Episode One

The Avatar's Demise

Part Two

Scene:

Dahnu's bedroom. He is sitting upright in front of a large window that overlook the barn, the training field and the forest beyond that. It is very dark and it is starting to thunder and lightning. He sits with his legs crossed, four candles before him, eyes closed meditating, breathing the flames bigger and smaller. He opens his eyes and gets into bed. He extinguishes the flames. Just then the door opens and another flame introduces Rowin and Kimi in blankets, fright written on their faces, silently pleading. Dahnu takes in their faces and sighs throwing off the blanket in invitation.

DAHNU: agitated Come on.

Kimi snuggles right into his chest and Rowin goes to the other side of Dahnu. Dahnu blows out the candle.

KIMI: I love you, Dahnu.

DAHNU: I love you too. Go to sleep, ok.

KIMI: I can't.

DAHNU: It's just a storm, it can't hurt you.

ROWIN: It's still scary.

DAHNU: You don't need to be afraid. I won't let anything hurt you.

KIMI: Because you're the avatar.

DAHNU: hesitates for a moment Yeah.

. . .

Scene:

General Taruk of the United Republic is being received at the palace of the Fire Lady Yori. He is dressed for battle and there on business. He is young, 30 maybe, jet black hair, cropped with scruff along his face. Yori, however, takes in his militant demeanor and looks about the room, uncomfortable. Yori is older in her 40s or 50s, she wears more yellow than red, also black hair that is half up half down. As Taruk is walking in an announcer states his name and where he is from. Taruk bows and kneels.

YORI: General, it is an honor to meet you.

TARUK: The honor is mine, Fire Lady. He stands You know why I am here.

YORI: reluctantly I do.

TARUK: The Earth Kingdom has been pushing against our borders. They ruined their farmland with toxic waste and now wish to take ours.

YORI: sighing I know

TARUK: There have already been scrimmages, losses on both sides.

YORI: I-

TARUK: They must be stopped! We can't do it alone. We need help. Yori doesn't answer I come on behalf of the United Republic President to beg for your aid in our struggle against the Earth Kingdom. Our two great nations have always had good trading relationships going back to the Hundred Year War. Imagine what will happen to the Fire Nation's economy if our supplies are halted due to war. Defeat of the Earth Kingdom incursion is in both our interests.

YORI: silent, looking away for a while, then slowly replies I understand the President's concern, and I sympathize with the losses the people of the United Republic have sustained. However, as much as our economy will be hurt, getting involved in this war would hurt worse. We cannot afford to engage the Earth Kingdom now. The strength of the Earth Kingdom has never been greater than it is presently. Victory is not certain, General, and I will not risk the lives of my people in a conflict that is not their own. I'm sorry, please tell the President-

TARUK: Coward! The Fire Nation has always been our longest standing ally, only to turn your back on us now!

Fire Lady lackies surround him in defense of their leader for the insult.

YORI: (sternly) My sincerest apologies, General Taruk. Door to leave opens behind Taruk, He turns to leave. Yori glares as he leaves then softens and looks down eyebrows furrowed, she says softly Good luck.

Scene:

Enter Taruk, pissed as hell, in his accommodations. An apartment with couches, a coffee table, fancy rug, whole shabang. There are two women one older (NORA, Taruk's wife) and one younger (REN, Taruk's sister), both have been lounging listening to the radio and eating complimentary food. Both are startled when Taruk slams the door closed.

REN: Hey!

NORA: What's wrong, Taruk pacing the room, Nora getting up to talk to him what happened.

TARUK: She refused.

NORA: aghast, panic What? I thought you said this was a sure thing! I thought with the Fire Nation's help it would be an easy win? You said-

TARUK: fuming, in rage I know what I said! It was supposed to be a sure thing, it was supposed to- he cuts off, searching his mind for something. He plops down on the couch next to Ren

Nora is breathing fast, she worries/panics easily

REN: So what now?

TARUK: Covers his face with his hands, elbows on his knees. Emerges after a moment) Aunt Kani.

REN: No, Taruk, don't

TARUK: Ren!

