TheOrderOfTheWhiteLotus
7/7/12-7/14/12
I always start what I finish… Just another Sokkla Fanfic, takes place after 100 year war and Promise Part 2. (After Promise and before the Search)
I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Chapter: Introduction
Sokka gave out a deep sigh as he watched the ocean wave's crash again and again against the ice cliff wall 20 feet below his dangling feet under the white light of the full moon. It had been a long year and 7months since the end of the 100 Year's War and he was in a non-ending state of depression. His once loved home, the small Water Tribe village in the South Pole had grown in size to now be called a small port city due to a large influx of immigrants from their sister tribe in the North Pole. Along with the new residents came more pressure and control for their leader; his father Chief Hakoda. Hakoda though a good and worthy leader was under immense pressure and due to his increasing age was trying to tutor and mold his son now a 17 year old young man into a worthy candidate to replace him during the inevitable tribal elections that were certain to happen in the years to come. He tutored his son on topics such as economics, diplomacy, strategy, politics, his continuation of Water Tribe warrior training and public speaking; something that Sokka still hadn't grasped. Although Sokka was willing to learn as much as he could from his father in order to become a great leader, he couldn't help but feel dispassionate during the past 7 and a half months. In fact it had been about 7 months year since his break up and total separation from the one person he loved more than meat… Suki. Their separation hadn't been a bitter one; instead it had been an experience of disappointment and betrayal for the young Water Tribesman. She confronted him during his, Kataras and Anngs visit to the royal palace following the incident at Yu Dao explaining that she had left him for Zuko; that she was pregnant with his child after a heated night comforting Zuko over his break up with his long time lover Mai. She further backed up this by saying that although most people wouldn't agree to their rushed marriage; it was what was best for their child; the new heir to the throne and what was more was that Zuko had grown a love for Suki and his unborn mix blooded offspring. She continued justifying it by saying that it also had its appeal on the international scale; that Firelord Zuko needed some moral support and a reason to stick to his plans of world peace, that that reason would be his family which was now her and that she would stand by him in his times of need, while strengthening relations with the Earth Kingdom for his and the worlds sake. She admitted that she wished that they could have separated on better terms and that she was sorry that things had turned out the way they did.
At first Sokka tried to protest their marriage; eventually skipping their wedding in the palace and taking the first boat home, while the others stayed and reluctantly congratulated the couple; all while he was still claiming his love for Suki. But overtime he began to convince himself why she left him in the first place. For the past 7 or so months since her crowning of the title Firelady; Sokka was still clinging onto the plaguing subject. As he sat on the cliff basking in the light of the moon he obsessively listed out reasons why she felt him unworthy of a life partner. Of course she left, he thought, Zuko was everything that Sokka was not. Zuko was serious, daring, persistent, strong, brave, cultured, mannered, understanding, rich, important and of course he was the Firelord. Zuko could provide her things that he never could, the best he could was win her a high seat in society if married an elected Chief; which he intended to until their separation, as all citizens were considered equal in the South Pole. Royals get glory over heroes; especially heroes with nothing to do in a post war world, Sokka added on a side note to himself. But didn't Suki say that she loved him because he was so smart, clever, easy going and funny? Sokka had long ago told himself that these were the reasons why she had left him heart broken in the first place. It was because of this thinking that got him to partially lose his sense of personality; his gusto, confidence and sarcasm. Although he still was a proud warrior, he was only half the happy go lucky man he used to be. At first everyone including his father Toph, his sister and Anng noticed his change of behavior. They all put up with it at first but as the first month passed Toph told him to toughen up before briefly leaving their group to tend to her metal bending academy; while Katara and Anng were so immersed in their love that they soon stopped noticing. Their love still gave him the ogies although not as "ogie" as before still reminded Sokka of all the outcomes of the war and noticed that he had not gained a satisfying ending. Toph had a fresh beginning with her parents and started her own metal bending academy, Zuko was the leader of a country with his beloved Suki as his bride along with their new born child, born a weeks ago; whom he still had not seen contrary to everyone else. Anng and Katara were often not around in the South Pole for very long amounts of time as the love struck couple continued making their trips of Avatar peace pertaining to the former colonies where most problems had been settled 7 months ago. His grandmother had finally reunited with her betrothed and were far too busy enjoying the senior ship of the new post war era and last but not least was his father. Hakoda was so up to neck in work that the only family time he had with Sokka was during his 3 hours a day of training. It was then that Hakoda bonded with his son and also noticed his change of behavior following his return to the South Pole. After pulling it out of his son Hakoda also was sympathetic towards his son's pain. But begin tired and having a country to run can make a man's patience run short. By the second month he was giving Sokka lectures of how he had to move on just as he had following the death of their mother. He suggested that Sokka go out and meet a nice Water Tribe girl from the North as the Southern Tribe didn't have any females his proper age previously. Hakoda supported this notion partially because he saw his son in continuous pain and self pity but also because in order to be selected to be Chief a candidate was expected to be of marrying age (something that Sokka was well over by 1 year) and of course a well established family man. Hakoda knew if his son was to become Chief he had to start his own family now. Sokka knew this and was grateful for his father's attempts of help and support but he just couldn't find it within himself to overcome the loss of Suki. All these feelings of sadness, loneliness, neglect, the pressure placed on him by his father along with the feeling of not being as useful as his friends in a post war world left him feeling disenchanted, useless and alone. It was often times like these in the past 7 months that the Water Tribesman came to this exact location just outside the city walls he built himself near the port to reflect on his life.
