Book Two: Earth
Chapter One: The Avatar State
Xena helped Aang finish tightening the straps of Appa's saddle The bison had gained more weight during their stay at the North Pole and the saddle was almost too small. Xena had to tighten the straps while Appa grumbled just so Aang could snap them in place. Straightening up, Xena rubbed at the bison's furry belly. Aang nudged her, bringing her attention to where Pakku was waiting to say goodbye. Giving Appa one last pat, she followed Aang over to him.
"Katara, I want you to have this. This amulet contains water from the Spirit Oasis," Pakku said as he handed the young master the amulet. "The water has unique properties. Don't lose it."
"Thank you, Master Pakku," Katara replied gratefully, clasping the amulet between her hands.
"Aang," Pakku next addressed the young airbender. "These scrolls will help you master waterbending, but remember, they're no substitute for a real master." Aang smiled up at Katara as he took the box of scrolls.
"Xena, this is for you," Pakku said, handing her a wrapped package to his physically young Aunt.
"Thank you."
"My grandmother, your mother, designed it with plans of giving it to you on your sixteenth birthday, but you vanished before she could have it made."
She frowned slightly before tucking it under her arm and bowing by placing her fist against her other hand. She walked a few steps away before opening it, revealing a sleeveless red V-neck tunic with silver embroidered dragons on the bottom hem and scrollwork on the sleeves. Her breath caught at the beautiful top and she looked up, meeting Pakku's eyes.
"Thank you," She said again, feeling her eyes grow wet.
"Are you going to cry?" Sokka asked suddenly, throwing an arm around her shoulders.
"No," She denied, brushing his arm off and rubbing her eyes.
"You know it's okay if you do. In fact it'll prove that you're human," He said with a smirk. Scowling, she stepped into his instep before twisting behind him. Her foot caught his ankle as she effortlessly tripped him. Sokka let out an undignified squawk. Xena climbed onto Appa agilely and folded the shirt, so it would fit neatly in the small waterproof seal-skin satchel that she'd gotten in the North Pole. It was small and hung off her shoulder by a strap to rest close to her hip. The picture album Iroh had given her was stored safely within it already and with the addition of the shirt there was not a lot of space left.
Pakku addressed them as soon as Sokka joined Xena and Katara in the saddle. "Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom base to the east of here. General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There, you will be safe to begin your earthbending training with King Bumi."
Aang nodded and snapped Appa's reins. "Appa, yip-yip!"
"Say 'hi' to Gran-Gran for me!" Katara shouted as Appa flew eastward.
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"This is what I've been missing. Who knew floating on a piece of driftwood for three weeks with very little food or water, and sea vultures waiting to pluck out your liver could make one so tense?" Iroh said behind him, lying on a massage table.
When Zuko didn't respond he got up and walked over to sit down cross-legged beside him.
"I see," He said in understanding as he looked over at the brooding prince. "It's the anniversary, isn't it?"
"Three years ago today, I was banished. I lost it all," Zuko replied softly and bitterly. "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 reassuringly. "Why would he banish you if he didn't care?"
Zuko gave his uncle a deadpan look before getting to his feet and walking away.
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Sokka folded his arms over the rim of the saddle and rested his chin on them in boredom. Aang and Katara sat together on Appa's head while Xena lay flat on her back in the center of the saddle with Momo on her stomach. All of them were bored to death because they didn't have anything to talk about like they usually did. Xena created a small flame in her hand, once again examining the unique flame. It was blue in the very middle, fading to silver as it neared the edges before it turned fully white.
Sokka sat up suddenly and pointed. "There it is!"
Xena sat up quickly, extinguishing the flame. Aang lowered the sky bison into the middle of the base's courtyard where an older man in his mid-thirties was waiting with several Earth Kingdom soldiers.
"Welcome, Avatar Aang and Guardian Xena," The man greeted with a bow. "I am General Fong, and welcome, to all of you great heroes. Appa, Momo, brave Sokka, and the mighty Katara."
