Water.

Earth.

Fire.

Air.

Magic: the Gathering's latest expansion is here, bringing the magic and wonder of the legendary Avatar: The Last Airbender to this game. For as renowned as this series has become with its depth, storytelling, and incredible animation, there are likely many Magic players unfamiliar with the source material. I, however, am quite a fan of the series, and much like I did for Final Fantasy, I am eager to share some lore for each episode of the series!

Over the next few weeks, I'll be running through several episodes - around 10 per article - and share some related cards in the process. A full spoiler warning is in effect, so if you're looking to watch the show, turn back now (and return later).

With that, let's get right to it!

Episode 1: The Boy in the Iceberg

The series starts with a simple episode: The Boy in the Iceberg. A pair of young South Pole Water Tribe siblings - Katara and Sokka - are on a fishing excursion when Katara uses her waterbending and accidentally breaks open an iceberg beside her. When the iceberg breaks open, it reveals a young boy inside and his pet sky bison. These are revealed to be Aang, the first airbender seen in decades, and Appa.

The small Southern Water Tribe village is unsure how to treat him, but let him stay for the time being. Unfortunately, he ends up taking Katara onto an abandoned Fire Nation ship - telling Aang of the war where the Fire Nation dominates the world. On this ship, they activate a trap, setting off a signal flare. This inadvertently catches the attention of a nearby Fire Nation vessel, who move in to attack the village.

Episode 2: The Avatar Returns

Upon returning to the village, Aang is banished for the trouble he caused and the potential for an incoming Fire Nation attack. The village's fears are realized when the ship from the previous episode makes landfall on the village. The ship's leader, Prince Zuko, attacks the village seeking the Avatar - a world leader who is a master of all four elements of bending. Zuko has been banished until he captures the Avatar, and seeks him out to restore his own honor. It's soon revealed that Aang is the Avatar. He returns and is taken into custody by Zuko, but escapes, buries the ship in snow, and escapes with Sokka and Katara as they fly away on Appa. Thus, they begin their adventure to help Aang master the elements and stop the Fire Nation.

Episode 3: The Southern Air Temple

The group's first stop is at the Southern Air Temple. This is where Aang grew up, and here he reminisces on his time there, learning how to airbend from the masters like Monk Gyatso alongside his fellow students. Exploring the temple, he finds a room with the statues of the Avatar cycle - his past lives. Soon after, the group meets a flying bat-lemur they name Momo. Aang then discovers the skeletal remains of Gyatso, loses control in a fit of rage as he learns the fate of his people, signaling his return to the rest of the world. Katara calms him down and they continue on their journey.

Meanwhile, Zuko runs into Commander Zhao of the Fire Nation who inquires about the damage to Zuko's ship. Zuko lies about his discovery of the Avatar, but Zhao's troops learn otherwise. As the two argue, Zuko challenges Zhao to an Agni Kai - a fire duel. Zuko defeats Zhao, but when he refuses to kill the commander, Zhao tries to attack but is stopped by Iroh, Zuko's wizened older uncle, who scolds Zhao for his shameful act.

Episode 4: The Warriors of Kyoshi

As the group kicks off their journey in earnest, Aang tries to find ways to do fun, silly things along the way. One such way is to ride the giant koi fish, when they're attacked by the giant serpent, the Unagi, who sprays water at them. They then discover they're on the island of Kyoshi - named for the previous avatar who lived there and founded the village. There they meet the Kyoshi Warriors - a group of female warriors including Suki, who bonds with Sokka.

It's not long, however, before Zuko tracks Aang to Kyoshi and attacks the village. Realizing Zuko won't stop his assault, Aang gathers the rest of his group to leave. Zuko gives chase, leaving the village. As they make their final escape, however, Aang takes control of the Unagi to douse the village in water, thus putting out the flames caused by Zuko and his troops.

Episode 5: The King of Omashu

The Gaang arrives at Omashu, an Earth Kingdom city and trick their way to gaining entry. After Aang convinces Katara and Sokka to join him in trying to ride the mail cart as a slide - something his friend Bumi showed him as a kid - they find themselves in trouble. The cart has veered off course and causes damage (including The Cabbage Merchant's cart) and they're taken before the city's leader.

Rather than punishing them, he gives them a feast and then gives Aang a set of challenges when he realizes he's the Avatar. If Aang fails, his friends will be trapped by a creeping crystal. Aang completes the tasks, including grabbing a key from a waterfall and retrieving his pet Flopsie (Flopsie, Bumi's Buddy). For the last challenge, Aang duels the leader. When the battle ends, he asks Aang who he is, to which Aang realizes its his childhood friend Bumi, aged 100 years older. They share a laugh, Bumi imparts wisdom to Aang, and they depart onto their next destination.

