Fire and Aether

Chapter 13: The Waterbending Master

Picture for reference (Catie)^^
    "So you lied?" Rose asked the next morning as she and the rest of the team headed out once more. "Why?" She narrowed her eyes in suspicion and anger.
    Catie lowered her gaze. "Because I left my people to be with Will. And I was told if I left, to never come back."
    "So you left your home, your family, and your people for what??" Rose asked, angrily. "I can't go home because of my destiny and you just left?!"
    "I love your brother!" Catie shouted back from her spot at Crystal's tail. "I left to be with him! Wouldn't you do anything for love?"
    Rose stopped at her words, thinking about her interactions with a certain someone and the seer's words. If there was a chance he was meant to be with her, she'd do whatever she had to because a soul bond was what every aetherbender craved.
    Catie giggled. "Of course you would...because there's someone you love. Who is it?"
    The rest of Team Avatar looked up from Appa's back in unison, all curious, wandering gazes fixed on the princess. 
    Rose shook her head. "There's no one. I was just thinking that if I did have someone that I too would fight for him...or her." She quickly added.
    Catie sent Rose a look that meant she knew her sister by marriage was lying and they'd talk about it later, away from prying ears and gazes.
    Sokka sighed. "If you ladies are quite done, Aang, could you tell Appa to fly a little higher?"
    "I have an idea. Why don't we all climb on your back and you can fly us to the North Pole?" Aang responded in annoyance.
    "Happy to." Sokka responded with the same annoyance, bending over and wiggling his butt in the air. "Climb on. Sokka is ready for takeoff." Momo jumped on him as he finished.
    "Look, we're all just a little tired and cranky from flying and getting this new information hasn't helped."
    Right at that moment, they were attacked as ice grabbed Appa's legs, forcing him to land. Crystal dove to help, dodging the ice and using her fire when needed. As Crystal veered sharply to the right to avoid more ice, Catie lost her grip on the dragon. Rose grabbed her sister's hand, trying to pull her up, but another blast of ice had her falling. Luckily, she landed on Appa's back.
    Men in boats appeared from behind the ice glaciers, heading straight for the group. "Look!" Katara said. "They're waterbenders. We found the Water Tribe!"
                    * * * * *
    "She's heading north." Zhao explained to the room. "To the Northern Water Tribe. She's looking for a waterbending teacher."
    "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go get her!"
    "Patience, Captain Lee. This isn't some little earth village we can march into. The Water Tribe is a great nation. There's a reason they've survived 100 years of war. The frozen tundra is treacherous and the landscape itself is an icy fortress. We'll need a massive invasion force."
                     * * * * *
    "Who dares intrude on the Northern Water Tribe?"
    Rose landed Crystal with a splash. "It's me. But my friends and I do not mean any harm." She explained as she made her way to their boats. 
    As she drew closer, the waterbenders noticed her red hair and tattoos and they bowed in respect with cries of, "It's the Avatar!" The leader then spoke. "Avatar Rose, what brings you to us?"
     "I came to learn waterbending." Rose responded, kindly. "And my friends are here to accompany me on my journey." She moved to stand on Appa's back, beside her friends, and introduced them. "This is Aang, my Guardian. This is Katara, my good friend, and her brother, Sokka. And this is--" 
     She was interrupted as she went to introduce Catie. "We know of the traitorous princess!" the leader growled in anger. "And she is not welcome here, by the order of the royal family."
     Rose turned a dark gaze to the group. "She is my sister by marriage and she will be treated the same as either I or my other friends." 
     "Very well. But the king will not be pleased."
                         * * * * *
     Moments later, the group entered the Northern Water Tribe. As the group made remarks on how amazing waterbending was and how finding a master wouldn't be difficult, Catie thanked Rose for standing up for her.
     It didn't take long for them to reach the palace. The leader of the group of waterbenders who brought them there lead them to the throne room where a solitary man stood before a throne made of shave ice and decorated with icicles. They bowed in respect. 
