Katara (voice over): Water... Earth... Fire... Air...

My grandmother 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 Fire Nation attacked.

Only the Avatar mastered all four elements. Only he could stop the ruthless firebenders. But when the world needed him most, he vanished.

A hundred years have passed and the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the war. Two years ago, my father and the men of my tribe journeyed to the Earth Kingdom to help fight against the Fire Nation, leaving me and my brother to look after our tribe.

Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads and that the cycle is broken, but I haven't lost hope. I still believe that somehow the Avatar will return to save the world.

Act I

(The show opens with an overhead shot of iceberg laden waters. The screen pans left and rotates showing footprints in the snow, then fades to soaring pan shot from the air of the icy waters. As if the shot were taken from the outside of an airplane, the camera banks left as it moves forward. It comes to rest and slowly zooms in on a two person canoe out among the icebergs. Cut to a closer shot of the canoe. A teenage boy, Sokka, shaven headed except for a pony tail, stands in the canoe. He looks down at the water, spear at the ready. The other occupant is a young girl. Both wear blue overcoats. The canoe drifts slowly as the boy concentrates on fishing. Cut to a close, overhead shot of the canoe. Beside the boat a fish swims close to the surface in front of the boy.)

Sokka: It's not getting away from me this time. Watch and learn, Katara. This is how you catch a fish.

(Katara leans over the edge of the canoe to see a fish. Hesitantly, she removes her left glove. She takes a deep breather and with a look of trepidation begins to motion with her exposed hand. Suddenly, a globe of water containing the fish bursts out of the water.)

Katara: Sokka, look!

Sokka: (whispers) Shhh. Katara, you're gonna scare it away. Mmmm... I can already smell it cookin'!

Katara (trying to retain control of the globe of water): But Sokka! I caught one!

(She struggles with the blob of water and it floats closer to Sokka, who raises his spear to strike a fish. When he cocks his arm back he burst the bubble of water. The fish falls back into the sea and Sokka gets drenched.)

Katara: Hey!

Sokka (very exasperated): Ugh! Why is it that every time you play with magic water I get soaked?

Katara: It's not magic. It's waterbending, and it's-

Sokka: Yeah, yeah, an ancient art unique to our culture, blah blah blah. Look, I'm just saying that if I had weird powers, I'd keep my weirdness to myself.

Katara: You're calling me weird? I'm not the one who makes muscles at myself every time I see my reflection in the water.

(Cut to Sokka, who is making a muscle and looking at his reflection in the water. He turns to Katara and gives her a look. Suddenly the boat is bumped, they look up to see they have entered an ice packed area. The begin to work frantically to maneuver the canoe between the icebergs.)

Katara and Sokka: Ahhh!

Katara: Watch out! Go left! Go left!

(Cut to an overhead shot of the canoe as it threads its way through the ice pack. Icebergs are colliding all around them. Each time they manage to avoid getting crushed between the colliding icebergs, but their safety margins decreases rapidly each time. Finally the canoe is crushed when three icebergs collide at once. Sokka and Katara jump out in time onto one of the icebergs. Cut to a wide shot of the ice field. They are now at the mercy of the currents. Then cut back to the kids.)

Katara: You call that left?

Sokka: You don't like my steering. Well, maybe you should have waterbended us out of the ice.

(Cut to a wide shot of the kids on their little iceberg. Behind them a huge towering iceberg rears up into the sky.)

Katara: So it's my fault?

Sokka: I knew I should have left you home. Leave it to a girl to screw things up.

(Cut to a close of up Katara, her anger boiling over. She points at her brother.)

Katara: You are the most sexist, immature, nut brained...

(As she gets more excited, the iceberg on which they are sitting begins to heave. Switch to a wider shot, where the huge iceberg behind her cracks.)

Katara: Ugh, I'm embarrassed to be related to you! Ever since Mom died I've been doing all the work around camp while you've been off playing soldier!

Sokka (noticing the cracking iceberg): Uh... Katara?

Katara: I even wash all the clothes! Have you ever smelled your dirty socks? Let me tell you, NOT PLEASANT!

Sokka: Katara! Settle down!

Katara: No, that's it. I'm done helping you. From now on, you're on your own!

(By the end she is screaming. As she finishes, the iceberg behind her splits open entirely. It disintegrates and the major pieces fall into the water, pushing their iceberg away. They hold on desperately until the iceberg settles.)

Sokka: Okay, you've gone from weird to freakish, Katara.

Katara: You mean I did that?

Sokka: Yup. Congratulations.

(They both are leaning over the edge of the iceberg raft. Suddenly, the water just in front of them begins to glow an incandescent blue. They move backwards on their raft as another, lighter colored iceberg breaks the surface. It is unclear whether this is part of the one Katara broke up or not. As the new iceberg settles, Katara walks to edge of their iceberg raft to get a better look. Deep in the ice, the figure of a boy in a meditation pose is seen. He has white arrows on his fists and on his bald head. Suddenly, his eyes glow and his arrow markings glow white.)

Katara: He's alive! We have to help.

(She grabs Sokka's hockey stick type spear, pulls down her hood and turns to go to the boy.)

Sokka: Katara! Get back here! We don't know what that thing is!

(Katara ignores him and skips across a few little icebergs to arrive at the one in which the boy is trapped. Sokka follows. She begins to use the hockey stick to whack the ice. After a few big whacks, she cracks open the ice. It looks like air is released, as if the iceberg had a hollow chamber within it, but it is not entirely clear. The iceberg then cracks from top to bottom and explodes open. A huge shaft of white blue light shoots straight into the heavens. Cut to a quick shot of the iceberg from underwater where it glows brightly, then to shot an above ground shot from somewhere nearby where the shaft of light and the aurora australis is clearly seen in the background. The foreground is occupied by a herd of tiger seals, who rear themselves up and roar at the phenomenon.

Cut to a view of an iron hulled battleship with a spiked prow cutting through the sea also nearby. It is apparently steam powered as it has a single smokestack. The foredeck is much longer than the afterdeck. The bridge appears to be several decks above the main deck. Cut to a shot of the back of a young man on the foredeck dressed in red, also shaven-headed except for a pony-tail, staring intently at the shaft of light in front of the ship. Then cut to a shot of his face, still illuminated by the shaft of light. The left side of his face is badly scarred around his left eye. This is Prince Zuko. The light from the light shaft dissipates.)

Zuko: Finally. (He turns to address someone o.c.) Uncle, do you realize what this means?

(Cut to an old man seated cross legged at a low table, drinking tea and playing a game involving domino like objects.)

Iroh: I won't get to finish my game?

Zuko: It means my search - it's about to come to an end.

(Iroh groans.)

Zuko: That light came from an incredibly powerful source. It has to be him!

Iroh: Or it's just the celestial lights. We've been down this road before, Prince Zuko. I don't want you to get too excited over nothing. Please, sit. Why don't you enjoy a cup of calming jasmine tea?

Zuko (exploding in anger): I don't need any calming tea! I need to capture the Avatar. Helmsman, head a course for the light!

(Cut back to a wide shot of the exploded iceberg, which quickly shifts to Sokka still shielding his sister from the blast that just dissipated. They look up to see residual blue light still swirling around the top of what is left of the iceberg. Suddenly, the boy appears, his eyes and arrow markings still aglow.)

Sokka (raising his spear at the boy): Stop!

(The boy stands up as the glow and residual energy fades. He seems to pass out and slides down the side of the ruined iceberg to Sokka and Katara, who lunges forward and catches him as he falls. Sokka pokes Aang in the head with the blunt end of his weapon.)

Katara: Stop it!

(She gives Sokka the Heisman and turns to the boy. She gently turns him over so that he is lying on his back. He begins to wake up. He slowly opens his eyes and the camera switches to the boy's p.o.v. to show his view of Katara. A breeze gently blows her braids and we hear him intake a breath.)

Aang (whispering in a weak voice): I need to ask you something.

Katara: What?

Aang (still whispering): Please... come closer.

Katara: What is it?

Aang (in a normal, even excited voice): Will you go penguin sledding with me?

Katara: Uh... sure. I guess.

(Aang airbends himself to his feet as he starts to rub the back of his head.)

Sokka: Ahh!

Aang: What's going on here?

Sokka: You tell us! How'd you get in the ice? (Poking Aang with his spear) And why aren't you frozen?

Aang (batting the spear anway, absently): I'm not sure.

(Aang gasps as a low, animal like noise is heard from o.c. and begins to frantically climb back up the ruined iceberg. He jumps over the lip of what is in fact now a crater and lands on a huge furry animal.)

Aang: Appa! Are you all right? Wake up, buddy.

(He leans down and opens one of the beasts eyes. He closes it again. Aang hops down and tries to lift the animal's huge head, but without effect. Katara and Sokka come around the corner and their mouths drop in shock as the see the monster, whose mouth opens and licks the boy trying to wake him up.)

Aang: Haha! You're okay!

(He hugs Appa, then cut to a wide shot of the destroyed iceberg. Appa occupies most of the crater left by the explosion. He is a huge flying bison with six legs and horns like a steer. He gets up and shakes himself off a bit.)

Sokka: What is that thing?

Aang: This is Appa, my flying bison.

Sokka: Right. And this is Katara, my flying sister.

(Aang is about to reply, but doesn't as Appa begins to sneeze. Aang ducks in time as Appa proceeds to sneeze all over Sokka.)

Sokka: Ewww! Aahh!!!

(Sokka, covered in snot, tries to get rid of it by rolling around on the ice and snow.)

Aang: Don't worry. It'll wash out.

Sokka: Ugh!

Aang: So, do you guys live around here?

Sokka: Don't answer that! Did you see that crazy bolt of light? He was probably trying to signal the Fire Navy.

Katara: Oh, yeah, I'm sure he's a spy for the Fire Navy. You can tell by that evil look in his eye.

(Cut to a shot of Aang's innocent face, his smile accompanied by a funny sound effect.)

Katara: The paranoid one is my brother, Sokka. You never told us your name.

Aang: I'm A... aaaahhhh... ahhhhhh.... aaah aaah aaah AAAAAAACHOOOO!

(As Aang sneezes he zooms of the ground far into the air. He responds to her question after he lands to the whistling sound of a bomb dropping.)

Aang: I'm Aang. (He sniffles and rubs his nose.)

Sokka: (incredulous) You just sneezed... and flew ten feet in the air.

Aang: Really? It felt higher that that.

Katara (gasping): You're an airbender!

Aang: Sure am.

Sokka: Giant light beams... flying bison... airbenders... I think I've got Midnight Sun Madness. I'm going home to where stuff makes sense.

(Sokka turns to walk off, but is stopped at the iceberg's edge. The camera zooms way out to show how desolate the area is. Just sea and ice.)

Aang: Well, if you guys are stuck Appa and I can give you a lift.

(Aang airbends himself onto Appa's head, then to the top of his back where rests an enormous saddle. Reigns are attached to both of Appa's great horns.)

