The people of Sogo

Multiple Fire Nation soldiers patrol their massive camp while some take shelter at the east hamlet which wasn't burned down by Kett or the Sogoian forces. Still, Kett's actions cause several Fire Nation troopers to fight the cold in their tents. Fires a lit outside and benders use their energy to keep their bodies warm which causes fatigue.

A few nonbenders freeze to death overnight and their bodies are tossed aside as a blizzard ramps up. The ravenous Colonel Hurayo stands with his sword strapped to his back and Captain Betossi at his side. Hurayo looks up in the sky and exhales with steam flowing from his mouth, "The elements here are harsh and Kett's actions have made things a bit harder on our troops, we are fortunate he didn't burn down the other hamlet."

Betossi: "I would blame that on the incompetence of the locals. If we are lucky, they may have turned on him and killed him. That would be the best response, NO ONE can trust a traitor. If they turn their back on their own people, how they can truly rely on him?"

Hurayo: "Wise words Betossi, but their affairs are not a concern to us. If he returns, he will be dealt with. If he doesn't, then we will handle those in front of us. Our men are as ready as they will ever be. Just yesterday they were training and fully focused. With the cold eating away at them, I think nearly 200 troops fell overnight. It would be best we strike now, when they least expect it."

Betossi: "And while they might be ready for battle and even empowered by the blizzard we have so many advantages over them. The cold storm limits their visibility just as it does ours. Our telescopes will allow us to see until we enter their village then we can strike them head on, firebenders thrive in brawls. As we hit them, our greater numbers, technology, and militaristic variety will surely be too much for them."

Hurayo: "Good, gather the men for a mass rally. I will give my battle speech, then it's time we tear them apart."

Kett jogs with his new friends Brotomu and Rokairo at his side. Brothomu and Rokairo are wearing heavy coats. Brothomu's outfit consists of a tan fur with light blue buttons and dark blue wool holding it together. Rokairo has a tunic of a somewhat sleeker dark blue design with thick dark grey fur covering his shoulders.

Kett's armor keeps his body surprisingly warm, it has a warm fuzzy inner coating which makes the winter climate more tolerable and is made of some sort of metal which absorbs heat during times when it is scare yet releases it when there is an excess like in a desert.

Several villagers look as they notice Kett's armor. Elderly lady: "Look, that's the Vindicated Avenger's armor. I've only seen drawings of it." A young man faints but it caught by his wife. Kett looks at Brothomu, "Looks like I'm already popular."

Rokairo: "What now Kett?"

Kett crosses his arms, "We go to the prison complex, to find the other people like me." About forty-five minutes later, Kett and his allies gather at the prison entrance. A masked Sogoian guardian stands at the door with two warriors beside him.

Sogoian watchman: "I cannot allow you to enter the prison, talk to anyone, or release any prisoners without clearance from the mayor himself."

Teshiki arrives, "Wait, let them go. Kett is not who he once was, he is reborn into a new and better man."

Sogoian watchman: "He may have taken a few troops out and put on someone else's armor but that doesn't mean he's gained my trust."

Kett: "The people of Sogo have been good to me, give me a chance to prove it."

Sogoian watchman: "Lives are at stake, it will take more than that."

Major Duyako and Sada walk a few feet beside Brothomu who is a few inches left of Rokairo's position. Duyako: "Let them go, everything happens for a reason, and they are here for a reason, can't you tell?"

Sogoian watchman: "You better just hope this goes well or else if we survive your blunder the Elder Council will make sure you and anyone with similar ideas never has a say in this village again."

Duyako sighs and inhales, "I believe in them, let them go."

The Sogoian watchman steps aside and lifts his spear, "Then go at your own risk." Kett, Brothomu, Rokairo, Teshiki, Duyako, and Sada enter the prison until they notice a pair of guards.

Duyako: "Kett, what is your plan?"

Kett: "I want to talk to the prisoners."

Duyako: "Then I'll have the guards gather them for a general assembly in the cafeteria."

Kett: "Sounds like a plan, thank you sir."

