A/N: So yeah, my latest installment to the Sokkla100 series. It's quite amazing actually, I managed to go an entire update without the December AU. lol.
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Avatar.
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013. Blood (This is an AU for the DoBS)
Sokka grit his teeth together tightly. His hands gripped his sword to the point to where his knuckles were an ashen white. Aang and Toph both stood in their spots astonished at what Sokka just did.
Azula chuckled weakly, still pinned to the wall by the rocks on her wrists. Blood trickled out the sides of her mouth. Weakly lifting her head up with the last bit of her strength, she looked Sokka straight in the eyes. "You'll never find you precious 'Suki' now-"
Exhausting the last bit of her life, Azula's eyelids fell and her body went limp. Sokka looked at the fallen princess. Now taking a moment to study his former enemy, he realized that she looked to be not much older than Katara.
He suddenly felt sick. Bringing one hand up to cover his mouth, Sokka closed his eyes as he pulled his sword from girls torso. The sound of the metal sliding against flesh echoing in his ears.
When Sokka finally looked at the blade of his weapon, he could barely even see any evidence of Azula's blood, but when his hand touched the blade, it was evident that really did just take the younger girls life. He placed the weapon back in its sheath and turned to face his comrades.
Aang flinched slightly and Toph seemed apprehensive. Sokka didn't blame them. He didn't have to kill her, he was sure. There were other ways for them to get the information Azula had on the whereabouts of Suki. But he didn't listen. He was so caught up in his rage, that he couldn't think straight until the young girls blood was already on his hands.
Sokka never felt so hollow before in his life.
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014. Betrayal (Set in the Russet AU)
Sokka saw his first Fire Nation Warship when he was five. They were massive, dreadful, and most of all, they were beautiful. The young water-tribe boy was in awe at the ship. He couldn't believe people were capable of building such machines.
When Sokka was eight, his father was killed in a Fire Nation raid. When he got news of this father's demise, his world took a more cynical route. Whenever his tribe would fight back the forces of the impeding fire nation soldiers, he would simply observe the futile skirmish from atop a high ridge near the field of battle.
Whenever Sokka had the chance, he would observe the remains of the fire nation's machines. Their tanks, Navy ships, anything that was left over after a fight. As he continued observing the fire nation technology, he became more enthralled by them.
He wanted to see how they were made, what made them work. Sokka wanted to study them to his hearts content, find ways to modify them. When he finally came to terms with his fascination with the fire nation machines, he began to feel that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to surrender to their enemy forces.
Sokka was positive that if the Fire Nation wanted, they could have easily wiped the Southern Water Tribe off the map. They were nowhere near as fortified as the Northern Water Tribe, not only that, but their population was only half of their sister tribe. Add to the equation the Fire Nation's superior technology, it was a miracle the Southern Water Tribe was still standing.
When Sokka was fourteen, he had suggested at a tribal meeting that to prevent prevent any further loss of life to their rapidly declining population, that they simply surrender to the Fire Nation. The members present all frowned at Sokka's idea, claiming it was a foolish to think that the Fire Nation would show them mercy just because they surrendered.
That night, Sokka left the Southern Water Tribe. If being realistic was foolish, then by all means, Sokka was going to be the fool. He approached the Fire Nation campsite and was immediately apprehended.
Sokka was locked in a cell onboard one of the Fire Nation ships. When the guards threw him into his cell, he had requested to see their leader. It was several days before the Admiral finally saw Sokka. "So what's this I hear about you wanting to join the Fire Nation," the older man asked.
"My tribe is nothing but a bunch of fools. They don't see the benefits to surrendering to the Fire Nation," Sokka stated. "The Fire Nation is so much more technologically advanced than we are. You all have machines we could never dream of making. I tried to convince them, to show them the truth, but they claimed I was being foolish."
As Sokka explained himself, the admiral raised an eyebrow. The boy appeared to be telling the truth, as far as he could tell anyway. Maybe he could make some use out of the kid. "Unfortunately, it's not my choice," the admiral stated. "I'll have to speak with the Fire Lord about this. Perhaps if you gave us some information we could use to defeat the Water Tribe, it will help your chances of pleasing Fire Lord Ozai."
Sokka took a moment to think of something that could help, anything. Then he remembered the safe house that all the civilians were kept in. Quickly formulating a plan, he informed the admiral what should be done.
The next morning Sokka returned to the village, not as a tribesman, but as a conquerer. While the main Fire Nation forces went on a frontal attack, Sokka lead an elite group of fire-benders through a lesser known back route to the village. They easily dispatched any guards that were protecting the large hut.
When Sokka entered through the large door with the Admiral following behind him the people knew that there was no hope. The traitor surveyed the room, eyes cold and uncaring. "You are all now prisoners of the Fire Nation. Obey the admiral's orders and you will be spared."
