Chapter 2
The History
Sokka.
It's been 2 weeks since Katara left us. I haven't been able to eat or sleep, my mind constantly worrying for her.
This morning the earth king and his pet went their way, wanting to explore his kingdom. Now it was only Toph and I.
"Sokka, are you ok?"
Toph asked as she clutched my arm, pulling me out of my thoughts. The two of us sitting side by side on Appa's head flying across the cold sun-filled sky.
"It's been two weeks Toph.. we haven't heard from or about Katara in any of the earth villages we stopped by. I can't help but wonder if that's a bad thing or good?."
Toph's facial expression didn't change much as she responded, her head always looking down as she felt unsure flying on Appa.
"...If the Fire Nation captured her I think the world would have been told, just like with Aang..." Toph replied shivering.
Shaking his head side to side Sokka's eyes finally looked to Toph. "that's not the only thing I'm worried for... Katara is my baby sister, although I find her repulsive, crazy and over motherly I know other men don't look at her the same way...she's very ...innocent still. If anything happens to her I don't know how I'll handle it."
Toph knew what Sokka meant, especially since her father had three concubines in the East wing. One of which escaped a Fire Nation colony, knowing what happened to her Toph did feel a wave of uncertainty for Katara.
"Katara is very smart. I'm sure she'll be able to handle anything" Toph answered still feeling cold.
"Are you cold?"
"Yes! oh my spirits I am! Aren't you? Where are we?"
"No, sorry I didn't realize. I grew up in harsher weather. We're getting closer to the South Pole.
Wait a minute I think Katara's outer jacket is still in the bag."
Handing Toph Appa straps to hold, I made my way up on Appa's back from his large head.
Did this idiot forget I'm blind again? Toph wondered as she felt the straps in her hand move with the wind.
Aang's body was still laying down going in and out of consciousness, his eyes would open momentarily as if he recognized me and close again. Grabbing Katara's bag I reached in for her clothes bringing them back to Toph.
"Here, sorry I don't see her boots," I told her as I helped the jacket over her small frame.
Seeing the raised bumps on her skin I felt an unsettling feeling. Toph was right next to me and I failed to see how uncomfortable she was.
Quickly Toph wrapped herself in it, her knees resting close to her chest. Her breathing finally calmed down from her teeth chattering uncontrollably.
"Do you think he'll make it Sokka... Aang I mean"?
Looking back to Aang Sokka shook his head.
"I don't know Toph... I really don't know. The faster we get to the South Pole the better."
Zuko.
Since my return, there has been lavish feasts, grand gifts, and exotic entertainment. Even Mai had been happy.. so why aren't I?
Everyone around me is in a blissful era with warm light shining through rose color lenses, and fragrant air. My vision isn't so beautiful, pushing the rose color images away I could see the pain hiding. My father getting ready to kill off the world. I need to do something yet I don't know if I should.
"Oh ZuZu's father wants to see us," Azula said walking into my room.
Great... I thought rolling my eyes.
Walking to my father's war room where he spent most of his time all the guards were generally nice to me bowing respectfully.
Must be my legendary accomplishment...
"Ah Princess Azula, prince Zuko right on time"
"Father" Azula and I both said bowing before him as we took a knee.
"I have some business I need to attend to, I want you both to leave the capital. Go to ember island for a week"
Both of us looked up, however, only my eyes twitched listening to this. For three years I've spent time on my own, making the best decision I could. Only wanted to come home, and be accepted by him but this just didn't sit right within me. How is he just sending us away as if we are children!
"Take whoever you want, Lo and Li will be there to watch over you."
Ozai looked at Zuko as his lips stop moving.
"Prince Zuko" Ozai's commanding voice echoed in the grand room.
"As part of MY family, there will be no unplanned children. " Ozai warned.
Katara (Yami)
It has been only two days since that horrible woman forced me to please her that night. Sitting in the small room I was given, I pulled out my small journal the Commander brought me.
It's been three weeks since I've seen Sokka, Aang, or Toph.
It pained me that I had to keep everything inside. I had no one to talk to, I can't write my true feeling here, fearing someone would see it, and find out my true name and identity.
I feel so broken, but as long as I don't hear anything about the Avatar that means everything is ok...right?
Touching my braided necklace that concealed my mother's stone, allowed me to remember who I am.
"I promise I will survive, this will not break me," I said to myself low so no one would hear.
