A Help Is All We Need

-Maya's Point of View-

It's already the break of dawn. Aang stayed outside to communicate with the spirit while the rest of us stayed inside the town hall looking outside the window.

I don't know if sending Aang to face an angry spirit was a good idea. I want to trust the Avatar, but he said so himself! He doesn't know anything about handling spirits. We can't always leave things to chance.

"Hello, spirit? Can you hear me? This is the Avatar speaking," Aang said trying to get a response from the spirit. What are you planning to do Aang?

"I'm here to try to help stuff!" he shouted. Why do I have a feeling that things are not going to be okay? Where is that spirit anyway? I thought he arrives at sunset.

"This isn't right, we can't sit here and cower while Aang waits for some monster to show up," Sokka suddenly said. "If anyone can save us, he can," countered the old man. "Well, you are right, but isn't there any way that he wouldn't have to face this alone?" I asked. "We'll just have to trust Aang Maya," Katara answered. I looked at her and then I sighed.

I looked outside the window once more, looking at Aang. Then, after a few minutes, the sun has finally set but still the spirit is nowhere to be seen.

"The sun has set... Where are you, Hei Bai?!" Aang shouted. When he still got no response, he held out his hand into the air with fingers spread and palm open. "Well uh, spirit... I hereby ask you to please leave this village in peace!" he said and then he swirled his glider overhead and struck the ground with one of its ends.

After what he did, silence filled the air. No spirit, no destruction, or whatever. "Okay? Well, I guess that's settled then." Aang said and then he started walking back towards the town hall. Could it be? Did it really work? No way... it seemed too easy. I don't think it's settled yet.

And I was right...

When Aang was halfway back to the town hall, from the village's entrance, the spirit appeared out of nowhere.

Holy cheese crackers... That thing is terrifying! It's huge and distorted and... weird.

The monster started walking behind Aang and it continually followed him. He doesn't seem to notice it though, because he kept on walking. "AANG! BEHIND YOU!" I shouted. When Aang heard me, he hurriedly looked around and saw the spirit monster behind him.

"You must be the Hei Bai spirit? My name is—" Aang wasn't able to finish what he was about to say when the spirit monster spitted out blue light beams from its mouth towards Aang.

I was very startled by the sound it made while releasing light beams. It was so eerie and uncomfortable! This spirit seriously has problems.

It continued releasing light beams towards the sky and after that, he went to one of the village's houses. "My name is Aang! I'm the Avatar and I would like to help!" Aang shouted trying to catch the monster's attention, but he was being ignored. "HEY WAIT UP!" Aang called out to it.

The monster smashed one of the houses and then it teleported in front of another house and smashed it too. It went to the village's tower and knocked it over making it bend before pulverizing it with its light beam.

I SWEAR THIS MONSTER IS SOMETHING! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS MONSTER?

Aang was trying to catch up with the spirit monster but it kept teleporting around the village. He was having a hard time getting the monster to notice him.

"The Avatar's methods are-" the middle-aged man said but he was interrupted when flying debris hit the window frame. "Unusual..." he continued.

"It doesn't seem too interested in what he's saying. Maybe we should go help him," Sokka initiated. "Yeah, I don't think Aang can handle this. The monster seemed too... angry?" I agreed.

"No! Only the Avatar stands a chance against the Hei Bai." the old man argued. We all continued looking at Aang filled with worry. "Don't worry guys, Aang will figure out the right thing to do," Katara said. She's just trying to calm us down but deep inside her, she's also worried.

I understand it though. Only the avatar can do this, but can't we really help in any way?

"Please! Would you stop destroying things and listen?!" Aang said as he cautiously approach the spirit who was angrily pounding on a crushed house. "I'm just trying to do my job as spirit bridge!" Aang continued but the Spirit is still pounding on the house.

"Excuse me? Would you please turn around?" Aang pleaded but still no response. "I COMMAND YOU TO TURN AROUND NOW!" Aang shouted.

