Chapter Text
The southern ocean was vast, beautiful, brilliant and blue. The sounds of ice breaking filled the air as the lion orcas hammered into the ice. The south pole sea birds cried loudly from above a great as they fly over a jet black warship that was sailing through the cold frigid water. A lone figure stood at the hull of the ship, looking towards the horizon. He was clad in red and black attire. His long black hair was half up, tied neatly with a golden pin. He was looking towards the land of white ice that glittered in the sun. He had a burned scar marked over his left eye. Another figure walked towards the other.
“Crown Prince Zuko” The man bowed his towards the other said. He wore armour, with layers of robes, marking his higher ranking from a foot solider.
“Yes, Lieutenant Jee.” Prince Zuko answered.
“We will soon arrive at the Southern Water Tribe.”
Prince Zuko let out a deep sigh, a cloud of smoke formed when his hot breath met with the ice cold air, which soon dissipated into the south wind.
“Thank you Lieutenant Jee, tell the helmsman to navigate us to the Southern Water docks and prepare for landing.” Prince Zuko replied.
“Yes, Crown Prince Zuko.” The lieutenant replied.
“Prepare for landing!” Lieutenant Jee shouted at the crew. A thunder of steps echoed through the deck of the ship, crew members clad in simple red and black armour zigzagged across the deck, preparing the ship for docking, eager to obey the orders.
Prince Zuko took one last breath of fresh cold air, before donning a light blue mask. The mask had a design was similar to a oni mask. Large white teeth with long fangs were intricately carved on the mask. It was decorated with white highlights accentuating its features including its cheeks and eyebrows but left two slits for eyes.
Lieutenant Jee looked over oddly at the Crown Prince. “Your highness, if I may ask… why are you wearing a mask?” Lieutenant Jee questioned.
Prince Zuko sighed deeply behind the mask. Slightly muffled, he replied “I don’t want the first thing that my future consort to see when they look at my face… is my father’s face or my scar.” He turns to look at the Lieutenant. “I don’t want to scare them, before I even get say hello.” Crown Prince Zuko finished pathetically.
The Lieutenant didn’t say anything. His heart cried for his Prince but what could a solider like him say to appease his prince’s mind. What else could he say. Lieutenant Jee just nodded in understanding.
It was very obvious, the Fire Nation’s standing was a rough and as turbulent as the oceans they crossed to get here. A hundred years of death, suffering and war has plunged their whole world in literal darkness. If it wasn’t for The Day of the Black Sun, the Fire Nation would have taken over the world and burned everything in its path. It was a small band of heroes and the Avatar that tipped the scales and brought peace and balance to the world.
However, it easier to break something than to fix it. While the day of peace came, hatred burned and replaced it. A small spark can cause a blaze. And now that the dust has settled, everyone is looking for someone to blame and they are all pointing finger at the Fire Nation. This means they need a strong, just leader, now more than ever before or the whole nation would burn.
Heavy is the crown.
…
Soon they successfully docked the jet black war ship along the Souther Water Tribe’s pier. The crew member hurriedly prepared the bridge. Prince Zuko, donning his oni mask walked along with Lieutenant Jee not far behind him.
There was two distinct figures were waiting for them on the docks. There was woman with dark brown locks, decorated with beautiful braids and beads, clad with soft furs and blue fabrics and a golden waist belt. She was wearing beautiful brown boots made of south seal hide. She stood next to an air nomad, clad with a soft yellow gold tunic, nicely contrasted with bright red sash draped handsomely across his body. Bright blue arrow marking claimed the man’s skin. It was clearly the Avatar.
The Avatar was one of the great pillars for the reason for Fire Lord Ozai’s fall. The Avatar disappeared for a hundred years and came at the last hour and the to the nation’s greatest needs. Crown Prince Zuko only saw him a handful of times before. He was kind, although Crown Prince Zuko would not be surprised to if he wasn’t recognised.
As Crown Prince Zuko got closer, he saw the facial expression on the woman’s face. A frown was etched in her expression. She clearly wasn’t happy with the arrival of the Fire Nation in her home.
Prince Zuko felt his heart drop with worry, however, he pushed himself to continue and stand up tall and walk confidently towards her and the Avatar. He looked towards the Avatar and he fortunately looked a lot happier, almost excited. His forgiveness and kindness exceeds his reputation.
A smaller crowd of Souther Water Tribespeople started gathering around them, wanting to see the newcomers.
The Souther Water Tribe woman bowed slightly. “Welcome to the Southern Water Tribe, Fire Nation.” She said it quietly, but it was dripping with distaste. “My name is Katara.”
Katara is the name of the Princess the Southern Water Tribe. She is also one of the strongest water benders around, another great asset to the war and reason for the war ending. Zuko also heard that rumour has it she can also blood bend. This would be the first time they had ever met. Obviously she was not pleased to see them.
