Chapter Text
Fire...
Flames rise from the bottom by the hand of Master Jeong Jeong. He slashes a fire swipe before creating a huge blast via a kick.
Earth...
A girl wearing a kimono uniform bends a perfectly square rock pillar from the ground. She removes a chunk of it with a kick, then vaporizes the stone with a punch, leaving only dust.
Water...
A girl wearing a pirate coat performs a few kicks, launching tendrils of water, after which she bends them onto her shoulders. A spin later and the water turns to ice shards.
Air...
Aang blasts a few gusts of wind to the right, then backflips to create a funnel, engulfing the left.
My uncle used to tell me stories about the old days, a time of peace when the Avatar kept balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads. But that all changed when the Water Tribes attacked...
Only the Avatar mastered all four elements. Only he could stop the ruthless waterbenders. But when the world needed him most, he vanished.
A hundred years have passed, and the Water Tribes are nearing victory in the war. Three years ago, my father and the men of my village journeyed to the Earth Kingdom to help fight against the Water Tribes, leaving me and my brother to look after our island.
Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads and that the cycle is broken, but I don't really care what happened. Yet, many still believe that somehow the Avatar will return to save the world.
Act I. - The last days
It has been three years since Aang last journeyed to the Spirit World. Three years since he spoke to any of his past lives, three years since the war has ended. Or at least since people have stopped fighting.
And it's not like he hasn't tried, to communicate that is. As far as the war was concerned, he and his friends were nothing more than broken soldiers, running from the clutches of the Fire Nation, which has since taken over everything. Six months after Sozin's Comet arrived, the Navy conquered the Northern Water Tribe, the South had already been lost for years at this point. In these desperate times, whenever Aang had a moment, he meditated, trying to reach out to Roku, Kyoshi – anyone. Most of the time the group was able to stay in one place for a few months before escaping. This should be their last hideout. Their last chance. Aang's last chance.
KATARA: How is he doing?
Katara's arms are crossed, her face reeking of the exhaustion of the last few years. She flinches at the sound of explosions outside the temple.
ZUKO: It's the only chance we got. We have to trust him.
Zuko puts his hands on her shoulder in an effort to soothe her. A failed effort unfortunately. As the explosions and the shouting get louder, more resistance members rush down the Air Temple hallway towards the battle.
Azula watches closely from above, like an eagle-hawk eyeing its prey, eagerly following the struggle below. Rows of Fire Nation soldiers and tanks roll towards the front entry of the Southern Air Temple. The fighting is vigorous, troops march onward, but at a high cost.
Azula is standing on the main platform of her imperial flagship. It was recently re-decorated, with a golden dragon head on the very top, apart from easily being the largest one in the fleet. The admiral of the airship approaches her cautiously.
ADMIRAL: Your grace, we are advancing, but we are met with heavy resistance, much larger than we possibly expected-
AZULA: Not a problem. They are trapped. They came here to die.
The admiral pauses in awe.
ADMIRAL: Yes, but I'm afraid at this rate-
Azula turns around in anger.
AZULA: What?!
The admiral gulps.
ADMIRAL: I'm afraid at this rate our losses will far exceed what we calculated. Perhaps if we halt the advance-
AZULA: And let the rebels regroup? Perhaps we should provide them safe conduct as well while we're at it.
The admiral got the message. He bows, turns around and leaves. Azula stands there for a few more seconds, looking down at the battle in contempt.
AZULA: This is the last time you got away, Avatar.
Another explosion. Earth walls created by Toph and the other benders crumble into pieces as the tanks advance. Fire balls shoot at the main entrance, one of them hitting Monk Gyatso's statue, destroying it in the process. Katara and Zuko exit the temple, ready to fight.
KATARA: This is it then.
ZUKO: We only have one chance...
Katara opens her water pouches.
KATARA: Please Aang...
Inside the Temple Sanctuary Aang sits in silence, meditating, his mind jumping all over the place.
For years Aang pushed the weight of the world off his shoulders. He wanted to be a kid, he wanted to grow up. He needed to grow up. He regrets it now. As the boy nervously scratches the hair on his scalp he tries to calm down, yet the more he hears the shouting, the explosions, the screams - the more he thinks about his friends in danger - the more he panics. His breathing intensifies. Momo anxiously crawls around him.
AANG: I should be out there... I should be helping them...
Not being able to take it anymore, he jolts up and, in a nervous breakdown, starts bending air and fire furiously in all directions. Momo hides behind one of the Avatar statues, some of them getting hit by Aang's vicious outburst.
AANG: Please! Roku! Kyoshi! Anyone – I NEED HELP!
Another tank flipped over by Toph's masterful bending skills. Yet, as more Fire Nations soldiers advance, the more desperate it gets. Finally, a fire blast hits her in the shoulder, the Blind Bandit falling down.
TOPH: OW!
Katara's heart skips a beat as she spots the scene.
KATARA: Toph!
Another fire ball is about to hit her as Zuko steps in and blocks it, retaliating and blasting the attacker away. Meanwhile Haru and Katara come to aid the blind girl.
TOPH (in pain): It's fine, don't mind me...
Katara covers her shoulder in water, starting the healing process.
ZUKO: Katara, there's too many of them – we need to go back inside!
KATARA: We won't leave her out here, we don't know what Azula will do to her-
TOPH (in pain): Katara!
Toph grabs her hand, pushing the glowing water away from her wound.
TOPH (in pain): I trust Aang. Please.
Katara starts tearing up.
ZUKO: We need to get back inside.
The earthbender boy gifts her a reassuring look, Haru himself looking exhausted from the fighting.
HARU: I'll stay with Toph.
Zuko runs ahead. Katara hesitates.
ZUKO: Come on!
TOPH (in pain): Go on, I'll be alright.
Aang is nervously pacing up and down.
AANG: What was the point of any of this? Why did Roku even tell me about the comet if he knew I would fail? Was I destined to fail?!
Momo looks at him curiously, wondering why the human is talking to himself.
AANG: And meanwhile I'm in here, unable to do the basic thing that any Avatar is able to do – when my friends are out there, maybe dying-
While unable to really calm down, he slowly runs out of steam. The boy halts and looks at the lemur to his left. He sighs.
AANG: What should I do Sabachi...
Aang plunges on to the ground and sits with his head lowered. He does this for a few seconds, when...
AANG: "Sabachi"?
Momo looks at him in confusion.
AANG: I meant Momo, of course.
The lemur finally reacts, climbing onto his shoulder.
AANG: Who is Sabachi? Am I losing my mind?
Momo purrs at him and licks his face. Aang can hear more and more sounds of the raging battle. He takes a deep breath and gets up.
AANG: No. I can do this.
He assumes a fighting stance, Momo flying on to one of the higher shelves.
Inside the main hall Sokka and Suki are tirelessly fighting off Fire Nation soldiers. Many of the leftover volunteers of the resistance are bravely doing the same, but, with a sheer endless number of soldiers entering, the resistance slowly shrinks.
SOKKA: I don't know how much longer we can take this.
He cuts down a gout of flames with his sword, Suki jumping in to kick the attacker away.
SUKI: I trust Aang, but if he fails-
SOKKA: He won't fail.
Another flame blast hits, without bearing much success, as a sudden water flash extinguishes it. Zuko jumps in, pushing the soldier against a wall, Katara right behind him.
SOKKA: Where's Toph?
AZULA: Oh, don't worry, she'll be fine.
Chime.
Everyone flinches in fear and turns towards Fire Lord Azula, who has entered these ancient halls with a flock of soldiers behind her. For a brief moment, the fighting stops.
AZULA: I was hoping to get a better challenge from the Avatar and his little resistance, yet all I'm seeing is a bunch of loser children.
Zuko and Katara exchange looks. Katara shakes her head.
ZUKO (quietly): Do it.
Agreeing with his plans, Katara tears up again.
A huge fire blast hits the few defenders remaining, the combined power of earthbenders, Katara's water, and Zuko being able to partially block it. Zuko in particular retaliates, slowing down his sister and her entourage, if only for a second.
ZUKO: GO!
Katara runs for it. Azula immediately catches on to the diversion, with Zuko managing to distract her for at least a little while longer.
Katara surfs on a stream of water, not quite as elegantly, but at least it is a quick way to navigate through the Southern Air Temple. She eventually reaches the correct hallway - the temple's sanctuary is now within her reach.
Aang is within her reach.
That's when flames suddenly hit her wave, causing her to crash on to the floor. Four soldiers were able to follow the waterbender, approaching her with caution. Katara, expecting the worst, watches in awe as a sudden gust of wind flings them all away violently. Appa lands in front of her and grunts happily. She pets his head as a way to show her gratitude.
KATARA: We need to protect Aang while he's still in there. What is taking him so long?
Appa grunts in horror, as more flames shoot above him. He turns around, only for him and Katara to realize that the fire in question was blue.
AZULA: Finally. I bet your boyfriend is in there.
KATARA: You'll have to go through US to get him!
Azula shrugs.
AZULA: Very well.
With quick precision she shoots lighting directly at them. Katara and Appa both jump aside, the projectile hitting its intended target instead – the sanctuary's doors.
The bang of Azula's flash triggers a great many emotions in him. His vulnerability, his guilt, his shame. But there is no time left for that.
The lightning strike managed to open the door only by an inch, but enough for Aang to see a flash of what's outside. His eyes meet Katara's.
Grey meeting ultramarine.
With great determination, he sits down in a meditative stance, taking a deep breath.
KATARA (from outside): Aang, you can do it!
And with tears in his eyes, the glowing finally returns to Aang's body.
Aang opens his eyes again. He finds himself within the sanctuary, yet something is off. The sounds of battle are gone.
AANG: Katara? Hello!?
His heart is now beating out of his chest. Not being able to wait any longer the boy rushes towards the door, trying to burst it open with an air blast, unsuccessfully. He instead opts to crash against it, pushing it open in the process. He looks outside and, instead of seeing the corridor, or Katara, he spots a wide, grassy field, spanning endlessly into the distance. He made it.
AANG: Finally. The Spirit World.
Aang steps outside and, for the first time in ages, feels cozy, one might even say a little bit happy. He smells the fresh air as it breezes across his face.
AANG: I haven't been to the Spirit World since-
ROKU: Since you last used your powers in Ba Sing Se.
Aang looks to his right and suddenly spots Roku, his past life.
AANG: I swear, two seconds ago I looked, and you weren't there.
Roku laughs. Aang shares a smile with him.
ROKU: You haven't been in touch with your spiritual side lately, have you?
Aang's smile slowly disappears.
AANG: No...
Roku sighs.
ROKU: The injury Azula inflicted on you has not yet healed.
Aang reaches for the gaping scar on his back, flinching slightly before refusing to touch it.
AANG: No. Katara tried everything, it's just...
ROKU: It's a wound that affects you in more than one way.
The boy can feel his emotions bubbling over.
AANG: I know! And I've tried to get rid of this spiritual blockade but...
He tears up.
AANG (teary): I just CAN'T! The world is in shambles – it's more unbalanced than it has ever been before, and it's my fault!
He collapses onto his knees and starts sobbing. Roku unfolds his hands in response, kneeling down in front of him.
ROKU: I know your pain, Aang. I can feel it.
Aang clenches his fists, his sorrow turning to anger.
AANG (cold): No. You don't know what this feels like.
He gets back on his feet. Roku looks up in shock.
AANG (cold): You don't know what it feels like to lose – you died before the war started.
Aang turns around.
AANG (quietly): You don't know what it's like to be a failure...
The soft breeze that was sweeping across the hills and fields just a moment ago slowly morphs into heavy winds, the sky turning into a dark-shaded grey alongside it.
ROKU: I do.
As Roku gets up, Aang starts to regret his tantrum.
ROKU: I do, because I am you.
AANG: But you're not me.
Aang looks at the ground, the grief from his heart reflected in his eyes.
AANG: My friends are getting captured - or worse. And there's nothing I can do about it...
Roku now also gets up and turns around. Aang doesn't see it, but the old man's skin looks pale and sick, his voice sounding fittingly weak.
ROKU (weak): I was afraid things would turn out like this.
Aang's rage slowly dwindles as he turns around. Though he can only see Roku's back, he does notice something being wrong with his prior incarnation.
ROKU (weak): The other Avatars always try to think about possible alternatives in case things go bad. And so, I have always known that, should you fail...
The winds grow heavier. Aang can hear screams, voices that sound familiar, but also don't.
AANG: What's going on? Roku, what's happening?