Katara: We'd love a ride! Thanks! (She gets on Appa.)

Sokka: Oh, no... I am not getting on that fluffy snot monster.

Katara: Are you hoping some other kind of monster will come along and give you a ride home? You know... before you freeze to death?

(Sokka starts to say something and gives up before he does. He sighs. Cut to Katara and Sokka in the back part of the saddle. Katara looks excited. Sokka looks grumpy, arms folded across his chest.)

Aang: Okay. First time flyers, hold on tight! Appa, yip yip!

(Aang shakes the reigns and Appa makes a low rumble. Cut to a rear shot of Appa. He flaps his huge beaver tail and then launches into the air. He spreads his legs wide, but then comes right back down into the water with a huge splash. He begins to swim them forward.)

Aang (shaking the reigns again): Come on, Appa. Yip yip.

Sokka: Wow. That was truly amazing.

Aang: Appa's just tired. A little rest and he'll be soaring through the sky. You'll see.

(He makes a “soaring through the sky” motion with his hand, his eyes finally resting on Katara. He leaves them there, a smile on his face as he looks at her.)

Katara: Why are you smiling at me like that?

Aang: Oh... I was smiling?

Sokka (disgusted): Uuuuugh.

(Cut to a shot of Appa swimming through the water, flopping his tale. Fade back to Prince Zuko's Fire Navy ship. Zuko, on the spotting deck off the bridge looking forward, is approached by Iroh. It is now night.)

Iroh: I'm going to bed now. (He makes an exaggerated yawn) Yep. A man needs his rest. Prince Zuko, you need some sleep. Even if you're right and the Avatar is alive, you won't find him. Your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all tried and failed.

Zuko: Because their honor didn't hinge on the Avatar's capture. Mine does. This coward's hundred years in hiding are over.

(Fade back to a long shot of Appa swimming, his friends on his back. Cut to a closer, overhead shot. Aang lies back on top of Appa's head. Katara, in the saddle on Appa's back with her brother, crawls forward and looks down from the saddle at Aang.)

Katara: Hey.

Aang: Hey. Whatcha thinkin' about?

Katara: I guess I was wondering – your being an airbender and all – if you had any idea what happened to the Avatar.

Aang (looking disconcerted): Uhh... no. I didn't know him... I mean, I knew people that knew him, but I didn't. Sorry.

Katara: Okay. Just curious. Goodnight.

Aang: Sleep tight.

(Katara turns away and the camera zooms up to Aang, who also looks away, an expression of fear on his face. Cut to a long shot of Appa swimming again before a cut to commercial break.)

Act II

(The show returns to Aang in a dream. The colors are grays, crèmes and pale browns. He wakes up on top of Appa and the view rotates with Aang in Appa's saddle, then cut to Aang struggling against Appa's reigns with heavy rain coming down.)

Aang: Aaahhh!

(Cut to an underwater shot, where Aang and Appa suddenly penetrate the surface and enter the watery depths. They come up briefly for air, Appa groans, but they are once again driven under the storm tossed waves. As they drift downward, Aang drops Appa's reigns and begins to lose consciousness. Suddenly, Aang's eyes and markings glow white. He puts his hands together and he freezes himself and Appa in a huge ball of ice.)

Katara (voice over): Aang! Aang, wake up! (He wakes up, gasping) It's okay. We're in the village now. Come on, get ready. Everyone's waiting to meet you.

(Aang gets up and puts on his shirt and hood. Katara looks at his airbender tattoos. She grabs Aang by the hand and drags him outside. He carries a staff with him.)

Aang: Whaaaa!

(Cut to a wide overhead shot as Katara pulls him out. A small crowd has gathered to greet him. It is composed of women of various ages and children.)

Katara: Aang, this is the entire village. Entire village, Aang.

(Aang bows to them in a friendly manner, but the people pull back from him anyway.)

Aang: Uh... why are they all looking at me like that? Did Appa sneeze on me?

(An old woman enters the frame as Aang inspects his clothes for bison snot.)

Gran Gran: Well, no one has seen an airbender in a hundred years. We thought they were extinct until my granddaughter and grandson found you.

Aang: 'Extinct'?

Katara: Aang, this is my grandmother.

Gran Gran: Call me Gran Gran.

Sokka (grabbing Aang's staff): What is this, a weapon? You can't stab anything with this.

Aang: It's not for stabbing. (He creates a jet of air that sucks the staff back into his hand.) It's for airbending.

(Aang opens the staff into a glider with red wings.)

Little Girl: Magic trick! Do it again!

Aang: Not magic, airbending. It lets me control the air currents around my glider and fly.

Sokka: You know, last time I checked, humans can't fly.

Aang: Check again!

(Aang launches himself into the air with his glider. He soars through the air, doing loops as the villagers on the ground point to him in wonder.)

Villagers: Whoa... it's flying... it's amazing!

(Aang looks down at Katara who smiles at him. He is so enthralled with her attention that slams right into Sokka's guard tower. He pulls his head out of the tower and falls to the ground with his glider.)

Aang (as he crashes): Oof!

Sokka (gasping): My watchtower!

Katara: That was amazing.

(She helps Aang back to his feet. He twirls his glider shut as Sokka examines the damaged tower behind him. After Aang closes the glider a huge bank of snow buries Sokka.)

Sokka: Great. You're an airbender, Katara's a waterbender, together you can just waste time all day long.

Aang: You're a waterbender!

Katara: Well... sort of. Not yet.

Gran Gran: All right. No more playing. Come on, Katara, you have chores.

(Gran Gran leads Katara away.)

Katara: I told you! He's the real thing, Gran Gran! I finally found a bender to teach me.

Gran Gran: Katara, try not to put all your hopes in this boy.

Katara: But he's special. I can tell. I sense he's filled with much wisdom.

(She looks over to her right. Cut to Aang with his tongue frozen to his staff, children gathered around him.)

Aang: (slurring) Sthee? Now my tongue ith thuck to my sthaff.

(A child next to him grabs the staff and yanks, but Aang's tongue stays stuck.)

Children (clapping): Tee hee!

(Fade to an afternoon or sunset shot of Zuko's ship cutting through the waves, then cut to Zuko facing two Fire Navy seamen. Iroh sits nearby.)

Iroh: Again.

(Zuko blasts fire from his hands at the guards, but misses. Then the guards attack Zuko with blasts of fire from their fists, but Zuko dodges. He back flips over the guards to land behind them.)

Zuko: Ha! Heeya!

(Iroh sighs and gets up.)

Iroh: No! Power in firebending comes from the breath. Not the muscles. The breath becomes energy in the body. The energy extends past your limbs and becomes fire. (Iroh demonstrates, releasing a controlling plume of flame that bursts in front of Zuko, but does not hit him) Get it right this time.

Zuko: Enough. I've been drilling this sequence all day. Teach me the next set. I'm more than ready.

Iroh: No, you are impatient. You have yet to master your basics. (More forcefully) Drill it again!

Zuko: Grrrr... huh! (He blasts one of the guards backwards with a gout of fire.) The sages tell us that the Avatar is the last airbender. He must be over a hundred years old by now. He's had a century to master the four elements. I'll need more than basic firebending to defeat him. You WILL teach me the advanced set!

Iroh: Very well. But first I must finish my roast duck. (Begins eating) Num num... num...

(Cut to a shot of the afternoon sky. The screen pans down to reveal Sokka, clearly addressing an audience as he paces back and forth.)

Sokka: Now men, it's important that you show no fear when you face a firebender. In the Water Tribe, we fight to the last man standing. For without courage, how can we call ourselves men?

(Cut to the audience. It is a group of six children, most of whom are toddlers.)

Little Boy (raising his hand): I gotta pee!

Sokka: Listen! Until your fathers return from the war, they're counting on you to be the men of this tribe. And that means no potty breaks.

Little Boy: But I really gotta go.

Sokka (sighing): Okay... who else has to go?

(All six raise their hands. Sokka slaps his forehead in disgust as all six exit to the right. Katara enters from the left.)

Katara: Have you seen Aang? Gran Gran said he disappeared over an hour ago.

(Cut to Aang emerging from a small igloo type bathroom stall. He adjusts his pants and smiles at the trip of boys coming to use the toilet.)

Aang (gesturing over his shoulder at the toilet): Wow! Everything freezes in there!

Children: Hahaha!

Sokka: Ugh! Katara, get him out of here. This lesson is for warriors only.

Kid (voice over): Wheeee!

(Cut to a rear shot of Appa, Aang on his back. They have propped up his tail using a makeshift sawhorse. A kid has used Appa's back and tail as a slide to land in a pile of snow. The children, and soon Katara, all start laughing.)

Sokka: Stop! Stop it right now! (To Aang) What's wrong with you? We don't have time for fun and games with a war going on.

Aang: What war? (He hops down off of Appa) What are you talking about?

Sokka: You're kidding, right?

(Aang's gaze shifts slightly off of Sokka to look at something beyond him o.c.)

Aang: PENGUIN!

(To accentuate Aang's exclamation the screen around him vibrates slightly in a visual effect. Cut to a shot of a penguin in distance, visible between Sokka and Katara. The camera closes on the penguin almost instantly. The penguin, aware that it has been spotted, makes an excited noise and turns to waddle away. Aang uses his airbending skill to run at unbelievable speed toward the horizon where the penguin had just been.)

Sokka: He's kidding, right?

Act III

(Fade to a beach loaded with penguins who waddle around squawking. Katara enters, looking for Aang.)

Katara: Aang?

(Cut to Aang chasing some penguins, but unable to catch them as the waddle away.)

Aang: Haha! Hey, come on little guy. Wanna go sledding?

(Aang lunges, but falls flat on his face. He gets back up as Katara approaches.)

Aang: Oof! Heh heh, I have a way with animals. (He puts his arms out and waddles in imitation of the four flippered penguins) Yarp! Yarp yarp! Yarp! Yarp yarp! Yarp!

Katara: (giggles) Hahaha... Aang, I'll help you catch a penguin if you teach me waterbending.

Aang: You got a deal! Just one little problem. I'm an airbender, not a waterbender. Isn't there someone in your tribe who can teach you?

Katara (looking away in sadness): No. You're looking at the only waterbender on the whole South Pole.

Aang: This isn't right. A waterbender needs to master water. What about the North Pole? There's another Water Tribe up there, right? Maybe they have waterbenders who could teach you.

Katara: Maybe. But we haven't had contact with our sister tribe in a long time. It's not exactly 'turn right at the second glacier.' It's on the other side of the world.

Aang: But you forget: I have a flying bison. Appa and I can personally fly you to the North Pole. Katara, we're gonna find you a master!

Katara (happily): That's... (then uncertain) I mean, I don't know. I've never left home before.

Aang: Well, you think about it. But in the meantime, can you teach me to catch one of these penguins?

Katara (mock teacherly tone): Okay, listen closely my young pupil. Catching penguins is an ancient and sacred art. Observe.

