Avatar: The End of the Hundred Year War - An ATLA Fanfic

I: Runaway Princess

Ryoka supposed that the news hadn't quite made it to this Earth Kingdom province yet. The last Fire Nation town she'd set foot in was bustling with fidgety Fire Nation soldiers. Ryoka had to be extra careful there, but she had no intentions of lowering her guard in the new, calmer surroundings.

Ryoka had a mission; find a certain skiff and make a proposition. In order to do this, she'd have to continue hiding her identity from anyone she crossed. Especially anyone from the Fire Nation.

She pulled her hood farther down her face. The Fire Nation native tried to stay alert, but couldn't help but feel a little drowsy. She'd spent the previous nights on a rickety boat traveling from the east coast of the Fire Nation to the west coast of the Earth Kingdom. Even though she was used to sleeping through the usual rocking that comes with sea voyages, it had been nearly four years since she last slept on a boat.

Ryoka hoped to arrive at the next coastal town over, Gwawon, by the evening. She overheard some soldiers mentioning it back home. The disgraced crown prince of the Fire Nation's ship always restocked at Gwawon port on the last day of winter.

Gwawon was a smaller town than the port that Ryoka was passing through. She was eager to get there as soon as possible and escape all of the people, but, first things first, she needed to eat something.

To the trained eye, Ryoka must have looked quite jumpy. She did her best to stay calm, though. Turning the corner onto an empty street, she kept an eye out for any Fire Nation soldiers.

Just as a Fire Nation patrol turned onto the street, Ryoka slipped into a bakery. Ryoka took off the hood as she closed the door. She adopted an Earth Kingdom accent before speaking to the girl inside.

"Good morning," the waitress greeted with a smile, "What would you like?"

Ryoka murmured a 'good morning' back and scanned the menu posted on the wall.

She ordered something filling for her breakfast.

The girl asked, "Would you like anything to drink?"

Ryoka looked back at the menu before answering, "Your specialty tea, please."

Ryoka made it a point to try as many local teas from the towns she visited as she could find. A habit she and her cousin picked up from her uncle, no doubt.

The waitress ushered Ryoka to a seat in the corner of the bakery and assured her that the food would be out shortly.

Once Ryoka received her breakfast, she dug in after giving thanks. Soon enough, she finished her crepes and drank her tea. Then, Ryoka waved over the waitress.

"You ready to pay?"

"Yes," Ryoka said as she pulled out some Fire Nation money. She knew that they would take it, despite being in the Earth Kingdom. With the Fire Nation occupying most of it, it wasn't unusual to deal with their money. Although there were some areas that wouldn't take Fire Nation money, so Ryoka wanted to be prepared. "Could I get Earth Kingdom coins for change?"

The waitress obliged.

Stepping out of the bakery, Ryoka took in her surroundings and kept watch for any Fire Nation soldiers. She pulled up her hood again.

The street was still deserted like earlier. She quickly vacated the area. On her way out of the village, she nearly ran into two Fire Nation soldiers. Thankfully, she was able to sneak around them, since they were immersed in a conversation.

"You're joking."

"No. I'm being completely serious. He said that the crown princess is missing. The Fire Lord is saying that it must have been an enemy. He's blaming the Northern Water Tribe."