-Inside the Jasmine Dragon-
Iroh noticed that All conversation in the tea house has stopped. Looking around, he noticed all eyes on him. He was quite surprised to be honest, in his entire time owning the tea shop there has never been a reaction like this to any of his stories. Not even close
"What was with Azula?" asked Hui "She didn't exactly seem herself did she?"
"No, try as she might to be like her old self ,she found it harder and harder " said Iroh
"I think it was the twins" said Lan smiling "Everyone knows that earth benders have that effect on people"
"Oh please, that is so untrue" balked Hahn "There is no evidence to prove that...
Lan kissed the young water tribe boy on the cheek, causing the little boy to turn BRIGHT red. "See told ya! Now shaddap!"
A round of AWWWWWS echoed through the tea house at the scene of cuteness. Iroh had to admit that Lan had found a quite inventive way of getting Hahn to stay quiet
"Well the twins were a large part of it, though its kind of ironic in a way" said Iroh
"How so?" said Kanna
"Well along with my brother Ozai, a pair of twins, Li and Lo contributed to her unquenchable thirst for power." said Iroh "And now another pair has contributed to her healing, "
"Enough about Azula said Tai "What was going on with Aang and Xi'an?
"Yeah" said Hui " Why did they both go to the spirit world?"
"To get the answers they both sought, required a dangerous journey..."
Chapter 12
-The Journey For Answers-
The New Fire lord's war room bathed in a bright white glow as his generals and admirals reported the good news. Lo Pan smiled as looked at his "loyal and most trusted". He was no fool, he knew each like him desired power and would do anything to get it, even betray their fire lord. For it was they who helped plot against Zuko. But he had planned for such a possibility, and made sure he had a fool proof contingency plan, for each wore around their neck, a hard clay medallion as a symbol of their loyalty. Removal once given,was immediate death
He laughed at his sick little joke, really it was amazing what one could learn in those old scrolls. The seemingly harmless trinkets were in truth powerful spirit anchors. While, it was true it did increase ones power, it had a more vile purpose. It kept the body and spirit together after death, as long as the medallion stayed whole. A little poison in their drinks after they received their medallions and none the wiser. Only his spirit assassins knew their true purpose, the rest of his men he kept blissfully unaware that they were all pretty much dead. Though they weren't with out their uses, their strategy had been a great help in securing the throne
As the general's took their leave, a messenger hawk flew into the window. Taking the black ribbon note, from its leg, his eyes glowed bright red with anticipation. Yes, at last it..
"Your majesty!" said a voice "I have news"
Annoyed at the interruption, he looked to see one of his four original spirit assassins kneeling respectfully. However it was quite unnerving to not see the others. News like this was very likely unwelcome.
"Where are the others?" Lo Pan demanded
"Gone sir! Two destroyed and one missing in action! I'm all that's left" He said
"What of the princess?" asked the irritated Fire lord
"She escaped sir, but in her condition she she would be no threat anyway"
"And what of the Avatar or The prince?" said Lo Pan angrily walking toward the man
"They...They eluded us as well" the man gulped
"So, let me get this straight...2 of you are gone, one has gone missing, The prince and the princess along with the Avatar have escaped you... "growled Lo Pan snatching the man off the ground by the throat "And have the AUDACITY TO TELL ME THAT THEY ARE NO THREAT?"
"Sir, I bring good news...I have information on the final piece of the Shi...Surely that is enough to gain your favor?" the assassin gasped
"Oh it would have been, had you been quicker." said Lo Pan "But it is already old news. Your 'missing' brethren has performed his duties quite well, rather than waste my time with unfavorable news. He has promised to deliver it to me in two days.
"Please sir, I beg of you" the assassin pleaded "Grant me another chance to prove myself "
"I do not tolerate failure nor do I allow incompetency and yet you disrespect me further by doing both twice"
With his free hand the tore off the man's medallion. Looking him straight in the eye as he crushed it, he took immense joy at the sight of the man screaming as he combusted from the inside out until he was nothing but a pile of ash.
With the third piece all but assured to him, perhaps a little "sport" was in order
Thunder and lightning roared across the sky as Xi'an opened his eyes. He felt weird like he was floating but not quite. Sitting up, he looked around finding himself on the steps of a very massive building, almost a palace it was so huge. Kip barked happily as he saw him waken. Hopping on his chest, the pup covered his face in dog slobber.
