Explosions of gold and crimson hues vigorously sprang from the zealous Creator's palette, dotting the vast sky. With intricately tortuous lashes, scarlet-tinted clouds swirled with fervor, mightily exploiting their power. Luminous rays robustly leapt from the glowing sun, twistingly skittering across the sea.
Humidity persistently lingered and increased its amplitude as they continued on. Clinging burdensomely to her perspiring cheeks, her hair wrapped around her, occasionally fluttering in the rare breezes that blew by. Glittering in the late afternoon light, beads of sweat pranced down her neck and along her forehead. Soraya lifted her palm and quickly wiped her fevered brow. Fatigued, she managed to haul a sigh out of her, her breath slowly winding through the circuitous airways in her throat. It was a struggle just trying to breathe in such moist heat. With the small ration of strength left in her, she lifted her hand and slowly swayed it back and forth, fanning her self. She glanced up to see how well the other passengers were fairing. Directly across from her, Katara drifted off to dozing, sunlight streaming on her face and abruptly disappearing as they passed under clouds. Aang sat at the end of the saddle, his arms folded across his chest waiting somewhat impatiently for his turn to direct Appa. Momo lay near him, lazily slumbering. Shadows flickered across his face, hiding under the ridges of his furrowed eyebrows. The distinct outline of his lips was twisted to a somber frown; thinking, concentrating, scheming… He grinded his teeth, then returned silent, not moving a muscle.
The skies became redder and the air around them more humid as they continued to fly in one due direction.
Sokka glanced to the side. His raspy voice crackled, having not spoken for a while.
"Either he's speaking squirrel, or—" He trailed off. Not even a stifled giggle.
Falconcinoh tore his stare from the hypnotizing waves and rhythmic sounds of the ocean and turned to face Genji.
"Come, let us oversee the preparation of Mother's and Father's Memorial Service. We promised them we would- Nello, Ahmad, Soraya and I; ever since we were little. They told us that we had to, and after that we had to hold up the empire; though we didn't know who we were at that time…" Falco whispered; his hoarse voice crusted with misery.
The Sentinels of the Shore began squawking like the brown seagulls dynamically circling above them.
"IGNITE! IGNITE!" Four large boulders were immediately lit. "FIRE!" They were catapulted in the air, directly towards Aang. Sokka bared his clenched teeth. Rapidly breathing, he harshly snapped the reins on Appa's horns.
Behind them, the subtle wind began quietly hissing signaling something was swiftly hurtling toward them. Momo squealed and began bounding around the saddle. Hearing it as well, Katara ran to him and peered over the edge of the saddle
Nothing.
There's one somewhere behind us...but where's the ship it came from?
Something abruptly struck her.
What if…
"AANG! NOW! AIRBEND THEM OUT OF THE WAY! TO THE OCEAN BEHIND US!" Sokka yelped. Aang air bended to his feet. Elaborately twining his hands, he abruptly shot them forward, sending a small vortex of swirling currents of air at the shore. Soraya too, darted to the side of the saddle and began summoning and spurting boulders below. With widened-eyes and screams of shock, the sentinels scrambled away from the incoming barrage of boulders and torrents of air. Momo swiftly scuttled to hide behind indigo sleeping bags.
With agile ease, she bolted to the end of the saddle. Throwing herself over the saddle, she remained gripping its handle with one fist. Again she glanced down, the wind relentlessly whipping at her prancing braid, determined to crush her insurgent intentions. She squinted through the stinging air. Dangling at an angle, she reached for the handle with her other arm when a glowing glint caught her eye.
"SOKKA! HEAD UPWARDS!" She screamed, struggling to climb back.
Without the slightest twitch of hesitation, Sokka lifted the reins and Appa smoothly sailed upward. Her feet ineptly slid around on Appa's oily hide, preventing her from regaining a firm foothold. Soraya leapt to the back of the saddle, pulling Katara back as she scrambled to board the saddle. Suddenly, a nauseating sizzling sound pierced the air around them. Katara winced, falling to despair. She had tried to stop it. Appa gruffly snorted, unpleasantly bewildered. Stinging pain electrocuted his abdomen and shot through the rest of his body, nipping his limbs as it coursed. He moaned and rapidly descended head-first, spiraling downwards to the shore. Soraya and Aang flew to the back of the saddle, colliding into the knapsacks. Screaming, they all gripped the saddle and braced themselves for impact.
Appa slammed into the sand, tossing all his passengers into the ocean behind him. He threw his head back and bawled triumphantly. Helmets and weaspons left from the sentries randomly ornamented the deserted beach. Sokka untangled the seaweed wrapping around his arms, grumbling in utter annoyance as he emerged from the sea. Katara clambered out of the water and glanced at the unconscious sentries; smirking. She had just hatched another one of her brilliant ideas.
Sir!" A breathless soldier ran up to General Riko'rah, bringing a stiff palm to his brow, saluting in the proper manner.
Irritated, Riko'rah turned from the conversation with one of his Lieutenants and sharply inhaled. Suddenly, for a short moment, something flickered across Riko'rah's expression and thoroughly disrupted its fearsome ambiance. Though it was just a moment, the Lieutenant caught on and reflected Riko'rah thoughts.
Eyes of his coloration aren't too common in the Fire Nation…
"Two of his companions have been spotted Sir! Near the shore's marketplace!"
Chucking one more scrutinizing stare at the soldier, he turned away, his black tresses striking the Lieutenant.
Revolting. He's a half-breed cur! The son of some mischief conducting prostitute lining the streets.
"Lead us to them; maggot!" General Riko'rah hissed. He abhorred this cad without Fire Nation blood running through him, but he wielded information desperately needed.