Fire. Earth. Water. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Water Tribes attacked...
Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished.
A hundred years passed and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his bending skills are great, he is haunted by the memories of his world...
But I believe Aang can save this one.
Avatar: The Last Firebender
Based on Distorted Reality by Ogro
Written by Carrotine Clara
additional help by Anonimosx
Book 1: Fire
Episode 4
The Northern Lights
Act I. – The acrobat
The sapphire blue ocean is reflected with a shimmering beauty from the silver ironclad slashing the waters in two. The ocean spirit has been gentle for two whole weeks now, and much of Bato's crew has been forced to use the majority of their attention to move their massive ship across its domain. Kanna stands by the modest-looking balustrade, glancing across the ocean. She can see the very tip of a volcanic island, a landmass dipped in the shade of blue, as all objects do at a certain distance. She looks up at the sails, waving around. Hold on, waving? She looks up one more time as the waving suddenly subsides. She grunts, her eyes jumping around the sails, then around the deck, spotting absolutely nothing. After a few seconds, her attention swaps back towards the clear, blue ocean, hoping to appease Sedni with her prayer. It was after all the end of summer, a day typically celebrated by tribesmen and women. She wonders if Bato had the patience to properly honor such an important occasion. He would if he was a smart man, as not doing so would gain him mistrust from his men, most of which are devoted to the spirits to some degree.
A messenger appears from below deck and approaches Kanna.
MESSENGER: Chief Mother, Captain Bato wishes to speak with you.
She nods, looking back towards the sea one last time before following the young soldier down below.
From above, hiding behind one of the sails, a blue mask watches.
Bato's chambers are simple and effective, a stark contrast to what Kanna was used to with her grandson. Only one or two pelts and a dresser with his wolf helmet on top.
BATO: Thank you for coming, Chief Mother.
She looks to her right, where he sees one more piece of furniture, a giant mahogany desk, covered to the corner with maps of the former Fire Nation.
KANNA: "Thank you for coming to my chambers", or "thank you for accompanying me on my ship"?
He smirks. The burned side of his face was treated by healers, occasionally Kanna herself, giving it a much less gruesome appearance.
KANNA: Your face looks better. Perhaps more intense treatment would make the scar look less severe over time-
BATO: I don't mind having a scar. It is a symbol of my endurance as a warrior. Something the prince will never have.
He looks over to her and realizes his blunder.
BATO: Forgive me for my bad manners.
KANNA: Don't be too hard on yourself. The last thing that boy needs now is more sympathy.
BATO: Wherever he is.
He sticks a knife into his desk, something he practices more often, judging from his lack of concern.
KANNA: You don't intend to look for him, do you?
BATO: I intend to get my private property back, but no. My intent is to find the Avatar and the last firebender.
KANNA: The last? We both know that's not true.
Bato scoffs in disbelief.
BATO: You know a lot about war for a woman.
She uses a pocket of water from her sleeve to close the door behind her in a loud thud.
KANNA: We both know that the old ways are changing. No woman in a hundred years has been called to advice a captain on matters of strategy.
He uses his own pocket of hidden water to pull a stool towards the desk.
KANNA: No, thank you.
BATO: Water is the element of change, and we should change with it.
Kanna nods.
KANNA: That still doesn't explain why you are keen on finding the Avatar and his girlfriend.
BATO: There's a reason we keep firebenders under our boot. Why we've been working on eradicating them for the last hundred years. If I was of the Fire Nation, I would attempt to do the same thing. With our natural enemy gone, the Water Tribes are free to deal with the Earth Kingdom.
KANNA: Agreed.
She finally walks over to his desk, taking a good look at the different maps, with multiple arrows drawn between islands.
BATO: I've read reports from a nearby town. A school claiming they saw a firebender girl, an airbender, and a certain prince.
KANNA: Three trout-pikes in one net. So, what now?
BATO: A local principal claims that the Avatar intends to go to Changchun.
KANNA: That would force him to move west.
BATO: If he hasn't already.
Kanna folds her hands together under her robe. Bato stares at the old woman brooding, as if expecting her to continue.
KANNA: What do you want me to do?
BATO: I want your advice. What do you think?
She takes a good look at the cartography collection.
KANNA: I think our number one concern is how we deal with these benders. Because we have seen what they are capable of.
Azula stretches herself more than necessary, shoving her limbs aggressively in any direction possible. Inside the secluded little sand beach, Aang sits on top of a rock, his eyes closed, meditating once again. He had been doing that more often, Azula thought. In reality, Aang couldn't possibly garner the energy necessary to really achieve anything spiritual at all - let alone traveling to the Spirit World or talking to his past lives. The question what to do about Sokka has been on his mind since their last encounter and it seems like it won't go away, even if, right now, his focus should be on Azula.
The impatient firebender clears her throat.
AANG: What is it?
He opens his eyes again. To his surprise, he sees Azula wearing a cloth-based bikini, making him uncomfortable. Liking this Azula is one thing, but any thoughts beyond that line are to be burned down to the crisp faster than they could manifest. She is visibly irritated by his apparent reaction.
AZULA: What? Never seen a girl before? Are female airbenders not a thing?
He musters the courage to look back at her.
AANG: I... don't see how it's necessary to practice firebending in this thing.
He looks over to Appa, whose saddle is occupied by a reading Zuko and a sleeping lemur.
AANG: Don't you want to say anything?
ZUKO: Oh, I am definitely staying out of this one.
Azula smirks victoriously, as she emerges the winner of this dress code discussion.
AZULA: You may be a master of airbending Aang, but when it comes to the element of fire, I am the one holding all the cards.
Aang gets up on his bare feet, in order to not involuntarily fill his shoes with sand.
AANG: I showed you that move in the temple though.
She is clearly unhappy by him pointing this out.
ZUKO: Really? When?
She sighs.
AZULA: Don't get in over your head, kid. That was one time. I have been practicing fire all my life.
ZUKO: Never in the village.
A comical, red anger symbol floats above her temple.
AZULA: I trained alone! And without anyone's help!
Aang realizes she is clearly insulted by anyone dismissing her firebending abilities. Then again, it was the Fire Lord who always reeked of arrogance whenever she performed the art, so perhaps, Aang thinks, he shouldn't indulge her too much.
AANG: Let's all calm down-
She looks at him with the same cartoonish expression.
AANG: We're not here to impress anyone, we're trying to become stronger together, as a team.
Azula calms down slightly, not letting go of her pride though.
AZULA: Nice sportsmanship monk, but when we're up against real waterbenders they won't be so polite as to consider proper etiquette.
Aang notes her comment, caressing his not-so-bald-anymore head. He did not shave his head back in his world anymore, at least until they arrived at the Southern Air Temple. So, in the hopes of maybe recreating the conditions of his former self, he made the choice not to shave it anymore here as well.
AANG: That's... mostly true, but it still doesn't explain why you're...
He points at her with the awkwardness of a twelve-year-old, which he to some capacity is.
AZULA: Uncle was afraid if he taught me anything about firebending, the Water Tribe would eventually show up and take me away.
ZUKO: Which they did.
She glares at him for a second.
AZULA: Meaning, I had to learn the basics of firebending by myself, thank you.
She assumes a very elegant looking, but in Aang's eyes crude position. He did learn real firebending, and while some of that memory is not present as precisely as he wants it to be, he can still distinguish a good pose from a bad one.
AZULA: A firebender draws their strength from the sun.
The words suddenly click in his mind.
AANG: Wait, that's why you're wearing a bikini?
Zuko looks over to them.
ZUKO: Wait, really?
Azula crosses her arms.
AANG: I told you in the temple, firebending draws its power from breathing.
AZULA: Yes, and the sun.
AANG: No, I mean to some extend-
ZUKO: He's telling you to put on clothes, sis.
Azula emits a big, loud grunt, an action greatly enjoyed by Zuko, who for once is not receiving the humiliation. As Azula changes behind a part of the beach cut off by black cliffs, Zuko climbs off of Appa, still wearing boots, unlike Aang.
AANG: I don't think she liked that...
Sabachi flies over them and sits down on the rock Aang was previously sitting on.
ZUKO: How do you know so much about firebending anyways? I thought you never started your Avatar training before you disappeared.
Aang tries to come off as cool.
AANG: Well, it's not like I never interacted with other benders. But I guess you're right. Plus, I should start with water anyways.
Azula is already back with them, wearing her crimson-pink outfit, headpiece still holding together her hair.
AZULA: Why? So you have an advantage against the Water Tribe?
Aang looks back at her with a confused expression.
AANG: No, because it's the first one. In the cycle.
Now the siblings exchange looks.
ZUKO: Uh... which cycle?
AANG: The Avatar Cycle. I was born as an Air Nomad, after air comes water, then earth, then fire.
No response. Aang realizes he has made some kind of mistake.
AZULA: Go on.
AANG: Well, that's it. Water, earth, fire, air. Just like the season?
A moment of very awkward silence ensues
ZUKO: The seasons? Like in a sport?
AZULA: Like Waterball?
Aang starts getting irritated.
AANG: No! Are you playing a prank on me?
Azula is amused by the hilarious misunderstanding.
AZULA: Aang, the Avatar Cycle goes fire, earth, water and air.
ZUKO: We were taught as kids that fire burns into the ground, the ground melts and then turns into air.
The Fire Nation boy scratches his head.
ZUKO: I guess that's not a very good analogy...
AANG: No, you're wrong. I'm talking about the seasons of the year. Winter is water, spring is earth, summer is fire, autumn is air.
AZULA: And during a leap-year everyone switches bending powers - don't be silly Aang.
The Avatar gets genuinely upset. Not only was he stripped from his friends, from the world he knew and failed, not only was he put into a sick déjà-vu reality, but it was apparently done so to mock him.
AANG: Well, sorry, that's how I learned it!
Azula scoffs, stroking away her bangs with her now bandaged fingers.
AZULA: You are by far the worst Avatar ever.
AANG: And you charge your skin like a lizard!
He stomps away angrily. Zuko reacts to this with embarrassment, chasing after the boy, supposedly to try and calm him down. Azula feels a bit of joy in her victory. Perhaps she will apologize later to Aang, but for now, she can wear whatever she wants.
The dance coordinator enters the big, blue tent, clapping his hands together in a very feminine manner, which likely would not have made him very popular within the Water Tribe Navy or Army. The man, with a full set of light brown hair, excitedly walks past every single stage dancer, stretching and preparing. One girl with tan skin and black hair does a pirouette in the back.
COORDINATOR: Alright ladies.
The performers, all of which are female, surround their manager in a circle.
COORDINATOR: Quviasuk to all of you! I'm sure you girls are excited for this year's performance...
Many of the girls screech and jump up in anticipation. One girl in particular is putting all her energy into keeping her feet on the ground.
