Meeting Avatar Roku

Aang and Appa stood in front of the village gate as he tried to pull the bison near the gate. Appa though remained in place.
"Let's go, Appa! Come on, boy!" Aang said as he pulled on the bison's reins, but Appa resisted.
"Look, I'm sorry but the others aren't coming to the Fire Nation with us. If they get hurt, I'll never forgive myself. So get your big butt off the ground and let's go." Aang explained as he once again tried to make Appa move, but he resisted.
Then with another tug of the reins, he pulled too far and fell towards Appa with a yell. Aang then said down in defeat.
"Going somewhere, old friend?" A voice asked. Aang looked up to see Ray staring down at him. Gray, Lucy, Katara, Sokka, Natsu, Erza, Wendy and the villagers were standing behind Appa.
"Please don't go Aang. The world can't afford to lose you to the Fire Nation. Neither can I." Katara pleaded sadly.
"But I have to talk to Avatar Roku to find out what my vision means. I need to get to the Fire Temple before the sun sets on the solstice and that's today!" Aang pointed out.
"We're not letting you go to the Fire Nation, Aang." Sokka said.
"At least not without your friends." Lucy replied, smiling.
"We got your back!" Natsu said.
"Aye!" Happy nodded as Momo jumped on Aang's shoulder and chittered happily while Appa licked Sokka.
"Ew!" Sokka whined in disgust. Everyone else then boarded Appa.
"You have a long journey to the crescent island, Avatar. You must fly fast to have any chance of making it before sundown. Good luck." The village chief said as he handed a parcel to Aang.
"Thank you for your..." Aang tried to say before the village chief interrupted him.
"Go!" He ordered.
Appa bellowed before flying away from the village with ShineGreymon and Omnimon.
A few hours later, the villagers had retreated back into their homes. A knock was then heard on the village chief's door and he opened it to see Zuko, Aiko, Iroh and Flannery standing outside his house.
"Having trouble sleeping?" Zuko questioned before shoving the captain back into the house.
"Seen the Avatar and Celestial Mage lately?" He asked.
Appa flew over the open ocean with ShineGreymon and Omnimon nearby. Aang sat on Appa's head while Wendy looked behind Appa to see the sun rising.
"The sun is rising." Wendy noted.
"Come on boy! We've got a long way to go! Faster!" Aang said, sounding a little worried.
Appa then started to fly faster in a effort to keep up with his companions.
Not too far behind the group, a Fire Navy ship sailed after them. Zuko, Iroh, Aiko and Flannery stood on the deck as it raced through the water.
"Sailing into Fire Nation waters! Of all the foolish things you have done in your sixteen years, Prince Zuko, this is the most foolish." Iroh announced.
"I have no choice, uncle." Zuko retorted.
"Have you completely forgotten that the Fire Lord banished you?!" Aiko angrily asked.
"What if you're caught?" Flannery questioned him, concerned.
"I'm chasing the Avatar and the Celestial Mage. My father will understand why I'm returning home." Zuko argued.
"You give him too much credit. My brother is not the understanding type." Iroh said with his arms crossed.
Zuko turned back to his telescope until he spotted his target.
"There they are! Helmsman, full steam ahead!" Zuko ordered.
From the saddle Lucy, Erza, Katara and Sokka notice Zuko's ship start moving faster through the water.
"Aang, we got trouble." Erza said.
"Big trouble!" Sokka exclaimed.
"And it's gaining fast!" Happy hollered.
On the lower parts of the ship, a trap door opened to allow some sort of contraption to rise to the deck of the ship. It was a metal catapult loaded with a smoldering rock. Aiko fanned herself while Iroh and Flannery had disgusted expressions on their faces.
"Really, Prince Zuko. Couldn't you shoot them down with something more fragrant?" Iroh asked.
Zuko then lit the rock on fire while it was aimed at the sky bison.
"On my mark...FIRE!" Zuko shouted as a soldier cut the rope for the catapult and launched the flaming projectile into the air.
As Appa continued flying through the sky, Gray spotted something coming towards them fast.
"Fireball!" Gray yelled.
"I got this!" Aang shouted as he tugged Appa's reins to the right as he narrowly dodged the fireball.
"We have to get out of Zuko's range before he fires another stinker at us!" Katara shouted to Aang.
"Can't you make Appa fly any faster?" Natsu asked.
"I can, but there's another problem." Aang answered as he looked ahead.
As Zuko's ship continued following Appa, he and Aiko look at the line of war ships shocked.
"A blockade!" They shouted at the same time.
"Technically, you're still in Earth Kingdom waters. Turn back now and they won't arrest you." Iroh advised his nephew.
Aang looks at the line of war ships and although he was shocked, came up with an idea.
"If we fly north, we can get around the Fire Nation ships and avoid the blockade. It's the only way." He suggested.
"There's no time!" Katara shouted.
"This is why I didn't want you guys to come. It's too dangerous." Aang said over his shoulder.
"And that's why we're here!" Lucy pointed out.
