AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER
"The hand that pulled down shutters of night was laughing, boldly sneering. A joyous meteor falls, flitting across hidden and dark ideations."
PROLOGUE
IT WAS COLD.
Prince Zuko gathered peasant's robes about him, thankful for the meager warmth offered by low craftsmanship.
The sound of ice cracking met ears that were nearly frost bitten. Zuko's breath escaped pale lips in a constant battle against gnawing, whipping air.
He was far from home.
Above, the sky was cloudless, blue. Zuko's eyes narrowed. He was annoyed by how the sun attacked sensitive skin surrounding a scarred left eye.
Despite this, Zuko smiled, turning to the old man who stood beside him.
"We're close, Uncle."
Zuko's gaze grew serious.
"I'm sure of it this time."
Uncle seemed preoccupied. The Elder was staring at the ice as it was shattered by their steamship's hull, Fire Nation industry easily destroying the savage elements of the north.
Zuko scoffed.
He isn't listening.
The Prince thought of speaking up again, but decided against it. He was lucky to have Iroh here. Sometimes, Zuko thought Iroh didn't even care for him- not truly. It was entirely possible that Zuko simply reminded Iroh of his son-
I shouldn't entertain such thoughts. Uncle is the only thing I have.
After Zuko's exile, few members of the royal family swore themselves to him. Zuko didn't blame them.
Accepting Zuko meant accepting the wrath of the Fire Lord, and Zuko knew that the only one able to somehow evade that damning anger was Iroh.
Zuko's thoughts were again drawn to his scarred eye.
Determination welled up within the young Lord. Zuko curled his hands into tight fists, gritting teeth chipped by beatings as he spoke to no one, save for himself.
"I will not fail."
He saw the Firelord's eyes then- saw the madness that quietly brimmed behind them.
The Avatar.
Zuko set his jaw, crossing arms as another frigid gust of wind blew across his face.
Iroh did look at him then. Zuko winced, noticing the long suffering and patience in his uncle's eyes.
"Be mindful, Zuko. Failure is often foreign to those possessing nothing but hatred." Iroh said softly.
The prince offered his uncle a cynical smile, thinking of his sister in the capital.
"I suppose that's why we're here." Zuko answered coolly.
He nodded harshly at Iroh.
"Come. I tire of this cold." Zuko said, spinning on his heels. Wind scratched at his eyes as he walked across the open bridge, crewmen swearing at each other as they poured burning oil onto exposed gears.
The steamship gifted to Zuko was an older model, and as such, bore vital machinery that was virtually unprotected from the elements.
Back within the seas that hugged the homeland, such simplicities could be entertained. Here in the cold, however..
Zuko shivered, turning as he urged his uncle ahead.
"I'm coming, I'm coming. It's nice outside, despite the wind." Iroh said, eyes closed in a wide toothed grin.
Zuko tsk'd, opening the door for his uncle before following the old man inside.
Zuko and Iroh were met with a wide room, warmed by fire kept alight by Earth Kingdom auxiliaries.
A war table was found at the center of the room- crude, small, but enough. Upon the table, a Water Tribe map was found, hastily overwritten with Fire Nation script.
It shamed Zuko to say that the map filled him with hope.
They had heard rumblings of a bender amongst the Southern Water Tribe- that alone was enough cause for suspicion.
There hadn't been a reported Southern Tribe Bender for nearly one hundred and thirty years. It was only when Zuko and his retinue sailed closer that they found out an even more damning facet-
This rumored being could airbend.
Zuko inhaled sharply, striding deeper into the cabin.
He hadn't sent word to the capital yet. He wouldn't. His crew was small enough that he could delay any sort of information reaching even the closest outpost, which in itself, was hundreds of miles away.
Zuko grimaced, scarred skin stretching as he locked his jaw.
I will not fail you, Father.
I'll force you to see me.
Zuko curled his hands into fists as he stared downwards at the map. Translated Fire Nation calligraphy obscured slight edges and icey inlets, but it was all there.
The prince laughed inside himself. A group of hunters sold the location of the supposed bender for two lanterns.
He hated himself for believing. He knew the crew mocked him. Even Iroh seemed to be preparing him for failure.
The Avatar is there. He has to be. We've come this far.
They didn't have enough food to return to the capital if they failed. Even if they managed the voyage back somehow, the Fire Lord threatened him with death upon returning empty handed. Zuko knew he could abscond to an outpost- but what would he do? Live there in shame until his father came to kill him?
Zuko's memories were a blaze of circling fire.
His father's hair sprayed behind a darkened head, glowing eyes staring down upon him.
The Fire Lord's right hand was engulfed in onyx fire. The heat- it was unbearable.
Tears streamed down Zuko's face. Despite the hell around him, the Firelord's voice was gentle, quiet.
Capture the Avatar.
Zuko's head snapped.
Iroh was beside him, hand on Zuko's shoulder.
The prince nodded, wiping his face as he turned to the sound of footsteps at the door.
The steps paused, knocking once, twice, three times.
"Enter."
The door opened. A gust of cold wind chased two cloaked men as they strode forward. They were both slightly tanned, denoting heritage from the Fire Nation colonies bordering the war-torn Earth Kingdoms.
