Aang ran through the Southern Air Temple, the sky gray around him as he ran towards a familiar hut. Pulling back the curtain door, he found himself standing in the very room where he'd found Gyatso's corpse at the beginning of his adventure. However, something was different this time. Kneeling in front of the skeletal remains of his teacher and mentor was another version of Aang. The difference between the two of them, the other Aang was in the Avatar state.
Aang backed away in terror as his other self glared at him angrily, the wind whipping around him violently. This other Aang then sent a gust of wind flying at the original, sending him flying backwards. As he got up, he found himself in the middle of the Fire Temple, the same one where he'd contacted Avatar Roku. He turned around to see the doors of the Fire Sanctuary opening, revealing another version of Aang in the Avatar state. This one breathed fire in Aang's direction before using a firebending slice to split the floor in half.
Once again, Aang was transported somewhere new. This time, he landed on a Fire Navy ship, staring up in horror at the spirit monster closed in on him. He could see another version of himself manipulating the beast from within, lashing out with his rage and the rage of La, the ocean spirit. The Spirit monster raised an arm, preparing to bring it down right on top of Aang.
...
Aang sat up, gasping for air as he tried to get his bearings. He was in a polar leopard hammock, one of four that filled a small room on the water tribe boat they were sailing in. Sokka was asleep in a hammock beneath him, Min and Katara sleeping in the other hammocks off to the side. At the sound of his gasp, both Min and Katara stirred.
"Aang?" Min muttered, rubbing sleep from her eyes.
"You okay?" Katara questioned.
Aang turned over in his hammock so he was facing them.
"I'm okay." he assured them. "It was just a nightmare."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Katara offered.
Aang sighed, then flopped onto his back.
"I was in the Avatar State, but I was outside my body watching myself." He explained. "It was scary... I was scary."
Katara slid out of her hammock, taking Aang's hand in a comforting gesture. He squeezed her hand in return, sighing slightly.
...
The next morning, the gang met Master Pakku on the main deck. He approached Katara, holding up a small amulet decorated with Water Tribe symbols.
"Katara, I want you to have this." he told her. "This amulet contains water from the Spirit Oasis. The water has unique properties, so don't lose it."
Katara took the amulet, slipping it around her neck and tucking it under her dress.
"Thank you Master Pakku." she told him before hugging him.
Once he broke free of Katara's hug, Pakku turned to Aang. Another waterbender handed him a box, which he promptly handed to Aang.
"Aang, these scrolls will help you master Waterbending." Pakku told him. "But remember, they're no substitute for a real master."
Aang looked back at Katara, smiling. He then turned back to Pakku, bowing respectfully. As he joined Katara over by Appa, Pakku turned to Min.
"Min, your weapons were in great disrepair after your previous battles." Pakku told her as another waterbender approached her with a bundle wrapped in blue cloth. "It took some time, but we were able to properly repair them."
Min unwrapped the bundle, smiling as she saw her swords shining in the sunlight. The hilt had even been replaced with one made of whalebone and blue cloth, much to her enjoyment.
"You have my thanks, Master Pakku." she said, sliding the swords into their sheath before bowing as well.
Sokka stepped forward, smiling hopefully. Pakku approached him.
"Sokka." Pakku declared, patting him on the shoulder. "Take care son."
Sokka watched Pakku walk off, sighing in dismay. He then joined the rest of the gang up on Appa as Pakku addressed them once more.
"Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom base to the east of here." He instructed, pointing in the correct direction. "General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There, you will be safe to begin your earthbending training with King Bumi."
Appa nodded, flicking Appa's reins.
"Yip-Yip!" he called out.
"Say high to Gran-Gran for me!" Katara shouted back to Pakku as the gang flew off into the horizon.
...
In a Fire Nation colony overlooking waterfall, Iroh and Zuko relaxed for the first time in weeks. It was the first chance they'd gotten since escaping the North Pole, and Iroh was taking full advantage of it. He laid out on a massaging table as two masseuses rubbed away his aches and pains. He closed his eyes and sighed, practically melting onto the table.
"This is what I've been missing." He remarked. "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?"
Zuko didn't answer him. The Prince was leaning against the door frame, his eyes on the floor. His injuries from the attempt on his life had fully healed, but an even deeper wound was currently nagging at him. Iroh glanced over as his nephew, quickly realizing what was wrong. He got up off the table, sliding on a robe before approaching Zuko.
"I see." he began, sitting down next to his nephew. "It's the anniversary, isn't it?"
"Three years ago today, I was banished." Zuko declared, his tone dark and broody. "I lost it all, and no matter how hard I try, I can't get it back. The Avatar and Guardian continue to slip from my grasp, taking my honor and throne with them."
