Book 3 Chapter 11: The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse
Amity's Intro
Water. Earth. Fire. Air.
Long ago, the four nations lived in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed her most, she vanished. A hundred years passed, and me, Willow and Gus discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Luz. and although her airbending skills are great, she has a lot to learn before she's ready to save anyone.
But I believe Luz can save the world.
The episode opens to the invasion of the Fire Nation where the moon can be seen gradually moving in front of the sun. Cuts to a shot of the submarines remaining stationery at the shores of the plaza. The camera pans upward, revealing the plaza empty except for Huu, disguised as the swamp monster, Hama and several Foggy Swamp Tribe members.
Cuts to an overhead shot of the plaza where the invasion carries on. The Fire Nation armies try to shoot the Earth Kingdom tanks, but they are too powerful. Earth Kingdom soldiers run about and fire boulders to counterattack the Fire Nation. A few earthbenders emerge briefly from within the Earth Kingdom tanks and hurl boulders toward the enemy. Cuts to a shot of one soldier commanding catapults to launch smoldering boulders. Several fireballs are launched into the air. One lands forcefully near Willow and a few troops who are huddled together behind a stationary Earth Kingdom tank, studying a map lying on the ground. Cuts to Willow cringing at the sound of the explosion. Cuts to a shot of Amity and Gus coming back with Hakoda, Willow smiles at this sight.
(Brightening.) "Hakoda!" (Rising and approaching the three.) "You're on your feet again." Willow said
(Sitting down, somewhat weakly.) "Thanks to Amity and Gus. I'm in no shape to fight, but maybe there's some way I can help." Hakoda said
(Runs over to the group with Camila following from behind.) "These guys aren't even putting up a fight, it's like they're not even trying." Eda said
"This is a lot of exercise for an invasion like this, phew." Camila said
"Everything's going smoothly and the eclipse hasn't even kicked in yet." Willow said
(Amity moves away, seeing something in the distance.) "Let's hope our luck holds out." (Noticing her move away.) "Amity, you seem distracted. Is something wrong?" Hakoda asked
(Quizzically.) "Yeah. Is that ... is that Luz?" Amity asked
(Shocked.) "What?" (Cuts to a shot of Luz riding in on her glider, dodging several fireballs. She lands in front of the group.) "Please tell me you're here because the Fire Emperor turned out to be a big wimp and you didn't even need the eclipse to take him down." Willow said
(Luz, Amity and Gus kneel with Willow.) "He wasn't home. No one was. The entire palace city is abandoned." Luz said
(With epiphany, the camera shifts from a side-view of her face to a frontal view.) "They knew." Willow said
Cuts to an overhead shot of the group sitting together in a circle. Luz rubs her fingers along the ground idly.
(Dismayed.) "It's over. The Fire Emperor is probably long-gone, far away on some remote island where he'll be safe during the eclipse." Luz said
(Thoughtfully.) "No. My instincts tell me he wouldn't go too far. He would have a secret bunker; somewhere he could go and be safe during the siege but still be close enough to lead his nation." Willow said
"If it's an underground secret bunker we're looking for," (Points to herself.) "I'm just the girl to find it." Boscha said
(Pulling out a mechanism.) "The mechanist gave me this timing device. It looks like we've got about ten minutes until the full eclipse. Ten minutes to find the Fire Emperor." Willow said
"We can still do this. We can still win the day." Luz said
(Worried.) "Wait! If they knew we were coming it could all be a trap." (Looks at the others, the camera pans to the right.) "Maybe we should use the time we have left to make sure we all get out of here safely." Amity said
"Everyone who's here today came prepared to risk everything for this mission. They know what's at stake. If there's still a chance and there's still hope, I think they would want Luz to go for it." Hakoda said
(To Willow.) "What do you think? You're the one that has to face the Fire Emperor. Whatever you decide, I'm with you." Willow said
(Rising, turning her back to the group, determined.) "I've gotta try." Luz said
The scene changes to where Luz, Gus, Willow and Boscha are flying on Appa to the Caldera Volcano in the Fire Nation. Appa lands on the side as the others jump off.
