The Mysterious Traveler

(MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT)

Just a quick heads up, I just did a rewrite of chapters 33 & 34 because I was not happy with what I wrote and as such, I decided to rework the 'murder mystery subplot'. It will be different and it will have a different, though similar ending. The AU notes at the end of Ch34 will explain everything, including what I changed.

Again, this is a message for everyone who read Chapters 33 & 34 between 6/24 to 6/27 (as of 2020). Make sure to go back and re-read them, if you want, so that you can understand what's going on.

/

Also, the end of this chapter will have a 'promotion' going on for the next three chapters ahead. I highly recommend listening to "The Blacklist - 7x19 Promo" and just the music is needed to understand the tone I am going for. There's even a line at the end that will sum everything up.

Thank you for reading, hope you enjoy Chapter 35!

Chapter Thirty-Five:

The Calm Before The Storm

Admiral Zhao smiled at his large fleet of ships from the balcony of his own.

There were in the hundreds. Close to a thousand by now. His order for every available warship was met with absolute obedience and eagerness. Many saw this as an opportunity to prove themselves and become promoted, even as war heroes. To see a nation fall was something that many wanted to witness for themselves.

Many saw this as a sign, a sign that the Fire Nation was right to rule the world. That the Northern Water Tribe would be the first to fall since the Air Nomads and that the Earth Kingdom would be next.

How right they were to think so, Zhao thought.

He knew that the Avatar and the Traveler would be at the North Pole. He would see them in battle and see them fall. But for the Traveler, he felt that maybe there was still a chance to win him to his side. How satisfying it would be to shove it into the Exiled Prince's face, that it was he who killed the Avatar and won a powerful ally to his cause.

He had been receiving reports from Rin Shaw and many other parts of the Earth Kingdom, but he paid no attention to them. He would address their issues once Operation: The Fall of the North was a success. He would tolerate no failure from anyone.

"Sir!" an official approached him. "We are ready. Four days ahead of schedule, sir."

Zhao turned to him, "Very well. Set course for the Northern Water Tribe."

"So eager, Admiral Zhao."

Zhao's eyes widened. He knew who that voice belonged to, and he feared that person as much as he hated her. Forcing himself to turn to its source, he saw a tall female in the shadows. Her black hair reached down to her lower neck, her golden eyes stared deep into his, and her Fire Nation uniform traced around her body, showcasing authority and power. Nothing about her presented as weak or average. She firm in how she stood, looked and talked, even right down to how she looked at a person. A part of him highly respected her, but another part of him feared her as well.

Keeping himself composed, Zhao smirked, "Well, well, if isn't the Heir to the Throne. May I ask what brings you here… Azula!"

The girl smiled and stepped out of the shadows, the wind brushing against her hair, almost making it move with it but somehow resisting it. She stepped up to him and stared deep into his eyes, never blinking or breaking focus.

"My father wishes for me to observe your progress, Admiral."

He struggled to hold back the bitterness he felt towards how she used his title in such a tone.

"I've heard about your failure at the Northern Air Temple. Quite a waste of men and resources just to capture three targets."

"The Machanist isn't just an ordinary man, neither is the Avatar and the Traveler."

"Ah, yes, the Traveler. I've been very interested in the rumors about him. A remarkably interesting person. But regardless, ordinary or extraordinary, you still allowed them to get away."

Zhao swallowed his pride, knowing he was treading on thin ice. Speaking of which…

"The Machanist will be found, that I promise you. But right now, we have an opportunity to not just wipe two powerful foes off the face of this Earth, we have THE opportunity to wipe out an entire nation."

Azula was amused by him, only smirking at how arrogant and overly confident he was. But, then again, she had to admire ambition and the will to strive for more.

"When its all said and done, this will be my legacy!" he turned to marveling sight of his naval fleet and extended his arms, as if he could embrace them. "They will remember me for a thousand years! And long after that! They will remember me as Zhao, the Nation Killer! Zhao, the Moon Slayer! Zhao… the Invincible!"