He curled his hands into fists, closing his eyes too.
"That's not the only thing bothering you, is it?" Iroh guessed.
"Is there even anything for me to go back to?" Zuko asked. "My father thinks I'm worthless, and the only people that ever cared for me are-"
He cut himself off, looking away. Iroh put a hand on his nephew's should in an attempt to be consoling.
"I wish I knew the words to say to make your pain disappear, Prince Zuko." Iroh admitted.
Zuko just kept looking out to the horizon, sighing in regret and lost.
...
Sailing through the oceans towards the colony, a royal Fire Nation ship cut through the water. Onboard, several men in red armor bowed before a royal palanquin as it was carried out onto the deck. The bearers set it down, parting the curtain to reveal Princess Azula in all her terrifying glory. She climbed out of her palanquin, walking across the deck with an air of pride practically oozing off of her.
"My brother and my uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord, and have brought shame on all of us." she declared, her chin held high as she spoke. "You might 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 immediately left to resume their duties. As they did, the captain of the ship approached her, bowing respectfully.
"Princess, I'm afraid the tides will not allow us to bring the ship into port before nightfall." he explained.
"I'm sorry, captain, but I do not know much about the tides." She replied, an edge to her voice that made the Captain uncomfortable. "Could you explain something to me?"
"Of… course, Your Highness." he replied, steeling himself.
"Do the tides command this ship?" she asked him.
"I'm… afraid I don't understand." The captain replied.
"You said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in." She clarified, her voice sharp and the edge ever more prominent. "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?" she added, not even bothering to conceal her threat.
The captain gulped, suddenly fearing for his life.
"No, princess." he answered quietly.
Azula ran her fingers through her bangs, her back to the Captain.
"Well then, maybe you should worry less about the tides who have already made up their mind about killing you, and worry more about me," she turned back to face him, an angry look on her face, "who's still mulling it over."
"I'll… pull us in." the Captain reassured.
He quickly ran off as Azula turned back to the bow of the ship, staring out at the horizon with narrowed eyes.
...
The flight to General Fong's base was an uneventful and boring one. Luckily for the gang, it was also a short one. Sokka perked up happily as the base came into view.
"There it is!" he cheered.
The base was set in a walled off circle that was positions where two mountain ranges crossed one another. Walls ran along the mountain peaks before connected with the perfectly circular confines of the base. Appa landed in the center of the courtyard, where General Fong and all his men were waiting to greet them.
"Welcome Avatar Aang! Guardian Min!" The General called out as the group stretched away the aches of their journey. "I am General Fong, and welcome, to all of you great heroes! Appa, Momo, brave Sokka, the mighty Katara."
"Mighty Katara?" the waterbender repeated, crossing her arms with a smile. "I like that."
Behind them, fireworks began going off in the sky, launched by Earthbending soldiers. Everyone watched in surprise and awe.
"And I thought Kyoshi Island gave us the royal treatment." Min remarked.
...
Sometime later, the gang were sitting in the base, gathered in front of General Fong's desk. The General had a large smile on his face as he spoke.
"Avatar Aang, we were all amazed at the stories of how you single handedly wiped out an entire Fire Navy fleet at the North Pole." He declared, stroking his long beard. "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 dismissed casually.
General Fong nodded calmly, then spoke again.
"Avatar, you're ready to face the Fire Lord now." he declared.
The entire gang gasped at that.
"What are you talking about?" Min let out. "There's no way he's ready!"
"Aang still needs to Master Earth and Fire." Katara added.
"Yeah!" Sokka agreed. "What could possible possess you to think he's ready?"
"With the power he possesses, power enough to destroy hundreds of battleships in mere minutes, why couldn't he defeat the Fire Lord now!" Fong proposed.
"I was only able to do that because I was possessed by the Ocean Spirit while in the Avatar State." Aang explained.
"Yes, yes, I am aware of this 'Avatar State'." Fong declared. "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."
"You're insane, aren't you?" Min questioned. "Every time Aang's gone into the Avatar State, it's been on accident."
"Min's right." Aang agreed. "I don't know how to get in or out of the Avatar State, and don't even get me started on controlling it."
"Then it's decided." Fong declared. "I'll help you figure out how to get into the Avatar State, and then you'll face your destiny."
Everyone rose to their feet, Katara stepping forward angrily.
"No, nothing's decided." she snapped. "We already have a plan. Aang's pursuing his destiny his way."
"Well, while you take your time learning the elements, the War goes on." Fong responded. "May I show you something?"
He led Aang over to a window that opened out over the courtyard. From there, the two could see a building that was crowded with people, all of them injured and covered with burns.
