The Avatar State:
Morning had come and our friends had set sail for days now using one of the fire nation ships that had been left behind.
Aang, Katara, Sokka, Aqua, and Lin stood in front of Master Pakku.
"Katara, I want you to have this." Master Pakku said. He handed her a necklace with a triangle shaped object hanging off. It was a deep blue color with a crescent moon on top. "The amulet contains water from the spirit oasis. The water has unique properties. Don't lose it." He spoke, his face softening.
"Thank you, Master Pakku." Katara said, giving him a hug before stepping back. Aang stepped up.
"Aang, these scrolls will help you master water bending, but remember, they're no substitute for a real master." Master Pakku said.
Aang looked at Katara and Aqua behind him before stepping back.
"Aqua, I thought you would enjoy this young lady." He said, handing her a small blue hair piece.
"Wow! Thank you Master Pakku, I can finally do something different with my hair." Aqua smiled, bowing to her former master.
"Don't thank me." Master Pakku said. "Yue told me…before the invasion…that she wanted to give it to you before you left."
Aqua smiled sadly and stepped back.
"So when are you going to try it out?" Lin asked.
"Maybe for a special occasion." Aqua shrugged with a small smile.
"Lin," Master Pakku said and Lin stepped up. He handed her some scrolls. "These are some earth bending scrolls from our grand library. Just because Aang has yet to start earth bending training doesn't mean you can't learn. These will keep you occupied until you find a master."
"Thank you Master Pakku." Lin bowed smiling and stepped back.
"Sokka," Master Pakku said. Sokka looked up, expecting something great. "Take care, son." He said. Sokka's face dropped.
"Sokka," Aqua giggled, grabbing onto his arm. "You can get something in the town."
"Alright." Sokka pouted.
"She has him wrapped around her little finger." Lin smiled next to Appa.
"I know, I never seen Sokka act this way with anyone." Katara said from Appa.
Aang hopped on Appa, Lin climbed onto Ember, Sokka picked Aqua up by her waist and helped her on Sapphire despite knowing she could perfectly well get on herself and Sokka ran up Appa's tail to join his sister and friend on the ten ton magical beast.
"Fly straight to the earth kingdom base at the end of here." Master Pakku said. "General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There you'll be safe to begin your earth bending training with King Bumi."
"Bye Master Pakku." Aqua waved.
"It was nice to meet you." Lin waved politely and they took to the skies.
"Say hi to gran gran for me!" Katara yelled as they flew away.
In a bathhouse near a river, Iroh, Ember, and Jade laid on their stomach's as they were getting massages.
"This is so good." Jade groaned.
"I'm content." Ember sighed sleepily from her spot.
"This is what I've been missing." Iroh sighed. "Who knew floating on a piece of driftwood for three weeks with no food or water and sea vultures waiting to pluck out your liver could make one so tense." Ember and Jade looked at him, then the other, before pulling their robes on and going to sit beside Zuko who sat by himself. "Was it something I said?" Iroh asked.
"What's wrong Zuko?" Jade asked, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I've never seen you so sad."
"I see, it's the anniversary, isn't it?" Iroh asked, joining them.
"Anniversary?" Ember asked. Zuko lowered his head, making it impossible to see his face with the wide brimmed hat on.
"Three years ago today, I was banished." Zuko said. "I lost it all, I want it back. I want the avatar, I want all four guardians, I want my honor, I want my throne, I want my father not to think I'm worthless." Zuko confessed.
"But you're not worthless, at least not to us." Jade insisted.
"I'm sure he doesn't." Iroh said. "Why would he banish you if he didn't care?" Lin and Jade glared at Iroh and Zuko stood and walked out.
"That came out wrong, didn't it?" Iroh asked the two girls. Jade and Lin sighed.
On a boat, the young lady named Azula address the men of the ship. "My brother and uncle have disgraced the fire lord and brought shame on all of us." Azula said. "You may have mixed feelings about attacking members of the royal family; I understand. But I assure you, if you hesitate, I will not hesitate to bring you down, dismissed."
The soldiers left quickly…all but one.
"Princess," the captain said. "I'm afraid the tides will not allow us to bring the ship in to port before nightfall."
"I'm sorry Captain, but I do not know much about the tides. Can you explain something to me?" Azula asked.
"Of course, your highness." The captain said.
"Do the tides command this ship?" she asked.
"I'm afraid I do not understand." The captain said, getting a little nervous.
"You said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in." Azula explained. "Do the tides command this ship?"