"Do you feel anything down there?" Luz asked
(Placing her hand on the ground to feel vibrations.) "Yep. There are natural tunnels criss-crossing through the inside of the volcano." Boscha said
"Anything else? Is there a structure somewhere?" Gus asked
(Taking her hands and digging her fingers into the surface.) "There is something big, dense and made of metal deep in the heart of the volcano." Boscha said
(Raises arms up in the background.) "Sounds like a secret bunker to me." Willow said
Boscha earthbends a hole in the volcano, blowing up a cloud of dust. Gus and Willow follow her into the tunnel.
(To Appa and King.) "Stay safe. We'll be back soon." Luz said
She enters the tunnel into a dark cavern, with Boscha leaning over and surveying the area using seismic sense.
(Pointing.) "This way! That one is a dead end!" Boscha said
(Following her.) "What would we do without you?" Willow asked
(Camera view changes to show the group walking past magma channels.) "Perish in burning hot magma." Boscha said
(Observing the magma channels, blushing.) "Yeah, pretty much." Willow said
"Why did you even ask her?" Gus asked
They arrive at a chamber where magma erupts from several spouts in the ground.
"The tunnel continues on the other side and It leads right to the bunker." Boscha said
"We'll have to be fast, but careful." Willow said
She begins walking past only for a geyser of magma to erupt, nearly striking her. Luz uses airbending to cool and solidify the gush.
"How is that careful?" Luz asked
"I was wrong. We need to be fast, careful and lucky." Willow said
The four leap and run their way through the chamber, narrowly avoiding magma spouts. They arrive at a rock ledge, completely surrounded by molten lava.
"There's no floor. It's just a river of lava." Gus said
(Spinning her staff open.) "Climb aboard and hold on tight." Luz said
Scene changes to where Gus, Willow and Boscha, screaming in fear, are clinging to Luz's glider for their life as they ride swiftly over the river of lava. They reach the other side safely and approach a large metal, dome-like structure with a huge door.
(Impressed.) "That's some door!" Willow said
(Walks over to the door and bangs the metal with her fist.) "Not a problem." Boscha said
She uses metalbending, jamming into the door with her elbows, creating cracks in the metal. She steps back several feet, kisses her fingertips and splits the door wide open. Stepping inside the interior, she points in a direction.
(Entering the bunker while making some hand movements.) "I am so glad we added you to the group!" Willow said
Back at the invasion, the Fire Nation is beginning to fall back, unsuccessfully trying to deflect the attacks of the invasion force. The Boulder and The Hippo use earthbending to create landslides that collapse several battlements.
(Witnessing the sun as the moon begins to overshadow it.) "Retreat! Everyone move to the secondary defensive position! Retreat!" the Fire Nation Captain shouted
The Fire Nation soldiers halt their attacks and begin escaping the scene.
(Standing from the side of an Earth Kingdom tank.) "The eclipse is only minutes away. We should be able to make it up the hill by the time it starts and secure the entire palace by the time it's finished." Bato said
The troops cheer gruffly and continue on their way to the capital.
(Stopping with Hakoda.) "We can wait here if you want." Amity said
(Determined.) "No. I wanna press forward with the others." Hakoda said
The two resume walking. The scene changes to Luz, Gus, Willow and Boscha running down the tunnels. Qin is coming down the same hallway, whistling. The team, upon seeing him, immediately corners him, prepared to attack.
(Out of fear.) "The Fire Emperor's chamber is that way, down the hall, to the left," (Makes climbing motions with his fingers.) "and up the stairs, you can't miss it!" Qin said
(Suspicious look suddenly becomes friendly.) "Thanks!" Luz said
The four continue on their way to find the Fire Emperor. Qin relaxes himself, does a few double takes, and continues whistling as if nothing happened before walking away. The group continues running, Willow pulls out his timing device.
