I hope I can be forgiven for the long wait; I recently had a bad stroke of misfortune with my computer. Anywho, here it is for you the second chapter. And thanks for the reviews; Tsukikage1213, Teen Freak, Skyler-A-Teloiv, Realfanficts
Chapter Two
The Great Divide
"You meet a new friend?"
Katara smiled while she concentrated on her work. "A kindred spirit." Even as she spoke it aloud, she had absolutely no idea just how much of a relation her new acquaintance would turn out to be. All the while the company of freedom fighters took rest, unaware that in the soft snow an enemy approached. The band was small but they brought with them the element of surprise. Word of Toph's abilities to sense danger from afar had become renowned. This deterred the Fire Nation squad not, for their orders were to relay information of military importance. Well the truth about the Avatar was certainly something to write home about.
Within the earth made dome the four of them sat quietly, absorbed either in thought or a minor task. Toph nursed her swollen feet, true to Katara's word they had become weary of treading in the ice and snow. It was because of this that Toph would have to sacrifice her radar-like vision in order to remain healthy. However, she decided that before her vision went completely dark for the next couple of days she would allow her feet to touch the earth one last time.
Outside the dome the Fire Nation soldiers surrounded the whole perimeter, forming a red armored ring. The team leader removed his helmet and placed an ear up against the cold dome.
Toph stretched her left leg out and wiggled her toes into the fresh air. With a sigh of regret she lowered her feet down to the ground for her last moment of sight. As soon as her smallest toe made the slightest contact with the ground her eyes shot open in shock.
"KATARA! DOWN!" Katara did so with lightening speed. Toph took a dominant step forward and punched her fist in the same direction. Outside a large square block shot out from the dome and struck down the commanding officer. At once all of the remaining soldiers let loose a barrage of fire attacks. The remaining three jumped to their feet, Sokka's sword sang as he drew it from its sheath. The dome around them crumbled from the constant bombardment. Aang took Katara's shoulder.
"Katara help me!" No time was wasted as both began transforming the snow around them into fluidic water. In no time flat the two of them lined the collapsing dome with a frozen half sphere. As soon as the firebenders were successful in breaking down the dome, it fell apart to reveal the ice sphere. Moving in exact unison, Aang and Katara burst the sphere like a bubble; propelling millions of tiny shards in all directions. The soldiers shielded their faces and yet their arms became scarred and scratched. Sokka took advantage of their momentary laps and proceeded to cut off their spear heads. The last soldier he came upon recovered however and swung his spear at Sokka's legs. He jumped up to avoid the swipe then bent over to allow the soldier to be blown away by a strong gust of wind from Aang. The Avatar was then confronted by two more soldiers attacking on either side of him. True to the nickname given to him by Toph, Aang leapt up upon his staff and allowed both firebenders to collide into one another.
Katara and Toph stood back to back defending each other from the remaining soldiers. Both fended off fireballs constantly being sent at them from all directions. Katara, while keeping her watery shield intact, raised four fluidic spheres into the air and waited. At the precise moment when her attackers geared for another assault the waterbender shot the spheres forward, completely drenching the firebenders' hands. Toph took it from there by catapulting each one away with raising of four rocky pillars. Her keen senses then detected a straggler attempting to run. With two quick movements of her hand she formed a spike and shot it forward. The spike was intercepted however by a water tendril and broken into pile of tiny shards.
"Katara!" shouted Toph. "What are doing?!"
"That's not what we do!" the waterbender protested back. Sokka looked livid.
"He's the enemy! Maybe you've had a lapse in memory, because I do sometimes, but we're going to invade his homeland. Don't you think it would be better if we had one less firebender to deal with?"
"I haven't forgotten what we're up against. But I don't strike at someone when their back is turned."
"Katara's right," agreed Aang. "He's weeks away from getting back home and without a messenger hawk. I doubt he'll be able to relay any information." Toph blew a strand of hair out of her face and scoffed.
"Don't think they'd have the same nice attitude it was our back turned." But Katara and Aang would hear nothing of the contrary. For them it was not a question of logic or semantics; it was a matter of honor.
