The Avatar and the Fire Prince

Book 2: Water, Chapter 3: Penguin Sledding

(Originally posted July 11, 2023 on AO3)

"You're going to try and go to other villages to ask them to help us? And dad actually said I could go with you?" Katara asked incredulously.

"Yep!" Aang confirmed with a grin. "I specifically asked for you to come. I know how much you wanted to get out of the village, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity."

Katara beamed and pulled the airbender into a hug. "Thank you so much, Aang!"

Zuko frowned slightly when he noticed the flush that appeared on Aang's face as he pulled away from the hug, and his eyes moved back and forth between his friend and the Water Tribe girl for a moment. Why did that small interaction bother him so much?

Aang chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, it wasn't just me. Lee also vouched for you, and so did Sokka."

Katara smiled brightly at Zuko. "Thanks, Lee. I appreciate it." She then turned to her brother and squeezed him into an extra-tight hug. "And Sokka... I always knew you had a heart."

Sokka rolled his eyes, but was unable to hide his own smile. "Yeah, yeah. Like Aang said, I know how much you want to get out of the village. You're welcome, baby sister," he said, patting her lightly on the head. Katara immediately released her brother from the hug and gave him a couple of light slaps on the arm.

Zuko felt strange watching the two siblings tease one another like this. Azula used to tease him all the time, but she was never this... good-natured about it.

"Wait, but what about the Southern Raiders?" Katara asked, brow suddenly knotting with anxiety. "What if they come while we're gone?"

"Oh yeah!" Sokka said. "Aang had another... magical vision or whatever last night. Apparently we have three months until they attack."

Katara slumped her shoulders in relief, releasing the breath she had been holding. "Thank the Spirits. I just hope that will be enough time..."

"It's plenty of time, Katara. We'll unite the Southern Water Tribe, build our army. The Raiders won't even know what hit them!"

"You shouldn't become complacent," Zuko said with a frown. "Anything could happen between now and then. And we're going to need to take this mission seriously if we want the Tribe to stand any chance against the Raiders. From what your dad said, it sounds like this isn't going to be an easy task."

"Come on, Lee," Sokka said, throwing his arm around Zuko's shoulders, causing the Fire Prince to stiffen. "Lighten up a bit! We've got the Avatar on our side!"

Zuko gingerly removed Sokka's hand from his shoulders and stepped to the side. "Earlier today, you said you were 'a practical guy' who's 'skeptical about this magic stuff', and suddenly now you're putting all of your stock in Aang?" he said with a deepening frown. "He's not just some... superpowered weapon you can use for a guaranteed win against your enemies! He hasn't even learned waterbending yet! He came here because he wants to help, not because it's his duty as the Avatar."

The siblings both looked taken aback for a moment, then exchanged somewhat guilty-looking glances.

"I'm sorry, Aang," Katara said. "I hope we haven't given off the impression that we're relying on you to fight our battles for us."

"Or that the fact that you're an ancient super-powered magical being is the only reason we care about having you around," Sokka added.

"It's okay, guys," Aang replied kindly. "What Lee said may have sounded a bit harsh... but he's right. I may be the Avatar, and someday I'll master all four elements, but I'm still just one person. Right now, it seems like what the people of the Southern Water Tribe need most is to unite and stand together against the Southern Raiders."