noticetofile: Yep, not the dark avatar. Something a bit different! Thank you so much for your kind words!
"Master Paku? You wanted to speak with me?" Sokka asked, ducking through the small door and into the Spirit Oasis. He stalled slightly, noticing that the master waterbender was not alone. Chief Arnook turned to face him as he walked up to the duo.
"And you are sure this is what must be done?" Paku asked solemnly, glancing up at Sokka. Arnook nodded, his gaze hard and determined. Sokka stopped in front of the two men, looking between them questioningly.
"Sokka, my boy," Arnook began, wrapping his arm around Sokka's shoulder. He led Sokka to the edge of the pond. "You know that my daughter was blessed by the spirit of the moon, right?"
Sokka nodded.
"But what you do not know is that before she took the place of the moon spirit, a very dangerous spirit, kept imprisoned by the balance created by the moon and ocean spirits, was released," Arnook continued, gesturing to the spirits in the pond. Sokka glanced between the fish and the chieftain, his brows furrowing.
"That's bad and all-but shouldn't you be talking to Aang about this?"
Arnook shook his head. "In due time, the Avatar shall know. But for now, precautionary measures must be taken."
Sokka's stomach began to sink. Something was wrong here. Master Paku's face was eerily solemn, oddly determined.
"What's going on?" Sokka asked defensively. Arnook sighed, glancing at Master Paku.
"I have had a vision. Just as I foresaw Yue becoming the moon spirit, I have seen that it is you who will inherit the power and honor of becoming the spirit of the ocean."
Sokka felt like he'd been punched in the gut. "What?" he asked incredulously. "No. No way," he said, shaking his head. He broke free of Arnook's grip, and stumbled backwards. "I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong guy. There's no way I'm-" Sokka broke off, scoffing.
"Your connection to the spirit realm is undeniable. I sensed it. Yue-"
"Don't," Sokka said warningly. Arnook's eyes narrowed. He took a step towards Sokka, who drew his boomerang as menacingly as he could-which wasn't saying much. Arnook scoffed, taking another step towards Sokka.
"Don't try to threaten me, Sokka," Arnook said, scowling. Sokka's stomach felt like it was tying itself in a knot. His every instinct was screaming at him to get away, to run as fast as he could.
"It is your destiny, Sokka," Paku said, speaking up. Arnook nodded solemnly.
"Bullshit," Sokka said, still backing away slowly. Paku's stance shifted, and like a bolt, Sokka took off running as hard as he could away from the older two men.
A tendril of water snapped forwards, snatching Sokka by the waist. He let out a panicked cry as he was yanked backwards, towards the spirit oasis.
He was dropped unceremoniously into the pond, falling onto his hands and knees. He grunted, picking himself up-until someone pushed him forwards, back into the pond. He tried to get up again, but someone grabbed him by his hair, yanking his head upwards painfully.
"And you are sure this is the only way?" Paku asked, his voice weary.
"Yes. The spirits can only claim the dead," Arnook replied.
"What?" Sokka shrieked, yanking his head free from the man that was holding him. He was pushed into the pond again. Sputtering, he got back to his hands and knees, only to be grabbed by the hair yet again.
"Is this really such a necessary evil? Arnook, he is merely a child."
"And for all we know, The demon's chosen may be as well," Arnook argued. He let out a sigh. "Paku, we have cut off the head of the hydra-monkey, but it has grown back. We must act now, before the fiend comes into their power."
Paku sighed, and the grip around Sokka's ponytail tightened. He struggled against Paku, but couldn't seem to break free again.
"As we must," Paku murmured, "So it shall be done."
"No, wait-" Sokka cried, only to be cut off as his head was thrust underwater.
The boy gagged as water flooded his open mouth, surging down his throat. He flailed his arms, struggling to avoid inhaling more water, struggling to get free. A weight pressed down on his back, forcing his head deeper underwater, to the point that his nose was pressed up against the muddy bottom of the pool.
He heard the sound of yelling from out in the distance. The weight on his back shifted, only to press down even harder than before.
He began to choke. Water flooded into his nose, into his mouth, and his struggling became spastic, stuttered. Someone grabbed his arm, yanking him upwards-but the hand in his hair forced him back down before his head could break the surface.
There was more yelling. Screaming. Sobbing.
And then there was silence.
The hand on his head let go, and Sokka's limp body slumped forwards, further into the pond.
Something slimy nudged his forehead, and Sokka's eyes shot open. His vision filled with light-and then-
He was staring up into Katara's tear filled gaze. He began to cough, then rolled over onto his side and began to heave. His sister sobbed relievedly, slumping against Aang, who was sitting next to her, looking shell-shocked.
Groaning, Sokka forced himself to sit up. His throat burned; his lungs felt raw and abraded. He swallowed hard, glancing up at Paku and Arnook, who stood behind his friends, as solemn as ever.
"You-" he broke off, taking in a gasping breath, "You drowned me!" he rasped accusingly.
"It was for the greater good," Arnook said pleadingly.
"The greater good, my ass! You drowned me!" Sokka tried to get to his feet, only to stumble and fall. Katara dove for her brother, catching him right before he hit the ground. Sokka's heart pounded in his chest. He grabbed onto his sister's shoulders as if his life depended on it, leaning heavily on her as he staggered to his feet again. His legs trembled, barely supporting him, even with Katara's aid.
Aang still knelt on the ground, stunned. Katara bent down, yanking the young Avatar up by his forearm. Sokka stumbled slightly, and Katara darted to catch him, worried.
"Come on, Aang, we're leaving," Katara snapped. Aang nodded absently, stumbling after Katara, who was practically holding up Sokka as they booked it away from the duo.
Sokka glanced over his shoulder, only to see that, much to his surprise, the two men weren't pursuing them-merely watching solemnly.
Suddenly, he stumbled, crashing to the ground. He slipped out of Katara's grasp, falling onto his hands and knees. He began to cough, feeling winded. His body ached; he felt exhausted.
Someone came up behind him, tugging on his shoulder-but the hand was quickly swatted away.
"Get away from him!" Aang cried, a note of fear in his voice.
"You've done enough," Katara snarled, yanking Sokka up from the ground. Sokka stumbled forwards, struggling to keep pace with his sister and Aang.
They exited the spirit oasis, and quickly made their way to where Appa was being kept. Aang quickly equipped the bison with his gear, and then scooped Sokka up and into the saddle. Katara climbed in after him, and settled down next to her brother. He was leaning against the rim of the saddle, breathing heavily. The jog across the city had been exhausting on his weakened body. His lungs burned worse than before; his limbs trembled uncontrollably. He coughed weakly, and Katara shuffled closer to him, embracing him tightly. He leaned into her, feeling too tired to care.
Aang took his place at Appa's reins without saying anything. He glanced worriedly back at Katara, who gave him a solemn nod.
They took off silently into the night, leaving the Northern Water Tribe behind them.