by  

Tom Mason and Dan Danko

illustrated by Patrick Spaziante
based on screenplays by Tim Hedrick,
Aaron Ehasz, Michael Dante DiMartino,
Brian Konietzko, and John O’Bryan.
 IF YOU ARE READING THIS,
you have uncovered one of the four hidden scrolls
I have compiled about the world of A
© 2013 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, scroll contains sacred information about the Fire
Nickelodeon Avatar: The Last Airbender and all related titles, logos and Nation: stories, legends, and facts that I have
characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.
found about its history and culture. I hope that
Based on the TV series Nickelodeon Avatar: The Last Airbender ™ this information will be as useful and intriguing
to you as it is to me. In the interest of protecting
the world, I ask that you keep this scroll safe, and
share it only with those you trust. Beware, for there
are many who wish to expose its secrets. . . .
 could be found and trained, Fire Lord Sozin led the
Fire Nation on a global campaign to wipe out the
other three nations.
Only the next Avatar can stop the Fire Nation
from conquering the planet, but most people believe
he perished when the Fire Nation attacked the Air
Nomads.
One hundred years after Avatar Roku’s death,
two teenage siblings have made a discovery that will
forever change the destiny of the world: ey have
found a twelve-year-old boy frozen in an iceberg. His
name is Aang, and he is the last Airbender known to
be alive. He is also the world’s last hope for peace and
harmony.
Water. He is . . . the Avatar.
Earth.
Fire.
Air.
ese are the four nations of our world and the
four elements that bind it together.
A few selected people of each nation possess
the ability to manipulate their native element.
ey call themselves Waterbenders, Earthbenders,
Firebenders, and Airbenders.
e most powerful bender in the world is the
Avatar, the spirit of the planet incarnate. Master of
all four elements, he alone maintains world order and
keeps the planet balanced and peaceful.
e four nations lived together in harmony until
the death of the last Avatar—Avatar Roku. Seizing the
opportunity before the next Avatar—an Airbender—
 is helping
with her brother, Sokka,
Waterbender who, the
the Avatar master elements. I have never left the South Pole before, and
I was nervous as we entered the Fire Nation village.

