Sokka woke up bright and early as always for his lesson with Master Piandao. He was always excited for his lesson but today his excitement was tenfold. He would be making his sword today and as always he was to meet Piandao in the garden even though they surly would not be making the sword there. When Sokka arrived Master Piandao was just finishing his morning cup of tea as usual.
"Ah Sokka right on time, as you have probably guessed we are not making the sword here so we need to get a move on. Fire Lord Iroh has generously offered use of the royal blacksmith shop so we will head there."
It was a short walk to the blacksmith shop which was just off the palace grounds. It looked incredible but Sokka was surprised to find it void of anyone who seemed to work there.
"Master where is the black smith we will make the sword with?" Sokka asked curiously
"Oh we are not getting help from the black smith you must make the sword on your own. I will guide you but the work must be your own. Now come with me out back I have something to show you."
Sokka followed Piandao to the back of the shop to see what looked like a metal boulder sitting on the ground.
"Master what is it?" Sokka asked staring curiously at the object.
"It is a meteorite it fell form space near my house a while ago and I had always planned on making a sword out of it but never saw the right time to… until now that is."
"Is this the material we will use to make my sword?" Sokka smiled.
"The choice is up to you there are several other metals you can choose from if you like; metals that I have already worked with and know the properties the resulting sword will have. But if you do pick the meteorite you will end up with a one of a kind sword. Though its properties are unknown I sense it is destined for greatness just as I sense in you Sokka."
"Well if the choice is mine… than who could resist a one of a kind sword?" Sokka said his smile growing from ear to ear.
Sokka first day of work on his sword was long and hard. He spent the whole day breaking off pieces of the meteorite so they were small enough to work with. He was so caught up in his work he didn't even notice he had missed dinner, and was about to continue working through the night if Piandao hadn't protested saying: "Your work will still be here in the morning; you'll make a better sword well rested."
It was a quiet dinner at that night at the palace. Iroh and Zuko were so lost in their own world to even notice Sokka was missing. Azula had never thought she would miss the way the peasant nervously watch her eat or how he would flinch when she would "almost" catch him looking. If she wasn't afraid they would think she cared about Sokka she would have asked where he was. Instead she decided, the next morning before fiebending practice she would go spy on him to figure out where he had gone.
Sokka woke up early the next morning to finish his sword. When he went to the garden he found that Piandao was just beginning to brew his tea.
"Ah Sokka I wasn't expecting you for at least another hour."
"Well I thought maybe we could work on my sword a little earlier."
"Alright I suppose I can't deny you that... Fats bring my tea we are going to the black smith shop ahead of schedule."
Once again Sokka worked only caring about the sword he would have completely missed lunch had Fats not brought him a bowl of rice as he sat in front of the furnace. He continued to work well into the night until the sword was finally completed few hours before dawn would break. He was tired and he was hungry, but he was proud: his sword was complete. Just as he was about to leave Piandao stopped him. "Sokka there is one last step, I would like to put an insignia on your sword. I can't explain to you wat it means right now but I assure you one day you will know what it signifies."
"Master I would be honored to accept anything you would accept anything you want to contribute to my sword."
With that Piandao pulled out a small metal stamp and pounded a small lotus flower into the hilt of Sokka's sword.
Sokka finally got back to the palace and looked forward to a good rest. He walked to his room only to find Azula staring at his door.
"The servants told me he had went to make his sword yesterday morning before I woke up, but he couldn't possibly still be working on it," she said to herself.
"Well I'm not I just finished it this morning," Sokka said from behind her. "I figured you would notice my disappearance I just didn't expect you would miss me after only 2 days," Sokka chuckled.
"I didn't I was just making sure you didn't get cold feet on our duel," Azula said turning around and suppressing her blush. "But do believe you said the second your sword was ready we would duel."
"Right now!? I haven't slept all night and the only thing I've had to eat was a bowl of rice yesterday afternoon."
"Ugh if it must wait I suppose we could postpone it till tomorrow and I could invite Mai and Ty Lee."
"Oh that sounds like a great idea I'm sure they would love to watch me win."
"Ha in your dreams…" Azula said walking past Sokka heading to her firebending practice.
Sokka woke up just in time for dinner: by the time he got to the dining hall all the royals were there and had already started eating.
"Oh Sokka, I am so sorry we didn't wait for you Azula said you were tired from making your sword and would not be joining us," Iroh confessed.
"Oh that's fine I wouldn't want to wait either if food were put in front of me," Sokka replied. "I am surprised the princess was so kind as to inform you of my absence though."
"Well I didn't say it quite as politely as uncle did," Azula snickered. "And I figured you could use all the rest you can get," She said smirking maliciously.
Before Iroh could get a word in about the duel he was sure was still going to happen Sokka began eating so savagely it almost caused everyone at the table to lose their appetite.
"I know you are a savage but, did Piandao forget to feed you while you made the sword or did you just forget how to eat?" Azula asked disgusted.
"Shory, I mjust so hwungrhy." Sokka replied mumbled with his mouth full.
"Well no matter how much hunger caused you to act like this I can't watch it. Uncle, Zuko good luck enjoying the rest of your meal with this at the table," Azula said getting up.
"Actually I've lost my appetite too," Zuko said following Azula.
"Well it seems we are alone then," Iroh said. "I understand how when one is very hungry their maners may take second to having their fill."
"Oh uh thank you I guess."
"Are you nervous at all for your fight with Azula?" Iroh said sipping his tea.
"I don't know what you're talking…"
"Sokka please, I know Azula does whatever she wants especially if it goes against my word. As long as it is something as harmless as a little duel, then I don't have much of a problem with it."
"Aren't you scared that one of us will get hurt though?"
"Azula has practically mastered firebending at this point and although you have only trained for a short time I believe Piandao has trained you well enough that you will avoid injury."
"So you think I'm going to lose."
"No matter how gifted you may be or how good of a teacher Piandao is Azula has been practicing firebending since the day she could stand, and you started a week ago. I'm sorry Sokka but I don't think it is possible for you to beat her."
Sokka left the dinner a bit disappointed Iroh had told him straight out that he would lose and there was nothing he could do about it. When he got to his room the princess was standing infront of his door waiting for him.
"I see you've finally had your fill, hopefully there will be enough for my victory breakfast tomorrow," Azula said snickering.
"Well aren't we getting ahead of ourselves the fight hasn't even happened yet and you are already gloating, is that really what you waited for me here for."
"No, I came to make sure you would remember the duel. I took the liberty of telling a servant to wake you up at 5 so we can 'drink tea and strengthen ties'."
"Oh, my princess strengthen ties that is a bit forward I've only known you for a week."
"I meant between our two nations you idiot as if I would ever be interested in you."
"Hey there's nothing wrong with me I'm cute and fun."
"If you have to tell yourself that: it's probably not true." Azula sighed as she began to leave.
"Wait where are you going? We aren't done here."
"Save it for tomorrow," Azula called as she rounded a corner.
With that conversation all doubts Iroh had given Sokka were cast aside he would beat Azula if it was the last thing he did.
