Burn My Dread Complete

By Iain R. Lewis

Disclaimer: Characters and concepts belong to Nickelodeon, some of the concepts are similarly inspired by Atlus's Persona 3 and 4.

"Withered flowers forget what they wept for day after day. Withered flowers must blossom in this stream of tears, they still think of that cause."

- "Your Affection"

Month 1: The Moon

Matters of Trust

The next full moon approached slowly.

That night, Aang slept fitfully. The moon hung in the sky, like a silver eye half closed. In the morning he'd fall into his routine again, and think nothing of the sense of dread that pervaded the midnight air. Things seemed strangely still, and there was only one person still awake.

Azula walked down the stairs and out into the moonlight.

She walked her scooter down the street a few miles before starting the engine and driving down the empty midnight Ba Sing Se.

Three hours passed quickly.

Aang woke with a start. He heard someone moving just beneath his room. The sound of the door being fastened echoed coldly in the dormitory's hallways, and he peeked out his room to see Azula enter. Her hair was a mess, she looked battered and she was clutching her arm as if it was in pain.

She didn't see him.

The moon hung dangerously in the sky.

And something counted the days.

The next day at school passed without incident. Bumi's lecture put Toph fast asleep and her loud snoring unsettled Teo, who excused himself soon after class ended. Aang was about to wake Toph when the door to the room swung open and a cheery voice called out his name.

"Ty Lee?" Aang was surprised to see the student council girl practically skip up to him. 'What's wrong?"

"Aren't you happy to see your senpai? I'm wondering if you were busy this afternoon. I know the student council doesn't meet but Azula gave me the budget and the go ahead, so I was thinking we could go shopping for the supplies!"

"Sure," Aang said. "Sounds fun."

Toph murmured, sleepily, "Who thinks they can beat the Blind Bandit? I'll flatten 'em --" and the loud 'snrk' confirmed that she was still fast asleep.

"Is she all right?" Ty Lee asked. Aang gave her a helpless shrug and picked up his bag. They walked down together, Ty Lee relishing in their small talk, until they reached the shoe boxes at the front of the school.

There was something going on. Azula stood outside with Mai, and a boy he didn't recognize was yelling at both of them. He was holding up a piece of paper, waving it threateningly at them, before turning and leaving. Ty Lee grew quiet, the usually bright aura around her dimming.

"Come on," Aang said, "Let's not worry about that. That fundraiser isn't going to set itself up, is it?" He thought for a second, "I wish I could see one that could, though!"

"What are you talking about?" Ty Lee asked. She seemed perplexed, but distracted by his comment. "A fundraiser that did all the work for you?"

"Right! I bet even Azula could handle that."

Ty Lee laughed, "Maybe not! She'd be hopeless without Mai and me!" She seemed totally distracted from the commotion outside, and happily put on her walking shoes. "Well, let's hurry before all the shops close!"

She skipped to the trams, and hummed a little tune while riding it, never stopping, like a perpetual motion machine. Aang couldn't help but feel tired just watching her, and he wasn't exactly a slouch himself. "So, you've got the list, right?" Aang asked.

"Right. We'll stop at the party supply store. I know the owner so they'll be able to help us get this at a good price," she said. "That's why Azula gives me this job. Mai is no good with people, but she's good with details."

"She doesn't seem to like me."

"Oh, she's like that with everyone. Well, except for Zuko," she commented, aside. "I wonder why he was at school. He hasn't been since -- oh, don't mind me!" she sighed. "You know, Azula and me have been friends forever, but she's been really distant lately. Do you think she doesn't like me anymore?"

"No! She's just busy. Isn't her dad the head of the Phoenix Group? She's probably just thinking about the future."

"Well, I guess," Ty Lee said, not fully convinced. "Do you ever wish things could be simpler, Aang? I do. I don't know what I'll do with myself if I can't make it into show biz. That's all I wanted to do since I was small."

"I think you can make it! Maybe you could show me your chops sometime!"

Ty Lee laughed, and blushed, "I'm really not sure I'm that good, though. Azula says I have a long way to go, and Mai just doesn't care."