"No, princess." The captain answered.
"And if I were to have you thrown overboard, would the tides think twice about smashing you against the rocky shore?" Azula asked. The captain gulped and closed his eyes.
"No, princess." The captain answered.
Azula brushed a hand through her hair and turned to the captain. "Well, then, maybe you should worry less about the tides who've 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 said quickly.
Meanwhile, "There it is!" Sokka yelled with a wide smile.
"Alright!" Aqua laughed.
"I almost forgot what riding on you was like." Lin sighed happily, laying on Ruby.
When they landed, there was a middle aged man with a beard wearing earth kingdom clothes waited for them.
"Welcome Avatar Aang, Guardian Aqua, and Guardian Lin!" he exclaimed as they climbed off and stood before him. "I am General Fong and welcome to you all, great heroes. Appa, Momo, brave Sokka, the Mighty Katara."
"Mighty Katara." Katara said with a smile. "I like that." Fireworks exploded behind them.
"Wow," Aqua smiled.
"Now that's what I call a welcome." Lin said.
"Not bad, not bad." Sokka said.
It was a few minutes later, they sat on a mat in front of General Fong sitting at his desk.
"Avatar Aang, Guardian Aqua, and Guardian Lin, we were all amazed at the stories of how you wiped out an entire fire navy fleet at the North Pole." General Fong said. "I can't imagine what it feels like to wield such devastating power. It's an awesome responsibility."
"I try not to think about it too much." Aang said.
"Yeah, not one of our best memories." Lin said.
"At least that's over now." Aqua said.
"Avatar, you're ready to face the fire lord now." The general said.
"What!" Lin yelled.
"No I'm not!" Aang yelled.
"That's crazy!" Aqua shouted.
"Aang still needs to master all four elements." Katara explained.
"He needs to follow the steps of the other past avatars which mean learning the elements." Lin said.
"Why?" the general asked, rising from his desk. "With the kind of power he possesses, power enough to destroy hundreds of battleships in a matter of minutes, he could defeat the fire lord now."
"But, sir, the thing is Aang can only do those things in the avatar state." Sokka said quietly.
"See, it's this special state where…" Aang started to explain but was interrupted.
"I'm well aware." General Fong said. "Your eyes and tattoos glow and you're able to summon unbelievable power. Without you, we'd be slaughtered before we even reach their shores. But with you leading the way as the ultimate weapon, we could cut a swath right through to the heart of the fire nation."
"Aang is more than a weapon." Lin glared.
"In case you forgot, he may be the avatar but he's also a kid." Aqua said. "He needs to train the normal way."
"And besides," Aang said. "I don't know how to get in or out of the avatar state, much less what to do once I'm there."
"So, it's decided then." General Fong said. "I'll help you figure out how to get into the avatar state, and then you'll face your destiny."
"When was that decided?" Lin asked, standing up with the rest of the gang.
"Nothing's decided." Katara said firmly. "We already have a plan. Aang's pursuing his destiny his way."
"This is how the avatars life goes and we're not going to change it now." Aqua said.
"But Guardian Lin, you could start mastering earth bending here." General Fong. He sighed when he realized her eyes didn't waver.
"Well," he said. "While you take time learning the elements, the war goes on. May I show you something?" he asked and led Aang, Aqua, and Lin to the balcony where the injured earth benders were being treated.
"That's the infirmary, and those soldiers are the lucky ones." The general said. "They came back." Aqua gasped and Lin paled. "Every day the fore nation takes lives. People are dying! You could end it now! Think about it."
On Azula's ship, she shot lightning into the sky. "Almost perfect." Her teacher said.
"One hair out of place." Azula's second teacher, the first teacher's twin said. Azula angrily wiped the hair out of her face.
"Almost isn't good enough!" Azula growled and started to train again.
Elsewhere, Iroh sat up in his bed. Ember murmured in her sleep from the other bed and Jade just laid there on her bed…wondering about her friends…her family…her life.
Meanwhile, Aang entered General Fong's office. "Come in Aang." He said. "Have you thought about our discussion?"
Aang looked down like he wasn't sure if he was going to regret this decision or not. "I'm in." he said and looked up with a new determined look in his eye. "I'll fight the fire lord."
He later entered his room where he noticed Katara who was petting Momo on her lap. Lin was slumped against the wall sleeping and Aqua was sleeping as well with her head in Sokka's lap and he was running a hand through her hair.
Aang said quietly, "I told the general I'd help him by going into the avatar state."