COORDINATOR: Now, in a few minutes we'll go through with one more rehearsal, after that I want you all to get into the make-up booth and get yourselves pretty enough to cast a smile to even the grumpiest spirits among us!
More delight is portrayed via high-pitched screams and jumping. The coordinator, in a state of pure joy himself, has to wave a fan at his face, as to not succumb to the Fire Nation heat, which is amplified by the tent stacked with people. In a hurry he tries to find an exit, when one of the girls approaches him. The girl being someone in a blue skirt with blue tights, wearing her chocolate brown braid. It is Ty Lee.
TY LEE: Ru-De? Ru-De?
She runs after him with a hectic smile attached. Ru-De, aka. the coordinator, emits an exhausted sigh, turning around only out of courtesy. It appears this is something these two have to do on a regular basis.
COORDINATOR: What is it?
TY LEE: I was wondering if this year I could try that spin that we've been talking about. I really think it could-
COORDINATOR: Oh, please...
Ru-De dismisses her in an instant, exiting the tent in the hopes of gasping fresher air, hopes that are painfully crushed by the reality that is the Fire Nation climate. Before he has taken more than five steps on the brick pavement, Ty Lee has somehow already walked ahead of him. Then again, he wasn't really running.
TY LEE: Please, I just really think that it could add a special note to the whole thing - a little extra at the end to "wow" the people!
Her voice indicates a sense of pure honesty. Ru-De scratches his head, looking at Ty Lee with an uncomfortable expression, as if he's trying to tell her that she isn't getting a pet for her birthday.
COORDINATOR: Look, I know that you're excited, but we have to make each show as appealing as possible to as many people as possible.
TY LEE: Yes!
She responds with a grin as if she heard nothing the coordinator just said.
COORDINATOR: And during the Spirit Festival, people are especially...
TY LEE: Excited?
He sighs.
COORDINATOR: Yes, but they want to see the same thing they get every year. They like familiarity. IF we surprise them, they'll have to wait a whole year to get the next normal show. You understand?
With every word he utters, Ty Lee steadily loses her upbeat spirit, as if an actual spirit of joy was pouring down a whole on her side. He feels empathy for the disappointed girl. He knows what this job means to her, how much of a family this really is. Even though he never really reciprocated those feeling, he always did feel bad for her. Ru-De puts his hand on her shoulder and stammers out something to comfort her.
COORDINATOR: You know how there's a spirit for every... thing?
Ty Lee stares at him with big googly eyes, looking like she is holding back her tears. She nods.
COORDINATOR: Well, I guess... it just means that your spirit hasn't found its... audience yet.
She lights up a little bit.
TY LEE: But it will some day!
He looks over to the side, then back at her.
COORDINATOR: Sure.
He walks away, fanning himself. After he has left, Ty Lee emits a little squeak of joy.
TY LEE: I will!
Fire balls shoot in a sporadic fashion over the beach and even manage to hover above the ocean for a second or two before dissolving into air. Azula had insisted that she lay open her repertoire of firebending, exposing the full extent of her fighting capabilities to the boy. Aang liked that. He trusts Azula but is also aware of his own insecurities. He figured once he saw what she was capable of, he could slowly chip away at the fear of resemblance to the Fire Lord. The fact that her fire was not blue, and her technique amateur gave him some relief. But it also brought a new challenge with it.
She stops with a kick, turning around towards Aang.
AZULA: So, what do you say?
Aang scratches the little hair he has while coming up with an appropriate response.
AANG: I mean, it is impressive for someone with no proper training.
Azula frowns.
AZULA: But?
AANG: I'm no firebending master, but...
He tries coming up with an excuse for why he knows all of this stuff.
AANG: I did learn some things about bending before I got stuck in that volcano, and I think there's still some room for improvement.
He smiles at her in desperation for a neutral response. She only glares back at him.
AZULA: Thank you.
She continues to thrust forward her amateur fire blasts, as if trying to spite Aang, who attempted to correct her hard-earned abilities. Aang had caught on to her style, it resembled the Fire Lord only barely, Azula's cat-like movements and agility just don't quite translate into her raw, aggressive bending style, or she just doesn't know how. It reminds Aang of Zuko actually, not the new one, who was currently getting supplies at a market (without his swords!), but his own Zuko from many years ago, back when the fire prince was still aligned to his nation, trying to hunt Aang just like Sokka does now, although much more effectively. Instead of gracefully directing her breath and energy towards a target with deadly precision using only her fingers, she clenches her fists into strength-based blasts.
AANG: You shouldn't put as much muscle into it.
She crosses her arms and pouts.
AZULA: You're saying that like I'm a big hunk of muscle.
Aang sighs. He just discovered one of Azula's lines and is not happy about crossing it.
AANG: I'm just trying to help you with firebending, Azula. Isn't that why you wanted to practice with me?
AZULA: I wanted to show you what I have achieved by myself, without you playing the master critic!
Aang sighs. Her perspective is understandable, but Aang still wonders how much more of this he would be willing to take.
AANG: Just focus on your breathing and draw your power from that.
He assumes a much more stable looking position, planting both of his feet firmly into the sand. His breath is slow and controlled, allowing him to perform firebending much more smoothly than what Azula just tried. The girl is standing behind him, arms still crossed, looking with envy at the boy performing a series of flames that fly with more precision across the beach. He still remembers his training with old Zuko vividly, therefore tries not to perform more elite-looking moves. He ends the performance with a bow and hand-sign, the same one used by him and old Zuko during their bending practice.
As he calms down, the new Zuko arrives with a small bag, presumably full of much-needed supplies.
ZUKO: Wow. You two really got the hang for this firebending-thing. Why even go to the Golden City, huh?
He proclaims his positive feedback with a cheeky smile, which hits one of Azula's nerves.
AZULA: Yeah, I guess this whole journey is a waste of time for our firebending-prodigy - we should just go and defeat the Water Tribe on our own, now!
Aang and Zuko exchange nervous glances.
ZUKO: What happened?
Azula grunts.
AZULA: Aang thinks he can pop out of a volcano and tell me how firebending works!
ZUKO: It kind of looks like he can.
Aang shakes his head in a comical fashion behind Azula.
AZULA: Well, I guess that means next stop Earth Kingdom - or just straight up Water Tribe because of the seasons I guess!
Having lost her temper entirely, she stomps over to Appa, proceeding to climb on to his saddle. The beast grunts softly at her.
AZULA (to Appa): Nothing. Everything is fine!
Zuko walks over to Aang carefully, they both turn away and lower their voices a bit.
ZUKO: I... should have expected this.
AANG: Really?
ZUKO: She had a hard time learning all of this bending-stuff on her own. I suspected that once she met someone better then her, well...
They look over to her once again. Azula faces the wall and doesn't move and inch.
AANG: I get it. Maybe she'll just have to learn from a master in the Golden City instead of me.
Aang walks over to Zuko's new supplies and intends to load it on to Appa.
AANG: Speaking of that, we should probably get going. We don't even know where the Golden City is, and we can't know for sure if someone in Changchun will help us.
Zuko nervously scratches the back of his head instead of helping Aang pack.
ZUKO: Yeah... about that...
Aang, Azula, Appa and Sabachi look at Zuko.
AANG: What?
ZUKO: I was uh... hoping we could stay for another night, maybe?
AZULA: Why? Are you having a date?
ZUKO: No, but... I saw the village here is preparing for a big festival of some kind, and I thought maybe we should go there. You know, getting a night off for fun before we head to Changchun?
Azula smells something is up. She jumps off Appa.
AZULA: Really?
ZUKO: Yeah, someone handed me a flyer and it looked fun.
Neither Aang nor Azula show much enthusiasm over the idea. Especially Azula.
AZULA: That sounds like a waste of time. We already lost a whole day in that stupid school, plus we know what happened there.
She shows off her bandaged fingers, giving both boys a deeply disturbed gut reaction. Zuko responds to this with his stoic heroism, a kind naivety that the old Zuko lacked.
ZUKO: We will never let something like that happen to you again - I promise you that!
AANG: Me too.
Aang feels a small amount of anger building up. She explained to him in detail what happened during their last adventure, and he deeply regretted not intervening earlier.
AANG: Look...
He tries to mediate between the siblings, doing the kind of peacekeeping work he hasn't done for years.
AANG: I mean, we don't have to stay for long. We'll go there for a bit until Zuko is satisfied. We can leave during the night and rest on Appa if we need.
AZULA: I don't want to take a ride on an animal when my driver is asleep.
Her sharp response indicates her continued lack of interest for this idea. She sighs.
AZULA: But fine, if Zuko wants to go, we'll take a look-see, I guess.
She rolls her eyes. Aang suspects that it demanded a lot of her willpower to give in.
ZUKO: Thank you. Who knows, maybe you'll like it too, Azula.
AZULA: I seriously doubt that.
Aang smiles at his accomplished peace. If only a temporary one.
WOMAN: Quviasuk!
A random woman full of joy shouts at the trio in excitement as they enter the town square. Zuko calling it a village earlier was a bit of an understatement, as multiple rows of housing and business stretch across the varying levels of altitude, tropical plants like palm trees in between the roads. Mai Sa Lu was already much bigger than the island Azula and Zuko grew up on, entering this town makes their eyes sparkle in wonder though. Even Azula's. The roads leading away from the square stretch far into the distance, with plenty of people enjoying the nighttime festivities. Lanterns are hanging down from ropes attached to the city roofs in a diagonal pattern.
ZUKO: This is a big place...
AZULA: I guess.
She blinks rapidly, as if trying to turn off her mode of interest for the festival she didn't want to attend in the first place.
AZULA: So, what do we do now?
ZUKO: We... could look at some food stands. Maybe they have fire balls!
Azula rolls over her eyes for the tenth time that evening. Even the thought of her favorite snack can't sufficiently satisfy her.
AZULA: Fine. But you'll pay.
She points at Aang.
AZULA: And if someone tells us to go to a school, you'll blow them into the ocean.
She walks ahead of the two boys.
ZUKO: I guess that firebending training is still getting to her.
Aang is finally curious enough to ask.
AANG: Yeah. So, Zuko...
ZUKO: Hm?
AANG: What exactly are we doing here? It just seems to be some kind of Water Tribe holiday.
He thinks back to the time spent running away and wonders if his world never had these or if Katara and Sokka just never bothered to celebrate.
ZUKO: Yeah, but I mean it's pretty nice. The sun is setting, the lanterns are shining...
Aang notices a piece of paper sticking out of Zuko's back pocket.
ZUKO: And I also don't think it's a bad idea to stop by different places, if we're already doing globe trotting-
Aang swiftly steals the item from Zuko's pocket, who freezes on the spot, upon realizing what happened. Aang's eyes scan the paper. It is a flyer advertising the Spirit Festival, the word "Quviasuk" spelled on the top with bold Chinese characters. And then Aang looks at the bottom of the page, where a good third is dedicated to one of the main events.
