The Right Hand of Omashu

by ImmortalCrow18

We all know King Bumi is the world's greatest Earth-Bender but what if he found an apprentice, What if this apprentice became King Bumi's right hand man, What if he was an Earth-Bender that could bend the Earth in it's most primordial form, And what if this Earth-Bender Fell for a certain Blind Bandit. Follow my OC Dijin as he travels with the Gaang to fulfill The Avatar's destiny.

27. Power or Love What would you choose?

A/N Hello everyone! I'm so sorry for how long it's taken for this chapter to come out but here it is the Finale for season 2!

I'm still working on the story and started working on season 3. So please be patient and you will get more chapters.

I hope you all enjoy the chapter and continue to enjoy the story.

That's all I have to say. Now, on with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the last Air-bender or it's associated properties.

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After flying for a few hours Aang, Sokka, and Dijin made it to Chameleon Bay where Sokka was to meet up with his father.

Once they landed Aang spoke up saying "You haven't seen your Dad in over four years. You must be so excited, Sokka."

Aang looked over at the Warrior but he grimaced when he noticed it looked like Sokka was about to be sick.

Sokka just retched for second before saying "I know I should be excited, but I just feel sick to my stomach."

Dijin placed a hand on Sokka's shoulder while saying "It's just nerves. This is a very intimidating experience your about to go through so it's natural that you'd feel this way."

Aang just smiled at Sokka and said "Everything's gonna be fine. Don't be nervous, he's gonna be so happy to see you."

Sokka smiled at his friends for making him feel better before he looked at Aang and asked "So, what about you? Are you nervous to meet this Guru?"

Aang shook his head before saying "Not at all. I'm ready to master the Avatar State. I'll do whatever it takes."

Sokka just nodded his head before climbing down off of Appa while Aang and Dijin waved goodbye saying "See you in a week." Aang then cracked Appa's reigns having him take off towards the Eastern Air Temple.

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile back in Ba Sing Se, The Earth King was talking with the Kyoshi Warriors who were Azula and her friends in disguise in his throne room.

As the King sat in his throne, he looked at his pet bear Bosco and said "Look, Bosco, The Kyoshi Warriors are here to protect us." The King then grabbed Bosco's cheeks and pinched them while saying "Aren't you excited?"

The King let Bosco go before turning towards the imposter warriors and said "It's been a difficult time for me. My most trusted advisor, Long-Feng, and his Dai Li agents tried to take control of Ba Sing Se from me."

The Lead Kyoshi warrior who was Azula spoke up saying "It's terrible when you can't trust the people who are closest to you."

The King nodded his head before saying "Indeed, and to make matters worse, the Dai Li tell me that Long-Feng vanished from his cell and cannot be found."

Azula raised an eyebrow at that bit of information before saying "Oh, my. That is terrible. Do you have any clues on what happened at least?"

The King just shook his head saying "The only thing the agents were able to tell me was that the walls had been singed."

Azula starting to have an idea on what might have happened asked one final question saying "Is there perhaps any Earth in the dungeon where he could have escaped from?"

The King once again shook his head saying "No, all the cells are made of metal." The King then placed a hand to his chin in thought before he said "Though I suppose there is earth under the metal cells but no Bender is strong enough to bend through metal."

Azula just kept a straight face but in her mind, she was smirking up a storm since she believed she just figured out what happened to Long-Feng.

If her suspicions were right then Long-Feng did something to anger a certain Lava-bender and when the time came Long-Feng paid the price for his actions.

The King smiled at the disguised warriors and said "But, there is good news. As we speak, the council of five is meeting to plan an invasion of the Fire Nation this summer—on the day of a solar eclipse."

Azula's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before she calmly said "Really? Now that sounds like a fascinating and brilliant plan."

Azula then gained a subtle smirk as her plans were beginning to come to fruition.

xxLine Breakxx

As the Earth King was speaking with the disguised Azula. Katara was talking with the Council of Five in the War Room at a guard tower near the Palace.

Inside the war room, Katara and the Generals were standing around a large map of the Four Nations and going over the Invasion plan.

Since General How was the leader of the council, he started the meeting saying "Former General Fong's base will serve as the launching point for the attack. In exactly two months, the army and navy will invade the Fire Nation on The Day of Black Sun."

How then thrusted his hands forward and to the side Earth-bending some stone markers to move towards the Fire Nation side of the map.

However, Momo suddenly jumped onto the table and grabbed the moving markers before he started running across the map freely.

Katara giggled at the display before saying "Or we could send Momo to do some damage. Hahahaha"

The generals all frowned and remained silent not liking Momo's display or Katara's nonchalant attitude.

Katara realizing she was the only one laughing quickly schooled herself and grabbed Momo before saying "Sorry."

General How just raised his hand and clenched his fist bending the markers back to where they were.

The General then grabbed a scroll that was tied with a tassel before he looked at Katara saying "All we need is the Earth King's seal in order to execute the plan."

How placed the scroll on the stone edge of the map before he thrusted his fist forwards sending the section of the table with the scroll on it towards Katara.

Katara grabbed the Scroll as she said "I'll get this to him right away. Thank you General How."

Katara then left the room to go see the Earth King.

xxLine Breakxx

In another part of Ba Sing Se, Toph had just arrived at the address where she was supposed to meet her mother.

Toph stopped at the doors to the building before taking a calming breath and heading inside.

Once inside Toph spoke up saying "Hello, Mom? Anyone home?"

Toph walked inside till she was in the center of the room before she stopped and turned her head slightly.

Toph's eyes suddenly widened as she felt a presence and tried to defend herself but whoever was in the room was faster.

Before Toph knew it a metal coffin came down from the ceiling and trapped the blind Earth-bender inside.

Toph began to frantically grab at the metal walls in a panic since she couldn't see and shouted out somewhat scared "Hey! Who do you think you're dealing with?"

Suddenly two individuals dropped down from the second floor and walked into the light revealing themselves to be Xin Fu and Master Yu.

Xin Fu glared at the coffin and said coldly "Your one loudmouthed brat who strayed too far from home."

Xin Fu and Master Yu then walked up to coffin and worked together to lift it and take it to a nearby cart they had ready while Toph continued to bang against her cage.

xxLine Breakxx

Back with Aang and Dijin the two benders were flying on Appa in a canyon full of tall mountains with fog surrounding the area below them.

However, it wasn't Long before Aang saw the familiar sight of the Air Temple and he started to head there while saying "We're here, Dijin."

Dijin looked up from his spot and he was surprised at what he saw.

Unlike the Northern Air-temple where it was mostly intact save for Teo's father's modifications, The Eastern Air-temple was in ruins. There was stone rubble everywhere and most of the buildings were either caved in or burned while most of the art work and statues were destroyed.

After looking at the temple Aang squinted his eyes as he noticed something or someone sitting in the meditation garden of the temple.

Aang had Appa fly over and land in the area before he and Dijin climbed down.

Aang and Dijin looked around for a second before they noticed an old man sitting in the meditation circle above them.

The man had brown skin and was skinny to the point you could almost see his bones, he wore a turban on his head, he had a long white beard, and the only form of clothing he wore seemed to be a white Dhoti.

Aang looked up at the man and said "Uh, hello?"

When Aang received no answer, he Looked at Dijin who shrugged his shoulders. Aang just shrugged his own shoulders before the two benders began climbing the staircase next to the structure and made their way to meet the so-called Guru.

Once they made it to the top of the structure Aang looked at the Guru who was meditating before he said "You're Guru Pathik, right? The person who attached the note to Appa's horn?"

Guru Pathik did not break in his meditation but he did reply to Aang saying "Indeed, I was a spiritual brother of your people, and a personal friend of Monk Gyatso."

Aang sat down in front of the Guru followed by Dijin while Aang said "In your note, you said you could teach me to gain control of the Avatar state. How?"

The Guru finally opened his eyes and looked at the two before saying "Ah, but you see I'm just not meant to help you Avatar."

Aang and Dijin looked at each other weirdly before Aang asked "Who else are you supposed to help?"

The Guru smiled and said "He is sitting right next to you."

The benders gained wide eyes before Dijin said "What! How are you supposed to help me? I'm no Avatar. I don't have some special spiritual power I can use. What good could come of you teaching me?"

The Guru just remained calm and looked at Dijin while saying "A long-time ago I was given a vision that I would one day help the Avatar and his most trusted friend and that day has finally come, and while you may not have the same abilities as the Avatar you still have hidden potential within you that can be unlocked."

The Guru then looked at them both before saying "You both must gain balance within yourselves before you can bring balance to the world. And the first step to gaining balance begins with this."

Guru Pathik then quickly grabbed two coconut shell halves filled with some yellow liquid and handed them to the two benders while saying "Drink up."

The two benders grabbed the offered drinks and looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders and drinking the beverages.

However, their eyes immediately bugged out of their sockets before they both did a massive spit-take and began coughing.

Aang finished his coughing fit before saying "This tastes like onion and banana juice!"

Guru Pathik just smiled and said "That's because it is." the Guru grabbed his own coconut full of juice and drank it all in one gulp while saying "Yum, Yum."

The two benders looked at the Guru weirdly as they realized this visit may go a little differently than they anticipated.

xxLine Breakxx

Back in Ba Sing Se, Azula and her two friends were in their quarters given to them by the Earth King.

Mai and Ty Lee were currently in the process of taking off their Kyoshi warrior makeup while Azula was pacing the room behind them since her makeup was already removed.

As Azula paced she spoke to her friends saying "We have been presented with an extraordinary opportunity, girls."

Ty Lee finished removing the makeup from her eyes before she looked at the other two girls saying "Mai finally gets to wear makeup that's not totally depressing." Ty lee then smiled at the bored looking girl making Mai glare at the bubbly girl while mascara was smeared on her face.

Azula stopped pacing and looked out their rooms window while saying "I'm talking about conquering the whole Earth Kingdom."

The two girls looked at Azula surprised since the Fire Nation has been trying to do just that for 100 years so they were curious at what Azula was talking about.

Azula kept staring out the window as she continued speaking saying "For a hundred years the Fire Nation has hammered away at Ba Sing Se from the outside. But now we are on the inside, and we can take it by ourselves."

Ty Lee looked at Azula in awe and said "Gosh, you're so confident. I really admire that about you."

Azula just raised an eyebrow at the complement before she spoke again saying "From the inside, we're in perfect position to organize a coup and overthrow the Earth King. The key is the Dai Li. Whoever controls the Dai Li controls Ba Sing Se and with their leader gone there is a power a vacuum within the organization and I intend to fill it."

Azula turned around and faced the two other girls before saying "Listen up ladies, here is what we're going to do."

Azula then began to explain her plan to her two cohorts while they listened intently.

xxLine Breakxx

As Azula schemed in Ba Sing Se, Xin Fu and Master Yu were traveling down an unknown road so nobody would notice their prisoner in the back of the cart.

The duo came to a fork in the road making Master Yu speak up saying "I believe we need to go right!"

Xin Fu just growled and said "What are you talking about? The way to the Bei Fong estate is left."

Master Yu shook his head while saying "I'm quite certain your mistaken."

Suddenly, Toph started banging against the Metal coffin before shouting "Hey, can you two old ladies quit your bitchin' for a second? I gotta take a piss!"

Master Yu gained an awkward look before he said "Oh... Uh..." He then schooled his features and reached for the key to the coffin while saying "Okay, but make it quick."

However, Xin Fu quickly grabbed Master Yu's arm and shouted "What's wrong with you?!"

Master Yu's eyes widened as he realized he was almost tricked before he smirked and looked at the coffin and said "Oh, very sneaky, Toph! Nice try, but you can't trick me." Master Yu then put the key away and resumed his previous position.

Toph just banged against the coffin again while shouting "Let me outta here you pussies, So I can kick both your asses!"

Xin Fu slammed his fist against the metal prison while shouting "Quit your banging! You might think you're the greatest Earth-bender in the world, but even you can't bend metal."

Inside the coffin Toph just gained a curious look as she listened to Xin Fu.

Toph then placed her hand on the metal surface and closed her eyes before saying to herself "I wonder..."

Toph then slammed her hands into the metal and for the briefest of moments she swore she felt the tiniest amount of earth.

