Water... Earth... Fire... Air.

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the fire nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements could stop them. But when the world needed him most. He vanished.

A hundred years passed. And my friends, Katara & Sokka discovered the new Avatar. An Airbender named Aang. And although his airbending skills are great, he has a lot to learn before he's ready to save anyone. But I believe that kid can save the world.

A month ago, I joined team Avatar when they visited my home of Omashu. I left with them. We explored the earth kingdom. Seeing many places, finally, I got to see the world I would inherit from Bumi when I turn eighteen. However, this trip has also lead me to meet new people, Prince Zuko, the banished son of the Fire Lord. General Iroh, the brother of said Fire Lord. And Shizuka Itami...

Shizuka & Tai sit together on the boat with the Water Tribesmen headed to the South Pole, after a few days of traveling the group is finally readying to fly towards Omashu. Shizuka was taken prisoner after the battle in the Northern Water Tribe, Tai promised to bring her to Omashu for her own protection. The two stand on the deck of the boat as Aang comes climbing up the ladder.

"Hey, what's the matter Aang?" Tai asks, watching Aang walks over to the side of the ship.

"It's nothing." Aang says softly.

Katara climbs up after him joining him. "Do you wanna talk about it?" She asks, concerned.

"Nah. It was just a nightmare." Aang says looking out into the distance.

"Y'Know, it's better to talk about bad dreams than to just bottle them up." Tai says, staring at the sky, thinking of home.

"Okay." Aang says looking down. "I was in the Avatar State. But I was outside my body watching myself. It was scary. I was scary." Aang lowers his head, Katara in only a way she can comforts him placing a hand on his shoulder.

Tai glances over to Shizuka, currently bundled under a few blankets, her wrists are still restrained. Tai thinks to himself, 'I'll probably take those off once we reach the general's.' He leans back to relax, and sit silently next to her until morning comes. Once it does, the group readies to take off. Shizuka is placed on Appa's saddle and she remains seated, that is until Pakku calls the four of kids down from Appa, parting words Tai guesses.

Katara steps up first, as she does he produces a bag and from it a necklace.

"Katara, I want you to have this. This amulet contains water from the spirit oasis. The water has unique properties. Don't lose it."

Katara hugs her master, and I smile at the warmth they now have for each other. "Thank you, Master Pakku." She says separating from the hug.

"Aang." Pakku calls out to Aang, who was next in line.. "These scrolls will help you master water bending. But remember, they're no substitute for a real master." Aang nods, and bows to Pakku respectfully. "Tai."

Tai steps forward, as he reaches in and extracts two scrolls. One reads [Heaven] the other [Earth]. "A pair of scrolls with what we think is a description for what you seek to learn. You will have to learn this skill on your own, as there is no master to teach it to you."

"Yes, sir. I'm aware. Thank you." I say taking the scrolls and bowing to the elder man. I turn and climb into Appa's saddle. I sit near the front to help direct Aang towards General Fong's base.

"Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom based to the east of here." Pakku declares. "General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There you'll be safe to begin your earthbending training with King Bumi."

"Appa, yip-yip." Aang says.

"Say hi to Gran-Gran for me." Katara says as we begin to fly away.

"So what about her?" Sokka asks, pointing to Shizuka, who shrinks under the attention.

"She's coming with us to Omashu. We met her when we met Jeong-Jeong."

"Wait, the sword girl?" Sokka asks.

"My names... Shizuka." She says softly, hiding behind her knees, basically in a fetal position.

Scene switches to a village. Iroh is lying on a table, getting a relaxing massage at a resort.

Iroh sighs contently. "This is what I've been missing. 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 looks at the clearly unhappy Zuko and walks over to him, and sits down on the ground. "I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it?"

Zuko's gaze remains low, as he speaks in a brooding tone. "Three years ago today, I was banished. I lost it all." He looks up. "I want it back. I want the Avatar, I want my honor, my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless."

Iroh looks on regretfully at Zuko who remains seated broodingly. "I'm sure he doesn't. Why would he banish you if he didn't care?" Zuko gets up and walks away; he grimaces soon after; to the massagers."Uh, that came out wrong, didn't it?"

They look at each other in confusion.

The scene switches to a Fire Nation ship. Several men bow as a royal carriage is brought out. Within the carriage is Princess Azula, the daughter of Ozai, niece of Iroh, and sister of Zuko.

Azula steps out of the carriage and walks down the line of soldiers, at the end is a woman, with a scar that barely visible running up her neck, stopping just below her chin. "My brother and my uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord, and have brought shame on all of us. 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. Dismissed."

The soldiers leave. The single woman begins to walk away, however, before she can leave with the others, Azula places a hand before her. "You, stay Hana." She orders.

"Yes, Princess." Hana says bowing to Azula.

The captain runs up to Azula. "Princess, I'm afraid the tides will not allow us to bring the ship into port before nightfall."

"I'm sorry, captain, but I do not know much about the tides. Could you explain something to me?" Azula asks, Hana watches.

"Of course, Your Highness." The captain replies.

"Do the tides command this ship?" Azula asks.

"I'm afraid I don't understand."

"You said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in." Azula looks directly forward at Hana, she speaks in a sharper tone. "Do the tides command this ship?"

"No, princess."

Azula's face mocks understanding. "And if I were to have you thrown overboard, would the tides think twice about smashing you against the rocky shore?"

The Captain stares down, his voice worried. "No, princess."

Azula runs her fingers through her bangs. "Well then, maybe you should worry less about the tides who have already made up their mind about killing you, and worry more about me, who's still mulling it over." Azula turns to face the captain angrily.

"I'll pull us in." The captain says, frightened and horrified before leaving.

"You May now leave, Hana."

"Yes ma'am." Hana bows before she walks into the ship, she sighs as she enters her own private quarters. She sits on her bed, with a smile on her face as she has a painting on her desk next to her, the painting depicts her, along with a younger Azula, two other girls, Zuko, and one last girl all standing together, everyone but Azula smiling, though Hana's eyes remain glued to Azula, and where the last girl is supposed to be there is a burn mark that covers her entire face.

Cut to team Avatar.

Sokka & Tai stare out into the vast openness of the ocean, before Sokka perks up as they pass a singular mountain to find the General's base situated along a mountain range.

"There it is!" Sokka declares as they approach.

"Bring us into a landing, that platform there." Tai directs Aang to where to land Appa. And once they do land, Tai first helps Shizuka off Appa, and then leap offs and falls into a hero pose, with one knee on the floor. He intentionally causes a small crater where he lands. For Tai it feels nice to earthbend again after so many weeks of being unable to.

The group all get off Appa and stretch for a moment, as General Fong approaches. "Welcome, Avatar Aang, Prince Tai!" He along with dozens of his soldiers bow to the pair. "I am General Fong. and welcome to all of you great heroes-! Appa, Momo, Brave Sokka, The Mighty Katara."