Azula laughed, unable to contain herself.

Zhao turned around, glaring at her.

"Don't get too far ahead of yourself, Admiral. First, you need a great victory."

"And I promise you, milady!" he approached her, getting as close as he could without offending her. "There will be a great victory! One that will echo across generations!"

She watched as he turned away and stood at the helm of the balcony, overlooking the great beyond and what lied on the other side of it.

"My fleet is ready!" he ordered. "Set a course for the Northern Water Tribe!"

The official nodded and immediately ran to inform the captain, who in turn signaled the order to the rest of the fleet.

Within an hour, all of the ships immediately began to prepare for their journey, clouds of coal ash from the engines reaching high above, signaling an impending doom.

A full week past since the case of Kenna's murder was solved, life moving on like as if nothing happened. But for the Northern Water Tribe, it was still a lingering shadow for some. People paid their respects to the poor girl, mourning how she died before her time. Others were angry about it, believing that it was proof that their society's rules and beliefs needed to be reevaluated. Others fought against that idea, fearing change to their traditions.

For Princess Yue, she continued to mourn the loss of her friend. She wished for it all to be one awful long nightmare. That she would wake up and find her friend alive and well. Only to be met with the cruel awakening to reality.

For the gang, they moved on like anybody else. Only Katara seemed to linger on the case, though not because of Kenna, but because of her conflicted feelings. Severus and Kiri continued their training, as did Aang with Pakku. Speaking of which, the monk had gained a sense of responsibility and respect for the ways of waterbending, though his progress was slow.

As for Sokka and Renee, they presented their defense plans to the council on the day after Jin's execution, which earned some disapproval from some that a girl was being involved with such planning. It was only through Chief Arnook's authority that he approved of the plans, reasoning that they must prepare for the invasion and focused their attention on the logistics of the plan.

Since then, the tribe put all their resources into the defense plan.

Two extra walls were being added to the city, creating three sections: The Entrance, The Middle, and The Final Resort.

As for the front of the outer wall, they began freezing the water all around it, literally creating a very thick layer of ice to prevent the Fire Nation's warships from reaching the walls. They made sure to freeze to the deepest parts of the abyss, extending as far as they could.

An extra precaution was added to the defense plan. Instead of leaving the entire area in front of the entrance empty, they began establishing barricades and more icy walls to strengthen their defense against the enemy. The plan was to lure the enemy into exiting their ships and moving on foot against the walls, where the Water Tribe soldiers would defend their posts and hold them back for as long as possible.

Water Tribe ships would also be used to attack the first ships they saw.

As for the frozen wasteland around the water tribe, barricades were set up into three sections, creating a layered circle around the city. Traps and booty-traps were set up as well, to allow for reinforcements to arrive in time.

As for the front lines of the outer wall, the plan was that once the Fire Nation had reached the Entrance, a large group of their best waterbenders would unfreeze the ice and sink their enemies into the ocean, making it their first large and only large scale attack to shrink their numbers.

For the three sections of the city, each was to act as a line to hold back the enemy. Once the Outer Wall was breached, the Entrance line would attack and keep the enemy at bay. Until they couldn't any longer, the surviving soldiers would retreat to the Middle Wall. Once the wall was breached, they would rinse and repeat, until the final wall fell and it came to the Final Resort, where the Northern Water Tribe would make their last stand.

The final part of the plan was where to send the civilians for their own safety. Some believed that the population should stand and fight with their soldiers, while others believed that they should be sent away. By the end of it, it came to Chief Arnook making the decision, believing that they should give everyone a choice to stay and fight, or leave. A decision that upset many, but otherwise agreed to.

Since then, the city had become a literal military fortress, with everything being nearly complete.

Renee and Sokka were proud of the work the helped create, though upset at how prejudice and arrogant so many in power were. The only person they respected was Chief Arnook, who didn't seem to believe in all of the tribe's beliefs. If anything, he seemed to be a reasonable man, wise even. Though maybe a little professional in terms of family.