Toph smirked before widening her stance as she began to repeatedly slam her hands into the metal coffin to test out her theory.

xxLine Breakxx

Back with the Guru, it was now nighttime and Guru Pathik Had Aang and Dijin remove their shirts before taking them to creek with multiple pools of water that had grass and other debris floating in them.

Once they arrived the Guru looked at the creek in front of them and said "In order to master the Avatar State and to unlock your hidden potential, you must open all the chakras."

The Guru then looked at the two benders before saying "Aang, Dijin, tell me everything you know about chakras."

Aang and Dijin just had blank faces before saying at the same time "What are chakras?"

The Guru seemed to have annoyed frown before he said "Oh, I see. I guess we'll start with the basics."

The Guru grabbed a stick before turning towards the water and crouching down as he said "The water flows through this creek much like the energy flows through your bodies." The guru used his stick to move the water around while he spoke saying "As you see there are several pools where the water swirls around before flowing on. These pools are like our chakras."

Aang starting to get the idea spoke up saying "So, chakras are pools of energy in our bodies?"

The guru smiled at Aang and said "Exactly. If nothing else were around, this creek would flow pure and clear. However, life is messy, and things tend to fall into the creek, and then what happens?"

Dijin answered this time saying "The creek can't flow."

The guru just replied "yes. But if we open the paths between the pools..." he then used his stick to move some grass that was blocking the pool pathway.

After that, the grass and debris all flowed smoothly down the creek making the water seem clearer and run smoother.

After seeing this both Aang and Dijin realized what the Guru meant before shouting "The energy flows!"

The guru threw his stick away before he looked at the two benders and said "Now that you have a basic understanding of chakras. It is now time to start unlocking them. Follow me and we'll get started."

The Guru turned around and started walking away making Aang and Dijin follow him.

xxLine Breakxx

The place Guru Pathik had in mind to unlock their chakras was a deep hollow cavern where all three of them were sitting in mediative poses on a large slab of stone.

The Guru looked at the two benders and began his lesson saying "There are seven chakras that go up the body. Each pool of energy has a purpose, and can be blocked by a specific kind of emotional muck. But be warned—opening the chakras is an intense experience, and once you both begin this process, you cannot stop until all seven are open." The Guru looked at the two seriously and asked "Are you ready?"

Aang looked away for second before turning towards the Guru with a determined gaze and said "I'll do whatever it takes."

Dijin looked at the Guru unsure before saying "I'm not sure what this will accomplish but I'm ready to learn whatever you have to teach me."

The Guru nodded at them before he said "Good, now close your eyes and clear your mind."

The two benders did just that closing their eyes and taking small deep breaths.

Next, the Guru began to speak to them as they meditated saying "First we will open the Earth chakra, located at the base of the spine. It deals with survival and is blocked by fear. What are you most afraid of? Let your fears become clear to you."

As the Guru spoke Dijin's and Aang's eyes began squeeze tight as flashes of their past went through their minds.

For Aang, he was remembering all the times he hurt people in the avatar state or when he couldn't save those he cared about.

For Dijin, he was remembering the times he felt alone in the underground arena and when he saw Omashu in control of the Fire Nation.

Suddenly the two were pulled into their own versions of what they feared the most.

Aang opened his eyes in his vision and instantly screamed in fear as he was surrounded by fire and Fire Lord Ozai was bearing down on him.

Next, Dijin opened his eyes in his vision and was instantly horrified because all around him were the dead bodies of those he cared about. Be began to tear up as passed by each of his friends corpses, Katara was lain against a rock but half her body was burned, His master and father figure King Bumi had a burn mark where his heart was showing he was struck by lightning, Sokka was sprawled on the ground with multiple weapons sticking out of him, Toph was almost unrecognizable since her body was a charred corpse and the only way Dijin knew it was her was the jade bracelet on her arm, and worst of all when Dijin finally came to a stop he collapsed to his knees as he looked at Aang's dead body.

The Avatar had multiple wounds ranging from burns to lacerations but the most prominent injury was the hole in his stomach surrounded by burns.

However, before Dijin could react Aang's eyes suddenly opened before he shot up and grabbed Dijin while gasping out "Why?..." Aang coughed and spat out a glob of blood before he looked at Dijin with horrified eyes saying "Why weren't you there to protect us?"

Aang then collapsed in Dijin's arms making him scream out "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

After seeing the two benders struggle Guru Pathik spoke to them in their visions saying "Aang, Dijin, your visions are not real. You are concerned for your survival and the survival of others, but you must surrender those fears. Let your fears flow down the creek."

Aang and Dijin took the Guru's words to heart and took deep breaths before calming down and meditating.

Soon It didn't take the two long to feel something unlock within them making Guru Pathik smile at the two while saying "You have opened your earth chakras."

Dijin and Aang wiped the sweat from their foreheads while letting out sighs of relief before the Guru stood up and said "Come this way now, we have another place we need to go to."

Guru Pathik then made his way out of the cave followed by Aang and Dijin.

xxLine Breakxx

The next place Guru Pathik had in mind to unlock the benders chakras was a stone ledge surrounded by waterfalls.

As the three sat by a waterfall Guru Pathik explained the next chakra saying "Next is the..."

But he was cut off by Aang and Dijin who guessed the next Chakra with both of them saying "Water Chakra?"

The Guru just smiled wide and said "Brilliant! Maybe one day you two will be Gurus, too." The Guru got serious again before continuing the lesson saying "This Chakra deals with pleasure, and is blocked by guilt. Now, look at all the guilt that burdens you both so. What do you blame yourselves for?"

Aang and Dijin began to meditate again and soon they were given visions of what they felt guilty about the most.

Aang spoke up first saying "I ran away when I was needed most and I've hurt people along my journey to being the Avatar."

Dijin spoke next saying "I wasn't there when Omashu was invaded by the Fire Nation and I couldn't protect the people who needed it the most. Now, my home and the man I see as a father are prisoners of the Fire Nation."

The Guru looked at the two and said wisely "You must accept the reality that these things happened, but do not let them cloud and poison your energy. If you are both to be positive influences on the world, you need to forgive yourselves."

The two benders nodded before taking deeps breaths and meditating again. Next, just like before they both felt a calm rush over them as they felt something unlock within themselves again.

The Guru again smiled at the two's progress before saying "You have opened the Water Chakra, well done. Now, come with me we still have five more chakras to unlock." Guru Pathik stood up and began walking away while Dijin and Aang followed him.

xxLine Breakxx

The third location Guru Pathik had in mind was a small ledge at the peak of a tall mountain surrounded by clouds.

As the three sat on the ledge Guru Pathik was giving his lesson while Dijin was trying not to freak out at being so high up.

The Guru started his lesson saying "Third is the Fire chakra, Located in the stomach."

Aang interrupted the lesson by speaking up saying "My Fire chakra would like to eat something besides Onion-banana juice."

Dijin spoke next saying "I second that."

Guru Pathik just chuckled while saying "Good one. Now, moving on." The Guru got serious again before saying "This Chakra deals with will power and is blocked by shame. What are you both ashamed of? What are your biggest disappointments in yourselves?"

Aang and Dijin began to mediate again and they were given visions of what they were ashamed of most.

For Aang he saw himself Fire-bending and burning Katara's hands again while Dijin was seeing all the lives he has taken over the years with most of them being lives he never wanted to take in the first place.

Aang spoke first saying "I'm never gonna Fire-bend again. I can't."

Dijin spoke next saying "I've killed so many people and some of them were innocent, I can't forgive myself for that."

The Guru looked at them both and said "You will never find balance, if you deny these parts of your lives. Aang, you are the Avatar, and therefore, you are a Fire-bender."

The Guru looked at Dijin next saying "And Dijin, you may have taken lives over the years but you were forced into a position out of your control. This does not make you the villain you make yourself out to be but a victim of circumstance."

Despite knowing the Guru was right the two benders still struggled to let go of their shame. However, they each took a deep breath and felt something unlock within them again only it wasn't as strong as the other ones.

Guru Pathik looked at the two benders with a raised eyebrow and said "Hmmm, those chakras opened less like a flowing creek, and more like... burping bison's."

Ironically both Aang and Dijin let out huge belches before smacking their lips.

Aang then spoke up saying "Tastes like onion and bananas, but, strangely, something else. Pickles?"

Dijin smacked his lips again before saying "I'm tasting something more on the lines of... Cabbage?"

Guru Pathik just looked at the benders and shrugged his shoulders saying "I don't know. But now, let us retire for the night and continue in the morning."

The guru stood up and began walking away again forcing Aang and Dijin to follow him only Dijin was literally hugging the wall to make sure he didn't fall or look down.

xxLine Breakxx

Back in Ba Sing Se, it was late the next morning and Mai and Ty Lee were guarding the entrance to the palace in their Kyoshi warrior disguises.

However, little did they know some Dai Li agents were watching them to see what they were up to.

Currently, Mai was just lounging on the palace steps while Ty Lee was casually bending her body at different angles showing off an impressive amount of flexibility.

Soon, Mai let out a bored groan before saying "I'm tired of wearing this girly disguise. I don't know how anyone can fight in this."

Ty Lee just bent her body backwards before saying "Maybe that's why it was so easy to beat the Kyoshi Warriors and take their clothes."

Mai groaned again before saying "How much longer do we have to serve the Earth King? If I have to clean up one more pile of bear poop, I'm gonna stab someone."

Ty Lee smiled at her friend while she leaned on her hands but had her feet resting on her head before she said "Princess Azula promised we would go back to the Fire Nation as soon as we captured the Avatar. We just have to be patient."

Mai quickly rounded on Ty Lee harshly saying "Shut up! Do you want the whole palace to know we're Fire nation?"

Ty Lee just stood upright saying "Sorry."

After that, The Dai Li agents smirked at one another before disappearing into the shadows while Azula came out from her own hiding spot showing the whole conservation was staged.

Azula smirked at the retreating agents before looking at Mai and Ty Lee saying "Good work, girls. Now that we have sown the seeds of doubt, we just have to wait for the Dai Li to send us an invitation for a meeting."

The three girls smiled at one another as Azula's plan was starting to come together.

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile with Aang and Dijin they were currently sitting in the destroyed courtyard of the Air Temple with Guru Pathik getting ready to unlock their fourth chakras.

The Guru looked at his two students and said "The fourth chakra is located in the heart. It deals with love, and is blocked by grief. Lay all your grief out in front of you."

Aang and Dijin took a breath and began meditating before they started to see visions of their grief.

For Aang he was seeing all the Air nomads in front of him before they all disappeared.

While for Dijin he was seeing people he never thought he'd see again.

Standing in front of him was his real family and they were actually smiling at Dijin even his father before they vanished in a wave of smoke.

Guru Pathik could feel the two's grief and spoke up saying "You both have, indeed, felt a great loss. But love is a form of energy, and it swirls around us. The Air Nomads and your family's love for you has not left this world. It is still inside your hearts, and is reborn in the form of new love. Let the pain flow away."

Next, in Aang's and Dijin's visions the images started to change.

For Aang the Air Nomads vanished completely and soon an image of Katara began to form making Aang smile.

Meanwhile for Dijin the smoke cleared in his vision before an image of Toph appeared smirking at him.

After a few seconds the two benders had silent tears coming out their eyes before they felt something unlock within them again causing the guru to smile and say "Very good."

Aang wiped his eyes and looked at the Guru while asking "Can I have some onion-banana juice, please?"

Dijin wiped his eyes as well before saying "Me too, please."

The guru just smiled and nodded his head at the two before they made their way to get the drinks and unlock the next chakra.

xxLine Breakxx

Guru Pathik led Aang and Dijin to an empty chamber with an almost intact Air Nomad statute that was at least 50 feet high.

The three were currently sitting in front of the statue as Guru Pathik went over the fifth chakra saying "The fifth in the chain is the sound chakra, located in the throat. It deals with truth, and is blocked by lies—the ones we tell ourselves."

Aang and Dijin did as they did before and began meditating with each of them envisioning something different.

Aang was remembering when he first met Katara and Sokka and how they found out he was the Avatar.

"Why didn't you tell us you were the Avatar?" Aang remembered Katara saying before he unconsciously answered the question out loud saying "because I never wanted to be."

