Natural Disclosure

Sada's team evacuates several citizens from the hamlet. The sky is a mix of white and medium-blue. A moderate wind blows across the area as children, women, non-warrior men, and elders are guided away from the homes. Kett looks at Sada, "We need to evacuate the other hamlet that is north of Sogo."

Sada looks back at him, "Sure, but the direct route won't be safe. Fire Nation troopers will quickly search the area between here and there as they plan to hit Sogo. We need to pull out and get these people to safety first."

Kett also looks at the homes and ignites his hands with light fire. Water Tribe dual swordsman: "No! What are you doing?!"

Kett turns, "We can't allow these homes to stay intact they offer shelter and resources for our enemies. I say, we burn them down and force the Fire Nation soldiers to march through the cold without extra supplies and warmth. Use the climate against them. When my company fought though these lands, we struggled to adjust and being able to rebound in conquered villages helped replenish our teams."

Sada: "But the people value these homes that they built. They are a part of their identity. If we just burn them down, we will do away with all of that."

Kett: "Then build a new home, it's more important that they live to fight another day."

A male waterbender comments, "Then we should wait and consult the elders first. See if they approve of this action."

Kett: "Elders? Don't you have a mayor? Why wait for them?"

Sada: "The elders have the most authority with decisions like this, that impact our culture. Even the major only stays in power if the elder council doesn't fall into immense conflict with him. That is not the way of Sogo."

Kett counter, "This is about the survival of your people. We have to act fast."

Sada shakes her head, "You're thinking like a firebender. Always moving fast and sometimes without foresight or valuing the input of others. Our way is different, Kett."

Kett looks at her, "Yet you choose to take me alive instead of killing me. So let me help you. If we do this now, we will deplete them more before their great attack." Sada being a long time Water Tribe member, knows that is always culturally best to wait and not make impulsive actions.

Kett extends his hands and shoots beams of fire into two homes. The flames extend and begin to burn other homes down. A Water Tribe archer screams, "Noooo!!!"

Kett looks back, "We already took what is valuable. Trust me, it will pay off."

Sada is filled with disgust, "Just come on, firebender!!"

They flee and Kett looks at Sada, "I know how my people operate, this will slow them down."

Sada: "It's not about what makes sense in the short run or what seems logical to only you. It is about input. It is about how your actions impact the thoughts of others and the way the decisions are viewed in the long run. I see your culture doesn't think much of that, to their own detriment. How do you expect the people to trust you, when you make a decision against their wishes?"

Kett responds, "I just saved, many of THOSE PEOPLE and put MY OWN life on the life in the process. Why do they feel so entitled? I made a strategic decision to benefit them."

Sada: "It's always strategy with your people, but that is not the only thing that matters. Their culture is also important, as well as their trust. Without trust, we have nothing. You still are starting with a shaky background, you even branch from our enemies."

Kett looks the other way and exhales. Sada, a waterbender, Water Tribe spearman, swordsman, archer, and Kett escort dozens of villagers to the start of Sogo. Several Sogoian warriors greet the citizens in their blue and yellow uniforms as they are offered shelter and given somewhere to stay.

Kett pokes Sada, "Ok, now let's go evacuate that other Hamlet."

A Sogoian warrior holds his spear infront of Kett's neck, "Halt, firebender!"

Kett: "We need to evacuate a village."

Sogoian warrior: "We can send our own team to do that."

Kett: "Please, let me do it."

Sogoian warrior: "We don't know your motives."

United Way Water Tribe archer: "And he burned down the other hamlet after he evacuated the citizens."

Sogian warrior: "Why would he do that?!"

Kett: "Because then the invaders won't be able to use it for shelter and comfort. It will force them to remain in tents camped out in the midst of battle. And I just noticed the winds are getting stronger. If a blizzard hits, they will face the full might of it without good shelter."

The Sogoian warrior widens his eyes, "He actually has a point."

Sada: "But the elders will be furious! He did it without even consulting them."