"Only thirty seconds until the total eclipse." Willow said
They approach a set of large doors. The camera focuses on a determined Luz.
"I'm ready. I'm ready to face the Fire Emperor." Luz said
She blasts the doors down with airbending. They step inside where Kikimora is heard speaking.
"So, you are alive after all." (Luz stares at her in shock.) "I had a hunch that you survived. But it doesn't matter." (Proudly.) "I've known about the invasion for months." Kikimora said
The entire group looks at the admiral in surprise and horror. Meanwhile, Lilith stands before a small metal door, a burning torch surrounding either side of it.
(To herself.) "I'm ready to face you." Lilith said
She opens the door, revealing Fire Emperor Belos sitting on the far side of the room, drinking tea. The Fire Emperor is surrounded by several Royal Procession guards. He sets his teacup down upon seeing the admiral.
"Admiral Lilith? What are you doing here?" Belos asked
The scene switches to outside, showing the moon nearly blocking out the entire sun. Cut to an aerial view of the inside of the volcano. Cut to the army marching onward as the eclipse is beginning. The mechanist appears near the troops and addresses the troops.
"The eclipse is starting!" (Pulls out specialized eyewear and puts it on.) "Put on your eclipse glasses!" The Mechanist said
The warriors stop, prop their weapons into the ground and put on their eclipse glasses. Amity, Eda, Camila and Hakoda, wearing eclipse glasses, turn to watch the eclipse. The camera zooms out, the eclipse having officially begun. The scene changes to where Lilith is confronting Belos.
"Why are you here?" Belos asked
"I'm here to tell the truth." Lilith said
(Off-camera.) "Telling the truth during the middle of an eclipse." (Cuts to a shot of him.) "This should be interesting." Belos said
He sends the guards out of the room. One by one the guards file out, closing the doors behind them.
"First of all, in Ba Sing Se, it was Kikimora who took down the Avatar, not me." Lilith said
"Why would she lie to me about that?" Belos asked
"Because the Avatar's not dead. She survived." Lilith said
(Shocked and horrified.) "What?" Belos asked
"In fact, She's probably leading this invasion. She could be on his way here right now." Lilith said
(Rises from his seat and points toward the door.) "Get out! Get out of my sight right now if you know what's good for you!" Belos yelled
"That's another thing. I'm not taking orders from you anymore." Lilith said
(Angrily.) "You will obey me, or this defiant breath will be your last!" Belos said
(Pulls out her swords.) "Think again. I am going to speak my mind, and you are going to listen." Lilith said
Belos sits down, dismayed at the turn of events. The scene switches to Luz, Gus, Willow and Boscha confronting Kikimora.
"Where is he? Where's the Fire Emperor?" Luz asked
(Rises from the throne.) "You mean I'm not good enough for you?" (Acts hurt.) "You're hurting my feelings." Kikimora said
"Stop wasting our time and give us the information." (Points her sword at her.) "You're powerless right now, so you're in no position to refuse." Willow said
(Appears on scene, closing her eyes for her middle eye to open and clenches fist.) "And stick to the truth. I'll be able to tell if you're lying." Boscha said
(Walking a few steps forward.) "Are you sure? I'm a pretty good liar." (Pauses slightly.) "I am a four-hundred foot tall purple platypus bear with pink horns and silver wings." Kikimora said
(Cuts to Boscha, short pause.) "Okay, you're good, I admit it." (Traps Kikimora using earthbending.) "But you ought to consider telling the truth anyway!" Boscha said
Without warning, the earth trap crumbles and breaks, leaving the four surprised.
"How did you..." Gus didn't finish
(Brushing off the dust.) "When I left Ba Sing Se I brought home some souvenirs, Dai Li agents!" Kikimora said
Two Dai Li agents descend into the room. Luz sends an air swipe at them with her glider, however, the agents quickly conjure up an earth wall that blocks the attack. Cut to a view of the inside of the volcano. Cuts to Bato reaching the rim of the volcano, followed by the rest of the army.
