This is the final installment of the revised Echoes of the Past. Please review!
Discalimer: ATLA still isn't mine. That honor belongs to Bryke.
Jian sat alone in a tree in the small forest of the island. He'd been sitting up there for over three hours now. His mother and brother had been calling out for him for hours. As soon as the young adults returned from getting dinner from the city, Aang had explained the situation and everyone immediately set out to look for the twelve year old.
"They think I'm so weak I can't take care of myself for a few hours," he muttered as he wiped his cheeks. "I just want to be alone. Why is that so hard to understand? They all want me to love a father I don't know. And they just come into my face with all this sentimental crap. They don't know how I feel," he stated miserably as he buried his head into the comfort of his arms.
The view from the tree was beautiful. He could see the entirety of Air Temple Island and the shadowed outline of the city buildings just beyond the bay. The moon was full and beautifully looming over the world, as if guarding the slumber of the people. There were a few twinkling stars blanketing the dark sky. But the distraught boy noticed nothing more than his own swirling sadness. He began to shiver as a chilly wind breezed through the trees and rustled the leaves.
Jian wrapped his arms around himself, attempting to get some warmth. "I wish I could know how you feel about me, Dad." For the first time in years, he attempted speaking to his dead father's spirit. "I wish I had a way of getting the answers I need."
As he dazed and kept his head in his arms, Jian trembled from the unforgiving cold of the night.
A large, warm cloak was gently placed on the boy's shoulders, swamping him. It was a fine, smooth silk that radiated heat and comfort instantly. Jian felt this warm material instantly shield his body from the cold and wrapped it more securely around himself.
After a few moments of silence, a large, kind, tattooed hand rested on his shoulder. "Maybe there's a way you can."
Jian's head shot up and he was surprised at the sight before him. Aang was sitting on the branch beside him, a hand on his shoulder.
Jian looked down again. "I'm guessing everyone's pissed that I was gone for so long, and think I'm too young to understand anything?"
The patient avatar sighed. "No, Jian. They're all worried about you, and want to help you. I want to help you. But unfortunately, it's difficult to truly help you. You need to realize, want your father told me was true. And if you won't listen to me, or to you mother, or your brother, than there's only one person who can help you."
"Yeah," muttered the preteen as he shrugged off his godfather's hand. "And he's dead. So I can't get any help."
"I've mastered a certain spiritual technique," the avatar began carefully. "Something only a few air nomad avatars were able to achieve. Avatar Yangchen, the Air Nomad Avatar before me, taught it to me through meditation. It's the spiritual act of transporting other mortals into the spirit world with me."
Jian's head shot up in shock. "But-but in there I heard you say you aren't allowed to do it!"
The avatar looked at his godson. "I'm not. It's a disturbance of the natural order of the two worlds. Only the avatar is supposed to enter and exit the two worlds as the bridge. But this is a rare and necessary case. I want you to have some closure with your father. We all thought the way to do that was for you to learn bout him and talk about him constantly. It worked for a wile, but you're not a little boy anymore," Aang explained as he set his hand back on Jian 's shoulder. "And the only way to stop all of those insecurities, and your doubts, is to meet your father."
Tears welled up in his eyes as he lunged at his uncle, engulfing him in a hug. "Thank you, Uncle Aang. And I'm sorry for what I said. I know you'd never lie to me."
Aang wrapped his arms around the boy and patted his back. After a few minutes, he told the boy, "Let's go back to the temple. Tenzin and the others brought Huang's noodles from the city, we can eat, and then we can talk more about this."
Jian sighed and nodded. Aang held the boy as he propelled them off the tree with a gust of airbending from his feet and gently set them on the ground. They silently made their way back to the Air Temple.
After an emotional reunion with everyone and a silent, tension filled dinner, Aang filled everyone in with his proposal. They were all in shock at first, but reluctantly agreed it was what was best for Jian's emotional well being. Aang explained he had only mastered this technique to the point where he could transport three other mortals with him. He looked to Suki and Hakoda. Suki's tears appeared and she nodded as Hakoda closed his eyes in anticipation. He never thought he'd see his dad again.
Aang apologized to the rest of the group, but they told him they completely understood, and if anyone should see Sokka, it was his wife and sons. They told them to send their love to the deceased warrior.
At midnight they all stood in the arena of the airbending training grounds as Aang airbended some spiritual smoke around the area, cleansing the spiritual feel, as he calls it. He then nodded the others goodbye and told them to watch their bodies while he transported their spirits to the other side.
Katara hugged her husband. "Tell Sokka I miss him. And that I'll always love my big brother."
He nodded and kissed her before looking to Sokka's family. "Are you ready?"
