The Mysterious Traveler

Welcome back!

Sorry for the late update, been busy. As usual.

This chapter will be short, I apologize for that. I will try to get Chapter 38 up soon.

I also apologize for any grammar problems.

Hope you guys enjoy Chapter 37!

Chapter Thirty-Seven:

The Siege of the North

Silence.

After much chaos following the first attacks, the night that followed was silent and anything but peaceful. Dread filled the atmosphere and the hearts of every soldier on the frontlines. Everyone was thankful for the protection of the Traveler, for granting them the time needed for repairs and rest until evening came. But they knew that the protection would not last. That morning would arrive, bringing with it the war they feared.

Pakku stood firm at the entrance wall, standing with the soldiers of the tribe and his students. Looking toward the enemy ahead.

As the sun began to rise and daybreak came, he sighed, tightening his grip on his coat as he whispered a name to himself, hoping that by the end of all this, he would be alive to see her again.

Chief Arnook arrived by Pakku's side, bringing with him the face of a leader.

Pakku asked no questions of what occurred back at the Oasis, putting faith in his chief that it was being taken care of. For now, their attention was towards the problem in front of them.

Arnook sighed, slightly bowing as he made a small prayer for his fallen friend before addressing Pakku, "Prepare for first strike."

"Sir!" Pakku nodded, turning to the soldiers. "You heard the man!"

Soldiers began to spread the word, grabbing their weapons and awakening the others who still slept.

"INCOMING!"

They turned to the sight of an oncoming fireball, taking cover as it collided with the frontline, destroying one of the small walls. Arnook's brow narrowed, wondering why the shot wasn't toward the front entrance. He had wished the Traveler's magic would have lasted longer but it still bought them the time needed.

More fireballs came, smashing into their defenses of the frontline, the cries of soldiers being heard.

Arnook immediately knew what they were doing, "Retreat to the main wall! Retreat!"

Pakku and others repeated after him, some blowing the horns as the soldiers down below began to run for the wall, using their waterbending to get up the wall and onto the walkway as fire reigned down from the sky.

Warships began to approach the ice, trying to push through, but it was too thick and too deep. So, instead, the front parts were lowered, halting the engines, to allow the Fire Nation soldiers and tanks to begin the besieging. It took only a minute for a small army to form, with the tanks in front as protection and muscle.

Some of the Tribe soldiers attacked from the cover they could find, with the small walls and barricades now demolished by the fireballs. Many were torn and burned by the approaching army, defending their retreating forces to the very end, fighting for their home.

The waterbenders on the top of the front entrance attacked with their bending, launching large balls of ice and shooting arrows at the enemy, trying their hardest to keep the enemy at bay. Others rained large icicles down upon them, piercing the shields and the bodies of their enemies.

"We must get as many of their forces onto the ice as possible!" Pakku cried out, bending ice at the nearest tank, trapping it.

"They're getting too close!" a soldier cried out.

"Just hold them off for a bit longer!" Arnook ordered.

The last of the soldiers down below were immediately killed as their backs were literally against the wall, the last one standing crying out, "For the North!" before meeting his end.

"They've reached the walls!"

"Just a bit longer!"

More soldiers and tank landed on the ice from more approaching ships.

"They're going to start melting the wall if we don't-" an arrow struck the soldier in the neck, dropping to the ground with a thud.

More soldiers fell by either fire or arrows or spears, the tanks unleashing fire onto the wall, melting the ice away.

"Sir, we need to do it now!"

Arnook held his breath as he watched more soldiers and tanks piling onto the ice, waiting just long enough for-

"NOW!"

Pakku and several waterbenders gathered into formation and began to move their hands and arms, reaching out with their bending toward the ice.

A loud crack made the entire Fire Nation army pause, fear piercing their hearts as they looked down and saw that the ice was beginning to crack into pieces. As they realized what was happening, they began to run for the ships, trampling over one another to reach safety but it was already too late.

