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Blue and white. He's surrounded by nothing but blue and white. All he could see were blue sky and cotton white clouds, and endless vast ocean mixed with white icebergs. "I'm sorry if this offends you, big guy, but...you're slow." Zuko bluntly stated it as Appa grumbly grunted at him. "Zuko, don't be mean to Appa. He's probably just tired from the long travel." Katara chided lightly while she sat on the bison's head, taking the rein. She wasn't wrong though. The bison was clearly exhausted from the travel because he was flying so low to the point that his feet's about to touch the water. "Do you think they've reached their destination?" The young waterbender glanced back and saw the young man pondered about her question. "…With Druk's speed, I'm confident that Aang and Sokka had already arrived in the Northern Water Tribe since last night."
During their travel to the North, the group initially suggested that Aang should go with Zuko on Druk because the dragon flew faster than the Avatar's bison. But everyone ended up agreeing that the arrival of a near forgotten air nomad and a firebender may not be the wisest choice. In the end, it was decided that Aang and Sokka would take Druk and head to the Northern Water Tribe in advance to handle the formalities and inform them about the upcoming arrival of the Avatar's bison carrying an additional member of their sister tribe, and a 'renegade' firebender who sided with them. 'I pray to Agni and hope that Aang could somehow convince the tribe to lower their animosity on me–' His train of thought was interrupted when the ice erupted from the sea and blocked their paths. Katara gasped and immediately yanked the rein to the right and prevented them from crashing into it. "Katara! Stop Appa now!" On his instruction, Katara yanked the rein again and halted Appa from progressing. The big furball bawled as it descended onto the ocean. "Easy there, big guy. Easy." He got to Katara's side patted the bison's head to appease him. the young benders scanned the ices around them and spotted some ornated wooden skiffs operated by men dressed in water tribe attires. "Wait, that must be the Avatar's bison. They must be his travelling companions."
Both Zuko and Katara were gawking at the sight before them. On the outside, Northern Water Tribe was protected by an elevated, hefty glacial wall. Behind the wall, the city of the North was built purely on ice in a multi-layered landscape. There were numerous waterfalls, streams as well as fountains across the city. At the highest peak of the entire landscape, lied an ice palace. Waterways were the means of their travel as Appa was swimming in it while being guided by one of the gondolas. The city of Northern Water Tribe was a whole new experience for the two of them. "This place is beautiful." The young man agreed to what Katara said with a nod. To Zuko, if the palace he grew up in was grand and imposing, then the sight ice palace was majestic and graceful.
After they have finally reached the ice palace, the fire and waterbender could see Aang, Sokka and Druk were already by the gate waiting for them along with a crowd of the water tribe citizens.
"Appa! I miss you! You must be so exhausted from the travel!"
"Katara! You're finally here! I was beginning to worry!"
"Hey, bud. Thank you for your hard work. Did you rest well?"
Forgetting the presence of other people, Aang, with Momo on his head zipped forward and clung onto his bison's forehead while the latter one agreed grumblingly. Sokka gave his little sister a warm hug, who in return gave him a hug as well. Druk affectionately nudged at the young exiled prince as he chuckled lightly and caressed the fire-breathing beast.
The air around them tensed up when the leader of the North, Chief Arnook, along with a serious looking bald elder stepped in. "You must be the rogue firebender that the Avatar was talking about." His tone was formal and judgemental. "That is correct…" Zuko paused for the self-introduction. "Chief Arnook. I am the leader of this tribe." It was brief and direct. "That is correct, Chief Arnook. I travel with the Avatar so that I can teach him firebend and help him end this war." The exiled prince continued and inclined his head to pay his respect.
"What can a guy like him do? Look at the scar on his face. He probably burned himself due to his clumsiness." Some snickers were heard. All eyes directed to the young man who just haughtily mocked Zuko. Apart from the prince himself, Katara was the first to react negatively at that comment. Nobody insults her family like that and get away with it. Nobody. However, before Zuko or Katara could retort, the old man beside Chief Arnook spoke out without even turning his head. "Boy, I suggest you stop behaving like a child and learn to start act like a future leader. If that is how you greet our guests, then I believe you'll bring nothing but shame to us all." The young man's arrogance crumbled away like a melted snow as soon as the chief gazed at him disappointingly. Without even saying sorry, the young man begrudgingly withdrew from the crowd together with his friends. "You. Come with me." The bald old man called for Zuko to follow him. The trio were giving him their worried looks but he eased their uneasiness with a faint smile.
"Where is he taking Z– Lee?" Katara asked the chief. "Master Pakku is going to judge whether or not the firebender is trustworthy." Chief Arnook explained. "And how is he supposed to do that?" It was Aang's turn, but the man merely shrugged his shoulder. "Even I have zero clue on what Master Pakku's about to do."
Pakku ended up guiding the exiled prince into a snowy yard with a pai sho board that was carve from ice. The old man sat down and silently ushered Zuko to sit on the opposite side. "…The guest makes the first move." He urged. Without saying a thing, Zuko reached for the bowl of tiles beside him and placed a lotus tile at the centre of the board. "I see you favour the white lotus gambit. Not many still cling to the ancient ways." Pakku eyed the board and brushed his beard. "But those who do can always find a friend." Zuko answered enigmatically. "Shall we?" Pakku smirked and placed a tile on the board. Zuko followed up by placing another tile. Two of them began placing tile after tile in a rapid motion. When the both individuals simultaneously placed their last pieces, a symbol of a lotus was made on the surface of the board.
"...I thought the Grand Lotus had lost his mind when he said the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation is the order's new apprentice." The waterbender master stroke his beard as he observed the boy with a softer expression. "Former prince. I've banished from the Fire Nation." Zuko amended. "So it's true...May I see your mark of initiate?" Pakku extended his palm out and waited. The young man promptly took out his white lotus coin and gave it to the old man who inspected methodically.
