New chapter!

George Gershwin wrote "Summertime, and the livin' is easy" which is what my summer has been about.

And now my summer vacation is over, back to work and life returns to its routine.

Hopefully that means I can get back into writing a bit more often.

Enjoy, take care, toodle-oo, fare well, and don't take any wooden nickels!


Chapter 9

Hari woke up with a gasp, sitting up which made him hit his head on his small rickety cover, making it collapse on top of him. Hari shouts out in surprise as he's buried in sticks and leaves.

If anyone was to look, they would only see a big pile of broken branches and old leaves, like a blind beaver that chose the wrong place to make a home, though not for long.

With a woosh the pile was blasted apart by a sudden wind, leaving a young man on his back, staring up into the air trying to figure out what just happened, where he was and what woke him up.

Hari sat up and rubbed his face, thinking to himself.

His cover collapsed

He was in the spirit world

He had a very real dream

And what a dream it was.

He had been dreaming about Aang, Katara and Sokka. They had been flying over an ocean being chased by S… Z… Bollocks! He wanted to say Psycho but it didn't feel right, BUT they were chased by him. Then somehow there were a lot of big flaming balls of fire thrown at them and he had woken up. He really hoped it had been a dream, but with this being the spirit world and all, who knew.

But if it is true that just means he needs to figure out a way from here and fast.

His thoughts were interrupted by his stomach growling.

"Maybe it would be good to get some food on the way." Hari told himself as he patted his stomach. "But first."

Hari spent some time fixing up his camp space to make it look as close as he could to how it was before he arrived.

When he was done he tapped his head with his stick, feeling the familiar feeling of a disillusionment charm before floating up in the air and setting off into the forest. He didn't want to fly above the trees since he was looking for either fresh water or food, though once in a while he would pop up through the treetops to make sure he was still going in the direction of the mountains.

The forest was becoming lighter and greener. It seemed like there was a bit of animal life, but even though it was animals he had seen before, their colors and patterns were more fantastic and colorful, like birds of paradise on drugs.

After a while he had gotten into a rhythm of grabbing fruit and eating it while flying, scaring a couple of critters or birds when the fruit they wanted to eat was snatched by something invisible, tight in front of them.

He didn't know how long he spent zooming around trees, bobbing up and down the forest, but he was having fun. More than anything he loved to fly!

He knew he soon would be at the edge of the forest and suddenly he saw a bright light behind the curtain of trees ahead. As he passed the treeline he shot up, spinning into the air, keeping his eyes closed. He came to a stop, opening his eyes. In front of was a few spread trees but otherwise there were fields of grass and a huge river, twisting and bending through the landscape. Hari was getting thirsty and by whatever gods might exist in this world, he hoped the water in the spirit world was drinkable.

He flew down to the river's edge where he was greeted by the sound of rushing water. He cupped his hands and scooped up a bit of water. Tasting a bit of it, he found that it was fresh and stuck his whole head down.

As he was gulping in water he felt something touch his cheek. He didn't think much about it until it happened a second time. He stopped drinking and opened his eyes and saw a big red slitted eye looking straight at him. In his shock he accidentally breathed in some water making him cough violently, throwing his head out of the water and landing on his back. As he rolled over on all fours he kept coughing.

He felt soft pats on his back to help with the chough.

"T-thank you." He said, teary eyed. So nice that someone would try to help and calm him down.

"You're welcome." Came a soft reply.

Hari sat back up with his eyes closed facing the clouds.

"Bloody hell, for a moment I thought I was gonna choke. Heh, imagine that, here lies Hari, choked to death on water in the spirit world. What a headliner." He said out loud.

"Don't worry. I'm very protective of my river. I'm not fond of death by my banks." The stranger said.

My bank? Hari thought. He had a sinking feeling as he slowly opened his eyes. Sitting, if you can call it sitting, next to him was a giant pearl white snake with ruby red eyes. They were not the dark blood red, filled with malice he had seen from Tom Riddle but lively and shimmering like gemstones in the light.

