Book Two: Earth
Chapter 1: The Avatar State
Aang is running around the Southern Air Temple and he enters the room where he found Monk Gyatso's skeleton but instead of finding the skeleton Aang finds himself in his Avatar Spirit and the Avatar Spirit Aang turns and glares at the other Aang in anger terrifying Aang and then wind blows him away and Aang falls and lands in the Fire Temple he visited to talk to Roku and he sees the same Avatar Spirit Aang who breathes fire and splits the floor in half making Aang fall again and he lands on a Fire Navy ship in the North Pole seas and Aang sees the Ocean Spirit appearing and the Avatar Spirit Aang is in it and the Ocean Spirit slices at the ship Aang is on making him scream.
Aang wakes up from his sleep after his dream ends, he gets off his bed and walks out of the room the gang are sleeping in and goes outside, Laphicet and Katara wake up and watch him leave.
"Aang..." Katara said.
"Let's go see what's wrong." Laphicet said and the two get up and head outside.
Aang is standing by the ledge of the Water Tribe ship they are sailing on and Laphicet and Katara join the Airbender.
"I understand there's something wrong." Laphicet said.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Katara asked.
"Nah, just a nightmare. I was in the Avatar State, but I was outside my body watching myself. It was scary. I was scary." Aang said as he lowers his head and Katara hugs him.
"It's going to be alright, Aang." Laphicet said. "If this makes you feel better, I've been in that situation before. I lost myself..."
"Neither of you are bad people. You two know that. You two did what had to be done." Katara said.
It's now daytime and the gang are with Pakku, Kang, and two Water Tribe members.
"Katara, I want you to have this." Pakku said holding up an amulet. "This amulet contains water from the Spirit Oasis. The water has unique properties. Don't lose it." Pakku said giving Katara the amulet.
"Thank you, Master Pakku." Katara said and hugs him.
"Aang, these scrolls will help you master Waterbending." Pakku said giving Aang a box of Waterbending scrolls. "But remember, they are no substitute for a real master." Pakku said and Aang looks at Katara who is on Appa already together with the seraphim and the still unconscious Velvet.
"Thank you, Master Pakku." Aang said.
"Laphicet, for showing how much determination your sister have, I would like to give you something that will help your sister." Pakku said as he motions one of the Water Tribe members to give Pakku a chest and Pakku opens it, showing a beautiful silver blade with light blue in the middle.
"It's a blade for sis' gauntlet!" Laphicet exclaimed as Pakku closed it to give it to the younger Crowe.
"I had it special made for this occasion, I hope it will be a good use for Velvet when she recovers." Pakku explained and Laphicet smiles as he goes on Appa.
"I hope you two are willing to help fight alongside Velvet throughout her journey to help the Avatar." Pakku said to Sorey and Rose.
"Of course we are. We'll do everything we can to fight the Fire Nation at her side even if it means ending we lose ourselves." Sorey said.
"You can count on us, sir." Rose saluted.
"Good. Take care. All of you." Pakku said as he pats Sokka on his shoulder making him dismayed. "Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom base to the east of here. General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There, you will be safe and the Avatar can begin his Earthbending training with King Bumi."
"Thank you for everything, Master Pakku!" Laphicet thanked him.
"Say hi to Gran Gran for me!" Katara said.
"Appa, yip yip!" Aang said and Appa flies off.
Meanwhile in a village Iroh is lying on a table and they are getting relaxing massages in a resort.
"This is just what I've been missing. 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?" Iroh said and then he looks at a very unhappy Zuko sitting next to the entrance of the resort and so Iroh walk over to him and he sit next to him. "I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it?"
"Three years ago today, I was banished. I lost it all. I want it back. I want the Arte users, the Avatar, my honor, my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless." Zuko said.
"I'm sure he doesn't. Why would he banish you if he didn't care?" Iroh asked making Zuko stand up and walk away. "Uh, that came out wrong, didn't it?"
