Ocean and Moon

Pov Yoshie:

It took me longer than it should have to get to the north, but I can't help it, the marine animals of the north are so interesting and some of them are rare to see, I spent hours looking at them, I even met animals that have never been documented.

When I finish my training with La, I plan to spend a few years swimming all over the ocean, it would be a good and well-deserved vacation for me, maybe I'll even visit the underwater city that La had told me about once.

While I was swimming at high speed, I heard a strange sound that made me search for the source of the sound, but it was still too indescribable for me to understand, but I could have some basis in the fact that it was some kind of marine animal.

- This sound is very loud even underwater, as if it were... a call for help! - This alarmed me, and I spun around and propelled myself at top speed. With my new powers, it was easy for me to navigate the ocean and see clearly even with the density of the water.

After two minutes, the sounds of alarm and distress seemed to become clearer to me, it was a baby calling for help, I couldn't explain how it was so clear to me, but I knew it was my duty to do something.

I quickly slowed down when I saw a small red whale, a rare species among marine animals.

- Somebody please help me! - said the little whale, revealing that he was a male by the tone of his voice. - Mom!

I was a little scared because I understood exactly what the animal was saying. La had never told me that I could understand sea animals, but now that I think about it, all animals have their souls connected to La, so maybe I should have imagined it was possible.

I was stunned by the surprise, but I decided to investigate it another time, now my duty was to try to help the little animal that was over 5 meters long.

- Hey, kid! Don't be afraid! - I approached carefully, not wanting to frighten the whale.

- Don't come near me, human! - said the red whale with obvious irritation.

- Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you, I heard your call for help. - I raised my arms, especially my artificial arm. - I let myself help you.

- How can you understand me? - The whale was startled and moved a few meters away from Yoshie.

The little red whale looked at Yoshie cautiously and suspiciously, but when it felt the power of the ocean connected to its soul, it felt a little less suspicious.

- My name is Yoshie, I'm La's adopted daughter. - I introduced myself carefully because it was obvious that the whale was scared.

- I feel a strong connection with you, you're really not like other humans. - said the whale and approached Yoshie curiously.

I stood still so that the whale could watch me carefully, and I noticed that her skin was bruised, with a few cuts from blades.

- You were attacked by humans. - I said, slightly irritated to see the wounds on the cub's skin. - Is your family well?

- I don't know... my family was attacked by a metal boat, the humans of the northern tribe have never attacked us at this time. - Said the cub, frightened at being separated from his family. - My mother distracted the humans so that I could escape, but in the end, we were separated.

A great hatred seized my being, I was completely angry, I couldn't measure how angry I was to imagine how a child had been separated from its mother. Quickly and without hesitation, I used my powers to heal the wounds that covered the whale's skin, making it look surprised and shocked. 

- You healed me... - The whale looked at Yoshie, unable to find the words to express himself. Not long ago, his family had been attacked by humans, and now one of them was helping him.

- When did you separate from your mother? - I asked, wanting to have a chance to save her from a worse fate.

- A few hours ago, I don't know exactly. - The pup said, worrying about his mother again.

I closed my eyes to concentrate on my power manifestation, my sensitive ability allowing me to locate energies that were in direct contact with the water. Since red whales were rarer than usual, using the calf in front of me as a reference, I could find his pod.

With my sensitivity, I found a stronger energy, but practically similar to that of the small whale in front of me, but it was tens of kilometers away from my current position. What disturbed my senses was the sensation of a lot of movement in the water, dozens or even hundreds of objects sailing in formation in one direction.

- Fire Nation. - I whispered to myself as I looked in the direction of the whale's mother. - Stay here, I promise to bring your mother to you.

- Are you serious? - The whale's question expressed both hope and disbelief.

- I promise as a daughter of the ocean. - I replied, quickly gathering momentum and moving at high speed to rescue the adult red whale.

For the first time since I became one with the ocean, I was so worried, it was a weight on my conscience that I hadn't felt in a long time. Ever since I killed Haru, my conscience felt lighter, I was satisfied and didn't feel any worry, but now I felt an even greater responsibility.

