Along the way, we came across a large, dark patch of burned land standing out amongst the lash green of the forest we were in. No doubt the Fire Nation soldiers went through here. This just made me sick. Those soldiers had no respect for nature. I wasn't the only one who thought of it. We managed to make it to a village that was going under reconstruction. When everyone looked and saw me, Kioko, and Hiriko, they instantly went into hiding. When we tried to speak to them, we were confronted by the village leader.
"Who are you?" he asked as he faced me. "Why have you Firebenders come into our village?"
"My name is Roku Tengen, son of Natsuo Tengen, descendant of Choku." I said. I then revealed my tail as the villagers came out of hiding. "And I'm the Avatar."
Everyone seemed to believe me as they were all surprised. I knew anyone would know a Fire Dragon by looking at the tail.
"My humble graces, young Avatar." The leader said as he bowed to me. "It is an honor to meet you. What brings you to our village?"
"Me and my friends are on our way to the North Pole." I said. "We're also looking for someone. Do you happen to know an Airbender named Aang?"
"Oh, yes. He pasted here yesterday." The leader said.
"Yesterday?" I said. "So we just missed him?"
"Yes. He also saved our village." An old man said.
"He did?" I asked.
"Yes. Come by my place and I'll tell you." The old man said.
We managed to get there and listened. He told us that for a few days, the village had been attacked by a monster at sunset. It was Hei Bai, the Black and White spirit. I had heard of him. He is said to be the guardian of the Earth Nation forest. I would have to say that the destruction of the forest enraged him. Though people aren't able to see spirits, the winter solstice, which was today, weakens the barrier between the mortal world and the Spirit World, allowing the villagers to see Hei Bai. For 3 nights, Hei Bai had also kidnapped villagers with each attack. But last night, Aang appeared and managed to reason with the spirit. Hei Bai had then calmed down and then allowed everyone he took to return.
"The Avatar saved our home." The old man said as he finished his story.
"Do you know where he was going?" I asked him.
"Yes. Said something about a crescent island." The old man said.
I was shocked to hear that.
"Crescent Island?!" I said. "That's the most secure place in the Fire Nation. There are soldiers all over the place. Why would he go there?"
"To be honest, I really don't know." The old man said. "He was rushed out of here in an instant."
I then looked to the window and saw that the sun was beginning to set, nearing the start of the first night of the winter solstice.
"It's getting late. We'll sleep here and continue on in the morning." I said. "With any luck, we'll meet Aang in the North Pole."
After the sun set and the moon began its rise, we all then went to bed. We couldn't continue through the night. I was deep asleep and was only awaken when I heard something walking around. I followed it outside and to the edge of the village, right at the entrance of the forest. I looked around, trying to see what made that sound. I even called out to see if it was someone. I then heard something walking through the forest and heading towards me. I turned to face it and waited for it to step out of the shadows. The moon was a quarter way to its peak and I waited as the sound got closer. I then watched as an animal crawled out from the forest. I thought it was a bear of some sort. I heard that the Earth King, which is a reason why just about everyone call the Earth Nation the "Earth Kingdom", haves one as a personal pet. It wasn't like any creature I saw. It was like a platypus bear, but it had a muzzle instead of a bill and a stubby tail instead of a flat tail.
I never thought I'd get to see a big one or any bear for that matter. Judging by its black and white fur, I knew this had to be Hei Bai. I stood still as I didn't know what he would do and was greeted by a gently nuzzle. I then watched as he laid down, showing me to get on. I did so and I rode him as he went into the forest. It was a smooth ride and it ended with him taking me to a bear-like statue. I got off him and asked him why he brought me here. He then looked up to the sky and I did the same to see the moon reaching its peak. I then watched as a large circle formed in front of the statue, giving off a blue glow. I then watched as it formed the yin-yang and then gave a large flash so bright I had to cover my eyes. After it dimmed away, I looked to see an old man glowing in a blue hue and wielding a blue staff with the yin-yang symbol on the top, some of the yin and the dot of the yang missing. The man was a bald man and, by the way he was dressed, from the Southern Water Tribe.
"Hello, Roku." The man said. "I have been waiting for you."
"Who are you?" I asked.
"My name is Oogway, the Avatar who worked alongside Avatar Roku," the man said, "and grandfather to Choku."
"Oogway?" I said, shocked to meet my own ancestor from a century ago. "It is an honor to meet you."
"As much as a pleasure to meet you, grandson." Oogway said with a gentle smile.
"But how are you here?" I asked.
"The winter solstice." He answered. "With the light of the first winter moon, the barrier between the mortal realm and the Spirit World is lifted, allowing spirits to become seen, even my own."
"So Hei Bai brought me here to meet you?"
"Yes. For I had told him to bring you here."
"But why?"
"Because I have a message for you. One of great importance, one that I could only tell you on this very night."
"What is it, grandfather?"
"The one event that will lead to the end of this world."
I was shocked to hear this. The end of the world? What could cause this? Would this have to do with the Fire Lord or something worse than that?