Naruto and the rest of the gang are currently flying on Appa, right above the clouds. Naruto leans back against the edge of the saddle, trying to relax after what happened with Haru and the earth bender prison.
"Those clouds look so soft, don't they?" Katara asks, causing Naruto to look over at her. He sees that she is on her stomach and waving her feet back and forth while watching the clouds pass by. "Like you could just jump down and you'd land in a big, soft, cottony heap" Katara says, seemingly daydreaming.
"Maybe you should give it a try" Sokka says with a smirk. "You're hilarious" Katara says sarcastically. "I'll try it!" Aang says excitedly before jumping off of Appa and down into the clouds below. Katara and Sokka quickly look over the the edge, worried for what is to happen to Aang. Naruto just sighs and leans back, knowing that Aang will be fine.
Katara and Sokka turn around to see Aang fly back up with his glider and land back on Appa with water dripping from his clothes. "Turns out clouds are made of water" Aang says before creating a air bubble around him, drying himself off.
"Hey, what is that?" Katara asks, pointing down to the ground where there is just a huge area of black. "It's like a scar" Sokka says in a depressing manner. Naruto moves forward so he can see what they are talking about. When he finally sees it he feels something inside him become angry.
They decide to land on the giant area of blackness where they get off and start to look around. Naruto looks around and sees that all the trees within 3 miles destroyed. "Listen, it's so quiet. There's no life anywhere" Sokka says depressingly.
"Aang, are you okay?" Katara asks the boy who has been nothing but quiet since they landed. "Fire Nation!" Sokka yells, seeing footprints of Komodo rhinos which are exclusively used by Fire Nation soldiers. "Those evil savages make me sick! They have no respect for-" Sokka starts to yell before being shh'd by Katara.
"What, I'm not allowed to be angry?" Sokka asks annoyed before realizing that Katara was looking at Aang who fell to the ground and ran his hands across the ash and dirt.
"Why would anyone do this? How could I let this happen?" Aang asks, blaming himself for what has happened. "Aang, you didn't let this happen. It has nothing to do with you" Katara says, trying to comfort the monk.
"Yes it does. It's the avatar's job to protect nature, but I don't know how to do my job" Aang says. "That's why we're going to the north pole, to find you a teacher" Katara responds.
"Yeah, a water bending teacher. But there's no one who can teach me how to be the Avatar. Monk Gyatsu said that Avatar Roku would help me" Aang states.
"The avatar before you? He died over a hundred years ago. How are you supposed to talk to him?" Sokka says, not understanding.
"I don't know" Aang says, also not understanding. Naruto could've been of some assistance here if he wasn't looking out at just how much damage was done to the forest. Slamming his hands down at the ground, suddenly trees grew all around them, his friends watched in awe as more and more trees grew, returning the place to its natural state.
Aang smiled at Naruto smiled back, Katara nodded in approval, now it didn't looked as dead as before.
Small Timeskip
Naruto slightly smiles at the now happy Aang before he hears footsteps. He turns to his right and sees and old man with a walking stick in hand, making his way to the four.
"Hey, who are you?" Sokka asks, trying to be intimidating but it came off as more confused. The man, however, just ignores Sokka and walks over to Aang.
"When I saw the flying bison, I thought it was impossible, but those markings... are you the Avatar, child?" The man asks. Aang looks back at Naruto and Katara, asking for their approval to say yes. The two nod, causing Aang to turn back to the man and nod himself. "My village desperately needs your help" The old man pleads.
*Timeskip
Naruto and the rest of the gang follow the man to his village. When they enter the village they see multiple destroyed buildings. The man takes the four of them inside of a large building that is in the middle of the village. When they walk inside, they see all of the villagers together inside.
"This young person is the avatar" The old man says, gesturing over to Aang.
"So the rumors of your return are true. It is the greatest honor of a lifetime to be in your presence" A middle aged man says, stepping forward to greet Aang.
"Nice to meet you too. So, is there something I can help you with?" Aang asks awkwardly.
"I'm not sure" The man says.
