Master Pakku: Nice try, Pupil Sangok. A couple of more years and you might be ready to fight a sea sponge.
(Pupil Sangok continues to struggle against his bonds. Master Pakku turns away, makes a motion with his left hand, and the ice prison melts, dropping the hapless student to the ground. the rest of the students who are sitting slumped on the ground. These all appear to teenage boys.)
Master Pakku: Would anyone care for a rematch with Katara?
(They all shake their heads.)
Master Pakku: Katara, you have advanced more quickly than any student I have ever trained. other than your sister of course. You have proven that with fierce determination, passion and hard work you can accomplish anything. Raw talent alone is not enough.
(Cut to Aang lying on the ground, floating Momo around on an airball, a lazy smile on his face.)
Master Pakku: Pupil Aang!
(Momo's airball dissipates and Momo falls on Aang's head.)
Aang: Yes, Master Pakku?
Master Pakku: Care to step into the sparring circle? I figure since you've found time to play with house pets you must have already mastered waterbending.
Aang: I wouldn't say "mastered", but check this out!
(Aang spins around, collecting snow around him as he goes. When he is done, he has made himself into a snowman. Momo pounces on him and knocks him down. Pakku and Katara who wear similar expressions of disdain. Master Pakku shakes his head in disgust. _ giggles slightly. it began to snow- black snow
katara: no
_: no not again, not here, not now!
Chief Arnook: The day we have feared for so long has arrived. The Fire Nation is on our doorstep. It is with great sadness I call my family here before me, knowing well that some of these faces are about to vanish from our tribe. But they will never vanish from our hearts. Now, as we approach the battle for our existence, I call upon the great spirits! Spirit of the Ocean! Spirit of the Moon! Be with us! I'm going to need volunteers for a dangerous mission.
Sokka (standing up): Count me in.
Katara: Sokka!
_:what are you thinking!?
(Many other men stand up in the crowd with him.)
Chief Arnook: Be warned. Many of you will not return. Come forward to receive my mark if you accept the task.
(The men form a line in front of the Chief to receive his mark. It is three red lines on the forehead, made from some paint or ink that the Chief holds in a bowl in front of him. Sokka is the second in line. As Sokka leaves, he turns and makes eye contact with Yue before he turns again and walks away. Yue begins to cry silently
Aang sitting on one of the pylons at the top of the citadel steps. He is looking out over the city walls to the ocean horizon in the distance.
Chief Arnook: The stillness before battle is unbearable. (Katara and _ walk up behind Aang to his left and right) Such a quite dread.
Aang: I wasn't there when the Fire Nation attacked my people. (Cut to a close up of Aang, a fierce expression on his face.) I'm gonna make a difference this time.
He stands up on top of the pylon, Katara to his left and the Chief to his right. The camera zooms up towards and into the corona of the sun.
Shift to a frontal shot of the city from the water. All looks calm and quiet on a beautiful sunny day. Cut to a slanted shot of a row of Water Tribe warriors who line the top of the city wall, their faces painted for war. The shot cuts to pan left across the wall, revealing a solid line of warriors, with Aang atop Appa in the center. Katara _ and Sokka stand to Appa's left. Sokka, Katara and Aang in the background, all looking out to sea with expressions of fierce determination. In the distance a single ship is seen. It launches a fireball which hurtles directly at the center of the city wall. It strikes the water symbol in the center of wall and blows a massive hole through it. Many defenders are blown backwards into the city by the concussion, along with huge chunks of ice and debris. another fireball once flying through the air towards the city. It lands in a canal with an explosion of smoke, water and fire. the Fire Nation crew launching another fireball from the trebuchet on the approaching ship's foredeck. It strikes the right side of the city wall, shattering a piece of it. Appa recoils and roars as the smoke and exploding ice create havoc around him
Aang: Yip! Yip!
__ aang!
she bends a masive wave of water and follows him
Appa and Aang launch off the wall towards the Fire Navy ship while the defenders on the wall try to reorganize. Sokka searching among the wreckage of the ruined wall
Sokka: Katara!?
(He walks behind a large mound of snow which begins to move. A large chunk of the snow mound blows out of the screen as Katara waterbends it away to release herself. Sokka helps her to her feet just in time to see two more fireballs come over the city wall.
Aang at his reigns, a stern look on his face. As Aang and Appa approach the Fire Navy ship it fires a few more fireballs at them. The last Aang bats out of the with his staff. The blow changes the trajectory of the fireball and it goes wild, harmlessly striking the ice cliff way to the left of the city.
Aang: I'll take it from here, boy!
