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100 years ago the world was at peace. That was until Fire Nation attacked the Air Nomads. Soon after they started to attack the Earth Kingdom. Then the Water Tribes. The world had descended into chaos. The only person who could save it was the Avatar. But when the world needed him most- he vanished.
The Fire Nation was brutal. The Southern Water Tribe were attacked the most, their water benders killed.
And here in the Northern Water Tribe, we’ve stayed strong, defending ourselves against any and all threats of the Fire Nation.
But I believe that the Avatar is still out there. I believe that he will come back, when he is ready.
The world needs him, and I think he will be ready to help.
The kids around Katara started to ask a ton of questions, all excited and curious about the history. Katara smiled at them as they all clamored around her, “Okay, one at a time. How about you, Atka. What do you want to ask?”
She pointed at the girl in the front who had two braids framing her face. There were traditional Water Tribe beads on both the top and bottom of them both. The rest of their hair was pulled back into a bun where a blue ribbon held it together. Like everyone else in their Tribe, her skin was a dark tan color which contrasted her blue eyes, something else which was a common trait for their Tribe.
The girl had a bright smile on her face as she bounced on her knees up and down excitedly, “Well, Princess Katara, why? Why did the Fire Nation attack?”
Katara pursed her lips for a second debating on what to tell the young girl. She didn’t know. She opened her mouth to answer before a voice in the doorway spoke for her.
“Because they’re dictators, “Katara looked over at the voice of her older brother.
Sokka, as he walked in the room and leaned on the wall. His stark white hair blending in with the wall of snow behind him. The hair was pulling into a warrior’s wolf tail that reached his jaw and a singular braid was hanging out the side with multiple traditional beads braided into it. He had on his usual ‘Princy’ attire on. And he looked- annoyed. Like always , “They want power. And they’ll do anything to get that. Their Nation is one of the smallest. But they believe they’re powerful. The biggest nation was always the Earth Kingdom, then the Air Nomads, then them, then us. They’re a small nation. But using their power and dictatorship, they expand. They attacked. They don’t care for anyone but themselves. They’re selfish and they think they’re better than everyone. But we all know they’re not. So they kill their way to a better hierarchy. They kill to become the best. But they never will be. We’ll always be stronger.”
Katara raised an eyebrow at her brother's long spew and sighed a bit, turning to the kids in front of her who had mixed reactions. Some of them looked excited and others looked shocked or scared.
“What my brother is trying to say, kids, is they want power. And they’ll do anything in their power to get it. They don’t care who they hurt in the process, as long as they get the power they’re looking for. But they’re not needed, the Avatar will come through and save us all. He’s the one who will stop the war and balance out the bad and good. He’s the key to a better future.”
Katara smiled at the kids, putting a hand on one of their heads and ruffling their hair. She opened her mouth to say something else before Sokka spoke first.
“Blah, blah, blah, “He sighed and rolled his eyes at her, “The Avatar has been dead for decades. I don’t think a century later he’s just going to show up.”
Katara glared at him as some kids’ faces fell, “Don't listen to him children, my brother is a bit dumb sometimes. You know how the Prince can be.” She smiled and bent some of the snow next to her to turn to water and whip him in the head. He yelped as he was hit but she just smiled at the kids.
“Ignore him, he’s dramatic.” She rolled her eyes and laughed, “But come along. We have more to do.” She walked out of the room leaving Sokka in there rubbing his forehead as she walked out, the kids all following her.
“You’re no fun!” Sokka called after her as she went down the hall with the kids. She didn’t bother answering him and just went into the healing hit, the kids following her.
{~~~}___{~~~}
A couple of days later Sokka sat in the debriefing room with his dad, mom, and Gran Gran. His mom held a map of the earth kingdom, all over the map there was red sections. Sokka knew that was the places the Fire Nation conquered. And he hated it.
He hated the Fire Nation.
He hated Fire Nation royalty.
He hated the whole place.
He told himself before if he had even been forced to even be on the shores of their Nation he’d kill himself so Tui would be whole again. But mostly because he’d have to be on their land.
Sokka was so long in his thoughts of how much he hated the Fire nation he missed hearing his dad ask him a question.
Almost 7 times.
