Zuko

The Avatar State

Earth

Zuko Iroh

The scene changes to a riverside. The shadowy reflections of two figures on the run can be seen in the water. Cuts to view of the river bank and the area nearby as Zuko and Iroh run frantically. Cuts to riverbank as the two stop and fall to the ground, catching their breath.

Iroh: I think we're safe here.

Cuts to shot from Zuko's perspective as he pulls out a small dagger. Cuts to close-up of Zuko holding the dagger, its blade reflecting the sunlight. Cuts briefly to Iroh, who closes his eyes, seemingly aware of his nephew's actions. He casts a look at Zuko, who holds the knife under his ponytail. Cuts to close-up of his ponytail, as he slices it off with the knife. He holds it in his hand and looks at it for a moment before passing the knife to Iroh, who cuts off his topknot. Cuts to Zuko's hand, as he releases his ponytail. Cuts to the surface of the river, as the two topknots are released and float down the river. The camera zooms out to where Zuko and Iroh stand quietly on the bank of the river.

Avatar Day

Earth

Zuko Iroh

Cut to Zuko's and Iroh's hideout in the forest. Zuko sits next to the campfire as Iroh walks into the cave to inspect a new tea set.

Iroh: Looks like you did some serious shopping. [He picks up a big, gold-colored teapot.] But where did you get the money?

Zuko: [Lazily resting against a tree trunk.] Do you like your new teapot?

Iroh: To be honest with you [He puts the pot down.], the best tea tastes delicious whether it comes in a porcelain pot or a tin cup. [Iroh walks over to Zuko and squats down beside him.] I know we've had some difficult times lately. We've had to struggle just to get by. [Places a hand on Zuko's shoulder who closes his eyes as if he was holding something back.] But it's nothing to be ashamed of. There is a simple honor in poverty.

Zuko: There's no honor for me without the Avatar.

Iroh: Zuko ... [Sighs.] Even if you did capture the Avatar, I'm not so sure it would solve our problems. Not now.

Zuko: [Turns away from his uncle.] Then there is no hope at all.

Zuko wants to stand up and leave the cave, but Iroh grabs him by the shoulders and sits him down.

Iroh: No, Zuko! You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts. [Zuko bows his head as he listens to his uncle's wisdom.] In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength.

Zuko turns to face his uncle, who looks back at him with a sad look upon his face. Abruptly, Zuko pulls free from Iroh's grasp and heads out into the forest.

Zuko: Uncle ... [Switch to a close-up of Iroh with Zuko on the background.] I thought a lot about what you said.

Iroh: [Iroh's sad expression clears up as he hears Zuko talk.] You did? Good, good.

Zuko: It's helped me realize something. We no longer have anything to gain by traveling together. [Iroh's brightened expression quickly disappears again.] I need to find my own way.

Iroh bows his head in sorrow. Zuko looks at his uncle for a moment before grabbing his backpack and walking away. The camera zooms in on Iroh's face.

Iroh: [Calling after Zuko.] Wait!

Iroh hands Zuko the reins of the ostrich horse. Zuko mounts it, looks at his uncle one last time and heads off, leaving a broken Iroh.

Zuko Alone

Earth

Zuko Young Zuko Young Azula Ursa Dad Grandpa Lee Sela Gow Old man Old woman

The Earth Kingdom soldiers approach him, as does their leader, Gow. Zuko dismounts and takes off his hat, placing it on the ostrich horse. They face each other, battle imminent.

Zuko: Let the kid go.

Gow: [Laughs loudly, but quickly regains composure.] Who do you think you are, telling us what to do?

Zuko: It doesn't matter who I am. But I know who you are. You're not soldiers; you're bullies. Freeloaders, abusing your power. Mostly over women and kids. You don't want Lee in your army – you're sick cowards messing with a family who's already lost one son to the war.

Gow: [To a fellow soldier.] Are you gonna let this stranger stand there and insult you like this?

