Last of Our Kind
Finally! I FINALLY made it to the second season! Oh, I really wish my readers would post more reviews, though. It's just that it's hard to feel motivated to write without getting feedback from the people I'm writing this story for.
I don't own Avatar: The Last Airbender or the following quote.
"What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans, and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy?"
―Mahatma Gandhi
The Hard Choices
"Do you think she'll come?" Sokka asked as they waited to set sail.
"If not then it's her loss," said Wenona.
"Really?"
"Of course. I mean, how often does the chance to travel the world with the Avatar come along?"
Sokka scowled. Wenona gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder.
"You know I'm kidding," she said. "Don't worry, Meat-Head. If your little princess doesn't show, then I'm sure you'll find someone desperate enough to have you."
"Gee, thanks for that, Nona," Sokka said dryly.
They had both started to turn away when the sound of someone running towards them caught their attention.
"Wait! Wait for me!"
It was Princess Yue. Considering that she was wearing one of her large, fancy parkas, it wasn't exactly hard to figure out what had kept her so long. She had a large bag slung over her shoulder which she flung into the boat before trying to hoist herself over the railing. Wenona lifted her in with one hand.
Sokka immediately pulled her into a hug.
"I'm so happy you decided to join us," he said.
"The decision wasn't hard; convincing my father to let me go, on the other hand…" she trailed off.
"Well, it's good to have you aboard," Wenona said.
Princess Yue had never been on a ship before; small boats to float around the city, yes, but certainly not real ships. Not five minutes into checking out the bunk room and she found herself on the floor after attempting to sit on a hammock. Katara and Wenona both pitied the girl's lack of worldly experience and attempted to help her to the best of their abilities.
"First things first," Wenona said. "We tend to travel light and try not to attract attention." She had inspected Yue's clothing supplies and realized that the princess had nothing casual to wear; Wenona generously offered to let Yue wear some of her clothes.
By the end of the first day out to sea, Princess Yue was wearing loose-fitting blue trousers and a dark blue tunic beneath a short parka for the first time in her life; Wenona had also insisted that she not wear her hair up in such an elaborate style and so the princess's long, white hair was let down and fastened at the end with her two braids remaining in place.
"If we ever have to go into a place where we don't want to be noticed or recognized, you need to cover your hair with this scarf," said Wenona. "Most people don't have white hair at sixteen, and blending in can mean the difference between life and death."
Yue nodded in understanding. She was used to following rules set down for her by someone else, so it was a small price to pay for freedom. Sokka certainly didn't object to Yue's new look; especially since it gave him a better idea of what she looked like under ten layers of clothing.
The first night on the ship also revealed something no one would suspect about Princess Yue. She snored. Loud.
Naturally, she denied absolutely that she snored. Sokka was the only one who supported her claim; of course, considering the fact that his own snoring sounded like a rapid platypus-bear, it called into question his reliability on the subject. It was lucky for the rest of the Gaang that they were so used to Sokka's snoring that they soon adapted to the additional nocturnal noise.
There were quite a number of Northerners going south; in addition to the Waterbenders and Healers, there were a few families and a number of Non-Benders (mostly women). While most of the people were young, except for the masters like Pakku, there were a few older citizens; one old woman in particular was very keen to question the Southern siblings about their home. The woman's name was Tehya; she had been fourteen when her older sister, Kanna, had run away from home without so much as a letter.
Tehya, accompanied by Healer Yugoda, had taken to having tea with Katara and Wenona every now and again during the journey.
"So, who was the man brave enough to marry my big sister?" Tehya asked one afternoon.
"Well, we never really got the chance to know him," said Katara. "Our brother Sokka was named after him, but we didn't have the opportunity to meet him personally."
"Hmm. So, Kanna is your father's mother, correct?"
"That's right," said Wenona. "She had a younger daughter, too, but she died when she was only seven."
"I'm sorry to hear that. What about your mother?"
The two sisters became solemn.
"She was killed in a Fire Nation raid about six years ago," said Wenona. "Her mother had been taken away in the attacks decades earlier and her father died from the fever outbreak that decimated our tribe."
"You poor dears," Tehya said with deep sympathy. "You survived all that as well as the dangers of making the journey up North and surviving the siege? You certainly have your grandmother's strength."
"Thank you," said Katara. "Gran-Gran has been the one person who held the tribe together after the original raids nearly destroyed the tribe. Everyone back home has a deep respect for her."
