The Honor of Love (ATLA fanfic)

31. The Western Air temple

In silence we made our way to the Western Air temple. Only, after a while, Appa couldn't fly anymore. All the people in the saddle got too heavy for him and we were forced to walk. I was feeling terribly sick, a small whiff of food or a tingle in the back of my throat already made me gag. As were my feet incredibly swollen. It was a torture to walk in the heat like this. I guess my mom was right, these are actual signs... Although it wasn't my top priority at the moment.

"This is humiliating." Katara said as she walked with her back curved and her arms swinging in front of her body. "Do you mean getting thoroughly spanked by the Fire Nation or having to walk all the way to the Western Air temple?" Sokka asked sarcastically.

"Both." Katara sighed in reply. "I'm sorry guys, but Appa gets tired carrying all these people." Aang said, stroking Appa.
"I wonder how the rest of the troops are.." Teo asked. "They are probably on their way to a prison," Haru replied, "seems like my dad just got out and now he's on his way back in."

I thought about my mom. Did she run? Or did they take her? I hope not for her sake, she'd never survive going to prison...

While I thought about it, I almost bumped into Toph, who suddenly stopped in front of me. "We're here!" She said relieved. I looked in front of me, confused. "There's nothing here." I said awkwardly when looking down into a huge ravine.
Appa took us down and there was actually a temple. Several. Upside down. It was a very nice location and very beautiful. Perfect for training and hiding. There were a lot of rooms to sleep so it was nice to have my own room.

There was a little water fountain where we set up all our things. "It's so different from the Northern Air temple, I wonder if there are any secret rooms." Teo said. "Let's go check it out!" Haru said and started to roam around the temple with Teo and The Duke. "Don't go too far!" I yelled after them while taking out all the pots and pans.Aang wanted to run after them, but got stopped by Katara.

"Hey, why can't I go?" Aang asked disappointed. "Well, we kinda need to talk about what we're gonna do next. And since you're the Avatar I think you should maybe be a part of this."
"Okay, you're right," Aang said as he sat down next to me, "what's the plan?"
"Well, if you ask me the new plan is the old plan. You just need to master all four elements before the comet arrives." Sokka said.

"Oh yeah, sure, no problem!" Aang said sarcastically. "Aang, no one said it's going to be easy."
"Easy? It's not even possible, I mean, look at Istari, she can't teach me fire bending!" Aang said, pointing at me.
"We'll I'm sorry for being stabbed! I said out loud, offended, "in two different says." I muttered angrily under my breath.
"I can still give instructions and demonstrations. You need to practice breathing first. I heard Iroh escaped, maybe we can look for him and he can teach you." I added calmly.

"Yeah.. like we'll run into him." Aang replied annoyed. "Oh well, guess we can't come up with anybody." Aang said and before I could say anything, he grabbed his glider and took off. I scoffed, turning to Katara and Sokka. "What's up with him?" Toph asked.

"There's gotta be someone who can teach him firebending." Sokka said, thinking about it. "Yeah, I can." I replied and I stood up, kicking in the air. A flame actually shot right out of my foot. "Ha! See?" I exclaimed and tried to do the same thing with my hand. A shot of pain went right through my chest and it almost made me lose my balance. "Yes, okay, we believe you," Katara said when she walked up to me, "Let's do some daily healing sessions, maybe it'll speed up the recovery."

We walked to my room and Katara soothed my chest with the water. "I can't believe you survived it" Katara said when she looked closer to it, "you got so lucky. I don't understand why they didn't imprison you. Trying to kill you?" Katara scoffed while shaking her head. "Unbelievable."