55 Chapter 54

Cold, wet, and tired I dragged myself out of the oasis pond. Then crossed the bridge back toward the city proper. Where I was met by guards investigating the light show. Apparently, while I was in there meeting with the spirits a large beam of light shot out of the oasis for several minutes before disappearing. I wanted to put it off till the morning, but the light woke everyone up so I had to go meet with the chief immediately.

I was brought back to the chief's office where I had to explain what happened. There was no getting out of it either because he knew I did something. I'm not sure what color my hair was originally in this body, but now it's mixed white and black. The chief recognized the change because it had happened to his daughter when the moon spirit saved her life. I was too tired for clever half-truths plus I don't really think I need them. So, I told him how Zhao had stolen the names and location of ocean and moon spirits from the spirit library. Wan Shi Tong sent me after him and I got him, but not before he could pass on the information to his superiors inspiring an invasion. Arnook wasn't happy with me keeping details from him, however, he calmed down when I reminded him that this information was secret enough for spirits to hunt down and kill people over it. So, it was best to not spread it around before consulting the spirits in question. I then told him how the moon and ocean spirits were the two koi fish in the oasis pond which baffled him. I kept the surprises going when I described my meeting with them and their eventual departure from the physical realm. By the end he was tired, I was tired, and neither of us wanted to explain any of this to anyone else so the new official story was I conducted a ceremonial offering and the spirits accepted. This was all run of the mill spirit behavior and did not contain any mind-blowing reveals.

I parted with Arnook and went back to my room to sleep off my spirit induced LSD trip. The bad news was that my dreams weren't very restful. They were however productive. My dreams were filled with a continuous sense of eureka. My dream was just me on an open body of water under the light of a full moon. Waterbending finally made sense. Before waterbending was natural and it came so easily that I just assumed I was right. And to be fair I was close, but I was just a tad off. I always wanted to say waterbending was like one thing. Like water bending was about something like redirection, adaptability, or flowing. It's not. Waterbending isn't like one thing, because water isn't like one thing. It's not just water, ice, blood, steam, or whatever else it's all of them and more. I could finally see that and bending became so much easier. I understood how to do it all even blood bending and spirit bending. My dream went on as I practiced my bending exploring my newfound understanding before I gradually woke up.

I slept for nearly two days waking up after noon a full day later. When I did wake up the city was in chaos. The rest of the Avatar's party and I were brought before Arnook, Pakku, and 2 other elders. When everyone was settled in the meeting room Arnook addressed us.

"It is my unfortunate duty to inform you all that this morning our scouts spotted a Fire Nation fleet headed to our shores. If they keep moving at their current pace they'll arrive tomorrow morning. " The room took on an eerie silence as everyone in the room tensed. Aang, Katara, and Sokka who had been looking at me in confusion because of my hair switched to glaring at me because I had told them not to worry about the invasion.

"I have already reached out and notified the members of our fleet that I could. I'm not sure how many are near enough to help or if any can safely return, so for now assume that we have no access to our established naval forces. I would like to hear your suggestions for how to proceed. Elder Rakka what would you have our warriors do?" He said addressing one of the men I had never met.

"I would keep the majority of our warriors inside the city to defend it. However, maybe a small group or a few small groups could be sent discreetly to infiltrate the fire nation forces to disrupt the chain of command"

Arnook nods his head accepting the input then addresses the other unknown figure.

"Elder Kabo what would you have me do about the civilians?"

"I'm not sure we need to keep the healers relatively nearby with the rest of the civilians further away. Perhaps some water bender can carve out or construct a temporary shelter."

"Does anyone else have any ideas?"

"Chief?" I say rasing y hand slightly

"Yes?"

"Perhaps something could be done with the spirit oasis it's relatively nearby for the healers, and out of the way or the civilians. Although, I told you about some of the fire nation's goals so maybe the spirit oasis isn't safe from attack. It might make a good place for a trap though."

The elders seem confused but Arnook just shakes his head no.

"No no not the spirit oasis." He says slowly contemplating the situation.

"No not the spirit oasis. The spirit wilds."

"Arnook you can't be serious! The Wilds are dangerous who knows what could happen if we sent that many people there!" Kabo yelled

"It can be no more dangerous than them waiting in the city while it's being attacked" Rakka argued.

"They are fools. They are attacking a water bending stronghold during the full moon. They will push forward during the days and we will push them back at nights. They will struggle to even get within raiding distance" Pakku argued

"It's not raiding distance we should be worried about. Their catapults have an extremely long-range and will be devastating to the city. No matter the effectiveness of our warriors and benders the city will still be in significant danger. That said I don't know if sending civilians into the Wilds is a better alternative. Who knows what will happen." Rakka added.

"Normally I would agree. The Spirit Wilds are incredibly unpredictable. However, these are not normal times. We have in our presence Avatar Aang bridge between humans and spirits. As well as Master Silva who is extensively familiar with dealing with spirits." Ohh shit I'm master Silva now. Must have made a good impression. Do I really have extensive experience with spirits though? Hei-Bei, Wan Shi Tong, the lion turtle, Moon, Ocean, and the Avatar. Sheeeeet considering 99% of people will go their entire lives without seeing a spirit I guess I do have a lot of experience. "Avatar Aang will you overlook our civilian evacuation, protect them, and mediate any disputes that may arise with the spirits in the area.

" Chief it is my duty and honor as an Avatar to accept," Aang told him in his most "I'm the avatar" voice.

"Then I believe most of the matters have been settled. Elder Rakka prepare the city defense as well as two infiltration teams. Elder Kabo announce the evacuation of civilians. Gather them so that the Avatar's group can escort them north to the Wilds. Split the healers up 4/5 will remain here to look over the warriors and benders. The remaining healers especially the youngest healer will be sent with the civilians. Avatar Aang, Sokka, Katara, Master Silva please prepare for your journey. The Spirit Wilds surround the north pole and the sooner you all begin the trek the better. Master Pakku you know what you have to do."

After Arnook finished addressing us we rose and bowed slightly before quickly leaving to make the proper preparations.