MfWAT: Light in Darkness
Memories from Western Air Temple
Chapter Title: Light In Darkness
Characters: Aang, Katara (main) Bumi (minor)
Arc: Comet Arc
Setting: After Lost and Found, before An Impassable Wall
Rating: K
Warnings: Aang's denial could sink a medium sized village
Summary: It was nearing midnight, and yet the campfires made it look like it was still twilight.
When the group made it to the Order’s camp, Aang wondered why they had not seen it from miles away with all the campfires that were burning to light the dark of the night. It was nearing midnight, and yet the campfires made it look like it was still twilight.
There were quite a few people gathered at the camp, all of them wearing dark robes with pale collars, the same outfits that Aang now noticed Bumi and the others to be wearing as well. The boy suspected them to be a uniform of sorts, because he could not imagine Bumi dressing up in anything but bright colors otherwise.
After the first impression of the outfits, Aang looked at the people gathered while trying to keep up with Jeong-Jeong, who was leading the group’s way. A secret society hidden from the world for generations had remerged to, supposedly, end the war going on. The madness had gone on for long enough even for them and that made Aang realize that this, his friends and the Order, were the last line of defence the world had. They were the only ones left to stop the Fire Lord from enslaving all the four nations to feed his own insane guest for power.
The realization brought Aang’s thoughts back to the words he had heard from Zuko only a bit over a day ago. It was not only the matter of them being the only people left to stop Ozai, it was also the matter of this being the only chance left to stop the man.
It was suddenly difficult to breathe, Aang noticed. The boy felt like his chest was being crushed by an invisible pressure. His eyes automatically trailed away from Jeong-Jeong’s back to look to the spot partially behind and partially beside himself. Usually that position was always occupied by a specific person, who was now missing.
A strangled gasp was released as Aang’s head whirled further back, the boy’s eyes meeting Bumi’s own. He tried to keep his rising panic out of his voice as he questioned: “Where’s Zuko?”
“Kuzon went off with Piandao a few moments ago”, Bumi answered easily, like Aang’s world was not just falling apart. “He’s going to go see Grand Lotus Iroh.”
“O-oh”, Aang uttered in response and could not stop his gaze from wandering around the camp, as if he hoped to catch a glimpse of dark red cloth. “Um…” he murmured hesitantly. “Which way was it?” He did not plan to interrupt Zuko’s important reunion, but he needed to talk to the teen as soon as he was done. He needed Zuko’s reassuring presence and unwavering faith in him right then.
“Aang?” a soft voice queried and Aang turned around to look at Katara, who was frowning at him in worry. “Is something the matter?”
“I…” Aang started, only to trail off when he felt a sudden wave of uncertainty. What was wrong with him? He used to be able to confide in Katara no matter what was the problem but now all he could think about was Zuko.
“I feel like the world is coming down on me”, Aang spoke weakly, determined to tell Katara the truth like he used to. “Seeing all these people here, prepared to reveal their secret Order to the world to fight the Fire Nation, it really brings this all into a new light.” The Avatar took a wavering breath. “This is really going to be the final battle. There will be no retreating to regroup this time around.” The boy would have probably gone on, maybe even for a long while, if it were not for the warm hands clasping around his own. Aang’s eyes met Katara’s blue ones and the girl gave him a weak but sweet smile.
“It’s alright for you to feel that way, Aang”, the waterbender said softly. “We’re all scared, we all know this is going to be it.” The hands holding Aang’s own squeezed tighter. “We’re all here for you. We have stayed by your side this long, we will help you see this through.” The way Katara’s mouth curved, right at that moment, reminded Aang so strongly of Zuko that the boy could imagine the fire prince’s voice speaking in place of Katara’s own. “You can do this, Aang.”
“Thank you”, Aang managed to utter, the weight in his chest lightening even as Katara’s hands released their hold. “I feel a lot better now.”
“I’m glad”, were the last words Katara spoke before turning around and proceeding on with the group, Aang also hurrying to catch up. There was still much to do before they were ready to stop the Fire Nation’s final invasion, but they still had some time left. They would simply have to use that remaining time wisely.
