Fire and Aether

Chapter 16: The Avatar State

   Rose woke up suddenly. She looked around in confusion, trying to remember where she was. Her dreams had been so vivid lately, ever since the fight at the North Pole, ever since..
   She shook her head to clear her thoughts and began preparing for the day and the next part of her journey. The rest of Team Avatar woke up shortly thereafter and the group of friends went to say goodbye to their friends and family in the North Pole.
   As they bid goodbye to Master Pakku, he gave Katara a gift. "This amulet contains water from the Spirit Oasis. The water has unique properties. Don't lose it." Katara hugged her master, thanking him for the gift. He then turned his attention to Rose. "Rose, these scrolls will help you master waterbending. But, remember, they're no substitute for a real master." He gestured to Aang. "I believe you are familiar with this weapon." He handed Aang an air sword. "Keep her safe." Aang bowed in respect. "And, Sokka, take care." He patted him on the shoulder. 
    Rose ran to hug Catie, giving her a tearful goodbye. Then she jumped on Crystal's back as the rest of Team Avatar got on Appa's. "Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom based to the east of here. General Fung will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There you will be safe. There you can begin your training with King Bumi."
    "Say hi to Gran Gran for me!" Katara shouted back as Team Avatar took to the skies.
                      * * * * *
     Iroh sighed contentedly as a pair of strong men massaged his back. "This is what I've been missing!" he said. "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?" 
    Zuko sat off to one side, head covered, a sour expression on his face. Iroh glanced over and noticed.
    "I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it?" he asked gently. 
    "Four years ago today, I was banished. I lost it all. I want it back. I want the Avatar, my honor, my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless."
    "I'm sure he doesn't!" Iroh said, trying to cheer his nephew up. "Why would he banish you if he didn't care?" Zuko stood and walked away, Iroh realizing he said the wrong thing. "Hey don't worry about him. I'm sure we can find your little girlfriend."
    Zuko shook his head. "Maybe later."
    With that, he walked off.
                       * * * * *
    A magnificent vessel sailed over the sea. Many men and women bowed as four servants carried a grand caravan across the deck. They set it down before a small flight of stairs and opened the curtain. A young woman decked out in full armor stepped out and addressed everyone onboard.
    "My brother and my uncle have disgraced the Fire Lord and brought shame on all of us." As the Fire Nation princess spoke, she walked across the deck of the ship. "You may 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 crew bowed and left as quickly as their legs would take them. The captain then approached the princess. "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. Can you explain something to me?"
     "Of course, your highness."
     "Do the tides command this ship?"
     "I'm afraid I don't understand."
     "You said the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in. Do the tides command this ship?" She repeated.
     "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 repeated.
     "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."
     "I'll pull us in." the Captain replied, fearfully running from her.
                                                         * * * * *
     Team Avatar finally arrived to the spot where their escort was waiting. They landed and dismounted, Crystal, as usual, shrinking to sit on Rose's shoulder. 
     General Fung stood before them, decked out in Earth Kingdom armor, a small army behind him. He raised his hands in excitement at seeing the group. "Avatar Rose, welcome! I am General Fung. And welcome to all of you great heroes--Appa, Momo, Crystal, brave Sokka, the mighty Katara, the powerful Aang."
     Sokka smiled and puffed his chest out while Katara made a happy comment about her title and Aang smiled, petting Momo. After the fireworks went off, General Fung urged the group inside for a private conversation.
     "Avatar Rose, we were all amazed at all the stories of how you single handedly wiped out an entire Fire Navy fleet at the North Pole. I can't imagine what it feels like to wield such devastating power. It's an awesome responsibility."
     Rose sighed. "It's not something I dwell on."
     "Avatar Rose, you are ready to face the Fire Lord now."
     A shocked look crossed the princess' face. "I'm sorry I must've heard you wrong. I'm not ready." she said at the same time as Aang said, "What? No she's not!"
     "Rose still needs to master all five elements." Katara explained.
     "Why? With the kind of power she possesses, power enough to destroy hundreds of battleships in a matter of minutes, she could defeat the Fire Lord now."
     Sokka spoke up. "Sir, the thing is, Rose can only do those things when she's in the Avatar State."
     "See it's this special state where she--" Aang began but was interrupted.
     "I'm well aware!" General Fung announced. "Her eyes and tattoos glow, and she's able to summon unbelievable power." He stood and walked to a large map, continuing his speech. "Without you, we'd be slaughtered before we could get there. But with you leading the way, as the ultimate weapon, we could cut a swath," he gestured on the map, "right through to the Fire Nation."
     "Unfortunately," Rose spoke up, "I don't know how to get in or out of the Avatar State, much less what to do when I'm there. It's always been something that just happens."
    "So it's decided then. I'll help you figure out how to get into the Avatar State and then you'll face your destiny."
    As Team Avatar argued, Fung took Rose aside, showing her the casualties of the war, what happened the longer she took to stop it.
    Rose felt guilty.
    What should she do?
                          * * * * *
    Azula practiced lightning bending on the boat, growing frustrated when it didn't go perfectly. Elsewhere, Iroh woke up with a bad feeling. 
    Rose, meanwhile, thought about what General Fung had said and came to the conclusion she had no choice. She had to fight the Fire Lord as soon as possible. She couldn't live with herself if more people died waiting for her to save them.
     Fung and his people tried multiple methods to get Rose into the Avatar State but nothing seemed to work!
     She was starting to lose hope.
