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The Five Nations
Chapter 16: The Blockade, Part 1
Blaze loved the Fifth Nation. The Fifth Nation took him and his brother in when their promiscuous parents renounced them. They instructed them in the matters of all politics and martial arts. They raised him.
Chu Zun raised them.
Blaze...
That was the name Chu Zun gave him. He could not remember his life before that. His brother, Razor, claimed that Blaze was always his true name, but Blaze doubted it. He had a life, an identity, a name, before...
As he stared out toward the misty horizon that obscured the Northern Water Tribe, he heard steps increasing in volume, indicating that someone was approaching him. Blaze nonetheless continued to stare out from the dilapidated, unorganized bridge of the Fifth Nation frigate. He leaned on the metallic yet dull surface that possessed the controls for the ship. The footsteps stopped, and Blaze breathed in calmly as he expected a report from the supposed messenger.
"The fleet is approaching the North, my Lord," a feminine voice stated, immediately prompting Blaze to identify her as Commander Uta, a former member of the Southern Water Tribe. "We will be arriving in t-minus twelve hours. What are your instructions?"
Blaze lowered his eyes as memories flashed through his mind. He remembered his father, drunk and disheveled. He laughed as he strolled over to Blaze with a jug of the finest wine from the Fire Nation colonies in his hands. As Blaze shuffled back water on the ground, his father stumbled and spilled some of the whiskey on Blaze's right leg. Blaze stood up and gasped as the cold liquid splashed against the warmth of his flesh.
Blaze briefly snapped out of his trance and slowly reached over to a bottle of wine resting on the controls. His fingers brushed against the rough cork that covered the top of the bottle. They were all depending on him. His voice was what mattered now.
It was a voice that could destroy millions of lives.
He began to recite ancient proverbs that Chu Zun helped him memorize in the instance that he would feel lost.
My ally is the spirits...
Blaze's father dragged his feet as he marched drunkenly toward his son. Blaze rose to his feet and stumbled backward, desperate to escape his deluded progenitor.
The spirits change my heart...
Blaze's father moaned and began to shout coarse and horrific things against his son as they walked in the dark hallway. Blaze leaned against a wall as he quietly raced from one end of the house to the other. He shouted for help, but he immediately recalled that his mother and brother were not in the house.
The heart conducts the body...
Blaze ran into the kitchen and dropped to his knees, gasping in agony. A light flickered behind him. His father was near. He was coming closer. Blaze reach the counter to search for some knife or hardware that could be utilized as a weapon of defense. His fingers brushed against the sharp edge of cold metal. Blood trickled from his nails, causing him to swiftly grasp the Damascus blade. He held it close to his chest, but the frigid handle of the knife only increase the cold anxiety within him.
The body empowers the soul...
"Councilor," Uta stated, "we await your command..."
Blaze continued to remain entranced by his many vivid, vicious memories. The footsteps of his father cease. He deliberately rose to his feet, his eyes shuffling from one side to another. Immediately, he felt a presence lean in toward his ear. The hot, sticky breath of his father, polluted with the wretched stench of whiskey, filled his nostrils.
"Looking for someone?" his father sneered with a slurred voice.
The soul gives insight to the mind...
Blaze opened his mouth to scream, to holler for help, but a small metallic object clattered on his feet. Before he knew it, Blaze felt a heat surge throughout his entire leg, and the house was illuminated as his leg sizzled with a bright orange flame. The hissing and cracking of the luminous fire were drowned out by the screams and wails of Blaze. The screams were his lullabies as he retreated to his room, unwanted, disregarded, and completely rejected.
Blaze wished those screams were enough to drown his memories. Forever...
My mind will ascend to the spirits...
"My lord...?" Uta whispered, stepping uncomfortably in her place.
Blaze knew what he had to do.
Blaze replied sternly, "Proceed with the operation. Surround the entire North Pole. Phase two begins today..."
Uta bowed swiftly and twirled around to exit the bridge of the ship. Blaze remembered something at the last second.
"And, Commander?"
Uta halted in her tracks immediately and turned her ear to Councilor Blaze of the Fifth Nation.
"Tell the men to advance ahead of schedule..."
Uta was stunned beyond words as she attempted to explain, "B-b-but, my lord... Councilor Chu Zun's orders..."
"Are second to the mission," Blaze interrupted firmly, maintaining his cold gaze toward the dock of the ship, where hundreds of soldiers, Waterbenders and Firebenders alike, were training for battle. "Or have you forgotten that?"
Uta remained silent. Quickly flashing a brief smirk, Blaze knew he had won the argument.
"I thought so. Chu Zun will forgive all of you. I will take responsibility for any failure that results from this mission. For now, we will advance toward our long-awaited goal... Redeem as many of the adolescents as you can retrieve. Then, take them to the northern location."
Uta bowed and exited the bridge. Blaze confidently stared out the window. Today, the Fifth Nation would be feared once again...
