The Northern Water Tribe
The first time Katara and Sokka arrived in the Northern Water Tribe, it was a sight that instigated joy and relief from the three of them. The siblings knew what awaited them meant the end of the war, but neither could shake the feeling as they approached the ice walls that somewhere, in this city was Aang's reincarnate. Neither knew whether they should be overjoyed at the sight of the child, when identified, or if they would simply break down crying. Both seemed equally as likely.
Sokka, along with his father, was determined to organise the invasion. He knew getting Chief Arnook to agree would be difficult. The tribe had lost so many of their own men already. Risking the last of the waterbenders in a sketchy invasion plan was a big ask, but it was a risk the Southern Water Tribe understood. Attack, or be attacked. Their neutrality had brought the demise of their waterbenders. 'Hopefully,' Sokka thought, 'they'll understand.'
Toph had been told by one of the crew members that they were approaching Agna Qel'a. She had never left the Earth Kingdom before, and being so far from home, though exhilarating, was scary. Growing up, she was quite sheltered from the war. Now, having been exposed to the death and destruction of the Fire Nation, she felt uneasy going to the Northern Water Tribe. She had no idea whether or not seismic sense would work there, and she was worried the would be effectively blinded for their stay there. Even worse, she, The Duke and Pipsqueek were outsiders. None of them were Water Tribe citizens. She wanted in on the action and planning, regardless of how boring the meetings might be. From what Sokka had told her, the Northern Tribe seemed like an uptight place full od rules, traditions and expectations.
Two decorated and ornate navy canoes of waterbenders showing the Water Tribe insignia rowed their way to the ship and used ice bridges to board. One of the parties went to search the boat. They were surprised to find a mix of people in Water Tribe clothing and Fire Army uniforms, as well as a couple wearing the Earth Kingdom colours. Two men withWater Tribe hairstyles and skin walked up the the lead boarding party, and gave a shallow bow. "Hello, I am Chief Hakoda, Southern Water Tribe. This is my right hand man, Bato."
"Kumaglak" The leader said. "It's a pleasure, Chief Hakoda. I apologise for the aggression, but we must be cautious these days. You do not pose a threat to The Northern Tribe?"
"It is not our intention to sabotage you. We are here as guests of Chief Arnook" Bato explained.
Kumaglak studied them closely for a while, before taking a look at the rest of the boat. The leader of the other party returned, and whispered something in Kumaglak's ear. Hakoda's heartbeat sped up a bit. He knew there was nothing bad to be found, but if what his children and their friend's had told them was true, then he knew getting in to the city would be difficult. Or that they might be captured.
Kumaglak looked away towards the giant ice wall and waved his hand, and turned back towards Hakoda. "Welcome to Agna Qel'a" he welcomed, smiling. He and his boarding parties returned to their own boats as the waterbenders melted an arch into the wall just big enough for the ship to pass, allowing them access to the tribe.
Hakoda breathed a sigh of relief, and shared a look with Bato. A voice from behind them said, "I thought you might have had a heart attack, Hakoda."
"Well, the Northern Water Tribe is a strict place. We have a lot riding on this, Toph."
"We won't get anything done if you guys are dead from heart attacks" she chuckled.
"Right..." Sokka said as he walked up to them. "Come on Toph, we got a cobbler to fix up some boots for you. You're gonna need them if you don't want frostbite."
Toph groaned but resigned herself to going with Sokka anyway. Shoes were going to be a necessity if she wanted to have feet by the time they left the north pole.
"I don't know whether to be insulted by that girl or touched" Bato wondered.
"Heh, my daughter says the general consensus is to feel both."
The two laughed away as the helmsman pulled them into a basin, which is lower than the city itself. Waterbenders melted away parts of the structure, filling up the basin from the canals so that they could access the city.
Hakoda noted the intricacies of the city's entrance. It was something that only waterbenders could accomplish. He wondered briefly if this is what it had been like, a century ago in his own home. His native village was once the Southern Water Tribe's capital, serving as a central point for the entire tribe. It connected the other villages, and now it was isolated and merely a clump of tents and ice. He felt rather jealous of the Northern Tribe. He had heard that the Fire Nation had raided them, also, but had not succeeded. In fact, they never returned. His jealousy turned to awe at their strength. He briefly wondered why they had not aided their sister tribe, but he decided that would be a conversation for his fellow chief later.
