'Aang ran through the Southern Air Temple then paused and looked around for before continuing on towards a small broken done hut. The young Air Nomad pulled aside the red curtain in front of the hut's entrance and his eyes went wide when he saw it was the room he had found Monk Gyatso's skeleton in all those weeks ago and kneeling in front of the skeleton, was himself in the Avatar State. The personage of himself turned around and glared angrily at him while Aang just stared back in terror as the wind began whipping around him. He looked away and saw Sokka, Xiaodan, and Katara huddled behind a piece of rubble, watching as a sphere of air encased the other him who then slammed his fists together, sending Aang backwards.

Aang gasped as he fell into the room that led into the Sanctuary in the Fire Temple where he had visited Roku on the solstice. His grey eyes became even larger as the doors unlocked and flew open, revealing personage of himself in the Avatar State. The personage suddenly breathed fire at the real Aang then made a slashing motion and melted the floor in half right under Aang, who screamed as he fell through crevice only to grunt in slight pain a moment later when he landed on the deck of a Fire Navy ship in the Northern Seas.

Aang stared up in awe and fear at the monstrous koi fish made of water and energy he and La created when they fused together when he was in the Avatar State during the Siege of the North appeared in front of the ship he had landed on with the personage of himself in the Avatar inside of it. The personage of himself raised his arm diagonally and the energy creature did the same, then as one they slashed their arms downward...'

Aang gasped loudly as he jerked into a sitting position. He panted quietly for a moment then sighed deeply and hopped out of the hammock he'd been sleeping in. The young Airbender landed silently on the ground and headed towards the ladder in the room that lead up to the top deck of the Northern Water Tribe boat he and his friends were on along with Master Pakku and a few other Water Tribe members.

Xiaodan lifted her head sleepily, just catching sight of her brother as he climbed up the ladder.

"Little brother?" She muttered tiredly then rolled out of the hammock positioned underneath the one Aang had been sleeping in then headed up the ladder after her brother.

"Aang? Xia?" Katara called out quietly as she woke up and watched both Airbenders disappear above deck.

Xiaodan covered her mouth as she yawned and shuffled over to where Aang was standing by the railing of the Water Tribe ship. The white-haired girl wrapped her arm around Aang's waist when she reached him and rested her head gently against his just as Katara approached them both.

"Do you want to talk about it?" The dark-haired girl questioned compassionately as stood on Aang's other side.

"Nah, just a nightmare." Aang replied as he looked at the water and leaned into Xiaodan's side a little more, "I was in the Avatar State, but I was outside my body watching myself. It was scary... I was scary."

He closed his eyes and Katara put her hand gently on his shoulder while Xiaodan squeezed his waist in sisterly comfort.

Pakku stood in front of the four teens with a small smile on his face and he reached into the small sack in his hand, pulling out a tiny flask with crescent moon stopper attached to string and holding it up.

"Katara, I want you to have this. This amulet contains water from the Spirit Oasis." Pakku said as he handed the young master Waterbender the amulet, "The water has unique properties. Don't lose it."

"Thank you, Master Pakku." Katara replied gratefully after accepting the amulet and hugging the older man then she climbed into Appa's saddle.

"Aang," Pakku addressed the younger Airbender as he pulled out a small box filled with Waterbending scrolls and handed it to the boy, "These scrolls will help you master Waterbending. But remember, they're no substitute for a real master."

Aang grinned up at Katara as he accepted the box of scrolls and the dark-haired girl smiled back sweetly. Pakku then turned to Xiaodan and pulled out a small drawstring bag.

"Xiaodan, these oils have special properties that will darken your hair in case you ever find the need to." Pakku stated as he handed the bag to the white-haired girl, who smiled gratefully at him and bowed to him.

"Many thanks, Master Pakku." Xiaodan said as she straightened up then jumped into Appa's saddle with Katara, tucking the small bag securely away.

"Sokka..." Pakku said as he turned to the young warrior, who grinned eagerly at him and Pakku patted his shoulder, "Take care, son."

Sokka's face fell and he dejectedly walked to Appa while Pakku addressed the four teens as a whole.

"Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom base to the east of here." Pakku stated as he pointed eastward, "General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There, you will be safe to begin your Earthbending training with King Bumi."

Aang nodded then snapped Appa's reins after Sokka had sat in the saddle, "Appa, yip-yip!"

The sky bison leapt into the air with a grumble and Katara waved goodbye to Pakku.

"Say 'hi' to Gran-Gran for me!" The dark-haired girl shouted as Appa began flying in the direction of the Earth Kingdom base.

"This is what I've been missing." Iroh sighed happily as he received a relaxing massage at a resort near the Fire Nation occupied western coast of the Earth Kingdom, "Who knew floating on a piece of driftwood for three weeks with no food or water, and sea vultures waiting to pluck out your liver could make one so tense?"

Iroh turned his head slightly and looked at his unhappy nephew sitting on the floor with his back to the doorway. Iroh hopped off the table and walked over to his brooding nephew then sat down cross-legged beside him.

"I see." He said in understanding as he looked at the scarred prince, "It's the anniversary, isn't it?"

"Three years ago today, I was banished." Zuko replied softly, "I lost it all. I want it back. I want the Avatar, I want my honor, my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless."

"I'm sure he doesn't." Iroh said reassuringly when he saw the regretful look on Zuko's face, "Why would he banish you if he didn't care."

Zuko gave his uncle a deadpan look then got to his feet and walked away.

"Uh, that came out wrong, didn't it?" Iroh muttered, glancing over his shoulder at the two masseurs behind him and the two men merely looked at each other in confusion.

A Fire Nation ship sailed through the water while several soldiers stood in two lines on the deck and bowed low as a royal carriage was brought out. Two servants pulled the carriage's curtains apart, revealing a young, dark-haired girl with glittering gold eyes.

The girl stepped from the carriage and walked forward a few steps then motioned for the bowing soldiers to rise.