Suddenly, Aang's tattoos and eyes start glowing again. Roku turns around as Aang witnesses the decay. All other previous lives loop in front of him, until eventually, after Kyoshi shows herself for a moment, Roku begins to disintegrate. Aang tries to reach out for him, yet it seems to be in vain.
AANG: Roku...
ROKU (weak): I'm sorry Aang. I should never have let this happen...
Roku, the firebending Avatar from 116 years prior, dissolves before Aang's very eyes. When it is done, the glow fades away and Aang looks around in horror.
AANG: Roku? Roku?! What am I supposed to do – WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW?!
The lush grass turns to dry, yellow bush - the winds turn heavier. Ash falls from the sky.
AANG (teary): How can I save my friends?! HOW CAN I SAVE THE WORLD!?
Kyoshi appears in front of him one last time.
KYOSHI: We will guide you, Aang.
She disappears again, the winds clashing against Aang, smashing him into the ground as the boy is dragged across these plains. He tries to get back on his feet, yet the spirit currents have become too strong, pulling him across the hillside. The died-off grass is blown away like the seeds of a dandelion.
AANG: No! Kyoshi!
An especially strong wave hits him, the boy being hurled across, eventually smacking against solid rock. He turns and gazes at the previously non-existent mountain, identifying it as an erupting volcano. The winds continue to drag him further uphill, Aang realizing that, instead of being pushed by air, he is getting sucked in by the volcano itself. In a panic, he desperately tries to hold on to something – anything. To no success.
AANG: No!
As Aang finally reaches the peak, he is quickly swallowed by it, descending into darkness.
AANG: KATARA!
The raven-haired girl looks annoyed at her brother, who clumsily tries to sneak towards a flying guinea pig, sitting on a dry jungle tree branch. The boy older than her lies on his stomach, awkwardly crawling across the yellow, grassy ground, one broadsword in each hand. As he does so, Azula sighs, flicking her bangs behind her ear.
The girl is wearing a combination of pink pants and shirt, with a crimson fabric covering it, creating a dress-like shape. Her hair is long, black, and hangs loose across her shoulders.
AZULA: Zu-Zu, how do you expect to catch a flying rodent on the ground?
His snake-like movement halts. The boy is wearing a crimson shirt and pants, with a vest on top in an even darker shade.
ZUKO: I know perfectly well what I'm doing.
He continues to crawl like a snail, with comical sound effects accompanying it. Azula slaps her forehead.
AZULA: Just let me use my little trick.
She takes on a combat stance. Zuko realizes this and quickly gets back up on his feet.
ZUKO: Azula – DON'T!
Before she's able to take proper aim, he tackles her down, the tiny gout of fire missing its intended target by a lot, shooting only barely above the tree and into the sky. Azula rolls over and sits up, massaging her temple.
AZULA: Great job, dum-dum, you lost us our dinner.
Zuko gets up on his feet in a fury.
ZUKO: You almost hit the tree with your little fire-magic! You know what happens if we ignite something on this island – did you forget what fire does to dry grass?!
Azula frowns on the ground, refusing to admit any wrongdoing to herself or her brother.
AZULA: Whatever, it's gone now.
Zuko puts the two swords in the sheath on his back, beginning to walk in the other direction.
ZUKO: Come on, Azula. We need to head back home anyways.
Like a spoiled child she remains seated for a few more seconds. When she does finally decide to get back up, she is immediately distracted by a high-pitched squealing coming from behind her.
The flying rodent decided to return to the same branch, making squeaky noises at the raven-haired girl, as if mockery. Zuko is already a few feet away when he stops.
ZUKO: Azula?
The guinea pig continues to squeak. Azula clenches her fists.
AZULA (angrily mumbling): Oh no, you don't.
As soon as Azula commences the chase, the rodent flies off.
ZUKO: Damn it, not again...
Her brother chases after them.
As the rodent soars from tree to tree, Azula runs on the ground with a certain kind of grace that Zuko can't quite comprehend. Or keep up with.
ZUKO: Azula, come back!
She jumps above a dry tree trunk, and slides below the one following after. Meanwhile Zuko clumsily climbs over both and even manages to drop from the second one.
His face now firmly planted on the ground, he begins to notice something in between the dried grass. Small flakes of ash. The boy begins to worry.
ZUKO: Azula, please wait!
His words don't reach her. With cat-like precision and with extreme endurance she chases the rodent, coming a little bit closer with every leap.
AZULA (mumbling): I almost got you now...
The crescendo of this acrobatic hunt forces the creature to land on a tree stem, with Azula starting to leap from branch to branch in order to climb it. The rodent cries out in terror, racing towards the treetop.
Zuko is, in the meantime, trying to catch up. His movements are not as acrobatic as those of his sister, but he manages to get a hold of it eventually. The boy looks to his right, spotting the jungle's edges.
Behind the mighty woodwork a mountainside begins to take shape.
ZUKO (louder): AZULA!
This time his sister did hear him, almost causing her to lose her balance, though she manages to find her center once again. The chase continues and the rodent looks down in terror.
AZULA: You'll regret the day...
The little thing finally reaches the top and quickly digs through a pile of dry foliage. Azula grabs on to a tree branch, pulling herself up right after.
AZULA: ...you insulted...
Zuko looks up in frustration.
ZUKO: Azula, stop!
His sister now too breaches through the treetop and conjures a mighty fire blast straight into the skies.
AZULA: The last firebender – AZULA!
Seeing as the move achieved absolutely nothing whatsoever, the rodent now having disappeared, the girl halts and comes to her senses.
In front of her stands a giant mountain, a volcano to be exact. It is one of two volcanoes, which gives their home the appropriate name of the Twin Islands, sometimes referred to as The Twins. One of these volcanic siblings stands firmly in the ocean, while the other one, the one Azula is looking at right now, is located on the mainland itself.
Her stare finally focuses on the little rodent, which has somehow managed to escape on to a small ridge, where it starts running towards the top. Azula hesitates for a moment.
ZUKO (from the bottom): Azula, come down here! You know we're not allowed to intrude on the Twins!
Rolling her eyes at the dorky comment, the young lass does consider his words for a moment. It wouldn’t make much sense to pursue the creature further, seeing as Azula has already lost track of it.
However, somehow, Azula is also magically intrigued by the volcano towering above herself, the woodwork, and everything else. It’s a feeling she can't quite explain or put into words.
She decides to leap from the tree and grab on to the ledge.
ZUKO (dorky): Oh, Uncle is gonna be so mad...
He performs a quick mini-prayer on his knees...
ZUKO (praying): Please forgive us, Agni.
...before running towards the first Sister as well.
Standing on top of the ledge, Azula holds on for a few moments. Looking down, she stares in awe at the dense, dried-out jungle. The girl can't spot the village from here, but she can see a tiny smoke trail in the distance, so... I guess she kind of can?
What she is able to identify pretty easily is her dumb brother climbing up the volcano after her.
AZULA (quietly): Oh no, Uncle is gonna be so mad at me...
She decides to follow the trail upwards regardless, coming closer to the top of the volcano. She claps nervously.
AZULA: Okay little rodent, come out come out, wherever you are!
Her steps turn more and more cautious, as the environment itself seems less hospitable. Azula starts to get annoyed more than concerned.
AZULA: Come on! If I'm already breaking the rules, I might as well get home some dinner home...
The raven-haired girl takes a turn and finds herself on some kind of plateau. From here she has a pretty clear view of the other volcano, the other Sister so to speak, with the vast ocean behind it. The waters surrounding it look grey and toxic, her uncle claiming it was a blessing from the spirits, who tried to protect their village from Water Tribe raids.
That was about the age Azula stopped believing in the stories of her uncle.
Slightly spooked by a strange noise, the girl finally spots the provocative rodent gliding back down towards the jungle, officially crowning itself as the winner of their little game of tag.
AZULA (flat): Well, great.
ZUKO: Azula!
She turns in slight fear of hearing her own name but tries to keep her composure.
AZULA: Look who made it. For the record, I beat you in that little race.
ZUKO: Azula, stop. We need to get down from here. It's forbidden to-
AZULA: I guess technically the rodent won, but I don't really count him.
ZUKO: It's dangerous up here!
The girl is momentarily able to turn down her sass, focusing on her annoyed/annoying older brother.
AZULA: Oh please, don't bother me with your fairy tales. The last time the Sisters erupted was... what? A hundred years ago? What are you so worried about?
A gap in the ground right next to her cracks open all of a sudden, with a blast of toxic volcano fumes shooting out of it. Azula flinches to the side, stepping on another ominous crack.
ZUKO: Watch out!
The boy tackles her to safety, right as a second stream of gas blasts open. It hits Zuko instead, who, despite covering his face, gets dizzy and walks off the volcano edge.
AZULA (scared): Zuko!
Several eruptions now cover the plateau in toxic fumes, impairing her view. Azula tries to stand upright but can't get anywhere. She begins to panic.
AZULA (scared): ZUKO!
The girl starts to tear up, as this is all her fault.
AZULA (teary): No...
Her sadness erupts into anger.
AZULA (teary): NO!
Thinking her brother possibly dead due to her own actions, she starts violently blasting gouts of fire in random directions. They are significantly larger than the two shots she performed before, yet they are also much more sporadic and lack her usual precision.
She fires one last flame charge, unknowingly, directly at the volcano. After a few seconds, a sudden air wave smacks her on to the ground, also blowing away all remaining volcano fumes, subsequently fixing any issues pertaining to vision or poison gas inhalation.
After Azula regains her balance, shaking off a mean cough, she refocuses her attention towards the plateau’s edge, immediately hasting towards it.
AZULA (worried): Zuko!
She halts and looks down. Her brother landed on top of a large tree, only a short distance below. Zuko grunts in pain as his younger sister gasps in relief.
AZULA: Thank Agni you're alright!
ZUKO: Don't use the Lord's name in vain.
Azula rolls her eyes but smiles regardless.
ZUKO: What are you smiling about?
AZULA: Nothing. Come back up here, you dork.
She offers her hand. Zuko sighs.
ZUKO: Might as well, we're already screwed.
He takes a leap, grabbing on to Azula, almost pulling both down in the process. With combined strength, two siblings get back on to the rocky platform.
They both gasp and cough in exhaustion after.
AZULA (exhausted): Okay... next time you pull me...
Getting no response, her voice fizzles out, her honey eyes switching over to the spot which Zuko is staring at.
Inside the volcano wall, behind the tiny crack Azula blasted earlier, the girl spots a glassy, shiny object barely visible in between brown stone. It shimmers in a light red, almost a pink tone.
ZUKO: That wasn't there earlier, was it?
AZULA: I... think I made that. The... crack, not the crystal.
Zuko looks at her in disbelief.
ZUKO: You? How?!
Ignoring his redundant inquiry, the firebender steps closer towards the mysterious shimmer, taking a closer look. The crystal light blinds her at first, but once Azula can properly focus, she hops back in utter shock.
AZULA: Zuko! There's someone inside there!
ZUKO: No way...
He too takes a look-see. Azula is meanwhile trying to calm down, not being able to believe her eyes.
ZUKO: Holy Agni!
AZULA: I think he's alive, Zu-Zu.
The reason her brother had been so opposed to her using her special gift, aside from the real danger of setting their dry island ablaze, has been the Water Tribe, which hunts down any remaining firebenders, dragging them from their homes, never to be seen again.
Though it’s not like the raven-haired girl ever really cared. It would be especially foolish to care now, as firebending appears to be the only way to free whoever made his way into the ruby orb currently stuck inside one of the Sisters.
Taking a deep breath, the girl tries to find her center.
AZULA (serious): Step back.
Timidly, he follows her command.
Azula takes on a bending stance, one she crudely copies from memory, having seen it in one of the forbidden books in Uncle's collection. Her legs apart and firmly on the ground, she does a powerful pushing motion with her arms, creating a small, but more or less stable flame, one that smashes against the red crystal.
As nothing happens, Azula is dumbfounded. And a little slighted. Well... a lot slighted, pouting and crossing her arms at her failure.
ZUKO: That was... pretty good, I think.
She scoffs loudly in dismissal.
AZULA (frustrated): Oh, don't pity me with your-
A second, much more powerful gust of wind erupts, shattering the red crystal in an instant. If it had hit either one of the siblings, they would have been blasted somewhere into the jungle woods.
Behind where once stood the red shell, Azula spots a wall of air, a second protective sphere so to speak. The lava inside the volcano, which would have started to engulf the boy by now, gets instantly cooled down and dried to form solid rock.
The boy in the volcano steps forward. His glowing tattoos and eyes have an intimidating effect on Azula and her brother, more so the latter. Perhaps this was the voice that called her to come here.
