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
Book 1: Fire
Episode 7
Winter Solstice Part 1:
The Tengu King
Act I. – The bridge
Two geta-shaped feet rush through the woodwork and tropical flora. The creature resembles a monkey in shape and size, only with the difference of pure white fur, with a little goatee hanging down from the part of its face which would be a chin on humans. As it traverses through the tropical bush, plants and treetops, it pushes aside anything in its way with the little fan shaped leaf blade, which it holds in both hands. Two of his companions appear left and right, they all scream back and forth at each other, as if having an argument. Then they all stop. The one on the right, sitting on a branch, jumps away first, abandoning its companion in the middle, who is frozen in shock. The monkey creature on the left runs away next. Now the thing is left alone with the Blue Spirit. Before the monkey can do anything - attack, run away, make a noise - it gets cut in half with deadly precision by a katana. The blue mask tilts its head to the side, surprised that its deadly weapon did not seem to kill the animal. In front of it, two white clouds float around in the air for a moment, then re-materialize back into the monkey. The angered spirit chatters at its attacker, insulted that a silly human would even try such a thing. Annoyed by this, the Blue Spirit slices again, this time the clouds form back into a creature a few steps away, allowing the monkey to flee as soon as possible.
The Blue Spirit retracts the blade back into its sheath.
Soaring through the cloudy skies, Aang ponders at the front of Appa about Azula's theory. Merging with this version of Aang? Who is this Aang? The other three know of Aang's mental absence, as they sit inside the saddle in a half circle inspecting a map. Although in reality, Azula is little impressed by the route planing, crossing her arms and placing one of her legs across the other, letting the foot bounce in the air against the wind.
ZUKO: So... why are we flying west again? I thought the Golden City was this way.
He points at a part of the map that is located northeast of the Fire Nation mainland archipelago. Azula sighs without looking at her brother.
AZULA: Because going back the same way we came is most likely how we encounter more Water Tribe ships.
TY LEE: And pirates...
Ty Lee stares at the map while hugging her legs, which hides her chin. Zuko ponders how to respond, scratching the top of his head.
ZUKO: I guess that's smart.
His finger runs across a possible route, starting in the south-west of the archipelago, moving across the north and reaching the west shore of the northern Earth Kingdom.
ZUKO: If we head north from here on out, we should make a stop somewhere west of Mai Sa Lu. After that, we should be able to reach the Earth Kingdom in no time.
TY LEE: And then next stop - Golden City!
She unclutches herself and stretches her arms out, negatively affecting Azula with her sparkling enthusiasm.
AZULA (sarcastic): Yes, wonderful.
Ty Lee sits down in a lotus position, while Zuko rolls the map back together.
TY LEE: Did Aang see in one of his visions when we reach it?
Azula sits down normally, trying to appear as serious as possible, while answering with a lie.
AZULA: I told you before, Aang doesn't have visions of the future, he has Avatar messages that his previous lives send him.
ZUKO: Yes... and it's... still pretty weird that he hasn't told us before.
AANG: I'm sorry for that.
They all turn towards the front in surprise.
AANG: It was wrong of me to hide the truth. I thought that... telling you everything would only upset you.
Technically the truth.
TY LEE: It's okay to be honest with us Aang. We will always support you.
Azula scoffs dismissively.
AZULA: Like he doesn't know that...
Ty Lee and Zuko shift their focus back at Azula, while the Avatar steers the bison ahead.
TY LEE: Your aura is really weird sometimes. You say things that should have a certain energy, but they have a completely different one.
ZUKO: Like a different color?
Ty Lee's eyes sparkle up, as she excitedly waggles her hands.
TY LEE: Colors! That's so genius, Zuko!
She gives him a smooch on the cheek, confirming to Azula that this isn't an Aang-exclusive thing. She doesn't quite know why, but the reassurance makes her happy. Zuko can only blush and rub his face as if a spell had been cast on him.
TY LEE: Your aura changed to a... pink color! Full of love and happiness!
She looks over to Azula.
TY LEE: Do you-
AZULA: No.
Ty Lee pouts, saddened by her answer. But, as she shifts towards Aang, her happiness jumps back like a switch.
TY LEE: Do you want to know what your aura color is-
Azula takes not of her sudden shift in mood. Even without aura reading the firebender can tell something just happened.
AZULA: Ty Lee?
TY LEE: Aang? Your color just went all dark...
AANG: I know.
With a lowered head he points down at the jungle the gang is flying over. A gigantic portion of it consists of dried out mat yellow trees and bushes, almost like a gaping scar. As everyone looks down in shock, Aang snaps his brows at the sudden déjà-vu experience. Azula immediately catches on to it and knows right ahead what Aang's reaction signifies.
TY LEE: What happened here?
ZUKO: First snow, now drought season.
AANG: No. This isn't natural.
Ty Lee and Zuko look at Aang in shock while Azula hangs her head low in shame, knowing already what he is about to reveal.
AANG: Water Tribe.
He signals his bison to land by pulling its reins. Ty Lee gulps, as everyone's aura turns grey at once.
ZUKO: It makes sense.
The quartet plus animal companions stand in different corners of a small ridge, staring at the dried-out forest with shock and disbelief written all over their faces.
TY LEE: Why would anyone do that?
The acrobat hugs herself in a state of horror. Aang feels bad for the girl, hoping sincerely that she gets used to seeing bad things.
ZUKO: We've seen waterbenders sucking the water out of a palm tree or two, but never on this scale.
Zuko folds his hands together, going down on his knees and mumbling something quietly to himself with closed eyes. Aang raises an eyebrow while Azula slaps her forehead.
AZULA: Oh no...
AANG: What is he doing?
Zuko glares back at them, supposedly very unhappy at his sister's comments.
ZUKO: I am trying to appease the spirits, so they don't latch out against anyone in their anger.
He continues with his prayer. Aang once again experiences a déjà-vu, trying to hide it as best as he can from Ty Lee's aura radar. Azula, of course he thinks, notices it.
ZUKO: You of all people should know that Aang. You're the bridge between the two worlds.
Ty Lee's pupils dilate with excitement.
TY LEE: Woah... that sounds amazing.
AZULA: Yeah, sure.
She pokes Aang in the shoulder.
AZULA: Hey, can I talk to you for a moment, bridge guy?
He nods and they walk a few feet away. Ty Lee remains with the bowing Zuko, but pouts in suspicion at the two. Once they are far enough away, Azula turns, gesturing to Aang that he should turn his back towards the others.
AZULA: I know that look.
Aang scoffs in a mischievous way.
AANG: I expected you to say that.
AZULA: It's not like I'm going to ignore your weird behavior after that.
She taps her nails on her chin.
AZULA: So, what exactly are we up against?
He hangs his head down low, pondering, trying to dig up the memory matching the events unfolding. The adventure involving Hei Bai and the Spirit World finally pops up.
AANG: We came across a burned forest. A nearby village was attacked by an angered spirit, and I had to deal with it.
Despite being spot on earlier, the raven-haired girl does appear shocked.
AZULA: Wow. So, it's literally just the same but with waterbender bad guys.
Aang scratches his hairy scalp.
AANG: I wouldn't rely on everything being a repeat. A lot of things are, but we should be prepared for any departures.
She nods her head, both hands placed on the opposite arm's elbow.
AZULA: So, what's your plan? Look for the village? Try to stop the ghost?
AANG: Spirit.
She rolls her eyes over in distaste.
AZULA: Ugh, fine, spirit. But what should we do? Wouldn't it be smarter to avoid danger?
AANG: No.
Azula's brow shoots up.
AZULA: No?
AANG: Something important is going to happen, and if we leave, I may miss it.
The realization sets in on her face.
AZULA: The Winter Solstice.
Aang nods quietly.
AZULA: So, we have to stay.
AANG: Yes.
Aang blinks twice, then remembers...
AANG: Although we should stay either way. I'm not just going to leave if innocent people are getting attacked by a spirit.
Azula waves him off literally and figuratively.
AZULA: Yeah, yeah, it's not like we have a million other things to do.
TY LEE: What are you guys talking about?
The two stay silent for a moment, exchanging looks. When Ty Lee has enclosed on them and how much she has heard is unknown to him.
AANG: We-
AZULA: We've decided that Zuko is right.
Zuko looks up, his face changing from excitement...
ZUKO: I am!
...to confusion.
ZUKO: I am?
AZULA: Yes. Aang can feel an angered spirit is haunting this place. It is his duty as Avatar to go and check out if any villages have been attacked.
Aang now is really happy that Azula is on his side.
ZUKO: Did you just say... angry... spirit?
The 16-year-old boy with a stern face turns into a shivering coward within a few seconds. Aang stares at him with big eyes.
AANG: Is he...?
AZULA: Superstitious? Yes.
