Chapter Twenty
Stormfall
Aang and Katara stood upon the Glacial Gate. Before them, spread out across the northern ocean, were hundreds of Fire Navy ships. The pair of them had volunteered to try and destroy as much of the fleet as they could, while Chief Arnook and his advisors planned the defense of the city.
"Are you ready?" Aang said, speaking to Katara without looking at her.
"No." She said, watching the enemy over the water. Aang exhaled sharply through his nose.
"Yeah, me neither." He said, and he reached out to take her hand. She held it firmly before speaking again. "Well, that's settled. Let's go."
Aang nodded and opened his glider. He launched into the air as Katara jumped into the sea. They had marked the first ship that they would strike against, and swiftly made their way to it. Katara formed a small craft with waterbending, and propelled her way over the water under a shroud of mist. Aang flew high overhead, dodging flaming projectiles that were being sent at the city. The battle had begun.
Aang touched down on the deck first, and thought that the ship looked familiar. It was smaller than the rest, and he spotted an evidently new trebuchet. He sent a blast of wind at a firebender, knocking him into the ship's tower. A column of water rose up and Katara was carried over the side to stand at the bow. He waved at her with a smile, as if they were out for a picnic and not to dismantle siege engines.
"I think this is Zuko's ship!" Katara said, as she sliced through the trebuchet.
"I thought it looked familiar!" Aang said.
"Maybe we should capture him? We could use him to negotiate!" Katara said, washing a firebender overboard.
"That's a great Idea!" Said Aang as he twisted between a pair of spears. He sent the spearmen sprawling across the deck with his staff. "Do you know where Zuko is? Usually he'd be out here already."
The spearmen looked at him in confusion, not sure if they were being spoken to. Katara surrounded them in water, and raised them to their feet before freezing them in place. Striding over to them she asked, "Where's Zuko?"
"Uh, I don't know. He was branded a fugitive after he freed the Avatar from the Ilah colony. Fire Lord Ozai declared him a traitor and put a bounty on him." Said one of the soldiers, his eyes wide in fear.
"Likely story. Why would the Fire Lord put a bounty on his own son?" Katara said, glaring at the man.
"Uh… Look, I'm just a Private! I was drafted, they don't tell us anything! Please don't kill me!"
"What!? I'm not going to- Ugh! Aang, let's just go. I'm sure he's here somewhere!" Katara said, looking over her shoulder to find that the Avatar was nowhere in sight. She whipped her head around, searching for him, and saw him jump from the bridge of the ship to float down and land beside her.
"He's not here, but I found this." Aang said, and showed her a wanted poster with Zuko's image. Katara read it in confusion, her eyebrows furrowed. She read it aloud. "Wanted: The Banished Prince. Zuko, the son of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai has disgraced the Fire Nation. Any information leading to his capture will be.."
She stopped reading, shocked to see that the soldier had been telling the truth. She exchanged a look with Aang, and was surprised to find herself concerned for Zuko's wellbeing. Evidently Aang mirrored the feeling, if his expression was anything to go by.
"There's nothing we can do about it. We've got a mission, so let's forget about him for now." Aang said. Katara nodded. They set out to incapacitate the next ship. They cut through them in quick succession, going through dozens of ships. Soon they approached the largest of them.
Katara landed on the deck first, slicing through the siege engine at the starboard bow. A trio of firebenders came from below deck and circled her, only to be swatted aside by Aang, using a combination of air and waterbending. He darted between soldiers, evading blows left and right. He grabbed a chain and wrapped it around the nets of two trebuchets, and then activated the mechanism of one. It launched the other a few feet into the air and they both collapsed into each other.
He paused to catch his breath and wipe sweat from his brow. The sun was high in the sky now. He and Katara had been fighting for hours, and the toll was beginning to wear on them. Aang heard a crackling sound, and turned in time to see Azula across the deck charging an attack. He thought for a moment that she would be aiming for him, but his eyes widened in horror when he realized that she was aiming for Katara. Time seemed to slow as Azula loosed the 's heart stopped in his chest.
Aang was frozen in shock, for absolutely no reason. Katara had heard the sound of electricity, and knew what it meant. Without hesitation, she pulled water from the sea and a great wave in the shape of a wolf intercepted the lightning. Aang was jerked from his shock when a knife sailed towards his head, and he narrowly avoided being skewered by the projectile. He dashed madly towards Katara, who was locked in furious combat with Azula.
He skidded to a halt as Ty Lee leapt seemingly out of thin air, nearly landing a blow on his shoulder. Katara had warned him of her ability to stop bending, so he was wary of the girl. She smiled at him cheerfully.