Kett looks at the warrior, "Maybe, but if I burn their hamlet and not the other it won't be fair. I moved too quickly and impulsively. I made a bad decision because of my culture. But believe me I'm trying. I just took down several Fire Nation troopers and helped saved those people from being massacred. It will not be fair if I burn down that hamlet and not the other one. Please let me do it again and you can tell the elders that I'm willing to accept the punishment that comes with it."

Sada looks at the trooper. Sogoian warrior: "I should ask my commanding officer, come with me." Kett, Sada, and her team of United Way waterbenders walk to a wide light brown one-story plank building. Two Water Tribe warriors stand outside of it with spears and round shields.

Water Tribe guardsman 1: "Who is that outsider? He wears red, is he from the Fire Nation?"

Sogoian warrior: "He needs to speak to Captain Hokchoy!" The guards nod and make way for the captain. A man steps forward with light skin, thin black eyebrows, light blue eyes, thin lips, a long nose, wide cheeks, and a black receding hairline.

Captain Hokchoy: "Why have you brought this Firebender to me Sada?"

Sada: "He wants to free a hamlet that is under imminent danger but he has burned one of our hamlets down after he evacuated and rescued the villagers."

The captain scratches his head, "Why would he do that?"

Sada: "He wants an invading army of Fire Nation troopers to freeze to death and by limiting the shelter they can use their tents won't be enough for them to fair well in this harsh winter."

Captain Hokchoy: "That may be a good plan, but did he consult the elders? The people may be upset about losing what they or their ancestors, parents, or grandparents worked to build."

Sada: "I tried explaining that to him but he just did it anyway."

Hokchoy rolls his eyes, "Typical firebender."

Kett interjects, "Please let me rescue the other village and burn it down as well so my strategy can be more effective. If I only burn one hamlet, they will still utilize the other."

Hokchoy: "So you want to risk getting yourself into more trouble. Hahaha, very well but I have no reason to cosign it and risk my own punishment. Sada what do you think?'

Sada: "I say we don't let him burn anything else down. If he wants to help us, that's fine, he's a cunning fighter, but he needs to respect our structures and customs."

Hokchoy: "Those may be the risks of working with a man such as he."

Kett flexes "If I can't burn the hamlet down, then I'm out of this fight."

Sada: "And if you're out of this fight, then we'll put you back into captivity."

Kett gasps, "Ok I don't know, I'll help but let's stop sitting around and talking. We need to RESCUE the people. If you ignore my strategy, it's YOUR people that will be a greater risk fighting a fresher army."

Hokchoy: "No need, we already have a team evacuating them. And I believe it is obvious they will not burn down the hamlet, instead, firebender I will have you placed on trial where the elders can meet you for judgement!"

Kett grunts, "Ah, of course." Hokchoy raises his hand, and four warriors emerge with spears and shields. Kett throws his hands up, "Fine." One warrior puts steel cuffs on the marine's hands. Kett: "Hey, not so hard, I just rescued some of your people."

The New Trial

Kett is marched outside of a massive thirty too tall structure that is over fifty feet wide. Multiple stone columns hold the building up and unlike many of the homes on the outskirts of the village, this structure is primarily made of a thick clay substance. The building has cornflower paint trimmed throughout with shades of yellow added while the majority of the building is a light brown color.

A beautiful Sogoian flag showcases the blue and yellow that the village displays as well as a picture of a sword and tree representing its culture. Kett steps in a large building with a marble-like interior made of a smooth white and light brown substance.

Multiple exquisite pictures, vases, and planted indoor trees can be viewed within the structure. Several villagers walk through the halls as well as some local officials and tribal leaders. Kett looks in fascination at the rich culture within the building. An illegible sign written in an unknown language can be seen a few feet above and right of Kett's position.

Kett: "What is that?"

Water Tribe guard: "That says 'Judicial Section'. It is written in the ancient Sogoian language, Rasatak."

Kett raises an eyebrow, "Sogo has its own language?"

Water Tribe guard: "Indeed it does, we have an incredibly distinct culture. Now come!" Kett is taken to a the court section where each chamber has light brown painted wooden walls and a dark grey carpet floor. The seats are made of a grey leather-like substance.