The spirit finally stopped to look at Aang and just when I thought that the spirit has calmed down he suddenly knocked Aang off of the roof he was standing on and onto the ground.

Sokka was aggravated by what happened and he suddenly shouted, "That's it! He needs help!" and then he ran outside of the town hall.

"Sokka wait!" Katara shouted. "Sokka!" I shouted too. Katara and I tried to stop Sokka but the townsmen stopped us saying, "It's not safe,"

The two of us stared at Sokka who was running towards the spirit and Aang. Ugh! I just can't stand here and do nothing!

"I'm gonna go get Sokka!" I said and then I ran towards the commotion as well. "No! Maya! Not you too!" I heard Katara shout as I ran away from the town hall.

I reached the part of the village where Sokka and Aang were and I saw Sokka holding up his boomerang while shouting, "Hei Bai! Over here!" and then he threw his boomerang at the spirit. It hit the spirit's bottom but it didn't even do any damage.

Nice try helping Sokka but that's not really gonna work! Sokka ran to where Aang was standing and I followed behind him.

"Sokka! Go back!" Aang shouted as soon as he saw Sokka. "Yeah, Sokka! I'm taking you back with me!" I shouted as soon as I got to where they were. "Maya?!" both of the guys shouted.

"What are you doing here?! It's dangerous!" Sokka shouted. "SAY THAT TO YOURSELF!" I shouted back. "You guys! You need to go back inside the monster is crazy mad!" Aang told us.

"Don't worry Aang, with Maya here, the three of us can fight that monster together," Sokka replied. "But I don't want to fight him," Aang countered. "Yeah Sokka, we're not fighting anyone! Now let's go and get back insi— AAAAAH!"

I was trying to get Sokka back inside the town hall but I wasn't able to finish my statement when the spirit monster grabbed me.

"MAYA!" I heard Aang and Sokka shout. "LET ME GO!" I shouted while pounding onto Hei Bai's fingers. "Hei Bai! We don't want to hurt you!" Aang shouted. "Let her go or I will- AAHHHHH!" Sokka shouted as well.

He too was taken by the spirit. As soon as the spirit did that, he quickly ran out of the village and into the forest. He was running so fast that I can barely catch my breath with the speed of the wind.

Ack! I can't breathe! Where is this spirit taking us?! What does it want?! Why is it angry anyways?! Let us go! Let us go!

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-Zuko's Point of View-

"Prince, isn't it about time we set sail? The sun has set and we might lose the Avatar if we don't leave now," the helmsman said.

"Not yet," I answered back. Just then, one of the soldiers went inside the bridge. "Prince Zuko, General Iroh is not in his cabin. I've searched the whole ship, he's nowhere to be seen. I believe he hasn't come back yet from the hot springs," the soldier reported.

I let out a loud grunt and then I shouted, "Ready my rhino! We're gonna get uncle!" I ordered two of my soldiers to come with me and then we went straight ahead to where Uncle was lazying around.

Ugh! I strictly told him to be back in half an hour and he dared stay there until sunset?! We're seriously dragging him out of the springs once I get there! Whether he's clothed or not, we're taking him!

As soon as we get to the hot springs I went straight to where I last saw Uncle while shouting, "Uncle! Uncle where are you?! You're time is up, hours ago!"

I was shocked and worry filled my whole body when I didn't see uncle in there and the hot springs are not anymore filled with water. It's as if the hot spring disappeared and it took Uncle with him.

"Where could he have gone? Uncle! Uncle shout my name!" I shouted. "Sir, maybe he thought you left without him?" one of the soldiers speculated. "No... Something's not right..." I answered. I looked at the hot springs and pointed at them. "That pile of rocks! Something must've happened in here." I said.

"It looks like there's been a landslide sir." The other soldier speculated. Tsk! These idiots. "Land doesn't slide uphill! Those rocks didn't move naturally." I answered him. Yes... these rocks show a footprint of earth bending— ah! that's it!

"My uncle's been captured by earth benders!" I shouted.