VILLAGER: I thought I was going crazy when I saw the flying bison...
All heads turn towards a rugged path. An old man with a cane approaches, pointing at Aang with his bony finger.
VILLAGER: You are dressed like a boy of the Fire Nation, but your tattoos... if the rumors are true, then you are the Avatar!
Aang respectfully bows down with the Fire Nation gesture he learned from Prince Zuko.
VILLAGER: Please, our village-
AZULA: Is in grave danger?
Now everyone stares at Azula, who couldn't be more offended.
AZULA: What?
VILLAGER: Yes, uh... it is.
As they walk off, Aang can only barely hold back his smile, appreciating Azula's perceptiveness.
Cutting through flimsy bush, Bato grunts and curses, finally arriving at his destination.
KANNA: Ah. Captain Bato, how good to see you.
Bato turns around in an instant, hiding his blushed face from the naked woman.
BATO: I'm... very sorry to intrude on you Chief Mother...
His apology was as insincere as usual, but Kanna doesn't mind. Sitting in an artificial cold tub, she relaxes amongst the ice water, which includes little cubes of frozen liquid.
KANNA: No offense taken, captain. I was hoping to find one of these hot tubs, and quickly decided to repurpose it to my liking. After all, I'm just an old lady in the heat of the Fire Nation.
Bato turns around with a glare, realizing that the old woman's private parts are submerged in water. Still, Water Tribe culture takes female nudity very seriously.
BATO: Your lack of clothing is obscene, woman.
KANNA: What? You're the one looking. Who's going to tell your crew anyways?
His brow is pulled down further by his cringing teeth.
KANNA: Why are you here anyways? Can't I enjoy myself?
Her devilish smirks gains her an angry grunt from Bato.
BATO: This morning I got a messenger puffin from the Vice Chief.
Her eyes flare up.
KANNA: Really? What did he say?
Bato holds the message in his hand but hesitates.
BATO: Why should I tell it to a crone like you?
She shrugs, splashing the water a bit.
KANNA: I don't know. You came to me.
He puts the message back into his pocket.
BATO: He expects the Avatar to head north - our way. He advised me to be on the lookout.
KANNA: And?
Bato looks at her with a glare of defeat.
BATO: What do you suggest? Last time I listened to Puwati he led me away from the Avatar.
Kanna ponders for a moment, letting air out through her pursed lips.
KANNA: I suggest you listen to the Vice Chief.
He seems to be surprised by that answer.
BATO: How so?
KANNA: The Avatar alone is already dangerous enough. But now he's travelling with another airbender and a firebender - one you lost to recently.
Bato clenches his fists in rage.
BATO: You lost against the airbender girl!
KANNA: I didn't really fight her.
BATO: Then you're the cowardly woman that I perceive you as!
KANNA: Well, it's not losing if you don't choose to fight...
He finally calms down.
BATO: What do you mean?
KANNA: It means that there is no pride or strength in charging head-first into a battle that you are bound to lose. We're not the Earth Kingdom, captain. Water has many uses...
Bato looks again at the message, finally understanding her train of thought.
BATO: So, what you're suggesting is to wait for the Avatar to show himself.
KANNA: Look for him in the jungle and he will escape. Wait for him to show himself and we can catch him.
Bato smirks.
BATO: Like hunting bunny hedgehogs.
Kanna nods.
BATO: If the Avatar's bison is as fast as we have calculated, you should return to my ship immediately.
KANNA: Oh, I doubt he'll be that quick. Haven't you noticed how he always takes ridiculous detours?
Bato scratches his beardless chin.
BATO: Like in Mai Sau Lu, or Musho Ichi.
KANNA: It's his responsibility to help the weak. We should expect him to take his time.
Bato tilts his head to the side.
BATO: If that is true, he could be vulnerable. Maybe we should attack him.
KANNA: Maybe.
She leans her head back against the rock.
KANNA: But I predict that would be your downfall.
He leaves the hidden clearing, still frowning in disapproval of the old woman's harsh words.
They arrive in a secluded village, hidden by thick, tropical woodwork. They stare in awe at the orderly placed stone houses, all of which are slightly elevated above the pebble-filled ground. In addition, all houses are equipped with Fire Nation style wooden roofs - although not really all.
ZUKO: What happened?
Aang stares at the partially destroyed roofs and damaged buildings, knowing the answer already.
VILLAGER: This is our village's matriarch.
He gestures to a tall, but gentle looking woman, whose hair is bound together gracefully in a top knot. Azula envies her beautiful headpiece, missing her own and cursing her current one, which is made out of wood and beginning to fall apart. The matriarch bows with the typical Fire Nation gesture, all respond by repeating it, although Azula does it with a delay.
MATRIARCH: Welcome, Avatar. I was wondering if we had seen a specter, or if it was really you.
Zuko flinches slightly at the word specter.
AANG: It's an honor to meet you. How can we-
AZULA: Really nice, indeed. So anyways, who's smashing your stuff?
Everyone seems quite offended by Azula's rude interjection. The matriarch frowns at her, hands folded.
MATRIARCH: I don't see why I would answer you, young lady. Don't strut around my village like you own it.
Before Azula can lash out against her, Aang steps in between. Literally.
AANG: I'm... very sorry for my friend, she is just trying to help.
Comically, in the background, Zuko tries holding back his sister, while Ty Lee watches in horror. The matriarch clears her throat.
MATRIARCH: Well, Avatar, there is indeed something "smashing our stuff."
She walks him to the center of their village, holding at a large daruma statue, which displays a furred ape-like creature with an abnormally long nose, geta shoes and a white beard, although the coloring is not as vibrant as it probably was when the statue was made.
MATRIARCH: The protector of our forest has decided to turn against us.
Azula has calmed down, and the other three are able to join the exposition.
MATRIARCH: It is the Sōjōbō, the king of the Tengu. Why he is attacking our village, we don't know.
Ty Lee holds her finger up to her chin like a really small child.
TY LEE: What's a Tengu?
Zuko steps in with a lot more enthusiasm than Aang expected.
ZUKO: Tengu are little forest spirits that are meant to keep out unwelcome visitors. They look like little monkeys with white fur.
The matriarch smiles.
MATRIARCH: Good. Someone taught you well.
Zuko scratches the back of his head, while Ty Lee smiles at him, Aang, impressed, nods his head, and Azula rolls her eyes over.
ZUKO: Thanks. My uncle taught me a lot about the spirits.
AZULA: Which is why he is so afraid of them.
The matriarch bows at Zuko...
MATRIARCH: He taught you well.
...and then frowns at Azula.
MATRIARCH: This one not so much.
Azula inspects her nails without a response.
AANG: How can we help?
Their combined attention shifts back towards Aang.
MATRIARCH: The question is - how can you help? The Avatar is the bridge between the material and the spiritual world, and with the Winter Solstice coming closer, the lines between the worlds become blurry. We fear that if Sōjōbō is not calmed, his attacks may become stronger. And more devastating.
Aang shares a concerned look, first with Azula, then with the other two. He ponders for a moment, trying to remember the scenario with Hei Bai. He once again exchanges looks with Azula, who seems to be able to give him her input without saying a word. Ty Lee raises an eyebrow. Aang finally turns back towards the matriarch.
AANG: Is there some kind of bigger statue, or shrine in the jungle?
ZUKO: For the Sōjōbō?
Aang nods.
AANG: Yes.
The matriarch tilts her head to the side.
MATRIARCH: Yes, there is. How did you know that?
Aang smirks when all of a sudden, a random memory of his old Sokka pops up.
AANG: Just my instinct.
He shrugs playfully.
MATRIARCH: Very well. What's your proposal?
Aang turns towards his friends.
AANG: We wait at that shrine for Sōjōbō to show up. I try and convince him to leave the village alone.
TY LEE: You can do that?
He shrugs, thinking back to how he dealt with Hei Bai.
AANG: I guess.
Zuko, very clearly, unnaturally, and awkwardly clears his throat.
ZUKO: Azula? Can we talk for a moment?
His sister sighs and almost doesn't respond.
AZULA: Sure.
The siblings walk a few feet away. Aang can't make out what they are talking about, but the gesturing on both parts in quite comical. After a few seconds, Azula walks back with an angered frown while Zuko waits and twiddles his thumbs.
AZULA: Zuko and I will be staying here.
Aang and Ty Lee look at each with confused expressions.
AANG: What? Why?
Azula emits the loudest grunt possible.
AZULA: Zuko is scared of ghosts.
ZUKO (in the background): Spirits!
AZULA (shouting back at him): I don't care!
The matriarch slaps her forehead.
MATRIARCH: May Agni help us all...
The last ice cube melts in Kanna's makeshift bathtub. Her eyes blink open carefully at the crackling bush around her, waking her up from her nap.
KANNA: What's going on? Who is there?
