....EARTH {{serial chapter summaries}}


Episode Title: Avatar Roku: Winter Solstice Part II
Book: Air
Episode Number: 8
Chapter Number: 8
Summary:
      Aang is attempting to leave with Appa, in hopes of making sure his friends wouldn't get hurt as he entered the Fire Nation. But Appa is unwilling to move, protesting as Katara and Sokka appear. Both insist on going, for that's what friends are for.
      They are given provisions and thanks for their work in the town and Appa clambers up in the air, taking off with grace. As they near the border, it's revealed that Prince Zuko is hot on their trail. Iroh notes the brigade on the border of the Fire Nation and tells his nephew that it would be bad to enter. Zuko was banished, to breach that border would put him in prison for life. Zuko ignores his uncle and tells the crew to head into the Fire Nation.
      Commander Zhao is in control at the border. At first, he was about to arrest Zuko but notices Appa and knows that Aang is up there. His ships attack as the air is bombarded in ammunition. One hits the engine of Prince Zuko's ship. Iroh once more implores his nephew to stop but Zuko orders the ship to continue on. Appa is nearly struck several times, one of which throws Sokka overboard and Appa has to nosedive to catch him. A single shot is heading straight on and Aang uses his airbending to shield Appa and the others as they finally breeze into the Fire Nation.
      Commander Zhao is about to capture Zuko but ends up letting him by for his own reasons. It doesn't take long for Aang and the others to reach the Crescent Islands and they enter. They're approached by Fire Sages, followers of the Avatar Roku. The Sages were once loyal to the Avatar but grew tired of waiting, lost hope, and were forced to serve the Firelord.
      Commander Zhao gives the order to follow in order for Prince Zuko to bring him closer to the Avatar. Prince Zuko then attempts to trick the Commander by the use of smoke and switching direction.
      Instead of treating Aang respectively, the majority of them attack him and they flee. Trapped in a cooridor, they're about to defend themselves when a Fire Sage, Shu, implores him that he doesn't believe in what the other Fire Sages were about, of how the Fire Lord had forced their ancestors to follow him completely and lost the true purpose of serving the Avatar. It turns out that his grandfather had known Avatar Roku. He convinces them to let him help them, as he takes them through a hidden passageway.
      Out of the passageway, they find themselves in a sealed door. Only an truly accomplished Firebender could open the doors. Since none of them cannot do so, Sokka comes up with an alternate way but setting off small bombs simultaneously in hopes of opening it. It doesn't work however but Katara comes up with another plan. She gets Momo to enter the room by the tubes so that they could pretend that Aang was already in there and the Sages would have to open the door to get him.
      It goes as planned, save that Zuko captures Aang, Commander Zhao appears, and the others are captured by the Fire Sages. Aang manages to twist himself free and enters the room with the door closing behind them. The Firebenders attempt to open but the door is fully sealed. As Aang paces, trying to think and becoming visibly stressed, Roku finally appears to tell him vital information. He explains of the comet, Sozin's Comet, that came to the world a hundred years ago that with it's additional powers to the Firebenders, specifically Firelord Sozin, who started the war that continues today. It turns out that the comet was returning and if the Firelord succeeds in his plans to wipe out all other Nations by the use of the additional power of the Comet, then even the Avatar couldn't right the balance of the earth. Roku tells him, as he's fading, that if ever there were questions, he could always ask him because Roku is a part of Aang.
      Roku knows the danger that exists outside the doors and helps Aang. He appears in full glory, using his firebending skills to blast the others away. With his great powers, the temple is falling apart as Aang reappears and the three take off through a hole in the wall, jumping onto Appa's back.