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six. stolen bison !

𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓, Hini jolted awake at the gentle yet insistent push on her shoulder. She blinked, groggy and disoriented, taking in Katara's soft but urgent gaze in the dim moonlight. The air was cool, and the faint sounds of the desert's silence seemed louder in the stillness. Hini rubbed her eyes, which were gritty from sand, and slowly pushed herself up, feeling the uncomfortable crunch of sand in her hair and clothes. Sleep had been fitful at best; nightmares and uneasy thoughts had kept her turning in the night, but she'd tried to rest nonetheless.

Beside her, Katara moved from person to person, gently nudging each one awake. Hini watched as Momo patted Sokka, or the sand that had had covered him during the nightm When Katara leaned over to shake Sokka's shoulder, Momo scurried back, as though embarrassed at being caught in the act. Sokka, half-buried and completely oblivious, sat up with a sleepy grin, his eyes unfocused and dreamy, still blissfully lost in a cactus-juice haze.

"Come on, get up," Katara said, her tone a mix of frustration and tenderness. "We need to go."

Toph stirred next, smacking her lips as she sat up. "Yesterday my mouth tasted like mud. Now it just tastes like sand," she muttered, sticking her tongue out with a grimace. "Never thought I'd miss the taste of mud this much."

Hini, still weighed down by the fatigue and the sticky heat of the sand, managed only a low groan, feeling the aches in her muscles from days of relentless walking. She brushed off what sand she could, her hands moving on autopilot as the familiar, overwhelming exhaustion settled into her bones.

Katara made her way to Aang, but he sat up before she could even touch him. His eyes were dark and tired, and there was something distant in his expression as he said, "I'm awake. I couldn't sleep." His voice was flat, almost cold.

Katara gave a small nod, keeping her voice steady. "Well, we need to get moving if we want to get out of this sand pit."

Just then, something large moved against the bright full moon in the sky, casting a shadow that made Hini's heart skip. She squinted, trying to make out the shape as it floated lazily across the stars.

"Appa?" Aang's voice was desperate, a spark of hope lighting up his eyes.

"Appa?" Sokka echoed, his gaze trailing the sky with a goofy grin. "But why would Princess Yue need him‌? She's the moon!" He giggled and grabbed Momo's tail, using it to rub his cheek. "She flies by herself!"

Hini's heart fell when she realized, just as everyone else did, that the shape was only a small desert cloud drifting by. It was a painful reminder of their helplessness out here, and she could see the hope drain from Aang's face as the cloud slowly faded into nothing.

"It's just a cloud," Katara said softly, her voice heavy with disappointment. But then she paused, a spark of inspiration lighting up her face. "Wait! A cloud!" She reached into her pouch and held it out to Aang, her eyes hopeful. "Here, Aang - fly up and bend the water from that cloud into this pouch."

Aang's face darkened, his expression hardening as he snatched the pouch from her hand with barely-contained frustration. Hini watched him, feeling the tension thicken between them, a thread stretched taut. Without a word, he shot into the sky, bending the water with quick, furious movements that left the cloud dissipating into the desert air.

When he landed, he thrust the pouch back into Katara's hands, his gaze stormy. Katara peeked inside, her face falling. "Wow... there's hardly any in here," she said softly, disappointment evident in her voice.

Aang's voice was sharp as he snapped back, "I'm sorry, okay! It's a desert cloud. I did all I could! What's anyone else doing?" He jabbed his staff in Katara's direction, his frustration spilling over. "What are you doing‌?"

Katara flinched, her face a mixture of shock and hurt, but she kept her composure, steadying herself. "Trying to keep everyone together," she said quietly, her voice strained but calm. "Let's just get moving." She glanced at the worn chart in her hand and pointed ahead. "We need to head this direction."

They trudged forward, the silence heavy, broken only by the shuffle of feet on sand and the occasional sound of Momo fluttering in and out of sight. Hini walked alongside Toph, matching her slow, careful pace. She wanted to say something to break the tension, to comfort Aang, but words felt useless, heavy in her throat.

Suddenly, Toph stumbled, her arms flailing as she fell face-first into the sand. Hini moved instinctively, reaching out to her sister, offering her hand and helping her to her feet.