Sokka sat down on the floor, spreading out the map of the Northern Water Tribe on the frigid ground of azure ice. He placed his sword at the northwest corner of the map, flattening it completely. Several of the Water Tribesmen, both men and women alike, leaned in as they sat down on the ground with him. Suki and Yakone were close by, observing his every decisive action. Armor and spears leaned against the blue walls of the Northern Tribe's armory. Sokka was thankful that the Chief allowed them to utilize this room in order to construct a decent strategy.
Pointing at the canal system that served as the complicated entrance, Sokka explained, "The Fifth Nation needs to breach through this wall here. If they do that, it will be impossible to stop them without the full moon..."
Sokka paused to clear his throat. Suki grasped his shoulder and smiled gently to encourage him. Sokka nodded and lowered his head toward the map again.
"However, if we can utilize the water within the canal here," Sokka stated as he pointed toward the main entrance to Agna Qel'a, "we might be able to create a big enough distraction and hold them off long enough."
Sokka heard much muttering as the warriors leaned closer to one another and exchanged words that he could not discern properly. He felt a sense of unease building within him as he prepared himself for any objections or questions. Being a leader and a strategist might have been Sokka's strong suit, but that did not mean that there were pressures.
A warrior swiftly raised his hand, and Sokka pointed toward the Tribesman, resisting the urge to burst out laughing at his school-like antics.
"Wh-what distraction, s-sir...?" the man squeaked in an unusually high-pitched voice.
Sokka frowned upon hearing his voice and answered, "That's where the other Waterbenders that Master Pakku is training will come in. Ice is simply frozen water. There is plenty of ice dangling over the edge of the cliffs. Sooner or later, the Fifth Nation will be tempted to move in their ships.
"We'll climb to the tundras through the secret tunnel here," Sokka continued, pointing to the barren lands outside the confines of Anga Qel'a. "Once we position the Waterbenders in the right places, we'll bring down the thunder on them. Only this time, it will be a giant avalanche!"
Sokka smirked, expecting howling laughter from the Water Tribesmen, but not a single sound emitted from their mouths. Yakone stared at him in disappointment, shaking his head and whispering something to a warrior near him. Suki giggled superficially, recognizing that Sokka needed an audience to laugh at his jokes.
Sokka furrowed his brow and sighed, "Do any of you know what laughter even is?"
"I do!" the same high-pitched voice cried out.
Sokka smiled and grasped his boomerang tightly before announcing, "Okay. So! Does... anyone have any questions?"
After a deafening silence, Yakone asked calmly, "What about the innocent civilians? Did you even think about them for a single second?"
Sokka's smile melted away as he tugged the collar of his robes and stammered, "W-well, I-I... I-"
"You didn't..." Yakone stated in bewildered amazement. "All you care about is the glory, isn't it? There are families in those homes. We all have families. I HAVE a family!"
Sokka stuttered before regaining his composure and quickly explaining, "We're working on a way to avoid the fighting without moving them from their homes. It's best that we don't force them away from their homes. We don't want to cause too big of a panic..."
Yakone scoffed and glared, proclaiming, "Panic? What do you know about panic?! You've never had your entire culture stripped away from you! This is a real war! We are real soldiers!"
Raising his hands wildly in the air, Sokka furiously protested, "My Tribe suffered from the War as well, Yakone!"
Clenching Sokka's shoulder firmly, Suki hissed, "Guys!"
Sokka glanced toward the blank expressions of the Tribesmen, who were watching the argument with eyes laced with confusion and conflict, unsure of whose side to pick. Sokka sighed, releasing his building fury and standing to his feet for the entire group to see.
"I'm going to fight for these people," Sokka proclaimed. "This may not be the Fire Nation or any other threat we've previously faced, but the Fifth Nation is still a real threat. Whether I'm the only one or not, someone needs to stand up to them. This is the day we make our stand against them! Who's with me!"
Shooting up his fist to the ceiling, Sokka stood triumphantly in the room. Slowly, a young boy that was about thirteen years old rose to his feet with wobbly legs and a trembling lip on his face. He had black and blue face paint smudged on his face, implying that he was in a rush to complete it. He wore dark blue armor with the silver symbol of the moon. It was similar to the armor Sokka wore on the Day of the Solar Eclipse and during the Comet.
"I-I will fight..." the boy whispered with the same quaky, high-pitched voice from before, startling Sokka to his core.
It was like peering into a window of his very past. He looked just like Sokka's twelve-year-old self the day his father left him.
Suki and Yakone stood up and said with contrasting tones in unison, "I will fight with you!"
One by one, the warriors of the Northern Water Tribe followed their bold examples, rising to their feet and nodding in agreement. Sokka smiled with pride as their muttering grew into cheering and shouts of agreement, raising their hands in triumph and readiness for the coming battle.
Suki wrapped bandages around her arms. She had never worn Northern Water Tribe armor before, but there was a first time for everything. Besides, she had never worn Fire Nation clothing before Azula took her captive, so she did not see why she could not try anything new.
The armor glimmered as she placed on gauntlets of a dullish grey. The armor appeared to be recently fashioned for her. The size of the chest plate was perfect for her, the gauntlets slipped on like the gloves she wore back at Kyoshi Island, and the helmet had an unusual artisan symbol on it.