The helmsman pulled into the side of the first stretch of the canal, where an open space lay between the walls of the city and the inner city itself. This field of ice was littered with ash and uneven ground where the main battle for the Water Tribe's survival had taken place.
As he stepped off the ship with his children and Toph beside him, he asked, "It must've been some battle."
"It was" Katara stated. "The tribe would've lost if it wasn't for Aang and the Ocean Spirit."
"I remember something a few months ago. The moon disappeared for a few minutes..."
"I don't think I would've noticed" Toph said.
It was Sokka's turn to speak now. "Yeah. The Fire Nation admiral, Zhao I think was his name, went into the spirit oasis and killed the mortal form of the moon spirit."
"I couldn't waterbend while the moon was gone at all. That's when Yue..." Katara trailed off, knowing it was a sore subject for Sokka.
"I wish Suki could come with us" he said, taking both his father, sister and Toph by surprise. It seemed the Suki had worked wonders with the grief he held for Yue.
"She has duties to the Kyoshi Warriors" Katara told him. "You should understand that, of all people."
"Yeah, I get it. It'd just be nice to have someone like her with me right now." His family hummed in agreement.
Toph found that she actually could see on the snow and ice, even while wearing boots. The vision was fuzzy, but she could make out people and buildings if they weren't too far from her. It was a relief knowing that she wouldn't have to rely on others for their entire stay, even if she had come to terms with her self-destructive independence. Relying on people was something the girl only liked doing when necessary.
"D'you need a hand, Toph?" Sokka asked the girl.
"No... I can actually see. Not great," she paused to punch him in his chest, "I can still make my own way around."
"Ow! Well, how nice of you to thank me, then" Sokka quipped. Katara and Hakoda laughed at their antics.
Kumaglak's boat's docked alongside their Fire Nation ship, and two more arrived from the main city. Kumaglak walked up the the southern chieftain, and spoke, "The boats will carry your men and women upriver to the main city. You'll be greeted by Chief Arnook at his palace."
Hakoda had to restrain himself from shouting 'Palace?!' in utter shock. Sure, he had known the Northern Tribe had survived and evaded most of the Fire Nation's onslaughts, but he almost didn't believe his own ears upon hearing that word. 'Had they been... prospering all this time?' And Hakoda saw it to be true as they entered the city. The ice streets and buildings, even in the lower sectors farther from the palace. They were beautifully crafted, probably by master waterbenders. There were entire, complete family's roaming the streets, and it was then that he felt his anger turn to envy once again. 'There's an explanation for this. There's gotta be.'
Sokka was painfully reminded of the tragedy as they rowed through the same canals they had sailed up during his and Katara's first visit. He had first seen Yue on the royal canoe as they swam past on Appa. Their relationship had blossomed fast, and it had ended even quicker with her passing. He didn't think he could take much more loss, and his mind went to Suki as he pondered where she might be. Being in this city was already painful enough for him; reminders of his failure to protect Yue smitten all over, and a version of Aang that's not-so-Aang hidden somewhere among the ice. Toph noticed her friend's behaviour, unusually quiet. He hadn't talked much to her about what had happened here. She wondered whether or not it had something to do with the Avatar they had all grown to love, but she decided not to voice her concerns.
Appa was swimming through the canals, trailing behind the transport canoes by a few meters, with Katara at his head. Katara sat alone on Appa, the two sharing the deepest bond with each other out of the group. They were the two closest living things to Aang, so it made sense that they had grown close. Now that they were in the city, Katara gave some thought about what to do. She would be involved with the invasion planning, as well, but she wanted to be productive during her visit.
Ordinary citizens of Agna Qel'a observed their latest guests arrive in their home. The last time they had visitors, the Avatar and his southern friends, the Fire Nation had attempted to eradicate them. Many alternated their weary gazes between the southern group and the Fire Navy ship they had rolled in on. Their concerns were founded, but did not even compare to the plights of the people that were enterring as guests of their chief. Their clothes were ragged, some wore Fire Army uniforms and they looked tired. Among them, supposedly, was the renowned Chief Hakoda. A great war leader they had heard stories about from his children and other the few merchant ships that travelled to their remote home. This man, purportedly, the defacto chief of the Southern Water Tribe, of equal status to their own great Chief Arnook. It was a reality shock for many to see people of such stature travelling in such poverty.
