Disclaimer: I do not own ATLA or its characters (obviously).
Update at least once a week? :)


For a moment, the fog surrounding the pagodas and peaks seemed to stop whirling about as the air gained an almost imperceptible heaviness to it. Then, dozens of dragons burst forth from the swirl of clouds below and flew up, skimming the surface of the mountain slope. Atop each dragon rode a squad of elite firebenders, their powers enhanced by the presence of the comet above.

Confident in his complete and utter success, a man with a fiery headpiece and dazzling golden eyes led his men to begin their surprise attack.


Aang had been anticipating the yearly Air nomad gathering for some time now. If past years were any indication, he could meet many of his airbender friends from the other temples and hear about their exploits over the past year.

That was before. Now, as Aang finally sat up and peered out of his stone-cut window, he noticed a distant figure of a dragon twirling about and chasing a sky bison.

Aang bolted out of his bed and quickly threw his clothes on. "Huh, I wonder why the dragons are here? Maybe we'll be racing them today?" He smiled as headed towards his door, grabbing his glider staff on the way.

Before he could open the door, it was thrown open, revealing a figure in intimidating armor, a fireball already forming in his hand.


Gyatso weighed his options as he ran through the hallways to Aang's room. All of his previous plans had been thrown in disarray by the Fire nation's attack, but his ultimate goal remained unchanged. He needed to protect Aang - but how would he react to finding out his identity as the Avatar?

There was no time to find out.

Gyatso gasped when he turned the corner and saw a figure in red striding over the wreckage of a wooden door...Aang's door!

Before he could react, the firebender unleashed an impossibly large fireball into the room. Wordlessly, Gyatso revolved his arms in a swirling motion before thrusting them towards him, hoping to knock him down and buy some time.


As soon as the door came down with a loud *thud*, Aang jumped to the side in shock, just in time to avoid a fireball that flew past him and engulfed his bed in flames. Aang crouched and instinctively spun his hands around, forming a ball of air that he jumped on. Almost instantly, another fireball flew over his head. At that moment, the terrified Aang was thankful for his relatively short stature. Almost afraid to breathe, he moved towards the wall before the man suddenly tumbled over him and halfway out his open window. Aang raced out the empty door and into the open arms of his guardian, Monk Gyatso.

"Gyatso, what's going on? Why are they attacking us?" Aang shook with fear as he tightly embraced the figure who had cared for him for so long.

"I don't know Aang, but there's no time to waste. We need to get away before more of them come."

"But how about the others? And how many of them are there? Maybe we can fight them off if there's not that many. After all, our whole nation is gathered here." Aang made a mock air slice for emphasis.

Gyatso reached a stairwell and glanced around him before heading down, leading Aang towards the stables on a ledge below the main ground of the temple. "No, it wouldn't be wise to try and fight them all off. Today the firebenders are at the peak of their power because of the comet." Of all days to hold our summer retreat...Sozin must've been planning this for a long time.

"You'll be coming with me, right Gyatso?"

"Of course Aang. As long as I live, I will never leave you." Gyatso smiled reassuringly before they reached an overhang above the ledge. Crouching down, he peered over the side before retracting his head as a fusillade of fireballs raced towards him.

"Aang, we need to split up. I will join you after you get Appa into the air."

"Ok, but-"

"After I go down, you need to go straight towards the stables. Use your air scooter to move quickly."

"Ok Gyatso, but I'm not leaving without you."

"Don't worry, I will be right behind you. I can handle these firebenders. But please promise me that you'll lift off as soon as as you get on Appa."

"Fine." Aang sighed in defeat.

After rubbing Aang on his head and hugging him again, Gyatso leapt over the edge of the overhang and landed softly below, the sound of his feet cushioned by airbending. Spinning his arms again and rotating his body, he sucked in the air around him before extending his arms and releasing the air outwards. He turned towards Aang and nodded.

Aang turned and rode his air scooter towards the stables. Looking back, he saw the group of firebenders struggling to return to their feet as wave after wave of air sent them tumbling head over heels. "Wow, Gyatso wasn't lying when he said he could handle them." Aang grinned and called out Appa's name.

"Appa! Appa!"

Appa clambered out from a stall in the middle of the stable and roared a greeting. Aang spun once and landed softly on Appa's head. At that moment, he noticed the saddle attached behind him.

Hey, who put the saddle back on Appa? I definitely took it off last night! Well, I can hardly complain now...

With a start, he remembered the promise he had made to Gyatso. For a moment, he hesitated before an irritated voice called from where he had just come from.

"Aang, get into the air!"

"Yip Yip!" Sighing deeply, Aang rose into the air on top of Appa.

Gyatso relaxed as he saw Aang finally lift into the air. He had considered telling Aang his identity as the Avatar the first chance he got, but he knew that if Aang found out now, then he would inevitably try to stay and fight, which he knew was what the Fire nation expected. He needed time to talk to Aang away from danger so Aang wouldn't make a decision that could throw his safety in jeopardy.

"Shoot it down!"

Gyatso stared in abject horror as one of the soldiers shouted orders through the haze. Scanning the formation of soldiers, he quickly realized that their numbers were enough that their barrage would incinerate Aang and Appa.

Gray eyes forged into steel in the heat of gathering flames, Gyatso was forced to chose a different course of action.

"I know who the Avatar is! I can take you to him, if you let me live!" Gyatso's soft voice gained a hard edge, piercing the confusion around him.

The soldiers involuntarily froze and turned towards Gyatso. Their leader tilted his head and walked menacingly towards Gyatso. "Very well, take us to him, and we will spare your life."

Gyatso nodded, heading away from the stables and towards a dilapidated shack that stood on the corner of the ledge.

The officer behind Gyaso continued shouting orders. "Forget the air bison, one of the dragons will catch it!"

Gyatso paused slightly before he straightening his shoulders and moved on. No matter what, he knew he had to play his part. Hopefully his actions would be enough to make the difference for Aang.