"My brother and my uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord, and have brought shame on all of us." The girl, Princess Azula, stated as she walked between the two lines of soldiers with her head held high and her hands clasped behind her back after the men had risen, "You might have mixed feelings about attacking members of the Royal Family. I understand. But I assure you, if you hesitate, I will not hesitate to bring you down."

She stared at all the men coldly then flicked her hand, "Dismissed."

The soldiers left quickly and Azula stared out at the front of the ship as the captain ran towards her.

"Princess," The captain said as stopped just behind he stopped a few feet behind her, "I'm afraid the tides will not allow us to bring the ship into the port before nightfall."

"I'm sorry, captain, but I do not know much about the tides." Azula replied in a dangerously pleasant tone as she walked over to the side of the ship and looked out at the ocean, "Can you explain something to me?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

"Do the tides command this ship?" Azula asked, still in that same dangerously pleasant tone.

"I'm afraid I don't understand." The captain said with a confused look.

"You said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in." The princess stated then her toned sharpened harshly, "Do the tides command this ship?"

"No, princess."

"And if I were to have you thrown overboard, would the tides think twice about smashing you against the rocky shore?"

"No, princess." The captain responded worriedly as he tried not to visible gulp in fear.

"Well, then, maybe you should worry less about the tides who have already made up their minds about killing you," Azula said softly as she ran her fingers through her bangs then turned to face the captain with a furious look on her young face, "And worry more about me, who's still mulling it over."

"I'll pull us in." The captain said meekly then rushed to leave.

Azula glared darkly then her eyes narrowed dangerously in thought.

Sokka folded his arms over rim of the saddle and rested his chin on them as he looked out at the passing clouds. Xiaodan yawned and stretched languidly from beside him then let her own arms hang over the side of the saddle, her fingers threading though Appa's fur as the bison flew eastward towards the Earth Kingdom base with Aang on his head and Katara sitting at the front of the saddle.

Sokka sat up suddenly and pointed excitedly, "There it is!"

Aang pulled on Appa's reins and directed Appa towards the base and landed the sky bison in the middle of the base where an older man in his mid-thirties was waiting with several Earth Kingdom soldiers.

"Welcome, Avatar Aang," The man greeted exuberantly as the four teens hopped off Appa and began to stretch happily then he and the soldiers bowed, "I am General Fong, and welcome, to all of you great heroes. Appa, Momo, brave Sokka, the mighty Katara, and the great Xiaodan..."

"Mighty Katara?" the dark-haired girl said with a pleased look, one hand propped on her hip as she and Xiaodan smirked at each other, "I like that."

"Same here." Xiaodan agreed, her smirk widening into a grin when several fireworks went off behind them, the soldiers launching them into the air using Earthbending.

"Not bad, not bad." Sokka stated with a grin as he nodded in approval.

General Fong gestured for the four teens to follow him into the command tower at the base, leading them into a spacious discussion room near the top of the tower. The four sat down on small mat several feet in from of a large desk on a raised dais at the end of the room where General Fong sat.

"Avatar Aang, we were all amazed at the stories of how you singlehandedly wiped out an entire Fire Navy fleet at the North Pole." General Fong praised the younger Airbender as he stroked his beard in thought, "I can't imagine what it feels like to wield such devastating power. It's an awesome responsibility."

Xiaodan's eyes narrowed a small amount, feeling slightly uneasy at the way the general was looking at her brother. Aang gave a small shrug of his shoulders from between the white-haired girl and Katara.

"I try not to think about it too much."

General Fong looked at Aang calmly, "Avatar, you're ready to face the Fire Lord now."

"What?" Aang asked in shock as he looked at the man like he had grown a second head, "No I'm not!"

"Are you insane?" Xiaodan demanded, obviously irritated with the general's words, "He's only mastered one element!"

"He still needs to master the other three." Katara agreed, holding her hands out in a reasoning matter.

"Why?" General Fong questioned then stated matter-of-factly as he gestured with his hand, "With the kind of power he possesses, power enough to destroy hundreds of battle ships in a matter of minutes, he could defeat the Fire Lord now!"

"But sir," Sokka responded easily, "The thing is, Aang can only do those things when he's in the Avatar State."

"See, it's this special state where-"

"I'm well aware!" General Fong cut Aang off sharply and Xiaodan bristled angrily but he continued to speak, "Your eyes and tattoos glow and you're able to summon unbelievable power. Without you, we'd be slaughtered before we even reach their shores."

General Fong stood and turned to the large map hanging on the wall behind him, tracing his finger from the base's location in the Earth Kingdom to the Fire Nation Capital.

"But with you leading the way, as the ultimate weapon, we could cut a swath right through the heart of the Fire Nation."

"Right," Aang said doubtfully, "but I don't know how to get in or out of the Avatar State, much less what to do once I'm there."

"So, it's decided then." General Fong stated as he turned around to face the four, his expression almost gleeful, "I'll help you figure out how to get into the Avatar State and then you'll face your destiny."

Xiaodan and Katara shot to their feet, both of them bristling angrily at the general's presumptuous attitude while Aang and Sokka got stood a little slower.

"No, nothing's decided." Katara snapped angrily, "We already have a plan. Aang's pursing his destiny hisway."

"Well, while you take your time learning the elements, the War goes on." He replied coolly, giving the two girls a cold look then he addressed Aang, "May I show you something?"

The general lead Aang over to one of the many windows without waiting for a reply and he gestured outside towards one of the buildings on the base where injured men were walking towards it slowly.

"That's the infirmary, and those soldiers are the lucky ones." General Fong stated as Aang looked at the injured men in shock, "They came back. Every day, the Fire Nation takes lives. People are dying, Aang! You could end it, now! Think about it."

Aang looked at the men outside then averted his eyes, looking off to the side unsurely. Xiaodan stepped forward then and placed her hand on Aang's shoulder, her molten orange eyes burning into the General's back as he walked away from Aang.

Azula stood on the main deck of her ship and shifted her feet slightly then began moving her arms in a circular motion, lightning beginning to crackle around her fingers. The Fire Nation princess thrusted her hand forward and fired the lightning bolt into the sky, one strand of air fall into her face.

