A/N. Well, this went on longer than planned lol. I hope you like the chapter! Next time, the invasion from Katara's perspective!
"Where is Meathead?" Aang heard Toph mutter. Indeed… Where was Sokka? They needed to leave in just ten minutes, if they were to keep to the Water Tribe warrior's tight time schedule.
"I'll look for him, he is probably just changing." The airbender answered. Half an hour ago, just after leaving Katara, he had seen Hakoda give his son a bag… Probably with the armour that he had promised.
Pushing the button on the side of the new glider, its wings sprung out. Aang tried not to sigh from happiness seeing this… it had been so long he had actually been able to fly around on his own. And he had tried it out during the night… And he had to admit, it worked better than his old one. His old glider had been a gift from Gyatso, but it had been too small for him since they left the North Pole…
"Please tell me you are not going to fly, it weirds me out, feeling you around and then just poof. No Twinkle-"
The rest of the blind girl's sentence, Aang didn't hear. He had already jumped off. Bending the air around him, he shot up, straight towards the sky. From below, he heard some cries. Looking down, he saw the several warriors were standing with open mouths, looking at what he was doing. Oh… Sure… They had never seen an airbender, and those who had seen him before… Well, some had not seen him actually bend. So, of course, this was weird and new for them.
Waving awkwardly towards the warriors, he flew away. From high up, the island didn't seem as big as it had done on foot. Aang knew that the other side of the island was an hour walk, so Sokka didn't go there. That limited his search to the camp and its immediate surroundings. The field, in which a few days ago a herd of koala-sheep had been the only disturbance, was now unrecognizable. It looked like a farmer had ploughed the ground, but a very unskilled one. Where the grass was still visible, it looked trampled.
So this was what an army camp looked like after the army had gone… How many fields, forests and streams had been destroyed like this? Hundreds… Thousands…
Not important. After today, no more army bases. No more camps. No more elaborate plans, schemes and military planning. After today, the war would be history.
When Katara had asked him about the candle… Well, Aang had lied. Yes, it had gone out. But it was just superstition. No way that a candle could predict the future. A huff of wind, Momo who kicked over the candle… Anything could have happened to it! That didn't mean anything.
But Gyatso's words about the candle haunted him.
The spirits listen if you ask. Light the candle so they know the path towards you, say your prayers… And trust that the spirits will provide. They always do, if need arise.
Was this a sign from the Spirits? A sign not to go through with the invasion? No… It couldn't be. They had worked up to this moment for two whole months! And not once, had there been indication that they shouldn't do this. No, this was a coincidence.
Spotting a flash of blue movement, near the cliffs, Aang quickly released the winds around him, making him drop towards the ground. Bending a soft air cushion for himself, he landed softly next to Sokka, who was staring at az helmet in the form of a wolfs head. Aang had to admit, it looked beautiful. Just like the one the water tribe boy had once described to him. The helmet he had always wanted. The airbender saw that the mark of the Wise, the sign Sokka had got from Bato, was sculpted into the forehead of the wolf. It was beautiful craftsmanship. Seriously, if Hakoda retired from the Chiefdom, he could always start a business.
"Hey buddy… We have been looking everywhere for you. The ships are nearly ready to leave." He said gently, seeing the conflicted look in Sokka's ice blue eyes.
"I… I messed up Aang."
"What do you mean?"
"You know… The invasion plan… It was my moment of truth. And I screwed it up, royally. I fell apart." Sokka muttered, not looking at him still staring at the helmet.
Aang quickly took a step towards his friend, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Sokka. That speech wasn't your moment of truth. That was just public speaking, and no one is good at that." He tried to reassure his friend, but Sokka just huffed.
"My dad is. He explained the plan perfectly, and inspired everyone… You know… like a real leader should." The water tribe boy still didn't look at him.
"Hey… Your dad wasn't probably not great either with his first speech. And I'm sure that one wasn't as important as this. Your moment of truth isn't going to be in front of some map, or explaining a plan. Everyone can do that, if they have enough experience with it. No… True leadership will be decided when actions need to be taken. It is going to be out there." Aang pointed with his staff towards the west, towards Caldara, "It is going to be decided on that battlefield."
"You seem so confident about it… How do you know we are going to win?" Sokka turned his head, and finally looked the airbender in the eyes.
"I'm not. Just… We must win. There is no other option. I already failed the world several times… And I need this. I need a peaceful world. I… Well you know. I want a normal life." Aang sighed, putting a hand inside the pocket of his trousers. The pouch was there… Would he…
Sokka seemed to notice the movement.