Meanwhile on a Fire Nation ship there are several men bowing as a royal carriage is brought out and inside the carriage is the cruel looking girl that Ozai talked to before which happens to his daughter known as Azula and she steps out of the carriage and walks down the line of soldiers.
"My brother and uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord and brought shame to us all. You might have mixed feelings of attacking members of the royal family. I understand, but I assure you, if you hesitate, I won't hesitate to bring you down. Dismissed." Azula said and the soldiers leave while the captain arrives.
"Princess, I'm afraid the tides won't allow us to bring the ship into port before nightfall." The captain informed.
"I'm sorry, captain, but I do not know much about the tides. Could you explain something to me?" Azula asked.
"Of course, Your Highness." The captain said.
"Do the tides command this ship?" Azula asked.
"I don't understand." The captain said.
"You just said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in. Do the tides command this ship?" Azula asked again.
"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.
"No, princess." The captain answered.
"Well, you should 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." Azula said.
"I'll pull us in." The captain said as he leaves and Azula glares at him.
Meanwhile Appa is still flying through the sky to their destination.
"There it is." Sokka said pointing at the Earth Kingdom base and Appa lands on the ground.
The gang see General Fong with two Earth soldiers at his side waiting for them, Sorey having Velvet on his back.
"Welcome, Avatar Aang and Shepherd Sorey! I am General Fong and welcome to all of you great heroes! Appa, Momo, brave Rose, incredible Laphicet!" General Fong said and then noticed Velvet on the Shepherd's back. "And that must be the fearsome and beautiful demon Velvet!" Then fireworks off being launched by soldiers using Earthbending.
"Not bad, not bad." Zavied said.
Everyone is now in the base and General Fong is sitting on his desk while the gang are sitting on the ground in front of him.
"Shepherd Sorey and Avatar Aang, we were all amazed at the stories of how you two single-handedly wiped out an entire Fire Navy fleet at the North Pole. I can't imagine how it feels to wield such devastating power. It's an awesome responsibility." General Fong said.
"I try not to think about it." Aang said.
"And I wasn't really the one fighting the Fire Nation, I was trying to help a friend." Sorey said.
"It's the seraphim that deserves the fame, not me."
"Avatar, you're ready to take down the Fire Lord now." General Fong said shocking the two.
"What?! No we're not." Aang said.
"Aang still needs to master all four elements." Katara said.
"Why? With those kinds of powers he possess, the powers enough to destroy hundreds of battleships in a matter of seconds, they can defeat the Fire Lord now!" General Fong said.
"But, sir, the thing is that Aang can only do those things when Aang is in the Avatar State." Rose said. "And Velvet hasn't recovered yet to help him."
"You see, it's a special state wh..." Aang was cut off by General Fong.
"Yes, yes. I'm well aware. The Avatar State is when your eyes and tattoos glows and you're able unleash unbelievable power. Without you, we'd be slaughtered before we even reach their shores." General Fong said as he looks at his map and points at the location of the Fire Nation Capital. "But with you leading the way, as the ultimate weapon, we can cut a swath right through to the heart of the Fire Nation."
"Right, but, Aang doesn't know how to get in and out of the Avatar State and I don't know how to either, much less what to do once we're there." Sorey said. "And without Velvet there to help him, he will lose control."
"Then it's decided. I'll help you two figure out how to get into the Avatar State and you two can face your destinies." General Fong said but the gang stand up angry.
"No! NOTHING'S decided! We already have a plan!" Rose said.
"Velvet and Aang are pursuing their destinies THEIR way!" Katara said.
"I see. Well, while you take your time learning the elements, the war goes on. Let me show you two something." General Fong said as he leads Aang to his window. "Outside is the infirmary and those soldiers are the lucky ones. They came back. Everyday, the Fire Nation takes lives. People are DYING. You both can end it NOW. Think about it." General Fong said as he walks away.
"Aang?" Laphicet asked and Aang lowers his head looking unsure.
