Song is Mycenaens by Giant Squid.

Don't worry guys, I didn't forget about Tarrlokk.
Only just the fact I've been spelling his name wrong for 19 chapters now. Oops.


Tarrlok finds himself thankful to the fact Noatak kept a TV in his room, though very doubtful it was put to use often. After being left behind to watch over a comatose Avatar with not much else to be done aside from waiting and reading, his anxiety got the better of him. The peace and isolation found out here was a rejuvenating breath of fresh air, or at least was - until now.

The silence and loneliness could only last so long. He began to ponder how his brother had lived out here alone for such a time with no form of complaints.

The idea of taking a hot shower before Korra and Noatak returned back home initially placated his mind. Any further plans beyond that were soon shot down at the arrival of his brother, the Avatar fast asleep within his arms as he ushered himself inside, giving little to no explanation as to what was to proceed after should plans go weary.

But now far too much time has passed and Noatak has yet to return. Desperate for any trace of what was happening, Tarrlok took it upon him to do something productive.

Deciding to check to see if the old tv covered in dust in the corner of the room still worked, he moves it effortlessly to the front of the bed, hooking up the cords in the back and retrieving a chair from downstairs to sit on. Flicking on the switch, only a blank screen and white noise vibrated through the box. What he saw on the screen was not what he expected.

Screecchhhhhh.

The video flips on to show a woman on screen, hunched over an object, ripping it apart with ferocity. When she moves to better angle herself, the object of interest is revealed to be a man, severely burned, his innards being torn out from his belly.

"Cut it, cut it!" A woman from behind the recording whispers loudly to the person holding the video camera so as not to be spotted from their hiding spot.

Finally the tv turns over to the woman leading the news channel. Her frame appears unharmed, though face is pasted and mangled in distraught. Her eyes screw and her breathing staggerers, trying to control her nerves. It takes moments before the reporter can muster the courage to finally look straight into the camera and push back fear.

"We're getting live footage of this... And it's...it's terrifying. The woman seems to have begun eating the man promptly after she burned him alive...Spectators are saying it's the same killer from Republic City."

The frightened reporter is unable to draw her eyes away from the scene the moment she casts a glance back over to it. Her lips tremble in a desperate attempt to continue forward, aware she is still being recorded.

Something happens and the sounds of shouting and yelling increases likely from the villages fleeing the scene in a fit of commotion. "Oh thank the spirits," She sighs in relief. "Backup has just arrived."

There is a lingering silence for moments, up until the TV turns black due to a loss of connection. Tarrlok sits up and moves to adjust the cords and antenna in an attempt to fix it. After two minutes of fidgeting with the damn thing it finally comes back on, immediately cutting back to the same reporter as before while in mid-speech. He hoped that would be the end of it. That Noatak would walk back into the house unharmed and in tact. Unfortunately, that was not the case.

"No one can stop her. And oh - spirits, I'm being told now that a Northern tribe man is trying to stop the woman single handedly!"

Tarrlok can't believe what he's seeing. The TV reveals a man he instantly recognizes as Noatak, submerged in battle and struggling to keep up with the woman's stamina. The fight is unlike anything he has ever seen. The woman even more so a plundering mystery of raw power. He feels his stomach wrench at the thought his eldest brother could very well lose not only his life, but his carcass as well, becoming fresh meat to an opponent with an upper hand.

The knot grows deeper. Tarrlok can feel his knuckles turn white while clenched into fists upon his lap. There is an unsettling sensation that can't be placed into words.

The camera angle finally changes and allows for a view of the battle from above. Even with waterbending he knows Noatak is very much out of practice in skill compared to his opponent. His brother won't be able to last if he doesn't do something. He turns to Korra, still sleeping. Paying better attention after not having noticed it before, Korra's eyebrows are pinched, a pained expression along her face and lips that trembled uncontrollably. The first insinuation is a nightmare, so he does what he can to in order to ease her into comfort. Placing a hand on her shoulder, the waterbender softly but assertively shakes her. "Korra, wake up. You're safe."

He wants to help as best he can, seeing as she gave them both a second chance, but he knows the Avatar is least likely to accept his and his brothers amends. Especially if Noatak had anything to do with the condition of her legs.

He tried once more, gently rocking her shoulder. Still, she did not stir.

Korra's mouth opened as if to speak, though nothing came out. Only soft murmuring of incoherent words.

"Oh...Oh no. It...it seems the woman has received backup. Two men have come to her aid just now. One is the waterbender that was last seen with her but the third man is not someone we are able to identify just yet."

The woman's eyes deceived her. She spoke of help coming to the rescue but the look in her face said all he needed to know. Noatak was outnumbered and was at an even higher disadvantage.

His brother would likely die if Tarrlok didn't act right now.

"Where is the Avatar when we need her? Everyone please, stay safe wherever you are."

Having no more of this, the former politician could sit around no longer and reduce himself to babysitting when his own flesh and blood and the last remaining family member hung on the line. He turns to the Avatar, knowing he is abandoning her and leaving her vulnerable. Somehow the thought does not pain him nearly as much as abandoning his brother to keep some promise.

"Oh-Okay, we're getting word that help is on the way. Men are on the scene assessing the situation the best they can."

Tarrlok watches the TV, nerves shot and anxiousness coursing through his veins. But there isn't any time to wait on reinforcements. If they did manage to save Noatak's life, the moment they found out who he was they would surely kill him. Being exposed as Amon and being recognized was the last thing he wished for his brother right after he had found peace of mind out here.

Bending or no bending, the man comes to a resolution and makes his decision. Tarrlok reaches for his coat, taking one last look at Korra, settled down and finally breathing evenly in a restful slumber, and departs to go fight for the first time in many years.