"Hey Ty Lee. Long time no see, huh?" He said, before bending air out in a ring around him, forcing both her and the approaching Mai away from him. He sent a stream of water towards Azula before shouting out towards Katara. "I think it's time to go!"
"Sounds good to me!" Katara shouted, and jumped backwards off of the ship.
The war room of the northern Water Tribe was rather pointlessly ornate, in Sokka's opinion. For whatever reason, either Arnook or his predecessors had decided to decorate the room with statues of silver wolves and tapestries of the moon. Perhaps it was his spartan upbringing, but he found the pomp of the chamber rather needless.
Arnook and Laluk were standing across from him and Yue, while Hahn and a number of messengers were standing by for instruction. There were many warriors who Sokka was unfamiliar with in the room with them, clustered loosely around the Chief. Master Pakku and some of the other members of the tribe's leadership were at the Glacial Gate, assessing the threat of the Fire Navy. Occasionally a message was sent from them, bearing only grim tidings.
"The leader of the assault is a mystery to us," Arnook began, speaking to Laluk and the assembled warriors. Sokka coughed and drew the attention of the Chief.
"His name is Zhao. He's an Admiral. Middle aged. Big sideburns, bigger temper. I've run into him a couple of times. The last time we crossed paths, he was with Azula- Princess Azula I mean. They're probably both here, and Prince Zuko might be with them. He's been chasing Aang since we found him at the south pole, so I'd be surprised if he wasn't here too."
Arnook looked at him in surprise, motioning for a scribe to take down Sokka's words.
"Describe him for us, and this Azula. Prince Zuko too." Arnook instructed, and the scribe stood next to Sokka expectantly.
"Well, uh," He began, aware that his description of Azula could be a sensitive topic for him and Yue. He didn't need her to be upset with him again.
"Zhao's around this height," He held his hand up to where he remembered the man's head to be, "grayish brown hair, huge sideburns. He's a firebender, so he probably won't be carrying weapons. Oh, and he's the Fire Lord's cousin. Apparently my grandfather, Chief Vurak, killed his dad during one of the Fire Nation raids. He's decided that he wants to kill my whole family now."
The scribe wrote furiously, and nodded for Sokka to continue. "Uh, so Zuko, I guess. He's a little taller than me, a teenager, mostly bald except for a ponytail. He has a terrible scar over his left eye, and that ear is shriveled from the burn. He's also a firebender, although he's not that bad. I mean, he's an angry jerk but that's the Fire Nation for you. Amber eyes, Zhao's are brown. I forgot to mention." He finished awkwardly.
"And Azula?" Arnook prompted after Sokka lapsed into silence.
"Uh, yeah." He glanced awkwardly towards Yue, who rolled her eyes and waved him on.
"She's about Katara's height, and age think. Black hair, with long bangs on either side of her face that look like knives, or snake fangs. She shoots lightning and bends blue fire, kinda hard to miss."
"Eye color?" The scribe asked. Sokka glared at him, and the man looked at him expectantly.
"Like the sun. Brighter than Zuko's." He noticed Arnook looking at him skeptically. "I don't know how else to describe them."
Arnook nodded promptly and ordered for the scribe to make copies of the descriptions and have them delivered to all of the captains. While the scribe began copying, Sokka remembered that there was one particular individual who he had not named.
"Uh, yeah, so there might be one more. The Dragon of the West, General Iroh. He's been traveling with Zuko, so…"
"We have a description of him already," Arnook said, before turning to the assembled warriors. "I need volunteers for a mission to cut the head off the snake."
Sokka volunteered but Arnook shook his head, "Sokka, you're not going. If Zhao has made it his goal to destroy your bloodline then I'm not sending you to him on a silver platter."
Hahn and several other warriors and waterbenders volunteered, and Laluk cleared his throat.
"Chief Arnook, I suggest that you let Hahn take command of this mission. He's a capable warrior, and if we're to succeed in defending the city we need all of the senior commanders here."
Arnook shook his head, "This is an important mission, I won't allow an untested warrior to lead-"
"I think he can do it." A grizzled man said, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. "I've been training him for years, and I know what he's capable of. If anyone can do it, he can."
"Ignick, are you certain?" Arnook asked. The man, Ignick, nodded. "Fine. Hahn, congratulations. You and a team of ten must infiltrate Admiral Zhao's flagship, and eliminate him. There is no room for failure. Do you understand?"
Hahn nodded, and the warriors who had volunteered walked over to him. They departed immediately. Sokka watched them go, and a knot of worry for his friend's safety planted itself in his gut.
