This chapter is a big one guys, probably the biggest that I've posted as of yet. I know I haven't posted in a few days, but for those of you who like the story Alone Times, I've been heavily focused on that one. But I thought I'd give you guys who like Changing Waters a new chapter. Tell me how I did on this one, I do like it a lot. As for alone times, I should have a chapter up in a day or two. Probably by tomorrow, or the weekend at the latest, same with Changing Waters. **Hopefully. Then again, it is Super Bowl weekend…. We'll see how it plays out.
Enjoy the Chapter guys!
As the Water Tribe boats came into the protective covering of the black cliffs; Aang and Toph began to bend rock platforms for the ships to dock at. This was also useful to load up any extra supplies that the invasion force might have needed from the island.
As the first group of people began to exit the ship, Katara and Sokka knew exactly who it was. "Dad!" Katara and Sokka both said in unison as they ran up to the older man and hugged him fiercely.
Hakoda chuckled at his children's enthusiasm, but also felt small tears escape his eyes due to the love he was receiving from his children. Though he was what you would call an absent father, he knew from that moment that he still had true love and respect from his children.
"Hakoda, it's good to see you again." Aang said while bowing.
"It's good to see you as well Aang. How are you healing?" replied Hakoda.
"I'm actually doing a lot better since the incident."
When Aang said this, he noticed that Katara looked down, apparently in deep thought. I should probably talk to her about it later on… Thought Aang.
"So Dad, did you find everyone that we told you about?" Sokka said, quickly trying to change the subject.
"I actually did, thought I don't know if all of them are "Warrior type"" Hakoda said while pointing to the swamp folk.
"Hey Tho, whata you suppose that thing is" Due said while pointing at a rock. "Some firenation trap that'll jump out the water and eat ya?"
"It's a rock Due." Flatly replied Tho.
"Oh."
Hakoda, noticing the conversation just shook his head, while Sokka just face palmed at their stupidity.
"They could at least wear some pants.." Said Bato as he walked down a ship's ramp.
"Pants are an illusion, like death." Huu finished.
"I think I'm starting to agree with you Dad." Sokka said with an exasperated sigh.
Hakoda just laughed: "Relax son, we need all the people we can get."
"Hey Dad, do you think I could talk to you for a little while in private?" Katara said, a little nervously.
Hakoda, of course, noticed this: "Of course Katara, what did you want to talk about."
"Can we go somewhere else?"
Hakoda only nodded and the duo left towards the forest area for some privacy.
At the same time, an explosion went off on one of the watertribe boats. Sokka and Aang ran towards the boat to see if anyone was hurt, but before they had time to come to any conclusions, Aang noticed Teo, Pipsqueek, and the Duke climbing down the ramp with what looked and smelt like peanuts.
"We were testing the incenerary effects of peanut sauce?" The mechanist said as he climbed out of a hatch below deck.
"You want to fight the firenation with peanut sauce?" Sokka exasperatedly said.
"It's devastating" Pipsqueek said.
"And delicious!" Added the Duke.
Everyone shook their heads and laughed. "Let's unpack and organize the ships so we can set up camp for the night." Aang said.
Katara and Hakoda:
They walked through the forest until they were far enough away from the docks and most of the men.
"What is it you wanted to talk to me about Katara?"
"I don't know how to say this…" Katara began.
"You can tell me Katara, what's bothering you so much."
"Well.. I.. uh…"
Hakoda chuckled: "Out with it child" he said in a joking manner.
"I can't bend anymore!" Katara blurted out and immediately looked down.
At first, Hakoda thought she was joking, but by the way she had been carrying herself since he had made it to the island, he knew that she was not joking.
"How? Is it permanent? It was the Avatar's fault! When I get my hands on him I'll!" Hakoda began, as he started to stand up from the ground.
"No Dad! How could you think Aang had anything to do with this!"
"He is the Avatar, it's only logical that he played a part in it. I left my kids in his protection, and this is what he does!" Hakoda said, talking more to himself than Katara at this moment.
"Dad, look. It wasn't Aang's fault…. So please sit back down and I'll tell you what happened." Katara began.
When Hakoda was relatively calmed, she continued. Talking of how she met Hama, I Southern Water Tribe bender who was taken captive, she told of her skills that Hama had learned in prison and how she tried to force them on Katara. She finally came to the part where she lost her bending to the women and how Aang protected her from any further harm. "You see Dad, Aang hadn't eaten or drank in over 2 days, and he still risked his life to defend me. So please.. Don't EVER blame him for anything other than looking out for me before himself."
