A/N. So, kind of an in-between chapter, to get Aang and the others together. Next will actually be a Katara chapter, and then back to Aang! And then… Ashes of Autumn.
"The airship has been evacuated by the soldiers! They fled as soon as the ship began to have a will of its own!" Sui shouted towards them, still holding a rope around the rudder that kept them on a steady course towards the south, towards… towards the fight. Sokka was keeping a tight grip on Toph's hand, for physical and moral support. Because what he was seeing was horrifying.
The air fleet was gone, the last of the ships was the one Suki had commandeered… That, at least, was good. But Wulong Forest was in flames, the screams and shouts from the burning airships clear as day. The smoke rising from the wreckage on the ground billowed dark in the air, and the smell of burning wood, canvas and bodies was everywhere.
And still, that damned comet was searing through the sky, as if it wasn't aware of the pains and devastation it was causing on the ground…
The Water Tribe warrior was keeping all his weight on Toph and his healthy leg. Not daring to look down and see the actual damage his fall had caused, he chose to focus back on his surroundings. They were safe… Well, as safe as could be, of course. The metal platform on the balloon was a good vantage point,from which he could see the Kyoshi Warrior untying the rope from the rudder. If the ship was really empty… It was done…
Three people had taken down the Air Fleet of the Fire Nation during the passage of Sozin's Comet… They had done it!
Watching how his girlfriend ran up to them, flinging the rope from the balloon as she did so, relief coursed through his heart and veins. They… They had survived the worst of their own mission! Now, the most important part was…
Aang.
Tearing his eyes away from Suki, he hopped on his leg, forcing Toph to turn with him. Looking over to the rock formation, he felt his own eyes widen.
The airbender was hovering over one of the pillars, one that stood apart from the rest, and seemed to look down on something on said rock. Water, fire, earth and air spun around him, and his eyes and tattoos were glowing. Spirits… Aang…
"We need to get to the control room! Now!" Sokka shouted as Suki came to a halt next to them. He didn't want to be outside as the Avatar finished the job… Spirits, they were so close to victory… But Sokka, still looking at the fight, knew that the airbender would hate himself for doing what needed to be done.
No time to think about that now…
"Down there!" Toph pointed to hatch, "It leads directly down to the controls! And the ship is empty!"
Before Sokka could even answer that, the trapdoor flung open when the blind girl stomped her foot down, and threw him down.
"TOPH!" he shouted, but the metal floor just bend as soon as he hit it, causing only limited pain. He hissed as his leg send pain all up into his spine.
"Sorry Meathead! No time to get you down safely!" Toph answered as she came gliding down the ladder, followed by Suki who just came down gently and carefully. Spirits, he hated that stupid earthbender sometimes.
"A little warning would have been nice." He grumbled, taking the offered hand and feeling himself being pulled up by Toph.
"Eh, what would be the fun in t-"
"Fire Lord Ozai! You and your forebearers have devastated the delicate balance of this world. For this, you shall pay the ultimate price."
The shout, echoed by a thousand voices, rang over the plains and over the forest. Quickly hopping towards the window, Sokka saw an enormous flame shoot out from where Aang was still hovering, followed by water and dark spots he supposed to be rocks.
"Spirits…" He heard Suki whisper. Of course, she had never seen the airbender in the Avatar State, and even if she had… This was different. Before, Sokka had always been able to recognize Aang, even when he was in it. His friend was just so easily recognizable, but whatever was flying over the rock formation… That wasn't Aang.
Aang was gentle and kind, all silver eyes looking at you with love and compassion. He was the flower necklace guy, someone that would throw himself in front of anything if it meant saving someone… But whatever was holding the reins of his mind, that was not Aang. No… This was a man, all taunt muscles and horrible anger and rage, taking a life…
Just for a second, Sokka was afraid. Afraid of his friend… But then, he steeled his heart. Ozai had deserved this! The Fire Lord who had ordered the deaths of millions, who was even going to participate in the killing! Such a monster didn't deserve the kindness of a quick and clean death. Such a person deserved everything the Avatar State could cause. And Sokka had seen Aang nearly blow up a mountain. Let that be Ozai's fate.
"Come on… Do it!" He didn't even realize he whispered that before the words had already left his mouth.
But suddenly, the flames disappeared, the water dropped down and the rocks fell onto the ground below. And the blinding white light vanished…
"What are you doing!" He muttered.
"Blind!" Toph spoke angrily.
