Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is created by Michael DiMartino & Brian Konzieko and owned by Nickelodeon.
Rewrite of "The Awakening" & "Nightmares and Daydreams."
"Previously on Avatar, the fight at Ba Sing Se caused an explosion. Katara and Zuko managed to escape with Aang. People believed Zuko and Aang were dead. Azula knew on instinct that they weren't and hired Combustion Man. She also sent Mai and Ty Lee after them. Zuko bonded with most of the group, except Aang. He was also feeling rejected by Katara who felt friendship with him and thought the idea of them as a couple was ridiculous. Zuko decided it would be best to find out what the Fire Lord's plans were by returning home. Aang realized that he needed to face the Fire Lord alone and regain his connection to the Avatar Spirit," said Avatar Roku.
Zuko was headed out of village when he met Mai and Ty Lee.
Ty Lee was going to chi block Zuko, while Mai tried to pin him down with her stilettos, but he dodge her attacks easily.
"Listen, I've decided to return home," said Zuko.
Ty Lee stopped.
"I don't believe you," said Mai.
"What happened to your scar? It didn't just heal itself did it?" Ty Lee asked.
"It's kind of a long story," said Zuko.
"We're listening," said Mai.
"After the explosion, I was knocked out. I was severely injured. I couldn't remember who I was," said Zuko.
"You seem to know who you are now," said Mai.
"Yeah, that's now," said Zuko. "It was a long time until I started to remember. I thought it would be useful to pretend I couldn't, but the earthbender knew something was off and they left me here."
"Why come back? Why not capture the Avatar?" Ty Lee asked.
"There isn't much time until the eclipse," Zuko replied.
"So?" Mai asked.
"They're still planning to attack?" Ty Lee said incredulously.
"Yes," Zuko replied.*
Mai and Ty Lee walked away from Zuko to talk privately.
"Well, what do you think?" Ty Lee asked.
"I don't know. Some part of his story make since, but I think we'd better contact Azula," Mai replied.
Meanwhile the gang arrived near a field of sleeping koala sheep.
Sokka looked at a map and said, "This is it, the official rendezvous point for the invasion force."
"How did you pick this place?" Toph asked
"Before we split up, Zuko, my dad, and I found this island on a map. It's uninhabited, and the harbor's surrounded by cliffs seemed like the perfect secluded place," replied Sokka.
Katara prepared for bed and said, "Nice choice Sokka. And we're here four days ahead of schedule."
Aang was shocked. "Wait," he shot out of bed and high into the air, "four days!" Aang's horrified face said, "The invasion's in four days!"
Sokka yawned, "Whatever. That's like... four days from now." He laid back onto his mat. "Let's just calm down, and ... " Sokka snored.
"Sokka's got the right idea Aang. We're here, we're ready..." Katara said as she laid down on her mat. "The best thing we can do now is get plenty of rest."
"Uh..." Aang looked around frantically but everyone seemed to be asleep. "I guess."
Aang had a nightmare that he faced the Fire Lord, but he wasn't wearing pants.
That night, Ty Lee left Zuko and Mai alone. They reminisced about old times, and Mai leaned in to kiss Zuko, and he kissed her.
The next day he returned to the palace.
"After three long years, your Prince has returned," announced Lo and Li. "Prince Zuko."
The crowd cheered for him. Zuko looked at the crowd, then down, and wondered what the others were doing.
Afterward, Azula and Zuko talked privately in the Royal Gardens.
"I thought I'd find you here," said Azula. "I'm surprised you returned."
"Why?" said Zuko, as he looked up at his sister.
"You know why. You made your choice back in Ba Sing Se," said Azula. Zuko looked at her suspiciously. She continued, "Don't worry. Father doesn't know."
A servant entered and bowed, then said, "Prince Zuko, the Fire Lord wishes to meet with you soon."
Zuko returned to his room and with the help of a couple of servants, he dressed to meet his father.
He entered the throne room and bowed with his head just above the ground.
"You have been away for a long time. I see the weight of your travels has changed you. You have redeemed yourself, my son. Welcome home. I am proud of you, Prince Zuko. You slayed the Avatar," said Fire Lord Ozai. He got up and walked behind Zuko.
Zuko raised his eyebrow, "What did you hear?"
"Azula told me everything. She said she was amazed and impressed with your power and ferocity at the moment of truth," said the Fire Lord.
Aang woke up from his nightmare and decided to train.
After a while, the rest of the group woke up.
Katara looked at Sokka, who shrugged. "How long have you been up?"
"A couple of hours," Aang replied as he circled a tree doing various footwork and punches. "I got a lot more skills to refine if I'm going to fight Ozai."
Aang gave the tree a hard punch, but the tree caused him to vibrate and fall backward. The leaves fell all at once. Katara looked at him in disbelief and Sokka and Toph popped up from behind her.
