Water. Earth. Fire. Air.
Long ago the four nations live together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar – Master of all four elements – could stop them. But when the world needed him most he vanished. A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar: an Airbender named Aang. Although his Airbending skills are great he still has a lot to learn before he is ready to save anyone . . .
. . . But I believe Aang can save the world.
–Katara
BOOK TWO: EARTH
CHAPTER ONE: THE AVATAR STATE
The clouds over the Southern Air Temple were thick and grey of an overcast and rain. Aang raced up the steps with the wind howling low and thunder soft and faint in the distance. He entered the small building and saw someone sitting there with their shoulders tense up. Aang saw it was him, his eyes and his blue intricate arrow tattoos glowing on his head and hands. He turned around to face himself before a mighty wind blew; he then saw Katara and Sokka taking cover as he went into the Avatar State, triggered by finding the skeleton of Monk Gyatso. He surrounds him with a sphere of Air before putting his fists together creating blast of light. Aang flew backwards into the hall of the Fire Temple where he spoke to Avatar Roku. The saw the door unlocked and he saw himself again in the Avatar State breathing fire like a dragon before cutting the floor open. Aang was laying water as he saw himself fighting his old friend Dante. Dante was firebending and attacking with Rebellion dressed in a Fire Nation uniform – Aang was in the Avatar state once more. On the beaches of the Earth kingdom they fought until Aang blasted Dante backwards to a rock wall. The nephilim struggled as he fought against the Avatars might. He roared and used all his stored energy to run against the wind and tackle his friend into the water, and onto Aang himself. Finally He fell again and landed on the deck of a Fire Navy ship, he saw the giant essence of the Water Spirit glowing blue as it towered over all before it. Aang looked unto its heart and saw Aang fighting with it. They raised their hands up and slashed at the enemy blow . . .
Aang gasped as he awoke from sleep to find he was safely on the Water tribe ship they went on to travel from the North Pole to the Earth kingdom. He breathed heavily as it he could feel the air and water coming against him, baring witness to his own power.
He jump down from his hammock and climbed up toward the deck for fresh air.
"Aang?" said Katara who woke upon seeing him leave.
On deck the two talked;
"Do you want to talk about it?" she asked.
"Nah . . . just a nightmare." He replied.
Aang knew he could just avoid an issue that was bothering him he had to tell someone was good at listening. That someone was Katara.
"I was in the Avatar State, but I was outside of my body watching myself. It was scary . . . I was scary."
Katara placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him. Feeling a little better Aang went back down below afterwards. But Katara, who too was about to retire, stopped when she noticed the newest member of the group, sitting sideways, shirtless, with his legs along the boat's railing.
"Dante?"
He looked behind and waved to her as he watched the dark waves below the boat. The sea breeze wasn't as frigid as it was around the North Pole. It was cooler, more soothing.
"What are you doing up?" she asked.
"Heard the sea calling so I came out to watch . . . and I have insomnia sometimes." Dante said pulling out a gourd of wine popping the cork and taking a gulp. "It's mine, you can't have any." He let them know ahead of time.
"I wasn't asking." She assured him, "But I was going to ask you at some point but now am a good a time as any."
"Oh yeah?" he put the cork back in.
Katara leaned against the railing as she watched the waves below."How do you and Aang know each other? For Aang to recognize any old friends, like King Bumi, he would have met them a hundred years ago . . ." She finally asked.
Dante stopped her right there. "WHY do you need to know this?" he asked suspiciously.
"I just what know you a little more, besides being our former enemy."
"I wasn't really trying to being an enemy to you guys. Aang's my friend, you're his friend and Sokka's your brother and an idiot. No offense."
"Heh, none taken." She assured him. It was nice though to hear another say the same thing she has when Sokka was being stupid.
"And you are a strong, confident; girl who is has a warm heart and is matched by her pretty looks." He said in a casual to be shot a wink at her.
Katara blushed a little at the comment. "Oh . . . thanks."
He nodded, "You got boyfriends?"
". . . Uhh, well." she said.
"You know what I don't want to know. Don't tell me which igloo you kissed them in."
"I wasn't . . . are you okay?" Katara asked worried if Dante drank too much.
"I'm fine, lost my necklace, but I'm FINE."
"You lost your necklace, where?" she asked.
"In a fight a while back, can we get back on the subject?" He decided to answer her question anyway. ". . . You're right about one thing. He's 112 years old and according how time works in this world I would be . . . fucking old I guess. "
"Really? I never thought you would be by just looking at you. You look young."
Dante turned to her, "Good. It's bad to judge a book by only its cover. I am a Firebender and I traveled a lot. When I visited the Southern Air temple Aang was just diapered rugrat. When he was older I introduced myself to him. Aang and I became fast friends. Almost like brothers. Then years later he disappeared. He just got up - and left."
Katara remembered what Aang said about why he didn't say who he was when she first met him.
"It must have been hard." She said.
Dante silently watched the sky as he drifted in memory.
Aang fought Dante at the North Pole and he told him the how his disappearance effect him: "Where were you, Aang? We were supposed to protect them! WHERE YOU WERE WHEN YOU OWN PEOPLE NEEDED YOU? HIDING! TRYING TO PRETEND TO BE SOMETHING YOUR NOT!"
"What happened when the Fire Nation attacked?" she asked another question which greatly annoyed him.
"You know, I came out here to enjoy the waves, not reminisce about witnessing a mass genocide first hand." Dante give her a piecing glare.
Katara realized again that she can be kind to a fault. A simple question can bring flood of happiness or a flood of sadness. "Uh I'm sorry I don't mean to."
"It's nothing, besides I told you just now anyway. I have witness things like this before; each was more heartbreaking than the last. But . . . ask something else." He cleared his throat and his mind of the memory.
"Okay. Why did you join the Fire Nation afterwards?" she asked another question.
"To see if he did get captured by the Fire Nation and locked up in some maximum security prison. I just figured they would." Dante took another gulp.