Tehya and Yugoda both smiled warmly.
"Kanna always did want more with her life than to just be a homemaker," said Yugoda. "Seems she found the place she was meant to be, after all."
"How old did you say your father is?" said Tehya.
"Well, he's actually in his late fifties, strangely enough," said Wenona. "You wouldn't be able to tell when you look at him, though."
"Ha! Child, you should know by now that Water Tribe men don't age like men in other nations do," said Yugoda.
"I suppose that's true. Our parents didn't get married until their early thirties and we were actually born pretty late in their marriage; you see, the fever outbreak caused the infant death rates to go up and…"
"I think we understand, dear. I lost two of my own children due to an outbreak of Blood Tide Disease."
"Our dad is actually credited with ending the blight on our tribe," said Katara. "When our mom was pregnant with Sokka, our dad made a pilgrimage to the center of the South Pole to ask the spirits for help and, as soon as he returned, people stopped dying from the fever."
"That is remarkable," said Tehya.
"It's actually how Dad earned the honor of growing a beard," said Wenona proudly. "In our tribe, a man can only grow a beard if he's done something genuinely worthy of notice, usually things like winning glory in battle."
"I'll bet your grandmother was very proud of him."
"She's always proud of our dad. She told us she was even proud of him when he did crazy, stupid, and reckless things in his childhood."
"Tell us everything."
None of them realized that Master Pakku was standing nearby, listening to their conversation with rapt attention.
They were only a day away from the location where the Gaang would separate from the Northerners and make their way to an Earth Kingdom fortress from which they would be escorted to Omashu. Despite the progress they were making, Aang was having a terrible time sleeping and kept waking up from horrible nightmares.
Keng woke to the sound of someone climbing up the ladder onto the deck. As he rolled over in his hammock, he saw that Aang's was empty and quietly made his way after his Airbending friend. He saw him leaning against the railing, staring up into the night sky.
"Someone's up a little late," Keng said, walking over to him. "Anything the matter?"
"Nah, just a nightmare," Aang assured him. "I was in the Avatar State, but I was outside my body, watching myself. It was scary. I was scary."
Keng put a hand on his shoulder.
"Hey, it's going to be fine," Keng said. "You're probably just rattled because of what happened at the North Pole. Nona's pretty shaken up too."
"I doubt that she's had the same kind of nightmares that I've been having."
They stood there, looking up at the starry sky.
"You know, I don't really remember much about my mother," said Keng after a while. "But I do remember her saying that fear only has the power you give it yourself." He looked at Aang. "You shouldn't be afraid of what you did; it wasn't really you, after all."
"Thanks," Aang replied quietly.
The following morning was bright, sunny, and pleasant; spring was clearly on the way. Everyone stood outside on the deck as the Gaang prepared to leave. Wenona had asked for several letters to be delivered to the folks back home with news of recent events. Master Pakku faced the four siblings and the young Avatar.
"Katara, Wenona, I want you both to have these," he said, pulling two small talismans out of a bag. "These amulets contain water from the Spirit Oasis. The water has unique properties, don't lose them." He smiled warmly at them.
"Thank you, Master Pakku," both girls said.
"Keng, Yugoda asked me to give you this tome," he continued, handing Keng a large, old book bound in sealskin. "It will help you finish your education as a Healer. Study it regularly."
Keng smiled and bowed.
"Aang, these scrolls will help you master Waterbending." He handed Aang an ornate box full of scrolls. "But remember, they're no substitute for a real master."
Aang smiled up at Wenona and Katara, who were both up in Appa's saddle with Princess Yue. Aang, too, bowed and he and Keng joined them.
"Sokka." The eldest boy approached. Pakku patted his shoulder. "Take care, son."
Sokka scowled slightly before he also joined the others on Appa.
"Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom base to the east of here," Pakku announced to them. "General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There you'll be safe to begin your Earthbending training with King Bumi."
"Appa, yip-yip," Aang said.
"Say hi to Gran-Gran for me!" Katara called out to Master Pakku as they took off.
"I certainly will, Katara," Pakku whispered to himself.
Meanwhile, in a fire Nation colony in the northern Earth Kingdom, a former Fire Nation general and a banished prince were recovering from their long journey from the North Pole. While Zuko brooded in a corner over his recent misfortunes, Iroh got a back massage.