"I'm okay Kip" Xi'an said wiping his face off "At least I think I am. Where are we?"
Xian looked around, The sky was filled with unnatural angry black storm clouds with lightning crackling and crashing above. On ground there was nothing other than the building. The rest of the ground was covered in a blanket of thick mist that went one seemingly forever in the black void. Trekking through that,was not an option as it was guaranteed one would get lost. While trying to decide what to do, he noticed something slowly emerging from the mist.
It was a frightening sight, a large hulking 6 limbed monster with a mouth full of razor sharp teeth. Almost instinctively, Xian reached for his bow only to find he didn't have it. Looking into his quiver, he noticed he had just one arrow left. The only thing left was to possibly reason with it. He just hoped it understood. He started by slowly backing away, being careful not to spook it into attacking.
"So...Um...Your Hei Bai...Right?" asked Xi'an to this huge monster
The monster nodded it head taking a single step forward.
"Did you take the women and children from the village?" asked the boy
The monster nodded it head, taking yet another step closer.
"The village elder as me to get them back, will you return them?" asked Xi'an getting scared but holding his ground despite it.
The monster shook it head no, making its way to the young boy. Stopping at the foot of the stairs, Hei Bai cocked his to the side in mild confusion. The boy was a awash with internal conflict, he was practically reeking of fear. And yet despite it, he saw fit to bargain for them back. Even though the people weren't his, risking death or worse...
"Why not? What reason did you have to take them? asked Xi'an
The monster growled in the boys face causing him to flinch but he stayed put. With a snort of defeat, he gently took one of his limbs and softly touched the boy on the forehead. His mind flashed with visions of the spirit snatching the women and children from almost certain death in the woods. They were being hunted by the same soldiers that attacked the village being led by...The Sage.
"So you took them to protect them" said Xi'an finally understanding "But where are they now?"
The bear morphed back into it's kinder cuddly form. Closing its eyes, he conjured a wispy image in the air showing the women and children of the village sleeping quite soundly in a small safe pocket of the spirit realm.
Bored with the conversation, the bear brushed aside the boy, walking up the stairs to the open doorway, stopping only to beckon back to the tracker to follow.
"Sure why not, nothing wrong with following a monstrous spirit bear into a creepy building" Xian said sarcastically
As he entered he had to admit he was impressed, it must have taken eons to build. Beautiful carvings adorned every inch of the walls accented by glowing crystals that gave off just enough light to read. In every direction almost endless rows and rows of books and scrolls. One could live a thousand life times and not ever see a sight like this. Looking down one row, he saw a man carefully organizing the books meticulously . He looked like a scholar and by the way he coddled the books he sure acted like one.
"UH...Excuse me sir!" Xian called out "I seem to be lost, where exactly am I?"
The man shot a frightened look at Xi'an rushing over to him. In a panic, he roughly started pushing the boy toward the exit.
"You shouldn't be here! He will get very mad if he finds another human in his library! You have to go now" said the man frantically pushing harder and harder
Digging his heels into the floor, Xi'an refused to budge any further. Try as he might the man couldn't push him any further.
"I'm not going anywhere until I get answers. (1). Where are we? (2). Who are you? and (3), Whats going on?" said Xi'an crossing his arms "That bear brought me here for some reason and I'm not leaving until I find out".
"Who says you'll be leaving at all?" asked a ominous voice behind him "You're trespassing!"
Spinning around, Xian saw nothing but a large mound of fluffy black feathers. Slowly looking up he saw the biggest owl he had ever seen. The same one that was in his vision. Oh how he was starting to hate the spirit world...
"Wan Shi Tong, I Presume" asked Xi'an trying to keep his fear out of his voice "The Spirit of Knowledge?"
"That is correct. However just knowing my name wont exactly get you into my good graces " said the Owl "Now its time for me to ask the questions. Why are you here? I must admit I'm flattered. To travel to the spirit world just to get to my library must have been quite an undertaking.
"Wait a minute...I'm in the spirit world? Am I ...Dead?" Xi'an asked with a hint of worry in his voice
"DON'T PRESUME TO TAKE ME FOR A FOOL!" boomed the owl "What is it that you want? The designs to a weapon of great power to destroy your enemies? Or perhaps knowledge to the perfect plan to conquer the earth under your rule? I notice that you have one the the Shi crystals around your neck, for what purpose, I wonder?"
