chapter

[Arctic Tundras]

"Just look at these feckless 'Northern Water Tribe' fools, Khan..."

Squinting his wrinkled eyes, Essin peeked through the small gap in our igloo walls. Outside, the vast expanse of the tundra stretched endlessly, nothing but stony shards of hills and mountains stabbing out from the white blanket of arctic snow. Nothing except our prey.

"This is what they call 'hunters' and 'scouts'!?" The elderly barbarian leader spat in disgust, "Waddling across the snow like baby otter-penguins, blank-eyed and unawares. If a pack of Deep North snow-leopard-caribou came stalking, these halfwits would be red smears on the snow before they realised they were breakfast. Are they all really this clueless, Khan; or did you just kill all the observant ones already?"

Camouflaged by our Barbarian Tribe allies' waterbending, our Command Igloo was just another nondescript snow mound amidst the tundras to any passing eye. Who would have guessed that it was actually an entire bunker, complete with a small barracks, a stable, and my own metal abode buried in the snow? Well, from the way the team of Agna Qel'a Resistance scouts were riding on their buffalo-yaks across our field of view, as if we weren't here, it certainly wasn't going to be them who'll figure it out.

"They just don't know that you exist," I shrugged. The tea kettle began to simmer in my armoured palm, warming the air of our surprisingly roomy observation igloo's icy walls. "I'll bet you a whole yuanbao that if they had any inkling that we had help from Waterbenders, they certainly would not be dividing their forces like they are now."

"Bah! This has nothing to do with tactics." The barbarian elder waved a mittened hand dismissively, still peering through the peephole and watching the scouts' progress. "I refuse to accept that I descend from the same proud Water Tribe stock as these piles of arctic camel droppings. They should be checking the ancient cave shelters for us, they should know that traversing this specific valley is easier at dawn than afternoon, and they should know that something had scared off the mountain buffalo-yak herds at the end of their migration. We have a thousand years' worth of Water Tribe wisdoms and birthrights passed down from father to son... They can't have forgotten it all from a mere hundred years of living in the city!"

"But they did." I nodded solemnly. "That, or they know we're watching and they're doing everything wrong to spite you specifically."

"I'd eat my frozen turd if that was the truth." the elder barbarian grunted. "... Even you Hot Landers walked the North Pole better than they're doing right now."

"Thank you."

"It wasn't a compliment, Khan. Your division would have spooked away every herd and tripped into every icy sinkhole on the way here if we hadn't pointed them out."

"We also have our strengths too." I countered as I offered some hot tea to the old barbarian and his grandson. "And with your wisdom, we may be the first 'Hot Landers' in a thousand years who genuinely know how to thrive in the North Pole."

"Egh." Essin grunted as he accepted the warm teacup, as close to an admission as I'll get.

For having a point and taking after his teachings well...

Essin of the Partas Clan Reputation: 65 - 75

Yes, those weeks of travelling with the prickly barbarian chieftain truly were worth it.

We Firebenders may not have many advantages out here in the arctic, but this specific one that we had changed the game. In the unnaturally cold climate of the North Pole, the heat drained fast from igloos out in the tundras, leaving them just as cold inside as out in a few scant hours. Trying to warm the interior was far too inefficient as well, demanding too much of their valuable tiger-seal blubber that were reserved only for emergencies; this was a challenge that the Water Tribe, no matter the allegiance, had when camping out and severely limited their options.

But that's where firebenders such as the 41st Division came in.

Generating heat can be as effortless as breathing for us, just as Iroh and Zuko showed in canon with their [Breath of Fire] technique. Through shift rotations, we can keep a space warm around the clock without exposing our position through campfire smoke. With our strengths combined, the 41st Division and Barbarian clan took advantage of the snowy terrain, patiently lying in wait for days, anticipating clueless Water Tribe scouts like these to wander into our kill zones- easy kills. Not that it made acting like glorified heaters any less monotonous, but such was life in the military: monotony broken up by frantic bouts of extreme violence.

"The Agna Qel'a Resistance will not find any useful intel here." I grunted. "At this rate, they'll never find Homebase before the Armada arrives."

"It still amazes me that these fools from the city think they can fight you." Essin sipped his tea, glaring through the observation slit.

Spiked armour plates clicked as I shrugged. "They must be severely underestimating our strength because we didn't kill that many of them during the attack."

"Which was exactly the problem, Hot Lander." He muttered back, "Should have cut open all their throats while they slept... So, are we butchering this team of 'scouts' or what?"

"No, let the 3rd Squad have this one- they need to stretch their legs." I grunted, standing up to hold up a polished dagger to the observation slit. Light reflected brief flashes of light from its jewel, pointed at a specific spot in the hillside. Signal given, and we all watched as Fire Nation red and ostrich-horse brown began charging from their own camouflaged igloos.

Fire Nation elites on hungry ostrich-horses now blasting through the snow towards them, the Water Tribe scouts reacted by...

"They're... surrendering? Not even putting up a lick of a fight?" Essin noted aloud, disappointed and disgusted as we all watched the Water Tribe scouts raise their arms in the air just as the {41st Division Elite Cavalry Scouts}reached them. The sharp tips of their guandao glaives formed a pointed circle around our newest captives, all over the sound of Essin grinding what few teeth he had together. "At least the last team fought at first... Just when I thought I couldn't despise them more."

"That's good for us. We need as much intel as we can get on the state of the city."

"Bah, more talk." Essin sat back down with a huff- little Eswar pouring more tea into his cup. "The only state their city needs to be in is stained red with their blood."

"A battle-ready city of more than hundreds of thousands strong is too great of a challenge for our little alliance and you know it." I watched as 3rd Squad took our newest prisoners away for interrogation, the barbarian waterbenders attached to their squad removing all the tracks from the snow and ice as they withdrew back to their igloo. "We could kill a hundred for each of our number and they'd still have fighting men left over. We need to be smart about this, and seize every advantage we can."

"Telling me that we can have a hundred each only makes me want it more." Essin laughed, sitting back down now that the captured scouts were being taken away. He took another sip, "I want them all dead: I don't mind how we do it. We could simply wait for your Hot Lander Armada to arrive, Khan. Let your Hot Lander ships burn it all down, melt the city back to water, the clans won't mind having to rebuild Agna Qel'a if it means that all 'Northern Water Tribe' are wiped away from existence. By the Ocean Spirit, I wouldn't even mind spending the rest of my days hunting for Buffalo-Yak pelt to give as tribute to your Fire Lord for it either."

"It might just come to that." I sat back down with a shake of my skull helmet. "As long as-"

"Commander Khan, sir!" A [41st Division Elite Raider]interrupted, pushing aside the fur door of the observation igloo, his red gauntlet clicking against a feathered helmet in a salute as soon he arrived, "We have an unscheduled arrival from homebase: The Kyoshi Warriors have come with an urgent message for you- they claim it needs to be given in person."

