Hi! Welcome to TLF - The Last Firebender, an alternate universe fanfiction project that originally started out as a remake of Distorted Reality, until it slowly morphed into being its own standalone adventure.
We follow Aang, as he and his friends are stuck in a timeline of failure, one in which the war has been lost already, the invasion of the Black Sun failed, and our heroes have been running from the clutches of the Fire Nation for three years now. In a last-ditch effort, Aang travels to the Spirit World, hoping to gain some kind of power or wisdom from his past lives. But, instead, the Avatar is blasted into a distorted reality three years prior, one in which the Fire Nation and Water Tribe have switched places, amongst other things...
Here, stuck in his old body and with only air to bend, Aang finds his new companions, a few of which will shock him to his core:
-Azula, firebending prodigy and sassy strategist, obvious point of contention for Aang, as the version of Azula in his world has since become his personal manifestation of everything he hates.
-Zuko, her clumsy brother, who, unlike the scarred, princely version, lacks both firebending and ruthless strength, though makes up for it in his compassion, emotional maturity, and spiritual know-how.
-Ty Lee, bubbly personality and - surprisingly - airbender, the girl grew up as a naive orphan, more than a little excited to become the Dream Team's jolly, aura reading acrobat.
But, amongst these new heroes, and many more, Aang is also faced with a new set of enemies:
-Sokka, who, in a cruel twist of fate, has turned from trusted Water Tribe Warrior to spoiled Water Tribes Prince, set on hunting down the Avatar and his friend the firebender for sport.
-Kenora, girl waterbender, set on assisting Sokka on his quest, but for what personal goal?
-And of course - the leader of the Water Tribes himself - Great Chief Hakoda.
In an episodic adventure (that honestly just has the length of multiple novels at this point) Aang and his new friends set out to teach the boy all four elements, with the goal of taking down the Great Chief and his Water Tribes Empire with it. But will they succeed before the return of Ogro the Leviathan? Will Aang overcome his trauma and trust people who, in his world, are his mortal enemies? Will he be able to fight those which he wants to see as friends?
And above all - will he trust the one person he despises the most - Azula, The Last Firebender?
Fire...
Flames rise from the bottom by the hand of Master Jeong Jeong. He slashes a fire swipe before creating a huge blast via a kick.
Earth...
A girl wearing a kimono uniform bends a perfectly square rock pillar from the ground. She removes a chunk of it with a kick, then vaporizes the stone with a punch, leaving only dust.
Water...
A girl wearing a pirate coat performs a few kicks, launching tendrils of water, after which she bends them onto her shoulders. A spin later and the water turns to ice shards.
Air...
Aang blasts a few gusts of wind to the right, then backflips to create a funnel, engulfing the left.
My uncle used to tell me stories about the old days, a time of peace when the Avatar kept balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Air Nomads. But that all changed when the Water Tribes attacked...
Only the Avatar mastered all four elements. Only he could stop the ruthless waterbenders. But when the world needed him most, he vanished.
A hundred years have passed, and the Water Tribes are nearing victory in the war. Three years ago, my father and the men of my village journeyed to the Earth Kingdom to help fight against the Water Tribes, leaving me and my brother to look after our island.
Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads and that the cycle is broken, but I don't really care what happened. Yet, many still believe that somehow the Avatar will return to save the world.
The Last Firebender of Twin Island
Based on Distorted Reality by Ogro
Written by Carrotine Clara
Book 1: Fire
Episode 1
The raven-haired girl
Act I. - The last days
It has been three years since Aang last journeyed to the Spirit World. Three years since he spoke to any of his past lives, three years since the war has ended. Or at least since people have stopped fighting.
And it's not like he hasn't tried, to communicate that is. As far as the war was concerned, he and his friends were nothing more than broken soldiers, running from the clutches of the Fire Nation, which has since taken over everything. Six months after Sozin's Comet arrived, the Navy conquered the Northern Water Tribe, the South had already been lost for years at this point. In these desperate times, whenever Aang had a moment, he meditated, trying to reach out to Roku, Kyoshi – anyone. Most of the time the group was able to stay in one place for a few months before escaping. This should be their last hideout. Their last chance. Aang's last chance.
KATARA: How is he doing?
Katara's arms are crossed, her face reeking of the exhaustion of the last few years. She flinches at the explosions outside the temple.
ZUKO: It's the only chance we got. We have to trust him.
Zuko puts his hands on her shoulder in an effort to soothe her. A failed effort unfortunately. As the explosions and the shouting get louder, more resistance members rush down the Air Temple hallway towards the battle.
Azula watches closely from above, like an eagle-hawk eyeing its prey, eagerly following the struggle below. Rows of Fire Nation soldiers and tanks roll towards the front entry of the Southern Air Temple. The fighting is vigorous, troops march onward, but at a high cost.
Azula is standing on the main platform of the flagship. It was recently re-decorated, with a golden dragon head on the very top, apart from easily being the largest one in the fleet. The admiral of the airship approaches her cautiously.
ADMIRAL: Your grace, we are advancing, but we are met with heavy resistance, much larger than we possibly expected-
AZULA: Not a problem. They are trapped. They came here to die.
The admiral pauses in awe.
ADMIRAL: Yes, but I'm afraid at this rate-
Azula turns around in anger.
AZULA: What?!
The admiral gulps.
ADMIRAL: I'm afraid at this rate our losses will far succeed what we calculated. Perhaps if we halt the advance-
AZULA: And let the rebels regroup? Perhaps we should provide them safe conduct as well while we're at it.
The admiral got the message. He bows, turns around and leaves. Azula stands there for a few more seconds, looking down at the battle in contempt.
AZULA: This is the last time you got away, Avatar.
Another explosion. Earth walls created by Toph and the other benders crumble into pieces as the tanks advance. Fire balls shoot at the main entrance, one of them hitting Monk Gyatso's statue, destroying it in the process. Katara and Zuko exit the temple, ready to fight.
KATARA: This is it then.
ZUKO: We only have one chance...
Katara opens her water pouches.
KATARA: Please Aang...
Inside the temple sanctuary Aang sits in silence, meditating, his mind jumping all over the place.
For years Aang pushed the weight of the world off his shoulders. He wanted to be a kid, he wanted to grow up. He needed to grow up. He regrets it now. As the boy nervously scratches the hair on his scalp he tries to calm down, yet the more he hears the shouting, the explosions, the screams - the more he thinks about his friends in danger - the more he panics. His breath intensifies. Momo anxiously crawls around him.
AANG: I should be out there... I should be helping them...
Not being able to take it anymore, he jolts up and, in a nervous breakdown, starts bending air and fire furiously in all directions. Momo hides behind one of the Avatar statues, some of them getting hit by Aang's vicious outburst.
AANG: Please! Roku! Kyoshi! Anyone – I NEED HELP!
Another tank flipped over by Toph's masterful bending skills. Yet, as more Fire Nations soldiers advance, the more desperate it gets. Finally, a fire blast hits her in the shoulder, the Blind Bandit falling down.
TOPH: OW!
Katara's heart skips a beat as she spots the scene.
KATARA: Toph!
Another fire ball is about to hit her as Zuko steps in and blocks it, retaliating and blasting the attacker away. Meanwhile Haru and Katara come to aid the blind girl.
TOPH (in pain): It's fine, don't mind me...
Katara covers her shoulder in water, starting the healing process.
ZUKO: Katara, there's too many of them – we need to go back inside!
KATARA: We won't leave her out here, we don't know what Azula will do to her-
TOPH (in pain): Katara!
Toph grabs her hand, pushing the glowing water away from her wound.
TOPH (in pain): I trust Aang. Please.
Katara starts tearing up.
ZUKO: We need to get back inside.
The earthbender boy gifts her a reassuring look, Haru himself looking exhausted from the fighting.
HARU: I'll stay with Toph.
Zuko runs ahead. Katara hesitates.
ZUKO: Come on!
TOPH (in pain): Go on, I'll be alright.
Aang is nervously pacing up and down.
AANG: What was the point of any of this? Why did Roku even tell me about the comet if he knew I would fail? Was I destined to fail?!
Momo looks at him curiously, wondering why the human is talking to himself.
AANG: And meanwhile I'm in here, unable to do the basic thing that any Avatar is able to do – when my friends are out there, maybe dying-
While unable to really calm down, he slowly runs out of steam. The boy halts and looks at the lemur to his left. He sighs.
AANG: What should I do Sabachi...
Aang plunges on to the ground and sits with his head lowered. He does this for a few seconds, when...
AANG: "Sabachi"?
Momo looks at him in confusion.
AANG: I meant Momo, of course.
The lemur finally reacts, climbing onto his shoulder.
AANG: Who is Sabachi? Am I losing my mind?
Momo purrs at him and licks his face. Aang can hear more and more sounds of the raging battle. He takes a deep breath and gets up.
AANG: No. I can do this.
He assumes a fighting stance, Momo flying on to one of the higher shelves.
Inside the main hall Sokka and Suki are tirelessly fighting off Fire Nation soldiers. Many of the leftover volunteers of the resistance are bravely doing the same, but, with a sheer endless number of soldiers entering, the resistance slowly shrinks.
SOKKA: I don't know how much longer we can take this.
He cuts down a gout of flames with his sword, Suki jumping in to kick the attacker away.
SUKI: I trust Aang, but if he fails-
SOKKA: He won't fail.
Another flame blast hits, without bearing much success, as a sudden water flash extinguishes it. Zuko jumps in, pushing the soldier against a wall, Katara right behind him.
SOKKA: Where's Toph?
AZULA: Oh, don't worry, she'll be fine.
Chime.
Everyone flinches in fear and turns towards Fire Lord Azula, who has entered these ancient halls with a flock of soldiers behind her. For a brief moment, the fighting stops.
AZULA: I was hoping to get a better challenge from the Avatar and his little resistance, yet all I'm seeing is a bunch of loser children.
Zuko and Katara exchange looks. Katara shakes her head.
ZUKO (quietly): Do it.
Agreeing with his plans, Katara tears up again.
A huge fire blast hits the few defenders remaining, the combined power of earthbenders, Katara's water, and Zuko being able to partially block it. Zuko in particular retaliates, slowing down his sister and her entourage, if only for a second.
ZUKO: GO!
Katara runs for it. Azula immediately catches on to the diversion, with Zuko managing to distract her for at least a little while longer.
Katara surfs on a stream of water, not quite as elegantly, but at least it is a quick way to navigate through the Southern Air Temple. She eventually reaches the correct hallway - the temple's sanctuary is now within her reach.
Aang is within her reach.
That's when flames suddenly hit her wave, causing her to crash on to the floor. Four soldiers have been able to follow the waterbender, approaching her with caution. Katara, expecting the worst, watches in awe as a sudden gust of wind flings them all away violently. Appa lands in front of her and grunts happily. She pets his head as a way to show her gratitude.
KATARA: We need to protect Aang while he's still in there. What is taking him so long?
Appa grunts in horror, as more flames shoot above him. He turns around, only for him and Katara to realize that the fire in question was blue.
AZULA: Finally. I bet your boyfriend is in there.
KATARA: You'll have to go through US to get him!
Azula shrugs.
AZULA: Very well.
With quick precision she shoots lighting directly at them. Katara and Appa both jump aside, the projectile hitting its intended target instead – the sanctuary's doors.
The bang of Azula's flash triggers a great many emotions in him. His vulnerability, his guilt, his shame. But there is no time left for that.
The lightning strike managed to open the door only by an inch, but enough for Aang to see a flash of what's outside. His eyes meet Katara's.