"This is what I've been missing," said Iroh. "Who knew floating on a piece of driftwood for three weeks, with no food or water and sea vultures waiting to peck out your liver, could make one so tense?" Iroh glanced at his nephew and realized what was wrong. "I see," Iroh said as he walked over to Zuko. "It's the anniversary, isn't it?"
"Three years ago today I was banished," said Zuko. "I lost it all. I want it back. I want the Avatar, I want my honor, my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless."
"I'm sure he doesn't," Iroh said brightly. "Why would he banish you if he didn't care?"
Zuko shot a quick glare at his uncle and left.
"That came out wrong, didn't it?" Iroh said sheepishly to the two spa attendants behind him.
Zuko walked until he found a secluded place beneath the shade of a flowering willow. He sat and contemplated just how his life had gotten out of hand. He knew his father did not particularly like him, not even when his mother was still around; however, since that night she disappeared, things got worse. So much worse.
It wasn't as though Zuko didn't try to earn his father's love and respect; he worked ceaselessly to be worthy of it. Ozai, however, showed him nothing but scorn and rejection; sometimes Ozai shouted at him if he failed at something and constantly praised Azula. Then, there had been incidents, once or twice in the past, when Ozai had actually struck him across the face for disrespecting him when all Zuko had done was ask why he was treated so harshly.
Zuko, having been a child at the time, had rationalized it all as having been his own fault; that he simply didn't deserve affection and kindness. He had been taught that his father was never wrong; therefore, who was he to dispute that?
"There it is!" Sokka shouted, pointing towards the Earth Kingdom base.
Aang steered Appa down to a platform where they were greeted by men in formal green and bronze armor. The Gaang all leapt off of Appa and stretched after the long flight.
"Welcome, Avatar Aang," the man at the head of the group declared. "I am General Fong." He and his troops all bowed. "And welcome to all of you, great heroes! Appa, Momo, brave Sokka, honorable Keng, valiant Wenona, mighty Katara, and fair Princess Yue."
"Mighty Katara?" Katara whispered to Wenona. "I like that."
Suddenly, they heard a strange sound and fireworks burst into view above them.
"That's a nice touch," said Wenona.
"Not bad, not bad," Sokka added, clearly impressed.
General Fong showed them into his meeting hall and took a seat behind his desk.
"Avatar Aang, we were all amazed at the stories of how you singlehandedly wiped out an entire Fire Navy fleet at the North Pole," said General Fong. "I can't imagine what it feels like to wield such devastating power."
"Well, I didn't exactly do it singlehandedly," Aang admitted with a glance at Wenona.
"Yes, forgive me, how could I forget about your Water Source?"
Wenona smiled at the acknowledgement.
"Yes, you both carry a great responsibility," Fong continued.
"We try not to think about it too much," said Aang.
"Avatar, you're ready to face the Fire Lord now."
"What?!" Aang exclaimed in shock. "No I'm not!"
"Aang still has to master all four elements," said Katara.
"Why?" said General Fong. "With the kind of power he possesses, power enough to destroy hundreds of battleships in a matter of minutes, he could defeat the Fire Lord now!"
"But, sir, the thing is, Aang can only do those things when he's in the Avatar State," Sokka explained.
"See, it's this special state where-" Aang started.
"I'm well aware," Fong interrupted. "Your eyes and tattoos glow and you're able to summon unbelievable power." He turned to face a large map behind him. "Without you, we'd be slaughtered before we even reached their shores. But with you leading the way, as the ultimate weapon, we could cut a swath right through to the heart of the Fire Nation."
"Right," Aang said uncertainly. "But, I don't know how to get in or out of the Avatar State, much less what to do once I'm there."
"Most of the time, Aang's Avatar State has been triggered by luck or because spirits were leading the way," Wenona added.
"So it's decided, then," Fong said, turning to face Aang. "I'll help you figure out how to get into the Avatar State, and then you'll face your destiny."
"No, nothing's decided," Katara protested as they all stood. "We already have a plan. Aang's pursuing his destiny his way."
"Well, while you take your time learning the elements, the war goes on. May I show you something?" Fong led them all over to a window overlooking the courtyard and pointed down to a specific building where dozens of badly wounded soldiers waited. "That's the infirmary, and those soldiers are the lucky ones. They came back. Every day the Fire Nation takes lives; people are dying, Aang. You could end it, now. Think about it."
Fong turned and left Aang and his friends behind to think.