"Important enough to spend half a day navigating around unstable terrain, and you stopped them? Maybe I should roll back on those internal security measures." I wondered aloud. "Send them in and go double check that there isn't a trail leading to the bunker."

"Yes, sir!" came the salute from him before his footsteps on snow echoed.

The six Kyoshi warriors with their green armoured kimonos shuffled in soon after, painted faces lowered the moment their eyes saw my skull helmet. Even the snowy-haired Princess Yue in her purple parka-dress followed behind them, looking just ashamed. Before I could even say a word, Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors immediately dropped into a dogeza before my feet, pressing their foreheads to the snow.

"Khan, I messed up!" Suki spoke up, head still bowed.

"No, we messed up!"

"We should have caught that mistake!"

"The negotiations got screwed up because of it!"

"We're deeply sorry!"

"What do you mean?" My brows furrowed in confusion under my helm, "I mean, you took a risk with the princess, certainly. But from the envoy's messenger hawk, it almost got us everything we wanted. It seemed like a low-risk gamble, especially with the talisman I provided. The odds were heavily in our favor."

"That's not it," she confessed, her voice wavering.

"The reason they know we're just one division is because... I let it slip to Sokka that night when we kidnapped Princess Yue. mentioned the 41st Division, thinking it was harmless. But Sokka managed to piece it all together and shared the information with everyone else." She paused, the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air. Her ocean blue eyes, filled with regret, met mine as she continued, her voice barely above a guilty whisper, "That's why the negotiations failed. This is all my fault."

"Truly? I'd shake your hand, girlie!" Essin preempted me before grinning toothlessly at Yue, "You hear that, Princess? This means your own people have left us with no choice but to sit back, snack on some tiger-seal jerky, and watch the Hot Lander Armada smash them into the ice like one of Khan's juicy 'burgers' now! Hahahaha! Laugh with your grandfather, boy!"

"ahaha!?"

Princess Yue's blue eyes widened in horror as Essin's and Eswar's laughter filled the command igloo. Until finally, she couldn't take it, "Please, by the Moon Spirit, no!" She prostrated herself beside the Kyoshi Warriors as well, "Honourable Commander Khan, there has to be another way! Please spare my people!"

"Everyone, quiet down. We're getting far ahead of ourselves." My deep voice rumbled, wishing I could massage my temple through my helmet. "Suki, what did you say that night exactly?"

The redhead lifted her head. Her ocean blue eyes met mine briefly before she looked away in shame, whispering, "I said that 'We, and the rest of the 41st Division have no other choice but to fight and see this through.' "

Placing myself in the shoes of the young Southern Water Tribe chiefling, I concluded. "That is a pretty enormous leap in logic." I told her, "From the information available to him, the 41st Division could just as likely have been the vanguard, operating far ahead of a larger Fire Nation force based in the North Pole. Sokka shouldn't have been able to definitively say that we're operating alone from just that, unless... You reacted in a way that confirmed his suspicions?"

Suki's ocean blue eyes widened as she realised that she had been tricked, "Oh... dammit, Sokka."

"Is this 'Sokka' a chieftain that you missed, Hot Lander?" Essin asked.

"Sokka is Southern Water Tribe Chieftain Hakoda's son," I told the aged barbarian, "He's no prodigy waterbender like his sister, but he has a natural grasp for strategy and tactics that surpass most Fire Nation Noble Clan scions. The only reason he wasn't an initial target was because of his proximity to the Avatar- having been accompanying the Avatar since the airbender awoke in the South Pole."

"Southern Water Tribe, eh?" The elderly barbarian rubbed his chin. "They're a good tribe, from what my sire and grandsire told me. Wanting in the spiritual aspects of our culture, but more in tune to the true spirit of the Water Tribe than these spoiled Agna Qel'a mink-snakes."

"I trained him myself." Suki admittedly quietly.

"Regardless, Suki," I said, tone hardening, and the redhead flinched. "You're getting reckless. Emotional."

"I'm getting desperate," she admitted, red-painted lips pressed into a thin line. "Khan, there has to be another way. I don't want Agna Qel'a to get burned to the ground by the Armada. I don't want that kind of blood on Kyoshi Warrior hands."

My large armored hand raised, preemptively quieting down Essin just as I got a subtle nudge from [As One!] which indicated that he had been about to speak. And through the slits of my skull helm, my green eyes stared down at the kneeling girls, "Then... is this where your Oath ends, Kyoshi Warriors?"

"What?!" they gasped.

"If our victory meant ending the entire population of Agna Qel'a, would you do it?"

Princess Yue spoke up, "Commander, please recons-"

"Quiet." was my only warning. Yue's mouth snapped shut.

Obedience check succeeded! 65/20 Obedience Required with [Princess Yue]

+ R +

Suki- still confused- spoke up, "But Khan, that's what we've been trying to do, right? Save people's lives? To build something great as the world burns down?"

"You've lost sight of why we're fighting, Suki." my deep voice rumbled in a solemn tone, "We're not here to save lives; we're here to end this war with our victory. Consider what will follow if we fail. The war will drag on, perhaps for another hundred years, consuming countless lives and resources, prolonging a legacy of suffering and misery that will haunt generations to come. Or worse yet, if our enemies emerge victorious, their rule would plunge the Four Nations into an era of decadence and stagnation. It would be akin to the gluttonous reign of the Earth Kings of old, one so terrible that people would beg for our return."

The Kyoshi Warriors stayed silent, digesting the images conjured by my words. I pressed on, just as solemnly.

"That is why we burn first, then build. However many of our former enemies survive to witness what we construct from the ashes is merely a welcome coincidence. Because what we are trying to achieve transcends the population of any one city."

"... We understand."

"But more importantly..." My armoured frame knelt on one knee- snow crunching under my knee plate as I lifted my skull helmet slightly so that they could hear my voice unmuffled as I whispered sincerely, intimately, "Kyoshi Warriors, Suki... I need you with me on this one."

Their eyes, painted in that graceful salmon pink and set across their pale-painted face, widened. And silence lingered a bit more, heavy in the arctic air, until they whispered as one, "You do, Khan. Always."

"So," I stood up, speaking loud enough for the others in the igloo to hear again, "I want that answer: If I commanded you that you had to slaughter everyone in Agna Qel'a? Would you refuse?"

Reputation & Obedience check succeeded!

100/100 Reputation & Obedience Required with [Suki & the Kyoshi Warriors]

+ R +

Despite our initial clash of values and the tension that had threatened to fracture our relationship, there was barely any hesitation as each brave girl spoke up in firm, solemn tones- cutting through the uncertainty.

"No, we wouldn't."

"Our Oath is our bond."

"We will not forswear it. No matter what."

"As you have asked of us: unquestioning obedience and unflinching loyalty."

"In whatever task you require accomplished. In whichever foe you need removed..."