"That's quite a story Katara. I am sorry I rushed to conclusions. I guess I went into protective Father mode." Hakoda said with a slight frown.
"It's okay Dad, I understand." Katara said.
"So are you learning to defend yourself, I can teach you how to use a club or a sword if you'd like." Hakoda offered.
"No thanks Dad, I tried to learn from Sokka, but I found out that weapons aren't my thing. So Aang taught me to continue to draw from my bending forms for both offensive and defensive postures. It works pretty well." Katara finished with a confident smile.
"I'm glad to hear Aang is encouraging you to continue to draw from something that you are familiar with. On a side note, both you and Aang seem very close to one another."
"We are Dad, he is my closest friend, I keep no secrets with him and he is always there to listen and make me laugh." Katara finished, clearly unfocused on her Dad now.
Hakoda smiled knowingly: "So there's nothing going on between you two then?"
"DAD, I just told you he's a friend!" Katara said, her face clearly flushed with embarrassment which further confirmed his beliefs.
"I don't know Katara, the boy seems clearly smitten with you." Pointed out Hakoda.
"Oh please Dad, I think you are reading into things too much." Katara said non-chalantly, but Hakoda could see her excitement underneath the surface. Even if she didn't know it, he knew that she was subconsciously falling for the Avatar. The funny thing is, he barely knew the boy, and yet he trusted him with his daughter's life. He was an exceptional child whom he respected and had grown quite fond of.
"Maybe your right Katara, let's get back to camp before the others worry about us." Hakoda said.
"Good idea, I have to start cooking dinner when we get back" Katara less than enthusiastically said.
Aang:
"Hey Sokka, I'm gonna start cooking dinner, you'll have to cook the meat though." Aang said with a slight distaste in his words.
"Isn't that supposed to be the Katara's job or something?" Sokka said.
"Well, she's been out with her Dad for a while and I thought we could help her out a little is all." Aang smiled.
Sokka just rolled his eyes: "Oh please, you cook your veggie soup or whatever, me and the rest of the MEN will wait for Katara to get back so she can cook the meal the right way.
At this, Aang looked a little annoy but he tried to keep his emotions in check: "Sure Sokka, whatever you say."
After Sokka left, Aang began to cook up the veggie soup he was famous back at the airtemples for. As he had everything just about ready to start cooking, Bato walked up to him. "Could I help you Aang?"
Aang looked up with what seemed to be a grateful smile: "Actually, there is something. Could you cook the meat for me?"
"Sure Aang." Bato said as he began to place the meat over the fire. Just as the meal was almost ready, Katara and Hakoda walked back into camp.
"Something smells really good" Hakoda said as he smelled the delicious aroma waft through the air.
"That would be Aang's soup, I can guarantee his is going to taste a lot better than the meat." Bato said.
"How dare you! Meat is delicious!" Sokka nearly screamed as he began talking to the still cooking meat that was over the fire. "He didn't mean what he said, you'll taste delicious!"
Everyone just rolled their eyes.
"I really appreciate you cooking dinner for me Aang." Katara said while she gave his shoulder a squeeze.
"It's no big deal, I like to cook." Aang said with a smile.
"Oh please, what are you? A girl?" Sokka said.
Before Aang could even answer, Katara got up and towered over him: "Just because Aang wants to help me cook doesn't make him a girl. I think it was sweet of him!"
"Oh please, it's a woman's job to cook and you know it Katara!" Sokka said, but immediately, he regretted those words.
"Oh, it's a woman's job, is it?" Katara said with anger dripping off each of her words towards Sokka.
"Kids, enough. You two are brother and sister, show some maturity and respect for each other. Look at Aang, he was the one that the offense was thrown at and he hasn't even said a word in his defense." Hakoda said with a slight annoyance in his voice.
Taking his queue, Aang spoke up: "I don't take offense because there isn't anything to take offense to. It's Sokka's opinion and he is entitled to one. I disagree with him about it, but I can't force my opinion on him. I can cook, so what?"
Both Katara and Sokka looked down, ashamed of themselves for their actions. "Sorry Katara and Aang, I guess I got a little carried away with myself."
Katara just looked down: "I guess I'm sorry too Sokka, I shouldn't have exploded on you like that."
Happy that the argument was finally over, Aang interjected: "Let's just eat dinner before it gets cold, ok guys?"
As the group ate dinner, discussions were of course drawn to the upcoming invasion. "Do you think the force will be enough for us to make a dent in the firenation's defenses?" Sokka said.
