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Book I: Water

Chapter IX: The Northern Invasion

Several weeks later

King's Palace

Agna Qel'a, Northern Water Tribe

The messenger rushed into the room, raggedly breathing. "King Arnook! Your Excellency!"

King Arnook glanced at him expectantly with a cold look in his eyes, "What is it? I have important company coming in!"

The messenger was shivering, "One of our outposts has spotted the Northern Fire Fleet!" He stood at attention and saluted, "They are coming…sir!"

The king immediately changed his tone and turned to one of his advisors. "Get me the Avatar! Get me, my generals! It's time for war!"

The advisor then quickly stood up and rushed off without another word.

Sometime later

The King's Palace

Kuzon and the others rushed to the Palace as soon as they heard the messenger. Kuzon gave the Northern monarch a quick Fire-style bow. "You called Your Excellency?"

King Arnook gave him a grave nod, "I did. Your countrymen are nearing the city. The time for war draws near."

Kuzon then got an intense look in his eyes. They almost glowed a dark orange color. He then pulled up his red hood over his head. "Where do you need me sir?"

King Arnook grinned, "A man of action. I appreciate that quality in you."

On top of the Northern Walls

Katara, Kuzon, Sokka, and Yue wall faced one another.

Waterbenders were all amassing on the walls.

Yue then smiled at the three of them. "Well…it seems the hour has come."

Katara gave her a nod in respect. "That it is." She turned to Kuzon, who was staring intently at one of the Fire Navy ships. She then touched his shoulder, "You okay, Kuzu?"

He turned to her and nodded, "I'm fine."

She turned to where he was staring. It was a Fire Navy ship. Once, she had never seen it before. The flag did not have the black raven emblem of one that had attacked her village.

Kuzon then spoke with a gruffness in his tone, "We have to make this the moment. I watched as they took my family from me. I won't let them take this place. Someone needs to put a stop to their tyranny."

Katara turned to him and smiled. She touched his shoulder and said, "We will stop it. We'll do it together."

He just gave her a nod.

King Arnook stood in his battle armor as he walked up to them. "Avatar Kuzon?"

He then turned to the king. "Sir?"

King Arnook smiled at him, "Do you have any last words for the men before the coming battle? You have inspired them…in a strange way. They want to hear you speak."

Kuzon blinked in shock, "Really?" He then stared at his hands and nodded at Arnook, "I believe I can do that." He then walked up to where all the men could see him. He then stared at all of them, "Okay! So, I'm going to make this short and sweet! Today is a day of glory! Today is the day we show Fire Lord Ozai and his lapdogs in the Palace City that they don't dictate the world's fate!"

Cheers rang throughout the fort.

Sokka grinned as he clapped, "Well. Who knew he was such a fiery orator?"

Katara giggled as her face reddened, "He..does have a way with words. It is a rather charming trait."

Yue then snickered, "Someone's in love."

Katara then glared at her, "Shut it Yue."

Sokka then chuckled;

Kuzon continued the speech, "I know I'm an outsider, but I am not aligned with that madman! I will fight with you! Together, we are going to bring an end to the Fire Empire…once and for all! Are you with me?"

The sound of thunderous roars and applause filled the air.

Kuzon then nodded as he raised his fist, "Then let there be war!" He then stepped down from the podium.

Sokka then grinned at him as he walked over. "Hey not bad there flamehead. You should think of becoming a general someday. You've got the charisma and the voice for it."

Kuzon chuckled darkly, "If I were a General…You and Katara would be gunning for my head…not fighting by my side."

Sokka grinned at him and put an arm around his back, "Point taken. I see the irony of the situation. I'm just saying."

Katara smirked and crossed her arms at him, "Plus, none of those genocidal maniacs are as handsome as you are, Kuzu. I mean…come on…the whole leader of the Rebellion schtick…It honestly suits you better."

Yue and Sokka both stared and smiled at one another.

