Chapter 10: Sozin's Comet Part Six
Hey, there. Chapter 10 has arrived and as promised, the appearance of the comet.
And Aang!
I hope you guys enjoy this one and leave a comment and a kudos if you think this story is worthy enough, it would be highly appreciated, keeps the motivation going.
We getting really close to the end of the beginning.
Aang floated beneath the ocean, surrounded by the vast, quiet blue. His limbs hung weightless as he slowly rose to the surface, his mind racing with the realization that the island he had been on wasn't just alive—it was something ancient and powerful.
As he broke through the water, a colossal, clawed hand came from below, lifting him effortlessly out of the ocean. Aang was suspended in the air, held by the enormous creature, and as he looked up, he gasped in awe.
"A... Lion Turtle," he whispered, the words full of wonder as he stared at the massive, glowing eyes of the ancient being. His body was dripping with seawater, but his focus remained on the creature before him, the one he had heard only in myths and legends.
The Lion Turtle's immense presence was overwhelming, and Aang, humbled by the sheer size and wisdom of the being, spoke softly, almost reverently. "Maybe you can help me," he said, bowing his head slightly in a sign of respect.
His voice trembled as he continued, the weight of his dilemma bearing down on him. "Everyone, even my own past lives, are expecting me to end someone's life... but I don't know if I can do it."
A deep, ancient rumble echoed from the Lion Turtle as it stared down at Aang, its immense eyes glowing with the wisdom of countless ages. The air around them was still, and for a moment, it seemed as if the entire world was holding its breath.
Finally, the Lion Turtle spoke, its voice slow and deliberate, vibrating the air with its power. "In the era before the Avatar, we bent not the elements, but the energy within ourselves."
Aang looked up, his expression filled with confusion and curiosity. He had never heard of energy bending before. The Lion Turtle's words were foreign, older than anything he had learned from the past Avatars.
"To bend another's energy, your own spirit must be unbendable," the Lion Turtle continued, its ancient voice resonating like a deep drum. "Or you will be corrupted and destroyed."
Aang's brow furrowed as he listened intently. This was unlike anything he had ever been taught. It wasn't about the elements. It was about something much deeper, something tied to the very essence of life itself.
The Lion Turtle extended its massive, glowing claw, gently lifting Aang once again. Aang's body rose into the air, suspended by the ancient power flowing through the Lion Turtle. He felt the energy surging around him, filling him with a sense of calm and purpose.
"The true mind can weather all the lies and illusions without being lost," the Lion Turtle said, its voice rumbling through the air. "The true heart can touch the poison of hatred without being harmed."
Aang closed his eyes, letting the ancient words wash over him. The energy of the Lion Turtle coursed through him, filling him with a clarity and strength he hadn't felt before. He hovered there, bathed in the soft glow of the Lion Turtle's power.
"Since beginningless time, darkness thrives in the void, but always yields to purifying light."
The glowing light around Aang slowly began to fade, and the Lion Turtle lowered him gently back onto its massive shell. Aang felt the ground beneath his feet, but the knowledge and strength the Lion Turtle had given him lingered.
He now understood. His path forward wasn't about taking a life—it was about bending the energy of the Fire Lord.
The Lion Turtle's voice, now quiet and calm, spoke one last time. "Wait for him," it said, filled with the wisdom of ages. "He will come."
High above the world, Sozin's Comet tore across the sky, a blazing streak of fire cutting through the heavens. The once-blue expanse turned a deep, fiery orange, as though the sun itself had ignited and set the sky ablaze. Wisps of clouds dissolved in its wake, swallowed by the searing heat radiating from the comet's fiery tail.
As the comet hurtled closer to the earth, the air seemed to thicken, charged with a powerful energy that crackled and hummed like a distant thunderstorm. The horizon glowed with an unnatural brightness, casting long, flickering shadows across the land. The flames of the comet's core surged and pulsed, its fire dancing like an omen of the destruction to come.
The heat intensified with every second, the atmosphere bending under the weight of the comet's presence. Below, the world waited—its skies now a canvas of molten gold and crimson, split by the path of the comet, as it blazed ever closer to the earth.
Sozin's Comet had arrived, and with it came the power of a hundred suns.
"Chief! Come look! Quick! It's here!" Sokka's voice, filled with urgency, echoed through the vast observatory.
The Chief Librarian rushed over, his long robes sweeping the floor behind him. Without a word, Sokka stepped aside, giving him space to peer through the large telescope stationed by the open space within the observatory.