Meanwhile Dijin was remembering the mission where he led his men to their deaths even going as far as to remember one of his men's words "Are you sure this is wise sir? The enemy may know we are coming. It may be wiser to follow the mission as planned."

Dijin unconsciously spoke his reply out loud as his memory flashed saying "Nonsense, we have the element of surprise on our side. Our victory is all but assured. Now, get ready to attack."

After hearing the two speak The Guru looked at Aang first saying "You cannot lie about your own nature. You must accept that you are the Avatar."

The Guru then looked at Dijin and said "And you cannot lie about your past failures. You must accept that you made mistakes that led to terrible consequences but you have now learned from those mistakes and moved on."

The benders did as they did before and took deep breaths, feeling their chakras unlock again.

The guru smiled at the two and said "Very good, Aang, Dijin. You have opened the Chakra of truth."

Guru Pathik stood up again and motioned for the two to follow him.

Since the two have gotten used to things by now they followed the guru without question to their next destination.

xxLine Breakxx

The sixth location was a large spiraling staircase that went up one of the mountains surrounding the temple.

Currently Guru Pathik and the two benders were sitting on the steps as the Guru explained the sixth chakra saying "The sixth pool of energy is the light chakra, located in the center of the forehead. It deals with insight and is blocked by illusion. The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation. Things you think are separate and different are actually one and the same."

Aang and Dijin took mediative poses before Aang replied saying "Like the Four Nations."

The Guru nodded his head before saying "Yes, we are all one people, but we live as if divided."

Dijin spoke this time saying "We are all connected. Everything is connected."

The guru nodded his head saying "That's right. Even the separation of the four elements is an illusion. If you open your mind, you will see that all the elements are one—four parts of the same whole. Even metal is just a part of earth that has been purified and refined. Now, dismiss the illusion and let it flow down the creek."

Aang and Dijin took deep breaths and felt their chakras unlock once again causing the Guru to stand and say seriously "It is now time for the seventh chakra, follow me you two."

The two benders stood up and followed the guru to their final lesson.

xxLine Breakxx

As Aang and Dijin prepared for their final lesson Toph was still testing out her theory and was still slamming her hands into her metal prison.

Toph slammed her hands into the sides of the coffin before slamming them into the front repeatedly.

Toph let out a grunt of effort while saying "Come on metal... Budge." Toph then took a deep breath and widened her stance as much as she could before she exhaled and slammed her fists into the front of the coffin and finally the metal gave way, being bent forward.

Toph smiled wide and just shook her hand while saying "Whoo! Toph, you rule."

Toph then began to use her new ability to bend an opening in the coffin and give her captors a nice surprise.

Meanwhile, In the front of the cart. Xin Fu and Master Yu were just sitting silently before they heard a loud crash come from the back of the cart.

Xin Fu quickly made their ostrich-horse stop before the two ran to the back of the cart.

The two were then shocked to find a huge hole in the metal coffin and Toph was missing.

Master Yu stared at the hole in disbelief and said "It has to be another one of her tricks."

Xin Fu stood in front of the hole and waved at it while shouting "There's a giant hole in the box! How is that a trick?"

Suddenly they heard Toph shout from behind them saying "It's Not!"

The two wannabe bounty hunters turned towards Toph but she acted quickly by rotating her arms in circle left and right.

Next, two earth walls erupted next to the other two benders before they were crushed by the walls making the grunt in pain.

Toph then quickly rotated in a circle and thrusted her arms and feet backwards with her back facing the two benders.

The two were then launched into the metal coffin by a large Earth-pillar before Toph launched herself in the air with a smaller Earth-pillar and landed on the coffin.

Next, with her new ability she grabbed the sides of the coffin and bent the hole closed around her former captors.

Toph then stood triumphantly on top of the coffin before shouting "I'm the greatest Earth-bender in the world and don't you Assholes ever forget it!"

Toph then jumped down onto the ground making a small crater before her feet started making the ground erupt under her as she began surfing waves of earth at a fast rate towards the direction of Ba Sing Se.

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile in Ba Sing Se, Katara was on her way to see the Earth King to tell him about the invasion plan but she suddenly noticed a very busy tea shop that had a sign reading 'The Jasmine Dragon. Grand Opening!'

Katara looked at Momo who was on her shoulder and said "What do you say, Momo? A cup of tea before we get back to the King?"

Momo just chittered happily causing Katara to smile and head into the busy tea shop.

Luckily service wasn't slow in the shop because as soon as Katara walked in she was instantly greeted by a waiter and asked for the number of her party.

Katara smiled at the great service and said "Table for two, please."

However, Katara's visit was cut short due to the fact of hearing familiar voices that she thought she would never hear in Ba Sing Se.

"Uncle, I need two jasmine, one green, and one lychee." shouted Prince Zuko as he carried a tray of tea cups towards his uncle who was brewing tea.

Iroh just smiled wide at his nephew and shouted back "I'm brewing as fast as I can!"

Katara gained wide eyes as she watched two Fire-benders hide in plain sight before she quickly ran out of the Tea shop and towards the palace to warn the Earth King and the Kyoshi Warriors.

xxLine Breakxx

Back at the Air Temple, Guru Pathik took them to the mediative garden where they first met him and all three were sitting in the meditation circle in a triangle formation.

Before the lesson got started Aang looked at the guru and asked "This is the last Chakra, isn't it?"

Guru Pathik nodded his head and said "Yes. Once you both open this chakra, you will be able to go in and out of the Avatar State at will and be able to use your new abilities respectively. And Aang, when you are in the Avatar state, you will have complete control and awareness of your actions."

After hearing he would be in full control of the Avatar State, Aang just gained a determined smirk and said "Let's do this."

The Guru didn't waste time and started the lesson saying "The thought chakra is located at the crown of the head. It deals with pure cosmic energy and is blocked by earthly attachments. Meditate on what attaches you both to this world."

Both Aang and Dijin took deep breaths before they began to meditate and saw visions of what they felt the most attached to.

For Aang he saw visions of Katara and all the times she and Aang bonded together.

While for Dijin he was granted visions of Toph and all the times they grew close.

Dijin and Aang smiled as they thought of the two people they care about the most before Guru Pathik's voice rang out through their visions saying "Now, let all of those attachments go. Let them flow down the river... Forgotten."

Suddenly Aang and Dijin snapped their eyes open while they both shouted "What!?"

Aang then spoke up saying "Why would I let go of Katara? I... I love her."

Dijin spoke next saying "I agree with Aang. I can't just let go of Toph I only just found out I love her!"

Guru Pathik just remained calm and said "You both must learn to let them go, or you cannot let the pure cosmic energy flow in from the universe."

Dijin just frowned and said "Why would someone choose power over love. That's stupid."

Aang nodded his head saying "Yeah. Why would I choose cosmic energy over Katara? How could it be a bad thing Dijin and I feel attachment towards the girls we love. Three chakras ago that was a good thing!"

The Guru kept his calm demeanor and explained to the two what he meant saying "You must learn to let go. Though you may love these women, when the times comes for them to leave your lives you must be able to move on and do what must be done, otherwise the world and yourselves will be torn apart."

Dijin and Aang looked at each other before they looked at the Guru with Aang asking "Can you let us think on this for a few minutes?"

The Guru simply nodded his head and said "Take your time we have nowhere else to be."

The two nodded their heads before standing up and moving away so they could talk in private.

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile, back in Ba Sing Se. Katara had finally reached the palace and was running towards the throne room to warn the Kyoshi warriors and the King about Iroh and Zuko.

Katara was panting franticly as she ran down the halls leading to the throne room before she made it to the rooms large ornate doors and rushed inside.

Katara noticed the trio of Kyoshi warriors were kneeling around the throne but the Earth King was nowhere to found.

She quickly shook that fact out of her head before she spoke to who she thought was Suki saying "Thank goodness you're here, Suki. Something terrible is going on. The Fire nation has infiltrated the city. I just saw prince Zuko and his uncle! We have to tell the Earth King right away!"

The disguised Azula just smirked and stood up while saying "Oh, don't worry. I'll be sure to let him know."

Katara suddenly got a bad feeling and took a closer look at the Kyoshi warrior before her eyes widened in shock due the fact, she saw that the supposed Suki had amber eyes.

Katara realizing the Kyoshi warriors were frauds jumped back and got ready to attack. However, Ty Lee acted faster and jumped upwards before doing a back-flip behind Katara. Next, Ty Lee jabbed Katara with a few well-placed jabs making the Water-bender grunt in pain before she fell to ground unable to move while her water from her pouch spilled around her.

Katara could only lay on the ground unmoving with her eyes wide open in shock as Azula and her friends gathered around her.

Azula just smirked at the downed girl before saying "So, Zu-Zu's in the city, too. I think it's time for a family reunion." Azula looked at her friends and said "Go and find some suitable commendations for our friend here, ladies."

Mai and Ty Lee nodded their heads before they started to drag Katara away leaving a plotting Azula behind.

xxLine Breakxx

Back at the Air Temple, Aang and Dijin had finished their discussion and were now sitting and talking to the Guru again.

Aang spoke first saying "I'm sorry, but I can't let go of Katara."

Dijin spoke next saying "and I can't let go of Toph."

The Guru sighed before he looked at the two and said "Aang, Dijin, to master the Avatar State and unlock your potential, you must open all the chakras. Surrender yourselves."

Dijin and Aang looked at each other and realized the Guru was right so they at least had to try.

The two looked at the guru and both said "Ok, we'll try."

The two took a mediative pose and took deep breaths before they began to have visons.

As their visions started the two heard the guru speak saying "Think of your attachments and let them go. Let the pure cosmic energy flow."

In Dijin's vision, he suddenly found himself in pitch black darkness before a fire red path appeared in front of him.

Dijin seeing no other alternative began to walk forward and as he walked, he heard the sound of war drums being played slowly.

Soon Dijin noticed dark figures were beginning to form on either side of the path.

The more Dijin continued forward the clearer the forms became, and as he walked he noticed the figures were that of men and women all dressed from different eras but what was strangest of all was that Dijin couldn't see their faces only a pair fire red eyes.

Dijin walked for a few minutes and the war drums being played began to beat louder and faster, before he came across an amazing sight.

In front of him was a massive active volcano, it had rivers of lava powering down it's sides while fire erupted all over the ground.

However, Dijin soon felt a shadow tower over him before he looked up and his eyes widened in slight fear.

Towering above the Lava-bender was a massive giant, He was as large as the Earth King's palace if not larger, his entire body was pure muscle and toned to perfection, unlike the other figures Dijin could see more defined features on the giants face such as a goatee and mustache and thick eye brows, but like all the other figures his eyes were a fire red.

The Giant leant down to Dijin's level and spoke saying "The time has come, for you to take what is rightfully yours."

Before Dijin could question what the giant meant the great being placed a giant finger upon Dijin's forehead.

Dijin eyes then suddenly widened and he began screaming due to the fact he felt something burn inside of him. Then before he knew it Dijin felt power exploded from within him as his eyes and mouth glowed fire red and the world erupted into a giant volcanic eruption.

Suddenly Dijin snapped his eyes open and started breathing heavy. He looked around and saw he was back in the meditation garden.

Dijin also noticed Aang was still in a trance while the Guru was smiling at him.

The Guru continued to smile as he said "Congratulations Dijin, you have unlocked all the chakras."

Dijin looked at his hands before he looked at Guru and asked "What will I be able to do now?"

The Guru just cryptically said "That is something only you can find out."

Dijin nodded in understanding before he looked at Aang and wondered what he was seeing in his vision.

Meanwhile in said vision, Aang was seeing stars and planets while also seeing images of Katara but like the guru said he let Katara flow out of his mind.

Next, Aang found himself standing on a path made of light hovering above the Earth.

Aang smiled at the shining lights before he looked forward down the path and saw a giant version of himself floating in space.

The giant version of Aang was completely dark hiding his features save for his glowing blue arrow tattoos and eyes.

Aang seeing no other way, started to walk towards the giant being until he was standing between the giant's hands.

The giant formed a ball energy between his hands that enveloped Aang while his tattoos began to glow along with the giants.

