The Light and Avatar States

Aang found himself on the grounds of the Southern Air Temple and ran about looking to see if there was anyone. The wind whistled in his ears as he came across a familiar building. Pushing the cloth back, Aang looked inside and his eyes widened at the sight. He saw himself kneeling before the skeleton of Monk Gyatso. And to make things worse, he saw that he was in the Avatar State. The angry Aang turned back to Aang, causing him to gasp in fear of what his other self might do. He braced himself when a strong wind came in from his left. When Aang opened his eyes, he looked to see his angered self starting to form the air sphere around him while Sokka, Katara and Lucy all tried to hang onto something. The angered Aang clashed his fists together and created a burst of light and the winds picked up.
Aang tried to keep himself steady, but he gasped when the high winds knocked him off his feet. He grunted when he landed on the ground. He became confused when he found himself in the Fire Temple. Looking on both sides, he saw all four of his friends. The doors to Roku's statue creaked as they opened up. As they opened, the angered Aang with his Air Sphere appeared once again. The angered Aang glared at Aang before letting loose a fire blast from his mouth. Then he slashed his hand and created a tear through the floor. When it spread under Aang, he yelled when he fell through.
Once again he grunted when he landed on a cold metal floor. Looking around, he found himself on a Fire Nation ship. When he looked up his own eyes widened when he saw his angered self controlling the Ocean Manifestation. Aang watched as his angered self-made the Ocean Manifestation turn the body while raising the right hand high. The Manifestation's hand came down before the angered Aang slashed as well.
Aang woke up with a start as he sat up in his hammock with a gasp. Deciding to get some fresh air, Aang hopped out of the hammock and walked to the ladder. But as he was climbing the ladder, it wasn't unoticed as Katara and Lucy sat up in their hammocks.
"Aang." Katara said.
"Let's go see what's wrong." Lucy insisted.
The two climbed out of their hammocks. When they reached the deck, they found Aang standing next to the side of the ship, staring out to the horizon.
"I understand there's something wrong." Lucy said.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Katara asked, a little worried.
"No, just a nightmare. I was in the Avatar State, but I was outside my body watching myself. It was scary. I was scary." Aang said as he hung his head. Katara then gave the Airbender a hug.
"It's going to be alright, Aang." Lucy reassured him. 
"If this makes you feel better, I wasn't very happy with being in that Light State. I felt like I lost myself..." She admitted.
"Neither of you are bad people. You two know that. You two did what had to be done." Katara informed the two.
The next morning, the Water Tribe had slowed it's journey so the group could depart. Appa stood at the bow of the ship while the nine stood before Master Pakku, Kang and a few Northern Water tribesman. Master Pakku brought forth a sack and dug through it.
"Katara, I want you to have this." He said pulling out a vial.
"This amulet contains water from the Spirit Oasis. The water has unique properties. Don't lose it." Pakku let her know, before issuing a warning.
"Thank you, Master Pakku." Katara walked forward and wrapped her arms around him for a hug.
"Aang, these scrolls will help you learn Waterbending." Pakku said as he dug into the bag again. He took out an ornate wooden box containing the scrolls and handed them to the Avatar.
"But remember, they are no substitute for a real teacher." They glanced to Katara who had just climbed onto the saddle.
"Thank you, Master Pakku." Aang bowed.
"Lucy, for showing how much determination you have, I would like to give you something that will be of use." Master Pakku motioned to one of the Tribesmen who handed him a chest. Pakku opened it and it displayed another brozen key.
"Another gate key." Lucy said.
"Yes, this will summon a rather powerful Celestial Spirit to aid you in times of need. Use it wisely." Pakku explained before handing the gate key to her.
"Thank you, Master Pakku." Lucy said, bowing.
"I hope you four are willing to protect Lucy throughout her journey alongside the Avatar." Pakku turned to Natsu, Gray, Erza and Wendy.
"Of course we are." Natsu nodded.
"Lucy's our friend. We'll always be there for her." Gray said.
"We'll do everything we can to help her fight the Fire Nation even if it means sacrificing our lives." Erza added.
"You can count on us, sir." Wendy told Pakku.
"Good. Take care. All of you." Pakku said as he patted Sokka on the arm. 
"Fly straight to the Earth Kingdom base to the east of here. General Fong will provide you with an escort to Omashu. There, you will be safe and the Avatar can begin his Earthbending training with King Bumi." Pakku directed them.
"Thank you for everything, Master Pakku!" Lucy called out.
"Say hi to Gran Gran for me!" Katara said.
"Appa, yip yip." Aang said before snapping the reins. Appa growled as Aang turned the reins to turn the bison in the right direction.
In a Fire Nation town a few miles from the ocean, three familiar faces had been saved after a few weeks of traveling. The town itself sat in the middle and both sides of a river. Iroh himself was currently enjoying himself as he was massaged.
"Ah, THIS is just what I need." Aiko sighed.
"Indeed. This is what we'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 be so intense." Iroh said.
Their smiles faded when they looked over to Prince Zuko and saw him sulk while sitting against the entry to the spa.