At once, the entire ice beneath them broke apart and completely melted away, the sea reclaiming its territory as the soldiers fell into the water, sinking to the depths due to the weight of their armor. Tanks sunk ahead of them, disappearing into the darkness below. The soldiers desperately tried to take off their armor and swim back to the surface but were not fast enough. Hundreds of soldiers perished in an instant, their grave below the surface.

The Tribe cheered and cried out, celebrating the success of their trap against the enemy.

Arnook closed his eyes, guilty weighing heavy on him before turning to the soldiers, "Don't lose focus! Stand vigilant and prepare for the next attack!"

"Get back to your posts!" Pakku ordered.

Admiral Zhao watched in shock as his army perished beneath the waves, unable to comprehend what was happening once the ice began to break. He could hear the cracking from his own ship, a sound that caught him off guard. But he slowly regained himself and began to realize what had happened.

He began to slightly laugh, "Well played, Chief Arnook. Well played."

Princess Azula began to laugh, slowly and small at first, only to grow heavy and loud, "Now that… was impressive. This just keeps on getting more interesting. So, Admiral-"

Zhao turned to her, his anger on full display at her joy.

"-how do you intend to top that?"

He glared at her, his fist lighting on fire as he toyed with the idea of killing her for how annoying and disrespectful she was, but he quickly calmed himself and let the fire die out.

"The Water Tribe can try to resist the inevitable, but their city falls today," he turned to his men. "Unleash the full fury of our might onto them and send every possible ship to their front wall. And prepare my vessel."

They braced for impact as more fireballs came crashing into the front wall, causing it to crumble. The ones that didn't hit the wall went over it and began to demolish the city itself, destroying homes and other buildings. Soldiers tried their best to protect the city but it was too much and too many.

Arnook's eyes widened at the sight of warship approaching the now damaged wall, ready to besiege it, "Fall back to the Middle!"

Pakku and others relayed the message as they began to abandon the front wall, dodging fireballs that laid waste to everything. As the soldiers grouped up and formed a defense with shields in front, spears behind them, and waterbenders third, and then repeat process; they prepared for the fight of their lives.

The sound of steel against ice echoed around them as the ships collided with the front wall, the front parts lowering and digging into the ice, creating an entrance through. As more did the same, they heard battle cries as Fire Nation soldiers rushed out from the entrances, charging right for the defense.

"Stand ready!" Pakku cried out.

The men stood their ground and let out a battle cry of their own, the shielders holding their defense as they took the impact of the colliding force of their enemy, just barely holding their ground against them. They could feel the spear and swords hitting their shield, the sound of steel against steel and wood sinking deep into their minds, hopeful it would be enough to protect them. But some found their way through exposed areas, cutting flesh where they could. Men cried out in agony, some falling.

The spear soldiers from behind struck back where they could, and the waterbenders from behind them bended the water to freeze or throws chunks of ice at their enemy. But it was not enough as fire was sent their way, burning through the defense.

Arnook and Pakku attacked from the top of the Middle Wall with the soldiers by their side, trying to push the enemy back.

Appa flew through the cold, harsh winds with Sokka, Katara, Renee, Yue, Kiri and Kori on his back, with Sokka pulling the reigns. They had left Momo behind at the Oasis, hoping that maybe Aang and Severus would have escaped and returned, though they highly doubt it. The blizzard wasn't as bad but it was still a problem for them as they kept as low to the ground as possible, holding to find any trace of Zuko.

"Don't worry," Yue tried to reassure them. "Prince Zuko couldn't have gotten too far in this weather."

"I'm not worried that they'll get away," said Katara. "I'm worried that they won't."

"Actually, we should be more worried about them getting away," countered Sokka.

"Why?" Renee asked.

"Because Zuko would have come on his ship and I bet that's exactly where he's heading," he turned Appa towards the shoreline, flying along the cliffs. "He would have had the ship settle far enough away to avoid discovery but just close enough."

"But… what if they don't make it?" Kori asked.

"They'll make it! If we know anything, it is that Zuko never gives up. They'll survive and we'll find them."

