A/N. I know I promised a Katara chapter, but I had no inspiration whatsoever for that particular chapter. So, here is Aang's!
I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender.
A bird was chirping in the distance, and the airbender could feel himself lying on a hard surface. Groaning, he realized he had fallen asleep on the balcony, even though there had been a soft bed waiting for him… With even softer arms to enclose him and tell him everything was going to be alright.
He had not been able to contact the Avatars… And not for a lack of trying… He had pleaded, cursed and shouted into the darkness, for anyone, for all the avatars before him… And he had been met by silence! They had abandoned him… Now that he was asking for their help. And he didn't know what to do now…
Their only choice now was getting on Appa, go to the north eastern tip of the Earth Kingdom, where Ozai would start his burning… And just hope, hope that the Spirits would cast just a sliver of hope and light onto them. But after his night of trying to speak to said spirits… Aang had his doubts they would help them.
He opened his eyes, expecting to be met with the beautiful view of the beach and the ocean, or by the sight of the wall of the villa. However, what he saw startled him right awake.
What, in the name of all the monkeyfeathering Spirits…
Where was he?
Instead of the beach, he saw himself lying in a jungle! Quickly scrambling up, standing in the little clearing, Aang knew something was very, very wrong. It was impossible, he knew he had sleepwalked during his nervous breakdown before the invasion, but this? There wasn't a jungle like this on Ember Island! Could he have been flying in his sleep? For some reason, he doubted that very much as flying with his glider asked concentration and precision.
Maybe… Maybe he was actually in the spirit world! Yes, that could be it! Blowing the air out of his lungs, willing it to turn around him, Aang was distraught to feel it actually turn and billowing his half tunic all around him.
Shit, shit, shit, shit!
He wasn't in the Spirit World. He was on earth, and somewhere he didn't recognize… Stranded. Turning to get a closer idea of his surroundings, he saw Momo sit on one of the branches of the tree next to him. Relief flooding through him, he managed a smile.
"Spirits… Do you know where we are?" He asked, knowing full well it wasn't going to change his situation… But he needed to at least speak to Momo, to make sure he wasn't going insane. The lemur just looked at with him big wide eyes, then began to chirp loudly, flying up wards and turning above him in the sky.
"Something up there?" He shouted, but the lemur just circled around the small clearing. Deciding to check out his surroundings, Aang jumped towards the first of the branches able to support his weight, using his airbending to propel himself upwards. Repeating the action, he quickly found himself at the top of the tree…
Only water. He was on a small island… In the middle of the ocean. No way he would have come here out of his own free will… Without saying anything to anyo…
Oh no. No, not that. The others didn't know where he was. Katara had probably woken up, and after not finding him… Oh Spirits, they probably thought he had gone to face the Fire Lord alone! Like after the ship! That was not good… Not good at all.
But Katara would know he wouldn't do that… He had promised it to her, and she would trust that… But at the same time, it sounded like something he would do… Actually, he had thought about it… But he had also known he couldn't do that, once more, to his friends… And they knew where Ozai would be at the start of the Comet, so they would just join him there.
So he had decided against it.
Letting himself fall back to the ground, Aang didn't know what to do anymore…
"Hello Aang." An old voice spoke gently, and, whipping his head around, he saw the pale figure of Roku stand on the other side of the clearing, his hands folded together inside his sleeves.
"Roku… Finally!" The airbender couldn't help but feel slightly insulted by the late arrival of help, "Where am I?"
"I… don't know." The old Avatar looked around, as if he was hoping to see a clue on where they were, "But I don't think you wanted to speak to me just to know where you are… You are lost in more ways than one I believe."
Aang gritted his teeth. A whole night he had been asking for help! And the Avatar showed up now, after he was stranded on an island in the middle of nowhere! But… Well, it was better than not having any help at all. And he had been hoping to speak to Roku. He couldn't imagine a way off the island… So why not use the time to come up with a plan to get off this place, and to conjure up a plan to defeat Ozai?
"Yes… I am. Everyone wants me to kill the Fire Lord… To stop the war that way. But I don't want to be responsible for taking a life… Even when that life is the one of a tyrant. Roku, what do I do? How can I keep my principles and do what is necessary?" Aang let himself fall down on a fallen tree, placing his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands.
"Ah… Yes. In my life, I have always tried to be disciplined and restraint, keeping the Air Nomad teachings close to heart. I never took a life when it wasn't absolutely necessary… But when it came to Sozin, my judgement was clouded, and I failed to act. Aang, my choice cost the lives of millions. Because I hesitated. Don't make the same mistake I did my young friend… This is the wisdom I can offer. You must be decisive and end the war."
With that the shadow of the old Avatar disappeared into the shadows.
