Chapter 12

The North Pole

The North Pole was much grander than its southern counterpart. Enormous walls of ice and snow towered over them as the ornate gates opened to reveal an impressive city crafted out of the very glacier itself. The first light of the day reflected off of every inch of sparkling snow with brilliant colour, yet despite its beauty, Hakoda look upon the Northern tribe with contempt.

The Fire Nation has decimated the Southern way of life and took away all who had the power to oppose them, yet the North never lent a hand. Not once. Even after the Fire Nation left the South alone in the elements, the sister tribe sat behind their fortified wall and watched the rest of the world burn.

Hakoda's children hadn't picked up on their father's grievances. Their eyes took in all of the glistening city with awe and amazement. Katara could barely contain her excitement to learn everything the northern tribe had to offer.

"This place is amazing," she said.

"Yeah, really amazing," Sokka sighed.

Druk wasn't nearly as impressed as the southern siblings. The few that walked the streets in the early morning stopped to gape at the dragon curled up on deck. Druk kept his watch of each and every one of them with his crimson eyes but he barely moved from spot curled up on deck. All those who caught his gaze hid back in side or tried to put as much distance between them and the dragon as possible.

"I don't know if they're more afraid of you or Iroh and I," Zuko said as he leaned against the dragon's scaly side. He hoped that his presence would keep Druk from flying off and terrifying the locals. He could tell the Northern tribe didn't like their presence especially not that of Fire nationals and they had to do all they could to gain the North's trust if they had any hope of acquiring a water bending master. Zuko only wished that Druk would stop sizing up each tribesman like they were about to fight in an Agni Kai.

They stopped in front of the grand steps and Pakku began to lead the group to the palace. "Chief Arnook is not expecting anyone at this hour, but now isn't the time to schedule an audience. Leave the beast here, it certainly can't come inside."

Zuko didn't like the idea of of Druk being alone with the Northerners but Hakoda assured his worries. "Don't worry, my men will keep watch of him while we're inside." Despite their chief's confident words, the southern men gave each other a nervous look.

Zuko looked back at Druk who was stretching on the boat. "Stay," he said sternly, but the dragon gave him a sideways glance and unfurled his wings. "Don't you ignore me now. Stay here and don't cause any trouble, alright?"

Druk turned away and snorted.

"When did you get so moody," Zuko muttered.

"Awe," Katara giggled, "he's taking after you."

"What?!" Zuko exclaimed. "I'm not moody!"

"Oh no, of course not," she sniggered as she ascended the grant steps to the palace, "my mistake."

…

The doors to the palace opened up into a grand hall crafted out of ice. Short steps led to a raised platform framed by two towering pillars, a fine carpet lay before it and water cascaded down the icy back wall. Katara gaped at the beauty of it all and wonder just how many water benders had crafted the enormous palace.

It only took a moment before the chief arrived to meet them. "My name is Arnook. What is this urgent business you have travelled far to discuss with me, Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe?"

Hakoda collected himself before the northern chief and took a breath to calm his own anger towards the northern tribe. "I understand we've come unannounced, but we have come to inform you of the death of the Earth avatar."

Arnook and Pakku gave each other bewildered looks. "When did this happen," Pakku demanded, "and how are you so sure?"

"I did not know myself until recently, but the last avatar has been dead for the past sixteen years." Pakku opened his mouth to object to the absurd statement but Hakoda pressed forward. "I know this because we have discovered the new avatar."

"Nonsense," Pakku said, "the Fire Nation has been trying to infiltrate the Earth Kingdom for years, why would they continue their approach if the avatar has been reborn among them."

Iroh was the one to step forward and respond to the old water bending master. "That is because the avatar is my nephew, Zuko."

Pakku froze for a moment before he turned to scrutinize the young fire bender. "Is that so."

"Do you know this man, Pakku?" Arnook asked.

"We met a long time ago over a game of Pai Sho."

Arnook gave him an incredulous look. "I didn't know you played Pai Sho." Pakku just hummed in return still observing Zuko.

Arnook turned back to Hakoda. "So you are telling me that the avatar passed away in secret and was reborn in a Fire Nation boy without the Fire Lord ever knowing of his existence."