(Appa begins to invert himself allowing Aang to just fall of the saddle into a free fall. Appa exits the frame as Aang continues his drop. After a few seconds he opens his glider and closes in on the ship. Dodging several more fireballs Aang arrives on the foredeck, breaking the rest of his fall by using his staff as a helicopter blade. Once he lands, he whips up a gale that blows much of the deck crew off the screen. Aang then hops up onto the arm of the loaded trebuchet and begins to walk down it. A huge Fire Nation soldier blocks his way, however, and he is forced back up the arm. Two more soldiers have climbed the trebuchet, however, and appear behind Aang. They all swing mighty hammers at him and miss, damaging the trebuchet. Finally, Aang jets into the air and with a mighty blow blasts the trebuchet into a dozen pieces. all of a sudden aang sees ships being sunk and attacked by massive amounts of water. he turns to see _ waterbending at the ships, surfing on a huge wave.
aang: _!!!
_: hey aang!
aang: what are you doing here!? its to dangerous!! go back!!
_: i cant let you have all the fun! i was useless when they raided my home! im not making the same mistake! besides! we're in this together!! im never leaving you!
aang smiles lightly and nods
Aang runs over to the other trebuchet on the deck. He breaks the chain the stops the trebuchet arm from overextending and then fires the trebuchet. The arm overextends and the weapon shoot its fireball into the deck, straight through the forepeak and into the water below. the to of them, attacking many ships. water and airbending destroying the fleets ships. Aang runs back up the deck to two more trebuchet, Fire Nation guards in tow. He ties the chains of two trebuchets together in a bow knot. He then runs over to one of the machines firing mechanisms and kicks it into operation. The activated trebuchet draws the one it is tied to across the deck towards itself. When the one strikes the other they disintegrate into a pile of useless junk.
Aang grins widely as he runs over to another trebuchet and is observed by a large Fire Nation warrior. He about to strike the firing mechanism with a hammer when he sees the warrior approach. Aang drops the hammer in fear, narrowly avoiding multiple hammers attached to chains that attempt to strike him. the warrior wielding the chained hammers as weapons. Hiding behind one of the trebuchet's girders, Aang is quickly ensnared by two chains which rap around him. Cut to the warrior controlling the chains. Appa's feet suddenly swoops in, breaking the chain and sweeping the warrior out of the picture. Aang frees himself from his now loose chains.)
Aang/_: Appa!
Appa peering over the side of a ship. He ejects the chain warrior overboard with a grunt and a shove of his paw. Aang and _ run over and jump onto Appa's forehead, bear hugging him.)
Aang: Thanks for the rescue, buddy!
_: we needed it!
(Suddenly the ship starts to vibrate violently. A huge spear of ice breaks through the foredeck straight into the sky. The Fire Navy ship has been surrounded by Water Tribe skiffs full of waterbenders. Together they the Fire Navy ship out of the water on a bed of ice. Appa _ and Aang take off the now heavily listing deck. As Aang _ and Appa rise above the now wrecked ship, _ and Aang's expression turns to horror and surprise as he looks in front of him. The horizon is full of Fire Navy ships as far as the eye can see.)
_: no. there... theres to many, this is a nightmare.
Aang: You have got to be kidding me.
Water Tribe warriors walking up stairs, then to a headshot of Chief Arnook once again addressing a group of soldiers.)
Chief Arnook: Men, you'll be infiltrating the Fire Nation navy. That means you'll all need one of these uniforms...
Hahn, an arrogant looking, dark haired young man. The uniform he wears, while clearly of the Fire Nation, is not current standard issue. In particular, the shoulder armor has wings that curve upward. Laughter from ? is heard, then switch to a wide shot of the assembly to reveal that it is Sokka who is laughing. He puts his hand over his mouth. The other warriors turn to look at him.)
Hahn: What's your problem?
Sokka: Fire Navy uniforms don't look like that.
Hahn: Of course they do. These are real uniforms captured from actual Fire Navy soldiers.
Sokka: When, like a hundred years ago?
Chief Arnook: Eighty five.
Sokka: The Fire Nation doesn't wear shoulder spikes anymore. The newer uniforms are more streamlined.
(Sokka bends the tip of one of the shoulder spikes back with the tip of his finger and lets get out. It bounces back to its original shape
Hahn (to Arnook): How do we know we can trust this guy? Such bold talk for a new recruit.
Chief Arnook: Sokka is from our sister tribe, Hahn, he is a capable warrior and I value his input.
Sokka looking smugly at Hahn, who is none too pleased.
Chief Arnook: Now, our first objective is to determine the identity of their commanding officer.
Sokka: His name is Zhao. Middle-aged. Big sideburns. Bigger temper.
Chief Arnook: Sokka, I want you to tell everything you know to Hahn, he is leading this mission. Hahn, show Sokka your respect. I expect nothing less from my future son-in-law.
