"What about Appa?" Aang asked nervously as he and Alayah wandered deeper into the blackness of the cave.

"He's being looked after. It's been a while since anyone's seen a sky bison here, but he'll be alright." Said Alayah, being careful not to swing the small lit stick too much through the air so not to put it out.

"The sky bison, did none…get out?" Aang asked. Alayah shook her head.

"There was no time. The firebenders attacked the bison shelters first. My great grandmother said it was to stop our people having a quick getaway." She said, her head bowing in sadness. Aang decided to not talk about the attack anymore. He knew how much pain the past could bring, like a recurring wound.

Alayah broke the silence and tripped suddenly on a small hole in the floor. Aang's lightning reflexes caught her before she hit the ground, but the small flame on the stick she was holding was put out with the whoosh of air. As the only source of light went out in the tunnel, Alayah sighed in annoyance.

"Let me." Aang said softly, then creating a flame his palm. The cave lit up again, brighter than before as the flame Aang was holding was bigger than that of the torch. Alayah smiled. "Must be useful being a master of all four elements." Aang grinned slightly in response.

"It has its moments." Aang said. He gestured for them to continue. He marvelled at how deep the cave was; he guessed it was to deter intruders.

After another minute of walking, the pair reached an opening in the rock in front of them. Aang noticed small intricate carvings all over, similar to the ones he remembered from the air temples. Images of airbenders and sky bison all beautifully decorated the outer edges of the opening. In the centre of the design on one side of the entrance, there was an extremely detailed carving of a young man, who Aang instantly recognised as an airbender. Judging by what the carving showed as the amount of air being bent, a powerful airbender at that. But there was something else. All around the figure was what seemed to be other types of bending: a spiral of fire, a huge wave of water, and countless stone columns erupting from the ground around the man. Could this be…? "Read the inscription." Said Alayah, noticing Aang looking at the carving. Aang did so, but hesitated before reading it out loud.

"…'Kerjack was here'?" He said, slightly puzzled. Alayah giggled.

"The other one." She said, pointing at a smaller line of text beside the graffiti.

Aang looked below the image. He found what secured his query of the identity of the figure. In small text, barely visible in the low light, were the words 'Avatar Aang'. Alayah smiled. She ushered him to follow her through the cave opening, Aang's eyes widening at what he saw.

Before him was an enormous room, almost the same size as the great hall of the Southern Air Temple. Dotted around were small groups of people, varying greatly in age. Some faces held the airbending tattoos, and some didn't. Children played happily with small spinning tops, seeing how fast they could make them go with their bending. A majority of the people looked up to see the identity of the visitor; some looked on in pure shock.

The room was well lit by many small torches attached to the sides of the walls. Realising that he no longer needed his source of light, Aang closed his palm and extinguished the flame. As he did so, a young boy, probably around eight years of age ran to Aang, took his arm and began dragging him through the crowd. Aang took looked back at Alayah, almost for help, but she was already talking to some adults nearby. Her blonde hair shone in the light provided by the torches on the walls, and for a spilt second Aang saw Katara in her. It reminded him of the sight of how Katara's hair shone in the light of the Cave of Two Lovers. He smiled fondly at this memory.

As the boy continued to drag Aang across the room, people made way for them. Some whispered amongst themselves, and some stared on in wonder at the sight of the one they'd believed they'd never see.

Aang and the boy finally reached the back of the long room, and was again pulled by his arm to stand on the raised platform. He did so, much to the delight of the boy. Aang then saw Rasono struggling to get through the crowd of people, all of which were all standing and looking at Aang expectedly. Rasono stood next to Aang on the platform with a smile and turned to his people.

"This is Avatar Aang." He said happily. "…It is finally safe in the world." He continued. Aang's anger flared a little. It's been safe for years… He told himself. No use in being angry now though. I am no longer alone. They're back. My people have returned.

A sudden cheer from the crowd broke Aang's thoughts. Rasono turned to him, a grin from ear to ear, behind his beard. "We must celebrate the new age. Join us for dinner?" The elder asked. Aang agreed when he felt his stomach rumble.

Within minutes endless trays of food were being brought into the room, people found their places sitting at the low tables that were brought in. They were one table short, so Aang gladly earthbent a stone one, much to the excitement of the children, who had only ever seen their own element being manipulated by man.

Aang was placed beside Rasono at the head of the table, and soon everyone was eating happily. Laughing, chatting; their spirits lifted by their long awaited visitor. Aang turned to Rasono.

"It must have been hard, living in the mountains." He said softly.

"When our ancestors fled here, they had to give up many air nomad traditions in order to survive." He said. "My grandmother, Alayah's great grandmother, was the leader of the airbender refugees. Everyone here knows very little of the true air nomad teachings, because they haven't ever known life in the temples." He explained. Aang nodded.

"The air temples were magnificent. I do miss them so. I miss seeing them in their prime." Aang said.

"I suppose we don't miss something we've never had the fortune to see." Said the elder, putting a spoonful of vegetable soup into his mouth.

"For years I believed I was the last one of my kind." Said Aang. He gestured to all of the people sat at the table in front of him, and smiled. "But I'm not anymore."

"You were never alone Aang. The love the monks had for you meant that you were never truly alone. Your people were with you always. In here." The elder said, pointing to Aang's heart. "For years, stories have been passed down the generations of you, Avatar Aang. No one had seen you for over a hundred years, but then word came of your return several years ago. We have been eagerly awaiting you ever since." Explained Rasono.

"I couldn't help my people when they needed me the most. I hope I gain regain myself now. I wish to get you out of these caves, and to all inhabit the air temples once again." Aang said. Rasono's face brightened immediately.

"It has been our wish to one day continue our ancestors' work in the temples."

"Then we shall begin the relocation as soon as possible. However, you must understand the temples have been left for many years. I did try to keep the Southern Temple in its former glory, but I must admit time is a powerful thing to fight." Aang said. He sighed.

"I understand. Time can be a dreaded foe." Rasono agreed. "But today sparks a new era. A new time of, freedom, peace and prosperity to all." He continued joyfully, lifting his carved stone cup. He turned to the people sitting around the long table in front of him. "To a new world." He bellowed happily. Everyone else raised their drinks and toasted, as did Aang.

Then, a loud boom shattered the happy atmosphere.