The soldier runs forward, spear in hand. He goes to attack Zuko, who pulls out his sword and punches the other man in the stomach with the hilt without fully unsheathing his sword. Zuko re-sheathes his sword while the man slides backward and runs away, panting heavily in fear. A second Earth Kingdom soldier groans and runs to attack Zuko with his spear this time. Zuko punches the spear upward to move it out of the way, grabs onto the man's forehead, and shoves him to the ground. The man gets up slowly and flees as well. A third Earth Kingdom soldier charges toward Zuko with his spear as well. Zuko stands there, waiting, until the spear is close enough and kicks the spear right in the middle, snapping it. The spearhead, along with half of the spear, goes flying in the other direction. The soldier gasps and runs away from Zuko like the two men before him. Lee laughs in satisfaction. A crowd has gathered; Sela's worried face is one of many. With the last of his cronies gone, Gow steps up to the plate to fight Zuko, dual hammers against dual swords. They draw their weapons, and Gow throws the first blow, a rock he has earthbent, and powerfully thrusts over to Zuko. Zuko deflects it readily with his swords. Gow strikes again, this time with three large rocks instead of one. He sends them over in rapid succession to Zuko, who deflects the first two easily. However, the third rock hits him in the stomach and he stumbles backward. This does not dismay him though, so he charges Gow. An old man in the crowd cheers him on.

Old man: Give him a left! A left!

Old woman: It's not a fistfight ...

Old man: He's got a left sword, don't he?

Gow does the same earthbending trick as earlier; he throws three large rocks at Zuko. Zuko responds the same as before, deflecting the first two but the third one hitting him square in the abdomen. However, this time, he falls over and somersaults backward, and manages to get up, although weakened and still stumbling around. Gow smiles.

Old man: Look out!

Lee: Behind you!

Gow earthbends again, but with increasingly larger rocks each time. He shoots four rocks at Zuko, who manages to destroy each, one by one. It continues this way, Gow no longer giving little recovery breaks to Zuko. Both are fighting at full force, although Zuko is so busy being defensive of the large flying rocks that he cannot become offensive to Gow. However, finally Gow creates a rockalanche and directs it at Zuko. The crowd gasps collectively. Zuko is sent flying and lands straight on his back, and has a sudden flashback. In the flashback, Zuko is sleeping in his room at night when a hand gently touches his shoulder. He awakens drowsily to see his mother dressed in a cloak.

Young Zuko ... Mom?

Ursa: Zuko, please, my love, listen to me. Everything I've done, I've done to protect you.

She pulls the barely conscious Zuko into a hug.

Ursa: Remember this, Zuko. No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are.

She turns away from him with a sad smile, pulls her hood up and disappears down the dark hallway; it is the flashback Zuko had at the very beginning of the episode. The flashback ends as suddenly as it begin, and we cut back to Zuko in the Earth Kingdom village, lying on the ground. Gow is approaching him.

Lee: [Whispers worriedly.] Get up ...!

Gow raises his hammers to deliver the final blow when Zuko's eyes open. He reaches for his swords and gets up firebending, creating a hurricane of flame. Gow drops his hammers and is pushed over, and lands on his back. Zuko stands there, seething at Gow. Although unarmed, Gow stands up and raises his fists, determined to finish the fight. Zuko charges him, sending various fire blasts. Gow tries to deflect them with earthbending, but the blasts are too powerful and he is sent backward again. Rocks hit his head as he lands in with a cloud of dust.

Gow: Who ... who are you?

Zuko: My name is Zuko. Son of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai. Prince of the Fire Nation, and heir to the throne.

Old man: Liar! I heard of you! You're not a prince, you're an outcast! His own father burned and disowned him!

Zuko kneels down toward Gow, who shudders in fear. However, Zuko does nothing to harm him; he only takes Lee's dagger back. Zuko walks toward Lee to give it back, but Sela (who had been untying Lee) intervenes.

Sela: Not a step closer.

Zuko: [Zuko kneels down in front of Sela, with Lee peeking around his mother's back, offering the knife.] It's yours. You should have it.

Lee: No! I hate you!

Young Zuko Mom? [Zuko leaps out of bed and runs out of his room down the hallway.] Mom? Mom!