"Officer Shui Tao," Zuko clasped hands, nodding in Shui's direction. Tao's weathered face smiled, armor clinking as he mirrored the motion.
"Captain Zai Fei," Zuko again bowed slightly. The young captain bowed as well, sable black hair brushing against maroon pauldrons.
"You honor us, Lord Zuko." Shui began.
Zuko nodded affirmatively, turning his back to them as he again faced the map.
He tried to hide his excitement.
"I'm assuming you're here with a report?" Zuko said sternly.
It was Zai's voice that met Zuko's ears next.
"Yes, Lord Zuko. Another group of Nanyo-Miziho hunters." Zai said, using the Fire Nation name for the southern water tribes.
"They claimed to have seen great, flashing lights while hunting one night approximately one month ago. Upon meeting other hunters at the markets the next day, they too had seen the phenomenon."
Zai joined Zuko at the table, pointing at the map.
"Around here, the western passes. It is by providence we were already sailing this direction."
Zuko remained silent. He straightened, slowing his breathing as he processed this new information.
Ozai's eyes flashed before Zuko's consciousness.
"Then fate has been outlined for us. Our goal.. our purpose." Zuko turned away and looked at the two men, and then over to Iroh. Once locking eyes with each of them, he placed his fist over the map.
"It's here."
Zuko was prepared to do what he had to. He wouldn't end lives needlessly, but he knew that cruelty was often his only recourse.
The Hi Nöh Ohji steeled his heart. That title was the only thing he still had. And once he captured the Avatar, it would mean something again.
Great Sun Prince.
And then..
Phoenix King.
KATARA sighed.
The morning sun made the ice around her glow with an ethereal light. It was beautiful, as it always was.
But she was worried.
Katara exhaled deeply, ignoring her misgivings. She darted her eyes about her- ensuring that no one was around.
As always, no one was.
Katara closed dark blue eyes, goading water free from a pidgeonseal liverskin. Her arm stretched outward, a fine stream of liquid following rehearsed movement. The water orbited about her body-
The young waterbender jumped backward, stomping fur boots onto the ice. She swung her arms in a downward-forward lifting arc, forcing the stream of water ahead.
Katara then meaded her hands backwards, calling her water back in small, tumbling waves.
Not good enough.
She couldn't focus.
Aang had been here for a month. At first, things were fine.
But they got comfortable. He was amicable amongst the villagers. It didn't matter if she told him not to airbend- one look at him and you knew what he was.
Katara had hoped nothing would come of it.
She was wrong.
The southern water tribe, the Niti Vansaa, were not insomuch a united people, but a smattering of broken clans inhabiting the remnants of their former kingdom. Outside of her immediate tribe, local clans had no loyalty to her.
They would betray her and her village at the earliest opportunity.
Darkly, Katara couldn't blame them.
The scars of the great Fire Wars still bore credence to her homeland. Their desperation was something they were born into.
Fire Nation ships scattered the frozen tundra, trapped within claws of ice erected by the last water benders.
And now..
Katara shook her head. She took up stance once more, and slowly moved her arms in a circular motion.
Her water instantly reacted. She then quickly drew her hands together, before drawing them apart with a flourish.
The water vortexed through cold air. She jumped, landing and pulling backward. Katara's water struggled as it returned in wispy tendrils.
The night before, she overheard a group of hunters talking of a Fire Nation ship lurking the ice straits.
"Big sails, smoke as dark as night. The red flame. It was Vishina." One man had said, using the Niti name for their foreign conquerors.
It wasn't entirely uncommon for Fire Nation ships to patrol the far north, but this was different.
Apparently, this ship was asking questions. Giving out gifts and food in exchange for information.
She had noticed some local tribesmen who would typically pass through for trade and other goods suddenly taking an interest in the comings and goings of Katara's secluded corner of ice.
Katara was not naive enough to think these were isolated occurrences.
Someone is looking for Aang. And they're getting closer.
Katara inhaled deeply, drawing air into tired lungs.
She thought of her mother for a moment. The image of her mother's face goaded weeping muscles to once more expend chi. Her energy gingerly lifted water that was patiently swirling about ice.
Katara raised her arms to either side of her body, forming a cross. Water shot upwards as she simultaneously lifted her leg, knifing a knee to the sun that shone above.
Katara then spun on her planted foot, guiding the water back down to the ice in a spiraling staircase of twinkling diamond streams.
Sweat streamed down her face- the water instantly broke form, crudely splashing across her feet. Katara's eyes flicked to her right as trained senses heard footsteps running across the tundra.
"Katara! Katara!" A shrieking voice caught Katara's ears. She turned, relaxing only slightly as she recognized the voice as Desnaäk, a village youth.
She rushed to him as he skidded across the ice, nearly falling as a gust of wind pushed him over.
"It's them! They're here!"
Pain echoed throughout Katara's body- her very core. Memories burned back to that day.
The sneering, pale face of the Fire Nation that murdered her mother reverberated throughout screaming recollections dripping with blood.
Her mother was gone forever because of him.
No, them.
