Disclaimer: I do not now nor have I ever in the past owned Avatar: the Last Airbender. With that truth said, I can now lie freely and say I do in fact own the ideas and series etc. Aren't dreams wonderful?
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Rated M: Mature Content. Blood. Guts. Sex. Drugs. All the good stuff.
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Arnook: Home again.
Hakoda: So, this is the Northern Tribe? Very impressive; still, by the time I am done it will look like a hovel.
Arnook: Big words, Hakoda.
Hakoda: I dream big. It's a character flaw.
Bato: Too bad that isn't the only character flaw.
Hakoda: Enough, Bato.
Bato: I am just making sure that everyone is aware of it.
Hakoda: Thanks. I would recommend you stop now though, or I will have to return the favor about you.
Bato: You wouldn't!
Hakoda: Try me. In the meantime, what say we get on with the story? I think the next few chapters may get interesting.
Author: Good guess.
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Chapter 11: Icy Arrival
The weather held steady and clear for the remainder of the trip and morale was high. Everyone had done their part and no lives were lost during the freak storm from a few days before. Aang had recovered after a few days of rest, Katara always at his side until he was well. Sokka was given the captains seat and given reign to steer and prove to the whole fleet that he could lead them and sail through without issue. Yes, he had already gone through the rite with Bato, but this was on a whole other level.
The air was crisp and clear on deck as Suki watched the icebergs start to drift in the distance. The totally blue sky made it hard to make out the blue-white ice, but Suki had a sharp eye for detail. The glaciers were fairly easy to navigate through, but Sokka had made a big deal about leading the fleet through, bobbing and weaving with his fathers' encouragement.
As the ship continued its course, Suki leaned back against the rail and took in her surroundings. Her training taught her to take in everything around her just in case something becomes relevant, and so unconsciously that was what she began to do. A heavy fog was rolling in, so there wasn't much of a view. Various crew members were moving about on deck and Suki monitored them all. However, she focused much more on the people she knew as they were the ones that interested her the most.
Mai and Ty-Lee were off to the side sparring, Zuko an appreciative audience. Mai was trying to improve her hand to hand skills while Ty-Lee simply wanted an excuse to get some exercise.
Sokka was nearby talking with Katara about how they were going to see the spirit oasis again. Beyond them, Aang sat quietly stroking Appa and playing with Momo. Toph was talking to him about metalbending and how to go about it. Aang wasn't getting it though.
Considering her options, Suki decided to listen in on the siblings' conversation as it was not only the most informative, but also closely tied into her future. Scooting along the rail a bit, she managed to get within earshot without drawing any attention thanks to the fog.
"So you're going to visit the spirit oasis first thing?" Katara asked Sokka.
"I wanted to, but Chief Arnook insisted we all settle in and join him for a grand feast when we arrive. I will have to do it in the morning." Sokka replied.
"Are you sure you really want to do this? I mean, there's no guarantee that Aang can help you, and even if he succeeds it may cause you quite a bit of difficulty." Katara stated, giving Suki a sidelong glance. Luckily, Suki was once again leaning over the rail and staring out to sea, so Katara didn't realize she was listening.
"I know Katara, but I have to. I wouldn't do anything to hurt Suki, but I just can't let this go. Yue and I have unfinished business and I just have to talk to her, no matter what." Sokka told her quietly, almost pleading for her to believe him.
"I understand Sokka, really I do. You loved Yue and lost her because of the Fire Nation invasion…" Katara started, but Sokka interrupted her and threw his hands up in frustration.
"No, Katara; I didn't lose her to the invasion. I lost her to that maniac Admiral Zhao and his stupid idea of taking away waterbending. If that psycho hadn't killed the moon spirit, Yue would still be here." He said furiously.
Suki had no idea what they were talking about, but she did recall the night that the moon had gone out. That must have been the same night.
"Sokka, I don't think it would have mattered any. She was still betrothed, wasn't she?" Katara asked gently.
"Yeah, to that good for nothing, Hahn; but that would not have mattered. I was going to go to Chief Arnook and tell him what Hahn really thought of Yue and asked for her hand instead. I just know it would have worked out." Sokka said.
