Avatar - The Last Firebender

by Carrotine Clara

Hello! In case you don't know, this story is mostly based off the premises of a different Fanfiction called Distorted Reality, written by Ogro. I have asked them if it's okay if I do my own sort-off "Remake" or just my own interpretation, and they're fine with it. The story is about a distorted reality, in which Aang is found inside a volcano by Azula and Zuko. Have fun!

2. Episode 3

Avatar: The Last Firebender

Based of Distorted Reality by Ogro

Written by Carrotine Clara

---

Book 1: Fire

Episode 3

The Western Air Temple

---

Akt I.

---

Azula is once again startled in the middle of the night. As she turns in her sleeping bag, she looks up at the bison to her left. The big beast is firmly asleep, yet on its saddle lies a huddled together, twitching and mumbling Aang. Azula climbs onto Appa's tail and takes a peek.

AANG: No... please... no...

In response to this, Azula now also looks uneasy, both frightened by Aang, but also feeling empathy for him. She was never exactly the "village mother", Iroh gladly took over that position for her, so perhaps this is why she now feels so afraid, looking at this frightened boy with no experience on how to deal with it whatsoever. She decides to cram around in her bag, finding a soft tarp, that she awkwardly places onto him. At first it covers a part of his face, meaning she has to pull it down below his shoulders. As the makeshift blanket covers his lower body, the twitching begins to fade away slowly, eventually Aang appears to sleep normally again. Azula sighs and rolls over her eyes. She whispers to herself as she climbs down Appa.

AZULA: I did not sign up for this.

She slips back inside her sleeping bag, Zuko grunts.

ZUKO: Something going on?

AZULA: No, go back to sleep.

Zuko grunts again and turns to the other side, so does Azula, facing the bison and brooding on the inside. She has had this feeling ever since they first met Aang, the weirdly cold 12-year-old who talks like an adult. Maybe that's just how airbenders behave. But Azula can't quite rid herself of the feeling that something else is going on.

---

Early morning fresh air breezes through Aang's face, who smells the grassy odour. He once again experienced terrible sleep, though it got better after a while. He gets up slowly, hovering himself onto his feet via airbending, then proceeding to jump off Appa, who is still enjoying his own dozing. Zuko rolls over in his sleeping bag, eyes shut. Azula's bag is empty. Aang still feels an instinctive urge to get ready for combat, even after traveling together with her for two days. It's the voice, he figured.

He decides to walk over to a small, nearby lake, where he kneels down and washes his face.

AZULA: Good morning.

Aang flinches and falls on his butt. Azula seems slightly distressed at the impression she gave off. It was her goal to surprise him, but not like this. She gets up, standing on a small boulder inside the lake. She starts to studder.

AZULA: Well, you're easily startled...

She picks up her boots and runs through shallow water towards him.

AANG: I didn't... expect you guys to be awake.

In that moment, Appa gets up on his six feet, emitting a deep hum, which wakes up Zuko very abruptly.

ZUKO: What?! What happened?!

Appa groans again and runs up to Zuko, starting to lick his face in excitement. The young swordfighter collapses under the weight of the docile beast. Azula smiles. So does Aang.

AZULA: Listen...

He gets back up on his feet and avoids eye contact. She nervously stares down at the boy, who looks like he is about to run away at any moment, scaring off Azula in the process. She had been feeling terribly self-conscious lately, the kind of vibe Aang gives off just makes her feel like she is no longer in control. After all, emotional connectivity is not her strong suit.

AANG: What is it?

His tone is mat and dry. He doesn't even bother to wait for her answer and already turns back around. The pressure overcomes Azula. She shots out a question like a pistol.

AZULA: Do you want to teach me firebending?

He stops.

AANG: Uh... I don't know.

He turns back towards her, so do Zuko and Appa.

AANG: I though you knew it already.

AZULA: Me? No, I only know the...uh, basics. I think.

Aang utters a question he was wondering previously.

AANG: Are you the only firebender on your island?

Azula shrugs.

AZULA: Yeah, I guess so.

She flings back her side hair, reminding Aang of the real Azula. Aang looks back at her brother for a moment, confused about the inherent disposition of a fire-less Zuko. Azula obviously notices this.

AZULA: So, what do you say?

Aang sighs, scratches his head and walks over to Appa, patting him on the side.

AANG: I guess I can show you some stuff.

AZULA: You "guess"?

She comes off as insulted.

ZUKO: Well, you did single-handedly burn down the Water Navy ship, we assume you know a little more than "stuff".

Azula is now even more insulted.

AZULA: "Single-handedly"?

AANG: Let's talk about it after the Air Temple.

He gets up on Appa. The siblings exchange confused looks.

ZUKO: Alright, then.

Azula pouts, staring at Aang with a look of scepticism.

---

Two scouts stand inside a wooden watchtower, closely observing the ocean. Both of them are sweating profusely. Behind them sits a giant lake of boiling, hot water.

SCOUT 1: Man, I'm dying in here.

The second guard is looking through a telescope.

SCOUT 2: Haven't heard that one before.

The first scout waves his hand in a feminine fashion. This upsets his colleague.

SCOUT 2: Stop doing that, you pansy.

SCOUT 1: What? It's HOT-

SCOUT 2: Hold up!

The second scout redirects the telescope, spotting a jet-like stream of water in the distance.

SCOUT 2: Something is approaching, sound the alarm!

The first scout sounds a big horn, alarming the harbour down below. It is a large, wooden and complex structure, serving as a shipyard. The horn alarms all the workers, who stop their hammer swings and look towards the water jet. One of the workmen is a young, teenage boy with freckles and dark brown curls, who stands inside an unfinished boat hull. He drops a stack of wood in awe, upsetting a man above him.

MAN: Poko! What are you doing down there?!

POKO: Oh, I... I'm so sorry!

His voice is unusually squeaky, which, combined with the lisp annoys most of Poko's co-workers.

MAN: Stop messing around! Go get ready, we're under attack!

Poko grabs one of the spears leaned against the hull. He climbs back up onto one of the landing stages, standing insecurely next to the bigger, bulkier men. He looks ahead and lowers his spear.

POKO: I don't think we're under attack.

The men seem angry at first but lower their weapons quickly. The water jet is identified as several waterbenders, carrying other Water Navy soldiers, surfing across the water. The one in the front is Bato, who carries a bored Kanna on his shoulders. An unnamed soldier is carrying a cowardly Sokka. All the men have a terrible sunburn. They finally land on the stone platform, where guarding soldiers look baffled at the wet and exhausted new arrivals, who sit and lie down in exhaustion. Sokka gets dropped by his carrier like a wet blanket, smacking onto the stone and dropping his big sword. Poko looks at the weapon with big eyes. An older man, half bald and with a gashing scar through his left eye, approaches the platform. Based on his clothing, Poko assumes he is one of the Chief-Generals.

CHIEF KAROK: What in Sedni's name is going on here?

Bato, despite being the spearhead earlier, arrives last, in a bold move, not showing any sign of exhaustion. He gracefully places Kanna onto the platform, the soldiers are shocked.

CHIEF KAROK: Chief Mother...

He gets on one knee, waiting for her to say something.

KANNA: Oh please, get up, you know who I am.

Karok follows her command.

CHIEF KAROK: Lieutenant Bato, what happened to you?

Bato touches his scar, only remembering now that it is relatively new.

BATO: It's nothing.

He turns around, looking angrily at Sokka, who hasn't been able to get up yet.

BATO: I need to hold a Chief's Council.

Sokka gulps. Poko watches all of this unfold.

---

Sitting silently in the front, Aang steers his pet with clear determination. Azula and her brother are waiting in the back, with the girl tapping her fingers nervously on the leather saddle. Staring down at Aang she wonders, just what is going on inside that little shaved head. She crawls back to her brother, who calmly studies a book in the back of the saddle.

ZUKO: There's not a lot of stuff regarding these Wind Temples-

AANG: Air Temples.

The siblings get spooked for a second. Aang did not turn, nor did he give off the impression like he was listening. Azula makes sure to crawls extra close to her brother, whispering with her mouth behind her hand. Aang notices something going on but decides against addressing it.

AZULA: Don't you think he's acting a bit... weird?

They stare at the silent monk-like boy for a few seconds, before continuing the whisper.

ZUKO: Weird like a 12-year-old elder sitting on a flying bison, or weird like something else?

AZULA: Something else.

She continues to stare at him in silence. Eventually, Aang notices and turns back.

AANG: Why are you staring at me like that?

Azula hesitates.

AZULA: Oh... was I staring?

He shrugs.

AANG: By the way, what happened to that headpiece?

AZULA: Oh, the headpiece?

She crams it out of her bag in order to distract him.

AZULA: I'm unsure about wearing it though.

AANG: Why?

AZULA: Uh, it's just-

AANG: Hold on!

All of them shut up, Zuko closes his book.

ZUKO: What is it?

AANG: We're here.

The siblings excitedly hold on to the saddle, gazing down below, expecting to see the amazing architecture of the Air Temple, instead seeing nothing but dirt, accompanied by a comedic whistle sound.

AZULA: Not a lot of temple...

ZUKO: ...and a lot more dirt.

Aang smiles devilishly, Azula already braces herself, grabbing onto the saddle as the bison dives down head-first, pushing Zuko into the back. He holds onto everything while screaming comically. Aang stops abruptly, hovering mid-air. Zuko is furious.

ZUKO: Why in Agni's name did you do that...

He stops in awe, staring right ahead, confusing Azula, who was hoping for a show of outrage. She too looks straight ahead, her jaw dropping at the sight of the temple. It being upside down. Aang takes a deep breath, the excitement filling him up with a warm feeling in his stomach.

AVATAR: We're finally here.