Zuko sighed with relief as he and his party neared his ship, ready to be out of the blizzard and get warm again. He felt the pressure and weight of failure being lifted off him as he and the others boarded, being welcomed by the rest of his crew as they cheered his success in capturing the Avatar and the Traveler.

He couldn't help but bask in their praise. For nearly three years he had searched for the Avatar and now he had him in his possession, his key to getting back his honor and status back. But he also felt pride in capturing the Traveler just a little bit more. And did so without interference from Zhao.

"Set a course for the capital, I know a way around the blockade."

"It'll take some time to get going," said one of his men.

"What do you mean?" he felt irritated but was too tired to express it.

"Something went wrong with the engines. We're currently working on solving the problem, but it'll take a while."

Zuko raised a brow at him, "Very well. Inform me when it is time to set sail."

"Yes sir!"

Aang's eyes slowly opened, unsure if he was doing the process right. Then again, he wasn't even sure if there was a process to begin with. But the moment his eyes opened, his vision was clear as day and was greeted with the sight of a beautiful, yet dangerous swamp-like landscape. He sat at the center of a concrete circle, surrounded by dirty water. Otherworldly creatures flew above him, the sound of other lifeforms echoed around him. It truly felt like he was in on a different plane of existence.

Getting up, he ran and hopped across the closest rocks he could find, eventually coming across a humanoid-ape in clothing, sitting on the ground in a monk fashion, humming, "Om."

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I need to find the Ocean and Moon Spirits."

"Go away," the creature replied.

A second passed until it opened its eye at him, "You're still here?"

Aang's anger rose, "Yes! I need to-"

"Om!"

Annoyed beyond relief, Aang was about to try again until he heard a voice from behind.

"You'll have to forgive Master Otom. He takes his privacy very seriously."

Aang turned around, surprised by the reflection of Avatar Roku in the water.

"Roku!"

"Hello, Aang," Roku's reflection dispersed, and the water began to rise, forming into the physical form of Roku himself. "I see you made it to the North Pole."

"Roku, the Water Tribe is under attack, I need to find the Ocean and Moon Spirits."

Roku's face fell, "I'm sorry to say that I do not know where they are. The Ocean and the Moon are ancient spirits who disappeared long ago, crossing over from the Spirit World to the mortal world very near the beginning. I believe that the Chief may know but I cannot say for certain."

"Is there anyone else?"

"Can you please that this conversation someplace else?!" Master Otom cried out.

The two ignored him.

"There is but one spirit that I know of who is old enough to remember."

"Who?"

"The spirit's name is Koh, but he is very dangerous. They call him… 'The Face Stealer'."

Aang's eyes widened, fear filling his heart.

"When you speak with him you must be very careful to show no emotion at all, not even the slightest expression. Or he will steal your face."

Aang cringed but slowly nodded, "How do I find him?"

Roku looked behind him, "A friend is here to guide you to him and back here."

As the former Avatar disappeared, Aang turned around and his face lit up, "Hei Bai!"

The giant polar bear spirit moaned to him and leaned down, allowing for him to climb onto him before taking off.

Master Otom opened his eyes, sighing, "Finally!"

Princess Azula watched as Admiral Zhao sailed off on a small vessel to the now occupied front wall of the now besieged city. She was curious to see what he would do in the heat of battle but choose to stay behind to watch from afar.

A soldier approached her and whispered information into her ear.

Azula smiled, "Interesting. Prepare me a ship and have three vessels come along."

Hei Bai stopped at the entrance of a dark cave at the top of some large pillar surrounded by mist. Aang hopped off and approached the entrance, turning around once he was almost through.

"You coming?"

Hei Bai shook his head.

"Oh… well, I'll be right back. Wish me l-"

He paused, seeing a curly-tailed bluenose sitting near the edge.

"Hey, little buddy, what are you doing h-AHH!"

The bluenose turned around, revealing its blank face that sent chills down his spine.

Collecting himself, he took a deep breath of air and calmed himself, pushing his emotions to the side to keep his expression neutral as he entered the cave, reminding himself, "Show no fear. Show no emotion at all."