For a moment, silence fell between them, the only sound in the room the faint crackle of the torches along the walls.
"I see it," the Chief Librarian whispered, his voice filled with awe. "Magnificent."
Through the telescope, Sozin's Comet blazed across the sky. The horizon shimmered with the comet's fire, its long tail streaking through the sky like a burning spear. The sky, once blue, had darkened into shades of molten gold and crimson, as if the atmosphere itself was being consumed by the comet's energy.
"It only comes once every century," the Chief Librarian continued, still entranced by the sight. "An omen of immense power. Our ancient records say it has circled the cosmos since before the rise of the Fire Nation. Fire Lord Sozin believed it was a divine gift to our nation from the heavenly realm.
Sokka stood beside him, listening, but his thoughts were elsewhere. His eyes, though fixed on the burning sky, were filled with unease. The comet, in all its brilliance
"Strange, isn't it?" Sokka said after a long silence, his voice soft, almost contemplative. "From here... it's mesmerizing. Hard to believe something that beautiful can be so dangerous."
The Chief Librarian nodded, his gaze still locked on the comet. "Great power often hides behind beautiful facades."
"It does." Sokka affirm, thinking of something else entirely different.
"Do you still want to proceed with this?" The Chief Librarian asked.
Sokka snapped out of his thoughts and nodded. "Right. Let's figure out exactly how long we have before it disappears."
He quickly turned away and moved toward the cluttered desk behind them, searching for a stack of parchment. His fingers brushed over the ink-stained papers and star charts, the weight of their task pressing down on him. He grabbed what they needed and hurried back.
"Okay, Chief," Sokka said, setting the materials down beside the telescope. "Let's get started."
The Chief Librarian pulled away from the telescope and joined him at the desk, rolling up his sleeves." By all means then."
They got to work immediately, their movements quick and efficient as they pored over the calculations, scribbling notes and adjusting the telescope. The comet, now fully visible in the sky, burned like an unforgiving star, its heat seemingly reaching even inside the cool stone walls of the observatory.
Sokka jotted down numbers, comparing them to the maps and charts spread out in front of him. Every few minutes, he glanced up at the sky, measuring the comet's speed and trajectory.
"Angle's shifted slightly," Sokka muttered, adjusting the telescope again. He leaned in, squinting at the burning comet, and quickly scrawled down more notes.
The Chief Librarian, hunched over the desk, began calculating the comet's arc, his eyes darting across the various diagrams they had created. Time seemed to blur as they worked, their focus narrowed to the task at hand. Hours passed unnoticed as they scribbled notes, cross-checked data, and consulted the ancient scrolls and maps that lined the walls.
The steady hum of quills scratching across parchment filled the room, but neither of them spoke much. The comet's presence hung over them like an unspoken threat—its power was undeniable, but its beauty was haunting.
For hours, they worked in near silence, calculating, measuring, and recalculating the comet's trajectory. Their goal was to pinpoint the exact time the comet would linger in the sky—how long it would remain a threat before finally disappearing into the darkness once again.
After what felt like an eternity, Sokka straightened, holding up one of the final pieces of parchment. "Four days," he said, his voice laced with a mix of relief and dread. "Four days and seven hours before the comet passes completely."
The Chief Librarian set down his quill, looking over the numbers with a satisfied nod. "You've done it, well-done. Four days is plenty of time."
Sokka couldn't shake the sense of impending doom. "Plenty of time for the Fire Nation to burn the world down," he muttered under his breath.
The Chief Librarian glanced at him, sensing the weight of his words. He was quiet for a moment, as if debating how to respond, then finally spoke. "I didn't know you were a man of science."
Sokka let out a small, bitter laugh, shaking his head. "Well, I guess you were wrong about us Eskimos."
The Chief Librarian chuckled softly, shaking Sokka's hand. "Indeed I was."
They shared a brief moment of respect, an odd connection formed through the long hours they had worked together. There was something in the air, a strange acknowledgment of their shared accomplishment despite the differences between them.
"And I believe a proper introduction is in order," the Chief Librarian said, clearing his throat as he straightened up. "I am Zuro, Chief Librarian of the Fire Nation and humble servant to the Fire Lord."
"Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe," Sokka replied, his expression hardening slightly. "You don't expect me to call you by that title, do you?"
Zuro laughed, shaking his head. "No, you can call me Chief."
Sokka gave a faint smile. "Thought so."
Before they could continue their conversation, the heavy wooden doors to the observatory slammed open, the sound echoing through the room like a crack of thunder. Both men turned sharply, their gazes snapping to the entrance.
