It's been a few weeks since we left the Ba Sing Se, and I've long since calmed down, though whenever I thought about what happened, it still aroused my anger. However, what I learned from Monk Gyatso was that it's not all bad; apparently, Prince Lichen, who I've come to hate with a passion, didn't initially intend to bring harm to Appa, not that it really changed how I felt about him. When he spoke with him, Prince Lichen initially wished to pet Appa as it was his first time ever seeing a Sky Bison in the flesh, and of course, since he was a prince, he wasn't used to refusal, so when Appa pushed him back, he got angry, and well, things simply escalated from there.
Now, I can understand where Prince Lichen was coming from, but at the same time, It's not like I'm suddenly going to forgive him or scaring Appa like that; he is barely a year old, even by Sky Bison standards; he's still very young. Besides, I would've behaved similarly if I were Appa; after all, why is there suddenly a person I've never seen before stroking my head?
'Hmph, only Monk Gyatso and I have that privilege.' Mused Aang lightly with furrowed brows as he glanced at Gyatso before reaching forward and gently rubbing Appa's head.
Despite it having been a few weeks, we were still within the Earth Kingdom. We would've already left the Kingdom, but we had taken a stop at the Northern Air Temple for a day; during that time, I had gotten to meet the five Elders of the Northern Air Temple, and of course, I couldn't restrain myself from challenging a few of them.
I didn't win any of them, though that wasn't because I couldn't do so; it was simply because I saw no purpose in doing so. Air Nomads, despite their peaceful nature and spiritual mastery, were still humans at the end of the day and were capable of evil. I was probably overthinking things, but this little trip has been an eye-opener for me, and I saw no reason to possibly garner envy or jealousy from my fellow brothers or sisters of my talent. After all, even the nicest person would feel some type of way if they encountered someone barely a tenth of their age yet already superior in air bending.
'Then again, I'm most likely overthinking stuff; I bet none of them would have minded one bit if I had won, but still, I see no point in taking such a pointless risk. Besides, challenging them isn't about besting them; it's about exchanging our comprehension of air bending so we can further learn from each other.' Mused Aang lightly with a shake of his head as he folded his arms and closed his eyes.
Anyway, these were merely speculations; I didn't know if I could even best those Elders in the first place. I was confident in my raw power, even in my technique, but I was lacking when it came to actual experience, something only time will fix.
"Well, if it's experience, I might as well fix that right now." Muttered Aang lightly as he stood up and began practicing his bending.
As for our next destination during this journey around the world, we opted to skip the Northern Water Tribe simply because the Southern Water Tribe was right next to Southern Air Temple, and we could visit it any time; since that was the case, that left us with only one place left: The Fire Nation. Yes, we were currently heading to the Fire Nation, which was a little surprising since I wasn't expecting that given what was currently happening behind the scenes, which I'm sure Monk Gyatso was aware of, or he at least had speculations, but who knows, this may also be a little bit of reconnaissance.
I was actually rather intrigued to see firsthand what the Fire Nation was like before it turned into a pure military state, I was curious what the true culture of the Fire Nation was before Sozins forceful change. Though it would be nearly another week before we entered the Fire Nation's territory, so until then, I planned to simply continue what I've been doing for the past couple of years.
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Looking down at the small few islands I could see in the distance, I Appa followed Monk Gyatso as he and his companion descended towards the smallest yet closest island, which had a tall pagoda-like temple on the tallest hill.
Lowering on the ground beside Monk Gyatso, I slid down Appa's side and landed on the earth, giving Appa a few apples before looking at Monk Gyatso.
"What is this place, Monk Gyatso?" Asked Aang curiously as he looked at Gyatso, who silently gazed at the pagoda-like temple with a saddened look, only to softly shake his head.
"This Island is called Crescent Island, and it's where my friend learned to harness the power of his true self." Replied Gyatso lightly as he looked at Aang with a complicated expression before walking forward, approaching the temple in the distance.