Katara was now confused. "That doesn't make any sense. Why would you think they keep him alive wouldn't be easier just to get rid of him completely?" she asked. And it was a good question too.
Dante agreed. "I thought the same thing once. Until Aang was freed by that Blue Spirit guy in that ruin; I was there when the two got surrounded. Then General Zhao ordered his men not to kill the Avatar because he would be reborn again, in the Water Tribe, according to the cycle."
Dante got off and walked back to his Hammock to sleep.
"Wait a minute. What do you think would have happened if they did capture him alive?" Katara asked a final question.
Dante turned and stared. "You figure it out, if you want my opinion he most likely become what I was when I join a group called the Akatsuki." He replied back yawning as he climbed down the ladder.
MORNING
The waters of the ocean were calm as the sun shined its warm rays down. The group was ready to fly off on Appa toward the Earth Kingdom. But before they do some gifts were about to be given unto them.
Master Pakku reached into a sack and pulled out the first gift. "Katara, I want you to have this; this amulet contains water from the Spirit's Oasis. The water has unique properties. Don't Lose it."
Katara gave her former teacher a grateful hug. "Thank you, Master Pakku."
Aang was next as Pakku presented the next gift. "Aang, these scrolls will help you master Waterbending. But remember, they are not substitute for a real master."
Aang turned around to Katara, or as she is now the newly dubbed Master Katara. Aang bowed and took his place on Appa.
Dante stepped up next. Master Pakku presented him a sword wrapped in royal blue cloth. "Dante, this Han Sword was won by our previous chief long ago before the war began. He faced off against a Firebender and was defeated in a one-on-one duel. Before he passed on the warrior presented our chief his sword as a gift. That was 2000 thousand years ago and the blade is still as sharp and strong as the day it was forged. A fitting weapon for the Snow Wolf."
"Snow Wolf?" Dante asked for clarity on the nickname.
"In the harshness wastes that is the world, you hunted alone and are tired of war, but you still fight for a noble cause to preserve the balance of the world. You have fought for the enemy's side, your pack was small. Now that you join the Avatar in his journey to defeat the Fire Lord, your pack is large."
Dante accepted it and pulled the blade out of the scabbard to examine it. It was silver-jade blade with a slit gap in the middle which is used to catch a foes blade through it before disarming them with it toss it aside.
"Does it have a name?" Dante asked curiously.
"Temüjin. After its former master, the warrior who created it and passed it on to our ancient chief."
Dante sheathed "Many blessings to you, your tribe and Chief Arnook, Master Pakku." Dante bowed and climbed about Appa.
Sokka was last, but not least. He got the greatest gift anyone, anywhere could bestow on another. Pakku patted his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Sokka . . . Take care, son." the Waterbending master was keeping brave screwball in his prayers. Sokka looked glum afterwards, but he really didn't understand how importantand effective prayers can be.
"Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom base to the East of here. General Fong will provide you an escort to Omashu, there you'll be safe to begin your Earthbending training with King Bumi."
"Appa Yip-Yip!" Dante said to his friend. "Say hi to Gran-Gran for me!" Katara shout back. Just as Appa soar with vigorous speed into the wild blue yonder. Just like how Sting's song it was a brand new day; a new course was set, not to mention a new season to boot.
With the start of a season comes the time of gentle reflection.
In a resort populated with lovely pink Sakura trees located over the water on the very edge of a waterfall at a Fire Nation colony in the Earth Kingdom, the masseuses were at hard at work to make the Dragon of the West feel at home.
"Ahh! . . . this is what I've been missing. Who knew floating on a piece of drift wood for three weeks with no for or water . . . and sea vultures waiting to pluck out your liver could make one so tense." Iroh sighed in the bliss of luxury.
He looked over at his nephew who was sitting up against the side entrance in the sunlight wearing a shade on his head. He was deep in thought, like a dark cloud of sea vultures was looming over his head. He understood why, for when the new season comes again so to the memory of a dark day that defined him forever. Iroh walked over and sat down next to Zuko. "I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it? " he asked.
"Three years ago, today, I was banished. I lost it all - I want it back! I want the Avatar, I want my honor, I want my throne, and I want my father to not think I'm worthless."
Iroh thought the opposite of the last statement. "I'm sure he doesn't; why would he banish you if he didn't care?" Zuko glared at his uncle and walked away to be by himself.
"Eh . . . that came out wrong, didn't it?" Iroh asked the servants behind him. All they could do was look at each other.
Iroh's response held some truth it but it could have been worded differently or just keep it quiet. It sounded like Ozai could have his son executed for all he cared.
On board a Fire Navy flagship was traveling to particularly location at a Fire Nation colony. The ships were larger than most ship in the Fire Navy and were used by those of the VIP status. On this time it was a member of the member of the Royal family. On deck the Royal guard, clad in victory red bowed in of the arrival on a mobile throne carried by servants.
They pull back the front curtains to reveal a teen girl in a slim military uniform suit for her. She was Princess of the Fire Nation, brother to Prince Zuko and daughter to Fire Lord Ozai. Her name was Azula.
She stepped out and raised her hand signaling the royal guards to rise. Her golden fiery eyes scanned her subjects carefully, as if to spot any sign of weakness. She wished to speak to them about the mission at hand and began to walk down the middle.
"My brother and my uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord and brought shame on all of us. You have mixed feelings about attacking members of the Royal family. I understand, but I assure you if you hesitate, I will not hesitate to being you down. Dismissed."
The troops left expect for the captain who came to report on their status. "Princess, I'm afraid the tides will not allow us to bring the ship into port before nightfall."
"I'm sorry captain, I don't know much about the tides. Can you explain something to me?"
"Of course, your highness." The captain acknowledged.
"Do the tides command this ship?" Azula inquired.
The captain asked for clarity. "Uh . . . I'm afraid I don't understand."
"You said: 'The tides wouldn't allow us to being the ship in.' Do the tides command this ship?" she asked again.
