The Legend of Aang: Book Four: Air

by ATLAFan23

Chaos builds slowly. A Prophet predicts an age of endless war and doom. Benders are mysteriously losing their ability to bend. And a new foe rises, claiming to be the true heir to the Fire Nation throne. And as Aang searches for the Air Nomads, he learns that by defeating Fire Lord Ozai, he may have unwittingly secured the Fire Nation's victory in a war thought already won...

11. Chapter 11: The Team Returns: Agni Kai

Disclaimer: I own no part of Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor make any money from it. This is merely a fanfiction.

.

.

.

Book Four:

Air

Chapter Eleven:

The Team Returns – Part Two: Agni Kai

.

.

.

"This day … this is a black day …"

Iroh stood on the rooftop, watching Ba Sing Se's Royal Palace burn. The Cabbage Merchant stood next to him, wringing his fingers. Mr. Beifong was shellshocked into silence. Loi stood beside them.

Iroh slapped his knee knowingly as he stood up. "It is time."

"For what?" Loi asked.

"Time for us, as members of the Order of the White Lotus, to answer the call of duty."

"With all due respect, General – the Earth Kingdom army is under the control of the enemy. Can we really retake Ba Sing Se by ourselves without the other members? Last time, you needed the help of Pakku, Bumi, Piandao and Jeong Jeong. Are we really enough?"

"We have never been enough," Iroh replied grimly, his eyes on the pillar of smoke ascending from the Royal Palace. "But we have never given up. No matter the odds, the Order answers the call."

The Cabbage Man nodded. "I'm with you, General."

"I'm all in," Loi replied.

"You can count me in too," Mr. Beifong said. The other three stared at him. Mr. Beifong shrugged sheepishly. "Well, since I now know about the Order, I figured you were gonna initiate me …"

The Cabbage Man's voice became low. "No. Now that you know, you can never leave Ba Sing Se alive …"

"What?!"

The Cabbage Man burst into laughter. "I'm just messin' with 'ya! But seriously, it's invite only. Sorry, man."

Mr. Beifong lowered his head.

Iroh stood up regally. "Nevertheless, we will take all help we can get. Today, we save Ba Sing Se. Again."

Loi looked over at Iroh. "Let's just hope saving Ba Sing Se doesn't become a regular occurrence …"

"And besides," Iroh continued. "I will not be able to take back the Jasmine Dragon if the entire city is destroyed. Where else will I be able to sell my exquisite teas?"

.

.

.

Earth King Keui watched, his mouth slack, his glasses askew, as his palace continued to burn. His city burned around him.

Crowds were now forming outside of the palace, wondering what was happening.

Long Feng waxed exultant. "Yes … I was hoping for an audience." He turned to the Earth King. "You have failed, Your Highness. On the watch of the World Peace Coalition, the entire world burns! What have you to say?"

"How?" Keui asked. "How could it have come to this …?"

"You knew this day was coming," Long Feng spat. "You knew from the very day you arrested me that a day of reckoning was coming. You were foolish to keep me alive …"

"I spared you," Keui replied. His eyes never left the palace. "I showed you mercy …"

"And now you know the heavy cost of such a foolish act."

Lieutenant Sen stood, his Dai Li agents holding Brother Truth, his prophets and the Earth Kingdom Generals prisoner. The lieutenant cleared his throat. "Secretariat Feng … please do hurry. The Court has other duties that I need to attend to …"

"Let me enjoy this moment, Lieutenant. After all, revenge is not just a dish best served cold … it is a dish to be savored." His face bore into the Earth King's. "Every. Last. Morsel."

Keui finally returned Long Feng's gaze, staring hard at his former Secretariat.

Long Feng pointed to the ground. "Kneel."

"No. I will do no such thing."

"You will kneel before me as the new Earth King!"

Keui found his inner resolve. "I don't care what you do to me! I don't care how you torture me! I will never bow to you." His eyes scanned his generals. He locked eyes with a weary Brother Truth, who wordlessly nodded. The Earth King returned his gaze to Long Feng. "Because the truth is, you have not won. You can destroy our buildings. You can kill our soldiers. You can even kill me! But you will never destroy the people's hope!"

"The people will have no hope!" Long Feng sneered. "How can they, when your precious Coalition burns before you?!"

"The people are stronger than you think," Keui replied. "Your actions tonight will give them hope! Unify them like never before! Against you! Your reign will be short-lived indeed."

Long Feng snickered. "We will see. But if you will not bow willingly, then by force!"

Two Dai Li gripped the Earth King, and forced him to his knees, back and head forward, facing the ground.

"That's better," Long Feng sneered, the flames glowing around them. "Right where you belong. Face down in the dirt at my feet." He stomped his foot, and a boulder levitated from the ground. It hovered over the Earth King's head. "And now, before the entire Earth Kingdom, I will execute you in front of all your loyal citizens!"

.

.

.

Fire Nation – Royal Plaza – Evening

Fire Nation officials rushed to and fro outside of the Fire Nation's palace, attempting to put out the roaring flames with Firebending. There was screaming and yelling.

Outside, a new crowd of citizens had formed, watching the horrors of the palace burning. "What's happening?"

"Are we under attack?"

"Citizens of the Fire Nation," came a booming voice that silenced them all. "We are indeed under attack! From within!" The crowd of citizens watched as the Dragon Golem, flanked by Imperial Firebenders, stood upon a platform. "The current Fire Lord – Zuko – lured protestors against his reign into the palace and blew them up with his own riggings!"

The crowd murmured in confusion. "He couldn't have! What?"

The Dragon Golem brought forth one of the protestors – one who had gotten away during the palace's explosions. He was covered in dirt and grime. "It's true! I was there! The Fire Lord tried to murder all of us! Simply for protesting against him!"

The Dragon Golem held up a finger. "Shall we serve a Fire Lord who murders his own citizens? Especially one who has no legal claim to the throne?!"

The crowed continued to murmur and whisper. They were utterly confused.

The Dragon Golem continued his speech. "Or will you stand with a new Fire Lord? One who will not compromise territories to the World Peace Coalition. One who will insist our people be treated in fairness! One who will fight for his people!"

.

.

.

From the balcony of an airship, Azula watched the proceedings below. Ozai stood next to her, arms folded.

"He's certainly got them eating out of the palm of his hands," she remarked. She looked up at her father with the slightest hint of confusion. "One thing bewilders me, Father. Should you not be the one down there, inciting the crowd? Should you not be demanding that you retake the throne?"

Ozai grinned. "Azula, you know much about subtlety, my daughter. That is what we are employing now. The Nations will not accept me as Fire Lord. But they do not need to. All we need is a puppet. I will pull the strings – he will dance for me."

"The power behind the throne," Azula smiled. "Very clever. But what about me? What about my cut of the pie? You designated me as Fire Lord. I should be the one on the throne! Not him!"

"Azula, my daughter, it pains me to say it, but your defeat at the hands of your traitorous brother has tarnished your brief rule."

Azula gritted her teeth. "I … I was unwell that day …"

"Nevertheless, you lost. A true Fire Lord reigns supreme, even during 'bad days'. A true Fire Lord never loses his composure. You have failed me, in some ways, worse than your brother. Never forget that."

The Fire Princess could feel a rage rising. "You can't compare me to Zuko! I have always been faithful to -."

"Enough! I will hear no more of it!"

There was a moment's silence. Finally, Azula spoke. "Who is he, anyway?"

A small smile played on Ozai's lips. "Azula … I have never kept any secrets from you – save one. But before the day is ended all will be revealed, my daughter."

She grinned madly, staring back down at the chaos below.

.

.

.

The Dragon Golem was continuing his speech to the Fire Nation citizens. He had them eating from the palm of his hand.

"The Fire Lord has failed you! He has allowed the World Peace Coalition to run roughshod over our people! Steal our lands! Demand more and more compensation! The Fire Nation has been reduced to its utter slave! I say, no more!"

The crowd roared.

The Dragon Golem stood, his cape billowing, behind the smoke of the palace continuing to rise as the soldiers struggled to put it out. "Behind me is a monument to Zuko's treachery! He would destroy the Royal Palace – the symbol of our might. The weight of our history – and for what?! To kill those who would dare speak against him!"

"THAT'S A LIE!"

The crowd went silent as Zuko, Mai as well as Commander Jee and General Shinu appeared, worse for the wear.

Zuko had a fury the likes of which his people had never seen. He strode up to the Dragon Golem, blocking him from view, and spoke to his people. "This man set the bombs! This man blew up the palace and killed all those people! His own people! This man attacked the Avatar at the Western Air Temple!"

The Dragon Golem laughed. "Surely you wouldn't believe him?"

Zuko whirled around. "Enough! You will not destroy the peace we all worked so hard to bring! You will not harm anyone ever again! The Avatar is on his way now!"

Zuko and the Dragon Golem began circling each other. "Hiding behind the Avatar again, how noble," the Golem dripped. "You were too cowardly to face your father during the Comet, and you will not face me now!"

"I'm right here!" Zuko announced. "I'm willing to face you right now!

The Dragon Golem laughed. "And what will you do? Surely you wouldn't hurt family now, would you?"

There were whispers and mutters of confusion from the crowd.

Zuko shook his head. "Let the people know the truth! I tried covering it up, but now I realize, it doesn't matter if the people know the truth! You are unfit to rule, no matter your true identity!"

The Dragon Golem continued laughing. "So you said it – in front of your entire people! You would deny the rightful heir their true place on the throne?!"