Aang soon began to feel a great amount of energy enter his body so he closed his eyes and let the energy flow like the guru said to.

However, as Aang was connecting with the cosmic energy he was granted another vison only this time he was seeing what was happening in present time.

He quickly heard the sound of Katara's voice in distress as she screamed "Heeeelp! Let me go!"

Aang eyes snapped open and after realizing Katara was in trouble he quickly jumped out of the giants embrace and started to run down the path of light away from the giant.

However, in doing so the world he was in began to fade away as the giant disappeared first followed by the stars and then finally the path of light began to crumble away.

Aang just continued to run until he felt the path fall from under him and he screamed in terror as he fell to the earth.

In the real world, Aang's eyes suddenly snapped open and he looked around in a panic.

Dijin seeing Aang's state grasped his shoulder and said "Aang, what's wrong?"

Aang just stood up and said "Katara's in danger! We have to go!" Aang quickly gathered his robes and started to run towards Appa.

Dijin quickly got up to follow him but the Guru stood up in a panic and shouted at Aang saying "No, Aang! By choosing attachment you have locked the final chakra! If you leave now, you won't be able to go into the Avatar State at all!"

Aang just stood still for a few seconds before he jumped down from the meditation circle and ran towards his sky bison.

Dijin bowed towards the guru and said "Thank you for everything." before he quickly followed after Aang.

The guru just watched the two benders depart with a sad gaze as he thought "Please Dijin, follow your destiny and keep the Avatar safe."

xxLine Breakxx

Back in Ba Sing Se, After Katara left Iroh's and Zuko's tea shop the two had busy day of making and serving tea.

The Fire-benders in hiding had truly come far, they now had their own tea Shop, they have a penthouse apartment in the upper ring and now had good reputations.

Iroh now had a trimmed beard, he had a small braided ponytail while the rest of his hair was spread out, He wore a tan, gold, and green robe that went to his shins that had Earth Kingdom symbols on it, under the robe he wore white silk pants that were tied with a gold sash, he wore a white undershirt, and for shoes he wore silk slippers.

Zuko had grown his hair out to the point it covered most of his forehead and went to the middle of his neck, he wore a tan, gold and green robe that went to his shins but split at the waist, the robe had cloud designs on it while under the robe he wore a green sleeveless shirt, he wore a pair of brown pants tied with a black sash, and for shoes he wore brown and gold boots.

Currently, the two were cleaning up the shop for the night when suddenly a messenger from the palace brought Iroh a scrolled message.

As Zuko swept the floor Iroh's eyes suddenly widened at what he was reading and looked towards his nephew while exclaiming "I... I can't believe it."

Zuko walked towards his uncle and asked "What is it, uncle?"
Iroh just excitedly said "Great news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King! Oh, by the spirits! I must go and prepare our best tea for the occasion!"

Iroh quickly took off to prepare for the Earth King while Zuko shook his head at his uncle with a smile before he went back to sweeping the floor.

xxLine Breakxx

Back with Aang and Dijin, the two benders had made a quick stop and picked Sokka up from Chameleon Bay since it was his sister that was in trouble.

After saying goodbye to his father Sokka quickly joined the two as our hero's now flew across the Earth Kingdom back towards Ba Sing Se.

As they flew Sokka looked at Aang and asked "So, what kind of trouble is Katara in?"

Aang just replied "I don't know. In my vision, I just knew she needed help."

Sokka let out an annoyed sigh before saying "You know, it would be nice if your Avatar powers could be just a little more specific from time to time."

Suddenly the three of them heard the sound of Earth rumbling causing Sokka to point towards the ground and shout "What's that?"

The other two looked over the side of the saddle and saw someone Earth-bending the ground so they could surf on it.

Dijin gained a wide smile as he recognized the person below surfing on the Earth causing him to shout "It's Toph!"

The three of them smiled before Aang had Appa fly down towards the blind Earth-bender.

Once they were close enough Sokka shouted at Toph saying "Need a ride?"

Sadly, this surprised Toph causing her to lose her concentration and trip on the earth she was surfing and fall over.

Dijin quickly smacked Sokka upside head while saying "Sokka, you idiot!" before he jumped off the bison and picked Toph up bridal style.

However, the girl palm thrusted Dijin's Chin and started struggling in his grasp before shouting "Let me go Sokka! It's your fault I fell in the first place!"

Dijin just kept his grip on the girl as he struggled to say "Toph...stop... It's me... Dijin."

Toph instantly stopped moving as she held Dijin's stretched out cheeks in her hands before she blinked owlishly for a second.

She then spoke up saying "Oh...Well in that case." Toph then instantly glomped onto Dijin wrapping her arms and legs around him as she said "What took you so long, Hot Rocks."

Dijin just smiled and held onto Toph as he said "Long story."

Before the two could bond further Sokka suddenly shouted at the two saying "Enough with the mushy act guys! In case you forgot, my sister is in danger!"

Dijin gained a sweat drop as he said "Right, sorry." He then quickly climbed back onto Appa with Toph hugging her body around his arm.

Once the two were safely seated Aang cracked Appa's reigns while saying "Yip, Yip!" and soon the group were on the way to save Katara.

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile deep below in the caverns under Ba Sing Se Azula had gone through with her word and placed herself as the new leader of the Dai Li and was now giving a speech to the gathered agents.

Azula stood tall and proud before she spoke with an authoritative passion saying "The Earth King and the council of Five do not trust the Dai Li. They had your leader Long-Feng murdered in his own cell and soon they will turn on all of you and treat you to the same fate. Which means seizing power today is a matter of life and death. This coup must be swift and decisive. The Earth King, and each of the five generals, must be taken out, simultaneously. You are all now under my command."

Azula walked forward and started to pace in front of the agents while giving them an intimidating glare before she spoke again saying "If I sense any disloyalty, any hesitation, any show of weakness at all, I will kill you without a second thought. That is all, Dismissed."

The agents all turned in unison and marched out of the caverns to do their assigned tasks and once they were gone, Ty Lee poured Azula a cup of tea while saying "Nice speech, Azula."

Ty Lee handed Azula the tea cup before continuing saying "It was pretty poetic, but also scary in a good way."

Mai let out a chuckle while saying "Yeah, I swore a couple of them were gonna piss themselves."

Azula took a sip of tea before she said "There are still a few loose ends—The Avatar, the Lava-bender, My brother, and my Uncle."

Azula finished her tea before she got ready for her plans to catch all four of her targets.

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile in front of the Earth King's palace, Iroh and Zuko had just been dropped off by a carriage for their tea ceremony with the Earth King.

Iroh held their supplies in a wooden case on his back as he stared at the palace in awe.

Iroh then looked at his nephew as they began to walk towards the palace doors while saying "Many times, I imagined myself here—at the threshold of palace. But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror. Instead, we are the Earth King's personal guests, here to serve him tea." Iroh let out a small chuckle before saying "Destiny is a funny thing."

Zuko just smiled at his uncle and said "It sure is, Uncle."

The two then entered the palace never knowing what was in store for them.

xxLine Breakxx

Back with the Gaang, they were almost to the outer wall of Ba Sing Se and Toph was asking about what the others had been up to with her saying "So, how did it go with the Guru? Did you master the Avatar State?"

Aang just looked away awkwardly while saying "Uhhh."

Dijin just frowned at the Avatar and said "Aang, either you tell them or I will."

Sokka raised an eyebrow at the two and said "Tell us what?"

Aang let out a sigh before he looked at Sokka and Toph seriously and said "When I found out Katara was in trouble I stopped my training to get into the Avatar state, but because I left in the middle of the process, I won't be able to go into the Avatar State at all now."

Toph simply exclaimed "Seriously?!"

Sokka threw his hands in the air while screaming out "Ohhhhh Great! So not only are we walking into what is most certainly a trap, but now we don't even have our emergency trump card! What are we gonna do now?"

Dijin thought back to what he learned with Guru Pathik and spoke up saying "I don't know if this will help but I learned something from the Guru as well. however,..."

Sokka cut him off saying "What? What did you learn from the guru?"

Dijin just looked away awkwardly and said "I don't know. All I can say is when I followed the guru's instructions it somehow felt like a weight was lifted from my body and now, I feel lighter."

Sokka just frowned and said "Grrrreat. You lost some weight, congratulations."

Toph frowned at Sokka's comment and kicked him in the stomach with her foot making him grunt in pain and curl up in a ball.

As Sokka wheezed Toph spoke up for Dijin saying "Shut up, Sokka! What Hot Rocks meant was that he thinks he has become stronger in a way. Right?"

Dijin smiled at Toph before saying "Right."

Sokka composed himself before saying "Well, in any case let's just hope we don't need to use the Avatar State anytime soon otherwise...well, let's not think about that part."

The group just nodded agreement before they started heading towards the palace.

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile inside the Palace, Iroh and Zuko had set up their supplies for the Tea Ceremony and were pouring some tea to get ready for the Earth King's arrival.

The two tea makers had been waiting for about an hour at this point and Zuko was getting a little impatient with him saying "What's taking so long?"

Iroh being the patient man he was simply replied "Maybe the Earth King overslept."

However, next thing the two Fire-benders knew a group of Dai Li agents entered the room and surrounded them in a circle.

Zuko looked at agents in trepidation before saying "Something's not right."

Suddenly though, Zuko's theory was proven right as Azula walked into the room wearing her disguise minus her make-up and stood in front of them while saying "It's tea time."

Zuko quickly stood up and got into a defensive stance while saying "Azula!"

Azula simply smiled at her brother and motioned at the agents in front of her while saying "Have you met the Dai Li? They're Earth-benders, but they have a killer instinct that's so Fire-bender. I just love it."

Zuko just growled at his younger sister while Iroh simply picked up a cup tea before standing up and saying "Azula, Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname the "Dragon of the West"?"

Azula simply checked her nails while ignoring her uncle and saying "I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle."

Iroh just had a smile on his face as he said "It's more of a demonstration, really." Iroh then drank the cup of tea in his hand while Zuko smirked understanding what his uncle planned to do.

Zuko quickly ducked down and got behind his uncle while Iroh threw the tea cup to the side and breathed out a large stream of Fire from his mouth in a circle.

The Dai Li surrounding them were forced to jump back lest they get burned by the large flames.

Zuko seeing an opening thrusted his fist forward sending a Fire-blast towards one of the walls creating an exit.

Zuko and Iroh quickly made their way out of the opening and ran down the hallway but Two Dai Li agents pursued them.

As the two Fire-benders ran the agents thrusted their Earth gloves forward making the fingers of the gloves launch from their hands like bullets.

Iroh and Zuko quickly turned down another hallway letting the Earth projectiles hit the wall.

The two Fire-benders came to a dead-end but Iroh quickly fixed that by generating a bolt of lightning and thrusting his right pointer fingers forward sending the lighting towards the wall destroying it.

Iroh then quickly jumped out of the hole he just made and landed in some bushes in the palace garden.

Iroh looked up at hole and saw Zuko looking down at him before he quickly shouted "Come on! You'll be fine!"

Zuko just clenched his fists and said in a determined voice "No. I'm tired of running. It's time I faced Azula!

Zuko then turned around and ran back into the palace causing Iroh to face palm himself before he ran off to figure out how to help his stubborn nephew.

Back inside the palace Zuko was facing Azula in the hallway along with a group of Dai Li agents behind her.

Azula just smiled evilly at her brother as she held her hands behind her back as she said "You're so dramatic. What? Are you going to challenge me to an Agni Kai?"

Zuko simply got into a battle stance and said "Yes! I challenge you!"

Azula just simply waved her brother off and spoke with closed eyes saying "No, thanks."

Zuko's answer to that reply was wave his arms upwards creating a large ball of fire before he thrusted his arms forward sending the flames towards Azula.

Sadly, two Dai Li agents jumped forward and rotated their arms in circle making the floor rise up creating a wall that blocked the flames from reaching their new leader.

The agents then quickly thrusted their hands forward sending their Earth gloves towards Zuko effectively trapping his hands and feet.

Azula just smirked at her trapped brother before she said "Take this failure where he belongs." she then turned around and walked away while the Dai Li dragged Zuko to who knows where.

xxLine Breakxx

Outside the palace, Aang and the others had finally arrived and were getting ready to land.

