Just Like the Good Old Days
Redbayly: Hey, folks, I'm back again!
Sokka: Nobody cares.
Redbayly: Oh, Sokka, still being a troll I see.
Sokka: But…I don't have warts or live under a bridge.
Redbayly: Ignoring that. Welcome back to "Just Like the Good Old Days." Before we begin today's chapter, I have something of an announcement to make.
Sokka: You've finally decided to start brushing your hair again so you won't look like a red-headed Janis Joplin?
Redbayly: Oh, shut up, Sokka. As you all most likely know by now, the new season of Legend of Korra is out. However, I have a few problems…
Sokka: Ain't that the truth. Your first problem is you're writing this rubbish when you should be studying.
Redbayly: *Sweetly* Sokka, if you don't stop acting like a hater, then I'm afraid I'll have to send you to the torture chamber.
Sokka: You fiend! You wouldn't dare subject anyone to that!
Redbayly: I'm sorry, Sokka, but your choice is either to play nice or be subjected to several hours of Rebecca Black music (if you can even call it music).
Sokka: I'll be good.
Redbayly: Anyway, as I was saying. In addition to the AU factor of having Tarrlok and Noatak involved in Korra's life, I'm going to make several canonical changes. For one thing, I don't get why the Southern Water Tribe is under the jurisdiction of the Northern one (they split up for a reason!); so, instead of Unalaq being chief of both tribes, the South will have their own chief.
Sokka: And I'm sure all Sokka fans will be pleased by who it is. Even if the character will be an OC.
Redbayly: Also, even though Bryke already revealed the identity of the first Avatar (some guy called "Wan"), I have had a headcanon running for about three years about the first Avatar. So, the first Avatar in this story will be different. Also, I have come up with a religious system for the Southern Water Tribe (as I really hated how they were described as being completely un-spiritual).
Sokka: Well, you've made your announcements; can I just do the disclaimer, already?
Redbayly: Sure, go ahead.
Sokka: Redbayly does not own Legend of Korra. *Whispers* Which is most definitely a good thing.
Redbayly: I heard that. Also, please note while reading the beginning of this chapter that I have been on a Native American music kick for the past few days; added onto the fact that I'm taking a Native American Religions class. And, considering the Water Tribes are pretty much ripping off Native American culture…
Sokka: Hey!
Redbayly: Well, let's just say that I draw some inspiration from some things I've been learning when I write about the Southern Water Tribe and beliefs, rituals, and spiritual activity. Just to make one thing clear, I am in no way an expert on Native American culture and any use of Native American names, customs, or any sort of practices was learned completely second-hand.
Sokka: You're just trying to make sure you don't offend anybody, aren't you?
Redbayly: Well, yes.
Sokka:*Sighs* Another person going politically correct.
War Dance
Korra's POV:
I was sitting amongst other people of the Southern Water Tribe; we were all encircling a large fire that crackled and hissed as the arctic wind rushed by. Noak was sitting on my right side, Tarro on the left; my parents were seated in front of me. My mother's family was also sitting nearby; however, my mother and father were in a primary spot as they are the respective heads of the Polar Bear-Dog Clan. My mother's older sister, however, was seated apart as she is the female head of the Wolf Clan and needed to sit in prominence for them. I noticed that everyone was unusually still; then, out of nowhere, chanting began.
Drums began to beat and rattles shake as I noticed the heads of the clans rise from their seats and begin to dance. It was not the joyful dance of one of the sacred festivals; no, the sharp, aggressive movements of the dancers and the sorrowful "eh-ya-he-he, hey-ya, hey-ya, weh-ya-ha-ha" of the chanters was clearly a sign that this was a war rite.
As the dance progressed, I noticed the faces of the clan leaders changed to people I have never seen. Their clothing looked older, less ornate, and even patched or frayed or even stained with blood.
Amidst the flames there were figures, bizarre animalistic shapes that danced in time with the music. As I looked around, I saw that everyone else was wearing war-paint and ancient-looking battle-gear. When I listened closer, I could hear the Shaman and the Prophetess singing in the ancient language; I recognized the words as hymns to the Five Great Guardian Spirits of the Southern Water Tribe: Setna, Awonawilona, Bilagaana, Kangee, and Coahoma.
The music picked up tempo, there were hollers and hoots and all kinds of exclamations being made.
"Welcome, Korra, daughter of Tonraq and Senna of the Polar Bear-Dog Clan," said a familiar female voice. It was the voice I had heard in my head while I was captured. I looked around me but could not identify the speaker.
