72 AG | 12 years after the disappearance of Avatar Aang

The Northern Water Tribe

A laugh escaped Suhe's lips as snowballs blew past her, the weight of her missing father forgotten, if only for a moment. Another sphere of snow hurtled past Suhe, hitting a wall of a townhouse in the city of Agna Qel'a. Suhe leaned against the wall, catching her breath, a wide smile growing on her face. Blowing a strand of her brown hair from in front of her face, Suhe whipped around the corner of the building, throwing her own packed snowball straight at Akki's face.

Suhe laughed at the look on Akki's face—annoyed, disgruntled, and about ready to be done with it all as the snow started to melt down the side of his face. "Does this mean I win again?" Suhe asked, wiping the water from his face.

Akki narrowed his eyes, a smirk growing on his face. "Hmm, let me think..." the older boy said, tilting his head as he pondered for a moment. "How about no!" He tackled her in a fit of giggles as they wrestled each other in the soft blankets of snow. The twelve year old and fourteen year old had been playing closely together for over half of their lives and they didn't plan to stop soon. Their parents being old friends didn't hurt at all.

Finally, Suhe removed herself from her friend's grip, a smile still planted on her face until black snow fell onto her lashes. Her laughter died out and she nudged Akki who was still laying down with her foot. "Akki, what is this?"

He sprung to his feet, eyes narrowing urgently. "Whatever it is, it can't be good." Grabbing Suhe's hand, Akki led the both of them through a maze of houses and people towards the house of his father, Pakku. Whatever was happening, Suhe knew she'd be safe in the home of a master waterbender.

But before they could reach the courtyard, a whistling noise grew louder before the large walls of Agni Qel'a exploded, debris and ice flying everywhere. Ice particles sliced through the air, cutting at Suhe's skin. Letting out a cry, she wiped her cheek, revealing blood on her hand. Her heart dropped to her stomach.

Akki got into a defensive stance in front of her, guarding her from whatever else was to come. Even at the age of fourteen, he was willing to risk his life for her. Emerging from the broken wall to the outside, crawled soldiers clad in black and red. Fear struck a chord in Suhe's heart as she recognized them as fire benders due to their masks.

Akki's lips pursed as he concentrated on his stance. With one swift movement, a wall of water emerged from the ground in front of them, and with a shove of his hands, Akki sent the wall towards the benders, knocking them back off the wall. "Suhe, go find Pakku! I'll hold them off."

Suhe gulped, nodding shakily before scrambling away, her heart wrenching in her chest at the thought of leaving Akki behind. If there were firebenders at the wall, there were surely more to come. Surely the Fire Nation wouldn't destroy the peace only twelve years after Avatar Aang disappeared?

For some reason, Suhe couldn't take another step. Turning, she watched as Akki fought off a couple more firebenders before getting knocked down by another wave of men. Six mature firebenders against one fourteen-year-old waterbender didn't seem fair. Though Akki was excellent for his age due to his father being a teacher, that could only get him so far.

A firebender approached Akki's body on the ground, a fire dagger in his grasp. He was going to kill Akki. A muster of courage filled Suhe's being as she rushed forward and without thinking, shoved into the man, closing her eyes as her hands made impact with the armor. But she didn't hear him thud on the ground.

Opening her eyes, Suhe gasped. Before her were a group of soldiers frozen in a wave of ice. Relief washed over her and she turned to Akki to thank him, but he was still on the ground, groaning.

He blinked, taking in the surroundings. His brows creased on his forehead as his gaze snapped to Suhe. "Who did this?"

"You mean, you didn't?" Suhe asked, fear dropping to her gut. "I pushed the man and he just froze."

Akki's eyes widened. "You're a waterbender."

Suhe paled. She knew how Pakku felt about female waterbenders. In fact, she knew how the whole of Agna Qel'a felt about them. Unwanted. At least, it was forbidden to fight with waterbending. "Don't tell your father."

Akki shook his head. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."

≋ ⽔ ≋

75 AG | 3 years later...

The attack three years ago was only the first of many. The warriors of Agna Qel'a were able to put an end to the skirmishes, but it unfortunately meant that in order to stop the oncoming war, they would have to stop the Fire Nation outside of their home. The Fire Nation didn't have the threat of the avatar to ruin their plans, but that also meant that the rest of the world had no avatar to save them.

Searches for the new avatar were quick to begin, the officials looking for the most talented waterbenders in the North Pole. Though, Suhe didn't have to worry since Akki had kept her secret all those years. And though she was a bender, she was a girl and girl waterbenders couldn't fight. What type of avatar would she be if she couldn't even fight?

Suhe sat beside her mother, Kasunni, helping to cook dinner when someone knocked on the door. Getting up, Suhe made her way over to the door. Behind it was Akki. Suhe smiled at the man she had just been betrothed to, letting him inside.

"Akki, what a pleasant surprise," Suhe said, bowing to him quickly before pulling him in for a hug. "You weren't due to visit for another day."

"How could I stay away from my lovely bride-to-be?" Akki said, wrapping his arms around her as he poked her nose. "You little Shrimp Biscuit."

Suhe narrowed her eyes at the hated nickname, but before she could reply, her mother cleared her throat. "Alright, you two. Get a room."

Akki laughed, removing his arms from her, nearing the fire where Mother was cooking. "Hello, Kasunni," he bowed to her. "Have you been well?"

Mother smiled softly. "Of course. I live to see my Suhe so happy."

Akki glanced Suhe's way, shooting her an endearing smile. But it faded into a worried look. Suhe furrowed her brows, stepping forward towards her betrothed. "What is wrong, Akki?"

"You are going to hate me," Akki groaned, hiding his face in his hands as he sat on a cushion in front of the fire.

Suhe knelt down beside him, hands resting on his shoulder. "No, I could never hate you."

Akki glanced her way, pain in his eyes. "I have been called away to the war."

Suhe world crumbled there. How could this happen? How could Pakku let this happen? "No," she stated firmly, shaking her head. "No, you can't. Our life—"

"Will be put on hold." He placed a hand on top of hers, pulling her to her feet. "We will work this out."

Suhe fought the tears, the lump growing in her throat. "Where is this stupid avatar?" she cried out, letting go of Akki's hands. "Shouldn't he be out there risking his life instead of you?"

"Suhe, you know that's not fair," Akki sighed, hands dropping to his side. "The avatar is our age, if not younger."

"You are going out. If you're old enough to fight, so can the avatar!"

"We don't know who the avatar is, Su," Akki whispered, nearing her to brush her loose strands of hair behind her ear. "I'll be okay. The avatar is nearing the age that they shall be revealed."

Suhe pulled him close for an embrace, closing her eyes as she took in the comfort. "He can't come fast enough," Suhe muttered into his shoulder.

"Maybe he's a she," he replied. She could practically hear the smile in his voice.

"She better come soon or I'll fight her," Suhe said, looking up at Akki's face that towered over her. Such strong features. She had never imagined she would fall in love with her childhood best friend. Now he was leaving. "You'd better come back soon, or else I'll fight you, too."