After the devastating failure of the invasion, the gang and their remaining allies need a place to shelter, so Aang takes them to the only safe haven he can think of; The Western Air Temple. They know they have to re-group and think up a new plan for defeating the Fire Nation, but Aang doesn't seem to want to talk strategies: after another failure, he finds himself trying to escape his responsibilities. The fact that he still needs to practise Earthbending and begin Firebending also hits him full in the face, especially considering that there's no one to teach him.