"Aang, no." Katara said. "This is not the right way."
"Why not?" Sokka asked. "Remember when he took out the fire navy? He was incredible!"
"There's a right way to do this, practice, study, and discipline." Katara said. "Besides, Aqua and Lin will be disappointed."
"I know." Aang sighed.
"He could just glow it up and stop the fire lord." Sokka said.
Katara stood angrily. "If you two meatheads want to throw away everything we've worked for, fine. Go ahead and glow it up!" she yelled and stomped from the room.
"Katara, I'm just being realistic." Aang said sadly. "I don't have time to do it the right away.
It was later that day, Aqua and Lin now awake sat beside Katara and Sokka while watching Aang sitting at a small table. A teacher poured a cup of tea. "This rare chi-enhancing tea is a natural stimulant. In an ordinary warrior it improves strength and energy ten-fold. In you, it might induce the avatar state."
"Ten–fold energy, huh?" Aang asked and slurped down the tea. Everyone leaned closer, wondering what the results would be.
Suddenly Aang shot up and flew around on his air ball. He started to speak quickly. "Is it working, is it working? I can't tell! Somebody tell me if I'm in the avatar state cause I don't have a good view of myself? Am I talking too loud?"
"Yes!" Lin yelled.
"Great, he's hyper." Aqua sighed, leaning her head on her hand.
"I guess he could talk the fire lord to death." Sokka suggested.
Aang fell as he hit a column, his air ball disappearing and his shawl slung over his head.
Outside, Aang, Katara, Aqua, and Lin sat in front of General Fong, Sokka stood behind him.
"Maybe I can shock you into the avatar state." Sokka said.
"I love surprises." Aang said cheerful. Katara covered her eyes and when she removed them, Aang screamed as Sokka's head was now changed to Momo's. "Still not glowing." Aang said after a moment. That was when Sokka lost his balance and both him and Momo fell to the ground.
Inside, Katara, Sokka, Aqua, and Lin stood looking at Aang wearing a hat with leaves coming out the top, and a blue cape over his clothes.
"You are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations. Now, I will join the four elements into one!" the priest yelled. He thrown a pan of water, then dirt, a torch, and blew air from a small thing into a bowl. "Water, earth, fire, air! Four elements together as one!" he threw the contents of the bowl at Aang.
"This is just mud!" Aang exclaimed after it splattered across his body.
"So, do you feel anything?" The priest asked.
"I'm sure we would know if he was in the avatar state." Aqua huffed. After all, that cloak was hers, granted she barely used it anymore but still.
Everyone looked hopeful as his nose twitched but that hope was dashed when he sneezed, covering his companions in the mud.
"We have to find a way." General Fong said determined.
Elsewhere, "Look at these magnificent shells." Iroh said, dumping some seashells on the table.
"Wow, this one is so pretty." Jade smiled, holding onto a small soft pink shell.
"I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come." Iroh said.
"Hey, let me see that." Ember said, taking the shell. She turned around and when she turned back, she wrapped a thin rope around Jade's neck so it was hanging off like the shell was a necklace.
"Wow! Thanks Ember." Jade smiled.
"No problem." Ember shrugged.
"We don't need any more useless things. You forgot we have to carry everything ourselves now." Zuko snapped.
"Hello brother, uncle." A cruel voice said. Everyone turned to the shadowed corner where a young woman stepped out of.
"What are you doing here?" Zuko asked, stepping in front of Jade and Ember.
"Brother?" Jade asked.
"Uncle?" Ember asked.
"Oh, she must be Zuko's sister." Jade realized.
"Well, they do look alike." Ember said.
"So nice to hear you've been talking about me." Azula said.
"What are you doing here?" Zuko said, his question turning into a demand this time.
She picked up one of the shells and played with it in her hand. "In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions. Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"
"Zuzu." Ember and Jade giggled.
"Don't call me that!" Zuko snapped, sending a glare at the girls over his shoulder. They quieted up quickly.
"To what do we owe this honor?" Iroh asked.
"Hmm, must be a family trait, both of you so quick to get to the point." Azula said and broke the shell in her hand with her nails. Jade and Ember winched as what remained of the shells slapped against the floor. "I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him, treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust. Father regrets your banishment, he wants you home." She said. Jade's eyes widened and Ember tensed as Zuko turned to the window. If Zuko went home, Jade and Ember couldn't go, not without facing certain death. They would have to go and search for the others and who knew how long that could take before they even reached them. "Did you hear me?" Azula asked. "Excited, grateful, I just gave you great news."