"You know, everything will be alright… And I'll keep an eye on Katara, to make sure she doesn't get hurt. Don't tell her I said that! I won't hear the end of it! Sokka, I'm quite capable of defending myself, I have my magic water." Sokka grinned suddenly.
"She is able to defend herself. I wouldn't want to fight her." Aang chuckled.
"Neither do I! And believe me, I did try when she was younger. I still remember the icicles in my backsides.You know what I meant."
Yeah… Aang did. Sokka had, in his own way, promised to watch out for her… Not only because he was her brother, but also for the airbender…
"Come on, join the others, I'll follow with Appa."
Sokka nodded, punched his arm in a very Toph-like way and walked away, towards the path leading to the ships. Aang turned to his bison and smiled.
Poor Appa.
He was covered from head to paw in armour, and was clearly trying to peel it off.
"Does it itch?" The airbender muttered, as he walked up to this bison. Appa groaned softly, turning one of his brown eyes towards him, "It's just for a day buddy. Then, we'll throw this away, never to be used again. But don't tell Sokka. He seems rather proud of the work he has done."
He had to admit it, it was good. Apparently, the only paint the Water Tribe boy had managed to get for metal was red, so Appa looked like a rather big fireball. The armour itself fitted the bison perfectly, thanks to Toph's metalbending.
"Come. The first part of the journey, you can stay on the ship. Then, you and I will travel for a bit…. Just us two, like the old days." Aang patted Appa's cheek and saw Momo fly towards them. The lemur landed on the saddle strapped to the bison's back and chittered loudly. The airbender just shook his head, waved his companions along, and walked down the path. He could see the warriors boarding the ships from here, and the first ship, the one in which Hakoda had arrived, was clearly the supposed flagship. It was the biggest of the ten, and Aang had seen the construction inside the belly of the ship.
Sokka had said it was completely safe. Or, as safe as he could imagine. But he was still quite happy that he himself was not going to travel in those… things. As much as he admired the water tribe boy's intelligence and ingenuity… Aang preferred not to be on the receiving end of an invention gone wrong…
His boots hit the sand of the beach, and he turned towards Hakoda's ship. His friends were on it… And he was supposed to be on it until the Gates of Azulon. Walking past several of the other ships, he didn't look up as her heard some murmurs.
Do you think he'll do it?
Will he do what he was supposed to do a century ago?
Is this idiot the person who is ending the war?
Of course… He didn't hear the words they spoke. But he supposed it was something like those questions.
He passed the plank, walking up to it, as Appa just slapped his tail, and took a soft jump, landing on the deck with surprising grace. Aang smiled, seeing the bison look very pleased with himself.
"Oh, there you are!" Katara's voice pierced his thoughts, and he turned towards the sound. Katara, Toph and Haru were standing together, as Sokka and Hakoda were next to Gilak who was apparently the helmsman. The sails were dropped as the airbender made his way towards the little group, and he could feel the slight pull as the ship began to move.
"So, what do you think about the armour?" Toph asked as he came to stand next to them. Aang saw that the blind girl had her hand clasped around Katara's arm, trying to hide it behind a rather big helmet she was wearing.
"Good work! Appa seems to like it!" The airbender responded, as he watched Momo hit the metal plates with his little paws.
"I can't tell if you are teasing me. Spirits, I hate wood." Toph muttered, kicking the deck as they moved out of the bay, the first of a line of ships to do so.
Aang saw the confused look on Haru's face and grinned to the earthbender. Could he… Maybe play matchmaker? Oh, that would be so good. Finally, something fun to do, teasing Toph!
"Haru! Our friend Toph here is blind but can see through earthbending! Vibrations in the earth and so on!" He poked the young man softly in the ribs with an elbow.
"Oh spirits, I've heard enough. Idiot. Sugar Queen, get me away from that moron." And with that, Toph began to pull Katara towards the other side of the deck. The waterbender smiled awkwardly to him, raising her shoulders.
Sorry, we'll talk later.
Aang nodded, turning back to Haru, who was still leaning on the railing of the ship.
"So… No Toph then?" Aang shook his head. Yeah, he couldn't imagine to people who were more different than the young earthbender and Toph.
"Eh… no. She seems… Nice? But no." Haru smiled, and Aang thought to see some unease in the pale green eyes. So, no relationship advice.
"Nice is not really the word... Bone headed, stubborn as a rock, and sometimes plain rude. But one of my best friends." The airbender sighed softly, hopping to sit on the railing next to Haru.