"Let's run this blockade!" Erza shouted.
"Appa, yip yip!" Aang ordered. Appa groaned and flew swiftly towards the blockade which didn't go unnoticed by Zuko.
"They're not turning around." Zuko said.
"Prince Zuko, if the Fire Nation captures you, there is nothing I can do." Iroh replied.
"Father is right. Please don't follow the Avatar and the Celestial Mage." Flannery begged as Zuko closed his eyes in regret.
"I'm sorry Uncle, Aiko, Flannery." He said before looking at the helmsman.
"Helmsman, run the blockade!" Zuko commanded.
"Idiot." Aiko grumbled.
Someone spotted Appa through their own telescope. By his side was a young woman with red hair and gold eyes. She was wearing a Fire Nation uniform as she also spotted the bison.
"The Avatar, the Celestial Mage and the banished prince. This must be my lucky day." Zhao said.
"Banished prince? That must be Zuko." The woman said to herself.
"Commander Zhao, what are your orders?" A soldier asked.
"Shoot the bison down." Zhao ordered without hesitation.
"But Commander, there's a Fire Navy ship out there. One of our own. What if it's hit?" The woman asked.
"So be it, Shasta. It belongs to a traitor." Zhao said with no remorse.
"But..." Shasta was then cut off by Zhao.
"Even if that traitor is actually your relative, he's now an enemy and we must eliminate enemies and traitors." Zhao said as he turned to a soldier.
"Ignite!" Zhao commanded as the soldier launched a fireball at the oil covered rock.
"Launch!" Zhao ordered.Fireballs soared through the sky towards the bison.
Zuko, Iroh, Aiko and Flannery see the fireballs approaching their ship. Most of the people on Appa screamed as the fireballs came at them. Appa was able to dodge a few of them, but it got more intense when two collided into each other. Appa flew through the dust and came out with a few burning patches on his fur. He growled in pain before Natsu sucked the fire into his mouth.
"Appa, are you okay?" Aang asked Appa, worried. Appa groaned in response.
Fireballs rained down close to Zuko's ship as everyone on the deck struggled to keep their balance while the ship was rocked by waves created when the fireballs slammed into the ocean. A fireball crashed into the back of the ship hard.
"Prince Zuko, the engines are damaged! We need to stop and make repairs!" A engineer informed him, as they slowly stood up.
"Do not stop this ship!" Zuko ordered as he turned around.
Back on Zhao's ship, more catapults were prepared behind him.
"Commander, I'd advise you to leave Zuko's ship alone and just shoot the bison down." Shasta instructed.
"I'm afraid that can't happen. If the ship gets hit, I could care less." Zhao said.
Appa flew high in the sky to avoid the fireballs. It wasn't enough as more fireballs shot up into the clouds. One came super close, making most of the group scream again as Aang tugged the reins to the right. Appa was able to stay clear of most of the fireballs and flew through the smoke trail of one. As he maneuvered through the fireballs, two of them smacked into each other as they got close. The result caused Appa to growl and thrash in the air, making most of them scream again and Wendy was thrown off the bison. Lucy and Katara reach out to try and grab her, but she fell and disappeared into the clouds.
"WENDY!" Aang and Carla shouted at the same time. Aang then turned the reins.
Appa turned and dived down towards Wendy who was still falling. Then Wendy felt something hard and glanced down to see a metal hand beneath her feet. As it turned out, ShineGreymon had seen Wendy get thrown off Appa and positioned himself below her to break her fall.
He then flew back over to Appa and Lucy grabbed a hold of Wendy before helping her back onto the saddle. For some odd reason, a fish crashed into Sokka and knocked him on his back. And just when the fish was about to fly back into the ocean Momo jumps up and catches it in his arms.
The catapults on the blockade released another barrage of fireballs. Staying close to the water, Appa was able to maneuver around the fireballs as they crashed into the water.
On his ship, Zhao had the soldiers re-aim the catapults to where they aimed at the incoming bison.
"Ready...fire." He said with a raised hand.
The catapult threw the fireball at the incoming bison. Lucy saw it coming and with a determined look on her face and jumped off Appa. She was on a collision course with the fireball before grunting and unleashing a gust of wind at the center of the fireball knocking it back into the water creating a wave. She was also knocked back but Appa flew down just in time. She was thrown onto the bison's shoulders as Natsu and Katara grab her arms to steady her. Appa then flew through the blockade and deeper into the Fire Nation. Aang raised his left fist into the air triumphantly.
"We made it!" Aang declared causing everyone else to gain shocked and amazed expressions on their faces.
"We got into the Fire Nation? Great." Sokka said in utter disbelief.
Zhao observed the bison flying away from the blockade as a soldier approached him.
"Sir, where do you think the Avatar and Celestial Mage are headed?" A soldier asked.
"I'm not sure." Zhao said. Shasta then turned towards a incoming burning ship.
