Alright guys here's the eleventh chapter of my ATLA story. Anyway, quick things to point out if haven't noticed.
Text Like this = Someone thinking to themselves
"Text Like this" = A conversation (for those of you who don't know.)
TEXT LIKE THIS = A full on shouting match
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender. That goes to the creators of the story Bryan and Mike
Chapter 11: Resonance
"Ah it looks like you've finally woken up." The old man said.
As Aang opened his eyes he saw a figure, hoping it would be Toph. His vision cleared up and saw an old man. "Where am I?"
"Before this life and the next."
Aang studied the man in front of him. He rescued me? "Well… Am I… Am I d-dead?"
"..."
Aang gave questioning glare. "Wait you said between this life and the next. Where exactly is that? It's dark so I really can't see. And besides gramps who are you? Don't tell me you're really actually death himself. You know the guy who takes people into the afterlife."
His eyes traveled to the side of the old man and his eyes opened in panic. "No I don't want to die not yet. Somebody help… I just saw a scythe and I knew it, I was right. You're death himself, the grim reaper." Tears cascaded his face. "Wait I lived my life helping others, sure I did some stupid stuff here and the with Toph, but still I'm certain the scale tips moreover the positive not right-." He winced in pain.
"Just shut up already. You talk a lot. If you're still able to feel any pain, shows the fact that you are still alive. However, the fact that you survived that freak accident could be called miraculous. Based on those burn marks that were shown earlier I can only assume happened because of a massive explosion."
"So where did you find me?"
The old man pointed upwards. "Laying on top of my roof. I swear… you youngsters couldn't cause any more trouble. Still though... I patched you as best as I could. With tape being only resource I used."
"You're SERIOUS? I'M NOT SOME BROKEN TOY WHO COULD BE EASILY FIXED WITH GLUE AND TAPE."
"Now hold on a minute. I never said anything about using glue… that stuff gets very expensive nowadays."
Aang closed his eyes wishing it was all a bad dream. "You're joking aren't you?"
"Of course I am. What kind of moron do you take me for? I obviously had to use some of my powers."
"You could've just answered with that a minute ago." Aang sighed. "So what you're saying is that you saved me? Right? Well, thank you."
"It's a little too early to start thanking me. I still need you, after all helping out others is your motto isn't it?"
Aang scoffed. "Well I mean yeah… Wait, what do you need me to do? You want me to help you around the bathroom and stuff?"
"That would be good."
Aang grunted in disgust. "Hmmm… Well as much as I'd like to help you with that I can't stay here for so long. Now that I know I'm alive I've got to get back to Gaoling. There was an ambush going on and it went bad. So to avoid any of that I could protect them for sure now."
"Protect your comrades for sure?"
"What's wrong?"
"Well how do I put this delicately…?" He put his hand in his chin. "Ah yes. I'm afraid with your current predicament your life as a fighter is over."
Aang eyes widened in shock. "No,no,no, but I- but I- I just realised I'm alive and I'm confident my power and skill will be better." His eyes were full of disparity.
"Wake up to reality, kid. Nothing ever goes as planned in this cruel world. The longer you live, the more you realise the only thing that truly exists in this reality are merely suffering,pain , and futility.
Aang gave a look of annoyance Man, what's up with this old geezer.
"Listen everywhere you look in this world wherever there is light there will always be shadows too... As long as there's a concept of victors, there's also the vanquished The selfish instinct of wanting to wanting to protect peace initiates wars and hatred is born in order to protect love."
Aang closed his eyes. Great… He's starting a lecture. Been there done that. It's like that with every old person I've met. It'll go on forever if no one stops them. "So where are we now anyways?"
The old man ignored his question. "You're in this current predicament because someone else was saved. Am I wrong?" His eyes opened in realisation to that time he saved Toph.
"Toph I got an idea." Aang said.
"Well then let's hear it airhead." Toph said.
"I'll earthbend a wall to create a distraction and then…" Aang paused.
"And then… THEN WHAT AANG?" Toph shouted.
"Then… You make a run for it." Aang replied. Toph her head as she looked at Aang with disbelief.
"Why are you looking at me like that." Aang asked.
"Because that's the stupidest you've said so far" Toph said
"No there's gotta be another solution." Toph said.
"We're being outnumbered Toph and we don't have time. I need you to tell Sokka and the rest of the gang what we're dealing with." Aang said.
"Can't you just go in to your Avatar State?" Toph asked.
"I can't because I might hurt you and I don't think I could ever live with myself if that ever happened." Aang said.
"I can't just leave you behind Aang." Toph said.
"Well I just can't sit back and do nothing not while I can do something." Aang said.
"How do you think Sokka and them are gonna feel letting you sacrifice yourself for the rest of us? How do you think I'm gonna feel?" Toph asked.
"Well do you have any other ideas?" Aang asked.
"No… but." Toph paused.
"Exactly. Besides, you're hurt right now, so I'll stall for some time while you make a run for it. Got it?"
"But, you'll get killed" Toph said
"Oh well. I'll be fine. Besides, we've got no choice." Aang reasoned
.
Aang shook those past thoughts from his head. "Look just shut up already. I can't stay here for too long. Old man I gotta get-" he winced in pain
"Fine you can leave if you want to… That is if you are to move as you are right now."
Aang continued to examine the old man. He has clothes of earth kingdom. "Who the hell are you?"
"I am merely a wandering ghost."
"Yeah, right. And I'm the tooth fairy." Aang retorted.
"Hold on a second, you mean to tell me that you're more likely to believe I'm the grim reaper? Well, I guess that I might just be death in sense, for our reality is our hell."
