Chapter 23
The War Begins
The last three weeks had been crazy. I spent most of my time either reading or practising my fighting with fans or bow. Katara had managed to get Pakku to agree to teach her, he insisted that she was the only exception He even said that she was blessed by the spirits and supposed to be a girl fighter. The water tribe for the most part believed him. Somehow she not only managed to work with Pakku from sunrise to noon but to head straight over the the healing huts the second her sessions were finished and learn healing as well. Aang was busy trying to learn waterbending and Pakku had set aside a good portion of his day just solely focused on Aang and teaching him. Sokka had completely immersed himself in warrior training and becoming close friends with Yue. It made me feel useless, like I didn't really have a purpose here.
I was practising some of the forms I had learned on Kyoshi under Suki's tutelage when I heard it, the sound of a gong reverberating over the entire North. My heart dropped to my stomach as I pushed my way out of our temporary home and into the streets. Dark clouds filled the sky and black snow fell down from above. The fire nation was here. I quickly gathered my weapons and rushed into the streets.
"Maddison. Stop." I froze and turned. Behind me stood the familiar form of the spirit of the North Star who I had taken to calling Nut, standing behind me.
"What is it? Because in case you hadn't noticed I kind of have to get going." I barked. Nut sighed.
"If you can, save Yue." I raised an eyebrow.
"I was already planning to." I replied, stepping out of the way for a bunch of Northern Water Tribe members to rush past me.
"Good. Please do." Nut stated with a firm nod. I nodded and then took off running again. I could ask the spirit later why she was so insistent.
The inside of the meeting hall was full of people, all looking worried or scared. Knowing where my friends would be I looked at the base of the pillars, finally finding them at the middle left pillar. I joined them and waited for the few thousand people of the Northern Water tribe to calm down.
Chief Arnook came to stand on the dais and raised his hands. He addressed his people with an air of command and power that caused me to envy him. He was a natural born leader.
"The day we have feared for so long has arrived. The Fire Nation is on our doorstep. It is with great sadness I call my family here before me, knowing well that some of these faces are about to vanish from our tribe," I looked around. Hundreds of faces, men, women, children. And many would never be seen again.
"but they will never vanish from our hearts. Now, as we approach the battle for our existence, I call upon the great spirits. Spirit of the Ocean! Spirit of the Moon! Be with us!" The chief paused, allowing the call to sink into the air then continued.
"I'm going to need volunteers for a dangerous mission."
"Count me in!" Sokka called, shooting to his feet. I grimaced, I knew Sokka wasn't going to actually go on the mission but it didn't ease how I felt about him volunteering. There was the chance he would somehow remain.
It was then that I noticed I was getting odd looks. It confused me for a while. It then occurred to me that I had my weapons on my person. This was a culture that wouldn't let women waterbenders fight, why would they let non-benders fight?
As soon as the meeting was done I booked it out of the hall as fast as I could manage. The last thing I needed was someone taking my weapons away because I was a girl. Of course that also meant that I couldn't join my friends on the battlements. The only reason Katara was allowed was because she was 'blessed by the spirits'. While I was glad Pakku had created an excuse it would have been nice if he would have used the same excuse on me. I sighed, I would have to lay low until the fight began. So be it, I was ready and I was going to help, rules or no rules.
Sokka
"Men, you'll be infiltrating the Fire Nation Navy. That means that you'll all need one of these uniforms." Chief Arnook stated and gestured at a boy about my age. He had the typical water tribe appearance, blue eyes, brown hair and skin. I took one look and began to laugh. The outfit was ridiculous, black shoulder spikes, a red chest plate, not to mention the ridiculous get up with the helmet.
"What's your problem?" The guy wearing the uniform demanded. I felt bad for the guy, it had to embarrassing wearing that getup.
"Fire navy uniforms don't look like that." I pointed out, trying to hide my sniggers so not to wound the man's pride any more then it was. He couldn't take a hint though.
"Yes they do." He challenged me, "These are real uniforms, captured from actual fire nation soldiers."
"Well they don't look like that anymore. When did you get those, a hundred years ago?" The sarcasm slipped into my tone. I couldn't help it, this was ridiculous, we would never fit in among the fire nation warriors looking like that. Chief Arnook looked properly chastised as he muttered under his breath.