"No princess." He replied respectfully.
"And if I were to have you thrown overboard would the tides think twice about smashing you against the rocky shore?" she asked grimy.
"No . . . Princess." Now he understands what she means.
"Maybe you show worry less about the tides, who have already made up their mind about killing you, and worry more about me who's still mulling it over."
"I'll pull us in." the captain bowed and ran quickly to the bridge.
She saw his weakness, which was minor, but in her eyes it was too much to begin a steady avalanche of failure. But one must see as time goes on to know if they are indeed right to kill someone.
They final reached the hilly mountain ranges of the Earth Kingdom, but still no sigh of the fortress land and it was starting to get boring already. Aang was watching the as the tops of the mountains pass them, Katara was reading a map to seeing the citadel's location, Dante was examining the ancient sword out of its scabbard, and Momo was nibbling on a Dante's toes since his lost his toe clipper. Sokka suddenly saw their destination and sat up.
"There it is!" he said.
The Earth Kingdom base was a circular fortress with a central tower in the middle; it is connected by thin walls that allow transportation across the mountain range to other military or vital installations. They landed on the roof; Sokka cracked his back, Aang rubbed his bottom, Dante was relieving himself over the railing and Katara checking their bags.
They turned to be greeted by man in Earth nation officer with mighty black bread a kind smile and golden shoulder plates showing his high rank and his troops. They were all barefoot which is common among the Earth Military.
"Welcome Avatar Aang. I'm General Fong. And welcome to all of you great heroes. Appa, Momo, Brave Sokka, the Indomitable Dante, the Mighty Katara . . ."
"Mighty Katara? I like that." She commented with a smile.
Dante shrugged. "You get use to it."
Then fireworks began to go off in the air behind them. Earth solider below in the ground were send green stones filled with explosive powder into the air that once launched they explode in the most colorful of ways and patterns.
" . . . But fireworks are something I will never get use to seeing." Dante smiled, crossed his arms in satisfaction.
Aang, Sokka and Katara have never seen such a spectacle. But Sokka thought it was cool edition when praised as heroes. "Not bad, not bad!" he commented happily.
Inside green glowing stones were used as torches on the large decorative columns. The four heroes sat cross legged beside each other on the padded mats several feet from the Fong's elevated desk.
"Avatar Aang, we were all amazed at the stories at how you single handedly wiped out an entire fire Navy fleet at the North Pole, I can't imagine what it feels like to wield such devastating power. It's an awesome responsibility." The general said truthfully.
"I try not to think about it too much." Aang replied truthfully himself.
General smiled and decided to get right down to business. "Avatar . . . You're ready to face the Fire Lord now."
"WHAT? No I'm not!" Aang protested.
"Aang still needs to master all four elements." Katara added. If anything he needs to be prepared first.
The General didn't see any reason in her statement."Why? What the kind of power he possesses – powerful enough to destroy hundreds of battleships in a matter of minutes – he can defeat the Fire Lord now!"
"But sir, the thing is, Aang can only do those things when he is in the Avatar State." Sokka clarified.
"You see it's this special state where . . ." Aang began until the general abruptly cut him off midsentence.
"I'm well aware! Your eyes and tattoos glow . . . and your able to summon unbelievable power. without you we be slaughtered before we reached their shores." The general stood and walked over to a map of the known world along with the Four Nations. "But with you leading the way, as the ultimate weapon, we can cut a swathe right through to the heart of the Fire Nation."
"R-right but I don't know how to get in or out of the Avatar State. Much less what to do once I'm there." Aang admitted sadly.
As a whole the plan was bold but simple. However, Aang may not be an experienced expert in warfare like the Fong one of the Generals of the Earth Kingdom or even Dante as the famed Demonkiller, but there was one thing he must take into account and that you must be confident in the knowledge he possess, including the Avatar State. But unfortunately has not been taught even the slightest concept of it.
"So it's decided then: I'll help you figure out how you'll get into the Avatar State, and then you'll face your destiny." The General declared.
The four stood straight in dissent to the general's plan. "No, nothing is decided. We already have a plan: Aang is pursuing his destiny – His way." Katara voiced her disapproval.
The General nodded and stood at his desk. "Well, while you take your time learning the elements, the war goes on." He then decided to show the Avatar something that could change his mind. "May I show you something?"
Aang walked over to one of the large circular windows to look below in one of the section's of the base. "That's the infirmary – and those soldiers are the lucky ones. They came back."
One group wounded soldiers below and bandages on their arms and legs due to Firebending burns from the enemy; they were the lucky ones because they still had all their limbs. There was group of men that had bandages but were wounded with various melee weapons. Blood was visible on some bandages due to how deep it was, and some were just had stumps for a leg or arms.
"Every day the Fire Nation takes lives. People are dying, Aang! You can end it, now! Think about it." The General concluded before leaving Aang to his thoughts.
The General is very persuasive. He had to be; in this war that every day the Fire Nation seemed to be winning and gaining more ground in the world. And every time his troops encounter the enemy they get injured or killed, and everything it does it dwindles them down bit by bit. In the general's eyes the Earth Kingdom is desperate in its defeats and the Fire Nation is patient in its conquests.
As the sunset cast its rays on the purple and red cloud once last time the Royal Fire Navy ship sat still on the waters. They reached their destination but she gave the order that she was to not be disturbed on deck while she was perfecting an ancient art of Firebending.
Her twin advisors observed from the steps as she began in her ready stance. To start off she bought her chi back into balance by breathing in deeply, with extended time on the exhale till she inhaled automatically.
Lightningbending is an ancient technique for the Firebenders to harness the power of the storm. Few Firebenders can master it because it is something that contradicts some Firebending teachings. Nevertheless, it is taught to they who have the patience to master it. And those who perform the technique are unique even among the highest Firebenders.