"You will never sit on it!" Zuko shouted. "I will see to that!"

The Dragon Golem was undeterred. "Then the only choice … an Agni Kai!"

Zuko remained silent.

The crowd began yelling and jeering.

"An Agni Kai," the Dragon Golem continued. "For the throne. You dare not deny me. It would defile all of our nation's most sacred traditions. And the people will not stand for that!"

Zuko nodded. "An Agni Kai. Fine. I don't need the Avatar. I will take you down myself, Seizon!"

And at this, the Dragon Golem burst out into laughter. "Seizon? Seizon?! Is that what you think this is all about? The illegitimate son of an illegitimate Fire Lord?"

"Stop messing with me, Seizon!" Zuko pointed his finger. "Father told me everything! Lo and Li confirmed it!"

The Dragon Golem shook his head, and spoke in a more calm, measured voice. "Seizon is no more. He is dead. I saw to that a few years ago. He did give me the gift of his Firebending … before I used it to end him …"

Zuko's eyes narrowed. Now that he thought of it, there was a familiarity to his foe's voice. "Who are you?"

"You know, Zuko. In your heart of hearts, you've always known. You've always secretly wished it. Consider your wish granted."

To everyone's horror and amazement, the Dragon Golem reached up and removed his mask, tossing it aside. It landed at his feet with a heavy thud.

There was gasps of shock and horror.

Zuko fell to his knees, utterly horrified and completely confused. "Impossible … you died!"

"Death," Lu Ten replied, "can sometimes be circumvented."

.

.

.

Ba Sing Se – Evening

The Earth King was forced prostrate before Long Feng, who held a boulder up over the King's head with Earthbending.

Long Feng turned and addressed his followers, flames glowing behind him. "Tonight – a new era begins!"

His followers cheered.

"Tonight, the oppressive World Peace Coalition is shattered! Tonight, all four nations have been struck at once! Tonight, the Avatar will be defeated once and for all!" More cheers. Long Feng's eyes fell upon the Earth King. "And tonight … as Earth King Keui sat in judgment over the Fire Nation, so I sit in judgment over him. And the penalty – death!"

More cheers.

"Anything you'd like to say?" Long Feng asked. "Any requests? How about you grovel a little? Beg like a dog."

Keui inclined his head to look at his captor. "I will do no such thing."

He yelped in pain as one of the Dai Li pressed his boot into his back and yanked hard on his braided hair.

"Beg to your master!" the Dai Li hissed.

Gritting his teeth, Keui shook his head, tears streaming down his face.

Long Feng sighed. "So much for things being fun. Oh well, I suppose I've dragged this out long enough."

And with a punch of his fist, the boulder smashed down into the ground.

.

.

.

"What is this?"

Long Feng lifted the boulder – there was nothing there! There should have been splattered Earth King guts everywhere!

The Earth King popped up from underground several feet away, utterly perplexed.

"Who dares?!" Long Feng shouted.

Loi leaped into view, punching several boulders forward, knocking several Dai Li off their feet. The Cabbage Merchant yelled into the fray, hurling his cabbages left and right.

Iroh appeared in a plume of flame, throwing Dai Li soldiers off their feet. "Get the king!"

Mr. Beifong and the Cabbage Man grabbed the Earth King by his arms, lifting him to his feet. "Come on, Your Highness!"

"We can't forget Bosco!" the King protested.

Loi threw more Dai Li off their feet. Drawing a sword, he slashed through the bindings of the Council of Five, freeing them. The Five Generals went on the offensive, driving the Dai Li back.

"How?" Lieutenant Sen stood there, dumbfounded. "How did they escape?!" He could feel a rage growing as one of his men retreated. He grabbed him by his collar, throwing him back into the fray. "Get in there and fight!"

The Council of Five, reinforced by Iroh, Loi, the Cabbage Man and Mr. Beifong drove the Dai Li back towards the palace.

Long Feng gritted his teeth. "You think this is over?! Not by a longshot!"

Iroh gulped as, behind Long Feng, more Dai Li, along with brainwashed Earth Kingdom soldiers, slid down the walls surrounding the palace, like a pincer.

"The tide turns yet again," Long Feng gloated.

The Cabbage Man backed up to Iroh. "I sure hope you got a way outta this one …"

.

.

.

Appa flew towards the smoking remains of the Fire Nation capitol. Behind him, a green war balloon flew, carrying his friends.

"Come on," Aang urged Appa on. "We're almost there! Just a few more minutes …"

.

.

.

"How are you still alive! How? You died in battle! Uncle saw you die!" Zuko was completely flabbergasted, as were all the members of the Royal entourage. As was the crowd watching the proceedings.

"No," Lu Ten replied, a look of disgust on his face. "He left me for dead. But there was a way back … an offer was made. A lifetime of servitude … and in exchange, power. Power to steal another's bending …"

"What happened to you?" Zuko shook his head. "The Lu Ten I knew could never become a murderer like this! You were a man of honor! You lived by a warrior's code! Uncle was so proud of you …"

Lu Ten smirked. "Death changes people, what can I say? And it's a side effect of using Energybending on too many people … you eventually absorb some of their … nastier … dispositions. But the exchange of my soul was well worth it."

Zuko shook his head. "Lu Ten … this isn't you! Please … we can discuss things … we were friends once. Why can't we be again?"

"Why? WHY?! Because your father stole my father's throne! My throne! My father became the laughingstock of the Fire Nation. He was the Crown Jewel of the military – and you and your family have reduced him to a lazy, fat tea vendor! But at least your father continued the war. At least he had enough honor left in him to carry on Great Grandfather Sozin's noble crusade!" Lu Ten raised a gauntleted hand. "I am taking back what is mine!" He turned to address the entire crowd. "I am the true heir to the Fire Nation throne! Who will pledge themselves to me?!"

The crowd began yelling as one. "I will!"

"No, me!"

"I'll be the first!"

Smirking, Lu Ten turned to Zuko. "The people will it, Cousin. So what will it be? Will you abdicate peacefully? Or do I have to crush your skull into the ground in an Agni Kai?"

Zuko stared looked over at his generals and Commander Jee, who was shaking his head. Mai walked over to Zuko, placing her hand on his wrist. "I don't think this is a good idea."

"I have no choice!" he hissed back. "If I refuse, the people will revolt. The only way to settle this is defeat him in an Agni Kai."

"But Zuko –."

The Fire Lord would hear no more. He turned to his cousin. "I accept."

Lu Ten grinned. "Very well. Agni Kai. I'm looking forward to showing you some of what I've learned."

He turned with his men, his cape billowing behind him.

Zuko stood there, watching him grimly, utterly perplexed as to how his cousin was still alive after being thought dead for all these years.

But more distressing to him was what could have possibly happened to Lu Ten to turn him from a kind, loving friend to deadly enemy?

.

.

.

The sun was setting as the crowds stood around the Agni Kai ring. Zuko, shirtless and barefoot, kneeled down in his corner, with Mai, General Shinu and Commander Jee.

In the opposite corner, Lu Ten was also shirtless and barefoot. A golden band was around his upper arm, and his torso was covered with countless scars of war.

In the back of the crowd, Ozai watched with Azula, both in hoods to conceal their faces. "Now you will see, Daughter, how an Agni Kai is truly fought."

Fighting back the urge to backtalk, Azula looked up at her father. "Why haven't you told me that Lu Ten was still alive? And why are we putting him on the throne? And who on earth is Seizon?"

"All in good time, my Daughter. There is a grander plan at work … one that was set in motion even before the Avatar awoke from that iceberg. I lost to him on purpose … let him take away my bending. And tonight, you will see the fruit of that sacrifice …"

An attendant joined Ozai, whispering into his ear. His mouth slid into a frown. He turned to his daughter. "It appears that the Avatar and friends have arrived. Sooner than expected. Our men are ready. Be sure that they do not interrupt the Agni Kai. The Avatar will have his chance to face our new champion soon enough …"

She bowed respectfully. "As you wish, Father."

And she turned to lead the men under her father's command against the Avatar.

.

.

.

Zuko stood up and faced his opponent.

Lu Ten smiled pleasantly the whole time. No hint of fear or nerves.

And Lu Ten leaped into the air, fire blazing from his heels. Zuko leaped out of the way, the fire leaving a smoldering ruin where it scorched the ring. But it didn't end there – Lu Ten landed and immediately punched, kicked as though in an elegant dance. Fire blasted out again, and again, faster, deadlier than anything Zuko had seen before.

Lu Ten's Firebending was more intense than any he had seen before. And unlike typical, orange fire, or Azula's blue flames, Lu Ten's Firebending was white. Jets of white flame blasted out from the soles of his feet, the crowns of his knuckles.

Zuko Firebended back, deflecting Lu Ten's blasts.

Their orange and white flames collided, blasting upwards into impressive arcs of flames. The crowd was wowed.

Ozai stood there, grinning smugly.

Lu Ten kept coming. He didn't let up. Zuko was on the defensive … he didn't even have a chance to launch his own offensive.

He had never seen Firebending of this scale. Even during the Comet, his father hadn't been this powerful.

The white flames kept coming, backing Zuko towards the edge of the ring.

Lu Ten was grinning as he kept on the offensive. Shock and awe. A standard military tactic to psychologically demoralize your opponent with the absolute might and unrelenting nature of your attacks.

And Lu Ten was no pampered prince, either. He had fought in the front lines of the war. Fought alongside his father, Iroh, very nearly took down Ba Sing Se through sheer force.

And that was not all.