(She produces a little fish from her coat and tosses it at Aang. He is instantly surrounded by a horde of hungry penguins.

Fade to a shot of an ice bank. It appears to be late afternoon. Suddenly, Katara and Aang rocket off the ice bank, each sitting atop a penguin. The land on the bank below and continue down at high speed on the penguin's belly. Aang and his penguin take a jump off a small ramp, eventually landing in front of Katara. She takes the jump and lands near him. They laugh and whoop happily.)

Katara: I haven't done this since I was a kid!

Aang: You still are a kid!

(They continue to rocket across the frozen landscape, eventually entering system of ice tunnels. The tunnels are have periodic gaps where sunlight pours through. They emerge from the tunnels and get off their mounts, which stand up and dizzily wander away making little chirping noises. They walk forward, looking at something in front of them.)

Aang: Whoa... what is that?

(Cut to a huge ship locked in the ice in front of them. It is a derelict Fire Navy ship, silhouetted by the sun behind it.)

Katara (deathly serious): A Fire Navy ship, and a very bad memory for my people.

(Aang begins to walk to the ship.)

Katara: Aang, stop! We're not allowed to go near it. The ship could be booby trapped.

Aang: If you wanna be a bender, you have to let go of fear.

(She looks uncertain, then follows him to the ship. They climb up and enter the ship through a gaping hole in one of the forward compartments below the water line. They walk around the dark corridors inside past many a darkened room.)

Katara: This ship has haunted my tribe since Gran Gran was a little girl. It was part of the Fire Nation's first attacks.

Aang: Okay, back up. I have friends all over the world, even in the Fire Nation. I've never seen any war.

Katara: Aang, how long were you in that iceberg?

Aang: I don't know... a few days, maybe?

Katara: I think it was more like a hundred years!

Aang: What? That's impossible. Do I look like a hundred-twelve year old man to you?

Katara: Think about it. The war is a century old. You don't know about it because, somehow, you were in there that whole time. It's the only explanation.

(Aang puts his hand to his head and walks backward. Stunned by this realization, he sinks to the floor.)

Aang: A hundred years! I can't believe it.

Katara (kneeling next to him): I'm sorry, Aang. Maybe somehow there's a bright side to all this.

Aang: I did get to meet you.

Katara (smiles): Come on. Let's get out of here.

(She helps him back to his feet and they start walking once again. Fade to an exterior shot of the Fire Navy ship. Cut back to an interior shot of the ship as Aang enters a darkened room on the ship, Katara behind in the hallway.)

Katara: Aang? Let's head back. This place is creepy.

Aang: Huh?

(Cut to a shot of Aang's foot dragging a trip wire on the floor. Behind them the door is blocked by a grate that drops from the ceiling. They grab it just after it falls shut. They are trapped.)

Aang: What's that you said about booby traps?

(Around them, machinery in the room starts to operate. Gauges show steam pressure and wheels begin to turn. Steam begins to pour out of some of the equipment. Cut to an exterior shot of the ship. Suddenly, a bright flare explodes out of the Fire Navy ship and into the sky, leaving a trail of smoke behind it. Cut back to Aang and Katara looking out the window of the ship's bridge.)

Aang: Uh oh.

(Cut back to the flare as it rises. When it reaches its zenith it explodes with a small shower of sparks. Cut back to Aang and Katara with a wide shot on the bridge. There is a hole in the ceiling that Aang is looking at.)

Aang: Hold on tight!

(He grabs Katara, who cries out in surprise, and launches them both through the hole in the ceiling. He lands with her in his arms on top of the bridge.

Cut to a long shot of the falling flare as seen through the lens of a telescope. The telescope follows the flare down for a few moments, before shifting downwards to show Aang hopping down the ship and the ice which encases it to the ground below, Katara still in his arms.)

Zuko (voice over): The last airbender. (Cut to a profile view of Zuko looking through his telescope) Quite agile for his old age. Wake my uncle! Tell him I found the Avatar...

(Zuko looks back into his telescope to see Aang and Katara running across the ice away from the ship. He then scans left quickly, then pulls it back right to focus on Katara's village.)

Zuko: ...as well as his hiding place.

(Cut to a close up of Zuko's left eye, the scarred one, which arches in determination.)

Act I

(The episode opens with a repeat shot of the flare set off by Aang in the prior episode falling from the sky. It is nearly sunset. The screen pans down to reveal a shot from behind Gran Gran and some other villagers. They look down the ice road out of their village to see Aang and Katara in the distance walking toward them. As they approach, the children run forward to greet them.)

Children: Yay! Aang's back!

(The children gather around Aang as Sokka comes forward angrily.)

Sokka (pointing at Aang): I knew it! You signaled the Fire Navy with that flare! You're leading them straight to us, aren't you?

Katara: Aang didn't do anything. It was an accident.

Aang: Yeh, we were on the ship and there was this booby trap and well... (putting his hand to his head as if trying to puzzle out the thought) ...we “boobied” right into it.

Gran Gran (shaking her head): Katara, you shouldn't have gone on that ship. Now we could all be in danger!

Aang: Don't blame Katara! I brought her there. (Looking downcast) It's my fault.

Sokka: Aha! The traitor confesses! Warriors, away from the enemy! (The children walk away from Aang and towards Sokka and Gran Gran.) The foreigner is banned from our village!

Katara (angrily): Sokka, you're making a mistake.

Sokka: No! I'm keeping my promise to Dad. I'm protecting you from threats like him!

Katara (motioning to Aang): Aang is not our enemy! Don't you see? Aang's brought us something we haven't had in a long time. Fun.

Sokka: Fun? We can't fight firebenders with fun!

Aang (smiling earnestly): You should try it sometime.

Sokka: Get out of our village. Now!

Katara: Grandmother, please, don't let Sokka do this.

Gran Gran: Katara, you knew going on that ship was forbidden. Sokka is right. I think it best if the airbender leaves.

Katara: Then I'm banished too!

(She turns, taking Aang by the shoulder, and begins to walk off.)

Katara: C'mon, Aang, let's go!

(Cut to a wide, profile shot of the scene. Appa is on the left, ready for flight, Sokka and the villagers on the right. In between are Katara and Aang walking to Appa, the sun starting to set behind them.)

Sokka (pointing at Katara): Where do you think you're going?

Katara: To find a waterbender! Aang is taking me to the North Pole!

Aang (momentarily confused, then brightening): I am? Great!

Sokka: Katara! (She stops) Would you really choose him over your tribe? Your own family?

(She pauses, doubt and indecision on her face. Aang comes up next to her.)

Aang: Katara, I don't want to come between you and your family.

(He walks forward and o.c. towards Appa.)

Katara: So, you're leaving the South Pole? This is goodbye?

Aang: Thanks for penguin sledding with me.

Katara: Where will you go?

Aang (putting a hand on Appa): Guess I'll go back home and look for the airbenders. (Thinking) Wow, I haven't cleaned my room in a hundred years. Not looking forward to that.

(He airbends himself onto Appa's head where he takes the reigns. He turns to address the village.)

Aang: It was nice meeting everyone.

Sokka: Let's see your bison fly now, air boy.

Aang: Come on, Appa, you can do it! Yip! Yip!

(Appa rumbles and gets onto his feet.)

Sokka: Yeh, I thought so.

(Just then a little girl with pig tails rushes forward with a cry to stand by Katara.)

Little Girl (her eyes shining with tears): Aang! Don't go! We'll miss you!

Aang (sadly): I'll miss you too.

(He turns to look at Katara, then cut to a close of Katara, her braids blowing in the breeze. Cut back to Aang who turns away, shaking the reigns once more.)

Aang: Come on, boy.

(Appa begins to walk off in the background, Katara and the little girl, backs to the camera, in the foreground. The little girls runs off crying back to the village while Gran Gran comes up behind Katara.)

Gran Gran: Katara, you'll feel better after you –

Katara (cutting her off angrily): You happy now? There goes my one chance of becoming a waterbender!

(She too stalks off angrily, leaving Gran Gran alone.

Cut to a shot of Sokka directing the little boys through the village gate. Martial music plays in the background.)

Sokka: All right! Ready our defenses! The Fire Nation could be on our shores any moment now!

(A little boy stops, raising his head and dancing about suggestively.)

Little Boy: But, I gotta –

Sokka (cutting him off forcefully and pointing to the fortifications): And no potty breaks!

(Fade to a shot of the frozen wasteland outside the village. The camera pans right to reveal Appa and Aang resting in the curves of some ice formations. The formation has two doughnut shaped holes. Appa lies on his back in the lower one, Aang in the smaller higher one. Appa rumbles.)

Aang: Yeh, I liked her too.

(Aang looks out to see and gets up with a start. Cut to his p.o.v. which shows a Fire Navy ship steaming toward the village. The camera zooms backward to show the back of Aang's head. He looks over from the ship to where the village lies over the horizon.)

Aang: The village! (He slides down off his perch) Appa, wait here!

(Appa rumbles in reply and shifts his position slightly. Cut to Sokka putting on his war garb. Fingerless gloves, arm wraps, boots and face paint are all applied silently.

Cut to a quick exterior shot of Zuko's ship steaming ahead, then cut again to a parallel shot of Zuko being helped into his armor by some attendants. He girds himself with a breastplate, shoulder guard and helmet.

The scene shifts to Sokka leaving his tent with his weapons, then cut to a silent overhead pan shot of the village. Alone, Sokka stands atop the ice wall of the village, scanning the mist for any sign of the enemy. Suddenly, a deep rumbling noise is heard and the ground begins to shake. Parts of the wall on which Sokka stands begins to crumble. The villagers look around in alarm. Cut back to Sokka where the guard tower in the background collapses in a heap of snow and ice.)

Sokka (disappointed at the tower's collapse): Oh man!

(Pandemonium breaks out in the village as people being to run every which way. Katara is in their midst, but stops, seeing something in the mist. Cut to a shot from Katara's p.o.v. Still atop the wall, Sokka looks small. Suddenly a massive shadow emerges from the mist, dwarfing Sokka. It is the bow of Prince Zuko's ship.

Cut to a zoom in close up of Sokka.)

Sokka: Ohhh, man!

(The shot shifts to a profile view of the village and the encroaching ship. Prince Zuko's vessel has cut through the ice all the way to the city wall itself. As the ships continue to ice break towards the wall, Katara puts Gran Gran into one of the tents in the rear and then gets a little child out of harm's way as the ice floor of the village begins to crack all over the place under the stress.

As she puts the child in a tent, she turns to look back to Sokka. Cut to a wide overhead shot of the ship reaching the wall, Sokka poised both tragically and comically to the ships hull with his weapon.)

Katara: Sokka, get out of the way!