Meanwhile, Aang began to teach Katara everything he had learned from Pakku once he believed it was safe to do so, despite protests from Sokka and Severus, who believed that they should wait once they had left the Northern Water Tribe. The two took their warnings to heart by deciding to train at night and in an area where no one would see them.

To do so, they went to Yue for help, who was more than willing. She took them to what she called "the most spiritual place in the entire North Pole." Also known as the Spirit Oasis.

Severus happened to be along for the tour, curious about it. As well as Sokka, Renee, Kori, Kiri and Momo.

She led them to the very back of the palace, on the top upper floor where an open courtyard and garden awaited them. At the end, there was a large double wooden door, with the Water Tribe symbol engraved onto it.

"Is this the way to the spirit world?" Aang asked. "I've heard stories of oasis' being portals to the other side."

Yue laughed, "No. Well, not exactly. If you want to go there, you'll have to get there on your own. This is just a secluded cove I like to come to every once and a while."

She opened the double doors and walked on through, followed by everyone else. As they entered, they were all immediately graced with the sight of a beautiful tropical oasis, with a small pond in the center of an small island, a large body of water surrounding it, and a waterfall at the other end.

It was somehow peaceful, warm, lush, and heavy with energy. Just being there made Severus feel energic than he ever felt before.

Everyone was in awe, mesmerized by its beauty and powerful presence.

Aang and Kiri ran across one of the two paths to reach the little island at the center of the pond, crossing a small bridge. They played in the grass, with Momo joining them.

"I never thought I would miss grass this much!" Aang exclaimed, making Severus roll his eyes.

"How is it so warm here?" Katara asked, taking off her winter coat.

"It's the center of all spiritual energy in our land," Yue explained, taking off her long coat as well as she walked towards a specific area of the little island, kneeling at the edge and dipping her hand into the water of the pond. "This was where my second life began."

Everyone looked at her, confused.

"What do you mean by second life?" Renee asked.

Yue continued to stare at the water, watching two fish swim around each other, following some form of pattern.

"When I was first born, I was barely alive. The healers did the best they could, but they only extend my life by a couple of days. My father once told me that I was so weak that I couldn't even cry."

They all listened, so silent that only the waterfall could be heard.

"So, my mother and father brought me here, to the Spirit Oasis, and begged the great Ocean and Moon Spirits to heal me, to grant me another chance at life. However, the spirits only did so on one condition… a life for a life."

Katara, Sokka, Kori and Renee gasped, while Severus sighed. Only Aang and Kiri didn't seem to understand.

"In order for me to live, someone had to pass on their life essence into me. A sacrifice had to be made."

She paused, "So, in order to satisfy the spirits, my mother offered herself."

Aang's eyes widened.

"My father was against it, he didn't want to lose either one of us, but my mother insisted that it had to be her. She wouldn't have anyone else take her place. She did it as a mother and as the Chief's wife. Once the sacrifice was made, I awoke and began to cry, matching that of my father, all-the-while holding onto the both of us."

Everyone had tears in their eyes, except for Severus. To some, it brought new understanding and respect for Chief Arnook. To others, it was a tragic love story. And to one, it was a mix of different emotions, trying to understand how one could have such honorable parents.

"Later on, in my life," she continued, "I met a fortuneteller who claimed that my destiny had changed, due to a course of events that I couldn't fathom."

Some of them frowned.

"He foretold that someone would one day come and that the spirits who helped give me life again would have done so differently if they weren't so sure of this… individual. He said that our destinies were intertwined and that I would be by this individual's side to bring about a new race, a new society. But he also warned that all of it was a gamble, both on destiny and on the spirits. Everything would depend on this individual's choices and that no matter what, I was to wait until this individual arrived."

"Are you talking about Aang?" Katara asked.

Yue turned to her, shaking her head, "No. The fortuneteller was speaking of someone else."

Suddenly, a bell rang in the background, quickly making her get up and put her coat back on before leaving, "I must go. I wish you luck in your training."

