After my failed attempt at dissuading Sozin from declaring war on the world and invading the Air Temples, I promptly flew back to the Southern Air Temple because if everything remained the same, which it most likely would as the Great Comet was far too good of a chance to pass up, the Fire Nation would be attacking soon, and I needed to help prepare for them.
However, after a few days, before I could even make it back home, I was forced to speak with my past incarnation during one of our rest breaks since it was getting very annoying trying to ignore their constant, well, nagging.
"I'll be right back, Appa." Said Aang lightly as he gently patted Appa's head before sitting down right beside him, entering a deep meditative state.
Clearing my mind of any outside disturbance, I slowed my breathing and deeply meditated as I connected to my past lives, not just Roku's. Feeling numerous familiar presences, I opened my eyes, only to see hundreds of my past incarnations standing before me with Roku in front, followed by our respective predecessors, though Szeto was the oldest Avatar I knew by name, besides Wan, of course.
None of my past incarnations said anything and just silently stared at me with a look that held myriad emotions, though the one that stood out the most was probably disappointment.
"We're not the same; I didn't ask for this position, and I've got no obligation to fulfill its duties. I just wish to live my life." Stated Aang firmly as he folded his arms and narrowed his eyes while eyeing every one of his past incarnations.
"Aang-" Said Roku softly, yet he wasn't able to finish speaking as Kyoshi interrupted him.
"Many of us understand your thoughts, Aang; I've even been in a similar position. But the position of the Avatar isn't something you can just easily brush aside; your very presence can affect the very world." Said Kyoshi with a firm expression as she stared at Aang, who nodded in understanding, though she couldn't help but furrow her brows.
"I understand, and I'll do my best to keep the effects I make to a minimum, but I don't wish to be a slave to the ideology of being the Avatar. You've all already heard my thoughts during my talk with Sozin, so there isn't much point in trying to persuade me; I may be an Air Nomad, but I can be surprisingly stubborn." Stated Aang with a nod as he glanced at Kyoshi, who frowned at his stubbornness.
"Besides, you've all heard how I view what being the Avatar means, and you're the prime example, Kyoshi, forcing your will onto Fire Lord Zoryu and the 46th Earth King or killing those that don't listen to you, such as Chin the Conqueror." Added Aang with a frown as he scanned every single Avatar before eyeing Kyoshi, who didn't seem affected by his words.
"They deserved it; if she had done nothing, they would've caused more harm to many innocent people." Declared Yangchen with a deep frown as she eyed Aang, who again nodded in agreement.
"You're completely right, and I'm not saying she's wrong for that, but my statement still stands, does it not? She's enforcing her will onto others, and those who don't listen get killed; it doesn't matter who she's doing it to; she's still behaving like a dictator, and no one can deny that." Stated Aang with a frown as he glanced at Yangchen, who didn't elaborate any further and remained quiet.
"Even so, Aang, to allow Fire Lord Sozin to wage war upon the world, will you just allow that to happen?" Asked Roku lightly as he stared at Aang, who sighed while shaking his head.
"I won't just do nothing; if we manage to survive the attack on the day of the Great Comet, I'm sure we'll assist the Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom, but I'll only be doing so as an Air-Nomad, not the Avatar." Replied Aang sternly as he looked at Roku, who simply sighed at his words, refusing to speak further.
Although it probably wasn't the smartest thing to argue with my past incarnations, I would stand my ground on this; I wished to live my life just like any other man. The moment I start fulfilling my duties as an Avatar, I'll never be able to stop myself, and I'll eventually spiral down until I have no time for my family, let alone for myself.
'I was miraculously given a second chance to be with my child and wife; I will not waste it being the Avatar.' Thought Aang firmly as he closed his eyes for a few moments before opening them.
