Chapter 21 The Apprentice
Normal POV
Hakoda Ahote was starting to become tired with so many extra people in his town. It was bad enough having to work with the FBI, and most of them, if not all, felt as if they were superior to small town cops, then there was the fact that nearly every major news station in the country was present. Chief Officer Ahote knew the importance of finding the four victims and the abductors responsible, but he rather not have news crews shadowing his every move, or FBI Agents second-guessing his commands. The worst of them was a gray haired Caucasian man name Daniel West. The man was only a few years older than Hakoda and had green eyes.
Agent West had to be the most difficult man Hakoda had ever worked with. The way the man spoke and carried himself, one would know that he thought himself superior to everyone he worked with. It was a wonder how Agent West gotten this far with such an attitude. Hakoda wearily walked up to the Police Station, ignoring the various reporters asking for any updates, and into the chaotic mess he'd come to know as his station. "Bato." Hakoda greeted his younger brother. Bato had a grim look on his face that didn't bode well for the officer. "What's wrong?" he asked wearily
"Agent West is waiting in your office." Speak of the devil. "He wants to speak to you now, says it's important."
"Of course it is." Hakoda muttered. Hakoda walked briskly down the hall, greeting his fellow coworkers along the way, and was at his office. Hakoda noticed, with annoyance, that Agent West was sitting at his desk, in his chair. "This isn't your office Agent, get out of my chair." Hakoda said sternly.
Agent West shrugged indifferently, nevertheless the man did get up from Hakoda's desk. "Was there something that you wanted?" Hakoda asked with restrained agitation.
"I just thought to tell you that my men and I have possible suspects."
"You figured out who the two women were?" Hakoda asked with skepticism. Chief Ahote had no doubt that Agent West was very capable of finding suspects in cases. But this wasn't a normal case, it was far from normal. Ever since Hakoda and his brother had reviewed the tape, he knew that supernatural forces were at play here. The two witches had to be powerful if they were able to tamper with technology. Ever since then, Hakoda had been going through all of his belongings to find any contacts he might still have from Kya's family. Hopefully Hakoda would be able to reach Kuruk, Kya's younger brother, as he was the only one of the family that had supported their marriage. Plus it was critical that his children receive training from someone he trusted. Hakoda wasn't stupid nor ignorant, he knew Sokka and Katara have been sneaking off to a magical settlement to train in aquamancy. It was the way they carried themselves, it was the same way as his wife would hold herself. God he missed her deeply.
Hakoda also knew that his children had now involved themselves into this case ever since Tom-Tom was abducted. He was sure by now they figured out that there were witches stalking Redwood. Hakoda had been meaning to talk to them, but these days he's seen more of his office than his own children. Everything was going haywire, it seemed, and worse off Hakoda had no control over the situation. In both his home and office. With each passing day the chances of finding the victims alive grew slimmer ever quickly. It hurt that Hakoda knew something that the others didn't and that he did not have the power to stop them.
His children did however. And knowing Katara like he did, there was no way on earth that she was just going to stand aside and do nothing while she knew what was going on. Sokka was just as passionate when it came to someone hurting his family and as far as Hakoda knew, Sokka thought Tom-Tom as a little brother. In fact the whole group was on the same mindset. It was why Hakoda desperately needed to get into contact with Kuruk. Hakoda didn't want to lose his children the same way he lost his Kya, he refused to.
"Yes, though I am a little lost as to why they haven't been questioned sooner." the voice Agent West brought Hakoda out of revere.
"And who is it, do you think might be responsible?" Hakoda asked.
"I have in my hand files pertaining to one rather unique family here in Redwood." the Agent was taking pleasure in milking this out. "The new family that had just moved into one of the mansions on the south side of town. Twenty-two year old Lu Ten Agni and his cousins."