Kuzon turned to her, blinking and red-faced from embarrassment, "K-Katara. Stop joking around. You've seen my hair. I-It's a mess." Katara giggled as she walked up to him and put her hands on his shoulders, "Well, sometimes opposites attract. You honestly are too modest for your good sometimes. Not all girls care about appearances, you know." She then put a hand over his heart. "Sometimes…we care more about what is on the inside,"

Sokka smirked. While he knew the usual reaction would be to be angry at Kuzon for attracting the affection of his sister…he couldn't help but feel the opposite. Kuzon was shut-in, quiet, and a very introspective person at heart. Katara wasn't. She was an extrovert. She loved people. She believed in doing what was right. She was brave and bombastic. She was opinionated. She also could see the good in everyone. He suspected that's how she got so attached to the firebender. Beneath his cold and quiet exterior…Kuzon was a man who cared to do what was right and was just. He was a hero. Though Sokka knew he would be uncomfortable identifying himself as such. Hopefully, Katara can bring out the real hero inside of him. I have faith in her. I'm somewhat happy for her, honestly…He's not that bad a pick. He needs work, but we all do it somehow.

Kuzon then stared into her eyes and took her hand in his.

Katara's eyes widened in shock, and a smile formed. He touched my hands.

His face reddened as he lost himself in her eyes. "I..suppose so."

She began losing hers in his.

Suddenly, one of the men shouted as he looked through a telescope, "They're getting closer!"

This interrupted the moment Katara and Kuzon were having.

He nervously cleared his throat, squeezed her hands, and nodded, "We'll discuss this later. I promise."

Katara smiled back, "I believe I can work with that."

Sokka then grinned as he jumped down.

Yue then let her robe fall from her shoulders.

Katara was shocked when she saw the knives in her holsters. "Yue! You're fighting with us?"

Yue then ferociously undid her bead, letting her white hair fall to her shoulders. "You didn't. You'd have all the fun, did you? Good luck, sister. We'll be fighting down below." She then slid down the walls.

King Arnook and the soldiers all rushed down the walls as well.

Katara, Kuzon, Pakku, and the other benders faced the walls.

Katara smirked, "Moment of truth. You still good?" Kuzon didn't look her way and nodded, "I'm good."

Sometime later

Katara and the other waterbenders were trying their damnest to defend against the onslaught of flaming coal balls.

They managed to hold their own, but the men operating the catapults were just as determined to knock the wall down.

Some of the waterbenders had managed to get injured. Their comrades were trying to do what they could for them, patching up their wounds.

Katara took a moment to catch her breath. "We're doing our best, but the balls are still getting through."

Pakku, who happened to be next to her, just nodded, "You are right, Katara. We need to retreat before we lose more of our number." He then turned to those who were still able to fight. "Alright everyone. One last attack and then we retreat."

The Ravager

Northern Fleet

Seconds later

Admiral Zhao looked on with pride as he grinned, "The snow peasants' benders are brave, but they are faltering under the weight of our catapults. They will have to retreat from the wall."

Uncle Iroh just nodded with sadness in his eyes. Such senseless destruction. When does it all end?

Zuko just hid his emotions behind his poker face. He felt a little sympathy for the people of the Water Tribe, but in his mind, the ends justified the means. He knew that the people of the Northern Tribe wouldn't accept a request for unconditional surrender. They were warriors who loved their homeland. As he did his…he knew they would fight on until the end.

Admiral Zhao then turned to the behind him, "Ready the men! We go on to war!"

The man looked on him with fear in his eyes and saluted with his hand on his heart. "Yes, sir!" He then scampered off.

Northern Wall

Seconds later

Master Pakku, Katara, Kuzon, and the other benders all moved as one side to side.

The waves moved from side to side.

Pakku then nodded, "Okay! Arms up! Now!"

Everyone then put their arms.

The waves suddenly rose up high over the Northern Fleet.

Pakku nodded, "Now! Throw your arms down!"

Everyone did as he said.

The towering wave then headed towards the fleet.

Zuko blinked in shock, "Is that a…"

Admiral Zhao smirked again, "A massive tidal wave. They are trying to wipe out our catapults."

Zuko just nodded as he looked on, "Let the Avatar and his friends try. They won't stop me. I will have him in chains."