The group was left shocked by her story, especially the last part. It made some like Sokka and Renee question why the spirits didn't offer their own power to save Yue instead of forcing the mother to do it. Only Aang defended them, saying that it isn't the spirits' duty to entirely help everyone just because they ask or demand. Though, even Severus found it selfish of them to let the mother die and Yue to live without knowing who she was.

A few days after Aang began training with Katara, things took a turn for the worst.

"Thank you for helping out with lessons today, Katara," Yagoda smiled as she put some of her materials away for the day.

"No problem, Yagoda," Katara bowed, finishing up with her cleaning. "I enjoy spending time here."

"So, how are things going with your training with Aang?"

"It's… going well… but he still has trouble trying to keep up with Pakku. I feel that the man is too arrogant for his own good. He should understand that not everything can learn so fast. Plus, he should learn to judge someone for their skills, not what's between the legs."

"Excuse me," a man appeared before them. "Both of your presence has been requested by the council at once."

Katara shot her a look of confusion, to which she shrugged and the two followed him all the way to the palace, where all of the council were waiting for them. Even Sokka, Renee, Kiri, Kori, Severus, Aang and Yue were there as well.

Right away, Katara knew something was wrong the moment she saw Aang. He looked scared and ashamed, like as if he went through a harsh lecture.

"You should learn to know your own place, young lady!"

Katara's head popped up, immediately recognizing the voice as she turned to its source.

Master Pakku marched right up to her, his face red with anger.

"I took in your friend to train and learn, and this is how he repays me?! By passing on my teachings to you?!"

Katara was at a loss. Of course, she was angry, but the shock and fear were overwhelming. She knew that Pakku would immediately drop Aang as a student and they could not afford to lose the best master the North Pole had to offer. No matter how much she may hate him.

"Master Pakku… don't blame Aang…"

"Oh, I already dealt with him! I wanted to see you in person! To let you know that all of this is your fault!"

Her heart stopped. No! He didn't! He can't!

"What did you do?"

He scoffed, "I refused him as my student this morning. One of the guards saw the two of you training in the oasis and informed me. But you, I needed to see in person.

"And as for you," he turned to Yagoda. "I know it was you who put her up to this! Always trying to make me feel terrible whenever you get the chance!

Now her anger was growing, making her fear and shock fade.

"Don't accuse her!" she nearly screamed. "Who the hell do you think you are?!"

People gapsed.

Pakku was taken back by her outburst, "Don't use that tone against me, young lady!"

"No, I'm done listening to you!" she pointed directly into his face, causing the ground to crack.

"Katara!" Yagoda cried out.

"All I've ever wanted was to train to be a waterbending master, to learn among the best teachers of the Northern Water Tribe. But now, I realize that I was wrong, this place doesn't have the best teachers, because all I see is a grumpy old man who is too arrogant to realize that the world's best hope needs to be trained! All you care about is your pride and ego, and someone's gender!"

"How dare you?!"

"I'm not done talking!" she got into his face. "I can't stand people like you! Always judging others and never stopping to consider who they truly are!"

"Katara!" Yagoda reached out and touched her arm, pulling her back. "She's right, Pakku."

"Excuse me?" Pakku's frowned at the old healer.

"I said that she is right," she turned to him. "You are a grumpy and arrogant old man. I've always thought that her leaving you would make you see reason, to be better. But now I see that you've never changed one bit."

"Don't bring her into this!" he hissed. "She has nothing to do with this!"

"That's where you're wrong, Pakku," Yagoda turned to Katara. "You just yelled at her granddaughter."

Everyone gasped, whispering to each other.

Pakku's eyes widened and he turned to Katara, a new look replacing his one of anger. He studied her and immediately began to tear up, recognizing something about her.

"Wait… you mean…"

Katara's eyes widened, "You… my grandmother was supposed to be marry you?"

Yagoda nodded, a look of sadness covering her, "Yes. The man I spoke of, the noble I purposely made sure not to name who was supposed to Kanna, was Master Pakku."

