Disclaimer: If I owned Avatar: The Last Airbender would I be writing fanfiction? Well, actually I probably would.
Summary: Koh threatens to return and finish what he started centuries ago. New alliances will be formed, friendships will be tested, and characters will be challenged like never before.
Providence
Chapter Five: Memories
- - - - -
The Fire Nation campsite was full of soldiers resting in preparation for the coming dawn. It had been over a year and a half since they had seen their homes and families and it was affecting their morale. Ba-Sing-Sei was far stronger than anyone had initially anticipated. The Earth Kingdom warriors and benders were stubborn and unwavering opponents who refused to give ground or admit defeat. Despite the efforts of the Fire Nation's greatest General the capital was still standing solid.
"I thought you said Isami was your best spy, Captain Li," General Iroh was looking very displeased at the moment. "I told you it was a fool's journey at the time."
"He was my best spy. I can't imagine how those barbarians were able to fish him out," Li told his leader.
In the private tent of General Iroh, several of the officers were gathered for a meeting. The atmosphere was tense despite their attempt to quell the General's bad mood. They were discussing the latest developments in the ongoing war and no one was too pleased with them.
Colonel Shen spoke up, "Every spy that has managed to cross over those walls has come back to us as a corpse. Without a mole the Earth Kingdom will continue their guerilla warfare and we will continue to be blind to their movements. None of us are happy about the situation, but I believe the best course of action would be to withdrawal and reassemble our forces before continuing this battle."
"Absolutely not," Iroh growled. "I did not come all the way here to admit defeat!"
"It would not be defeat," Shen appealed for understanding, "merely a temporary truce. We have bombarded Ba-Sing-Sei with almost constant attacks for nearly six hundred days and still its walls will not fall to us. Our men need time to recover and regroup."
The other officers waited with apprehension to see what their General would decide. He was undefeated in battle and to withdrawal now would put a blemish on his currently spotless record.
He demanded patience, "Just a little longer and we'll finally burn the capital to the ground."
"I just hope we have a few troops left by then," another officer grumbled. "Yesterday two of my best warriors were put on the injured list. It will be a miracle if they can walk again. Haven't we lost enough…"
A stern glare from the General silenced the man. "Hoji isn't it? Go ahead. What were saying?"
Hoji was also a General and it allowed him more lenience with his speech, however the tightness in his chest told him otherwise. He knew he was walking into a trap, but what other choice did he have now? "General Iroh, you have lost your only son, one of our most talented men and yet you insist on continuing. How many more must die before you realize that we cannot carry on like this?"
There was a collective inhale around the room. Everyone knew the subject of the General's son was a sensitive issue and no one mentioned it unless they were suicidal.
"I'm sorry General," he continued.
Iroh was silent for a moment. Hoji felt like he was watching a bomb about to explode.
"Get out."
"Sir, I…"
"I said GET OUT!"
All of the officers rushed out of the tent without further delay.
Iroh sat down and placed his forehead on the palms of his hands. He still wasn't able to believe the news he had heard only a few days ago. A demolition team of earthbenders had ambushed Lu Ten's troop and created an earthquake that destroyed most of their equipment and buried a great deal of the men, including the Commander. His son was a skilled, intelligent warrior. He fought his way up the ranks to become the youngest Captain in the Fire Nation army. No matter what people may have said behind his back, Lu Ten had earned his rank. For him to lose…for him to be dead…it was just impossible.
For the first time Iroh was seriously beginning to doubt his victory and the existence of Nu-gua. His men had searched for so long without avail. But it did not matter. He would continue this battle until the city of Ba-Sing-Sei fell on its knees and begged for mercy, no matter what the cost. The Earth Kingdom would pay for the suffering it had caused him.
The sound of footsteps entered the General's tent. "General Hoji, I told you…" Iroh swiveled around to reprimand his comrade, but it was not the brazen officer who stood before him. A woman dressed in robes of green and brown floated gracefully into his quarters. She was not young or beautiful, but she had a face that was easy on the eye. Her appearance and scent was like the Earth itself. "You're much too delicate for an assassin," he observed. "How did you get in here?"
"I do not desire the death of any man," she replied in a pleasant tone. "That is why I have come to help you."
Iroh wasn't sure what to make of his peculiar guest. She couldn't possibly have slinked into the camp looking like she did. Someone had to have let her pass and that someone was about to wish he had never heard of the Dragon of the West. He approached the woman until his face was inches from hers, but she didn't look intimidated in the least. "You have one minute to say something worth my time or I will make it worth my time. And I highly doubt you would enjoy being burned to death."
"Your son is still alive," she acknowledged.
He took a deep breath before ordering her to continue.
"I know that you have been searching for Nu-gua. Lu Ten has achieved your goal."