"This? Its a warriors tribe necklace. It was my fathers and from what I was told, his fathers. I dont know anything about a 'Shi Crystal' " said Xi'an in confusion "If you want me to leave fine, if I'm not dead send me back"
"I cannot allow you to leave with that!" said Wan Shi Tong "It is much too dangerous"
"As I said it was my fathers, and if you think your going to take it from me, you are sadly mistaken!" said Xi'an grabbing the arrow out of his quiver as Kip growled
"Then you die!" said the owl morphing into a dragon like form
"ENOUGH! Both of you! " yelled a strong but very feminine voice "Do not defile this place any more then it already has been"
Glaring at the owl, Xi'an put his arrow back into his quiver silently cursing himself for losing his bow. Look to his right he saw the owner of the voice, Avatar Kyoshi.
"I apologize Wan Shi Tong, but I needed Hei Bai to bring him here. There is much he needs to know and not a lot of time" She said bowing at the owl respectfully "I will take responsibility for his actions"
"Your apology is accepted Kyoshi" said The Owl reverting back to his normal form "However, I have my reservations about this one's intentions. What is to say, he will not abuse the knowledge given to him as so many others have ?"
"Why do you ask me, that?" said Xi'an clearly irritated "I was asked to convince Hei Bai to return the people he took. Other that that I don't know what your talking about. So, how about one you tell me whats going on?"
"Humph" Kyoshi scoffed in distaste "You're as arrogant and disrespectful as the others of your kind "
"What!" said Xi'an clearly offended "What exactly do you mean by 'my kind'?
"You really dont know do you?" she asked rhetorically walking off "Interesting"
"Hey" said a frustrated Xi'an walking after her "I'm talking to you!"
Out the corner of his eye Xian noticed the Owl and the scholar talking among themselves, however their voices were too low for him to hear. Looking back, the scholar raced over to the boy with scroll and pen carefully examining the boy.
"My apologies for earlier" said the scholar "I'm Professor Zei, curator of this most wonderful library"
"Xi'an" said the boy looking quite confused and uncomfortable as Zei proceeded to examine the boy like a rare specimen.
"Interesting...very Interesting" said Zei measuring Xi'an's head "Tell me, Xi'an, which tribe are you from? Northern, Southern or Foggy Swamp?"
"Neither, my father was from the southern but I've never been there. I grew up in the earth kingdom" said Xi'an
"Remarkable...Your eyes are quite unusual, yet each color signifies bending ability. Tell me, which element can you bend? Earth or Water"
"Both"
"Both?"
"Yes both"
The scholar gasped dropping his pen as the owl and the former avatar looked at each other with mild surprise. He was the indeed the one they were looking for...
"He's a...a..."
"A guardian" said the owl spirit
Aang found himself alone among the thick mist. While he knew the spirit world was not exactly the most pleasant of places, he noticed that the spirit world was indeed different. It was now dark, stormy, corrupted and sinister.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" called out Aang
As he walked through the thick dense curtain of mist, a very unsettling and eerie feeling came over the young avatar. His heart jumped into his throat as he heard a loud flapping noise getting closer and closer.
Bursting through the mist was a huge blue dragon, making the Avatar jump in fear. After the initial scare, Aang breathed a sigh of relief. It was Fang, Avatar Roku's dragon. Astride the was the previous Avatar, Roku.
"Hello Aang, It is good to see you" the former Avatar said kindly "Though I'd wish it was under better circumstances."
"What...What has happened here? Why is the spirit world like this?" asked Aang
"A lot of bad things have happened I'm afraid. Sadly I fear things are going to get worse before they get better" said Roku "Someone has been hunting us down one by one, stripping of our essence. Kyoshi and I are all that's left.
"What how is that possible?" asked Aang incredulously
"It shouldn't be possible but it is happening."said Roku
"Is this the reason I've be getting sick and weak?"
