Duels (Spring 100 AG)

Duels are battles fought by at least two individuals, and can be considered a form of recreation, a way of settling disputes or a training tool for students who are developing skills in a particular art.

Duels may be fought to the death in the most extreme cases, or may simply be friendly spars fought to pass time. Duels are practiced by a variety of cultures, but is most notably seen in the Fire Nation in the form of an Agni Kai.

The following is a list of known duels that occurred during the spring of 100 ASC.

Duel on the Princess Azula's Ship
Combatants: General Iroh, Prince Zuko, Princess Azula and Royal Procession

Victor: General Iroh

While lounging in a Village Resort in the western Earth Kingdom, Zuko and Iroh are taken aback by the unexpected visit of Princess Azula. She proclaimed that her business was to deliver a message from Fire Lord Ozai, who suddenly realized the importance of family in such troubling times. As such, she says, he lifted Zuko's banishment and sent Azula to urge him to return. Although suspicious, Iroh agrees to return, knowing that Zuko would require assistance if ever the ulterior motive of his niece's visit was revealed. As they are boarding Azula's Ship, the captain mistakenly says, "Raise the anchors, we're taking the prisoners ho–!" This ignites a duel between Azula and Zuko, while Iroh takes out the Royal Procession. Zuko's lack of control makes it relatively easy for Azula to gain the upper hand and in an attempt to demonstrate the extent of her skill, she begins generating lightning. Before she can finish the form, she is interrupted by Iroh, who redirects the lightning and throws her over the side of the ship into the water.

Duel in New Ozai
Combatants: Team Avatar, King Bumi, Princess Azula, Mai and Ty Lee

Victor: Team Avatar

Upon returning to the Earth Kingdom stronghold of Omashu, Team Avatar discovers that it has been conquered by the Fire Nation. Aang, Sokka and Katara rally to initiate a plan that allowed the escape of the Earth Kingdom residents within the city. Tom-Tom, the toddler son of the governor, is caught amidst the march of the Earth Kingdom citizens and is taken from the city. The Fire Nation forces assume he was deliberately abducted. Inside the city, Princess Azula, Ty Lee and Mai confront the governor about his lack of judgment, which ultimately led to the taking of his own son. Azula appoints Mai to oversee the deal involving the exchange of King Bumi for her brother Tom-Tom, to be conducted on one of the city's many construction sites.

In the midst of the exchange, Azula exclaims that it is ludicrous to trade a powerful Earthbending king for a two year old, Mai calls the deal off and initiates an attack on Team Avatar. Amidst the battle, the headscarf Aang uses to conceal his arrow is accidentally knocked off his head, allowing Azula to determine his identity. A duel then ensues; Azula starts pursuing Aang, who is attempting to escape with the imprisoned Bumi. The trio make their way around the city through the use of the Omashu Delivery System, with Aang using Airbending to aid his escape. Meanwhile, Katara and Sokka duel Mai and Ty Lee, with Appa easily defeating the girls by Airbending a powerful gust of wind. Katara and Sokka then attempt to rescue Aang and Bumi. Azula thwarts the two by shooting blue flames in between them and the cart. The fight continues until Bumi uses his head to earthbend a large boulder in front of Azula's cart, destroying it and leaving it immobile.

Duel between Team Avatar and the Rough Rhinos
Combatants: Team Avatar and the Rough Rhinos

Victor: Team Avatar

After being tried for Kyoshi's murder of the tyrannical warlord Chin the Great, Aang is found guilty and sentenced to be boiled in oil. However, before his punishment can be conducted, the Rough Rhinos attack the village, claiming it for the Fire Lord. Mayor Tong alters Aang's sentence to be community service and with that note, Team Avatar faces the Rough Rhinos. Sokka and Katara easily defeat four of the group's members, while Aang faces their leader, Colonel Mongke. Using Kyoshi's metal fans, Aang is able to augment his bending, defeating Mongke by blasting him off his Komodo Rhino.