Zuko enters a pillared room, where Azula is admiring Zuko's dagger from behind a pillar. She re-sheathes it and steps out to face Zuko.

Young Zuko Where's Mom?

Young Azula: No one knows. Oh, and last night, Grandpa passed away.

Young Zuko Not funny, Azula! You're sick. And I want my knife back, now. [Zuko tries to grab it, but misses as Azula quickly moves out of the way, and loudly grunts.]

Young Azula: [Tauntingly.] Who's going to make me? Mom?

Zuko dashes forward and grabs his knife from Azula, who was dangling in a tantalizing manner. He runs away to keep looking. Zuko reaches the garden where his father is standing still, staring into a pond.

Young Zuko Where is she?

Ozai does not acknowledge that he has heard Zuko. Zuko bows his head.

Lake Laogai

Earth

Blue Spirit, Zuko Zuko Iroh Aang

Cut to Appa growling at the disguised Zuko. Appa tries to strike Zuko, but his chained feet hold him back.

Zuko You're mine now.

The door opens and Zuko gets into a fighting stance. Iroh enters.

Zuko Uncle?

Iroh: So, the Blue Spirit. I wonder who could be behind that mask ...

Zuko: [Sighs and takes off the mask.] What are you doing here?

Iroh: I was just about to ask you the same thing. What do you plan to do now that you've found the Avatar's bison? Keep him locked in our new apartment? Should I go put on a pot of tea for him?

Zuko: First I have to get it out of here.

Iroh: [Starts yelling.] And then what!? You never think these things through! [Points at him.] This is exactly what happened when you captured the Avatar at the North Pole! You had him, and then you had nowhere to go!

Zuko: I would have figured something out!

Iroh: No! If his friends hadn't found you, you would have frozen to death!

Zuko: I know my own destiny, Uncle!

Iroh: Is it your own destiny, or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?

Zuko: Stop it, Uncle! I have to do this!

Iroh: I'm begging you, Prince Zuko! It's time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions. Who are you, and what do you want?

Zuko screams loudly, throwing down his swords and Blue Spirit mask.

The Earth King

Earth

Zuko Iroh Avatar

Meanwhile, Zuko and Iroh return from Lake Laogai. The former seems ill.

Iroh: You did the right thing. Letting the Avatar's bison go free.

Zuko: I don't feel right. [Gets dizzy and passes out.]

Iroh: Zuko! [Rushes to him.]

Meanwhile at the apartment, Iroh is pouring tea.

Iroh: You should know that this is not a natural sickness, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying tea. [Feeds Zuko the tea.]

Zuko: What's happening?

Iroh: Your critical decision. What you did beneath that lake. It was in such conflict with your image of yourself that you are now at war within your own mind and body. [Feeds Zuko more tea.]

Zuko: What's that mean? [Coughs continuously and lies down.]

Iroh: You are going through a metamorphosis, my nephew. It will not be a pleasant experience, but when you come out of it, [Takes a cloth and wipes Zuko's head.] you will be the beautiful prince you were always meant to be.

Back at the apartment, Iroh and Zuko are asleep. Zuko wakes up and walks into the bathroom. He washes his face with water. When he looks in the mirror, he sees himself with no scar, no hair and an arrow tattoo on his head, resembling Aang. He looks horrified. He screams himself awake and breathes heavily. He touches the scar on his face and closes his eyes.

The Crossroads of Destiny

Earth

Zuko Iroh Aang Katara Azula

The scene changes to Zuko and Katara in the Crystal Catacombs.

Katara: [Apologetic.] I'm sorry I yelled at you before.

Zuko: It doesn't matter.

Katara: It's just that for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face.

Zuko: My face? I see. [He touches his scar.]

Katara: No, no, that's-that's not what I mean. [Approaches Zuko.]

Zuko: It's okay. I used to think this scar marked me. The mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark.

Katara: Maybe you could be free of it.

Zuko: What?

Katara: I have healing abilities.

Zuko: It's a scar, it can't be healed.

