WOW okay, so I'm sorry if anyone came on here before I was able to fix this chapter. Sorry about that, and thank you FlameUser64 for pointing that out! The formatting was totally wonky for a bit there. But anyways... I'm alive! And I'm so sorry this chapter took so long to get out! I really have no excuses except that school's been busier than ever. Also, there's finally snow so I can ski! And HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Pokémon Special/Adventures manga, or Avatar the Last Airbender
A loud rumbling came from beneath the saddle where Gold was curled in a thin blanket. He sat up and looked around with bleary eyes, immediately realizing that the wind wasn't as strong as it had been when he had first fallen asleep.
"What's going on?" He mumbled sleepily.
"Chuchu's tired, she's slowing down and I'm looking for a place to land and get some rest." Yellow's voice floated back to him.
"Oh. Okay." He crawled over to the side of the saddle and peered cautiously over the edge, taking care not to nudge the still-sleeping Red.
"Hey Yellow.. what's that?" Yellow glanced over her shoulder to see where Gold was pointing. A frown crept across her face at the sight of the huge, dark patch that lay like a festering sore across what should have been healthy forest.
"I don't know…" The Avatar replied, tugging on the reins and swinging the bison towards the place in question. Chuchu circled lower and lower before finally touching down. A puff of dark ash rose around them like a cloud. Chuchu sneezed violently, bucking the three benders out of her saddle and onto the ground.
"Wha…?" Red spluttered, inhaling a large amount of the soot and coughing.
"Glad to see you're awake too, bro." Gold groaned, sitting up and rubbing his head, "Wow, wonder what happened here, it's totally decimated…"
"It's probably Fire Nation." Red growled angrily, violently clapping a hang over his mouth in an attempt to stifle a yawn, "Only they would burn a whole forest down."
"Probably. Uuugh, why'd we ever side with them?" Gold sighed, "What d'you think, Yellow?" He turned to look at the small airbender, who was staring at the ashes beneath her feet. She fell to her knees with a sigh, scooping up a handful and letting the soot slip through her fingers.
"So much destruction.. this entire forest... and it's all my fault." Yellow murmured, running her fingertips through the dusty, gray layer, leaving score marks.
"Yellow… how is it your fault? You had nothing to do with this!" Red said, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She sighed again, drawing her knees up to her chest and hugging them.
"That's just the problem. I wasn't here to stop this, or anything else that happened while I was gone. One hundred years Red, one hundred years of suffering that I could have ended. That I was supposed to stop." Yellow said, gazing down at the palms of her hands.
"Nice going, you really cheered her up, bro." Gold snorted, chucking a handful of ashes at Red.
"Owch! C'mon Gold, not cool! What did you throw at me?" Red shouted, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Just a handful of this stuff, you wimp." Gold said, pointing towards the ground.
"No, there was something else in there." Red replied, gingerly removing his hand, "Something a bit… more painful."
"Maybe it was this…?" Yellow asked, holding up something round and hard.
"Looks like it.. what is it, exactly?" Red nodded, staring at the object curiously.
"It's…" Yellow turned the small thing over in her hand, "...a seed."
"A seed?" Gold pulled a face, "What's that doing here?"
"Hang on a sec…" Red muttered, and dug his hands into the layer of soot, overturning handfuls.
"Look!" He spluttered as a puff of dust rose, and grinned, holding up more of the tiny seeds for his companions to see.
"What, so there are tons of those little things buried under all this?" Gold asked, incredulously, "How'd they get here?"
"New life follows in the wake of destruction…" Yellow breathed, gently cradling the precious kernels.
"Is that some weird airbender slogan?" Gold yawned, flicking another seed at the back of Red's head.
"Owch!" Red yelped as the seed hit him square on, "Watch where you're flicking those things! They're sharp! So, this whole forest is going to grow back?"
"Yes, it will." Yellow said, taking the seeds and burying them again with care. She slowly stood, a smile spreading across her face.
"Thanks, you two."
"And all I had to do was chuck something at Red… who knew?" Gold marveled.
