A/N: Again, I apologize for the wait. I'm working on a lot of things behind the scenes, but I'm still super passionate about my stories. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. It just took me awhile to truly sort out Katara and Sokka's characters and arcs. Also I'm not telling you any of the endgame ships, but I will say there will be relationships before the finale.
The ship was alive with movement and by sunrise they weren't far from the tiny fishing village where the Avatar was hiding. Azula had been waiting for this day for years, though not for the reasons most assumed. The Avatar was the single most powerful ally she could ask for and she would win him over at any cost.
Azula looked in the small mirror at her marred reflection. A creature with mottled pink and red skin that interrupted the smooth pale flesh of the rest of her face. Azula patted the skin colored powder on her cheeks and watched the scar disappear underneath it. It didn't hide the raised skin, but at a glance she would look normal. Still to avoid anyone looking, she painted her lips scarlet and let the hair not in her topknot fall freely around her face.
Azula put away her mirror and got to her feet. Azula knew just going in and demanding what she wanted wasn't going to work. They had no reason to trust her, at least not yet. The question of what exactly would work had yet to be answered. The hum of the engines cutting out beneath her quickly informed her that she didn't have any more time to think about it. Azula stood and climbed the stairs to the top deck, letting go of her apprehension and preparing to meet her allies.
Sokka smeared the dark war paint on his face, creating simple designs with black, grey, and white. The rapid crunching of footsteps and the sound of children yelling and being soothed only steeled his nerves. This was his fault and he was going to fix it. He was older now and he wasn't going to lose any more family members.
Sokka heard footsteps approaching his tent and a burst of cold air as the tent flap opened. He didn't turn his head, he could already see Ty Lee's pants and boots in the mirror. "I don't have time to talk right now, I've got to get ready." He said, getting to his feet to face her with his club in his hand.
Ty Lee frowned, "Sokka, I want to help you. This is my fault too," She shot back, her brow furrowed into a confused frown.
Sokka brushed past her to the outside, "Go find Katara and the other women then, I can handle this." Sokka replied. Ty Lee may have been the Avatar, but she still was a girl, even if she was physically capable then that didn't mean she was suited for the heat of battle.
Ty Lee followed him outside and they both stopped in their tracks, "Woah…" She sighed in awe. The ship wasn't far from shore, anchored in place. It was made of the same twisted black metal as the ship suspended above the ice, only thin wisps of smoke came from the smokestacks. The people standing on it looked tiny compared to it.
Sokka swallowed his fear, pushing Ty Lee behind him. "Go, I can take care of this," He ordered, hoping the fear he felt didn't creep into his voice. He felt Ty Lee hesitate for just a second, before he heard her retreating footsteps in the snow. He ran up to the top of his wall, waiting for the ship to come closer, but it didn't.
Instead of the larger ship coming closer like it always did during a raid, a few figures climbed into a smaller boat and rowed towards him. Sokka tried to calm his nerves, but it only made him more nervous. It had to be a trick, unless it was because they thought there weren't any waterbenders left. He'd let them think that a little longer.
Sokka gripped his club tighter as they approached, but as he began to make out the details of the approaching figures his jaw went slack. There was a girl, presumably the one in charge. She wasn't rowing, but maybe that was because she was too weak. She spotted him immediately, not that he was exactly hidden. Her golden eyes pierced into him as if she could read his entire history in a glance.
Sokka shook his head, he was psyching himself out. The girl stepped onto the ice, burning through his wall until there was an archway she could step through. Sokka peered down at her from the top of the wall, the perfect vantage point for an attack. She'd made a grave mistake. Sokka launched himself from the top of the wall, letting out a battle cry as he plunged towards her.
At the last moment she slipped to the side and he landed face first on the ice, knocking the wind out of him and the club from his hand. Sokka felt his face burn and was happy for the war paint hiding his blush. He got to his feet, clumsily swinging the club at her. She grabbed his wrist, using his own momentum to swing him onto his back.
She glared at him, with sharp eyes of molten gold and dug her talons into Sokka's wrist. The sudden pain caused him to cry out and drop his club. The girl smiled as she released him, "Now that we've determined you're thoroughly outmatched, let's talk." She commanded.