"Our village is in crisis! He's our only hope" The old man who had brought them here, exclaims. "For the last few days at sunset, a spirit monster comes and attacks our village. He is Hei Bai, the black and white spirit" The old man says to the gang.
"Why is it attacking you?" Sokka asks.
"We do not know. But each of the last 3 nights, he had abducted one of our own. We are especially fearful because the Winter Solstice draws near" The middle aged man says, walking over to the window and looking out towards the village.
"What happens then?" Katara asks.
"As the solstice approaches, the natural world and the Spirit world grow closer and closer, until the line between them is blurred completely" The old man answers.
"Hei Bai is already causing devastation and destruction. Once the solstice is here, there is no telling what will happen" The other man adds. "So, what do you want me to do exactly?" Aang asks, not catching on to the hints they had been giving him.
"Who better to resolve a crisis between our world and the spirit world than the avatar himself?" The old man asks, gaining a confused expression from Aang. "You are the great bridge between man and spirits" The old man adds.
"Riiiight. That's me" Aang says, just finding out about all this. "Hey, great bridge guy. Can I talk to you over here for a second?" Katara asks. Aang nods and follows her over to a corner, away from the rest of the people.
"Aang, you seem a little unsure about this" Katara points out. "Yeah, that might be because I don't know anything at all about the spirit world" Aang says, right as Sokka and Naruto walk over. Katara, Sokka, and Naruto all share a look with each other. "It's not like there's someone to teach me this stuff" Aang exclaims. Sokka and Katara look over at Naruto for a second before Aang looks over to him as well. Naruto looks at the three and realizes they are silently asking him a question.
"What? I've never been. Just because I come from an ancient family of woodbenders, doesn't mean I can help" Naruto says defensively.
"See, Naruto understands" Aang says, putting his arm around the much taller wood bender.
"So, can you help these people?" Katara asks. Aang and Naruto look at each other, unsure before nodding.
"We have to try, don't we?" Naruto asks.
"Yeah, maybe whatever I have to do will just... come to me" Aang says in a hopeful manner.
"I think you can do it, guys" Katara says in support. "Yeah... we're all gonna get eaten by a spirit monster" Sokka says. A couple minutes later, Naruto and Aang walk out of the building and into the streets of the village. The villagers close the door behind them, fearful of what was to come next. Aang and Naruto start to walk cautiously through the village.
"Hello? Spirit? Can you hear me? This is the avatar speaking" Aang says. However, there was no spirit in sight.
"You seriously think that is going to work?" Naruto asks.
"Well I don't see any better options" Aang says, causing Naruto to shrug his shoulders. "I'm here to try to help stuff!" Aang yells out.
"This isn't right" Sokka says to Katara, back inside the building, watching Aang and Naruto through the window. "We can't sit here and cower while Aang and Naruto wait for some monster to show up" Sokka says frustrated.
"If anyone can save us, it's the avatar" The old man says.
"They still shouldn't have to face this alone" Sokka says.
The sun then finally sets over the horizon. "The sun is set. Where are you, Hei Bai? Well, spirit, uh, I hereby ask you to please leave this village in peace" Aang says to thin air and putting his hand out dramatically. Aang spins his staff before slamming the end on the ground. After this is done, all that can be heard are crickets.
"Ok. Well, I guess that's settled, then" Aang says before turning and walking back towards the main village building. Naruto stands there, facepalming before following Aang. The two continue to walk back before feeling a presence behind them. The two quickly turn around and that's when they see him, Hei Bai.
"You must be the Hei Bai spirit. My name is-" Aang starts but is cut off when Hei Bai lets out a loud roar, sending a blue beam of light at them. It passes right around them before Hei Bai walks past them and further into the city.
"My name is Aang, and this is Naruto! 'm the avatar and we would like to help!" Aang yells. Hei Bai doesn't listen though, and starts to destroy more buildings. He destroys a building that was already almost completely destroyed. He somehow teleports over to another building and punches it, slightly damaging it. He then teleports again, over to a watch tower and punches it, causing it to collapse. Aang and Naruto continue chasing after it, Aang shouting nonsense, and Naruto, foolishly trying to get in it's way.