"That's the infirmary, and those soldiers are the lucky ones." Fong informed him. "They came back. Every day, the Fire Nation takes lives. People are dying, Aang! You could end it, now. Think about it."
Aang turned away from the window, unsure of what to do.
...
On Azula's ship, the Princess was working on her training. Watching her were two identical older women, her firebending teachers Lo and Li. As they watched, Azula moved her arms in perfect circular motions, generating lighting in her fingers. Once she'd gathered all she could, she blasted it up into the sky, the lightning crackling loudly.
"Almost perfect." Lo announced.
"One hair out of place." Li added.
Azula's eyes narrowed on a single hair that dangled in her eyes. She pulled it out in anger.
"Almost isn't good enough!" she snarled.
She tried again, repeating the motions and shooting another bolt of lightning into the sky.
...
Back in the colony, Iroh awoke with a start. He looked around, a sense of foreboding filling him with dread.
...
Night fell on General Fong's base, the entire gang gathered in a small room they were sharing for the night. They were all preparing for bed, but Aang's mind was still on what the General had told him.
"Guys?" he began. "Do you think I should take up the generals offer to help me figure out the Avatar State?"
"No way." Katara declared. "That's not the right way."
"Why not?" Sokka questioned. "Think of all the amazing stuff he's done in the Avatar State. He's sunk battleships, froze himself in ice for a hundred years, and that windstorm back at the Southern Air Temple was incredible!"
"But he couldn't control it!" Katara reminded him. "The Avatar State won't end this war. Practice, study, and discipline will!"
"Or he could glow it up, march into the Fire Nation, and take out the Firelord before he can say 'Oh No, it's the Avatar'." Sokka argued casually.
As the two siblings stared down one another, Aang turned to Min.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" he asked.
"Because I can tell you've already made up your mind." Min replied. "I may think it's a bad idea, but as your Guardian, I'll support you as best I can."
Katara turned to Aang in shock.
"You're going to do it, aren't you?" she asked.
He nodded.
"I don't have time to do this the right way." He told her. "Sozin's Comet is coming soon, and when it does, the Firelord will use it to end this war. I have to stop him before it arrives, and this is my best option."
Katara stared at him for a moment, then she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I can't believe this." she muttered. "You're going to throw away everything we've worked for all because of some crazy General?"
Aang went to answer, but Katara held up a hand.
"You know what, fine." she snapped. "Go on and glow it up! See if I care!"
She turned and walked out of the room, slamming the door behind her.
...
The next morning, Aang walked into General Fong's office, flanked by the rest of the gang. The general looked up from the paperwork he was doing, smiling at Aang.
"Avatar, come in." he greeted. "Have you thought about our discussion?"
Aang nodded.
"I'm in." he declared. "I'll fight the Fire Lord."
"Excellent!" Fong said happily, clapping his hands together. "Shall we get started?"
...
The group gather under a gazebo where a soldier was pouring a cup of tea.
"This rare chi-enhancing tea is a natural stimulant." He explained. "In an ordinary warrior, it improves strength and energy tenfold. In you, it may induce the Avatar State."
"Tenfold energy, huh?" Aang repeated, taking a sip of the tea.
At first, nothing happened. Then, his eyebrow began to twitch. Not ten seconds later, Aang was zipping around the gazebo on an air scooter, talking at a mile a minute.
"IsitworkingisitworkingIcan'ttellsomebodytellmeifI'mintheAvatarState'causeIdon'thaveagoodviewofmyselfamItalkingtoo loud?"
"I guess he could talk the Fire Lord to death." Sokka remarked.
Min and Katara both sighed as Aang ended up running right into a pillar.
...
Later, Sokka stepped forward with an idea. He stood in front of Aang, who was sitting on the grass with Min and Katara behind him.
"Every time you've gone into the Avatar State, you've been in a situation that demanded it." Sokka mused. "Perhaps if I shock you hard enough, you'll go into the Avatar State on instinct"
"I do love surprises." Aang admitted.
Min leaned forward, covering Aang's eyes. When she uncovers them, Sokka stood over him, his head having been replaced with Momo's. The lemur screeched and Aang screamed him fright. After recovering, he looked at the arrows on his hands, sighing.
"Still not glowing." he reported.
Sokka lost his balance with Momo still tucked into his shirt, falling to the ground as Fong shook his head in dismay.
...
Back inside, Aang stood in front of what looked like a temple set-up. He was wearing a heavy Water Tribe cloak, an Earth kingdom domed hat with leaves coming out of the top, part of a Fire Nation uniform, and a large belt. An elderly oracle stood before him in front of an altar, a wooden bowl set up in front of him.
"You are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations." The Oracle declared. "Now I will join the four elements into one!"