AANG: "Come see the Northern Lights. The..."
He sighs.
AANG: "The all-girl-dance-group performing traditional choreography to appease spirits and audience alike."
ZUKO: Please don't tell Azula...
He folds his hands, begging Aang, who can barely contain his discomfort.
AANG: Fine. One performance and then we'll leave.
AZULA: Are you boys coming or not?
Azula has gone far enough ahead not to hear the conversation, but Aang seriously doubts she doesn't already suspect something.
ZUKO: Thank you! But remember...
AANG: She will find out Zuko. She's not stupid.
As the sun is setting over the horizon Kanna's eyes scan the iron ship from top to bottom. Still, she can't rid herself of the feeling that someone is present. But now is not the time. She turns towards the deck, where the entire crew is present. None of them are wearing their armor nor any other weapons of some kind. In the middle of the deck the two largest-looking soldiers and Bato carry a massive pot, placing it down in a loud thud sound, grunting in relief as the exhausting task is over. The old woman noticed that Bato didn't, and for a matter couldn't really support the weight and mostly relied on his two beefcakes. She figured it was important for moral that their captain at least showed his willingness to help. Sokka would never have done this. After the task is completed, the men circle around the pot, keeping a certain distance. At the prow of the ship, Kanna addresses the men, wearing strange, ritualistic clothing, a large coat, reminiscent of the polar climate that haunts the Water Tribes' mainland.
KANNA: We have gathered to honor the ancestors. To honor Tui, who provides his strength to our benders, La, who provides life for our people, and Sedni, the mother who gifted us this world.
The men chant in unison.
CREW: Quviasuk.
KANNA: We, those who control the water, who control life, are caught in a struggle one more cycle, as we clash with the forces of land and fire, who deny us of our natural born right to bring prosperity to all lands.
CREW: Quviasuk.
KANNA: Dear mother Sedni, Tui, La and our ancestors walking among the horizon, we ask you to lend us our strength, as we offer you, our gifts!
Each crew member in a row steps forth, presenting a small container of water on their knees, and then carefully pouring it into the pot. While this is happening, Kanna waves her hands in a very slow and rhythmic manner around the air. Bato is the last of his men to step forward. He empties only a small vial of a strange liquid. What any of these beverages of different color and thickness are is not mentioned during the ritual. As Bato steps away again, Kanna has gathered droplets of water from the air around her. She slowly hovers them above the pot, letting them fall down at last. After that she waves her hands in a circular motion, stirring the mixture inside, creating a new liquid.
KANNA: Aue nga wairua e wehi ana matou ki a koe...
CREW: Quviasuk.
KANNA: Whakapono ki a maatau whaea, me te whakapono ki a koe i nga wa katoa.
CREW: Quviasuk!
She gestures the crowd to be silent. The mixture in the pot still swirls in a circle, despite Kanna having stopped moving it. She points her open hand at Bato.
KANNA: Haere atu! Bato, tama a te tonga o te wai!
Bato follows her instructions and steps forth. He takes a deep breath, showing off a slight level of inner tension. He gets on one knee.
BATO: I accept her judgement. Sedni will have faith in me, as I have faith in her.
CREW: Quviasuk!
Everyone looks just slightly nervous. Kanna nods and performs more waterbending, this time letting the liquid filling the pot's inside hover out of it, still continuing the spiral motion.
KANNA: The element of change will decide your fate.
She lets it hover even higher. The sun is completely set at this point. A bright moon in the sky is covered partly by clouds. Bato looks at it with a sour grin.
BATO: Come on...
The clouds finally dispatch, allowing the moon to shine its light at the ship and at the ball of liquid. As it does, the crew gasps in awe. A soft, blue light shimmers from within the liquid mixture, covering the crew in the same shade of color. Bato smirks devilishly.
KANNA: The spirits have spoken! QUVIASUK!
CREW: QUVIASUK!
Bato gets up on his feet.
BATO: Quviasuk.
The crew universally pounds their own chests, while looking with confidence at Bato. After that, everyone walks away, back to their station or quarters, all until only Bato and Kanna are left. The old woman stares silently at the liquid, which she has placed back inside the pot.
BATO: So. Have you made a choice?
He crosses his arms.
KANNA: Only the spirits can truly choose our fate.
Bato seems a bit impatient but manages to keep up his fake smile.
BATO: And the Avatar's fate?
Kanna looks at the captain.
KANNA: The Avatar is a spirit.
She walks past by him, stopping at his level.
KANNA: But a spirit out of supplies. And since villages run low on the southern archipelago, I assume they went to the nearest city to our east.
Bato smiles.
BATO: Thank you.
Kanna nods.
KANNA: Quviasuk.
She walks down the stairs to her chambers. Bato looks at the pot one last time. He takes out the vial of liquid. It is almost empty, with a few drops left. He tosses it into the ocean, where the last remaining drops mix with the ocean water, dying everything in a certain radius with the same blue color in which the orb flashed earlier.
BATO: Quviasuk.
AZULA: I can't believe we're here because my brother needs to see girls...
She makes gag sound, mocking her brother as they walk to a big gathering of people at a different square equipped with a small fountain.
ZUKO: What? Don't tell me you wouldn't be interested in a gathering of... male... dancers...
He doesn't quite know how to provoke Azula on this topic, a fact that makes Azula very happy.
AANG: Come on you guys. It's just one performance, then we'll hit the road again.
AZULA: I hope you're right Aang. I can't stand it here.
The crowd, it turns out, is standing around a similar pot like that on Bato's ship. Yet the reaction and mood of the people present is vastly more joyful. A small, old man with a bald head sits behind it.
POT MAN: Come and see your fate! Worship the spirits and they may tell it!
Zuko is immediately intrigued.
ZUKO: I wanna know!
Azula rolls over her eyes in embarrassment. Aang too feels uncomfortable.
AANG: Come on, Zuko...
ZUKO: Just once!
He runs over to the pot.
ZUKO: Please tell me what you see!
His eyes shine in excitement.
AANG: Does... he actually believes that stuff?
AZULA: Yes.
Her voice is monotone and dry, giving Aang the impression that this is not the first time that Azula has experienced something like this.
POT MAN: Well, what do you want to know, young man?
ZUKO: Uh... tell me something about my love life!
Aang and Azula slap their foreheads simultaneously. The pot man waves his hands above the water inside the container. It begins to shake around.
POT MAN: The spirits require a gift...
Zuko just looks at the water and the old man gets impatient, which is when he clears his throat.
POT MAN: I said, the spirits demand a gift.
He gestures Zuko to hand over some cash.
ZUKO: Oh.
The boy complies and the pot man happily conjures up some water.
AZULA: So much for my fire balls.
The man pretends to read something inside the muddy bubble.
POT MAN: I see... great success! You will be a famous womanizer!
Zuko blushes.
ZUKO: I- I mean... maybe...
POT MAN: Would you like to learn more?
Azula intervenes just in time.
AZULA: Yeah, we would like to know where these Northern Lights gals are having their little spirit dance so that my superstitious brother can gawk at them for a minute and let us leave. Do you think your little pot can tell us that?
The pot man is slightly intimidated. For once Aang actually appreciates Azula's more cruel side.
POT MAN: Well, I don't know why I would help such an impolite little thing like you!
AZULA: Fair point. Maybe I'll read it from the spirits when I dunk your head into that magic liquid.
Her brother is just as speechless as the old man. Based on his size and stature Azula could probably manage to do that. He clears his throat nervously while tugging on his shirt.
POT MAN: Alright you little brat. Just go that way.
He points to his left. Azula smiles at him with a truly sadistic grin.
AZULA: Thank you.
She bounces her eyebrows once. A chime echoes to emphasize her intimidation.
Aang walks ahead to the left. Zuko tries to protest for a moment.
ZUKO: Hey! I wasn't do- OW!
She drags her brother by his ear. Aang, for all his former pacifism, does not intervene.
After a minute of walking, they reach a crowd of people. behind it they can see a giant, hexagon-shaped tent, presumably with the stage in front of it. The crowd is rather large, allowing the trio only to spot a few dancers jumping above it, perspective-wise.
AANG: Only for a minute please.
Zuko walks ahead, his hand on his ear. His mood has been drenched a bit by his sister.
AZULA: Do you want to just wait here?
Aang shrugs.
AANG: If we're already here we might as well check it out.
Azula sighs.
AZULA: Fine.
They both try to slip by the crowd of mostly young people, mostly men. Some of them seem extra excited. Aang finally reaches Zuko, who is standing in the first quarter. Aang looks up on the stage. All of the girls look like former Fire Nation, with some tanned waterbenders in between. They all wear blue tights and skirts, their upper body covered in a fancy looking festive shirt, in a lighter shade of blue. It reminds Aang of the outfit Ty Lee used to wear. Last time he saw the girl, she had sacrificed herself in order to help Aang and his friends escape. He doesn't know what happened to her, or what her motives were. Aang always found it curious, but never really bothered to think about it much more. Due to the music on stage and the crowd of gasping dudes the trio has to talk a little louder than usual.
AZULA: We should have brought Sabachi. I could have commanded her to interrupt their choreography.
Aang giggles a bit, Azula picks up on that. The choreography in question seems to be a mix of traditional Water Tribe dances, exciting acrobatics and waterbending. One of the girls jumps through a water hoop with ease. The crowd claps.
AZULA: This is it? A little jumping and spinning?
The girl does a cartwheel, followed by a back-flip, Aang starts having some sort of déjà-vu.
ZUKO: You don't get it, Azula. it's about the artistry.
AZULA: Oh, please like you care about that.
While the siblings continue to bicker Aang is more and more intrigued by the braided girl doing acrobatics with ease.
AZULA: Ugh. They outlaw firebending and we get this. Pathetic.
ZUKO: You're just jealous.
AZULA: And you're just a pubescent teenager!
Aang finally realizes it. He exchanges a look with the smiling girl and recognizes Ty Lee. Once their eyes break up contact, he immediately turns around in distress. What is she doing here? And why now? Is she on his side this time or is she going to block his chi? He starts shoving aside dudes to get away from the stage. Azula notices this.
AZULA: See? Aang is on my side. Let's go.
ZUKO: Really? Aw man.
A male spectator with sideburns looks at Zuko.
SIDEBURNS: What's going on?
Zuko sighs.
ZUKO: I have to go.
SIDEBURNS: That's rough, buddy.
Ty Lee, not breaking her choreography, notices the siblings leaving. She gets a little nervous. Maybe Ru-De was wrong?
TY LEE: Now is my chance.
Aang already went ahead before the siblings could catch up and is now out of sight. Azula is still waiting for her brother to exit the sweaty crowd.
