Chapter 9: Fallen Warrior

"Did you hear? Councilman Sokka will be arriving in a few days."

General Kano looked up from his scroll, "I suppose you've gotten the wrong information, General Bo. He will be here in two weeks."

"No, General Kano, we just received a messenger hawk sent by the councilman's lieutenant." Bo held up a scroll canister, "He wrote saying their estimated arrival will be around one week, if not less."

"One week?"

"He has many capable waterbenders on board, and he's on his way in a Fire Nation cruiser."

"Well that explains it."

"I have to say I'm relieved," Bo remarked. "I hear he will be providing security for the prince," the war minister turned to a young man sitting near Kano. "I suppose you will receive plenty of protection these next few months, Prince Anyu."

The prince, who happens to be the nephew of Arnook and is currently deemed as his successor, sighed, "Frankly speaking, I'm only looking forward to meeting the man. I don't expect him to take my arrows."

"Well he clearly expects to give you some form of protection," Bo said. "He's obviously coming early this year considering what happened with Chief Arnook."

"Either he's that excited to be a guard or those feelings of his are getting the best of him," Kano muttered.

"I hear he will be more of a diplomat, sir," the prince raised his eyebrows, annoyed by Kano's outlook. So the Southern warrior clearly had some trauma leftover; that wasn't deserving of mockery. "He's coming to settle some issues. Having a member of the United Nations Council with us is certainly beneficial."

"Except we never know if he's actually capable of protecting anyone if he can't even protect himself. It has only been a few months since he tried killing himself."

"The poor man has been through a lot," Bo frowned at Kano's lack of basic empathy.

The young prince, alarmed by the revelation, disapproved of how Kano— among other officials as of late— thought the councilman was a sap and a rough equivalent to a security guard. Ever since he learned about Sokka and the crucial personality that he had been in Chief Arnook's life, Anyu had been fascinated with him. He heard a great deal about the councilman; the Southerner had apparently been in charge of the Southern Water Tribe from an early age while his father, Chief Hakoda, and the men of the tribe were away at war. Sokka was one of the war heroes who helped end the Hundred Year War. He was a warrior, a companion of the Avatar, a master swordsman who traveled the world, and a representative of the Southern Water Tribe. Not to mention, he was an incredible speaker. What was interesting to Anyu the most was that Sokka had fallen in love with Princess Yue, and starting the year after the Hundred Year War ended, the man, broken by her loss, had been taking annual trips to the Northern Water Tribe to attend the Moon Festival without fail. Anyu felt that Councilman Sokka would not only be the perfect diplomat for the Northern Water Tribe but also a great mentor for him. And in all honesty, the prince saw Sokka as family, for if Chief Hakoda was given the chance, he would have easily accepted Sokka as his son-in-law if he hadn't already.

"Do you think the councilman will also be involved in the investigations? Regarding…" the assassination, but that part didn't have to be said aloud given the prince was still grieving.

"I am more concerned with how he will handle the uprisings that are ramping up in the city," Kano said, "Since we don't have a chief yet."

Their conversation was interrupted by quiet footsteps, heading in their direction, then a soft voice, "Noodles, Your Excellencies."

The trio of officials felt as if something was...unusual around them upon hearing that voice. As if there was an unidentifiable kind of... weird presence... around them. Sure the voice likely belonged to someone— someone with a name and a face— but the voice also felt...oddly out of this world. Simultaneously they turned and saw a cloaked woman standing at the entrance of the chamber, her head held low.

"Come in," Kano ordered.

The woman's hair and part of her face were covered as she made her way over to the table they were sitting at with her tray of noodles. She didn't serve yet, waiting for permission.

"You must be new to the job," General Bo told her. "You don't have to wait to serve."

"My apologies."

The generals went back to their discussion, occasionally looking back at the woman. Anyu, however, noticed a significant detail: the particular interest the woman held for the conversation. He noticed how she made her way around the table slowly, taking extra time not out of respect or courtesy but out of curiosity for the subject being discussed. She never made eye contact with anyone, and even with the afternoon sun starting to light up the ice palace, it was still difficult for anyone to see her face fully given the play of her cloak's hood, but she still seemed familiar somehow.

"In a way, we won't have too many problems," Bo concluded after a particular conversation about changes in the North's systematic structure and law, "Councilman Sokka will be strict enough to settle the rebellions down. He is also a wonderful tactician; he will definitely be an asset to promoting Water Tribe culture and sense of community."

The servant woman laughed dryly for a moment, striking the generals' attention. Anyu raised his eyebrows.