(Arnook exits left as Hahn pushes his hair back over his ears. The screen pans right to reveal that Sokka's jaw has dropped in shock at the Chief's last pronouncement. He recovers and points an accusing finger at hahn.)
Sokka: Princess Yue's marrying you?
Hahn: Yeh, what of it?
Sokka (turning away): Nothing, congratulations.
a late afternoon or sunset shot of the advancing ranks of Fire Navy ships firing volleys of fireballs towards the city. Some land inside the city and some hit the outer wall. Master Pakku in front of a group of waterbenders.)
Master Pakku: Stop those fireballs!
Yue: They've stopped firing.
(Appa swoops into the frame.)
Katara (pointing at them): Aang!........_!?
(Appa lands on the plaza at the base of the Citadel steps. Yue and Katara run down to them. As Appa lands he lies down on his belly, his feet too tired to keep him up. Aang looks small and dejected in the saddle. He grabs _ from the waist and slides off and comes to rest next to Appa's left forepaw.)
Aang: I can't do it. I can't do it.
Katara: What happened?
Aang: I can't fight them all.
_: we must have taken out a dozen Fire Navy ships, but there's just too many of them.
Princess Yue: But, you have to! You're the Avatar!
Aang: I'm just one kid.
_: aang we did our best.
(He buries his head in his arms in despair as _ and Katara sit down to comfort him.
Hahn (mispronouncing Sokka's name): Let me tell ya, Soka, I've courted a lot of girls, but Yue is the finest - and she comes with the most perks.
Sokka (his eyes bulging in anger): Perks!? What does that mean?
Hahn: I mean, Yue's nice and everything, but the points I'll get with the Chief aren't bad either.
Sokka: Princess Yue is wasted on a self absorbed weasel like you!
Hahn: Whoa. Hang on. What do you care? You're just a simple rube from the Southern Tribe. What would you know of the political complexities of our life? No offense.
(Sokka yells in anger and tackles Hahn to the ground. Sokka ends up on top and punches Hahn in the face.)
Sokka: You're just a jerk without a soul! No offense!
jayden: hey! get off my brother!
sokka gets up.
sokka: (to jayden) your his brother! URG is should of seen it, your both selfish, self-centered, pig jerks that have no respect! i could kill you for what you did to my baby sister!!!!! (he tackles jayden)
(They roll around a bit more before Chief Arnook's comes in
Chief Arnook: That's enough! Sokka, you're off the mission.
(The Chief exits again as Sokka looks away, humiliated.)
Hahn: All right, fall in men! Everybody listen to what I say and we'll take out this Admiral Jo in no time.
Sokka: It's Admiral Zhao!
Princess Yue (voice over): The legends say the moon was the first waterbender. (_ Katara, Aang and Yue looking at the moon over the city from a room in the citadel. Aang's holds his head low.) Our ancestors saw how it pushed and pulled the tides and learned how to do it themselves.
Katara: I've always noticed my waterbending is stronger at night.
Princess Yue: Our strength comes from the Spirit of the Moon, our life comes from the Spirit of the Ocean. They work together to keep balance.
Aang (his eyes opening wide as he gets an idea): The Spirits! Maybe I can find them and get their help!
Princess Yue: How can you do that?
_: avatar perk
Katara: The Avatar is the bridge between our world and the Spirit World. Aang can talk to them!
Princess Yue (smiling hopefully): Maybe they'll give you the wisdom to win this battle!
Aang (spreading his arms wide): Or, maybe they'll unleash a crazy amazing spirit attack on the Fire Nation!
(Cut to a wide shot of the three, as Yue _ and Katara regard Aang steadily. Aang puts his arms behind his back and smiles.)
Aang: Or wisdom. That's good too.
Katara: The only problem is, last time you got to the Spirit World by accident. How are you going to get there this time?
_: maybe we have to be somewhere spiritual, like a land mark or sanctuary.
Princess Yue: I have an idea, follow me.
Aang: So is this the way to the Spirit World?
Princess Yue (laughing): No, you'll have to get there on your own. But I can take you to the most spiritual place in the entire North Pole.
Aang: I never thought I'd miss grass this much!
_ giggles
(He flops over on his back as Yue and Katara walk onto the landing themselves.)
Katara (smiling): It's so warm here! How is that possible? (She takes off her overcoat.)
Princess Yue: It's the cent...
_: its the center of all spiritual energy in their land. sorry, i do that a.... lot
yue laughs
(Cut to an overhead shot of the pond where two fish circle each other in a timeless motion. One is white, the other black. Momo skitters up to the pond and begins to try and grab the fish. Yue and Katara look severely at Momo, who decides to run away.)
Aang: You're right, Yue. I can feel...something...it's so...tranquil.