"It's a terrible idea," Katara said firmly once the Gaang had been shown to their quarters.
"Are you sure?" said Princess Yue. "I mean, look at how he defeated the Fire Nation back in my tribe."
"Ehem?" Wenona cleared her throat.
"Oh, and of course you helped him a great deal, Nona."
"I agree with Katara," said Keng. "I don't think you should do it, Aang. For one thing, you don't even know how to control yourself in that state."
"But if he could figure it out, the war would end sooner," Sokka pointed out. "Countless lives could be saved. What do you think, Nona?"
"I don't know," she said. "While I want the war to end as much as anyone, I think Aang should finish his training. We don't even know who the other two Sources are."
"Why do we need the other Sources?" said Sokka. "You're enough trouble without having help."
Wenona thwacked him over the head. She wasn't sure why, but she felt as though it would be a bad idea to proceed without the other Sources.
"Could you all stop talking about me like I'm not here?" Aang said softly. Everyone looked rather sheepish. "I think I've made my decision." He stood up and walked out the door.
"Was it something we said?" said Sokka.
Aang found General Fong studying a map in his meeting room. He looked up and smiled when he noticed Aang walk in.
"General Fong?" said Aang.
"Come in, Aang," the general said. "Have you thought about our discussion?"
Aang looked at the ground.
"I'm in. I'll fight the Fire Lord."
After discussing their training plans for the next day, Aang returned to his friends and took a seat on his bed.
"I told the general I'd help him," Aang announced quietly, "By going into the Avatar State."
"Aang, no," Katara gasped. "This is not the right way."
"Why not?" said Sokka. "Remember when he took out the Fire Navy? He was incredible!"
"There's a right way to do this," Wenona continued with a glare at Sokka. "Practice, study, and discipline."
"Or just glow it up and stop that Fire Lord."
"If you meat-heads want to throw away everything we've worked for, fine, go ahead and glow it up," Katara snapped.
"Katara, I'm just being realistic," said Aang. "I don't have time to do this the right way."
There was an awkward silence as everyone got ready for bed. Wenona, Katara, and Keng all felt it was a bad idea to try and force the Avatar State into action; Sokka and Princess Yue, on the other hand, both supported Aang's decision, feeling that Aang having the Avatar State was a sign that he needed to use it to end the war.
The next day saw the beginning of a series of tests and experiments to try and get the Avatar State to react. First, General Fong had them assemble at a small gazebo on a nearby hill outside the base where one of the senior physicians poured Aang a small cup of tea.
"This rare chi-enhancing tea is a natural stimulant," the man explained. "In an ordinary warrior, it improves strength and energy ten-fold. In you, it may induce the Avatar State."
"Ten-fold energy, huh?" Aang said before taking a sip.
In a matter of moments, Aang was zooming around on an air-scooter and yammering at an incomprehensible pace.
"Is it working? Is it working? I can't tell! Somebody tell me if I'm in the Avatar State because I don't have a good view of myself! Am I talking too loud?!"
"I guess he could talk the Fire Lord to death," Sokka said dryly.
Next, they tried an idea that Sokka came up with.
"Maybe I can shock you into the Avatar State," Sokka said.
"I love surprises," said Aang.
Katara put her hands over his eyes for a few seconds. When she pulled them away, Momo's head had replaced Sokka's. Aang screamed in shock for a moment but it hadn't worked.
"Still not glowing."
Momo started wriggling about so much that he caused Sokka to tumble and fall over.
The third attempt involved a rather strange local Earth Priest. He made Aang put on several ancient-looking pieces of clothing and stand in the center of a shrine dedicated to Avatar Desheng, an Avatar who was revered as the father of the modern Earth Kingdom military.
"You are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the Bending nations," said the priest. "Now, I will join the elements into one! Water, earth, fire, air!" He poured dirt and water into a large basin, then chucked a torch into it and used a bellows to blow air into the mixture. Then he raised the basin above his head. "Four elements together as one!" He dumped the mixture on Aang.
"This is just mud," said Aang in annoyance.
"So…do you feel anything?"
Aang suddenly started to twitch. Everyone looked closely in expectation when he suddenly sneezed so hard it blasted the mud off of him and onto the onlookers.
"We have to find a way," said Fong as he wiped the mud off his face.
"Or we could give up now and continue doing things in proper order?" Wenona suggested, only to be ignored. "Why does no one ever listen to me?"