"You know there is such a thing as over training," said Katara.
"You don't get it do you?" Aang asked as he circled Katara. "My form is bad. I'm sloppy and I still don't know any firebending."
"You could have had Zuko show you a few moves, but it won't matter anyway. The eclipse will block out firebending so you won't need to know it," said Sokka.
"Okay," said Aang as he raised his arms and began sloppy chops and kicks. "Well, I still have to work on everything else."
Aang bowed and created an airball and rode away on it. Sokka looked up worried then buried his face behind a map. Toph remained unaffected in the background.
Azula was laying on her bed when Zuko opened the doors and entered her room.
"Why'd you do it?"
"You're going to have to be a little more specific," Azula said with her eyes still closed.
"Why did you tell Father I was the one who killed the Avatar?"
"Can't this wait until morning?"
"It can't," Zuko replied sternly.
Azula sighed and opened her eyes and sat up. "We both know the Avatar is still alive."
"Why give me the credit?"
Azula got out of bed. "Call it a gesture. I'm sure you know more about the Avatar's plans. You've gotten everything you wanted. You have Father's love. Now's your chance to remain loyal by foiling the Avatar's plans."
"You're lying," said Zuko.
"If you say so," said Azula as she walked past him.
"You have another motive," said Zuko. "I just haven't figured it out yet."
"Please Zuko. What ulterior motive could I have? What could I gain by letting you have all the glory? Unless everyone finds out the Avatar is alive. All that glory would turn to shame and foolishness. Sleep well, Zuzu."
Azula laid her head back down on the pillow and closed her eyes while Zuko walked out of her room and down the hall.
After training all day, Aang went to sleep, only to suffer a nightmare where the Fire Lord gave him a math test.
Aang awoke anxious, and after Katara convinced him, he went back to sleep.
Zuko felt different as the servants offered him various things. He decided to accept the hot towel. Later he decided to accept the palanquin ride to Mai's since it was so short.
He went to Mai's to spend time with her and get to know her. He also wanted to get away from the palace for a while. Being home wasn't like what he thought it would be, and as awkward as being with the Avatar's group was he somehow missed them, except the Avatar.
Zuko decided to focus his attention on Mai and was curious about her desires so he said, "Tell me, if you can have anything you wanted right now, what would it be?"
"Hmm. A big fancy fruit tart, with rose petals on top," said Mai.
"You know, being a prince and all, I might just be able to make that happen," said Zuko.
Mai giggled, "That would be impressive."
Two Fire Nation servants were in a curtained doorway while Zuko and Mai were lying on an ornate couch. They sat up.
"Do you think," the guards turned toward the couple and bowed, "you can find a fresh fruit tart for the lady, with rose petals on top?"
Two guards bowed. A Royal Servant replied, "Excellent choice, sir."
"I guess there are some perks that come with being royalty," said Mai as they lied back down. "Though, there is annoying stuff too, like that all-day war meeting coming up."
Zuko sat up completely, surprised, and turned toward Mai, who was also surprised. "War meeting? What are you talking about?"
"Azula mentioned something," said Mai as Zuko turned away and looked down. "I assumed you were going too."
Zuko closed his eyes and turned away. "I guess I wasn't invited."
Aang woke up from another nightmare where he dreamed he overslept and missed the invasion.
"Sokka get up! I need to know what day it is!" Aang pulled on Sokka's eyelids and lips in a comedic fashion.
"What?!" Sokka asked as he jumped up. Then he asked, "Who's talking?!" Sokka pushed forward with his sword, but hit a rock head-on before he completed his swing. He fell back on to his sleeping mat, his body stiff, frozen in the swinging position.
Toph sat up, "Relax, it's still two days before the invasion."
Aang hopped around the sleepy Sokka, and tugged on various limbs, as he said, "Sokka, you've got to get up and drill your rock climbing exercises."
"What?"Sokka asked.
Aang looked unfocused and tired. He made overly large gestures during his speech and often looked confused as he said, "In one of my dreams, you were running from Fire Nation soldiers, trying to climb this cliff, but you," Sokka looked disgruntled, "were too slow and they got you."
Sokka sprang up and stood before Aang.
"But that was just a dream," Sokka said. Then he pointed at Aang. "I'm a great climber."
Aang and Sokka stood at the bottom of a cliff.
Aang pointed upward and commanded, "Then climb that cliff. Climb it fast!"
The cliff is quite large and steep as Sokka looked up at the cliff summit, looked back at Aang and then pointed to himself. Aang nodded and Sokka slunk off toward the cliff.
Sokka started to climb. As he climbed he said in an annoyed tone, "Stupid Avatar. Stupid cliff. Stupid dream! I can climb fast!"