Said admiral placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder. "Good job, I'm certain the Fire Lord will be pleased."
Taking that as a dismissal, Sokka went to the front lines to inform the warriors what had transpired. When he reached the top of the ridge he so frequently visited during a fight, he broadcasted his voice to the combatants below.
"The Southern Water Tribe has fallen," he shouted, immediately the fighting topped as everyone looked to the boy. "Admiral Fong has apprehended the citizens. Lay down your arms and no harm shall come to them."
It was hopeless, they realized. Sokka had sold them out, and now they were doomed to whatever fate the Fire Nation gave them. They all systematically laid down their weapons and held out their hands. They were all apprehended and lead back to the ships.
Seeing that his job was done, Sokka returned to the village. He noticed that the Admiral was gathering the village leaders to take as prisoners. He also noticed that his mother was among them.
"I hope you're proud of yourself," she spat. "You've just damned your people to a life of servitude. You're father would be disappointed." Sokka looked at his mother sadly. "Don't be that way moth-"
"Don't you dare call me that!" she shouted. She glared at Sokka, her eyes boring into his own. "You are no son of mine," she muttered as she was taken away.
Sokka just stood there as everyone left, staring of into nothing. "I am proud of myself," he said. "I just stopped the fighting, no one else will have to die here so long as they do what is told."
The next morning when Sokka went to the Fire Nation camp, he noticed an even larger, more ornate, ship amongst the current vessels. He could just barely make out the form of the Admiral onboard the massive warship. Since he needed to speak with Admiral Fong, he would ask about the new boat.
When Admiral Fong saw Sokka board the ship, he called out to him. "Sokka, come here for a moment," he shouted. "Someone wishes to meet you."
Sokka approached the admiral and noticed a girl dressed Fire Nation armor. She looked no older than himself and had fierce amber colored eyes. She had her arms crossed in front of her as she studied him carefully. "Sokka, this is Princess Azula," the admiral stated. "Princess, this is the young man who helped aid in capturing the water tribe."
Azula seemed to smirk at the information. "I find that hard to believe," the princess admitted. "Admiral Fong has been trying so hard to win over this region for quite some time. I fail to see how you could have made much of a difference."
"With all do respect, Princess," Sokka started. "I've lived here all my life. I know every little secret these frozen lands hold. Without my help, Admiral Fong would still be fighting against my people."
If it was possible Azula's smirk seemed to broaden. "Arrogant," she stated. "They say arrogance leads to one's own downfall."
"Only when coupled with foolishness," Sokka replied. He didn't know what the princess was going on about, but he wasn't about to let her undermine is abilities.
Azula gave a playful huff before turning her attention to the Admiral. "I was originally sent to relive you of your mission, but, seeing as how you've finished conquering this place, I will take my leave."
Admiral Fong bowed respectfully before turning to leave. Sokka was about to join the admiral before he was stopped by Azula. "You, water peasant, will be accompanying me back to the capital," she ordered.
Sokka frowned at the nickname (if he could call it that). "Very well," he replied. He bowed to Admiral Fong and turned to follow the princess to the bridge. As they ascended the tower, the two reached a point where they wouldn't be seen by others. It was then that Azula pushed the former water-tribesman to the wall and violently crashed her lips against his own.
It took Sokka all of two seconds to quickly push the princess off of him. "What is your problem?!" he asked. "We just met not two minutes ago and you're already sticking your tongue down my throat!"
"I like you water peasant," Azula stated. "No one ever challenges me. Their nothing but simpleminded puppets who would say anything to please me or my family."
Azula took a step forward so that she was standing only inches away from the older boy. "You're different though," she looked into his eyes. She could tell a lot about a person through their eyes. "You didn't care that I was a princess when you defended yourself."
"What do you want," Sokka demanded.
"Isn't it obvious?" she replied. "and I'm sure you want the same thing..." she added.
"You're crazy," he insulted.
"Say what you want, but your eyes betray you," she then took a few steps away before she stopped. "I always get what I want, and whether you like it or not, I will have you..."
Sokka just stood there. He disgust. Whether it was from the fact that he betrayed his homeland not a day prior, or the fact that he wanted to continue his previous actions with the princess, he didn't know. All he knew was that there was a voice in the back of his head that was yelling at how wrong everything had turned out.
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015. Courage (Takes place one year after Desert (7 years after the series end))
Sokka and Azula walked through the streets of the Fire Nation capital city. They were on their way to the royal palace so Azula could make amends with her family. It took some time, but Sokka had convinced her that it was for the best.