"Surround the periphery!" (Raises spear.) "We have to secure the palace by the time the eclipse is over! Otherwise, we'll be in for the fight of our lives." Bato said
Troops from the invasion force incur several Fire Nation soldiers.
"Stop! Surrender peacefully and we won't harm you." Kyro said
"We'll never surrender!" (Makes frenzied motions and tries to firebend, but cannot.) "Okay, we surrender." the Fire Nation soldier said (Fire Nation soldiers back down.)
Hakoda approaches the rim of the volcano, leaning on Amity's shoulders.
(Happily.) "There it is: the Fire Nation Royal Palace. We've come so far." Hakoda said
(Doubtful.) "It's not over yet." Amity said
The scene changes to where Lilith is confronting Belos.
"For so long, all I wanted was for you to love me, to accept me. I thought it was my honor that I wanted, but really, I was just trying to please you. You, my father," (shows Belos' shocked look from hearing it.) "who banished me just for talking out of turn." (Points a broadsword at her father.) "My father, who challenged me, three years ago, to an Agni Kai." (Cuts to a shot of Belos, looking angered.) "How could you possibly justify a duel with someone that wants to help others?" Lilith asked
(Scornful.) "It was to teach you respect!" Belos shouted
"It was cruel! And it was wrong." Lilith said
(Angrily.) "Then you have learned nothing!" Belos shouted
"No, I've learned everything! And I've had to learn it on my own! Growing up, we were taught that the Fire Nation was the greatest civilization in history. And somehow, the War was our way of sharing our greatness with the rest of the world. What an amazing lie that was. The people of the world are terrified by the Fire Nation. They don't see our greatness. They hate us! And we deserve it!" (Camera view shows top profile of Lilith and Belos through an overhead grate.) "We've created an era of fear in the world. And if we don't want the world to destroy itself" (Cuts to a shot of Lilith.) "We need to replace it with an era of peace and kindness." Lilith said
(Laughs.) "Your lieutenant has gotten to you, hasn't he?" Belos asked
"Yes." (Smiles proudly.) "He has." Lilith said
Belos only grows more furious. The scene changes to where Team Avatar is fighting Kikimora and her Dai Li agents. Luz bursts through the stone wall the agents had created and the team runs toward the Fire Nation princess. A stone column erupts from the surface, which Luz manages to dodge. Boscha bends two stone slabs, sending the agents toward the two sidewalls of the room. The agents each land on one sidewall and send two earth pillars straight at Boscha, who conjures two earth walls to block their attacks. She proceeds to send a stream of earth at Kikimora, who nimbly back-flips onto the throne after being pushed back by the stream. She smirks as she lands.
Luz races toward her, an agent following close behind. She looks up to catch sight of the agent rocketing along a wall. The agent lands before her and builds up an earth wall which Luz breaks through. She sends an air blast at Kikimora, who manages to slip away as the blast destroys the throne. Luz attempts to knock her down by sending an air swipe, however, Kikimora avoids her attack, acutely leaping and flipping between two metal beams. She lands on the ground deftly and continues running away.
The camera focuses on the admiral as she leaps from one metal beam to the other. Luz sends another air swipe at her only to miss her yet again. Kikimora slides down a stone pillar created earlier by a Dai Li agent. She flips onto one of the stone walls Boscha conjured up to protect herself before and jumps onto the other one before landing on the ground again. She begins running toward a stone wall. A Dai Li agent slides down a stone column to the floor where he launches Kikimora into the air by bending an earth pillar below her feet. The camera cuts to Willow, as she climbs her way through the hole in the stone wall and about to help Gus up. Played out in slow-motion, Kikimora is seen leaping through the wall, hovering mere inches over Willow's face, smiling evilly at her as she passes. She lands onto the ground and begins running again.