Sokka scrambled backwards and his eyes flicking to his club underneath her boot. A mix of humiliation and fear kept him back. He was beaten by a girl. No, he wasn't beaten yet, he just needed to regroup. He'd have to use water bending Then back up to her face. Her expression played at being serious, but the corners of her lips tilted upward slightly, the beginning of a smirk.
"I'm Princess Azula," She announced calmly, "I'm here to talk to the Avatar."
"She isn't here—" Sokka spat, his voice full of spite for this girl he hadn't even met.
"She?" The princess repeated, this time as a question. "So, she is here. Where is she?"
Sokka went quiet and refused to give Azula any more information. Obviously she didn't have any good intentions with Ty Lee and he had to protect her. It couldn't be too hard, he reached for the familiar pull of the ocean in his gut and he took a deep breath. Sokka brought his hands over his head, the water followed his command wiping Azula and her guards off their feet and towards him. There was only the unfortunate drawback his club had been swept away and Azula looked very, very, angry.
Ty Lee watched as Katara darted from her hiding spot beside her and scooped up Sokka's club. Ty Lee doubted Katara was anymore prepared than her brother, but predictably that didn't dissuade her. She was smarter about it, swinging her club towards one of the lackeys, resulting in a metallic clang and the soldier crumpling to the ground.
Sokka on the other hand was narrowly dodging mesmerizing blue plumes of flames. She knew they wouldn't be able to keep this up for long, she had to do something. Ty Lee ran towards them jumping in front of Sokka and spinning her staff to shield Sokka from the incoming flames. The flames fanned out and away from them, but they were coming far too close to Katara.
Ty Lee stopped spinning her staff and held it out towards this Azula. "I'm who you're looking for. If I go with you, will you leave these people alone?" Ty Lee asked, her voice took on more authority than she'd thought herself capable. Especially when it felt like her heart was going to pound her ribs into dust.
Azula nodded, a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, spread across her face. "Of course, like I told Sokka I only want to talk," Azula assured her, but there was something unsettling about her gaze. Her reassurance just made Ty Lee's blood run cold.
"Ty Lee, don't do this!" Katara yelled, going silent as Sokka placed a hand on her shoulder, whispering something in her ear. The hurt in his eyes stung as he met eyes with her. It was the only thing to make her reconsider.
"Don't worry about me," Ty Lee replied, with the same confidence she'd mustered moments before. She told herself she would see them both again to keep herself calm. She stepped into the tiny boat and sat in the only remaining open spot, near Azula. The larger ship was looming over them, casting them all in shadow. Ty Lee couldn't help the tsunami of dread threatening to swallow her whole.
Azula had the Avatar right here in front of her and she wasn't sure what to say. She was expecting an old man who had long since mastered every element, yet here in front of her was a girl not much older than she was.
The first few minutes of their meeting on the ship were awkward, mostly consumed by them drinking tea and avoiding eye contact. Azula knew she'd have to be the one to speak. "It's an honor to meet you Avatar Ty Lee," Azula began, she figured flattery couldn't hurt.
Ty Lee smiled nervously, tapping her fingers on the glider, "And you Princess," She replied hesitantly. "You know you have a really pretty aura," Ty Lee added with a nervous smile.
Azula hesitated, she hadn't been expecting that. Azula hadn't heard of anyone seeing auras and she'd written them off for the most part, but she figured if Ty Lee was trying to flatter it was working. "Thank you, I wish I could return the compliment, but I have no idea what yours looks like," Azula bantered, the smile returning to her face.
"Oh, it's okay! I know most people can't see auras!" Ty Lee replied, having successfully eased the tension.
Azula cleared her throat, "I'm sorry that we had to meet on such difficult terms, but I know we could make a powerful alliance against the Fire Lord," Azula explained, knitting her fingers together to hide her own nervousness. "When it's revealed you're the Avatar you'll have limited options for a firebending teacher and I could fill that role for you,"
Ty Lee's expression softened, her own apprehension seemingly melting away, "You can teach me firebending? But why? Aren't you his daughter?" Ty Lee asked, tilting her head in surprise.