"Well, I'm glad you're feeling better, Yellow." Red grinned, patting her on the back, "Now is there any chance of me getting back to sleep?"
"Doubt it, bro." Gold said pointedly, nodding towards a figure drawing nearer to them. Red and Yellow immediately leaped to their feet, viewing the newcomer with wary eyes. He was an older fellow, with sandy hair and a goatee clinging to his chin..
"Pleased to meet you young people. The name's Cedric Juniper." He said jovially, sticking out his hand to shake. Red obliged, but didn't match Juniper's jolly demeanor.
"Hello, I'm Red. This is my brother, Gold, and our friend, Yellow."
"Ah yes, the Avatar, correct?" Juniper said, shooting a sidelong glance at Yellow. The three young benders exchanged expressions of shock, before turning back to stare incredulously at Juniper.
"I'll take that as a yes, then." The older man smiled kindly.
"Who are you? How do you know who she is?" Red piped up, stepping between Yellow and Juniper, "Explain yourself!"
"Calm down, young man," Cedric raised his hands above his head, "I mean you three no harm. In fact, I require the Avatar's aid. Yellow, was it?"
"That's right.." Yellow said uncertainly, still eyeing the man up and down.
"Wonderful! I'm sorry if I seem a bit forward, but I come from a village not far from here. You three seem quite tired, and I'd be happy to offer you a place to rest-"
"You said you needed Yellow's help. What do you need her for?" Gold interrupted, an obvious frown etched in his face.
"Of course." Juniper's face crinkled into a kindly smile, "Well you see, my village is troubled. Every night, we are visited by a beast from the spirit world, and each time it visits, it takes one of us with it. Those that have been taken thus far have never been heard from again… It pains me to see those who are supposedly under my protection swept away to an unknown fate such as this. And there is nothing I can do…"
"Couldn't you just move?" Gold questioned loudly, yelping as Red jabbed an elbow into his ribs. Juniper simply smiled sadly at him.
"Oh dear boy, can't you see? It is our home out here. We couldn't simply leave. And not to mention, the mountains are near impassable without ostrich horses!"
"Of course I'll help you, Cedric!" Yellow announced, grabbing the man's hand.
"We will?" Gold choked, "I-I mean, of course we will!" Red nodded in affirmation of his companions' words.
"But I think we will also take you up on your offer of a place to rest, our bison's too tired to keep flying, and I'd like to get back to sleep as well. We were up all day yesterday, and flew through the night." Red added, "Also, I have another question. How did you know Yellow was the Avatar? And why did you specifically ask her for help?"
"Ah. Well you see, I am a researcher. A professor, if you will-"
"First Oak, now this guy.. why do we keep meeting so many 'professors' named after trees?" Gold grumbled.
"-And I have done every bit of research I can while secluded in these mountains on the Avatar." Juniper continued, seemingly unfazed by Gold's interruption, "I knew that the current Avatar should be an Airbender, and judging by your dress and tattoos I made an assumption. And I was correct. Which is a wonderful coincidence, stumbling upon the bridge between the spirit world and ours, considering the disaster my village is facing."
"That's great an' all, but is there any chance of us going now? I'm getting a bit tired of standing in this dusty wasteland.." Gold cut in.
"Of course, of course! Follow me, it's not far." Juniper turned and retraced his footsteps towards a line of trees, that had been left unharmed by the terrible flames that had raged in the valley in some distant past. The three young benders kept to his heels, sighing in relief as they entered the spit of woods and the sounds and smells of life met their senses once again. Yellow hung further back, coaxing Chuchu through the closely knit forest and attempting to clear the way for the large bison. Chuchu growled unhappily as she found herself caught up in branches and creepers for the fifth time. Red stared around at the lush forest, unused to such a myriad of greens, having grown up in the bustling towns and beaches of the Fire Nation and Ember Island. Then the tall trunks began to thin out, and a narrow, well-worn path appeared, snaking out towards a clearing where a small, walled-in town had been built.