Iroh said, "I'm sure you're brother just needs a moment to, -Don't interrupt uncle!" Azula snapped and turned to Zuko. "I still haven't heard my thank you. I am not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way."
"He…wants me back?" Zuko asked shocked.
"I can see you need time to take this in." Azula said. "I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening." She said. She smirked at Jade and Ember before leaving the hut.
Elsewhere, "Can we talk about something?" Katara asked.
"Sure." Aang said.
"Do you remember when we were at the air temple and you found Monk Gyatso's skeleton?" Katara asked. "It must have been so 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 and helpful power. But you have to understand, for the people who love you, watching you be in that much rage and pain is really scary."
"…I'm really glad you told me that." Aang said. "But I still have to do this."
"I don't understand." Katara frowned.
"No, you don't." Aang said. "Every day, more and more people die. I'm already a hundred years late. Defeating the fire lord is the only way to stop this war. I have to try it."
"I can't watch you do this to yourself. I'm not coming tomorrow." Katara said quietly. She walked away but stopped. "Goodnight." She said and let the chamber.
"Goodnight." Aang said sadly.
Later that night, "We're going home, after three long years. It's unbelievable." Zuko said as they packed. Jade and Ember have already packed all their stuff. They knew, when Zuko and Iroh fell asleep, they would need to leave.
"It is unbelievable." Uncle Iroh said. "I have never known my brother to regret anything."
"Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him, he cares about me." Zuko said.
"I care about you, Ember cares, and Jade does to." Iroh said. "And if Ozai wants you back, well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagined."
"You don't know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything." Zuko said.
"Zuko, I only meant that in our family, things are not always what they seem." Iroh said. Zuko glared angrily.
"I think you are exactly what you seem! A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who has always been jealous of his brother!"
"Zuko!" Jade snapped. How could he say those things to his own uncle who's been there for him through everything!
"What about Ember…and Jade." Iroh said, causing Zuko to pause at the doorway. "They are enemies of the fire nation. I'm sure you might have forgotten, but if they go there, I doubt Ozai will let them live peacefully."
"…They can do what they want. I don't care." Zuko finally said and slammed the door. Jade leaned her head on her knees and cried while Ember rubbed her back. Iroh closed his eyes, they were unaware of Zuko just outside, glaring angrily, sadness in his eyes, his heart ripping at each tear Jade shed.
Meanwhile, the gang slept in peace…all except one. Aang sat up with a start from his nightmare. "Sokka, Sokka, wake up." Aang said.
"Wha…?" Sokka asked, dazed and confuse, all sleepy.
"I don't think we should be trying to bring out the avatar state." Aang said.
"You sure?" Sokka asked.
"Yes." Aang said and Sokka shrugged.
"Okay." Sokka said.
"Do you think the general will be mad?" Aang asked.
"What can he say. You're the avatar, who knows better than you?" Sokka asked. He stopped when Aqua sleepily threw a pillow at him from the other side of the room. "Okay, I get it." He said, throwing her back the pillow. He laid down and fell back to sleep and Aqua snuggled with the pillow.
Elsewhere, "Ember, Jade." Iroh said to the two girls early the next morning. Zuko still slept.
"Yeah, Iroh?" Ember asked.
"Please, stay close." Iroh said. "I fear that Azula isn't here to bring Zuko back as a prince."
"You think she's up to something?" Jade asked.
"I know she is." Iroh said.
"Don't worry, we'll stay close by. If anything happens, we'll help." Ember said.
"But if you get on that ship and set sail, we're leaving for the others." Jade said.
"Alright." Iroh nodded. So, the two girls grabbed their bags and left, sneaking into the woods near the ship, hidden but able to watch and hear.
Elsewhere, "The thing is I don't think we'll ever be able to trigger it on purpose. So, I guess that's it." Aang said.
"Sure I can't change your mind?" General Fong asked.
"We're sure." Lin said.
"I can only reach the avatar state when I'm in genuine danger." Aang said.
"Which is why we're going to look for an earth bending teacher." Aqua said.
"I see, I was afraid that you'd say that." General Fong said. They couldn't react in time when General Fong sent his desk ramming into them.
"What are you doing?" Lin yelled and they were flung to the window.
"No!" Sokka roared, fighting to get the two guards to let him go. "Aqua! Aang! Lin!"
The desk with Aang, Aqua, and Lin fell to the ground with a crash.