On the Northern Walls

Seconds later

Pakku then shouted over the sound of the crushing wave. "Alright! It's done! Everyone retreat!" He and the other benders then began to run to the exits through the wall.

Kuzon felt Katara take his hand, "Come on!" She then led him through a series of tunnels.

"Where are we going?"

She replied, "We're going towards the gate. Just stay with me." She then led through another set of tunnels to the center of Agna Qel'a.

Sokka and the rest of the soldiers were sitting there waiting for them. He smirked, "What the hell did you guys do? "It sounds like you sent something big."

Katara gave him a serious nod. "We did. We sent a big, massive tidal wave to…disrupt their catapults. We'll have to fight through the city now."

Sokka grinned, "We're ready when you are."

Yue stood at his side, knives at the ready, "Yes. We are."

Katara nodded as she put her hands on both their shoulders. "Good."

The Ravager

Chaos reigned as the men of the Northern Fleet scrambled to regain their forces and their senses.

The massive wave caused many casualties. Some men had drowned. Others had been thrown overboard. Others were regaining their senses and trying to resuscitate their comrades.

Zhao then barked out like a commander on a mission. "Men! Back on your feet! We have still not claimed victory!"

Those men who were still combat-ready immediately rushed to arms. The benders got back into form.

Zhao then pointed towards the crumbling Northern Wall, "The enemy may have wiped out our catapults. But we still have numbers! Charge the gate! Charge the gate with all your might! For Glory! For the Fire Lord!"

He, along with Zuko, charged the gate, running as fast as he could. His footsteps were soon canceled out by the sound of his men.

Near the Gate

Kuzon blinked and turned his gaze towards the gate. "I hear them! They are coming!"

Arnook then stared down the gate, drawing his swords, "Lower the gate! Let us fight on until the end!"

Two soldiers clad in Water Tribe blue then lowered the gate.

Not long after that, the two forces clashed. Water Tribe swords clashed against Fire Nation steel.

The benders all began facing one another in a ferocious battle to the death.

Katara then looked around with worry. She knew Zuko had to be somewhere amongst Zhao's forces. She also knew he was after Kuzon. She was determined to protect him, "Kuzon! Are you still with me!"

Kuzon, who was at her back, nodded, "I'm right behind you, Katara!"

She let out a sigh of relief.

The two came face to face with five Fire Nation soldiers.

They charged at the two and quickly dispatched them using their maneuverability, dodging their attacks and waterbending.

Katara nodded at Kuzon, smiling, "Good job. That was easy enough."

He nodded back, "Same to you."

The two then heard a slow clap.

Turning to the right, they saw Admiral Zhao clapping with Zuko behind him. "Yes. Indeed. Bravo traitor. You are indeed skilled."

Kuzon then came face to face with the admiral. His eyes narrowed, "You…You must be Admiral Zhao. The one leading the invasion."

Zhao smiled back savagely at him, "I'm strangely flattered, you know of me, traitor. I would've been insulted otherwise."

Kuzon returned to his fire-bending form, glaring, "Avatar Kyikoh told me about you. She told me of your plans for the Northern Tribe. I don't know what your intentions are, but they end here. I won't let what happened to my family happen to these people."

Zhao grinned even more savagely as he turned to Zuko. "Heh. Well, would you look at that? Someone wants to play the hero."

Zhao grunted with an intense look in his eyes as he stared at Kuzon again, "You dishonor your people. You dishonor yourself by mingling with these snow peasants."

Kuzon just chuckled darkly, "Better to be branded a traitor than a murderer." He then pointed a finger at Zuko, "The way I see it…I'm trying to make amends for the damage you and your forefathers have caused."

Zuko just coldly stared back at him as he suddenly got into his firebending form, "Come then. We fight to the death."

Zhao just grinned, "I'll leave these two to you Zuko. I've got a fish to catch." He then rushed forward through the crowd. Kuzon then turned to Katara. "Go tail Zhao. I don't like that he left Zuko to fight us alone. I've got Zuko."

