Chapter 11: The Battle for The North Pole, Part II

Master Pakku summoned all the waterbenders on top of the second wall and I jumped forward, eager to fight. He ordered us to send coordinated jets of water at his mark, through the holes in the second wall. I waited and then, at his mark, pushed a strong jet of water through the hole. We cheered at seeing two of the tanks being swept away, but then another tank threw a grappling hook at the middle of the second wall and pulled, tearing down a piece of it.

'No!' I yelled involuntarily.

Then two more hooks flew out at the wall, and I rushed forward to the closest one. I jumped down the wall's outer side and stuck one katana at it to slow down my fall. When I reached the hook, I used the other katana to sever the cable pulling from it, and the cable whipped back, sweeping three more soldiers.

I grinned with triumph, but then two firebenders threw fireballs at me and I had to create the ice ladder in a whim and get up the wall again.

Even in spite of my effort to get rid of the hook, there were three more gaps on the second wall, and the Fire Nation troops were running through, with their war rhinos. I ran at the gap and jumped right on top of the first rhino, kicking the firebender out of the way. Then I pulled from the rhino's reigns and I made it turn around, facing the soldiers on the outside of the wall. I noticed the rhino had two little trebuchets on each side, and I activated them, firing them at the Fire Nation troops.

Then I drew one katana and flickered its tip on the rhino's ear. Naturally, it went berserk from the tickle and started to jump up and down, crushing all the soldiers around him. I enraged the poor animal a little more as I held to the reigns with all my strength, and then, when I felt it was about to run wild, I directed him at the army in front of me. The rhino then stood in two feet and with a howl of rage charged towards the firebenders. I quickly stood up and jumped away, slicing my way back through the soldiers with my katanas.

When I arrived at the line of defenders I felt one hand over my shoulder and I was dragged behind.

'What are you doing?' Pakku's voice asked me, as he shot me a stern look.

I bent down, panting. 'Saving… lives…'

'Yes, I can see that, but you're risking your own neck too much. You're just a girl!' he admonished me.

I straightened up and looked him in the eye. 'Master Pakku, this is war. No girl, child or old people will be spared if the Fire Nation wins the city. Especially not me'

'Fine, but I want you off the first line for a while. You need to regain your strength' he said firmly, and I understood there was nothing I could do about it. An order was an order.

'Very well' I bowed to him, still trying to regain my breath, and backed up to the rear lines.

The battle continued until well past sunset. We were all exhausted, but the Fire Navy never stopped. For every man that fell down, there was another to replace him. We had to back down almost until the third wall, and I knew that behind those walls there were hundreds of women, elder people and children, helpless and scared. We ended up losing the second wall as well, and we were getting desperate by midnight.

But then the Moon appeared in the sky from behind a cloud, and I felt strangely comforted and my chi enhanced, just like that time when I was inside a cell and holding a ball of ice in my hands gave me peace of mind.

Suddenly all the waterbenders began to have the advantage, and I saw a single bender sink down a tank all by himself.

'For the Water Tribe!' I cried out, and we launched ourselves forward with a war cry. I drew more ice spikes at the soldiers and encased many in blocks of ice.

I gathered five benders around me and we attacked group after group of soldiers. Then I saw Master Pakku create a water tornado like I had only seen Aang do before and repel all of the fireballs aimed at him.

I felt elated. We were finally matching up!

I forced my way in between the soldiers, followed by my waterbenders, and aimed for the second wall. We knocked some of them out and I climbed up the wall with one of my ice ladders. Once up, I summoned a tidal wave that washed out the remaining firebenders from the top of the wall.

Slowly but certainly we began to push the firebenders out of the city, but suddenly I felt my bending falter, and I stumbled, feeling dizzy. I looked up and saw the Moon had turned red. I looked behind me and noticed all the other benders holding their heads. I didn't know what was happening, but it was bad.

Down on the city, Pakku's tornado vanished and he fell on the ground, and the waterbenders began to scatter out, panicking.

'No!' I yelled from the wall. 'We'll lose what we've just won!'

Then I tried to ice slide down the wall and I noticed that my bending had disappeared. I suddenly felt helpless, and understood why the waterbenders were fleeing away in panic.

But I could also see the firebenders gaining ground again really quickly, and I remembered the people hiding behind the third wall, women and children. We couldn't let it happen. I wouldn't let it happen.

