Blood Boils Without Fire

Motivational

CHAPTER 3- Motivational

Author's Note: Thank you for continuing to read this story. Chapter 3 already I am proud of my follow through. As a quick reminder, all characters have been aged up by three years. For example, Sokka is 18 and Zuko is 19. I don't own AtLA, and please drop a review. You don't know how much it means.

Fire Nation

In the hour before the ships would land, there was a scramble to finalize the defense. The tactical positions were assumed and the vulnerable were escorted to the central hall for protection. It was then decided Aang would join them as a last line of defense for the innocents. A nervous aura enveloped everyone present as only 8 fighters- including Zuko, and Azula- remained to repel at least 24 adversaries across the three ships, though likely more. A silence took hold across the village as everyone waited for the black hulls to crash against the white sands of the beach.

Fifteen minutes passed then another and another before finally the ships neared the shoreline. As they did, a man hopped out. In his lupine helmet and face paint, he was adorned identically to the other Water Tribe grunts, and yet something about the way he carried himself seemed to communicate his power. There was a confidence in his gait unmatched by any of the others. He soon assumed the lead position as the rest of the warriors filed behind him in small phalanxes. As the leader came within 30 feet of the makeshift barrier he signaled a halt and called out, "You know, it doesn't have to come to this. Turn over the Avatar and we will leave you unharmed." However, The defenders held steadfast, their stoic expressions indicating their unyielding devotion to their people The man opposite them simply grinned. Quickly, he drew his club as the ranks behind him followed suit.

Slowly the force advanced towards the barrier. They seemed almost scared to pass their leader as he initiated his game of cat and mouse.

A teenage firebender who Zuko recognized as Koji stepped forward to face the masked intruders.

Surveying the boy standing opposite him the man laughed. It was a short ironic laugh of a man who knew he was victorious without even beginning. It seemed to ask if this was the best the Fire Nation had to offer him.

Koji struck an offensive stance and the man again signaled for his company to halt. He began to approach his opponent, analyzing his stance. As he did so, Koji launched an onslaught of flame at the encroaching threat but was met by a series of fluid dodges that instead led the man even closer to the adolescent than he originally started. In one brutal strike, Koji fell to the ground. With just a glance Zuko gagged seeing the boy's caved in skull.

The man tugged his club free sending shards of bone, droplets of blood, and pieces of brain flying. He turned toward the wall with a bored expression. "You know when I came in search of the Avatar, I hoped for a challenge. A warrior able to match my prowess but, instead everywhere I search I meet weak, helpless, spineless children left behind. Your village means nothing to the Water Tribe. You will all be just one more nameless corpse in the resistance to enlightenment. Alternatively you can pledge your service. Reveal to me the identity of the Avatar, and you will be spared. You do not have to die for a hopeless cause. Instead join me. If you join me in my noble purpose not only will you survive this cleansing, but you will be assimilated into our ever expanding empire. You must not be so stupid as to not see the truth. We will crush the rebellion. You have not the supplies nor the manpower to defeat us. The Water Tribe shall bring peace and order to your savage lands all I ask in return is that you pledge your loyalty to the Joint Chieftains."

In the wake of Koji's unceremonious demise, combined with how quickly their enemy had dispatched of him and the obvious numbers disadvantage, the defenders seemed shaken. As Zuko looked over the ragtag group of recruits he saw men who had lost spouses, children, siblings, and parents to the many Water Tribe incursions weighing their options. Deciding between a life of glorified slavery and the lives of their families. In that moment he realized it was time they took a stand against the oppressive regime that had taken his mother from him. Zuko stood, facing his comrades as he began to deliver an impassioned address, "Seven years ago these bastards took my mother from me. Before that, they pillaged and killed their way through the archipelago. They have torn every family on this Agni forsaken island to pieces. Ren they killed your brother, Shin your father was killed in the siege of Ba Sing Se, Mak your wife and children were slaughtered during a raid. Every single one of us has lost a loved one to these ice makers whether it be through death or departure to fight in the war. I say no more. The days of tyranny are over. The commoners must rise up. We are honor bound to make this world a better place for our children and our children's children, and no world with a dictator in the poles terrorizing our descendants can be that. We must rise up now or risk subjugation. We may not have the Avatar, but Koji deserved avenging, my mother, Ursa, deserved avenging, every soldier and civilian killed in battle deserved avenging and now is our chance to do just that." A roar echoed from those around him as they steeled themselves.

"Very well then," the warrior said, "you have made your choice. What a pity." And with that, the Water Tribe charged

Author's Note - Thank you for reading this installment in Blood Boils Without Fire.. I have really enjoyed writing this and am looking forward to continuing. Unfortunately with school starting up for me Tuesday the 3rd I will likely have a very irregular update schedule. As always Feedback is greatly appreciated and Thank you for reading.