HELLO AGAIN, EVERYONE! I'm Back.
I'm sorry for the constant delays, It's been a rough couple of months. I also apologize that this chapter is mostly dialogue and ain't filled with action but I promise the next chapters are gonna be LIT.
Nonetheless I hope you enjoy it and stay tuned for more.
Zuko
It's been more than four weeks since they started the evacuation process, and they are finally starting to make progress.
When the people of the northern watertribe first heard of the chief's decision to evacuate, and the reason behind it, they were in shock, some of them of course just left without a second thought but Zuko supposed those were the foreign people who came to this country for a visit or to look for a new life, he knew the natives wouldn't give up their homes and their livelihoods so quickly, heck, he wasn't even sure the plan will work at all, but fear for the safety of those people kept him going, he vowed to never abandon them, and that he would never give up on those poor people.
In the span of four weeks, they have been around the northern watertribe countless times, asking non-waterbenders to leave the country with Chief Hahn and his company, some people agreed upon seeing for themselves that The Chief was indeed coming along with them, others still needed some convincing, and sure Zuko, Toph and Fung provided them with that, for four weeks, it seemed like the complaints were never coming to an end, but finally, it's stopped, and it's only a matter of time before they achieve their goal perfectly.
Zuko was standing in front of the great hall of the northern watertribe waiting for Fung who was inside with The Chief for a delivery that's been asked of him four weeks ago, The Chief asked Fung to bring him a new map of the entire earth kingdom since most of the maps of the territory in the northern watertribe are outdated, The messenger hawk finally arrived with Hahn's request and Fung was delivering it to him, Toph insisted on coming along with him, she might not know a lot about reading maps, but she sure knows her way around the earth kingdom and she could be of help to them, Zuko was standing outside waiting for them in the freezing cold, the fire prince who was disguised as "Lee" told them to finish quickly so they could go home to rest, him going in with them wouldn't benefit them in anyways and he was so eager to sleep, he wouldn't want to disrespect the chief with his drowsiness, so he stayed behind, with the cold preventing him from dozing off.
"Do I know you?" Someone called from behind, immediately alerting Zuko who turned around to find a tanned youngman.
"Pardon me?" Zuko said, bewildered.
"I feel like i saw you somewhere, but i can't connect the dots." The youngman said.
Zuko was silent for a second then he shook his head, "I wish i could help you out." He responded, turning his face to the other side again.
The youngman got closer to Zuko, "What are you doing in front of The Great Hall if I don't know you then?" The youngman asked.
Zuko looked at him again, but this time with disdain, "I'm sorry, Was i supposed to ask you for permission?" Zuko said.
"No, No.. I didn't mean that, what I meant was, that you standing out here means that you come here often, and I know everyone who used to come here often.. Maybe you are one of the new staff." The youngman said.
Zuko kept looking at him with the same disgusted look, he then turned his face away again, "I would have asked who you were, but I don't give two shits." Zuko said in disgust.
The youngman chuckled, "You're right, where are my manners? My name is Petu, former guard of the late Chief Arnook."
Zuko was alerted once again by the youngman, he was at a point where he wanted to run for his life, if this guy's really a former guard, then he must have seen him before, after all every soldier in the world is familiar with The infamous Firenation Royal Family, Zuko turned half his head towards him to confront, only to realize later that he turned the good side of his face, how did he realize that? because the youngman in front of him gasped in acknowledgement,
"PRINCE ZUKO?!" Zuko panicked and hovered to the youngman's side to shut his mouth, only for the youngman to throw his hands defensively, his strong hands immediately knocking Zuko to the floor, he came to his side with a water whip in his right hand, "Did you come here to kill the other chief? YOUR SISTER SENT YOU, DIDN'T SHE?!" Petu screamed in his face.
"No, you don't understand, I'm here on a mission."
"TO KILL THE CHIEF?!"
"NO! TO SAVE YOUR TRIBE!" Petu lowered his stance a little bit, Zuko took the chance and immediately stood up, he assumed a fighting stance but not a firebending one, so to not be recognized by any passer by.