"But I think Zuko will know. If you want to know where the Avatar and Celestial Mage are going, you'll leave Zuko's ship alone. Let them pass and follow them." Shasta advised causing Zhao to think it over.
As Prince Zuko's ship made it's way toward the blockade, two bigger ships were closing the gap.
"We're on a collision course!" Iroh said, worried.
"We can make it." Prince Zuko said with great confidence.
While Zhao was thinking it over, a group of soldiers stood behind him and Shasta.
"The boarding party is ready to apprehend Prince Zuko, sir." A soldier said.
"Wait. Cut the engines and let them pass." Zhao ordered.
"Sir?" The soldier asked.
"Listen to him." Shasta added.
Zuko's ship moved through the bows of the bigger ships with no commotion. Zhao looked down to the prince as he received a glare back. Iroh, Aiko and Flannery look at Shasta who stares back at them. As the ship passed Iroh looked back at the blockade with a pensive expression as he stroked his beard unsure why Zhao would let them pass, but Aiko had a pretty good idea why he allowed it.
Appa flew at a constant pace as the danger passed. He groaned as he continued flying. Time slowly passed by as Appa made his way to the island. To pass the time, everyone looked around. A few hours later, they all sat around looking bored. And then near the end of the day, all nine and Momo laid either on their backs or stomachs. Aang was about to fall asleep when Momo perked up at something.
"There it is! The island Roku's dragon took me to!" Aang called out, pointing to the crescent island which still has the volcano and temple on top of it.
Appa, ShineGreymon and Omnimon fly towards the crescent island and land near the temple, hidden by surviving overgrowth.
"You did a good job flying, buddy." Aang praised the bison. Appa groaned before rolling to his side in exhaustion. Lucy and Katara walk up to him and start rubbing his tummy while Sokka and Gray stretch.
"Oh, poor bison. You must be so tired." Lucy cooed as she was still rubbing Appa's stomach.
"Nope. I'm good, refreshed and ready to fight some Firebenders." Sokka replied.
"I was talking to Appa, stupid." Lucy said, irritated as Sokka froze.
"Well...I was talking to Momo." Sokka replied.
"Sorry. I didn't hear what you said. You know, trying to ignore you and all." Happy said, causing Sokka to become irritated.
"Smart-mouthed cat." Sokka mumbled.
The gang slowly made their way up to the temple while looking left and right ready for any attack when they got close to the building. They hid behind a small wall and surveyed the grounds of the temple.
"I don't see any guards here." Erza said.
"Talk about lazy." Gray muttered.
"The Fire Nation must have abandoned this temple when Avatar Roku died." Katara guessed.
"Uh guys, it's almost sundown." Wendy pointed out.
"She's right." Carla nodded.
"We better hurry." Aang said, jumping over the wall.
The gang quickly follow him as they run to the flame shaped door. They enter the temple and walk around cautiously through the center of the temple but then Katara stopped.
"Wait...I think I heard something." She said and everyone looked back to see five men dressed in red robes and hats that looked like flames.
"We are the Fire Sages. Guardians of Avatar Roku." The leader said.
"Great! I'm the Avatar." Aang stepped forward and said.
"We know." The leader said before taking a breath and raising both hands before launching a fireball from his fist. Three other sages launched a fireball after the head Sage's.
The fireballs head towards Aang, but a wall of white fire blocked the attack. Then Lucy struck the sages with her whip
"We'll handle these guys, go." Ray ordered before turning to face the Fire Sages. Lucy bends a burst of air at the feet of the sages, knocking them to the floor face first. Then the two run back to rejoin the others.
"If the Avatar contacts Roku, there's no telling how powerful the boy will become. Split up and find him!" The head sage ordered before they went in separate directions.
Aang, Katara, Sokka, Natsu, Gray, Erza and Wendy all ran down the hall. At a intersection they see Lucy and Ray running towards them then stop so they don't slam into the two as they kept running.
"Follow us!" Lucy ordered.
"Do you know where you're going, Lucy?" Katara asked.
"All that matters is getting away from the sages." Ray answered.
The group follows them, but then they see the two running back around the corner as a Fire Sage ran after them.
"Wrong way!" Lucy exclaimed while still running and the others follow them while avoiding the Fire Sage.
"Come back!" The sage shouted.
The gang runs around corner after corner in a effort to lose their pursuer. As they kept running they spot a corridor that turned out to be a dead end which made them stop before they turn to face the Fire Sage that was chasing them.
"I don't want to fight you. I am Shyu and I am a friend." Shyu said but the group assumed fighting stances.
"Prove it." Ray ordered, pointing a sword at him. Shyu stepped closer and knelled before Aang.
"I know why you're here, Avatar." Shyu said.
"You do?" Aang asked as he relaxed.
"Yes. You wish to speak to Avatar Roku. I can take you to him." Shyu explained.
"How?" Lucy asked.
Shyu reached for the wall and twisted a light fixture which then hung diagonally. Underneath it was a hole that went deeper. Placing his palm over the hole, he sent a small burst of fire into it. The flames spread to a section of the wall and created a rectangular shape in it. A door slid open and revealed a natural cavern with stairs going down. Shyu then pointed down the path.