The glowing disappears again and the boy collapses rather bluntly.
ZUKO: He's... alive. I can't believe it.
Azula rushes towards him and holds him in her arms.
AZULA: Come on, wake up.
Act II. – The boy in the volcano
A wooden ship sails by the volcanic rocks that plagued others before it. These islands are notorious for their difficult navigation, mostly avoided by the rest of the Water Tribes, except the occasional raid. It wasn't a big deal for the prince. His mission was clear.
And he knows how to get it.
A sudden air wave hits the blue mast, carrying the emblem of the Water Tribes – a large crescent moon in front of huge waves. The ship experiences some turbulence, and the crew with it. The prince holds firmly on to the ship's nose, while looking straight ahead. Utilizing the telescope strapped to his belt, the boy takes a closer look.
On top of the left volcano the prince spots a raven-haired girl shooting fire at the rock.
From below deck an old, wrinkly lady emerges, her arms folded inside her sleeves.
KANNA: What is the meaning of this, Prince Sokka?
Sokka lowers the scope and grins greedily.
SOKKA: Finally.
He walks past the old woman, ignoring her presence and passing by the other crewmen towards the rear end. Offended, Sokka's grandmother follows him.
KANNA: I was asking you a question, Prince-
SOKKA: Silence, woman. You know exactly what this means. HELMSMAN! SET COURSE FOR THE TWINS!
One squeamish command later and the wooden ship changes its route by about 90 degrees.
KANNA: Well, I'm very happy for you, my prince, but you must be aware that the waters surrounding the Sisters are extremely dangerous for any vessels. Especially the non-ironclads.
SOKKA: Are you questioning my methods?
He tries to build up his posture in an intimidating fashion, the stern elder, however, is little impressed.
KANNA: Fine. If you just want to crash your ship, I'm not going to stop you. Just be sure to hand me over an escape raft before you do so.
His machismo-confidence disappears slowly, and the much larger, more intimidating men around the boy start looking at him funny.
SOKKA: We won't go to the volcano, because we already know where to find the bender. HELMSMAN! SET COURSE FOR THE NEARBY VILLAGE!
As he triumphantly postures and watches the ship turn around yet again, a second blast shakes up the wooden raft, Sokka looking back in shock.
SOKKA: Apparently that firebender is much stronger than I assumed. I'm looking forward to it...
Aang opens his eyes abruptly and in pain. Images flash through his head. Shouting. Screaming. A glowing. Blinding light in the middle of the night. Waves crashing against rock. An explosion. Ash.
The boy starts twitching around as Azula begins to panic.
AZULA (nervous): I think he's dying!
ZUKO (nervous): Do something!
She glances at her brother.
AZULA (sassy): Like what?
With every new word Aang's unfocused state breaks apart a bit more. The boy pushes his inner turmoil aside, adrenalin pumping through his veins as he looks straight ahead. His eyes match with those of a raven-haired girl.
Grey meeting honey.
AZULA: Hell...o?
In a flash, the strange boy creates an air blast in his left hand, subsequently launching Azula down the volcano's ridge path with it. He is now in full battle mode. A second figure attacks him with two swords, Aang dodging both swipes with acrobatic jumps. He blows away the boy's weapons and freezes on the spot.
Aang is now staring directly at the golden eyes of Prince Zuko. But... it can't be. Zuko is missing his strength, his upper body muscles – most of all, his scar.
Because of this, the shorter boy lets his guard down, allowing the swordfighter to throw him to the ground. It appears his own muscle mass, a product of years of war, has suddenly vanished alongside Zuko's. Behind himself, the airbender spots a steep cliff, giving him quite the fright.
Zuko meanwhile hurries to pick up his broadswords again, threatening the strange attacker with it.
ZUKO: I don't know who you are, but you WILL leave my sister alone!
It takes Aang a few seconds to let all of that sink in, the odd sensation from gazing upon a scarless Zuko still the most pressing issue on his mind.
AANG (hoarse): What...
Azula has since rejoined as well, her curious look and lack of a fighting pose causing the airbender to seriously lose his composure.
With a frantic mania his eyes lock on to Azula, back on to Zuko, on to Azula, back to Zuko... and so on.
The girl is missing that cold stare, those calculating eyes – no, she HAS to be faking it. And... Zuko is in on it? Or is he? Why is this happening now? And where even is he?!
Literally on the outside, the siblings only get a glimpse of the boy's nerve - or lack thereof.
ZUKO: Hey! Did you hear me?
AANG (hoarse): Where am I?!
Zuko appears taken aback before trying to put on a tough exterior again.
ZUKO: Uh... I'm the one asking questions!
Azula carefully approaches.
AZULA: You're an airbender.
The boys look at her in shock. Aang meanwhile grabs his head, noticing a lack of hair.
ZUKO: Can... you understand us?
The airbender takes a second to examine his entire body. He's wearing his old airbender robe from years ago. He looks visibly younger for some reason.
Getting no response, Zuko starts talking in a comical voice.
ZUKO (silly): Can youuu under-staaand UUUS-
Azula’s jab causes him to thankfully shut up.
AZULA: Stop it Zu-Zu! Of course he can understand us.
Despite missing the harshness of the real Azula, she still looks right through him. The one thing Aang remembers clearly is talking to Roku, after then everything gets blurry. He still hasn't forgotten his friends. He hasn't forgotten Katara.
All of this, seeing one of his supposed friends and... her. Aang decides to roll with it. Perhaps Roku sent him on a spirit quest. Or perhaps he's dreaming.
The boy, which he now is again apparently, gets up on his feet, assuming a peaceful stance out of nowhere.
Zuko is again dumbfounded, while Azula simply smiles. Seeing that particular person smile does worry Aang, buuut he rolls with it regardless.
AANG (hoarse): I'm sorry for attacking you-
Interrupting his apology, Aang abruptly coughs up a concerning amount of sludgy ash, the siblings stepping back in disgust. Once this is done, the airbender's voice is significantly higher pitched than it was before he went into the Spirit World.
AZULA: Gross.
AANG: I'm sorry for attacking you. I thought you were... somebody else.
AZULA: You fight with many girls, wind-boy?
Aang frowns at this with no hesitation, not the first time that snarky voice has mocked him before in that tone.
To his surprise, Azula's body-language suggests deep regret.
AZULA: I'm sorry, we got a little spooked there.
Aang doesn't buy it yet, but continues to play along either way.
AANG: It's okay, I-
ZUKO: How did you get inside that rock?
Aang and Azula share a little moment of giving Zuko the silent treatment.
ZUKO: I mean, crystal, I guess. Did you use that thing to cover yourself?
Aang looks to the cave, a humungous smile growing on his features. Appa.
Ignoring the fire siblings for a moment, he instead leaps at the bison and strokes its head.
AANG: Appa! Come here buddy, wake up!
As the massive, furry beast lets out a vibrant growl, both Azula and Zuko react similarly shocked.
ZUKO: What IS that thing?!
A certain sparkle of joy appears in Azula's eyes. One that Aang can't see right now, nor would he believe its genuineness, and one that the raven-haired girl hasn't experienced in years.
AZULA (quietly): Oh, wow.
A mere seconds later Appa gets up and exits the cave, shaking some more ash off his fur, accidentally covering Zuko in it. Azula managed to dodge it.
ZUKO: Yuk! Great...
Azula, like always, giggles at her brother’s misfortune. It’s a sound Aang despises, yet Appa has other plans, the bison approaching a cautious firebender.
On top of the animal's head, the airbender secretly wishes that his pet would trample her. Yet instead, Appa licks her with his gigantic tongue, a gesture that the raven-haired girl only partially appreciates.
AZULA: Ew. Well, thanks...?
AANG: Appa. His name is Appa.
He carefully pets the bison, with his stare intensely fixated on Azula, as if he was a house cat closely watching perceived danger. Azula catches on to this pretty quickly, a pout unsuccessfully hiding her insecurity.
AZULA: Nice to meet you, Appa. I'm glad he likes me.
AANG: So it seems.
Zuko has meanwhile tapped off all the additional ash from his body.
ZUKO: That's all nice and well... Appa, but-
Appa grunts at the mention of his name.
ZUKO: Uh, hello. It's really nice to meet your pet, but we should get going...
He freezes mid-sentence and awkwardly points at Aang, wanting to finish off the sentence with the boy's name, not being able to do so since he hasn't heard it yet.
AANG: Are... you alright Zu-
Aang catches himself mid-sentence as well. He almost called Zuko by his name, which apparently, he shouldn't know at this point. The boy decides to go with something he heard from Azula earlier.
AANG: ...-Zu? Your name is Zu-Zu, right?
After a short, awkward period of silence, Azula erupts into laughter, something which Aang once again doesn't really like to see or hear.
AZULA: I think my brother Zu-Zu just realized you haven't actually told us your name.
ZUKO: Yeah! What is it?
AANG: My name is Aang.
The two older siblings are dumbfounded by the coldness of this smaller child.
ZUKO: Oh, well... hi! I'm Zuko.
Azula jabs him with her elbow.
ZUKO: Not Zu-Zu...
Aang lets out a scoff, Azula noticing it with a keen expression.
AZULA: Well, this one already introduced himself. My name is Azula. We’re from a nearby village. We could take you there if you like...
AANG: I should get going.
He pulls Appa's reins in the opposite direction, down the narrow mountain path, which barely fits the beast.
ZUKO: Okay? Bye!
Zuko waves like an idiot, according to the girl at least.
By the time this strange, bald boy leaves, Azula is now the one dumbfounded.
AZULA (quietly): Bye, Aang.
Across a massive, golden field of dead, dry grass, the two Fire Nation siblings walk alongside next to each other in silence. Despite Azula's usual fierce, outwards, loud-mouthed personality, the girl hasn't spoken a single word since they left the volcano.
Zuko strokes his left arm and ponders about this in quiet, before finally...
ZUKO: So... you think that buffalo can fly?
This gets her attention, though her voice and demeanor still seems a little timid.
AZULA: ...why?
He scratches the back of his head in a nervous expression.
ZUKO: I don't know. I think I read that airbenders have flying buffalos in one of my-
AZULA: Books. Yeah, I figured.
She still has her arms crossed.
ZUKO: Or was it a bison? I'm not sure.
Azula groans in annoyance, already wishing she could forget about this embarrassing ordeal.
Something about how that boy looked at her like... like she was someone he needed to fear.
AZULA: Who cares Zu-Zu, let's just go home...
Her response causes him to smirk as he tries to play it cool.
ZUKO: Well, Azula, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you miss this "Aang"-
Absentmindedly, she shoves his face away and he falls down with a grunt.
ZUKO: Come on! I found him interesting too!
AZULA: Then maybe you should ask him to come back.
Not too far away, Aang and his bison wander aimlessly through the not-so-dense jungle, the animal seemingly unhappy with this, Appa grunting in a deep pitch.
AANG: This looks like a Fire Nation forest but... most of these plants are so dry. What even is this island we’re on?
Appa grunts again, sounding unhappy.
AANG (frustrated): What? I'm just as lost as you are!
Now Appa's grunt sounds flat out intimidating. It's not that he can understand his bison, Aang is more so arguing with himself right now.
AANG (frustrated): I said, I don't know! Let's just go, Appa! Yip-yip!
Growing more and more dissatisfied with the person seated on his head, the bison halts in defiance.
AANG (angry): YIP-YIP!
Instead of following his command, Appa throws Aang forward and on to the soft ground. Grunting with mostly spite, the mean airbender is quickly back up on his feet, seemingly letting all of his anger out on the animal.
AANG (angry): What was that all about?!
Frustrated by his owner, the fur monster turns around and walks in the other direction.
AANG: Hey! Stop, come back!
Chasing after his pet, the boy stumbles over an exposed root Zuko almost tripped over himself earlier.
AANG: Appa! What are you doing?
Several grunts with different pitches serve as an answer. Aang gets back up on his feet and runs after the bison, his anger starting to be replaced with guilt.
AANG: I know I'm not really myself, but it's...
He stops, unsure if he should tell his bison.
Or... what he should even tell Appa.
AANG: I don't know if you could understand. I... don’t really know what happened myself. I don’t know where I am or why I’m here.
And with that, Appa flaps his tail, running a short distance ahead, finally soaring into the sky all by himself.
Aang reaches out in shock at first, though lacks the strength to try and chase after his oldest friend. If that even was him.
AANG: No! APPA!
Lowering his arm in defeat, Aang stares in silence at the ground before he finally allows himself to sink down for a moment and try to collect his messy thoughts.