"Why did you laugh?" General Kano asked her.

She quickly cleared her throat. "No reason."

Kano frowned. "You are not to leave unless you admit your reason."

"I wish not to be an offense."

"Please," Anyu urged. "We would appreciate your input. It is our duty to listen to our people, is it not?"

The woman cast him a small smile before turning to face the generals. Her appearance continued to elude them from beneath her overbearing cloak. "I am sure you know more than I do when it comes to politics, but I was only thinking of the reality behind all of your words."

Politics? Since when did a servant know much about politics? "What is that supposed to mean?" Bo questioned.

"You are feeling so confident about all the laws that the councilman is likely going to change, and your predictions are all coming out of how he assisted Chief Arnook throughout his political career thus far, but there's something you're not quite thinking of. With what authority will he take all these measures to protect the North?"

"What are you saying? He's part of the United Nations Council—"

"Which is located in the Republic City headquarters and is supposed to serve the United Republic of Nations, not the Water Tribe, exactly." Shrugging, "He might have connections with the North, but I feel he will not have enough authority to establish the ideals that all of you feel are appropriate for the tribe. United Nations councilman or not."

This servant woman sounded like she was educated, which was odd, to say the least, but also amusing.

"Even under current emergency circumstances, it is not possible for laws to be made or passed with the aid of a mere diplomat or government servant for another recognized nation. Or by generals for that matter. If anything, the Chief is the only person who can efficiently enforce laws within the tribe. I feel that if the councilman is awarded a higher role in government affairs, he will be able to better suit the needs of the people and change laws as necessary."

The prince and the generals were surprised. That was a valid detail, having been eclipsed by the councilman's near-stardom status that made them assume he was capable of doing everything unquestioned.

"What do you know about the councilman so much that makes you believe his authority should be increased?" Kano demanded, not letting up in spite of her point. "He can't hold himself together even when he sees a tapestry of Goddess Yue. What makes you think he can run a nation?"

"I hope you are mature enough to understand that grief manifests in different ways but doesn't always necessarily hinder a person from being the best they can be," she pointed out, earning a glare from Kano and looks of further surprise from the prince and war minister, "It is not a secret to the cabinet members or to the people of the tribe that Councilman Sokka has always been the right-hand man of Chief Arnook. I have also heard that he is next in line for chiefdom in our sister tribe." The woman glanced up at them. "I believe this reason is valid enough to prove his worth."

"Then what do you suggest that we do, your excellency?" Kano asked. "To 'award the councilman with a higher role in government affairs'?"

Even someone as young as Anyu could notice the disrespectful tone in the general's voice, but it seemed the woman displayed an immense amount of patience. "What do I know, sir? I am a mere servant. I simply do not have the right to suggest making Councilman Sokka the temporary tribal chief or anything."

Anyu couldn't help a smile of agreement. The generals stared at one another, wide-eyed.

"Chief?!" Kano nearly choked on his noodles, "B-but—"

"I think it's a great idea," Anyu stood up.

"I must be going now," the woman excused herself, but not before flashing a knowing smile. "Enjoy your meals."

Anyu grinned widely as she left. He certainly was pleased with the idea of Sokka taking control as the interim chieftain. Besides, not only will he be a form of security for the tribe, but the tribe will be a form of security for him as well. Clearly these generals weren't just going to throw the councilman out on the battlefield without some sort of shield. "Gentlemen, I think we have our solution. Well, for a problem we didn't even see—"

"Prince Anyu, you are forgetting the fact that you are only fifteen now."

Anyu raised his eyebrows. "I don't mean to be disrespectful, General Kano, but I do feel the need to emphasize that I am the successor of Chief Arnook. Surely I need a mentor to help guide me in my duties. Who else is the perfect choice for the position other than Councilman Sokka?"

"You haven't even met the councilman, Prince Anyu—" Kano began.

"I certainly know a great deal about him through my research. I believe he will make a fine chief even if it's for a short time."

General Bo did not argue, but Kano was stubborn. "Did your research tell you the man can't go a moment without bursting into tears whenever he sees anything related to the Goddess? He's too weak to take control of the North even if for a short time. Picture a rebel charging at someone important with a spear; I can see the councilman just standing there and crying over the tapestry of the Goddess on the nearest wall instead of warding off that danger."

"That's rather insensitive of you," Anyu frowned, "Chief Sokka isn't that incompetent."

"Oh, you'd be surprised."

