The Initiates

A fan fiction story based upon characters from the Nickelodeon cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender

By Storywriter1id

Disclaimer: The characters in this story are the sole property of the producers of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I claim nothing.

Chapter 1 – The Bounty Hunter

A lone ostrich-horse ambled its way across the dusty central Earth Kingdom prairie. Its rider adjusted his wide brimmed felt hat to better shield his cerulean eyes against the glare of the mid-day sun. A green silk kerchief tied around his nose obscured his sharp, angular features and filtered the worst of the dust from nose and mouth. The sleeveless, light blue tunic he wore and the whale bone boomerang holstered on his back marked him as a Southern Water Tribe warrior. However the Fire Nation Army officer's jian on hip hinted that there was more to this simple tribesman than met the eye. Indeed, there was. This was Sokka, hero of the 100 year war and brother-in-law (and in spirit) of the Avatar. In his 22 years he had helped end a century long war, traveled to every corner of the world, been a friend and confidant of the Fire Lord, the Avatar, and the Earth King; and briefly, all too briefly, been a husband and chief of his tribe. That was 2 years ago but it felt like another lifetime. Now, he is The Blue Wolf. He is a bounty hunter.

There had been many atrocities during the war. After the end, the Earth Kingdom demanded justice. Many high ranking Fire Nation generals and admirals were rounded up, tried, and executed or imprisoned for war crimes. Another thousand or so mid ranking officials were charged, but managed to escape into the vastness of the Earth Kingdom continent. The Earth Kingdom tried and convicted them in absentia, and offered substantial rewards for them dead or alive.

Sokka would collect his latest bounty from the magistrate at the fortress a half-day's ride ahead. The grim guarantee of that bounty rode in the blood stained burlap sack that hung lazily from the pommel of his saddle. His plan was to arrive before sundown, collect his reward, and retire to the tavern for some lechee beer, a hot meal, a bath, a good night's sleep on a real bed. For once, he was ahead of schedule.

"Halt," shouted the stout earthbending sentry. "State your business."

Sokka pulled the kerchief from his face and said, "I'm here to see the magistrate to collect a bounty" and held up the burlap sack for emphasis. "Where's Sergeant Chuy?"

"He's on leave. I'm gonna need to see your papers," the guard brusquely stated.

Sokka reached into his tunic, pulled out a scroll, and handed it to the soldier. It was a letter of free passage. The guard's eyes grew to the size of saucers when he saw the Earth King's personal seal at the bottom. Meekly, he handed the scroll back to Sokka. "My apologies, Sir. Welcome to Lan Yu outpost." Sokka acknowledged with a nod as the guard took an earthbending stance and opened a tunnel in the fortress wall.

Sokka dismounted his ostrich-horse and led him down the street to the outpost headquarters. After hitching his mount to the post, he collected his package, and went inside. The magistrate, a large, middle aged earthbender beamed when he recognized Sokka's lanky frame. "So, Sokka, my friend, the legendary Blue Wolf himself has returned! Who did you bring me today?"

Sokka untied the bag and reached inside. Holding the head by the long, braided topknot, he announced, "Your Honor, allow me to introduce you to Colonel Mongke, formerly of the Rough Rhinos. I hope you won't take offense if he doesn't extend you the proper courtesies. You know, because he's dead."

The older man chuckled, "No offense taken. You know, Sokka, the reward's the same for the fugitives alive or dead."

"Couldn't take the risk," Sokka flatly mused. "This one's a pretty nasty firebender. He might've fried me and got a way before I could deliver him."

The magistrate sighed "That's what you always say, my boy. Where, might I ask , is the rest of the good Colonel?"

Sokka shrugged, "Probably still in the same whore's bed where I found his head."

The magistrate shook his head. He never could tell if Sokka was serious when he used that tone. "In any case, you've earned yourself a decent wage today. This one's worth 1500 gold pieces."

"I know," Sokka said coolly. "If you don't mind paying me my wage, I'd like to get down to the tavern, get cleaned up and have a decent meal."

The magistrate nodded, took an iron key from around his neck and unlocked the heavy chest on his desk. He counted out Sokka's reward, placed the coins in a leather pouch, and handed the package over to the tanned bounty hunter. Their business concluded, they clasped hands, and Sokka left without a further word.

Sokka stabled his ostrich-horse and entered tavern. As he removed his hat, he found himself swallowed in the warm embrace of the tavern's voluptuous hostess. "Sokka, it's so good to see you again," Madame Ling beamed. "How long will you be with us this time?"

"Just the night, Ma'am. I've got a lead on a fugitive hiding out in the lower ring of Ba Sing Se."

"You should stay longer, young one. I can tell you need the rest," the matron pouted.

Madame Ling's tavern offered cold drinks, hot food, warm baths, soft beds, and affectionate companionship. Sokka was something of a regular (although he never indulged in the companionship services the establishment offered), and treated the staff well. Madame Ling had developed a motherly affection for the lanky hunter, always insured he got the best food, drink, and bed when he visited.

Madame Ling brightened, "Well, your regular table's open, and there's a cold leechee beer waiting for you. Your meal will be out in about 20 minutes."

Sokka gave her a brief smile. "Thanks, Ling. You're the best."

He ate his meal in silence, and drank two more beers before retiring to the bath house. Fresh towels, clean sleeping clothes and a robe awaited him. He took off his dingy clothes and placed them in a basket. Madame Ling would have them laundered overnight, and they'd be outside his door in the morning. Sokka sank into the bath, and started scrubbing two weeks of accumulated sweat and grime off his body. After his bath he dried off, shaved the sides of his head and tied the rest of his hair into his signature wolf tail.

Sokka, in his bath robe and night clothes made his way to his room. The warm bath and cold leechee beer had done their work, and he was feeling relaxed for the first time in weeks. As he entered the room, something tickled his senses. He located his sword, and instinctively held it by the scabbard at his left hip. In a single motion, he unsheathed the blade and swung it in a graceful arc to a point just behind his right shoulder. Sokka the pivoted the rest of his body around to see the point of his blade just inches from the bearded face of a man with piercing grey eyes.

"Master Piandao?"