I put the Blue Spirit mask back on, and jumped down the wall, sticking my katana on it to slow down my fall. The ground of the city was crammed with firebenders, and I forced my way between them by slicing everyone around, and kicking and punching, all at once.

They started to surround me, and my fighting became more desperate. I couldn't fail now! Too many people depended on me, on us. I gritted my teeth, trying to speed up my slashes, my arms screaming in pain from the extended effort, but I kept losing ground.

Then suddenly the moon went white again and I summoned water to splash them out. But it only lasted a few seconds, and then the moon blinked and vanished from the sky.

'No…' I muttered, looking up.

It felt like a huge part of me had just died, my bending vanished, and I felt an incredibly tempting need to grovel and cry, but I knew I had to resist. With tears rolling down my cheeks behind the mask, and a superhuman effort, I ran to the first wall, and stood in front of the main gate.

Almost all the waterbenders had disappeared, and I saw the firebenders closing in on me, and I silently stood between them and the gate, determined to give my last breath to defend this people. I stared at them defiantly and pointed one katana at them, remembering Sokka's useless attempt to stop Zuko's warship back at the South Pole, and then I opened my arms, indicating that they'd have to go over me to pass through.

But then the ground shook suddenly, and everyone gaped at something happening behind me.

At first I thought it was a trick, but I looked around and I noticed that all the waterbenders left were on their knees, revering something, and I turned around.

A huge fish-like monster was standing up behind me. I stared fascinated at it, gaping as I lowered my mask, and a sudden fresh breeze blew my hair backwards. The sea breeze struck me like a revelation to my heart, and I knew that the ocean spirit was rebelling against the moon's murder.

I fell on my knees, overwhelmed, as I felt tears of gratitude rolling down my face. I bowed to it as it moved past me, in speechless adoration of my God, and once it passed I straightened up, sitting on my knees, and stared at it destroying all the Fire Nation machinery.

An immense relief invaded me as I realized that the Ocean Spirit hadn't turned his back on us. The Water Tribe had been saved.

As I drew a deep breath of relief, I remembered that Zuko was still on the city, and my heart told me that I needed to find him, and urgently. Find the Prince and make sure he doesn't hurt anybody or gets hurt himself.

I jumped on my feet, trying to disregard the fact that I could not bend and trying to overrule my heartbreaking pain for the Moon Spirit, and ran to the wall. I used my katanas to climb up, sticking them on the wall one at a time and propelling myself up. Once on top of the wall, I stared for a second at the Ocean Spirit wreaking havoc on the fleeing Fire Navy, and then something caught my eye up on my right.

I glanced up and saw a fireblast on a bridge above me.

'Zuko!'

I looked around and spotted the inside stair that would lead me to that bridge, and I ran towards it. I climbed the stairs two steps at once, and I was about to turn around the corner to reach the bridge, when a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. Suddenly my arms were behind my back and one of my katanas was over my throat, and a voice hissed in my ear: 'Did you miss me, filthy peasant?'

I gasped in horror when I recognized Zhao's voice.

He pulled the mask over my face and turned around the corner using me as shield, and with a sudden pain in my chest I saw Prince Zuko waiting for Zhao, on his firebending stance. He saw me and gasped, though he did not recognize me because I was wearing the mask.

'Well, well, just look what we have here' Zhao sneered, forcing me forward. I wiggled a little, but stopped when the katana touched my skin. Zhao addressed Zuko. 'I thought you were the Blue Spirit… but turns out your girlfriend lied to you!' and then he pulled the mask off my face and Zuko saw me.

He gasped again and his beautiful golden eyes widened, filled with shock and concern. I gave him a sad look.

'I'm sorry, Zuko'

'And now I'm going to kill her!' Zhao yelled, ecstatic, as he pressed the blade against my neck and I gulped involuntarily, almost feeling the skin beginning to tear apart under the sharp katana.

'No!' Zuko yelled, dropping his stance. I stared at him. His golden eyes were filled with worry. He extended his hands, trying to calm Zhao down. 'Let her go, Zhao. She's not what you're after'

'Oh, no!' Zhao replied with a maniacal laugh. 'She's exactly what I'm after!'

'I freed the Avatar, not her' Zuko said calmly.

'You should have chosen to accept your failure – your disgrace! Then she could have lived!' Zhao yelled at Zuko, clearly too immersed in his manic mood to listen to Zuko's confession.

