Book One: Water
Chapter Two: The Avatar Returns
The next scene shows the village and everyone was standing outside the entrance and the children were delighted for Aang's return. The same can't be said for the audience as they are worried about Sokka and the elderly's response to the accident.
Sokka: I knew it. You signaled the Fire Navy with that flare. You're leading them straight to us, aren't you?
Katara: Aang didn't do anything. It was an accident.
Aang: Yeah, we were on the ship and there was this booby trap and, well, we- we boobied right into it.
Gran-Gran: Katara, you shouldn't have gone on that ship. Now we could all be in danger.
Aang: Don't blame Katara. I brought her there. It's my fault
Sokka: A-ha! The Traitor confesses! Warriors, away from the enemy! The foreigner is banished from our village.
"This isn't right," Padme said, "What he did was an accident, why would they just banish Aang,"
"Because their world is at war, Senator Amidala," Mace Windu coldly elaborated, "Though Sokka's incapability to train children into soldiers and being a leader, he has a firm grasp of reality. Accident or not, Aang had put the lives of the village in danger and it is not something that can be ignored,"
The other Jedi agreed, though some were hesitant considering that Aang didn't know any better. But chose not to retort Mace Windu's comment as it is indeed a mistake that can't be overlooked.
Katara: Sokka, you're making a mistake.
Sokka: No, I'm keeping my promise to Dad. I'm protecting you from threats like him.
Katara: Aang is not our enemy. Don't you see? Aang's brought us something we haven't had in a long time, Fun.
Sokka: Fun? We can't Fire Benders with fun!
Aang: You should try it sometime.
Sokka: Get out of our village now!
Katara: Grandmother, please, don't let Sokka do this.
Gran-Gran: Katara, you knew going on that ship was forbidden. Sokka is right. I think it best if the Airbender leaves.
Katara: Fine, then I'm banished, too. Come on, Aang, let's go.
"I must admit, Katara's determination to prove Aang's innocence when facing banishment is commendable. Even though she has met Aang for a few days, she's willing to put herself between Aang and her Tribe," Aayla remarked, "Even though it wouldn't help the situation any better.
Even senators present agreed regardless of how misplaced it is in this case.
Sokka: Where do you think you're going?
Katara: To find a Waterbender. Aang is taking me to the North Pole.
Aang: I am? Great!
Sokka: Katara! Would you choose him over your tribe, your own family?
Aang: Katara, I don't want to come between you and your family.
Katara: So you're leaving the South Pole? This is good-bye?
Aang: Thanks for penguin sledding with me.
Katara: Where will you go?
Aang: Guess I'll go back home and look for the Air Benders. Wow. I haven't cleaned my room in 100 years. Not looking forward to that.
Most of the audience couldn't help but chuckle at Aang's joke, and imagine what it would be like if he were to visit his home so that he could clean his room again.
As soon as Aang jumps onto Appa's head, he gives his goodbye while Sokka makes a rude remark, something that's been frowned upon by the audience.
"For a realist, that remark was rudely unnecessary," Depa remarked,
"I agree, he has already said his piece and accused Aang of being a traitor. He didn't have to insult him and his bison like that," Shaak Ti added,
Gran-Gran: Katara, you'll feel better after you-
Katara: You happy now? There goes my only chance of becoming a waterbender!
Sokka: All right, Ready our defenses! The Fire Nation could be on our shores any moment now!
Water Tribe Boy: But I got to
Sokka: And no potty breaks!
The audience grows to worry about the village even as the scene goes to Aang, slouching on some ice with Appa.
Apart from Aang admitting that he liked Katara's company to Appa, they were met with Zuko's ship setting course on the village. Thus, Aang decided to take action and rush towards the village despite being banished by the tribe.