She rotated her elbow and wrist causing electricity to spark and follow on her pointer and middle finger, her right hand also produced the same electricity. The guided energy crackled as she brought the tips of both her pointer fingers and middle fingers together before unleashing the mighty blast toward the horizon in a bright beautiful blue flash of Lightning. Azula's fingers smoked having that much devastating power flow out of her in a blink of an eye.
The wise old twin advisors studied movement of her form and discovered a slight imperfection.
"Almost perfect . . . one hair out of place." said the two sisters beginning with the other finishing.
Azula's eyes darted to the single strand that hanged down the middle of her forehead and causing that annoying pressure that is felt between the eyes and the top of the nose were something hovers there.
"Almost isn't good enough!" she hissed angrily. She sought perfection in everything. And Lightning was not exception.
She tried again. Arcing the lightning under, over, touching the fingers together before unleashing the flash and bang of the storm.
Miles away Iroh was taking a peaceful nap until he heard the sound of nearby thunderclap. For there to be a storm with no sign of it in the sky is indeed very, very puzzling.
Night fell on the Earth Kingdom base. The wind was howling and the night watch was on duty. General again had to do the task of stay up late to review plans and new updates. Aang appeared wishing to speak to him.
"General Fong?" Aang said.
"Come in Aang. Have you thought about our discussion?"
Aang did, very intensely. He knew that being confident in his abilities and knowledge was key to ending that is why the answer he gave was what he believed was the best course of action now.
"I'm in. I'll fight the Fire Lord."
Aang returned to the room that was given to him and his friends. The dim lime green light of the ceiling lanterns was calming before bed, thought Katara. Momo sat peacefully on her lap like a comfortable cat. The four in the room heard the door open and saw Aang returned with a tired expression.
"I told the general I'll help him . . . going into the Avatar state." He explained as he sat down on his alcove bed.
"Aang no! This is not the right way." Katara objected once more.
"Why not? Remembered when you took out the Fire Navy? He was incredible. "Sokka argued in defense of Aang's choice.
"There is a right way to do this: Practice, study and discipline." Katara tried to reminded Aang of what really effective.
". . . Or just glow it and stop that Fire Lord." Sokka offer the other reasonable option.
Katara could believe what she was hearing. "If you two meat heads want to through away everything we worked for, FINE! Go ahead and glow it up!" she walked give up trying to fight it.
"Katara, I'm just being realistic. I don't have time to do this the right way."
He believed this was the best course of action, even if he didn't want to.
Katara walked outside into the cool mountain air and voiced a short loud growl of frustration. She then calm down and was about to go on a walk when she turned to the right and saw Dante sitting over on the railing watching the dark moonless sky.
"So . . . diarrhea?" Dante asked jokingly.
"It's those two in there." she answered.
"Ah . . . Constipation." Dante corrected.
"What?" Katara on where Dante was going with this.
"Nevermind, forget it. What happen that put you in such a mood?"
Katara walked over and leaned against the railing next to Dante explained everything to Dante. After she finished he got off and thought for a moment.
"Well, normally I would agree with . . . 'glowing' something up. But I have to agree with ya' Katara. He has to do it the right way. No excuse."
Katara sighed quietly as she thought on how they could persuade Aang to choose the right way. But it failed on defining issue: Free will.
"But Aang made his choice. There is nothing I can do about."
They both started back to the room for the night. "That General Fong has been readying too many scrolls on the Avatar's power from over many years, he's a power nut." Dante said, for he saw how General Fong was silently licking his chops behind his kind smile. He's seen it before many times - sometimes from the same person.
Far up a mountain path under a mediation pergola everyone gather to watch Aang and Fong try the first idea to activate the Avatar state. With the assistance of a doctor put a speck of herb into the hot tea pot, "This rare chi enhancing tea is a natural stimulant. An ordinary warrior it improves strength and energy tenfold. I you it may induce the Avatar state."
He past the cup to Aang who stared at the cup, behind him Katara Sokka and Momo peeked around his shoulders and Dante looked over his head.
"Ten fold energy, huh?" Aang said before sipping the drink. Then his eyebrow began twitching.
Aang raced on an Air ball around in circles and down the hill and on the ceiling with the energy of a charging red bull. "IS IT WORKING, IS IT WORKING?! I CANT TELL! SOMEBOBY TELL ME IF I'M IN THE AVATAT STATE BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A GOOD FEEL OF MYSELF! I'M I TALKING TOO LOUD?"
The general stroked his bread on thinking on another idea. Dante looked at the tea and thought about trying some later on.
"I guess he could talk the Fire Lord to death." Sokka suggest.
Meanwhile Aang hit one of the columns hard enough to being back to a normal speed.
They tried another idea with Sokka leading.
"Maybe I can shock you into the Avatar state."
"I love surprises." Aang said happily.
Katara covered Aang's eyes; a few adjustments Sokka was ready and she uncovered her hands to reveal Momo's head on Sokka's body screeching like it had rabies.
"RRRRAAAAGGGHHH!"
"AAAAHHH!" Aang screamed before checked his tattoos to see if it even worked. "Still not glowing." He informed the 'monster' in front of him. Momo wanted to get out forcing Sokka to lose balance and fall over.
The general shook his head at another idea down the drain. But he wasn't gonna give up now. They entered a base's temple were a shaman (who look as if he was a struck by lightning half a dozen times) stood presiding over a ritual that may induce the Avatar State.
"You are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations. Now I will join the four elements into one."Into the large bowl he poured a jug of water, a bowl of earth, tossed in a flaming torching and final blew air using bellow. "Four elements together as one!" he declared aloud. He the splashed it down on Aang making him dirty.
"This is just mud!" Aang informed the shaman.
"So . . . do you feel anything?" he asked.
Aang did feel something. It felt strange, with was strong and exceedingly powerful, so powerful in fact-
"AH-CHOO!"
- So powerful in fact that it exited his nose and covered everyone in mud.
General Fong whipped the mud from his face. "We have to find a way." He said.