After tightening the gauntlets on both of her hands, she clutched the helmet that rested right before her. She slowly picked it up and examined it. It was reminiscent of Sokka's wolf helmet, but it had a sleeker design with straddled ears on it. It was specifically tailored for her tastes.
"I hope you like it!" a voice called out.
Suki gasped and twirled around to see the same twelve-year-old boy standing in his clunky and oversized armor. He was standing by the arched yet simplistic entrance to the armory. She swung her legs and rose to her feet immediately. She towered above the young boy, causing him to stumble backward.
Suki gasped. He had probably mistaken her posture as a means of intimidation. She immediately regretted it. She slowly stepped over to him and knelt down to his eye level.
Suki smiled gently and asked, "You made this?"
The boy giggled, "Yeah! I worked with my dad to make this armor for you! When we heard you and Mister Sokka were coming, I had to do something to show my appreciation!"
Suki raised an eyebrow in a teasing manner and questioned, "Appreciation?"
"Of course!" the boy exclaimed with joy bursting from the seams of his face. "I heard all your stories growing up! I heard about you and the Avatar! You are my favorite hero!"
Suki slightly blushed. A hero? She was no hero. She was a simple warrior. She shared the same face on the same island with hundreds of girls that had preceded her. The duty of every Kyoshi Warrior was to help the Avatar and to serve for the good of the people.
Yet... something about the little boy's optimistic expression made Suki feel so wholesome... so happy... so complete. The very sight of her gave this boy hope. It made him happy. This boy looked up to her. In a sense, this boy made her the happiest she had ever been since she met Sokka...
Suki asked calmly, "What's your name?"
"Milo..." the boy answered. "I am Milo, the son of Meylaq. My mother used to tell me stories about you all the time!"
Suki smiled broadly and grasped his shoulder, saying, "Milo... this gift is amazing... I hope you meet the same success and fortune that you have heard about me..."
She did not know if she was frankly a success or not, but the people in Suki's life truly made her feel that way.
"Well..." a familiar voice called out. "This is touching...!"
Suki rose to her feet speedily and twisted her head to the right to notice Sokka, who was leaning against the entrance to the armory. He had a wholesome and genuine smirk on his face. There was no mischief or ill intent gleaming in his eyes as per usual. He was genuinely happy and at peace.
Despite the imminent storm, he appeared so free and energetic...
Sokka launched himself from the surface of the doorway and marched toward Suki, strolling toward her at a calm pace. Milo raised his hands up innocently and inched away toward the entrance.
"I'm just..." Milo smiled and chuckled weakly. "I'm just gonna go..."
He twirled around and bolted out the entrance and out of their sight. Suki touched her mouth to cover it as she giggled. She had never witnessed a kid so terrified and optimistic at the same time. They all wore masks, but his facial expression was a clear mixture of all emotions.
Sokka stopped in front of Suki and asked, "Are you alright?"
Suki lowered his head to the ground and replied, "Yeah..."
Sokka placed both his hands on her neck and stated, "Hey... I'm here for you... I'll always be here for you, Suki. That will never change, no matter what happens in this invasion..."
Suki grinned with glistening eyes and soughed, "I love you, Sokka..."
Sokka tilted her chin up for her to look him straight in the eyes and whispered, "I love you too, Suki... I'm sorry if I couldn't show it or tell you sooner. I just get so-"
Without further hesitation, Suki wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him passionately. Sokka returned the favor and kissed back. A fiery passion that was Suki's love for Sokka flared inside her chest.
Suki ceased the liplock momentarily and stated amusedly, "You talk too much, big man."
Sokka chuckled and replied, "I'm a man of many words, little lady..."
Suki glared at him, causing him to nervously widen his grin and shriek, "I-I mean big lady! Big lady!"
Suki smiled and relaxed her facial expressions, replying in a teasing manner, "That's more like it..."
About two in the afternoon, the blockade began. As he was walking peacefully through the streets, Sokka heard the horns of war as they blared throughout the entire city of Agna Qel'a. He gasped and ran to the great wall that blocked the city from incoming intruders, a wall that had not been breached in years. Pushing his way through the chaotic crowds as they panicked and ran amuck, he finally arrived at the ice staircase.
As he marched up the stairs swiftly, he gasped and ran into Master Pakku. Pakku grasped his armor before Sokka could slip and fall to the steep ground. Pakku reprimanded him silently through a stern glare. Sokka hurriedly glanced around and saw Waterbenders in blue robes, preparing to telekinetically manipulate the water of the canal system that led to the city. It was all going according to plan.
Except...
Sokka cried out to Pakku, "Where's Suki? Where's the black snow?!"
"Calm down... Suki is with the battalion on the tundras, Sokka," Pakku firmly addressed. "I will leave in a moment to assist her in the matter."
"But what about the black snow?!"
Pakku shook his head in confusion and proclaimed, "We have seen black snow, but there is not much. Somehow, they have found a way to reduce the amount of ash generated by those metal monstrosities!"
Sokka was stunned as he attempted to form a single sentence without stuttering, claiming, "But... that's... imposssi-b-ble!"
Pakku nodded and turned his gaze toward the horizon, hissing, "And they've done it..."