"Pretty." Hari said without thinking.

The snake closed its eyes and giggled. Hari, realizing what he said, blushed and looked down. It was only then we noticed that his disillusionment charm had disappeared.

"I thank you for the compliment. It's rare for me to receive them." The snake's voice sounded feminene to him, but it might be something he imagined.

"Rare?" He asked. Something about the snake reminded him of Minnie. There was a warmth to her eyes and demeanor and he got the feeling of being safe with her.

The snake nodded.

"How is that possible?" Hari asked, "Your scales are beautiful and your eyes are captivating." He clamped his hands to his mouth. Why couldn't he help but talk.

The snake giggled again. "Once again I thank you, Hari"

Hari took a few deep breaths to calm down. "No need to thank me for telling the truth, but since you know my name, may I ask for yours?"

The snake looked at him and tasted the air. "Yes you may."

Hari looked at the snake, which looked back at him, saying nothing.

"Oh! Okay. Yes. What is your name?" He asked, blushing a bit. He got the feeling that he was being teased by this snake and from what looked like a smirk on its face, he was pretty sure he was right on the money.

"I'm Baem, Mother of Rivers. Every river, no matter great or small, is my child. They flow from me and shape the land from within, unlike Tui and La who shape the land from afar."

Baem giggled, probably at her little rhyme, which made Hari smile. I wanted to ask about Tui and La so he took a breath and said "You sound cute when you giggle."

Baem looked at him and he was sure that if she could blink, she would have. It was only then he realized what he had said and blushed again and once more covered his mouth.

"Don't worry Hari," Baem said, "It's just a small side effect of drinking the water from my river."

Now Hari was the one blinking, probably because he actually had eyelids to blink with.

"What?"

"Rivers run true and my river runs truer. Just as dragons search for enlightenment we serpents have always been truthseekers. Eons ago I was granted a boon to bear the truth of the world and make sure that no matter what happens, no matter how clouded and hidden it might be, the truth will resurface like a spring erupting from the rock and flow like a river, spreading out. You might try to control its flow but it will always find its own way."

Hari was nodding along Baem's words when something she said hit him.

"Wait, dragons? Dragons exist?" Hari asked.

"Oh yes, though far fewer than there once were. Great creatures born from the sun and soil, from the heat of the sun and the heart of the fire living underground. They are greater than us, oh yes, but we have always been and will always be numerous." Beam said as her tongue flicked in the air.

Then he heard it. It was very low and it was easy to mistake it for the sound of the rushing water. It was voices, small voices and in an uncountable number, repeating what the Mother of Rivers had said, over and over; we are numerous.

Hari felt something touch his hand and he recognized what those voices were.

"Move carefully," Baem said, "we seem to have woken up the young ones."

As Hari looked around he saw a sea of white snakes in many different sizes gathered around them. He felt something on his hand again and looked down to see one of the smaller ones had climbed on top of his hand, looking right back up at him with its ruby eyes.

Hari slowly lifted his hand to look more closely at the little snake.

"Hello" it hissed at him as it tilted its head.

"Hello" Hari hissed back.

It was the silence he noticed first. Then the stares. The staring of a thousand eyes from all sides. As he looked around once more it was as time had stopped. Even Baem herself was still as a statue. No one moved… well not no one. The little one in his hand didn't seem to mind. It seemed to smile up at him.

"My name is Mul! What is your name?"

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It had taken some time for Hari to tell his life story. By now he felt that truth-fanatics might be a more true description about Baem and her children, than truthseekers. He had had to stop his story nearly as many times as there was snakes, either because be had to explain something more in depth or to answer questions about things related to what happened, the history behind it, at least until Baem had made them quiet down so it could tell his story without (too many) interruptions.