The next scene shows Sokka preparing for his confrontation from tying laces to applying war paint all over his face. By the time he was done, one of the audience couldn't help but remark on Sokka's traditional war paint, "Is it just me, or does Sokka's war paint resemble that of Pau'ans,"
"Now that you've mentioned it, it does look similar. By facial standards, of course," Ki-Adi-Mundi added,
What followed was Zuko preparing himself by letting his crew dress him with Fire Nation Armor. The audience saw a difference between Sokka and Zuko with the latter letting his people do the work while the former does the work himself.
It parallels the conditions of this upcoming confrontation, but they remain worried that the inhabitants of this tribe would fall quickly to the Banished Prince and his crew.
The next scene soon shows Sokka standing guard and the villagers gasping as they feel the tremors of an incoming ship. Moments later, the ship was seen beyond the snowy mist and it towers over Sokka as it plows through the snow.
Katara: Sokka! Get out of the way!
"She's right. If he doesn't move, he'll be mowed by that vessel," Tech remarked,
"And by the size of that ship, he'll be crushed," Hunter grimly added,
But before that could happen, the ship just plows through the wall of snow and stops in front of the ship. What followed was the ship's stem lowering down and revealing Zuko accompanied by his soldiers.
Sokka tries to charge at Zuko first, but the latter disarms and knocks him aside with just kicks and some of the audience hisses at Sokka's swift defeat.
"Outmatched, he is," Yoda commented,
Zuko: Where are you hiding him? *silence then grasps Gran-Gran's hoodie* He'd be about this age, Master of all elements.
The audience disapproves of Zuko's methods of questioning but is somehow calm considering that this is nothing compared to the enemies they've faced or encountered in their world.
What followed was Zuko unleashing a single but controlled fireblast to frighten the village but not hurt them.
Zuko: I know you're hiding him.
Before anyone could retort at Zuko's action, they soon witnessed Sokka charging head-on. Compared to the first, this one was a bit longer as Sokka used what he could to fight Zuko such as using his club, boomerang, and a spear he received from a child.
But all of it was for naught as Zuko bested him so easily by breaking the last weapon and thrust it onto Sokka's forehead until he fell on the snowy ground.
Once more, the audience couldn't retort to Sokka's efforts as the boomerang came back and hit Zuko in the back of his head. Now the audience was worried about being aggressive against the tribe as two dagger-like flames forward from his hand and glared down at the fallen warrior.
However, Aang came along riding on a penguin and slid underneath the Prince's legs. Then most of the audience laughed when Zuko's helmet landed on the latter's behind and the children cheered even when covered by snow.
"Well, that's one to turn the tides around," Kenobi joked,
"Good one, Master Kenobi," Luminara remarked,
Aang: Hey, Katara. Hey, Sokka.
Sokka: Hi, Aang. Thanks for coming.
After Zuko got back up, they were tempted to see how Aang was going to handle this situation. But instead, they were soon given a bit of a twist in the scene.
Aang: Looking for me?
Zuko: You're the Airbender? You're the Avatar?
Katara: Aang?
Sokka: No way.
"Guess you can't hide a 100-year secret forever," Caleb remarked,
Zuko: I spent years preparing for this encounter, training, meditating, You're just a child
Aang: Well, you're just a teenager.
The audience then bears witness to Zuko going on the offensive while Aang goes on defense by whirling his staff. However, some were worried as the people behind Aang risked getting burnt by Zuko's flame.
Then came a familiar yet surprising act on Aang's part.
Aang: If I go with you, will you promise to leave everyone alone?
After some silence, Zuko's nod was his response, and the audience showed some level of reaction towards Aang's selfless act.
"To give himself up to protect this tribe. Quite a noble act of Aang," Duchess Satine said,
"Though his capture would put this world at risk," Kit Fisto remarked, "His heart is in the right place,"
Everyone agreed to that, then they started expressing a solemn look on the state of the tribe after Zuko's departure with Aang. It isn't like the other worlds they've been in, but it is still saddening to see such people restore what little remained of their home.
After a while, Katara is seen and the audience knows where this is going.
