Hello for the last time, folks! Yes, sadly, incredibly, this is... it. The last chapter, last wisp of fluff, last soulful monologue. And, my very, very first wholly completed story.

I could not have done this without help from many quarters. Like my proofreader, Euphony Westingate, and everyone who reviewed, as well as my favoriters, and followers. Thank you, everyone. Including those who joined our merry band at the penultimate moment: Lady Slytherin 313, Lily Carmen Black, Atp-pc, and Chibi-no-baka.

to Guest (09/5): thank you! I do like the fluff. It is fun to write. Especially on rainy days when life is miserable. But please don't cry! Rio will get her bending back, soon. I promise.

And with that bit of tantalizing: read on!

Lotus Compound, Southern Pole

Episode 12

"So… you and Rio, huh?" Mako regarded Iroh with a look of grudging respect.

Iroh stopped eating his breakfast long enough to reply, "You and Korra, huh?"

Mako reddened slightly. "Who told you that?"

"Oh… a little bird, I suppose," Iroh was supremely diffident.

"It's not like someone… walked in on us trying to transplant saliva!" Mako exclaimed defensively.

"I don't understand what you mean," Iroh said coolly.

"Korra walked in on you two, she told me about it," Mako grinned, teasingly. "You, a respected general, and with a subordinate…! You're a smooth operator, I'll give you that."

"I'm not following you," Iroh said flatly. "Could you repeat that?"

Mako leaned in, "So when's the wedding?"

Iroh snapped. "Shut up! Why is it always about the wedding?"

"I suppose it doesn't have to be," Mako rolled his eyes exaggeratedly. "The real question is how many-"

"I'm thinking three, if you're asking," Rio interrupted smoothly, sitting next to Iroh with a steaming plate of seaweed scramble. "Kids, I mean."

She smiled dangerously, "But it's a bit soon to be speculating isn't it?"

"Uh…" Mako did not like the look in the spook's eyes. "Sure…?"

"I mean, nothing's really all that official yet, you know?" Rio laughed, and somehow Mako didn't feel like laughing along. "It'd be a real shame if someone blabbed about this before Sato's trial or before one of us retires."

Mako nodded quickly, "Oh yes, a… shame."

Rio laced her fingers together, somehow turning the simple action into a menacing one. "It would be an even bigger shame if that someone happened to die mysteriously after opening his big mouth, wouldn't it?"

Mako swallowed thickly, "Um… yeah. Big shame. The… biggest shame."

"Just so we understand each other then, hmm?" Rio purred. "I would really hate for anything so unfortunate to happen."

"Of course, I…"

Suddenly a very interested look crossed Rio's face. "I was only speaking hypothetically, of course. Unless, that is, you were perhaps… teasing… someone about this particular situation?"

Mako blanched, "No! no, not at all..."

Rio smiled a very toothy smile. "Wonderful."

Mako stood, a pained expression on his face, "Maybe I should go…"

"Wake Korra up would you?" Rio asked sweetly. "I want my bending back as soon as possible. I just feel so lethal when I fire-bend, it's really-" she broke off staring quizzically at the puff of dust where Mako had been. She turned to Iroh, "Was it something I said?"

…

Rio stood across from Korra, her chest tight with anticipation. Korra smiled, and then closed her eyes, concentrating on the glowing light now surrounding her hand. She reached forward to touch Rio's forehead. Then she felt it, warmth blossoming in her chest like a fire lily unfurling its incandescent petals. Korra stepped back, and Rio grinned.

The spook looked up at the hot noonday sun, feeling its energy pulsing through her veins. Then she brought her fingers to her lips and kissed a lick of flame into the sky.

Amidst the cheers of her new hard-won friends, Rio scrubbed at her eyes with shaky hands, crying with joy for the first time.

Amon defeated.

Sato awaiting trial.

The Spook brought back to life.

The Iron Lily reunited with her Snowbell.

A fitting end for the Tale of Two Warriors.