"Mighty Katara?" Katara said with a pleased look. "I like that."
Xena started in surprise as several fireworks went off behind them.
"Not bad, not bad," Sokka stated with a grin and nod of approval.
General Fong gestured for them to follow him into the command tower. They sat down on small mats several feet away from a large desk that sat on a raised dais at the end of the room where General Fong sat.
"Avatar Aang, we were all amazed at the stories of how you single handedly wiped out an entire Fire Navy fleet at the North Pole," General Fong praised. "I can't imagine what it feels like to wield such devastating power. It's an awesome responsibility."
Aang gave a small shrug. "I try not to think about it too much."
General Fong looked at Aang calmly. "Avatar, you're ready to face the Fire Lord now."
"What?" Aang asked in shock, "No I'm not!"
"Are you insane?" Xena demanded, standing up quickly. "He's only mastered one element!"
"And he's not even close to mastering the other three," Katara agreed.
"Why?" General Fong questioned then stated in a matter-of-fact voice. "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," Sokka responded easily. "The thing is, Aang can only do those things when he's in the Avatar State."
"See, it's this special state where-"
"I'm well aware!" General Fong cut Aang off sharply. "Your eyes and tattoos glow and you're able to summon unbelievable power. Without you, we'd be slaughtered before we even reach their shores."
General Fong stood and turned to the large map hanging on the wall behind him, tracing a route.
"But with you leading the way, as the ultimate weapon, we could cut a swath right through the heart of the Fire Nation."
"Right," Aang said doubtfully. "but I don't know how to get in or out of the Avatar State, much less to control once I'm there."
"So, it's decided then," General Fong stated as he turned around to face us again. "I'll help you figure out how to get into the Avatar State and then you'll face your destiny."
Katara shot to her feet. "No, nothing's decided. 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," He replied coolly, giving her a cold look then he addressed Aang again. "May I show you something?"
The general lead Aang over to one of the many windows without waiting for a reply.
"That's the infirmary, and those soldiers are the lucky ones," General Fong stated as Aang looked at whatever he was being shown. "They came back. Every day, the Fire Nation takes lives. People are dying, Aang! You could end it, now! Think about it."
Aang looked off to the side and Xena stepped forward putting a hand on his shoulder while shooting a glare at the general.
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Aang walked over to his bed and sat down as soon as he came in. He folded his hands in his lap and looked down at his feet.
"I told the general I'd help him by going into the Avatar State," He said and Katara looked at him in shock.
"Aang, no!" Katara protested as she sat up. "This is not the right way!"
"Why not?" Sokka asked dismissively as he rested on his own bed with his hands behind his head. "Remember when he took out the Fire Navy? He was incredible!"
"There's a right way to do this," Katara snapped at her brother in exasperation. "Practice, study, and discipline!"
Sokka shrugged casually, "Or just glow it up and stop that Fire Lord!"
Katara threw her hands in the air in surrender. "If you two meatheads want to throw away everything we've worked for, fine, go ahead and glow it up!"
"Katara, I'm just being realistic!" Aang cried out, "I don't have time to do this the right way!"
"Don't make excuses, Aang. I'm in full agreement with Katara on this," Xena said before following Katara out of the room.
The door slammed shut behind them.
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"This rare chi-enhancing tea is a natural stimulant," An Earth Kingdom soldier said as he dropped it into a teapot before pouring the tea into a cup in front of Aang. "In an ordinary warrior, it improves strength and energy tenfold. In you, it may induce the Avatar State."
"Tenfold energy, huh?" Aang said as picked up the cup.
"May?" Xena questioned just as he took a sip.
His eyebrow twitched before he suddenly jumped up and began to spazz out. He created an air scooter and began zooming around the room.
"Is it working? Is it working?" Aang asked rapidly and in a high-pitched voice. "I can't tell! Somebody tell if I'm in the Avatar State 'cause 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 quipped just as Aang zoomed behind him and hit one of the pillars, falling backwards.