'I don't like thinking about people suffering, but Velvet can't just end the war Fong's way. I still don't like the power I have. I can't even control it.' Laphicet said in his mind.
Meanwhile on Azula's ship Azula is training and she stands perfectly straight while holding her fingers in her hand and while she's training two elder women named Li and Lo are sitting and watching her training and Azula moves her arms around in a circular motion making lighting and fires a bolt of lightning into the sky.
"Almost perfect." Lo said.
"One hair out of place." Li said as Azula pushes a strand of hair away from her face.
"Almost isn't good enough!" Azula said as she repeats the same action of making lighting and fires the bolt of lightning at the sky again.
While this is happening Iroh suddenly wakes up from his nap and peers in curiosity.
Meanwhile it's nighttime and General Fong is in his office.
"General Fong?" A voice asked and it's Aang.
"Come in, Aang. Have you thought about our discussion?" General Fong asked.
"Well, Velvet can't do much in her state, but I'm in. I'm ready to face the Fire Lord." Aang said.
Later on Aang enters a room with several beds and the gang are in the room since they're staying there for the night, Velvet resting in one of them.
"I told the general I'd help by going into the Avatar State." Aang informed.
"What? No." Katara protested.
"Aang, this isn't the right way." Laphicet said.
"Why? Remember when you took out that Fire Navy? You were incredible." Sokka said.
"Aang doesn't like going into that state." Laphicet pointed out as he's sitting next to his sister.
"But that power's a part of him. He'll have to embrace it at some point." Zavied said.
"Aang, there's a right way to end the war. Practice, study, and discipline." Lailah said.
"If you meatheads want to throw away everything we've worked for, fine. Go ahead and glow it up!" Katara said walking away.
"Katara, I'm being realistic. I don't have time to do this the right way." Aang said and then makes a mournful look.
The next day the gang, General Fong, and a soldier are in an outdoor room and the soldier is pouring a cup of tea and then puts a white food item into the tea.
"This rare chi-enhancing tea is a natural stimulant. In an ordinary warrior, it improves strength and energy tenfold. In you, it might induce the Avatar State." The soldier said.
"Tenfold energy, huh?" Aang asked and drinks the tea making his eyebrows twitch and later on Aang is riding rapidly on his air scooter being hyper from the energy boost. "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?" Aang keeps talking quickly while still riding his air scooter and being hyper and the gang are tired out by Aang's actions.
"I guess he can talk the Fire Lord to death." Lailah said and then Aang hits a pillar and falls making Rose facepalm.
Later on everyone is now outside the base and Aang is sitting on the ground while Sokka is standing in front of him.
"I can try and shock you into the Avatar State." Sokka said.
"I love surprises!" Aang said and Mikleo covers his eyes with his hands and when Mikleo uncovers them, Sokka is towering over Aang with his head replaced by Momo's who screeches causing Aang to scream and then looks at his arrows. "Still not glowing." Aang said and Sokka tries to keep his balance but he falls.
Everyone is now in a dimly lit room and Aang is wearing a Water Tribe cloak, an Earth Kingdom hat with a leaf, and Fire Nation belt around his waist and an oracle is standing in front of him.
"You are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations. Now I will join the four elements into one! Water! Earth! Fire! Air!" The oracle pours a jug of water, a bowl of dirt, throws a torch, and releases air gust from a wooden contraption into a bowl. "Four elements together as one!" The oracle said as he flings the contents at Aang who is now coated in mud.
"This is just mud." Aang said.
"So do you feel anything?" The oracle asked and Aang raises his finger interesting everyone but he just sneezes causing the mud to fly everywhere and coats Fong, Katara, Sorey, Rose and Sokka in mud.
"We'll have to find another way." General Fong said.
Meanwhile Zuko and Iroh return to their place of stay for a while and they enter the dark room inside and Iroh pours several seashells from his bag and he examines one of them.
"Look at these magnificent shells. I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come." Iroh said.
