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Northern Water Tribe – Afternoon
A small boat cut through the waters of the North Pole.
Onboard, Sokka leaned against the railing and sighed. It had been just about a year since he had been to the Northern Water Tribe. Truth be told, it was not a place he was really looking forward to returning to.
About a year ago, Sokka had come here with Aang and Katara to try to find Aang a Waterbending Master to teach him. While here, Sokka had fallen in love with the Water Chief's daughter, Princess Yue. Their love was just not meant to be. First off, she was engaged to marry a young warrior, Hahn. Hahn was an arrogant jerk, who felt nothing for her; he was just interested in the power and prestige that came with her.
Sokka and Yue had tried to keep their relationship as just friends, but that was impossible. The two loved each other. However, they were soon torn apart. The Fire Nation invaded the Northern Water Tribe. The Fire Nation Admiral, Zhao, murdered the Moon Spirit to render the Waterbenders helpless to the Fire Nation's armies. Yue had a spiritual connection to the Moon Spirit, and sacrificed herself to save her tribe.
Sokka felt funny about returning here for two reasons. First, the memory of Yue was too painful. The other reason was because Sokka was now dating Suki. He felt awkward returning to his old girlfriend's home with his new girlfriend.
The sudden appearance of several Northern Water Tribe boats brought Sokka out of memory lane. The boats surrounded their boat, and led them to the Northern Water Tribe.
***
"Everyone, we wish to throw this banquet in honor of Sokka, the brave warrior from the Southern Water Tribe who helped to save the world!"
Chief Arnook bowed down to Sokka. The Northern Water Tribe had thrown them a huge feast in honor of Sokka's return. Sokka sat on Arnook's left hand with Suki and Ty Lee. On Arnook's right hand, sat Hahn, Sokka's archrival. Sokka couldn't help throwing him dirty looks, and Hahn would smirked at him.
Arnook also regarded Hahn. "It is also with great pleasure that I also announce Hahn to be my successor when I die." The crowd applauded Hahn, who seemed very pleased with himself and the attention he was receiving. "Since Princess Yue was my only child, and Hahn was engaged to be wed to her (Sokka grimaced) he is to replace me as Cheiftan." Arnook turned to Hahn, and placed his hand on his shoulder. "You know I regard you as my son."
Hahn nodded. "And I regard you as my own father." The two embraced warmly.
"Phony," Sokka coughed under his breath. Hahn shot him a look over Arnook's shoulder.
As the feast progressed, Arnook became locked deep in conversation with Sokka. Their conversation eventually turned to the reason Sokka had returned to the Tribe.
"We need to find Beto's reliquary," Sokka was telling him.
Arnook thought for a moment. "I don't seem to recall anything about a reliquary."
Sokka hung his head.
"Unless," Arnook said. Sokka perked up. "The Council of Elders might be able to help you."
"Council of Elders? Who are they?"
"The Council of Elders are exactly that – a council of elders. They are in charge of our culture's heritage and history. If anyone would know, they would."
"Where can we find them?"
"The Council of Elders' headquarters are located just east of here, on the other side of the tribe."
Meanwhile, Hahn had just slipped next to Suki. "Hey there, gorgeous."
Suki tried to edge away. "H-hey," she said. What do I do? She looked over at Sokka for support.
"So," Hahn said. "I'm gonna be the new chieftan. Whaddya think of that, huh?"
"Uumm, that's great Hahn."
"Maybe some time I can show you around the tribe."
Suki rubbed the back of her head. "Well, you see Hahn, you seem to be a nice guy and all, but I'm kind of going out with Sokka." Ty Lee giggled next to her. She had had almost that exact same conversation with Sokka in the Earth King's palace in Ba Sing Se.
"So-ka?" Hahn looked incredulous. "That loser? Come on, a catch like you can do so much better."
Sokka's hand gripped Hahn's shoulder. "Uuumm, loser."
Hahn stood up. "Yea, I said it. Loser."
Sokka's face began to turn red.
"You see, So-ka, I was engaged to marry Yue, the girl you loved. If she hadn't sacrificed herself, she would have been married to me. And now I'm going to be the Chieftain of the entire Northern Water Tribe. You're just a peasant. What can you possible offer this fine girl?" He eyeballed Suki eagerly. Suki blushed in embarrassment.
Sokka's face was now turning bloodred. "You…"
Hahn turned to Suki. "Hey babe, trust me. I can show you what a real man is like."
"YAAAAARGH!"
Sokka was on top of Hahn, furiously punching him in the face. The two rolled around in the snow. Everyone at the feast had stopped dead in their tracks and were watching intently, shocked.
Arnook sighed and walked over to the brawl. He pulled the two boys apart.
"Stop it, STOP IT! Can't you two let your old rivalries die? You should be ashamed of yourselves!"
The two lowered their heads. "He started it," Sokka said.
"And I'm ending it. You two are acting like children. Now shake each other's hands and end this thing."
"What," Sokka said.
"I'm not shaking his hand," Hahn spat.
"You will if you want to be Chieftain."
Hahn sighed. He gritted his teeth and shook hands with Sokka. "S-sorry," he mumbled.
"What, I can't hear you," Sokka gloated.
"Sorry." The two boys were shaking the other's hand in a furious death grip. It was so clear that the two couldn't dislike each other more.
***
"You know, I'm really disappointed with you." Suki was holding a tissue up to Sokka's bloody nose. "Fighting over something so trivial."
"Suki, if only you knew what that guy has put me through."
"That's no reason to go nuts. You need to learn to just walk away sometimes."
"This is coming from a Kyoshi Warrior."
