Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA.


Sokka glanced anxiously at the hourglass at the front of the room. It was so quiet he was sure he could hear each grain of sand sand descending. Around him other students sat focused on their own exams. Some were scribbling frantically, others wiping the sweat from their faces or chewing their nails down to raw pink skin. Sokka continued to stare ahead, his exam finished, turned over. He had finished early as usual but did not want to attract attention to himself by turning it in first. If he outwardly performed better, he was sure to receive a beating for it.

By now Sokka was used to beatings. His nature was was not humble or shy, but his time in the Fire Nation had changed his attitude. His first day at school he was ambushed in a bathroom stall, told to go back where he came from while two boys shoved his head into a toilet. The first time that he achieved the highest score on a physics test he had been rewarded with a black eye, broken nose, and considerable bruises. They continually told him to go home, back to his barren wasteland, and often Sokka wanted to go home, to give up. He missed his GranGran's cooking, and man-to-man conversations with Bato, and he even missed bickering with his sister. But when Sokka thought of Katara he knew that she would never be bullied into backing down. Though he had never confided in her the true extent of his ill-treatment, it was easy to imagine her giving him inspiring speeches. Most of the time, that was enough.

At last the last few grains of sand fell to the bottom of the hourglass and Sokka joined the line of students reluctantly turning in their exams. Sokka hid a smirk as he observed their complaints and devastated expressions. Everyone in that room had been invited to Fire Nation University, but only the highest score would earn a full scholarship. For generations the Fire Nation had stolen from his people, and today he would take something back from them. He sat his exam on the table, confident that it was his ticket to the highest form of education available, and that he was stealing something intended for a true Fire Nation citizen.


Zuko regarded the small council of Fire Nation men around his table uneasily. The latest piece of legislation they had drafted for themselves would increase the number of whale the could hunt each year. Their current treaty with the water tribes was rather limiting they argued, and besides, why should the Water Tribes control the animals in the ocean?

Zuko could not not deny their reasoning. Besides, hunted whales produced a significant amount of valuable oil, and Zuko was anxious to increase the colony's revenue. He would see no other way to balance their budget, and he desperately wanted to impress his father. Uncle Iroh was seated next to him casting him concerned glances. Zuko decided to ignore his uncle and sign the bill. He looked up in irritation when the previously silent general finally decided to speak up. "Nephew, there is a reason the tribes only hunt what they need to survive. There is a delicate balance in the South Pole and if we disrupt it by over hunting then -" Zuko waved a hand to silence the older man.

"I don't care about delicate balances. The colonials may hunt as the please, provided that all oil exports are sold to the Fire Nation." The men nodded in agreement, and Zuko smiled to himself as he signed the document. Both his colony and his country would benefit from the decision, and he may even gain notice if they produced enough oil.

As the meeting drew to a close An-mei and her daughter came in to serve lunch. As promised by the Water Tribe healer, the young girl had made a full recovery. However Zuko could not help noticing the woman stagger as she moved and noticed a tremor in her wrists that had not been there before. He wondered if it would pass in time or grow worse but decided not to dwell on it at the moment. Someone would have to notify the tribes of his latest decision but in the mean time they could celebrate.


Katara stood silently as the Water tribesman in front of her explained the new governor's latest crime to her. It always amazed Katara how Bato could keep such a calm and collected appearance even when she knew he was upset. She sat down in the canoe he was working on as he described the diminishing number of whales in the South Pole. She ran her gloved hand along the smooth curve of the recently carved canoe. Bato seemed to do his best work under dire circumstances. She had come to his workspace to share Sokka's letter with him but it seemed best to keep it folded in her pocket at the moment. At last he gathered his tools and turned back to her. "We can't let them do this Katara. The Fire Nation destroys everything, given enough time. If they hunt whales, the whale will eventually disappear, and us not long after."

"Maybe I can talk to him" said Katara. "The governor owes me a favor after all". She thought about the relief on his face when she had told him his servants would be fine. Either he was strongly attached to them, or he was more softhearted than they had been led to believe.

"Perhaps, but please don't get your hopes up, the Fire Nation only remember favors when it is convenient for them". She nodded her head solemnly, but Bato could tell from the look in her eyes that she already believed she could save them. Katara's ability to hold on to hope was admirable, but at times it worried him. He could not bear to see her hopes crushed, and immediately regretted sharing this responsibility with her. "Do you want me to go with you?" Katara thought on this for a moment. Bato might give the impression of trying to intimidate the governor, but she would need him to explain the problem. Katara knew she was likely to get emotional, and the Fire Nation did not respond well to hysterics. Katara agreed and Bato covered the half-finished canoe and put his tools away before the set off toward the governor's house.