"My son has found Idzumo?" he asked disbelievingly. Part of him wanted to strangle that pretty little neck of hers, but if what she said was true… "What proof do you have?"
She reached into the top of her robe and pulled out the pendent of her necklace. The chain was a shiny bronze and the wooden pendent was engraved with the symbol of the Earth Kingdom. Iroh raised a brow in confusion, but the woman apparently did not fill the need to explain further. He reached for the necklace she held out and when he touched the crest it immediately began to glow.
- - - - -
"I don't believe this!" Sokka cried out in dismay. "It's not here either!"
Morning had come and the trio began their search for the Houshu. However, despite the island's small area they were continually finding more and more caves to look through, but none of them held the object of their hunt. Sokka helped his sister and Aang emerge from the narrow opening of the cavern.
"That's the third one we've searched," said Katara. "Why couldn't Lei have been a little more specific?"
The sound of a stomach growling filled the air. Aang blushed and placed a hand over his abdomen, "Uh, anyone else hungry?"
"Sorry Aang," Katara said. "All we have left is the seal jerky."
"Actually," started the warrior. "We're completely out of food." He shook the empty sack to prove his point.
"I don't believe it! After the fuss you put up yesterday about my cooking you ate it anyway?"
"Well, I was starving and it was better than nothing!"
Katara smacked a hand against her face and ran it down slowly. Truly, her brother could push all her buttons.
Before the siblings could erupt into yet another argument the Avatar interrupted, "Relax guys, maybe we'll find something if we go further inland."
Sokka crossed his arms, "Yeah, I'm sure there's a huge buffet just waiting for us in the middle of the island."
"Do you have any better ideas?" Katara challenged.
Sokka looked around him as though an answer would pop out from the landscape. And quite amazingly it did.
"There," he pointed to a cliff in the distance. "That rock formation means there's a pretty good chance of a waterfall. We could use some fresh water since our canteen is empty after…" He stopped himself before he could finish, in fear of refueling Katara's anger.
Stunned silence.
"Wow Sokka, that's surprisingly clever," Katara admitted and Aang nodded in agreement.
"Thanks I…hey wait a minute. What's that supposed to mean?" But his question was in vain. They were already rushing towards the cliff.
"Come on Sokka! You don't want to get left behind!" The Avatar called out to the older boy.
"Hey wait for me!"
Sokka's assumption was indeed correct. A small waterfall emptied into a river. A river that flowed threw a decaying village. The three travelers looked incredulously around them. It consisted of nothing more than deserted huts and overgrown farmland.
"Hello? Is anybody here?" Aang called out warily into the seemingly empty town. His only reply was the soft echo of his own voice. Momo jumped onto the Avatar's shoulder and titled his head as though he were equally perplexed. The boy cupped the sides of his mouth with his hands and tried again. "Hello?"
"It's no use, Aang," Katara said. "It doesn't look like anyone's here."
They began a thorough search for any signs of life, but the village was indeed abandoned. There were no burn marks to prove a battle against the Fire Nation took place, though Sokka doubted they would be interested in such a poor little town. Whatever had driven the inhabitants away it was not for lack of resources or the war.
Katara drew some fresh water from the river for the canteen. Aang was able to find a tree bearing fruit and although it wasn't quite ripe it was better than the alternative. He was happily shoving them into his mouth one by one until Momo approached with his big, pleading eyes and paws out. The Avatar gathered several into a bundle and gave them to the lemur. "Here Momo, take these back to the shore and share them with Appa."
The flying lemur grabbed the precious bundle with his feet and took off towards the shoreline. "I just hope he remembers the 'share' part," he added.
"Aang, Katara look at this," Sokka directed his friends to the ground beside him. "Footprints and they're not human."
"So what made them?" The waterbender asked. "I haven't seen any animals since we got here."
The Water Tribe warrior inspected the prints left on the earth. He couldn't be sure, but if his suspicion was correct… "I think these were made by wolves."
Katara furrowed her brow, "Are you sure?"
"Uh," Aang jumped to his feet. "I think Sokka's right."
"Thank you, Aang. I'm glad someone has faith in me."
"I didn't mean it like that," Katara retorted. "I just meant how can we be sure it's wolves?"
"I'm pretty sure," the monk said nervously, "because there they are!"
Sokka and Katara whipped around to see the outlines of four-legged creatures with dark fur and clenched teeth. Several of them emerged from the forest growling ferociously.
"I think I'm starting to realize why this village is abandoned."
- - - - -
Two captives sat soberly in the dark prison hold of a pirate ship. Zuko had been carefully listening to his uncle's story, only interrupting to ask a question for clarification. It was a lot to absorb. He had always believed that his cousin, Lu Ten, had died in battle against the Earth Kingdom. He was a young child when it took place and he could barely remember Iroh's son. His only memory was watching the warrior in awe as he practiced firebending with an expertise that made his peers green with envy.