Grey meeting ultramarine.
With great determination, he sits down in a meditative stance, taking a deep breath.
KATARA (from outside): Aang, you can do it!
And with tears in his eyes, the glowing finally returns to Aang's body.
Aang opens his eyes again. He finds himself within the sanctuary, yet something is off. The sounds of battle are gone.
AANG: Katara? Hello!?
His heart is now beating out of his chest. Not being able to wait any longer the boy rushes towards the door, trying to burst it open with an air blast, unsuccessfully. He instead opts to crash against it, pushing it open in the process. He looks outside and, instead of seeing the corridor, or Katara, he spots a wide, grassy field, spanning endlessly into the distance. He made it.
AANG: Finally. The Spirit World.
Aang steps outside and, for the first time in ages, feels cozy, one might even say a little bit happy. He smells the fresh air as it breezes across his face.
AANG: I haven't been to the Spirit World since-
ROKU: Since you last used your powers in Ba Sing Se.
Aang looks to his right and suddenly spots Roku, his past life.
AANG: I swear, two seconds ago I looked, and you weren't there.
Roku laughs. Aang shares a smile with him.
ROKU: You haven't been in touch with your spiritual side lately, have you?
Aang's smile slowly disappears.
AANG: No...
Roku sighs.
ROKU: The injury Azula inflicted on you has not yet healed.
Aang reaches for the gaping scar on his back, flinching slightly before refusing to touch it.
AANG: No. Katara tried everything, it's just...
ROKU: It's a wound that affects you in more than one way.
The boy can feel his emotions bubbling over.
AANG: I know! And I've tried to get rid of this spiritual blockade but...
He tears up.
AANG (teary): I just CAN'T! The world is in shambles – it's more unbalanced than it has ever been before, and it's my fault!
He collapses on to his knees and starts sobbing. Roku unfolds his hands in response, kneeling down in front of him.
ROKU: I know your pain, Aang. I can feel it.
Aang clenches his fists, his sorrow turning to anger.
AANG: No. You don't know what this feels like.
He gets back on his feet. Roku looks up in shock.
AANG: You don't know what it feels like to lose – you died before the war started – I am in it!
Aang turns around.
AANG: You don't know what it's like to be a failure...
The soft breeze that was sweeping across the hills and fields just a moment ago slowly morphs into heavy winds, the sky turning into a dark-shaded grey alongside it.
ROKU: I do.
As Roku gets up, Aang starts to regret his tantrum.
ROKU: I do, because I am you.
AANG: But you're not me.
Aang looks at the ground, the grief from his heart reflected in his eyes.
AANG: My friends are getting captured - or worse. And there's nothing I can do about it...
Roku now also gets up and turns around. Aang doesn't see it, but the old man's skin looks pale and sick, his voice sounding fittingly weak.
ROKU (weak): I was afraid things would turn out like this.
Aang's rage slowly dwindles as he turns around. Though he can only see Roku's back, he does notice something being wrong with his prior incarnation.
ROKU (weak): The other Avatars always try to think about possible alternatives in case things go bad. And so, I have always known that, should you fail...
The winds grow heavier. Aang can hear screams, voices that sound familiar, but also don't.
AANG: What's going on? Roku, what's happening?
Suddenly, Aang's tattoos and eyes start glowing again. Roku turns around as Aang witnesses the decay. All other previous lives loop in front of him, until eventually, after Kyoshi shows herself for a moment, Roku begins to disintegrate. Aang tries to reach out for him, yet it seems to be in vain.
AANG: Roku...
ROKU (weak): I'm sorry Aang. I should never have let this happen...
Roku, the firebending Avatar from 116 years prior, dissolves before Aang's very eyes. When it is done, the glowing fades away and Aang looks around in horror.
AANG: Roku? Roku?! What am I supposed to do – WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW?!
The lush grass turns to dry, yellow bush - the winds turn heavier. Ash falls from the sky.
AANG: How can I save my friends?! HOW CAN I SAVE THE WORLD!?
Kyoshi appears in front of him one last time.
KYOSHI: We will guide you, Aang.
She disappears again, the winds clashing against Aang, smashing him into the ground as the boy is dragged across these plains. He tries to get back on his feet, yet the spirit currents have become too strong, pulling him across the hillside. The died-off grass is blown away like the seeds of a dandelion.
AANG: No! Kyoshi!
An especially strong wave hits him, the boy being hurled across, eventually smacking against solid rock. He turns and gazes at the previously non-existent mountain, identifying it as an erupting volcano. The winds continue to drag him further uphill, Aang realizing that, instead of being pushed by air, he is getting sucked in by the volcano's top. In a panic, he desperately tries to hold on to something – anything. To no success.
AANG: No!
As Aang finally reaches the peak, he is quickly swallowed by it, descending into darkness.
AANG: KATARA!
The raven-haired girl looks annoyed at her brother, who clumsily tries to sneak towards a flying guinea pig, sitting on a dry jungle tree branch. The boy older than her lies on his stomach, awkwardly crawling across the yellow, grassy ground, one broadsword in each hand. As he does so, Azula sighs, flicking her bangs behind her ear. The girl is wearing a combination of pink pants and shirt, with a red fabric covering it, creating a dress-like shape. Her hair is long, black, and hangs loose across her shoulders.
AZULA: Zu-Zu, how do you expect to catch a flying rodent on the ground?
His snake-like movement halts. The boy is wearing a crimson shirt and pants, with a vest on top in an even darker shade.
ZUKO: I know perfectly well what I'm doing.
He continues to crawl like a snail, with comical sound effects accompanying it. Azula slaps her forehead.
AZULA: Just let me use my little trick.
She takes on a combat stance. Zuko realizes this and quickly gets back up on his feet.
ZUKO: Azula – DON'T!
Before she's able to take proper aim, he tackles her down, the tiny gout of fire missing its intended target by a lot, shooting only barely above the tree and into the sky. Azula rolls over and sits up, massaging her temple.
AZULA: Great job dum-dum, you lost us our dinner.
Zuko gets up on his feet in a fury.
ZUKO: You almost hit the tree with your little fire-magic! You know what happens if we ignite something on this island – did you forget what fire does to dry grass?!
Azula frowns on the ground, refusing to admit any mistake to herself or her brother.
AZULA: Whatever, it's gone now.
Zuko puts the two swords in the sheath on his back, beginning to walk in the other direction.
ZUKO: Come on, Azula. We need to head back home anyways.
Like a spoiled child she remains seated for a few more seconds. When she does finally decide to get back up, she hears a high-pitched squealing coming from behind her. The flying rodent decided to return to the same branch, making squeaky noises at the raven-haired girl, as if mockery. Zuko is already a few feet away when he stops.
ZUKO: Azula?
The guinea pig continues to squeak. Azula clenches her fists.
AZULA: Oh no, you don't.
As soon as Azula begins the chase, the rodent flies off.
ZUKO: Damn it, not again...
Her brother chases after them.
As the rodent soars from tree to tree, Azula runs on the ground with a certain kind of grace that Zuko can't quite comprehend. Or keep up with.
ZUKO: Azula, come back!
She jumps above a dry tree trunk, and slides below the one following after. Meanwhile Zuko clumsily climbs over both and even manages to drop from the second one. As his face is firmly planted on the ground, he begins to notice something in between the dried grass. Small flakes of ash. The boy begins to worry.
ZUKO: Azula, please wait!
His words don't reach her. With cat-like precision and with extreme endurance she chases the rodent, coming a little bit closer with every leap.
AZULA: I almost got you now...
The crescendo of this chase forces the creature to land on a tree side, with Azula starting to leap from branch to branch in order to climb it. The rodent screams, racing towards the treetop in terror.
Zuko is, in the meantime, trying to catch up. His movements are not as acrobatic as those of his sister, but he manages to get a hold of it eventually. The boy looks to his right, spotting the jungle's edges. Behind the mighty wood Zuko begins to recognize the shape of a mountain.
ZUKO: Azula!
This time his sister did hear him, almost causing her to lose her balance, but she manages to hold on. The chase continues and the rodent looks down in terror.
AZULA: You'll regret the day...
The little thing finally reaches the top and quickly digs through a pile of dry foliage. Azula grabs on to a tree branch, pulling herself up right after.
AZULA: ...you insulted...
Zuko looks up in frustration.
ZUKO: Azula, stop!
His sister now too breaches through the treetop and shoots a blast of fire straight upwards.
AZULA: The last firebender – AZULA!
She stops and comes to her senses. In front of her is a giant mountain, a volcano to be exact. It is one of two volcanos, which gives their home the appropriate name of the Twin Islands, sometimes referred to as The Twins. One of these volcanic siblings stands firmly in the ocean, while the other one, the one Azula is looking at right now, is located on soil. Her stare finally focuses on the little rodent, which has somehow managed to escape on to a small ridge, where it starts running towards the top. Azula hesitates for a moment.
ZUKO: Azula, come down here! You know we're not allowed to intrude on the Twins!
She looks down and thinks about it for a second. Azula has already lost track of the rodent but is somehow magically intrigued by the volcano. A feeling she can't quite explain or put into words.
She decides to leap from the tree and grab on to the ledge.
ZUKO: Oh, Uncle is gonna be so mad.
He performs a quick mini-prayer on his knees...
ZUKO: Please forgive us, Agni.
...before running towards the first Sister as well.
Standing on top of the ledge, Azula holds on for a few moments. Looking down, she stares in awe at the dense, dried-out jungle. The girl can't spot the village from here, but she can see a tiny smoke trail in the distance, so... I guess she kind of can? She can also see her brother, climbing up towards a lower side of the ledge.
AZULA: Oh no, Uncle is gonna be so mad at me...
She decides to follow the trail upwards regardless, coming closer to the top of the volcano. She claps nervously.
AZULA: Okay little rodent, come out come out, wherever you are!
Her steps turn more and more cautious, as the environment itself seems less hospitable. Azula starts to get annoyed more than concerned.
AZULA: Come on! If I'm already breaking the rules, I might as well get home some dinner home.
The raven-haired girl takes a turn and finds herself on some kind of plateau. From here she has a pretty clear view of the other volcano, the other Sister so to speak, with the vast ocean behind it. The waters surrounding it look grey and toxic, her uncle claiming it was a blessing from the spirits, who tried to protect their village from Water Tribe raids. That was about the age Azula stopped believing in the stories of her uncle.
As Azula turns her head again, she sees the flying guinea pig soaring towards the jungle and into safety. The firebender crosses her arms and sighs.
AZULA: Well, great.
ZUKO: Azula!
She turns in slight fear of hearing her own name but tries to keep her composure.
AZULA: Look who made it. For the record, I beat you in that little race.
ZUKO: Azula, stop. We need to get down from here. It's forbidden to-
AZULA: I guess technically the rodent won, but I don't really count him.
ZUKO: It's dangerous up here!
The girl is momentarily able to turn down her sass, focusing on her annoyed/annoying older brother.
AZULA: Oh please, don't bother me with your fairy tales. The last time the Sisters erupted was... what? A hundred years ago? What are you so worried about?
A gap in the ground right next to her cracks open all of a sudden, with a blast of toxic volcano fumes shooting out of it. Azula flinches to the side, stepping on another crack.
ZUKO: Watch out!
He runs towards her and pushes her aside, right as a second stream of gas blasts open. It hits Zuko instead, who, despite covering his face, gets dizzy and walks off the volcano edge.
AZULA: Zuko!
Several eruptions now cover the plateau in toxic fumes, impairing her view. Azula tries to stand upright but can't get anywhere. She begins to panic.