Somewhere close by a flying guinea pig briefly stops to admire the boy before it disappears into the dry foliage.
As the wooden ship sails across the ocean and towards its target, a giant, flying bison passes over it, no one taking note, since all of the crew members are busy mounting the sails or controlling the waves. Prince Sokka is busy training rather clumsily on his own.
There is only one person on the ship who catches a glimpse, its lieutenant, and second in command. Kanna walks up to him after the beast is already gone.
KANNA: What is it, Lieutenant Bato?
BATO: Nothing.
He rudely brushes by the old woman.
Azula and Zuko pass through their last obstacle, a field of palm trees surrounding their village, almost like a shield, although it's not very effective protection against fire or the Water Tribe. Azula takes the lead.
ZUKO: What are we going to tell Uncle Iroh?
She sighs as they enter their little tropical home by the water.
AZULA: Don't worry, it's going to be fine. We'll just say we got lost while hunting, and then-
IROH (firmly): Azula...
They freeze on the spot as their uncle, current Chieftain of Twin Island, exits a wooden hut, angrily pacing towards them. The entire rest of the village stares at the situation unfolding, though they don’t seem too surprised by a scene such as this playing out.
ZUKO (nervous): Oh no...
Azula gulps quietly as Iroh comes to a halt right in front of the two. His voice always strikes her as being right in between a stern scolding and actual concern.
IROH: Where in Agni's name were you?!
Zuko shivers comically as his (younger) sister takes the lead.
AZULA: Well, Uncle, you see-
ZUKO (nervous): It was Azula's fault! She ran after our dinner, and we climbed on to one of the Sisters and there was this kid-
With a sharp turn her features burning with hatred are almost enough to force Zuko to shove himself into the beach’s sand.
IROH (compassionately): Azula...
With Zuko narrowly having escaped punishment and Azula slightly more calmed, they both turn to their uncle, whose own upset seems to dissipate with a sigh.
IROH: You know very well that the island volcanoes are sacred, thereby forbidden.
Zuko falls on his knees and cries in a comical fashion.
ZUKO (teary): We're so sorry, Uncle – we will never do it again!
IROH: Alright, get up...
He pats his nephew on the head like a puppy in an attempt to calm him down.
IROH: Come on now you two, let's get back inside. Tea is ready.
Iroh and Zuko walk back towards their straw roof hut first, Azula remaining eerily still, not in contempt, but as if she is waiting for her uncle to notice. And so, he does.
IROH: Is everything alright?
Still not ready to come clean, her gaze remains fixated on fine, beach sand.
IROH: Did you burn something?
ZUKO: Well, she did use firebending again-
AZULA (scolding): Zuko!
She glares with (figurative) fire at her snitching brother.
IROH (firmly): Azula...
AZULA: I didn't burn anything.
She finally decides to face her uncle head-on.
AZULA: We found something.
IROH: On the volcano?
AZULA: No. Inside.
Back with Sokka, the prince faces one of his own soldiers in one-on-one combat on the ship's main deck. His weapon of choice is an intimidating broadsword-machete-hybrid, with a leather and bone handle. The soldier across from him carries no visible weapons. Lieutenant Bato is apparently acting as referee.
BATO: One more time.
Sokka gets ready. He charges at the soldier, who counters his rush with a wave, which he summons from the ocean itself. The young prince rolls over to the side and throws his boomerang, when a second, smaller wave hits him in the back, sweeping him across the deck.
The soldier looks terrified at having landed a strike against his prince, Bato shaking his head and sighing. Sokka, wet and defeated, starts throwing a tantrum.
SOKKA (upset): What the heck was that?! How was I supposed to get around a second wave?!
BATO: My prince...
Sokka calms down at the sound of the deep, brooding voice. Supposedly Bato is the one crewmember he doesn't view as disposable.
SOKKA (upset): Next time I want you to give me a hint!
BATO: Next time, you'll be facing a firebender.
Sokka's boomerang flies back aiming for Bato's head, the man catching the thing without turning around. Because of this, the soaked prince gulps comically.
BATO: And from what we've seen, from the way her attacks startled our ship, you're going to have to be prepared for a little more than a "second wave"...
To prove his point, the adult waterbender performs a totem-like motion and draws up two huge waves on both sides of the ship, large enough to block out the sun, covering Prince Sokka in shadow.
BATO: As a non-bender, you have to be more inventive than that.
The lieutenant eventually drops his stance, his waves falling back down with it, stirring the ship, Prince Sokka, but not Bato himself.
BATO: We will be reaching our destination soon. You should get ready, my prince.
With this display of raw force, Bato leaves. Sokka remains in a puddle of salt water for a few more seconds before heading back to his quarters.
An antique tea pot is put on a stove, inside the small, moody hut.
IROH: Zuko, would you be so kind as to ask our neighbors if we can borrow their flintstones?
ZUKO: Uh... which ones?
IROH: Oh, any neighbor would be fine.
Iroh forces his nephew outside with a warm smile, Zuko complying without a second thought. After the boy is gone, Iroh switches to smirking at Azula, who sits grumpily at their small kitchen table. In his hand he shows her his own set of flintstones, before sitting down across from her.
IROH: You do not seem surprised.
AZULA: Zuko never likes the "difficult" conversations. He’s too busy reading about your spirit stories...
Chuckling quietly, Iroh prepares dry tea leaves in a bowl.
IROH: Can you really blame him in these times? His sister is one of the last firebenders, maybe ever. He knows when you are caught by Water Tribe patrols, they will most likely take you away.
She scoffs, knowing her guilt, but refusing to admit it like always.
IROH: Which is why it concerns me that you used your ability on the volcano, where Water Tribe ships could easily spot you.
The old man raises his eyebrows, both in scolding as well as concern. His firm, but peaceful interrogation techniques always manage to get through to the little firebender girl, even when she refused to for a long time.
They had no other meaningful adult to talk to. Even if her father was here, Azula doubts she’d ever want to have these types of conversations with him.
AZULA: Something called me. I think it was Aang.
Iroh scoffs in apparent surprise.
IROH: Aang? That sounds like a very strange name.
AZULA: He's an airbender. He was trapped inside the volcano somehow. The only way we were able to free him was with firebending. Only took me one attempt.
Iroh nods with deep understanding. Judging by his body language this message genuinely seems to have triggered something, intriguing a keen Azula like always.
AZULA: What is it?
IROH: Azula, do you remember what I told you about the Sisters?
Her attention is shortly replaced by annoyance.
AZULA: Yeah, that they erupted 100 years ago and that they're magic...
IROH: 100 years ago. That's when the Avatar disappeared.
The girl is immediately back on board.
AZULA: The Avatar?! I thought the waterbenders killed him.
IROH: At the start of the war, when the Water Tribe attacked the Air Nomads, they killed most of them. Some of them fled, some of them were taken as prisoners.
AZULA: That means the Avatar could have survived. It... could’ve been Aang this whole time. I suppose there’s some explanation why he still looks so young...
The firebender is forced to pause for a moment, digesting all this new information.
AZULA: But... but wouldn't they know if they missed him? I thought the Water Tribe launched their attack in order to kill the Avatar.
IROH: No Avatar ever showed up. Their methods of warfare are brutal, but... often lack the brains.
AZULA: So, this means Aang is probably the Avatar. The one that’s been missing.
IROH: Maybe. It's hard to answer how he survived inside an active volcano for a century.
Azula looks at her uncle with the same sparkle in her eyes that she had when first spotting Aang and Appa.
AZULA: There's only one way to find out.
Their conversation is abruptly ended by the sudden unrest outside visibly worrying them. Screaming, the village bell, and distant drum music. That's when Zuko returns.
ZUKO: They're here.
The Water Tribes drums are intense and loud, with a very fast rhythm to accompany the incoming attack. The soldiers ready themselves, putting on armor and face paint. In addition, their uniforms include a wolf-shaped helmet.
Sokka's helmet is the largest of them all, of course, while Bato's is the only one shaped like a different animal, a white fox.
Soldiers pick up spears and shield, some sharpening their machetes or polishing their brutal clubs. Waterbenders among the men fill up their pouches with ocean water. Notably, their uniforms are a little lighter, missing heavier armor and plating.
Also a notable detail – every single soldier in the army is male.
KANNA: Is all of this really necessary? I thought we were hunting a young girl.
SOKKA: Don't concern yourself with the matters of warfare, woman. I will be facing a powerful adversary. I will need to meet her with everything I got.
Two male servants start putting his armor and makeup on.
KANNA: Oh yeah? That will go well...
Sokka shouts, as the drums are getting louder.
SOKKA (shouting over the drums): What?
KANNA (shouting over the drums): Nothing my prince, good luck!
SOKKA (shouting over the drums): Thank you!
The peaceful village now in complete disarray, women and elderly are running around, the screaming children being brought into their straw roof huts for safety. Able-bodied men are nowhere to be found, with the exception of Iroh, who exits with his niece and nephew in tow. Their non-bender Chieftain looks at the approaching ship in horror.
IROH: They're coming for you, Azula.
He turns towards her with a sense of urgency in his voice.
IROH: Quick! Go inside and hide!
AZULA: No!
The old man reacts more intrigued than angered by her response.
ZUKO: What? Azula, if they capture you-
AZULA: I don't plan on fighting them on my own.
She looks back towards the palm trees, the golden, grassy plains just beyond.
AZULA: But we will need some help.
In agreement with his niece, Iroh smirks, if only a little.
IROH: Fine. Go find Aang.
ZUKO (comically shocked): Aang?!
On that same, grassy field, quite a distance removed from the village, Aang walks onward aimlessly. His mind similarly wanders around with no real focus or direction.
Images and memories resurface at random – Azula inside the Southern Air Temple. The failed attack during Sozin's Comet. The failed invasion of the Black Sun. When Ba Sing Se fell and Azula struck him down. When Appa was taken and they were stranded in the desert. When the Moon Spirit died. When he ran away from Gyatso. When-
KATARA: Aang! Aang?
He snaps out of it, frantically looking around, spotting nothing but more grass, that dry jungle and the two volcanoes now far away in the distance.
AANG: KATARA?! Katara, where are you? I can't see you!
KATARA: Me neither! But I can hear you!
Aang nods, falling to his knees.
AANG: At least there's that...
KATARA: You... sound different. Like... a little younger.
He gets back up in a rush, creating a small cloud of air.
AANG: I know it's-
Unable to unpack everything at once, he channels his anger in a strong sigh.
AANG: It's a lot to explain, and I don't know how much time I've got...
KATARA: Aang, it's okay.
Words of relief which Aang really needed to hear.
AANG: Where are you now?
KATARA: Azula captured us, she'll be taking us to the capital.
AANG: Are the others alright?
Katara sighs too.
KATARA: I don't know, Aang.
The boy is at a loss for words.
AANG: Katara... I... I-
KATARA: Aang, calm down.
He shuts up, a sense of compassion carried through her tone.
KATARA: I don't know what's going to happen next, I have no idea what your spirit journey encompasses – whatever is set for your future...
With her words, Katara appears in front of him, a strange, almost ghostly silhouette, one that seems more improbable than anything.
KATARA: ...but I know you can do this.
The images of terror plaguing Aang finally disappear from his mind, replaced by the kind and wonderful memories of the Avatar and his friends. How they laughed, how they cried. How they fought, how they lost. Always as one.
And most of all, he remembers Katara. How they met, how they trained. When they kissed. That soft, gentle sensation as she slowly places her hand on his face. Katara's voice echoes in his head.
KATARA (faint): Aang. Aang! Are you alright, Aang?
The feeling of her smooth hand begins to burn a bit, as it starts to feel like...
AZULA: Aang. Aang! Are you alright, Aang?
The burning feeling turns out to be Azula, who lightly smacks him on the cheek repeatedly.
AZULA: Come on, Aang! Are you dying again?!
The boy howls in a panic as he leaps up from the ground, causing Azula to jump back and screech. After a few seconds the mayhem is over and a calm, standing Aang looks down at the scared girl planted on dry grass.
For the first time ever, he feels a small amount of compassion for her. Azula is, in contrast, very much pissed.
AZULA: Don't you ever do that again!
She is obviously embarrassed that someone caught her vulnerable like that.
AANG: I'm... so sorry, I think I passed out from the heat...
With cat-like precision the girl gets back on to her feet.
AZULA: Whatever, we don't have time for this. Our village is under attack – I know we only just met, but... please. We need your help.
AANG: Who is attacking you?
Insulted that he even asked, she switches to a more arrogant pose and scoff.