"So what happened after he found Idzumo?" The prince asked softly.
Iroh sat on the other side of the wall, hoping that his nephew would believe his words. "I can't even begin to imagine what must have been going through his mind, having inadvertently fallen into the land we had been searching for. But I do know that he ate from the fruit of Nu-gua."
"Then…he is immortal?"
"An immortal cannot reside here in the mortal realm. After he took a bite he was transported to the spirit world with his new, invulnerable body. But even then he was not safe."
Zuko looked puzzled, "What do you mean?"
- - - - -
"Are you prepared?"
In the secluded temple of the northern forest of the Earth Kingdom, General Iroh sat meditatively on the stone ground. Candles were burning inside the room and the smell of incense was thick. Two squares on top of each other were drawn on the floor around him. The four Houshu he gathered were placed at the corners of the larger, outer circle. Sacrifices to each of the spirits lay on the corners of the inner circle.
"I've done everything you've asked. Now it's time to do your part," he stated with an unshakable will.
She stared at him thoughtfully for a moment before speaking again, "The Houshu will be able to create a bridge, but I cannot guarantee that you will pass over it. The ordeal will be a difficult one and your son has been in the spirit world for some time. If Koh has found him before you…"
"I know the chances are slim, but that has never stopped me before and it won't stop me now," Iroh interrupted.
"Very well," she submitted. "Let us begin the purification ceremony."
The temple's keeper prepared for the ancient ritual, a venture that had been successful only a handful of times in human history. For the General to pass he would have to be purified by the spirits. She kneeled to the ground and placed her hands together in prayer.
"Mighty Wind, your tongue is a sharp sword, cutting with the knowledge of the arcane. Your spirit flows as graceful as a swift in flight. Purify us with wisdom."
A powerful light shot forth from the diamond-like Houshu, stretching up towards the heavens. It swallowed up the incense used as a sacrifice and became a wall of energy from the corner of Air to Fire. Iroh could hardly believe the sight before his eyes. What was this feeling?
"Mighty Fire, your breath is aflame with the fires of inspiration and passion. Your spirit is searing and fervent. Purify us with passion."
Again the light poured from the ruby in front of him. It stretched to his right and the candles disappeared. He could hardly breathe now; it was like something had invaded his body and robbed him of his lungs.
"Mighty Earth, your talons run like roots into the world, giving you infinite strength. Your spirit is substantial, hard, and pure like a clear crystal. Purify us with strength."
For the third time a power released from the jewel. The feeling was overpowering now, taking over his senses until he was left helpless. Fear was gripping him with a newfound power. What was happening to him?
"Mighty Ocean, your coils are the cleansing, healing waves that nurture the soul. Your spirit lunges, leaps, and splashes like a fish at play. Purify us with health."
And with this final prayer the world dissolved into nothingness.
- - - - -
"Uh…nice doggies…" Aang tried hopelessly to pacify the wolves.
But they didn't seem impressed.
Wolves were not an uncommon sight in this area of the world. They lived near the top of the food chain and rarely attacked humans unless they were first provoked. The Earth Kingdom had always been proud of its ability to live peacefully with nature, everything in balance, and nothing taken for granted. However, there were rare cases when the environment changed and the balance was lost. Something on this isolated island had caused a decrease in the animal population and with nothing else for the wolves to eat they survived by acquiring a taste for human flesh. Unfortunately for Aang, Sokka, and Katara.
"This is unbelievable," Sokka groaned as he gripped his boomerang in one hand and his club in the other. "It just can't ever be easy for us can it?"
Katara's gaze traveled back and forth between the predators and the river. Could she make a break towards the water?
"Not yet," her brother seemed to read her thoughts. "If you start running now they'll catch you before you reach the river. Aang and I will hold them off and then you can use waterbending to wash them away."
Katara nodded.
The wolves moved closer.
"Are you ready, Aang?" Sokka asked.
"Ready," The Avatar immediately created an orb of wind that surrounded him like a shield, then expanded outward. Its power pushed the approaching wolves back and allowed Katara the opportunity to head towards the river.
The wind dispersed and the wolves regained their stability. They charged intent on making the humans their next meal.
Sokka thrust his boomerang at the closest wolf, but it leaped out of the way before inflicting any damage. However, the animal did not anticipate the weapons return and was injured in the leg, forcing it to the ground. The boomerang returned obediently to its master's hand. One down, Sokka mentally counted. Before he could throw it again more of the wolves were upon him. He swung the club to his left and it smashed against the furry skull of one. The others barely had time to refocus their attack before he swung it again and crushed another in the neck. The warrior twisted to the side just as a wolf lunged, open mouthed, at him. It missed flesh and blood, but it did manage to catch the end of his shirt and halted the young man in his tracks. Another snagged the club with its teeth, leaving the boomerang as his only defense. He hit the wolf that tugged unrelentingly on his clothing and heard the sound of ripping fabric. The wolf spit out the blue cloth and lunged again.
