Avatar Katara

The Blue Spirit

A messenger hawk cried out as it soared over the Pohuei Stronghold, the base of operations for the legendary Yuyan Archers. While Nezu and Saru had rebelled, the group as a whole had remained loyal to the Fire Nation.

Commander Zhao had no doubt of this as he watched a line of archers hit bullseyes dead in the center from their perches on one of the fortress's parapets. They reloaded and shot again, slicing their first arrows in half.

"Absolutely not," Colonel Shinu told Zhao. "The Yuyan Archers remain here."

"Colonel Shinu, please reconsider," Zhao said. "Their precision is legendary. The Yuyan can pin a fly to a tree from a hundred yards away without killing it. We all saw how dangerous two rogue archers were. You're wasting their talents, using them as security guards."

"I can do whatever I want with their talents. They're my archers, and what I say goes."

"But my search for the Avatar is-"

"Nothing but a vanity project! We're fighting a real war here, and I need every man I can get, commander."

"But-"

"That's final," Colonel Shinu barked. "I don't want to hear another word about it!"

The messenger hawk swooped down and landed on Colonel Shinu's arm. The colonel untied the letter from its back and read it, horror growing on his face with each word.

Zhao took the letter from him and smirked. "News from Fire Lord Ozai? It appears I've been promoted to admiral. My request is now an order."

Colonel Shinu bowed to Zhao and exited as the archers fired another round of arrows. A figure in a blue mask hid in the shadows above, unseen by anyone other than a passing spiderfly.

---

"This should bring your fever down," Katara said as she placed a piece of wet cotton over Sokka's forehead.

"You know what I love about Sang the most?" Sokka asked deliriously. "His sense of humor!" Sang roared. "Haha. Classic Sang."

"How's Sokka doing?" Rina asked as she knelt next to him.

"Not good," Katara admitted. "Being out in that storm really did a number on him."

"I couldn't find any ginger for the tea, but I did find a map." Rina pulled out a map of the surrounding area. "There's an herbalist institute on the top of the mountain. We could probably find a cure for Sokka there."

"He's in no condition to travel," Katara said. "Sokka just needs more rest. I'm sure he'll be better tomorrow."

"May-" Rina was cut off by a round of violent coughs.

"Not you too," Katara groaned.

"Relax. It's just a little cough." Rina cut herself off with more coughing.

"That's how Sokka started yesterday. Now look at him. He thinks he's an earthbender!"

Sokka punched the air. "Take that, you rock!"

Katara sighed. "A few more hours, and you'll be talking nonsense too. I'm going to find some medicine. Keep an eye on them, Sang."

Sang grunted, causing Sokka to burst into laughter. "You guys are killing me!"

---

"We haven't been able to pick up the Avatar's trail since the storm, sir," Lieutenant Jee told Zuko as they examined a map. "But if we continue heading northeast-"

A shadow loomed over their ship as a much larger vessel passed by them. "What do they want?" Zuko asked. His voice wasn't nearly as harsh as it had been before the storm. He'd been taught that fear was the only reliable method to control people, but after he'd apologized to the crew, he considered the thought that perhaps having them like him would keep them loyal.