Azula stormed in, her breath coming in shallow bursts, her posture tense and stiff. Her usually pristine appearance was in disarray—her hair slightly unkempt, her robes not as immaculate as they once were. Her golden eyes, which normally blazed with cold confidence, now flickered with something else entirely. Something wild.
"There you are, Zuro," she began, her voice a mix of impatience and something far more fragile. "I've been looking all over fo—"
The words died in her throat as her gaze landed on Sokka.
Her entire body froze, her expression going blank with shock. She had clearly not expected to see him there, standing beside the Chief Librarian, working as if nothing had happened. For a long moment, the air hung heavy between them, the silence deafening.
Sokka stood by the desk, still and silent, his eyes meeting hers for just a brief moment before he looked away. He couldn't hold her gaze for long, almost as if he was unsure what to make of her sudden presence.
For a moment, the entire room seemed to hold its breath with her. She had expected something—anything but this. Anyone but him. Azula's mind whirled. She had thought—no, she had been sure—he would have left by now, escaped or ran, after everything she had done to him. And yet, here he was, standing in front of her, doing exactly what she had told him to do. It made no sense. How could he still be here?
Externally, her body betrayed her confusion. She stood there, frozen in place, her hands trembling slightly as she tried to regain her composure. But she couldn't. Not this time.
The letter in her hand felt heavy, almost useless now. She had come to ensure it was delivered to the chief librarian, but as she stood there, the realization hit her hard—he must have already done it.
She forced herself to speak to Zuro, her voice barely holding together. "The letter..." she began, but her words trailed off.
Sokka, still avoiding her gaze, shifted his weight uncomfortably, unsure of how to react to the sudden shift in the room's atmosphere. He could feel the tension rolling off her in waves, the crack in her façade widening with each passing second.
Zuro, sensing the tension in the room, finally spoke up, his voice gentle. "Fire Lord Azula, is everything alright?"
Azula snapped her head toward him, blinking rapidly, trying to refocus. "I... Yes, everything is... fine." Her voice wavered again, the uncertainty clear. "Did you..."
Her eyes flicked back to Sokka, just for a second, as though she expected him to say something. He didn't. He kept his gaze averted, not looking directly at her. That brief glance seemed to unnerve her, and she quickly turned her attention back to Zuro, but even then, her movements were stiff, her usual fluid grace absent.
For a moment, something inside her stirred, something she hadn't felt in so long. A strange warmth creeping into her chest, something she hadn't expected
Relief.
Her lips twitched, almost forming a smile. She couldn't help it.
"Nothing," she finally muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, the faintest hint of that unfamiliar warmth threading through her words. She clenched her jaw, trying to force the words out with more control. "It's... It's fine."
The letter slipped from her hand, falling to the floor, forgotten and irrelevant. Her breathing quickened again, as she fought to maintain control, but she couldn't stay there any longer. She couldn't let him see her like this
Without another word, Azula abruptly turned on her heel and stormed out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the corridor behind her. The door slammed shut, leaving the room in stunned silence.
"Fire Lord Azula! Wait!" Zuro called after her, but his voice trailed off as he hurried to follow her, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Sokka remained where he was, the silence of the observatory pressing in on him. His gaze shifted to the letter that had fallen from Azula's hand, but he didn't move to pick it up.
He wasn't thinking about the letter.
His mind was still reeling from what had just happened. The way she appeared when she came in. The way she had spoken. the way she had tried to keep face. It wasn't the Azula he knew. For a moment, just a brief moment, he had seen something else. Something warmer. Something almost vulnerable.
She had looked... almost glad to see him.
It didn't make sense. Not entirely. But Sokka had seen the flicker of emotion in her eyes, the way her posture had softened ever so slightly when she realized he hadn't left. For reasons he couldn't fully understand, that had meant something to her.
The Next Day.
The sky hung heavy above them, blanketed in a deep, ominous red. Even though it was midday, the light of Sozin's Comet cast an eerie glow over everything, warping the natural hues of the world and giving it an unnatural, dangerous tint. The air itself felt charged with energy, the raw power of the comet almost palpable as it streaked across the heavens.
They sat quietly around the campfire, their expressions somber. Despite the bright red sky, a sense of darkness settled over them.
Katara glanced up at the sky, her brow furrowed in concern. "It came so quickly," she said, her voice quiet, almost as if she was afraid to break the tense silence. "Last night it felt like the world was still...but after a moment, everything changed."
"The comet's power is overwhelming," Toph added, her usually steady tone edged with uncertainty. "I can feel it... the heat in the ground, the humidity in the air. It's like the whole world is vibrating with it."
