History of Sokka (84 AG - 100 AG)

Sokka, born and raised as a warrior for the Southern Water Tribe, on a fishing expedition with his sister he finds the Avatar, frozen in ice. He then accompanies them in their journey north, to teach the young Avatar Waterbending.

Background


Sokka was born in the Southern Water Tribe, to Chief Hakoda and Kya. He was raised from a young age to be a warrior, and possesses much knowledge of water tribe weapons and tactics. When he was young, his mother was killed in a Fire Nation Raid. Several years before finding Avatar Aang, his father along with all the other Warriors left the Water Tribe to fight in The War. He was left in the care of his Grandmother and little sister Katara, and built some crude defenses for what remained of his Tribe.

Boy in the Iceberg


While on a fishing expedition for their village, Sokka and Katara accidentally steered their canoe into a rip current, where it was crushed between ice flows. Sokka blamed Katara for their predicament, and she began to yell angrily about his inconsiderate behavior, gesturing emphatically as she does so. She did not realize that she was involuntarily Waterbending, causing cracks in a massive iceberg directly behind her. A large, spherical underwater portion bobbed to the surface, revealing a flying bison named Appa and Avatar Aang, trapped in a state of suspended animation. Katara grabbed Sokka's club and shattered the iceberg to free him. As she did so, a vertical column of bright blue light shot up from their position into the sky like a beacon. The boy climbed out of the ice and collapsed into Katara's arms. He introduced himself as Aang, an Airbender, and offered to escort them home on Appa.



After their village got attacked by a Fire Nation ship, led by Prince Zuko, Sokka and Katara learned that Aang was the Avatar. Katara mused that they might find a Waterbending teacher at the North Pole, and Aang quickly brightened up, suggesting they learn Waterbending together. Along with Sokka, who decided to come along under the excuse of this being an opportunity to knock the heads of some Firebenders, they decided to journey together.

Kyoshi Island
Sokka, Katara and Aang were flying on the back of Appa with Sokka indicating Aang's lack of navigational skills. Aang then landed on a small Earth Kingdom island with Sokka and Katara informing him that they had taken too many detours recently, which they cannot afford if they wanted to reach the North Pole. Suddenly the group was ambushed by a mysterious group of warriors. The gang was then tied to a pole and after having removed the cloth from covering Aang, Katara and Sokka’s eyes, Sokka uttered a remark about how they could not have been beaten by a bunch of girls. Aang stated that he was the new Avatar and got his friends out of trouble. The group learned that they were now on Kyoshi Island. Aang and Katara enjoyed a delicious meal of desserts and treats, charitably given from the town while Sokka lied on the floor, angry because he was bested by females. Sokka went to the Kyoshi Warriors and he was asked if he wanted to show off some of his 'moves'. He tried to demonstrate his techniques but was brought down by Suki. He simply stated that he was going easy on her and ultimately failed again being tied arm to leg and swung to the ground. He then left out of embarrassment.



Sokka returned to the training area and bows before Suki, admitting he would be honored to be trained by her. She made sure he would not care to be trained by a girl. He accepted that he said some inappropriate things before. She agreed if he underwent all their traditions. The scene skipped to him into a Kyoshi warrior outfit. He complained about being in a dress and Suki called it a symbol of honor and bravery. Aang then walked by, giggling, and said, "Hey Sokka...nice dress." Suki began training Sokka in the art of Kyoshi style fighting. After a little while of training, Sokka believed he was starting to understand the form but inevitably chucks his weapon out the door. Suki laughed, saying it was not about strength. It was about using your opponent's force against them and to wait until the right moment to strike. Sokka then knocked down, Suki, who embarrassed, said it was on purpose. Then she admited she was knocked down and asked him to try it again.

After the town is attacked by Fire Nation, Aang decided that if they left so will the Fire Nation. Suki urged Sokka to hurry and left but he said he would not leave her; at least without an apology. She asked why and he explained that he treated her like a girl instead of a warrior. Suki then kissed Sokka, telling him that she was a warrior but a girl, too. Aang, Katara and Sokka left as the town was being set on fire and Zuko and his followers pursue him again.

Bato of the Water Tribe
The group met up with an old friend from their Water Tribe village named Bato who had been injured and left behind. They head back to his current home in an Abbey of nuns who made perfumes and cures. They spent so much time reminiscing, that they neglected Aang. They suddenly started talking about how Katara and Sokka might be able to visit their father Hakoda, and that a message was arriving soon about their Hakoda's whereabouts. Aang ran off feeling hurt that Katara and Sokka might leave him to go find Hakoda instead of helping him.