"We don't need anymore useless things! You forget, we have to carry everything OURSELVES now." Zuko said.
"True, but there's not..." Iroh was cut off by a voice.
"Hello, brother, uncle." The voice said it's Azula who is sitting on a table and holding a seashell.
"What are YOU doing here?!" Zuko demanded.
"In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before we ask questions." Azula said as she stands up and walks over to the three. "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?" Azula asked.
"Don't call me that!" Zuko snapped.
"To what do we owe this honor?" Iroh asked.
"Must be a family trait. All two of you so quick to get to the point." Azula said as she breaks a shell she was holding with her fingernails making Iroh angry.
"Tell us why you're here or else I'll throw you out into the ocean!" Zuko threatened.
"Very well. I've come to deliver 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 members are the only ones you trust...Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home." Azula informed and there's brief silence. "Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you good news."
"I'm sure your brother needs a mom..." Iroh was cut off by Azula.
"Don't interrupt, Uncle!" Azula snapped.
"You shut your mouth!" Zuko yelled.
"Silence!" Azula yelled back and she turns back to Zuko. "I still haven't heard my thank you. I'm NOT a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way."
"Father regrets? He...wants me home?" Zuko asked.
"I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call you on tomorrow. Good evening." Azula said as she leaves while Zuko ponders.
Meanwhile Aang is standing on a balcony of General Fong's base watching the sunset and Sorey and Katara come to join him.
"Can we talk to you about something?" Sorey asked.
"Sure." Aang answered.
"Do you remember when we were at the Southern Air Temple and you found Monk Gyasto's skeleton? It must have been very horrible and traumatic for you. We saw you get upset and you weren't you anymore." Katara said.
"We're not saying that the Avatar State doesn't have incredible and helpful power...but you should understand...for the people who love you, watching you be in that much rage and pain is really scary." Sorey continued.
"I'm glad you two told me that, but I still need to this." Aang said.
"I don't understand." Katara said upset.
"No, you don't and I don't think Velvet does either. Everyday, more and more people are dying. I'm already a hundred years late. Defeating the Fire Lord is the only way to stop this war. I have to try it." Aang said.
"I can't watch you do this to yourself. I'm not coming tomorrow." Sorey said sadly.
"Neither am I. Good night." Katara said sadly.
"Good night." Aang said sadly and Sorey and Katara walk away.
In their room, Laphicet was looking at his older sister really worried with the seraphim accompany him. The younger Crowe took Velvet's hand as gentle as he could.
"Velvet, we need you right now. Aang needs you." Laphicet told her, hoping Velvet would hear him.
"Laphicet, everything will be okay." Lailah said, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"I know Velvet, she isn't a person to give in so easily." Zavied pointed out. "You just need to hope she'll wake up in time before things go out of hand." They all looked at Velvet's sleeping face as they all prayed for her to come back.
Meanwhile it's now nighttime and Zuko and Iroh are in their house.
"We're finally going home! After three long years! This is unbelievable!" Zuko said packing his belongings.
"It IS unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret ANYTHING." Iroh said. "Let alone banishing his own son."
"Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him! He cares about me!" Zuko said irritated.
"I care about you!" Iroh replied. "If my brother really wanted you back, I don't think it's the reasons Azula said."
"Neither of you know how my father feels about me! You don't know anything!" Zuko snapped.
"Zuko, I only meant that in our family, things aren't always what they seem." Iroh said.
"I think you are exactly what you seem! A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother!" Zuko yelled as he walked away.
Aang is on Zuko's ship in the Southern seas and Aang sees the Avatar State Aang rising from the water riding on a swirling water vortex like Aang did before and then Avatar State Aang lands on the ship and bends the water to sweep the real Aang away and the Avatar State Aang turns to Zuko and attacks him.
Aang wakes up from his sleep after having another nightmare and he sees Sokka sleeping and so he shakes the warrior.
"Sokka! Sokka, wake up!" Aang said.
"Huh?" Sokka asked as he wakes up.
