Fire and Aether

Chapter 14: The Siege of the North (Part 1)

   The day started like any other, Katara beating all her opponents easily in a waterbending match. Pakku praised her work, once again being hard on all his other pupils. Katara had quickly become his favorite as she was a prodigy. Rose and Catie had learned waterbending but neither was as good as Katara. Sokka had been spending time with Yue, talking about his life and the travels Team Avatar had been on.
   Everything seemed normal. But that was not to be.
                        * * * * *
   Ashes.
   Black snow.
   Soot.
   Rose knew what that meant: the Fire Nation was here.
                           * * * * *
   Zhao and Iroh stood on the deck of the head of the ships.
   "This will truly be one for the history books, General Iroh." Zhao said. "Just think: centuries form now, people will study the Great Admiral Zhao, who destroyed the last of the water tribe civilization. You're lucky to see it."
   "Be careful what you wish for, Admiral. History is not always kind to its subjects."
   "I suppose you speak from experience. Worry not. This will be nothing like your legendary failure at Ba Sing Se."
   "I hope not, for your sake."
   "Tell the captains to prepare for first strike."
   Iroh left, sneaking to a secret part of the ship to meet up with Zuko. "We'll be landing soon. Do you have a plan?"
   Zuko removed his mask, whispering, "I'm working on it, uncle."
   With that, he replaced his mask and they went their separate ways.
                         * * * * *
   The rest of the Northern Water Tribe and the king had told his subjects to retreat into the inner city. For a moment, Rose and Aang stood on the roof, watching everyone run into the city. Once everyone else was inside, Aang swung down and inside himself while Rose leapt over the wall and jumped through a portal to where everyone else was, sitting before the king.
    "My people, the day we have feared for so long has arrived- the Fire Nation is on our doorstep. It is with great sadness I call my family before me, knowing well that some of these faces are about to vanish from our tribe...they will never vanish from our hearts. Now, as we approach the battle for our existence, I call upon the great spirits...Spirit of the Ocean, Spirit of the Moon, be with us! I'm going to need volunteers for a dangerous mission..."
    "Count me in!" Sokka said, standing from his spot.
Many others joined, standing apart from the rest of the city. "Be warned," the king said, "many of you will not return. Come forward to receive my mark if you accept the task."
   Those that had stood knelt before the king who painted three straight parallel lines across each of their foreheads.
   Rose had seen enough and rushed back outside the walls, needing time to herself to think. With that, she straightened her clothing, pulled her cloak tighter around her, tied her hair up into a long braid, and painted her face with her people's symbol of a warrior: three horizontal lines and a dot on her right cheek, just below her eye. This time, instead of calling upon her father's golden sword like she did during the attack of the Southern Water Tribe, she called forth a spear with a golden handle and silver blade.
    Rose moved to the top of the wall, standing at the top. Crystal was in her large form, standing beside her. Aang came and stood at her other side, sitting on Appa's back, his air staff in one hand. On his other side stood Katara, Sokka, and Catie, all in defensive positions.
All was quiet.
    Then, the first fire blast flew through the air and crashed into the side of the outer wall, cracking it and making people fall off it into the dark waters below.
                         * * * * *
    The next fireball came soon after, hitting the bridge that Sokka and Yue met on. Then another hit the wall, narrowly avoiding Rose and Crystal. Rose jumped on Crystal's back and called for her to go as Aang called yip yip to Appa to do the same. As one of the fireballs flew through the air towards them, Crystal breathed fire at the firebenders, causing damage, while Aang dodged the fireball.
    "We'll take it from here, girl." Rose told Crystal. "Get those other ships if you can."
    With that, she leapt from Crystal's back at the same time as Aang. Both landed on the ship and began to fight. As Aang blew away some firebenders with wind, Rose began fighting all around them, hitting them with her spear (or stabbing if need be) while portal jumping around her enemies.
    With Rose's fighting skill and Aang's creative trickery, they managed to destroy the first boat before taking off into the air with Crystal and Appa. But all the ships before them...it was impossible.    They'd need a miracle.
    Meanwhile, the king gathered together his loyal soldiers. "Men, you'll be infiltrating the Fire Nation navy. That means you'll all need one of these uniforms..."
    He gestured to one of his men who was already dressed and modelling one of the uniforms. Sokka laughed. "What's your problem?" the soldier asked.
    "Fire Navy uniforms don't look like that."
    "Of course they do!" the soldier argued. "These are real uniforms captured from actual Fire Navy soldiers."