"Here we are! We're heading towards that big building in the center, but you can leave your bison over here. There isn't enough room inside, and we've got a barn full of hay if she's hungry."
"Thank you once again!" Yellow smiled, as she led Chuchu over to the barn. Gold sidled up to his brother and nudged him in the shoulder.
"What's up, Gol-" Red began, but the words caught in his throat as he saw what Gold was pointing out. Where several small houses should have been, piles of rubble and splintered wooden beams stood, dark and intimidating against the early morning light. A few houses that were still upright had chunks missing, wounds that gaped open at the wispy morning clouds.
"Oh." Red finished simply.
"I guess he was serious when he said this is a real problem. Doesn't look like the spirit's just taking villagers, huh?" Gold whispered.
"I'm starting to rethink this plan," Red murmured in reply, "it's seeming significantly more dangerous than I first thought."
"Yeah…" Gold glanced back at Yellow nervously, "Do you think she can do it?"
"I don't know. That's what worries me." Red said shortly, as Yellow ran back up to them, leaving Chuchu to happily munch on a heap of hay.
"Got that taken care of? Alright, here we are, then." Juniper smiled again, and waved them towards the biggest building, set at the very back and center of the town, "The spirit monster doesn't appear until nightfall, so we have most of the day to prepare."
"Or be bored outta our minds.." Gold said under his breath.
"Speaking of that... how are you planning on dealing with the spirit, Yellow?" Red asked, concern evident in his voice.
"Umm.. I don't really know, I'm hoping that it'll come to me. You know, get some help from my past lives, talk to the spirit, bridge between the two worlds… Stuff like that!" Yellow said, beaming at her two friends.
"That sounds… very reassuring.." Red muttered.
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Red stared anxiously out the window of the meeting house, drumming his fingers incessantly on the sill, and glancing back at the entire town's population setting up cots and sleeping bags on the floor behind him. Juniper had judged it far too unsafe for anyone to sleep in their own homes, and had ordered the villagers to spend each night in a group, in the town hall. He had also pointedly ignored Gold's comment on 'putting all the prey in the same place.' Red sighed, brows furrowing as he noticed the shadows of the trees beginning to lengthen. He did have faith in Yellow, and after witnessing her ability and fighting prowess on multiple occasions, he knew those beliefs weren't unfounded. But despite that he couldn't help but worry.
"The sky's getting dark! Everyone please come inside!" Juniper's voice rang out, and for a moment there was a harried calamity as the building filled with citizens. Red bit his lip and turned to stare at the sun, now blood-red and hanging low in the sky, like a ripe apple in Autumn.
"Hey, Red, are you okay? You don't look so good." Yellow said softly, placing a tentative hand on his arm.
"Still worried, huh, bro?" Gold sidled up to his companions.
"How can I not be? Yellow, you've never done anything like this before. What if you can't..." Red turned to face her.
"Don't worry! I've done this thousands of times over. Not me directly, but my past lives. It will come to me!" Yellow responded, spreading her arms wide in a placating gesture.
"Yeah. We're all going to be eaten by a giant spirit monster." Gold said with a hopeless smile.
"Gold, that's not helping anybody!" Yellow nudged him in the ribs.
"Would you people stop elbowing me?" He yelped, rubbing his sore ribcage.
"Only when you stop making stupid comments." Red grunted. Suddenly, they were torn away from their bickering by a piercing shriek.
"It's here!" A woman yelped, one, trembling finger thrust out the window. The three young friends whipped around to gape at the sight that greeted them. A terrifically huge beast had appeared, as if out of thin air, at the entrance to the village. It stood on all fours, and after closer inspection, Red realized that there was a third set of appendages sprouting from its shoulders. It's skin was sleek, white, and covered in black markings. It's head was small, and hanging low below the shoulders. A huge, leering mouth was stretched across its face, sharp teeth clenched together.
"Hei Bai." Juniper growled.