Sokka darted up to the surface of the wall with Pakku behind him. He gazed out toward the sea to notice several battleships approaching the North Pole out of the whispy, opaque fog. The designs of the ships were much sleeker and darker than the original designs of the Fire Nation. They were like something that was ripped straight out of the Spirit World.
Turning his head toward Pakku, Sokka demanded, "Who's in charge of the defense here?"
Pakku replied, "Our Waterbenders are being led by Yakone. Several of them have attempted to hinder the approach of the accursed dreadnoughts but to no avail. They reported combined forces of Waterbenders and Firebenders. Our initial resistance was futile. We are now being forced to wait patiently for them to make the first move."
Sokka asked, "Whose idea was that? Who's in charge of the nonbender forces?"
"We have a commander," Pakku explained with a broad smile. "You."
Sokka was startled at first and replied, "M-me? What about Suki?!"
"She'll be fine, Sokka," Pakku reassured. "She can take care of herself. I've seen it!"
Blaze stared at the glorious Northern Water Tribe. He could barely see the great city of Agna Qel'a, but it was already the most beautiful city he had ever seen in the world. The architecture and sculptures were breathtaking as they shone with the light of the sun, reflecting a perfect white.
Blaze sighed with sorrow. It was a shame that much of the city would be devastated in the battle. Nonetheless, it was war. There were always consequences. There were consequences to every action in every nation.
That was what his parents taught him. That was what Chu Zun reminded him.
Soon, the Northern Water Tribe would belong to the Fifth Nation. They would once again rule the seas and conquer what was rightfully theirs.
He only hoped that their northern forces were in position and approaching the rendezvous.
Blaze watched the glorious city from the dock. Several Firebenders and laborers worked and strained with effort as they prepared the rusty catapult for the battle to breach the wall.
Blaze whirled around to see Commander Uta as she bowed swiftly and rose again to look him in the eyes. He finally saw her complex features. Her monotonous tan skin contrasted with her sparkling silver-blue eyes. Her black hair was tied into a bun and had short bangs dangling in front of her forehead. A freckle was on her right cheek which stood out among her facial features. She stood tall and strong, her height matching Blaze's as she stood with confidence. She boasted a fancy Fifth Nation uniform with intricate silver medals and symbols attached to it.
Uta was banished from the Southern Water Tribe when she was only twelve years old. She was accused of desecrating the sacred burial grounds of the fallen Waterbenders. She simply wished to learn more about the history of the South Pole and record as much information as possible for the Waterbenders of the future. She spent most of her time with books, studying strategies and battle weaponry instead of sewing and cooking like most girls.
It was no secret that Uta sought the position of Councilor. Ever since Chu Zun found her at the age of fifteen, she took her in, healed her wounds, and made her a new person altogether. According to the High Councilor, she reminded him of his fierce and determined niece, Princess Azula. Encouraged by his support, Uta resolved to please him in whatever way possible.
Uta firmly addressed, "Councilor, we are approaching the North Pole. We will arrive in approximately five minutes. What shall we do now?"
Blaze lowered his gaze to the ground and stated, "I... don't know... I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean, Commander..."
Uta stepped forward and softened her gaze. She leaned forward slightly. Blaze felt a sense of discomfort building within his very soul, but he refrained from stating this to Uta.
"Hey..." Uta assured with a small grin. "We're going to be alright, Blaze. You can do this. This is going to create a better future for everyone, not just us..."
"You're... you're right..." Blaze stammered. "I just... I know what to do, but I just can't do it... I don't even know if I..."
"Chu Zun trusts you, right?" Uta asked softly. "Trust yourself. That's all you need to do..."
Uta gently grasped Blaze's dangling right hand and squeezed it. Blaze closed his eyes to prevent the stinging sensation in his eyes to be revealed.
"You don't deserve this..."
"None of us do..." Uta affirmed, nodding her head. "But today, we're going to make it right..."
Blaze smiled weakly and whispered, "Thank you, Uta. Thank you..."
Uta sighed and replied, "My please, Councilor Blaze."
The two chuckled and enjoyed the brief moment they shared together. The moment ended when they heard footsteps approaching. Blaze turned to see Razor, his short-tempered brother. He wore heavy armor and had a sword strapped to his back.
"Really?" Razor hissed in an agitated manner. "Now? In the middle of an invasion?"
Uta released Blaze's hand and swiftly stepped away to give the Councilor some space. Blaze turned to his brother and calmly gazed upon him.
"Brother..." Blaze addressed. "What do you propose we should do?"
"We are one minute away from the proximity of the Northern Water Tribe," Razor stated. "I say we begin firing to show them that we mean business! Elder Dache always said we need to know and break down the enemy before engaging in such matters with them! Let's show that we aren't turning back now!"
"We can't afford that!" Uta interjected logically. "We need every shot that counts. We'll strike once-"
"Uta, wait."
Uta obeyed Razor's request, and the brother of Razor stated, "You're right, big brother. We should repel any further attacks. Such a notion to come near such deadly firepower would be suicide, after all. Tell the Firebenders to prepare the catapults. Have the Waterbenders stand by and prepare for any resistance until we close in on the shore."