Letting the two masseuses go, Iroh and Aiko put on robes before getting up and walking over to Zuko.
"I see. It's the anniversary, isn't it?" Iroh asked.
"Three years ago today, I was banished. I lost it all. I want it back. I want the Celestial Mage, the Avatar, my honor, my throne. I want my father not to think I'm worthless." Zuko said.
"I'm sure he doesn't." Aiko stated.
"I agree. Why would he banish you if he didn't care?" Iroh asked. Zuko looked to his uncle with a glare before getting up and starting to walk off.
"Uh, that came out wrong didn't it?" Iroh groaned as he looked to the two masseuses and asked.
"Don't worry about it, Father. He'll get over it. Hopefully." Aiko told him.
A large royalty class Fire Navy ship sailed through the open waters to the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom. A large group of Firebenders in royal class armor stood on deck before kneeling down when they saw the arrival of their leader. The large set of doors in the tower opened and four palanquin bearers carried it out into the light. They stopped before the ramp and lowered the palanquin down. Two walked in front of the palanquin and pulled back the drapes to reveal a young woman in royal Fire Nation armor sitting on a makeshift throne. The princess, Azula, stood up and stepped out of the palanquin. 
"My brother, uncle and cousins have disgraced the Fire Lord and brought shame to us all. You might have mixed feelings about attacking members of the royal family. I understand that much. But I assure you, if you hesitate - I will not hesitate to bring you down." Azula warned.
"Dismissed." She said, facing the bow of the ship.
The captain of the ship came running.
"Princess, I'm afraid the tides won't allow us to bring the ship into port before nightfall." The captain addressed Azula.
"I'm sorry Captain, but I do not know much about the tides." Azula questioned.
"Can you explain something to me?" She asked while turning to the starboard part of the ship.
"Of course, your highness." The captain complied.
"Do the tides command this ship?" Azula questioned while turning only her eyes to the captain.
"I don't understand." The captain said.
"You said that the tides would not allow us to bring the ship in." Azula reminded him. She glanced back to the captain.
"Do the tides command this ship." Azula repeated.
"No, princess." The captain quickly answered.
"Well, you should worry less about the tides who have already made up their mind about killing you and more about me who's still mulling it over." Azula turned to the man while throwing him a glare.
"I'll pull us in." The captain said.
He quickly ran back to the tower, wanting to be away from the princess for the moment.
The group flew over the Earth Kingdom.
"There it is!" Sokka shouted.
They all stood up in the saddle as Appa, ShineGreymon and Omnimon flew around a mountain peak and they could see the base. From what they could see of it, a tower stood in the middle of a ring and three walls ran across the mountains. A stone path ran from the last section of the wall. Appa flew down and landed on the roof of the tower. Two men, one of them being General Fong, met the group.
"Welcome Avatar Aang and Celestial Mage Lucy! I am General Fong and welcome to all of you great heroes! Appa, Momo, Grace, Happy, Carla, brave Sokka, mighty Katara, amazing Natsu, incredible Gray, fantastic Wendy, fearsome Erza and last but least, the legendary White Dragon!" The general said.
"Fearsome Erza? I like that." Erza said pleased.
The sounds of fireworks exploding caught them all off guard. The group looked behind them to see small round objects being thrown into the air by Earthbenders. A small group of four pressed their right foot to the ground to lift the round fireworks into the air before using their left fist to send them up into the air.
"Not bad, not bad." Gray said.
General Fong turned and led most of the group inside. 
General Fong led the group inside the main office. 
"Celestial Mage Lucy and Avatar Aang, we were all amazed at the stories of how you two single-handedly wiped out an entire Fire Navy fleet at the North Pole. I can't imagine how it feels to wield such devastating power. It's an awesome responsibility." General Fong said.
"I try not to think about it." Aang admitted.
"Same here." Lucy added.
"Avatar, Celestial Mage, you're both ready to face the Fire Lord now." General Fong said.
"What?! No we're not." Aang told him.
"Aang still needs to master all four elements." Katara informed the general.
"And Lucy still needs to master three elements as well as choose her third element to bend." Wendy pointed out.
"Why? With those kinds of powers they possess, powers enough to destroy hundred of battleships in a matter of minutes, they could defeat the Fire Lord right now." General Fong said.
"But sir, the thing is that Lucy and Aang can only do those things when Lucy is in her Light State and Aang is in the Avatar State." Happy argued.
"You see, they're special states where..." Aang said.
"Yes, yes, I'm well aware. The Avatar State is when your eyes and tattoos glow, while the Light State is when a white aura appears around Lucy's body, her eyes and mark glow and marks appear all over her body and you're both able to summon unbelievable amounts of power. Without you two, we'd be slaughtered before we even reach their shores." General Fong looked hopeful as he said.
"But with you two leading the way as the ultimate weapons, we can cut a swath right through to the heart of the Fire Nation." He added.
"Right, but Aang doesn't know how to get in or out of the Avatar State and I don't know how to get in and out of the Light State either, much less what to do once we're there." Lucy admitted.