The Fire Festival

LEGEND 1
“How do I look, Katara?” Aang adjusted the hand-
carved Fire festival mask that covered his face.
“Like everybody else,” I replied. “And that’s good.”
When traveling, the Avatar sometimes needs a disguise.
I’m Katara of the Water Tribe from the South Pole.
Who knew that when my brother,
Sokka, and I found Aang frozen in
an iceberg, he would turn out to
be the Avatar? And that we’d “I have to learn Firebending at some point, and
have to help him save the world? this festival could be my only chance to watch some
Talk about pressure . . . and masters up close,” Aang said as he grabbed my hand.
excitement! “ere’s a big crowd over there. It must be good.”
And now we were in I wasn’t so sure. A big crowd in the Fire Nation
enemy territory, in the dreaded could also be bad for us.
Fire Nation. Luckily, by Aang stopped in front of a stage. A Firebending
wearing festival magician juggled balls of re, then waved his hands
masks we  could in large swirls. e reballs turned into cooing doves
stay a little that ew over the crowd.
hidden. “ank you, ladies and gentlemen,” the magician
said as the crowd cheered. “For my next trick,
I need a volunteer from the audience.” He looked
around, then pointed at me! “How about you, little
lady?” he said.
 I shook my head. Unfortunately, he didn’t give up.
“Aw, she’s shy,” the magician told the audience.
“Let’s give her some encouragement, folks!”
e crowd applauded and gently nudged me
toward the stage. I wanted to turn around and run
away, but I couldn’t risk calling attention to myself
or to Aang, so I went
onstage.
The magician tied me
to a chair with a long
scarf. “My next trick
is called ‘taming the
dragon,’” he announced.
I had a bad feeling about
that.
His arms jerked and
locked into position. e beast disintegrated into a colorful cloud of
I recognized the basic confetti that uttered across the stage. Unfortunately
Firebending move. e the blast of air also ripped off Aang’s mask. I was
air around me warmed saved, but now we were in trouble—big trouble.
as smoke swirled through his ngers. Recognizing the markings on Aang’s head,
Suddenly a aming dragon burst from his hands, someone shouted, “Hey! at kid’s the Avatar!”
and I tried not to scream. e dragon dove at my Sokka quickly jumped up and untied me. “It’s
head. I tried to pull away, but the scarf was tied too time to go,” he said. I couldn’t have agreed more!
tightly. en the dragon turned and looped around A young man also joined us. “My name is Chey,”
me again. His mouth was wide open, ready to take a he said. “I can get you out of here!” He threw a smoke
ery bite of me! bomb onto the ground, and we took off, hidden by
at’s when Aang jumped onstage! Swirling his the thick gray cloud.
arms in the air, he summoned a ball of air that coiled
in front of him. en, with a ick of his hands, Aang We learned that Chey was a deserter from the Fire
shoved the air forward, toward the dragon. Nation army. He led us to the camp of a legendary
Firebender named Jeong Jeong, who wanted no part
of Fire Lord Sozin’s war against the other nations. ordered him to teach Firebending to Aang.
Jeong Jeong’s camp was at a clearing, deep in the Jeong Jeong had to agree. Who could argue with
woods. e aged Firebender was a ragged old man an Avatar?
with long hair, a scraggly beard, and an odd-shaped
battle scar. He looked like he’d been through a lot. “Watch carefully,” Jeong Jeong told Aang.
Aang approached him. “Master, I’m the Avatar,” I watched Jeong Jeong pick up a dead leaf from
he said. “I need to learn Firebending.” the ground and gently wave his hand over it. e
center of the leaf burst into ame. at was a better
trick than the one performed by the magician from
the festival! He handed the burning leaf to Aang.
“Keep this ame from reaching the edges of the
leaf for as long as you can,” he said before leaving
Aang alone.
Aang concentrated, and the small ame smoldered
in the center of the leaf.
“I did it!” Aang exclaimed. I could tell that he
was impatient. ese moves were simple, and Aang
wanted more. He tried a Firebending move on the
leaf. His right hand stiffened and pointed at the flame.
It burst into the air.
“Aang, be careful,” I said, worried that he was
doing too much, too soon.
Aang juggled the ame, but
all of a sudden he lost control.
I was shocked when Jeong Jeong refused Aang’s A reball ew toward me, and
request. He said Aang wasn’t ready! “I had a pupil I couldn’t stop it!
once who had no interest in learning discipline,”
Jeong Jeong explained. “Learn restraint, or you risk I knelt by the river and
destroying yourself and everything you love.” bended the cool water over
But Jeong Jeong soon had a mysterious visitor— my burning hands. In an
the spirit of Avatar Roku, the previous Avatar, who instant the pain and redness
were gone. I felt much better. When I reached camp, Aang apologized for the
”You have healing abilities,” Jeong Jeong said, accident. “Jeong Jeong tried to tell me that I wasn’t
smiling. “Like the great benders of the Water ready,” he said, “and I wouldn’t listen. I couldn’t
Tribes. Water brings healing and life; re brings only imagine what it would feel like to hurt someone like
destruction and pain.” that.”
Suddenly we heard the dull roar of boat engines I rested my hand on his shoulder. I had never seen
coming up the river at full speed. “Zhao!” Jeong JeongAang so sad. “It’s all right,” I said. “But we have to
exclaimed. He had found us. e evil admiral Zhao, leave. Zhao is here, and he’s captured Jeong Jeong.”
leader of the Fire Nation navy, must have picked up Aang jumped to his feet and raced toward the river.
our trail at the festival. I had to warn Aang. We had “I have to help him!”
to get out of there.
Jeong Jeong pulled me to my feet and pushed me Zhao was waiting for us. “Let’s nd out what my old
toward the woods. “Get your friends, and ee. Hurry!”master has taught you, Avatar,” he said with a growl.
”You were Jeong Jeong’s student?” Aang asked.
“Until I got bored,” Admiral Zhao replied as he
thrust his arms forward. Fireballs shot from his hands
toward Aang, but he dove out of the way.
Zhao was a Firebending master. I’m sure he had
experiences and abilities far beyond those of Aang,
but Aang had youth and energy on his side—plus he
was the Avatar. I hoped that was enough.
“I see Jeong Jeong taught you how to duck and run
like a coward,” Admiral Zhao said, sneering. “But I
doubt he showed you what a Firebender is truly
capable of.”
Zhao unleashed a barrage of multiple re blasts.
I felt the heat even from where I was standing. Aang
raced across the edge of the water and jumped onto
the deck of Admiral Zhao’s ship.
“Ahoy! Look at me!” Aang taunted. “I’m Admiral
Zhao!”
 Zhao jumped on Aang had won. I was so proud of him. Without
deck after him, hurling using Firebending, he had defeated a more powerful
multiple reballs toward enemy.
Aang, blasting wildly. When Zhao realized what he had done, he cried
“Sloppy. Very sloppy, out “No!” before unleashing a nal re blast at Aang.
Admiral,” Aang said. Aang ipped backward, landing on his feet in the
Admiral Zhao chased shallow water by the riverbank. “Have a nice walk
Aang from deck to deck, home!” he called.
but Aang was too fast for him. Aang leaped aboard Jeong Jeong and his tribe had disappeared during
the last boat, with nowhere else to run. the battle. We couldn’t nd them anywhere. We
“I have you now, you little smart-mouth,” Zhao were safe for now, but Zhao would no doubt track us
said smugly. again. Revenge is a powerful force in the Fire Nation.
“You’ve lost this battle, Admiral.” I couldn’t believe
how con dent Aang was!
“Are you crazy, Avatar? You haven’t thrown a
single blow.”
“No, but you have.” Aang motioned around him.
Zhao’s ships were on fire. Thick, black smoke rose high
into the air. “Jeong Jeong said you had no restraint. I
just got out of the way while you destroyed yourself.”
 Nation. FIRE NATION FLAG
about the aggressive Fire
e Fire Nation ag is
a triangle-shaped banner
with the stylized ame
insignia at its center. Six
thin stripes extend from the
slanted edge.

e Fire Nation is mysterious and secretive. Little

is known about its culture because it is difficult to FIRE NATION LEADERS
in ltrate the group and gather information. No one
ever leaves the Fire Nation and lives to reveal its e tyrannical Fire lord is the ultimate ruler of the Fire
secrets. Nation. He is the most powerful Firebender, and his will
must be obeyed. e title of Fire lord is passed down to
e leaders of the Fire Nation are driven by a single
goal: to destroy all other nations and conquer the each generation’s eldest son through one family. However,
the current Fire lord, Ozai, is the second-eldest son. He
world. Not all citizens of the Fire Nation are dedicated
to the cause, but they live under the oppressive rule schemed
of against his father and his older brother, Iroh, to
the Fire lord. claim the throne for himself.