He lands Appa on one of the platforms, but this time Azula will not shut it.

AZULA: Don't you think cause we're in some fancy temple I'm going just to forget that you almost killed us now!

Aang doesn't listen and jumps off the bison. His eyes wander all over the place, closely inspecting the upside-down structure with suspicion. Zuko is equally amazed, petting Appa on the side. Yet Azula remains persistent. She jumps off the saddle, chasing after Aang.

AZULA: Hey! I'm TALKING to you!

AANG: Someone's been here.

AZULA: Of course someone's been here – this placed was built by people!

AANG: No, I mean recently.

Aang's eyes wander all over. Indeed, in comparison to the Western Air Temple in his world, this one seems cleaner, less broken. But this is of little concern to Azula, who is boiling behind him.

All of this is observed by keen eyes, hiding far away inside a temple window.

---

Poko mindlessly hammers a shipboard on the floor, his thoughts being completely elsewhere at the moment. He looks at a spot in the corner of the massive construction hall while chewing on his lower lip. Two other workers perform their task behind him.

WORKER 1: Did you hear about the prince?

WORKER 2: Yeah, I was there when they showed up. The Chief Mother was with them.

WORKER 1: You think that prince is going to talk himself out of this one?

WORKER 2: What do you mean?

WORKER 1: I hear that wasn't the first time he crashed a ship. Makes a pretty bad captain for a prince, as far as I heard.

WORKER 2: Really?

WORKER 1: You know the saying, "A captain that can't bend the tides, will be bent by the tides."

Poko's pupils grow bigger.

POKO: The prince isn't a waterbender?

The two workers are intrigued by the squeamish boy with a lisp.

WORKER 1: No, he's not.

WORKER 2: He isn't? Maybe that's why I haven't heard a lot about him.

WORKER 1: Yeah, he's a total weakling.

He looks down at Poko, who is still kneeling.

WORKER 1: No offense.

Poko is slightly offended, showing off a comical expression.

POKO (sarcastically): None taken.

WORKER 2: By the way, why are you still here?

POKO: What?

WORKER 2: Yeah, your shift ended like ten minutes ago.

Poko drops the hammer.

POKO: Really?!

He leaps up and runs over to the spot in the corner.

WORKER 1: Hey, wait a minute!

Poko freezes in utter fear.

WORKER 1: You forgot your hammer.

He hands him over the tool. Poko is still nervous.

POKO: Sure, yes. Sorry!

He runs away.

WORKER 2: What a weird kid.

The first worker crosses his muscular arms.

WORKER 1: Yeah. Something's off.

The spot Poko was looking at is a small locker, meant to be used by the ship workers to store items and tools. One of these things is revealed as Poko opens the locker: Sokka's bone sword, wrapped in cloth. He grabs it, ties it around his back and climbs up the ladder, leading him up to the surface. He runs by some of the warriors and workers, into a small alleyway between two wooden houses. A number of soldiers walk by, forcing him to hide behind a barrel filled with water. He looks up at the steep, rocky mountain, terrified by its size, but looks determined to continue. He takes a deep breath and scoops out a nazar-looking necklace, which is hidden inside his shirt. He clenches it and looks at the mountain again. His voice filled with determination, a lot higher pitched and relaxed than it was previously.

POKO: I will find you.

He exhaustingly pushes the barrel towards the cliff and uses it as a platform, jumping on to it, accidentally pushing it over in the process. He looks down at the puddle of water nervously but decides to go further up the rock anyways.

---

Inside the crater of the boiling rock sits a giant, wooden mansion, built pompously, with several floors, and in the style of the Fire Nation. Inside the main chamber, a large room decorated with animal skins, bones, and other Inuit-like accessories, burns a small fire pit, where supposedly a servant of some kind, pokes around the embers, to keep the fire going. Sokka gulps, as he sits on the ground in front of it, surrounded by Bato, Chief Karok and a few other unnamed chiefs, who all keep their distance from him. All of them look physically intimidating, making the shorter prince nervous.

Chief Karok scratches his tiny, bearded chin for a few seconds before turning back towards the other chiefs. The fireplace servant leaves the room.

CHIEF KAROK: The Avatar...

All the chiefs seem concerned. Sokka cowers on the floor, trying to not express his emotions.

SOKKA: Allegedly!

BATO: Allegedly?

Bato was leaning against a wall and is now approaching the prince.

BATO: What would you call an airbender, with glowing eyes, who can burn down an entire ship?

SOKKA: Uh... is that a trick question?

BATO: A trick question?!

He raises his hand at the boy. But. before striking a blow, a hooked harpoon catches his arm, not harming him in the process. Bato looks back and finds a buff man, wearing a furred coat of a polar bear dog. The rest of his costume is dark blue, mostly leather in different variations. His arms are big and hairy, his face is covered with a rough looking beard, his head being bald. A gaping scar runs through the side of his head – his left ear is missing. The man lowers his harpoon, and the room has his attention.

Outside the wooden palace, Poko has managed to climb up to the third floor, where all of this is unfolding. As he dares to peek inside, he sees the giant man who just entered. He quickly ducks his head.

CHIEF KAROK: Vice-Chief Puwati, w-we were not expecting you today...

Puwati says nothing for a moment, walks over to an antique table, and pours himself some sort of beverage.

PUWATI: I caught a messenger puffin not far from here.

He takes a sip and turns around.

PUWATI: So, I decided to see for myself.

SOKKA: Puwati!

Sokka gets up joyfully, confusing everyone present.

SOKKA: As a good friend of my father, the Great Chief, I am so glad to talk to someone-

PUWATI: What did you do this time, Sokka?

The prince freezes. Poko, still standing on a decorative roof part and spying on the conversation, is intrigued.

BATO: Vice-Chief, if I may?

Sokka is enraged. Puwati takes another sip.

PUWATI: Bato. Last time we met you were serving as lieutenant.

BATO: Yes. I was serving under this incompetent child, who refused to capture the Avatar.

Poko's eyes open wide. The minor chiefs start mumbling again until Puwati speaks up.

PUWATI: The Avatar?

---

Zuko climbs off Appa too, while Aang still aimlessly strolls around the Air Temple grounds, or sealings, technically, glaring at every little detail. He remembers the temple so differently, yet it all seems familiar.

Standing behind him, Azula can no longer hold back her anger.

ZUKO: What does this mean, Aang?

AZULA: Why would you bother to ask him, Zu-Zu? It's not like he will tell us ANYTHING!

The sudden fit of rage shows a striking resemblance to the real Azula, to Aang's Azula. He snaps out of it.

AANG: What?

AZULA: Don't "what?" me! You're obviously hiding something! In fact, you've been hiding something ever since I dug you out of that rock!

Aang goes back into his mode of paranoia.

AANG: I knew it...

ZUKO: Azula...

AZULA: What? You knew WHAT?!

Aang is suspiciously quiet now.

AZULA: What Aang? Aren't you going to tell us? I guess you're also never going to teach me any firebending either then!

ZUKO: Uh, Azula?

She stops. Staring down in terror at Aang, she and her brother take a step back, as the boy begins to twitch and hover lightly, the glowing in his eyes flickering, on and off, as if his entire system is about to collapse. And so, it does, as Aang hears the same screaming voices from when he travelled to this cursed world, voices he recognizes, but which he does not remember.

He falls down onto the floor, unconscious.

---

Appa growls repeatedly, shaking around the unconscious Aang, who does not seem to move an inch. His tattoos are not glowing either, meaning the beast and both of the teenagers are beginning to panic. Azula is probably the most nervous, although in stark defiance of the Avatar, she refuses to display that fear.

ZUKO: Oh no, what are we going to do?

He walks back and forth. Both this and the growling making Azula ever more nervous, yet simultaneously stubborn.

AZULA: Why don't we just leave him here? He's nothing but trouble anyways...

Suddenly, Appa charges at Azula in a faint attack, where the girl drops on the ground in fear. The bison stops as she does so, leaning on its hind legs and growling once again, before going back on all six and laying down next to Aang.

Azula looks up ahead, breathing heavily.

ZUKO: I hope you got the message.

She grunts in anger, sitting down with her legs crossed.

AZULA: I just don't get it! Here comes the Avatar, who could finally teach me something about firebending, and all he does is talk in riddles and ignore me!

Zuko sits down next to her.

AZULA: This isn't fair. Why isn't he telling us the truth?!

ZUKO: Maybe he doesn't know everything either.

Azula. continues to glare at the boy. Internally she starts to have doubts.

The keen eyes dare to climb a bit closer to the action.

---

Aang opens his eyes, or rather, they open by themselves. He gets up from a bed, finding himself in a familiar looking place.

AANG: Oh, please not again...

He stumbles around in the tiny room. It reminds him of the tiny bunk bed he used to have in the Southern Air temple, many years ago. He looks at his hands front and back. They look wavy and dreamlike. Perhaps this is not another parallel world like he feared.

AANG: What is happening?

The door opens slowly, and Aang's eyes open wide.

AANG: Monk Gyatso...

GYATSO: Good morning, sleepyhead.

Although Aang uttered the name of his old guardian, the friendly looking man did not seem to react to it. As if he was locked into a scripted scene of events. Gyatso sighs.

GYATSO: I'm afraid I have some bad news.

AANG: What is it?

This time around the words came across, sounding the room in a dream-like echo.

GYATSO: I'm afraid the imminent conquest of the Water Tribes forced the Airbending Sages to reconsider your transfer.

The conversation triggers something deep inside Aang. A kind of primal fear, he hasn't felt since he was a child. The memory of this day, the day he found out he was forced to leave everyone he knew and cared about. It fills him with a burning rage, after all, his mistake only dragged out the war for 100 years, and still hasn't ended in his world. He runs over to the window. Tears start rolling down his cheeks.

