Part 1: Past
157 AG, South Pole
While the northern hemisphere spends its summer under a scorching sun, the South Pole teleports you in a world of ice and snow. Winter brings a drop in temperatures that freezes everything, painting an immaculate canvas composed of pure white snow and icebergs that dominate the frozen waters . In the middle of the island, the Southern Watertribe rebuilt its new village thanks to Sokka and Katara, more than fifty years ago. The town city is now composed of several modern, small houses, bringing a touch of color in this all-white decor.
Near the village, a military encampment, made of snow and ice, stands at the entry of the Southern Water Tribe Capital City. The White Lotus Order's base has been established to take in charge the young Avatar's training as per late Avatar Aang's wishes. In the large igloo, positioned in the center of the camp, the United Forces First division holds its meeting, gathering all the soldiers of the fleet.
Hundreds of soldiers stand in line, in a large hall, listening to their superiors. General Iroh, his admiral and the captains of each faction – that is to say the earthbending faction led by Captain Ji Ji and the waterbending faction led by Captain Baq, a man in his forties that comes from the Northern Watertribe; the firebending faction doesn't have a dedicated captain and is led by General Iroh himself – as well as high-ranked officers from the White Lotus Order discuss on a raised platform.
While the higher-ups give their orders, a group of girls, from the last rank, gossip about juicy news in a low voice. As Bu Po predicted, Nanami's actions aren't well-received by most of the female soldiers. Nanami already knows people are talking behind her back, but she doesn't care at all. When she passes in the corridors of the First Division's main ship, Nanami can feel the envious glare the other women give her. They whisper to each other while looking at her, and then laugh in a scornful way. But our young fugitive doesn't pay attention to their provocations, and keeps on teasing General Iroh to her heart's content, riling the female soldiers up even more.
"Did you see the cook hugging the General earlier?"
"Yeah. Who does she think she is?"
"I saw her making eyes at Captain Ji Ji too. What a player!"
Kyra and Ziki, standing in the row in front of them, overhear their conversation. Ziki facepalms as he listens to them. His new friend's behavior is just as flashy as ever. On the other hand, Kyra seems a lot calmer than usual. She can't help but snicker as she hears those girls: they are the ones who spend their days flirting around with the General.
Turning around, Kyra advised them sarcastically, "If you have free time to badmouth others, you should use it to listen to the orders instead."
The girls are about to protest, but a loud explosion resounds outside. A White Lotus guard comes in, panting.
"We're being attacked!"
General Iroh glances quickly at the members of the White Lotus, and commanding his troops, he shouts, "First Division, prepare for the attack. Our objective is to protect the Avatar!"
"Yes, sir!" the soldiers answer in unison.
The army heads outside in order, one faction after the other. The White Lotus guards painfully try to repel the attackers. The enemy seems to be composed of skillful benders that easily dominate the non-bender sentinels. Ziki's faction, led by General Iroh, advances to the front line to face a group of earthbenders. They are supported by Captain Ji Ji and his troops. Kyra and the other waterbenders deal with the rest of the enemy.
.:*~*:.
.:*~*:.
In the nearby tent, Nanami, Bu Po and young Korra face an intruder that appeared out of nowhere while they were leisurely eating lunch.
"So, this is where you were hiding," the man says, a vicious smile on his lips. "You gave us a hard time, Nanami." He walks back and forth from one end to the other, while scrutinizing Nanami, Bu Po and Korra, one after the other.
Korra, standing behind Bu Po, sticks her head out to take a peek at the man. He seems to know Nanami, but it doesn't look like they are friends. Korra is worried about Nanami. Nanami appears to be very nervous. She doesn't know her that well as they just met, but she could tell that Nanami was usually more confident and extravagant.
Nanami grits her teeth as she hears the man utter her name. "Shin..." she whispers as she clenches her fists. "How did you find me?" Her voice is filled with anger, causing it to tremble. Mistakes from her past resurface, and now, Bu Po and Korra are in danger because of her. She can't let anything happen to both of them. Iroh would never forgive her. Neither would she.
Shin lets out a snicker, and brings index finger to his lips as he winks at her provocatively. "It's a secret."
His arrogant behavior irritates Nanami to the highest degree. In the past, he was just a coward who couldn't do his job properly for the Triple Threats, and Nanami had to back him up all the time. She takes a deep breath to clear her head. She has to stay calm. Bu Po and Korra are with her. She can't act as recklessly as she would have if she was alone.
Nanami recovers her usual brash attitude, and tells him in a clear and confident voice, "Don't act high and mighty, Shin. Even if you seem more decent now, to me, you'll still be the same fearful little boy." The right corner of her lips raises in an arrogant smirk as she sneers.
"I'm not the same as before, Nanami. I'm much stronger, and now people call me Shady Shin."
"Shady Shin?" she repeats, sniggering. "You truly look shady with that flashy outfit of yours indeed. Let's settle this outside, Shin. These two have nothing to do with it."
"You're going to regret your words, Nanami. I'll make you eat dust," Shin threatens her, as they walk out of the tent.
"We'll see if you improved or not," Nanami taunts him more.
As soon as the two of them step outside, Korra and Bu Po follow them, stopping at the entrance of the tent.
"Nanami!" Korra calls her, but she is already too far to hear the young Avatar.
"Don't worry, Korra. She'll be fine," Bu Po reassures her, as he puts his hands on Korra's shoulders. But he's very worried inside. Nanami is a cook, not a soldier. How would she fight this man?
.:*~*:.
.:*~*:.
Nanami and Shin stop walking when they reach a deserted area, away from the tumult of the White Lotus Order camp, which Nanami isn't aware of. They stand face to face, a few meters apart.
"We lost track of you that night, and decided to leave it to the police. But those good-for-nothings couldn't even manage to catch a single woman. How sad…" Shin recalls the night he was leading his gang to pursue Nanami on the streets of Republic City, during the Lanterns Festival. "But man, I can't believe you were hiding with the United Forces. How did you pull that off?"
"Cut the chit-chat, and tell me why you're here!"
"Why? To catch you of course," he replies with a nasty smile.
"Why are the Triple Threats after me? I've cut ties with you all for ten years now. What do you want from me?"
"Me? Nothing," Shin says, as he put his hand over his chest. "I'm actually pretty fond of you, Nanami. Since we've been kids."
Those lies irk Nanami, making her lose her temper. "Stop your nonsense, and go straight to the point!"
"Calm down, sweetie." He walks towards her slowly, with a nonchalant gait and his hands in the pockets of his large pants. He takes one hand out, and caresses Nanami's cheeks. "I've always loved your angry face. It's so cute."
Nanami shakes his hand off fiercely, and grabs him by the collar with a menacing air. "Tell me who sent you after me," she hammers each word with force.
"Okay, okay," he surrenders, raising both of his arms in the air.
Nanami loosens her grip, letting her guard down as she thinks he is going to spill the beans. However, that's a big mistake on her part. Free of his movements, Shady Shin bends the water contained in the snow, and drops an enormous snow mass on her. Taken by surprise, Nanami can't dodge the block of snow which falls hard on her, knocking her down.
Shady Shin laughs loudly as his rival crashes on the cold mattress of snow. He looks down at the pile of pure white snow, and declares scornfully before leaving, "You're strong, Nanami. But, you're also too naive. You made the right choice by leaving the Triple Threats. You wouldn't have lasted long in the business. You're not cut out for it. You're too soft. That's pathetic. Bye then, sweetie. It was nice seeing you again after all those years. Even though you probably can't hear me anymore."