Katara: [Holds up a vial.] This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has special properties, so I've been saving it for something important. [Moves in front of Zuko.] I don't know if it would work, but ...

Katara puts one hand on Zuko's scar. Zuko closes his eyes, only to be interrupted by Aang and Iroh.

Katara: Aang!

Aang looks surprised at seeing Zuko alone with Katara. As Katara hugs him, he briefly smiles at her, then looks over Katara's shoulder to glare at Zuko. Cut to Zuko, who gets a hug from Iroh, and glares back.

Katara: Aang, I knew you would come. [She hugs Aang again.]

Zuko: Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar? [Points to Aang.]

Aang: Saving you, that's what.

Zuko growls and takes one confrontational step in Aang's direction, but Iroh stops him.

Iroh: Zuko, it's time we talked. [To Aang and Katara.] Go help your other friends. We'll catch up with you. [They walk away, Katara looks back at Zuko, who is looking sadly to the side, before moving on.]

Zuko: [Hurt.] Why, Uncle?

Iroh: You're not the man you used to be, Zuko. [Smiles.] You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. [Close-up to Zuko's face.] It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good.

As Zuko contemplates what his uncle is telling him, he yells as crystals grow to encase Iroh. He assumes a fighting position to prepare for the intruders. A different shot shows Azula along with two Dai Li agents sliding down from the sides of the chamber.

Azula: I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle. [Cut to Iroh, still trapped in crystals. Cut to a side shot, where Zuko protects his uncle.] But Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you?

Zuko: Release him immediately.

Azula: It's not too late for you, Zuko. You can still redeem yourself.

Iroh: [To Zuko.] The kind of redemption she offers is not for you.

Azula: Why don't you let him decide, Uncle? [To Zuko.] I need you, Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day, [Makes a fist.] this glorious day in Fire Nation history, and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honor back. You will have Father's love. You will have everything you want.

Iroh: Zuko, I am begging you. [Close-up of Zuko's face as he focuses from Azula back to Iroh.] Look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want. [Zuko resumes contemplating.]

Azula: You are free to choose.

She gestures at the two Dai Li agents to leave, who earthbend themselves out. Azula leaves to follow Aang and Katara. The camera cuts to Zuko multiple times as he contemplates his choice. He drops his head.

An intense shot of blue fire attacks them from behind. Aang stops it using earthbending, but the impact forces him backward a few steps. The camera zooms back toward Azula, the source of the blast, with smoke trailing from her fingertips. Katara uses waterbending to stop another attack, then sends a wave crashing toward Azula, who vaporizes the water with firebending. The mist from the vaporized water allows Azula to jump onto a crystal and firebend two blasts of blue fire. Together, Aang and Katara use waterbending to stop the blasts. Azula finishes her jump by landing on a rock pillar. Aang uses earthbending on the pillar, and Azula gasps once she notices the pillar crumbling. She jumps off and lands between Katara and Aang. She points at both of them, preparing to attack or defend herself. An orange fire blast lands in the middle of the standoff, and they look to see the source of the fire blast to be Zuko. Zuko looks from Azula to Katara and Aang, choosing who to attack. When he looks at Azula, she is glaring back at him. He then looks at Aang, who gasps once he realizes Zuko will attack him. Zuko firebends at him, and Aang uses airbending to jump away from the blast. Azula smiles at this and starts dueling with Katara, and Zuko furiously throws multiple fire blasts at Aang. Aang airbends the air currents around him to make a human-shaped gust of air at Zuko, knocking him down. Aang attacks Zuko with more airbending, but Zuko maneuvers around the attacks and gets back up on his feet. He fires more blasts at Aang who is clinging on to a rock pillar. Aang jumps onto a clump of crystals to avoid the attack. Furious, Zuko summons a greater blast of fire. Aang earthbends some crystals to protect him, but the crystals shatter, sending Aang flying to another clump of crystals. Zuko uses fire whips to attack Aang once again, but Aang jumps to another patch of crystals and Zuko keeps attacking. Cut to Azula landing on a puddle of water running toward Katara, who sends a aharp wave of water at Azula that very nearly hits her face, but cuts her hair instead, startling her. Cut back to Zuko, who is still using his fire whips to attack Aang, who is now jumping along the cave's ceiling. Aang kicks down a stalactite and follows it, using earthbending to increase its impact and sending Zuko flying, bouncing off the ground into a small wall of crystals. The scene focuses on Azula and Katara. Katara waterbends at Azula, knocking her down. Azula slowly gets back up into a fighting stance as Katara encases herself in water. One water tentacle captures Azula's hand as she struggles to attack her, and another one captures her foot after another failed attack. Katara then lifts Azula up, who yells in fear. Zuko frees his sister using firebending to break the tentacles. Azula gets up and briefly smiles at Zuko in gratitude, then looks toward the crater Aang had created with the stalactite. Aang crawls out, exhausted. Azula runs toward Aang. Cut to Zuko and Katara fighting. Katara still has water whips on her hands and Zuko starts using his fire whips.