AZULA: Thank Agni you're the one doing our laundry.
He lashes back at her in a sarcastic tone.
ZUKO: Thank you for ruining our last night of joy. Good one.
The siblings meet at the back of the crowd, once again they can only see the acrobatic dancers doing high jumps.
AZULA: Come on, Aang already went ahead without us.
ZUKO: Just a few more seconds. I think the music is going to stop any second now!
She flings aside her bangs while walking a few steps ahead.
AZULA: Come on, Zuko. Like a few more seconds is going to change anything.
The crowd gasps. Azula turns around and spots the girl with a braid, a good 20 feet above the stage, under her a spiral of wind. Azula's jaw drops.
AZULA: That's not what I think it is.
The siblings exchange looks, then run back into the crowd. They arrive just in time to see Ty Lee land in a similar fashion as to what Aang can do.
SIDEBURNS: That trick was amazing. I wonder how they did it.
Ty Lee and the other dancers bow before the crowd. Azula and Zuko exchange looks once again.
ZUKO: I know how.
Act II. – Leaf in the wind
Aang, upon reaching the foot of the slope, begins walking a little slower. The immediate gut reaction he received upon seeing Ty Lee still shakes him to his core. The boy can deal with this strange world to an extent. Seeing Sokka as his enemy and having to side with Azula seems tangible, after all, he can just avoid Sokka and Azula is a different person entirely. But he hoped to avoid encountering more. Meeting Zhila and Sokka's new helper gave Aang the impression that the cards had been shifted, that most of the people he knew and loved are simply side characters here. Every night he eagerly wishes for Katara to be some secluded princess in the south, whose involvement in the war is merely hearing about it from the soldiers that visit. But now he saw Ty Lee. And if he sees any more familiar faces...
AZULA: Aang! AANG!
ZUKO: Aang!
He turns around only to see the siblings charging down the stone slope towards him. Azula grabs his hand frantically.
AZULA: You need to come with us. We just saw someone-
Aang cringes and pulls his hand away.
AANG: I... don't want to see more dancing. It's making me feel dizzy.
Technically Aang does feel dizzy. Azula reverts back to a state of curiosity.
AZULA: Dizzy? An airbender can feel that?
ZUKO: Guys, stop fighting. Aang, you really need to see this, we saw someone airbending!
Aang's eyes immediately switch back to paying attention.
AANG: Let's go.
The trio runs the steep path back up to the blue tent, where they find the male crowd still lingering around the stage, talking to the dancers, some of which have climbed down to meet their audience at face level. Aang can feel the adrenaline surging through his system.
AANG: Where? Where did you see him?
ZUKO: Um...
TY LEE: Hello!
The siblings and Aang jolt up like scared cats, turning around and finding a curious, braided dancer-acrobat, who seems just as scared as the trio.
TY LEE: Oh, I'm so sorry! Didn't mean to scare you guys...
Azula recovers the quickest, glaring at the energetic girl. Aang panics again, refusing to lock eyes with Ty Lee.
ZUKO: No worries, we just... didn't see you back there.
TY LEE: Oh, but you did see me during our performance, right?
She closes in on Zuko.
TY LEE: Because I saw you there.
She winks at him, turning the boy's face red and freezing him on the spot.
TY LEE: Did you guys like it? I performed my special move to have a little "wow" at the end!
AZULA: Sure, listen-
TY LEE: What's wrong with him?
She points worryingly at Aang, who ducks his head as if looking for a contact lens.
AANG: Me? Oh, don't mind me, I'm just... uh, a bit dizzy from the heat.
TY LEE: Aw, that's terrible.
She pats Aang on his shoulder, which makes Azula boil like a tea kettle.
TY LEE: Your aura is all over the place. Is everything alright-
AZULA: Aang, she's the airbender.
Aang's head rises to a normal level again. He finally manages to look directly at Ty Lee. Her face is full of the joy and innocence that he remembers from many years ago. He starts glowing with hope again. The Air Nomads might not be gone forever. Maybe this world is not a waste...
AANG: You are?
TY LEE: What's an airbender?
The hopeful feeling dissolves with a record scratch.
AZULA: Uh, what?
TY LEE: I'm a dancer, you silly. Well, technically I consider myself an artisan with acrobatic choreography training, but you guys can just call me Ty Lee.
She winks again, throwing off Zuko even more.
ZUKO: I hope that pot was telling the truth.
TY LEE: Anyways, I have the rest of the night off. Do you guys want me to show you around the festival?
ZUKO: Yes.
Ty Lee giggles and grabs Zuko's arm. Aang snaps out of his state of confusion and approaches Azula.
AANG: Azula, can we talk?
The two walk away a few feet while Ty Lee and Zuko chat in the background.
AZULA: Please don't tell me you want to go with her.
AANG: That depends. Are you sure she's an airbender?
Azula grunts.
AZULA: We saw her jumping 20 feet off the stage and landing back with this same... cloudy... airbending... puff that you always do.
AANG: I don't always do that.
AZULA: That's besides the point.
They turn towards Ty Lee.
AZULA: Even if she's an airbender, she's with the Water Tribe now.
Aang raises an eyebrow.
AANG: Because of the dance group?
AZULA: No, but-
She sighs.
AZULA: I just don't trust her.
Aang ponders what to do and answer.
AANG: Well, I can't tell you how to feel, but you got to understand what this means to me. I haven't seen another airbender in a hundred years.
Technically longer, but Aang manages to correct himself appropriately.
AZULA: If she even is one.
AANG: You said you saw her jumping off the stage and floating.
AZULA: Yes, but then why doesn't she just admit it? She's hiding something!
Aang feels guilt building up on the inside. He clears his throat unnaturally.
AANG: We should find out then.
Azula too ponders what to answer and do after it.
AZULA: Just for tonight. If we can't trust her, she's gone.
Azula walks ahead towards the mysterious girl and her own brother. Aang waits a few seconds before joining. It does seem strange. He finally catches up.
AANG: Alright. We've decided to come along with you-
Ty Lee screeches happily, jumping up and down higher than any normal human being could. The trio exchanges looks off certainty. Azula covers her ears.
TY LEE: It's going to be so fun! Oh, we should go to the tug-tug circle!
She runs ahead pulling Zuko by his hand.
ZUKO: Woah!
Azula and Aang wait for a few seconds. The girl looks at his hand for a moment, but immediately shakes her head and walks off. Aang wonders what that was all about.
What ensues is a hectic trip lead first and foremost by the cheerfully spontaneous Ty Lee, leading the trio to all sorts of different spots at the festival. While Zuko is completely infatuated with the acrobat, Azula and Aang try their best to confront her about the airbending abilities she possesses. At a food stand, just as Azula is about to inquire about it, Ty Lee blows her hot stick of grilled minced meat, cooling it down instantly and hitting Azula with a gust of wind, messing up her hair. In response, the firebender accidentally sets her own meat stick on fire, burning its contents to a crisp.
At the next stand the kids have to hit tin targets with leather balls. Azula participates with an arrogant smirk.
AZULA: I always hit my target.
She lives up to her promises, hitting the round-shaped plate with deadly precision, not having to use a lot of strength, but utilizing her relaxed arm movements to win at the game. Aang wonders why her firebending doesn't live up to that. The stand keeper hands her a tiny penguin plush.
AZULA: So, Ty Lee, we were wondering-
TY LEE: You're wondering if I can beat you, am I right?
Azula frowns at the acrobat. Ty Lee picks up a ball, swings her arm at the rows of targets, and subsequently creates a wave of air, which knocks out all of the targets in a row.
TY LEE: Wo-ho!
The stand keeper's jaw drops to the floor in a comical fashion. Azula's brow begins to twitch, and she burns the plushy in her hand. Aang is simply amazed and surprised at the existence of Ty Lee. Instead of avoiding her in revulsion, he stares at her with curiosity. Zuko also stares, but for much less profound reasons.
The third spectacle that the trio and the dancer arrive at is an enclosed buffalo yak, the challenge consisting of balancing on top of the animal without a saddle. As soon as they arrive at the fence, Azula glares at the dancer.
AZULA: Why don't you try it, Ty Lee?
Her glance quickly disappears, transforming into a vengeful grimace, which closely follows the acrobat's perfect balance on top of the animal, even performing stunts. Zuko, who has to hold all of her stuffed trophies, cheers her on. Aang figures that this level of balance was also an attribute of the old Ty Lee, with the airbending on top of that, Aang already ponders with anticipation what he could show her. Perhaps he could even train her, reviving the culture of his people, a dream never realized in his own world.
Azula continues to glare as Ty Lee returns.
TY LEE: That was fun.
The firebender scoffs.
AZULA: That was nothing, let me try it.
She steps into the enclosure, with both of her companions only paying attention to Ty Lee.
ZUKO: That was amazing! How did you do that?
TY LEE: I don't know. I guess I'm just... naturally gifted.
AANG: You are so much more than that.
Azula looks at the ongoing conversation with a mixture of anger and envy. Aang roasted her firebending on the beach today, but as soon as some wind-girl shows up he's all up in arms. She'll show them...
BUFFALO YAK KEEPER: You sure you want to ride this thing, honey?
AZULA: Yes, of course!
The man shrugs.
BUFFALO YAK KEEPER: Alright.
The scroungy man slaps the animal's behind, causing it to run around in a ruckus. Azula only barely holds on to its neck. She did expect this to be easier than it looks.
AZULA: Make it stop! Make it STOP!
Zuko finally notices his sister's disappearance and runs towards the keeper. Aang still fixates on Ty Lee.
TY LEE: You've been staring at me all night, Aang.
She leans in provokingly, as Aang is shorter than her.
TY LEE: Is there something you want to tell me?
AANG: You're an airbender.
She is stunned once again.
TY LEE: Well, that's really sweet of you... I... guess, but I'm not. I'm not a bender.
AANG: You are though. You've been doing it all night.
Ty Lee scoffs reluctantly.
TY LEE: Please. Me? I can't bend. I don't even know what airbending is! I thought benders can only control water.
He raises an eyebrow.
AANG: No? Water is only one of the four elements. The others are earth-
He realizes his blunder.
AANG: I'm sorry, I mean air, fire and earth. Did you never learn this?
She starts acting a little nervous, spinning her index finger and thumb in an endless spiral.
TY LEE: I... may have... heard about the Earth Kingdom and some soldiers...
She waves her hand as if trying to wave away the thoughts in her head.
TY LEE: All I know is that the waterbenders protect us, and that all I'm good at is dancing.
Aang starts scratching his short hair. How would he get through to her? Before he can continue though, Azula and her brother exit the enclosure. The girl looks fuzzy and dirty. She breathes heavily, as if about to attack.
TY LEE: Your aura seems a little hurt right now, Azula.
Azula compresses every muscle in her body to hold back.