They all bowed their heads together, and Suki breathed a familiar promise, "In this life or in our thousandth life, the Kyoshi Warriors will live to serve you, our Khan! So... line up all of Agna Qel'a and we will slit their throats one by one until the waterways of Agna Qel'a flow red with the lifeblood of all its people! We're ready!"

In the background, Essin nodded in approval, apparently not needing any further explanation now that Kyoshi Warriors' loyalty was no longer in question.

For being a leader with an actual spine...

[Essin of the Partas Clan] Reputation: 70 - 90

"Suki..." Yue whispered, a betrayed look on the snowy-haired princess' face as she glanced at the girls in green. Now without her peers' support, she looked at me, her mittened hands clasped together as if she was begging, "But we're so close, Commander! You have the formal document of surrender, our chieftains, and myself, as well. We have to count for something, right? Surely there's no need for you to resort to such extremes of violence?"

Steam escaped my skull helmet as I exhaled, my deep voice echoing out in the silent command igloo, "Extremes? We were the ones who offered Chieftain Arnook the chance to surrender before the battle began, but he refused. I offered it again to Avatar Aang during our battle, refused. Yet again, I offered it to the Agna Qel'a Resistance after I bested the Avatar, refused again. And just yesterday, you had relayed to the Agna Qel'a Resistance that the Chieftains have actually signed your people's surrender, only for them to refuse acknowledging their own surrender!"

"But-"

"That's four times, Princess Yue." my hard whisper rang out, "Four times had we asked them politely, and four times had we escalated the conflict to make them realise that there was no winning against us. Truly, your people were never going to surrender- not without considerable loss of life. I know it, Suki knows it, and everyone else in the North Pole knows it. Come to terms with it."

"But there has to be something else we could do!" Yue cried openly.

"It is out of your hands, Princess." I told her, lifting up her chin and brushing away her tears with a warmed thumb, "The time for talk is over. Your people have refused to steer from this course- determined to throw away their lives for a 'Northern Water Tribe victory' that was never achievable. And now we are back to the same question that your father took so long to answer: How many sons and daughters of the Northern Water Tribe have to die before the rest of them are convinced to live on in obedience?"

"All of them, hopefully." Essin quipped cheerfully, with a toothless grin. "So, what's the plan now, Khan?"

My armoured frame pulled away from the princess. "The original plan was just to keep them occupied: capturing their scouting teams, pinging their ground defences and outmaneuvering their sallying defences until the Armada arrives. The reckless and frankly incompetent leader we have installed will ensure that their defence will crumble quickly and surrender will follow soon after with... close to minimal damage to population and infrastructure."

"Bah!"

"But now that they know the disparity in troop numbers..." I said, glancing over to the Kyoshi Warriors who flinched slightly at the consequences of their slip of tongue, "It's close to the worst case scenario: The Agna Qel'a Resistance will invariably be massing for an all out attack; a large militia numbering anywhere from four to fifteen thousand militia will be marching out of the city soon. And our merry band of a single thousand warriors will need to engage this massive army- not defeat, but engage. Just long enough for the Armada to arrive and end this campaign."

"That's just close to the worst case?" Suki questioned.

"The worst case is that the Armada arrives, and I am not there to keep the admiral from… taking things too far." I replied. Or, in other words, I won't be able to talk him out of making the moon permanently disappear and doom the entire world. "Thankfully, that's not the case, and I've already prepared us for this current situation that we've found ourselves in."

"Thank, Kyoshi…"

"Our current strategic deployment for ambushing scouts is already well-suited for countering whatever grand offensive the Agna Qel'a Resistance will attempt. We simply need to let one of their scout teams 'discover' our decoy base and they'll come charging blindly into our killzones."

"No..." Princess Yue squeezed her eyes tight at the thought of more of her people dying at our hands. A sentiment that was clearly not shared by the other people in the igloo as laughter rang out.

"Thank the Ocean Spirit! A real battle with these 'Northern Water Tribe' arctic rats!" The old barbarian chieftain breathed in delight before grinning at Suki. "And thank you, Kyoshi Warriors, for sparing the Southern Water Tribe chiefling that's going to make this slaughter all possible."

"We're here to stall them, not kill them all." I reminded him, "Even if you were to call upon the other barbarian clans, 15,000 militia is too large for us to effectively take on, Essin. Also, stop antagonising my honour guard."

"It's alright, Khan." Suki said as she stood up, red hair swaying as she shook her head clear. "It was my fault for being too emotional. We wouldn't even be in this situation if I had just cut Sokka's tongue instead."

The other five Kyoshi Warriors stood up as well, painted faces frowning as they agreed with their leader.

"Yeah, it's Sokka's fault. He really should have just stayed out of this while he had a chance."

"He squandered the mercy Suki gave him."

"And now, his big mouth is getting himself and everyone else into trouble..."

"You mean extending this war and potentially doomed us and Agna Qel'a in one stroke?"

"I won't make that mistake again," Suki promised as if to herself before looking up- a determined gleam in her ocean blue eyes, "I won't let him do any more harm. I'll kill him outright the next opening I get."

"That's my girl," I patted the top of her head, and the redhead leaned into my touch.

"I want one too!"

"Me too!"

My hand transferred from one eager Kyoshi Warrior to the next as I continued, "Well it's better that our enemies think that the 41st Division is all there is to the 'Big secret Fire Nation attack' rather than suspecting that a Fire Nation fleet is coming. Not that it'll help them- it's clear that as long as they have some hope of victory, no matter how faint, they'll keep fighting even if it means running straight into extinction. Chieftain Arnook proved that, only surrendering after his city was devastated and Essin administered a beating to him."

"You mean my grandson's beating." corrected Essin, proudly patting the shoulder of his grandson, who squared his shoulders and puffed his little chest out proudly in his blue parka.

"Yes, good job beating that surrender out of him, Eswar."

For being so nonchalant about hurting her father...

[Princess Yue] Reputation: 38 - 30

[Princess Yue] Obedience: 65 - 60

"Commander, sir, forgive the interruption." An armoured hand swept the fur door aside to let the sergeant's feathered helmet peek inside. "But an enemy scout team is about to leave our surveillance perimeter. 2nd Squad is requesting confirmation that we're letting them pass."

"Ah, we got distracted." I hummed, glancing out the peephole to see the blue silhouettes scout team on their buffalo-yaks trekking unmolested across the white expanse of the snow-covered valley, "Sergeant, relay to 2nd Squad that Essin will be leading them on the intercept mission. Immediate mobilisation. But make sure they 'discover' our bait base. "

"Sir!"

My skull-faced helm turned towards the aged barbarian leader. "This scout team from Agna Qel'a is all yours."

"Finally!" He grinned toothlessly before turning his wrinkled face to look at me for approval. "So we let 'em see all those Hot Lander flags waving on that empty mountain... then we get to kill half of 'em, Khan?"

My skull helm levelled an eager stare at him, "How many men does it take to deliver a message back to Agna Qel'a?"