Katara: I thought you had changed! [She grunts.]

Zuko: I have changed.

Zuko fires another blast.

The scene changes back to Zuko and Azula both fighting Katara. Hopelessly outnumbered, Katara gets knocked down. Aang jumps from the old building and earth surfs toward Zuko and Azula to stop them from attacking Katara, with a fiercely determined look on his face. However, a Dai Li agent appears and jumps in front of Aang's surf, sending him flying off. Aang yells as he falls. More Dai Li agents gather behind Zuko and Azula. Katara starts regaining her focus and Dai Li agents surround her. Katara uses the octopus form to defend herself. Aang stands up in a fighting stance, but his determined face quickly turns into one of despair.

Aang: There's too many. [He looks at Katara.]

Pathik: [From Aang's memory.] The only way is to let her go.

Aang: I'm sorry, Katara.

Closing his eyes, he turns away from Azula and Zuko and earthbends a crystal shelter tent. Aang starts meditating. Inside Aang's mind, a giant version of himself in the Avatar State, the Avatar Spirit, holds an airbending sphere with a normal-sized version of himself in the Avatar State. Back in the crystal shelter, Aang enters the Avatar State and the crystal shelter starts glowing, alerting those outside. Inside the shelter, Aang opens his glowing eyes and breaks the crystal above him. The camera shows Katara looking up to Aang, now rising in to the air, with hope. But before Aang can let Katara go and control the Avatar State, a bolt of lightning strikes him in the back. Cut to Azula's eyeball watching Aang getting struck, before it zooms out to show her smiling menacingly in a lightning summoning position with her fingers smoking. The Avatar Spirit lets go of Aang and falls out of the plane of existence. As Aang falls down, Katara, tears now falling down her face, creates a wave to catch Aang. The wave knocks down the Dai Li agents and Zuko. She looks down at Aang's lifeless body and back up with tears in her eyes. Zuko and Azula prepare to attack Katara, but a blast of fire stops them. Iroh, the source of the blast, jumps down from the wall of the cave and shields Aang and Katara from Zuko and Azula.

Iroh: You've got to get out of here! I'll hold them off as long as I can! [Fires some blasts at Zuko and Azula.]

Katara walks away slowly with Aang's body to a waterfall, and she uses waterbending to lift herself and Aang's body up its path. Iroh holds off the Dai Li agents, taking blows of earthbending, until after Aang and Katara leave. He submits to the Dai Li, who use earthbending to encase him in crystals. Azula is triumphantly smirking next to Zuko, both looking at Iroh. Iroh is looking back at Zuko, then closes his eyes and turns away. Cut to Bosco, Kuei, Toph, Sokka, Aang, and Katara riding on Appa. Appa moans sadly. Cut to a closer shot of Katara placing Aang's body on Appa. Katara opens the vial around her neck and uses water healing on Aang's wounded back. The rest of Team Avatar, Kuei, and Bosco all look sadly and in anticipation. The glowing from the spirit water stops, and Katara starts crying, assuming that it was not enough to save Aang. Aang's tattoos glow for a second and Aang groans. Katara, overcome with joy that Aang is alive, looks at him, who smiles a little, and she holds him closer. Cut to the Earth King's throne room with Azula sitting down at the throne with Zuko at her left.

