A Search within the Force and Flame

IX

The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the rocky Fire Nation terrain in deep shades of orange, pink, and purple. The jagged cliffs led to naturally carved canyons, their depths shadowed in the fading light. Above it all, Appa flew briskly toward their destination, his massive form casting a fleeting shadow over the rugged landscape. Azula shifted uncomfortably beside Logan, wincing as she rubbed her temples. Just as Logan opened his mouth to speak, her voice snapped like a whip.

"DON'T!"

Logan immediately raised his hands in surrender and moved away, heading toward Zuko. Sokka, Aang, and Katara exchanged glances, shrugging before turning their attention to the land below. Zuko's gaze sharpened as he scanned the approaching terrain.

"Logan, hand over those weird goggle things," Zuko said.

Logan tilted his head. "You mean the macrobinoculars?"

"Yeah, that."

Logan handed them over, and Zuko peered through, zooming in on a rocky outcrop. After a moment, he handed them back.

"I think that's Hira'a up ahead," Zuko said. "If we can't get there before sunset, we should set up camp. I don't want to roll into town in the middle of the night like a gang of bandits."

"Good point." Logan turned toward Aang. "Hey, Aang—AH!"

Aang's face twisted into something unnatural—dark circles shadowed his eyes, his teeth clenched, and an eerie tension stretched across his features.

"What? It's not enough that we have one passenger who stares with crazy eyes?!" Sokka exclaimed.

Katara turned to Logan, searching for Jedi wisdom. Logan studied Aang, then shrugged, just as confused.

"Aang, what's wrong with your face?" Katara asked.

"I don't know..." Aang muttered, reaching toward his forehead. "But I can't help it. There's something out there..." His voice grew tense. "Some kind of spirit. I can't feel its presence—but I can sense it, especially in my face."

Sokka mimicked Aang's expression, pulling his skin taut in an exaggerated grimace.

"Now that you mention it, I feel it too. That's why I'm doing this!" he said, baring his teeth.

Katara sighed. "Sokka, this is serious."

Logan shuddered, glancing around. "I feel a great disturbance in the Force. Something is off, and it's not just Aang's face." He furrowed his brow. "She might be right on this one, Sokka."

Sokka scoffed. "Oh, please. Serious like this?" He pointed at his distorted face again.

"Knock it off!" Katara snapped.

Aang suddenly leaned over the saddle, his eyes locking onto something below.

"Whoa!" he gasped. "Did you guys see that? A giant wolf spirit! I think that's what I've been sensing!" He pointed toward the ground.

Logan peered over the saddle.

"There's nothing down there," Zuko stated.

"Did it look like this?" Sokka asked, once again mimicking Aang's expression.

A ball of snow smacked him square in the face.

As Sokka sputtered and wiped the snow away, a hand suddenly yanked Logan down. Azula stared at him, her forehead damp with sweat, dark circles forming under her eyes. She clutched her temples, her breath uneven.

"My mother is calling, Jedi," she whispered, her voice trembling. "She mocks me."

Logan gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "It's not real, Princess. Your mother isn't calling you—we haven't even found her yet. Deep breaths, Your Highness."