History Recap / AvatarTheLastAirbenderTheWinterSolsticePart2

* CometOfDoom: Roku summoned Aang to the Fire Temple so that he could warn Aang about Sozin's Comet. This quickly came under questioning from older fans, as comets are made of ice, dirt, and gas -- that is, every element ''except'' fire -- before it was clarified that the comet has supernatural properties (as comets in our world were once rumored to have) that simply strengthen Firebenders, as opposed to the Fire Nation bending the comet itself, like a missile. Comets aren't that punctual either, and normally stay in the sky for weeks. Hence, this is an [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-grazing_fireball earth-grazing fireball]] [[CallASmeerpARabbit that the characters call a comet.]]

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: The whole "Aang can only talk with Roku on the Winter Solstice" dilemma comes across as very strange given Aang can just meditate his way into the Spirit World as soon as "The Siege of the North, Part 1."

[[caption-width-right:333:''Roku tells Aang about Sozin's Comet.'']]

''[[caption-width-right:333:Roku tells Aang about Sozin's Comet.]]''

-->--'''Shyu'''

* KnowWhenToFoldEm: After Roku burns off Zuko’s chains, Zuko doesn’t even bother trying to fight him, just immediately bolts.

* MortonsFork: Zuko did NOT expect the Avatar to enter his homeland, which poses a problem since he’s not allowed to return without the Avatar in his hands; if Zuko doesn’t pursue Aang into the Fire Nation, the Fire Lord’s forces will just capture him before Zuko does, denying him any chance to return home. If Zuko continues pursuit, he will be caught and brought before his own father. It turns out that Zhao let Zuko pass so he can lead him to the Avatar— he wanted to see what reason the Avatar had for coming to the Fire Nation before capturing them both.

* TranquilFury: Roku is not exactly happy about the sages betraying his reincarnation. He doesn't shout, or make any expressions beyond a glare. Just... tears the island apart with some lava bending.

* VoiceOfTheLegion: This is the first time we hear Aang’s Avatar Voice, if only for two words. Still packs quite the dramatic punch.
* WhamEpisode: Roku warns Aang of a comet that can give Fire Lord Ozai the power to win the war in the Fire Nation's favor, the same way Fire Lord Sozin started the same war nearly a century ago. Aang is now tasked with mastering the four elements and defeat Ozai before the comet arrives midsummer.
* WhamShot: The doors to the chamber containing Roku's chamber opens, with only Aang's glowing eyes visible. Zhao and troops blast him, and he bends the fireballs into a ring around him, revealing himself to have taken the form of Avatar Roku. Needless to say, they realize instantly how screwed they are.

* WhamEpisode: Aang has to defeat Fire Lord Ozai before Sozin's Comet returns in midsummer, or else Ozai will use the comet's power to end the war permanently in the Fire Nation's favor.

* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: Shyu is the only sage loyal to the Avatar, helps Aang to get in touch with Roku... and he is captured alongside the others by Zhao and handed over to Ozai. Even worse, [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse we never see him again.]] Fortunately, he reappears in the comics series. [[spoiler: He was released from prison after Zuko was crowned as Fire Lord, and became the new Grand Sage of the Fire Sages.]]

Aang and company have to travel to the Fire Temple to receive the message from Avatar Roku on the Winter Solstice. They are chased by Zuko and attacked by a Fire Nation blockade led by Zhao on the way there. When Aang gets to the temple he is shocked to learn the five Fire Sages there are no longer the Avatar's allies. However, a friendly sage helps Aang get to the sanctuary where he can talk to Roku. Avatar Roku informs Aang about "Sozin's Comet," which will return in just under a year and give the Fire Nation the power to finish the war. When Aang leaves the sanctuary, he is attacked by Zhao and the Sages. Aang defeats them when he manifests the spirit of Roku, who destroys the temple.

* CometOfDoom: Roku summoned Aang to the Fire Temple so that he could warn Aang about Sozin's Comet. This quickly came under questioning from older fans as comets are made of ice, dirt, and gas -- that is, every element ''except'' fire -- before it was clarified that the comet has supernatural properties (as comets in our world were once rumored to have) that simply strengthen Firebenders, as opposed to the Fire Nation bending the comet itself, like a missile. Comets aren't that punctual either, and normally stay in the sky for weeks. Hence, this is a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-grazing_fireball earth-grazing fireball]] [[CallASmeerpARabbit that the characters call a comet.]]
* ConvectionSchmonvection: The notorious first example in the show of characters just ''strolling'' through magma-filled secret passageways without breaking a sweat. Two characters are firebenders (or, at least, one is a potential firebender). The others have no excuse.

** Roku is very nice to Aang and helps him and his friends to escape from the temple.

* DeathGlare: When Roku is fighting Zhao and his men, he glances over at the Fire Sages. They take one look at him and run away in terror, knowing he is mad with them.

* KnowWhenToFoldEm: After Roku burns off Zuko’s chains, Zuko doesn’t even bother trying to fight him and immediately bolts.