"Mighty Katara? I like that." Katara says quietly. Everyone but Tai turns suddenly hearing the fireworks behind us.

Shizuka stays behind Tai, he glances back to her feeling her jittering. 'Makes sense, I've never really trusted soldiers from Ba Sing Se.' Tai thinks to himself as he glances around.

"Not bad. Not bad." Sokka says with a smile.

"Please, join me in my war room. And, Prince, shall we take the prisoner you have brought?"

"No, actually. I would prefer if she stayed by my side." Tai replies, placing one of his hands on her arm hopefully to reassure her.

"Understood." General Fong turns leading everyone behind him, his gaze shifts between the soldiers surrounding the team. Once they arrive at the General's War Room, Fong sits at his desk, the others all kneel before him, Aang is seated between the siblings, while Shizuka & Tai are seated next to Sokka.

"Avatar Aang, we were all amazed at the stories of how you single-handedly wiped out an entire Fire Navy fleet at the North Pole." The general strokes his beard looking to a regional map. "I can't imagine what it feels like to wield such devastating power. It's an awesome responsibility."

Aang smiles sheepishly. "I try not to think about it too much.

"Avatar, you're ready to face the fire lord now."

"What?!" Aang shouts.

"No, he's not." Tai speaks up. "No offense, Aang, but he's not disciplined enough to fight someone as powerful as the Fire Lord. He still needs to master all four elements."

"Why? With the kind of power he possesses, power enough to destroy hundreds of battleships in a matter of minutes, he could defeat the fire lord now."

"But, sir, the thing is Aang can only do those things when he's in the avatar state." Sokka states.

"See, it's this special state where-" Aang begins to explain to Fong what the Avatar State is.

"I'm well aware. 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. But with you leading the way, as the ultimate weapon. We could cut a swath right through to the heart of the fire nation."

"Right, but..." Aang begins to speak before glancing at Tai, he sighs and continues. "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." Fong suddenly turns to face the team. "I'll help you figure out how to get into the avatar state, and then you'll face your destiny."

"Uh, no." I speak up, rising from my kneeling position. "General, when we sent the message of our arrival two weeks ago, you should have been briefed, we are here to be escorted to Omashu, where Aang will learn earthbending from King Bumi."

Katara stands bringing Aang and Sokka with her. "We already have a plan. Aang pursuing his destiny his way."

"Well, while you take your time learning the elements, the war goes on. May I show you something?" The general extends his arm to gesture towards a window.

Aang goes to take a step but I place a hand on his shoulder before he joins Fung. "He may try to guilt trip you. Don't fall for it." I warn quietly before letting him go and crossing my arms.

They walk over to a window, I look away with a scoff, helping Shizuka stand still in her binds. Once Aang & the General end their little report, we're taken to our rooms, Aang, Katara, and Sokka share a room, while Shizuka for some reason is placed in my room. I let rest on the bed as I prepare the sleeping bag I've been using with team Avatar.

"Why didn't you let them take me?" She asks, sitting in a corner of the bed, pressed against a wall.

"May I sit on the bed?" I ask before answering her, she tentatively nods, and I sit on the farthest corner from her. "I promised you, that I'd protect you. I don't trust them. I don't trust the general, and I definitely don't trust his men." I sigh as I glance over to her, tell me, you went and found General Iroh after leaving Jeong Jeong, but why were you with him in the first place?"

"I... I ran away from home. My sister, Hana, she joined the war effort... people were expecting me to do the same." Shizuka stares down at the bed remaining curled up into the fetal position. "I... don't want to firebend. I never want to use that destructive ability again."

"Destructive?" I hum, thinking of what I've seen it do "I guess you could call it that." I sigh, getting off the bed, and walk over to a single chair, I lean back into it and relax, looking to fall asleep and wait for us to be ready to head home. Soon, I'll be back in Omashu.

When I awaken the next day, it's with the annoyance of learning that Aang and Sokka decided to agree with the General.

Hana stands at the top of Azula's ship, Hana sighs watching where Azula is training. Hana leans over the railing, a hand on her chin as she watches Azula with a smile.

Azula stands perfectly straight, holding her fingers in her hand. Lo and Li are sitting, overseeing her training. Azula moves her arms in a circular motion, generating lightning and firing the bolt into the sky.

"Almost perfect." Lo states.

Li nods in agreement with her sister. "One hair out of place."

Azula pushes a loose strand of hair away. "Almost isn't good enough!" She repeats her actions, generating lightning again and firing it off into the distance.

Iroh, suddenly awakens from a nap, he sits up and peers in curiosity.

I sigh sitting informally behind Aang, Katara & Sokka. The General sits beside Aang, while another elder sits across from Aang.

"This rare chi enhancing tea is a natural stimulant. In an ordinary warrior, it improves strength and energy tenfold. In you, it may induce the Avatar State." The man says whilst pouring Aang a cup of the tea.

"Tenfold energy, huh?" Aang hums. He takes a single sip, I raise an eyebrow before there's a burst of energy from Aang he rolls around on his air-scooter speaking so fast, that understanding the kid is nearly impossible.

Sokka sighs placing his hand to his jawline. "I guess he could talk the fire lord to death."

After Aang finally stops by hitting a pillar face first, we move back to the fort. Sokka has an idea.

"Maybe I can shock you into the Avatar State." Sokka says before turning around, as he does this Katara covers Aang's eyes. I roll mine as Sokka turns around with Momo over his face screeching at Aang.

Aang screams backing up a moment before stopping and looking at his tattoos. "Still not glowing." Sokka stumbles away unable to see where he's going. I sigh and lay on the ground.

After Sokka's attempt were taken inside a reinforced building. Aang is forced to wear ceremonial outfits from each bending element.

"You are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations. Now, I will join the four elements into one!" An elder man says standing above us all. To be honest I'm pretty sure he's just going to make mud. "Water! Earth! Fire! Air!" The man dumps water & some dirt into a bowl before dropping a whole torch into it, and then blows a puff of air into the bowl. "Four elements, together as one." He then grabs the bowl and throws its contents onto Aang. Once he does I move to hide behind a pillar in the room.

"This is just mud." Aang complains.

"So, do you feel anything?"

Aang raises a finger, his nose twitches a few times as the others all get excited and I move fully behind the stone pillar just in time to avoid him sneezing and covering the others in mud.

Meanwhile, at Zuko and Iroh's place of stay, the room dark inside. Several various shells fall from a bag onto the table. Iroh is standing at the table, picking up and examining the different shells. Iroh holds up one shell. "Look at these magnificent shells!" He smirks, picking up a conch. "I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come."

Zuko scoffs. "We don't need any more useless things! You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now!"

"Hello, brother. Uncle." Azula says calmly from the corner of the room.

Zuko turns to Azula, angrily. "What are you doing here?"