AZULA: ZUKO!
The girl starts to tear up, as this is all her fault.
AZULA (teary): No...
Her sadness erupts into anger.
AZULA: NO!
She starts violently blasting gouts of fire in random directions. They are significantly larger than the two shots she performed before, yet they are also much more sporadic and lack her usual precision. She shoots one last flame charge, unknowingly, directly at the volcano. After a few seconds, a sudden air wave smacks her on to the ground, also blowing away any remaining volcano fumes. After Azula gets up and coughs a bit, she realizes she has regained clear vision again. The girl immediately rushes towards what she can now identify as the plateau's edge.
AZULA: Zuko!
She halts and looks down. Her brother landed on top of a large tree, only a short distance below. Zuko grunts in pain as his younger sister gasps in relief.
AZULA: Thank Agni you're alright!
ZUKO: Don't use the Lord's name in vain.
Azula rolls over her eyes but smiles regardless.
ZUKO: What are you smiling about?
AZULA: Nothing. Come back up here, you dork.
She offers her hand. Zuko sighs.
ZUKO: Might as well, we're already screwed.
He takes a leap, grabbing on to Azula, almost pulling both down in the process. With combined strength, two siblings get back on to the plateau. They both gasp and cough in exhaustion.
AZULA (exhausted): Okay... next time you pull me...
She shuts up and turns around. Only now does she notice the ominous red glow coming from behind her.
Inside the volcano wall, behind the tiny crack Azula blasted earlier, the girl spots a glassy, shiny object hidden inside.
ZUKO: That wasn't there earlier, was it?
AZULA: I... think I made that. The... crack, not the crystal.
Zuko looks at her in disbelief.
ZUKO: You? How?!
Ignoring his redundant inquiry, the firebender steps closer towards the mysterious shimmer, taking a peek inside the crack. The crystal light blinds her at first, but once Azula can properly focus, she hops back in utter shock.
AZULA: Zuko! There's someone inside there!
ZUKO: No way.
He too takes a look-see. Azula is meanwhile trying to calm down, not being able to believe her eyes.
ZUKO: Holy Agni!
AZULA: I think he's alive, Zu-Zu.
Azula looks down at the ground, trying to find her center. She takes a deep breath.
AZULA: Step back.
Timidly, he follows her command.
Azula takes on a bending stance, one she has learned from the forbidden books in Uncle's collection. Her legs apart and firmly on the ground, she does a powerful pushing motion with her arms, creating a small, but more or less stable flame, one that smashes against the red crystal.
As nothing happens, Azula is dumbfounded.
ZUKO: That was... pretty good, I think.
She stands up straight again, crossing her arms and letting out a scoff.
AZULA: Oh, don't pity me with your-
A second, much more powerful gust of wind erupts, shattering the red crystal in an instant. If it had hit either one of the siblings, they would have been blasted somewhere into the jungle woods. Behind the crystal Azula spots a wall of air, a second protective sphere so to speak. The lava inside the volcano, which would have started to engulf the boy by now, gets instantly cooled down and dried to form solid rock.
The boy in the volcano steps forward. His glowing tattoos and eyes have an intimidating effect on Azula and her brother, more so the latter. Perhaps this was the voice that called her to come here.
The glowing disappears again and the boy collapses rather bluntly.
ZUKO: He's... alive. I can't believe it.
Azula rushes towards him and holds him in her arms.
AZULA: Come on, wake up.
Act II. – The boy in the volcano
A wooden ship sails by the volcanic rocks that plagued others before it. These islands are notorious for their difficult navigation, mostly avoided by the rest of the Water Tribes, except the occasional raid. It wasn't a big deal for the prince. His mission was clear, and he knows how to get it.
A sudden air wave hits the blue mast, carrying the emblem of the Water Tribes – a large crescent moon in front of huge waves. The ship experiences some turbulence, and the crew with it. The prince holds firmly on to the ship's nose, while looking straight ahead. He takes off the telescope strapped to his belt and takes a closer look. On top of the left volcano the prince spots a raven-haired girl shooting fire at the rock.
From below deck an old, wrinkly lady emerges, her arms folded inside her sleeves.
KANNA: What is the meaning of this, Prince Sokka?
Sokka lowers the scope and grins greedily.
SOKKA: Finally.
He walks past by the old woman, ignoring her presence and passing by the other crewmen towards the rear end. Offended, Sokka's grandmother follows him.
KANNA: I was asking you a question, Prince-
SOKKA: Silence, woman. You know exactly what this means.
He tries to set course for the Twins.
KANNA: Well, I'm very happy for you my prince, but you must be aware that the waters surrounding the Sisters are extremely dangerous for vessels. Especially ones made of wood.
SOKKA: Are you questioning my methods?
He tries to build up his posture in an intimidating fashion, however the old woman is little impressed.
KANNA: Fine. If you just want to crash your ship, I'm not going to stop you. Just be sure to hand me over an escape raft before you do so.
His machismo-confidence disappears slowly, and the much larger, more intimidating men around the boy start looking at him funny.
SOKKA: We won't go to the volcano, because we already know where to find the bender.
As he triumphantly postures and watches the ship turn around, a second blast shakes up the wooden raft, Sokka looking back in shock.
SOKKA: Apparently that firebender is much stronger than I assumed. I'm looking forward to it...
Aang opens his eyes abruptly and in pain. Images flash through his head. Shouting. Screaming. A glowing. Blinding light in the middle of the night. Waves crashing against rock. An explosion. Ash.
The boy starts twitching around as Azula begins to panic.
AZULA: I think he's dying!
ZUKO: Do something!
She glances at her brother.
AZULA: Like what?
With every new word Aang's unfocused state breaks apart a bit more. The boy pushes his inner turmoil aside, adrenalin pumping through his veins as he looks straight ahead. His eyes match with those of a raven-haired girl.
Grey meeting honey.
AZULA: Hell...o?
In a flash, the strange boy creates an air blast in his left hand, subsequently launching Azula down the volcano ridge with it. He is now in full battle mode. A second figure attacks him with two swords, Aang dodging both swipes with acrobatic jumps. He blows away the boy's weapons and freezes on the spot.
Aang is staring directly at the golden eyes of Prince Zuko. But... it can't be. Zuko is missing his strength, his upper body muscles – most of all, his scar. Aang lets his guard down, allowing the swordfighter to push him over. It appears his own muscle mass, a product of years of war, has suddenly vanished alongside Zuko's. The airbender turns around, a steep cliff behind him. Zuko meanwhile grabs a hold of his broadswords, threatening the strange boy with it.
ZUKO: I don't know who you are, but you WILL leave my sister alone!
It takes Aang a few seconds to let all of that sink in, the odd sensation from gazing upon a scarless Zuko still the most pressing issue on his mind.
AANG: What...
Azula gets back up, causing Aang to lose his composure – he frantically looks at Azula, back at Zuko, and so on. The girl is missing that cold stare, those calculating eyes – no, she HAS to be faking it. And... Zuko is in on it? Or is he? Why is this happening now? And where even is he?!
The siblings get a glimpse of the boy's nerve - or lack there off.
ZUKO: Hey! Did you hear me?
AANG: Where am I?!
Zuko is baffled.
ZUKO: Uh... I'm the one asking questions!
Azula carefully approaches.
AZULA: You're an airbender.
The boys look at her in shock. Aang meanwhile grabs his head, noticing a lack of hair.
ZUKO: Can... you understand us?
The airbender takes a second to examine his entire body. He's wearing his old airbender robe from years ago. He looks visibly younger.
Getting no response, Zuko starts talking in a comical voice.
ZUKO: Can u under-stand UUUS-
Azula jabs him.
AZULA: Stop it Zu-Zu! Of course he can understand us.
Despite missing the harshness of the real Azula, she still looks right through him. The one thing Aang remembers clearly is talking to Roku, after then everything gets blurry. He still hasn't forgotten his friends. He hasn't forgotten Katara.
All of this, seeing one of his supposed friends and... her. Aang decides to roll with it. Perhaps Roku sent him on a spirit quest. Or perhaps he's dreaming.
The boy, which he now is again apparently, gets up on his feet, assuming a peaceful stance out of nowhere. Zuko is dumbfounded, Azula smiles. This worries Aang, but he continues regardless.
AANG: I'm sorry for attacking you-
Interrupting his apology, Aang starts coughing up a concerning amount of ash, the siblings stepping back in disgust. Once this is done, the airbender's voice is significantly higher pitched than it was before.
AANG: I'm sorry for attacking you. I thought you were... somebody else.
AZULA: You fight with many girls, wind-boy?
Aang frowns. To his surprise, Azula's body-language suggests regret.
AZULA: I'm sorry, we're a little surprised too...
Aang doesn't buy it, yet he still plays along.
AANG: It's okay, I-
ZUKO: How did you get inside that rock?
Aang and Azula share a little moment of giving Zuko the silent treatment.
ZUKO: I mean, crystal, I guess. Did you use that thing to cover yourself?
Aang looks to the cave, a humungous smile growing on his face. Appa. He jumps at the bison and strokes his head.
AANG: Appa! Come here buddy, wake up!
The beast grunts, as the siblings can't believe their eyes.
ZUKO: What IS that thing?!
A certain sparkle of joy appears in Azula's eyes. One that Aang can't see right now, nor would he believe its genuineness, and one that the raven-haired girl hasn't experienced in years.
AZULA: Oh, wow.
Appa gets up and exits the cave, shaking the ashes off his fur, covering Zuko in it. Azula managed to dodge it.
ZUKO: Yuk! Great.
Azula giggles. A sound Aang despises, yet Appa has some other plans, the bison approaching a cautious Azula. Aang, who has gotten on top of the animal's head, secretly wishes that his pet would trample her. Yet instead, Appa licks her with his gigantic tongue, a gesture that the raven-haired girl only partially appreciates.
AZULA: Ew. Well, thanks...?
AANG: Appa. His name is Appa.
He pets the bison, though with his stare intensely fixated on Azula, as if he was a house cat closely watching perceived danger. Azula catches on to this pretty quickly.
AZULA: Nice to meet you, Appa. I'm glad he likes me.
AANG: So it seems.
Zuko has meanwhile tapped off all the additional ash from his body.
ZUKO: That's all nice and well... Appa, but-
Appa grunts at the mention of his name.
ZUKO: Uh, hello. It's really nice to meet your pet, but we should get going...
He freezes mid-sentence and awkwardly points at Aang, wanting to finish off the sentence with the boy's name, not being able to do so since he hasn't heard it yet.
AANG: Are... you alright Zu-
Aang catches himself mid-sentence as well. He almost called Zuko by his name, which apparently, he shouldn't know at this point. The boy decides to go with something he heard from Azula earlier.
AANG: ...-Zu? Your name is Zu-Zu, right?
Azula howls with laughter, which Aang once again doesn't really like.
AZULA: I think my brother Zu-Zu just realized you haven't actually told us your name.
ZUKO: Yeah! What is it?
AANG: My name is Aang.
The two older siblings are dumbfounded by the coldness of this smaller child.
ZUKO: Oh, well... hi! I'm Zuko.
Azula jabs him with her elbow.
ZUKO: Not Zu-Zu...
Aang scoffs, Azula noticing it with a keen expression.
AZULA: Well, this one already introduced himself. My name is Azula.
She reaches out her hand for him, Aang flinching. He saw the same person countless times attacking his friends, destroying homes. Yet this isn't the same person. Or is it?
AANG: I should get going.
He pulls Appa's reins in the opposite direction, down the narrow mountain path, which barely fits the beast.
ZUKO: Okay? Bye!