"Yami!" I heard her call me from upstairs.
Sokka.
2 days later...
*THUMP!*
Appa grand frame landed on the fresh snow. Already wearing my winter water-tribe clothing I held on to Toph getting ready to jump off. "HELP!" I shouted as my feet touched the ground with Toph in my arms.
"Sokka!"
I heard some men yell running up to me. Looking in their direction I could see my village which was small and bare once, now filled with construction and larger homes. Many more children than before ran around sheltering with their mothers by the opening of the village.
"What's wrong Sokka? I thought we were supposed to meet you for the invasion plan?"
A familiar voice said stopping at the foot of Appa.
"Where are Katara and Aang? Who is this?" Master Pakku asked coming forward from the group of men.
Shaking my head to the side I couldn't say it out loud my eyes looked down as I held Toph in my arms.
"We need a healer. now."
.**********************.
In the southern water tribe Chief's new home...
I walked back and forth from the room they had Aang in. His body was still unconscious. Toph stood next to me now that she had shoes on and wouldn't freeze. But unfortunately, she was more blinded than in the desert. Gran-Gran held onto Toph worried as she knew something wasn't right.
"Sokka"
I heard my new grandfather call me inside the room. Grabbing Toph's hand we walked in, I saw a few healers that left the North Pole all cleaning up, but Aang was still unconscious.
"He's still unconscious?" I couldn't understand, why isn't he up?
"I'm sorry, there is nothing else I could do for him now. I'm not even sure what Katara did or why he's alive. Reading his body underwater I could see great damage went through his heart"
A healer from the northern water tribe informed us.
There was nothing else they could immediately do for Aang. Pakku stood at the side along with another new councilman, gran-gran walked in closer to Pakku now standing at his side.
"Sokka what happened?"
Pakku asked then his eyes dropped down seeing my hand holding Toph.
"And who is this"?
"No! no no! it's not what you think!"
My hands flew up defensively. Toph was much younger than me and I didn't need rumors spreading with lies.
"This is Toph she is part of the Beifong family. I know she looks helpless right now". I said as I heard Toph scoff next to me.
"But she's a great earth bender who's Aang teacher. She is blind but earth bending is a way for her to see with her feet having direct contact to earth, ..but here our earth is too far underneath the snow."
Pakku nodded listening.
"Welcome," Pakku said as the oldest man in the family. Toph sightly bowed knowing him welcoming you was what someone needed to stay.
"Sokka!"
"Dad!"
Turning around I saw my father bursting in the door his arms wrapping around me lovingly holding me tight.
"What's going on? Where's Katara?" he asked me looking around the room.
"Sokka was just about to inform us." Pakku reiterated.
Looking down I couldn't say it and watch my father in his eyes...knowing I had failed.
"Two weeks ago... Aang was shot by the Fire Nation princess.. Azula, while he was in the avatar state".
Every jaw dropped open and the eye widened with fear.
"He was dead... or at least I thought he was. I'm not even sure... but Katara used her spirit water and his tattoo glowed, he opened his eyes. I think she bought him back... I'm not sure what she did but I also don't think Katara even knows what she did"
"..then where is she," my father asked still looking around.
"That same night the Fire Nation airship was tailing us, they used the Dai-Li and was shooting rocks even fire at us...
Katara sacrificed herself and jumped into the ocean. Shooting ice draggers into their engine causing them to turn back before they were too far out from land.."
Hakoda grabbed Sokka's shoulders not meaning to shake him but did, bending down slightly to look his son in the eyes feeling destroyed not wanting to believe it.
"Where is she?! Is she alive?"
"We don't know" Toph answered after hearing the trembling sound of Sokka's voice.
"She said do not turn back, we haven't heard anything about the Fire nation capturing her on the way here.. we could only assume that's good."
Hakoda looked devastatingly at Sokka feeling his heart leave his body, images of his baby girl flashing in his mind throughout the years. Knowing his regret for not meeting up with his children when Bato told him where they were.
"I'm sorry Gran Gran I couldn't keep my promise," I said bowing to the ground.
"No it's not your fault, Katara is brave and smart so much like her mother. She knew the importance of the Avatar life and weighed it against her own.
I believe my granddaughter is alive she is a survivor... her sacrifice will not be wasted, the Avatar is here and we will heal him."
Holding on to his new wife Pakku felt a feeling of deep sorrow.