Seconds later, Pakku returned the coin back to its owner. "Welcome, Pupil Zuko. the White Lotus opens wide to those who know her secrets." Zuko inclined his head in response to the elder gently bobbing his head. "But please call me Lee. It's bad enough that I'm here as a firebender. If they know the former prince of the Fire Nation is here, the hostility of the tribe will worsen." Pakku hummed in agreement and decided to change their topic. "Did you bring any message from the Grand Lotus?" Zuko handed a folded paper to Pakku. "They're coming for the Moon and Ocean Spirits. Protect them at all cost." He grimly told the elder the main points as the latter one was scanning the letter. "Zhao, huh? Does this madman intend to throw the whole world into chaos?" Pakku's voice turned cold as he barely managed to contain his anger. "Do you have more details about this man as well as the time of invasion?" The young man curtly nodded.
"Arnook, a word in private?" The leader of the North turned his head and saw his lifelong friend as well as advisor, Pakku, was standing by the door of his council chamber. He was also accompanied by the rogue firebender. From the way Pakku had called him, he knew something was up. Arnook dismissed the men and emptied the room. Only when they sure that everyone's out, did Pakku finally inform Arnook what Zuko had told him. "What is the scale of this invasion we're looking at?" Zuko momentarily stared at the chief before giving him a harsh reality. "You won't like the answer, Chief Arnook. Being an Admiral means that Zhao has the power to call in the Fire Navy. I'm talking at least a hundred warships." Arnook's healthy complexion turned white. He covered his face and massaged his temple as he hid his anxiety behind those shaky hand of his. "When will the attack take place?" The chief asked the exiled prince gloomily. Zuko walked towards the ice table and placed down a map before the two adults. "Two days ago, Zhao was hunting the Avatar here." He pointed at Huahuo Village. "The closest military base that his ship could dock will be Pohuai Stronghold." His finger drifted to the western side of the Earth Kingdom. "Before attacking the North, Zhao would first summon the captains of the Fire Nation fleets to here." He tapped his finger twice on the Pohuai Stronghold. "It will take time for others to respond to his call. Preparation for the siege will be required. Add along with the distance between the base and here…I would say the you have until full moon comes."
Arnook expressed his gratitude to the young man for providing him the vital information and requested Pakku to guide him back to his friends. "Until full moon…" The chief sighed exhaustingly as he muttered underneath his breath.
Evening came and the kids were invited for the official celebration of welcoming the Avatar and his companions. The fete took place at an open area plaza situated just near the palace. The plaza was embellished by massive decorative fountain, with a few rows of benches on the left and right for others to dine on. The Avatar and his friends were seated at the anterior of the plaza, next to the leader of the North, Chief Arnook, as his honoured guests. The feast took off with several men drumming the kettledrums in rhythm. Soon, a few additional men walked towards a pool of bubbling broth located at centre of the plaza while carrying a giant sea crab. The onlookers watched with gleeful expression when the giant sea crab was lowered and dipped it into a steaming soup.
Chief Arnook stood up from his seat and started giving his speech, "Tonight, we celebrate the arrival of our brother and sister from the Southern Tribe," He motioned his hand and presented both Sokka and Katara to others, who then received light applause from people. "and they have brought with them someone very special, someone whom many of us believed disappeared from the world until now…The Avatar!" the crowd cheered as Aang smiled and nervously waved at them. "We also celebrate my daughter's 16th birthday," On his announcement, a beautiful young lady with white, ornately styled hair who was guided by two aides entered the plaza and arrived at his side."Princess Yue is now of marrying age." He proudly added. She greeted everyone with a smile and bowed softly to the people. But unbeknown to everyone, a glimpse of sadness tread past the girl's eyes. "Thank you, father. May the Great Ocean and Moon Spirits watch over us during these troubled times." Arnook's worn out heart was soothed and healed by his daughter's voice. The princess' encouraging and hopeful words gave him strength. His smile broadened as she temporarily washed away chief's worriedness and fatigue. Master Pakku and his students were then presented onto the fountain stage to demonstrate and perform their waterbending skills to the audience.
Midway through the waterbending show, Princess Yue finally came and joined the celebration. She took a seat next to Sokka who was chomping his meal at a miraculous speed. "Hi, I'm Sokka from the Southern Water Tribe." He effortlessly downed his food and offered the girl a handshake with a toothy grin. She curiously stared at his hand as though it's something she has never seen before. "Umm…you're supposed to give me your hand." She unknowingly extended her hand and gently gripped his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Princess Yue" He maintained his smile and shook their hands up and down. She giggled and said it with a sincere smile. "It's very nice to meet you too, Sokka."
The water tribe boy jolted when her sister poked his side. "Are you cheating on Suki?" She whispered to his ear. "Wha– No! Don't say that! She'll kill me if I ever do that! I'm just acquainting with Princess Yue." The young waterbender playfully grinned as she watched her older brother freaked out and desperately defended himself. "Who's Suki?" Zuko, who sat between the water tribe siblings overheard their little talk and got his interest piqued. "Oh, this happened before you found and joined us. She's someone we met when we were on Kyoshi Island. She's the leader of the Kyoshi Warriors. She whopped Sokka's butt whopped. Twice." She grinned teasingly when her brother eyed her at her betrayal. His expression was clearly saying, "I'll get you for that.". That evening, Katara relished the moment she had in the plaza. To have the opportunity to eat with her people, she felt as though she's home once again. In addition to that, she was eager to head to bed and wake up the next day so that she could finally learn waterbending alongside with Aang from an actual waterbending master.