"What is he doing?" Aqua asked as they climbed to their knees in pain. At least Aqua and Lin did. Aang was groaning on the ground and the two girls helped him up.
"Men! Attack the avatar!" General Fong yelled. Aqua and Lin got in a fighting pose on either side of Aang as the earth bending men came closer.
The earth shook and Aang jumped over it, Lin stopped it but Aqua fell over.
"What are you doing?" Aang asked the general.
"I believe we are about to get results." General Fong said.
"You're insane!" Aqua shouted. The earth benders attacked again but they dodged them, barely but they did.
"I am not your enemy!" Aang shouted. "I won't fight you!"
"We better do something and quick." Lin said.
"But what?" Aqua asked as Aang went skidding across the ground. Aqua and Lin suddenly had their feet trapped with stone before they could help and one guard even took the time to cover Aqua's hands with stone.
In the tower, Sokka slammed his feet against the guards that held him and they let go in pain. Taking the distraction, Sokka ran to the wall, watching the battle.
Aang, Aqua, and Lin were surrounded. The earth benders started to threw stone discs at them but they did a good job dodging and knocking them away. More like Aang dodged while Aqua and Lin used their bending to send them spinning through the air. Suddenly, all three were surrounded by earth.
"Hey, what is this?" Lin asked.
"Let us go!" Aqua demanded.
"You can't run forever!" General Fong, the one who had trapped them, shouted.
"You can't fight forever!" Aang shot back. Fong smashed the rock holding them and they jumped away.
Elsewhere, "Brother! Uncle!" Azula exclaimed as she noticed her family members walking to the boat. "Welcome, I'm so glad you decided to come."
"Are we ready to depart, your highness?" the Captain asked.
"Set our course for home, Captain." Azula said.
"Home." Zuko sighed. He looked over his shoulder back to the house, but although he knew it, Jade…er…and Ember…wasn't coming with. Zuko turned back and he and Uncle Iroh started to climb up the ramp to the ship.
"You heard the princess!" The Captain shouted to the other soldiers. "Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners ho…" he stopped and his eyes widened. Azula narrowed her eyes in anger and Zuko and Iroh stopped surprised. "Your Highness, I…" he started, trying to save himself from the punishment he'll probably be enduring later.
Zuko's eyes widened and Iroh spun, knocking the two guards behind them off the ramp and into the water below. Zuko grabbed a soldier and threw them off, stalking to Azula.
"You lied to me!" he roared.
"Like I've never done that before." Azula smirked. She stepped back and two guards threw fire at Zuko but they were stopped by another fire blast.
"Hey, did we miss the party?" a familiar female voice asked. They all turned to see Jade and Ember, who was balancing a flame in her hand smirking, standing on the rail of the ship.
Elsewhere, "AH!" Aang shouted.
"AH!" Aqua screamed, diving from an attack. That was when a blue boomerang hit the guy's helmet and knocked him out.
Of course, it was Sokka who now had Katara standing and looking worried beside him.
Sokka started to one of the ostrich horses. "Good bird horse thingy." Sokka said.
"It's an ostrich horse." Lin corrected him as she ran by. Sokka grabbed the reins and jumped on.
"Maybe you can avoid me, but she can't." General Fong smirked. Suddenly, all the earth benders pointed their weapons at Katara. Katara, because of General Fong, sunk into the earth to her knees. She started to struggle but she couldn't move.
"Katara!" Lin gasped.
"I can't move!" Katara shouted.
"Don't hurt her!" Aang shouted. He ran and attacked General Fong but he defended himself. Aqua and Lin tried to pull Katara out, Lin tried earthbending but it didn't do much and she'd rather not crush her. Suddenly, Katara screamed as she sunk to her waist.
"Katara! No!" Sokka shouted and General Fong made one of the ostrich horses sink into the dirt and Sokka flew off and landed in a hole on one of the large disk they had been using as weapons.
"Stop this!" Aang pleaded, grabbing General Fong's arm. "You have to let her go!"
"You could save he if you were in the avatar state." General Fong said. Tears sprouted in Aang's eyes.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Aang cried. Katara sunk some more until it was at her armpits. Lin and Aqua growled, each holding onto one of Katara's hands.
"Aang, I'm sinking!" Katara screamed.
"I don't see glowing." General Fong growled.
"Hey!" Aqua shouted when Katara sunk some more. Only her head showed.
"Ah! Please!" Katara cried.
"You don't need to do this!" Aang cried.