If I had to venture a guess, I would say I was finally going through the rite of the Vision Quest. The White Lotus had prevented my going through the Vision Quest on my sixteenth birthday because of how risky it can be; ordinarily, those undergoing the Vision Quest, or "Crying for a Vision," are sent out onto the tundra with very little food or fresh water in order to meditate alone in the dark in the hopes of receiving a vision from the spirits. Even though I find meditation boring, the Vision Quest is a sacred rite of passage and I had felt cheated when I wasn't allowed to go on it.
"Here I am," I replied. "Who are you? Where are you?"
"I am all around you, Korra. I am in you, and you are in me. So it has been for ages past, so it shall remain for ages to come."
I looked back at the war dance.
"Why are we preparing for battle?"
"Times of great conflict are soon to be upon you, Korra. You must be ready. Your friends will be with you and will help you; listen to them."
"Please tell me. I know you wouldn't when I was imprisoned by Tarrlok, but please tell me who you are."
"I am all that was, and all that will be."
Why must the voice in my head talk in riddles?
Noatak's POV:
"How's she doing?" Tarrlok asked.
"She still fast asleep," I replied. "I've managed to heal the cuts; good thing, too, as they were starting to get infected. I've also patched up the bruises."
Tarrlok gave me a slight 'look'; we both knew that you could only heal bruises with Bloodbending as they are internal wounds; let's just say Tarrlok and I had a lot of practice from the past.
"She also seems to be having a very vivid dream," I continued. "She keeps saying things in her sleep."
"What kind of things?"
"Mostly names of Southern spirits and a few lines of the old language."
"Hmm." I could see Tarrlok becoming thoughtful.
Just then, the door slid open and in came Asami, Bolin, and Mako.
"Is she awake yet?" asked Asami.
"I'm afraid not," I replied. "She's clearly exhausted. She's done a good deal of fighting and been kept locked up for about two days without food or water. Speaking of which, we might want to have some food ready for her when she wakes up."
"I'll get it," volunteered Mako. He seemed a little too eager for my liking.
"Very well; kindly bring some ginger root and hot water as well, will you?"
We exchanged somewhat hardened stares for a moment before he turned and left.
"What's the ginger root and hot water for?" asked Bolin.
"Ginger tea. It's one of Korra's favorites and is also a natural energizer that will help her recover more quickly."
There was a brief pause before Tarrlok spoke.
"Noak, you mentioned that you were kidnapped by the Equalists and interrogated by Amon."
"Yes, he tried to get information about Korra and my connections to her. He also took the…" Damn it! My older self still has the necklace I was carving for Korra!
"Took the what?" asked Bolin. "He didn't take your Bending, did he?"
"No," I said. I made eye-contact with my brother and he seemed to understand what I was saying.
"He took the necklace, didn't he?"
"What necklace?" asked Asami.
I could feel my face beginning to heat up.
"Noak was making Korra a betrothal necklace," Tarrlok answered for me.
"Wow, congratulations, dude," said Bolin. "Oh, wait, but Amon took it. Why would he do that?"
"He wanted to know why I had it," I said. "I guess he wanted to know just what my relationship with Korra is." I'm going to get that necklace back; even if I have to kick my older self's butt to do it.
Tarrlok's POV:
I was beginning to become a little wary of my brother. He had this determined glint in his eyes that indicated he was thinking very seriously about something. He was also probably still ticked off at me because of what my older self had done to Korra; that is why it is most definitely in my better interest not to make him angry at me.
It was another hour before Korra finally began to wake up.
"Hey, guys," she said in a scratchy voice.
"Korra, how are you feeling?" Noatak asked.
"Hungry."
Everyone in the room chuckled.
"We were anticipating that." He poured her a cup of the ginger tea. "Here, this will help you wake up."
Korra drank the tea and almost immediately began to look better.
"Thanks."
"Come on, we have food waiting for you in the dining hall," I said.
"Wait, are you sure you should be moving around so soon, Korra?" Noatak said in a worried voice. "I mean, shouldn't you get more rest?"
"Noak, I'm fine," she assured him. "I'm not an invalid. And if you even think of trying to help me to walk, I will so punch you in the face."
"There's the Korra we know," Asami said teasingly.
We walked with Korra over to the dining hall. She immediately began to eat; were she anyone else, I would have thought she hadn't eaten in a month. Police Chief Bei Fong and Tenzin began to ask Korra about what happened while my older self was keeping her prisoner.
"Well, first off," Korra said, "Tarrlok isn't who he says he is. He's Yakone's son."
I could feel Noatak stiffen beside me. I kept my eyes shifting from side to side; an unfortunate habit I have when I'm nervous.