(As the ship reaches the wall, it collapses into a heap of ice and snow which tumbles back into the village, carrying Sokka with it. Cut to a wide shot of the ship which has come to a halt. Steam wafts up from where the bow has split the ice. The villagers, Katara in front, have emerged from their shelters and stare in trepidation and amazement at the ship. Katara draws a deep breath in anticipation. Cut to Sokka looking up at the ship, who also draws breath.

Cut to a wide shot from behind Sokka that pans up. With a noise of metal on metal the bowsprit of the ship opens and folds out and down onto the village's floor. The bowsprit has become a huge gangplank, similar to the Roman corvus, for disembarking Fire Nation troops. Sokka's falls backwards to avoid being crushed by the bowsprit.

As the steam clears from the top of the bowsprit, Zuko and a host of Fire Nation soldiers are revealed. A quick cut to Sokka and the villagers is replaced by one of Zuko walking down the gangplank stairs followed by guards.

Cut back to Sokka, who gets up and charges Zuko with an adolescent war cry. As he runs up the steps to the Prince, Zuko casually and expertly kicks his weapon out of his hand and then kicks him in the face, sending him sprawling on the ice to the planks right. His head gets stuck in the snow and he struggles comically to free himself. The villagers draw back in fright and the ease with which their only warrior has been dispatched by the invaders. Cut to an overhead shot of the villagers and Fire Nation soldiers who have now reached them. Zuko walks forward to address the village. He looks over the crowd, then walks over to Katara and Gran Gran.)

Zuko: Where are you hiding him?

(He looks around the crowd as there is no immediate response. He grabs Gran Gran and shows her to the villagers.)

Zuko: He'd be about this age? Master of all elements?

(Again no one responds. After a brief pause, he throws Gran Gran roughly back to Katara. With a cry of frustration he launches a gout of flame over the villager's heads. The cower in fear.)

Zuko: I know you're hiding him!

(Behind Zuko, Sokka gets up, his face paint largely gone. He retrieves his weapon and charges Zuko with another cry. Cut to Sokka's p.o.v., where Zuko turns to him in annoyance. He dodges Sokka's charges and flips him over his head. Zuko fires a blast of flame at Sokka, but Sokka rolls out of the way, throwing his boomerang at Zuko as he does. Caught by surprise, Zuko barely avoids the boomerang. He turns to look back in anger at Sokka over the near miss. Cut back to Sokka, the villagers behind him. A little boy in the crowd throws him a spear.)

Little Boy: Show no fear!

(Sokka catches the spear and charges Zuko, who, as Sokka reaches him, breaks off pieces of the spear shaft with his wrist guards. After the head of the spear has been shorn off, Zuko grabs the spear, boinks Sokka on the forehead with it several times, then breaks it in half and drops the pieces on the ground. Sokka, after getting bonked on the head, has also sunk to the ground, rubbing his head. A "down the tubes" sound effect plays for a comic effect. Cut to a shot from Sokka's p.o.v., with Zuko standing sternly over him. In the sky in the background the boomerang reappears. It slams Zuko in the back of the head, knocking his helmet off kilter. Furious, Zuko begins to spit fire out of his hands as he hovers menacingly over Sokka.

Cut to Aang skyrocketing towards the village on a penguin, staff in hand. He flies right under Zuko, sweeping his legs out from under him. Zuko lands butt up. The helmet lands on his behind in a most suggestive manner. The children cheer as Aang reaches the villagers. As he and the penguin bank, they dump a lot of snow on the cheering kids. They stop cheering for a moment, but then take up the cheer again anyway. The penguin slides to a halt and it pushes Aang off. The penguin gets up, looks at Aang, and then turns and waddles away.)

Aang: Hey Katara. Hey Sokka.

Sokka (dryly): Hi...Aang. Thanks for comin'.

(Aang looks over at the Firebenders. Cut to Zuko getting to his feet and assuming a firebending stance, then cut to an overhead shot of Aang at the ready with his staff, surrounded by Zuko and his men. They begin to close in, but Aang blows the men on either side of him backwards with blasts of air. He blasts Zuko as well, but he holds his ground, shielding his face from the wind.)

Aang: Looking for me?

Zuko (incredulous): You're the airbender? You're the Avatar?

Katara: Aang?

Sokka: No way.

(Cut to an overhead shot showing Zuko and Aang maneuvering for position against each other in the middle of a village that has become an arena.)

Zuko: I've spent years preparing for this encounter. Training. Meditating. You're just a child!

Aang: Well, you're just a teenager.

(Zuko fires blast after blast. Aang cries out. He is hard pressed, fear showing on his face. Aang dissipates each blast as it strikes by twirling his staff in front of him like a helicopter blade. The dissipation doesn't block the fire from reaching the villagers, though, and they cry out. Aang looks behind to them and realizes he can't protect them all.)

Aang: If I go with you, will you promise to leave everyone alone?

(Cut to wide shot of Zuko still in a firebending stance. After a brief pauses he straightens up and nods stiffly. Cut back to Aang, a soldier's hands entering the frame to take his staff and lead him to the ship. Cut to a shot of the villagers where Katara rushes forward.)

Katara: No, Aang! Don't do this!

Aang: Don't worry, Katara, it'll be okay. (They push him forward roughly) Take care of Appa for me until I get back.

Zuko: Head a course to the Fire Nation. I'm going home.

(They board the ship and the bowsprit rises back up. Aang looks back hopefully at his new friend as the ship closes. Katara's eyes water as the prison closes around Aang. His smile drops as he sees her pain. The shadow of the closing bowsprit closes over him, then cut to commercial break and the bowsprit snaps into place.)

Act II

(The show returns with an overhead shot of the village. It is morning. The jagged path through the ice that Zuko's ship opened is plainly visible as is the shattered village wall. Life goes on, however, the fire at the center of the village smokes and villager are visible about their work. Several shots flip by of villagers tending the fire, digging out the watchtower and re-raising tents. They look sad. Cut to a long shot of Katara at the water's edge looking out at the sun rising over the sea, then cut to a frontal view of her. Sokka walks by in the background carrying some things.)

Katara: We have to go after that ship, Sokka. Aang saved our tribe; now we have to save him.

Sokka: Katara, I—

Katara: Why can't you realize that he's on our side? If we don't help him, no one will. I know you don't like Aang, but we owe him and I—

Sokka: Katara! Are you gonna talk all day or are you comin' with me?

(Sokka motions to his left and the screen expands to show a canoe ready to go.)

Katara (with a happy gasp): Sokka!

(She gives him a bear hug.)

Sokka: Get in. We're going to save your boyfriend.

Katara: He's not my—

Sokka: Whatever.

Gran Gran (entering the shot from behind them): What do you two think you're doing?

(They turn and try to look innocent. Cut to Gran Gran, who looks momentarily severe, but then smiles and offers them a blue bundle.)

Gran Gran: You'll need these. You have a long journey ahead of you. It's been so long since I've had hope. But you brought it back to life, my little waterbender. (She hugs Katara) And you, my brave warrior, be nice to your sister.

(She hugs Sokka.)

Sokka: Yeah... okay, Gran.

Gran Gran: Aang is the Avatar. He's the world's only chance. You both found him for a reason. Now your destinies are intertwined with his.

Katara (turning to the canoe): There's no way we're gonna catch a war ship with a canoe.

(The shot expands to show Appa mounting the crest of hill in the background. He emits a low rumble as he approaches.)

Katara: Appa!

(She runs o.c. towards Appa.)

Sokka: You just love taking me out of my comfort zone, don't ya?

(Fade to a shot of Zuko's ship's prow cutting through the ice packed water. Cut to the foredeck. Aang, hands bound behind him, faces Zuko, Iroh and a bunch of guards.)

Zuko: This staff will make an excellent gift for my father. I suppose you wouldn't know of fathers, being raised by monks. Take the Avatar to the prison hold. And (shoving the staff in Iroh's direction) take this to my quarters.

(Iroh takes the staff as Zuko walks away. Iroh immediately turns to the guard on his left.)

Iroh: Hey, you mind taking this to his quarters for me?

(The guard takes the staff as Aang is escorted down some stairs into the ship. A quick shot of the ship steaming through a narrow strip of water between walls of ice is replaced by another of Aang being escorted along one of the ship's hallways.)

Aang: So... I guess you never fought an airbender before. I bet I can take you both with my hands tied behind my back.

Guard 1: Silence!

(They stop in front of a door. As one of the guards moves to open the door with a key, Aang draws a great breath and blows the guard with the key into the door, knocking him out. The breath also propels him backwards and into the guard behind him. They are blown all the way back down the hallway. They crash into the stairs they came down on. The guard is knocked out since Aang used him to cushion his own impact. Aang then airbends himself back up onto the deck and airbends the door at the end of the deck open. He enters the ship and runs down the hall. Cut to an overhead shot from the bridge looking down onto the foredeck. One of the guards Aang just escaped from emerges and shouts up to a guard on the bridge deck in the foreground. The bridge guards turns and runs o.c.)

Guard 2: The Avatar has escaped!

(Cut to an overhead shot of Appa swimming through the water, with Katara at the reigns and Sokka on his back in the saddle.)

Sokka (drearily): Go. Fly. Soar.

Katara: Please, Appa, we need your help. Aang needs your help.

Sokka: Up. Ascend. Elevate.

Katara: Sokka doesn't believe you can fly, but I do, Appa. (Coaxingly) Come on. Don't you wanna save Aang?

(Appa rumbles in response, but doesn't speed up or fly.)

Sokka: What was it that kid said? Yee-ha? Hup hup? Wahoo? Uh... yip yip?

(This last gets a response. Appa rumbles again and begins to flop his massive beaver tail. He begins to hop along the surface of the water as he picks up speed. Finally, with a mighty heave, he takes off into the sky.)

Katara (ecstatic): You did it, Sokka!

Sokka: He's flying! He's flying! Katara, he's—! (Katara gives him a smug look. Then, nonchalantly) I mean, big deal, he's flying.

(Cut to a stationary shot as Appa flies by at high and into the horizon, then cut to Aang running down one of the ship's hallway, looking behind him for pursuers. His hands are still bound behind him. He turns and starts to run forward – right into three Fire Nation soldiers blocking his way, weapons drawn.)

Aang (panting): You haven't seen my staff around, have you?

(Aang runs forward and up and around the guards by running along the walls and ceiling in corkscrew circles. He gets by them with ease and look at his retreating form with surprise.)

Aang: Thanks anyway!

(He runs into another hallway, this time blocked by a single guard. He blasts a fireball at him, but he avoids it by launching himself over the guards head. The frame rate slows as Aang passes, showing how Aang is able to cut his wrist bonds by catching them on the horn of the guard's helmet. The bonds break and the guard is thrown off balance and onto the ground. Aang, his hands now free, runs o.c. Several shots of Aang opening random doors goes by. The last door he opens reveals a snoring Iroh.)

Aang (whispering): Sorry...

(Sight gag: His lips linger behind the rest of his head to say it while he closes the door. He then runs by another open door, stops and turns back to it.)

Aang: My staff!