"This way!" Shyu said but the gang still didn't trust him.
"Find them!" One of the Fire Sages shouted from behind Shyu who looked back nervously and turned back to the gang.
"Time is running out." Shyu said to the group. The gang looks at each other and then nod in agreement before entering the secret passage. Shyu was the last person to go in as he turned to a lever that closed the door and moved it back to it's original position.
Meanwhile Zuko's damaged ship continued to make it's way after the Avatar. Near the top of the ship's tower, Prince Zuko tightly gripped the railing as he thought about what Commander Zhao was up to?
"What's he up to, Uncle? Why didn't Zhao arrest me?" Zuko asked.
"Because Shasta was probably the one to tell Zhao not to follow us. She also must have suggested Zhao follow you since she knows you'll go after the Avatar and the Celestial Mage." Iroh explained.
"That means Zhao is going to follow us now." Aiko said.
"If Zhao wants to follow our trail of smoke, then that's what we'll do." Zuko replied with a determined expression.
Meanwhile Aang, Lucy, Katara, Sokka, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, Ray and Shyu walk down the stairs and into a vast and cavernous system of tunnels. As they kept walking through the tunnels, they see magma from the volcano on their right.
"Avatar Roku once called this temple his home." Shyu explained.
"Did you know Avatar Roku?" Lucy asked.
"No, but my grandfather knew him. Many generations of Fire Sages guarded this temple long before me. We all have a very spiritual connection to this place." Shyu replied.
"Is that how you knew I was coming?" Aang asked as they walked.
"A few weeks ago, an amazing thing occurred. The statue of Avatar Roku. It's eyes...began to glow." Shyu told him.
"That's what happened at the Southern Air Temple. A statue of Avatar Roku's eyes were glowing there as well." Katara mentioned.
"At that moment, we knew the Avatar had returned to this world." Shyu said.
"I have a question in mind. If this is an Avatar temple, then why did those Sages attack Aang?" Gray asked.
"Things have changed. In the past, the Sages were only loyal to the Avatar. When Roku died, the Sages eagerly waited for the next Avatar to return, but he never came." Shyu explained.
Aang placed a hand on the tunnel wall.
"They were waiting for me." Aang said, feeling guilty.
"Hey, don't feel bad. You were only a hundred years too late." Sokka commented causing Erza to punch him in the head again.
"Do you EVER shut your big mouth?!" Erza asked him annoyed. Sokka rubbed his head.
"What happened then?" She questioned Shyu.
"The Sages lost hope that the Avatar would ever return. When Fire Lord Sozin began the war, my grandfather and the other sages were forced to follow him. I never wanted to serve the Fire Lord. When I learned you were coming, I knew I had to betray the Sages." Shyu continued. Aang then bowed.
"Thank you for helping me." Aang said as Shyu smiled warmly at him.
At the end of the caverns, they came to another set of stairs.
"We'll follow these stairs to the sanctuary. Once you're inside, wait for the light to hit Avatar Roku's statue. Only then will you be able to speak with him." Shyu instructed Aang.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Shyu moved a panel above them. When it was completely open, they took a look around before the group came into the chamber around the sanctuary.
As Shyu moved closer to the sanctuary door, he gasped.
"No!" He yelled.
"Shyu, what's wrong?" Aang asked as the group joined the sage.
"The sanctuary doors, they're closed." Shyu said, knowing this was a problem.
"Can't you open them with Firebending? Like you opened that other door?" Katara asked.
"No. Only a fully realized Avatar is powerful enough to open the door alone. Otherwise, the Sages must open the doors together with five simultaneous fire blasts." Shyu explained.
"Wait. Natsu, do you think you can use your Fire Dragon Slayer magic to open that door?" Lucy asked.
"It's worth a shot." Natsu said as he threw his fireballs at the lion heads, but nothing happened.
"You gotta be joking." Natsu sweat dropped.
"That didn't work? But you released five fire blasts simultaneously!" Lucy asked, before exclaiming.
"Way to go, Flamebrain." Gray muttered.
"Shut up." Natsu replied.
"I thought I could use my Fire Dragon Slayer magic to open this thing. Guess it actually requires five Firebending blasts to open it." He added.
"Wait. I think I have an idea." Sokka said as he thought to himself.
Zuko's ship continued smoking as it sailed. He stood on a smaller boat as it was lowered into the water.
"Uncle, keep heading north. Zhao will follow the smoke trail while I use it as cover." He explained his plan.
From his ship, Commander Zhao looked through a telescope as he followed the burning ship. But as he lowered it, he noticed that Prince Zuko's ship was starting to turn north. It made him very suspicious.
Back at the temple Aang, Lucy, Katara, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, Ray and Shyu stand in front of the doors leading to the Fire Temple Sanctuary while Sokka knelled on the floor filling small sacks.