"Almost perfect." Lo commented and her twin sister nodded.

"One hair out of place." Li finished eerily.

Azula's eyes narrowed in on the strand of hair hanging between her eyes and she pushed it away angrily.

"Almost isn't good enough!" She barked furiously then began to generate lightning again, firing it off into the distance.

Iroh awoke from his nap a start and he sat up, peering around curiously as his brows furrowed in confusion. He frowned slightly then shrugged and laid back down again, preparing to continue his nap.

Aang walked into the discussion room in the command tower at the Earth Kingdom base and stood in front of the general's desk, the night sky clearly visible from the windows in the room.

"General Fong?"

General Fong looked up then stood with a slight smile when he saw Aang standing in front of him, "Come in, Aang. Have you thought about our discussion?"

Aang hesitated a moment then looked off to the side, "I'm in. I'll fight the Fire Lord."

General Fong smiled then nodded once and Aang hurried from the meeting room, heading back to the room that he and his friends had been giving for the night.

Xiaodan smiled at Aang from her spot sitting cross-legged on her bed as he walked over to his own bed and sat down. Her smile soon disappeared when her brother folded his hands in his lap and looked down at his feet.

"I told the general I'd help him, by going into the Avatar State." Aang said suddenly and Katara and Xiaodan looked at him in shock.

"Aang, no!" Katara protested instantly as she sat up in her bed and looked at Aang in shock, "This is not the right way!"

"Why not?" Sokka asked dismissively as he rested on his own bed with his hands behind his head, "Remember when he took out the Fire Navy? He was incredible!"

"Why, Aang?" Xiaodan asked gently, her expression confused as she jumped from her bed and bounded over to sit beside Aang, curling her arm around his shoulders and he rested his head against her own shoulder but couldn't reply since Katara and Sokka were still bickering

"There's a right way to do this." Katara snipped at her brother in exasperation, "Practice, study, and discipline!"

Sokka shrugged casually, "Or just glow it up and stop that Fire Lord!"

Katara got to her feet and threw her hands in the air in surrender, "If you two meat heads want to throw away everything we've worked for, fine, go ahead and glow it up!"

"Katara, I'm just being realistic!" Aang cried out and jumped to his feet as the dark-haired girl went to exit the room, "I don't have time to do this the right way!"

The door slammed shut and Aang looked at it mournfully then turned to look at his sister.

"Do you think I'm doing the right thing, Xia?"

The white-haired girl pursed her lips and frowned slightly as she looked at Aang's unsure expression, finally she sighed.

"I think you should do whatever you feel is right." She replied carefully, "If that means having General Fong help you reach the Avatar State, that's okay. If it doesn't work then we'll know if it is the right way to defeat the Fire Lord or not."

Aang gave her a grateful look, but his expression was still unsure as he laid back down on his bed after Xiaodan had stood and went back to her own bunk.

"This rare chi-enhancing tea is a natural stimulant." One of the Earth Kingdom soldiers said as he dropped a white cube into a teapot the next morning then poured the tea into a cup in front of Aang, "In an ordinary warrior, it improves strength and energy ten-fold. In you, it may induce the Avatar State."

"Ten-fold energy, huh?" Aang said as picked up the cup cup while Katara, Xiaodan, and Sokka sat behind him and watched and the general sat beside him at the small, round table.

Aang drank the tea and his eyebrows twitched slightly. The group watched as he suddenly jumped up and began to spazz out. He created an air scooter and began zooming around the outdoor room they were all sitting in.

"Is it working? Is it working?" Aang asked rapidly and in a high-pitched voice as he rode his air scooter, "I can't tell! Somebody tell if I'm in the Avatar State 'cause I don't have a good view of myself! Am I talking too loud?"

"Oh yeah, it certainly gave him ten-fold energy." Xiaodan stated then doubled over with laughter.

Sokka slumped forward with his elbow on his knee and his chin resting in the palm of his hand as he watched Aang zoom around, tired out simply from watching the younger boy.

"I guess he could talk the Fire Lord to death." The young Water Tribe warrior quipped just as Aang zoomed behind him and hit a one of the pillars, falling backwards.

Xiaodan slapped her hands over her mouth to keep her laughter muffled as she stared at her brother's twitching body.

"Maybe I can shock you into the Avatar State." Sokka stated as he stood in front of Aang in the courtyard of the base with Katara and Xiaodan sitting on either side and slightly behind him after the disastrous chi-stimulating tea fiasco earlier.

"I love surprises!" Aang said eagerly and Xiaodan covered his eyes then uncovered them a few moments later, revealing Sokka towering over him with his head replaced with Momo who screeched.

Aang screamed and recoiled rapidly, nearly knocking heads with Xiaodan who was just able to move her own head out of the way. Aang gave her an apologetic look then looked at the arrow tattoos on the back of his hands.

"Still not glowing." He stated and held his hands up to show Sokka.

Sokka frowned and stepped back only to lose his balance and fall to the ground. Xiaodan, Aang, and Katara giggled quietly as the boy groaned and Momo crawled out of the top of his shirt.

"You are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations." The oracle the general had brought in said as he stood in front of an altar with a large bowl on it while Aang stood in front of him dressed the four ceremonial pieces of clothing with Katara, Xiaodan, and Aang stood off to the side with the general, "Now I will join the four elements into the one! Water!"

The old man poured water into a bowl, then poured some dirt into the bowl.

"Earth! Fire!" He shouted and dropped a nearby torch into the bowl then took a wooden contraption and released a gust of air into the bow, "Air!"

"Four elements together as one!" The oracle exclaimed dramatically as he raised the bowl then flung the contents at Aang, coating the younger Airbender mud.

Aang looked at the gunk in annoyance, "This is just mud!"

"So..." The oracle asked, looking at Aang quizzically, "Do you feel anything?"

