Chapter 24
Battle Royale
Sokka
When I got to the spirit oasis as Yue called it I discovered Aang gone. Katara was distraught.
"I can't believe I lost him." She muttered, tears forming in her eyes. I felt slightly sick to my stomach, just like I always did whenever my sister cried. It was something that she should never have to do. I comforted her the only way I knew how.
"You did everything you could. Now we'll do everything we can to get him back. Zuko can't have gotten far. I promise, we'll find them."
"Okay." She murmured and joined Yue and I on Appa.
"Yip-yip." I called. Appa took off into the air. The snow pelted out faces, as if trying to make us turn back but I wasn't going to. I had withstood harsher winters then this and Aang was out there, in need of our help.
We flew for a time, each of us keeping a silent watch for our friend. It was Katara who broke the silence first.
"Has anyone seen Pala since the meeting at the war hall?" I shook my head.
"No, I've been kind of busy." I replied. I paused then added, "Pala is a grown woman Katara, she can take care of herself. It's not like she's going to do anything stupid."
Aang
I opened my eyes in the familiar lotus position. I was sitting on a brown lily pad, backed by giant reeds. I blinked once then stood. I was in the spirit world. Everything appeared washed in shades of brown, except the huge heron that flew by then vanished into the mist that seemed to be everywhere. This part of the spirit world reminded me of a swamp, tall trees with tendrils of moss were everywhere and there appeared to be no landmarks that I could use.
I wandered for a little while, unsure of where I was going. Everything looked the same. It was a sound that caught my attention. Turning slightly I saw the familiar form of a monk meditating on a hill. As I approached I realized that this monk was some sort of monkey, although it wasn't a kind I recognized.
"Excuse me. I'm sorry to disturb you I just need to find the moon and ocean spirits."
"Go away." He replied. There was a pause and then he opened one eye.
"You're still here?"
"Yes I need-"
"Ommmm." He cried, squeezing his eyes closed. I didn't move. He opened his eyes again and glared at me.
"Look there," he stated pointing at a small glowing orb, "perhaps that thing will help you-" He said something else but I wasn't listening. I took off after the glowing object as it bounced and twirled its way through the spirit world. I chased it up a tree, only for the tree branch to vanish beneath my feet, dropping me into the shallow water below. The orb vanished into the sky, leaving me alone.
"Hello Aang." Maybe not entirely alone. I looked down at my reflection. Instead of myself Avatar Roku looked up at me.
"Roku, the water tribe is under attack. I need to find the ocean and moon spirits." To my surprise Roku rose from the water to stand in front of me.
"The ocean and the moon are ancient spirits, Aang. They are two of the five spirits that represent the world. However, I do not know where they are. Only other spirits, as ancient as them could tell you."
"Great. Tell me where I can find other spirits that old." I cried, there had to be plenty around, it was just a matter of where I could find them.
"It is not that simple Aang," Roku explained tiredly, "The ancient spirits do not care much for those who have just joined there world and do not make it easy for one to find them. And the ocean and moon spirits crossed over to the mortal world many years ago. However, I do know of one not to far who will know. His name is Koh." Roku seemed tired, but I was to worried to notice. I didn't have time to waste.
"Great, tell me where he is."
"This spirit is dangerous," Roku warned, "They call him the face stealer. When you speak with him be careful to show no fear. No expression at all or he will take your face." I could feel the horror working its way onto my face even as Roku said that.
Roku directed me to Koh's lair. It was deep in the middle of this part of the spirit world. I felt like I was walking to my own death but I had no choice. I had to find the ocean and moon spirits.
"What would Maddi say about this?" I wondered aloud. I cried out in frustration and smacked my hand to my forehead. Why hadn't I just looked for Maddi? She probably knew where the ocean and moon spirits were. I felt stupid once that thought occurred to me. Maddi could have given me the information needed to win this battle... but if she could why didn't she just tell me. I felt frustration rise but I pushed it down. I needed to focus, I could talk to Maddi later. Besides, she had said that she didn't know everything. Perhaps there was something I would learn here that she didn't know about.
Koh's lair was a giant twisted tree and at the bottom a set of stairs lead down into the darkness.
"Umm, hello? I'm looking for a spirit. A spirit named Koh." I called as I came towards the end of the stairway. It was so dark I could barely see.
"Welcome avatar." My face remained carefully impassive as a white face appeared in front of mine. It was a good thing I was prepared for this. Inside though, I was shaking.
"Hello." I replied blankly.