Once they landed the group quickly made their way to the palace throne room to talk with the Earth King about what was happening.

Luckily the Earth King was there to talk with them which is where the group was now as the King spoke to them saying "Katara's fine. You have nothing to worry about."

Aang looked unsure as he said "But, in my vision... I felt so sure that she was in trouble."

The Earth King just smiled and said "Well, she met with the Council of Generals to plan the invasion. And since then she's been off with your friends, the Kyoshi Warriors."

Sokka looked at Aang with a smile before saying "See Aang? She's with Suki. They're probably back at the house right now, Talking about make-up or something."

Aang just let out a sigh before saying "Okay, maybe you're right."

The Earth King chose to chime in then saying "Believe me, if there was any danger at all, Bosco's animal instincts would sense it."

The King motioned towards his pet bear who was sleeping soundly on the floor with a snot bubble.

The Gaang just had sweat drops while they all thought "Yeah, right."

However, Deep below the palace, Katara was being held prisoner in a small crystal lined cavern.

The crystals glowed in a light green color as she paced back in forth in agitation while trying to figure out a way to get out of her current predicament.

Suddenly she heard a loud rumbling sound above her causing her to look up.

Above her some Dai Li agents had opened a section of the cave and threw someone down to join her.

The person landed at her feet in a heap while letting out a grunt of pain.

However, Katara instantly recognized the person before her as she exclaimed "Zuko!"

Zuko just sat up on knees and looked at Katara while she glared at him and the Dai Li closed the opening above them.

xxLine Breakxx

Back with the Gaang, they had arrived at their house and were looking around for Katara and Suki.

Sadly, the only person there was Momo as the Lemur-bat chittered excitedly and flew to Aang's shoulder.

Aang just excitedly exclaimed "Momo!" While others noticed the empty house.

Toph spoke up saying "There's no one else here."

Aang gained a serious look as he turned towards his friends and said "Katara is in trouble. I knew it."

Sokka realizing Aang was right said "Oh, no."

However, Toph and Dijin held their hands up in the stop motion before Dijin said "Wait a second."

Sokka looked at Dijin curiously and asked "Why? What's up?"

Toph spoke next saying "Because, someone's at the door."

Sure enough, like Dijin and Toph said someone started knocking on the door.

Dijin smiled as he walked towards the door and said "Don't worry, it's an old friend of mine."

Dijin then opened door revealing his old teacher, Iroh.

The Gaang all let out gasps of shock save for Toph who just smiled at the friendly old man she had come to know.

Iroh looked at the Gaang seriously before saying "Dijin, I'm so glad you're here. I need you and your friends help."

Sokka stepped forward with a frown as he said "No offence, but even though you were Dijin's teacher once that doesn't excuse all the times you and Zuko chased after us."

Dijin frowned at Sokka before Iroh closed his eyes a second and said "I know my nephew's and I actions are inexcusable but right now we have a bigger problem." Iroh bowed his head slightly before saying "May I come in?"

Dijin and the rest stepped aside so Iroh could walk in and once he was inside, he turned to face the group and spoke in a dead serious tone saying "Princess Azula is here in Ba Sing Se."

The Gaang's eyes widened in surprise at that bit of news before Aang came to a realization and said "She must have Katara!"

Iroh nodded his head and said "She has captured my nephew, as well."

Dijin spoke up saying "Then we'll work together to fight Azula, and save Katara and Zuko."

Sokka threw his hands up in the air before marching forward and saying "Whoa, there. You lost me at Zuko." Sokka finished his sentence by pointing an accusing finger at Dijin.

Iroh spoke up to defend his nephew saying "I know how you must feel about my nephew. But believe me when I tell you there is good inside him."

Sokka threw his hands down and said "Good inside him isn't enough. Why don't you come back when it's outside him, too, okay?"

Aang frowned at Sokka and said "Katara's in trouble. All of Ba Sing Se is in trouble. Working together right now is our best chance."

Sokka realizing Aang was right just grunted but nodded his head in understanding.

Iroh smiled seeing that he had the Gaangs cooperation before he started walking towards the door and saying "It so happens, I brought someone along who might be able to help us."

Iroh opened the front the door and led the Gaang outside revealing Iroh had captured a Dai Li agent and had him bound in metal hand cuffs on his hands and feet with a cloth gag in his mouth.

As soon as Toph "saw" the agent she quickly snapped her hands up making two stone walls encase the agent making him stand up.

Iroh walked forward and removed the agents gag before he said "Tell us what Azula is planning."

The agent just spat at Iroh feet and said "Fuck you, Dragon of the West! I'm not some weak dog who will bark at your command!"

Iroh frowned at the agent before he said "Then I'm sorry to say I must hand this over to my former student. Dijin, if you would?"

Dijin nodded at Iroh before stepping forward and getting in the agents face before he spoke in a cold tone saying "Do you know what happened to Long-Feng?"

The agent curious at the statement said "he was found absent from his cell the only evidence being that the walls were singed."

Dijin just kept his cold tone and said "that's because I melted him into nothing but ash." The Gaang's eyes widened at that bit of news before the agent growled out "You Bastard! How dare you kill our Master!"

Dijin instantly latched onto the agent's throat with a fierce grip and spoke in a serious tone "If I killed your master with a slow and painful death what makes you think I won't do the same to you if not worse?"

The agent looked at the Avatar and said boldly "The Avatar would never allow you to torture me."

Aang looked at the agent then at Dijin, and Aang started to realize something. All throughout their journey, Dijin had tried to show Aang just how cruel the world had become and his way of thinking wouldn't work anymore. Aang then thought about Katara and what Azula could be doing to her while this agent just cursed at them and remained silent.

Aang finally having come to an inner decision stepped forward and said "Dijin, if it means we can find Katara sooner..." Aang paused to take a breath before he looked at Dijin seriously and said "Do what you must."

The Gaang and the agent all looked at Aang shocked never expecting the young nomad to say such a thing.

Dijin was the first to compose himself before he looked at agent seriously and said "You hear that? Even the Avatar has condemned you. Do you really want to remain loyal to a woman who would kill you rather than hear your excuse on how you got caught?"

The agent realizing the Right Hand was right dropped his head in defeat before saying "Princess Azlua is planning a coup. She is going to overthrow the Earth King."

Sokka who was losing his patience about finding his sister marched up to the agent and put his bone knife at his throat and growled out "My sister!" Where are they keeping Katara?"

The agent replied in a defeated tone "In the crystal catacombs of old Ba Sing Se, deep beneath the palace."

Dijin just nodded his head and said "Thank you for the Information." before he punched the agent in the jaw knocking him out cold.

Aang nodded his head at the Lava-bender before saying "Come on. we gotta hurry!"

The Gaang plus Iroh quickly took off to find Appa and head to the palace.

xxLine Breakxx

Deep below the palace in the crystal catacombs Katara was still pacing back and forth only now she was yelling at Zuko who just sat on the floor and remained silent.

Katara continued her yelling by saying "Why did they throw you in here?"

Zuko just stayed quiet causing Katara to growl and say sarcastically "Oh, wait. Let me guess—it's a trap, so that when Aang shows up to help me, you can finally have him in your little Fire Nation clutches."

Zuko just glanced at Katara before turning away from her and keeping quiet.

Katara just madder and said "You're a horrible piece of shit! you know that? Always following us, hunting the Avatar, trying to capture or even worse kill the world's last hope for peace!"

After seeing she still wasn't getting a response Katara just turned away from Zuko and angrily said "But what do you care? You're the Fire Lords son. Spreading war and hatred and death is in your blood.

Zuko took some offence to that and said "You don't know what you're talking about."

Katara looked at Zuko furiously and shouted out "I don't? How dare you! You have no idea what this war and what your Nation has put me through. Me Personally!

Katara turned her back to Zuko and crouched down while grasping her mother's necklace and saying "My mother was murdered by the Fire nation." Katara couldn't hold it in anymore as she started to cry tears of both frustration and sadness.

After hearing Katara lost her mother, something struck inside Zuko as he turned to face her fully and say "I'm sorry. That's something we have in common at least."

Katara's eyes widened in shock before she wiped the tears away and faced Zuko while saying "What did you say?"

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile up above near the palace, the Gaang were gathered around Toph as she crouched on the ground and tried to get a layout of the underground caves below them.

Toph let out an impressed whistle before saying "Well, what do ya know? There is an ancient city down there, but it's deep."

Toph stood up before she clenched her fists and stomped her feet as she then spread her arms apart making the ground erupt before sinking inward creating a dark tunnel towards the crystal caverns below them.

Sokka being the tactician he was said "We should split up. Aang, you go with Iroh to look for Katara and the angry Asshole." Sokka looked at Iroh and said "No offence."

Iroh shrugged his shoulders and said "None taken."

Sokka nodded his head and finished his plan saying "Meanwhile, Toph, Dijin and I will warn the Earth King about Azula's coup."

Aang nodded his head saying "Right." before he and Iroh headed into the tunnel with Aang Earth-bending along the way to make it longer as the went.

Sokka watched the two leave before he looked at the other two and said "Come on, we have to hurry before we're too late."

The two Earth-benders nodded their heads and the trio started running up the stairs towards the palace.

xxLine Breakxx

Deep in the tunnel Aang was making the path longer by holding his hands in a ball before separating them quickly causing the tunnel to expand.

Meanwhile Iroh was bending a small ball of fire in his palm so the two had some light.

Aang relaxed himself before looking at Iroh and saying "So, Toph and Dijin say you give really good advice... and great tea."

Iroh smiled at Aang and said sagely "The key to both is proper aging. What's on your mind?"

Aang smiled at Iroh before he stopped and expanded the tunnel again as he said "Well, I met this Guru who was supposed to help me master the Avatar State, and control this great power. But to do it, I had to let go of someone I love, and I just couldn't."

As two walked Iroh merely said "Power and perfection are overrated. I think you are very wise for choosing happiness and love."

Aang stopped for moment to expand the tunnel before he said "What happens if we can't save everyone and beat Azula? Without the Avatar State, what if I'm not strong enough?"

Iroh just kept a steady pace as he said "I don't know the answer to that. But sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving..."

Iroh paused to let Aang expand the tunnel again and when he did the two smiled at the sight of a large cavern with green crystals everywhere which was surrounded by canals of water with a waterfall.

Realizing they were at their destination Iroh smiled at the Avatar and finished his thought saying "Good things are sure to follow."

xxLine Breakxx

Back with Sokka and the others, they were just about to head into the palace and the trio noticed General How heading in the same direction.

Sokka pointed at the general while saying "There's General How, let's tell-"

Sokka was cut off as Dijin quickly grabbed him and Toph before hiding behind a nearby pillar.

Sokka was about to question the Lava-bender until Dijin made the be quiet motion and pointed at the general while whispering "The Coup's already started, Look."

Sokka complied and was shocked to see four Dai Li agents getting ready to pounce on General How.

Sure enough, the agents acted quickly jumping down from their hiding spots and launching their metal cuffs at the general's wrists and ankles.

The General struggled to resist before he shouted at the agents saying "What's going on here?!"

One of the agents walked forward and said "You're under house-arrest."

Dijin looked at the other two and said "We need to find the Earth King fast." before he grabbed Toph's hand and led her and Sokka away from the agents and towards an alternate route.

However, as the group made their way towards the Earth King. All across Ba Sing Se the council of Five where being systematically abducted and locked away.

Luckily it didn't take the group long to find the Earth King who was with the Kyoshi Warriors as they ran into the throne room with Sokka saying "Thank goodness we're in time!"

The Earth just looked at them confused and said "In time for what?"

One of the warriors looked at Sokka and "Yeah, what are you in time for..."

However, the warrior had to quickly move out of the way of a lava-buzzsaw being thrown at her as she did some acrobatic flips to dodge the attack.

Everyone looked at Dijin who was in a battle stance before he shouted "They aren't Kyoshi warriors!"

Sokka looked at Dijin like he was crazy and said "What are you talking about?"

Dijin just frowned and kept his guard up while saying "Even if they are wearing make-up, I never forget a face Sokka and these two are fucking Azula's goons who have been chasing us for the last couple of months!"