a is a
TIOIN NS IGNIA Nation insignpioints at Fire
Lord
A e ith three
The Flairm The Fire
FIRE N f e w ded bottom. la s Lord
Azulon Jroh
sty and a rou rimarily on Firge Ozai
lized n f
the topbol is used pand to marks.
sym uniforms territorie
and Nation
 FIRE LORD SOZIN FIRE LORD OZAI
e architect of the war, Fire Lord Sozin
was driven by one goal: to create a world where
Fire exists as the dominant element and no nation
could challenge his rule. When Roku died, Sozin
increased his powers, drawing energy from a
passing comet. Knowing that the next Avatar
would be an Airbender, he attacked the Air
Nomads, wiping them all out (except for Aang).
en he began to invade the Water Tribes and the
Earth Kingdom.

ting
F i g rhfo
e w a r
th des, Sozin
d ec a
died rebam efowreas
his dzed. Now
reali estructive
his d is being
planied out by
carr escendants.
his d

The grandson of Fire Lord Sozin,

Ozai is the current Fire lord. Ozai will
stop at nothing in his quest for world
domination. Like the Fire lords
before him, he rules through fear and
intimidation.
 LOCATION POWER SOURCES
Firebenders draw their
energy from heat sources,
most commonly the sun, but
also from volcanic energy,
e Fire Nation is lightning, and comets.
located on a group of volcanic
islands near the equator. It is a
hot, barren land, and the active NATURAL RESOURCES AND FOOD
volcanoes give the Fire Nation an
unlimited source of power. ough e Fire Nation has
based on the islands, the Fire Nation has many skilled metalworkers
its army and navy engaged in campaigns allwho use iron to build
over the world. the group’s  fortresses and
warships. It powers massive
furnaces with coal dug
SEASON from mines by its prisoners.
Its people eat rice, noodles,
e Fire Nation’s dominant season is summer.cabbages, and lychee nuts.
ey also drink plenty of
tea. Having a taste for spicier
fare, they also enjoy re
cakes and flaming fire flakes.

INDUSTRIES
Because the Fire Nation focuses on global conquest, it is
actively engaged in building ships, manufacturing weapons
(such as re catapults, arrows and spears, swords, and knives),
and shaping metal.
FIRE NATION ARMY/NAVY SHIPS
Admiral Zhao is the leader of the Fire Nation Ships in the Fire Nation are made from solid iron,
navy and Prince Zuko’s nemesis. A former student of to resist attacks from other nations. ey are fueled
the legendary master Jeong Jeong, Zhao is a ruthless by coal.
Firebender who lacks the patience to properly or
strategically use his skills. at is often his downfall.

PRISONS
Fire Nation prisons are also facilities where prisoners
from other nations are put to hard work. Built of
sturdy metal, one such prison is a stationary shipyard
in the middle of the ocean. An enormous wall bisects
this structure. On one side is a shipyard, where the
Fire Nation repairs and refuels its ships. e other side
is a prison for captive Earthbenders. e prisoners
cannot Earthbend because the metal rig is surrounded
by water, and they are miles away from land. But the
warden doesn’t let the muscular Earthbenders go to
waste: He forces them to work in the shipyard, building
new ships for the Fire Nation navy to use to defeat the
Earth Kingdom.
 THE FIRE FESTIVAL GAMES AND AMUSEMENTS
e re festival is a traveling street fair in the Fire Nation snaps were
villages and towns of the Fire Nation. Everyone wears invented by the Fire Nation.
hand-carved masks, and vendors sell a wide variety ese are small toys made of
of local foods and trinkets. ere are puppet shows, sulfur and int that snap when
Firebending magicians and jugglers, reworks, and thrown onto the ground.
displays of individual and group Firebending skills.
e festival also visits locales in nations where other
Fire Nation members live.
e tsungi horn is a
musical instrument forged
from metal. e curved
and highly polished horn is
believed to have originated
in the Fire Nation and is
used in traditional music
of the Avatar world.

FIRE NATION MASK ART

Fire festival masks are usually
hand-carved from wood and
feature expressive, stylized faces
similar to Kabuki theater masks.
ANIMALS OF THE FIRE NATION Komodo rhinos are large three-horned
DRAGON HAWK beasts with long and powerful tails. ey
wear armor for protection, and are used
KOMODO by the military for transportation.
RHINO

Dragon hawks
are an essential means
of communication between
factions of the Fire Nation
military. Like homing pigeons,
these large birds carry messages
in metal containers attached toEY
their talons. K
ON
GM
HO

Members of the Fire Nation use sturdy metal

traps to catch hog monkeys, but they’ve also
caught a few unsuspecting humans who hadn’t
been watching where they were going.
 A NCIE
F
martiirebendin ARTSN NT M
move l arts. draws IFLUE ARTIA
a g
s and Each f N
create art hraom sever CES
L
s diffe s its o al anc
rent r wn sp ient
esults eci c
:

D ST YLE
PHILOSOPHY AN Xsing Yi–Incorporates strikes from
the classic “Seven Stars”: hands, feet,
knees, elbows, hips, shoulders, and
head.

Southern Dragon Claw–Like

a dragon swooping down on its
prey, this form has techniques
for seizing and holding that
utilize the hand.