AANG: No, not again...

No echo in that statement. Gyatso walks over to him and pats his shoulder.

GYATSO: I know these are difficult times for you, difficult times are ahead for everybody. But you must never forget that the world needs you.

AANG: What about what I want.

This time the echo sounds again. Gyatso shakes his head in an expression of sadness.

GYATSO: Sometimes the things we want and the things we need to do are one and the same.

Aang looks outside and sees storm clouds. Could it be...

GYATSO: Looks like a storm is coming from the south. It will probably be best if you leave today.

AANG: Today?

Echo.

AANG: Is it possible...

No echo. The wiggly lines around his fingers start to blur more and more into a creamy cloud of colours. Gyatso's voice is now only an echo, as the dream slowly fades away.

GYATSO: Don't worry. You won't be alone...

AANG: Gyatso!

A different kind off echo sounds, as Aang can feel a pit growing underneath him, slowly growing larger.

---

He wakes up. Azula and Zuko, still sitting, stare at him in awe. Appa is the quickest to charge Aang – tongue first.

AANG: Appa!

He enjoys the friendly greeting by his pet, a thing he wasn't too keen on earlier. Zuko gets up, then Azula.

ZUKO: What happened? Are you alright?

Aang multitasks, in attempting to remember his vision, reaction to Zuko and petting Appa.

AANG: I think so. I just had a vision.

Azula refuses to participate.

ZUKO: A vision? Well, I'm just glad you're okay.

Azula glares at Aang, who notices, so does his bison of all beings.

AANG: What's your problem?

Azula approaches him slowly.

AZULA: My problem is you! As soon as I'm confronting you, you turn around and walk away! Or you shut down and get "visions"!

Aang gets up. He is not yet assuming a combat stance but readying himself.

AANG: Are you saying I faked it?

Zuko has a comical expression on his face.

ZUKO: Oh boy.

AZULA: I'm saying it's awfully suspicious that as soon as I'm asking you what's going on, you magically switch off!

AANG: I don't know what's going on! Why are you attacking me like this?

AZULA: Why did you almost throw me and Zuko off your bison?

AANG: I have everything under control!

AZULA: So, you did fake it?

AANG: I did not!

AZULA: Then what is your deal?

AANG: What is YOUR deal?

AZULA: I just want to learn FIREBENDING!

With her last word uttered, Azula creates small gouts of fire from her fists, shooting down at the ground. This was the breaking point for Appa who instinctively grunts and prepares to extinguish the already disappearing fire with a mighty smack of its beaver-like tail. In the heat of the moment Azula realizes this too late, lucky for her, Zuko runs towards her.

ZUKO: Watch out!

He tackles her to the side, taking the brunt of the attack. Not only is the hit itself devastating, but the bison also creates a blast of air, flinging Zuko away even further. Aang and Azula can only look in shock, as Zuko disappears in the clouds below them.

AANG: Appa!

Appa's grunt changes pitch significantly, as he too stares down in search for Zuko. Now Aang glares at Azula.

AANG: What did you do?

Azula is frozen on the spot. Her normally well-adjusted hair looks all fuzzy now, as she stares into the distance in search of her brother. She is once again speechless. Aang sighs. Ironically, he has to be the adult here.

AANG: I knew I shouldn't have taken you with me.

Azula finds a crumble of confidence again.

AZULA: By that, you mean me, don't you?

Aang can still hear her devilish tone, a frightening sound to remind him of the horrors at home. But as he looks at the girl, he is dumbfounded that the facade clearly does not match the person inside. Her usual shrug lacks the confidence and secure body language. He can read the upset from her face.

AANG: No, I...

He sighs.

AANG: We don't have time for this, we need to go look for hi-

A sudden spasm and the light flashes again. Azula takes this as a false flag.

AZULA: Oh, please. Do you seriously think...

She stops her mockery as he starts twitching and grunting, Appa is appropriately upset again. Azula lets her guard down.

AZULA: Aang?

He falls down. Azula kneels down in terror.

AZULA: Oh, no...

---

Akt II.

---

One last jump and Poko lands on his feet, almost falling over in the process. He looks around frantically, the building does not seem to be heavily guarded. He unwraps the sword a bit and stares at it with concern written all over his slender, freckled face.

POKO: This was a mistake. I should have just sold it.

He looks up the towering building. Taking a deep breath, he fills himself with the determination he needs.

POKO: No. I've come this far already.

TOWER GUARD: Hey! What are you doing here?

Poko flinches. He turns to his right and sees a guard, standing at the main entrance.

POKO: Uh... me?

TOWER GUARD: Yes you, boy! What are you doing here?

Poko panics for a moment but manages to get a hold of his emotions.

POKO: Sorry. I was sent here to deliver a parcel for... Prince Sokka.

The guard is visibly irritated by Poko's lisp. While it hurts his emotions at first, Poko gets an idea.

POKO: Well, if it's not super stressful at this second, I could suggest coming back later to see about this secretly sent present-

With every new lisp the guard gets more comically annoyed.

TOWER GUARD: Alright, alright, I'll let you in.

Poko smiles devilishly as the guard turns and opens the big wooden doors.

TOWER GUARD: Don't look at anyone. The Prince is on the third floor.

Poko nods.

---

Worker 1 and 2 climb up the latter to the stone road.

WORKER 2: I don't get it. That kid never missed a shift.

Worker 1 only now reaches the top.

WORKER 1: I told you something was up.

They walk across the road for a bit, another small battalion of soldiers marches by them.

WORKER 2: Maybe... he really had to go for a number 2!

Worker 2 makes a comical expression. Both stop and Worker 1 nods his colleague to the right, into an alleyway between two houses. There is a knocked over barrel of water. Worker 1 walks up to it.

WORKER 2: Uh... maybe just a number 1?

Worker 1 kneels down. He walks over to the rock and spots a tiny piece of blue cloth that Poko accidentally ripped off earlier.

WORKER 1: Or maybe he has something to hide.

---

Inside a smaller room on the second floor, Chief Karok strokes his chin. Bato is sitting on a traditional chair made of bones, Puwati is standing in front of a fancy wardrobe, stroking his harpoon.

CHIEF KAROK: If what you tell us is true...

BATO: What I told you is true. This boy is the Avatar.

PUWATI: That complicates things.

Puwati is partially shrouded in shadow. He turns towards Bato.

PUWATI: And you have met this... boy?

BATO: He is but a child.

PUWATI: And yet he destroyed Prince Sokka's vessel.

Bato gets up.

BATO: Sokka is-

He catches himself mid-sentence. Karok seems shocked, but Puwati listens.

BATO: Excuse my behaviour. Prince Sokka may be of royal blood, but he is not fit to captain a ship.

CHIEF KAROK: You don't have the rank to insult the royal family!

Puwati raises his fist, drawing in all eyes and silencing Karok. He lowers his fist and steps forward a bit.

PUWATI: I've known Sokka since he was a baby. He is no bender, no leader, and he failed his Ice Dodging.

In that moment, Poko and the guard walk past by, the door being open an inch. Poko can hear the next few words.

PUWATI: It's no wonder his father banished him.

Poko raises his eyebrow. He has to keep moving, but he can still hear the end of the conversation.

Inside, Bato gets up from his chair.

CHIEF KAROK: With all due respect Vice-Chief, Bato does not have the rank to know of this.

Puwati puts his hand on Bato's shoulder.

PUWATI: I think Captain Bato has proven himself to be worthy of more.

Bato responds with a sinister grin. That was the last thing Poko was able to hear.

---

Azula is sitting with her legs crossed, rocking back and forth nervously. Her hair is all messy and the panic she fells is finally expressed on the outside. She looks over to Appa, who still protects an unconscious Aang on the floor. She sighs very audibly.

AZULA: This is all my fault! What am I going to do?!

Appa grunts in a manner that is clearly supposed to express disinterest. Azula, for a second, is cartoonishly enraged. She gets up.

AZULA: Don't you mock me, you six-legged freak! If you didn't smack away my brother, we wouldn't be in this mess!

The verbal attack grasped Appa's attention, who angrily turns towards Azula, takes a breath, and hits her with a gust of wind, causing her to fall down. She grunts and gets back up as Appa expresses another highly specific grunting noise.

AZULA: What do you mean it's my fault? I didn't tail whip a human like a club hitting fruit!

Appa calms down and is dumbfounded. He roars more "politely". Azula crosses her arms.

AZULA: Of course I can understand you. Not literally, but I sort of know what you mean.

The beast finally calms down, carefully approaching Azula, then stopping in front of her, grunting a few times.

AZULA: I didn't shoot fire at you.

Appa grunts.

AZULA: No, I didn't try to hit Aang either! I just...

She starts having doubts.

AZULA: I don't know. I just... wanted him listen to me.

She sits down, the bison laying down next to her.

AZULA: I could be the only firebender in the world. All my people have been drowned or enslaved. I guess I was hoping if Aang taught me the "basics", I would be able to fight back.

Appa emits a low-pitched noise.

AZULA: Well, I'm glad no one had to teach you, but I think you and I are a little different.

Appa gets back up and howls, while walking back to check on Aang.

AZULA: Oh, well, I haven't seen you in action a lot, but you look pretty formidable.

Appa grunts, Azula has to giggle a bit in response.

AZULA: I will agree that we are not very different in that regard.

She looks down at the ground again.

AZULA: I just wish I could talk with Aang like that.

Appa grunts for a few seconds. In that span of time Azula's pupils grow, she gets up and turns towards him.

AZULA: What did you say about Aang?

---

Inside the fireplace room on the third floor Sokka is forced to wait for a decision. Alone. He walks back and forth angrily.

SOKKA: This is not how you treat royalty! I am the PRINCE for Sedni's sake!

