Once the next day rolled around, Monk Gyatso and I promptly took to the skies with our companions after our morning routine; our destination was not the Water Tribe but home, the Southern Air Temple. While it felt a little weird not to finish our adventure around the world, which has taken three months, the Southern Water Tribe is like three days away at most; it's close enough that Monk Gyatso isn't required to accompany, not to mention, Air-Nomads frequently visit the Southern Water Tribe.
For the next two weeks, we traveled along the peninsula of islands, taking nearly the same path we had used to come here; although we did make a few stops, it was mainly for our companions to rest; by the time I began to see that familiar Air Temple in the distance hidden behind the fog, two and a half weeks had passed.
Nearing the Air Temple, we slowly descended toward the ground before Monk Gyatso and I landed on the ground, using the wind to cushion our fall while we both thanked our companion.
"Thanks for the long ride, Appa." Said Aang with a faint smile as he rubbed Appa's head, causing him to yawn while his fur rapidly shed, covering his arms.
"I'm going to brush you, aren't I?" Remarked Aang lightly as he glanced at Appa, who leaned forward and licked him, causing him to sigh while Gyatso chuckled.
"Hoho, you surely will; otherwise, he'll leave a trail everywhere he goes; we can't have that, now can we, Aang?" Stated Gyatso with a nod as he rubbed his companion while looking between Appa and Aang, who just sighed once again.
Dreading the day I'll have to brush Appa, I gave him a few more pats before he flew off with Monk Gyatso's companion, the two heading to who knows where, though if I had to guess, it's probably their stables, a place where they're treated like kings with the fluffy bed and the seemingly infinite food.
'Yeah, I'd also go there as well.' Thought Aang with a nod as he walked alongside Gyatso, who was heading up the stairs.
"So, how was the journey, Aang? Or should I save this question until you decide to return from your visit with the Southern Water Tribe?" Asked Gyatso curiously as he glanced at Aang with his hands behind his back, greeting the passing Air Nomads with a nod.
"It was mostly wonderful; it allowed me to view the world in a completely different light from before and gave me a more realistic outlook of life in general." Replied Aang softly as he gazed at the sunny sky before glancing at Gyatso while greatly emphasizing the word mostly.
"Hehe, mostly huh? Well, I can't blame you, that incident was rather unfortunate; but I'm happy to see it managed to help you." Remarked Gyatso lightly with a smile as he looked at Aang, who quietly nodded.
For the rest of the walk, Monk Gyatso and I remained silent as we took several stairs until we finally reached the residents of the five Elders, which was at the very top of the Air Temple, the same place where I picked four toys a few years ago.
"I really appreciate you accompanying me, Monk Gyatso." Said Aang with a smile as he clasped his hands and bowed towards Gyatso, who nodded with a small smile before sighing.
"You're more than welcome, Aang. I, too, enjoyed it, but will you ever listen to my words and stop bowing?" Asked Gyatso with a wry smile as he stared at Aang, who promptly bowed again, causing Gyatso to chuckle as he turned around and opened the doors.
Once the doors closed, I went back down the several flight of stairs before arriving at my small, little room, and inside, I noticed there was quite the amount of dust, though I suppose being absent for three and a half months will do that. After I finished cleaning everything with my bending, I sat on my mat and meditated, returning to what I used to do every day.
"Nothing beats home." Muttered Aang with a small smile as he calmed his mind and meditated.
___
___
Walking along the sunny Si Wong Desert in the middle of the day, causing the sun to violently beam down on Appa and I, though with our internal temperature control, we were able to resist the blazing heat with ease; I did cover Appa in a desert coat to help, since unlike me, he has fur meant to insulate him.
"We should be close, Appa. it shouldn't be hard to see a spire sticking out from the sand." Said Aang softly as he gently patted Appa, who lightly growled in response.
Thankfully, the map I had borrowed from the Library of Scrolls was correct, and after nearly another hour of walking in seemingly a random direction in the distance, I finally spotted what I'd been looking for. However, before I could rejoice, I spotted a sandstorm heading for us from behind the spire, causing me to frown as I leaped, creating an air scooter.