"One." He answered with an too-eager toothless grin, and glanced over to his grandson, "Grab those Hot-Lander forged spears, boy! I just know this team's going to put up a fight- I can feel it in my bones. Let's go!"

"Nn!" The little six-year-old went scampering off in excitement as Essin followed closely behind- leaving me with just the Kyoshi Warriors and Princess Yue. The snowy-haired princess in particular was looking more and more dismayed as the violence continued to escalate.

"We really should just tell them..." Princess Yue murmured in the silence.

That's enough, Princess." Patience for the incessant pleas to spare her people was rapidly depleting. I rounded on her. "If you're so confident in your people's wisdom, look me in the eye and tell me you're certain they'd surrender if they knew what was sailing across the seas towards them now."

Her mouth opened and closed- clearly trying to form the lie that would save her people, but failing miserably- she just wasn't that kind of person capable of deceit. Blue eyes looked away, "I... I can't be sure. But please, we are a peaceful people, Commander. The Northern Water Tribe don't deserve this. They've done no wrong and too many have already died... please just spare them. Please, you have to send that letter to the admiral of the Armada. Please."

"Go sit in my quarters until I know what to do with you," I said with an exasperated sigh. "Suki and I will be discussing if there is even a way to save your people."

Blue eyes blinked, and a relieved smile stretched across the smooth brown of her face as she bowed, "I- that's all I ask, Honorable Commander Khan! Thank you!"

For considering her pleas and not giving up on the Water Tribe...

[Princess Yue] Reputation: 30 - 55

[Princess Yue] Obedience: 60 - 70

She bowed again before leaving the command igloo, purple parka-dress swaying as she headed just down the bunker's hall to my abode.

Suki's smug voice promptly filled the silence. "I bet you're now liking her more when she was in her furkini. She was a lot meeker and quieter while half-naked."

"I dislike how you're right." I grumbled.

"Glad that you agree."

"Yes, yes." I replied in a noncommittal tone. There were bigger things to worry about than Suki being right about lingerie- like preparing for an extensive guerrilla warfare campaign against an army that outnumbers the 41st Division, possibly ten-to-one. The logistical lines required, the complex orders that needed to be disseminated, the hidden caches of Mountain Dew and Red Bull to keep everyone functioning and of course, the report to Zhao. The last one being the most important of them all.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have to revise my situation report for Admiral Zhao and mention that the Water Tribe Capital will have far less soldiers defending it against his amphibious assault… Because they're all going to be looking to fight us instead. So, at least one of us will be benefiting from this development."

Suki smiled sheepishly, "Silver linings, am I right?"

"Yes, but as much as I like net positives, I'd prefer not to be the one shouldering the costs. I'll need to properly convey in my report just how urgently we need his Armada here. We can only hope there won't be any delays or complications on their end- I don't fancy us continuing on to be the first Firebender barbarian tribe."

"You'd be an amazing barbarian chief! Chief Essin might even adopt you." Suki said. And the other Kyoshi Warriors nodded knowingly.

"War paint and furkinis? We can definitely pull off the look."

"We'd make good barbarian girls."

"The best!"

"Especially the Lieutenant with how much muscle she's got."

"Oh, we definitely have to get her in a furkini now!"

Then Suki's painted face turned serious, "Khan, you've given up on trying to get the 'Northern Water Tribe' to surrender, haven't you?"

"Yes," I answered, "Do you think they'd capitulate if they had been told of the Armada?"

Suki didn't answer right away, those deep blue eyes flicking their gaze over empty air as if mentally calculating how her targets would react. Easy to forget that she was a lot more intelligent than most people gave her credit for. "No," She finally said, "At this point, they'd keep fighting even if the Armada itself arrived. We can't exaggerate just how much the Agna Qel'a Resistance are rallying around Aang."

The Kyoshi Warriors added their two cents.

"Yeah, they were pretty enthusiastic about having him around."

"Would have given the folks back home on Kyoshi Island a run for their money, to be honest."

"Even talked about how they could never lose with him on their side."

"Still... it was pretty impressive that he lived getting hit by your meteor hammer."

"Stopping that metal ball with your arm sounds like a really bad time, though."

My skull-faced helmet nodded. "And that is why we'll soon be shifting our focus from winning this campaign to winning this war. The Avatar. Has he already recovered from his injuries?"

The Kyoshi Warriors glanced among each other. "We don't know that for sure either," the redhead admitted, "Aang wasn't at their rally, which means that he was still recovering and still vulnerable. But we won't know for sure unless we check again."

"You're suggesting another infiltration."

"Not just an infiltration…" she paused, gathering her composure, then glanced back to her sisters who nodded. "We're saying that we should infiltrate the city again and..."

Reputation & Obedience check succeeded!

100/100 Reputation & Obedience Required with [Suki & the Kyoshi Warriors]

+ R +

"… Kill the Avatar." Suki finished in a solemn tone.

I nodded and reached out, and with my hand patting her head gently, she melted under the contact.

"Easier said than done." My deep voice calmly pointed out, "We haven't the slightest clue where he's being held, how well-guarded the location is, or his current status. He could very well be fully recovered by now because of Waterbending healing. Moreover, Agna Qel'a had finished reinforcing the land approach into the city since you left: an ice-reinforced barbican now guards the path down into the city, and walls around the city edges are under construction with heavy guard. It will take a concerted effort from the entire 41st Division with all of our remaining supplies to get you in there, and if you're wrong, Suki... then it's all over: For you, for our prisoners and for Agna Qel'a."

"Then we need reliable intel." The redhead concluded with a nod.

"Preliminary interrogations of the apprehended Water Tribe scouts are underway." I said, "Ideally, we'd want to secure a Water Tribe woman- one of their healers- who will likely be privy to such medical information. However, Northern Water Tribe society doesn't permit their women in combat roles though, so we're not likely to encounter one in their reconnaissance units."

"... do you think they'll send a few out with the army they'll field?" Suki asked.

"Possibly." I confirmed tentatively, "We are venturing into uncharted territory here. According to Essin and the books we've obtained from the surprise attack, this marks the Northern Water Tribe's first large-scale ground campaign enacted in defence of their homeland in over a millennium. So, it's not a leap of logic if they'll attach a unit of healers to their army, but it's just as likely they won't."

"But at the end of the day, you only need one of their women, right?"

"Yes, that's right." I elected to ignore it. There were bigger things to worry about than Suki acquiring another girl to tease- like preparing for an extensive guerrilla warfare campaign against an army that outnumbers the 41st Division, possibly ten-to-one. The bait to lure them out, and the trap to grind them down to nothing.

"Don't worry, Khan." Kyoshi Warrior lips curled into a devious smile over their pale-painted faces, "We'll get you a Water Tribe peasant girl to 'interview.' Let's hope they send someone cute like the Princess."

(A day later)

"Messenger hawk from our forward recon unit, sir. Spotrep confirms the lone Agna Qel'a Resistance scout has returned safely to Agna Qel'a- his 'heroic' escape has been successfully orchestrated."

