"Private Fire"
Creative
Story by Josh Hamilton
Art by Johane Matte
Color by Wez Dzioba
Lettering by Comicraft
Publication
Date of publication Various
Last comic "The Bridge"
Next comic "Night Animals"

"Private Fire" is a four-part canonical comic included in the DVD volumes of Book Three: Fire. It revolves around Sokka, under the alias of Private Wang Fire, and his experiences while in the Fire Nation Army.

Contents 1 Part 1 2 Part 2 3 Part 3 4 Part 4 5 See also 6 Comments

Part 1 Edit

The first installment is set following the events in "The Headband". Sokka is surprised to discover that Aang failed to collect intel on the Fire Nation, even while posing as a student. Aang defensively states that he did learn several things, such as the fact that the Fire Nation had an oath. Sokka continues to express concerns about being in enemy territory and knowing nothing, and decides to visit a Fire Nation market to gather information. The team questions Sokka's motives, as they observe typical behavior in the market. Sokka, on the other hand, mistakenly identifies certain things as more sinister than they are, such as when he horrifyingly points to a "Fire Nation Torture Chamber", which is actually a kiln used for pottery.

They continue to spy on the locals, but only witness a mother playing with her child, a woman doing her laundry, and a man eating noodles. Toph states that she is uncertain that they will find any information about the Fire Nation by just observing normal citizens. Just then, Sokka stumbles upon a Fire Nation poster, and finally agrees with the team, saying that they need to be a part of the Fire Nation in order to discover their secrets. He shows the recruitment poster to Katara, Toph, and Aang, and enthusiastically states that he will be joining the Fire Nation Army. The comic ends with Toph stating how idiotic Sokka's idea is.

Part 2 Edit

The next comic begins with Aang exclaiming how ridiculous Sokka's proposal is. He digresses, stating that the plan is perfect; he will stay in the army for a couple of days, gather information and leave directly after he collects enough. Toph questions how exactly Sokka expects he will be allowed to join. The comic then cuts to a scene showing Sokka officially recruited into the Fire Nation military. In boot camp, the Drill Sergeant gives the new recruits a terrifying speech, stating that he will break them down and transform them from maggot slugs to real Fire Nation soldiers. Sokka accidentally speaks, causing the Drill Sergeant to notice him.

He states how he will watch Sokka like an eagle hawk. The recruits' first task is to learn how to ride a komodo rhino. The Drill Sergeant orders Sokka to go first. He fails miserably, being immediately rejected and bucked by the animal. The next day, the Drill Sergeant tells to soldiers that this was a momentous occasion, as it was the day that they would receive their uniforms. Sokka asks for one that came with a helmet having the scary skull face, but instead, he receives a uniform too large for his body. He struggles to balance himself, and accidentally rips the Drill Sergeant's uniform.

As punishment, Sokka is put through rigorous physical training, which included him running long distances while carrying a moo-sow and doing push-ups with the weight of the moo-sow on his back. At night, he is given the duty of cleaning the Fire Nation outhouses as well the cattle stalls. While cleaning the moo-sow pens, he overhears a conversation between two veteran soldiers, who converse about the Drill Sergeant's decision to ship all the new recruits off to the front lines the next day. Sokka gulps, and decides to escape.

Part 3 Edit

The third installment begins with Sokka exclaiming how he needs to escape. He sneaks off the camp in the middle of the night undetected. The next morning, the Drill Sergeant discovers in a daily inspection that Private Wang Fire has fled. He states how he knew all along that the soldier was no good, and sends the rest of the men to search the grounds for any trace of him. With no luck, he names Private Fire as a criminal, and tells his men that they will need to seek him out so that he can face punishment. He grins, and says, "We are going to capture that criminal and bring him back here to face justice... Fire Nation style." The men scramble to get their equipment, and immediately set out to find Sokka.

In their cave hideout, the team is relieved to see Sokka return safely, but he states that they must flee immediately. He explains how much danger he is going to be in when the army discovers his absence, and urges the members of Team Avatar to pack their stuff. He decides to stand outside as a look-out, in case any soldiers happen to pass by. To his surprise, he exits the cave to find the entire fleet waiting for him. The comic ends with the Drill Sergeant declaring how much trouble Sokka is going to be in.

Part 4 Edit

The comic begins with Sokka being dragged by the Drill Sergeant, who states how Sokka is mistaken if he thinks that he could successfully desert the Fire Nation Army. In an attempt to save himself, Sokka reveals that he discovered earthbender and waterbender spies dwelling within the cave, and that they are trying to infiltrate the Fire Nation. The Drill Sergeant is quick to dismiss Sokka, and believes that he is only lying to escape. Concerned about Sokka, the team decides to prove that he is right, by bending an assortment of elements toward the soldiers outside the cave. Startled, the soldiers ask the Drill Sergeant for orders, which he fails to assign as he appears dumbfounded by the turn of events.

Sokka volunteers to "take care" of the benders himself, to which the Drill Sergeant agrees. He strides confidently into the cave, but quickly expresses panic, not knowing what to do now. Katara calms her brother down, and quickly initiates a plan. Toph creates a tunnel in the back of the cave, to serve as an escape route for later. Meanwhile, Aang and Sokka pretend to have a fight, which they exaggerate to make it seem intense. Toph concludes the act by creating a cave-in, effectively making it seem as if Private Fire died with honor and courage. The team escapes safely, and the Drill Sergeant creates a memorial to honor the "deceased" Private Fire.

See also Edit

• List of Avatar: The Last Airbender comics

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