Chapter 3: My lullaby
(Disclaimer!)
Exiled members of the Water Tribe were located at a place known to be the outlands.
One of them was walking around.
"Its always about Shirrow," he said, "Unalaq wasn't even his father. He just took him in."
He saw a girl trying to pull a tree out.
"Nomoka, trying to pull some vines again?" He asked, "Let me help you with that."
Using air bending he managed to cut the branch.
"Jika, where's Shirrow?" Asked Nomoka, "Did you leave him on his own again?"
"That little termite needs to learn that its every man for himself!" Jika said scratching his back.
"Mother is going to be angry," Nomoka said, "She asked you to watch him."
"Why should I care, I should've been the chosen one! I'm the oldest, the smartest, the strongest and all."
"Well you don't have what Shirrow has."
"I. COULD BE. A LEADER. If she would just give me. A CHANCE!" Jika said.
"Well why don't you tell her that?" Nomoka said.
"Oh don't think I won't."
"Well why don't you tell that to her."
They both saw Vita with Shirrow.
"Oh, mother!" He said.
"Hey Shirrow, wanna spar?" Asked Nomoka said getting in a fighting stance.
Vita turned to Jika.
"I thought I told you to WATCH HIM!" She shouted.
Shirrow feeling sorry for his brother stood up for him.
"He's not the one at fault, I went off on my own," he said.
Vita turned to him.
"And what were you doing?" She asked.
"Nothing, I….."
"Who has made us outsiders?"
"Korra…."
"Who killed Unalaq?"
"Korra."
Vita got closer to Shirrow.
"What have I told you about them?!"
"I'm sorry mother, I didn't mean to disobey…. I just thought that we could…. could…."
"Could be friends?" Vita asked, "That you would get close to their daughter, and her family would welcome you with open arms? Ha, what an idea!"
She thought of something.
"….what….. and idea! You brilliant child," she said smiling, "You have such cunning plans, just like Unalaq. I knew I made the right choice."
She rubbed his hair.
"You have the same characteristics that made Unalaq so powerful."
She took him to his bedroom.
"I now see the path to our glorious return to power," she said.
"But I…." Shirrow begun to say.
"Hush! Hush my little one, you must be exhausted."
My Lullaby
Vita: Sleep, my little Shirrow
Let your dreams take wing
One day when you're big and strong
You will be a Chief
She walked away.
"Good night," Shirrow said.
"Good night my little prince, tomorrow your training intensifies," Vita said.
She was thinking of Korra and how she defeated Unalaq.
Vita: I've been exiled, persecuted
Left alone with no defense
When I think of what that brute did
I get a little tense
But I dream a dream so pretty
That I don't feel so depressed
'Cause it soothes my inner lady
And it helps me get some rest
The sound of Korra's dying gasp
Her children squealing in my grasp
Her tribal army's mournful cry
That's my lullaby
Now the past I've tried forgetting
And my foes I could forgive
Trouble is, I knows it's petty
But I hate to let them live
Jika: So you found yourself somebody
Who'd chase Korra up a tree
Vita: Oh, the battle may be bloody
But that kind of works for me
The melody of angry growls
A counterpoint of painful howls
A symphony of death, oh my
That's my lullaby
Unalaq's gone but Vita's still around
To love this little lad
Till he learns to be a killer
With a lust for being bad
Jika and Nomoka were watching Shirrow sleep.
He was knocked out.
Jika: Sleep, ya little termite
I mean, precious little thing
Nomoka: One day when you're big and strong
Vita: You will rule as king
The pounding of the drums of war
The thrill of Shirrow's mighty storm
Jika: The joy of vengeance
Nomoka: Testify
Vita: I can hear the cheering
Jika and Nomoka: Shirrow, what a guy
Vita: Payback time is nearing
And then our flag will fly
Against a blood-red sky
That's my lullaby
Oren and Mekan were at the top of a cliff.
"Why are we up here?" He asked, "I thought I wasn't supposed to go up."
"I heard from your mother that you have interest in becoming the leader of the next Water Tribe guard," Mekan said.
"Well yes. I remember you telling me about it and how Unalaq use to be part of it."
"Yes, and it has been part of our family for generations. Those with a special kind of waterbending are able to lead. And it seems you have that power."
Oren looked at his hands glowing.
"Unalaq had that power too, but he abused it for his own greedy desires, and I don't want you to go down that path."
"I won't," Oren objected, "I live only to protect those I care about."
"That's a good thing son. While I do understand that you want to treat your role seriously in order to protect the circle of life, but its important to try not to take it too seriously."
"What do you mean?" Asked Oren, "You're a serious person."
He bent down to Oren.
"Only when its necessary. You should try to be a bit more optimistic in life, like Tihima."
"Ok dad," he said.
"Take some time to think about this."
He walked away.
Oren was walking around the tribe thinking about the responsibility.
It is Time
Oren: Life, life is a circle I'm told
And as the story unfolds
I'm feeling stronger every day
So right here, here's where I stand
And now I know who I am
No longer feel turned upside down
Deep down maybe I knew
Someday my dreams could come true
And everyone looking up to me
Will see who I was born to be
He thought of the people he loved and his desire to keep his sister safe. He also thought of his friends who were interested in joining the Water Tribe Guard.
"Maybe I'm not ready for this," Oren said, "This seems like a lot of responsibility…."
Clouds emerged.
Tonraq appeared from them.
"Holy smokes…. Could it be?" He asked.
"Yes Oren, I am your grandfather."
"Tonraq…. I've heard a lot about you," Oren said.
"And I have been watching you. You are about to embark on a journey as the leader of the New Water Tribe Guard."
"I'm not sure if I'm ready to. I feel like its a job for someone with more experience."
"You are worried, but it is because you love your family and want to protect them," Tonraq said.
"Maybe dad should choose someone other than me," Oren said, "I just don't wanna end up like Unalaq."
"Don't be afraid Oren, just trust your instincts. Remember, that your special water bending abilities will be there when you need them. And so will I."
He started to disappear.
Oren realized his grandfather was right.
It was time to prove he was ready.
Oren: It is time
To face the world on my own
It is time
For something bigger than I've ever known
No need to wonder, the choice is done
Now I believe I truly am the one
Now, now is the moment to shine
With all the worries behind
And prove the naysayers wrong
Deep down maybe I knew
Someday my dreams could come true
And everyone looking up to me
Will see who I was born to be
It is time
To face the world on my own
It is time
For something bigger than I've ever known
No need to wonder, the choice is done
Now I believe I truly am the one
Oh, it is time
To face the world on my own
It is time
For something bigger than I've ever known
No need to wonder, the choice is done
Now I believe I truly am the one
So is it time?
Is it time?
It is time
Katara was painting on a branch.
"Every day the children grow stronger and will soon take on tasks that will make us all proud. While I don't know what is in store for Korra's oldest son, her daughter will be the next chief."
She looked at the drawing of Shirrow.
"But every day Shirrow's heart is filled with hate."
A plant fell to the ground and cracked in half.
"Tonraq… you have a plan?"
She looked at the plant and put it together.
"Put Shirrow, and Tihima….. together?"
She thought for a moment.
"ARE YOU INSANE?! This will never work. You've been up there for too long, your head is in the clouds!"
The wind blew at her.
"Ok, alright!" She said, "I don't think this plan is going to work, but I trust you. I just hope you know what you're doing!"
