Disclaimer: I own nothing.

The Knights of the Avatar

Chapter 2: Conflict in the North

Yangchen

Wet with rainwater, Pegei growled miserably as Yangchen dried her off with her airbending. "I'm so sorry, girl," Yangchen whispered as she embraced the bison's head. Pegei gave her a little lick and Yangchen kissed her nose.

They had been flying for days and today a winter storm had caught them by surprise, forcing them to land and make a shelter. Once camp was set up, Sister Ling, Gao and Baojia had all settled in and fallen fast asleep. Yangchen sat by the fire and tried to understand how they'd gotten to this point.

It had started a few weeks after Yangchen had returned home when the Council of Elders summoned her to a meeting. When she'd arrived, she gave Sister Ling a warm smile in greeting and Sister Ling reciprocated, but only just. The nuns on the Council revealed that the Northern and Southern Air Temples were both sending envoys of young monks as suitors and it was the Council's wish that she select one for a husband. The news was so sudden, Yangchen wasn't sure how to take it. She didn't particularly feel like she was ready to be married. She'd left the meeting without argument, wondering if she'd feel differently upon meditating.

She hadn't. A few days later, the monks arrived and Yangchen met with all of them. She'd spend her evenings with one or more of the suitors, flying over the gorge or walking down the hallways of the temple, but she wasn't attracted to any of them. She knew why- she wasn't about to fall in love with someone set up for her. One night over dinner, Baojia and Gao had agreed with her and asked her who, if anyone, she wanted to marry.

Yangchen had shrugged, twirling her noodles mindlessly. "There was a boy in the Water Tribe. Roanak. We..." she blushed. "We spent lots of time together, practicing waterbending, ice-surfing. He was lots of fun. We even kissed once. But, he was more of a friend."

"Beh-er an nuffing!" Gao had exclaimed through a full mouth. The prospect of finding love for his friend was too good of an offer for Gao to take lightly. He took a massive swallow. "You need to ask Sister Ling to call for suitors from the Water Tribe. This boy will have to come visit, then."

After several long minutes of Gao begging (and even crying at one point), Yangchen had relented and promised to speak with the Council in the morning.

"Sister Qui," she'd said, addressing the head nun. "I'm sorry to have wasted the monks' time, but I haven't selected any of the men here. I was wondering if we might send for suitors from the Water Tribe," she said, treading lightly.

"That is a wise move," Sister Qui had said. "Finding a husband from one of the other nations is a sign of the Avatar's faithfulness to all the world."

Whatever gets Roanak to visit, Yangchen had thought.

"However," Sister Qui continued, "relations with the Water Tribe would be unwise at this time, what with the rebels."

Yangchen's eyes had flashed. What rebels?

"Now, I know of several Earth Kingdom men we could have visit," Sister Qui was saying, "but compatibility would be most unlikely, what with you being an Air Nomad."

"Excuse me, Sister," Yangchen said, trying to keep a note of panic out of her voice. "What is happening in the Water Tribe?"

"It's nothing you need concern yourself with," said Sister Qui. "The tribe is simply dealing with a small rebellion from some of its citizens. The matter is completely under control."

"How small of a rebellion?" Yangchen asked.

"Now, really, child!" Sister Ling had scorned.

"Peace, Sister," Sister Qui said, motioning for Sister Ling to calm herself. She turned back to Yangchen. "As I understand it, there are nearly a hundred rebels involved in the uprising. However, no deaths have been reported."

"We're talking about deaths!" Yangchen had cried, jumping to her feet and the air around her swirling in her anger.

"Avatar Yangchen, you will keep a civil tongue!" Sister Qui commanded.

"Don't worry, child," Sister Ling had said. "I commanded the Knights to intercede on your behalf, as is their responsibility."

And that was it. Yangchen had demanded to fly to the North Pole at once to resolve the conflict. The Knights had a three day head start, so Yangchen insisted on leaving immediately. They had been flying north ever since.

Avatar Yangchen sat staring in the flame long after she should have gone to bed. She tried meditating but she didn't feel any better about herself.