"Thanks, Hini," Toph mumbled, brushing herself off and wincing. She lifted her foot, massaging it gently. "Crud! I am so sick of not feeling where I'm going!"

Hini squeezed her hand, offering her a small smile. "You're doing great, Toph. None of us could manage half as well as you out here."

Toph gave a small nod, though her face betrayed a hint of vulnerability. She pointed to the rock-like object she'd tripped over, her face twisting into a frown. "And who in their right mind buries a boat in the middle of the desert?"

"A boat?" Katara exclaimed, rushing over to inspect the buried object as excitement flickered in her voice.

Toph crossed her arms, smirking slightly despite the frustration in her voice. "Believe me, I kicked it hard enough to feel plenty of vibrations."

Katara knelt, brushing away sand to reveal more of the darkened wood beneath. The feeling of hope spread through the group like a spark, and Hini felt her heart lift as she watched Katara's determined hands work through the layers of sand, exposing more of the shape.

Aang stepped forward, his staff held out, eyes meeting Katara's in silent understanding. As soon as she moved aside, he twirled his staff, summoning a fierce gust of wind. The air swirled, sending sand spiraling away until a large, sturdy boat with faded white sails stood before them, its worn wood and frayed edges a testament to countless desert journeys.

Katara crawled aboard, running her fingers along its deck, her face lighting up with recognition. "It's one of the gliders the sandbenders use! And look! It even has a compass." She tapped the device at the front, a grin spreading on her face as she looked back at the group. "I bet this can point us out of here! Aang, if you bend a breeze, we can sail it. We're going to make it!"

The words filled Hini with a renewed sense of determination, a warmth in her chest that felt like the first drink of water after a day in the desert. They all scrambled aboard, finding places to sit or hold on, as Aang raised the sail with a blast of air and sent them gliding over the endless sand.

As they sailed, Hini felt the desert breeze sweep over her, cool and refreshing against the relentless heat. She sat beside Sokka near the edge, letting her legs dangle freely as the sands blurred beneath them. Beside her, Sokka leaned back with a dreamy, contented look, clutching Momo by the tail as he lazily watched the desert rush by.

"The needle on this compass doesn't seem to point north," Katara observed, her brow furrowed as she studied her charts and compared them to the compass.

Sokka, still dazed from his cactus juice haze, shrugged with a grin. "Take it easy, little lady. I'm sure the sand folks who built this baby know their way around."

Hini couldn't help but laugh softly at Sokka's relaxed attitude, even as her own heart beat faster with hope. She leaned closer to Katara, studying the charts with her, the vast desert stretching endlessly before them. They had to get out of here, she thought, feeling an ache of exhaustion in her bones. They had to make it.

Katara's gasp broke the silence as she pointed toward the horizon, her eyes wide with understanding. "That's what the compass is pointing to! That giant rock!" She gestured excitedly. "It must be the magnetic center of the desert."

"A rock?" Toph's voice practically sang with excitement. "Yes! Let's go!" She slapped the side of the boat with enthusiasm, her grin as wide as the desert itself.

Hini could feel the excitement building in the group as they sped toward the towering formation. She imagined fresh water, shade, and perhaps even a chance to rest without sand sifting into her every movement. Even Katara seemed brighter at the thought. "Maybe we can find some water there!" she said, her voice hopeful.

But Aang, standing stoically at the front as he steered the sand sailer, didn't share the lightness. His gaze was fixed ahead, his eyes narrowed. "Maybe we can find some sandbenders," he muttered darkly, his tone carrying a weight that pressed against Hini's heart. She could see the tension in his face, the way he clung to the quiet anger over Appa's capture.

When they finally reached the rocky expanse, the sun had risen higher, painting everything in a sharp, golden glow. "Ahhh... Finally! Solid ground!" Toph exclaimed, her whole face lighting up as she flopped down onto her back, savoring the solid earth beneath her. She swept her arms and legs through the dirt, carving out a rock angel, and for a brief moment, Hini couldn't help but smile at Toph's delight. It was moments like these - unexpected, fleeting - that reminded her of the warmth of this odd family they had become.