"We still have one more place to go before heading to the Fire Nation shoreline," said Aang. "We don't have a lot of time so why don't we just forget about this and move on." It seemed like the best thing to do. They made it through the ambush without taking any harm, but tensions were at a point where it would not be wise to tease them. Silently the group continued on their way.
Before they would embark on the first step toward the invasion, Katara demanded that she be allowed to see one person before they go. Their new destination was a temple within the Northern Water Tribe. They're arrival did not go unnoticed especially due on Aang's part as being the fallen hero. They kept him concealed in order to maintain the illusion that he was dead, spies could in fact be right around the corner. The fact that Appa was wearing his armor was little more than an excuse to provide Aang with a suitable hide. Everywhere they went they were already being celebrated as heroes of the free world. All this praise, however flattering, did nothing more than to put the group in tension. They were each of them hesitant to think about it, but if they were to possibly fail it would mean the Fire Nation achieved yet another victory.
"Anyone wanna tell these people we haven't actually done anything yet," said Toph.
"They don't see it that way," replied Aang from his hiding spot.
Sokka threw is arms up in protest, "Well it would help if they wouldn't already decide that we're just going to magically be victorious-but I bet that would help." They finally reached the temple and paused. All eyes turned on Katara, who merely remained rooted on the spot.
"Katara?"
"I'm thinking."
"Thinking of what?" asked Toph.
"I just haven't seen him in a while; he'll be expecting certain things of me. I guess I'm just nervous." Aang set a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry; Master Pakku was more than proud of you when you left. And look how much more you've learned since then."
"I guess you're right."
"Well, I am the Avatar." Said Aang with a smug look. Both Sokka and Toph silently made sport of him. She responded with only a timid smile. "Hey, if you want I can come in with you." She nodded.
"Thank you."
-----
Aang and Katara both entered the temple, eyes carefully looking about for the waterbending master. Rounding a corner they found him kneeling before an alter with his head bowed in silent prayer. So as not to disturb him the pair quietly made their way closer.
"I've known of your presence for some time." They both stopped. Katara smiled.
"That doesn't surprise me."
Rising to his feet Pakku snickered. "Skills aside, your entrance was difficult not to notice."
"Tried to avoid it," said Aang. "I guess its 'Avatar Day' all over again."
"Such is to be expected during these times. For so long the world lay hunched beneath the shadow and weight of the Fire Nation. Now for the first time people have a single strand of hope to cling to." He gestured to two cushions before a table, Katara and the Avatar both sat down as instructed. Pakku then proceeded to pour three cups of steaming tea. "From our part we have not seen much activity of the war since Admiral Zhou attempted his own invasion. It would seem the Fire Nation has turned its attention toward the Earth Kingdom."
"You don't know the half of it," exclaimed Aang. "Ba Sing Se fell to the Fire Nation not just a few weeks ago."
"Indeed, I received such news not long before you arrived. Ba Sing Se was hailed as such a mighty fortress I was hesitant to believe it true."
"I wish it wasn't," said Katara somberly.
"Well, what can be done about things beyond your control? Now, let's discuss a lighter subject shall we? Aang, I would hope that you are keeping the teachings of your waterbending master with high regard." Aang shot a quick look at Katara and saw she had a-'well…are you?'-look.
"Um-of course I am." Pakku chuckled to himself and sipped his tea.
"Good, it would be a shame indeed if the last great hope of the free world lost his sense of propriety." Katara tried with all her might to keep her laughter contained behind a smile. Neither of them had touched the tea served but it then again it was all for manner's sake anyway. Pakku drained his cup, hot steam rising past his greyed eyebrows. "Katara I would like to speak with you in confidence." The pair exchanged curious looks. He remained silent. there was nothing more that needed to be said. Katara gave Aang a reassuring nod. Hesitantly, Aang rose from his cushion and quietly took his leave. Once they were alone, Katara and Master Pakku sat in silence. She began to wonder if he had somehow nodded off to sleep when he quickly but steadily stood up.
