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Life is cruel. That’s an undeniable truth. Even within the sanctuary of Obi-Wan’s Water Tribe he knows danger is never far away. He, along with his master Qui-Gon Jinn, has been on many an adventure outside the familiar icy homeland. He’s learned a lot from countless journeys. Suffering is all part of life itself, sadly.
Fire Lord Ozai declared war on all nations. The tyrant believes the world is his to own alone and nothing would stop him to recreate it in his godly image.
The Jedi won’t ever let that happen. They shall fight to the last man if they must! A death sentence it maybe, but an honorable one nonetheless. Those who can bend the elements are naturally gifted with the force and must adhere to the cycle of life’s balance, and keep it intact.
Huge forces of Fire Nation soldiers are swept up into the darkness of the sith. Many of the Water Tribes and the impressive Earth Kingdom were brought to their knees by these bloodthirsty soldiers. Even with such a severe blow, they refuse to give up and fight back with bitter resistance.
Still, no one can ignore such troubling news. How long would it be until their ice-strewn territories would all be melted away? The Fire Nation’s incredible battle ships and technology far surpassed any other countries.
Obi-Wan had sailed across the endless oceans to help people fleeing from Fire Nation scourge. He’s seen plenty of harrowing things –mothers desperately searching for their lost children, young men being captured and tortured by malicious soldiers, the elderly stranded in the wave of a takeover, and hundreds thinning from starvation or injuries. If he passed by the cold remains of a once-thriving village he’d often see piles of the slain carelessly thrown on either side of a dirt road. Such is the ugly face of war.
Though daunted by sorrow, Obi-Wan strengthened his nerves, carrying on farther and father as a wayward son. He can’t possibly save everyone but he’ll do all he can to save the ones he could. Parting ways with his master for a short time, they caught wind of looming danger. Best to split up for now to postpone any future destruction from the Fire Nation, besides, Qui-Gon gave his apprentice an important mission: recruit those willing to help.
Eventually Obi-Wan visited a very small Water Tribe with a chief called Hakoda. Despite being young, Hakoda valued Obi-Wan’s wisdom. He was accepted as a lifelong brother of the diminishing tribe and offered as much knowledge as he could while also learning much in return.
Like a nomad, the Jedi never stayed in one place too long. During Obi-Wan’s never-ending travels he found a smoking corpse of a farming Earth village. The Fire Nation is very thorough and he sadly realized that nothing could regrow here again. Dismal stretches of cultivated land are full of ash. The milk-white bones and charred bodies of the dead lay in the fields without a proper burial. The stench of scorched flesh made him choke. The still-burning blazes meant that this had happened recently. There had been a fight –no. A slaughter.
Not a soul appeared. People’s livelihoods and memories all wiped out and forgotten. How discouraging to be forever erased with no one to remember you…
Panic swells in Obi-Wan’s chest. If I had been here a moment sooner could I have-
Crying echoes in the emptiness. The Jedi freezes, unnerved greatly by the sound. It’s a child’s crying. Obi-Wan warily walks towards the center of the village, his breath trapped in his throat. Is it a trap? Is it an illusion?
It isn’t. A boy is hunched over on the earth and crying miserably. Soundlessly shuffling through the ankle-deep ash, Obi-Wan’s jaw hangs open with surprise. “The sole survivor,” he says as if to confirm the bleak reality.
The kid turned and looked up at Obi-Wan, still sobbing. “W-Who are you? Did t-the Fire Nation change their m-mind?” Nursing a severely burned arm the kid’s eyes nervously darted around, searching for danger.
The Jedi’s calm voice seemed to erase his panic. “No. They are gone. I am a waterbender. I’m Obi-Wan Kenobi. You are?”
“Anakin Skywalker,” he sniffed.
After a tense despondent pause Obi-Wan asked, “What happened?”
Terror flashes in Skywalker’s eyes. “The Fire Nation attacked. They killed everyone –even mom and dad. The village tried to f-fight back but the soldiers were too strong.”
Obi-Wan guessed that Anakin’s parents had hid him beforehand to keep him alive but Anakin quickly revealed how he had survived.
“My dad is from the Earth Kingdom and my mom is an exiled Fire Nation actress. She always told me stories about how it used to be a great place but those Fire Nation guys are scary. They shouted about looking for resistance fighters,” he mumbled. “And when they found me, my parents tried to s-save me. I got s-so angry that the soldiers were hurting them so I tried to fight too. The man grabbed me by the arm and I…I burned his whole arm. Gone. Like ash.” Fresh tears fall from Anakin’s eyes.
Shock surfaces. “They let you live because you’re a firebender!”