They moved towards a cave entrance on the rock's surface. The shadows in the tunnel swallowed them in an unexpected coolness, a welcome contrast to the scorching sands outside. As they stepped deeper, Hini noticed an odd, yellow, gooey substance clinging to the walls, stretching out in thick, irregular clumps.

Sokka, despite still seeming a bit wobbly from his earlier adventure with the cactus juice, breathed in deeply and grinned. "I think my head's finally clearing up... And look!" Without a second thought, he scooped up a bit of the yellow goo, bringing it to his mouth. Momo leaned in eagerly, watching as Sokka tasted the strange substance, only for them both to recoil, gagging as they spit it out with disgust.

"Ugh! Tastes like... rotten penguin meat!" Sokka gasped, wiping his mouth as he swayed slightly. "Awww, I feel woozy again."

Katara's face twisted in frustration. "You've been hallucinating on cactus juice all day, and then you just lick something you find stuck to the wall of a cave‌?"

Sokka, unfazed, shrugged. "I have a natural curiosity," he said defensively.

Hini shook her head, amused but wary. Something didn't feel right about this place. The walls were too smooth, the air too still. "Guys, I don't think this is a normal cave," she said, her voice barely above a whisper as her eyes swept over the walls. "It looks... like it was carved by something."

Aang stepped closer, his expression darkening as he traced his fingers along the stone. "Yeah... look at the shape," he murmured, almost to himself.

Toph's head tilted, her brows knitting together in concentration. "There's something... buzzing in here," she said, her voice tightening with unease. Hini noticed the way Toph's shoulders tensed, and a chill ran through her as she glanced down the shadowy depths of the cave. "Something that's coming for us!" Toph exclaimed, her voice a sharp warning.

Before anyone could respond, a faint buzzing grew louder, filling the air with a sinister hum. Instinct kicked in, and Hini pulled Toph down as a massive buzzard wasp swept overhead, its wings slicing through the stillness.

"Run!" she yelled, and they all bolted, hearts pounding as they raced out into the open. But as they emerged, the sky filled with shadows - more buzzard wasps swarmed above them, their monstrous forms circling, beady eyes fixed on their prey. Aang's gaze hardened, and he quickly sent a blast of wind toward the nearest wasp, forcing it back with a powerful gust.

Another wasp landed with a hiss on a nearby rock, its hooked beak scraping against the stone as it shifted, preparing to strike. Without hesitation, Toph turned toward it, her fists clenched as she lifted the rock beneath the wasp, launching it back into the air.

A third wasp swooped down, this one weaving dangerously close between Sokka and Toph. Hini's instincts flared - she could feel the panic and desperation rising in her friends. Toph, sensing the movement behind her, swung her arms and hurled a massive rock in the wasp's direction. But in the frenzy, the rock hurtled towards Sokka instead.

Hini didn't think - she just moved, unsheathing her sword in one fluid motion and slicing the rock into smaller, harmless pieces before it could reach him.

Sokka stumbled back, his eyes wide as he stared at Toph. "What are you doing? That rock almost crushed me!" he cried, still catching his breath.

"Sorry, I can't tell where they are in the air!" Toph cried out, frustration clear in her voice as another buzzard wasp buzzed past, its ominous hum growing louder and then fainter as it circled overhead.

Hini's eyes darted upwards, desperately trying to spot the creature amidst the glare of the desert sun, but Sokka had already surged forward, machete raised. "I got this one!" he shouted, determination in every step as he swung his weapon back and forth, slicing at nothing but air.

"Sokka, there's nothing there!" Katara shouted, exasperation mixing with the panic in her voice. Hini could see his face fall, the confidence slipping away as he looked around in confusion, his eyes wild.

"I guess my head's not as clear as I thought..." Sokka muttered, rubbing his forehead, his voice barely audible over the incessant buzzing. He still wobbled slightly, clearly not yet fully recovered from the effects of the cactus juice, and Hini felt a pang of worry for him amidst the chaos.

"We have to get out of here!" Katara's voice was sharp with urgency, her hands clenching in frustration. "I'm completely out of water to bend!"

A blur of feathers and fur caught their eye as a buzzard wasp swooped down from the sky, its talons extended. In one swift motion, it snatched up Momo, who let out a terrified screech, his small wings flapping helplessly as the creature carried him higher into the sky, away from the group.