Beyond the seats are on a copper-colored marble floor with a long golden-yellow desk with three grey rolling chairs behind it. A large, elegant silver chandelier hangs above the room. This chandelier is lit by white candles and is made of multiple silver diamonds.

Kett looks in amazement at the beauty of the chamber. Several officials and villagers enter along with Sada and her United Way teammates. The 31st prisoner looks in disbelief as three elders enter. One elder is bald, has light yellow skin, tall, with white eyebrows, a small nose, light blue eyes, a thin body, and small lips. His name is Orio.

Another has dark grey hair, thick eyebrows, thick lips, a wide nose, olive skin, a bulky body, monolid eyes, dark blue eyes, and a large jaw. He is Moraku. Another elder sports pale skin, light grey hair, a moderately slim frame, and azure blue eyes. This man is called Uzeko.

Orio picks up a small yet long wooden spoon and hits a silver bell on his desk. The bell rings and the entire room falls silent. Two Water Tribe warriors guide anyone standing to their seats as Kett is led to a seat on the far left corner of the room.

Orio: "This meeting will be attended by Sogo's Elder Council, with three standing members from our twelve-person council. The accused has been charged on the violation of desecrating the culture of several local villagers by burning down a hamlet without permission of the council. It has been stated that you were informed on these charges and still made your decision with reckless disregard."

Morako adds, "Normally, any accuser has the option to directly challenge the defendant however, in this case the complaint was formally made without anyone looking to be your active accuser. So, we will give the defendant a chance to speak for himself, as is our tradition. If the defendant fails to provide a satisfactory defense, a punishment will be made."

Kett: "I was given a chance to not burn the hamlet, but I acted fast because I wanted to starve the Fire Nation invaders out. The cold climate is hard on my people. If we burn their shelter, their tents will not be enough to outlast the Sogoian military."

Uzeko speaks, "While that may be true, it is important to us that our people and our opinions are respected. No outsider's own wants, needs, views will be prioritized over that of our own."

Kett: "I'm sorry, I mean no disrespect. The way of action is all I've ever known. Sada pointed out that I'm from a different culture and we operate in a divergent manner. Please, give me a chance to right my wrong on the battlefield. That's where I'm most useful, I really don't want to sit in captivity again."

Orio points, "And why should WE trust YOU, a firebender who recently slew Water Tribe members from other clans in battle?!"

Kett: "Because I'm as good as dead to the Fire Nation now if I come back to them alone. I struck down several warriors earlier today."

Moraku stands, "Who can attest to this?!"

Sada rises, "I can."

Moraku: "Sada, you put your own honor at risk."

Sada nods, "I know, but I won't lie for an outsider. My team discovered him fighting to protect multiple villagers and killing his own allies. They had intent to kill him, had we not aided him he could have been overwhelmed."

Orio glances at Sada, "Thank you gentle Sada, you may sit." Sada sits.

Uzeko punches his desk, "No no no! An outsider will not decide how we must be saved. He wants to do it his way, like his people. He has not learned enough to be released from bondage."

The Water Tribe councilor Teshiki storms the room. A guard exclaims, "It's Teshiki!"

Orio picks up a wooden hammer and hits the desk twice, "ORDER!! We shall have order in these chambers!"

Teshiki stops halfway up the aisle, "Your honor, forgive me. I stand here in defense of the firebender Kett. We wanted to give him a chance to respect our people and to change the rigid mindsets that have fueled this brutal war. Major Duyako has been clamoring for a new kind of program that reinvents war and societal offenders. Kett has been exposed to new ideas and some of their members have shown promising change."

Kett adds, "Sachin, another prisoner stood against the orders of their Colonel Hurayo! He was killed in cold blood for his change of heart. I have to admit, the program won't work on everyone, but some people are impacted by it."

Uzeko asks, "Can anyone attest to that?" No one speaks.

Teshiki: "I know opinions don't count, but I believe it. There is a spark in Kett's eyes, he is different. Not so much because he's a saint but because he thinks for his own. This is his gift, in his circumstance. He doesn't let a bad crowd sway him, but it is also his weakness. It makes him hard to control and his emotions can get the best of him. He is different and your people speak of the importance of honoring different ones at times, when they are called."