Katara backed away, tears filling her eyes, "Why? Why didn't you tell me?"

She sighed, "Because I didn't want you to resurrect old wounds for Pakku, if you were to confront him. But I also did so for you because I was afraid that it might hurt you more. Only now… I realize I was wrong to do so. I am terribly sorry, Katara."

Katara was at a loss of words, tears sliding down her cheeks as she tried to process everything she was hearing, her emotions all mixed up with the ones she still felt from earlier.

Pakku was still in shock, slowly coming out of it, "Kanna… she's alive?"

Yagoda nodded, "She was in the South Pole this whole time, even I didn't know until she told me."

"But… why would she leave… I loved her…"

"For a man who is supposed to be wise, you are a fool, Pakku," her words cut deep. "She left because of what I just witnessed. You're a sexist man, raised as one since birth. Do you think she was happy to be forced into a marriage she didn't want? A man she barely knew?"

"We knew each other!" he fought back.

"Really? If so, tell me what her favorite color was. Her favorite story. Her favorite thing to do when she wasn't doing chores. Tell me who she was beneath the beauty you held so dear."

He opened his mouth but no words came out. He couldn't think. He couldn't even remember much back to his youth, aside from his memory of her face.

"I thought so," she shook her head. "I truly felt sorry for you. I did. But now I realize that she was right to leave. Right not to tell any of us. If she had, we would have held her back, kept her prisoner to something that was wrong. That's still wrong."

"I could have made her happy," he reasoned.

"No, you couldn't have," Katara spoke up, finding her voice. "My grandmother wasn't going to let your stupid customs run her whole life. She left because of that. She would rather live a life in harm's way at the South Pole, than live safely here."

She paused, smiling at her memories of seeing her Gran-Gran's laughter and joy, even moments when she would get strict about chores. There was life in that woman. A peaceful one.

"As far as I am concerned, she has more courage than anyone I've met here, aside from Yagoda and Kenna," she got into Pakku's face. "I'm glad she didn't marry you. But… I'm also glad you didn't marry her."

He frowned, unsure of her meaning.

"Why on Earth would you want to marry someone who can't love you back? She would have never made you happy, nor you to her. If there's a lesson for me to learn, it's that I should be careful of who I give my heart to, especially my time."

Pakku's eyes filled with tears, slowly sliding down his cheeks as he stared into her eyes, feeling something break within himself.

Severus watched all of it unfold and felt something deep inside of him, a realization coming into fruition, a mirror breaking. He couldn't help but compare it to-

Suddenly, they all heard crying and turned to see Yue sobbing into her hands, immediately running away. Her guards prepared to follow but Arnook held them back. Severus felt the need to follow and quietly did so.

As for Katara, she left the great hall and returned to the room she shared with the others, lying down to cry it out and think.

Severus didn't know how but knew where Yue would go and headed directly there, entering the Spirit Oasis to find her sitting under the tree of the small island, crying into her arms.

As he approached, he made sure to keep quiet, hoping not to disturb her. But she sensed his presence and her head popped up, her face red and her cheeks soaked.

"What are doing here?" she asked, her voice mixed with different emotions.

Severus didn't respond, only standing where he was, "You left."

"Yeah," she sniffled. "That's what people do when they want to be alone."

He immediately regretted following her, feeling embarrassed and insecure about his stupidity. As he turned around, he mentally questioned himself why he's been giving in to his emotions, why he ever took those visions and dreams so seriously. Until…

"Wait!"

He stopped and turned around.

"I… would you… please sit…"

He was surprised and confused, trying to figure out what exactly she wanted. Pushing his thoughts aside for the moment, he walked to her and sat down, just a foot from her.

They sat in silence, staring towards the small pond and the two fish that swam in it. The peacefulness of the oasis and the waterfall calmed them, washing away all their negative emotions. Feeling only clarity to be found.

"Alex… can you tell me more about your world?" she asked, turning to him.