"Quietly we will send warriors out to the earth Kingdom and search for Katara. But we will call for expert healers to help the Avatar. Even as a Master, healing was something I was never gifted with... I'm sorry...
But right now the world thinks Aang is dead and we will continue to let them think that. This way, if he makes it, he will heal in peace."
Katara (Yami)
"Yami!"
I took a deep breath before entering Aunt Sei's sitting room, where I tried to fake a smile. Knowing her friend Mrs. Famg was visiting.
"Yami why did I have to call you twice?" Sei asked me, her pointer finger with ginger color nails tapped against her chin.
"..I'm sorry I was checking on the water boiling."
Enraged Aunt Sei swing her hand across her slave's face leaving a light bruise.
"What did I teach you a few days ago"
"sorry ..ma'am" the words taste bitter like a grapefruit coming out.
"My my.. she is pretty but poor training" Mrs. Famg commented clicking her tongue. "Usually you would have had this trained by now".
"Ah I know, but now in my 70s, it's not as easy as before. My energy isn't what it was years ago." Aunt Sei replied to her friend.
"Child you are lucky you weren't here during her prime! She's would have had you walking naked, even to the market" Mrs. Fang said winking at me.
Mrs. Famg was a beige skin tone with dull brown hair revealing her age to be near Aunt Sei. I didn't look up or acknowledge what she said... how do you even answer something like that?
Aunt Sei becoming angered agreed. "You're so right my friend! I've become soft. Yami! Strip!"
Looking up to the ceiling I held in my tears not wanting to look weak. She hasn't made me take off my clothes in 4 days, from when she made me use my tongue on her. The pit in my stomach told me that was about to change.
Eying me evilly the two old women watched as I took off the kimono dress I had on, soon the blood-red outfit touched the ground.
"Very nice.
You were right she is beautiful"
Mrs. Famg complimented her friend as if I was just a piece of meat.
"Yes, she is.
Yami go get our tea"
Hesitantly I reached down for my clothing.
*BASSS*
A strong whip that came from nowhere, hitting my arm in one quick motion. "Ah!"
"Go naked," Aunt Sei said gleaming happily.
"Y-Yes ..ma'am "
Walking out of the room I could feel tears falling. Spirits how I hate these women and their sick twisted way.
Drying my face I gather myself together fixing their tea, and putting it on a tray to carry it out.
"Took her a little long don't you agree Sei?" Mrs. Famg said as I put the tray down on the table between them.
"Indeed. Yami get on your knees and apologize to our guest!"
Reluctantly I kneeled in front of her friend."I'm sorry-"
"No! Not like that stupid! You apologized with your tongue!"
Closing my eyes I can't believe this woman is forcing me to do this again. Mrs. Famg looked down at me please as she separated her ankles a bit. Her long kimono dress almost touched her feet.
"Well get time to work! Pull my clothes up!"
I crawled underneath the table lifting her kimono skirt and exposing her wrappings, between her legs. The wrapping bands were wedged in between her outlined lips, I could see a color change distinctiveness where her juices dried forming a crust. A strong scent coming from her.
Oh, spirits how I wanted to kill this woman.
"Get to it!" Mrs. Famg yelled reaching under the table and pulling on my hair which pushed my face closer to her slit.
Unwrapping her wraps I noticed a full matted bush between her legs the foul smell coming in stronger now. It was wet and the hairs looked tangled.
She next leaned back on the chair more comfortably and grabbed my head in her hands, guiding me to where she wanted to force me to go. Feeling embarrassed I recognized Aunt Sei liked me being humiliated.
Her slit allowed a musky foul smell making me highly aware of it as it entered my nose and mouth, the tangled hair tickled my nose but I did as I was told... I had to. She spread her legs wider, and slouched down, sliding her ass forward so that my tongue would penetrate deeper.
I drove my tongue into her wetness with closed eyes not knowing what I was doing. I just kept darting it in and out and sliding it all over her cunt. Her pussy lips were slick like her outer lips, and the fluid felt a lot like the seeds in rice pudding. My tongue is not sure why she produced this grainy slime.
Breathing became deeper and she let out an impassioned moan when one of my fingers slipped past her wet lips and eased into her tight vagina. Her slit was warm and moist which enveloped my finger like it was welcoming me with an affectionate hug. But this wasn't an innocent hug. This was disgraceful.
"Oh yes, I am going to cum! Yes, I'm cumming." Holding my hair in place she forced all her wet juices on my young face.
