a goodbye message from Baithin, read by M^3

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What was it that allowed Aang to take this great journey, after being separated from the spirit world for three years after his greatest failure?

How will the other world fair, now that the Avatar has brought it to the precipice of an uncertain future, and left them? How will those he loved, and lost, move forward?

(This is the final episode of Distorted Reality, thank you everyone so much for your support, listenership, and everything! We would especially like to thank the brilliant author of this fic we've adapted, so don't forget to give some love to Baithin on Ao3 and Tumblr, and keep an eye on the still updating comic by the amazingly talented RocketAxxonu! We love you all, thank you for coming on this journey with us!)

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Aang's skills as a mediator are put to the test as the delegation from Si Wong declares their imprisonment of Nagi, and his secret gambit is revealed. Meanwhile, while Azula prepares to defend the Water Emperor, Katara returns to her father's palace in hopes of completing her mission of revenge- and punishing Azula for her betrayal. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

Two weeks after the illusory meteors fell from the sky, Azula's inner Fire Lord advises her to change her strategy when startling information is discovered. Meanwhile, Aang has been leading the preparations for the invasion plan from Ba Sing Se- but his priorities begin to shift as the threat of civil war looms around him. (If you haven't checked it out, please tune in to the Bonus Episode in which we interviewed Baithin- especially if you want to know what the next few chapters will be called!) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

You asked, he answered! Tune in now to find out the juicy details about our beloved author… and keep listening till the end to get some exclusive info about the future of Distorted Reality! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

Azula begins to navigate the politics of the Whale's Belly while Katara puts her plan into action.

Meanwhile, Sokka, Zuko, and Sangmu attempt to infiltrate the Aniak'to Alchemical Institute.

(this will be our last regular episode until Baithin updates, but we are interviewing him May 16th, so please send in questions via our socials!)

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Aang, Toph, Yue, and Nagi finally bring the refugees to the safety of Si Wong City. While Yue and Nagi spend some time together, Aang and Toph set their sights on their next destination.

Meanwhile in the North Pole, Mai's team continues on their mission, unaware of what obstacles may lay in their path...

(Don't forget to submit questions you want us to ask Baithin via anchor, email, tumblr, or reddit!)

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After escaping the Spirit World, Aang now must find safe passage for the 300 refugees and soldiers under his protection… but the Foggy Swamp of this world is far more dangerous than his own, and the tension between the two groups could burst at any moment. Meanwhile, Jet finally gets a chance at the pirate that destroyed his village and killed his family, but at what cost? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

Aang enters the spirit world, and finally reunites with Toph and finds Yue. But in order to return Toph's face, they must face Koh the Face Stealer once and for all.

Meanwhile, Sokka, Zuko, and Sangmu deal with the bounty hunters that have been pursuing them, and seek a plan to save the world from the spirit world's collision.

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Yue, Nagi, and the Tophs finally come across the rest of the survivors from the fall of Ba Sing Se, but this only provides Yue marginal comfort as she navigates her guilt around invading the Earth kingdom, as well as her feelings towards Nagi.

Meanwhile, multiple interested parties attempt to do some recon when High Chief Arnook leaves his palace...

Aang finally meets Raava face-to-face...

...and Azula & Katara enter the heart of the Water Emperor's domain: Aniak'to.

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Aang and his friends cross the final stretch to reach the South Pole portal, but an unexpected run-in delays them.

Meanwhile, Haru meets a fellow earthbender while walking around the city- but when he tells the others about his encounter, turmoil ensues. 

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After discovering the secret of the Poisonous Snowy Wolverine-Skunk Clan's "spiritual protector", Azula seeks to master the power of lightning-bending from the enslaved twins Lo and Li- while the twin's Masters decide to dispose of Katara with a warrior's death. Meanwhile, Sangmu gets the gaang out of a sticky situation, and begins to warm up to Sokka. In the spirit world, Toph has to recover her will to live- while a certain feathery spirit does his best to destroy her and her friends. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

Aang's journey comes to its end. The distorted reality finds its peace, and the hope for a new future.

(Stay tuned for the epilogue!)

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Azula and Katara seek out the Poisonous Snowy Wolverine-Skunk Clan, opponents of the Water Nation rumored to be the guardians of the Everstorm, a spritual storm that protects the clan with lightning...

Meanwhile, Aang and his group discuss the special arts of bending while making their way towards the spirit portal... and in the spirit world, Toph feels herself slipping away.

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After striking a deal with the spirit Sedna, Aang and the boys travel to a small village whose herbalist can help Sangmu recover from her century in the ice. Aang feels hopeful that with Sangmu awake, he will finally have someone with which to share the burden of being the Last Airbender with...

Meanwhile, Mai, Ty Lee, and the Freedom Fighters run into trouble while making port at the North Pole. The group is separated and Mai must find a way into High Chief Arnook's palace.

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Aang, Zuko, and Sokka, on their way to the South Pole, are called down to a cave by a powerful spirit, who harbors someone once thought lost.