There was a margin in between the palace entrance and the canals on which the canoes docked. Chief Arnook and city council members stood not too far from the water's edge, ready to greet the arriving men and women.
Arnook watched as one of the men approached him, an air of importance surrounding him. "You must be Chief Hakoda" he greeted the man.
Hakoda took a moment to respond, taking a brief glance at the large, intricate palace that stood in front of him, before meeting the other chief's eyes. He outstretched his arm, grabbed the other man's elbow and shook it firmly. "It's an honour to finally meet you, Chief Arnook. My children have told me much about you and our sister tribe."
Arnook caught his equal's gaze, and said, somewhat guiltily, "It's a magnificent palace, isn't it?"
"We have nothing even close to any of the buildings here in the Southern Water Tribe" Hakoda replied, hostility building up in his voice. "Good to know the Northern Water Tribe escaped all of those hardships..."
"When contact was cut between the two tribes, we lived in darkness for a while. Thanks to your children and the late Avatar, though, we were able to find out what happened to our sister tribe. We apologise for not helping out sooner, brother, but thankfully some of our waterbenders are now southbound to help rebuilding efforts."
Hakoda did feel somewhat relieved to hear his fellow chief apologise, and attempt to fix that relationship, but it didn't really fix the damages the past century has caused. "Thank you" he uttered anyway.
"There are no thanks necessary, chief. It is our fault, we let your tribe fall to such lows. We are one and the same, and we should start acting like it" Arnook explained.
The words 'one and the same' rubbed off wrong on Hakoda. He didn't really want to be associated with the northerners. He knew they were one nation, but in his entire lifetime, they operated seperately, and according to his children, with different and more strict traditions. It worried him to think that they might want control.
"We have many guesthouses near the council building. You and your warriors may go there and rest, we will have people bring proper Water Tribe clothing. I'm sure you'd prefer it to that nasty Fire Nation uniform" Arnook smirked.
"It still smells like ash, after weeks of sailing" Hakoda sighed. "I would appreciate it."
"I would also like you, and your children, to join me in a council meeting in the palace in an hour" Arnook continued. "I think we have a lot to discuss."
Hakoda nodded as he followed his warriors and their guides to their quarters. There would be a lot to discuss. His main concerns were about the upcoming planned invasion, and how the Northern Water Tribe would react to being asked to partake. They could no longer be considered a neutral force after the siege of the north. He did not want to insult any of the council members, or his fellow chief, but such were the demands of war. They both knew it.
But he was also weary of bringing his children into a war meeting. He knew they were well capable, and had done so before in the Earth Kingdom, but discussing the Avatar would bring down their mood. Katara's especially. He was worried that it would be too much for them to handle, talking about how Aang died and finding his reincarnation.
He, Katara and Sokka were given one guesthouse and Toph, the Duke and Pipsqueek shared another. The other warriors chose who to share with amongst themselves. Much like the Southern Water Tribe, there were no rooms. The buildings may have been modernised, and resembled the stles of the Earth Kingdom terraces, but ultimately the interior was completely Water Tribe. It was decorated with fur pelts, many of the creatures Hakoda could not recognise. They simply set up their sleeping bags on the pelts, and that was their bed.
Sometime later, some traders came by to measure them and give them their new clothes. The colouring was slightly different that that of their home, but overall it was mostly the same. There were replacement robes and actual parkas to protect them against the bitter polar air, even if it was summer.
Fourty minutes had passed since he spoke with Chief Arnook and he invited them all to a meeting. He ushered his children out with him and together they walked to the palace.
"Remember last time we were here, Sokka?" Katara mused.
"At the dinner. I was sat beside Princess Yue" Sokka reminisced.
Katara snorted at the memory, "Would you like to do an activity together?"
Hakoda took a double-take at that. "Those are my son's flirting skills?"
"Hey, I'll have you know she enjoyed my company very much. And they have certainly improved since then."
"Oh, dad, haven't you heard? Prince Sokka's flirting skills are fabled!" Sokka's face was bright red now from embarrassment. He prayed to the spirits that his flirting with Suki, past and future, would be better.
"You didn't really call yourself that, did you?" Hakoda laughed heartily.
"Alright, alright, enough, let's just get to the meeting" Sokka groaned.
The family were met by Chief Arnook, some councilors and two Water Shamans outside the main doors of the palace.