Azula: We've done it, Zuko. It's taken a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se.

Zuko: I betrayed Uncle.

Azula: No, he betrayed you. [She stands up from the throne.] Zuko, when you return home, Father will welcome you as a war hero.

Zuko: But I don't have the Avatar. What if Father doesn't restore my honor?

Azula: He doesn't need to, Zuko. [She puts a hand on Zuko's shoulder.] Today, you restored your own honor.

Zuko looks turns away, uncertain of himself.

Aang

The Cave of Two Lovers

Earth

Aang Katara

Aang: We're going to run out of light any second now, aren't we?

Katara: I think so ...

Aang: Then, what are we going to do?

Katara: What can we do?

She silently walks over and grabs hold of his hand. Aang smiles up at her. The camera cuts to a close-up of Katara's face. The two are seen leaning into one another as the last of the torch light fades. Suddenly, the ceiling of the cave lights up revealing thousands of glowing crystals gleaming overhead.

Aang: They're made of some kind of crystal. They must only light up in the dark.

Katara: That's how the two lovers found each other. Gestures with her hand along the ceiling. They just put out their lights and followed the crystals. Sees the exit. That must be the way out! The two hug.

Aang: So, uh ...

Katara: Let's go!

She runs toward the exit. Aang stares after her before shaking his head and smiling. He and Appa follow close behind. They make their way out of the cave and into the outdoors. Appa bounds out of the tunnel and flops onto his back, tongue lolling out in content.

Bitter Work

Earth

Aang Sokka Toph

Suddenly, a large moose-lion appears.

Aang: Hey there, we found your cub! See, we have no problem with you! We're friendly!

Sokka: Aang, this is bad, you've got to get me out of here!

The moose-lion charges at Sokka, but Aang sends it over his head with airbending.

Sokka: This is really bad! Please Aang, you have to earthbend me out, there's no other way!

Aang tries, but all his attempts produce nothing.

Aang: Oh no! Gets on top of a rock to try and distract the saber-tooth moose-lion. Woo-hoo, look at me!

The moose-lion charges again but is again held off.

Sokka: Please, don't leave me again.

Aang: I won't.

He stands his ground, and at the last second, throws the moose-lion back with a blast of air. The beast leaves. Suddenly, slight clapping can be heard. Cut to shot of Toph sitting on a rock nearby.

Sokka: What are you doing here?

Toph: Just enjoying the show.

Aang: What? You were there the whole time?

Toph: Pretty much.

Aang: Why didn't you do something? Sokka was in trouble! I was in trouble! You could have gotten him out and helped us get away!

Toph: Guess it just didn't occur to me. Throws a nut down and attempts to crack it with the staff.

Aang: Grabs hold of it. Enough! I want my staff back! Takes it away.

Toph: Do it now!

Aang: What?

Toph: Earthbend, Twinkle Toes. You just stood your ground against a crazy beast. And even more impressive, you stood your ground against me. You've got stuff.

Aang: But

Toph: Do it!

Aang slams the ground and sends a rock into the canyon wall.

Toph: You did it! You're an earthbender.

Aang: I can't believe it!

The Serpent's Pass

Earth

Katara Aang Toph Sokka Ying Than

Katara: You're doing great, Ying. Sokka, where's that water? Now get ready to push. One ... two ... Sokka enters. ... three, push!

Ying groans; Sokka passes out. Moments later, the baby arrives and begins to cry. Aang, Toph, and Sokka are all outside the tent.

Katara: From inside the tent. It's a girl!

Toph: So, you want to go see the baby, or are you going to faint like an old lady again?

Sokka: No, no, I'm good this time. Toph and Sokka enter the tent.

Katara: Aang, you have to come see this.

Aang enters to see the new life.

Toph: She sounds healthy.

Katara: She's beautiful.

Sokka: It's so ... squishy looking.

Aang begins to smile.