"This is a little trick I picked up from my father. I seal the lamp oil inside an animal skin casing. Shyu lights the oil soaked twine and ta-da! Fake Firebending." Sokka explained his plan.
"You've really outdone yourself this time, Sokka." Lucy complimented him.
"This might actually work." Shyu said with a hopeful smile.
"This better work." Erza commented.
Sokka placed the sacks into the mouths of the dragons and made sure they stayed inside. Shyu did give him a warning about this plan as they finished.
"The Sages will hear the explosions, so as soon as they go off, you rush in." Shyu informed them.
"It's almost sunset. Are you ready?" Wendy asked.
"Definitely." Aang answered.
Shyu sent a small flame at the twine which instantly caught on fire. He quickly joined everyone behind the column. Sokka held on Erza's skirt tightly which prompted her to punch him in a attempt to force him to let go. Then the bombs went off and smoke filled the chamber. Aang instantly ran towards the door and pulled the handles but they wouldn't budge.
"They're still locked." Aang said.
"It didn't work." Shyu added.
Everyone came out from behind the column as Aang sent a air blast at the door.
"Why won't it open?!" Aang shouted.
"Aang, stop. There's nothing else we can do." Katara said, grabbing his wrist.
"I'm sorry I put you guys through all that for nothing." Aang apologized.
"It's not your fault, Aang. Sokka's plan simply failed." Lucy told him.
Sokka walked over to the doors and inspected them. The doors were covered in ash as a result of the five bombs.
"I don't get it. The blast looked as strong as any Firebending I've seen." He turned to the others.
"Sokka, you're a genius!" Katara exclaimed.
"Wait. How is Sokka a genius? His plan didn't even work." Natsu asked, confused.
"Aye." Happy nodded.
"C'mon, Natsu. Let her dream." Sokka said as he leaned against the door.
"It's true Sokka's plan didn't work, but it looks like it did." Katara said as she started thinking.
"Is the definition of 'genius' different in this world?" Gray asked.
A few minutes later the rest of the Fire Sages made it to the Sanctuary where they met Shyu at the doors without the gang.
"Hurry! The Avatar has entered the Sanctuary!" Shyu said to his fellow sages.
"How did he get in?!" The head sage demanded.
"I don't know, but look at the scorch marks!" Shyu said as he pointed to the door.
"And down there!" He then pointed towards the ground where a shadow could be seen inside the Sanctuary.
"He's inside! Open the doors before he contacts Avatar Roku!" The head sage ordered.
On one of the columns that was made into the shaped of a winged Chinese dragon, Aang brought himself to the floor and waited for the right moment. The Sages formed a line, raised their arms and all five threw a stream of fire at the locks. The dragon head locks creaked as the central head turned a hundred and eighty degrees while the other four lowered themselves closer. The flames on top parted before the doors slide open. The Fire Sages, minus Shyu stood ready. But they would be disappointed when they saw Momo, sitting on the floor covered in soot. With a big sneeze he sent the soot flying off. He then looked up to the Fire Sages.
"It's the Avatar's lemur! He must have crawled through the pipes! We've been tricked!" A sage announced. Momo then sprang for the head sage with a screech and knocked the screaming man over.
Lucy, Katara, Sokka, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, Ray, Happy and Carla jumped out from behind the columns and grabbed three of the nearest sages. Just as the fourth sage was about to help them, Shyu grabbed his arm and shoulder then made him bend backwards. With his adversary subdued, Shyu turned to Aang's hiding place.
"Now, Aang!" Shyu shouted.
But the Airbender didn't move from there, making the others worry.
"Aang, now's your chance!" Lucy said, but still nothing.
"What's taking him?" Gray asked.
Aang wasn't alone as he came out from behind the dragon shaped column. Prince Zuko had his arms behind his back as he led him away.
"The Avatar is coming with me and so are you Celestial Mage!" Zuko told them.
"Zuko." Ray narrowed his eyes at the prince before charging forward with his arm pulled back. He threw a punch that the prince dodged. Ray then turned his attention to the Sages and ran over to them with his arm pulled back once again.
The Fire Sages then chained Katara, Sokka, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy and Shyu to a column. Momo, Happy and Carla fly up to the ceiling while Lucy managed to escape from the sages before Zuko grabbed her as well.
"Close the doors quickly!" Zuko ordered before he left with Aang and Lucy, pushing them to the opening in the floor that led to the tunnels.
Aang and Lucy look back over their shoulders towards their friends who were still chained to the column. When Zuko reached the opening Aang maneuvered himself behind the prince and knocked him off balance with a air kick allowing Lucy to kick Zuko down the stairs. They both quickly turn around and as Zuko tumbled down the stairs Aang made a run towards the Sanctuary doors that were beginning to close.
"Go!" Lucy ordered.
Aang jumped into the air to avoid attacks from the Sages and then turned in mid air before using the two Sage's heads as stepping stones to make his way to the door before he narrowly made it into the Sanctuary.
"He made it!" Katara shouted.