Lu Ten had only become steadily more powerful. Stealing Firebending from dozens, perhaps hundred of Firebenders, adding it his own. Even Seizon's. His bending had increased a hundredfold. He was bending fire at scales that should be impossible for any Firebender.

Zuko watched as a vortex of white fire surrounded him, spreading out in a ring of flame, blasting Zuko onto his back.

Panting, the Fire Lord stood up to see Lu Ten surrounded by fire. Zuko was reaching his limit by just by being on the defensive. He slowly stood up, moving his shaky legs into a fighting stance.

Lu Ten kept coming.

.

.

.

"Hurry guys! We're here!"

Aang was in the driver's seat of Appa, Momo on his shoulder. They had reached the capitol of the Fire Nation. Below them, the palace continued to burn, though much of the fires had been put out. Still, black smoke issued into the sky.

In the distance, near the Agni Kai ring, spectacular blazes of white fire shot in all directions like firework displays. "… Wow," Aang breathed.

The green airship tailed behind them, piloted by Sokka. Inside, the Kyoshi Warriors were sheathing their weapons. Toph was cracking her knuckles. Katara joined her brother. "It looks like there's an Agni Kai battle going on."

"Think Zuko's battling Azula again?"

"No." Katara shook her head, her eyes never leaving the battlefield before them. "Aang took her bending away, remember?"

"Then who?"

Lightning flashed in their eyes. "I don't know …"

Sokka suddenly pointed at the airship's window. "Guys … we got company!"

Aang looked and saw two Fire Nation airships coming right at them – from the left and right like pincers.

Their armaments and ballistae were primed.

And as Aang yanked on Appa's reigns, hundreds of fireballs flew up at them.

.

.

.

Lu Ten paused for a moment, seeing blazes of fire in the skies over the caldera in the distance. He smiled. "The Avatar … finally. All of my enemies, eliminated in a single, glorious day."

He looked down at Zuko, who was on all fours, panting.

"My dear cousin, surely you aren't out of energy so quickly? And here I was hoping for a real battle …"

"You want a real battle – you got it!"

Zuko flew to his feet, kicking fire at his cousin.

Lu Ten simply caught his foot, throwing him to the ground.

"Why persist in this any longer? You're only humiliating yourself! Just surrender and give me what is rightfully mine!"

Zuko struggled to stand up. Behind him, he could hear Commander Jee. "Don't give up, Fire Lord! The spirit of Agni flows through you!"

Mai looked at him, and in a moment of rare vulnerability, her eyes flooded with love. "You can do this …"

Finding inner resolve, Zuko whirled around, kicking more Fire at Lu Ten. Lu Ten jumped into the air, dodging it, his fist punching into the arena floor.

Zuko's fists erupted with daggers of flame. He charged, slashing at his cousin. With deft movements, Lu Ten simply blocked every attack, grinning the whole time. He got under Zuko's offense and into his face.

His hand was aimed at Zuko's gut.

The grin grew wider.

There was a pulse of energy and Zuko was thrown off his feet. He hit the ground hard on his back with a sickening thud that made his stomach heave.

And Lu Ten was coming.

Zuko's body was flooded with pain, every nerve screaming in agony. Part of him wished to just give up, just to end the pain. Part of him wished Lu Ten would just kill him.

He struggled to get up but couldn't. His vision was swimming. He made an effort to sit up. The world spun around, upside-down in his head, which was pounding with pain in his temples. His eye sockets were racked with brutal torture. He fell backwards, laying there, looking up into the night sky.

Just give up, a voice inside his head told him. Just let him end it.

And for a moment, Zuko seriously contemplated it.

But there was another voice in his head.

Uncle's.

No! You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road, and you surrender to your lowest instincts!

In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself.

That is the meaning of inner strength.

And then slowly, ever so slowly, Zuko rose to his feet.

.

.

.

For a moment, Lu Ten seemed genuinely puzzled. "You still have strength? But then why not? The same blood flows through both our veins. Both of us were raised by Iroh, Dragon of the West. No doubt he taught you the meaning of true inner strength., like he did me. I imagine my father never left your side." Lu Ten looked away for a moment, up at the stars. "If only he had followed his own advice to not give up. If only he had not given up on me, believing me to be dead … perhaps things could have been different." He shrugged. "But now I have a new master, one who did not simply abandon me to death's foul grip. One who shared a little bit of their essence with me."

"What are you talking about?" Zuko demanded.

"Listen to me, rambling. I suppose the years away from home have made me quite sentimental. It's why I still tolerate your feeble attempts to defeat me. Face it, Cousin. You lost from the moment you stepped into the ring."

Zuko held his fists out. "I'm still here! I'm still fighting!"

"I can see that. You've convinced yourself that you can stand up to me. You believe that if you channel enough inner hope, you can muster the strength to defeat me. But it's all pointless."

"No," Zuko replied, panting. "Nothing is pointless. Hope can never be extinguished. That's something that your father taught me!"

"Wise words. But let me fill you in on a little secret, Zuko." Lu Ten's arms dropped to his sides dangerously. "What you've seen from me so far was just for show, to give the audience something fun to watch. I haven't even begun to tap into my real power." He watched Zuko's face. "If I had to put a number on it, I'd say that I haven't even shown one percent of my full bending capabilities!"

"What?! Impossible!"

Lu Ten shrugged. "You'll see … as I increase the power of my attacks. You never really had a chance against me, Cousin. And your limitations will soon become very apparent."

And before Zuko could even react, multiple tornadoes of white flame descended from the sky, spinning around Lu Ten with gale force that astounded everyone who saw it.

.

.

.

"Up! Down! Left! Right!" Toph was yelling.

Sokka was steering the airship as the two other Fire Nation airships gave chase. "I'm trying," he yelled back. His gaze fixed on Toph who was giving him directions and facepalmed. "Why am I listening to a blind girl?"

Suki and her warriors stood, weapons ready. "Get us closer to one of those ships, Sokka."

"Closer?"

"If we can just take down at least one of them, it'll give us a swift advantage." Sokka eyed her worriedly. "Suki …"

"I'll be fine, Sokka." She turned to the other Kyoshi Warriors. "Looks like we're up."

Ty Lee jumped up giddily. "I can't wait to show off some of my new moves!"

Nodding, and with a worried look on his face, Sokka yanked on a lever. The green airship creaked to a stop.

The two Fire Nation airships, unable to brake quickly enough, spun away to avoid crashing. The second one came up, only feet away from the green one.

Suki and her warriors clung to the exterior rafters of Sokka's airship. Nodding, the warriors jumped one by one, helping catch each other as they landed on the lower, exterior docks.

"Okay, they're on," Katara said. She looked out the window to see the first Fire Nation airship heading right for them.

"Sokka – move!"

Screaming like a girl, Sokka spun the wheel of the airship, missing being impaled by the Fire Nation ship by inches.

Outside, Aang patted Appa on the head. "You've done enough buddy! Stay far enough out of their range until I call you!" He flashed the bison whistle. Appa grunted. "You stay with Appa, Momo!"

With a flick of his wrist, his glider was open, and he flew towards the first airship.

Sokka and Katara watched as Aang headed for the first airship. Toph stamped her foot. "Alright Snoozles, I'm up. Katara, I need you to toss me over to that airship!"

"What?! That's crazy!" Sokka remarked.

"You should know," she muttered. "In any event, remember the Comet?! I can Metalbend that ship into a tinker toy!"

"And what about when it crashes?" Sokka asked.

"That's why you're on standby."

Katara was resolute. "I'm going with you, Toph."

Toph shrugged. "Hey, the more the merrier."

Sokka was exasperated. "You're both seriously going to leave me alone on this airship?!"

Toph tossed him the Sokka action figure. "Here's a friend!"

Sokka glared at the plastic figure smiling up at him. Mocking him. "I really loathe you," he muttered.

.

.

.

Inside the second airship, Suki led her team of Kyoshi Warriors through the mechanical rooms. Suki turned to Ty Lee. "Alright girl, you're up. You've had experience with these types of ships right?"

"Have I?" Ty Lee exclaimed. "I've been on pleeeenty of these things working with Azula and Mai. I never really had a mind for machines, but you know, Azula was all about these things -."

"Ty Lee," Suki interrupted impatiently. "Do you know the general layout?"

Ty Lee pressed a finger to her chin thoughtfully. "If I remember correctly – and sometimes I don't, it's a problem, I know – there's a bomb bay not too far."

Suki nodded. "And are they typically filled with blasting jelly?"

"To the brim," Ty Lee grinned.

A devious smile flitted across Suki's face. "Alright team, this'll be an easy one for once. We get in the bomb bay, light some blasting jelly, and get outta here while this thing blows into next week!"

The girls nodded.

Ty Lee pointed behind her. "Suki … I think we've got company!"

Several Imperial Firebenders appeared in the machine area and pointed. "Intruders!"

.

.

.

Toph and Katara landed on the thick hull of one of the airships. Above, Katara saw Sokka's airship. "I sure hope he stays close enough to catch us when this thing goes down …"

Toph cracked her knuckles, grasped the fin of the airship, and pulled.

With an impressive display of metal bending, the airship began to come apart.

.

.

.

From aboard his airship, Sokka cheered as he watched Toph tear the enemy ship apart, piece by piece. Humming merrily to himself, he spun the steering wheel, angling the ship to get close enough to catch Katara and Toph when the ship went down.

.

.

.

BAM!