The warrior who dodged now known as Ty Lee pouted and said "Oh, poo. Well, I guess the jig is up Mai."

Mai just let out a bored sigh before saying "Finally, I was sick of wearing this ugly make-up anyway."

The girl drew some knives from her sleeves while Ty Lee got into a battle stance

Mai attacked first by throwing her knives at Toph but Dijin acted quickly by stomping his foot, creating an Earth-wall in front of the blind girl.

The knives impacted with wall but Toph quickly retaliated by throwing a front kick launching the wall at Mai.

Mai quickly jumped in the air and used the wall as a spring board to jump and launch some arrows from her wrist launcher.

This time Sokka acted by throwing his boomerang which knocked the arrows away before he caught it.

Once Mai landed from her attack, she had to quickly dodge roll away lest she get crushed by two Earth walls that Toph and Dijin made.

While with Sokka Ty Lee was trying to strike him in his pressure points but he was doing a good job at dodging her.

Each time she struck the two would move as if in a dance making Ty Lee laugh and say "hey, if you think about it, it's kinda like we're dancing together right now."

Sokka just barely dodged another strike before saying "Sorry, but I'm spoken for."

Ty Lee instantly frowned at that comment and said "Oh, really?"

Suddenly her strikes speed increased causing Sokka to start to run away in a panic.

However, suddenly a loud authoritive voice shouted above the fighting saying "ENOUGH!"

The fighters all looked towards the throne and saw Azula with the Earth King being held hostage in her hands.

Azula put a concentrated blue flame near the Earth King's throat before speaking in a cold tone saying "This fight is over."

The Gaang realizing they were outplayed all backed down and put their hands up.

Ty Lee then instantly attacked each of their pressure points rendering them motionless.

Azula quickly shoved the Earth King to the floor before saying "Get them all out of my sight." she then glanced at Dijin and smirked evilly before saying "And place the Lava-bender in his special cell that I had made for him."

The Dai Li agents nodded their heads and grabbed Dijin while some other agents grabbed the others and started to drag them away in opposite directions."

After realizing Dijin was being taken away from the group Toph started to struggle despite Ty Lee's ability and shouted out "You Bastards! Don't you dare touch him! You do anything to him and I'll fucking kill you! you hear me!"

Azula just smirked at the display and said "Don't worry I'm not going to do anything to him... except make him experience his worst fears! Ahahahahaha" Azula finished with an evil laugh as Toph continued to struggle and Dijin was dragged away to a separate part of the palace.

xxLIne Breakxx

After being dragged down Mutiple corridors The agents holding Dijin brought him to an underground part of the palace and in front of him was a large metal door.

One of the Dai Li agents holding Dijin smirked at him before saying "Lady Azula says this cell is supposed to break you but I honestly hope she decides a harsher punishment than that."

The agent spit on Dijin after that before the others opened the door revealing Dijin's prison.

Dijin looked at the cell and could only say "Oh, Spirit's no."

In front of him was massive pit that was so deep you couldn't see the bottom and hanging in the center of the room above the pit was metal coffin just big enough for Dijin to fit in.

As Dijin stared at his childhood prison the agent holding him shoved him forward while saying "Move it!"

Dijin tried to struggle but Ty Lee's attacks hadn't worn off yet so the agent socked Dijin in the gut before the coffin was lowered and he was thrown inside.

The agents slammed the door shut before one said "Enjoy it in there. Right Hand." the agent saying right hand mockingly before the coffin was raised above the pit.

The agents then left the cell as Dijin struggled to stand in the small confined space. Once he was able to fully stand Dijin started looking around while trying to figure out how to get out of his situation.

"Ok, Dijin. Think. You have been through worse and you can figure this out."Dijin peeked out through the small opening in his coffin to see if there was anything he could use to break free.

Sadly, Azula had designed his cell very well. There was not an ounce of Earth anywhere for him to use and even if there was, he was too high up for it to be of any use.

Realizing Azula may have finally bested him made Dijin let out a growl of frustration before yelling out "DAMN IT!" he then punched the metal wall of his coffin.

However, suddenly Dijin felt something as his hand left the metal surface.

Dijin looked at the metal curiously before saying to himself "What was that?"

Dijin knitted his brow before he reeled his hand back and punched the wall feeling something move slightly within the metal.

Dijin looked at his hands before he thought back to what Guru Pathik had said about the four elements, more specifically, what he said about Earth.

"Metal is just a part of Earth that has been purified and refined." Dijin remembered.

He then placed his right hand flat against the wall of his coffin before closing his eyes and saying "I wonder..."

Dijin then concentrated on the earth like Toph had taught him and after a few minutes of struggling he was able to feel a small amount of earth within the metal wall.

Next, Dijin focused on the earth and tried to increase its temperature like he would usually do when he was bending regular Earth.

Sure enough, before Dijin realized it he was smelling burnt metal and he opened eyes.

Dijin gained a huge smirk as he saw a red glowing handprint on the metal wall where his hand was.

Dijin placed both his hands on the metal now before saying "Well, looks like I figured out what the guru meant by hidden potential."

Dijin concentrated some more and just like with Earth, the metal was following his command and getting hotter and hotter until the wall completely melted away.

Dijin grasped onto the outer shell of the coffin and climbed to the top before he grabbed the chain and desperately tried not to look down.

"Ok. You can do this." Dijin mentally encouraged

He quickly steeled himself and grabbed onto the chain and began rocking the coffin towards the ledge where the door to his cell was.

Because of the coffins shape Dijin was thrown all around as he rocked back and forth but it did not deter him from his goal.

Finally, when he saw he was close enough, Dijin leapt from the coffin and grabbed onto the ledge.

However, he did not entirely make it with his blower body hanging over the ledge as he struggled to get up.

Once he got his bearings though, Dijin approached the metal door to his cell before smiling and placing his hands against the metal.

Outside the cell in the hallway the door leading to the cell suddenly started to glow red before it began melting into a puddle of goo at Dijin's feet as he stepped outside into the hallway.

Dijin looked down the hall and noticed there weren't any guards posted which either meant Azula was very confident in her cell design or the Dai Li were just dumb. Dijin was leaning more towards the former than the latter in that regard.

Dijin noticed the floor was made of Earth so he got into a horse stance and slammed his foot into the stone floor.

Like Toph had taught him he sensed the vibrations in the earth and got a readout of the dungeons while also locating the others.

He quickly took off towards his friend's direction to free them before he went to find Aang and stop whatever Azula was planning.

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile, inside the Gaang's cell the group plus the King were all sitting down depressed before Toph slapped her knees and stood up while saying "Well, as fun as it is sitting here and acting like a bunch useless Turtle-ducks I would like to get out of here and make sure Hot Rocks is okay." Sokka looked at her incredulously and said "And how do you expect us to get out of here? Break down the door?"

Toph just smirked and pointed at the metal cell door before saying "Check and see if there are any guards around." Sokka just raised an eyebrow at the girl not that she could see it before he got up and peered outside the gap in their cell door to see if there were any guards nearby.

Toph stood behind him and asked "Is anybody around?"

Sokka moved away from the door and said "No, but I still don't know what your-"

He was cut off by Toph who simply slammed her fists into the metal door making it bend outwards before it went flying off its hinges and into the opposite wall.

Sokka had his mouth agape while Toph simply walked out of the cell with a stretch.

Just then Dijin had shown up the see the door go flying off its hinges and Toph walk out of the cell.

Dijin stared at the blind girl in awe before saying "Toph? What in the spirit's did you just do?"

Toph instantly smiled and turned towards Dijin direction before running towards him and shouting "Dijin!"

Once she was close enough the two embraced each other before Toph pulled away and asked "You, ok? How did you escape?"

Dijin rubbed his head before saying "Well, it's hard to explain but long story short, I can melt metal now."

Toph's eyes widened before she smirked and said "No kidding that's a neat trick. but you're not only one with a new skill now."

Dijin just replied "Are you talking about what you just did with the door?"

Toph nodded saying "That's right, you're looking at the world's only Metal-bender."

Dijin's eyes widened this time before he said "That's incredible!"

Suddenly the two were interrupted by Sokka clearing his throat making them look at the Water Tribe warrior who had his arms crossed in irritation.

He then spoke in annoyed voice saying "In case you two forgot there's a couple things going on right now, like a coup, my sister imprisoned, the Avatar fighting for our world? Ring a bell guy's?"

Dijin suddenly got serious as he said "Right, I'm gonna head down to the crystal caves to give Aang some back-up you two find Appa and get the Earth King to safety."

The two nodded in agreement before Dijin ran down a direction of the hallway while Sokka grabbed the Earth King as he shouted "Wait! I'm not leaving without Bosco!"

Toph and Sokka sighed in annoyance before they dragged the King down the hallway in the opposite direction.

xxLine Breakxx

Deep below the palace Katara had just finished hearing the story of how Zuko lost mother due to his father's manipulative ways. While still upset at the Fire-benders actions towards her group she couldn't help but feel sympathy towards him as she said "I'm sorry I yelled at you before."

Zuko looked away dejectedly and said "It doesn't matter."

Katara still feeling sympathetic said "It's just that for so long now, whenever I would Imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face."

Zuko looked at her in understanding before saying "My face. I see." as he placed a hand on his scar over his eye.

Katara realizing her blunder quickly said "No, no, that's not what I meant."

Zuko just had a resigned look as he said "It's okay. I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark."

After hearing that, Katara being the kind person she was spoke up saying "Maybe you could be free of it."

Zuko turned towards her with an astonished look saying "What?"

Katara looked at Zuko determined and said "I have healing abilities."

Zuko scoffed at her and said "It's a scar. It can't be healed."

Katara reached into her dress and pulled out the amulet Master Pakku gave her before saying "This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has special properties, so I've been saving it for something important. I don't know if it would work, but..."

Zuko just closed his eyes and looked away while Katara just placed a caring hand on his scar gently.

However, suddenly the wall next to the two exploded outwards leaving a cloud of dust in its wake.

Once the dust settled it revealed the cause of the explosion was Aang followed by Iroh.

Katara happy to see the young Air-bender shouted "Aang!" before she ran towards him and enveloped him in a warm hug.

Aang hugged Katara backed while Iroh hugged his nephew.

But unbeknownst to the two Aang and Zuko were glaring daggers at one another while they comforted their respective peoples.

After a few moments of reminiscing Katara looked at Aang and said "Aang, I knew you'd come." before she hugged him again.

Meanwhile Zuko looked at his uncle and said "Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar?"

Aang feeling a little pissed at Zuko said haughtily "Saving you. that's what."

Zuko got upset at the jab and tried to lunge at Aang but Iroh stopped him while saying "Zuko, it's time we talked."

Iroh turned towards Aang and said "Go find Dijin and your other friends. We'll catch up to you."

Aang bowed in respect towards the wise Fire-bender and led Katara down the tunnel he and Iroh just came from.

As the two left Katara couldn't help but give Zuko one last empathetic glance before disappearing down the tunnel with Aang.

Iroh quickly turned towards his nephew with a serious gaze while Zuko looked away from him before he whispered "Why, Uncle?"

Iroh just kept his gaze as he spoke saying "You are not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good."

Zuko throughout Iroh's speech was just clenching his fists and eyes shut tight in frustration before the room suddenly began to shake.

Next thing the two Fire-benders knew large green crystals erupted from the ground and encased Iroh trapping him.

Suddenly Azula followed by a group of Dai Li agents came bursting into the room with the Fire Nation Princess stepping forward with a smirk and saying "I expected this kind of treachery from uncle, but Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things, but you're no traitor, or are you?"

Zuko ignored his sister and exclaimed "Release him, immediately!"

Azula just pressed on saying "It's not too late for you, Zuko. You can still redeem yourself."

Iroh despite his predicament spoke to his nephew saying wisely "The kind of redemption she offers is not for you!"

Azula glared at her uncle and spoke in disdain saying "Why don't you let himdecide, Uncle?"

Azula looked at her brother in what looked like empathy and said "I need you, Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day."

Azula turned away and clenched her fist in triumph as she spoke with awe saying "This glorious day in Fire Nation history."

She turned back towards her brother with a smile and said "And the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have our fathers love. You will have everything you want."