From the bushes, a little white monkey with geta shoes appears, staring at Kanna with curious eyes.
KANNA: Oh... well, hello there little Tengu. Are you watching over me?
The spirit screeches terribly and runs away.
KANNA: Well, no need to get rude.
A deadly gout of fire blasts right above Kanna's head and hits the ground around the pool, setting it on fire. Four soldiers dressed in black and red scaly armor surround her, three spears pointed directly at her neck, while the commanding officer stands in front of her. The young man's armor is shiny, with a white and gold ribbon going across his shoulder. His black hair is held by a top knot. He aims his fists at her.
MALU: In the name of the Fire Nation, you are under arrest!
Kanna dives deeper into the pool, only revealing her head.
KANNA: You dishonorable swine! I am a defenseless old lady, and you dare to point weapons at me?
The men holding spears seem intimidated, but Malu scoffs, waving his bangs aside.
MALU: You're not just any old woman. You are the Chief Mother, I presume? Member of the Water Tribe royal family?
She glares at him.
KANNA: That's still Water Tribes to you!
He arrogantly nods to the side.
MALU: Put your clothes back on, your highness. You're coming with us.
Kanna could probably take out the young, inexperienced commander by herself. But for now, she chooses to comply.
Aang and Ty Lee stroll through the thick tropical forest, with Aang hastily brushing aside any leaves and bushes in order to stay on the hard-to-find path. The faster he can calm down this Sōjōbō, the faster they can leave for the Golden City. But then again, Aang suspects that he might encounter a spirit which provides him with an alternate route...
TY LEE: So, Aang...
He notices her inquisitive tone and immediately tries to calm down his nerves, in case she tries to squeeze the truth from his aura.
AANG: What's up?
Ty Lee folds her hands behind her back in an innocent fashion.
TY LEE: Oh, nothing.
As soon as Aang directs his gaze away from her she puts her hands forth, gently holding her own head.
TY LEE: I was just wondering when you were going to tell me.
His head races to all kinds of different outcomes, yet he tries to remain calm.
AANG: What do you mean?
TY LEE: Oh, I think it's obvious.
She puts her hands on her hips, reminding Aang of Azula.
TY LEE: Ever since you and Azula got captured in Changchun, you two have been acting weird.
Aang moves forward, with the tropical heat hiding his nervous sweat in between real sweat.
AANG: Weird? Weird like how?
He gulps quietly.
TY LEE: It's so obvious, Aang. The way you two always drift off and plot quietly with each other...
He stares at her in fear. Her face transform into a large smile and she stretches her arms out at the announcement.
TY LEE: You and Azula are an item!
His pupils shrink to comical size, as does his mouth.
AANG: What?
TY LEE: You two are dating in secret! It's so obvious - and so romantic!
Cartoon hearts spark from her face. Aang shakes his head and returns to a normal expression.
AANG: No. No... Azula and I-
He arranges the complicated feelings about the raven-haired girl, ranging from his memories of the Fire Lord, to his growing friendship, to the close bond the two have developed in the prison cell in Changchun. He scratches the headband she gifted him.
AANG: Azula is a friend. She's... special, I can't really... compare the kind of friendship that we have to any other person I've ever met.
He raises his brow, being surprised at his own description.
TY LEE: Oh. Special...
Aang sighs loudly.
AANG: Stop.
They continue treading on the path.
TY LEE: There's nothing wrong about it, by the way!
Aang shrugs.
AANG: Hey, I know what I feel. But you're right, there's nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to love.
He suppresses a bad memory hidden in a pause but continues his train of thought in this world.
AANG: I'm not mad at you and Zuko either.
The turns table and the same goofy expression Aang carried earlier is cast on to Ty Lee's face.
TY LEE: What? No! Me and - stop it! Nonsense!
Aang smirks, while she waves her hand, as if the accusation was a bad stench she tries to wave off.
TY LEE: We're just... good friends! Pals! Comrades! Soldiers!
Not even she believed that last part, so she shuts up in a pout.
AANG: Look.
He points ahead at the relatively large clearing - a hill of moderate size, only shallow grasses upon it, and with an even bigger statue of the Sōjōbō in the middle. Around him are placed a dozen or so tinier statues, all with a similar design, but without the long noses or frowning eyes.
TY LEE: Is that the spot?
She walks past by Aang, trying to leave the conversation behind her in the jungle.
AANG: Looks like it.
They walk ahead and halt at the big statue in the middle. Aang is truly impressed by its size and wonders why he didn't spot it earlier while flying on Appa.
TY LEE: And... what exactly do we do now?
He frowns at the question, not in anger at Ty Lee, but at the realization that he really has no idea. He tries touching the statue, hoping to get visions of Sōjōbō - maybe call to him - but... nothing. He lets out a sigh.
AANG: I don't know. I was hoping that being in a spiritual place like this would allow me to... contact him or something.
TY LEE: Maybe he shows up later.
She lets herself fall back, only to land on her hands, switching from a handstand, into a hand-walk. Aang chuckles at her skill, being happy that he can just enjoy it for what it is, rather than having to figure out how to combat it.
AANG: You're really good at that.
She laughs back at him
TY LEE: Thanks!
She flips back on her feet, creating mild winds.
AANG: I'm still so impressed by your airbending.
He takes a moment to really internalize.
AANG: I'm mostly grateful that I'm able to have met another airbender in my lifetime.
TY LEE: Aw... I'm so happy I've met you as well!
Without hesitation she launches at him with a hug.
TY LEE: I hope we don't make someone jealous...
He rolls his eyes as she cartwheels into another handstand.
AANG: Whatever you say...
She walks (on her hands) towards a smaller statue.
TY LEE: Just trust me Aang - I have a gift for those kinds of things. There was this one-time Ru-De tried to-
As she lays her back over one of the little statues, a screech alerts her, causing her to fall down, as a white spirit emerges from it. Ty Lee jumps back on her feet, Aang to her side. The little cloud transforms into a curious monkey - Aang grabs Ty Lee's extended arms, which are ready to blow it away if necessary.
AANG: Calm down. It's a Tengu.
Ty Lee complies, expressing herself peacefully.
TY LEE: Oh, so you're a Tengu?
The monkey nods its head to the side.
AANG: We mean no harm, spirit. We are looking for the Sōjōbō.
The monkey nods its head to the other side. Ty Lee approaches it carefully, bowing down as if trying to talk to a little child.
TY LEE: Do you know where we can find him, little guy? I heard he's your king.
The Tengu unleashes an ominous screech, which makes Ty Lee flinch backwards. The two airbenders look in shock, as around them all the small Tengu statues spew out white clouds, which form into white monkeys. In light of seeing two humans, their anger seems to gradually rise. Aang and Ty Lee raise their arms again.
TY LEE: I think they mean harm...
In the past, Aang would have tried to resolve something like this. But with Ty Lee by his side...
AANG: You have to calm down! We don't want to hurt you, but we will defend ourselves!
He had hoped that this alone would calm down - or at least intimidate the spirits surrounding them. Instead, the initial monkey summons a leaf fan and glares at Ty Lee.
AANG: Watch out!
The spirit launches at Ty Lee - Aang stops it with a gust of wind, briefly turning it into a gas, before it transforms back and lands on its geta-shaped feet. Two different monkeys launch at Aang with their blades, but Ty Lee quickly spin kicks an air slash towards them, blowing them away. The monkey spirits screech and chatter aggressively at the surrounded airbenders.
TY LEE: Please Tengu, you have to listen to us! We are only here to talk!
A trumpet like, deep-bass growl grabs everyone's attention, but mostly the spirits, who react by fleeing the hill and disappearing into the woodwork. Aang shudders at the realization.
TY LEE: What was that?
AANG: The Sōjōbō.
He looks at her with a frown, being able to transfer his fear on to her.
AANG: And it came from the village.
Act II. – The Spirit World
Sabachi scratches her ear, raising her head at the loud growl, which seems not far away from the village. The entire populace, which it isn't a lot, hides in the largest building of the city, a giant brick construction with a wooden floor inside.
ZUKO: Azula! Close the window!
While everyone is cowering inside the building, Azula is casually glancing outside a small, wooden window, as the sun is setting in the distance. Sabachi jumps down from the porch and runs over to Zuko.
AZULA: Why? I don't see any spirits yet.
A light breeze sweeps across the pebble ground. Azula taps her fingers impatiently, mumbling to herself.
AZULA: What is taking him so long...
The matriarch brings a blanket to a mother and her child, glaring at Azula.
MATRIARCH: Your arrogance will be your downfall, child.
AZULA: "Your arrogance will be your downfall!" - are you listening to yourself? Must be annoying.
The matriarch grunts loudly.
MATRIARCH: If you wish to be killed by Sōjōbō so be it.
Azula smirks, not noticing the matriarch's firm grab on her elbow, throwing Azula outside and closing the door behind her.