While Aang was contemplating their possible departure, a messenger arrived with the news from Hakoda and instead of giving it to them, Aang hid it. Meanwhile, Zuko was busy relaxing with his uncle when a bounty hunter named June stormed on his ship, finding a stowaway on board. Zuko hired her to find the Avatar using the scent of Katara's necklace on her Shirshu in exchange for the damages to his ship.

The next day, Bato took Sokka on a coming-of-age ritual called "ice dodging." Instead of ice, though, they used jagged rocks. With the help from Katara and Aang, they passed the test and all received a ceremonial mark for their wisdom, bravery and trust. But when Aang received the mark of trust he couldn't contain himself any longer and gave the message to Katara and Sokka. A furious Sokka and a disappointed Katara decided to go off to find Hakoda and left Aang to go to the North Pole on his own. Aang herded Appa back to the beach.



June, Iroh and Zuko bursted into the abbey, having just missed the others, and continued the trail. The mother superior immediately ran to Aang seeking for his help. Aang realized that Zuko was after his friends.

Soon down their path, Bato, Katara and Sokka heard a wolf cry. Katara suggested that the wolf was hurt, but Bato told them that the wolf had been separated from its pack. He then explained how he knew this by telling about when he was wounded in battle and left in the Abbey to heal by his fellow Water Warriors, feeling the loneliest he had ever felt. This story reminded Sokka of when Hakoda left to fight the war, and he told Sokka that he couldn't come along and fight with him. Hakoda told Sokka, "Being a man is knowing where you're needed the most. And for you right now, that's here, protecting your sister." Sokka and Katara realized their mistake and turned around to apologize and travel with Aang.

As they were walking back to find Aang, Zuko, June and Iroh appeared on the Shirshu. They quickly subdued them. June commented that its no wonder Katara left Zuko as she's too pretty for him. A furious Zuko questioned them about Aang's whereabouts but they did not know as they were separated. Even though the Avatar was not with Sokka and Katara, the beast found a new scent; the message that Aang had. They headed back to the Abbey as Aang came to the rescue.

Aang battled Zuko among the rooftops, while Appa took on June and the Shirshu. Aang managed to get Katara's necklace back but was soon trapped by the Shirshu and Zuko.

Meanwhile, Sokka and Katara were revived by some perfume given to them by the nuns and suddenly Sokka had an idea. The nuns poured out all their perfumes and Katara started Waterbending them all around. Since the Shirshu could only "see" with its nose, it got confused and started lashing at random people. When Zuko and June were paralyzed by the beast, Iroh feigned paralysis to get close to June and held her in his arms as he lied on the ground. Aang and the others used the opportunity to escape.

Later the kids were flying on Appa. Aang asked what the plan was now. They told him they were going to get him to the North Pole because he was their family. Aang gave Katara back her necklace. Katara went over and kissed Aang on the cheek. Aang blushed and twiddled with his thumbs to hide his face as they all flew off into the sunset.

The Waterbending Master
After Sokka complained that Appa was flying too slowly, Aang defensively replied that they should all climb on Sokka's back and he could fly them to the North pole. Katara tried to smoothe the situation remarking that they were all tired and cranky as a result of flying for two days straight. Just as Sokka was voicing his doubts about finding the Northern Water Tribe, the group was attacked by Northern Waterbenders who led them to their Water Tribe. While touring the city by gondola, Sokka saw Princess Yue for the first time and fell in love with her.



Outside the great palace of the Northern Water Tribe Sokka and Katara were celebrated as family from the Southern Tribe, and Aang was honored as a special guest. The 16th birthday of the Princess, Yue, was also celebrated, coming of marrying age. Sokka was far more interested in the food at the banquet and Princess Yue who was sitting next to him. He broke an awkward silence by telling Yue that back in his tribe he was "kind of like a prince himself". This statement was heard by Katara, who derisively asked him what he was the prince of. Embarrassed, Sokka replied that he was the prince of a lot of things and that he was in the middle of a conversation. (Ironically, since Sokka's father is chief of the Southern Water Tribe, one could say that he is in fact the "prince" of the Southern Water Tribe. Though it is not specified what is the hierarchy of the Southern Tribe and whether or not he will succeed his father as head of the tribe when he dies.) He told Yue that he will be in town for a while and asked if she would like to "do an activity" with him. Sokka made plans with Princess Yue to meet on a bridge above the canal.