"Excellent. Now, no matter what they do, they're ours now."

[Agna Qel'a Royal Palace]

A part of her could still scarcely believe it- that she was here.

Plain old Katara from the South Pole with her simple blue Southern Water Tribe parka and simple way of thinking, standing in the Royal Palace's War Room and in the greatest city of her people and taking a part in the greatest fight the North Pole had ever seen.

For the first time in untold centuries, the Northern and Southern Water Tribe once more united against a common enemy that threatened their way of life, just like one of those hero's tales. Agna Qel'a was going to wage war- not on the seas, and not on foreign lands, but on their own homeland. It was a historic moment for her people's history, maybe even their greatest moment, fighting a battle that wasn't like any other they had fought before: This wasn't going to be like the Earth Kingdom villages they had saved along the way, or the Northern Air Temple where they saved the Mechanist and his people.

No, this was about saving hers.

It was a flurry of activity in the War Room as they planned a response for the ongoing land war.

A large map of the entire North Pole was laid out. The wood table it rested on was still wafting with the scent of cedarwood even after hundreds of years since it was gifted to the Northern Water Tribe by an ancient Earth King. On one side of the table, wise elders with their tall hats bearing whalebone charms stood conversing with one another over the state of the city. On the other side, representatives from the largest Northern Water Tribes with their fierce warpaints were discussing troop and equipment numbers for the muster. Sokka leaned on his whalebone crutches between them both, mediating the discussion after he had demonstrated his grasp in war tactics or whatever they called it. Katara felt proud of her brother... from her place in the background, waiting for when her input was going to be needed.

In the meantime, she occupied herself admiring the decor around the spacious room. Trophies of what were apparently successful hunts lined the walls: massive antlers from massive snow leopard caribous, the white pelt of a massive polar bear dog, stuffed heads of fearsome alpha arctic wolves still snarling and a dozen other arctic fauna.

"It is good to see you were able to make it, Pupil Katara." Master Pakku asked as his slim frame in royal blue parka stood next to her, "How is Pupil Aang if you don't mind me asking?"

"It was... I've never seen an arm that broken heal that fast. Master Yagoda is really something." She smiled at him, "So, about two to three weeks. And he'll make a full recovery."

"That is reassuring to hear." Master Pakku smiled before glancing at the trophies as well, "I see that Northern Water Tribe Military history has caught your eye, Pupil Katara."

"Military?" She glanced at him, "So, these aren't just hunting trophies?"

"Oh, definitely," the elderly waterbending master told her, "These were all great beasts that once plagued the people of the Northern Water Tribe, some of them for months. The head chieftains fought and slain each one of them personally. Relics of our tribes' great achievements preserved to inspire the later generations..."

He smiled proudly.

"... And after that Fire Nation division surrenders to us, I'm sure we'll make some space to add the Giant's helmet to the collection. That skull helmet will look nice resting on a pedestal of ice. Wouldn't you agree, Pupil Katara?"

Just the reminder of that Fire Nation commander made her ribs ache to be honest. He was the face of it all in her mind: Yue's kidnapping, Sokka's leg, Aang's arm, and a million other wrongs over the course of the war. "Defeating him and taking that helmet as a trophy..." Katara whispered, "It seems like the only right thing to do at this point. I think it'll be a good lesson for the later generations of the Water Tribe- that a single rabid animal or Fire Nation Division- no matter how infamous or scary they seem- can never stand up against us when the Water Tribes work together."

"Well said," He nodded his bald head, hands clasped behind his back, "The Fire Nation may have snuck a cowardly blow against us, but this 'Round two' that people could only end with an overwhelming Water Tribe victory."

The fur door swept open as a loud voice brashly proclaimed, "Head Chieftain Hahn has entered the scene!"

They all glanced at the source of the voice, and Katara felt the corners of her mouth tug into a frown.

This 'Head Chieftain Hahn' guy swaggered in with his caped blue parka. He wasn't tall or muscular like the other Water Tribe men. In fact, he reminded Katara of her brother... on his worst days. Water Tribe blue eyes, shoulder-length black hair, and a cocky smirk that seemed permanently stuck to his face. He was... fairly handsome in Katara's opinion. At least, he would have been if he wasn't such a peacock-pigeon basking in his own radiance.

"Alright! Time to get this show on the road!" He announced with a laugh as he glanced at the gathered table.

They were going to save the chieftains from the Fire Nation, but Katara had to admit- she wished that they had kept this one to themselves. "I hate how he's acting like he was the boss of us," Katara grumbled to her waterbending master.

"That is irrelevant now, Katara," Master Pakku said with a sigh, "By the ways of the Water Tribe, the son of the Chieftain is to take leadership of the tribe when his father was out on the hunt, sailing to a far off place, or simply too weak or too sick to lift his spear. Being kidnapped by the Fire Nation counts as one of those, Hahn must hold the title of Head Chieftain, at least until Arnook is rescued. You have already upset the ways of our Tribe once and extracted an exception. Don't try your luck again so soon afterwards by voicing your dissent. Understood, Katara?"

"Okay, but I don't like it." Katara also said with a sigh.

Because no matter how he looked or acted, Hahn was still apparently the most important person in the room right now- being the fiance of Princess Yue and the only free direct heir of a prominent Water Tribe. Before things turned ugly, the Fire Nation envoy said that they were releasing him as a gesture of sincerity and good will. After the Fire Nation demanded their surrender and even forced Princess Yue to present it herself, Hahn was a pretty bad consolation prize.

"Well, people?!" Hahn with his excited grin addressed the gathered elders and tribal representatives, "Have the scouts found them yet? I'm gonna make those Fire Nation idiots regret kidnapping me!"

One of the wise wrinkle-faced elders spoke up, "Young Hahn, we-"

"It's Head Chieftain Hahn." he corrected with a glare.

The elder bowed an apology, "Head Chieftain Hahn, we have only finished sending our dead back to the ocean, treating the wounded and other matters for our tribes... Moreover, none of our scout teams have returned. We simply need more time."

"Then move faster! And send out more scouts!" Hahn barked out, "We are at war, people! The sooner we can ride over to those Fire Nation turtle-seals' base, the sooner we can win this battle for the North Pole! By Tui's fin, there's only like a thousand of them in a division, right?"

"Yes, Head Chieftain..." the elder bowed his head, "A Fire Nation division is around a thousand soldiers but the number can fluctuate to suit the Fire Nation High Command's needs. This one in particular are elite siege specialists and also a mounted unit from what we know... which would explain their effectiveness and the scale of the damage they've managed to cause in our city with seemingly so few numbers."

"Alright! We outnumber them more than ten-to-one at least! This is gonna be an easy win! As soon as we can find them- why is no one sending out more scouts?!"

There was a chilly breeze as the elders rushed with surprising speed past Katara to rally more scouts.