"I will not be budging on this, so we can either continue to bicker and argue, or you all can assist me in warding off the Fire Nation; at the very least, save this conversation until we've succeeded in defending the Air Temples." Remarked Aang lightly as he gazed at his many past incarnations, who, despite not agreeing with his thoughts of refusing the position of Avatar, still nodded.
Releasing a breath I was unknowingly holding, I calmed my mind and opened my eyes, having left wherever I just was and returning to the real world, only to hear snoring, prompting me to look to my right as I glanced at Appa.
"Well, glad to know just about anyone could've killed us." Muttered Aang with a twitching expression as he glanced at Appa, only to sigh before standing up and distancing himself from him.
All I could do right now was practice my bending in preparation for the arrival of the Fire Nation.
"We'll survive. We'll survive." Said Aang softly as he began practicing, refraining from using soundbending since it would disturb Appa's sleep.
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Seeing the Southern Air Temple in the distance, I couldn't help but sigh in relief while sporting a faint smile as Appa and I approached our home. Thanks to the Council of Elders's plan, the Southern Air Temple's surroundings were currently filled with Sky Bisons flying all about, though we still easily made it to the Air Temple.
Gracefully landing on the ground, I gave Appa a slight pat while he flew off towards the stables, which was pretty much his throne. I was going to head toward my room, but when I got there, I saw a young man sitting just outside my door, causing me to tilt my head in confusion.
"Monk Aang, Elder Gyatso, and the Council of Elders request your presence." Said the young man respectively, as he clasped his hands and slightly bowed to Aang, who raised an eyebrow at his words before nodding.
"Thank you." Said Aang softly as he also clasped his hands before quickly making his way toward the peak of the Air Temple.
Since it was a unique occasion, the Air Temple was currently packed with Air-Nomads from the three other Air-temples as we intended to consolidate all of our strength into a single Temple; though I was still skeptical if it would work, the Great Comet would put even a normal Fire Nation Soldier on the level of a master.
'Between the four Air Temples, there aren't even 100 air-bending masters, yet we're supposed to fend off an entire army of Comet-enhanced soldiers? Our survivability is looking rather grim.' Thought Aang with an unsightly expression as he glanced at his many brothers and sisters before sighing in defeat.
Once I arrived near the peak of the Air Temple, I slowly entered the room where the Council of Elders were currently discussing their next plan of action.
"Sorry for my late arrival, I had only just returned." Said Aang apologetically as he gently closed the door behind him, his words causing the heated discussion to calm down while all eyes shifted toward him.
"Yes, we heard from Gyatso that you went to visit your friends in case the… Worst happened." Stated a Northern Air-Temple Elder with a nod as he glanced at Aang, who approached Gyatso.
"That was very dangerous, Aang; what if the Fire Nation happened to catch you? Or even worse?" Said Iio with a slight frown as she looked at Aang with concern, who softly shook his head.
"While I admit I faced a few close calls, I remain unharmed." Replied Aang lightly, his words surprising everyone as their faces turned grim.
"Close calls? Is the Fire Nation already attacking us?" Muttered Pasang with a frown as he and everyone glanced at Aang, who promptly shook his head.
"No. But I was nearly caught a few times while sneaking through the Fire Nation's Royal Palace; speaking of that, I didn't manage to dissuade Sozin from attacking." Stated Aang softly, his words absolutely shocking everyone as they all widened their eyes while staring at him in disbelief.
"W-W-What!?" Exclaimed Gyatso loudly, expressing a rare case of disbelief and shock.
"D-Didn't you say you were going to visit your friend!?" Asked Gyatso in slight anger as he aggressively grabbed Aangs shoulders, causing him to response while avoiding eye contact.
"I did, but I also happened to take a detour towards the Royal Palace to speak with Sozin, of course, only during the night; I wasn't foolish enough to do so during the day. Though I must say, he's quite powerful; even while weakened, he'd prove to be a challenging opponent." Replied Aang calmly, nearly causing Iio to faint from his words, while Gyatso's face took on a reddish hue from the anger he felt.