It had been interesting to say the least. Sometimes when he didn't know how to explain something or got a bit stuck in a certain part of his story, the snakes were quick to offer him water from their mothers river. Not that he accepted, since he was a little worried what would happen if he drank more and since he still felt the effects of the first water he drank. What if it made it impossible for him to not tell the truth? Yeah… With the fire nation after him and his friends it was probably a good idea to be able to lie once in a while.

Most of the snakes had left by now to do whatever these little streams and rivers might do and now it was only Mul, Baem and Hari left.

The whole time hadn't been spent on just him telling about himself but also learning about the spirit world and the ancient spirits who lived there. He had learned how lucky he had been when he had met Koh the Facestealer and that he might not be as lucky if they were to meet again. He had learned that most of the children of Baem were all born from when a new stream was created and they would disappear if a stream ran dry. The rest of the children, such as Mul were children of the spirit world and were all directly connected to her and thus not affected the same way, since the spirit world seldom changes. They belonged to different rivers, not always in the literal sense, but still rivers. Hari didn't really understand it but didn't think too hard about it either.

Hari stood and stretched his back, his arms raised above him.

"Well, I guess I have to start going. I need to find a way out of the spirit world and back to the regular one."

"Yay, lets go!"

Both Baem and Hari looked at the little snake.

"It seems my little one has found her river." Baem hiss-giggled, higgled?

Hari did a wonderful imitation of an owl as he stared at them, wide eyed.

"Everyone has energy inside of them. It is the same for all but different for everyone." Baem told, "For some it's a pool, while others it's a puddle. Then there's some where it's like an ocean, but for you, it's like a river, flowing, connecting you to the world around you. You know this and have even in your former world let this river flow through other things, like your wands. The world outside this one has been disconnected from the spirit world since the gates were closed long ago. You have experienced how you're able to let your river flow freely here, while it cannot in the other, outside world. You have a river of energy inside of you. It is strong and powerful, but it needs guidance and support. Mul is born from that spiritual river. She's born of your power and mine, and thus, is our child."

"Papa!" Mul hissed out loud.

Hari, who had been looking and Mul in his hand, looked up at Baem so fast that his neck gave a pop and he winced in pain. He was sure Baem was smirking but at the same time, she seemed serious.

"Most only meet and never get to truly connect with their spirit guide until the day they pass into the spirit world. You get to make that choice, darling." The last word was hissed in the language of snakes in a teasing tone.

Hari who now felt the effect of the water had worn off smirked and said "Well, I see our daughter has inherited her mothers beauty but wouldn't it be dangerous for her to go to the, what did you call it, darling? Outside world?"

Baem was shaking her head in amusement as Mul giggled at their antics.

"She will not be in danger. Truly connecting with your spirit means becoming two and one. Your mother has taught you well, even though you might not know it. Let truth be your guide." Baem said and she seemed to smile at them.

Hari looked down at Mul as she looked up at him expectantly. To truly connect… Maybe he was overthinking it… What did his mother teach him… and which mother… Lily didn't get to teach him much other than self sacrifice and he didn't think that it was something he needed at the moment so Baem must be talking about Minnie. Hari closed his eyes. Minnie taught him many things and most of all about how to live. The memories made him smile and feel light. His mother in all but blood… and species if you were technical had given him his life and he would never forget her teachings.

Hari opened his eyes and looked once again at Mul.

"Hello Mul, and welcome home." He said as he brought Mul closer to his face and closed his eyes. He felt Muls head touch his forehead and he felt a connection. It wasn't like a single connection like holding a wand but a deeper connection to the air around him.

When he opened his eyes, Mul was gone from his hand, but he could feel her with him. As he looked around the air seemed different. He felt like he stood on the brink of a calm ocean.

"She will be with you and guide you in times where you feel lost." Baem told him, "As you grow, so will she and she will expand your view if you listen to her. You already see it, don't you? Her first gift to you. You see the currents and rivers in the wind. In time she'll grant you other gifts and since she's part of me you can, in time, visit me. I do miss good conversations and I've truly enjoyed our time together, and if you don't know what to say, you're more than welcome to drink from my river."