His dads arm tapped him and he looked up at his dad who sat next to his mom and Bato, his dads wife and best friend. Both of which led the most outings of their army’s needed help. Well, his mom was never on the front lines because of the way women were treated in their Tribe. He knew he wasn’t perfect either, having made multiple mistakes when speaking to his sister.
“Uh…, “Sokka said as his dad tapped his arm again, “What?”
His dad sighed, “Why don’t you go get a bath Sokka? Refresh your mind?”
Sokka frowned at his dad’s proposal. He felt his hands clenched into fists under the table, “What?! No! I- I’m here to help. So let me!” He huffed out a heavy sigh.
“I’m not weak. So stop treating me like I am.”
His dad frowned at him. But not from disappointment. It was from remorse, “Sokka I don’t think you’re weak-“
Sokka cut his dad off feeling his anger rise by the second. He knew his family meant well, but they got on his nerves too much. They always felt like they knew what was best for him, “ Yes you do. You all do! You like to berate me and act like when I’m not being the perfect kid who can do anything and help anyone I need to ‘ refresh’ my mind. Spoiler alert, dad, water from the oasis doesn’t automatically make me better. All it does is make me focus on Tui and La.”
Bato stood up with a heavy sigh. He nodded his head at Sokka, “You’re right Sokka. We treat you like you’re weak. And I personally am sorry. But if you would let us explain why we are, you might be… I don’t know, forgive us?”
Sokka shook his head and stood up too, “No. Finish your meeting without me. I’ll be in the oasis.” He walked off before his dad or min could protest. He was done with being stuck in the castle. He was going to get out. He was going to leave. And it’s not like he needed to know why, he was part of Tui, he was part of the moon spirits, spirit. This was why he was treated like a baby. It’s why he is sheltered. And why he can’t leave the castle.
But he was going to make sure that those rules ended today.
Once he got to the oasis he sighed and looked in the small pond and bowed at Tui and La, “Hello, Tui, La, how are you today?” Both of the spirits kept encircling each other, making him nod his head at them.
“Cool, same as always? I get it. I mean- seriously. It’s not like I’m allowed to do anything else. Kinda like you guys, “He joked laughing at himself, “Anyway, I apologize now for any inconvenience I am about to cause you. Thank you for your support.”
He went to the one wall and pulled his hood over his head covering his face, ready for the stabbing pain of the ice cold wind. He grabbed a hold of a rock and started to climb.
‘Maybe being an earth bender would be good for me…’ Sokka thought as he kept climbing, his right hand pulling on a couple rocks before he found the most stable one and climbing up higher.
He reached the top and felt the cold hit him in the face. He hid his face with the hood and sighed heavily trying to heat himself up. He walked only a couple feet before he yelled.
“Hello? Can I have help? I regret this already!” He hoped maybe his dad or mom could hear him. But he knew they couldn’t. As he walked he knew that he should just look for an opening into the castle, it made the most sense to him.
Then he saw it.
He saw his sister training in combat with one of Pakku’s scrolls. Pakku was the best water bender in the northern water tribe, he was actually engaged to Sokka’s Gran Gran.
Sokka felt his mouth drop open, when it finally registered in his head what he was watching. He walked closer and saw that they didn’t notice him get, so he got closer, and closer, and closer, and-
“Sokka!?” Katara yelled as she instantly straightened herself up she glanced at Pakku’s scroll anxiety written on her face. Katara’s face quickly changed to bewilderment, “ What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in the debriefing room with mom and dad. Not outside. You’re not even allowed to be outside!”
Sokka scoffed at her and crossed his arms over his chest, “Well I’m not the one secretly training in combat. Am I?”
Katara glared at him as she stepped closer and poked Sokka in the chest, “You are such a pain! All you ever do is criticize other people. You act like you’re better than them, but guess what? You’re not! All you are is a snotty, sexsist, Prince who just happened to be blessed by the spirits. And it’s not like you do anything either! All you ever do is make fun of people and act like you deserve it all!”
Sokka was about to defend himself when the ground beneath the two siblings gave out and both of them started to fall down onto a large ice sphere almost a hundred feet down. Sokka felt his mind race as he looked at Katara who was falling next to him screaming and trying to bend water to catch them. He grabbed Katara’s arm and held her next to him as they both fell down.
As they fell Sokka prayed to Tui and La that they survived the fall.
And they did.