“I d-didn’t mean to burn him! I didn’t know I c-could bend fire!”
“I know. It’s alright.” Obi-Wan’s gaze hardened somberly. Firebender. What a cruel mercy. By fate’s gamble, he was allowed to live while the others were condemned to die.
The waterbender kneeled down in the ash and pointed at the burn. “May I see?”
Anakin wiped his tears away with his uninjured arm and nodded.
Water floats up out of a pouch and encases Skywalker’s arm. It glows white like the moon as it heals the gnarled burn. After a few seconds the wound vanished completely.
“Wow, that’s so cool,” Anakin stared at his arm and turned it around.
Obi-Wan remembers the lessons taught to all Jedi. He can’t abandon the child, but there aren’t any safe orphanages around for miles either. Even if he somehow miraculously found one that wasn’t overcrowded, would any of them accept a firebender?
He decided to bring Anakin back to his tribe and the council. Surely they’d let the orphan live there? Firebender or not, he’s still a child. And if Anakin is left alone he could die from bandits or starvation.
Skywalker is amazed. He’s never seen the ocean or huge towering ice before. The small boat navigates beautiful yet treacherous narrow streams. Obi-Wan tells him many tales and traditions of the Water Tribes. Soon they are marching into the glittery domain and to the awaiting council.
Many people stare at Anakin as he shyly follows Obi-Wan. He’s offered some stinky fish stew in a bowl and gulps it down hungrily. He sits in a circle with the others, seemingly unbothered by the cold. He lowers the empty bowl and listens to the disgruntled voices of the council.
“A firebender? You brought a firebender right into our tribe?” Mace Windu’s stern tone cuts worse than a sharpened blade.
Obi-Wan does not shy away from the man and briskly says, “He’s an orphan. As a Jedi I couldn’t leave him to die. His parents and his whole village were slaughtered by Fire Nation soldiers.”
“What if he betrays us one day?” Another Jedi asked.
“An evil person is an evil person, no matter what nation they come from,” Kenobi fired back with a glare. “It seems the world has forgotten that simple fact.”
“He can’t stay,” Mace Windu said. Most of the Jedi echoed his decision.
“Not even an Air Nomad would keep him.”
“Firebenders are fated to be killers, to be one with the dark side.”
“I won’t abandon the youngling,” Obi-Wan’s unyielding voice silenced their antagonism. “Exile me if you must, but I recall that the Jedi must uphold the balance, and firebending is as neutral as any other element. It’s the people using their bending for evil that are to blame.”
Qui-Gon raises his hand to command the council’s attention. “My apprentice shares wise words. None of us know the fates bestowed upon us until it happens.”
Yoda, after a long moment of contemplation, finally spoke up. “We won’t turn away young Anakin Skywalker.”
Yoda is the leader of this Water Tribe. He isn’t the Avatar but he was one of the few to be gifted with two forms of bending: water and earth. Hardly an individual dared go against his decisions. Skywalker is formally acknowledged by the tribe and becomes Kenobi’s apprentice.
It isn’t smooth sailing. Though the elders and his teachers wholeheartedly accept Anakin as just Anakin, many openly share their hatred and fear of him. Even the apprentices are apprehensive to be friends with Skywalker. He only managed to have one other friend who was an orphaned earthbender who was also adopted by the Water Tribe. Somehow, Anakin keeps his cheerfulness despite this.
Years later the tribe hears of the Fire Lord’s transcending victories. If the world has any chance of defeating such a monster they must find the Avatar. The legendary figure is a supposed champion of balance and is the only one who can harness all four elements of the force. This will be a vital mission: if the Avatar falls, the world will be lost.
Kenobi and Skywalker embark on a Water Tribe boat, designed to be stealthy and fast but also durable. No stones or ice will damage the hull. The scariest waves won’t intimidate such a vessel either.
Anakin’s firebending isn’t like other firebenders. Strictness, malice, and magniloquent might are instead replaced by a waterbender’s changeability and grace. He still harbors the bold trait shared by his nation’s people, however.
He stands with crossed arms at the front of the ship and views the horizon. Inhaling and exhaling, he tries to lightningbend. It is an element he’s never fully mastered. He shoots an arm out to direct the hissing current but it merely fizzles. He frantically flails his arms about but every failure is comedic.
“Tea?” Obi-Wan poorly hid his laughter in the question.
Anakin smiled mockingly and took a sip. “You never told me how you made such great tea. With your healing, it has helped a lot of people.”
“Oh, I learned it from an old man when we crossed paths. I’d say he is as wise as master Yoda.”
The scalding drink is refreshing to Anakin. He turned his gaze again towards the sky. “I wonder what the Avatar is like. Is it true that they are alive?”