"What?" Hakoda that couldn't be so. Katara was dating one of the boys from that family. "Agent West, you're accusing a family of teenagers of kidnapping?" Hakoda asked in disbelief
"We have files here of Mr. Agni and his family moving from town to town for the past two years. Each town they move to is small and the inhabitants all say the same thing, weird behaviors and often kept to themselves. We have no other records regarding them. Before 2010 there are no existing records that show they existed. No birth records, social security cards, nothing. Yet somehow they managed to buy an upscale home and enroll into public school. Now they're in Redwood and suddenly people go missing. I think it's finally time the FBI had a little talk with the family, don't you agree?" Agent West looked expectantly at Chief Ahote.
"Even if their past is questionable, we're looking for two women."
"And the family happens to have three young girls at the local high school, one of them is also nineteen years old. Tell me, what is a nineteen year old doing in high school instead of community college or an adult school to get a GED? I think you're getting sloppy at your job Ahote. One would think that maybe you're covering up for them." Agent West insinuated. Hakoda really hated the bastard.
"Of course not." Hakoda gritted out.
"Excellent, we'll question Mr. Agni right away." Hakoda sighed wearily, it was going to be another long day, it seemed.
Katara POV
The middle of first period, which was US History with Ms. Kwan, was interrupted when the intercom went off. "Would all students and staff please report to the auditorium immediately." the unusual stern voice of our Principal, Principal Aaron Patterson spoke out. Our classroom broke out into curious chatter and Ms. Kwan looked rather annoyed at being interrupted in the middle of her lesson. We had just finished our first chapter where our country gained its independence.
It was nearly unfathomable how much was taking place this year. From learning I was a witch, one of my best friends is a hybrid werewolf, and my boyfriend and his family were also hybrids, to fighting off witches, demented dryads, and learning of a malicious coven whose sole purpose was 'cleansing' magic. All of this happening and to realize that it is barely October, I wonder what the rest of the school year has in store for us.
"Alright, alright, settle down all of you." Ms. Kwan spoke out. "Now we're going to the auditorium in a calm and collected manner and you will act like the young adults I expect you to be." her tone warned the whole class. Ms. Kwan had us leave in an orderly fashion into the crowded hallway. I saw some of my friends and some of Aang's family occasionally but couldn't call to them, fearing of Ms. Kwan's wrath. Sokka had told me that serving detention with Ms. Kwan was not a pleasant experience.
Our class was one of the first to enter the old auditorium and was granted first row. The Principal, Vice-Principal, and some other staff members stood on stage. "You think we're here because of the disappearances?" I asked.
Aang shrugged his shoulders. "Possibly. Why else would Principal Patterson call a mass assembly all of the sudden?"
"Oh no, you don't think another person from school has been abducted do you?" Our school hasn't been the same since Jin's and Brian's disappearance. Jin's friends no longer smile, and looked like they barely sleep. The same thing goes for Jet and his soccer team, with one of their players and close friend gone, they lacked the drive. Even Jet has stopped flirting with Azula and often prefers to sit behind the school building. Not that our group is any better, Mai was in a catatonic state. She hardly eats, sleeps, or talks to anyone. We all made sure to keep Mai some company. At the very least let her know that she isn't in this alone. Though I still feel guilty over the matter. Whenever Mai would speak, she would ask why someone would kidnap an innocent child. The answer: because Nukpana wanted to. And it isn't like I could tell Mai that a maniac witch from the infamous Warlock Coven kidnapped her little brother because somehow he and the others are the missing link to immortality.
Sokka and I asked our Masters the other day. Both didn't know much of the coven only that their family had been attacked by them before and that they were obsessed with becoming immortal. There was no one we could turn to that knew the Warlock Coven extensively, unless we somehow miraculously captured one of them. Even then the witch would most likely perform a Mortem Oath than give information on the abductees' whereabouts.
Back onto the subject at hand. Regarding Mai, there are times where I just want to say 'screw it!' and tell Mai everything. At least then she would have some answers. Maybe then I could tell the others, Suki and Ty Lee, and there would finally be no more secrets hidden among us! I was tired of all the lying and vague answers and I could tell that Suki knew Sokka and I at least were hiding something. It was starting to put a strain on Sokka's and Suki's relationship and that wouldn't be good as she is the only one of all the girls Sokka has been in a relationship with that I actually trusted. Was this how Mom felt when she went to college, forever stuck between two worlds, never truly belonging to one? I shouldn't feel so bad though, at least I had some friends that are like me. I don't have to go through this totally alone.