Wanting me to drink in her fluids, I kept my mouth closed as much as I could my eyes closed licking until she stopped shaking.
I couldn't understand my mind telling me how wrong this was. It wasn't allowed, yet I felt something deep inside of me wanting to be let out.
"She's so gifted!" Mrs. Famg said relaxed looking at her friend across the table.
"She is surprisingly good even though she's a virgin, it's her temper".
"That'll get fixed in time".
Coming out from under the table Aunt Sei and Mrs. Famg looked at me as I stood up my mouth covered wet.
"Very good, But you know I need to pee"
"Did you want me to help you to the bathroom.. ma'am "
"No, get back down"
I kneeled in front of Aunt Sei unsure what she wanted. Quickly she hiked up her dress, lifting her legs onto the handles, her pussy open and exposed to me, no under wrappings in the way.
Aunt Sei was so turned on looking at her slave, that she pushed down her bladder as hard as she desired, allowing her golden liquid to fly out hitting Yami on her face.
Of course, Aunt Sei could stop this whenever she wanted, but it was great entertainment on a hot Fire Nation day.
"You're so obedient Yami," Aunt Sei told Katara.
I opened my eyes looking up to Sei trying to show no emotion but was beyond mad. My breathing increase as my blood boiled.
"I'm very pleased with your attitude change. You deserve a little something, a little gift. I'll give it to you later. Surely you will enjoy it."
Fuck you.
Sokka.
6 months later...
Sitting in my family's newly built Council room I could see the warriors from the North Pole walking in to address us..but no Katara in sight. My family Gran-Gran, Pakku, Hakoda, and Toph sat before everyone while the whole village sat looking up from the floor.
"Chief," the leader of warriors called Sekku said bowing to my father.
"What is your report? Have you found my daughter?" Hakoda eagerly asked.
"No," Sekku said regretfully.
"We followed several trails on the beaches where she would have washed up at. There we found one path that led to a village which had a report around the time of the separation, of a teen girl stealing clothes and food."
"That's got to be her!"
"We thought so to Sokka, and the description from some locals confirmed our suspicion of it being her... then we found out that same girl was caught by a commander of the Fire Nation called Shane after attempting to steal a baker pie. Instead of sending her to an orphanage, he sent her off to his great Aunt ...located in the Fire nation."
"So we find out where and get her" Hakoda yelled.
"Sir, it's in the capital..."
Hakoda closed his eyes feeling helpless. The Nation's capital wasn't an easy escape route.
"We still have the day of the eclipse!" I screamed to everyone.
"Dad we have to do something."
"The Avatar is still hanging on by a tread, son". Hakoda shook his head declining.
"Then we leave him here! I've been the only one there to protect Katara every step of the way! I can't leave her out there! We have to find her!"
Hakoda thought about Sokka's proposal. Would they even have a shot at winning without the Avatar?
"Your right son, we need to try!"
"Hold on Sir," Sekku said with his arm out.
"We did find something else on our journey. Someone claiming to know the Avatar, Sokka, and his sister."
Holding out his hand behind him a girl ran inside her eyes thankful to be seeing Sokka again.
"Sokka!"
"Suki"
Jumping up Sokka ran to Suki wrapping his arms around her, tears formulating in her eyes ducks.
"How are you here?" I couldn't believe my eyes. It was Suki! She was alive!
"After Azula captured us and stole our clothes she sent us to a prison. Since I was the leader they singled me out, sending me to a different prison. I escape, running for days. I finally made it to the water bank where I saw these guys."
"She quite crafty!" Sekku said amused.
"We didn't know she was trailing us for days"
"I wasn't sure if they were part of the rebellion or Fire Nation. After confirming their identity I introduced myself."
"I'm so glad you're alright!"
Holding Suki in my arms I didn't want to let her go.
.***********************.
Later that day...
Suki and I held hands as I show her my new village.
"How's Toph?"
"She's been good, my family has embraced her. I offered to take her back to her family, of course she declined and I don't blame her."
"Is she getting around ok?" Suki asked worriedly.
"We've added metal to the floor in our house with a thick carpet over it. She's able to move freely there..but nowhere else".
Sighing Suki looked around. "It's so beautiful here. Do the North Pole look the same way?" She asked admiring the newly formed structures.
"No, it looks way better."