"If this works, I'm gonna scream." Min whispered to Katara.
The Oracle picked up a jug of water, pouring the contents into the bowl.
"Water!"
He then dumped a small cup of dirt into the bowl.
"Earth!"
He grabbed a torch off the wall, tossing it into the bowl, where it was immediately extinguished.
"Fire!"
Finally, he grabbed a bellows, blowing a gust of air at the bowl.
"Air!"
He tossed the bellows aside, then picked up the bowl.
"Four elements together as one!" he declared before tossing the contents of the bowl at Aang, effectively covering him in mud.
"That's just mud!" Katara exclaimed.
"Do you feel anything?" the Oracle asked
Aang raised a finger, catching everyone's attention. However, his nose merely twitched and he let out a sneeze, covering everyone in mud. Min wiped her face, flicking the mud away.
"Well this has been a colossal waste of time." she grumbled.
Fong wiped his face as well, gritting his teeth.
"There has to be a way." he muttered.
...
In the small hut that they had been staying in, Iroh dumped out a bag of seashells out on a table. He marveled at them, turning to his nephew.
"Look at these magnificent shells, Zuko." he called out to him. "I will enjoy these keepsakes for years to come."
"We don't need any more useless things!" Zuko dismissed. "You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now!"
"Hello brother." Azula's voice suddenly called out from a chair in the corner of the room. "Uncle. It's been some time."
Zuko and Iroh turned to her, seeing the Princess sitting beside a table full of Iroh's shells, her sharpened nails dancing along them menacingly.
"Azula..." Zuko snarled. "What are you doing here?"
Azula got to her feet, picking up one of the shells.
"You know, in my country we exchange pleasant hellos before asking questions." she told him. "Then again, I suppose after three years at sea, you were hoping to see a different face."
She smirked at him knowingly, crushing the shell in her hand. Zuko just snarled in response. Iroh quickly stepped forward to try and defuse some tension.
"To what do we owe the honor?" Iroh asked.
Azula sighed.
"Disrespect must be a family trait." she muttered, wiping her hand on her shirt before continuing. "I've come with a message. In the wake of everything that's happened, especially with… well, you-know-who, father regretted banishing you. It's clear to him now that you had the best interest of our nation in mind when you spoke out. He's rescinded your banishment, and he wants you home."
Zuko's eyes went wide as he backed away in shock. Iroh helped to steady him, a skeptical look on his face.
"Didn't you hear me?" Azula questioned. "I thought you'd be happy. Excited. Grateful even. I just gave you great news."
"I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment." Iroh explained.
"Don't interrupt, Uncle!" Azula snapped before turning back to Zuko. "I still haven't heard my thank you. I'm not some messenger hawk. I didn't have to come all this way."
"Father regrets?" Zuko let out. "He… he wants me back?"
"I can see you need time to take this in." Azula noted, turning away from Zuko and Iroh. "I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening."
She walked out of the hut, leaving Zuko to contemplate her words.
...
Meanwhile, at Fong's base, Aang and Katara were standing on a balcony as they watched the sunset. Aang was leaning against the railing sadly as Katara took a deep breath.
"Can we talk about something?" she asked.
"Sure." Aang replied.
Katara leaned against the railing, collecting her thoughts.
"Do you remember when we were at the air temple and you found Monk Gyatso's skeleton?" she asked. "It must have been so horrible and traumatic for you. I saw you get so upset that you weren't even you anymore."
Aang looked away, his nightmare from the other night returning to him.
"I'm not saying the Avatar State doesn't have incredible and helpful power, but you have to understand." She continued. "For the people who love you, watching you be in that much rage and pain is really scary."
"I appreciate you tell me this, but I can't stop now." Aang told her.
Katara looked at him, clearly upset.
"I don't understand." she said quietly.
"No, you don't." Aang replied. "Every day, more and more people die. I'm already one hundred years late. Defeating the Fire Lord is the only way to stop this war. I have to try it!"
Katara sighed, visibly upset.
"I can't watch you do this to yourself." she informed him. "I'm not coming tomorrow."
She turned and walked sighing sadly.
"Good night." she said softly before going back inside.
"Good night." Aang called back to her, looking out at the setting sun with regret.
…
Zuko gathered what few belongings he had, packing them into a small knapsack.
"We're going home!" He practically cheered. "After three long years… it's unbelievable!"
"It is unbelievable." Iroh replied. "I have never known my brother to regret anything."
"Didn't you listen to Azula?" Zuko questioned. "Father finally realized I was trying to do what was best for the nation. He cares about me!"
"I care about you!" Iroh retorted. "And if Ozai wants you back…. Well, it may not be for the reasons you imagine."