"Momo!" Aang's voice was raw with panic, his face paling as he watched his friend disappear into the distance. His fists clenched, and Hini could see the fierce resolve burning in his eyes. "I'm not losing anyone else out here," he said, his voice low and filled with anger. In an instant, he launched himself into the air, his glider unfolding with a sharp whoosh as he soared after Momo and the wasp, his figure soon a speck against the vast desert sky.

"Come on, we're going down," Katara urged, her voice shaky but determined as she took the lead. Hini grabbed Toph's hand, gripping it tightly, grounding them both as they hurried down a narrow, jagged ledge carved into the rock. Every step was treacherous, each stone loose and crumbling beneath their feet. Hini kept her eyes forward, her pulse racing, her focus solely on keeping Toph steady and moving.

"Toph, shoot a rock right there! Fire!" Hini directed, twisting Toph slightly and pointing her towards the distant shape of an oncoming wasp. Trusting Hini's guidance, Toph kicked up rocks with a fierce stomp, her movements strong and precise. The rocks shot forward, a rapid barrage that struck the buzzard wasp head-on. It staggered, taking several hard blows to the head before plummeting to the ground, its wings twitching weakly in defeat.

Sokka let out a triumphant whoop, swinging his machete in the air with newfound confidence. "Yeah! You got it! She got it, right?"

Hini managed a small, relieved smile as she glanced back at Toph, giving her a reassuring squeeze. "Yes, you did it, Toph."

"Yes. Now let's move." Katara called, already guiding them towards a safer path down the rock.

They barely had a moment to catch their breath once they reached the sand sailer. The buzzing returned-louder, angrier, as a swarm of buzzard wasps circled above, their shadows casting eerie patterns on the sand around them.

"On your left!" Hini shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos. She spun to Toph, heart pounding, instinct guiding her as she tracked the wasps darting through the air.

Toph reacted instantly, a rock shooting from her outstretched hands. The buzzard wasp took the hit square in the chest, letting out a shriek as it spiraled down to the ground in a cloud of sand and feathers. Hini's stomach turned as she watched, but she steeled herself, knowing they had no choice but to fight their way out.

Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath them, and Hini's breath caught as colossal pillars of sand rose up around them, forming a protective wall. The buzzard wasps scattered, shrieking in surprise as the columns shot into the sky, shielding the group from further attacks. Hini instinctively raised her arms to shield her face as sand whipped around them, carried by the gusts of wind that followed.

As the sandstorm subsided, Hini squinted against the glare, trying to make sense of the shapes emerging through the haze. Figures stood beyond the wall, their silhouettes growing sharper as the dust settled. Several sandbenders, dressed in desert garb and carrying themselves with an air of authority, looked down at them, assessing the newcomers.

Aang landed lightly beside Hini, his glider snapping closed as he positioned himself protectively at the front of their group, ready to face the new arrivals.

"What are you doing in our land with a sandbender sailer?" The lead sandbender's voice rang out, suspicious and firm. His eyes narrowed as he examined the sailer, a frown deepening on his face. "From the looks of it, you stole it from the Hami tribe."

Katara stepped forward, calm but resolute. "We found the sailer abandoned in the desert. We're traveling with the Avatar," she explained, gesturing to Aang. Hini noticed the sandbender's eyes widen slightly, his expression shifting from suspicion to wariness. "Our bison was stolen, and we have to get to Ba Sing Se," Katara continued, urgency lacing her words.

The sandbender's gaze lingered on Aang for a moment, his face unreadable. Then, a younger man beside him took a bold step forward, his face twisted with anger as he glared at Katara. "You dare accuse our people of theft while you ride in on a stolen sand sailer?" His voice was sharp, a direct challenge, and Hini's hand drifted to her sword, ready for whatever might come next.

"Quiet, Ghashiun!" The leader's voice cracked like a whip, his tone brooking no argument. "No one accused our people of anything. If what they say is true, we must give them hospitality." He cast a stern glance at his son, his voice tempered but resolute.

Ghashiun's defiance faded, though resentment still flickered in his eyes. "Sorry, father," he muttered, his jaw clenched as he stepped back into place.

