Everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked and tried to become the supreme authority in the Avatar world that ruled over everyone. Since the Fire Nation was the “evil empire” that had to be defeated in Aang’s era, firebending was by default associated with being an evil power.
However, if one were to look at firebending as a form of martial art, regardless of who it was used against, it was actually a very interesting and powerful form of bending. One of the most unique qualities that separated firebenders from other benders was that they could create their own fire at will, unlike the other benders who needed to have their elements around them in order to be able to bend them.
10 When Azula Blew Apart Aang’s Earth Wall Barrier With Her Firebending
When Azula and her friends were trying to infiltrate Ba Sing Se using a giant drill, the Avatar gang arrived to stop them, just in time. Aang and Azula had an altercation at the top of the drill where Azula started shooting fire at Aang, who built a small barrier made of earth to protect himself.
At first, Azula was not able to get through the barrier, but then she did an air somersault and shot a huge blast of fire at the barrier, making it explode and sending Aang flying back into the wall, where he fainted on impact.
9 When Iroh Unleashed His Fury On Zhao & His Men
Iroh had warned Admiral Zhao against harming the Moon Spirit, going so as far as to threaten him with repercussions if he went ahead with his plan. Zhao did not listen to Iroh and killed the moon spirit anyway, which angered the old man so much that he immediately sprung into action and attacked Zhao and his men.
The Admiral, being the coward that he was, ran away and left his men to bear the brunt of the attack. Iroh was just one old man against four soldiers, yet they were no match for his exceptional firebending skills.
8 When Zuko & Aang Learned Firebending From The Dragons Ran & Shaw
When Zuko seemed to have lost his ability to firebend, he and Aang decided to visit the island where the Sun Warriors —an ancient Fire Nation tribe that learned firebending from the dragons themselves— used to live. There, they found out that not only the Sun Warriors were alive, but so were Ran and Shaw, the last two dragons in the world.
After passing a test by performing the Sun Warrior dance, the dragons were impressed and breathed out beautiful flames around the duo, that shone with many colors. It was a very surreal experience for both the boys and they finally understood the true method and meaning of firebending.
7 When The Entire Gang & Zuko Were No Match For Azula
By the end of the “The Chase” episode, Aang and Zuko were fighting with Azula but were no match for her. They were soon joined by Katara, Toph, Iroh, and Sokka, and they all managed to corner her in a broken building.
She pretended to surrender and as soon as the others let their guards down, she struck Iroh with a blast of fire. Everyone attacked her with their powers, but she used her firebending to deflect them all, which caused a giant explosion and gave her an opportunity to escape. The Avatar Gang members were all experts at bending their respective elements, yet they were not able to defeat Azula.
6 When Zuko Defeated Admiral Zhao In An Agni Kai Match
In “The Southern Air Temple” episode, Zuko challenged Zhao to an Agni Kai match, to which the latter agreed. Iroh was worried about Zuko not having trained enough to take on this match. He even tried to warn him, but the young boy was confident he could win.
At first, Zhao seemed to be winning, but the tide turned towards Zuko when he found an opening and took advantage of it by shooting fire relentlessly at the Admiral, until he was defeated. This battle paid off all the hard work Zuko had put into his training for years.
5 When Iroh Held Off Dai Li Agents To Let Katara & Aang Escape
After Azula killed Aang by attacking him in Ba Sing Se, Katara rushed to his side. With Aang gone, Katara was alone against all the Dai Li agents and Fire Nation siblings. She would have been captured, or worse, killed, if it had not been for Iroh, who jumped in to save her.
He instructed her to get as far away as she could while he kept their enemies at bay, and then proceeded to fight everyone with his extraordinary firebending skills, giving Katara an opportunity to escape with Aang.
4 Comet-Charged Iroh & JeongJeong Helped Liberate Ba Sing Se
While the Avatar Gang were fighting their respective battles, the White Lotus Society leaders took on the responsibility of liberating Ba Sing Se. Every member played their part exceptionally well, but it was Iroh and JeongJeong’s contribution which stood out the most because their abilities were super-charged by Sozin’s comet.
They displayed some never-before-seen firebending techniques, like the fire-wall JeongJeong conjured up to defeat the Fire Nation tanks. This battle proved why these two were called firebending masters.
3 The Final Agni Kai Between Zuko & Azula Was A Long Time Coming
At the start of the show, Zuko had been no match for Azula when it came to firebending, but he worked very hard over the years until he became capable enough to not only match up to her but even defeat her.
The final Agni Kai between the two siblings showed just how far he had come and how skilled a bender he had become. It was a fantastic display of fire on fire where both of them gave it their all, and good finally won over evil.
2 When Azula Used Lightning Bending In Ba Sing Se To Kill Aang
Lightning bending was a branch of bending that generated from firebending, and Azula was a master at this style of bending. One of the most shocking scenes in the show was when Azula zapped Aang with lightning, right when he was transitioning into the Avatar State, and killed him.
As sad as this scene was, it was really quick thinking on Azula’s part, for she saw an opportunity, took it, and showed no mercy.
1 The Final Battle Between Aang & Ozai Was A Battle Between Two Firebending Gods
This fight was the one that fans had been waiting for a long time since the show started, and it surpassed everyone’s expectations. Ozai, who was powered by Sozin’s comet, brought all the fury of fire with him and seemed to be winning at first.
However, as soon as Aang activated his Avatar state, it was game over for the Fire Lord. The Avatar came at him with such force that Ozai could all but defend himself until he was finally taken down. This fight was the pinnacle of firebending and made it appear like the Gods themselves were fighting.
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