CHAPTER 47: Sparks
"The best way to predict the future is to create it."
…
Sokka stared intently on the map carved into the long table in the Fire Nation throne room, his brow furrowed in concentration. Earlier, he and Zuko had marked various strategic locations that loyalists might use as strongholds and potential routes for their next moves.
His eyes traced the lines and symbols, mentally calculating their options.
"Where's Suki and Katara?" a voice suddenly sounded out, breaking his focus.
Sokka looked up, briefly tearing his eyes away from the map to see Aang and Nii approaching them hand in hand.
"Oh, they're in our room," he replied casually with a wave of his hand before he let his gaze fall back to the map. "Suki got a nasty cut at the Rock, so Katara's taking care of her."
Aang did not reply, as he made his way to the other side of the table, leaning in to see the new markings better.
"So, what's the plan?" he asked.
Sokka rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Well, we know that we weakened them significantly back at the Rock, but we don't really know where their strongholds are at, " he said while he pointed to different spots on the map. "Zuko mentioned Ember Island, Yon Rha's village here and the Hot Spring Cove here as possible key locations, but really… They could be anywhere."
He looked around dramatically at the others.
"Even here in Caldera," he added in a solemn whisper, causing Nii to gasp out.
He felt his lips twitching slightly upwards, almost forming a smile, as her reaction was exactly what he had hoped for, but he quickly composed himself to maintain his serious demeanor.
"We can't afford to go look for them, or face them head-on for that matter," Zuko interjected, joining the discussion. "We need a strategic approach, so we don't draw too much attention from the public."
"Exactly," Sokka nodded in agreement. "I'm thinking we could coordinate with our allies in the Earth Kingdom. If we can disrupt their communication lines while creating a route to the Southern Air Temple, it might sow enough confusion to make them vulnerable."
"Or draw them out," Aang noted as he glanced at the map.
"Even better," Sokka smiled grimly at him.
Hakoda leaned in over the map, causing Sokka to straighten his back a little.
"We can make a stop at Yon Rha's village on our way to the South Pole," he said before turning his gaze to Sokka. "You know the place?"
Sokka raised an eyebrow at him.
"No," he said. "But Katara does."
This caused his father to sigh out as he leaned back in his chair again to cross his arms over his chest. His face bore a tired expression that spoke of years of parenthood and leadership.
"Sokka, come on," he groaned at him. "Katara already said she's not coming with us."
Sokka pouted.
He was very well aware of that.
He could not help but to look at Zuko, who was wincing a little to himself as if he felt guilty and wished things could be different. Sokka knew that Katara had her reasons for staying - but he could not shake the disappointment of not having his sister by his side for the journey home.
Even if it was for a brief stay.
Although they had their differences as siblings, and Suki was coming with him, it had been a long time since Katara had visited the Southern Water Tribe, and he wanted her to see how much progress their tribe had actually made there.
As Sokka caught Zuko's gaze, the Fire Lord's eyes briefly reflected a sense of remorse.
It was clear that Zuko understood the significance of family bonds and felt responsible for Katara's decision to remain in the capital.
Sokka let out a small sigh.
He knew there was no way of changing Katara's mind.
Even Zuko could not do that.
With a determined nod at his dad, Sokka agreed to let it go and let his gaze back to the map.
"We could also make a stop at Whale Tail Island?" he added to get everyone's focus back on their plans.
"Good idea," Zuko quickly agreed, seemingly happy to change the subject. "There's an old Fire Nation outpost out there. Katara and I will make sure to have the capital sweeped for any information on their whereabouts."
"Hm," Hakoda agreed in a nod.
"And Aang," Sokka continued, letting his gaze travel over the Avatar, Nii and Toph. "You guys could make stops at Ember Island and the Hot Spring Cove? Just scout the area a little before you make the big jump for the Eastern Air Temple?"
Toph, who had been quietly observing for a while, suddenly leaned forward to join the conversation.
"Sounds like a plan," she smiled, before she raised a hand to point a finger at Aang. "But no disappearing off to talk to giant lion turtles this time, dude!"
Aang scratched the back of his head and chuckled at her.
Sokka laughed with him as he recalled their trip to Ember Island years ago.
Good times… Good times.
"Um," Nii's small voice suddenly sounded out, causing everyone to quiet down and turn their gaze to her. "Is it just me, or isn't it a little suspicious that the loyalists attacked today?"
Sokka furrowed his brow at her.
What had he missed?
"What do you mean?" Zuko asked with an eyebrow raised at her.
Nii cleared her throat and leaned a bit forward.
"I'm just saying," she added while looking at the Boiling Rock on the map. "Isn't it a little strange that the loyalists chose to attack precisely when we were meeting with the world leaders?"
Her gaze shifted from one face to another, searching for any signs of agreement or understanding.