The Chief continued to give orders to his assembled warriors and vassals, and the occasional message came from the bay. Sokka was occasionally asked for his input, as well as Laluk and Yue. Ignick gave more advice than the others did, and Arnook seemed to hang on his every word. Every few twenty minutes a messenger was dispatched to share whatever decisions that had been made with Master Pakku. And would return with a report from the front. It continued in that fashion until a few hours before sundown and a runner came through the door.
"The Avatar and Master Katara have returned!" The man said, haggard and out of breath from running all the way from the gate.
"Sokka! Go to them and gather whatever information they have, and brief them on our plan of action." Arnook said, turning to the other members of the war council he spoke again. "You all know your duties. Go!"
The assembled warriors and vassals dispersed from the war room to begin their assigned tasks. Sokka took off at a sprint from the room, navigating the shortest path to the front. He was nearly there when he realized that he wasn't alone: Yue had come with him.
"Yue, you shouldn't be here," He said. "It's not safe, you could be hurt!"
"I'm not going to sit in the palace while there's a war on!" She said, taking his hand as she passed. "Besides, Aang and Katara are my friends too, I want to make sure they're okay!"
Sokka grit his teeth. "Fine, but stay close to me, or Aang. Or Katara. Or-"
"I'm not just going to wander around by myself!"
"Right, sorry, it's just that battle can be scary." Sokka said as they exited a tunnel and came to the foreground of the Glacial Gate.
The damage was intense. Massive junks of the gate were missing, and boulders littered the ground in small craters. Waterbenders were already repairing some of the damage, trying desperately to fill in the gaps without exposing themselves to the enemy. Sokka scanned the field and saw Aang and Katara speaking with Pakku. He pulled Yue by the hand as he made his way over to them.
"Katara!" He yelled, closing the last dozen yards between them, "Aang! What happened?!"
"There's too many of them." Katara said quietly, her eyes downcast. "We must have taken out two dozen ships at least, but there's hundreds of them."
Aang nodded in agreement, "It's too risky for Katara to go out there again. She can't fly; it makes her a target for the firebenders."
"You're not going out there alone!" Katara countered, glaring around her as if she dared anyone to suggest otherwise. Nobody did, and she seemed appeased.
"Chief Arnook sent us to bring you up to speed," Sokka began, and Pakku nodded.
"I've already filled them in on everything." He said, to which Aang nodded solemnly.
"Who's out there? Is it just Zhao?" Sokka asked. Katara shook her head before responding. "Zhao's here. Azula and her friends too. We fought them on their flagship."
"Did you wash Zhao overboard?" Sokka asked hopefully.
"No," Aang cut in, with a half smile. "But she gave Azula a run for her money. Azula shot lightning at her and Katara caught it with some waterbending that looked like a wolf!"
"I thought it would look cool," Katara said with a blush. At her words, Pakku chopped the top of her head and fixed her with a disapproving glare.
"We do not make our defense 'look cool' in the middle of combat! A mistake like that could cost you your life, especially if your enemy is shooting lightning! You might have the skills of a master, but not the wisdom of one."
Katara averted her eyes and shame colored her face.
"Master Piandao told me the same thing." Sokka put in, "I spun around while blocking a strike, and he poked me so hard with his practice sword that I had a bruise for a week. 'Swordplay is no place for pageantry!' he said."
"And he's absolutely right! This is war, not theater in the park." Pakku glared at them.
"Moving on," Yue said, "Are Zuko and his uncle here?"
"Zuko's been labeled a traitor by the Fire Lord." Aang said, pulling out the notice he had taken form Zuko's ship. "I didn't see his uncle, but I don't know for sure."
"So Iroh might not be here then? That would be fortunate." A new voice said, startling the kids present. Pakku had seen Arnook and Laluk approach and was unsurprised by his words.
"Uh, no, Chief Arnook. At least, we didn't see him." Aang said.
"Has Hahn left yet?" Sokka asked, looking between the chief and his advisor. Both men shook their heads.
"He's in the armory. I understand that you two are close, so if you feel the need to speak with him you may. I was able to inspect the defenses faster than I had anticipated, so I no longer need you to fill me in on the Avatar's mission." Arnook said, "Laluk, you too. I think we can spare you for a few minutes."
Laluk bowed his head in thanks and departed for the armory, and Sokka was about to follow suit when Arnook put a hand on his shoulder. "Sokka, I have an important mission. One I can only entrust to you: I need someone to guard Princess Yue, and you're the best man I can think of."
Sokka blinked, and nodded his agreement. Arnook motioned for Yue to follow Sokka, and the pair of them followed Laluk to the armory. When they arrived, Hahn was speaking to his father a fair distance from the chosen warriors. By the time they were close enough to hear what they were saying, the two men had stopped speaking and embraced. Hahn spotted Sokka and stepped away from his father quickly.