It would have worked out? He loved this girl… this princess. Suki was just a consolation prize! How DARE he!? Not outwardly losing her cool, Suki was fuming.
"You couldn't have known that, Sokka. But what's done is done. Yue became the moon spirit and saved the world. It's because of her that we are even alive today. Right here, right now you have a girl that likes you for who you are and cares about you. I still can't imagine why you can't let this go." Katara said patiently.
"Katara, if Aang was dead and you decided to be with another man, how would you feel? If you never knew what he would think of you, could you do it?" Sokka asked her.
"Well, I don't… I mean… I guess I see your point." Katara said haltingly.
"It's not that I don't like Suki, it's that I love Yue still and need to be able to let her go so I can love Suki the way she deserves to be loved. If Aang can help me do that, then I can finally be free to devote myself to her. If he can't… then I don't know." Sokka told her.
Suki finally understood why Sokka wanted to see Yue so much; it wasn't to spurn her for his lost love, it was to move on with his life so he could love Suki. Reassured somewhat, Suki strolled over to where Mai and Ty-Lee were dueling and offered her help as well. One thing was for sure; the North Pole wouldn't be boring, Suki decided.
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Toph couldn't figure out quite how to explain metalbending to Aang. She had tried various examples, but nothing made much sense. "All you need do to is feel the earth inside the metal and bend it like you would earth, twinkle toes. What don't you get?" Toph demanded for the umpteenth time.
"It isn't that I don't get it Toph; I just can't feel the earth in the metal. It's just cold metal to me." Aang said, his hand held against the deck upon which he sat. Appa was sleeping on his stomach and Momo was eating a fruit from his other hand.
"Try this: close your eyes and concentrate. Forget everything else and just feel the metal. Feel what is in the palm of your hand." Toph said.
Aang closed his eyes and did as he was told. He felt the cold, the solidity, the earth… suddenly; Momo jumped on his head and tumbled him into the rail. Getting up and rubbing his head where he was probably going to have a bump, he asked, "What's up Momo?"
Momo chattered and stared ahead as the ship sailed. Ahead of them was a humongous iceberg coming out of the mist. There was almost no warning as the ship headed on a collision course. Aang jumped up and quickly shot himself to the front of the vessel, anchoring himself as best he could. Then, with a mighty heave, he blew out a huge current of air, trying to clear the fog. Though the fog moved enough to see fully a huge wall of ice in their path, the mist simply swirled and settled back into place.
"All hands on deck! Iceberg ahead! Halt the fleet!" Aang shouted as loud as he could, sound muffled slightly by the fog but still carrying a great distance.
Hakoda returned the call when he heard it. He had been steering and saw the iceberg in the swirling mist. "All hands to stations! Stop all engines! Signal the fleet!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. Everyone jumped up and did their part to help. The ship slowed but was too close to stop completely before impact. Katara bolted up to Aang in the bow and gave him a nod. They both took their stance and used their bending to transmute a large part of the wall into water. The water collapsed into the ocean just as the ship would have rammed the glacier. They two benders kept at it until the ship came to a halt, and then dropped to the deck spent.
The rest of the fleet had gotten the warning in time and managed to keep from being in any danger. Hakoda put Bato in charge of the wheel and came out on deck to check on his daughter and Aang. "Are you two alright?" he asked, helping Katara to stand. Aang stood up and nodded.
"We're fine, dad. It wasn't too taxing on us really. I think it was more likely the surprise and the speed it all happened in that wore us out." Katara told him.
"Hakoda, what's going on?" Arnook asked as he stormed out the door to the lower decks.
"We nearly ran aground on a monstrous iceberg, Arnook. I thought you said all the large floating pieces would be avoided on this route." Hakoda told him, pointing to the obviously massive ice wall in front of them. The bow of the ship was actually inside the gap Aang and Katara had made, creating an impressive ice cave.