Zuko dropped his knapsack, turning to his uncle angrily.
"You don't know how my father feels about me." he snapped. "You don't know anything!"
"I know more than you might think, Prince Zuko." Iroh replied. "Your father is a cruel, vicious man. One who has already shown to be willing to take the life of his own child."
"You know what I think?!" Zuko replied angrily. "You're a lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother!"
He turned and walked out of the hut, leaving Iroh behind. The old general sighed, feeling sorry for his nephew now more than ever.
...
Aang stood on Zuko's ship, sailing through the waters of the South Pole. As he looked around, he saw, of all people, himself, rising out of the water in the Avatar State. This second Aang landed on the deck, using the water to send the real Aang sliding across the deck. As he fell off the boat, the other Aang turned to a terrified Zuko, raising his arm in a deadly arc.
...
Aang sat up with a start, gasping for air. Min heard him and turned to him, a worried look on her face.
"Aang, are you okay?" she asked.
"No." Aang admitted.
"Did you have another nightmare?" She questioned.
He nodded, letting out a sigh.
"I don't think we should be trying to bring on the Avatar state." he told her.
"Then don't." she replied.
"You think the general will be mad?" He asked.
"So what if he is?" Min countered. "You're the Avatar. If you say you don't want to do something, he can't make you do it."
"I guess you're right." Aang replied before lying back on his bed.
"We'll tell him in the morning." she promised, lying down beside him. "Then we'll head to Omashu to do this the right way."
...
The next morning, Zuko made his way down towards the shore, where Azula's boat was docked. As he made his way down the stairs carved into the cliff face, he heard the sound of footsteps coming up from behind him.
"Wait!" Iroh called out. "Don't leave without me!"
Zuko turned around to see Iroh running towards him. He smiled in response.
"Uncle!" Zuko called out. "You changed your mind!"
"We are family." Iroh reminded him. "And family sticks together."
He placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder as the two shared a smile. They hugged, then Zuko turned back towards the ship.
"C'mon Uncle." he declared. "We're finally going home."
He continued down the path as Iroh looked down at the boat, eying it suspiciously.
...
Back at the Earth Kingdom base, Aang and Min met with General Fong.
"The thing is," Aang explained. "I don't think we'll ever be able to trigger the Avatar State on purpose. So I guess that's it."
"You sure I can't change your mind?" Fong asked.
"I'm sure." Aang confirmed.
"We understand your intentions, but this is our best course of action." Min declared. "Besides, in the past, he was only able to enter the Avatar State when he was in genuine danger, or extremely angry,"
"I see." Fong observed. "I was afraid you'd say that."
"What do you-?"
Before Min could finish, Fong earthbended his desk straight at Aang, sending him soaring across the room. He went crashing through the wall, plummeting down into the courtyard
"Aang!" Min screamed, grabbing her swords and turning to Fong. "What are you doing?!"
"What I have to." Fong answered. "Men, restrain the Guardian!"
A group of soldiers converged on Min as Fong ran out of the hole, landing in the courtyard in front of Aang.
"To arms, men!" he shouted. "Attack the Avatar!"
Aang was then immediately surrounded by Earth Kingdom soldiers, quite a few of them riding ostrich horses. Fong then stomped down on the ground hard, sending a wave of rock flying at Aang. He was sent sliding backwards, staring at the General in horror.
"Stop this!" he begged. "I'm not your enemy!"
Suddenly, four large earth coins were sent rolling towards him. Aang panicked before weaving to avoid the flying coins. He sidestepped two, then flew parallel to the second two, coming away without so much as a scratch.
"I'm not going to fight you!" he screamed.
Aang then quickly jumped into the air as four more earth coins were sent his way. They crashed into each other as Aang began his descent. A fifth coin went flying towards him, which he quickly dodged, sending it flying into the other four coins. Once Aang landed, two more coins clapped together in an attempt to crush him. Aang curled up into a ball, fitting himself into the square hole of the coin. The Earthbender then rolled the coin towards him, reducing it to rubble and sending Aang flying.
Upstairs, Min continued to struggle in the grip of the two soldiers. Their grips loosened suddenly as Sokka clubbed them from behind. As the two soldiers fell to the ground, Min turned to him gratefully.
"Perfect timing." she told him. "The General's lost it!"
"I saw from outside." Sokka responded. "We gotta get out there and stop this!"
"You go get Katara." Min insisted. "I'll go help Aang."
Sokka nodded, then the two split off to go do their respective tasks.