Sokka took in another breath of the salty cold sea air; he remembered various dim memories of "the good old days" when life was so simple. Back then his home was nothing more of a small fishing village lacking of men and he stepped in as the oldest to take charge against the "evil" Fire Nation devils. He remembered the time he, Katara and Anng visited the Fire Nation town on their journey to the North Pole. He remembered that painful night that he couldn't protect the beautiful Yue; he was saddened and ashamed by the memory of the girl he couldn't protect, even though he had gotten over her, her fate and destiny as the moon often irked him. Next, he remembered when he was trapped in the Cave of 2 Lovers with the singing nomads and being rescued by giant badger moles. He remembered sucking on those disgusting frogs that Anng had given to Katara and him. He remembered with a small smile when he, Anng and Katara first saw Toph at that Rock Rumble, how immature he was then; but how could he blame himself he would be the same right now if it weren't for this slump. He remembered the first time he saw Ba Sing Se and how it awed him. He remembered some of the brave faces that fought along with them during that horrible war; Smellerbee, The Duke, Pipsqeak, Crazy King Bumi, Piandao… then he remembered Jet and that smile quickly faded away and turned into a frown. A silent remembrance of a fallen comrade. He remembered Combustion Man, the first and only life he had taken and the frown got even deeper with unpleasant memories. Then he remembered taking down the whole fleet of air ships during the arrival of Sozin's Comet. He remembered him and Toph about to fall to their deaths when he was suddenly rescued by their savior; his beautiful Suki. He remembered the way her auburn brown hair waved in the wind, the way her mouth agape with delight, the way her eyes shone like the stars, the way her body… stop! Before he knew it he was thinking about her again and once again he was back in his depressed state. He looked out towards the ocean once again and then at the moon. If only Yue were here he wished then none of this would have happened. He was half way through telling himself to get over "it" temporarily making him forget about the women in his life when a blinding white light suddenly appeared in front of him. It was so bright at first, for a few seconds the white light shone as bright as a star. He tried closing and covering his eyes, straining to see. Then suddenly the light dimmed enough for Sokka to open his eyes without hurting. There floating in midair right in front of him was a figure he hadn't seen in well over a year… Yue. For a few seconds Sokka was speechless, with his eyes as wide open as his gaping mouth; he sat there dumbfounded and surprised. It took him a few moments to process what was happening, when he finally registered that it was indeed the great Moon Spirit in front of him he realized how ironic it was that she showed up at the time when he was thinking of her the most. He fixed his features, closing his mouth and blinking for a few moments as Sokka was often skeptical about the spiritual world. Finally accepting that this was no mind trick of any sort based on his experiences with Anng and his own trip into the spirit world he broke the brief seconds of silence with an obvious question. "Yue? Is that You?". "Yes Sokka I'm here…" replied the Moon Spirit with ease. "What are you doing here?" Again questioned a curious Sokka, not bothering to show any courtesy. "There is someone I would like you to meet; he may be able to help you through this time of pain for you…" "Who? Who's going to meet me?" Asked Sokka, he was extremely confused and bewildered by the events that just took place. But there was no reply from Yue as her already retreating form showed little in stopping. He stood up from his sitting position and reached out to her rapidly distancing form. "Wait! Yue! Wait!" he screamed, unwilling to see her go so abruptly and already missing the sweet melody sound of his first loves voice. But there came no reply as she shimmered and disappeared back into the darkness. Sokka stood there for a moment debating whether or not what happened really transpired. Or if he was going crazy and that it was all in his head. He chuckled suddenly and thought "they should lock me up in that loony bin on that Island that Azulas at". He was about to ponder on why the spirits would contact a guy like him, after all he wasn't the Avatar when another light suddenly shone through the black night sky. Though this one was much less bright; more of a blue glow that flashed its way into position. Then suddenly the blue glow took form of a person; it took the place of a tall old man wearing traditional Fire Nation robes. On top of his head was a shining royal artifact that pined his long grey hair into a neat top knot. It took Sokka a minute to recognize this man from statues in the temples dedicated to the Avatar during his travels with Team Avatar during the war. Sokka's eyes widened, " Avatar Roku!" Sokka said in alarm. Once again he was in shock; though less than before as he often saw the Avatar in the form of Anng. Avatar Roku hovered in front of him for a few seconds and let silence hang between them before saying what he had to say. "Sokka hero of the Southern Water Tribe I am Avatar Roku, I have observed you during your travels with Anng. I know you personally as me and Anng have a spiritual