"Awesome!" Natsu cheered.
Ray stopped fighting with the Sages momentarily to see Aang enter the Sanctuary.
"Good. Now he can hopefully talk to Avatar Roku." Lucy said.
Inside the Sanctuary, Aang rose to his feet as he looked up at the statue of Avatar Roku. The light from the setting sun hit the statue on the symbol of fire in his hands. The light from the stone high on the wall radiated as it continued to shine for as long as it could.
"The light hits the statue and I talk to Roku. So why is nothing happening?" Aang asked, confused.
Outside the Sanctuary Prince Zuko and the other four fire sages took a deep breath as they raised their arms in simultaneous fashion before launching a stream of fire at the locks. The rim of the door smoked a little before dissipating and the doors remained closed.
"Why isn't this working? Why is it still sealed shut?!" Zuko demanded.
"It must have been the light. Avatar Roku doesn't want us inside." The head sage deduced.
Inside the Sanctuary Aang stood in the center of it.
"Why isn't anything happening? I don't know what I'm doing! All I know is Airbending! Please Avatar Roku, talk to me!" Aang begged.
The glow of the sun started to cover the statue and as it spread over the statue's eyes they glowed. Aang watched and waited as a spiritual mist started to fill the room. The air around him whooshed as it brought Aang to a section of the spirit world and standing before him was the spirit of his predecessor, Avatar Roku.
"It's good to see you Aang. What took you so long?" Roku asked with a smile on his face. Aang was shocked and amazed before bowing in respect.
Outside the Sanctuary Shyu was kneeling in front of Zuko with his hands bound behind his back.
"Why did you help the Avatar?" Zuko questioned him.
"Because it was once the Sage's duty. It is still our duty." Shyu replied. The sound of clapping got everyone's attention and all eyes turned to the source. Commander Zhao smirked as he, Shasta and a team of firebenders walked up from the steps.
"What a moving and heartfelt performance. I'm sure the Fire Lord when you explain why you betrayed him." Zhao announced, approaching them.
"Commander Zhao!" The head sage greeted as he and the other three bow.
"Shasta." Zuko said.
"Hello, Zuko." Shasta greeted him.
"Ah yes, Prince Zuko. It was a noble effort, but your smoke screen didn't work. Two traitors in one day. The Fire Lord will be pleased." Zhao smirked.
"Commander, you should let Zuko go. He's not our concern." Shasta advised.
"Don't fret Shasta. He'll live." Zhao said as two soldiers grabbed Zuko.
"You're too late, Zhao! The Avatar's inside and the doors are closed." Zuko exclaimed.
"No matter. Sooner or later, he'll have to come out." Zhao told him. He then turned to see Lucy.
"So you're the prophesied Celestial Mage? It's a honor to meet you at last." Zhao smirked.
"I'm not flattered to meet you at all. I'm rather disgusted looking at your face." Lucy told him.
"Such insolent talk from a little girl. That doesn't matter. Once the Avatar comes out, both of you will be mine and I'll deliver you to the Fire Lord." Zhao replied.
"Over my dead body! You couldn't capture me if you tried!" Lucy shouted.
"Very well then. Let's see what you can do, Celestial Mage." Zhao said.
"Just you watch! Luce will kick your butt!" Natsu yelled.
"You're going regret choosing to fight her!" Gray also yelled.
"Commander, don't underestimate her. She doesn't look strong, but I think she can hold her own." Shasta warned him.
"Oh don't worry. I'm sure she'll provide an excellent challenge for me." Zhao declared.
"Time to let out the big guy." Lucy said as she took out her newest Gate Key.
"Open Gate of the Ox! CHOU!" She called out as an ox with red fur and blue horns adorned in a purple suit of armor appears right in front of her.
"So that's a Celestial Spirit?" Zhao asked.
"That's right! His name is Chou and he's strong enough to beat you!" Lucy hollered.
"How may I be of assistance, miss Lucy?" Chou asked.
"Crack this creep's skull wide open!" Lucy ordered.
"With pleasure!" Chou nodded, cracking his knuckles.
"I'm not scared of a talking ox! Neither of you will have your way with me!" Zhao shouted as he threw fire at Chou, but both of them dodge the attack.
"Chou!" Lucy exclaimed.
"Got it!" Chou charged at Zhao and threw a punch at him which connected despite Zhao dodging the attack.
"Is that all you can make it do?" Zhao asked. He threw fire at Lucy but Chou grabbed her and carried her away.
"Chou, throw me over to that maniac!" Lucy instructed.
"As you wish!" Chou nodded before he threw her over to Zhao.
"What is she up to?" Zhao asked as Lucy launched a powerful drill kick.
"That's it! Enough playing around!" He shouted throwing two fireballs at her. Lucy dodged the attack and launched a series of kicks at Zhao then delivered two punches. Zhao then backed off.