Once they were on the ground next to the big ice sphere Sokka felt his energy instantly deplete. He stayed laying on the ground for a couple seconds before glancing at his sister who was standing up and staring at the ice sphere.
He finally sat up and looked at his sister, confused.
“Katara?” He walked towards her and understood why.
Inside of the ice was a person. They were small, and couldn't have been more than 13 years old. From what Sokka could see they had tattoos on their hands and head. He pursed his lips, “We should get our mom and dad..”
“But Sokka! They could need our help, what if they die if they’re in there longer?” Katara yelled at her brother, feeling anger rise in her chest. He was always so… aggravating.
“Katara, it’s a boy in an iceberg. I think he’ll manage, “He leaned down a bit so he and Katara were eye to eye. Katara glared at him as she cracked her knuckles and turned back to the block of ice.
“I’m getting him out.” She took off her thick gloves and threw them as Sokka.
Sokka caught them as she flexed her hands in a circular motion before letting them rest in the ending position. She took a deep breath and made both of her hands straight, she pointed them at the ice as she did.
Sokka took a step back when the ice started to crack down the middle. When it was finally done cracking Katara looked at the ice that just needed to be opened. She pursed her lips and flung her hands apart, opening the ice. As it opened a large blue light shot into the air.
Sokka felt a sense of dread in his chest as the light went off.
“Katara… we need to go. Now.” He said looking for a way out of the hole. He glanced at all of the snow, “Can you make us a staircase out of ice?”
Katara didn’t answer him, she stayed by the boy's side. Next to the boy was a huge furry monster that was snoring like a fog horn.
“Sokka! He could be hurt, “Katara took some of the ice from around them and turned it to water before waving it over the boy, it started to glow brightly as she did.
Sokka has seen it time and time again. Katara was healing the boy. Sokka knew it was one of the few things she could do, she was one of the best healers in the castle. She had been able to heal Sokka before when he fell down the staircase and broke his wrist, and many other incidents. Sokka was no stranger to healing, but he knew for certain that the boy would be.
After a couple seconds she dropped the water back to her side, “He’s fine. He’s just in a frozen sleep.”
“A what?”
“A frozen sleep. He’s alive and fine, he’s just asleep because of the cold. Think of it as a hibernation for humans. But instead of just resisting the cold, it’s also for safety. I mean, if he was awake, imagine how he’d feel? He’d be frozen dead!” Katara explained to him as she moved the boy’s robes from his face, “But another thing is… he’s not cold. He’s warm.”
Sokka looked at him and grabbed a stick from the dead bush next to him and poked the boy in the head. He pursed his lips and scrunched his nose while looking at the boy, ignoring Katara.
He poked him again.
Katara slapped the stick away, “Sokka!” She moved a hand to hood the boy's head as she sighed softly.
“We need to take him to the healing huts, “She stood up, grabbing the boy in a fragile hold.
Sokka put his hand up, “Hold up, Katara. You saw that blue light. What if he’s a spy for the Fire nation? He could be telling the Fire Nation Navy where we are! Do you want our Tribe to be attacked? We’ve stayed out of the war by all means necessary since the war practically started. I don’t think our mom and dad want to be dragged into it now! ”
Katara narrowed her eyes at Sokka, “Does he look like he’s Fire nation? He’s got blue tattoos. Does anyone in the Fire Nation even wear blue?”
Sokka stayed quiet for a minute and looked at the boy, “Fine.”
Katara smiled, “Good.” She stood up and grabbed and pointed to the boy.
“Go on. Pick him up.”
Sokka opened his mouth to protest before closing it again, he opened it again and closed it again. Finally he huffed a sigh, “Fine. But I’m only doing it because it’s the right thing to do, not because I want to.”
He knelt down and grabbed the boy throwing him over his shoulder earning a yelp of aggravation from Katara. He ignored her and pointed up as a way to remind her.
Katara huffed once more before making the staircase. Sokka walked up it as Katara grabbed a staff he had with him and pet the furry monster. Sokka grimaced and walked towards the oasis where he left. Katara followed him confused.
“Sokka, the entrance is that way.” She said pointing behind them, “Why are you going this way?”
“The oasis.” Sokka said, sighing and shifting the boy on his shoulder as the snow got deeper, “It’s how I left. And it’s where I was supposed to be.”
Katara furrowed her brows and followed him with a huff of annoyance, “You got out of the oasis? How?”
