Chapter 4: After all these years

(Disclaimer!)

Vita was circling around a grown up Shirrow.

She spent years training him to become as brutal as Unalaq was.

He was also granted with Unalaq's dark avatar powers.

"You are finally ready," she said, "You are flickering with the same blackness inside that Unalaq had. What is your destiny?"

"I will avenge Unalaq and take my place as leader of the Southern Water Tribe," Shirrow said.

"What have I taught you?" Vita asked.

"Korra is the enemy."

"And what. Must. You. Do?!"

"I must KILL her!" He said.

Meanwhile back in the tribe, Korra and Mekan were seeing their daughter off for her first hunt.

Senna hugged Korra.

"You must be very proud of your daughter," she said.

"I am," Korra said.

Oren was still worried for his young sibling.

"I know she'll do great," Korra said.

"I know mother," he said.

Tihima arrived.

Everyone was greeting her and wishing her good luck.

Korra gave her a hug.

"You'll do great Tihima," Korra said smiling.

Tihima looked at Mekan.

"Dad, you have to promise to let me do this on my own. You promise?"

Mekan smiled.

"Yes princess," he said.

She headed out.

Oren however had other plans.

"Make sure she doesn't get hurt," Oren said to Mako and Bolin.

They secretly followed her.

Asami and Opal were looking at their surrogate nephew.

"Still worried about your sister aren't you?" Opal asked.

"I'm only doing this to protect her Aunt Opal," Oren said, "Sometimes its best to keep an eye on those you love right?"

"I do agree with you Oren, but she's growing into a young adult now," Asami said.

"Don't you remember what happened years ago?"

"But that was when she was just a kid," Opal said, "She's growing up now and not to mention she's an excellent bender."

"Grown or not its my duty as her brother to make sure she's safe and sound."

"Oren do be careful with this route," Tenzin said, "You'll regret if you don't let her do this on her own."

Oren sighed.

Jika and Nomoka visted an old home of the dark spirits.

"This place is even creepier since the day the dark spirits left," Jika said.

"You're not scared are you?" Nomoka asked.

"No," he said before being scared by a geyser.

He jumped down.

"I just don't know why we have to be here," he finished, "If Shirrow is so special then why does he need our help? I never even had a chance!"

His hair nearly got caught on fire.

Nomoka caught fire on some sticks.

"Now come on, Tihima is starting her hunt. We must be ready," she said.

Jika put his face near the geyser.

"FIRE!" He shouted crazily.

Mako and Bolin were looking for Tihima.

"See anything yet Bolin?" Mako asked, "We have to make sure there's not a scratch on her."

"Nothing yet," Bolin said.

Mako spotted her.

"Aha," he said, "Found ya."

Tihima was going near a group of caribou.

She stepped on a rock and made a sound.

The caribou ran off.

Mako and Bolin saw them and screamed.

The two of them jumped to shelter to avoid getting trampled.

"I guess this is one of the parks where the animals play at," Mako said.

They both turned and were startled by Tihima.

"AAAUGH!"

Tihima folded her hands.

"What are you two doing here?" She asked.

"Um…. We were just heading out to do some shopping for the house," Bolin said, "Opal wanted me to pick out some….."

"My dad sent you out here didn't they? Even after he promised to let me do this alone?"

"No, he…. He just didn't want you to get hurt," Mako said, "It was actually Or….."

"I should've known he wouldn't give me a real chance," Tihima said running off, "I'll do this on my own away from the Water Nation!"

"Tihima wait!" Mako said.

Meanwhile Jika and Nomoka started a fire.

"Let's light some FIRE!" He said.

He was starting a circle.

"Roasty toasty princess, roasty toasty princess!" He said, "Hey is something burning or is it just me?"

He realized he was in the fire.

"FIRE! AAAAAAHHHHH!" He said jumping out.

He then started to laugh until Nomoka pulled him away.

Tihima saw a group of animals and was prepared to catch them.

The animals started running again.

"What now?" She asked.

She then saw a fire.

"Oh no," she said.

She started to run back.

Vita and Shirrow were watching.

"The plan is in motion. You know what to do. Go!"

Shirrow jumped in.

Back at home, Oren was pacing around.

"Don't worry Oren your sister's gonna be fine," Asami said, "Its not like a fire is starting."

Oren saw fire coming.

"No…. No!" He said, "Tihima!"

He rushed down and was followed by Korra and Mekan.

The water tribe guard followed him as well.

"Vato, you fly ahead with Tenzin and find her!" Korra said.

"Kati, you go and calm the flames down," Oren said.

Tihima was running from the flames attempting to find shelter.

She started to get weak and faint.

Shirrow found her and carried her to safety.

He was avoiding all of the flames while doing so.

Tenzin saw everything.

"I must tell them!" He said.

Tihima woke up.

"Where…. Where am I?" She asked.

"You're safe and sound, in the water nation," Shirrow said.

"The water nation….. why?" Tihima asked, "Who are you anyway?"

"I'm the guy who saved your life," Shirrow answered.

"Listen, I appreciate your help but I had everything under control."

"Not from where I'm standing."

"Then move downwind." She walked away and Shirrow jumped in front of her.

She was following his every move to try and flank him.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

Tihima recognized those words.

"Shirrow?" She asked.

"After all these years," Shirrow said, "We finally see each other again."

"Tihima!" Korra said.

The crew arrived.

"Are you ok?" Korra asked giving her a hug.

"Yes," Tihima said before turning to Mekan, "Dad how could you break your promise?"

"I didn't send Mako and Bolin after you."

"It was my idea," Oren said.

"Why?" Tihima said, "You told me you'd back down."

"Well its a good thing I didn't, I almost lost you," Oren said, "No more hunts for you by yourself, not ever!"

"But I was doing just fine!" Tihima shouted back, "Even before Shirrow…."

"Shirrow?!"

He aimed his sword near him and the were about to fight.

"Hey you!" Katara shouted, "How dare you save the chief's daughter!"

Korra was surprised.

"You saved her?" Korra asked, "Why?"

"We are grateful for what you did," Mekan said, "But why did you just out of curiosity."

"I humbly ask to join your tribe," Shirrow said.

"No!" Oren said butting in, "You were banished with the outlanders long ago to the forgotten lands."

"I left them long ago, and I am now a rogue. Judge me now for as I am, or am I to be blamed for a crime I didn't commit."

Oren thought for a moment.

Kati confronted him.

"Oren you owe him your sister's life," she said.

"He has a point boss," Dega said, "I know you don't trust him, but you can't judge someone by who their father is."

He turned to Mekan.

"Dad?" He asked.

"Your team's right son," Mekan said, "Although Unalaq is our enemy, you shouldn't judge his offspring."

"Royal protocol demands that a debt be paid, and in this case you might want to make an exception," Tenzin added.

Oren grinned.

"Alright, my grandfather's law will prevail, but for now…. I reserve judgement. But we'll see who you really are."

They started to walk back.

Korra and Tihima were happy.