Severus felt uneasy but immediately felt a sense of calm, "It's… a magical world… hidden away from the rest. No one knows that we exist, except for those like us."

"So, you don't have worry about the war?"

He shook head, "Only the ones we create for ourselves."

"Are there palaces?"

He almost laughed, "There are castles there. Schools meant to teach us how to use magic and the ways of our world."

"You make them sound like they don't do a good job."

He closed his eyes, daring not to linger on any memories, "In some ways."

She nodded, "Alex… I don't know what to do…"

"About what?"

"About… my engagement."

"If you don't want to, then don't marry him."

"But it's my duty and I don't want to disappoint my father… nor my people."

"You aren't marrying them. And they aren't marrying him either. It's you who must live with the consequences."

"But if I don't… then they will."

"Then marry him if you don't wish to face the consequences of not doing so."

She sighed, "You're not helping."

Severus shrugged, "So I've been told."

Silence followed and Severus began to regret his choice of words. He rose to his feet and offered her hand. She stared at it for a moment before accepting, helped to her feet.

"Where are we going?" she asked, following him.

"I think I know how to cheer you up."

Yagoda finished her autopsy on a dead fisherman who died at sea. There were moments when she hated this job, wishing she could be something else. But it was the only thing that she could tolerate the most and its far too late for a career change, so here she was.

As she put the body in a block of ice and stored it away, she wrote down her thoughts and discovers in a journal, barely noticing as a figure entered her office.

"Been a long time since you've graced my healing school with your presence," she didn't need to look up from her writing to know.

Master Pakku stood a couple of feet from her desk, unsure how to respond.

"Master Pakku… speechless?" she teased. "That's very rare."

"Do you have to make me feel worse?" he asked.

"Only when I've been yelled at."

He sighed and took a seat.

"I've… come for advice…"

"About?"

He took a deep breath, "Katara."

She paused, looking up at him, "If you're here to ask if you should train her, then you already know the answer."

"I don't think I can."

"Why? Because she's a girl?" she pressed.

"No… because…" he couldn't finish.

Yagoda immediately understood. She sat her brush back into the ink tray and pushed the journal aside, "You need to move on. Kanna choose another man, another life."

"I know."

Silence past between them.

"Did it really come to that?"

She closed her eyes, tears forming, "She crossed an entire ocean, put herself half a world away from here. From us. Yes, Pakku. It did come to that."

"I just… it feels so surreal. I started to believe that she was dead… and a part of me wishes she was."

"So you can feel better about yourself?" her voice rose with anger.

"Yes!"

His honesty surprised her, enough to melt some of her anger away.

"Do you think it was easy for her?" she pressed. "Easy to just… leave everything and everyone she ever knew behind? She left because it wasn't just about her. She knew that any children she had would suffer the consequences of our society's mistakes. As would their own children. She knew what staying meant. And she knew what leaving meant. In the end, she chose the one she could live with the most."

"She still left us, Yagoda!" he shook his head. "That's what I can't help but blame her for.

"If anything, Pakku, we are to blame. Maybe once I was angry about her leaving, to the point of almost hating her for it. But now… I know she made the right choice. My only regret is that I wasted sixty years of my life here in a society that does not love or respect me. A life without her in it."

He nodded, wiping away the tears.

"Pakku, I'm eighty-six now. How much longer do you think I have? Or you? I don't want to waste little time I have left living here and not seeing her. This is our choice to try and make things right. To allow for the next generation to learn from us. When all of this is over, I wish to go see her again and make up for lost time."

"What do you suggest I do?" he asked, searching for an answer.

"Train Katara!" she demanded. "She's a gifted waterbender, exceptionally talented even, but she needs guidance. She needs someone like you to train her. If this helps, consider it atonement, a way to make up for everything to Kanna. And maybe, just maybe… she'll come to love the new you. If you choose to change."

Pakku nodded as he got up and walked to the exit, stopping just a moment, "Thank you, Yagoda."

She smiled, "Anytime."