“There’s this thing called: climbing, “Sokka said in such a heavy deadpan tone, the sarcasm was obvious, “But you obviously wouldn’t understand that. You have magic water that does everything for you.”
“It’s not magic! You know this, everyone knows this! It’s a special art that is unique to our culture-“ Katara started to ramble before Sokka cut her off by covering her mouth and speaking.
“Yeah, yeah. It’s unique to our culture and having it is a gift beyond all from Tui and La, trust me, I’ve heard it again and again, “He rolled his eyes and shifted the boy on his shoulder again before getting to the top of the oasis where they could drop it, “Mind making a staircase again?”
“Why? You said that it’s just ‘magic water’. You should get down by yourself, “Katara furrowed her brows at him and crossed her arms over her chest, facing away from him.
“Fine. I’ll throw the kid into Tui and La pond then climb down myself, “Sokka said looking at Katara as her eyes widened at his proposition.
“What?! Sokka, no!” She scoffed and stomped her foot a bit before making the staircase as he asked.
“That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
Katara whipped him in the head with a water whip before he could even finish speaking.
{~~~}___{~~~}
Sokka sat in the healing hut, Katara next to him. Their mom, dad, Gran Gran, Pakku, and Bato were all standing before them. The boy from the iceberg was laying in a small pool of water next to them. Three healers were all healing him at once.
“Let me get this straight, “Their dad said in a slow tone. Him obviously not believing their fabricated story, “Sokka, you were in the oasis when Katara came in and you two had a fight. Then as you fought an iceberg rolled over the top of the oasis next to you guys and split open, causing a bright blue beam of light to go off. First question is, what was the fight about? Second question is, if that is true, why aren’t there physical disturbances to the oasis? Tui and La would’ve been disturbed by such an event.”
Sokka and Katara both glanced at one another before looking back at their dad and both agreeing with the story.
“Exactly!”
“Yep..”
It was quiet in the healing hut before their dad spoke again, “Adlartok, Ahnah, and Lusa, please leave.” All three of the healers nodded their heads and left Sokka and Katara in a room with their angry parents and elders. (And Bato.)
All of them were quiet for another few minutes before Bato spoke, “I'm unconvinced. I don’t believe you two.”
“As am I, “Pakku said with a heavy tone, “You two haven’t been given instructions to keep your fights out of the spirit oasis. It is not safe nor good for the spirits of you two to fight around them. Not to mention it’s not good you fight at all. Sokka being a-“
Sokka cut him off, “We’re lying”.
Katara glared at him, her eyes widened.
“We were outside. Katara was practicing her water bending and I snuck out. We got into a fight, and the ground underneath us collapsed. I’m the cavern we landed in, there was the boy. He actually was in an iceberg, we didn’t lie about that part… Anyways, Katara broke open the iceberg to get him out and make sure he was okay. She concluded he was in a frozen sleep. Which, yeah, makes sense. Then she told me to carry him so I grabbed him, she used water bending to make a staircase for us to get out of the cavern. Then we got back to the top of the oasis and we managed to get another water bending staircase. And when we finally got an adult…, “Sokka rambled as Katara’s face fell in more and more shock and anxiety.
“Katara, is this true?” Their mom asked, her eyes widened.
Katara nodded her head hesitantly.
Their mom took a deep breath and looked at Sokka with a frown, “Sweetheart, you know you’re not allowed out of the castle. You could get hurt, or worse!”
Sokka furrowed his brows and crossed his arms with a heavy sigh, “I know… but- it’s not fair. Katara can!”
“Katara isn’t a blessing from Tui themself!” Their Gran Gran yelled. She startled both Sokka and Katara as neither of them had ever heard her raise her voice.
“Mom-“ Their dad started to say before she raised her hand making him go silent.
“I am going. I’d you need me, I’ll be in my room, “She sighed and walked away leaving everyone there in silence.
The silence etched through the room for a good 5 before their mother spoke again, “Your Gran Gran is right Sokka. Your life is my number 1 blessing. If it wasn’t for Tui, I wouldn’t have you. I wouldn’t have my little warrior.” She smiled at him with a soft face.
Sokka looked at her quickly before looking away. He knew he had his mothers face, so seeing her face seconds from tears made him regret his actions.
“I’m sorry, mom.”
