not from around here | Zuko X OC

| chapter fifty one |

I sat next to Sokka, peering over his shoulder at the three maps that were spread out around him. Katara handed us a cup each and I peered into it, looking at the clear water. I missed having tea all the time instead of water, water always tasted so boring now.

"Top of the morning to you Momo!" Aang said approaching from behind us. I glanced a him briefly before turning back to the maps. Me and Sokka were double checking the route for the invasion, like we had a million times

"Sounds like you slept well." Katara said to him, standing from her crouching position and putting her hands on her hips.
"Like a baby moose lion. I'm ready to face the Fire Lord." He exclaimed, assuming a fighting stance.

"So, what's your strategy for taking him down? Gonna get your glow on and hit him with a little Avatar State action?" Asked Toph, raising her hands to her eyes then punching the air.
"I can't. When Azula shot me with lightning, my seventh chakra was locked, cutting off my connection to all the cosmic energy in the universe." Aang answered.

"Well that sucks." I said, not looking up from the map.
"Yeah! You know what I just heard? Blah, blah, spiritual mumbo jumbo blah, blah, something about space." Toph agreed, rolling her clouded eyes and looking bored.

I looked up and saw a thick cloud of fog approaching the island.
I put my hand in Sokka's arm and pointed out to sea at the fog.
"Sokka, look! Will the fog delay the invasion?" I asked, turning to him looking worried.
"No...that is the invasion!" He exclaimed, standing up as a fleet of ships got emerged out of the fog.

"Come on!" Called Katara, already running down the path to the beach to meet them there.
We all stood and sprinted down the path, nearly falling over and slipping on the path.

"You made it, dad!" Yelled Katara, running on the sand and happily embracing her father.
"Were you able to locate everyone I told you to find?" Asked Sokka, a little behind Katara.
"I did. But I'm a little worried, Sokka. Some of these men aren't exactly the "warrior type"." Said their father - who Sokka had informed me was called Hakoda.

I glanced behind him at all of the different people who were getting off of the ship into the beach. I could see what Hakoda meant by "not the warrior type", but you can't judge a book by its cover. Look at me for example.

"Oooh-whee! This place ain't nothing like a swamp. What you reckon that is, Tho?"
I glanced over to see two men standing and looking at a rock. "Some sort of Fire Nation exploding trap what eat ya?"
"It's just a rock, Due." The other one answered.
"Well, I'll be." The other one said, scratching his head.

"Is it just me, or are those fellas a little loose in the leaf-hat?" Hakoda asked, glancing at them.
"I just wish they would wear pants." A man who walked past us said.
"Pants are an illusion, so is death." Said another man.

I laughed and Hakoda caught my eye.
"You must be Saki? I've heard a lot about you, Sokka said you're an amazing fighter. It's a shame you didn't join their team sooner."
"Yeah, I was travelling with Z-" I glanced at Sokka, who made eye contact with me and shook his head a little.
"With, uh, someone else..." I said, quickly trying to cover up my slip.
"Well, it's good to have you on the team." Hakoda said, offering his hand.
"Good to be on the team." I said, shaking his hand.

Me and Sokka turned away and he started to walk over to talk to someone else.
"So...you think I'm a good fighter huh?" I said, elbowing his arm and grinning.
"Yeah sure, but not as good as me." He said, pulling out his boomerang.
"Sure, no one's better than you." I said jokingly.

There was a bang and we looked up to see a cloud of smoke coming from below deck in one of the ships.
A boy in a wheelchair came off of the boat, followed by another man with glasses and a moustache.