"You know about the spirits war too?" Petu asked.
Zuko nodded and said, "Yes. If it weren't for us, your tribe wouldn't have taken a single step towards survival."
"Who's Us?" Petu asked noticing that Zuko spoke in plural.
"The Order Of The White Lotus." Zuko responded.
Petu immediately lowered his stance completely, "Avatar Aang spoke of them before.."
Zuko looked at him and a faint smile instantly grew on his lips, "You met Aang?!" He asked in excitement, the mere mention of his best friend gave him joy in such troubled times.
"Yes, we fought together at the battle of Yu Dao, I heard him talking about you before, but I wasn't really paying much attention, didn't know if his words about you were well or ill." Petu said incredulously.
Zuko smiled again, "Of course he was speaking well, me and Aang are best friends. true, I haven't seen him since the cursed ceremonies but I'm sure he still remembers me."
"I hope so." Petu answered, doubt still consuming his voice.
"I swear to you, I had nothing to do with my father's schemes, One moment I was having a good chat with my uncle and the other all the guests at the party were slaughtered, But my father had what he deserved." Zuko said, looking at the ground.
"You mean YOU gave him what he deserved." Once again, Zuko was at a point where he was completely speechless, he didn't know whether to confirm or deny, so he settled for a question,
"What gave you that idea?"
"We have our sources in the palace, Prince Zuko. We told Avatar Aang of the matter and he said that it would be best for all parties involved for the truth to remain hidden, You know, remembering that.. gives me the impression that his words about you weren't ill at all, he still holds you at high regards, that's why he urged us to keep our mouths shut." Petu said, his suspicion completely fading.
"You respect Aang's judgement that much, huh? It almost sounds as if you admire him." Zuko told him with a teasing smile.
Petu chuckled lightly, "At one point, I considered him a god, but he helped me see the truth, and he commanded me on the battlefield. so, his judgement matters more than my own." Zuko couldn't have looked more proud of his best friend, He was aware of Aang's condition and that The Avatar is at his lowest point at the moment, Yet still he has the ability to lead others, and that's a trait Zuko aspired to acquire.
"That does sound like Aang to me.." He said in a low voice with a smile gracing his lips.
Petu changed the subject, "So, last time i saw you, your face was full. picked up some scars along the road?" Petu asked motioning to the swollen part of Zuko's face.
Zuko touched his scar lightly, "Eh, What can I say? the outcome of fighting fire isn't always pleasant." he said, such a sensitive topic shouldn't be discussed at all, but Zuko didn't want to have an outburst.
"I know the feeling." Petu said, rolling up his sleeve to show a big fire scar on his right arm, Zuko looked at it looking horrified as he did so.
"I'm sorry." Zuko said sincerely, looking Petu in the eyes.
The youngman just chuckled and then unrolled his sleeve, "Eh, you forget it with time." Petu said, but that wasn't Zuko's view of the matter at all, he was sure that he would never forget about his scar at all, all he could do was hope that Petu is telling the truth.
Just as Petu finished his sentence, Master Fung and Toph came out of the palace with Chief Hahn by their side, Zuko noticed them and immediately came closer to Petu,
"Hey, No one in the northern watertribe knows my true identity, So, whenever we're around people, you just call me Lee." Zuko whispered to him.
"Lee?" Petu asked, his face not showing whether he's amused or annoyed.
"Just go along with it, Please." Zuko urged once again.
"PETU! It's so good to see you." Chief Hahn called upon arrival.
"Hello, Chief Hahn." Petu called back, he was about to bow to the chief but he was taken by surprise as the chief engulfed him in a hug that he returned moments later, they broke the hug and the chief looked at him.
"It's good to see someone from the old days once again, We expected you to arrive two days ago." Hahn said, his face finally showing joy.
"My apologies, The winds weren't too kind. And It's good to see you too, Chief." Petu said.