Xena may not have approved of the reason for doing this, but she could definitely appreciate the outcome of this failed experiment. She laughed loudly as Aang tried to swim on the stone floor.
"Or make him laugh himself to death," Sokka amended.
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"Maybe I can shock you into the Avatar State," Sokka stated as he stood in front of Aang in the courtyard of the base.
"I love surprises!" Aang said eagerly and Katara covered his eyes at a gesture from her brother.
Sokka quickly stuck Momo in his shirt. A moment later when Katara removed her hands, Sokka was towering over Aang with his head replaced with Momo, who screeched loudly. Aang screamed and recoiled rapidly, before looking at the arrow tattoos on the back of his hands.
"Still not glowing." He stated and held his hands up to show Sokka.
Sokka frowned and stepped back only to lose his balance and fall to the ground. Xena sighed and gave him a hand back up as Momo ran to rejoin Appa.
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"You are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations," The oracle said as he stood in front of an altar with a large bowl on it.
"Now I will join the four elements into one! Water!" He poured water into a bowl, and then poured some dirt in on top of it, "Earth! Fire!" He dropped a torch into the bowl then used a pair of bellows to blast air into the bowl. "Air!"
"Four elements together as one!" He exclaimed dramatically as he raised the bowl and flung the contents at Aang, coating the younger airbender mud.
Aang looked at the gunk in annoyance. "This is just mud!"
"So…" The oracle asked. "Do you feel anything?"
Aang raised a finger, which caught everyone's interest then he sneezed, coating everyone in mud.
General Fong wiped the mud from his face. "We have to find a way."
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Iroh carefully dumped the contents of the small satchel he was carrying onto the table, various shells tumbling out.
"Look at these magnificent shells!" Iroh exclaimed as he held up one of the shells to show his nephew then picked up a conch. "I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come."
"We don't need any more useless things!" Zuko snapped angrily as he threw his hands in the air in exasperation. "You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now!"
"Hello, brother. Uncle."
Zuko whirled around, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the unexpected visitor sitting in a dark corner of the room with her feet propped up on the other table.
"What are you doing here?" He snarled angrily.
"In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions," His younger sister, Azula, quipped as she inspected a shell before standing up and walking over to Zuko and Iroh. "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"
"Don't call me that!" Zuko spat furiously, his fists clenched at his sides.
"To what do we owe this honor?" Iroh cut in quickly.
"Hmm…must be a family trait. Both of you so quick to the point," Azula mused then smirked cruelly as she shattered the shell in her hand with her fingertips.
"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 trust," Azula said then paused briefly as she looked at Zuko. "Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home."
"Did you hear me?!" She demanded angrily when they were silent. "You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you great news."
"I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment," Iroh explained as he watched Azula warily.
"Don't interrupt, Uncle!" The princess snarled at the old man then looked at Zuko condescendingly. "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 asked in surprise as he looked at his sister in shock. "He…wants me back?"
"I can see you need time to take this in," Azula commented dryly. "I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening."
Zuko stared at the floor blankly as she left.
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"Aang?" Katara asked quietly as she approached him and his guardian, "Can we talk about something?"
Aang looked over at her curiously and nodded, "Sure."
Xena turned around and leaned against the railing, giving them some semblance of privacy while still listening in.
"So you remember when we were at the air temple and you found Monk Gyatso's skeleton?" Katara asked. "It must have been so horrible and traumatic for you. I saw you get so upset that you weren't even you anymore."
Katara looked off to the side as she continued to speak, "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."
"Especially for me," Xena added, turning to touch his shoulder.
Aang looked at both of them for a moment then he looked down at his hands.
"I'm really glad you told me that," He said softly. "But I still need to do this."
"I don't understand." Katara stated, clearly upset as she looked at Aang.
"No, you don't," Aang replied evenly. "Everyday, more and more people die. I'm already one hundred years late. Defeating the Fire Lord is the only way to stop this war. I have to try it!"
