Forward In Time

Chapter Forty-Three

Katara stared at Aang as he laid unconscious on one of the beds in the healing tent. The healing session lasted an hour. His wounds were healed and they concluded that he just needed rest. She hoped he wouldn't be out a long time like how he was after surviving Azula's lightning.

Older Katara walked into the tent and gave her a cup of hot chocolate.

"Thank you." Katara said as she took the cup.

Older Katara sat in a chair on the other side of Aang as her younger self took a sip of the drink.

"Does it get any easier?" Katara asked suddenly.

"I'm not going to lie to you, being the Avatar's wife was hard sometimes." Older Katara repleid, "Everytime he left for work, I was afraid that would be the last time I would see him. Sometimes he'd come come home with wounds that'd I'd have to heal. But I would do it all over again. Aang had a way of turning bad situations into something good, he'd always joke during healing sessions to try and make me feel better. He always made time for family and was an amazing father. And a wonderful husband."

Katara smiled and looked at Aang. She couldn't wait until she gets to experience all of that.

-----

Aang woke up to see a blue sky. He sat up with a groan and brought his hand to his head. As he looked around, he saw that he was in a beautiful garden. Then he saw a figure walking up to him. When the figure got closer, he saw that it was Avatar Wan.

"Good to see you again, Aang." Wan said.

"Good to see you too."

Wan held out his hand, "There's someone who wants to meet you."

Aang took his hand and Wan helped him up. He followed the first Avatar as he led him out of the garden. Aang looked around as they walked to a cliffside where a Lion Turtle was.

"Aang, this is the Time Lion Turtle." Wan said, motioning to the giant creature.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Avatar Aang." The Lion Turtle said.

"And you as well." Aang said as he bowed respectfully to the Lion Turtle.

"I want to thank you for defeating Zhao. I will not let anyone trick me like that again."

"I wouldn't be too hard on yourself, Zhao can be manipulative."

"You are have a heart of gold, Aang. I want to give you the gift of timebending as a reward for your good deeds."

"Timebending?" Aang asked as he looked at Wan.

"It's a good opportunity." Wan said, "Lion Turtles don't give just anyone bending."

"Maybe... but it's too much power." Aang looked back at the Lion Turtle, "Time is something no one should have the power over. I'll take it long enough for my friends and I to return to our own time. After that, I don't want it."

"You are very wise young Avatar, and worthy to have the power over time. But I will respect your wishes." The Lion Turtle lifted his paw and touched Aang's forehead with his claw, "I hope we meet again, Aang."

Aang bowed to the Lion Turtle before leaving with Avatar Wan.

"A few more people would like to see you before you return to your physical body." Wan said.

Aang followed Wan again, curious as to who else could possibly want to see him. They walked past the garden and through some trees before coming to a clearing.

Aang's eyes widened when he saw his older self and an older Sokka having tea with Iroh. They laughed at something as Wan and Aang walked up.

"Ah, Aang. Meet your older self." Iroh said, motioning to the older Aang.