"It doesn't seem too interested in what he's saying. Maybe we should go help him" Sokka says, worried for Naruto and Aang.
"No. Only a spirit stands chance against the Hei Bai" The old man objects.
"Naruto and Aang will figure out the right thing to do, Sokka" Katara reassures.
"Please, would you stop destroying things and listen?" Aang pleads with the angry spirit who just continues to ignore him. Naruto meanwhile, uses his wood bending trying to cage it somehow, despite thinking that might be a waste of time.
"I'm just trying to do my job as spirit bridge. Excuse me, would you please turn around?" Aang asks, to no avail. This starts to frustrate the avatar until he snaps. "I command you to turn around, NOW!" Aang yells.
Hei Bai stops what he is doing before turning around and smacking Aang away. This seems to cause Sokka to snap. "That's it. They need help!" Sokka yells before running out. Katara yells after to him to stop but he doesn't listen to her words. "Hei Bai! Over here!" Sokka yells before throwing his boomerang at the giant spirit, hitting his backside. This gains no reaction from Hei Bai, slightly disappointing Sokka. He runs forward and stops next to Aang as Naruto was on the roof, right behind the spirit.
"Sokka, go back!" Aang yells.
"We'll fight him together, Aang" Sokka says.
"I don't want to fight him, unless I hav-" Aang says before turning and seeing Naruto, who had jumped on the back of the spirit and created a lasso out of thin, easily to bend wood that wraps tightly around the spirit. Hei Bai, who is angered by this, runs forward and grabs Sokka before running away from the village.
The spirit runs away and into the forest, trying to knock Naruto off of him along the way. Naruto looks up and sees Aang gliding a bit behind him. Naruto hears Sokka's frantic screaming as Hei Bai runs out of the forest and into the destroyed and scarred part of what used to be the rest of the forest. Aang nears Sokka and Naruto who tries his hardest to rein back Hei Bai, but to no avail. Aang grabs Sokka's hand, right as Hei Bai disappears, taking Sokka with him. Naruto and Aang are flung forward and land on the hard ground next to each other.
Timeskip
Naruto and Aang awake at the same time and look around them. They see a large wooden statue of a bear with smaller bear statues around it, seemingly bowing down. Naruto and Aang look at each other and sigh, knowing they lost Sokka. They start to walk back to the village, heads hung low. When they get back they see Katara holding onto Sokka's boomerang tightly as the old man walks up to her with Naruto's extra layer of green clothing.
"I am sure you're friend wouldn't want you to get a cold" The old man says before handing the clothing to Katara who immediately takes it and wraps it around herself. The old man and Katara talk about Aang and Naruto returning, even when they are standing right in front of them. "The sun is rising, perhaps they will return soon" The old man says.
"What? No. We're right here" Aang says, waving his hand in front of the two's faces. Naruto looks down at his hands and realize that it wasn't his white skin, but his body was glowing blue.
"Uhh... Aang?" Naruto asks, right as the sun starts to come up, clearly showing his slightly transparent form.
"What? Whoa! You're blue!" Aang says surprised before looking down at himself. "Whoa! I'm also blue!" Aang exclaims.
"I know why they can't see or hear us. It's cause we're in the spirit world" Naruto concludes, causing a shocked expression to come over Aang's face.
"Well, what do we do?" Aang asks.
"I-I don't know" Naruto says, unsure of himself. He and Aang share a look before Naruto closes his eyes and tries to think.
"Well, if we are in the spirit world, that means maybe I can find help somehow." Naruto states before sitting down in a meditative position. Aang copies Naruto and sits down as well. After a couple minutes of nothing, Aang gets up and looks forward, seeing a sparkling light.
"Hey, Naruto? Do you see that?" Aang says, pointing upwards and seeing a blue tinted dragon rushing forward. Aang starts to scream, scared for his life as Naruto just watches. The dragon flies forward and swoops up Aang, leaving Naruto.