Cuts to Willow, who dodges again to avoid a Dai Li agent, Luz and Boscha who each leap through the hole, one after the other. Willow flops onto the ground, on top of Gus, gets back up and follows the group with Gus following as well. Cuts to where Luz and Boscha are running side by side.
(While running.) "I can't pin her down! She's too quick!" Luz shouted
Kikimora races through a door, entering a tunnel. A Dai Li agent follows close behind, earthbending a stone wall to block the entranceway. He proceeds to run after the admiral. Luz bursts the wall and chases them. The Dai Li agent is suddenly pushed over by a stone column that jutted out from the side of the tunnel's wall. A hole appears and Boscha emerges from it. The agent lands into a crevice of a nearby metal beam and prepares to attack Boscha only for the blind earthbender to destroy his rock gloves and metalbend the grooves of the beam together, trapping him. She and Luz continue chasing Kikimora. Gus and Willow quickly run up to them.
(Stops running.) "Wait! Luz! Boscha! Stop attacking! Don't you see what she's doing? She's just playing with us. She's not even trying to win this fight!" Willow shouted
(Calmly.) "Not true. I'm giving it my all." Kikimora said
(Angrily.) "You're trying to keep us here and waste all our time!" Boscha said
(Sarcastically.) "Um, right, I think your friend just said that, genius. And since you can't see, I should tell you I'm rolling my eyes." Kikimora said (Rolls her eyes in disgust.)
(Angrily.) "I'll roll your whole head!" Boscha shouted
"She's just baiting you again." Gus said
"Okay, so what do we do, just ignore her?" Luz asked
"We don't have a choice. We just have to get out of here and find the Fire Emperor on our own somehow." Willow said
The four turn to leave, walking toward the opposite end of the tunnel.
(Coolly.) "It's a trap. Don't say I didn't warn you." Kikimora said
Luz and Boscha stop walking and turn to look at the admiral, both appearing hesitant. Gus and Willow continue to walk forward.
(Waves his hand up in a gesture.) "Ignore!" Gus shouted
(Craftily.) "So, Gus is your name, right? My favorite prisoner used to mention you all the time." (Gus stops walking and casts Kikimora a suspicious glance, making Willow worried.) "She was convinced you were going to come rescue her. Of course you never came, and she gave up on you." Kikimora said
Gus sheds a few tears before grabbing Willow's sword and charging at Kikimora in blind rage. The admiral stands perfectly still.
(Evilly to herself.) "Come and get it." Kikimora said
With a quick motion of her left hand, she reveals a hidden dagger, prepared to strike Gus when he comes within range. Boscha senses the weapon and pins Kikimora's hand to the tunnel wall by sending a rock aimed at her wrist. Gus grabs her by the shoulder, coming face-to-face with her.
"Where. Is. Zora?!" Gus asked in rage
The scene changes to Lilith and Belos.
"After I leave here today, I'm gonna free Kaldo from his prison and I'm gonna beg for his forgiveness." (Cuts to a shot of Belos.) "He's the one who's been a real father to me." Lilith said
(Laughs.) "Oh, that's just beautiful. And maybe he can pass down to you the ways of tea and failure." Belos said
"But I've come to an even more important decision." (Closes eyes and momentarily pauses.) "I'm going to join the Avatar and I'm going to help her defeat you." Lilith said
(Smugly.) "Really? Since you're a full-blown traitor now and you want me gone, why wait? I'm powerless. You've got your swords. Why don't you just do it now?" Belos asked
"Because I know my own destiny. Taking you down is the Avatar's destiny." (Puts her swords away.) "Goodbye." Lilith said
(Camera focuses on Lilith walking away, the Fire Emperor in the background, now on his feet.) "Coward! You think you're brave enough to face me, but you'll only do it during the eclipse. If you have any real courage, you'll stick around until the sun comes out. Don't you want to know what happened to your mother?" Belos asked
Lilith abruptly stops and turns to face her father. Belos smiles. The camera cuts to a shot of outside where the solar eclipse continues. Cut back to Lilith confronting Belos.