Duel in Earth Rumble VI between the Blind Bandit and Avatar Aang
Combatants: Toph Bei Fong (Blind Bandit) and Avatar Aang

Victor: Avatar Aang

Xin Fu, the host of Earth Rumble VI, asks for a volunteer to challenge the tournament's reigning champion, The Blind Bandit (Toph) after her victory over The Boulder. Seeing it as an opportunity to talk to the blind Earthbender, Aang volunteers, but immediately discovers that Toph is not interested in talking. She continues attacking, slightly bothered by Aang's subtle movements. Toph's perception through Seismic Sense is no match for Aang's evasive maneuvers. After some time, Aang defeates Toph by creating a strong gust of wind, knocking her off the stadium. Upset by her defeat, Toph storms off the arena, refusing to give Aang a chance to explain his intentions.

Duel in the Arena
Combatants: Toph Bei Fong, Xin Fu and various Earth Rumble VI competitors

Victor: Toph Bei Fong After being exchanged for ransom by Xin Fu and The Boulder, Toph begins to leave the arena with her father, but decides to stay to save Aang, who had also been captured. The Earth Rumble VI competitors prepare to attack while Sokka and Katara prepare to defend themselves. Just then, Toph stops them, stating that it was her battle. Dumbfounded, they stand back and she begins the battle by creating a large screen of dust to conceal her. Toph takes down each competitor through her specialized Earthbending style, easily overpowering their brute strength with the use of neutral jing.

She continues until only Xin Fu remains. After a quick exchange of rocks and boulders between the two, Toph delivers the final blow and knocks Xin Fu out of the ring, ending the duel and saving Aang.

Duel between Gow and Zuko
Combatants: Gow and Zuko

Victor: Zuko

In an Earth Kingdom village, a troop of soldiers led by Gow had kidnapped Lee, a young friend of Zuko, and had stolen the dagger Zuko had given him. Following a desperate plea from Lee's mother, Zuko agrees to rescue the boy from the Earth Kingdom men. Soon after arriving at the scene, a fight ensues, with Zuko easily overpowering and defeating almost all the soldiers only with his broadswords. After several minutes of fighting, Gow is the only man remaining. The two begin a duel, with Gow initiating the conflict with strong powerful attacks. Gow attacks Zuko using his hammers to augment his Earthbending while Zuko attempts to fight back without Firebending. However, Gow is able to overpower Zuko and break his stance, seemingly winning the duel. Just then, Zuko unleashes his Firebending prowess, easily defeating Gow in the process.

Duel by Nan Shan River
Combatants: Katara, Sokka, Appa, Mai and Ty Lee

Victor: Appa

After separating from Aang, who went off to create a false trail, a sleep deprived Katara and Sokka go on their own way to escape the fury of Azula and her team. Despite their efforts, they soon find themselves being pursued by Mai and Ty Lee. The two duos fight viciously, but Katara is soon pinned to a tree by Mai's knives and Sokka is paralyzed by Ty Lee. Despite the girls' victory, Appa has the last punch when he air blasts Mai and Ty Lee into the river with his tail, defeating the two girls.

Duel at Tu Zin
Combatants: Team Avatar, Zuko, Iroh, and Princess Azula

Victor: Team Avatar

After pursuing Team Avatar, Princess Azula finally comes across her target, the young Avatar, Aang, in an abandoned town. Directly before the start of the duel, the exiled Prince Zuko joins in, hoping to regain his honor by capturing the Avatar and defeating his prodigious sister. Despite Zuko and Aang's best efforts, Azula is unstoppable. Zuko can only exchange several fire blasts with the princess before she is able to defeat him. Aang is soon trapped by Azula, but is saved with the timely intervention of Katara. Sokka and Toph soon arrive as well, along with Iroh. Azula, being outnumbered and cornered, surrenders. She quickly escapes however, by taking Iroh while he is distracted. She protects herself from her attackers by creating a fire shield, and escapes the scene unharmed.