"Hey." Sokka said.
"Hey." Hahn said back.
"Just, be careful. Alright?"
"Really? And here I thought I should just announce my presence and run at him with a spear."
Sokka snorted. "Knowing you, I can definitely see that happening."
"Thanks, man." Hahn said dryly. "What are you going to do? Will you be in the field with the rest of the warriors?"
Sokka shook his head, but Yue answered the question. "He's going to be my bodyguard. We'll probably spend most of the time in the palace or the Oasis asking the spirits for guidance."
"You're never going to get to use that magic sword of yours, are you?"
"It's not magic!" Sokka said, crossing his arms.
"Yeah, yeah." Hahn said, rolling his eyes. "It's time for us to go. I'll see you… when it's over, I guess."
Hahn and his warriors moved out, leaving the armory one by one. They had wrapped their armor in dark cloth, in hopes of blending in with the ocean before they scaled Zhao's ship.
"Hahn!" Sokka called out as the infiltration team filled out of the armory. Hahn stopped and looked at him. "Good luck."
Aang watched with trepidation as a steel hook embedded itself in the wall of ice. He had already cut down dozens of them, but the Fire Nation was too numerous. There was nothing more that he could do, and he felt powerless to stop the assault. Despite his and Katara's best efforts, the Fire Navy had still brought enough firepower to bring down a large section of the gate. A single ship approached the section, and braced itself with the steel grappling hooks. The front end of the ship opened and the Fire Nation poured out.
A group of warriors ran to intercept them, led by a man that Aang thought he had heard be called Ignick. He raced towards the two groups, intending to help fight off the Fire Nation. He was stopped when a stream of water wrapped itself around his waist.
"No. You've been fighting all day, Aang." Pakku said after he dragged the young Avatar to his side.
"But I'm the Avatar! It's my duty to-!"
"You are only twelve years old. You are a powerful bender, and you will undoubtedly have a role to play in the battles ahead, but you need to take a break. Both of you!" Pakku said, pointedly looking at Katara as he ended his sentence.
Pakku quickly raised a wall of ice as a volley of arrows sped towards them, he motioned for Aang and Katara to get close to the ground.
"It's nearly nightfall. When the moon rises, the other waterbenders and I will be able to push out the invaders. You kids have done enough, more than enough. Head back to the palace and get some food and rest. If things take a turn for the worst I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out. Besides, your bison is already over there, I'm sure he's worried about you."
Aang lowered his head and Katara nodded. The pair of them began their trek back to the palace. Before long, they found Sokka and Yue standing beside Chief Arnook. Sokka was speaking to him quietly, and before long Aang could hear what he was saying.
"... That ship has a propulsion system below the water level. Either screw or propellers. If you can get some of your waterbenders to freeze them in place, then we might be able to capture it. Who knows if they have any information about their invasion strategy."
Arnook nodded, leaning to a scribe beside him. "Write down the First Son's idea and send it to Pakku or Laluk, preferably Laluk. Master Pakku is too important to the defense to send on such a mission, we would be lost without his skills."
The scribe nodded and gave the message to a runner, who sprinted down the path Aang and Katara had just come from. Arnook watched the man go, and noticed the two for the first time. He waved them over to him, and spoke.
"Aang, Katara, I'm glad you're here." He bore a somber expression as he looked out over the battle. "There's a real chance that we'll lose this battle."
"No!" Aang said, "We'll do everything we can to beat back the Fire Nation. We'll win!"
"Perhaps, and I intend to do everything in my power to defeat the Fire Navy, but we're not guaranteed victory. If the worst case scenario happens, I want you and your friends to take Yue with you to the Earth Kingdom. Get on Appa and leave this place, get to safety. Even if we lose this battle, you can still win the war."
"I can't leave you behind! I couldn't save my people a century ago, and I'd die before I let the same fate befall yours!" Aang said, his voice tinged with emotion.
"You must live, Aang! You're the world's only hope! And besides, I've already sent word to the other cities of our tribe. Reinforcements would come in time and drive out the Fire Nation,"
"Then why are you asking me to…? Aang trailed off, looking at Arnook.
"The city would be freed eventually. The Fire Nation can't hold Agna Qel'a against waterbenders. That said, they could easily capture some of us and hold them prisoner, or worse." His eyes drifted towards Yue, who was talking with Sokka as they watched over the battle.
"You think that they would kill her?" Katara asked quietly, her eyes widening. Arnook nodded.
