Forward In Time

Chapter Five

Sokka glared at Zuko before holding out a hand to Toph. Even though she couldn't see it, she could sense his hand was there. She grabbed a hold of it and he helped her up.

Korra stood up as she watched the last three exit the room, "You know, it's weird seeing them all so young..." She said to her friends.

"Yeah. Young Toph is not as intimidating, or serious as I thought she would be." Mako said, "I was expecting her to be like Lin... but instead she's...."

"Acting like a kid." Asami finished, "They all are."

"Because they're still kids." Korra added

Jinora used her Airbending to get the panels spinning as the group walked up to the three kids.

"Wow... where did you find these?" Aang asked as they stopped walking.

"Actually, you found them still standing in one of the Air Temples, not a singe on them." Tenzin replied

"Kind of like how we found Monk Gyatso." Sokka said, "His clothes weren't singed at all. Which means he held back a lot of Firebenders."

"Even the Fire Nation couldn't take your culture down." Zuko said with a light smile.

"Grandpa Aang! Watch me!" Ikki said as she began to move through the panels.

"So... mini Aang, you seem like you know a lot. What happens to me?" Sokka asked Jinora as Aang watched Ikki with pride in his eyes.

"I don't think it'd be safe to tell you everything that happens. But you do get a statue in Republic City." Jinora replied

"Is it big?"

"Not as big as Grandpa Aang's, but it's probably the second biggest."

"Me next!" Meelo said when Ikki exited the panels, "Watch as I be the leaf." He began to move through the panels like Ikki did.

"Is there a boomerang in the statue?" Sokka asked Jinora, still going on about his statue.

"Yeah, you're actually holding it." She replied.

"You are my favorite great niece."

"Sokka! Don't pick favorites!" Katara said

"Hey, my dad picked favorites and look at how I turned out." Zuko said, everyone looked at him and he sighed, "Yeah... don't pick favorites."

Aang turned back to look at his grandson as he neared the end. Next, it was Jinora's turn. She calmly walked up to the panels and moved smoothly through them. When she made it to the other side, Aang heard Rohan make a sound of joy.

He turned to look at Katara and saw that she was making faces at their grandson. He smiled at the sight. He had pictured her many times holding a baby.

"Do you want to try Grandpa Aang?" Jinora asked as she joined her brother and sister.

Aang turned to look at his grandkids, "Uh... sure. I haven't done this in a hundred and fifteen years so I might be a little rusty."

Jinora smiled and got the panels starting again as they had slowed down. Aang took a deep breath and closed his eyes before starting through the panels. He hadn't done this in years and felt a bit of nostalgia as he smoothly moved through them.

"Now that's how you be the leaf." Meelo said as everyone watched in awe. Aang was very light on his feet and moved as if he had done this exercise every day.

If Aang's memory was correct, he was nearing the end. He opened his eyes and swore he saw Ozai, but no one was there. He had lost his concentration which cause a panel to hit him. He stumbled out of the panels almost falling, but he was able to catch his balance.

The others gasped when he got hit, "Aang, you okay man?" Sokka asked, he had never seen his best friend mess up something like this before.

"Yeah... I think I'm just tired... it's been a long day." Aang replied

"I think it's time for bed." Pema said as Katara handed her Rohan, "Children, come. It's time for bed."

"Kya can show you to the girls rooms, I'll take the boys to their rooms."  Tenzin said to Katara

"Actually, I think it'd be best if Aang and I slept in the same room. He wakes up in pain sometimes, other times it's nightmares. I need to be there for him." Katara said as Aang joined the group.

"Ah... right. I almost forgot, it's only been three years since the war for you. You're all still recovering." Tenzin said as looked at the tired teens. These people he had looked up to when he was kid looked so broken and tired. He had never seen them like this, "Then I think it'd be best if you stayed in the same area."