Sokka just blinked at her, as time seemed to stand still for a short moment, one of his eyes twitching slightly.
"That IS a little fishy," Toph agreed as she crossed her arms.
Aang widened his eyes and quickly turned to Zuko, his expression growing serious.
Sokka looked at the Fire Lord too.
"You think someone's tampering with your mail?" Sokka asked in a grave tone.
Zuko gritted his teeth.
"Or worse," he rasped, before he clenched his jaw. "Someone's leaking information."
A sudden gasp echoed around the table, while surprise and concern rippled across the faces of those present, brows furrowed and lips slightly parted.
"Hang on," Aang hushed with eyes that sparked of urgency as he swiftly raised both hands, palms outstretched, signaling for everyone to pause. "Let's not get carried away here."
There was a long moment of silence in which Zuko stared hard at the table in front of them, while everybody else was staring at Zuko.
Sokka could see that Aang looked nervous.
They both knew very well that Zuko's sense of responsibility and honor often led him to react passionately when it came to matters of security and loyalty. Having once been on the other side of the conflict, the Fire Lord was acutely aware of the consequences of betrayal and espionage.
Any accusations or suspicions regarding spies or leaks would need to be handled carefully to avoid escalating tensions or causing unnecessary alarm - especially if this took place within the palace walls.
"I need to talk to my uncle," Zuko stated dryly before he turned around in a swift movement and rushed out the doors.
"Zuko!" Aang yelled after him, but little did it matter.
As the door slammed loudly behind him, there was an awkward moment of silence that seemed to last forever.
Everyone expressed worried glances, and Nii had a guilty look on her face.
Toph leaned back in her chair and sighed out dramatically.
"I know Katara says otherwise, but… He's still a hothead," she shrugged nonchalantly.
"Oh yeah?" Katara's voice suddenly shrieked out from over by the doors, causing everyone to turn their faces to her and Suki that were now approaching them at the table. "You try leading the entire Fire Nation on your own!"
Sokka gulped down before he sent Aang a face of 'here we go.'
"Nope!" Toph then exclaimed as she rose to her feet, scrambling her chair loudly over the stone floor. "I'm not doing this, sugar queen! You guys fill her in. I'm off to celebrate today's victory."
And off the Earthbender was.
It took them a while to calm Katara down before the rest of them filled her and Suki in on their plans.
Later that evening, after an awkward dinner together, they had all agreed that Toph's proposal might not be such a bad idea after all.
Now that they were soon to be separated in their different journeys around the world, they should spend some quality time together.
Hakoda had quickly excused himself, saying something about young people needing time together with no adults supervising them.
But Sokka knew that he was tired after their fight earlier at the Rock.
He could see it in his eyes.
And it worried him a little.
It made him sad to see the wrinkles and deep lines that had started to appear around his eyes and over his forehead. Deep down inside he wished that his dad could live forever.
But he also knew that it was childish for him to feel like that so he did not share it with Suki.
Eager to lift their spirits, Sokka had suggested a casual gathering in the royal spa.
Bathing in the luxurious spa facilities of the palace would surely ease the tension and fatigue in them all.
The spa was opulent and serene, with ornate tile work and the gentle scent of jasmine in the air. And Zuko had arranged for his servants to bring them snacks and drinks.
Toph, always one to embrace the moment, wasted no time and cannonballed into the hot spring with a splash.
It was not very steep, so she soon made her way to lean against the edge of the pool, a wide and satisfied smile on her face.
"Ah, this is the life!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing off the walls.
Aang quickly followed suit, grinning from ear to ear as he too submerged himself in the warm water.
Sokka lounged comfortably on the edge of the pool, a flaming fire cake in one hand and a glass of plum wine in the other.
"We really should do this more often," he suggested in a contented sigh. "It's good for morale."
This earned for Suki to snicker while she floated effortlessly past him, buoying calmly over the water like a feather caught in a gentle breeze.
Sokka felt his heart warm from seeing her there with her eyes closed and a serene expression on her face.
She had fought really well today.
She deserved it.
"Nii, why don't you join us?" Zuko suddenly asked as he sat with his back leaned against the edge of the pool with Katara.
Sokka turned his gaze to see Nii stand several feet away from the group, her posture slightly stiff and her expression tinged with awkwardness. Her arms hung at her sides, fingers fidgeting with the fabric of her clothes as she glanced towards them with hesitation in her eyes.
"Uhm," she voiced out, blushing slightly, while she glanced down at her clothes. "I don't have a bathing suit."
"No worries," Katara chimed at her from the pool with a reassuring tone. "You can still join us. We're all friends here."
"Yeah," Toph added playfully. "Just jump in your bindings. No one's judging."
Nii blushed again.