... She was starting to suspect the Fire Nation intentionally picked the most annoying and stupid chieftain heir to release. That kind of overconfidence- maybe even arrogance- was dangerous. There was believing that you can win a fight, and then there was believing that your opponents weren't a challenge at all. It was clear which of those two Hahn thought. And if it was any other Fire Nation division, Katara would have sided with him 100%! But they weren't and Hahn wouldn't know the difference. He wasn't there when they fought the Giant, not like she did.

Sokka would definitely shoot this suggestion down, and true to her knowledge of her brother, he did.

"Hey, you should take our enemy more seriously!" Sokka hobbled forward, "Didn't you hear? We're up against the Fire Nation's 41st Division- the Fire Lord's own elite division! They're the ones who conquered Omashu, and a whole lot of Earth Kingdom forts. So, don't talk like they're your run-of-the-mill Fire Nation soldiers!"

Hahn just glanced with a raised disinterested eyebrow at him, "... And who are you? One of the other tribe's replacement chiefs?"

Katara watched as said replacements standing behind Sokka tense their jaws and fists at being brushed off like that. Meanwhile, her brother stood up straighter- chest out, shoulders back and looking Hahn in the eye.

"I'm Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe."

"Well, Sohka, didn't you hear?" Hahn shot back, "There's only a thousand of them compared to the tens of thousands of us! They're Firebenders! In the North Pole! I'm telling you now- this'll be the easiest victory in Water Tribe history!"

"No, it's not!" Sokka shouted, "And if we mess this up, Princess Yue's and the Chieftains' lives might be at risk!"

"Princess Yue and all of the chieftains signed that document. You know who didn't? Me!" Hahn jabbed a thumb to his chest, "I was the only one who didn't sign our surrender- they didn't even try! This isn't about rescuing them anymore, this is about making the Fire Nation pay."

Katara watched Sokka lean back, shocked as if spat at, right before swinging back close and jabbed a finger on Hahn's chest, "How can you say that about Princess Yue?! Your fiance?! The Northern Water Tribe would be dumb to let you lead them-"

"Enough!" Master Pakku's voice echoed throughout the room. He placed himself between the two boys and his narrowed blue eyes aimed a wrinkled but very serious look at Hahn, "Head Chieftain Hahn, please refrain from hurling yourself beyond the limits of your authority like some snow rat punted out the window. Not even the head chieftain has the power to declare all other Water Tribe chieftains as traitors- something you would know if you had paid more attention in your tutors' lectures from what I've heard. You are now head of our tribes. Act like it."

Katara watched as Hahn looked away, saying nothing.

Master Pakku turned towards her brother with a serious look as well, "And Sokka, don't overstep your position. As much as we value you and Pupil Katara as respected members of our sister tribe and travelling companions of the Avatar himself, the Northern Water Tribe must have one of their own leading them in this trying time." The older man's eyes softened as he glanced at Sokka's bandaged thigh and crutches. "... We must prove- to the world and to ourselves- that even when dealt a serious blow we can stand on our own two feet."

"... I understand," Her brother nodded before bowing towards Hahn, "I'm sorry, Head Chieftain Hahn. I only want to rescue the Princess, the chiefs and defeat the Fire Nation too."

"No sweat, Sokha," Hahn smiled, apparently friendlier now that Sokka attached his title, "We're all Water Tribe warriors here, and we're going to do what Water Tribe warriors do: We're going to charge the Fire Nation on our own soil, and we're going to win."

Sokka reached out and shook. "I guess that's something I can always get behind."

"I know, right?" Hahn laughed, "Maybe Southern Water Tribe folks like you really aren't all too bad after all..."

Normally, Katara wasn't going to give him a point for that backhanded compliment, but she'll take what she can get. "Master Pakku..." Katara called his attention, drawing her teacher's eyes, "Do you really think we'll find them that quickly? Don't get me wrong, I'm sure we'd win, just didn't think it'd be that fast."

"Oh relax, Katara." Sokka smiled, hobbling over to her with his whalebone crutches and slapping a hand onto her shoulder. "It's not like those firebenders can hide in the snow. And knowing the Fire Nation, we won't need to look hard for them either! I bet their base is gonna be some mountain that they covered in metal and Fire Nation flags!"

Suddenly, the doors burst open, a gust of frigid air heralding the arrival of a lone figure. All eyes turned to the scout who staggered into the war room, his blue fur parka singed black in some place, strands of his black hair sticking to his boyish face. It was Sangok, Katara recognised, one of the Waterbending classmates that she had trained with under Master Pakku. She didn't even know that he had been part of the scout teams!

"Master Pakku!" Sangok's voice was a gasp, his panting breath visible in the cold air. "We were ambushed... the Fire Nation... we found their base!"

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the gathered council, but Pakku raised a hand, silencing them. "Catch your breath, Pupil Sangok. Then tell us everything," he commanded, his voice steady, but Katara could see his eyes betray just a flicker of concern.

Sangok took a deep breath, steadying himself. "We were scouting Nanuq's Valley when they struck. Fire Nation on those Ostrich-horses! We fought back, but... my team... I'm the only one who escaped."

His words hung heavy in the air, and Katara was reminded that they were dealing with the same force that had ravaged the city once already.

Hahn stepped up with his cape, chest all puffed as he demanded, "Well, you mentioned that you found their base?"

Sangok gulped a bit more air, then continued, "I caught a glimpse of it: an entire mountain fortress flying red flags, hard to miss against the white snow! It's on Nanuq's Peak at the end of the valley."

The room fell into a tense silence as the council members absorbed this dire news. Stony faced glowers peppered with mutterings of how the Fire Nation encroached on sacred lands and so unchallenged too.

"Hah! What'd I tell ya!" Sokka cheered, "Typical Fire Nation, not even bothering to hide!"

"Yes, brazen of them, just a day or two's trek on foot- practically right on our doorstep!" Master Pakku said insulted, right before glancing at the tribal representatives, "Double the pace of the muster. The Fire Nation position is fortified, but not invulnerable- if we act now, we can catch them before they entrench themselves further! Have the current volunteers meet me in the courtyard immediately!"

"For the Moon and the Ocean Spirits!" Their mittened hands pumped the chests of their blue parkas before filing out of the room.

Master Pakku nodded at the scout, "Pupil Sangok, you have done well. Rest now, and prepare to lead us to their lair."

"Yes, for the Moon Spirit!"

"Alright!" Head Chieftain Hahn clapped his hands, "We found the Fire Nation! Let's make this attack happen, people!" He announced and with an easygoing smile, he added- already halfway out the door with his ridiculous cape. "Send for me when the men are ready!"

"Wait, where're you going?!" Sokka called out to his back. "We just found out where they are and there's still a lotta work to do before we can attack!"

Hahn glanced over his shoulder, chuckling as if Sokka had made a joke, "As Head Chieftain, I have a lot of Head Chieftainly duties and preparations to attend to. I'll leave the boring stuff to you all, and I'll do the real hard work by personally leading you all to a glorious victory over the Fire Nation!"