Navigating the ocean to cross tens of kilometers in a few minutes isn't difficult for me, once you get used to it, it becomes a habit, just like breathing underwater. It took me a few minutes to approach the disturbance on the water, and when I saw the disaster, I couldn't help but stop swimming to observe it.

In front of me were dozens of dead red whales, all with burn marks and harpoons crusted into their skins. Unlike marine animals, red whales were a group that had lungs in their bodies, depended on oxygen to breathe, and were forced to constantly swim to the surface, where they were vulnerable to humans.

If I hadn't been underwater, I would have had tears streaming down my face; I could feel that this kind of thing was something La detested, the disturbance of the natural balance.

I closed my eyes and concentrated, letting the power of the ocean flow through every inch of my body. Even with my eyes closed, I could clearly see an adult red whale over 15 meters long struggling to swim while metal boats surrounded it to kill it.

- I won't fail this time. - I said seriously.

***

The Fire Nation's ships sailed in great military formation, with a large force capable of destroying the Northern Tribe, all in response to the disasters caused by the storm weeks ago.

Fury was evident in the eyes of the soldiers, all of them ready to burn every last one of the Northern Water Tribe. Everything before them was destroyed without hesitation, even the animals became victims of the firebenders' hatred.

A red whale was trying to escape from the fleet of ships, it was very obvious that its attempts to escape were thwarted, it had no time to rest or recover from its injuries.

- Look how pathetic it is, this animal is the true example of what we're going to do to the Northern Water Tribe. - Said the newly promoted General Zhao with a broad smile of superiority as he finally became what he had dreamed of, replacing Tizo.

- This is just unnecessary violence! - Iroh said, frustrated that a rare animal was being hunted. - Already threatened with extinction, these animals are rare and sacred.

- The Fire Nation has been attacked by the Water Tribe! How can we explain the destruction caused by this storm and tsunami? - Zhao smiled maliciously. - This is all in the name of the missing Princess Azula and General Kai. You should thank me; if it weren't for me, you two would be wandering aimlessly around the Earth Kingdom.

Zuko and Iroh clenched their fists, remembering how they had been far from their own ship and had the misfortune to meet Zhao and his fleet of ships again.

Zuko was just silent, just trying to ignore Zhao's arrogance at becoming a new general, the highest position, just below the Wise Ones of Fire and the Lord of Fire himself. In the past few hours, he had been torn between the discovery that Kai and Azula might be dead, something that gladdened his heart, but his own father had never sent him a message, since he was the only one who could succeed to the throne.

- You're wasting resources hunting that whale. - Zuko said, not hiding his frustration.

- You may be the Fire Lord's only son, but you're still an exiled prince, so keep your mouth shut while you're on my ship. - Zhao threatened. - I'm not wasting resources, I'm just motivating the spirits of my soldiers to feel the desire to hunt, because we'll need them when we reach the Northern Tribe.

- General Zhao, the whale is slowing down, it will be caught in a few minutes. - Said one of the ship's sailors.

- Perfect, when we finish killing the animal like the rest of the pack, we can move on to the water tribe. - Zhao nodded and let the soldier return to his post. He loved the feeling of power, as if he were a king, and he had a great plan to make this desire of his something bigger and real.

- You're cruel, Zhao. - Iroh said with a frown.

- The world is cruel, why should I act any differently? - Iroh scoffed.

As the ships sailed at high speed, exceeding the whale's speed, everyone could see that the whale couldn't dive because it was so exhausted.

Before Zhao could order the firebenders to hurl their flames at the creature, a large pillar of ice pierced one of the ships like a giant spear, destroying the ship and its crew.

- What is that? - Zhao was startled by the sudden explosion of one of his ships. - What happened?

Another pillar of ice pierced another ship, only this time the ship was lifted out of the water, trapped in a huge iceberg in the middle of the sea.

- We are under attack! - Zhao shouted, alerting all the soldiers and causing several bells to ring on several ships, warning the fleet that an attack was underway. - It can only be the Waterbenders, there's no way the ice could have been created so suddenly.

The seawater began to freeze beneath the ships, slowing the fleet considerably and allowing the red whale to escape.