Aang swung his staff, creating a gust of wind that swept the wolves surrounding Sokka off their feet and landed hard against the trees and wooden houses of the village. "Are you alright?" he asked the older boy.
"Yeah, thanks Aang," Sokka readied his weapons again as the wolves got back to their feet. "Let's lure them towards the river and Katara can carry them downstream."
"Right," he nodded. "You go help her. I'll airbend them towards the water."
Katara panted as she stopped at the banks of the stream, she didn't realize how fast she was running. The river was flowing rather quickly, so it probably wasn't very deep. But summoning a wave big enough should be an easy task regardless. The sound of growling could be heard overpowering the rushing of the waterfall. The young woman turned to see more wolves appearing from the top of the small cliff. How many of them were there?
They leaped down gracefully and blazed a path to the girl.
Her arms moved smoothly upwards, beckoning the water, then twirled and hurled it forward. The water knocked three of the predators into the fast moving river, but two more still stood firm. Katara jumped out of the way of their fatal lunge. She rolled back to her feet and while still crouched on the ground the young woman brought her hand around in an arc. The water swept another wolf into the river, but where was the second? Katara turned just in time to come up close and personal with a large set of teeth. She cringed and put an arm up defensively, there wasn't enough time to create another water whip. Unfortunately for the wolf, Sokka's boomerang caught him off guard and deprived him of his meal. The warrior took advantage of the stunned animal and used both hands to swing the club, knocking it back several feet. His sister took over from there, summoning the water from the river to wash the wolf downstream with the others.
"Get ready, Katara," Sokka warned her. "Aang's going to send the rest our way."
The monk was carefully making gusts of wind to bring the wolves closer together, a task that was easier said than done. They were brutal and unrelenting creatures and it took several evasive maneuvers from Aang to avoid being torn apart. When they were finally gathered in a somewhat tight group, he brought his staff up and over his head in a semi-circle. The air sent the wolves flying through the sky. Most of the predators landed in the river, but some fell safely upon the banks.
Katara exhaled, focusing all her strength on creating a giant wave. The waterfall provided the initial energy and the waterbender increased that power with her own. The wave surfaced ominously, then crashed down with tremendous force sweeping the wolves helplessly away. Or most of them.
"There's more!" Aang ran up to the Water Tribe siblings.
The remaining predators moved dangerously closer. Their growls may not have been speech, but they clearly promised dinner was about to be served.
Aang, Sokka, and Katara prepared themselves to continue the fight, stances set and weapons raised. But before they could launch an attack, a small round object appeared from the trees and landed between the humans and the wolves.
"What is that?" Aang asked as he peered closer.
"It looks like…" Sokka paled in realization. "…a grenade!"
As soon as he uttered those words a smoky substance emitted from the grenade. It quickly blanketed the entire area with a horrid smelling gas that stung the eyes and paralyzed the lungs. The Avatar and the siblings closed their eyes and covered their noses in an attempt to avoid the affects of the grenade, but the wolves were not so lucky. They were sent whimpering back into the forest in defeat.
Aang formed a powerful blast of wind and dispersed the foul air. "Where…did that come from?" He coughed out.
"There," Katara pointed. "I think it came from the tops of those trees."
"But who threw it?" Sokka asked. He approached the area where the grenade had allegedly been thrown. The warrior could not see anyone lingering in the treetops, but his instincts told him someone was still there. He boldly called, "Come on out!"
His only answer was the sound of rustling, so slight that he wondered if it was merely created by the wind.
Aang joined the older boy, "Allow me." His hands made circling motions, summoning a powerful gale that swept through the branches of the trees. The gusts hit its mark and forced out the occupant hiding in the shadows.
A figure uniformed in black landed easily on the ground with the expertise of a feline, then slowly stood and turned to face them. It was a young woman - slim, elegant, and tall. Her chestnut hair was pulled into twin buns and the armor she wore successfully pictured a woman whose life was devoted to the thrill of the fight. She had a proud finely cut face, so regular that it might have seemed impassive if not for her gray, soulful eyes.
"Who the hell are you?"
- - - - -
Author's Notes: Ugh, where did this week go? I need a break to recover from spring break.
Anyway, the prayer used in the purification ceremony is actually from a Wiccan ceremony. At least I think it was. I sort of lost the address of the website I got it from, but if I recall correctly it involved calling the four dragons and I only had to change the words a little. So there, I'm a plagiarist.
Finally, a little more action. I knew there was a reason I had this labeled as action/adventure.
In the next chapter: the introduction of my fourth and final original character, the fate of Iroh's son, and the pirate ship will finally reach its destination.