"Then it's decided. I'll help you two figure out how to get into the Avatar State and the Light State and you two can face your destinies." General Fong said after hearing all the facts.
Ray shook his head in exasperation.
"That is not a good idea, General. You haven't seen what they're like in those forms. We have and unless you can come up with a way to talk them out of it, I would not recommend proceeding with this plan." He advised.
"Yeah, Lucy and Aang are pursuing their destinies THEIR way!" Katara said irritated.
"I see. Well, while you take your time learning the elements and looking for your friends, the war goes on. Let me show you two something." They followed the general to a window at the back of the office. 
"That's the infirmary, and those soldiers are the lucky ones. They're the only ones to have come back. Every day, the Fire Nation takes lives. People are dying. You both can end it now. Think about it." General Fong said before turning and walking away.
"Aang?" Lucy asked. Aang lowered his head, looking uncertain.
'I don't like thinking about people suffering, but I'm not ending the war Fong's way. I still don't like the power I have. I can't even control it.' Lucy thought.
On Princess Azula's royal Fire Navy battleship, said princess was getting a little training done. The sun had nearly set on the port side of the ship. The six members of the Hydra team plus Lo and Li watched from the elevated part of the ship. Princess Azula herself stood in the middle of the deck. Princess Azula took a deep breath while lowering his hands in front of her. Her audience watched with expressionless faces as she began. With a small circular motion of her left hand, lightning started to crackle at her finger tips. She brought her crackling hand over her head before summoning doing the same motions with her right hand. Then bringing her finger tips together she held the energy between them for a moment before throwing her left hand forward and sent the lightning flying through the air. She stood there with both arms extended and her right hand into a fist. Azula's finger tips smoked for a second from the practice.
"Almost perfect." The twin over the right insignia said. The other then said, "One hair out of place."
Azula looked to the strand of hair that had fallen from her head and glared at it. Wiping it out of the way she said with narrowed eyes, "Almost isn't good enough." 
She then returned to the lesson. Performing the same technique, Azula sent another bolt of electricity off the side of the ship.
The faint sound of thunder brought Iroh out of his peaceful slumber. Sitting up in the bed, he looked out the door wondering what it was. He started to get a bad feeling that trouble was coming.
Aang walked up the stairs until he reached Fong's office. He saw that the general was looking over a map. "General Fong?" 
"Come in, Aang. Have you and Lucy thought about our discussion?" He asked.
"Well, Lucy is still unsure, but I'm in. I'm ready to face the Fire Lord." Aang said.
Aang bowed before making his way out of the room. When he made it back to the groups quarters he opened the door and walked in.
"I told the general I'd help him by going into the Avatar State." Aang informed them.
"What? No." Katara protested.
"Aang, this isn't the right way." Lucy shook her head.
"Why? Remember when you two took out the Fire Navy? You both were incredible." Sokka said from his bed.
"But Lucy doesn't like that power. I can't say I blame her." Wendy replied.
"But that power's a part of her. She'll have to embrace it at some point." Gray pointed out.
"Aang, there's a right way to end the war. Practice, study and discipline." Erza added.
Or just glow it up and stop that Fire Lord." Natsu said. Erza proceeded to punch him in the head.
"If you meatheads want to throw away everything we've worked for, fine. Go ahead and glow it up!" Katara said as she stood from her bed, getting angrier by the second
"I'm not stopping the Fire Lord like this. I'm gonna do it MY way." Lucy said. She, Grace and Katara walked off.
"Lucy, Katara I'm just trying to be realistic. I don't have time to do this the right way."
The next morning, the group had come a small distance away from the base to a gazebo on the side of a mountain. A man used a pair of chop sticks to place some ingredients into a fresh pot of tea.
"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 said.
"Ten fold energy, huh?" Aang asked as he looked down at the cup of tea. 
When the tea still didn't work, the general thought about giving Aang more tea, but it turned out to be a mistake as Aang was now riding on an Air Scooter
"Is it working? Is it working?" Aang asked.
"I can't tell! Somebody tell me if it's working and I'm in the Avatar State 'cause I don't have a good view of myself. Am I talking too loud?" He rode off while asking.
"I guess he can talk the Fire Lord to death." Happy suggested. 
Aang suddenly came in and crashed into one of the poles causing Lucy to face palm.
Once Aang had calmed down enough, they walked back to the base. 
"I can try and shock you into the Avatar State." Sokka said.
"I love surprises." Aang said with a big grin and a thumbs up while Wendy covered his eyes with her hands and then uncovered them. Sokka's head had been replaced with Momo's as it gave a shriek. Aang lets loose a yell and flinches, but soon sees that he's not glowing or anything.
"Still not glowing." He tells Sokka.
They all went to a different room in the base. They stood before an alter of sorts and stood before a shaman of sorts. He wore an animal's fur on his shoulders, cloth wrapped around his hands and a necklace around his neck. But his most interesting pieces of apparel were the orange tinted glasses resting over his eyes and had a small moustache.
"You my friend, are wearing a ceremonial piece of clothing from each of the bending nations. Now I will join the four elements into one. Water! Fire! Earth! Air!" 