Aang was pleased and relieved at Sokka's climbing. Then he turned around to Katara and Toph. Toph had just put her lips to a satchel of water.
Aang yelled, "Don't drink that!" Sokka slipped from the face of the cliff.
Toph and Katara were sitting. Toph threw away the satchel and spit the water all over Katara, who was disgusted.
"Why, is it poisoned?" Toph asked perturbed, while an annoyed Katara waterbent the water off herself.
Aang approached the girls with his eyes crossed.
"In my dream, we were right in the middle of the invasion, and you had to stop to use the bathroom. We died because of your tiny bladder." Aang
mimicked holding his bladder. "And you," he said to Katara, "need to start wearing your hair up." Aang gestured his hair and then pulled and stretched his forehead. "In my dream, your hair got caught in a train, and..."
Katara held Aang's cheek and said gently, "Aang, I know you're just trying to help. But you really need to get a grip. You're unraveling."
Aang looked around unsettled. He was extremely tired and had dark circles under his eyes. Aang sighed and said, "You're right. I'm losing my mind."
Sokka nearly made it to the top of the cliff, then he suddenly slid down. "Ahhh!"
"It's like every time I think about how stressed I am," Aang twiddled his fingers in a nervous fashion as his eye twitched. "I just end up more stressed." Aang paced back and forth. His friends sat in the background. They were absorbed in their own tasks and were ignoring Aang's ravings. "I'm like a big, growing snowball of nerves."
Sokka turned toward Aang and said, "Of course you are. That's 'cause you've got to fight the Fire Lord," Aang made a horrified face, "the baddest man on the planet. And you better win, or we're all done for."
Katara stood up and turned to Sokka. She said angrily, "Sokka, you're not helping!"
Sokka stood up and said, "What? It's true. That's the deal, he knows it." Katara pushed Sokka to a sitting position angrily.
Katara looked on at Aang worried. Aang shook and chattered with fear. Katara approached him.
"You know what? I've got just the thing," said Katara as placed her arms on Aang's shoulders, and smiled. "Get ready to be "de-stress-i-fied"."
Aang and Katara stood beside the steaming water inside the crater.
"These yoga stretches can really work wonders if you do them in extreme heat. Reach up," said Katara; Aang and Katara reached upward. "Reach for the sun," said Katara, as Aang and Katara swayed from side to side. "Feel your chi paths clearing," said Katara. They bent over and touched their heads to the ground. "Now close your eyes. How are you feeling?" Katara asked.
"I feel...really warm," Aang replied.
"Good, good. Go on," said Katara.
"Like there's the warm feeling all around me. This heat... like I'm in the Fire Lord's palace, and he's shooting a bunch of fire balls at me. And the whole world is being engulfed in flames." Aang rolled out of the yoga position and on to his back. Katara looked down at the tired and out of breath Aang.
"Maybe your stress is the kind you need to talk out," she suggested.
Aang laid his head on a Koala-Sheep. Sokka sat beside him as he wore the 'Wang Fire' beard. His elbows were propped up on a Koala-Sheep. He looked pensive.
Sokka spoke in a mocking, old man, psychiatric tone, "Why don't you get right down to business and tell me what's been bothering you?"
Aang looked disgruntled. "You know what's bothering me. I have to fight the Fire Lord in a few days."
"Mhm." Sokka nodded and gestured toward Aang. "Tell me more about this, 'Fire Lord.' Why are you so afraid of him?"
"You said it yourself. He's the baddest man on the planet. I'm supposed to defeat him and save the world," Aang replied.
"Hmm," Sokka had his eyes closed and nodded deeply. "Life does feel that way some times, doesn't it?" Aang became very frustrated. "Like we're all trying to save the world from evil."
"Okay, but what can I do to feel better?" Aang replied.
"Want to try screaming into this pillow?" Sokka suggested. Sokk gave Aang a fluffy Koala-Sheep. Aang screamed into it and the Koala-Sheep bleated. Sokka scratched his head and then gave Aang the thumbs up sign and nodded. Aang shook his head.
Azula was in the Royal Spa getting her hair combed, when Zuko approached her.
"Hello Zuzu. If you've come for a royal hair combing, I'm afraid you'll have to wait," said Azula. Zuko stood over Azula.
"So I guess there's a big war meeting coming up, huh. And apparently I'm not welcome there," said Zuko,
"What do you mean? Of course you're welcome there," said Azula.
"Oh yeah? I guess that's why no one bothered to tell me about it," said Zuko perturbed.
Two maids continued brushing her hair. Azula eyed Zuko.
"Oh Zuko, don't be so dramatic. I'm certain Dad wants you there. You probably weren't invited, because it's so obvious that you're supposed to be there," said Azula.