Azula holds up a shell in her hand. "In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions." She rises and walks toward Zuko and Iroh. "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"

Zuko growls. "Don't call me that!"

Iroh glares at Azula, he glances outside noticing Hana, he speaks clearly upset. "To what do we owe this honor?"

"Hm... must be a family trait. Both of you so quick to get to the point." Azula breaks the shell she was holding with her fingertips, leaving Iroh angry. "I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. He's heard rumors of plans to overthrow him; treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust." Azula pauses briefly. "Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home." She's met with a stunned silence. "Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited. Grateful. I just gave you great news."

"I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment."

Azula turns furiously to Iroh. "Don't interrupt, Uncle!" She returns her gaze to Zuko. "I still haven't heard my thank you." She raises a brow annoyed while crossing her arms. "I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way."

Zuko looks down surprised. "Father regrets? He ... wants me back?"

Azula sighs and begins walking away from the pair. "I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening." She exits, leaving Zuko to ponder what has just been said.

I sigh sitting on a rock looking out to the forest below the fort, above me, maybe a kilometer or two up is the top of the wall into the base. This is stupid. We should've already been heading home. We should've left today. But instead, I had to sit through all of that.

"H-Hey..." I turn back to find Shizuka standing behind me, she keeps looking around, probably nervous cause of the soldiers.

"Hey." I say turning back to the emerald green forest beneath me. "What's up?" I ask as she sits next to me.

"You didn't return at sunset..." She pauses curling up to bring her knees to her chin. "...so I came looking for you."

"I'm sorry. Didn't mean to worry you." I say, not changing my gaze from the forest.

"I uh... also wanted to finally thank you."

"Thank me? For what?"

"You sent me to find Iroh. If I had stayed with Jeong Jeong I'd likely have been captured and returned to the Fire Nation by now."

"Oh..." I say softly, glancing to her. "I'm glad I could help you then."

Nightfall at Zuko and Iroh's house.

Zuko speaks, cheerfully, almost gleeful as he packs his belongings. "We're going home! After three long years, it's unbelievable!"

Iroh stares out the window 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 looks to Iroh irritated. "He cares about me!"

Iroh turns to face Zuko and holds out arms in gesture. "I care about you! And if Ozai wants you back, well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine."

Zuko scoffs and turns his back to Iroh. "You don't know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything!"

"Zuko, I only meant that in our family, things are not always what they seem."

Zuko turns to face Iroh. "I think you are exactly what you seem! A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother!" Zuko walks away, leaving Iroh saddened.

I sigh sitting on the floor trying to meditate, I open my eyes as someone knocks on the door. "Who is it?" I say just loud enough to be heard, but while also trying not to wake Shizuka.

"It's Aang." He says quietly.

"Enter." I relax my posture as he opens the door entering the room he sits across from me. "What's up?"

"Do you think what we're doing is a good idea?"

"No." I speak bluntly. "There's a reason the Avatar Cycle exists. And there's a reason why most Avatar don't master the Avatar State until after they've learned all four elements."

"How can I master all four elements in just eight months?"

"I don't know. But what I do know is that Bumi is the only person I know of who is prepared to teach you earth bending."

"I'll talk to the general about us leaving soon then." Aang stands, bowing before turning away.

"You do that." I lean back, my body resting against the cold earth of the floor.

The next morning...

Zuko, is getting ready to return home. He descends a stone staircase, carrying his bags.

Iroh holds up his hand in motion and running down the staircase after Zuko. "Wait! Don't leave without me!"

Zuko turns around, smiles and sets down pack. "Uncle! You've changed your mind!"

"Family sticks together, right?" Iroh hand on Zuko's shoulder. The scene flashes back to a shot of Zuko's father, Ozai, resting his hand on his son's shoulder years ago. Flashes back to present day.

"We're finally going home!" Zuko resumes his descent. Iroh's gaze lingers on Azula's ship sitting in the harbor, he perks an eyebrow, looking on with suspicion.

Aang speaks humbly as he stands before General Fong. "The thing is, I don't think we'll ever be able to trigger it on purpose. So I guess that's it."

Fong strokes his beard as he responds, calmly. "You sure I can't change your mind?"

"I'm sure. I can only reach the Avatar State when I'm in genuine danger." Aang says.

Fong sighs. "I see. I was afraid you'd say that." He blasts his entire desk at Aang using earthbending, sending him soaring across the room.

"Aang!" Sokka shouts as he and Tai attempt to come to his aid, only to be held down by two soldiers each.

The impact sends Aang crashing through the wall and flying out of the building. He breaks his fall with airbending. Fong walks over toward the hole that was created from the impact and points to Aang. "Men! Attack the Avatar!"

Aang looks around being surrounded by several earthbending soldiers, some riding on ostrich horses. Fong jumps out of the building and hits the ground, sending a rock wave at Aang which sends him back further.

Aang stares at the general, alarmed. "What are you doing?"
Fong smirks, slyly he responds. "I believe we're about to get results."

The soldiers prepare to fire large earth coins at Aang using earthbending. Aang looks nervously about him. A soldier sends an earth coin at him. Aang avoids two oncoming coins and soars in the air parallel to the ground between two more coins that are thrown at him. He lands safely to the ground.

Aang looks about cautiously. "I'm not your enemy! I won't fight you!" He jumps into the air as four earth coins are sent his way, crashing into each other. As Aang begins his descent, another earth coin is sent skidding toward him; the coin crashes into one of the four stationery coins. Aang lands on the ground where the coin was standing just moments ago. Two of the other stationery coins are closed together. The camera cuts to a shot of Aang trapped inside the holes of the earth coins, rolling speedily away. An earthbender breaks the coins, crumbling them to bits. Aang lands on the ground, rises and faces the rest of the soldiers.

Meanwhile, Sokka, who was being held down by the two soldiers, raises his feet and steps on their bare feet forcefully. The two soldiers release their grip and fall forward onto the ground in pain while Sokka runs away to aid Aang. Tai at the same time as Sokka's plan, leaps up, bringing two stones up with his feet, he stomps the stones down on the soldiers feet before rolling away, as from the ceiling of Fong's room, Shizuka drops down kicking both men in the face.

"Nice shot." Tai compliments with a grin.

"You set them up perfectly." Shizuka smiles softly back to him.

"Stay here, keep the four of them out of the picture." Tai says nodding to her, getting one in return. "Sokka, let's go help Aang,"

Outside, Aang narrowly avoids two earth coins sent at him, one flying above him, one flying below him. Two more earth coins are sent from opposite sides of the ring, threatening to crush him. Aang manages to escape by dodging through the holes in the coins just as they collide together and fall to the ground.

Riding an air scooter, Aang zigzags past several soldiers who attempt to slow him down by conjuring up rock walls in his path. Two soldiers riding ostrich horses chase after him as Aang rides past and scales up the wall of the base. As he is seen riding up the wall on the air scooter, the two soldiers use earthbending to propel themselves upward. Aang's air scooter runs out of air and he begins running up the wall, the two soldiers following him in hot pursuit. Cuts to a top view of Aang scaling the wall, only to narrowly dodge two spears coming his way.

