Chapter Two: The Vision

A week later

Katara and Aang made their way through one of the makeshift hospitals that were scattered throughout the city. The one they were in now had once been a restaurant of some kind and was so full that even some of the hallways housed the sick and injured. Katara knelt over a young boy and moved her healing hands over his cracked rib. The war had ended weeks ago, but Katara still hadn't gotten to all the injured in the city. Every time she thought she was close to being done, there was another hospital that needed her. This was has second time that she had been to this hospital and she was sure she would have to come back another time. Most of the wounds, especially the burns, needed treating more than once.

"I really wish I could help, Katara", Aang said softly.

"I know you do, Aang", Katara replied, "But that is out of your hands. I still appreciate you coming with me." Katara moved on to the next patient.

"I hope the North Pole will be able to spare one or two healers", Katara mused to herself. It had been five days since they had sent out there request to the Northern Water Tribe and they still hadn't received a reply. "What is it Aang", Katara asked seeing Aang's fallen expression.

"It's just", Aang answered turning to look out the window at the sky, "It's been a week since Toph and Suki left and we haven't heard anything yet. I am worried that something might have happened to them and Appa."

"Don't worry, Aang", Katara comforted, "I am sure everything is alright. Toph probably just wanted to spend a little more time with her parents. Or maybe they encountered a storm that slowed them down".

"Hope your right", Aang frowned, "It's just that, with Azula out there….."

"Listen to me" Katara stopped what she was doing and put both hands on Aang's shoulders, "Azula has no way of knowing where they are. Trust me, they are fine".

"Thanks, Katara", he said.

"I think we're finished her", Katara said a few minutes later after she had finished treating a female burn victim whose leg had been burnt when Iroh and the Order of the White Lotus had taken back Ba Sing Se.

"It's about time we head back", Aang confirmed, "Come on, Momo". The lemur trilled and leaped on to Aang's shoulder.

"You're right, I'm starving", Katara laughed.

"I hope Iroh has lunch ready by the time we get back", Aang said.

The two of them made their way outside on to the busy streets of the city. Stalls filled with vendor selling fruit lined both sides. Above, the mid-day sun had just reached its apex.Most of the stalls were still painted in the traditional Earth Kingdom green, but since the end of the war various other colors had been popping up. Water Tribe blue and Fire Nation red were not as uncommon anymore.

"You know, Aang", Katara said, "It really feels like, for the first time in a long time, the nations are learning to live together in harmony again".

"The first time in about a hundred years, to be exact", Aang joked. Both teens looked at each other and laughed.

"But remember, Katara", Aang added more seriously, "It isn't like this outside of the city walls. There are still a lot of people out there who are having trouble letting go of the past".

"Bringing the world together isn't going to be easy", Katara agreed, "But somehow we'll manage".

They continue their way through the city, stopping only now and then to admire the merchandise displayed along the way. Even though the two tried to remain anonymous, they could not help being recognized at every stop they made.

"No, thank you", Katara replied as nicely as possible, "I was only looking".

"You don't have money?" an old woman asked holding up a pair of wooden earrings, "That's okay! Anything for the Avatar and his girlfriend. I give you these for free. What's the matter? You no like this pair. How 'bout these. These look beautifully with your eyes".

"No, I mean it", Katara said shaking her head and leaning as far away as possible, "You really don't have to do that for me".

"No, no, no" the old woman replied, "I insist. These are very nice earring, and I won't charge you a penny."

"Aang, help me", Katara whispered, nudging him in the ribs. She had been trying to back up the whole time, but the woman had seized her hand in the middle of speaking and was not taking a hint when Katara tried pulling away.

"Thank you, kind lady', Aang said stepping between the two. Katara sighed with relieve when the women let go. "But we are going to be late for something really soon now if we don't get going. We promise to come back and shop more, later", Aang lied. Pulling Katara with him, he began to edge toward the crowd.

"Okay", the woman waved, "But when you come back there will be a free pair waiting".

"Thanks", they both called, skipping away. They wove through the crowd away for the stall. The streets were getting more and more crowded. Loosing his footing, Aang bumped into someone.

"Hey! Watch it", a male voiced protested.

"Sokka!" they both exclaimed happily, "What are you doing out here? And where is your cane?"

"Oh", Sokka replied, "It's you guys. Katara healing sessions finally seem to be taking effect and I thought I would try going on a walk without it."

"That's great", Katara laughed examining his leg, "I was beginning to worry that it was worse than I had thought. Oh my gosh, you would never guess how many people have tried to give me free stuff today! Everybody is just so friendly here."

"Did you accept any of it", Sokka asked.