Meanwhile, Yue, Nagi, and the Tophs face Koh the Face-Stealer once more, and find sanctuary in the domain of a familiar spirit.

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Forced to continue traveling despite the disappearance of Katara and Azula, Aang finds himself being visited by his counterpart in this world- who comes bearing the memories of this world's Kuruk. Meanwhile, aboard the swampbenders' pirate ship, Ty Lee struggles to bond with people she was hoping to grow closer with, with the help of aura reading. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

Wracked with guilt about Sangmu's fate, Aang diverts the team to Peach Petal Island, crafting a plan to rescue the girl who has become part of a tourist attraction. Just a simple defrost and abscond, right?

Meanwhile, Nagi and the others traverse the spirit world, seeking guidance from The Painted Lady and other benevolent spirits on how to escape- and how to get Toph her face back. After all, they don't know if or when help is coming, and the Face Stealer always returns for his prey.

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Aang decides to make a short detour to his home, willing to revisit the devastation if it means gaining insight into the Spirit World through reading ancient documents. What will the gaang discover as they read the words of the long dead?

Meanwhile, Mai, Ty Lee, Haru, and the Freedom Fighter set out on their mission, planning to make contact with some friends of Kanna who will transport them to the Northern Water Tribe... but what sort of people would run a ship willing and able to approach the city of ice?

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With the gang making a stop at Kyoshi Island for supplies and disguises, Aang and Sokka find themselves wrapped up in more than they bargained for, as a plan to free the island is set underway.

Elsewhere, in someplace unknown, Toph pushes onward, spurred only by her own will.

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After the chaos of the siege of Ba Sing Se, Aang and his allies must make plans for the attack on the Water Emperor, but first Aang must face the man whose presence plagues his mind, the phoenix that burnt his first world to the ground: Ozai.

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Between Book 2: Earth, and Book 3: Water. An interlude telling the tragic tale of Sokka's and Katara's mother's disappearance, and Hakoda's subsequent rise to the throne of the emperor. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

With Ba Sing Se collapsing due to the manifestation of Wan Shi Tong's library into the city, the goals of Aang and his friends become all the more perilous with the arrival of another dangerous spirit, and the definitions of ally and enemy become blurred in the face of a greater threat. The worlds have been thrown into imbalance, and it is up to the Avatar to restore or raze them.

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The arrival of a competing celestial spirit changes the tides of battle, as Aang finally faces down the man responsible for this world's turmoil, and his friends give everything they have into pushing back the Water Empire forces.

[Stay tuned for the final part!]

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As Aang races back to Ba Sing Se, the city erupts into chaos, scattering his friends and enemies into disparate groups. Battle rages in the streets as the Roku Warriors, Freedom Fighters, and the White Lotus try to stave off the invading Water Nation- all the while fighting enraged Knowledge Seekers brought forth by Wan Shi Tong's entrance to the world from the spirit realm.

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As the veil separating the worlds grows thin, Aang is told to make a decision by Guru Pathik, but finds himself tormented by the ramifications of each choice...

Meanwhile, the situation in Ba Sing Se devolves further, as Azula and Toph discover just how volatile the city's leadership can be...

And while her enemies' rulers are distracted by petty infighting, Princess Katara decides to put her plan into action.

(C is still sick, but promises to be back by next week!)

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When Aang receives a summons to visit with a certain Guru, he does his best to equip his friends with foreknowledge of Princess Azula's actions the last time he drank onion-banana juice, lest history repeat itself.... But will his warnings be enough to stop Princess Katara as her plan unfolds?

Meanwhile, Prince Sokka struggles with his confidence in his sister, in her plan, and in his faith with his Nation... a struggle that may bring him to a Crossroads.

(Cohost "C" is out sick this week with no voice, so its an M^3 production this week! Hopefully he will recover soon!)

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Aang and his friends are taken into the catacombs deep beneath the city, where they meet with the Freedom Fighters' new allies.

Meanwhile, Katara and Sokka butt heads, neither willing to concede to the other and follow their leadership.

(Also, check out the end of the episode for a very special message from a listener! We love hearing from you guys. Happy New Year!)

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A night of heartfelt conversations and swirling intrigue for Aang and his companions is brought to an explosive halt by a mysterious group of earthbending insurrectionists, and a foe they had thought they left behind comes to their rescue.

Meanwhile, tensions and arguments run high among the Water Nation infiltrators, based on what threatens their military force in the caves below Ba Sing Se, and Katara meets a charismatic young man she thinks could be of use to her...

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A slice-of-life episode. Follow Aang as he goes on a scavenger hunt, Zuko as he chats with Mai, and Kanna as she... bakes cookies? I guess you, dear listener, will just have to sit back, pay attention, and enjoy the fun!

[Oh, and don't worry, M^3 is back this week... we hope you can handle a little scratchyness, but we think her voice is close enough to normal that she was ready to reccord!]

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Secrets are spilled, alliances are tested, and the calm of the city of Ba Sing Se draws out the doubts, fears, and tensions that have been building in the city's newest players.