Back at the Fire Colony resort he Iroh returned to their dwelling to show Zuko a treasure that no can live their life without . . . SEASHELLS!
"Look at these magnificent shells! I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come."
"We don't need any more useless things. You forget we have to care everything ourselves now."
"Hello brother, Uncle."
Zuko and Iroh turned to see a young woman sitting in the back of the room in a chair admiring the other collected shells.
"What are you doing here?" Zuko demanded grimly.
Azula stood up and walked over with a fan shell in hand. "In my country we exchange a pleasant 'hello' before asking questions – have you become uncivilized so soon, Zu-zu."
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"Zuko shouted, he hated that nickname so much he could fight someone on sight. And Azula was no exception.
"To what, do we owe this honor?" Iroh inquired.
"Hmm must be a family trait, both of you so quick to get to the point!"Azula shatter the shell into pieces. Iroh was shock to see his beautiful shell destroyed like that, but wondered where the she got the strength to do it with her talon-like fingernails. "I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him." even she sounds like she believe the first she heard it. "He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him, treacherous plots, and family are the only ones you can really trust."
Zuko stood there lost in thought as Azula stared back at him. She turned to the side to hide at hidden truth in her eyes while telling him of . . . another one. "Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home."
One of those hidden truths was the fact she reveled greatly in Zuko's dishonor, his injury and banishment. Butnot this time though, certain conditions caused Azula to show her humanity to her own family. Something she rarely looked back at Zuko since he didn't react, didn't do anything but look out the window. "Didn't you HEAR me? You should be happy. Excited, grateful! I just gave you great news."
Iroh tried to console his niece. "I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment . . ."
"DON'T INTERUPT UNCLE!" Azula snapped like an angry snake on a broken branch.
"I still haven't heard my thank you. I'm not a massager – I didn't have to come all this way."
The scarred prince could hardly believe it. "Father regrets? He . . . wants me back?"
Azula turned and left the room. "I can see you need time to take this in, I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening."
Meanwhile back at home base Katara and Dante finds Aang taking a break watching the sunset alone. Due to the last attempts not be successful she decide to do it while she still can.
"Can we talk about something?" asked she.
"Sure." Aang said a bit tired from the trial-&-errors of today.
"Do you remember when we were at the Air Temple and you found monk Gyatso's skeleton? I must be some horrible and traumatic for you. I saw you get so upset that you weren't even you anymore. I'm not saying the Avatar state doesn't have incredible - helpful power – but you have to understand, for the people who love you, watching you be in that much rage and pain is scary."
Aang was quiet as he went over what Katara said. To hear that he was terrifying in the Avatar state from another point of view was an expected revelation.
"I'm glad you told me that," He thanked her, "But still need to do this."
Katara could not get the picture. "I don't understand."
"No you don't. Everyday more and more people die; I'm already a hundred years late. Defeating the Fire Lord is the only way to stop this war."
". . . Or you prolonged it. Aang, power sometimes has a funny way of making the enemy rise out its own ashes even stronger than before. If I didn't win my battles by power alone, it did with a plan that was fool proof."
"Dante, you were hired by the Fire Nation as mercenary. Even though you were in it for money, I know you can still see it from my point of view.
"I can, yes, but I can't guarantee the general's plan is idiot-proof. As the Avatar you need to know how you work before anyone else does. "
Aang turned to Katara again. "I have to try it."
Katara began to walk inside. "I can't watch you do this to yourself. I'm not coming tomorrow. Goodnight."
"Goodnight." Aang replied back.
"Goodnight, little bro." Dante said as he followed after Katara.
"Goodnight, big bro." Aang said back as he was alone once more on the terrace, and his decision.
Elsewhere in the Iroh and Zuko's dwelling things were as quiet as the noisy crickets outside in the night. Zuko was exited to return home and began to gather their things. Iroh on the other hand was deep in thought. While the thought of going home is a comfort his mind as well as any man's, there was a factor that exerts a braking force. Why, in all the history of the world, would his younger brother Ozai suddenly change his mind to revolt his son's banishment? Plus, this business on a plot to overthrow Ozai is not a new one; there was attempt that was so close in succeeding but it still failed. And now there was another, according to Azula. If there is one thing he learned by being a member of the royal family is that ambition always and a way of bouncing back on oneself in the form of a plot of usurpation by those close to you, those you new thought were capable of it because it went against their values. But if there is a new value in their life that eclipses all others they will not hesitate to bring it into fruition.
Zuko failed at mission, again, and Iroh has finally betrayed his brother, the Fire Lord. Word would have reached home and they would try to find them in the nearest place the fire Nation could call home: A Fire colony. Something just didn't add up smoothly to the words Azula has said to them.
Zuko on the other hand still couldn't help voice his joy in the good news. "We're going home, after three long years, it's unbelievable." He said.
"It IS unbelievable." Iroh final spoke after mediating on the subject, "I have never known my brother to regret anything."
"Did you listen to Azula? Father realized how important family is to him. He cares about me!"
Iroh has listened but has Zuko listen to the voice of commonsense he would be as cautious as his uncle. "I care about you! And if Ozai wants you back . . . well, I think I may not be for the reasons you imagine."
"You don't know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything!" Zuko exclaimed.
Iroh tried explained to his nephew. "Zuko, I only meant that in our family, things are not always what they seem."
"I think you are exactly what you seem: A lazy, mistrustful shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother!" Zuko yelled and stormed off leaving Iroh alone with the truth few can see.
Once more in the realm of shadows Aang was time at the South Pole on the Fire Navy Ship this time. He watched as he was knocked overboard like the soldiers that were in his place. He then saw Zuko try to run and was cut down by Water that was like a blade . . .
Aang awoke started with at what he saw and how he could feel the death he cause to the adversary that chased him. The air in their room was normal but the dream made him hot. "Sokka? Sokka, wake up." His friend stirred with a small moan as he opened his eyes.
"I don't think we should be trying to being on the Avatar state."