"I think you'll be great, you just need to keep at it."

"You really think so? Thanks Aang," she said, "You're a real nice kid."

Aang smiled, and he could feel the bond with Ty Lee grow stronger. She suddenly spoke up as the tram came to a slow and steady stop. "We're here! Let's go, Aang. Time's a-wasting!"

"Hey, Aang," Sokka said as the door swung open and Aang came in holding a whole bundle of bags from various party stores in the city. "Whoa, looks like you're planning a birthday bash. Is it for me? How did you know!"

"It's actually for the fundraiser. Ty Lee roped me into going," he said, sheepishly. "I had fun."

"Going for an older woman, eh, Aang? Following in my foot steps no doubt," he swelled with pride. Then he sat up, "Hey, seriously, Aang. Have you noticed anything odd happening at night here? I keep hearing sounds downstairs. Do you think the girls are doing something?"

Aang blinked. Vaguely, a foggy memory came back to him of the night before, but he shrugged, "Could be. Did you ask them?"

"Katara said I'm crazy and paranoid," he answered, "But Azula just told me to buzz off in so many words. What's her problem, anyway?"

"Maybe I should talk to her," Aang said. "You just seem to have a way with her."

"My animal magnetism," he said, a cocky smile in place. "Chicks dig me. Well, anyway. I guess I must be going paranoid. There's something about this place at night that just gets to me. Maybe I'm just getting antsy about another monster coming to eat us all."

Aang nodded. He'd felt it too.

"Well, good to know I'm not alone," Sokka said. "Maybe you just get used to it. Or maybe Azula's really one of them, in disguise." He tapped his nose conspiratorially,

"I don't think that's right at all, Sokka."

"Hey, I'm going to go out, think you can hold down the fort, be the man of the house for a few hours? Thanks," he grabbed his coat and headed out the door. Aang stared at it for a few seconds, until Momo leapt onto his back.

Katara laughed, "Momo seems to think you look silly, Aang. Welcome home," she sat down. "Sokka's gone out already?"

"Yeah," Aang said, "He seemed like he was in a hurry."

"He was going to go see Yue," she said. "He's obsessed with her. He could do worse, I guess," she shrugged. "Azula's been really busy lately, have you noticed?" She leaned forward, "Do you think we should be nervous?"

He promised Katara he'd find the truth behind the Phoenix Group, and he intended to. She seemed to look as though she was about to fall apart from anticipation. "I don't know, she just seems to be really busy all the time anyway. And there's the fundraiser at school, too. It could be anything, Katara. Let's wait a little bit longer until we jump to conclusions."

"Oh, right, she is the Council President," she said. "I guess that must be it." She seemed disappointed. "Do you want to try training again tonight? I'm sorry about last time, I was just surprised."

"It's all right. I'd love to!"

"Great. Well, get ready and meet me upstairs in ten minutes. Momo can come too, maybe he'll learn a new trick."

"Ready boy? We're going to be master waterbenders in no time with Katara teaching us." The lemur cocked his head to the side, for a moment reminding Aang of Ty Lee. He laughed, and Katara blushed.

"Stop it, I'm not that great."

"Sure you are! I already learned a bunch." She smiled. "I'll be right there, I made sure to pick up a pair of swim trunks!" He rustled through the bags of party goods and pulled out an orange pair of swim trunks with a large black arrow on the right leg.

"Great. We'll really get into feeling the water this time," she said, "It's an important part of waterbending. I'm going to go get set up, and you should get changed."

The lemur followed Katara upstairs, and Aang picked up his bags and made a difficult trudging climb up the stairs. As he opened the door to his room, he saw Azula walking down the stairs, coat already on, and a determined expression on her face.

"Azula!"

She didn't respond. Aang shook his head and entered his room. After getting changed and sneaking back out of the room, he saw Azula again. This time, she was on the phone, at the foot of the stairs, sitting on the bottom steps and talking in an increasingly frustrated voice.

"Azula?" he asked, quietly.

The girl looked at him with cruel, angry eyes which softened when she saw him. "Aang, sorry," she said, "I was just talking to the Chairman. He seems insistent that I remain off-duty until my arm has healed."