(He enters and the door shuts behind him. Cut to an interior shot of the room where it is clear that Zuko was hiding in wait for the Avatar.)

Zuko: Looks like I underestimated you.

(After a brief pause, Zuko begins blasting fire at Aang, who barely dodges. He is terrified and he gasps and pants to catch his breath. After dodging a few more shots, Aang rolls underneath Zuko to get behind him. By staying behind him, Zuko is unable to blast him with fire. Cut to an exterior shot of the upper decks of the ship. The long window of the room where Aang and Zuko are fighting lights up every other second each time Zuko releases a blast. Cut back to the fight, where Aang now faces Zuko. He dissipates each fireball with a small air ball he forms with his hands. Aang creates an air scooter and rides around the walls and ceiling of the room, all the time getting licked by the gouts of flame Zuko unleashes at him. Aang terminates the airball and grabs a tapestry off the wall. He wraps Zuko up in it as he passes. While Zuko struggles against the tapestry, Aang is able to grab his staff. Zuko breaks his bonds and they once again square off against each other. After a few seconds of maneuvering, Aang airbends a mattress up off the floor and slams it into Zuko. The mattress propels Zuko into the opposite wall. He is smashed into it and he falls to the ground, onto the mattress. Aang then airbends the mattress up to the Zuko, smashing Zuko into that. Both fall back down to the ground. Zuko looks up in anger to find Aang gone.

Cut to the bridge, where a the wheel mechanism that opens a deck hatch on the floor begins to spin. The hatch opens and Aang airbends himself on to the bridge from below. Aang rushes forward out on to the bridge's observation deck. He opens his glider, throws it into the air and jumps after it. He catches it, a happy expression on his face. Unfortunately, behind him, Zuko has jumped after him in pursuit. With a fierce cry of desperation, he grabs Aang's foot. Both get up and square off yet again. Aang's look of trepidation is tempered as he turns over his left shoulder to see Appa up in the sky gaining on Zuko's ship.)

Zuko: What is that?

(Cut briefly to a shot from behind Katara and Sokka as they close in on the ship.)

Aang: Appa!

(Aang turns just in time to use his staff to block a fire blast from Zuko. He uses his staff as a helicopter to escape the blasts and comes back down on the edge of the deck, almost falling overboard. He regains his balance and blow three more fireballs before his staff is knocked away from him. He dodges a few more blasts before he is finally knocked overboard. Aang falls into the water below.)

Katara (hysterical): Aang! No!

(Cut to an underwater shot as Aang sinks.)

Katara (voice-over as Aang sinks): Aang! Aang! AANG!

(At Katara's final scream, Aang's eyes and tattoo's glow white, an expression of determination forming on his face. He turns around in the water and begins to rise towards the surface. Around him, a mighty whirlpool of water begins to form. Cut to a wider underwater shot. Aang, at the center of a now monstrous, inverted tornado of water is propelled toward the surface at amazing speed. He breaks the surface in front of the ship, towering high over the bridge atop his swirling maelstrom of water. Cut to Zuko, who looks up at the swirling column of water and the Avatar at its pinnacle with dismay and fear. Aang lands on the deck, his eyes still aglow, and bends the water from the column around him in circle. He releases it and it expands outward in a shockwave that blasts Zuko and his men overboard. Cut to Sokka and Katara witnessing the scene from Appa's back above.)

Katara (incredulously): Did you see what he just did?

Sokka: Now that was some waterbending!

(Cut to Aang on the foredeck. He is on his knees, wobbling after the huge energy expenditure. He falls forward, the white energy fading from his eyes and tattoos. Appa lands and Katara and Sokka jump off to retrieve him.)

Katara (worried): Aang! Are you okay?

(Cut to Katara kneeling and holding Aang, Sokka beside her.)

Aang (drained): Hey Katara. Hey Sokka. Thanks for coming.

Sokka: Well, I couldn't let you have all the glory.

Aang: I dropped my staff.

Sokka: Got it!

(Sokka runs over to pick up the staff. As he picks it up, Sokka is shocked to see that Zuko holds the other end of it. Zuko was washed overboard, but held onto the part of Aang's staff that was hanging out over the deck. Sokka butts Zuko in the head with the staff three times to the same “doink doink doink” sound effects that were heard when Zuko did the same to Sokka earlier. Zuko lets go and begins to fall to the water below, but grabs the anchor chain in time. He hangs by one hand.)

Sokka: Ha! That's from the Water Tribe!

(Cut to a wide shot of Appa, Aang and Katara. Appa gets up, shaking off some water. Cut to some of the guards who had been washed way down the deck by Aang's waterbending. They get up, preparing for combat. Katara picks up a stream of water from the deck and the guards pull back slightly in fear. She tries to whip the guards with the water, but instead freezes the water on the deck, including the water around Sokka's feet in the background.)

Sokka: Katara!

(Sokka starts to chip away at the ice holding his feet with his boomerang while the soldiers move forward once again. Katara picks up another stream of water and throws it at the soldiers without looking. The camera then expands to show that they are now frozen in a thin sheet of ice. She turns and climbs back up on Appa.)

Katara: Hurry up, Sokka!

Sokka (to himself): I'm just a guy with a boomerang; I didn't ask for all this flying and magic.

(He finally frees himself and runs up Appa's tail.)

Sokka: Yip yip! Yip yip!

(Once he is onboard, Appa rumbles and takes off. Cut to Iroh who has just emerged onto the deck after his nap, looking up to the sky.)

Iroh (rubbing his eyes): Huh?

(Cut to Appa rapidly flying away from the ship, then to Iroh helping Zuko back up onto the ship.)

Zuko: Shoot them down!

(As Appa gains altitude, Zuko and Iroh in unison launch a massive bolt of fire at Appa. Katara and Sokka look behind them in horror at the approaching fireball. Aang jumps to the back of the saddle and, using his staff like a baseball bat, airbends a gale that sends the fireball at a right angle away from Appa and into the ice cliff nearby. The fireball explodes, releasing a huge amount of ice from the cliff wall which falls into the narrow channel that Zuko's ship is navigating. Zuko gasps in horror as the bow of the ship and indeed the entire channel is blocked up under an avalanche of ice. Cut to Aang, Katara and Sokka laughing as they fly away. Cut back to Iroh and Zuko on the foredeck of the heavily damaged ship.)

Iroh: Good news for the Fire Lord. The nation's greatest threat is just a little kid.

Zuko: That kid, Uncle, just did this. (Shot widens to show the prow buried in ice) I won't underestimate him again. Dig this ship out and follow them! (In the background, some soldiers are using controlled firebending to thaw out their compatriots frozen by Katara) As soon as you're done with that.

(Cut to a close up of Zuko's eyes that fades to a long shot, sunset scene of Appa flying through the clouds. Then cut to a closer, profile shot of Appa and the kids flying through the clouds.)

Katara: How did you do that? With the water? It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen.

Aang (sitting cross legged on the bridge of the saddle, a slightly sad expression on his face): I don't know. I just sort of... did it.

Katara: Why didn't you tell us you were the Avatar?

Aang: Because... I never wanted to be.

(Overhead, a cloud passes over them, momentarily blocking the fading sunlight. After it passes, they enter a shaft of sunlight.)

Katara: But Aang, the world's been waiting for the Avatar to return and finally put an end to this war.

Aang (looking down sadly): And how am I going to do that?

Katara: According to legend, you need to first master water, then earth, then fire, right?

Aang: That's what the monks told me.

Katara: Well, if we go to the North Pole you can master waterbending.

Aang (now smiling): We can learn it together!

Katara: And Sokka, I'm sure you'll get to knock some firebender heads on the way.

Sokka (somewhat dreamily): I'd like that. I'd really like that.

Katara: Then we're in this together.

Aang (producing a scroll): All right, but before I learn waterbending, we have some serious business to attend to (he airbends himself over to them and opens the scroll to reveal a map) here, here, and here.

(He points to two spots in the Earth Kingdom, and one spot on the southern Air Nomad islands in quick succession.)

Katara: What's there?

Aang: Here (pointing to the eastern Earth Kingdom) we'll ride the hopping llamas. Then waaaay over here (pointing to a spot on the southern Air Nomad islands) we'll surf on the backs of giant koi fish. Then back over here we'll ride the hog-monkeys. They don't like people riding them, but that's what makes it fun!

(Cut to a long shot of Appa flying through the clouds at sunset, shafts of the suns fading light breaking through the clouds, then fade to white.)

Act I

(Scene opens with a view of the sun rising over a lake. The camera pans left to where Appa and the group are on the lake shore. One of the members is apparently asleep in a Water Tribe sleeping bag on the ground. Appa is standing, grazing slowly, while a small fire casts a plume of smoke. Switch to a close of up of Appa with Aang facing the camera, sitting in Appa's "driver's seat." Katara is up in the passenger section doing some kind of work.)

Aang: (while adjusting Appa's reins) Wait 'til you see it, Katara. The Air Temple is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Katara: (cautious) Aang, I know you're excited, but it's been a hundred years since you've been home.

Aang: That's why I'm so excited!

Katara: It's just that a lot can change in all that time.

Aang: I know, but I need to see it for myself.

(Aang floats down from Appa's back and walks over to Sokka, who is snoring peacefully in his sleeping bag on the ground.)

Aang: Wake up, Sokka! Air Temple here we come!

(Sokka awakens, making groggy noises.)

Sokka: Sleep now... temple later...

(He rolls over and begins to snore again. Camera switches back to Aang; his eyes blink accompanied by an audio effect. He is clearly not pleased. A mischievous grin spreads over his face as he gets an idea. Aang picks up a stick as Katara watches from atop Appa's back.)

Aang: Sokka! Wake up! (He begins to run the stick up and down Sokka's sleeping bag.) There's a prickle snake in your sleeping bag!

Sokka: (startled) Aaahhh! Get it off! Get it off! Aaahhh!

(Sokka hops around in his sleeping bag until he loses his balance and falls flat on his face. Katara laughs at him. Sokka looks very irritated.)

Aang: (pokes his head out from behind Sokka.) Great! You're awake. Let's go.

(Scene fades to a view of a Fire Nation naval yard. Tents and buildings line the right side of the screen, ships line the left and what looks like a railroad line runs down the middle. The screen pans left, eventually resting on Zuko's damaged ship. It is much smaller than the other Fire Nation ships. The prow of Zuko's ship has been opened, its spout lying on the floor of the navy yard. Two figures have walked down the spout and are entering the naval yard itself. Switch to a close up of Zuko and Iroh as they walk into the yard.)

Zuko: Uncle, I want the repairs made as quickly as possible. I don't want to stay too long and risk losing his trail.

Iroh: You mean the Avatar?

Zuko: (turning on his uncle angrily) Don't mention his name on these docks! Once word gets out that he's alive every firebender will be out looking for him and I don't want anyone getting in the way.

Zhao: (from offscreen) Getting in the way of what, Prince Zuko?