“If the Fire Lord sent bounty hunters and his army after them then it must be. I too wonder who the Avatar is. They’ve been missing for a hundred years…”
“The Fire Lord is deathly sick. Do you think it’s the universe getting payback because he banished uncle?” Prince Zuko and princess Azula walked down a blood-red corridor.
She scoffed. “Don’t be silly, Zuzu. You’ve been absorbing too much of uncle’s dumb worldly wisdom. A small cold won’t overthrow father.”
Entering the Fire Lord’s throne room they bow before his silhouette. Three people are already there, two are siths.
Ozai’s normally thundering voice is scratchy and blighted by short bursts of coughing. “The Avatar is alive.”
Zuko is shocked and Azula grins.
“A powerful air beam was spotted by a patrol in the seas. This will be an important and historic moment for us. We must act.”
Zuko quickly studied the siths (and metal stranger). Darth Maul is Ozai’s personal guard. His black and red face paint and ornamental horns signify ruthlessness prowess. Count Dooku is a nobleman and the master of Zuko and Azula. The terrifying man melded with metal…the prince doesn’t recognize him. His sharp angles and tall stature with glowing golden eyes are a menacing and distressing sight alone.
“Today will be your final test. Don’t disappoint me.”
The prince feels a sharp blade of terror in his gut. He knows that warning is directed at him. Azula never failed, unlike Zuko.
“You two shall be the ones to capture the Avatar and bring honor to our family and to the Fire Nation.”
“General Grievous and I shall be testing you,” Count Dooku solemnly stated.
Azula stands and proudly declared, “I’m ready. I won’t lose!”
Zuko silently follows. The fighters draw their lightsabers.
Azula’s lightsaber is double-sided like Darth Maul’s while Zuko’s are twin lightsabers. Lacking mighty firebending like his sister he has to fall back on his swordsmanship. With a burst of energy Dooku strikes first. The princess neither flinches nor hesitates, meeting his attack by jumping up and parrying his hits with vicious agility. Twirling and sidestepping he counters the frenzied swings. For an old man he’s quite clever. Dodging her fire and lightning with ease, Dooku’s equanimity was an intimidating opponent –brazen flair included. His weakness is that though he can hold his ground, he isn’t as agile as Azula. She propels herself with intense flames and the lightsaber is a blur or red. Her merciless vigor starts to wear him down.
Zuko tries to assist by punching swirling fire at Dooku’s side. He reads the move and flips over it as it hits a pillar uselessly. The prince screams and runs at the Count but is thrown by a metal arm. He painfully smacks marble floor.
Count Dooku chuckled at their horrible teamwork. “Come now. Where’s the challenge? Can you truly call yourselves siths if this is all you can do?”
“Speak for yourself old man,” Azula taunted. “Looks like you’re getting tired! Arrrhah!” She stuns Dooku with a whirlwind of fire.
Grievous dives side to side and slices Azula’s side, unbothered by her firebending. “Your arrogance is limitless but it has merit. But unlike you, I have no weaknesses!”
Grievous is a wonder of engineering. Once a man he was stripped to his vital organs and rebuilt with the greatest metal and scientific minds. Even Azula’s blue fire can’t melt it. The General’s agility, fighting style, and strength are superhuman. If not for Ozai’s firebending he’d lose to Grievous. His collection of Jedi lightsabers are a testament to his militaristic potency.
The princess ignores the stinging wound to change her approach. She keeps her distance and used lightning on the metal man.
Zuko slides on the floor to drag his lightsabers across Grievous’ legs. A blue lightsaber mercilessly descends over him –it’ll cut Zuko’s face in half. He quickly draws his weapon up in an x-shape. Fiery pain screams as his muscles tremble.
Spinning her wrist, Azula almost severs Dooku’s hand. Fire scorches his shoulder and his back hits a pillar. She faces Grievous and smiles amusedly at her brother’s bad luck. Would he die? He is a weakling and only the strongest survive. She only steps in to save him when Grievous is about to chop all his limbs off.
A wave of blue fire tosses Grievous. He detaches his cape and engages with all four lightsabers. Zuko and Azula decide to divide and conquer. Barrages of lightsabers, fire, and lightning all pale in comparison to the General’s deftness.
“Enough!”
Everyone lowers their weapons.
“I have evaluated your wit and power. Azula, you pass. You have shown to be a strong soldier.”
She bowed. “Thank you, father.”
“Zuko,” animosity saturated the Fire Lord’s tone. “You haven’t improved. If a soldier is to win he must be merciless in all aspects.”