Master Pakku stepped forward. "Naturally, Head Chieftain Hahn, but… a word?"

"Uh... sure? What's this about?"

"Do you intend to lead the assault yourself, Head Chieftain?"

"Oh, yeah! Of course, I will!" Hahn laughed, "With you as my acting First Wave, Master Pakku, we're going to knock some Fire Nation heads!"

"I cannot." Master Pakku flatly refused, "Someone has to stay here since you have unceremoniously offloaded all your other duties in ensuring the continued function of Agna Qel'a as our capital city. Which is precisely what I would strongly recommend too. Hahn, you must stay here while-"

"No way!" They all watched Hahn immediately cross his arms. "No way am I going to be stuck here managing the boring stuff. That's what you elders and tribal representatives are for! And double no way am I'd ever miss out on fighting the biggest battle the city has seen in forever! I mean, do you want us to lose?! The army will be lost without their Head Chieftain! That's my decision and it's final!"

"I see... I was afraid you'd say that." Master Pakku sighed, "If you must then… Take Katara as your First Wave."

"What?" Katara coughed. "First Wave"... It was a Northern Water Tribe tradition- the wisest and most capable Waterbender in a Water Tribe who acted as a chieftain's second in command. Master Pakku was the First Wave of Chieftain Arnook for decades which made him very influential and naturally very wise. The Southern Water Tribe didn't have such strictly defined titles and positions, but still, Katara didn't feel like she was up to that level.

"Wha- First Wave? But she's a girl!" Hahn squawked in disbelief, "AND Southern Water Tribe!"

... Nevermind, she'd take the job if only to prove him wrong. Her mouth was already open and moments from shouting some choice words for the new 'Head Chieftain' when her waterbending master's thin frame stepped in front of her- breaking line of sight with the Head Jerkoff.

"Hahn." An unimpressed Master Pakku said, "Katara is the brightest and most diligent student I have trained in decades. She is also a student of Master Yagoda. Both those things taken together mean that you will not find a more gifted and driven Waterbender in Agna Qel'a who is both capable in combat and waterbending healing. If all those were not enough, she is also the closest thing we have to a representative for all the Waterbenders of the South Pole. Now, I know this must be difficult to understand for someone with roughly the same intelligence as an arctic hen; but- whether you like it or not- she is now to you as I am to Chieftain Arnook, and that means showing her the appropriate amount of respect that recognition entails. So, I would appreciate it if you do not make light of my word as the Head Chieftain Arnook's First Wave."

Hahn, to his credit, recognised that Master Pakku was being dead serious- blue eyes wide open and his eyebrows raised in surprise as he looked at her, "Woah, you must really be that good for Master Pakku to talk you up like that."

He bowed to her, very politely too.

Katara returned the gesture, feeling more than a little good about it. "Trust me, I'm just as surprised as you are." She smirked, sparing a glance at her waterbending master.

"Don't get used to it, little girl." Master Pakku brushed off, but the slight tug on the corner of his mouth told her that he meant what he said. "And remember, that fancy title comes with a great responsibility. And that responsibility is to keep the chieftain safe, both from forces that would do him harm... and his own poor judgement."

The last part was a whisper, just for her. Katara smiled, "I won't fail in my assigned duty, Master Pakku."

"I have no doubt that you'll make us proud at the frontlines, First Wave Katara." The older man said with a small smile.

"Wait, what do you mean 'frontlines'?!" She squawked. "You want me to go out there into the polar wastes?!"

"Yes," Master Pakku nodded, "Accompanying the Head Chieftain into battle is one of your duties as First Wave. Is there a problem?"

Katara was no coward, but her recently-healed ribs still had a phantom ache just from the prospect of fighting Khan again. It cost how many waterbenders their lives just to stall him enough for Master Pakku to arrive with backup. And now, she's being expected to face down that metal giant by herself? Against that brutal conqueror and his brutal division that burned, pillaged and enslaved a burning swathe across the Earth Kingdom? Without her brother, without Aang?

"O-of course there's a problem!" Cold sweat dripped down the back of her neck under her parka, "My place is here- tending to Aang!"

Master Pakku arched a grey eyebrow, "We have already spoke of Master Yagoda already having Pupil Aang in her care, so- Ah, I see what this is about." His eyes softened, not taking his eyes off her as he said as an aside, "Head Chieftain? Will you excuse us for a moment?"

"Whut? Yeah, sure sure."

Her waterbending master led her to the side, "I thought about what you said, Katara, and I think you're right." He said in an earnest tone, "Women can step up to the same responsibilities as men. Perhaps, they've always been. There is no 'your place', not anymore. I will not constrain you or your sisters to simply being healers."

"So, you're sending us out to fight those monsters?"

"Traditionally," Master Pakku began, "when Northern Water Tribe made Incursion out of Agna Q'ela, it usually meant that we sent a hospital-clipper with our best healers to tend to the injured nearer to the battlefront. But you've shown me that waterbending women can be just as effective in the Ways of offensive waterbending- as brave and strong of warriors as any man. So, in addition to being First Wave, you will be overseeing the company of Master Yagoda's pupils who will be accompanying the army. I've done my best to train whoever was willing in the past month; but I suppose it is only fitting that my first female student should finish their training. Agna Q'ela… No, the fate of the entire Northern Water Tribe requires every pair of hands to give back in whichever way they can. And you are the only ones who can heal and fight. We won't deny you your part in it- this is as much your War as it is ours. "

Katara didn't know what to say to that. Yes, she fought Master Pakku to a standstill to prove that girls could be just as strong. And she was. She was his best student- he said so himself! She kicked all the boys' butts in their waterbending spars, but… this was different somehow.

"War…" Katara whispered.

She had been eight-years-old when she lost her mother. But even in the years before that… 'War' was a word for something terrible that was far away. Something that her dad, the Chieftain, sent men to so that it'll keep being far away, so that she and her mother could be safe…

… But it didn't. So, it just goes to show just what he and his 'traditions' knew!

Master Pakku levelled whiskered smile of reassurance at her. "The best I can do now is to ensure that the men that you and your sisters will be marching with are mustered, armed and inspected."

That's right… The Fire Nation was weak. They had them outnumbered and on the run- giant or no giant. What was she so worried about? She'll pay him back for what he did to her brother and to Aang. She'll stop his evil in his tracks by herself!

"I… we won't let you down." She nodded, saluting like she had seen the men do. She won't back down. She'd fought so hard to prove it to Master Pakku. She'll prove it to everyone else. They'll prove it.

"I know you won't." Master Pakku gave her one last pat on the shoulder, "I've already sent out a muster for the company. They'll be expecting you. May the Moon and Ocean Spirits watch over you out there."

He brushed past her just as Hahn clapped his mittened hands, the dark-haired boy grinning an eager smile.

"Alright! I didn't expect to find a brand new First Wave so quick, but them's the perks of being Head Chieftain, I guess. Sweet!" He paused, looked her up and down, then wrinkled his nose, "Before we go do official things, though, let's go visit my tailor. We can't have my First Wave walking around like that."