"Come on, Petu. we were very close friends at one point, You used to call me Golden spoon." Hahn said with a chuckle, and Petu laughed with him.
"Golden Spoon?" Toph asked from behind him.
"When we were kids, I have always been Chief Arnook's favorite and with time, I became the chief's highest ranking official, all that without even being a bender. Of course Petu's rank stayed the same even though he was a waterbening prodigy, The Chief just didn't see in him what he saw in me, so he always said that I was born with a golden spoon in my mouth, hence came the nickname golden spoon." Hahn said, and all the people in attendance laughed.
"A non-bender outranked a waterbending prodigy? What's this? a fictional story?" Toph quipped.
"No, it's called Talent, Love." Hahn replied, and Toph's smile was immediately wiped out, her face went as red as a tomato, causing everyone to stop laughing, making the situation incredibly awkward not just for the chief, but for everyone.
"Excuse me.. I-I have some matters to attend to." Toph said walking away immediately.
"That was awkward." Zuko said As soon as she was out of earshot.
"I have a question, was I dreaming or was that Toph Beifong?" Petu asked, making sure to check her departing figure once again.
"Yes, that's her.. The one that complicated my life." Chief Hahn said, as he left the company as well, taking the same direction that Toph took.
"Sorry, am i missing something?" Petu asked Zuko as soon as The Chief departed.
Fung finally decided to speak up for the first time, "That can be discussed after you tell us why Avatar Aang sent you here, son."
"Petu, this is Master Fung, one of the leaders of the order of the white lotus. and Whatever you are going to discuss with him can be delayed until you are well rested from your journey." Zuko said, as Master Fung forgot to introduce himself.
"I'm afraid Master Fung is right, Prince Zuko. The matter I'm here to discuss with the chief cannot be delayed."
"The Chief has a lot on his mind right now, evacuating citizens isn't as easy as it sounds, not to mention the emotional problems.." Fung said, clearly refering to the chief's relationship with Toph, "you can speak to us over tea if you want, and we'll inform the chief of everything together later." Fung finished.
"Sounds good." Petu responded without hesitation, Zuko knew that was Aang's influence, whoever Aang trusts, Petu trusts. And together the three men departed, looking for a secluded area to talk freely.
Sneers
He was in mourning, his friends are laying in the ground right beneath him, why was he the one left standing? he should have been the one to be laying down there, with the earth greedily eating his dead corpse, but instead, they had to stand up for him, they had to defend him, and that might have saved his life, but cost them theirs, Sneers couldn't even shed another tear as there are no tears left in his eyes. Holding on to his crutches as his legs still need some time to carry him by itself again, and with Kori by his side, Sneers was standing in the graveyard that was made specifically for the heroes who gave their lives at the battle of Yu Dao, the heroic and honorable men and women, who sit aside their differences to fight together, and die together, so that others might live.
among them was his lifelong friends, all of them minus Kori, when Sneers woke up from his coma and the memories returned to his brain, he remembered what Katara and Kori told him before he fainted, and so he almost fainted again..
The grief was just too much, he didn't feel like himself, he was in so much anguish and disbelief, especially after learning that they died protecting him, all of them, except for Jet who died along with The Avatar's bison to make way for the soldiers to pass through the gate, with Jet defending him alongside them or not, he still died, and he was his best friend, and he died heroically, at least he didn't die defending a coward.. he didn't die defending a coward like me. Sneers thought bitterly as his grasp on his crutches tightened, his grief immediately turning to anger, it's been a long time since the battle but it's still a fresh memory for Sneers, and he wants nothing more than to avenge his dead.
But how could he? they all died, all of Shun's goons are either dead or in prison, and he heard from Kori that they still need Shun's fallen soldiers for further investigation, Especially that evil bastard Jeri. would he really risk tarnishing the plans of the allies in a fit of anger? to take his revenge? Would he? Of course, He would. The Question here is How? How would he do that in crutches? Only one person in the world could help him with that, and she was standing right beside him.
