Avatar: The Last Airbender--Azula in the Spirit Temple

Avatar: The Last Airbender – Azula in the Spirit Temple develops after Azula’s pathetic attempt to rule the Fire Nation by corrupting Firelord Zuko. (I researched it because it’s been a while since I read the Avatar: The Last Airbender – Smoke and Shadows trilogy.) Since Azula is not my favorite character, I was hesitant to read this volume. However, this was an exciting experience because the internal battle she faced was intriguing. It’s like the spirit pushes Azula to grow a conscience. The story begins in Fire Nation territory with Azula and three Fire Warriors breaking into a granary under the cover of night. Ty Lee presents the two guards with tea while Azula sets the granary ablaze. Ty Lee and multiple guards surround the masked arsonists. Ty Lee reveals that there were only empty crates inside the granary. Fire Lord Zuko and Ty Lee are sick and tired of Azula antics to weaken the Fire Nation and turn its citizens against Fire Lord Zuko. Ty Lee and the Fire Nation soldiers fight Azula and the Fire Warriors. Ty Lee’s Chi-blocking comes in handy. The Fire Warrior, Chiyou, gets captured, but Azula doesn’t attempt to save her. Azula firebends a wall of fire to prevent Ty Lee or anyone else from following her and her new friends. Ty Lee vows to catch Azula. At the Fire Warriors’ camp, Zirin is displeased about abandoning Chiyou and being a puppet for Azula’s scheme to undermine Fire Lord Zuko. Azula aggressively persuades Zirin to back down when she reminds Zirin who saved her and her friends from the institution her parents placed her in. Zirin realizes that Azula will never release them and give them freedom. The Fire Warriors declare they will stick together. The next morning, Azula awakens to discover all the Fire Warriors have packed up and left for good. Azula is determined to find and punish them for their actions. Azula falling on her face is hysterical. (Now, she knows how Zuko felt when he was trying to restore his honor.) It’s a long journey, but Azula spots what she believes is a Fire Sage Temple. She takes refuge from the storm, and an elderly female monk welcomes her. The lady asks what is troubling Azula, but all Azula wants is dinner and a bed. Azula argues that she should have the monk’s room instead of sleeping on the dirty floor. Azula doesn’t restrain her entitlement mentality at any time. Azula’s dream occurs on Ember Island, where Li and Lo pull Azula outside, announcing that everyone who loves her is waiting for her. On the beach, Zuko (without his scar), Iroh, Ursa, Ozai, Sozin, Azulon, and Ruon-Jian glamorize Azula’s achievements. Ursa displays her pride in Azula. Mai and Ty Lee argue that what Azula is seeing is not reality. Azula awakens, and the monk requests that she leave because her dreams are not peaceful. When she tries to leave, the fog teleports her back to the temple. Azula confronts the monk about her tricks. Smoke reveals an old memory of Azula first firebending a turtle duck. Ozai and Ursa are proud of her premature firebending skills. Azula’s brain is twisted with all the fake memories, but she is confident that the monk isn’t truly a monk. It’s a spirit. She firebends at the creature, acknowledging that the only person in her life who hasn’t backstabbed her is her father. Azula slowly expresses all her frustrations and conflicts when confronted with an imaginary Zuko, Ursa, Mai, and Ty Lee. They tell Azula what she needs to hear but may not want to. Many lessons are spoken, but it’s Azula’s option to listen to them. Firelord Zuko’s and the spirit’s monster transformations are a little creepy. Azula refuses to hear anymore, declaring her identity and birthright while she lightningbends at the spirit. The quote in the “Zuko Alone” episode compares to Azula’s claim of Firelord. After the spirit and temple seemingly disappear, Azula tracks the Fire Warriors’ campsite. Zirin and another Fire Warrior reunite Chiyou with the rest of the group. Azula watches overhead before she moves on to he