"I can't watch you do this to yourself. I'm not coming tomorrow." Katara said sadly as she started walking away. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight," Aang said as he turned back to look at the sinking sun on the horizon.
"Aang-"
"Are you going to tell me that I'm making a mistake too?"
"No, I'm not. But I do want to make sure that you know what you're doing. I don't want to see you get hurt because of this."
Aang glanced sideways at her, seeing the earnest expression on her face. He nodded and stepped forward to hug her. Xena started briefly before returning the hug
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"We're going home!" Zuko stated excitedly as he packed his belongings. "After three long years, it's unbelievable!"
Iroh stared out the window of the small house and stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything."
"Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him!" Zuko retorted in irritation at his Uncle's negativity. "He cares about me!"
"I care about you!" Iroh snapped back. "And if Ozai wants you back, well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine."
Zuko turned his back on Iroh, his shoulders tense. "You don't know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything!"
"Zuko," Iroh said softly. "I only meant that in our family, things are not always what they seem."
"I think you are exactly what you seem!" Zuko snarled as he whirled around to glare at his uncle, "A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother!"
Iroh watched with a sad expression as Zuko stomped out of the house angrily. The prince knew that he was a little harsh in what he said, but it irritated him that his uncle couldn't be happy for him. He dropped onto the sand regretfully and dug his hands into the sand. Something sharp dug into his palm and he unburied it. It was a blue shell with a silver underside and white edges. The pattern reminded him of Xena's new fire. He stood up to go back to the small house, pocketing the shell thoughtlessly.
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Zuko walked down towards the dock the next morning to Azula's ship, his pack slung over his shoulder.
"Wait! Don't leave without me!"
Zuko paused and turned around, smiling. "Uncle! You've changed your mind."
"Family sticks together, right?" Iroh stated with a small smile as he placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder.
Zuko smiled as he remembered his father resting his hand on his shoulder in the same way when he was younger. He shook his head slightly and turned back to look at the ship again.
"We're finally going home!" He said excitedly as he resumed his descent.
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The next morning Aang had told Xena that he had changed his mind and asked her and Sokka to accompany him in informing General Fong of his decision. They had agreed and now stood at Aang's shoulder as he explained to the general.
"The thing is I don't think we'll ever be able to trigger it on purpose," Aang told him. "I guess that's it."
"You sure I can't change your mind?" The general asked calmly, his hands folded on the top of his desk.
"I'm sure." Aang replied with a small nod. "I can only reach the Avatar State when I'm in genuine danger."
"I see…I was afraid you'd say that." The general murmured as he stood up then he used earthbending to launch the desk at Aang, sending him soaring across the room.
"Aang!" Sokka shouted and rushed to help, but two soldiers grabbed him and held him down. When two others tried to do the same with her, Xena elbowed one in the stomach and punched the other in the nose which broke with a satisfying crunch. She ran towards the hole in the wall, where the desk had sent Aang flying out of the building. The General stood in front of the hole and pointed down at Aang.
"Men!" He shouted as he pointed at Aang. "Attack the Avatar!"
The general jumped down and landed in the courtyard, unknowingly avoiding the attack of the angry guardian behind him.
"Shit," She cussed and quickly dealt with the guards holding Sokka before taking the stairs two at a time with the Water Tribe boy close behind. A couple of earthbenders attacked them in the halll but Xena bent water out of her water pouch and slammed them into the walls on either side.
"We have to get to Aang," She shouts over her shoulder at Sokka.
"Right," He agrees, taking out two earthbenders with his boomerang.
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Zuko took the lead as they made their way towards the ramp of the ship where Azula was standing quietly at the top with two more soldiers on either side of her.
"Brother! Uncle! Welcome!" She greeted warmly as they bowed to each other. "I'm so glad you decided to come."
The two lines of soldiers on the dock fell in line behind Zuko and Iroh.
"Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?" The captain asked as he turned and walked forward slightly to stand at the very end of the ramp.
"Set our course for home, captain." Azula instructed.