AZULA: Hey!
She gets up and knocks on it.
AZULA: Open the door NOW!
She continues to knock, while Zuko gets up in protest.
ZUKO: Get her back inside! That spirit is going to get her!
MATRIARCH: And that will be her choice.
Azula peaks inside the wooden window.
AZULA: Fine! I'll just find Aang - the Avatar - and explain why I got kicked out of the safe house!
She angrily stomps away, Sabachi escaping the inside and landing on her favorite human's shoulder. The lemur chatters.
AZULA: Totally...
While all of this is unfolding Zuko is losing his marbles inside.
ZUKO: What are you doing?!
The matriarch pouts angrily.
MATRIARCH: Defending my people.
Zuko stares outside the window at his sister arrogantly walking away, towards the daruma statue.
AZULA: Aang better blow that lady into the ocean...
ZUKO: Azula! Come back here, it's not safe!
She turns around, spotting her brother in the window, with a shocked expression written across his face. Sabachi looks at the statue and lowers her ears.
AZULA: I'll come back as soon as Miss Turtleduck comes out of her shell and actually does something!
A deep growl behind Azula grabs her attention. She slowly, and timidly turns around, looking up at the ten-feet-high spirit towering above her.
Aggressively cutting himself through the jungle again, Bato and two of his men finally reach the bathing spot. Empty.
BATO: Chief Mother?
The scarred man looks around disoriented.
SOLDIER 1: We can't find her, captain.
SOLDIER 2: Her clothes are gone as well.
Bato quietly absorbs the information, locking his eyes on the abandoned rock tub. He puts his hand in, feeling that the water has regained its naturally hot temperature.
SOLDIER 1: What do you think of that, sir?
The soldier points at the ground, where a straight line is burning across it. Bato grumbles.
BATO: I was hoping she came back to our ship by herself...
He kneels down, closely investigating the patch of grass, or what used to be grass.
BATO: I'm afraid the Chief Mother has been taken prisoner by firebenders.
The soldiers exchange looks.
SOLDIER 1: Captain? Should be recall the Avatar search team?
Bato ponders for a moment. Should he lose the Great Chief's mother, not even an Avatar could help him.
BATO: Call them back, tell them to scatter the area. Have our buffalo yak cavalry search the nearby volcanic fields.
The soldier nods. Bato wonders what he would do if he got to the Avatar before Kanna.
Azula slowly walks back step by step, while her animal companion abandons her immediately, though Azula is unable to utter a snappy comment. The Sōjōbō resembles a gorilla in shape, with a few features deviating from that - the long nose, which looks like that of a proboscis monkey, its eyes are glowing white without pupils, its fur is a dark white with a large beard, with its massive hands growing leaves from its knuckles which resemble claws, the feet are shaped like geta shoes - and then of course there's the size. The King of the Tengu lets out a loud breath, which creates no wind, but still forces Azula to gulp in fear.
AZULA: Well... you must be this... Sōjōbō I've heard so much about... hehe...
Her awkward chuckle only causes the spirit to approach her. While Sabachi flies inside the safe house, Zuko - in an act of utter desperation - rushes outside, carrying his weapons with him. The villagers, Sabachi, and especially the matriarch, stare at him in shock as he opens the door.
MATRIARCH: What are you doing?!
ZUKO: Defending my people!
He rushes outside, shutting the door behind him.
ZUKO: What am I doing?!
The leaf claws grow larger, and the spirit begins to frown.
AZULA: I uh... don't think I can hurt you, so... please just leave?
After a small pause, the Sōjōbō swings his massive arm in her direction. She can narrowly duck away, watching in horror as the creature cuts the side of a stone building off.
AZULA: I think that's a "no".
The Sōjōbō growls angrily, then proceeds to commit numerous amounts of property damage to the village, utilizing either its grass blades, its giant arms, or just tackling them down. The matriarch, Sabachi and some other villagers stare in horror from the window.
ZUKO: Azula!
The raven-haired girl looks in awe at her cowardly brother running towards her.
AZULA: Zuko? Why aren't you inside?
Zuko grunts at his own stupidity, although Azula is impressed.
ZUKO: We came to protect this village! We can't just hide in there and do nothing!
The matriarch, being able to hear every word, seems impressed by the boy's words. Azula looks over his broadswords and boomerang, assuming a bending stance.
AZULA: Okay, so we fight.
ZUKO: No.
AZULA: No?
A comical face stares at her brother, as the boy gets out and incense stick and gets down on his knees.
ZUKO: We'll try and appease it with prayer. Azula, you have to light the incense on fire.
Azula's brow twitches.
AZULA: You WHAT?!
A piece of brick flies towards them - the two kids jump aside. The incense stick gets destroyed in the process.
ZUKO: Oh no!
Azula crosses her arms.
AZULA: Yeah, now we're screwed.
Their attention is drawn to the village entrance, where a horde of Tengu monkeys rushes inside the village. The Sōjōbō emits a war cry.
ZUKO: We have to run!
AZULA: Well, it's either that or PRAY!
The siblings run, although they are quickly surrounded by a large number of angry little spirits. Zuko finally draws his broadswords. Azula massages the space between her eyebrows.
AZULA: "Yeah sure Aang, we'll make a quick stop and help these people, fine idea..."
The Sōjōbō stops his rampage and approaches the sibblings. Zuko shudders but tries to be brave.
ZUKO: We mean you no harm, oh great Sōjōbō!
AZULA: I do.
She assumes a bending stance. The matriarch raises her brow.
AZULA: Leave this village or your toast, monkey!
The Tengu chatter, in what Azula correctly interprets as anger.
ZUKO: Maybe we should try something else...
AZULA: Like what? INCENSE?!
Two air blasts sweep all the Tengu away from the siblings. They turn towards their left, spotting Ty Lee running towards the safe house.
AZULA: Where is Aang?
Her question is answered as the Avatar runs across a rooftop, jumping in a bow, touching the Sōjōbō's forehead.
ZUKO: He's trying to calm him!
Nothing happens.
AANG: What?
Without having any effect on the spirit, the Sōjōbō simply slaps Aang away, causing him to crash through the safe house doors. Azula frowns in anger, retaliating with a fire blast which literally just passes right through the Sōjōbō's head.
AZULA: Hey you big stupid monkey! Come and get a real fight!
While Ty Lee helps Aang getting back up, the matriarch looks in shock at the raven-haired girl.
MATRIARCH: A firebender?
Azula tries to throw another blast, but gets overwhelmed by the Tengu, who pile on to her and Zuko like bees do with a hornet. They manage to overwhelm the two struggling teenagers, lifting them and carrying them over to their king, where they seem to melt as little dots of fur on his back, perfectly holding the two in place, although Azula does not stop resisting.
AZULA: Let me go!
Aang gets back up, seeing the Sōjōbō leaving the village, with his friends attached to his back.
AANG: No!
He jolts back up, grabbing his staff by the side of the door and flying after them. Ty Lee, Sabachi and the other villagers can only look in horror, with the matriarch hanging her head low.
Despite its massive size, the spirit is able to traverse the forest with relative ease, giving Aang a hard time to keep up with him. If he remembers correctly, time is not on his side, and once the Sōjōbō has reached his statue, they would be lost. Aang had expected this to happen - but he didn't expect to have no effect on the spirit when touched. How is he going to defeat it?
ZUKO: Look!
He is unable to point due to his constraints, but Azula spots the gliding Avatar regardless.
AZULA: Oh well, I don't think I can afford to wait that long.
She struggles in her furry shackles harder and harder, eventually the Tengu holding on to her left arm gets angry and reshapes into a chattering monkey.
AZULA: Hi.
She pulls at his beard, blasting him into smoke with fire, with one hand free, she manages to get rid of the other Tengu holding her in place. Just as she is about to help her brother, a rogue monkey kicks her in the stomach and she falls back, getting caught in the air by Aang, who struggles to fly and hold her at the same time.
AZULA: I hate your plans!
AANG: Yeah, I know!
The statue field is closing in on the Tengu king.
AZULA: We need to go faster!
AANG: Well, you're kind of-
AZULA: Don't say it!
She lets out three blasts of fire from her right hand, and feet, and, while they are not perfect or stable, they give Aang's glider the speed necessary to close in on the Sōjōbō. Azula stops the fire blast on her left hand, reaching out for Zuko, who has managed to at least fight his right arm free. The siblings almost touch fingertips. Suddenly the Sōjōbō disappears. Aang sees a giant daruma statue - then black.
Nighttime has been cast on the jungle, with the only source of light being a lantern and Malu's palm, which holds a little fire. Four komodo rhinos trample along the forest, which is getting thinner and thinner. Kana is tied up on one of the animals, forced to sit behind a nameless soldier.