Aang rose a finger, which caught everyone's interested then his nose began to twitch. Xiaodan's eyes widened and she leapt into the air just as Aang gave a powerful sneeze which caused mud to fly everywhere and coat General Fong, Katara, and Sokka.

Xiaodan landed beside Katara lithely just as General Fong wiped the mud from his face.

"We have to find a way." He muttered as he stroked his beard, causing Xiaodan to roll her eyes in exasperation then cross her arms.

Iroh smiled happily as he walked into the dark, one room house he and his nephew were staying in and he carefully dumped the contents of the small satchel he was carrying onto the table, the various shells tumbling out.

"Look at these magnificent shells!" Iroh exclaimed as he held up one of the shells to show his nephew then picked up a conch shell, "I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come."

"We don't need any more useless things!" Zuko snapped angrily as he threw his hands in the air in exasperation at his uncle, "You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now!"

"Hello, brother. Uncle."

Zuko whirled around and his eyes narrowed as he glared at his sister sitting in a dark corner of the room with her feet propped up on the other table in the room.

"What are you doing here?" The scarred teen snarled angrily.

"In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions." Azula snipped in a mock-pleasant tone as she held up a shell then stood up and walked over to Zuko and Iroh, "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"

"Don't call me that!" Zuko hissed furiously, his fists clenched at his sides as he glared at her.

"To what do we owe this honor?" Iroh cut in quickly, even though his tone was clearly upset.

"Hmm...must be a family trait. Both of you so quick to the point." Azula mused then smirked cruelly as she shattered the shell in her hand with her fingertips, her smirk growing at the angry look Iroh sent her.

"I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him; treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can trust." Azula said then paused briefly as she looked at Zuko, "Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home."

Silence was her only response and her eyes narrowed as she glared at her older brother.

"Did you hear me?" She demanded angrily as she ran her fingers through her bangs, "You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you great news."

"I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment." Iroh explained as he watched Azula warily.

"Don't interrupt, Uncle!" the princess snarled at the older man then looked at Zuko condescendingly, "I still haven't heard my thank you. I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way."

"Father regrets?" Zuko asked in surprise as he looked at his sister in shock, "He...wants me back?"

"I can see you need time to take this in." Azula commented drily as she started towards the door of the small hovel, "I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening."

Zuko stared at the floor blankly as he pondered everything his sister had just said while Iroh watched him worriedly.

Xiaodan kicked her feet idly as she sat on the railing of the balcony that Aang was leaning against beside her, watching the sunset over the horizon.

"Aang?" Katara asked quietly as she approached the two Airbenders, "Can we talk about something?"

Aang looked over at her curiously and nodded, "Sure."

"Do you want me to go?" Xiaodan questioned as she began to stand and Katara shook her head, holding her hands up in a negative gesture.

"No, it's okay, you should probably stay too."

Xiaodan nodded easily and sat back down on the railing, this time straddling it so she could look at Katara and Aang.

"So you remember when we were at the air temple and you found Monk Gyatso's skeleton?" Katara asked as she looked at Aang, "It must have been so horrible and traumatic for you. I saw you get so upset that you weren't even you anymore."

Katara looked off to the side as she continued to speak then back at Aang, "I'm not saying the Avatar State doesn't have incredible and helpful power, but you have to understand...for the people who love you, watching you be in that much rage and pain is really scary."

Xiaodan smiled at Katara then placed her hand on Aang's shoulder, drawing his attention towards her.

"She's right, little brother." The white-haired girl said quietly, "I was so worried and scared each time you've gone into the Avatar State. I wasn't scared of you, butfor you because I could practically feel the anger you felt in that state."

Aang looked at her and Katara for a moment then he looked at his hands hanging over the edge of the railing.

"I'm really glad you two told me that." He said softly, his tone slightly regretfully as he refused to make eye contact with either of the girls, "But I still need to do this."

Xiaodan gave him a small, sad but accepting smile and she squeezed his shoulder.

"I don't understand." Katara stated, clearly upset as she looked at Aang with wide blue eyes.

"No, you don't." Aang replied clearly as he shrugged Xiaodan's hand off his shoulder and turned to look at Katara, "Every day, more and more people die. I'm already one hundred years late. Defeating the Fire Lord is the only way to stop this war. I have to try it!"

"I can't watch you do this to yourself. I'm not coming tomorrow." Katara said sadly as she started walking away, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Aang returned, sounding just as said as he turned back to look at the sinking sun on the horizon then he glanced at Xiaodan out of the corner of his eye, "Are you going to be there tomorrow?"

"Do you want me to be there?"

Aang hesitated, biting his lip as he thought about what his sister and Katara said about being scared and worried when he was in the Avatar State.

"I-" He started then hesitated again and took a deep breath, "I think you should stay with Katara tomorrow. I don't think I want you to see me like that."

Xiaodan hopped off the ledge and hugged Aang tightly for a moment then pulled back, her hands on his shoulders.

"If you want me to stay with Katara tomorrow then I will." She said quietly as she looked him in the eyes, her own orbs shining with sisterly affection, "I'll always support whatever decisions you make, even if I think they're crazy."

Aang smiled up at her slightly, "Thanks, big sister."

Xiaodan merely smiled and the two turned to look at the sun as it finally disappeared below the horizon.

"We're going home!" Zuko stated excitedly as he packed his belongings up, "After three long years, it's unbelievable!"

Iroh stared out the window of the small house and stroked his beard thoughtfully, "It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything."

"Did you listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him!" Zuko retorted in irritation, "He cares about me!"

"I care about you!" Iroh snapped back as he turned to face his obstinate uncle with his arms spread out slightly, "And if Ozai wants you back, well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine."

Zuko turned his back on Iroh, his shoulders tense, "You don't know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything!"

"Zuko," Iroh said softly in an attempt to placate the scarred prince, "I only meant that in our family, things are not always what they seem."

"I think you are exactly what you seem!" Zuko snarled as he whirled around to glare at his uncle, "A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother!"

Iroh watched with a sad expression on his face as Zuko stormed out of the small house and into the night, his heart hurting slightly despite knowing that his nephew often spoke before he thought.