Back outside, Aang continued to narrowly avoid the earth coins being sent at him. Two try to crush him from below, and he dove through the hole of the other two, summoning an air scooter in an attempt to escape. The soldiers summoned up walls in an attempt to slow him down, but he merely zigzagged around them. Two soldiers on Ostrich horses gave chase, so he began scaling the wall. The two soldiers followed Aang up the wall, their mounts leaping high into the air. They readied their spears to attack, but that's when Aang's scooter faded away. He slipped off the wall, narrowly avoiding the deadly blades as he descended back to the ground.
He landed hard and rolled, just barely dodging the soldiers as they returned to the ground as well. Their spears ripped small cuts in his shirt as he somersaulted through the air to avoid them. An Earth coin then slammed down around him, trapping him in the center hole as Fong dragged him closer.
"You can't run forever!" Fong declared.
"You can't fight forever!" Aang threw back.
Fong leapt forward and crushed the earth coin just as Aang jumped to avoid the attack. Dust from the impact went flying everywhere, covering the courtyard.
...
Zuko and Iroh arrived at the docks, approaching Azula's ship. The Princess stood on the top of the ramp, smiling down at her brother and Uncle. On either side of the docks leading up to the ship, there was a line of soldiers standing at attention. As they walked, Iroh eyed the guards suspiciously, but did not act just yet. They eventually made it to the front of the ramp, the soldiers forming single-file lines behind them while subtly blocking the patch back to land.
"Brother!" Azula called out. "Uncle! Welcome! I'm so glad you decided to come."
As the two boarded the ship, Iroh looked back at the guards, his grip reflexively tightening on his satchel.
"Are we ready to depart, your Highness?" The Captain asked.
She nodded.
"Set a course for home." she commanded.
"Home." Zuko mused wistfully.
"You heard the princess!" the captain called out as Zuko and Iroh followed him. "Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home!"
In that moment, it was as if time froze. Both Zuko and Iroh stopped moving, a look of utter betrayal crossing Zuko's face. The captain went wide-eyed, realizing what he'd done. Azula's originally calm and somewhat pleasant demeanor evaporated, giving way to an expression of pure, unadulterated rage.
"Your highness," the captain tried to defend. "I-"
He never finished his statement. Iroh dropped his satchel, turning around and firing on the guards behind him with a huge fire blast. Zuko turned to Azula, throwing the Captain over the side before pointing right at her.
"You lied to me!" he screamed.
"You say that like it's something new." she quipped.
Two guards then moved in front of her, blasting at Zuko in synch with one another. Zuko quickly deflected the attacks and charged forward.
…
Katara sat on her bed, playing with a small stream of water in her hand as she tried to take her mind off of everything. She found it hard to concentrate though, the sounds of crashing earth and the shaking of the room continuously plaguing her.
"I wonder what crazy thing they're trying to do now." she told Momo, who was asleep on her pillow.
Just then, Sokka barged in, out of breath and with a panicked expression on his face. Katara looked up at her brother, dropping the stream of water back into her water skin before rising to her feet.
"Sokka?" She questioned. "Is everything okay?"
"The generals gone crazy!" Sokka reported. "He's attacking Aang to try and force him into the Avatar State!"
"What?!" Katara let out.
"Min's trying to help him, but we need to get out there now!" Sokka insisted.
Katara took off out of the room, with Sokka following close behind.
...
Back outside, Aang was jumping all across the courtyard, earth projectiles and coins flying at him from every direction. As one soldier prepared to attack, Min got up behind him, kicking him in between the legs and knocking him down. As a soldier road up on ostrich horse towards her, Sokka's boomerang flew up and hit him in the head, knocking him out. Min watched the boomerang return, grinning when she saw Sokka and Katara.
"What, did you stop for a bathroom break?" she joked, catching a soldier with the back of her sword and knocking him down.
"Hey, I figured since you had the situation well in hand we could take our time." Sokka remarked.
"Jokes later guys!" Katara told them.
Katara then water whipped an Earth Kingdom soldier as Sokka mounted the ostrich horse. He flicked its reins, riding it through the courtyard, leaving Katara and Min alone. Fong looked at them, smirking devilishly as an idea formed.
"Maybe you can avoid me, but they can't!"
He stomped his foot down on the ground and Min suddenly dropped down into the earth. She barely had time to yelp before she vanished, the Earth sealing around her seamlessly.
"Min!" Everyone screamed.
"The waterbender's next." Fong warned.
Fong then stomped his foot again, causing Katara to sink knee deep.
"Katara!" Both Aang and Sokka shouted.
Katara tried to free herself, but couldn't even budge.
"I'm stuck!" she shrieked.
"Let her go!" Aang demanded, sending a blast of air flying right at Fong.
