Chapter 15- Whispers of the Past

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Previously:

Sokka unfurled the map of Arashi's attacks' locations according to Aang... "This path in Sokka's Map" he began to explain, opening up a specific scroll "It's identical to one Kyoshi did in one of her journeys" he continued. We don't know the exact connection yet" Sokka conceded, "but..." Aang cut him off, his voice firm. "But you want me to talk to Kyoshi."

Aang's eyes drifted toward Arashi's retreating figure. Something caught his attention – a glint of light amidst the darkness. He squinted, his vision still blurry from the impact. There, dangling from Arashi's neck, was a delicate chain adorned with a shimmering gemstone. The stone pulsed with an ethereal light, its glow faintly reminiscent of the moon spirit's aura.

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"Sokka!" Zuko's voice echoed down the palace hallway, sharp and urgent. Sokka, lost in thought as he paced near Aang's room, startled at the call. Zuko wasn't someone you'd normally associate with urgency. "Yeah?" Sokka called back, turning the corner to see the Fire Lord looking unusually animated.

"Look" Zuko began, his voice dropping to a low murmur, "I finally got my people to investigate that glowing stone Arashi was wearing. Remember, the one Aang noticed before passing out?" Sokka's brow furrowed. That was true, and it had been gnawing at him too. "Yeah, that's why I haven't seen you much lately?" he replied, a hint of accusation lacing his voice. "What did they find?" he continued. Zuko sighed. "That's the thing" he admitted "They have an assumption, but nothing concrete yet". Sokka threw his hands up in exasperation. "That's it? All this secrecy for an assumption?" he got angry. "Hold on" Zuko held up a placating hand. "There's a reason for the secrecy. Remember the siege of the North Pole?" Sokka's jaw clenched. How could he forget? It was etched into his memory, a dark stain on their past. "Yeah, how could I not?" he muttered, his voice laced with bitterness. "Well" Zuko continued, his voice low, "you know how Zaheer killed the Moon Spirit..." he was about to say. "And Yue..." Sokka finished the sentence, his voice barely a whisper. The memory of losing her, her sacrifice, it still brought a pang of grief.

"Right," Zuko said, his voice solemn. "My point is, the Moon Spirit's physical form bled, and its blood covered a few rocks around the Spirit Oasis. The assumption is that Arashi's glowing stone might be..." He wanted to continue but Sokka interfered. "A piece of the Moon Spirit!" Sokka exclaimed, his eyes widening with realization "That's why Yue said Arashi has a part of her!".

Excitement bubbled within him. Could this be the key to understanding what was happening to Arashi? Did the stone somehow connect her to the Moon Spirit's power? "Exactly!" Zuko confirmed, a flicker of hope igniting in his own eyes "If Arashi possesses a fragment of the Moon Spirit, it could explain her extreme power!". Sokka nodded rapidly, his mind racing. "We need to find out more," he declared "We need to know how the stone affects her and how we can neutralize it". Zuko placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder, his expression grim. "We will, Sokka. But we must be careful. And we still haven't found how all of this is connected to Kyoshi!". Zuko was right, they needed to find more details. "You're right, but for now don't tell anyone, we need to focus on Aang's recovery. Once he's okay we'll tell them. In the meantime, you and I will seek some more answers" the water tribe warrior Said, and the Fire Lord nodded.

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In the meantime in the infirmary:

"I have something for you, Aang. Something that I think might help trigger your memory" Katara said. Her eyes locked with his, a silent plea for him to trust her. Aang met her gaze, his curiosity piqued.

A blush crept up Katara's neck as she mumbled, "Don't get mad... but I was in your room." Saying it out loud made the act of searching his belongings feel even more intrusive. Aang's brow furrowed slightly. "Why?" he asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "I, uh, wanted to see if there was something that could help you remember" she stammered, fumbling in her lap. "And well, I found this" Reaching into her pocket, she produced the envelope and held it out to him. Aang slowly took the envelope from her hand, his fingers brushing against hers for a fleeting moment. His eyes widened as he read the inscription on the front: "To My Forever Love."

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