To
e ghting forcer .wi
eb en ding is an aggr essive, offensives, a Fireb ende ll
Fir
up for th e lack of de fensive mov ge of blows. Tr ue Northern Shaolin–Developed by the
make
helm an op po ne nt with a barra eathing, not Shaolin monks of ancient China, this “long-
try to overw power comes from controlled br
Firebending ysical strength or size. st” style emphasizes kicking over hand
necessarily ph ghting. Kicks are extended as far as possible
without compromising balance.
FIREBENDING TECHNIQUES
Firebending moves are direct and designed
for victory. No other outcome
is acceptable. A quick kick or a jab
creates bursts of ame that thrust
forward at an opponent. Whirlwind
kicks generate blazing arcs of ame.
Punches unleash reballs, while
spinning kicks create rings of re.
Snapping the hand or wrist creates
a deadly re-pinwheel. When
several Firebenders ght together,
their combined energy enables them
to shoot missiles of ame that can
travel long distances.
STRENGTHS
Firebenders are more powerful during the day and
in warm climates, when they can draw on the sun for
strength. A Firebender’s power is at its peak near the
equator during summer.

Darkness, a solar eclipse, and a full moon can weaken

a Firebender’s abilities. Firebenders are also less powerful
when it’s raining. Because of their aggressive nature,
Firebenders traditionally lack defensive moves, which
can leave them vulnerable.
ING DUELfou S
FIREBEND is
ai traditionally e
ght at sunset. go al is
Anagni-k ack , barefoot.  e
Firebenders beginrback-to-b her to the
to overpower you opponent, knock him or
her.
ground, and burn him or
 “How could I let this happen, Katara?” I asked
Sokka’s sister.