AZULA: Yes. Yes, it does.
The last stop of the festival is a small ring filled with mud. Technically a circle on the ground, but as the trio and Ty Lee arrive, they see the challenge of their last stop. Two teams, both consisting of two players are holding a large leather rope, with a blue line drawn in the middle of the mud circle. The goal is to pull the other team across the line, which is what is currently happening to two dudes, who fall into the mud face first. Their opponents, two young girls, high five each other over this victory.
TY LEE: This is our last stop - the tug-tug!
Azula, who has gotten cleaned up again, rolls over her eyes.
AZULA: No, we will not do that.
Ty Lee gives her a devilish smirk.
TY LEE: Really? Are you scared you're going to lose against me?
The boiling kettle explodes, as the fire red Azula glares at the acrobat.
AZULA: I WILL DEFEAT YOU FOR ALL TIMES! YOU WILL NEVER RISE FROM THE ASHES OF YOUR SHAME AND HUMILIATION!
Ty Lee is rightfully intimidated by the outburst. As Azula finishes, she grabs her brother's arm and walks to the left half of the circle.
ZUKO: Wait, no - I want to be on her team!
His protest goes silent, as his sister continues to drag him away. In the past, Aang was deadly afraid of outbursts like that, but in the meantime, he has gotten used to Azula and her short temper. Although, this was the most outraged he as ever seen her. He clears his throat.
AANG: So, us two then, huh?
Ty Lee tries to recover from Azula.
TY LEE: I guess...
AANG: You think two airbenders like us can take these guys?
She smiles at him. A hint of insecurity still lingers below, but Ty Lee appreciates his kind words.
TY LEE: If you say so. Let's go have fun.
She nudges him in the arm. Aang truly welcomes the change of interaction. While much of Azula's cruelty is gone in this world, it nowhere near compares to the warm and caring Ty Lee. Perhaps this sadistic world finally presents him something good for a change.
The previously silent air has begun shaking again, carrying with it a comforting summer breeze. The Blue Spirit, hidden in plain sight somewhere on deck, finally steps forth. The one guard on night duty is hopelessly outmatched by the ninja-like movements of the masked specter. As it sneaks into the lower insides of the vessel without being noticed by the guard, it clenches the hilt of its black katana. Sneaking one step at a time, it prepares for any ambush or unsuspected guard it might encounter. This mission is too important to spare any lives of innocent soldiers. Carefully, one corner at a time, the mask sneaks through the steel corridor of the ship. Many parts of the inner structure include more traditional ship-parts, like bone and wood, to make up for the lack of resources, a problem which the colonial mines will soon rectify. One last step and the ghost flinches back. A guard, suspecting an intruder, holds up his lantern. His hand also on the hilt of his weapon, a club.
GUARD: Someone there?
No response. The mask slowly pulls at the hilt, revealing a tanned, silver blade, clean and sharp, slowly emerging. The guard scoffs. The mask waits for a few more moments before retracting the part of the exposed blade. After a few more seconds, it rushes with quiet steps, towards a wooden door on the left. It's locked. The spirit pulls a hair clip from under its mask and black disguise. A few seconds of turning and the door opens. The specter flinches again. The door was creakier than it had expected. No more time to waste - it rushes quietly inside, immediately knowing where to go. Somewhere in the corner lies the captain. Sleeping. The mask is relieved. It takes a look at the wooden desk. A plethora of maps from all around the Fire Nation, or what is now part of the Water Tribes, is spread all over. The mask does not waste time, quickly sweeping up all of the paper and stuffing it into a brown bag, hanging around its waist. It grabs the last map and halts. Only now does the mask see the knife which laid upon it. In its frantic collection, it accidentally pulled it towards itself - the knife sits at the corner of the desk. It falls down. An inch before hitting the floor, the specter catches it. No sound of relief. It decides to keep the knife and runs out of the room, back the way it came, up the stairs and on to the deck.
KANNA: Beautiful night, isn't it?
The spirit looks back in shock, as it spots an old woman standing next to the balustrade. The mask can clearly see the water pouch around her waist.
KANNA: That is a nice mask you have. I believe it's from a play. Am I correct?
No response. Then, without hesitation, the mask hurls Bato's knife at Kanna. The woman ducks and the blade sticks its landing into a barrel. Kanna turns back towards the specter, and it's gone again. She looks down the side of the ship and into the water. No sign of the intruder. The night guard finally spots the woman and runs up to her.
NIGHT GUARD: Chief Mother? What are you doing here?
Kanna looks down again, wondering what the smartest response is. She finally picks one.
KANNA: Nothing. I merely hoped to catch some fresh air.
NIGHT GUARD: Absolutely, just make sure not to fall down.
Down below the two, by the side of the ship, the Blue Spirit waits for the right moment.
A middle-aged woman wearing a garland stands at the top center of the ring, holding up what looks like a small wooden paddle, raising it up in the air.
WOMAN: Alright. Are the two teams ready?
She looks to her left, where Azula is clenching on to the rope as if her life depends on it. Behind her, Zuko.
ZUKO: Uh... we're ready!
WOMAN: And the other two?
TY LEE: We're ready!
The two airbenders exchange a smile.
WOMAN: Sure. Let's go then.
She waves the paddle down and the game begins. Azula starts off by using all the strength in her forearms and hands to pull the rope as hard as she can, immediately turning her face red. Zuko similarly pulls the rope as hard as he can. Aang and Ty Lee are drawn closer to the middle line. Aang tries pulling back as hard as he can, with Ty Lee behind him trying her hardest as well. After all, she does not really seem like the muscular type.
AZULA: Come on, Zuko! Just a little more!
The veins on Azula's face stand out like mountain ranges on a topographic map.
AANG: This is hard without bending...
Seeing the Avatar in front of her struggle with much more commitment than her makes Ty Lee feel guilty. She comes up with an idea - sucking up air around her mouth and blowing it at the enemy team, which tips the balance and puts both teams back into starting positions.
AZULA: HEY! NOT FAIR!
Screaming about in anger and having used up all of her strength, Azula starts leaning in forward, as the rope is slowly drifting away from her. Zuko can also only delay the inevitable, as he burns himself on the pulled rope, letting go. This all leads to Azula losing by falling into the mud, landing precisely on the line in the middle.
WOMAN: Wo-hey! These two won! Didn't see that coming...
Ty Lee jumps up in excitement and proceeds to hug Aang.
TY LEE: We did it!
Azula flat out growls when looking up.
ZUKO: Azula! Is everything okay-
AZULA: No, it's NOT!
Finally, all present pay attention to the firebender. She gets up and crosses her arms.
AZULA: We've had our fair share of fun and games, but I'm SICK of it!
AANG: Azula, calm down-
AZULA: I will not calm down! We've been wasting all this time when we should be leaving tonight!
TY LEE: What? I- I don't understand-
AZULA: What is not to understand here? Do you want to come with us and learn airbending from Aang or do you want to stay?!
The questions bursts out of her as if it was food she choked on. Ty Lee can't deal with the pressure and sighs.
TY LEE: No, I don't.
Aang looks at her with a letdown expression.
AANG: What?
AZULA: Fine! I guess since all of that is cleared up now, we can finally leave!
She stomps away covered in mud, not really paying attention to her two companions or the shocked acrobat. Zuko scratches the back of his head and stutters.
ZUKO: Uh... well, it was nice meeting you, Ty Lee!
He waves at her awkwardly.
TY LEE: Bye...
The brother leaves. Now only Aang is left.
AANG: What? I don't understand.
TY LEE: Listen Aang...
She gently grabs his wrists.
TY LEE: This whole "airbending"-stuff is new to me, and I'm happy just being a dancer.
Aang is able to respond with a half-smile. Perhaps it's better this way. One more person along the ride means one more potential friend he loses. This way, after Aang has returned to his world, maybe Ty Lee and others could re-build the Air Nation. When and how that should ever take place.
AANG: Technically an artisan with acrobatic choreography training.
Ty Lee smiles back at him.
TY LEE: It was nice meeting you, Aang.
She leans in and gives him a little smooch on the cheek. Aang blushes slightly, trying to fight it off like some sort of virus. It was a kiss of friendship, everything else is reserved for Katara.
AANG: I hope so.
And with that, she leaves, doing one last cartwheel for entertainment purposes. Aang can't help but to chuckle.
AANG: It's better this way.
A part of Aang feels like that was a lie.
As Aang reaches the beach at night he accidentally stumbles his foot against the rock he sat on hours earlier. He tries to shake off the pain.
AANG: Guys, come on let's go.
He looks around finding no one but Zuko dropping wood.
ZUKO: Would you mind lighting that on fire?
Aang complies, gifting the dark hideout a little bit of illumination.
AANG: Where's Azula?
Zuko points at the part of the cliff Azula was changing behind earlier. A similar light shines from behind it. Aang can hear the girl cussing.
ZUKO: She said it's going to take hours to get all of the dirt out of her hair.
AZULA: Ow! OW!
ZUKO: I don't think we'll be leaving tonight.
Aang let's out a heavy sigh.
ZUKO: What's wrong?
AANG: I don't know, it's just... I was so excited to see another airbender after all this time. And then we just leave.
Zuko ponders for a moment.
ZUKO: I would have loved to have her along for the ride as well, but we have to respect her choice.
Aang nods. By the time he had left the festival and reached their camp he developed this strange pinch in his stomach. He knows leaving Ty Lee was the right thing to do, especially since she wanted it, but Aang still felt like he wanted to jump up, rush back to the blue tent, and beg her to become his student. He is about to sigh again, when Zuko cuts him off.
ZUKO: I should've taken off my shoes on the beach. Now they're full of sand.
He takes off his right boot and shakes it.
ZUKO: I hate sand.
Aang does not react and simply walks towards Appa.
ZUKO: Are you going to sleep already?
AANG: Yes.
He walks a few more steps before Zuko can react.
ZUKO: Uh... you sure you don't want to talk about it?
Aang stops.
AANG: You wouldn't understand. Neither of you.
With that, Aang jumps on the bison's saddle and lies down.
Azula, sitting behind the cliff and next to her own campfire, brushes her black hair slowly. She begins to feel guilt, as she heard everything.
AZULA: Morning!
Aang is scared half to death by an overly joyful Azula, hovering above his face, her grin as convincing as the T-800 in Terminator 2.
AZULA: Have you been sleeping well?
The uncanny valley of Azula's smile makes Aang believe he is stuck in some nightmare world. He finally gets up, rubbing his eyes.
AANG: What's going on? Are we leaving?
AZULA: No, you dum-dum!
She intends to hit him playfully in the stomach but ends up putting more force into it than necessary.
AZULA: Oh, I'm so sorry...
AANG: It's fine.
He jumps off of Appa, Azula attempting to pursue him. The airbender sees Zuko sitting by the embers of last night, sharpening his blade with a rock.