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-Iroh's Point of View-

After these roaming earth kingdom guards discovered me, they bound me up with chains and placed me on top of their ostrich horses. They didn't even give me a chance to put on some clothes! They just wrapped my lower half with cloth and we left the place. Now it's been hours since we started heading somewhere.

Zuko must probably be worried right now... I already broke my promise to come back in half an hour and now I'm being taken away. If only I can do something to escape from their captivity but I can't really do something in this state, not to mention my thing is feeling cold down there. The night is sending out cold breezes.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked the guards. "We're taking you to face justice," one of them answered. "Right... but where specifically?" I asked once more. I mean he didn't really answer my question. There are a lot of places where I can face justice. I can even face it in the spirit world.

"A place you're quite familiar with actually. You once laid siege to it for six hundred days, but it would not yield to you," he answered. "Ah... The great city of Ba Sing Se..." I said. "It was greater than you were, apparently," the guard added.

The mouth of this guard is full of words. Do you eat dictionaries for breakfast? What I did in the past is way behind me. There's no point in bringing it back because never will I do it again. I better play it cool and let this guy talk 'til he's tired. In fact...

"I acknowledged my defeat at Ba Sing Se! After six hundred days away from home, my men were tired! And I was tired..." I said and then I let out a big yawn. "And I'm still tired..." I said as I slowly leaned on the back of the soldier who was in front of me, then later on fell to the ground.

I laid still there for a good one minute before they all came to a halt and picked me up. They made me ride the ostrich horse once more and then we continued on our way.

Little did they know that I left one of my sandals on the ground. I hope this would suffice, Zuko... Please come find me! I'm sorry to have been a burden but I need your help! I know you will find me, my nephew. I believe in you. In return for helping me, I'll make sure to help you.

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-Aang's Point of View-

I flew with the use of my glider to come and take Maya and Sokka back. I caught up to Hei Bai but he was still too fast, I can barely catch up. The spirit continued to run until it reached the burnt area of the forest. Ah... We're back here again.

When I got close to Hei Bai I saw Sokka who was looking at me. "Sokka!" I shouted. "Aang! Go get Maya first and then get me next!" he shouted back. "Alright!" I answered.

I flew to the other side of Hei Bai and I saw Maya who was having a hard time breathing. "Maya are you okay?!" I shouted. She slowly looked at me but she can't say a word. "Grab a hold of my hand!" I shouted again as I reached out my hand to her.

She slowly reached out her hand as well and I tried getting closer and closer so that she can take my hand. After reaching for a couple of seconds, we were finally able to hold hands, but just when I thought I'm gonna be able to save the both of them, the spirit suddenly vanished into thin air.

I suddenly felt my air bending come to a halt and I crashed to the ground.

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"MAYA!" I shouted as I jolted up.

Huh? Where am I? Oh... I'm in the burnt forest. I must've dozed off after what happened— Ah! Sokka and Maya!

I looked around and tried looking for clues to where Hei Bai might have gone but he was nowhere to be seen. I let out a sigh of defeat and then I looked at the ground. "I failed...." I sadly said.

Slowly, I stood up from the ground and then I picked up my glider. Out of devastation, instead of flying back to the village, I just walked. I really felt down because I wasn't able to get Sokka and Maya back and now I don't even know where they are! Besides I feel kinda lightheaded. I don't think I have the energy left to airbend.

Ugh! Stupid, stupid, STUPID! If only I moved a little bit quicker then I would've been able to save the two of them! Ugh! For an Avatar, you sure are the worst, Aang!

I hate it! I hate myself! I hate being the Avatar!

Thoughts were running inside my head. Anger, sadness, regret, fear, those were the emotions that were overflowing within me. I continued walking without knowing where I was heading to and before I knew it, I was back to the village in no time. My mind was preoccupied all the time I walked from the forest to the village.

"You're brother is in good hands... I would be shocked if the Avatar returned without him," I heard the old villager's voice. I looked at the village's entrance and I saw Katara sitting on the ground with the old man kneeling in front of him.

