Avatar The Last Airbender Fan Fiction ❯ Duty Versus Love ❯ The Southern Air Temple ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter II: The Southern Air Temple

 

They got up early the next morning and, with only Zuko and Mai to see them off, began their journey back to the Southern Air Temple on Appa's back.

The journey wouldn't take nearly as long as it would have six years ago since Appa had grown and was twice as fast as he used to be. Not to mention that the Air Bison had been all over the world several times over, so he never got lost anymore. All they had to do was have Aang tell Appa where they were going (it had to be Aang since Appa was Aang's animal guide), and the Bison would take them there.

The trip was mostly made in silence due to Katara's bad mood, which was a result of being unable to get close to Aang. The two always had trouble getting close to one another when they were traveling with her brother. The most risqué thing they could do with Sokka less than a foot away was hold each other's hands, and even that was met with dirty glares. It wasn't like they could sneak off anywhere on Appa's back.

Soon, the Southern Air Temple came into view, looking nearly as grand as it did in its glory days, except it lacked life. Right now, the only people living there on a regular basis were Aang and his friends. The only visitors the Temple received were diplomats coming to ask for Aang's assistance in some matter. Where it was once impossible to reach the Air Temple by any traditional mode of travel, the group had convinced Aang long ago that it needed to change. So, with Toph's planning and the massive power of Aang's controlled Avatar State, they carved a stairway into the mountainside. Aang or Toph could destroy it at a moment's notice at the first sign of trouble.

Not that many people would be foolish enough to attack a fully-realized Avatar head-on.

They landed and Aang leapt gracefully off Appa's back, using Airbending to cushion his landing. He took in the sight of his nearly restored childhood home. He could almost see the Air Nomad monks moving through the cloisters and halls on their daily business while some young Airbending novices practiced their latest moves in the courtyards. Then he blinked and the visions of the past were gone, replaced by empty halls and empty courtyards.

Aang sighed heavily, and Katara slid down Appa's side and landed next to him, taking his hand in hers.

“I know what you are thinking.” Katara said. “You may be the last Air Nomad, but you are not alone.”

Aang gave her a grateful smile and pulled the young woman closer to his body. His lips were almost touching hers when he suddenly got shoved aside.

The identity of his shover quickly became apparent. “Suki!” Sokka had elbowed his way through the Avatar and his girlfriend to get to his wife. The former Kyoshi Warrior rushed up to her husband and into his arms, where they immediately occupied each other in a passionate kiss.

“Filthy hypocrite.” Katara growled softly. She grabbed the front of Aang's robes and pulled him into a passionate kiss that rivaled the one going on mere feet away. His hands found its way down to the small of her back, pulling her closer into the warmth of his body while her arms wrapped around his neck to cradle the back of his head. It never failed. The best time for Katara to have a moment with Aang was when her hypocritical brother was having a moment with his wife.

But it ended all too soon, Sokka and Suki separated and Suki turned her attention on Aang. “Aang?”

The young Avatar sighed as he pulled away from Katara. “What is it?”

“A small delegation arrived from Ba Sing Se last week.” Suki said. “They've been waiting for an audience with you ever since.”

“They waited that long?” Aang asked. “I could have been gone for several more months if things hadn't gone so smoothly in the Fire Nation.”

“They opted to stay of their own free will. They said it was very important they speak with you upon your return.”

Aang sighed. It was probably just the usual treaties. As the Avatar, he was the ultimate moderator between the nations. There hadn't been a treaty approved in the last six years without the Avatar's seal, the symbols of all four nations combined into one.

“All right. I'll see them.” Aang said. “Sokka? Could you go with Suki and show them to the Sanctuary?”

Sokka nodded. “Sure.” He and Suki went on their way.

Aang turned to Katara. “I'll see you soon, Katara.” He gave her a quick kiss, and then began to make his way to the Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary was the place where the council of the Head Monks of the Order presided over the affairs of the Temple. It was the same room where, one hundred and six years ago, he learned of his identity as the Avatar. It was the place where his life changed forever. No longer was the simply the Air Nomad Aang, an Airbending prodigy who had mastered Airbending unusually quick. From that moment, he became Avatar Aang.

Aang stepped into the room, feeling once more the awe that he was the one now seated in this holy place.

He could almost see himself, a small twelve year old boy, standing before the Head Monks as they told him that he was the Avatar, and they had known since he was a toddler, simply because he chose four special toys from among thousands, relics from his past lives.

I was so scared back then. Scared of being the Avatar. Scared of my own destiny. Aang sat down on the spot reserved for the Head of the Order. Being the only Air Nomad left, he technically was the Head of the Order now. He smiled to himself. Just like the wind, things always change.