Sokka glanced at his sleepy friend, "You sure?" he asked.
"Yes." Aang answered.
"Okay." Sokka replied back.
Aang asked another question. "Do you think the General will be mad?"
Sokka shrugged. "What can he say? You're the Avatar. Who know better than you?"
That is something to remember and never forget. Aang lay back down as he tried to get some sleep. Dante overheard them and was relieved to hear Aang changing his mind. He touches the space on his chest where his ruby necklace would have been. He lost it at the siege of Ba-Sing-Se and will most likely never find it again. And yet something is telling him that it is not lost, but simply hidden in the great city, somewhere.
Once it was morning Zuko hurried down to the docks where the Royal ship was waiting for him.
"WAIT! Don't leave without me!" Iroh called after his nephew.
Zuko was happy to see him. "Uncle? You changed you mind!"
"Family sticks together, right?" Iroh said smiled, the memory of Lu'ten and Zuko playing on the beach, beamed in his mind.
"We are finally going home." Zuko sighed and continued down the steps.
Iroh cast his gazed on the waiting ship. He hoped that was the case. That nagging feels was getting worst the closer he got to the ship.
The family that prays together stays together. The family that sticks together survives together.
Iroh owes that to his beloved son.
Sokka and Dante watched as Aang stood before the General to speak of his new decision.
"The thing is, I don't think we'll be able to trigger it on purpose, so I guess that it."
The General was disappointed that everything they tried was not the right way.
"Sure I can't change your mind?" asked the General.
Aang nodded, "I'm sure. I can only reach the Avatar state when I'm in genuine danger."
"I see . . ."The General pondered on that and realized there was another way, a very underhanded way. "I was afraid you say that."
The General slide his right foot behind him and pushed desk toward the Avatar. Aang had little reaction time as it knocked out the window. Realizing what happened he bended the air under him so he can land and roll softly on the training yard floor.
"AANG!" Sokka shouted as the guards quickly restrain him.
"Men! Attack the Avatar!" General order his men below.
Aang shook his head to clear his head before he saw the general leaped below. The impact of his landing caused the stone ground to go up and down like a wave.
"What are you doing?" Aang shouted.
"I believe we are about to get results." The general answered.
The Earthbending soldiers took position on the circles that lined the wide walkway and bended the stone circles in the air. Calvary readied their spears. The stone circles rolled toward Aang who evaded with a vertical spin. The next ones flew horizontally forcing Aang to spin right between them.
"I'm not your enemy! I won't fight you!" Aang tried to convince the soldiers to stop.
He jumped up when four stone wheels tried to crush him in the middle. He then was tripped as on was knocked from under his feet. Suddenly two of the wheels closed and Aang hide in the wheels spaces. The nearest Earthsoldier pulled the stone wheel toward him and punched it to dust! Aang stood as there was literally no place to hide in the stronghold of sandstone that Earthbending can't reduce to rumble. There no place to run and no place to hide.
Back in the General's office Sokka lifted up his legs and back kicked the guards in the shins. The soldiers surround Dante who pulled out his small wine gourd and took a sip.
"Freeze!" the guard warning.
"Oh please. You're not Waterbenders and this isn't the Northern Pole. You are Earthbenders and this is the Earth kingdom. So . . ." Dante suddenly grabbed a soldier's leg behind him and whacked guards painfully thru the walls and out into the mountains. ". . . Take a dirt nap, assholes."
Thru the busted window Sokka and Dante watched as Aang bobbed and weaved thru a optical course of death on his airball. He drove up the side of the wall until his airball dissipated forcing him to run; but the cavalry on the Horse-birds leaped straight up, Aang flipped backwards narrowly evade the spears sharp curved blades. Aang landed back down to the ground and tried to find another way out but he was caught in a trap when the stone ring below him rose up and dragged him to the general.
"You can't run forever!" Fong reminded the boy Avatar.
"You can't fight forever!" Aang reminded the general back.
Though both will try their best to do so.
On the dock bordered with lovely red trees the crimson clad elite guards stood at attention as Zuko and Iroh walked between them, Zuko kept his eye toward home while Iroh kept his eyes on everyone around them. Azula waiting for them up the ramp on board the royal ship. She watched with glossy eyes as they came closer. All was going well this day.
"Brother! Uncle! Welcome. I am so glad you decided to come." Azula bowed to them in greeting.
They returned the gesture, though Iroh still kept a falcon's eye on the high trained guards behind them.
"Are we ready to depart your highness?" asked the captain.
"Set our course for home, captain." Azula acknowledged.
"Home." Zuko echoed quietly as he would long to see again.
"You heard the princess! Raise the anchor! We're taking the prisoners home!"
The captain goofed again. A highly decorated officer of the Royal Fire Navy goofed again. Now Azula was going too executed later on for being an idiot. "Your Highness I . . ."
Zuko couldn't believe his eyes. Iroh narrowed his as it was time to run. He back handed the guards behind him and proceed to keep them at bay with CQC. Zuko pulled the guard out of his way and into the water below; he was furious that his own blood would betray him, again. "You LIED to me!" he snarled.
"Like I never done THAT before." she smirked and turned around waving goodbye. Two elite guards threw fire at the prince which he bended right through spirit yelling his way through them.
Meanwhile, Aang was spirit yelling for his life as he evaded the stone rings trying to flatten him. The Earthbending tremors can be felt all the way into the room where Katara and Momo were. "I wonder what crazy thing they are trying now."
Momo didn't know and therefore try to return to sleep."Maybe we should just make sure Aang's okay."
The General watched the Avatar until he was hit in the back of the head by a brick. He rubbed the back of his neck and turn to see the Demonkiller himself. He had another brick at the ready to toss another.
Dante pointed straight at the Fong in challenge. "Why don't you pick on someone you own size?"
The general stomped his foot to the ground in accepting the challenge. "Maybe I will. You're inferring with progress."