Severus led Yue to the animal shed, where Appa was eating a large haystack.

"This here is Appa," he nodded to the bison. "Others won't say it but he's a very important addition to the team."

"He's huge!" she exclaimed. "I've never seen a flying bison before!"

Suddenly, the bison charged right for them, making Yue scream as Severus pushed her out of the way. The bison nearly crashed into him, just managing to stop in time before doing so. It rubbed its head against him, asking for him to rub an itchy spot or two.

"Looks like you haven't been giving Appa enough attention!" Yue laughed.

Severus carefully began to pet and rub his fur, though the bison was wanting him to dig deeper.

Katara sat on her sleeping mat, bending some water to take her mind off things. She didn't notice someone entering the room.

"It's important to feel the push and pull of the water," said Pakku. "That's the true nature of waterbending."

"Master Pakku!" Katara rose to her feet. "If I may, please reconsider your decision about Aang. If you wish to punish me, then do it only to me. Leave Aang and Yagoda out of this."

"I have no intention of punishing you or anyone else."

She raised her head, surprised, "But… all I said back there-"

"Was true!" he declared.

Katara frowned, completely shocked by what she was hearing.

"I just spoke to the Avatar and I've decided to take him back as my student. But I'll be doing more than that. I'll also being taking you on as a student as well."

Her heart and mind stopped.

"I expect the two of you early in the morning. I highly recommend coming early."

He left Katara speechless and unable to think, walking away as if nothing happened.

As everything came back to her and began to process what she had just heard, she cried out and began to jump up and down, doing a victory dance as she let out her joy and happiness.

As Severus walked Yue back to the palace, the two talked for a bit, just like two regular people on the outskirts of the city, leaving Appa back at the animal shed.

However, during the walk back, Severus began to feel the presence of someone watching him afar, slightly turning his head to look behind him.

"Is everything alright?" Yue asked.

Severus didn't respond as he came to a stop.

"Alex?"

He turned back to her, "Go back to the palace. Tell the others that something is wrong."

"Why? What is it?"

"Go!" he ordered.

She nodded and began to run down the pathway.

Severus unsheathed his sword and prepared himself, ready to use his magic if needed. He got into a stance and searched his surroundings.

Suddenly, a series of fireballs flew right towards him.

He brought up his shield charm and managed to disperse them all but left his backside open. Hearing two swords being unsheathed, he brought his sword around and blocked the attack, the sound of steel against steel echoing around them.

He looked into the eyes of his attacker and growled, "Zuko!"

The banished Fire Prince glared at him, bringing up his leg and kicking him in the stomach. Severus recovered and dodged his attack, swinging his sword to the side, hoping to strike his exposed ribcage. But he countered and sent a wave of fire at him, forcing him to put up a shield charm against it.

"Where's the Avatar?!" Zuko demanded.

Severus glared at him, "I'm surprised you survived that fall."

"Same to you!"

The distraction worked and he immediately shouted, "Confringo!"

Zuko's eyes widened as he dodged, but the blast was enough cause him to fly across the ground.

Seeing another chance, he shouted, "Bombarda!"

The blast hit the side of the icy wall next to Zuko, causing him to fall to the ground with some cuts and burns. The cloud of ice and snow was enough to provide a distraction though, moving quickly to dodge Severus' next attack.

Severus started to feel dizzy, the use of his magic and his energy was beginning to drain him. He seriously needed to put more effort into his training. It wasn't enough just be in fit shape, he needed to learn why he was so tired when it comes to this.

Severus charged for him and brought his sword down, colliding with his enemy's sword. But he failed to react to his other broad sword, which came from the other side and sliced into his leg, causing him to collapse. Before he could recover, he felt the tip of both broad swords against him. One on his neck and the other against the arm that held his sword.

Looking up, he stared into Zuko's eyes, which were filled with triumph. He sighed and accepted his defeat.

"Stupefy!"

The spell hit Zuko in the back and caused him to collide with the icy wall, but it wasn't enough to knock him out. He yelled and turned around, immediately stopping as he stared at his attacker in shock.