A moment later, Sokka and Suki entered the room; followed by a small group of noblemen from Ba Sing Se. Aang could tell from their dress and manner that they were high-ranking officials. They probably worked right under the Earth King.

Sokka and Suki walked right up to Aang while the officials held back and bowed to Aang deeply. Aang could tell from the looks on their faces that they were horrified that Sokka and Suki would approach him without showing him the respect he was due as the Avatar, and Aang almost laughed out loud. He would never ask them to behave like that with him, and any time they did, it was usually as a joke. They meant more to him than simply his Ambassadors. They were his friends. Aang had saved their lives on numerous occasions, but they in turn, had saved his life several times. He respected and trusted them all deeply, which is why they gained the privilege to be relaxed in the Avatar's presence.

“Aang, the messengers from the Earth King.” Sokka announced, as he and Suki moved into the back of the room, obviously guarding the door.

The man who seemed to be in charge of this group glared back at Sokka and Suki. “Our message concerns the Avatar only.”

Sokka shook his head. “Nuh-uh. No way. Assassins have come after Aang before. You wouldn't be the first to try to kill the Avatar while pretending to be messengers.”

“What?!?” The messenger yelled, outraged. “How dare you accuse us of being assassins?!?”

“Sokka.” Aang's very voice seemed to bring peace and calm to the room. No one had really figured out how he did that. Maybe it was an Avatar thing, or maybe it was just an Aang thing. But his next words reminded all in the room just how dangerous he could be. “They wouldn't be the first assassins I've ever subdued either. Leave us. I will see them alone.”

Sokka looked like he was ready to argue his point with Aang, but Suki took his arm and shook her head firmly. The message was loud and clear. Sokka sighed as he followed his wife out of the Sanctuary.

A few moments passed as Aang watched them walk away with his Earthbending sight. Once they were beyond his sight-range, he spoke. “What message just the Earth Kingdom have for me that must be delivered in privacy?”

The messenger cleared his throat. “Avatar Aang, though it pains me to remind you of such things, the Air Nomads were nearly driven into extinction a century ago. You are the only survivor, and the last Airbender in the world.” Aang's hands fisted in his robes, but his face remained as calm as ever. “As the Avatar, I'm sure that you can feel that the delicate balance of the elements in this world has been distorted.”

“I can feel it.” Aang said.

“We also know that when the Avatar Cycle comes full circle, and there is no Air Nomad to become the new Avatar, the Cycle will break, and the Avatar will cease to exist.”

“I am aware of that.”

“Then I'm sure that you see now that the Century War is over, your greatest duty is to restore balance by beginning the rebirth of the Air Nomads and the Airbenders.”

Aang closed his eyes and used Earthbending once again to check for eavesdroppers. There were none. “I am working on that. I am currently in the process of making my beloved an engagement pendant.” At his words, the messengers exchanged uneasy looks. “What is it?”

“Well, with all due respect, sir… she is a Waterbender.”

“What does that have to do with matters of the heart?” Aang asked.

“It is not so much a matter of heart as a matter of giving the Air Nomads the best chance they have.” The messenger said. “Studies in the Earth Kingdom show that Bending abilities are passed on to the children by their parent's heritage. If you insist on marrying the Water Tribe girl, you will greatly reduce your chances of producing Airbending offspring.”

“Are you suggesting that I betray the woman I love?” Aang demanded. “The woman I want to marry?”

“We were… under the impression that your relationship… wasn't that serious.” The messenger began nervously.

Now Aang was angry. His tattoos began to glow and he stood up forcefully, causing a gust of wind that forced the messengers back several steps. The glow of his Avatar State faded, but not his anger. “Not that serious?!?” He repeated angrily. “We have been together for six years!”

“It's just that… you Came of Age two years ago, and yet, you did not take her as your wife then.”

“I've been busy since the end of the War, making a proposal near impossible.” Aang said, a little more calmly. “As it was, we spent my entire sixteenth year in separate nations. I was only able to ask her father for her hand last year, and it has taken me months to work on the engagement pendants.”

“And there is your age to consider.” The messenger said. “After all, you were only twelve years old. A child. A child can hardly be expected to know what love is.”

“But I was no ordinary child, was I?” Aang asked rhetorically. “I am the Avatar. I have lived a thousand times in a thousand different lifetimes. And I have loved a thousand times. And you say I do not know what love is?”

The messengers were looking less sure of themselves. “That may be, but the fact still remains that the Air Nomad nation is in a state of crisis. It must be rebuilt. The nations have decided that the best chance the Air Nomads have is for you to take non-bending women to your bed.”

