Passion
Passion is not Air Nomad culture. It is not befitting an Airbender Master. Passion should not be applied, or describe, in any shape or form, an Airbender. Yet, passion was Aang, and Aang was passion.
After starting his quest a hundred years after his realization of his duty, but suddenly hit with a larger one, he took life on with a passionate attitude, bubbling and jumping with energy. He was fun-loving, cheerful, and loved journeying. But as time went on, as he, his surrogate family and best friends faced dangers, and responsibilities both great, and over time his passionate nature slowly receded out of him. It came to the point when it was not often that he could enjoy himself without attending to his duty, and enthusiasm was replaced with diligence. Time went on, and their journeys widened. Aang matured, and grew in his maturity, knowing he had once been silly, though secretly hoping in his heart for times like back then when enjoying life- secretly liking Katara, going on adventures, and spending time with his friends, were his only cares.
Now, the time has come for a catalyst to be triggered. In Ba Sing Se, with the Gaang reunited, he splits off again- to perform his duty for the rest of the world.
Aang is acutely aware that this is the most important thing he has ever done. It's tedious, reaching inside, forgiving and making right within him. And it is when the night wind gently brushes past him, and the sky is dark and purple, as a great, wonderful event realizes itself.
And then Guru Pathik tells him, as he tries to unlock the secrets of the Avatar State, that Love can never disappear, only be reborn into another love. He reaches, reaches, and sees; all of his race, the proud Air Nomads, and their love. As in reality, the Airbenders disappear one by one, their love remaining and combining into a familiar, common figure…
Katara?
It is Katara!
And Aang finally comprehends- is this…love?
It sticks in his mind, and refuses to let go, calling up old feelings. When Guru Pathik finally tells him to let go of Katara, as they perch on the rocky connection to the heavens and spirits, the image of her face is still there, and this time, he knows he needs to let go. But he can't.
The time came, and here he is, about to accept the unlocking of the last chakra, right in the grasp of the Avatar Spirit, and in awe of the mysteries of Nature. He reminds himself as he prepares to let go of his love reborn, "My actions are for the good of the world." Suddenly, he catches a glimpse of something to the side, a vision, of Katara in danger.
"This is the turning point, Aang. This is where you choose the future."
Aang grasps and apprehends his feeling. His passion for life, his passion for his culture… is not gone. It's still there... And he needs to act on it. Without hesitation, he throws himself off the path to unlimited power and the key to his destiny. And his mind turns dark...
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Aang jerks sharply to reality, and knows, beyond certainty, what he must do. For once, he will take care of his own needs. He will choose his feelings over the world.
"How selfish, Aang. You just can't leave your duty. You need have a reason…"
Ignoring all common sense, and as Guru Pathik's cries echoes in his ears, he leaps off the mountain with haste in a fit of passionate frenzy, in a hurry to follow what his heart tells him, for this time his feelings are going to lead, his passion. And as he springs away into the cosmic night, starting a new chapter, and ending another in his life, he knows.
Katara is his passion.
And he doesn't look back.
A/N: This...was a wicked prompt. As you could see, I put all my experience as a Kataanger in this chapter. Happy reading.
