With nearly every Air Nomad currently present at the Northern Air Temple, the three other Temples became susceptible to attacks, which would be very unfortunate, but Temples could be rebuilt… Lives couldn't. Besides, the most important thing was probably the library of scrolls, but other than a few specific or unique books, every Temple has a copy, so even if the library gets destroyed, it doesn't really mean much; it would be an annoying and VERY tedious process, but it would still be possible to copy every scroll or book.
That is why we've decided to converge all of our strength into one Temple in hopes of having a higher chance to defend against the invasion from the Fire Nation; however, since that's the case, they'll also have no reason to attack the three other Temples, and instead, Fire Lord Sozin will attack this singular Temple with the full force of the Fire Nations might.
'Well, maybe not the full force, but it'll be the full force of their ground troops at least.' Thought Aang lightly as he calmly walked beside Gyatso, the two heading toward the largest area in the Temple.
While there was a lot to think about, I shook my head, deciding to save that for later as I separated from Monk Gyatso and headed towards the training grounds, which were currently packed to the brim with my fellow brothers and sisters; everyone was here so we could listen to the announcement from the Council of Elders.
It's only been two days since the secret group from before left the Temple; none of us know where they went, figuring it would be better in case they tried to interrogate us. However, the Elders have finally decided it is time to inform the rest of the Air Nomads about the truth, including what is happening and what is to come. This will likely cause chaos, but it would be wrong to continue hiding the truth from everyone.
"Hey, do you know why there was a sudden announcement?" "No, I'm also clueless." "I hope they tell us why we're all here; it's a little cramped here with four Temples' worth of people squeezed into one." "Yes, but I'm not entirely upset; we also get to speak to the women." Remarked several young men as they softly spoke amongst themselves, only to quiet down when they noticed Aang.
"Monk Aang." Stated the several young men respectfully as they clasped their hands and slightly bowed toward Aang, prompting him to do the same while continuing past them.
Walking past a small group, I found a spot in the back. However, since I was still only twelve and very short, even smaller than the women, I was forced to stand on the stone railing, which gave me enough height to see over everyone, except for a few very tall people. After a few more minutes of waiting, the Elders began to line up on the balcony overlooking the training grounds, causing everyone to quiet down as all eyes were on them.
Once all sixteen Elders were in line, I could hear a few people murmur about the missing four Elders, though it was quickly silenced when Monk Pasang cleared his throat before stepping forward.
"Air-Nomads of the Air Temples… I'm positive most are curious and confused as to why everyone is here at one Temple, well, my fellow elders and I shall enlighten you all." Said Pasang lightly as his gaze traveled through the numerous Air-Nomads while they all intently stared at him.
"…However, no matter what you hear, please remain calm and quiet until we're done speaking." Added Pasang solemnly as he narrowed his eyes, causing a tense atmosphere to loom over the Air Temple, only for him to gesture to Tashi, who stepped forward while scowling.
While I didn't think Monk Tashi was the best one to relay such critical information, I didn't question it and remained silent, listening to him as he informed everyone of the Fire Nation, the incoming invasion, the Great Comet, etc. Even though I had already known about it for years, I still couldn't help but frown at all the information. Meanwhile, everyone else who was hearing everything for the first time, well, let's just say their expressions were priceless.
By the time Monk Tashi finished speaking, nothing but silence permeated through the Temple, and it wasn't the good kind of silence either.
"E-Elder…" Asked a woman as she raised her hand, yet as she stared at the solemn-faced elders, she couldn't bring herself to continue.
"Now, while our situation sounds bleak, we do have the Avatar on our side." Stated Gyatso with a slight smile, his words serving to act as a ray of hope within the darkness of despair Tashi had cast on them.
At Monk Gyatso's words, I leaped into the air, flying over the crowd below before gracefully landing on the balcony, causing all eyes to shift toward me as they stared at me in hope and skepticism.