Zuko nodded, his eyes closed as he breathed in. "I have never felt power like this before." Suddenly, the camp fire grew higher and higher with every breathe he took until it stopped. "Incredible."
Iroh, who sat across from them, listened intently, his gaze also drawn to the sky. His face, usually calm and composed, was shadowed with concern. "The comet's energy fuels firebenders like no other. Its power can either be used as a mean for peace or destruction."
A heavy silence fell over the group once more as they contemplated the gravity of Iroh's words. The comet, while awe-inspiring and beautiful, was also a harbinger of the Fire Nation's plans to obliterate their enemies.
Zuko glanced down at the fire, the orange flames casting flickering shadows across his face. He hesitated, but he knew he had to ask.
"Uncle," Zuko said slowly, his tone hesitant, "we need you for this. Other than the Avatar, you're the only one who can defeat the Fire Lord."
Iroh stopped stirring the pot of soup and looked at Zuko, a sad smile on his lips. His gaze was warm but filled with the wisdom of a man who had seen too much.
"Even if I did defeat the Fire Lord," Iroh said gently, "and I do not know if I could, history would only see it as more senseless fighting. A brother fighting another brother for power."
"No, Zuko," Iroh continued, shaking his head, "It must be the Avatar who defeats the Fire Lord. It is his destiny. And I believe Aang will face him when the time comes."
Zuko nodded slowly, understanding his uncle's wisdom. But another question gnawed at him, one he couldn't ignore.
"Then when the Fire Lord is defeated," Zuko asked, his voice hesitant, "Will you take your rightful place on the throne?"
Iroh's expression softened, but there was a sadness in his eyes as he spoke. "No," he said quietly. "Someone else must take the throne—someone with an ideal heart and unquestionable honor. It has to be you, Prince Zuko."
Zuko's eyes widened in surprise. The idea of him taking the throne felt impossible. He had made too many mistakes, hurt too many people. "Unquestionable honor?" Zuko asked, his voice shaking slightly. "But... I've made so many mistakes."
Iroh smiled kindly, his gaze full of warmth. "Yes, you have," he said gently. "You've struggled. You've suffered. But you've always followed your own path. You restored your own honor, Zuko. And only you can restore the honor of the Fire Nation."
Zuko looked down at the ground, feeling the weight of his uncle's words. His heart was heavy with doubt. Could he really be the one to lead the Fire Nation? After everything he had done?
"I'll try, Uncle," Zuko whispered, his voice filled with quiet determination.
But then, as the thought of taking the throne settled in, another memory came to Zuko's mind—a promise he had made. His heart tightened, and for a moment, hesitation crept into his resolve. He glanced over at Suki, remembering the words he had spoken to her not long ago. He had promised her something, and he couldn't abandon it now.
Zuko's gaze shifted back to Iroh, and he spoke again, his voice faltering. "But... I can't go back to face Azula."
Iroh raised an eyebrow, surprised by Zuko's hesitation. "Why not?" he asked gently, sensing there was more to his nephew's conflict.
Zuko swallowed hard, guilt flooding his chest. "I made a promise," he said, his voice low but steady. "To help rescue Sokka."
At this, Suki's eyes widened. She hadn't expected Zuko to bring this up now, not with everything at stake. But the look in his eyes told her that he hadn't forgotten what he promised. He wasn't going to leave her to rescue Sokka alone.
Iroh studied his nephew for a moment, his brow furrowing with concern. "I understand your concern for your friend but time has run out," he added, his voice heavy with urgency. "The comet has already arrived, and Azula will take the throne. You all must make haste if you are to stop her."
Toph, always practical, chimed in. "We could split up," she said, folding her arms. "Some of us could go after Azula, and the rest of us can rescue Sokka."
Iroh shook his head firmly. "That would not be wise," he said. "You must face Azula together. Only united will you have a chance to defeat her."
Zuko glanced at Suki, her face tight with worry. He knew how much this meant to her—how much it meant to all of them. Sokka had been captured by the Fire Nation, and as far as they knew, he was still trapped in the Boiling Rock.
Suki clenched her fists, her frustration boiling over. "What about Sokka?" she demanded, her voice shaking. "You expect us to just leave him? To abandon him?
Iroh sighed deeply, his face filled with sorrow. "No," he said quietly. "I do not expect you to abandon him. But Azula must be stopped. If she takes the throne, the world will suffer. However unfortunate your friend's fate may be, we cannot allow Azula to rule."