Blaze turned to the men of the catapult and announced, "You heard my brother! Fire at will! And notify the others!"
The Firebenders nodded and lit the retracted ball that the catapult contained. One of the laborers ran to the edge of the dock and shouted unintelligible words to the other ships on the right. After finishing his statements, he raced to the left side and did the same thing.
"Steady!"
Blaze watched in anticipation as Razor held his fist high in the air. The moment of truth had come.
"Fire!"
The laborers and crewmates unleashed the power of the catapult, launching the fireball toward the white shores of the Northern Water Tribe. Similar fireballs followed the first attack, declaring war and bringing the fires of the damned upon the unrighteous who had gone astray.
The blockade had begun. No one would escape the Fifth Nation.
Sokka stumbled as several of the fireballs struck the shore, shaking the foundation of the Fifth Nation to its very core. The ice shattered upon contact with the flaming projectile. Large chunks of ice clattered against the wall of the great city. Some of them made scratches. Several more made cracks. Sokka planted his feet firmly into the ground to prevent slipping.
Sokka firmly stated to Pakku, "Go! Find Suki and help the others! Get the people to the tunnels!"
Pakku answered, "On it!"
Pakku flung himself down the stairs and utilized the water frozen in the ice to delay his descent. A tornado of swirling water surrounded his legs as he landed gracefully and ran off to comfort and lead the people.
Sokka turned back and was startled to see an incoming fireball. It was directed right at his face.
"LOOK OUT!" Sokka screeched, leaping toward one of the men and knocking him out of the way.
Sokka and the Tribesman collapsed to the surface of the wall and slid slightly, but they narrowly avoided the fireball. The fireball crashed through the top of the ice wall and plummeted to the snowy ground behind the wall. An implosion of ice and smoke billowed from the crater that was left by the impact.
Sokka confidently yet cautiously rose to his feet and offered his hand, asking, "You okay?"
The Tribesman accepted his hand, allowing Sokka to haul him to his usual stance, and stated, "Thanks to you, Sokka. I am forever in your debt."
"Don't bet on it now," Sokka replied, turning back to the horizon as more flaming fireballs approached the wall. "We got more company."
Before the fireballs could make contact with the wall, a tall barrier of water majestically rose from the brim of the ocean, blocking the attack on the wall. Sokka could see flashes of light glimmer from behind the protection that was waterbending. He glanced down and saw Yakone, along with five other benders, waving their hands wildly and raising their hands high in the air to maintain the wall as smoldering orbs hammered away at the watery boundary.
"Suki..." Sokka whispered under his breath. "I hope you're seeing this... Hurry!"
Suki gasped and groaned as she struggled to walk on her blistered feet. She had endured many hardships and physical activities in her lifetime. She had climbed through entire obstacles on a metallic prison in the middle of a boiling waterhole. She avoided the blue flames of a psychotic princess while protecting Appa, Aang's flying bison. She guarded Toph's back during an Earth Kingdom invasion of a Fire Nation colony. Most recently, she fought a literal god who threatened to tear apart an entire nation.
However, she never remembered anything this difficult. The treacherous turns and twists of the tunnel that led upward toward the tundras confused her indefinitely. She was nearly lost several times, entranced by the repeated patterns. She had to use pieces of her fabric and a shard of her armor to track her progress. She only hoped she could explain herself to Milo and ask for his forgiveness.
The climb upward required much of her strength and took a serious toll on her breathing. It was already strenuous to breathe in such a cold, dry atmosphere. It was much worse doing it as she climbed upward. She was going to meet with the other Waterbenders, but she never found anyone who could help her with the deadly climb.
Zuko was once able to climb to the top of the tundras while carrying Aang. He managed to use his firebending abilities to automatically warm himself during the journey.
Thankfully, Suki had her trusted fans to assist her in climbing. The sharp blades gave her the edge she needed to continue the climb upward and prevent herself from slipping. She was thankful when she reached the end of the tunnel and climbed out of the crevice, heaving with such humid puffs of wind that her breath blinded briefly her.
As she dragged her feet toward the edge of the tundra, grasping her arms in order to warm them, she glanced around. The dark atmosphere only made it harder for her to record her steps. Her tracks in the snow were instantly lost within the next two steps.
This was impossible. Without a Waterbender or a guide, she was as good as dead. She only hoped that Master Pakku would meet with her in time like he agreed to.
"Suki!"
Suki halted in her tracks and twirled around. She saw a dark silhouette trudging through the snow, approaching her. The details of the figure became gradually more refined, revealing Master Pakku. He began swatting aside the snow created by the storm.
Suki cried out, "Master Pakku!"
Pakku smiled and replied, "Let's clear the line of fire, shall we?"
Waving his hands wildly with great circular motion, Pakku formed a dome of circulating snow in his hands. He shoved his hands outward, shielding both him and Suki from the treacherous snowstorm. Suki could see clearly now as the snow wisped clearly around them.
Pakku asked, "Shall we?"
Nodding her head gently, Suki smiled back and replied, "Let's do this..."
