Aninals/Spirit Animals

Lion Turtle

The Lion Turtle is a gigantic, ancient creature with the head of a lion and clawed, lion-like feet. He has existed since the beginning of time and therefore predates the Avatar. Possessing immense power and wisdom, the Lion Turtle served as a spiritual beacon where Aang communed with his past selves and, when these efforts proved fruitless, revealed to him the power to bend the energy within oneself. Aang was not the first Avatar to meet one of these legendary beasts, but he was the first in many ages.
Because of the Lion Turtle's age, a large forest has sprouted on its back. It prefers to stay hidden from the world; with his head submerged, he appears as an ordinary island.

Hei Bai

Hei Bai, also known as the Black and White Spirit, is a forest spirit that normally takes the form of a docile panda bear, but can turn into a large multi-armed monster when angered.

Dragons

Dragons are the original practitioners of Firebending and are capable of breathing fire. They taught this ability to the Sun Warriors civilization, a precursor to the modern day Fire Nation. They were also thought to be extinct before Aang and Zuko discovered that two were still alive.

Badgermoles

Badgermoles are gigantic blind mammals which inhabit the Earth Kingdom. Living mostly underground, they were the first Earthbenders, later teaching humans the same art.

Energybending

Energybending is the ability to bend life energy. It predates the main four bending arts, as well as the arrival of the Avatar and the formation of the Four Nations.
Before the arrival of the Avatar into the world, and the separation of the four elements, people bent the energy within themselves. They discovered the other four bending arts, and over time knowledge of Energybending was almost completely lost. The last known keeper of the art was an ancient Lion Turtle, who later passed it down to Avatar Aang, who used it to remove Ozai's Firebending forever.
The capabilities of Energybending are not well understood; what is known is that bending a person's life energy can impart them with knowledge instantly or remove one's bending completely. This bending art is dissimilar to the others because it is so perilous to the user, which is why so few have ever used it.

FireBending

Firebending is one of the four elemental Bending Arts, the pyrokinetic ability to create and control fire. The people of the Fire Nation, as well as the lesser known Sun Warrior Tribe, practice this type of bending.
Fire is the element of power, consisting of overpowering force tempered by the unflinching will to accomplish tasks and desires. However, the recently militaristic Fire Nation have twisted this into Firebending being fueled by rage, hate and anger. Firebending draws its power from the sun and the first human Firebenders learned their techniques from the dragons.
Firebending is notable for its intensive attacking style and general lack of adequate defense moves, although some notable Firebenders utilize creative defensive moves. For example, Jeong Jeong can create fire walls, and Zuko can easily block and shoot down incoming objects

Earthbending

Earthbending is one of the four elemental Bending Arts, the geokinetic ability to manipulate earth and rock, in all its various forms. It is used by people of the Earth Kingdom.
Earth is the element of substance, making Earthbenders and their people diverse, strong, persistent, and enduring. The first Earthbenders, Oma and Shu, learned the art from Badgermoles.
The key to Earthbending is neutral jing, which involves waiting and listening for the right moment to strike, and, when that moment comes, acting decisively. In other words, Earthbenders generally endure their enemies' attacks until the right opportunity to counterattack reveals itself, then strike with unyielding force

Waterbending

Waterbending is one of the four elemental Bending Arts, the hydrokinetic ability to control water, as well as its many forms. The people of the Water Tribe utilize this type of bending. In turn, the Water Tribes are divided up in to the Southern Water Tribe, the Northern Water Tribe, and the lesser known Foggy Swamp Tribe.
Water is the element of change. The moon is the source of power in Waterbending, and the original Waterbenders learned from the moon by observing how the moon pushed and pulled the tides. The Water Tribes are the only people to not learn Bending from an animal. The fighting style of Waterbending is mostly flowing and graceful; acting in concert with their environment. However, Foggy Swamp Style Waterbending is more rigid and straight - probably in concert with the often stagnant nature of the water in their swamp. Waterbenders deal with the flow of energy; they let their defense become their offense, turning their opponents own forces against them.

AirBending

Airbending is one of the four elemental bending arts, the aerokinetic ability to control and manipulate currents of air. The peaceful Air Nomads utilized this type of bending in their everyday lives.
Air is the element of freedom. The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly problems, finding peace and freedom. Airbenders continually sought for spiritual enlightenment, and, as a result, all children born into the Air Nomads are benders. The first Airbenders learned from the Sky Bison.
The key to Airbending is flexibility, finding and following the path of least resistance. Airbending is notable for being almost entirely defensive, however it is reputed to be the most dynamic of the four bending arts. Airbenders can overwhelm many opponents at once with large and powerful attacks that could prove fatal; however due to the pacifist nature of the Air Nomads such attacks are rarely used.