Principal Patterson tapped his finger on the microphone a few times, garnering everyone's attention. He was a kind man, in his late forties, early fifties, was a little pudgy and had balding brown hair and hazel eyes. Principal Patterson cleared his throat a few times before speaking. "Thank you for coming in a such a quick and orderly fashion." he said. "Now I know you are all aware of the kidnappings that are taking place in our small town, we can rest assure that the police and FBI are doing all that they can to find the missing persons. Nevertheless, the Board and I feel that because two of your fellow classmates are among the missing, that new rules need be take in measure immediately.
"From this point on, all after school activities, sports, clubs, and others of such nature are hereby closed. All sporting games, including tomorrow's football game are canceled! And all dances until further notice are canceled and this includes Homecoming and the Redwood Halloween Festival!" Principal Patterson spoke over the roaring noises of displeasure. "SILENCE!" he roared.
"Damn." Aang muttered appreciatively
"Now I know that these rules may seem unfair to you, but precautions must be made. Until the ones responsible are captured these rules will stand in place. The Mayor has also placed a city-wide curfew of six o'clock until this matter is resolved. That means all shops and business will be closed at sunset. Until then, be on guard, never go anywhere outside homes by yourself, do not go gallivanting into the woods and if you have any information, no matter how insignificant it seems, that may help the police, please do not hesitate to inform them. Our fellow Redwood citizens are lost out there, and I'm sure we all want them to return safely."
"How are we suppose to feel safe if they can take us from our homes like they did Jin?" one of Jin's close friends called out.
"They took Brian while he was out in the field!"
"I heard the Librarian never even made it to her car!" More outcries from the students soon filled the auditorium. It was a screaming match and I could feel the sense of urgency, confusion, and panic. But mostly anger and frustration. Me and the werewolves weren't the only ones affected by the disappearances. And while we knew at least who was responsible for this, the rest of the town did not. As far as I'm aware there is no evidence belonging to Nukpana nor her Apprentice, if there even is one.
It had been four weeks since the first victim was abducted and still there was nothing to show, from both the police and us, of her whereabouts nor the following four victims. We're pressed against time, but we don't even know when the deadline will come. Yue is on a theory that since the abductions are somewhat spaced out randomly, that Nukpana is bidding her time until the next full moon, October 29th. And if that's true then we have little less than a month before Nukpana disappears completely. That means we have to find where she is hiding, somehow overcome a witch that could control your bones, rescue the people, all the while balancing schoolwork, and in Sokka's and I's case aquamancy. Oh joy.
"I know that you're all scared. I'm scared too, but we should not give in to panic. We have to keep a calm mind and pray that our friends and family return safely to us. In the meantime we should give our support to the families that are suffering, this has always been a close community and no abductor is going to change that now."
Suki and I were heading to lunch, ignoring the ever leering stare of Hahn. Suki looked at the other boy dangerously before shaking it off. "So since my cheerleading practices and jiu jistu are officially canceled," here Suki laughed bitterly "wanna hang out at my place afterschool, have a little study session, then watch movies for Toph's sanity? I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind, plus it might be what Mai needs."
"I am worried for her." I worried my lower lip.
"Me too, she hardly eats. And whenever she closes her eyes she has nightmares. She spends most of her time locked away in her room from what Ty has told me."
"Really? I didn't know that." I muttered
"You're busy." Suki spoke indifferently "So what do you say, the five of us at my place?"
Crap. Afterschool Sokka and I have training with our Masters. We always had to be there at exactly three-thirty sharp. Master Hama was surprisingly a stickler for time, and it would be a huge disrespect to show up late or blow her off completely. But I can't lie to Suki either. "I'm sorry Suki, I just remembered Sokka and I have this...family thing to do afterschool. I can try to be at your house later though." I finished quickly to assure her.