Duel between Aang and the Saber-tooth Moose-Lion
Combatants: Avatar Aang and the Saber-tooth Moose-Lion

Victor: Avatar Aang

After an extensive search for Sokka, who has been trapped in a crevasse while hunting for food, Aang finally finds him with a young Saber-tooth Moose-Lion. Before Aang can head out to seek Toph's assistance, the young creature's mother arrives. Perceiving both Aang and Sokka as a threat to her cub, the mother attacks. Contrary to Airbending principles, Aang stands his ground, and is able to fend off the beast by repelling her with Airbending. The mother, unharmed, flees the scene with her cub.

Duel in the Serpent's Pass
Combatants: Serpent, Katara and Avatar Aang

Victor: Katara and Avatar Aang

While crossing the Serpent's Pass, Team Avatar and their companions are attacked by the Serpent, a territorial sea beast. Aang and Katara set off to fight the serpent, by creating a large whirlpool in the water, successfully disorienting the serpent and knocking it out when its head crashes into a section of the pass. Team Avatar, along with a number of refugees, are able to pass safely.

Battle of the Drill
Combatants: Avatar Aang and Princess Azula

Victor: Avatar Aang

After sabotaging a considerable amount of the Fire Nation Drill headed to Ba Sing Se, Aang proceeds to the machine's top-most point to deliver the final blow. Prior to finishing the job, however, Azula arrives, and initiates a duel with Aang. The two fight evenly, but Azula is soon able to gain the upper hand. Before she can finish the Avatar, however, she is repelled by Aang through his use of Earthbending. The two continue the fight until they are both thrown off the drill by slurry. Aang is assisted by Momo, who helps him get back on top of the drill, while Azula can only dig her nails into the metal and climb back up. Azula attempts to blast Aang one last time, but she is a second too late and is blown off the drill after Aang destroys it, saving Ba Sing Se in the process.

Duel in the Tea Shop
Combatants: Jet and Zuko

Victor: No victor; interrupted by the Dai Li

Determined to expose the identity of Firebenders of Zuko and Iroh, Jet attacks them while they are working at Pao Family Tea House. In an attempt to prevent the situation from escalating further, Iroh tries to convince Jet that they are nothing more than simple tea workers, though this only angers him even more. Despite warnings from nearby law enforcement officers, Jet continues and soon Zuko accepts his challenge, grabbing a pair of Dual Dao Swords from nearby police officers. The two begin to duel. They first battle inside the tea shop, destroying several tables and other pieces of furniture. After this, they proceed to fight outside the tea house, with a crowd gathering as the fight intensifies. Before the duel can be finished, the Dai Li arrive and arrest Jet, who the bystanders denounce as the conflict's instigator.

Duel between Appa and the Boarcupine
Combatants: Boarcupine and Appa

Victor: Appa

While searching for shelter after escaping captivity from a Fire Nation Circus, Appa decides to settle within a secluded cavern deep inside an Earth Kingdom forest. A Boarcupine is already occupying the cave and comes charging out of the passage, tackling Appa and sending them both tumbling down the hillside. The Boarcupine attempts to use quick, swift movements in order to defeat Appa, but is unable to do so. The Boarcupine flees after Appa sends it flying, and Appa survives the battle despite acquiring several quills.

Duel between Azula's Team and the Kyoshi Warriors
Combatants: Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, Suki and Kyoshi Warriors

Victor: Azula, Mai and Ty Lee

After Appa takes refuge with the Kyoshi Warriors, he accidentally leaves a trail of his shed fur for Azula and her team to follow. Despite not finding the Avatar, Azula decides to attack the Kyoshi Warriors anyway. Mai and Ty Lee quickly defeat most of the warriors with relative ease, while Azula takes on Suki. Urged by Suki, Appa flees the battle. Azula and Suki continue to fight, though Azula immediately gains the upper hand, defeating Suki and later using her and her fellow Kyoshi Warriors' uniforms to infiltrate Ba Sing Se and sending her to the Boiling Rock.