(Zuko and Iroh turn to face the camera with somewhat surprised expressions. Cut to Zhao as he approaches them, still speaking. Pan out to show the meeting of the three; Zhao's hands are clasped behind his back authoritatively.)

Zuko: (with distaste) Captain Zhao.

Zhao: It's Commander now. And General Iroh-- (he bows to Iroh) --great hero of our nation.

Iroh: Retired general.

Zhao: The Fire Lord's brother and son are welcome guests any time. What brings you to my harbor?

Iroh: Our ship is being repaired.

(The screen expands as Iroh gestures at the heavily damaged bow of Zuko's ship.)

Zhao: That's quite a bit of damage.

Zuko: Yes... you wouldn't believe what happened. (He gives his uncle a sideways glance and immediately passes the buck.) Uncle! Tell Commander Zhao what happened.

(Iroh's eyes go wide and an audio effect is heard as he blinks in response to the burden Zuko has just placed on him.)

Iroh: Yes, I will do that. It was incredible. (Leans over and whispers to Zuko.) What... did we crash or something?

Zuko: (uncomfortable) Uh, yes! Right into an Earth Kingdom ship.

Zhao: Really? You must regale me with all the thrilling details. (He smiles and puts his face right up to Zuko's in an obvious challenge.) Join me for a drink?

Zuko: Sorry, but we have to go.

(Zuko turns to leave, but Iroh places a hand on his shoulder and stops him.)

Iroh: Prince Zuko, show Commander Zhao your respect. (Turning to Zhao.) We would be honored to join you. Do you have any ginseng tea? It's my favorite.

(Zuko growls in frustration and releases fire from his fists angrily as he turns to follow Zhao and Iroh down the dock.)

(Switch to view of Appa's back, Aang and Katara up front, Sokka in the passenger saddle. The camera pans in on Sokka slowly and then switches to a close up of Sokka's stomach, which growls.)

Sokka: (annoyed) Hey, stomach, be quiet, all right? I'm trying to find us some food.

(He searches the food bag and dumps it out onto his glove. Only a few crumbs come out.)

Sokka: Hey! Who ate all my blubbered seal jerky?

Aang: Oh, that was food? I used it to start the campfire last night. Sorry.

Sokka: (incredulous) You WHAT? Awww, no wonder the flames smelled so good.

(Pan shot of Appa swooping towards the now much closer mountains, followed by another close up of Aang and the group.)

Aang: The Batola mountain range! We're almost there!

Katara: (uneasy) Aang? Before we get to the temple, I want to talk to you about the airbenders.

Aang: What about 'em?

Katara: (close-up of Katara's face.) Well, I just want you to be prepared for what you might see. The Fire Nation is ruthless. They killed my mother and they could have done the same to your people.

Aang: (close-up of Aang's face, which relaxes into hopeful optimism) Just because no one has seen an airbender doesn't mean the Fire Nation killed them all. (Cut to a front view of both, sitting up front.) They probably escaped.

Katara: I know it's hard to accept.

Aang: You don't understand, Katara. The only way to get to an airbender temple is on a flying bison, and I doubt the Fire Nation has any flying bison. Right, Appa?

(Aang rubs the big animal's head. Screen cuts to show a full view of Appa, who grunts an affirmative.)

Aang: (voice-over) Yip yip!

(Appa flies them up higher, turning tightly around a mountain face. Katara and Sokka are straining against the wind sheer the faster they move. Appa flies up and over a rocky outcropping and treetops to reveal the tall spires of the Southern Air Temple behind it.)

Aang: There it is... the Southern Air Temple.

Katara: Aang, it's amazing!

Aang: (to Appa) We're home, buddy. We're home.

(Scene cuts back to the Fire Nation navy yard. The shot pans right away from the ships, revealing a wooden stockade and many Fire Nation tents behind it. One is particularly large, with a prominent Fire Nation symbol on it. Two guards, flanked by large standing firepots, stand at the ready in front of this tent. The scene cuts again to the interior of the large tent where Commander Zhao stands with his back to the camera, inspecting a large map of the world upon the wall.)

Zhao: (panning back from him slowly.) And by year's end, the Earth Kingdom capital will be under our rule.

(Camera cuts to a view of the entire room. Iroh is inspecting a stand of weapons on the left and Zuko sits in one of two chairs in front of Zhao. Zhao turns to Zuko.)

Zhao: The Fire Lord will finally claim victory in this war.

Zuko: (Cut to Zuko's upper body.) If my father thinks the rest of the world will follow him willingly, then he is a fool.

(Zhao sits in the chair next to Zuko.)

Zhao: Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue. (pause) So, how is your search for the Avatar going?

(Iroh tips over the stand of weapons he has been examining in the background. The commotion brings the conversation to a halt. Iroh cringes at the mess he has just made.)

Iroh: (embarrassed) My fault entirely.

(He sheepishly backs o.c. to the left. Zhao watches him move off.)

Zuko: (cut to Zuko.) We haven't found him yet.

Zhao: (cut to Zhao.) Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago-- (cut back to Zuko.) --along with the rest of the airbenders.

Zuko averts his eyes guiltily. Cut back to Zhao's eager face.)

Zhao: Unless you found some evidence that the Avatar is alive.

Zuko: (still looking away) No. Nothing.

Zhao: (rising from his chair) Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. (cut to front view of both.) If you have an ounce-- (he leans his face into Zuko's) --of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you've found.

Zuko: (defiantly) I haven't found anything. It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago. Come on, Uncle, we're going.

(Zuko gets up and tries to exit, but he is blocked by the guards as they cross their spears in front of him. Another guard approaches Zhao to deliver his report.)

Guard: Commander Zhao, we interrogated the crew as you instructed. They confirmed Prince Zuko had the Avatar in custody, but let him escape.

Zhao: Now, remind me...

(Cut to Zuko still blocked by the guards. Zhao comes up behind him.)

Zhao: ... how exactly was your ship damaged?

(Zuko looks down in defeat.)

(Cut to a brief scenic shot of the temple. It is quickly replaced by a long shot of Appa standing on what looks like a landing platform with a path leading up. The screen pans up hundreds of feet winding path curving back and forth across the rock face of the temple's mountain. Three little figures can be seen walking up toward the temple. One of these is racing ahead of the others. Cut to a close shot of the three; Aang is the one ahead and he races off screen as Katara and Sokka round the bend.)

Sokka: So where do I get something to eat?

(Cut again to a close up of the two siblings. Sokka has a very cross look on his face and he's clutching his stomach to illustrate his hunger.)

Katara: You're lucky enough to be one of the first outsiders to ever visit an airbender temple and all you can think about is food? (Camera cuts to follow them from above and behind.)

Sokka: I'm just a simple guy with simple needs.

(Cut again to show Aang at the edge of the path where he has stopped to let the others catch up. They do, and he points below them.)

Aang: So that's where my friends and I would play airball!

(Aang gestures at a small parapet cut into the rock face below the path. It is populated with a thicket of densely packed sticks of varying heights that have been stuck in the ground. A goal with a backboard occupies either end of the field.)

Aang: And... over there would be where the bison would sleep... and...

(His voice trails off. He sighs.)

Katara: What's wrong?

Aang: This place used to be full of monks and lemurs and bison. Now there's just a bunch of weeds.

(Close up of Aang. He looks sad. Cuts immediately to show Aang from behind as the camera pans back to bring Katara and Sokka into view.)

Aang: I can't believe how much things have changed.

(Sokka and Katara look at each, then change the subject, hurrying up to him.)

Sokka: So, uh, this airball game? How do you play?

(Aang smiles.)

(Scene changes to Sokka with a backboard behind him, looking ready for action. Cut to Aang with the opposite backboard behind him. He is bending air around a rapidly spinning ball to keep it floating above his outstretched right hand. Suddenly, Aang starts manipulating the ball like a Harlem Globetrotter. Then, he throws it up in the air over his head. Sokka follows it with his eyes. Aang puts his hands behind his back, closes his eyes and smiles, waiting for the ball to come back down. He cracks one eye open and bends the air at the precise moment to send the ball bouncing through the field of sticks like a pinball in an arcade game. The POV switches to Sokka, who watches the ball ricochet toward him at amazing speed. The ball hits him in the stomach and he is propelled backward through a rotating door in the backboard behind him. He hits the ground nearby.)

Aang: Hahaha! Aang seven, Sokka zero!

(He shows the score with his hands, seven fingers for him and a zero between his touching fingertips for Sokka.)

Sokka: (getting up painfully) Making him feel better is putting me in a world of hurt.

(Sokka sees something that makes him stop and move forward. It is a Fire soldier helmet lying on the ground. Sokka crawls over to it.)

Sokka: Katara, check this out.

Katara: (seeing the helmet, accusingly) Fire Nation.

Sokka: We should tell him.

Katara: (turning to call to Aang) Aang, there's something you need to see.

Aang: (approaching happily with the ball) Okay!

(Katara looks back and forth between the helmet and the happy boy rapidly approaching, unsure whether to show him the horrible discovery. Making her choice, she waterbends the snow on the nearby bank down onto both the helmet and Sokka.)

Aang: What is it?

Katara: (uncertainly) Uh... just a new waterbending move I learned.

Aang: Nice one. But enough practicing. We have a whole temple to see!

(He walks o.c. Cut back to Katara and Sokka, who stands and wipes the snow off his shoulders and head.)

Sokka: You know, you can't protect him forever.

Act II

(The scene has changed to the entrance gate of the Air Temple itself. Aang runs in alone, leaving Sokka and Katara a moment to speak alone.)

Sokka: Katara, firebenders were here. You can't pretend they weren't.

Katara: (walking away from him) I can for Aang's sake.

(Sokka comes up behind her and they walk forward together.)

Katara: If he finds out that the Fire Nation invaded his home, he'll be devastated.

Aang: (calls from o.c.) Hey guys!

(Cut to him motioning toward a statue of an airbender monk.)

Aang: I want you to meet somebody.

Sokka: Who's that?

Aang: Monk Gyatso, the greatest airbender in the world. He taught me everything I know.

(Aang bows to the statue.)

(Camera closes in on the statue as the scene shifts to a hazy and surreal flashback sequence. A live version of the man whose statue Aang bowed to begins to speak.)

Gyatso: But the true secret...

(View expands to show Gyatso holding a long spatula with a cake at the end of it. He appears to have just pulled out the cake from the mouth of the large oven in the background. He airbends the colorful filling into an attractive pile in the middle of it.)

Gyatso: ... is in the gooey center!

(View expands again to show a preoccupied Aang in the foreground, sitting on the wall of the parapet. He's not paying attention.)

Aang: Hmm...

Gyatso: My ancient cake making technique isn't the only thing on your mind, is it, Aang?

Aang: This whole Avatar thing... maybe the monks made a mistake.

(Camera focuses on Gyatso in the background.)