    "No. It is not you but me who should bow, Avatar Rose."
    "With all due respect, your highness, I am but a princess. You are a king."
    The king smiled. "Then let us forgo the formalities and allow me to welcome you and your friends to the Northern Water Tribe." He spread his arms out wide. Then his eyes moved to Catie and his gaze darkened. "You! I told you never to return."
    Catie glared in anger at the king. "Well hello to you too, father."
    "You are no longer welcome here. You are a traitor to your people and to me."
    "Oh so just because I'm not the perfect daughter and because I married for love, you decided to disown me?"
    "You are no daughter of mine, Caitlyn." the king angrily retorted. "You chose someone else over your own family."
    "I FELL IN LOVE!" Catie shrieked. "I LOVE WILL! BUT I LOVE THIS PLACE! THIS IS MY HOME! YOU AND MOTHER AND YUE ARE STILL MY FAMILY! BUT MY PLACE IS IN THE AETHER REALM WITH MY HUSBAND AND MY SECOND FAMILY!"
    At this, she wrapped an arm around Rose. The king looked shocked at the revelation. "Avatar? The Avatar is related to...?"
    "Will is my brother." Rose said. "And, from the moment Catie showed up in his life, she has always been my family." She sighed. "With all due respect, your majesty, but how can you turn away what family you have? Because of her, you can boast of your relation to me. Does that not make this all worth it?"
    The king thought for a moment. Then a wide grin spread across his face. "I suppose that does make up for the years without my oldest daughter." He nodded. "Perhaps..." He turned his gaze towards his oldest daughter. "All can be forgiven and we can start again."
    Later that night, the kingdom gathered for the king's announcement. Drums beat as Team Avatar sat at the high table, being served food. Crystal, now in her shrunken form, flew over the table, stealing food. Appa was served a huge portion of food, roaring at the waiters to leave him alone.
    The king stood up, proudly, before his people. "Tonight, we have much to celebrate. Firstly, we celebrate the return of my eldest daughter, Princess Caitlyn."
    Catie stood at his side, now dressed in a fancy light blue dress that flowed to the ground, a darker fur lined coat over it that mirrored the flow of the dress, a small tiara adorned her head studded with crystals. "Thank you, father."
    The king smiled as he continued, "Next, we celebrate the arrival of our brother and sister from the southern tribe." He gestured to Katara and Sokka. "And they and my daughter have brought with them someone very special, someone who many of us believed disappeared from the world until now...the Avatar." He now gestured to Rose then Aang. "And her Guardian." Everyone cheered. "Even better news, I have learned that the Avatar is related to us by marriage, the sister of my son-in-law." More cheers.
     "Interesting to know how happy that news made him." Catie whispered, sitting on Rose's other side, two down from Aang.
     "Well, it helped you in the long run." Rose whispered back. "Let's just take the win."
     "We also celebrate my youngest daughter's 16th birthday." the king spoke, getting their attention once more. A woman with long white hair pulled into a fancy style, wearing an equally fancy dress similar to Catie's walked up, two maids following. "Princess Yue is now of marrying age."
     Sokka's attention was drawn to her and he practically had heart eyes as he stared.
     "Thank you, father." Yue spoke. "May the moon and ocean spirits watch over us during these troubled times." With that, her attention was drawn to Catie and she rushed over to hug her tight. 
     "And now, Master Pakku and his students will perform!" 
     As the group watched, Yue hugged Catie, sitting down to catch up. "Hi there." Sokka said as Yue sat between him and Catie. "Sokka, Southern Water Tribe, friend of Rose and Catie."
    Yue inclined her head in respect. "Nice to meet you."
    They shared a moment of uncomfortable silence. "So...you're a princess, huh?? Y'know I'm kind of a prince myself."
    Katara laughed. "The prince of what?"
    "A lot of things! Do you mind? We're trying to have a conversation here."