"There shouldn't be… we should be in mostly clear waters. And where did this fog come from? It's certainly not the right weather for it." Arnook said, this time almost to himself in his curiosity. "Something isn't right here. How…" Suddenly a huge block of ice fell from far above and slammed into the deck. The ship pitched in the force of the blow, and then began to lean to the right, obviously on its way to capsizing.
"Aang; Katara! Get rid of that Iceberg!" Hakoda said, getting Arnook clear of the area.
Katara and Aang nodded and in unison used their bending to heave the ice block over the raid and into the water below. As soon as the splash quieted they heard another loud noise similar to the first. Another ice block was falling. Katara waterbended it off to the side and it splashed into the water. Again the splash subsided, and another ice block was heard falling through the air.
"Someone is up there!" Hakoda exclaimed. "We need to back out. Keep those ice blocks off us, you two!" Hakoda said, dashing across the deck shouting orders to back out.
"I want to know who's throwing boulders down on our heads." Aang said to Katara, no hint of embarrassment on his face. Katara noticed again that when Aang took charge, his sense of presence blocked out the sun. "Let's back the ship out ourselves and then have a look."
Katara agreed and together they bent the water in front of the boat so as to push the lead ship back. Luckily, they didn't need to back up far or they would have collided with their own fleet. Once they were clear of the glacier wall, Aang sprung up into the air and began running up the cliff face, disappearing into the fog. Sokka ran up to her as Aang disappeared from sight.
"He never even thought to invite us, did he?" Sokka asked a bit sadly. Katara slapped his shoulder with the back of her hand and ran for Appa; Sokka followed quickly behind her.
Zuko and Mai were waiting by Appa. "Mind if we join you?" Mai said, leaving no argument that it was a statement and not a question.
"Let's go." Katara said.
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Aang raced up the cliff and when he started losing momentum blasted air under him to keep himself going. When he neared the top he shot a larger burst so as to overshoot the edge and leapt over anyone standing there. As Aang first went over the edge, he almost didn't see anyone there; there was a reason. What he leapt over wasn't human.
"What in the world…" Aang said to himself as he made a soft landing in the snow.
Standing before him were three strange creatures. They seemed to be a cross between a bear and a dragon. The body was polar snow white and blended into the surroundings easily. The tail was long and serpentine with huge spikes made of ice near the tip. The body was huge and furry, and the head looked like a dragon's snout. The creatures turned to face him as he stood there, trying to show he meant no harm by raising his hands. The largest one must have decided he was a threat anyways, and opened its mouth, revealing a row of large, sharp teeth. The creature seemed to puff up for just a second before breathing out a stream of water. Aang managed to jump out of the way, but the stream almost seemed to bend in mid air and slammed into him, throwing him into a snow bank.
Trying to gain his feet and shivering in the cold, Aang tried to process that he was up against benders. The other two stayed back, the smallest hiding behind the bigger one. Aang finally understood; a family! When he and Katara had broken the wall of ice open, he must have disturbed these creatures! They were waterbending animals, just like Appa was an airbender. Aang stood up and shook himself off, brushing the snow away with a gust of air.
"It's okay; we aren't here to hurt you. I'm sorry we disturbed your home. We will leave you alone now." Aang said to the big creature. It stood its ground between its family and Aang as he slowly slid himself towards the cliff edge, not getting any closer or farther than he already was from the creature. The littlest one poked its head out from behind its mother and then came out entirely. It was too close to the edge, though; it went over as Aang yelled "No!!" and its mother went to grab for it. The young one fell and shrieked as it made its way towards the cold ocean.
Suddenly the shrieking stopped as Appa came up from over the edge, the baby creature in his saddle with the rest of his friends. They had no idea what was going on, but Aang breathed a sigh of relief. The baby jumped out of the saddle and ran back over to its mother. Aang circled a bit and got over to Appa. "Hey guys. Nice timing." Aang said, turning back to the big daddy. The creature had stopped baring its teeth and shuffled over to its family, giving its child a lick.
"Aang, what's going on?" Sokka asked him. Zuko watched the creatures and mumbled something under his breath.
"What?" Sokka asked him.
