Chapter 14
Azula and Tahno's ship Tahzula swam in the Northern waters. It was a long journey and three people were slowly getting frustrated. June's fingers touched her hair as the young woman moved it to a side while the two benders sparred; Nyla, June's pet was sleeping on the deck.
Suddenly, a large ship appeared in the ocean; it soon reached Tahzula before the soldiers threw a ladder to the ship, so that its crew could climb on top. "Hey Zula, some Fire Nation ship had arrived, are you coming?" asked Tahno while he carelessly send some water at June.
"Hey, you will pay for this!" screamed the bounty hunter as she stood on the ground and extended her whip.
"Guys, you can settle your differences in later in a match to the death but as of now I need you both to help me defeat the Avatar and her pathetic crew" spoke Azula as she straitened her posture before producing fire behind her, and flying a short distance; the Princess of the Fire Nation then jumped on the ladder and started climbing, soon to be followed by her two allies.
As the Princess arrived on the deck of the larger ship, she noticed that many Fire Nation soldiers stood on the deck, talking about something; upon her arrival they stopped and stood in a formation, bowing respectfully to the girl.
"Welcome Princess Azula, I heard about your chase. The Fire Lord allowed me to lead the attack on the Northern Water Tribe. Since your mission overlapped with mine, I thought that we could join forces" spoke Admiral Zhao as he approached Azula and then bowed respectfully to her.
"Admiral Zhao, can you please clarify the identity of the most senior Military officer on this ship?" asked Azula
"You Princess" replied Zhao
"That's right. And can a junior officer join the forces with a senior one?" asked the Princess
"No Princess Azula" replied Zhao
"Then you will note that I am now in charge of this whole operation. I will allow you to make sure that the Fire Navy is successful in the siege and the eventual defeat of the Northern savages, but I will make all the major strategic decisions here. Is that clear?" asked Azula as she smiled. While Zhao would incinerate almost anyone for such comments, he bowed respectfully to the Princess and the current heir to the throne, as while he disliked this spoiled girl, as he thought, he was not stupid.
"Men, prepare for the invasion of the Northern Water Tribe," commanded Zhao as his flagship led the entire Fire Navy North.
"I need to consult with the Princess. You two, go and help the crew clean the ship" spoke Zhao as he looked at June and Tahno. The man clearly disliked them, especially the boy, as he was a Water bender who was Azula's favorite military partner/sidekick.
"Admiral Zhao, I think I did not clarify it yet but both Tahno and the mercenary are outside the normal chain of command, they answer directly to me, as you do" spoke Azula as she then walked Zhao's room with her two allies, ready to discuss the upcoming invasion. The Admiral did not like this since not only the Princess but also her crew was now outside of his jurisdiction. The man fumed.
"And don't forget to bring Nyla on board. My little fluffy is rather hungry" smiled the bounty hunter as she looked at Zhao. The man left to give the order as the three sat in his room.
"Watch out for him. It is clear that he is too ambitious and untrustworthy" spoke Azula as she spoke to her companions.
"You can scare anyone, I like that about you" smiled Tahno as he looked at Azula. The Princess slightly blushed but tried not to show that she too felt something deep inside her.
Meanwhile, while the Fire Nation was approaching the Northern Water Tribe, Zuko and Katara sat on one of the snow benches in the Royal Palace. The two enjoyed their time together, as Katara hugged Zuko and tried to crush him with her arms.
"Don't you think it's a little much, Katara? I don't mind you hugging me, but I don't think you should crush my bones. Besides, I though that we were supposed to train Korra as she should be ready for the upcoming battle. It is clear that the Fire Navy will attack this place since they probably know that the Avatar is here" spoke Zuko as he looked at Katara
"Stop talking, you are ruining the moment" spoke Katara as she put her finger on Zuko's mouth, "Lets pretend that there is no war right now. Lets enjoy our day while we can spoke Katara as she then pushed Zuko on the snow, jumping at him while the boy tried to protest.
"Am I interrupting something?" asked Asami as she arrived on the scene
"No, no, we were just sparring and I fell on Zuko" quickly replied Katara the two teenagers blushed; while both of them tried to hide it, Asami Sato noticed their red faces.
"All right. I heard that you are a great fighter, Prince Zuko. In fact, the mighty warrior Sokka claimed that you almost beat the leader of the Kyoshi warriors before he beat you both himself. I would like to see just how good you are" spoke Asami as she took a defensive stance.
Katara laughed at Asami's comment about Sokka's apparent undefeatable skills as she saw Zuko stood up and prepared to fight. The two agreed not on using any bending before Zuko charged in.
Zuko jumped forward, as he swung his right arm at Asami, who easily dodged the attack before the girl dropped on the ground and with one leg hit Zuko; the boy then fell on the ground. The Princes got frustrated as he quickly stood up before continuing the fight. The two people fought for a few minutes, as they exchanged blows. Finally, Zuko charged at Asami, who dropped on the ground once more before quickly dodging the attack and then using her upper body to throw the Princes into the nearby fountain. Katara laughed.
"It is not over, I will beat you!" spoke Zuko as Katara slid towards her friend before bending all the water from the boy's clothing.