"So my dear friend the avatar has seen it fit to greet me once again in my own home." Koh slithered around. His body was shaped like a caterpillar-centipede thick and fat with many long spindly legs. His face was blank, in the centre a large mouth in which a mortal face sat. It was nerve wracking.
"You know me." I stated. I didn't feel safe posing it as a question in case that too was interpreted as emotion.
"Oh yes, one of your pre-incarnations tried to kill me a few hundred years ago. Something... about stealing the face of the woman you love." The face changed in front of my eyes to that of a beautiful water tribe woman. I would recognize the blue eyes and dark skin anywhere.
"But that's all in the past right," He said, his voice now feminine and sweet. It was almost more disturbing to hear him speak through her voice. Images of Katara kept appearing in my mind. The face shifted once again, to the same one he had originally spoken to me with.
"After all, you're different now. You have a new face." He began crawling around me but I didn't turn to keep eye contact. I remained perfectly straight with no emotion. It was a struggle and keeping my voice calm was equally hard. I pretended I was meditating, nothing could disturb me, nothing could bother me.
"It's been a while since I have added a child's face to my collection. So, what can I help you with."
"I am looking for the moon and ocean spirit."
"Ah yes," Koh stopped moving for a second to just look at me, "the ocean and moon, push and pull. Their spirit names are Tui and La. But that isn't what you want to know is it? You want to know where they are?"
"Yes, please." I replied in a hollow voice. Koh sighed, almost as if he was disappointed.
"You've already met them. Tui and La, push and pull are tied eternally in a dance. They can never break, never stop. Forever caught. Push and pull, light and dark, good and evil." As Koh spun around me an image appeared in my mind. A white koi with a black spot and a black koi with a white spot. The koi fish in the spirit oasis were the spirits of the ocean and moon.
"Thank you, you were very helpful." I stated then turned and left.
Maddi
Day only lasted six hours, in a few days there would be no more sun at all, just eternal darkness. I had been running about the roof tops for hours, taking shots at the huge pieces of weaponry the fire nation had brought, along with that of their komodo-rhinos. That was when I heard a cry for help. I spun around. A water tribe warrior was being backed into a corner by a fire nation soldier. Despite how the series had depicted it not all fire nation soldiers were benders. Many had swords, spears, hammers and there were at least two dozen archers. Carefully I pointed my bow at the fire nation soldier. His helmet had been knocked off so his head was bare. It would be easy to shoot an arrow through his skull. My hands began to shake treacherously. I couldn't bring myself to let go of the string, to release the arrow. I couldn't move. Inside I screamed at my own weakness but images kept appearing in my mind of what the man's family may be like. Furiously I lowered my arrow and shot it at the armoured back. The arrow slammed into the armour, causing the man to stumble and give a shout of pain.
It was quickly cut short after the water tribe warrior thrust a spear through his throat. I wanted to be sick but there was no time for that. The moon was up and that meant that Zhao and his men would be heading towards the spirit oasis right now. Hopefully they would be riding their giant beasts of burden, the animals were ridiculously slow unless they got themselves worked up into a charge. And then it was practically impossible to control them.
I tore down the road, occasionally stopping to shoot at more men and animals. I knew I was weak but I couldn't bring myself to kill someone. I just distracted or injured them. I let the water benders do the rest. I was nearly halfway there when two firebenders blocked my path. I grimaced. I really didn't have time for this. I rushed forward, sliding my bow over my shoulder and pulling out my fans from Suki. The battle seemed to take an instant and forever at the same time. I was fighting furiously, my heart erratic in fear. One firebender I knocked into the river but the other wasn't so easy to beat. We parried and thrust, one of his shots coming uncomfortably close to my ear. I was sure I smelt burning hair. Then the next moment a waterbender engaged him in combat and I was running again. I noticed that one of the fire nation soldiers had dropped a sword. Its handle was covered in blood but I didn't pay any notice. I picked up the sword and kept running. I was almost there when the moon went red. I stopped as suddenly the silvery blue light of the moon vanished, replaced by a rich crimson. I looked up, my heart sinking in dread. Zhao had La, that meant I had only a minute or two. There was no time to waste. The sound of metal against metal from behind me made me turn. A fire nation man stood there, dressed in his full armour, a sword pointed at me. My throat caught. I was going to die and this time there would be no waterbender to save me. He rushed up to me. I raised my sword and slashed desperately. I heard his cry and watched in shock as my blade came away covered in blood. Part of his gauntlet had come off and I had cut into his wrist. He hit the ground, his right hand cut down to the bone. Then he grabbed for his sword with his left and stood. My heart jumped into my throat. In one movement I dropped the sword, grabbed and notched my bow then released the arrow. There was a dull thunk as the shaft imbedded itself in the man's throat.