    "When? Like 100 years ago?"
    "85." the king muttered.
    "The Fire Nation doesn't wear shoulder spikes anymore." Sokka explained. "The newer uniforms are more streamlined."
    The soldier scoffed. "How do we know we can trust this guy? Such bold talk for a new recruit."
    "Sokka is from our sister tribe, Hahn." the king spoke. "He is a capable warrior and I value his input." The king turned to the rest of his soldiers. "Now, our first objective is to determine the identity of their commanding officer."
    "His name is Zhao. Middle aged, big sideburns, bigger temper."
    "Sokka, I want you to tell everything you know to Hahn--he's leading this mission. Hahn, show Sokka your respect. I expect nothing less from my future son-in-law."
     With that, he walked off. Hahn, annoyed, fixed his hair, almost missing the shocked look on Sokka's face. "Princess Yue's marrying you?"
   "Yea. What of it?"
   "Nothing." Sokka said, his words full of anger and jealousy. "Congratulations."
                           * * * * *
    Zhao stood on his ship, watching the fight with a sense of great pride. Iroh slowly approached. "It's almost twilight, Admiral. As your military consultant, I must advise you to halt your attack. The waterbenders draw their power from the moon and it is nearly full tonight. You should wait and resume the attack at daybreak."
   "Oh I'm well aware of the moon problem and I'm working on a solution. But, for now, daybreak it is."
                       * * * * *
     "They've stopped firing." Katara observed, directing it towards Catie and Yue who stood by her side.
    At that moment, Rose and Aang returned. Aang jumped off Appa's back, bemoaning their predicament while Rose slumped in Crystal's saddle.
    "I'm sorry but there's just too many for me and Aang to handle."
    "But you have to!" Yue pleaded. "You're the Avatar!"
    Catie placed a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Rose can't do this on her own. Yes, sister, she may be the Avatar, but she is just one person."
    "We're doomed." Aang bemoaned as the group huddled together, feeling like the battle was already lost before it started.
                      * * * * *
    Zuko was preparing a boat when Iroh entered.
    "If you are fishing for an octopus, my nephew, you need a tightly woven net or he will squeeze through the tiniest hole and escape."
    "I don't need your wisdom right now, uncle."
    "I'm sorry." Iroh said, moving closer. "I just nag you because...well, ever since I lost my son..." Tears filled his eyes and he trailed off, choking up.
    This time, when Zuko spoke, his voice was gentle. "Uncle, you don't have to say it."
    Ignoring Zuko's words, Iroh finished, "I think of you as my own."
    Zuko turned, his eyes full of emotion. "I know, uncle." He gestured in respect. "We'll meet again." Iroh ran forward and hugged his nephew but Zuko pulled away. "After I have the Avatar."
    With that, he climbed into his boat.
   "Remember your breath of fire." Iroh reminded. "It could save your life out there."
   "I will." Zuko promised, lowered himself into the water.
   "And keep your hood up. Keep your ears warm."
    "I'll be fine!"
    "And be gentle with her. The way to a woman's heart is--"
    "I'm not--" Zuko sighed. "I've got this."
    And, just like that, he dropped out of sight.
                          * * * * *
    The men busily sharpened their axes, gossiping as they did so.
"Let me tell you, Sokka, I've courted a lot of girls," Hahn said, "but Yue is the finest...and she comes with the most perks."
    "Perks?!" Sokka shouted in rage. "What does that mean?"
    "I mean--Yue's nice and everything but the points I'll gain with the chief aren't bad either." He cut himself off from his speech when he noticed Rose walk in, her cloak undone, revealing her usual outfit. "May the spirits have mercy!" Rose sat at one of the seats, pulling out a silver and gold spear and a gold sword, sharpening each. "Well isn't she a sight?"
    "Who? Rose?" Sokka asked, bitterly. "She's my friend and the Avatar."
    "That's the Avatar?" Hahn whistled. "Oh I could get onboard with that."
    "What? And forget about Princess Yue?"
    "I never said that." Hahn argued, smirking. "See, the thing you have to understand about women is that they need to be broken so they know their place. Yue...ah well she understands that. She'll make a great wife. But your friend, the Avatar...well...there's other uses for a woman that strong. Trust me, she'll be fun to break."
    At those words, Sokka lost his temper and attacked Hahn, shouting at him how he was scum and didn't deserve either Yue or Rose. Noticing this, Rose stood from her spot and ran over, trying to pry the two apart.
