. She may not have died from the poison, but it did effect her spiritually. Only by remembering her childhood, her connection with Equestria and her friends, the Light they had brought into her life, her purpose to keep on going, her new destiny as a princess, did she realize she had to keep on moving forward. The Magic of Friendship was her eternal gift, and it was that very gift that allowed her to get through all of the tribulations. 
"Darkness thrives in the void." Mako read on.
"But always surrenders to…" Korra and Mako looked at one another, their eyes widened with realization as they ended the sentence in unison.
"To purifying Light!"
Aiwei arched an eyebrow and leaned to Flash Sentry, asking, "Any idea what they're doing?"
Flash shrugged, "No. Human couples are weird."
Korra turned to the others, "I get it now! When Mako and I were trapped in that fog, we were overwhelmed by our own past. But, the moment Mako realized he could choose a better path, the illusion faded."
Mako smiled as he held Korra's hand. "Because there is darkness around us, and it can creep into our hearts. We've seen it happen to Amon, Unalaq and Zaheer. Even to us."
"But once they chose the Magic of Friendship, it chased away the dark, making way for the light."
"The answer was right in front of us this whole time."
Every word the couple said brought such a positive and wonderful feeling inside everyone. Even Aiwei took in the wisdom of her words, realizing how he should have been stronger against the temptations of the Red Lotus. He should have known better than to fall for their illusion of freedom.
"Now I know how we can save Asami and Twilight."
"How?" Bolin asked.
“NightMara took control of Asami by only making her remember the bad moments, right? She ignited those dark moments from her past, entrapping her within them. But, if we can find a way to make her remember the good times--“
Flash snapped his fingers, “It will break NightMara's hold on her and she can break free!" 
“Like with Princess Luna!” Rarity said excitedly. 
“And it will give us the chance to fully extract NightMara out of her body and destroy her for good!” said Applejack with much determination. 
“But how are we supposed to do that?" Spike asked, "We've tried talking to her but she won’t listen.”
“He's right." said Flash, "NightMara's grip is too strong.”
“If I can manage to get close enough, I can use Twilight's memory spell and restore Asami's memories.” Korra explained. 
Rainbow Dash lowered her ears in sadness, “You know what this means…..don't you?”
Korra sighed sadly, “Yeah. I have no other choice…." They all looked at her sadly as she said the last park with a serious face…. 
"I'm going to have to fight Asami.” 

(~)