'Aang watched with wide eyes as the personage of him in the Avatar State rose into the air on a vortex of water then landed on the deck of Zuko's warship. The personage of Aang used Waterbending to swing the vortex around and knock the real Aang away then the personage turned to face Prince Zuko. Aang stared in horror as the personage raised its arm then slashed them downwards in a cutting motion...'

Aang jerked into a sitting position with a small gasp and he quickly turned to look at Sokka, who was sleeping in the bed adjacent to him.

"Sokka." He whispered quietly, "Sokka, wake up."

"Huh?" Sokka mumbled tiredly as he looked at Aang over his shoulder, his hair loose from its normal ponytail.

"I don't think we should be trying to bring on the Avatar State."

"You sure?" Sokka asked, still sounding tired as he rolled onto his back to look at Aang.

"Yes." Aang said quietly.

"Okay." Sokka replied with a nonchalant shrug of his shoulder.

Aang's eyes went wide suddenly and he looked at the older boy with slight trepidation, "Do you think the general will be mad with me?"

"What can he say?" Sokka asked rhetorically as he rolled back over to go back to sleep, "You're the Avatar. Who knows better than you?"

Aang frowned slightly but mere shrugged and laid back down, his hands behind his head.

Zuko walked down the stone staircase towards the dock where he could see Azula's ship waiting, his pack slung over his shoulder.

"Wait! Don't leave without me!"

Zuko paused and turned around, smiling as he set his pack down, "Uncle! You've changed your mind."

"Family sticks together, right?" Iroh stated with a small smile as he placed his hand on his nephew's shoulder.

Zuko smiled slightly as he remembered his father resting his hand on his shoulder when he was younger. The scarred prince shook his head slightly and turned back to look at the ship again.

"We're finally going home!" He said excitedly as he resumed his descent.

Iroh frowned slightly as he looked at the ship with suspicion then he followed after his nephew.

Aang stood in front of the desk where General Fong was sitting with Sokka standing behind and slightly to the side of him, next to two Earth Kingdom soldiers.

"The thing is, I don't think we'll ever be able to trigger it on purpose." Aang told the general, his tone humble, "I guess that's it."

"You sure I can't change your mind?" The general asked calmly, his hands folded on the top of the desk.

"I'm sure." Aang replied with a small nod, "I can only reach the Avatar State when I'm in genuine danger."

"I see...I was afraid you'd say that." The general murmured as he stood up then he used Earthbending to launch the deck and part of the dais it was on at Aang, sending him soaring across the room.

"Aang!" Sokka shouted and rushed to help the younger boy, but the two soldiers standing behind him grabbed him and held him down.

The impact from the desk sent Aang crashing through the wall of the tower and flying out of the building. Aang yelped and twisted in midair, using Airbending to break his fall just before his splattered across the ground, rolling forward to avoid the desk that landed just after him. The young Airbender rolled onto his back and looked up just as the General stood in front of the hole the impact had created and he pointed at Aang.

"Men!" He shouted as he pointed at Aang, "Attack the Avatar!"

Aang's eyes went wide as several of the Earthbending soldiers surrounded him, some of them riding on ostrich-horses. The young Airbender looked up when the general jumped down and landed in the courtyard, Earthbending a small rock wave at Aang, which sent him back a little further and forced him to his feet.

"What are you doing?" Aang demanded in alarm as he looked at the general in trepidation.

"I believe we're about to get results." General Fong replied with a sly smile on his face.

The soldiers on either side of Aang Earthbended large stone coins from the ground and prepared to launch them at Aang, who looked around himself nervously. One of the soldiers launched his coin at Aang while another soldier did the same. Aang twirled out of the way, dodging the first two coins then leapt into the air parallel to the ground, passing between the next two and flying a few feet forward.

"I'm not your enemy!" Aang shouted as he looked around him cautiously with his hands raised slightly, "I won't fight you!"

The Earthbenders ignored him and sent four more earth coins at his way. Aang leapt into the air again and the coins crashed into each other with a crash, with Aang landing on top of them. Another coin was launched at him, crashing into one of the four stationary coins and sending it flying away just as Aang jumped to the ground where the coin had been standing a moment ago. Two of the stationary coins slammed together suddenly and Aang jumped up just in time so that he was positioned in the open middle of the coins. Aang yelped quietly and gritted his teeth as the coins began to roll rapidly forward.

The coins rolled towards one of the Earthbenders and he stretched his arm out, breaking the coins as soon as they touched his palm which sent Aang flying back a few feet. Aang rose woozily to his feet and shook his head to clear it then he looked around warily as he faced the rest of the soldiers and their earth coins.

Sokka glared at the two guards holding his arms then smirked and lifted his legs, stepping on the soldiers' bare feet forcefully. The soldiers' eyes go wide and they let Sokka go, falling forward in pain as the young Water Tribe warrior raced out of the room to help Aang.

Xiaodan sat cross-legged on top of the wall at the back of the base behind the command tower, her hands resting lightly on her knees as she meditated. She inhaled deeply from her nose and held it for a moment then exhaled slowly from her mouth, letting her thoughts fade until her mind was completely blank. A loud crash followed by a sharp shout startled the white-haired girl and she went tumbling off the wall, just barely catching the edge of the wall in time.

"What in the world?" She muttered as she hauled herself back onto the wall and looked towards the courtyard, where the loud crashes continued to originate from. Her eyes went wide when she heard Aang's voice followed by another crash and she ran along the wall towards the courtyard, using Airbending to run faster.

Aang gasped as he jumped into the air to avoid the four coins launched at him, leaping up to avoid the ones sent below him and the two sent from either side of him. He jumped from the holes in the coins and created his air scooter, zigzagging past several soldiers that attempted to slow him down by Earthbending rock walls in his path.