"I'm, uh… I don't have any bindings…" she admitted.
Sokka shot a knowing glance at Zuko, a mischievous smirk playing on both their faces. Zuko raised an eyebrow in response as their silent exchange conveyed an inside joke.
With teasing expressions, they both turned their gaze towards Aang, who was submerged entirely under the water except for his eyes peeking above the surface like two curious orbs.
He was obviously avoiding eye contact with them.
Suki nudged Sokka's leg under the water, as if to tell him to cut it out, causing him to snicker.
"You can borrow one of my spare ones," Katara then offered as she started making her way out of the water.
"Or!" Toph grinned mischievously. "We can all just close our eyes as you get in. We won't look! We pinky-promise!"
"No way, Toph!" Aang said before he splashed water in her direction.
Toph giggled teasingly as she wiped her face.
"Relax, Twinkle Toes. It's not like she's got something we haven't all seen before," she chuckled, before she whipped her arm forward through the water to send a splash in his direction too, but her aim, however, was hilariously off-target. "He's blushing like a beet hawk right now, isn't he?"
Both Zuko and Sokka laughed out loud when she lifted her eyebrows playfully at Aang, who just eye-rolled at her in response.
Sokka was happy to see that Zuko seemed to be able to enjoy himself in the spa.
"How about we just relax together without all of the commentary?" Suki smiled.
"Oh, let them have their fun, Suki," Sokka remarked, his tone warm and encouraging. "It's all part of the bonding experience."
It was not long before Katara and Nii were back, and the spa soon echoed with laughter and lighthearted chatter as Team Avatar continued to enjoy their unexpected evening of relaxation together.
Amidst the teasing and camaraderie, Sokka could not help but feel grateful for the friendship and support of his companions - a reminder of the joy they found even in the simplest moments together.
As they shared some wine together, except for Nii and the monk of course, they started reminiscing on their past adventures together as a group.
Nii asked all sorts of questions about how they got to know each other.
"So you're telling me that Zuko actually hunted you guys in the beginning?!" Nii gasped out and looked at Zuko with wide eyes.
Zuko, reclining against the spa's edge, raised an eyebrow at her with a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Yeah, it was… eventful," he offered cryptically, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips, and it caused the others to burst into laughter.
"Oh to be young and dumb…" Sokka then remarked with a nostalgic glint in his eyes. "Remember the Sparky Sparky Boom man he sent after us?"
"I thought we agreed to call him Combustion Man?" Toph snarked in amusement with a slight gesture of her hands.
As they filled Nii in on this relentless and explosive adversary, Sokka could not resist to regale her with the tale of how he brought him down.
"So there we were, facing off against Sparky Sparky Boom Man," Sokka exclaimed, his hands gesturing dramatically as he recounted the story.
"Combustion Man," Aang corrected him, but Sokka ignored him.
"Aang was dodging his crazy blasts, Katara was whipping up water like a pro, and Toph was... well, being Toph."
The group chuckled at Sokka's playful jab at Toph, who simply grinned mischievously.
"And then," Sokka continued with a flourish, "I saw my opening. Combustion Man was just about to unleash another explosion, and I knew I had to act fast. I whipped out the ol' faithful-" he reminisced, referring affectionately to his boomerang. "-and I aimed for that weird mark on his forehead."
Sokka mimicked his throw, complete with sound effects, causing everyone to laugh.
"And bam! Right on target!" Sokka exclaimed proudly. "My boomerang hit that third eye thingy, and next thing you know, the dude goes kaboom like a firecracker on Fire Nation Day!"
His friends once more erupted into laughter at his theatrics, appreciating his flair for storytelling.
"Yep, that's right," Sokka concluded with a satisfied grin. "I single-handedly took down Sparky Sparky Boom Man with one throw of my boomerang. It was a thing of beauty, folks."
The group exchanged amused glances, indulging Sokka's embellished version of events.
Even Toph, usually the first to tease Sokka, could not resist a playful eye roll at his exaggerated retelling.
Sokka's comedic recounting of the battle added a light-hearted touch to their memories of the Combustion Man's defeat, solidifying his reputation as the group's skilled and entertaining warrior.
And as they all soaked in the warm waters, laughter and conversation filled the air.
Toph regaled the group with tales of how she invented metalbending, while Aang recounted numerous funny moments involving Momo, like the time Momo stole Sokka's snacks and let them on a wild chase into a forest.
And for a brief moment, the weight of their responsibilities felt lighter, and they were simply friends enjoying a tranquil evening in the midst of uncertainty.
As they eventually emerged from the spa, refreshed and rejuvenated, Sokka could not help but feel grateful for these fleeting moments of peace amidst the tumult of their lives.
Together, they were more than just a team - they were a family, united by their unwavering friendship and shared adventures in a world in need of hope.