As They Are

Elsewhere, Colonel Hurayo stands in front of a large crowd of soldiers who are shivering in the cold. Some of them can barely hold their swords, spears, or axes. Others struggle to stand at attention. One man falls and dies on the spot. A pair of soldiers grab his body and drag it.

Hurayo: "The spirits have set to test us. Test our will and our courage. Still, it seems they chose the wrong ones to test. Had we been faint of heart, we would have surrendered long ago and not went on this path. We all knew death was a risk when we signed up and if we didn't know then the first few battles of our career sure displayed it for us."

Hurayo continues, "With all that being said, we have work to do. As long as we're still breathing, we still have a reason to fight. Some of you may feel sad or sorry for yourselves, CUT THAT CRAP OUT! We are here to fight, we are here to KILL. Switch that grief and helplessness with desire for REVENGE and to inflict DAMAGE."

Hurayo reminds his allies, "Yes, it is cold. Yes, comrades are falling. Yes, the Siege of the North was a failure. Yes, we were cut off from allies and support who ran like cowards leaving our entire force behind. Imagine a time like that, when Fire Nation officers abandon another in their time of need. If I had a chance to get back to mainland, I'd kill them MYSELF but their judgement will come as soon as they are discovered."

Hurayo: "We can't do everything, but what we can do is kill as many of these scumbags as possible. We can butcher them and their elders. We can cut down their children in front of them. We can burn down their homes since we may never get to see ours again. We can make them remember why we are the fiercest Nation in existence and then we may die in power." The crowd watches in awe as Hurayo spouts his utter wickedness.

Hurayo: "If we are to succeed, we must hit them hard enough that we BREAK THEIR WILL. We have more than enough to make that happen and if you can all draw on your hatred our goal will be infallible. And if you need one extra boost, remember that DEFECTOR KETT!! Let his treachery empower you to slaughter those swine and anyone else willing to stand against their own in the favor of STRANGERS!! Oh, what a vile lot they are to be the architects of infidelity."

Hurayo concludes, "So much is at stake here. They are making a recruitment camp for prisoners of war. Can you imagine that? Their survival could allow other traitors to come together. Because of that, I have a greater goal and hope that our team can manage to annihilate this entire village. Leave no Sogoian standing for their dangerous actions, wipe them and their culture out until they are but a memory."

Kett stands with Duyako beside him as several Fire Nation prisoners listen. Prisoner: "Who is that guy? What's up with the suit?"

Kett takes off his helmet and drops it on the ground. Jannik watches, "Kett?"

Sogoian guards hold their spears not knowing what reaction Kett's speech will lead to. Kett: "I know a lot of you have been stuck in limbo. I know I was. All your lives you've been told one thing that you must do you duty and serve your nation. That all other nations are inferior to your own."

Kett continues, "But many of you know, I mean most of us aren't nobles. Know that there is inequality within our own nation."

A prisoner interrupts, "That's the order and it works. One class must rule, the other must follow."

Kett: "But shouldn't those that rule be based on something else? Birth doesn't mean anything. Everyone has a different skill set and who my parents are does not make me a good or bad leader. Maybe we all should work for what we get."

The prisoner Dux asks, "And who would make that criteria? Other leaders and nobles? It would be flawed from the star."

Kett: "Or maybe we could vote for commoners to have a say. Maybe nobles can too, but a mix of both. Still commoners should have the biggest influence because we make up the largest percentage of the population."

Prisoner 2: "And then what? Popularity isn't the best way to decide either. Popularity only means you resonate with most people. Sometimes the smartest people are the ones who are ignored."

Kett: "The answer isn't immediate or obvious, but we should work for a better future. That's my point, instead of just accepting what we were given."

Prisoner 3: "But the future we were given is not perfect just as the future you wish to fight for is imperfect. So, in the end, we might as well accept our fates and follow orders then at least we can say we did what we were meant to do."

Kett adds, "But who decides who we were meant to be? It shouldn't be a bunch of rich people who were born a certain way."

Jannik interjects, "Life is unfair. Some people are more handsome than others. Some are stronger than others. Some are smarter. No matter what, there is a way things are meant to be. Some are richer and some are poorer. Some leaders and some are followers but we make the best of our roles and what we have."