"Is that its name?" Gold asked, fear rising, "I didn't think it would be this big…" Beside him, Yellow took a deep breath before striding towards the door. Red held his breath and dug his nails into his palm to keep himself from dashing after her. She soared out the door on her glider, and landed a fair distance away from Hei Bai on a rooftop. The spirit paid her no heed, and turned to the nearest building, a half-broken wreck, smashing it into splinters with his extra arms.
"Stop, wait! Don't break anything else!" Yellow shouted as loudly as she could, trembling slightly as the words left her mouth, and bracing herself for the monster to turn on her. He didn't. Hei Bai shimmered blue for a split second, before disappearing and reappearing a few feet away. It happened so swiftly, that for a moment, Yellow wondered if she had imagined it. The the spirit opened his maw and let loose a roar, and a fearsome flash of blue light. Yet another house disintegrated in the energy blast.
"Hang on a minute! You've got to listen to me! I'm the Avatar! The bridge between the two worlds?" Yellow yelled, her voice stronger this time. She ran along the roof of one building, and onto the top of the barn, where Chuchu was cowering and letting out distressed rumbles. Once again, the spirit ignored her completely, teleporting yet again to mete out more destruction.
"The Avatar's methods are… unusual…" Juniper mumbled from the safety of the big house. Red glared at him.
"Why are you doing this?! Please stop and listen to me, I'm the Avatar!" Yellow leapt into the air, swooping towards Hei Bai's face on her glider, "I-I command you to sto-" But her sentence was cut short as the monster swatted her away from his face like a pesky fly.
"Yellow!" Red and Gold shouted in unison, Red beating his brother out of the window and racing towards his fallen comrade at full tilt.
"You're gonna pay for that one, you monster!" Gold roared, rushing Hei Bai with his fists ablaze and spirit aroused.
"Gold, no, wait!" Red screamed, but too late. Hei Bai turned, as if to stare at Gold, as he flung fistful of flames at him, before swiftly lunging out and snatching Gold bodily with his forearm.
"GOLD!" Red got to his feet and tore after his brother, but Yellow was faster. She sped past him on her glider. Hei Bai turned away from the destruction and began loping away at an incredible pace.
"Hang on, Gold! I'm going to get you out of there!" She yelled, and blasted a gust of air towards the spirit in an effort to get him to drop Gold. It had no effect. She swooped by Hei Bai's head again, dodging the blow she knew was coming. The monstrous spirit entered the woods, dashing along the narrow path that led to the village. Yellow weaved through the trees on her glider, taking care to keep Hei Bai and Gold in her line of sight, while not crashing into any of the obstacles in her path. Then the woods thinned and Hei Bai's limbs began kicking up ash from scorched earth of the fire.
"Gold!" She reached out her hand, and he did likewise.
"Yellow! Help!" He screeched, fingertips brushing hers. She snatched at them, but could feel him slipping away.
"Gold!" She screamed again, as blue light enveloped Hei Bai once again, and he, along with her friend, vanished. Yellow tumbled to the ground, landing hard, and in a cloud of dust. The world went dark for a moment. Then she sat up, rubbing her head waiting for her vision to stop spinning.
"I… failed…" She whispered, the realization dawning on her. What was she going to say to Red? Was Gold gone forever? Surely there was some way to get him back. With that thought, she hauled herself to her feet and began trudging slowly back to the village. The sky had gone completely dark by then, and the pinpoints of light from the village drew Yellow back like a moth. She entered the town limits with her head hanging low. Red was standing before her.
"Red.. I-I'm sorry. I couldn't save him…" Yellow choked, clenched fists trembling and hot tears forming in the corners of her eyes. There was no response.
"Red…?" She looked up in concern.
"Don't worry, Chuchu, I'm sure they'll be back soon. They're both going to be.. just fine…" Red murmured to himself, stroking the giant bison and staring straight at Yellow's head. Or… through her…?
"Red, no! I'm here! Right here!" She said, waving her hands in front of his face frantically. She tried touching his arm, but her hand went right through. Her stomach plummeted in fear.
"Wh-what? What's.. going on!?"
Sorry again for the wait, and reviews are very much appreciated, as always! :D