A/N: Chapters in advance in Patreòn
Pa treon.com/HolyJoker
(20+ chapters in advance)
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Chapter 67
***
By using [Map] Sokka was able to find where Yue was and how to get there by using some hidden shortcuts.
Following the hidden tunnels and sneaking past any guards, he arrived at a place that was familiar from the original show. The Spirit Oasis, a strangely lush cave with plants, which contradicted the cold nature of the Northern Water Tribe. Yue had a sad look in her eyes as she gazed at the pond, where two fish were circling each other.
Sokka paused a little, standing at the entrance, looking at the pond for a couple of seconds, his brows frowning. Though he wasn't using his [Observe] Skill, due to the experience fighting Spirits, he knew that if he fought against the Moon or Ocean spirit, he would lose. Their power was so enormous that it felt like a worm was crawling up his spine, and a tsunami crashed on him.
Then he remembered the Ocean Spirit's power when it helped Aang, and also how the Moon Spirit could do Avatar-level waterbending. Still, those thoughts passed Sokka over within a split second, as he knew that the form these spirits inhabited right now was harmless. They wouldn't be able to harm a child. Much less him.
"Sorry about what I said at the party," Sokka started with an apology when Yue turned around to look at him with tears in her eyes. Looking at her face almost made his heart feel a little heavy at what he was doing here, but he knew that it was something he had to finish and not let it halfway done. "I said the first thing that came to mind when I saw you slip. At least this way it would make me seem more like a fool than you."
He had also done that to lower everyone's expectations and get some alone time with Yue so he could fill her mind with strange ideas. But of course, he wasn't going to tell her that. Sometimes when an opportunity meets preparation, you have to make a move and that was what Soka did. Plus beforehand he had acted as if he was drinking a lot, so this incident wouldn't affect him that much, or at all.
But Yue didn't know any of that. While to her it was an accident, to Sokka it was a carefully calculated plan. "As a Princess, you have way more to lose by such an accident than I do."
Yue looked down, her face unseen by Sokka as he got closer and stared at the pond, it felt like the spirits swimming down there were looking at him.
'Spirits always creep me out, their abilities are sometimes very complicated and they always seem to know more than they should.'
He sat down in front of the pond as if daring them to do something. Sokka knew that every Spirit seemed to have some kind of intelligence. Inviting Yue to sit down with him, he pointed at the fish and said. "What are they? It feels like these fish are looking at me weirdly."
Yue sat down and leaned her head on his shoulder, as a small smile adorned her face. "They are Tui and La, the moon and ocean spirits…"
Then she started explaining her life story and how she was given life through the spirits. While at the same time, Sokka zoned her out, while still keeping his ears open for any kind of new information that she might reveal.
Katara was also at the entrance of the pond cave, with a smile on her face. Glad that her brother wasn't feeling too down by the event. "Stupid people, always making things seem like a bigger deal than they are."
Though she couldn't get the image of Sokka's change off her mind. Katara wondered if she might have seen something, her eyes might have been fooled by the dark night.
'Or maybe this is one of Sokka's tricks? He may have known I was there, following him.'
**
At the same time, a large Fire Nation fleet was sailing towards the Northern Water Tribe. Hundreds of ships, fully manned with soldiers and armored to take down any enemy in the world. But the biggest ship amongst them was the one leading the whole operation. The golden encrustations on it showed that it was a royal ship and at its deck stood Azula, the head of this operation with her two friends standing by her side.
Ty Lee who usually wore skimpy clutching with her belly exposed was wearing more clothes as the weather kept getting colder the closer they got to the North Pole. Mai kept to her usual baggy clothes.
"What's on your mind, Azula?" Asked Mai, wondering if her best friend might be nervous about the expedition. Failure wasn't an option as she would be severely punished if that happened, this was half of the Fire Nation's fleet, and if they lost it… well, there would be trouble, to say the least.
"Just wondering whether the Northern Water Tribe will end up being handed in a platter by the time we get there," she smiled and that was when Mai understood. Azula was confident in her victory and had already finished preparing everything.
War was a complicated thing, and Azula planned to use every dirty trick she could to win this with the least losses possible.
Mai continued looking at her friend curiously, trying to figure out what she was thinking. Under such a situation, the princess should be feeling the pressure, but she wasn't. Why was she so confident?
**
The next day came about, Aang and Katara were excited to meet their new waterbending teacher. They immediately got ready, and went in front of the palace, waiting for Master Pakku.
Sokka followed them and stood by in a lanky posture and yawned. "When is the white mustache guy coming?"
Katara was about to elbow her brother, but she stopped as Pakku slowly came into view with his usual strict look. Sokka saw this and just waved at everyone. "Well, see ya later guys? I gotta go and see what the warrior divisions are up to."
Going to the barracks, Sokka was met with warriors training their spearmanship, and some were sparring.
He yawned, there wasn't anything that could be learned here. With just one look he could tell the mistakes they were making, and he wasn't in a mood to correct them. While most in his position would mistake these people as his allies, they were far from that.
The Northern Water Tribe would be the opposite of an ally after this war was over, especially once the oil reserves will be found in the future. They will use this 'ruling' claim, about how the Chieftain of the Northern Water Tribe also rules the south.
It was human greed, Sokka understood that. He also had his greed, and there was no way in hell he was going to train an army that in the future could become his enemy.
"Hey! What are you doing here?" Someone called out to him rudely. He nonchalantly turned around and saw Hahn staring at him with an angry flame in his gaze.
But Sokka wasn't here to fight with some snot-nosed brat whose betrothed wanted to be with someone else.
So he ignored Hahn and walked towards the teacher, spear in hand and ready. "Excuse me," he called out politely, with a harmless smile. "I am Sokka, the new guy with the Avatar. Can I train here?"
The man looked at him, he had a strict face as his eyes glared back at Sokka with an intense gaze. "Oh!" He suddenly exclaimed, a smile slowly adorning his face. "You're the 'Too heavy' guy from yesterday. Bahaha, don't worry kid. Every one of us old folk has had their own mistakes when we were young. It isn't the end of the world."
While the man tried to console him, Sokka kept a polite smile on his face. But he wasn't that worried about the incident either, things like these always get brushed over. Still, as he listened to the advice of the teacher, his gaze was glued on Hahn as he talked to his friends and seemed to scheme something.
Just then, dark snow started falling from the sky. Surprising everyone, as they looked at the sky fearfully.
Signaling that something sinister was getting closer.
*************
A/N: The Water Tribes situation is a complicated one. By the time Korra comes around, they even revolt, and start a Civil War for some time.
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