Gyatso: The only mistake they made was telling you before you turned sixteen. But we can't concern ourselves with what was. We must act on what is.

(Gyatso gestures ceremoniously to the world around them. The view expands to show the air around the temple full of flying bison and other inhabitants. The beautiful, dreamlike surroundings are full of life.)

Aang: (o.c.) But Gyatso, how do I know if I'm ready for this?

Gyatso: (switch to view of Gyatso and Aang) Your questions will be answered when you are old enough to enter the Air Temple sanctuary. (Cut to Aang, while Gyatso continues o.c.) Inside you will meet someone who will guide you on your journey.

Aang: (excitedly as he jumps up to turn and face Gyatso fully) Who is it?

Gyatso: When you are ready he will reveal himself to you.

(Aang sighs heavily in frustration.)

Gyatso: Now, are you going to help me with these cakes, or not?

Aang: (smiling) All right.

(Aang and Gyatso assume airbending stances, with the four cakes sitting on the wall. They both cock back, creating balls of wind with their airbending skill as Gyatso counts.)

Gyatso: One... two... three!

(Both release their airballs on the count of three, propelling the cakes high into the air. They make a distinctive whizzing noise as they come down. The view switches to show four meditating monks, who are soon each wearing one of the four cakes. Sound effects mark each splattering as the cakes land, and the monks are soon surrounded by winged lemurs who begin feasting on the cakes.)

Aang and Gyatso: Hahaha!

(Aang and Gyatso bow to each other respectfully. Gyatso pats his young student's head affectionately.)

Gyatso: Your aim has improved greatly my young pupil.

(The flashback ends, with Aang bowing to the statue of Gyatso, just as he had bowed to the real Gyatso at the end of the flashback.)

Katara: (coming forward and placing a hand on Aang's shoulder.) You must miss him.

Aang: Yeah. (moves forward to go into the Temple)

Katara: Where are you going?

Aang: (climbing the steps.) The Air Temple Sanctuary. There's someone I'm ready to meet.

(Katara looks at Sokka, who shrugs. View shifts to an overhead shot of the three as they approach the entrance to the Air Temple Sanctuary. It is a huge wooden door that is dominated by an enormous woodcut comprised of three air symbols protruding from its surface. They are arranged in a triangular pattern. The symbols are attached to tubes that end in two horns near the bottom of the woodcut.)

Katara: But Aang... no one could have survived in there for a hundred years.

Aang: It's not impossible. I survived in the iceberg for that long.

Katara: Good point.

Aang: Katara, whoever's in there might help me figure out this Avatar thing!

Sokka: (Pops out from behind Aang eagerly.) And whoever's in there might have a medley of delicious, cured meats!

(Sokka rubs his hands together in fevered anticipation of the food that might await him. He rushes forward and runs straight into the door with a 'thunk.' He strains against the big door to no avail and slides down to the floor in defeat.)

Sokka: I don't suppose you have a key?

Aang: The key, Sokka, is airbending.

(There's a flash of light and the scene cuts to Aang's face as he composes himself and draws in his breath. He raises both his arms perpendicular to his body, then suddenly pushes forward with his arms and steps forward with his right leg. He airbends two jets of air, one from each arm, into the horns at the bottom of the woodcut. The air runs through the tubes and one by one flips the air symbols from the blue sides which had been showing to the maroon sides, which had been facing the interior of the temple. As each turns, it flips another mechanism on the outside of the door unlock it. The two leaves of the door open to reveal the dark, cavernous interior of the Air Temple Sanctuary.)

Aang: (calling inside) Hello? Anyone home?

(Cut to a wide shot of Aang walking into the dark room, then back to Katara and Sokka, who follow him. Scene fades to black.)

(Zhao crosses in front of a seated and clearly unhappy Prince Zuko. A pair of guards stand behind the young prince.)

Zhao: So, a twelve-year-old boy bested you and your firebenders? (View expands to show Iroh also seated nearby.) You're more pathetic than I thought.

Zuko: I underestimated him once, but it will not happen again.

(Cut to Zhao's face with Zuko in the background.)

Zhao: No, it will not, because you won't have a second chance.

Zuko: (alarmed) Commander Zhao, I've been hunting the Avatar for two years and I...

(Zhao turns on him angrily, flames erupting from his hand as he sweeps it in an arc from left to right.)

Zhao: And you failed!

(Camera pans upward on Zhao's face as he towers over Zuko.)

Zhao: Capturing the Avatar is too important to leave in a teenager's hands. He's mine now.

(Zuko launches himself at Zhao in frustration and anger, but he is restrained by the two guards standing behind his chair.)

Zhao: (to the guards as he turns to leave.) Keep them here.

(Zuko in a further act of frustration kicks over a small table that had been sitting near Iroh. It breaks into pieces. Iroh watches the scene calmly.)

Iroh: More tea please?

(Cut to Aang, Sokka, and Katara as they walk into the sanctuary. The camera pans right to reveal many statues arrayed in a pattern. The pattern is tied to a swirl pattern on the floor--a bluish version of the Yellow Brick Road--with the statues arrayed along it. The three walk among the statues, heading to the center of the room.)

Sokka: Statues?! That's it? Where's the meat?

(Scene cuts to Aang and Katara.)

Katara: Who are all these people?

Aang: (uncertain) I'm not sure, but it feels like I know them somehow. Look! (He points to a statue.) That one's an airbender!

Katara: (pointing) And this one's a waterbender. They're lined up in a pattern. Air, water, earth and fire.

Aang: That's the Avatar cycle.

Katara: Of course! They're Avatars. All these people are your past lives, Aang.

Aang: Wow! There's so many!

(The camera stays behind and shifts upward as Aang moves off screen, showing the many tiers of statues to illustrate just how many lives Aang has had before him.)

Sokka: (skeptical) Past lives? Katara, you really believe in that stuff?

Katara: It's true. When the Avatar dies he's reincarnated into the next nation in the cycle.

(Aang has stopped in front of a statue of a firebender Avatar. The POV flips back and forth between Aang and the statue. A light passes over its eyes, marking its importance. Katara appears behind Aang and shakes him by the shoulders).

Katara: Aang, snap out of it!

Aang: (dazed) Huh?

Katara: Who is that?

Aang: That's Avatar Roku, the Avatar before me.

Sokka: You were a firebender? No wonder I didn't trust you when we first met.

Katara: There's no writing. How do you know his name?

Aang: I'm not sure... I just know it somehow.

Sokka: (growls in frustration) You just couldn't get any weirder!

(The three sense the presence of another being and turn to look at the entrance. A long-eared shadow advances toward them. The screen pans back up, but the three are nowhere to be seen. When the view comes to rest again, we can see them huddled behind two of the statues, Aang and Katara behind one on the left of the screen, Sokka behind one on the right. The shadow advances between the two statues. Screen cuts to a profile view where we can see their frightened faces.)

Sokka: (whispering) Firebender. Nobody make a sound.

Katara: (exasperated) You're making a sound!

Aang and Sokka: Shhhh!

(The shadow advances. Screen cuts to black.)

Act III

(Fade in on the still advancing shadow.)

Sokka: (whispering, ready with his weapon) That firebender won't know what hit 'em.

(The long eared shadow is now right on top of them. The view pans up to reveal the black outline of a small animal in the doorway who is simply casting a lengthy shadow due to the angle of the sun outside. Camera cuts to behind the animal as Sokka jumps out from the statue, weapon at the ready. The other two also come around to look. Sound effects are heard as everyone's eyes blink, each registering the diminutive stature of the adorable intruder. The view switches to reveal a winged lemur looking at them with wide eyes. His long ears flop down on his back as he sees the people staring at him. He blinks his eyes to the same sounds effects. The camera gives a close-up of Aang.)

Aang: Lemur!

Sokka: (cut to Sokka, drooling) Dinner...

Aang: Don't listen to him! You're going to be my new pet.

Sokka: Not if I get him first!

(Both lunge at the small animal. The scene shifts to a joint POV of both Aang and Sokka, both with their bodies off screen, but their arms visibly outstretched towards the lemur as they rapidly close in on him. He bristles like a cat and dashes away from them, screaming. View changes to see them both running after the lemur who is now bolting out of the temple.)

Aang: (calling) Wait! Come back!

(Cuts to long shot of the entrance hallway. The lemur rockets out of the screen.)

Sokka: I wanna eat you!

(Aang and Sokka run back down the hallway from the Temple Sanctuary, chasing after the lemur. Both take turns leading the other. Sokka takes a swipe at Aang's legs with his weapon, but Aang, uses his airbending skills in a Matrix-style move to run along the wall beside Sokka and pass him, laughing as he does. Once far enough ahead, Aang stops, turns, and launches an airball spinning back toward Sokka. It hits him in the stomach and knocks him off his feet, like a bowling ball hitting one lone pin.)

Sokka: Oof!

(He falls flat on his face, his hood falling over his head.)

(Scene changes to where the hallway ends at a balcony, looking back into the temple. The lemur jumps up onto the guardrail of the balcony, looks back as Aang approaches, and then jumps off the guardrail almost into the camera. Aang jumps off after him, with the view expanding as he jumps off to provide a clear look at the long fall beneath him. Aang laughs as he falls, bouncing off the rocks beneath him as he continues to chase the lemur. The scene cuts to Sokka, who finally reaches the balcony, leaning over to watch Aang fall.)

Sokka: Hey! No Fair!

(View switches to a close up of Aang, eyes watering from the tremendous speed his body is falling at and smiling widely.)

(Zhao approaches the exterior of the large tent, opens the flaps and enters. Two guards standing ready inside the entrance draw their spears back.)

Zhao: My search party is ready.

(Cut to Iroh and Zuko, sitting in chairs facing each other.)

Zhao: Once I'm out to sea, my guards will escort you back to your ship and you'll be free to go.

Zuko: Why? Are you worried I'm going to try and stop you?

Zhao: (laughing) You? Stop me? Impossible.

Zuko: (Zuko stands in defiance.) Don't underestimate me, Zhao. I will capture the Avatar before you.

Iroh: (standing also) Prince Zuko, that's enough!

Zhao: You can't compete with me. I have hundreds of warships under my command, and you... you're just a banished prince. No home. No allies. Your own father doesn't even want you.

Zuko: You're wrong. Once I deliver the Avatar to my father he will welcome me home with honor and restore my rightful place on the throne.

Zhao: (cut to sliding right pan of Zhao's face) If your father really wanted you home, he'd have let you return by now, Avatar or no Avatar, but in his eyes you are a failure and a disgrace to the Fire Nation.

Zuko: That's not true.

Zhao: You have the scar to prove it.

Zuko: (With a cry of indignation, launches himself to his feet, bringing his face within inches of Zhao's.) Maybe you'd like one to match!

Zhao: Is that a challenge?

Zuko: An agni kai. At sunset.

Zhao: Very well. It's a shame your father won't be here to watch me humiliate you. I guess your uncle will do.