* MortonsFork: Zuko did NOT expect the Avatar to enter his homeland, which poses a problem since he’s not allowed to return without the Avatar in his hands; if Zuko doesn’t pursue Aang into the Fire Nation, the Fire Lord’s forces will just capture him before Zuko does, denying him any chance to return home. If Zuko continues pursuit, he will be caught and brought before his own father. It turns out Zhao let Zuko pass so he can lead him to the Avatar—he wanted to see what reason the Avatar had for coming to the Fire Nation before capturing them both.

** Aang is obviously less than thrilled when Roku tells him has less than a year to master the elements and defeat the Fire Lord.
** Zhao and the sages' reaction when Roku appears. Considering how pissed off he is it was the most logical reaction.
* OldMaster: Roku defeats Zhao and his soldiers and destroys the temple on his own. Its the first time we see what an Avatar can do with firebending.

* PoseOfSupplication: The loyal sage Shyu kneels before Aang and friends to show he is not going to attack them.

* RewardedAsATraitorDeserves: With the exception of Shyu, the Fire Sages abandoned their duty to the Avatar in order to serve the Fire Lord. At the end of the episode Zhao has all of the Fire Sages arrested in frustration over not capturing his quarry.

* SarcasticClapping: Zhao when finding our heroes. With good reason, because as far as he's concerned all his enemies are in one place and in his grasp.

* TheUnfettered: Even with his ship bombarded, on fire and in need of repairs, Zuko refuses to stop chasing Aang.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: Roku lets Zuko and only Zuko go free, foreshadowing the fact that he's his great-grandfather as [[ThickerThanWater blood is thicker than water]] and all that.

* OhCrap: Zhao and the sages' reaction when Roku appears. Considering how pissed off he is it was the most logical reaction.

* MidSeasonTwist: The series jumps from "Let's take Katara to learn Waterbending" to "kill Ozai in a year or the world gets destroyed."

* WhamEpisode: Aang has to defeat Ozai before Sozin's comet returns in midsummer, or else Ozai will be unstoppable.

* OurDoorsAreDifferent: Five simultaneous fire blasts are needed to open the sanctuary doors. A fully realized Avatar can produce all five on his own; otherwise the doors can only be opened by [[TwoKeyedLock five cooperating firebenders]].

Aang has to travel to the Fire Temple to receive the message from Avatar Roku on the Winter Solstice. They are chased by Zuko and attacked by a Fire Nation blockade led by Zhao on the way there. When Aang gets to the temple he is shocked to learn the five Fire Sages there are no longer the Avatar's allies. However, a friendly sage helps Aang get to the sanctuary where he can talk to Roku. Avatar Roku informs Aang about "Sozin's Comet," which will return in just under a year and give the Fire Nation the power to finish the war. When Aang leaves the sanctuary, he is attacked by Zhao and the Sages. Aang defeats them when he manifests the spirit of Roku, who destroys the temple.

!!Tropes:

* CollapsingLair: Roku collapses the fire temple to drive off the Fire Navy forces and allow the Gaang time to escape.

* ConvectionSchmonvection: The notorious first example in the show of characters just ''strolling'' through magma-filled secret passageways without breaking a sweat. Two characters are Firebenders (or, at least, one is a potential Firebender). The others have no excuse.

** Shyu is this as well, considering that he's the only one of the fire sages to assist the Gaang.

* IdeaBulb: Sokka gets an idea and the camera pulls back to reveal a lamp above his head. Accompanied by a IdeaDing.
* LavaAddsAwesome: The fire temple is placed on a lava island. Justified since we are heading to the home of the ''Fire'' Sages.
* MidSeasonTwist: The series jumps from "Let's take Katara to learn Waterbending" to "kill Ozai in a year or the world gets destroyed".

* [[OminousLatinChanting Ominous Buddhist Chanting]]: Shortly before the sanctuary doors open to reveal Avatar Roku. The words are part of an actual Buddhist mantra and translate to "Hail the Amida Buddha who resides in the West."
* OurDoorsAreDifferent: Five simultaneous fire blasts are needed to open the sanctuary doors.
* PoseOfSupplication: The loyal sage kneels before Aang and friends to show he is not going to attack them.

* RewardedAsATraitorDeserves: With the exception of Shyu the Fire Sages abandoned their duty to the Avatar in order to serve the Fire Lord. At the end of the episode Zhao has all of the Fire Sages arrested in frustration over not capturing his quarry.

* CollapsingLair: The fire temple gets destroyed after it served its plot purpose.

* WhamShot: The doors to the chamber containing Roku's chamber opens, with only Aang's glowing eyes visible. Zhao and troops blast him, and he bends the fireballs into a ring around him, revaealing himself to have taken the form of Avatar Roku. Needless to say, they realize instantly how screwed they are.

* CometOfDoom: Roku summoned Aang to the Fire Temple so that he could warn Aang about Sozin's Comet. This quickly came under questioning from older fans as comets are made of ice, dirt, and gas -- that is, every element ''except'' fire -- before it was clarified that the comet has supernatural properties (as comets in our world were once rumored to have) that simply strengthen Firebenders, as opposed to the Fire Nation bending the comet itself, like a missile.
** Comets aren't that punctual either, and normally stay in the sky for weeks. Hence, this is a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth-grazing_fireball earth-grazing fireball]] [[CallASmeerpARabbit that the characters call a comet.]]