Sokka chuckled, he was so happy to see Suki but couldn't stop thinking of the state his sister could have been in. Suki must have noticed the distressed look in his eyes.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Katara..."
"Hey, she's alive! You have to think positive."
"How do you know? She's probably hiding under a different name and even if she is alive... is she well? "
"Sokka...I heard the warriors talking as I was trailing them. They are planning to tell this to your father and no one else. Not wanting you to blame yourself further.."
"What is it?"
"That soldier's name is commander Shane, he is very high up and his family is well known seeing that all their family males enter the army.
...his great Aunt Sei is known to.
In the prison, Sei's name was mentioned a few times as a means to break us."
"What do you mean? Does she break girls? " Sokka asked confused.
Suki looked at Sokka and could see he had no idea what she was saying. "Commander Shane wants Katara. but can't right now, he has to remember his family name. Legally no man is allowed mistresses under 17... fire nation law... since his family is higher up, he wouldn't risk his job or family's good name.
He didn't want her in an orphanage where she could run away.
In a way to get around the law but keep her close, he sent her to be broken and tamed by the time she's of age."
"Wait are you saying a Sex slave?!"
I felt rage deepen in my stomach, mad my sister was subjected to this madness.
"Sokka please calm down!
I know you are mad but this plan of yours needs to be foolproof. If she enters into the sex slave trade she will be branded depending on the placement she gets, and her name will be taken away. She would soon reach a point where drugs are better than Reality. She wouldn't remember her youth. Or you."
"Suki we have work to do".
.*********************.
1 month later...
On the black cliffs of the earth Kingdom. Sokka, Suki, Toph, and the warriors from the water tribes gathered together readying themselves for the attack.
"Sokka you'll do fine."
Nervously I sat at the cliff going over my plan for the attack hearing Suki over my shoulder trying to cheer me up.
"Stop feeling so nervous your shaking the floor" Toph lashed out.
"This has to go perfect... it's been almost 8 months since I saw Katara."
"Hey look!" Suki yelled pointing.
"Oooh wow, I can't believe" Toph answered sarcastically.
"Oh sorry.. It's the chief he's back".
The three ran down to the beach meeting Hakoda and the rest.
"Dad! You made it! Where were you able to locate everyone I told you to find?"
"I did... Although I'm a little worried, Sokka. Some of these men aren't exactly the ...warrior type."
"Trust me dad their top notch!"
"Sokka!" Haru yelled waving walking up with his father and a few earth Kingdom fighters.
"Haru, Tyro!" Holding out my hand I shook their hands welcoming them.
"Haru, Tyro this is my father Hakoda"
"No way! Is that!-" Suddenly Toph was lifted off the ground by two big arms.
"Hippo happy to see Blind Bandit!"
"You guys here for a rematch!" Toph angrily yelled.
"Negatory. The Boulder and The Hippo no longer fight for others' entertainment. Now, we fight for our kingdom"
"Sweet" Toph answered grinning wide.
Soon standing next to the podium, my nerves began kicking up a storm again looking at all the support that came. My father, the water tribe warriors, earth Kingdom fighter, and half of the team Avatar unfortunately without the Avatar, were all chatting and eating. Talking amongst themselves not paying any attention to me.
"Don't worry you'll do fine" My father nodded patting my back.
Breathing deeply I walked up onto the podium. ready-ish.
"Good morning everyone. Ahh!"
Fuck how do I trip in front of everyone?
Smiling awkwardly I looked at all the people who now had their attention on me.
"Umm ... so, as you know, today, we're invading the Fire Nation! I mean I know you know that because otherwise why else would you be here? "
Stop making jokes idiot!
"Uh anyway, the Fire Lord's palace is here".
Sokka quickly notices some confused looks in the front row. Looking behind him at his map he understood why.
Shit! where is my correct map? Why am I pointing to this thing? ...
"Uh nope, uh wait wait wait, Ah it's here, and uh, there's an eclipse today and Aang's was going to fight the Fire Lord but he's not. and the Fire-Benders won't have any fire to use so that's good for us!"
Ah! SHIT! I'm blowing it!
"And ... um ... I'm sorry let me start at the beginning!