She leaned forward and held him in a hug. He didn’t bother pulling himself out of her grip. He accepted he would never leave the castle. He knew that this was his place to be. Forever.
She let go and placed a hand on his cheek, doing the same to Katara, “You’re both my favorite blessing. I don’t want anything to ever happen to you. Promise me you’ll stay safe forever?”
Both of them nodded their heads again.
“I promise, “They spoke simultaneously.
She smiled at them and gave them both one last kiss on each of their heads.
“Thank you, “She smiled before ruffling Sokka’s hair and holding Katara’s face, “Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make sure Gran Gran is okay.” She left the room leaving just their dad, Pakku, and Bato around them.
“Sokka, “Their dad started to address him before Sokka spoke first.
“Can’t you confront Katara first for once? I mean, I get really tired of it, “He shrugged his shoulders and his dads face went still in an annoyed expression.
“No.”
Sokka clicked his tongue in annoyance mirroring his dads face, “ Fine… what’s my punishment?”
His dad sighed and shook his head as Sokka, “You’re not getting one. But I am telling you to stay here in the healing hut and watch over this boy. That will be your job.” Sokka scrunched his face with a sigh.
“Fine…”
“And Katara, you are to stay here and heal the boy. He needs a healer to stay in here with him, so it will be you, “Pakku said, narrowing his eyes at her slightly, “And then once the boy is awake you will return to me my water bending scroll. I am aware you took it out of my sleeping quarters. I want it back before tomorrow.”
Katara furrowed her brows and looked down with a sigh, “Yes, Pakku. I’ll get it back to you…” Sokka noticed her clenched fist at her side and tried not to make a smart comment. He knew if he did, he'd probably get an actual punishment for leaving the castle.
{~~~}___{~~~}
Sokka was laying on one of the cots while throwing an ice ball up and down as he sat in the healing hut. Katara was standing over the boy healing him.
Sokka leaned his head over the top of the cot to look at Katara who was healing the boy. She looked tired.
Sokka sighed, “Take a break Katara. If someone comes in, I’ll say I told you too. You’ve been doing it for too long. The kid will be fine, like you said.”
Katara sighed and sat down on the end of Sokka’s cot looking at the boy. They were both quiet for a few minutes before she spoke.
“Do you know what his tattoos are for? I know here in the tribe we earn tattoos by doing selfless acts. But those aren’t water tribe tattoos. They’re blue, ours are black.”
Sokka shook his head, “No. I don’t know.”
He looked aside and sighed, “I mean, Gran Gran told me stories about air benders having blue tattoos, but, then again, Earth kingdom or even Fire nation could have blue ones too.”
“Fire nation?” Katara asked with a raised brow and sarcastic smirk.
“Okay. Maybe Earth kingdom. Not Fire Nation.” Sokka laughed.
They fell into a comfortable silence after Katara stood up and pulled Pakku’s scroll out of her coat and started to follow the forms. Sokka stayed lying on the cot throwing the ice ball up and down.
Up and down.
Up
And
Down.
Up
And
Down
Up
And
Down
“Woah, that’s really cool!” A voice said, making Sokka sit up and whip his head around to where the boy was. He was awake and sitting up in the water. Katara was also staring at him in shock. He seemed to notice the bewildered stares from Sokka and Katara, “Hi, im Aang. Who are you two?”
Katara and Sokka shared a look before looking at the boy again. Katara’s eyes were drawn to the blue arrow tattoos that started at his forehead and went down his back, extending onto his arms down to his hands, and going down his legs and ending on his feet. Sokka’s were drawn to the fact he was staring at his hair. He seemed to be inspecting Sokka’s hair, and he didn’t enjoy that.
Katara finally spoke after a couple seconds, “I’m Katara, and this is my brother Sokka, we’re the Prince and princess of the Northern Water Tribe. Where are you from?”
Sokka watched as the boy climbed out of the water and looked around for his shirt and shoes before looking at Katara, “I’m from the Southern Air Temple.”
Katara’s eyes widened, “You’re an air bender!”
“I am!” The boy, Aang, smiled and bounced on his feet and looked at the both of them. He stared at Sokka for a few seconds before he started to speak, “Is your hair naturally like that? Or did something happen to it?”
Sokka furrowed his brow, “Natural.” He looked at Katara who noticed his discomfort.
