Chapter 8

After exiting the portal, Ichigo, Link, Mario, and Naruto landed on what appeared to be a large ship, but before they could further inspect their surroundings, a blast of fire shot toward them. Ichigo's first thought was that it was a ninja but as raised his sword to block the fire, he noticed that the man's uniform was drastically different from the one's he remembered in Naruto's village. However, before the fire ever reached them, a blast of air blew the fire away and the man attacking them off his feet.

A young boy, in an orange and yellow outfit with an arrow tattoo on his head landed in front of them. Two more men appeared bu the boy quickly disposed by knocking them off the side of the ship.

"Who are you guys? You don't look like Fire Nation." said the boy, turning towards them.

"Fire Nation?" asked Naruto. "Wait, like the Land of Fire?"

"No, we're not from this Fire Nation that you're talking about," said Ichigo, stepping forward. "I'm Ichigo and we're looking for a girl named Rukia-"

"And a-Princess Peach!" interrupted Mario.

"Umm well I don't know either of them. But you say you're Fire Nation? Then what are you doing on this ship? Were you captured?"

"It's complicated," said Ichigo. "Basically, we're not from this world. We came here through a portal and we ended up on this ship. We were only here for a few seconds before we were attacked and you saved us."

"Another world? Like the spirit world?" asked the boy, who looked rather confused.

"Yea, like I said, it's complicated."

"Well as long as you're not Fire Nation. Anyway, I have to go, we've taken the ship so the our captain will be able to take you to land."

"Wait, where are you going?" asked Ichigo.

"There's been an attack on the Earth Kingdom capital of Ba Sing Se. I have to go there to help."

"Let us come with you," said Link, speaking for the first time since they arrived in this new world. "It may not look like it, but we're all capable fighters." Ichigo gave Link an odd look, but Link gave him a look back that said that he would explain later.

"Sure, we can use the help. I'm Aang by the way," said the boy, smiling now and indicating for them to follow him. They followed him to the deck of the ship and as they did Link introduced themselves.

"I'm Link, and this is Naruto, Mario, and you've already been introduced to Ichigo," said Link, pointing to each of them in turn.

"Nice to meet all of you," said Aang. When they reached the deck of the ship, everyone except Aang gasped.

"Mama Mia!" exclaimed Mario.

"Holy cow! What is that?" said Naruto. In front of them sat a giant Bison, however it wasn't just the size that was a call for surprised, the bison had six legs as well as the same arrow pattern that Aang had.

"Oh that's Appa," said Aang, petting Appa. "Hop on!" Aang jumped high onto Appa's head where he grabbed hold of the reigns. Aang indicated towards a large saddle on the Bison's back. They all climbed aboard.

"So, does this thing swim or-" started Naruto.

"Yip yip!" said Aang, and the bison, suddenly awake, lurched and jumped into the air over the side of the ship. They all screamed before realizing they were still airborne.

"It can fly?" exclaimed Ichigo.

"Yep!" said Aang with a grin. As they flew, Aang told them about himself and they, in turn, told him about each other and of their journey.

"Avatar huh?" said Naruto. "Cool! The ability to control the elements sounds awesome!"

"Air, Water, Fire, and Earth..." said Link, more to himself than to the others.

"Thanks! However, the Fire Nation is in war with the other lands. He's already wiped out the air nomads, I'm the last one. Right now, the Fire Nation is trying to take over the Earth Kingdom."

"Why?" asked Mario.

"The Fire Lord wants to rule the world. It's been like this for a 100 years now," said Aang, with a sad look on his face. Suddenly, his face was full of determination. "But I won't let him do it! I'm going to defeat him and restore balance to the world!"

"Well we're with you!" said Ichigo. The rest of them nodded their heads. "We have to find Rukia and Princess Peach as well. We were told that the person who took her was working with others and this Fire Lord guy sounds just like the person who might be a part of such a group."

"Well then, to Ba Sing Se!" said Aang and onward they flew.