_: i feel relaxed
(Aang sits cross legged in front of the pond. He closes his eyes, makes two fists and puts his knuckles together in an attempt to meditate.
Chief Arnook: Is something wrong, Sokka?
Sokka: Oh no! Hahn's out there on the top secret mission while I'm here sharpening my boomerang. Everything's fine!
Chief Arnook: Listen to me. I took you off the mission for selfish reasons. I have a special task in mind for you.
Sokka (turning to the Chief in anger): What? You want me to scrub the barracks?
Chief Arnook: I want you to guard my daughter, Princess Yue.
Sokka (getting up, an look of innocence mingled with desire on his face): Er, sure. That shouldn't be too hard.
Princess Yue (trying to whisper): Why is he sitting like that?
Katara (also whispering): He's meditating - trying to cross over into the Spirit World. It takes all his concentration.
_: can you be quiet. how is he supposed to meditat if your talking
(Aang cracks an eye at this continued interruption.)
Princess Yue: Is there any way we can help?
Aang: How 'bout some quiet!? C'mon guys! I can hear every word you're saying!
(He resumes his pose. the black and white fish circling each other in front of him. The view switches from underneath the fish. Aang stares at them. As he looks at them they blur into the Yin - Yang symbol. His eyes and then a second later the screen flashes white. When the view returns, Aang's eyes and head arrow glow white.)
Yue: Is he okay?
Katara: He's crossing into the Spirit World. He'll be fine as long as we don't move his body. That's his way back to the physical world.
Yue (beginning to walk away): is she ok?
_: im fine, whenever aang 'glows' my eyes glow purple, like his white or blue. and im about to see what he se...... (she 'fainted' and nearly fell to the floor but katara grabbed her and placed her on the floor gently)
yue: Maybe we should get some help?
Katara: No, he's my friend and shes my baby sister. I'm perfectly capable of protecting them.
Zuko: Well, aren't you a big girl now?give me the avatar
Katara: No!
Zuko: Yes! Hand him over, and I won't have to hurt you.
Katara assuming a waterbending stance, while Yue runs off, Aang, oblivious, still communes with the Spirit World in front of the pond.
Zuko launches forward, firing several blasts of fire. Katara blocks all three with water from the pond. He fires several more as he advances, but on the last one she uses enough water to not only douse his fire, but hurl him backward and lay him flat on the ground.)
Zuko (getting up): I see you've learned a new trick. But I didn't come this far to lose to you.
(He fires another blast which she blocks. Katara then launches another stream of water at him, hurling him backwards again. He barely retains his balance, but Katara freezes the water beneath him. His feet are frozen in the ice. Then, with a massive output of effort, Katara raises a churning sphere of water from the main pool behind Zuko, encases him in it, and freezes him entirely. both katara and _ satisfied with there work.
Zuko: You little peasant. You've found a master, haven't you?
(As Zuko ends his comment, the ground begins to shake and the ice begins to glow yellow and orange. With an explosion of fire, the shell of ice shatters, releasing Zuko who promptly charges Katara. They trade shots which miss. Zuko gets behind Katara and almost grabs Aang's collar, but Katara blasts him out of the way with a jet of water. He gets blown over to the right ledge. While he tries to recover, Katara raises a huge wave of water that raises him to ten or more feet up the wall. She freezes him in place once again.
The sun rises over the horizon, lighting pakus face. They look out from the citadel over the city wall to the Fire Navy fleet.
Zhao: It's daybreak at last. Let's write history.
Zuko still frozen in the ice. His head droops in defeat. As the sunlight reaches him, though, his head snaps up with a look of determination. He breathes steam, melting the ice holding him in place. He slides down and charges Katara again. He fires a huge blast of fire. Katara, caught off guard while she walking back to Aang, blocks it only partially. She is thrown back into the post of the paifang gate and is knocked out. When the smoke clears, Zuko looks over her, his hand on Aang's collar, the sun shining bright in the background
Zuko: You rise with the moon. I rise with the sun.
Fire Navy ship dropping its bowsprit and using it to slice open the Water City's main wall. The bowsprit is then used as a bridge by Fire Nation troops entering the city, much as the ancient Roman corvus was used.
Zhao: The Water Tribe can try to resist the inevitable but their city will fall today.
Katara, emerging from her involuntary nap. Here eyes open suddenly, and she gets to her knees with a start. Aang and Zuko are gone.
Momo chitters
Katara (shouting): Aang!
Appa lands, Sokka and Yue in the saddle. They move to hop down.)
Sokka: What happened? Where's Zuko?
Katara (sadly): He took Aang. He took him right out from under me.
Sokka: Where did they go?
Up there it is snowing hard. Zuko struggles through the storm, carrying Aang, whose marking still glow white. The disappear into the snow,