Amity's intro
Water. Earth. Fire. Air.
Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed her most, she vanished. A hundred years passed, and me, Willow
and Gus discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Luz. And although her airbending skills are great, she has a lot to learn before she's ready to save anyone.
But I believe Luz can save the world
The episode opens in a mountainous terrain at sunrise as it pans down and to the right. All of Team Avatar is sleeping. Cut to Luz rising and jumping up with airbending, barefoot, and filled with excitement.
"Today's the day!" (Lands near a sleeping Willow.) "Can you believe it? After all that time searching for a teacher, I'm finally starting earthbending!" (King chitters and lands on Willow.) "And this place," (King moves on to Appa's head.) "It's perfect, don't you think? Willow?" (Willow grumbles and glares at Luz with tired eyes.) "Oh, you're still sleeping, huh?" (Willow again grumbles and puts her head back down. Luz whispers.) "Sorry." Luz said
The ground shakes, causing Luz to turn to look toward the source of the rumbling. The camera quickly pans to the left to an earth tent, the slabs of which are tossed in every direction mere moments after. As the dust clears, Boscha is standing in the middle with her left hand raised in the air.
"Goooood morning," (She puts both her hands on her hips.) "earthbending student!" Boscha said
Cut to the side-shot of Appa, with King on his head, Willow, still sleeping and curled up within her sleeping bag with Luz standing at her feet, and Amity, Gus, Eda and Camila, who are sitting upright in their own sleeping bags. Boscha walks over to them.
"Good morning, Sifu Boscha." Luz said
(Luz bows slightly to Boscha, disappointed and tiredly.) "Hey, you never called me Sifu Gus." Gus said
(Scratches the back of her head.) "Well, if you think I should …" Luz said
Willow suddenly sits up, grumbling at Luz. Cut to a closer shot of Luz, who looks down in wonder, and Boscha, who has a smile on her face.
"Sorry, Snoozles, we'll do our earthbending as" (Whispers slightly, though with amusement in her voice while closing her eyes.) "quietly as we can." Boscha said
Cut to a close-up of Boscha's feet as she slams her left heel into the ground, creating a crack. Cut to a side-shot of Willow, who had laid herself back down. An earth pillar rises up right underneath her, catapulting her screaming into the air. Cut to an aerial shot of the team's camping spot as Willow flies directly toward the camera. After she has flown so close to the camera that the shot was nothing more than a close-up of her uvula, the scene cuts back to ground level of the campsite, where the others are standing up and join Luz and Boscha in looking toward the sky. Willow crashes to the ground in the middle with a loud thud. She immediately jumps to her feet, still in her sleeping bag with only her head visible, and hops toward Luz while grumbling. She stops in front of the Avatar and grumbles to her face, before jumping toward Boscha and doing the same to her. She subsequently hops toward the camera and out of the shot, still grumbling angrily. Everyone else turns to watch her go as Gus runs after her.
Cut to Boscha staring after Willow with her hands to her sides. Luz had jumped up and now softly landed beside her.
(Excitedly.) "So what move are you going to teach me first?" (Stretches out her right arm, her fist clenched, and brings it down like a hammer.) "Rock-a-lanche?" (She brings her left clenched fist to her right elbow, while her right arm is bent upward, the fist also clenched. She trembles with the motion.) "The Trembler? Oh, maybe I could learn to make a" (Stretches both arms over her head and starts to spin around.) "whirlpool out of land!" Luz said
(Puts a hand on Luz's shoulder.) "Let's start with …" (Makes the gesture.) "move a rock." Boscha said
(Claps excitedly.) "Sounds good, sounds good!" Luz said
Cuts to another part of the canyon where Luz and Boscha are standing in front of two rocks as Amity, Eda and Camila watch.
"The key to earthbending is your stance. You've got to be steady and strong. Rock is a stubborn element. If you're going to move it, you've got to be like a rock yourself." Boscha said
"Like a rock. Got it." Luz said
"Good. Now the actual motion of this one is pretty simple." [closes her eyes and slams the rock against the canyon wall.) "Okay, are you ready to give it a try?" Boscha asked
"I'm ready." Luz said (Tries to move it, but instead she is forced backward into Appa.)