KANNA: I have heard of Fire Nation rebels, but this is the first time I've encountered some. I thought our troops had crushed you ages ago.
Malu has to swallow the rather prude statement.
MALU: Our people are more courageous and resilient than you could possibly imagine. We will not bow to an invader that steals our land and resources.
Kanna simply shrugs.
KANNA: I suppose that's a way of seeing it. I admire your courage, I truly do, especially from a young one like you.
Malu turns around, trying to intimidate her by growing his flame.
MALU: Don't test me.
KANNA: Sorry if I offended you with that.
They keep quiet for a while.
KANNA: So, where are we going? We have discovered some rebel bases, but I assume you have a big one. Unless you want to bring me to the Golden City directly.
Malu flinches a bit, Kanna smirks.
MALU: The Golden City is a myth.
KANNA: Or so we are told. How about the former Fire Nation capital? I've never been there, but I've heard stories of a beautiful city inside a volcanic caldera. Maybe that's where you're hiding.
MALU: We're not hiding. And the capital was destroyed.
This actually shocks Kanna.
KANNA: Destroyed?
Now Malu is the one smirking.
MALU: Not by your kind, if that's what you're wondering. No, the capital was destroyed by a comet, almost a hundred years ago. It was supposed to bring light and strength to our people, but instead it only brought destruction and chaos. The city was evacuated, but many people died that day, including the Fire Lord.
Kanna scoffs at the amount of information.
KANNA: Sounds terrible.
Malu scoffs back.
MALU: You say that, yet you fight amongst the people who continue the bloodshed, who destroy villages, drain our lands and make our people second-class citizens! Sorry if I offended you with that.
Kanna sighs and is truly overwhelmed. She had known of these things for decades, she's not an idiot. But this is the first time someone actually confronted her head-on with all of it. And it's coming from someone who probably experienced that kind of lost firsthand. Kanna's plan was to fake a cough now, dropping her gloves in the process, but... in some strange way, she feels like she kind of deserves this.
Azula grunts upon waking up. A crescent moon shines above her, although dawn is already rising in the distance. She attempts to create a little fire and, upon realizing she is unable to do so, spots Aang's body besides her. She immediately rushes towards him.
AZULA: Aang! Aang, wake up! Are you alright-
She stops and really takes a look at him. Instead of his makeshift Fire Nation attire, he is wearing airbending clothing, with half of his chest exposed. His face looks a lot more square and rugged, with his chin even growing some hair, while his head in clean shaven. Her hand slowly approaches his face but moves away as soon as Aang opens his eyes. His grunt tells her immediately that his voice is deep and rough-sounding.
AANG: Oh no, what happened?
AZULA: I uh...
She notices the heat rising to her face and fakes a cough.
AZULA: Oh, um... I don't know. We tried to get Zuko and-
She gets up and forgets about the hunky airbender boy for a moment.
AZULA: Zuko! Zuko!
She looks around as Aang gets up, sighing because...
AZULA: This happened already, didn't it?
Her intrusive tone causes Aang more guilt than he already had.
AANG: I tried to avoid this by meeting Sōjōbō here, but he didn't show up and-
Aang finally notices his shift in voice.
AANG: Why do I sound like me again?
Azula raises her eyebrows.
AZULA: Um... uh... "me"?
AANG: Yeah.
He looks at his body, barely being able to see thanks to a combination of a luminescent moon and the encroaching dawn.
AANG: This is how I look in my world.
Azula struggles to answer.
AZULA: Well... looks good.
Aang thinks back to the conversation with Ty Lee and tries to ignore Azula's gaze.
AANG: Um... thanks. But we need to move.
He leaves his staff as he can't use it in the Spirit World. On that note, Azula angrily tries to conjure up fire, being unable to do so.
AZULA: Why - can't - I - bend!?
He turns towards her.
AANG: We're in the Spirit World.
Azula looks at him and scoffs.
AZULA: Uh... no we're not.
Aang's brow shoots up in disbelief.
AANG: Excuse me?
Azula conjures up all her strength as she glares at the much more muscular Aang.
AZULA: Uncle Iroh went to the Spirit World a bunch of times. He said it's a place that's... weird and surreal.
She looks around the statue field.
AZULA: I don't see anything weird here.
He sighs.
AANG: We're not "in" the Spirit World. But we left our body as our spirits.
Azula laughs him in the face.
AZULA: Sure! I'm a ghost!
As she does a silly pose, she notices the first sun beams shining right through her transparent arm. She screams in terror.
AZULA: I'M A GHOST!
Aang walks over to her and tries to calm her.
AANG: No, you're not. But we have to go now.
AZULA: WHAT DO YOU MEAN CALM DOWN?! I'M A WALKING SPECTER!
She gasps.
AZULA: Is that why I can't bend?!
Aang walks ahead as she tries to squeeze out fire from her fists unsuccessfully.
AZULA: Wait! Where are you going?!
AANG: We have to get back to the village. If everything is a repeat, someone will meet me there.
She follows him but shakes her head in befuddlement.
AZULA: "Someone?" A ghost?!
AANG: They're not called ghosts! And you should hurry.
She gasps again, happy that hot Aang doesn't turn around to see her face.
AZULA: So I'll get my body back once we've met your friend the dragon?
Aang slaps his forehead, feeling more confident than usual in his old body.
AANG: No! What I said was last time, Roku's dragon showed up and brought me to his temple. And if we're lucky, the same thing will happen with Kaiyuko. If not...
She frowns.
AANG: If not we'll find some other way to get our bodies back.
She grunts.
AZULA: The worst Avatar! Told you so!
The two stand in the middle of the town, being seen by nobody but each other. The sun is shining brightly among and through them.
AANG: Why didn't you just wait back at the field like I told you? Our bodies are probably there!
AZULA: Oh sure! Just do your little spirit quest without me! Maybe when you get your body back, you'll finally get rid of me - because then you CAN'T SEE ME!
She crosses her arms and sits down. Aang sighs, then places himself next to her.
AANG: Why do we fight so much?
Azula sighs, waving her bangs aside. Her headpiece is very close to just falling apart.
AZULA: I didn't ask to be transparent.
She sighs again, this time in a genuinely sad way.
AZULA: It's kind of hard to plan our route if stuff like this keeps happening.
Azula tries picking up sand, frustrated at the fact that it doesn't work. Aang's head hangs low.
AANG: If things will happen again the same way they did in my world, then bad things are coming.
AZULA: What do you mean?
He sighs again.
AANG: I don't want to say anything that might not happen.
Azula feels the dark implications of his words.
AANG: I failed my world. I will not fail this one.
She tilts her head to both sides, then shakes it.
AZULA: You didn't fail anybody. I mean that's why you're here, right? To fix your world as well?
He looks back up, meeting Azula's honey-colored eyes.
AANG: I guess so. I really don't know why I have to do everything again...
He remembers his friends, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Prince Zuko - Momo. Yet, in that storm of happy memories, he now also sees Zuko, Azula, Ty Lee - Sabachi. And of course, Appa. He smiles at the raven-haired girl.
AANG: But I'm happy to go on this journey with you.
She blushes right in front of him, and he hastily tries to correct himself.
AANG: Um... well, I meant you, like... all of you. You guys are my friends as much as the people from my world.
They both clear their throats in an unnatural fashion.
AZULA: Sorry it's just... you look so... different.
Aang inspects his muscular arms and more manly chin - this is the first time anyone has seen him as... attractive. There's also Katara, but...
AANG: Well, yeah like I said, I'm older than I look.
She stares at his head with somewhat of an admiring look.
AZULA: This is going to sound weird but... I think you look better without hair.
Aang is truly dumbfounded by that statement, but not insulted.
AZULA: Oh, Ty Lee...
Thankfully, their attention shifts to Ty Lee sitting to their right, snuggling up against a concerned looking Appa. Aang and Azula decide swiftly to walk up to her. Both of them react with guilt as they spot pouches under her eyes.
AANG: Oh, no...
AZULA: She is still waiting for us.
Azula tries to keep her cool but doesn't quite hide the fact that seeing Ty Lee like that makes her feel sad as well. Sabachi jumps down from Appa and snuggles up to the acrobat, for the first time, at least as far as Aang remembers. Ty Lee's voice sounds sore and broken.
TY LEE: Thank you Sabachi...
Aang takes a breath and kneels down next to the girl.
AANG: We will bring Zuko back, we promise.
AZULA: And maybe us as well, that's not entirely figured out yet, though.
Azula winks at Aang.
TY LEE: Azula?
Aang snaps back up and Azula frowns in shock.
AZULA: Uh... what?
Ty Lee gets up, staring directly ahead and almost meeting Azula's eyes.
MATRIARCH: What is it?
Ty Lee waits a few moments before responding. Aang and Azula exchange scared looks, mouthing words of fear to each other.