"Well, were you invited?" Zuko questioned her.
"Of course. I'm the Princess," said Azula smugly.
"And I'm the Prince!" Zuko said annoyed.
"Exactly, so stop acting," she gestured, "like a paranoid child." Zuko looked at her annoyed. "Just go to the meeting."
"Forget it, I'm not going," said Zuko. He thought, I'm not going to be where I'm not wanted, not again.
Zuko walked out of the room.
Aang laid on a bed of pillar shaped rocks with his eyes closed. Toph stood next to him.
"Alright, what you need is a good old fashioned back poundin' to relieve your stress," said Toph
"Pound away," said Aang. Toph stomped her feet and caused the pillars to pummel Aang. "Ahh! Ow! Uh! Toph!" Aang was in serious pain. "I ... think ... this ... is ... bruising ... me!" Toph stopped and Aang fell off the bed of rock pillars.
"Sorry, I forgot you have baby skin," said Toph. She thought for a moment then said, "Well, there's one other thing we can try... " Toph stomped and a boarcupine flew into her hand from a nearby bush. It uncurled and bared its needles. Toph gave a large grin. "Acupuncture!"
Aang looked at the boarcupine and ran screaming, "Ahhhh!"
Zuko looked out an open window at the palace from Mai's. Mai approached from behind.
"Zuko, it's just a dumb meeting. Who cares?"
"I don't," said Zuko, as he began to wonder if his father really accepted him and if his plan was working.
"Well, good, you shouldn't. Why would you even want to go?" Mai asked as she put her arms around him to comfort him. "Just think how things turned out at the last war meeting you went to."
Zuko pulled away, and sighed. "I know."
Mai decided to try to cheer him up by suggesting, "You know what will make you feel better? Ordering some servants around! I might be hungry for a whole tray of fruit tarts! And maybe a little palanquin ride around town... Double time!"
Zuko looked away. He was disappointed. Mai backed away from him. She was worried.
"Thanks for everything guys," said Aang. The others smiled at Aang.
"So you feel less stressed? Ready for a good night's sleep?" Katara asked.
Aang looked confused and replied, "Uh...I kinda think I sorta might...slightly feel a little better...maybe."
"Then our work here is done," said Sokka.
Everyone else went to sleep; Aang was the last to drift off.
He had his worst nightmare.*
Aang woke up screaming, which woke everyone else up including Appa and Momo.
"What happened Aang?" Katara asked worried about him.
Aang turned away from his friends and slumped over and bowed his head to the ground. He said, "It's the nightmares. They just get worse and worse."
"Looks like it's time for..." Sokka said as he spun around to put on the 'Wang Fire' beard, "another therapy session."
Aang looked up at him, disgusted and then turned around and spoke angrily, "No, that won't help. Nothing helps." Aang was determined. "There's only one thing I can do. I'm going to stay awake straight through to the invasion."
Aang twitched. Katara was shocked and Sokka's beard fell off. Toph found it amusing.
Katara stretched on cliff above the ocean. Aang stumbled into the area in a zombie like trance.
"Invasion. All aboard for the invasion," said Aang.
"You don't look so good," said Katara as she approached Aang. "You sure you can't just lie down for a little nap?"
"I told you, I can't go back to sleep," Aang replied. Then he drifted into a daydream where he confessed his feelings to Katara. He acted out the scene in movements and ended with huge, puffy and drool strewn lips making a kiss face.
"Aang?" Katara called.
"Huh?" Aang held and kissed air. Katara stood behind him and looked at him strangely.
"I was just saying you should take a nap," said Katara.
"Oh," he straightened up and faced Katara. "I guess I kinda drifted off into a daydream."
"What was your dream about?"
Aang was embarrassed, "Uhh, living under water?"
Katara was skeptical, but smiled and said, "Sounds neat."
Aang breathed a sigh of relief, "Heh. Phew."
"You know, Zuko did mention something about meditation before he left," said Katara.
"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Aang replied; then he took off.
At Mai's House Prince Zuko was laying on the couch. Mai sat next to him and poured tea.
A messenger entered. "Prince Zuko," said the messenger as he bowed to the ground, "everyone's waiting for you."
Zuko and Mai approached the messenger. Zuko asked, "What?"
"The high admirals, high generals, the war ministers, and the princess have all arrived," the messenger replied as he raised his head to Zuko. "You're the only person missing."
Mai smiled. Zuko asked, "So, my dad wants me at the meeting?"
"The Fire Lord said he would not start until you arrived, sir," said the messenger as he bowed his head again.
Zuko smiled and looked at Mai who was still smiling.
To Be Continued...
AN: * I thought I'd leave that nightmare to the imagination.
Zuko leaving the group is a key plot device; I don't want to give anymore than that away.