"Nothing." Zuko replied.
Katara jumped down from Appa and stood next to Aang, staring at the strange creatures.
"Nice creatures, aren't they?" Aang asked her.
Katara had a huge smile on her face. "Aang, I think those are the same creature that saved my mother years ago. My dad told me about them."
"Really? I wonder if they are friendly then." Aang mused to himself. He quickly started walking towards the creatures. He big one growled a bit as Aang approached, but did not bare its teeth or breathe water at him. Aang stopped a few feet away and bowed to the creature. To Katara's surprise, it bowed back! It lowered its front legs in an unmistakable bow.
Aang rose up and reached out to the creature. It didn't move away or try to bite Aang. Aang stepped closer and pet it on the head. The creature started to PURR! Unbelievable!
"Come on over, guys. They are friendly. Everyone came over. The little one ran out from behind its mother and began spitting small amounts of water at Katara. Katara waterbended the water away, but the creature seemed happy about it. Aang laughed as the baby dove into the snow, came up behind Katara, and threw a snowball at her. Mai walked over to the mother and pet her as we well.
"I hate to be a spoilsport, but we aren't up here to make friends." Zuko said arms crossed standing closer to Appa.
"You can never have enough friends, Zuko!" Aang said, throwing a snowball at the youngster and watching it dance out of the way and return the favor.
"If you can't beat em', join em'." Sokka said, rolling up a snowball of his own. Everyone laughed when the father shot a snowball from its mouth right at the back of Sokka's head. The snowball launched him forward head first into the snow with his rump sticking out. He was grunting as he tried to dig himself out.
"We really should get back, Aang." Sokka said once he managed to free himself. The fleet needs to get moving."
"Aw. Alright." Aang said, giving the young one a last hug. "You guys take care of yourselves." Aang told them.
"And you" Katara said to the little one, "mind your parents and stay away from the edge." The little one ran up to her and licked her face before returning to its parents.
As they got on Appa and headed back down to the fleet, the mist began to clear up some. "I wonder what those creatures are called." Katara mused aloud.
"I was wondering that too." Zuko said.
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Author: I know it's a short chapter. Sorry about that guys. Not much to do at sea. I was going to add a bit more personal stuff, but it just didn't flow.
Zuko: Personal how?
Mai: I wouldn't have minded getting a little more private time on the books.
Zuko: Mai!
Ty-Lee: Aw Zuko, you're blushing. How cute!
Author: I figured people had enough of your private life for a little while. It's only been a few chapters, and no other couples are ready yet.
Toph: Couples, eh? I wonder when it will be my turn.
Author: Toph, aren't you a bit young? You're not even 15 yet.
Toph: So? You think our world is like yours? Most girls have kids by the time they are 16 around here. Welcome to medieval times.
Author: This is medieval? Could have fooled me. I am going to that restaurant soon though for my birthday. WOOHOO!
Toph: Okay, your officially weirding me out.
Author: Sorry, lost my head for a minute there.
Katara: I hope we see those creatures again. They were so cute!
Sokka: I wonder if they're edible…
Katara: Sokka!
Suki: Sokka!
Ty-Lee: Sokka!
Sokka: What? I didn't say I would actually eat it; just that I wondered if I could.
Toph: I don't know who's worse, you or the guy toying with our lives.
Author: Definitely him. I wouldn't eat a creature like that. Besides, I play with your lives in a good way. Not like I am screwing you over or anything.
Toph: Yeah, right.
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Author's Corner:
I know chapter 11 is kind of short, but that's only because I didn't feel like dwelling on the nautical. Once we get back in business on land, things will pick up again. Due to popular demand, I kept the ice creature. Now, I need a name for them. Sky Bison, Dragon, Badger Mole, and blank. By reviews and votes, fill in the blank with your suggestions!
I am now close to 1100 hits, so thanks to all my loyal readers, and especially to those reviewing and giving insight. Kira, where'd your review go? And paintedbluerose, I love the long reviews! Lol! And thank you Imotel for the reviews as well. Going strong and going long, 100k+ story, here I come!