The two began trudging to the edge of the icy cliff, their feet buried deep in the compact snow. Suki dragged her feet, struggling to lift them out of the white oblivion that was the snow of the tundras. She watched in awe as Pakku casually lifted his feet out of the snow and began stepping on the surface of the snow, solidifying each step he took and hardening the ground beneath him.
Offering his hand to Suki, he stated, "Come one. Let's go..."
Suki grasped his frail yet strong hand, allowing the waterbending master to yank her out of the snow. The once delicate and crunchy snow stiffened into smooth yet sturdy ice. Pakku waved his hands with a diminutive gesture with each step the duo took.
Shivering intensely as the cold nibbled away at her skin, Suki shouted, "How much further do we have to go, Master?"
"Only a few more meters!" Pakku announced. "Usually, we are restricted from these lands. The fissures and the extreme cold alone are able to kill even a Waterbender."
Suki shuddered and stuttered, "F-fissures?! What do you mean- AHH!"
Suki gasped and howled in terror as the ground beneath crumbled. The ice screeched and cracked as a massive fissure exposed itself beneath her very feet. Suki immediately dropped. She pulled out one of her fans and shoved it into the ice before she could fall into the deep, endless abyss of the north pole. She slammed into the sharpened wall and groaned as she felt her bones within her ache tremendously.
"Suki!" Pakku shouted.
Pakku waved his hands instantly. The sharpened ice formed around Suki's body and lifted her out of the pit. She ripped her fan out of the ice as her feet were placed on solid ground once again. She collapsed into Pakku's arms as the ice melted, causing her to drop. She wrapped her arms around Master Pakku tightly, breathing intensely.
"I-I-I'm sorry, Pakku!" Suki cried out. "I-I didn't-"
"Are you okay?" Pakku firmly demanded with concern etched in his voice.
Suki nodded and released a few tears. The warm liquid immediately burned upon sliding down her frigid cheeks. She was okay.
For now...
"Master Pakku!"
Pakku and Suki turned to see two Waterbenders in heavy coats marching toward them. They waved their hands, creating a bridge made of ice for them to traverse the crevice. Pakku and Suki swiftly ran across it, watching their every step. Once they made it to the edge, the water dissipated and plunged into the dark underworld.
The Waterbenders addressed, "We have begun striking the battleships, but there seems to be a problem, sir."
Pakku sternly sneered, "What problem?"
Gesturing with their hands, the Waterbenders both stated, "Come and see for yourself..."
Pakku and Suki followed them. The anxiety and eagerness to complete the task at hand gave Suki the boost she needed in order to keep up with the Waterbenders and trudge through the snow. Her heart pounded with anxiety, terrified at the thought of another fissure. Nonetheless, she persisted.
Finally, she saw an end to the snowstorm. The blue horizon and the end of the endless snow, a cliff that plunged straight down. She halted in her tracks to see what was occurring. The Waterbenders standing at the edge were hurling their hands, causing ice to separate with a thundering crack and strike the hulls of the ships that were deliberately and solemnly approaching the shores. The ice from the tundras screeched as they penetrated the ships, but they apparently did little to no damage. The ships continued to fire upon a wall constructed from pure water. It began to solidify and transform into ice.
Nothing seemed to stop the coming ships. Not a single dented could be made. Those hulls were almost invincible...
Unstoppable...
Pakku scoffed in shock and disbelief upon witnessing the sight, "Impossible! It's as if..."
As if they were prepared for such a possibility...
Suki's eyes widened with horror upon realizing the awful truth, and she cried out, "They know! They know about us!" They prepared for this!"
Pakku turned to Suki in horror and continued, "Meaning..."
"It's a diversion!"
Sokka shouted out to the Waterbenders at bay, "Hold the line! We have to give the people more time! We need to give the others more time to penetrate the hulls!"
Yakone shouted back from the shore of the Northern Water Tribe, "What do you think we're doing?!"
Waving his arms in bewilderment, Sokka screeched at Yakone bitterly, "JUST DO IT!"
Yakone ignored Sokka and twirled back to the ice wall. He shuffled forward and punched the wall, launching sharpened projectiles from the ice. The metal hulls screeched with an agonizing sound as the ice contacted the ships. Sokka nearly covered his ears, but he ceased upon seeing the current state of the hull.
It was hardly even scratched. Yakone continued to launch gigantic icicles, striking the same area, but it was barely doing any significant damage.
Sokka was confused. Were they prepared for such an inevitable possibility? All ships were conditioned for contingencies, but it was almost as if they were equipped for this specific strategy...
"Sokka! SOKKA!"
Sokka turned around to see a man, stumbling to reach the wall. An arrow was lodged in his shoulder, and his right leg was producing a trail of blood as he dragged it in the snow. The warm blood blended with the frosty ice, creating a dreaded red mixture. The man tripped and fell to the ground.
Sokka gasped, "Hold on! I'm coming!"
Sokka raced over to the staircase. Some of the men attempted to stop him, but they ceased their attempts once they realized the situation. Sokka traversed quickly down the white stairs, jumping to the ground upon reaching the last five. His leg cramped slightly, causing pain to jolt through his body, but he didn't care. HE fell to his knees and grasped the shoulders of the wounded man. He wore a coat that was a saturated dark blue. His facial mask was in tatters, and his pants were torn, revealing open wounds.