Katara: We have to go after that ship, Sokka. Aang saved our tribe. Now we have to save him.
Sokka: Katara, I-
Katara: Why can't you realize that's he on our side? If we don't help him, no one will. I know you don't like Aang, but we owe him and-
Sokka: Katara, are you going to talk all day or are you coming with me?
The audience soon finds themselves surprised by Sokka's sudden change of heart. Whether it was the discovery that Aang is the Avatar or the fact Aang turned himself in to keep the tribe safe. They were still surprised nonetheless.
"Well, it would appear that his warrior has a heart, after all," Ahsoka remarked,
"Heart, he indeed has," Yoda added,
Apart from Sokka's remark to Katara, they saw Gran-Gran catching her grandchildren in the act. But she too was into their plan by presenting some extra luggage to the two.
Gran-Gran: It's been so long since I've had hope, but you brought it back to life, my little Water Bender. And you, My Brave Warrior, be nice to your sister.
Sokka: Yeah, ok, Gran.
Gran-Gran: Aang is the Avatar. He's the world's only chance. You both found him for a reason. Now your destinies are intertwined with his.
"It seems like these two will go through an adventure they'll never forget," Caleb said,
"Indeed, My Padawan. And an experience that'll shape their lives forever," Depa added,
The Jedi, Senators, and some of the Clones were eager to know how these two would change in this journey.
Katara: There's no way we can catch a warship with a canoe.
"She's right, even with the combination of Katara's water bending and Sokka's navigation. I doubt they'll come close to that warship," Plo Koon stated,
However, the solution came down to Aang's Bison, Appa, and everyone looked quite surprised and curious as to how it came to the two.
The next scene then shows Zuko's vessel sailing across the cold waters of the South Pole, then comes Zuko himself, holding onto Aang's folded glider.
Zuko: This Staff will make an excellent gift for my Father. I suppose you wouldn't know of Fathers, being raised by monks.
When this part was revealed, the Jedi Masters were somehow struck with a sense of familiarity towards the Air Nomad's way of life. It reminded them of how the Jedi Council would find Force-Sensitive Children, bring them to the temple at a certain age, and become Padawans as they undergo Jedi training.
The Padawans themselves were familiar with this feeling, and they wondered how the Air Nomads lived so similarly to those of the Jedi Temple.
The rest were merely curious as they continued with the scene and some chuckled at Iroh asking one of the crew to bring Aang's staff to Zuko's quarters after his nephew handed the staff to him and asked him to bring it to his quarters.
What follows is Aang conversing with the Firebenders as he is being escorted to the prison hold. Then the audience witnessed Aang use his Airbending with his breath and knock himself against the guard behind and push the guard in front of him against the door.
"It would appear that Airbending is not limited to his arms and feet. Rather smart on his part," Ki-Adi-Mundi remarked,
"All that's left is to find his staff and get out before he is taken to the Fire Nation," Plo Koon said, "The world has longed for its savior and Aang must fulfill his calling,"
Sokka: Go. Fly. Soar.
Katara: Please, Appa, we need your help. Aang needs your help.
Sokka: Up. Ascend. Elevate.
Katara: Sokka doesn't believe you can fly, but I do, Appa. Come on, don't you want to save Aang?
Sokka: What was it that kid said? Yee-ha? Hup-hup? Wa-hoo? Uh, Yip-yip?
As soon as Sokka said Aang's catchphrase for Appa, the audience witnessed the bison picking up pace, pounding its tail, and finally soaring through the skies as Aang had told.
"By the force, That bison can fly!" Luminara exclaimed,
"And if people of the Galactic Rim see this, they'd think that this bison is flying with the use of the Force," Ahsoka remarked,
"The Force, Strong in the Bison, It is," Yoda joked before chuckling,
What made a few of the audience chuckle even more was Sokka exclaiming the fact that Appa and Katara gave a cheeky smile at her brother's reaction.