"Well, it won't heal if you really break it all over again," he said. "Maybe Katara can use some waterbending healing on it."

"Thanks, but I prefer to do this on my own," she said. "Besides, Katara doesn't trust me, why should I trust her."

"Trust is a two-way street," Aang said. She furrowed her brow, and looked cross for a moment. "Someone who I trust told me that."

She looked surprised, and then smiled, "Not many people give me their trust so easily or quickly, Aang. Thanks. It's almost disarming." She stood up, "Anyway, I'm going out. Don't flood the building while I'm out."

"I won't!"

Azula looked at him once more, and, flushed, turned back, "Aang, I didn't expect you to be the sort to have tattoos."

"Oh, these? I'm not really sure when I got them," he said, "Since I've been with Gyatso, I guess." The blue arrows ran up his arms, ending at his fists. "It's why I usually wear gloves, actually. I kind of hate them."

"I see," she said. "Anyhow, Aang, have a good evening. I may not be back until late, so don't wait up. You have enough difficulties rising in the morning as it stands."

Aang shrugged. He was late for training anyway, and so he hurried to meet Katara. She was busy splashing away in the tub when he arrived, and brightened to see him. Then, she furrowed her brow, her eyes tracing the tattoos on his arms.

"Okay, I don't know where I got them, so don't ask," Aang said, a little annoyed, "But I cover them up most of the time."

"I, I wasn't going to ask," she said. "Sorry, didn't know it was so touchy. Okay, hop in and we'll start on our first exercise."

"Thanks, Katara," he jumped into the tub causing a big splash to hit Katara, and Momo leapt for high ground, instantly distrustful of anything containing that much water. She made a small globule of water and moved it from side to side.

"We'll pass this around and around until someone drops it. It'll help us learn control." She pushed to globule to him, and it fell to the tub with an unceremonious plop. Katara's laugh echoed in the moist air of the bathing room.

"Wasn't ready," he said, sheepishly.

She created another, and he passed it back and forth with her for a few minutes. "Good, Aang." She smiled, "You're getting it." They continued, and for a while, the only sound was the loud echo of dripping water from the faucet. "Aang, did you see Azula heading out earlier?"

"Yeah," he said. "She seemed upset that Zhao wasn't letting her go in with us."

"We're not going in at all," Katara said, "I feel useless in there anyway. Everything is strong to my element or there's none of it there at all. If I didn't have that stupid whip we'd have been trapped in there."

"It's not your fault, Katara," he said. "I'm sure there are plenty of big hulking flame monsters in there that Azula'd be useless against."

"She'd find a way to outsmart it," she said, jealously. "She's perfect in every way."

"She doesn't think she's perfect," Aang said. "She's just a little, er, different is all."

"Why are you defending her, Aang? She could be the enemy!"

"She could be our friend, too," Aang said. He dropped the globule again, and grumbled, "Stupid water, I pushed when I should have pulled!" Katara sighed.

"I think we've had enough basic exercises for today, Aang. Let's spend a minute and just feel the water moving around us. Take big, calming breaths, and just close your eyes." Aang did so, and he could hear Katara's calming voice say, "Do you feel how the water moves around you passively? It doesn't move unless something makes it move."

Aang nodded.

"It's a reactive element, unlike air," she said, "So you have to control it differently. Move with it, and let it move with you."

Aang took a deep breath.

"Can I use it to make snow people?" he asked.

Katara splashed him. It was a pretty big splash, too. She probably waterbended it.

The moon seemed to be brighter that night, and Azula hadn't returned by midnight. Aang frowned, and laid his head down on the sofa. The moonlight filtered through the windows, casting a cold silver shadow on everything.

Outside, only a few vehicles made any sound.

Aang felt tired, but he wasn't going to bed until Azula came home. It wasn't that he didn't trust her, he told himself, it's that he was worried.

Still, Katara's paranoia was infectious, especially when he remembered that his parents died. Gyatso was great, but sometimes he wondered if he would have been happier without all the moving about.