Zuko waves like an idiot, according to Azula at least. She is dumbfounded, yet intrigued by this strange, bald boy.
AZULA: Bye Aang.
The two Fire Nation siblings walk alongside next to each other in silence. They have long left The Sisters, and are now exiting the dry jungle woods, stepping onto an even dryer grass plain. Despite Azula's usual fierce, outwards, loud-mouthed personality, the girl hasn't spoken a single word since they left the volcano. Zuko strokes his left arm and ponders.
ZUKO: So... you think that buffalo can fly?
This gets her attention.
AZULA: ...why?
He scratches the back of his head in a nervous expression.
ZUKO: I don't know. I think I read that airbenders have flying buffalos in one of my-
AZULA: Books. Yeah, I figured.
She still has her arms crossed.
ZUKO: Or was it a bison? I'm not sure.
Azula groans.
AZULA: Who cares Zu-Zu, let's just go home...
Her response causes him to smirk as he tries to play it cool.
ZUKO: Well, Azula, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you miss this "Aang"-
She shoves his face away and he falls down.
ZUKO: Come on! I found him interesting too!
AZULA: Then maybe you should ask him to come back.
Aang and his bison wander aimlessly through the not-so-dense jungle, the animal seemingly unhappy with this, Appa grunting in a deep pitch.
AANG: I don't know. Somewhere off this island...
Appa grunts again, disapproving. Aang responds angrily.
AANG: What? I'm just as lost as you are!
Now Appa's grunt sounds flat out intimidating. It's not that he can understand his bison, Aang is more so arguing with himself right now.
AANG: I said, I don't know! Let's just go, Appa! Yip-yip!
The beast stops and starts shaking.
AANG: YIP-YIP!
Instead of following his command, Appa throws Aang forward and on to the ground.
AANG: Ow!
Appa grunts loudly, while Aang gets back up in fury.
AANG: What was that all about?!
Frustrated by his owner, the fur monster turns around and walks in the other direction.
AANG: Hey! Stop, come back!
Chasing after his pet, the boy trips over a tree branch.
AANG: Appa! What are you doing?
Appa grunts yet again, for a long period and with different pitches. Aang gets back up on his feet and runs after the bison, his anger starting to be replaced with guilt.
AANG: I know I'm not really myself, but it's...
He stops.
AANG: I don't know if you could understand.
And with that, Appa flaps his tail, running a short distance ahead, finally soaring into the sky. Aang reaches out in shock.
AANG: No! APPA!
The boy hesitates to jump or do anything else to stop it. Lowering his hand in defeat, Aang looks down at the ground. His last friend in this world gone. Completely alone. He finally allows himself to sink to the ground.
As the wooden ship sails across the ocean and towards its target, a giant, flying bison passes over it, no one taking note, since all of the crew members are busy mounting the sails or controlling the waves. Prince Sokka is busy training rather clumsily on his own.
There is only one person on the ship who catches a glimpse, its lieutenant, and second in command. Kanna walks up to him after the beast is already gone.
KANNA: What is it, Lieutenant Bato?
BATO: Nothing.
He rudely brushes by the old woman.
Azula and Zuko pass through their last obstacle, a field of palm trees surrounding their village, almost like a shield, although it's not very effective protection against fire or the Water Tribe. Azula takes the lead.
ZUKO: What are we going to tell Uncle Iroh?
She sighs as they enter their little tropical home.
AZULA: Don't worry, it's going to be fine. We'll just say we got lost while hunting, and then-
IROH (firm): Azula.
They freeze on the spot as their uncle exits the wooden hut, angrily pacing towards them. The entire rest of the village stares at the situation unfolding.
ZUKO: Oh no...
Azula gulps quietly. Iroh comes to a hold right in front of the two.
IROH: Where in Agni's name were you?!
Zuko shivers comically.
AZULA: Well Uncle, you see-
ZUKO: It was Azula's fault! She ran after our dinner, and we climbed on to one of the Sisters and there was this kid-
Azula boils cartoonishly and is about to shove her brothers face into the sand.
IROH: Azula.
They both turn around and look with a frightened expression upon their uncle. Iroh sighs deeply, the other villagers having already begun to look away and continue as usual. Incidents like these, between Iroh and his troublesome niece and nephew, occur regularly. The situation has gotten worse since their father left. Iroh sighs.
IROH: You know very well that the island volcanos are sacred, thereby forbidden.
Zuko falls on his knees and cries in a comical fashion.
ZUKO (teary): We're so sorry Uncle – we will never do it again!
IROH: Alright, get up.
He pats his nephew in an attempt to calm him down.
IROH: Come on now you two, let's get back inside. Tea is ready.
Iroh and Zuko walk back to their hut, Azula standing still, not in contempt, but as if she is waiting for her uncle to notice. And so, he does.
IROH: Is everything alright?
She looks down at the ground.
IROH: Did you burn something?
ZUKO: Well, she did use firebending again.
AZULA: Zuko!
She glances at her snitching brother.
IROH: Azula?
AZULA: I didn't burn anything.
She finally decides to face her uncle.
AZULA: We found something.
IROH: On the volcano?
AZULA: No. Inside.
Back with Sokka, the prince faces one of his own soldiers in one-on-one combat on the ship's main deck. His weapon of choice is an intimidating broadsword-machete-hybrid, with a leather and bone handle. The soldier across from him carries no visible weapons. Lieutenant Bato is apparently acting as referee.
BATO: One more time.
Sokka gets ready. He charges at the soldier, who counters his rush with a wave, which he summons from behind. The young prince rolls over to the side and throws his boomerang, when a second, smaller wave hits him in the back, sweeping him across the deck. The soldier looks terrified at having landed a strike against his prince, Bato shaking his head and sighing. Sokka, wet and defeated, starts throwing a tantrum.
SOKKA: What the heck was that?! How was I supposed to get around a second wave?!
BATO: My prince...
Sokka calms down. Supposedly Bato is the one crewmember Sokka doesn't view as disposable.
SOKKA: Next time you'll give me a hint!
BATO: Next time, you'll be facing a firebender.
Sokka's boomerang flies back aiming for Bato's head, the man catching the thing without turning around. Sokka gulps.
BATO: And from what we've seen, from the way her attacks startled our ship, you're going to have to be prepared for a little more than a "second wave"...
Bato makes a motion and creates two huge waves on both sides of the ship. They block the sun, covering Prince Sokka in shadows. This triggers some unpleasant memories.
BATO: As a non-bender, you have to be more inventive than that.
The lieutenant drops his stance, the waves falling back down, shaking the ship, Prince Sokka, but not Bato.
BATO: We will be reaching our destination soon. You should get ready, my prince.
Bato leaves. Sokka sits in a puddle of salt water for a few more seconds before getting back up.
An antique tea pot is put on a stove, inside the small, moody hut.
IROH: Zuko, would you be so kind and ask our neighbors if we can borrow their flint stones?
ZUKO: Uh... which ones?
IROH: Oh, any would be fine.
Iroh forces his nephew outside with a warm smile, Zuko complying without a second thought. After the boy is gone, Iroh smirks at Azula, who sits grumpily at their small kitchen table. In his hand he shows her his own set of flint stones, before sitting down across from her.
IROH: You do not seem surprised.
AZULA: Zuko never likes the "difficult" conversations.
Iroh prepares dry tea leaves in a bowl.
IROH: Can you really blame him in these times? His sister is one of the last firebenders, maybe ever. He knows when you are caught by Water Tribe patrols, they will most likely take you away.
She scoffs, knowing her guilt, but refusing to admit it.
IROH: Which is why it concerns me that you used your ability on the volcano.
The old man raises his eyebrows, both in scolding as well as concern. His firm, but peaceful interrogation techniques always manage to get through to the little firebender girl.
AZULA: Something called me. I think it was Aang.
Iroh scoffs in apparent surprise.
IROH: Aang? That sounds like a very strange name.
AZULA: He's an airbender. He was trapped inside the volcano somehow. I got him out of there with my fire.
Iroh nods. Judging by his body language this message genuinely seems to have triggered something. Azula is intrigued.
AZULA: What is it?
IROH: Azula, do you remember what I told you about the Sisters?
Her attention is shortly replaced by annoyance.
AZULA: Yeah, that they erupted 100 years ago and that they're magic...
IROH: 100 years ago. That's when the Avatar disappeared.
The girl is immediately back on board.
AZULA: The Avatar?! I thought the waterbenders killed him.
IROH: At the start of the war, when the Water Tribe attacked the Air Nomads, they killed most of them. Some of them fled, some of them were taken as prisoners.
AZULA: That means the Avatar could have survived.
The firebender is forced to pause for a moment, digesting all this new information.
AZULA: But... but wouldn't they know? I thought the Water Tribe launched the attack in order to kill the Avatar.
IROH: No Avatar ever showed up. Their methods of warfare are brutal, but... often lack the brains.
AZULA: So, this means Aang could be the Avatar.
IROH: Maybe. It's hard to answer how he survived inside an active volcano for a century.
Azula looks at her uncle with the same sparkle in her eyes that she had when first spotting Aang and Appa.
AZULA: There's only one way to find out.
Their conversation is abruptly ended as the two hear sudden unrest from outside. Screaming, the village bell, and distant drum music. That's when Zuko returns.
ZUKO: They're here.
The Water Tribes drums are intense and loud, with a very fast rhythm to accompany the incoming attack. The soldiers ready themselves, putting on armor and face paint. In addition, their uniforms include a wolf-shaped helmet. Sokka's helmet is the largest one, of course. Bato's is the only one shaped like a different animal, a white fox.
The infantry readies their spears, benders filling their bags with ocean water.
KANNA: Is this really necessary? I thought we are hunting a small girl.
SOKKA: Don't concern yourself with the matters of warfare, woman. I will be facing a powerful adversary. I will need everything I got.
Two male servants start putting his armor and makeup on.
KANNA: Oh yeah? That will go well...
Sokka shouts, as the drums are getting louder.
SOKKA (shouting over the drums): What?
KANNA (shouting over the drums): Nothing my prince, good luck!
SOKKA (shouting over the drums): Thank you!
The peaceful village now in complete disarray, women and elderly are running around, the screaming children being brought into the huts for safety. Able-bodied men are nowhere to be found, with the exception of Iroh, who exits with his niece and nephew in tow. Their de-facto Chieftain looks at the approaching ship in horror.
IROH: They're coming for you, Azula.
He turns around.
IROH: Quick! Go inside and hide!
AZULA: No!
Her uncle looks at the girl in confusion.
ZUKO: What? Azula, if they capture you-
AZULA: I don't plan on fighting them on my own.
She looks back towards the palm trees.
AZULA: But we will need help.
Iroh smirks, if only a little.
IROH: Fine. Go find Aang.
ZUKO: Aang?!
Zuko's face takes on a cartoonish expression.
On a dry grass field, stretching far beyond, Aang walks onward aimlessly. His mind similarly wanders around with no real focus or direction. Images flash through his mind - Azula inside the Southern Air Temple. The failed attack at Sozin's comet. The failed invasion of the Black Sun. When Ba Sing Se fell and Azula struck him down. When Appa was lost. When the Moon Spirit died. When he ran away from Gyatso. When-
KATARA: Aang! Aang?
He snaps out of it, frantically looking around, spotting nothing but grass, jungle and the volcanoes in the back.
AANG: KATARA?! Katara, where are you? I can't see you!
KATARA: Me neither! But I can hear you!
Aang nods, falling to his knees.
AANG: At least there's that...
KATARA: You... sound different.
He gets back up in a rush.