Then the scene goes back to Aang, and the audience watches the Avatar making his escape. Though worried for his well-being, they were vastly impressed by how Aang managed to evade the soldiers through a narrow hallway and free himself by using the edge of a Fire Nation Soldier's helmet to cut the rope.
What followed was Aang opening and closing doors to find his staff, and some of the audience giggled when he quietly shut the door to a snoozing Iroh.
Aang: My Staff
Zuko: Looks like I underestimated you
The atmosphere grew tense for the audience as Aang faced Zuko in his quarters. What comes next is the latter goes for the first move and the former evades most of his attacks.
"His footwork is so fluid," Shaak Ti remarked, "To evade Zuko's fireblasts in such a small space is quite impressive,"
"Not to mention his Airbending skills," Aayla Secura added, "To cancel out some of his attacks and maneuver around the room with incredible speed,"
As they kept watching, the fight concluded with Aang's victory as he armed his staff and knocked the Fire Nation Prince around.
"Now that was creative," Kenobi said,
They soon watched Aang making his escape through the bridge, and his freedom was close at hand as he opened his glider. However, the audience gasped when Zuko appeared and jumped to grab Aang's ankle before he could get the chance to escape.
The audience grew increasingly worried, especially when Aang and Zuko crashed onto the ship's deck. But relief soon came into the audience as they spotted a particular bison in the air.
Zuko: What is that?
Aang: Appa!
Aang's relief aside, he was forced on the defensive as Zuko ferociously attacked the Avatar with strong fireblasts.
"Oh, I can't bear to see this," C3PO said as he shielded his eyes, and R2D2 shared his worry,
Eventually, Aang was pushed towards the ship's railing and proceeded to fall into the water. Which made the audience share the same worry as the droids.
Katara: Aang! Aang! AANG!
Upon hearing Katara's voice, the audience found themselves dumbstruck by the glow of Aang's eyes and tattoos. Then they witnessed Aang use water bending to emerge from the water onto the ship's deck and bend the water to knock Zuko and his men to the railing while the Prince went overboard.
"What was that," Padme questioned,
"It's like a state of mind where Aang was able to tap into his utmost potential against all opposition," Kit Fitso summarized, "It even gained him access to a bending which he had not done for over a hundred years,"
"But even with such power, he lacks control since he used most of his energy on that attack," Mace Windu remarked as Aang was exhausted afterglow slowly faded to normal.
Katara: Aang! Are you ok?
Aang: Hey, Katara. Hey, Sokka. Thanks for coming
Sokka: Well, I couldn't let you have all the glory.
Aang: I dropped my staff.
Sokka: Got it!
As Sokka ran to Aang's staff and grabbed it, he and the audience were startled when Zuko managed to hold onto the boat. Their startled looks soon turned to amusement when Sokka poked onto Zuko's head the same way he did back in their village.
The following scene then shows Zuko's crew getting up with weapons on hand. Katara tries to use her water bending but ends up accidentally freezing Sokka to his feet.
"Talk about getting cold feet," Anakin remarked, and a few of the audience gave looks at their Chosen One,
"A little too soon, Skyguy. Too soon," Ahsoka remarked,
However, they soon saw Katara learning from her mistake and freezing the soldiers before they could grab her. With them immobilized, Katara goes onto Appa's saddle.
Katara: Hurry up, Sokka!
Sokka: I'm just a guy with a boomerang. I didn't ask for all this flying and magic. Yip-yip! Yip-yip!
As they make their escape, the audience witnesses Iroh helping his nephew on the ship again and what follows is the two unleashing their fire bending power to shoot them down.
However, Aang manages to get behind Appa in time and repel the attack towards the mountainside. The resulting blast causes the snow to crash on top of the ship and the audience either cheered or approved Aang's successful escape.
Iroh: Good news for the Fire Lord. The Fire Nation's greatest threat is just a little kid.
Zuko: That kid, Uncle, just did this. I won't underestimate him again. Dig this ship out and follow them... As soon as you're done with that.