Fong brought his arm up, summoning an earth wall that blocked the attack. He then twisted his other hand, pulling Katara deeper into the earth until she was trapped up to her waist. Sokka saw red at that point, raising his club as he turned his ostrich horse towards the General.
"Nobody touches my sister!" he shouted.
Fong then sunk the animal's feet into the ground, flinging Sokka off the ostrich horse and slamming into the hole of an earth coin. Aang ran over to Fong, clutching his arm in a desperate attempt to stop him.
"Please, just let them go!" he begged. "Min can survive, but Katara-!"
"Would be perfectly safe if you were in the Avatar state." Fong told him.
"I'm trying!" He pleaded. "I'm trying!"
Fong twisted his wrist again, and this time, Katara was buried up to her chest, her arms trapped by her side.
"Aang! She cried out. "Help me!"
"I don't see glowing!" Fong snarled.
He lowered his arm and began closing his hand into a fist. Katara sank up to her neck, her eyes wide with terror as tears fell freely.
"Please!" she sobbed.
Aang fell to his knees, tears in his eyes too.
"You don't have to do this!" he let out, anguish laced in his voice.
"Apparently, I do." Fong remarked, clenching his fist.
In desperation, Aang dove for Katara, but he was too late. She disappeared into the ground, the stone sealing up the same way it did for Min, leaving Aang to skid across the stone. He picked himself up, his tattoos glowing brightly as he turned to Fong. His face was contorted with rage an anguish as his eyes glowed like stars.
"It work!" Fong cheered. "It worked!"
An air blast is sent his way and his triumphant expression soon became one of fear as he realized the full scope of the situation he'd put himself in. Aang turned to him, marching towards him with cold intent, slashing his arms in a deadly arc in the General's direction. He went flying backwards as Aang summoned up a vortex of wind and stone, rising high above the fortress.
...
Back on the Fire Nation ship, Zuko quickly dodged the attacks of the two guards and blasted them off the ship. He then turned to Azula, who stood off to the side, watching him. She smirked as he approached, fire daggers in his hands.
Iroh meanwhile, was taking guards out left and right.
"Zuko!" He called out as he grabbed another guards arm. "Let's go!"
Zuko didn't hear his uncle, his focus dead-set on Azula. He charged at her, but the Princess deftly sidestepped avoiding the attack. He swiped at her again and again, but continued to calmly and smugly avoid each one. After one massive attack, she caught his arm and shoved him aside.
"I can't believe you actually believed me." she spat. "You and Uncle are failures and traitors in his eyes. The loss at the North Pole, your inability to capture the Avatar and Guardian, they're all the proof father needed that your entire bloodline was a stain on our family's great name. "
Zuko was panting heavily, glaring at Azula as she continued.
"He learned his lesson after Xia." she declared. "The only way to deal with traitors is to lock them away… or execute them."
Enraged, Zuko kicked a massive fire blast at Azula before punching two more blasts at her. Azula leapt out of the way, landing several feet away. Zuko charged at her again, attacking her over and over as she continued to dodge him. This time, she struck as well, her sharpened nails leaving long scratches along his forehead. He stumbled back, feeling his forehead and the blood coming from it.
He let out a yell and went at her again. As the two dueled, they went up the stairs towards the helm. They grappled with one another, Azula managing to grab a hold on Zuko's arm. For a second, neither of them moved. Then Azula smirked, eliciting a panicked look from Zuko. That's when a blue fire blast knocked him off his feet. He went flying back, tumbling down the stairs violently.
He landed hard on the deck, his vision blurry as Azula closed in on him. She moved her arms in a circular motion, summoning up a bolt of lightning. She aimed it right at Zuko, but before she could release it, Iroh grabbed her fingers. She looked up at him in surprise as he redirected the bolt up at the sky, where it couldn't do any harm.
With the lightning dispelled, Iroh shoved Azula aside. For good measure, he kicked her off the ship. As she splashed down into the water, Iroh grabbed Zuko, pulling him to his feet. Together, they ran off of Azula's ship, making their way towards the mountain and away from the colony.
...
Back at Fong's base, Aang rose up on a vortex of wind, towering over everybody.
"Avatar Aang!" Fong called out. "Can you hear me? Your friends are safe!"
He pulled Katara and Min out of the ground. Katara gasped for air, collapsing on the ground as Min just crumbled into a pile beside her. Katara looked over at her fearfully, then up at Aang.
"It was just a trick to trigger the Avatar State!" Fong continued, a mad gleam in his eyes. "And it worked!"
"You have no idea what you've unleashed!" Katara told him.
Aang swiveled about on the vortex, landing on the ground forcefully. This caused a flurry of dust to spread. Fong is sent back several feet while Katara and Min are left untouched. Several more soldiers are caught up in the cloud, the ground rising up around them and throwing them aside. Nothing was left standing in the wake of the deadly wave, no soldier, no ostrich horse, not even the buildings.