He falls to the ground. The two soldiers land on the wall and descend to the ground after him. Aang somersaults forward as he avoids their spear attacks yet again. He lands onto the ground, an earth coin embedded into it. The earth coin is suddenly sent upward and dragged forward, Aang being trapped in its hole. The earth coin lands in front of Fong.

"You can't run forever!" Fong shouts.

"You can't fight forever!" Aang retorts.

Fong leaps forward and crushes the earth coin, just as Aang jumps to avoid the attack. Dust from the impact is sent flying.

Zuko and Iroh approach Azula's ship. Azula stands quietly on top of a ramp leading up to the ship. Royal Procession guards stand on either side of them as they walk, forming an aisle. Iroh averts his eyes suspiciously between the guards he looks over to the last guard on the left and his eyes widen seeing Hana Itami. They reach the ship and bow; the guards behind them walk forward and close the aisle.

Azula grins. "Brother! Uncle! Welcome! I'm so glad you decided to come."

Iroh opens his eyes slightly and casting a suspicious glance at the guards, his gaze however returns to Hana.

"Are we ready to depart, Your Highness?" The captain asks.

Azula nods, speaking sweetly. "Set our course for home, captain."

Zuko smiles, speaking wistfully. "Home."

The Captain walks up the ramp with Zuko and Iroh following him and raises his hand in gesture. "You heard the princess! Raise the anchors! We're taking the prisoners home!" The captain widens his eyes in realization at his mistake and looks at Azula.

Zuko and Iroh stop, looking surprised.

Azula stops with a look of surprise on her face her expression turns to fury. The Captain stands nervously, his eyes wide. "Your Highness, I..."

Zuko's eyes widen. Iroh narrows his eyes to the left and suddenly begins attacking the guards. He pushes them off the edge of the walkway and sends fire blasts their way, Hana is one of the only soldiers to not be thrown off, she blocks a strike from Iroh, as Zuko stomps furiously up the ramp and throws the captain off.

"You lied to me!" Zuko shouts to Azula, who appears confident.

"Like I've never done that before." Azula says smugly.She turns her back to him and walks away, as two guards standing near her shoot fire blasts at Zuko. Zuko crosses his arms and spreads them outward, deflecting the attacks and shouts as he charges onto the ship.

Aang avoids three earth coins that slam onto the ground, threatening to crush him. He runs to the left as another coin rolls his way.

Inside the team's bedroom Katara is lying on her bed, listening to the noises outside. "I wonder what crazy thing they're trying to do now." Katara mutters. Momo, who is sleeping on a pillow, raises his head before going back to sleep. Katara hears another rumble outside and grows worried. "Maybe we should just make sure Aang's okay."
She rises from her bed.

Tai and Sokka run down before meeting Katara coming from the opposite stairway. They meet up at the bottom of the base.

Katara looks at the carnage frantically. "What's going on?"

"The general's gone crazy! He's trying to force Aang into the Avatar State!" Sokka informs his sister.

Sokka pulls out his boomerang and throws it as Katara runs off. Tai slams into the ground landing between a group of soldiers he launches them all away crashing into a dozen stone coins. A soldier is hit by Sokka's boomerang and falls to the ground in a daze, knocking over the earth coin in the process.

Aang is being chased by another soldier mounted on an ostrich horse. The head of the spear the soldier was holding is suddenly snapped off. He slows down, stunned at this.

Katara summons a water whip.

Sokka approaches the ostrich horse carefully. "Good ... bird ... horse thingy ..."

"It's a horse-bird!" Tai shouts, kicking a solder away from him before he runs forward and leaps up kicking a solder across the face while at the same time punching another.

Sokka mounts it and the animal begins galloping away, leaving Katara standing in the arena.

Several earth coins are summoned, rolling toward Katara before coming to a standstill. Fong looks back at Aang, who has managed to escape up a stairway. "Maybe you can avoid me ... but she can't."

The soldiers rotate the earth coins so that their flat sides face Katara. The camera zooms out to the entire arena, the coins forming a triangular pattern around Katara. The waterbender sends a water whip at Fong, who summons up dust pillars that deflect the water and turn it to mud. He uses earthbending to begin sinking her into the ground. She twists around, buried knee deep.

Katara struggles to break free. "I can't move!"

Aang clenches his fists. "Don't hurt her!" He leaps onto the ground and sends a gust of wind at Fong, who summons an earth wall to block the attack. Fong brings down the earth wall and sinks Katara into the ground further, this time burying her waist deep.

Tai stands atop the staircase, as he and Shizuka are forced back to back with a dozen soldiers all ready to use their earth-bending against them.

Sokka turns riding the ostrich horse. "Katara! No!" He gallops toward her, but Fong sinks the animal's feet into the ground, flinging Sokka off the ostrich horse. Sokka slams into the hole of an earth coin, leaving him dangling.

Aang desperately clutches onto Fong's arm. "Stop this! You have to let her go!"

"You could save her if you were in the Avatar State!.

Tears forming around Aang eyes. "I'm trying ... I'm trying!"

"Aang, I'm sinking!" Katara says frantically as she twists around again and is buried chest deep.

Fong glowers down at Aang almost demandingly. "I don't see glowing!" He lowers his right arm and begins closing his hand into a fist; Katara becomes buried neck deep.

Katara cries out desperately. "Please!"

Aang falls to his knees, begging. "You don't need to do this!"

Fong closes his eyes, speaking scornfully. "Apparently, I do." He clenches his fist tight, sinking Katara completely. She cries out in fear before being completely buried in the ground. Aang leaps forward and attempts to save her, however, he falls short. Tai glances down to Aang, as his arrow tattoo begins to glow a bright white. He turns his head to face Fong, the Avatar State now triggered.

Fong's eyes light up with excitement. "It worked! It worked!" An air blast is sent his way and his triumphant expression soon becomes one of fear as he realizes the situation.

Aang performs the downward cutting motion as seen in his previous dreams and pushes Fong back with a powerful air blast. Fong lands roughly on the ground. Tai stares in wonder as Aang, who begins rising on an earth vortex.

Zuko leaps onto the deck of the ship and blasts the two guards off the ship with two fire blasts. He lands on deck. Azula stands patiently several feet away, her back turned to him. Zuko focuses on Azula, who smirks he clenches his fists and prepares fire daggers. Iroh, who continues to attack the guards on the walkway, still trying not to hurt Hana, as she is one of the only guards to not be instantly flung away by him.

Iroh pushes several guards away; grabs one and wrestles him. "Zuko! Let's go!" He hurls the guard over the edge and steps to the side to avoid another guard's attack and push him aside.