"He… he is stopping? Aang had him! What the fuck is he doing?" Suki's voice sounded completely baffled at what they were seeing, and Sokka couldn't blame her.
Come on Air Head… You want an end to this war too. Stop Ozai, then we can do it!
"I'm not waiting!" He shook off Toph's arm and bounced towards the steering wheel, ignoring the pain in his leg and in his muscles. If Aang wouldn't do it, he would. Ozai was down, probably injured. Just one clean stroke over his throat with a knife, and they would say the Avatar had defeated the Fire Lord! No one would be the wiser!
Grabbing the spyglass that lay on the controls, the Water Tribe Warrior put it to his eye with one hand, as the other grabbed the wheel and began to turn it towards the left, towards the rock formation.
"Fuck… Aang!" he whispered as soon as he had found the pillar. Now that he could clearly see what was happening, the image filled him with dread. The airbender had his back turned to the man kneeling on the ground and was clearly second-guessing his actions from just before.
"Fucking pacifist! Get out of there! Don't turn your back towards him!" He hit the steering wheel, willing the airship to go faster.
"Seriously, what is happening?" The blind girl joined him, as did Suki.
"He is being Aang!" Sokka grumbled, but just as he spoke those words, he felt himself have a heart attack. Ozai had moved and had lifted his arm towards the airbender. But to his immense relief, Aang moved as quick as the wind.
"Toph, remind me to thank you when this is all done. I think you teaching him your vibrations senses saved his life." He exhaled softly, keeping the spyglass glued to his eye. He watched as the airbender encased Ozai's hands in rocks and pulled him down, waving away the flames with ease. Spirits… That was just him. No Avatar State… He was just bending away comet fuelled fire as if it was nothing…
"What is he doing…" Suki whispered, sounding as if she didn't dare to speak louder in fear of breaking the spell that was reigning over the battlefield. It felt as if every survivor was watching the Avatar and the Fire Lord deciding the fate of the world on that lonely rock pillar, high above a sea of fire and destruction… If it wasn't for the horrible meaning of it all, Sokka would call the scene… beautiful…
Aang put one of his hands against Ozai forehead, and another against his chest… And closed his eyes.
"What the…"
Suddenly, the Avatar's eyes shone bright blue. Not the blueish white of the Avatar State, but rather a soft, gentle blue that chased away the darkness around them. And at the same time, Ozai's eyes lit up, dark orange mirroring the colour of the comet-stained sky.
Air Head, what are you doing…
"Well… That is new…" The Kyoshi Warrior whispered beside him, and Sokka looked at the… fight? What, in the name of the cold hells of Tui, was happening there? The whole sky turned a brownish hue, as the blue and orange mixed together. Looking over the horizon, the Water Tribe warrior couldn't help but think that whatever was happening was far from his understanding.
Stupid Avatar, with his Spirit mumbo-jumbo… Just kill the bastard…
Sokka wasn't insulting his friend because he really thought that… Rather, he knew that whatever Aang was doing, was dangerous. And whatever was dangerous for Aang, Sokka had the primary feeling of hatred towards it. As long as Air Head survived… Then, Sokka would want to know. But for the moment, he hated just being able to watch as the events unfurled themselves.
Suddenly, Aang's body shone brightly in the same blue as his eyes had done, blinding the whole surrounding. Squinting his eyes, Sokka saw that the sky looked as if it was midday… But instead of a sun, there was the comet and the scene a mile away… Just one mile. If this damned airship would go any faster!
The blue was slowly fading, in favour of an angry orange. That wasn't Aang… No.. That was Ozai's colour. Biting his lower lip, Sokka felt his leg throb as he put some weight on it.
Come on, die you bastard!
Once more glancing through the spyglass, his worst fears were laid in front of him as Sokka witnessed the orange invade the airbender's body, slowly but surely destroying the blue that had represented Aang.
"Come on Air Head… Don't let him win. I don't know what you are doing… But don't lose." He spoke, without realizing it was actually out loud, "Katara will be a menace to deal with if you do." Sokka didn't know why he said it, but it helped him. He heard Suki groan, while Toph was silent, apparently realizing that asking what was happening would not help anyone.