TY LEE: I don't know. I can read auras, and I just felt the aura of my friend.
MATRIARCH: You can? That's quite an unusual gift.
TY LEE: Thank you. My friend Azula has this burgundy scent to her a lot of the time. I think she does it when she's unhappy.
Azula grunts.
AZULA: Pretentious...
TY LEE: There it was again!
Aang grabs Azula shoulders and runs off with her to the main gate of the village.
TY LEE: Huh. It's gone.
At the gate, Aang lets her go.
AZULA: What was that?
AANG: Your aura! You almost gave us away!
AZULA: Well, maybe Ty Lee or Miss Boredom could have helped us with finding...
They shut up and turn towards the forest, where a massive wolf-like creature approaches them. The beast is of massive size, having both canine as well as cat features - most notably a set of sabretooths. It stops right in front of them and starts growling.
AZULA: Where's my dragon?
AANG: Hello?
AZULA: I want my dragon...
Aang approaches the spirit, who does not seem quite relaxed in his presence.
AANG: It's okay, I know I seem a little different, but I am still Aang.
He touches its snout and sees a vision of this animal traversing the sunny tundra. On its back, a smiling man, wearing blue Water Tribe clothes, although he seems more equipped for warm weather than the icy climate of the north and south. Across his happy, young face a stylish beard mixes perfectly with his wild dreadlocks, who wave in the wind like it's nobody's business. The vision ends and Aang pets the now calmed-down animal.
AANG: Hello Hoa.
AZULA: Hoa?
Hoa, the sabretooth-wolf-spirit, looks at the firebender with big eyes.
AZULA: How do you know its name?
Aang shrugs.
AANG: Avatar stuff.
Azula scoffs at the nonchalant comment, though can't help but to find it funny. Hoa lays down on the ground, allowing Aang to climb on top.
AANG: Well, we don't have a lot of time.
The creature whines at Azula, who seems more than confused about it.
AZULA: Does it... want me to come along?
Aang finds this very strange too. Hoa barks at her, although in a non-aggressive fashion.
AZULA: Alright! I'll come, no need to hurry...
She climbs on top, holding on to his back just like Aang in front of her, although she secretly wishes to have to hold on to him directly.
AANG: What did he say?
AZULA: Nothing.
Hoa gets up and starts running.
Kanna wakes up with a dizzy mind and dry lips. The little water that the soldiers gave to her was not enough to quench her thirst, but enough to keep her from collapsing under the Fire Nation heat. As she looks around, she finds herself and the Komodo rhinos on a mountain passage, although based on the color of the landscape, it is more likely a volcano, though not active. The jungle doesn't seem far away, but definitely too far to absorb any moisture if Kanna wanted to escape. Even with the guilt that she had felt yesterday, rotting away in a Fire Nation cell wouldn't do her any good. She wanted to get back and finish what she started - waiting for the right moment to be of use.
MALU: I hope the sun isn't getting to you, Chief Mother. That's your title, right? Chief Mother?
She scoffs, avoiding his face.
KANNA: Does my title intimidate you?
MALU: Not at all. I'm just surprised the Water Tribe savages even let you leave the house, let alone have title and status.
KANNA: Is status everything to you?
Malu raises his fist and the caravan halts. Swiping the sweat off his face, the young leader gets off his mount and approaches Kanna with glaring eyes.
MALU: Honor, is something the Water Tribe seems to lack.
KANNA: Is it honorable to imprison an old woman?
MALU: More honorable than treating them like cattle.
KANNA: I'm not exactly being treated like a princess either.
Malu stands right in front of the Chief Mother, more sweat running down his temple. For a second, a blue light flashes behind him - down in the jungle a wolf-shaped spirit departs south. Kanna gasps.
MALU: What is it?
The soldiers turn towards the spirit, though apparently only Kanna can see it.
KANNA: Oh, nothing, I'm just trying to mock you.
Malu grins, creating a dagger of fire and holding it dangerously close to her.
MALU: You have a big mouth for a culture that doesn't allow women to speak!
KANNA: Oh, we can speak.
She smirks, which unsettles her young captor.
KANNA: We also have much nicer weather.
While her wrists are in chains, her fingers are able to produce a string of sweat from Malu's face and shirt. It all happens so quickly that the soldiers can't even react - one swipe and Malu burns the Komodo rhino with his dagger. The animal screeches, throwing off the soldier on it, allowing Kanna to take the reins. The other two soldiers ready themselves but get knocked down by an even bigger sweat-whip. Malu attempts to blast her with fire, but Kanna blocks his gout with a water shield, creating a disgusting-smelling steam cloud, allowing her visual and olfactorial cover, as she blazes away with her new rhino. It takes a few seconds for the soldiers to recover.
MALU: Don't let her escape!
Malu grabs a rhino belonging to another soldier, taking the lead in the pursuit.
The stomping of the buffalo yak's hooves is almost completely absorbed by the dense jungle floor. Bato is accompanied by two other soldiers, although since they are on foot, the soldiers are removed from him quite a bit.
BATO: Look at that...
He jumps off his animal and inspects the footprints on the ground. Being of the Water Tribe, Bato participated and led many successful hunts in his past. Tracking Kanna's captors would not be difficult.
BATO: Komodo rhinos.
He gets up, looking over at his men.
BATO: Tell the lieutenant to meet us at the volcanic fields.
The soldiers stare at the sky. Bato imitates them, spotting a white, furry bison floating not too far away. He can only spot the braided girl on its saddle, but the thought already rushes to his head.
SOLDIER: Captain?
Bato looks at the footprints, then back at Kanna.
SOLDIER: What do you suggest, captain?
Bato sighs.
Hoa leaps across the vast ocean faster than Appa, or a ship ever could. Azula, at times, closes her eyes as not to avoid puking. Then again, can she even puke as a ghost?
AANG: Are you okay?!
He screams at her, as talking at a normal volume would be drowned out by the massive winds passing through them. Azula clenches her hands on to the wolf, shutting her eyes in - she hates to admit it - fear.
AZULA: No!
Aang ponders, then ratifies his decision with a sigh.
AANG: You can hold on to me if it makes you feel better!
He expected a snarky comment, or an awkward retort trying to cover her blushing - but she simply leaps forward and puts her hands around his waist. Genuine fear is displayed across her features, and he decides against ruining the moment with a snappy comment of his own. Azula's arrogance can be a distraction at times - a lot of times actually, but right now, Aang appreciates her honesty.
AANG: You don't have to be scared! We're going to be there soon!
Azula nods. Aang looks ahead. The mighty beast comes by smaller ships from time to time, passing them so quickly that Aang is unable to tell if they are of the Water Tribe or not. Then, eventually, he sees a blue dot in the distance. An island shrouded in clouds and made of pure ice.
Act III. – The Leviathan
Azula does not - this needs to be emphasized - does NOT open her eyes even once until the dog has stopped. Even if actually seeing their destination gave her an advantage, she had a feeling they would have to come back here. Most important for her - they would come back on Appa.
AANG: We're here.
The wolf has finally stopped, though Azula wasn't able to tell as she still holds on to Aang, who seems more than happy if she could... not. She finally opens her eyes.
AZULA: We have? Wonderful.
She lets go and jumps off nonchalantly, Aang follows suit, not joining her before petting Hoa.
AZULA: What is this place?
Azula assumes that, if she were in her physical body, she would immediately slip on the ocean blue ice below her. Aang gazes in awe at the little sanctuary. He was already impressed by the tall, towering structure, made of pure eyes on top of a deserted island. With a terrible blizzard outside, the room they're standing in seems untouched, shining, with a solid marble-like floor, and walls being pointy and white. Some parts of the wall have blue crystals on them - the room is barely tall enough to allow Hoa inside.
AZULA: That's Kaiyuko, isn't it?
Aang finally notices the impressive statue - made of pure ice, which feels as if even the strongest volcanic eruption couldn't melt it. Not that Aang can actually feel it. The man displayed is the same as in Aang's vision, though this time he appears older, his beard larger, his dreadlocks longer and bound together. Aang can feel his presence looming inside the room and statue.
AANG: Yes.
Aang raises his eyebrow.
AANG: How did you know?
Azula shrugs.
AZULA: Not too hard to figure out, right? You're the Avatar, spirit-quest on the previous Avatar's pet...
Hoa whines in the back.
AZULA: Yes, I know you have a name.
Aang recalls his memories from Roku's temple - he looks at the ceiling - a cluster of crystal-looking ice shards form a lens in the middle, through which light is reflected at Kaiyuko's statue. Aang shudders in horror.
AZULA: Aang?
He turns to her with his head lowered, as if he had just peed on the rug. Hoa's cat-tail waves over to him, touching his headband and giving him the vision, he needed.
AZULA: What is happening?
No one answers. She hastily grabs Aang's arm.