There is something terrifying about watching someone die. Seeing the light leave their eyes, watching as they go glassy. Hearing their last breath gust out of them and knowing they'll never take another. My arrow imbedded in his throat as he toppled into the water. I stared at his body, his blood dying the water pink. I had just killed, that man could have been a father, a brother, an uncle. He was my first kill. I hit the ground and vomited, heaving heavily. I was weak, I was a coward a little voice whispered in my head. I didn't even have the strength to kill a man and for that I was going to risk it all and threaten my own life. What would happen if I died? I wouldn't be able to make the changes I wanted. I wouldn't be able to help anyone.
I arrived in the spirit oasis and carefully crept along the edges. The bloody sword still in my hands. I could see Zhao and my friends caught in conversation and as Iroh made his appearance I was creeping up to the small plot of land that they all stood on. So caught up in each other none of them noticed me silently make my way to stand at the edge of the tiny island.
I paid no attention to Iroh's speech. Instead I waited for the fish to be let out of the bag. The second it hit the pond I began to run.
Sokka
No one saw it coming until it was to late. Zhao's eyes went cold the second the fish began to swim. His hand went down with a wave of fire.
And that was when Pale appeared. It appeared that she flew over the fish, a silver sword glistening red between her hands, like a shield. Her braid flying behind her, her bow hung off her arm nearly falling off. Then the fire struck. Her back was to us so we couldn't see what happened but she was engulfed in fire. Fire flew over her head and to either side of her, leaving her silhouette black against the flames. Then the fire was gone. Pala stood with her back to us then fell into the water. The two koi kept swimming, moving to the side to leave room for the body of the girl who had just sacrificed herself for them. Iroh, the guy I recognized as Zuko's uncle attacked the fire nation soldiers. In less then a minute he had taken them all down. But Zhao was gone. I barely noticed as Yue. Katara, Aang and I looked at Pala. The burns were awful, I could barely recognize the girl who had come to be a second sister and a best friend. Her clothes had burned on her body. There was a choked sob to my right that I knew to be Katara. Yue, Aang and I were silent. I couldn't believe it, she couldn't be dead.
"Sokka, I'm sorry." Yue murmured softly. I couldn't bring myself to answer, terrified that I would begin to cry along with my sister. Aang walked into the pond, glowing in the avatar state as he reached out to touch Pala.
"Look." Iroh suddenly stated, pointing at Pala. I looked, unsure of what he was talking about and felt my heart jump. Her chest was rising and falling. It was very little, so faint I hadn't noticed it but it was there. Pala was alive. Aang suddenly pulled back and dropped into the pond. I gasped as the entire area glowed with an intense light. Slowly a giant human shaped koi fish formed with Aang in the centre. Then he was out of out sight, vanished to join the battle. Turning back to the pond I saw the both fish were glowing in a similar way that Aang did. Were they controlling him? Then to the shock of everyone Pala sat up and looked around. Slowly she stretched and clambered awkwardly out of the water. But something was wrong. Her eyes were a deep blue, not the usual warm brown and she held herself as if she was far greater then we were.
"It has been a long time since I have occupied the body of a human." She stated. It was Pala's voice, but it wasn't quite right.
"Who are you!" I demanded, pointing my club at her, I didn't know what was happening, this was something I had never seen before.
"Put that down boy before you hurt someone you do not wish to. As for who I am, I am La, spirit of the moon and you are a fool if you think you are going to hurt me." She smirked, twisting Pala's features to her will. I grimaced but stepped back. There was nothing I could do. La nodded at me then turned to Iroh.
"It is a pleasure to meet you again general of Agni. I never thought that I would meet such a human twice during their lifetime. Have you made your peace with your loss?" As I watched I noticed Pala's face was changing. In shock I realized the burns were slowly vanishing.
"I made my peace with it many years ago." Iroh replied looking at the spirit with both reverence and a tone of nervousness. What did he know that we didn't?
"Good." La stated again. With a smile that should have been warm and comforting but seemed to be cold and mocking she turned to me.
"Do not fear for Maddi. I was able to spare her life as she fell into my pond. However her wounds are great. I must tell you, she was a fool for risking her own life. She is to important, to you and to the spirits. Despite that this is a one time only situation. I expect it to be made clear to her that she is not to sacrifice herself again, even for one of her beloved characters." La sniffed derisively. Then a soft expression crossed her face as she came to look at Yue.