AANG: I know it's-
He sighs.
AANG: It's a lot to explain, and I don't know how much time I've got...
KATARA: Aang, it's okay.
Words of relief which Aang really needed to hear.
AANG: Where are you know?
KATARA: Azula captured us, she'll be taking us to the capital.
AANG: Are the others alright?
Katara sighs.
KATARA: I don't know, Aang.
The boy is at a loss for words.
AANG: Katara... I... I-
KATARA: Aang, calm down.
He shuts up, a sense of compassion carried through her tone.
KATARA: I don't know what's going to happen next, I have no idea what your spirit journey encompasses – whatever is set for your future...
Katara now seems to appear in front of him.
KATARA: ...but I know you can do this.
The images of terror plaguing Aang finally disappear from his mind, replaced by the kind and wonderful memories of the Avatar and his friends. How they laughed, how they cried. How they fought, how they lost. Always as one. And most of all, he remembers Katara. How they met, how they trained. When they kissed. That soft, gentle sensation as she slowly places her hand on his face. Katara's voice echoes in his head.
KATARA: Aang. Aang! Are you alright, Aang?
The feeling of her smooth hand begins to burn a bit, as it starts to feel like...
AZULA: Aang. Aang! Are you alright, Aang?
The burning feeling turns out to be Azula, who lightly smacks him on the cheek repeatedly.
AZULA: Come on, Aang! Are you dying again?!
The boy howls in a panic as he leaps up from the ground, causing Azula to jump back and screech. After a few seconds the mayhem is over and a calm, standing Aang looks down at the scared girl sitting on grass. For the first time ever, he feels compassion. Azula is, in contrast, very much pissed.
AZULA: Don't you ever do that again!
She is obviously embarrassed that someone caught her vulnerable like that.
AANG: I'm... so sorry, I think I passed out from the heat...
With cat-like precision the girl jumps back on to her feet.
AZULA: Whatever, we don't have time for this.
Aang suspects something is wrong.
AZULA: Our village is under attack - I know we only just met, but... please. We need your help.
AANG: Who is attacking you?
Azula scoffs.
AZULA: Well, have a guess. The Water Tribe, of course.
As the boy's pupils widen, fear shoots through his system again.
The wooden ship arrives on shore. A boarding crew consisting of Viking-like warriors hops on to the beachhead, emitting battle cries, in perfect synch with the fast-paced drums on deck. The entire village has barricaded itself behind the flimsy-looking huts. All look outside towards the intimidating wolf-clothed aggressors as they approach their only system of defense - Zuko, both broadswords drawn.
Bato jumps off the ship next and assumes a bending stance, eyeing Zuko sharply.
BATO (mumbling to himself): He's not here.
Finally, a figure emerges, one carrying a dark blue and light grey wolf helmet, presenting himself as the main attraction. This is Sokka of course, the rest of his armor appearing more stylish than functional, even including a toga-cape-cross.
The prince draws his equally expensive sword, jumping down and managing the beach landing.
SOKKA: Nailed it.
The prince spots Zuko as he approaches, the swordfighter, while presenting himself as ready, having a hard time hiding his unnerve. The drums stop rather abruptly.
SOKKA: I am Prince Sokka of the great Southern Water Tribe. I have come here today with a gift!
Zuko clenches his swords with determination. In that moment Iroh appears from their hut, his posture suggesting that he will attempt to peacefully block the invaders.
IROH: Welcome to our humble island, your highness. How may we be of service?
Bato moves forward and walks past by them.
SOKKA: Well-
BATO: Don't waste our time old man, you know why we are here.
Sokka is laughably incapable of responding.
IROH: Oh, I can assure you that there are no firebenders on the island. The last one, my brother, was taken away years ago.
A lie, as Ozai forever held a grudge for being born a non-bender.
BATO: You were freed from him. Firebenders are dangerous lunatics who burn down dry lands like these on a whim.
ZUKO: It's only so dry because you drain our water!
BATO: Watch it, boy.
The lieutenant prepares to attack, as Iroh intervenes.
IROH: No! Please don't hurt him! He didn't mean it!
BATO: Move away old man!
In a ruthless fashion, Bato washes Iroh to the side with a brutal wave, all while Zuko is unable to intervene. Even Sokka seems a bit horrified at this.
SOKKA: All right. Now, before anything else gets broken, I'm just here to ask a simple question - where is the raven-haired-
BATO: Where is the Avatar?
Everyone reacts appropriately shocked, from the prince, to his soldiers, to Zuko, to the other villagers hidden in their huts. Iroh, who managed to recover from his hit, tries to hide his lack of surprise from Bato, who appears more intimidating than his superior commander.
ZUKO: What?
SOKKA: Avatar? Lieutenant, what are you-
BATO: I saw his flying bison. The animal is extinct, but we know some of them fled. I'm convinced the Avatar was stuck in that volcano and-
SOKKA: "Convinced"? I don't care about "convinced", I care about a girl, with raven-black hair, firebending on the volcano, and I want to take her with me!
Bato is clearly holding back at this outburst.
BATO: But your highness, the Avatar is a much more valued prisoner than some random fire bending woman.
SOKKA: The Avatar is dead. Nobody cares, Bato!
The lieutenant is now openly boiling.
BATO (angry): Maybe I do.
Meanwhile, Zuko is trying to figure out a plan.
SOKKA: That's good for you, but as long as I am the captain, and you're my subordinate, I will call the shots. Is that clear?
ZUKO: I'll tell you where they are.
Everyone's attention shifts over to Zuko.
SOKKA: What was that?
ZUKO: I'll tell you, if you can beat me in a one-on-one fight. Your highness.
IROH: Zuko, don't.
ZUKO: Trust me, Uncle.
Sokka smirks devilishly at this opportunity.
SOKKA: Deal.
In a small fit of rage Bato turns around and walks back towards the ship.
Azula watches impatiently, as Aang strolls up and down the grassy plains, talking to himself.
AANG (nervously mumbling): I can't do this. I can't face him...
In response, the girl is internally switching between trying to comfort him and thinking of a sassy comment. She looks to her right, the direction of her village. Severe and apparent worry is what finally pushes her to do something.
AZULA: Hey, where is that... buffalo of yours?
AANG: It's a bison. And he ran away.
AZULA: Damn it.
She quickly goes back to serious.
AZULA: Wait, he ran away?
Aang looks like he is about to burst.
AANG (nervously mumbling): I can't do this, no. I... I can't, I-
AZULA: Aang...
AANG (nervously mumbling): What if I... no, I can't do it...
Fear runs through his veins again. If the Water Tribe is the enemy here, then that means-
AZULA: HEY!
Aang flinches, expressing calm again. Azula on the other hand caught some of his fear.
AZULA: I don't have time for this! My family, or whatever is left of it, is in danger!
Sympathy for Azula arises in that moment. Aang hates it, but even with every memory of Princess Azula stuck in his mind, these words hurt him.
AZULA: Please Aang! Just help us this once, you can leave after that. You never have to see us again after this!
Sympathy quickly turns to shame. Aang hesitates.
AZULA: Come on, isn't that what the Avatar is supposed to do?
Now this gets her quite a surprised look from the airbender boy.
AANG: How... do you know that?
AZULA: THAT'S what's important right now?! Really?!
Aang thinks for a moment. He is of course terrified of what they might encounter, or whom. But he has no choice. The boy takes a deep breath.
AANG: Come on, let's go.
AZULA: How are we supposed to get there in ti- AH!
While she was asking, Aang rushed behind her and picked her up, carrying her with both hands, almost losing his balance due to her... well, weight.
AANG: You are heavier than I thought.
Azula's head takes on a deep, crimson shade.
AZULA: What did you just sa-aaayyy?!
She shrieks, as Aang uses his bending in order to take giant leaps through the air. Azula is rightfully uneasy so high up, but also impressed by the Avatar's abilities.
Ship drummers gather at the beach and commence their battle sound. Simultaneously, Water Tribe warriors form a barrier around the two combatants. Even if Zuko does manage to beat this prince, the surrounding crowd would most likely not allow it. The entire village watches through their flimsily barricaded shacks, Iroh being the only one present outside. As the brawl is about to erupt, Sokka smugly removes his helmet and toga.
SOKKA: This will be over quickly.
He draws his pompous blade. Zuko already has his broadswords out.
IROH: Please Zuko, you don't have to do this!
ZUKO: I do, Uncle.
ZUKO (whispering to himself): I'll give you all the time you need, Azula.
Sokka takes on a stance. The drum music finally stops in an exciting crescendo, indicating the start of the fight.
Silence ensues for a few seconds. Iroh watches from his porch, Kanna looks from the ship deck, Bato stands in between the half circle of drummers.
Then, Sokka roars and charges, his blade swung as Zuko dodges. He tries a chopping move next – Zuko stepping aside and the blade hitting sand instead. His third swing clashes with both blades, as Zuko tries to counter. The boy attacks with a series of quick strikes, which Sokka blocks or dodges, although not with ease. Their blades hit each other at increased speed, with neither gaining the upper hand. Bato begins to clench his teeth. A single pearl of sweat meanwhile runs down Sokka's temple.
SOKKA (exhausted): Come on...
The two opponents cross swords, attempting a pushing contest. Zuko seems to win.
SOKKA (exhausted): No...
Sokka steps aside, Zuko almost falling on his face, the prince using the opportunity to swing his heavy sword with great force. The Fire Nation boy is too slow and only manages to block last second – the sheer force of the huge sword is enough for Zuko to drop his own weapons.
SOKKA: Your sword fighting skills are impressive.
ZUKO: Yours are not.
He is not yet defeated, charging at the prince, who attempts another swing with his mighty weapon. Zuko dodges – that's when he spots a knife the prince is carrying on him. Sokka roars again as he attempts to strike a blow. As a deterrent, Zuko throws sand in his face, temporarily paralyzing his opponent, who in response starts swinging his weapon around at random. Zuko manages to dodge it though and, as he runs towards him, he hastily grabs the aforementioned knife, positioning himself in front of Iroh. Sokka regains his vision as Zuko realizes he is... not holding a knife at all.
ZUKO: A... boomerang?
SOKKA: Hey! Where did you get that?
Sokka narrowly dodges as his opponent throws the boomerang at him. The prince now appears quite angry, pointing his blade at Zuko.
SOKKA: Enough of this! You are defeated – surrender now!
Zuko gulps. His mood brightens as the boy makes out a silver object flying back at his opponent – directly towards Sokka's head. The prince notices and turns around.
SOKKA: What are you-
The weapon smacks Sokka directly in his face and the prince stumbles. Zuko catches his new weapon, using the opportunity to run by Sokka and pick up both of his swords. Iroh briefly gifts his nephew a smile.
That is until a blast of water hits Zuko in the back, causing him to fall down. A whole series of attacks sweep the boy across the beachhead and before Iroh's feet. Sokka was almost hit as well, had he not jumped to the side.
SOKKA: Hey! I'm not done yet!
BATO (angry): Enough of this childish nonsense!
He approaches Zuko with lethal intent, twirling water around his own arms.
BATO: You have embarrassed yourself enough, Prince Sokka. I will end this.
His arm water freezes and turns into icicles. No one stops him, neither the soldiers, nor Sokka. Iroh can only watch.
In that moment, a figure emerges from palm trees, suddenly drawing everyone's attention towards him.
ZUKO (in pain): Aang?
BATO: There he is.