"Spirits, is that it? I asked for help! This is not helping!" Aang shouted, trying to stop himself becoming too frustrated. He was stranded, and the only help he could possibly imagine had just kindly told him to get over it, and just kill Ozai.
"We can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped Avatar Aang. We offer council, but you have to accept or reject it. We can't do that for you." Another voice spoke from the shadows on his left, and, lifting his head from his hands, the airbender saw a tall woman, with the same face paint as Suki stand in the clearing.
"Avatar Kyoshi…" He sighed in relief. She had been known to understand people, and their problems! She had been a problem solver!
"You are not the first Avatar to face this problem Aang… And probably not the last. We all had our Ozai's… Allthough your tyrant is a whole other level, I have to admit… In my day, Chin the Conqueror had submitted the western Earth Kingdom, and it was only when he came to my home, my family and friends… That I had the courage to face him." The spirit came to stand beside him, with a sad smile on her face. Eh… That was something that worried Aang. There was a but coming, wasn't it?
"But…"
Ah… There it was.
"But I stopped him, and the Earth Kingdom enjoyed years of peace and prosperity. The world was at peace because I made the hard choice."
"But he fell to his own death! You didn't kill him!" The airbender objected.
"Oh, I created the schism he fell into, and if he hadn't, I would have killed him outright. I offer this wisdom, Avatar Aang: Only justice can bring peace."
And with that, Kyoshi disappeared.
Was that it? Was every after just going to show up and tell him to get over it? To just kill Ozai and stop complaining? What was this, Let's bully Aang-day? She had not even let him ask question, like Roku! It was just, hey, your opinion about killing is worthless, get over yourself.
And even if he agreed that only justice could bring peace, was killing someone really justice? How was he, Aang, a simple Air Nomad, supposed to decide who was going to live and die? Was it his duty to make that choice? Or… Or had the Avatars before him been wrong?
No one should have that kind of power. Yes, Ozai needed to be punished… But Aang considered that killing him wasn't punishment… It was an escape, an easy route to peace. And also, his always followed the rules of the Air Nomads, and killing someone… Wasn't something you should do.
Aang was beginning to suspect that this was going to be a whole lot worse when he saw movement between two trees. Looking towards it, the airbender saw a tall, bulky Water Tribe man step out of the jungle. The spirit seemed so out of place in his pelts and great lion-bear cloak that Aang tried to hold a in a laugh.
The man just looked at him, rolled his eyes and leaned against a tree.
"Congrats kid."
Huh?
"Sorry?" Aang had to restrain himself of shaking his head, because the attitude of the man had been rather unexpected.
"Congrats. On your marriage. I believe the Air Nomads didn't do that too often. But I think you made the right choice, screw everyone who is going to say differently. And believe me, there are going to be so many." The man chuckled, and stepped towards him. As the man approached, Aang could see a lot of the symbols on his tunic. The half-moon was clearly Northern Water Tribe, but the bracelets around his forearms were decorated with the moon and waves of the Southern tribe.
Aang also remarked the man carried a spear of bone and iron. That struck him as odd, because he had never seen a spirit with weapons.
"You seem talkative." The airbender couldn't help but sigh in relief. Finally, someone who was going to listen to his side of the story, not just say what he should do and disappear.
"Believe me, when you have been stuck with Roku or Koh, you too would grab any opportunity to talk with someone else." The man spoke, growing a dark expression at the mention of Koh. The face finally clicked, and Aang realized he was talking with Kuruk, the man who had lost his fiancée to Koh the Facestealer… Knowing that bending wasn't possible in the Spirit world, the presence of that spear began to make a lot more sense…
"Well, thanks… I appreciate it. If you want, we can chat more often, after I… Well, I think you know." He spoke softly. This was way more to his liking!
"Ah yes… Ozai. Aang, when I was young, I was always a go with the flow kind of Avatar. People worked out their own problems, and there was peace and good times in the world, thanks to Yangchen. But then, I lost the woman I loved to Koh the Face Stealer. It was my fault, I should have been more active and attentive to the problems of my time. I could have saved her… I think you realize why I'm saying this. Aang, you must actively shape your own destiny, and that of the world…"
The man in front of him was gone the moment he lifted his eyes…
No! Kuruk had seemed to agree with him! But no, of course not! That idiotic Avatar had just given him hope to crush it even harder! Yes, Aang understood he should be more active as Avatar, to listen to the problems of the world! But that was kind of difficult when you were stuck in an iceberg for a century! How was he even supposed to take care of the world when it was going down in flames?