“Uhm, why are you up here in the North if you’re from the south?” Katara asked as she walked closer to him and grabbed his shirt and shoes. She offered him the shoes and shirt with a hesitating smile, “I mean, it’s a long way.”
Aang smiled and turned his head aside, “Oh, Appa flew me!”
“Appa?”
“Appa…?”
Both of them asked simultaneously with completely different faces. Katara was lit up with excitement and Sokka looked rather annoyed.
“My flying bison, “Aang provided with a smile.
“Right, and this is my flying sister, “Sokka said deadpan while motioning to Katara.
Aang laughed, “You’re funny! But seriously, did you happen to see Appa? He’s around this high-“ he jumped in the air seemingly floating in air at 8 feet for a few seconds as he waved his sideways hand before falling back to the floor, “and furry.”
“Yeah we saw him, he was with you where we found you, “Katara smiled nodding her head at the air bender, “He was still asleep.”
Aang smiled, “Great! So he’s fine? Did he wake up in a cold place?” He finished putting on his shirt and shoes.
“He woke up in an iceberg like you did, “Sokka said deadpan before sighing, “Speaking of which, why were you in an iceberg? You’re an air bender, you shouldn’t be able to get into an iceberg unless you were a water bender. That just makes the most sense.”
Ang’s face instantly morphed, “Oh… yeah. I mean, I don’t know. It’s kinda foggy.” He rubbed the back of his bald head and Sokka instantly doubted him. He glanced over at Katara who obviously instantly trusted him.
Sokka didn’t like this kid…
The door flew open and Bato was there, “Katara, Sokka you’re to come with me to the oasis!” He was obviously panicked as he looked behind him and took heavy breaths.
“Why?” Sokka said furrowing his brow, he was definitely going to go with Bato, he trusted the man, but right now he was confused, “Is something happening?”
“Your father spotted a Fire nation navy ship just off our western coast, “He explained before noticing the boy, “Oh he’s awake. Have him come too, but hurry. We only saw one boat but since it’s not coming from the Fire nation we believe it could be a distraction before an ambush.”
Sokka nodded his head as he grabbed Katara who had a hold of Aang’s arm, “Let’s move!” He dragged them with him towards the oasis, Bato following them making sure they got there safely.
Once they were at the door Bato ordered them, “Stay here! Don’t open this door until your father or I say the password. You’ll know it when you hear it.” He bowed at them before shutting the door behind him.
Sokka sighed and glanced at Aang. He knew why a ship would be coming. He just knew, “Wow, I wonder why they decided to ambush now.”
Aang made a face that showed his confusion, “I’m sorry but why are you asking me? I don’t know. I also don’t know why we’re hiding from them. It’s not like they’re bad people, I mean, sure water and fire are opposites but, why hide?”
Katara and Sokka shared a face before looking at Aang, “Uh Aang…” Katara started to say before glancing at Sokka for help.
“The war, “Sokka finished for Katara, “Why else? We’re hiding because we’re the future of this Tribe and the war. Why else would Fire Nation come here? Unless they want to kill us. They’ve done it to our sister tribe, and well, most of the air benders. You should know this.”
Aang’s face fell into a mixture of confusion, anger, and mourning, “What? What war?!”
“ The war. The war that’s been going on for 100 years. That war.” Katara said as she narrowed her eyes at Aang slightly, “What other war would it be?”
Aang blinked. He stayed quiet before he whispered, “100 years?”
Sokka’s brain was running a thousand miles a minute before he rested on one thought, “Aang, how long were you in that ice berg?”
{~~~}___{~~~}
Aang held himself in a hug when everything came crashing down, “I- I’ve been gone 100 years?” He whispered mainly to himself to process what happened.
“It’s okay, “Katara smiled at him softly, “I mean… you’re an air bender, and everyone thought air benders were extinct. You could maybe fix that?”
Aang stayed quiet, “I- I’m the last air bender. Aren’t I?”
Sokka glanced at Katara who was comforting him and sighed when he saw she obviously didn’t have a response ready, “You don’t know that. You could get your fluffy monster to take you to all of the air temples and see who’s there. You might not, you might just be the youngest or the oldest, however you wanna see your age.” Katara glared at Sokka obviously seeing his attempt at comforting, obviously not comforting. He made a face at her and shrugged his shoulders bewildered. He pointed at Aang and pursed his lips in a way that said ‘What am I supposed to do?!’ . She mimicked his actions and waved her head a bit at him as a way to say ‘ Obviously not like that! ’.