Sneers turned to find Kori looking at him, appearing to be in the same mourning state that he's in, she smiled weakly to make him feel safe and rubbed his right shoulder lightly, As much as Sneers wanted to enjoy her touch, he couldn't just let his thoughts fade away, so he spoke up,
"I want to avenge them." He said, his face devoid of any emotion.
Kori was shocked by his words, "What?" She asked in disbelief.
"I.. Want.. To.. Avenge.. Them." He said slowly, looking her dead in the eyes. Kori was silent for a second, unable to find words to say, she opened her mouth and closed it a couple of times, Sneers was sure that she was trying to process this new side of him, she's used to the goofy Sneers who loved to talk nonsense and make jokes, this Sneers is different, and that's why she's in disbelief.
"I.. I.." Kori kept stuttering, unable to voice a sensible sentence.
"You can't help me with that? Fine, I'll find someone else." He said, moving his crutches around and ready to leave, but Kori held on to him.
"Wait! What are you talking about? I.. I.. I can't.." Kori stuttered again, but Sneers grasped her arms firmly with his crutches under his armpit to hold him steady.
"I can't live my life knowing that Jeri and some of the goons are still alive and well while all my friends are underground, do you hear me? I'll get them under my legs and I'll make them beg for their lives.." He said looking in Kori's horrified eyes, "You'll help me.. Or someone else will." He said with a sense of finality still looking Kori dead in the eyes.
He then took his crutches and wobbled away, leaving her standing in shock and disbelief, Sneers felt bad for her, he wanted to come back and hug her, tell her that everything is going to be alright, that he hasn't changed one bit and he's still the same, but he just couldn't do that, he can't go back to being a gullible nice guy, for the world doesn't respect this kind of people.
Sokka
Sokka was heading home after a sea voyage with his new girlfriend Suki, as soon as he got her home, the couple shared a kiss and Sokka went on his way home, they cherished every single moment of that voyage for it might be the last for a very long while. Ever since they found each other again at Chameleon Bay, they have been seeing each other regularly on a daily basis, and even though they had a lot on their plate, they vowed to enjoy every single moment they spend with each other, and since they decided to reside for a while at Kyoshi Island until Aang finishes his spirit world journey, they spent a lot of time together.
Sokka finally arrived home and opened the door and went to the kitchen to find his mom and Gran Gran making dinner, His mom seemed to notice his arrival and smirked, "Someone seems to be in a good mood." She said in a teasing matter.
Sokka blushed slightly and turned his face away, Gran Gran chuckled and decided to join the fun, "It seemed like last night I was changing your diapers and now you are coming home from a date with a huge smile on your face, time does tick fast." She said and Kya couldn't contain her laughter afterwards.
Sokka's blush turned even pinker as he scowled, "Haha very funny. I'm gonna go find someone who doesn't enjoy making fun of me." Sokka retorted.
Gran Gran snorted, "Sounds so dull, just like the conversation your sister and father are having right now." She said.
Kya huffed as she was putting some carrots and onions in the soup, "Yeah, they annoyed me as well, they can't get off each other's backs. It seems like they enjoy fighting each other so much, that's supposed to be my job." Kya said shaking her head in disappointment.
Sokka wanted to know what the fuss was about so he decided to go the living room to see what was going on, and boy was Gran Gran and his mother right, a heated conversation between Katara and Hakoda was on the way,
"Katara, we talked about this. You can't go to The Firenation with Aang, It's too dangerous." Hakoda said.
"Dangerous for who? Dad, I'm a master waterbender, I can protect myself." Katara responded defensively.
"Yes, but this isn't a fight, It's a stealth mission and the fewer the number, the better the chances of success." Hakoda explained.
Katara was about to retort but Sokka decided to interfere, "I'm afraid Dad is right, Katara." He said as he entered the room and took a seat as they finally seemed to notice his arrival.
Hakoda nodded in approval while Katara just glared dangerously at her brother which made his skin crawl, "How's he right?" She asked, still glaring.