Suki frowned to herself for a moment. "Family thing, huh?" she muttered disbelievingly. See this is why I can never become a politician, I can't lie even if my life depended on it.
"Gah!" I shouted as Suki pulled me into the girl's restroom. she scanned the tiled room and nodded in satisfaction that it was vacant. "Suki what the hell?" I exclaimed
"Look, at the risk of sounding like some clingy bitch, what the hell is going on with you and Sokka?" Suki exclaimed.
"What do you mean?" I asked nervously
"Don't act like some dumbass, you know what I mean." the copper red hair girl snipped. "Practically since school started, the two of you have gotten all secretive. And I'm not the only one that's noticed, the whole group is wondering what's going on."
"Nothing is going on Suki, Sokka and I just have a lot on our plate right now."
"All I'm saying is the two of you are entitled to have your secrets, I just don't want to be lied to by one of my best friends and boyfriend."
"We're entitled, thank you for giving me your approval." I spoke sardonically
"That's not what I meant and you know it. I'm worried about you guys. All of this started when you started looking for your Mom's belongings. Does this have something to do with that?" I didn't answer. "I'll take that as a yes."
"What do you want from me Suki?"
"I want to know what the hell is going on! First Sokka starts lying to me about his whereabouts and now you. Things are already going to shit, with the kidnappings and I don't want our friendship ruin on top of all of this."
"Then maybe you should focus your attention to Mai, she's the one that lost her little brother to a psychotic woman out in the woods!" I shouted
Suki looked at me funny and I didn't know why until she said "How do you know it's a woman?"
I'm normally not the one to curse often but, oh fuck. "I don't." I spoke too quickly, I panicked
"You do. What did you and Sokka do, what the fuck did you both do?"
"Suki we didn't do anything!" I tried placating her but she flinched away from my hand.
"Whatever the fuck you two are doing, keep me out of it." she walked backwards toward the door. "Stay away from me." Suki rushed out the door leaving me standing in the middle of the restroom, alone.
"Fuck!" I exclaimed and held my head in my hands, trying vainly to stop the forming headache. I'm in serious trouble now, I know it. Suki knows Sokka and I are tied in some way to the disappearances. She's never been a gossiper, but will she go inform the police. Would she even trust them since Dad is the Chief of Police. What if she went to the FBI? Not only is my friendship with Suki practically ruin now I have to worry about the FBI questioning my brother and I. "What else could go wrong?" I muttered tiredly. Why do I suddenly get the feeling that Murphy's Law is about to do me over?
Normal POV
It was nearly midnight when Katara was awoken abruptly. She gazed around her dark room confusingly before settling on the dark form of her older brother Sokka. "Sokka, what-"
"We gotta go." he spoke urgently "The wards not too far from us has been breached. We need to go over there now. We'll probably meet the others on the way there."
"Shit." Katara cursed and quickly pulled on some sweatpants and a sweatshirt before following her brother down the hall and out the back. The Ahote siblings created mist before their forms and jumped on before flying off into the oppressive forest. Both were now on edge, there was a chance that Nukpana or her Apprentice was there tonight. And more likely than not they would have a new victim in their grasp. Katara was determined not to let another poor soul slip between her fingers again. This time she wasn't going into the fight blindly, she was more aware of magic now, and what it could do.
She urged her small cloud to go faster, Katara could feel she was getting close to the wards that alerted her brother. Yue had made sure that they were keyed to every magical being in town. They were closing in on the location when the back of their hairs suddenly prickled. Out of the shadows glowed three purple eyes, it's prey ever unaware.
Water with ice chunks slammed into Sokka and Katara and sent them crashing and fumbling upon the earth. They were quick to get onto their feet as the Apprentice jumped high from the shadows and threw icicles at the Ahotes. The two dodged in opposite directions. Soyala landed directly in the middle and encased her arms in water whips. She lassoed her enemies and sent them on the defense. Katara formed her own water whip and batted away the opposing. Sokka, in a rare display of agility, danced around the deadly end of the witch's power. He threw his arms before him and a series of ice spikes erupted from the earth straight to the older woman.