"Iroh and his nephew are traitors to their country and we only discovered Zuko's abilities recently," Hakoda said. "The Fire Nation has no knowledge of this."

"Then it is a lucky day," Arnook announced with a smile. He descended the steps to clasp Hakooda's hand. "Please join us tonight to celebrate my daughter's birthday and I will announce the avatar's arrival to my tribe."

"Thank you, Arnook," Hakoda said, "but there is something I must request from you. I believe that if we combine the forces of both our tribes and the avatar we have a chance at ending this war, but we need a water bending master for Zuko as well as my daughter Katara.

"What you are saying is risky,"Arnook said slowly, "we have kept the Fire Nation out of our water for many years only because we have the advantage here in our element. I don't believe our tribes together have a chance at taking down the Fire Nation even with the avatar."

"But–"

"I will allow Zuko and Katara to study waterbending here," Arnook continued, "but I want to discuss the matter of the war with the rest of my council at a later date. For now I want you and your men to rest here while we prepare for the celebrations tonight."

Hakoda took another calming breath and responded stiffly, "thank you for your help."

…

"Dad was acting kind of strange today don't you think," Sokka said as he and his sister settled into their fur covered igloo in the Northern city.

Kattara, who had been smiling to herself, look up at her brother with confusion. "Huh, really?"

"Yeah, he didn't seem to like the chief."

"Hmm, no I didn't notice."

"Of course not," Sokka muttered, "you were too busy fantasizing over getting a master to teach you weird waterbendy ticks."

His cynical tone didn't seem to phase her at all. "Oh isn't this great Sokka?" she practically squealed, "I'm finally getting to learn waterbending. Real waterbending!"

"Yeah, yeah whatever. It's not like we're here for you. We need to convince the Northern tribe to help us beat the Fire Nation."

"Well obviously, but it doesn't mean I can't be excited."

A cough sounded behind the curtains to their room that were pulled back to reveal Zuko. "Do you mind if I stay with you two while we're here," he said looking off to no where in particular. "My ears are going to fall off if I hang around uncle's snoring any longer."

"Of course you can–" Katara had started but her brother cut her off.

"Yeah, sure."

"Huh?" she said. "Really? I thought you hated Zuko."

Sokka and Zuko shared a brief glance. "He's alright, I guess."

"Thanks," Zuko responded in a way that Katara could tell was genuine. He set his bag down on the far end of the igloo next to Sokka.

She was sceptical of their sudden peace. "Did something happen between you too or something?"

"Not really," the boys said at the same time.

Katara raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead she turned to Zuko. "Do you think Pakku will teach us?"

Zuko hummed, "maybe."

"He and Iroh seem to be good friends, do you know him?"

"Never met him or heard of him," Zuko said with indifference. "I didn't even know Iroh had friends from other nations, but now that I think about it, it seems like something Iroh would do."

"He is kinda…" Sokka began.

"Kind-hearted?" Katara said.

"Weird for a firebender."

"Sokka don't be rude."

…

The celebration for Arnook's daughter began at sunset. Many people of the northern tribe sat in terraced rows around a large boiling pool of water where seafood for the feast was cooked. A stage set in front of a row of water falls stood at the front of the gathering empty for the time being.

The chatter that filled the air silenced when Arnook stood to speak. "As you all know, we have gathered here to celebrate my daughter's birthday, but we are also welcoming the arrival of our sister and brothers from the Southern Tribe. Today they came to me with grave news that the avatar that we all thought was hiding away in the Earth Kingdom has been dead for many years." Gasps sounded among the audience and they began to whisper fiercely among themselves. 'But do not fret," he continued, "for the new avatar is among us determined to face the Fire Nation and bring an end to this war."

Cheers of relief swept through the northern tribesmen and Zuko bowed from his seat hoping that he could gain their trust and live up to the expectations of the avatar. Azula was always the one to please, he thought, I'll have to become better than her if I have any hope of defeating my father.

"Now please welcome my daughter Yue," Arnook announced as a beautiful young girl with snow white hair and crystal blue eyes joined to stand with her father. "Today she is sixteen and of marrying age."

"Thank you, father," she said. "I hope we may all look towards a brighter future full of peace and happiness."