Aang rode past two soldiers on ostrich-horses and they began chasing after him. The young Airbender rode his air scooter towards the wall, scaling it quickly while the two soldiers on ostrich-horses used Earthbending to propel themselves upward. Aang's eyes went wide as the air scooter ran out of air and he began running up the wall instead, the two soldiers on ostrich-horses in hot pursuit. Aang narrowly avoided the soldiers' spears as he bent backwards and let himself fall back to the ground, while the two soldiers land on the wall and descend to the ground after him.

Aang somersaulted forward as soon as he hit the ground, avoiding the spears again and lessening the impact of his fall as he got to his feet only to yelp when he realized he was standing in the center of one of the earth coins still embedded in the ground.

"You can't run forever!" General Fong shouted as he Earthbended the coin out of the ground and pulled it towards him with Aang still in the hole.

"You can't fight forever!" Aang snapped back and jumped back just in time to avoid General Fong as he leapt forward and crushed the earth coin, causing dust to fly into the air.

Iroh watched the soldiers standing on either side of the dock cautiously as he and Zuko made their way towards the ramp of the ship where Azula was standing quietly at the top of the ramp with two more soldiers on either side of her.

"Brother! Uncle! Welcome!" Azula greeted warmly as Zuko and Iroh stopped a little bit in front of the ship's captain at the bottom of the ramp and the three bowed to each other, "I'm so glad you decided to come."

Iroh's eyes opened slightly and he looked at the soldiers suspiciously then he straightened, the two lines of soldiers fall in line behind Zuko and Iroh, closing the aisle the two had walked through a moment ago.

"Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?" The captain asked as he turned and walked forward slightly to stand at the very end of the ramp.

"Set our course for home, captain." Azula instructed sweetly.

Zuko bowed his head slightly and whispered, "Home..."

"You heard the princess!" The captain barked, raising his hand as he walked up the ramp, "Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home!"

The captain's eyes went wide when he realized his mistake and he looked at Azula, whose expression when from surprised to furious in a second.

"Your Highness, I..." The captain started nervously just as Iroh narrowed his eyes and he suddenly attacked the guards, pushing them off the edge of the walkway and sending fire blasts at them.

Zuko snarled as he stomped furiously up the ramp, throwing the captain off as he stalked past him.

"You lied to me!" He shouted as he glared at his sister angrily, still standing several feet away from her on the ramp.

"Like I've never done that before." Azula retorted smugly as she turned her back on Zuko, waving her hand slightly and the two guards standing on either side of her suddenly shot fire blasts at the banished prince.

Zuko crossed his arms then spread them outward quickly, deflecting the attacks. He shouted angrily as he charged onto the ship to chase after his younger sister.

Aang cried out as he ran forward, avoiding the four earth coins that slammed into the ground behind him only to swerve sharply to continue running away from another earth coin that was rolling his way.

Katara sat on her bed with her knees pulled loosely to her chest as she stared at the wall blankly. The room suddenly shook and she frowned as she looked towards the door with Momo.

"I wonder what crazy thing they're trying to do now." She asked, looking at Momo who was sleeping on a pillow on the ground.

The lemur looked at her for a second laid his head back down and went back to the sleep. The room shook as another rumble could be heard from outside, causing Katara too look at the door worriedly again as she got to her feet.

"Maybe we should just make sure Aang's okay." She muttered and hurried out of the room, heading towards the courtyard.

Xiaodan's eyes went huge when she saw General Fong and his soldiers attacking Aang. The white-haired girl caught sight of Katara and Sokka racing down the steps of the tower towards the courtyard and she pushed off the top of the wall, using the momentum from her run as well as Airbending to propel herself towards them, somersaulting through the air.

"What in the Spirits' name is going on?!" Xiaodan all but shrieked when she landed between Sokka and Katara at the base of the two sets of stairs.

"The general's gone crazy!" Sokka replied as the three watched Aang continue to dodge the earth coins that were launched at him from both sides, "He's trying to force Aang into the Avatar State."

"Not on my watch." Xiaodan growled angrily and she ran off with Katara not far behind her while Sokka pulled out his boomerang and threw it.

The boomerang flew through the air and hit one of the soldiers, knocking him over in a daze which caused the earth coin he'd been about to Earthbend to fall over. One of the soldiers on the ostrich-horse chased Aang through the courtyard with his spear pointed at him. The soldier's brows furrowed in confusion as the head of his spear was broken off by the boomerang and the soldier looked at the broken spear in confusion as the ostrich-horse slowed down. The soldier was knocked from his ostrich-horse a second later when Katara struck him with a water-whip then she pulled the water back into her flask.

Xiaodan crouched and spun her leg out, swiping one of the Earthbenders' legs out from under him, causing the earth coin to fall away a moment later. The white-haired girl bent backwards until her hands touched the ground, dodging the earth coin that had been launched at her. Xiaodan kicked her legs into the then pushed off into the air, twisting her body around until she landed back on her feet beside Katara with her hands raised defensively against any more attacks.

"Good...bird...horse thingy..." Sokka muttered as he approached the now rider-less ostrich-horse carefully.

The ostrich-horse snorted and pawed at the ground but it let Sokka mount it then it began galloping away, leaving Katara and Xiaodan alone in the courtyard turned arena at the Earth Kingdom base. Fong

The two girls stood side-by-side as several earth coins rolled towards them before coming to a standstill and they turned to look at General Fong standing several feet in front of them.

"Maybe you can avoid me..." General Fong called over his shoulder to where Aang had managed to escape up the staircase leading into the command tower, "But they can't."

The earth coins on either side of the two girls rotated that they're flat sides faced Katara and Xiaodan then the soldiers Earthbended the coins until they formed a triangular pattern with the two girls near the point. Xiaodan scowled and sent a blast of air at General Fong at the same time Katara lashed out with a water whip, but the general merely summoned a rock wall to block both girls' attacks.

General Fong then used Earthbending to sink both girls into the ground. Katara and Xiaodan cried out in shock as they twisted around and sank knee-deep into the ground.

"We can't move!" Xiaodan shouted as she and Katara struggled to get out of the ground to no avail, "Let us go, Fong!"