Orio: "Different ones can bring great good and can deal great harm to a tribe, clan, or nation."

Teshiki: "That is why sometimes we must give them a chance so that their uniqueness will work for us and not against us. As Mescales the Wise once said."

Uzeko yells, "I've had enough of this!"

Orio interrupts, "Wait." Orio sits and thinks. The councilor inhales and exhales smoothly. The elder looks around the room and the other elders do the same.

Orio points at Kett, "If you mean to stand by our people, to honor us, to know us, then you must reform yourself to prove you are worthy. You can no longer live for yourself but must now be willing to honor the people you wish to serve. Not only the people of Sogo, but of any tribe you assist and of any nation or group you come to aid. Before I go any further, I need you to PROMISE that, or I will not work with you."

Kett looks baffled, "Oh, alright. I promise!" Sada glances at Kett.

Orio: "Excellent, thousands of years ago, there was a legend, a man named Usanken (pronounced Usan-Ken). He was a noble and bold firebender who stood by the side of the Water Tribe people during a time of war between the Water Tribe and overzealous Fire Nation huns. He stood beside the people of Sogo and helped repel the invaders."

Orio: "Due to his loyalty, a special armor was made for him, and he was called the Vindicated Avenger. The Avenger's armor was locked up in a several kilometers east of Sogo's location. Usanken said that a time will come that a new Vindicated Avenger will arise."

Orio continues, "We could take you there, where the land itself will test you. If you manage to survive, then you will be deemed to assist us on the condition that you for now on will balance your own desires, plans, and strategies with the customs, traditions, and different ways of whomever you intend to assist so long as those customs are not unjust."

Orio: "And just so you know being impractical and unjust are not the same; so is the risk and sacrifice of the Vindicated Avenger. Do you accept this challenge?" Kett looks into the eyes of each elder, at Teshiki, at Sada, at Sada's United Way team, and at the audience.

Kett: "I do!" The audience surprisingly cheers.

Orio: "Then go Kett, see if you are worthy!" The guards escort Kett again, but not to a prison cell as he had initially expected. Kett is taken out of the structure into the blistering cold. Several citizens watch not yet knowing the news as Sogoian warriors take Kett to the eastern outskirts of the village.

Kett sits on a wagon, much like how he initially arrived at Sogo. Sada stands across him with Teshiki beside her. Kett still is in handcuffs at the moment and three warriors are on the wagon with him. Two are going to be drivers and the other sits on the back of the wagon beside Kett. Two arctic donkeys are strapped to the vehicle.

Kett: "So I'm going to a mountain."

Teshiki nods, "Mount Yashilin, a land of many mysteries."

Kett: "How long do you think I'll be there? Fire Nation troops are right outside of the North of Sogo, it won't take more than a couple of days for them to hit the village."

Teshiki: "Have faith Kett, have faith in destiny. If you are to serve the light, you must understand that it does not operate how darkness and much of this world does. It is not guided by mere planning, while that can get you far, the spiritual light is guided by the unseen. It can be impacted by things you will never understand but knowing in your mind, body, and soul that you are just means you must do what is not easy and what is not always insured."

Kett: "I understand, but that completely baffles me. That isn't how anything in my life has worked."

Teshiki: "Then become a new man. Let your old bad ways die."

Kett looks at Teshiki. Sada looks at Kett, "Best of luck firebender. I hope you make the right decision, if you are wrong in spirit the mountain may not kill you but you may find yourself stranded there." The drivers start and Kett departs.

Teshiki looks at Sada, "So you heard about the legend of Egobo?"

Sada: "Yes, quite recently actually, an older lady told me during the beginning of this visit. Guess it worked out."

Teshiki looks disappointed, "What? You mean you didn't already know? Is the Western Water Tribe really that out of the loop with our stories."

Sada: "Well there really are too many stories in every clan and village in the Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western Water Tribes for me to keep up with them all. I hardly know all the major stories in the West if we're being honest, let alone every specific one."

Teshiki: "Fair enough but it is one you will never forget now. Kett's fate is intertwined with this quest from this moment on. The spirits are not to be gamboled with."