"I don't think we should be trying to bring on the Avatar State." Aang said.
"You sure?" Sokka asked.
"Yes." Aang answered.
"Okay." Sokka said.
"You think the general will be mad at me?" Aang asked.
"What can he say? You're the Avatar. Who knows better than you?" Sokka asked.
"Velvet does." Aang said.
"Yeah. She is pretty smart." Sokka said and he goes back to sleep.
Aang lies back in bed and he tries to sleep again.
Meanwhile it's now morning and Zuko is getting ready to meet with Azula and so he starts to going the stone steps while carrying his bag.
"Wait!" A voice said from behind Zuko and he turns to see Iroh running to him.
"Don't leave without me." Iroh said.
"You changed your mind!" Zuko said smiling.
"Family sticks together." Iroh said as he places his hand on Zuko's shoulder.
Zuko remembers how Ozai places his hand on his son's shoulder in the past and he looks at the ship.
"We're going home." Zuko said as he continues going down the stairs. Iroh look at the ship in suspicion and he follow Zuko.
Meanwhile Aang, Sokka, Sorey and Rose are in Fong's office.
"The thing is, I don't think we'll ever be able to trigger it on purpose. I guess that's it." Aang said.
"Are you sure I can't change your mind?" Fong asked.
"I'm sure. I can only reach the Avatar State when I'm in genuine danger." Aang said.
"I see. I was afraid you'd say that." Fong said as he blasts his entire desk at Aang with Earthbending sending the Airbender soaring across the room.
"Aang!" Sokka said.
"C'mon!" Sorey said and they go for Aang's aid but soldiers hold them down.
"Unhand me!" Rose commanded as she attacks the soldiers holding her and attacks more coming to her.
After the impact Aang is sent crashing through the wall and flies out of the building but he breaks his fall with his Airbending and Fong runs over to the hole in the wall.
"Men! Attack the Avatar!" Fong commanded pointing at Aang.
Aang is now surrounded by several Earth soldiers and some soldiers are on ostrich-horses and Fong jumps out of the building and lands on the ground sending a rock wave at Aang sending the Airbender back.
"What're you doing?" Aang asked.
"I believe we're about to get results." Fong said.
Earth soldiers use their Earthbending to fire large earth coins at Aang but he avoids them and soars in the air between two more earth coins being thrown at him and he lands on the ground.
"I'm not your enemy! I won't fight you!" Aang said but four more earth coins are sent at him but he jumps into the air.
As Aang starts to float down another earth coin is sent skidding toward him and the coin crashes into one of the four stationary coins and Aang lands on the ground where the coin was but two earth coins are closed together trapping the Airbender inside the holes on the coins but he rolls the coins with speed but an Earth soldier uses his Earthbending to break the earth coins into bits but Aang lands on the ground and rises to confront the rest of the soldiers.
While this is happening Rose is still fighting against the soldiers with Sorey, Mikleo, Edna and Lailah while Sokka who is still being held captive by two soldiers lifts his feet and stomps on their bare feet making them lose their grip and they fall to the ground and Sorey, Rose, Mikleo, Lailah and Edna defeat the Earth soldiers.
"We need to help Aang." Mikleo said.
"He's right. Let's go." Sorey said as they head outside.
Back outside Aang avoids two earth coins being sent at him and one flies above him while the other is below him and two more earth coins are sent from opposite sides of the ring ready to crush the Airbender but Aang manages to escape by dodging through the holes in the coins as they collide with each other and they fall to the ground and Aang makes an air scooter and starts riding around in zigzags past the soldiers who try to stop him by bending a rock wall in his way while two soldiers ride on ostrich-horses to chase after him but Aang rides past them and scales up the wall of the base but Earth soldiers bend rock pillars to propel themselves upward and Aang's air scooter runs out of air but he runs along the wall while two Earth soldiers follow him and Aang dodges spears that are coming his way and falls to the ground and two soldiers land as well and attack with their spears but Aang somersaults forward to avoid the spears and lands on the ground with an earth coin on it but the coin gets sent upward and drags forward with Aang being trapped in its hole and the coin lands in front of Fong.