The gates of the Fire Nation compound were closed to the two Water Tribe leaders. That should not have been a surprise, but the last time Katara had been there she had been with the prince himself, and almost forgotten the feeling of having doors closed to her. She was in a fit of yelling at the young guard regarding her curiously from his watch tower when Bato silenced her with a simply by taking her hand firmly in his. "As subjects of the Fire Lord we have a right to petition our governor" he said stepping forward "Or do you not honor your own laws?" This was a remarkably tactful question since when you wanted anything from the Fire Nation you should appeal to their sense of honor. The only thing Fire Nation men valued more than honor was their superior sense of law and order, and Bato had just challenged both. The guard opened the gates to them reluctantly. However, they were both thoroughly searched for weapons before being allowed entrance.

By the time the pair reached the governor's house they were feeling slightly irritated and disheartened with the situation, and Katara wondered if they would have to argue their way in through these doors as well. Luckily it was the house keeper An-mei who let answered the door, and the woman remembered her. She had them wait in the hall while she went to announce their arrival. It was not the governor who greeted them, but his uncle, General Iroh. Iroh was surprisingly polite and friendly as he ushered them into the sitting room. He explained that his nephew was currently training, but that they were welcome to wait. He served tea and and attempted to make small talk, but Bato was eager to explain their purpose and leave. Iroh nodded in understanding as Bato talked about the importance of the whales to their tribe, and Katara grew hopeful as the old man seemed to agree.

Unfortunately they did not have as much luck with Prince Zuko. He bowed in greeting to both of them when he walked into the room, looking like he had just been through a strenuous workout, and seemed to be in a good mood. He also looked genuinely pleased to see her and even remembered her name this time. It wasn't until he realized that they were there to protest the hunting of whales that he became defensive and dismissive. "My decision is final. You have rights to your own coast, but beyond that is none of your concern. Granting permission to hunt whales beyond that territory is not a breach of our present treaty."

"If you over hunt the whales, their numbers will diminish. We have always hunted only what we need to survive. Besides disrupting our entire environment, you will cause us all to starve in later years." Bato was growing tired of the prince's youthful stubbornness and blind pride. He had learned a year ago that rebellion would only bring his people further suffering, but could only be pushed so far without pushing back. "If you do this, there will be consequences, the tribes will suffer, and likely your own people as well." Zuko seemed to ponder the man's words for a moment, but did not seem impressed.

"My decision is final, but there is no need for you to be so anxious." Now Zuko began to smirk a little, and Katara bristled at his arrogance. "You could benefit from this business venture as well. To hunt the whales, my people will need appropriate vessels"

"Then we wish you the best of luck with that. Fire Nation ships have always been ill suited for navigating through the South Pole" Bato crossed his arms indifferently, perhaps the Fire Nation would not be able to hunt whales very efficiently.

Zuko poured himself another cup of tea and took a long sip before continuing. "Since coming here, I've been doing my research, catching up on the important details of both communities. It seems that you, Bato of the Water Tribe, are a ship builder and a good one, possibly the best. I need boats, and you will build them, and be well paid. It should be more than enough to compensate for the loss of your. . . large blubbery friends." At this Bato stood up angrily.

"If you continue with this plan, you will not receive any help from me, or any Tribesman for that matter. Enjoy crashing into icebergs and being capsized by angered whales. Be careful on your hunts. I can tell you from personal experience that our 'large blubbery friends' do not go down without a fight, and neither will we." Bato took Katara's hand and she followed him out the door, with a quick pleading glance back toward the governor. But from the fury she saw in his own yellow eyes she doubted he would yield any time soon.

As they made their way home Katara replayed in the scene in her head. Perhaps they should not have challenged the prince so openly, but she was not ready to give up. Maybe she should confront him alone, she was sure they had shared a connection when she had treated An-mei and Liana. Katara decided that she would see him again soon. This was far from over.


Author's note: Thank you everyone for your reviews, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Again, constructive criticism is always welcome. Here are some responses to questions/ concerns.

BlueLion: Yes I have a lot of historical references in mind. I have sort of combined what I've learned about various colonial situations, including India, Senegal, Brazil, and of course the actual Avatar universe.

Kimberly T: I realize rhinos in the South Pole don't make a lot of sense, but I also got the impression that the Fire Nation's military was somewhat dependent on them no matter the climate. Also, this is an AU to an already fictional universe so I figured I could use some creative license. Mostly though, Zuko and Katara riding together on some form of animal transportation is a classic Zutara cliche that I just wanted to include. : )

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.