His attention shifting drastically, the lieutenant shoots the icicle at Aang instead, who dodges with a spin midair. Only now does he see the girl being carried, who suddenly jumps off and blasts a gout of fire towards Bato. A direct hit on the left side of his face, the lieutenant falling over with a pained grunt. Zuko and Azula, the former still injured from water blasts, meanwhile take on fighting poses, standing in opposition to the now mobilizing Water Tribe soldiers. Outnumbered by a lot, Azula is not the least bit intimidated.
AZULA: We are the Fire Nation! You are on our land, and we want you GONE! Get out of here now, before you end up like your captain!
She points at Bato, who struggles to get up, both hands covering his face.
SOKKA: Hey! I'm the captain!
Azula is even less intimidated now.
AZULA: Who are you?
SOKKA: I am Prince Sokka, of the Southern Water Tribe!
At those words, Aang looks up in terror. He landed a few seconds ago, with no one paying attention to him. As the airbender steps forth, his heart is full of fear.
SOKKA: I will take you as a prisoner, in the name of my father, Great Chief Hakoda!
AANG: No...
SOKKA: If you shall resist, I will flood your village until all of your houses are part of the ocean floor!
The airbender walks up next to Azula.
AZULA: Aang, this is probably where you should-
His tattoos start glowing, so do both of his eyes. Azula steps away in terror and the warriors point their spears at him. A sphere of wind forms around the boy as he starts hovering above the beachhead.
Out of nowhere a cold sting pierces through Aang's back. The same striking pain that he felt back in Ba Sing Se. This time he can't see images, only black, as he collapses on to the sand.
AZULA: Aang!
As Azula rushes towards the body, she is also hit by a precise water wave, Bato standing behind her, having performed both attacks. The raven-haired girl gets back up again quickly, readying herself for battle, but is unable to follow through, as two warriors grab her from behind and tie her up. Zuko lies on the ground unconscious, having been hit by yet another of Bato's waves. So does Aang, Iroh only standing there as he looks in horror upon what is happening. Tears run down his eyes.
IROH (teary): I hope you are happy now.
BATO: Not yet.
The lieutenant has since stopped hiding his face. A fresh, burning scar is covering most of everything around his left eye. He walks towards Aang's motionless body, when Sokka finally intervenes.
SOKKA: What was that back there, Bato? You almost hit me with your attack!
BATO: I saved you! You were clearly incapable to do so yourself. Now hand me over the Avatar!
SOKKA: No! Even if he WAS the Avatar - which is impossible because the Avatar died 100 years ago - I'm definitely not letting that glow-eyed freak on my ship!
Bato is boiling once again.
BATO (angry): But sir...
SOKKA: Go to Kanna and let her check out your wound. That is an order!
Bato has to use every muscle in his body not to retaliate against Sokka right now. He simply groans and walks away.
BATO (cold): You will regret this, your highness.
In the meantime, the other warriors carry the flailing and tied-up Azula aboard. She looks upon her family one last time, even at the unconscious Aang. Some tears flow down her face. Sokka meanwhile puts his toga and helmet back on, as everyone jumps back on board.
SOKKA: Nice island you got.
Act III. – Aang returns
These words echo in Aang's head. A situation like this would give anyone a migraine - fighting alongside Azula against one of his closest friends. Why? What is he doing in this world?
He wakes up inside a wooden shack. His vision is still dizzy as he looks down and-
AANG: My shirt!
He jumps up in shock, calming down after a few seconds. Behind him, standing across from him, is Iroh, filling a teapot with water and lighting the stove with simple flint stones.
IROH: I'm sorry, I took the liberty to tend to your wounds.
Iroh tries to force out a smile but gives up. Aang meanwhile checks on his back. He has a new wound now, very similar to the one he used to carry in his world. This one isn't as big though, neither can he feel a lot of pain from it. The boy also now realizes that this is the first time he considers his home "his world". What would this here be then?
IROH: I'm afraid parts of your clothing got ripped apart by that waterbender...
Aang feels sympathy for the old man. And so, he calmly sits down again.
AANG: Thank you for helping me.
IROH: Oh, you really don't need to thank me. Azula was quite fond of you.
That's when the airbender can spot the old man's anguish again. He shouldn't. He shouldn't feel bad for Azula, the person who hunted him down for the last three years. The person that took so many innocent lives. But alas... he does.
AANG: Azula...
IROH: I don't know what happened there on the beach, but I do suspect that not every airbender can do that.
He scoffs. If Azula managed to figure it out, Iroh probably managed too.
AANG: I'm... I'm sorry I couldn't protect her.
IROH: Oh, don't be. I couldn't either. I'm afraid no one is truly safe from the Water Tribe...
Aang shudders after that sentence.
AANG: Can you tell me what happened in the last 100 years?
Iroh nods, removing the boiling tea pot from his stove, pouring its contents into two separate cups.
IROH: Oh, I don't even know where to start...
He hands Aang his cup of tea, then sits down across from him.
AANG: Has there... been a war?
IROH: If you could call it that. The Water Tribes have always been... unique, yet 100 years ago, on a day like any other, the sun set and didn't rise again for a long time. Years and years of intense rain that never seemed to end. That's when the raids began.
Aang gulps. The image of seeing the sky engulfed in red was bad enough. Now this world had its own Sozin, its own comet. Its own terrible war. Aang assumes the worst.
AANG: The airbenders?
IROH: That was their primary target. When the armies of the north and south marched against the Air Temples not many survived...
Aang's eyes suddenly flash up.
AANG: Wait. Not many?
IROH: Some of them did make it, yes. But no one knows what happened to them. Only rumors.
Aang is at least slightly relieved. More airbenders? That's something. But it only changes little in the grand scheme of things. When Iroh pauses, Aang is able to hear yelling from outside. It's the sound of Zuko.
IROH: My poor nephew isn't taking it so well...
Incredible amounts of guilt dash through his body. He hates this world, he hates that he is here, and he absolutely despises the fact that he can't help his friends.
But he can't stop. He heard Katara, there is no confirmation that it was the real Katara, but he has to believe.
IROH: I know this is a lot to ask, but-
Before he can finish, Aang gets up from his seat with an expression of determination.
AANG: Can I borrow a shirt?
His partially ripped pants fall off too, revealing his underwear.
AANG: ...and maybe some pants also?
The proud people of Twin Island have slowly started to come out of their huts again. Looking dour and sad they mostly continue their work from earlier, no one really saying a word.
Zuko is the only one making any noise. He runs around frantically back and forth on the beach, picking up rocks and shells, throwing them at the waves as if that had any effect on anything. Occasionally, the movements are accompanied by a loud, painful scream, gaining him some looks of pity from other villagers. He finally sits down as Aang walks up behind him.
ZUKO: What do you want?
AANG: I want to help you.
ZUKO: You should have helped by protecting Azula.
Aang sighs, but he won't give up yet.
AANG: Please, I... I know we can do this-
ZUKO: What do you want me to do? And what do you want? You don't know us. What's your stake in this?
Aang can't answer. Zuko angrily gets up.
ZUKO: Why don't you just leave?!
Zuko quiets down upon realizing Aang is not wearing his iconic airbender fit anymore. He kept his brown nomad boots but strapped them over a pair of fluffy grey pants, similar to his normal ones. A brown belt is placed around his stomach, behind it a dark red shirt, plain and simple, a similar color to what Zuko is wearing.
ZUKO: Is... that my shirt?
AANG: Listen, I know I screwed up.
Aang sighs.
AANG: I have disappointed a lot of people in my lifetime - I don't know how, but we will save Azula.
Zuko crosses his arms in suspicion, closely resembling the body language of said sister.
ZUKO: And why would you want to do that? Last time we spoke you wanted to run away.
Aang looks down at the ground. He refrains from crying, but the memory of his friends is truly what pushes him here. He looks back at Zuko with a smile.
AANG: Because that's what the Avatar is supposed to do.
Aang swings the broadsword multiple times against the palm tree. It involves no real technique or precision, besides not trying to chop his own fingers off. Zuko stares at this in confusion, some of the villagers joining in.
ZUKO: Uh... Aang?
AANG: Yes?
He continues to chop into the tropical wood.
ZUKO: What... are you...
AANG: Well...
The boy finally hits a critical spot, the palm tree falling over in a loud thud. This draws a lot of attention, the entire village in fact, which gathers around Zuko and Aang.
IROH: Zuko, what is going on here?
ZUKO: Well, we...
AANG: We are building a raft to get back Azula.
The villagers are shocked, Iroh displaying a light smile, which Aang reciprocates.
ZUKO: Yes! We are – wait, what was that?
An older man steps forward.
OLD MAN: And who said you could chop down our palm trees?
Aang gulps. To his surprise, the old man smiles too.
OLD MAN: We have more than enough in reserve! Come on, we'll help you out.
Aang and Zuko share a nod.
Over the course of a short period of time the entire village comes together for this common goal. Some of the stronger women and the old man push logs, others and the children gathering ropes, knotting the whole thing together. A mast is raised with combined forces. The children of the village are impressed by this strange, bald boy raising logs and jumping around with his airbending. The old man ties a knot next to Zuko.
OLD MAN: It's him, right? That's the Avatar.
Zuko really only now realizes.
OLD MAN: He's finally back. I have been waiting my whole life for something like this.
After a bit the raft is almost done, only missing...
AANG: Does... anyone have a sail?
A door opens and Iroh approaches his nephew and Aang, holding a red cloth in his arms.
IROH: I haven't seen this in a long time...
Zuko unfolds it, revealing an old Fire Nation symbol. The village cheers, Aang shudders, mumbling to himself.
AANG (mumbling): Remember, these people are the ones suffering...
IROH: Aang, would you like to have the honor?
Aang panics at this.
AANG: Uh... no, I... don't think that would be right, me being... an airbender and all...
ZUKO: I'll do it.
Zuko ties the sail on to the raft's mast. Iroh meanwhile quietly approaches the Avatar
IROH: Is everything alright?
AANG: What? Yeah, sure! I'm just... nervous.
IROH: I have great confidence in you.
He puts his hand on Aang's shoulder.
IROH: You can do this.
The boy looks behind Iroh, spotting the Fire Nation sail being raised. In that moment he begins to question his mission.
A bit later, the combined village pushes the, can't really call it a boat, into waters. Zuko and Aang climb on top, the townsfolk gathering at the beach.
IROH: Be sure to hold on tight, Zuko!
ZUKO: Tight? How fast is this thing going?
With a cheeky smile, Aang takes a deep breath, then assumes a stance very similar to Azula on the volcano. He shoves a huge amount of air with high velocity towards the sail, the raft racing into the sea because of it, almost like a high-speed boat. Zuko grabs on to the mast and screams in a comical fashion. The village cheers at this in unison.
IROH: Thank you, Avatar.
A wet cloth cools Bato's scar. He has not yet realized how bad the damage is, though the left side of his face burns like hell every time he touches it. The man groans.
KANNA: Lieutenant, you have to rest.
BATO: I'll sleep when I'm dead, woman.
He slams the door behind him. Kanna scoffs.
KANNA: Fine, help yourself then, you douche bag.
AZULA: Are you letting them talk to you like that?
The raven-haired girl has been put in metal chains, an expensive craft within the Water Tribes. She is sitting below deck and smirks at the frustrated Kanna. Next to Azula stands a waterbending guard.
KANNA: That is not your place to speak, young girl.
AZULA: Don't call me girl. I'm in chains, I'm not considered a person here.
GUARD: Silence.
Kanna feels some form of sympathy for the prisoner. She addresses the guard.
KANNA: Is it really necessary for you to put her in chains like that?
GUARD: Of course it is! These savages are a threat to our ship and society!
AZULA: Hello? I'm right here!