Sokka met with Princess Yue on the bridge, presenting her with a carved fish, which she mistook for a bear. However, Yue tol Sokka that she made a mistake inviting him there and ran away, leaving Sokka looking devastated and causing him to throw his carving into the water out of anger. Later, when the gang met in their living quarters, they were all unhappy with how their day went. Sokka was confused and upset by Yue's mixed messages and Aang and Katara were unhappy that Katara was not allowed to learn Waterbending. Sokka suggested that at night, Aang coul teach Katara everything he had learned in the day.

Master Pakku told Katara that her grandmother left an arranged marriage to him to begin her life in the South Pole. Katara understood that she refused to let her tribe's customs rule her life. This revelation made Princess Yue burst into tears and run away. Sokka followed her and found her on the bridge they met at. Yue weeped softly while Sokka told her he wanted nothing from her, but to tell her that she was beautiful and that he never would have thought she would even notice a guy like him. Yue told him that he did not understand, but Sokka believed he did: she was a princess and he was just a Southern Tribe peasant. He turned to leave, but Yue kissed him, making Sokka happy but extremely confused. Yue explained that she had also fallen for Sokka, but they could not be together, and not for the reason Sokka thought. She sadly pulled down the furs about her neck to reveal a betrothal necklace, explaining that she was engaged to Hahn. She apologized and left Sokka alone on the bridge.

Siege of the North


As Admiral Zhao began to launch his attack against the Northern Water Tribe, Sokka took Princess Yue on a ride on Appa, during which they nearly kissed. Soot began to fall and Sokka recognized it from when his tribe was attacked; due to the amount of soot he knew that a massive attack force was approaching.

The Northern Water Tribe prepared to defend itself from invasion and Sokka volunteered for a dangerous mission where several warriors will be forced to infiltrate the Fire Nation fleet. As the walls of the prestige city began to fall, Aang fely duty bound to prevent the same fate that befell the Air Nomads and the Southern Water Tribe. However, he found that against such a vast fleet, he did not stand a chance and retreats in exhaustion.

After some critical remarks from Sokka during a briefing (mainly about the Fire Navy uniforms), Chief Arnook decided to have him advise Hahn, the leader of the infiltration mission and Yue's betrothed. Hahn turned out to be a complete jerk, or a "self-absorbed weasel", as Sokka put it, with a greater interest in rising in rank than Yue herself. The two got into a fight and Arnook pulled Sokka off the mission. A disgruntled Sokka was left behind until Arnook revealed the real reason behind the act: he wanted Sokka to protect Yue.

After Aang came out of the Spirit World, he noticed that he had been taken by Zuko. Just then, he was saved by the timely arrival of Katara, Sokka and Princess Yue on Appa. Zuko and Katara had a rematch but due to the moon being out this time, Katara easily defeated him in a matter of seconds. Aang took the unconscious Zuko with him, despite some disagreement from Sokka and Katara.



While returning to the oasis, Zhao had already captured the white koi fish. Promptly, the moon glowed red, creating a lunar eclipse and color seeped from the world. Immediately, the fighting Waterbenders were rendered helpless. Zhao was making names for himself until Momo jumped on his head. After Zhao attempted to get the lemur off, Momo rejoined the group. However, Zhao suddenly threw fire at the koi, killing it. The moon vanished altogether from the sky, leaving complete darkness in the world. Iroh and Katara attempted to revive the Moon Spirit, but it was too late. Aang suddenly entered the Avatar state and fused with the Ocean Spirit, turning into a giant fish-like creature of water. In this state, Aang scoured the entire Northern City and massacred the Fire Nation's invasion force, while leaving the citizens of the Water Tribe, who were bowed in worship, unharmed in a manner similar to the Passover.

Princess Yue, who at birth was saved from death by the moon spirit, sacrificed herself to give the white Koi the bit of the moon spirit that was inside her. She became the reincarnation of Tui, the Moon Spirit, and gave Sokka one final kiss as she faded away and restored the balance of the spirit. The moon reappeared and La, the Ocean Spirit, dissipated and left Aang on a cliff. While returning to the Oasis, La attacked Admiral Zhao and dragged him into the water. After the battle, Arnook revealed to Sokka that despite all his attempts, he had known his daughter's destiny from when the moon spirit gave her life.