Zuko scowled as his uncle deposited a bag full of seashells from the local beach on the table.
"Look at these magnificent shells," said Iroh. "I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come."
"We don't need any more useless things," said Zuko hotly. "You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now."
"Hello, Brother, Uncle," said a sly voice behind them.
The two were startled to see that it was someone they hadn't heard from in three years; Zuko's sister, Princess Azula. She was sitting at another table across from them, partially hidden in the darkness of the room.
"What are you doing here?" Zuko growled.
"In my country, we exchange a pleasant 'hello' before asking questions," Azula replied softly but with a slight edge. "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"
"Don't call me that!"
"To what do we owe this honor?" said Iroh.
"Hmm, must be a family trait," said Azula. "Both of you so quick to get to the point. I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind; family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him, treacherous plots; family are the only ones you can really trust. Father regrets your banishment, he wants you home."
Zuko didn't say anything; he simply stared into the air in front of him.
"Did you hear me?" Azula continued with a note of impatience. "You should be happy, excited, grateful. I just gave you great news."
"I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment-"
"Don't interrupt, Uncle!" she snapped. She turned 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?" Zuko said quietly. "He…wants me back?"
"I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening."
With that, Azula departed.
"Can we talk about something?" Katara said to Aang.
"It's really important," Keng added.
"Sure," said Aang.
"Do you remember when we were at the Air Temple when you found Monk Gyatso's skeleton?" said Katara. "It must have been so horrible and traumatic for you. We saw you get so upset that you weren't even you anymore. I'm not saying the Avatar State doesn't have incredible and helpful power, but, you have to understand, for the people who love you, watching you be in that much rage and pain is really scary."
"Aunt Mari once told us that you can't make plants grow by pulling them up," said Keng. "This mission to trigger the Avatar State, it's like you're trying to uproot who you are and leave behind nothing but damaged ground."
"I'm really glad you guys told me that," said Aang somberly. "But I still need to do this."
"I don't understand," said Katara.
"No, you don't; neither of you do. Every day, more and more people die; I'm already a hundred years late. Defeating the Fire Lord is the only way to stop this war. I have to try it."
Katara and Keng both exchanged a look.
"We can't watch you do this to yourself," said Keng. "Don't expect us to come see you tomorrow. Good night."
Without another word, the two siblings left.
"We're going home," Zuko exclaimed in disbelief as he began to pack. "After three long years. It's unbelievable."
"It is unbelievable," Iroh thought aloud. "I have never known my brother to regret anything."
"Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him. He cares about me."
"I care about you! And if Ozai wants you back, well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine."
"You don't know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything."
"Zuko, I only meant that, in our family, things are not always what they seem."
"I think you're exactly what you seem," Zuko hissed angrily. "A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother."
Zuko stormed off while his uncle looked down sadly.
Aang awoke from his nightmare with a gasp. It had been incredibly vivid that time; in the dream, he was back at the first time he had ever used the Avatar State, against Prince Zuko at the South Pole.
"Sokka," Aang said. "Sokka, wake up."
"Uhhng?"
"I don't think we should be trying to bring on the Avatar State."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
"Okay."
"Do you think the general will be mad?"
"What can he say? You're the Avatar; who knows better than you?"
In the other room, where the girls were sleeping, Wenona was also having unsettling dreams.
She was running through a thick fog, desperately trying to reach three figures in the distance. As she got closer, a giant humanoid figure of white light became clearer and clearer behind the people. All she knew was that she had to get there. Suddenly, she heard a cracking sound beneath her feet and the ground shattered like broken glass. She fell through a dark void; as she did, she saw the giant light being tumble and fall to the ground.
"Without the four together, there can be no balance," said the familiar voice of Achak in Wenona's mind. "If Aang had not been born an Airbender or had not mastered Airbending, then the cycle would have been thrown into chaos. You, as his Water Source, are the embodiment of all his Waterbending power. Without his Air Source, Aang's Airbending is only as strong as a normal master Airbender's. Without you, and without his other Sources, he cannot achieve his total power. That is the burden of the Sources."
Wenona's eyes snapped open and she wiped the beads of sweat off her forehead. She knew it had been a bad idea to fool around with the Avatar State.
Zuko made his way down the steps along the side of the hill. He was finally going home. If his uncle couldn't be happy for him, then Zuko didn't care what happened to him. Why couldn't his uncle just see that Zuko's father had finally forgiven him for his failings? That his father actually wanted him back?