"Eighty-five." There was awkward silence for a moment.
"How can we trust this guy? Such bold talk for a new recruit." The guy wearing the suit demanded. I felt myself bristle at the comment. I had felt bad for the guy but now I was thinking he needed to get off his high horse.
"Sokka is from our sister tribe, Hahn. He is a capable warrior and I trust his input. Now our first objective is to determine the identity of their commanding officer." I snorted. There was only one guy who was chasing after Aang who had this sort of power. Besides Pala had said that Zhao wasn't about to give up easily.
"His name is Zhao. Middle aged, big sideburns, bigger temper." Once again the sarcasm surfaced. Not that I minded, it was part of who I was.
"Sokka," chief Arnook stated, "I want you to tell everything you know to Hahn. He's leading this mission. Hahn, show Sokka your respect." Chief Arnook paused then smiled.
"I expect no less from my future son-in-law." My heart jumped in shock as I turned to stare at the cocky jerk. This was the guy marrying Yue? The guy that Yue had been so reluctant to marry? The guy who Yue had told me she wished that she wouldn't have to marry. I couldn't believe it.
"Princess Yue is marrying you?"
"Yeah, what of it?" He asked, turning to look at me with a disinterested look on his face.
"Nothing," I grumbled, "Congratulations."
Maddi
I watched as soldiers escorted the women and children of the city to the residential areas. I was careful to keep my weapons hidden while I wandered about, trying to look like I was with those that the warriors believed would be no use in battle. It was dull and I was bored out of my mind. The waiting, the worry and feeling the intense fear that seemed to spread among those here like a plague only undermined my confidence in myself. I needed to get away.
I slipped out of the residential district, creeping past the warriors who were protecting the women and children. They were in the safest place manageable but I knew that no place could be truly safe, not during a war. I retrieved my bow, quiver of arrows, and fans from their hiding place and after making sure that they weren't damaged from the cold hurried to the city.
It was quiet, the city had the feeling of abandonment, like no one lived there anymore. It was so empty and hollow. It was eery.
"So what are you planning." I jumped, spinning in shock to see Nut standing behind me and sly smile on her face.
"You scared me." I pointed out sharply. Nut just laughed.
"You should not have been so on edge."
"What do you want?" I replied sharply. I wasn't in the mood for guessing games. Nut laughed again and leaned back.
"I just wanted to remind you that you need to save Yue." I stopped and narrowed my eyes.
"Why are you so determined to protect Yue? What does she mean to you?" Nut glared and suddenly I was facing a woman, full of ancient power who stood as tall as a mountain.
"That girl is a threat to me if she dies." I frowned deeply. How on earth could Yue be a threat to this spirit? She would become the spirit of the moon, how could she be competition for the north star?
"How." I demanded. I needed answers. Had Nut saved me only to stop Yue's death, if so why was this such a big deal. I didn't understand.
"You seem to believe that because La is in the form of a fish that she is mortal. As if a spirit could become as mortal as one of your kind. Our mortality is nothing like the kind you know. You cannot kill a spirit, we only fade away when what we represent no longer exists. Your legend predicts Zhao will attempt to kill La. He would succeed and Yue would sacrifice herself for the betterment of her people." Nut leaned forward, silver eyes intense despite their blankness.
"But while her sacrifice would be honoured she would be the spirit of the moon for no more then ten human generations. After that La would be reborn and Yue would be... demoted into the first lady of the moon." My stomach dropped. I understood now. Nut was the first most lady serving under La, if Yue would take the position Nut would be the second lady. Not nearly as important. That was when another thing occurred to me. Ten generations... two hundred and fifty years. That would meant that at least three avatars would be born and die before Yue would be replaced by the rightful spirit. Long after Korra's time as avatar. It made sense in some twisted way that even the spirits that were supposed to be mortal wouldn't have the same type of mortality as us. If I didn't save Yue she would only have about two hundred and fifty years to be the spirit of the moon. Or I could save La and by default, Yue and stop all that from happening. I knew what I had to do, after all what sort of person would I be if I just let Yue die?
"I'll save Yue, but not for you Nut," I told the spirit sharply, "I'll save her because it is the right thing to do."
