Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender & The Legend of Korra are created by Michael DiMartino & Brian Konzieko and owned by Nickelodeon.

Parts taken from "Beginnings" & "The Phoenix King" & "Nightmares & Daydreams."

"Previously on Avatar, the Avatar Spirit was blocked when some of Azula's lightening bounced and hit Aang. Aang was unconscious and reconnected with his past lives. Aang awoke and has been in hiding and has been stressed. Zuko joined the Avatar, but later returned home to find out more," said Avatar Roku.

Aang decided to meditate.

He sat down in his usual position. He concentrated and entered the Spirit World. Avatar Roku appeared before him.

"Aang, it's good to see you," said Avatar Roku.

"Roku, it's good to see you, too," said Aang. "Do you know how I can regain the connection I need to the Avatar State?"

"I'm sorry Aang, but I don't know. There might be some spirits who might know something," said Avatar Roku. "Just remember that not all spirits are friendly." Roku disappeared.

Aang wondered around and met the Aye-Aye spirit.

"Stinky, it's been a long time," said the Aye-Aye spirit.

"Stinky?" Aang asked and he tried to smell himself. The spirit laughed.

"It's been a long time since I saw you. You probably don't remember me. You were a different person after all," said the spirit.

"I see," said Aang. "We were friends in one of my past lives. It's an honor to meet you." Aang bowed.

The spirit bowed too.

"What brings you here?" The spirit asked.

"I need help facing my destiny," Aang replied. "I need help."

"I see Raava's light within you. I don't think you have anything to worry about," said the spirit.

"Raava?" Aang questioned. He thought for a moment.

Zuko arrived at the war meeting.

"Welcome Prince Zuko. We waited for you," said Fire Lord Ozai.

General Shinu and General Bujing exchanged glances as Zuko walked by them.

Azula was already seated on Ozai's left. The Fire Lord waved his hand for Zuko to sit on the empty chair to his right. Zuko bowed then sat down.

"General Shinu, give your report," said Fire Lord Ozai.

General Shinu bowed. "Thank you sir," said Shinu as he stood up. "We haven't gained control of Ba Sing Se. There have also been earthbender rebellions, which has kept us from having total control in the Earth Kingdom."

The Fire Lord frowned. "What is your recommendation?"

"Our army is spread too thin but once the eclipse is over and the invasion defeated, we should transfer more domestic forces into the Earth Kingdom," said General Shinu.

Zuko slouched and acted uninterested.

"Hmm..." said the Fire Lord. He turned to his son and said, "Prince Zuko," Zuko looked at his father, "you've been among the Earth Kingdom commoners. Do you think adding more troops will stop these rebellions?"

Zuko dropped his head and thought for moment, then he said, "The people of the Earth Kingdom are proud and strong. They can endure anything as long as they have hope."

"Yes, you're right," replied the Fire Lord and he gave an evil and lethal look. "We need to destroy their hope."

"Well, that's not exactly what I-" Zuko started to say.

Azula interrupted, "I think you should take their precious hope," she fingered her fringe and tossed it aside without a care, "and the rest of their land, and burn it all to the ground." The princess crossed her arms and smiled at her own suggestion.

"Yes..." Fire Lord Ozai smiled evilly. "Yes, you're right, Azula." Azula smiled at her father's acknowledgement of her plan. Ozai got up and walked towards the table. "Sozin's Comet is almost upon us," Ozai said as he stopped near the edge of the table, "and on that day it will endow us with the strength and power of a hundred suns. No bender will stand a chance against us."

"What are you suggesting, sir?" General Shinu asked.

"When the comet last came, my grandfather, Fire Lord Sozin, used it to wipe out the Air Nomads. Now, I will use its power to end the Earth Kingdom." Zuko was shocked at his father's cruel revelation. "Permanently." Ozai as he grinned from ear to ear and walked across the table. "From our airships, we will rain fire over their lands. A fire that will destroy everything." Ozai walked across from one side of the map to middle of it. "And out of the ashes," he said as opened his arms to the side, "a new World will be born. A World in which all the lands are Fire Nation and I am," Ozai as he raised his arms high, "the supreme ruler of everything!" The generals applauded.

"Have you remembered?" the Aye-Aye spirit asked.

"Raava was the light spirit," said Aang as he closed his eyes.

"Don't worry. We will be together for all of your lifetimes and we will never give up," Raava said to Wan, the first Avatar.

"I remember," said Aang.

"Good," said the Aye-Aye spirit. "So, Stinky, what's the physical world like?"

"Right now, there's a war going on," Aang replied.

"Typical humans," said the spirit.

Zuko left the meeting. He met Mai.

"So, how did it go?" Mai asked.

"When I got to the meeting everyone welcomed me. My father had saved me a seat. He wanted me next to him," Zuko said as he and Mai walked. "I was literally at his right hand."

"Zuko, that's wonderful," said Mai as she grabbed on to him. "You must be happy?"

Zuko and Mai paused at the end of the hallway. They stood in front of a large ornate picture of Ozai, who is made to look incredibly powerful. Zuko looked up at this picture and Mai looked at him with concern.

"During the meeting, I was the perfect prince. The son my father wanted. But I wasn't me." Zuko bowed his head.

After talking with the Aye-Aye spirit, Aang focused on connecting with Raava.

"Most humans think only of themselves, no matter how many others are around," said Raava. "But you aren't like most humans."

Aang smiled. "The monks taught me that all life is sacred."

"But balance and peace are more important," said the light spirit. "I've been with you all these lifetimes and I will be with you until the end."

"I see," said Aang.

Aang returned from the Spirit World.

He slept on the bed that the rest of the group worked to build for him after they convinced him to sleep.

Zuko returned to his room. He undid his hair and took off his armor.

He sat down and wrote a letter to Mai.

Dear Mai,

I'm sorry you have to find out this way, but I'm leaving. I'm not that kid you used to fling mud at. We've both changed a lot since then. I used to think that if I captured the Avatar, my father would return my honor and he would love me. I tried to be something I wasn't, and all it did was make me realize how wrong it was to deny who I really am. The only way to restore my honor is by doing what I think is right, so I'm leaving.

I hope you'll understand,

Zuko

Zuko packed and changed into more casual clothes and an outer robe.

To Be Continued...