Sokka asked, "Who are you? What happened?"
The man wheezed and answered weakly, "I am Meylaq, son of Neomonni. I come with an urgent message from the villages beyond the tundras!"
Sokka was stunned. Meylaq? Milo's father?! What had transpired? What was happening?
Sokka asked with confusion building in his voice, "What message? What's going on?!"
Meylaq coughed and groaned, "Fifth Nation soldiers have raided and pillaged our homes. They are approaching from the tundras as we speak..."
Sokka's stomach dropped. His entire world was now spinning as his vision became still. He processed each word, desperate to make sense of the madness.
Sokka stood up as two more Northern Water Tribesmen and a healer came to lift Meylaq to his feet. He moaned and began to foam at the mouth, but Sokka was left utterly flabbergasted. He twisted his head toward the wall.
The ships appeared to be reinforced for their attacks. They were casually brushing off any strikes from the glaciers that surrounded the city. They apparently knew that the calving of the ice was the work of the Waterbenders.
And if they knew about the Waterbenders on the tundras, they would probably decide that the best move was to...
To distract them as their remaining forces took out the Waterbenders and invaded the city from the north.
"The ships!" Sokka shouted to the men standing on the wall. "The ships are a decoy! They're coming in from the north! Tell them to fall back!"
One of the Tribesmen leaned in from the wall toward Sokka and responded, "But the ships are nearly here, Sokka! Our men are down there!"
"Tell them to retreat into the city also!" Sokka demanded strenuously. "We will defend the people on our home turf! Tell them to fall back now!"
The man hesitated, prompting Sokka to hiss, "Get them out of there, DAMMIT!"
Sokka hardly cursed, but this was no laughing matter. As the man cried out and repeated Sokka's order to the others, Sokka reflected on his choices and internally kicked himself. How could he have been so stupid?! He was about to fail another strategy, Yakone would reject his command entirely, and Suki would be absolutely-!
Sokka stopped. As the many warriors ran down the stairs and onto the ground, carrying their spears, Sokka glanced up toward the tundras. Projectiles and icicles launched from the glaciers, pounding the ships with such intensity and power. His eyes widened. The many warriors of the Northern Water tribe brushed his shoulders as he stared up at the glaciers in horror.
Suki! Suki was up there!
Eleven years ago...
Dragging his younger brother by the hem of his robes, Chu Zun pulled him furiously, rage and utter disbelief coursing through his veins with such intensity. His heart pounded against his sternum, causing him to forget all his lessons about balance and patience. All that training and discipline were suddenly gone. It had vanished into thin air from his mind. He did not care what would happen next.
He was existing only now in the moment.
No one threatened Chu Zun's niece, not even her own father.
Chu Zun entered the Royal Palace and slammed Ozai into a column. Ozai growled in pain as his neck cracked against the golden dragon sculpture. Chu Zun allowed his younger brother to feel the scolding vehemence of his glare. Rage boiled in the cauldron that was his heart. He could hardly see straight. Chu Zun heaved and wheezed, breathing with such rage that even Ozai was stunned by such power.
After much apprehensive stillness between the two, Ozai broke the silence and calmly claimed, "If you're going to try and scare me, big brother, try and do better."
"This isn't a joke, Ozai!" Chu Zun roared, spit flying from his mouth. He had forgotten eloquent manners and language, but that did not matter. "What in the name of Agni above were you thinking? What the hell is wrong with you? On what world would even think about scarring your own daughter?!"
"I did not even touch her, Chu Zun. Thanks to Lu Ten's intervention, no one was injured!" Ozai pointed out methodically, relaxing his posture as if he were in complete control. "This should be cause for celebration."
"Not physical scars, you fool!" Chu Zun snapped. "Do you have any idea what this will do to Azula?! How it will affect her mental state?"
"If anything, she required such discipline," Ozai answered firmly. "She needs training."
"She's your daughter!"
Ozai stated mockingly as if he were correcting Chu Zun, "She is a prodigy."
"She's only six years old!" Chu Zun howled uncontrollably, shaking with outrage. "Why would you even think about hurting your own daughter?! When did it ever get into your deteriorating excuse for sanity for you to even harm her? Wh-! Why?!"
"Please, Chu Zun. This is the toll of raising your children in an insane world such as this!" Ozai replied, a malicious grin widening across his face. "There are consequences to even living..."
Chu Zun could not contain himself any longer. He was absolutely disgusted by Ozai's cynical outlook on the world order. He raised his fist, unleashing a howl of uttermost rage and anger. Barely restraining himself, he punched the column, shattering the dragon sculpture adhering to it. Ozai was amused by his display of strength, hardly shaken by it. This was not the brother Chu Zun grew up with. Something had snapped inside him.
"Impressive..." Ozai chuckled. "If only my witless son and lethargic daughter displayed a zenith of this much strength. I even find this pathetic by our family's standards, Chu Zun..."
"idiotic son-! Have you done this to Zuko also? Has this happened before...?!" Chu Zun demanded. Ozai remained silent, prompting the elder brother to lean in closer and roar, "HAS THIS HAPPENED BEFORE?!"