- Prince Zuko, stay close to me! - Iroh shouted, worried that they might be attacked by surprise.

- I don't see any enemies! - Zuko said, hoping to see the boats of the Northern Water Tribe.

A large wave of more than 4 meters appeared in front of the fleet, and in a single instant, the ships began to lose control due to the sudden fury of the sea. The wave was suddenly frozen into solid ice, creating a huge wall of ice in the ocean, causing some ships to crash into the ice or into each other.

Zhao's ship was unable to avoid the impact, so Zhao himself and the crew lost their balance as the ship collided violently, causing several men to fall into the water.

- Are you all right, uncle? - Zuko asked as he stood up after the impact.

- I've had better days. - Iroh replied, putting his hand behind his back.

- WE HAVE MEN IN THE WATER! - shouted a soldier as he pulled himself together, a cut on his face from the impact.

- THROW THE BUOYS! - said another soldier, alarmed by the situation.

Zhao stood up and saw a nightmare in front of him, his entire fleet, his ships damaged by an unexpected attack, something that made his eyes turn red with rage.

- MALDICTION! - Zhao shouted abruptly and watched as a huge wall of ice stretched to the horizon.

- Uncle, do you think it was that woman? - Zuko whispered.

- I don't know, but no human should be able to do that, maybe only the Avatar. - As Iroh said this, Zuko unconsciously looked up at the sky, searching for a flying bison, but to no avail. - With a wall this dense, it must be impossible to break through.

A soldier cautiously approached Zhao, who seemed to have a large bruise on his face from the sudden impact.

- General, what are we going to do? - The soldier said worriedly.

- The plans have not changed, I want you to prepare a boat for me, I'm going to break through this wall myself. - Zhao said gruffly.

- Yes sir! - The soldier saluted quickly.

Zhao ignored Iroh and Zuko's conversation and simply walked angrily to his personal cabin, his old, power-hungry eyes expressing only hate.

- Such power is not human, not even the Avatar's. - Zhao opened the drawer of his cabinet and took out a small chest. - This was the power of a god, only someone like the Water Spirit could do something of this level. I can't miss this opportunity, I must attack the next time the moon enters its mystical state.

Zhao picked up an ancient knife, one that was made in an archaic way, it's blade was made from a whale's tusk. The knife had a strange mystical aura, very dangerous even though its appearance was not to Zhao's personal and refined taste.

- As long as I have this weapon, even a god could die at my hands. - Zhao looked at Kuruk's knife, a very powerful weapon capable of ignoring mystical power. - It's time to use your power.

Zhao walked out onto the deck of his ship, knife in hand, and looked at the ice wall as if it were the first real challenge of his life.

***

I helped the adult red whale get back to her calf, luckily I was able to save a family, but now I felt a certain guilt within myself, for I had practically betrayed the Nation of Fire. My loyalty wasn't to Ozai, but to Kai himself, because if it wasn't for him, I can't even imagine what I would be like now.

Now I felt like I had broken my oath to Kai, but another part of me knew it was the right thing to do, I couldn't tell if it was La's influence or my conscience.

- I don't know how to thank you. - said the adult whale, looking relieved to have survived to see her son.

- You don't have to thank me, but I suggest you stay as far north as possible. - I said worriedly, knowing that every person and animal was now in danger.

- I can't protect my son alone, there are predators bigger than me in the ocean. - said the adult whale, looking around.

- Don't worry, I promise everything will be fine, now let's swim to your son, he's worried sick about you. - We both swam across the icy ocean without a break.

I was relieved to see mother and son reunited, their voices sounded like a happy and enthusiastic song, I could clearly understand what they were saying, it was exciting to see.

I decided to accompany them for a while until our paths parted in opposite directions. Now I had to make my way to the northern tribe without interruption, but I couldn't deny that I was worried because that fleet was gigantic, more than enough to destroy the northern tribe, but I have faith that this wall of ice will be enough to hold them off for a few weeks.

Following the energy trail was getting easier as I got closer, the problem is how to present myself, first of all I had no other clothes except the Fire Nation military, even if I took them off, I won't be naked. I hope having literally an arm made of ice and water makes it easier to have a peaceful conversation.