link and I know you as a trustworthy friend and a good and kind soul. I'm here because I, through Anng have seen you go through this hard period of your life. You have known much hardship and when you finally had everything you wanted; it was suddenly ripped away from you. Yet you didn't change, you stayed the same person and tried patiently to work through the hardship and doing your best at what's right, that's what makes you so noble. The Moon Spirit and I have chosen you to complete a task that I can only entrust to you." "What is it? What does the world need from me?" Asked curiously and cautiously afraid of what it might be. "No, the role of worldly arbitrator is solely the Avatar's; this task is one of more selfish reasons; I want you to rescue the former Princess Azula of the Fire Nation." "You want to WHAT!" Screamed Sokka. "Are you crazy? Why would you want me to do something like that? She's evil and causes nothing but trouble. For all I care she can rot in her cell." Sokka had forgotten for a moment who he was talking to. "I want you to help her; she has gone through a great deal … and she is my great granddaughter; you must help Azula reach a state of better well being, and to show her the light and goodness of life. She was raised by her father and became what her father wanted her to become evil, angry and violent. Her mother abandoned her when she was young and she was raised to be a perfect soldier by her father; all while never showing her the love she secretly yearned. That was why she was so willing to commit those crimes for her father; she was doing them in hope of his affection. Because of all the betrayals she experienced and being brought up by her father she never trusted anyone save her 2 friends; but alas they abandoned her just the same as everyone else. These are the reasons why she lost her mind; I only discovered this as I observed her with great sadness. She has never had a real person to care after her, save Zuko. But he alone combined with her isolation in her cell isn't the solution. It's time she left the darkness behind like her brother." Sokka was confused, he was suddenly thrown into an odd situation where 2 spirits had visited him and expected him to release the biggest threat to the world and to show her the light? Sokka felt confused and mad at the same time. Who were these 2 almighty beings trying to fool, he wasn't a healer like Katara, he wasn't the Avatar, and he wasn't even a bender. He was just Sokka the Southern Water Tribe peasant… he was to the Azula anyway. "First off, are how do you expect me to do something like that when she is insane and locked up in a mental asylum on some island in the Fire Nation? Secondly, why should I help her, she's evil and tried to kill Anng?". Roku looked at the boy; he had anticipated the young Water Tribesman not to understand. "You will first go to the Fire Nation and confront Zuko to try to get him to release her. Azula has gone through all the therapy and improvement that she can in the asylum as she is now back in her sane state. To further her development she must be exposed outside of the dark cell she occupies. If she doesn't change her ways then the world will be at danger again for if she ever escapes from imprisonment in this state she could very well cause havoc. Although Anng, Firelord Zuko and the Earth King Kuei have now solved most of the problems in the former colonies this past year; there are still rebelistic pro-war ideals and figures floating around calling for a revival of the violence and hatred that stemmed from the 100 Years War. Many of these rebels in and out of the Fire Nation may view Azula as the perfect replacement for Zuko as Firelord and may try to use this as a motive to restart the cycle of violence; this greatly jeopardizes the balance, stability and peace that you all have fought for. If Azula were to only see the error of her ways and side herself publicly with you and your friends, this may quell some of these thoughts and beliefs. Not only the fact that this could very well affect the world we know, I know that she deserves better. My great granddaughter has suffered a lot mostly due to her upbringing and the environment that was created due to the war that I failed to stop. Therefore her fate is somewhat of my burden too, I have been buried under the guilt of not preventing this war when I should have. Now Anng has saved the world and fixed my mistakes; it's time that the toll on my family be lifted as well. She has good in her just like her brother but has been led astray, and she is yet to discover it. You Sokka are the person that we have chosen to show her the good inside of her. You have the qualities and traits that are best suited to accompany her for her transformation." "But why me? What can I offer to her? I'm not the Avatar. I'm not a healer. I'm not even a bender… Why have you chosen me? What can I offer to Azula that anyone else can't?" At these questions Yue re-appeared in a shimmering of white light beside Avatar Roku once again addressing the Young Warrior. "Sokka the sprits and Avatar Roku have chosen you because of your personality. You are a kind and understanding soul, yet you are strong and dependable. My time knowing you has shown that you are an accepting person who is filled with much life, charisma and charm, enjoyable to be around and perhaps the only one that is smart enough to outwit Azula, shown by your planning and leadership skills