He kicks over a chair like a child, hurting his toe in the process. He then comically jumps around in response, falling against a wardrobe in the back. As he falls on his butt, one of the decorative items, a fancy looking spear, falls on his head.

Sokka sighs.

SOKKA: I should have just taken the Avatar instead of that stupid girl.

He looks behind him. The wardrobe is slightly open, several ceremonial looking cloaks are hanging inside, similar to the one Puwati is wearing. Sokka gets up angrily. In a comical fashion he tosses out several coats before finding one to his liking, an enormous purple one. He tries it on and picks up the spear, posing in an over-the-top manner, trying to mimic Puwati.

SOKKA (in a cartoonishly deep voice): I am the GREAT Vice-Chief! What did you do this time, boy?

A knock on the door. Sokka jumps up eccentrically, stuffing the coats on the floor back into the wardrobe and closing it behind him. He turns around and tries to present in an actual serious manner, which is not too different from the comedic impersonation.

SOKKA: Yes?

Poko is standing outside the door, looking quite nervous.

POKO: I have a delivery for Prince Sokka?

SOKKA: Um. Yes, come in please!

Poko opens the door carefully. As he enters, he is terrifyingly impressed by the fancy dressed Sokka, who stands, imposingly, with a mighty spear in his right hand. Poko does not quite know how to react. He does not find the prince particularly attractive, yet his self-confident pose does manage to impress him. He bows don awkwardly.

POKO: Uh, your... highness, I'm sorry to interrupt-

SOKKA: Oh no, you're not interrupting. In fact, I'm in desperate need of company.

Poko gets back up.

POKO: Um... alright. Anyway, I have this-

SOKKA: Tell me young man, what is your name?

Poko stutters nervously.

POKO: I'm- My name is Poko.

Sokka is intrigued by his lisp. He rudely shakes his hand for a few second.

SOKKA: Nice to meet you Poko. Very interesting accent, are you a colonial?

A rude comment that upsets Poko.

POKO: Am I a what?

SOKKA: Oh, never mind. Anyway, what was your delivery?

He abruptly changes into an over-the-top mode of excitement, as he notices Poko is carrying his sword, quickly pulling it from his hands.

SOKKA: BONE CRUSHER?! There you are!

Sokka looks at his weapon with cartoon heart-eyes. Poko is meanwhile standing in the background, his face accurately expressing his confusion.

POKO: Your... sword is called... "Bone Crusher"?

Sokka raises the sword above his head, only barely missing Poko while doing so.

SOKKA: It is a mighty name for mighty weapon!

He picks up the chair he kicked over earlier and casually sits on it.

SOKKA: So, who was it that send you? Was it the Chief Mother? Is Bato trying to apologize?

Poko pokes his index fingers against each other.

POKO: Uh... no. You, uh, lost it back at the dockyards. I was hoping to get something in return. Your... highness.

Poko bows down awkwardly. Sokka leans back on the chair, holding Bone Crusher with his right hand and the spear with the other.

SOKKA: Well, what is it that you desire, Poko?

POKO: A ship.

Sokka expresses his interest by leaning forward.

POKO: Doesn't have to be a big one, just large enough to get me off the Boiling Rock.

Sokka gets back up.

SOKKA: Well, uh Poko, right now I am also in desperate need of a new vessel. Perhaps we can come to an agreement.

POKO: An agreement?

SOKKA: Yes! How would you like to be the first new member of my crew? Considering I haven't heard a lot from the old one...

POKO: Are you asking me, if I want to be on your ship?

BATO: No. My ship.

Sokka and Poko quickly shift their heads towards the door, where Bato just entered.

Poko's heart starts racing.

---

Above the clouds, next to upside down towers of the air nomads, Appa soars slowly, Azula pulling his reigns back and forth inside his saddle.

AZULA: If you would just... move to the right...

Appa pulls to the right very abruptly, almost knocking over Azula. He grunts.

AZULA: Yeah, yeah. You'll do the flying - I'll look out for Aang.

Appa hovers slowly in between the buildings, trying to spot Zuko. Some parts of the temple are not as clearly illuminated as others. He growls this information at Azula.

AZULA: And what do you want me to do about it?

Appa grunts.

AZULA: Fire? I can't throw that stuff around all willy-nilly!

Appa grunts in a very unsatisfied sounding manner, proceeding to hover to a lower level, knocking over Azula, who is trying to crawl towards the back of the saddle. As she gets back up on her knees, her already fuzzy hair is now completely ruined and hanging in her face.

AZULA (sarcastically): Great.

She looks at their baggage. The headpiece is stuffed behind a rope, she was too lazy to store it properly before.

AZULA: All right then.

Azula grabs her hair and pulls all of it straight up. With her other hand she then picks up the headpiece and sticks the ponytail into it, securing the whole thing with the headpiece's needle. Her hair is now bound together on the top of her head, merely her two side-strands are hanging down.

Aang starts moaning again. Azula looks down at him, she laid him against the backpacks and covered him with the tarp. He is now beginning to twitch again. She still feels anger. After all, she, a 14-year-old, can't get through to this small child. But, despite all of this, she can't keep herself upset like that.

AZULA: Just hold on. You can do it.

She strokes his shoulder. Pain is painted all over his face.

In the background, the keen eyes begin to soar, chasing after the bison.

---

SOKKA: You've been WHAT?!

Bato walks over to a different wardrobe, keeping a distance to Sokka and Poko, who feels very like he's in a scene where he doesn't belong. Bato seems confused for a moment.

BATO: I have... been promoted. I just said it.

SOKKA: You did?

Sokka looks at Poko, who does not want to be dragged into this.

SOKKA: Did he?

Poko shakes his head aggressively. Bato slams a wardrobe to his left.

BATO: Enough of this, Sokka! Enough with all your foolery!

As Bato unleashes onto Sokka, the Prince becomes more and more worn down.

BATO: Enough with your arrogance, enough with your immaturity, enough with your ridiculous clothing...

SOKKA: Puwati wears them too...

BATO: Puwati is the Vice-Chief! He wasn't born into a high place - he EARNED it!

Poko seems uneasy now.

BATO: He slayed Unagis, he fights with courage – he is a WARRIOR!

Bato walks close up to Sokka, who just takes the shouting without any sign of defence.

BATO: You are nothing but a pompous prince with a fancy sword.

He kicks over Bone Crusher. The sword very makes a loud, metallic noise, which sounds for far too long. Again, Sokka only stands there without moving. Bato walks back towards the door when it quiets down again but stops midway. He stares down at Poko, who freezes on the spot.

BATO: And who is this?

Poko can't spit out a word, Sokka will certainly not help him. Bato moves in a few steps.

BATO: Who are you, boy?

POKO: I'm... part of Sokka's crew?

The door, which was half-open, gets slammed open by two guards, one of them being the tower guard that led Poko in earlier.

BATO: What is the meaning of this?

The guard points at Poko.

TOWER GUARD: This kid is under arrest for desertion and theft!

POKO: What?!

Bato does not wait for any nonsense, he bends a bubble of water from his pouch, grabbing Poko's hands and tossing him towards the guards. Before anyone can think or react his hands are behind his back and frozen. The guard grabs him. This is where Sokka finally steps in, picking up the sword and presenting it as evidence.

SOKKA: Let my crewmate go! He didn't steal my sword, he brought it to me!

TOWER GUARD: That's not what he stole.

The guard that doesn't talk grabs Poko's hammer hanging from a belt and shows it to Sokka, before hanging it onto his own.

BATO: And he's a deserter. Exactly the kind of person you'd want on your crew, Sokka.

Surprisingly, Sokka won't give up.

SOKKA: Who cares what he deserted from! He's my crew member now, and I am his captain.

Poko is also surprised by Sokka's sudden courage.

BATO: Unless you don't have a ship, which means you are no captain.

The guards take Poko outside, and, while he struggles quite a bit, it has ultimately no effect. Bato also walks towards the door now. He turns to a defeated Sokka one last time.

BATO: Oh, and just so you know: Puwati has awarded me with the mission to hunt the Avatar. You can have the little bender girl.

He opens the door.

BATO: If I don't capture her as well.

He closes the door. Sokka stands around in silence for a moment. He eventually takes off the cloak and drops it onto the floor. He looks down at it and notices something interesting. A necklace.

---

Noon. The fire nation sun, despite being a fall day, burns down on everything and everyone. While in between the temple's towers Azula and Appa catch the occasional shadow, both of them have gotten enough of it.

Appa grunts and turns to the right. Azula responds sweaty and exhausted.

AZULA: Yeah sure, go ahead...

The beast lands rather bluntly on a platform/rooftop hidden from sunlight. Azula lays on her back, leaning against the saddle.

AZULA: We're never going to find Zuko like this.

Appa emits a short and tired sounding grunt. Azula looks forward at the twitching, unconscious Aang.

AZULA: Come on, Aang. You have to help us.

---

VOICE: Welcome, Avatar.

A warm and delicate voice wakes up Aang. He gets up from Appa's saddle.

AANG: How did I get here?

The lack of and echo implies that this is not part of the "scene", as Aang thinks of it. He looks down from his pet and sees a whole crowd. A crowd of women.

AANG: Oh. I didn't expect this many girls.

Echo. The crowd giggles, Aang blushes very comically. A woman with Airbending tattoos steps forward. Reminding Aang of Avatar Yangchen, Aang hovers down in a spin motion. Landing in front of her as she comes to a hold. Appa is meanwhile enjoying the swarm of cuddles in the back by a swarm of joyful girls.

SAN DA: My name is San Da. I'm very happy that you could join us here.

Aang scratches his head.

AANG: Well, hello, I guess.

Echo. Aang is surprised at the accidental match.

SAN DA: You seem a bit unbalanced.