(Amused.) "Rock beats airbender!" Willow said
Kaldo has a flashback in a dream about Lu Ten. Lu Ten pretends to firebend at Kaldo who fakes a groan and falls over.
"I got you, Dad!" Lu Ten said (Playfully jumps on top of Kaldo.)
Both laugh as the scene fades to Kaldo in a dream sitting over Lu Ten's tomb.
"My beloved Lu Ten, I will see you again." Kaldo said
The scene fades again as Kaldo wakes up to Lilith calling him.
"Kaldo ... you were unconscious. Kikimora did this to you. It was a surprise attack." Lilith said
"Somehow, that's not so surprising." Kaldo said (Groans.)
(Hands Kaldo some tea.) "I hope I made it the way you like it." Lilith said (Kaldo takes a sip from the cup and his eyes widen. He lets out a cry of disgust, but manages to mask it.)
(Grimaces.) "Good. That was very ... uhhh ... bracing." Kaldo said (He is handed another cup, which he throws out secretly behind his shoulder.)
"So Kaldo, I've been thinking. It's only a matter of time before I run into Kikimora again. I'm going to need to know more advanced firebending if I want to stand a chance against her. I know what you're going to say, she's like a cousin of mine and I should be trying to get along with her." Lilith said
(With the exact opposite of Lilith's thoughts.) "No, she's crazy, and she needs to go down." (Lilith nods. Kaldo grunts as he stands up.) "It's time to resume your training." Kaldo said
Back at the canyon. Amity, Eda, Camila and Boscha are standing next to the boulder Luz tried to move. Luz walks up, a hand behind her head.
"I don't understand what went wrong. She did it exactly the way you did." Eda said
"Maybe there's another way ... what if I came at the boulder from another angle?" Luz asked
"No. That's the problem. You've got to stop thinking like an airbender. There's no different angle, no clever solution, no trickity-trick that's going to move that rock. You've got to face it head on. And when I say head on, I mean like this …" Boscha said (closes her eyes, jumps up and destroys the rock with her head.)
"Whoa!" Camila yelped
Boscha begins to walk away, but Amity stops her.
(Trying to help Boscha teach.) "Gus and Eda have been training Luz for a while now. She really responds well to a positive teaching experience. Lots of encouragement and praise. Kind words. If she's doing something wrong, maybe a gentle nudge in the right direction." Amity said
"Thanks, Amity. A gentle nudge. I'll try that." (Moments later, yelling at the top of her lungs.) "Keep your knees high, Twinkle Toes!" Boscha yelled
Cut to Luz carrying a large rock on his back, struggling to hold it up. The camera zooms out, showing Boscha in the background stomping down and causing pillars of rock to rise underneath Luz's feet as she walks. Luz loses her balance and falls off-screen.
The next move shows Boscha digging through rock with her fingers. The camera pans over and Luz rubs her hands together and tries to do the same thing, but smashes her hand against the rock and grunts in pain.
"Rock-like!" Boscha yelled
Next, Boscha gives Luz one of Willow's weapons, much to Willow's dismay. Cut to Willow's face with Boscha's hand holding her back. She grunts, trying to move forward. Cut to a side-view, showing Willow struggling to get her club back from Boscha, who is holding it to the side and preventing Willow from grabbing it. She shoves her backward and she stalks offscreen. She hands the weapon to Luz. She is blindfolded as she tries to smash rocks Boscha brings up. She finally gets one after about five times. Cut to Boscha, who nods in approval.
During their next session, Boscha builds herself into a shield of rock which Luz has to push back over a marked boundary. She is successful. Her training begins to move smoothly.
During another training session Luz is standing on two pillars of earth tossing a rock into the air while switching hands to catch it each time. Boscha walks between the two pillars of earth and uses earthbending to shake the pillars.