“Women?” Aang repeated, noticing his use of the plural.

The messenger nodded. “It is simple logic. Having several women will increase the number of your offspring greatly.”

“Are you suggesting I keep a harem of women merely to bare my children?” Aang demanded. “Polygamy has been outlawed by the Four Nations for centuries!”

“The leaders of the three nations believe that now is the time for exception facing the extinction of the Air Nomads. The Earth King has gathered our Kingdom's most beautiful non-bending women who are ready and willing to serve you. Even for just one night.”

“And… what does Firelord Zuko have to say about this?”

“The Firelord said that the desperate state of the Air Nomad Nation is the Fire Nation's shame. Therefore, he will do whatever is necessary, including sending the Avatar his nation's most beautiful non-bending women. But only at the personal request of the Avatar himself.”

Aang was glad that Zuko, at least, was giving him a choice in the matter. Zuko, after all, was a friend. “And the Water Tribe?”

“The Water Tribe are a traditional people. They do not like the idea of the Avatar, the symbol of peace and prosperity in the world, breaking ancient laws and having a harem. But they agree that it is necessary. They are also willing to send you their non-bending women.”

“How many women are we talking about?” Aang asked.

“Ten from each nation are ready and willing to serve you right now.” The messenger answered.

Aang's mind was reeling. Thirty women?!? He could barely wrap his mind around it. The messenger's words appealed to his intellect and his duty as the Avatar. If he had thirty or more women, it would be positively easy to rebuild the Air Nomad nation within two or three generations. The future of the Air Nomads would be assured. However, the thought of betraying Katara in such a way made him nauseous. He closed his eyes, and took a deep cleansing breath to settle his stomach and stop himself from retching.

He finally managed to gather himself. “I shall consider your offer, but I would… like some time… to think about it.” Aang said slowly, feeling like he was going to vomit as he spoke the words.

The messengers bowed, oblivious to the distress that Aang was in. “We understand that this is a lot to be asking of you, Avatar. Think it over, and send a message to the other nations when you come to a decision.” They bowed themselves out the door.

Before Aang had time to compose himself properly, Sokka, Suki, and Toph stepped into the room.

“What's wrong, Twinkletoes?” Toph asked. “You're heart's going about a mile a minute and I can hear your insides jumping.” She paused. “Are you gonna be sick?”

“I don't know.” Aang answered truthfully.

“What did they want to talk to you about?” Suki asked.

“I—I don't want to talk about it.” Aang said.

“Hey, Aang, we all know you better than that.” Sokka said. “Anytime you say `I don't wanna talk about it' is when you need to talk about it the most.”

Aang sighed. They really did know him too well, didn't they? But at least Katara wasn't there.

“The messengers came from the Earth King in Ba Sing Se. The other nations are concerned about the current state of the Avatar Cycle.”

“That's your cycle of reincarnation, isn't it?” Suki asked. “Earth, Fire, Air, and Water.”

“Yes. When I die, my spirit will be reborn within a week of my death into the Water Tribe; and so on, and so forth.” Aang said. “But the problem is that if the Air Nomad nation isn't built up again by the time the cycle comes back around to them, then the Cycle will be broken and the Avatar will cease to exist.”

“Does that mean… you'll die… completely?” Suki asked.

“I'm not really sure. My spirit could utterly cease to exist, or the Avatar could go back to being a full-blown spirit lacking a physical body in the Spirit World.” Aang said. “Those messengers wanted to talk to me about a plan to restore the Air Nomads as quickly as possible.”

“I don't like the sound of this.” Sokka said seriously. “Does this plan involve turning my little sister into an Airbending-baby-making-machine?”

“No!” Aang said forcefully. “You know I would never use Katara that way! But the actual plan just might be worse than that. At least I'm in love with Katara.”

“I think I know what the plan is.” Toph said. “They wanted to turn you into some kind of Airbending stud, and have you get as many women pregnant as possible.”

The other two stared at Aang in shock, looking for confirmation and, at the same time, hoping that Toph's words weren't true.

Aang sighed. “That about sums it up. They've got thirty non-bending women lined up for me.”

Sokka's jaw dropped. “Thirty?!?”

“The non-bending part is important, isn't it?” Suki asked.

“They said if I had children with non-benders, I'd have a much greater chance of having Airbending children. But with someone who can Bend themselves…”

“Like Katara.” Toph interjected.

“Yes, like Katara… my chances of having an Airbending child are greatly reduced.” Aang said. “They as good as told me not to see Katara anymore.”