Duel in the Chamber of Lake Laogai
Combatants: Team Avatar, Jet, Longshot, Smellerbee, Long Feng and the Dai Li

Victor: Team Avatar

After infiltrating the Dai Li's secret headquarters under Lake Laogai, Team Avatar, along with Jet and his team, search the area in hopes of finding Appa. They are soon ambushed by Dai Li agents, who have orders from Long Feng to apprehend them. Team Avatar and the Dai Li battle viciously, and as the battle progresses, Long Feng realizes that he is losing. He escapes, but is immediately pursued by Aang and Jet. Despite being cornered, Long Feng is able to order a hypnotized Jet into attacking Aang. Aang snaps Jet out of the trance, however, and Jet throws one of his hook swords at Long Feng. Long Feng dodges it and fatally strikes Jet with a large rock. Smellerbee and Longshot stay behind with a dying Jet, while Team Avatar leave to go back to the surface to save Appa. They defeat most of the Dai Li agents, while Appa returns and defeats the rest by smashing into them. Long Feng then tries to kill Appa, though unsuccessful, as Appa catches him by the leg and throws him into the lake. With all the enemy combatants defeated, the team happily reunites with their lost friend.

Duel in the Royal Tea Room
Combatants: Iroh, Zuko, Princess Azula and the Dai Li

Victor: Iroh, Azula

Azula, after infiltrating Ba Sing Se, sends a fake note to Zuko and Iroh saying that they have been invited to serve tea to Earth King Kuei. While Zuko and Iroh wait for the Earth King to show up, Azula appears with about a dozen Dai Li agents, hoping to apprehend her banished brother and failed uncle. Iroh remains calm, takes a sip of tea and uses his breath of fire to repel the Earthbenders. Iroh escapes the attacking agents by bolting a wall with lightning and jumping out of it, but Zuko decides to stay and fight Azula, much to Iroh's frustration. Zuko challenges Azula to an Agni Kai, but she merely laughs him off and has her agents capture him.

Duel in the Earth King's Royal Palace
Combatants: Toph, Sokka, Ty Lee and Mai

Victor: Ty Lee and Mai

After finding out about Azula's coup, Sokka and Toph go to warn the Earth King of her plans. They instead find Mai and Ty Lee beside the Earth King's throne and they engage in a battle. Mai and Toph exchange throws of rocks and knives, while Ty Lee plays with Sokka by slowly aiming at different body parts, making it look as if they are dancing. The fight ends when Azula appears behind the Earth King and threatens to kill him. Sokka and Toph surrender, and even Momo is captured by Dai Li agents.

Battle in the Crystal Catacombs
Combatants: Aang, Katara, Zuko, Azula, Iroh and the Dai Li

Victor: Azula, Zuko, the Dai Li

After escaping from the Crystal Catacombs, Aang and Katara attempt to find Sokka and Toph. However, they are soon attacked by Azula. After a quick engagement, Azula starts to fear her possible loss. The three way duel is soon interrupted by Zuko, who, after some deliberation, decides to ally with Azula.

Zuko proceeds to attack the Avatar, while Katara faces the Fire Nation princess. Aang and Zuko fight evenly, though Zuko seemingly starts to gain the upper hand. Azula and Katara fight viciously as well, but Azula soon finds herself in Katara's bindings.

Zuko frees Azula and proceeds to battle Katara, while Azula takes on Aang. Azula and Aang charge at each other, but Azula blasts the young Avatar with a powerful charge of blue fire. Zuko and Katara fight evenly, but Azula intervenes and knocks Katara down. Aang gets up and attempts to attack the two siblings, but is stopped by a large company of Dai Li agents. Realizing that he has no choice, Aang reopens the Seventh Chakra and enters the Avatar State. He nearly defeats all of the enemies, but is struck with Azula's lightning, mortally wounding him. Katara catches him and she proceeds to escape the catacombs, with Iroh providing a distraction, giving the Waterbender enough time to escape. He surrenders to Azula after the Avatar and Katara successfully escape.