"Rock-like!" Boscha yelled
The camera pans up to reveal Luz holding a solid stance without losing her balance. Boscha appears on a pillar near her and nods. Luz smiles, knowing she is finally getting the hang of it.
In another part of the canyon, Willow is looking for food with Gus and Camila following from behind until she stumbles upon an animal.
(Holds on tight to the trunk of the tree in fright.) "Is this necessary?" Camila asked
(Hangs onto the branch upside down.) "Willow is like this sometimes, you'll get used to it in time." Gus said (gets shushed by Willow hitting him on the head with her foot.)
"You're awfully cute, but unfortunately you're made of meat. Just a bit closer …" (Jumps but falls into a crack that is in the ground. She looks at the cub.) "Gotcha!" (Sinks further in.) "You are one lucky little meat creature." Willow said
"Phew, that was close." Camila said
Back at Kaldo and Lilith's setup.
"Lightning is a pure expression of firebending, without aggression. It is not fueled by rage or emotion the way other firebending is. Some call lightning the cold-blooded fire. It is precise and deadly, like Kikimora. To perform the technique requires peace of mind." Kaldo said
"I see. That's why we're drinking tea, to calm the mind." Lilith said
"Oh yeah, good point! I mean, yes." (Outside.) "There is energy all around us. The energy is both yin and yang. Positive energy and negative energy. Only a select few firebenders can separate these energies. This creates an imbalance. The energy wants to restore balance, and in a moment the positive and negative energy come crashing back together, you provide release and guidance, creating lightning." Kaldo said (Steps up, and generates lightning, and shoots it away from the two.)
"I'm ready to try it!" Lilith said
"Remember, once you separate the energy, you do not command it. You are simply its humble guide. Breathe first." Kaldo said
Lilith takes a deep breath. She tries to generate lightning, but instead an explosion launches her back. Kaldo shakes his head in disappointment.
Back at the canyon, Luz's earthbending training continues.
"This time we're going to try something a little different. Instead of moving a rock, you're going to stop a rock. Get in your horse stance! I'm going to roll that boulder down at you. If you have the attitude of an earthbender, you'll stay in your stance and stop the rock. Like this!" Boscha said (Stretches out, still in stance.)
"Sorry Boscha, but are you really sure this is the way to teach Luz earthbending?" Amity asked
"I'm glad you said something. Actually there is a better way." (Blindfolds Luz.) "This way, you'll actually have to sense the vibrations of the boulder to stop it. Thank you, Amity." Boscha said
(Sarcastically.) "Yeah, thanks, Amity!" Luz said
(note by Darth Nominatis: not a fan of sarcasm)
(Nervously.) "Heh." Amity said
Cut to Boscha standing at the top of the hill with Luz at the bottom. She shoves the rock forward and it begins to roll down the slope. Luz looks worried and afraid as it rolls toward her. She jumps over the boulder at the last second, causing it to roll past and crash into the cliff. Boscha comes running toward Luz.
"I guess I just panicked. I don't know what to say." Luz said
"There's nothing to say, you blew it! You had a perfect stance, and a perfect form. But when it came right down to it, you didn't have the guts!" Boscha shouted
(Disappointed.) "I know. I'm sorry." Luz said
"Yeah, you are sorry! If you're not tough enough to stop the rock, then you can at least give it the pleasure of smashing you instead of jumping out of the way like a jelly-boned wimp! Now, do you have what it takes to face that rock like an earthbender?" Boscha asked
"No, I don't think I do." Luz said
"Luz, it's no big deal. You'll take a break and try earthbending again when you're ready. Besides, you still have a lot of waterbending to work on. Okay?" Amity asked
"Yeah, that sounds good." Luz said
"Yeah, whatever, go splash around until you feel better." Boscha said
"Yeesh, what's with her?"
They all exit.
Back to Lilith and Kaldo. Another attempt by Lilith to generate lightning fails.