Zhao threw more fire at Lucy but she backed off and allowed Chou to charge at Zhao. He headbutted the commander with his horns knocking him to the ground. Chou then tried to punch the ground where Zhao was, but he rolled out of the way and threw flames from his feet. Chou blocked this attack and tried to punch him again but Zhao moved out of the way and tried to strike back. Chou grabbed Zhao and started slamming down to the ground multiple times then threw him into the air. Lucy ran over to Chou and he threw her into the air as well before she landed a strong spin kick causing Zhao to come crashing down. Zhao released a barrage of fireballs at Lucy who dodges and then kicks at Zhao's legs knocking him down once again. Zhao got back up and produced a fire blast as Lucy pulled out her whip and struck him with it. Zhao took a few steps back and tried to unleash another fire attack but Chou struck the commander with his elbow sending him flying towards Lucy who generated a powerful gust of wind sending him crashing into the other four fire sages.
"Wretched girl! You can airbend as well?!" Zhao demanded.
"How I learned it is none of your business." Lucy remarked.
"Enough! I grow weary of this! Time I teach you some respect and suffering will be your teacher!" Zhao yelled as he produced a flaming whip and swung it at Lucy who countered it with her own whip.
"Now Chou!" Lucy ordered.
"Got it." Chou nodded as he charged at Zhao.
"No!" Zhao yelled as he unleashed a powerful fire blast which struck Chou.
"Idiot." Lucy muttered.
Chou passed through Zhao's attack and threw one punch at Zhao's face and another to his gut. This sent him into the air and Chou jumped up grabbing Zhao before placing his back on the back of Zhao's neck. They both come back to the ground while delivering a powerful drop that threw Zhao to the ground. Zhao let out a roar of rage and unleashed two fire blasts but Lucy produced two small whirlwinds that knocked Zhao back. Lucy's whip then wrapped itself around Zhao and threw him into the air. She jumped into the air after him and delivered three air punches before ending the attack with a somersault kick aimed at Zhao's head sending him crashing into the ground.
"Alright Luce!" Natsu cheered.
"Wow...she's almost as strong as you are, Erza." Gray noted.
"And you said girls can't fight?" Katara asked Sokka.
"Hey, I don't say that anymore." Sokka defended himself.
"Good job, Chou. Thanks for your help." Lucy said.
"I was happy to be of service." Chou replied.
"You may return to the spirit world and rest up." Lucy told him.
"Yes, ma'am. See you again when you call me." Chou said before he vanished.
"Sir, are you alright?" A soldier asked.
"Get off me! I'm fine!" Zhao yelled as he got to his feet.
"I told you not to take her lightly." Shasta sighed.
"So you learned how to fight with those Spirits at your side, but you can't depend on them all the time." Zhao pointed out.
"That might be true, but I can handle you on my own." Lucy replied.
"I always believed I was the weakest member of my team...no, the whole guild and I thought I couldn't do anything by myself and always depended on my friends to help me or save my butt, but I don't believe that anymore. I'm proud of being who I am and I'll believe in myself to be strong enough to protect this world from scum like you." Lucy declared.
"This fight is over." She added before walking back to her friends.
"Aang, I hope you're talking to Roku now." Lucy said in her mind.
While Lucy was busy fighting Zhao Aang and Avatar Roku stood on top of a mountain.
"I have something very important to tell you, Aang. That is why when you were in the spirit world, I sent my dragon to find you." Roku said.
"Is it about my vision? The one of the comet?" Aang asked.
"Yes." Roku answered gravely.
"What does it mean?" Aang asked, wondering if it was really good or really bad. The sky in the spirit world changed into a starry one as the comet passed the two Avatars.
"One hundred years ago, Fire Lord Sozin used that comet to begin the war. He and his Firebending army harnessed it's incredible power and dealt a deadly first strike against the other nations." Roku explained as the comet continued to cross the sky until they return to the mountain range and the comet disappears.
"So the comet made them stronger?" Aang asked.
"Yes. Stronger than you could even imagine." Roku said.
"But that happened a hundred years ago. What does the comet have to do with the war now?" Aang asked, confused.
"Listen carefully. Sozin's Comet will return by the end of the summer and Fire Lord Ozai will use it's power to finish the war once and for all. If he succeeds, even the Avatar won't be able to restore balance to the world. Aang, you and your friend Lucy Heartfilla, the Celestial Mage must defeat Fire Lord Ozai before the comet arrives." Avatar Roku told him.
"But I haven't even started learning Waterbending yet, not to mention earth and fire. Plus I'm still teaching Lucy airbending. Not to mention the fact she hasn't learning waterbending or the other element of her choosing." Aang said in distress.
"Mastering the elements takes years of discipline and practice, but if the world is to survive then you must do it by summer's end." Roku told him.
Back in the temple, Zhao and his soldiers stand in front of the door to the sanctuary.
"When the doors open, unleash all your fire power." Zhao ordered.
"How's Aang gonna make it out of this?" Natsu asked.
"How are WE supposed to make it out of this?" Sokka questioned.
"Aang, please survive this." Lucy said with a worried expression on her face.