"You can't run forever!" Fong said.
"You can't fight forever!" Aang replied.
Fong crushes the coin but Aang jumps off to avoid the attack and dust from the impact is sent flying.
Meanwhile Zuko and Iroh approach Azula's ship and Azula herself is standing on the ramp leading to the ship while guards stand either side of them as they walk past and Iroh still look suspiciously at the guards and the two reach the ship.
"Brother! Uncle! Welcome! I'm so glad you decided to come." Azula said and Iroh still look suspiciously.
"Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?" The captain asked.
"Set a course for home, captain." Azula said.
"Home." Zuko repeated.
"You heard the princess! Raise anchors! We're taking the prisoners home!" The captain said but then he widens his eyes realizing his mistake and he looks at Azula while Zuko and Iroh look at each other surprised and Azula turns her look of surprise to anger. "Your Highness, I..." The captain stops talking.
Zuko has wide eyes after hearing what the captain said and Iroh start attacking the guards pushing them off the edge of the walkway and sends fire blasts while Zuko throws the captain overboard and glares at Azula with fury.
"You lied to me!" Zuko yelled.
"Like I've never done that before." Azula replied as she walks away and allows her guards to send fire blasts at Zuko but he sends them away and charges onto the ship.
Meanwhile Aang is still avoiding three earth coins that slam to the ground attempting to crush him but he runs to the left as another coin rolls his way.
In the gang's room Laphicet and Katara hear noise outside as they are watching over Velvet.
"I wonder what crazy trick they're doing now." Katara said.
"Maybe they're..." Laphicet was cut off by another rumbling noise. "Maybe we should see if Aang's okay."
"Good idea." Katara said and the two leave the room.
Laphicet and Katara are now outside and they run down the stairs while Sorey, Rose, Mikleo, Edna, Lailah and Sokka run down the opposite stairs.
"What's going on?" Laphicet asked.
"The general's gone crazy!" Mikleo answered.
"He's trying to force Aang into the Avatar State." Sokka said as he throws his boomerang.
Laphicet and Katara run to the fight while a soldier is hit by Sokka's boomerang and falls to the ground dazed.
Aang is still avoiding the soldiers' attacks and he's being chased by another soldier riding on an ostrich-horse but the head of his spear is snapped off making him slow down while being stunned at this but Katara water whips the soldier knocking him off the ostrich-horse.
"Good...bird...horse...thingy..." Sokka said approaching the ostrich-horse carefully but Rose gets on it.
"Let's move!" Rose said as she makes the ostrich-horse gallop away.
Several soldier are still attacking Aang who still dodges and Fong sees both Laphicet and Katara standing in the middle of the battle and he has an idea.
"Maybe you can avoid me...but they can't." Fong said as he commands the Earth soldiers to rotate their earth coins to face Laphicet and Katara.
"I don't think so." Katara said as she water whips at Fong but he summons a dust pillar to deflect the water attack making mud.
Fong then uses his Earthbending to begin sinking Laphicet and Katara into the ground twisting them around and making them buried knee deep.
"I...can't move!" Katara said trying to break free.
"I can't either." Laphicet said also trying to break free.
"Don't hurt them!" Aang said as he leaps onto the ground and sends a gust of wind at Fong who bends an rock wall to block it.
Fong brings down the rock wall and starts sinking Laphicet and Katara into the ground burying their waists deep.
"LAPHICET!" Sorey shouted.
"NO!" Mikleo shouted as he, Sorey and Sokka charge at Fong who uses his Earthbending to sink their feet stopping them.
"Monster!" Rose said who is still riding on the ostrich-horse and charges at Fong who uses his Earthbending to sink the ostrich-horse's feet sending Rose flying but she lands to the ground and she charges but Fong sinks her feet as well along with Lailah.