Azula sighed as her scars began to itch she squeezed her fingers together until they cracked, to distract herself, "If you must know, we're cousins. It doesn't change my goals, I want to see him overthrown," Azula answered, omitting the part about how she planned to replace him.
Ty Lee eyed Azula closely, "How do I know I can trust you?" She asked with a furrowed brow.
Azula knew this question was coming and unfortunately she hadn't put as much thought into as she would like. "If you don't already, then you're free to return to your Water Tribe friends. I'm committed to earning the Avatar's trust," Azula assured her, hoping she sounded genuine.
Ty Lee tilted her head, "I'll think about your offer!" Ty Lee replied as she stood, giving Azula a friendly smile. "I'm sure we'll meet again soon."
"Almost certainly," Azula smiled and stood to match Ty Lee, forcing a smile onto her face. "Good luck on your quest Avatar Ty Lee," She answered. Azula knew she would make certain that they saw each other again. Azula wasn't letting her only hope slip through her fingers that quickly. 'No' was never truly an option.
Bedrolls, check. Ration, check. Waterskins, check. Summer clothes, check. Club, check. Canoe, check. Oar, check. Sokka, check. Sokka stared blankly into the open ocean, holding a spear in his hand. Katara was certain he wouldn't stop sulking until she pointed out that they had something more productive to be doing.
"Sokka, are you going to keep sulking or are you coming with me?" Katara asked, gesturing towards the canoe, filled with supplies.
Sokka's eyes lit up, "You got all this ready?" He asked, rushing over to look at what she'd prepared.
Katara nodded, "It's crazy what you can do when you're not sulking over your girlfriend," She answered with a confident smirk.
Sokka rolled his eyes, "She's not my girlfriend," He shot back.
"What are you two doing?" Their mother's voice came from behind him, causing the both to jump.
Katara whipped around to smile and offer an excuse, but Kya wrapped her in a hug before she could. She pulled Sokka into the hug as well, crushing them together in a warm embrace. "I'm not going to stop you. I knew when you returned with Ty Lee that your destinies were intertwined," Kya confessed, kissing them both on the forehead. "Just promise you'll look out for each other,"
The wave of realization crashed against Katara's chest like an all consuming wave. She was leaving home and her mother for the first time without any idea when she was coming back. Katara knew she'd miss home, but her mother was right. Katara felt a pull to explore the world around her that she couldn't ignore.
"We will, I promise," Katara assured her, squeezing her mother's hand.
That goes double for me," Sokka agreed, patting Katara's shoulder. "There's no way we're going to catch up to a warship in a canoe." Sokka pointed out.
Before anyone could offer a solution a familiar roar sounded overhead, "It's Diki!" Katara announced, leaping over the canoe to give the sky bison. "You have great timing," Katara said and in return Diki licked her cheek, almost knocking her over in the process.
Relief melted away Katara's annoyance as quickly as it came. Now if only she could figure out how to get her to fly.
Sokka had insisted on being the one in the driver's seat, but now nothing he did seemed to be able to get the bison to fly. So they were stuck going only slightly faster than a canoe. Katara hadn't said anything yet, but Sokka just knew there was some sarcastic comment waiting for the right opportunity to fly from her lips.
"Come on Diki, don't you want to get Ty Lee?" Sokka asked, rubbing the bison's fur. "I'm really starting to think this thing can't fly," Sokka groaned.
"Don't say that," Katara countered, "Didn't she say something when she tried to get her to fly? Maybe- Up-Up? Hip-Hip? Yip-Yip?"
Sokka felt the bison rumble beneath him and she raised her tail slamming it into the water as she launched herself into the air. In a few seconds they'd risen high above the water, the only evidence of Diki's presence was the rippling of the water where she had been.
"Katara you did it!" Sokka exclaimed, holding tight to the reins, completely forgetting his cool demeanor.
"There, I can see his ship from here," Katara exclaimed, pointing in the direction of the larger ship. It had plenty of progress while they were dealing with setbacks.