Suki gave his nose a little twist and Sokka gave a small yelp.
"Sorry." She smirked.
Sokka stood up. "O.k. I think it's time we head over to see this 'Council of Elders'."
Ty Lee jumped up and down. "Oh boy, that sounds so exciting!"
"Not really, Sokka said. "Let's go."
***
The sun was beginning to set as the trio made their way towards the Council of Elders. The Council's building was located in a large icy building. Two Water Tribe soldiers stood guard. They parted ways to allow the trio to see them.
As they entered the building, a small man met them.
"You wish to see the Elders?"
The trio nodded.
"Right this way."
He led them to a large, circular building. There were all kinds of Water Tribe antiques and relics placed all over the wall. On one end of the room was a large, raised bench, with a circular shape. Seated on the bench were five, older gentleman – the Elders.
"May we help you," the Elder in the middle said. "I am Elder Zendo."
"Um, yes," Sokka said. "We need to ask you about Beto's reliquary."
Elder Zendo leaned back in his bench and stroked his beard. "Beto's reliquary. It's been a while since I've heard of it."
Sokka beamed. "So you do know about it?"
"Yes. But unfortunately, it was stolen from us some decades ago. We haven't heard of it since."
"Stolen?" Sokka couldn't believe it. It was over. Done. They had come all this way for nothing.
He turned to Suki and Ty Lee. "I can't believe this. Now what do we do?"
Suki sighed. "Shin Xao must have been here before us."
Sokka turned to the Elders. "Thank you for your time."
He turned and stormed out, Suki and Ty Lee hurrying to follow after him.
Northern Water Tribe – Night
Sokka couldn't sleep. He decided to go for a walk to clear his head. He had so much on his mind.
The group had decided to leave early tomorrow morning. Just as well, Sokka thought. He really didn't want to be here much longer.
He was so angry. He was angry at Hahn, he was angry at whoever stole Beto's reliquary, he was angry at Shin Xao for disrupting the peace they worked so hard to establish. But most of all, he was angry with himself.
He was angry with himself because he still had feelings for Princess Yue. Sokka felt like his heart was going to burst. Why couldn't he let go of her? It was over a year ago, and it wasn't like they had an actual relationship. More like a short, emotional affair. But still. He still remembered holding her in his arms as she died. That was a memory that tore his heart apart to this day.
What was the real reason for all this anger? Because deep down, he felt guilty. He felt guilty because he was charged with protecting Yue and he failed. He felt guilty because she died and there was nothing he could do about it. But most of all, he felt guilty because of Suki.
He felt guilty because he was in a relationship with Suki and he still had feelings for Yue. He felt like by dating Suki, he was betraying Yue; at the same time, he felt like he was betraying Suki by still having feelings for Yue.
After he and Suki had started dating, he worked so hard to repress these feelings. He hid them deep down and tried to bury them. But now, being here, all those feelings came flooding back.
Everywhere he looked, he had memories of her. When he looked down at the canals, he remembered when he first saw her. He remembered when he had first asked her out.
Back at the feast, earlier, he had remembered his first conversation with her. Those memories had helped to fuel his anger during his fight with Hahn earlier.
He didn't even want to go back to the Spirit Oasis for fear of what memories would come flooding out. He cursed under his breath.
Sokka looked up at the moon. Yue had died to save the Moon Spirit, and thus, had become the Moon Spirit. "Yue," he said. He remembered, she had appeared to him, once, after she died. He wished she would appear to him, just once more. Of course, nothing happened.
She had promised him she would always be with him. But she wasn't. He would never see her face again.
Sokka looked up at the moon and, for the first time in a long time, he cried.
***
As Sokka was walking back, he heard a voice. Hahn's voice.
Sokka rushed up unto a bridge overlooking a canal. Down, on the sidewalk of the canal, Hahn was walking with Elder Zendo. Sokka leaned over to better hear what they were saying.
"Don't worry Hahn." Zendo placed his hand on the young man's shoulder. "You will make a great Chieftain."
Hahn embraced the old man. "Thank you. You've been a great mentor to me over these years."
Zendo smiled warmly. "No problem, Hahn. I'm glad to be of any service to you that I can be."
Zendo walked past Hahn, back towards the Council of Elder's building. Hahn watched him for a few minutes, then turned and headed for the Chieftain's Hall.
What is he up to?
Sokka decided to follow him. It was too late to be visiting. Hahn was up to something, Sokka knew it.
Hahn snuck past the guards and entered into the Chieftan's Hall. Sokka followed him, sneaking by the guards himself. Sokka smiled. He could be pretty sneaky when he wanted to be.
Hahn entered into Chief Arnook's bedroom. Sokka hid in the shadows outside, waiting for Hahn to leave.
Hahn did leave, almost a few seconds later. He bolted down the hall in a hurry. What was that about, Sokka thought. He didn't like that Hahn was in such a rush to leave now. Sokka's instincts told him that something was very wrong.
The bedroom door was slightly ajar. Sokka opened it slowly and crept inside.
Chief Arnook was lying in his bed. Sokka walked over to it. He looked around. It didn't appear as though Hahn had stolen anything.
He crept over to Arnook's bed. He noticed some dark stuff on his chest. Sokka gently touched it. It felt sticky.
Blood!
"Oh no." A large knife was embedded deep in Arnook's chest. The Chieftain was dead.
"STOP," a voice behind him said.
Sokka turned around. Several guards stood there, spears pointed at him. One of the guards rushed over to Arnook to feel for a pulse. Of course there was none.
One guard poked Sokka in the chest with his spear.
"You're under arrest for the murder of Chief Arnook!"