AANG: What's going on? Why aren't we leaving?
AZULA: Well, we can leave a little later, but-
She almost trips while climbing down the bison.
AZULA: But I wanted to apologize first.
She folds her hands rather awkwardly. Aang raises an eyebrow in suspicion.
AANG: Is this a trick?
Azula gets offended.
AZULA: No!
Zuko clears his throat, seemingly a cue, which calms down Azula.
AZULA: No. I'm serious Aang. I know that...
She waves around her fingers.
AZULA: Meeting another airbender means a lot to you, and the fact that Ty Lee isn't coming...
She can feel the grin building up and decides to play it down by fake coughing.
AZULA: Well, anyways, I wanted to make it up to you.
Aang is still dazed by the situation. Zuko nods more noticeably than he intended to.
AANG: Alright. How?
Azula takes on an airbending pose she copied from Aang.
AZULA: By becoming your airbending student!
Her fake enthusiasm disappears after a few seconds, revealing the real Azula again.
AZULA: Unless you don't want to, in which case we can go now.
AANG: How do you want to learn airbending if you're a firebender?
Azula grunts.
AZULA: I'm not saying I can bend air, Aang, but you can teach me about the fighting style and everything, right?
Aang ponders if this is a good idea. Eventually he makes his choice based on the fact that Azula probably had to prep for this apology.
Bato grunts as he inspects his emptied desk. The only thing upon it is his knife.
KANNA: No one saw it coming. I didn't see it leaving. It's either a professional or an actual spirit.
Bato scoffs.
BATO: I'm ruling out option two. We are dealing with someone possessing spectacular skills. An assassin maybe.
KANNA: If it were an assassin, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
A knock on the door. Kanna and Bato share a quick glance with each other.
BATO: Come in.
A young soldier enters, the messenger.
MESSENGER: Captain?
BATO: Speak.
MESSENGER: We expect to reach shore in an hour. Should we ready our ground troops?
Bato looks up in a sudden motion.
BATO: No. If we charge at them full-force the Avatar will escape on his bison. We need to move in slowly, and in small numbers.
The messenger nods.
MESSENGER: I'll ready the marines, sir.
BATO: I will lead them. Thank you.
The messenger pounds his chest, then leaves, closing the door behind him.
BATO: Don't tell anybody. No one on this ship will hear about it, until I say otherwise.
KANNA: I agree.
Bato smirks. He picks up his knife and leaves, stopping in the door frame.
KANNA: What if it is a spirit, captain?
Bato looks at his knife.
BATO: I do not fear the spirits, Chief Mother. They have chosen me to be a leader.
Kanna does not respond for a few moments. Bato begins to worry.
BATO: You performed the ritual yourself.
Kanna nods her head to the side a bit.
KANNA: So, there's nothing you have to worry about, right?
Bato pounds his chest and leaves. The old woman waits for a few seconds. She leaves shortly after inspecting the small vial hidden in her robe.
AANG: The first, and most important thing about airbending is relaxation.
The two sit in meditation poses on the sand, their eyes closed. Though Azula can't quite seem to cooperate.
AZULA: O... kay?
She closes her eyes again, though in no way is she relaxed.
AANG: Fire is the element of power. It's energy, life. You can create it from within yourself.
AZULA: I know.
Aang is frustrated by her interjections.
AANG: Air is the element of freedom. The key to airbending is flexibility. You must follow the path of least resistance.
She raises an eyebrow.
AZULA: "Least resistance?" What is that supposed to mean?
Aang sighs and gets up.
AANG: It's about the fighting style. Airbending is mostly defensive.
Azula gets up too.
AZULA: So... you don't fight?
Aang starts getting frustrated.
AANG: No, you do. You just don't fight head-on. You let your enemy use up all of his energy, then you strike back.
Azula puts her finger up to her jaw.
AZULA: That means you dodge a lot.
Aang rubs his temple.
AANG: You know what? Never mind.
He intends to walk away, Azula realizing her blunder.
AZULA: No-no-no, wait! I'm learning so much!
Aang stops. Zuko puts his swords down, sharpening his boomerang too.
ZUKO: How do you move?
AANG & AZULA: Huh?
ZUKO: One of the key aspects of sword fighting is your footwork. How do you move when you're bending fire?
Azula scoffs at her brother.
AZULA: I just move. Why would I think about it?
AANG: He has a point.
Azula is enraged.
AZULA: Are you kidding me?
AANG: No, he's right. Footwork is important for all fighting styles - including bending.
He assumes a baguazhang pose, moving in elegant circles around the beach.
AANG: Airbending has a lot of circular movements. It's the easiest way to deal with an opponent. You must be the leaf in the wind...
Azula watches his graceful footwork. Then she grunts.
AZULA: This is stupid.
Now Aang has had it.
AANG: This is how you want to make it up to me? Complain about everything?
AZULA: You complain about everything! You know how long it took me to master those firebending moves? You just picked me apart without batting an eye!
Aang only realizes this now. Yet he remains angry.
AANG: That doesn't give you the right to make fun of my airbending! We agreed to go to the Golden City together to find others like us! And then last night we finally do, and all you can do is pick her apart!
AZULA: I don't need you to tell me how to bend fire properly!
AANG: Fine with me! You'll just have to do target practice at the festival stand then!
AZULA: And you have to gawk at some other dancer just because she can blow some wind at you!
ZUKO: Ouch.
AANG: Maybe I'll ask her to come along instead?
AZULA: Maybe I'll ask her first!
AANG: Fine!
AZULA: Fine!
And with that Azula steps away angrily, not before shooting little flames from her fists against the sand.
The two remaining boys share an uncomfortably long moment of silence.
ZUKO: We'll uh... we'll pick her up on Appa later, right?
Aang crosses his arms. She is no Fire Lord, but she is still Azula.
ZUKO: Right?
The blue tent lowers in size, as several of the girls are taking their attraction down, expecting to move to a new spot soon. Ty Lee is kneeling a bit secluded away from the rest, packing a chest with costumes. She wears a more casual outfit now, one that includes fluffy pants and a pink crop top. She looks at a stack of clothing with a sad expression. Trying to cheer herself up, she blows away a box to her right, if only an inch.
RU-DE: Ty Lee, we need to talk.
She jumps up in a rush, creating a small gust of wind around her.
TY LEE: What is it?
Ru-De sighs.
TY LEE: What's going on? Your aura is really dark right now.
RU-DE: Some Water Tribe soldiers just came up to me and asked me about an airbender.
The shock grows on her face.
RU-DE: They said they were looking for someone performing "illegal bending" at the festival.
Ty Lee sits down on the chest she was just packing. Her face begins to quiver.
TY LEE: I'm fired, aren't I?
Ru-De sighs. He sits down next to her.
RU-DE: I told you to stick to the choreography, didn't I?
Ty Lee nods quietly.
RU-DE: Ty Lee, we've gone over this, okay? We're at war. The Water Tribes are hunting down any benders that might oppose them - and they don't care if that includes fire, earth, or air.
TY LEE: Where do I go now?
RU-DE: Oh, I don't know.
Ru-De gets up again with a loud grunt.
RU-DE: You know, maybe this is a good thing. A fresh start. Maybe you should travel to the Air Temples. Try to figure out this bending crap and make something new.
Ty Lee does not seem to find the advice helpful.
TY LEE: But this is all I've ever known.
Ru-De nods reluctantly.
RU-DE: Yeah... but... you're not just this. You're more than that.
Ty Lee smiles a little.
RU-DE: Now please get up from the merchandise.
Ty Lee follows his command.
TY LEE: Can I at least keep one of the outfits?
RU-DE: No.
Zuko mindlessly skims through the pages of a book he's holding above his face. Aang continues to perform some airbending poses out of spite. Zuko finally sighs and gets up.
ZUKO: We should probably go look for her now.
AANG: You go. I'll stay here.
Zuko sighs. He was not made to be the mediator.
ZUKO: Fine...
As he passes by Aang he notices the low tide becoming lower and lower, the water on the beach creeping away like in a tsunami. Like a...
Zuko snaps. he rushes back towards Aang, pulling out his boomerang.
ZUKO: Aang! Watch out!
Several shirtless muscular waterbenders drop on to the beach, carrying with them literal waves of attack, which sweep Aang and Zuko across the ground. More and more drop in by the minute, eventually, Bato is among them.
BATO: Nice weather for a beach party, Avatar.
Aang recovers quickly. He charges at Bato with a blast of fire. A soldier to his left blocks it - Aang switches to a funnel of air, which blows away some of the soldiers into the ocean. Zuko throws his boomerang. The soldier in front of him hits the boy with a stream of water. While on the ground, Zuko watches as his weapon hits the bender in the back of his head, then proceeds to catch it with a smile. A short-lived smile. As now he is surrounded. As is Appa.
BATO: Surrender now, Avatar!
Aang, who was just about to blast more marine soldiers away, looks in shock to his animal companion. Six of Bato's men have formed ice spears, holding the bison on the spot. Appa grunts.
AANG: If you scratch him, I'll kill you all!
Zuko is genuinely shocked. Bato can't help but to grin like a sadist.
BATO: You don't sound much like an Air Nomad.
AANG: Want to hear what an Avatar sounds like?
He extends both fists at the captain. A bluff, as Aang is unable to access the Avatar state willingly, which he really only now realizes. But it works - Bato seems a bit intimidated.
BATO: Hold it!
He raises his hand.
BATO: If we kill the boy or the beast, the Avatar will go into his Avatar state.
One of the soldiers frowns.
SOLDIER: That's what it's called?
BATO: Well, I didn't name it.
Bato summons a stream of water, giving him two extended water-tentacles.
BATO: Surrender now, or your friends will die right here.
Aang backs down. He can't risk another life again. Even if it triggers the Avatar state - loosing Appa and Zuko would be too much. He glares with a burning hatred at the scarred man and lowers his stance.
AANG: I will come with you. But only if you spare their lives.
BATO: Deal.
Bato waves his hand towards Appa and the soldiers begin pushing him against the cliff with big waves.
AANG: NO!
BATO: Don't worry, we won't kill him. We'll just... keep him in place.
The captain walks up to Aang, bending ice cuffs around his wrists and glaring back.
BATO: If you behave.
Act III. – The path of least resistance
Strolling aimlessly through the paved town, Azula mumbles to herself while fiddling around with her side bangs.
AZULA: Target practice...
She arrives at the elevated square but finds only the buildings that surround it. The blue tent is gone. She looks around, first in confusion, then just frustration. She grunts.
AZULA: Waste of time.
She crosses her arms. Going back now means having to apologize to Aang. Again. She hates those, which is why Zuko had to help her out a bit. Azula decides to do a little bit of investigating. She finds the middle-aged woman from the tug-tug circle, who's helping to take down lanterns hanging across from rooftops.
