Air lion turtle

The air lion turtle was a creature that lived during the era before the Avatar, where it served as one of the protectors of mankind. This lion turtle possessed the ability to fly and to bestow airbending unto people.

History
As a protector of mankind, the air turtle used his ability to float around the Spirit Wilds, guarding the men that lived on its shell. Whenever they needed food, the lion turtle bestowed them with the power to airbend in order to ensure their safety while harvesting fruits, and took it away again after they returned.

Wan made his way onto the turtle, where he was overjoyed to be around other people again. However, at that time, Vaatu appeared, and turned the peaceful spirits living in the town atop the lion turtle evil. After Wan helped Raava to defeat them, Wan presented himself to the lion turtle, requesting he be granted the ability to bend air in order to stop Vaatu. The creature hesitated, stating that a human had never before held the ability to control more than one element. Wan persisted that he could handle it, and the lion turtle caved. However, he bestowed the power onto Raava, who was to hold it until Wan had mastered the element.