Sokka
"Let me tell you Sokka, I've courted a lot of girls but Yue is the finest. And she comes with some nice perks." I grit my teeth, trying to focus on the axe I was sharpening. I had been listening to this jerk continue to brag about how incredible he was. Personally I thought it was incredible that he was even standing on the ground with how inflated his ego was.
"What does that mean." I nearly hissed.
"It means that Yue's nice and all but the points I get from the chief aren't bad either." I felt my face contort in fury.
"Princess Yue is wasted on a self-absorbed weasel like you." I stated not trying to hide the venom in my voice. Hahn had been trying me all day, trying to show me up as though he was better then I was. Hahn looked confused.
"I thought you of all the people from the southern water tribe would understand," he replied. I sent a look at him in confusion. What was he getting at?
"I thought you would understand the politics and that all men have needs to be fulfilled. After all, isn't that why you have your sister practically hanging off the avatar?" He lowered his voice so I was the only one that could hear him, "Isn't that why you have that earth kingdom whore travelling with you?" I didn't remember what happened next. One moment I had been sharpening the axe, the next I was rolling over and over, sending blows at Hahn's face.
"Sokka! Hahn! Stop at once!" I was grabbed by the arm and dragged of Hahn. I was pleased to see that he had a bleeding nose and a split lip. He deserved a lot more, he had not only insulted Yue, his own fiancee but Katara and Pala. Glaring I opened my mouth to challenge him to a warrior's duel but before I could get the words out chief Arnook cut me off.
"Sokka you're off the mission." I gaped at the chief in shock. How could he do this to me? Hahn's words were more then reason for a warriors duel, all I had done was defend the honour of three women. I tried to argue but was cut off again by the chief.
"I will not hear anything else you have to say." With that he turned and strode away. Hahn smirked at me.
"Come men, let's take down this admiral Cho."
"It's admiral Zhao!" I shouted at their retreating backs.
A while later I was sharpening my boomerang, staring down at the sharp metal. What had I done for the spirits to gang up on me like this? Why did I deserve to always get the short straw?
"Sokka, I have an important mission for you." I turned to look at chief Arnook in disgust.
"What? Clean the barracks? Because it's pretty clear you don't think I'm important enough of a warrior to allow on the mission." I snapped. I didn't care if I was being disrespectful right now. I was feeling to bitter.
"The reason I took you off the mission was for a purely selfish reason. I want you to protect my daughter." I froze and turned to the chief in surprise. He wanted me to take care of Yue? I nodded firmly and headed out. I was important, the chief wanted me to look out for his daughter. I tore out into town, heading towards the place where the women and children would be. I hoped Yue would be there. The streets were empty and devoid of life as I tore through them. There was no time to waste, the sun was already beginning to rise and I knew that the fire nation would begin the assault as soon as the moon dropped below the horizon. We had very little time.
"Sokka!" I skidded to a stop, surprised to see Yue standing not far to my left. What was she doing so far into the city?
"Yue? What are you doing-"
"There's no time! Katara and Aang are in trouble, a strange firebender with a scar attacked us." I felt bile rise in my throat. Zuko. What was he doing in the North Pole? Would he never stop following us?
"Show me." I demanded and quickly, following Yue as she took off. I silently sent a plea out to all the spirits that my sister and Aang were okay. That was when another person entered my thoughts. Where was Pala?
Maddi
I stood on the top of a house, watching as the sun rose. The sky was a warm butter yellow but despite the welcoming colours for me it might as well have been bloody red. The battle was about to begin and with it, the future of this world would never be the same. I had been alone for quite some time now and I had spent that time thinking. Thinking about how to stop Zhao, how to stop him from killing La, how to protect Yue from the fate of death. Even if she was to become the spirit of the moon. Now finally I knew that there was only two ways to stop Zhao from succeeding. And both involved someone dying. One was Zhao, who was protected by many warriors and soldiers as well as thick, durable fire nation armour. The other was a girl who wore no armour. A girl who unsure of what would happen. A girl who had little means to protect herself from deadly flames. A girl who was scared out of her wits. A girl who stood on top of a building shaking in her boots. A girl who had once foolishly called herself of all four nations, not realizing that to be of all four was to be of none at the same time. Me.