KANNA: Oh, I think you should go help Lieutenant Bato, he's still very vulnerable.
Azula raises an eyebrow.
GUARD: Are you sure you'll be safe next to her, Chief Mother?
KANNA: Oh, I think I will be fine.
Her smile is somehow both warming and icy. The guard feels a bit afraid.
GUARD: Well, only for a minute.
He pounds his fist on his chest, which is equivalent to a bow, then he walks back on deck, closing the door behind him.
AZULA: Nice distraction. Are you going to let me go now?
Kanna emits a groan of mockery.
KANNA: You wish.
She cleans up the little medical table on which she treated Bato.
KANNA: When you're my age you will understand. You will know what the right thing to do is.
AZULA: Or know when it is "my place to speak"?
Azula frowns in anger, her chains functioning as a restraining jacket. Kanna approaches her slowly.
KANNA: You seem very determined despite your... condition.
AZULA: You seem quite submissive for someone they call "Chief Mother".
Kanna stops and squats down in front of her.
KANNA: You have a lot of fire in your heart.
Azula repulsively smiles.
KANNA: Tell me something dear, was that boy really the Avatar?
Azula's eyes widen in shock.
KANNA: I'll take that as a yes.
She gets back up and walks away.
AZULA: You're going to lose!
KANNA: And why is that?
AZULA: Because I'm not the only one here in chains!
Kanna stops on her way out. The old woman scoffs, then quietly leaves. Azula remains below deck and, as soon as Kanna is gone, she begins to thrash around, wiggling in her metal chain like a caterpillar. Ultimately, she only manages to fall over.
AZULA: Great...
Suddenly, shouting is heard from above, boots trampling across the ship's deck. She tries to get back up, struggling to do so.
AZULA: Ugh! Why is this so difficult?!
SOKKA: Ugh! Why is this so difficult?!
Sokka is attempting to draw a portrait of himself, failing miserably at it.
SOKKA: Why can't my face just look like that?
A soldier suddenly runs up to him.
SOLDIER: Your highness, a ship is approaching!
SOKKA: Oh please, we're the Water Tribe, who is going to...
He turns around and spots the approaching vessel. It appears to be drifting at insane speeds.
SOKKA: What is- deploy our defenses!
Crew members seem confused.
SOLDIER: Do you mean... waterbenders?
SOKKA: ...yes.
A small squad of waterbending warriors on board get in v-formation, with Bato at the helm. In contrast to a gear up prior to the raid, the warriors are now gearing down, removing every part of their weapons and equipment – even their shirts. They gather at the ship's edge as Bato raises his arm. Sokka draws his sword, waving it around obnoxiously.
SOKKA: Waterbenders, go...
Bato lowers his arm before the boy can finish.
BATO: ATTACK!
The squad leaps into the ocean, surfing with their gracious arm movements, charging towards the approaching danger.
On their makeshift raft, Aang tirelessly shoves heaps of wind into the flapping, crimson sail. Sokka's ship is now in reach – but so is the bending squad.
Zuko meanwhile holds on to the ship's mast for dear life.
ZUKO (shouting): Aang, we're about to get company!
The benders are closing in. Bato is clenching his fists, in pain, and in determination.
ZUKO (shouting): Aang?!
AANG (shouting): Just hold on!
With the Water Tribe warriors creeping ever so closer, they prepare coordinated wave attacks in the process.
ZUKO (shouting): AANG?!
AANG (shouting): Let go, NOW!
Zuko follows his command. He lets go now, while Aang collects as much air as possible, slowly going in a circle until... WOSH! He blasts straight down, catapulting both of them into the air, using inertia to land on the backside of the ship while their vessel is shattered into pieces, disrupting the waterbenders attacking it.
Aang sticks the landing, Zuko not so much.
ZUKO: A heads-up would have been nice...
Immediately, troops armed with spears approach them. One of two tries to stab Aang, who jump-dodges and blasts him into the other, launching them both off the ship.
AANG: I'll look for Azula, try to distract them!
ZUKO: "DISTRACT THEM"?!
Aang jumps forward on to the main deck, while another spear-equipped soldier charges Zuko. The raven-haired boy blocks the first blow with his left sword, dodging a swing, and hitting the soldier with both swords, leading to a push-off between blades and spear. In the heat of battle, Zuko realizes he can just step aside, letting gravity do the rest – the warrior plunging into ocean water.
ZUKO: Hm. I could get used to this.
Three soldiers attack Aang at once – clubs and spears, all seemingly no real threat for the Avatar. He sweeps them off the boat with air, three more approaching from behind. The boy decides to tackle them individually - blowing away a club, jumping to the side, with which he creates a vortex that drags the disarmed attacker across deck. He then slams the warrior into his comrade - both falling over. Third one chops an axe at the airbender, who narrowly dodges, terrified of its sharpness. He makes a quick hand twirl, the axe-soldier subsequently launched into his other two crew mates. A pair of spearmen happens to be standing behind them – all of them getting thrown off-board, accompanied by a comical bowling sound-effect.
Somewhere else on the ship, Zuko is attacked by a club warrior, the boy dodging his blows, skillfully managing to disarm the man with his swords, kicking him down the stairs.
SOKKA: Hold it!
Zuko stops and turns around. Sokka, wearing his ridiculous toga-cape, draws his equally ridiculous bone-sword, pointing it at the Fire Nation boy.
SOKKA: I believe our fight was abruptly ended, despite my apparent victory.
ZUKO: Despite your apparent stupidity!
He grabs his newly acquired, silver boomerang from behind and swiftly throws it at Sokka, who dodges easily, leaving Zuko with a nervous expression.
SOKKA: HA! Is that all you got?
AANG: Zuko! Step aside!
Zuko does so, allowing Aang to conjure up a tornado via his wrists. He aims it at Sokka, who only watches in disbelieve, right before the wind crashes into him like a freight train. His royal highness screams comically while being launched into the warm ocean. Shortly after Zuko catches his boomerang once again.
ZUKO: Uh... thanks.
AANG: I'll look for Azula now.
Splashes sound behind him – Bato, and two of the benders, managed to surf back on deck.
AANG: Change of plans – you'll look for Azula!
The first one shoots an aqua jet from the left, Aang jump-dodging, while Zuko rushes below deck. The boy quickly finds his sister in chains, in the corner, on the ground.
ZUKO: Azula!
AZULA: Zuko, watch out-
Zuko is hit in the back of his head with the handle of a club. The person holding said weapons is Kanna, watching with a cold expression as Zuko falls down unconscious.
KANNA: He's not as tough as you, dear.
Azula scoffs.
AZULA: Can't say much against that.
In a surprise attack Azula stretches her feet against Kanna, shooting a gout of fire from them, narrowly missing the old woman, who, in shock, falls over, hits her head on a counter, also knocked out in the process.
AZULA: Always got to do everything myself...
She starts crawling like a caterpillar. While attempting her escape, the fire blast she conjured starts spreading fast.
Outside, Bato creates a barrage of icicles, which he launches at Aang. The boy jumps away and climbs on to the mast, more ice shards flying towards him. He dodges, staring at the blue sails as an idea begins to take shape.
On the ground, Bato and the two others are creating a gigantic icicle aimed at Aang. Before anything happens though, the Avatar takes a DEEP breath, then blows a HUGE wave of air into the mast, managing to push the ship forward by a few knots. The subsequent shaking of the vessel breaks off the combined effort of a frozen torpedo, one of the men even falling down.
Sokka watches his ship driving away from below.
SOKKA: Hey! That's MY ship! My father paid a lot of money for that!
Bato angrily gnashes his teeth. Aang finishes it off by soaring back on deck, doing a spin, which knocks down the lieutenant for good. The other bender tries to hit Aang with a liquid whip, yet he's forced to use the water as a shield instead, as a sudden flame blast flies at him, knocking him backwards and off the ship. This is when Aang spots a comically snake-like firebender girl.
AZULA: Oh, so you came back.
AANG: Where's Zuko?
AZULA: Yeah... about that...
Aang looks behind her, spotting a whole bunch of smoke coming from inside. He charges below deck and, finding Zuko, he gently hovers the boy outside with a gust of air, which unfortunately also causes him to draw in a lot more smoke than the average person should consume. Images flash again, this time they seem unfamiliar, yet also familiar. Nuns running around, heavy rainfall, smoke, Appa flying, lava – all under bright moonlight and heavy rainfall.
AZULA: Aang? Might need a little help!
The boy from the volcano starts coughing vigorously. He should probably get the hell out of here now, yet, as he is about to, Aang spots an unconscious Kanna lying in the corner. At first, he hesitates. Who are the baddies? Isn't it the Water Tribe? But then again, Kanna is only an old lady. He coughs up some more, followed by him sort-of sloppily carrying the woman outside with is bending.
Meanwhile, Zuko regains his consciousness.
ZUKO: Ow. What happened?
AZULA: Uh, hello? Over here?
He runs towards her, the girl still in chains, still on the floor.
ZUKO: How am I supposed to get you out of there?
Next to him appears the body of Kanna, a convenient key falling out of her pocket.
ZUKO: Huh. I guess that's that.
As he frees his sister from her chains, Azula looks below deck. The fire has gotten much worse now, and so has the smoke.
AZULA: Aang-
She inhales a bit of smoke, immediately causing her to cough.
ZUKO: Is he still down there?
His sister, caught in the moment, immediately tries to run inside, Zuko holding her back.
ZUKO: Azula, don't!
AZULA: Let me go! I'm going in there!
BATO: You're not going anywhere.
They turn around only to find Bato back on his feet, surrounded by the other benders, who have, and still are continuing to re-appear on deck.
BATO: Your little arson-quest ends here. I know your friend is the Avatar – and you're all coming with ME!
Aang struggles to remain conscious. These images paralyze him. He knows where to go next. But how will he save himself and his new friends. Wait... friends?
Two glowing eyes and a glowing arrow walk up the stairs on to the main deck, shrouded in ash and smoke and darkness.
BATO: Step aside.
Azula and Zuko do so, watching closely what is going down. All waterbenders fire their aquatic attacks against the silhouette – direct hit.
AZULA: AANG!
The water quickly evaporates. Bato instinctively jumps aside, as a gigantic flame burst flies in his direction, then upwards, hitting the sail and mast, setting it on fire and splitting it in half. The other waterbenders are rather terrified by the stunt, fleeing their ship in a hurry. The Avatar hurls a few more fire balls in all directions just to be sure. Bato can't believe his eyes.
BATO: I knew it...
Aang steps forward, revealing that, despite the intimidating lighting, he is merely a boy. In a last-ditch effort, Bato uses water to pull Kanna towards him. He carries the Chief Mother on his back, jumping off-board as well, surfing away into the distance.
Finally, Aang collapses, still conscious but weak. This time Azula catches him before he hits the ground.
AZULA: That was... amazing!
The boy coughs. His mind is not yet at peace with the idea of hearing Azula say that. He smiles anyways.
AANG (weak): The feeling is mutual.
Aang coughs.
ZUKO: Uh, guys?
Aang and Azula look around, realizing only now that the ship's fire damage looks pretty critical.
AZULA: Aang?
AANG: Yes?
AZULA: Did you... by any chance plan our getaway?
The siblings look at the Avatar with uneasy frowns.
AANG: Uh... escape rafts?
The fire only grows and spreads. Aang gets up on his feet again, the trio walking towards the ship's edge.
AZULA: I hope airbenders can swim...
Aang looks up upon hearing a familiar growl. A big, bright smile appears on his face.
AANG: No, but they can fly.