In the midst of this destructive attack, a ghostly hand reached into Aang's back, pulling his spiritual form from his body. Aang let out a start as he turned, seeing Avatar Roku standing before him.
"Roku?" he questioned.
Roku looked down at the devastation, letting out a sigh as he faced the young Airbender.
"It's time you learned the truth." Roku told him.
The clouds began to swirl around them, the physical world disappearing around them as they were transported into the Avatar state. There, they stood in a sea of clouds, tiny figures dotting the horizon.
"The Avatar State is a defense mechanism, designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge of all the past Avatars." Roku declared.
Several clouds began to brighten displaying feats performed by past Avatars. One showed Avatar Kyoshi standing on a rocky mountain. Her eyes flashed, then she lifted large statues of Badger Moles with a mere wave of her hands. Another showed a male waterbender wearing a polar-leopard coat. His eyes flashed before he summoned a gigantic, tsunami sized wave behind him. A third showed a female airbender, her eyes flashing before she conjured enough wind to topple trees and flatten a field of wheat. A final one image showed a firebender, his eyes glowing before he roared like a dragon, sending a large plume of fire erupting from his mouth and hands.
"The glow is the combination of all your past lives, focusing their energy through your body." Roku continued, drawing Aang's attention from the images. "In the Avatar State, you are at your most powerful, but you are also at your most vulnerable."
"What do you mean?" Aang asked.
"If you are killed in the Avatar State, the reincarnation cycle will be broken." Roku explained, waving his hand as the images suddenly fizzled out. "And the Avatar will cease to exist."
Soon, Roku faded as well, and the clouds began to part, Aang's spirit slowly returning to the physical world. He descended into his body, the glow fading from his eyes and tattoos as he pulled himself from the Avatar State. He returned to the ground, stumbling a bit.
"Aang!" Katara cried out. "Min won't wake up!"
"What?" Aang let out.
"She won't wake up." Katara repeated, holding Min's limp form. "She's not breathing..."
"But..." Aang let out. "I thought the Guardian was supposed to be-"
All of a sudden, Min's Guardian tattoo flashed. Her eyes flew open and she sat up gasping for air and coughing.
"Min!" the two let out.
She slowly regained control of her breathing, placing a hand on her chest.
"Aang?" she let out, turning towards him. "What happened?"
"You were..." Aang began. "You were dead."
Min groaned, sitting on the ground while still clutching her chest.
"That explains it..." she muttered. "I haven't died in a while… guess I was overdue."
"I can't believe Fong would go that far." Katara declared.
"I can't believe I let him convince me this was a good idea." Aang lamented, looking around at the devastation. "You were right Katara… I'm sorry I didn't listen to you."
"Ha! Are you joking?!" Fong let out. "That was almost perfect! We just have to find a way to control you when you're like that."
"Are you insane?!" Min exclaimed, gesturing to the devastation. "Look what happened here! You can't control that kind of power!"
"I guess we'll find out on the way to the Fire Nation." Fong replied.
Just then, Sokka rode up on an ostrich horse and conked him on the head, knocking him out.
"Anyone got a problem with that?" He asked.
The soldiers wisely shook their heads. One let out a cough, turning to the gang awkwardly.
"Do you… still want an escort to Omashu?" he asked.
"No thanks." Katara told him, helping Min to her feet as Sokka slid off his mount. "I think we're set."
Without a moment of hesitation, the group climbed onto Appa, leaving the base without a second glance.
...
"Anyone who harbors these traitors will face the wrath of the Fire Lord!" Azula declared, holding up a poster with Iroh and Zuko's faces drawn in it.
The entire colony was gathered before her, looking at the poster in shock at what it depicted.
"There will be no place for them to hide." she announced.
...
Neither Zuko nor Iroh were sure how long they had been running. All they knew was they had to put as much distance between them and Azula as possible. After a while, the two stopped at a riverbank to catch their breath.
"I think we're safe here." Iroh spoke.
Zuko slowly straightened up, true sorrow in his eyes as he looked at his reflection in the water. He reached into his belt, pulling out a small dagger. He unsheathed it, the sound drawing his uncle's attention. Iroh watched as Zuko lifted the blade, placing it against the base of his ponytail. He hesitated for a moment, then closed his eyes and cut it off.
He held the severed ponytail in his hand before handing the dagger to his uncle. Iroh took it, cutting off his topknot. The two firebenders looked at the severed locks, then slowly let them drop from their hands and into the water. They floated down the river, disappearing from sight as Iroh and Zuko just stood there on the bank.