Than: What should we name her?

Ying: I want our daughter's name to be unique. I want it to mean something.

Aang: Sheds some tears. I've been going through a really hard time lately. But you've made me ... hopeful again.

Ying: I know what I want to name our baby now. Hope.

Than: That's a perfect name. Hope.

Outside the tent. Aang meets with Katara. Suki, Sokka, and Toph stand next to the tent.

Aang: I thought I was trying to be strong. But really I was just running away from my feelings. Seeing this family together, so full of happiness and love, it's reminded me how I feel about Appa ... and how I feel about you.

Katara sheds some tears. Aang and Katara embrace, Katara's eyes still watering. The other three approach.

Aang: I promise, I'll find Appa as fast as I can. I just really need to do this.

Sokka: See you in the big city.

Toph: Say hi to that big fuzzball for me. Punches Aang in the arm.

Katara: You'll find him, Aang.

Aang: I know. Thank you, Katara. You ready, Momo?

Aang and Momo fly off. The rest wave goodbye.

The Desert

Earth

Sha-Mo Katara Ghashiun Aang Toph

Sha-Mo: What are you doing in our land with a sandbender sailer? From the looks of it, you stole it from the Hami tribe.

Katara: We found the sailer abandoned in the desert. We're traveling with the Avatar. She gestures at Aang. The leader's eyes widen a bit at this information. Our bison was stolen and we have to get to Ba Sing Se.

A young man to the right of the leader takes a step forward and aggressively addresses Katara.

Ghashiun: You dare accuse our people of theft while you ride in on a stolen sand sailer?!

Close-up of Toph's misty, green eye, narrowing as she hears the young man's voice.

Sha-Mo: Quiet, Ghashiun. No one accused our people of anything. If what they say is true, we must give them hospitality.

Ghashiun: Sorry, father.

Toph's eye widens.

Toph: I recognize the son's voice. He's the one that stole Appa.

Katara: Are you sure?

Toph: I never forget a voice.

Aang's tunic flutters around him as he charges forward, threateningly brandishing his staff toward Ghashiun.

Aang: Angry. You stole Appa! Where is he? What did you do to him?

Ghashiun cowers back.

Ghashiun: They're lying! They're the thieves!

With an angry frown and a growl of frustration, Aang smacks his staff on the ground, obliterating one of the sandbender's sailers with a powerful blade of air.

Aang: Enraged. Where is my bison?

Aang: You tell me where he is now!

To emphasize his order, Aang sends a strong blast of air toward another sailer. The sandbenders watch in shock as it blows up.

Sha-Mo:: To Ghashiun. What did you do?

Ghashiun: I-It wasn't me!

Toph: You said to put a muzzle on him!

Aang: Enraged. You muzzled Appa?

Aang's eyes and tattoos start to glow as he enters the Avatar State. With a swing of his staff, he destroys the last of the sandbender's sailers.

Ghashiun: I'm sorry! I didn't know that it belonged to the Avatar!

Aang: With the voices of all the Avatars. Tell me where Appa is!

Ghashiun: Frightened. I traded him! To some merchants! He's probably in Ba Sing Se by now! They were going to sell him there! The sandbenders raise their hands as if to ward off the Avatar's bright, angry glare. Please! We'll escort you out of the desert! We'll help however we can!

The wind around Avatar Aang starts the swirl, as his anger is reaching its peak. Sokka pull Toph along with him as he starts to make a break for it, running away from his enraged friend.

Sokka: Just get out of here! Run!

Aang drops his staff. The wind around him forms a fast moving sphere, knocking up sand high into the sky. As everyone runs away, Katara stays put, staring sadly at the ground. The sandstorm engulfs her and Aang completely, obscuring them from the sight of the others. They brace themselves as the whirlwind swoops over them. Aang's air sphere slowly lifts him up in the air, his teeth clenched and his hands cramped with rage. Katara grabs his right arm, preventing him from rising any further. The terrible face of an outraged Avatar looks down upon her, only to be met by Katara's sincere, sad expression. She pulls him back to the ground and presses him close against her chest. Sokka and Toph lower their arms as the wind becomes less violent. Tears are streaming down the Avatar's glowing eyes. Katara tries her best to hold on as her own tears well up. The air sphere slowly dissolves away as Aang leaves the Avatar state. His rage subsides to make room for pure, heartbreaking sadness. Fade to credits.