As he entered, he felt the atmosphere and temperature change. Something sinister and dark lurked within, and his imagination wasn't helping. As he walked down a flight of stairs, he could feel eyes on him, a presence surrounded him as his eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness.

"Hello?" he softly called out. "I'm looking for a spirit named Koh."

Above him, a figure moved across the ceiling, following his movements.

He turned around, looking for the spirit that lived in the cave, trying his best not to show emotion. But everywhere he turned, he found nothing. It was unnerving.

From behind, a face appeared, covered in makeup and red lipstick, slightly smiling.

Feeling its presence, Aang prepared himself as the figured emerged and quickly moved in front of him in a split of a second.

"Welcome!"

Its voice was commanding and heavy, echoing off the walls. Its body was that of a centipede, only enormous and could change its face at will. It made Aang wonder if it had an original face.

"Thank you," he emotionlessly said, bowing.

"My old friend, the Avatar," Koh moved its body behind him, which was hanging from the ceiling. "It's been a long time."

"You know me?" Aang was a little taken aback, though he managed to barely hide it.

Koh moved in front of him, "How could I forget you?"

His face changed into that of an unknown man's, quickly turning around and getting up, nice and personal to the Avatar's, "One of your previous incarnations tried to slay me! Maybe eight or nine hundred years ago."

"Oh, I didn't know that," he watched as Koh backed away, managing to keep himself neutral from the spirit's attempt to scare him. "Why did he- or I try to kill you?"

"Oh, it was something about stealing the face of someone he loved," Koh's face changed into that of a woman's before turning into a bluenose. As he laughed, he circled the Avatar again, "Of course, that's all behind us. Why should I hold a grudge against you for something in a past life? After all, you're a different person now, despite that you carry Raava with you."

"Who is Raava?"

"Oh dear, looks like I said too much. As much as I would love to spoil the fun, I'm far more interested in the new face you've brought for me."

Aang closed his eyes and took a deep breath, reopening them to see Koh circling him like some prey once again.

"It's been a long time since I've added a child's face to my collection. So… how may I help you?"

"I need to find the Ocean and the Moon spirits."

"Ah, my old friends. But to be accurate, their true names are 'Tui' and 'La'. 'Push' and 'Pull', 'Life' and 'Death', 'Good' and 'Evil', 'Yin' and 'Yang'. They balance each other. That is the nature of their relationship since time began."

"Please, help me find them. An entire culture could be destroyed if I don't get their help."

Koh almost laughed as he changed his face once again, "Oh, you think you need their help? Actually, it's quite the other way around."

He suddenly rushed up to him, his face changed as he cried out with a loud voice, "SOMEONE IS GOING TO KILL THEM!"

Aang barely held himself together as he stared into the eyes of the spirit's face, just inches away, "What do you mean? How can I find them and protect them?"

Koh's face changed again as he turned away, "You've already met them, actually. Tui and La have and always will circle each other in an eternal dance. When they left this world, they became a symbol of the ocean… fish."

Aang's eyes widened and exclaimed, "The Koi Fish!"

Koh heard the emotion and smiled, immediately rushing up to the Avatar's face, excited to steal it, but was met with disappointment that he was no longer expressing anything.

"I must be going now," Aang bowed, turning away as he headed back up the stairs.

"We'll meet again," Koh declared, changing his face before disappearing back into the darkness.

Once Aang was back outside, he found Hei Bai waiting for him and jumped back onto him.

"I need to get back! The spirits are in trouble!"

Hei Bai growled and began to run back the way he came. Once they arrived back at the concrete circle, Aang hopped off.

"This is how I came here, but how do I get back?"

Hei Bai opened his mouth and light came out, engulfing his body as he disappeared.

"Good riddance," said Master Otom.

Hei Bai growled at him and changed into his monstrous form, quickly approaching him and blasting him with light, scaring him off before changing back into his normal form.

As the light receded, Aang rubbed his eyes and found himself back in the Oasis and Momo on the ground, sleeping.

"Momo," he approached him, but his hands went through him. "Oh no, where's my body?!"