Sokka's ship rocked violently and he was nearly thrown off his feet. Eyes wide, he gripped the steering wheel, his legs spread out wide to keep his balance.

He had forgotten about the other airship.

The other airship which had now rear-ended him, throwing him off his course. His airship began a nose-dive, hurtling towards impending doom – with Sokka trapped onboard!

.

.

.

Katara gasped in horror as she saw Sokka's airship spiral downwards like an out of control pinwheel. "SOKKA!"

Toph tugged on her sleeve. "Katara … I destroyed the steering mechanism."

And indeed, she did. The giant metal steering rod in the back of the airship had been completely pulled free.

And with a sinking feeling, Katara realized that not only was Sokka doomed … so were they!

.

.

.

"Shields up!"

Aboard the airship, the Imperial Firebenders blasted the Kyoshi Warriors. The group of woman kneeled down, spinning their fans into shields, deflecting the fiery attacks. The Kyoshi Warriors, as one, drew their swords, holding them high.

"Keep them busy!" Suki ordered. She grabbed one of her comrades. "Ty Lee – take me to the bomb bay!"

.

.

.

Aang entered into the lower levels of the airship. Riding on his signature air scooter, he tore through the place, looking for the most critical place to strike.

.

.

.

"Here she is!" Ty Lee and Suki were standing in giant bomb bay. Around them were barrels full of blasting jelly. Below them was a hatch in the floor that would open up, dropping bombs on enemy targets.

"If we blow enough of these, do you think it'll be enough to destroy this ship?"

"Oh, definitely."

Suki struck a match and began lighting fuses. "Hopefully we have enough time get out of here before she blows. And then, hopefully, Sokka'll be there to pick us up!"

She and Ty Lee began lighting fuses when a door opened on the other side.

"Ty Lee," came an all-too-familiar voice. "You left the circus, but yet here you are still dressing like a clown."

Ty Lee froze in place as Azula appeared in the bomb bay. Azula's eyes darted over to Suki. "And the famous Kyoshi Warriors. I thank you for your costumes from last Spring. Without them, I never would have been able to singlehandedly overthrow the Earth Kingdom."

Ty Lee stood there, trembling, the fear of Azula returning despite the fact that she knew the Princess could no longer bend.

Suki, however, was not intimidated. With a swift gesture, she drew her sword. "I've been looking forward to a rematch!"

Azula smiled. She reached down to her boots and pulled out two sharp sais, which gleamed in the light. She spun both in her hands, grinning.

"Oh believe me, so have I …"

.

.

.

In this one singular moment, as Sokka watched the ground rise to meet him through the cockpit window, he was pensive. Accepting of his fate.

This was it.

There would be no one to save him.

And so, as he reflected on the last moments of his life, he reflected on the happy times. Finding Aang. Eating meat. Angering Katara. Kissing Suki for the first time. Eating more meat. Riding Appa.

Sokka blinked. "Appa?"

The bison had torn through the cockpit of the plummeting airship, smashing through the debris. Sokka gripped the bison's hair, screaming as he swung onto the bison's saddle.

Below, his airship crashed to the ground in a fiery heap.

.

.

.

Katara watched with joy to see Sokka make an escape from certain death on Appa.

But she and Toph were not going to be so lucky. They were plummeting to their doom, Toph holding on to Katara.

"Sugar Queen!" Toph yelled, clinging to Katara, holding tight to the plummeting airship as it descended at full speed. "I just want to say … I'm sorry for always giving you a hard time …"

Katara grit her teeth. "We're getting out of this alive!"

She saw Sokka, piloting Appa at full speed towards their ship.

He wouldn't make in time …

Sokka was willing Appa to move. "Come on, buddy! Faster! Faster!"

The bison, seeing his friends in danger, struggled to push his body to the limit to rescue Katara and Toph.

The poor bison would not make it in time, they all knew.

This was the end …

.

.

.

Say what you will about Waterbenders, but they were resourceful. With a free hand, Katara opened her satchel filled with water and flung it towards Appa in a straight water jet, before freezing it solid, creating a narrow ice bridge.

The bridge attached to the edge of Appa's saddle.

Grasping the edge of the bridge with her free hand, she pulled herself and Toph onto it in mid-air as the airship fell below them.

It hit the ground with a giant explosion.

Katara and Toph rushed across the narrow ice bridge which hung in midair, attached to Appa who floated still in the air. Katara yelled at Sokka. "Catch!" With a fling of water, she threw Toph into the bison's saddle before jumping in herself.

Sokka was impressed. "Nice save!"

A fireball reamed over them, narrowly missing them.

"No time to celebrate!" Katara retorted. "Move!"

There was still one airship left … and it was giving chase …

.

.

.

Aboard the final Fire Nation airship, Suki and Ty Lee were in a fight for their lives. Both Kyoshi Warriors were proficient with the sword.

But Azula had special training. At fourteen, she was a master all weapon types, and even without her bending, she was a formidable warrior.

Suki lunged with her sword. Azula batted it away with one of her sais, before lunging with the other. Suki jumped back, Azula's blade slashing away a swathe of clothing.

Ty Lee jumped into the fray, attempting to hit Azula's pressure points with her knuckles, attempting to block her chi.

Azula laughed. "Not this old routine again, Ty Lee! Did you really think I am foolish enough to let you do it to me twice?" She stabbed at Ty Lee who backflipped out of the way next to Suki. Azula stared at Ty Lee. "Friend …" she breathed.

At this, Ty Lee did nod. "Yes Azula, I am your friend. We don't have to fight! You can help us!"

Azula's eye twitched. "I'm surprised the word 'friend' doesn't catch in your throat. You and Mai don't know the meaning of those words…"

"No, Azula," Ty Lee shook her head. "You don't. We were your friends because we wanted to be." She held her hand out pleadingly. "But you couldn't believe that … you thought you had to bully us into friendship, but you never needed to …"

"Enough of this foolishness!" Azula shrieked. "In my eyes, Ty Lee, you are a traitor. You and Mai both." She spun the gleaming sais in her hands. "And I intend to give you both the penalty due for treason."

Suki held out her sword. "I'd like to see you try!"

Azula leaped into the air, landing between the two of them, stabbing outward with both her blades. Suki and Ty Lee blocked with their swords defending themselves. Azula lashed out, with elegant grace, slashing and stabbing at Suki, keeping the girl at bay.

Ty Lee tried to get in close enough to hit Azula with a chi-blocking move. So close … if she could just find an opening in Azula's defense …

Azula whirled around, slashing at Ty Lee, who backflipped out of the way.

Suki circled. "It's two against one, Princess."

"I'm more than a match for the both of you, believe me." Azula smirked. "I'm not worried. Now you both will pay!"

With a battle cry, Suki yelled, thrusting her sword forward. Azula leaped, spinning in mid-air over Suki's blade. Azula's eyes widened mid-spin as Suki's sword shaved off several strands of her hair.

Azula landed, fumbling with her bangs. Her eyes widened.

Suki smirked. "One more mistake Princess, and it'll be you who pays the price!"

With a roar, Azula launched herself at the two Kyoshi Warriors.

.

.

.

Outside the bomb bay, the remaining Kyoshi Warriors were locked in desperate combat with a squad of Imperial Firebenders.

"They should be done by now," one Warrior said. "What's taking them so long?"

More Firebenders appeared in the hallway. The warriors held up their shields, but they knew it would ultimately be futile.

They would not be able to hold the Firebenders back for too much longer …

.

.

.

One of the Kyoshi Warriors raised her shield, closing her eyes from the heat, blocking a blast of fire.

And suddenly it stopped.

Opening her eyes, she saw several Firebenders get thrown clean off their feet.

Aang was there, at the end of the hall, staff raised.

.

.

.

Suki and Ty Lee circled Azula, spinning their blades wildly. Azula gracefully dodged all of their attacks, slashing out with her two sais.

Ty Lee spun out of the way of a thrust, bringing her sword down. Azula deflected the attack, thrusting her secondary weapon towards her exposed gut.

Suki was there, turning Azula's attack aside. Azula backflipped out of the way.

Next to them, the lit fuses leading to the blasting jelly were wearing down to the nub. Ty Lee looked over at Suki. "We're running out of time!"

Suki nodded, sword held out in front of her in a defensive posture. "Go in from the side … I'll take her to the left and divert her over to the hatch. When I give the signal, press the switch and she'll drop."

Ty Lee faltered, looking over at Azula who stood there smugly. She whirled back to Suki. "I … I don't know if I can do that …"

"We have no choice! This thing is gonna blow!"

Ty Lee grit her teeth, before lowering her head, defeated. "If there's no other way …"

Azula laughed. "Making plans over there, little ants? Keep it up. I'll wear you both down sooner or later …"

Suki nodded. "Remember, go in from the left."

Azula stepped back as Ty Lee rushed her. She flung her sword aside and attacked Azula with pure martial arts, attempting to get in below her guard, attempting to hit a pressure point to hit her chi.

Azula stepped out of the way, slashing across Ty Lee's thigh, slicing a swatch of fabric from her Kyoshi Warrior outfit.

Suki came in at an angle, sword raised. Azula backed away, dodging Suki's slashes, laughing …

… and then Azula was over the bomb bay hatch. Suki got in a lucky kick, knocking Azula clean on her rear.

Suki yelled out. "Now Ty Lee!"

Ty Lee's face found the lever to open the bomb bay and send Azula to her doom. Her fingers traced it. She looked over at Azula, lying on her back.

The Princess glared at her.

"NOW TY LEE!" Suki yelled again.

