Chapter 14 – Hei Bei
"This isn't right. He shouldn't have to face that thing all by himself." Sokka said, watching as Aang walked out into the deserted streets of the town.
"Don't worry Sokka. I'm sure he'll be fine." Katara replied, although with a bit of an unsure tone herself.
Aang walked down the long stretch of road to the town gates and scanned the area.
"Hello? Spirit?" He called nervously.
He stopped at the edge of the town and looked up as the sun set and afternoon turned to dusk.
"It's sunset, where are you Hei Bei?" He called out again.
Aang shifted uncomfortably and searched his mind quickly. Knowing no other option, he puffed out his chest and stood up straight.
"I am the Avatar and I hereby ask you to leave this town in peace!" Aang shouted with a swirl of his staff.
Still no sign of the spirit.
"Uhhh okay, well I guess that's all settled then." Aang turned around and began walking back to the common house.
Katara wiped her brow, "It's getting kinda hot around here." She said.
"Yeah, but where is it coming from? It was chilly just a few moments ago." Sokka replied, confused.
"It's here." Daniel growled.
"What's here?" Katara asked.
She did not receive a reply. Daniel focused all his attention on the town gates.
Katara and Sokka looked where he was staring and gasped as a great black and white monster came lumbering through the gates which were even too narrow to fit it.
"Aang behind you!" Daniel roared.
Aang raised an eyebrow and turned around. In that split second, he came in eye contact with the monstrosity.
"Y-you must be the Hei Bei spirit. My name is Aang and I'm the Avata-"
Hei Bei cut him off with a mighty roar and galloped over him, ignoring his existence completely.
"Hey wait up!" Aang shouted, running to catch up.
Hei Bei roared and pummeled buildings in to rubble, sending debris flying everywhere.
Aang did his best to get the creature's attention, but nothing he did seemed to distract Hei Bei from its task.
"The Avatar's methods are…unusual." The villager said as splintered wood hit the frame of the window the group was looking out of.
"He needs help, he can't face that by himself." Sokka said and prepared to draw his boomerang.
"No! Only the Avatar stands a chance against Hei Bei." The elder reasoned.
"Aang will find a way." Katara said hopefully.
As Hei Bei was beating down another home, Aang came up behind it on a rooftop.
"Please talk to me, I'm trying to do my job as Spirit Bridge. Won't you please turn around?" He pleaded.
The spirit ignored him.
Aang felt an anger rise within him that he could not hold back.
"I command you to turn around now!" He barked.
Hei Bei turned quickly and with a mighty swing from its massive arm, sent Aang flying into the roof of a building, dazing him.
"That's it, he needs help!" Sokka announced and turned to run out only to run right into Daniel's outstretched arm.
"No. You don't have the optimal skills required to handle a situation such as this." Daniel said.
Sokka growled angrily, "Oh and you do?" He barked.
"We'll see eh?" Daniel said with a smirk.
With that, Daniel ran out into the town.
"Daniel wait!" Katara said, attempting to give chase before being stopped by the villager.
"No it's too dangerous!"
Daniel ran out and took a deep breath. With two punches, he sent two fireballs straight into the spirit's side. Hei Bei turned and roared viciously. Daniel felt sweat collect at his forehead and sent several more infernos at the charging spirit.
"Daniel what are you doing?!" Aang shouted in shock.
Daniel turned and looked at him, "See you in the Spirit World." He said just before being snatched up by the beast and carried off into the woods. Aang shook the surprise from his mind and hopped on his glider, giving chase.
Katara and Sokka ran out of the common house along with the other villagers shouting for their friends.
"Daniel! Aang!" They cried, but they were gone. Katara bowed her head and Sokka placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Aang dodged and weaved through trees in the direction of the spirit. It was several yards in front of him, bounding through the forest. Aang expected to see the face of a terrified Daniel in the grasp of the beast, but instead Daniel's eyes were closed and he seemed to be meditating, oblivious to his capture. The spirit led Aang to the burned area of the forest where they had made landing just a few hours ago. Aang slowly caught up to Hei Bei, but just as he was about to jump on the spirit, the monster disappeared into thin air.
"Wuh? Whooaa!" Aang shouted as the vanishing act threw him off course and sent him tumbling to the ashen land below at the base of a giant panda statue.
"Daniel!" He gasped when he recovered. He glanced around quickly and noticed the sun had set entirely and the land was bathed in the dim moonlight. There was no sign of Daniel or Hei Bei anywhere.
"I failed…" He said softly. He slowly rose to his feet and sulkily made his way back through the forest.
Katara sat at the town gates, staring into the dark mouth of the woods. The village elder walked up behind her and placed a blanket around her shoulders.
"It is getting late. You should get some rest. I'm sure your friend and the Avatar will return shortly. It wouldn't surprise me if the Avatar was only delayed because of his dealings with the spirit for peace." The elder said reassuringly.
Katara sighed and drew the blanket around her, "I… Maybe you're right." She said softly.
Aang saw the village reveal itself before him from behind the trees and approached the two.
"I'm sorry, but I couldn't stop the spirit and Daniel is still missing." Aang said, defeated.
The two did not respond and did not even acknowledge him.
"I just… I hope they return soon." Katara said shakily as a tear slid down her cheek.
"Katara I'm right here! I know Daniel isn't but…" Aang stopped as he noticed they still seemed to pay him no mind.
"Hellloooooo?" He tried again. He waved his hands in front of their faces, but noticed something that startled him: His hands were transparent.
"I'm in the spirit world!"
He felt a gentle breeze behind him, "Welcome." Someone said.
Aang spun around and there he saw the red, transparent shape of Daniel.