"You feet smell like process." Dante quipped back.
"Do you really believe you can stand me?" asked the General.
Dante rolled his eyes. "Oh God, don't tell you to monologue me now?"
"I'm a General of the Earth Kingdom . . . !"
"Ugh, here we go." Dante folded his in hearing another loser talk about how great they are (Or were).
After a total tow minutes the General came to the point. ". . . You may be the firebender known as the Demonhunter known as a friend by all, but I wonder what status it would get me if I defeated you . . . soundly."
Dante shrugged, "Probably the bad kind. Fans from all over, crowding to get in the fort, to kick your ass." Not that people know who Dante was they just don't know the name, or the person, belong to the traveling warrior. He could pass thru the crowd and go unnoticed, and Dante would not care if they did know. That was not his goal. But what did care about are those that are his friends.
"I fought Firebenders before so would be no problem." General Fong concluded and took a standard Earthbending fighting stance.
"That's what they all say." Dante sighed and took a Firebending fighting stance.
Some of the soldier surrounded the General and Dante. They will make sure the hunter doesn't escape. The General made his move first summon a boulder from the ground and launching at Dante. The Nephilim leaned forward and clapped his hands straight in forward busting the rock in to dust.
That wasn't a firebending. That was an Earthbending technique. Dante ran punching and kicking the rocks thrown at him. The General had to put some distance between himself and his opponent quickly. He slide backward before Dante could reach. The soldiers came at him from the both sides and Dante side kicked column of Earth to their chest. He round house kicked the next ones and found he was General's sights as he came down with both first to crush. Dante summon Eryx and punched the man square in the face so hard that it sent him fly into the end zone. But general at a trick up his sleeve as he pulled a wall of Earth he pulled up. Dante turned it in time but could get out of the way. All he could do was try to stop it with his hands as the force of it force his feet to go down a few inches. The General ordered his men to keep him down while he focused on the Avatar.
Outside Katara ran down the steps meeting her brother at the bottom.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"The general's gone crazy! He's trying o force Aang into the Avatar state." Sokka thru his boomerang which circled around and hit one of the soldiers about to attack Aang with one of the stone rings.
Aang sprint away from a Soldier on a horsebird. Katara whipped her water out cutting the blade of a spear before knocking him off.
Sokka got the idea to mount the armored steed for a better advantage in this fight. "Good bird-horse-thingy." The steed dragged its foot backward as it was ready to go. But since he is not use to riding the animal he took off in the wrong direction.
The Earth soldiers attempted to make the stone slab crush Dante flat. "You guys look thirsty. Wants some water?" asked someone. They turned to see Dante a standing with a bucket of water drink it from a ladle.
"No? How about some red wine then?" He drops the bucket as he grabbed his new sword Temüjin and unsheathed. He slashed quickly that the soldiers fell down with painful nonlethal cuts.
Across the way Katara was trapped in the middle. The General turned to see Aang safely on the upper level. "Maybe you can avoid me . . . But she can't."
A soldier shouted an order to turn the rings so Katara could not escape the triangle corner she was in. Katara whipped the water forward only to have the general stop it with sand turning it to mud. He then caused Katara to sink into the ground up to her knees.
"Ugh, I can't move!" she exclaimed.
"Don't hurt her. " Aang said as he jumped and bent a cyclone straight at the general. The General blocked it with a wall from the ground and sank Katara up to her waist.
She screamed which caught Sokka ears."Katara, no!" he charged at full gallop only to have the horsebird sink in the ground by the generals Earthbending. Sokka flew forward landing in a ring.
Aang ran to the General and grabbed his arm pleading for mercy. "Stop this! You have to let her go!"
"You could save her if you were in the Avatar state!" Fong remind Aang.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Aang said nearly on the verge of tears.
"Aang, I'm sinking!" Katara called out as she sank up to her torso.
"I don't see GLOWING." The General said grimly.
He curled his fingers more causing Katara sink more. "Please!" she cried out as she was now up to neck. soclose to being buried alive, something she dreaded.
Dante ran toward the General until he was tackled to the ground by a lot of soldiers. "YOU BASTARD!" He roared as his eyes glowed with demonic energy.
"You don't NEED TO DO THIS!" Aang plead as he was on his hand and knees in submission.
"Apparently, I do." The General said as he clenched his fist. Aang jumped toward Katara only to have her disappeared out of sight.
Then, like something just snapped due to stretching it out too far, Aang's tattoos and eyes glowed white. The Avatar stated finally activated.
"It worked. It worked!" She General shouted in triumph.
Like a might whirlwind of a tornado a ball of air formed around Aang as he blasted back the General. Aang rose on a column of dust as he was about to go on a rampage.
Speaking of a rampage Zuko punch and kicked the guards out of the way and now stood face to face with his sister. She expected him to make his way up here without a problem. Zuko create two flaming Daggers out of his clenched fists.
"Zuko! Let's go!"Iroh shouted. He his hands full in fighting off the guards. If they didn't leave out of this window of opportunity then they are doomed.
But Azula knew Zuko would not run, they free sparred as children, sometimes on dares. This was all just an amusing game to Azula. Zuko was to enrage that Azula easily pushed him back with some well timed blocks and counters.
"You know, father blames uncle for the lost of the North Pole. And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar. Why would he want you back home expect to lock you up so you can no longer embarrass him? "
Zuko jump-kicked fire toward Azula slashing with his flame daggers. Azula countered with a slap that left three cuts on the side of his bald for head. The pain only fueled his rage more as he charged like a sabertooth bull to toward her forcing her up the steps to the platform. She blocked all his blows until she halted him in his track by seizing him by the arm. The princess and princess stared each other down each refusing to show weakness. Then Azula shot out a flame of blue fire out her extended pointer and middle fingers causing Zuko to stumble backwards back down the steps.
Blue firebending: The rarest of all Firebending, hotter than normal colored fire and yet looks very cold at the same time.