Zuko charges at Azula with fire daggers he attempts to strike Azula, only for the princess to acutely dodge all of his blows. She smirks at her brother. Zuko keeps attacking and Azula keeps avoiding. Zuko brings down his right hand to land another blow, however, Azula manages to push him away.

"You know, Father blames Uncle for the loss of the North Pole. And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar!" Azula announces to her brother, Zuko, who is panting heavily. "Why would he want you back home, except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?"

Zuko conjures up two fire daggers again. He leaps into the air and sends a powerful fire blast at Azula using his foot. She jumps and lands safely on the deck several feet away. Zuko charges at her as she rises to her feet. After dodging several more attacks, she manages to scrape his forehead with her fingernails, leaving three scratch marks on his temple. Zuko falls back a few feet from the impact and yells as he charges at her again.

The two continue to duel, eventually making their way up a stairway that leads to the central control area of the ship. Azula manages grab hold of Zuko's arm. A few seconds pause as the two stand silently, Zuko widening his eyes in alarm. Azula knocks him to his feet with a blue fire blast. Zuko lands roughly at the bottom of the stairwell. From Zuko's perspective, his vision slightly blurred due to the effects of the blow. His eyes trravels upward from side to side before landing on Azula, who moves both her arms in a circular motion, generating lightning. She readies the attack and fires the bolt at her brother, only for Iroh to step in suddenly and grab hold of her right hand and redirect the lightning, causing it to strike a far-off cliff side. He bends her downward and kicks her off the ship. Azula crashes into Hana, the pair of girls land in the water below with a splash.

Zuko and Iroh run away from the ship.

Meanwhile at Fong's base, Aang is rising on the earth vortex, still under the control of the Avatar State.
Fong shouts out, pleading. "Avatar Aang! Can you hear me? Your friend is safe!" He brings Katara back above ground; she looks up at Aang in misery. "It was just a trick to trigger the Avatar State..." Fong smiles maniacally. "...and it worked!"

Aang swivels about on the vortex and lands on the ground forcefully, causing a flurry of dust to spread. Fong is sent back several feet while Katara remains rooted to the ground where she was. Cuts to the left of the arena where several soldiers are standing, a torrent of dust rumbling their way. The dust clears to reveal the ground broken and in ruins. Cuts to right of the arena, where several soldiers on ostrich horses stand. The dust torrent passes over them and clears, revealing that side in ruins. Cuts to another area of the base, where several houses lie. Again, the torrent passes over, leaving the houses considerably damaged.

Tai watches in horror, before he realizes the soldiers are distracted, he plants his hands down and twists around slamming into them with a wave of earth knocking them all back and or off the tower. Shizuka ducks under the attack after seeing him move.

Aang stands inside a ball of dust now 9n the ground, he is still under the influence of the Avatar State. His spirit is seen leaving his body and rising into the air. Fang passes by, Avatar Roku and Aang riding atop the beast.

Roku looks at Aang. "It's time you learned." They fly higher above the dusty clouds many small figures seen 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."

Avatar Kyoshi stands surrounded by rocky mountain terrain. Her eyes glow for a moment and she assumes a fighting stance behind her are two large earthen statues, somewhat resembling badgermoles. She performs a series of moves which cause the statues to rise into the air, and send them flying past her.

"The glow is the combination of all your past lives, focusing their energy through your body."

Avatar Kuruk rides atop a raft in the middle of the ocean. His eyes glow momentarily before he raises his arms and summons a gigantic tsunami-like wave. He is seen rapidly riding atop the wave.

Avatar Yangchen stands in a grassy field surrounded by a forest area. Her eyes glow briefly as she swings her arms and swivels around, conjuring powerful winds the entire field and the forest are blown violently by the wind.

"In the Avatar State, you are at your most powerful..."

Avatar Szeto summons lava from four volcanoes; the lava washes past Szeto. "...but you are also at your most vulnerable."

"What do you mean?" Aang asks.

"If you are killed in the Avatar State..." The figures of him and the Avatars in the background are blown away like dust. "...the reincarnation cycle will be broken..." Roku stands in the line of Avatars with Aang standing at the end; the Avatars begin to fade away in succession down the line. "...and the Avatar will cease to exist."

Aang looks to Roku with worried look on his face. Fang flies over Fong's base. Aang's body is still surrounded by a dome of air. Fang flies downward, head first, passing through Aang's body and into the ground. Aang's spirit is brought back to his physical self and he exits the Avatar State.

He falls to the ground weak and surveys the damage he caused to the base, to the ruins of the arena, houses destroyed and earth coins flung about. Katara, completely unharmed from the whole ordeal, approaches Aang and hugs him.

Aang embraces her; regretfully. "I'm sorry, Katara. I hope you never have to see me like that again."

Fong stands triumphantly."Ha! Are you joking? That was almost perfect!" He brings a hand to his chin. "We just have to find out a way to control you when you're like that."

"You're out of your mind." Aang says, annoyed.

"I guess we'll figure it out on the way to the Fire Nation."

Sokka appears behind the general, riding the ostrich horse. He raises his club and strikes the general on the head, which knocks him out cold. "Anybody got a problem with that?"

The soldiers shake their heads. Tai still standing on the tower looks out to the gang, several soldiers and Fong, who lies on the ground motionless.

"Do you still want an escort to Omashu?" A soldier asks Tai as he and Shizuka rejoin the group.

Tai casts the group a look of annoyance. "I think we're all set."

The group leaves the base on Appa. The scene changes to the village resort. Azula is seen standing on the balcony of one of the residential buildings. Two Royal Procession guards stand in the background to protect her.

Azula holds up wanted poster of her brother and uncle. "Anyone who harbors these traitors will face the wrath of the Fire Lord!" She lays a hand on the balcony, causing the two massagers to cower in fear. "There will be no place left to hide!"

The scene changes to a riverside. The shadowy reflections of two figures on the run can be seen in the water. Cuts to view of the river bank and the area nearby as Zuko and Iroh run frantically. Cuts to riverbank as the two stop and fall to the ground, catching their breath.

"I think we're safe here." Iroh says.

Cuts to shot from Zuko's perspective as he pulls out a small dagger. Cuts to close-up of Zuko holding the dagger, its blade reflecting the sunlight. Cuts briefly to Iroh, who closes his eyes, seemingly aware of his nephew's actions. He casts a look at Zuko, who holds the knife under his ponytail. Cuts to close-up of his ponytail, as he slices it off with the knife. He holds it in his hand and looks at it for a moment before passing the knife to Iroh, who cuts off his topknot. Cuts to Zuko's hand, as he releases his ponytail. Cuts to the surface of the river, as the two topknots are released and float down the river.

A few days have passed since leaving General Fong's base. Tai sighs as he sits on a rock overlooking the rest of the squad as they stand in a river, Aang & Katana practice their waterbending, Sokka floats along the water, and Shizuka sits alone on the shore watching the trio, Tai turns his back to the others and to a map of the area surrounding Omashu.