Severus turned to the source and his mouth dropped, unable to believe what he was seeing.

Kiri was standing just a good ten feet away, in a stance and breathing heavily.

"Another one?!" Zuko cried out.

Suddenly a wall of ice came out of nowhere and collided with Zuko, trapping him against the wall and knocking him out.

Katara ran up next to Severus and immediately began applying healing water to his wound, sealing it up.

"Master!" Kiri recovered and ran to him, embracing him a tight hug.

Aang, Sokka, Renee, Yue and some guard appeared, surrounding them and Zuko. They stared in shock at the Fire Prince, surprised that he survived the fall from the Air Temple but recovered when they turned to Severus and ran to him. Yue wiped away her tears, hugging him and Kiri at the same time.

Severus didn't know how to process or think about the display of emotion everyone was treating him with. He couldn't help but blush.

The next morning, the whole Northern Water Tribe was on high alert when news of Fire Prince Zuko's capture spread to every corner of the city. Many wondered if more were out there or if the invasion was close. But scout ships only reported that there was nothing for miles, telling them that the prince came alone.

After Severus was mostly healed, he was taken to Yagoda, who healed whatever damage there was deeper in his leg, allowing him to go back to the palace to rest.

Chief Arnook was furious with Yue not having her bodyguards around. Kiri was excited and proud to have finally performed magic on her own. And Zuko was imprisoned in the dungeons below, awaiting further interrogation.

Meanwhile, Katara awoke late and immediately began to rush to where Aang and Pakku were training with some other students. The moment she arrived, she heard Pakku address her.

"And what do you think you're doing?!" he cried out.

She frowned and became afraid that he had changed his mind.

"It's past sunshine," he smiled. "I would have thought Kanna would have taught you the importance of getting up early."

Katara smiled as she got into a stance with the others, ready to train.

"Good to see you here," said Aang.

"You too," she smiled.

Two days later, Severus stood at the top of the large balcony that overlooked the entire city, with the palace right behind him. He breathed in the morning air and sighed.

"You're up early."

He turned to find Yue and Kiri behind him.

"We've been searching for you."

"Don't we have training today, master?"

Severus shook his head, "Consider it an off day. After yesterday's training and what happened before that, I think we can use a break."

Kiri cheered.

The two approached him and looked out towards the horizon.

"Kiri's has been telling me a lot of stories about your adventures with the Avatar."

He chuckled.

"Looks like it's going to snow today."

He looked up towards the dark clouds in the distance, "Looks like it."

"Um, have the clouds always been that dark?" Kiri asked.

"Not that I can remember," Yue replied.

"Hey, guys!"

They turned to see Katara, Sokka and Renne walking towards them, only for Sokka and Katara to stop as they stared up at the sky, their faces darkening.

"Oh no!" Sokka exclaimed.

"What?" Renee asked.

Suddenly, black snow began to fall, little by little, until it was everywhere, even in the water.

Sokka reached down and picked up some dark snow, "It's snoot."

"What?" Renee asked.

"Snoot. This is what happens when it mixes in with snow."

"But… where does it come from?" Yue asked.

Severus closed his eyes and sighed.

"Only from warships. My sister and I have seen it before, just before our village was attacked twice."

"Attacked?" Yue's eyes widened, as did everyone else who finally understood.

Sokka nodded, while Katara stared off into the distance of the large dark cloud that grew ever bigger.

"It's the Fire Nation!" he declared. "And from the looks of it, I say that there are a lot of 'em."

They all lined up together at the edge of the balcony, staring deep into the darkness ahead, awaiting their enemy.

Only Three Chapters Left

To Book One

/

Chapter Thirty-Six:

The Shadow of the North

/

Chapter Thirty-Seven:

The Seige of the North

/

Chapter Thirty-Eight:

The ('Title' To Be Announced) of the North

"What happens next doesn't end the way you think it's going to."

(Raymond Reddington - The Blacklist)