Katara, near Serpent's Pass – Earth Kingdom
"Those ships are impressive," Suki said, watching in total amazement as the northern fleet traversed the ocean.
"They are incredible and terrifying," said Hakoda, Katara's father, whom they had met near a secret refugee dock, along with the decimated warriors of his tribe.
Of the thousands of men who left the South to fight years ago, less than a thousand had made it out alive, and of the numerous southern fleet, only fifty ships were still standing.
Compared to Agna Qel'a, the Southern Water Tribe was truly weakened; one only needed to look at the overwhelming difference between the northern warships and the "ships" of her tribe.
Not counting the White Fury, Katara thought, her mind remembering the hard training Jon's soldiers did in the North.
"You say that this is where we would see the White Wolf?" asked her father, looking directly at Katara and Sokka.
Her brother nodded calmly as he replied.
"Yes, he could arrive at any time. I imagine that the presence of the Northern Fleet is an indicator that Daeron is close to this place" said the young warrior with calmness, very different from the Sokka who began this journey more than a year ago from the South Pole.
"In Kyoshi we heard about the White Fury, but we never imagined that they would look so... you know," said the warrior, still stunned at the imposing sight.
The fleet was small: three of the brand-new northern ships, made of white metal with blue trim, designed to break the waves, with large spurs and huge sails, moved at a terrifying speed at sea, so Katara assumed that there would be water masters on board.
"Those ships are unlike anything I've ever seen," Aang said curiously, looking somewhat cautiously at the terrifying metal cylinders that dominated the bow and sides of the ship, knowing full well the destructive power those boom sticks had.
The small fleet organized defensively, making sure that both the coast and the ships were fully protected, and gradually, Katara watched as smaller ships began to descend and sail to shore.
"What the hell are those things and why do they move so fast?" Hakoda asked with a frown as he watched small boats move at full speed toward them.
And to the surprise of the Southern Water Tribe's own chief, his own son gave him the answer.
"They are called gunboats, speedboats to surround and overwhelm the heavy ships of the Fire Nation. An idea of Jon, who wants them to work as a pack of polar bear dogs. They work with a kind of engine similar to the ships of the Fire Nation, but adapted for water benders. They are faster and more agile, extremely lethal in large numbers," said the young warrior, watching with interest as the gunboats in question began to arrive on the coast, allowing the southern warriors to observe the dangerous warriors of the North.
Katara watched as the first to descend were earth benders, proudly wearing the towering northern armor, with an elegant and beautiful brooch with the symbol of the Earth Kingdom, which they used to hold the elegant blue cloaks on their shoulders, all with the symbol of the Winged Wolf. The earth benders were, as usual, loud and powerful, but they were efficient, quickly erecting makeshift docks, allowing gunboats to dock safely and the rest of the soldiers to begin landing on shore.
The ones who came down next were the water benders and the fire benders, their attire similar to that of the earth benders, only with the symbol of their respective nations.
All loyal to the White Wolf.
Katara saw how many of her father's warriors frowned and clenched their weapons as they saw how the fire benders dried the ground to erect the tents normally. Their armor was totally northern, although some had symbols of the Fire Nation; Katara assumed that they were symbols of the families of each soldier.
Water benders began to store and filter water from the ocean for drinking, while earth benders began to erect sturdy, spacious rock huts.
Within seconds, three men walked over to where Katara was with Aang and her father, and the southern girl recognized them immediately.
They were Dakko, Lee, and Dao, Jon's three most trusted commanders.
"Avatar Aang, nice to see you again," Dao said, making a respectful greeting typical of the Fire Nation.
Aang responded with a smile, making the same gesture; however, her father and the southern warriors just clenched their weapons tightly and frowned.
"Lady Katara, nice to see you," Dakko said with a smile, a gesture that the young woman responded back.
"What are you doing here, Dakko?" asked the young brunette, watching curiously as more and more gunboats began to arrive at the coast.
"Orders from our King. King Daeron gave us this place as a meeting point. The plans began; the White Fury is preparing for the invasion of the Fire Nation," Lee said with a shout, which was cheered by the rest of the earth benders, who, surprisingly, raised a huge rock platform toward the ocean.
At those words, the interest of her father and the rest of the warriors had been touched.
"Invasion? I'm Hakoda, Katara's father," said the southern warrior, completely ignoring Dao and concentrating on Dakko.
Dakko nodded calmly and said, "We know. Our intelligence reports mentioned that our brothers from the South were on this coast, although we did not imagine that they were in such a complicated state."
Katara just snorted; it was a fancy way of saying that the Southern warriors were in the shit.
And Dakko was not wrong.
Her father grimaced in discomfort, followed by a sigh, knowing he was right.
"I understand, but we..." He tried to speak, only to be interrupted by a powerful roar.
A familiar one for Katara.
ROOOOOOOOOAAAR
The rumble shook the heavens, drawing the attention of all who were present in the camp.
Dakko, Dao, and Lee smiled with joy as they began to shout.
