A/N: This is my first Legend of Korra fanfic. I've always been a bit intrigued by Tonraq's backstory and now finally I'm feeling brave enough to write something about it. This one-shot focuses on Tonraq's banishment from the North. As always reviews would be lovely. :)
Son No More
He is twenty-three when he is disowned by his father and banished from the North Pole.
He cannot say that he does not deserve it. Because of his mistake, their city has been close to destroyed—it will take months, even years, to return it to its former glory. Precious relics have been lost; homes decimated. The people injured number in the hundreds. Those killed were less, but are glued into his mind fast. So much damage and grief, and only because he had been careless enough to attack within that ancient forest, resulting in its destruction and angering the spirits who lived there, causing them to bring their vengeance on those they believed had wronged them.
It is only thanks to Unalaq that the spirits were dispelled and the remainder of the city saved. Unalaq, who had used the spiritual power he'd learnt over the years to quell them, and in doing so, has become the saviour of the city. Unalaq, who is now to be chief after their father. His brother stands tall beside their father's throne, his face a carven mask, saying nothing as the sentence is laid out. Banishment. The chief's eyes bore into him, cold and mercilessly accusing. This is your fault, they seem to say. Yours alone. The one stare makes his heart clench and quail inside of him. Never had his father directed that look towards him.
His father speaks: 'Do you have anything more to add, Tonraq?'
His lips move, almost unwillingly, and he says hoarsely, 'I'm sorry. For the damage I caused. For everything.'
There is a pang in his heart at his father's coldness, the turning away of his head, and the brief, clipped words. 'You are no son of mine. Get out of my sight.'
He does, with a hammering heart and more pain than he could ever have imagined possible. It is the last sight he has of his father, for he is not present as Tonraq embarks on his journey. It hurts him even more to realise his absence; he would have given anything to have him there, to be able to tell him how truly sorry he is for disappointing him and endangering the tribe, and to hear how much he'll miss him. He would have given anything to at least have a chance to say farewell and leave on the best of terms. But his father refuses to appear. Perhaps it is further punishment for what he has done; perhaps it's only fate. Whatever the reason, he can feel the ache of it deep in his soul.
He sets sail at dawn. A farewell party led by Unalaq witnesses his departure. He barely notices any of them, even the men and women who quietly wish him well and express genuine regret at his misfortune. Unalaq clasps his hand almost absently; his eyes are as hard as stones as he says his own farewell. Though everything else is a blur, his parting words stay with him for months afterward. 'Take care, brother,' he says, and his voice is colder than Tonraq has ever heard it.
He cannot blame their father for choosing to banish him. It is a terrible thing that he has done to the tribe- to his tribe—and his father has every right to be angry with him, every right to want to spurn him. He has brought shame upon the family, and upon himself—it is better for everyone if he leaves now, to avoid the scandal that is sure to rise. He should have been wiser. He should never have gone into that ancient forest. But it is too late now. He made that error, and now everything he knows is gone.