    "My apologies, Prince Sokka." Katara mocked with a fake bow.
    Rose spoke up. "I mean...your father is the chief which, in a way, makes Sokka a prince and you, Katara, a princess. A lower tier one to be sure, but royalty of a sort nonetheless." 
    Both siblings looked surprised at her words. Sokka finally started speaking again. "So it looks like I'm gonna be in town for awhile. I'm thinking maybe we could...do an activity together?"
    "Do an activity?" Yue asked, giggling. 
    Sokka, embarrassed, stuffed some clams in his mouth.
    "Very smooth." Katara said.
    Catie and Yue returned to their earlier conversation and everyone continued eating. At some point during the feast, the king walked over to their table and leaned down to speak with Rose. She nodded and got up, following him.
    "Master Pakku, I'd like you to meet your new student, the Avatar."
    Rose bowed in a gesture of respect yet Master Pakku glared down at the girl as if she was beneath him. "Just because you're destined to save the world, don't expect any special treatment. And I will not give you any for being a woman either."
     "My friend and I can't wait to start training with you, Master. Thank you." 
    "I'll meet you both at sunrise. Good night." 
    With that, he turned and left.
                       * * * * *
    Iroh and the crew had been having their music night when Zhao showed up. Zuko rested in his chambers, his mind on the kiss he shared with the Avatar. What was he thinking when he did that? Why was she controlling him like that? What was the goal?
    That's when Iroh chose to walk in. "For the last time, I'm not playing the sungi horn!"
    "No, it's about our plans. There is a bit of a problem."
    Zhao walked in. "I'm taking your crew."
    Zuko jumped up in anger. "What?"
    "I've recruited them for a little expedition to the North Pole."
    "Uncle, is that true?" 
    "He's taking everyone," Iroh began crying, "even the cook."
    "I'm sorry you won't be there to watch me capture the Avatar but I can't have you getting in my way again."
    Zuko growled as he lunged at Zhao. Yes he may not know why the Avatar was making him feel the way he did but the point was he was feeling that way. And even if he didn't the Avatar was his anyway! It was his destiny to capture her! Not Zhao!
    Iroh blocked Zuko's path, shouting a warning. Zhao shrugged and walked to the other side of the room, admiring a pair of swords on the wall. He stopped, thinking of when the Blue Spirit rescued the Avatar. He used a pair of swords just like it. 
    Taking one off the wall, he tested it. "I didn't know you were skilled with broadswords, Prince Zuko."
     "I'm not. They're antiques. Just decorative." 
     "Have you heard of the Blue Spirit, General Iroh?"
     "Just rumors. I don't think he is real."
     "He's real, alright. He's a criminal." Zhao responded shortly. "An enemy of the Fire Nation. But I have a feeling justice will catch up with him soon." He handed the sword to Iroh, adding, "General Iroh, the offer to join my mission still stands if you change your mind."
    With that, he shut the door.
                      * * * * *
    The next morning, Rose and Katara were up early, heading to their lesson. Rose pulled her fur lined cape tighter against her body for warmth, tugging the hood over her head.
   "I've been waiting for this moment my whole life!" Katara excitedly exclaimed. "I finally get to learn from a real waterbending master!" 
   They arrived to the meeting spot where Master Pakku was already waterbending. "Good morning, Master Pakku!" He lost his concentration and muttered about children breaking his concentration. "Sorry." Rose apologized. "This is my friend, Katara. The one I told you about."
    Master Pakku's gaze turned to the girl and he huffed. "I'm sorry. I think there's been a misunderstanding. You didn't tell me your friend was a girl. In our tribe it is forbidden for women to learn waterbending."
    "That doesn't make sense!" Rose argued. "You agreed to train me and I'm a woman."
    "That's different. You are the Avatar, our only path to salvation. I have no choice but to train you. Your friend is not the Avatar. Therefore, I have no such obligation."
