A/N: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender. I only own my own OCs.
Welcome to my new story! I've been finding that I've only found a handful of Sokka/OC stories that truly caught my eye and decided to write my own. I did want to warn everyone of what was to come.
First, I am going to emphasize the racism of what the show displayed. I do know it was a kid's show, but this is a perfect opportunity to heighten everyone's awareness of the racism that was displayed.
Second, I am changing ages. The OC and Sokka will be 18. Aang will be 15. Katara will be 16. Zuko will be 19. So on and so forth. The timeline will remain the same, but the ages are skewed to my liking.
Lastly, this story is rated M for reasons which will include gore, death, blood, sexual encounters, and profanity. Please read at your own risk.
Enjoy everyone!
Chapter 1: The Water Tribe Warrior
Six years ago….
The sun was starting to set in the sky and its bright orange, red and yellow colors started to meet the waters, reflecting on the cold water below the Fire Nation ship.
Commander Chai overlooked the sea in front of them, contemplating his next steps. The Southern Water Tribe was not far - they needed to attack sooner than later. The peasants needed to be taken care of permanently and quickly. It was demanded of him.
"Commander Chai." He heard from behind him. He turned to find one of the crewmen waiting to be addressed.
"Yes, Tuzo?"
"We are approximately 10 miles from the Southern Water Tribe."
Commander Chai smirked. "Excellent. As you were."
Tuzo bowed and left the man alone to his thoughts.
Time to take my glory.
Present
Zora breathed in the fresh air that surrounded her in the little town she lived in. Carrying a basket of corn, she hobbled her way into the small house with an elderly woman behind her who was carrying a pail of water. Zora's long, wavy brown hair flowed in the wind, and shimmers of her golden blonde shone in the sun that was high in the sky. Her green eyes with gold circles that surrounded her irises settled on the elderly woman who was beginning to stick the pantries of what was brought into their house.
"Grandma, can I help you please?" Zora pleaded.
"I'm not dead yet, missy." Her grandmother joked back.
Zora smiled. "I see that, but I'd still like to offer my assistance."
"Stay young, child. Could you lock up for the night please?"
"On it."
Zora walked outside and began to roll down the shades to the house, adjusting the oil lamps, and carrying in any pots that had not been placed inside yet. She rolled up her beige sleeves and made sure her green sash was not in the way of her doing things.
The sun was illuminating shadows all over the town.. Zora couldn't help but be thankful in that moment. Thankful for the harvest, thankful for her family, and especially thankful that the Fire Nation hasn't caused too much trouble in their town. She was thankful for the peacefulness.
Or so she thought.
Zora adjusted the last oil lamp before she noticed a boy dressed in strange clothes running through the town. He had tanned skin, a ponytail, and was very, very fast.
"Everyone! You have to get out!" He shouted.
Zora lifted her eyebrow to him. What did he just say?
The boy caught sight of Zora and ran straight to her. "You! Please, I need your help." He stated, panting hard and eyes determined.
Zora's walls instantly came up around her heart. "Who are you and why are you scaring the people of this town?"
"Your town is about to be flooded." He said quickly and sternly.
"How? The dam is there. It won't-"
"There's people who are going to blow it up. Please trust me. There's not much time to get you all out."
Zora's heart froze. Someone blowing up the dam? But why? That's awful!
"How do I know you're not lying?" She tested him, her voice shaking.
Suddenly, old man Zou appeared from behind the boy. "He's telling the truth!" Zora's eyes grew wide. "He saved me from a group of young boys who robbed me for everything I had. They said that because I was from Fire Nation, I couldn't be trusted."
Zora's heart broke for the old man. "You would never hurt a fly, Zou."
Zou nodded sadly. "Unfortunately they did not think that. We need to listen to this young man. Please help us get everyone out, Zora."
Zora looked between the two for a few seconds, before nodding. She turned to her house and shouted for her grandmother.
"Grandma! We need to go now!"
"I just put away the cor-"
"NOW!"
Her grandmother came out with a scowl on her face. "Zora, what are you talking about?"
The boy appeared next to her again. "Ma'am, you need to evacuate now. The town is going to be flooded in the next hour."
Grandma's eyes widened. "W-what do you mean?"