Dumping the jug he said, "Water…" Then dumping the plate of dirt he said, "Earth…" He reached behind him and took down a torch before throwing it in, "Fire…" He had an air pump and squeezed a gust in, "Air…"
Lifting a smaller pot out of the cauldron he said, "Four elements together as one!"
Then with a quick motion he threw the contents onto Aang. Aang grimaced as the stuff splattered onto him.
"This is just mud." He pointed out.
"So, do you feel anything?" The old man asked.
Aang's face slightly twitched and he raised his right hand. Everyone became surprised as there might be something. But all it turned out to be was a little mud in Aang's nose as he let out a big sneeze.
"We have to find a way." The General said.
Prince Zuko, Aiko and Iroh returned to their hut after a day at the beach. Iroh dumped his bags contents onto the table and admired their beauty.
"Look at these magnificent shells. I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come." Iroh happily said,
"You should." Aiko told him.
"We don't need any more useless things. You forget, we have to carry everything ourselves now." Zuko reminded them.
"True, but there's not..." Aiko was cut off.
"Hello brother, uncle and cousin." Aiko, Zuko and Iroh looked to the voice to see someone sitting at the other table.
"Oh, joy. It's the Fire Nation's favorite witch." Aiko said sarcastically.
"What are you doing here?" Zuko questioned with a glare. 
"In my country, we exchange a pleasant 'hello' before asking questions." Getting up she walked over and asked, "Have you become uncivilized so soon, Zuzu?"
"Don't call me that!" Zuko snapped.
"Tell me, where are your sisters Aiko, I thought they would be with you?" Azula asked.
"It's not your concern." Aiko replied with hate.
"To what do we owe this honor?" Iroh said with a respectful bow.
"Must be a family trait. All three of you so quick to get to the point." Azula said.
"Tell us why you're here or else I'll throw you out into the ocean!" Aiko threatened.
"Very well. 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 members are the only ones you can truly trust. Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home. Did you hear me? You should be happy. Excited, grateful. "I just gave you great news." Azula said.
"I'm sure your brother needs a moment to..." Iroh was interrupted.
"Don't interrupt, Uncle!" Azula shouted.
"You shut your mouth!" Aiko yelled.
"Silence!" Azula yelled back and then turned to Zuko.
"I still haven't heard my thank you." Then pointing out she stated, "I'm not a messenger. I didn't have to come all this way."
"Father regrets? He wants me back." Zuko asked.
"I can see that you need time to take this in. I'll come to call on you tomorrow." Azula said before she left. Zuko ponders what she said while Aiko looked at her with suspicion.
The sun was starting to set on the base as they had gone through another thirty attempts to get Aang to go into the Avatar State. He, Katara and Lucy all stood on the wall overlooking the land around them.
"Can we talk to you about something?" Lucy asked.
"Sure." Aang shrugged and stood up.
"Do you remember when we were at the Southern Air Temple and you found Monk Gyatso's skeleton? It must have been a horrible and traumatic experience for you. We saw you get upset and you weren't you anymore." Lucy said.
"We're not saying that the Avatar State doesn't have incredible and helpful power...but you should understand...for the people who love you, watching you be in that much rage and pain is really scary." Katara explained.
"I'm glad you two told me that, but I still need to do this." Aang told the two.
"I don't understand." Katara protested.
"No you don't and I don't think Lucy does either. Every day more and more people die. I'm already a hundred years late and Lucy never appeared in this world until now. Defeating the Fire Lord is the only way to stop the war. I have to try it." Aang said.
"I can't watch you do this to yourself. I'm not coming tomorrow." Lucy stated.
"Neither am I. Good night." Katara added.
Good night." Aang said as he hung his head while Lucy and Katara walked away.
Later that evening Lucy and Katara were about to head back to their room when Natsu, Gray, Erza and Wendy stood in front of them.
"What is it?" Lucy asked.
"We need to talk to you, Lucy...privately." Erza said and Lucy nods at Katara and she nods back and Lucy goes with her friends and they are now outside the base.
"What do you want to talk about? My Light State power? I told you I'm not doing this." Lucy said.
"We know and we think you made the right decision, but...we must know. When did you have this power? We've never seen you use it." Erza said.
"I don't know. All I know is that when I first got into this world back at the South Pole and when Aang and I were captured by Zuko and when I was attacked, I somehow awakened that power. I don't know how I got it, but I don't want to know." Lucy said.
"You don't like it, do you?" Carla asked.
"You think I should? You saw me how I was back at the North Pole when Zhao killed that Moon Spirit! I was so consumed with anger, I wanted to make the Fire Nation pay for doing something this revolting. That was when that Light State took over again." Lucy said.
"But you used it to defeat that Fire Navy fleet and you only attacked the Firebenders not the Waterbenders." Natsu said.
"I know, but now just the thought of the Light State just scares me to death. Imagine if I can't control myself in that state. I would've killed the Waterbenders if I wasn't careful. I would've killed you guys too. I can't stand thinking about it!" Lucy said as tears start flowing from her eyes.
"Lucy, I know you're uncomfortable with that power, but it's part of who you are now. You can't pretend it's not. You can't just avoid it forever." Gray said.