Katara and I discovered Aang frozen in an iceberg, now I didn't like Aang at first but grew to love him over time, then we went to the Southern Air Temple where Aang used to live, and then we met Suki, who's a Kyoshi warrior. She dressed me like a woman and then she kissed me, and then Aang's friend was a crazy old king and then Katara got Haru arrested, and now he's grown a mustache which if you look at him in the front row you can see it-"
Suddenly stopping Sokka felt a hand on his shoulder, looking back he saw his father. Smiling at him, knowing he gave it his best effort but his nerves got the best of him.
"Thank you, Sokka. It's okay why don't you take a break?" He whispered to his son.
Defeated Sokka hung his head slugging off the podium, sitting next to Suki.
"You did great" Suki whisper to me kissing my cheek.
"Thanks.." Sokka acknowledged with a half smile.
In a loud clear voice, Hakoda began.
" Let me just clarify a few points for everyone." Looking at the audience of people sitting below me I saw how easily my father took command of everyone's attention, without forcing it. He simply captivated everyone.
"Today is the day of the black sun, and I want to thank you all for your self-sacrifice, and your courage. There are two steps to the invasion, a naval stage, and then a land stage. To gain sea access to the Fire Nation capital, we need to get past our first major obstacle here."
"The Great Gates of Azulon. Next, we hit the land, and we hit hard. We must fight past their battlements and secure the plaza tower. Once we do that, it's up to the Royal Palace. At that point, the eclipse will begin."
"This is very important! The eclipse only lasts eight minutes, not enough time for the whole invasion. And the Royal Palace is heavily guarded by Fire-Benders. So that's where we'll need the eclipse's advantage the most. "
Looking down Hakoda felt his heart-tugging thinking of what he was going to say next.
"As you all know the Avatar is still healing and not able to fight today. But the advantage of the eclipse is to the good of an opportunity to miss it. You all also know my daughter self sacrificed herself to ensure the survival of the avatar... she's being held in the Fire Nation capital under a high-ranking family. We believe they do not know her true origin.
Sokka, Suki, Toph, and Haru will lead a different path to find Katara. When this is finished, we would have defeated the Fire Lord and set my daughter free. We will have control of the Fire Nation capital, and this war will be over!"
*cheering!*
Looking around I could see everyone was cheering my dad on, their spirits lifted for battle.
Why couldn't I do this?
Zuko.
Hearing the loud fighting outside in the capital, I knew it was my time to act. My father hiding underground, in a maze of tunnels made my decision easy.
"It's now or never".
Putting on my new mask over my all-black outfit I began to count down.
"250, 249, 248.."
Sneaking in the secret tunnel leading right above my father. I quietly crawled in on my knees making my way in the small crawl space. Last few months my father thought I was the perfect son, my hurt and shame changing me into a better man as he would proudly say.
Mmm.. yea right..
Today he'll find out how much it changes me. My father thought he was the predator.. no! how false. Time is the predator. It allows the once prey who was weak and young to become the predator. The once powerful predator is always weakened by time.
Looking down a metal vent I could see my father sitting drinking tea.. on time.
"5..4..3..2..1" I whispered and like clockwork, a smoke of gas covered the two guards outside my father-made chamber.
"Urghggh" the two guards gagged, squealing their skin bubbling out with acid, falling to the ground as their breath stopped.
*BOOSH!*
Kicking the metal vent out, Zuko jumped down out the ceiling landing right in front of his father.
Pulling my mask up, my father looked at me confused.
"Prince Zuko? What are you doing here?"
"To tell you the truth"
"During an eclipse? This should be interesting" he said drinking the last of his tea.
"First of all, in Ba Sing Se, it was Azula who took down the Avatar, not me."
"Why would she lie to me?" Ozai frustratingly yelled out.
"Because he may be alive" Zuko was confused.
"WHAT! GET OUT OF MY SIGHT!"
"No"
"You will obey me, or this defiant breath will be your last!"
Ozai's eyes were threatening. But I didn't care, this day will be the last we see of each other.
"Think again. I am going to speak and you're going to listen". Zuko held his sword up causing Ozai to sit back down looking at his son wanting to end him.
"How dare you do that to your own child. You duel a child! I thought it was my honor I wanted, but really, I was just trying to please you.
You, my father, banished me just for speaking up for my nation. "
"It was to teach you respect! Obviously, you haven't learned a thing!"
"No, I've learned everything! And I've had to learn it on my own! Growing up, we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, the War was our way of sharing that greatness with the rest of the world. What an amazing lie that was... But I'm going to change that, run this place right"
*ha-ha*
"Your uncle got to you". Ozai laughed and smiled at his son appreciating a good joke.