"Come with me." Now quite intrigued Katara followed Pakku out of the temple and down a long hallway. The arch ceiling and walls around them were a crystal clear glass, showing the deep blue ocean depths. Fish of varying size swam about before them and only when their mouths bumped into the glass did they veer off. It was strange that the air around her did not feel cold in the slightest. At long last they reached a single ornately decorated door. Katara let herself be led in and her mouth dropped as she found that they now stood in a giant dome, the wall of which was lined to the top with books. Hollow supports tapering down from the top contained visible water flows.
"What is this place?" she asked in absolute awe.
"This is the Annals of Koi, a secret archives deep beneath the city. None but the King and myself know of its existence. It has been one of my greatest honors in life to be the caretaker of this room."
Still somewhat in shock, "You don't say." The waterbending master smirked.
"Around you is the total accumulation of knowledge gathered by generations of kings and scribes. The manuscripts reach back thousands of years. Some even bear text written in a tongue long forgotten or dare I say it……foreign to this world." She tore her eyes from the mountain of books.
"Foreign? How?"
Pakku shook his head doubtfully. "Who knows." Katara swallowed. The mere sight of this place was something that easily took one's breath away. And as Pakku said; to be its guardian was an honor among honors, which then begged the question….
"Why did you bring me here?" He stood beside one of many desks spread throughout the massive library.
"It is said that many secrets lie buried here; secrets that any lesser mind could not comprehend. I am dying…Katara." Her eyes widened.
"What?!"
"I have brought you here because-" But she left him no leave to speak. Katara rushed to his side and took his shoulders.
"No! There must be something-someone….the healers-there are many healers in the Northern Water Tribe. They can help you." He removed her hands from him.
"They can do nothing for me. Besides, were that not the case they would be doing a very old man a grave injustice." Try as he might he could not seem to make Katara understand. From her part it only seemed like he was giving up. "I have brought you here because soon I will no longer be the Annals' caretaker, and there is a specific manuscript which must be guarded at all costs." She knew what was coming. She saw it a mile and a half away, she wished she hadn't. "I will entrust this manuscript to you, Katara."
"Master…"
"Silence." She did without question. "We humans delve too deeply into the unknown, and many times the innocent are the ones who pay the price. It baffles me continually as to why we cannot be content with who we are; so many try to reach farther than the length of their conscience."
"What it is in this manuscript?" His eyes turned dark.
"A gateway." Katara screwed up her face. "Within is a passage into the unimaginable. Now why do you think I am doing this?" Katara folded her arms.
"Because I'm a girl?"
"Always the smart one, but as it turns out the fact that you are a girl has a lot to do with it." Katara's smile faded. She let her folded arms slowly fall free, all the while Master Pakku stood before her with a straight face.
"Tell me why?"
He smiled. "No."
Aang, Sokka, and Toph found Katara sitting off the edge of the enormous wall that guarded the Northern Water Tribe. She let her feet dangle off the edge, and stared out at the setting sun. Sokka approached her while holding up his sword behind his neck.
"Hey, you okay?"
"Yeah, it's just what's ahead. That's all."
"What did Master Pakku want?" Katara felt her heart begin to race. "Katara?" She wiped her eyes of some minor tears and swiveled around so that she now faced her friends.
"He wanted to wish us luck on our journey and to pass on some more…flowery sentiments." The three look unconvinced, but it was Katara's tone that asked them not to press.
"Well Appa's had his fill of food and its getting dark so it'll be the perfect time to leave without being noticed," said Sokka. So it was decided that they would depart The Northern Water Tribe within the hour. Aang and Sokka turned and walked away. Katara began to follow when she was stopped by Toph.
"Katara…"
"What is it?" The blind bandit bit her lower lip.
"You know as well as anyone that I know you lied through your teeth. Are you trying to send me some sort of message or something?" Katara clenched her fists. Why did this have to be her job? It would have been so much easier if she could tell her friends, alas it was against the terms she made with Master Pakku.
"Yes Toph, I'm asking you forget it. Please….don't make harder on me than it already is." Toph lowered her head and smirked.