"This is a risky mission, like dad said, we have to lessen the number as we can to have a better chance at succeeding. Plus, Even though Aang is the only one less likely to get harmed, he didn't seem so trustful of Azula's antics the last time we spoke." Sokka said.
"Which is why I should be there with you, I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself and you!" Katara insisted.
Sokka huffed, "I know you can, I just think you could be more useful somewhere else." Sokka said, Looking at his dad to back him up.
Hakoda got the idea and followed up on Sokka's plan, "How about you come with me to The Southern Watertribe?" Hakoda asked. Katara's face was nothing but shocked, not that Sokka could complain, Hakoda didn't tell her of his plan to go back and take back The Southern Watertribe from Voccak.
"Why would we go back to The Southern Watertribe?" Katara asked.
Sokka decided to interfere, "Listen, Katara, When I met with Dad at Chameleon Bay, He was gathering his forces to go back to The Southern Watertribe, but after I told him of The Spirits War and how we need to defeat The Firenation to start making plans for that, he agreed to join forces with us to take back Yu Dao, and The colony is now free, So he's going back with his forces to take back The Southern Watertribe from Voccak."
Katara was still a bit speechless for a while but then she spoke aggressively, "Dad, Are you out of your Spiritsdamn mind?!"
"What?" Hakoda and Sokka said in shock of her attitude.
"Were you not listening to a word that Aang said?! The Spirits War is about to commence, and the portals that the spirits will get to our world from are in The Northern and Southern Watertribes! Don't you think these two places are the last places in the world that you should be at?!" Katara asked loudly, her face showing fear and rage.
"Which is why I should be there to guide them through these difficult times, Katara. I'm their leader, and they need me now more than ever."
"VOCCAK IS THEIR LEADER NOT YOU! WHY CAN'T YOU LET BYGONES BE BYGONES!" Katara screamed.
Hakoda stood up, "BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE STRIPPED OF YOUR RIGHTFUL PLACE BY FORCE, YOU HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE IT BACK BY FORCE!" He said loudening his voice as well, shocking Katara in the process.
"So that's what this is about.." She turned her sight from her dad to Sokka, whose eyes were to the floor, looking unable to justify his dad's words, but in the meantime unable to oppose them, Katara stood up, "I thought you were different, Dad. but it turns out every monarch in the world is nothing but an egotistical, douchebag who cares for nothing but his throne." She said looking him in the eyes.
Hakoda looked back at her with malice, "You watch your tone when you are talking to me, Katara.." He said rather strongly, forcing Katara to look at the floor in shame, "I will go back to The Southern Watertribe, The Southern Watertribe council has always been led by a member of our family, What should I tell my father and grandfather when I meet them in the Spirit World? That I lost our rightful position because I was a good man who let go of our family's rights to avoid revenge? Do you want me to feel shame for the rest of my life, Katara?! Is that what you want?!" He shouted again at her, and Katara visibly quivered by his tone, Sokka felt bad for her, but he still allowed his father to finish, Hakoda got closer to Katara and looked at her dead serious,
"I'm going to take the southern watertribe back from that piece of filth, and I'm going to do this with or without you." Hakoda said and suddenly he became the scariest man in the world, he looked back at Sokka and with no further words he departed.
Sokka looked at Katara who was on the brink of tears, she collapsed on the couch and let the tears fall freely, Sokka rushed to her side and hold his sister tight, she gave in to his embrace and kept weeping, soaking his shirt in the process, but Sokka couldn't care less, his own tears started filling his eyes but he blinked them away immediately for his sister's sake, he never agreed to his father's proposition, but he knew that he was going to do it anyways, so he couldn't find the strength to argue with a very stubborn man.
"It's gonna be Ok.. I promise." Sokka reassured Katara who was still crying on his chest, but he knew his words of reassurance fell on deaf ears as Katara would never believe that such situation could end being Ok.. but Sokka stayed strong and hopeful for his sister, even though he doesn't believe the words himself.
REVIEW PLEASE!
Thank you.