Katara turned to him in shock. Her heartbeat quickened. He can't be serious! The last time Zuko got his hands on him…he got captured! I can't leave him! She then put a hand on his shoulder, "Kuzon! You can't be serious! I'm not leaving you to fight Zuko alone! What if you get hurt?"

Kuzon smirked at her, "Hey chin up. We've been training. I'm not a master like Master Pakku, but I can handle Zuko." His gaze fell upon Zuko and glared, "Besides…I've been waiting to get my revenge. The Prince is about to his crown."

Katara thought it over and just smiled, "Okay. I'll go tail, Zhao. It is the smarter option." In an unexpected move, she squeezed his hands into her own. Her face turned red. "I just need you to promise me you'll return to me alive. I can't lose you again."

Kuzon nodded as he looked her in the eyes, "I give you my word."

She smiled and tilted her head at him, "Okay. Please be careful." She then rushed off after Zhao.

Zuko just glared at Kuzon, "It's cruel of you. To make such a promise. I don't intend to let you leave this place alive. I'm leaving with your head."

Kuzon then growled, "You misunderstand Zuko. I'm leaving with yours."

The two firebenders rushed at one another with pure killing intent flames bursting out of their hands.

Somewhere near the Oasis

Agna Qel'a, Northern Water Tribe

Katara managed to track down where Zhao was running off. She sent a wave of water to distract him. He growled at her with pure fury in his eyes. "Who do you think you are, snow peasant?"

The waterbender glared at him with an ice-cold look in her eyes, "My name is Katara. Daughter of Kya. Daughter of Hakoda, the Southern Chief. Defender of the Tribes." She got into her waterbending form, "Whatever it is you are looking for…You're not finding it here ashmaker."

Zhao chuckled, "Funny. I didn't hear you call the traitor that. What makes him so different from me?"

Katara's glare got even more fierce. "He has a name! It's Kuzon!" She then growled, "As for why I don't call him an ashmaker…. He's been my hope. He put his life on the line to defend my village from Zuko. Despite his sheltered nature and all that he has suffered…. he has stepped up to defend my homeland." She then got into her waterbending form. "He's my best friend, and I am determined to lay my life on the line for him!"

Zhao then smiled savagely, "Such passion. Were you not born a snow peasant…You would make a fine soldier someday!"

Katara rushed at the elder firebender, striking him with a water whip. It hit him hard as he tumbled to the ground.

Katara then heard her name being called, "Katara!" She turned and saw Master Pakku.

The long-bearded man rushed to her side and prepared himself for combat. "I thought you might need a hand."

She gave him a grateful nod, "Thank you Master Pakku."

The two of them then faced Zhao.

Zhao reached his feet, heavily panting, "The two of you…are going to pay for that." He then rushed at them with several fire punches and kicks.

Katara and Pakku both used their bending to keep themselves on the defensive.

They then countered with their attacks.

The two-on-one attack managed to throw Zhao off balance.

Pakku then growled, "Leave our homeland, or we will be forced to kill you!"

Zhao then brushed the stray hair from his eyes, growling, "Never! My honor forbids it!" He then came at them with another set of punches and kicks.

Against any other firebender…his reckless bending style would have won him a few points—even an Agni Kai. Against Katara, Pakku, and their more flexible bending style, however…. He was up against the odds. No matter how ferociously he came at them…he always found himself lying on his back. Growling with rage and frustration, he shouted, "Guards to me!"

A whole cadre of Fire soldiers and benders got between him and Katara.

She cursed to herself, Damn it! It will take forever to get through all these guards!

Sokka and a cadre of soldiers rushed past her and Pakku, "Come on, sis. Let's give it to them!"

Katara gave her brother a nod. She and Pakku then rushed at the cadre of men,"

Zhao then rushed off to the Oasis without a second thought. Finally some quiet.

Agna Qel'a

Sometime later

Kuzon sent another fire kick into Zuko's stomach.

This sent the banished prince through a hard wall.

Kuzon then took a moment to catch his breath. His old Fire gi was all burnt and charred up. There were burns and abrasions all over his chest and midsection. Damn it. This hurts…a lot.