Episode 6: Imprisoned

As the group continues on their journey to the North Pole, the group run into a young earthbender named Haku. The village Haku hails from has outlawed earthbending thanks to the Fire Nation. Haku is forbidden from using it, but ends up doing so to aid an old man trapped under rubble. The old man sells him out that evening and Haku is taken to a metal rig with the other earthbenders - including his father - are imprisoned.

Katara, feeling guilty for convincing Haru to help the old man, convinces Aang and Sokka to help her get onto the rig and help those trapped there. She fakes being an earthbender and is taken to the rig, where she tries aiding the earthbenders, who have given up hope due to the lack of earth to bend. With the aid of Sokka and Aang, the group finds a way to provide the benders with coal, thereby allowing the benders to fight for their freedom and escape.

Zuko finds Katara's necklace that belonged to her mother as he continues his pursuit.

Episode 7: Winter Solstice, Partt. 1 - The Spirit World

Aang and the group land in a forest, noticing the land is blackened. When they land, they find the forest burned thanks to the Fire Nation. Aang is depressed about this, though Katara assures him it will grow back, noting the acorns around them. From here, the group goes to a nearby village, who seek the Avatar's help. A fearsome spirit continually attacks the village and they don't know what to do about it.

Aang runs into this spirit - a large black and white beast - who ignores Aang, ravages the village, and steals away Sokka. Aang ends up in the spirit world, where he meets the previous Avatar, Roku's, dragon companion Fang. Fang shows him to a crescent island where Aang is to go in time for the winter solstice. When Aang returns, he helps show the raging spirit, Hei Bai, that the forest he is a guardian of will regrow. This soothes the spirit and returns those he stole away.

During this whole ordeal, Zuko must seek out his uncle Iroh, whom he travels with frequently. Iroh takes a moment to relax, only to be caught by Earth Kingdom soldiers. Zuko tracks him down and rescues him. In the process, he turns down an opportunity to go after the Avatar so as to save his uncle instead.

Episode 8: Winter Solstice, Part. 2 - Avatar Roku

Filled with new purpose, the group goes to try reaching the crescent island ahead of the solstice. Along the way, they're met by a blockade from Commander Zhao, who tries to hold them off by hurling flaming boulders at them. Zuko, in pursuit, runs the blockade which lets them through. Zhao then gives chase to Zuko and the Avatar.

Aang and the group find their way into the temple, aided by a renegade fire sage. They discover the solstice chamber is sealed and trick the other Fire Sages to open the door, allowing Aang to sneak in. The door seals again, not allowing the sages entry, as Roku tells Aang of the dire situation as Sozin's Comet approaches, will grant the Fire Nation immense power, and that Aang must defeat the Fire Lord before that day arrives. Roku then helps defeat the sages, Zuko, and Zhao and destroys the temple in the process. The group escapes and continues onward.

Episode 9 - The Waterbending Scroll

This episode is fairly simple, with the group doing some supply shopping. Aang buys a bison whistle, but the group realizes they need to ration their funds better. The group comes to a pirate ship, where Katara steals a waterbending scroll, aggravating the pirates into attacking the group. Katara studies from the scroll with Aang, focusing more time to herself, though.

Meanwhile, Zuko - in town helping Iroh find a White Lotus Tile - meets the pirates and realizes they dealt with the Avatar's group. At this, the two groups band together and capture the Gaang. Sokka talks the pirates into reneging on their deal with Zuko as they realize they have the Avatar in custody. Zuko, enraged, battles the pirates. The group escapes, with Aang using the bison whistle to summon Appa and aid in their escape. Much to Zuko's rage, Iroh reveals he had the tile on him the whole time.

Episode 10 - Jet

The midway point of the season is marked with the group meeting Jet and his band of freedom fighters. This group of children live in the trees in secrecy, going after the Fire Nation in retribution for the wrongs done to them and their families. Jet convinces Aang and the group to aid him in these efforts, which they do so happily. Katara in particular falls in love with Jet, thinking he's doing great work.

Sokka witnesses Jet attack an old, frail man for being Fire Nation. As a result, Sokka loses his trust in Jet fast and tries to convince Aang and Katara of this. While the group struggles with this, they eventually discover Jet's plan to destroy an entire village - many of whom are innocents - to take out the Fire Nation there. To do so, Jet intends to blow up a dam using blasting jelly they stole from a Fire Nation camp. He succeeds, but is angered to learn that the group - wise to his plan - evacuated the village to safety before the dam blew. They leave, with Jet frozen to a tree.

That's it for the first half of the first of the series' three seasons! I'll be back soon to cover more of this awesome series! Keep your eyes peeled, and be sure to enjoy the set now that it's out!

Paige Smith

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