"What happened that night?" Lilith asked
"My father, Fire Emperor Azulon, had commanded me to do the unthinkable to you, my own daughter, and I was going to do it." (Cuts to a side-view of Lilith.) "Your mother found out and swore she would protect you at any cost." (Camera focuses on Belos.) "She knew I wanted the throne and she proposed a plan, a plan in which I would become Fire Emperor and your life would be spared." Belos said
Cuts to a close-up shot of Willow, who narrows his eyes, angrily interrogating Kikimora.
"Where's Zora? Answer me!" Gus shouted
(Grabs Gus' shoulder as the camera pans slightly to the right.) "Gus, she won't talk." Willow said
(Ignores her.) "Where are you keeping her?" Gus asked
The camera focuses on Kikimora, who grins smugly, keeping her lips sealed. The shot fades to Belos who continues his account of the night Ursa disappeared.
"Your mother did vicious, treasonous things that night. She knew the consequences and accepted them. For her treason, she was banished." Belos said
(Grows teary-eyed.) "So she's alive?" Lilith asked
(Calmly.) "Perhaps. Now I realize that banishment is far too merciful a penalty for treason." (Belos closes his eyes. Shot fades to outside where the solar eclipse begins to end.) "Your penalty will be far steeper." Belos said
Fade briefly to show the eclipse ending. Fade to Belos as he opens his eyes and, in split seconds, generates lightning, firing the bolt at Lilith. Lilith slides back several feet from the impact of the bolt, yet manages to redirect it, sending it back to right in front of her father. The resulting explosion causes the Fire Emperor to slam into the back wall, where he falls over and raises his head, his face distorted in rage as flames from the lightning attack surround him. The flag behind him falls and the camera cuts to a shot of the room, revealing that Lilith had made her escape. The scene changes to Team Avatar.
"Oh, sounds like the firebending's back on." Kikimora said
She kicks her leg in a wide arc, sending a fire blast that nearly strikes Gus. Gus takes several steps back as he narrowly avoids Kikimora's attacks. She back-flips onto the tunnel wall and uses firebending to break free from Boscha's earth cuffs. She flips forward, extending her leg forward, nearly striking Luz, who manages to dodge the incoming danger.
(Rises and smirks.) "Belos is all the way at the end of the hall then down a secret stairway on the left. I'm sure he'd be more than happy to see you now." Kikimora said
She runs away, leaving the four dismayed.
(Ashamed.) "I fell for it! I used up all our time." Gus said
"It's not your fault, Gus. Kikimora was ready for us. She had every move planned out." Boscha said
(Sorrowfully.) "And now it's too late." Willow said
"Maybe it's not too late. The eclipse is over. But I can face the Fire Emperor anyway." Luz said
(Matter-of-factly.) "No. I don't think that's a good idea." Willow said
"But I'm ready! I came here with a job to do and everyone's counting on me." Luz said
"The Fire Emperor knew we were coming this time. We thought we had surprise on our side but we didn't. It just wasn't our day. What we need to do now is go and help our friends." Boscha said
(Disappointed.) "I guess you guys are right." Luz said
(Placing a hand on Luz's shoulder.) "You'll have another chance. I know you will." Willow said
The scene changes to outside where the Invasion force has ceased their attacks. Amity leans Hakoda against an Earth Kingdom tank.
"What should we do, Hakoda? Shouldn't something have happened by now?" Bato asked
"I don't know." (Amity crosses her arms in scorn.) "But now that the eclipse is over, I expect we're going to see some firebenders any minute." Hakoda said
"And it ain't gonna be good." Eda said
Bato looks up and suddenly becomes alarmed. The camera zooms out to Amity, who looks behind her in the same direction. Cuts to the top of the Royal Palace, where several war balloons rise into the air. Cuts to a view of the entire palace, the battlefield where dozens of soldiers stand and where the war balloons continue to rise. Cuts to a close-up of the balloons, Fire Nation soldiers fueling them with firebending.