"Sooner or later you'll have to embrace that power and try to learn to control it." Erza said.
"I'm not going to embrace it yet. Besides, if everyone in Fairy Tail saw me like that, what would they think of me?" Lucy asked.
"I think they'll still accept you. We all know you're a good person, Lucy. You would never hurt anyone unless you need to." Wendy said.
"I don't want to hurt my friends...my family." Lucy said.
"And we know you're not gonna. Just don't let that Light State control you." Natsu said.
"Aye." Happy said.
"Look, I know you guys are concerned about this power now, but I'm tired of talking about it." Lucy said.
"We'll have to talk about it if you feel comfortable. Like Gray and I said, you can't just pretend that power isn't part of you now. You will have to embrace sometime." Erza said.
"...I know, but I'm not doing it today." Lucy said as she walks away.
Back at Zuko, Aiko and Iroh's hut, the former started to pack as he felt really happy for the first time in years.
"We're going home. After three long years. This is unbelivable." Zuko said.
"It is unbelievable. I have never known my brother to regret anything." Iroh agreed.
"Let alone banishing his own son." Aiko added.
"Did you two listen to Azula? Father's realized how important family is to him. He cares about me." He said.
"We both care about you!" Iroh replied.
"If Uncle Ozai really wanted you back, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine." Aiko pointed out.
"Neither of you know how my father feels about me. You don't know anything." Zuko snapped.
"Zuko, we only meant that, in our family, things are not always what they seem." Iroh said.
"I think you are exactly what you seem. A lazy, mistrustful, shallow old man who has always been jealous of his brother." Zuko angrily retorted.
Zuko then walked off to continue to pack, leaving a hurt Iroh standing there watching him go.
"Zuko..." Aiko was about to go after him, but Iroh stopped her.
Back at General Fong's base, Aang tried to rest while trying to figure out the Avatar State. But sleep was not kind to him as he had familiar dreams.
Aang found himself at the South Pole, standing on the deck of Prince Zuko's old ship. He looked over the side at the water when suddenly the water burst and angered Aang rose up on his water spout. Angered Aang maneuvered to where he headed for Aang who had moved to the middle of the deck. When he landed, Angered Aang waterbended the spout to where it knocked a yelling Aang off the ship. Angered Aang turned to Zuko as his tattoos stopped glowing. Prince Zuko looked to the Avatar in fear before running. But the Fire Nation prince didn't get far as Angered Aang used his waterbending to slash as Zuko.
Aang woke up with a gasp. Lucy and Katara were sleeping in another suite.
"Sokka, wake up." 
"Hmm." He said, turning to the Airbender.
"I don't think we should be trying to bring on the Avatar State." Aang told him.
"You sure?" Sokka asked.
"Yeah." Aang nodded.
"Do you think that the General will be mad?" He asked.
"What can he say?" Sokka shrugged. Looking to his friend he pointed out, "You're the Avatar. Who knows better than you?"
"Lucy does." Aang said.
"Yeah. She is pretty smart." Sokka noted. He then laid back down to get some rest.
At the Fire Nation town, Prince Zuko was making his way down the stairs to Azula's ship. As he walked, Zuko thought about his father, about being home, about seeing his friend again. But as he continued to walk, the prince began to think about what he had said to his uncle the previous night. He stopped when he saw the ship at the end of the dock and was about to continue when a voice called from behind. "Wait!"
He looked back to see Iroh and Aiko following from behind and he said, "Don't leave without us."
"You two changed your minds!" Zuko happily said.
"Family sticks together." Iroh said as he placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder.
Zuko remembered when Iroh once placed the same hand on his back a long time ago.
"We're finally going home." Zuko said.
Then turning, Zuko led the way down to the ship. But Iroh and Aiko still had their suspicions as they looked down to the ship with a slight glare. Iroh and Aiko followed Zuko down the steps, but prepared themselves in case it was as they suspected.
At General Fong's base Aang, Sokka, Natsu, Gray, Erza and Wendy stood before the general and told him about Aang's decision.
"The thing is, I don't think we'll ever be able to trigger it on purpose. So I guess that's it." Aang said.
"Are you sure I can't change your mind?" General Fong asked, worried he was losing one of his best chances to end the war.
"I'm sure. I can only reach the Avatar State when I'm in geunine danger and I think it's the same for Lucy to access her Light State." Aang said as he looked down.
"I see. I was afraid you'd say that." General Fong admitted. He moved his right foot before using his earthbending to shove the desk at Aang. Aang grunted when the desk smacked into him and pushed him out the big window in the back. 
"Aang!" Sokka cried out.
"Come on." Gray said. They were quickly subdued by six soldiers.
"Unhand me!" Erza commanded as she fought against the soldiers subduing her and then confronted more.
"Get off!" Natsu yelled as he pulled his head back and slammed it into a soldier then took on another one.
Aang yelled when he fell from the top of the tower. He was able to use his Airbending to slow his fall and rolled out of the way when the desk came crashing down. When he stopped he looked up to the top of the tower with wide eyes. He saw General Fong walk to the window.