"Or me, but I will not leave this city. Even should it cost me my life. As long as Yue survives, then the future of our tribe is secure, even if I perish."
"I.. fine. But not unless there is no other choice." Aang finally agreed.
They watched the battle as the sun set, standing there for nearly an hour. Aang and Katara were given some bread, for which Aang was grateful. He had worked up quite a hunger over the course of the day. Aang could make out some flags moving on the largest ship, and then to his dismay he saw fires being lit aboard the ship. He opened his glider and took off towards the battle, and arrived just in time to bat aside a boulder from crashing into a building.
Admiral Zhao stood on the deck of his flagship as he watched the assault. They had managed to land a team of combatants on the ground; A mix of firebenders, Yu Yan archers, and mounted spearmen. He had considered leading the first assault personally, but had decided against it. The princess had wanted to go as well, but General Iroh had advised against it. Azula had become much more receptive to his cousin's words since Iroh had joined them, and the pair had become closer than Zhao had thought likely. He was delighted by this turn of events, and he had shared that information with The Fire Lord. He made sure to mention that increasing number of times that she had gone to her Uncle for advice in his reports. When the time came to convince Ozai of his brother's treachery, the newfound relationship between Iroh and Azula would aid in discrediting her.
Zhao wasn't sure that Iroh was a traitor, of course, but he was sure that he could make something up. Ozai had always distrusted the man, and would likely believe any accusation if it sounded plausible.
"Ensign," Zhao said, waving over a young female officer. "Signal for the fleet to resume the bombardment. Concentrate fire on the side of the bay opposite the ground forces."
"At once, Sir." She said, before turning towards the communications tower. The message would be sent by a series of flags, a coded form of communication used when it was too dangerous to send messenger hawks.
A series of sharp and precise footsteps approached him, and he turned his head to see Princess Azula and her companions. What were their names? Ty and Mai Lee. No, that wasn't it. Zhao dismissed the thought. It didn't matter. "Good evening, Princess."
"Good evening, Admiral." Azula said, stopping beside him to gaze at the assault. Within moments the bombardment began anew, and as he ordered the fire was focussed on the far side of the bay. They could faintly make out the shape of the Avatar as he flew through the air and batted the projectiles into the sea. The fading light was just strong enough to illuminate him as he defended the city.
"The moon is nearly full, and now that night has nearly fallen I expect our forces will withdraw shortly?" Azula proffered, her arms clasped behind her back. Zhao refrained from rolling his eyes at her obvious conclusion. He couldn't let the mask slip now.
"Of course, Princess. The bombardment is merely to cover their withdrawal."
Azula nodded, and then a commotion behind them drew both of their attention. A young man with a spear flanked by ten others approached them, but were quickly surrounded by soldiers. The young man broke through, and one of his followers shouted out. "Do it! Take him down, Hahn!"
Hahn walked towards Zhao and Azula, and knelt before him. The shock on his companions' faces was evident. Zhao considered him for a moment before the boy spoke. "Admiral Zhao, I am Hahn, son of Laluk. My father sends his regards."
"Ah, good. You may stand." Zhao said, before introducing Azula. "This is Princess Azula, daughter of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai."
Hahn immediately dropped to his knees again, and prostrated himself before the Princess.
"It is an honor."
"You're right about that of course. You may rise." Azula said to him, looking down her nose in distaste. She did not mind such deference, but she found men that would so willingly betray their nation to invaders… distasteful. Still, this betrayer might have some useful information.
"Tell me, has my brother joined the Avatar in the city? Has he tried to capture him perhaps?"
"No, Princess. The First Son and the tribal government believes him to be with you. I take it, however, that is not so?" Hahn replied, remaining low in his bow.
Azula rolled her eyes and didn't deign to dignify him with a response.
"Your father briefed you of the plan, Hahn?" Zhao inquired. Hahn nodded, prompting Zhao to smile. "Good, good. Lieutenant! Have the prisoners stripped of their armor and weapons."
Zhao scanned the deck, looking for someone. He frowned slightly, and Azula interrupted him.
"What is this plan of yours, Admiral? And why wasn't I informed of it?"
"I didn't want to act prematurely, but rest assured I will explain shortly." Zhao said, bowing his head to her in deference.
"And why, pray tell, won't you explain now?" Azula asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It is a matter of some delicacy, Princess. I do not wish to explain with so many… witnesses. Top Secret, I hope you understand."
Azula waved her hand vaguely in agreement. She looked around, noticing her uncle's absence for the first time. "I assume that we're going to have to wait for my uncle, then?"
Zhao nodded, before stroking his beard. His brow furrowed slightly. Where was General Iroh?