The Fire Temple

LEGEND 2
I couldn’t believe what I
was seeing. A large scar of
charred earth cut through
the forest.
Sokka pointed to
heavy boot tracks. “e
Fire Nation did this,
Aang,” he said. Katara picked up an acorn from the ground.
A beautiful forest “ese are everywhere, Aang,” she said encouragingly.
had been destroyed. “Each acorn will be a tall oak tree someday. And all
It broke my heart. the birds and animals that lived here will come back.”
I’m supposed to Katara folded the acorn into my hand, and I knew
protect nature. I’m she was right. e forest would return. I suddenly felt
Aang, the Avatar from a great sense of calm.
the Air Nomads. Of “Hey, everyone, we’ve got company,” Sokka
course, pointed out.
I don’t really know how An old man approached us and smiled at me.
to be the Avatar—yet. I “ose markings on your head. Are you the Avatar?”
spent the last one hundred he asked.
years frozen in an iceberg! I nodded.
e old man sighed like a great burden had been
lifted from his shoulders. “My name is Kay-fon. Our
village desperately needs your help!”
In the center of the forest, Kay-fon’s village had
a central hall surrounded by several houses. A tall
wooden fence separated the village from the trees.
Many of the houses had been damaged.
“For the last few sunsets, Hei Bai, the black-and-
white spirit, has attacked our village,” Kay-fon said.
“No one knows why.”
“As the solstice approaches,” he continued, “the
natural world and the spirit world grow closer.” He
pointed at me. “Who better to resolve a crisis between
the two than the Avatar himself!”
Now it really was up to me. I just wish I knew
what to do!
But before I could say anything, the spirit grabbed
I stood at the entrance of the village as the last sliver Sokka with one of his massive claws and returned to
of light dropped behind the trees. the woods.
How do you stop a spirit from attacking a village? “Aang!” Sokka yelped.
I had never spoken to a spirit before. I took a deep I unfolded my staff and snapped my glider over
breath. “Hello, Hei Bai. is is the Avatar. I hereby my back. I took off after Sokka and the spirit, riding
ask you to please leave this village in peace!” the air currents through the trees.
I didn’t have long to wait. Hei Bai materialized “Hurry, Aang!” Sokka called out, desperately
from the woods. He was huge and angry—and he thrusting out his hand.
was racing toward me! I swooped lower. Our ngertips brushed against
He swiped his hand across my body. I ew backwardone another. at’s when Hei Bai faded into nothing
but cushioned my fall with an Airbending move that and disappeared, taking Sokka with him.
created a pillow of air underneath me. Dealing with e last thing I remember was ying into a large
the spirit was going to be harder than I thought. stone statue that looked like a panda bear.
Sokka ran up. “We’ll ght him together, Aang,”
he said. When I awoke, it was just before sunrise. My head
But I didn’t want to ght the spirit. I wanted to was pounding from when I’d hit the statue.
help him, to nd out why he was attacking the village. I had failed. Not onlynot did protect
I the village,
but I had lost Katara’s brother to the spirit beast. It
would not be easy to tell her.
When I got back to the village, Katara was sitting
on the ground, staring into the woods.
“Katara, I lost him.” I was afraid to look her in the
eyes.
She didn’t respond.
It was as if she couldn’t
see me! I looked at my
hands and realized
why: I was invisible!
I  was in the spirit I closed my eyes, and in that instant a bright, blue
world! My crash into ash of light washed over us.
the statue must have e dragon was sending me a vision of Avatar
triggered my Avatar Roku’s temple. at’s where I had to go to talk to
state and sent me Avatar Roku!
there. When I opened my eyes, Katara threw her arms
That’s when I saw around me. I was back from the spirit world!
something truly incredible—a blue dragon, gliding “Where’s Sokka?” Katara asked.
toward me! e sunlight shimmered off its blue “I—I don’t know . . . ,” I admitted—but I did
scales. I could hear the steady apping of its wings. have a plan to get him back.
I had to get away. If it meant to harm me, I had to
lead it away from Katara. at night I waited at the entrance to the village.
I snapped open my glider and leaped into the air. I was ready this time. Hei Bai materialized from the
But instead of flying, I flopped to the ground. That’s woods and rushed toward me.
when I realized Airbending was not possible in the e spirit beast growled and gnashed his teeth.
spirit world. I reached out my hand and touched him. ere was
e dragon landed next to me. I took a step back. a ash of light around my ngers, and I had a vision
You can’t be too careful with dragons. of a panda bear.
e creature opened its mouth, and one of its I pulled my hand away, and the vision disappeared.
tendrils snapped out and gently touched my hand. “You’re the spirit of this forest!” I said, nally
understanding. “You’re angry because the Fire Nation “But the solstice is tomorrow,” Katara announced.
burned down your home.” “Yeah,” I said. I knew there wasn’t much time, but
this could be my only chance to talk to Roku. I also
knew I had a bigger problem. “And his temple is in
the Fire Nation.”
We left right away. I thought it was too dangerous for
Katara and Sokka, but they insisted on coming with
me and Momo, my lemur.
“Aang! We’ve got trouble,” Katara pointed out as
we rode on Appa, my ying bison.
It didn’t look good. A dozen Fire Nation navy
ships stretched out ahead of us. We had reached the
Hei Bai stopped growling. He was listening to me! edge of the Fire Nation.
“When I saw the forest had burned, I too was sad,” “We’ve got to run the blockade, Aang,” Sokka
I said. “But my friend gave me hope that the forest urged.
would grow back.” I pulled out the acorn that Katara Once they caught sight of us, the Fire Nation
had given me and placed it on the ground. navy sent reballs streaking through the sky from the
Hei Bai changed back into the panda from my ships below. Appa barrel—
vision. He folded his paw around the acorn and left. rolled, then dodged the blasts.
It wasn’t long before the missing villagers stumbled I smelled the burning ashes
out of the forest. e spirit was returning them! and felt the heat against my
When Sokka walked out, Katara ran up to hug her skin. Before the Fire Nation
brother. “ank you, Aang,” she said. It felt good to navy could reload and launch
solve the villagers’ problem and bring Sokka back. I another volley, we ew over
was getting used to being the Avatar . . . at least a littlethem—and into the Fire
bit. Nation.
Now that Sokka was back, I had to focus on my Avatar Roku’s temple was a
next mission. “I think I found a way to contact Avatar multitiered building that sat
Roku,” I told Sokka and Katara. “If I go to his temple atop a craggy hill of jagged
on the winter solstice, I can speak with his spirit.” rocks. Molten lava surrounded
 it, creating a ery moat. Shyu shook his head sadly. “Once the sages were
Flames shot into the sky. loyal only to the Avatar. When Roku died, Fire Lord
The entry hall of the Sozin forced them to follow him.”
temple was dark and It gured that Sozin was behind this.
creepy. I felt a chill in A stone door slid open. We stepped out into a