"Good afternoon, Hakoda, and welcome back Sokka and Katara. It's great to see you again" Arnook greeted the trio, gaze faltering Sokka. "This is Head Shaman Aguta, and her assistant Ila." The two women bowed their heads respectively. "They will be here to discuss the next Avatar in the reincarnation cycle."
Hakoda winced at the Avatar's mention, but glancing at his children he realised that they had been well prepared for this conversation. Bowing, Katara replied, "Great to see you again, Chief Arnook."
The council members dissipated, and the family followed the chief and the shamans into the building. They were led down various hallways, much to Hakoda's amazement at the sight. They were led to an open-rooved atrium, one Sokka and Katara recognised as holding a celebratory dinner in honour of the Avatar and Yue just months ago.
A wooden, circular table surrounded by cussions to sit on now stood on the once-empty centre of tha atrium. Hakoda and his children took a seat next to each other, and each of the shamans sat on either side of their chief.
Head Shaman Aguta spoke up first. "We would like to thank you three for attending, particularly you, Master Katara."
Hakoda really liked hearing Katara's new title. His wife had died to protect the last southern waterbender, it only seemed worthy that she become a master to fight the Fire Nation in her honour.
Katara smiled. "Thank you."
"The next Avatar won't likely be found for years to come; I'm sure you know that. But, we still thank you for your presence. We would be honoured if you would teach the next Avatar waterbending, despite your womanhood" Aguta requested. She genuinely meant no insult regarding Katara's gender, it was simply the state of things in the Northern Water Tribe. The comment pricked Hakoda the wrong way, but he knew that if there was something seriously wrong, his daughter would've already handled it. And that she already did on her first visit here.
"As Aang's teacher, I would love to have the opportunity to teach him again" she said wholeheartedly. Sokka and Hakoda's heart sunk a little at her use of his name as if he was still alive.
"We heard of Avatar Aang's rapid mastery in the form under your tutelege. It may be necessary for the next" Ila explained.
"With your expressed permission, of course Chief Hakoda" Arnook interrupted. Althoug Katara had been travelling without an adult during her time with the Avatar, under northern law she was still a minor despite her experiences.
"Of course she has it, Katara is a woman and can make her own choices" Hakoda stated truthfully. Katara placed her hand thankfully over her father's on the table, and responded with a smile.
Aguta continued, "We would also like to invite Master Toph to teach the next Avatar, after they have mastered waterbending. They will have to start from a young age, unfortunately." Katara winced at this. She knew personally the pain it had caused Aang, at just twelve, to learn of his identity, responsibilities and expectations. She supposed that being indoctrinated into such a life would be better, but removing the free will of a child was not something the teenaged girl was comfortable with. At least they would simply be learning their native element for a while. "We would also like to know the circumstances of Avatar Aang's death."
Katara shifted uncomfortably on her cushion, her hand tightening around her father's. She gave a slight nod of confirmation, avoiding eye contact with either of the shamans. "Prince Zuko and Princess Azula were leading a coup d'etat against the Earth King. Aang and I were alone in the caverns beneath the city when they came after us" she spat the Fire Nation royalty's names as if it was poison in her mouth. "The Dai Li was serving the Fire Nation at this point, too. There were hundreds of the agents, a-and A-Aang, he went into the Avatar State" her voice trembled as she recounted the exact moment of his passing. The shaman's eyebrows rose as they realised the consequences of what she was about to say. "Azula shot him in the back while he was mid-air." She stopped speaking, and realised that her lower jaw was quivering and her hand gripped her knee and her dad's hand tightly.
Aguta and Ila glanced at each other anxiously, Arnook slowly coming to the realisation as he remembered his schooling around the Avatar. "Did... Did Avatar Aang die while in the Avatar state, Master Katara?" Aguta questioned the young girl.
"He was in the Avatar state when Azula shot him. He would've died instantly" she admitted nervously. They didn't actually have his body, but there was no way to survive such a strike.
"Did you obtain the body...?" Ila trailed off.
All of a sudden it was too much for Katara to handle. Her eyes widened and she let the tears flow freely, not even bothering to sob. A quick glance at Sokka revealed that he, too had let his tears fall. Aang had been special to all of them, in unique ways. Hakoda's heart broke once more for his children. He could tell they were holding as strong as they could, given the circumstances. It was never easy to see a friend die, nevermind one that had shaped their lives in unique and wonderful ways. "We didn't obtain the body. But... having lightning shot into your spine, and then falling six meters to the ground... no. There's no way." It pained her to advocate for the acceptance of his death, to her it felt like a betrayal.