Katara looked around “It seems like Prince Zuko couldn’t even come in person to meet his consort. Are we not worth the trouble?” She sounded like she chewed those words herself and spat it out.
“Doesn’t seem like the Prince Zuko is taking us seriously.” She added.
Uh oh. This exactly what Zuko was trying to avoid. He could feel Lieutenant uneasiness behind him. They could be turned away, they haven’t even left the docks. Katara not only was she a strong waterbender but she was the Princess of the Souther Water Tribe. She could demand that they leave, and they would have no choice but obey or risk further international dispute, or worse another war.
“The last time you came, you brought death. My mother was killed because of the likes of you people.” She gripped a blue choker necklace with a water tribe emblem carved elegantly into a pendant. Zuko recognised from his lessons from the palace. It was a souther water tribe betrothal necklace. “And now you are here to take more of my family.” She continued.
“All you do is take...” She ended.
The Avatar stepped forward, laying his hand on Katara’s shoulder. “Katara…”
Her words cut deep. Every word was true. The Fire Nation has taken so many lives, and now the living had to bear the consequences. And she was right about the fact the Zuko was too much of a coward to show his face. Finally, she was right, they were here to take his consort. All the Fire Nation has ever done over the last hundred years is take.
Zuko could dispute a single thing but he could only try.
Prince Zuko bowed deeply, addressing Katara like royalty. Lieutenant Jee looked gobsmacked. Zuko was not just any royal member, he was the Crown Prince to the Fire Nation, next in line to take the mantle of Fire Lord. They do not bow. Katara even looked surprised, not knowing he was Prince Zuko himself, but she was probably surprised from the fact that a Fire Nation solider was bowing before her.
Lieutenant Jee quickly followed suit and bowed.
Prince Zuko kept his eyes trained on the floor of the docks.
“My apologies, Princess Katara of the Souther Water Tribe, on behalf of the Fire Nation, I am deeply sorry for what we have done.”
Prince Zuko stood up straight to look at her.
“You are right Princess Katara, my nation has brought war and devastation across the world. We have committed a thousand sins and then some. Mere words cannot describe my own regret, let alone an apology. However, I can tell you that we do not come bearing ill intent or threat. If you so wish, we will turn around and go back. However, we will never get to make it up to you. No matter what we, the Fire Nation, need to be better than what we were yesterday. The Fire Nation has done many wrongs and has a lot to make up for. But we cannot do so without an opportunity.”
Prince Zuko bowed again.
“Please at least give us a chance to prove ourselves.”
The crowd whispered around them, seeming to be surprised at the Fire Nation and their words.
Crown Prince Zuko looked at Katara straight on. He said the next few words a little quieter, only for her Katara to hear.
“I am sorry for your loss, but for what it is worth, this war also took my mother from me and how I miss her…”
Katara’s face shifted.
“I promise we are not here to take your family away. Crown Prince Zuko has sent his strongest and most trusted division of soldiers, the 41st Division, to ensure the safety of his consort. He took extra measures to ensure that they will be comfortable in their journey. “ Zuko paused, thinking desperately of an excuse. “Crown Prince Zuko wanted to be here, however could place the consort in unnecessary peril, and chose not to come instead. However, if they so wished, they will also be returned safely back home.”
It made sense. The Crown Prince Zuko is a prime target. Not just for a reason to blame all of the Fire Nation’s actions and treachery, but also for revenge from the followers of the previous Fire Lord’s regime. It would be an easy target if both the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation and his future consort were found to be on a ship sailing across the ocean. They could kill two birds with one stone.
The Avatar seemed to be impressed at the Crown Prince’s words and smiled brightly at Zuko.
“Very well said, we cannot move forward if we stay in our ways.” he said brightly. The Avatar looked at Katara. “We must be the change we want to see in this world.”
“My name is Aang” he smiled and bowed slightly to show respect.
Katara looked at Prince Zuko and Lieutenant Jee then spun around to face her back towards them.
Zuko was almost certain she would ask them to leave.
However, Katara angled her head toward them. “Alright, I can see why they sent you. You can sure make a speech. This way.”
Aang grinned and followed after Katara. Prince Zuko and Lieutenant Jee hurried to follow them, before she changed her mind. Several other Fire Nation soldier were also watching the whole scene from the ship. Prince Zuko looked up at them and made a gesture to stay on the ship in which they nodded.
Everyone started walking toward the Southern Water Tribe’s city. The docks were not too far off the main town of the Southern Water Tribe. They walk on to the land of ice, a soft crunch was made on every step they take. Zuko could see white as far as the eye can see. The pure white snow and perfect fuffy cloud were contrasted nicely on a light blue sky. It was beautiful.
Aang was showing the landmarks excited until they were in the main walls of the town.
Tall walls of ice protected the internal part of the town. Then structures of igloos soon name to vies with a few tents pitched around as well. Tribesmen and tribeswomen came put to stare at the crowd coming from the docks.