“This is… completely crazy!” Sokka erupted. “Are you even considering this insane plan?”

“The Air Nomads need to be restored.” Aang answered simply.

“This `plan' of theirs goes against all legal, moral, and ethical laws in the Four Nations!” Sokka practically yelled. “You are Mr. Morality, who won't even eat meat despite it being the best food ever! Well, I say that having a baby-making harem is a lot worse than eating a dead animal.” He jabbed Aang in the chest with his index finger. “Besides, we haven't even gone into what Katara will feel about this! Do you even care about my sister, Avatar?”

Aang flinched. Sokka had always simply called him by his name. He had learned early on that whenever Sokka called him the Avatar, it meant that he was angered beyond all reason at him. Though, in this instance, Aang could hardly blame him.

“Sokka, I do care about your sister… deeply. I love her.” Aang said.

“Having a harem is a funny way to show it.” Sokka said sarcastically.

Toph diplomatically stepped between the two men. “Whoa, hold on Twinkletoes and Snoozles. It's not like Aang is the one who came up with this plan. And we all have to respect that his new duty as the Avatar is repopulating the Air Nomad nation. I don't like the sound of this plan any more than you do, but it is ultimately Twinkletoes' decision.”

“And my sister?” Sokka asked. “Where will she fit in with all this?”

Toph elbowed Aang. “I know you wanted to wait, but I think now is the time to tell him.”

Aang glance at Toph. She was always more straightforward than he was. This showed in their Earthbending. Toph was such a natural, while Aang had to get his Airbender mentality beaten out of him, quite literally. While Aang was still trying to form an attack strategy, Toph was all ready charging in head-first.

In some instances, constantly dodging the issue like an Airbender wasn't a bad thing. But he could sense that Toph was telling him `not this time'. Maybe she was right, and this was one of those cases were dodging the issue wasn't the right thing to do.

Aang reached into the folds of his robes and pulled out his half-finished bracelet, handing it to Sokka for his inspection.

At first, Sokka thought it was a Water Tribe betrothal necklace, but it was far too small to fit around any girl's neck that he knew. It also had an Air symbol carved into it. But, other than that, it was similar in design.

“What is this?” Sokka asked.

“In the Water Tribe, a necklace is given to symbolize engagement, but the Air Nomads gave bracelets.” Aang answered. “I've been working on it for months.”

“You want to marry my sister?” Sokka asked. “Have you talked to my father?”

Aang nodded. “Last year, when I went down to the Southern Water Tribe to help the other Waterbenders rebuild the Tribe. He gave me his blessing.” Aang said. “I was going to talk to you when I was finished, but making it has taken longer than I thought.”

“I can vouch for that.” Toph said.

“So, how does this change things...” Suki asked, concern evident in her voice. “Between you and Katara… in light of this new information.”

Aang sighed. “Above all else, I want to marry Katara. That is not going to change. They can't force me to not marry the one I love. This is going to be a personal decision between the two of us.”

Sokka nodded reluctantly. “I guess you're right about that. But I warn you, Aang…” Sokka growled in the Avatar's face. “If you hurt my little sister, I'll beat you so hard your past lives will end up with bruises!”

Aang wasn't really sure how that was possible, but he didn't doubt Sokka for one second. After all, he was about a hundred times scarier than Hakoda, their father. “Okay. I promise.” Aang swore. “I'll always put Katara first, no matter what happens. But can I ask for your… discretion about my proposal? It wouldn't be much of a surprise if you told her about it.”

“Sure, Twinkletoes. You know I can keep a secret. I let my parents believe I was a helpless blind girl for years.” Toph said, punching his shoulder and almost knocking him over.

“Sure, I'll keep your secret.” Sokka said. “But only on the condition that you explain everything to her before you propose to her.”

“You have my word.” Aang promised.

“Your secret is safe with us, Aang.” Suki said. “And I know my husband won't say it, but we are behind you one hundred percent. We know that this will be a very hard decision for you.”

“One that I refuse to make lightly.” Aang said solemnly.

 

LES: I don't know how many of you might have caught it, but the reference to Aang's friends being about to relax in his presence comes from the classic story “The Prince and the Pauper.” In the story, a man saves the Prince's life while he is trapped in the Pauper's life. The Prince offers him any reward he wants and the man, thinking the Prince is joking, asks for the privilege of being able to sit in the presence of royalty, as opposed to the law of the land that says people must stand in the presence of royalty. The Prince grants his request and then later, once the Prince is back where he belongs, everyone is shocked by the man who dares to sit down in the Prince's presence. I just could see everyone treating the Avatar that way, except for his closest friends, who had earned the right to sit in his presence.