"You guys are going to be done soon, right? We have a lot of ground to cover if we're gonna make it to Omashu today." Sokka complains looking to Aang & Katara.

Katara turns to face Sokka her smile smug and teeth showing in her grin. "What? Like you're ready to go right now?"

"I have been for the last hour." Tai says looking back to the others from his seat.

"I could be ready in two minutes." Sokka says annoyed. "Whenever."

Tai rolls his eyes and looks back to the map as Shizuka takes a seat next to him the pair looking at the map.

"I've... never seen this area of the earth kingdom before." Shizuka mutters as she looks at the map with a small amount of wonder.

Tai hums as he points to the mountain city of Omashu on the map. "That right there is home. Omashu, the mountain there it's a cave system that is where the city came from. It's called the cave of two lovers. It's actually where the city gets its name from." Tai and Shizuka are brought out of their conversation by the sound of music approaching.

"Hey, hey! River people!" The man leading the troop of musicians says seeing the five teenagers.

"We're not river people." Katara responds.

"You're not?" The leader says, puzzled.

"Just... people." Aang replies.

"Aren't we all brother." The leader smiles.

"Who are you?" Tai asks looking down at the man and his band.

"I'm Chong and this is my wife, Lily. We're nomads, happy to go wherever the wind takes us."  They watch unamused as Chong strums his guitar like a rockstar shredding the strings.

"You guys are nomads?" Aang asks, slowly growing more excited. "That's great! I'm a nomad!"

"Hey, me too!" Chong says, just as excitedly.

"You just said that." Tai crosses his arms unimpressed.

"Oh." Chong shrugs, his gaze lingers on all of the kids before he stops on Sokka. "Nice underwear."

Tai sighs exasperated, before turning around and returning to clean the area of the map, Shizuka has a small smile watching the strangers.

Meanwhile in a forest landscape, where Zuko and Iroh are now living as fugitives. Iroh gasps and stares in awe at a red and white flower.

Zuko emerges from the bushes, now sporting short, black hair. "I didn't find anything to eat! I can't live like this! I wasn't meant to be a fugitive." He raises his fists in the air and yells at the sky. "This is impossible!" Hearing no response he slouches a bit looking over at Iroh. "Uncle, what are you doing?"

Iroh dotes over the flower as Zuko appears behind him. "You're looking at the rare white dragon bush. Its leaves make a tea so delicious, it's heartbreaking. That, or it's the white jade, which is poisonous."

Zuko sighs. "We need food, not tea. I'm going fishing." He grumbles walking away.

"Hmm ... delectable tea?" Iroh says dreamily before he speaks again his voice turning suspicious. "Or deadly poison?"

After a few minutes Tai and Sokka both return to the others to find them all lounging on Appa.

"Hey Sokka, Tai, you should hear some of these stories. These guys have been everywhere." Aang says excitedly wearing a crown of pink flowers.

Ching stops playing his guitar and speaks up. "Well not everywhere, Little Arrowhead. But where we haven't been, we've heard about through stories and songs."

"They said they'll take us to see a giant night crawler." Aang speaks.

"On the way there's a giant waterfall that creates a never-ending rainbow!" One of the band members says dreamily.

"Look, I hate to be a wet blanket, but it seems Katara's busy." Tai says deadpanning causing Katara to glare at him. "We need to get to Omashu, no sidetracks. No worms, and definitely no rainbows."

"Wow, sounds like someone has a case of destination fever." Ching speaks much to Tai and Sokka's annoyance. "You're worried too much about where you're going."

"Home." Tai's voice is laced with derision, annoyance slipping through easily.

"You need to focus less on the 'where' and more on the 'going'." Lily, Chong's wife gestures as she speaks, accidentally tugging on Shizuka's hair which is now laced with hellebores and roses, her hair a mix of black, green and red.

"O. Ma. Shu!" Sokka says impatiently.

"Sokka's right." Katara speaks up. "We need to find King Bumi, so aang can learn Earthbending somewhere safe."

"Sounds like you're headed to Omashu." Chong speaks.Sokka smacks his forehead in frustration, while Tai inhales deeply and his annoyance growing rapidly. "There's an old story about a secret pass right through the mountain."

"Is this real or a legend?" Katara asks.

"Oh, it's a real legend. And it's as old as earthbending itself." Ching smiles to Tai who has a perked eyebrow. Chong begins strumming his lute and sings. "Two lovers, forbidden from one another, the war divides their people and atheists mountain divides them apart! Built a path to be together!" He stops playing for a moment. "Yeah I forgot the next couple of lines, but then it goes..." He resumes singing. "Secret tunnel! Secret tunnel! Through the mountains, secret, secret, secret, secret tunnel! Yeah!"

Tai watches, his frown slowly morphing into amusement. Not a full smile, but he hums in acknowledgment. The other nomads, those who dance for the songs begin clapping as do Katara, Aang, and Shizuka.

Sokka rolls his eyes while crossing his arms. "I think we'll just stick with flying. We've dealt with the Fire nation before. We'll be fine."

Aang nods along with Sokka's point. "Yeah, thanks for the help, but Appa hates going underground." Aang smiles at the nomads. "And we need to do whatever makes Appa most comfortable."

A few moments later all of the teens scream avoiding fireballs before returning back to the nomads relaxing on several piles of leaves. As they walk Tai sighs stopping in front of the nomads. "Secret love tunnel. Let's go."

Back in a different forest...

Zuko returns from his fishing expedition he has only managed to spear a single, tiny fish which flaps about helplessly on the large branch he used for a fishing pole. Zuko sighs as he looks to Iroh hunched over, his back to his nephew.

"Zuko, remember that plant I thought might be tea?" Iroh says.

Zuko's eyes widen in shock. "You didn't...!"

"I did..." Iroh says turning around. "...and it wasn't." He reveals himself to be swollen and covered in red marks. Zuko drops the branch out of shock. Iroh continues to speak surprisingly calm. "When the rash spreads to my throat, I will stop breathing." His tone changes to one of excitement, "But look what I found." Iroh holds out his arm to reveal berries. "These are bacui berries, known to cure the poison of the white jade." His voice changes again, now unenthusiastic. "That, or maka'ole berries that cause blindness."

Zuko grabs the branch of berries and hurling it into the bushes. "We're not taking any more chances with these plants! We need to get help."

"But where are we going to go?" Iroh kneels down and scratches his rash vigorously. "We're enemies of the Earth Kingdom and fugitives from the Fire Nation."

"If the Earth Kingdom discovers us, they'll have us killed." Zuko ponders.

Iroh rises. "But if the Fire Nation discovers us, we'll be turned over to Azula."

They look at each other and pause briefly. Zuko nods and walks away with Iroh. "Earth Kingdom it is."

Team Avatar and the Nomads approach the tunnel along a wide pathway, behind them are the ruins of a temple.