"Men! Attack the Avatar!" The general ordered.
Aang looked around to see that he was surrounded by Earth Kingdom soldiers. They moved in to carry out their general's will. Aang looked up to see Fong jump from the top of the tower and cushioned his landing with his Earthbending. Aang jumped over the rising stone and landed.
"What are you doing?" Aang asked.
"I believe we're about to get results." General Fong said with a crazed look in his eye.
Earthbenders on both sides of Aang twisted and raised rings of stone above their heads. Aang looked around while the soldiers on ostrich horses raised their spears. Two Earthbenders on both sides of Aang lowered their stone rings to the ground and used a double fist to send them quickly rolling at Aang. But the Airbender was able to move out of the way before jumping between two horizontally thrown disks.
"I'm not your enemy! I won't fight you." Aang looked to the general and said.
Four soldiers sent rings his way and he jumped just when they clashed together. Landing on one, it was knocked by a horizontally thrown ring and landed just when two of the others came at him. Though it seemed that they had crushed him, Aang had taken refuge in the space in the middle. Aang looked worried as the rings started to spin while moving to another Earthbender. The Earthbender destroyed the ring and sent Aang flying away. Aang grunted when he hit the ground but stood back up. He looked around at the soldiers as they prepared to attack once again.
Back up in the tower Erza, Natsu, Gray and Wendy fought against the soldiers as a subdued Sokka stepped on one's foot forcing the soldier to let go. The soldiers fall to the ground and the five ran to the window.
"We need to help Aang." Wendy said.
"She's right. Let's go." Gray nodded. The five jump out the window.
Four Earthbenders lowered their rings forward and launched them. Aang jumped over two horizontally thrown rings and they crashed into each other. He was able to dodge the other two rings by moving through the spaces between them and landed on an Air Scooter and zoomed away. An Earthbender raised a stone block from the ground and it diverted Aang's path as he moved to the left. Aang had to make a sharp right turn when another Earthbender raised another block. Making another left turn when a third Earthbender raised a third, Aang rushed past two soldiers on ostrich horses. The soldiers directed their mounts to the fleeing Avatar as Aang made his Air Scooter run up the wall. The ostrich horses made a huge leap to the wall as Aang's Air Scooter ran out. Time slowed down as the soldiers swung their spears at him and Aang was barely able to dodge them before falling back to the ground. The ostrich horses landed on the wall before jumping back down.
Aang landed on the ground and jumped out of the way of the landing ostrich horses while their riders brought down their spears. Aang rolled to where one of the earth rings was stored and yelled when it raised him up and pulled him to the general.
"You can't run forever!" Fong shouted.
"You can't fight forever!" Aang shouted back. The general lunged at Aang who jumped out of the ring before the general crushed it.
Prince Zuko, Aiko and Iroh walked down the docks towards Azula's ship. They passed under the arch and came up to a battalion of Firebenders in upgraded armor. Princess Azula stood with two more Firebenders at the top of the ramp. She had a smile as she had a feeling her plan would work. Prince Zuko had his hands behind his back while Iroh and Aiko looked about with suspicious looks in their eyes. 
"Brother, uncle, cousin. Welcome. I'm so glad you decided to come." Azula said. Iroh and Aiko remained suspicious.
"Are we ready to depart your Highness?" The captain asked.
"Set a course for home, captain." Azula requested. 
"Home." Zuko became hopeful and said.
"You heard the princess. Raise the anchors. We're taking the prisoners home." The captain mistakenly said. 
Zuko, the captain and Azula's eyes widen from what he just said. Azula glared at the captain.
"Your Highness, I..." He tried to amend the situation.
He glanced behind him while Zuko looked truly angry. Iroh and Aiko looked back at the Imperial Firebenders before whirling around. Iroh socked one in the face with his bag. He raised his right leg and kicked the other in the face. A third Imperial Firebender came up and tried to use a flaming kick to the midsection, but Iroh was quick to react by dodging and elbowing the Firebender in the face. The second had gotten back up but Aiko grabbed him by the arm and shoved him away.
Prince Zuko shoved the guard off the ramp.
"You lied to me!" Zuko angrily yelled.
"Like I've never done that before." Azula nonchalantly said before turning and waving. The two Imperial Firebenders moved and attacked. Zuko deflected their fireballs and charged at them in fury.
Back at Fong's base, Aang yelled as he was being chased by dropped earth rings. When he turned left he was being chased by a rolling earth ring.
In the other suite, Lucy and Katara heard the commotion as Ray entered the door. 
"I wonder what kind of crazy thing they're trying now?" Katara asked.
"Maybe they're..." Happy was cut off by another boom.
"Maybe we should see if Aang's okay." Lucy instructed.
"Sounds good." 
The three quickly rushed outside. When they came out of the tower, their eyes went wide at what they were seeing. They rushed down the stairs and met up with Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy and Sokka. 
"What's going on?" Lucy asked.
"The general's gone crazy!" Gray shouted.
"He's trying to force Aang into the Avatar State." Sokka told them about the general's plan.