AZULA: Well, have a guess. The Water Tribe, of course.
At those words, a trembling, existential fear fires through his system once again. With it, Aang finally begins to understand where he might’ve landed.
The intimidating wooden ship eventually arrives on shore, the mighty vessel’s nose slashing apart the beachhead like a butterknife.
A boarding crew consisting of Viking-like warriors hops onto the remote Twins, emitting howl-like battle cries, in perfect synch with the fast-paced drums on deck.
Like with other raids before, the entire village has barricaded itself inside their flimsy-looking huts, all eyes fearfully glancing through slim windows towards the intimidating wolf-clothed aggressors as they approach their only system of defense – Zuko, both broadswords drawn.
Bato jumps off the ship next and assumes a bending stance, eyeing Zuko sharply.
BATO (mumbling to himself): He's not here.
Finally, a more royal figure emerges, one carrying a dark blue and light grey wolf helmet, presenting himself as the main attraction. This is Sokka of course, the rest of his armor appearing more stylish than functional, even including a toga-cape-cross.
To those men who have seen the Great Chief with their own eyes before, the odd little prince is dressed like a smaller version of him.
Next, the young heir unsheathes his equally expensive sword, jumping down from his ship and managing a competent beachside landing.
SOKKA (mumbling to himself): Nailed it.
The prince spots Zuko as he approaches, the dual swordfighter, while presenting himself as ready, having a hard time hiding his unnerve.
Having assessed that the Twin Island village has been adequately frightened into submissions, the loud drum music stops abruptly.
SOKKA: I... am Prince Sokka of the South, heir to the Wolf Clan, and heir to throne of the Water Tribes Confederation. I have come here today with a gift!
Zuko’s teeth are pressed against each other almost as sharply as the grip he has on his weapons.
In that moment of silent hesitation, Iroh appears from their hut, his posture suggesting that he will attempt to peacefully block the invaders.
IROH: Welcome to our humble island, your highness. How may we be of service?
Just as Sokka inhales air, Bato walks straight past the boy.
SOKKA: Well-
BATO: Don't waste our time old man, you know why we are here.
Sokka is laughably incapable of responding.
IROH: Oh, I can assure you that there are no firebenders on the island. The last one, my brother, was taken away years ago.
A lie, as Ozai forever held a grudge for being born a non-bender. One currently fighting a guerrilla war against the same army anchored by their shores.
BATO: You were freed from him. Firebenders are dangerous lunatics who burn down dry lands like these on a whim.
ZUKO (angry): It's only so dry because you drain our water!
BATO (cold): Watch it, boy.
The lieutenant prepares to attack, as Iroh intervenes.
IROH: No! Please don't hurt him! He didn't mean it!
BATO: Move away old man!
In a ruthless fashion, Bato washes Iroh to the side with a brutal wave, all while Zuko is unable to intervene. Even Sokka seems a bit horrified at this.
SOKKA: All right. Now, before anything else gets broken, I'm just here to ask a simple question - where is the raven-haired-
BATO: Where is the Avatar?
Everyone reacts appropriately shocked at those words, from the prince, to his soldiers, to Zuko, to the other villagers still hiding for their own safety.
Iroh, who managed to recover from his hit, tries to hide his lack of surprise from Bato, who appears more intimidating than his superior commander.
ZUKO: What?
SOKKA: Avatar? Lieutenant, what are you-
BATO: I saw his flying bison. The animal is extinct, but we know some of these airbenders are still out there! I'm convinced the Avatar was stuck in that volcano and-
SOKKA: "Convinced"? I don't care about "convinced", I care about a girl, with raven-black hair, firebending on the volcano, and I WANT to take her with me!
Holding back his anger at the vain little prince is clearly more difficult than any waterbending move.
BATO (cold): But your highness, the Avatar is a much more valued prisoner than some random firebending girl.
SOKKA: The Avatar is dead. Nobody cares, Bato!
Waved aside by the shorter boy, Sokka’s lieutenant is now openly boiling.
BATO (angry): Maybe I do! And maybe you should too!
Meanwhile, Zuko is trying to come up with a way to stall the infighting invaders even more.
SOKKA: That's good for you, but as long as I am the captain, and you're my subordinate, I will call the shots. Is that clear?
ZUKO: I'll tell you where they are.
Everyone's attention shifts over to Zuko.
SOKKA: What was that?
ZUKO: I'll tell you, if you can beat me in a one-on-one fight. Your highness.
IROH: Zuko, don't.
ZUKO: Trust me, Uncle.
Sokka smirks devilishly at this opportunity, already crowning himself the winner before any blades have even met.
SOKKA: Deal.
In a small fit of rage Bato turns around and walks back towards the ship.
Azula impatiently watches Aang strolling up and down the grassy plains, talking to himself.
AANG (nervously mumbling): I can't do this. I can't face him...
In response, the girl is internally going back and forth between trying to comfort him and thinking of a sassy comment. She looks to her right, in the direction of the village immediately in need of help.
Severe and apparent worry is what finally pushes her to do something.
AZULA: Hey, where is that... buffalo of yours?
AANG: It's a bison. And he ran away.
AZULA (quietly): Damn it.
She quickly goes back to serious.
AZULA: Wait, he ran away?
Aang looks like he is about to burst.
AANG (nervously mumbling): I can't do this, no. I... I can't, I-
AZULA: Aang...
AANG (nervously mumbling): What if I... no, I can't do it...
Fear runs through his veins again. If the Water Tribe is the enemy here, then that means-
AZULA: HEY!
Shocked to a stillstand, Aang flinches at her voice, expressing calm again. Azula on the other hand caught some of his fear.
AZULA (nervous): I don't have time for this! My family, or whatever is left of it, is in danger!
Even with every memory of Princess Azula howling and cackling still stuck in his mind, his sympathy for the younger, more insecure girl that appears to be... her arises. Something Aang is actively trying to combat.
AZULA (desperate): Please Aang! Just help us this once, you can leave after that. You never have to see us again after this!
Sympathy quickly turns to shame. Real worry and desperation rings in her words. He does still hesitate, though.
AZULA (desperate): Come on! Isn't that what the Avatar is supposed to do?!
Now this gets her quite a surprised look from the airbender boy.
AANG: How... do you know that?
AZULA: THAT'S what's important right now?! Really?!
Aang of course remains terrified of what they might encounter, or whom. But she is right. And as much as it grinds his gears, works against his every instinct – this weird Azula clone genuinely deserves his help.
AANG: Come on, let's go.
AZULA: How are we supposed to get there in ti- AH!
While she was asking, Aang rushed behind her and picked her up, carrying her with both hands, almost losing his balance due to her... well, weight.
AANG: You are heavier than I thought.
Unsurprisingly, Azula's head takes on a deep, crimson shade.
AZULA (furious): What did you just sa-aaayyy?!
She shrieks, as Aang uses his bending in order to take giant leaps through the air. Azula is rightfully uneasy so high up but also very impressed by the Avatar's abilities.
Ship drummers gather at the beach and commence their battle sound once again, this time for the purposes of dramatically undermining the duel of two teenage swordfighters.
Simultaneously, Water Tribe warriors form a barrier around the two combatants. Even if Zuko does manage to beat this prince, the surrounding crowd would most likely not just simply walk away. The entire village watches through their flimsily barricaded shacks, Iroh being the only one present outside, also appearing the most on edge.
As the brawl is about to erupt, Sokka smugly removes his helmet and toga.
SOKKA: This will be over quickly.
He draws his pompous blade with a loud KA-SHWING. Zuko already has his broadswords out.
IROH: Please Zuko, you don't have to do this!
ZUKO: I do, Uncle.
ZUKO (whispering to himself): I'll give you all the time you need, Azula.
Sokka takes on a combat stance. The drum music finally stops in an exciting crescendo, indicating the start of the fight.
Silence ensues for a few seconds. Iroh watches from his porch, Kanna spectates from the ship deck, Bato stands in between the half circle of drummers.
Then, Sokka roars and charges, his blade swung as Zuko dodges. He tries a chopping move next – Zuko stepping aside with the blade hitting sand instead. His third swing clashes with both blades, as Zuko tries to counter.
The boy attacks with a series of quick strikes, which Sokka blocks or dodges, although not with ease. Their blades hit each other at increased speed, with neither gaining the upper hand. Bato begins to clench his teeth. A single pearl of sweat meanwhile runs down Sokka's temple.
SOKKA (exhausted): Come on...
The two opponents cross swords, attempting a pushing contest. One Zuko seems to win.
SOKKA (exhausted): No...
In a genius move, Sokka simply steps aside, Zuko almost falling on his face, the prince utilizing his newly found upper hand to swing with great force. The Fire Nation boy is too slow and only manages to block last second – the sheer force of the huge sword is enough for Zuko to drop his own weapons.
SOKKA: Your sword fighting skills are impressive.
ZUKO: Yours are not.
He is not yet defeated, charging at Sokka, who attempts another swing with his mighty weapon. Zuko dodges again – that's when he spots a knife on the prince’s belt.
Sokka roars again as he attempts to strike a winning blow. As a deterrent, Zuko flings wet beach sand in his face, temporarily paralyzing his opponent, who in response starts swinging his weapon around at random.
Zuko manages to narrowly dodge yet again and, as he runs towards him, he hastily grabs the aforementioned knife, positioning himself in front of Iroh. Just as Sokka regains his vision, the underdog realizes he is... not holding a knife at all.
ZUKO: A... boomerang?
SOKKA: Hey! Where did you get that?
Spotting the thief using his own tool, Sokka almost fails to duck beneath the metallic weaponry hurled in his direction, only enraging him further.
SOKKA (angry): Enough of this! You are defeated! Surrender now and tell me where the firebender girl is!
His only way to counter having failed, Zuko quietly gulps. His mood brightens as the boy notes the silver shimmer aiming towards his opponent – directly towards Sokka's head.
SOKKA (turning around): What are you-
The weapon smacks Sokka directly in his face and the prince stumbles. Zuko catches his new weapon with surprising ease, using the opportunity to run by Sokka and pick up both of his swords.
Iroh briefly gifts his nephew a reassuring smile.
That is until a blast of water hits Zuko in the back like a cannonball, launching him across the village and causing him to be dragged across more sand. A whole series of attacks sweep the boy across the beachhead, finally knocked out for good right before Iroh’s feet.
Sokka was almost hit as well, had he not jumped to the side.
SOKKA: Hey! I'm not done yet!
BATO (angry): Enough of this childish nonsense!
He approaches Zuko with lethal intent, twirling water around his own arms.
BATO (cold): You have embarrassed yourself enough, Prince Sokka. I will end this.
His wrist water freezes and turns into icicles. No one, not even a frightened Iroh, can stop him, neither does a single soldier, nor Sokka.
Kanna does briefly consider what consequences it would have to murder a defenseless child.
In that moment, a figure emerges from palm trees, suddenly drawing everyone's attention towards him.
ZUKO (in pain): Aang?
BATO: There he is.
His attention shifting drastically, the lieutenant launches his icicles at Aang instead, the monk dodging both with a spin midair. Only now does he spot the girl being carried, who suddenly jumps off and blasts a gout of fire in retaliation.
A direct hit on the left side of his face, Bato stumbling backwards with a pained grunt. Zuko and Azula, the former still injured from water blasts, meanwhile take on fighting poses, standing in opposition to the now mobilizing Water Tribe soldiers. Outnumbered by a lot, Azula is not the least bit intimidated.
AZULA: We are the Fire Nation! You are on our land, and we want you GONE! Get out of here now, before you end up like your captain!
She points at Bato, who struggles to get up, both hands covering his face.
SOKKA: Hey! I'm the captain!
Azula is even less intimidated now, spotting some lean kid in expensive robes.
AZULA: Who are you?
SOKKA: I am Prince Sokka, of the Southern Water Tribe!
At those words, Aang looks up in terror. He landed a few seconds ago, with few paying attention to him. As the airbender steps forth, his heart is full of fear.
SOKKA: I will take you as a prisoner, in the name of my father, Great Chief Hakoda!
AANG (quietly): No...
SOKKA: If you shall resist, I will wipe this backwards village off the map!
The airbender walks up next to Azula.
AZULA (quietly): Aang, this is probably where you should-
His tattoos start glowing in an eerie, brilliant shimmer, so do both of his eyes. Azula steps away in terror while the warriors point their spears at him. A sphere of wind forms around the boy and he starts hovering above the beachhead.
Out of nowhere a cold sting pierces through Aang's back. The same striking pain that he felt back in Ba Sing Se. This time no images resurface, only black, as he collapses onto the sand.