Katara shook, setting her gaze harshly ahead.
She saw Desnaäk, but at the same time felt as if she was looking past him.
Katara wasn't defenseless anymore.
She curled dark brown hands into tight fists, coiled bangs shadowing her icy gaze.
Water slipped into a waiting liverskin at Katara's waist as she spoke, voice calm and resolute.
"How many are there?" Katara asked. The boy was gibbering on, talking about how the Vishina were gathering up villagers- separating children from their parents. They were beating the men and adolescents, hoping to glean information.
Sokka had run off with Aang right before the Vishina descended upon the village-
Katara shouted.
"How many, Desnaäk?" She repeated.
"I-I couldn't count. More than everyone. It.. it must've been the traders from two nights ago. My father had said something.."
Katara started walking past him, then began to run.
"Wait! Katara!" Desnaäk chased after her. The boy reached for her shoulder. Katara whipped around, nearly punching Desnaäk in the jaw.
"I have to go back." Katara hissed.
"But you- you're important, too. They.. they'll kill you, Katara."
Katara felt rage well up inside her. Desnaäk- his entire short life has been ruled by fear, famine. They should've left Aang to the wilds.. they should've..
No.
"It's different now, Desnaäk." Katara raised a fist to Desnaäk's right eye, a Niti symbol of victory.
"I'm not going to die. And I'm not going to let anyone else get hurt, either." Katara broke away from the boy, running ahead as he called out again.
Soon, Desnaäk's voice was drowned out by the wind.
BOOK ONE: FIRE
-1-
SOKKA cautiously scanned the horizon. Icy wind brushed against deeply brown skin, while piercing blue eyes stared to the wilds ahead.
It was still early morning. Sokka turned, regarding Aang for a moment.
The air bender was huddled in the corner of their adopted cave, a meter or so away from Sokka. He was silent, light brown eyes staring ahead solemnly.
A sudden snort from Appa caused Sokka to look past Aang. He couldn't make out the air bison clearly, but he could hear Appa's snores deeper within their new hideout.
"It's not your fault, Aang." Sokka offered.
Aang's gaze shifted, but he still did not meet Sokka's eyes.
"It is. They wouldn't be here if it weren't for me. All those people.." Aang's eyes watered. He shut them, drawing his arms across his body.
Sokka stammered.
"W-well, yeah.. but.."
"Hey!" Sokka's voice cracked.
"We.. we could come across some other Niti. It's in the middle of hunting season."
Sokka crossed his arms in thought.
"I'm sure.. we could make it to Soo'aq. That's the gate to the rest of the world.. at least, that's what my dad used to say. I'm sure someone there would help us! They'd have to." Sokka rambled.
Aang did meet Sokka's eyes then.
"What about Katara?" He said softly.
Sokka's facade of hope instantly shattered.
Katara has to know by now.
She typically went off alone in the morning to train- so she could possibly be safe.
As long as she doesn't go back.
Sokka grimaced.
He knew his sister well.
She was going back.
"Trying to stay positive here, Aang." Sokka said, running a hand through black hair that was bordered by shaved sides.
Aang looked at him, but said nothing.
Suddenly, the air bender chipped up.
"Welp," he said, quickly jumping to his feet.
"I'm going back." Aang beamed at Sokka.
"Appa! Time to wake up buddy!" The air bender ran into the cave as the bison lazily roared.
Sokka nodded, rubbing his chin.
"So, we're going back. Yeah, we have to." Sokka seemed to be speaking to himself more than anything.
The cave lightly shook as Aang's air bison padded into view.
It was massive. Pointed horns, tips bleached by the sun, dragged across the cavern's icy blue ceiling. Six thick trunk-like legs gingerly stepped around Sokka as he pressed himself to the cave's wall.
Aang guided Appa outside. The beast shook, sun highlighting particles of ice as it fell away from pale fur.
Beyond the pair, Sokka's eyes looked across his cold corner of the world. Wind tumbled wisps of snow across rolling winter hills. In some spots, the ground cracked, revealing gushing rivers that were filled with blocks of racing ice.
Above the morning sky was a piercing blue. Grey clouds, low and fat in the air, floated idly as the sun bravely began to climb over them.
But in the distance, darkness brewed.
He could see a telltale black smog break against idyllic blue. Aang hadn't noticed yet. The boy excitedly beckoned Sokka to follow him and Appa further out of the cave.
Sokka nodded, feigning his best smile.
He knew that as they grew closer, they would be greeted by soot-like rain. It stunk, stuck to your clothing and skin. It felt like death itself.
Sokka climbed upon Appa, joining Aang within the bison's circular saddle. The air bender grinned.
Then, his face grew somber.
"Thank you, Sokka." Aang said as he whipped Appa's reigns.
The air bison slapped its wide tail against ice. Sokka felt a wooshing surge, then a certain groundlessness he wasn't quite used to.
Sokka's stomach lurched as they took to the skies.
"No problem. Hopefully we don't.. well.. die." Sokka answered, peering over Appa's hide.
Sokka tried focusing on the beauty of the northern world. His stomach, however, protested loudly.
Aang glanced over to him.
"Please don't throw up again."