She saw movement in the darkness and she leapt to her feet.

"Calm down, it's me!"

It was Baojia, walking out of the crude structure Yangchen had hastily crafted with earthbending.

"Sorry, Boajia," she said, sitting back down. "What are you doing up?"

"Gao's snoring," he answered.

"Say no more," Yangchen said, sitting back down.

Baojia sat on the ground next to her. "What's wrong?" he asked.

Yangchen sighed heavily and looked at the stars. "I'm the Avatar. I'm supposed to settle worldly disputes, but the nuns couldn't even be bothered to tell me that there was a conflict at the North Pole."

"Did they say why they kept it from you?" Baojia asked.

Yangchen shook her head. "They just heard that there was fighting so Sister Ling sent my Knights without even consulting me. But that doesn't even bother me as much as not even knowing that it's happening at all!"

"Well," Baojia said, choosing his words carefully. "That... is the point of the Knights, isn't it? They take up arms so you don't have to."

"No, that's not the point," Yangchen said. "If there's even the slightest chance we can resolve this conflict peacefully, I'd rather do that than send in those..." she searched for the right word.

"Thugs?" Baojia suggested.

"I was going to say mercenaries."

Baojia shrugged. "I'm not sure a pacifist Air Nomad like me or Sister Ling could have any advice to offer you. You know how our people are like. We avoid conflict. That's why I'm out here instead of... I don't know, smothering Gao to stop the snoring."

They sat out in the dark for another few moments, the fire still crackling.

"You need some sleep," Baojia said.

Yangchen nodded, miserably. "You go ahead. I'll be there in a little bit." Baojia shrugged and retreated inside.

Yangchen stared at the fire, inspired. Baojia was right. An Air Nomad couldn't help her. She closed her eyes and called to her past lives for guidance. "I am here, Yangchen," came a voice. Yangchen opened her eyes.

Sitting in the fire was a vision of a man with an ornate red headdress and an impressive mustache- Avatar Lawa, her predecessor from the Fire Nation.

"Avatar Lawa," said Yangchen. "I need to ask you something. I'm the Avatar- it's my duty to keep the peace in the world, but I was completely unaware that there was conflict in the Water Tribe."

Avatar Lawa stroked his mustache thoughtfully. "An Avatar's duty is to the world. Your nuns are doing you a disservice by secluding you from it."

"But I live in the Western Air Temple," Yangchen argued, "and it's as secluded as you can get. How can I have a life and keep the world safe?"

"You needn't abandon your home and family," said Avatar Lawa, "but you can't neglect your duties as well. If your nuns keep worldly matters hidden from you, then you cannot trust them. My advice is this, young Avatar. Surround yourself with people you can trust not to keep these things from you."

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Ken

Ken rode Shan through the remnants of their last battle. It was another southern Fire Nation harbor. The rocky shore was thick with washed up bits of ships and broken and burning structures. Massive stones jutted from the earth where the earthbenders and Sir Xin had fought.

He heard the bleeting of an ostrich-horse behind him and he pulled Shan to a stop and turned in his saddle. One of the earthbending knights was riding toward him. It took Ken a moment to remember his name. "Gosin," he greeted, raising his hand.

The knight nodded. Looking past him, Ken saw a body laying across the ostrich-horse's back. "A Fire Nation scout," Gosin said. "I'm taking him back to burn with the rest."

Burning the Fire Nation soldiers was Ken's request. After that first battle at the Fire Nation harbor, the Knights were gearing up to ride out. Ken had gone to Sir Piao and insisted that the soldiers be put to rest with dignity and respect. Some of the other Knights hesitated, but Sir Piao had indulged Ken.

After every harbor raid from then on out, the Knights collected the dead and Ken burned them, and sang a Fire Nation eulogy.

