It is the morning, and Iroh is at work slaving over a hot stove preparing what he calls, “Jook.” Zuko walks into the room, yawns, and comments on the smell of the jook. Iroh says that he will not like the stuff, but Zuko contradicts him, smelling it and saying it smells good. Iroh is somewhat confused, and makes mention of the fact that Zuko has changed greatly since he recovered from the fever he had in The Earth King. Zuko just smiles, and becomes very optimistic: It is a new day, in fact the day of the Grand Opening of Iroh’s new tea shop, and they have a wonderful new apartment, and Zuko only has high thoughts about it all.
At the same time, Aang and Sokka land at the mouth of Chameleon Bay, where they were told that Sokka’s father Hakoda and the rest of the Southern Water Tribe Warriors are. Sokka is very nervous, but Aang tries to calm him down, and succeeds somewhat. Sokka questions Aang on his feelings towards him meeting Guru Pathik to master the Avatar State. Aang smiles, and says that he is ready to master the Avatar State. He then takes off on Appa, shouting back to Sokka that he will see him in a week.
Sokka walks into the base, and is greeted with warm and welcome arms by the warriors of the Southern Water Tribe, who all seem to recognize him. After some laughs, the warriors point him off to a tent. Sokka takes a breath, and walks into the tent. He sees several Water Tribesmen, one of which is Bato, who we last saw in Bato of the Water Tribe His arm is burnt red (apparently the injury he received back in Book: Water) and he nudges a man who is seated center. The man looks up, in surprise, and says in disbelief, “Sokka.” Sokka smiles, and replies “Hi Dad,” and the man (Sokka’s dad Hakoda) rises up to embrace his son, who just smiles and rubs his face against his father’s chest.
Back in Ba Sing Se, the Earth King is entertaining Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee, still disguised as the Warriors of Kyoshi. He tells them of Long Feng, and how he lied to him and had been planning on taking over the city, to which Azula remarks that it is so terrible when you cannot trust those closest to you. He says that there is good news, and proceeds to tell Azula that The Council of Five, the highest ranking Earth Kingdom generals, are planning an invasion of the Fire Nation during the summer, on the Day of the Black Sun; the solar eclipse. Her eyes widen, and she acts surprised, saying how fascinating the plan is.
At that exact moment, the Council of Five is going over the Invasion Plan with Katara and Momo. General How says that General Fong’s base (that we saw first in The Avatar State) will be the staging point of the attack, and they will send in troops: As he says this, he moves three pillars colored green with the symbol of the Earth Kingdom onto the Fire Nation with Earthbending. Momo suddenly appears, running a muck across the war map, knocking down the pillars. Laughing, Katara says that they could just send in Momo; however, the Council does not find this amusing, and with a simple closed fist, all of the pillars stand back up, scaring away Momo. General How takes a scroll and earthbends it to Katara atop a chunk of rock from their table, and says that all they need is the Seal of the Earth King himself to finalize the plan. Katara takes the scroll, and says that she will take it to him immediately.
Aang finally arrives at the Eastern Air Temple, and finds Guru Pathik meditating atop the same pillar we saw him on in Appa's Lost Days. When Aang asks him if he is the same Guru who sent the letter attached to him, and we learn that Guru Pathik was a spiritual brother to the Air Monks, and a good close friend to Monk Gyatso. Aang ask him how he plans on teaching Aang how to gain control of the Avatar State., to which Guru replies that he must first bring balance to himself before he can bring balance to the world. To start it all off, Pathik tells him he must drink this yellow liquid. Just as Aang starts to drink the liquid, he spits it out violently, and says that it taste like, “onion and banana juice.” The Guru tells him that is because it is onion and banana juice, and he puts the bowl on his head and says in a sing-song voice, “Yum yum yum.”
Out on a road, an ostrich is pulling a cart carrying Master Yu and Xin Fu as well as Toph who is trapped within a huge metal box. The two up front are arguing about which to go in order to back to the Beifong estate, Toph’s home, when Toph tells the, “two old ladies” to stop arguing and let her out to go to the bathroom. Master Yu starts to get up to let her out, but Xin Fu tells him that it is a trick, to which he tells Toph he is not letting her out. Toph pounds against the cage she is in, only infuriating Xin Fu more, who tells her that no matter how good an Earthbender she thinks she is she cannot bend metal.
Back in Ba Sing Se, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee are undressing, when Azula presents the s an idea: She says that they have a perfect opportunity to bring down the Earth Kingdom, and that for 100 years, her people have been hammering away from the outside. Now, they are in the inside, the perfect position to stage a coup and overthrow the Earth King. The key to all of this, according to Azula, is the Dai Li, the arm of Long Feng, first seen in City of Walls and Secrets.