Lake Laogai

Earth

Aang Sokka Long Feng

Team Avatar reaches Appa's hold, only to discover that it is empty.

Aang: Appa's gone! Long Feng beat us here.

Sokka: If we keep moving, maybe we can catch up with them!

They find an exit back to the beach. As they make their escape, several Dai Li agents jump out from behind them.

Sokka: You think we can outrun them?

Aang: I don't think it's gonna matter!

Another group of Dai Li agents, plus Long Feng, stand in front of them. All the agents box them in, lifting up the ground on both sides. Dai Li agents stand on all three walls. Momo flies to Aang.

Aang: What is it, Momo?

Momo flies to the sky and chirps excitedly. Suddenly, Appa flies down. Cut to the overjoyed looks on Team Avatar's faces.]

Aang: Appa!

Appa smashes through the rock walls, scattering the Dai Li agents. Aang and Toph use earthbending to knock other nearby agents off a cliff and into the lake. Appa confronts Long Feng.

Long Feng: I can handle you by myself.

Long Feng charges at Appa, but Appa grabs his leg and hurtles him skipping into the lake. Appa spits out Long Feng's shoe. The team cheers and they run toward Appa.

Sokka: Yeah! Appa!

Aang: Happily crying. I missed you, buddy.

Appa closes his eyes. A teary-eyed Katara somberly looks over Lake Laogai as they fly over it on Appa. Aang places his hand on her shoulder. The team all gathers in a group hug.

The Guru

Earth

Aang Pathik

Aang: This is the last chakra, isn't it?

Pathik: Yes. Once you open this chakra, you will be able to go in and out of the Avatar State at will and when you are in the Avatar State, you will have complete control and awareness of all your actions.

Aang: Smiles with determination. Let's do this.

Pathik: The Thought Chakra is located at the crown of the head. It deals with pure cosmic energy, and is blocked by earthly attachment. Meditate on what attaches you to this world. Images of Katara appear before Aang. Now, let all of those attachments go. Let them flow down the river, forgotten.

Aang: Coming out of his meditation. What? Why would I let go of Katara? I ... I love her!

Pathik: Learn to let her go, or you cannot let the pure cosmic energy flow in from the universe.

Aang: Why would I choose cosmic energy over Katara? Aang throws his hands up. How could it be a bad thing that I feel an attachment to her? Three chakras ago that was a good thing!

Pathik: You must learn to let go. Aang contemplates worriedly.

Aang: I'm sorry, but I can't let go of Katara.

Pathik: Aang, to master the Avatar State, you must open all the chakras. Surrender yourself.

Aang: Okay, I'll try.

Pathik: Now think of your attachments and let them go. Let the pure cosmic energy flow.

Aang sees an image of him letting Katara go, and a bridge that will lead him to Avatar State mastery. His image looks down, smiles at the bridge, and walks up to the Avatar Spirit, which is an enlarged image of himself in the Avatar State. The Avatar Spirit is holding a ball of energy, and Aang walks directly inside of it. As he does so, his tatooes glow, and he closes his eyes. Right before he is able to completely open the final chakra and master the Avatar State, however, he hears a shriek from Katara and sees a vision of her in chains. At this, he jumps out of the energy sphere and runs away from the Avatar Spirit. The energy bridge that lead him there slowly vanishes behind him until it catches up and falls from underneath him, causing his image to plummet toward Earth. This cuts his connection to the Avatar State, which forces him back to reality.

Aang: Katara's in danger! I have to go! Prepares to exit.

Pathik: No, Aang! By choosing attachment, you have locked the chakra! If you leave now, you won't be able to go into the Avatar State at all!

Aang hesitates but leaves anyway, leaving Pathik concerned and disappointed.