Ozai scoffed, "Please, Chu Zu. You hardly know the pressures of being a truly capable Firebender and a father! Besides, every task comes with pressures, and those pressures will break you... You don't want anyone in our family to get hurt. Am I correct?"
"That's enough!" SIck of his brother's endless insults and threats, Chu Zun hollered, leaning in closely. "Listen to me carefully, Brother. If you ever speak to any of
Ozai sighed, "You take yourself too seriously, brother. Are you going to tell Father? Challenge me to an Agni Kai?"
"Don't," Chu Zun hissed with a low voice. "Tempt. Me."
Ozai frowned and replied, "First of all, this is no way to treat your rightful Prince and an heir to the Fire Nation. You know what Father did to you the last time you disobeyed..."
Chu Zun remained silent. Ever since he had been stripped of his birthright and title as a Prince of the Fire Nation, he had been striving and working hard to rejoin the inner circle of the Fire Lord. He was still Azulon's legal son, but his name would be stripped from all family records and from the aging Fire Lord's very will.
"Second of all," Ozai hissed with a furrowed brow, "you know you can't beat me. You know this, don't you, dear brother?"
"I know..." Chu Zun snarled with a smile tugging at the edge of his mouth. He pointed his right finger into the hallway. "But he can..."
Chu Zun and Ozai turned their head to see Iroh, stunned beyond all words. He was wearing his Fire Nation armor. It had designs in the shape of fire that were engraved on the breastplate, symbolizing his status as a high-ranking and esteemed general.
His eyebrows twitching, Iroh demanded, "What has happened here?!"
Chu Zun furiously sighed as he stepped away from Ozai, releasing him from his grip, "It's a long story our sad little brother would absolutely love to share with you..."
Ozai growled as he shoved Chu Zun away, "Learn your place, Colonel."
"I will, my Prince," Chu Zun responded, bowing before Ozai in an attempt to show as much respect as possible. It was not for Ozai, but it was most certainly for Iroh. Iroh had already been through so much. He hardly needed any more excessive melodrama. He only hoped he could deal with their little brother.
Rising from his superficial bow, Chu Zun turn around and stormed down the twisting hallways. With each step, his steaming anger dissipated. He turned corners and navigated his way through the Royal Palace before finally stopping before a doorway. It was barely open. He heard gentle sobs within the room.
Knocking on the door and softening his gaze, Chu Zun stated, "Azula...? May I come in?"
No response came from within. Chu Zun gently opened the door and was emotionally crushed to see the sight. He saw several drawers burnt and charred beyond repair. The mirror was completely shattered, and hair combs were scattered across the room. The covers were blacked by flames, but they were still intact. A large hump was quivering underneath them. Chu Zun sorrowfully identified it as his scared little niece.
Slowly stepping toward the hump, Chu Zun whispered soothingly, "Azula... If you want to talk about it now, I'm here for you..."
Chu Zun finally sat on the bed. Some of the ashes adhered to his armor, but he did not care. He reached out his hand and pulled back the cover to reveal a shivering young girl with glowing amber eyes, disheveled bangs, and tears pouring out of her eyes. Azula clung onto the covers as Chu Zun pulled them back, causing the colonel to stop tugging them.
Chu Zun reach out his hand to Azula and stroked her hair, saying, "I don't know or comprehend how long this has been occurring, Azula, but I do know one thing. Your father's wrong about you, Azula. Dead wrong. Your best is perfect enough for me. It has been, and it always will be for any of us. Just keep trying. that's all we ever want from you..."
After saying this, Chu Zun tucked back some loose strands of Azula's hair and held out his arms, smiling and proclaiming, "Come here..."
Without hesitation, Azula wrapped her arms around Chu Zun, clinging on tightly to her uncle and releasing all of her fears and sorrows onto his shoulder. The tears of his niece dripped onto his face, but Chu Zun ignored them, returning the embrace.
"I'm sorry, Uncle..." Azula whispered with a shaking voice. "I'm so sorry... I was so afraid. I should've been stronger. I know I could've been!"
"Hey," Chu Zun whispered into Azula's ear, "it's not your fault. Your father is just confused. He's been trying to find his way for a long time now. You are just starting that path. That's why we're here for you, Azula..."
Azula continued to sob and pleaded, "Please don't tell Mom..."
"I won't... I promise..." Chu Zun responded, wondering how much of this Uras knew about. "If you ever need any of us, you come for us immediately. You understand?"
Azula nodded. Chu Zun smiled.
He was so proud of his niece. All of the Royal Family was special and dear to him, but Azula had a place forever in his heart.
"I love you, Azula," Chu Zun stated. "I do..."
Sorry that it took so long again! I am perhaps the most inconsistent writer on FanFiction! I hope you enjoy this story!
The blockade has finally begun! I can't wait to conclude it!
Also, I like the way Chu Zun fiercely defends his niece. iroh's first reaction is to understand and refuse the situation, but Chu Zun comes in, guns blazing, ready to fight the problem itself.
Anyways, thank you for the love and support! Please leave a review! They are very helpful and encouraging to me!