Back at the Eastern Air Temple, Guru Pathik is beginning Aang’s instruction of the chakras: Chakras are nexuses of metaphysical and/or biophysical energy residing in the human body. In order to master the Avatar State, Pathik says that you must first open the chakras of the body. First, he asks Aang what he knows about chakras, however, when Aang rubs his eyes and asks what chakras are, Pathik starts at the very beginning. Using a pond clogged with algae he successfully explains to Aang the concept of chakras, and the two move on to open the chakras.
There are seven chakras going up the body, each with a purpose and each with a different blockage: An intense sensation results from the opening of them all, you can not stop opening them once you have opened one until all seven are open. Aang accepts and they begin the process.
The first chakra is the Earth Chakra, located at the base of the spine. It deals with Survival, and is blocked by Fear. Aang goes into meditation, and is surrounded by fire, sitting before a man who appears to be either Fire Lord Ozai or Prince Zuko. After clearing his thoughts, the images disappear, and Aang gives a sigh of relief as he comes out of meditation. Guru Pathik congratulates Aang, and tells him the first chakra has been opened, to which Aang gives another
The second charka is the Water Chakra, which deals with Pleasure, and is blocked by Guilt. When asked what he blames himself for, Aang says it is that he ran away upon finding out he was the Avatar, and that he hurt all of these people at General Fong’s base in The Avatar State. Pathik says to accept the reality that these things have happened, and do not let them cloud your judgment and poison your energy. In order to become a positive influence for the world, Aang must forgive himself for these things. Aang slips into meditation again, and we are left seeing his silhouette.
Back in Chameleon Bay, Sokka, his father Hakoda, and the rest of the Warriors are preparing what are called Tangle Mines. Comprised of a buoyant casing around an e mine, they are filled with Stockfish and Seaweed. Upon detonation, the seaweed entangles the Fire Nation ships, immobilizing them, and then the smell of the Stockfish forces the soldiers to abandon ship. Hakoda calls the plan, “The Stink and Sink,” to which Sokka explodes with laughter, and Bato just sighs and says that Sokka is definitely his father’s son.
A scouting party returns to inform the warriors of the presence of three Fire Nation ships, and Hakoda tells Bato to finish preparing the mines, and the rest of the warriors to prepare for battle. Sokka watches as everyone runs off to get ready, and then asks Hakoda what he is supposed to do. In a slightly irritated, yet jokingly tone, Hakoda says, “Aren’t you listening, I said the rest of you men get ready for battle,” to which Sokka can only smile and follow orders.
Once again, in Ba Sing Se, The Jasmine Dragon is finally opening, and Iroh and Zuko stand proudly as people come into their tea shop. Iroh says that he is in disbelief that as coming to the city as refugees that he would own his own tea shop. He tells Zuko to follow his dreams, and Zuko can only congratulate his uncle, who expresses great pride. Zuko thinks it is for finally owning a tea shop, but Zuko tells him it is from Zuko deciding to share this special day with him. Zuko runs off, with his new found optimism to start making tea, to which Iroh responds with a grin and a shout. “Let’s Make some Tea!”
Third is the Fire Chakra, which is located in the stomach. Aang’s stomach bles, and he says sarcastically, “My Fire Chakra would like to eat something besides onions and banana juice. Pathik laughs heartily, and says, “Good one…Moving along,” and begins to explain the fire chakra: Dealing with Willpower, the Fire Chakra is blocked by shame. Aang has a vision of when he first attempted Firebending, and severely burned Katara’s hands (In The Deserter. He tells Pathik that he will never Firebend again, who just responds that in order to obtain Balance, you must accept all aspects of your life: Aang is the Avatar, and therefore a Firebender. With a slight breathe in and an exhale, Pathik comments that the third chakra opened less like a flowing creek and more like a burping bison.” Aang gives a huge burp, and says that it tasted like onions and bananas, and strangely like something else, which he thinks is pickles,
On the steps of the Palace, Mai and Ty Lee are relaxing. Mai complains about her outfit, and how it is y and she does not understand how anyone can fight in them, and she also complains about cleaning up bear poop. Ty Lee then spills the entire plan, to which Mai tells her to be quiet. We see some agents of the Dai Li climb up some poles, as they were listening in the whole time. Once they are gone, Azula emerges and tells the s good job, and that the Dai Li will surely deliver the message to Long Feng.
Aang and Pathik have now moved on to open the fourth chakra. Located in the heart, this chakra deals with Love, and is blocked by Grief. Laying his grief before him, Aang sees all of the Air Monks he knew, all of whom died because he abandoned them all. They fade away, and become dust. Love, according to Pathik, is a form of energy, and flows around us, and that their Love for Aang is still all around them and manifests itself inside of new love: The Love Aang has for Katara is an example of this new love. Aang, wiping away his tears and with a weakened sweet voice, asks politely if he can have some more onion banana juice.
The fifth Chakra is the Sound Charka, and is located in the throat. It deals with Truth, and is blocked by the Lies we tell ourselves. Pathik says that we must accept what we are, and that Aang must accept he is the Avatar, even though he never wanted to be. With a sigh, and a vision, Aang accepts he is the Avatar, and he opens the Chakra of Truth.