The hours slowly ticked past, and Aang found it harder and harder to stay awake. He loudly yawned. Bags sagged under his eyes, and his eyelids drooped heavily. The clock struck three, and he started up the stairs.

When he heard the sound of a key scraping against the tumblers. It was such a sudden sound that he couldn't help jumping. The door handle turned.

And the door stayed firmly locked in place.

Aang had kept the door unlocked, for Azula. Now he could hear her on the other side let loose words no proper lady should ever use. He heard her practically jam the key back into the lock, turn it, and pushed the door down with such a loud crash that he looked upstairs to see if everyone else would come running down.

Azula, for her part, looked absolutely terrified.

"Azula?"

She turned, jerkily, towards him, "Oh, Aang. Hello, why are you still up? I was just preoccupied with work and I," she hurried to straighten her hair, "I just got back."

Aang looked at her.

Her clothes were torn, her hair was a mess. She looked like her arm was hurting, but she desperately acted as though nothing was wrong. "What is it? Do I have something on my face?"

Yes, Aang thought, a very nasty cut.

"Aang, why are you looking at me like that. Oh," she put her hand to her face and pulled away a little blood, "Oh, this. Papercut."

"Azula, where were you really?"

"Me? Working. It just took longer than I expected."

"Azula."

He crossed his arms and stared at her. She shifted under his gaze, before turning from him, "You know, I was the first. I was alone, a prodigy, and until Katara, I stayed alone for the longest time. Now they're telling me I can't fight now that we have a chance?"

"It's just until you've recovered. You won't ever heal if you don't watch your arm."

"I can fight with my feet if I have to," she said. "I don't need or want your concern, Aang. Go to bed. We have school tomorrow."

Katara ran up to Aang as he reached the school gates. She smiled and fell into step with him. "I heard Azula came in really late last night. Where do you think she was at that hour?"

"The Spirit World," Aang answered.

"Why would she go there?"

"To fight, apparently," Aang said. He described her as she appeared last night, as well as her fidgety behavior. "I guess this injury is getting her down."

"If that's all it is, then," she sighed, "Maybe I should offer to try healing it again."

"She doesn't want the help," Aang said. "I tried."

"Well, I have my ways."

The school bell rang and the students hurried to their classes, some in a bigger rush than others. The first class of the day, Literature, went by like a breeze, and Toph pushed Aang's seat forward in the middle of it, causing him to have to answer the teacher's question.

Aang got her back during lunch by balancing a ball of paper on her head. She didn't notice until someone flicked it off in the hall. Aang himself made a hasty retreat to the third floor, but he couldn't find Sokka anywhere.

Katara, on the second floor, seemed equally confused. "He definitely came to school. Maybe he's on the roof eating lunch with someone?" she suggested. Aang shrugged. "Well, if he's busy he's busy."

"I just wanted to know if he was coming to practice. I think I've got a new pitch worked out!"

Katara laughed, "He'll be happy to hear that. Well, check the roof. If not, then I don't know. Maybe he ditched school again." Aang climbed up the stairs to the roof. Many students ate out there during the nice days. The chain fence obscured the view somewhat, but one could see Ba Sing Se stretching out in all directions on a good day.

The breeze felt good.

He looked around and spotted Sokka.

"Sokka, I'm sorry," he heard someone say. It was a pretty white-haired girl. "We can't keep doing this. I like you too much and it's too hard."

"But, Yue," Sokka said, helplessly as the girl turned and ran from him. Colliding right into Aang in the process, no less.

"I'm sorry," she said, apologetically.

"It's okay," Aang said. The girl bowed her head and scurried down the stairs as fast as her feet could take her. Aang turned his attention from her and back to Sokka. The older boy looked out at the view of Lake Laogai on the horizon.

"Hey, Aang," he said when the boy approached. "Saw that, huh?"

"What happened?"

"I don't know! I was just talking to her," he said. Aang could tell Sokka was being less than truthful about that. "Maybe we got a little close. I mean, she's beautiful, isn't she? But it was totally platonic. Nothing was going to happen. Most certainly wasn't trying to kiss her, no sir."