"Don't hurt them!" Aang exclaimed worriedly, his fists clenching as he jumped down from the staircase and sent a gust of wind at the general, who pulled up a sheet of stone to block the attack.

General Fong dropped the earth wall then sank Xiaodan and Katara further into the ground until they were waist deep.

"Katara! No!" Sokka shouted from the back of the ostrich-horse.

He galloped towards her and Xiaodan but the general sank the creature's feet into the ground, causing Sokka to be flung over its head. Sokka slammed into the hole of one of the earth coins, groaning in pain as he dangled there.

"Stop this!" Aang yelled desperately as he jumped towards General Fong and clutched his arm pleadingly, "You have to let them go!"

"You could save them if you were in the Avatar State!" General Fong retorted as he glared down at Aang.

"I'm trying..." Aang almost bawled as he shut his eyes, tears forming at the corners, "I'm trying!"

"Aang, we're sinking!" Katara yelped frantically as she and Xiaodan twisted around again, sinking chest deep.

"I don't see glowing!" General Fong hissed demandingly as he lowered his right arm and began closing his hand into a fist, causing Katara and Xiaodan to be buried neck deep.

"Please!" Katara pleaded as Xiaodan tossed her head back-and-forth, snarling wordlessly.

Aang fell to his knees as he begged, "You don't need to do this!"

"Apparently, I do." The general responded scornfully then clenched his fist, sinking the two girls completely into the ground.

Katara cried out in fear while Xiaodan screamed in anger before they were completely buried in the ground. Aang leapt forward and attempted to save the two girls, but he was too late, they were already gone. Aang rose to his hands and knees, his shoulders shaking as his tattoos began to glow brightly.

The young Airbender turned his head face Fong with his lips curled into a snarl as he got to his feet, the Avatar State now triggered.

"It worked!" General Fong shouted triumphantly, completely oblivious to the danger he was in, "It worked!"

A powerful gust of air caused the general to shield his eyes with his hand and his triumphant expression disappeared and was replaced by one of fear as he stared at Aang in the Avatar State. Air swirled violently around Aang and then he twisted his body, performing a cutting motion that sent General Fong flying backwards from the powerful air blast. The general landed roughly on the ground and lifted his head up in time to see Aang rise up into the air on a vortex of earth and air.

Zuko snarled as he leapt onto the deck of his sister's ship and sent two fire blasts at the guards, knocking them off the ship. He spun around to face Azula, who was standing patiently several feet away with her back turned and her hands clasped behind her. Azula glanced over her shoulder and smirked at her brother condescendingly. Zuko's fists clenched and fire daggers appeared as he prepared to attack his sister.

"Zuko!" Iroh shouted from the dock where he was still attacking the guards, "Let's go!"

The former general tossed one of the guards over the edge then stepped to the side to the side to avoid another guard's attack.

Zuko ignored his uncle and charged at Azula with his fire daggers, attempting to strike her with them but the princess easily dodged all of his blows with a smirk firmly on her young face. Zuko bared his teeth as he continued to attack his sister as she continued to dodge backwards. Zuko brought his right hand down in an attempt to land another blow. However Azula blocked his attack with her forearm then grabbed his wrist with one hand and slipped her wrist against the crook of his elbow. She swung him around easily and shoved him away from her, smirking as he panted.

"You know father blames Uncle for the loss of the North Pole." Azula taunted him maliciously, her smirk widening, "And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar! Why would he want youback home, except to look you up where you can no longer embarrass him?"

Zuko snarled and conjured two fire daggers again then leapt into the air and sent a powerful fire blast at Azula using his foot. The princess smirked and jumped away, landing safely several feet away in a crouch. The banished prince charged at her as she rose to her feet, dodging the blows her furious brother attempted land on her as she backed up further.

Azula lashed out at Zuko suddenly, leaving three scratch marks on his temple which caused Zuko to fall back. The scarred prince roared and charged at Azula again, swinging his fire daggers viciously at her, but she continued to dodge and block his attacks easily as she backed up the steps leading to the command tower of the ship.

The two fighting siblings reached the top of the stairs and Azula grabbed hold of Zuko's arm and the two stare at each other silently for a few seconds then Zuko's eyes went wide with alarm as Azula smirked. She then launched blue flames at Zuko, knocking him off his feet and back down the stairs to land on the deck.

Zuko pushed himself up slightly and turned his head to look at his sister, his vision blurred from the blow as well as the light of the flames. His vision focused on Azula just as she began moving her arms in a circular motion, lightning beginning to crackle at her fingertips.

Azula sneered as she prepared to fire the lightning bolt at her brother but her attack was suddenly halted when Iroh grabbed hold of her right hand and twisted around, redirecting the lightning towards a far-off cliff side. The former general quickly twisted Azula's arm, causing her to bend backwards then Iroh kicked her off the ship roughly, causing her to land in the water with a loud splash.

Iroh rushed towards Zuko and grabbed his nephew by the arm and the two race away from the ship, heading back up the stone stairs and towards the woods.

"Avatar Aang! Can you hear me? Your friends are safe!" General Fong shouted up at Aang pleadingly then he brought Katara and Xiaodan back above ground, the two girls coughing slightly as they looked up at Aang with worried and miserable expressions on their faces.

"It was just a trick to trigger the Avatar State!" the general tried to explain as he smiled maniacally, "And it worked!"

Aang, still in the Avatar State, swiveled about on the vortex then landed on the ground forcefully, creating a powerful blast that sent dust everywhere. Xiaodan gasped and lurched towards Katara, bringing up an air shield around them both just in time to prevent them from flying backwards, like General Fong and the soldiers did. The massive dust cloud began to clear, revealing the broken ground and ruined buildings of the base.

Aang's eyes went wide as he felt his spirit slip from his body and up into the sky, where Avatar Roku's dragon was flying past with Roku sitting on its back. Aang stared down at the destroyed base in shock as his spirit self landed on Fang's back behind Roku.

Roku looked over his shoulder at Aang, his voice calm, "It's time you learned."

