Last time:
ZUKO
(Darkly)
I'll make them talk if I have to.
Iroh sighs and looks out the window at the village and the assembling troops below, all in dark black and red armor.
CUT TO:
EXT. SOUTHERN WATER TRIBE – MORNING (CONT'D)
Outside the village, what men are left and several women (all with weapons) meet the oncoming Fire Nation Soldiers and Zuko who is leading them. Sokka is with the warriors. Katara isn't.
ZUKO
(Halts his men by raising his hand)
We are here to search for someone. Stand
aside!
The men and women glance at each other, but they do not move. From beside him, Iroh steps up, putting a hand on his nephew's shoulder. Zuko's expression hardens, but he doesn't do anything to displace the gesture.
IROH
We have reason to believe the person we
are looking for is here. If you allow us to
search peacefully, I promise you no one
will be harmed.
ZUKO
Refusing to allow us this search will violate
the Treaty of Mozon! We will take action!
Sokka and several women flinch and they take defensive stances, but it's one of the older men who step forward.
WARRIOR 1
The treaty also states that only enough
men may be let inside as can be escorted
one on one.
Iroh clamps down on Zuko's shoulder, just enough for Zuko to notice, but few others.
IROH
Of course.
Iroh motions to the soldiers, and several step forward. Each soldier follows one of the water tribe warriors and they march through the gates. Sokka watches the man who chose him carefully, eyes narrowed in fear and with a touch of hate.
CUT TO:
INT. GRAN-GRAN'S TENT
Katara rushes inside to find her grandmother with several women and men much older than Gran-gran, all huddled towards the back. Gran-gran and a few others are covering them with blankets.
KATARA
Gran-gran!
GRAN-GRAN
(Turns around, startled)
Katara! Don't do that to your
grandmother!
KATARA
Gran-gran! He's an airbender!
GRAN-GRAN
(Doesn't stop rushing fiddling with
something in her hands)
The boy?
KATARA
(Slightly taken aback)
Yes. Did you know?
GRAN-GRAN
I guessed as much when I saw the
flying bison.
KATARA
But the Fire nation is here.
GRAN-GRAN
Yes, Katara. I know.
KATARA
But if they find him, they'll kill him!
GRAN-GRAN
(Sighs and pauses)
Then take him out of town. Hide in the
ice plains for the night or take a boat
away.
OLD WOMAN 1
You can't tell her that! They'll freeze out
there!
OLD MAN
It's certain death!
GRAN-GRAN
(Ignoring the protests)
I knew you'd want this. Here are some
blankets and food.
(She hands Katara a good-sized bundle)
There's also a little money in the pouch
there, although I don't know how good
it is in other nations.
KATARA
Other...nations?
GRAN-GRAN
I know it is only a matter of time before the
fire nation found out you're a water bender.
Today reminded me that if you remain here,
you'll be in danger. The boy you found is an
Airbender, and as such will also be wanted.
Go get him and take one of the boats in the
western outlet. You'll have some cover there.
I already had his bison taken to meet you.
She pauses, and looks at Katara, knowing she may never see her again.
GRAN-GRAN
Oh, my dear granddaughter. I am so sorry
that you must leave your home. Head to the
Northern Water Tribe and become a great
bender. Perhaps this young man can help you
on your way. There is no other bender alive
from the Southern Water Tribe. There hasn't
been since my friend Hama was captured all
those years ago. You, like him, are the last of
your kind. You can understand him in ways
that others cannot.
Katara stares up at her in open shock, then looks down at the blankets. A tear comes to her eye.
KATARA
Alright. I'll go.
GRAN-GRAN
Just a moment...
Gran-gran moves over to a chest and opens it. She rummages around for a moment before bringing up a beautifully carved necklace on a blue band.
GRAN-GRAN (CONT'D)
This was your mother's.
Katara gasps.
GRAN-GRAN (CONT'D)
Your father gave it to her for their
engagement, just as your departed
grandfather gave this to me.
(She touches a similar necklace on her own
throat)
May it bring you luck and direction on your
journey.
Katara takes the necklace almost reverently, then clutches it for a moment before she launches herself at her grandmother, throwing her free arm around the older woman's neck
KATARA
But Gran-gran...I can't just go like this!
GRAN-GRAN
(Gently pushes Katara to a distance where she
can see her clearly)
You have to, Katara. I can't lose you like I lost
your mother. Please, go child! Before they find
you!
KATARA
(Crying)
I love you!
With that, she turns and runs out into the morning
light. Gran-gran, watches the door for a moment,
then begins to sob.
GRAN-GRAN
Be safe, child. Please be safe!
CUT TO:
EXT. SOUTHERN WATER TRIBE VILLAGE – MORNING (CONT'D)
Katara runs through the village, half-sobbing, half breathing hard. She's headed for the tent where she left Aang. She gets there just in time to see the soldier Sokka had been escorting come outside, pushing Aang harshly by the shoulder.
SOKKA
You said you were looking for an old man!