Her tone manages to be both uncomfortably intrusive and somehow lovable and caring.

AANG: Yeah. I don't know, it's been a long day.

She puts her arm around his shoulder. The rest of the kids have meanwhile begun flying away, continuing their previous activities, which were mostly playing around, gliding in between upside-down buildings, and the occasional group braiding each other's hair.

SAN DA: I know this must have been a tough journey, especially with the storms heading our way.

Aang hangs his head low. He realizes that most of the people he sees in his vision will probably not survive a very long time.

AANG: You have no idea...

The nun didn't hear what he just said, giving Aang a very profound sense of loneliness. Yet, his half-bald caretaker senses something is going on, or at the very least was.

SAN DA: Why don't you come with me to a very special place in the temple?

Aang is intrigued.

AANG: Sure.

Not what he was supposed to say exactly, but San Da complies.

SAN DA: Very well.

He looks at her with curious eyes.

---

Jugs smash against each other, the one made of glass breaks, followed by hysterical laughter. The sun has begun to lower, shrouding the horizon in a mysterious red colour. Inside a local tavern soldiers and workers alike enjoy a closing time beverage, filling the already very salty marine pub with a varied mixture of sweat and stench. Alongside the many unknown figures, Poko's two former co-workers test each other in an arm-wrestling contest, which Worker 1 wins easily. As he does, Worker 2 falls of his chair, grabbing popular attention from the other costumers, who roar with joy, with red noses and smiles across their faces.

Sokka is standing outside. The bar isn't too far away, yet he does not share the same enthusiasm as his fellow men. He looks to his right, noticing a little boy, falling down on his knees, dropping his wooden toy ship in the process. As the child starts crying, its mother shows up, picking the boy up and patting him lovingly. Sokka grimaces.

SOKKA: Weakling.

KANNA: At least he has a ship.

Sokka flinches, turning left and calming down again once he realizes it's only Kanna. He sighs.

SOKKA: What do you want?

KANNA: Me? Oh, I don't want anything. I've lived a happy and fulfilled life with two beautiful grandchildren. The question is: What do you want?

Sokka sighs. He holds firm.

SOKKA: What do you know about ships anyways, woman?

Kanna shrugs.

KANNA: I suppose since women aren't allowed to own property, I don't know anything about that.

Sokka smirks.

KANNA: But neither do you.

His smirk disappears, being replaced by anger.

SOKKA: How dare you-

KANNA: Insult a failed captain?

He shuts up.

KANNA: You lost seven ships Sokka – seven. You know how it feels to own a ship, but you know nothing about what it means to be a captain, about what it means to be a prince.

She turns around and points at the pub.

KANNA: Look at your crew. They didn't even blink when given the choice to join Bato. They don't care about you.

He turns his head back towards the ocean. He is filled with emotion. Not too far away a new ship sits next to the dockyard. It is a burgundy red catamaran, with dark sails, carrying the Water Tribe's insignia.

KANNA: Ah yes, beautiful ship, isn't it?

SOKKA: The Matariki is my ship! I drew the design years ago!

In a comical fashion, he pulls out a piece of paper from his shirt and shows it to Kanna. On it is a very childlike doodle of a red catamaran, including himself as a stick figure man holding Bone Crusher.

KANNA: Did you draw yourself with a sixpack?

Sokka stuffs the drawing back in his shirt.

SOKKA: It doesn't matter anymore does it?

He turns his back towards Kanna again. She sighs, in a manner that's both empathic, but also expressing frustration.

KANNA: Because I don't get it?

SOKKA: Exactly.

Kanna now turns around as well.

KANNA: I guess you need to find someone who does get it.

Kanna walks away, leaving her grandson on the spot. Sokka is furious on the inside. He hates to admit it, but he understands what Kanna meant. At least he thinks so. He puts his hand in his pocket and looks at the nazar-like necklace.

---

The sun lowers on the Western Air Temple. Azula is meanwhile walking up and down on the same platform as earlier, Appa laying in the shade, grunting.

AZULA: Yes, I know it's still hot, that's exactly why we need to get back in the air and look for Zuko!

Appa grunts.

AZULA: No, I can't look for him myself! Do I look like I can fly?

Apps grunts quietly.

AZULA: Exactly.

She uncrosses her arms in order to appeal more friendly.

AZULA: Listen, I know you worry about Aang, but we need to find Zuko as well. You like Zuko, right?

Appa grunts. Azula is thrown off by his response.

AZULA: What? I don't hate Aang! What makes you think that?

Appa gives a short grunt.

AZULA: That's not true! I just...

She sighs.

AZULA: Look, I just want to help Aang. I don't know why he doesn't talk to me – I don't know what I did to upset him like that...

Appa gets up and grunts.

AZULA: Well, I've only known you for a few days, and we're having a pleasant conversation.

Appa grunts one last time. Azula's posture relaxes, as she understands what the bison is communicating.

AZULA: Yes. Maybe he just needs some time to open up.

Appa shakes himself a bit, then proceeds to nod at Azula. She runs towards him and climbs up, grabbing his reins and placing herself firmly inside his saddle.

AZULA: If only you were the Avatar, big guy. Yip-yip!

He grunts once more, soaring into the air.

AZULA: We should try some of the higher floors this time.

Appa grunts.

AZULA: Uh... I guess that means down?

He follows her suggestion. Azula looks back inside the saddle at Aang who still hasn't calmed down completely.

AZULA: Come on Aang, I already have one person to worry about...

---

SAN DA: Come on, Avatar.

Aang flinches slightly, as if he just woke up. He doesn't fully remember the flight to a lower level inside the temple. Appa nudges him a bit, and he walks towards San Da.

AANG: What is this place?

He again used the correct words.

SAN DA: Well, the Southern Air Temple is not the only temple with a sanctuary.

She points him towards a small opening in the rock. Aang walks ahead. Needing to duck due to the door's size, he enters a vast room, like a giant cathedral, with holes far into the rock naturally illuminating the room. On the very far end sits a giant statue, showcasing a stern looking airbender sitting in a meditative position. Aang looks up at the statue's face with great interest.

ZHILA: What do you want here?

His pans down comically, and he notices a small girl with a broomstick in her hand and a red flower in her hair. She presses her clenched fist into her hip, while glancing at Aang.

AANG: I'm sorry?

ZHILA: I said: What do you want here?

SAN DA: Zhila, be nice.

San Da has entered the sanctuary as well. Zhila scoffs very loudly. Aang is comically bewildered by the young girl's confidence.

ZHILA: Fine! Who is that supposed to be anyways?

San Da smiles a bit, an emotion Aang feels comfortable sharing.

SAN DA: You are talking to the Avatar, Zhila.

Zhila is not impressed.

ZHILA: Don't look like an Avatar to me.

San Da starts to get a bit annoyed. She points at the entrance in a cartoonish fashion.

SAN DA: Please leave us alone, Zhila.

Zhila leaves, not before giving Aang an attempted intimidation-smirk.

SAN DA: Anyways...

She walks Aang closer to the statue.

SAN DA: What do you see here?

Aang inspects the statue closely. He has never seen it before, yet he knows somehow who it is.

AANG: Avatar Gendyn.

San Da smirks.

SAN DA: Correct.

Based off her body language the conversation requires him to give a neutral response, yet Aang can't help himself.

AANG: That's nice and all, but how is that supposed to help me?

Not what he was supposed to say, but...

SAN DA: Why don't you try it?

She points to a spot right in the centre, on the foot of the statue. Next to it sits a small incense stick.

AANG: Maybe I should.

SAN DA: Maybe.

Aang is perplexed by her accurate response. There is still no explanation for what these visions are. Are they dreams? Are they memories? Maybe they're supposed to be someone else's. Either way, he decides to sit down below the statue, beginning to meditate.

SAN DA: Focus. Focus on what you need to see.

Aang does so. He tries to meditate calmly. He hasn't been able to achieve this is years.

SAN DA: Focus on what's ahead...

Sudden lighting. Thunder. Heavy rain crashing from all sides. People running and screaming. The previously clear picture turns into flashing images. They become more and more intense. Aang can't take it any longer.

---

Aang wakes up and immediately emits a scream of terror, a move so sudden that it immediately startles both Azula and Appa, almost causing the beast to crash. An emergency landing occurs into what looks like an abandoned playground. Everyone has to catch their breath for a few seconds, Azula being the first one to recover.

AZULA: Don't you DARE do that ever again!

Her cartoonish expression has Aang startled, which is when she remembers her "conversation" the with Appa.

AZULA: I'm sorry. I meant, glad to see you're okay!

Her phoney niceness comes off as very blatant. Appa expresses this with a grunt. Azula crosses her arms and barks back at the beast.

AZULA: Of course I meant that! Don't be silly.

Aang is confused by this apparent debate. He chooses to ignore it for now.

AANG: I'm sorry I startled you two.

He pets Appa on the side, walks past by Azula and sits down on Appa's head, grabbing his reins. Azula is not quite satisfied yet but suppresses it for now. Appa notices this and quietly grunts at her.

AZULA: Yeah, yeah...

AANG: Yip-yip!

Appa soars into the air.

AZULA: We've looked almost everywhere for Zu-Zu, I think there's some lower levels we haven't checked out yet.

Appa grunts.

AZULA: I think that's up?

AANG: I know where we have to go.

---

The bars of Poko's jail cell close right in front of his face. Guard 1 melts the ice cuffs from his wrists, immediately allowing Poko to charge the door and grab it.

POKO: There has been a mistake! I work in the docks! I build ships for the navy!

GUARD 1: Yeah? How big?

GUARD 2: Big enough for my bathtub?

The guards laugh in his face.

POKO: Do I at least get a lawyer?

Guard 1, who is one hunk of a man, charges the bars and scares back Poko, who lands on his butt.