Iroh once again tried to reason with the good inside Zuko saying "Zuko, I am begging you, look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want."

Azula just looked at her brother while saying "You are free to choose." Azula raised her fist up signaling the Dai Li with her to leave while she walked forward until she stood next to her uncle.

Zuko looked at the physical representation of his inner dilemma before he turned away and took a deep breath.

Zuko eyes suddenly hardened as he came to a decision and turned towards his sister who couldn't help but smirk at her brother.

xxLine Breakxx

Inside the main chamber of the crystal caverns, Aang and Katara were making their way towards the exit.

As the two ran Katara looked at Aang and spoke up saying "We gotta find Dijin, Sokka, and Toph."

Just as Katara said that the two heard the sound of electricity crackling. They turned around and were shocked to find a bolt of lightning heading towards them.

Luckily, Aang reacted in time to raise his fists up creating an earth-wall that blocked the lightning. The two quickly recovered and saw Azula in an attack position.

Katara was the first to act, she ran along one of the water canals waving her hands in a constant motion which created a large wave of water that she sent towards Azula.

The Fire Nation Princess just stood still before stomping her left foot and waving her arms upwards creating a massive wave of blue flames that turned the water into steam.

Aang and Katara quickly started to look around for Azula before she came flying out of the steam in the air thrusting her fists forward firing a few Fire balls at the duo.

Luckily the two benders acted quickly waving their arms in an arc making the nearby water in a canal come to life and create a stream of liquid that blocked Azula's flames.

Azula simply landed on a nearby large stalagmite before Aang glared at her and thrusted his fists forward making the stalagmite Azula was standing on collapse.

Azula gasped in shock before she jumped and landed between the two benders with her pointer and middle fingers on each hand extended ready to strike.

Azula glanced between her two opponents before the three were interrupted by a large explosion erupting around the three.

Next thing the combatants knew Zuko entered into the fray in a battle stance.

Katara looked at Zuko in disbelief while Azula and Aang simply waited for what he would do next.

Aang getting a good idea could only let out a small gasp before Zuko thrusted his right fist forward launching a fire-ball at Aang.

Aang retaliated by waving his arms in a circle Air-bending a funnel that absorbed the flames.

Azula smiled as she realized what side her brother was on now, before she waved her arms in an arc launching a wave of blue flames at Katara.

Katara quickly blocked the flames with a wave of water while Zuko punched his fists forward multiple times launching numerous Fire-balls at Aang.

However, the four fighters were thrown off balance as the entire cave began to shake.

Stalagmites and green crystals began to fall from the ceiling until a large explosion erupted from above the four fighters.

Luckily the fighters didn't have to wait long at what this disturbance was thanks to a familiar voice shouting out "KNOCK, KNOCK. ASSHOLES!" and Dijin came crashing into the cave from above in a battle-ready stance next to Aang.

Everyone looked at Dijin in shock never expecting him to show up at this time before he spoke up again saying "Sorry I'm late, but some Dai Li agents kept me busy."

Dijin turned towards Aang with a smirk and said "Besides, I wouldn't be doing my job if I let you fight alone."

Aang and Katara just smiled at their friend grateful for his help.

However, the trio were reminded they were in a fight by Zuko who punched his fists forward launching multiple Fire-balls at the trio.

Aang acted quickly by waving his hands side to side using the nearby water in a canal to block the flames.

Meanwhile, Azula knowing that Dijin was a dangerous fighter quickly brought her fingers to her lips and let out a sharp whistle.

Before anyone could react at least twenty Dai Li agents launched themselves from the ground surrounding Dijin.

Azula smirked before saying "Kill the Lava-bender by any means necessary." before she focused her attention on Katara.

Dijin looked around at the Dai Li agents for a brief second before they attacked.

Four agents sent their Earth-gloves towards Dijin while the others acted in unison by stomping their feet and raising their fists high. This in turn created a ring of large square Earth-columns that trapped Dijin with the agents while preventing him from helping Aang or Katara.

Meanwhile, Zuko was still firing multiple Fire-balls from his fists at Aang while the Air-bender jumped from multiple large crystals dodging the flames before perching himself on one.

Zuko getting frustrated at the Avatar curled his body inwards before letting out a roar and thrusting both his fists at Aang launching a huge blast of flames at the Avatar.

Aang responded by raising his fists up making the crystal he was perching on expand and block the huge blast.

Sadly, the blast was so strong it broke through the crystal while blasting Aang into the wall behind him.

Taking advantage of Aang's stunned state Zuko threw his fists at his sides creating long and large Fire-whips.

Aang recovered from Zuko's attack but could only gasp for a second before he had to dodge Zuko's Fire-whips which destroyed the area he was previously at.

Aang landed a small ledge before he was forced to dodge Zuko's whips again by jumping towards another ledge.

Meanwhile, Azula charged at Katara getting ready to fire lightning.

Katara quickly reacted and stopped Azula's attack by waving her hands in a circle making the nearby water canal come to life and attacked Azula in the form of a sharp blade.

Azula's eyes widened as she barely dodged the deadly water the liquid cutting a few strands of her hair as it passed.

Azula frowned before she curled her arms inward and thrusted both her fists out launching a massive wave of blue flames at Katara.

Katara quickly ran and dodged the wave of flames but Azula used her jet stream technique on the bottom of her feet which launched her rapidly at Katara before she focused the Jetstream on her right foot landing a hard roundhouse kick on the Water-benders stomach.

Katara's eyes widened as some spittle left her mouth before the jet-propelled kick sent her flying and rolling across the ground.

As this was happening, Dijin was crouched low due to the agents' gloves encasing his knees and arms but he could hear that Aang and Katara were struggling with their opponents so he just glared at the agents and spoke ominously saying "You just made a huge mistake."

The agents just tensed up preparing for an attack.

However, Dijin just flexed his arms and legs making the earth encasing them crumble before he slowly stood and spoke coldly to the agents saying "You haven't trapped me in here with you."

The agents began to get nervous before Dijin slammed his fists into two columns and glared at them with pure hatred while starting to turn the columns into magma as he shouted "YOUR TRAPPED IN HERE WITH ME!"

Next thing the agents knew a huge Lava-wave was heading towards them. Luckily a good number of the agents were smart enough to escape underground while the rest were engulfed by molten rock.

The agents who escaped reappeared outside the make-shift prison they made before they were shocked by the sight of the entire structure melting down into lava.

But what was even more terrifying was that the magma was gathering behind Dijin and forming into spears.

Dijin smirked evilly at the Dai Li agents before saying "This may be a bit overkill but you assholes HAVE ROYALLY PISSED ME OFF!"

Before the agents could react Dijin thrusted his hands forward sending spears towards the agents.

The Dai Li proved why they were all master Earth-benders when some of them dove underground again to dodge the massive wave of magma spears while others were left to be impaled or burned to death.

When the remaining agents reappeared, their number had now dwindled to a mere five.

Dijin however, wasn't about to let them recover and quickly raised his arms upwards making two large green crystal spikes erupt from the ground impaling two agents.

The remaining three Dai Li quickly acted by stomping their feet and slamming their hands into the ground sending three streams of sharp green crystals at the Lava-bender.

Dijin just quickly squatted while spreading his arms before quickly moving into a horse stance with his hands in the form of knives.

Then just before the Dai Li attacks hit, Dijin was suddenly covered in thick green crystal armor.

The agents attack harmlessly bounced off the armor before Dijin thrusted his left arm forward sending the green shards covering his arm at one of the agents before rotating in a circle and thrusting his right arm sending the shards from his right arm as well.

The attacks hit their mark impaling two of the remaining agents while the third was so distracted by his fellow agents' deaths, He didn't notice Dijin charging at him until it was too late. The Lava-bender jumped into the air and kneed the agent in the face with his crystal encased knee.

The agent's nose and facial bones were instantly crushed by the hard gemstone before he was launched a few feet away unmoving.

Dijin took a quick breath before he dropped his armor and heard an explosion noticing Zuko attacking Aang with his Fire-whips.

Dijin glared at the exiled prince before moving into action running towards the two fighters.

As Dijin approached, Zuko was waving his arms and body in a circle making his Fire-whips expand and destroy the area Aang was perched at.

Aang quickly dodged and launched himself into air before landing on a large stalagmite from the ceiling.

Next, Aang made a chopping motion separating the stalagmite from the ceiling before he pushed himself and the large pointed rock towards Zuko at a fast rate.

Zuko's eyes widened before he tried to dodge the incoming attack but before he could get far enough Aang and the rock collided with the ground knocking Zuko backwards into a pile of crystals while creating a huge crater in the cave floor.

Aang was about to press his attack but Dijin suddenly appeared in front of him stopping him.

Before Aang could question what the Lava-bender was doing Dijin quickly explained saying "Aang go help Katara, she won't last much longer against Azula on her own."

Aang glanced across the cave and saw Katara bending multiple waves of water at Azula but the Fire Nation Princess either turned the water into steam with her flames or simply dodged the waves.

Aang realizing Dijin was right nodded his head before saying "Will you be alright?"

Dijin just glared at the groaning form of Zuko as he began to get up before saying "Don't worry Aang. I'm just gonna teach Zuko here, a very hard lesson."

Aang once again just nodded and quickly went over to help Katara While Zuko stood up and glared at Dijin while Dijin did vice versa to Zuko.

Zuko spoke first saying "Stay out of my way!"

Dijin just replied "So, this is your choice then?"

Zuko just growled and shouted "What are you talking about?"

Dijin let out a growl of his own before saying "Time and time again you have been given chance after chance to prove that you can be the good man Iroh wants you to be but you still cling to Ozai's ankles just for that small insufficient chance that he will acknowledge you and welcome you home with open arms."

Zuko angrily replied "You Don't know anything about me or what I've been through! Once I get rid of the Avatar, I will finally be able to go home with my honor intact!"

Dijin having enough of this talk simply got into an Earth-bending stance before saying "No Zuko, you lost your honor the moment you sided with your father and sister and now I have to break a promise I made to Iroh."

Zuko got into his own stance before saying "And what is that?"

Dijin replied in a cold tone saying "that I wouldn't kill you."

Zuko's widened for second after hearing Dijins words before he tried to hide his shock by shouting "threaten me all you want! Uncle showed me what you can do and I'm not afraid of your bending!"

Dijin just said one last thing saying "You should be."

Then the fight was on.

Zuko struck first by thrusting his fists forward launching a massive wave of fire at Dijin.

Dijin crossed his arms and stomped his foot making an Earth-dome encase his entire body while Zuko's flames engulfed the dome.

Once the attack subsided Dijin threw a front-kick launching the front half of his dome at Zuko.

Zuko dodge rolled to the side before crouching and thrusting his fist forward again launching a stream of fire.

Dijin retaliated by punching the remains of his dome and turning it into lava and making a Lava-buzzsaw about the same size as himself.

Next, he waved his arm forward the buzzsaw following his command as it went straight towards Zuko's flames and cut them straight down the middle making the flames pass by Dijin harmlessly while Zuko was forced to stop his attack and dive out of the way of the rotating magma.

However, Dijin waved his arm again and the Buzzsaw did a 180 turn and went straight towards Zuko again.

Zuko only had second to be surprised before he was forced to roll across the ground to dodge multiple strikes from Dijins saw.

Dijin reeled his hands back to go in for another strike but Zuko stopped him by thrusting his fists behind himself and launching fire from his hands which propelled him upwards quickly.

Zuko then used his momentum to kick Dijin in the face making flip a few times in the air before landing on the ground.

Zuko took that time to get some distance from Dijin while catching his breath.

Dijin just growled in anger before he push-flipped himself back up into a fighting stance.

The two just glared at one another waiting to see who would move next.

Meanwhile, Aang had stepped in to help Katara using his staff to blast a wave of Air at Azula which knocked her back.

Katara took that chance to use the collected water on the ground to cover her body save for her head in water before she formed two large Water-tentacles from her arms.

Next, Katara threw her arms forward the water following her command as it went straight towards Azula.

Azula growled before thrusting her hands forward in a knife shape trying to launch a concentrated stream of blue flames at the Water-bender.

However, the water overwhelmed Azula encasing her right arm.