It took me a few hours to finally reach my destination, and I couldn't deny that I was curious and a little conflicted, since I was trained as a warrior and should theoretically be invading, not having a peaceful visit with the northern water tribe.

- Come on, Yoshie, this is no time for conflicts, you're here because La asked you to come. - I clapped my hands in front of my face to concentrate. - Okay, I'm here, now I won't back down. - I sighed, but was quickly refreshed.

The first few steps I took, an arrow struck my prosthetic leg, embedding itself in the ice that supported my feet.

- It's almost ironic and insulting at the same time. - I commented to myself as I looked at some men dressed in the robes of the Water Tribe.

- We're being invaded by the Fire Nation! - shouted a man with a bow in his hand.

Several men positioned themselves, many with bows in hand, others in characteristic waterbending poses.

- I guess I have no choice. - I raised a finger and manipulated the snow beneath the men's feet, turning it to ice and forcing them to fall to the ground due to their lack of balance.

I began to walk calmly, I could easily open a passage between the snow and the ice to enter the tribe, as practically more than 90% of the north was water. The men didn't understand what had just happened, but that didn't stop them from attacking me, now being the waterbenders.

Ice spears or water whips were thrown at me, I just smiled a little and made the combined attack of all of them practically stop advancing, coming within millimeters of reaching my body. With a simple movement, I returned the attack with a large snowball, burying them under 2 meters of snow without any effort.

- I guess having the power of a god really does make things more boring. - I sigh in disappointment, maybe one day I'll ask for a friendly fight with a celestial dragon for a real challenge.

- What's going on here? - said one of the men from inside the snowdrift.

- She's bending water! - Another soldier replied, looking closely at Yoshie's body.

- How is that possible? It should be impossible! - Another soldier said in alarm. - She must be a traitor!

- Damn you! Let's kill her! - said another man, using his powers to dig everyone out of the snow.

I have to admit that I had forgotten about this possibility of being accused of being a traitor, but it doesn't make much sense because I was born in the Fire Nation, I just have the lineage of a waterbender in my soul, so I'm not a traitor in logic, nor did I practice the culture itself.

- I don't want to hurt anyone, I just want to meet the northern tribe. - I said this in the hope of a reasonable dialogue, but the men continued their discriminatory attacks on me, only forcing me to dodge or throw snow in their faces as if they were children.

I think if it were any other time, I wouldn't hold back as much as I do now, maybe because my primal connection to La makes me incapable of hurting my fellow human beings, maybe because I'm so close to La again that I'm influenced not to kill everyone right now.

As much as La is a good mother and a reasonable goddess, she can also embody the fury of the ocean and nothing can stop the destructive power of that caliber, so I think an explosive temperament is part of my nature, along with people from the water tribe.

- I'm serious, I'll practically kick your asses, you don't want to see me angry. - I threatened, creating a snowball of more than 3 meters on top of three distracted men, quickly burying them when I comically dropped the ball on their heads. - I've put up with your cursing so far, but if I hear another one now, I'll throw the person responsible into the sea! - I threatened, like a mother trying to control her children.

- We don't want to hear your comments, you son of a... - Before the man could finish speaking, a huge hand of water grabbed him and threw him into the sea.

Everyone instinctively fell silent at the sight of this scene; it was obvious to them that the woman wearing the Fire Nation robes was powerful, but now it was almost humiliating to see the difference in the power she wielded over them.

- ENOUGH! - said an old man with a grumpy voice and his hands behind his back. - Stay away, it's obvious that this woman cannot be defeated by you guys.

The man glided across the snow as if he were skiing, it was obvious that he was more powerful than normal just from the few movements and effort it took to bend water.

- Who are you, girl? Your movements in bending water are extremely refined. - Said the old man, who couldn't help but notice Yoshie's artificial leg and arm.

- In the Fire Nation, the oldest people speak their name first, it's a matter of politeness. - I crossed my arms, feeling no tension or threat from the old man's presence.

- I am Pakku, Master of Waterbending. - The man said gruffly. - There's no way the Fire Nation could have taught someone like you to have such a connection and spirituality with water.