Day is over, light is missing

From the water, from earth and air

Be at peace, child, rest your head now

Be assured the Spirits are here

Evening hides all earthly treasures

But the stars will shine forever

In the distance, coming closer

Night lights up the death we fear

So be gracious, be reminded

of how kind the sun spirit is

When we move on, we are told that

the sun spirit will hold us dear

Some of the knights had watched Ken work, but most collected what supplies they could from the destroyed harbor.

After finishing the eulogy, Ken prayed that the Spirits would be with the Fire Nation soldiers in their death. A rush of air distracted him and he opened his eyes to see Sir Piao standing near.

"That was a beautiful song," Piao had said solemnly. "Who wrote it?"

"A fire sage named Zhong."

They stood watching the flames for a while before packing their supplies and moving on. Over the next few weeks, they'd conducted similar raids on Fire Nation harbors along the coast of the Earth Kingdom. Whenever possible, they hunted spies and messenger hawks. Ken could just imagine the confusion happening at every Fire Nation relay tower for miles. The Knights struck so suddenly that they left the harbors no chance to send any messages to the military. And there were no survivors.

After their last raid, Sir Piao had gathered the Knights around him. "We have been so victorious!" he said to them. "We have the Fire Navy in complete disarray. We have set back their mobilization and supplies for months. I am flying to the Southern Air Temple to report to Avatar Aang. I'll be back tomorrow. Wait for me here."

And then he was gone and Ken went about his usual process of burning the bodies. He walked with Gosin down the beach back to the campsite and began to pitch his tent.

As he was enjoying his meal, he heard a shout from above him. "Boat!" One of the airbenders, a nun from the Eastern Air Temple named Sangye, was pointing out to the ocean.

Ken leapt to his feet and ran to the ocean. He peered out across the water but couldn't see anything. Sir Xin appeared by his side with a telescope.

"I see them," he said, and he passed the telescope to Ken. Ken looked through it and saw it. It was a small sailboat, barely ten feet long from end to end.

"Scouts?" asked Sir Ankorr, joining them.

"No," Ken answered, passing the telescope along. "It's not military. But the make is Fire Nation."

"Spies?" Sir Xin asked.

"Not likely," Ken answered. He turned to the two knights. "Tell the earthbenders to make some sort of cave or something. We can hide."

"We don't need to hide," said Sir Xin. "We can take them."

"But we don't need to kill them either," said Sir Ken. "Just keep the forces hidden, I'll find out what they want. I'm in a firebender's uniform, they'll trust me."

Sir Xin and Sir Ankorr exchanged looks.

"Do it!" Ken snapped.

They both nodded and ran back to the Knights. Within moments the earthbenders built a stone wall surrounding the camp like a natural fence. To anyone looking at it, it would look like a rocky hill on the beach. The wind was already covering it with sand.

It wasn't long before the sailboat reached the shore. It was being sailed by two men and a woman. Ken raised a hand in greeting.

They did not wave back. As they approached, Ken could see worried looks on all three.

"Hello, soldier," said one of the men, bowing. Ken bowed in return.

"I am Fa Lee," the boater said, "and this is my wife, Jin, and my brother, Fu. We heard reports that the harbors were being destroyed."

Ken nodded. "Unfortunately, it's true. An elite group of earthbenders has been ransacking the harbors for several days, now. They strike suddenly and quickly. They don't leave any survivors."

The woman, Jin, broke out sobbing and buried her face in her hands. Fa Lee wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "Our son was stationed here," he explained. "Is there any chance...?"

Ken shook his head solemnly.

"I'm a scout dispatched from the colonies," Ken lied easily. "I burned the bodies of the dead. I'm not sure if you could identify him, but if you'd like to look, it would be my honor to help you find your son."

Fa Lee nodded. "Yes, please."

Ken led them to the funeral pyre, still smoking from the flames. The bodies were laid out in long rows and the stench of burning flesh was overpowering. Ken immediately regretted offering to search, but he walked with the family down the rows until at last, Jin fell to her knees at the feet of one of the scorched bodies.

"That's him," said the father. "Fa Lee junior. He's wearing his grandfather's charm." He pointed to a necklace with the symbol for fire etched in metal.