"It seems that our Blue Spirit is not as good as he fought he was. We will have rematch someday but right now I want to have a make over" spoke Asami as she ran away.
"That girl is weird. First she fights and actually beats me, later she wants to do super girly things." Spoke Zuko
"Yeah, we don't know any people like that" spoke Katara as Zuko realized that he just called the girl that he liked weird.
"Save it, I want to spend some time alone; you just called me weird" spoke Katara
"Did not, I referred to Asami" Zuko tried to defend himself
"But I know that you know that I also like to fight while also enjoying some so called girlish activities? Please Zuko, I want to be alone right now" spoke Katara as she ran away from him
Zuko sent fire from his hands in anger. "Great, now I hurt Katara unintentionally!" thought Zuko, "I just had my first quarrel with the girl I like". The Prince looked on the ground.
"Sokka, I am glad that I met you" spoke the Chief Yue as the two sat in the throne room.
"Its my pleasure that I met you, Yue. I am sorry about the abduction of your father" spoke the boy as he hugged the girl, who was now acting Chief of the Northern Water Tribe.
The two leaned to kiss each other but Yue then moved back. "Its wrong. I am sorry. Is just, I am engaged" spoke Yue as she looked at the boy that she realized that she now liked.
"I understand. I am sorry that you feel this way" spoke Sokka, as he looked saddened.
"But you know what? Even if we cannot be together, we can still swim on Naga!" Smiled Sokka as he jumped on the floor.
"Naga?" asked Yue in confusion
Sokka smiled as his mouth went wide, while Yue thought that the boy was rather silly; the Chief made a small laugh. "Lets go" spoke Sokka as he took the girl's hand and ran from the Palace; as the two ran downwards, they knocked down a few Palace guard along the way.
The two soon reached the harbor, where the large Unagi creature was resting by the icy creek. "Naga, what do you think of taking us to the swim?" asked Sokka as he looked at the sea creature, who just continued lying by the creek.
"Common, you large creature, don't you see I want to swim?" asked Sokka as he started running around the Unagi, trying to push its body further into the water but could not as the beast weigh quite a bit.
"Sokka, maybe this Naga does not want us to ride her? Let this creature rest" spoke Yue
"Nonsense, I will make her swim!" spoke Sokka as he continued his attempts unsuccessfully.
"Naga, may we sit in your saddle?" asked Yue as she spoke to the beast. Naga opened her eyes before opening its mouth as she moved her head towards the two teenagers.
"It's going to eat us!" screamed Sokka as Unagi grabbed him by the pants before throwing him into the air. Naga then repeated the action; soon the two teenagers realized that they landed on Naga as the creature began to swim.
"Go Naga" smiled Sokka as he petted the creature on its huge neck as it swam around. It was clear that the Princess enjoyed their small adventure.
"Thank you Sokka, I don't think I would ever sit on one of these beasts" spoke Yue
"Me neither. A few weeks ago I would not even have thought that my cousin would be revealed to be the Avatar, and that we all would need to actually fight the Fire Nation." Spoke Sokka
"I agree with you Sokka. Recently I was my daddy's little Princess but today I might just as well be the leader of the Northern Water Tribe" spoke Yue, "So many things had happened recently, my dad was kidnapped, Advisor Tarlok was banished and your mother proved to everyone that a woman can be just as good of a Water bender as a man can. And to think that I always thought that the traditions of my tribe would always dictate the actions of the people here" spoke Yue before she stopped, realizing just what she just said.
"Yue, are you all right?" asked Sokka as the girl cried
"No, I feel great. I am sorry I was an idiot" spoke Yue as she launched herself at Sokka, who quickly grabbed the girl and hugged her as Yue planted a kiss in his lips. As the two kissed passionately on the sea creature, Naga produced some weird sound; while the newly formed couple could not understand Naga, they understood that the Unagi approved of their bond.
As Unagi returned to the creek, a man ran towards them "Princess Yue, I have important information about your father" spoke the solider as he glared at the couple with disapproval; Sokka and Yue broke their kiss.
"Who are you, don't you think that we are busy?" asked the boy
"Forgive me your majesty, but the Royal guard just discovered your father's body. " spoke the man as the three people then saw the black smoke that was began to land on the snow.
"Fire Nation is here" spoke Sokka
"What's our plan of defense, Chief Yue?" asked Hahn as Yue looked at him.
"Prepare all the man to assembly by the Palace. We will defend our home" spoke Yue as she radiated strength. The man quickly left as Yue looked at Sokka
"Who was that prick?" asked the boy
"That was Hahn, the man I am betrothed do. Father, why did you leave me in a time of crisis?" asked the girl as she cried as Sokka comforted her.
"Chief Yue" began Sokka
"Yue, just Yue to you" spoke the new Chief of the North Water Tribe
"Yue, we need to fight the Fire Navy. Lets go" Sokka tried to reassure his friend as the two climbed out of the saddle before running to rejoin with the rest of Team Avatar
They soon arrived to see everyone else waiting for them. "Hello lover boy" smirked Korra as her oldest cousin blushed
"So, what's the plan?" asked Sokka
"I don't know, I thought you were our idea guy?" asked Katara as the two siblings began bickering.
