The Firebender

Ortie and the First Party

Sokka let out a string of incoherent noises, sputtering nonsense as he waddled back into the cave, completely drenched. There were leaves of seaweed hanging off him everywhere, and a crab was clinging to his belt, at which he squealed and threw it away. "You want us to drop you off where?!" 


Looking around, Ortise noticed that everyone had a shocked expression on their face, even Toph, who had both eyebrows raised in surprise. 


"Capital City." He stood and brushed the dirt off his butt. "I'm getting her back. She'd do the same for me." 


There was  a moment of silence as everyone exchanged glances. Toph was quietly updating Kuzon, who was nodding rapidly, and Ortie kept his eyes fearless as he watched Katara kneel in front of him, ignoring the fact that Sokka was struggling tremendously, trying to get the water out of his shoe. "Ortise," she started, "I understand it's hard, but your sister is an experienced bender, right?" 


He nodded.


"Well, I'm not sure you can help her right now. Maybe you should wait."


No. Not after he saved her like that. Not after she risked everything to help him, again. He wouldn't let her stay in there a second more than she had to, because she didn't deserve to be imprisoned with a bunch of crazy, Firebending lunatics.


"I can't wait." Ortise said, shaking his head. "I can't." 

Sokka sat down in front of him, wringing out his wet shoe as he spoke. "Ya know, a few months back, the Fire Nation captured Katara, and I was constantly  worried sick about her. But Katara was strong, like she always is, and she turned out okay!" He said optimistically. "Look kid, I know it's hard, but if you want to get her out, you have to make sure you have a plan, and backup. Because no offence, but you're not going to be able to do much as an untrained Earthbender."


Ortise groaned and laid back down, rubbing his eyes as he did. "I know." He admitted. "But I can't lose her too." 


"You won't." Kuzon suddenly appeared from behind Sokka and Katara. "I promise, Ortise. As soon as we can, we'll help you get her back."


"I'll even train you while you wait." Toph piped up from the back, shrugging her shoulders casually.


"We're just a bunch of kids. What could we  do to get Jiera out of a maximum security prison?" Ortise asked, shaking his head. 


"We'll figure it out, kid," Sokka patted his shoulder comfortingly. "Together." He paused for a moment, looking at the inexperienced Earthbender oddly. 


"What?"


"What are you guys doing  in the Fire Nation, anyway? Especially if you were exiled."


Ortise shrugged. "Jie-Jie says it's because the Avatar can't come to the Fire Nation to help, since he's so busy everywhere else. She thinks it's her job to save everyone since he can't be everywhere at once."


Kuzon suddenly looked shocked, and he turned away quickly, hiding his face from Ortie as the others exchanged looks around him. "What?" He asked, trying to catch the meaning in their glances. "Did I say something bad?" 

Kuzon suddenly turned, eyes set on Ortie with a mixture of determination and sadness. "Ortie. I'm going to get you sister out. Because I'm the--"

"Aang." Katara suddenly spoke up, her tone full of warning. 

Wait, who was Aang? This was Kuzon. 

"I need to do this, Katara. You know I do. His sister is in that prison because of me." The boy responded, eyes settling on Ortie once again. "Because I'm  the Avatar." 

Ortie didn't even bother trying to stop his jaw as it dropped open. "Y--you're the...but you..." His stuttering turned into gleeful squealing. 

"Oh, yeah, live it up Mr. Avatar." Sokka rolled his eyes at the grinning Airbender. "You wouldn't have lasted a week without us."