Zuko groaned as he managed to stand himself back up. There was anger in his eyes. 'You believe yourself, my better traitor! You've proven nothing!"

Kuzon glared back, "I wish to prove nothing but your end!" He rushed at Kuzon again, kneeling him in the face.

Kuzon reeled away with a howl of rage. He landed an excellent fire fist on Zuko's face, momentarily blinding him.

Zuko howled in pain as he put his hands over his eyes.

Kuzon then tripped his feet.

Zuko fell hard on his back.

Kuzon grabbed him by the collar and raised him up.

Zuko glared at the Avatar. He believed he was done. The only way to honor this defeat was by death. "Do..it, traitor. Kill me. Honor our people."

Kuzon, full of anger and rage, was about to raise the flame to his head. "I will have my revenge. This is for me. This is for the Sho family."

Then something inside of him called out to his heart. It sounded like his mother's voice. No Kuzon. Don't give in to your rage. The Avatar must be the balance between the light and the dark. You are better than this. Be the change our people need. Choose mercy.

Lin's voice then spoke, Yes. Choose mercy. Be the better man here. We have faith in you.

Raikara's voice then piped up. Choose mercy.

Avatar Kyikoh's voice then spoke to him, Choose mercy.

Feeling moved by their words, Kuzon recognized what he was about to do. Sighing longingly, he set Zuko down.

Zuko looked upon him with a face of outrage. "What are you doing? Finish me!"

Kuzon just glared at him before shaking his head, "No! My hand will not be one to take your life! I will not stain my hands with your blood! I will seek revenge no more!"

Zuko tried to get up but was too hurt. "I said finish me! Honor me with death!"

Kuzon then walked away, giving him one last look before shaking his head, "Please, Zuko! Forget about me! Forget about your vendetta! Forget about your father! You have a second chance here! Don't make me regret sparing your life!"

Zuko could only growl and hiss as Kuzon walked away from him.

Then suddenly, the sky went a blood-red color.

Kuzon and Zuko then stared up at the sky.

Kuzon's eyes widened, "That can't be good."

Zuko blinked, What just happened?"

Yue then started sprinting towards Kuzon. Katara and Pakku were behind her."Kuzon! We've got a problem!"

He nodded, "What is it, Yue?" He then took note of the tears in her eyes.

She then grabbed him by the shoulders. "Admiral Zhao managed to get into the Spirtual Oasis! He snuck in and murdered one of the waterbending spirits! We managed to apprehend him, but we all lost our waterbending.

Katara then walked up to Kuzon and took his hands into hers.

He took note of the tears in her eyes as she spoke, "Kuzu…please. The water spirits are our lifeblood. Without them…we lose everything. We lose our way of life!"

Kuzon then nodded and grabbed her by the shoulders. "Tell me where to go."

Yue just nodded, "Please follow me."

The Spiritual Oasis

Sometime later

Yue then looked down at the dead form of Tui. She then burst into tears. Five Water Tribe soldiers were there, detaining Admiral Zhao.

The man was gloating and laughing. "My destiny is complete! My destiny is complete!"

Kuzon let out a sigh. "I'm sorry. I wish I had been able to do something."

On his right, Katara put a hand on his left shoulder to comfort him, "Kuzon. There's nothing you could have done. Don't blame yourself."

Kuzon then turned to her and just nodded.

That was when Kyikoh talked to him through their connection. "Listen to me, Kuzon. There is a way you can heal Tui. The Avatar can heal spiritual beings through his connection with the Spirit World.

He then turned up to look at her, "How?"

Katara turned to him, confused, "Kuzon? Who are you talking to?"

Kuzon blinked as Kyikoh explained, "Ask the Princess to hand you Tui and walk into the Oasis. I'll handle the rest."

He just nodded, "As you wish, Avatar Kyikoh." He then started walking towards Yue.

Katara blinked, "Kuzon…what are you?"

Kuzon turned to her and smiled, "I've got a plan. Trust me on this."

He walked over to Yue and smiled, "Hand me Tui."

She then met his eyes and blinked, "U-Um, okay." She then handed out the fish.