GUARD 1: You can count yourself lucky to be save in there, boy. If you were my child, I would tie you on a mast and send you into battle.

Poko is horrified but tries to hide it. The guards leave him alone. Once left, Poko gets back up on his feet and takes a closer look at the lock and starts scheming. He quietly responds to himself.

POKO: Oh yeah? Maybe I'll pick up some rope later...

He starts rattling the lock, when he suddenly gets an idea. He looks back down at the puddle of water.

---

Appa lands on a familiar looking platform.

AZULA: I think we already flew past here.

Aang quietly jumps off the bison and inspects the rock wall. Azula follows him. She crosses her arms and asks in a very neutral manner.

AZULA: What are you planning?

Aang responds with anger.

AANG: I'm not planning anything, I am looking!

Azula loosens up.

AZULA: I'm... sorry.

Aang also realizes just how severely he snapped at her.

AANG: I'm looking for a spiritual place in the temple. If I meditate there, I may get answers.

AZULA: Answers like where Zuko is?

AANG: Yes.

Azula doesn't know how to respond. Appa is meanwhile jumping around in the background, grunting in a very jolly manner. Azula responds to him.

AZULA: I'm talking right now!

She drifts her attention back at Aang, who himself is focusing on the Appa situation.

AZULA: Listen, I just want to know if I can help-

AANG: A lemur.

The curious eyes that have been following them around through the temple belong to a flying lemur, the same species as Momo, although a lot smaller and with shorter ears. The creature soars around Appa, who is beginning to get irritated by the animal.

AZULA: Okay, well, I was just trying to-

AANG: Hey little guy, where do you come from?

He kneels down and attempts to pet the animal, which has landed in front of Aang, starring at him with big eyes.

AANG: Don't worry, we're not going to hurt you-

The lemur snaps at Aang and bites with thumb, forcing Aang to emit a painful screech. Azula steps in and charges at the animal.

AZULA: Get away from him!

Appa grunts, waving his tail, and smacking the lemur against the rock wall. Azula follows up the retaliation attack, by shooting a blast of fire at the animal, who can escape in time by running away, meaning that the gout of fire instead hits the rock wall. The lemur soars away.

AZULA: What was that?!

She runs over to Aang and kneels down next to him.

AANG: Lemurs are normally not like that.

He emits a painful grunt and looks at his bleeding finger. Azula takes a breath, flicking her wrist and creating a small flame on the top of her index and middle finger.

AANG: What are you doing?

AZULA: We need to disinfect the wound.

Appa grunts in protest.

AZULA: I know what I'm doing!

AANG: Don't worry Appa. I trust her.

Azula raises her eyebrows in excitement but tries to hide the extent of her emotions. While very lightly touching Aang's thumb with her flame, the boy looks at the rock wall, specifically the spot Azula was shooting fireballs at earlier. He notices a small crack. Azula "turns off" her finger torch by flicking her wrist again. She clears her throat very awkwardly.

AZULA: Well, that should about do it.

AANG: Look at that.

He walks over to it.

AZULA: What are... looking at?

He shows her the crack in the wall. A weak light is coming from the inside.

AANG: I think you need to blast it again.

Azula smirks in a smug fashion.

AZULA: Sure thing, Avatar.

Aang steps away, so does Appa in the background. Azula takes on a fighting stance, she takes a deep breath and... shoots a very small and weak fire blast. One that only barely touches the rock. She stands frozen on the spot for a few more seconds.

AANG: Are... you alright?

Azula is unable to answer. Appa lays down.

AZULA: Have I lost it? This has never happened before.

Appa grunts. Azula crosses her arms in response to the bison.

AZULA: I don't know what high altitude has got to do with it.

Never would Aang have ever wanted to be in the position that he is now, but nevertheless, he needs to help Azula. Help her bend fire. Although this is not Azula. For now.

AANG: Listen, I never learned the other elements properly...

A lie. But, suppose it's true in this world.

AANG: But I did have friends in the Fire Nation. They showed me some stuff.

In reality, Zuko taught him some basics of firebending, although Aang was never a fan of it, after everything that had happened. Zuko too suffered from some sort of blockade after betraying the Fire Nation, he too needed to rediscover his inner strength. Perhaps this Azula has not discovered her strength yet. Perhaps this was a good thing.

AZULA: I thought you wanted to teach me after we left the temple.

Her snarky comment feels justified for once.

AANG: I thought so too.

Aang assumes a firebending stance, one that Azula is quick to imitate.

AANG: My old friend Kuzon always said that firebending is not about raw power or strength. You have to balance your breathing.

Azula is more that impressed by her first real lesson. The Avatar takes a deep breath, gracefully moving his arms into an open palm in the front, which actually creates a small gout of fire. Aang is dumbfounded. He has managed to regain some of his former skill.

Behind him Azula recreates the movement much quicker and with much more precision. The flame is twice as big as Aang's, easily destroying the rock ahead of her. She cheers, as Aang is frozen in terror.

AZULA: Thank you so much Aang, I never would have done this without you!

She runs inside. Aang only following her with caution.

---

Akt III.

---

The sacred room has not been touched in a hundred years. Besides plants growing over the walls and Airbender decorations. One of the three sunlight holes has partially collapsed. The statue at the very end of the room is still intact, although cracks and plants are showing.

AZULA: Who is that?

She points at the statue.

AANG: Avatar Gendyn. He was one of the first Air Nomad Avatars.

Azula nods. Her crossed arms display her obvious discomfort.

AZULA: Aang. I don't know how to tell you this, but the Airbenders-

AANG: They're dead.

She is shocked by his apparent maturity. Appa, who can't fit through the hole in the wall, sits outside, lowering his head in sadness.

AANG: I know I've said that the temple looks cleaner than I expected...

He looks down at his hands, the tattoos on it, and his staff.

AANG: But I guess I was hoping for a better outcome.

Azula uncrosses her arms.

AZULA: I don't... understand people a lot of times.

Aang looks at her in confusion. Never in a million years would he ever have expected to see Azula in such a different light, literally, as one of the sunlight holes in the cave illuminates her.

AZULA: Most of the time I'm just... guessing what people think about me. I calculate.

Aang's posture loosens up as well.

AZULA: But with you I just... don't know. You're such a weird kid, and you're the Avatar. I guess I just got scared. And now my brother might be hurt because of it...

Azula has to use up all of her strength to hide the tears. Aang is speechless. Seeing Azula like this finally convinces him, or at least defeats most of his doubts. This is not his Azula. He puts his hand on her shoulder.

AANG: I'm sorry too. There is just... so much stuff that happened, and I...

He hesitates for a moment. Should he?

AANG: I... don't know how to explain it all.

He lets go and walks over to Gendyn's statue, sitting down in front of it, assuming a meditative position.

The vision that follows is much clearer and precise than the previous two. Instead of a slow walkthrough and dialogue, he can quickly see exact images. Heavy rain, a bright moon, illuminating the temple as if it were the sun, Water Tribe soldiers attacking, chaos, screaming. San Da running towards him.

SAN DA: Take Appa and run!

Cuts to a bison stables near a cliff. Aang grabs Appa. What follows are quick cuts of his chaotic escape. A flight across the ocean, waves high enough to almost reach Appa. Then: An island. A loud bang, a volcanic eruption. Smoke and rain clashing against him. Appa crashes downwards towards the lava. Before he closes his eyes, his tattoos start glowing.

The vision ends. Aang opens his eyes again.

AZULA: Another vision?

AANG: Yeah, what I expected.

Azula hesitates to ask for Zuko. Aang takes one more breath and closes his eyes again.

This time, clear weather. Sunshine. The same stables he saw in his vision. Cut to a pile of hay, Zuko laying on top, unconscious. Old hands are giving him water.

Aang opens his eyes and jumps up on his feet.

AANG: I know where Zuko is!

He rushes past her towards the hole but stops for a moment once Azula starts talking.

AZULA: Aang?

Aang turns around.

AANG: Yeah?

AZULA: Thank you.

He smiles and nods meaning to turn back around, but...

AZULA: Oh, and also...

He turns back towards her.

She comically tries to sniff and wipe away the tears from her face.

AZULA: Please don't tell Zu-Zu about this. EVER.

AANG: Uh... I can't promise.

He runs outside and climbs on top of Appa, who is already in position. Azula tries to catch up with him.

AZULA: Hey, wait! WAIT!

---

Far removed from the actual dockyard town, a tunnel entrance is guarded by Guard 1 and Guard 2, who enjoy their beverage while setting under a wooden tent roof by a primitive desk.

SOKKA: Good evening gentlemen.

Sokka is leaning smugly against one of the tent's pillars.

GUARD 2: Well, look who it is...

GUARD 1: Our prince...

The guards get up from their stools, Sokka spots that Guard 1 is wearing a key chain on his belt, Guard 2 is wearing Poko's wood hammer.

GUARD 1: Or should I say...

As they approach, Sokka's smug confidence disappears. Both of the guards are pretty fit.

GUARD 1: ..."Captain Shipwreck?"

The guards laugh hysterically in Sokka's face, who can only cross his arms in anger.

SOKKA: Neither of you can claim to have ever owned a ship.

Guard 1 leans in intimidatingly close to Sokka, who slightly bows back in an awkward fashion.

GUARD 1: And you will never command one again, your highness.

He leans back and turns around, walking towards the desk.

GUARD 2: What do you want here anyways?

Sokka needs a few seconds to cartoonishly regain his shape again, rounding it up by clearing his throat.

SOKKA: Well, I was hoping to see one of the prisoners.

Guard 1 drinks from his cup.

GUARD 1: Fine. But if you try anything...

He bends the beverage from the other cup, forming a tiny, spear-like projectile, shooting it at the pillar next to Sokka, who is intimidated by the thing getting stuck inside the wood.