"That idiot." Ray gritted his teeth in anger as Sokka removed his boomerang and threw it at a soldier.
Lucy and Katara ran down to join the fight. The soldier that was struck by Sokka's boomerang walked around in a daze.
Aang continued running from a soldier on a ostrich horse when a water whip struck him. The soldier looked to where it came from before being knocked off his ostrich horse. Katara retracted her water whip while staying on guard.
"Good horse bird thingie." Sokka said as he walked up to the ostrich horse. When it didn't make any sudden movements, Erza grabbed the reins of the ostrich horse. Erza hopped onto the saddle and the ostrich horse reared up with a roar before zooming off.
Katara and Lucy watched with wide eyes before they knew that they had company. General Fong glanced back to Aang.
"Maybe you can avoid me, but they can't." The Earthbenders turned the rings to their broad side to prevent any escape for the two. 
"I don't think so." Lucy whipped out a stream of water and sent it to the general. But with a circular motion of his hands, Fong caused the dirt to come up and turn her water into mud.
When he lowered it he took a stance and turned the ground under the girls against them. Both cried out as they twisted and their feet became stuck in the ground.
"I...can't move." Katara said as she tried to pull herself off.
"Neither can I." Lucy added as she also attempted to pull herself out.
"Don't hurt them!" Aang warned the general.
Then jumping forward he brought his hands to his side before unleashing a blast of air at the general. Fong saw the attack coming and brought up a wall of earth to block the wind.
When he lowered it, Fong made the girls sink another few inches and stopped when they were at their waist.
"That's enough, general! Stand down." Ray angrily ordered.
"LUCE!" Natsu shouted.
"No!" Gray yelled as he, Natsu and Sokka ran towards the general.
"Monster!" Erza cried out when she brought the ostrich horse around. She tried to ram the general with her mount, but Fong made the ostrich horse's feet sink and sent Erza flying. She landed on her feet and ran straight for the general, who trapped her feet along with Wendy's. 
"Stop this! You have to let them go!" Aang pleaded as he grabbed the general's arm.
"You could save them if you were in the Avatar State." Fong said with a stern look.
"I'm trying! I'm trying!" Aang said as tears welled.
"Aang!" Lucy shouted.
"We're sinking!" Katara yelled when they were now down to their chests. 
"I don't see glowing." Fong said with a crazed look in his eyes. Fong then started to close up his fist and it made the girls sink down to their necks.
"Stop!" Lucy begged.
"Please!" Katara pleaded.
"You don't need to do this!" Aang shouted while dropping to his knees.
"Apparently I do." Fong said as he clenched his fist and Katara and Lucy started to disappear under the ground with a yelp. Aang tried to make a leap for them but it was too late as they disappeared. 
Suddenly the tattoo on Aang's head started to glow and he turned to the general with a glare.
"It worked! It worked!" The general said.
Then there was a rumbling noise as Lucy emerged from the ground in her Light State. 
"Yes! At last!" Fong exclaimed.
He had to shield himself when Aang started a wind storm. The general's face brightened when he saw that Aang was still in the Avatar State, but it fell when Aang took a stance. Placing one hand in front of his face and the other in the opposite direction, he sent an air slash at the general. Lucy then released four light magic beams at Fong who now had a fearful expression on his face. Fong yelled as the air slash and light beams sent him flying. He landed near the base of the tower.
Soon all five looked to Aang when he created a tornado and lifted himself off the ground. Lucy also lifted herself off the ground.
Back at the harbor Zuko ran onto the deck of Azula's ship after incapacitating two soldiers with fire attacks. He entered a fighting position while his sister had her back turned to him. Zuko created two fire daggers as the princess glanced at him with a smug look on her face.
Iroh and Aiko ducked under a flaming high kick of one soldier before sending the soldier flying with a fire ball. They had to kneel down under another two soldiers' attacks before sending them falling off the dock with two streams. When a fourth soldier came up to him with a fire ball, Iroh slapped the hand out of the way to where it would miss.
"Zuko, let's go!" Iroh shouted.
Aiko pushed the soldier off before engaging another incoming firebender with Iroh. They moved his fire fist to the side before shoving him off the dock.
Up on the deck, Zuko tried to land a hit on his sister by swinging his fire daggers at Azula. But the princess was able to avoid them before grabbing her brother's arm and twisting before shoving him away.
"You know, Father blames Uncle and his daughters for the loss at the North Pole. He also considers you as a miserable failure for not finding the Avatar. Why would he want you back home except to lock you up where you can no longer embarrass him?" Azula told him.
With an angry glare Zuko reignited his flaming daggers and made a leap at his sister while throwing a flaming kick. But Azula moved out of the way and Zuko gave chase. Zuko made a few swipes which Azula was able to dodge before delivering a scratch to Zuko's forehead. He glared before charging forward with a roar. Zuko tried to use his fire daggers while Azula continued to dodge them and led her brother up the ramp. Zuko tried to bring his flaming dagger down when Azula twisted his arm before gripping his wrist. Her eyes narrowed while his widened as he knew she had something planned. She was able to knock him away while throwing a stream of blue fire. Zuko grunted as he tumbled down the ramp and stopped on the deck.