"Enough, it is clear that the need to first send the Water Tribe navy with the best soldiers before the Fire soldiers' arrival in the city. I think Sokka and Korra and Katara need to lead the Water benders and other soldiers to strike the flag ship" spoke Zuko
"Guys, I read that the Northern Water Tribe has some sort of Oasis where the Avatar can meditate and enter the Spirit World, I think that I need to help Korra with this task" spoke Jinora as she looked at her friends.
"I agree. Zuko, Asami, can you help me defend them when they try to connect with the Spirit World?" asked Katara
"But I so wanted to fight these ships!" spoke Korra
"Cousin, I will take care of this mission. Please go with my sister" spoke Sokka as he hugged his cousin
"I will. Be careful Sokka. Take Naga to help you" spoke the Avatar as the group divided, while the majority of the people went to the Spirit Oasis, Sokka jumped on Naga, facing his team that would lead the attack on Zhao's ship.
"Men, it is time for everyone to defend our home. I know that some of you might not return but we must force the Fire Navy to retreat" spoke Yue
"Sokka, please take Officer Hahn with you, he is one of our finest officers. Men, follow the lead of Admiral Sokka" spoke Yue as the group of Water benders and non-bending people like Hahn followed Sokka, who stood on Unagi, leading them to Water battle.
Unagi swam as it led the small Northern Water Tribe group at the fleet. The force soon crushed with the fleet and the battle began. "Lets go Hahn, we have a mission to complete. We need to cut the snake's head" spoke Sokka as he led Hahn with him
"I don't get it. Yue is supposed to be with me, out marriage was arranged yet she chose you" spoke the man
"Well, you cannot tell to a girl's heart on whom she should love" smirked Sokka before managing to climb on the ship, as Hahn followed him. Sokka gave his hand to the boy as the two then entered the shadows as they journeyed silently towards the top of the ship, where they saw Admiral Zhao, who stood proudly, looking on the battlefield.
"Die" screamed Hahn as he leapt forward with the spear that he found nearby but the Admiral easily evaded his attack before kicking the boy into the cold water of the sea.
"You will share his fate" spoke Zhao as he saw Sokka before walking towards the boy; the man sent a fire wave that Sokka managed to dodge but was soon electrocuted slightly in the back.
"And you are the mighty Sokka of the Water Tribe. What are you doing here, Water peasant? I know, trying to kill the Admiral?" laughed Azula as she sat on her feet as she looked at her prisoner.
"I can take of him Admiral" spoke Azula as she dragged the boy away.
"You wont win" spoke Sokka as Azula electrocuted the boy slightly harder than before.
"I don't think so. I will defeat the Northern Water Tribe; don't worry, I will not let my men to kill you, you will be my new pet" smiled Azula as her two allies arrived; while June's face expressed apathy, Tahno seemed rather angry
"Azula, why are you flirting with him?" asked the Water bender
"Me? My poor Tahno, I am just playing with him" smiled Azula as she took the boy and dragged him to her room before locking the door.
"I wont tell you anything!" spoke Sokka as Azula threw him on her bed, "You hear me? Torture me but I will tell you nothing!" spoke Sokka
"Who said that I will torture you" spoke Azula as she took of her armor; the Princess faced Sokka only dressed with a red tank top, which showed a little cleavage with red pants.
"You will tell me the information" spoke Azula as she launched herself at Sokka before kissing the boy. While Sokka first tried to deny, he actually enjoyed the kiss before moving away, clearly disgusted at his own reaction.
"Feisty? No matter, you will tell me the information I want" spoke Azula as Sokka's hand hit Azula's face; a few drops of blood fell on the floor.
"You filthy Water peasant" spoke Azula as she sent lightning at Sokka, which slightly shocked the boy; Azula then opened the door.
"Tahno, June we have a mission! We need to defeat the Team Avatar in the Spirit Oasis" spoke the girl as her two allies approached her.
"Why are you dressed like this? Did he attack you?" Tahno was definitely not happy to see another man alone with half naked Azula locked in a room.
"I did not tell you that, how did you know?" asked surprised Sokka
"You did not have to. I already knew your plan; I just really enjoyed tormenting you. You see, Admiral Zhao told me some of his recent discoveries at the Library and I just knew where the group would go" smiled Azula as she quickly put her armor back on.
As the group of three exited the room, with Azula dragging the boy after her, the four of them saw that the entire Water Tribe navy was defeated. To Sokka's horror, his new friend Naga was drifting in the water as her neck was impaled by one of the Fire Navy's ships.
A/N:
I know, this chapter is larger than the ones before as I wanted to tell quite a lot and could not fit this all in 2000 words usual per chapter for this story. Yes, Unagi named Naga is dead. Since there was not much shipping in the previous chapters, I decided to include some of that here as well.
The Next Chapter: the Spirit World, where Korra and Jinora travel to the Spirit World
The Chapter after that: the Steam benders (Azula and her group versus some members of Team Avatar)
Arc finale, chapter 17: Avatar Korra