AZULA: Aang!
Trying to help the injured boy, she is also hit by a precise water wave, Bato standing behind her, having performed both this attack and the mean blast against Aang.
The raven-haired girl gets back up again quickly, readying herself for battle, but is unable to follow through, as two warriors grab her from behind and simply tie her up.
An already beat-up Zuko is also washed away by one of Bato’s waves, finally falling down unconscious, next to a similarly defeated Aang, the spiritual glow slowly dissolving.
IROH (teary): I hope you are happy now.
BATO: Not yet.
The lieutenant has since stopped hiding his face. A fresh, burning scar is covering most of everything around his left eye. He walks towards Aang's motionless body, when Sokka finally intervenes.
SOKKA (angry): What was that back there, Bato? You almost hit me with your attack!
BATO (angry): I saved you! You were clearly incapable to do so yourself. Now hand me over the Avatar!
SOKKA: No! Even if he WAS the Avatar - which is impossible because the Avatar died 100 years ago - I'm definitely not letting that glow-eyed freak on my ship!
Bato has reached his limit now, briefly considering outright attacking the prince himself.
BATO (angry): But sir...
SOKKA (angry): Go to Kanna and let her treat your wound. That is an order!
Bato has to use every muscle in his body not to retaliate against Sokka right now. He simply groans and walks away.
BATO (cold): You will regret this, your highness.
In the meantime, the other warriors carry the flailing and tied-up Azula aboard. She looks upon her family one last time, even at the unconscious Aang. Some tears flow down her face.
Sokka meanwhile puts his toga and helmet back on, as everyone climbs back on board.
He too admires the village, with every single pair of eyes, outside or inside, admiring him with hatred and disgust.
SOKKA: Nice island you got.
Act III. – Aang returns
These words spoken by Sokka echo inside Aang’s head repeatedly.
A situation like this would give anyone a headache – fighting alongside Azula against one of his closest friends? Why? What is he doing in this world?
Eventually, the boy wakes up inside a wooden shack. His vision is still dizzy as he looks down and-
AANG: My shirt!
He jolts up in shock at the bandage across his torso, calming down after a few seconds. The familiar orange-and-yellow airbending fit is missing its upper part, Aang spotting the partially ripped thing placed on the dining table.
Standing across from him at the kitchen counter is Iroh, currently heating up some tea.
IROH: I'm sorry, I took the liberty to tend to your wounds.
The familiar face tries to force out a smile but gives up halfway through.
A short sting catches the boy’s attention, caused by the minor injury on his back. Nowhere near as terrible as what his body usually carries, that charred spot, curtesy of Azula’s lightning. A wound like this will likely heal soon, unlike the one in his world.
“His world.” The first time Aang categorizes his situation as such. What would this be then?
IROH: I'm afraid parts of your clothing got ripped apart by that waterbender...
Feeling a strong sense of compassion for the crushed elder, Aang politely kneels down across from him on pillow seats, accepting a cup of steaming jasmine.
AANG: Thank you for helping me. Things got out of hand back there...
In his own world, the Avatar State had been entirely lost, again, courtesy of Azula’s lightning.
IROH: Oh, you really don't need to thank me. Azula was quite fond of you. She...
Which is when Iroh’s anguish expresses itself, clear as day.
He shouldn't. He shouldn't feel bad for Azula, the person who hunted him down for the last three years. The person that took so many innocent lives. But alas... he does.
AANG: Azula… they took her, didn’t they?
IROH: I’m not sure what happened there on the beach, but I do suspect that not every airbender can do that with their eyes.
He scoffs at his insinuation. If Azula managed to figure out Aang’s true identity, Iroh probably did too.
AANG: I'm... I'm sorry I couldn't protect her.
IROH: Oh, don't be. I couldn't either. I'm afraid no one is truly safe from the Water Tribe...
Shuddering at the sentence and thought, the airbender pushes forward with his next question either way.
AANG: Can you tell me what happened in the last hundred years? I’m guessing things haven’t been... peaceful...
Iroh nods, before refilling his emptied cup.
IROH: Oh, I don't even know where to start...
AANG: Has there... been a war?
IROH: On a day like any other, one hundred years ago, the sun disappeared for many years under thick clouds and rainstorms. That’s when the raids began.
Aang gulps quietly. The image of seeing the sky engulfed in red was bad enough. Now this world had its own Sozin, its own comet. Its own terrible war. With this, Aang assumes the worst.
AANG: The airbenders?
IROH: That was their primary target. When the armies of the north and south marched against the Air Temples, not many survived...
AANG: Wait. Not many?
IROH: Some of them did make it, yes. From what I’ve heard, a few airbenders live in parts of the Earth Kingdom. Though I don’t know for sure.
Aang is at least slightly relieved. More airbenders? That's something. But it only changes little in the grand scheme of things.
With Iroh pausing and both taking quiet sips, Zuko yelling in the distance interrupts his thoughts.
IROH: My poor nephew isn't taking it too well...
At that moment, Aang decides that he hates this world, hates that he is here, and absolutely despises the fact that he can't help his friends back home.
But that doesn’t mean he can stop. Whether or not that was the real Katara earlier, he can’t say for sure. But the hope it instills is just as potent.
It’s nostalgic, in a way, a situation which acts almost as an exact mirror of when he awoke from an iceberg in his world. Back then, the two local siblings were forced to save him. Now...
IROH (teary): I know this is a lot to ask, but-
Before he can finish, Aang gets up from his seat carrying quite a fierce expression.
AANG: Can I borrow a shirt?
Comically, this is still imagined as a cartoon, his partially ripped pants fall off too, revealing his underwear.
AANG (embarrassed): ...and maybe some pants also?
The proud people of Twin Island have slowly started to come out of their huts again. Looking dour and sad, they mostly continue their work from earlier, no one really saying a word.
Zuko is the only one making any noise. He runs around frantically back and forth on the beach, picking up rocks and shells, throwing them at the waves as if that had any effect on anything.
Occasionally, his throwing motions are accompanied by a loud, painful scream, gaining him some looks of pity from other villagers. As he finally collapses on to wet sand, Aang walks up behind him.
ZUKO (quietly): What do you want? What are you even still doing here?
AANG: I want to help you.
ZUKO (quietly): You should have helped by protecting Azula.
AANG: Please, I... I know we can do this-
ZUKO (upset): What do you want me to do? And why do you care? You don't know us! What's your stake in this?
Aang unable answer, the swordfighter angrily jolts up and turns around.
ZUKO (angry): Why don't you just leave?!
Zuko quiets down upon realizing Aang is no longer wearing his iconic Air Nomad robes anymore.
He kept the brown boots but strapped them over a pair of fluffy grey pants. A large belt is placed around his stomach, behind it, a dark red shirt, plain and simple, a similar color to what Zuko is wearing. In a way, Aang now looks a bit like a red pirate.
ZUKO: Is... that my shirt?
AANG: Listen, I know I screwed up. I have disappointed a lot of people in my lifetime. Trust me. I don’t know how yet but... we’re gonna save her. I promise.
Zuko crosses his arms in suspicion as this, closely resembling the body language of said sister.
ZUKO: And why would you want to do that? Last time we spoke you just left us.
Initially at a loss for words, the memory of his friends waiting back home is what truly pushes the kid to try, alongside that shred of compassion caused by seeing Iroh crying.
This Azula, despite clearly being Azula, does seem somehow different. For now, she at least seemed worth saving.
AANG: Because that's what the Avatar is supposed to do.
Cut to Aang swinging one of Zuko’s broadswords repeatedly against a village border palm tree. It involves no real technique or precision, besides not trying to chop his own fingers off. Zuko stares at this in confusion, some of the villagers joining in.
ZUKO: Uh... Aang?
AANG: Yes?
He continues to chop into the tropical wood.
ZUKO: What... are you...
AANG: Well...
The boy finally hits a critical spot, the towering thing falling over in a loud thud. This draws a lot more attention, the entire village in fact, which now gathers around Zuko and Aang.
IROH: Zuko, what is going on here?
ZUKO: Well, we... haven’t discussed it yet.
AANG: We’re building a raft to get back Azula.
The village at large shocked by this, Iroh displays a light smile, one which Aang reciprocates.
ZUKO: Yes! We are – wait, what was that?
An older man steps forward.
OLD MAN: And who said you could chop down our palm trees, young visitor?
Initially, Aang gulps loudly. To his surprise, the old man shows a smile as well.
OLD MAN: We have more than enough in reserve! Come on, we'll help you out.
With this, Aang and Zuko share a nod.
Over the course of a short period of time the entire village pulls together, literally. Some of the stronger women and the old man push logs, others and the children gathering ropes, knotting their makeshift raft piece by piece. A mast is finally raised with combined forces.
Twin Island’s youngsters are especially impressed by this strange, bald boy raising logs and jumping around with his airbending. As the old man ties a knot next to Zuko...
OLD MAN: It's him, right? That's the Avatar.
Zuko really only now realizes it.
OLD MAN: He's finally back. I have been waiting my whole life for something like this.
After a bit the raft is almost done, only missing...
AANG: Does... anyone have a sail? Or... a large blanket maybe?
A door opens and Iroh approaches his nephew and Aang, holding a red cloth in his arms.
IROH: I haven't seen this in a long time. This should be exciting!
Zuko unfolding it, he reveals an old Fire Nation symbol proudly flying on the cloth.
The village cheers and Aang quietly shudders at the sight.
AANG (mumbling to himself): Remember, these people are the ones suffering...
IROH: Aang, would you like to have the honor?
AANG: Uh... no, I... don't think that would be right, me being... an airbender and all...
ZUKO: I'll do it!
Heroically, Zuko ties the sail on to the raft's mast, Iroh meanwhile quietly approaching the Avatar
IROH: Is everything alright?
AANG: What? Yeah, sure! I'm just... nervous.
IROH: I have great confidence in you. Don’t you see? You have brought our village something it hasn’t had in a long time. Some fun.
He puts his hand on Aang's shoulder as the airbender experiences a vague sense of déjà vu.
IROH: You can do this, I’m sure of it.
Turning back again, Aang spots their Fire Nation sail being raised. In that moment he begins to question his mission again.
A bit later, the combined village pushes the, can't really call it a boat, into waters. Zuko and Aang climb on top, the townsfolk gathering at the beach.
IROH: Be sure to hold on tight, Zuko!
ZUKO: Tight? How fast is this thing going?
Carrying a cheeky smile, Aang takes a deep breath, then assumes a stance very similar to Azula on the volcano.
With a powerful shove the boy drags huge amounts of air at high velocity towards the sail, the raft blasting off across the sea because of it, almost like a high-speed boat. Whilst the village loudly cheers their departure, Zuko comically grabs the mast for dear life.
IROH: Thank you, Avatar.
A wet cloth cools Bato's new scar. It has not yet dawned on him how bad the damage really is. All the lieutenant can tell is that the left side of his face burns like hell every time he touches it. A heavy groan followed by a hiss underlines this fact.
KANNA: You need to rest.
BATO: I'll sleep when I'm dead, Chief Mother.
Whilst the old woman had been tirelessly treating his injury to the best of her abilities for over an hour, the tired man shows little gratitude for it. As he leaves, she huffs in frustration.
KANNA (quietly): Fine, help yourself then, you douche bag.
AZULA: Are always you letting them talk to you like that?
The raven-haired girl had been put in metal chains, an expensive craft within the Water Tribes, especially for a singular captive. Seated below deck in the same room, the young prisoner smirks at the frustrated Kanna. Next to Azula stands a waterbending guard.
KANNA: This is not your place to speak, dear.
AZULA: Don't call me “dear”. I'm in chains. I'm not considered a person here.
GUARD (reprimanding Azula): Silence.
Cleaning her hands from the healing procedure, the Chief Mother then turns towards the young guardsman with a strangely cold smile.
KANNA: Go and report to my grandson about Lieutenant Bato’s treatment. Tell him he’ll feel better soon.
Azula raises an eyebrow at this.
GUARD: Are you sure you'll be safe next to her, Chief Mother? She’s a firebending savage after all.
AZULA (upset): Hey!
GUARD (reprimanding Azula): Silence!
KANNA: Oh, I think I will be fine. Thank you for your concern.
Her expression is somehow both warming and icy, giving the young soldier a slight spook.
GUARD: Well, only for a minute.
He pounds one fist on his chest, which is equivalent to a bow, then he walks back on deck, gently closing the door behind him.
AZULA: Nice distraction. Are you going to let me go now?
Kanna emits a groan of mockery at this.