Suki's face flushed with anger. She stood up abruptly, her voice tight with emotion. "Fine!" she shouted, her fists clenched. "Then you all can go after Azula. I'll go find Sokka myself!"
"Suki, wait!" Katara quickly rose to her feet, her eyes wide with worry. "You can't go alone. You'll get yourself killed!"
Suki turned to face Katara, her eyes blazing with determination. "Watch me," she snapped.
Before the argument could escalate further, a calm voice interrupted them.
"You'd be making a mistake," Master Piandao said, coming from the nearby tent. His face was calm, but his eyes were serious. He held a bundle of papers in his hands.
Suki turned to him, confused. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice sharp.
Piandao's gaze was steady as he spoke. "Because Sokka isn't at the Boiling Rock."
Everyone froze.
"He's been taken back to the palace," Piandao said, lifting the papers in his hands. "If these letters are true, then Sokka was moved. He's no longer at the Boiling Rock. He's in the Fire Nation's royal palace."
Katara's face went pale, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. "The palace?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "That means..."
Zuko's jaw clenched, his hands curling into fists. "Azula," he muttered under his breath. "She must have taken him."
"Master Piandao," Suki said, her voice tight with curiosity and concern, "Where did you get those letters?"
Piandao looked down at the scrolls he was holding, his expression thoughtful. "A scout of mine intercepted them this morning," he explained, holding them out. "They were carried by messenger hawks—coming in groups, all morning."
Before anyone could say anything more, Suki quickly snatched one of the letters from his hands, her heart racing as she unrolled the scroll. Her eyes scanned the writing, and as soon as she saw the familiar handwriting, her breath caught in her throat.
"I can't believe this," she whispered, her voice trembling. "It's from Sokka. This is his handwriting."
Everyone around the fire turned to her in shock, their eyes wide with disbelief.
"Sokka?" Katara gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "You must be joking?"
Suki nodded quickly, her eyes glued to the letter. "There's no doubt. No-one write this ugly."
Zuko and Toph exchanged a glance, their expressions a mix of hope and uncertainty. But Master Piandao remained unmoved, his face darkening with suspicion.
"I thought the same at first," Piandao said, his voice low and steady. "But this... it must be a trap."
Zuko face fell as he asked. "A trap? How so?"
Master Piandao shook his head slowly. " Well, unless Sokka somehow took control of the entire Royal Library and the fire hawk roosts, there's no way he sent all of these letters on his own. The number of hawks in the air this morning was... suspicious. It's too well-coordinated."
Toph crossed her arms, her expression hardening. "So what are you saying? That Sokka's working for the Fire Nation now?"
"No," Piandao replied, his voice grave. "I'm saying that he was likely forced to write these letters. They're meant to lure you into a trap."
Suki's grip tightened around the letter, her heart sinking at the thought. "But... why?" she asked quietly, her voice trembling. "Why would Azula force him to do this?"
Zuko's eyes narrowed as he turned to the group, his face grim but resolute. "I don't know, but she's given us the invitation... so who are we to deny the Fire Lord a visit?"
One by one, Katara, Toph, and Suki nodded in agreement, their determination hardening.
Iroh, watching them with a proud but serious gaze, stood from where he had been sitting. "Then it's settled," he said, his voice strong and unwavering. "You will all face Azula and free your friend." His gaze shifted to Zuko, his eyes full of both pride and expectation. "And then, Zuko, you must take your rightful place as Fire Lord."
Zuko nodded, his jaw set with determination. But there was a pause, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes as he turned to his uncle.
"What about you, Uncle?" Zuko asked quietly, his voice filled with both respect and concern.
Iroh smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with a kind of wisdom and acceptance that only came from years of reflection. "When I was a boy," he began, his voice thoughtful, "I had a vision that I would one day take Ba Sing Se."
The group listened intently, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
"Only now," Iroh continued, his smile growing, "do I see that my destiny is to take it back from the Fire Nation. To free it, so that the Earth Kingdom can be whole again."
Zuko's eyes widened in realization, and slowly, the rest of the group began to understand. Iroh wasn't just sitting idly by—he had a mission of his own. And it was no less important than theirs.
As the gravity of their separate paths began to settle over them, everyone started to stand, a renewed sense of purpose flowing through them. They knew what they had to do. Each of them had a role to play in this final battle.
Before anyone could move, Iroh looked around at the group, his gaze lingering on each of them. His smile grew wider, more confident.
"Today," he said, his voice filled with a quiet strength, "destiny is our friend. I know it."