"Kill him. His people killed your family and friends." Sokka whispered, willing all his concentration towards the two figures on the pillar. The orange was still overwhelming the blue…
"He threatened my sister. You know that! If not for yourself, for her! Come on you dumb idiot. Win!" It was no use, the blue that had clearly represented Aang was fading into nothing…
Throwing the spyglass away in frustration, Sokka began look over the panel. There had to be a button, a lever, something! Something to make this damned ship go faster! He didn't care he would ram that pillar into dust with the airship, probably killing Ozai. Perhaps he would injure Aang too, but if that idiot dared die before his time, Sokka would personally go into the Spirit World and drag that damned idiot back to the living. He didn't care.
Abruptly, the whole cabin was lit in a blue light, brighter and more powerful than ever before. Closing his eyes at the sudden change of colour, Sokka felt his heart nearly drop out of his chest as he realized that something had happened… Something that had made Aang push back, whatever he was doing… Apparently worked…
"Alright, enough, what the fuck is happening and why are your hearts doing that!" Toph's voice sounded urgent, but Sokka just felt tears well up in his eyes. This was good... Right? Of course it was... It had to be…
"Air Head is doing something stupid… but I think it's working…" He whispered, trying not to show the emotions he was feeling.
Please Tui and La… I don't often pray. If I hadn't seen the spirits myself, I would not even believe in you… But help my friend… My brother. Help him, and I will be a firm believer until the end of my days…
Cursing himself for having thrown the spyglass away, he didn't dare look over his shoulder to search for it in case he missed… anything. For whatever was happening, Sokka knew he was witnessing the end of the war… in victory or defeat, he didn't know yet…
Suddenly, a beam of bright, blue, light erupted from the pillar, illuminating the whole of the peninsula in its glow. A beam Sokka recognized anywhere… Aang. Aang from the iceberg, the airbender that had fainted into his sister's arms… Spirits, please let this be seen in the Fire Nation. Let the world know who was winning… And let Katara know Aang was alright…
Well, alright… That was premature. But at least, let her know he was fighting… Tui and La, let her be alright. The beam of light faded slowly into nothing, as the two figures on the pillar became visible once more.
"Suki, could you…"
"Here!" The spyglass was pushed in his hands. Please… Please Spirits, let there be something to celebrate…
Putting it to his eye, he scanned the pillar. There were two figures, one standing while the other was kneeling in front of him. And… Sokka could help but let out a wet laugh, tears streaming out of his eyes, and he was not ashamed of it… Because the standing figure was bald, with tattoos in the form of arrows winding around his arms, and over his spine… He could even make out the angry red scar over the airbender's lower back… And he was standing! And Ozai was kneeling! The Fire Lord seemed disoriented, but didn't attack or even try anything… Spirits…
It was over…
Over!
"Well?" The blind girl asked, but the small smile on her lips made Sokka think that she already knew by his heart rate.
"I suggest…" He scraped his throat, "I suggest we go and see what Air Head has done for weird shit." At that, he laughed aloud once more, tears still falling from his eyes. Looking over Toph head to Suki, he saw the same expression as he had been feeling all over her beautiful face… Looking into her blue eyes, he smiled.
"I think… I think we have won…" It was surreal… That could not have happened… Right? No way they had won…
Pulling at the steering wheel, Sokka made the airship turn lightly. As they approached, he watched Aang walk over to the edge of the pillar, looking over the destruction behind them. The airbender pulled his hands up, and the light of the flames behind them suddenly diminished. Looking down, Sokka realized that the airbender was pulling the literal ocean up to quell the flames… What. The. Actual. Fuck.
As they approached, the airbender fell down on his knees. Fuck… Was he wounded? Surely he had been, no one would come out of that kind of fight without at least some wounds… But, quickly looking at the airbender with the spyglass, Sokka saw Aang weeping… With a smile on his face…
Yeah… You and me both buddy.
As quickly as humanly possible, he put the airship next to the pillar, hoping that the exit was near the rock… Of course, Toph would be able to bend it, but still, he would prefer to get to Aang as quickly as possible. But even before he could turn to the blind girl, he heard the door open and saw Toph running through the corridor, to the doors…
"I guess she wants to check out the real ground under her feet…" He laughed, as Suki came towards him, pulling his arm over her shoulders.
"Yeah… Maybe she won't notice Aang…" his girlfriend smiled at the stupid joke. It was not even funny, but still… It felt so good to actually be able to smile… As they hobbled through the corridor, Sokka realized… If Ozai was really defeated… Peace… Peace would finally be an option.