during the war. Your travels have changed you, as you became more aware of your surroundings and educated in acceptance and forgiveness. These traits of yours are what makes most women attracted you" Yue paused before hesitantly continuing, "as I once was.". Sokka was awestruck by the compliments that Yue was giving him. He smiled sadly at hearing the last part of the Moon Spirits speech; no matter how down he was, Sokka still enjoyed complements; part of him wishing that things would return back the way they were when he and Yue used to walk together in the streets of the Northern Water Tribe a little under 2 years ago. Things were simpler then. But as he gazed at the beautiful woman in front of him he knew that it was impossible. "Don't forget that you were chosen based on you and yourself only. Your ingenuity and charm are your greatest tools. She may need time to adjust to her new surrounds. She will need help and someone to trust. A familiar face is a good start for her. She even knows your name." Stated Roku simply. "We also chose you because we felt that this journey could do you some good to help heal the pain that you are experiencing as of now." "How is this supposed to help me?" Sokka asked. "Are me and Azula supposed to become best friends over night?" He asked sarcastically. He was surprised at the sharp bitterness of his own voice. It was evoked by the memory of his own self pity. Along with the suffering and pain of losing Suki. "Perhaps this mission will distract you from your pain for a while. It might give you a sense of purpose that you've been wanting for since your separation from your beloved. It will return the feeling of belonging to a greater purpose, the feeling of usefulness. And we believe that you will discover more about yourself during this trip." Replied the late Avatar. "You know I'll be honest, I'm not really buying it." Answered Sokka. Yue looked at him for a moment, seeming to be in deep thought. Sokka paused seeing that Yue was a loss of words and Roku remaining silent, almost anticipating him to continue. "And how do I know that I could save Azula's "inner goodness" if I wanted to. I couldn't even protect you Yue." Roku had long known that this subject was going to presented. He could tell from the look on their faces that showed they shared a common past. From Sokka's sudden look of shame to Yue's of sadness. Yue looked calmly into Sokka's big sad ocean blue eyes that begged for forgiveness. "Sokka that was a different time when nothing could have been done. You didn't fail; in a way you did protect me… I reached my destiny and became the Moon Spirit. You and I never could have been together Sokka. You need to let go of the past, past Suki and me. You still have your life to live. You need to discover your destiny… your destiny is to help this lost girl regain her way. The fate of this girl is in your hands; and possibly the whole world. Will you at least attempt it… for me?" Sokka let her words hang in the air for a moment of silence. He hung his head and thought hard, no he didn't want to help the former Fire Nation Princess that hurt his friends. But how could he say no to Yue? He still felt the guilt of failing her. He thought for another moment weighing his options. The Moon Spirit and the old Avatar waited patiently for his response. When Sokka finally reached his decision he looked up at the two glowing figures. "I'm not sure what I'm going to be able to accomplish. But I will try to help Azula for the sake of the world, and for you." He said as he turned his head toward Yue. "Are you sure there is no one else who you would rather do this job?" He asked reluctantly as he looked between both figures. "No." They both said in unison. Yue was the first to speak up. "I believe that you can and will complete your task Sokka, just as you always have. You are brave and noble. I will always remember you…." And with that the Moon Spirit's figure shimmered away until there was no more. Sokka then turned toward Roku's blue shining figure. Roku took that it was his turn to speak… "Go. Go to the Fire Nation and save her and the worlds fate. Go Sokka and embrace your destiny." Roku's lower half started to dissolve and as the he did so he looked Sokka in the eye and said "Thank you." And with that the Avatar was no more. Sokka stood where he was pondering over what happened during the past few minutes. He had been visited by a spirit which was rare for a normal human. But a past Avatar was unheard of. He would have to talk to Anng about it he decided. Although he was excited about the idea of an new adventure and a chance to leave the South Pole; he couldn't help but have his doubts if the 2 visitors had placed this responsibility on the wrong set of shoulders. After all shouldn't this be a job for the Avatar, the Firelord or a great political figure? He honestly didn't know and he wouldn't know until he saw Azula himself. He decided that he needed to assess the situation personally. So until further notice, to the Fire Nation it was. And he was dreading the visit. He was going to have to make a lot of decisions and plans if things were to be successful he thought. After all he was the meat and plan guy. But like things, they could wait until morning after a nice long slumber he decided. And with that in mind he hurried back towards the city wall, towards his family's igloo hut. After all he was just a man and a man needs his sleep.
My first fanfic. Comment!