Sokka sighed, “Sorry that’s dumb. But I’m sure you’re not. I mean, you hid in an iceberg, who knows maybe more of you did too.” Katara slapped herself in the face as Sokka spoke.
“Thanks, “Aang nodded his head, making both Katara and Sokka look at him surprised, “But I doubt it…”
Sokka furrowed his brows a bit, “Why?”
“Because… I-“
The door opened up by someone kicking it down. Katara left Aang’s side and immediately got water ready to attack whoever barged in. As she moved so did Sokka, he grabbed a spear that was on the one wall in case of an emergency and pointed it at the intruder.
But, it wasn’t anyone bad. It was Pakku.
He sighed when he saw them up and ready to fight, “Sokka, Katara, your dad wants to talk to you. But be careful, there’s a guest in the main room.”
Sokka furrowed his brows before it hit him, “It’s the Fire Nation navy ship’s commander. Isn’t it?”
Pakku nodded his head, “It is. But he said he’s an outlaw to the Fire Nation. Your father and mother both trust him.”
Sokka and Katara shared a look before following Pakku, Aang also following having not been told not to.
Sokka walked in first and saw his mom and dad in their seats and a boy around his age kneeling on the ground before them. He looked up when he and Katara entered. Sokka instantly noticed the burn scar that went over his left eye and onto his ear. If Sokka squinted his eyes it kinda looked like a handprint.
But another thing Sokka recognized was that he was hot. He knew he was Fire Nation and he shouldn’t trust him, but that didn’t say he couldn’t gwack.
He walked to his seat Katara having gone to hers too. Aang stood to the side next to Bato, Pakku, and their Gran Gran. All of them glancing at him obviously ready to attack him if he even moved wrong.
Finally the boy spoke. He bowed his head down as he spoke, “Prince, Princess, I am the banished Prince of the Fire Nation. I am Zuko. I’m here because of a bright light I saw. I will not harm anyone, I just have a few questions. Your mother and father said you knew about it.” He was bowing until he was done talking, but once he was down he looked back up at Katara and Sokka who subtly looked at each other and spoke with their eyes.
“The beam of light, yes, “Sokka finally said after a couple minutes of deafening silence, “I will tell you: It was nothing. Right?” He looked at Katara who nodded her head while standing up.
“I appreciate that you’re being respectful, but I do not know anything- I mean, it was nothing I know of, “Katara almost slipped up before she smiled and nodded her head.
The Prince nodded his head at them, “Thank you. I do kindly ask that if you happen to figure it out you come find me and my crew. You see, we’re on the search for the Avatar. And any spiritual experience we encounter we like to understand to find them. As I hope to train the Avatar and help them find their needed bending masters so they can overthrow my father. I believe that this war should’ve been over a hundred years ago.”
Sokka made a face and nodded his head slowly, “Well, that is a noble decision. I wish you luck on your journey, Prince Zuko.”
“Thank you, “Zuko nodded his head.
Katara glanced at her Gran Gran, Pakku, Bato, and Aang. She wanted to see how they felt about this but only saw a face or dead on Aang. She furrowed her brows a bit before looking back at the banished prince and nodding her head at him, showing her respect for his attitude and hopes, “I hope you do so, Prince.” She said afterward, earning a nod back from him.
{~~~}___{~~~}
Sokka sat in the main room as the banished prince left. As he did Sokka looked him up and down subtly nodding his head a bit at the hopes he held. And he was hot too.
Just before Zuko could leave, Aang spoke up, “Uh, if I may say something? I don’t know exactly if I’m allowed but I- I know something.” Zuko stopped in his tracks and looked at Aang.
“You do?”
“Yes, “Aang nodded his head before glancing over his shoulder at Katara and Sokka who furrowed their brows at Aang in visible confusion, “I- I’m the Avatar. That light beam was me being found.”
Silence etched through the iced room like a warm draft. Aang looked around at everyone.
Sokka and Katara looked shocked beyond belief.
Their parents looked the same.
The banished prince, Zuko’s face lit up a bit.
And the people around him stared at him in bafflement.