But Anyu wasn't willing to accept that answer, repeatedly thinking back to the strangeness...the indescribable energy behind an unknown presence that had lingered the entire time the servant woman had been in the room. The way that strangeness and energy had lifted the moment she stepped out. That strange feeling was enough to explain why she took such interest in listening to the generals' conversations. Why she had such immense knowledge of Water Tribe government policies despite being a "servant." Why she exhibited the grace of a regal individual, and especially why she was so intent in raising the councilman's authority. The fifteen-year-old gawked at the entrance of the chamber in which the servant— likely the Moon Spirit herself— passed through.

"Well if that's all you're getting from his record and history, you seem to be missing the bigger picture," Anyu said. "You think of his feelings as a weakness. I see them as bridges to the North. Someone who is attached to a Northerner that much will obviously be loyal to the Northern cause."

Kano frowned, still disagreeing but not saying anything in retaliation. The explanation, however, was enough for Bo to stand by his support for the proposal.

"Loving the Goddess that way is not accepted, yes, but that Goddess used to roam the earth as a human being," Bo supplemented. "She was born a Northerner, and she is still tied strongly to the North. Even if for the means protecting the place she was born in and the place she will always be tied to, even if it means preserving her legacy, Prince Sokka won't be incompetent in his duties."

General Kano rolled his eyes. Deciding a leader's competence based on his love life isn't necessarily effective, but whatever.


"The councilman has arrived!"

Several citizens of the North gathered around and gazed across the water. From almost a mile away, they spotted the silhouette of a ship emerging from the gathering mist. With their swift bending motions, waterbenders melted the huge chunks of ice that were in the way, providing a smoothened path through which the ship could pass. High-ranking officials waited by the docks as guards struggled to hold back the many commoners who were eager to see the Southern warrior. Prince Anyu, surrounded by his own security personnel, quickly made his way up to the frontier to welcome the councilman.

Meanwhile, the crew members aboard the Fire Nation cruiser noticed the intricate design that belonged to none other than the North Pole's capital, the Northern Arch appearing from beyond the mist.

"We're about to reach the ice!" a crew member announced, easing the ship towards the port of entry.

The lieutenant observed the surroundings before turning to Sokka, "No signs of unrest so far, sir."

Sokka nodded, letting out a breath before throwing an overcoat over himself. The journey had been pretty rough for the warrior— both physically and emotionally— considering the hurry he was in all throughout the ride and the confusion he faced. The Moon Spirit, who persuaded him to take action in his dream, contradicted her intentions in reality. Of course, reality is seen in a more favorable light than the logic of dreams, especially if reality meant receiving information directly from the original source. Nevertheless, he had made it in one piece, and he was going to prove his competence in protecting her home.

He stood from his seat and stepped out onto the deck, facing the Northern Arch. In spite of harboring a defiant goal, he had no idea how he was holding in the avalanche of emotion that stirred inside of him.

"I advise you to be careful, sir," a waterbender advised." Suspicious activity is bound to take place at any time. These rebels we're dealing with are quite dangerous."

"As long as the prince and the people are okay, we have nothing to worry about," came Sokka's near-monotone response.

"That shouldn't be a problem at all, sir, but I should remind you that it is under Avatar Aang's strict orders that you are surrounded by a minimum of five security guards when interacting with the public."

"I know."

After a few moments of haste, impatient racing of footsteps, and occasional stumbles, he approached the exit, and once the bowsprit of the ship lowered, he stepped out into the snow. The commoners and lower-class citizens attempted to swarm around him, piercing the air with cheers of welcome and relief, but they were held back by several guards. Sokka attempted a smile and waved to them, but it was obvious he was racked with sorrow and burden more than enthusiasm.

The vast majority of the tribefolk were not strangers to the special relationship that Sokka and Yue shared even if the idea of a mortal holding romantic feelings for their now-patron-goddess and companion of La was not necessarily easy for them to swallow. Some of the older folks remembered how much professional and personal time Yue and Sokka spent together. Because Chief Arnook trusted that Sokka was a loyal warrior at the time, they didn't even let the guards follow the princess around whenever she was with him. It seemed that Chief Arnook himself was more than happy to let the princess spend time with the Southerner. Yue's sacrifice, however, sparked tragedy, and the tribe knew the impact it must have had on the warrior considering his difficulty in moving on.

It was then that Prince Anyu walked up to the warrior eagerly, accompanied closely by several guards. "It's an honor to officially meet you, Councilman Sokka." With a bow, "I'm Anyu."

"The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness."

"Please, just Anyu is fine."