Suki's eyes were fixed on Azula's. Azula's gaze bore into her soul.

"Do it now, Ty Lee!"

"Yes, Ty Lee," Azula repeated. "Do it now. End my life. If you have the strength."

Sweat beaded down Ty Lee's face, ruining her makeup.

"Ty Lee … please!" Suki's voice was strained.

"I … I can't!" Ty Lee raced away from the lever to a corner of the room. She buried her face in her hands, crying hysterically. "I can't kill her …"

Azula suddenly sprang to her feet, her forearm wrapping around Suki's neck, the blade of one of her sais pointed at Suki's head.

"And now the tables have turned." She sneered into Suki's ear. "Drop your weapon."

Suki didn't move.

"I said drop it!"

With a sigh, Suki released her sword, which clattered to the ground at her feet.

"That's better," Azula replied. She glanced over at Ty Lee. "You never cease to amaze me, Ty Lee. First you show me your true colors and betray me at the Boiling Rock. And now, just when I think I have you figured out, you spare my life. Too bad it'll cost you the life of your friend."

The bombs were ready to blow.

Suki protested in Azula's grip. "Ty Lee … forget me! Pull the lever! NOW!"

Ty Lee spared a glance up from her fingers. "I … I can't …"

"Ty Lee, I know you care about me," Suki replied. "And I know, on some level, you still care about Azula!"

At this, Azula snarled, pushing the knife closer to Suki's head.

"Please, Ty Lee … do what you know is right! Save our friends! Forget me!"

"I -."

"Ty Lee … it's okay. I forgive you. And Sokka will understand, believe me." Tears rolled down Suki's cheek. "Take care of the big lug for me, will you?"

Ty Lee nodded. She returned to the lever.

"Enough with this act," Azula said. "Ty Lee, we both fluffy well know you aren't going to pull that lever. You don't have it in you. You never did. All those times we fought side-by-side, your heart was never in it."

"I'm not listening," Ty Lee whimpered.

Azula grinned. "You always wanted to be distinguished from your sisters. Here's the chance to do so. You can stand apart, be the hero, save the day! But you won't, will you? We both know that, deep down, you're just a nobody. A flower on the wall. Just another face in a crowd. Nobody to tell you apart…"

"Stop it!" Ty Lee cried out.

And with a sudden jerk, the former acrobat pulled the lever.

.

.

.

The doors to the bomb bay opened wide, releasing the bombs below.

But neither Suki and Azula fell.

.

.

.

A blast of wind came from nowhere, throwing Suki and Azula off the bomb-bay door as it flew open. The two hit the side of the wall as Ty Lee pulled the lever again, closing the doors.

And standing in the entrance of the bomb bay, staff raised, a furious look on his face, was Aang. Several Kyoshi Warriors stood behind him.

Azula sat up, now weaponless as the rest of the Kyoshi Warriors pointed their swords at her. She looked over at Ty Lee. "I can't believe you actually had it in you!"

Ty Lee stared her down with a mixture of fury and compassion. "I don't … I just happened to see Aang coming in the doorway and I knew he would save you …"

Aang helped Suki up. "We failed to blow this thing …" she lamented.

Aang shrugged. "It's okay. We overpowered the crew in the cockpit and commandeered this thing. We got two of your girls piloting it as we speak."

Suki was dumbstruck. "Can … can they fly this thing?"

In the cockpit, two Kyoshi Warriors held onto the steering wheel for dear life, screaming as the ship careened out of control.

"Can you fly thing?" one asked.

"No!" the other replied.

"Then why did he pick us to pilot it?!"

"I don't know!" the other screamed in terror.

"… so we should be fine," Aang remarked. He pointed his staff at Azula. "Keep her bound." He pulled out his bison whistle and looked over at the Kyoshi Warriors. "What say you we find Zuko and end this for good?"

.

.

.

"Ugh!"

Zuko hit the arena floor hard. He was bruised and battered.

Lu Ten wasn't even trying. With barely any effort, he was throwing Zuko around like a rag doll.

"It's over, Cousin. Just give up."

Zuko tried to rise again. He let out a gasp as a sharp pain tore into his ankle and his leg gave out from under him. He sunk to one knee before the invincible might of his cousin.

"How?" Zuko asked weakly. "How have you … become so … so powerful?"

Lu Ten folded his arms. "Energybending. Several years of stealing Firebending from unsuspecting soldiers in the Earth Kingdom … as my master taught me when he himself emerged from the Eastern Air Temple."

Zuko forced himself to his feet, ignoring the stabbing pain in his leg.

"But you know else it allows me to do? Not just steal a person's chi … I can bend it within the person."

Lu Ten merely flicked his wrist.

Zuko felt as though a boulder had struck him. He went flying, bouncing along the arena as he went.

"Similar to telekinesis … I can control your chi … and thus your body!"

With a stretched-out arm, Lu Ten lifted Zuko off the ground without even touching him. He jerked him left. Then right.

"Zuko!" The cry tore from Mai's lips.

Zuko was now upside-down in mid-air, spinning around like a top, his arms and legs splayed. Spinning faster and faster.

Lu Ten turned to the crowds as he made Zuko do several mid-air tricks. "Is this your Fire Lord?" he demanded of the crowd. "Is this your king?!"

The crowds stood there, watching Zuko get flung around like a top.

Finally, having had his fill of action, Lu Ten simply flung Zuko out of the ring.

Zuko flopped onto the ground. It was a ring out. Mai and Jee rushed over to him. Mai cradled his head in her lap, stroking his cheek. Jee gave him a pouch with water. Zuko was barely conscious.

"I … I'm sorry …" he muttered weakly.

Mai planted a kiss on his forehead.

In the ring, Lu Ten turned to the Fire Sages who were watching the Agni Kai. "It is time. Declare me the winner!"

The Fire Sages looked at each other, and then bowed before the victor.

"All hail Fire Lord Lu Ten!"

The crowd applauded, cheering, taking up the Fire Sage's chants.

"All hail Fire Lord Lu Ten! All hail Fire Lord Lu Ten!"

Lu Ten exulted, taking in the crowd's adoration.

"ENOUGH!"

` The crowd went silent and Lu Ten watched with faint amusement as Appa descended into the ring. Riding him were Aang, Katara, Sokka and Toph.

Aang slid off the bison's saddle into the arena floor, staring Lu Ten down.

Lu Ten merely smiled. "Avatar Aang … how nice to see you after our encounter at the Western Air Temple …"

Aang pointed the butt of his staff at him. "This madness ends today! Your trail of stealing Firebending from others is done!"

Lu Ten and Aang were circling each other. "The teapot calling the kettle black. How ironic. You condemn me, yet you stole the bending of others as well!"

Aang shook his head. "I had no choice!"

Lu Ten spread his arms out. "Then do I leave you no choice? Will you Energybend me?"

Aang grit his teeth.

He spared at glance over at Zuko, who was being cradled by Mai. He was bruised and battered. Utterly broken.

Aang gulped.

If Lu Ten could do that to Zuko without breaking a sweat, what else was he capable of?

Aang and Lu Ten continued to circle each other. "Come now, Avatar," Lu Ten was saying. "You know there's only one way to end this! Take my bending away!"

Aang shook his head. "No! I refuse!"

"Then perhaps another demonstration of my power is in order!" He turned to the crowd made up of Fire Nation citizens, officials, soldiers and Fire Sages. "Fire Lord Ozai was utterly defeated by the Avatar! And now, even before my official coronation, I will show my worth as your leader by doing what he could not! I will break the Avatar!"

Everyone watched with bated breath. Lu Ten turned, and before Aang could react, he was met with a kick of white flame at jet-speed.

.

.

.

Ba Sing Se – Night

Iroh, the Cabbage Man, Loi and Mr. Beifong backed away as hordes of Dai Li surrounded them.

They were outnumbered.

Iroh sighed. "I will fight to the last breath. Who is with me?"

The rest of his group looked at each other and nodded. "Count us in!" Loi smiled.

Iroh smiled back, before turning and facing the hordes of Dai Li and Earth Kingdom soldiers under Long Feng's control.

Long Feng waxed triumphant. "it is over. I have won! Surrender, and your executions will be quite painless!"

A rock came out of nowhere, striking Long Feng in the head. "Who dares?!"

"There's more where that came from! This foxy grandpa still has a few tricks up his skirt!" Bumi popped up out of the ground.

Next to him, Jeong Jeong rubbed his temples in frustration. "It is sleeve. You have a few tricks up your sleeve."

Next to them, Master Piandao appeared with a sword.

A stream of ice froze several Dai Li agents in place. Pakku appeared, riding over the walls surrounding them on a wave of water. He turned and looked at Iroh. "General. I received your messenger hawk. Shortly after my new grandchildren departed." He gave a respectful bow. "Kanna sends her regards!"

Iroh laughed. "Tell her I must simply visit and try some of her special herbal tea!"

Long Feng was losing his patience. "What is this? The march of the geriatrics?!"

Bumi raised a finger. "We may be old, but our minds are as sharp as ever! No we …" His voice trailed off. "That's funny, I forgot what I was going to say …"

The new group of men stood, side by side, with Iroh. "The Order of the White Lotus has returned," Iroh announced. "And together … we will once again liberate Ba Sing Se!"

"Enough of this," Long Feng sneered. "Attack!"

His hordes rushed at the Order Members.

Iroh laughed. "Oh this takes me back to the summer!"