Aguta sighed. She knew she would have to choose her next words carefully, fearing she would send Katara into a depressing spiral, or worse. Her challenge of Master Pakku was still fresh in most minds. "Has Avatar Aang made either of you aware of what happens to the Avatar if they are killed while in that state?" All three shook their heads. Unable to hold eye contact any longer, the shaman continued, "When the Avatar is killed in the Avatar state, the... the Avatar spirit is destroyed. The reincarnation cycle is broken."
"What are you getting at here?" Sokka asked.
"I'm saying..." Aguta began shakily, "that the Avatar has ceased to exist." Ice-barrels filled with cold water burst suddenly as Katara's grip on herself and Hakoda came to it's peak strength.
"No Avatar. How's this war going to end?" Arnook asked, salty residue appearing on his own cheeks. "Yue gave her life to this cause, and now there's no hope?!"
Katara rose from her position, grabbed her left elbow strongly with her right hand and left.
"We have a plan, Arnook" Hakoda negotiated. "If you will just listen."
He calmed himself, and signalled for the Water Shamans to leave. "Excuse my behaviour, Hakoda. What's your plan?"
"An invasion of the Fire Nation" Sokka spoke up. "During an eclipse, a few weeks from now. Firebenders will be powerless for up to ten minutes, enough to take the capital and the Fire Lord. It's the only way to do it with no Avatar."
"An invasion?! That's... outlandish! Our tribe has maintained neutral status in the war for over eighty years-"
"Until a few months ago, Chief Arnook. Times have changed. The Fire Nation will be on our doorstep again in a couple of months time on the day of Sozin's comet" Sokka reasoned. "You learned about what happened to the Air Nation, don't you?"
"I'm going to need some time to think about this" Arnook settled. "You're asking me to use my own men in a foreign invasion."
"I understand" Sokka started. "But this will happen. It's either this or inevitable doom."
"We'll leave you to it for now, Arnook. But this is something to seriously consider" Hakoda supplied. "I'm going to go find my daughter now... I have a feeling she'll need someone." Sokka nodded in agreement and walked side by side with his father through the palace halls.
Katara sat on one of the fur pelts, attempting to immitate one of Aang's meditation forms she'd observed him doing so often before. No matter how much she tried to calm or empty her mind, as Aang had once told her, but the Water Shaman's words would not stop invading her mind.
As much as seeing a reincarnation would pain her, she knew that it was better than never being able to see him again. She had built up so much hope for that, even if everything about him was different.
She heard a voice come from the doorway. "Sugar Queen? I heard you guys went to a meeting."
"Toph" she breathed. "Yeah, we were at a meeting. I think Sokka and dad are still there. I... couldn't. I'm no earthbender" she laughed.
She chuckled and entered the house, ignoring the drapery. "You and Aang were always alike in that regard. What went on in that meeting, Katara?"
Even if Toph couldn't lie detect in this environment, she still felt the need to face the issue head-on. Toph deserved the truth, anyway. "We started off about the Avatar." Toph visibly stiffened, but said nothing. "I told them how he died. Since he died in the Avatar state... the cycle is broken, there is no Avatar anymore, Toph."
"I was kinda looking forward to teaching the next one. Meeting them, at least" the younger girl admitted. "I miss him." Aang was the first real friend she had ever had, and he had gone out of his way to become her friend, even if he just needed to master earthbending.
"That's an understatement." The two girls sat in silence on the pelts for a while. Toph was not one for emotional conversation, so their mutual silence was somewhat comforting for both of them. Toph briefly wondered if this was what her parents were attempting to shelter her from. The pain of losing one of her best friends, student and punching bags was a little overwhelming, for she had never lost anyone before.
Half an hour later, when Katara's brother and father returned home for the evening, they found Toph and Katara asleep with their heads resting against each other.
"I don't remember having two daughers" Hakoda whispered.
Sokka stifled a laugh. "Just let them have it. We've had too much shit to deal with."
Sokka and Hakoda both laid down on their own pelts, taking one last glance at the two sleeping friends, glad that they had at least found solace in each others presence.