Zhao leads the Fire Nation into the North with a bold plan to weaken the Water Tribe. When the battle takes a dark turn, Aang enters a powerful state.
The Avatar is meant to make the impossible sacrifices to prevent the pain and suffering of others. He must do so through force and diplomacy. This power must be tactfully used to keep the world in balance. And yet, the Avatar pales in comparison to the elemental spirits. They truly keep the world in order. The death of one would destroy life as everyone knows it. It would destroy the cultures that have existed for centuries. Ancient stories would be wiped away. Aang taps into that energy. He believes it's the only way to prevail. It's the last remaining hope for the waterbenders. This sacrifice needs to be made to ensure their survival. He refuses to let them all die like the monks a hundred years ago. He knows that pain. He doesn't want history to repeat. This is the epic sacrifice he can make to ensure a better future at a time when he wasn't even suppose to be alive. It's a selfless act. It goes against the teachings passed along and the responsibility he is meant to carry. It's the solution he sees even as others are willing to make sacrifices to save the world as well. He doesn't believe they should have to do so. That's the current state of affairs. Those are the stakes of war. That won't change no matter what Aang did in this moment.
Aang has always been in his head about the pain inflicted onto others. He believes he has a duty to do something about it. He can't allow anyone to get hurt while he's around. People aren't weak and defenseless though. The Northern Water Tribe has withstood countless attacks in the century since the war begun. The Earth Kingdom still maintains several key strongholds. Aang channels his power solely through airbending. It's how he's comfortable in any situation. After a season of growth, Aang and his friends are more than capable of taking out a Fire Nation ship. It's not just one coming for attack in the north. A whole armada has emerged. Zhao has resources that would have seemed improbable a short time ago. He knows a frontal assault focused heavily on the power of their weapons isn't enough. He needs to guarantee his victory behind the wall. That requires a covert action. One where the power has quickly gone to his head. It's no longer about securing territory for the Fire Lord. It's about taking the throne for himself.
Zhao isn't a great historian or tactician. He's merely a vessel for others to carry out their plans. He's a useful weapon. He's pointed in the right direction. He has delusions of grandeur. He's still given the idea to kill the moon spirit on the night where she takes physical form. The waterbenders are embedded with their powers through the perfect balance of the moon and ocean. The two spirits operate in perfect harmony. It's why the waterbenders are more powerful at night. Zhao doesn't call off the attack once the sun sets though. He forges ahead. He has a more vital mission. One that promises greatness. He succeeds in killing the moon spirit. Life dims as a result. He messes with forces outside of his control. Iroh sees that even though he is aligned with the Fire Nation Admiral. He can't allow this action to occur. It still does. Moreover, Zhao was encouraged by his partnership with Azula. He saw that as tacit approval from Ozai himself. They saw something special in him and his ability to execute this plan. Instead, their ambitions were elsewhere. The attack in the north was nothing more than a distraction. It allowed for Azula to enter the war as the immediate conquerer of Omashu. That's the true purpose of this attack.
The north features several key revelations about what these characters have been led to believe. Zhao is a casualty to his quest for power. He taunts Zuko with the certainty that Ozai would never welcome him home. He just used his perceived achievements as a way to motivate Azula. She is the true heir to the throne now. Nothing Zuko does will ever change that. He was steadfast in his pursuit of the Avatar. He placed all hope on his capture. He never even gets to Aang. He fights Katara and then gets injured from the overall assault on the city. He's still powerful enough to exact vengeance against Zhao. That's it. He's tired afterwards. He doesn't know what direction to pursue next. His life has been shattered. His goal has been destroyed. The Avatar still exists. Aang surrenders himself to the ocean spirit. That unbridled rage defeats the Fire Nation army. The power on display is completely overwhelming. The love amongst Team Avatar is as well. Katara pleads with Aang to come back. He doesn't need to give in to the Avatar state. He can't allow that to take over his life and power. It's not ultimately Aang's decision. He still finds renewed enlightenment as a result of this battle. The future must be the focus. He can't linger on the past. That only leaves him incapable of moving forward.
Loss is still experienced. People can't be too stuck in their ways to refuse what needs to be done. Katara forces Pakku to change his ways not just for her to battle but for all the women of the tribe. They are all capable of more. Healing is a crucial skill. It's necessary in the aftermath. During the battle, the tribe needs as many benders as possible. Not all of them survive. Some revere Katara as a master. Yet she leads them to their deaths. That's an unfortunate cost of war. They can't look away from that reality. Aang can't just fly off and hope for something else. But the tribe still stands. The waterbenders will continue to exist. Yue was touched by the moon spirit when she was a child. She restores that energy to the fallen spirit. She always felt more of a connection to the spiritual world. That's where she first formed a connection with Sokka. That makes it devastating when he's powerless to stop her. He is reassured that he was still a hero. He helped design the war balloon Zhao uses to enter the city. He also provided support and comfort when Yue needed to make her big decision. That's how he stands tall as a hero. It's more than just being the most powerful force in battle. Aang has that covered. The rest of the team is just as vital. They aid him on his journey. This isn't the end. Ozai is already planning for what comes next. The comet that launched this war is destined to return soon. Aang has to begin training. He has Katara as his teacher. The future is bright despite the losses suffered. It's a complex ending but one that allows for incredible growth amongst the characters.