Suddenly, he began to glow again and was suddenly flying in the sky, heading away from the Northern Water Tribe.

Katara saw the light in the sky, flying over them.

"Pretty!" Kiri pointed up.

"That's gotta be Aang!" Katara exclaimed.

"Yip Yip!" Sokka pulled on the reigns, moving Appa in the direction of the light.

As Zuko was about to head inside for his room, he stopped at the commotion of his men, turning to see a bright light coming down directly at them and going into the Avatar's body. Before he could react, the Avatar's eyes opened and gasped, scaring the soldier carrying him as he was dropped to the floor.

As Aang moaned from the pain, he gasped at the bonds around and tried to get free but only managed to sit up.

"Welcome back," said Zuko, approaching him.

Aang glared at him, "Good to be back."

Taking a deep breath, he let out a wave of air, striking Zuko and two of his soldiers back, while sending him backward. But he found himself hitting the rails of the ship, making his backache.

"Maybe not a good idea," he said to himself, trying to crawl away. Footsteps approached him and he felt a hand grabbing the rope around him, pulling him up.

"That won't be enough to escape," said Zuko. "This time, you're my prison."

Suddenly, they all heard a loud groan.

"Sir, it's them!" one of the men cried out.

Zuko and Aang turned, watching as Appa flew overhead.

"Appa!"

Zuko threw him down against the ground, bending fire up at the bison, as did the rest of his men.

Sokka stirred Appa away from the flames, trying not to run into any of the attacks by accident.

"Could use a little help, benders and magical people!"

Katara bended water at the enemies below, trying to create a landing for them. Seeing an opportunity, she threw herself over the side of the saddle and rolled onto the ship, bending water at the soldiers surrounding her, freezing them in place.

Then she found herself face to face with Zuko.

"Here for a rematch?" he taunted.

"Trust me, Zuko," she deflected his attack, "This isn't going to be much of a rematch."

Bending water from the ocean, she sent it right at him and encased him in pure ice, with only his head above. A boomerang hit him on the head, nearly knocking him out before returning to its master just as Appa landed on the ship.

"Thanks, guys," said Aang as Sokka cut the rope around him.

"Hey, this is some good quality rope."

Katara, Renee and Kori picked up Alex and handed him to both Aang and Sokka, who loaded him onto the saddle of Appa's back. Before the soldiers could free themselves from the ice or more could get onto the deck, the bison took off.

"NO!" Zuko's vision and sense came back at realizing what was happening, his anger and frustration melting the ice away as he bended fire directly at them, forcing the bison to maneuver around his attack.

"Sir, we got company!"

Turning in the direction his man was pointing at, his eyes widened at the sight of four Fire Nation warships heading directly for them.

"Oh, great!" Sokka cried out. "There's more of them!"

"Take us inland!" Katara yelled. "Let's get back to the tribe!"

Stirring the bison away from the sea, they disappeared into the blizzard, just as the sun was beginning to set.

Zuko cried out as he watched the bison disappear, turning his frustrations to the four ships ahead, watching as they began to fire directly upon them.

"INCOMING!" one of the men cried out.

They all ducked for cover as the fireball collided with the side of the ship but was deflected by the angle it was sent.

"Orders, sir?" one of them turned to him.

Zuko glared at the four ships ahead, "All hands on deck! We're taking them on!"

"Yes sir!" the man smiled, relaying the message back to the others.

Iroh appeared on the deck with the rest of the men, rubbing his eyes from a small nap, "What's all of the commotion?"

"The Avatar and the Traveler have escaped."

"Sounds about right."

"And the Zhao has found us."

Iroh turned to the ships as more fireballs were sent their way. His eyes widening, he spun into action and used his bending to deflect the coming attacks just enough to miss them.

"Well, then, looks like nap time is going to have to wait."

Zuko smiled as the ship's engines came to life, happy that something was going right for once.

"Load the fireball! And fire back!" he ordered.

The men obeyed, turning the large slingshot directly at the approaching enemy.

"FIRE!"