"How far are we from the tunnel?" Sokka asks.

Tai takes a deep breath. "If it's the path I think it is, then it's not just one tunnel."

"He's right." Chong says. "The lovers didn't want anyone to find out about their love, so they built a whole labyrinth."

Sokka stops, his eyes wide. "Labyrinth?!"

"Oh, I'm sure we'll figure it out." Chong casually remarks.

"All you need to do is trust in love." Lily smiles. "According to the curse."

Sokka remains stopped in place, now has his jaw drop before he scrambles to catch up to the others. "Curse?!"

"Hey-hey! We're here!" Chong says grinning.

"What exactly is this curse?" Sokka asks.

Chong looks over to Soka. "The curse says that only those who trust in love can make it through the caves. Otherwise you'll be trapped in them forever."

"And die." Lily adds.

"Oh yeah, and die." Chong chuckles. "Hey I just remembered the rest of that song." Chong grabs his guitar and  strums it as his voice grows more ominous. "And die!"

"That's it! There's no way we're going through some cursed hole!" Sokka protests.

One of the dancers, Moku turns to observe grey smoke rising in the distance. "Hey, someone's making a big campfire."

"That's not a campfire." Shizuka says taking a step towards the cave.

"It's the Fire nation. They're tracking us." Tai notes. "They're way too close to home for my liking."

"So all you need to do is trust in love to get through these caves?" Aang asks.

Chong grins. "That is correct, master arrowhead." Aang glances over to Katara. Tai glances to Shizuka and then the others.

"We can make it." Aang smiles.

Tai nods to Sokka before he raises an arm. "Everyone, into the cave!" Everyone enters, led by Shizuka, though their travel becomes a lot more difficult as Appa struggles against Aang & Tai trying to pull him in. Tai growls as several tanks rumble towards the cave. After a pause the tanks fire grappling hooks, Tai grumbles and uses his earthbending to drag Appa inside as rocks come barreling down. Tai growls using his earthbending to  pull himself back beside Shizuka. Once the entrance is completely sealed Appa paws at the sealed entrance.

"We're sealed in." Tai says annoyed. "We need a plan. Chong, how long until those torches run out?"

"Uh, about two hours?" Chong answers casually.

Lily lights the rest of the torches in her hand. "And we have five torches, so that's ten hours!"

Sokka grabs the torches and stomps out the fire. "It doesn't work if you light them all at once!"

"Oh, right." Lily says dragging her words out.

"I'm gonna make a map to keep track of exactly where we've been. Then we should be able to solve it like a maze and get through." Sokka says grabbing a paper.

"We also need a strategy for solving it. We have two possibilities, a disjointed maze will be harder, I doubt this is one of those. Right hand rule."

"What's that?" Sokka asks.

"When solving a maze follow the right most wall, if all of the walls connect to the outermost wall, eventually by following this wall you'll find the exit." Tai, Shizuka, Aang, and Katara stand along the right wall, while Sokka joins the others on the left wall.

Elsewhere at a hospital. One doctor is treating a man with what appears to be a cupping treatment. The man grits his teeth in pain. Nearby a girl is treating Iroh's allergic reaction. Zuko is seated on a bench.

The woman, Song, wrings a cloth to help treat Iroh. "You two must not be from around here. We know better than to touch the White Jade, much less make it into tea and drink it." She flicks Iroh's hand away when he scratches his rash.

Iroh is in an even worse condition than before with the rash having spread to his face and his cheeks swollen. "Whoops!"

"So where are you traveling from?"

Zuko nervously; rises from his seat as she moves his hand down so she could wash it. "Yes, we're travelers."

"Do you have names?"

"Names? Of course we have names." Zuko says. Song turns to see Iroh scratching and glares at him, before slapping his hand away. "I'm, uh ... Lee and this is my Uncle, uh ... Mushi?"

Iroh shoots him angry look. Song grabs lotion from a jar. She begins slathering it over the inflamed areas. "Yes, my nephew was named after his father, so we just call him Junior." Iroh leans over to the side to give Zuko a pleased smile.

Zuko glares angrily at Iroh and moves his finger across his neck signaling that he's dead meat, but abruptly halts and puts his hands behind his back when Song turns to look at him.

"Mushi and Junior, huh. My name is Song. You two look like you could use a good meal." Song slaps Iroh's hand away when he goes to scratch his rash. "Why don't you stay for dinner?"

Zuko looks away. "Sorry, but we need to be moving on."

Song screws the cap back on the lid. "That's too bad." She gives a soft, innocent smile. "My mom always makes too much roast duck."

Iroh's eyes widen excitedly. "Where do you live exactly?"

Back in the tunnels, Tai frowns as he crouches down placing his hand on the stone beneath him, the others all behind him.

"Sokka, Tai, this is the tenth dead end you've led us to." Katara complains.

"This doesn't make any sense." Tai mutters.

"I agree, we already came through this way."

"Is it a disjointed maze?" Tai thinks for a moment. "No it couldn't be, we would've seen a diverging path that loops already. There's only one explanation." Tai looks to everyone all of their eyes glued to him. "The tunnels are changing around us."

Elsewhere, Zuko and Iroh sit around Song's kitchen table.

Song's mother sets down a platter of roast duck and takes a seat. "My daughter tells me you're refugees. We were once refugees ourselves."

Song looks down sadly. "When I was a little girl, the Fire Nation raided our farming village. All the men were taken away. That was the last time I saw my father."

"I haven't seen my father in many years." Zuko mutters looking down.

Song looks to the prince sorrowfully. "Oh, is he fighting in the War?"

Zuko hesitates. Iroh is seen slurping up a bowl of noodles. Zuko sets his down dish. "Yeah." He looks away in dismay.

"The tunnels, they're a-changin'." Chong panics grabbing at his head. "It must be the curse! I knew we shouldn't have come down here!"

Sokka scoffs, responding sarcastically. "Right, if only we listened to you."

"Everyone be quiet. Listen." Katara raises her hand semi-warningly.

Tai steps forward covering his arms in stone he grabs a torch and holds it ahead of himself in the front of the group, he ducks as a wolfbat flies at him narrowly avoiding hitting his face. "Wolfbat's get down!"

Sokka panics and tries to swing at the bats with his torch, unfortunately some of the embers are thrown about and land on Appa's skin. Yelping in pain, the bison runs around the tunnel, the chaos caused by this discharges several rocks. Aang quickly airbends Sokka and the band of nomads away from the rubble. Tai grabs Shizuka and pulls her away from the chaos, Aang rushes and pushes Katara out of the way as well.

Tai takes a few breaths, he tries to bend the stone only to jump back as his attempt to re-open the cave only causes the wall between the two groups to grow larger.

"Damn." Tai mutters as he looks to the group remaining with him. Tai sighs and looks down. "Only one torch, two hours to get out." He stands and grabs his torch striking against the ground to light it.