the air, as if the place had large atrium supported by massive stone columns.
been abandoned for years. Ahead of us were two huge and heavily decorated
Five old men in metal doors. In the middle of the doors was a row of
hooded red robes stepped ve keyhole-like openings.
from the shadows. “I am “ere’s the sanctuary,” Shyu said. “Once you’re
the Great Sage, leader of inside, wait for the light to hit Avatar Roku’s statue.
the Fire Sages. We are the Only a fully realized Avatar is powerful enough to
guardians of the temple of the Avatar.” open these doors alone. Otherwise the sages must
“I am the Avatar!” I exclaimed, relieved to be open the doors with ve simultaneous re blasts.”
among friends. Sokka studied the torch lamps that lined the walls
“We know,” the Great Sage said, before punching of the atrium.
a reball directly at me. “Five re blasts, huh?” Sokka asked, smiling. I
“Run!” I yelled. I didn’t know why the Fire Sages knew then that he had an idea.
were attacking me, but I knew it wasn’t wise to wait
around to nd out. Sokka poured oil from one of the lamps into an
We came to an intersection of two hallways. “is animal-skin casing. He sealed the top with a leather
way!” I yelled. We turned left and came face-to-face strap. “is is a little trick I picked up from my
with one of the sages. I steadied myself, ready to ght. father. Once you light this strap . . . kaboom! Fake
“I am Shyu, a friend,” the hooded sage said. “I Firebending.”
know you wish to speak to Avatar Roku. I can take I took the
you to him.” homemade bombs and
Shyu punched re at a duct in the wall. e stone shoved them into the
wall slid open to reveal a secret passageway, which was openings. Shyu shot a
lit only by lava from an underground molten river. line of re across the
“If this is the Avatar’s temple, why did the sages straps.
attack me?” I asked. Kaboom!
 Smoke shot into the atrium, lling the room. I I was inside the sanctuary!
ran to the doors. ey were scorched and blackened,
but they still wouldn’t open! Sokka ran a nger over As the sun set, the light of the winter solstice shined
the blackened doors. “at blast was as strong as any through a gigantic ruby set into the wall. e light
Firebending I’ve seen.” slid across the oor and up the front of the statue.
“Sokka, you’re a genius!” Katara hugged him. “It e time was nally here. I bowed my head and
looks like your plan worked.” She reached down and closed my eyes.
patted Momo’s head. “All we need now is a lemur.” “Avatar Roku? Are you there?” I had so many
I was confused. e doors still weren’t open. “Did things to ask him.
the de nition of genius change in the last hundred When I opened my eyes, I saw mist swirling around
years?” I asked. my feet. Avatar Roku was standing in front of me.
Tall, lean, and muscular, he had a long, white beard
While I hid behind one of the pillars in the atrium, and long, white hair. At last my questions would be
Shyu ushered in the other four sages. answered.
“Come quickly!” he said. “e Avatar has entered Roku smiled. “It’s good to see you, Aang,” he
the sanctuary! Look at the doors.”  Shyu pointed to said in a deep and powerful voice. “I have something
the marks on the big doors. important to tell you. One hundred years ago Fire
e Great Sage turned to the others. “Open them Lord Sozin harnessed power from a passing comet
before he contacts Avatar Roku!” and destroyed the Air Nomads. Sozin’s comet will
The Fire Sages shot flame into the five openings. return by the end of this summer, and Fire Lord Ozai
e doors slowly slid open with a creak of protest
from their ancient hinges.
Momo was on the other side.
“We’ve been tricked!” the Great Sage yelled. “e
lemur must have crawled through the pipes!”
Momo jumped on the Great Sage. Katara tackled
one sage and knocked him into another. Sokka
wrapped a cloth around the head of the last sage and
tripped him.
“Now, Aang!” Shyu yelled.
I leaped over the sages and dove through the
doorway, seconds before the doors slammed shut.
will use its power to finish what Sozin started. The Stone began to crumble from the ceiling as lava
Fire lord must be defeated before the comet comes.” bubbled from the oor. Roku was destroying his
Roku put his hand on my shoulder. “We must home!
go our separate ways for now, Aang. A great danger The sages quickly got up and fled. A mist enveloped
awaits you outside the sanctuary doors. I can help Roku, and when it dissipated, I was in his place. Avatar
you, but only if you’re ready.” Roku was gone.
I knew my answer. “I’m ready.” Katara, Sokka, and I ran out of the temple and
Mist swirled around us. The doors opened. The quickly climbed onto Appa. As he ew us to safety,
Fire Sages unleashed a fury of re at me. the full weight of my destiny sank in. I still had
But I wasn’t there. In my place was Avatar Roku. I questions for Roku, but rst I had to defeat the Fire
was Roku and he was me. Roku’s arm swept in front lord. I had to restore balance.
of him, creating an arc of power. e Fire Sages fell I had to save the world.
like dominoes. e sages had chained Shyu, Katara,
and Sokka, but the force of Roku’s power broke them
free.
 that I have gathered.
Here is more information
invaders, and gather what knowledge they can about
the Avatar.
e history of the sages goes back thousands of
years. A council of sages led the Fire Nation in its
early years. e lead sage was known as the Fire
lord because of his high level of Firebending ability
and his deep spiritual connection to fire. Throughout
the years, the Fire lord severed ties with the sages and
THE FIVE FIRE SAGES took over control of the Fire Nation for himself.
Now led by the Great Sage, the sages are relegated
e Fire Sages are the last of their kind—remnants to spiritual matters only. Tensions between the Fire
lordandthe sages have increasedwitheachgeneration.
of a bygone era in the Fire Nation when greater During Fire Lord Sozin’s reign, the sages remained
importance was placed on spiritual matters. ey loyal to Avatar Roku. ey kept watch over the
live at Avatar Roku’s Fire temple on Crescent sanctuary in Roku’s absence. But after the Avatar’s
Island. Wise leaders as well as powerful Firebenders, death, Fire Lord Sozin forced them to serve only him.
the sages watch over the sanctuary, protect it from Now, after three generations, the sages willingly serve
the Fire lord and council him on spiritual matters—
except one sage, Shyu.
At age sixty, Shyu is the youngest of the Fire
Sages and the only one still loyal to the Avatar. His
ancestors were all sages. His grandfather was the sage
who rst declared—against popular belief—that the
Avatar survived the Fire Nation attack on the Air
temple. Many years later Shyu’s father also made the
determination that the Avatar was an Airbender and
still alive. is was not what the Fire lord wanted
to hear. Shyu’s father was branded a traitor and sent
away, leaving Shyu to be raised by the other sages.
Shyu is the last of his proud lineage, a sage who
does not blindly follow the Fire lord. But he knows
the price he would pay if he spoke out against the Fire
Lord. Fire Lord Ozai has set forth a decree that anyone HEI BAI
who helps the Avatar will be considered a traitor to the
Fire Nation, and punished.

