The mountains loomed high above the surrounding land, their jagged peaks still veiled in mist despite the sun being already in the middle of the sky. Wind howled between the cliffs, carrying with it the echo of rocks breaking. The ex-Avatar team landed on Appa's broad back near the edge of a steep ridge. Momo fluttered down to perch on Katara's shoulder, his ears twitching curiously at the sight before them.
Below, tens of Earthbenders were at work. Some moved enormous slabs of rock from the highest mountain peak, flattening it, while others carved great staircases spiraling upward into the clouds. The ground shook with every rumbling stomp, every shift of the earth.
"This must be the place Iroh and Pakku mentioned," Sokka muttered, squinting. "Looks like the world's biggest construction site."
They dismounted from Appa and began walking toward an old man overseeing the monumental labor. His wrinkled face split into a crooked grin the moment they drew closer.
"King Bumi?" Sokka said incredulously. "What are you doing here?"
King Bumi sighed, brushing a bit of dust from his beard. "Azula said Tai Lung wanted me to lead the Earthbenders in building this…" he gestured grandly at the work reforming the mountain's face, "... it is going to be the Jade Palace."
Toph crossed her arms. "And you just agreed like that, old man?"
Bumi tilted his head with a faint smile. "I considered refusing. Even thought about setting a trap, make the whole thing crumble down in an instant. But Tai Lung's retaliation…" His expression darkened slightly. "It could mean the end of my city."
Sokka frowned. "Do you actually believe in this peace they keep talking about?"
Bumi shook his head slowly. "Things don't add up. Even if they truly want peace and balance, why remove the Avatar? They could've worked with Aang. No…" He gazed into the distance, his tone thoughtful. "Something else is at play, and we don't yet know what."
Katara's fists clenched. "Then we should form a resistance!"
"Resist what?" Bumi asked gently. "They're not invading us. Most people wouldn't dare lift a hand against them, especially not now after Tai Lung's display. Why provoke an unbeatable force that will retaliate mercilessly?" He looked down, his eyes dimming.
Katara pressed on "But what about Aang? He died for everyone."
Bumi sighed again, his voice full of sorrow. "A pity, the fate Aang suffered. But we can't do anything right now."
"Where's Azula?" Sokka asked.
Bumi shrugged, a trace of exasperation in his tone. "Beats me. She left all the work to an old man and then disappeared off somewhere with her sidekicks."
Sokka's brow furrowed. "She sent for us to come here."
Bumi looked at him, puzzled. "That's strange. No offense, but with the Avatar gone, you three don't hold much power or use around here. Perhaps… an old grudge?"
Sokka scowled. "She didn't need to summon us for a grudge. The world already obeys her every word."
Bumi's expression turned thoughtful once more. "You should all rest in the nearby tents," he said finally. "I'll let you know when she arrives."
Sokka nodded, still wary. Katara offered a polite "Thanks," while Toph merely shrugged. Together, they walked toward the line of tents at the edge of the camp. Appa rumbled lowly, settling himself beside them, his large eyes scanning the misty peaks.
Hours crept by with painful slowness. Inside the tent, the air was thick with dust, impatience, and unspoken thoughts. Sokka lay on his back, staring at the fabric ceiling, his foot tapping against the ground with rhythmic annoyance. Katara sat quietly beside Momo, running her fingers through his fur, while Toph leaned against the tent pole with her arms crossed, her sightless gaze fixed at the empty space in front of her.
At moments, anger bubbled among them, Sokka muttering that Azula was probably just toying with them again, Katara scowling at the thought of being tricked into coming all this way. But at other times, a quieter feeling took hold, unease. Worry. A nervous suspicion that Azula's silence wasn't a game at all, but a nefarious plan.
From time to time, Sokka pushed himself up to peer outside. Each time, he returned shaking his head. No sign of her. By the time the sun had begun to sink behind the peaks, painting the stone slopes in bands of red and gold, they had all but given up.
Then suddenly Toph shot upright.
"It can't be!" she shouted.
The other two jumped, startled. Even Momo squeaked, his wings flaring in alarm.
"Toph?" Katara exclaimed, rising to her feet.
But Toph didn't answer. She rushed out of the tent. Sokka and Katara exchanged a bewildered look before running after her.
"Toph! Wait up!" Sokka called, nearly tripping over a rock.
Momo darted ahead of them, wings beating frantically as he soared over the camp. Then, as the trio ran past the work site, they all stopped dead.
In the distance, standing near King Bumi, was a bald boy with blue arrow tattoos, arms wrapped tightly around the old king.
For a heartbeat, none of them moved. Then Katara gasped, her eyes wide and wet. "Aang?"
He turned toward them, that same innocent smile they thought they'd never see again spreading across his face. "Hey, guys." He waved.
They sprinted toward him. Katara was the first to reach him, nearly knocking him over in a fierce hug. Sokka threw his arms around them both, laughing and half crying at once, and even Toph joined, slapping his back with a grin she couldn't quite hide.
"We thought you were dead," Katara whispered, tears spilling freely.
Aang smiled sadly. "I almost was."
Toph was the first to pull back, her brow furrowed. "What happened to you? Where have you been?"
"One thing at a time," Aang said, holding up a hand. "When I woke up… I was in the Spirit World with Tai Lung."
Sokka's eyes lit up. "You defeated him in the Spirit World?!"
Aang shook his head slowly. "No. Tai Lung freed Vaatu. And together… they stripped me of Raava."
The words struck like a thunderclap.
"I'm no longer the Avatar," Aang said quietly. "Just a regular Airbender now."
The joy drained from their faces. Even King Bumi's grin faltered. Shock and horror settled in the place of their joy.
Aang took a slow breath and began to explain everything, the original state of the world before the spirits, Tai Lung's end goal, his plans with Azula and the grand vision they shared for a new world order along with the help of the ancient spirits. He didn't stop until every detail had been told.
He was met with silence when he was finished, everyone trying to make sense of the new information.
After seconds of silence, Bumi finally spoke, his tone half in disbelief, half in awe.
"I hate to admit it," he murmured, "but Azula and Tai Lung are… mad geniuses. To think they'd go this far to achieve such a ridiculous and impossible goal."
Toph nodded slowly. "When you hear it this way, their actions make sense. If the first Avatar took it upon himself to maintain order because he was the strongest at that time, then they've got just as much right to do the same now. And… their version of balance does sound sturdier than relying on one person to hold it all together."
Aang looked down at his hands. "On our way back, Tai Lung invited me to join the Jade Palace. He asked me to become his student."
The others stared at him, stunned.
Sokka was the first to find his voice. "Please tell me you didn't say yes."
"I didn't," Aang said quietly. "But… the more I think about it, the more it feels like something I should consider."
Katara's voice trembled. "How could you say that? After everything he's done to you?"
Aang's gaze softened. "I don't hate him, Katara. And… I don't hate not being the Avatar. For the first time in a long time, I feel free. Free from all the expectations and duties. The truth is… I'm the last of my people. The last Air Nomad. And maybe now that I'm no longer the Avatar, it's my duty to bring back what's left of them, to restore their heritage. Tai Lung… he's curious about Air Nomad teachings. If I can share them with him, maybe I can preserve what little remains of my culture and eventually spread it."
No one spoke after that.
They looked at him, each realizing in their own way that Aang was making a choice for himself. Not for the world. Not for the spirits. But for Aang.
Bumi cleared his throat after a long pause, his tone shifting to something lighter. "Well," he said, "enough gloomy talk. Where's Tai Lung now, then? You said you traveled with him to get here?"
Aang nodded. "He left… to meet with his family and friends."