"I believe so Aang. The Avatar draws his strength from all of his past lives and experience" said Roku 'If some one was to strip you of that, the consequences could be dire"
"Where are are the others" asked Aang
"You don't don't want to see that, Aang" Roku said sadly "It is a horrifying sight of arrogance and defilement. It is dangerous to go there, for the time being we need to go somewhere else"
"Roku" the young avatar said sternly "I need to see it"
"Kyoshi needs to speak with you now" said Roku "We shouldn't keep her waiting"
"Let her wait" said Aang " Take me to the others...Please"
"I want you to know that I'm doing this against my better judgment" Roku sighed in defeat
The two hopped on Fang and flew off toward the Lo Pans "orchard". Roku knew Kyoshi would not be happy about this at all...
"I'M A WHAT?" yelled Xi'an slumping down on a near by bench "You cant be serious!"
"We are serious, You are the avatar's sworn vassal " said Kyoshi " It is your duty to protect him and help him shoulder the weight of the world when he's unable to by himself"
"I don't recall ever swearing fealty to anyone. Since when did the avatar need a bodyguard anyway?" said Xi'an
"According to the records here" said Professor Zei "Since the planet made very first avatar to establish harmony in the world, there had been a loyal vassal to protect him or her described as 'one who is between two nations'. However, as the avatar became more experienced and powerful though reincarnation, the vassal was no longer needed though his cycle never ceased"
"And now the avatar needs you, you have a duty to him, a duty to the planet and duty to spirit world" said Wan Shi Tong
"Wow that a huge change of heart, Owl. A far cry from 'I'll never let you leave here'" said Xi'an angrily "After the how the world has treated me, it can burn for all I care!"
"What about about your aunt and sisters?" asked Kyoshi "What about your new friends? Would abandon them to this fate? Because I can assure you, the mortal world will be just as corrupted as the spirit world is if you do not help the Avatar"
Xi'an closed his eyes and took a deep breath. There was nothing more important to him then his family, he'd do anything to keep them safe."
"Fine, I'm look after the avatar but I want some compensation then" said Xi'an
"Power? Riches? Humph, typical of a human..." snorted the owl Spirit
"No, I want knowledge. I want to know what this crystal of Shi business is about " said Xi'an pointing at his necklace "and I want to know everything about these soldiers that keep attacking us. I have a feeling they're connected to what going on here somehow. "
"What makes you so sure?" ask Professor Zei
"Because I took this off one of their commanders" said Xi'an tossing a broken medallion to the owl "He said it was his "anchor" what ever that means"
A look of worry appeared over the owls eyes, he knew exactly what it was. "Fine, Zei get him ever thing he asks for " the Owl ordered
"YOU!" snapped Kyoshi at Xi'an " Get Hei Bai and come with me!"
"What? Why?"
"Because Aang and Roku should have been here by now! " she snarled
"You wont like what you see Aang" said Roku as they landed
The was a huge understatement thought Aang as he laid his eyes on the massive rows of withered and gnarled trees that stretched and on. But frightened him the most was was the trees themselves. He gasped in horror at he saw... in each tree was the lifeless husk of an avatar, their faces frozen in a look of pure terror.
"This cant be happening!" Aang said "How do we reverse this?"
"I don't know Aang, but we think that he wants to weaken you for a reason" said Roku
"Who is he?"
"A very dangerous man. His name is..."
"Roku!" yelled the voice of Kyoshi "why have you brought Aang here?"
The two looked to see the form of avatar Kyoshi riding Hei Bai. She had a curious passenger, an older boy with a polar bear puppy.
"My apologies Kyoshi, but Aang felt that he needed to see this. I agree, he needs to understand the severity of the situation" explained Roku
"It is dangerous for him to be here, you know this! What if the he comes back?" said Kyoshi
"Who's your friend?" asked Aang
"He is, your guardian and protector. In your condition, it will be his job keep you safe " explained Kyoshi
"I don't need a guardian" scoffed Aang with glare "I can take care of myself just fine!"
"Well you heard junior, he doesn't need me" said the older boy glaring right back "I guess I'll be on my way then"
"Stop it, both of you" said Roku "Aang look around you, can you honestly say that your fine?"
"No" Aang agreed reluctantly "But a guardian for the avatar?"
"Look I'm not happy about this babysitting job either but it looks like we have a bigger problem than your pride" said Xi'an
"Yes and he's making his way down right now" said Kyoshi pointing at the sky
They all looked up as the storm clouds parted. Descending from the opening in a brilliant beam of green light was the spirit hunter himself... Firelord Lo Pan...