"Well, no", Katara admitted, "I didn't want to take advantage of their kindness".

"What!" Sokka exclaimed

Aang stopped listening to them as a blue butterfly darted in front of his face and distracted him. There was something odd about the way the light hit the butterfly, almost like it went right through it. The image faintly reminded Aang of something, but he didn't know what.

"Aang", Sokka demanded, "I asked you a question. Are you even listening?"

Aang watched the butterfly circled higher and higher. He vaguely knew that someone was talking to him, but he couldn't make out what they were saying. The butterfly flew so it was almost right above him and he suddenly knew what it reminded him of. The Spirit World. He heard someone shout his name for a moment before the image of the butterfly disappeared into the orb of the sun and a bright flash filled his vision. He closed his eyes against the glare and fell backwards.

...

When he looked up the city was no where to be seen. Instead, all that he could see for miles were trees, shafts of sunlight, and the yellow sky. Blue butterfly hovered silently.

"The Spirit World", Aang uttered in wonder.

"Aang", a commanding voice said from behind. The avatar whirled around to see Avatar Roku standing it a beam of sunlight a foot away.

"Avatar Roku!" Aang exclaimed, putting his fists together and bowing, "How did I get here? I mean, I just thought that…."

"When you struck your back while fighting the Fire Lord, your chakra opened", Roku answered with a faint smile, "And when you redirected Lord Ozai's lightning, you energy began to flow. You will never again be blocked from entering the Avatar State."

Aang nodded solemnly.

"You have done well", Roku continued, "But there is still work to do. The balance has not yet been restored."

"How can it be?" Aang questioned, "I'm the last air bender. What can I do to bring the rest back?"

"Come, Aang", Roku replied, "I have something to show you". Just then, Roku's dragon descended from the sky like a bolt of lightning and slither to a halt between Aang and Roku. They both hopped on and Fang leapt into the air. The dragon rose above the tree line and soared forward. The ground began to blur with speed. The dragon continued to increase their speed until Aang couldn't see anything at all and the blurred scenery made it look like they were flying through a tunnel.

"Where are we going", Aang questioned.

"Patience", Roku answered.

The dragon quickly darted out of its spiraling path and landed on the ground. Slightly dizzy, Aang looked around him. The sun had set and the sky was just begging to darker into twilight. He was standing in the middle of a field of tall grass. At first he thought the field was empty.

"Why did you bring me here?" Aang asked,

"Look", Roku pointed. Aang followed his finger and saw a girl with long black hair sitting in the grass. Aang approached slowly. When he got closer he saw the silent tears that trickled down her face.

"What?" Aang asked in confusion. He looked up and Roku was nowhere to be seen. He looked back at the girl.

She was dressed in a yellow robe lined with pale orange. Her sandals were obliviously made from dried grass. Her sad eyes were a light shade of gray. Aang inched closer when a gust of wind blew unexpectedly and disturbed the girl's bangs. Through the gaps Aang could make out a blue arrow

"An Air Nomad!" Aang exclaimed, "Is it true? Are some of my people still alive?"

"Yes, Aang", a distant voice answered, "And you must be the one to find them".

"But I thought that I was the last air bender", Aang shouted. The voice was silent. "Roku! Please come back. I don't even know how to find this place again. I don't remember the way. I need you to help me!"

"I can no longer be your mentor, Aang", Roku's voice answered gently, "It is time for you to learn on your own. This is the last time we shall meet like this."

"But what if I am not ready?" Aang asked.

"You are ready", Roku answered, "Remember, you will always have access to my wisdom, and that of all your past lives, for it is part of you."

The voice faded and Aang knew that Roku was gone. He looked back at the girl, and she was gone too. The only one left in the field with him was Fang. The dragon stared at him with his deep, fierce eyes. Aang crawled on and clung tightly as the dragon pushed off into the air.

...

Aang awoke in an alley way closed off at both ends by a wall of ice.

"What happened", Aang asked, confused

"We don't really know." Sokka answered.

"Your tattoos started glowing and people started panicking", Katara explained, "I brought you in here to get away from everyone. You must have entered the Spirit World". The memory of his vision suddenly hit him. Aang stood to his feet.

"What is it, Aang", Katara asked putting her hand on his shoulder.

"It was Roku", Aang answered slowly, "and I think he showed me how to find the Air Nomads."

I want to thank everyone who has reviewed so far. It has made writing go a lot faster. I received a couple of strong opinions about what I should do with Toph's love life. I hope no one will be too disappointed when their idea doesn't happen. I can't make everyone happy. I still appreciate the help, though.