Suki looked worried and anxious, but nodded as she felt Hakoda's hand in hers. The older son replied yes and felt excitement at seeing his father again swell his heart. And Jian clung to his older brother's arm, worry and fear flooding his chest at the thought of meeting the man who sired him.
Aang entered the avatar state as his eyes and tattoos began to glow ethereally. He spoke in his own voice, and in those of his thousand past lives. "You all need to clear your minds and feel enlightened. Do not fear this transition. Follow my spiritual energy, and do not separate."
The family did as they were told and they sat in meditating poses with the avatar. They all closed their eyes and drifted into a deep state as the rest of the group were left behind to wait for them and watch over their bodies.
When they opened their eyes, they gasped at the sight of the Spirit World. It was a beautiful meadow full of everlastingly blooming fire lilies, and spirits wondering carefree. The sky was a deep shade of blue and the clouds overhead were unchanging. This was the realm of peace and good, Aang explained to them as they followed him. It was one of the better realms. But many others were horrid places, like the Fog of Lost Souls, where they would not want to be caught up in.
"This is so beautiful," Suki commented. "It's like an eternal paradise."
Aang chuckled. "That's what it's supposed to be. And this is only the entrance, the true paradise is beyond. Sokka has not yet entered it."
Hakoda recalled Aang saying that his father had opted to staying out so he could watch over them. He marveled at the lightness he felt here. Not bring weighed down by his physical body was a truly impressive feat.
The Avatar stood in front of the field where he'd had their last meeting.
"Aang, what are you doing?" The Kyoshi woman asked.
After a fee more moments, Aang looked to her. "As the avatar, I have the spiritual gift of calling out to other souls in the spirit world. This was where I last met Sokka. He should be hearing my call."
After a few minutes, what seemed like an eternity to the woman and her sons, they saw a blue figure moving towards them. As he got closer, Aang smiled, Suki gasped, Hakoda's eyes widened in shock, and Jian simply starred.
Sokka, still in his young form, approached Aang, not yet noticing his family standing behind his large figure.
"Aang, it's great to see you again buddy," Sokka smiled. "But why the sudden call? I was going to visit my dad when-" he paused in mid sentence when he saw her behind the airbender. His wife, his love, the woman he'd achingly missed all these years- was just a few feet away.
For the first time in years, ocean blue eyes locked with amethyst. They simply stood, taking each other in.
Suki allowed the tears to stream at not only seeing her husband again, but taking in his appearance- he looked so young and carefree, just as Aang has described him. He was the same age they'd been when he had proposed to her all those years ago. And she couldn't help but smile at his apparel of elegant blue water tribe robes- the same style robes he'd worn at their wedding.
"Suki," he breathed. "What? How?"
She walked forward and placed a hesitant hand on his smooth cheek. The contact was feather light, just as Aang had told them, but it was close enough, and comforting nonetheles.
"I've missed you, my brave warrior," she breathed as tears began to cascade freely down her cheeks. She had cried over him a multitude of times over the years, but these were different- these were tears of joy. "You look so young and handsome. Aang did mention that spirits can morph into any physical age and appearance they choose. I like this one. You look so young, and I just got old," she chuckled halfheartedly.
Sokka snapped out of his stupor and gently placed his own hand on hers. Suki almost sobbed as she watched Sokka's blue orbs become clouded and glazed with a tint of darkness. That look he always gave her when he was alive; that look that held nothing but deep and unwavering love for her. The look she never thought she'd see again.
"I'm only like this because it's the form I chose," he told her. "And you look beautiful to me no matter what. The years have been good to you. You're the hottest middle age woman I've ever seen babe," he winked.
Jian quietly groaned. Now he knew where Hakoda got his corny sense of humor from.
Suki laughed. "I've missed you."
Sokka fully embraced her and felt enlightened by holding her again. "I've missed you so much, Suki. I'm sorry for all the pain my absence has caused you. I wish I could still be there, getting old with you. But even though I'm not there physically, I'm always with you. I've always been there."
"I know," she mumbled into his robe. "The day Jian was born, I felt a warmth around me. A warmth I know only you could give me. I knew you were there with me."
She pulled back. "Aang brought us here. There's someone I want you to officially meet."
Puzzled by her revelation, he looked behind her to find his son there, too, with tears in his own ocean eyes at the sight of his young father.
"Hakoda?" And his gaze shifted to the last member of the family, looking down shamefully, not quite meeting the deceased man's eyes. "Jian?" He looked to Aang. "How? Why?"
"I thought you were always watching?" The avatar teased.