Kett: "And perhaps make the best even means changing things in a way that works and is more sustainable than what we have."

Prisoner 2: "Sustainable? The system that existed has been sustained for generations."

Kett: "What if I told you that isn't how things have always been. I've read history that proved otherwise."

Jannik: "Those books were planted by the enemy."

Kett: "Maybe look at the knowledge first before you say that. I think all of you should, after this conflict is resolved. However, another storm is coming and not a weather one. A force of Fire Nation rogues is heading straight for this village with intent of mass destruction. They don't want to leave any survivors including the people who were good to us. It sounds like the salvation we were all waiting for, but I want you all to think if it is really worth it."

Jannik: "That's war, war is brutal."

Kett: "Come on, these people were good to us. They want to destroy, EVERYTHING, children and elders included."

Dux: "Why should we believe that?" What is your source?"

Kett: "My own eyes, I heard them say it. All I'm saying is whoever wants to get our of your chains, I need you to stand up and agree to fight with. To defeat these rouges and show them that no military should do that. Could you imagine if the situation were reversed? If a force of Earth Kingdom warriors wanted to destroy a Fire Nation village?"

Jannik: "I know some villagers who'd rather die than join the enemy, you disgust me Kett. I can't believe you would turn your back on our cause and ask us to do that." Several people boo at Kett but a few remain silent.

Kett: "Will no one stand with me?" No one stands up. Kett's eyes become teary and he turns his back.

Sada glances at him, "Kett, I'm sorry."

Kett: "Whatever, let's go. We don't need them." Brothomu and Rokairo accompany Kett as they exit the cafeteria. The prisoners are escorted back to their cells.

Kett: "I guess we have to get back to the action and prepare for the invasion."

Duyako: "I think they just need more time Kett."

Kett: "Unfortunately we don't have any time."

Duyako: "We can win this battle, then reach them later."

Kett groans, "Sure thing sir. Let's just meet with the locals and make sure they are prepared."

RED SNOW

Hurayo points his sword in the air, "Chaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrgggeeee!!!!" Hundreds of soldiers rush forward with swords, spears, axes, or no weapons at all (if they are firebenders). A few archers stroll along with their battle capes. As the soldiers charge about ten mobile catapults are rolled forward.

Meanwhile Duyako stands in front of hundreds of villagers. Duyako: "People of Sogo, I have know you all for a long time but time has known you all far longer. You are so beautiful, unique, rich, and diverse. It means so much to me, to say that I am a Sogoian. Unfortunately, a group of people want to wipe our identity off the map."

Male villager: "Yeah, those cursed Fire Nation imperialists!"

Duyako: "But not all of them, we have one who stands with us."

Older lady villager: "Why should we trust him?!"

Duyako: "I'll let him tell you."

Kett: "Because I've seen how kind and loving the people of Sogo can be. Thanks to the works of your awesome major and my counselor Teshiki. I've also seen the hatred of Fire Nation leaders when they wiped out and burned down another village. I can't stand for it anymore; I cannot imagine how that impacted the waterbenders Jarue and Kaft that my unit battled against who were from there."

Kett adds, "Still, he's right, they want to destroy everything you all have. But one thing I learned reading your history is the people of Sogo survive, amongst all types of challenges. Just as you did before, YOU WILL SURVIVE THIS!!" A few members of the crowd cheer and Kett smiles at the realization he has actually reached some people.

Duyako pats Kett's shoulder, "That's right, people of Sogo FIGHT!! While they fight and are driven by evil and darkness, we should all know that the light is on our side. The thing about darkness, is it consumes the very people who feed on it, that is why the unjust can never prevail. This land, it stands with us against our harsh invaders and will eat them away one by one. So, stand Sogoians, stand for your people, culture, and legacy!!"

Kett adds, "And once we win this, hopefully I can win more of my people over to join your greater fight in justice so we can destroy the Fire Nation Empire from within!" The crowd cheers and several people clap.

Citizens and warriors begin chanting, "Down with the Fire Nation! Down with oppression!! Sogo will survive!!!" Kett looks in awe beside Duyako who's eyes are glowing in a glimmer of sunshine that slips through the clouds.