Zora groaned loudly. "We need to go!" She grabbed her grandmother's hand and dragged out of the door.
The boy instructed everyone to go up the hill and over to the next town where he stated he already alerted their mayor. Zora stayed back and ran through the town to help everyone out. Once they were certain everyone was saved, her and the boy began to walk back up the hill.
"Thank you." Zora said softly. The boy stopped and looked at her. Zora reached her hand out, a signal of truce with the boy. "I don't think I can verbalize my gratitude for saving these people."
The boy looked at her and smiled subtly. He took her hand, shaking it. "I just didn't want innocent people to get hurt."
"We appreciate that more than you know." Zora and the boy continued to walk, when she realized she never caught his name. "Oh, I'm sorry for being rude. What's your name?"
The boy blushed, scratching the back of his head. "Sokka." Zora nodded. "Thank you, Sokka."
Once everyone was over the hill, the sound of a loud BOOM erupted. Zora whipped her head to find the dam had been blown up, and water was racing towards their town. Her home. The water consumed their town in minutes, destroying everything in its path. She noticed the Fire Nation's garrison was destroyed as well. She heard her grandmother coming from behind her and holding her hand. "Thank the Spirits that boy came to help us."
Zora nodded. "I can't believe it's gone." She said angrily. Who would do this to their town? And why?
Zora turned to Sokka. "Why would someone do this?" She demanded answers. She was angry. She wanted revenge.
Sokka motioned her over towards the - spirits, was that a flying bison? Her eyes grew to the size of plates. She slowly walked over towards them, her hand on her knife. Once away from the people of the town, Sokka began to speak as low as he could.
"I know this is a lot, but there is a group of guys that wanted to take out the Fire Nation garrison right next to your town. The only way they felt fit was to drown them with the dam."
Zora's eyes grew wide again. "They didn't think about my people?"
Sokka nodded his head. "They did. They didn't care."
Zora was now pissed.
"Who is this guy? I want to have a few words with him."
Sokka shook his head. "That's not a good idea, uh-"
"Zora."
"Right, Zora. He hates anything Fire Nation and he wants them to suffer."
"But at the expense of my people. I want words." She said sternly, her eyes blazing.
Sokka stared at her for a few moments. Who was this girl? After a while, he sighed and nodded. "Okay, hop on Appa."
"Y-you mean that thing?" She stuttered. Not so tough now, huh Zora? She thought to herself.
"Yes. He's harmless." Sokka stated, motioning her over to the beast. Zora looked at her grandmother from a distance. "One second, ok?"
Sokka nodded. Zora walked over to the town people and found Zou and her grandmother talking a bit. "Grandma." She voiced. The old woman turned. "My dear. Thank you for helping everyone." She kissed Zora's cheek. "Zou knows of a town nearby. We're going to go there. He said it's a small Earth Kingdom town. Are you ready?"
Zora smiled sadly at her. "I'm going to go with Sokka for a bit. I know where that town is. I will be back, I promise." She kissed her grandmother's hand and turned to Zou. "Please make sure everyone gets there safely." Zou nodded at her and smiled. "That boy is special, Zora."
Zora blushed and decided to ignore the statement. "I'll see you all soon."
Zora made her way back to Sokka and the flying bison. Sokka motioned her to come over next to him. "Here, I'll help you get up."
Suddenly, Sokka's hands were on her waist. She blushed madly as she was hoisted up onto the bison's head. Sokka then climbed up himself. "You can sit next to me," he said. Zora noticed that Sokka's face was stern, and angry. Not at her, she realized.
How did she realize that so quickly?
She nodded. She held onto the fur in front of her. What the hell was she doing?
"Yip yip!" Sokka yelled. Suddenly, the bison began to fly with a loud roar. Zora shrieked and managed to hold on to the fur tighter. She caught a glimpse of Sokka who smirked at the girl.
"Hold on tight."
After a few minutes, Zora heard people shouting at one another. "Jet, you monster!" She heard a female voice say.
"This was a victory, Katara. Remember that. The Fire Nation is gone and this valley will be safe."
Zora finally saw the display in front of her. A girl in the same clothes as Sokka, a boy in orange clothes she has never seen before, and another man frozen to the tree in civilian gear she did not recognize either. The girl had her hands up, ready to attack the man frozen to the tree. Zora finally realized who they were. Water tribe people, she thought. She had never met anyone from the Water tribe before.