"I usually am," countered the tribesman. "I just sometimes give them space, and I was in another realm before."
"I'm joking, Sokka," he replied. "There's some familial healing that needs to be done here. And for that to happen, it needs to include you."
Jian moved away, feeling afraid to interact with the man. Sokka felt hurt, but Suki quietly reassured him he was simply afraid of rejection and went to talk to the boy.
Meanwhile, Hakoda approached his father. He hesitantly looked into the blue eyes he had inherited. "D-Dad?"
Even though he was a grown man and a fierce warrior, Hakoda felt reduced back to the little boy who used to cling his father's knee whenever he came home from work. Memories of his time with Sokka flooded his mind and a few tears fell.
Sokka smiled at his son. "Uh, this is awkward, huh? Me being younger than my own son?" The two shared a laugh.
"Hang on." Sokka was warped in some fog before he stood before Hakoda in a more familiar physique.
Everyone gave looks of surprise as they saw the deceased warrior transforming, from the young man into the seasoned councilman they remembered. Sokka was back to his forty-three years of age appearance, with some wrinkled and maturity in his handsome, rugged face, his hair back in its neat style, his full goatee on his chin, and even his full councilman outfit. Now he looked more like the father from Hakoda's childhood.
Sokka placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "You've grown so much, my son," he stated with pride evident in his eyes. "After I died, you didn't give up. You trained hard. You strived. You matured. And you took on my responsibilities and took care of your mom and brother. I'm so proud of the man you became, Hakoda."
He frowned. "But I also know all the pain you felt, and the struggles of living up to the world's expectations of you. But know this my son. You've done more the uphold my legacy. You've turned it into your own. You've been a great warrior, a loving son, a nurturing brother, and so much more. I've always been there with you. And like I told you that day; you are my pride and joy."
Hakoda felt his heart lift at his father's words. He'd wanted to hear these things from his dad for so many years. To hear his wise voice, to feel his hand on his shoulder and see pride in his eyes as he used to when they trained together. And now he felt a sense of peace, knowing his last memory of his father would no longer be that of him dying an agonizing death. No, that memory would be overpowered by this beautiful moment.
Hakoda attacked his father into a hug and cried out all of the sadness he hadn't been able to for years, due to his wanting to he strong for his mother. He was finally able to cry in the failsafe of his father's arms.
Sokka tightened his grip on the young man and murmured words of comfort, just as he used to when Hakoda was a little boy.
After a few tender moments, he pulled back and kissed his son's forehead. "I love you, Son. Always remember that. You may not see me again until you cross over, but don't rush through life. Enjoy it. I'll be waiting. And remember, I'm always with you."
"I've missed you so much it hurts, Dad," the younger man told him. "But I'm so happy to see you again. I've felt so pained by the images of you dying. But now I think I'll be able to sleep with a little more peace. I love you, too, Dad."
Sokka beamed with pride. He couldn't believe how much his son had changed and matured in his absence.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you transition into manhood," he told the son. "I know how hard that part of life can be for a boy. Not being there for you then is my biggest regret. But you did it all on your own, and you've grown into a wonderful man and a great warrior. Always remember. A true-"
"Warrior does everything he can to protect," they both rehearsed. The father nodded.
"I remembered every lesson you've ever taught me. And taught them to Jian."
"Good. And I knew about the struggles you two had because of me. I'll take care of it I promise. But never forget me. I will always love you, my son."
Hakoda wiped his tears. "And I'll always love you, Dad."
Aang walked over to the two water tribe men. "I think it's time you officially meet your second son, Sokka," he commented with a smile. "I'll stay here and keep Hakoda company."
Hakoda nodded to his father and stood with his uncle as Sokka stalked over to where his wife was with their youngest.
"Jian," she spoke softly to the now calm but still anxious preteen. "This is your father. Sokka, this is your son."
She sent a knowing smile in Sokka's direction before giving them some space and moved over to where Aang and Hakoda were waiting.
Sokka looked down at his son. He remembered countless nights of watching the boy sleep as an infant, marveling at his similarities to Suki and himself, and yearning to hug his child. But now that that dream was a possibility, he was at a loss of where to start. With Hakoda he'd simply been familiar and instantly knew what to do. But he had no idea how to address the son he didn't raise. But when he saw the boy's worry etched on his face, he got down on one knee to be at the boy's level, not towering over him.
"Hey, Jian," he whispered to the young warrior. "It's great to finally meet you."
Jian was surprised when he heard the man's voice up close. Everyone in school said his voice was supposed to be loud, commanding and frightening, like the fierce warrior he had been. But now, he knew what Suki meant. His mother had told him that his father's voice was deep and rich, but soft and soothing- like a lullaby. Now, with the gentleness he spoke with, Jian realized it was true.