Zuko bowed his head and whispered, "Home…"
"You heard the princess!" The captain barked, raising his hand. "Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home!"
He froze when he realized his mistake and he looked at Azula, whose expression went from surprised to furious in a second.
"Your Highness, I…" The captain started nervously just as Iroh attacked the guards, pushing them off the edge of the walkway and sending fire blasts at them.
Zuko snarled as he stomped furiously up the ramp, throwing the captain off as he stalked past him.
"You lied to me!" He shouted as he glared at his sister angrily.
"Like I've never done that before," Azula retorted smugly as she turned her back on Zuko, waving her hand slightly to the two guards standing on either side of her.
Zuko crossed his arms then spread them outward quickly, deflecting their attacks. He shouted angrily as he charged onto the ship to chase after his younger sister.
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"What in the Spirits' name is going on?!" Katara all but shrieked as she met with her brother and Xena at the base of the two sets of stairs leading down to the courtyard.
"The general's gone crazy!" Sokka replied as they watched Aang continue to dodge the earth coins that were launched at him from both sides. "He's trying to force Aang into the Avatar State."
"Not on my watch," Xena shouted, racing forward towards the general. An earthbender on an ostrich horse charged her from behind. Without turning she ducked under his spear and grabbed the wooden shaft using his own momentum to launch him from the saddle while keeping a hold of the spear.
"Maybe you can avoid me…" General Fong called catching her attention. "But she can't."
The earth coins on either side of Katara, who had rushed to help Aang, rotated so that they're flat sides faced her as well as forming a triangular pattern. Katara lashed out at General Fong with a water whip, but he merely summoned a rock wall to block. General Fong then used earthbending to sink her into the ground.
"I can't move!" She shouted in panic.
"Don't hurt her!" Aang exclaimed worriedly, jumping down from the staircase and sending a gust of wind at the general, who pulled up a sheet of stone to block the attack.
General Fong dropped the earth wall and sank her waist deep.
"Katara! No!" Sokka shouted from the back of an ostrich-horse.
He galloped towards her, but the general sank the creature's feet into the ground, causing Sokka to be flung over its head. Sokka slammed into the hole of one of the earth coins, groaning in pain as he dangled there.
"Stop this!" Aang yelled desperately as he jumped towards General Fong and clutched his arm pleadingly. "You have to let her go!"
"You could save her if you were in the Avatar State!" General Fong retorted as he glared down at Aang.
"I'm trying…" Aang almost bawled as he shut his eyes, tears forming at the corners. "I'm trying!"
"Aang, I'm sinking!" Katara yelled frantically.
Xena charged forward towards her jumping over an earthbending trap.
"I don't see glowing!" General Fong hissed before making Katara sink again.
"Please!" Katara pleaded desperately.
Aang fell to his knees as he begged, "You don't need to do this!"
"Apparently, I do," The general responded scornfully then clenched his fist, sinking her completely into the ground.
"NO!" Xena shouted missing her by an inch as well as colliding with Aang.
Aang rose to his hands and knees, his shoulders shaking as his tattoos began to glow brightly. He shouted wordlessly and turned towards General Fong.
"It worked!" General Fong shouted triumphantly, completely oblivious to the danger he was in. "It worked!"
A powerful gust of air caused the general to shield his eyes with his hands and his triumphant smirk disappeared as he realized what was happening. Air swirled violently around Aang and the only thing keeping him from attacking was Xena, who had grabbed him from behind. She had his arms locked to his sides and was only able to hold him with the aid of her part of the Avatar State.
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Zuko snarled as he leapt onto the deck of his sister's ship, sending two fire blasts at the guards, knocking them off the ship. He spun around to face Azula, who was standing patiently several feet away with her back turned and her hands clasped behind her. Azula glanced over her shoulder and smirked at her brother condescendingly. Zuko's fists clenched and fire daggers appeared as he prepared to attack his sister.
"Zuko!" Iroh shouted from the dock where he was still attacking the guards. "Let's go!"
