Chapter 5: Fire Nation attacks
An updated version of chapter 5, because I was quite unsatisfied with the old one.
Again Katara awoke with her little princess in her arms. Like every minute in her life she can't get enough of the beautiful girl and like every day the sunlight woke her up. The song of the birds when they ... wait, no it was completely quiet. Why isn't there any sound, no footsteps, no birds, no rustling grass. Nothing, nothing except, *Oh no* Katara thought. Long suppressed memories forming in her mind like reality. *Flashback* She was at the southern watertribe, still a small child, playing peacefully, but like now something was wrong. Suddenly with the sound of broken ice, ash from the sky, huge metal ships appeared, breaking into the wall that surrounded her village. A large metal door in the front opened and a whole bunch of firebenders came out attacking the village. Katara fell on her knees screaming. She knew it couldn't be real, but her mind was not listening to any logic.
„Katara, wake up, WAKE UP." Someone was gently shaking her, saying her name. Slowly she came back to senses, as the Face of her lover materialized in front of her. „Toph not so loud I'm up." Katara quickly exclaimed, her mind still a bit foggy. „Sorry, but you trashed around and screamed, did you have a nightmare?" Katara could hear the worry in Tophs voice „It didn't feel like a nightmare, more like a vision." Katara whispered, not completely sure of what happened. „Sorry what did you say." a now very confused Toph asked.
„Nothing honey, don't worry about it." even though she said that, Toph of course sensed Katara's concern. However she didn't have the time to think about it, as a loud call from „Grandma" brought them both back to reality. They quickly got dressed and headed towards the dining room, (not without sharing a good morning kiss) with everyone already waiting for the was plenty to eat, much more than they normally have on their journeys and everyone (especially Sokka) was very statisfied at the end. After that hearty meal the boys went outside to train a bit, while the girls helped Grandma washing the dishes. After the work was done they all laid down on the grass outside to take a nap in the warm sunlight, a soft breeze tickling their skin. Katara's eyelids got heavy and soon she fell into a light sleep. A loud crushing noise woke her up. She jumped to her feet immediately, in fear it could be her memory again. Only to recognize the origin of this noise turning out to be Sokka trying to sneak some food from the kitchen.
„Sokka ! Really? You just ate four plates full of food." Katara said strictly, but not without a bit of amusement in her voice. „I can't help it, I have to make up for all the months of starvation we had to suffer." They all had to laugh, not only because of what he said, but for him being dead serious. After all what happened, it was nice to just be able to relax and don't have to worry about the concerns of the world. However, their joyful mood didn't last long. Reason of that was a fanfare, normally not connected with bad thoughts, this one though announced an inspection of a special section of the army of the Fire Nation. They were called „Ashtray", an anonymous group controlled directly by the firelord, fullfilling his dirtiest orders. One of the orders was to „help the population sorting out their property." Which was euphemistic for looking if there is anything illegal going on and simultaneously collecting the taxes. In this case however it also was to check on the rumors about the Avatar being in his land.
For our heroes that was a clear sign. They packed their stuff as fast as they could, for there would have been no sense to hide from these special trained main problem with their plan of getting away was, that they couldn't use Appa to fly. If they'd been seen, the village would be burned to the ground for hiding the Avatar and his friends. So they had no other option than to try and get away on foot while the soldiers are searching the houses. Just as they finished packing, their bad luck foiled them once again, in form of the soldiers deciding to search
„Grandma's" house first. In the same moment „Team Avatar" went out the back door the soldiers came through the front door. A shout of the first man who entered the house told them they were spotted. Knowing the village wouldn't stand a chance, Katara quickly decided to attack the soldiers, a well-aimed waterstrike hit the first soldier, sending all five of them to the ground. The rest of the friends quickly dropped their luggage and sprinted out of the door to face the members of the
„Ashtray". It was a long lasting battle, but with combined powers, the soldiers finally were defeated. While Katara healed a light burn Sokka received by one of the soldiers, Patriche and a few other villagers came out of their hidings, approaching the group. After a few seconds of silence, „Grandma" began to talk: „Avatar, I know it seems harsh to say that just after you fought so hard for our sake, but it might be better if you depart as soon as possible." Aang looked in the eyes of the surrounding villagers, each of them had a sad look, he could see, that they didn't know what will happen now. He bowed before
Patriche: „Yes, that would be the best" and to the whole crowd „I thank you for all your help and I am sorry for all the trouble we have caused." With these words he turned to his friends. They all took their luggage and climbed on Appa. Even though you could see it as a success, that they defeated such strong enemies, Katara and the rest of Team Avatar were really sad. The Firelord would know sooner or later, what happened in this isolated place of his territory. For our heroes this just means the continue of their journey. For the village people however, the loss was much higher, for they would have to deal with the wrath of the firelord. With few words of gratitude and farewell, the group headed for their next destination.
Finally got this chapter sorted. I was constantly dissatisfied with it. So I changed it every now and then. It is still not perfect and I wish I could do better, especially in concern of my limited abilities in English.
I hope this chapter is to your satisfaction. I take criticism to heart and hope to improve myself with every new story/chapter I release. Which I know doesn't happen very often.