"Our King has arrived!" Dao shouted as he ordered four of his fire benders to position themselves in the corners of the platform to facilitate Jon's landing.
Ghost looked as majestic as ever, and his mere presence froze the atmosphere of the bay. He plummeted at full speed with elegance and lethality, with Jon, her Jon, on his back.
Her father and the southerners looked at each other worried as they saw the speed with which Ghost descended, while the fire benders made the appropriate signals to guide their King.
A few feet from the platform, Ghost spread his wings, landing with such power that the earth itself shook, and a layer of permafrost covered the platform completely.
And then, Katara saw him.
By the spirits, how she had missed him.
"There's our delicious man, Katara," Toph said with a huge smile, her face looking over to where Ghost was.
Katara nodded with a smile; her womanhood began to burn just by the sight of him, and with that exquisite armor...
Spirits, focus, Katara! she thought to herself, watching as Jon stepped down from Ghost and took off his helmet.
"Our monarch is present, show respect soldiers!" shouted Dao, Lee, and Dakko at the same time, while beating their chests and bowing to Jon, an act that was repeated by everyone.
Jon's response? Smile calmly and greet those who were his highest-ranking generals as good friends.
"It's good to see you guys," he said with a smile, causing laughter, while the rest of the soldiers cheered and shouted for joy in his name, causing a roar throughout the bay.
Katara was smiling radiantly, until she looked at her father.
Hakoda frowned, while his warriors, evidently overwhelmed, stood together and separated from the rest of the strange camp, finding themselves utterly lost.
And as soon as Katara saw Jon coming down from the platform, she couldn't contain herself, and next to Toph, she ran to him, eager to receive him.
"JON!!" Katara shouted with a huge smile as she ran toward him, being followed by Toph, while Aang and Sokka approached calmly, followed by her father.
Her powerful wolf smiled at both of them and received them in his arms, his hands quickly finding the hips of both, holding them in a possessive but proper way.
They were in public, after all.
"Nice to see you, girls," he said with a soft smile as he approached Toph, kissing the powerful earth bender softly, eliciting a soft moan and a long sigh from the maiden.
When they separated, Toph had a silly smile, much to Katara's amusement, although that feeling didn't last too long, as Jon pulled her to him with his hand, surprising her, and placed a sensual and long kiss on her, similar to Toph's.
And Katara gave herself willingly, without any qualms about the opinions of others.
When they separated, Katara had a huge smile, and her mind was lost in her mischievous fantasies.
At least until her father stepped forward, looking between Jon and her with a frown, evidently disgusted.
However, before he could speak, Jon—his Jon—stepped forward and had the first word.
"You must be Hakoda, the father of Katara and Sokka and the chief of the Southern Tribe," said the White Wolf calmly, looking directly at the man.
Hakoda nodded.
"I am, and you must be Jon Snow, the White Wolf," he said simply. There was no warmth in his tone; he was cordial but cold and distant, something that made Katara and Sokka frown.
Although, for his part, Jon didn't seem to react to the hostile tone. He simply nodded and, looking at Dao, ordered:
"Share our supplies with the southern soldiers. Get the troops ready to leave in two days. You know the plan," Jon ordered, causing Dao to nod and walk away shouting orders, creating great movement throughout the camp.
Katara watched as her father opened his mouth, evidently to speak; however, Jon simply began to walk, and without giving him a look, he spoke.
"Come on, guys. There's news, and it's time to plan," Jon ordered, while the entire Avatar Team, Lee, and Dakko followed without complaint.
Katara and Toph, evidently, walked arm in arm with the young king.
The meeting was just beginning.
Daeron Targaryen, Bay Camp – Earth Kingdom
Daeron was seated on the central stone throne with a huge table in front of him. His closest and most loyal warriors sat on his left, while the Avatar Team sat on the right.
Hakoda, the father of her mischievous water bender, stood in a corner, frowning, accompanied by a pair of southern warriors.
"Did your mission go well?" asked Toph with a knowing smile.
Daeron smiled calmly and nodded slowly.
"Aye. The alliance with Princess Azula is ready. She has a considerable number of soldiers totally loyal to her, and they are preparing for the siege of Ba Sing Se. The drill will destroy the walls of the city in a matter of weeks," said Jon, observing everyone's reactions carefully.
Dao, Dakko, and Lee nodded calmly, aware of the nature of the war and that the fall of Ba Sing Se was necessary to finish off Ozai in his own home.
However, the Avatar Team was divided.
Toph nodded slowly, as did Sokka. Both were always more pragmatic, and both understood the strategic value of Daeron's actions.
Even if they didn't agree.
Katara grimaced but remained silent; however, Aang was the most vocal about it.
"I don't understand how the fall of the capital of the Earth Kingdom helps in the defeat of Ozai," said the young monk with a cautious tone of voice, as if he did not want to make Jon angry.
The young king smiled calmly and began to answer.