AZULA: Aang!
A flashing light morphs her vision into a dream-like state. She sees a giant, looming shadow gliding across the ocean. Or beneath it? Before Azula can ask, the spirit roars - a lighting flash transitions into a hurricane, a terrifying rainstorm sweeping across the sea, clashing the waves into each other. The spirit creature, which Azula cannot see, roars once again.
Another flash and the visions ends. Azula backs off and falls on her butt. Although being a spirit, she breathes heavily, even more scared by the fact that she can't feel her heartbeat.
AANG: Azula, you need to calm down.
He kneels down in front of her. With fear in her heart, she finally asks the question she didn't dare ask Aang before.
AZULA: Aang? What was that?
Aang sighs.
AANG: I don't know.
Azula nods hastily, not responding before gulping loudly.
AZULA: When you went to Roku's temple, what did you see there?
Hoa tilts his head.
AANG: I saw...
The memory physically pains him.
AANG: Fire Lord Sozin started the war when a comet arrived - it gifted the firebenders ten times the strength as usually.
Azula frowns in horror.
AANG: And that's how Ozai ended the war.
Hearing her father's name does not help, but it's not like her mind wasn't already in terror.
AZULA: Aang... I'm scared.
He sits down next to hear, burying his face in his knees.
AZULA: If you lost in your world, I assume it was because of the same thing that will come to us, right?
AANG: I will not lose again. I promise you!
He gently squeezes her hand.
AANG: But yes, I think there's something else coming.
AZULA: Something like that comet.
AANG: And if we want to stop it...
He expected her to finish his thought, but she appears not quite herself right now.
AANG: We need to come back tomorrow. Here.
AZULA: Tomorrow?
She gets up.
AZULA: You mean in our bodies, right?
He gets up too.
AANG: It is going to be dangerous. We will probably meet Sokka again. And possibly Bato.
She lets all the info sink in, then lets out a big sigh.
AZULA: Well, I prefer Bato, honestly...
She manages to make him chuckle again, yet stays confident, inspiring her a great deal.
AANG: Whatever comes, we will make it. You are-
He hesitates.
AANG: You are stronger than you think.
He puts his hand on her shoulder and she returns the gesture with a warming smile.
AZULA: And if you told me about all the things that happened in your world, I would definitely go crazy.
He chuckles again.
AANG: If only...
Hoa suddenly gets up, whining as if he wanted them to get on with it.
AZULA: Well, someone really wants us to go...
He climbs on to the wolf, as his signature jumps are not an option.
AANG: Then we should go. We still need to help the village.
She gets on behind him.
AZULA: Yeah, like I care about that after everything I saw...
She sits behind him timidly, causing him to roll over his eyes.
AANG: Hold on if you need to.
AZULA: Oh, thank Agni, yes.
Her arms coil around his waist before he can react in any way. Hoas leaps forward and she closes her eyes again.
The clear ocean reflects the sunlight with an almost blinding force. Puwati pulls away his telescope with an angered grin across his mouth.
AE' KIKI: Still nothing?
Puwati grunts.
PUWATI: An entire fleet and NOTHING!
He throws the telescope away. Ae' Kiki stands firmly next to his commanding officer, not flinching or batting an eye.
AE' KIKI: Any reports from Bato?
PUWATI: Bato is a fool for thinking he can catch the Avatar all by himself.
AE' KIKI: Then maybe it was the wrong thing to make him captain.
PUWATI: No. He's the best hunter in the south, if anyone can catch the Avatar, he can.
Ae' Kiki senses a flaw.
AE' KIKI: The Avatar is no wilder beast. If we want to guarantee the victory of the Water Tribes, he needs to be caught alive.
Puwati squeezes the iron balustrade.
PUWATI: That's the problem.
Ae' Kiki tilts his head, awaiting a response. Puwati turns away and walks to the other side.
PUWATI: Bato is too eager to win, he'll do anything to...
The Vice-Chief's jaw drops at the side of a giant wolf spirit rushing past by them.
AE' KIKI: Vice-Chief?
He looks after the canine running towards the archipelago. He grunts, picking up the telescope and looking south. Even with a telescope, no land could be spotted in any direction. Ae' Kiki suspects something going on.
AE' KIKI: Did you see something just now?
The question alone tells Puwati that no one else saw it.
PUWATI: What's south of our position?
AE' KIKI: Straight south? Water. But Kaiyuko Island is a few miles south-east.
Puwati lowers the telescope one last time.
PUWATI: Send snow pigeons to the other ships. We'll start a blockade.
The completely random order is blindly accepted by Ae' Kiki, who trusts Puwati with his life. After pounding his chest, the lieutenant leaves. Puwati glares at the ocean with a devious smile displayed.
Kanna's Komodo rhino finally stops at a valley surrounded by small craters blocking the way. It jolts up and down, still roaring from the burning sensation of Malu's fire dagger. The Chief Mother tries calming it, eventually taking water from the convenient pouch on the side. She bends the water around her hand, forming a glove with which she touches the wound. The animal protests at first yet subsides when the water starts glowing in a soothing light, healing the wound, although leaving a tiny scar.
MALU: So, you do have empathy for the weak.
She glares at the firebender, who gets off his mount. Kanna's own Komono rhino directs its horns at Malu, apparently having taken a liking to the old woman, who gets off and pets it.
MALU: Maybe it is our destiny to chase each other until the end of times.
KANNA: You're the one chasing me, boy. Believing in things like destiny is what got you into this mess.
She forms a whip from the water previously used to heal the burn wound. Malu reacts confidently with a much larger fire whip.
MALU: This is not the environment to face a firebender, Chief Mother.
KANNA: Seems like a fair fight to me.
Malu scoffs.
MALU: Four against one?
Kanna raises her brow, looking behind Malu in confusion. After overthinking his statement, he looks back himself, spotting nobody. Even his Komodo rhino left.
MALU: Li?
He runs up the hill leading out of the valley and stares into the distance. Kanna fells empathy again, while her new animal companion slurps up her water whip.
MALU: Li!
After a few seconds he runs back down, preparing to attack.
MALU: What did you do to him?!
KANNA: You should ask the spirit behind you.
MALU: I don't believe in-
He turns around, looking at a blue mask, with a drawn katana. Malu gets cut in the leg but can narrowly dodge a blow to his throat. He retaliates with fire, which the spirit runs a away from. It leaps a cross another blast, and cuts Malu's arm midair, landing on two legs like a frog. Malu falls down in pain, the Blue Mask prepares for the finishing blow.
KANNA: Don't!
It listens to the old woman and stops the blade an inch before piercing his heart. Malu looks at her with a confused and terrified expression. The spirit gazes at Kanna for a few seconds, leaving the old woman unsure if she would be the next target. The Komodo rhino growls. After a few seconds, almost in the blink of an eye, the mask is gone.
MALU: You insult me.
She approaches him carefully, healing his wounds, first leg then arm, with the remaining water on her. He scoffs at her.
KANNA: I guess we're even now.
He grunts, rubbing his pained head.
MALU: Was that a person or a spirit?
She shrugs.
KANNA: I don't know. Maybe both. You should probably go look for your comrades.
He sighs.
KANNA: You never told me your name, captain.
He sighs.
MALU: It's "colonel". And my name is Malu.
Oddly enough to the firebender, the Chief Mother nods at him with a smile.
KANNA: Until we meet again.
She walks away from him. At first Malu thinks the Komodo rhino is approaching him but is surprised (and more importantly angry) to see it walk up to Kanna, who climbs on to its saddle and rides away.
AANG: We're almost there!
Azula dares to open her eyes again, seeing the familiar jungle floor below her feet.
AANG: Hold on tight!
AZULA: I already-
Hoa is running directly towards the giant daruma statue on the Tengu field.
AZULA: No, wait. Aang - Aang-Aang-Aang-AANG-AANG-AANG-AANG!
The impact results in a flashing light. A moment later, Azula wakes up in her regular body.
AZULA: Aang, stop!
She notices the echo her sound produces, feels the wind on her skin, smells the fresh air.
AZULA: Can I-
She punches a flame into the air, celebrating it by clapping her hands.
AZULA: Yes!
A grunting next to her draws her attention. Laying on the ground, Aang moans in a much higher pitch. Azula sighs internally, already missing the hunky body wrapped in Air Nomad fabric.
AZULA: Welcome back.
She crosses her arms as Aang gets up on two feet, having to quickly adjust back to his "new" body.
AANG: We have to go.
He immediately makes the run for it, Azula hastily gets up and chases after him.
AZULA: Okay, just going to ignore everything that happened for a moment!
He picks up his staff which he left by the front of the statue. In a tree nearby, a Tengu watches them with great curiosity.
As the two reach the village in a hurry, dusk has begun to set.
AZULA: Aang?
They stop in the center of the village.