Melancholy bleeds onto his face. “Father! Please give me another mission! I can do this! I can prove to you that I am worthy of being a sith! I…I’ll find the Avatar!”
“A bold but outrageous claim,” Count Dooku said.
“Your moves have been subpar, but with the two of you searching, it’ll be easier to slay our mortal enemy. Very well. If you bring the Avatar here, Zuko, I will grant you the title of sith.”
“Thank you, father!”
“I can’t believe dad let you go on this mission with such a terrible performance!” Azula cruelly pointed out with a laugh.
Zuko frowned and glared at his sister. “You didn’t help me back there. Grievous could’ve killed me!”
“Oh Zuzu, you already have such an ugly scar. What’s one more?” She said with a shrug. “If you can’t at least handle the General in a fight for a few minutes, you should be happy. Better to die in a fight than live on as a weakling.”
“I’m not a weakling! I’ll be the greatest sith ever! You’ll see! I’ll be the first to capture the Avatar!”
Azula’s smile is all venom. “I’ll take that wager.”
Sokka perched on an ice watch tower. It’s been a long time since their father left to fight the Fire Nation.
Handsome blue eyes are stuck on the horizon thoughtfully. The ocean mirrors an endless dark sky above. Sometimes Sokka wonders what awesome adventures and worlds were happening in the stars…
What’s that? A Water Tribe boat? Only one? For months there had only been a fleet of fishing boats. Using a spyglass Sokka discerns the details. Can’t be spies. The Fire Nation could never get enemy outfits right, or act as a tribesman seamlessly. And they could never pilot the small sea crafts properly without crashing. Sokka sounded the alarm by horn. In the stillness of the ocean and ice the sound can’t be mistaken or unheard. Friends arriving!
A hearty campfire in a big tent is created to welcome the visitors. Obi-Wan and Anakin exchanged customary Water Tribe greetings.
“I’m afraid we don’t have much to offer,” Katara sheepishly smiled.
“The Fire Nation left us with more than searing wounds,” Sokka bitterly added.
“It’s okay. We aren’t going to stay long. Is Chief Hakoda here?”
Katara and Sokka’s faces fell. “No. He took a small group to go fight the Fire Nation. And our mother was…was killed years ago by them.”
The woman’s eyes gleam with tears.
“I am very sorry. If I had known this tribe was in such disarray I’d of-”
Sokka shook his head. “Any help now is better than no help at all.”
“We are traveling on an important mission,” Kenobi said. Everyone leaned forward with anticipation. “We are looking for the Avatar and asking those who are willing to join us.”
“The Avatar…is alive?!”
“Yes and we are urgently looking for any traces of his whereabouts. You two have a job here to ensure everyone’s safety but, is anyone force sensitive? I knew Hakoda well; he’s a brother to me. He told me that one waterbender lived here but she was away during my stay.”
Katara sadly lowered her eyes to her gloved hands. Not even her comfy clothes could keep the icy chills from her bones. “She was our mother. I am now the only waterbender of this tribe.”
Her face glowed with tenacity. “This must be fate. I will join you. And Sokka will too. He’s our best tactician.”
“We can’t,” Sokka protested. “You and me are the last defense of the tribe!”
“Don’t you see?” Katara looked at her brother. “It’d be better if we leave. This tribe has nothing left to pillage and it goes unnoticed because of it. The only reason they’d want to attack us is because we’re the children of the Chief. With us gone, everyone would be safer.”
Sokka’s brows furrowed as he thought about it. She’s right. He faced Kenobi and said, “Teach us what you know. We’ll join you on your mission.”
Weeks later the small group was ready to leave. Anakin, Katara, Sokka, and Kenobi checked the tribe’s defenses one last time, their boots crunching in deep snow. It was quickly discovered that Anakin is a firebender but Katara trusted him with her life. He’s Obi-Wan’s apprentice and he’d never bring an enemy to another Water Tribesman. Also, he told the story about how he too, lost his mother to the Fire Nation. That brought them together in an unbreakable friendship.
A horn’s somber tune warned them of danger. Dark choking smoke rises and muddies clear blue sky. Sokka sees the well-defended and armed war vessel sprint through the waters. “A royal Fire Nation ship!”
“They must be looking for the Avatar, even out here. Quickly, let us gather the troops!” Kenobi shouted and the two men run back to the center of the tribe.
“Please be careful! You’re our only hope, Obi-Wan Kenobi!” Katara called.
“They aren’t firing their cannons?” Anakin asked.
“I feel that that’s worse. They’re probably going to land on the ice. Are you ready to fight?” She glanced at him.
Skywalker smiled and drew his lightsaber. “Always.”