Jian reluctantly met his father's eyes for the first time. They were a deep blue that were identical to his brother's. But these eyes had a lifetime of maturity and experience in them. They were also present with something Jian had never seen before; fatherly pride.
"H-hi."
"I've heard you've been having a hard time with my absence. That you've felt that I wouldn't love you," the ex-councilman recalled with sadness in his voice. "Buddy, I know it can be hard without a parent. My mother died when I was very young. And I'm so sorry I wasn't there. I would have never wanted for you to go through that. But why do you feel I wouldn't care about you? When that's so far from the truth?"
Jian couldn't take it anymore and exploded. "Because you weren't in my life! I never had you to raise me. You were never there for me. And it hurts. Everyone expects me to be just like you, to be great like you. Hakoda is the son who was raised by you and everyone always is so concerned about how he's doing with your death. But my feelings don't seem to matter. The world doesn't care. I'm always put down, that I'm nothing like you, that I never even knew you, so how can I be your son? And all these great stories about all the things you did just make it hurt more, because I'll never get to talk to you. And the way people talk, it's like you'd be ashamed of me. That you wouldn't love me. All I wanted was my dad, but I didn't know how to feel about you."
The boy sobbed and allowed the pain of the last few years flow out.
Sokka was stunned. He'd been informed of some of the things his son was going through, but to this extent? He felt horrible for not being there for his boy.
Out of pure motherly instinct, Suki was about to march over to help her baby. But Hakoda's hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"I know you want to comfort him, Mom," he said. "But we can't help him with this. We've tried, but we can't. Only Dad can help Jian heal."
Suki sighed but silently agreed.
Sokka slowly pulled the boy into his arms and instantly felt a connection form between him and his youngest. He'd always loved his boy, but finally holding him is way, he truly felt like the boy's father.
Jian struggled a bit at first, but finally gave in and tightly embraced Sokka, worried he'd slip away if he let go.
Sokka murmured softly and rubbed the boy's back. When the boy's sobs subsided, he pulled back and placed both hands gently on his son's shoulders.
"Jian," he addressed the boy. "Why would you believe those things? Everyone in our family has told you the truth of how I feel about you. I'm not shamed of you. I'd never be ashamed of my own son. And I've always been with you. When you were born, I was in that delivery room, watching your mom dote on you. I was so, so proud and happy. I was in tears and I couldn't stop smiling. It hurt so much that I couldn't be there and hold you. But if there's any reason why I haven't crossed to the other realm yet, it's because of you." The teen looke up in surprise. "I couldn't bear the idea of not being with you. If I couldn't raise you, then I'd at least be there. I was there next to your crib at night, watching you sleep and guarding your dreams. I was there when you started walking and first asked about me."
The man gently squeezed the boy's shoulder and continued. "I'm proud of you, Jian. I'm proud of the loving son and caring friend you are. And I'm proud of the selfless and good man you're becoming. And I love you, so much. My connection to you is one that is unbreakable; between father and son. My bond with you is different thn mine with Hakoda. But I love you both the same. And you're more than worthy to be my son. I just hope I'm worthy for you to call me your father."
Jian searched his father's eyes for any traces of lies. But he found no malice in those azure orbs; only truth and unwavering fatherly love.
The twelve year old felt all of his pain begin to heal. Hearing these words from his dad lightened so many burdens. Now he knew why Hakoda had always told him that their father was the best source for comfort.
Jian engulfed his dad into another embrace that Sokka readily returned.
"You're more than worthy, too, Dad."
Both father and son felt unspeakable joy at his first utterance of the word towards Sokka.
"I'm sorry for doubting you. I just felt like I wasn't worth anything. I thought I wasn't good enough to be part of your legacy. All I've ever wanted was to know you'd love me."
"I do love you, Son. I always have. And I always will. And you don't need to be part of my legacy, Jian," he told the boy "you already are. You and you brother are my legacy. As long as you uphold the values your mother and I taught you both, you'll always be on the right path. Like my own dad told me; I see a greatness in your eyes, my son. And I know you'll be a true warrior."
"I love you, Dad," Jian answered as he wiped his eyes.
A few years escaped Sokka's eyes as well.
"I love you, too, Jian. And just like Hakoda, you'll always be my pride and joy. Both of you. Now, I think you need to go," he muttered as he saw Aang beckon them over. "This meeting wasn't supposed to happen in the first place. But never again think I'd reject you. I love you, Son. And always remember that Ill always be proud of you."