"Ozai is proud. Ba Sing Se has proven to be, for decades, the greatest defensive bastion in the world. That it is still standing and resisting is an offense against the ego and arrogance of Ozai and his followers. The drill is an incredible piece of engineering. All that amount of resources could have brought prosperity to the Fire Nation for at least a decade, and even so, his Fire Lord preferred to use it for war," Daeron said with a sigh, shaking his head softly.
"You will use Ba Sing Se as a distraction. You will allow Ozai his conquest, his most glorious dream, only to snatch everything from him a moment later, as he did with you in the North," Hakoda said as he walked from the corner of the hut to the center of the table, his face impassive, as was Daeron's.
"Indeed. With Ozai's attention on Ba Sing Se, we will be able to launch a devastating initial attack on the oldest colonies, starting with Yu Dao, snatching ports and resources of great importance from our enemy," Daeron said calmly, although the dragon inside roared, demanding retribution, which he restrained out of respect for Katara and Sokka.
Alas, it seemed Hakoda was more foolish than a fucking mule.
"You will let Ba Sing Se falls, weakening and destabilizing the Earth Kingdom. You plan to have Ozai do the hard work so that you can take his place. You have the North and the coalition, and from what I hear, you also have the princess of the Fire Nation under your control. Why not add the Earth Kingdom as well? And your presence here implies that you want my submission and that of my tribe. I warn you that it will not happen, child. Your wife would be ashamed to see what you have become," Hakoda snapped, obviously upset and furious.
Daeron simply stared at him, wiping his face of any expression. As much as he liked Sokka and Katara, Hakoda had crossed a line.
And there would be retribution.
Daeron stood up slowly, his eyes locked onto Hakoda's. To Daeron's respect, the man did not retreat a single inch.
Looking directly at the insolent man, Daeron began to speak.
"It's obvious where Sokka got his tactical genius from, though I expected nothing less from Chief Hakoda, the Southern Ravager," Daeron said calmly, enjoying how the Southern chieftain's companions inhaled sharply and moved slightly away from Hakoda.
At that name, Daeron watched as the man's frown deepened, his knuckles turning completely white.
Apparently, he had struck a chord—and smelling blood in the water, Daeron went for the jugular.
"Although, considering the deplorable state of the Southern Tribe, the term chief may be a little too generous. The former glory of your people is nothing more than whispers of the past. Remind me—how many soldiers have you lost? According to my Katara's words, the raiders from the South had more than five hundred ships and over ten thousand men. Poor leadership, don't you think? Besides, I don't feel like you're the one to talk about a man's wives, Hakoda, considering what happened to yours" Daeron said, preparing his defense for the impending attack.
And he was not wrong.
Hakoda's face contorted in total fury, and with a ferocious scream, he climbed onto the table and lunged at Daeron, his intention more than clear.
An action the White Wolf had already anticipated.
Reacting quickly, he used his water bending to intercept Hakoda midair, subduing his arms and legs and throwing him out of the command center without consideration.
"Let no one intervene," Daeron ordered when he saw both his generals and the Avatar Team rise to their feet, as he himself began to walk out.
"JON! My father...!" Katara began, only to fall silent when she saw Jon raise his hand.
"I won't hurt him, but a lesson and a correction must be imposed," he said as he exited, leaving behind stunned northern and southern soldiers.
Hakoda stood up, his face burning with fury.
However, Daeron showed no mercy.
He had fought and subdued armies and entire fleets. He had battled damned ice demons and evil spirits.
And he had won.
The tantrum of the father of one of his women was utterly insignificant.
As Hakoda prepared to fight, Jon raised his hand, revealing Longclaw's edge to the entire camp, and drove the sword into the ground.
The action made Hakoda freeze, his fury shifting into uncertainty.
"You dared to attack me in my own camp. Worse, you dared to use the memory of my beloved Yue against me. I have executed men for lesser offenses," Daeron snapped as he approached Katara's father.
Hakoda frowned and assumed a defensive stance.
"Raise your fists, Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe. Defend your title and your right as chief," the White Wolf commanded, officially issuing the challenge.
"Why are you doing this?" the southern chief shouted, frustrated.
Daeron looked at him firmly, posture upright and powerful.
"Because this world is dying. War has shattered any concept of stability and balance. The world must change to move toward a brighter future, and if, for that to happen, I must unify the four nations...so be it," Daeron declared as water condensed around him.
Hakoda backed away slowly, analyzing his opponent, searching for a flaw in Daeron's overwhelming presence.
"I am Daeron of House Targaryen, Monarch of Agna Qel'a, Lord of the Oceans and Consort of the Moon. Raise your weapon, Hakoda of the South, and defend your right over your tribe," Daeron proclaimed, gripping Longclaw and preparing to fight.
To Hakoda's credit, the man drew his sword and shield, ready to face Daeron.
Even knowing the outcome in advance—just as his warriors did.
"May the will of the ocean be present," said Hakoda.
"And may the wisdom of the Moon illuminate the future," replied Daeron.
A second later, their weapons clashed.
The duel between two chieftains had begun.
However, only one would emerge victorious.
And the great unification had begun.