After all I'd been through that day, and the state of exhaustion I was in, the only emotion I had remaining was anger and hate, towards that man that had tried to ruin my life and all my friends' every time we met.

'You're taking it on Zuko, you piece of shit?' I yelled back at him. Then I suddenly felt better and I saw the full moon reappear on the sky. 'You see, Zhao?' I said, pointing up to the sky, and I spat the following words with all the venom I had in my veins: 'You failed. After all this time, when you were so close, you failed.'

'It can't be!' Zhao muttered behind me, completely dumbfounded at the Moon shining on the sky. 'Ah, but if I go down, you go down with me!' he hissed in my ear, and I felt the katana cold against my skin. I closed my eyes, sure that that was my last breath.

But then Zhao's feet were swept from under him, and I fell on my knees as he was dragged behind. I turned around just in time to snatch the katana out of his hand, and I watched as the Ocean Spirit dragged him away.

I stood up and stared at him with hatred and deep satisfaction, as I remembered all he had done to me. I gave him a cruel smile, and then Zuko ran past me and reached out his hand.

'Take my hand!' he yelled at Zhao.

But the Admiral looked at him with hatred and withdrew the hand he had just extended, preferring to die instead of owing his life to Prince Zuko. The Ocean Spirit then fell back on the water, and Zhao disappeared beneath the blue freezing waters of the North Pole.

Zuko straightened up and we both stood there, staring at the spot where Zhao had vanished. Then he looked at me, as I felt a wave of exhaustion run through me, and I stammered backwards.

'You okay?' he asked, extending one hand to catch me before I fell, and I grabbed his warm hand, glad that he was here, making me feel safe, as usual. I nodded tiredly. Then he nodded to the katanas and the mask. 'Did you know… about me?'

'Zhao made me see' I replied. 'I'm sorry for using it, but I needed cover'

'It's all right' he replied, releasing my hand to place his on my shoulder. Then a half smile crossed his scarred face, and he suddenly looked younger than ever, even handsome, and I suddenly remembered he was only two years older than me. 'I saw you fighting down there. You're good'

'I learned from the best' I replied in earnest, smiling back.

We both turned to stare at the damaged city for a few seconds, as the horizon started to clear up, announcing dawn.

'I guess you'll stay here now' Zuko said softly, not looking at me.

I looked down, not sure of the answer. Then I looked at the city, at the waterbenders capturing the last firebenders that hadn't escaped, and I looked at the proud prince standing next to me, and I knew with overwhelming certainty what was my destiny. I looked at the moon, and some deep emotion gripped my throat, as I realized that my heart had known from day one where I belonged.

'No' I replied softly. 'I'm coming with you'

The prince stared at me, surprised.

'What? Why?'

I sighed. 'This is not my home, Zuko. I wish it was – I mean, it's perfect for a waterbender. But I don't belong here. You do remember my story, don't you?' I bit my lip as I stared at the sky. 'I thought that when I came here, I'd know. I'd have memories, feelings. But there's nothing. Nothing to tie me down to this place. I didn't grow up here. I fought for it because it was the right thing to do, but…' I turned to gaze into his golden eyes. 'But I know where I must go. I have to find my destiny, and I will follow you around the world until I do.'

'But… I haven't given up on the chase of the Avatar!' he replied, still surprised.

'Well… That's what I wanted you to do on the first place' I smiled. 'I don't want to be enemies with you, Zuko.'

He looked down for a second and sighed.

'I guess my uncle won't stop nagging me to play Pai Sho with him unless I take you with me'

I reached out my hand. 'Friends?'

He shook it, a dark shade crossing his eyes. 'For now'

'Fair enough for me' I replied. 'But you're gonna have to wait for me a little before we leave. There's something I must do.'

He nodded shortly and I turned around, running back to the city, demanding one last effort from my exhausted body. Dawn greeted the heavily damaged city while the moon was still shining in the sky. I ran back to the second wall and jumped down, easing my landing in a bunch of snow. I searched the city until I found Pakku.

'Master Pakku!' and the elder man approached me. 'I wanted to thank you, for taking me in so easily, for accepting my help and helping me as well' I said, bowing to him.

To my surprise, he bowed back to me. 'I should be thanking you. The courage you showed and your leadership helped us win this war'

'Nah.' I shook my head lightly, smiling. 'I just helped reduce the casualties'

'You will have to tell me sometime where you learned waterbending. That is a technique I've never seen before. It was like you were dancing with the water…'

I smiled again. 'I told you, I don't know'

But then I heard a familiar girly voice behind me.