The boy was very young, barely older than Ken. He was only dressed in a simple robe, now singed. He had no armor of any kind.

"They killed him before he could even protect himself," said the uncle with venom in his voice. "Savages."

Ken watched wordlessly as the father and uncle collected the burnt body of their boy.

"Thank you for everything you've done," said Fa Lee bowing again. Ken wasn't sure how to take it. For all he knew, that boy was one of the soldiers he himself and helped cut down.

"It was my honor," said Ken, returning the bow.

"We'll camp here for the night," Fa Lee said, laying the body on the sand.

"No!" said Ken forcefully. All three heads turned toward him.

"It's not safe," said Ken, thinking quickly. "The Earth Kingdom's armies are still out there. You need to sail back to the Fire Nation now."

The family nodded and Ken helped them load the body on the sailboat and wrapped in a tarpaulin.

As they sailed away, Ken waved one last time. Once they were barely a blip in the distance, he returned to the Knights. "It's safe now!" he called.

The walls sank back into the beach and all the Knights were glaring at Ken. Even the animals looked miffed.

"That took too long!" Sir Ankorr snapped. "It was hot as hell underneath all that rock."

"They were a family looking for their dead son, have some respect!" Ken snapped back.

"A Fire Nation family!" said one of the waterbenders, Sir Dakota, stepping forward. "Don't you realize they're the enemy!"

"They were civilians!" shouted Ken. "And in case you've forgotten, I am Fire Nation too! Am I your enemy?"

"Are you?" Dakota challenged.

"That's enough!" Sir Ankorr stepped between them. "Sir Dakota, you are a lesser knight. Mind your tongue when you speak to the Fire Knight, or any of your officers."

Dakota glared daggers at Sir Ankorr before spitting out, "Yes, sir."

"And Sir Ken," Ankorr continued, "you jeopardized the safety and secrecy of the Knights by engaging with those civilians. I'm going to tell Sir Piao what you've done. He will judge."

Ken calmed down at that. Surely Sir Piao would see his side. "Thank you, Sir Ankorr," he said. "And please do. I welcome it."

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Yangchen

The North Pole

The air was getting colder the further north they flew and Gao and Baojia both had to wear extra robes to keep from freezing to Pegei's saddle.

"We're almost there!" Yangchen shouted, flying Pegei through the clouds.

She was in a foul mood. As they were flying, Sister Ling had approached her with a list of Earth Kingdom noblemen.

"What is this all about?" Yangchen had asked.

"Suitors for you, of course!" Sisiter Ling had chided. She had said it like it was the most obvious thing. Yangchen was in a state of shock. Ever since hearing about the rebellion in the north, she hadn't heeded a second thought to her marriage prospects.

"Sister Ling, I don't care!" Yangchen had shouted, snatching the list from her hands and throwing it into the wind. "I've got something else on my mind, funnily enough!" she'd continued, turning her attention back to flying Pegei.

Sister Ling could only stare at Yangchen with her mouth agape. Gao and Baojia both sat awkwardly in the saddle, not sure of what to say.

They'd ridden the rest of the way in uncomfortable silence, and Yangchen could only hope that she could keep her temper in check.

"We're here!" Gao cried and Yangchen looked down.

The sparkling icy city of the Water Tribe spanned below them, but the streets were strangely empty.

"Where is everyone?" asked Baojia.

"Look!" said Gao, pointing.

On one of the side streets of the middle level there was a ferocious battle. Even Yangchen hadn't imagined it could be so bad. Waterbenders and water warriors alike were taking cover in the alleys and under bridges. They were losing ground quickly, each new attack forcing them further and further back.

"There, see?" said Sister Ling. "I told you. Your Knights are handling it."

What?

Sure enough, on the front lines of the Army were the four men she'd met once all those weeks ago, their white armor blending in to the snow around them.

Yangchen watched as Sir Rozan sent a burst of flame at the rebels, catching their coats on fire. One man fell to the ground and rolled in the snow, putting the flames out. His companions heaved him on their shoulders and fell back, but not before Rozan conjured a whip of flame to lash at them.