And the Order sprung into action. Jeong Jeong blasted several Dai Li into the air with Firebending. Iroh joined him and they combined their bending to create impressive displays that sent their foes packing.

Pakku froze several in place, sweeping away more with a vast tidal wave.

Piandao dodged boulders as he took off sprinting, slicing with his sword.

Bumi knocked opponents aside like pins with his bending.

Loi joined in the action.

Mr. Beifong grabbed the Earth King, taking cover.

And the Cabbage Merchant stood there, holding a cabbage. He saw a Dai Li agent running, preparing to strike Iroh from behind. Squinting an eye, and biting his tongue, the Cabbage Merchant took aim.

THWACK!

The Dai Li was knocked clean off his feet. The Cabbage Man leapt into the air, fist up.

Iroh blasted a Dai Li out of the way, then another … then there was Long Feng. Iroh stood, fists out as he and Long Feng circled each other.

"It is over," Iroh replied. "Surrender yourself. I will put in a good word to the Coalition to show mercy!"

"I don't think so, old man!"

Iroh blinked. "I am not that old …"

Long Feng kicked several boulders at the General. Iroh sidestepped them, responding with Firebending of his own.

Long Feng leaped up. The head of the Dai Li gracefully landed several feet away. He gripped the ground and opened it up below Iroh's feet.

Igniting his heels on fire, Iroh used Firebending to fly up into the air. He landed, punching more flames at his foe.

Long Feng burrowed underground, popping up behind Iroh. The General whirled around and was met with a punch from a rocky fist. Seeing stars, Iroh blinked, only for Long Feng to pop up below ground again.

This time, Iroh was ready. He caught Long Feng's fist. The two stared each other down as battles raged all around them.

And then, just as suddenly, the battles stopped.

To Iroh's perplexity, the Dai Li began surrendering around them.

Long Feng was equally perplexed. He wrenched his fist out from Iroh's and turned, berating his men. "What are you doing?! Attack!"

The Dai Li turned to face him and began marching on him.

The color drained from Long Feng's face. "What is the meaning of this?! I order you, attack the enemy!"

The Dai Li closed in on Long Feng. Iroh joined the other members of the Order of the White Lotus and they watched in confusion as the Dai Li surrounded their former head.

Long Feng looked from left to right. "You all … you all never truly worked for me …"

And before he could react, rocky bindings were clasped onto his wrists.

Long Feng sighed. "… I should've seen this coming …"

And as the Dai Li surrendered themselves – and Long Feng – into the custody of the Council of Five, Lieutenant Sen, with a dark look of confusion, disappeared into the night.

.

.

.

Lu Ten and Aang were locked in mortal combat. The two dueled, and it was very quickly apparent that Aang was at a severe disadvantage.

Lu Ten had bending capabilities the likes of which Aang had never seen before.

"Aang!"

Katara rode upon a wave of water, Toph upon a wave of rock.

Lu Ten laughed. He squatted down, both arms out. He unleashed a blast of pure fire, strong enough to evaporate Katara's water, and strong enough to melt Toph's rock.

Toph and Katara hit the ground hard.

"No!" Aang charged at Lu Ten, his fists covered in rock.

Lu Ten side-stepped the attack, then blasted Aang in the head with more fire. The young monk hit the ground.

Katara was up, streaming water around her body. She attempted to freeze Lu Ten in place.

Lu Ten lifted his hand, and the next thing Katara knew, she was lifted off the ground, her body unable to move.

"Let her go!" Aang yelled.

Lu Ten turned to look at him. "Oh, I see. You care about the little Waterbender. Then how about I take away the very thing you love most?"

"No! Stop! Just let her go!"

Lu Ten held out a hand, and one of his men tossed him a sword. He pointed the sword into the air and jerked his other hand down.

Katara's body flew, heading straight for Lu Ten's sword.

In an instant, she would be skewered alive.

"NOOOO!"

Aang was unable to control himself.

The ground beneath him was quaking. White light bubbled out of his eyes and his tattoos glowed. He levitated into the sky, a sphere of air encapsulating his body.

Aang had entered the Avatar State.

He reached out with Waterbending, jerking Lu Ten's hand away, forcing him to drop his sword.

Katara bounced harmlessly on the arena floor. Sokka and Toph ran over to her, checking her for injury. She looked up to see Aang descend on Lu Ten.

Lu Ten was unfazed. "Will you kill me, Avatar? Do you have the strength to do what needs to be done?"

Aang stared hard at Lu Ten behind his white eyes.

You know what to do, came the voice in his head, the one that sounded like Ozai. You've always known this was the only way. Will you reject your most-treasured beliefs? Do you have the strength to kill him?

Aang closed his eyes. "No," he whispered silently.

Then you know what the alternative is, little Airbender. The second voice, the one that sounded like Azula.

No, he couldn't do that either.

He couldn't Energybend.

But Lu Ten was too powerful. Even in the Avatar State, Lu Ten didn't even seem fazed by him.

Could he do it, just this once more?

Lu Ten blasted Sokka and Toph off their feet. He grabbed Katara by her hair. He yanked on it, and Katara screamed. She moved her hands, trying to freeze her foe in place. Lu Ten curled the fingers of his free hand into a claw, paralyzing Katara in place.

"Come Avatar," he said. "I have the one you love. Won't you protect her?"

He has her, boy, the Ozai voice said. You want to be the hero? Does the hero let the damsel die?

Lu Ten's hot breath was on Katara's neck. "Go ahead, girl. Ask your boyfriend to save you. No, beg him." Katara was resolute, even as she felt the rest of her body paralyzed by Lu Ten's Energybending.

"N-no!"

Lu Ten yanked on her hair and she yelped as he pulled her back, forcing her to her knees. "BEG FOR YOUR LIFE!"

He's hurting her. She won't last much longer! You have to do something!

"No!"

It's the only way! You know it! You have to stop him! You have to save her!

"I can't!"

Then you will lose her! You will lose everything!

And Aang looked into Katara's face, seeing the pain and fear in her eyes as Lu Ten tortured and mocked her.

And finally, he made his move.

He blasted Lu Ten back with Airbending, freeing Katara. The Waterbender knew to get out of Aang's way in the Avatar State, and she rode on a wave of water over to Toph and Sokka.

Lu Ten was forced to his knees, his wrists trapped in rocky bindings, bound to the earth. And Aang was on him.

Sighing, he exited the Avatar State, and placed his fingers on Lu Ten's forehead and neckline.

.

.

.

Zuko sat up, watching the proceedings as Mai and Jee tended to his injuries.

"W-what's he doing?"

.

.

.

Katara, Sokka and Toph watched as beams of orange and blue light ascended into the sky. This was it … Aang was going to finish this for good. Sokka and Katara beamed at each other.

Another crisis averted.

.

.

.

And yet, things don't always play out how we expect …

.

.

.

For as Aang attempted to overwhelm Lu Ten's spirit, something odd was happening.

Lu Ten's spirit was not backing down.

The blue light of Aang's spirit was turning a murky brown.

And the orange light of Lu Ten's spirit was creeping up his body. Up his arms, down his legs, up his torso.

Aang gazed up at the sky, his entire body covered in Lu Ten's orange light.

Only his eye remained.

He struggled, trying to regain control.

This happened before, he reminded himself. When I did it on Ozai.

But the problem was, Lu Ten's spirit seemed stronger than Ozai's.

And Aang's felt weaker.

Confused, unsure of what was going on, the orange light crept up Aang's eye.

And Aang's body was completely consumed as a blinding white light flashed throughout the whole night sky …

.

.

.

Aang opened his eyes.

He felt no pain.

He sat up, looking around.

There were stone walls around him … they were familiar.

Taking up his staff, he walked through the corridors. There were bedrooms. A dining hall. He came outside to a balcony overlooking an Airball field.

His eyes widened.

The Southern Air Temple!

But how could that be?

"It's nice to visit home after so long, isn't it?" came a voice. Aang spun around, staff pointed at the figure.

Lu Ten stepped from the shadows. "Yes, I enjoyed my homecoming as well."

Aang tried to blast him back with Airbending.

Nothing happened.

Lu Ten smirked. "You're in the Spirit World, Aang. There's no bending here."

"What's going on?"

"You fell for it. Right into my trap. From the very beginning, we have planned your every step. Did you really think you defeated Ozai that day? Ozai defeated you! You see, little Airbender, when you Energybend, you steal a portion of your victim's soul. That portion of their soul inhabits you. And what happens when you integrate portions of souls from people such as Ozai? Or Azula?"

Aang was silent.

"I will tell you. It corrupts your soul! Weakens it! You were able to emerge victorious in your contest with Ozai, remove his bending, because at the time your soul was pure! But now, portions of Ozai and Azula's soul inhabit yours. Your soul is tainted. Weakened. Just as we planned it would be for when you faced me!"

"What have you done?!" Aang demanded.

"Energybending is a truly versatile art. It allows the user to do much more than just steal bending." Lu Ten got in close to Aang's face. "It allows me trap your soul, extract it from your body, and trap it here, in the Spirit World. In this wonderful replica of your home extracted from your mind!" Lu Ten waved his hand around, pointing. Everywhere Aang looked, there were skeletons.

Skeletons of his former friends. Of the Air monks.

And the skeleton of Monk Gyatso.

"This is your new home, Aang. Your permanent home. You will spend forever, trapped here in the Spirit World, with no way to return to your friends. And here, for all eternity in isolation, you can lament your failures." He pointed to Gyatso's skull. "Amid all these reminders of your failures! Of the people you failed to save because you ran away that day!"