I think he's trying to comfort Katara. I saw that she was holding on to Sokka's boomerang. I guess she has been waiting all this time.

I slowly walked closer to them and I said, "Katara? Katara I lost him." I said to Katara but she didn't look at me. I knew she'd be mad, but I wasn't ready to be given the cold treatment. I just stood there silently until the sun started to rise.

"The sun is rising... Perhaps he will return soon." the old man suddenly said. Huh? What is he talking about? I'm here in front of them! I've returned! "What? No! I'm right here!" I shouted to them. When they still didn't notice me I let out an irritated grunt and waved my hands in front of the old man.

And that is where I noticed... As I held my hand against the sunlight, I saw that it was transparent. When I looked at my whole body, it was all transparent! From my head down to the tip of my toe— I was completely invisible.

And then it hit me... "I'm in the spirit world!" I exclaimed as soon as I realized what was going on.

The old man tried to get Katara to go inside but she insisted to wait. When the old man left, I hurriedly sat beside Katara and tried talking to her as if she can hear me. "I'll figure this out Katara, I promise. As they said, I'm the bridge between the worlds, right? All I have to do is... figure out what I have to do! But once I do that, no problem!" I said.

Suddenly Appa came and stopped behind us. I looked back at him and thought maybe he can see me! So I greeted him, "Appa, hey buddy! I'm right here..." I said and waved my hand— but the same as Katara and the old guy's reaction, he can't see me too. He looked at Katara and blew air from his nose at her. "But... I guess you can't see me either." I sadly said.

When Katara didn't pay attention to Appa, he suddenly growled to get her attention. Katara finally looked at Appa and she said, "It's okay Appa! Don't worry. I'm sure they're on their way back..." Katara said as she patted Appa's head and stood up. "I bet they even found you a bunch of moon peaches— for treats!" she continued while walking back inside the village. Appa followed behind her and then soon enough they were already far away from me.

I started feeling pressured at everything. Katara's expecting me and waiting for me to return when I don't even know what to do yet! "What am I supposed to do?!" I exclaimed. Then out of desperation, I shouted to the air, "AVATAR ROKU! HOW CAN I TALK TO YOU?!" but I got no reply...

Oh... What was I expecting? That someone will suddenly show up and help me? What are you thinking Aang? That doesn't work that way! I should just probably stay close to Katara, maybe I'll figure something out soon.

I was about to follow behind Katara and Appa when from the forest, I saw a flashing light. "Maya?" I asked filled with hope. Could it be? Has she returned? I squinted my eyes to take a closer look at the glowing light and when I got a better and clearer look at what it was, I suddenly felt agitated.

I saw a dragon that has the same color blue as me and is also transparent. "That is definitely not Maya!" I said and then I opened my glider and tried to fly away, I was able to glide in the air for a few short seconds but then I landed to the ground face first.

What? Why can't I fly?! I quickly stood up and tried creating an air scooter but I couldn't air bend! I tried many times but there's nothing happening! "What?— I can't air bend in the spirit world!" I exclaimed. I slowly turned around and saw that the dragon has finally landed in front of me.

I looked at it with fear as I asked, "You don't know where Sokka is, do you?" and then I gave it an awkward smile. It suddenly moved its head closer to me and then its barbel slowly touched the middle of my forehead.

Once in contact with the dragon's barbel, a vision came into me. A vision of Roku riding on a red dragon! The dragon moved away its barbel and then I said, "You're Avatar Roku's animal guide! Like Appa is to me!" I said.

This dragon might be able to help me contact Roku! What do you know? Maybe 'help' in any form does appear out of nowhere!

"I need to save my friends but I don't know how! Is there some way for me to talk to Roku?" I asked the dragon. It suddenly curled its long neck on me and invited me to ride on its back. I quickly ran towards him and hopped on.

Before leaving I looked back at the village and said, "I'll be back Katara... Take me to Roku!" I said, and then the dragon proceeded to fly.