Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers!
Responses to Reviews:
RonaldM40196867: I think the naming convention would make it a cat-dog or something like that.
Zigzagdoublezee: Indeed!
As Always, Please Review!
Fog shrouded the bay, hanging over the town menacingly. Only a few lights penetrated the gloom; a few lamps hung up around the town, multi-coloured lights hung on each side of ships in the harbour to help avoid collisions, and a pair of huge fires on either side of the entrance to help ships navigate out to sea.
Through this, the big grey prison ship cruised slowly, cautiously. It had raised its anchors, fired up the engines, and was now aiming for the space between the bonfires that led to the vast expanse of ocean, and ultimately the Fire Nation. There were a couple of ships approaching from the other direction, pulling into port, but thanks to their signal lights the captain was making sure they would stay well clear of each other.
But the lurking fog held other dangers.
A lone shape swooped through the air, flying low and aiming for the red light in front of it. Gembul dipped one paw into the water, licking up a cloud of spray which vanished into the gloom behind them. On board, the Yuad sat anxiously, mentally preparing themselves for the fight. They had come dressed for war. Sokka and Suki were both wearing their armour, and Suki had applied her Kyoshi Warrior makeup and headdress as well. Both her swords, and her fans, hung from her waist.
They maintained their silence as Gembul sped through the white expanse, until at last they seemed to find a gap in the fog, and the prison ship loomed out of the darkness in front of them. Rinzen pulled on the reins, and Gembul went into a steep climb just before he would have collided with the hull, so close that Yue could hear shouts of alarm from crewmen on deck. Then he was swooping back around. Yue braced, and as Gembul slammed into the deck, skidding to a halt and knocking over a pair of unfortunate sailors as he did so, she jumped, managing to turn the impact into a roll. It wasn't dignified or particularly elegant, but she managed it, and came up standing.
For a moment, the guards on the deck just stared at her. None of them had been expecting the sudden appearance of the Avatar.
"What are you waiting for?" Someone bellowed. "Get them!"
Yue raised her hands, and in front of her the water churned. A huge wave lifted itself up, towering over the deck, and then Yue pulled it towards herself, parting her arms as she did so, The water came crashing down, flooding the deck and knocking the guards aside, but a gap formed just big enough to allow Yue and Gembul to stay somewhat dry.
The rest of Team Avatar scrambled off Gembul's back, splashing down into the ankle-deep pool that had suddenly formed.
"Oh spirits," Sokka lamented. "I liked these shoes!"
"We'll get new ones," Suki patted him on the shoulder and then drew the longer of her two swords. Together, the Yuad began to advance towards the ship's superstructure.
For a moment, Yue was forcibly reminded of the Battle of the South Pole. Then they were at the door.
"Won't they be expecting this?" Sokka asked.
"Probably," Katara shrugged. "So we don't use the door."
Yue and Katara began to spin their arms, as the water began to pool underneath their feet. With a flourish, it froze, creating an icy platform that rose into the air atop an ever-growing column.
Yue looked around as they rose, getting a commanding view of the sea around them. There wasn't very much to see because of all the mist. As she watched, another grey shape loomed out of the mist ahead of them, this one with an ornately decorated prow.
Then they had reached the window, and came face-to-face with a surprised looking Fire Nation officer and several sailors.
Sokka drew his club and waved at them.
"Surprise!"
Then he swung at the glass, smashing it after a couple of hits. Team Avatar scrambled through the window, clubbing the few sailors who tried to stop them over the head.
For a moment there was silence.
"Hello," Yue offered awkwardly. "I'm afraid I'm taking over your ship."
The captain looked around.
"You're the Avatar, aren't you. Why us?" He asked. "We're not a warship."
"Don't try that," Yue hissed. "I know exactly what you are."
"You can have the ship if you like," the Captain said with quiet dignity. "Like I said, we're not a warship, we carry few soldiers, we can't really resist you."
Behind her, Suki tapped her on the shoulder. Yue ignored her.
"You're a slaver," she said with conviction.
The captain raised one eyebrow.
"Is there any point trying to argue with you on this?" He asked.
"What else would you call it?" Yue demanded. "You're transporting prisoners, taking them from their homes to the Fire Nation. Why else would you be doing that if not to put them to work?"
"Orders are orders," the captain told her defiantly. "And anyway, I don't have to justify my actions to you! My duty is to the Firelord."
"And mine is to justice. This ends now."
"Yue!" Suki called again. Yue sighed and turned to her.
"Yes?"
"Look!"
With nobody on the wheel, their ship was cruising in a straight line. The other ship, the one approaching them, by contrast, had turned in to come closer. At the prow stood a figure, small in stature and with black hair billowing in the breeze. Another girl, for that was what she was, came to stand next to her, dressed in pink. Soldiers formed up behind them.
"I think they're going to ram us!" Sokka realised.
The captain looked down, saw the enemy ship, and laughed.
"Good luck!" He chortled. "You'll need it."
"Who is that?" Suki demanded of him. He did not answer, but Yue felt recognition sweep through her. For she had seen this figure before. They had been there long ago, on the night her home had fallen to the Fire Nation.
Rinzen blew his whistle, and Gembul looked up and snorted. A moment later he took off, sweeping into the sky, safely out of range of the imminent battle.
Yue saw the figure put a helmet on, her face now framed with red and gold, and then Princess Azula grabbed hold of the railings on the front of her ship and braced herself for impact.