"Quickly, Appa, head to the spire." Stated Aang calmly as he speedily darted through the desert, leaving behind a dust cloud while Appa chased after him, moving just as fast despite his massive size.
Thanks to our speed, we were able to reach the spire before the sandstorm, which prompted me to leap onto the top of the spire as I outstretched my arms before spinning, creating a powerful vortex that rapidly enlarged until it enveloped the spire, diverting the sandstorm from interfering with Appa and I.
"There, we should be good now, Appa." Said Aang lightly as he gently floated towards the ground beside Appa, who yawned before plopping onto the ground beside the spire.
"Oh, don't be like that, Appa; you're over-exaggerating." Remarked Aang with a slight shake of his head as he rubbed Appa's belly.
With Appa behaving overdramatically, I leaned against his belly while taking a few swings from the waterskin, bringing a lot of extra water just in case, as this was the Si Wong Desert. Once a few minutes passed, I stood up and gave Appa a few pats while approaching the spire, prompting him to stand up, though I waved my hands.
"I don't think you're going to fit; just rest. I shouldn't be long, an hour at most." Said Aang lightly as he created a vortex to lift himself into the air until he reached the opening in the spire.
Entering the opening at the top of the spire, I looked down and waved at Appa before entering further into the spire, only to find an opening with a ladder leading down, prompting me to jump down the hole; after falling for several seconds, I eventually exited the hole and arrived in a massive open area, yet before I smashed into the ground, I slowed my descent until I landed on the floor with grace.
"So… This is Wan Shi Tong's Libray?" Muttered Aang softly in awe as he gazed at the large building.
I was merely seeing the tip of the iceberg, but even so, its size was already larger than the Library of Scrolls and was on par with the library at Ba Sing Se University; yet, this was merely the beginning. However, despite wanting to stay here for weeks, if not months, I had come here with a single goal: to learn the exact date on which the Great Comet would fly overhead, as that would be the same day the Fire Nation would attack.
'Now, I must find the planetarium, which may be slightly harder than I initially thought.' Mused Aang as he stared at the many bookshelves in the distance before turning around, only for a large black and white owl to appear in front of him.
"Wan Shi Tong." Said Aang respectfully, clasping his hands and slightly bowing toward the spirit animal known as Wan Shi Tong, the library's owner.
"Hmm, it's been some time since the last human visited my library, and it seems an introduction is not needed, Avatar." Stated Tong calmly as he tilted his head to the side while observing Aang, who raised an eyebrow at his words.
"Yes, I suppose it's not needed, though, if you don't mind, I go by Aang." Said Aang softly as he looked upward at Tong, who faintly nodded before glancing at his library.
"Well then, Aang, although I can see the sparkle of curiosity in your eyes, you seem to come with the goal of learning something specific from my library. I do not mind such actions, but if you desire to use the knowledge for wicked intentions; I do not care that you're the Avatar… I'll kill you." Stated Tong calmly as he looked at Aang, only for him to narrow his eyes, his voice turning deeper and sinister while he slightly spread his wings, seemingly trying to intimidate him.
"You don't need to worry, Tong; I've no such intentions; it is the opposite if anything… I wish to save my people." Said Aang calmly as he fearlessly stared into Tong's eyes, prompting him to nod as he returned to normal.
"Hmm, save your people? Air Nomads, I presume? Well, if that's true, I don't mind at all; however, if you wish to acquire knowledge, you must offer knowledge of your own, something I don't already know, which I will add won't be easy in the slightest." Remarked Tong curiously as he looked at Aang, using his wing to point at his many book shelves with pride.
(Note: Just wanted to point out, now that this volume has finished, the update schedule is going to drop. This fanfic is just my side-piece, I only write it whenever I want to, and it was never meant to have a consistent update schedule. So start expecting one chapter, maybe two a week.)