Despite the fact that it chugged along at the same speed Sokka had no doubt that they would be able to catch up to it. That solved one problem, but left them with another. "So, er- How are we getting Ty Lee?" Sokka asked, looking back at Katara expectantly.
Katara's eyes went wide in feigned shock, "You mean all that time thinking with your big man brain and you didn't come up with a plan?" She asked, her face shifted into an exaggerated pout.
Sokka's face burned and he faced forward so he wouldn't have to look at Katara's smug expression. "Fine, we'll wing it," Sokka huffed. "We got this, right Diki?" He said, patting her head.
They were too close to come up with anything good anyway. At least that's what Sokka told himself. They were close enough now for him to make out some details of the ship. It was definitely Azula's ship. Most of the figures were patrolling in the black and red armor of the Fire Nation. There were definitely even more below.
Sokka tossed his mittens back into the saddle, preparing to try his hand at waterbending again. "Get ready," Sokka yelled over his shoulder, urging Diki to descend towards the ship.
Katara gripped his club with both hands, crouching low in the saddle like a cat-deer ready to pounce. "Focus Sokka," She snapped in response just as they hit the deck of the ship.
They immediately attracted the attention of all the soldiers on the deck. They moved in a unit even as scattered as they were and Katara leapt from Appa's saddle, swinging wildly at the Fire Nation soldiers. The metallic clang of the club against the helmets told him she was having some success.
Sokka felt naked without his spear and it wasn't helped by the three Fire Navy soldiers approaching him. They jabbed at him with the points of spears and he managed to dance around their points, but the narrow space of Appa's head didn't give him much leeway.
"Katara!" He called, his voice warped as he veered away from another sharpened point. "A little help?"
"I'm busy!" Katara yelled breathlessly, from the other side of the bison. "Can't you make a wave or something?"
Sokka knew his sister was right, he'd have to try again eventually. It was practically impossible with these ceaseless attacks from the soldiers. Sokka had to go on the offensive. The next time he got the chance Sokka grabbed the spear that was nearest him and pushed it hard into the soldiers chest, knocking him off his feet. He swung at the remaining soldiers' heads, causing them to duck under his swing. They hadn't been expecting the sweep that came after.
"Stand down!" Azula's rung out over the ship, causing them all to freeze. Azula scanned the scene in front of her only briefly pausing on Sokka and Katara. The soldiers that had still been fighting dropped their weapons, but Sokka was hesitant to do the same.
"Where's Ty Lee?" He demanded, pointing the tip of his stolen spear at her.
Azula's eyebrows lifted slightly, giving him an amused look and stepped aside to allow Ty Lee to step into view. Ty Lee still had her glider and looked unharmed. "She came with me of her own free will and she's chosen to leave of her own free will," Azula asserted, shifting her gaze from the siblings to her own soldiers.
"Hey guys!" Ty Lee greeted them with a big friendly wave. "Thanks for bringing Diki, but—"
"Do you think we can have this conversation far away from here?" Katara asked, her eyes still on the soldiers all around them.
"Oh er— sure," Ty Lee agreed, taking Sokka's spot at the reins as Katara and Sokka climbed into the saddle. "Goodbye Azula!" She called, waving to the princess.
Sokka and Katara shared a confused look, but Azula returned her friendly wave. "Goodbye Ty Lee," She replied.
"Yip-Yip Diki!" Ty Lee exclaimed. As promised the soldiers didn't attack them as they took off or even as they soared out of range of the airship.
"What did you say to her?" Sokka asked, in surprise. He'd only known the Fire Nation to be ruthless and the Princess couldn't have been much different.
"I mean, nothing out of the ordinary! She's the one who offered to be allies!" Ty Lee explained.
"Allies?" Katara asked, "Why would she do that?"
"It has to be a trick," Sokka answered, crossing his arms over his chest, "We can't trust her," He blurted.
"Are you sure you aren't mad because she wiped the floor with you?" Ty Lee asked, turning to face Sokka with an innocent grin on her face.
Katara burst into laughter as the blood rushed to his face. "She just surprised me!" He argued, "Next time, she'll be the one on the ground.