"Stop this! You have to let them go!" Aang pleaded as he's clutching Fong's arm.
"You could save them if you were in the Avatar State." Fong said.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Aang said as tears flow from his eyes.
"Aang!" Laphicet said.
"We're sinking!" Katara said and their chests are now buried.
"I don't see glowing!" Fong said as he lowers his right arm and makes a fist making Laphicet and Katara's necks go deep.
"Stop!" Laphicet pleaded.
"Please!" Katara pleaded.
"You don't have to do this!" Aang said falling to his knees.
"Apparently...I do." Fong said as he clenches his fist tight and sinks Laphicet and Katara completely into the ground while they cry in fear and Aang leaps forward to try and save them but he was too late and his arrows start glowing and he turns to face Fong with full anger as he's now in the Avatar State. "It worked! It worked! Yes! At last!"
Aang sends an air blast at Fong who now has a fear expression and he gets knocked back and lands roughly on the ground and Aang begins to rises on an earth vortex.
Meanwhile Zuko leaps onto the deck of Azula's ship and blasts two guards off the ship with his fire blasts and he lands on the deck and he sees Azula standing patiently while her back is turned to him and she smirks while Zuko bends fire daggers in his hands and while Zuko is confronting Azula Iroh and Aiko continue to fight the guards.
"Zuko, let's go!" Iroh called but a guard attacks and pushes the guard back.
While Iroh is still fighting the guards Zuko charges at Azula with his fire daggers and he attempts to strike Azula but she dodges his attack and she smirks at her brother and Zuko keeps striking but Azula keeps dodging and as Zuko brings down a blow Azula pushes him away.
"You know Father blames Uncle for the loss of the North Pole. He also considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar! Why would he want YOU back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?" Azula taunted and Zuko bends fire daggers again and leaps into the air and sends a fire blast at Azula with his foot but Azula jumps back and lands on the deck.
Zuko charges at Azula again and tries to attack but Azula dodges his attacks again and she manages to scratch his forehead with her fingernails leaving three scratch marks on his head making Zuko fall back from the impact and he yells in anger and attacks again and their continued fight takes them upstairs leading to the central control area of the ship and Azula manages to grab Zuko's arm and the two stand silently until Azula knocks Zuko back with a blue flame blast and Zuko lands roughly on the bottom and Azula starts to move her arms in circular motion generating lightning again and was ready to fire a bolt of lighting at Zuko but Iroh comes to grab her right hand and he redirects the lighting causing it to hit the cliff side from afar but Azula frees herself from Iroh's grip and was about to bend fire but Zuko comes and he unleashes his flames at Azula knocking her off the ship and Azula lands into the water and Zuko and Iroh run from the ship.
Meanwhile in Fong's base Aang is still rising on the earth vortex and he's still under the control of the Avatar State.
"Avatar Aang! Can you hear me? Your friends are safe!" Fong began as he rises Katara and Laphicet back to above ground. "It was just a trick to trigger the Avatar State! And it worked!"
Aang still swivels around the earth vortex and he lands on the ground forcefully causing a flurry of dust to spread getting Fong and a torrent of dust also gets the soldiers sending them away and his attacks cause the ground to be broken and bring ruins all over the ring and buildings are damaged and after causing all of the damage. Aang, who is still influenced by the Avatar State, leaves his body and his spirit is rising to the air and he is now with Roku who is riding on his dragon named Fang.
"It's time you learned." Roku said as they fly higher above the dusty clouds.
As they are flying small figures appear in the distance.
"The Avatar State is a defense mechanism designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge of all the past Avatars. The glow is the combination of all your past lives, focusing their energy through your body. In the Avatar State, you are at your most powerful, but you are at your most vulnerable." Roku explained.
"What do you mean?" Aang asked.
"If you are killed in the Avatar State, the reincarnation of the cycle will be broken and the Avatar...will cease to exist." Roku answered making Aang worried. Aang nods understanding this information.