'Harness the power of his true self? Is Monk Gyatso referring to the Avatar State?' Mused Aang lightly with a thoughtful look as he followed beside Gyatso while gazing at the temple.
Walking up the hill towards the temple, when we arrived, we silently stood before a large door, which looked to be locked by some kind of weird mechanism, one that could only be opened by either five fire-benders or four benders from each element given the four symbols.
'…Or, a fully realized Avatar.' Thought Aang with a slight frown as he gazed at the locked door, only to suddenly step forward while thrusting his palm forward, launching a burst of air toward the air symbol.
As my attack flew into the slot with the air symbol, we heard a click, yet after a few seconds, nothing happened, causing me to lower my arms as I backed away.
"Well, I had to give it a try." Said Aang lightly, his words causing Gyatso to chuckle softly.
However, before Monk Gyatso could say anything, to my surprise, the door suddenly opened, yet it wasn't because of me as stepping out from the door were three old men wearing what looked like ceremonial clothes.
"Air Nomads?" Muttered the old man as he gazed at Aang and Gyatso with a slight frown.
"I apologize for our sudden intrusion, Fire Sage Bu Kujian. I am Gyatso, Elder of the Southern Air Temple." Said Gyatso lightly as he clasped his hands together and bowed towards the three Fire Sages, prompting Aang to do the same with a slightly surprised look.
"Gyatso? Avatar Roku would speak about you occasionally whenever we communicated with him." Said Bu Kujian lightly as he looked at Gyatso with a raised eyebrow before respectfully greeting him, along with the two other Fire Sages doing the same.
"I hope he only said good things." Remarked Gyatso softly with a faint smile as he glanced at the Fire Sages, who all nodded with a friendly smile.
"If you don't mind me asking, who is this young Air Nomad?" Asked Kujian curiously as he gestured to Aang.
"Ah, he is Aang; I took him in shortly after he was born and have been teaching him since then; currently, we're journeying through the world, broadening his horizons. As a matter of fact, about a month ago, we left Ba Sing Se; unfortunately, it was on rather bad terms." Remarked Gyatso lightly with a smile as he patted Aang's shoulder, prompting him to give the Fire Sages another bow.
"You had taken him in? If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?" Asked Kujian lightly with a raised eyebrow as he suspiciously looked at Aang.
"I am eight years old, Sage Kujian." Replied Aang calmly as he looked at Bu Kujian, whose eyes widened.
"Master air bender, who is eight, and he just so happens to appear on Crescent Island with Gyatso, great friend to Avatar Roku? That can't just be a coincidence, Sage Kujian." "Even if it is a coincidence, it's not one we can handle lightly." Said the two Fire Sages in surprise as they looked at Aang before glancing at Kujian, whose expression hardened.
"Gyatso, if you could, may we talk inside?" Asked Kujian solemnly as he looked at Gyatso, who sighed before nodding.
"I'll be right back, Aang; wait here for me, and try not to destroy some gardens." Said Gyatso lightly as he glanced at Aang, who nodded, causing him to approach the Fire Sages.
Watching Monk Gyatso and the Fire Sages enter the temple, leaving me outside by myself, I decided to pass the time by meditating; I already had an idea what they were discussing, probably my identity as the Avatar and whatnot, though in the end, I probably wouldn't be told anything in the end, I was only eight.
'Most Avatars are informed when they're 16, and even Aang, who was a special case, was only told when he was 12; though, I suppose Korra exists. Wasn't she informed when she was very young, like 3 or 4?' Mused Aang with a pondering expression as he meditated while balancing on his air scooter.
Still, it didn't really matter whether I was told or not; I already knew I was the Avatar, and unless I suddenly decided to learn the other elements, it wouldn't mean anything significant.
'Which isn't something I intend to do until I reach some kind of plateau with my air bending.' Thought Aang lightly as he began to clear his mind and meditate just outside the Temple