"Why can't I do it? Instead of lightning it keeps exploding in my face ... like everything always does." Lilith said
"I was afraid this might happen. You will not be able to master lightning until you have dealt with the turmoil inside you." Kaldo said
"What turmoil?" Lilith asked
"Lilith, you must let go of your feelings of shame if you want your anger to go away." Kaldo said
"But I don't feel any shame at all. I'm as proud as ever." Lilith said
"Commander Lilith, pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame." Kaldo said
"Well, my life has been nothing but humbling lately." Lilith said
"I have another idea. I will teach you a firebending move that even Kikimora doesn't know, because I made it up myself." Kaldo said (Lilith smiles.)
Back to Willow, who remains trapped with the small, brown animal, while Gus is laying back on the tree on the ground
"You probably think I deserve this, don't you? Look, I'm sorry I hunted you, but that's just the natural order of things. Big things eat smaller things, nothing personal. But this time it didn't work out that way. I admit it ... you're cute. Okay, you convinced me, if I get out of this alive, it's a karmically correct, vegetarian existence for me. No meat. Even though meat is so tasty." (The cub brings an apple.) "Hey, looks like my karma is already paying off! That's okay, I got it." (Tosses her boomerang at it in a desperate attempt.) "Now, come back boomerang." Willow said
In a pond in another part of the canyon. King tries to grab a frog. Luz and Eda move a single blob of water back and forth among each other in a circular motion, while Amity is sitting leg crossed on a rock with her fingers dipped in the water.
"You know this block you're having is only temporary, right?" Amity asked
"I don't want to talk about it." Luz said
"You do realize that's the problem, don't you? If you face this issue instead of avoiding it–" Eda didn't finish
(Frustrated at herself.) "I know, I know, I know, I know! I get it, all right? I need to face it head on like a rock, but I just can't do it. I don't know why I can't, but I can't." Luz said
"Luz, if fire and water are opposites, then what's the opposite of air?" Amity asked
"I guess it's earth." Luz said
"That's why it's so difficult for you to get this. You're working with your natural opposite. But you'll figure it out. I know you will. Think fast!" (Throws a piece of rock at her, but Luz slices it in half with waterbending.) "Excellent. You have the reflexes of a waterbending master." Eda said
"Thanks, Eda. Sifu Eda." Luz said (Bows.)
Eda also bows at Luz. Back to Lilith and Kaldo.
"Fire is the element of power." (Draws the firebending insignia in the dirt.) "The people of the Fire Nation have desire and will, and the energy and drive to achieve what they want. Earth is the element of substance." (Draws the earthbending insignia.) "The people of the Earth Kingdom are diverse and strong. They are persistent and enduring. Air is the element of freedom." (Draws the airbending insignia.) "The Air Nomads detached themselves from worldly concerns and found peace and freedom. Also, they apparently had pretty good senses of humor!" (Smiles broadly but returns to a more serious demeanor when Lilith doesn't react at all.) "Water is the element of change." (Draws the waterbending insignia.) "The people of the Water Tribe are capable of adapting to many things. They have a deep sense of community and love that holds them together through anything." Kaldo said
"Why are you telling me these things?" Lilith asked
"It is important to draw wisdom from many different places. If you take it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale." (Divides the four insignias into separate sections.) "Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole." Kaldo said (Draws a circle around the insignias.)
"All these four elements talk sounds like Avatar stuff." Lilith said
"It is the combination of the four elements in one person that makes the Avatar so powerful. But it can make you more powerful, too. You see, the technique I'm about to teach you is one I learned by studying the waterbenders." Kaldo said
Back to the campsite. Luz is meditating when Boscha enters, holding Luz's staff.
"Luz, I found these nuts in your bag. I figured you wouldn't mind. And besides, even if you did, you're too much of a pushover to do anything about it." Boscha said
"As a matter of fact, I don't mind. I'm happy to share anything I have." Luz said
"You know, I'm really glad you feel that way. Because I also have this great new nutcracker." Boscha said
She spins Luz's staff above her head. Cut to Luz, who looks over her shoulder with a pained expression on her face. Cut to Boscha as she smiles widely, lifts the staff, and starts using it to break nutshells.