Katara made a rotation motion with her left arm keeping Azula trapped while she used her right to attack Azula again.

Azula countered by balancing on her left foot before thrusting a high-side kick launching a torrent of blue flames from her foot.

But once again Katara's water trapped her. Encasing her leg this time.

Azula had wide eyes and was about to lose her balance when suddenly some Earth-pillars erupted from the floor breaking Azula free from the water.

Azula smirked seeing a group a Dai Li agents appear and take a defensive stance in front of her.

She then pointed at Katara saying "Take care of the Water-tribe girl I'll handle the Avatar."

The agents nodded and immediately went on the offensive.

Aang went to help Katara but Azula quickly got in his way and threw two kicks launching blue flames at Aang who was forced to back off and dodge.

Back with Dijin and Zuko the two had begun attacking each other again with Zuko using concentrated flames on his wrists like daggers as he attacked the Lava-bender with a barrage of hand strikes.

Dijin was forced to go on the defensive as he dodged and redirected Zuko's strikes before he saw an opening in Zuko's guard and thrusted his knee into the exiled Princes stomach.

Zuko's mouth opened wide from the pain as his Fire-daggers dissipated before Dijin grabbed his shirt collar and headbutted him hard in the face.

Zuko let out a yell of pain before Dijin kicked him the chest launching him a few feet away.

As Zuko laid on the ground in pain Dijin saw Katara getting overwhelmed by a swarm of Dai Li agents.

He looked back at the downed Zuko and decided Katara was more important at the moment and ran to help her.

Katara had concentrated all of her water on her arms making two massive water-tentacles that she used bat the Dai Li agents away like bugs or freeze them in place.

However, two agents appeared in her blind spot but before they could attack Dijin showed up and slammed his fist into the ground making two Earth-pillars erupt under the Dai Li agents hitting them under the chins while launching them away.

Katara smiled at Dijin grateful for the help before her gaze hardened and the two of them stood back-to-back and got ready to fight the surrounding agents.

Meanwhile, with Aang and Azula. The two of them stood across from one another trying to gauge who would move first.

Aang took a couple deep breaths as he looked over himself noticing his robes were torn and he had a few cuts.

Suddenly Azula waved her arms in arc before thrusting her arms behind herself creating two massive jet streams of flames that launched herself at Aang rapidly.

Aang just glared at the girl before waving his arms upwards making a group of crystals levitate before he pulled his arms in close making the crystals encase him creating a suit of crystal armor much like how Dijin had earlier.

Next, Aang thrusted his arms forward using Earth-bending to launch himself at the charging Azula while turning himself into a human spearhead.

The two charged at each other until just before they collided Azula gathered all flames from behind her and thrusted her hands forward launching all her gathered flames at Aang.

Aang quickly crossed his arms but the blast was so strong he went flying through the air as his armor shattered and he collided with the cave wall making a small crater.

Back with Dijin and Katara they were taking out agents left and right both of them showing why they were considered masters.

Despite agents hurling boulders and their Earth gloves at Dijin he would either cross his arms and turn the boulders into dust or just simply bat away the Earth gloves with his hands.

After Dijin would defend he would quickly stomp his foot making his own boulders raise from the ground before he would punch them towards a random agent which would usually hit its mark.

While Katara was still using her tentacles to grab agents and throw them into the caverns walls or she would freeze them to a point they could no longer fight all the while deflecting and dodging incoming attacks.

However, just as they were getting the upper hand a fully revived Zuko and a pissed off Azula came rushing in with two large waves of flames both glowing blue and red.

Dijin acted quickly stomping his feet and raising his arms in an arc creating a large Earth-dome around himself and Katara.

The Fire Nation siblings pressed their attack increasing the heat of their flames to make the two benders retreat from their protective shell.

As this was happening Aang crawled out of the crater Azula threw him in and he quickly gritted his teeth in anger as he saw what was happening to his friends.

In a fit of rage Aang jumped from him spot letting out a mighty roar "Rahhhhhhhhhhhhgh" Aang screamed surprising the two siblings before Aang landed on the Cavern floor making it erupt in a multitude of pillars causing Azula and Zuko as well as the agents to back off and regain their balance.

Aang then made a mound of stones and began to surf on it towards the unbalanced siblings.

However, he was thrown off his mount and sent flying by a group of Dai Li agents who showed up and made his mound crumble into dust.

As Aang got up he saw an army of Dai Li agents show up then surround Katara and Dijin.

The two benders stood firm prepared to fight but Aang knew despite their determination there were to many enemies for them to handle.

Aang voiced his thoughts saying "There's too many of them."

Aang then remembered Guru Pathiks words "let all of your attachments go. Let them flow down the river... Forgotten."

Aang quickly began to realize what he had to do. He glanced at Katara with a remorseful look before he thought to himself "I'm sorry, Katara."

Aang then sat in a meditative stance while thrusting his arms outward creating a protective dome around himself.

Next, Aang began to remember the Guru's lesson's and started to meditate to unlock his final chakra.

Meanwhile, all the fighters stopped in their actions as they witnessed Aang's Earth-Dome suddenly glow blue before a shock wave of energy blew past everybody present and Aang began to rise out his prison his tattoos and eyes glowing blue.

Dijin and Katara had wide smiles as they realized Aang was entering the Avatar State willingly.

However, their smiles turned into looks of pure horror as they witnessed a bolt of lightning strike Aang in the center of his back courtesy of Azula just as he was transforming.

Aang let out an anguished scream "AHHHHHHHHHHHGGGH!" before he started to plummet towards the ground.

Katara acted quickly using the water from the canals to create a wave that launched her towards the falling Avatar.

Meanwhile, Dijin was frozen in shock as he saw the person he was meant to protect the most fall unmoving into Katara's arms.

As Dijin watched Katara scream Aang's name to try and get him to wake up he looked at all the Dai Li agents present along with the Fire Nation Siblings and the next thing Dijin knew all he saw was red.

Dijin let out a roar of rage screaming "Rahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh" He then thrusted his arms out and spread his legs.

Then to the Dai Li and Fire Nation Siblings shock, Magama began to erupt all around the cave.

Pillar after pillar of magma began to erupt all throughout the cavern. Be it from the floor, the walls, or even the ceiling. Lava was beginning to fill the entire cavern killing any who weren't smart enough to get away.

But despite the destruction the lava did not go near Katara or the unconscious Avatar.

Before the Lava could reach them Azula grabbed her brother and used her jet stream technique to launch them towards a part of the cave that had yet to be hit with magma.

As Dijin continued his assault he looked at Katara and shouted "Get Aang out here! I'll handle the rest!"

She nodded her head before she held Aang close to her with tears streaming down her face and used the nearby waterfall to propel them upwards and out of harm's way.

Next, Dijin gathered all the magma he had created and made it spin around himself like a typhoon turning him into a molten twister of death as he attacked anyone in sight while shouting "YOUR'RE ALL FUCKING DEAD!"

Dijin began waving his arms in multiple directions making the Magama Typhoon come to life. Long deadly tendrils of magma came exploding from the whirlwind of death striking all the Dai Li agents present dismembering them or outright killing them.

Azula and Zuko watched this happen from their hiding spot in stunned terror before Dijin had quickly taken out all of the Dai Li agents and focused his gaze on the Fire Nation siblings.

Both of them unconsciously flinched in fear before Azula Hardened her gaze and got into a fighting stance while Zuko could only tremble at the sight of Dijin and his power.

However, before Dijin could attack, Iroh came bursting in on the scene and stood in front of his niece and nephew while giving the Lava-bender a serious frown.

The former student and teacher looked at each other for a second before Iroh shouted at Dijin saying "Enough of this Dijin! Do not let your anger control you! There is no time for this nonsense!"

Dijin just glared past his old teacher and focused on Azula and Zuko before shouting back "They made their choice Iroh! Now stand aside and let me do what needs to be done!"

Iroh stood firm and stated "There is still time to save the Avatar Dijin, but you are wasting what precious time you have on petty vengeance!"

Iroh paused for second to let his words sink in before he said "Now Dijin, you need to make your Choice."

Dijin continued to Glare at the siblings for a few more seconds before he pointed a Lava-covered hand at Azula and said "The next time we meet, Your Mine."

Azula despite herself felt a cold chill go up her spine as she heard Dijin's threat before the Lava-bender turned away and used his Lava-Typhoon to propel him upwards until he blasted a hole in the ceiling and kept going upwards.

Despite Dijin leaving them alone, the Fire Nation siblings were still rattled by the experience and didn't snap out of it until some more of Azula's loyalists arrived.

One of the agents got close to them and rushed to Azula saying "Lady Azula, are you alright? We saw all the bodies on the way here."

Azula schooled herself before glaring at the agent and saying "Of course I'm alright! You really think a lowly Guard dog could defeat me?"

Azula glared at her uncle and pointed at him while saying "Arrest this traitor. We have a special place in mind for him."

Iroh didn't resist the agents cuffing him nor when they began to lead him away. He did stop however, when he came to close to Azula.

Azula didn't say anything at first before she finally said "I didn't need your help."

Iroh just smiled and shrugged his shoulders before saying "I'm not so sure about that but in the end we all do everything we can for family, don't we?" he let out a small chuckle.

Azula just frowned and said "Take him away."

The agents nodded their heads and led Iroh out of the caves while Azula went over to her brother who was staring at the opening Dijin just left in.

Azula smiled and placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder before she looked at him and said "Well done, brother. Father is going to be so proud of you."

Zuko looked unsure before he said "What if Father is still angry with me. Will he even give me my honor back?"

Azula just replied "Zuko, how could father be angry when we have just killed his worst enemy. You need no longer worry about Father giving you your Honor." She looked at him with her trademark smirk before saying "Today you gained your honor back yourself."

Zuko didn't say anything he just stared at the opening as he remembered Dijin's words

"Time and time again you have been given chance after chance to prove that you can be the good man Iroh wants you to be but you still cling to Ozai's ankles just for that small insufficient chance that he will acknowledge you and welcome you home with open arms!"

"No, Zuko. You lost your Honor the moment you sided with Father and Sister."

Azula kept her smile and led her brother out the cave while saying "Come along Zuko, we have much to plan for."

xxLine Breakxx

Meanwhile on the surface, Dijin had quickly met up with Katara and Aang. Luckily the trio was found by the rest of the Gaang plus the King and Bosco.

Right now, the group was flying away from Ba Sing Se on Appa with Dijin and Katara gathered around the unmoving Aang.

Dijin quickly went to work, doing chest compressions on Aang before placing his ear on Aang's chest.
Dijin shook his head and tried again while saying "Come on Aang! Breath, Damn it!"

Everyone watched in sadness as Dijin desperately tried to revive Aang before Katara remembered she had the Vial of Oasis water.

Katara quickly grabbed the vial and shoved Dijin aside saying "Let me try! Help me turn him over!"

Dijin nodded and grabbed Aang so his back was facing them and the two of them gasped in horror at what they saw.

In the center of Aang's back was a large section of burnt skin and flesh. Blood was running down the rest of his back while even some of Aang's muscles were showing.

Katara quickly schooled herself and bent the water out of the vial and spread it over Aang's back.

To everyone's relief, the water began to work. Aang's flesh started to mend back to together and his burns were going away. However, Aang now a large jagged scar going down his entire back.

Katara turned Aang so he was facing her and began to shake him while shouting "Aang! Aang! Aang, please open your eyes!"

Tears were streaming down Katara's face as she looked for any sign of life in Aang.

By some miracle Aang let out a painful groan and weakly opened his eyes.

Both Katara and Dijin had wide smiles while Aang glanced at Katara and weakly smiled at her before he was unconscious again.

Katara just leaned down and hugged Aang while Dijin sat back on Appa in a heap.

Dijin felt someone sit next to him before they grabbed his arm and wrapped it around themselves.

Dijin glanced down and saw it was Toph. He just held Toph close to him grateful for her support while the group watched Ba Sing Se Disappear from view with Fire nation flags beginning to drape over its walls.

The King was the one to voice the collective thought as he said "Today, The Earth Kingdom is no more."

Dijin glanced back at the unconscious form of Aang before he squinted his eyes shut and a lone tear escaped his eye while he thought to himself "I Failed."