Aang had to hand it to Sokka. When he was trying to hide something, he went out of his way to display it with bright neon letters.

"Look, I'll go talk to her for you."

"Aang!" but it was too late, even as Sokka called out for him with outstretched arm. The Air Nomad ran to the stairs and descended them by sliding down the rails. Finding her was easy, there wasn't another person with hair as white as hers.

"Hey," he said, and the girl turned and looked at him. She smiled slightly, politely, but obviously she didn't seem pleased with the interruption. "Sorry to bother you, but what happened with Sokka, he's really sorry. He just thinks you're really, er, neat, is all!"

She looked away, "It's nothing he did. It's all my fault."

Aang hesitated. He didn't expect that. "Why is it your fault? I mean, Sokka's great!"

"Yes, he is, but," she sighed. "I have my duties to my father and I can't be selfish no matter how much I want."

Aang scratched his head, "But Sokka --"

"I'm going to be married."

"Oh," Aang said. It came out leadenly, and made a nice large thud when it hit the ground. "Married? But you're only in high school!"

"In my tribe, when a girl turns sixteen she is old enough to marry," she said, "It's very complicated, and very political, but I have that responsibility. I'm sorry, please, tell him how sorry I am but there's nothing I can do."

"I'm Aang," he said, "I, er, I don't really know much about your traditions, but if you need someone to talk to or, well, anything, I'll help."

"My name is Yue," she said, "Pleased to meet you, Aang."

Aang smiled, and excused himself, even as the new link forged itself. The lunch period was ending, and everyone hustled back to their classes. He passed a first year who was currently stuck in a trash can, muttering about a little blind girl in a daze.

He shrugged, since it looked like he was going to get let off easy by Toph.

The afterschool bustle was made even louder by the squealing excitement from the girls. Aang scratched his head, and looked at Toph. Toph seemed the same as ever. "Is something going on with the other girls?"

"How should I know?" Toph asked. "Sounds like some actor was spotted going to the third years' class. I don't know. I'm going home," she said. "See you 'round, Twinkletoes."

Aang said goodbye, and headed for the door. The flood of girls going up the stairs was overwhelming. They seemed to be gossiping loudly, He could make out something about an actor, so he moved in closer.

"He's so cute, though," she said, "Even if he is Water Tribe. I wish they all were that hot. Most of them just look like Sokka."

"I don't know, Sokka's cute, too," the girl said.

"You have the worst taste. Hahn is so much cuter."

"I know!"

Aang blinked, sneaking past and squirming through the mob of girls. Near the center, he could see a young man, probably a third year student himself, giving a lazy smile to the girls while signing a bevy of autographs.

Beside him was Yue, who politely waited for him.

"Okay, I think that's enough for today. Don't worry ladies, I'll be here all week. Come on, Yue, let's go grab some dinner." As Hahn and Yue moved through the crowd, he could see Sokka on the other side of the swarm of girls. His jaw was dropped to the floor.

"Sokka!" Aang called, "You coming to practice today?"

"Aang?" he sputtered, barely in control of his tongue, "Oh, right, practice. Nah, go ahead without me. I've got things I have to do today."

Aang sighed, and headed out to the field. Xin Fu was out there, lecturing the team on their horrible performance last year. Suki sighed, and brightened when Aang arrived. Xin Fu continued yelling, but Suki pulled Aang aside.

"Did you see Sokka? Is he coming?"

"He's," Aang started, then paused. "I don't think so. He looked pretty crushed when I saw him."

"Oh, right, superstar Hahn decided to grace us with his ego. Sokka was lucky he wasn't there when he called Yue his fiancee in front of everyone. The poor girl," she said, her eyes downcast, "She looked mortified. I can't imagine what it's like to be in an arranged marriage. I can't blame her from trying to hide it."

"Isn't it really old fashioned?"

"The Northern Water Tribe is old-fashion. They never really came into the modern century. The way you hear it, they even still perform rituals to their spirits. Isn't that weird?"

She didn't notice Aang's expression turn very nervous. "Yeah, silly, spirits aren't real."

"Exactly," she said. "So, looks like Xin Fu the Angry is about to finish his morale booster. Ready to really practice? I won't go easy on you!"