"Fine." She nudged past Katara and turned her smirk back at the waterbender. "You just remember that if you need me, I'm here for ya sugar-queen." Katara could not fight back her laughter.
"I thought I told you to quit calling me that."
Toph's playful smile turned to a challenging smirk. Make me." With Katara is hot pursuit, Toph led the way to catch up with the two boys.
THAT NIGHT………………
Thanks largely to Aang and Katara the gang road along a path in the sky clear of chilling clouds and fog. The wind sailed past them ever so lightly creating quite a drowsing effect. Toph was already napping at the rear of Appa's large saddle and not far to her left Sokka's drooping eyes studied a layout of the Fire Nation beachheads. Katara rested her head on her arms off the edge of the saddle and examined the stars. The celestial display did little to capture a mind without imagination. Katara however saw the outlines of shapes everywhere she looked. She saw her family united as one. She saw her home in South Pole. She saw many things; things she feared may never be so. As her eyes fell downward in despair she narrowed them as they spotted a large point light far below. She concentrated with all her might to see what it might be but they were too high. She scooted over to where Aang sat upon Appa's neck.
"Aang, there's something down there."
He shot a quick look over his shoulder at her. "What do you mean?"
"It looks like a campfire; I think we should get a closer look." Her suggestion did not go unnoticed by her brother.
"What?! You're joking right?"
"It could be more Fire Nation," protested Katara. "If it is we have an obligation to warn the city or if necessary to stop them."
"Even if they are Fire Nation the City can surely handle themselves against a small platoon."
"I'm with Captain Courageous," said Toph. Her eyes were still casually closed.
"I'll contemplate the real meaning behind that later," said Sokka. "Come on Aang, let's keep going and get to where we need to be on time." Aang sighed in malcontent. He hated when his friends we re at odds in even the slightest way. Looking at Katara she silently implored him. Determined, Aang turned his view forward.
"We're going down, Yip Yip!" At Aang's command Appa began gracefully diving.
-----
The gang landed no more than a mile away from what turned out to be a large bonfire. They carefully peered over a snow dune and found a congregation of had gathered around the flame. The perimeter of the gathering was marked by many flaming torches, each decorated with the worn skull of some long dead animal. Low and ominous chanting rose and fell from among the crowd. All of them, thoroughly creeped out, turned their eyes toward a man at the center of attention. He was obviously the head of his gathering as he wore a set of fine robes.
"Brothers and Sisters!" The chanting instantly ceased. "I stand with you on this hallowed eve with great joy in my heart. REJOICE!"
"REJOICE!" repeated the crowd.
"Our imperishable congregation is derived from the discontented hearts of all the Nations of this earth. Not the Fire Nation, the Earth Kingdom, or the Water Tribes bear the wisdom to rule mankind. Tonight…..we shall rise as shepherds of the EARTH!"
"REJOICE!"
-----
Sokka raised his eyebrows and nodded. "Yep, this just hit a 10.0 on my freaky weird-o-meter."
"Shhhh!" Katara silenced her brother and listened. The leader held his arms aloft.
-----
"I say unto you my brothers and sisters; our Goddess has reached beyond the barriers of space and time to speak her words to me. Only by uniting ourselves with her can we hope to achieve world wide salvation."
"REJOICE!" He lowered his arms slightly to calm them.
"Amongst her many teachings, she has passed on to me the means with which we will join her beyond the gates of time." He turned to a particularly gothic and organically decorated alter; on which was placed an open scroll. "The power to cross time and space…" He ran his open hand over the words. "There is but one thing the operation requires; a sacrifice of human flesh and blood." At his words two hooded worshipers dragged the so named 'sacrifice' by each arm.
"NO! Let me go!"
-----
"Uh oh," whispered Aang. From their snowy perch they watched as the survivor of their ambush was forced down on his knees before the preacher.
"I don't think we're going to have to worry about what he knows for much longer," said Sokka sadly.
"Who is it?" asked Toph.
"The soldier we let go," replied Aang. "We have to do something." Both Toph and Sokka swung their heads around at Aang and uttered a silent but harsh 'WHAT?!'