"I'm afraid that'll take some time. I'd prefer addressing you as Prince Anyu, instead, until then."

"Alright," the prince smiled. "Let's head to the defense quarters, shall we? There's a lot we need to discuss. I'm personally very excited to get to know more about you and your adventures."

"I'm afraid you are mistaken, Prince Anyu," General Kano chimed in, greeting Sokka with an obligatory bow. "Our esteemed councilman is used to the tradition of visiting our marble Moon Spirit upon his arrival. Political and social issues, no matter how urgent, are to wait until after the visit."

Sokka could trace out the mockery in the official's tone but said nothing of it, simply opting for a nod. Anyu, however, had to admit he was surprised. He knew the councilman had feelings for the princess at one point, and it impressed him that despite her sacrifice, she was still strongly reigning the warrior's heart.

"I hope I have the honor of escorting you, Councilman," the prince offered.

"Of course."

The walk was somber as the generals and officials accompanied Sokka to the heart of the city. All the while, Sokka noticed how much the Northern Water Tribe had changed from a year ago when he had last been here. The construction of the entry gates to the central plaza was still underway. A few sophisticated canals that housed gondolas were reduced in number and turned into walkways. What was most pleasing to his eyes, however, was the beautiful, towering statue of Princess Yue that was designed by him many years before and crafted witih white marble. It seemed as if Yue was glancing deep into his eyes in welcome, as if her palms, which were held out in a gesture of giving, were really reaching for him. And it was hard to miss the devotion that filled his heart and brimmed his eyes as his gaze trailed to her bare neck. His fingers itched to pull something out of his pocket, but he stopped himself. This was not the time.

In the meantime, Anyu took it upon himself to light some incense and ready the flower offerings. He didn't engage in further worship, deciding that maybe Sokka would like to take the reins from here. Kano shook his head, however, telling the prince, "He's not gonna do it."

Anyu only frowned. "What? That's crazy. He's her lover, of course he'll worship her."

"He's a crazy one," Kano whispered, "That's what."

Ignoring the general's remarks, the prince turned to Sokka and pulled him out of his affection-glazed trance, "Would you like to do the honors?"

Sokka shook his head, "I'm not a ritualist."

"But surely you pray to the Moon Spirit," Anyu blinked, confused.

"No. I don't have the habit of asking her for things. I love her, that's all."

It was certainly a strange kind of love. Beyond any kind of love that the young prince saw in any tribal play.


The clouds were adamant in sealing the moon away from view. Even so, slivers of light bounced against the rocking waves and spilled some of the moon's splendor onto the canals and sidewalks. Relying on those slivers of light, Sokka, covered in an overbearing cloak, made his way quietly to the central plaza once again, taking note of the relative emptiness of the city beneath the dark night. He let out the breath he'd been holding once he came to the statue of his lover, and he took his seat close by, leaning against the slick marble. He let his heart swell with boundless affection again, this time no longer worrying about keeping himself contained. How he'd wished to pour out his grief when he visited that afternoon, held back only by the fear that he'd be deemed incompetent to handle the issues in the tribe.

He basked for a long time in the darkness, and in that moment of privacy, he pulled himself together and pulled something out of his pocket. The pendant glistened in the darkness.

"But I have it ready, sir."

Sokka didn't even look at the man, "It's fine, Cuó. Just get on with your life. Forget I ever asked you anything."

"Sir, please, I have it ready this time—!"

"I understand that you've been having difficulties sending this to me for fifteen years. Fifteen years!" the warrior snapped. "Seriously, my patience has a limit. Who takes fifteen years to make a necklace that doesn't get lost in shipping or get ruined by the universe? You're the only sculptor I know who's been taking his sweet time in making a single necklace that actually makes it to me!"

"I'm sorry, sir—"

"It's not like you're struggling for a living, either. I mean, I first met you when you were a teenager. Now you're married and have a billion kids, but your progress on my necklace is going nowhere. Keep in mind that I wouldn't have had to rely on you if the other Water Tribe sculptors didn't spit in my face at my request!"

"I'm really sorry. Please, just have a look at it and see if it's okay—"

"Oh, I don't know. I guess it'll be okay if the pendant doesn't fall off again like last time," the warrior glared.

"It won't, I promise you. I put in my best work for this one. Please."

The warrior gave him a look for another moment before taking the package from him. "Whether you promise me or not, I'm still gonna have a look at it. It's for the Moon Spirit; I need to make sure it's perfect." And as he tore apart the package with great impatience, he could feel the sculptor's expression boring into him, "You think I'm crazy for asking for a betrothal necklace for a statue, don't you?"