"Actually, I would prefer it if you didn't …" (Crack.) "That's an antique, handcrafted by the monks …" (Crack.) "It's a delicate instrument!" Luz yelled
"It's not the only delicate instrument around here." Boscha said (Walks away, hitting the staff off rocks.)
(Resumes meditating.) "Ohm." Luz said
"Hey Luz, have you seen–" Amity didn't finish
(Frustrated.) "Meditating here!" Luz yelled
"It's important. It's almost sundown and your mom, Gus and Willow aren't back yet. I think we should search for them." Amity said
"They've never been gone this long before." Eda said
"We'll find them faster if we split up." Luz said (The three begin to search.)
Back to Willow.
"Okay, karma person or thing, whoever's in charge of this stuff. If I can just get out of this situation alive, I will give up meat and sarcasm. Okay?" (Willow's left pigtail gets yanked out of her hair by the cub.) "Ow! That's all I got. It's pretty much my whole identity. Willow, the meat and sarcasm girl. But I'm willing to be Willow, the veggies and straight talk fellow. Deal?" (Luz shows up.) "Luz! Thank goodness! Have you got any meat?" Willow asked
"Willow! Are you okay?" Luz asked (Tries to pull her out.)
"Aggh, stop, stop! You're going to pull my fingers off and I don't think the rest of me is coming!" Willow yelled
"She's stuck in that crack tight, I had quite the day while she was in there." Gus said
"You're getting a knock on the head when I get out of here." Willow said
"Hmmm ... I bet I can airbend you out of here." Luz said (Blows up a gust of wind but Willow remains trapped.)
"Seriously Luz, I know you're new at it, but I could use a little earthbending here. How about it?" Willow asked
"I can't ... I can't do it." Luz said
"Well, if you can't earthbend her out of there, go get Boscha." Gus said
"I can't do that either." Luz said
"You can't? Why not?" Willow asked
"It would just be really ... uncomfortable." Luz said
"Uncomfortable?" (Sarcastically.) "Well, I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable …" Willow said
"Thanks, Willow. This whole earthbending thing really has me confused. There's so much pressure. Everyone expects me to get it right away. It puts me in a really awkward position." Luz said
"Awkward position, I think I know the feeling." Willow said
"If I try, I fail. If I don't try, I'm never going to get it. I feel like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place." Luz said
"Hmmm ... how about that. Luz, this is my friend, Foo Foo Cuddlypoops. Foo Foo Cuddlypoops, Luz." Willow said
"Awww, what a cute name for a baby saber-tooth moose-lion cub." Luz said
"Really? He looks nothing like a saber-tooth moose-lion." Gus said
"It's hard to tell before their giant teeth and horns grow in. What are you doing out here little guy? Did you lose your mama?" Luz asked
Suddenly, a large moose-lion appears.
The scene cuts back to Lilith and Kaldo.
"Waterbenders deal with the flow of energy. A waterbender lets their defense become their offense, turning their opponents' energy against them. I learned a way to do this with lightning." Kaldo said
"You can teach me how to redirect lightning?" Lilith asked
"If you let the energy in your own body flow, the lightning will follow it. You must create a pathway from your fingertips, up your arm to your shoulder, then down into your stomach. The stomach is the source of energy in your body. It is called the sea of chi. Only in my case it is more like a vast ocean." (Laughs.) "From the stomach, you direct it up again, and out the other arm. The stomach detour is critical. You must not let the lightning pass through your heart, or the damage could be deadly. You may wish to try a physical motion, to get a feel for the pathways' flow, like this." (The two begin to practice the redirection motion.) "Now, are you focusing your energy? Can you feel your own chi flowing in, down, up, and out?" Kaldo asked
"I think so." Lilith said
"Come on, you've got to feel the flow." (They practice the motion for a few minutes.) "Excellent! You've got it!" Kaldo said
"Great, I'm ready to try it with real lightning!" Lilith said
"What, are you crazy? Lightning is very dangerous!" Kaldo said
"I thought that was the point! You are teaching me to protect myself from it!" Lilith said
"Yeah! But I'm not going to shoot lightning at you! If you're lucky, you will never have to use this technique at all!" Kaldo said
"Well, if you won't help me, I'll find my own lightning." Lilith said (Rides away.)