Azula knows where to poke Zuko with a sharp stick. Her plan was to feed his anger so he wear himself out then she would deliver the crimpling blow.
Zuko sat up with his vision clearing up to see Azula revving up her lightning to destroy her brother. Out of nowhere in a flash Iroh grabbed her extended hand and redirected the current out of his other fingers safely toward the rocky face of the coast. He then kicked his niece off the ship and with his nephew running beside him they made a brake for it.
Family matters are indeed complicated.
Back in the Earth fort the General stood before the tornado that Aang created.
"Avatar Aang! Can you hear me?" The general pulled Katara out if the ground, "You friend is safe. It was just a trick to trigger the Avatar state – AND IT WORKED!"
Aang then dropped to the ground so hard that he caused the grounds in the training to ripple up in down with a combination of Earthbending and Airbending causing everything to be repulsed in all directions. The soldiers that had Dante on the ground where knocked in the Air and him with them flying and hitting the ground hard. The wind that carried the dust was sucked in towards the center. The Avatar could truly be the ultimate weapon.
Then summon out of his body Aang float in the air and on to Avatar Roku's Dragon as he fly toward the clouds. "It time you learned." He said.
Aang saw in the clouds his many predecessors, the Avatars from the Four Nations. They all have come to share with Aang another cold truth. "The Avatar State is a defense mechanism" Roku explained to Aang, "Design to empower you with the skills and knowledge of all the past Avatars." Aang say the ones before Roku bending their respective element of their nation, the Earthbender Kyoshi moved monolith statues, a Waterbender created a giant tidal wave that he road on with his boat, A female Airbender created a mighty gust of wind that blew the grass and trees of the Savannah and lastly a firebender caused the volcanoes behind in to erupt. "THE GLOW is a combination of all your past lives, focusing their energy thru you body. In the Avatar state you are at your most powerful – but are also at your most venerable."
"What do you mean?" Asked Aang to the old master.
"If you are killed in the Avatar State the reincarnation cycle will be broke – and the Avatar will cease to exist."
Roku's dragon went into a dive and Aang returned into his body. Aang dropped to the ground as an out of body experience was tiring. He looked around at the destruction he caused. It was heavy and not pretty. It would take at least weeks to repair the damage. The fact he again learn the truth too late is almost as bad as learn the truth too early. People are in the dark when a truth is with held and when they try to force it out I can cause . . . disastrous effect. He saw Dante limp toward him with small cuts on his face.
He knelt down and put his hand on Aang's shoulder right shoulder."Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes . . . and no." Aang rest his himself on his knees thinking on what he done. Katara came over and hug him tightly. "I'm sorry Katara; I hope you never have to see me light that again."
"Ha! Are you joking? That was almost perfect! We just need to find a way to control you when you like that." The General said giddy as ever.
"You're out of you mind." Aang informed him.
The General Shrugged ignoring Aang's commented. "I guess we will figure it out on the way to the Fire Nation."
Dante summoned Rebellion in his hand and pointed at the General menacingly "That's it! Pick your choice: HEAD, GUT OR GROINING?"
Sokka quietly road up behind him Fong and made that decision for the General by hitting the hilt of his club on his head. "Anybody who got a problem with that?" Sokka asked the rest of the soldiers, which they shook their head quickly.
"Do you still want and escort to Omashu?" a soldier asked.
Looking at the destruction around them that Aang caused the answer was pretty obvious.
"I think we're all set." Katara replied.
It wasn't the soldiers fault, they were just following orders. However there would be an inquest into General Fong's behavior.
Back at the resort Azula issued a new wanted poster featuring two new faces of the Fire Nation's most wanted. She held it up to the resort's works to make sure they have it engraved on their minds.
"Anyone who harbors these traitors will face the wrath of the Fire Lord. There will be no place left to hide!" she said grimly.
Miles away from the resort Zuko and Iroh sprinted till they were tired and sat beside a stream. "I think were safe here." Iroh huffed.
Not there were not safe in any place that the Fire Nation owned or conquered. They need to disappear into the Earth Kingdom; it's the biggest of the four nations and home to a diversion range of people of different race, skin color, culture and creed. It was like a haven for people to escape the storm.
However there was one creed that Zuko and Iroh were to embrace first: Change.
Zuko pulled out the dagger Iroh and given him. The characters read: Never give up without a fight.
He raised it to the base of his scalplock and after hesitating for a moment, he cut it off. He passed the dagger to his uncle who did the same to his topknot. Then they both dropped the hair in to the stream and watch carried it away out of sight and out of mind. To survive one must shred away things of comfort. To accomplish a goal one must choose a path that succeeds. To redeem oneself of a past sin one must always remember that it is braver to live than to die.
Author's note 1#:
I did it again I posted another story before anyone else. Hooray!
I know that some have written Devil May Cry and Avatar The Last Airbender crossovers before, but they featured Classic Dante. I enjoyed those.
But Nevertheless, HOORAY!
BUT this one is the first because it has DmC Dante. Which seems to be more fitting than Classic Dante. Not that I'm bashing classic Dante. DmC Dante is a flawed, enduring protagonist. Something that is recurring theme in the world of Avatar.
Why I did make Dante be a Firebender? Well Iroh explains that Fire is the element of energy, power. In the Legend of Korra, Korra learns that in the beginning the first Avatar was indeed . . . a Firebender.
But I decided to have Dante be able to bend all four elements because it fits. Some of weapons from Classic, DmC, and New Classic (if you noticed) are elemental in nature. But what if, as he gain new weapons, he gain new powers as he evolves? I always wondered that.
However I decided that Dante will not be able to us Airbending as much as Aang would. After all it is call: AVATAR: The Last Airbender. So Dante can bend all four like Aang but he doesn't have the Rava's influence like the first one. Like Luke Skywalker Dante's just a guy who has unrivaled power who is using to help people. DmC Dante is like Jon Snow, living Song of Fire and Ice.
Anyway, see you dudes later then.
;3