AANG: I know.
Looking around, they realize the destroyed houses have barely been repaired. More importantly - the silence. The village appears deserted. Aang and Azula prepare for a fight, standing back-to-back.
BATO: I wouldn't try that.
They exchange nods, then run around the statue.
BATO: In fact, I wouldn't try anything if I were you.
Aang gasps in shock. Ty Lee, Sabachi and Appa are all held at gunpoint - or rather spearpoint - with Bato's hand in the air, signaling when and if they should strike.
AZULA: You idiot! If you kill one of the Avatar's friends, he'll go-
BATO: Into the Avatar state? Oh, I know. But what use will that be?
Aang frowns, at the words hit closer to home than Bato could possibly imagine.
BATO: He can avenge his friends, but they will be dead, nonetheless.
Aang drops his staff. Azula lets out a long, aggravated grunt, lowering her fingers as well.
AZULA: You are a monster!
With a lowered head, Aang shares a glance with Ty Lee.
AANG: I'm sorry.
Ty Lee pouts with determination, surprising Aang. Perceptive as he is, Bato smirks at the gesture.
BATO: Why so determined, acrobat girl? Any cartwheels planed for your escape?
Aang's skin shivers at the sensation, Azula taking note of his heightened state of alert.
AANG: You know what, Bato?
Bato glares in confusion at Aang. He doesn't remember ever uttering his name to the Avatar.
AANG: I think sooner or later, the sun sets on all of us.
Right after that, the sun behind them disappears partially behind a mighty treetop. Bato scoffs.
BATO: How fitting.
His smirk disappears as the massive Sōjōbō leaps from his statue. The distraction allows Ty Lee to (literally) blow away her captors, pushing herself, Appa and Sabachi to safety. The mighty spirit glares at Bato, who attempts to strike it with a water spear, which passes right through it.
BATO: Damn old woman!
The Sōjōbō cuts at him with his leaf blades, which he blocks with more water, although he still gets pushed back. The Sōjōbō seems to be done with the scarred man and Bato attempts to run away, getting hit from the other side by a wave of Tengu, who roll over him as he screams comically. At first, Aang and Azula exchange cocky smiles, but they soon snap back to reality when they realize the Sōjōbō continues his mindless destruction, with the Tengu cheering him on with their chatter and energetic jumping.
MATRIARCH: Avatar! We're here!
A Water Tribe soldier holds her mouth and pulls her away from the window. Aang grabs his staf and runs towards the safe house, surprised to see the two soldiers being launched through the (subsequently opened) doors via an impressive fireball. Aang and Azula share their confusion without uttering a word. Behind the dissolving gout of flames stands the matriarch.
AZULA: Huh.
Something inside the Sōjōbō snaps - he and his goons charge the matriarch, who freezes in panic. The spirit only stops once a fireball hits him on the side.
AZULA: I almost forgot you still have my brother. It's been a long day, so I'd appreciate it if you'd just hand him back NOW!
The Sōjōbō focuses back on Azula, frowning angrily, his Tengu do the same. It finally clicks for Aang. As the enormous being charges Azula...
AZULA: Uh... Aang?!
...he leaps in the air, touching the Sōjōbō's forehead again. He receives a POV vision of a battle raging between Fire Nation soldiers and waterbenders in this very forrest. Bushes get set on fire, only for a waterbender to extinguish the fire and retaliate, absorbing the water from a nearby tree, sucking it dry, and giving it the same color Aang and his friends saw yesterday. The vision ends and the Tengu King has stopped, as Aang lands on a rooftop right in front of him.
AANG: You're scared.
The Sōjōbō calms down. The little monkeys at his feet seem confused at first. Aang sits down like the humble monk he always imagined himself to be.
AANG: You saw all this destruction done by benders and wanted to protect the forest.
The matriarch shares quite a humble frown with Azula.
AANG: I know what it feels like to be afraid of benders.
Especially firebenders.
AANG: And you have to protect the forest from anyone who wishes it harm.
He gestures at the safe house, where the rest of the village emerges, being met by Ty Lee and the animals.
TY LEE: What did I miss?
The old man shushes her.
AANG: But the pain that someone inflicts upon you cannot be used against the innocent. That makes us no better than our attackers.
Something about those words deeply and fundamentally hit a nerve within Azula. And it appears the Tengu king feels the same, as all of his little minions scatter with a lot of noise into the woodwork. The Sōjōbō shrinks in size, eventually being the same height as a regular proboscis monkey, while remaining with beard and tinier claws.
AZULA: So, this is how you normally look like, huh?
The Sōjōbō blinks at her with his now normal eyes, then leaves the village through the main gate. As soon as he leaves, four Tengu carry a dizzy Zuko on their back, dropping him at Azula's feet.
AZULA: Thank you.
She waves them away and they leave. Aang tries to help the swordfighter up.
AANG: You were trapped in the Spirit World for 24 hours. How do you feel?
Zuko cringes and hops back on his feet.
ZUKO: I think I'm going to faint...
With a limp Captain Bato reaches his ship. The few men that he had with him arrive in similar condition - his buffalo yaks were scared away in the attack.
KANNA: Welcome back.
The old woman greets her captain with a sheepish smirk. Warm steam emits from the ship and her bath robe tells him that she has had a wonderful time on board.
KANNA: So, I assume you didn't take my advice.
Her words hit like daggers, and he pushes her aside in order to walk on board. He frowns in confusion at the sight of a komodo rhino.
BATO: What is this?
KANNA: That's Malu. I got captured by Fire Nation rebels, but they performed rather poorly.
He frowns at her. Some of the men have been avoiding looking at their failed captain. He grunts angrily and walks down the stairs to the inside. Kanna walks over to her new pet eating seagrass. While a smile is on her face, fear is on her heart, as she truly could not tell who or what was behind that mask.
The moon has replaced the sun in their eternal battle for dominance over the horizon. Torches are illuminating the village in their bright light and the villagers are finally reconstructing their homes. Azula and Ty Lee stand by the capital building, where the firebender is trying to fix her headpiece.
AZULA: I think I got it if I...
She tangles around a bit more, until a snapping noise tells her that her efforts were in vain. She holds the broken wood pieces in her hand and grunts.
AZULA: Piece of trash.
TY LEE: I can lend you another headband if you like.
She agrees with a shrug. The only thing that could really satisfy her would be re-acquiring her original headpiece, which, in another world, belonged to an Avatar.
AZULA: If it pleases you.
She sits down on the building's porch, where the acrobat follows suit. Sabachi flies back on to Azula's shoulder, purring next to her.
TY LEE: So... how did it go with...
AZULA: On our deadly adventure? Our spirit quest that changed our lives? Do you think I had time-
She loses her train of thought staring at Aang, who stands in front of the daruma, talking to Zuko and the matriarch. She ponders in her thoughts for a moment, trying to picture how spirit Aang would look like in his own flesh and blood. She blinks twice, comically.
AZULA: I will tell you everything.
TY LEE: Yay!
Ty Lee can barely contain her joy.
Aang wonders what the girls are taking about in the background.
MATRIARCH: Thank you again, Avatar. I severely underestimated your abilities.
He shrugs casually.
AANG: What can I say? It's my job.
ZUKO: Which included saving my butt.
He shares a warm smile with the much more sensitive and emotional Zuko he has learned to appreciate.
MATRIARCH: If we can assist you in any way-
AZULA: Some money and supplies would be helpful.
The girls have caught up to the conversation and are witnessing another glare directed at Azula.
MATRIARCH: I don't know why I should help an impish little thing like you.
Azula actually appears a bit hurt, expressing it in a pout.
MATRIARCH: But I will always help a fellow firebender.
She performs the Fire Nation greeting towards Azula, who returns the gesture with a smile of relief.
MATRIARCH: The Golden City will be perfect for you. You'll find a firebending master in no time.
Ty Lee jumps up in excitement.
TY LEE: Then what are we waiting for?
Aang and Azula exchange that look.
ZUKO: What?
Aang scratches his head, as if the guilt and fear of the upcoming few hours was an itch on his neck.
AANG: We have to tell you about something first...
Two geta-shaped feet rush through the woodwork under the cover of darkness. The monkey and his two friends seem to engage in some sort of race, although based on everyone's chosen path the rule are not quite clear. Then they all stop. The one on the right, sitting on a branch, jumps away first, abandoning its companion in the middle who is frozen in shock. The monkey creature on the left runs away next. Now the thing is left alone with a scared man gasping in fear.
MALU: Go away!
He shoots fire from his palm, which doesn't scare the Tengu. What does scare him is the blue face he remembers from yesterday. It dodges the attack with ease. As the Blue Spirit leaps for another attack, the Tengu turns around and runs away in fear. Even a spirit is not accustomed to the horrors of the material world. The Tengu only runs faster once it hears the final scream.