Soyala used the oncoming threat to her advantage and somersaulted off the deadly points. She landed next to Katara and moved around the ice daggers in the young witch's hand. She bent backwards in half as the dagger sliced the air inches from Soyala's face. She delivered a roundhouse kick to Katara's solar plexus and rushed Sokka. Her hands now resembled of long lethal claws of frozen water. She made swipes at Sokka's middle, closing in on his space so he could not bend. Sokka was once more on the defensive as he did his best to avoid Soyala's claws. He cried out in pain as gashes were made on his side.
Soyala made a swipe to Sokka's jugular but Sokka managed to block the blow with his encased forearms. Up to his elbows were his fists and arms coated in an armor of ice. He threw a sucker punch to the woman's face and she rolled with the punch.
The two were in a brutal close contact fight. If Sokka were able to see behind the mask and under the hood, he would be able to make out the forming bruises. Soyala managed, a few times, to break past his defense and leave cuts along his body. At one point Soyala was able to kick behind his knees and send him to the ground. His bounced on the ground with a hard thud and he laid there dazed. Before Soyala could strike again a lasso of water tighten around her neck. She was pulled toward the other witch, where she was kneed in the chest. Soyala managed to rip herself from Katara, unbeknownst that her necklace fell to the ground, and threw her claws at the other Aquamancer. They sunk deep into the trunk of the tree where Katara's head had been.
A loud groaning noise came from above. Katara looked up and her eyes widen as the same tree was now falling down on her. With quick hand movements the tree was made into splinters and Katara sent the new source of water at the Apprentice. Soyala twirled it behind her and sent it back to Katara. Katara split the wave in two and sent one half to her brother and formed the rest into javelins. Sokka formed a ring of rushing water around the woman, encroaching the enemy ever further.
Katara threw her weapons into the ring directly at Soyala. Soyala danced, twirled, ducked, and batted away the spears. She grabbed the last two in her hands, twirled them around her and struck the ground. Large ice spikes erupted out in a protective ring around Soyala. Katara and Sokka to similar stances, their hands arched above their heads and they quickly brought them down to their sides. Half of the ring crumbled into powdered snow.
A restless stalemate settled between the three Aquamancers. Sokka had glowing globes of water floating above his palms, water whips swirled around Katara's form, and the Apprentice had extended claws once more. Before any could attack, Soyala stood upright. She cocked her head to one side, as if she could hear something that the Ahotes could not. With quick movements the Apprentice threw three ice pellets and the area erupted in icy fog. By the time Sokka and Katara cleared the area, the witch was long gone.
Sokka collapsed wearily onto his knees, hugging his torso tightly. "Sokka!" Katara ran to her brother. "I'm fine." he panted. "I'm healing myself."
"Let me check your head, you might have a concussion." Katara ordered worriedly
"Just as long as you check yourself too. That bitch had a mean roundhouse. I can't believe we nearly got our ass handed to us by one witch. Where the hell were the others?" he asked angrily
"I don't know." Katara muttered. The moon finally showed itself from the clouds and something from the ground reflected from the moonlight. Katara stopped her healing session on her older brother and walked up to object.
It was a necklace, a dark blue sash with a moonstone pendant. Something about it was familiar to Katara, the carving of waves crashing. Her jaw dropped, the necklace fell from her grasp onto the grass. Her legs suddenly gave out and she collapsed onto her knees. Tears were streaming down her cheeks. "No..."
"Katara!" Sokka made his way over to his sister. "What is it, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly
With unsteady fingers Katara picked up the necklace and held it out in her palm to her brother. "This is Mom's necklace...the Apprentice is our Mom." Katara looked and sounded broken. "Our Mom is part of the Warlock Coven." Sokka stared forlornly into the obscure forest. He held his sister tightly to his side as she wept desperately.
Please, for once let Katara be wrong. He thought to the heavens.