That was the final straw.

Yangchen jumped out of her saddle and fell towards the earth, ignoring Sister Ling's admonishing screams.

She hit the snow directly in front of Sir Rozan. He fell back in surprise. Yangchen's eyes flashed blue and then, the snow around her shot away from her like lightning, dragging the two armies away from each other.

When the snow and wind had settled, the rebels let out a cheer. "The Avatar is here!" they screamed. "She'll help us!"

One of the men ran forward. "Yangchen!"

"Roanak!" Yangchen said in surprise, and then she was caught in his embrace.

"Thank the spirits you're here!" said Roanak, releasing her. "We're gonna wipe out those elitists!"

"No!" said Yangchen forcefully. "That's not why I'm here."

Gao and Boajia both sailed down on their gliders, landing lightly beside her. "Then why did you come?" asked Roanak.

Gao spoke before she could. "Is this Roanak?!" He looked at Roanak like he was sampling a meat pie. "Miss Avatar you sure can pick 'em good."

"Not now!" Yangchen said, swatting his arm. "Roanak, this is Gao. Take him to the rebels. Designate a leader- someone I can talk to. We're going to meet with the Chief and discuss this. Now!"

Roanak gestured for Gao to follow him and the pair left.

"Baojia," said Yangchen, turning to her other friend. "Go to my Knights. Tell them, the General, and the Water Chief to come here. We are going to settle this peaceably."

Baojia nodded and ran to the Water Tribe's army.

Yangchen sat on the cold earth and waited. It wasn't long before Sister Ling joined her.

"I put Pegei down at the Water Tribe's stables," she said, curtly.

Yangchen said nothing.

"Honestly, child, what were you thinking?" Sister Ling scolded. "To get involved in an affair like this-"

"I was thinking," Yangchen interrupted, "that I was the Avatar. And it my duty to keep the peace."

"That's what your Knights are for!" said Sister Ling.

"And they were doing a pretty messed up job of it, too!" said Yangchen, leaping to her feet. "These rebels aren't enemies- they're people. We don't even know what they want! We're going to settle down and talk about this like adults and come to a peaceful resolution. Okay?"

Sister Ling didn't have a response to that and Yangchen sat back down.

It wasn't long before Gao and Baojia returned with the leaders in tow. Yangchen recognized the two old men leading the Water Tribe army- Chief Torik and Master Sook. The latter had been her waterbending master. The Knights were not far behind.

Gao and Roanak were leading a young woman and introduced her as "Park". Once everyone was present, Yangchen instructed them to sit in a large circle. While Sister Ling, Gao and Baojia sat crosslegged on the floor, the combatants all hesitated. "Be. Seated!" Yangchen commanded.

No one argued after that, although the Knights looked furious. Ignoring them, Yangchen removed her beaded necklace and held it up. "If you're holding this, you may speak. If you're not, shut up."

Sister Ling looked indignant, but once again, Yangchen ignored her. "First tell me why you're rebelling." She used airbending to send the necklace to Park.

"We feel the Chief is too powerful," she said. "His laws are archaic and his traditions are oppressive. Those of us born without power are doomed to near-poverty with no chance of changing anything. Women are denied proper education or a voice in Tribal counsel. Crime runs rampant in the poorer streets of the Tribe. Some people are forced to steal to survive and if someone is lucky enough to even get a trial, there's never been an instance of the Chief being merciful."

"Hang on," interrupted the Chief, but Yangchen silenced him with a wave of her hand. "Necklace," she reminded him. She turned back to Park.

"So what is it you want, exactly?" she asked.

"We petitioned the Chief for equality man times," said Park, "but we have always been dismissed. So some of us made plans to leave the Tribe. There is another snowy region at the South Pole, completely uninhabited. We were planning a massive pilgrimage and we spread the word throughout the Tribe. But the Chief has locked down the port and forbidden anyone to leave. The entire Tribe was under martial law. There was a curfew, soldiers were attacking us in the streets. We had to fight back."