Located in the center of the forehead, the sixth Chakra of Light is responsible for Insight, and is blocked by Illusions. The greatest Illusion is that of Separation: Things you think are separate and different are actually one and the same. Aang mentions the Four Nations, and Pathik says that everyone is part of One People, yet we live as separate people. Even the Separation of the Four Elements is an illusion; four parts of the same whole. He mentions metal, which is simply Earth which has been purified by Fire. We are then shown Toph, who is continuing to bash her hands into the metal walls of her cell, realizing as she continues to bash that the metal contains Earth, which she can bend. Continuing to push, she finally manages to bend the metal, which she exalts that she “rules”
Again back in Ba Sing Se, Katara and Momo, just before going to see the Earth King, decide to stop at a new tea house for a cup or two. When waiting to be seated, Katara hears and sees Zuko ordered tea from Iroh in the back, and she gasps before running off to warn the Earth King.
Finally Aang is at the Seventh Chakra, the last, the Chakra which will enable Aang to be able to go in and out of the Avatar State, as well as having complete awareness of all things occurring in the Avatar State. Called the Thought Chakra, it is located at the crown of the head, and deals with Cosmic Energy, and is blocked by earthly attachment. Aang is asked to meditate on what he is attached to, and only images of Katara flood his mind, and Pathik asks for Aang to let go off his attachments. Aang suddenly becomes angry, asking how he can let go of Katara, when he loves her. He is also confused about why he would take Cosmic Energy over the Love of Katara and how attachment is bad now when attachment was good 3 chakras ago. According to Pathik, if Aang ever wants the pure Cosmic Energy to enter him, he must let go of all earthy attachments, including Katara
Running into the Palace, Katara tells "Suki", that the Fire Nation has infiltrated the city, and that Prince Zuko and Uncle Iroh are here as well. She tells how they need to inform the Earth King, but “Suki” comes forth, Katara immediately recognizes her as Azula, and before she can even attack, Ty Lee hurtles into the air and disables Katara. Lying on the ground in a pool of water, Katara is helpless as Azula plans a little family reunion with “Zuzu.”
The argument continues back at the Eastern Air Temple, with Pathik telling him he must open all of the chakras to master the Avatar State. Aang decides to at least try, and he begins to let go. An image of Katara disappears into space, and Aang is taken high above the planet to walk along a purple stream of cosmic energy, radiating from the Avatar State, which is shown as a shirtless Aang whose s are glowing. Walking towards the Avatar State, Aang is suddenly shocked to see an image of Katara, struggling in chains, screaming for help. He abandons the Avatar State, and begins running back to the planet. The stream of cosmic energy gives out, and Aang falls back. Jolting awake, he says that Katara is in trouble and that he must go back to Ba Sing Se. Pathik stops him, telling him that now, by choosing Attachment, the chakra is locked, and that if he leaves now, he will never be able to enter the Avatar State at all. Aang simple drops his head before leaping away.
Back on the road, there is a loud tearing sound, and Master Yu and Xin Fu decide to investigate. Upon seeing the massive hole in the container, Master Yu says it is a trick, but Xin Fu corrects him rather angry at the whole remark. Just then, Toph emerges to send two giant slabs of rock up out of the ground, trapping the two men, and then throwing them inside the container. Once she closes the metal walls, she exclaims to all the world, “I am the greatest Earthbender of all, and don’t you two dunderheads forget it.” She makes a huge ball of earth, and proceeds to run away atop it, almost like surfing. As she escapes, Xin Fu groans that he is going to be trapped inside the container forever, to which Master Yu moans “I have to go to the bathroom.”
Sokka and the rest of the Water Tribe Warriors are finishing up backing their boats for war. Sokka tells Hakoda that he is going to make him proud and prove what a great warrior he is, and Hakoda places his hand atop his son’s shoulder: Telling him that he has always been proud of Sokka, and he knew he was a great warrior, which was the reason why he left Sokka in charge of the tribe. Just as they are about to embark, Sokka sees Appa and Aang, who land next to him on the beach. One look from Aang is all that was needed in order for Sokka to say, “This can’t be good news.” We see Appa take off, with Sokka and Aang onboard, with Sokka looking back at his father, who is looking back up at his son.
Being carted down the hall by agents of the Dai Li, Azula continues to resist. Taken into Long Feng’s cell, she demands to know why she has been taken out of her bed in the middle of the night, and how this is not the way you treat a Kyoshi Warrior. Long Feng smiles, and tells her he knows exactly who she is and how he wants to make a deal. Since Azula has the Earth Kings trust, and Long Feng promises her the Avatar, she intently listens in.
At the Jasmine Dragon, Iroh and Zuko receive wonderful news: They have been invited to serve tea to the Earth King. Zuko smiles as he continues sweeping the floors, apparently content in his new life. Back in Long Feng’s cell, a deal has been worked out, ands Azula is carted away, a slight coy grin across her face.