He gently took it from her. Walking into the middle of the oasis, he then put his hands together and took a deep breath.

Yue then blinked at Katara. "What's he doing?"

Katara blinked, "I don't know."

Kuzon's eyes then glowed white as he entered the Avatar State.

Tui then glowed a pure white color as her wounds began to heal. The burn mark across her body began to close up.

Katara blinked in pure awe, "I…don't believe it. He's healing Tui!"

Yue smiled with tears in her eyes, "Oh! It's a miracle!"

Kuzon then gently placed Tui's body back in the pond.

She then began swimming in tandem with La.

The blood-red sky quickly turned into a normal one.

Zhao growled with anger, "No! No! That is not possible!"

Sokka grinned, "Well, I'll be damned. He did it. He brought back the water spirit."

Katara smiled with adoration in her eyes, "That he did."

Kuzon's eyes then turned to normal. His eyes fluttered before he eventually passed out face down in the pond.

Katara gasped and quickly rushed over to him, "Kuzon!"

She and Sokka then dragged him out of the pond. They then turned him on his back.

He then began coughing up water.

Katara let out a sigh of relief.

He then blinked his eyes. "What happened?"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Katara finally felt her heart relax. She then took his face into her hands and smiled with tears in her eyes, "Oh Kuzu. Just when I think there are limitations to what you can do…You always prove the impossible." She then hugged him as tightly as she could. "I'm…so glad you are okay."

Kuzon scoffed, "Hey. I told you I would be fine."

Katara nodded with a sigh, "Fair enough. Just give me a heads-up next time you decide to play the hero. I felt my heart leap out of my chest when you collapsed in the pond."

He nodded, "I promise."

Sokka just chuckled with a laugh as he smiled at Yue.

She just smiled back at him.

The two then kissed.

He then put his arm around her. "Not bad there kid. Good work."

Yue smiled, "I concur."

Admiral Zhao growled in frustration at Kuzon. "Damn you, traitor! I had my moment of glory…and you stole it from me! I will have my revenge!" He then drew a knife, managed to break out of the hold, and tried rushing at Kuzon, intending to stab him.

Katara immediately noticed this and glared.

Yue then threw a set of three knives at the madman. Each struck him in the heart as he stumbled back a bit.

He then tripped on his feet and landed hard on his back. He gasped for air.

Katara kneeled with an almost icy cold tone in her voice. "You tried to take him from us. You tried to take him from me. You failed. Would you like to know why?"

He growled as blood filled his mouth, "It…is only a matter of time before….Fire Lord Ozai has his head. You…Your friends…You can't protect him forever."

Katara then placed her hand on one of the knives and twisted the knife in further.

Zhao let out a scream in pain.

She glared at him, glaring, "That's what you think."

She then let go and let his body fall to the ground.

She then smiled at Yue, "Good throw Yue."

Yue just smiled, "Thank you, sister."

Katara then turned to smile at Kuzon's slumbering form as she picked him up in her arms. "Okay Kuzon. Let's get you home."

The others just followed her.

Sometime later

The Redeemer

Zuko woke up in what looked like his little throne room on the Redeemer. He looked down and saw that he was bandaged all over. Everything hurt to move. Oh! Damn! What the hell happened?

Uncle Iroh then walked in smiling, "Prince Zuko. Good to see you up."

Zuko then held a hand to his head. "What happened to me?"

Uncle Iroh just sighed aloud, "The invasion was a failure. You got bested by the Avatar. From what the men and I managed to figure out…He spared you. From what I saw from afar…The Northerners killed Admiral Zhao and his troops. In a last-ditch attempt for glory, he tried to kill one of the moon spirits and the Avatar himself. Katara of the Southern Water Tribe ended that aspiration…permanently."

Zuko blinked as he laid back on the bed, trying to process all his uncle had told him. Well...This complicates things. Why did he spare me? Why didn't he finish me off?

Uncle Iroh smiled, "Drink your tea. It'll get cold otherwise."

Zuko gave him a nod and bowed his head, "Of course, Uncle. Thank you."

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