Fang flies over Fong's base and he flies down headfirst passing through Aang's body and into the ground and Aang's spirit returns to his body and he exits the Avatar State and falls to the ground and he looks around the base looking at the damage he's caused and while he's looking, Aang lowers his head down Katara comes to comfort him.
"Aang." Sorey said looking at the Airbender and they walk over to him. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry, everyone. I hope you don't have to see me like this again, Katara." Aang said.
"Are you joking? That was almost perfect! We just have to find a way to control you while you are in your state." Fong said.
"You're out of your mind." Rose said.
"I guess we'll figure it out on our way to the Fire Nation." Fong said but something grabbed his head and was thrown away from the group.
When he sat up, a familiar blade pointing at his head. Laphicet smiled as he saw the long black thick braid bowing in the wind standing over Fong. Everyone else was smiling as well in surprise over that the person in front of them was there.
"Velvet!" The younger Crowe exclaimed in happiness. Fong got a little scared as he saw Velvet's angered face glaring at him.
"What the hell did you do to my little brother and friends?" Velvet growled in anger.
"Well, you see-!" Fong was cut off when the therion grabbed his armor and held him up in the air.
"You were trying to use Aang as a weapon to battle the Fire Nation." Velvet finished for him. "Aang isn't experienced in war and hell isn't prepared to see people getting killed for a stupid war!"
"Please don't kill me!" Fong exclaimed as Velvet swung her blade but stopped at his neck.
"You aren't worth it, coward." The daemon woman said, retracting her blade to punch him unconscious before dropping him on the ground. "Anyone else got a problem with that?" The soldiers who shake their heads in fear and Velvet gasped in relief before turning to her friends to see Laphicet running forwards her, hugging her while crying.
"Sis, I was worried you weren't going to wake up!" The younger brother cried as Velvet smiled while hugging him.
"I'm sorry for worrying you all." The older Crowe confessed as the others walked over to the siblings.
"What happened to you back there?" Katara asked. "You just collapsed back in the Northern Water Tribe."
"That's what happens when I devour too many powerful souls." Velvet explained. "I don't know why though, this is the third time it happened."
"Do you still want an escort to Omashu?" A soldier asked and Velvet and Katara looked at each other.
"I think we're all set." Velvet answered.
"I agree." Katara said.
The group get on Appa and he flies out of Fong's base.
Meanwhile in the village resort Azula is standing on the balcony of a building and holds up a wanted poster of Zuko and Iroh.
"Anyone who harbors these traitors will face the wrath of the Fire Lord!" Azula announced making the residents cower in fear. "There will be no place left to hide!"
Zuko and Iroh arrive at a riverside still running until they stop near the river to catch a break.
"I think we're safe here." Iroh said.
"Good." Zuko said.
Zuko then pulls out a knife and Iroh look at him aware of what he's going to do and Zuko places the knife under his ponytail and he slices it with his knife and he holds it and then gives the knife to Iroh who cuts his topknot with the knife and he gives the knife to Iroh and he cuts his top knot off with the knife and the two release their top knots on the river making them float away through the river and the two stand in silence.
Preview skit
Sorey: It's good to have you back, Velvet.
Velvet(smiling): It's good to be back and it looked like I came right on time as well.
Sorey: How did you know about Fong was going to use Aang as a weapon? You weren't even in the battle field when he confessed.
Velvet: I saw on his face and the destruction Aang caused, I had a feeling that the Avatar State was activated.
Sorey: Oh yeah, you've been there when he first activated it in the Air Temple months ago!
Velvet: Looks like you got that answered already. Next time: The Cave Of Love.
Sorey: It sounds a little strange when it comes from you.
Velvet: You wanna bet?
I'm so sorry that you guys had to wait so long to the next update but I completely forgot to write the new chapter since I've been focused on Secrecy Eyes, New Life and the Wattpad stories. I'm really sorry for doing this to you all but I hope you like this chapter and I'll see you next time.