Some of the audience chuckled at Zuko's last remark while his men carefully thawed out the frozen troops.
Then the scene goes to Appa as Katara converses with Aang.
Katara: How did you do that?! With the water? It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!
Aang: I don't know. I just sort of ... did it.
Katara: Why didn't you tell us you were the Avatar?
Aang: Because... I never wanted to be.
The Jedi present were soon confused by what Aang had just said to them. After a short moment of silence, the first question came from Caleb, "He never wanted to be the Avatar? What does that suppose to mean?"
"It's almost certain that Aang didn't want to uphold the responsibilities of the Avatar," Plo Koon said, "As for the reason why is a mystery. Especially as to how he ended up on the iceberg for a hundred years,"
"Answers, we will find. To learn more of this world's Chosen One, we will," Yoda declared, and
Katara: But Aang, the world's been waiting for the Avatar to return and finally put an end to this war.
Aang: And how am I going to do that?
Katara: According to legend, you need to first master water, then earth, then fire, right?
Aang: That's what the monks told me.
Katara: Well, if we go to the North Pole, you can master water bending!
Aang: We can learn it together!
Katara: And Sokka, I'm sure you'll get to knock some fire bender heads on the way.
Sokka: I'd like that. I'd really like that.
Katara: Then we're in this together!
"Looks like they all have it planned out," Depa stated, "And with their help, Aang will surely master these four elements and put an end to the hundred-year war,"
Everyone seemed to agree on their plan...
...
...
...
Until Aang had other plans in mind...
Aang: All right, but before I learn water bending, we have some serious business to attend to. *pulls out the World Map* Here, here and here.
Katara: What's there?
Aang: Here, we'll ride the hopping llamas. *points to another location* Then way over here, we'll surf on the backs of giant koi fish. *points at the final location* Then back over here, we'll ride the hog monkeys. They don't like people riding them, but that's what makes it fun!
As soon as the episode ends, everyone in the audience is dumbstruck by the places that Aang mentioned. Though the plan to master Waterbending was fine, Aang's plan to visit certain locations brings up quite a lot of disagreements.
Mostly coming from the veterans of the Galactic War.
"Is this boy even serious? The world is in peril, the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the war. And the only thing he can think before his training is his childish antics?!" Mace Windu yelled,
"Calm yourself, Master Windu. You do realize that Aang is still 12 years old after being trapped in that iceberg," Kit Fisto reasoned, "If we consider that, it almost feels predictable for Aang to do such things. He is a child after all,"
"But his childish antics aside, I certainly hope to see more of this world as they've only covered one part of this world. If we see more of Aang visiting these locations, maybe we'll learn from them," Senator Chuchi said, "Such as their culture, history, and more,"
"I agree with your statement, Senator Chuchi," Duchess Satine said, "And I feel rather tempted to see whatever lies in store for them,"
While most of the audience conversed with one another, Anakin felt a bit left out as he compared himself with Aang's age. He was chosen by Qui Gon's belief in a Jedi Prophecy and was provided with proper training by his Master after Qui Gon's death on Naboo.
When he puts Aang is into thought, he ponders about what could have been if he were in the Avatar's shoes. Could he focus on his training or go down with his plans.
These questions would remain in his mind and Crest just stares at the Chosen One with one thing in mind, 'I wonder how he'll fare when we reach the second... Perhaps he'll learn something in the end
With that out of the mind, Crest reminded them of the upcoming episode, and the audience was given a short break before continuing with another screening.
That is it for this episode, and to think that this idea would rise with such popularity already. For that, I am grateful to all of you.
But my thanks aside, I'd to remind you all that I need some assistance since I probably can't do this alone and progress will remain slow as I'm working on multiple stories at a time.
Also, let me know if there are any more characters you'd like to see in the future. But remember this, I won't be putting any Villains or Future Characters among the audience.
Because that would confuse the hell out of my plans.
That is all and I'll see you all in the next episode: The Southern Air Temple