"Just shut up already. I just want to go home to everyone." Aang moaned.
"And I told you before not everything in this reality goes according to plan. In time… you will begin to realise that as well."
Aang smiled as he thought of his friends. Just wait Sokka, Zuko, Katara, Suki, Toph, I'M ALIVE.
XXXXXXXX
Aang opened his eyes and noticed it was night."Ugh I can't take anymore of this laying down. Like come on man." Aang looked around and didn't see the old man. "Where'd that old geezer go off to?" He looked all over the place and found him sitting outside in his porch.
"How long have I been here old geezer?"
"I don't know two days, three days, a week? I don't keep track of time. It's never been that important to me."
"Well if you'd stop dozing off every five minutes you'd know old man."
"While we're on the subject of sleeping you need to shut up. You're always saying the same name in your sleep. Toph,Toph,Toph. What is she? Your lover?"
Aang blushed. He lifted his hands and threw a punch. "Well now I've got to keep my body in condition."
"Calm down, kid. Your back is still messed up. I wouldn't recommend for you to do any sort of activity for a while."
"So what do I do then?"
The old man offered him a spot next to him. "You can join me if you want."
Aang hesitated at first but caved in not to long after. "So what are we doing?"
"Looking at the stars."
"Can I ask you a question?" Aang asked.
"You already did."
Aang facepalmed. "Oh for crying out loud. Not you too."
The old man laughed. "I'm just messing with you. What do you want?"
"Is there something that happened that made you like this?"
"Hmm… Let me think." He pondered. "Oh I know. Each and every person I loved was killed right before my eyes."
"Oh… and that's what made you like this?"
"If that's what you want to think."
"Did you try to do anything about it?"
"Oh believe me kid I tried. I tried again, again, again, and again. However, the more I tried the more futile it became. After my best friend died, I vowed to never let something like this happen again. Though life had other plans. After my wife was killed right in front of me, I gave up."
"..."
"Eventually I came to the realization that nothing goes according to plan in this cruel world. Everyone you loved and trusted either does or betrays you."
"No way that's not going to happen to me."
The old man chuckled. "I had those same thoughts as well. Now look at me. I'm a senile old man who's lost everything."
"..."
"First my house gets destroyed, then I have to take care of this stranger I've never met. This whole week's been an unlucky one for me."
"HEY."
"Oh, sorry, sorry. It's the same for you as well. We've both got it rough, huh? Oh, well. But as long as we're alive, there'll be days like this. For you… there'll be more hardships in life."
"I haven't given up on my loved ones and I know they haven't given up on me."
"You know they probably think your dead. That explosion would have left no survivors. I'm pretty sure they realised that. And you know another thing? They're probably already looking for a new Avatar."
Aang's eyes widened. "How did you know I was the Avatar? I haven't even said a word."
"Well maybe because the Avatar wears that monk outfit. Or maybe because he's got those Air nomad tattoos. Or maybe because he's the last Airbender. Kinda like what you are."
"Was that really necessary?"
"No. Not really. But enough asking me questions. What about you?"
"Well what about me?"
"This… Toph girl. What is she to you?"
"She's just a friend."
The old man laughed. "Oh, I've heard that one before. I bet you anything that you love her. Don't you?"
Aang sighed. "Is it that obvious?"
"It's written all over your face."
"Is that so?"
"Why don't you tell me more about her."
"Well, I… I know how I feel about her. Because when I look into her eyes I just see the sky. That girl had the most radiant smile that I've ever seen. She was just filled with joy. She's a never ending adventure that I want to be a part of."
"Smooth, kid. Now if only you could tell her that, then maybe you two can get down to business. If ya know what I mean?"
"But, I can't-" Aang lowered his head.
"Listen kid. Stop being a wuss. You need to man up. You want to live your life in regret and sorrow just because you didn't tell her how you feel?
"No…"
"We are rarely given a second chance for anything. So you might as well tell her now before you regret anything. Wouldn't you rather trust and regret than doubt and regret?"
"FINE ALREADY. I'LL TELL HER DAMN IT."
"That's more like it. Anyway get some rest because I'm gonna use you tomorrow."
"What is it?"
"That's for me to know and for you to find out. Get some rest." And with that he went inside to his room. Aang followed suit and played in his bed.
Laying in his bed he recalled his final moments with Toph. Especially that kiss they shared for the first time.
"Well, then you better come back alive Twinkle Toes." Toph said.
Hand stretched his arm upwards. "It's starting to feel… just a little longer. I'll be seeing you soon…"
XXXXXXXX
Aang yawned as the old man woke him up at the crack of dawn. "So what do you want from me this early?"
"I'm gonna teach you some bending."
"But I already know about this stuff. There's really nothing left to learn."
The old man smirked. "Shows what you now. I'm gonna teach you a new bending technique that you've never seen."
Aang's eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Which is… what?"
The old man gave the biggest smile he could. "LAVA BENDING."
A/N: HOLY CRAP I JUST REALIZED THAT TODAY IS THE 2ND YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF MY FIC. Honestly it doesn't even feel like 2 years have gone by. Time sure does fly huh? So right about now I should be working on the 12th chapter of this fanfic. Next one should be up next week. While updating this story I'll be editing previous chapters. Anyway, there's a reference to an Animoo. If you could read and review that would be fantastic. Any type of criticism is fine. Anyway I appreciate you guys. I wanna give a big thanks to all of you who read my story from the beginning and put up with my crap. THANK YOU SO MUCH