"Oh...no, not at all, sir."

"You're not a very good liar."

The sculptor said nothing of it, feeling nervous, watching the warrior examine the blue necklace that peeked out from the box. "What do you think, sir?"

Sokka didn't have to say anything in actuality. It was obvious he was taken with the necklace. After all, who would not fall for the longest, smoothest of all worldly silks woven in the form of a dark blue ribbon, pinned to a large sapphire that was carved into the shape of a full moon?

"You think it will fit her neck?"

"Your measurements are never inaccurate, sir. We got it fixed to fit the dimensions perfectly."

The warrior smiled despite it not reaching his eyes.

"So you think it looks okay?" the sculptor asked hopefully.

"It's not the appearance I'm worried about," Sokka sighed. "It's just that...I've been wanting to get this necklace made for such a long time, and it kept eluding me in some way. The first time I ordered it, the package got lost. It took another six months to get it made. The second and third time, it was never even completed, and five whole years went by after that..." He flashed the sculptor a look. "The third time, the pendant fell off. After all that, I kept getting letters from a certain someone saying he'll have it made eventually—"

"You have to understand, Councilman Sokka, I was caught up in other work and...and..."

"I bet you just didn't want to get caught making a huge necklace for a statue on behalf of a lunatic."

"No, not at all, sir—"

"I don't care, honestly." Sokka then dared to touch the necklace and held it up. The sapphire pendant shone brilliantly as the moonlight fell upon it. "I just don't want anything to happen to this one."

"I took many precautions to make it tight and secure so nothing will fall off, sir. That's why I'm hand-delivering it to you myself."

"So you're saying it didn't fall off because you were careful? What if some fierce wind comes and knocks it off of Yue's neck later on?"

"No, no sir, I didn't mean it that way!"

Although reluctant to take the sculptor's word, Sokka nevertheless placed the necklace carefully back inside its container. "Remember, Cuó, you're playing with my hopes here."

"If you don't mind, can I ask you a question?"

"Have at it."

"Betrothal necklaces are supposed to be handmade by Water Tribe men. Why didn't you make one yourself, sir? Why rely on others to craft one?"

Sokka shot him another look.

"I'm not complaining or anything!" Cuó said quickly. "It's just genuine curiosity. You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

The councilman placed the container into the folds of his cloak. "I can mess up on anything else in life and not give a fuck about it," he said in all seriousness. "But when it comes to Yue...I can't mess up. I won't mess up." Swallowing the lump in his throat and letting out a poor attempt at a chuckle, "Everybody knows what happens if I get involved in arts and crafts. And besides, Yue is so elegant. So fancy and dignified and beautiful and divine. She's too good to have something handcrafted by someone who's not worth a single grain of her sacrifice..."

"I'm sure the Goddess doesn't feel that way."

"She probably doesn't. She's too nice. She fell in love with me knowing I was a Southern peasant. And heck, I couldn't even carve her a single fish. She can't expect me to make her a betrothal necklace, right?"

Moments later, the warrior was hastily wiping at his eyes. He reached into his robes and pulled out quite a big stack of yuan bills. He placed the stack in Cuó's hands.

"But sir, you already paid me several times—"

"Just take it away. I don't need it." Sighing brokenly, "That's not what I'm living for."

The officials, who were barely keeping in their disapproval of the councilman's lingering affections and laughing behind his back at the waterfalls of his tears, would scoff at the necklace, but for Sokka, the necklace resembled his hopes and dreams that had been dashed to the ground, the desires and fulfillment that he would never be able to reach. The happy life he and Yue never had.

Sokka, after looking both ways, got up and approached the nearby stepped ice boulder, which was bent in place by the workers who periodically cleaned the white marble. Luckily, the boulder appeared high enough to enable even the shortest of tribefolk to reach her face, presenting no issue at all of reaching her neck. As he stepped up the boulder, however, Sokka began to feel that he wasn't alone. The air held a weird feeling to it all of a sudden, and for a split moment, he felt like someone was staring at him from behind. He turned around, spotting no one there.

Perhaps he was just paranoid.

Once he reached the top of the boulder, the affection in his heart tipped over as tears. He brushed them aside, cursing them for blurring his vision, for he wanted to savor this moment, take in the spill of moonlight drenching the white marble of her face. This was the closest he could get to sealing his love in place, the best he could do to write his loyalty in the stars.

