The Gallantry of Chief Sokka
Republic City, 158 AG
"Councilman Sokka, a letter has arrived for you."
Sokka's assistant handed him a piece of parchment.
"Thank you, Quan."
The letter read:
"Dear Chief Sokka,
I am concerned for the safety of my daughter. We have gathered intelligence that an anarchist cell of terrorists called the Red Lotus are planning an assault on world leaders and wish to abduct Korra as well. Why exactly they want her, we are not sure of yet. I seek aid and assistance from yourself, Lord Zuko and Master Tenzin. I can't face them alone. Your goddaughter needs you, Sokka.
Sincerely,
Tonraq"
"Quan, cancel all my meetings and appointments. The Avatar is in danger." Sokka calmly, but firmly stated to his right hand.
"Right away, Mr. Chairman."
The Southern Water Tribe, 158 AG
"It's been quite some time, big brother." Katara spoke as she hugged Sokka.
"I know, sis. I just came to give my love and make sure you were okay before I leave with the others. I know it's been almost a half decade since Aang passed, but it feels like he was just here with us..." Sokka solemnly replied.
"I'll be fine. You just make sure you come home. I can't bear any more losses." Katara uttered, barely audibly with tears welling up.
"We've faced danger countless times." he laughed. "These Red Lotus guys sound like amateurs anyway, I mean, look at the name! They couldn't come up with something more original?"
Sokka hugged his sister tight and waved goodbye as he grabbed his ruck and headed off to the camp site.
Wulong Forest, 158 AG
"Our reconnaissance has given reports that they will come through this sector of the forest just before they take to the sea on what I'm assuming is possibly animal-borne unless they have a more mechanical amphibious means of travel. We'll cut them off at the bay where we'll have plenty of water for me to access in our defense." Tonraq suggested.
"Good. You take care of their waterbender, Ming-Hua. Zuko, you deal with the firebender. Don't forget to be extra cautious, she can create explosions with her mind, so speaking from experience, aim for headshots. We'll try to assist as much as we can with her from the sidelines. Finally Tenzin, you've got their earthbender. We've confirmed he's the only lavabender alive in the world, so if he turns up the heat, cool him down. I'm counting on all of you, because if we fail...then we might as well have failed the world."
"Don't underestimate these guys." Zuko instructed. "They may be young, but they're surely trained and experienced."
"Fighting is always an airbender's last resort, but we have no choice. For Korra." Tenzin chimed in.
"For Korra."
"For Korra."
"For Korra..."
Later that night as Sokka was dosing off, he heard a woman's voice calling his name and a light coming from outside of his tent.
"Sokka...Sokka...come..."
"What...who is that? The voice sounds so familiar..." he thought to himself.
He got up to leave his tent and saw the light in the distance moving deeper into the forest past the clearing.
"Why is there always spirit world shenanigans right before a major battle?" he said aloud to himself and sighed.
He wandered and wandered until the light source became clearer.
It was Yue, floating above Sokka's long lost Space Sword in which he forged from a meteorite, lodged into a large rock next to a tree on the pathway.
"Yue? Is that you? I can't believe it. And you led me to my sword?" Sokka gazed in awe at her.
"I led you to this sword because I sent you its material from my own self, Sokka. I did it because I saw what was to come, and what you would become. I'm so proud of you." she spoke.
"I've missed you everyday since that night at the North Pole, Yue. I've never stopped thinking about you." Sokka said, beginning to become filled with emotion.
"And I you, Sokka. Fear not. We will be together soon..." Yue replied as she began to fade, taking the light with her.
"Goodbye, Yue..." he whispered as he pulled his beloved sword from the stone.
Wulong Forest Bay, 158 AG
"Sokka! I thought you lost that old thing? You found it last night?" Zuko asked as they witnessed the Red Lotus arrive.
"Yeah, I thought the Space Sword disappeared almost 60 years ago Uncle?" Tenzin chimed in.
"An ex-girlfriend helped me find it, actually. Weird story." Sokka told.
"Ex-girlfriend...he doesn't mean..?"
"Here they come." Sokka interrupted.
The Red Lotus dismounted their eel hounds.
"I take it you all are members of the Order of the White Lotus. I recognize most of you. We've all heard the stories." Zaheer said to the group.
"If you've heard about us kid, then you'll know that we probably shouldn't be trifled with lightly.." Zuko piped up.
"It is the Red Lotus' mandate to usher in a new age between humanity and the spirits by destroying the Order of the White Lotus, the governments of the world's nations and the Avatar. We will take Korra, and if she cannot be turned, we will die trying...or she will." Zaheer stated.
"See, that's where you're wrong, sonny boy. Even if you kill me or my people today, someone will always take up the mantle. The Avatar is what is right for the world and they are bigger than you or me. You're fighting a losing war. You'll never have Korra." Sokka chuckled at him with a smirk.
The two sides took their battle stances and readied themselves, crying a loud battle cry that shook the beach as they clashed, making the birds leave the branches they were perched upon.
26 YEARS LATER
Southern Water Tribe, 184 AG
"Did you have a fun time at the new Cultural Center, Liu?" Asami asked her son.
"I liked it alot, mom!" Liu responded with a smile.
"Let's go over here sweetheart, I wanna show you something cool. The person they made this statue of was a very good friend of mine in a past life." Korra said, taking her child's hand.
They walked over to the statue of Sokka. Under him, was an inscription which Korra read to her wife and son.
"This statue commemorates one of the greatest Southern Water Tribe chiefs to ever live; Sokka. Born in the Southern Water Tribe to Hakoda and Kya, Sokka stayed behind while his father and many other warriors left to fight in the war and protected the tribe with his sister Katara. A tribe, which at the time, had a population of less than 100 people. After he and his sister discovered the Avatar in suspended animation, they left the tribe and traveled the world with Aang, eventually defeating the tyrannical Firelord Ozai and ending the 100 Year War. In Sokka's final battle with the Red Lotus terrorists, it was reported that he had shown strategic prowess and mastery of swordmanship unlike any had ever seen. Legend says he even achieved waterbending before perishing, despite never being a bender before the event. Because of this, the Order of the White Lotus had the edge of subduing and arresting the criminals. Chief Sokka's legacy is one of heroism and will echo throughout the world for generations."
"Wow. I hope I can be just like him one day!" Liu cheered.
"I'm sure he'd be very proud of you." Asami ran her hands through his hair.
"Hey, what ever happened to wanting to be just like me when you grew up?" Korra chuckled.
THE END