"We can't walk away and let them kill him," said Katara with conviction.
Sokka protested regardless, "He's the enemy!"
"That doesn't matter; this is right and wrong that we're dealing with. You can walk away if you like but I'm going to save him. So who's coming with me?" Sokka was of course reluctantly silent. Aang was the first to volunteer himself.
"I'm in." Toph sighed.
"Fine, but we better get major points for this."
-----
The silent man turned in place and looked down at the young Fire Nation soldier.
"Please, I have done nothing against you."
"That does not concern us. You have been chosen to begin our journey into the future. You should feel honored to be given this privilege and you will surely be rewarded in the afterlife."
"I will not help you!" There almost appeared to be a smile forming on the leader's face.
"I am afraid you are no longer in command of your own fate. Take him to the pool." From the alter they walked until they were met with two large lids that covered a pit that had been dug into the earth. Using two large wooden poles four of the zealots lifted the lids to reveal a pit filled with a dark water. Once more the helpless soldier was forced down on his knees and bent prostrate over the rippling pool. The head of the cult stood behind the soldier and drew a dagger within his robes.
"This night we shall be forever joined with our noble goddess…..Hotaru." Halfway through his downward thrust a powerful burst of wind knocked him off his feet. Immediately soon after two earthen pillars knocked the soldier's captors away. Katara swooped down on an icy slide and took the soldier boy away from the pool. No need to mention that his astonishment.
Katara smiled at his bulging eyes. "Happy to see us again?"
"LOOK OUT!" She ducked forward and the soldier pulled her attacker forward in the assist. The members of the congregation though from the three remaining nations seemed in no way able to bend, for they fled in panic at the sight of the four teenagers.
"Cake," snickered Toph. Her razor-sharp senses picked up on a rush of water approaching her from behind. She rolled backwards in dodge and in coming out of her roll forced a rock into the air and kicked it right between her attacker's eyes. A meager few who remained behind drew swords and charged at Sokka. One never even made it to the water tribe hunter for Aang swooped down on his glider and knocked him face first into the snow. For Sokka it was a simple matter of the basics and his foe was rendered without a weapon. With a quivering whimper he turned and ran.
Aang landed beside Sokka and Toph, the three of them gathered near Katara as she applied her healing powers to the hapless soldier. Though all eyes were on him he remained silent. Sokka and Toph both rolled their eyes.
Toph blew her hair out of her face. "This would be the part where you say, 'thank you nice people for saving my sorry butt. Twice!"
"I am uncertain if I would have done the same for you."
"That doesn't matter to us," said Aang. "I don't mean anything offensive toward you but we're not like the Fire Nation." The young man remained miffed of his position, feeling inferior in any situation was something less to be desired. Unbeknownst to them the cult chief regained his senses and slowly staggered to his feet.
"NNNOOOO!" All suddenly turned on the spot. He raised his dagger in a mad frenzy. "You will not take my destiny from me!" His anger denied him full awareness thus it was easy for Sokka to take hold of his arm and fold the point of the dagger within the chief's chest. Like a heavy tree he tumbled into the dark pool. Immediately it seemed as though it took in the man's blood like a sponge and steam rose from the surface.
Sokka stared down at the writhing liquid. "Oops." Suddenly a potent shockwave overtook them. Thrown about as she was, one of Katara's feet landed within the now deep red pool. Like a predatorial tentacle it latched onto her ankle. The waterbender gasped and tugged at her leg.
"SOKKA! TOPH!...AANG! HELP ME!!" All of them grabbed onto Katara's arms and pulled with all their might but the force that now held her refused to let go. Katara clenched her teeth from the agony of being pulled form both directions. As though the pool grew tired of the contest an electric jolt surged through them and Katara pulled into the opaque red waters.
"KATARA!" In the time it took Aang to right himself Katara's arm disappeared beneath the surface and the pool dried to nothingness. He held to fistfuls of snow in his hands. "Katara….."
I meant to have more but this was all could remember. And anyway it would probably work better with the next chapter. So I guess it all worked out. So, how's my first Avatar fic coming?