His hands cupped the cold face of the marble princess, and his trembling lips managed to plant a kiss on her forehead, but just as he held the necklace out before him, the universe proved that his paranoia wasn't actually paranoia and that this necklace, too, was to become useless. An arrow from Spirits-knew-where whizzed by and swiftly pierced through the ribbon, sending the silk ribbon flying with it. It took a few seconds for Sokka to realize that the putrid-smelling arrow was actually lit afire at its tip, and it took another few seconds for the flames to eat up the ribbon and dance over the sapphire.

An enraged Sokka darted his bloodshot eyes behind him, noticing several shadows step out from their places behind a few buildings. He jumped down from the boulder and landed on his feet in the snow, eyeing the figures in stark black attire with bows in hand and arrow-filled quivers strapped around their chests.

"So this is the so-called savior of the North?" a rebel mocked, "He seems harmless. Nothing but a lovesick polar bear puppy."

The rebel was caught off guard, however, as Sokka grunted and delivered a powerful kick to the rebel's chest. The rebel was knocked backward, sending a few others down with him. Little time was wasted from there; the rebels who remained standing whipped out more of their arrows and began to launch them all at once in Sokka's direction. Sokka dodged them with the help of his boomerang— unfortunately the only thing he brought with him to defend himself, having left his other weapons in the temporary room arranged for his lodging. He managed to whip out the boomerang in time and used it to block the arrows, propelling them back at their shooters. One of the rebels was more than eager to face the councilman on his own; he delivered shot upon shot toward Sokka, but Sokka dodged each arrow, this time whipping out his machete and slicing the arrows in half as they headed in his direction.

Soon came the moment when a few of the rebels realized they were out of arrows, and they took to combat instead, relying on the skills of their other comrades who still had arrows. Sokka managed to restrain most of the rebels one by one, exerting every bit of his energy and cleverly using the fallen rebels' bodies as his shields against the incoming arrows.

"For a depressed loverboy, you're pretty good," another rebel taunted.

"I'll show you how good I am." Sokka lunged forward, finally grabbing the chance to make a move in the offensive. This particular rebel seemed to have a whole collection of weapons with him judging by the way he clashed with Sokka with dual swords of his own. Not that the idea helped him any further since Sokka had advanced knowledge of swordplay in general; the warrior predicted the rebel's next moves and maneuvered his body to where he was soon standing behind the rebel, taking the opportunity to send the rebel buckling to the ground with a quick jab at his pressure points.

"Councilman Sokka!" came a sudden sharp cry. Through his peripheral vision, Sokka noted that Prince Anyu was heading towards him. The guards surrounding the prince charged forward without hesitation, doing their part to restrain the rebels that remained standing.

In that moment of desperation, one rebel, realizing that directly attacking the councilman wouldn't yield desired results, aimed the last of his arrows— now attached to a small but highly-impacting explosive— towards the statue of Yue. Sokka's eyes widened; he aimed his boomerang in the direction of the arrow. The bomb malfunctioned and engulfed the rebel instead.

With regard to the impacts of the other rebels, Sokka finished his spar in a matter of seconds. Even with that victory and the aid of the prince's guards, he felt a certain tug of fear. Yue's statue was definitely one of the targets. If that incompetent rebel thought of playing with Sokka's greatest weakness, the others would most likely do the same. And he was right; although that rebel's move failed, it was nevertheless a good tactic, as demonstrated by some of the rebels who stubbornly got back up. One of them replicated the exact move, this time aiming at the statue from an angle that was further away from the Southern warrior's reach.

Just as Sokka saw a glint of another arrow angling towards the statue, he raced over to the grand monument. Though his chest was being crushed to pieces as he spotted the betrothal necklace that now smoldered in smoke, he realized that his next initiative was to be the monument's shield. Although the swing of his boomerang managed to knock away the attached explosive, it wasn't enough to divert the arrow's path. He jerked his arms out just in time for the arrow to tear through his shoulder. Growling in pain, he lost his balance and hit the snow.

"Councilman Sokka's injured!" a guard yelled.

"Councilman Sokka!" Anyu attempted to rush to the warrior's aid, held back by the guards that remained at his side. Two other guards rushed to the warrior's side, noting that the councilman was quickly starting to lose consciousness. They didn't understand; hadn't the councilman dealt with worse blows before without losing sight of reality?

It was then that they realized that the substance the arrows reeked of was poison.

"I'll be fine," Sokka groaned, his vision blurring significantly in a matter of seconds, "b-but protect... statue...Yue..."

The last thing he remembered was the formation of a huge icy barrier around the monument and the moonlit gleam of the white marble before blacking out.