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More Memories from Western Air Temple
Chapter Title: Light In Darkness
Characters: Aang, Katara (main) Bumi (minor)
Arc: Comet Arc
Setting: After Lost and Found, before An Impassable Wall
Rating: K
Warnings: Aang's denial could sink a medium sized village
Summary: It was nearing midnight, and yet the campfires made it look like it was still twilight.
When the group made it to the Order’s camp, Aang wondered why they had not seen it from miles away with all the campfires that were burning to light the dark of the night. It was nearing midnight, and yet the campfires made it look like it was still twilight.
There were quite a few people gathered at the camp, all of them wearing dark robes with pale collars, the same outfits that Aang now noticed Bumi and the others to be wearing as well. The boy suspected them to be a uniform of sorts, because he could not imagine Bumi dressing up in anything but bright colors otherwise.
After the first impression of the outfits, Aang looked at the people gathered while trying to keep up with Jeong-Jeong, who was leading the group’s way. A secret society hidden from the world for generations had remerged to, supposedly, end the war going on. The madness had gone on for long enough even for them and that made Aang realize that this, his friends and the Order, were the last line of defence the world had. They were the only ones left to stop the Fire Lord from enslaving all the four nations to feed his own insane guest for power.
The realization brought Aang’s thoughts back to the words he had heard from Zuko only a bit over a day ago. It was not only the matter of them being the only people left to stop Ozai, it was also the matter of this being the only chance left to stop the man.
It was suddenly difficult to breathe, Aang noticed. The boy felt like his chest was being crushed by an invisible pressure. His eyes automatically trailed away from Jeong-Jeong’s back to look to the spot partially behind and partially beside himself. Usually that position was always occupied by a specific person, who was now missing.
A strangled gasp was released as Aang’s head whirled further back, the boy’s eyes meeting Bumi’s own. He tried to keep his rising panic out of his voice as he questioned: “Where’s Zuko?”
“Kuzon went off with Piandao a few moments ago”, Bumi answered easily, like Aang’s world was not just falling apart. “He’s going to go see Grand Lotus Iroh.”
“O-oh”, Aang uttered in response and could not stop his gaze from wandering around the camp, as if he hoped to catch a glimpse of dark red cloth. “Um…” he murmured hesitantly. “Which way was it?” He did not plan to interrupt Zuko’s important reunion, but he needed to talk to the teen as soon as he was done. He needed Zuko’s reassuring presence and unwavering faith in him right then.
“Aang?” a soft voice queried and Aang turned around to look at Katara, who was frowning at him in worry. “Is something the matter?”
“I…” Aang started, only to trail off when he felt a sudden wave of uncertainty. What was wrong with him? He used to be able to confide in Katara no matter what was the problem but now all he could think about was Zuko.
“I feel like the world is coming down on me”, Aang spoke weakly, determined to tell Katara the truth like he used to. “Seeing all these people here, prepared to reveal their secret Order to the world to fight the Fire Nation, it really brings this all into a new light.” The Avatar took a wavering breath. “This is really going to be the final battle. There will be no retreating to regroup this time around.” The boy would have probably gone on, maybe even for a long while, if it were not for the warm hands clasping around his own. Aang’s eyes met Katara’s blue ones and the girl gave him a weak but sweet smile.
“It’s alright for you to feel that way, Aang”, the waterbender said softly. “We’re all scared, we all know this is going to be it.” The hands holding Aang’s own squeezed tighter. “We’re all here for you. We have stayed by your side this long, we will help you see this through.” The way Katara’s mouth curved, right at that moment, reminded Aang so strongly of Zuko that the boy could imagine the fire prince’s voice speaking in place of Katara’s own. “You can do this, Aang.”
“Thank you”, Aang managed to utter, the weight in his chest lightening even as Katara’s hands released their hold. “I feel a lot better now.”
“I’m glad”, were the last words Katara spoke before turning around and proceeding on with the group, Aang also hurrying to catch up. There was still much to do before they were ready to stop the Fire Nation’s final invasion, but they still had some time left. They would simply have to use that remaining time wisely.
&
More Memories from Western Air Temple