Zuko stopped and stared down for a moment at the ship waiting in the harbor when he suddenly heard the sound of someone approaching.
"Wait!" a voice called out. Zuko turned and saw that it was his uncle. "Don't leave without me."
"Uncle, you've changed your mind?" Zuko inquired hopefully.
"Family sticks together, right?" He put a hand on Zuko's shoulder.
"We're finally going home."
As Zuko continued to walk on, Iroh glared suspiciously down at the ship.
"The thing is, I don't think we'll ever be able to trigger it on purpose," Aang explained to General Fong. "So, I guess that's it."
"Sure I can't change your mind?" asked the general.
"I'm sure. I can only reach the Avatar State when I'm in genuine danger."
"I see. I was afraid you'd say that."
Then, without warning, the general Earthbent his desk right towards Aang who was so shocked that he didn't move in time to avoid it and ended up crashing through the wall.
"Aang!" Sokka and Yue both shouted as guards restrained them.
Aang managed to regain enough sense to stop himself from crashing into the hard, stone courtyard. He lay on the ground and looked up at the hole in the wall that he had just gone through in time to see General Fong appear.
"MEN! ATTACK THE AVATAR!" Fong shouted.
That's when Aang realized he was surrounded by at least a dozen Earthbender troops. General Fong leapt from the tower and slammed into the ground, sending a rupture through the ground.
"What are you doing?!" Aang demanded.
"I believe we are about to get results," Fong replied.
The troops all lined up giant earth-disks and began to shoot them at Aang, who skillfully evaded the onslaught.
"I'm not your enemy!" Aang shouted. "I won't fight you!"
This was met by four disks being sent at him simultaneously.
"This is insane," Yue said to Sokka as the guards continued to restrain them.
Sokka swung himself up and then slammed his legs into the two guards holding him; they both fell to the ground. The guards holding Yue were in such shock that she was able to free one of her arms and slam her fist up into on guard's jaw before slamming her foot down on the other guard's foot and kneeing him in the stomach.
"How did I just do that?" she said as she glanced down in surprise at what she had done.
"Instinct," Sokka replied, grabbing her hand. "Now, let's go!"
They both hurried over to the hole in the wall in time to see Aang dodge even more earth-disks before riding his air-scooter up the wall where two guys on ostrich-horses attempted to knock him down. Aang eventually ended up caught in the center of an earth-disk controlled by the general.
"You can't run forever!" the general shouted.
"You can't fight forever!" Aang retorted.
Zuko and Iroh walked along the stone dock up towards the imperial ship. Iroh eyed the imperial guards with a note of distrust while Zuko looked forward obliviously.
"Brother, Uncle," Azula greeted warmly. "Welcome."
The three bowed to each other.
"I'm so glad you decided to come," Azula continued.
"Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?" asked the captain of the ship.
"Set our course for home, Captain."
"Home," Zuko whispered to himself.
"You heard the princess!" the captain shouted as he led them up the gangplank. "Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home!"
Everyone froze. Azula broke free of her shock and glared at the captain.
"Your Highness…I…" the man stuttered.
That's when the fighting started. Iroh knocked down several of the guards while Zuko proceeded to confront his sister.
"You lied to me!" he shouted.
"Like I've never done that before," Azula sneered.
Katara, Wenona, and Keng sat in their quarters, listening to the sounds of crashing outside.
"That doesn't sound good," said Wenona.
"Huh, I wonder what crazy thing they're trying now," added Katara.
Momo gave a soft chirp. Another crash sounded and the three siblings were getting worried.
"Maaaaaybe we should make sure Aang doesn't hurt himself," Keng said uneasily.
The three of them rushed down to the courtyard, arriving at the same moment Sokka and Yue did, just in time to see the complete and utter mayhem being wrought.
"What's going on?" Katara asked.
"The general's gone crazy!" Sokka replied. "He's trying to force Aang into the Avatar State!" Sokka chucked his boomerang at once of the soldiers, knocking him out.
Katara and Wenona began water-whipping the other troops. Keng and Yue stood off to the side awkwardly.
"So…nice day," Keng said.
A guard crashed into the wall beside them.
"More exciting than I'm used to," Yue replied.
"Yeah. We don't normally get attacked by our own side."
Sokka slowly approached one of the ostrich-horses and managed to get into the saddle when the creature bolted. Distracted by their brother's antics, Katara and Wenona realized they were surrounded.