"12 years ago, Avatar Roku passed away, and like every generation, a new Avatar was born. With Aang on our side, defending our home becomes possible." Declared Gyatso with a firm expression as he pointed toward Aang, who inwardly winced before clenching his fist and punching the sky, launching a mediocre-sized fireball, causing everyone's eyes to widen.
"The Avatar?" "H-He's the Avatar!?" "I-Isn't the Avatar incredibly powerful? W-With him, it really might be possible to defend our home!" Remarked the Air Nomads with renewed vigor as they stared at Aang in hope, causing him to furrow his brows.
It seems that being the Avatar helped more than I expected. Of course, there were a few level-headed ones amongst the crowd who questioned my strength as the Avatar; after all, I was only twelve, and I could barely use the other elements. However, they were drowned out by the enthusiastic crowd.
"Now, now. Please calm down; while the Avatar will provide much help, do not forget that many of us may… Die. Myself included." Stated Gyatso solemnly, his loud voice forcefully silencing the crowd once more as reality set back in.
"So that's why those who don't wish to risk their lives… Please leave." Added Gyatso softly as he gazed at the crowd, his words causing them to nervously gulp.
While staring into the crowd, Monk Gyatso eventually left a few moments later, followed by the other elders as they followed behind, prompting the Air-Nomads down below to slowly disperse throughout the rest of the Temple.
Watching them leave, I, too, also left, returning to my room to meditate and hopefully perfect a technique I came up with yesterday, thanks to the storm. If I can successfully perfect the technique before the day of the invasion, it may provide a massive help in warding off the Fire Nation.
'Hopefully, everything I'm doing isn't for naught.' Thought Aang softly as he gazed at the sky before stepping into his room and closing the stone door behind him.
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It was night, and Appa and I were flying through the North-Western skies of the Air Temple. Monk Gyatso advised those frightened of the incoming invasion to leave, but even though I didn't wish for it to be true, I had to consider the possibility that they might be spies. So that's why Appa and I flew through the skies between the Temple and the Fire Nation, since this is the path a spy would most likely take.
We'd already been out here for two hours, yet there hadn't been a single person coming this way as of yet, but I didn't lower my guard; if Sozin knew we learned of his plan, it probably wouldn't change much simply because the Great Comet was a chance that was too good to pass up, but still, it would be better if he didn't know anything.
A few more hours passed, and by now, Appa was taking a short break while I continued flying through the sky, using my glider to patrol the windy skies.
'Hmm, who is that?' Mused Aang with a frown as he narrowed his eyes at the lone sky bison leaving the Air Temple and heading right for him.
Closely watching them, I trailed the Air-Nomad and Sky Bison from above for several minutes, yet, throughout the whole ordeal, not once did their direction deviate, causing me to frown.
'Any sane Air-Nomad would distance themselves from the Fire Nation, not fly toward them.' Mused Aang with a frown as he dived down toward the sky bison.
Rapidly slowing down, I gently landed on the sky bison right behind the air nomad, who happened to be an older woman.
"W-What are you doing here!?" Exclaimed the woman in shock as she grasped her chest while glaring at Aang, only for her eyes to widen a second later.
"I'm simply patrolling the skies in search of possible Fire Nation spies, and you're looking very suspicious right now; if you were leaving, shouldn't you be heading in the opposite direction? Why fly toward the enemy?" Asked Aang suspiciously as he narrowed his eyes at the woman, who began to nervously sweet, causing his frown to deepen.
The woman tried to respond, yet all that left her mouth were stutters and incoherent words, which only raised my suspicion of her, causing me to step forward as I grabbed the reins.
"If you don't mind, let's head in a different direction-" Said Aang firmly, yet he was suddenly pushed off the sky bison with a powerful gust of wind, causing him to frown before sighing as he opened his glider.
'Haa, I really hope she has a valid reason for doing all of this.' Mused Aang with a slight frown as he shook his head while flying back toward the sky bison.