The scene changes to where Zuko is sitting on Song's front porch. Song comes outside and sits beside him. "Can I join you?" She asks as she lightly looks towards him. "I know what you've been through. We've all been through it." Song looks at Zuko's scar. "The Fire Nation has hurt you." She reaches out to touch his scar only to have Zuko push her hand away. Song speaks compassionately, slowly backing away. "It's okay. They've hurt me, too." Song pulls up pants leg to reveal burn scars on her leg.

Zuko casts her a surprised look upon seeing this.

Sokka sighs, and frowns trying to ignore Chong and his crew.

"Oh don't let the cave-in get you down! Don't let the falling rocks turn your smile into a frown! When the tunnels are darkest, that's when you need a clown, hey! Don't let the cave-in get you down, Sokka!"

Sokka's frown grows worse and worse, absolutely horrid is his face.

Tai stands at the front of the group with Shizuka directly behind him, Aang & Katara trailing behind them making sure to remain within the light of the torch.

"Tai, look!" Katara points out a solid door.

"We found the exit!" Aang cheers. Aang & Katara both try to pry it open only for Tai to stand to the side his eyes glued to Appa. Appa rushes the door, and slams it. Tai steps forward after the others back away.

"You all just keep forgetting I exist, huh?" Tai stomps his foot on the ground and swiftly opens the door, once it's opened Katara is the first to jump in, now holding the torch.

"This isn't the exit." She says disappointed.

Tai leaps over a lip for the door and looks around the room. "No, it's the lovers' tomb." Tai mutters, he is careful not to earthbend in here, as he carries the torch leading the group descending into the tomb. "The images tell the lovers' story." Aang, Katara, and Shizuka look to the images as Tai explains pointing to each one.

"They met on top of the mountain that divided their two villages. The villages were enemies, so they couldn't be together, but their love was strong and they found a way. The two lovers learned earthbending from the badgermoles; they became the first earthbenders." Katara covers her mouth as Tai explains the story. "They built elaborate tunnels so they could meet secretly. Anyone who tried to follow them would be forever in the labyrinth. But, one day, the man didn't come. He died in the war between the two villages." Shizuka places a hand on Tai's shirt, holding onto him as he steps to the next image. "Devastated, the woman unleashed a terrible display of her earthbending power - she could've destroyed them all, but instead she declared the war over. Both villages helped her build a new city where they could all live together in peace. The woman's name was Oma, and her lovers was Shu. The great city was named Omashu. A testament to love."

Tai looks away from the pictures letting the others soak in the origin of Omashu, his eyes look up, to the top of the relief wall opposite of them. "Love is brightest in the dark?" He questions staring at the monument of the two lovers kissing.

"How are we gonna find a way out of these tunnels?" Aang asks.

"Crazy idea." Katara says looking to Aang & Tai.

"What?" Tai asks studying the tomb.

Katara looks away, her cheeks flushing red. "Never mind. It's too crazy."

"Katara, what is it." Aang asks.

"Mind if I take a guess?" Tai glances over to the blushing Katara, she nods an eyebrow raised. "The curse says we'll be trapped in here forever unless we trust in love."

"Right?" Aang asks.

"It says love is brightest in the dark above an image of Oma and Shu kissing." Tai takes a deep breath. "You think a true love type kiss will get us out."

"See? It was a crazy idea."

"It's not gonna solve anything. There's another door behind this mural, I've already got it open but it just looks like more cave." Tai steps over the lip taking the light with him, the others hurrying to stay caught up with him.

Zuko and Iroh prepare to depart from Song's house. They stand outside, dozens of fireflies in the air.

"Thank you for the duck. It was excellent." Iroh thanks the family.

Song's mother bows slightly. "You're welcome. It brings me pleasure to see someone eat my cooking with such ... gusto."

Iroh pats his stomach in a contented manner. "Much practice." Zuko turns to leave. "Junior, where are your manners? You need to thank these nice people."

Zuko turns and bows. "Thank you."

"I know you don't think there's any hope left in the world, but there is hope. The Avatar has returned."

Zuko stares into the distance, bitterly. "I know." He leaves, but stops as he comes across an ostrich horse. Quietly, he walks over to the animal, unfastens it from its post and leads it away. A few minutes later, Zuko gets in front of Iroh, riding the animal.

"What are you doing? These people just showed you great kindness." Iroh reprimands Zuko.

"They're about to show us a little more kindness. Well?" Disappointed and reluctant, Iroh mounts the ostrich horse and the two ride away, leaving Song upset. She quietly closes the screen door to the house.

Tai looks down bitterly at the torch, next to him is Shizuka, in front of him Katara & Aang. "We're gonna run out of light anyway second now, aren't we?" Aang asks.

"Yeah." Tai takes a deep breath.

"Then what are we gonna do?" Aang looks to Katara.

"What can we do?" Katara mutters.

Shizuka looks up to Tai worried, Tai glances over to her holding onto his arm, he raises a hand to her cheek, trying to comfort her, as the light grows dimmer and dimmer, and just as the light dies fully, the ceiling of the cave lights up, revealing thousands of glowing crystals overhead.

"Luminous crystals." Tai's eyes seemingly glow in wonder. "They only glow in the dark. That's how that's how they found each other. They put out their lights and followed the crystals. It's genius."

"Then..." Katara mutters. "That must be the way out."

"Let's go!" Tai smiles, dragging Shizuka behind him with Katara, and Aang running after them. Once out Tai smiles seeing the forest nearby, Appa bounds out of the tunnel and flops on his back.

"What about Sokka?" Aang asks. Tai and Katara turn back as a rumbling is heard. They're stunned as Sokka and Chong's band emerge from the cave riding Badgermoles. Debris fly everywhere, Aang & Katara cover themselves while Tai shields Shizuka.

"Sokka!" Katara shouts. "How did you guys get out?" Sokka asks jumping off the badgermole.

"Just like the legend said, we let love lead the way." Aang smiles sheepishly.

"Really? We let huge, ferocious beasts lead our way."

Tai watches in awe as the badgermoles retreat back into the cave.

"Why's your forehead red?" Tai asks.

"Nobody react to what I'm about to tell you: I think that kid might be the avatar!" Chong says in reference to Aang, causing Sokka & Tai to both smack their foreheads, the red spot on Sokka's getting larger.

"So are you guys going to come to Omashu with us?" Aang asks.

"Nope." Moku responds bluntly.

"Okay, thanks for everything. Moku." Aang waves them off.

Tai smiles once the nomads are away and looks to the four teens with him. "The journey was long, and very, very annoying, but now you get to see what it's really about; the destination. I present to you the Great Earth Kingdom city of O-!" Tai's eyes widen his jaw drops and face goes ghostly pale.

"Oh no." Sokka mutters.

In front of the teens is the city of Omashu, however the city now belongs to the Fire Nation. The entrance is draped with their flag.

Chapter End.