"Apparently, I do." General Fong said and Katara disappeared. Aang dived for her and it was too late. Aang turned back to the general, his eyes and arrows glowing. Aqua and Lin's symbols behind their headbands started to shine. Elsewhere, Jade and Ember looked up, feeling their marks radiating with power.
"It working, it worked!" General Fong shouted.
Elsewhere, "Let's go!" Iroh shouted. He pushed another soldier into the ocean and Jade and Ember dodged and kicked, Ember using fire bending, and Jade using her legs to not reveal herself as the air guardian. She would if Aang and Jade weren't suppose too be the last air benders, Ember was okay mainly because there were still fire benders roaming the earth.
"You know," Azula started at Zuko. "Father blames uncle for the loss at the north pole. And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar and Guardians. Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?"
"Zuko!" Jade cried as Azula shot lightning but Iroh grabbed her finger and let it flow through his body before shooting it into the sky. Ember kicked Azula to Jade who threw her over the rail.
Elsewhere, "Avatar Aang, can you hear me?" General Fong asked. "Your friend is safe!" he raised his hand and Katara rose from the ground gasping. Aqua and Lin quickly put her arms over their shoulders and helped her stand. "It was just a trick to trigger the avatar state and it worked!" Aang slammed into the ground and General Fong went flying. The buildings started to crack.
"It's time you learned," a voice said. Aqua and Lin passed out as did Jade and Ember.
"Aqua! Lin!" Katara shouted. Zuko gasped as the two girls fell.
Jade and Aqua stood to the left of Aang and then Lin and Ember, all standing in front of Avatar Roku, at least their spirits were.
"The avatar state is a defense mechanism, designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge of all the past avatars." Avatar Roku said. They saw a female earth bending avatar holding fans got into a fighting stand and two large badger moles stood on either side of her.
"The glow is the combination of all your past lives, focusing their energy through your body." Roku continued and the scene changed to a male avatar wearing a blue coat. A huge tidal wave rose beyond him.
The scene changed again to a large field and another female avatar wearing yellow and red, blowing strong winds through the trees and grass.
"In the avatar state, you are at your most powerful." He said and the scene changed again. This time there was a male avatar in red armor. He lifted him arms and four volcanoes erupted. "But you are also at your most vulnerable."
"What do you mean?" Aang asked.
"If you are killed in the avatar state or if the guardians are killed while they are in the spirit world, the reincarnation cycle will be broken and the avatar will cease to exist."
Elsewhere, Jade and Ember's eyes snapped open. Elsewhere, Aqua and Lin shot up. Aang opened his eyes weakly from his knees. Katara quickly hugged the young avatar.
"I'm sorry, Katara." Aang said. "I hope your never have to see me like that again.
"Hah! Are you joking?" General Fong asked. "That was almost perfect! We just have to find a way to control you when you're like that."
"Control him?" Lin asked.
"You're out of your mind." Aang said.
"Either that or he's stupid." Aqua glared.
"I guess we'll figure that out on the way to the fire nation." General Fong said. That was when Sokka walked behind him on the bird and knocked him out with his trusty boomerang.
"Anybody got a problem with that?" Sokka asked. The soldiers shook their heads quickly and Sokka climbed off the ostrich horse who quickly ran.
"I don't think he likes you." Lin commented.
"Do you still want an escort to Omashu?" a soldier asked.
"I think we're all set." Katara said as Momo landed in Aang's arms.
Elsewhere, Azula held up a poster with Iroh, Zuko, Jade, and Ember on it.
"Anyone who harbors these traitors will face the wrath of the fire lord." Azula said. The citizens cowered in fear. "There will be no place let to hide."
Meanwhile, Zuko, Iroh, Jade at human speed, and Ember ran through the trail before falling to their knees at a river.
"We made it." Ember groaned.
"I now have a hatred for fire nation princess's." Jade sighed.
"I think we're safe here." Iroh said. Zuko quietly took out a knife after a moment, cut his ponytail off. He handed it to Iroh who did the same and passed it to Jade. Azula had seen them to. Jade sighed and pulled her hair up with a ponytail and cut it so the waist length hair was cut at shoulder length. She passed it to Ember who did the same. The girls took off their headbands and fixed their bangs over their mark before all four dropped their hair into the river.
I would like to think Princess de la Luna for reviewing every chapter! Thanks a bunch
Ps: please, for all readers, tell me what you think Jade's, Aqua's, Lin's, and Ember's nicknames should be when Toph joins the group.