He had never known what peace looked like… Sure, in the Southern Water Tribe, they had been so isolated from the rest of the world that it had not impacted their lives. At least, not in his young mind. Of course, the older generation had known the tribe in its glory days, so knew what they had lost… But his own childhood had been rather peaceful. Until that day, that fateful day… After that, the illusion of peace had never been the same. It had been a thin curtain behind which they could hide, but still… It had never been the same…
How would it be… Not having to look over your shoulder? Not having to ask yourself if today would be the day he would be burned to a crisp like his mother? How would it feel to finally be able to rest the weapons in a dusty corner of a home?
Stepping outside the door with Suki's help, Sokka nearly laughed as he saw Toph plastered against the rock, sighing happily. Yeah… She had not even turned towards the airbender, who was still kneeling, eyes closed, a happy smile on his face as tears streaked over his dusty face. Not even looking further than that, Sokka hopped two steps on his good leg, releasing Suki, and fell down in front of Aang, ignoring the pain in his leg.
"Tui and La… Aang…" He felt new tears form in his eyes, as he grabbed his friend's neck and pulled him into a bone crushing hug. The airbender shuddered suddenly, probably realizing for the first time they were there, and Sokka heard a small gasp coming from his friend.
"S-Sokka… I… I did it…" Aang whispered, sounding so very tired… No wonder. As the Water Tribe warrior looked over his friend's head, he saw the actual state of the rock formation. Countless pillars were just gone, destroyed during the fight. Other parts had been vitrified, looking like dark and blackened candles from which wax was streaming down… only here, it was just molten rock.
Pulling Aang a few inches away, he overlooked the damage. Sure, there were burns, and his tunic was gone. There was a nasty cut in his shoulder, next to the pink scar he had gotten in Ba Sing Se all those months ago… And there was blood spreading in a dark spot in his left leg… but other than that… The airbender seemed fine.
"Shh… It's alright." He pulled his friend into his arms once more, putting the bald head against his shoulder. Repositioning his own leg to stretch it out, he looked at it for the first time since the fight. The bone that was sticking out didn't seem too badly splintered… Nothing his sister couldn't fix, he hoped at least.
"You should have seen yourself buddy… Spirits, Ozai didn't stand a chance." It was a stretch… But when Aang had been in the Avatar State, it had been the truth. A shadow appeared in the corner of his eye, and, looking up, Sokka saw that Suki had got Toph to stand up and they joined them. Toph didn't say a word, just placed a hand on Aang's unwounded shoulder, smiling, as Suki grinned too.
"So… Did you… you know?" His girlfriend spoke softly, pointing a thumb to the heap of human that was known as Fire Lord Ozai.
"I… am alive, filth." The man's voice actually sounded… disappointing. Sokka had always thought the Fire Lord would have a booming, grandiose voice… But this? This was just a man, sounding unsure and tired…
"I… I found another way! A way to end the war." Aang whispered so quietly that Sokka doubted Ozai would have heard him. Pulling the airbender up, the Water Tribe warrior saw the weak, tired smile of pure happiness.
"A way that didn't require death and destruction… I… I took his bending away."
Excuse me? What!?
"Twinkletoes… Where the fuck did you learn that?" Toph scoffed out of pure confusion.
"A li-… A Lion Turtle showed me. Sorry I disappeared guys… the lion turtle tempted me away from Ember Island… I woke up on it, with no way back…" Suddenly a loud, angry chirp could be heard, and turning to the sound, Sokka saw Momo circle above them, clearly angry at the fact that he had been dragged into this whole mess.
"Sorry buddy… we woke up on it… And the Avatars… they refused to help me." Aang's voice sounded like a floodgate opening, throwing up all the information in a confused and utterly incomprehensible way.
"K-Kya, she helped… Realize where I was…"
"Wait a second, backup. Kya? In like, mom Kya?" Sokka felt his heart being pierced by a set of emotions he couldn't well place… What was this whole story about his mother? Where had Aang been? And who had hit him against the head, for he was talking utter nonsense…
"Yeah… When… When the Avatars refused to help… She helped… Lion Turtle… Lion Turtle showed me the way, and dropped me off here…" The whisper disappeared into a low mumbling, but Sokka didn't care, hugging the airbender with relief and so much hope, he felt like Katara on her all we have left is hope days.