"I think so, we have the plan and the eclipse on our side." Hakoda said.
Everyone in the group nodded. "So what's your plan Aang, I think we have the invasion all worked out, but you've been pretty silent about how we are gonna get you into the palace."
Aang looked up with determination in his eyes: "You guys aren't, I'm going to go ahead of you guys and force my way through. If I don't make it, you retreat and save yourselves, but if I succeed, you guys capture the capitol and finish this war."
"Absolutely not, team Avatar stays together!" Sokka declared with one hand raised.
"Not this time Sokka, it's my decision to make and I'm not changing my mind on this one." Aang affirmed.
"No. I don't like this, it's a suicide mission Aang and you know it" Katara said with anger and sadness written all over her face.
"Guys, this is the only way everyone can stay safe. I have to do this." Aang said once again.
"I think I like Twinkletoes's idea, the firenation would never expect Aang to go it alone, and I think he should try it." Toph said with a thumbs up in Aangs general direction.
"Thanks for the support Toph." Aang said while putting a hand on her shoulder, which she immediately shrugged off and countered with a hard punch to his shoulder.
"Aang, you said this would make sure that everyone would stay safe. But what about you?" Katara countered.
"Katara, Aang thinks this is the right course of action and this is not your place to fight him on it so let it be." Hakoda finished.
"Fine! I'm going for a walk than so I don't have to listen to Aang trying to get himself killed any longer!" Katara finshed, clearly upset over the plan as she walked towards the cliffs.
"I'll go talked to her" Aang said as he put his bowl down and walked after her.
Aang and Katara:
Aang found her dangling her feet off the cliff's ledge. "You know, that isn't the safest thing to do Katara."
"Neither is your stupid plan Aang." Katara spat back.
Aang was not deterred by her words though, he pressed her again. "Katara, I've been in dangerous situations before, what makes this one any different?"
"It's different because you don't have to go it alone."
"I think I do Katara."
"And why is that Aang?"
"Because I've already been the cause for so much pain and suffering in your lives, I wasn't strong enough to stop this war, I could have prevented the loss of all the Southern Water Tribe benders, your mother's death, for Spirit's sake, I could have prevented this whole stupid war. I ran away though Katara, my mistake caused you so much pain but if I can do anything to prevent you guys from having to face more of it, you better believe that I will take that chance, no matter the risk to my own well-being."
"Aang…"
"No Katara, I'd rather die than make you lose someone else, who knows who could be next. Your Dad, Sokka, even your own life! I can't let that happen Katara and you know I'm right for once."
Katara stood up from the edge of the cliff and looked at Aang in the eyes, determination stairing into his deeps greys. "Do you know what would happen to me if I lost you?"
"I didn't think"
"Of course you didn't think Aang, you're just as important to me Aang, so don't ever think that your life isn't as important."
"Katara, I'm going through with this plan" Aang began but Katara held up her hand.
She let out an exasperated sigh: "I know. Just promise me one thing."
"Anything Katara" Aang fervently said.
"Come back to me safe and sound" Katara said closing the statement with a tight hug, fresh tears running down her face and onto his clothes.
"I can't promise you that Katara, but what I can promise is that I will try my hardest." Aang said in a completely serious voice, one that Katara knew would do anything to honor the promise.
"Thank you Aang." Katara finished.
"Feeling better Katara?" Aang asked.
"I'm still uneasy about the plan, but I'm doing better. Thank you"
"I'm going to meditate for a little while." Aang said as he began to walk off towards a cliff over the ocean.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Katara asked in more of a pleading voice than Aang would have expected.
Aang smiled: "I would love if you joined me"
So the duo both made their way over to the cliff, side by side, in the lotus position, meditating their fears and worries away into the warm night air underneath the moon.
The morning of the invasion came soon enough. Everyone ran around, preparing for the upcoming battle while loading up the ships with the needed supplies.
Aang had gone off by himself to meditate and calm himself, he also needed to shave. He no longer saw the need to hide his identity. When he was finished, he stood up and even from afar, people saw an air of confidence on his stance. He was the Avatar, and he was ready to show it.
When the ships were completely pack, everyone gathered around a large platform that Toph had bent up so that the plan could be reiterated again by Sokka this time.
As everyone was seated and ready, Sokka took a deep breath and stood up, briskly walking to the earthen podium. Unfortunately, being the clumsy individual he is, he tripped about half way there. This only added to his anxiety and embarrassment that he already had been feeling all morning.