Hari chuckled at her joke as he looked at her. Baem's speech made the air move like rings in the water… interesting… Sound was air waves, right? Now that's something to think about.

"Thank you for everything Baem," He told her sincerely, "It has been an honor to meet you and I truly hope we'll meet again. I have also enjoyed our talks."

"You're very welcome, Hari. I have three things for you before you leave. Advice, a gift and directions."

Baem came closer and put her forehead against Hari's. Then she moved away.

"Go with blessings of the rivers Hari, and be safe." Baem said.

Hari put his hands together and bowed once. Then he started to float above the ground.

"May your rivers always run true." He said before he shot up into the sky towards the mountains and whatever was beyond them, her advice, her gift and her directions clear in his mind and soul.

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Guided by the directions of Baem he kept flying. If what he was feeling was correct, he didn't have a lot of time, though he didn't know why.

He flew along the river, past the mountains and was now over what seemed like a fog covered ocean. The only reason he knew it was an ocean was from the waves he sometimes spotted clashing among the heavy clouds below him. He could see small islands sticking out of the fog here and there but he continued forward, keeping high up since he was sure that he had seen something very big moving around in the ocean, something much bigger than the Giant Squid back in the Black lake, bigger than the Unagi back at Kyoshi, so yeah… high up felt safe… for now… who knew what could be found in the sky in the spirit world. Better be safe than sorry and be a place where he could keep an eye on things.

He kept flying till he saw a pillar of light from above and he knew he found what he was looking for. As he got closer he saw that the pillar of light shone down on one of the bigger islands where it seemed like a small temple was located.

As reached the top of the temple he heard what sounded like voices inside. One he didn't know and one he did know.

"I know you can do it Aang. For you have done it before… The solstice is ending. We must go our separate ways, for now." An unknown voice said

Hari looked into the room and saw Aang of all people sitting on the floor.

"But I won't be able to come back to the temple. What if I have questions? How will I talk to you?" Aang asked.

"Talk to who?" Hari asked in return.

Aang spun so fast around that it looked like he had left an afterimage for a moment.

Hari didn't even get to say his, according to himself, famous 'Hello' before he was barrelled over by Aang.

"Hari!" Aang shouted, "What happened to you!? What are you doing in the spirit world!?"

"Well, my young bald friend," Hari said as he put his hand on top of Aang's hairless head, "that's quite a story, but if I'm not wrong we're running out of time and your conversation partner seemed like he was about to answer your questions before I so rudely interrupted."

"Oh, yeah of course!" Aang grabbed Hari's hand and pulled him in front of an old white-beareded dude who looked very much like one of the main statues back at the Northern Airtemple.

"Hari, this is my former self, Avatar Roku. Roku, this is my friend and the only other airbender I know, Hari." Aang said with a big smile on his face.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Avatar Roku." Hari said as he bowed, his hands clasped in front of him.

For a moment Avatar Roku was just looking at him before he bowed in the same way. When straighten his eyes were shining and when he spoke it seemed like multiple people were speaking at the same time.

"The pleasure is all ours, young man. We have witnessed your journey with Aang and we thank you. We hope that we will get a chance to speak again. You are unlike, apart but still connected and you go with great blessings."

Aang was looking back and forth at Avatar Roku and Hari, his face a giant question mark.

Hari just smiled back.

"Thank you Avatars. I too hope we will speak again, but now I think we need to finish up. I have already wasted enough of your time." He said.

"Too true." Avatar Roku said, his voice back to normal. He then turned to Aang. "To answer your question about contacting me, young avatar. I am a part of you. When you need to talk to me again, you will find a way." He closed his eyes and Aang did the same.

Hari noticed Aang looking worried.

"What's going on, Aang?"

Keeping his eyes closed, Aang said "There's firebenders on the other side of the temple door back in the physical world and the whole island is surrounded by Fire Navy ships."

"I can help you face the threat." Avatar Roku told Aang. "But only if you are ready."