"Maybe you can avoid me, but they can't," Fong called out to Aang.
The two girls tried to send water-blasts at him, but he caught their attacks with his Earthbending. Fong Bended the ground and Katara started to sink; strangely, though, Wenona did not. It took her a moment to figure it out, but she remembered the necklace she was wearing gave her protection. Wenona grabbed onto her sister and tried to pull her out.
"I can't move," the younger girl said.
"Don't hurt her!" Aang shouted. He sent an air-blast which Fong stopped.
Fong then Bent her further into the ground.
"I can't get her out!" Wenona shouted.
"Katara! No!" Sokka yelled. He tried to help but he was stopped by Fong Bending the ground to halt his ostrich-horse, sending Sokka flying through the air to crash into an earth-disk.
Keng and Yue also attempted to help, but they were detained by the few soldiers still standing.
"Stop this!" Aang ordered. "You have to let her go!"
"You could save her if you were in the Avatar State!"
"I'm trying! I'm trying!"
"Aang! I'm sinking!" Katara shouted.
"It's too strong!" Wenona added.
"I don't see glowing," Fong continued.
Katara sank up to her neck and her hands slipped from her sister's grasp.
"Please!" she pleaded.
"STOP IT!" Wenona screamed.
"You don't need to do this!" Aang shouted.
"Apparently, I do," Fong said.
Katara vanished beneath the ground just as Aang leapt forward. That's when things turned ugly. Aang was so filled with rage and anguish at the sight of one of his friends seemingly being hurt that he shot straight into the Avatar State.
"It worked," General Fong declared happily. "It worked!"
A rush of wind caught him off-guard and an air-slice sent him shooting back into the wall. Aang rose on a pillar of air and began to wreak havoc on the base.
Zuko blasted through the two guards in his way and approached his sister who had her back turned to him. He created a fire-dagger in each of his hands and ignored his uncle's voice calling for him to run. He began to lash at Azula, who dodged each strike easily.
"You know father blames uncle for the loss at the North Pole," Azula gloated. "And he 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?"
Zuko struck at her again, this time with even more rage. No matter how hard he struck, she just deflected his attacks. He pursued her up a ramp until she knocked him down with a blast of blue fire. He was disoriented for a moment and looked up to see her forming lightning. Just when Zuko thought he was done for, his uncle appeared from out of nowhere, grabbed Azula's hands with the lightning still around them, and redirected the lightning into the nearby cliffs. Iroh then knocked Azula off the ship and into the water.
With that, he and Zuko made their escape.
"Avatar Aang!" General Fong shouted. "Can you hear me?! Your friend is safe!" He Earthbended Katara out of the ground and she was immediately seized by her terrified sister. "It was just a trick to trigger the Avatar State! And it worked!"
Aang, however, was beyond reason as he smashed into the ground, causing the equivalent of an earthquake to shoot through the ground and send tons of debris and soldiers flying. Then he seemed to still as his mortal spirit ascended up into the sky.
Aang found himself flying on the back of a familiar dragon, accompanied by an even more familiar man.
"It's time you learned," said Avatar Roku.
They flew up through the clouds to where hundreds of people stood. Aang immediately felt a connection to them and he realized that they must be his past-lives.
"The Avatar State is a defense mechanism," Roku explained, "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 also at your most vulnerable."
"What do you mean?" said Aang.
"If you are killed in the Avatar State, the reincarnation cycle will be broken and the Avatar will cease to exist."
This knowledge attained, Aang was returned to his body and dropped to the ground in exhaustion. Wenona, Katara, Keng, and Yue rushed over to his side as he looked around at the destruction he caused.
"I'm sorry, guys," he said. "I hope you never have to see me like that again."
"Ha! Are you joking?!" General Fong said, earning glares from the Waterbenders and Avatar. "That was almost perfect! We just have to find out a way to control you when you're like that."
"You're out of your mind."
"I guess we'll figure it out on our way to the Fire Nation."
Luckily, any further comments from Fong were stopped when Sokka rode over on his ostrich-horse and hit him over the head with the base of his club, knocking him unconscious.
"Anybody got a problem with that?" Sokka asked the soldiers who all shook their heads.
"Do you still want an escort to Omashu?" one of the soldiers asked.
The Gaang all exchanged looks.
"I think we're all set," said Katara.
Within half an hour, they were flying away on Appa.