* CoolOldGuy: Roku is very nice to Aang and helps him and his friends to escape from the temple.

* LavaAddsAwesome: The fire temple is placed on a lava island. Justified since we are in Fire Nation territory.

* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: Shyu is the only sage loyal to the Avatar, helps Aang to get in touch with Roku... and he is captured alongside the others by Zhao and handed over to Ozai. Even worse, [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse we never see him again.]]
** Fortunately, he reappears in the comics series. [[spoiler: He was released from prison after Zuko was crowned as Fire Lord, and became the new Grand Sage of the Fire Sages.]]

* OldMaster: My god, Roku. He defeats Zhao and his soldiers and destroys the temple on his own. The first time we see what an Avatar can do with firebending.
* OminousLatinChanting: Shortly before the sanctuary doors open to reveal Avatar Roku.
** Ominous Buddhist Chanting, actually. The words are part of an actual Buddhist mantra and translate to "Hail the Amida Buddha who resides in the West."

* SarcasticClapping: Zhao when finding our heroes.

* TranquilFury: Roku is not exactly happy about the sages betraying his reincarnation, you see...

* WhamEpisode: Aang has to defeat Ozai before Sozin's comet returns in midsummer, or else Ozai will be unstoppable...

* SarcasticClapping: Ozai when finding our heroes.

* TravelingAtTheSpeedOfPlot: Suko and his ship can keep up with Appa's flying speed so both arrive at the NavalBlockade at the same time.

* BadassInCharge: Appa. Appa gives no fucks to ''fireballs flying at him.'' One of them even hits him. No flinching from the flying Bison.

-->"You wish to speak to Avatar Roku. I can take you to him."

Having being given a message from Roku's dragon in the Spirit World, Aang knows he must find the temple dedicated to Avatar Roku in order to contact him for advice before the solstice is over; however, said temple is within the Fire Nation. As he, Sokka and Katara attempt to infiltrate enemy lands, Zuko is hot on their trail- even though it means returning to his home country, where he is forbidden to go.

At the edge of Fire Nation waters, both sides discover a NavalBlockade of Fire Navy warships, headed by Zhao. Pressed for time, Aang has Appa [[RunningTheBlockade run the blockade]], with Zuko following suit. Though the Gaang makes it past, it looks like Zuko will be caught by Zhao- but instead, the Fire Nation commander decides to let Zuko past, so that he will lead him to the Avatar.

At the temple Roku's dragon showed Aang, the trio meet the Fire Sages of the Avatar- who attack! One sage helps the Gaang escape, revealing that he only is still loyal to the Avatar. The rest, during Aang's hundred-year absence, defected to the Fire Lord. Shyu, the sage, takes the three to a room where the statue of Avatar Roku is kept. But the doors are locked- only a fully realized Avatar or the five Fire Sages can open the firebending-controlled doors. Sokka tries to use explosives, but all it does is create scorch marks. This gives Katara an idea. The other sages show up, and Shyu declares that Aang has gotten into the statue room, and they open the doors to reveal it's actually Momo. Before Aang can enter the statue room, Zuko arrives to capture him. After a skirmish, Aang gets into the room just as the doors close. Attempts by Zuko and the other Fire Sages to force open the doors fail- Avatar Roku wants a private audience with Aang. Then Zhao shows up to arrest both Aang and Zuko.

Aang stares at the statue of Roku just as light from the Winter Solstice hits the jewel on its forehead. The eyes glow, and Aang is now standing with his past self- Avatar Roku. Aang's past life explains that the comet Aang saw in his vision last episode was used by Fire Lord Sozin to start the war; the heat from it gave all firebenders extra power. The comet will return by the end of Summer, and Fire Lord Ozai will use it to end the war. Aang ''must'' master all four elements and defeat the Fire Lord before that can happen! With the solstice ending, and sensing great danger in the temple, Roku offers to give Aang some extra help...

In the temple, the doors to the statue open- but instead of Aang, Zhao and the Fire Sages meet Avatar Roku. The past Avatar unleashes his power on the disloyal sages, and sets off a chain reaction that starts to destroy the temple. The Gaang and Zuko manage to escape in the chaos, much to Zhao's fury.

* ConvectionSchmonvection: the notorious first example in the show of characters just ''strolling'' through magma-filled secret passageways without breaking a sweat. Two characters are Firebenders (or, at least, one is a potential Firebender). The others have no excuse.

* {{Determinator}}: Even with his ship bombarded, on fire and in need of repairs, Zuko refuses to stop chasing Aang.
* IdeaBulb: Sokka gets an idea and the camera pulls back to reveal a lamp above his head.

* NoGoodDeedGoesUnpunished: Shyu is the only sage loyal to the Avatar, helps Aang to get in touch with Roku... and he is captured alongside the others by Zhao and handed over to Ozai. Even worse, [[FridgeHorror we never see him again.]]

* BadassGrandpa: My god, Roku. He defeats Zhao and his soldiers and destroys the temple on his own.

* OldMaster: The first time we see what an Avatar can do with firebending.