Avatar: Lingering Tensions

Chapter 17: Far From the Shoreline

Ozai's flagship, the Bustling Rhino, takes off deep into the ocean. Several Remnant troopers walk on patrol at the dock. Ronin stands between many soldiers on guard duty. Further down in the ship Katara walks in chains that confine her arms and legs with two Remnant soldiers escorting her. Alev stands behind them as the head administration of the ship, Bulat guides the troops escorting her.

Bulat waves his hand, "This way." The troopers walk toward a cell in the lower middle of the ship. The bars are opened and one of the troops pushes Katara into the cell. She is promptly locked in.

Katara howls, "You are going to regret this! You have no idea what you have bought on yourselves. The whole might of the Water Tribes, the greatest earthbender in the world, the best brother in the world, and the Avatar himself will soon be at your doorstep demanding my death wish."

Bulat waves his hands and dismisses the troopers, "My dear, we don't fear the consequences, if we did we would have never joined the Remnant. And even if that wasn't enough, we certainly wouldn't have rejoined Ozai. This whole new season of war we have been underdogs but we are fighting for a cause greater than our wellbeing."

Katara replies, "And what sort of cause is that? A cause of oppression? A cause of injustice? You deserve everything that's coming to you."

Bulat's eyes widen and he lifts his arms, "No, we pursue a cause of GLORY. The glory that brought our nation to power. The glory that nearly caused every nation to kneel before our authority. The glory that we'd gladly die for to be remembered as valiant legends."

Katara: "LEGENDS? More like mindless brutes. You won't be praised, people will be glad that you fell."

Alev responds, "Then we best fall in style and by making an impact."

Katara: "Oh Alev, you are as deluded as the stories led me on to believe."

Alev: "Call it whatever you want, but I have already made history. I captured Katara, the Avatar's closest companion and water tribe instructor."

Katara: "By hitting me behind my back!"

Alev smiles, "You were outmaneuvered and overwhelmed. And it was like we were playing on easy mode. You may be a talented bender but it's obvious you are not as experienced in the trenches of war as some of the renowned players that fought on the frontlines. You have taken on a whole new sort of challenge that your team is not accustomed to."

Interestingly enough, Alev is correct. The Avatar team rarely fought in large battles and when they did they always struggled greatly. Examples of this include the Siege of the North and their attempt to takedown Ozai during an Eclipse where they were completely outwitted and maneuvered by the Firelord and Princess Azula. While Azula herself had fought less in war, she was greatly trained in it and the best strategic mind in her nation.

Azula consistently proved a challenge for the team, but still she was a different kind of test. Azula didn't engage in direct military tactics in most cases and she often used espionage, private hunting, infiltration, and reconnaissance during her missions. When Macai challenged Aang, he attacked him while he was at his weakest and not prepared for any conflict.

The 31st master tactician nearly succeeded before Toph foiled his plans. Now that Ozai has decided to not underestimate Aang, he won't hold any punches back. Just because he didn't fight in as many epic battles as his older brother Iroh, doesn't mean he isn't more than capable of strategically testing the young teen. Moreover, Ozai now has a team of talented Remnant warriors that can fight as underdogs and conventionally.

Still Katara doesn't know who is truly behind her capture. In the middle of the ship, within a wide luxurious room Ozai sits on a fuzzy black couch and slowly sips hot cinnamon tea. The floor under him is light brown and the ceiling is magna red. A light grey marble bar is in the back of the room with two black bar stools.