Thanks for the memories - Chapter 3 (ao3 link)
Summary: Aang rediscovers something about a past life as he finds something he never expected.
Notes: Hello, Shipper Ripper here 👋
So... It's been some years. But when a movie gets leaked and you try and avoid spoilers but then only seeing Zuko edits and other edits you kinda get back into things.
So here we are! Hooray 🎉 woohoo
Better late than never 😁
Hope you guys enjoy 😘✌️
It was rare for them to have such an easy day without worry. A day where they didn't have to run for their lives the instant they stopped for a second.
It was nice, Aang thought, as he sat relaxed on Appa's head while Momo slept in his lap as they flew over the Earth Kingdom. He smiled as the happy voices of Katara, Sokka and Toph spoke behind him.
"Hey Aang?" Katara said, her voice closer than it was before.
"Yeah Katara," Aang replied turning to face her, seeing her leaning half out of the saddle with a smile and the sun shining behind her surrounding her in a warm glow and she looked so pretty and oh, she was speaking. Whoops.
"-supplies, and Sokka saw there's a town that should be close by that we could get some more things since we've made some distance from Azula and her gang?"
Aang hopped the burning in his cheeks wasn't too noticeable as he tried to concentrate on Katara's words. "Sounds like a great idea!"
Katara smiled brightly making her eyes crinkle and spirits she looked even more pretty, "Great!" And settled herself back in the saddle facing her brother and Toph.
"I let you know when to land, Aang!" Sokka called out.
"Thanks Sokka!" He called back feeling a little dazed and quickly turned back, fighting the urge to giggle.
---------
Aang landed Appa just outside the town by some trees.
"Ok, so we need more meat," Sokka said giving an arm to Toph to steady herself as they all slide off Appa.
Katara rolled her eyes and sighed, attaching their coin purse to her belt, "not just meat Sokka, we need other things too, like fruit, salt, more thread, more-"
Sokka waved a hand in Katara's direction cutting her off "Yeah, yeah," he said and stretched his arms and back out, "the meat is more important though."
"Sokka," Katara said with annoyance and was about to continue but- "Can we just go?" Toph cut in before anything else could be said as she tapped her foot on the ground.
Aang, who was already smiling at his friends (trying not to cringe at the thought of meat) laughed, "c'mon guys," he waved a hand as he turned to the town, "let's go."
The town was bustling with people and loud voices filling the air as they went about their day. The town seemed to still be free from any Fire Nation influence too as all the guards walking around looked to be all from the Earth Kingdom.
The four of them walked together with Momo sitting on Sokka's shoulder lightly chirping away as his head darted around.
They went past some stores, buying some things looking at others and marveling at some local crafts.
As they explored Aang wondered away from his friends, getting distracted by some pretty hair clips that'd look so nice in Katara's hair. Looking back up, not seeing his friends anymore, Aang decided to walk around a bit, not too concerned knowing he'd find them again.
As he walked, Aang watched the locals around, watched as laughed together, children playing in the streets. It was a nice.
A tear rolled down his face.
Why could this not be his people. Why did they have to be killed? Why is it only him? It's not fair.
With his morose thoughts Aang walked deeper into town until he found himself on the outskirts on its other side.
Aang sniffled as he walked and rubbed the tears from his eyes and filled with a longing to go home.
He walked down the path he knew well along side the fence of a farm still rubbing his eyes and when he finally looked up he stopped.
Why is there a field?
Where was the house?
Where was his home?
...
...
Home?
Aang blinked in confusion at the thought, snapping out of his sadness. With one last rub of his eyes, Aang looked around the vacant field.
The field was covered in grass and wild flowers with the odd stone here and there.
"What?" Aang quietly said to himself as he looked around.
"Are you lost, boy?" An old voice called behind him, turning around Aang saw an old lady leaning on the fence watching him with wizened eyes.
Aang ran up to her, "Hi," he said with a smile hopping she wouldn't notice his red eyes, "I think so, I just started walking and then here I was!" He finished with a small laugh.
The old lady smiled at him, "I thought so with how you were looking around."
Aang gave a sheepish chuckle and rubbed his neck. "Yeah."
The old lady hummed squinting at him before looking at the field, "you know, we have legend about this town."
"Oh?" Aang perked up, he loved hearing stories and legends.
"Mmhmm," she said, "it's said a millennia now I believe, an Avatar use to call this place home."
"Really?" Aang said quietly mind racing as he looked back at the field (a field he knows should not be empty).
"She had made it into her own little paradise, she loved and cared for the land so much that it thanked her with flowers blooming in her steps. Though sadly we've lost the name of Avatar now, it's been so long."
"Ya-Ting" Aang said quietly without thinking.
"What was that?" The old lady asked.
"Nothing!" Aang said with a quick smile, "thanks for the story though!"
The old lady gave a small laugh, "of course, boy. Now if you straight back down that way," she said pointing to the small ally he came out of, "make a left at the end and then a right and then left, you'll find yourself back in the markets."
Aang gave her another smile, "thank you, I'll head back soon, it's very nice out here."
The old lady patted his shoulder, "take care of yourself, boy." And walked away.
Aang walked back into the field and stood where he knew the path used to end. A light breeze blew behind him and he swore as the wind brushed his ears he could almost hear the echo of someone saying welcome home.










