Prologue
The snow fell softly, polluted with specs of black soot. The white powder had been crushed down to the metal surface of the deck by boots. All of them led to the middle of the ship where soldiers clad in heavy red and black armor surrounded a kid. The boy was tan with blue eyes and couldn't have been more than about nine years old. All of the troops were in a fighting stance, ready to fight until they realized that it was a defenseless little kid. Confusion would have been shown on their faces but they were been covered by red, sea hawk mimicking helmets.
They led him up to the bridge, into the heat, but with the heat in the frigate came a strong odor of burning coal. One of the men led him while the rest followed them. When the man opened the door to the bridge, a man turned around. He wore a uniform larger, more intimidating armor of the same colors, however, his uniform did not have a mask, which revealed that he was a pale old man, yet still managed to looked menacing. When he saw the boy he was completely dumbfounded.
"What is he doing on our ship?" he said quickly and aggressively. The boy stepped back a step, slightly scared of the man because of his hostility. The man who had led him there protectively stepped in front of the kid.
"Sir, he is just a kid, he probably didn't know any better." The man replied with a surprisingly high amount of confidence.
"Probably?" He paused. "Probably!? Lieutenant, he is not supposed to be on my ship, therefore he is to be assumed as a threat." The man was completely enraged by such a simple word.
"But sir, there is no way he could be threatening, he looks like he's scared half to death." The man, who was apparently a lieutenant stepped back from in front of the boy, but he quickly coward behind the man again.
"If you want to believe that he is not a threat, then you may do so. But, realize that you are putting everyone in danger by doing so, therefore, you will be put on probation until he leaves the ship, or until you come to your senses."
"Then sir, I propose that we return him to the Southern Water Tribe." The boy seemed rather happy with this idea, but he didn't show it in fear of it getting rejected. This random man, a lieutenant of the Fire Nation, the same country that was set on destroying his and everyone else's, was suggesting to let him go back home.
The South Pole was the home of his tribe, the Southern Water Tribe. Everyone had eyes the color of the ocean, tan skin, and brunette hair just like him. His family was there, his father who was chief of the water tribe, his mother Kya, his sister Katara who had magical abilities that could move water, and Bato who was his father's best friend and like an uncle. It was where he had been born and raised. He had been learning everything needed to survive and sustain himself whenever he wandered aboard the ship that he was standing on now.
"No!" His thoughts were interrupted and hopes of returning home crushed by the mask less man. "We are currently en route to the capital where we will relay that the mission was a success to the Fire Lord." This peaked the boys interests once again. They were on a specific mission that was important enough to inform the Fire Lord in person. Things weren't adding up, it just seemed like a normal raid on the tribe, which is almost definitely under the radar of the fire lord in most instances. In fact, its true for all instances, except for this one of course.
"Sir, what shall I do until then, it will be at least week before we reach the capital, he can't just stand here the whole time." The lieutenant expressed general concern in his tone of voice.
"Well...part of your probation is the demotion of your quarters to the bottom of the ship, and as it just so happens, the room that you have 'picked' has two beds, or you can come to your senses and 'dispose' of the child." Replied the higher ranking man, taking joy in using emphasis. "Dismissed." He said in a firm, leader like tone.
It seemed like a rather nice room, place strategically near the bridge so he could get there quickly if something happened. It had a window to let in sunlight which it was doing currently, it had carpeting in the center to cover the bare metal floor, a large bed, and a large uniform storage compartment. A trunk under his bed and his uniforms were all he was allowed to take, he packed them together with jerky, mechanical body movements, clearly angered by the latest turn of events. The lieutenant and the boy walked alone down a long hallway on the lowest passenger deck the ship had. They had been quiet for most of the walk, until the lieutenant finally broke the silence, "What's your name kid?" He said in a firm voice.
"It... It's Sokka." He said, barely being able to talk because of anxiety.
"Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe." The lieutenant said to himself. "So why did you sneak onto the ship?" He knew he was going to be asked this question, he even had a plotted out answer.
"I...I don't really know actually, the whole village was being attacked, it was so crazy that I couldn't think straight." Sokka said, realizing the stupidity of what he had just said.
"Not your finest hour kid." He said, sounding slightly disappointed.
"So, what's your name, if you don't mind me asking." His voice was loaded with curiosity, remembering that he hadn't heard a single name while being on board so far.
He remained silent, as they apparently reached their room, which stood at the very end of the hall, right by the engine. He opened the door inwards to find that there were two small beds on either side of the room, with a fire nation flag hanging over one, and a flag with a sea raven over the other. They also had a standard issue trunk for Sokka.
"You can just call me Lieutenant. It's what everyone else calls me here anyway." Disappointment was starting to become a common theme in his voice.
"But Lieutenant, you must have an actual name." Sokka said, wanting an actual answer.
"Just go to sleep." The Lieutenants voice was unforgiving, almost harsh to Sokka. He followed the order, laying down underneath the fire nation flag. He lay on top of the sheets because the heat was still prevalent, until he fell into a slumber, dreaming of home.