    "What do you mean you won't teach me?!" Katara shouted. "I didn't travel across the entire world so you could tell me no!"
    "No."
    "But there must be other female waterbenders in your tribe."
    "Here the women learn from Yagoda to use their waterbending to heal. I'm sure she would be happy to take you as her student--despite your bad attitude."
    "I don't wanna heal. I want to fight."
    "I can see that. But our tribe has customs, rules."
    "Well your rules stink!"
    "What about Catie? Didn't you teach her?" Rose asked.
    "Princess Caitlyn? No, I did not. She probably learned elsewhere." He shrugged. Katara stomped off then, muttering about finding Catie and the one who taught her. "Well, shall we get started then?"
                * * * * *
    "I'm very impressed." Zhao said to the group of pirates that once tried to capture the Avatar. "You all seem highly qualified for the mission I have in mind."
   Zhao pushed a chest of gold towards them and they surveyed it carefully. "What do you want us to do?" the captain asked.
    "I believe you're acquainted with Prince Zuko." Zhao answered with an evil smirk.
                       * * * * *
    Zuko laid on his bed, sulking, when Iroh walked in. "The crew wanted me to wish you safe travels."
    "Good riddance to those traitors!"
    "It's a lovely night for a walk. Why don't you join me? It would clear your head." He turned away. "Or just sit in the dark. Whatever makes you happy."
    With that, he left, closing the door behind him.
    Moments later, the pirates snuck onboard the ship and opened the door with a loud squeak. "Uncle, is that you?" Zuko asked, suspicious. 
    When no answer was offered, he ran out into the hallway, ready to firebend. Nothing. He continued down the hallway.
    The pirates laid out their trap, lit the fuse, and ran back off the ship.
    Zuko continued through the halls and to the main room of the ship, unaware, until he saw the parrot. His eyes widened in surprise.
    Then the ship blew up.
    Iroh saw the explosion from a distance and rushed back to the ship to find it up in flames. He knelt and cried.
                         * * * * *
     Later that night, Team Avatar laid in their sleeping bags, complaining about the days' events. Sokka was frustrated because he couldn't understand why Yue liked him one minute then ran off the next like he had the plague or something. Catie couldn't help Katara, explaining that she was self taught and had already taught Katara everything she knew while they were in the Aether Realm. Yet, she wasn't learning anything in her class.
     "Why don't you just teach her, Rose?" 
     Rose wasn't paying attention, thinking of what Catie had said last night when they'd talked.
     "The Fire Nation prince? Are you out of your mind?"
     "I can't help how I feel or what the seer told me." Rose said, then quickly explaining the story of the seer. "She was right about you lying, about my fight with the Fire Lord, and about Jeong Jeong."
     "She also said the Aether Realm will fall. That's not even a possibility." Catie reminded her. "Besides, she was very vague. A powerful bender? That could be anyone."
     "But someone I'm trying to save? Who else would I need to save? And how many people do I know that are still alive?"
     "All I'm saying is be careful. The Fire Nation is ruthless. And the prince is not a good person."
     "Why didn't I think of that?" Katara said, breaking Rose from the flashback. "At night, you can teach me whatever moves you learn from Master Pakku. That way, you have someone to practice with--"
     "And you get to learn?" Rose finished for her. "Katara, you're brilliant!"
     The two girls snuck out into the night to practice, only to get caught by Master Pakku. "You have disrespected me, my teachings, and my entire culture."
     "I'm sorry. "
     "You are no longer welcome as my student." Master Pakku said as he swept off into the night.
                           * * * * *
     The next day, Team Avatar sought an audience with the king and his council. "What do you want me to do?" the king asked. "Force Master Pakku to take Rose back as her teacher?"
      "I'm the Avatar!" Rose protested. "If I can't learn waterbending, how am I to save my people, your people, our people, from certain destruction at the hands of the Fire Nation?"