- My name is Yoshie, and I have a great teacher and a mother who taught me everything I know. - I smile arrogantly and can't help but think of Ayumi and my spiritual mother.

- You're unruly with your elders. - Pakku said with a vein popping out of his forehead.

- Believe me, my mother is very unruly when it suits her - I start to laugh, remembering La's sense of humor, where she sometimes played pranks on me when she was in a good mood, which was almost always.

There was one time when La deliberately made a sea monster eat me while I was sleeping. Since I was used to sleeping underwater, I didn't notice anything different until I woke up.

- You attack the northern tribe and you have the nerve to laugh? - Pakku was clearly offended by Yoshie's lack of respect.

- I wasn't attacking, I was just defending myself. If I wanted to hurt someone, you'd be dead by now. - I said mockingly, but not lying about my words, something Pakku noticed.

- You're arrogant for a girl, confidence and talent are no match for experience. - Pakku took up his fighting stance, determined to defeat Yoshie.

- You may be right, but raw power is what matters. - I clenched the fist of my artificial arm and prepared a huge amount of power around me, a vortex of snow swirling around my body in response to my release of energy.

Pakku was amazed at the amount of power Yoshie unleashed, rivaling his accumulated power of dozens of years. Before the two Waterbenders could clash their powers, a dark-skinned girl with completely white hair unexpectedly appeared between Yoshie and Pakku, interrupting the duel before it even began.

- Please, Mr. Pakku, don't fight her. - The girl said, holding out her arms to protect Yoshie.

- Princess Yue, what are you doing here? - Pakku was startled by the sudden appearance of the Water Tribe Princess, a girl blessed by the power of the moon. - You can't be here, it's too dangerous for you.

I was surprised by the girl's courage, she is visibly fragile, a princess in the literal sense, someone fragile and unable to defend herself, the complete opposite of Azula's personality and attitude.

However, there was something about her that was strangely attractive to me, it wasn't her beauty, but something deeper, I couldn't put my finger on what it was. I quickly shook my head to the side, finding my own thoughts strange.

- Princess, she's a threat, stay away from her! - Pakku ordered, worried that Yoshie would use the Water Tribe Chief's daughter as a hostage.

- Listen, she's not a threat. - Yue looked at Yoshie and gave her a sincere smile that even made Yoshie uncomfortable. - She's a guest.

- A guest? Who invited her? - Pakku was extremely confused by Princess Yue's behavior.

- You're just like me, aren't you? - Yue asks Yoshie. - We are connected, I can feel it. La's power flows to her.

Pakku's eyes opened wide in shock, and the other men watching from a distance were also completely shocked by the princess' words.

- So this is the surprise La wanted to show me... - I whispered in shock, finally understanding what was going on.

***

A few hours later...

Zhao was on a boat, accompanied by two firebending soldiers. He had Kuruk's knife in his hands, holding it with all his strength. The knife began to glow sky blue, its light standing out so that everyone could witness what was about to happen.

A palette of red and orange left the blade, setting the weapon ablaze, a mesmerizing fire in the eyes of Zhao and all who witnessed it. Grabbing the knife with both hands, Zhao screamed with all his might as the blade sliced through the ice.

There was silence for a few seconds, and the flames that covered the blade disappeared without any effort. For a moment, Zhao's eyes reflected disappointment and embarrassment at his performance, but then he heard something crack. The ice began to break into a large crack, with red colors taking over the ice wall, as if the spiritual power was collapsing.

Within minutes, Zhao saw a new passage to the ships, unable to contain his psychopathic laughter at the opportunity he had gained. With Kai and Azula reported missing or even dead, Zhao could embrace his more ambitious side, with the inner desire to be the new Fire Lord when he conquered the north and glorified his name.

- TODAY YOU HAVE WITNESSED THE POWER OF THE FIRE NATION, NOT EVEN NATURE CAN STOP US! - Zhao shouted, showing his weapon to everyone. - LET'S DESTROY THE NORTHERN TRIBE AND MAKE HISTORY!

Next chapter: Ocean and Moon Part 2