CHAPTER 1- A Very Special Day.
Author's Note: For the purposes of storytelling all characters are three years older. EX. Sokka is 18 and Katara is 17. Also, I feel like this is unnecessary, but I don't own AtLA.
The Middle of the Ocean
A figure heavily laden in furs boarded the boat he had pulled alongside. Followed by a detail of 5 similarly adorned men, Amaruq, Chieftain of the Southern Water Tribe, moved to meet the figure waiting for him at the bow of the ship.
Tulok, Chief of the Northern Tribe, stood solemnly waiting for him.
Amaruq spoke in a gravely tone, "The time has come. May the spirits smile upon us this night."
Tulok responded in kind, "May the Ocean and Moon bless us so that we may bring them glory."
As the supermoon rose, hundreds of ships poured from what seemed to be the edges of the world. It seemed that if one would only listen they could hear the innumerable echoes of a uniform war-cry repeated by thousands of men "We are the storm, inevitable, unyielding." In that one moment the world would never be the same.
The Fire Nation - 93 years later
Zuko rose quickly and dressed for the day. It was finally time. His father had promised to take him on a hunting trip. Hurrying to get ready he gathered his bow, snares, and quiver before meeting his father outside the hut.
Zuko found Ozai waiting for him with two ostrich horses saddled. Ready to travel, the duo mounted the steeds. The pair rode towards the nearby forest where the larger game was most abundant.
After several hours of riding, both dismounted and looked around the clearing they had entered. Realizing the brush would be too dense to continue on their mounts, they hobbled them and continued inward on foot. As the brush became denser Zuko began laying his snares in hopes to catch some small game.
Eventually, Ozai signalled for Zuko to stop. Just ahead of them Zuko could see a komodo rhino. The large creature would provide food for the next fortnight if they could bring it down. HIs father began to edge around the circle in an attempt to flank the beast.
As Ozai reached the other side of the circle he signaled for Zuko to begin to creep towards the beast. Zuko and Ozai slowly moved in on the creature from either side. Just as they were about to strike a crack resounded in the clearing as Zuko broke a stick. The creature's head perked up as it became aware of the pair's presence. Realizing the window of opportunity was escaping, Ozai sent a vortex of flame toward the creature as Zuko loosed his arrow aiming for the beast's attacks found their mark and soon the creature lay prone as the more experienced of the two slit its throat, allowing the blood to drain.
After gathering as much meat as they could and checking the snares, Zuko and Ozai began to return to their village, but upon their return saw no one there to greet them. As the two began to walk toward their home it seemed strangely quiet. On entering the main square Zuko noticed the fountain was not flowing, but was instead covered in a layer of ice. He began to have a sinking feeling in his gut. Quickly he ran to the nearby cove where his suspicions were confirmed. Zuko noticed a fleet of blue sails on the horizon heading away from them.
Ozai, on the other hand, had run directly to their house. Entering quickly, he saw Azula lying unconscious next to the body of his wife. It seemed there had been a struggle, and in the fighting Ursa had died. Falling to the ground, Ozai let out a guttural yell that resounded throughout the surrounding land.
Water Tribe - 7 years later
A pair of blue eyes opened lazily. Sokka, the most esteemed son of Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he began with his day. Suddenly a thought struck him. Today was the day.. Quickly he pulled on his parka, trousers, stockings and boots, though they seemed much more ornate than practical. Anticipating this day for weeks he quickly raced from the palace to the ceremony hall.
Princess Yue stood in front of a tall mirror admiring her reflection. In her flowing gown, she was a picture of elegance. An attendant stood next to her babbling about Tui knows what, but Yue herself was too anxious to engage with her in any meaningful capacity. Today she was to be wed to Sokka, son of Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe.
While both were ecstatic about this, they couldn't help but worry. Outside of the poles, people did not agree with the Water Tribes' global assimilation and with many high profile people in attendance it would be an easy target for a revolutionary trying to send a message. To help with these concerns two dozen waterbending masters had been selected to provide an extra layer of security for the event.
As darkness fell and the full moon began casting its pale light upon the snow the ceremony began. Halfway through a cry was heard, but was soon forgotten by all in attendance.
The ceremony finished quickly and the celebratory feast was quickly brought in. As Sokka began to sit down and partake in the food and drink an elder shuffled in and whispered indistinctly into his ear. He quickly stood and quietly exited the Great Hall.
The elder beckoned him to follow before leading him to the barracks where a man in his mid 30s sat. His onyx hair and green eyes would indicate the threat he posed as an earth bender, and yet, Sokka's advisor had told him of a fire bender stolid man was very bulky and would very likely stand several heads taller than Sokka if he were allowed. Instead, he was stiff as a board seemingly unable to move.