“ You’re the Avatar?!” Sokka yelled finally, breaking the quiet with his voice. The tension in the room was cut by his sudden burst.
Aang looked at him and nodded his head, “I am.” He looked at the Prince, “And I’ll go with you. I’ve heard about this war from Sokk- I mean- from the prince and princess. I think it’s unfortunate and tragic. I want to end it too. So, I’ll go with you, Prince Zuko.”
Zuko nodded his head with a smile and bowed at him, “I am glad, Avatar.”
“Avatar Aang, “He said with a nod, as he bowed back at him. A bright smile on his face.
“Avatar Aang, “Zuko nodded his head before looking back up, Aang doing the same, “I’m glad you agree. My ship is open to anyone willing to help.”
Aang nodded his head, “Yes, I understand that, but I do have to ask, can my flying bison come as well?”
The prince stared at him, “Your what?”
“My flying Bison!” Aang smiled, “I can use my whistle to call him.” He reached into the pocket of his pants and pulled out a white blob that looked furry somehow.
“And how big would this flying Bison be?” Zuko asked hesitantly.
“He’s around 8 feet tall and almost a thousand pounds. But he can fly all around like it’s nothing!” Aang smiled again, earning a slow nod my Zuko.
“Well if he could follow us that would be perfect. I don’t think he’d fit on my ship, weight wise I mean, “Zuko smiled softly trying not to offend the kid.
He stared at him before nodding slowly, “Yes. I understand.”
{~~~}___{~~~}
Aang had found Appa and was petting him as he got ready to get on the ship. Sokka and Katara had decided to wish him well. They had been standing behind him when ‘the monster’ had seen them, he let out a heavy bellow as they got closer. Aang turned and saw them and lit up, “Thank you. I mean, thank you for saying goodbye. I know we only knew each other for a few hours but you’re amazing people. And I want to end this war.”
Katara smiled at him, “You’re right, but I also want to end this war. I want to come along, I’m a water bender, I can help teach you water bending. I will admit I am not a master yet, but I do know the basics, and isn’t just the more complicated stuff just the basics a bit more difficult?”
Aang smiled and nodded his head, “That would be awesome! I’d love to have you come along- I mean if you have permission from your parents?”
Katara laughed, “I have permission.”
“Well that’s great!” Aang smiled before looking at Sokka and nodding his head, “Are you coming too?”
“I wish, but I don’t have permission, “He glanced at Katara before sighing and looking at Aang, “Save the world. Keep my little sister safe. Okay?”
Aang nodded his head with a smile, “Of course Sokka!”
He walked on the ship, and Katara followed.
Sokka left.
He watched from afar as they all acquainted each other. He felt a bit of anger bubbling in his chest. He wanted to save the world.
But with mom and dad sheltering him like a last sprout in a snowstorm he couldn’t.
“Sokka, my grandson, are you not going with Katara?” Grand Gran asked from behind him, making him turn to her quickly.
“What? I- no. Why would I?” Sokka rambled before relaxing and frowning. He wanted to. But he wouldn’t be able to. Did Gran Gran think mom and dad gave him permission?
“Because I say you should, “She smiled, making Sokka’s brain stop.
“What? But- but what about my blessing from Tui? I thought we had to protect me because of it? ” He asked her as he fiddled with his thumbs. He couldn’t even do that because she handed him two bags fully packed.
“I believe in you, my grandson. I think you’ll be able to protect yourself. I believe in you. You’re smart and such a good person, I am sorry for what I said today, but I think you should go, “She smiled at him. Sokka felt his eyes get a bit wet at the brim. But instead of acknowledging the tears he hugged his Gran Gran in a tight hug and laughed.
“Thank you Gran Gran! I promise I’ll help end this war!”
“I know you will, my warrior, “She smiled at him as he ran and yelled at Katara. When Katara saw him come running towards her with two bags she was confused, that was until she heard him say he was allowed to come. Then she smiled and hugged him tight.
“Oh, Sokka, that's awesome!” She laughed, holding him and letting go before Zuko walked back onto the top of the ship.
“Are you coming too Prince?” He asked hesitantly. He was avoiding looking Sokka in the eye and he couldn’t help but smile.
“Yes, I am. But please, just call me Sokka, “Sokka smiled at the prince.
“Well in that case, call me Zuko, “Zuko smiled at him offering him his hand. Sokka shook it without hesitation.