     "Sokka, what are you doing?"
     "This jerk had the nerve to bad mouth you and Yue, talking about breaking women like he's some sort of deity--!"
     Rose was appalled at the words and pulled Hahn to his feet before punching him in the face. "Women aren't for your pleasure, you dirty bastard!" She shouted, knocking him onto his back. "Just try to break me or anyone! You won't live long enough to say "I do"."
     She turned around and Hahn stood, trying to hit her in the back of the head but Sokka tackled him again.
    That's when the king chose to show up. "What is the meaning of this? Sokka, you're off the mission."
    He swept away right after, giving no room for argument, the rest of the group following behind, leaving Rose and Sokka alone. Rose patted Sokka on the back. "Hey, don't worry about them, Sokka. Most men can't see past their tunnel vision." A small smile spread over her face. "Thanks for being such a good friend. You're my hero." With that, she kissed him on the cheek. "Now, let's go be heroes, ok?"
                        * * * * *
     Zuko snuck past the Northern Water Tribe's defenses on his boat. Once he reached land, he stuck close to the wall, looking for a way in when he noticed a group of turtle ducks jumping through a hole in the ground. "They have to come up for air somewhere." he observed. Taking a deep breath, he followed them.
    Zuko came up for air inside a cave, coughing and sputtering out water. He walked through the cave and climbed through a hole, swimming to the top for dear life. It was covered in ice, however, and he had to melt it with his fire.
    When he pushed his way through, he found himself inside an oasis and what he was looking for was right there, waiting for him.
                          * * * * *
    As a conversation about the spirits started up between Yue, Catie, Aang and Katara, Aang was suddenly struck with an idea. "The spirits--that's it!" Aang said. At everyone's confused looks, he continued, "Maybe Rose can go into the Spirit World and contact them."
    "How is that possible?" Yue asked.
    "Rose is from the Aether Realm." Catie explained. "The aetherbenders can talk to the spirits. And she is the Avatar, the great bridge between the realms."
    "Maybe they'll give her the wisdom to win this battle."
    "Where did she go anyway?" Katara asked.
    "I'm back!" Rose said, rushing towards them, a weapon in each hand.
     "Rose, we have an idea." Aang said.
     "Do you think you could go into the Spirit Realm again?" Katara asked.
     "I can definitely try. Why?"
     "To contact the Moon and Ocean spirits." Yue explained.
     "We think," Catie continued, "that they may have the answer to beating the Fire Nation."
    "You guys are brilliant!" Rose said, hugging her friends tight.
    "The only problem is," Katara said once they broke the hug, "last time, you got there by accident. How will you do it this time?"
    "I have an idea." Yue said. "Follow me." She led them to a secret gate and opened the door. "This is the most spiritual place in all of the North Pole."
     Rose stepped through, finding herself in a sort of oasis. The grass was green and the meadow was filled with flowers, some trees sprinkled throughout. A pond housing a pair of koi fish sat at its epicenter. The group collectively removed their cloaks and explored, Aang choosing the roll around in the grass.
     Rose couldn't help but feel right at home. The oasis was beautiful and calm, reminding her of her home in the Aether Realm. She sat indian style and relaxed her mind, handing herself over to the spirits.
   As she did, her eyes and tattoos began to glow, signifying she made it. Aang, Katara, Yue, and Catie stood guard when a familiar voice called out, "Well isn't this a great time for a reunion?"
    "No." Katara whispered.
    "Yes." Zuko responded. "Now hand her over and I won't have to hurt you." He began to fight Katara and Aang while Yue and Catie tried to protect Rose. "I see you've learned a new trick." He said to Katara. "But I didn't come all this way to lose to you." He turned to Aang. "Or to you."
    Catie was surprised by his words. She could tell by his tone and the way he was fighting, Zuko wasn't fighting because of who he was, he was fighting because he cared about Rose. "No way." she whispered to herself. "She was right!"
     After Katara managed to trap Zuko in an ice bubble for a second, he spat out, "You little peasant! You've found a master, haven't you?"
     The sun had begun to rise and Zuko escaped. Unfortunately, with the sun up, Zuko was able to easily beat Katara, meaning the other two waterbenders didn't stand a chance. Aang airbended, trying to stop Zuko but he pushed him to the side, grabbing Rose in his arms.
"She's mine now."
     With that, he escaped, taking his princess with him. Meanwhile, the firebenders busted through the city, making matters worse.
     If Team Avatar didn't find Rose soon, they were doomed...