The feast opened with a show of Pakku and his students that Katara positively gushed over, and Zuko thought that everything was going well enough. The food was similar to what he had in the South pole: bland and seasoned with nothing but salt. It was decent enough, but he missed the spices grown in the Fire Nation and imported from the Earth Kingdom. Of course the northern and southern tribes had no access to either due to the wars, but perhaps a long time ago the Northern tribe celebrated with exotic spices from the fertile southern continents.

Here I am getting all sentimental over food, Zuko thought.

Pakku joined them part way into the feast and sat beside Iroh chatted about what Zuko could only guess was tea. He couldn't figure out why the two of them got along so well considering Pakku's sour attitude, but perhaps they both really did enjoy Pai Sho so much that they would put aside their differences.

"Pakku and his students were really amazing, weren't they," Katara said. "Do you think we'll be able to do stuff like that?"

"It looked too flashy to be practical."

"Well, not everything has to be practical."

"Are you saying we should just impress the Fire Nation into ending the war."

"…yes," she said with false sincerity, "yes I am."

Zuko could almost laugh at the thought of Ozai being impressed at anything other than himself or Azula. "The Fire Nation believes that waterbending is an inferior art and that firebending for any other reason than battle disgraces its power."

Katara looked at Zuko in silence for a moment. "Is that what you believe?"

"I used to."

The night grew older as guests retired to their beds. Although it was late, Arnook took Zuko and Katara aside to meet their new waterbending masters.

"I believe you two have already met Pakku," Arnook said. "He will be Zuko's teacher during your stay here."

Zuko bowed politely despite Pakku's smug expression.

"And here," Arnook continued, "is Yugoda. She will be your teacher, Katara."

The elderly woman gave Katara a warm maternal smile.

"Oh," Katara said, "we won't be studying together?"

It was Pakku who responded looking down his nose to Katara. "Well of course not. Only men may learn to fight, it's our culture. Girls such as yourself don't have the skill or concentration for combat."

Katara's face lit up anger and Zuko caught himself feeling astonished yet unsurprised to hear such a statement from the old man.

"E-excuse me?!" Katara stammered.

"What Master Pakku means to say," Yugoda said sweetly, "is that women here learn healing. It is a sacred and valuable art that when mastered can save many from death."

Pakku's roll of the eyes didn't go unnoticed.

Katara glared at the old master but turned her attention back to Yugoda. "I'm sorry, Yugoda, if I offended you," she said as politely as possible. "I'd be happy to learn from you." Zuko raised a brow at that not expecting Katara to back down, but there was still the same rebellious glint in her eye that gave him the feeling that she would get the last laugh eventually.

Yugoda nodded curtly at Katara still smiling. "My class gathers in the morning," she said, "but do not worry if you're a little late. The girls take some time to set up our equipment."

Pakku butted in before Katara could respond. "I expect to see you at sunrise, avatar," he said, "don't be late."

Zuko couldn't help but be reminded of his firebending teachers in the imperial palace. "Yes, sir," he responded flatly.

"Very well, good night." With that Pakku turned and left the group in silence.

Zuko and Katara bid Arnook and Yugoda a good night and headed to their shared igloo.

"What a jerk," Katara spat.

Zuko hummed. "For a moment I thought you were going to fight him."

"As much as I would have loved to cut him down a peg," she said crossing her arms assertively, "I couldn't set such a bad example in front of the chief. At least not with my dad here."

"I didn't know you cared about your image so much."

"I don't," she sighed, "but Sokka said that dad's been acting tense ever since we got here. I don't want to put anymore stress on him, and besides, I'm going to learn waterbending whether that old geezer wants me to or not."

"And how are you going to do that?"

"I..." she began, "I haven't figured that out yet, but when I do he'll be sorry for underestimating me!"

Sorry about the silence. It's been hectic and I've been trying to catch up on my work. I was planning on having this chapter be twice as long but I decided to cut it in half so that I'm able to give you guys some sort of update. Not much happens unfortunately but it sets up the events for this arc.

thank you for your patience.

I would also like to inform you all that I have a new computer which helps immensely with writing this story.

This isn't edited unfortunately so I apologize for the mistakes.