Aang helped Suki clean up after practice. She seemed appreciative of his help. When they left, the sun seemed to already be setting. Aang bid her a quick goodbye, before rushing to the dorm. A familiar car meant that the great and wise Chairman had decided to grace them with his presence again.

The lobby was quiet, with Sokka being absent and Katara watching the news.

"Welcome back, Aang. The chairman's upstairs with Azula. She seemed excited to see him. I wonder what's up."

Aang sat down and leaned his head back. "Sokka back yet?"

"Not yet," she said. "I heard Hahn showed up at school."

"Yeah," he said. "He was signing autographs."

"What an egotist," she said. "I can't stand that guy. Sure he has nice hair, but his personality sounds like it stinks. I heard people actually pay him to show up at clubs."

"He doesn't seem very nice," Aang agreed. "But he was there to see his fiancee, I guess."

"I thought he was marrying some princess. His parents are really important political figures up in the Northern Tribe. I heard all about it from Bato. It's really huge news," she said. "Wait, you don't think --"

"Maybe," Aang said, shrugging.

"That's too weird," she said. "I mean, we'd know if she was the Princess, right?"

"Would we?" he asked.

"I guess we wouldn't," Katara said. "She may be laying low, like in Omashu Holiday."

Chairman Zhao descended the stairs, and smiled at them in about the same way a shark smiles at its prey. "Good evening, Avatar Aang. Katara," he nodded cordially to them both, "I have some great news. We'll be testing a new piece of technology today. Tonight, we'll begin our first official expedition into the Spirit World in ten years."

"We're going back?" Katara asked. "But it isn't safe!"

"We'll be evening those odds tonight," he said. "Miss Azula is busy running the final diagnostic, and with luck, we'll be looking at a new way to level the playing field once and for all."

"Super," Katara said. She was clearly not enthused.

"We'll also be more accurate with tracking spirits outside of the Spirit World as well. In other words, with the Avatar and this technology," he slammed his fist into his open palm, "Victory is clearly within our grasp."

"But Sokka isn't back yet, and Azula can't fight," Katara said. "We'll be at a disadvantage."

"I assume you have his cell phone number. Why don't you call him, Katara, let him know the good news." She sighed, but pulled her cell phone out and dialed her brother. While she waited for the answer, the Chairman nodded appreciatively at Aang.

"It's really all because of the change in the Spirit World. I think perhaps now that we have the Avatar things are finally coming to our side."

"I didn't do anything though," Aang said.

"Maybe nothing directly, but I am certain you're a sign that we're meant to defeat the forces of the Spirit World once and for all."

"Maybe," Aang said.

"I'm not getting an answer," Katara said. "I left a message, but I don't know if he's even got his phone on. He probably forgot to plug it in, again."

"We'll have to go with two," Zhao said. "We aren't going very far. We're merely running a field test." He seemed clearly disappointed. "When Miss Azula comes down, we'll be leaving, so be prepared."

"Ready," Aang said, fetching his staff from behind the desk. He even grabbed Katara's whip, and handed it to her. "And so's Katara, right?"

"Right," she said. "I hope we'll be all right."

"Excellent," Zhao said "I hear Miss Azula now." She was carrying a bag containing some kind of device, and wore a headset on her head.

"I think this will work, Chairman. Shall we, then?"

"Yes." They were ushered into Zhao's car. It was impressive, especially compared to the other car Katara had driven in. She explained, in hushed voices, how Bato's car was known for creaking sounds and loud klunks that preceded things falling onto the road and colliding into oncoming cars.

Zhao's car was sleek, fast, and -- for Katara's money, most importantly -- quiet. The Royal City Catacombs were in the middle of being closed, and Zhao flashed an ID card at the employees as they passed the cordoned off areas, into the deeper regions of the catacombs.

Azula settled herself down in the catacombs, and produced the device from the bag. It looked like a large screen, with a variety of dials and doohickeys sticking off of a console beneath it. As she set it up, it suddenly flickered to life, revealing the Spirit World on its monitor.