"Yes he has"
Ozai's smile and laughter disappeared to my unapologetic answer.
"Today is your last day".
"Are you threatening me!? Coward! You think you're brave enough to face me, but you'll only do it during the eclipse. If you have any real courage, you'll stick around until the sun comes out. Don't you want to know what happened to your mother?"
Sokka
Quietly we ran behind a house, poking my head out and looking down the street, but it was empty.
"Where is everyone?"
"I don't know, but I don't feel anyone nearby" Toph answered.
"We still have to check"
Holding out the map that held the location suspected of having Katara, I spotted it a few houses away.
"Ok let us move but stay low, I don't trust this place."
Running down the street, Sokka stopped in front of a house that was a large two-story with lushes green grass.
"Toph!"
On cue, she bent a large rock into the door knocking it down. Entering the homes we walked around with our guard up high.
"...it's ..empty". Falling to my knees I couldn't believe it. she's not here...
"Sokka!"
Suki yelled from a room not too far from the front door.
The rest of us dashed to her ready for battle. But entering all I saw was Suki standing still looking down.
"What is it?" Haru asked unsure what he was supposed to be seeing.
"Look". Turning around Suki held two blue small rubber hair ties that Katara used.
"She was here! she was here!.."
Grabbing them in my hand my tears began to form. "God damn... I missed her".
*HAANNNNNNNNN*
Looking up we all heard the Fire Nation bell for war and soon heard the loud running steps of a large size army.
"Sokka! They knew!" Suki screamed now realizing what they walked into. "They knew of our plan! They knew of the eclipse. This area is only for higher officials' families. She's not here because the upper officials knew we were coming and left! We have to get back to everyone!"
Clutching the blue hair ties, Sokka didn't want to leave. But he couldn't endanger everyone else.
"Let's go!"
Zuko.
"She's alive.."
I couldn't believe my ears, my mother is alive.
"Perhaps... Now I realize that banishment is far too merciful of a penalty for treason. Your penalty will be far steeper."
I watched as my father stood up quickly now feeling the sun coming out from hiding. His breath was strong but his limbs were weak. His legs gave out as he crashed falling down without delivering a single strike.
"AARGH! W-WHATS HAPPENING!"
I observe my father laying on the floor now that his body was failing him. A smirk came onto my face, knowing good and well my plan would work but beyond happy to see it play out.
"Did you enjoy your tea?"
"My t-tea... you son of a bitch-"
Pulling my sword out from behind me, I confirmed his suspicion.
"Time is the predator..."
Ozai felt his head spinning looking around the hidden room.
"I've been lacing your tea for the past month. I know you've been feeling off having your servants test the liquor you suspected me of drugging... But you just don't give me enough credit. why would I make you suspect me? when Azula is a perfectly good mule."
Ozai tried reaching up to me not even able to hold out his hand far.
"g-guards..."
"Oh, the guards? GUARDS! Oh..wait their dead."
Ozai's eyes opened wider looking at me.
"They had an unfortunate accident with acid gas."
Crouching down next to my father's dying body I observed him looking around. The once powerful Fire Lord, begging for his next breath.
"The poison I used is untraceable. You will die painfully in the next five minted unable to talk clearly. The higher officials will believe the Invaders killed you. and the best part? I the son who was lucky to be born was welcomed by his father months before. Now 17 the throne would go right to me. Then I'm going to let Iroh out and beg for his forgiveness."
"I-I...w-will ...k-k-kill-"
"Shhhhhhh save your strength for the spirit world. I'll imagine you have alot to answer for."
Sokka.
"Watch out!"
Ducking down and trying to avoid the Fireballs being thrown at us. We ran to the beach. Everyone tried to board the submarine but my father was still running far behind, unwilling to leave any of his men behind.
"Dad! No!"
"Go Sokka Go!" He screamed.
The boulder began pushing everyone nearby in, looking at me to get in.
"No, we are not leaving"! I told the boulder.
How could I?
"Sokka the boulder thinks we need to go. The boulders see your father's efforts would be for nothing if we don't leave now. "
Looking at my dad and the other warriors I knew he was right.
"I'm sorry dad.."
Jumping in the submarine I was soon followed by the boulder. Quickly he locked the top of the hatchet. The warriors who were waiting for us pushed the machine to move fast as they could, getting out of the Fire Nation capital.