"Hello everyone, I hope you all know why you are here… Well of course you know why you are all here…" Sokka began very nervously. "Well uh.. Today we are going to invade the firenation capitol with Aang, yah know, the Avatar. Maybe I should start from the beginning." Sokka began to tell the story of how they met Aang, but was swiftly stopped by his father.
Seeing that he failed at the speech, he sat back down so that he could listen to what he told himself was a true leader, his father.
"For 100 years, this war has been fought on our lands, destroying crops, villages, and families along the way, now it's time for us to end this war. Today, we bring the fight to the firenation capitol!" Hakoda began.
At this, everyone in the crowd began to cheer, when everyone silenced themselves, Hakoda continued with maps in hand: "First, we have to bypass the Great Gates of Azulon. Waterbenders should be able to whip up a fog cover large enough for us to pass through safely. When we make it through those gates, it's a straight run to the beach, which we will force our way through until we get to the plaza. When we have taken the plaza tower, we will press up the mountain until we reach the capitol city, by that time, the eclipse should begin." Hakoda was about to continue but was interrupted by the boulder.
"The boulder is a little confused; shouldn't we wait to attack until the firebenders are powerless?" Many people in the crowd nodded.
"Very true, but the eclipse only lasts 8 minutes, hardly enough time to make our way to the capitol. We will need the eclipse to fight off the imperial firebenders. By the end of this day, we will surround the firenation capitol and Aang would have defeated the firelord. Firenation soldier across the world will lose the will to fight and this war will be over!" Hakoda finished with a battle cry.
Everyone was inspired and encouraged by Hakoda's speech. Soon after, everyone boarded the ships and prepared to sail.
"Is everyone accounted for?" Hakoda asked to know one in particular.
"Where's Sokka?" Katara asked.
"Last time I saw him was during the invasion speech." Aang said.
Katara looked straight at Hakoda: "I'm gonna go out and look for him"
"No Katara, I'll go. I can cover more ground than you could." Aang said while he put a reaffirming hand on her shoulder.
When he saw that she hesitantly agreed, Aang flew off towards some cliffs off in the distance. After about 5 minutes of searching, he finally spotted him, just looking out at the ocean in deep thought.
When Aang landed just behind him, Sokka didn't even turn around.
"Sokka, we've been looking everywhere for you, we are about to leave!"
"I messed up Aang." Sokka said with a sad sigh.
Aang just looked confused at his veg statement: "Sokka, you mess up all the time."
"Thanks Aang, you're really doing a great job at making me feel better."
Aang looked at his feet: "Sorry Sokka, what's wrong?"
"The invasion plan was my idea, my moment of truth, and I screwed it up."
All Sokka heard was a low chuckle from behind him to which he turned towards: "Sokka, the invasion plan wasn't your moment of truth, your moment of truth will be out in the battle field. Besides, no one is good at public speaking."
"My Dad is, he's a true leader, not me."
"Sokka… True leaders aren't born in a day, you mature into one through experience and hardships. Use today as a way to grow yourself."
"Thanks Aang, let's get to the ship before they leave us."
"What? Leave the Avatar and the plan guy, please…"
Sokka laughed for the first time that morning, not just at Aang's poor attempt at comedy, but also at how Aang described him… The plan guy. Today, I'm gonna be the take action guy. Sokka said to himself with a strange, new sense of confidence.
The trip to the firenation capitol had been going well as of yet, they had not even seen a fire navy ship in sight! Though, when the Great Gates of Azulon came into view, everyone instantly became alert. To prevent being seen, the waterbenders decided to bend up a fog cover.
Though they had indeed bended up a very well made fog cover, the look outs immediately took it for what it was.
"We've been found out!" Sokka exclaimed as he watched the gate's chains being pulled up from the water and set ablaze. "How do they even do that? That has to be cheating!"
As the speed boats were heard from the distance, Hakoda could be easily heard, barking out orders for everyone to get below deck. "I hope this invention of yours works Sokka."
"Me too." Sokka said very shortly as he followed his father and the remaining forces to the lower decks where they would move to the newly invented subs.
"Is everyone in safely?" Asked the Mechanist.
"Yah, everyone is accounted for, I think we need to take off if we are going to make it in time." Sokka stated as he looked at the timer that the mechanist had created and given him just before the invasion.
As the firenation soldiers boarded the ships, they found that they were completely empty. "Where did they go?" Said a female captain to no one in particular.
"Great Sokka, you made a mode of travel that's WORSE than flying." Toph said while reaching for The Duke's helmet which he kindly offered her. She promptly threw up in it and handed it back to him. Needless to say, The Duke was disgusted.