As they walked through the crowded streets, Azula couldn't help but notice that the people seemed so much happier than when her father was Fire Lord. She also noticed that there weren't just Fire Nation citizens among the people. There were just as many Earth Kingdom citizens and several Water tribe merchants. Maybe everything she was doing all those years ago was wrong.
"What's the matter?" Sokka asked the former princess. Azula sighed as she sent Sokka a side glance. "You're not getting any second thoughts are you, Azula," he said teasingly.
She smiled slightly and shook her head 'no'. The two continued on their way in comfortable silence. Once they finally made it to the Royal Palace, they were escorted to the royal garden. There, the two found Zuko, Mai, and their five year old daughter.
Azula smiled at the scene, they all looked so happy. She was brought out of her thoughts when their escort announced Sokka's presence. "Announcing his Lordship, Master Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe." Sokka face-palmed at the formal introduction.
Zuko pulled his attention away from his daughter and spotted Sokka standing at the entrance. "Sokka, it's been too long," he said as he got up to greet his friend. They shared a quick hug before continuing. "Last I hear from you was almost two years ago. Uncle has informed me that you were accepted into the Order of the White Lotus, is this true?"
Sokka laughed out loud. "Yes, yes it is very true," he confirmed. "But that's not why I'm here." Sokka took a step to the side and revealed Azula standing behind him. "Azula," he said in disbelief. Mai picked up her daughter and joined Zuko.
"It's good to see you again, zuzu," she said nervously. Before she could react, Zuko had embraced her in a tight hug. Once the general shock of the action was gone, Azula returned the embrace, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry..." she muttered.
Everyone else looked on as the siblings embraced each other. The two finally broke apart after a long moment. Azula wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at her brother. "I guess I've missed out on a lot, haven't I?"
"You could say that," Mai responded. She too then gave Azula a quick hug before taking a step back. "This is your auntie Azula," she said the the child in her arms. "Azula, this is Zhu, your niece."
"Hello, auntie 'zula," the little girl said. Azula smiled warmly at the girl. "Hello, Zhu. It's very nice to meet you."
"Why don't we take this to the family room," Zuko suggested. Everyone agreed as they all began to leave the room when suddenly someone else entered.
"Zuko, I was wondering if it would be okay if I could watch Zhu for- Azula!" the newcomer said in shock. "Mother..." Azula whispered in response. She frantically looked to Sokka and then back to her mother. She was unaware that Ursa was even alive, let alone back in the Fire Nation.
"We'll meet you in the family room," Zuko suggested as he, Mai, Zhu left. Sokka placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'll wait for you just outside if you need anything," he stated reassuringly. He gave her shoulder an encouraging squeeze before leaving.
It was now just Ursa and Azula standing in the garden. The air was thick with tension of years of pent up emotions. "I'm sorry," Azula blurted out.
"What?" Ursa asked questioningly.
"I said I'm sorry," she reiterated. "I'm sorry I was such a horrible daughter. I'm sorry I did such terrible things... and... I'm sorry I was never took the chance to say I love you and to thank you for everything you ever did for me..." Tears were now falling fresh once again.
Quickly, Ursa embraced her daughter in a tight hug, a hug for years of neglect, years of pain, years of comfort that she was unable to give. "I'm the one who should be sorry," she said. "I should have done more for you, I should have prevented your father from ever turning you into his perfect soldier, I should have given you more attention."
They both continued to hold onto each other, sharing their tears of sorrow and newfound joy. When they finally pulled away, Ursa placed a kiss on Azula's forehead lovingly. Azula laughed at the notion. "I'm not a baby anymore," she said with humor.
"You will always be my baby," Ursa replied. They shared a small laugh before settling down. "Will you be staying here from now on?" the mother asked.
Azula shook her head. "No, I think I'm going to continue to travel the world with Sokka, and help him with his research."
Ursa smiled nodded her head in understanding. "Will you and your boyfriend at least stay for a week?" she asked pleadingly. Azula smiled warmly at her mother for the first time in her life. "Yes, I believe we could stay for a week."
The two shared another hug before they parted ways, Ursa went further into the garden and Azula left for the halls. When she entered the corridor, she found Sokka leaning up against the wall.
"That took a lot of courage," he stated with a smile. "Opening up to your mother like that."
"You knew she was going to be here, didn't you?" Azula asked accusingly.
"Yes, I did. But if I told you, there was probably a chance you wouldn't have come," he replied.
Azula didn't reply. After all, he was probably right. She approached Sokka and stood before him.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked.
The amber-eyed woman leaned forward and gave Sokka a gentle kiss on the lips. "Thanks for not telling me," she said before walking towards the family room. Sokka smirked and followed her lead.
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A/N: So yeah, there ya go. I hope you all enjoyed reading.
READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!