Aang was on his knees. "Please …"

"And of course, I removed your bending for good measure. Because if, by some miracle, you did return to your body, I can't have you threatening the new order rising, can I? As you have frivolously stolen the bending from others, so have I removed your bending from you! And not just your bending itself … I have removed from your mind your memory of how to bend the elements! What are memories but forms of energy that can be manipulated? Even if you returned to the mortal world, regained your bending, you would be utterly powerless … because you no longer remember how to bend!" Lu Ten grinned evilly. "My master has spent the last century stealing bending from Firebenders, Waterbenders and Earthbenders. He is a greater bender than even I. And now, I will give him one final gift from you. The one element he never could steal since there were none of your kind left … till now!"

Lu Ten leaned in close. "And now, once I share your stolen bending with him, he will be the Master of all Four Elements. He will reign, and I will be at his right-hand as he rules the world!" He laughed. "And don't think that because you are the Avatar, you can leave this realm whenever you wish! The Spiritual roadblocks in place are too great! No, the Avatar Spirit will do you no good here. The other spirits are locked out. No one is coming to help you. There is no escape."

Aang sat in a fetal position, his eyes on Monk Gyatso's skull as Lu Ten began vanishing, laughing.

"Please …" Aang whimpered. "Come back … don't leave me …!"

Lu Ten was gone.

And Aang was alone, surrounded by the bodies of his dead friends, Gyatso's empty eye sockets staring into his own soul.

Forever.

.

.

.

The light vanished from the Agni Kai ring. Aang's body collapsed limply. The body's breathing was ragged. Shallow.

It was still alive.

But there was no soul or mind to inhabit it. It was just an empty shell.

Lu Ten stared down at the Avatar's body.

"Aang!"

Katara's voice tore through the crowd. She rushed over to Aang's body. She shook him. His head lolled around limply in her arms. "Aang! Wake up! Wake up!"

Moving frantically, she poured her spirit water on Aang's body, trying to heal him.

"It will do him no good," Lu Ten said softly, as his guards began putting his armor and cape back on him.

Katara whirled around. "What have you done to him?!"

Lu Ten turned. "No more than he has done to others."

With all the hatred in the world, Katara flung icicles at his head. With a wave of his hand, he evaporated them with fire.

He turned to the guards. "Execute his friends."

Katara, Toph and Sokka stood up at this.

"But bring Zuko to me."

The Imperial Firebenders roughly shoved Mai and Commander Jee aside, gripping Zuko under his shoulders. They dragged him to Lu Ten, throwing him roughly at his feet. Lu Ten stared down at him. "You have lost the Agni Kai."

Zuko's vision was swimming.

"And as my first act as reigning Fire Lord, I reinstate the sentence imposed upon you by your Father! Banishment."

Mai's hand found her lips.

Zuko looked up weakly.

"Banishment," Lu Ten continued. "Until you can capture the Avatar."

Zuko's eyes fell on Aang's body. Lu Ten followed his gaze. "Oh no, not him. The next Avatar in the reincarnation cycle. The Avatar that is to be born into the Water Tribes." Lu Ten kneeled down so that they were eye level. "But that will never happen. Because Aang is still alive. The Avatar Spirit is still his. I trapped his soul in the Spirit World. His body will die, decay, rot away. But his Spirit will live forever, trapped in the Spirit World. I have locked him – and his Avatar Spirit – in a place where no one can help him. He will face empty, eternal existence." He placed his hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Which means that your banishment is for the same duration – forever."

"No …" Zuko gritted his teeth, helpless to change his circumstances.

"This is your fate, Zuko. This has always been your destiny. Exile. To chase the Avatar forever." Lu Ten turned. "Remove him from my kingdom. And as for the Avatar's friends – execute them."

Lu Ten kneeled down, scooping up Aang's body. "I think I'll hold on to this for safe-keeping."

The Imperial Firebenders surrounded Katara, Toph and Sokka.

There was no escape.

.

.

.

A figure in blue and black dropped from the air in front of them. With spectacular sword-work, the Blue Spirit fought, keeping the Imperial Firebenders at bay.

BAM!

A wall caved in and Appa let out a mighty roar as Suki and Ty Lee rode the bison into the arena. Appa flapped his tail, blasting the Imperial Firebenders back with a mighty gust of wind.

Above them, a green airship, piloted by the Kyoshi Warriors, floated into view.

Katara grit her teeth. "I am not leaving Aang!"

Zuko limped over to her. "We have no choice!"

"No! Maybe you can abandon him, Zuko! But I never will!"

"Didn't you hear him?!" Zuko yelled. "Aang is gone!"

"He's not gone for good!" Katara stamped her foot. "I'm not leaving him!" Her eyes brimmed.

Sokka, tears in his eyes as well, placed his hand on her shoulder. "Zuko is right. We can't take these guys. Aang would tell us to leave – to fight another day. You know Zuko's right!"

"I … I can't!"

The Imperial Firebenders were coming.

"We have no time!" Sokka picked his sister up, carrying her over his shoulder onto Appa's saddle.

"Put me down!" she cried. "I won't leave him!"

Sokka placed her into Appa's saddle. Toph climbed aboard, a sad look on her face. Katara sat there grimly. "I will never forgive you for this, Sokka! I hope you know that!"

"That's fine," he replied sadly.

Below, the Blue Spirit threw several smoke grenades, keeping the enemy at bay. He helped Zuko onto the bison's saddle, followed by Mai and Commander Jee, before climbing up himself.

"Don't let them get away!" Lu Ten yelled.

Firebenders blasted at the bison as the fluffy mammal ascended into the night sky. The Kyoshi Warriors moved their green war balloon into position, blocking the blasts, allowing for Appa to make a quick getaway into the night sky.

And Katara stared down at the smoke-filled capitol. The tears flowed.

"We've lost. It's all over …"

.

.

.

Ba Sing Se – Night

Lieutenant Sen raced into an underground chamber. He needed to report the day's events to the Court. They would not be happy that Ba Sing Se was retaken.

When he entered the Court, he found them already in place at their long table, Merilina at the head.

Lieutenant Sen bowed. "Ba Sing Se has fallen. Long Feng has failed. Someone tipped members within the Order of the White Lotus off. They knew what we were planning."

"Of course," Merilina replied, folding her hands. "I was the one who told them."

Sen was utterly perplexed. "Y-you?! But why?! Why sabotage the plan?"

Merilina did not flinch. "The plan moves ahead as scheduled."

"I … I'm very confused …"

"You have served us well, Lieutenant," she replied. "But now your service comes to an end."

Sen stood his ground. "For what? You can't pin any failure on me! I followed your orders to a tee!"

Merilina sipped a cup of tea. "You betrayed the Earth Kingdom to serve us. Who is to say you won't betray our new rising government in the future?"

"I would never - ."

"Lieutenant," Merilina smiled. "You have just been a pawn in a greater game. You were – what is the phrase – nothing more than a 'useful idiot.' And you have outlived your usefulness."

Two guards gabbed the Lieutenant. "I don't understand!" he protested. "Why?"

Merilina sipped her tea. "We never intended to destroy the World Peace Coalition. No. Your actions today have ensured that it will rise – stronger than ever! You have given the Coalition the justification it needs to expand broader powers on a global scale. To allow its leaders to use greater force to crush any opposition to its goals. And the people the world over will applaud it. They will gleefully submit to the Coalition's rule. To our rule!"

She leaned forward. "One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution. One makes a revolution to establish a dictatorship!"

And the guards led the screaming Lieutenant Sen away.

.

.

.

The Order of the White Lotus worked as the sun rose, helping rebuild the burnt-out Earth Kingdom Palace.

.

In the North Pole, the Water Tribers had rounded up several of Sen's insurgents. Freezing them in boats, they sent them floating alone in their canoes deep into oceans of the North.

.

In the burnt-out throne room of the Earth Kingdom, Representative Kohta and several other delegates of the World Peace Coalition met with Earth King Keui and Brother Truth. Kohta spread out several scrolls on a table.

"We have several propositions in the wake of the recent attacks. We will have to declare martial law for the time being …"

Keui nodded, a hard look on his face. "I will do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety of my people. Of the world's people."

Brother Truth stood at his side as the King signed the legislation.

.

Lieutenant Sen was led deep into the woods by a figure in a mask. He was forced to his knees, hands on his head, his back to the figure.

"… so none of this has been about overthrowing the nations, destroying the Coalition?"

The figure aimed a crossbow at the back of Sen's head. "Never has been."

.

Several canoes floated in the oceans near the Southern Water Tribe. Hahn and several of his Waterbenders were waiting as a Fire Navy warship approached.

Lu Ten was carrying the body of the Avatar.

Hahn smirked as Lu Ten tossed Aang's body to the sea. Hahn gave the signal, and his Waterbenders went to work, freezing the water around Aang's body.

Trapping him, once again, in an iceberg.

Deep under the water.

Chains were attached, keeping the frozen iceberg in place.

And now, hundreds of Fire Navy warships floated in the oceans.

The Fire Nation flotilla was there for one purpose – to ensure the Avatar would never be freed from the iceberg again.

And Aang's body was still. Empty. Surrounded in ice.

He was once again, and forever would be, The Boy in the Iceberg.

.

.

.

The second Appa landed on a remote archipelago that morning, Katara struck Sokka across the face with heavy slap. She then collapsed into tears. "I can't believe you! You just left him!"

Sokka placed his hand on her shoulder. "Katara …"

She shoved him off. "After all the times Aang helped you, saved you – how could you abandon him!"