Park tossed the beads to Yangchen who thanked her and passed them on to Chief Torik. "Now you may speak," she said.

"The rebels have no respect for tradition," he said, gruffly. "My family has ruled the Water Tribe by divine right for generations. The women and the working class have their places of servitude, and the royal family has their position of leadership. Disrupting that throws the Water Tribe out of balance."

Yangchen reclaimed her beads. "I'm a woman," she said, angrily. "I was allowed to learn waterbending."

"Yes, but..." the Chief stammered, before silencing himself. Yangchen smiled with faux sweetness and handed him the beads. "You are the Avatar," he said.

"And a woman," she said. "And a Nomad, so I know what hunger is. Judging by your waistline, I'm guessing you don't."

Chief Torik didn't say anything to that.

"Chief Torik," said Avatar Yangchen, rising to her feet. "You are Chief, so I have no say in how you govern your Tribe. However, if your people want to lawfully emigrate, you have no right to keep them here."

She took the necklace and hung it around her neck again. "Sir Ho," she said, addressing her Knights now. Sir Ho stood up. "It's Commander Ho on the battlefield, ma'am," he said.

"The battle is over, so I will call you Sir Ho," Yangchen said. "From now on, you answer directly to me, not Sister Ling. You will dispatch only on my orders and NEVER without my knowledge. Is that understood?"

Sir Ho nodded and bowed. "Yes, Avatar Yangchen."

"Good," she said. She turned to Park. "Are you the resistance leader?" she asked.

Park nodded.

"Then I designate you rightful Chief of the new Southern Water Tribe."

Park bowed. "Thank you, Avatar. But with all due respect, our new Tribe won't have a single ruler. The citizens of the Tribe will convene to discuss Tribal matters and everyone will have lawful equal say."

Yangchen nodded. "So be it. Do you have ships to make the journey south?"

Park nodded. "We have shipbuilders in our resistance. They will manage for us."

"Good," said Yangchen. "I will help settle your Tribe in any way I can. I will also visit from time to time to see how you're doing." She turned back to the Chief and the general. "And the Northern Water Tribe as well," she said. "It is my duty to tend to the world, so that's what I'll do."

The Chief scowled at her but bowed and said, "As you wish, Avatar."

With that, the two armies retreated. The Water Tribe army followed Chief Torik and Master Sook back to the palace. As Yangchen watched them go, she heard a cheer rise up from the rebels behind her.

They rushed forward to greet her and thank her over and over again. She found herself shaking hands and bowing to so many people. Gao and Baojia joined in, hoisting her on their shoulders as the rebels shouted and cheered around them. Only Sister Ling and the Knights looked dissatisfied.

That night, the rebels reveled in their victory, partying in the streets of the lower levels. Yangchen soon discovered that the impoverished weren't the only ones involved in the rebellion as the business owners from the richer streets joined them. Butchers, brewers, and fishermen brought food to feed the party and musicians came from all over the city to celebrate with them.

Yangchen was perched on top of one of the buildings watching the celebrations from above when Gao and Baojia joined them.

"I can't believe I've never tried wine before!" said Gao, plopping down next to her and threatening to fall over the edge of the roof.

"Yeah, not exactly Air Nomad cuisine," said Baojia, grabbing his husband's shirt to keep him from toppling over the edge. He smiled down at Yangchen. "You were extraordinary today," he said. "A real Avatar. The real Avatar."

She smiled back at him. "Thank you."

"So," said Gao. "Roanak?"

Yangchen shook her head. "He's engaged."

Gao made a disappointed sound.

"It's no big deal," said Yangchen. "I wasn't that into him anyway. Besides, I'm in no hurry. I have a whole Tribe I promised to help settle, remember?"

"Yeah, okay," said Baojia. He hoisted Gao to his feet. "Well, we're off to bed. Night."

"Good night," she called after them. She watched them head to the inn, jovially listening to Gao's flirtatious advances.

Yangchen smiled and looked up at the moon. She didn't have to call Avatar Lawa to her to know that he would've been proud.