They returned to the others and began saying their goodbyes. After both sons had their farewells with their dad, Suki lunged and hugged her husband. They embraced for a few long minutes.
"You've done an incredible job with him," Sokka motioned to Jian. "With both of them. And I'm happy to see you didn't lose sight of what was around you."
"I knew that wasn't what you'd want for me," she whispered. "They got me through so much. I was a wreck for months after you passed. But Hakoda was my pillar of strength. And Jian was my hope. Our boys are the last part I have of you, and I'll always cherish that. I'll always miss you terribly, but I'll live for you. For both of us."
Sokka smiled. "I love you so much, my friend, my wife, my love."
"And I you, my friend, my husband, my love," she reciprocated tenderly.
"Suki," he said. "I know you'll always love me. But listen, I want you to be happy. Moving on and finding someone to share your life with won't ever make me love you any less-"
She touched her finger to his lips, silencing him. "I tried dating a few times," she confessed. "I had a few romances, but they didn't last. They weren't you, Sokka. There'll never be another for me. You were the love of my life. No other man has ever touched my heart the way you did. I have plenty with our sons. I have good friends and a good life. I don't need another man to complete me. You did enough of that in your lifetime."
"Suki," he was at a loss for words. "I-I understand, I mean I love you more anything, I just want you to be-"
"Sokka," she interrupted.
"Yeah?"
"You talk too much."
She captured his lips in a passionate and long overdue kiss. He quickly gave in and kissed back, wrapping his arms around her small frame. They released years of longing, sadness, pain, and love in that single kiss; the flame of their love for each other that had been cool embers for the last several years flared and roared back to life into an eternal flame.
They pulled back and starred longingly into each other's eyes. Sokka kissed her hands. "Be happy, sweetheart. Keep being that fiery woman that I love so much. Live fully, for us. Promise me."
"I promise."
"I'll always love you."
"And I'll forever love you, Sokka."
They shared a final kiss.
Aang passed along Katara's message and Sokka smiled, telling him to tell his sister that he loves her. He also thanked his brother-in-law for bringing his family here. They shared a quick hug before Aang departed with Suki and the boys.
After they returned to their bodies and told the excitement of their adventure to the rest of the family, the three of them attacked the avatar into an embrace when they were alone.
"Thank you, Aang," Suki said. "I will never be able to express how grateful I am to you for taking us to see him."
"It was my pleasure," he assured him. "And I wanted my godson to have the opportunity to meet his father."
The next day, everyone went to stand before Sokka's statue. They were silent as they remembered the day he was taken from them.
There was still a lingering sadness, but there was also a lighter feeling in the air. There was a sort of closure and comfort in all of their hearts. They would always love Sokka.
As everyone went back to the Island for a meditation meant to honor the tribesman's memory, Suki and her sons remained.
She smiled at the statue; It was still a remarkable sight. Tall and graceful, just as he had been, with his left hand clutching his sword strapped to his belt and his left raising his trademark boomerang. It was still very stunning.
Suki looked to her youngest son. "I hope you don't feel hurt anymore."
Jian smiled at her. "No. I'm sorry for the things I said, Mom. But meeting Dad made it is much better. Now I know he's proud of me."
Hakoda placed a hand on his brother's back. "And we're both part of his legacy, little brother. We'll keep his memory alive together."
"You boys are my light," the mother told them. "When he died, I felt so empty. But Hakoda, you were my strength. You were there for me and gave me strength to keep moving forward. And Jian, you were my hope. My hope for a happy future, and my reason to keep living. You are both your father's sons, and I'm proud of you, just as he is." She turned to the statue. "I'll always miss him. But while we stay together as a family, he'll he happy."
As they walked to the docks waiting for a ferry, a breeze passed by and they all felt a warm comfort. Suki smiled and teared up a bit. She would always know her husband was at her side.
Hakoda, who had felt a pang of sadness at the exact hour of Sokka's death, felt a light pressure on his shoulder, more like a feather like touch, but he knew. It almost felt like his father's comforting touch. He smiled as he looked to the sky.
And Jian felt the wind envelop him and also a light touch on his back. He heard a whisper of the wind in his ear.
We'll meet again, my son.
The family for the first time in years felt a sense of peace on this dreadful anniversary. While the loss of Sokka would always be something that hurt, perhaps now dealing with this day would be a little easier. Suki knew her husband would love her and their sons endlessly. Hakoda knew his father was proud and was with him. And now Jian truly knew his father, and knew everyone was right. He was his father's son.
Things would never be as they once were, but the silent love of a family would never be broken.
Okay I hope this was better. Please review and don't forget to vote on my profile for upcoming stories.
Thanks for reading!
~Foreveralways