Chapter 27 - Southern Water Tribe

---Several Weeks Later, Mael POV---

Arriving on Whaletail Island, I quickly realized that the Southern Raiders weren't really an special forces. Even though they were in their combat gear, it was quite clear several of them were hungover while others didn't want to fall in line.

"Prince Mael, it is an honor to have you here.", Commander Yon said politely, "It's an honor to have-"

"Cut the crap, I know you are only pretending because of my status. I am not here to be coddled by you, I am here to train and increase my strength.", I said bluntly knowing how ruthless the man at this point in time, "Stop wasting my time!"

Twitching in anger, the Commander kept his cool and nodded his head.

"Understood, I will treat you like one of the men then.", he replied.

"Fine by me, do you have any missions I can accompany you on today?", I inquired.

"Actually yes, we have received orders from the Fire Lord to hunt down and kill the last remaining Waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe.", Yon said with a cruel smile, "I have held off as I knew you were enroute."

Nodding my head, I said we could head out immediately if they were ready. Stating that we would leave in thirty minutes, he had one of his lieutenants show me to my room. Relaxing there till it was time to leave, I met Yon on his ship where I was promptly given a room to sleep in. Since I didn't want to get close to any of the men here, since I intended to kill them in cold blood, I walked the deck of the ship surveying the area afterwards.

Given the area we were in, it wasn't surprising to see the snow start to fall from the sky as we started leaving. Enjoying the beauty this world had to offer, I spent the next few days interacting as little as possible with the crew of the ship. They could enjoy their few remaining days on this world in peace.

---A Few Days Later---

Sending a two of the ships out ahead to draw out the defenders, Yon waited for them to be out of sight before moving in. The fact this guy refused to fight them with dignity annoyed the hell out of me. What sort of sick bastard lures the only defense the settlement has, and attacks when only women, children, and elderly are left. Docking just outside the settlement, I could see the fear painted on people's faces as we got off the ship. Watching the mothers hide their children away, they knew exactly why we were here.

"Bring us the Waterbender!", Yon ordered, "If you don't hand them over, we will burn this village to the ground!!"

When no one stepped forward, Yon's men readied themselves purposefully aiming at terrified families. Narrowing my eyes, my patience ran out for these animals. Since they wanted to treat these people like they were subhuman, I would show them what true force looked like.

"Fine then, we will-", Yon started to say before I grabbed him by the back of the neck, "What are you doing!? Let me go this instant!!"

"I am putting the rabid animals down...", I said in a cold tone.

Without hesitation, I snapped his neck like a twig. Turning away from the families, I told them to get inside their homes now so they wouldn't get harmed. Once the villagers were out of sight, I began my attack. Turning to face me, I used Explosion Magic to blow four of the men to pieces.

"SHIT!!", the lieutenant shrieked, "He can use Combustionbending too!!"

"That's not the only technique I use...", I said with a smirk as lightning danced around me, "All of you can die, you will get no mercy from me in Heaven!"

Scrambling to get away from me, the Lightning shot out at the men that tried to run. Reducing them to ashes in seconds, the few remaining soldiers tried to surrender to me. Pleading for a chance to regain my favor, they tossed their weapons away.

"How many prisoners do you have left from the Southern Water Tribe?", I said grabbing one of them by the face.

"Thirty!! We have thirty prisoners back at Whaletail Island!!", the man howled in fear, "Please, I have a family back home!!"

"How nice...you have a family safe and sound, but you enjoy tormenting these people? You aren't human, you are a rabid animal!!", I seethed using Pride Flare point blank.

A massive explosion ensued leaving nothing behind of him. By now the remaining three soldiers knew there was no going back so they went to grab their weapons, but found the melted ice from my attack start to encase them in ice. Looking to me, their eyes went wide with shock.

"You are the Avatar!!", they shouted.

Not giving them an answer, I completely froze them within a split second. Turning back to the village to give the all clear, I saw Kya standing their in shock. Evidentially she had come out to see why the soldiers were howling so much. Popping out from behind her, Katara and Sokka looked at me with sparkling eyes.

"You are the Avatar?", Kya asked with a relieved expression.

"I think you know the answer to that question.", I chuckled with a smile, "I would appreciate it if you didn't spread that information around. It would blow my cover, and make it more difficult to stop this bloody war."

"Why did you save us?", Kya inquired, "Surely you will have to suffer for protecting us."

"That assumption implies word will get out that I did it.", I said with a smirk, "As far as I know, we didn't make it to the Southern Water Tribe territory. The rumors of a Waterbender still being alive down here was only a ruse to lure us into a trap set by rebel Earthbenders. There is no Waterbenders left down here, it was all a lie."

Hearing that as they left their homes, the villagers looked relieved that the attacks would stop. Having endured the constant harassment of the Southern Raiders had taken a toll on them mentally and physically. The thought they could start fishing and hunting without fear of being captured was a welcome relief. Looking at each other with smiles, several of the villagers wanted to celebrate their new found freedom. Approaching Kya and her children, I knelt down so I could look them in the eyes.

