A Search within the Force and Flame

V

Travel Time: Approximately four hours since departure (currently midday).

Location: Somewhere above the sea near the Fire Nation island chains.

"AHHH!" Sokka exclaims, stretching his arms and looking up. Logan, sitting next to him, flinches slightly at the unexpected movement.

"The open sky above us, a daring mission before us, and friends all around! Just like old times, isn't it?" Sokka says.

"Even better than old times!" Aang exclaims from atop Appa's head, holding the reins, with Katara sitting next to him and Momo gliding to the right. "I always wanted to kiss Katara, and now I actually get to do it!" he continues enthusiastically.

"Aww, sweetie," Katara says as she and Aang lean in for a quick peck on the lips.

Sokka now has one hand under his chin and the other resting on the saddle, his expression unamused. He and Logan glance at each other and roll their eyes.

"I, for one, could do without that part," Sokka says flatly.

Logan gets up and moves to the center-left side of the saddle. He is currently situated between the two groups: Sokka, Aang, Katara, and a now-landed Momo toward the front; the Fire Nation siblings sit toward the rear.

"Too bad Toph couldn't be here," Katara says.

"Well, instead of Toph, now we have—" Aang begins, but his voice trails off, interrupted by Azula's cold tone.

"So, tell me, kids. I've been dying to know," Azula pauses, her face darkening, amber eyes blazing with anger. "WHICH OF YOU MISCREANTS DID SHE APPROACH FIRST?" she demands with vitriol.

"What are you talking about?" Katara asks.

"NONE OF YOU HAD EVEN MET ME YET! HOW DID SHE CONVINCE YOU TO HELP HER RUIN MY LIFE?!" Azula yells.

Zuko jerks forward, raising his fist. "THAT'S ENOUGH, AZULA!" he yells as his fist begins to smoke.

Azula's face returns to normal, the darkness and unhinged fury subsiding. Her trademark smirk returns as she looks at Zuko. "Put that away, Zuzu, it's just small talk," Azula says sarcastically.

"You have a funny conception of what 'small talk' means, Princess," Logan remarks.

Azula's head whips toward him, narrowing her eyes as she studies Logan. "Hold your tongue, boy," she spits out.

Logan rolls his eyes and looks back at her. "You do know we're only a year apart, right?"

"Congratulations, you can do basic math," Azula retorts.

"Evidently, you can't if you think I'm nothing more than a mere boy," Logan counters with a grin.

Katara snickers from the front as Azula visibly reacts, her ire growing at Logan's refusal to back down. Fearing an outburst, Zuko steps between the still-seated Logan and Azula, his voice booming.

"ENOUGH! Both of you!"

Azula turns her head, rolling her eyes. Logan gives a salute, but Zuko knows him well enough to recognize sarcasm, whether through words or gestures.

At the front of Appa, Katara, Aang, and Sokka—with Momo perched on his shoulder—look utterly defeated. Sokka lets out a long-winded sigh before looking up and saying, "I miss Toph."

"You said it," Aang agrees.

Katara gazes into the distance, a low rumble resonating in her chest. The farther she looks, the darker the sky becomes. "I don't like the look of that," she says warily.

Logan furrows his brow, frowning slightly. He unzips his duffel bag and pulls out a pair of macrobinoculars. Peering through the viewfinder, he examines the distant storm clouds. The macrobinoculars cast a faint green hue over the subject while displaying various pieces of information in Aurebesh, the galactic basic language.

As Logan studies the clouds, lightning flashes and thunder rumbles. Between the arcs of light, a familiar face appears—Lyra.

Logan jerks away abruptly, looking down, his expression awkward. "Yeah... terrible storm... and NOTHING MORE," he says, deadpan.

Sokka looks at Aang, who simply raises both arms in a shrug and returns his focus to steering Appa.

Azula sits with her head in her hands, rocking ever so slightly back and forth. Logan returns the macrobinoculars to his bag and zips it shut. He glances at Azula. As much as he wants to ignore it, his empathy for someone in distress gnaws at him. He cautiously approaches, hands open in a gesture of peace.

Peeking up slightly, her golden eyes narrow. "What do you want?" Azula asks darkly.

"Easy, your highness. I just noticed you seemed... in distress," Logan responds.

"In distress?" Azula repeats, now looking up at him.

"I... AM FINE," Azula snaps, her face darkening as she suddenly rushes toward Logan.

"AZULA!" Zuko yells.

"No, Zuzu! You think I don't know this one's game?! He was sent like the others—by HER!" Azula exclaims.

Logan remains calm, his gaze steady as he looks at Azula—a face hardened by hardship, much like his own.

"I don't want any conflict with you, your highness," Logan says, his tone even. "But know this—you're not the only one who sees ghosts when they close their eyes."

Azula's expression falters. She stares at Logan, then looks down, her eyes darting back and forth as a dozen thoughts race through her mind. Logan steps away, moving to the center of the saddle, his gaze shifting downward to the green forestry below. Sokka slowly steps into Logan's view.

"Buddy, what the hell was that?!" Sokka exclaims.

"Just trying to be friendly," Logan says earnestly.

"To Azula?!" Sokka repeats, incredulous.

"Just because we've sparred in the past and get under each other's skin doesn't mean she isn't human, Sokka," Logan replies.

"But it's Azula," Sokka reiterates, as if her name alone were a curse.

Logan sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Sokka, ever since I was a kid, I've always wanted to help people. It's just my nature, no matter how much chaos a single individual can bring."

"Well, don't get your hopes up—at least when it comes to her helping you," Sokka says.

"I don't expect it in return," Logan replies.

Sokka, realizing his words haven't had the effect he intended, starts to say something else but then stops and walks away.

Azula remains frozen where she had confronted Logan, her mind racing.

"Why would HE care?! He knows NOTHING of what I've been through!" Azula pauses. "Maybe he wants something, using an old trick against me!"

"Or maybe he knows what you're going through and wants to help," a voice whispers softly.

"YOU!" Azula hisses in her thoughts.

"So, you did send him, Mother," she says sharply.

"No, Azula, he's just someone who understands what you're going through and wants to help," her mother's voice responds.

"LIES! ALL LIES!" Azula snarls in her mind.

Through gritted teeth, she growls out loud, "You're one thing she can't control!"

As Logan turns around, Azula lunges—spear-tackling him straight in the chest.

The two tumble off Appa.

"AZULA!" Zuko yells, panicked.

"LOGAN!" Sokka, Katara, and Aang cry out in unison.