And that little remark about protecting the woman he had loved… Yes, Aang had also understood that. What Kuruk had meant was that if he didn't do this terrible deed for the good of the world, his loved ones would be in danger of becoming the next victims of this war… and that, the airbender couldn't allow… He couldn't allow that his choices would harm even another person…
He had already lost too much. Too many people, too many faces he would never see again…
Air Nomads…
Wait! He had met a firebending avatar, one from the Earth Kingdom, and one from the Water Tribes… Normally, now…
"Greetings, Avatar Aang." A soft, gentle voice spoke… In the language of his youth, the one he had only heard from two people since waking up nearly a year ago…
"Avatar Yangchen…" He didn't need to look up to know who it was…
"Indeed young one… How you have grown since last I checked on you." Lifting his face, his breathing stopped as he saw the billowing robes of an Air Nomad nun. The woman in front of him had a long face, her hair shaved off above her forehead to display the tattoos and wearing one of the necklaces of the temples… One like Hakoda had craved for him before the invasion.
She would understand. Of course, she would!
"Avatar Yangchen… Everyone is asking me to take the Fire Lord's life… But the mons always taught me that all life is sacred… I only use violence when there is no other option, and only in defence…" He began to ramble, but the woman in front of him cut him off with a soft smile.
"Avatar Aang, I know that you are a gentle spirit…and the monks taught you well… Too well. This isn't about you, but the world."
Oh monkeyfeathers… She was going to say it, wasn't she…
"The monks taught me to detach myself from the world, to be able to free of it."
"Yes, many great Air Nomads have detached themselves and achieved spiritual enlightenment… But the Avatar cannot do that. Because your sole, and I repeat, sole duty is to the world. Here is my wisdom for you: Selfless duty calls you to sacrifice your own spiritual needs, and do whatever it takes to protect the world."
Aang didn't need to look up to know she was gone. His last hope… had just said to forget his teachings and just do what needed to be done. How was he supposed to get over something so enormous? If he killed, he would have been expelled from Air Nomad society normally…but he was the only one left. It was not just his needs he should consider…
What if there would be another airbender, in the future? How could he teach that person the beliefs and practices of his people… When he shouldn't be a part of it? He couldn't do that. Not only would he condemn himself to a life of mental torture over what he had done… He would also point the Air Nomads to the annals of history… And kill his own people, all over…
He knew he had many lives on his conscience… But Katara had always told him that he that wasn't his fault… And he had come to believe her, or at least, be able to live with it because he knew that his friends didn't blame him…
"Aang." A warm, soft voice spoke. Confused, thinking he wouldn't have to see other Avatars, the airbender looked up. A woman stood in the clearing, clearly Water Tribe. By the clothes she was wearing, he guessed she was from the Southern Water Tribe.
"You're not from the Fire Nation…" He was confused. The order of Avatar should show him a firebending Avatar, the one before Yangchen… But this woman was so clearly Water Tribe. Her hair was neatly pulled into a bun behind her head, revealing a gentle face with a pointed chin and big wide eyes. He couldn't see the colour of her eyes, as she was a spirit, but he could guess that they had been blue. She was not very tall, at least a head shorter than he was, and was around thirty years old.
Young, for an Avatar… Had this been one from centuries before? Was this the only one that was going to agree with him?
"Oh, believe me, I know." The woman laughed, and that sound startled him. He knew that laugh… But he couldn't place it exactly, "I am very happy to meet you Aang."
The spirit came towards him but sat down on the tree trunk next to him. Also weird, because the others had stayed standing… This one had clearly come to talk, instead of just telling him what to do…
"Me too… lady." She hadn't told him her name.
"I heard a lot of good things about you, your… friends… are very chatty." She laughed again, and the sound filled his heart with warmth and love. This woman's laugh was just infectious, and seemed to chase every bad feeling away.
"Are they?" He asked, cautious. It was weird… Who of his friends would have talked about him with a spirit. And an Avatar could just see into his life, they didn't need to have other people tell them about him… Who was this woman?
"Oh yes… And I think I have a pretty clear picture of you. A lost soul, trying to prevent any further damage on the world he had loved so much… And fiercely protective of those he loves. Gentle and kind…. Am I wrong?" The woman smiled at him. Her gaze had something familiar about it… And he couldn't help but feel slightly shy after such praise.
"I… I don't know about all that kind and gentle… But I would like to protect whatever is left of my world… And I would do anything for my friends." He whispered, looking away from the woman's eyes. It was unsettling how much love shone through them…
"And I believe you have a dilemma… Would you like to talk about it?" She asked. This woman was the first to ask him about it… And to encourage him to talk about it with her…
"I… I have to kill the Fire Lord… Everyone says so, except Katara… She says she trusts me to make the right decision… But I don't know what the right decision is anymore." From heart, he felt a floodgate open of relief. She was listening… She wasn't interrupting him with unasked wisdom… Just… listening.