Aang was still on the mountain with Roku.
"But Roku, what if I can't master all the elements in time? What if I fail? What if Lucy dies because of me?" Aang asked with some self-doubt.
"I know you can do it, Aang. You have done it before. The solstice is ending. We must go our separate ways...for now." Roku said.
"But I won't be able to come back to the temple? What if I have more questions? How will I talk to you?" Aang asked.
"I am a part of you. If you need to talk to me, you will find a way." Roku said as he closes his eyes. A vision showed Zhao's ships surrounding the temple and another one showed Commander Zhao and his firebenders standing at the ready outside the sanctuary.
"A great danger awaits you at the temple. I can help you face this threat, but only if you're ready." Roku added as Aang's arrows and eyes started glowing.
"I'm ready." Aang replied.
The wind and sky begin to swirl in the spirit world as both incarnations of the Avatar prepared themselves.
In the temple, the doors to the sanctuary started to glow white as steam billowed out from the bottom of the door. Everyone who was not poised to attack watched in amazement. When the doors started to slide open, a blue light shone from them causing those who were chained to look away from the blinding light. Ray also found himself looking away from it as well. When the light dissipated, Zhao and his troops got ready to attack.
"Ready." Zhao said as the door opened wider. Two glowing white eyes could be seen in the darkness.
"Aang no!" Katara yelled.
"Fire!" Zhao ordered.
Zhao and the soldiers threw a streaming fire fist forward. But instead of burning their target, the fires from the Firebenders started to swirl. The flames were moved to allow them to see Avatar Roku bending the fire around him. Commander Zhao and everyone else looked in shock but Shasta wasn't surprised at all.
"What the...?" Gray asked.
"No way!" Sokka exclaimed.
"Who's that?" Wendy questioned.
"Avatar Roku." Ray answered.
"So that's Avatar Roku." Erza said.
Roku brought the flames close to him before sending them back at the Firebenders. Zhao and his men were able to protect themselves from the fiery assault even though it knocked them over. The flames brushed past those who were chained and didn't harm them, simply melted the chains that held Katara, Sokka, Natsu, Gray, Erza, Wendy, Shyu and Zuko who made a break for it as he ran out of the temple. The fire caused the wall facing the sun to explode outward. Roku's body then starts glowing and he turned to the cowering Fire Sages who run for their lives in terror.
"Avatar Roku is going to destroy the temple." Shyu said.
"Time to go!" Ray called out.
"Not without Aang!" Katara shouted.
The temple shook as Avatar Roku raised his arms and brought down the floor, causing lava to rise to the surface. Bending the magma from within the volcano he lifts it, causing lava to violently burst before the temple's structure. Shasta runs down the stairs with Zhao and his men following her while the gang cowered behind columns for protection. Lowering his hands Avatar Roku took a deep breath and is then covered by all the smoke he created. Once the smoke was gone it shows Aang standing in the entryway with his eyes still glowing before he closed them and fell to his knees, exhausted but Lucy and Katara quickly catch him.
"We got you." Lucy said.
"Thanks, but where's Shyu?" Aang asked.
"We don't know." Katara answered.
"He probably found another way out." Erza said.
"We need to get outta here." Gray declared.
"Right." Sokka nodded.
Lava was now flowing all over the volcano and the temple was sinking into it. The stairs were flooded with lava, preventing the gang from leaving that way. Lucy then sees a column falling behind them as the group ran to the hole in the temple wall. The building started to tip over as they stare out at the ocean in despair. They gasp when they see Momo, Happy, Carla, ShineGreymon, Omnimon and Appa flying their way. Sliding down from the tilting roof of the temple, they fell into Appa's saddle as he stopped. When everyone was on board, Appa flew away from the crumbling Fire Temple. As he flew back to the Earth Kingdom, his passengers looked back at the temple until Aang became distracted by Momo popping up with his new hat. Looking back, they watched as the temple exploded from the magma.
Zhao, Shasta and his men had returned to their ship as they witness the temple explode. He watched in anger as Appa took off into the crimson sky.
"No prince, no Avatar and no Celestial Mage! Apparently, the only thing I do have...is five traitors!" Zhao yelled, turning to the sages.
"But Commander, only Shyu helped the Avatar." The grand sage argued.
"Save your stories for the Fire Lord! As far as I'm concerned, you're all guilty! Take them to the prison hold!" Zhao replied before he ordered.
Zuko watched the gang fly away through a telescope as his boat sailed away from the crescent shaped island.
Nighttime had fallen, the moon was full and and everyone was riding on Appa's saddle. As they flew above the clouds, Aang sat at the edge of the saddle looking mournful. Katara was the first to move followed by Lucy, then Gray, then Erza, then Wendy, then Momo, then Happy and finally, Carla. Ray was laying on his back staring up at the stars as they made Aang feel better. Katara hugged him while Lucy rubbed Aang's head in comfort as Momo chittered sitting in front of Aang. Appa grunted, feeling Aang's burden.