Aang hadn't said a word since the day before.
When he said 'Koh is dead'.
He immediately crossed his legs and went into a meditation pose, closing his eyes and immediately tried making contact with the Spirit Realm.
What he saw was beyond horrific.
Burning forces, scorched lands and spirits running and hiding in all directions, none of them even sparing him a glance as he tried to ask what happened, even though he knew what had happened.
Agni, the monster formerly known as Firelord Ozai.
The monster was obviously on a rampage across the Spirit Realm, burning everything inside much like what he tried to do to the Earth Kingdom.
"This is horrible." Aang muttered, gliding over the scorched land.
"In more than ways than one." Roku appeared next to Aang, gliding with him. "Koh thought by dragging Ozai here, he would have the advantage. Unfortunately, the monster that was once Firelord turned the tables on him."
"Any idea where he is now?" Aang asked, glancing to his previous incarnation.
"Somewhere north, battling wiser and stronger spirits. The others have hidden, fearful now that it has been proven that Agni is capable of destroying spirits as powerful and ancient as Koh." Roku answered. "There might not be any way to stop him…Unless…"
"Unless what?" Aang prodded.
"The Fog of Lost Souls." Ruko answered with a stoic look on his face. "A prison in the Spirit World, made for humans who have committed the worst crimes. Crimes so unspeakable that death itself is not punishment enough."
Aang glanced at Roku. "Humans?"
"Humans that have disturbed the balance between mortals and spirits." Roku clarified. "You have actually met a few who earned such a penalty."
"Ozai." Aang frowned. "How do we get him then?"
"If we lure him into the Fog of Lost Souls, he will become a prisoner of his own mind, trapped forever even after his body dies." Roku explained. "It is impervious to bending so its possible Ozai's new powers will not be enough to break free."
Aang thought this over and nodded. "All right. Where do we find him?"
Roku vanished and reappeared in front of Aang, stopping him in mid-air. "Wha-"
"You are from ready to challenge Ozai again." Roku stated sternly. "Even if you found him and tried to lure him to the Fog of Lost Souls, he would destroy you before you had the chance."
"What do you mean? How can I stop him if I don't try?" Aang questioned.
"This is a matter that cannot be solved by mortals and spirits alone. Koh tried and was destroyed. Ozai's new form gifted him with power over a fire that is beyond anything we imagined possible." Roku answered. "If we are to have any chance, you must do something that has not been done for eons."
"What is that?" Aang asked.
"As the Avatar, you represent the bridge between the mortal and spirit worlds." Roku said as the area around them began to change. "But long ago, spirits and mortals lived together."
Aang was shown a world where spirits lived in the human world, lived with humans and even fought with humans.
"The spirit portals at the North and South Pole were open, allowing free passage between the two worlds. However, we did not love together."
Aang was then shown humans actually living on giant lion turtles, the same spirit that gifted him with Energy-Bending.
"The spirits roamed the forest and the mankind lived secluded atop different lion turtles. When they would venture out into the forest to hunt, the lion turtle would temporarily grant the humans bending abilities in order to protect them against violent spirits, who had a tendency to possess and subsequently disfigure people."
Aang was shown this, watching as a man was possessed by a dark spirit.
"It was around this time, the First Avatar Wan appeared, separating the two worlds and making travel between the two worlds extremely rare, as it was only possible through a few specific locations and methods. Aside from a handful of enlightened individuals, only the Avatar made the journey in spiritual form as the bridge between the two worlds to converse with the spirits and ask them for guidance."
Aang watched as a man with glowing eyes, Wan appeared between man and spirit.
"He sealed the portals leading to the Spirit World once the spirits had departed."
Wan then closed the portals, once all the spirits had left.
"He believed it was impossible for mankind and spirits to live side-by-side, their differences making it impossible for there to be any form of co-existence." Roku ended the tale and they were back in the scorched land of the Spirit World. "However, it seems because of the new threat, coexistence may have to become a necessity."
Aang just stared at Roku. "You mean…"
"The spirits are fleeing, running from the monster that was once Firelord Ozai. They are afraid and if they are afraid, then it is unlikely that one being from either realm is not enough to stop this threat." Roku explained. "The only possible way now is if we all face him…together."
Aang's eyes widened. "You want me to open the portals back to the Spirit World?"
"I and your other past lives have discussed this and we believe it is the only way now." Roku stated. "You and your friends along with the spirits, standing together now against a threat greater than anything else we could have imagined."
Aang paused, considering this. "And what happens after? Do we leave the portals open? Do I close them?"
"That is something we should consider for a later time." Roku answered. "Gather your friends, head to either the North or South Poles and open the portals there and be swift Aang. It will not take long before Agni chooses to try and return to the mortal world."
Aang considered what he had been told and nodded. "All right. I'll find my friends and we'll be there."
As soon as he finished speaking, Aang vanished from the Spirit Realm, returning to his physical body. Roku was left with a regretful look on his face.
"I hope we are making the right choice."
Xxx
Aang's eyes shot open, allowing him to see Katara in front of him, looking concerned. "Aang? Are you okay?"
"I am now." Aang stood up. "We need to go to the Fire Nation, find Sokka, Toph and Zuko."
"Huh?" Katara looked surprised. "Do you find something?"
"Yeah. I think I know how to stop Ozai." Aang said as he walked past Katara. "For good this time."
Katara stared at Aang's back. "You mean…"
"I don't mean to kill, Katara. But this time, I have to make sure that Firelord Ozai can't threaten anyone ever again." Aang said as the sun began to rise. "I am going to imprison him in the Spirit World forever."
He reached out and grabbed his staff before looking at Katara.
"And I'll need everyone with me this time."