"Where did you find here? She is a good earthbender. Sokka told me she invented something called metalbending."
"You are not going to believe this. In the mansion of one of the richest persons of the Earth Kingdom." Aang laughed, pulling his new staff between his knees, turning it around there.
"Great Spirits…" Haru muttered, shaking his head.
Aang laughed and turned his attention back to the two girls who were apparently talking about something on the other side of the ship. The airbender saw how Katara rolled her eyes at something Toph had said, shaking her head.
Spirits, he loved her… Just the sight of Katara, doing that small waving gesture that she always did when she heard something that annoyed her… The soft wind, making her hair flow softly… It was surreal, but for a moment, Aang could only focus on her.
"So, ehm… Aang." His mesmerizing was interrupted by Haru, "Ehm… I know this is an awkward question, certainly now, but…eh… Do you know if-"
"Listen up people!" Hakoda shouted, drowning what Haru had been muttering, "In ten minutes, we are supposed to approach the Gates of Azulon! Prepare to abandon ship!"
Aang let himself slide don the railing, landing on his feet, and turned back to the earthbender.
"We will talk later, alright? It seemed important what you wanted to ask!"
With that, the airbender walked up towards Sokka, who was looking through his spy glass towards something to the west. Hakoda, standing next to him, seemed slightly nervous, balancing back and forth on the tips of his toes. Aang climbed the small platform on the back of the ship, where the helmsman sat.
"So… What are the Gates actually?" He asked. Whenever Sokka had talked about them, Aang had always imagined a great door kind of thing, with Azulon's name written all over it. But of course, he knew better than that. It was going to be their first obstacle.
"Look for yourself." Sokka muttered, looking not at all pleased when he handed the instrument to him. Aang quickly put it to his eye, looking in the same direction as the water tribe boy had done.
First… he saw nothing. Just a soft mist, with the occasional ray of sunlight from the rising sun. Then, just on the horizon… Something flickered. Focusing on that part, the airbender managed to discern a statue, standing tall in the endless ocean.
Then, the mist cleared slightly.
The sight filled him with dread. There was an island, with the statue of an older man, clearly dressed in the Fire Lord's regalia, holding his hands out at each side. There were two other islands on either side of the statue, each something like a mile apart. Great golden dragon statues stood on each of the islands, breathing fire.
And on either side of the islands, a great coral riff… Meaning, that the only way to get through to the other side of the sea… Was just past the statue.
Which was going to be guarded, of course…
"Well… That looks fun." Aang tried to make light of it, handing Sokka back the spyglass. The water tribe boy was apparently not in the mood for jokes, as he just took the instrument, grabbed the helmet he had put on the deck next to him, and began to walk down the stairs into the belly of the ship.
This was the moment Aang had to go down. They had decided that it would be best for him to bend the air bubble around Appa's head before reaching the gates, so to make sure that if there were guards, no one would see him, or even suspect his presence. As all the other warriors began to head towards the stairs, Aang moved against the flow, to Appa.
One of the last people he crossed paths with were Toph and Katara. The waterbender grabbed his arm with the one hand that wasn't held by Toph.
"We'll see you before… You know. Apparently, we need to make a stop to fill the air tanks, halfway. We will trade then. Love you." She whispered, before being pulled along y Toph, who was making gagging noises.
Yeah… Katara was going to be in charge of Appa as soon as they approached the capital. The bison would be of more use to them than he would be to him… But Aang would have loved to have Appa with him… Of course, that was impossible. The bison was just too easy to spot.
"Momo… You need to go with the others. I can't keep an eye on you down there." Aang saw how the lemur moved one paw in a very… Rude manner, before flying off towards the stairs, where Katara and Toph just had gone down.
"So, ready?" The airbender asked, knowing that since the iceberg… Appa would maybe have an apprehension towards going down into the water.
But the bison just groaned, walking to the side of the ship, and jumping down. The spray Appa created went quite high, ang Aang laughed, hearing the soft splashes coming from the bison. Looking over the railing, he saw that Appa was happily swimming in circles.
Jumping down after the bison, Aang landed on the saddle, quickly taking his place on Appa's head and bending the air around them. He estimated that the air inside the bubble was enough for an hour of travels under the water… Just around the same as the air tank in Sokka's invention. They would come up, and then… Another hour of travel. And then, the real part of this day would begin.
Two hours. In two hours… The fate of the world was going to be decided.
And for some reason… Aang didn't feel afraid. No. He would do this, even if the spirits had given him a bad omen! There was not reason to fear that! No, everything he had seen until now, indicated that they were going to win. That candle had just gone out by accident.