"Wow," Katara breathed, "It's working."

"Of course it is," Azula said. "Phoenix Group technology never fails"

Katara's mouth broke into an evil grin. "Azulon Brand Vehicles."

"Silence!":Azula said. "Never mention those things to me again. It was merely a fluke. A fluke that we will never imitate again!"

"Sure, Azula," she said. "So, you'll be able to monitor us from out here?"

"Not precisely," she said, "Remember, time is a bit confusing between the two worlds. However," she flipped a switch, "If I come in with you, I'll be able to monitor you as you go further in."

"How are you going to get that through?" Aang asked, "Will it even work? I mean, it looks kind of tech-y."

"We actually ran tests on that," Zhao said, "It works based on its own internal battery similar to Azula's vehicle. While Spirits tend to shut down nearby technology, we've designed these to work even under those conditions. And the other question, Aang, is the really tricky part. That's why we've made it so portable. Just like you're able to carry your staff with you, Azula should theoretically be able to carry this with her as well."

"Okay," Katara said, "So if we get it through, then what?"

"Then, we will proceed to explore about fifty meters around the entry point," Zhao said. "I expect you'll encounter spirits within that distance. That's where we'll test the most important function of our monitors."

Aang took a seat besides Azula, "Well, let's give this a try."

"Okay," Katara said. "I'm trusting you, Azula. If you say this will work, it better work."

"Why, Katara, did you just say you trusted me?"

"Don't make me repeat myself, Azula."

Sokka sat outside the embassy, looking forlorn. The moon shone down, getting ever so slightly larger every night. Right now, it looked almost full, Shining down on him, he felt like a movie star. All that was missing was the rain.

"Excuse me," a man said, approaching Sokka from the embassy's gates, "Are you, by any chance, Sokka Floes?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, you've heard of me?"

"My daughter spoke of you before. My name is Arnook," he offered his hand. "May I speak with you, Sokka?"

"Sure, I guess. I was just, er, oh man, I must look creepy. I was just wondering if Yue was coming around. I wanted to meet her fiance," he said. He was lying, since he didn't really care about meeting him. "I mean, we go to the same school, and she's kind of a friend so I thought it'd be rude not to congratulate them."

Arnook put his hand up. "No need to explain, Sokka." He looked up at the moon, "Of late, the moon has seemed ominous, when to our tribes it should be a source of strength. Even our Spirit Oasis has frozen over. In this day and age, it seems people want us to move to be more like our sister tribe to the south."

"Yeah, I'm from the South, you know," Sokka said. "It isn't so bad. It's not like we've completely forgotten about spirits and junk."

Sokka felt like he smoothly dodged that iceberg, failing to notice that he was navigating towards another.

"Well," Arnook said, "Regardless of the Southern Tribe's feelings, the Spirits Tui and La are still the center of our society, even though they seem to have forsaken us."

"Why do you believe that?" Sokka said, "It's not like you've turned your back on them. They should be happy with you. Like, super-happy since their spirit friends keep getting the cold shoulder from humanity."

Arnook arched his brow. "I don't think it works quite like that. And to answer your question, I've seen miracles occur, Sokka. A very personal one, as well The Spirits saved my daughter's life when she was but an infant."

Sokka looked down at the street. "Yeah? They saved Yue's life?"

Arnook nodded. "As a child, she was very near death with sickness. No medicines, no modern treatments seemed to do anything. We took her and placed her in the oasis and begged the spirits for their mercy. She recovered instantly, never before have I been so relieved to hear a child cry. And yet, now, her health is declining. That's why she will be staying here for the semester. But, I fear it will do us no good. I'll be returning by the end of the week to the Northern Tribe. The duties of the Chieftan are heavy, indeed, when one cannot even spare the time to spend with their family."

"Chieftan?" Sokka lifted his face with a sudden jerk, "You mean you're -- and that means Yue's a --"

"You didn't know you were talking to Water Tribe royalty all this time?" he laughed. "Sokka, my daughter spoke highly of you. I hope you'll continue to watch over her when I cannot."

"I'm sure her fiance will -- no, huh? Okay," Sokka said, his face straightening into a serious expression. "I'll be there for her."

