Frozen Heart, Melted Ice

Chpt 29 - The Western Air Temple

"This is humiliating," Katara grumbled as they tiredly walked through a barren field. Y/n was exhausted, her muscles were sore from the invasion. The invasion, just a few hours ago Y/n was running through the Fire Nation capitol expecting to see the Fire Lord's head on a platter at any minute, now her and the other kids who took part in the invasion were miserably walking away from their defeat. At least Y/n has nothing more to lose.

"You mean getting thoroughly spanked by the Fire Nation or having to walk all the way to the Western Air Temple?" Sokka asked.

"Both."

"Sorry guys, but Appa gets tired carrying all these people," Aang said while rubbing Appa's face.

Everyone began talking about those they missed, their parents, their friends, their family. Y/n missed her brother, but she couldn't voice that, she didn't want to take away from others pain. Her problems were hers and hers only.

"Hey, we're here! I can feel it!" Toph shouted suddenly as they reached the cliffs edge.

"Uhhh ... I think your feet need their eyes checked," Katara said flatly. Y/n looked up from the ground for the first time in what seemed like hours, there was nothing there, just a vast, foggy ravine reaching deep into the ground.

"No, she's right. We are here!" Aang announced. Everyone climbed onto Appa and rode him down, Toph was right, it was amazing. Dozens of giant upside down mansions hung from the cavern roof, dangling hundreds of feet above the ground below. Y/n wondered how they stayed up after a century of no upkeep.

Once landed, The Duke, Teo, and Haru ran off in search for any secret rooms while the rest gathered to come up with an action plan. Y/n pulled off her boots and dipped her feet in the fountain water. It was freezing. It felt nice.

Aang reluctantly sat down, responding to Sokka's plan - which was just the old plan - by saying that he would never be able to find a firebending teacher.

"We could look for Jeong Jeong," Katara offered.

Y/n looked up from the shallow water, "Who's-"

"If it's important we'll find out," Toph interrupted. Y/n shrugged and began mindlessly splashing around the water again.

"Oh well, guess we can't come up with anybody," Aang sprung up, glider in hand, "Why don't we just take a nice tour around the temple?" He ran to the temples edge and jumped off, Momo following closely in behind.

"There's gotta be someone who can teach him fire bending," Sokka mumbled.

"What if we send Aang back to school?" Y/n offered, "I'm sure there's some Fire Nation school that also teaches firebending."

Sokka shook his head, "People know that he's alive now, I don't think he would get by with a headband anymore."

After a few minutes of bouncing ideas off one another, they realized that no one had clue what to do. Aang's input was vital, so as quickly as possible they tore off Appa's armor and jumped on his back to chase after Aang.

"Aang," Katara shouted, "Can we talk about you learning firebending now?"

Aang ignored them, claiming that the wind was too loud in his ears before showing them a glider loop.

"Aang," It was Sokka's turn to shout, "I think we should be making some plans about our future!"

Aang shouted a quick "Ok," As he landed by the fountain, Appa and the others landing a short distance away, "We can do that while I show you the giant Pai Sho table."

"Aang," Y/n started as she jumped off of Appa, "Games are kind of the least of our issues right now, we really need to figure out what to do."

Toph jumped down next to Y/n, "I think that'll have to wait," She pointed behind her. Everyone stared quizzically in the direction she was pointing at, all that was there was Appa.