Naruto watches as the dragon takes Aang away and at one point makes eye contact with dragon. Naruto looks closer at the dragon who seems to slightly bow his head to him before taking off.
Naruto watches as the dragon takes off with Aang before standing up. He looks out for a few seconds before feeling fur brush up against his leg. He turns around but is tackled to the ground and pinned. He looks up and sees a lion snow leopard on top of him.
Naruto tries to push back and get up but is easily pinned back by the immense strength of the big cat. The cat leans forward and Naruto closes his eyes, thinking that the animal is going for the neck. Naruto then feels fur up against his forehead. He opens his eyes and is met by the predator eyes of the leopard. The leopard starts to rub against Naruto playfully. It jumps off of him, allowing Naruto to stand up.
Naruto looks down at the big cat which was currently brushing up against his leg, begging for affection. Naruto kneels down and pets the cat causing it to purr. The leopard suddenly runs off, leaving Naruto to chase after it.
Naruto runs after the big cat through the woods, maneuvering around the trees, trying not to lose sight of the leopard. He weaves through the trees before coming to a stop, lost. He looks forward, trying to see if the cat is in the distance before turning around.
When Naruto turns around, he is no longer in the forest, but rather back in his home. He looks down in front of him and sees a green bird with deep blue eyes, using his peak on his feathers.
Naruto kneels down and reaches out to touch the bird. As he reaches forward, The bird starts to glow. The closer his hand gets, the brighter the glow is. Naruto has to shield his eyes as he reaches out and finally touches The bird, being taken into the heart of a tree. He looks around and now sees a strange old man with long white beard.
"It's been quite some time, Naruto" Says Old man, in his deep and echoing voice. Naruto just looks confused at the unknown man.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Zìrán, the spirit of Nature,"
"It's good to see you too, Zìrán" Naruto says, a large smile now on his face. "But, why am I here?" Naruto asks.
"That is the question isn't it? Well-" La says before he looks upwards. "The avatar is calling you back. When you and your friends reach the Calling Forest, come find me. The longer we stay apart, the weaker both of us shall become" Zìrán says before disappearing.
Naruto watches him disappear, thinking about what he said. Has he been becoming weaker?
Naruto is then pulled forward and gasps heavily. He looks up and sees a statue of a bear. He starts to regain his breath and finally feels the hand on his shoulder. He turns around and sees Aang.
"We need to get back to the village" Aang says earning a nod from Naruto. Aang then spins his staff around before opening it into a glider. "Get on" Aang says. Naruto just looks at him like he's crazy.
"Yeah no, we're walking" Naruto says before starting to walk through the forest and towards the village.
Timeskip
Naruto and Aang eventually get back to the village, right as the sun sets. They walk up to the main village building and Katara runs out. She runs up and jumps at Aang, wrapping her arms around his neck. Aang lightly hugs her back before she realizes what she's doing. She pulls back and turns to Naruto and gives him a quick hug as well. She looks at the two with a smile before noticing that her brother was missing.
"Where's Sokka?" Katara asks, causing Aang and Naruto to look down in guilt and shame.
"We're not sure" Aang says, right as the sun fully sets. Naruto and Aang look out and both hear a high pitched hum.
"Go back inside, Katara" Naruto says as Aang starts to walk towards the entrance of the village.
"What? Why?" Katara asks before seeing a serious look on Naruto's face. She reluctantly nods and walks back inside. Naruto closes the door before running over to Aang.
"What's the plan?" Naruto asks.
"I'm not sure, but I know that what needs to happen, will come to us in the moment" Aang says, in a mature manner.
"You know, for someone so old, to say something so stupid in such a wise manner-" Naruto starts but is cut off by Aang.
"Trust me, Naruto" Aang says, looking at Naruto seriously. Naruto nods in acceptance before looking back out at the forest. Hei Bai was nowhere to be seen. They waited a couple more minutes and nothing else happened.
"I don't think he's coming" Aang says before turning around and walking back.