KANNA: You wish.
She proceeds to put away more of her medical equipment whilst Azula carefully observes.
KANNA: When you're my age you will understand. You’ll know your place in this world.
AZULA: And when it’s, "my place to speak"?
In protest, Azula struggles in her metal containment acting as a restraining jacket.
KANNA: You seem very determined despite your... condition.
AZULA: You seem quite submissive for someone they call "Chief Mother".
Done with her chores, the old woman intimidatingly squats down in front of the girl.
KANNA: You have a lot of fire in your heart. Fittingly.
The raven-haired girl repulsively smiles.
KANNA: Tell me something dear, was that boy really the Avatar?
Usually the one rhetorically dominating others, it is Azula who finds herself being tricked into telling the truth via looks alone. It’s easier to mess with Zuko than with whoever this old woman is.
KANNA: I'll take that as a yes. Thank you.
Getting back up, Kanna aims for the door.
AZULA: You're going to lose!
KANNA: And why is that?
AZULA: Because I'm not the only one here in chains!
The elder halts, scoffs, then gracefully departs.
Azula remains alone below deck and, as soon as Kanna is gone, she begins to thrash around wildly, wiggling in her metal chain like a caterpillar. Or maybe a cocoon. Ultimately, she only manages to fall over in a dull thud.
AZULA (flat): Great...
Just as her escape attempt fails, shouting is heard from above, boots trampling across the ship's deck echoing across the room. Trying to get back up, her shackles prevent her from doing so.
AZULA: Ugh! Why is this so difficult?!
SOKKA: Ugh! Why is this so difficult?!
Sokka is meanwhile on deck attempting to paint a portrait of himself, failing miserably at it.
SOKKA: Why can't my face just look like that?
A soldier suddenly rushes towards him in distress.
SOLDIER: Your highness, a ship is approaching!
SOKKA: Oh please, we're the Water Tribes, who is going to...
He turns around and spots the approaching vessel in the distance, even without his spyglass. It appears to be drifting at insane speeds.
SOKKA: What is... never mind – ready our defensive action!
Crew members seem confused by his orders.
SOLDIER: Your highness... do you mean, deploy our waterbenders?
SOKKA: ...yes. That.
A small squad of waterbending warriors on board line up in a v-formation, with Bato at the helm. In contrast to a gear up prior to the raid, the warriors are now gearing down, removing every part of their armor and equipment – even their shirts.
They gather at the ship's edge as Bato raises his arm, signaling the other soldiers to get ready. Sokka, overlooking things from the helm, draws his huge sword, waving it around obnoxiously.
SOKKA: Waterbenders... I command-
Bato lowers his arm in annoyance before the boy can finish his speech.
BATO: ATTACK!
The squad leaps into the ocean like dominoes, surfing towards the approaching vessel.
On their makeshift raft, Aang tirelessly shoves heaps of wind into the flapping, crimson sail, Zuko himself also flapping in the wind.
ZUKO (shouting): Aang, we're about to get company!
As the bending commandoes are closing in, Bato clenches his fists in both anger and pain.
ZUKO (shouting): Aang?!
AANG (shouting): Just hold on!
With the Water Tribe warriors creeping ever so close, they prepare coordinated wave attacks in the process.
ZUKO (shouting): AANG?!
AANG (shouting): Let go, NOW!
Zuko follows his command, letting go “now”, while Aang collects as much air as possible, slowly going in a circle until... WOSH!
Blasting a powerful bolt of air straight down, he catapults the both of them into the air, using inertia to land on the backside of the ship while their vessel is shattered into pieces, disrupting the waterbenders attacking it.
Aang sticks the landing. Zuko not so much.
ZUKO (on the floor): A heads-up would have been nice...
Immediately, troops armed with spears approach them. One of two tries to stab Aang, who jump-dodges and blasts him into the other, launching them both off the ship.
AANG: I'll look for Azula, try to distract them!
ZUKO: "DISTRACT THEM"?!
AANG (firm): With your SWORDS, Zuko!
Aang jumps forward on to the main deck, while another spear-equipped soldier charges Zuko. The raven-haired boy blocks a mean stab before the two engage in yet another pushing contest, his weapons blocking the wood.
Remembering the earlier fight with Sokka, Zuko now also just steps aside, gravity doing the rest as the warrior stumbles, a mean shove causing him to fall overboard.
ZUKO: Hm. I could get used to this.
Three soldiers charge Aang at once – clubs and spears, all seemingly no real threat for the Avatar dodging it.
He sweeps them off the boat with air, three more approaching from behind.
Someone wielding a club is dragged across the wooden deck with an air vortex before being slammed into his comrade, both swept off the ship.
Another wielding a machete closely misses the Avatar, a quick wrist motion shoving the larger warrior into two a small squad behind him, which are all knocked over and tossed into saltwater, a move accompanied by the sound of a blowing ball strike.
Somewhere else on the ship, Zuko is attacked by a club warrior as well, the boy ducking beneath a nasty swing, skillfully managing to disarm the man with his swords, kicking him down the stairs.
SOKKA: Hold it!
At this, Zuko stops and turns around.
Sokka, wearing his ridiculous toga-cape, draws his equally ridiculous bone-sword, pointing it at the Fire Nation boy, barely able to balance it in one hand.
SOKKA: I believe our fight was abruptly ended, despite my apparent victory. I demand we finish this right here, right no-
Preparing to launch the silver boomerang against his owner, Sokka is instead rudely smacked away by the winds like he’s a golfing ball, landing somewhere far away with a quiet splash. This is all accompanied by a cartoonish yell that decreases in volume in relation to the distance he travels.
As Aang halts next to Zuko, the boy swallows that lump of guilt, whilst also being glad that he doesn’t have to face Sokka again for now.
ZUKO: Uh... thanks.
AANG: I think that was everyone. I'll look for Azula now.
Loud splashes sound behind them – Bato, and two other benders, managed to surf back on deck, refuting his theory on “that was everyone”.
AANG: Change of plans – you'll look for Azula!
With Aang busy taking on elite waterbenders on his own, Zuko awkwardly races down the stairs, slamming open the first door as he spots his sister on the floor.
ZUKO: Azula!
AZULA: Zuko, don’t-
BONK!
Unaware of any threat, her brother is hit in the back of the head with the handle of a club. The person holding said weapon is Kanna, watching with a cold expression as Zuko falls down unconscious.
KANNA: He's not as tough as you, dear.
Azula scoffs.
AZULA: Can't say much against that.
Affirming the old woman’s comment, Azula surprises her with a gout of flames launched from her feet, narrowly missing the old woman, who, in shock, falls over, hits her head on a counter, and is also knocked out in the process.
AZULA (mumbling to herself): Always got to do everything myself...
She starts crawling like a caterpillar again, a funny sound effect accompanying it. While attempting her escape, the fire caused by her blast starts to rapidly spread. Wooden ship and all.
Outside, Bato creates a barrage of icicles, which he furiously launches at Aang. The boy jumps aside and climbs the massive mast, more ice shards and a waterspout flying towards him.
Having avoided the attacks, the blue sail carrying the Water Tribe insignia once again ignites a sense of discomfort, as he recognizes the symbol from the allies he lost in his world.
It also provides him with a great counter strategy.
On the ground, Bato and the two other soldiers are creating a gigantic icicle aimed at Aang. Before the projectile is launched though, the Avatar takes a DEEP breath, then blows a HUGE wave of air into the mast, which manages to push the ship forward by a few knots.
The subsequent shifting of balance breaks off the combined effort of a frozen torpedo, one of the men even dropping back into the ocean.
Sokka watches his ship driving away from a distance, floating on a piece of former raft driftwood.
SOKKA: Hey! That's MY ship! My father paid a lot of money for that!
Bato’s next move, a liquid whip, is quickly repurposed into a liquid shield, blocking a flame burst which causes him to stumble and fall over. The other waterbender, regaining his own balance, is easily tossed into the ocean with a powerful tornado.
Spotting Azula again, wrapped in iron like a mummy, it actually conjures up a smile on Aang.
AZULA: Oh, so you came back. Makes more sense than Zuko rescuing me alone.
AANG: Where is Zuko?
AZULA: Yeah... about that...
Behind her, a plume of worrying smoke rises from below deck.
Charging inside, he gently hovers an unconscious Zuko outside with a gust of air, which unfortunately also causes him to draw in a lot more smoke than the average person should consume.
Images flash through his inner eyes again, this time they seem unfamiliar, yet they also feel familiar. Nuns running around, heavy rainfall, smoke, Appa flying, lava – all under bright moonlight.
AZULA (from outside): Aang? Can you hurry up in there?
The boy from the volcano coughing vigorously, he spots an unconscious Kanna lying in the corner next. At first, he hesitates. Who are the baddies again? Isn't it the Water Tribe? But then again, Kanna is only an old lady.
Aang barely even recognizes her at first. Katara and Sokka hadn’t seen their gran-gran since they all left the South Pole years ago.
Coughing some more, he decides to also bend her outside on a cloud of air, dropping her gently, close to Azula.
Meanwhile, Zuko regains his consciousness with a drawn-out groan.
ZUKO (in pain): Ow. What happened?
AZULA (annoyed): Uh, hello? Over here?!
He runs towards her, the girl still in chains, still on the floor.
ZUKO: How am I supposed to get you out of there?
Thankfully, a convenient key is lying around somewhere, having been dropped by a guard Aang blasted away earlier.
ZUKO: Thank Agni!
AZULA (annoyed): Agni isn’t gonna free me from my restraints – MOVE!
As he unshackles his sister from her chains, Azula’s gaze is worryingly focused on the lower entrance currently obscured by smoke. The small fire from before has since spread across a third of the ship.
AZULA: Aang-
Inhaling a gust of smoke, it immediately causes her to cough violently.
ZUKO: Is he still down there?
His sister, chains finally cast off now, immediately tries to rush inside, Zuko holding her back.
ZUKO: Azula, don't!
AZULA: Let me go! I'm going in there!
BATO: You're not going anywhere.
They turn around only to spot Bato back on his feet, surrounded by the other waterbenders, who have, and still are continuing to re-appear on deck. The entire squad now vastly outnumbers our heroes.
BATO (angrily): Your little arson-quest ends here. I know your friend is the Avatar – and you're all coming with ME!
Aang struggles to remain conscious, now completely trapped in the deadly smoke plume having conquered the room, unable to create a protective sphere around his person.
The strange visions paralyze him alongside it. He has a hunch as to where he needs to head next. But how will he save himself and his new friends?
Wait... friends?
Whilst Azula and Zuko are getting ready to fight an impossible threat, they spot the waterbending squad mumbling and even stepping back with fear, causing the siblings to turn around.
Two glowing eyes and a glowing arrow are all that’s visible at first, shrouded in ash and smoke and darkness.
BATO (cold): Step aside.
Azula and Zuko do so, closely observing the ensuing clash. All waterbenders launch their aquatic attacks against the silhouette – direct hit.
AZULA: AANG!
The water quickly evaporates inside a massive inferno.
Bato instinctively jumps aside, a gigantic fire ball launched upwards, hitting the sail and mast, setting it on fire and splitting it in half.
The other waterbenders are rather terrified by the stunt, fleeing their ship in a hurry. The Avatar continues to hurl a few more impressive flames in all directions just to be sure.
The last man standing, Bato can't believe his eyes.
BATO: I knew it...
Aang finally steps forward, revealing that, despite the intimidating lights, he is still merely a boy. In a last-ditch effort, Bato picks up the unconscious Chief Mother, surfing away with the rest of Sokka’s crew.
Finally, Aang collapses, still conscious, but weakened. This time Azula catches him before he hits the ground.
AZULA: That was... amazing! That’s the best firebending I’ve ever seen!
The boy coughs in her arms. His mind is still not yet at peace with the idea of hearing Azula say that. He smiles anyways.
AANG (weak): Thanks. Yours wasn’t bad either.
AZULA: Well, it still needs some work. My form isn’t perfect, and when I-
ZUKO (panic): Uh, guys?
Aang and Azula look around, only now realizing that basically the entire ship is on fire and sinking.
AZULA: Aang?
AANG: Yes?
AZULA: Did you... by any chance plan our getaway?
The siblings look at the Avatar with uneasy frowns.
AANG: Uh... escape rafts?
Hastily, the boy gets up on his feet again, the trio walking towards the ship's edge.
AZULA: I don’t want this question to sound rude but... do airbenders float on water?
Aang looks up upon hearing a familiar growl. A big, bright smile appears on his face.
AANG: No, but they can fly.