"It will be safe, without you!" Sokka shouted. Appa settled onto the mountain's ledge, Sokka and Zora taking in the scene in front of them.
"Sokka!" The girl shouted in relief. The boy next to her had a smile from ear to ear.
Sokka continued. "I warned the villagers of your plan, just in time."
"What?!" the man against the tree stated. His face was bewildered. Zora grew angry all over again. This motherfucker.
"At first, they didn't believe me. The Fire Nation soldiers assumed I was a spy, but one man vouched for me." Sokka glared at the man. "The old man you attacked."
Zora's eyes went wide. Attacked?!
Sokka continued. "He urged them to trust me, and we got everyone out in time."
The man's face was stunned. "Sokka, you fool! We could've freed this valley!"
"Who would be free? Everyone would be dead."
"You traitor!" The man sneered. That was the last straw for Zora.
She slid down off of Appa and made her way to the man. "You tried to kill my people, you scum of the earth. What did we ever do to you?! Sokka's not the traitor, it's you trying to kill innocent civilians!" She shouted, getting dangerously close to the man.
Sokka was at her side. "Jet, you became the traitor when you stopped protecting innocent people." He narrowed his eyes on him, alongside Zora.
Jet looked away from the pair and settled his eyes on the girl, whose back was turned. "Katara, please, help me." he begged.
The girl, who Zora assumed to be Katara, did not move a muscle. "Goodbye, Jet." She stated, walking towards Appa.
Zora stood in front of Jet and glared at him. "Mark my words, I will kill you if you ever try to hurt my people again."
Jet's eyes became slits as he examined her. "You protecting the Fire Nation? You're nothing but a whore to their country." Zora's eyes grew wide.
She reached for her knife on her hip and began to advance even more. "What did you just call me?" She asked.
"You Fire Nation whore." He said a little louder, smirking at her.
That was it.
Zora started to advance towards Jet more, but was met with an arm around her waist.
"Hey! Easy." She heard Sokka say.
"He doesn't get to call me a whore and get away with it!" She shouted, wrestling against Sokka's grip.
"He's not worth it, Zora. Don't let him get to you."
"Easy for you to say!" She shouted, still wrestling. Jet was now smirking at her.
"Now you're jumping ship and becoming a Water Tribe whore? Pathetic." He said.
Now it was Sokka's turn to whip around. "Watch your mouth, Jet."
Zora saw this opportunity and freed herself from Sokka's grasp. She grabbed her knife and held it to Jet's throat.
"I'm not afraid to make sure you can never speak again, Jet." She sneered. Jet's eyes displayed fear, and his breath grew quicker. She stayed like that until Sokka grabbed her wrist. He gently lowered her hand.
"C'mon, Zora. Like I said, he's not worth it." He said gently to her. Zora broke her stare with Jet and settled on Sokka. She then realized how blue his eyes were.
They reminded her of her childhood somehow. She was not sure how, but it did. She quickly blinked away and managed to look at Jet again. "This isn't over." She whispered angrily.
Jet scowled at the two before they turned and began to walk away. Sokka helped her onto Appa again, once again blushing at the contact of Sokka's firm hands on her waist, and took a seat in the saddle with the other two as Sokka sat on Appa's head. With another "yip, yip", they were flying in the air and Jet was left, still frozen against the tree.
The boy spoke before anyone else could. "We thought you were going to the dam. How come you went to the town instead?"
"Let me guess," Katara started, "your instincts told you?"
Sokka smiled. "Hey, sometimes they're right."
The boy looked at the two girls quickly before realizing they were not heading in the right direction. "Um, Sokka? You know we're going the wrong way, right?"
Sokka was quiet for a moment before replying. "And sometimes they're wrong." He joked.
Zora smiled. "Hey, you don't mind dropping me off at the town down the river, do you?"
Sokka shook his head. "Not at all. Let's get you back to your grandmother."
Katara looked at Zora. "You live in the town that was destroyed?" She looked at her sadly.
Zora nodded. "Well, lived in, yes." She emphasized the word lived. She curled her knees to her chest. "I'm just happy everyone got out before the dam was destroyed."