Zuko ignored him and charged at Azula. The princess easily dodged his blows, maintaining her smirk. He growled and brought his right hand down. She blocked his attack with her forearm then grabbed his wrist with her other hand and slipped her wrist against the crook of his elbow. She swung him around easily shoving him away from her, smirking at his exhaustion.
"You know father blames Uncle for the loss of the North Pole," Azula taunted him maliciously, her smirk widening. "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 snarled and conjured his fire daggers again then leapt into the air and sent a powerful fire blast at Azula using his foot. The princess smirked and jumped away, landing safely several feet away in a crouch. He charged at her as she rose to her feet, dodging the blows as she backed up further.
Azula lashed out at Zuko suddenly, leaving three scratch marks on his temple which caused Zuko to fall back. The scarred prince roared and charged at Azula again, swinging his fire daggers viciously at her, but she continued to dodge and block his attacks with ease as she backed up the steps leading to the command tower of the ship.
The two fighting siblings reached the top of the stairs and Azula grabbed hold of Zuko's arm and the two tried staring each other down silently for a few seconds then Azula smirked. She launched blue flames at Zuko, knocking him off his feet and back down the stairs to land on the deck.
Zuko pushed himself up slightly and turned his head to look at his sister, his vision blurred from the blow as well as the light of the flames. His vision refocused on Azula just as she began moving her arms in a circular motion, electricity beginning to crackle at her fingertips.
Azula sneered as she prepared to let go of the lightning. Suddenly Iroh grabbed hold of her right hand and twisted around, redirecting the lightning towards a far-off cliff side. The former general quickly twisted Azula's arm, then kicked her off the ship roughly. Iroh rushed towards Zuko and grabbed his nephew by the arm and the two race away from the ship, heading towards the woods.
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"Avatar Aang! Can you hear me? Your friend is safe!" General Fong shouted up at Aang pleadingly, bringing Katara back above ground.
She coughing slightly as she looked up at Aang with a worried and miserable expressions on her face.
"It was just a trick to trigger the Avatar State!" The general tried to explain as he smiled maniacally, "And it worked!"
Aang, still in the Avatar State, didn't respond as the wind picked up, surging outward. The ring of air sent dust everywhere as it threw General Fong and his soldiers back. The air separated around Katara, leaving her unscathed. The massive dust cloud cleared, revealing the broken ground and ruined buildings of the base. Aang slowly relaxed in Xena's hold as the Avatar State left him. She released him, eyes still glowing silver.
"I'm sorry, Katara," Aang said quietly hugging Katara. "I hope you never have to see me like that again."
"Ha! Are you joking? That was almost perfect!" The general shouted then his tone turned thoughtful as he stroked his beard. "We just have to find out a way to control you when you're like that."
"You're out of your mind." Aang stated.
The general was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he didn't notice Aang's comment or that Xena had swept past Aang and was headed straight for him.
"I guess we'll figure it out on the way to the Fire Nation," General Fong continued.
Xena's fist collided with the general's jaw and she barely refrained from setting his head on fire. And everyone thought Zuko was a jerk.
"Anybody got a problem with that?" She demanded harshly, glaring at the soldiers.
The frantically shake their heads and hold up their hands as the step back.
"Do you still want an escort to Omashu?" A soldier asked, fearfully.
"I think we're all set." Katara replied dryly.
The soldiers bowed and retreated even farther away from Xena.
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Zuko and Iroh panted as they raced along the river away from Azula and her ship. The two finally stopped unable to go on running and fell to ground beside the river, catching their breath.
"I think we're safe here," Iroh said, glancing back.
Zuko stared at the flowing river in front of him then pulled out the small dagger Iroh had gotten him when he was younger and held it up, the blade reflecting the sunlight. He shut his eyes tightly and sliced his ponytail off then held the dagger out to Iroh without looking at him as he stared at his ponytail in his hand. He stared at the ponytail for a moment then let it fall into the river, watching as it along with his uncle's topknot floated down the current.