"Come on buddy… Dive. Yip yip." And they went under.
Surprisingly, his air bubble held. Aang could even see around them, as the light shone through the surface of the water. It was only underneath them that a great blackness unfurled. Spirits… how deep was this? Feeling pressure build inside his chest, Aang forced himself to look upwards, where the sky was visible through the waves. There… That was freedom. Not the oppressing darkness.
Appa groaned, and the sound vibrated through the bubble. He padded the bison softly against one of his ears and felt how Appa began to swim. Above them, the bottoms of the ships were visible. For the first time, Aang actually saw how Sokka had decided to release the inventions. There were some kind of doors on each belly of the ships.
As if they knew he had been thinking of that, some of the trapdoors opened, and the metal constructions were released.
Those things looked like fishes… But the movement was slightly awkward, as if the metal tube was forced through the water, instead of flowing through it. Aang knew that in each one, six waterbenders, all from the swamp, were bending the water through some kind of pipes, in which propellors were mounted…
Well, Sokka had explained it to him, but he had to admit, he hadn't quite understood everything.
Now, the other "sub-ships" as the water tribe boy had called them, were in the water. Ten ships, carrying six hundred and thirty-five people…
Six hundred and thirty-five people, who were his responsibility. Every death this day… Those would be on his conscience…
As were all those who had died before…
Apparently, Appa sensed the change of the mood, for he groaned softly.
"I know buddy… Not my fault, Katara would say the same. But still… Let's hope that the fighting won't be too severe… Maybe the Fire Nation doesn't have many troops on their Home Islands… That would be great… Not too many deaths on our side… nor on their side." He sighed.
Aang hadn't said a word during the speech, and the explaining of the plans, for he knew it would have been futile… But he had wanted to warn the others, not to hurt innocent bystanders. The airbender wasn't as naïve as that.
He knew that whenever a city was taken… Pillaging, looting, murder, assault… Everything would be permitted. Even if Hakoda had warned against it… Aang knew it would happen. Even if they were supposed to be the "good guys" …
If they would win this battle… He would try to use his authority as Avatar to put a stop to it. At least, him being the Avatar would serve a purpose then.
Suddenly, the surface of the water lit up, and, looking up, he saw that some sort of net had been pulled over the entrance, created a blockade of the Gates, and that that net had been set on fire. Of course… Normally, that would force a ship to stop, to prevent it from burning. And that would make them easy targets.
Steering Appa, he made sure they followed the "sub-ships" for quite a while. If he guessed right, they would have to come up for air any moment now.
Aang's hand wandered to the pocket... would he… Should he…
Pulling the pouch of his pocket, he opened it, and looked inside. The necklace was still inside, as it had been since he had finished it… Should he do it? Toph had said it was a good idea… And Hakoda had not seemed against it. Even Sokka had encouraged him when he had made it… And… Had Katara not done the same thing?
Yes… She had said they had a future, a future that was going to span over long years… Wasn't this the next logical step? Aang knew that in the water tribes, people could only get married after sixteen. No problem there… He hadn't said it to the others, but his birthday had passed a few weeks ago, making him seventeen. And Katara's birthday was also approaching, making her eighteen… That would be alright, no?
"What do you think?" He spoke softly. Appa just groaned, but it sounded… Well, maybe it was his imagination, but it did sound like he approved. And why not?
Why shouldn't he give it? Katara was not going to say no, would she? At the end of this day, the world would be at peace… And what better way to enter that new era… Then with her at his side? Aang knew that that was the thing he had always wanted, even when he hadn't known what he wanted. No… he had loved her since the moment he was born, even if she had not even been born… or her grandparents, for that fact… But still… There was no denying it. All he wanted was her.
And she had made it quite clear that she wouldn't say no…
The "sub-ships" began to move towards the surface, and Aang quickly closed the pouch, tying it shut, and putting it back in his pocket. Appa had apparently understood what was happening, for he had also begun to move upwards. As soon as they broke the surface, the airbender made the bubble around them pop, letting fresh air into his longs. Inhaling deeply, he looked to the closest ship, and saw that the trap door was being opened. Hakoda's head emerged, and, seeing him, the chief smiled.
Yet another good sign, no? Her family seemed to like him…
As Aang stood up, other people emerged from the ship, to stand on the top. Some of the Earth Rumble fighters, the The Duke… Followed by a green-faced Toph, clearly nauseous. Then Sokka… And finally, Katara.