Zuko was glad Aang was here, otherwise their walk would be just an awkward silence and to act as a buffer toward the people. Aang excitedly said that they should all go penguin sliding together however Prince Zuko couldn’t even comprehend what that even meant.
Katara was walking a little further ahead but she abruptly came to a halt and stoped walking before a large staircase that lead to what looked like a large building made of ice, similar to a mess hall. “Hang on? I didn’t catch your name?” She asked Prince Zuko.
But before he could answer, Zuko got distracted and looked up from the stairs of white clear ice, trailing up to a couple of figures. His eyes caught the end of a long piece of blue fabric, that fell like a waterfall half way down the stairs. His eyes trailed along the garment until his eyes stopped.
A person stood at the top of the stair with their back to Zuko. It finally clicked that the long garment was actually a deep bright cerulean blue dress.
The dress was beautiful, soft large tuffs of white fur lined the outskirts of the dress. The dress has was decorated with bright white thread that was weaved into different snow animals and intricately designed snowflakes. The dress was topped off with a sheer white fabric that flowed like veil. The back of the dress stopped just below the person’s flank.
Zuko stopped breathing.
The back of the dress was open and it left nothing to Zuko’s imagination. Their back was like looking at a sunset, dark skin with a deep undertone, known to the Southern Water Tribe people. Their back was lean, showing off deep muscles when they moved. Zuko’s eyes trailed up their spine and up to their slender neck, where a pure white bone necklace sat elegantly. The dress had long flowy sleeves that fell elegantly at their sides.
Prince Zuko heard a faint voice coming from the top of the stairs. “Sokka, they will be here soon...” The voice belonged to an older man. He appeared to be a Southern Water Tribe man, standing tall and strong. He looked stoic, and calm. He was cleary talking to the person, named Sokka. The Southern Water Tribe man’s had a hand firmly on Sokka’s left shoulder.
It bothered Zuko a lot more than it should.
“Sokka”, Zuko thought to himself. The he felt his heart drop, realisation hit him like a crate of cabbages.
Sokka was the name of his betrothed.
“Yes, dad I know…”
“Dad”, Zuko thought to himself again, letting out a breath. The older man must be the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe, Hakoda, the uncrowned King of the South. He fought valiantly in the war, he heard stories from his dear uncle. It would truly be an honour to see him in person.
Sokka must have noticed they had company and turned to look at them.
Zuko paused halfway through his step, he choked a little when his eyes finally settled on Sokka’s face.
His chiseled jaw line was prominent, leading to his deep cheek bones. The sides of his head were shaved and rest of his dark brown hair were tied neatly into a warrior’s wolf tail. A traditional look for warriors of the Southern Water Tribe. A few stray locks of hair framed his eyes, which were the colour of the ocean after a wild storm lead to a sharp nose with bright lips.
He was as beautiful as the moon herself.
Prince Zuko faltered. “This was a mistake” He thought to himself, he should have never had come. He has a half a mind to just spin around and head back to the boat, to save himself the embarrassment. He can go back to his uncle to the Fire Nation and cancel this arrangement and be done with it.
Because there is no way, someone as beautiful as Sokka would ever agree to marry some like Zuko.
Sokka clearly didn’t have the same idea. The Fire Lion Turtle must have felt sorry for him and his sad pathetic life, and decided to give his some grace, because Zuko was blessed with a sight of a row of pearly white teeth, shaped into a beautiful smile, the corner of Sokka’s eyes wrinkled with delight.
Zuko was surprised when Sokka ran towards him, looking visibly excited as he gathered his long dress, whatever blue fabric he could get his hands on, and raced down the stairs towards him. That in itself isn’t really all that surprising. Plenty of people have run up to Zuko, usually with an accusing finger or an insult. However, what really surprised Zuko was the warmth in Sokka’s blue eyes, without judgement or any hint of resentment. His smile never left his handsome face.
Sokka ran closer until he was only a few steps away. Zuko was expecting him to slow down, but Sokka only increased his speed, and by Sokka’s facial expression it wasn’t really on purpose. Sokka was shifted to a little uncertain. Before anybody knew it, Sokka tripped over his own dress and was heading straight at Zuko.
Zuko reached out to catch him and stop his fall. He wrapped his arms around Sokka, breaking the younger man’s speedy descent to the floor and steadied him by lifting him gracefully off the ground.
Now, the Southern Water Tribe Prince was now towering over Prince Zuko. Zuko had to look up and had the chance to have a closer look at Sokka’s eyes. Sokka had let go of his dress and the train pooled graciously around Zuko’s feet.
Sokka grinned like he won a prize. He reach out and wrapped his own arms around Zuko’s neck. Pulling him closer.
“Great catch!” Sokka laughed. “I love your mask by the way!”.
“Welcome to the Southern Water Tribe!” Sokka welcomed the Fire Nation warmly, like how the earth graciously greets the morning sun each day.
Zuko died a little.