CRESCENT ISLAND
Located inside the Fire Nation, Crescent Island is
home to the Fire temple of Avatar Roku. Crescent
Island is a volcanic island, and its rocky landscape
is crisscrossed with rivers of lava, including one that
runs under the temple.
Hei Bai is the black-and-white spirit who has
guarded Senlin’s forest for thousands of years. His
natural form is a gentle panda bear, but, angered by
the Fire Nation’s destruction of his forest, he has
changed into a snarling monster who threatens the
local villagers.
THE SPIRIT WORLD
E
e spirit world is inhabited by a wide variety of G THD
N RL ar e
spirit creatures who act as guardians of the rivers, forests,
and mountains. e spirits of the previous Avatars TERIWO he Avyatextretm re ss.
are alive within the spirit world, and they watch over
T
ENPIRI ang, tred b onal sess
Aang. He may contact them during a solstice or when S r A gge oti istr
he enters the spirit world. Fo is tri or em t a d
e u
s at ysicalends os
t
h s
p ang to h the i
A gnal es— tars—
si st liv s Ava
pa eviou p.
pr r hel
fo

RULES OF THE SPIRIT WORLD

When the bender is in the spirit world, he can
still observe the natural world, but no one can see or
hear him. If something bad happens to his body in
the natural world, or if his body is moved, his spirit
might not nd its way back.
BENDING IN THE SPIRIT WORLD
Once they enter the spirit world, benders no longer
have their bending ability. Because the spirit world
has no physical form, a bender cannot manipulate
any of the  four elements.
the Avatar’s life.