Fang flew higher above the dusty clouds and Aang looked around Roku, staring in confused disbelief at the many small figures floating in the distance.

"The Avatar State is a defense mechanism, designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge of all the past Avatars." Roku explained as Fang flew closer to the figures, revealing to be the past Avatars.

Aang blinked as he his mind was filled with a memory of Avatar Kyoshi standing surrounded by rocky mountain terrain. Her eyes glowed for a brief moment as she assumed a fighting stance with her fans as she used Earthbending to lift up and move two statues resembling badgermoles into the air and sent them flying.

"The glow is the combination of all your past lives, focusing their energy through your body." Roku continued to explain and Aang's memory changed to Avatar Kuruk riding atop a raft in the middle of the ocean.

Aang watched as Kuruk's eyes glowed momentarily then he raised his arms and Waterbended a huge tsunami-like wave behind him, riding the wave expertly. The memory changed again, this time to Avatar Yangchen, who was standing in a grassy field surrounded by a forest. The Airbending Avatar's eyes flashed blue-white for a moment as she swung her arms and twirled around, conjuring powerful winds around her and blowing the grassy field and forest around her violently.

"In the Avatar State, you are at your most powerful," Roku said as Fang disappeared out from under Roku and Aang, leaving them on the clouds, "Bit you are also at your most vulnerable."

"What do you mean?" Aang asked curiously.

"If you are killed in the Avatar State," Roku began as the figures of the past Avatars appeared behind him in a line in front of Aang, they're eyes glowing, "The reincarnation cycle will be broken."

Aang stared in horror as the past Avatars began to fade away in succession down the line until only he was left.

"And the Avatar will cease to exist."

Aang stared around him worriedly then blinked when he was suddenly back on Fang's back with Avatar Roku above the ruined Earth Kingdom base. Fang flew straight down, head first and passed through Aang's body and into the ground, bringing Aang's spirit back into his physical state and he left the Avatar State.

Aang groaned quietly and fell to the ground weakly as he surveyed the damage he had caused the base while in the Avatar State. His grey eyes found Xiaodan kneeling protectively above Katara, both of them unharmed and he sighed in relief.

"Aang!" Xiaodan shouted as she lurched to her feet and rushed towards her brother, falling to her knees in front of him and she pulled him into a tight hug, "Oh thank the Spirits, you're okay."

Katara approached them a moment later and wrapped her arms around both Airbenders, her head resting lightly against Aang's shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Katara, Xia." Aang said quietly, his tone regretful as he embraced both girls, "I hope you never have to see me like that again."

Xiaodan opened her mouth but was cut off by General Fong's triumphant exclamation as he approached the three teens.

"Ha! Are you joking? That was almost perfect!" The general shouted then his tone turned thoughtful as he stroked his beard, "We just have to find out a way to control you when you're like that."

Xiaodan lunged to her feet, ready to strangle the ignorant fool but Aang grabbed her hand and tugged her back down beside him.

"You're out of your mind." Aang stated, his tone slightly angrily as he held Xiaodan's hand tightly in his to keep her from possibly hurting the general.

"I guess we'll figure it out on the way to the Fire Nation." General Fong continued, completely ignoring Aang's words and the threatening look Xiaodan was giving him.

Sokka suddenly rode up behind the general on the ostrich-horse and raised his club then he struck General Fong on the head, knocking him out cold.

"Anybody got a problem with that?" The Water Tribe boy asked nonchalantly as he looked at the soldiers, who shook their heads rapidly.

Xiaodan helped Aang and Katara to their feet as Sokka hopped off the ostrich-horse while three of the soldiers approached them. The soldiers bowed lowly to the four, ignoring their motionless general on the ground nearby.

"Do you still want an escort to Omashu?" The soldier in the front asked humbly after the three soldiers had straightened.

"I think we're all set." Katara replied drily as she and Xiaodan looked at the soldiers in annoyance.

The soldiers bow again and the four teens hurriedly gathered their thing from the room they had been given then they quickly left the base on Appa.

Azula stood on the porch of the main building of the village resort her uncle and brother had been staying at, her eyes narrowed as she looked at the gathered crowd with two Royal Procession guards standing behind her.

"Anyone who harbors these traitors will face the wrath of the Fire Lord!" The Fire Nation Princess snarled angrily as she held up the wanted poster with Zuko and Iroh's picture on it and she laid one hand on the balcony, sneering when the residents cowered away in fear, "There will be no place left to hide!"

Zuko and Iroh panted as they raced along the river away from the village resort, away from Azula. The two finally stop and fall to ground beside the river, catching their breath.

"I think we're safe here." Iroh said after his breathing had calmed down and he had looked around carefully, then he looked at his silent nephew.

Zuko stared at the flowing water in front of him then pulled out a small dagger and held it up, the blade reflecting the sunlight. Iroh closed his eyes sadly for a moment then watched as his nephew held the knife under his ponytail.

Zuko shut his eyes tightly and sliced his ponytail off then he held the dagger out to Iroh without looking at him as he stared at his ponytail in his hand. Iroh took the dagger and cut off his topknot, holding it in his hand. The banished prince stared at the ponytail for a moment then let it fall from his and into the river, watching as it along with his uncle's topknot float down the river.

The two kneeled quietly beside the river as the magnitude of what had just happened settled around them.

Xiaodan sat beside Aang on Appa's head, the reins in her hand while the younger Airbender rested his head against her shoulder.

"I wish you hadn't seen me like that." Aang murmured suddenly and Xiaodan glanced down at his bald head.

"I'm not." She replied, her voice just as quiet as she wrapped one arm around him, pressing a sisterly kiss to the side of his head, "Aang, the Avatar State is a part of you, a necessary part. And yes it does scare me a little, but I don't want you to ever, ever think that you being in the Avatar State is going to make me care about you any less."

Aang sat quietly for a moment then tilted his head back slightly and smiled up at Xiaodan gratefully.

"Thanks, Xia."

Xiaodan smiled down at him happily then looked back at the clouds in front of her, "No problem, little brother."