Episode Title:
The Guru / The Crossroads of Destiny.
Episode Description:
The Guru: Aang travels to the Eastern Air Temple and meets Guru Pathik, who trains him to master the Avatar State through the unlocking of chakras. Toph is captured by Xin Fu and Master Yu, who lock her in an iron enclosure. Toph has an epiphany, realizing that there are tiny bits of earthen material within the metal, which she can use to manipulate it. Toph tears open the enclosure, creating a new form of earthbending: metalbending. Long Feng makes a deal with Azula: he will exchange Aang for assistance in regaining control of the Dai Li and consolidating their power over the Earth Kingdom throne, which will then act as a proxy government for the Fire Nation. At the air temple, Aang unlocks all chakras but for the seventh and last, which requires giving up all earthly attachments, the most significant of which is his deep affection for Katara. Almost at the point of true enlightenment, Aang sees a vision of impending danger for Katara and retreats from detachment, deciding to return to her and protect her at all costs, even though Pathik warns that this may leave Aang's unable to safely access the Avatar State at all.
The Crossroads of Destiny: Zuko prepares to capture the Avatar, but before he can do so, Azula takes control of the Dai Li and has Zuko imprisoned alongside Katara. Zuko and Katara discover they share a lot in common. When Aang, aided by Iroh, attempts to free Katara, Zuko is told by his uncle that he must carefully consider the path that his next actions will set him upon. To Iroh's dismay, Zuko chooses to help Azula attack the Avatar. In the battle that follows, Aang realizes that he must let go of Katara in order fulfill his destiny, and meditates into the Avatar state, but Azula hits him with lightning while in the Avatar State, putting the Avatar near the brink of death. Iroh delays Azula, Zuko, and the Dai Li long enough to allow Katara to escape along with the gravely injured Aang, and then is taken prisoner as a traitor to the Fire Nation. Katara uses a vial of spirit water given to her at the North Pool in order to save Aang. With the deposed Earth King Kuei in tow, the team flees Ba Sing Se, now in the hands of the Fire Nation after a century of resistance.