FIRE NATION SOLDIER
Old men and outsiders. From his clothes and his
appearance-
(He pulls down Aang's hood to expose the bald
head and arrow)
-He's not of your tribe. Step aside.
AANG
It's alright, Sokka. To fly, say 'yip yip'.
SOKKA
What?
FIRE NATION SOLDIER
Come on!
He pushes Aang hard, but the boy allows it, going peacefully and pulling his hood back over his head.
KATARA
(Whispering from behind a tent where she ducked
for cover)
No! Aang!
Katara follows them all the way to the exit where many of the older people from Gran-gran's tent (and Gran-gran herself) are being lead out. Sokka sees Katara just as they reach the gate, but continues to follow his duty, escorting the soldier and Aang outside.
Katara is stopped by guards at the gate.
GUARD 1
You can't go out there, Katara! It isn't safe!
The Second guard nods in agreement, helping to keep Katara inside the village walls.
KATARA
But Gran-gran! And...Aang...
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE THE SOUTHERN WATER TRIBE WALLS (CONT'D)
Zuko inspects the old men and women, pausing momentarily at each one, but stops when he comes to Aang.
ZUKO
Why did you bring a child?
FIRE NATION SOLDIER
He's an outsider, sir.
ZUKO
(Dryly and impatiently)
I can see that.
FIRE NATION SOLDIER
And I believe he's an airbender, sir.
He pulls the hood down, revealing Aang's tattooed arrow. Many people gasp, and the fire nation soldiers begin to murmur quietly to themselves. Zuko, looking impressed and intrigued, examines Aang more closely.
ZUKO
Are you an Airbender?
AANG
(Looks nervous, but nods)
Yes.
ZUKO
Bring him along.
AANG
Wait!
The soldier holds Aang back, and Zuko doesn't stop, continuing to examine the rest of the people brought to him. Finally, Iroh steps forward.
IROH
We just want to perform a simple test.
Then we will release you.
Aang looks skeptical, but nods and backs down.
ZUKO
None of the others are him. Take them
back.
The elders scurry as quickly as they can back to the water tribe warriors, who help the oldest and most frail back into to the village.
Sokka is the only one left standing, watching Aang worriedly. After a few minutes, he rushes back inside, and looks to the guard.
SOKKA
My sister! She was here, right? Where is
she now?
GUARD 1
(Looking a little confused)
Yeah. She tried to follow you out, but we
stopped her. Then she ran off that way.
He points in a direction.
SOKKA
The west gate? But why...Oh no.
He begins to run as hard as he can. The Guards look at each other worriedly.
CUT TO:
EXT. SOUTH POLE ICE FIELDS
A small inlet with several boats tethered to posts rests just outside the village. Several small, natural hills and miniature cliffs surround the inlet, protecting it from the weather and oustide view. Katara has loaded the bundle from Gran-gran onto a boat, and is now scrutinizing Appa, who is also tethered to a pole. He looks monstrous next to said pole.
Sokka comes running up behind her, breathing hard. He still has all of his warrior gear on.
SOKKA
(gasping)
Katara!
KATARA
(Turns around and sees Sokka)
Sokka? What are you doing here?
SOKKA
I could (gasp) ask you the (gasp) same
question.
KATARA
(Looks down and to the side, slightly
depressed)
I...Gran-gran said that if I stayed here,
I'd be in danger. She wanted me and
Aang to leave. So I...
(Her gaze hardens, and she looks up
determinedly)
So I'm going after him.
SOKKA
Katara, that's crazy! Besides, how do you
plan to catch up to a war ship in a canoe?
KATARA
(Sighs)
I know. But didn't Aang say Appa could fly?
SOKKA
Being trapped in an iceberg for who knows
how long doesn't exactly promote mental
health.
KATARA
(Walks up to Appa)
But Gran-gran said she knew Aang was an
Airbender because he had his bison. Maybe
he can fly.
SOKKA
Katara...
Katara (who isn't listening again) runs over to the boat and grabs the pack, which she then throws onto the basket on the bison's back. Seeming to sense her actions, the Bison lays down obediently. Katara climbs up onto his neck using his forearm as a stepping stool.
KATARA
(Grabbing the reigns)
Come on, boy, fly!
SOKKA
(Is following his sister less than
enthusiastically)
Oh joy.
KATARA
Come on, boy, please?
While she's tugging on Appa's reigns, she notices Sokka climbing up after her.
KATARA (CONT'D)
Sokka?
SOKKA
You're my little sister. Do you think
I'd just let you leave all alone?
KATARA
But-
SOKKA
Say "Yip, Yip".
Immediately, the bison rises and leaps into the air. Sokka barely grabs ahold of his sister's hands, and she is hanging onto the reigns for dear life with her other.
KATARA AND SOKKA
WOAH! WHAT?
(Random yelps and screams)
After a moment, the bison stabilizes, and they both realize that they're in the air.
SOKKA
No way...
KATARA
I don't believe it! We did it, Sokka!
We're flying!
SOKKA
We?
Katara gives him a playful punch as he scrambles into the basket, looking relieved.
Camera shot from below of them flying off into the sky.