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Faced with the culmination of Princess Katara's plans, the Avatar and his allies must fend off an assault fleet of water nation ships and soldiers, as well as ensure the crowds of innocent refugees make it into the city safely, with the aid of the warriors of Roku. Toph must contend with the unwilling guards of sanctuary gate, while Aang once again duels Katara, face-to-face.

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Determined to reach the power behind the empty throne and deliver the news of the Lunar Eclipse, Aang and his friends finally arrive in Ba Sing Se...

Meanwhile, Princess Katara puts her plan into action, ready to strike the first blow against the so-called impenetrable city...

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Princess Katara leads her crew to Ba Sing Se, determined to take the most efficient route- no matter what her brother has to say about the local legends.

Meanwhile, Aang and Azula have an important conversation.

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Circumstances change, and the invasion begins.

[stay tuned for Part 3]

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While frantically searching for Zuko after his sudden disappearance at the hands of a badger-mole spirit, Aang and his friends stumble across a strange guru, who tells them much of the origins of the world, and of the Avatar.

Meanwhile, Sokka's training to master bloodbending continues, and Katara sets a dangerous opponent on the path of the Avatar...

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In their search for a way to strike down the Water Nation before Seiryu's Moon, the gang- with a little help from Kanna- makes their way to the home of an eccentric woman known as The Astronomer... but Aang is unprepared for what he discovers upon arrival Meanwhile, Princess Katara continues her efforts to convince Sokka of her plan, hopeful he will join her in conquering Ba Sing Sei --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

Shocked by the brutal encounter with Princess Katara, Aang finds himself unable to lie to his friends any longer, forced to finally reveal the bitter truth... Meanwhile, Prince Sokka is in turmoil after reuniting with his sister, causing him to wonder if helping her with her plans is really what he wants. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

Pursued by a trio of deadly masked assassins, Aang finds himself forced to confront the one person he feared meeting most in this world...

Meanwhile, Toph and Sokka try to intercept Aang's encounter with the Princess, forcing them to decide where their true loyalties lie 

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Burdened by the knowledge of Jet's actions, Toph decides to make her own way- leaving the Freedom Fighters behind to remember her burried past and try to make a new future.

Meanwhile, a certain pair of royal waterbenders grow closer to reuniting...

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In search of an earthbending teacher, the gang stumbles into an ambush Aang was all too familiar with, and a scenario he had hoped to avoid entirely plays out yet again.

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Hackles still raised over the revelations at Omashu, Aang and his companions can't stop bickering- even over something as simple as flying over the tallest mountain in the world, or going around it. Unbeknownst to the party, their decision will bring them to an encounter with a strange tribe, one that promises great knowledge to any who complete their mysterious trials. What visions will beset the group, as they brush against the spirit world to further their goals.

Meanwhile, Princess Katara tracks down someone vital to her mission, determined to have only the best fighting by her side.

EDIT: this episode was released with an audio track out of order- we apologize for the confusion, and have fixed the error.

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Faced with the ruins of King Bumi's city, Aang begins to lose faith. Unbeknownst to him, two of his bad decisions are about to catch up with him- decisions he made in his hope to fast-track Sokka's redemption.

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Hoping to find his old friend Bumi, even in another world, Aang decides to steer the group towards Omashu- causing them to run right into Chong and the nomads. How will the group respond to being trapped in the Cave of Two Lovers? Emotions will be heightened, feelings stirred up, but whose to say how the events will unfold next!

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With a captive Sokka in tow, the gang prepares to part with Jeong Jeong and begin their journey to the Earth Kingdom. Tensions are running high, and Aang is unprepared for what will happen next... 

Meanwhile, Princess Katara prepares for a mission of her own: rescue her brother, no matter the cost.

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As the assembled forces begin their final march to Aniak'to, Sangmu retreats from the city with surprising news, news of a guru who knows the recipes of the Air Nomads.

Meanwhile, those at the North Pole deal with the aftermath of their battle against the Nightseer.

[stay tuned for Part 2, and more on the way!]

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After traveling to the spirit world, Aang worries that history is doomed to repeat. A spirit is in danger, a girl's life at stake, and a people's bending threatened. Is Aang's knowledge of his home world enough to break the cycle? Find out in the thrilling conclusion to Book One of Distorted Reality!

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The Water Navy lays siege on the Golden City! How will our heroes fare? What lengths will Sokka go to in order to prove himself? Will Aang be able to prevent the past from repeating? --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/atla-distorted-reality/support

Aang and his friends have finally arrived at the Golden City, where Azula clashes with a firebending master who refuses to teach her, and Ty Lee's secret is finally revealed, breaking Zuko's heart in the process.

Meanwhile, Bato hatches a sinister scheme, forcing Sokka to take drastic measures to stay one step ahead of him...

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After proving himself to Piandao, Zuko is excited to finally gain the skill he needs to secure his worth... but things are never that simple. Meanwhile, Ty Lee decides to help Azula win Aang's heart- with a makeover!

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