"It all makes sense now," said an astonished Chief Bei Fong. "That's how Tarrlok was able to Bloodbend us without a full moon."
"But how did you escape?" asked Tenzin. "And where's Tarrlok."
"Amon captured him…" Korra paused, "And took his Bending."
"What?"
"Yeah, he showed up out of nowhere. He would have gotten me, too, if Noak and Tarro hadn't been there."
I noticed Tenzin give us an appreciative look.
"Good job, boys." He then became very serious. "How did you find Korra?"
"I became worried when Korra wasn't there that morning after Mako, Bolin, and Asami had gotten arrested," I replied. "I found Naga wandering the streets and had her track Korra to a cabin in the mountains."
Noatak took a moment before he spoke.
"Believe it or not, I actually got a ride there with Amon," he said. "The night Korra was kidnapped I had a few problems of my own. Someone had spiked my drink at a local hangout and I was captured by the Equalists."
Tenzin and Bei Fong both stared in disbelief.
"Amon interrogated me about my connection to Korra. He was curious about who I was. I managed to disarm the chi-blockers guarding my cell and stowed-away on the truck that Amon and his accomplices used to get to the cabin."
"Noak, I'm sorry we couldn't find you," Tenzin apologized. "We assumed you were with Korra and had hoped to find you both."
"It's alright, Master Tenzin. In fact, I think I stumbled upon some information that you might find interesting…" Noatak got a rather devious look on his face; I would definitely not want to be in his older self's place right now.
Noatak's POV:
I knew that if there was ever an opportunity to undo the damage I had done in the past, it was now. I told Master Tenzin and Chief Bei Fong about how I 'suspected' there was going to be an attack launched against the members of the city council and that another form of communicating with the United Forces should be sought as it was 'likely' that the Equalists had the wires tapped. Within half-an-hour, Bei Fong had sent out a dispatch of officers to ensure the council members were safe and several White Lotus sentries were ordered to covertly send a message to the United Forces.
Now, the only thing left to do was to stop the raid on the police headquarters.
"What do you mean we're not going?" I demanded after Tenzin shot down my suggestion.
"Noak, you and the others will be staying here while Lin and I go to the police headquarters," he replied. "I'm entrusting you with a serious responsibility to make sure that everyone is safe."
My frustration must have shown on my face because Tenzin placed a hand on my shoulder.
"I need to be sure I have responsible people looking after my family," he continued. "You may feel like you need to be out on the front lines with everyone else because I can see that you are more of an adult than most people twice your age. But, please, stay here and look after things while I'm gone."
Grudgingly, I nodded in assent.
Not an hour later the bombs began to fall on the city. In retrospect, that might not have been my best idea when I was Amon.
"We heard explosions," said Korra as she approached where I was standing. "What's going on?"
"It would seem that the Equalists are bombing the city," I replied.
"Right, you two stay here, we'll go and get 'em."
"What?" both Tarrlok and I replied.
"Why should we stay behind while you four are out fighting?" I said resentfully.
"Tenzin told you to look after Pema and the kids; therefore, me, Bolin, Mako, and Asami will go out there."
"And why do I have to stay behind?" Tarrlok practically whined.
"Because I know how well the two of you work together and in case either of you gets in trouble you'll have someone to watch your back."
I shared a look with my brother and we both slumped at the realization that she had a valid argument.
"Glad to see we're on the same page," Korra concluded a little too smugly.
After giving us both a parting hug (that nearly crushed us) Korra raced off with the others. I really was growing to hate it when I wasn't able to be there fighting alongside her. I could see Tarrlok was just as ticked off about this situation as I was. Well, I suppose things could be worse.
Redbayly: Hey, folks. Sorry about the short chapter but I just wanted to get another one done to make up for keeping you all on hiatus for so long.
Sokka: You could have made it longer you know. And you're splitting up a single episode.
Redbayly: I'm busy, alright! I've got tons of work to do! I am in college, in case you've forgotten.
Sokka: Okay, okay, sheesh. Anyway, looks like things are getting tense, huh?
Redbayly: No duh.
Sokka: The Equalists are probably very excited about their Revolution getting under way.
Redbayly: Yeah?
Sokka: In fact, it will probably be the day they remember as one of the most important days of their lives.
Redbayly: Uh-huh?
Sokka: But, for their leader, it was A-monday.
Redbayly:*Faceplants on table and begins to sob*
Sokka: Um, Red, are you okay?
Redbayly: I-it's just…y-you're s-so stupid.
Sokka:*Grumpy-face* I guess we'll see you all next time. Please leave reviews or I'll have to put up with Red's constant whining about how nobody loves her.