(Zhao turns and walks back out of the tent. The camera cuts to show a close-up of the left side of Zuko's face. Iroh visible in the background as the camera pans quickly to the right.)

Iroh: Prince Zuko, have you forgotten what happened last time you dueled a master?

Zuko: I will never forget.

(The scene ends with only the right half of Zuko's face, the side with the scar, visible on the screen.)

(A quick shot of the exterior of the temple atop the mountain is replaced by a view of a stone clearing that has an ascending stone staircase in the background. The lemur that Aang has been chasing lands on the ground. Aang pounces him and misses. The view pans left as the lemur runs through a curtain made of decaying tent material or drapery.)

Aang: Hey! Come back!

(Aang follows the lemur to the other side of the curtain.)

Aang: Come on out, little lemur. That hungry guy won't bother you anymore.

(Aang approaches another drape, parts it, and walks through. He draws a sharp breath, startled at what he sees. Cut to show heaps of firebender uniforms and skeletons covering the floor of a decaying building.)

Aang: (surprised) Firebenders? They were here?

(At the back of the grotto lies the skeletal remains of an airbender monk, bathed in sunlight coming from above, who had apparently fallen in combat fighting against great odds. The camera zooms in on the airbender's necklace as a means of identification.)

Aang: Gyatso...

(He falls to his knees, devastated.)

Sokka: (pulling back the curtain) Hey Aang, you find my dinner yet?

(He sees Aang, head in his hands, crying.)

Sokka: Aang, I wasn't really going to eat the lemur, okay? (He sees the skeleton and does a doubletake.) Oh, man... come on, Aang, everything will be all right. Let's get out of here.

(Sokka puts his hand on Aang's shoulder as the arrow on Aang's head begins to glow incandescent blue. The camera shifts to Aang's face, his eyes are glowing brightly in an angry expression as he lifts his head. Sokka gasps as he looks on in alarm.)

(Scene shifts to Katara walking among the statues in the Temple Sanctuary. She stops in front of Roku, whose eyes light up with the same incandescent blue light as Aang's. The eyes of all the other statues light up in order around the room. The camera pans up so the audience can see all the statues' eyes light up in succession.)

Katara: (worried) Aang!

(Katara races from the room. Scene shifts to earth, water, and fire temples scattered across the globe, where lights flash in response to the awakening of Aang's avatar spirit. In the fire temple, an old fire sage leans out to say something to another sage outside of the room where the signal is emanating from.)

Old Sage: Send word to the Fire Lord immediately. The Avatar has returned! (Recipient fire sage's face becomes frightened.)

(Scene shifts back to an exterior view of the dilapidated building at the base of the temple where Aang mourns Gyatso's body. The view shifts again to Aang's feet, where a whirlwind begins to form, air swirling fast around the bones lying on the ground. The camera pans up to Aang, crouched, his hands balled into fists and his eyes and arrow glowing, the wind picking up terrible speed around him.)

Sokka: Aang! Come on, snap out of it!

(A light blue sphere of energy surrounds Aang and begins to expand, knocking Sokka back out of the building.)

Sokka: Aaahhh!

(The energy sphere expands to the point where it blows most of the building apart, sending smoke and debris high into the air, which the camera follows. Sokka lands outside the building. The camera switches back to Aang, now partially obscured by the energy sphere and the maelstrom. Katara joins Sokka behind some rubble, both shielding their faces from the wind.)

Katara: What happened?

Sokka: He found out firebenders killed Gyatso.

Katara: Oh no, it's his avatar spirit! He must have triggered it! I'm gonna try and calm him down.

Sokka: (Hanging onto the rubble, trying not to get blown away.) Well, do it before he blows us off the mountain!

(Katara slowly approaches Aang, struggling against the wind, as Aang and his energy sphere slowly rise into the air.)

(Cut to an exterior view of a Fire Nation arena, a simple four-walled structure with watch fires on the four towers at each corner. There is one large open gate. The sunset is a glorious mixture of Fire Nation hues: red, orange, and yellow. The view shifts to inside the arena where Zhao and Zuko kneel, preparing for battle, Zhao with four of his men in attendance, Zuko with his uncle.)

Iroh: Remember your firebending basics, Prince Zuko. They are your greatest weapons.

Zuko: (standing up) I refuse to let him win.

(His shoulder wrap falls to the ground ceremoniously. View shifts to Zhao. He stands and turns, his shoulder wrap falling to the ground, as well.)

Zhao: This will be over quickly.

(Atop the gate a gong sounds. Both men face each other and assume firebending stances. The screen splits: the upper pane is a close up of Zhao's face, the lower a close up of Zuko's. Prince Zuko fires the first shot which passes harmlessly to Zhao's left. He fires again; this time it passes without effect to Zhao's right. Zuko fires several more, the last of which Zhao blocks, satisfaction evident on his face. Frustrated and losing control of his breath, Zuko moves towards his opponent, unleashing more fire from both his hands and feet. Zhao dodges or blocks them all. Zhao then crouches forward and shoots flame at a point on the ground close in front of him. Camera switches to Iroh, watching anxiously.)

Iroh: Basics, Zuko! Break his root!

(Zhao fires many volleys of flame, alternating between his fists. Zuko blocks each, but is slowly forced back. On the last volley Zhao uses both hands, knocking Zuko over and sending him skidding backwards in the dirt. Zhao takes a flying jump at him. Zhao lands as Zuko tries to get up, but he isn't fast enough. Zhao fires right at him. Zuko rolls out of the way just in time, and as he is getting up sweeps Zhao's feet out from under him. The move holds such importance that it is shown three times from slightly different camera angles at reduced speed.)

(Zuko lands on his feet. Camera switches to a close up of Zuko's face, where a slight smile appears. Camera switches to a close up of Zuko's feet. Zuko is advancing towards Zhao, using his feet to produce small waves of flame that rush toward his opponent. Zhao is caught off balance and wobbles slowly backward. Camera switches to Iroh, fists clenched in an expression of hope, a smile beginning to spread over his face. Switch back to Zuko, who finally lays Zhao out flat on the ground with a blast of fire. Zuko rushes up to him, prepared to deal the final blow. A close up of Zuko's face emphasizes the decision he faces. Cut to Zhao.)

Zhao: Do it!

(Zuko releases a blast that shoots off screen. He stands erect, dropping his fighting stance. View changes to a smoking hole in the ground, and then the screen expands to show Zhao, clearly very much unharmed, next to the hole.)

Zhao: That's it? Your father raised a coward.

Zuko: Next time you get in my way, I promise I won't hold back.

(Zuko turns his back and begins to walk away. Zhao gets up and, with a howl of anger, unleashes a whip of flame at Zuko. The POV changes to the flame itself as it rushes toward Zuko's back. The view switches back to Zhao and his outstretched foot, wreathed in the fire it has just released. The flame is extinguished, however, as a hand closes over the foot. The camera changes to a side view, where Iroh has moved between them to stop the dishonorable attack. They remain frozen for a moment before Iroh hurls Zhao back into the dirt with little effort. Zuko rushes to avenge the insult, but is stopped by his uncle.)

Iroh: No, Prince Zuko. Do not taint your victory.

(Iroh turns to face Zhao, a look of condescension on his face.)

Iroh: So this is how the great Commander Zhao acts in defeat. (Camera switches to Zhao and Iroh continues o.c.) Disgraceful.

(Camera returns to Iroh and Zuko.)

Iroh: Even in exile my nephew is more honorable than you. (Zuko looks at his uncle in surprise at this comment.) Thanks again for the tea. It was delicious.

(Iroh moves to leave and Zuko follows close behind. With subdued anger, Zhao watches them exit the gate of the arena. Outside, Zuko and Iroh talk.)

Zuko: (quietly) Did you really mean that, Uncle?

Iroh: (slyly) Of course. I told you ginseng tea is my favorite.

(Switch to long shot view of them leaving the arena and walking back to the ships in the harbor.)

(Cut to Aang, still suspended in mid-air inside his ball of raw energy. The contained storm continues to rage as Katara and Sokka cling desperately to the rocks at the bottom of the screen.)

Katara: (shouting calmly) Aang, I know you're upset...

(Camera switches to full view of Katara clinging to a rock, Sokka visible behind her.)

Katara: ... and I know how hard it is to lose the people you love. I went through the same thing when I lost my mom. Monk Gyatso and the other airbenders may be gone, but you still have a family. Sokka and I, we're your family now.

(The view switches back to Aang towards the end of Katara's statement, and he begins to descend when she is finished. His feet gently alight on the ground. The wind dies away. Switch to Aang, his eyes and arrow still glowing. Katara and Sokka come up on either side of him.)

Sokka: (gently) Katara and I aren't going to let anything happen to you. Promise.

(Katara takes one of Aang's hands in her own. The glow instantly fades from his eyes and arrow markings. Grief-stricken and exhausted, he collapses into Katara's arms and she holds him around his shoulders as they kneel on the ground.)

Aang: (tired) I'm sorry.

Katara: It's okay. It wasn't your fault.

Aang: (sadly) But you were right. And if firebenders found this temple that means they found the other ones, too. I really am the last airbender.

(Katara holds him tighter and Sokka puts a hand on Aang's shoulder. Scene cuts back to the Temple Sanctuary, where Aang stands once again in front of the statue of Avatar Roku. Katara comes up behind him.)

Katara: Everything's packed. You ready to go?

Aang: (still looking at the statue) How is Roku supposed to help me if I can't talk to him?

Katara: Maybe you'll find a way.

(They both turn around to see a familiar furry creature in the doorway of the temple. The lemur has returned. View switches to behind the lemur, who has Aang and Katara in front of him and Sokka to his right. He runs to Sokka and deposits a bunch of fruits and nuts at his feet. Sokka begins to eat hungrily as the lemur dashes away. Camera cuts back to Aang and Katara, watching with smiles on their faces.)

Aang: Looks like you made a new friend, Sokka.

Sokka: (mouth full) Can't talk. Must eat.

Aang: (as the lemur scurries up his chest to perch on his head.) Hey little guy.

(Scene switches to outside of the Temple. Screen pans down to show Appa, Aang, and the lemur looking out at the abandoned temple.)

Aang: You, me, and Appa. (View switches to frontal shot of the three.) We're all that's left of this place. We have to stick together. Katara, Sokka...

(Camera switches to Katara and Sokka, the latter's mouth still full, a fruit in his hand.)

Aang: ... say hello to the newest member of our family.

(Aang approaches them both, the lemur on his arm.)

Katara: What are you going to name him?

Aang: (surprised as the lemur jumps off camera and returns a second later with a fruit.) Momo.

(Screen expands to show all three, with Sokka poised to bite a fruit that is no longer in his hand. Aang and Katara begin to laugh. Switch to a twilight view of the temple. View shifts to Aang watching the temple recede in the distance as Appa flies them away. Aang looks back with sadness as the clouds finally obscure his childhood home from view.)