Naruto stayed at the entrance, however, feeling, Hei Bai, to be near. The soft sound of chimes hitting each other. He suddenly hears a loud roar and turns around to see Hei Bai, smashing a house. Debris from the house launches off and flies towards Aang who creates an air bubble around him and pushes it away. Naruto runs up and throws several small daggers made of wood at Hei Bai.
This causes the spirit to turn to him and roar. Hei Bai runs at him and knocks him away. Naruto looks around and sees a tall wooden pole. He uses his wood bending, causing a huge tree to hit the Spirit.
He touches the spirits forehead and sees within the monster, a giant and calm panda. He drops down to the ground and the spirit just looks at him, intrigued and confused.
"You're the spirit of this forest. I understand. You're upset and angry because your home was burned down by the Fire Nation" Naruto says right as Aang runs up next to him. Aang who had heard everything that Naruto had said, decided to help reason with Hei Bai.
"When I saw the forest had burned, I was sad and upset too, but my friend gave me hope, and he helped growing the Forest back to its former glory" Aang says before pulling the acorn that Katara had given him earlier, out of his pocket.
He shows it to Hei Bai before placing it on the ground. Naruto and Aang take a couple steps back, allowing Hei Bai to pick up the small acorn with his large hands. Hei Bai looks at it for a second before turning around. As he turns around, he turns back into his natural form as a large panda.
He walks out of the village and as he does, dozens of bamboo sticks quickly grow. People start to appear as they walk out of the bamboo and the rest of the village comes out of the building.
Naruto, Aang, and Katara all look out at the bamboo, searching for Sokka before he comes out, visibly confused. "Sokka!" Katara yells in glee before running up to her brother and hugging him tightly. Naruto and Aang walk up to the two siblings.
"What happened?" Sokka asks, rubbing his head.
"You were trapped in the spirit world for twenty-four hours! How are you feeling?" Katara asks, concerned for her older brother. Sokka seems to think about his answer before immediately gripping his crotch area.
"Like I seriously need to use the bathroom" Sokka says before running off.
Later, the four are getting ready to take off when the village leader comes up to them, as well as a few others. "Thank you, Avatar. If only there were a way to repay you for what you have done" The man says. Naruto turns his head away slightly before mumbling under his breath.
"Yeah, just give him all the credit" Naruto mumbles, a bit peeved.
"You could give us some supplies and some money" Sokka says, obviously not understanding what is socially acceptable to say. This earns a hit in his side from Katara.
"Sokka!" Katara whisper yells.
"What? We need stuff" Sokka defends. The village leader smiles before bowing towards Aang.
"It would be an honor to help you prepare for your journey" The man says before walking off, presumably to go gather supplies for them.
While the village leader does that, Katara turns to Aang with a smile. "I'm so proud of you, Aang. You figured out what to do all on your own" Katara says causing Naruto to become even more frustrated.
"I hate travelling with the Avatar" Naruto says under his breath. Sokka, who was right next to him, heard him say this.
"I know, right? He gets all the credit and glory" Sokka says to Naruto. Naruto turns to Sokka smiles slightly before nodding.
"Isn't that right, brother" Naruto says, putting out his fist. Sokka looks at it, surprised before excitedly fist bumping Naruto.
"Actually, I did have a little help" Aang says, causing Naruto to sigh in relief.
"Finally" Naruto says.
"I had a dragon in the spirit world that helped me" Aang says causing Naruto to groan.
"Are we still in the spirit world?" Naruto asks Sokka. Sokka just shrugs in response, a bit more use to it than Naruto was.
"And there's something else..." Aang says, looking down, seemingly deep in thought.
"What is it?" Sokka asks.
"I need to talk to Roku, and I think I found a way to contact his spirit" Aang says.
"That's great!" Katara exclaims.
"Creepy, but great" Sokka says.
"There's a temple on this crescent shaped island, and if I go there on the solstice, I'll be able to speak with him" Aang explains.
"But the solstice is tomorrow" Naruto points out. "Yeah, and there's one more problem. The island is in the fire nation" Aang says, causing looks of worry to cross over the other's faces.
And so, it's off to the Fire Nation...