Original episode ideas

The Gaang arrive at an Earth Kingdom village that has an uncharacteristically high number of Fire Nation soldiers in it. Deciding to investigate, they infiltrate the town. Once inside, Aang is recognized by a townsperson, who drags him into a huge building, where a lot of people are gathered around a statue of Yangchen. They explain that Yangchen saved the town from a malicious spirit several hundred years ago and they have revered the Avatar almost as a religious figure since then. It's revealed that the town tried to revolt against the occupation when they heard the Avatar had returned, which caused the Fire Nation to clamp down on them hard. So the townsfolk go crazy worshiping Aang and making a lot of noise, until the Fire Nation soldiers arrive to investigate. Seeing the Avatar, they threaten to burn down the building with everyone in it unless Aang surrenders, so he does. They also notice Sokka and take the two into custody, while Aya manages to avoid the soldiers.

At this point, the townsfolk consult Aya on how to rescue Aang and her brother. They are adamant that she should save them and leave, so the Avatar can fulfill his duty. Pointing out that the Fire Nation will probably destroy their entire village if she does that doesn't help, as they are ready to lay down their lives for Aang. While discussing a plan, they mention a supply cache the soldiers needed to construct in order to provide for all the extra soldiers that arrived. Aya suggests destroying it, since that would force the soldiers to leave, but the townspeople refuse to help her with that, as it might jeopardize the Avatar. So Aya is faced with the dilemma of rescuing Aang with or without the help of the villagers, which would lead to casualties, or destroying the depot by herself, and only then rescuing Aang.

She ultimately decides to destroy the depot and succeeds, then Aang and Sokka escape while the soldiers are in disarray. At the end of the episode, the townspeople offer to throw a feast for Aang and Sokka, but refuse to acknowledge Aya's success, saying she put the Avatar in too much danger. Sokka basically tells the villagers to bite him and goes after his sister, while Aang politely refuses and points out that what they're expecting of him is to stop the Fire Nation - something much riskier than any situation Aya put him in, and that his job as Avatar is to save everyone and never make compromises - something Aya did.