"I heard you tried to cause quite a ruckus at my wedding today. That was quite rude. If you wanted an invitation you only had to ask." Sokka began to laugh. "Now then what was your endgame? Who sent you to do this? I was sure the water benders would be more than enough to deter stupidity like yours."
The stranger seemed to cry out with his eyes unable to move, unable to speak. Eventually, he was able to muster enough willpower to meet Sokka's gaze. He spit at Sokka before saying, "I owe you no answer ice-maker bastard."
Immediately, Sokka's cool countenance fell and the fury hidden behind his facade came crashing down on the man stuck in the chair. A terrifying glint presented itself in Sokka's eye. Sokka punched the man thrice in the gut before unsheathing a knife and disemboweling him. The man still seemed to be pinned to the chair until Sokka nodded to the water-bender hidden in the corner.
A wizened woman lowered her hands and immediately the corpse slumped over, falling from its perch in the chair.
Sokka thanked her before dismissing her saying, "May the spirits smile on you, Hama."
The old woman finished the goodbye, "And may the Ocean and Moon bless you so that you may bring them glory, Prince Sokka."
Fire Nation
Seven years had passed and Azula still woke up in a cold sweat. As vivid as the day it had happened, she saw in her mind's eye the wolf helm and the cruel smile of the man underneath. That fateful day seemed to chase her no matter how fast she seemed to run from it or how well she seemed to have shaken it. Over and over an image of the man bursting into their home seemed to play on a loop in Azula's head.
He had come in and began attacking her and her mother. Ursa had tried to put herself between the man and Azula, but he quickly dispatched her with his club. The man swung again this time taking aim at Azula. The blow connected, but in one last act of defiance Ursa tried to stab the assailant. While unsuccessful in stopping the attack, it did lessen the force of the blow enough to allow Azula's survival.
The next thing Azula knew she had awoken in the healers hut. For the next few weeks she ranged in lucidity before finally stabilizing.
The raid, and weeks following, had taken their toll on everyone in the village. Her father seemed to have been the most strongly affected. The once proud man retreated into a shell of the man he once was, frequently he would drown his sorrows in alcohol and gambling.
With their main provider no longer able to fulfill his duties, Zuko and Azula learned to take more and more responsibility for themselves. As they grew they began hunting as a pair more and more frequently, delving deeper into the nearby forest to find game.
After a particularly cruel winter the siblings ventured out into the forest much deeper than normal in a last ditch effort to find something to fill their aching stomachs.
"It's not getting away from me this time", whispered Zuko, "Take notes Azula, deer hunting is not as easy as I make it look."
Sneaking closer to the deer-leopard, Zuko drew an arrow from his quiver. Slowly pulling back, he took aim and released. The arrow flew slightly high alerting Zuko's prey to his presence. The deer-leopard spared no time in taking off into the forest. Zuko dashed after it followed by Azula laughing at Zuko's failure.
Through the forest, then, they raced: smelling the cedar boughs above them, hearing the babbling of a nearby brook, seeing the ground and tree limbs covered in a skin of crystal. Among the trees in front of them lay a beautiful clearing. In its center, a volcano jutted upwards.
The deer-leopard began to ascend the mound. Apprehensive about climbing a volcano, Zuko paused, weighing his options. As he was doing this, Azula raced past him. As she reached the top she hit their prey with a blast of fire, felling the creature.
As she went to collect the carcass she noticed a strange silhouette in the volcano.
"Zuko," she yelled, "you need to come see this."
As she said this, a faint glow began to emanate from the central vent.
"Azula," Zuko responded, "get down from there now."
Slowly the glow began to increase in intensity. Realising too late the precarious situation she was caught in, Azula tried, to no avail, to shield herself from the nigh blinding light. Suddenly, a column of light exploded from the volcano and as it dissipated a young boy and a large hairy beast were sitting in the caldera of the volcano.
Water Tribe
A messenger raced up the palace steps. Bursting into the throne room, he bowed respectfully to the man sitting on the throne before handing him a note. The man's lips curled into a smile so cruel that it seemed to suck all life from its surroundings.
The note read, "In the name of Tui and La, Most Gracious and Merciful. From Bato, the General of the Water Tribe Armies, to Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe. We have reasonable suspicion that the Avatar resides in the Fire Nation. A scouting vessel recently reported seeing a pillar of celestial light emanating from a nearby forest. We ask you send Prince Sokka to confirm."
Chief Hakoda called Sokka into the throne room. "Son, I have your next mission," he said.
Sokka responded, "I am willing to serve, father. May the spirits smile on you."
Hakoda dismissed him on this errand saying, "And may the Ocean and Moon bless you so that you may bring them glory, Prince Sokka."
Authors Note - I have really enjoyed writing this chapter and hope to continue the story. Unfortunately, I will likely be unable to until the end of summer, but figured i should put this out to try and build some excitement. Please give feedback.