The moon stared down on them, emotionless.

It blinked at the sight. Then, scurrying down, it melted into a little puddle, the moon-like orb rolling out of view. The people who suddenly appeared weren't very interesting. A boy, wearing a headband with an arrow on it, a girl with a water tribe coat tied around her waist, and another it recognized.

Rolling away, it returned to its hiding place.

Biding its time.

"Azula, did it work?" Katara asked. They were back in the swamp, but something seemed different. The pools of water seemed much smaller, and the plants had turned brown and brittle. The gnarled trees fell back on themselves. Katara took a step back, surprised by the sudden change. "What happened? Did the Spirit World...?"

"I don't know," Aang answered.

Azula sighed. "We've got a signal," she said, "But it's not reaching as far as I'd like. Maybe a good ten miles. The good news is I'm getting a reading on some nearby spirits. They're faint, and they shouldn't be any trouble if they move to attack."

"All right! Let's go," he pointed his staff in a random direction, "That way!"

"All right, Aang. Before you go, take these," she handed them both a small earpieces, "I'll communicate with you from here. Be careful."

The walk was moist and unpleasant, and the breeze almost scorched from its heat. The sound of the leaves moving with the gusts was loud, and sometimes Katara jumped, saying she thought she heard footsteps coming from behind them.

"Aang," Azula's voice came out across the earpiece loud and clear, "There's a spirit approaching you. Be prepared," she said. Aang turned to look.

"There!" Katara said, pointing above them.

It was a bird, of some kind. It's three wings flapped furiously, kicking up a gust of wind that blew Katara and Aang back. "It seems pretty weak," Azula said, "I trust you won't take long dispatching it."

"Sure, easy for her to say," Katara said. She bended the water under their feet, whipping at the bird with a quick snapping motion. It squawked angrily as the water knocked it to the ground. Its damp feathers prevented it from taking flight.

"I think it didn't like that," Azula said, "Probably something to note, Katara."

"Hey! My bending actually did something. Aang, let's finish it quickly." Aang nodded and the two of them moved in to strike at once. The spirit cried out, but was quickly silenced as it broke into small embers that fell to the ground.

"Good work. I'll tell you if I get any other readings," Azula said.

The core rolled its way out of its hiding spot, and proceeded to follow the two of them along their patrol, discreetly. At times, the waterbender turned to look, but saw nothing. The core burrowed its way under the leaves again, and waited for their footsteps to start again.

"Hey, Aang," Katara said, suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"Do you think the mist around here is pretty heavy?"

Aang looked around. It was very heavy, moving in large clouds between the trees. It was difficult to see too far ahead. Though a large shape could be made in the far distance, it was impossible to tell what it really was.

"Maybe there's something causing it," Aang said.

"I'm not seeing any other spirits in that area. Do you want to head back?"

"Yeah," Aang said, "Let's go back. Tomorrow we can bring Sokka here and we'll try and find out what's causing all of this mist." They returned to the entry point. Azula was already packing up the equipment when they arrived.

"We should move quickly," she said, "We dealt with one spirit easily, but they may attack in numbers next time."

"Right," Aang said.

The strange spirit conjured up a small membrane around its core, and wrapped itself around the water tribe girl's waist. Hiding beneath her coat, it waited. The field around them changed, and they opened their eyes to the bright crystal light.

Zhao looked quite pleased. "I take it the test was a success, then?"

"It works," Azula said, "But the range needs work."

"All right," Zhao answered, "I'll see what we can do to improve that. Otherwise, I expect you'll be making regular expeditions into the Spirit World from now on. I expect updates as you discover more of the mystery behind it."

"Yes sir," Aang said.

"Let's return home," Azula said. "We've had a long day."

The hidden spirit dripped down to the ground and rolled away behind a nearby crystal, watching as the people left it behind. Then, it grew larger. It sprouted arms and legs, and fins sprouted out of the membrane. It formed a head, featureless, but long and alien. The core hovered around there like a large eye.

It moved away from the cavern, making good its escape from the Spirit World.

To be continued