Back to the canyon, Luz begins to talk to the saber-tooth moose-lion mother.
"Hey there, we found your cub! See, we have no problem with you! We're friendly!" Luz said
"Luz, this is bad, you've got to get me out of here!" Willow shouted
The moose-lion charges at Willow, but Luz sends it over her head with airbending while Gus ducked behind some bushes.
"This is really bad! Please Luz, you have to earthbend me out, there's no other way!" Willow shouted
Luz tries, but all her attempts produce nothing.
"Oh no!" (Gets on top of a rock to try and distract the saber-tooth moose-lion.) "Woo-hoo, look at me!" Luz said
The moose-lion charges again but is again held off.
"Please, don't leave me again." Willow said
"I won't." Luz said
She stands her ground, and at the last second, throws the moose-lion back with a blast of air. The beast leaves. Suddenly, slight clapping can be heard. Cut to a shot of Boscha sitting on a rock nearby.
"What are you doing here?" Gus asked
"Just enjoying the show." Boscha said
"What? You were there the whole time?" Luz asked
"Pretty much." Boscha said
"Why didn't you do something? Willow was in trouble! We were in trouble! You could have gotten her out and helped us get away!" Luz said
"Guess it just didn't occur to me." Boscha said (Throws a nut down and attempts to crack it with the staff.)
(Grabs hold of it.) "Enough! I want my staff back!" Luz said (Takes it away.)
"Do it now!" Boscha said
"What?" Luz asked
"Earthbend, Twinkle Toes. You just stood your ground against a crazy beast. And even more impressive, you stood your ground against me. You've got stuff." Boscha said
"But–" Luz didn't get to say
"Do it!" Boscha said
Luz slams the ground and sends a rock into the canyon wall.
You did it! You're an earthbender." Boscha said
"I can't believe it!" Luz said
"Alright Luz! You did it!" Gus said
(Sarcastically.) "Awww, this is a really wonderful, touching moment. So could you get me out of here so I can give you both a big, snuggly hug?" Willow asked
"No problem, Willow!" Luz said
"Actually, you should probably let me do that. You're still a little new to this. You might accidentally crush her." Boscha said
"Yeah, no crushing, please." Willow said
"Could use some help as well." Camila said (gets their attention to look up.)
Boscha kicks up the rock and yanks Willow out as Camila loses her grip on the trunk of the tree and falls onto Gus knocking him down. Nightfall hits. Amity and Eda meets up with them.
"You found them!" Amity said (Embraces Gus and Willow.)
"The whole time, I was in that hole, not knowing if I was going to live or die. It makes a person think about what's really important. I realized–" Willow didn't get to finish
(Interrupting Willow.) "Hey Amity, look what I can do!" Luz said (Bends a rock and slams it on the ground.)
"You did it! I knew you would!" (Whispering to Boscha.) "You tried positive reinforcement, didn't you?" Amity asked
(Happily.) "Yep, it worked wonders." Boscha said
"Appa, Appa, I can earthbend now! The key is being completely rooted. Physically and mentally unmovable!" Luz said
Appa licks her and sends her flying a few feet. Willow laughs hysterically, and Luz laughs as well. Meanwhile, Lilith has tracked down a storm, seeking lightning.
"You've always thrown everything you could at me! Well, I can take it, and now I can give it back!" (Yelling as loud as he can at the storm.) "Come on, strike me! You've never held back before!" Lilith yelled
No lightning strikes. Tears stream down Lilith's cheeks, and she yells at the top of her lungs.
Fade to credits.