     "Well spoken, Avatar." The king was quiet a moment. "I suspect he might change his mind if you swallow your pride and apologize to him."
     "No!" Katara shouted. "No way will I apologize to a sour old man like you! I'll be outside if you're man enough to fight me!"
     The council gasped in surprise and shock at her words as she stomped outside.
                         * * * * *
     "Well of course I'm devastated to hear the sad news about Prince Zuko." Zhao told Iroh over tea.
     "The Fire Lord will not be pleased when he learns who was responsible." Iroh said solemnly. 
     "You know who was behind the attack?"
     "Yes. Pirates." Iroh exclaimed. "We had a run in with them awhile back. They wanted revenge."
    Zhao smirked behind his cup. "So have you reconsidered my offer?"
    "Yes I accept." Iroh said, inclining his head in a gesture of respect. "It will be an honor to serve as your general." He raised his cup in a toast. "To the Fire Nation!"
    "To victory."
                           * * * * *
    Katara argued with Rose and Sokka, explaining her need to teach the master a lesson. When he wouldn't respond to her taunts, Katara used the water whip on him and the fight began. Pakku made water rise from the pots next to him and swirl in the air, surrounding him and Katara, leaving no room for help. 
     Katara made the water move away from them, accidentally hitting Sokka. Pakku made water rise from the ground and create a sort of slide that Katara slid up, landing on the palace stairs. He then turned it into a wave that attacked Katara. She dug her feet into the ice and made the water go around her.
     She then ran towards Pakku, fighting him. He waterbended her into a fountain, smirking in self satisfaction. She came back up, creating a large block of ice from the water, slicing it into pieces and throwing them at Pakku who dodged them but almost got beheaded from one. Then Katara sent a wave at Pakku but he sent it back, knocking her down. 
    Katara shot up, sending the pillars of snow falling onto Pakku but he stopped them. He expressed how impressed he was but still refused to teach her. She sent a rolling ice wave towards him but he, again, evaded it by turning it into a slide that he slid around her with, knocking off her Gran Gran's necklace. 
    Finally, he finished off by creating daggers out of ice that turned into a prison to hold her. "This fight is over." He announced, despite Katara shouting at him to keep fighting her. As he walked away, he noticed her necklace on the ground and he gasped in surprise as he picked it up. "This is my necklace."
    "No it's not It's mine!" Katara shouted from her icicle prison. "Give it back!"
    "I made this 60 years ago for the love of my life--for Kanna." 
    He released Katara from her prison and she turned to him in surprise. "My Gran Gran was supposed to marry you?"
                      * * * * *
    Iroh snuck away, standing back to back with someone in a Fire Nation soldier's uniform. "Our plan is working perfectly. Zhao doesn't suspect a thing."
    Zuko removed the mask on his helmet, responding, "You didn't have to do this."
    "No nephew of mine is going to stow away on a ship without some backup."
    "Thank you, uncle."
    A door opened from down the hall and Zuko replaced his mask. "Someone's coming! Stay hidden until we get to the North Pole and the Avatar will be yours. Good luck."
    With that, they went their separate ways. 
                        * * * * *
    "I carved this necklace for your grandmother when we got engaged." Pakku explained. "I thought we would have a long, happy life together. I loved her."
    "But she didn't love you, did she?" Katara asked. "It was an arranged marriage. Gran Gran wouldn't let your tribes stupid customs run her life. That's why she left."
    "That's why I left too." Catie spoke up. "I love Will but my father never understood. I refused to be just another trophy wife for some spoiled prince or nobleman."
    "That must have taken a lot of courage."
    Yue began to sob uncontrollably and ran away, Sokka following. She kissed him, sadly explaining that she too was engaged. 
                         * * * * *
    After talking some more, Pakku agreed to teach both Rose and Katara. 
    Meanwhile, Zhao set sail with his many ships for the Northern Water Tribe. 
    Things were about to get so much more complicated...