                          * * * * *
    "Look at these magnificent shells!" Iroh said, dumping a huge armful onto a bed. "I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come."
    "We don't need anymore useless things!" Zuko griped. "You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now."
    "Hello, brother." said a voice across the room. "Uncle."
    "What are you doing here?"
    Azula lounged on a chair. "In my country, we exchange a pleasant hello before asking questions." She stood, making her way over to her brother. "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"
    "Don't call me that!" Zuko yelled.
    "To what do we owe this honor?" Iroh asked more cordially.
    "Hmm, must be a family trait." Azula said in amusement. "Both of you so quick to get to the point. I've come with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family is suddenly very important to him. Probably because of that woman he's enamored with. Blech." She sighed. "He's also heard rumors of plans to overthrow him--treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust. Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home." Azula paused. Hearing nothing, she added, "Did you hear me? You should be happy, excited, grateful. I just gave you great news."
     Zuko turned to the window, thinking. His father wanted him back?
     "I'm sure your brother simply needs a moment--"
     "Don't interrupt, uncle!" Azula snapped. "I still haven't heard my thank you." She addressed Zuko. "I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way."
     "Father regrets?" Zuko asked. "He wants me back?"
     "I can see you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening."
     With no more words, Azula left. Zuko thought about what she had said and found himself excited as he packed.
     "We're going home! After four long years! It's unbelievable!"
     "It is unbelievable." Iroh said, thoughtfully. "I have never known my brother to regret anything."
     "Did you listen to Azula?" Zuko asked. "Father's realized how important family is to him. He cares about me."
     "I care about you!" Iroh argued. "I mean if Ozai wants you back, well, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine."
     "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 turned to his uncle, anger burning in his eyes. "I think you are exactly what you seem--a lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who's always been jealous of his brother."
     He turned and walked out, leaving Iroh to his thoughts.
     The night passed.
     The next morning, Zuko walked down the steps of the mountain, his bag carried over his shoulder. "Wait up!" Iroh yelled, chasing after him.
    "Uncle, you've changed your mind."
    "Family sticks together, right?"
    "We're finally going home."
    Iroh stared down at their boat, suspicion in his eyes.
                      * * * * *
    Rose explained to Fung that she didn't think their plan was working. Not only could she not enter the Avatar State, she believed it was too dangerous. "The only time I'm able to use it is when I'm in genuine danger."
    "I see." Fung said. "I was afraid you'd say that."
    He earthbended his desk across the room, making Rose fall out the window. Luckily, she managed to teleport herself to the ground.
    "Men, attack the Avatar!'" Fung commanded.
    The men began to earthbend, forcing Rose to duck and destroy obstacles, occasionally portalling through them. Aang, Sokka, and Katara grew worried and joined in the fight, Aang airbending, Katara waterbending, and Sokka using his boomerang. 
     Fung got an idea. "Maybe you can avoid me but can your friends?"
     He captured them one by one. First Katara sunk into the ground. Sokka tried to save her and got trapped. Aang held his own for awhile but he, too, got caught. Fung threatened to sink them all into the ground and Rose lost it, going into the Avatar State.
     "I did it!" Fung shouted in victory.
     "No." Aang warned. "You have no idea what you've just unleashed."
     Rose attacked, her anger causing the whole arena to break apart. As she attacked with reckless abandonment, Roku told her something important: the Avatar State was indeed powerful but it made her vulnerable because if she died, she would never again be reincarnated. 
     Rose's spirit returned to her body and she told Fung she wanted no part of his plan. Sokka knocked out the general when he protested and the group decided they didn't need an escort to Omashu.
                       * * * * * 
    Azula stood on the ship, watching as Zuko and Iroh approached. Iroh fixed each guard with a suspicious stare.
    "Brother, uncle, welcome." Azula announced. She bowed to them as they did to her. "I'm so glad you decided to come."
    "Are we ready to depart, your highness?" the Captain asked.
    "Set our course for home, Captain."
    "Home." Zuko said, feeling a sense of happiness he hadn't felt in awhile.
    "You heard the princess!" the Captain shouted, giving orders. "Raise the anchors. We're taking the prisoners home." 
    There was a brief pause as the captain realized what he said. Azula gave him a glare that meant he would regret his mess up.
    "Your highness, I--"
    Zuko realized what had just happened and anger crossed his face. Iroh glanced around in suspicion before fighting the guards that ran at him.
    Zuko threw one of the guards overboard, angrily shouting, "You lied to me!"
    "Like I've never done that before." Azula smirked, gesturing for the guards to attack.
    Zuko fought off the guards then raced up onto the deck, creating knives from fire, ready to attack Azula. 
    "Y'know, father blames uncle for the loss at the North Pole. And he considers you a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar." Azula baited Zuko. "Why would he want you home except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?"
     Zuko attacked and the pair fought, Azula knocking Zuko off the boat. She lightningbended, aiming at her brother but Iroh showed up and redirected it to the side of the mountain before kicking her off her own boat. Together, he and Zuko ran.
     Azula sent out a proclamation that Zuko and Iroh were now enemies of the Fire Nation. They would have nowhere to hide...
                         * * * * *
    Zuko and Iroh had come to a safe place to rest by a river stream. Zuko pulled out a knife, knowing what he had to do. Without hesitation, he cut off his ponytail. He handed the knife to his uncle and Iroh cut off his man bun. Their hair hit the water, a symbol of them turning their backs on their pasts.
    It was time to move on...