GUARD 1: I don't hesitate with weaklings, no matter their heritage.

Sokka gulps and sneakily walks inside the cave. Guard 2 picks up his cup.

GUARD 2: I was going to finish that.

Inside the cave, a long, dungeon-like hallway with torches on the wall. Looking inside the cells, they are mostly filled with skinny, young or old men. One even houses a crying woman. At the very end of the prison, Sokka spots Poko, who is grabbing onto the bars with his left hand. As Sokka approaches, he tries to put on his "royal confidence" again.

SOKKA: Hello, mate!

Poko is scared to death by the sudden appearance, backing off from the bars. A small bubble of water drops from the lock, Sokka does not catch on to this.

POKO: What are you doing here?!

Sokka clears his throat.

SOKKA: I have come to save my crewmate!

Silence.

POKO: ...what?

Sokka sighs and drops the act.

SOKKA: Forget about it.

He intends to leave, Poko desperately grabs onto the bars.

POKO: Wait!

Sokka stops.

POKO: Why did you come here?

He turns around.

SOKKA: Why do you want a ship? You could have asked for anything. Not that I would have been able to give you anything...

POKO: I'm looking for someone. And you know... it is nice to just... sail the ocean. Look for adventure. Be free.

SOKKA: Freedom is state of mind. No thing or person can give or take it to you.

Poko crosses his arms inside of his jail cell.

SOKKA: Most of the time.

POKO: What about you?

SOKKA: What about me?

POKO: Well, why do you need a ship? And a crew?

Sokka smirks devilishly.

SOKKA: I am going to capture the Avatar, the firebender girl, and prove to Bato that I am superior to him!

POKO: The Avatar? And a firebender? How are you going to manage that?

SOKKA: With a crew of course!

He reaches into the cell and awkwardly puts his arm around Poko's shoulders.

SOKKA: It's small at the moment, but over time, we will only get stronger!

POKO: And do you have a ship now?

Sokka backs off again.

SOKKA: Well, um, technically not, but that's an issue that will fix itself.

Poko raises an eyebrow in suspicion. Combine that with his sassy stance, and he starts showing off a very feminine vibe.

POKO: How?

Sokka's smugness returns.

SOKKA: You see, as a prince, you have this superpower, where new options appear every day.

Poko sits down in his jail cell.

POKO: Not everyone is a prince.

Sokka is silenced after that. His confidence is once again completely gone.

SOKKA: So, you're not interested in joining my crew after all?

POKO: Nope.

Sokka hangs his head low. He means to walk away but stops one last time.

SOKKA: I think this belongs to you.

He throws the nazar necklace into Poko's jail cell and leaves. Poko picks it up very hectic fashion. He looks at it once more, with great determination.

POKO: Whatever it takes.

Poko gets up on his feet, assumes a bending stance, and aims his hands at the puddle of water. After taking a deep breath, he very carefully bends the bubble from the ground and towards the key lock, where he very slowly starts freezing it. Based off his expression this seems to be a real challenge for him. His arms shake slightly, his freckled head starts turning red.

POKO: Come on...

---

On the very bottom of the canyon that houses the Western Air temple, Appa soars over a slim field of grass. Aang stares at the sight in wonder. In his world, he had a chance to visit the temple once, there the field was gone, burned down and replaced by rock. Not here. Azula takes note of this as well.

AZULA: Maybe you were right.

AANG: What?

AZULA: Maybe someone has been here. Look!

At the end of the canyon, on the cliff, high above the ocean, the bison stables still stand. Much smaller and in worse shape than a hundred years ago, but still intact.

AZULA: Aang.

She points at the small hut next to the stables. Smoke rises from the chimney. Aang and Azula exchange looks.

AANG: Do you think it could be a Water Tribe outpost?

AZULA: Uh... maybe.

Appa lands next to the hut, Aang jumps off the saddle.

AANG: Wait inside.

He rushes into the stables. Azula clumsily climbs down Appa.

AZULA: Wait!

Appa grunts, while looking in the distance.

AZULA: What is it now?

Annoyed by Aang rushing ahead, she stares at what Appa is supposedly looking at. The annoyance is immediately replaced by astonishment.

Aang has meanwhile entered the stables, readying himself, in case he does encounter any unsuspecting Water Tribe guard. He lowers his posture as he is intrigued by what he sees. Besides... no one, he comes to the realization that, from the inside, the stables look to be in a much better condition than from the outside. The afternoon sun shines through steel graded windows, each box inside the stable looks clean, fresh hay lays on the floor, reins hang on some of the doors.

AANG: Hello? Is somebody here?

He looks around. No answer. He finally reaches the box from his vision. The pile of hay is still there, but no Zuko in sight.

AZULA: Aang! Come here, quick!

AANG: I can't find Zuko!

AZULA: I think you might like this more!

Aang is intrigued. He rushes back outside.

AZULA: Look!

She points up into the sky and Aang follows her instructions. He spots bison. Flying bison. Not the size of Appa, yet bison nonetheless. Aang can feel tears of joy.

AANG: I can't believe it.

Appa emits a loud grunt of joy, standing on his hind legs while doing so. The four bison fly down, soaring first around Appa, then Azula, then Aang. While Azula keeps her distance to some of the more energetic licking, she does enjoy herself more than Aang would have expected.

AZULA: Where did all of them come from?

ZHILA: I raised them.

The all turn towards the door of the hut. Zhila, now and old lady, walks towards them.

ZHILA: You don't look a day older, Avatar.

AANG: Zhila?

AZULA: You know her?

ZHILA: The Avatar and I met briefly, many years ago, much has changed since then.

She starts petting the bison and feeding them fruit. She hands the basket over to Azula, who reluctantly continues the work.

AZULA: You look... good for your age.

ZHILA: Don't flatter me, child!

Azula backs off.

AANG: I... assumed all the bison died with the airbenders.

Zhila shakes her head, while still continuing to be very stern.

ZHILA: Yes, it was truly horrible. Most of us were simply drowned on the spot and flushed into the ocean. Most of the world assumed you died with us, and the cycle broke.

Aang sighs in defeat.

ZHILA: Of course there were those who believed you escaped with the others and just went into hiding.

Azula drops the basket. The bison, including Appa, eat the rest.

ZHILA: Personally, I though you crashed somewhere and lost your memory or something.

Aang stands on the spot for a few moments.

AANG: Others?

---

Exiting the cave-jail-dungeon, Sokka is greeted by both guards, armed at the entrance. Guard 2 is armed with a spear, Guard two with pouch.

GUARD 1: Where do you think you're going?

Sokka stops. He seems tired and unmotivated.

SOKKA: Home. I guess. Maybe I can hitchhike south with one of the navy ships.

He intends to pass them, Guard 2 blocks his path with the sharp, curved bone spear. Guard 1 bends a little tentacle of water to grab a key chain from Sokka's belt. It is the same key belt Guard 1 was carrying with him earlier.

GUARD 1: And what do you intend to do with this?

Sokka seems suddenly awake, as if this is something he had already forgotten about.

SOKKA: That? Oh, yeah... I was intending to free one of the prisoners, who technically joined my crew, but he didn't want to come now, so...

He intends to sneak away but is pushed to the side by a blast of water. As he gets back up, a cliff leading to a rocky bay is behind him.

SOKKA: Hey! You can't attack a prince!

He draws Bonecrusher and readies himself.

GUARD 2: Yeah, I think technically we can't-

GUARD 1: You are no prince – you are a COWARD!

Two water blasts strike at Sokka, he barely dodges both of them. Next is a fast attack by the spear, Sokka manages to block all enemy attacks. Left swing, bottom right, bottom left, spin, chop from the top – Sokka steps back, another water blast knocks him down, pushing him to the edge of the cliff. Bonecrusher over it. The sword falls down. Sokka cries after it comically.

SOKKA: No! Bonecrusher...

A knock on his head from the spear. Guard 1 Is preparing an icicle hail onto Sokka.

GUARD 1: No wonder your father does not want you on the throne! Not a captain, not a warrior – not even a bender!

He intends to launch the projectiles but is hit in the back with a bubble of water. All the projectiles either miss or melt. Guard 1 looks back angrily. At the jail entrance stands Poko.

POKO: But I am.

Guard 1 grunts. He launches more water blasts at Poko, who hides behind the desk. Upon spotting the barrel of beverage, he knocks in over, clumsily bending the liquid towards Guard 1, who can easily stop the attack. Guard 2 reacts rather comically.

GUARD 2: No! Why do you benders have to ruin my drinks?

Sokka uses the moment of confusion to tackle down Guard 2. Guard 1 roars, as he transforms the beverage into little dart-like projectiles, launching them at Poko, who uses a stool to block the attack. He tries to create an ice ball from some of the projectiles stuck in the dusk but fails to shoot it far enough.

POKO: Ops.

Sokka is meanwhile wrestling on the ground with a man far larger and stronger than him. He manages to land a hit but is kicked back in response. Guard 2 is back on his feet, spear in hand.

GUARD 2: I really feel like we're breaking rules here.

SOKKA: Then this shouldn't feel too bad.

Sokka managed to steal back the wood hammer, which he throws with precision into Guard 2's face, knocking him out.

SOKKA: I love this thing!

Sokka picks up the hammer. He excitedly storms Guard 1, knocking the back of his head with the hammer. This has no effect, and only angers his opponent, who in response grabs Sokka.

SOKKA: Oh, I HATE this thing!

Poko, still cowering behind the desk, is trying to figure out a plan. In an attempt to weaponize the frozen projectiles, they simply melt. At first, Poko his is disappointed, unless...

GUARD 1: Give me one reason not to knock you over the edge right now, boy.