Zuko, starting to feel better, came to Sokka's defense. "He had no choice. I don't know what's going on … before this afternoon, I thought Lu Ten was dead. Oh man, how could he have become such a monster?"

Sokka shrugged. "You mean you Firebenders aren't a born a bunch of merciless, murdering thugs?" Zuko glared at him. "I was kidding, kidding!"

Toph shook her head. "Poor Twinkletoes … how are we gonna get him back? Does anyone have a clear channel into the Spirit World?" Silence. "Okay, forget I asked."

Jee and Mai joined Zuko, sitting him down on a rock. Suki nuzzled up against Sokka and they watched as the green airship landed, depositing the Kyoshi Warriors onto the island.

The Blue Spirit stood on the seashore, watching the rising sun.

Katara stood up. "We're not sitting around. We're getting Aang back!"

"Who knows where the Fire Nation took his body?" Sokka scowled. "And how on earth are we going to get his spirit back from the Spirit World?"

The Blue Spirit turned, and joined them. "I may be able to help with that. After all, I know how these guys think. And I know how Lu Ten returned from the brink of death. After all, his Master saved me as well."

Everyone watched in confusion as the Blue Spirit removed his mask.

They were utterly shocked.

"How?!" Zuko exclaimed.

Sokka was revolted. "You!"

Toph was perplexed. "I sensed you … you were dying in those caves!"

"I did die! But as Lu Ten has returned, so have I." The arrogant, yet proud look of a Freedom Fighter never left Jet's face. "I'm going to help you. We are going to get Aang back!"

And everyone sat there in stunned silence as they realized …

… Jet was alive. And was now their only hope.

The world's only hope.

Team Avatar had faced crises before.

But nothing like this.

And now, instead of the Avatar saving the world, the Avatar was the one in need of saving.

But they would live up to the task?

They would face the odds and were determined to beat them once again.

They were the world's greatest warriors. A ragtag group of hormonal teenagers, yet the greatest heroes of our age.

Team Avatar Lives!

.

.

.

Author's Note: Well here it is, the mid-season finale is over. Things are looking pretty grim.

As the first half of the story closes, I would like to take some time go over some ideas that went into this story, particularly the first half, as well as give you guys a taste of what's to come in the future …

Plotting: Each book focuses on Aang learning an element. Book 1 was Water, Book 2 was Earth, etc. The problem in writing a Book 4 is, that in order to be consistent with the previous books, there would have to be a situation where Aang learns Airbending. The problem is, Aang is the Last Airbender, as the title of the show tells us! He already knows Airbending.

So the problem becomes creating a scenario where Aang has to learn Airbending again. But how? Enter Energybending. With Lu Ten removing Aang's bending capabilities, he also removed Aang's knowledge of bending. This sets Aang up against horrible odds … he no longer can bend any element, nor can he even remember how to bend any element. Remember Lu Ten's words: memories are a form of energy in the brain that can be manipulated.

If Aang escapes, (and that's a big if), he will have to find a way to have his bending returned to him. And even then, he will have to relearn how to bend all four elements! He can easily relearn Water, Earth and Firebending … but now becomes a greater problem. There are no Airbenders left! Where on earth will Aang learn Airbending from?

Setting the Stage: I wanted this story to be a genuine continuation of Book 3. Book 3 ended with the Fire Lord defeated. I didn't want to just create a boogeyman out of nowhere that disrupts everything. I wanted things to slow down, show the adventures of Team Avatar in a post-war world before throwing them all together on another epic quest. All the while, the bad guys are in the background, moving the pieces into place.

Going into this story, one thing I really wanted to hammer down as a theme is the idea of "going full circle". The proper way to end a story as epic as ATLA is to bring it back to the beginning.

And so now, I have reset the Avatar universe. The World Peace Coalition is becoming an all-powerful, oppressive totalitarian state, secretly backed by the Fire Nation (the New World Order). The Coalition is nothing more than a front for the Fire Nation, though the peoples of the world (including most of the Fire Nation itself) don't realize it. The Fire Nation, through their front (the World Peace Coalition) has become the rulers of the world without the world even knowing it. Why conquer the world through force, when you can control it through the illusion of peace? This is where I relied heavily on books such Orwell's 1984, which is the type of oppressive, thought-controlling dystopia that the Avatar Universe is now entering into.

And so, the world has been reset to conditions before Book 1. Aang is once again trapped in an iceberg and must (if he escapes) re-learn all four elements in order to save the day.

The Villains: Part of the problem with writing a Book 4 is you need villains. And you need to outdo the previous villains. As will be revealed in future chapters, the villains we have met so far are merely pawns of the true villain … the "Creature" or "The Beast" as Nav calls him. The Beast is a malicious force that emerged in the wake of the war's beginning and has been Energybending for decades. The Beast is even more powerful than Lu Ten, who is nothing more than the Beast's vanguard.

As the chapters move forward, we will learn more about the Beast. Suffice it to say, the Beast is the one orchestrating all of these events. His plans go back even before Book 1 and is simple – pure world domination. Again, this goes back to my idea of going "full circle." The Beast is a character that has hidden behind many masks, and as his true identity is uncovered, it will be very clear that he has been planning this from the beginning, even before Book 1. Ozai is merely a collaborator.

You see, the true villainous organization is the World Peace Coalition, which is a front for the Fire Nation. The attacks led by Lieutenant Sen and the Court (who are in collaboration with the Beast) were merely false flag attacks to give the Coalition justification for taking further power and enacting more heavy-handed forms of oppression. The Beast and the Fire Nation control the Coalition from behind the scenes. All they needed to do was provide the pretext for the Coalition to truly rise to power, without its representatives even being aware of how they are being controlled.

Part of the plan included allowing Ozai to lose against Aang in Book 3. This goes back to an old conspiracy theory in our world that the Soviets faked the collapse of the Soviet Union, symbolized by the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Whether you buy into that conspiracy theory or not, this provided a powerful plot point – Ozai faked the defeat of the Fire Nation to defeat Aang.

All they had to do was get Aang to Energybend … once he started on that path, it made it all too easy for him to be defeated and have his bending removed by Lu Ten. The reason Aang won against the Fire Lord and could steal his bending was because his soul pure. But because his soul was tainted by stealing other people's energy (such as Ozai's and then Azula's) it tainted Aang's soul, allowing for Lu Ten's soul to overpower his own.

Lu Ten. I thought his return as a villain would be a powerful twist. This provides an emotional arc in this story which would be necessary for the final book in Aang's journey, especially with Iroh. Lu Ten's death provided the impetus for Iroh to reevaluate his life and become a better person for it. But now, Lu Ten has returned and Iroh is going to have to confront this. As stated, Lu Ten is not the main villain. The Beast is. But Lu Ten is his vanguard and the Beast transferred his ability of Energybending to Lu Ten. And now that Lu Ten has stolen Aang's Airbending, he will transfer his Airbending to the Beast, allowing him to be the Master of all Four Elements … the Creature will reign supreme in the world, unchecked, far more powerful than Ozai … a being that subsists off the energy of others and can potentially live forever. And as the Beast's true identity is unmasked, we will see how everything goes back to the beginning, full circle.

Seizon was an idea I created. It would not be unreasonable for Ozai to have an illegitimate son that he would then shame Ursa for (it takes two to tango!) and cover-up. This type of thing happened all the time in monarchies throughout history. But Seizon was nothing more than a red herring to cover-up the Lu Ten twist. I led the readers to believe that Seizon was alive and was the Dragon Golem, when it was Lu Ten all along. Lu Ten had killed him but had stolen his bending too. But that does not mean Seizon won't play some small role in the story …

Looking Forward: What do the readers have to look forward to in upcoming chapters?

Team Avatar goes on a rescue mission to save Aang

Azula … will she have a redemption arc? Or will she remain evil? I have an idea for an "Azula Alone" chapter similar to "Zuko Alone"

Aang will have to remaster all four elements if he is rescued, with the added difficulty – there are no Air Nomads left to teach him!

The Supernatural. Every Book has a major supernatural event, the Spirit World, spilling over into the real world. In Book 1 it was the Ocean and Moon Spirits. In Book 2 it was Aang mastering the Avatar State with the guru. Book 3 was the Lion Turtle. But now, things are out of balance. When Aang was first frozen in the iceberg, at least his soul was frozen with him – along with the Avatar Spirit. But now, Aang and the Avatar Spirit have been locked away within the Spirit Realm. The Avatar Spirit is no longer bridging the worlds … the Spirit World will begin to bleed over and only Aang can fix it. And as the Equinox emerges, the apocalypse will descend on the whole world…

The Sokka action figure! This is just a small little sub-plot. But as we will see, the Sokka figure with the wrong voicebox is not the only one of its kind. There's a whole factory of them being produced – on purpose. And the Toymaker has a personal grudge against Sokka …

Ursa! I will hope to answer where she is and have a reunion with Zuko.

The final battle against Lu Ten and the Beast. Aang will have to face and defeat both to avert the apocalypse and truly restore balance and end the One Hundred Years War for good … and if he fails, the entire world could be consumed.

I hope everyone is jazzed up! I have a vague idea where the story will go based on the above plot points, but I have yet to fully outline them the way I did the earlier chapters. That means it may be some time before the next chapter is posted. I don't know how long … perhaps in a few weeks as I take a bit of a break.

Please review, let me know what you like, don't like, or even if you have ideas (I'm all ears).

Team Avatar Forever!