Katara smiled sadly at her. "Sokka was smart to warn you all first. I'm glad he got there in time."
Zora nodded. "Me too."
"I never caught your name, by the way."
"Zora."
"What a pretty name! I'm Katara, Sokka's sister. This is Aang."
The boy waved happily at Zora, who smiled in his direction. "Thanks for giving me a ride back, and sticking up for my people."
Aang spoke finally, "It's not right what he tried to do. Innocent people shouldn't have to die at the hands of a bad group."
Zora nodded. "Agreed."
"Let's hope Jet won't be hurting anyone else for a long time." Sokka said, his face towards the sky.
"Where are you guys off to next?" Zora inquired, curious about why they are traveling.
"We're actually trying to head to the Northern Water Tribe." Aang stated.
Zora's eyebrow hitched up. "What's there?"
Katara looked between her and Aang, wondering if she could tell her. "Well, it's a long story.." she trailed off.
Zora looked at everyone. Aang seemed nervous, Katara seemed protective, and Sokka seemed indifferent. The flying lemur was even nervous. "Are you guys like, nomads or something?"
Katara scratched her arm. "No, not that. It's just…"
Aang finally sighed, "We have to save the world, basically."
Zora blinked a few times. "Uh, what does that mean?" She knows there's a war, but why is it up to-
Her eyes widened quickly, staring at Aang. "You're the Avatar." She whispered. Finally! The avatar was here! He was going to save everyone!
He blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guilty."
"We have to get to the Northern Water Tribe to help Aang learn Waterbending. My sister is talented, but he needs more." Sokka said. Zora stared at the boy in front of her, astonished she was sitting in his presence.
"Aang… It's an honor." She said, sitting on her knees, preparing to bow to him.
"Oh no no no! Please don't! It's really-" Aang started, waving his hand in front of him.
"He's still getting used to people knowing about him." Katara said. "You don't have to bow."
Zora sat back on her legs. "I just can't believe that you're back." She paused, observing the boy. He had arrow tattoos on his head and his hands, assuming they went up his arms. "My grandmother and I have waited a long time for your arrival." She breathed.
Aang and Katara looked at her. "You have?"
Zora nodded. "My mother lived her life by the way of the Spirits. She could never get to the Spirit World, obviously, but she meditated and always felt that the Avatar was coming to save the world sooner than later." She stopped, thinking of her mother. "My grandmother and her always hid the fact they were supporters of the Avatar, considering that the Fire Nation soldiers were always close by. They meditated every night though, and even taught me to do the same. Both powerful Earth Benders."
"Your mother must be an amazing woman." Katara said, intrigued by the story.
Zora nodded. "She was." She paused again.
Aang sat closer to her. "Was?"
"She was killed by the Fire Nation." Zora said evenly and sadly. Aang and Katara both gasped. Even Sokka turned his head in the meantime to listen.
"I'm so sorry, Zora." Aang said.
She nodded, smiling sweetly at the bunch. "Yeah, me too. I was twelve."
Sokka spoke up finally. "I was twelve when my mother was killed by the Fire Nation, too."
Zora looked at him first, and then at Katara. "I'm sorry to hear that." She started to tear up. "This war has been devastating."
Sokka nodded, and Zora noticed he blinked a few times.
He spun back around to face the sky, "We're almost at your village."
Zora nodded. "Okay."
The rest of the ride to the village was silent. Within a couple minutes, they arrived. Appa landed gently on the outskirts of the town. Zora was helped off of the beast and everyone else decided to make sure she found her family safely. They walked through the town, people cheering as they saw Sokka appear again. Sokka blushed, but was waving at everyone. Zora couldn't help but smile.
Finally they stumbled upon a small hut with Zora's grandmother waving and smiling from the outside. She approached the group. "You made it back, dear." She said, taking Zora's face into her hands. She kissed her cheeks and patted the other cheek softly. Zora nodded.
"Grandma, you know Sokka, obviously-"
"Is that his name? What a handsome boy."
Zora blushed. "Grandma!"
She smirked at Zora. "Who are your other friends?"
Friends. Zora mentally smiled at the thought of that word. She hadn't had many growing up, unfortunately. Her duties always included helping the people of the village or making sure the crops were well enough for the entire town.