He looked up to see Azula starting to create a bolt of lightning and his eyes widened. When she finished preparing it, Azula started to point her fingers at Zuko when Iroh rushed up and grabbed her hand. Then somehow manipulating the lightning himself, Iroh changed the target from the boy to the nearby cliffside.
Back at General Fong's base, Aang was still in the Avatar State and at the top of his tornado. Lucy continued attacking the soldiers in her Light State.
"Avatar Aang! Celestial Mage Lucy! Can you two hear me? Your friends are safe." Katara took a deep breath before looking up to the angered Aang and Lucy.
"It was just a trick to trigger the Avatar State and Light State. And it worked!" Fong explained.
But it didn't seem to calm Aang as he still glared and brought himself down with a bang. Fong and his Earthbenders were all knocked away. Lucy generated ten white lightning bolts that hit the soldiers. She also fired eleven light magic beams that struck the remaining guards. Her attack destroyed most of the surrounding area. After leveling the base, her white aura faded away and her eyes and mark stopped glowing. She then fell to the ground, but was caught by Natsu.
"Luce..." A worried Natsu said, but she was now unconscious.
While Aang's body was still in the Avatar State, his spirit glowed as Roku's dragon took him to the sky. Aang rode behind Roku as they circled over the base.
"It's time you learned." Roku looked back to him and said.
Roku's dragon flew through the clouds before coming to a cloud where the previous Avatar's stood.
"The Avatar State is a defense mechanism designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge of all the past Avatars. The glow is the combination of all your past lives. In the Avatar State, you're at your most powerful, but you are also at you're also at your most vulnerable." Roku explained.
"What do you mean?" Aang asked as they continued to fly through the spirit realm.
If you are killed in the Avatar State, the reincarnation cycle will be broken and the Avatar will cease to exist." Aang became worried about this before looking down at the base.
"What about the Light State?" Aang asked.
"Like the Avatar State, the Light State is a defense mechanism designed to empower your friend Lucy Heartfilla with the power of Light Magic, which has laid dormant within her for some time. The glow and marks awaken her light power that awakens the energy throughout her body. In her Light State, she is at her most powerful, but she is also vulnerable. If Lucy Heartfilla is killed in her Light State, she too will cease to exist. You must protect each other at all cost, Aang." Roku explained and Aang nods in understanding.
Roku's dragon spiraled downwards while heading back to the base. An air sphere had been formed around Aang's body as Roku's dragon flew down to it and restored Aang's spirit to it. Aang suddenly felt a little dizzy and fell to his knees. With a saddened look, Aang looked around to the destruction and felt guilty about it. Lucy opened her eyes and looked around the base shocked and regretful for the damage she caused. Then she began to cry but Natsu comforted her along with Gray, Erza and Wendy. Aang sat on the ground hugging his knees. Katara knelt down to him to give him a hug
"What have I done? I can't believe I accessed that power again." Lucy said while crying.
"Luce..." Natsu trailed off as he still tried to comfort her.
"None of this is your fault. General Fong is responsible." Wendy reassured her.
"Aang." Lucy said as they look over at the Airbender and walked over to him.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
"Yeah. I'm sorry, guys. I hope you don't have to see me like this again, Katara." Aang looked up and said.
"I hope the same thing for the Light State." Lucy added.
"Ha. Are you two joking? That was almost perfect. We just have to find a way to control you two when you two are like that." Fong said.
"You're out of your mind." Gray told the general.
"I guess we'll figure it out on the way to the Fire Nation." Fong didn't notice someone sneaking up behind him before it was too late. Ray brought his hands together and slammed them down on the general's back, knocking him to the ground.
"Next time I don't recommend proceeding with something, listen!" He yelled. 
"Anybody got a problem with him doing that?" Erza questioned.
"Do you still want an escort to Omashu?" One soldier asked.
"I think we're all set." Lucy said.
"I agree." Katara added.
Soon all ten boarded Appa and took off. Aang turned Appa towards the direction of Omashu and the bison complied with a growl.
At the Fire Nation town, the citizens were gathered to hear what their princess had to say. They looked with fear at the Hydra team standing behind the princess. She brought out a wanted poster.
"Anyone who harbors these traitors will face the wrath of the Fire Lord." Azula said.
The two masseuses gasped in fear.
"There will be no place left to hide." Azula told them.
After having run so far from the Fire Nation town and Azula, Prince Zuko, Iroh and Aiko came to a stop by the river. They kneeled down to take a breath. 
"I think we're safe here." Iroh said.
Zuko didn't say anything as he pulled out the one thing he was able to hold on to. A dagger with words inscribed on it. Iroh and Aiko looked to see what he was doing, but said nothing as he knew it was the right thing for them right now. He looked at it before raising it up to his head, took a moment and then cut off his hair. He held the cut part before handing the knife to his uncle. Iroh took the blade and cut off the bun. Then Iroh handed the dagger to Aiko who cut her ponytail off. When she had, they dropped the cut pieces into the river and watched them float away.