(Off-camera.) "My own invention." (Cuts to a shot of him.) "Oh, this is terrible!" the Mechanist said
Geo lays a hand on his father's shoulder to comfort him. Cuts to a front shot of a war balloon, a much larger contraption rising behind it. Cuts to a shot of the entire battlefield, showing the balloons and five airships rising into the air. Amity turns and points to the sky.
"They're back!" Amity said
Cut to Appa groaning as he flies in, Luz, Gus, Willow, Boscha and King with him. Cuts to Luz looking at the airships. Shows a shot of her and Willow looking very dismayed at the turn of events. Cuts to an airship, camera pans to the right to reveal it entirely. Cuts to Amity, Eda and Camila running up to Appa who lands. Luz looks at them with a saddened look on her face as the camera pans to Gus, Willow and Boscha in the saddle.
(Getting off Appa.) "It was all a trap! Kikimora knew we were coming and she plotted out every move!" (Gus and Boscha gets off, too.) "We've just got to get to the beach as fast as we can." (Hakoda approaches.) "If we can make it to the submarines, maybe we can get away safely." Willow said
"They've got air power, but so do me and mom!" (Cut to Luz as she opens her glider while Camila does the same with her glider.) "We're gonna do what we can to slow them down." Luz said (She tosses her glider into the air and takes off, Camila and King following close behind.)
"Appa, you and I can help too." Amity said (Mounts Appa and follows Luz.)
Shows a front view of the airship fleet, Luz and Camila flying straight toward it, Amity coming up close behind. Cuts back to Willow and the invasion force.
"Everyone, let's get back to the subs!" Willow shouted (Begins running.)
Cuts back to Luz and Camila flying on their gliders and Amity flying on Appa. Luz approaches a war balloon. One of the soldiers operating it sees her and fires at her. Luz twists around, dodging several fireballs. Cuts to a side-view of her, she closes her glider and soars straight through the balloon, cutting through it. The balloon begins falling as it loses air. Amity approaches another balloon, swiveling around once and slicing it clean through with firebending. The top portion of the balloon drifts upward while the rest falls downward. Cuts to where the team keeps heading toward the fleet, avoiding fireballs at every turn. Appa's armor is struck with fireballs several times, he grunts. Amity uses fire shields to deflect the blasts.
"We can't keep them all back! There's too many of them!" Camila shouted
"Let's join the others!" Luz shouted (Dodges another fireball.)
Cuts to a shot of the capital as they fly away. The scene changes to the capital city prison, camera pans downward to the ground where Lilith is seen running toward the building. Inside, she runs down a hallway past a guard, who crouches in fear as she passes. She arrives at the entrance to Kaldo's prison cell.
"Kaldo!" (Lilith sees a big hole in Kaldo's cell and sees Warden Poon on the ground, grabs a dazed Poon by the collar.) "Where is Kaldo?" Lilith asked
(Bewildered and terrified.) "He's gone. He busted himself out. I've never seen anything like it, he was like a one-man army!" Warden Poon said with fright
Lilith lets go of Poon and leaves. At the invasion, the team is navigating their way down the sides of the volcano. Cuts to a view of the underside of an airship, a hatch at the bottom opens.
"Try and find cover! I think we're about to see some bombs!" Willow shouted
Luz, Amity, Camila and Appa are seen approaching in the distance. Willow and Boscha bends a ceiling of earth overhead. Cuts to the undersides of the airships as they release bombs. Cuts to an overhead view of the invasion force as the bombs rain down and detonate. One bomb lands very near the earth ceiling, causing it to start crumbling. Boscha props it up by bending two earth columns to support it. Cuts to a view of the earthbending tanks, the soldiers being shaken about by the activity. The airships pass over. The team runs out from under the ceiling. Cuts to a view of the Royal Plaza, the airships flying past.