"If I kill him, I betray my beliefs and my people… And if I leave him alive, I betray the Earth Kingdom and condemn millions to a horrible death… I know what my duty is… I would just like to be able to stop him without having to kill him." There. That was the only wish he had. Stop the war without killing someone…
"What would you do if you managed that feat?"
Huh? Had this spirit just asked… What he wanted to after? How was that significant!
"I… I would like to see the Fire Nation return to how it was. Crown Iroh or Zuko Fire Lord and be done with it. Go and settle down somewhere quiet, with Katara… And just see peace slowly return to the world, with my help, when it is needed… That is all I wish for." He whispered, not looking at the woman, fearing she would see the tears in his eyes.
"Well, that sounds wonderful." The woman spoke gently and in all seriousness, "To achieve that you will need to be at peace with yourself, and I think I have a solution."
"You do?" Relief flooded through him. Finally! Finally, someone who had understood, and who was willing to help him!
"I would suggest you try bending the earth here." She smiled, standing up. Confused, Aang did the same. She had seemed to be utterly serious, so he would try.
Lifting a foot, he stamped it down, only to be met by… nothing. No rock flew out of the ground. Bewildered, Aang tried to feel around him, but his senses didn't penetrate the earth… it was as if… as if…
"This isn't earth."
Yep. The world had just gone absolutely mad. He was on an island made out of something that wasn't earth and rock, in the middle of the ocean.
"Indeed." The water tribe woman laughed softly, probably at the face he was making.
"How could that be? How can… can…" An image from one of Monk Gyatso's spiritual books come to mind. A great beast, miles large, swimming in the ocean, so ancient that on it's back, whole forests had formed…
"A lion turtle…" The realization made his head swim. Lion turtles were the stuff of myths! They didn't exist! But then again… Apparently, he had been a legend, or at least the Avatar had been. And he was here, alive and well.
They were said to appear to people in need… To offer them a solution…
"I think you would do well to ask your questions in that direction." She woman pointed westwards, with a smile, "I think you may find what you are looking for there."
A chance… He began to walk to the west, nearly bolting away, when he heard Momo chirping. Turning back around, he saw the woman shake her head with an amused expression on her face.
"Thank you, thank you." He bowed to the woman, "I will never forget this. If the lion turtle has a solution… I can never repay you."
"Oh… Aang. You have repaid me several times over by now. By the way, your friends are safe, they have found Prince Iroh and are now heading towards their missions. And Katara knows you are coming. Don't worry about them." The woman seemed sad and happy at the same time.
"Who are you?" He didn't understand. This unknown spirit came out of nowhere, told him exactly what he needed to hear, and even offered him news of his friends, settling his worries about them… And what was all this about already having repaid her kindness?
"Can't you tell?" She smiled.
Aang looked again. The hair loopies seemed familiar, but many in the Water Tribes wore them. And yet, this woman seemed to know him. It wasn't someone from his own time, of that he was certain. And she was definitely no Avatar, that, he had understood quite early. Who was she?
Looking the woman in the eyes, he realized.
She had Katara's eyes.
"K-Kya?"
But the woman had already gone when the name left his lips.
What had Kya done here? He had asked and pleaded the Avatars to help him… Had his pleas been heard all over the Spirit world? How had she known he needed help… And how had she known what to say, and given him a possible solution to his dilemma? Spirits… No wonder Sokka and Katara missed her… In the few minutes he had spoken with her, she had made him feel welcome and at home… She had made him feel safe.
Only Katara had managed that since he had woken up from the iceberg…
Momo joined him, flying past him, towards the west. Turning towards it, Aang knew what was left to do. Go to speak to the lion turtle. Defeat Ozai, with whatever knowledge this creature could give him. And if even the lion turtle said to kill the Fire Lord, he would… He wouldn't have a choice. If something as ancient as the creature didn't have another option, it was hopeless. Aang would accept it.
Defeat Ozai. Return to the Fire Nation and make sure someone worthy succeeded. Settle down and finally be left in peace. That was the plan. And apparently, he had the backing of the most important in the whole world in Katara's eyes.
I wish you had been here my love… But then again, I know I wouldn't want you anywhere near what is going to happen… Not because I don't trust your fighting skills… No, I doubt my own ability to concentrate on the task ahead if you were there. But believe me, I am always with you, wherever we are.
Answers:
Jjsmith103: Good to see you back! I think the people in the White Lotus who lost faith in the Avatar are not wrong, what would we do in their place? Of course, we have followed Aang over his journey, so we like him (I hope lol!) . But Hui Li hasn't had that opportunity. And of course, this Katara was going to take the first chance she had to bitch slap Azula to the ground. She would give nearly anything for a chance to kill Azula, and when it is handed on a silver platter, she Is going to take it!