Toph's face tensed, her mouth set in a hard line. "I recognize the son's voice," she whispered, her tone laced with shock and anger. "He's the one that stole Appa."

Katara turned to her, eyes widening. "Are you sure?"

Toph nodded, her face deadly serious. "I never forget a voice."

Hini glanced at Aang now and saw the pain flickering into something sharper, something fierce. His tunic rippled around him as he took a step forward, eyes blazing.

Aang pointed his staff at Ghashiun, his voice low and unyielding. "You stole Appa! Where is he?" His grip on his staff tightened, the hurt in his eyes unmistakable. "What did you do to him?"

Ghashiun's face twisted in fear, his bravado fading as he cowered under Aang's fierce gaze. "They're lying!" he sputtered, taking a step back, casting frantic glances at his father. "They're the thieves!"

Aang's anger was palpable, his face twisted in fury as he smacked his staff to the ground, unleashing a powerful gust that sliced through one of the sandbenders' sailers. The sailer exploded, wood and fabric scattering in all directions. His voice thundered, raw with anguish. "Where is my bison?" he demanded, his words laced with a ferocity that left no room for defiance. Without hesitation, he raised his staff again, sending another blast of air that obliterated a second sailer, dust and fragments swirling into the sky.

The sandbenders stared, frozen in shock. Ghashiun's father turned to him, his face dark with anger and disbelief. "What did you do?" he demanded, his voice tight.

Ghashiun staggered back, scrambling for excuses. "It... It wasn't me!" he stammered, his bravado crumbling.

Toph pointed accusingly at him, her expression furious. "You said to put a muzzle on him!"

The words hit Aang like a bolt, his rage cresting into something even more fearsome. "You muzzled Appa?" His voice trembled with rage, and then, with a surge of energy, his eyes and tattoos glowed as he entered the Avatar State. With one sweeping motion, he swung his staff again, the force shattering the last of the sandbenders' sailers.

Ghashiun's face went pale as the reality of his mistake set in. "I'm sorry!" he cried, his voice shaking. "I didn't know it was the Avatar's bison!"

Aang's gaze bore into him, his voice now a chorus of past Avatars, a haunting echo that resonated with immeasurable power. "Tell me where Appa is!"

Ghashiun cowered, his hands raised in surrender. "I traded him! To some merchants! He's probably in Ba Sing Se by now... they were going to sell him there." His voice was barely a whisper, pleading as he glanced back at his father. "Please! We'll escort you out of the desert! We'll help however we can!"

But Aang's anger only intensified, the wind swirling around him, kicking up sand in an ominous storm. Hini's heart raced as she took in the sight of the enraged Avatar, his power boiling over. Sokka grabbed her arm, pulling her away. "Just get out of here! Run!" he shouted.

Hini didn't hesitate, grabbing Toph's hand and pulling her along as they sprinted, stumbling through the shifting sands.

Behind them, Aang dropped his staff, the air churning into a frenzied sphere around him, kicking up waves of sand that spiraled high into the sky. Katara alone stayed behind, watching him with a sad, heavy gaze. As the sandstorm surrounded them, blocking them from the others, she held her ground, her heart aching for him.

The furious whirlwind lifted Aang, his body suspended by the air as his grief and rage merged into a blinding storm. His face was twisted, teeth clenched, fists tight. Katara reached up, wrapping her hand around his arm, her voice steady as she tried to reach through the storm surrounding him.

She pulled him closer, her eyes brimming with empathy as she met his furious, glowing stare. Her arms wrapped around him, and she pressed him close, her heartbeat steady against him. Her gentle hold grounded him, her sadness and love enveloping his anger like a soft balm.

Aang's body trembled, the tension slowly melting as her presence pulled him from the Avatar State. The swirling winds calmed, the sand settling around them as his glow faded, leaving only the heartbreaking sadness in his eyes. His fists unclenched, his face crumpling as the weight of his grief took over. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he let out a choked sob, sagging into Katara's embrace.

Katara held him tightly, her own tears falling as she whispered comforting words, her hand running through his hair, calming him with each stroke. At a distance, Hini, Sokka, and Toph lowered their arms, breathing heavily as the storm settled, feeling the echoes of Aang's sadness ripple through the quieted desert.