'Kira!'

'Katara!' I ran to hug my adoptive sister. She hugged me back fiercely and when we broke there were tears welling up in her eyes.

'We thought we'd never see you again. After Kyoshi, we thought Zuko might have killed you'

I shook my head quickly. 'No, he's been nicer to me than you'd think' I grabbed her arm anxiously. 'Is everyone ok? Sokka? Aang?'

'The boys are ok…' she answered, but she looked down with sadness in her blue eyes.

'But…?' I pressed.

'Princess Yue died.' she replied softly, her eyes brimming with tears again. 'She surrendered her life to revive the Moon'

I was so overwhelmed that it took me several seconds to regain my voice. 'But– but how did that happen?'

'Zhao murdered the moon, but Zuko's uncle attacked him and he fleed, and then Yue sacrificed herself for her people' Katara replied. Her voice lowered at the next words. 'Sokka is devastated. He was in love with her'

'Oh, no' I replied, feeling terrible for my adoptive big brother, too. I felt like searching for Sokka and hugging him. He had never really fallen in love before, and when he did, his princess had to die. It was tragic, and I knew Sokka would need his family with him. But I had already decided to leave with Prince Zuko, and if he found out he'd feel even more heartbroken. The best thing to do was to get away from him before he even knew I was here.

'Then you mustn't tell him that you saw me. It'll only make him feel worse'

'Why?' Katara asked, widening her eyes. 'You're not staying with us?'

'I can't. It's hard to explain…' I ran a hand through my loose hair. How could I explain to my sister that my heart told me to get away from her? 'Katara, do you believe in destiny?'

'Yes, I do, but–'

'Then will you understand if I tell you that I must find my own destiny, and that it is not here, with you?'

Katara stared into my eyes for a minute, her blue eyes filled with emotion, while I prayed she would understand, and then she nodded quickly.

'Thank you for understanding' I said, as I hugged her again. 'Now I must go. We'll meet again.'

'Wait!' she said as I was turning to leave. She removed her waterbag from her back and handed it to me. 'I've a feeling you'll need this more than me now. I can get another one here at the city'

'But this is the one Gran Gran gave you!' I exclaimed in awe.

'I know. But Gran Gran adopted you too, remember?' she said, winking at me.

I paused for a second, my eyes fixed on hers, and I stressed the following words, to let her know I meant it from the bottom of my heart.

'Thank you, sister.'

'I'll hold your word, we'll meet again' she replied, as she turned around and ran away.

I smiled to myself as I stood on that spot for a second, trying to take in what she had just done for me, and then I ran all the way back to Prince Zuko. He was sitting on the bridge with his legs crossed.

'I'm ready' I announced.

'Finally!' he growled, and I followed him with a smile. We made our way out of the city, and we met Iroh on a raft, who greeted us with no surprise at all at seeing me again. With an immense effort, and pulling from my deepest source, I began to push our raft forward with waterbending, and after we were safe outside the city and on open ocean, Iroh took a pole and placed a hand on my shoulder.

'I'll take it from here'

I sighed in relief, almost worn out. Then Iroh turned to Zuko. 'I'm surprised, Prince Zuko, surprised that you're not at this moment trying to capture the Avatar'

'I'm tired.' Zuko replied stiffly, not looking at him.

'Then you should rest. A man needs his rest.' Iroh said placing a hand on Zuko's shoulder.

Zuko lay down on the raft without another word and closed his eyes. I sat beside him, staring at him with a little envy.

'Kira, you've done enough today. You should rest as well' he admonished me as he pushed the raft forward.

'Do you think you can…' I couldn't suppress a yawn. '…handle it all by yourself?'

'I've handled worse' he replied with a smile, and I lay down on the raft at Zuko's side and closed my eyes, falling instantly asleep.

End of Book I

A/N: So, what do you guys think? I spent a whole afternoon writing this battle scene, I was worn out when I finished. I hope you've liked my story so far, and get ready, there's more to come. In about a week I should be beginning to upload Book II. Zukira has been friendzoned by now, but it won't last long. Keep reviewing and waiting for more!

I love you all. You would never believe how happy this has made me. I didn't expect to encounter such support and it's really exhilarating to know that you guys are as hooked up with this story as I am.

See yah soon!