I pulled the hand-carved wooden mask over my

face. I wrapped my cloak around my body to shield
me in the night. No longer was I, Prince Zuko, the
disgraced son of Fire Lord Ozai. I was now the Blue
Spirit, and my mission was to free the Avatar.
When I heard that Admiral Zhao had captured the
Avatar, I had to come up with a plan. I needed Aang
to reclaim my status in the Fire Nation. I couldn’t let
Zhao have him.
Sneaking into the stronghold where the Avatar
was held prisoner was easy. Admiral Zhao’s self-
congratulatory speech distracted the guards, and
I slipped inside the gates.
“We are the sons and daughters of Fire,” Admiral
Zhao bellowed from the balcony of the Fire Nation
fortress. “Only one thing stood in our path to victory:
the Avatar. I am here to tell you that he is now my
prisoner!”
e soldiers chanted and clanged their weapons
together in response.
I removed a loose grate in the ground and
disappeared into the sewer pipes under the fortress.
 When I unlocked around him into
the cell door, I saw a spiral. en
the Avatar chained he thrust out his
between two stone arms, which caused
columns. Fire urns a blast of wind
burned atop each to plow into the
one. soldiers, blowing
Aang gasped. them backward like
“Who are you?” leaves in a storm.
He had no idea! I I almost laughed.
couldn’t speak or the Avatar would recognize my voice, I had rescued the
but my disguise was perfect. I drew two broadswords Avatar, and now he was rescuing me. If only he
and swung them through the air. Moments later knew! We rushed through the newly formed human
Aang’s chains lay at his feet. He was free. is was alley. But the gate had now closed, and the troops
easier than I had imagined. surrounded us on all sides. We were trapped.
“Are you here to rescue me?” Aang asked. “Hold your re!” Zhao called out. He pushed
I didn’t respond. I opened the door and signaled through the soldiers and pointed at the Avatar. “He
for him to follow me. I couldn’t believe it—I was must be captured alive!”
telling the Avatar what to do! How could I escape with the Avatar? I had to think
We scampered unnoticed across the courtyard. fast. Using his body as my shield, and grasping my
en suddenly a bright light cut through the darkness swords rmly, I inched us toward the gate.
and fell upon our backs. e Avatar was shocked and scared. I felt his body
“ere!” A voice cried out. We had been discovered! tremble. e Firebenders parted as Zhao stepped
I couldn’t let myself be captured. Zhao wouldn’t forward. He looked me right in the eye—and didn’t
understand, and neither would my father. recognize me!
I drew my swords, then pointed to the open gate “Open the gate,” Zhao ordered. “Now.”
on the other side of the courtyard. e Avatar and e gates opened, and I quickly backed out of the
I both charged toward the gate, but our escape was fortress, holding the Avatar as my hostage.
blocked by dozens of spearmen. Outside the gate I retreated cautiously, still hiding
“Stay close to me,” the Avatar said. behind the Avatar. e outlying woods were only a
As he circled his hands, a vortex sucked the air few feet away. We could make it.
 I never saw the arrow. I never heard it zip through started, I had plenty of friends in the Fire Nation,”
the air. But I de nitely felt it hit my maskwith a sharp the Avatar said. “If we had known each other back
clang, and I fell to the ground. then, do you think we could have been friends too?”
I punched a re blast at the Avatar, trying to get
the drop on him. I missed. And by the time I got
to my feet, he was long gone. I thought about his
question. Maybe we could have been friends once,
but it’s too late for that now.
I tracked the Avatar to the North Pole, to the Water
Tribe. No one can hide from the son of the Fire lord.
I was going to get the Avatar back. I had to.
Uncle Iroh helped me strap on the last piece of
my heavy, white uniform. It was bitter cold, and the
temperature was dropping fast.
“So tell me, Prince Zuko, what do you intend to
do once you have the Avatar?” Iroh asked.
“Take him home to my father, of course,” I said.
“I shall restore my honor and reclaim my rightful
”Prince Zuko?” place as the future ruler of the Fire Nation.”
I awoke to the sound of my name. I was looking I said good-bye one last time and slid into my
straight up at the sky through a thick canopy of trees. small boat. Chunks of ice bobbed gently on the
Dull pain ached through my body. calm surface as I paddled through the icy waters that
e Avatar sat a few feet from me, scuffed and surrounded the Water Tribe’s city.
dirty. “Why did you disguise yourself as the Blue A herd of seals barked and scooted across an icy
Spirit to rescue me?” ledge and dove into the freezing water. I waited, but
I did not answer. I wasn’t trying to rescue him. they did not return. I knew they must be coming up
I was only taking him from Zhao in order to turn himfor air somewhere under the ice. But where? ere
over to my father. I tried to rise, but I couldn’t. I hurt was only one way to nd out.
too much. I took several deep, sharp breaths. Slivers of re
“You know, a hundred years ago, before this war warmed my body. Clenching my teeth, I plunged
into the water, then followed the seals through an state and had crossed into the spirit world. Katara was
opening in the ice. When I came to the surface, I was by his side, looking as if she would protect him.
in an underground cavern. I grabbed an icy shelf and I stepped out from the shadows. “Well, aren’t you a
pulled myself out of the water. big girl now?” I said.
I twisted my body and exhaled in a Firebending move Katara spun around to face me. “Prince Zuko?”
that instantly dried me. My body temperature was soon “Yes. Hand over the Avatar, and I won’t hurt you.”
back to normal. I moved toward him, but
Pushing past the barking seals, I came upon a waterfall
she thrust her arms at
cascading from the ceiling, splashing crystal- clear water
me. The ice buckled, and
into a deep pool. at was the way out! I stepped into I fell to the ground.
the waterfall, bracing against the icy water that pounded “I see you’ve learned
my head and body. a new trick,” I said. “But
My hands gripped one wet, frozen rock after another. I didn’t come this far to lose
The ice was hard and to you.” She couldn’t take
densely packed. The water me. I had more experience,
was numbing, but I wasn’t and I had re.
going to stop. I melted a I unleashed a urry of
hole in the frozen earth and kicks and punches. Katara
crawled through. backed away but repeatedly
I was inside the city, blocked my blows with ice beams. I soon realized I was
behind enemy lines. All I surrounded by them.
had to do now was nd the I shattered the beams with swift re kicks. “You’ve
Avatar. found a master, haven’t you?”
She was good, but I was not going to let her beat me.
e Avatar sat cross-legged in the grass of the Water I charged at her with my re daggers. But she created a
Tribe’s oasis. is was the center of all spiritual energy
thick
for layer of ice around my face so I couldn’t see!
the Water Tribe. It was a large clearing under the surfaceAll of a sudden a sharp piece of ice knocked me across
of the North Pole, lled with owers; thick, green grass; the oasis. I fell into the canal. en, with a determined
lush forests; and warm air. Canals crisscrossed the oasis,
wave of her arms, she froze the canal, hoping to hold
providing it with necessary water. me in place. No chance. I broke free, but she produced
e Avatar’s tattoos glowed. He was in the Avatar a water cannon. e blast tossed me farther down the
canal! “Here for a rematch?” I asked.
She was good, but I couldn’t let her win. As I lay on “It’s a full moon, Zuko. It’s not going to be much
my back, I looked up to the sky. Night was over—theof a match.”
sun was rising. She was right. I had forgotten about the moon. e
I took a deep breath and felt the power of the sunlight
Water Tribe draws tremendous power from the night,
surge through my body. With a strong Firebending blast, and a full moon makes them even stronger.
I made Katara y backward into a wall, and she fell to e girl unleashed a furious Waterbending move,
the ground. one I had not seen before. I hurried to block it, but it
“You rise with the moon,” I said. “I rise with the sun.”
was too much for me. Frozen in place, I slid backward
I had won. e Avatar was nally mine. and crashed against the side of the cave. I had lost the
Avatar . . . again!
Yes, I nally had the Avatar in my possession. But the But there would be other battles to ght, other
blizzard outside was preventing me from taking him to chances to catch the Avatar and restore my honor. My
my father. quest was de nitely far from over.
e driving snow and icy winds that night forced
me to seek shelter in a cave. e Avatar was still in his
meditative state. His eyes were closed, but his tattoos
glowed, pulsing slowly and regularly. I don’t know where
his spirit was, and I didn’t care. I had the Avatar’s body.
at was all I needed to show my father. at was all I
needed to regain my honor.
A bright light burst into the cave and enveloped the
Avatar. His spirit had returned. His eyes ickered awake.
“Welcome back,” I said sarcastically.
“Good to be back,” the Avatar replied.
He tried to get up, but immediately fell on his face.
I had tied him from head to toe. I could not risk him
using his Airbending abilities against me.
My joy was short-lived, though. Soon his ying bison
landed outside the cave, bringing Katara with him. ey
must have tracked the Avatar’s spirit!
 UNCLE IROH
General Iroh is Lord Ozai’s older brother and
Prince Zuko’s uncle. Before he retired, his army
PRINCE ZUKO led a siege on Ba Sing Se, the great Earth Kingdom
capital for six hundred days. After losing countless
The eldest son of Fire Lord men in the siege, and with no end to the battle in
Ozai, Prince Zuko is the rightful sight, General Iroh ordered his men to retreat, an act
heir to the Fire lord’s throne. But deemed cowardly by Fire Lord Ozai.
the passionate Firebender was Iroh is responsible for perfecting Zuko’s
banished from the Fire Nation Firebending skills. He is protective of Prince Zuko
when he spoke out against his and tries to get him to learn self-control and make
father and the war. more careful decisions.
The only way Prince Zuko
can return home and restore
his birthright and honor is to
nd the Avatar and present
him to his father.
Accompanying him is
his uncle Iroh, Fire Lord
Ozai’s older brother.
Zuko possesses great
Firebending skills. He’s
very persistent and never
gives up. Unfortunately
he’s also arrogant and
impatient, weaknesses
that can hurt his
quest to capture the
Avatar.
IT TOOK A HUNDRED YEARS OF
WAITING,
but the new Avatar has arrived . . . in the body of a
twelve-year-old boy. ough the Air Nomads have
ceased to exist, their spirit lives within Aang, the Avatar
and the last Airbender. e Water Tribes have defeated
the Fire lord for now, but he will doubtlessly return.
e Earth Kingdom is also under constant threat.
As I conclude and seal this scroll, the Fire Nation
is regrouping, and Aang is on his way to mastering the
other elements. He must defeat the Fire Lord before
Sozin’s comet returns to give Ozai its unlimited power.
is is all I know so far. Please do not show
this scroll to anyone whose trustworthiness you
doubt. e fate of the world is in your hands!