AZULA: Hey!
The woman glares back at the brat.
WOMAN: Hey?
AZULA: I am looking for my friend, one of the dancers?
The woman is insulted by the firebender and continues to untie a knot.
WOMAN: The Northern Lights are a traveling group. They left this morning.
Azula smiles.
WOMAN: How does your friend look like?
Her smile disappears.
AZULA: Why? I thought they left.
WOMAN: Yeah, the group, but I saw one of the girls wearing a pink crop top. I think she had a braid.
Azula raises an eyebrow.
AZULA: Where is she?
The woman shrugs.
WOMAN: How should I know? Go find her yourself.
Azula rolls over her eyes and leaves.
WOMAN: "Thank you?"
AZULA: You're welcome.
Azula continues to stroll through the town, its people slowly dismantling all signs of last night's colorful decoration. Azula wonders why she doesn't just go back to the beach. It's more than her distaste of apologies - the curiosity inside her burns with the question why Ty Lee, supposedly, left.
She finally arrives at the short pot man, who's wearing regular civilian clothing and is packing up his things too. A little bit removed from him stands a fountain, Ty Lee sitting on the edge of it. As soon as Azula spots the pot man, she decides to stop for a moment, glaring at him. Chime. The man shudders and packs his stuff quicker.
TY LEE: Azula?
Azula reacts to the acrobat's question.
AZULA: Well, who do we have...
The firebender stops herself. Ty Lee's eyes are puffy and swollen. She can hear the dancer snivel occasionally. She makes the decision to hold back for now.
AZULA: Your aura is probably not looking so colorful right now.
Ty Lee can't respond and just looks down at the ground. Oh no, Azula thinks to herself. Again, she feels underequipped for such an occasion.
AZULA: Do you... mind if I sit down?
Ty Lee shakes her head with pouting lips. The raven-haired girl sits down. For a few moments she doesn't quite know what to say.
AZULA: So uh... why'd your dance group leave without you?
Ty Lee shrugs while pouting harder.
AZULA: Hm.
The firebender dunks her fingers in the fountain for a bit.
TY LEE: What happened to your fingers?
She grabs the girl's hand and inspects the bandages. Azula pulls away in embarrassment.
AZULA: It's nothing, don't worry.
Ty Lee frowns at the girl.
TY LEE: Your aura just changed when you said that.
Azula rolls over her eyes.
AZULA: Sure it did...
TY LEE: Right now your aura is showing your discomfort.
AZULA: I wonder why.
Azula sighs.
AZULA: I was attacked by someone on our last adventure.
She inspects her fingers.
AZULA: They left me a nice souvenir.
Ty Lee pulls up her right leg and hugs it.
TY LEE: That sounds terrible.
AZULA: No. Terrible was that I let it happen.
She can feel the fiery rage building up inside her. Ty Lee takes note of it.
AZULA: I should have been strong enough to burn the place to the ground, but instead I just sat there and took it like a pathetic weakling!
Her voice starts to quiver. She has discussed the events with Aang, but never how they made her feel. She is surprised at her own reaction.
TY LEE: You're not weak.
Azula gets up and crosses her arms.
AZULA: Sure I am! I can blast all the fire I want - Aang just keeps criticizing me!
Ty Lee broods for a moment.
TY LEE: Maybe that's his way of helping you.
Azula refuses to respond. Ty Lee gets up.
TY LEE: Maybe he's just trying to get the best out of you.
The firebender scoffs. After a few moments they sit back down again.
AZULA: Maybe you're right.
She puts up a quick facade.
AZULA: But if he makes fun of my posture again, I'll start aiming my fireballs at him instead.
Ty Lee giggles a bit. Azula can't help but to smile at that.
TY LEE: Why did you come back?
Azula remembers her actual motivations.
AZULA: Um... I lost my headpiece in the mud. Yup.
TY LEE: Your aura is acting weird again.
Azula pouts angrily.
AZULA: Is it?
She tries to deflect the question.
AZULA: Can I ask you something instead?
TY LEE: Sure.
AZULA: Why didn't you come with us yesterday?
Ty Lee starts fidgeting around.
TY LEE: I don't know. I never really did any airbending courses or something. I was never allowed to talk about it either, so when you guys asked questions...
Ty Lee sighs.
TY LEE: I guess I just got scared.
AZULA: And your dance group?
The acrobat's mood sours again.
TY LEE: They fired me.
Azula frowns.
AZULA: What? Why?
TY LEE: I'm not allowed to improvise. Plus, I did use my airbending, which isn't allowed either.
Azula gets up, displaying real anger for Ty Lee's situation.
AZULA: They fired you for your bending?!
TY LEE: Yeah.
The raven-haired girl grunts. Ty Lee seems slightly relieved that someone outrages on her behalf.
AZULA: That's so pathetic! You could have done all sorts of cool stuff with that! Why would they do that?! You know what? Screw it!
She grabs Ty Lee's arm and hoists her up from the fountain.
AZULA: You'll just come with us.
Ty Lee's jaw drops out of pure joy and confusion.
TY LEE: What? Really?!
AZULA: I'm not letting you waste your time here crying about some douche bag that didn't like your talent!
TY LEE: What am I going to do with you guys? Where are you even going?
AZULA: The Golden City. Once we find it. And I guess Aang wants to teach you airbending.
TY LEE: REALLY?!
AZULA: Yeah sure. And if he's getting on your nerves as well, I'll throw some fireballs at him.
She smirks devilishly at the acrobat. Ty Lee's face starts quivering again.
AZULA: Oh, please don't cry-
The acrobat rushes her and hugs her with excitement. At first Azula is unsure how to react. After a while, she reciprocates.
AZULA: Yeah. Let's hope they boys haven't done anything while we were gone.
Bato walks up and down the deck of his ship, nervous and impatient. His marines are gathered behind him - the Avatar and his friend tied to a mast in the middle. Despite being ironclad warships, the Water Tribes still have to rely on wind and waterbending to transport their vessels.
BATO: I'm going to ask you one last time, Avatar - where is the firebender girl?
He approaches him with a dagger of ice. Aang glares at the man. In his world, Zuko managed to capture him once or twice, but never was the boy as efficient as this. He wishes Sokka would have been the one to take this "role."
AANG: Like I said, we had a fight, and she ran away. I don't know where she is.
Bato aims the dagger at Aang's neck. The boy doesn't flinch.
AANG: I know you can't kill me.
Bato backs down in a fury.
BATO: Killing you would either fail because of your Avatar State, or just trigger the cycle to create a new Avatar in the Earth Kingdom - which would not be very smart.
Aang nods his head to the side.
AANG: You seem to be a smart man. I've escaped smarter.
He can't help but to smile at Zuko a bit, which only confuses the swordfighter.
ZUKO: Huh?
BATO: Enough of your little games!
He shoots a spear of ice directly above Aang's head. The captain storms at him with the dagger from his pocket, holding it just above his left eye.
BATO: Yes, we'll keep you alive. But only barely.
He backs off again.
BATO: Send a message to the troops on the beachhead. Tell them to wait.
One of the marines frowns in confusion.
MARINE: Sir?
Bato grins with a devilish smile.
BATO: If she ran away, she'll have to come back. That's when we'll get her.
Aang glares at the captain with a seething hatred.
KANNA: It would be easier to just surrender.
The two prisoners look confused at the old lady.
AANG: I like to fight back. It's a habit.
KANNA: Oh, I'm sure. Just don't try anything stupid, like using your firebending to get rid of your restraints.
The Avatar is surprised at the old woman's wit.
KANNA: Don't think we haven't thought of that. You thought we were stupid to use regular rope, right?
Aang refuses to respond. He should have seen something like this coming. He has gotten too relaxed in this world. There is still a war.
KANNA: We drenched them in lamp oil before using them on you. So, if I were you I'd just let it go.
She walks away with a smirk. At that moment, Aang remembers Iroh. The kind old man he thought to be just another Fire Nation soldier at Zuko's side.
AANG: Why are you helping Bato?
Kanna stops.
AANG: You know he's evil.
KANNA: I know what he is.
She turns around and approaches Aang. The boy shudders as he spots the stream of water hiding under her sleeve. It peeks out in a slim and spiked form.
KANNA: And I know what I am, so don't challenge me.
She retracts the attack and leaves. Aang gulps.
ZUKO: What do we do now?
Aang sighs. He glares at Bato, standing a few feet away.
AANG: Let's hope Azula has a plan.
As Azula and Ty Lee walk on to the beach, Azula flinches, grabbing the acrobat in the middle of her cartwheel and hiding behind a bush.
TY LEE: What's going on-
The firebender shushes her. As they both squad inside the flora, Azula nods ahead. Ty Lee frowns in fear at the sight of the ironclad ship in the distance.
TY LEE: What are we going to do?
Azula shushes her again. She may not have mastered firebending, but the raven-haired girl always had a knack for strategy. She sneaks with Ty Lee behind a rock. Appa groans in pain as the waterbenders try to pull him into the ocean. His legs are frozen into a solid block of ice that manages to float on the water. He starts stretching himself. Azula catches on to this.
AZULA (whsipering): He's trying to get away.
TY LEE (whispering): How do you know that?
AZULA (whispering): Just trust me.
Appa's ice raft begins shaking. The marine soldiers get ready.
MARINE 1: If it manages to escape, kill it.
MARINE 2: But our orders are to capture it alive!
MARINE 1: I will not repeat myself.
The other marine gulps. Appa's beaver tail begins to whip against the surface.
AZULA (whispering): Can you fight?
TY LEE (whispering): No?
Azula sighs.
AZULA (whispering): You're a bender!
TY LEE (whispering): I never learned it!
AZULA (whispering): What's there to learn? Just do what you did last night!
One of the marines looks in their direction. The girls duck.
MARINE 1: She's here.
The marines ignore the beast and turn towards the rock.
TY LEE (whispering): What now?!
AZULA (whispering): I have a plan.
The soldiers approach the rock. Appa continues to struggle.
MARINE 1: Watch the beast! We'll deal with the firebender.
Marine 2 nods reluctantly. The three soldiers slowly creep towards the rock. All of them summon water from the ocean.
TY LEE: Hello!
They immediately power down.
MARINE 1: What are you doing here?
TY LEE: Distracting you.
She smiles at the marine, when from above, Azula jumps at them, blasting two fireballs at marine 3. Marine 1 and 4 summon shields of water expecting her to attack, surprised when she charges at Appa instead, blasting a part of his ice shackles, allowing him to break free from the rest. Marine 2 creates a whip of water, turning it into ice and hitting Azula in the stomach. Some of the ice breaks and a small piece flies towards Ty Lee, landing in front of her feet.
MARINE 1: We can't let the beast get away!