Everyone looks up now. From above appears the shape of a giant, flying bison, coming towards them.
AANG: Appa-
Forced to cough again, Azula catches him before he falls over. As Appa arrives, he parks himself within jumping distance.
ZUKO: NOW!
The three jump, right before the burning mast breaks off, dropping on the exact same spot they were standing just moments earlier. Zuko takes the reins, Azula and Aang sitting in the back.
AANG: Oh, there's my staff.
He picks up his bending-aid, which had been missing for the entire episode.
ZUKO: Aang? How do I fly this thing?!
AANG: Appa, yip-yip!
The beast grunts, flapping his beaver-like tail and flying the heck out of there.
Sokka is watching all of this from the ocean, appearing more than a bit unsatisfied.
SOKKA: Hello? Can your prince get some help?
The waterbender squad surfs towards him, Bato, still carrying Kanna, in the front.
SOKKA: Lieutenant! I'm so glad to see you! What happened to my ship?
Bato glares at his superior.
BATO: Quite a lot, your highness. Perhaps something we should discuss with your father.
Sokka gulps at the thought.
Dawn is already upon the small Fire Nation island as Appa lands there. The village, up in arms, decided to celebrate this occasion with a somewhat lavish feast, although it mainly involves dancing around a fireplace, Iroh sounding the tsungi horn. It is now Zuko's turn to rock the floor, which he does with great enthusiasm.
Aang watches all of this unfold from a safe distance, his tree trunk being near enough to catch the light but still far enough to be removed from the celebrations. He closely watches Zuko, who is dancing like his life depends on it.
ZUKO: I kicked the Water Tribe's butt with the Avatar!
The village cheers.
AZULA: Strange to see him like that, right?
Azula's arms are crossed, though with a smile attached. She sits down next to Aang.
AZULA: You fight pretty well for a... 14-year-old?
AANG: 12. Well, technically 112.
Azula smirks in response. Aang takes it as a positive, reciprocating with a smile of his own.
AZULA: You know, you act pretty weird for your age.
Aang scoffs.
AANG: I guess so. Been through a lot...
She puts her hand on his, a gesture of empathy.
AZULA: Hey, it's okay. We lost our parents too. Well, we lost mom. Dad is... complicated.
Aang shudders slightly at the thought of the Phoenix King. Azula looks over to her brother, who still enjoys himself.
AZULA: Amazing how he turned out, after everything that happened.
Aang, while admittedly feeling bad after hearing this, can't quite bury his demons. Her father was responsible for almost everything bad that happened in his world, who knows what he might have been here. He pulls his hand away and grabs Appa's reins towards himself.
AANG: You know, I should probably get going.
Azula looks up in shock.
AZULA: What? Now? Where?
AANG: I don't know. Guess I'll go back to that volcano. See if I... lost anything. After that, who knows?
He hops on to Appa and takes his reins.
AZULA: Aang?
They share eye contact.
AZULA: Thank you. Again.
He nods.
AANG: Yip-yip!
Appa grunts and the beast flies away. Azula sighs. Looking back at the fireplace, no one seems to have noticed the bison's departure. Or her for that matter. Perhaps...
Inside their little hut she crams up an old backpack, a simple one at that, but still serving its purpose. She stuffs it with food supplies, extra clothes, some styling products, comb, washing utensils, toothbrush-
ZUKO: What are you doing?
Azula tries to comically hide the rucksack behind herself while sitting on the floor.
AZULA: Uh... nothing? How about you?
ZUKO: Are you packing your bag? Wait, you're not doing what I think you're doing!
IROH: I'm afraid she is.
They rapidly shift their looks and attention towards the kitchen counter, where their uncle is standing, sipping tea.
AZULA: Uncle! I was just-
IROH: Packing your bags and running away to go with the Avatar?
Azula can't decide if she should be angry or be honest.
IROH: You will be needing this.
He hands both of them an extra bag of food supplies, including his very famous lava cookies.
ZUKO: Uh... thanks, but why am I getting one?
IROH: Oh, I assumed you wouldn't let your sister travel the world on her own.
ZUKO: Wait, we can actually go?!
Azula displays a smile, getting up on her feet. Zuko is packing his own bag in a cartoonishly fast manner.
AZULA: You knew?
Iroh sits down with a relaxed smirk.
IROH: I always knew I can't keep you here forever. I dreamed of the day that an opportunity like this would arrive for you to finally be able to choose your own destiny. I am so proud of you both.
Azula starts crying tears of joy, rushing towards her uncle to thank him with a hug. Zuko joins in on it, crying in an exaggerated fashion, though still earnest.
ZUKO (teary): I love you too, Uncle!
IROH: There's one more thing.
They all stop as Iroh brings forth something from beneath a floorboard. He unravels it and reveals the crown prince artefact, the one Roku started wearing in Aang's world.
IROH: This is an ancient heirloom, passed down in our family for generations. Technically the eldest is supposed to wear it, but...
He holds it over Zuko, who scratches his head, indicating the lack of long hair to wear such a headpiece.
ZUKO: Azula can have it.
She takes it with great precaution, eyeing it as if it were a cat's prey.
AZULA: Thank you, uncle.
Zuko has meanwhile managed to pack his own bag.
ZUKO: So, where is Aang?
Azula frowns.
AZULA: Well...
IROH: Did he leave?
AZULA: ...yes.
Iroh strokes his beard in response, Zuko imitating this motion.
IROH: That's the other thing...
AZULA: I know, he's the Avatar, he probably does mysterious things.
ZUKO: Who made you the expert?
Before any bickering occurs, Iroh can intervene.
IROH: No, it's not that. There is something else about the boy. Something beyond the fact that he is the Avatar...
Azula is hooked pretty quickly on Iroh's assertion.
AZULA: What is it?
Iroh lays his hand on her shoulder.
IROH: You will find out soon enough.
Sitting inside the frozen volcano, Aang meditates, trying to achieve his Avatar State once again. This is how he came into this world, on the exact spot, nonetheless. Perhaps he can get some answers this way. Perhaps even a way back. He focuses as hard as he can and...
He sighs. Nothing.
Appa sits outside, supposedly not being able to wait for their departure, grunting as if they tried to communicate.
AANG: I know you want to go already. And it's not like I can get any answers here...
The bison walks up to Aang and starts licking him. This humors the boy a bit.
Behind, on the volcano ledge, Azula and Zuko have tried to reach Aang, although they are now stopping, on Azula's hand sign. She can hear everything from here.
AANG: I don't know what else to do. I have these visions, these memories, but it's... it's like they're not mine.
Azula raises an eyebrow in suspicion.
ZUKO (quietly): What did he say?
AANG: I want to help my friends but... I don't know if I can do that.
Azula's suspicion turns into sympathy for the boy. Suddenly, indicated by his head tilting, Appa seems to notice the two siblings. The beast growls like a watchdog. At this, Aang gets up and points his staff in the same direction.
AANG: Who is there? Show yourself!
Now Appa grunts in a relaxed fashion and, as Azula and Zuko reveal themselves, the animal licks them both as well, Zuko being much happier about this than his sister.
AZULA: Yuck. Well, thanks...
Aang relaxes.
AANG: What are you doing here?
AZULA: We? Oh, we're just... camping.
AANG: This late? The sun is setting in a bit.
Azula sighs.
AZULA: No, I lied. We wanted to find you.
Aang is perplexed by this, though not really surprised.
AANG: Find me?
Zuko is still getting licked by Appa, appreciating it greatly, a feeling that appears to be mutual.
ZUKO: We wanted to come along with you.
AANG: You do?
AZULA: Yeah, I mean, you probably need a helping hand or two-
ZUKO: Or four!
AZULA: -or four with all the Avatar business.
Aang turns around, portraying mixed feelings through his body language, a fact that Azula does not miss.
AANG: I don't know if that's a good idea.
As Appa is getting too playful, he accidentally knocks Zuko down.
ZUKO: Why?
AANG: Because...
He can't say because he doesn't trust Azula. But it isn't his only concern.
AANG: I've lost so many people now with the... war and everything. I just don't know what I would do if I lost two more.
AZULA: Listen.
She tries to show empathy, reminding Aang of her uncle.
AZULA: I know it's been hard for you. Or, well, at least I can guess. But we are here to help you.
ZUKO: And to see the world!
Azula glares at her brother for a second, yet, more importantly she manages to turn around Aang, who is now facing her.
AANG: I don't know what I'll do to myself if something goes wrong again...
AZULA: We'll be fine. And if not, trust me – it's not your fault.
"It's not your fault." These words echo through Aang's head multiple times with multiple voices. Each of them a friend of his, as if it was the long-lost magical formula that broke his spell.
He kneels down crying. Azula, who is at first surprised at this reaction, decides to hug him. Zuko and Appa join in as well, giving Aang a feeling of comfort. Aang feels a little bit at home.
The moon has risen now, a bright full moon that illuminates the mysterious Twins. The trio is seated on Appa now, siblings in the back, Aang in the front. Zuko properly secures their luggage with some rope.
AZULA: Wow. With a moon like that you would have been toast against the Water Tribe.
ZUKO: Good thing we kicked bender-butts during the day!
Aang can't share the enthusiasm. As Zuko is still, clumsily, continuing his task, Azula leans forward.
AZULA: So, those visions you had, what did they show you?
Aang is not too surprised by Azula's level of intrigue.
AANG: Just... flashing images. People, a temple...
AZULA: Maybe that's where you need to go?
He reluctantly agrees.
AANG: I guess.
He looks back at Zuko.
AANG: Are you done yet?
The swordfighter struggles in a cartoonish fashion.
ZUKO (struggling): Just a... second...
After squeezing Azula's rucksack with rope, her new headpiece falls out of it. Aang immediately recognizes the item with a shocked grimace.
AANG: What's that?!
AZULA: Oh, well, that's from Uncle. It's an ancient artefact or something. Zuko is supposed to wear it.
Zuko turns red at her comment.
ZUKO: I'm NOT wearing that!
Azula laughs, as Aang remains intrigued. The decision to take this alternate Azula with him has brought him Roku's headpiece.
AANG: Maybe taking you along wasn't such a bad idea.
AZULA: Uh, what?
AANG: Uh... nothing. Yip-yip!
Appa flies off abruptly, enough to startle Azula, making her screech like any teenage girl. Both boys look at her, then they start laughing. Azula is comically enraged by this.
AZULA: That is NOT funny! I could have fallen off! Why does this thing not have seat belts?!
Her anger cannot quench their laughter.
And below them, around the volcano's waters, a single, wooden ship. And a blue mask that watches.
DX-Version Author's Note:
Seeing as I'm reworking all the chapters for the (hopefully) final time, I'd thought it'd be nice to add a little commentary to each one.
A yes, the first chapter, originally conceived in December 2020. Back then chapter 1 was only this chapter's first act, and I ended up morphing the first two together to standardize the length for all chapters. As you could probably tell - this fic is going to be LONG, and each chapter is going to be LONG as well. I wanted to imitate the feeling of the show as much as possible, so I went with a 3-act-structure for this project, though I think if you were to adapt these into actual TV-episodes they would run at about 45 minutes or so, if not longer.
Re-reading this one is always a little tedious, seeing as I had to read it the most out of any chapter, but I do still like it. I think I did a good job with establishing this new world and these alternate characters, Azula showing more compassion and Zuko being, essentially, a Mini-Iroh was a fun time to explore. It also establishes a great overall theme for the entire fic which I don't want to spoil right here. At this point in the story it's also very similar to Distorted Reality, though with time that will become less and less, especially once the OCs start to shine. More on that next time...