"Like what?" Katara crossed her arms over her blue furs, "What's wrong with the clothes that I'm wearing?!"

"Kaya, Kaya, Kaya..." Hahn shook his head like a disappointed teacher. "You can't be the Head Chieftain's First Wave wearing plain furs. Haven't you noticed that even Master Pakku wears the good stuff? You have to understand that the First Wave's... appearance reflects on the Head Chieftain too! We need you in the finest furs that the Northern Water Tribe can make!"

"It's Katara. And no way-" She paused, and almost kicked herself when she caught herself about to decline being gifted expensive new clothes, "-am I going to turn that offer down! If expensive clothing is important, I guess I'll have no choice as First Wave! Let's get that new wardrobe!"

"That's the spirit, Kayata!"

Just as they were about to walk out the door, Sokka's voice called out to them, "Hey, take care, okay?" he waved a whalebone crutch in the air, "If it gets too challenging hanging out with that pushy polar-bear-dog, I'll be right here to back you up."

"Thanks, Sokka, but I'll be fine!" she smiled back to him. "I can take care of myself!"

"I was talking to Head Chief over there! Take care, man, she's a biter!"

"Ha ha, very funny, Sokka!"

Katara followed Hahn all the way out of the Palace. The sun still warming the city of Agna Qel'a that was still in the middle of rebuilding as they walked the streets to wherever Hahn's tailor was. "Hey, uh, Head Chieftain Hahn?" She turned to him. "Can we talk about what the plan is to defeat the Fire Nation? I only caught the tail end of it."

"No sweat." Hahn smiled at her, even his lax smile felt cocky to her, "You didn't miss much to be honest. We just put out a muster for volunteers. It'll be tough digging up the weapons to arm them all, but everyone should have some ceremonial family weapons they can use. And like you've heard back there, I've been pushing for everyone to act fast so that we can attack in a week- five days if we really push it. By then, we'd probably have around ten thousand warriors armed and ready to kick the Fire Nation off our land! So, yeah, that's about it!"

"Wait, ten thousand soldiers in five days?!"

Past his fringe of black hair, Hahn gave her a confused glance. "Why do you sound so surprised? They attacked our home. Of course, we're going to attack with as many as we can, as fast as we can!"

"No, I understand that part. The scale and numbers are just mind-boggling." She admitted quietly.

"I guess it is..." He said with a smirk that made her want to dunk his face in ice water, "... for someone from the Southern Water Tribe."

"Don't push it, Head Chieftain."

"Just saying facts." he shrugged with a smug smile. "But anyway, with your waterbending chops and my amazing leadership skills, we're going to have that Fire Nation officer, Commander Gan, on his hands and knees, begging for forgiveness! The Fire Nation can run, but they can't hide. Not in the North Pole- not in our lands. Once the scouts find the Fire Nation nest, the Water Tribe will finally be taking the fight to the Fire Nation. I'll smash aside the cowardly Fire Nation who attacked during the night and rescue everyone! Oh, here comes some of our militia now!"

Katara followed the direction of his pointed mittened finger and found them.

They were hard to miss. A squad of big, muscular men in thick water tribe blue parkas came marching in close packs down the icy streets, the soles of their thick fur boots stomping out a cadence on the snow and ice. Their whalebone bows and spears tied securely to their packs, along with all the gear for the brutal arctic tundras. They were likely headed for the muster where Master Pakku was going to brief them.

"Impressed yet, Karata?" Hahn gave her a reassuring but still smug smirk, "Just imagine. You and me leading ten thousand of the Northern Water Tribe's best warriors, the healers to patch 'em up…. And a thousand Fire Nation soldiers being the only thing standing between me and the proudest victory the Northern Water Tribe will see in the entire war!"

"Ten against one in our favour, huh?" Katara murmured. The odds sounded better when it was said out loud, but she still had that bad feeling. Like that time when they were reassuring Aang at the outskirts of the city, that there was no Fire Nation coming for them only for them to attack the city at night. She tried to think about it more. But really, she couldn't imagine it. Couldn't imagine losing in a fight that's ten to one. But…

"I guess if Agna Qel'a could handle getting attacked, then the worst has already passed, right?"

Hahn slapped her back, "Yup, you can bet on the Moon Spirit that we'll be drinking to the Warm Landers' bones this time next week!"

[The Northern Sea]

"Grand Admiral Zhao, sir! We have an unscheduled arrival of a cruiser on intercept course for the Armada!" The admiral's flag aide saluted as she entered the war room, her voice echoed clearly off the reinforced metal walls despite her full helmet.

Zhao looked up from his map of the North Pole, a twinkle of interest in his amber eyes as he smiled, "Oh? May I assume that the good Admiral Chan has finally come to his senses and that this is the start of our reinforcements from the Eastern Fleet?"

"No, sir. It's an ancient Sozin-era cruiser." The flag aide reported, "The vanguard captain had relayed his suspicions that the cruiser may be captured matériel repurposed by the Earth Kingdom for an infiltration operation. He's asking for authorisation to sink them once they're in trebuchet range and-"

"No need," Zhao scoffed, already rolling his eyes. "Contact the rear battlegroup, have them make room at the very back of the fleet."

"Sir?"

"I believe that Prince Zuko have finally come begging for some scraps of honour," Zhao said with a cruel smile, "He'll most likely call for an audience to beg for a place in the assault. It will be amusing listening to him make his case."

"Shall I have them summoned to come aboard immediately, sir?"

"Fire, no!" Zhao scoffed, "A fresh assignment like you may not know this, Lieutenant, but our 'beloved' Prince Zuko has grown jealous of my accomplishments during his exile, and he has no doubt come to steal my glory like some opportunistic lion-vulture. Inform Zuko that I'll call him up 'soon'; so clear a block in my schedule tomorrow for him and General Iroh. A little waiting would be good for him."

"Duly noted, sir." She saluted, "Should I send word to rear battlegroup to keep Prince Zuko from the supply chain?"

"An inspired idea, Lieutenant!" The Grand Admiral chuckled before his cruel smile grew wider, "Yes, relay to the captains of the rear battlegroup that Prince Zuko is to be treated with the respect and hospitality that he deserves: His ship is to receive no supplies or assistance from the rest of the fleet until I deem it so. Maybe that will temper his rampant entitlement by the time we talk."

"I'll forward the messenger hawks right away, sir."

"Yes, yes." Zhao murmured, "Now where's my seal…"

"It's over here, Admiral." She pointed to a desk.

"Right. And while you're at the comms aviary, Lieutenant," Zhao said, already turning his attention back to his map, "Remind the officer-in-charge to notify me the moment we receive the next update about the groundside situation from the 41st Division, and stress that it is very sensitive information."

"Yes, sir! Commander Khan's report will be for your eyes only. I'll see to it personally." Azula saluted.