"See you on the other side, my friend… Stay safe, and I'll make sure to give you all the watermelons I can find tonight." Aang padded Appa's ear for one last time, before jumping to the deck of the ship with the help of some airbending.
He saw his friends stand close together, with some of the other warriors forming similar small groups, talking lowly to each other, knowing this was the moment to say their goodbyes… That there wouldn't be a calm moment after this. Only preparing for the fight, and the fight itself…
"So… this is it, isn't it?" He spoke softly as he came to stand in front of his three friends.
"It is… So, are you ready to show the Fire Nation the Avatar is alive?" Sokka spoke first, and Aang saw that the water tribe boy seemed less anxious, far more collected… As if the fact they approached the fight calmed him.
"Yes… yes, I'm ready to show the world." Aang smiled, and he saw how Sokka extended a hand. The airbender grabbed the forearm of his friend in the traditional Water Tribe way, and kept it there for a moment, before being pulled into a hug by the older boy.
"Please watch out Air Head. Don't get yourself killed again… I don't think I could handle that again." Sokka muttered in his ears, and Aang felt tears in his eyes. Of course… Katara had not been the only one to suffer from what happened…
"Promise me the same thing, and we have a deal." He whispered back, before pulling away. Sokka nodded, and stepped away. Then came Toph.
The blind girl stood in front of him, evidently hesitating.
"I hope you kick some serious Fire Lord butt Twinkletoes! Make sure to leave something for the rest of us, eh?" And then, the blind girl stepped forward, awkwardly pulling him into her arms. Aang smiled, hugging Toph back, with his chin on her head.
"Alright Toph… Watch out, will you? Don't do anything stupid." He answered, and he heard the girl scoff.
"When did I ever do something stupid?" And with that, she took a step back, kicking his leg in the process. Without another word, she joined Sokka. Momo ran forward, and flew up. Aang extended his hand to give the lemur a good sitting position, but Momo just dropped a piece of fruit into it, and flew over to Toph. Smiling, Aang knew what that meant… Lemurs always brought food to people they loved.
That left Katara… He took a step towards her, seeing that her eyes were filled with unshed tears. Taking her hands in his own, he smiled, in what he hoped was a reassuring way.
"Alright people, time to submerge again! Next time we see the other side, it will be on the beaches of the capital! Remember, stay alert, and fight smart! Back into the subs!" Hakoda's voice boomed over the deck, but Aang didn't look away.
The footsteps behind them began to disappear, and silence settled on the deck. Aang suspected that the others had left them alone for a moment… So that they could say goodbye in private.
"Aang, I…"
"Katara, I…"
They looked at each other, and the airbender couldn't help but smile, shaking his head.
"You go first." He conceded. What he had wanted to say… Well, it could wait for a moment.
"Aang, I love you so much… I'm so proud of you." She whispered, and he could see the small blush. He had heard that several times now… But it was still as if she said it for the first time. A grin appeared on Aang's face.
"I love you too… Mero mana, timro ho, mero premokura. My beautiful Katara…" He breathed back, softly caressing the palm of her hand.
"Please come back, you have to, do you hear me? I… I couldn't handle it." Katara said, and Aang just pulled her into a hug.
"I will… Please believe me. After today… Everything will be different." He whispered back, and kissed her. He had intended it to be a soft, gentle kiss, but her response was to push herself against him, pressing her lips harder against his. Sighing into the kiss, Katara put his hand on her waist, trying to pull hersel even closer. He didn't know how long they stayed like that, but after a while, the waterbender took a step back.
"Promise me."
Aang put a hand into his pocket… Would he… Would he dare?
"Katara… I promise to come back… I will always… always come back to you. And…" Inhaling deeply, he took the pouch out of his pocket, closing his fist around it.
"And I promise you another thing. I will end this, and then… then we can start on that future that you talked about a few days ago… I love you Katara…" With that, he took her hand, put the pouch into it, and opened his glider.
And flew away, towards the Fire Nation capital.
Answers :
Jjsmith103 : I don't think he really blew it, he just said something he thought would be nice and kind, but combined with everything he said before… Well, it kind of blew up. I can't assure you everything will be alright, for there will be things happening during the invasion… But drama is good, don't worry, it is worth it lol.
CoyoteLemon : There are small details in the show that are never explained, so I like to include an explanations to them! I love to put in the small details, and weave a whole story around it!
Rak :Exactly, I wanted to show everyone's opinions on several issues, and to show that even if drama will happen, they are still there for each other, through thick and thin.