"Why aren't they turning around to attack us again?" Amity asked
(Thoughtfully.) "They're heading for the beach ..." (Alarmed.) "They're gonna destroy the submarines!" Luz said in panic
(Hopelessly.) "How are we all going to escape?" Willow asked
(Approaching, helped by Bato.) "We're not." Hakoda said
(Looks determined.) "Then our only choice is to stand and fight. We have the Avatar, we could still win." Willow said
"Yes, with the Avatar we could still win. On another day. You kids have to leave. You have to escape on Appa together." Hakoda said
(Surprised.) "What?" (Grabs Hakoda.) "We can't leave you behind!" (Looks at the rest of the invasion force.) "We won't leave anyone behind!" Gus said
"You're our only chance in the long run. You, Amity and Willow have to go with Luz somewhere safe." (Gus looks back at Luz, Amity and Willow sorrowfully.) "It's the only way to keep hope alive." Hakoda said
"The youngest of our group should go with you, Eda and Camila will stay with you to make sure you're all safe. The rest of us will stay behind and surrender. We'll be prisoners, but we'll all survive this battle." Bato said
(Approaching the two.) "I've got some experience with the Fire Nation prisons. It's not going to be easy, but we'll get by." Kyro said
(Turning, alarmed.) "They're at the beach already!" Willow shouted
Cuts to the Royal Plaza, the shadows of the airships seen moving along the ground. Camera pans upward to the shore. Cuts to a view of the swamp monster, airships flying directly overhead. Hama, Tho and Due attempt to deflect the bombs with waterbending, they manage to destroy some. The swamp monster grabs several more and tosses them away. One bomb, however, lands inside the seaweed figure and detonates. Steaming piles of seaweed land onto the ground. Huu, along with Hama, Tho and Due, emerge from the mess, defeated. Five bombs are released onto each of the submarines, destroying all five of them. The team looks on in disappointment. Willow closes his eyes resentfully.
(Rising on an earth column along with Boscha and helps his son mount Appa.) "Bye, son." the Mechanist said (Hugs Geo.)
"Bye, Dad. I'm really proud of you." Geo said
The mechanist looks up at Geo as the earth column is lowered by Boscha.
(Struggling to mount Appa.) "I'll miss you, Pipsqueak." The Duke said
(Propping The Duke onto the saddle.) "Take care, The Duke." Pipsqueak said
(Hugs his father.) "We'll be back for you, Dad." Taru said
"If we don't escape on our own first." Kyro said
Taru bows respectfully to Kyro.
(Hands on both Gus and Amity's shoulders with Willow in the middle.) "We lost today, but we've never been this close." (Kneels down to face the three children.) "We tasted victory, and that counts for something." Hakoda said
"We'll miss you, Dad." Gus said (The three hug him.)
"Bye, Hakoda. We won't be apart for too long this time. I promise." Willow said
"I hope we see each other again." Amity said
Cuts to a shot of Hakoda embracing the children, he closes his eyes. Cuts to a shot of Luz, sitting on Appa's head, tears streaming down her face. Amity approaches her, puts a hand around her shoulders and smiles at her proudly. Luz wipes away her tears and rises to face the invasion force.
"Thank you all for being so brave and so strong. I'm gonna make this up to you." Luz said
The team turns to leave on Appa. Appa moans and takes off as the team looks back sadly at those remaining. Cut to a view of those remaining watching them leave. Meanwhile, on a Fire Nation airship.
"Should we follow them, admiral?" a Fire Nation soldier asked
"No, they're too fast. It doesn't matter. They'll be back." Kikimora said (Smiles evilly.)
(Looking at the airship in the distance then looks ahead.) "I know just the place for us to go where we'll be safe for a while. The Western Air Temple!" Luz said
Appa flies away in the distance. A war balloon approaches from behind. Cuts to Lilith, a determined look on her face as she follows them.
Fades to credits.