"You really outdid yourself this time Sokka, this was a great idea." Aang said while patting Sokka on the back.
"Hey, I just came up with the idea, the Mechanist did all the work to make it possible." Sokka said while trying to transfer the glory to the rightful owner.
"Now don't sell yourself short my boy, it was your idea to use waterbending to make the subs rise and submerge." The Mechanist said. "There is one problem which I could not fix, there is a limited air supply in the subs, for that reason, we will have to surface once before we make it to the beaches."
"Sounds good, we can surface in a minute or two so we can stretch and make final preparations." Sokka concluded.
Time seemed to almost stop for the gang as there nervousness took over but Aang had fallen to it the most, though no one would have guess. On the outside, Aang looked like the powerful and confident Avatar that everyone expected him to be; but on the inside, he was shaking like a leaf for what was about to happen. What if I don't come back? What if Sokka, Toph, or Katara doesn't come back? What if Katara doesn't come back? I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to her…
Aang was swiftly snapped out of his thoughts when Sokka told him that they had resurfaced.
As everyone made their way onto the deck, Aang took one last glance at all of his friends from around the world. Many of them, Aang knew would not come back. Those are the realities of war… Aang thought to himself. Though he was saddened by this excepted fact, he still favored his friends with one last smile, for he knew that he might not ever see them again.
"Ok guys, everyone get back into the sub, next time with resurface, it will be on the beaches." Hakoda exclaimed. With this, everyone began to climb back into the sub. Everyone except Aang that is. Seeing that all of his friends were in the sub already, he flicked his glider open, readying himself to take off, until he heard the voice for once that he dreaded in this situation.
"Aang, where are you going?" Katara asked, slightly confused.
Aang sighed, knowing that this conversation was not going to end well: "I'm going to face the Fire Lord Katara."
"You weren't even going to tell us? You were just going to take off?!" Katara almost screamed while she slowly made her way over to him.
"I thought it would be easier this way.. I didn't think.." Aang began, but he was quickly cut off by Katara: "You can just stop that sentence at I didn't think. Do you know how incredibly stupid your plan is?! How much danger you are unnecessarily putting yourself in?"
"Katara, these people, they are my friends… Some have families, wives, children, other friends that are waiting for them to come home. You have your father, your grandmother, heck your whole village back home waiting for you and so does Sokka. Toph has her parents waiting for her with open arms."
"Aang, what are you getting at?" Katara questioned.
"I want to take these risks, for all of you. You all have lives waiting for you after this war. If any of you were to die from this battle, I couldn't live with myself. I'm trying to prevent that, and if I have to give my life, I will."
Katara was visibly horrified at Aang's confession, closing the remainder of the gap between them, she hugged him fiercely with tears forming in her eyes: "Do you know what would happen to me if I lost you Aang, I would literally fall apart. You've become a necessary part of my life. You hear my Aang? I need you. So don't go throwing your life away, your life is just as important as any of those people down below deck. They have come here, prepared to risk it all for a worthy cause, to end this war. So never doubt that and just as all of them have family to go back to, you have a family to come back to as well. Me, Sokka, and Toph are your family know so please… Come back."
When Katara was finished, Aang had soaked her shoulder with his tears. He gave her one more squeeze before letting go. He moved away only slightly while still keeping unwavering eye contact with her.
Just as Katara was going to ask what was wrong, a pair of lips crashed into hers. Her first reaction was to break away from him, but it soon set in that it was Aang that she was kissing. With this new realization, she quickly gave into the kiss, returning it with as much emotion as she could muster. To Aang, as their lips moved in almost perfect sync with each other, he felt like he was in heaven, but he also knew that he had a job to do. So reluctantly, he began to pull away, but to his joy, he also noticed that Katara's lips instinctively pushed forward, trying to get every last second she could from the kiss.
When he completely broke the kiss, Aang opened his glider and took off towards the firenation capitol city, preparing himself for whatever was to come.
Katara watched as Aang flew away, still shocked from what she had just experienced. He kissed me! Aang kissed me! She thought as she instinctively touched her lips which still were on fire from it.
Much to her dismay, Sokka opened the hatch, screaming at Katara to get back into the sub. She only partially heard him though; her mind was on other things. Not just the invasion, not just on her own personally safety, but on a certain airbender who she wished she could steal another kiss like that from when he got back.
A little romance in this one? Tell me what you guys think, should I add some more? Read and Review as always.