REN: Not Aunt Kani, she so weird! Her house always smells like rotten dolphin flubber!

NORA: What?

REN: He's going to send us away to our Aunt Kani's. She lives in the remote South, between the Southern Air Temple and the South Pole.

TARUK: It's the safest place to be.

NORA: What about you?

TARUK: he gets up and stands in front of Nora I am the general of an army that's going to war. You know what I have to do. Nora bursts out crying and crumbles into his chest. He addresses Ren This is going to get ugly. Aunt Kani's island has remained neutral for decades and so has the Southern Air Temple, but that doesn't mean there's no threat. Trust no one when you're there. Ren swallows and nods And look out for them for me.

. . .

Scene:

Dahnu approaches training field there are four people in protective training gear waiting for him. His ZOKAN waits cross armed.

DAHNU: What's going on, Master Zokan?

ZOKAN: I have decided you are right

Dahnu raises his eyebrows surprised

ZOKAN: You will need to learn to fight using all elements. So today we are trying something different. Here, there are two firebenders and two earthbenders. However, you may only attack using the element they can bend.

DAHNU: How will I know which ones are firebenders or earthbenders?

ZOKAN: You must uncover that yourself. This is not only a test of firebending skill, but of how well you think on your feet.

Dahnu faces his opponents. They walk around him and encircle him. Dahnu takes a stance that faces one way but his head is turned the other way. Someone sends a fireblast to Dahnu which he deflects, but another blast is coming toward him from behind while the earth trembles below his feet unsteadying him. He deflects the second blast but falls and is immediately encased in earth unable to move. All four come closer ready to strike.

ZOKAN: smug Again.

Dahnu is up and angry but takes his place again and so do the others.

ZOKAN: Fight.

Dahnu creates a huge earth pyre with him on top. The earthbenders are forced to reveal themselves and bring down the pyre. Dahnu shoves them back with earth walls. The firebenders attack and Dahnu creates a protective fire ball around him and expands it. One firebender is blasted back the other charges through it. An earthbender who had burrowed under the ground comes up right in front of Dahnu and both opponents use a couple cheap shots to win.

ZOKAN: Again.

DAHNU: Hey, they cheated.

ZOKAN: As the avatar you will face many opponents who may not follow the rules. It is your job to be better and subdue them properly.

DAHNU: So they can throw cheap shots but I can't?

ZOKAN: smirks Precisely.

Opponents retake their positions menacingly.

DAHNU: exasperated, frustrated and annoyed All right, I get it. I'm sorry I cheated yesterday, it won't happen again. I'll only use one element at a time, fair and square, ok?

ZOKAN: smile grows and he nods slightly The earthbenders may leave.

Two opponents bow to ZOKAN and depart from field. The two left turn toward Dahnu.

ZOKAN: Fight.

The firebenders converge on Dahnu. He dodges one fireblast and barrels through another. Both are on top of Dahnu now. Dahno shoots up using firebending to fly. ZOKAN's jaw drops and becomes angry. One follows him while the other continues to attack from the ground. Dahnu lands and so does the pursuer. The fight is rougher than Dahnu expected, he is surprised but keeping up, barely. Dahnu blasts the pursuer away with a grunt. Tired, he sees the second firebender charging toward him. Dahnu shoots lightning at the man who barely dodges it.

ZOKAN: Stop.

Master Zokan stomps over to Dahnu who is panting and agitated.

DAHNU: What? I didn't cheat.

ZOKAN: accusing I never taught you how to fly or shoot lightning.

DAHNU: Yeah, I taught myself. What of it?

ZOKAN: I am in charge of your training Dahnu! Now you go behind my back? Why didn't you tell me this?

DAHNU: I don't know, I just wanted to see if I could do it.

ZOKAN: Why do you keep secrets from me?

DAHNU: getting angry I don't have to tell you everything.

ZOKAN: No, but this involves your training. I am your mentor I could have helped you.

DAHNU: shouting I didn't want your help!

ZOKAN: glares for a moment Enough Dahnu, we are done for the day.

DAHNU: sourly Fine by me!