The fireball launched at the nearest ship and collided with the helm area, destroying the main headquarters. The men cried out, cheering.

Another fireball came at them and hit the deck, almost destroying the slingshot as two of the men were sent overboard.

Those who survived reloaded the slingshot while Zuko and Iroh used their firebending to deflect the coming attacks to the best of their abilities.

They fired another fireball and hit the second ship, hitting the front end area. Quickly reloading another, they fired again and pierced the lower part of the midsection, causing it to sink.

"Only two more to deal with!"

The first ship they had hit suddenly fired another fireball and collided with the slingshot, destroying it and killing the four soldiers who were manning it.

"NO!" Zuko cried out, time slowing down as more fireballs collided with the ship despite Iroh's best efforts to deflect them. The helm area was destroyed, killing the men inside, the back of the ship was hit, breaching the stern as water began to rush in.

The surviving soldiers came onto the deck.

"Sir, we're immobilized, and the engines are completely destroyed! What do you want to do?" one of the men asked.

Zuko barely heard him as he saw the wreckage of his ship, the smoke rising high into the sky and the bodies of his own men laying around him.

"Sir?"

The voice felt like an echo in his ears, slowly turning to the last two ships as they approached them.

Taking his broad swords and throwing them to the ground, he said, "Lay down your weapons."

Though taken aback, they obeyed and put their weapons on the ground, slowly backing away as each ship surrounded them on both sides, with Fire Nation soldiers boarding the deck and surrounding them. Forced onto their knees, they waited for the commander to approach.

Zuko closed his eyes, waiting to hear the voice of Zhao and his taunting. But his eyes widened, and his heart sunk the very second he heard the one voice he didn't want to hear.

"Oh, dear brother, always picking the fights you just can't win."

He cringed, daring not to look up. He could feel her standing over him like as she always did.

"No, 'hi sister'? Or have you finally learned the value of keeping your mouth shut?"

Finally, Zuko opened his eyes and looked up, staring deep into those gold eyes.

Princess Azula wore her trademark smirk with pride, staring down at her brother with her hands on her hips.

"I see your prize has escaped you… again."

His blood was boiling.

She shook her head, "Ah, Zu Zu."

"Don't call me that!"

"Father is deeply disappointed in you. He's heard all about your constant failures to capture the Avatar, as well as that Traveler too. He's finally decided that exile was too good for you. I've been ordered to bring you back."

His eyes widened, fear sinking in.

Azula smiled, "Oh, don't look so scared, this is everything you've ever wanted."

She turned to her men, "Put little Zu Zu and uncle in the cells. And make sure they are chained up!"

"Yes, Princess!"

Both Zuko and Iroh were led away.

"What about them?"

Azula looked at the last surviving men of Zuko's crew and smiled, "A ship for a ship. A crew for a crew."

Zuko's eyes widened as he struggled against the two men restraining him, "NO!"

Though he couldn't see it, he could hear the cries of his men, the screams of their agony as he was led away, trying against all odds do something. Before he was taken below to the cells, he saw the ship beginning to sink beneath the waves, taking with it the crew but not the captain.

Something inside of him broke, something deep.

Even as he was led to his cell, that pride he felt from earlier had been replaced with shame and guilt. The screams of his men echoing in his ears as he was chained up and left on the floor, his uniform torn.

Iroh was treated the same, wearing a face of sadness at the death and destruction that he had witnessed.

As Zuko laid there on the floor, he stared off into the dark corner as the soldiers left them alone. The sound of the metal door closing echoing around him. He felt cold and hollow, the realization of what was happening fully settling down on him all at once.

His ship was gone. His men were gone. The Avatar and the Traveler were gone. His last chance… gone.

He couldn't think. He couldn't even move. He couldn't find the motivation to do anything except lie on the cold ground and stare at nothing.

Soon enough, he felt sleep creeping up on him and he began to close his eyes, darkness welcoming him as he began to dream. Getting glimpses of a woman, a woman he could remember the name of but not her face.

Up Next:

Chapter Thirty-Eight:

"The ('Title' To Be Announced) of the North"