He slowly pushes him closer towards it.

SOKKA: Um... your future Great Chief would be a girl?

Poko roars as he charges, as he storms the guard, a lair of ice covering his fist. Guard 1 stops it by merely grabbing his wrist and tossing Sokka to the side. The attempted "ice punch" melts.

GUARD 1: You weakling. You-

He stares Poko directly into his face.

GUARD 1: You are no boy at all.

POKO: Fair point.

He says, as the liquid Poko bended below the guard turns into a smooth film of eyes. The guard lets go of Poko and jumps, as to avoid the attempt to freeze him on the spot.

GUARD 1: Ha!

POKO: Ha.

Poko pushes him slightly, and the Guard quickly slides backwards, falling down the cliff eventually. Based off the water splash sound, Poko assumes that the man wasn't crushed by the sharp rocks below.

He rushes over to Sokka, who gets back up.

POKO: Your highness, we need to go.

SOKKA: You saved me – wait! Bonecrusher!

Poko rolls his eyes, grabs Sokka's hand, and drags him away.

SOKKA: NOOOOO!

The two run away, one of them reluctantly.

Down in the ocean bay. Guard 1 climbs onto a rock exhausted. Guard 2 is shouting down from the cliff top.

GUARD 2: I told you it was a bad idea!

Guard 1 grunts.

---

Inside the run-down hut, Zhila takes the tea kettle out of the fireplace, pouring it into two cups respectively. Azula does not drink out of disgust, Aang is still dumbfounded.

AANG: I can't believe it.

ZHILA: That's your choice, I guess.

Zhila sits down with an old-woman moan.

ZHILA: The Northern and Southern Air Temples got wiped off the map by the Water Tribe. This one got off relatively well.

AZULA: "Relatively" well?

ZHILA: The buildings are still here! The one in the south was destroyed I think, I haven't heard anything from the one in the north, and I also have no idea what happened to the Eastern Air Temple...

AANG: What about the Air Nomads? You said some of them escaped?

ZHILA: Oh, if you're looking for other Air Nomads, you've come to the wrong place. Every once in a while, they show up and help me clean the temple, but recently the Water Navy has increased its presence around the Fire Islands. Most of the firebenders are gone too.

Azula seems distressed all of a sudden.

AANG: She is one.

ZHILA: Congratulations. Have fun finding a teacher.

AZULA (sarcastically): Thank you.

AANG: Are there no other firebenders left?

Zhila gets up and waves around her hands, while walking over to a kitchen counter.

ZHILA: Airbenders, firebenders, all you kids are asking for is where to find more annoying brats. Why don't you try the Golden City?

AANG: The Golden City?

ZHILA: Yes! Are you deaf?

She starts cutting up vegetables really fast.

AZULA: I've heard rumours about this. It's supposed to be a city of gold, where all those prosecuted by the Water Tribe can escape to.

Azula gets a flash of thought and gets up.

AZULA: Wait, are you telling us it's real?!

ZHILA: Of course! Most of the other airbenders I've met went there a few times.

AANG: Where is it then?

Zhila looks at the kids with a baffled expression.

ZHILA: How should I know? I live here with the bison!

Azula sits down again, frustrated and grunts.

ZHILA: Why don't you ask some of your airbender friends?

Azula and Aang exchange looks of excitement.

AANG: So, if we find the other airbenders...

AZULA: ...we can find the other firebenders...

AANG & AZULA: ... in the Golden City!

The door opens and Zuko walks in, whistling, carrying a basket filled with firewood. Aang and Azula notice him comically, he reacts in accordance.

ZUKO: I was wondering when you'd show up.

Everyone is silent.

ZUKO: What? Now, don't tell me it's my fault-

AZULA: ZUKO!

She rushes her brother and hugs him, to his confusion. Zhila grunts annoyed.

AZULA: Thank Agni nothing happened!

ZUKO: Uh... are you ok?

She stops the hug, all shocked by her own display of emotion.

AZULA: Uh... I mean, good to have you back.

AANG: How did you get here?

ZUKO: Well, after I fell down, one of the bison found me and brought me here. Zhila gave me medicine and wanted me to pick up some firewood in return.

ZHILA: You'll scratch my back and I'll scratch yours!

ZUKO: Are we leaving?

AZULA: Yes.

She runs back to Aang.

AZULA: We're going to find the Golden City, Zu-Zu!

AANG: And we're going to find other airbenders!

Zuko is confused.

ZUKO: I thought you two hated each other.

Azula and Aang exchange looks. They only now remember, how Zuko disappeared in the first place.

AANG: Well...

AZULA: We only met Aang recently, Zu-Zu. He needs some time to... get to know us better.

She smiles at him, which only slightly unsettles Aang.

AZULA: And then he'll get to know us better too.

Azula nods, Aang nods.

ZHILA: Now, that is all wonderful.

She claps, grabbing everyone's attention.

ZHILA: Now will you please get out of my house?

---

At the dockyard, Poko and Sokka hide in an alleyway, behind barrels.

POKO: You want to steal which ship?

He points at the impressive, burgundy red ship, sitting a bit further away than all the others.

SOKKA: We're sailing with my ship.

POKO: The red catamaran. Great. That's not going to draw anyone's attention...

SOKKA: Not if my plan works.

POKO: And your plan is...?

SOKKA: How good is your waterbendig?

Still sitting inside the bar, Bato looks with big eyes at a messenger arriving inside.

MESSENGER: The boats! The boats are leaving!

The people inside the bar are alarmed.

As they rush outside, they can see almost all of their ships leaving the docks one by one, some of them have already gone far away. The waves at the docks seem much wilder than the winds would have them.

BATO: Follow me.

The benders prepare to recapture the ships, as the surf across the water and hop onto the ships in teams. As Bato jumps onto the ship furthest away, he looks around the deck. No one in sight.

BENDER: Sir, we have spotted no one, the other ships appear to be abandoned too.

BATO: But who would...

He looks into the distance. Seeing black sails and a red catamaran sailing into the sunset.

BENDER: That has got to be the best captain I've ever seen.

---

As the Matariki sails into the sunset, Sokka steers it, while Poko desperately tries stabilizing the sail with a rope.

SOKKA: Ha! Spectacular! Wonderful job, Poko.

POKO: So, the deal is, I help you capture the Avatar, and some girl, and then you'll give me own ship?

SOKKA: Oh, let's talk about business later, enjoy the waves, Poko!

Poko shakes his head.

POKO: Sure...

---

Inside the same room Poko was taken prisoner, Puwati stands by a window. A servant is cleaning up the wardrobe of coats, while Guard 1 is standing by the fire.

GUARD 1: I believe that's what I saw sir.

PUWATI: Very well. You may leave now.

Guard 1 pounds his fist on his chest and exits, in return, Bato enters.

BATO: Vice-Chief.

PUWATI: Captain.

BATO: If we leave now, we can-

PUWATI: Prince Sokka is of no concern for us. He was a burden then, and he will only be one now. Your mission is to capture the Avatar.

BATO: What if he or his accomplice gets in the way?

PUWATI: If you're asking for permission to kill them, I'll have to disappoint you.

Puwati turns away from the window and looks at Bato.

PUWATI: But a good warrior deserves some scars, if you ask me.

Bato smirks. He intends to leave.

PUWATI: One more thing.

Bato stops.

PUWATI: The Chief Mother has requested to accompany you.

BATO: She has?

PUWATI: She intends to help wherever she can.

Bato nods, and too pounds his own chest before leaving. With the room empty, besides the servant, Puwati stares out the window again. He crams a piece of paper from inside his pocket, showcasing a younger Poko, with longer hair, and wearing a traditional Water Tribe dress. Pluss the nazar necklace. He whispers to himself.

PUWATI: Kenora...

---

On top of the Matariki, still holding onto a rope, Kenora clenches onto her necklace, determination written all over her face.

---

The GAang exits Zhila's house and finds a familiar lemur soaring around an annoyed looking Appa, who grunts at the thing.

AZULA: Not that lemur again.

Azula readies herself. Zhila exits her house too.

ZHILA: Sabachi, stop that.

Aang is astonished. Azula notices this.

AANG: Sabachi?

ZHILA: She can be a bit stubborn sometimes, you just have to know how to get to her.

The lemur climbs up Zhila, who scratches the animal behind its ear, calming it down.

AZULA: That thing bit Aang earlier.

ZHILA: Sabachi doesn't like being scratched in the face.

Sabachi jumps off Zhila and climbs up Aang instead. He flinches at first, but smiles at the lemur, after scratching it behind its ear too.

ZHILA: She's lonely these days. I guess that happens when you're the last of your kind.

Sabachi jumps over to Azula's shoulder, who reacts scared at first, but eventually pets the lemur as well.

AZULA: I guess...

AANG: Maybe Sabachi should come with us.

Everyone is shocked. The lemur seems to be excited and immediately climbs back up Aang's shoulder, purring at his neck.

ZHILA: Sure. Keep it.

AZULA: Do you think that's a good idea?

AANG: Well, we may have had some problems a first. But I'm sure once we get to know each other better, we'll be friends for life.

He smiles at Azula, Azula smiles back.

ZUKO: Do I have a say in this?

---

The sun is almost set when Appa flies away. Aang looks back one last time at the little stable, tiny bison flying around an old Zhila. While staring back, he has to look past the siblings, this is when he notices Azula is wearing the headpiece.

AANG: I like it.

AZULA: What?

AANG: The headpiece. I think it suits you well.

Azula blushes slightly.

AZULA: Thank you.

Sabachi jumps on Azula's head and inspects the headpiece with her tiny fingers.

ZUKO: I think Sabachi likes it too.

AZULA (sarcastically): Ha-ha...

Everyone shares a quick laugh as the bison flies into the sunset.