Zora motioned towards the hut. "Can we all come in?"
"Of course. I just got done making tea."
Everyone gathered in the hut, Zora making sure that the flaps were secured closed and no one was near them.
"Grandma, this is Katara and Aang."
Her grandmother looked at the group closely. "Katara and Sokka sound like Water Tribe names. How lovely." She smiled, offering tea to them all. "But Aang I am not familiar with. Where do you come from, my dear?"
Aang seemed nervous again. Zora butted in quickly. "Well, that's why I brought them in here."
Her grandmother's eyebrow hitched up in questioning. "Oh?"
Aang gulped, Katara's hand on his shoulder. "Well, you see, ma'am-"
"Please, call me Grandma Pacha. It's more personal."
Aang smiled. "Grandma Pacha, I'm from Southern Air Temple." He said carefully. Zora waited for her grandmother's reaction.
"The air temple? They were burned down over 100 years ago. How did you survive that long?"
"I ran away, actually."
"Huh. No shit." She said bluntly. Zora smacked her palm to her forehead.
"Grandma!" She grumbled. Sokka started to snicker beside Zora, accidentally letting the tea in his mouth loose. Zora made sure she didn't hear footsteps outside the hut after all the comotion before she continued. "He's from the Air Temples…" she tried to hint, giving her a pointed look.
Pacha looked at her questioningly, before noticing the look on Zora's face. Finally it clicked. Pacha's eyes widened, and she lost all strength in her hands. Her tea cup smashed to the ground, but Pacha didn't care.
She walked over slowly to Aang, her mouth agape. "Great Spirits…" She whispered. Suddenly, she knelt before Aang and bowed. "Avatar Aang, it is my honor to be in your presence."
Aang blushed, but decided to kneel down to the same level as her. "No, it's an honor for me to be in yours." He said. Pacha looked at Aang, who smiled at her warmly. Pacha started to tear up, before throwing her arms around him. Aang, surprised, returned the hug.
Zora's eyes began to well up with tears too, hearing sniffling coming from her grandmother. Sokka nudged Zora's side and patted his hand on her shoulder, giving her some sort of comfort. Zora smiled weakly at him, appreciating the small gesture. Katara stood and admired the view in front of her. Pacha leaned back and wiped the tears off her face.
"My dear Hanna would've loved to have met you, young Avatar. Our family has been devoted to you and the ones before you for many generations." Tears fell down her face. She turned to Zora and stood up. She walked over and looked her in the face. "Are you going to travel with them, dear one?" She asked her granddaughter.
Zora's eyes widened. "I-I haven't really thought about that, to be honest, Grandma," she stuttered. She looked between the trio. "I don't want to impose on their journey."
Aang came over to the two. "Nonsense! You should come along."
Katara spoke up. "Yeah! We saw the way you handled Jet back there. You'd be extremely helpful!"
Sokka then chimed in. "I'd never seen a girl so heated before and with a quick reaction. You'd definitely be a great addition to our group."
Zora looked at them all. "Are you sure?"
Aang smiled again, "of course!"
Zora turned back to her grandmother. "Are you okay with this, Grandma?"
Pacha smiled at her. "Your destiny lives in your soul, and destiny would not have led you to these people unless it was meant to be. Go, my darling." She patted her cheek again. Zora smiled, and kissed her grandmother's cheek.
"Alright. I'll come."
The trio rejoiced quietly. Zora noticed Sokka starting to ramble off about him teaching her about his methods and instincts. Katara started to help Zora gather things to bring with her for her journey.
Pacha walked over to the jewelry box that sat at the back of the hut. She opened it and grabbed what looked like a bracelet. She walked back over and presented it to Zora.
"This was your mother's, Zora." It was a brown and green hand-made bracelet with brown leather and green fabric entwined with it. "She meditated with this every night. She wanted to give this to you when the time was right." She smiled. "This is the right time."
Zora watched as her grandmother placed it on her left wrist. She stared at it, and noticed the embroidering in it.
84 AG
The year Zora was born.
Zora felt tears run down her cheeks. She looked at her grandmother, before hugging her tightly. "I love you, Grandma."
"I love you, dear one." They broke their embrace. "Now go and help the Avatar." She whispered. "Save the world."
There's Chapter 1! See you all soon!