The marines start forming ice spears. Launching them at Appa, who dodges them.
AZULA: Fly away!
Appa grunts, disappearing behind Azula's changing room cliff. Marine 2 chases after him. Azula gets up and looks at her opponents. Without hesitation, she unleashes a fierce barrage of fire, without really aiming for anyone of the three in particular. The soldier delicately bends the waves around each other, swallowing the flames with ease. Marine 1 hits her from the side with ocean water. Azula kneels on one leg. She is already out of breath.
MARINE 1: You fight like savages! Just burning everything down without self-control!
Azula remembers Aang's airbending lesson.
MARINE 1: Your kind deserves to go down with the airbenders!
TY LEE: I disagree.
The men prepare for another water attack. What they don't expect is the acrobat throwing the little piece of ice with the same force as the target ball yesterday. She once again creates a blast of air, knocking down marine 3 and 4. Marine 1 glares at her.
MARINE 1: Impossible...
Azula gets up again. Seeing Ty Lee's reenactment of yesterday's game, she decides to do the same. How would her precision translate into firebending? Suddenly, Aang's voice rings in her head.
AANG (echoed in Azula's head): You shouldn't put as much muscle into it.
A stream of water shoots at her from marine 1 and without thinking too much, she spins like an airbender, avoids the attack, and retaliates with a precise blast from her fingertips. The marine blocks the fireball, but the blast alone throws him off his feet. Azula feels amazing. Performing an attack as powerful as this normally eats up quite a lot of her energy - but not here. The other two marines get up and shoot streams of water at the girl - she dodges with a spin, retaliating with a powerful blast from her fingertips, spinning to avoid the second attack, retaliating with a blast from her knuckles. Both marines get knocked out. Marine 1 tries to get up again. He prepares for another hit, but is knocked out by Ty Lee, who literally blows him away with her airbending. The three soldiers are defeated. Ty Lee gasps for air.
TY LEE: That was... pretty... awesome...
Azula turns around. A deep grunt from Appa and marine 2 is tossed away while screaming. Appa lands on the beachhead, one of his six feet is still frozen in a cube. Ty Lee is overwhelmed by the animal, Azula rushing to hug him.
AZULA: You did well, big guy.
Appa grunts back, in Azula's mind it meant "You too."
TY LEE: What... is that?
AZULA: That's Appa. Get on him, we have to move.
Ty Lee catches her breath and jumps on to the saddle, right after Azula sits down at the helm.
TY LEE: Hi Appa, I'm Ty Lee!
The bison emits an unusually high-pitched noise.
AZULA: Yip-yip!
The bison rises into the air.
Bato grunts in anger at the beach. The bison is missing. He lowers his telescope.
BATO: Ready all troops. Their orders are to attack the beach now.
The remaining marines jump into the water and rush towards the beachhead. A few other soldiers follow them on boats. It takes a few minutes before Bato is left alone on deck. All alone besides Kanna and some non-bending soldiers.
BATO: Looks like your little friend came back, Avatar.
Aang refuses to respond. In fact, he can't help but to smile a bit, turning Bato's stomach.
BATO: Call back the troops immediately.
A grunting and everyone peeks their heads up. Blinded by the sun, a black dot emerges, growing in size until finally taking the shape of Appa. The bison rams the ship, throwing several soldiers off already. Azula jumps down and lands in front of Bato.
AANG & ZUKO: Azula!
Ty Lee lands next to her.
AANG & ZUKO: TY LEE!
Azula frowns comically.
AZULA: Yeah, I missed you too...
Appa starts wreaking havoc against the back of the ship and its soldiers.
BATO: You...
Azula smirks and points at his scar.
AZULA: That was bigger last time.
Bato lets out a cry of anger, launching streams of water at her left and right. Azula dodges them with rolls and spins.
AZULA: Go and free them!
She dodges a third attack by jumping at Bato. A barrage of close-combat ensues - left finger, dodge, right finger, Bato blocks, he shoots water at her, she creates a little gout of flames in front of her, block, sweeping fire whip from the right, Bato ducks. The captain angrily summons water around both arms.
Ty Lee rushes towards the mast but is blocked in her path by Kanna.
TY LEE: Do I have to fight an old lady?
KANNA: Don't let looks de-CEIVE YOU!
She launches thin streams of water at the acrobat, who doges them with her acrobatic skills. The barrage is quick and precise, Ty Lee somehow managing to doge all of them playfully.
TY LEE: It's like we're dancing!
Kanna grunts.
AANG: We need to escape - now!
ZUKO: Uh... Aang?
He looks back at Zuko, whose face has shame written all over it.
AANG: What is it?
ZUKO: Promise not to be upset?
Aang sighs.
AANG: Yes...
ZUKO: I can cut us free with my boomerang.
Aang desperately wishes to slap his forehead now.
AANG: And you didn't think of it?!
ZUKO: I forgot!
The boy grabs the boomerang hidden under his shirt and starts cutting the rope.
ZUKO: You promised...
Strings of water grow from the bottom upwards, attacks that Azula only barely doges. A strike from the side knocks her across the deck, but she manages to retaliate with a blast from her foot, which Bato is forced to block. He attempts more vine-like attacks - Azula jumps, ducks, and jumps to the left, avoiding all of them. Bato starts breathing heavily.
BATO: You coward! Fight me!
Azula flings her bangs with a smirk, her hair now being loose and open.
AZULA: I am. And I'm winning.
Bato angrily shoots a blast of water at her - she spins away dodging it. Aang watches her closely with big eyes.
Kanna's attacks remain precise and use up small amounts of energy - yet competing against an athletic girl such as Ty Lee seems pointless. Surprising the acrobat, Kanna retracts her streams of water.
TY LEE: Did I win?
KANNA: I quit. Fighting you is pointless.
TY LEE: Wo-ho! I didn't even have to use airbending.
Upon hearing this Kanna shoots a surprise attack at the dancer. Ty Lee instinctively does her "wow"-move from last night - jumping into the air a good 20 feet, this time creating a wave of air, which blows the old woman away. Aang gasps at the acrobat.
AANG: Wow.
Zuko is close to cutting the last rope.
ZUKO: Just for the record, I wanted to go to the festival.
Aang smiles. The last rope is cut.
Bato, in his fury, creates wave after wave, meant to clash Azula, also shaking his ship in the process. The few soldiers left to deal with Appa fall off deck. Appa grunts. While blasting flames from her fingertips, Azula is ultimately unable to dodge the attacks. After getting hit by three consecutive waves she rolls over and grunts in pain. Bato walks towards her. He is breathing heavily.
BATO: Guess... you didn't win after all.
Azula, while in pain and soaked in ocean water, still can't help but to smile back.
AZULA: I still did.
Bato frowns in anger.
BATO: How? You are... defeated!
AZULA: By following the path of least resistance.
A grunt and Bato turns his head to the left. Appa lands in front of him, accompanied by Aang, Zuko, and Ty Lee.
AZULA: Maybe next time you should check on your breathing.
He clenches his fists, creating daggers of ice on both his hands, intending to rush Azula. Before anything like that can happen, Aang already creates a funnel of air with his staff, blasting the captain with full force down the stairs, knocking him out for good.
AZULA: About time.
AANG: Let's go!
The firebender climbs on to Appa.
ZUKO: Yip-yip!
Appa grunts, soaring into the skies and away from the deserted ship.
Bato grunts upon waking up. He staggers up the stairs only to meet Kanna.
BATO: What...
KANNA: They escaped, captain.
He pushes her aside, trying to find his footing on deck.
KANNA: I've called back the troops on shore. I wonder what they will say.
Bato bursts at her.
BATO: THEY WILL SAY WHAT I COMMAND THEM TO, BROAD! I AM THEIR CAPTAIN AND I HAVE BEEN CHOSEN BY THE SPIRITS!
He turns around and takes a few moments to calm down.
BATO: Don't think that holding a royal title makes you any better.
KANNA: At least I'm not a liar.
A clink on the ground catches Bato's attention. He looks down, finding the empty vial he used for the ritual. He frowns in fear. The old woman approaches him dangerously close.
KANNA: Don't talk to me like that ever again. Captain.
She turns away and walks down the stairs. Bato gulps in anger, freezing all water on deck.
The sun dangles on the zenith, drenching the quartet on Appa with unbearable heat. Azula sits on the side, squeezing the saltwater from her hair.
AZULA: Ugh. My hair is going to be a mess for the next few days.
TY LEE: I know a special conditioner for that. We can go and get one together.
Azula smiles halfway, trying to keep her genuine happiness from the group.
AZULA: I would love to do that.
Ty Lee turns towards Aang, who sits in the front of the saddle.
TY LEE: I really hope it's not a big deal if I come along.
Aang smirks. He never really knew the old Ty Lee in his world. He is meeting a brand-new person. And an airbender on top.
ZUKO (holding Appa's reins): I am happy to have you!
TY LEE: Me too, Zuko!
Zuko blushes. Sabachi runs towards Ty Lee and sits on her lap.
AANG: Sabachi? Where have you been?
AZULA: I think she was hiding in one of our bags.
Ty Lee pets the lemur.
TY LEE: Aren't you a little cutie? You are the most adorable thing I've ever seen.
Sabachi hisses at Ty Lee and runs towards Aang instead. Ty Lee is shocked.
AANG: Don't mind her, she's...
AZULA: Different.
Azula stops messing with her untied hair and sits next to Aang. Without her headpiece, Aang thinks, she reminds him a bit of Katara. If only for a second.
AZULA: Speaking of different...
AANG: I'm sorry.
Azula is baffled.
AZULA: Well, I'm... sorry too. You only wanted to teach me, and I didn't listen.
AANG: And I'm sorry I was being so critical. Turns out you did master it all by yourself.
Azula inspects her nails.
AZULA: I had a good teacher.
The two share a smile.
TY LEE: Oh! Speaking of, Aang?
AANG: What?
She grabs his hands, Sabachi running over to Azula.
TY LEE: Can you teach me airbending?
Aang doesn't quite know what to say. He has not given up on his friends - he will find a way to help this world and return. But meeting another airbender for the first time in a hundred years? With tears of joy in his eyes he rushes at Ty Lee and hugs her.
AANG (teary): Yes...
Ty Lee can't keep her tears back and sobs as well.
TY LEE (tears): THANK YOU! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!
Azula is moved by the display of emotion. She wonders how she'll react when encountering other firebenders. She scratches Sabachi's ear and smiles.
AZULA: So. Has anyone seen my headpiece?
The sun sets over the shores, with the waves clashing against the sand and rocks. In the background, the Matariki anchors by a cliff. Kenora wanders around the sand beach, stopping in her tracks and looking down.
SOKKA: Poko? Can you help me with the mast? Please...
Kenora ignores the plea for help and squads down. She picks up a golden needle and the headpiece next to it.