His mother… Had Aang seriously met Sokka's mother? The Water Tribe warrior could not believe it. He had not even thought it possible to meet actual dead people… At least, those who were not the Avatar. He had never heard of people meeting spirits of their deceased loved ones… Tui and La… What he wouldn't give to have been there… Just to see her face once more…
"So… He isn't a firebender anymore?" Toph asked softly, and kindly. In other words, not like Toph at all…
"No… He is not." Aang's voice sounded a little stronger. Spirits, when was the last time he had actually eaten? Releasing the airbender completely, Sokka watched as the blind girl walked over to Ozai, smiling down on him. Then, her foot suddenly rammed itself against the Fire Lord's ribs. As the man groaned, Aang tried to get up.
"Toph…"
"Sorry, just always wanted to do that. Now, I'm getting this sorry piece of shit on the airship, yeah? Because we are keeping him prisoner… Right?" The earthbender asked, her face a mask of resolve. Sokka guessed that she wanted a whole other fate for the Fire Lord… A rather short fate. And he couldn't blame her, he did too… But it was Aang's decision.
"Yeah… He… He isn't completely to blame. He is just a result of a long process. But he will face the consequences of his own actions." Aang stood up, staggering for a short moment before managing the straighten himself and stand in front of Ozai, hands on his back.
"Ozai, son of Azulon…I, Avatar Aang, condemn you to life in prison. You will have access to news and information, but you will not be allowed to communicate with the outside world. No one is to visit you. For the rest, I'll let your son decide the conditions of your treatment." The airbender spoke in the strongest voice he could muster, and Sokka chuckled out loud at the last part.
Yeah, Ozai was getting the worst cell in the whole of the Fire Nation, wasn't he?
The Fire Lord still sat on his knees, not answering, but the Water Tribe boy thought he saw a small flicker of fear in the ember eyes that looked a lot like Zuko's… Good. Let that bastard live in fear for the rest of his miserable existence.
"Come on Fan Girl, let's take this bastard into the airship… There is surely a place to throw him in." Toph waved towards Suki, and together, they grabbed the Fire Lord, each holding an arm firmly in their grip. As they escorted Ozai towards the airship, Sokka turned back to Aang, who was looking around them… Oh! Fuck! Of course, they had not told him !
"Sokka… Whe-"
"We found Iroh when you were missing! He gathered all the masters of the bending and martial arts! He called it the Order of the White Lotus, but I suspect it is just an old people's club!" He began rambling, as he dreaded to have to tell Aang where Katara was…
"Alright, nice to hear, but wh-"
"They were going to take back Ba Sing Se! He gave us our missions! Toph, Suki and I were to take out the Air Fleet… And Zuko was to stop his sister being crowned Fire Lord." Sokka continued quickly, and saw the silver eyes grow wide.
"Don't tell m-"
"Iroh suggested to Katara to come here to help you in case she was needed! But she refused, saying that you would focus more on her than on the actual fight, so…" Here was the horrible part… The part that Aang was not going to like one bit… "So, she went with Zuko to confront Azula."
A silence settled between them, as Aang closed his eyes. Shit… not good. Not good at all. Bending his head down, the Water Tribe warrior felt the same kind of dread that had been clear in his friend anxiety. Of course Air Head would hate that idea… But how could he have stopped his sister? He didn't even think it had been humanly possible. Katara had been fixed on the idea of killing Azula ever since that fateful day in Ba Sing Se.
"Katara went to fight Azula?" The fear was clear in the airbender's voice.
"Yeah…" Sokka looked up into the silver eyes, which had opened. The fatigue had gone from his friend's gaze, and there was new energy coursing through them. Energy born out of pure fear… That, he knew.
"That thing flies?" Aang asked.
"It does… Kind of…"
"Kind of is enough. Get on, we are leaving!" The airbender cast a glance over the battlefield, and Sokka saw the brief hesitation. Katara… or helping those who were still screaming and burning… Suddenly, Aang straightened his back, with a small groan, and pulled him up. They were going.
Answers :
Stormy Falcon32 : Oh yes, that happened! Thank you so much for the compliments! Hope you enjoyed this chapter too, even if it was slightly less action packed!
Alyssa: Oh yes, she did… How that is going to unfold, we'll see.
Lenoravampire1: We will see what is going to happy!
TheQuietReader23: Well, even with a broken brain, Azula is capable and dangerous, so I wouldn't be so sure… But we'll see what is going to happen.
McChartney : I hope you still managed to get some sleep lol! Seriously, it is super nice to hear that! And well… There are two chapters left in this part of the story to see if that is going to happen!
Rak: I want to continue the story, but without the whole comics story arc… So, I have had to change some things… You'll see!