"However I owe her much for saving my life and allowing you to live on my daughter." Yue looked surprised.
"I do not understand." She admitted, looking nervously at La.
"You're parents may have created your body, but I gave you life. I was the one you owe for your soul. You are my daughter as short lived as your human flesh may be. You will always have a place reserved for you among my stars. But until then, you shall take another role. You were never destined to be a princess or queen Yue. You are my priestess." I gasped in shock and I could see tears forming in Yue's eyes as she realized what that meant. La too stumbled back and with a single blink her eyes changed from blue to brown.
"Yue, I'm... so sorry." Pala gasped, a single tear running down her face. Then La was back.
"Foolish girl," She snapped, apparently at herself, "I am protecting you and healing you, do not fight me." She then turned back to us.
"I expect you my daughter to begin your role in three days, no more." She turned to Katara, "Take Madison to the healing huts, despite my time with her there is little more I can do with her fighting me." Katara sent a nervous look at me but nodded and clambered onto Appa. La got on and then lay on on the bison's saddle.
"Yip-yip" Katara cried as Appa took off into the air.
Maddi
I spent over a week in the healing huts, to exhausted and hurt to know what happened or even have the ability to listen to it all the way through. Once I was strong enough to sit up and stay awake for a few hours, Sokka, Katara, Aang and Yue all came to visit me. I was so proud that I had saved her but the glares I was getting from my friends told me that I had messed up, badly.
"I can't believe you were so stupid to risk your own life!" Was the first thing that came out of Sokka's mouth. I blushed and looked away. I had lost a lot of my hair from Zhao, at least an inch off the bottom and now I had thick choppy bangs from where the fire had burned the top of my head, searing off at least a layer of hair. My face looked like I had been suntanning without sunscreen and my freckles were probably going insane underneath it. I had also lost my eyebrows and eyelashes but I was lucky to get away with that on my face. It was my hands that had the most damage. The sword had been turned red hot while I held it, creating a brand that runs across the palm of both my hands. My right knuckles and left palm were both badly burnt as they received the brute force of the damage. There was no doubt that they would scar, how badly was the only question. My bow was ruined as well, little more then a charred twig, however most of my arrows had survived along with my fans from Kyoshi.
"I didn't know what else to do!" I cried in frustration.
"What was so terrible that you were going to kill yourself to stop it?" Katara snapped, equally as furious. I didn't blame my friends for being angry with me, they had every right.
"How about Yue dying?" I retorted, "I thought you would be glad that she wasn't dead?" Silence.
"I was going to die? How do you know this Pala?" My heart stopped. I had forgotten Yue was right there, standing to my left. I noticed with interest her outfit had changed. She wore a silvery-white gown with a yin and yang symbol on the front. I wondered what was the reason for such an outfit change. I was quiet for a moment before I told Yue the entire story, how I knew the future, how I came from another world and then telling her what would have happened if I hadn't done what I had, including the revelations from Nut. There was silence for a few more minutes.
"I understand why you did it, but next time tell us. You don't have to do this on your own, I thought you already knew that." Aang pointed out softly. Then I was enveloped in a gentle hug from all three parties, only Yue remained where she stood.
"If you ever think about doing something so stupid again, I'll tie you to Appa." Sokka threatened which caused me to laugh.
"I'll take you at your word. So tell me. What's happened since my stupid act?" I fell silent as Sokka told me about how La had taken over my body and how Yue was now the priestess of the Northern Water tribe. Her fiancee was dead which left the north with no next in line. Yue quickly pointed out that as the priestess it was her job to choose who would become the next of kin for her tribe. She seemed happy being the priestess from how she spoke. Only the longing glances that she and Sokka shared told the other side of the story. How sad she was that she now would remain unmarried and a virgin until she died. How much she wished that things could have been different and that she and Sokka could have been together.
Finally my friends were shooed out of the healing halls but before they left Katara told me.
"Once you're able to be moved we're leaving, Pakku and some others are heading to the south and they are going to drop us off in the earth kingdom." I nodded in reply and with a sigh, leaned back and fell into a deep sleep. Undisturbed by dreams.
So what did you guys think? The season finale is over and I'm super excited to start Earth. The changes Maddi has made are really going to start catching up to everyone and she is going to start making more and being a bit more bold in her decisions. Anyway Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas whatever fits best for you. Have a good season
Princess Kassie Out.