Aang slowly opened his eyes as his tattoos and eyes started to glow bright blue

"I'm ready."

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Outside the sanctuary of the Fire Nation temple Zhao's soldiers are standing ready while Katara and Sokka are chained to one of the pillars while Zuko is tied to another.

"When those doors open, unleash all your firepower!" Zhao shouts to his soldiers as the doors to the sanctuary start to glow. Smoke begins to stream through into the room as the door unlocks itself and begins to open. As it opens, a blinding white light forces everyone to look away.

"Ready!" Zhao shouts as the light fades, revealing a pair of glowing white eyes in the darkness of the sanctuary.

"No! Aang!" Katara cries out as Zhao shouts a final time.

"Fire!"

He and his guards firebends giant balls of fire into the darkness hitting the unseen target creating a cocoon of fire that amasses, slowly starting to spin into a ring of flames circling Avatar Roku, his eyes fierce, glowling, filled with anger. As he draws the circling fire together, it compresses before he sends it forward in one powerful wave that sears the room, blasting the soldiers off their feet, melting the chains binding Katara, Sokka and Zuko and creating a gaping holw in the wall. Both the fire sages and the soldiers flee in fear of one of the greatest firebenders.

Avatar Roku kneels down, striking his hand down like a knife, melting the floor like a cut. He slowly lifts his hand, causing a stream of lava to erupt into the air. The whole temple is shaking, like it will fall apart any minute.

The fire sage that helped our friends, Shyu shouts over the noise "Avatar Roku is going to destroy the temple! We have to get out of here!"

"Not without Aang!" Katara shouts back as she and Sokka huddle behind a column for safety.

For a the shaking stops and as they look out from their cover they see Avatar Roku lowering his hands as smoke suddenly gathers, enveloping him till he's completely out of sight. Then the smoke fades leaving behind Hari carrying a weary Aang in his arms.

"You did well, Aang. Relax, I got you." Hari says to him.

Before our siblings can react Hari shouts to them "Q and A can wait. We have to get out of this death trap!"

As they look around the only escape that seems possible is the giant whole in the wall but as they look out they see a river of lava below, blocking any way down. Just then they hear a roar and looking up, they see Appa and Momo swiftly closing in. When Appa is close enough they jump into the saddle, flying up and away to safety.

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When everyone finally catches their breath, and as the adrenaline fades, all eyes are on Hari. All their worries, fears and guilt pile up and are let out.

Hari was very surprised that instead of being questioned left and right he once more had his arms full of his friends, crying, saying sorry and trying to explain why they did what they did. Hari, picking up the happenings from the broken story told by three emotional teens, hugs them all thighter.

"It's okay." He tells them, "It's okay. I understand. You did the right thing. You didn't have a choice."

Over and over he tells them this until they have calmed down. All three had lost someone close to them and leaving him behind without knowing what happened and without being able to do anything had hurt them, hurt them more than they themselves knew.

They now sat in a small circle, Hari with momo in his lap. First they had told him what had happened after he was taken and when they were done Hari had made each one tell him how they felt and talked about why. It was something that had helped him a lot, even though the one he had talked with was Mother Minnie, the Skybison. She might now be much of a talker, but she was an amazing listener. Hari had assured them again that they did nothing wrong and did his best to make them realize that they weren't at fault and they shouldn't feel guilt. He knew it would take time before they truly would forgive themselves, but he would help them. After all, he was still alive and well.

"Now, I bet you're curious what happened to me after the black and white monster took me for a run." Hari said, feeling a bit relieved when they smiled a bit at his joking about his method of disappearance.

"I guess I was somehow dumped in the same forest Bai Bai (Hei Bai! Aang said, as the other two laughed a bit, lifting the mood), yeah yeah, that guy, took you too, Aang, except I didn't really wait around. So, I flew up, yes Aang flew, yes I could airbend, are you gonna let me finish the story?"

As they flew towards the mainland Hari told him of his journey in the spirit world, calm finally settled.