From above appears the shape of a giant, flying bison, coming towards them.
AANG: Appa-
Forced to cough again, Azula catches him before he falls overboard. As Appa arrives, he parks himself within jumping distance.
ZUKO: NOW!
The three jump, right before the burning mast breaks off, dropping on the exact same spot they were standing just moments earlier. Zuko taking the reins, Azula and Aang are seated in the back.
AANG: Oh, there's my staff.
AZULA (reprimanding Aang): You had a staff the whole time and you didn’t bring it?!
ZUKO: Aang? How do I fly this thing?!
AANG: Appa, yip-yip!
The beast grunts, flapping his beaver-like tail and flying the heck out of there.
Sokka is watching all of that from far away, still held up by some driftwood, the boy looking more than dissatisfied. With the rest of his crew arriving, some are swimming whilst the benders are surfing.
Notably, Sokka’s crew looks far more dissatisfied than their prince
SOKKA: Hello? Can someone help me up already?!
Bato, still carrying Kanna, appears the angriest out of everyone. A cold, quiet anger.
SOKKA (angry): What the hell happened to my ship, lieutenant?!
BATO (cold): Quite a lot, your highness. Perhaps something we should discuss with your father.
Sokka gulps at the mere thought, finally shutting his mouth.
Dawn is already upon the small Fire Nation island as Appa lands there. The village, up in arms, decided to celebrate this occasion with a somewhat lavish feast, although it mainly involves dancing around a fireplace, Iroh sounding the Tsungi horn.
It is now Zuko's turn to rock the floor, which he does with great enthusiasm.
Aang watches all of this unfold from a safe distance, his tree trunk being near enough to catch the light but still far enough to be removed from the celebrations. He closely observes the dorky Zuko, who is dancing as if his life depended on it.
ZUKO (in the distance): I kicked Water Tribe butt with the Avatar!
The village cheers at this.
AZULA: Strange to see him like that, right?
Azula's arms are crossed, though with a smile attached. Anticipating a reaction, she eventually sits down next to Aang.
AZULA: You fight pretty well for a... 14-year-old?
AANG: 12. Well, technically 112.
Aang turned 13 sometime after Sozin’s Comet, making him actually 16. Or... 116. Does that make him 228 now? Let’s not overthink it too much.
Azula smirks in response. Aang takes it as a positive, reciprocating with a smile of his own.
AZULA: You know, you’re pretty weird for your age. You act much older than 12.
Aang scoffs at her perceptive nature, ignoring the parallel to his own Azula for now.
AANG: I guess so. Been through a lot...
She puts her hand on his, a gesture of empathy.
AZULA: Hey, it's okay. We lost our parents too. Well, we lost mom. Dad is... complicated.
Aang shudders slightly at the thought of the Phoenix King, politely pulling his hand away again. Slightly embarrassed, Azula switches to observing her brother dancing as well.
AZULA: Amazing how he turned out, after everything that happened. He was a lot angrier when we were younger. Not that we're old now. I’m just repeating what our uncle says, to be honest.
With that thought uttered, another grows inside Aang.
AANG: You... turned out alright as well. Based on... what you said.
Taken aback by this, Azula forms an uneasy pout.
AZULA: Uh... thanks. I’m glad I didn’t turn out worse either. I think. Never thought about it that way, to be honest.
Their exchange has reached a limit for Aang, the boy finally getting up from his bench log.
AANG: You know, I should probably get going.
Azula looks up in shock at this.
AZULA: What? Now? Where? I didn’t know you were leaving...
AANG: I don't know. Guess I'll go back to that volcano. See if I... lost anything. After that... who knows?
He hops on to Appa with a windy spin and takes his reins.
AZULA: Aang?
They briefly gaze into each other’s eyes, grey meeting honey once again.
AZULA: Thank you. For everything.
He nods.
AANG: Yip-yip!
A subtle grunt later and the beast flies away.
Now alone, Azula sighs to herself. She had so many more questions for him. About his firebending, for a start. Plus – it’s the fricking Avatar! Is he going to travel the world all by himself now? What about her and Zuko?
Looking back at the fireplace, no one seems to have noticed the bison's departure. Or her sitting there for that matter. Perhaps...
Inside their little hut the raven-haired girl crams up an old backpack stashed away under a wooden ground plate, a simple backpack at that, but still serving its purpose. She stuffs it with food supplies, extra clothes, some styling products, comb, washing utensils, toothbrush-
ZUKO: What are you doing?
Having followed his sister inside, Azula tries to comically hide the rucksack behind her person while kneeling on the floor.
AZULA: Uh... nothing? That was some great dancing out there before, by the way-
ZUKO: Are you packing your bag? Wait, you're not doing what I think you're doing!
IROH: I'm afraid she is.
They rapidly shift their looks and attention towards the kitchen counter, where their uncle is standing, sipping tea. How long he’s been there, not even Azula can tell.
AZULA: Uncle! I was just-
IROH: Packing your bags and running away to go with the Avatar?
Azula can't decide if she should come clean or deny it or blame Zuko. That last one usually works.
IROH (happy): You will be needing these.
He hands both of them an extra bag of food supplies, including his very famous lava cookies.
ZUKO: Uh... thanks, but why am I getting one?
IROH: Oh, I assumed you wouldn't let your sister travel the world on her own.
ZUKO: Wait, we can actually go?!
Azula displays a smile before getting back up on her feet. Whilst Zuko is packing his own bag in a cartoonishly fast manner, she puts aside her supplies, crossing her arms cautiously towards her uncle.
AZULA: You knew?
Iroh takes a seat on a floor cushion with a relaxed smirk, still holding on to that tea.
IROH: I always knew I couldn’t keep you two on this island forever. I dreamed of the day that an opportunity like this would arrive for you to finally be able to choose your own destiny. I am so proud of you both.
Tears of joy emerging, Azula rushes towards her uncle to thank him with a long hug. Zuko joins in on it, crying in an exaggerated fashion, though still earnest.
ZUKO (teary): I love you too, Uncle!
IROH: There's one more thing.
They all stop as Iroh brings forth something from beneath a different floorboard. He unravels it and reveals the crown prince headpiece, the one Roku started wearing in Aang's world.
IROH: This is an ancient heirloom, passed down in our family for generations. Technically the eldest is supposed to wear it, but...
He holds it over Zuko, who scratches his head, indicating the lack of long hair to wear such a headpiece.
ZUKO: Azula can have it.
She takes it with great precaution, eyeing it as if it were a cat's prey.
AZULA: Thank you, Uncle.
Zuko has meanwhile managed to pack his own bag faster than his sister, his supplies mostly including literature.
ZUKO: So, where is Aang?
Azula frowns at this.
AZULA: Well... he... kind of just left.
Iroh strokes his beard in response, Zuko imitating this motion.
IROH: That's the other thing...
AZULA: I know, he's the Avatar, he probably does some mysterious things.
ZUKO: Who made you the expert?
Before any bickering occurs, Iroh can intervene.
IROH: No, it's not that. There is something else about the boy. Something beyond the fact that he is the Avatar...
Azula is hooked pretty quickly on Iroh's assertion.
AZULA: What is it?
Not knowing the answer, he finishes his tea before smiling at both siblings.
IROH: You will find out soon enough.
Sitting inside the frozen volcano, Aang meditates, trying to achieve his Avatar State once again. It’s how he came into this world, on the exact spot, nonetheless. Perhaps he can get some answers this way.
Maybe he can also just... go home again. A fun little adventure that taught him a lesson about trust or... something. He didn’t exactly end this day on trusting either “Nice” Azula or Nerdy Zuko without a scar. And with “Prince” Sokka appearing as well... he’d rather just go home already.
Focusing as hard as he can, relaxing with as much patience as he must... nothing.
He sighs, getting back up and leaving the little cave.
Appa is waiting outside on the plateau, supposedly not being able to wait for their departure, grunting as if they tried to communicate.
AANG: I know you want to go already. And it's not like I can get any answers here...
Frozen in his tracks, a few nudged and licks from his bison helps cheer him up a little.
On the volcano ledge, Azula and Zuko have since caught up, although they are now halting, via Azula's hand sign.
The girl has decided to eavesdrop just a bit.
AANG: I don't know what else to do. I have these visions, these memories, but it's... it's like they're not mine.
The girl once again raising an eyebrow in suspicion.
ZUKO (whisper): What did he say?
AANG: I want to help my friends but... I don't know if I can do that.
Azula's suspicion turns into sympathy for the boy.
Indicated by his head tilting, Appa seems to finally notice the siblings, growling at the two. With this, Aang cautiously points his staff in that direction.
AANG (cold): Who is there? Show yourself!
As a disappointed Azula and regular Zuko reveal themselves, the animal licks them both as well, Zuko being much happier about this than his sister.
AZULA: Yuck. Thanks, Appa.
Aang's posture relaxes, mostly.
AANG: What are you doing here?
AZULA: We? Oh, we're just... camping.
AANG: This late? The sun is setting.
AZULA: Well... that’s when you camp. At night?
Azula sighs and corrects herself.
AZULA: No, I lied. We wanted to find you.
The boy seems perplexed by this, though not really surprised either.
AANG: Find me?
ZUKO (snuggled by Appa): We wanted to come along with you.
AANG: You do?
AZULA: Yeah, I mean, you probably need a helping hand or two-
ZUKO: Or four!
AZULA: -or four with all the Avatar business. I thought we made for a pretty great team against His Royal Goofiness.
Aang turns around, portraying mixed feelings through his body language, a fact that Azula does not miss.
AANG: I don't know if that's a good idea. I don’t... want anyone to get hurt.
As Appa is getting too playful, he accidentally knocks Zuko down.
ZUKO: We can look for each other. Right?
AANG: Well...
Not being able to just say “I don’t trust either of you but especially her”, he chooses to tell another truth.
AANG: I've lost so many people now with the... war and everything. I just don't know what I would do if I lost two more.
AZULA: Listen...
Trying to come off as more approachable, she accidentally imitates Iroh a bit.
AZULA: I know it's been hard for you. Or, well, at least I can guess. But we are here to help you.
ZUKO: And to see the world!
Azula glares at her brother for a second, yet, more importantly she manages to turn around Aang, who is now facing her.
AANG: I don't know what I'll do to myself if something goes wrong again...
AZULA: We'll be fine. And if not, trust me – it won’t be your fault.
“It won’t be your fault.” These words echo through Aang's head multiple times with multiple voices. Each of them a friend of his, as if it was the long-lost magical formula that broke his spell.
He kneels down crying all of a sudden, baffling both siblings. Azula, who is at first surprised at this reaction, decides to awkwardly hug him. Zuko and Appa join in as well, allowing Aang to feel a bit more at ease after everything.
The moon has since risen, a bright full moon that illuminates the mysterious twin volcanoes.
The trio is finally seated on Appa now, siblings in the back, Aang in the front, Zuko properly securing their luggage with some rope.
AZULA: Wow. With a moon like that you would have been toast against the Water Tribe.
ZUKO: Good thing we kicked bender-butts during the day!
Aang can't fully share the enthusiasm. As Zuko is still, clumsily, continuing his task, Azula leans forward quietly.
AZULA: So, those visions you had, what did they show you?
Aang is not too surprised by Azula's level of intrigue.
AANG: Just... flashing memories. People, a temple...
AZULA: Maybe that's where you need to go?
He reluctantly agrees.
AANG: I guess.
Both switch to frowning at Zuko, Aang politely and Azula angrily.
AANG: Are you done yet?
The swordfighter struggles in a cartoonish fashion.
ZUKO (struggling): Just a... second...
After squeezing Azula's rucksack with rope, her new headpiece pops out of it. Aang immediately recognizes the item with a shocked grimace.
AANG: What's that?!
AZULA: Oh, well, that's from Uncle. It's an ancient artefact or something. Zuko is supposed to wear it, but he decided to cut his hair short...
ZUKO (angrily): You know it’s because YOU pushed me into that lady-bug-bee’s nest!
At his rant, Azula laughs, while Aang remains intrigued. The decision to take this alternate Azula with him has brought him Roku's headpiece.
AANG (quietly): Maybe taking you along wasn't such a bad idea.
AZULA: What was that?
AANG: Uh... nothing. Yip-yip!
Appa flies off abruptly, enough to startle Azula, making her screech like any teenage girl. Both boys now switch to smirking at her, after which they start laughing.
AZULA (upset): That is NOT funny! I could have fallen off! Why does this thing not have seat belts?!
Her anger cannot quench their laughter.
And below them, around the volcano's waters, a single, wooden ship. And a blue mask that watches.