"I am sorry the both of you had to see that gruesome display. Their attempts to hurt innocent people made my blood boil, and I took it out on them.", I said seeing a young Katara acting like nothing had happened, "Keep your daughter safe ma'am, I know she is the Waterbender they were after."

"How did you know?", she asked.

"When we were in view, I saw her making snowballs to play with the other kids.", I chuckled, "I am sure she will grow up to be a fine warrior and healer."

"Would you care to stay for a drink or something?", Kya offered, "We can't offer you much, but I couldn't let you leave with nothing after protecting us."

'Hmm...since I don't need all the supplies on the ship, I can give them everything.', I thought, "Give me a moment, I think I can help your settlement out even further."

Handing them the supplies on the ship, I said they could keep them as I didn't need them. Gratefully accepting everything, they immediately started sharing the supplies with one another to supplement their food stores. Offering to make me some tea, Kya welcomed me into their home.

"So you are the Avatar huh, shouldn't you be busy sorting things out already?", Kanna jabbed with a smirk.

"What do you expect, I am only seven years old!", I argued.

"That's a load of whale crap! I have never seen a seven year old your size before!!", Kanna refuted.

"I am telling you I am seven years old, clean the earwax out of your ears.", I playfully teased her, "I eat a well balanced diet and drink plenty of milk, bite me!"

Grabbing my cheek, she pinched them aggressively telling me to treat the elderly with more respect. I didn't really feel anything, but I pretend to be in pain so she didn't realize that. After a few minutes, she stopped pinching and asked me about the Fire Nation itself. Telling her that I was the adopted son of General Iroh, I said I was currently working to hamper the war effort from the inside.

"I am trying to gather as much information as I can, and make moves accordingly. The war has to end in a way that all sides can be at peace with. If I destroy the Fire Nation military, the other nations will ransack the nation out of anger.", I said, "While I agree the military personnel should be held accountable, I don't think farmers and other common folk should suffer. They don't have a say in what happens, any dissidents is met with force in the Fire Nation. The common folk fall in line because they want to protect their families, no one can blame them for that sentiment."

"I can tell you have thought deeply about this.", Kanna admitted, "Do you have an idea of what you intend to do?"

"Yes, Iroh and Ozai do not see eye to eye. If I can get Iroh back home, and kill Azulon myself...it will cause friction between the brothers. With enough of a push, I could potentially cause a civil war that would pull military assets home thereby giving the Water Nation and Earth Nation time to recover lost ground. The two of them are Master Firebenders and great tacticians so it will take some time to settle the fighting."

"Hehe, that will be quite the fight to see.", Kanna laughed.

"Absolutely, however it will only buy some time. It will take much more than that to stop the War Machine, they currently have plans to-", I started to say.

Before I could finish my sentence, Hakoda burst into the home.

"Kya!!", he shouted out.

"What is it dear?", Kya asked with a smile.

Running over to her, he held tightly almost crying as he did so.

"We saw the ship outside, I thought...I thought the worse had happened.", he sniffled.

"We are fine dear, Katara, Sokka, Kanna, and I are all fine.", Kya assured him, "I would like to introduce you to Avatar Mael, he is the one that saved us."

Turning back around to the table, I gave him a smile and said hello. Getting up from my seat, I walked over to him and gave him a firm handshake. Thanking me repeatedly for saving the village, I said there was something I needed to tell him. Taking a seat at his table, I wanted to speak about the future invasion of the North Pole.

---Ba Sing Se, 3rd Person POV---

"Commander Lu Ten, a package has arrived from the capital for you.", a courier said, "Your younger brother sent you something."

Looking up from his desk to receive the package, he looked rather confused. Mael and Lu Ten weren't especially close as his father only adopted him a little over a year ago. He accepted him as a brother, but it was weird to receive a gift from him so suddenly.

"Does this have to do with him being approved by my grandfather?", Lu Ten asked.

"I am not sure sir, he didn't say. All he said was that it was imperative you receive this quickly.", the courier replied, "Please sign here."

Signing the papers to show he received it, Lu Ten opened to package to see what it was. Expecting it to be a show of power, as the newly recognized grandson to the Fire Lord, he was shocked to see a silver colored chainmail vest. Picking it up, he was in disbelief as to how light the chainmail was...it felt like it was less than a pound in weight. Seeing a note drop out of the armor, he picked it up and read it.

"Dear Brother Lu Ten, I have sent you this armor to protect you on the battlefield. This armor was made from a special metal that I found in the market, and is handmade by me. Please wear this at all time when you are outside camp, the Earth Nation knows who you are and is targeting you. Our Father would be mortified if he knew you were being targeted solely because you were his son. Keep your head on a swivel, and stay safe. From Your Brother Mael.", Lu Ten read aloud looking at the armor again, "So he made this armor? I had no idea he was a craftsmen of this caliber!"

Slipping the chainmail under his uniform, he was happy to see that it fit perfectly and didn't inhibit his movements. Deciding to get Mael something in return for the gift, Lu Ten thought about what his brother might like.